Naruto: Knocked Off Course

by KCMC66

"Ninja take their fate… into their own hands." He shuddered at the memory, glancing down at his own dirty, bloody fists. Naruto punched again, feeling the freshly healed scars flex painfully on his back. Sending chips of bark and droplets of blood flying from the post. If others saw nothing wrong with taking their fate in their hands at his own expense, why shouldn't he.

7. New Blood

CHAPTER 7

TITLE: New Blood

---

Tori stood against many of the enemies of Konoha. In times past, nearly every shinobi village, and all of it's ninja posed a threat to her village, and she defended it accordingly.

Never once had she encountered a foe so dastardly and ruthless.

The quivering lip, the gentle glinting of unshed tears, and the look of genuine confusion and disappointment was almost enough to topple her.

She decided to 'rip off the bandage' when it came to telling Naruto about her new assignment, and the end of her current one. Immediately regretting it when she heard his voice cry out, "What do you mean you're leaving!?"

Naruto's cry of childish outrage made her smile gently under her mask.

'Even after everything... He's still a child, after all.'

Shinobi life had an especially brutal effect on children. An effect that Tori knew intimately.

It snuffed out childish whims, or any trace of innocence, savagely ripping out all those natural emotions with something hard and unfeeling.

A callous and brutal nature that turned kids into weapons worthy of throwing at the enemy. Tasking boys and girls with a choice; to grow strong, or die.

Naruto Uzumaki was only marginally different, and it was definitely not a good kind of different. Callousness or hardness among academy students, especially legacy students was not uncommon.

Most of it was an act, learned behavior inherited from shinobi who returned from the front lines, only to discover that they were now parents.

Bravado, detachment and a cold demeanor were shields against horrors that they didn't fully understand, but were fully aware of.

This is where Naruto was different.

He wore it more like a mask than anything truly attached to his personality. A 'coating' that Naruto possessed, but never seemed to relish, or enjoy.

So rare moments where his childishness shined through his chosen facade of a rough and pouty exterior were happy moments indeed.

Although, the sour note of her departure put a dampening on her mood, her smile fading into a frown when the truth of what she was about to do slammed into her once again.

They currently stood in their usual training ground, and usually it was at this time that her and Naruto would train. Which usually composed of a few simple lessons, exercise, some sparring, and no small bit of frustration on Naruto's part.

She couldn't really call herself a marvelous teacher, she was much more content leaving that job to others.

Her experience in being 'Instructed' usually meant being hit or stabbed whenever she got something wrong. Over time she was simply wrong less and less often.

It was painful, savage, and brutish, but effective.

But she knew now that the life of an ANBU was no place for a child, especially for a child she knew had suffered at the hands of those he was supposed to trust.

Tori knew that pain and bitterness better than most. Maybe that was why she was so ready to walk away, fearful that her own darkness might rub off on someone so young.

But as Tori stared down at the young child she'd looked after for the better part of four years, she'd be lying if she said she wouldn't give a hell of a lot to stay. To help Naruto, give him everything and anything to make it all better.

But she swore an oath to obey her Hokage, and all of his orders. Even if it did tear her up inside.

"I'm sorry Naruto, but we both knew that my presence was temporary. I was assigned to protect a 'child'. Now that you're a Genin, you'll be expected to protect yourself now."

"I know, but..." Naruto fell short, his gaze lowering to the grassy ground.

Tori sighed, reaching out a hand to rest on his head, "I know."

There was a moment of silence, and for a second, all that could be heard was the wind rustling the leaves around them, but her finely tuned ears could hear the telltale sound of sniffles and grinding teeth.

Tori snorted, forcing herself to cheer up and take her hand off his head to gently lift up his chin, exposing the tears in his eyes, "Naruto I'm not dying. I'll still be around, I just won't be spying on you 24/7."

Naruto huffed out a short laugh, but the short reprieve from the heavy atmosphere was broken when Naruto frowned and turned away from her, "You'll be busy."

Tori nodded to herself, "I can't lie, I probably will."

Naruto sagged a little more, probably expecting a more uplifting answer. But pointless lies and platitudes would serve no one.

She lifted Naruto's face again, "But I'll cut you a deal..."

Naruto visibly perked up at the prospect, she continued, "I want you to do a few things for me. If you promise to do your best, listen and obey your team leaders, and at least try to get along with your squad mates, I'll come to visit you in a month."

Naruto's face scrunched up in confusion, and Tori laughed a bit to herself. He likely found the tasks ridiculously easy, 'Ah, poor naruto.'

Inevitably, Naruto nodded with no small amount of enthusiasm, and Tori felt her heart swell with pride and happiness at the sight.

She leaned down and touched the blond's head with her mask right over where her lips would be, "That's all I ask."

And with that, she departed with a body flicker, and a low level genjutsu to secure the illusion of her mysterious departure. But to Naruto's eyes, it would be like if her form merely dissolved into a burst of leaves and wind. Naruto stared in awe and a bit of sadness, as he waved slowly at nothing.

Tori sat in her perched position in a tree a few dozen yards away, watching Naruto's reaction to her departure, and was more than satisfied at the Uzumaki's clenched fists, and determined expression as Naruto marched his way in the direction of the academy.

It was a paltry assurance, almost nothing. But it was all she would get, so she smiled anyway.

---

Naruto Uzumaki hated a couple of things. They shifted from time to time, something he held noting but contempt for one day, may be alright in his eyes the next. Some things though, were things he hated more than others. If he could name two things he probably hated most of all, it would be waiting.

Specifically waiting for his ramen to heat up in the microwave, but also waiting in general.

It had been nearly two hours since their team assignment, and Naruto saw not a hide, nor hair of their supposed 'leader'.

He had no clue who the hell their soon to be sensei was, but as he sat in his seat, staring despairingly at the clock, whoever they were, was definitely on his shit list.

And a quick glance at the severe expression of the normally merry Rei was more than enough to tell him that he wasn't the only one that held the same opinion of the missing sensei.

Naruto sat at the back of the room, his head held up by his right hand, his elbow nearly numb from propping his head upright for so long.

The only sound in the room was the ticking clock, and the odd sigh coming from Rei, still sat in the chair at her desk.

She'd long finished whatever work she had there, and currently sat in a similar state to Naruto, often taking the odd glance at the clock sitting above the painfully still door.

Naruto made a despondent sigh, before he took another look around the room, anything to distract him from the awful silence. He looked over the other two occupants of the nearly empty classroom, neither faring much better than he was.

Hinata seemed to be valiantly battling sleep, with what sliver of her face he could see from his perspective showing the drawn, exhausted look of one who had just recently finished training.

He admired the work ethic, and idly thought of Tori as he sat, remembering her last words before departing.

Naruto felt a bit empty when he remembered that at the end of the day, contrary to most days, Tori would not be waiting for him at home. No one to ask for advice or to train with, now he was supposed to rely on his 'team'.

Naruto sat back, crossing his arms in exasperation, 'But how the hell am I supposed to rely on a team, when our own Sensei can't bother to show up!?'

The question remained unanswered, even when Naruto was currently in the presence of supposedly one of the oldest, and wisest beings in the world.

'Cease your whining brat...'

Naruto sighed again, 'It was gonna be a loooong day...'

---

"What brought you here?"

Sakura blinked in surprise, not really knowing how to answer, but the intense gaze of her new crimson-eyed sensei compelled her to speak.

"W-Wha?" Sakura fumbled in her response, suddenly feeling all too cognizant of her two new teammates, Kiba and Shino, both staring at her.

They all stood on the apex of one of the many grassy hills that surrounded the banks of the Nara river. The late noon sun shone off the reflective surface of the river, bathing the entire area in a warm yellow and orange glow.

Which Sakura would've been more than happy to enjoy if she wasn't the center of so much unwanted attention. Kurenai continued to stare for a moment longer, before she finally turned to pace around the trio of newly minted genin.

Sakura sighed, feeling the pressure on her chest lessen once all the eyes were off her. To tell the truth, there was only one person she wanted to look at her as intensely as that, and that person was stuck on a team that could never truly appreciate Sasuke-kun like she could.

Sakura had nothing against Hinata, she seemed like a pretty nice, normal girl to her. With most of the things significant about her fading into the annals of her memory. The only thing she seemed to truly recall was the girl's lack of an attraction to Sasuke in any way.

...Which brought her back to Naruto. The boy was indeed a mystery, one she was certain that he himself had yet to solve.

She actually pitied Hinata, knowing that Naruto was likely never to realize Hinata's feelings towards him, even if he was struck in the face with it.

