-1Thank you for all the reviews! The response thing in the e-mails it just too cool! Lol

Chapter 5: Ripples

People watching the Third walk towards the Hokage Tower that morning would almost swear the man was skipping; but Kage's don't skip and therefore that theory was completely thrown out the window. But the aged leader of Konoha definitely seemed to have a 'lighter step', yes that was a more reasonable wording, as he progressed through the awakening village.

'Finally Naruto has noticed that Hinata has been there all along.' Sarutobi thought happily. If asked how he knew about the goings on of these two young genin he would only smile slightly saying "I'm The Hokage." No one needed to know about the crystal sphere he used to 'check up' on different areas of the village. The uproar from the village women about 'perverts' and 'bathhouses' would be quite troublesome.

Sarutobi nodded to the chunins that had risen just before him to attend to their guard posts outside his door as he entered. He walked over to the window behind his desk and took in the village that he protected. The city had few people out this early. A few merchants trying to get an early start, the stray ninja jumping from rooftops on their way to train. He absently noted a particular one moving at a hurried pace. 'No need to rush Naruto.' Sarutobi laughed to himself, 'Kakashi won't be on time either.'

With that he finally turned back to his desk and noted the rather large folder in the center of it. "Don't remember you being there when I left." He carefully approached the folder, checking for any malcontent intent coming from it. He was the Hokage after all. Not everyone wanted him to live a longer life. When he was certain that it posed no threat, he opened it and began reading the top page. Absently noting that it was written in the highest level of ANBU coding.

Hokage-sama,

We feel that a storm is approaching. One that our village may not fare too well against. As such we've taken it upon ourselves to research some resources that, with your permission, we'd like to acquire. The following pages should explain our motives for themselves.

With respect,

Village of Konoha

As the Third began reading the documents before him his eyes widened. Details of what seemed to be powerful and potentially friendly fighters lay before him. Detailing their lives and, to his further shock, which Konoha ninja would be best to go and convince these fighters to join Konoha. The Hokage leaned deeply into his chair as he absorbed the vast amount of information that sat before him.

'What storm do they mean I wonder..?' Sarutobi asked himself. Almost unbidden the image of his former student sprung to mind. He sighed deeply as he pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes shut. He knew that Orochimaru chose his own path, but guilt didn't seem to work in the same ways logic did. He then glanced at a scroll he received the previous day. 'Or perhaps this..' The scroll contained what little information that had been gathered about an organization that was seemingly seeking information on jinchuriki, but had so far remained too deep in shadows for any real conformation.

'Perhaps we do need more resources..' He finally concluded as he began to form plans to allow the village to 'acquire' these resources off what was inside the documents. 'I only hope Konoha will survive this storm..'

'Least I don't have to worry about being late.' Naruto thought to himself as he jumped from rooftop to rooftop. Anyone who knew him, although he knew few did at this point, would tell he didn't sleep well the night before. Unbidden nightmares he thought were long in his past had returned to him forcefully but he pushed them aside, even under Kyuubi's worried gaze.

"I'll be fine!" He had said cheerily during his morning routine when she had pressed him about them. "They're just old memories. Probably just a side effect of our time trip." Kyuubi had let the subject drop but Naruto knew that she would still be watching him.

"Good morning!" Naruto said through his smiling mask, although his insides were tearing up. Before him were Sakura and Sasuke just like he remembered them. Sasuke in his eternal scowl, Sakura giving Sasuke her attention and blatantly ignoring Naruto himself. Pangs of regret and memory shot through him. Although he was slowly becoming used to the sensation, a fact he was readily grateful for; seeing his old 'dead' friends was stressful to say the least. After their greetings of a grunt and an eye roll he just hung his feet over the bridge to quietly start his kunai training.

"Where is he?" Sakura whined as another hour dinged. Sasuke only grunted in response as he looked towards Naruto. Who had been, since he arrived, dangling his feet over the bridge and staring at them intently. 'Somethings.. Different about the dobe..'

As if response a puff of smoke appeared then dispersed, revealing a smiling Kakashi. "Yo."

"You're late!" Sakura yelled as she pointed at him. Naruto had to fight every fiber in his being not to do the same thing, couldn't get on Sasuke or Sakura's bad side today. He had a plan to follow.

"Sorry." Kakashi grinned, 'I love this part, what shall I use today?' he thought for only a moment, "I got lost on the road of life." His answer was his new students collective sigh and sweat drop. 'This really is the way to live.' Kakashi laughed to himself.

"Lets get on with this test." Sasuke almost growled, or maybe it was his stomach growling, couldn't be sure.

"Suit yourselves." Kakashi jumped lightly to the ground, "This test is really easy actually." Kakashi chuckled again, "You just have to get one of these from me." With that he revealed two small bells. "Get one and you pass, don't and you go back to the academy." Before the words that he knew they were thinking could be expressed. "Yes, that means no matter what." An evil glint came to his revealed eye. "One of you will fail."

