Whoo! Happy celebration of a nebulous concept everyone! Our planet has finished a full rotation around the sun, and I am super excited of what is to come in this year. I've started this year out right by updating my other ongoing story, Namikaze Naruto: Son of Mandalore, which is a Naruto/Star Wars crossover where Naruto DOESN'T become a Jedi! Also I published a fun little story to the Dungeons and Dragons section... which immediately got taken down because it didn't star established D&D characters like that Mary Sue, Drizzt. So I uploaded that onto Wattpad. Check it out if you're also a D&D nerd like me or are curious about my original writing. Anyway let's answer some review!

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And that's it for last chapters reviews! On with the show!

"Talking"
"Bijuu
"Talking"
'Thinking'
'Bijuu Thinking'
"Writing"

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the music mentioned in this chapter.

Jinchuuriki Mercenary: Redux

Chapter 5: Finding My Way

Ichiraku Ramen, Later That Night

"Where's Naruto? He said he was going to buy us all dinner! I'm starving!" Choji cried out and held his stomach as it let out another rumble. He sat at the counter at Ichiraku, he looked over at the almost full ramen stand. To his left was Ino, who sat on the end seat. To his right were his best friend Shikamaru as well as Shino, Kiba and Hinata with only a single seat open between the two groups. Shikamaru let out a sigh as his friend complained. The lazy genius looked up at the clock. Naruto had asked them to meet up at 7 o'clock and it was nearly 7:15.

"Relax Choji, he's only fifteen minutes late. I'm sure he'll be here. He's never broken a promise in his life." Choji pouted at his friend's relaxed nature. He could understand him not being enthusiastic about homework, but it was incomprehensible to the Akimichi Clan heir for anyone to be so casual about food.

"I give him five minutes before I'm out of here! I'm missing out on Hana's cooking! She was going to make nankotsu tonight!" Kiba growled as he tapped the counter impatiently, his talking of food only making Choji's stomach growl even more. He turned to his teammates to gauge their reactions to the situation. However he was disappointed that they weren't as upset as he was. Shino simply sat patiently with his jacket unzipped enough to allow him to drink a cup of tea while still obscuring his features. Hinata on the other hand seemed lost in her own world as she was staring at the menu on the counter before her with a deep blush on her cheeks as she pressed her index fingers together.

'I can't believe it! Naruto-kun invited me to dinner!'' Everyone turned as the flap of the stand rustled and a new customer entered the ramen stand. He dusted off his long dirty brown coat and walked up to the empty seat. He was carrying a black plastic bag which he set down on the counter and looked over the menu.

"Hmm… Man such a good selection. I don't know what to order. What do you guys think? Shrimp? Beef? Chicken? You know what? You're right. It's a special occasion. One of each!" Shikamaru turned to the young man who had sat between him and Shino as he talked to them in a very familial way. He was a teen just about their age with shaggy brown hair, bright blue eyes, and he had blue markings running from above his eyes down to cover his cheeks.

"Excuse me. But I don't think we know you. Also I don't mean to be rude, but we were saving that seat for someone." The teen turned and flashed him a large vulpine grin.

"I'm someone." Shikamaru was about to respond when the waitress Ayame walked out from the back and smiled brightly as she saw the newcomer. She walked over and wrapped him a tight hug. The group watched the awkward angle that the two embraced each other over the counter.

"Konbanwa, Naruto-kun! It's been almost a week since you came in while I was working! I was beginning to think you were avoiding me." The group stared in confusion at the pair before the teen began to laugh and grabbed his hair, pulling it off of his head to reveal it to be a wig, a shock of spiky golden blonde hair waiting beneath. He took a small container out of one of his pockets and slowly pulled off the blue markings on his cheeks, placing them neatly into the container before putting it away. He scratched his head as he smiled at the pretty brunette.

"Heya Ayame-chan. I was here earlier but Teuchi-san said you were on break." The gathered teens were all staring at the pair as they exchanged pleasantries as if it was a normal occurrence for the blonde to come into his favorite food stand in the world wearing a disguise. Choji was about to chastise Naruto for being so late when the blonde turned and smiled to his friends.

