Chunin Exams Arc 1
Chapter 7: The Gathering Storm
Over the month of May Naruto had been training with the Kyuubi in his mindscape and that was no joke. Once he had adapted to his new enhanced senses (smell, hearing, and taste) the Kyuubi being to teach him the basics of Vulpine Taijutsu (Which is a a even more feral version of the Shikyaku no Jutsu (Four Legs Technique). Naruto wondered why Kurama hadn't enhanced his sight and when he asked the Kyuubi simply replied 'working on it'.
1 month Later
June 25th
After doing his morning routine which included Kenjutsu training with Takeru then eating breakfast with his family Naruto and his brother left the house.
"So what are you doing today?" Naruto asked
Takeru rubbed his chin "Meeting Hayate Sensei at the regular spot before our mission." They walked to a fork in the world "oh well this where we part ways I'll see you at that dinner tonight"
"Dinner what dinner...oh!" Naruto said
"Yeah baka I knew you'd forget" Takeru sighs and shakes his head "We're meeting with the rest of the Rookie 10 for dinner at Yakiniku Q when we get off the clock tonight...it was Ino's idea...it's a casual party so I'll see you at home to change"
Naruto smiled and shot his brother a thumbs up "Yosh!"
They parted ways and Naruto slowly approached the bridge where his team always met before. Hinata and Sasuke were there waiting but as usual there was no Kakashi in sight.
"Morning Hinata-chan...Sasuke" the blonde said waving as he drew closer
Sasuke answered with his usual grunt and a nod of the head
"Goodmorning Naruto-kun" Hinata spoke softly
Both Naruto and Sasuke froze, placing all eyes on Hinata causing a major blush to redden her face.
'Whoa she didn't stutter...about damn time those private training sessions with that crazy snake lady must be paying off.' Sasuke thought
"Hinata-chan...you didn't stutter wow way to go" Naruto said giving her his best foxy smile
The princess blushed and replied "T...thank y...you eep"
"Aww man you had it" Naruto whined
'Naruto-kun you make me so nervous but I'm not gonna give up I was close I must break this shyness so I can walk beside you with my head held high' she thought inwardly
Soon after waiting 2 hours for Kakashi to show up the team began their training for the day. As Squad 7 walked in the alley way they held minor small talk here and there.
"Oi Hinata-chan are you coming to the Rookie gathering tonight?"
Hinata looked toward Naruto and nodded timidly "Umm yes I have to train with my father but I'll try to make it" she spoke softly
"Well I really hope you can come it'd be awesome if you were there!" he replied rubbing the back of his head sheepishly
"I t...think so t...to" she replied with a blush on her face
Kakashi took note of this little exchange as they walked 'So he's actually flirting with her about time Naruto-kun' he thought
Naruto smiled then turned to Sasuke "What about you Sasuke you coming?"
Still walking Sasuke answered "Don't think so I've got training to do"
A tick mark appeared on Naruto's forehead "Oh come on stop being such and emo loner and for once in your miserable life have some fun"
Hinata gasped 'Naruto-kun...'
'Oh boy Naruto-kun may have struck a nerve' Kakashi thought
Sasuke stopped walking but never turned around, a pregnant silence befell them before he spoke "...Maybe and only maybe I'll come...after my training"
Naruto sighed "Meh it's better than nothing I guess"
Kakashi sighed as he continued to watch his group of Genin's then he heard a bird call in the sky he looked up and saw the falcon with white spots. 'Hmmm'
"Alright guys let's call it quits for today I'll go submit the mission report" Kakashi spoke in his usual monotone voice
"Fine with me" Sasuke scoffed as he walked away with his hands in his pocket
Kakashi poofed away leaving Naruto and Hinata alone in the alley.
Hinata blushed 'We're alone...now's my chance...I must be brave I have to tell him, but I don't wanna just blurt it out...Anko said small talk should help' she thought as she sighed as readied herself.
"So umm Naruto-kun how is your training going" she spoke slowly as to not stutter
"Well it's going well Takeru is helping me with my Kenjutsu so using my sword is becoming a bit easier" he smiled "what about your training Hinata-chan"
Hinata frowned a bit "My father doesn't like the idea of my training in Archery and he doesn't know about my training with Anko Sensei so I only get to use my weapons when I'm with her"
Naruto frowned at this "Man what's the deal with your Dad anyway..." his enhanced senses kicked in and he could hear scuffling on the ground and smell three distinct and familiar scents headed his way.
"Naruto-kun you were saying..." Hinata asked softly
"Oh sorry Hinata-chan but were about to be interrupted" he finished leaving her with a confused look on her face
"What do you mean?" she asked
He smiled again "Watch this!" he said pointing behind him as if on cue a square box with two eye holes cut out shuffled up behind Naruto who didn't even turn around. Sighing he simply called out "Alright come on out Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon I know your under that poor excuse for a rock."