As the gravity of the situation sank in Kakashi couldn't help but add a little more explosive tag to the mix. "Oh and you only have till noon." He finished by pulling out a small red alarm clock and setting it to the appropriate time. "Come at me like you're going to kill me. Otherwise you'll never get a bell." Kakashi would have fallen to the ground laughing had he not needed to maintain his appearance at the looks on the genin-hopefuls' faces. "Begin!"

The word seemed to snap them out of their reverie as they all disappeared into the tree line. 'They can hide themselves well at least.. Two of them anyways.' Kakashi absently noted that one orange-clad genin just stood before him.

"Are you going to give me one of those bells?" Naruto grinned, "Or do I really have to hurt you for one?"

"Hmm.. Decisions.." Kakashi seemed to be lost in thought as he slouched before Naruto, "No, I don't think I'll give you a bell. You're a little too.. Weird." With that he began reaching inside his vest.

'What is that baka thinking!' Sakura mentally shouted, 'Kakashi is a Jonin! He can't beat him!' She then noticed Kakashi reaching within his vest. 'He's going to use a weapon?' Sakura had to cover her own mouth to prevent herself from screaming when Kakashi revealed a bright orange book. The cover clearly indicated it was not for children.

'Our sensei is a pervert..' Sasuke nearly fell from his perch when he saw the book, 'Never mind, stay calm and watch for an opening.'

"Well hurry up, time is ticking away." Kakashi teased as he began reading.

Naruto gave him his best glare, "I hate those books.." he growled before attacking. A swift punch was deftly avoided, a leg sweep hopped over. 'He's as good as I remember.' Naruto thought as he continued his assault. A quick punch actually made contact with Kakashi, or so Naruto thought.

"Don't let your opponent get behind you." Kakashi recited as he made an extremely dangerous hand seal.

'Oh no!' Sakura thought, "Naruto run! He's going to destroy you!" She couldn't prevent herself from shouting out.

'Kuso!' Naruto mentally cursed, 'I forgot he did this!' He desperately tried to move but to no avail.

"Hidden Village of Konoha's Secret Taijutsu Master Art..!" Kakashi shouted as Naruto felt a sensation between his lower cheeks that he had prayed for years never to feel again, before catapulting himself as far as his legs would take him. "A Thousand Years of Pain!" Kakashi finished as Naruto splashed down into the nearby stream.

'Kuso! Kuso! Kuso!' Naruto bubbled as he sank to the bottom of the stream. 'Why didn't you remind be about that Kyuubi?' Her answer? Laughter, pure laughter.. 'And you call me a kit..'

"I'm sorry kit." Kyuubi apologized as she got her breathing back under control. "I just couldn't resist! The look on your face!" With that she fell back into her silver peals of laughter. Naruto growled before he started to reach for his shuriken holster. "Wait!" Kyuubi stopped him, "Sasuke will make a move if you don't first." Naruto just sighed then slowly began making his way back to the surface.

'There's an opening!' Sasuke moved quickly, launching a hail of kunai and shuriken at Kakashi. They all plunged deeply into the older ninja sending him into a nearby tree. 'Did I get him?' Sasuke thought, his question was answered when 'Kakashi' popped, revealing a log. 'No! I've revealed my position! Move!' With that he lunged to the ground and tried speeding away, only to have the formerly impaled ninja appear in front of him. 'Kuso..'

"Nice try, little slow though." Kakashi grinned from behind his book. "Wanna go again?" His answer was Sasuke launching a high kick, which he caught. Sasuke used his momentum to throw a solid punch, which he caught. 'Hmm.. Curious.' Kakashi thought as Sasuke used what little mobility he had left to throw another kick, which Kakashi blocked.

'Got them!' Sasuke thought as he reached for a bell, only to have his hopes shattered as Kakashi pushed off him. "Kuso.." Sasuke muttered, 'I could feel the bell.' He glowered at Kakashi before quickly making more hand seals. "Katon: Blazing Fireball no Jutsu!" he exclaimed before inhaling deeply, satisfied by the surprised look on Kakashi's face, and breathing a scorching inferno.

As the smoke cleared Sasuke was startled when nothing remained within the small radius of the fireball's destruction. 'Where is he? Above? In the trees?' Sasuke searched frantically, turning in different directions. "Where are you!" He muttered.

"Below you." Came his answer as Kakashi grabbed Sasuke's leg from underneath the ground. "Doton: Earth Imprisonment no Jutsu!" Sasuke felt himself pulled roughly into the ground, leaving only his head above it. "How's that? Can't move at all?" Kakashi asked as he started to turn away reading his book. "You are a little different then the others, but then I suppose the stake that stands tallest gets pounded down first." As he walked away he noticed his last target quickly making their way towards the scene of the small fight. 'Perfect..' Kakashi grinned as he started making seals.

"Sasuke?" Sakura called quietly as she carefully moved from beneath the undergrowth. "Sasuke where are you?" In her desperate search she didn't notice the subtle influence of a genjutsu settling on her. "Sas.." her words caught in her throat as she saw the object of her search, or at least part of him. Sasuke's head lay on the ground, blood pooling around it. "Sas.. Sasuke.. Is DEAD!" She screamed before passing out.