And finally, poor Sasuke was left on a team that could never truly appreciate him. Sakura felt her cheeks flush as she thought of all the ways she would appreciate him if they ended up on the same team.

A harsh clearing of the throat courtesy of Kurenai-sensei brought her back to the real world, which caused Sakura to go red from embarrassment from being caught in her reverie.

Kurenai continued to pace, "I want you all to think about that question. What brings you here, to become ninja of Konoha. To swear allegiance to your Kage, and your village..."

She stopped on a dime, swiveling to pin down first Kiba, then shino with her gaze. Inspecting them both with her critical eye. Both flinching hard at her stare.

"Some of you have simple reasons for being here. Which is perfectly fine. Simple reasons such as duty, and family are good enough reasons." She said as she continued to pace, almost as if stalking her potential prey.

"Which brings me back to you, Sakura-san." The pink haired girl jumped at the sound of her name being called, and flinched again when Kurenai stared at her once more. Only the intensity of her gaze seemed lessened somehow, taking on a more gentle look than before.

"Do you know why I'm singling you out like this?" She asked quietly.

Sakura frowned, thinking of a few reasons off the top of her head, nearly all of them bringing some kind of negative emotion out of her. She could see the clear differences between her and her new teammates, but based on who was asking, she surmised that it had nothing to do with her gender, so she went with the next likely answer.

She tried to put some steel into her response, but it came out more shaky than she intended, "Is it because I'm not from a ninja clan?"

Kurenai tilted her head in contemplation, "Hmm, close. But not quite."

Sakura's eyebrows up, now thoroughly confused.

Her confusion must've been plain to see on her face because the tall jounin giggled at her, bending down to her level, "What was the first question I asked Sakura?"

She responded immediately, ever the quick student, "You asked why we're here."

Kurenai nodded, "So why Sakura. Why do you want to be a shinobi?"

Sakura wisely decided not to bring up the object of her affection to her new sensei, opting instead to mention the reason she initially asked her parents to enroll her into the academy. Before she had even met Uchiha Sasuke.

"I couldn't imagine doing anything else. This is what I've always wanted to be."

Kurenai smiled, nodding in satisfaction when she heard her answer. She brought a hand to her knee to stand herself up, only to resume circling the three students.

"A fine answer. Although, it's funny, I didn't hear a single word about a certain Uchiha in that explanation."

Sakura let out a small sound of mortification, and felt her face grow as red as a tomato. Kiba let out a laugh at her embarrassed look, but kurenai was quick to silence him. Pinning him down with her eyes just as the jounin had just done to her the minute before.

"Personally I think you're answer is a little bit, incomplete. But it's fine for right now. You are just an academy student after all."

"Fair, but I did detect one inaccuracy in your previous statement, Kurenai-sensei." Kiba jumped a little at the sound of shino's surprisingly deep voice, and Sakura herself was also surprised at hearing the typically quiet boy speak at all. She's only ever heard him talk a handful of times, not that she found herself ever complaining about that.

There was an air of mystery to Aburame Shino, less so than Sasuke or Naruto, but something about the low, monotone of his voice gave her the creeps.

Kurenai didn't seem bothered, and look straight into the dark sunglasses of the young boy. Shino looked up to meet her, "According to Rei-sensei, we're genin as of now."

Kurenai grinned, and there was something about the suspicious gleam in her red eyes that made Sakura shiver.

"Not quite." She said.

Sakura shivered, 'That's not a good sign...'

---

Asuma chose a proper training field to be the first official meeting of their team.

The surrounding trees, thick foliage and ever present leaves grounded him, and brought back memories of when it was him that was the student, instead of the sensei.

'Sensei... Hmph.'

He'd been repeating the word in his head ever since it was decided that he'd be the next jounin to take on a genin team. The word felt foreign now, the meaning feeling muddled and contradictory. He'd taught before, instructed a handful of genin and others, but taking ownership of a team felt different.

He remembered serving on a team with him, Kurenai and Raido. They were more than just a team, they were close, and did a damn good job while they served together.

He smiled when his thoughts drifted to the only female on their team. Kurenai. She'd do great, way better than he ever could.

He shook his head, clearing his wistful thoughts away as he felt the presence of his would-be students growing closer. He heard their commotion from ages away, hearing a loud string of broken branches, hard stumbles and curses as they slowly approached.

He shook his head, "They've got a long way to go." He turned to face them, waiting patiently for them to reach him through the forest. Eventually the first one to appear was Ino, which surprised him. He'd read the files on all of the graduating genin, and Ino never came across as the most 'motivated'. Yet here she was, covered in various minor cuts, dirt, leaves and stray branches, panting hard and glaring at him with all her might.

Her young vigor amused him, and he knew that it would serve her well in all the hardship that was to come.

The next one was Chouji, who quite gracefully barreled right through Ino. Asuma saw the collision a mile away, but Ino was too busy glaring daggers at him to notice the threat. She let out an outraged shriek at the harsh contact, chouji's momentum sending the both of them through the clearing in a tangled tumbleweed of limbs.

They eventually came to rest barely a few feet in front of him, while the last member of their group came shuffling in behind him, mostly untouched. Asuma raised an eyebrow at him, and Shikamaru just shrugged.

He guessed that the Nara merely jogged behind the much more motivated group, making the journey easier on himself.

Clever, if a tad selfish.

Asuma remained quiet, waiting for the two in front of him to untangle.

Chouji recovered first, groaning but reaching out a hand to help Ino, "My bad Ino. I didn't see you."

Ino rubbed at her head, before looking at the outstretched appendage before getting up on her own, "Just move." She grunted, annoyed.

Chouji frowned, and got up, following her example of standing in front of their soon to be Sensei. Shikamaru followed him, clapping a hand on his shoulder and whispering something unheard to any but them. But whatever he said made Chouji and him smile, and they all turned to face him.

Asuma was unimpressed to say the least, but he supposed that he was always going to be unimpressed when it came to academy students. They of course had much to learn.

From him, apparently...

Asuma groaned internally, and resisted the urge to reach for the box of cigarettes that lay in his kunai pouch.

'There are things more important to focus on now.'

He eyed the young kids in front of him intensely, 'Three things to be exact.'

---

Naruto was about five seconds from screaming.

Three...Hours...

Three hours in this goddamned chair, stuck in this goddamned room, with no. Goddamned. Sensei. Nearly everyone else had already left with their sensei. All of them already going on missions, and adventures.

Rei-sensei already called it quits and left a few minutes before, either that or to skin this guy alive.

Naruto personally hoped it was the latter.

The two other people in the room were in a similar state of mind, except probably Hinata, with her inevitably having lost her battle with sleep.

Naruto sat up suddenly, slamming his hands on the desk, waking the Hyuuga.

He stormed down to the chalkboard, reclaiming an eraser, grinning wickedly. Hinata sat up, "What are you doing Naruto-kun?" She asked quietly.

Naruto barely looked at her, stomping angrily towards his goal of humiliating the asshole that seemed so content to leave them waiting all day.

Naruto grabbed a vacant chair, stepping up on it to place the eraser gingerly on the slightly ajar door. He giggled in gleeful anticipation, stepping down from the chair, and standing with his hands placed proudly on his hips as he admired his own handiwork.

Sasuke scoffed behind him, "Dobe. Our teacher's supposed to be a jounin. An elite ninja. There's no way that a person like that is supposed to fall for a dumb prank like that."

Naruto's proud smile vanished, and he whirled around to glare at the Uchiha, "It's not dumb if it works, asshole! Besides, how would you know? It's perfect! The second he walks in, and bam! He gets a face full of chalk dust. Serves him right for making us wait for so long."

Hinata giggled for a moment, surprising Naruto. He didn't expect much of a reaction from the timid Hyuuga. He pointed at her excitedly, "See! Hinata thinks it's a great idea!"

Hinata stopped her giggling immediately, and seemed to deflate, her expression going from amused to hesitant, "Naruto, it actually might not be such a great idea. I don't know who our sensei is or when they're supposed to get here. What if someone else, like Rei steps through the door instead?"

Naruto froze, he hadn't exactly gotten that far in his thinking just yet. He slowly turned to look to the door, realizing with a shiver that her words probably had more merit than he cared to admit out loud.

"Hn. Dobe." Naruto paid no mind to Sasuke's jibe, his mind already running through possibilities, most of them leading to Rei stringing up Naruto by his thumbs for pulling a prank in class.

Especially for pulling it on her.

