A/N Thanks for your reviews and support.
twilightserius: Thanks for your review my friend. Deep down he likely knows that it is a trick. You have to remember he is an adult stuck in a thirteen year old body. He's still trying to come to terms with the war he experienced.
Shadow Wolf 15846: Thanks for your review my friend.
DarkRavie: Thanks for your review my friend.
WhiteElfElder: Thanks for your review my friend. It's going to be tweaked slightly but there is still going to be a moment between them.
Shioon's POV
He lay against the grass his chest heaving. The strain of using multi shadow clone jutsu several times was taking its toll. He had not felt this kind of strain on his center in a long time.
Even before it was broken he had more ki than most people. Ever since he had taken the pill, he had even more. So much so that he struggled not to over do his techniques. It was why according to Hayate that he and Naruto struggled with clone jutsu.
Clone jutsu in its simplest form was meant for students. Those who weren't even ninja yet. Those who only had a small amount of chakra and ki. As they had more than most of their class combined they struggled with basic techniques.
Shadow clones were perfect answer for both boys. It took a lot of chakra to make solid body clones. The only problem with them was that one hit did them in.
Shioon had a feeling if they trained with it enough. They could make them last longer. It would take more time then they currently had. For the moment both boys were content with the knowledge that they could both perform the jutsu.
Naruto is in front of the small hut, sitting on the ground panting. Iruka walks up to Naruto, and they both look up. Shioon didn't want to get up but he would if necessary.
Iruka said with a laugh, "It's all over."
Naruto scratches his head, and laughs back. Iruka straightens up, confused.
"Huh?"
Naruto, "Got us already? Not bad. You're quick, Sensei. We only had time to learn one technique."
Both boys were covered in dust, dirt and sweat. They trained as hard as they could and still have chakra left. If something happened they could still fight.
Naruto happily intoned, "Listen, Iruka Sensei! We are going to show you this amazing Jutsu and you're going to let us graduate and everything will be okay. That's the way it works, right? Anyone who learns Jutsu from this scroll passes."
Iruka questioned, "Huh? Where'd you get that idea?"
A sense of dread coursed through his viens. Had they been lied to? It wouldn't be the first time he had been lied to. There was nothing more he hated than to be lied to and used.
Naruto happily continued, "Mizuki Sensei told me about it. Believe it. He told me where to find the scroll... And this place..."
Naruto turned to show the scroll on his back. Then he stopped, noticing Iruka's shocked face.
Shioon immediately sensed killing intent. Using Jin he launched himself at Naruto. He hit the other boy just above the waist knocking them both to the ground.
Shioon felt the burn in his leg as a kunai embedded itself it his upper thigh. The pain was bearable but he looked down to be sure that his friend was unhurt. Thankfully he was but fearful blue eyes were not staring at him. Instead they were staring at where Iruka was just a moment prior.
Turning his heart stopped. Iruka had several kunai and shurikan embedded into his jacket and leg. The man had been hurt protecting them.
A familiar voice said, "I see you've found our little hide away."
Iruka replied as he looked up, "So that's the way it is, huh? I should've known."
Mizuki is in a tree not far from them. Mizuki ordered, "Naruto! Give me the scroll, now!"
Naruto snapped, "Wait a minute... What's going on here?"
Naruto looks over at Iruka, then back at Mizuki. Then he looks back at Iruka.
Iruka pulls out the Kunai in his leg and throws it aside as he pants, "Naruto! Don't let Mizuki get the scroll! It contains forbidden Jutsu, that could put this village in grave danger. Mizuki used you to get the scroll for himself. For his own power.
Naruto stood pushing Shioon off of him. He looks up at Mizuki, angry. Shioon slowly got to his feet. Gingerly he kept the weight off of his injured leg.
Mizuki stated simply, "Naruto. Iruka's just trying to scare you cause he doesn't want you to have the scroll."
"Huh?"
Iruka said looking at Naruto, "Stop lying, Mizuki. Don't let him trick you, Naruto."
Mizuki laughs, "Oh, I'll tell you who's really lying."
There was something more going on here. Something that no one was saying. Was this why everyone seemed to hate his friend?
"No, Mizuki!"
Mizuki continued, "They've been lying to you your whole life, Naruto. Since the decree 12 years ago."
Naruto questioned, "What decree?"
Mizuki said, "Everyone knows except you. Iruka's trying to hide it from you now. He'd do anything to shut me up."
Naruto asked ooking up at Mizuki, wide eyed, "What is this decree? Why does everyone else know about it?"
"Don't tell him! It's forbidden!"