"Great.." Sasuke grumbled as he tried to move. "Kuso.." Suddenly the brush started to part, 'Not again..' Sasuke thought as he feared their jonin instructor had returned to play with them some more. He only grimaced more when Naruto emerged from the undergrowth and took in the situation. 'Now he'll give away his own position by laughing at us..'

To his surprise Naruto spoke quietly, "Kakashi may be weird but he's stronger then any of us." With that he wrung his still wet sleeve over Sakura's face, bringing her back to reality; before moving over and beginning to dig Sasuke out.

Sakura blinked as she took in the real situation. "You're not dead!" She grinned happily before her face fell. "He got me with a genjutsu didn't he..?" Sasuke grunted as Naruto nodded, still digging around Sasuke. "Let me help.." Sakura said as she too began trying to free the Uchiha.

"I think we might be going about this the wrong way.." Naruto contemplated out loud as Sasuke pulled himself out of the hole. "Here eat these." Naruto said as he pulled two field ration bars from within the pockets of his jacket. When the pair looked at him oddly he scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Iruka-sensei gave them to me on my way here when he heard my stomach growl. Said something about always having at least three of these on me at all times." Suddenly Naruto's eyes widened. "Iruka-sensei.." He breathed.

"What are you thinking?" Sasuke asked as he ate the bar, fighting the urge to gag on the tasteless paste-like bar.

"Maybe we should listen to what Iruka-sensei said." Naruto began, "Remember he said: "Take care of each other, that's what teams are for." Maybe we're missing the whole point of this test.." Sakura and Sasuke's own eyes widened as their own minds fit together the pieces as well.

"But why only have two bells?" Sakura asked, trying to figure out the only missing piece of the puzzle. "It doesn't make sense that there are two bells and three of us." Sasuke and Naruto could only grimace as they too tried to tease apart that mystery.

"I'm not sure." Naruto started after a few minutes of thought, "But I think that we'll just have to ignore it. If anything I'll not get a bell." His hand scratched the back of his head, "I am dead last after all, another year of the academy couldn't hurt me right?" Sasuke and Sakura really couldn't say anything to that, although their faces revealed that the idea didn't sit well with either of them. "Come on." Naruto broke their thoughts, "We don't have a lot of time left, lets think up a plan to get those bells!" With that Team Seven began to plot the downfall of their pervert sensei.

"I wonder what they're up to now?" Kakashi absently noted as he continued reading his book as he stood in the middle of the field. He could sense Naruto and Sasuke approaching him quickly from two different directions. Within moments the pair appeared from in front and behind him. "Hurry up guys, not much time left now." He teased. The reaction was exactly what he expected, they both charged. With the two of them attacking with kicks and punches Kakashi had to grudgingly put away his book to counter the assault. 'Naruto has gotten slightly quicker, wonder why..' The thoughts were banished as both boys tried a kicks from different directions, making the jonin have to slid out of the way to avoid the blows.

"Kuso.." Naruto muttered. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" He shouted, creating two clones. "Henge!" Kakashi's eye widened momentarily as one of the clones turned into a replica of Sasuke. All four boys attacked, 'They're relying on speed..' Kakashi noted that none of the attacks had much power behind it. 'Hmm.. I actually lost track of which ones are the real ones..' Kakashi conceded as he continued to dance and block the hail of blows. Suddenly two of the boys dived and caught his feet, while the others latched onto his arms.

'What the?' Kakashi couldn't finish his thought as a puff of smoke appeared from the ground revealing Sakura, and to his complete amazement; she was holding both bells. 'Impressive.' Kakashi thought as two of the boys disappeared into smoke while the real ones joined Sakura. Sakura handed a bell to Sasuke as Kakashi spoke, "Nice trick. You had Sakura hide as a rock while you two distracted me. With her extremely high chakra control she was able to suppress her chakra so much that, with your boys attacks, even I missed her signature."

"Pretty good teamwork huh?" Naruto grinned.

"Ah.." Kakashi countered, "But this means you still fail Naruto, since you don't have a bell." Kakashi was surprised for the second time that day when two small bells were thrown at him. "And what's the meaning of this?" He asked curiously.

"If our entire team doesn't pass." Sakura started.

"Then the team fails together." Sasuke finished. Kakashi could only grin broadly as the three preteens stood resolutely before him.

'I can't believe it worked..' Naruto thought to himself. He and Kyuubi had thought that the pair might have done what they did, but it was a huge gamble; luckily it had paid off.

"Hmm.. What to do.." Kakashi pretended to be deep in thought. "Couple genin hopefuls trying to throw their weight around.." Kakashi suddenly turned away as the clock's alarm went off. "Well seeing as none of you have a bell you all failed. See ya." Kakashi started walking away.

"What the hell?" Naruto cried out as Kakashi continued walking. 'Maybe the timeline isn't being perfectly followed..' The thought was not comforting, everything they'd planned might be jeopardized by something as simple as someone's bad mood.