Naruto hurriedly made his way over to the door, already within a few feet of it when without warning, the door opened...

---

As Kakashi peered into the classroom, he was immediately aware of several things at once. Being that he was, you know, a Jounin worth a shit.

He was aware of the eraser poised about his head of course. In his haste to get revenge for his wasted time, Naruto wasn't aware that the eraser was actually partially visible from a crack in the door.

The next thing that he was aware of was the appearance of Naruto.

He felt his heart beat loudly in his chest at the sight of his sensei's son, and he was instantly transported somewhere else.

A familiar lush forest came into view before him. The drab classroom replaced with an empty clearing surrounded by trees and crushed.

Empty, all except for him, and Namikaze Minato. Kakashi was panting hard, his heart thundering in his chest, with bruises and cuts all over his body. Minato stood in the middle, untouched, and untroubled. His mouth curled upwards into an amused, yet determined grin.

Kakashi felt anger back then, anger that he'd never push past his own weakness and become a shinobi that made up for his father's shameful past. He felt his fingers clench together to make a fist. His hand shaking from the exertion.

Minato seemed to sense his distress and walked closer, his smile ever warm and courteous. His Sensei extended a hand, "Kakashi.."

He felt something soft hit his head, and he watched as a chalkboard eraser fell to the ground in a puff of white dust.

'Oh.' He was still in the academy, not in a field with Minato-sensei.

Minato was dead, had been for some time.

The world rushed back into focus, and he stared ahead at the perpetrator of the prank, whose jaw hung open in shock. Likely not expecting his little trick to actually work.

The others in the room were both in similar states, both of the still in their chairs, but staring openmouthed at him.

A beat passed, and then Naruto exploded in joy, cheering his victory over him, "YES! I can't believe he actually fell for it, Haha!"

Naruto lapsed into laughter, while Hinata got up from her chair and rushed to meet him, her hyuuga robes billowing with her movements.

"I'm terribly sorry sensei, it will never happen again. Please forgive us." She pleaded, bowing her head while Naruto continued to howl with laughter beside her. Sasuke stayed seated, glaring at him with an expression of profound disappointment.

Kakashi's eyes roamed the three young students in front of him, his mind going back to when he was given the files on each of them. Sasuke's was definitely the most intensive, his profile going back all the way to his entry to the academy, going over his skills, tendencies and even the most apparent psychological effects the wiping out of his clan had on him.

Hinata's was also quite detailed. With much info and knowledge being supplied by Hiashi himself. As he had been the main one in charge of Hinata's training ever since she could walk.

His precise brush strokes detailed all his personal opinions, and notes on her training and skills. He threw that file away as soon as he finished reading it.

The reason the academy allowed the girl's own father to author the notes on her as a ninja applicant eluded Kakashi, seeing as opinions from the parents of young genin were almost always either cherry-picked to high hell, or exaggerated beyond the bounds of the notes being accurate worth a damn.

He suspected that the Hyuuga clan leader's influence had something to do with it, but Kakashi always kept those kind of theories to himself. It was his job to teach her no matter what her clan had to say, and by Kami that was what he was going to do.

Naruto however, was a unique issue altogether.

His file, excluding notes form past instructors, or complaints about his behavior was rather, 'sparse'. A better word being, doctored. Seeing as much of the thick binder was filled with black bars that converted entire sections going over his psychological profile.

Kakashi wasn't surprised, knowing that these were likely bits that went over, or at least mentioned Naruto's kidnapping, or at least the parts of his profile that seemed affected by said events. Kakashi wasn't surprised at that either. After all, he was one of the ones that brought him back home.

Kakashi shook his head to clear the dark thoughts that crept up into his mind, as well as any notions of treating the notes left by previous instructors seriously. Rei's notes to be the only exception. Her infiltration mission was integral to collecting any useful info about Naruto. Seeing as post-kidnapping, Naruto had a distinct lack of trust with anyone, even the Hokage.

He couldn't question the results, based on what she was able to uncover. And perhaps it would come in handy.

But for now, he decided to approach their files the same way he approached intel in the field.

Proceed as if you had none. Collect your own, and use what intel remains as a backup.

He looked around the room, looking at each of them carefully, Hinata was still a bit embarrassed, but also still wide eyed and curious. Sasuke stayed seated in his chair, glaring questioningly at him, with an air of venom, and superiority. It was more than likely that his lapse in concentration already had an effect on the young Uchiha.

Kakashi laughed to himself in his mind, 'I guess Him and Itachi are alike in some ways after all...'

He looked over at Naruto, and Naruto looked back, his laughing fit over with, now his stared him down with curiosity and suspicion, holding each in equal measure. His familiarly crystal blue eyes staring him down, watching for every movement.

'Well, at least they're all observant.' He mused as he walked into the room. He stooped down to pick up the eraser and place it back on the chalkboard, placing his hands in his pockets as he continued to observe the three young kids in front of him.

He brought a hand to his chin in mock thought, "Hmm. My first impression of you is... I think I hate all of you."

All Sasuke did was raise an eyebrow, looking more and more like his brother with every second that passed. Hinata seemed to slump in disappointment, likely upset at waiting all this time for him to arrive, only to be appraised so poorly.

Naruto didn't follow her example though, choosing to sneer at him, and give a huff of annoyance before he spoke up, "Ditto asshole. Serves you right for keeping us waiting so long."

Hinata gaped at Naruto, "Naruto-kun!" She yelled, mortified.

Naruto just crossed his arms, with a pout, "What?"

"Well you've certainly got a mouth on you." He drawled, finding their first meeting somewhat amusing, seeing how he knew his father so well. Naruto just scowled, his arms still folded. The older man just shrugged, and brought his hands together for a loud clap, "Ok, meet me on the roof of the academy. You have two minutes."

And in a rush of wind and leaves, he was gone. He giggled to himself as he imagined the looks on their faces as he reached into his pocket for his Icha Icha.

---

Naruto didn't even think. The second the three of them moved to the door to sprint to the roof, Naruto ran for the open window.

He placed a foot on the window sill, and used his chakra just like Tori taught him. His legs felt unbalanced and wobbly, but the faster he moved, the more solid his legs felt.

He took long striding steps up the wall, determined to make it to the roof before the others. He saw the lip of the wall approach faster and faster, and he felt the grip on his feet grow more and more tenuous.

'Almost there...'

Naruto leapt off the wall the second his concentration faded, feeling his knee land hard on the edge. Naruto bit back a curse at the pain in his left knee from his impact on hard edge. Eventually he rose with a relieved sigh as he held his hands on his knees, painting from the sudden workout.

"Huh." A voice exclaimed, half surprised, half amused.

The sudden voice made him jump in surprise at exactly the wrong moment, and he felt his left foot slip free of any solid ground, teetering over the edge behind him. He swung his leg forward hard, trying desperately to regain his balance as he waved his arms about in a panicked motion.

Like lightning, a hand struck out and grabbed at his shirt, the orange fabric now a tether connecting him to the strange one-eyed jounin that now stared at him with a scrupulous expression. "You're a strange one aren't you?"

Naruto was silent, his eyes darting to and from the shinobi's one visible eye and his stretched out black shirt pulled taut.

The man seemed to belatedly realize Naruto's peril and gave a short tug on the shirt before letting go. Yanking him away from the edge, and sending Naruto tumbling. Finding himself at rest against the white stone steps that led to the door at the middle of the rooftop balcony.

A second later, before Naruto could fully process what just happened, the doors in front of him slammed open, with Sasuke and Hinata running full sprint to the strange man, both panting and sweating. Sasuke's eyes snapped to him, his black eyes narrowed in an annoyed and accusing stare.

Hinata just seemed confused as she walked over to their little group. The jounin was the first to break the silence, "You're not supposed to know how to do that yet."

Naruto flinched and turned around, and saw the jounin staring hard at him, his arms crossed. "Who taught you that?"

Naruto frowned at the suspicion leveled at him, finding the whole situation a bit unfair. First he shows up late, then he tells them he hates them, and now he's questioning his ability.

His training with Tori wasn't actually considered some great secret. They practiced in public, and made plans with Rei-sensei after all. However, he got the impression from her that their training wasn't entirely allowed.

ANBU had a bunch of other things to do he imagined, and it wasn't totally out of the question that the large stretches of time she spent with the 'fox brat' never went entirely unnoticed.

Naruto crossed his arms in a huff, turning away from the jounin, "I'm just awesome like that." He caught the look of doubt cross the Uchiha's face, and he glared back, daring him to speak up and challenge him.