"Alright guys, like I said, dinner's on me tonight! We finally made it!" Choji and Kiba's eyes lit up as they immediately shouted their orders. Shikamaru ordered a seafood mix with extra kombu, Ino simply asked for a bowl of vegetable ramen, while Hinata quietly told Ayame that she'd have whatever Naturo was ordering. Shino set down his tea cup and zipped his jacket before turning to the blonde beside him, pointing to his outfit.

"Ano, Naruto-san. But why were you wearing a disguise?"

"Oh this? Well the guy who owns the record store doesn't really like me very much and overcharges me... a lot. So whenever go to buy a record, I go in disguise so I can get a fair price. I got the idea for the look after I met a reporter who looked like this a couple years ago. Nice guy. Hey… Where's Hinoko-chan? I invited her too. That's disappointing." The gathered group simply shrugged as she hadn't shown up yet. Naruto shrugged and let out a slightly disappointed sigh. Hinata gathered up a spark of courage and spoke up to her lifelong crush.

"W-what did y-you get at th-the r-record store, N-Nar-tuto-kun?" Naruto's expression changed and he smiled brightly as he pulled out a record from his bag. It was a 45 disc with a beautiful artwork of a red rose with dead blackened outer petals flying off into the air before a plain white background. In an elegant calligraphy font read a single word. Amaranthine.

"It's the new single from a band I really like called Amaranthe. They're really cool. They've got three vocalists." Hinata blushed even deeper at the way that Naruto seemed to shine as he talked. He beamed with the same enthusiasm that she saw whenever he talked about anything he was truly passionate about. Ino looked over at the record sleeve and smiled teasingly at the blonde.

"So they named themselves after a flower. I didn't know you were into those kinds of groups." Naruto smiled unbothered by her slight jape at his musical tastes. He simply returned the smile and crossed his arms defiantly.

"Of course. They're amazing. I honestly think they're so much better than the majority of the stuff you hear on the radio." Ino pouted as she handed the record back

"What's wrong with radio? I like listening to the radio whenever I work at my family's flower shop."

"Nothing's really wrong with it. You're free to like what you like. I just prefer not to listen to 'artists' who think that 'La-la's, 'Na-na's, and 'Doot-doot's are acceptable substitutes for putting in the effort to sit down write legitimate lyrics." The platinum blonde was definitely one to dish out the occasional teasing to her friends. Yet she was also one to not let jabs back at her let her get too upset… most of time. Though she really couldn't find a rebuttle for Naruto as one of the songs she heard on the radio quite frequently had a chorus that ended in a series of 'Na-na-na's. She'd even found herself dancing to it on occasion. Shino let out a subdued chuckle as he received another cup of tea.

"To think… That the one thing that you would have high standards about, Naruto. Music was not what I was expecting." Naruto let out a chuckle and Shino smirked behind his coat as he brought the tea cup to his lips and took a sip. Soon the group's ramen had arrived and they began to eat and talk about their days, their first impressions of their senseis, and how excited they were about the prospect of becoming genin. The group began to laugh and joke as they enjoyed their time together. After about an hour the flap on the stand moved as a familiar ponytailed brunette stepped in and looked at the gathered group . Hinoko raised a brow at the sight of her former classmates.

"Like, sorry I'm late. My ANBU orientation took a lot longer than I expected, you know. Like, I must have missed one heck of a party. It looks like Hinata, Choji and Naruto are in an eating contest, and why is Naruto like, wearing eyeshadow?" The group looked around to see that Choji had accumulated a stack of eighteen bowls of ramen, Naruto had twenty-four bowl in a stack by him, and shockingly Hinata let out a contented sigh as she finished off her twenty-sixth bowl of ramen. The gathered graduates were beginning to wonder how Naruto planning on paying for all of the food they had eaten.

"Thank you for the wonderful meal, Teuchi-san." The ramen stand owner smiled brightly as he and his daughter took away the empty bowls. He hadn't seen anyone eat more than Naruto since his mother used to come by the stand. Naruto stood up from his chair and patted it as he smiled at the newcomer.

"Well I just wanted to look pretty for you, Hinoko-chan. Come take a seat. Order what you like, dinner's on me." Hinoko blushed slightly at the honorific as she walked up to the seat. Usually she hated being so feminine, even her name irked her. But for some reason the blonde had made her blush twice in one day. She pulled up the chair and ordered a bowl of miso pork. She picked up the record that was left on the counter and held it up inquisitively.

