A/N: Hey y'all! Another chappie of the ANBU Genin! But first, I would like to ask you all to go to my page and at least peruse my other fics. I have three one-shots and four on-going stories. And as soon as I can, I will begin posting the colab between a friend and myself that is in the Soul Eater universe. So look forward to that! Now! Onward to shenanigans!

Chapter 6: A Minor Hitch

Naruto yawned loudly as his head drooped from his hand, jolting him awake momentarily.

Mizuki is even more boring in lectures than Iruka-sensei! Iruka had fallen ill the past few days, so Mizuki, the whiteish-blue haired Chuunin assistant teacher, had been filling in. But he proved so boring, even the most studious of pupils had started to nod off. The entire class was currently either completely asleep, or on the way there. Mizuki didn't notice because he was facing the blackboard, practically doodling because his writing was so terrible.

There's still two and a half hours before class is released! Naruto... don't... fall...zzzzzzz. Naruto's head finally snapped down from his supporting hand, ramming into the table with the force of gravity, but he was dead asleep. The seven months of having to get up early for the academy, combined with the fact he only took naps every now and then, and Naruto had become increasingly drowsy and unable to do anything. He snoozed peacefully, with Sasuke drooping off, but doing his best to stay awake, right next to him. Even the ever logical Shino, who had never once disrupted class or fallen asleep, was snoring gently, his hive buzzing in time with his exhales.

The silence was broken after thirty minutes, when Naruto entered REM sleep, his mind going into overdrive in his dreams.

"NOOO! AGH! STAY AWAY FROM ME!" a loud scream ripped through the classroom, jolting everyone awake, and causing Mizuki to turn around. Everyone looked to the blond to see him thrashing violently, screaming bloody murder, tears so obviously glistening on his cheeks.

"NO! PLEASE! NOOOO-AAAARRRRRGGHHHH!" Sasuke tried shaking him awake, only for a hand to flail about and smack him in the face. As time slowly progressed, Naruto's thrashing became ever more violent, his screams louder and more anguished. At some point, Mizuki had moved everyone out of range of his motions, which had increased to the point he fell out of his chair and was on the floor. Just as the teacher was about to call for the Hokage, Naruto curled into a ball and whimpered piteously. Sasuke stepped forward cautiously and gingerly laid a hand on Naruto's side, only for the boy to flinch violently and resume thrashing and screaming. He got so loud, the teachers down the hall shouted at Mizuki to keep quiet.

"What's wrong with him?!" Ino shouted, covering her ears.

"Troublesome... I think he's having night terrors!" Shikamaru looked both worried for his friend, and angry at him for disturbing his sleep. At that precise moment, Naruto let out a wordless scream so bloodcurdling and loud, if they hadn't been covering their ears, the class would all be permanently deaf. The scream echoed throughout the village, thanks to the acoustics of the location of the Academy, and the older generations all felt a chill down their spines. More than a few ducked under or behind something, cowering in fear.

At the Village gate, check-out station

"What the fuck was that?!" Kotetsu looked terrified.

"It sounded like the Kyuubi!" Izumo looked even more scared than his partner. The Eternal Chuunins turned to the only Jounin in sight, the team leader of the mission that had just returned.

A cigarette fell to the ground and soft brown eyes widened in alarm.

"NARUTO!"

Asuma sprinted off without another word, worry etched into his face as he bolted and barreled through anyone in his way, civilian and Shinobi alike. He only stopped when he heard one merchant, whom he had never cared for, because of how he treated Naruto, said something loudly. Shakily, but loudly.

"Looks like that fucking Demon finally showed it's true colors! And near our children?! The Hokage will be put on trial for this!"

The temperature in the immediate area dropped thirty degrees in a matter of seconds, and everyone cowered in fear. All the civilians turned to see Sarutobi Asuma, elite Jounin of Konohagakure no Sato, son of the third Hokage, and adopted father to Naruto Uzumaki, glaring at the man with pure hatred, his trench knives gripped tightly in his hands. He stalked over to the fat slob who had spoken and slammed his right blade into the man's shoulder. The man, term used loosely, opened his mouth to scream, but found the other blade held to his throat.

"That eleven-year-old boy is my SON! And YOU just committed an act of willful treason, you scum-sucking shitbag!" the face on the jelly donut paled from both fear, and from minor bloodloss. "Now since I have somewhere to be, I will leave you in the care of Boar-san, who will kindly escort you to the ANBU T&I department. I suspect Morino Ibiki would like a new toy." instantly a boar-masked ANBU appeared, his arms crossed, and nodded, taking hold of the fat blob who had once been an influential merchant. Asuma ripped his trench knife out viciously and sprinted away once more, heading with all possible speed to the Academy.

He didn't notice an off-duty Kunoichi nearby, who watched the whole thing. Blood-red eyes watched the retreating form of the man hungrily.

Who knew Asuma-kun could be so hot when he's protective?

Hokage Tower, when the scream ripped through

Hiruzen shot up from his chair, alarm on his face. He knew that scream! He had watched Naruto fall asleep a few months ago, and hadn't woken him up in time.

He bolted for the door, robes flying and hat falling to the ground. He couldn't care less. His grandson was in pain. He pushed right through Danzo, who had been about to knock, without a word, sprinting for all he was worth to the Academy. About a block from the door, he met up with Asuma. The two sprinted together wordlessly, literally kicking the doors open to save time. When they got to the class they knew Naruto was in, they blasted through the door to see the blond thrashing on the floor , more specifically on the steps between desks, and screaming hysterically. Asuma shot straight to him, pushing through the students in his way, who were treating it like some kind of sick show. Hiruzen looked around to take stock.

Most of the children in the room had fear written on their faces, and Mizuki was torn between utter loathing and total glee. Hiruzen scowled, but couldn't do anything about it. Asuma, who was kneeling next to his son, was trying his best to avoid getting hit by the flailing limbs.

"NARUTO! CALM DOWN!"

"I WANT MY TOU-CHAN! STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Asuma reached out and grabbed Naruto as best he could and lifted him into his arms. He rocked gently and began stroking the blond's hair softly. He chanted an old nursery rhyme under his breath. Little by little, Naruto calmed down, but he still whimpered piteously and mewled in fear.

"Tou-chan..." he cried into his dreams. "Don't leave me..." Asuma felt his heart break. Now he knew at least part of what Naruto was so terrified of. The boy curled into a ball in his arms and turned into his chest, crying freely and whimpering in fear. When he felt Naruto was okay, he shook him, trying to wake him up. He succeeded.

The sea-blue eyes snapped open, and before Asuma could react, one of his trench knives was pressed to his throat, the point up under his chin, ready to be plunged through his brain, before the Cerulean orbs seemed to recognize him.

"Tou-chan..." he dropped the knife into his dad's lap and threw his arms around the bigger man's shoulders. His tears felt hot on Asuma's neck, but he didn't mind. He rubbed Naruto's back soothingly.

Hiruzen, meanwhile was frantically checking to see if anyone who didn't know Naruto's secret had seen the quick movements after his eyes had snapped open. He felt assured no-one had, and sighed quietly.

Not one person noticed two sets of eyes widening in amazement.

Soft lavender.

And Sea-foam green.