Sasuke merely turned, looking away. But Naruto noticed the suspicious, and slightly jealous glance he gave him. HInata just seemed confused, and looked as if she was about to speak up, but her mouth closed with an audible pop as she censored herself, resigning herself to silence.

Across the rooftop, the cyclops shrugged, "While I doubt you managed to learn something like that by yourself, I digress. Why don't you all take a seat and we can get started."

The blonde genin relaxed a bit, glancing in-between his two teammates, realizing that they were just as confused as he was.

One by one, they all sat down on the steps where Naruto lay sprawled not a minute before. All staring at the strange jounin who leaned against the metal railing of the roof.

"Well then, let's begin. Why don't you all tell me about yourselves. Likes, dislikes, hobbies, dreams... stuff like that."

A moment of silence passed, and it took a moment to realize that the mysterious man had directed the question towards him. Naruto looked around at his fellow genin, both of them sitting on either side of him, just as confused as he was.

"Uhhhh." He was drawing a blank, and he looked again to his teammates for help.

Hinata raised her hand politely before she spoke, "Um, maybe if you gave us an example of what you want us to say?"

The one eyed jounin seemed to mull this over, bringing a hand to his chin, "Hmm, that sound like a good idea."

The older man dropped his hand, stuffing both hands into the pockets of his dark shinobi trousers, "Well, my name is Hatake Kakashi. I'm a jounin."

Naruto kept quiet in the face of his soon to be teacher, but his scoffed in his mind, 'Yeah, I think we knew that already...'

The man now known as Kakashi began to pace around the roof, navigating the edge of the roof with hardly a waver in his step, "I don't really feel like sharing my likes and dislikes, I never really gave my dreams any thought, and as for my hobbies... I guess I have a few."

There was a moment of confounded silence after it was clear he was done talking.

He wasn't sure his opinion of the man could get much lower than this, and based on the severely confused and disappointed faces he saw on Hinata and Sasuke, he could tell that his assessment of the 'jounin-sensei' wasn't too far off from how they felt.

Kakashi brushed off the awkward atmosphere, somehow completely unaware of it, gesturing vaguely to Hinata, "Ok, you. Princess, you go next."

The order was met with a brief look of anger from the girl, but it was barely a second before the girl reverted back to her meek and regal state, whispering out an answer to the jounin.

"Um, well. I like my family, um. I like to tend to plants, sweets, and training." Hinata's slender features soured, as if she recalled something especially infuriating, but again, the expression disappeared just as she was about to speak again, "I, umm, can't think of anything I particularly dislike."

Naruto wasn't exactly a brainiac like Sakura or Shikamaru, but even he could see the lack of truth in her statement.

She smiled gently, doing her best to reflect the gentile heiress inside her, "My dream is to be clan head of my clan, and bring honor to my family. And, I like to garden in my spare time."

Kakashi nodded at Sasuke, "You there, you're next."

The Uchiha just scowled at the jounin from his seated position, "I don't care for these kinds of games, why not just move on and start teaching us already? We're genin now, we should be training."

Kakashi clicked his tongue in disapproval, waving a single finger at the dark haired boy, "Ah ah ah, these 'games' as you put it have more meaning than just a simple introduction. As ninja, you have to look a little bit deeper. Besides, how am I supposed to train you, if I don't even know you?"

Sasuke stared ahead dubiously, crossing his fingers in front of his face as if contemplating his words. Naruto looked on in curiosity, obviously the jounin didn't have the best first impression, but in Naruto's eyes, he'd already learned something.

'Look a little deeper huh?'

Sasuke eventually just sighed, and nodded at the jounin, "My name is Uchiha Sasuke. I hate a lot of things, and I don't really care for anything." Naruto felt the air chill, and a sort of pressure descended on the balcony. Naruto felt a bead of sweat on his forehead, and he had to forcefully remind himself that the fear was just a reaction to the Uchiha's Killing Intent.

The fox paced in his mindscape, the deep growls and swiping claws giving Naruto a headache. 'Uchiha...' the Fox growled.

Naruto knew well the hatred the Kyuubi no Kitsune held for Sasuke, but he never truly had the courage to ask. That kind of rage was different that the normal Kyuubi brand angst and anger that the fox was never shy of putting on display. This was real hatred, although how sasuke had gained the ire of a tailed beats Naruto would probably never know.

He tuned out the fox just in time for Sasuke to continue, his KI slowly growing in intensity, "What I have isn't a dream, because I WILL make it into reality. I'm gonna avenge my clan, and kill the person responsible."

There was a moment of tense silence as his words settled and the implications set in for all those present. Hinata seemed to shrink into herself, and Naruto staring at Sasuke, seeing him in a totally different light.

The words hit him like a punch to the gut, as the realization slammed into him with all the might of a haymaker. He knew about what happened to the Uchiha clan, he wasn't that much of an idiot. Everyone in the village knew at least a little about the Uchiha massacre. The day that one man murdered his entire clan. Everyone, down to the last child. Apparently, that child being Uchiha Sasuke.

He heard whispers, along with all the usual insults and wishes that he would die, whenever he was with sasuke, he also heard other things.

He usually just ignored all the words spoken in hushed tones around him, but the whispers about a man called 'Uchiha Itachi' always seemed to ring true.

As Naruto stared, he watched his expression closely, watching Sasuke's face in the same way that a person might look into a mirror. As he studied the boy's face, he found that his anger didn't surprise him. If anything he admired the ripeness of it, like that fateful day was always present in his mind. As if it happened only yesterday.

That was REAL hate. REAL anger, the cold, unyielding kind of anger that simmered deep down. Down under the weight of consciousness, prioritized over every basic need. Growing steadily over the years, just waiting to be released. The sort anger that never forgot, and NEVER forgave.

Naruto shivered, 'Damn, I'd hate to be the guy he's talking about."

The Kyuubi bristled, growling in annoyance, "Even if you were, we'd destroy him, and I'd pluck those accursed eyes out of his head myself."

Naruto reeled in surprise, less at the fox's perpetually angry state, but more at the choice of words.

'Translate the 'I'm a pissed off ancient chakra monstrosity' speech into plain words. What the hell do you mean 'accursed eyes'.

Naruto wasn't especially knowledgeable about random stuff like sasuke or Sakura were, but to him, there wasn't anything particularly special about Sasuke's eyes. At least nothing special that a Bijuu like the kyuubi would care about.

The kyuubi just growled in frustration, his presence slowly burrowing deeper and deeper into his consciousness, 'In time boy. In time...'

In the real world, Kakashi looked weary for a moment, his eyes growing distant as his mind went elsewhere. Naruto was about to question him about this abrupt change, but as soon as he opened his mouth, Kakashi's gaze swiveled on him.

"You next blondie." Any previous care or concern for the jounin's health disappeared, and Naruto scowled at the silver haired man before eventually deciding to comply with his order.

With a smirk Naruto straightened, "My name's Uzumaki Naruto! I like ramen, my favorite's instant ramen, or Ichiraku's. I hate..." Naruto paused as he thought about his answer, "I hate people who judge things for no good reason. I like to train, and learning new cool stuff."

Naruto stood, his fingers feeling the heft and weight of the hitai-ate on his forehead, "And my goal is to surpass the Hokage, and be the best shinobi in the village!"

Behind him sasuke scoffed, and Naruto felt a vein throb on his forehead as he felt the anger and embarrassment swell in his chest. He rounded on the Uchiha, "Got anything to say asshole?"

Sasuke just glared right back at him, "You idiot, there's no way you'll become stronger than me."

Naruto frowned, a growl coming from deep his chest rising to the surface, "Wanna bet?" Sasuke smirked, his infuriating grin stretching a short thin line across his pale skin, "Why not, you'll just lose again, just like last time."

Kakashi butted in with a cough and a wave of his hand, "Yes yes, you're all very distinctive and interesting." He drawled in a patronizing tone.

Naruto didn't move, continuing his stare until their sensei moved from the balcony, "We have more important things to worry about. The first being your first mission."

The second the word mission left the jounin's lips, Naruto's enthusiasm skyrocketed. He leaped away from the Uchiha, standing perched in front of the jounin, feeling the new life in his veins as he waited to hear what kind of thrilling, danger filled mission they were about to embark on.

"What kind of mission Sensei? Please tell me!"

The jounin crossed his arms in amusement, absentmindedly scratching at the corner of his mask as he stared down at the blonde boy with a plain expression, "Well... Hehe, it's actually more of a test."