Hinata wondered just what he was going on about, then she looked behind him and saw the fake rock she giggled when the rock groaned.
"Aw man you saw through my ruse again boss just what I'd expect from my greatest rival" a voice sounded from the box as it began to glow and soon it exploded in three multicolored clouds of smoke. Once it began to clear three sounds of coughing could be heard.
'Oh boy here we go' Naruto
"I think we used a little to much gun powder you guys" Konohamaru expressed still coughing
Hinata still stifling her giggles walked up behind Naruto "Naruto-kun who are these three"
The three children in question looked at the Hyuga Princess and smiled. The female of the group jumped up and posed.
"I'm Moegi the sassiest kunoichi in preschool check me out"
"I love Algebra call me Udon"
"and I'm the Number 1 Shinobi in the village Konohamaru and together we're the Konohamaru Ninja Squad"
Naruto sighed "Long introduction short this is Konohamaru the grandson of the Sandaime Hokage and his friends"
"Aww come on boss" Konohamaru whined
"Yeah Yeah what are you guys doing here anyway and what's with the goggles?" Naruto said slightly peeved that his conversation with Hinata was cut short
"You used to wear goggles remember so we're copying you" the short spiky haired boy replied
"Oh alright...so did you guys want something or..what"
"You know what we want are you busy now" Moegi asked impatiently
"Yea you said you'd come play Ninja with us" Kono replied
"Well I was in the middle of something with Hinata-chan here" the blonde said pointing his finger back to the white eyed girl behind him which caused her to blush
The three laid eyes on her as they got a better view of the older Kunochi. Konohamaru looked back and forth until a light bulb clicked in his head.
"Ahh I see boss you're one smooth operator come I know that she's your girlfriend" Kono finished with his pinky lifted as Naruto
Hinata blushed furiously but stilled herself from fainting 'No I will not faint I will stand tall...no matter how much I wish this boy's claims were true'
'Wow she didn't faint she really has come along way in just 3 weeks im very impressed' he blushed as his own thought and then turned to Konohamaru and bonked him on he the head
"No baka she's my teammate not my girlfriend" he replied rubbing the back of his head as he sported a blush
"So will you play ninja with us please Boss" Konohamaru pestered with a pleading puppy dog eyes look
"GRRR" Naurto began to growl until Hinata boldly put a hand on his shoulder
"Umm Naruto-kun we did get off early and the dinner isn't till tonight so you have the time to..."
Naruto sighed but then got a devious grin on his face that was not missed by the young girl "Fine but...you're coming with us Hinata-chan"
Hinata blushed and began to disagree "But...
"No buts like you said we got off early so you have a little time to play with us hehe!"
Hinata thought for only a second then gave a soft giggle "A..alright"
"Alright yay Boss and his girlfriend are gonna play with us" Konohamaru yelled as he began to run off followed by Udon and Moegi
"Arggg you rotten gaki get back here" Naruto yelled playfully then he turned to Hinata and extended his hand "Well come on lets catch up to them before they get into trouble"
Hinata's heart was racing and before she could even process the situation she saw her hand move of its own and become intertwined with Naruto's. He began to race off smiling, not going to fast so Hinata could keep up. Hinata herself was in heaven.
'Naruto-kun is holding my hand, his hands are rough but so gentle' Hinata thought as a blush remained heated on her face
'Wow her hands are really soft and...' Naruto's thoughts on his teammates hand was cut short as they turned the corner of the ally and saw Moegi and Udon cowering while Konohamaru was on the ground rubbing his head, but what caught Naruto and Hinata's eye more were the two tall people hovering over the kids
The two ran quickly to get in front of Udon and Moegi before they heard...
"That Hurt"
With Takeru
'Ok this is not what I was expecting today' Takeru thought as he effortlessly dodged a another man's sword
He and his Sensei had been put on border patrol and while patrolling had come up against some bandits who were holding up one of the merchants headed into Konoha.
"Hey sensei what do you say I wrap this up" the onyx haired boy spoke into the head set to his sensei
Hayate blocked another attack from a large man with a large cub "Hehe *cough* if you say so kid *cough* be my guest" he blocked again pushing the man toward Takeru. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the same bird Kakashi did 'So it's finally time'
"Alright here we go KATON: HIBASHIRI" the genin fired a raging fire stream from his mouth once it hit the ground it split up into three heads of a dragon and chase the three bandit he was dealing with until they were away from the merchant and then enclosed the fire to trap them in the Running Fire trap. Each time one bandit foolishly tried to jump over the fire a small fire whip would knock him back.