"Come on dobe." Sasuke sighed, "Least we'll be able to thank Iruka-sensei for those ration bars."

"Hmm..?" Kakashi suddenly turned back to them. "What was that about ration bars?"

Sakura gave the jonin a death glare before answering. "Just something that a real sensei taught us." Kakashi gave her a look plainly meaning for her to continue. "A ninja can't go hungry or their stomachs might growl at a bad time, just like ours were this morning. If Iruka-sensei hadn't taught us to always keep field ration bars on us all the time, as well as teamwork; we probably wouldn't have gotten the bells at all." Sakura omitted the fact that Iruka had only given Naruto the bars, trying her best to wound Kakashi's pride comparing him to a chunin.

Kakashi suddenly looked somewhat intense from his normal laziness. "So even though I, a jonin instructor, told you not to eat and that only two of you'd pass. You still listened to a chunin instructor and disobeyed my orders; first by eating and then by teaming up?" They all looked at him sternly before nodding. "Good." Kakashi grinned as the three genins took on shocked expressions. "You all pass. A ninja that doesn't follow the rules is trash, but a ninja that abandons teammates and can't think for themselves is lower then trash."

"Yatta!" Naruto exclaimed jumping and throwing his fist in the air. "We're real ninja now!" The now official Team 7 looked between each other. Naruto with a wide grin, Sakura with a small smile, even Sasuke had toned down the normal glare, and Kakashi looked on in his book. "Will you put that hentai away!" Naruto shouted breaking the reverie of the moment. Kakashi's eye only crinkled signaling his grin.

"You're dismissed for today." Kakashi spoke. "But here." He handed each of them a Ichiraku Meal ticket. "Why don't you guys have a real lunch on me. See ya tomorrow at the same time, same place." With that he disappeared in cloud of smoke.

"RRaammeeenn!" Naruto shouted, "Lets go team!" he grinned as he began running back towards the village. He was careful to make sure that he had outdistanced them and the tree that he dropped his weights at the base of was in between them before he scooped them up. "Hurry up guys!" he called again, his head popping out from behind the tree after replacing the weights. Team 7 left their training field as an official team for the first time.

Hinata waited patiently at the base of the post. She was a little early again but didn't mind waiting for Naruto. Her thoughts drifted to her new teammates. Kiba was very brash and loud; although his partner Akamaru was a "sweetheart". Hinata giggled at the memory of Kiba's slight embarrassed blush over his pet being called that. Shino was quieter then she was but he didn't seem to hold himself aloof like other quiet 'geniuses' did. He seemed to be simply observing them.

Although Hinata was sad Naruto wasn't on her team she was happy that Kurenai was her sensei. At the very least she had a familiar figure near her. Kurenai had been the one to escort Hinata to the academy for the first few years. Hinata's hopeful self thought it was because of her father's concern for her that the escort was required; although she knew in the back of her mind that it was the Byakugan that he was protecting.

Hinata was somewhat disturbed by the smile that Kurenai had given her after Naruto's good luck kiss in class. Hinata didn't feel it was a bad thing, more like Kurenai was happy about it. Why a jounin would be happy about her interaction with Naruto was beyond Hinata at the moment though. That smile had returned when Hinata had informed Kurenai about Naruto's and hers' sparring arrangement and encouraged her to keep it and the weights. She had even gone as far as to end their team's assessment early so Hinata would be on time for Naruto. Although Hinata didn't understand her sensei's actions she did appreciate them.

Hinata's thoughts were disturbed when the very orange ninja she was waiting for arrived, announcing himself loudly. "Uzumaki Naruto is here!" to which Hinata smiled and giggled quietly in response.

Hinata steeled herself as she answered, preparing to do something she had never been able to accomplish before. "Good evening N-Naruto-kun." She greeted him. Silently proud that she had only let his name be stuttered. 'I'll get stronger Naruto-kun. Because you believe I am.' With that thought the two began their training. As they sparred Hinata slipped slightly, almost causing what would have been a pulled blow from Naruto to connect with full force. But somehow the blonde managed to stop his uppercut in time. Hinata blinked for a moment at the sight before her.

She had unconsciously activated the Byakugan in her distress. And now looking at Naruto's chakra system she found something truly odd within it. Normally, any being with chakra had a single color. But Hinata noticed red flecks throughout his system. 'Why does Naruto have red chakra?' She asked herself. 'Could it be linked to the villagers hatred of him?' Hinata blinked again as she deactivated her Byakugan. 'Or linked to the sadness in Naruto's eyes?' Hinata couldn't help but blush when she realized Naruto had stopped her fall and was holding her with a worried look on his face. "Ano.." Hinata quickly regained her footing backed away. "Sorry N-Naruto-kun.. I just.."

"Slipped." Naruto finished for her with a grin. "Don't apologize for that Hinata-chan! We're sparring for that very reason! To get better!" With that they continued their match and shared a Hinata-made meal. A routine they both hoped to follow.