Hinata piped up, her brow raising in confusion, "Test?" Naruto's face fell, the utterance of that word killing off most of Naruto's enthusiasm.

His despair only heightened when Kakashi began to laugh, giggling shrilly to himself as if he was laughing at some kind of inside joke.

Naruto groaned, "Oh what now."

Kakashi stopped laughing, bringing a hand to his covered chin as if thinking about it, until he shook his head, "No no no, if I say it now, you'll all get discouraged."

Naruto pouted at the man, doing his damndest to communicate his irritation and impatience in as few words as possible. Kakashi looked him over, eventually relenting with a careless wave of the hand, "Ok fine. The truth is that the test you're about to take is very difficult. In fact, of the twenty seven of you to graduate, my guess is that only nine of you will pass."

Naruto felt his stomach drop, and he felt his mouth go dry at the implications, "W-What? But what about our academy exam?"

Kakashi shook his head coldly, "That doesn't matter outside those doors. It's me and only me that will decide if you become Genin."

Naruto didn't speak, and neither did anyone else on the roof, the three recent graduates sitting in silence. Mulling Kakashi's words over.

Naruto had already made up his mind, balling his hands into fists as they hung at his sides, "There's no way I'm going back to the academy now." He heard the deep rumbling of the kyuubi's signature laughter from deep inside, "You better not, you're a jinchurriki far above these meek and petty humans. It's high time you proved you're superiority over them."

Sasuke and Hinata also seemed to have made their decision, their features grave, but determined. Although Hinata seemed a bit more uneasy than sasuke. Kakashi laughed, "Oho, such serious faces. I take it you've made up your minds then?"

None spoke, but all of them that sat on the rough white stone made a silent promise to themselves that passing was the only acceptable option. Kakashi clapped a hand, "Excellent. Now, go home and prepare. Bring all your shinobi gear and equipment, but don't bring any food, I'll bring some to training ground 14. Be there at 5am sharp. That is where we'll meet for your test."

With a sharp turn, he faced the edge of the roof, but with a short chuckle, he turned over his left shoulder to look at us one last time, "Oh, and don't eat any breakfast, you'll just throw it back up."

Naruto gulped loudly in anticipation, watching Kakashi's back as the mysterious jounin leaped from the roof, skillfully flipping end over end to land soundlessly on the roof below. Eventually disappearing among the chaos of the town's distinctive red rooftop tiles and busy streets.

Naruto sat still for a moment longer, a bit dazed from the experience. Sasuke was the first to stand, and he turned swiftly towards the door, yanking it open and disappearing down the corridor. Naruto got up next, staring after the Uchiha's retreating form, when Hinata tapped him on the shoulder.

She stood up straight and bowed quickly, "I wish you luck

Naruto-kun." She said hurriedly. She rose swiftly, and proceeded to march at a fast pace to the door, her footfalls echoing from the dark hallway.

Naruto blinked at the strange departure, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu that refused to go away. His mind went back to both Kakashi and Hinata, and he swore that he'd met both of them before.

The girl seemed very familiar, like a dream, or a memory from so long ago it might as well have been one. The same was true for his recollection of his new sensei, definitely recalling meeting another man with a similar hairstyle and bearing. Finding his strange and aloof nature familiar somehow. Although the context of the memory eluded him, as well as how long ago it was.

He supposed that those memories could've easily taken place in the time before...his 'introduction' with the kyuubi. There were a great many memories that seemed foggy and vague after that particular event.

He heard the kyuubi snort contemptuously in his head, "Hmph of course. Any time preceding our meeting is inconsequential. Our joining is the single most important event of your exceptionally short life."

Naruto rolled his eyes privately agreeing, but finding the observation, a bit hasty, considering how much of his life he still had to go.

His stomach growled, disrupting any other thoughts other than the distance between him and Ichiraku's and Naruto felt his mouth salivate a the thought, "Well, he didn't say anything about a heavy dinner 'ttebayo!"

---

It didn't take long for him to reach the famous ramen shop from the academy, and it wasn't long before he was met with the proud smiles and hearty laughter.

"Of course you passed my dear boy! We were both here rooting for ya!" Old man Teuchi said, with his daughter Ayame nodding beside him, "We knew you could do it Naruto! Congratulations!"

Naruto giggled, his hand scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. It wasn't often that Naruto became the subject of so much sincere, unironic praise. So much that a flush rose to tint his cheeks with a smattering of red and pink.

"Thanks guys old man." He said softly.

The merry old man raised up his arm, a wooden spoon clutched in his hand, "Alright, one graduated student means at least one free bowl of ramen. It's the rules!"

Naruto knew no real rules at the ramen stand, but he'd be damned if he was going to complain when it was free ramen on the line. He bowed in thanks as the steaming brown was placed in front of him. The angelic smell wafting from the bowl into his nostrils. He breathed in the scent with a sigh, his hands snapping apart the pair of chopsticks that appeared in his hands.

Before he could dig in however, the low rumblings his did his best to ignore burst forward. Throwing every concrete thought astray as the loud murmurs he heard deep inside him roared to life in his mind.

"Beware boy, do not depend on these low, selfish and dirty humans. These. Who not a few years ago would've slit your throat while you slept. Do NOT. Let your newfound rank deceive you. These pests, lower than dirt curse you behind your back, wish secret dreams in their spare time of your ruin. Don't let your guard down until they beg before you, beg for your forgiveness at how they had treated you..." The fox went on and on, his warnings of bloody betrayal, death and doom dampening his appetite as he stared blankly at the bowl.

He looked around, and saw how his episode went unnoticed by either person, the stand mostly empty besides him. He felt a betraying thought of how ignorant they were of his condition fly thought his mind before he clamped down on it. Challenging the thought with the logic of how they busied themselves with their work, at their JOB.

"Heed those warnings boy, don't be cowed by your angry thoughts and emotions, let them feed you, empower you."

Naruto frowned as he started to eat, privately speaking to the nine tails with his mind, "But, shouldn't I be angry at the right people? Wouldn't getting mad at bad guys be better than getting angry at Old man Teuchi?"

He felt the fox shake his head gravely as he slurped up another bite, "No Naruto. On this we must be united. Our strength cannot flourish as it is, stagnant and festering. It must be flexed often, used often, nearly constantly shifting and flowing for our strength to grow."

Naruto's chewing slowed as he thought about this, and he heard the fox growl in increasing volume, the sound startling Naruto as he was forcibly being drawn into his mind. His view of a candle lit ramen stand, of Teuchi and Ayame working behind the sand melted before his eyes, melting into the terrifying visage of the nine tailed fox glaring angrily at him. The bars only a few inches away.

"You are starting to contradict me more and more. There was a time not long ago where you would never have contradicted me as you have..."

Naruto leapt away from the bars, scrambling away as the dark water splashed upwards in his haste to get away.

As he backed up the fox continued to speak, "We were more, united before. More..." The fox lapsed into silence. Leaving Naruto a few yards away now, panting for breath, still recovering from the scare the fox gave him.

But the fox's silence scared him more, a cold sweat trickling down his back. If Naruto knew anything, it was that the fox had more then enough to say about any given topic. The question of whether he would or not being the more prevalent question.

The fox looked up, his eyes more penitent and thoughtful than Naruto had ever seen.

"Naruto, it is important that we remain a team. Our power depends on it. Our SURVIVAL, depends on it. You know too well the sort of enemies that can exist in plain sight."

Naruto unconsciously felt the scars on his body, feeling the familiar burning sensation from them.

"For our sake. For your sake, don't be deceived. You can't trust the people on that team, WE are the team."

"I know that." Naruto said emphatically.

The fox nodded his great head, his eye firmly fixed on him, "Good. It's that kind of thinking that will lead us to beat this... Test." The fox ventured uncertainly.

Naruto rolled his eyes, "Don't you worry, we'll beat that thing for sure. Not as team 7, but as team fox!"

The Kyuubi sighed, "Don't call us that..."

And then he was gone. The blank empty expanse disappearing in favor of the bright, warm and colorful ramen stand. Naruto smiled at the welcome change, but his expression soured when he looked down to see the distinct lack of steam, and the sad coldness that emanated from the bowl.

Naruto grumbled to himself as he ate the soggy, cold ramen, "Then what the hell would you call our team asshole?"

---

Solitude was a very unique and special thing. In the life of a shinobi, finding true solitude while constantly i the midst of trained spies was rare to say the least. Often Tori found herself searching in vain for one uninhabited section of the training grounds, even taking brief and cautious peeks into the forbidden forest on Konoha's edge. All just to feel alone with her thoughts.