"Like, what's this?"

"Just something I picked up today." Naruto replied with a shrug, not wanting to get into a repeat of the conversation he'd had earlier. Hinoko looked over the album and hummed to herself.

"Looks cool. I wouldn't mind, like giving it a listen, you know." Naruto's expression lightened and he smiled brightly as he handed the record over to Ayame with a hopeful look in his eyes. The young woman smiled warmly. This wasn't the first time had come to the stand with a fresh record he had purchased. He liked to listen to them while he indulged in his favorite food. Naruto always made sure the records that he brought by weren't anything too out there, so the brunette waitress had made sure to keep a small record player in the shop for just these occasions.

Once Ayame placed the needle on the vinyl, the gathered group of teens tuned intently in as they listened to the music. I single soft piano chord rang out before a woman's melodious voice swam into their minds and with words of such elegant beauty, sang of the preciousness of he love. Of how true her love was and how it was endless, amaranthine. Soon the music picked up in intensity as a man's voice came in and sang with the same passion. Recalling the same expressions of endless and strong love for someone. Finally with one more increase in the ferocity of emotion, a third singer came in, releasing vocals that were a cross between a growl and a scream. However despite the fierceness of the vocalist, the message of the lyrics still came through of a love so strong and passionate that even time meant nothing. Once the record stopped playing there was a gathered release of breath that many of them hadn't realized that they were holding. Ino stood up and put her hand on Naruto's shoulder and gave him a small pat.

"That was… That was really good. I had a really good time tonight. Thanks for dinner, Naruto. Come by the shop sometime." She walked out of the stand and made her way home, the song still ringing in her ears. Shikamaru stood up next and put his hands in his pockets. He made a comment about his mother probably needing him to do something at home before leaving the stand. Kiba and Akamaru gave the blonde a smile and a nuzzle respectively before they headed home. Shortly after the pair left, a Hyuuga attendant came to retrieve Hinata who bowed and stutteringly thanked Naruto for a wonderful night. She made a mental note to purchase that song and think of her crush every time she heard it.

"Hey Naruto, you sure you can pay for all of this by yourself? I mean, I'd feel kind of bad if we ate you out of all of your money." Choji asked and reached for his wallet as he got out of his seat. Naruto gave him a friendly smile and grabbed his arm gently, giving him a reassuring pat.

"It's okay Choji, I saved up for tonight. Who knows when we'll see each other again now that we're ninja. It was nice to have dinner with my closest friends. Don't worry about it. Have a good night." Choji smiled brightly and gave his friend a hug before leaving. Shino set down his tea cup and gave Naruto a bow and thanked him before he left, leaving only Naruto and Hinoko to sit as she received her bowl of ramen. Naruto reached into his coat and pulled out a large stack of ryo and placed it on the counter. He turned to leave when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked at the blue eyed girl who smiled warmly.

"Like, you're not gonna stay with me. That'd be lie, a real dick move, you know." Naruto smiled appreciatively as he sat on the chair beside his new friend. She began to eat her noodles and let out a sigh as she elated over the heavenly taste. She looked down at the bowl with a slightly sad expression on her face.

"You know, with me joining the ANBU. I won't be like, seeing a lot of you guys, you know? So this really means a lot to me, Naruto. I'm like, really glad that I met you today." Naruto wrapped an arm around her shoulder and gave her a warm hug.

"I'm really glad too." The two sat in the small ramen stand for a while, enjoying each other's company before they too eventually parted ways. Naruto put on his wig and walked of toward his apartment gazing up at the moon in the clear starlit sky. He let out a sullen sigh as he walked the near empty streets. As he unlocked the front door to his apartment the blonde heard a voice in the back of his mind.

'Twas certainly an interesting night to say the least. But why did it feel like a last supper rather than a pleasant night out among friends?' Naruto walked over to his closet and placed the coats on their racks as he reverted to his natural form. He began to undress before lying in his bed. He looked out his window into the village with a somber gaze.

'Kyuubi-sensei… With my luck. I think we should be out of this village sooner than we imagined.' The blonde jinchuuriki closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. His tenant let out a soft chuckle at the young man's words. He had a point, throughout his entire life Naruto had endured through a combination of endless tenacity, trained skill, and ludicrous amount of sheer dumb luck. The biju smiled to itself. Perhaps tonight it's tenant deserved a peaceful nights sleep.

