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Disclaimer: I don't own Hunter x Hunter or Naruto.

Stalk x and x Shadow

"You can't be serious Sakura!"

"I'm serious mom. You thought I came this far just to not graduate?"

After a few short weeks, today was the day. Sakura had gotten up early that morning to get ready for her genin exam at the academy. She didn't know exactly what the tests would entail besides the written portion and the basic three ninjutsu so she made sure she was prepared. She stacked her pouches with kunai and shuriken as well as the ninja wire Sasuke bought her, which she had been practicing with on her own time. She put on her regular red dress, red ribbon, green shorts, blue sandals and her new pink arm sleeves that Gon and Killua had bought her a few weeks ago. She had told them they didn't have to do that, but they said they borrowed the money from a man called 'Kite' anyway.

While she had been getting ready for the day and looking in the mirror, her mother, Mebuki, opened the door and quietly entered her room. Sakura, sensing the tension between them, had stayed quiet and kept her eyes trained on the mirror, waiting for her mother to speak. This inevitably lead to her mother trying to dissuade her from becoming a ninja. Go figure.

"Look Sakura..." Mebuki started, "When your father and I let you join the academy, we thought you were just going through a phase. You were really shy but you wanted to be a tough, strong girl. So we let you join with the hopes that it would make you happier for a bit and break you out of your shell before you realized it wasn't for you... You're not cut out to be a ninja."

Sakura laughed. "I figured it was something like that. Still not changing my mind though." She tried to ignore the hurt from her mother's doubt in her.

Mebuki paused for a while and sighed. "I know you haven't been going to Ino's house, Sakura." Sakura tensed, but continued packing her ninja pouch as if she hadn't heard. "You should know that news travels quickly, especially among the civilians. The past couple of weeks your father has had people tell him that you've been seen around two boys a lot and was even seen entering a building with them more than once. You think it's ok to lie to us about going to see Ino when really you're going to a BOY'S house? Sakura, you're twelve!"

It took a moment for what her mother was implying to sink in. She turned around in extreme annoyance. "Ok, and? What the hell do you think happened there?" She asked. "They're my FRIENDS. We didn't do anything wrong! Besides, there was an adult there to supervise us." "Sometimes," she added mentally.

"That's besides the point," Mebuki said, crossing her arms. "You lied to your parents to run around with these two boys. That's obviously saying that you don't believe we'd approve. Why? Bad influences, probably. Not to mention I heard that they're foreigners."

"No!" Sakura shouted. "It's not that they're bad influences! It's because I knew you would overreact like this! You're so suspicious and over the top! That's why it's so hard to deal with you!" At Mebuki's shocked face, Sakura continued. "I'm happy with Gon and Killua! They're the first real friends I've had in a long time! But you wouldn't know that because you're too busy trying to shelter me! I'm about to be a ninja for crying out loud!"

It turned into a full-on argument once Mebuki started yelling back. "That's the problem!" She said. "You're becoming a ninja and growing up too damn fast! This life isn't MEANT for you Sakura! Don't you understand? You're different from all those clan kids in the academy! I'm a stay-at-home mother and your father is one of the village's best venders! Do you really believe a daughter from those two will become a good ninja?! You and those other clanless kids in the academy don't fit in!"

"I KNOW!" Sakura yelled over her. There was a pause for a few moments before she kept speaking. "I know that I don't come from a clan. I know that I'm not as well suited to become a ninja as others. I know I don't fit in. I know... but guess what?" Mebuki just raised an eyebrow. "Gon and Killua don't fit in either. I don't know if they're clanless, but they're both foreigners, as you say and don't have the same skillset of a typical ninja. They aren't exactly the standard of what a ninja should be, but they're still strong! Why? Because they've trained! And those two believed in me and told me that if I worked hard, I could become strong too. And then maybe, just maybe, I can be a good ninja!"