Mizuki snarled, "The decree is, no one can tell you the Nine-Tailed Fox is inside you! The Fox spirit that killed Iruka's parents and destroyed our village has taken over your body. You are the Nine-Tailed Fox!"
Iruka yelled, "Stop it!"
Why everyone hated the blond made so much more sense. Then again itvdidnt make any sense at all. Naruto didn't have the feeling of being a demon. He would know better than anyone. He faced down Chun under the Black Origin Threshold. That was a true demon. Something he never wanted to see again.
Naruto was different. He had gentle eyes and an even gentler heart. Every time he made trouble it was to make people notice him. So that he wasn't alone anymore.
Shioon noticed the change when they started hanging out. There was less pain and loneliness in his eyes. It made Shioon's war hardened heart warm slightly. If he could help this boy then maybe he would find a purpose in his life. The one thing he did know was that Naruto wasn't a monster or a demon. Mizuki was wrong about his friend.
Shioon made a noise of disagreement but it never came to words. He was interrupted by Iruka who said looking at Naruto, " We're the same. When I lost my parents, no one seemed to care. They didn't have time for me. They just forgot I was there. My grades dropped. I became the class clown. I just wanted them to see me... And know my name. My school wasn't good enough to get the attention, so I did crazy things. And then I had to pay for it. It was hard. I know that's how you feel, Naruto. You feel lonely and it hurts inside. And I could've been there for you more. I let you down. I'm sorry. No one should have to suffer that much. No one should be alone like that."
In a way the three of them were the same. Their past's were so alike. Each of them had lost their parents at young ages. All they wanted was to be recognized and loved.
Shioon said in understanding, "I am the same as you both. Ha Ill is my adoptive brother. I never knew either of my parents. They were both killed by bandits when I was young. Dad found me at my aunt and uncle's. They were far from kind to me and he rescued me from them. Without Ha Ill I probably would not have made it to my tenth birthday. We are not alone in this world despite what we might think."
Naruto's wet eyes met his then they set in determination. Both boys turned back to the two Chunins. Shioon chose the spot in front of Iruka. He would not allow anyone to hurt their teacher.
Naruto stood side by side with him. While it wasn't the most strategic position it was one they could both fight in.
Together they snarled, "If you may another hand on my sensei! I'll kill you."
There was no look shared between them. Not this time. Both boys could fight and they could both use shadow clones. Even if they were only canon fodder.
Mizuki said dropping to the groujd in front of them, "Such big words for little brats. I can completely destroy you with a single move!"
They snarled, "Take your best shot, fool. I'll give it back to you a thousand fold!"
Both boys put their hands up. Left hand had two fingers straight up. Right hand was horizontal with two fingers. Chakra pressure increased two fold.
Both boys shouted, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Smoke surrounded them in large quantities. If they had been anyone else it would be almost negligible. Several hundred of each boy stood in the grass and trees. Even Shioon didn't know how many they made. For him though it was what was left of his chakra.
Mizuk stumbles around, "Huh? What is this? No..."
The two students grinned at each other before rushing at the man. Shioon had to be gentle with his injured leg but it was enough. While he didn't have enough chakra or ki to use his elemental ki he could use the techniques learned from Chun.
It turned out they weren't necessary. The two boys and their sheer number of clones overwhelmed the Chunin. He was beaten within an inch of his life.
If it had been up to Shioon he would not have lived. However it wasn't his place to kill the man. That was Naruto's right.
Once they were done Iruka said after half a seconds thought, "Naruto. Shioon. Come here a minute. I've got something I want to give you."
They were both told to close their eyes as they stood before him. Shioon Shooting was slightly more reluctant to trust the man but eventually acquiesced to the man.
"Sensei? How much longer?"
Iruka stated, "Okay. You can open your eyes now."
Both boys opens their eyes. Iruka's standing there, smiling, holding in his hands Naruto's goggles. Iruka's missing his headband and his gear bag is open. The sun shine's brighter, revealing them both standing.
Iruka grinned, "Congratulations. You graduate. And to celebrate, I have a surprise. We're going out for Ramen tonight."
Naruto's standing there, shocked. On his head, is Iruka's Leaf headband. Shioon was wearing one as well. No doubt the other still had one in his gear after class.
Next to Shioon, Naruto was trembling. His friend could barley contain his happiness. Shioon was much more reserved in his happiness. He knew this was only the first step in their road. A long road it would be until he was called back to his world.
When he was called back he would leave Naruto alone again. Was that what he wanted?
He didn't know the answer to that. Ha Ill told him not to get attached. It was too late for that. He had already become attached to Naruto. For now he would make the most of their time together.