Now, after serving years and years as special ops, the true definition of solitude seemed to have changed a bit, at least for her. It had been about four years since her assignment to be Naruto's caretaker, and now it was over. Other shinobi, ANBU or not would probably feel relieved, liberated even.

But now, all that Tori felt was empty. It felt good for her priorities to be simple and narrow.

Preparing lunch and shadowing a child seemed much, smaller, than organizing a flex team of ANBU and jounin for complex, often long and drawn out missions. Taking place dozens, sometimes hundreds of miles away from home.

Then again, their were drawbacks. As Tori sat on a branch in the messy canopy hanging over a jounin training ground, she heaved a heavy sigh. Her campaign to look for sparring partners, or possibly, (Although much less preferred) one or two of her old ANBU captains or trainers had yielded no fruit.

Her desire to train was mostly compulsory, feeling that after being involved in such a time consuming job which offered next to no time for training with anyone over the age of twelve. However, most of the ones she knew would likely accept were on mission, some were on leave, and others were injured, or recently off mission.

...Which likely also meant injured.

She sighed again, idly realizing that she was beginning to do that more and more often. But as she looked up, she felt a shiver go up her back, a sick and terrible feeling nearly overwhelming her. Her stomach dropped as all her senses went into overdrive trying to find the object of her fears.

Her eyes narrowed into slits as she scoured the forest around her. Looking for the one thing out of place that could cause her instincts to react in such a way. After several agonizing seconds, she finally found it spying a single figure propped up against a tree some distance away.

She sagged a bit, forcibly calming her nerves at the sight of a person in her line of sight that hadn't been there before. She recognized the shape as Kakashi, one of the jounin picked to be one of the new sensei, specifically Naruto's sensei.

The jounin seemed to have realized that he's been spotted, and started to jump across the branches that led to her. His hands still tucked casually in the pockets of his black shinobi pants. Leaping deftly and effortlessly across various branches and extensions of the old yet strong and proud trees that littered their landscape.

He came to a stop on the branch directly in front of her, barely a distance of more than eight feet separating them, "You really must need training if it took that long to spot me."

Tori didn't move, refusing to grant him the satisfaction at seeing her squirm.

He was every bit the ANBU captain he was the last time she saw him. It had been around four years, and the grim focus of their mission did a lot to distract him from idle chatter, but he was still unrefutable the same.

He stared impassively, yet with the slight edge of curiosity and perfection, almost as if reading a slightly interesting title to a book he had yet to read.

She rose steadily, "It's been, a while. Since I was last on active duty status."

Kakashi nodded, "The easy lifestyle of a housekeeper will do that to you. I doubt the Hokage would expect that of you, so you'll probably have ample time to train before he activates you."

Tori didn't let the surprise and suspicion show on her face, but she felt her hackles rise at the info that Hatake Kakashi had no business knowing.

Kakashi smiled disarmingly, his eyes crinkling in mirth at her discomfort, "Don't worry, I won't tell a soul about your embarrassing assignment."

Tori felt herself smile behind her mask, "I wouldn't call it embarrassing, I actually quite enjoyed it. There is something to taking some time 'not' spending all your time skulking around." She said with a shrug, trying her best to ignore the pit in her gut.

"Besides," She added. "I was recently injured at the time. Stabbed on a mission in Kiri, so taking some time to recover wasn't all bad."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, "You were recovering for four years?"

Tori pursed her lips in slight embarrassment, "The mission wasn't that long initially, but I grew to enjoy it after a while."

Kakashi nodded, and Tori took the momentary lapse in conversation to take in the jounin fully. Noting how he seemed especially armed today, noticing the extra bulges in his kunai pouch, along with a few extra scrolls and extra pieces of equipment.

Kakashi turned to pace long the slim branch he stood on, noting how the branch didn't sway an inch as he walked the length of the wood, "Well, I happen to be looking for a sparring partner too. As you may have heard, I'm supposed to test team 7 tomorrow, and if they pass I better train so I don't embarrass myself."

Tori waited, sensing a catch to go along with the offer, "Why?"

Kakashi stopped his pacing to look her in the eye as he spoke, his black eyes serious and piercing, "I wanted to ask you a few questions about Naruto. I know your mission is largely classified, but the Hokage gave me leave to research everything there is to know about my team."

Tori nodded in assent, so that was how Kakashi came to know so much he shouldn't, now there was only one more question to ask.

"Why not just ask me, instead of spying on me and using me as a glorified punching bag?"

Kakashi shrugged, "I wasn't lying about wanting a decent sparring partner." He said plainly.

Tori resisted the urge to sigh at his antics, and she merely nodded.

Kakashi clapped both of his hands together, "Great, so should we start now?"

Tori nodded again, her eyes watching him carefully, "I suppose—"

Her instincts screamed at her to move, and she obeyed instantly. Leaping backwards, letting gravity whisk her away from the torrent of water that splashed excitedly towards her. Her instincts saved her from the blast, the water falling to the ground, revealing that Kakashi was no longer standing where he stood only an instant before.

She had no time to think as she felt the air grow alarmingly warm, the light of a fireball glowing with increasing intensity over her shoulder.

The log that she substituted with was cinders in less than a second, with her safely in the canopy of the trees overhead. Tori slowed her breathing, thinking quickly before her hiding place was eventually discovered.

'Well, at least I know he's taking me seriously...' She thought demurely.

She spotted him hunched behind a tree, almost directly below her. He looked up at the trees above him suddenly. Not at her, but as if alerted by some kind of sixth sense he looked around at the branches and leaves, searching for some kind of inconsistency or sign of her presence.

She closed her eyes in concentration, getting her breathing under control, 'Time to get up close.'

She braced herself for the harsh pull of the technique, and she felt herself launch from the entwined branches and into the cool spring air. She hopped from branch to branch, always staying vigilant for the next attack.

She didn't have to wait long. She reacted with just enough time to provide a meager defense to the savage roundhouse he delivered aimed for her head.

The impact stunned her, robbing her of her sense of balance on the thin branch. She flew to one side, the momentum from the kick throwing her against a tree, aggravating some of the still healing wounds to her back and shoulder. The pain blinded her for a second, and she dropped out of the air, with nothing to support her at all.

She heard Kakashi chase after her, and after a brief sighting of his unique hair, she launched a kunai at him from nearly point blank range. He dodged it, but the kunai sunk deeply into her intended target, thunking into the bark of the tree solidly.

She felt the shinobi wire go taut, and she gripped it with all her might, slamming into Kakashi with her sudden stop. She gripped a fistful of the fabric of his uniform, dragging him through the air along with her. At the apex of the swing, she threw with all her might, sending the jounin flying fast through the trees and branches.

Despite all her efforts, Kakashi just flipped harmlessly out of the way of any obstacles, landing effortlessly on the side of a tree, standing with little to no effort.

She cursed, and leapt away from the wire, landing on another tree branch, staring at the other man.

A moment of silence passed between the two, as each of them stared hard at one another, almost as if each commanded the other to forfeit. But that wasn't the intention of either, she knew. She wanted a challenge, and that was what she had. She knew the rumors of the famous, "Copycat Kakashi". She even met him a handful of times when Kakashi was still an ANBU.

He hadn't changed at all, the aloof, calm nature, along with the ferocity and driven, focused efficiency of the highly ranked shinobi she knew.

They moved at the same time, both running up and across various trees and swinging on branches in a mad, all out dash to meet in the middle of the training field. Tori flipped end over end, meeting the man in a kick he absorbed with his arm and shoulder. He heard the wince, and felt a hint of satisfaction in the strength of the kick.

She refused to let it distract her, and she flew into a series of well practiced sweeping kicks and punches, using her momentum to her advantage. Kakashi was quick, blocking every move with seamless precision. She spotted the headband lifted to reveal the red spinning Sharingan, and quickly looked away.

'Can't be careless. One glance and I'm dead meat.'

"Too late." Kakashi said in a sing-song tone. Tori tried to leap away, but the powerful jump became more of a awkward falter, as her limbs turned to jelly. She tried in vain to defend against the heavy kick to her stomach, but the genjutsu took hold as fast as a lightning bolt.

Tori flew away with the force of the kick, but with a brief burst of chakra, her body was her own again. She righted herself, but Kakashi was right there, prepared with another kick to her side as she flew.

'Fast!' She thought, but the thought was cut off as she let out a strangled cry of pain as something creaked deep inside her.

She cursed herself for her hastiness, realizing belatedly that training this hard so soon after being injured was a terrible idea.