"Saku-"

"I know what you're going to say. You'll say 'if you have to do all that, why bother becoming a ninja in the first place?' The thing is... it took me a while to realize... but I really do want to become a ninja," Sakura said, head bowed. "Yeah it's dangerous and everything, but it can also be very fun. It's a chance to form bonds with teammates and colleagues and connect with people who have gone through similar experiences to me. It's a chance to help people and make some sort of positive change. It's a way to protect those I care about." She paused, but continued on. "At this point, I would feel too out of place in a civilian job. Especially when the few friends I have are going to be ninja." She took a breath and looked Mebuki in the eye. "So, I won't back down from the challenge. I'll train hard and do whatever it takes to be a capable kunoichi. I'll prove you wrong too."

Mebuki maintained eye contact for a few seconds before looking down at her daughter's arm sleeves. "Yes... Judging by the bruises on your arms you keep trying to hide, I'd say you've already started trying to do that." Sakura subconsciously crossed her arms. Mebuki looked back up at Sakura. "Fine. Do what you want for now. But just make sure you stay safe and don't do anything foolish. If you ever feel like being a ninja isn't for you, quit immediately." Turning around, she continued. "But If I find a reason for you to stop being a ninja, I'll do everything I can to take you out of that lifestyle." She walked out and shut the door with more force than necessary.

Sakura sighed. She loved her mother, she really did, but she couldn't emotionally connect with her. She was so hard to talk to. Pushing those thoughts out of her mind, she got ready to head out with a smile on her face. She was taking a step towards her future.

"AND LOOKING DAMN GOOD WHILE DOING IT!"

Her Inner self WOULD take this nice moment to suddenly make a reappearance after so long. Typical.

Later on that day, Gon and Killua were having their final review for their written test with Bisky. While the academy kids had their tests and graduation today, Gon and Killua had their written exam tomorrow and the practical exam the day after. Bisky had mostly left them on their own to study, but now she was testing them to make sure they were ready.

"Okay," Bisky started, "You two seem more or less ready for the test. I have no doubt in my mind you'll pass. Killua, you can go take a walk or do whatever you want for now." Killua nodded and got up.

"Bisky? What about me?" Gon asked. "You said we both were ready right?"

"Well, yes, but Gon, I still have a few things that I want to go over with you some more. The higher your score, the better. Killua seems to have everything remembered though." Gon clutched his head and groaned while Killua laughed at his expense.

He patted Gon on the shoulder. "Hang in there, Gon. I'm going for a walk, I'll be back in a bit. Want to get some shogi practice when I come back?" Gon smiled and nodded. Killua was still surprised that Gon actually liked shogi. He usually was into things that involved being more active (with the exception of fishing). But he guessed that Sakura encouraging Gon to see it as a form of training and competition worked wonders.

Killua walked out and was met by the fresh, evening air. He knew Sakura was at the academy graduation ceremony with her parents and wondered if he was too late to stop by. Gon and Killua were originally going to go but Bisky stopped them and forced them to study for a few hours. With no where else to go, he began walking the route that he had memorized lead to the academy.

After a while of walking in silence, Killua reached the academy and noticed that there were still a few people left around from the ceremony, but Sakura was gone. He couldn't see her and couldn't sense her, so he figured she went home. Sighing, he turned around and got ready to walk home when suddenly he saw something interesting. He saw the blonde boy him and Gon met, Naruto, up on a roof talking to a shady looking man with grey hair. The man had an obviously fake smile plastered on his face and seemed to be manipulating the hopeful looking boy. Killua narrowed his eyes. He didn't like it.

Killua looked around to see if anyone was watching him. Nope. Nobody paid him any mind. With stealth acquired from years of assassin training, Killua slid into the alleyway next to the building that Naruto and the man were on. He quickly scaled the wall and climbed up to a balcony right below the roof. Fortunately, he was able to hear what they were saying.

"Trust me Naruto. I wouldn't lie to you." That was the man's voice.

After a pause, he heard Naruto's voice. "Thanks Mizuki-sensei!" Killua didn't like how grateful Naruto sounded. He sounded too trusting. It was weird because he didn't seem to trust Gon and Killua when they met him the other day. Is it because this man is an adult?

The man laughed. "Anytime." Killua heard both of them leap away, and he eyed Naruto as the boy jumped across rooftops with a happy grin on his face.