Hayate created a Shadow Clone and sent it ahead to attack the large bandit swung his massive club only for the clone to dodge by sliding under his legs. This greatly confused the lumocks until he heard a hissing sound and looked to down to find a paper bomb close to his feet he began to run but the blast knocked him in the air where both Takeru and Hayate double kicked him in the back knocking him into the Fire ring on top of his buddies knocking them all out.
After securing the merchant and contacting a team of Anbu to escort the prisoners away, the two man team of Team 6 returned to the village.
"Good job *cough* today Takeru you earned this" Hayate told him as he reach into his pocket and pulled out a scroll
Takeru gladly took the scroll and opened it as they walked
"This is the Mikazuki no Mai (Dance of the Three Day's Moon or Dance of the Crescent Moon)" Takeru said with pride
"Yep *cough* my signature move It's time to start your training with this technique" the sickly man explained
"But wait do you need to know the Kage Bunshin technique to learn this"
"True and luckily you and I *cough* both know a certain someone who can help *cough* with the training"
Takeru smiled thinking of his little brother he then turned to his Sensei "Thanks...Tou-san"
Hayate smiled as they continued their walk to the main office when suddenly a female Anbu with long purple hair reaching to her waist appeared before them.
"The bandits have been detained Hayate-san but you are needed elsewhere...for more urgent matters" she spoke in a calm monotone voice
Hayate nodded and coughed while Takeru crossed his arms over his chest and smirked "Good afternoon...Kaa-san you're not fooling anyone" the young boy whispered
You couldn't see it through her mask but a large tick mark appeared on her forehead, she knelt down beside the black haired preteen and whispered in his ear.
"I thought I told you to stop calling me that squirt next time we meet we shall do battle gaki" the Anbu growled playfully
Takeru smirked "I look forward to it Yugao...I mean Neko-san"
"Baka you've been hanging with Naruto too long"
Takeru stuck his tongue out at her and she patted his head and turned to leave with Hayate. "I'll report to Hokage-sama *cough* that's it for the day" and with that they both disappeared.
With Team 8
Team 8 Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba and Haruno Sakura all sat panting after a grueling training session, their teacher the beautiful Yuhi Kurenai Genjutsu Mistress of Konoha stood watch over them, then she heard the caw of the same bird in the sky. 'Hmmmm I wonder'
With Team 10
Sarutobi Asuma sat with his team Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji and Yamanaka Ino on their lunch break he also saw the same bird in the sky 'Tch Damn it right now'
With Naruto
"KONOHAMARU" Naruto called out regrettably letting go of Hinata's hand
The taller boy held the grandson of the Hokage by his scarf. "That hurt gaki" yanking on the scarf more making Kono whimper
"Stop it Baka, we're going to get scolded later" the blonde female beside him spoke up
Hinata brought her hand up to her heart "Please let him down he did not mean to bump into you"
"Konohamaru-kun" both Moegi and Udon called out to their leader and friend
Naruto growled 'Damn it I wanna rip him apart but if I move Im not sure what he'll do...I need a plan'
"HOW ABOUT AN EXTRA EDGE BOY" Kurama called to his student through their link
'What do you mean Kurama-sensei' Naruto asked telepathically
"JUST SLOWLY CHANNEL A SMALL AMOUNT OF MY CHAKRA INTO YOUR EYES AND YOU'LL FIND OUT"
Naruto nodded and closed his eyes and began with Kyuubi's help channeling chakra into the blonde's eyes. There was a slight burning sensation in his eyes but it soon subsided. He looked around at everyone and noticed them tensing up. The tall black clad boy's grip loosened once he saw the change in appearance from the other short kid. It was something about those blood red eyes that screamed bloodlust they were...familiar.
Naruto looked down at his hands and noticed his nails had elongated, it was then that he felt the other changes to his appearance. His hair was spikier, his whiskers more pronounced and his canines were elongated as well. All at once it hit him he was in his 'fox mode' as he called it, but the weird thing was he wasn't enraged a bit pissed but not full blown enraged like he had been against Haku. Normally only anger would activate this form but he was for all intents and purposes...calm. He'd figure this all out later right now he needed to end this. He took a sniff and caught all the smells in the area, he could make out the familiar scents of Hinata, Moegi, Udon and Konohamaru. The tall boy smelled of cedar and poison while the girl who he thought was kinda cute smelled of desert lilies and a hint of weasel. He caught two more scents one he recognized well 'That teme said he was going home oh well he could be used as a distraction maybe'. The last scent almost made him gag it was the smell of sand and...blood.