But Kakashi was moving again, and she neatly filed that thought away for later. Preferably when she was not about to be punched in the face. She leaned out of the way of his fist, sending a retaliatory kick for his head.

He swatted the foot away, but was too slow to avoid the second one, her heel scraping against his cheek as he flew backwards in his attempt to dodge. She regained her balance, and launched at him again.

They met together like this several times, his technique precise and deadly. A contrast to her more flowing and hectic style. Her movements seemed lax and slow compared to his, and for every opening he gave, for every hit landed, it seemed as if the jounin dealt a multitude more. And many times as hard, if the aching in her chest and torso were any sign.

They separated, but this time, Kakashi was faster, dashing in like a whirlwind, spinning kicks and punches with abandon. She struggled to keep up with him, but as they fought, it became more and more apparent that his style had changed, and with a start, she realized that the style he used was hers.

She leapt back to get some air, and she landed in a crouched position, one leg and one hand outstretched, her other hand in a clenched fist at waist level. She looked at her opponent and saw a mirror. Kakashi stood in the same position as her, posing as a crude caricature, mocking her.

Tori almost laughed out loud at the hubris of it, mildly insulted that Kakashi would assume that she didn't know the weaknesses of her own taijutsu style. She moved first, taking up a kunai in a flash, and matched him, blade for blade. He still copied her, matching her movements exactly, his Sharingan blazing at her. She rolled to the side, taking a short moment in the middle of her roll to dispel the genjutsu, at the same time pivoting and turning her roll into a short flip.

The genjutsu dispelled, Hatake Kakashi helplessly watched as her heel dug brutally into his groin. The kick cost her, and Kakashi was not at all gentle in the way he caught her leg, throwing her across the field. She tumbled as gracefully as she could, the various stones and branches scratching at her, until eventually she slowed, and came to rest a dozen feet away from Kakashi. Who notably wavered, his legs shaking ever so slightly.

She never heard him grunt, or wince in pain at all, but the strained look in his face was as gratifying as any cry of pain. She dared to smirk underneath her mask, and she readied herself for their next exchange. She loosened, and her smirk widened slightly, the exhilaration at being able to let loose flowing through her like fire in her veins.

Despite his obvious pain, she could still tell that Kakashi felt the same, but there was an edge to him. A severity that she couldn't quite discern the meaning or reason for.

She shook her head, 'Thought for afterwards.' She thought to herself, determined not to lose a fight to kakashi over her inability to focus.

Tori shook out her limbs, and shot forward. Her speed taking kakashi aback. She pressed him, using every limb, every body part as a weapon. She punch, kicked, jumped, and grabbed with every inch of herself. Utilizing every move in her arsenal, determined to fight with every bit of her strength.

Kakashi mostly dodged, blocking rarely, and taking a few hits as a result, but slowly, the tide turned against her. He started to dodge less, and fought back with steadily increasing ferocity. Tori found herself on the defensive, dodging and blocking more and more often. She wondered at his speed and strength. She tried several times to dispel whatever genjustu he cast on her, but unlike the previous times, nothing happened.

She continued to be pressed back, their limbs a blur of motion as they fought. Tori felt the sweat on her forehead drip past her eyebrows, and felt her own stamina begin to fail her.

Her arms became limp noodles of flesh, muscle and bone. Her legs moved like she waded through a swamp of molasses.

At once, Kakashi swept her legs from underneath her, and brought a single kunai down to her chest. His eyes were so severe and menacing she pressed her arms to his hands in desperation, thinking for a moment that he might press his hands down and end her life.

But Kakashi stopped, "Yield." Was all he said.

Tori panted, and nodded, finding that she had little choice but to concede. Kakashi arose, breathing roughly, but not hard. As if this were merely a warmup. Tori scoffed at his strength and skill, laughing to herself as she got up to her knees, and then to her feet.

"You're just as good as I remember."

Kakashi stopped, staring at her levely, almost as if he didn't quite hear what she said. Tori rolled her eyes behind her mask, "Coyness does not become you 'Kakashi of the Sharingan', I know you remember me."

Kakashi quirked his head, but just raised his hands in confusion, "Pardon me, and don't take this the wrong way, but I don't find you all that remarkable."

Tori laughed, "That was the idea at the time." She said bitterly.

"I went by another name back then. Nezumi. I worked with you as an ANBU, but I was working for... someone else, at the time. I'm one of the transfers." She said.

Kakashi's face hardly moved, but his eyes said everything she needed to know about how Kakashi felt about people like her.

Working for Root had hardly been her choice. After her team was killed on mission, there wasn't much left for a genin with no genin team. Danzo approached her not long after that, and to her, all it seemed to be was another way, possibly a way out of her situation.

She should've known better, found another way, but it was all done now. No sense in beating herself up over it.

But after the whole debacle with Naruto, black ops in Konoha went through a huge change. Right before she was supposed to finish her training, the Hokage barged in and turned everything upside down. ROOT that were indoctrinated from ANBU were returned, and dozens, possibly hundreds of ninja were transferred, and ROOT itself downsized.

The transition for many was hard. Some were given treatment and help for side effects of the harsh training methods of ROOT, and others still faced severe ostracization and suspicion from their new comrades.

Some...never really recovered.

She was lucky enough to have worked with ANBU before she was brought into ROOT, and to have people to rely on while in transition.

Most never suspected she was ever in ROOT, but it became clear to her that she didn't escape the copy ninja's radar.

Kakashi's eyes narrowed at her, "Yeah, I knew that. Which makes me curious why someone like you would have such an interest in Naruto."

The coldness in his voice shook her, but she tried not to let it show. She did her best to hold herself straight as she answered him, "He's my assign—"

"WAS..." He grunted angrily. He stared at her harshly, his red Sharingan eye still visible, blazing. But she met them both, staring back at him. Rather than be cowed by his emotional response, Tori raised an eyebrow at the outburst. Kakashi was still, and took a moment to collect himself before speaking again. This time much more calm and centered, "Was. He was your assignment."

There was a silence between the two as they stared at one another. Kakashi glared at her, trying to get her to back down or look away. She stayed strong, and stared back, her dark brown orbs staring straight ahead in defiance of his black and red ones.

After a moment longer of painful silence, Kakashi sighed and looked off, patting down his pants and jounin vest, "Look, I hate to be overly nasty or harsh, but you know I'm right. He's no longer you're assignment, or your concern. He's my student now. And I need to protect him. Make sure he's safe. So I'm going to have to ask you to stay away from him for the time being."

Tori didn't move, didn't react at all. She knew it was a request he really had no business asking, provided that she did nothing to deserve such an order, and how it was a request that she had no intention of following. The real question was why.

The immediate reason seemed obvious. Many had trust issues concerning the quiet, and often shady ROOT ninja. But despite her instincts, she didn't peg Kakashi to be the kind to take such rumors as fact without confirming them.

Her knee jerk reactions tended to make her fall back on training, and this was one of the few times it was useful, so she decided to treat him like a mission.

But in order to do that, she needed more intel...

With a man like Kakashi, and based on what she heard about the man, being direct seemed like the best way to start.

She stared him down, pinning him down with her glare as she spoke, "Is there a reason that you feel the need to give such an order?"

Kakashi shrugged, staring back at her, "Because I can." He answered simply.

Tori took a deep breath, "I suppose you can." She waited a moment, then tried again, going for a weak spot, "Would you make that order if Naruto was here, right now?

Kakashi shrugged again, his tone growing more flippant, and glib. "I'm making it now."

Tori looked away for a moment to think, and when she settled on another question, she looked back at him, renewing their mutual staring contest, 'What would you say if I asked you the same question?"

"I'd say that its a good thing I don't have to answer that question. Since there'd be no reason for me to obey."

...Well, mission failed.

Tori sighed again without meaning to, but she decided that questioning him in this way would probably gain similar, and equally infuriating results.

"Naruto's his own person, he can say no if he wishes to." She stated plainly, knowing it was true.

Kakashi took a single step forward, the sudden movement startled her, and she had to strongly resist the urge to flinch, or draw a kunai.

The silver haired jounin spoke lowly, adding a threatening tone to his words, "I won't ask again."

Then Kakashi turned on his heel, and made to leave. Tori just had one more question answered...

"...If Naruto needs protection so badly, where have you been?"

It was a low blow, she knew. She knew all too well why it was wrong to say, but she was running out of options. Gaining a poor reputation for pissing off one of the most famous shinobi in the village was bound to bring trouble eventually.