Training Ground 7, 1 PM

Naruto let out a sigh as her looked up at his older brother from his position tied to the log. He'd made a fool out of himself once again in order to keep up appearances, and to help his new teammates understand the meaning behind Kakashi's bell test. Unfortunately it went about as well as expected and Naruto still had to do a majority of work to get the bells for his team. After his teammate had left, Sasuke heading to the Uchiha compound and Sakura following him in hopes of getting a date, Naruto was left with his brother who gave him an eye smile as he squatted down and patted his head.

"Congratulations Otouto. You're officially a genin. I think that calls for a special reward." As Naruto freed himself from the simple bindings, Kakashi pulled out a long, small black velvet box and handed it to the young blonde. Naruto quirked an eyebrow as he took the box.

"Um… Thanks Kakashi-nii. But I'm not really the jewelry type." The silver haired jonin chuckled as his younger brother opened the box and found a crimson scroll nestled snugly within the box. Unravelling the scroll, he found it to be a storage scroll with something already stored within. He bit his thumb and brushed the fresh blood across the seal, channeling chakra into his thumb as he did so. A white plume of smoke covered the genin's hands and lap before clearing to reveal a brand new electric guitar. Kakashi's eye smile broadened.

"I had it commissioned it from a craftsmen in the Land of Forests during a week long mission last month. It's a semi-hollow body, I heard you talking about wanting one while you were practicing." Naruto's right hand caressed the matte black finish of the body and the smooth glossy burnt orange finish of the moderately sized pick guard. His eyes traveled up to the neck and he slid his hand up to a resting position. The fret board had been meticulously crafted with a custom set of ivory inlays that depicted a nine-tailed fox clawing its way up the neck toward the spiral emblem of the Uzumaki Clan. He gave it a strum and smiled as a chord rang out. The instrument was truly a masterpiece. Setting down the instrument carefully on the grass, Naruto stood up and wrapped his arms around his elder brother tightly.

"Thank you Kakashi-nii. I'll treasure this forever." Kakashi patted his younger sibling on the head

"You deserve it Naruto. You've worked so hard to get to where you are now. It's going to hurt to see you leave if you still decide to do so. I just thought you might like something to remember me by." Naruto looked up into the one eye of his sensei smiling brightly.

"Like I could ever forget my Aniki" Kakashi laughed as he let go of his student. He stepped back and pulled out a pair of boken. He got into a battle ready stance and stared at Naruto with an energetic gleam in his eye.

"Alright Naruto. I think it's time we do some more kenjutsu training. Let's see what you've learned." The jonin tossed the boken to his student who smirked and got into a similar stance as the two began to train for the rest of the day.

Hokage Tower, One Month Later

Team 7 looked like they'd been through hell as they stood before the Hokage and his attendants. Their hair was wild and full of broken twigs and leaves, clothes torn and slashed in several places, and their faces and arms covered in numerous scratches. The only one who seemed fine was their sensei who stood blissfully unaware of his team's current predicament as he stood behind them reading his favorite orange book. To the side of the room, the Fire Daimyo's wife was currently suffocating the source of the genin's misery with affection as the demon cat, Tora, desperately tried to escape her clutches while she walked out of the briefing room. The Hokage looked over the paperwork for the mission handouts.

"You've done well Team 7. You were able to reunite Tora with his owner in just under forty-five minutes. That's just underTeam Gai's record of forty flat. A commendable feat. You'll all recieve a little bonus for your efforts in completing the mission with such vigor. Now as for your next assignment. There are several to choose from. Inuzuka Hana needs some temporary assistance with cleaning the kennels at the Ninja Animal Veterinary Clinic. There are some jonin mothers who need babysitters while they return to active duty… and lets see what else…" The Hokage rummaged through the files before a shriek filed in from down the hall.

"MY SWEET BABY, NO! COME BACK TO MOMMY!"

"Ah yes and Tora's escaped once again." Naruto smacked his palm against his forehead and growled loudly. He let out a frustrated cry and looked at the elderly village leader with a blaze of determination.