"Gon wanted to be this guy's friend... I can't let anything happen to him."

Looking around to see if he had been spotted, he followed Naruto until he saw him land on the ground and go inside an orange apartment building. From the looks of the neighborhood, Killua almost pitied the boy. He lived in a ghetto area of Konoha. There were shady looking individuals, hookers, and homeless people all around. The building he lived in even looked run down.

"Maybe I should take this time to..." He suddenly felt a presence appear behind him and reacted instantly by spinning around and throwing out a kick. The figure dodged and grabbed his leg before flipping him on his stomach and holding him in a position where he couldn't move. "Who the hell are you?!"

"State your reasons for following that boy." The voice was masculine but so cold and detached, it reminded Killua of members of his family, particularly Illumi.

He shivered but turned around to look at his assailant. As he came face-to-face with someone wearing a cat mask, he remembered what he read in the textbook about ANBU. "I saw some suspicious man talking to him. It seemed like the guy was manipulating him. So I thought I'd follow just to make sure he didn't do anything stupid. He seems naïve." The ANBU just stared at him blankly, not saying a word. "I'm not lying! I'm serious!"

There was a pause before the ANBU nodded and got off of him, letting Killua stand up. As he dusted of his clothes, he heard a snap and looked up to see the ANBU gesturing for him to follow. The ANBU began jumping across buildings and Killua had difficulty keeping up with his speed.

"These ANBU guys are really strong... He took me down with no difficulty..." He looked up to the ANBU's back. "I could see what Kite meant when he said ninja can be harder to deal with than Hunters. It's like mixing assassins and hunters together." The fact that the ANBU dared to show his back to Killua spoke volumes of how outclassed the boy was.

By the time they stopped, Killua was panting lightly. He could effortlessly run several kilometers but just trying to keep up with this guy jumping across rooftops slightly tired him out? Ridiculous.

He looked back at how far they'd come. "Then again, it seems like we came far... I can't even see anything from the area we were just at... and I guess quickly jumping across rooftops takes a lot more energy than running at a moderate pace." Not to mention the fact that he didn't use nen because he didn't want to attract attention or make the ANBU attack him again.

The ANBU signaled for him to follow him as he climbed down from the roof. Killua watched as he tapped on a window and waited for it to open before sliding through it. Killua followed his example and next thing he knew, he was in the Hokage office.

"Why, hello, Killua-kun. Did he do something wrong, Cat-san?" Hiruzen said.

"What the hell?" Killua thought. "I was so focused on keeping up that I didn't even realize we were at the Hokage Tower?"

"The boy says that he saw Naruto speaking with a suspicious man and he believes that Naruto was being manipulated. He followed Naruto back to his apartment with stealth skills that not even a lot of jounin have," Cat said emotionlessly. "You see, he was jumping across rooftops right behind Naruto, but his steps made no noise at all. Not many children are capable of that. Mostly only ANBU are able to pull that off due to training and the special sandals we wear. This boy," The ANBU pointed at Killua's feet, "is wearing sneakers that look heavy. They should produce at least some sound. Additionally, I could not sense the boy's presence. The only reason I noticed him is because I was high up on a roof myself and just happened to spot him. I reasoned that he could either be an assassin or that he could actually be telling the truth about Naruto. Due to this, I figured it would be wise to bring him to you to decide what to do."

The fact that the ANBU brought Killua straight to the village leader told the boy that he wasn't being viewed as a total threat. That was good.

...Or it just meant that the ANBU knew that him and the Hokage could take Killua down easily if he posed a threat. Not good.

Hiruzen nodded. "I appreciate the support, Cat-san. But Killua-kun isn't an assassin."

"No, I am," Killua said. When he saw both Hiruzen and Cat tense and their chakra instantly flare up, he took a step back. "No... not like that." Why the hell did he blurt that out? He was stepping into dangerous territory here. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead at the intensity of their auras, particularly the old man. "I don't know what it means to be an assassin to you guys, but I come from a family of assassins. I've had assassin training since I was three and I have many techniques designed for assassination. The silent steps you talked about," he looked at Cat, "are an assassin technique. But I quit being an assassin a while ago. I'm not a threat to the village. I'm sure you know that, from my situation." He directed the last part to the Hokage who nodded in understanding and relaxed.