Naruto looked directly into the now opened eyes of the tall boy and crossed his arms against his chest "I'm only going to say this once...put...him...down...now" Naruto spoke in a deep dangerously calm voice
A shiver creeped its way up Hinata's back as she heard his voice, this wasn't her Naruto-kun or was it and this chakra felt oddly familiar. 'This feels like that time on the bridge in the Land of Waves'
"Kankuro just drop him and lets go he'll be here any minute, I'll have no part in this" the girl said to her partner actually startled by the short kids appearance
Kankuro huffed "So the blond runt changed his eye color big whoop Temari he doesn't have what it takes to back it up"
Naruto growled a guttural growl "Wrong answer" he was about to dash toward the fool and take him out but before he could a small object flew at high speeds hitting Kankuro's hand making him drop the smaller boy.
A small pebble landed at his feet, the tall boy then looked up into the tree. Sasuke was bouncing another pebble up and down in his hand.
"Id listen to the man if I were you...you're way out of your league" he said smoothly
"Sasuke-san" Hinata sighed in relief
'Took you long enough teme' Naruto thought
Kankuro glared at the last Uchiha. Temari looked Sasuke up and down "Well Well he's handsome"
Konohamaru took this chance to run back to the blonde boy "Naruto nii-san"
"You ok squirt" Naruto asked letting his appearance revert before the boy looked into his now blue eyes, Konohamaru nodded
"Oh great another wimp to piss me off" Kankuro taunted
Sasuke took the other pebble and crushed it effortlessly "Get lost"
"Hey punk get down here, you're the kind of runt I hate the most all attitude and nothing to show for it" Kankuro called out pulling the wrapped pack off his back in a battle stance
"What!" the girl yelled "You're going to use Karasu now for this"
An short eerie silence fell over them before an emotionless voice called out from nowhere
"Kankuro...back off"
'Huh' Sasuke thought
'There' Naruto thought finally pinpointing the deadly scent
"You are a disgrace to our village" a red haired boy standing upside down on the tree limb said in a deadly calm voice
'When did he show up only Jonin on Kakashi's level can move that quietly' Sasuke thought
The red haired boy shot a cold emotionless look towards Sasuke and Naruto.
Meanwhile
"I have summoned you here for a very important purpose, seeing you fellow jonin here I assume you know what this is about" Sarutobi Hiruzen the third Hokage said in a stern commanding voice
"So soon I thought we'd have a little more time" Kakashi replied in a monotone voice
Asuma sighed "I assume the other lands have been notified about the coming event, I noticed some of their Genin have already arrived here in the village"
"And when do we start" Kurenai asked
The Hokage took a puff of his pipe "We begin in 1 week on the first day of the seventh moon"
"That's very short noticed" Kakashi said 'Hopefully the extra training I've given them over the last couple months will keep them going' the white haired man thought
The Hokage told them that all the Genin will gather and only the best of the best will be selected as Chunin. He asked which jonin believed their genin were ready and to the surprise of everyone in the room Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai and Hayate all gave the names of their students. For the first time in years rookies were going to take part in the exams.
WITH NARUTO
The red haired boy hung upside down staring at Kankuro "Have you forgotten the reason we came all the way here"
"I know I know I just...they just..." Kankuro begin to babble out of fear
"Shut up...or I'll kill you" the boy replied with his deadly calm voice sending shivers down everyone's spine even Sasuke and Naruto
Kankuro cowered to his teammate "Im sorry Gaara...I was out of line Im sorry"
The one now known as Gaara turned his head towards Sasuke "I'm sorry for any trouble he caused"
'This guy has an evil look in his eye' Sasuke thought to himself while never taking his eyes off him
'He stopped Kankuro with only a pebble he's good and the other kid I sense a dangerous power in him these two must be watched' Gaara wondered he then was replaced by a whirl of sand and was next to his teammates in the blink of an eye "Lets go we didn't come here to play games"
Naruto heard the Kyuubi growling in his head 'You ok Kurama'
Sasuke finally jumped down and spoke "Hey you identify yourself"
"You mean me?" Temari asked in a sultry tone
"No he means the one with the gourd on his back" Naruto chimed in bursting her bubble
Gaara looked at our two heroes "I am Sabaku no Gaara I am interested in the two of you as well...who are you?"
Sasuke smirked "I am Uchiha Sasuke"
"and I am Uzumaki Naruto" Naruto replied his face impassive "and this is Hyuga Hinata we are Squad 7"
Hinata blushed this boy didn't even care to ask for her name but Naruto gave it anyway and with such pride in his voice 'Thank you Naruto-kun'
The alley was quiet and a gentle breeze seemed to come from nowhere and sway the hair of the three boys who just stared at each other.
"Come on we're leaving" Gaara said to his teammates as they quickly left the alleyway
"Hey Sasuke are you getting the same vibes I am off that guy" Naruto asked
Sasuke nodded "Yeah...he's deadly" 'Things are getting interesting'
Ch 7 Updated