"This is absolutely ridiculous and demeaning! We didn't spend ten years training in the Academy just to be glorified menial labor and cat catchers! Hokage-rojin, we deserve something better!" Sakura huffed and agreed with the blonde. Even Sasuke gave a nod in agreement. Hiruzen smiled at the boy's nickname for him. He still hadn't earned the name of grandfather back from the blonde, but he was happy that he had given him a new nickname none the less. The wounds were starting to heal. Iruka on the other hand was not having any of Naruto's attitude as he slammed his hand onto the desk.

"Naruto! You show Hokage-sama the respect he deserves. You all just graduated, as such you haven't had enough experience for-" The chunin was silenced as the Sandaime placed his hand on his shoulder. He bowed respectfully and sat back in his seat. Hiruzen lit his pipe and looked over the genin squad.

"It's fine Iruka-kun. Naurto-kun and I have always had this kind of relationship. As for your request, Naruto. I can see your point. Kakashi has taught you all the importance of teamwork and I believe that you should be ready to take on a slightly tougher challenge. Iruka, if you could send in Tazuna-san. Your next mission Team 7, will be to escort the bridge builder Tazuna back to Nami no Kuni and guard him from bandits while he completes a bridge connecting our two countries." Iruka bowed as he walked over to a door and opened it revealing a man in his upper middle-age with half full bottle of sake in his hand with the other half on his breath. He staggered in and gave the group of teens a once over before belching and exclaiming.

"These are the ninja who are going to be guarding me while I complete my masterpiece?! I am Tazuna, the great bridge builder! These kids look like a strong wind could knock them out." Kakashi gripped Naruto and Sasuke's shoulders tightly as the began to growl, stifling their attempts at a rebuttal at their client's drunken insults. The jonin let out a chuckle as he patted them on the heads.

"Worry not Tazuna-san. My students are very capable of protecting you from any bandits that we might come across. I, their jonin sensei, will also be accompanying you. We should be more than qualified for the task." The bridge builder took in the information and gave the group a stern look before wiping his nose and grumbling.

"I don't like it very much. But it'll have to do. We'll meet at the village gate in one hour." The bridge builder then turned and walked out of the room as he uncorked the bottle and began to drink like a nursing baby. Kakashi send his students home to pack for their mission. The Hokage smiled as he watched them leave, pulling out and old picture of a four year old Naruto wearing his hat. He was happy to see his surrogate grandson starting down the path to become Hokage.

One Month Later

"Yosh! I can't believe that Hokage-sama gave us a week off from missions, Gai-sensei!" A genin with jet black hair in a bowl cut exclaimed as he pumped his fist into air. He was clad in a one piece green jumpsuit and bright orange leg warmers, arm wrappings, and a Konoha hitae-ate tied around his waist like a belt. He was accompanied by two other genin. One, a girl with dark brown hair tied up into two buns on either side of her head clad in a pink sleeveless qipao-style blouse and dark green ninja pants. She smiled as she thought of what she would do with her time off. The other was a stern looking teenager with long dark brown hair and pale featureless eyes. He wore a beige jacket and brown shorts which showed off the wrappings on his right leg and arm.

"You all earned this wonderful gift, my most youthful students! You've worked hard and your efforts have wrought the ripe and delicious fruits of victory! However we must not squander this time that has been given to us so graciously! The Springtime of Youth only lasts for so long and we must embrace it wholeheartedly! We will use this time wisely to enhance our strength and become even greater than we are now!" Shouted a man dressed identically to the young genin, save for a jonin vest. The younger miniature of this man, Maito Gai, had stars in his eyes as he marvelled at the power and confidence of his sensei.

"YOSH! Gai-sensei! How did you become so youthful?" Gai clapped a hand onto his young student's shoulder and flashed his patented Good Guy Smile.

"Well Lee, I strive to become a better me every day and brighten the Flames of Youth that burn within me so that I can keep up with my eternal rival. The master of everything Cool and Hip, Hatake Kakashi!" the star's in Lee's eyes turned to flames of determination as he turned to the pale eyed genin beside him.

"Neji-kun! Let's become rivals so that we can stoke our Flames of Youth and make them burn brighter!" Neji simply stared at his odd teammate.

"No." Lee began to cry tears of despair as he tried to convince his teammate to change his mind.