The next thee weeks seemed to flow by, Kyuubi pushing Naruto's developing body as hard as she dared the whole time. The new genin teams all continuing their training and their D rank missions, somehow Naruto and Hinata had yet to miss a training.. Ahem.. 'date' either. "Baka cat!" Naruto shouted as the aforementioned cat continued to try and rearrange his features. "I want a real mission!" He shouted directly into his microphone, nearly deafening his team. 'Just a little more time.' Naruto added to himself with a grin.

Although everything seemed to be going according to their plan; Hinata was growing more confident, Sasuke seemed to be becoming less obsessed with his ambition, and even Sakura had started to take their training more serious. Even going as far as to pull her hair into a tight braid, even though all the rumors said Sasuke liked girls with long hair. Even with all that one thing was amiss.

Kyuubi was worried.

Not for the plan but for Naruto. Unbidden nightmares haunted his sleep, ones reminding him of his past despair mixing with the images of the death of his friends in the future. Many mornings he would awaken in cold sweats, tears threatening to spill from his eyes.

'Why are these returning to him now? He came to terms with them all before?' Kyuubi's question had gone answered in the beginning but when the same thing, to a far lesser degree, began to happen to her she slowly pieced together the puzzle. 'When we combined with our past selves the emotions and memories up to that point doubled..'

Kyuubi was glad she was a demon, seeing herself kill and the times she nearly had been killed only vaguely bothered her. Although seeing her clan in the demon realm being attacked had caused some strain on her. She knew Naruto was still only a human, one with a dark past where little warmth waited for him. His entire psyche was being overwhelmed by these images and doubled emotions. And the thought of revealing his deepest secret to Hinata hung over it all. 'And the worst of it is he isn't willing to talk about it, and there is only me to talk to about it. Too many questions would be raised if he tried talking to anyone else.'

Kyuubi silently contemplated these disturbing thoughts as Team 7 returned the cat and accepted their pay for the day. Not for the first time did she curse the villagers for their glares and actions. Even after all the pain that they had caused Naruto he still desired to protect them and gain their acceptance.

Team 7 silently walked back towards their normal meeting spot on the bridge to end their day. When they arrived they all fell into their respective places. Sasuke and Sakura leaning against the railing, Naruto dangling his feet over the edge of the bridge, with Kakashi lazily slouching in between them. "I guess we could call it a little early today." Kakashi started.

Naruto braced himself for his own question. "Before we go could I ask you guys a question?" Naruto hadn't turned to them instead leaning his head against a rail blankly staring out over the small river. He could feel all their eyes turn to him.

"Sure Naruto." Kakashi answered intrigued. "We are on a team to learn after all."

The other members of Team 7 were all curious to Naruto's sudden drop in enthusiasm. He wasn't as loud as he had been in the academy, evidently being a real ninja had quieted him; but he was still normally hyperactive. This sudden sullenness was a very uncommon occurrence, attracting their undivided attention.

"What's it.." Naruto paused exhaling for a moment before inhaling deeply, "What's it like to have.." Again he paused but the quiet downtrodden tone to his voice kept the others quiet. "A mother?" The final words of his question came so quietly that they almost missed them. Each of the listeners almost wished they had. This question only reminded them of Naruto's life and the absence of things most people took for granted.

"Oh Naruto.." Sakura spoke with quiet comfort as she knelt beside the blonde and placed a hand on his shoulder. Inner Sakura currently had rivers of tears flowing from her eyes while she hugged a Naruto plushie.

'Its easy to forget how hard his life really has been.' Kakashi sighed mentally, 'Naruto's overly bright attitude often clouds even the most trained minds from seeing his inner pain.'

To everyone's surprise Sasuke spoke up, "A Mother is someone.." He paused, straightening his thoughts, his eyes grew moist at the memory of his own mother. "That welcomes you home. She's someone that tends to you even when you don't want it. Believes in you for just being you." Sasuke turned away from the group to hide his dropping mask of coldness as more memories flooded through him. "She understands and guides you without trying to shape you." He brought a hand to his eyes to hide unbidden tears.

Sakura looked back towards Sasuke, Inner Sakura suddenly produced and hugged a Sasuke plushie next to the Naruto one. She picked up where Sasuke had stopped, drawing attention away from the boy, much to his inner gratitude. "Mothers are people who always have your best intentions at heart." Acting on impulse Sakura reached out and gently took Sasuke's hand, her heart soared when he stiffened but then relaxed and didn't withdraw his hand. Sakura gently pulled on Sasuke's hand hoping he'd join them. Slowly he took a seat on the bridge with Naruto, Sakura in between them.

'I think she's beginning to understand how alike they are.' Kakashi gave a small smile. 'Of how each of them have had huge burdens and expectations thrown on their shoulders.' Kakashi glanced between his now silent team and then around the area making sure that no one was around to witness the unshinobi-like actions of the Uchiha heir and the Kyuubi container.

The pair slowly let small tears of pain and remorse flow from their eyes.