She'd spent years trying to purge any mention of her from the village, mostly through avoiding any notoriety at all. But in this case, she knew she would never be able to follow through such an order, for multiple reasons. Some of which included orders that superseded Kakashi's in rank, and importance.

But for some reason, the thought of leaving Naruto, especially after basically being threatened...

Kakashi looked away for a moment, his face shifting through several different emotions that were almost too quick for her to catch. The one he settled on was a stricken look of sadness that Tori almost mistook for grief. So intense was the expression that it almost took her aback, if her weren't only a foot or so away from her.

The ex-ANBU took a moment to collect himself before he turned to face her, "Where I was ordered".

His statement was as calm and withdrawn as a crisp autumn morning, but with an ocean of sadness and resentment hidden behind it. She guessed there was much more to that than she knew, but she set it aside, taking the time she had in the present to stare back at the Jounin.

She surprised herself with the easy response she gave, "Same here."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes slightly, "THAT, is not the same."

Tori scoffed, "Isn't it?"

Kakashi just stared, the slight wrinkles on the bridge of his nose crinkling in disgust.

Tori raised a brow, slightly surprised at the naivety of who was at least five years her senior.

Her prior master would've wanted her to pounce on his emotions, to take advantage of his 'weakness' and take steps to ensure he never became a problem for her again.

He might even encourage her to take drastic steps if her order were from him and not the Hokage, but she hadn't been his in a long, LONG time.

She did things her way nowadays.

Making a decision, she reached behind her head and undid the latch, releasing her face from the stuffy mask. She felt the whoosh of cool air blow on her face, sighing in relief as she felt the cool breeze on her skin.

Kakashi's eyes widened at the move, likely finding it strange how an ANBU could so easily shed their identity.

Normally ANBU would rather die than reveal their true faces willingly, and while not explicitly outlawed, the move was generally restricted to special cases, as the revelation of their identities could become a problem for covert missions.

Tori belatedly realized with a blush that she must look terrible. The sparring match kicked up a lot of leaves, dirt and dust, and she could feel how sticky her face must've been from the sweat that covered her. But looking pretty was necessary for what she was about to do.

Besides no one alive knew or even cared who she was, not really.

Tori risked a few baby steps to shorten the gap between them. His guard went up immediately, but he didn't move. She could see in his eyes how they followed every movement she made, especially watching her hands and waist.

She reached slowly into her kunai pouch, noticing how his eyes narrowed at the motion, but she moved slowly and steadily, trying her very best not to be stabbed today.

She produced a red gift box, tied in a black bow. The edges were worn from how long it had sat in the back of her kunai pouch, but what was inside was more important than the packaging.

He reached out to give it to him, and with no small amount of hesitance, he accepted it cautiously.

He kept his eyes on her, undoing the package's bow roughly, and opening the box. His eyes widened when he witnessed the package's contents, and he pulled out a kunai, discarding the box and the ribbon. Dropping both to the ground.

He held the kunai in his hands, it was black, with red wrapping and a wavy bright line down the edge that marked it as a clay tempered blade. Much harder and sharper than the average kunai. The metal that composed it being meant for a katana, rather than a short throwing blade. The older jounin tested the weapon, twirling it around and testing the weight and heft of the knife.

It was expensive, but finely made, and Kakashi's face told her all she need know about his own appraisal of the weapon. Having been in ANBU, where Katana's and other longer bladed weapons were standard issue, she knew that Kakashi would at least understand the craftsmanship going into what appeared to be a simple Kunai.

She spoke as he inspected the weapon, "It's specially made as you can see. It's especially strong and durable. It's not attuned to chakra, but it'll conduct electricity as well as any other metal. I've sharpened it myself, and it'll cut through any metal mesh or shinobi armor as easily as if it were not there at all."

He glanced up from the blade, holding it limply by it's ring, almost as if holding a precious item for a friend.

Tori smiled at him, "It's yours to keep. I need you to carry it with you wherever you go. Please."

Kakashi's eye's narrowed at her change in tone, "Why?" He asked pointedly.

Her smile fell a bit, but she went on, "If you ever feel like I am a danger to the Hokage, to Konoha, or to Naruto, I want you to use this to kill me."

To his credit, he didn't jump, or stare, or stammer with alarm, panic or concern like so many others. No tears of concern or worry like Kurenai, or even like the silent nod Anko gave her.

He just maintained his stare. A little of the heat left his eyes, his stare more questioning than confrontational. He only asked a single question in reply to her request.

"Why... Why would I ever do that?" He asked vacantly.

She did her best to maintain her pleasant smile despite the growing painful pit in her stomach. It never seemed to get better with time, every offer made, every bond discovered. It always felt wrong to force such a burden on the ones she asked to do this.

But this one was just a little different.

She didn't exactly trust Kakashi, but she trusted in his faith to the Hokage, and in his love for Naruto.

In the end, she knew he would do it if it came down to it, and this kind of offer might be the only chance she had to prove to him that she was worth trusting.

A tad manipulative, but that was the nature of shinobi.

Unconditional trust was for the weak, or civilians.

"If you ever feel like I am a danger to the Hokage, to Konoha, or to Naruto, use this. You'll know what to do. If I ever see someone use this, I'll know the reason, and forfeit my life. I only ask that you tell absolutely no one, and to make it quick."

Kakashi turned to kunai over in his hands, this time much more delicately, "...the red ribbon." He guessed. She nodded politely. "I'm a sensor, and it's attuned to my chakra, I should be able so sense it. So unless you charge it with a lot of chakra yourself, I'll always know to lower my guard."

He took a moment to stare at her, tearing his eyes away from the elegantly crafted kunai.

"That's quite a risk. What if there happens to be an enemy who uses a kunai like that?"

She shrugged, "Only a few people know about it, and those that do are people I know can keep a secret."

Kakashi took a long moment to appreciate the weapon for a final time, before carefully slipping it in a rear compartment of his kunai pouch.

He closed it, and turned his eyes back up to look at her levelly, "Still, seems like a high margin for error. It's a gamble. One wrong choice, and that given them free rein to end you whenever they wish."

She narrowed her eyes, her dark brown ones staring straight up at his, one grey, the other vibrant red.

"I'm not 'gambling'. That is the price for trust not so easily given to those who are like me. Since I can't ask for your trust and receive it easily, I will purchase it. With my life if I must, since nothing else I offer seems worth a damn." She growled.

Kakashi's eye looked down in regret, and Tori felt a swell of remorse for her tone. She ruthlessly squashed the feeling, she could afford to lose any face with this particular jounin.

She kept her face empty of emotion as she sighed, "Not that I can fully blame you for that. With Naruto's past, and everything that happened. I can't really find it in myself to blame you. If I were you, I'd probably be a little more than cautious."

Kakashi looked up, huffing out a breath of air that was almost a laugh before he spoke, "That explains why you're still alive after all this time. But did you really have to take off your mask to tell me this?"

She rubbed the mentioned ceramic mask that hung from her fingertips, smiling at him, "It seemed better to ask this as a person rather than a mask."

She looked down at the mask, the careful lines of black and dark purple done herself, "I've been a 'mask' long enough." She whispered.

The silver haired jounin opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off with a swift turn on her heels, heading for the closest tree, "I've kept you long enough, I have a new assignment to get to. Besides, I think you have a team of fresh recruits waiting for you."

She marched fast for the tree, eager to leave, but she heard a few soft footsteps behind her, "Wait"

She slowed down, finally stopping just a few feet from the tree she intended to use to make her swift exit. She turned to face him, and she could tell by his serious expression, she now had a question for her.

"Why do you care so much about him. So much that you'd risk your own life."

She found the truth easier to say than she expected, "...I don't know."

Kakashi frowned, and she laughed at his expression, wondering to herself how a mere mask could loosen her typical stoic discipline to quickly, "...but he's special. Take care of him. You're right. You're in charge of him now."

He nodded in assent, and she took that as her cue to leave.

She put her mask back on, and prepared herself as she flew at the tree, climbing up the tree, and launching off of it with enough speed to send her flying through the leaves and branches. Making a bee line for ANBU headquarters for her new assignment.

She let her mind wander as her anxiousness over her new string of missions grew in her gun. She thought of a plucky chubby cheeked blonde, as he began his journey into the world of shinobi.

She smiled behind her mask, "Good luck Naruto."

And the happiness that filled her in that moment was almost enough to overwhelm her feelings about her sudden meeting with his new sensei, as well as her anxiety of being thrust back into a world of dirty, silent, bloody work done for the sake of one's village.

Almost. It was almost enough.

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