Gai began to cry profusely as flashbacks flooded his mind of when he had first challenged Kakashi and the hip way that he had refused him. He was drawn from his memories as an aura of melancholy and anguish that Gai hadn't felt in years passed by the group. Gai looked to see his eternal rival moving down the hall toward the briefing room with slow movements. He quietly dismissed his team and followed his childhood friend with deep concern.

Yamanaka Flower Shop

Ino walked out of the front door of her family's shop with her team waiting for her outside, ready to meet up for a day of training with their sensei. Shikamaru sighed and leaned against the wall of the shop as Choji commented about his growling stomach. Ino was going to scold the two of them for their indifferent and lax attitude toward their training as ninja when she saw two familiar faces walking up towards them. Ino smiled as she saw he former best friend walk up toward them with her crush following behind.

"Hey guys! I heard you guys got your first C-Rank mission. I bet Sasuke-kun carried your butt all the way through it Forehead. Where's Naruto? Probably scarfing down a bunch of ramen, right. Hey Forehead! You listening to me? Forehead?... Sakura?" The platinum blonde's face shifted from her usual cocky grin to legitimate concern as her childhood best friend remained silent trembling as she walked up to her. Tears welled up in her eyes at the mention of their teammate. Ino was shocked as the pinkette pulled her into a vice like embrace and began to bawl uncontrollably. The gathered genin looked to the Uchiha for clarification and they let out a collective gasp as the crimson tomoed eyes of the Sharingan stared back at them somberly.

Mission Briefing Room, Hokage Tower

"Ah Kakashi-kun! Welcome back! I hope the mission went well." Hiruzen smiled brightly as Kakashi stepped into the room followed by Gai. However the mood in the room dimmed as the silver haired silently made his way to the center of the room and bowed on his knees, his forehead to the ground penitently.

"The mission to Nami no Kuni was a success. Tazuna has finished the bridge and has signed a contract stating that all merchants and travelers coming from Konohagakure will not pay a travel tax when crossing his bridge." Kakakashi spoke shakily, it was not characteristic of the calm and composed former ANBU captain. To say that everyone was concerned would be a grave understatement.

"Why would he do something so generous? You simply guarded him from bandits, correct?" Hiruzen leaned forward intently.

"It would seem the client had lied about the severity of the mission as a shipping magnate by the name of Gato had put a stranglehold on Nami no Kumi's resources. We were not to protect him from mere bandits Hokage-sama. Gato had hired missing nin from Kiri to assassinate Tazuna-san. I should have called for back-up and let someone else take care of it when I found out, but my team… they were so ready to prove themselves to you. I'm so sorry. The mission however, was a success. I've sent Sasuke and Sakura home to rest." Iruka spoke up next after Kakashi gave his report on the true nature of the mission. His voice shaky as he feared what the answer to his next question might be.

"...And what about Naruto-kun?" Kakashi bit his lip to hold back tears but to no avail as tears began to flow as he lifted his head to look at the village leader. He trembled greatly and everyone gasped in horror as he pulled a black sealing scroll from the inside of his flak jacket with a read kanji for 'Body' on the seal. Hiruzen dropped his pipe and Iruka fell to his knees with his hands covering his mouth as both began to feel a flood of tears break through the damn. Kakashi began to weep openly.

"Sensei… Kusina-senpai… I'm so sorry." After several minutes Sarutobi's expression darkened as he wiped the final tears from his eyes. He glared down at the last Hatake and stated in a commanding tone that demanded an immediate answer.

"Tell me everything Kakashi… What. Happened. To. My. Grandson?"

CLIFFHANGER NO JUTSU! Oh man don't you just hate it when that happens? Something super dramatic happens and them BAM! Chapter's over! Yeah me neither, that's why I did it! But so much to discover. So many questions left unanswered! What happened on the mission to Wave? What happened to Naruto? What will become of Team 7? Why can't we get a Dungeons & Dragons movie that doesn't suck half-rotted LICH DICK?! ...Actually that last one might just be a question on my mind.

Anyway, leave a review letting me know what you thought. I love getting feedback and try to answer all of you guys the best I can. Also if you haven't already, follow this story to join me on this adventure. I'm having a blast writing it and I hope you guys enjoy reading it. So until next chapter... I'll see you later.

~ Ninja