Sakura was shocked to say the least. Over the past three weeks she had learned a lot about what being a real shinobi meant. Of how Naruto and Sasuke were so much stronger then her, to which her desire to grow stronger had blossomed to almost an obsession. Now the boy that was her idol and the boy that was an annoyance turned into something more. Right now in the light afternoon breeze.

They had both suddenly become very human.

Sakura couldn't help but feel ashamed of herself. She was just like everyone else. Only seeing the boys for what they were on the outside. Never taking the time to notice who they really were. Silently she made a vow to herself right then. No longer would she be the weakest person on her team, she would force herself to be a true kunoichi. As well as making sure she saw both Sasuke and Naruto for who they were.

Minutes passed as the two boys cleared their eyes before Kakashi spoke. "That's it for today." As he disappeared he spoke clearly, "They're right by the way Naruto."

The three stayed like that for a few more minutes before Naruto slowly stood. Head down he spoke just as quietly before. "Arigato." And then he was gone, running away towards the tree line. 'So very much.' He added mentally as he threw himself through the trees.

Kyuubi was honestly proud of Naruto. He had finally started to break into a part of his past that he hadn't the first time. An old idea suddenly appeared in her mind, one that she had entertained many times before. 'Maybe this will help the nightmares.' Sasuke and Sakura stayed at the bridge as the light faded before quietly bidding each other a good night and departing.

Naruto arrived at his and Hinata's training spot with his happy mask carefully in place. He knew that if Hinata thought that he was distressed about something she'd ask about it. And he couldn't bring himself to ask her the same question he had Sasuke and Sakura. He had honestly wanted to know the answer. Kyuubi had also pointed out that from what they knew about Sasuke's mother, it might help break down the barriers Sasuke had set up; and allow Sakura in. Another huge gamble but they both knew that Naruto wouldn't be able to reach Sasuke before he went seeking power. Sakura was the only one that Sasuke had shown any real attachment to, after she had decided to actually become stronger. So they were relying and pushing her this time, and it was thankfully working.

Hinata, Naruto knew, had lost her mother earlier then Sasuke had. And didn't want to cause her any more pain by the memory of it. And he didn't want to lie anymore to her so he made sure his mask was flawless as he greeted her. "Hi Hinata-chan!"

Hinata looked sharply up at the approaching blonde. To others his outward appearance was fine, but after spending so much time with him; she knew better. Naruto was depressed about something. But she also knew that he wouldn't talk about it yet, whatever it was happened very recently. So instead of pressing the issue she returned his greeting with a blushing smile. "Good evening N-Naruto-kun." She sighed mentally, she still couldn't stop the blush or the slight stutter when Naruto was near, but she refused to give up. After all she didn't go back on her word, that was their Nindo.

"Want to work on some taijutsu tonight Hinata-chan?" Naruto grinned at her. She simply nodded to which they both took their ready stances. "Hinata-chan?" Naruto suddenly spoke. "Could you use your Byakugan again today please?" Hinata's eyes widened in shock. "I mean, its not much use to you not to practice without it on."

"B-but.." Hinata started. Although this was not the first time he'd asked it always made her uncomfortable. She didn't like the way her eyes and face looked with the Byakugan active, especially in front of Naruto. She didn't want him to think she was unattractive.

"No buts Hinata-chan." Naruto interrupted. "You've been going easy on me all this time and that's not fair to you. Besides," His grinned spread across his face, "I trust you not to hurt me!"

Hinata's blush returned tenfold, "H-hai!" she squeaked before making the proper hand seals to activate her bloodline. With that the sparring match commenced. Naruto immediately noticed like all the other times he'd gotten her to use the Byakugan how much smoother Hinata's moves were. And when a particularly quick jab of his was deftly avoided and countered, how much quicker her responses were.

Hinata was making full use of her Byakugan. Naruto had said he trusted her, and she was going to work hard not to betray his trust. As they continued sparring Hinata noticed something that completely crushed her, so much that tears began to form in her eyes. 'I can't believe I failed even in this.. This must be what he was depressed about..' Hinata began to openly weep. Noticing this sudden change in her demeanor Naruto immediately jumped back.

"What's wrong Hinata-chan?" Naruto's voice filled with concern and panic. Neither of them had slipped so he was sure that she shouldn't be in pain. 'Did I mess up Kyuubi?'

"Not that I could tell Naruto." Kyuubi responded quickly, "Press her for the answer, this moment somehow feels crucial."

Naruto was startled when Hinata dropped to her knees, her face in her hands; tears streaming through her fingers. "Hinata-chan?" He carefully knelt down in front of her, slowly he reached out but as he was about to touch her arm she whispered.

"I'm sorry.." The desperation in her voice literally knocked him on his rear. She sounded so completely lost. "I'm sorry." she repeated in the same tone, Naruto's heart shattered at that second sound. 'And I finally thought I was good enough for something..' Hinata's mind replayed all her past failures, adding this newest one to what she felt was already an ocean.

After a moment he was able to shake away his shock. "I don't understand Hinata-chan. What are you sorry for?" His body was starting to shake from the desire to hold her and drive whatever was causing this pain from her.

"I'm s-sorry I'm so w-weak." She began, fresh tears flowed down her cheeks as she looked up at him. "I t-tried so hard to be a good s-sparring p-partner." Her face dropped back into her hands, her shoulders started to shudder from the force of her sobs. "I'm s-sorry I can't k-keep up with y-you." The words were fragmented between her ragged breaths.

"What are you talking about?" Naruto slowly gave into his body's desire and laid his hands on her shoulders. "You're a fantastic partner! There's nobody I'd rather spar with!" Whatever was affecting her, he just had to find out. "Please Hinata-chan.." He spoke so quietly and with such sincerity that it made Hinata slowly look up. "Tell me what's wrong, please! What do you mean you can't keep up with me?"

Hinata looked into his cerulean orbs, expecting to find distain or revulsion for the weakness she was showing. Her breath was taken away at the concern and fear that lie within them. Slowly she calmed her sobs and regulated her breathing, until she sat slumped, head still down, hands in her lap. She noticed that Naruto's hands never left her shoulders, or the concern from his eyes.

"Remember our Nindo Hinata-chan." Naruto carefully tried to prompt her to answer. 'She's stuttering a lot again. Whatever it is she's really hurt by it.' His thought as both his and Kyuubi's panic was rising.

Hinata took a deep breath as her fingers began to twist the hem of her jacket. "Its j-just that.." Hinata gulped audibly as she remembered all the encouragement Naruto and her team had given her. "Our w-weights started the s-same but now.." She trailed off as new tears threatened to fall. "I'll u-understand if you want to f-find someone s-stronger.."

It suddenly hit both Naruto and Kyuubi like an Akimichi Clan jutsu. Because of Kyuubi regenerating and building his muscles at such extreme speeds Naruto had significantly increased his weights. While Hinata could only move up at a normal ninja's pace.

'And she saw the difference..' Naruto began.

"With her Byakugan." Kyuubi finished. They both mentally slammed their hands into their foreheads.

Suddenly Naruto did something completely against the plan, and Kyuubi didn't try to stop him. He slowly let his hands glide around Hinata as he pulled her into a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry Hinata-chan." He whispered. "Please forgive me."

Hinata felt Naruto's hands begin to move. 'He's really going to leave me.' Her spirit crashed. But then suddenly she felt those same hands wrap around her as she was pulled into Naruto. Her face clearly showed her shock when he spoke those words. Not thinking about what she was doing she slowly placed her arms around Naruto's middle, completing the embrace.

The two stayed like that for several minutes until Naruto finally pulled away. "Can you forgive me Hinata-chan?" The look on her face clearly showed she didn't understand what he meant, so he forced himself to begin to explain. "I've kept a secret from you. One that I didn't ever want but that is a part of me." His head dropped and his hair fell into his eyes. "I promise that I'll explain everything tomorrow if you'll just forgive me this one last night." With that he slowly rose and started to walk away.

Hinata watched as Naruto slowly began walking. She couldn't make her voice work to call out to him. 'No!' she cried to herself. 'I'm becoming stronger! I.. I can't let him just leave!' Hinata reached out for Naruto as she cried out "N-Naruto-kun!" She saw him freeze in mid step. "Don't leave!" Slowly he turned his head towards her. "You don't have to tell me today since I know you'll tell me tomorrow! Its our Nindo!" She desperately shouted, "We don't go back on our words and always do our best!"

"You want me to stay?" Naruto asked in shock, "Even after you know I've lied to you?" Hinata's hand was still outstretched as she nodded. Unbidden tears began to form in Naruto's eyes as he took her hand. "Thank you so much Hinata-chan."

Slowly the situation fully dawned on Hinata, but she fought the urge to faint and didn't pull her hand from Naruto's. "Besides." She let a small smile play across her face, although tear stained and voice somewhat ragged. "I wouldn't want the food I made go to waste."

With that Naruto immediately grinned, the previous mood beginning to lift. "Can't have that now can we!" Together they ate in silence before Naruto walked Hinata home. Each drawing comfort from what was said. Hinata knew Naruto would explain tomorrow. Naruto feeling a little bit better about lying to his friends for all this time.

When he arrived home he was surprised when Kyuubi nearly demanded to be magnified. His surprise grew when the red smoke cleared. Kyuubi stood before him in a simple brown kimono. Her long hair had been done up in an intricate bun-ponytail combination. He choked a little at how much she looked like the women in the markets of the village. If not for the tails and eyes she would fit in with them perfectly.

"Ano.. What's up Kyuubi?" Naruto gulped. When Kyuubi started acting strange she usually had some trick up her sleeve. She was even more addicted to pranking and tricks then he was.

He was shocked when she pulled him into a tight embrace. "I'm so proud of you." Kyuubi said as she gently stroked his back. "You did so many right things. You're truly a special person Naruto."

Naruto's hands twitched. He had seen mothers hold their children this way. He had overheard parents praising their children in the same way. Although his mind was of a twenty-three year old, the deepest part where the inner child Naruto resided begged for this to finally happen. It was overwhelming that it was happening to him though. Ever so slowly his arms came up to wrap around Kyuubi. "Arigato." He said happily.

Kyuubi pulled him away from her by his shoulders. "Now." She smiled down at him. "Lets get you a snack and into bed. Just sit at the table I'll be right back." Naruto could only smile dumbly and comply with her request.

While Kyuubi was busy in the small kitchen Naruto's mind was racing. 'What's going on? What's she up to? Did I get hit with a poison or something? Isn't this how Sasuke and Sakura said a mother acts?' The last question shut his mind down as it repeated in his head. Sure Kyuubi had called him kit before. And he knew that's what young foxes were referred to as, but he thought it was only a way to tease him. Again his inner child cried out to finally be satisfied, to finally truly know this feeling; family. A glimmer of hope appeared in his mind as Kyuubi set a small plate of apple slices in front of him.

"Eat up kit." Kyuubi smiled again. "Then its off to bed." Naruto's grin widened as he slowly complied. He wanted to ask Kyuubi why but also didn't want this new feeling to end. Maybe he could pretend it was real, just for a little while. Add in the fact that Kyuubi looked so content and happy as she stood there watching him. He was truly confused.

"So.. Uh.." Naruto began, figuring he'd just get whatever trick she had out of the way. Hopefully he'd remember that warm, content feeling in his dreams. "Not that I don't like this change, but ano.. Whats going on?" Part of him wanted it to continue forever, but the real him knew that living a lie was foolish.

Kyuubi let a small, graceful smile cross her features. "Just something I'd been thinking of for awhile." When Naruto continued to look at her expectedly she continued. "I once adopted several forlorn orphans. It ended up being one of the happiest times of my life. I'd honesty like to have that feeling again. Even knowing the risks." Kyuubi's face took on a sad tint as memories raced through her mind, but it faded quickly as she returned her full attention to Naruto. "You wouldn't mind would you.." She paused for a moment, "my Kit?"

Naruto's mind was in overload. 'Wonder if this is how Hinata feels before she faints?' He asked himself absently to distract himself momentarily. That and the image of Hinata always calmed him. Was it true? Did someone actually 'want' him? Not as a friend or a 'deeper' friend, but as.. as.. as.. "A son?" His entire being was sent whirling as he slowly came to grips with the situation. "You want me?" He breathed again, "As a son?"

Kyuubi didn't hesitate in her answer. "Very much so. If you'll accept." Her smile saddened slightly. "There's no way to make it official but.."

She never got to finish her sentence as Naruto dashed from his seat to fiercely hug her. "Kaa-chan!" Somewhere inside him he knew it was a child's action. He was or had been a 23 year old man locked in a bloody war. He knew it shouldn't matter to him whether or not he had a mother. It should have been something he dealt with after all the years of not having one. He was supposed to be on a mission to save the future for everyone else. Sparing all of his precious people all that pain. And yet here he was crying into someone's kimono like a three year old child.

And he just didn't care.

Naruto had always wanted this. His entire life had been about getting people to acknowledge him and accept him. And now with another person offering to be something that was so precious he'd never actually believed in having it. He wasn't going to refuse as he thanked whatever deity was finally giving him a small ray of happiness.

Kyuubi's own eyes misted as she gently stroked his hair, slowly she settled herself to her knees as Naruto lost the strength to stand.. Issuing forth comforting words as his sobs continued. "Arigato my Kit." she whispered. "Remember we're here to fix the past as best we can. That includes yours kit." Slowly Naruto's sobs abated and Kyuubi could feel him begin to lose himself to sleep. 'What a day for him.' Kyuubi smiled as she carefully and quickly lifted him up and carried him to his room. Placing him on his bed and pulling the blanket to his chin. "Sleep well my kit." She whispered as she gingerly touched her lips to his forehead.

"Good night Kaa-chan." Naruto mumbled back as he turned into his pillow with a sigh. Kyuubi released herself and returned to the mindscape. She was pleased to find that all that she could feel from Naruto was quiet contentment, not the distress of his previous weeks.

'I never thought I could feel this way again.' Kyuubi thought as she watched over her kit. She sighed happily again. 'Arigato Naruto. You truly do have the gift to change others. Whether you realized you changed them or not.'

Eva, Pixie, Felichel all together: "Ahhh soo adorable!"

SR slaps his forehead. "When did you three get the keyboard!" Turns back to the readers. Hope you enjoyed it, sorry for how long it was. I really couldn't find a place to stop. Every time I tried my fingers started typing the next paragraph. Btw I went back over the other chapters and edited them slightly. Mainly just grammar/spelling, a little more imagery here and there. Nothing serious, you'll only notice cause you won't go: "That doofus spelled 'insert word' wrong?"

Thanks in advance for any reviews! And thanks again for all the previous ones! Till next chapter!