"Well... I'm glad to clear up that misunderstanding... and it certainly explains a lot... Does Gon-kun have assassin training too?" When Killua shook his head negative, Hiruzen sighed in relief. "At least one of you isn't so full of surprises..." He muttered. Killua didn't know what he meant by that. Was he referring to Bisky? Did she tell him her age or something? "Anyways, relay your story about the Naruto situation."

Killua nodded and told the two everything he saw and heard. Hiruzen was tense but he nodded. Cat was motionless but for some reason, Killua could sense his aura gradually intensifying throughout his explanation. Was he getting angry?

"I see... Mizuki-kun has never acted out before... but that does sound very suspicious." Hiruzen hummed and stared at the ceiling while holding his chin. "It wouldn't be good to call him out and then find out he's innocent, but I fear for what he could have convinced Naruto to do. People in this village aren't exactly forgiving when it comes to that boy." Killua had to wonder what that meant, but before he could, he was being addressed. "Killua-kun, how would you like to do an off the records mission for me?"

"A mission?" Killua asked. He thought missions were done in teams by genin. And he technically wasn't even a genin yet.

"Yes... This is a chunin level mission... but from what Cat-san has said about you and from what you've told me... I can only deduce that you are capable of carrying it out," Hiruzen said. "I want you to keep an eye on Naruto and see if he makes a move soon. Since the boy just failed the graduation exam and Mizuki is his teacher, I'm sure this has to do with that. The genin get placed in their official teams by tomorrow. Meaning..." he trailed off.

"Naruto will most likely make his move tonight," Killua finished. At Hiruzen's nod, Killua added, "And Mizuki will probably meet up with him at some point. I'm guessing you want me to catch Mizuki in the act of doing something bad?" Hiruzen nodded once again and Killua had to pause. "But why me? Aren't there ANBU you could assign this job to? Like him?" He said while pointing at Cat. "And how would I even get proof?" Last time he checked, there weren't portable cameras here.

Hiruzen stared at him for a moment before pulling out a purple crystal ball. "Well, you might not like this but, this crystal ball allows me to see anyone I want so long as I know their energy signature, have seen them in person, and have set the jutsu on them. It also lets me save anything I have seen with the ball and to watch it at a later date." Killua nodded, thinking that it was a neat ability. "You see, ever since you got here, I've been using it to watch you in particular. Since you and the others have a very different type of energy signature, it wasn't hard to remember it. I just happened to remember yours' first."

Killua didn't know how to feel about that. He knew it was to ensure the safety of the village, but... "So... is it active, like, ALL the time... or..."

Hiruzen, sensing the boy's discomfort, chuckled. "Don't worry. I only check on you boys from time to time to see if you're doing ok. And if someone I'm watching is ever doing something that is... private... I immediately deactivate the jutsu. Hokage's honor." Killua had to wonder what the hell the Hokage meant by 'private.' He said it in a way that sounded like it referred to more than just using the bathroom. "Now, the thing is, I can only have three people to watch saved at a time. I have you, and two others. You see, I don't want to remove any of those from the jutsu. No offense Killua-kun, but I must watch you for a bit to ensure the safety of the village. I know you don't have ill intent, but could have a dangerous ability placed on you. Anything is possible."

"I understand." And he did. Just like anything was possible with nen, anything could be possible with chakra. For all the Hokage knows, Killua could be being controlled right now without even realizing it himself. "So you want me to follow Naruto, see what he does, and see what Mizuki does so you can catch him in the act on your crystal ball." Hiruzen nodded. "No problem. This is child's play compared to the work I used to do. I snuck up on Mizuki easily."

"Yes, which is why I need you to also protect Naruto. If Mizuki tries anything, I'm trusting you. I know you are young and that Mizuki is a chunin, but I can tell you are strong and I am confident in your skills," Hiruzen said. "If you need backup, just put your hand in the air and hold up the number 'three.' I'll send help immediately. If I feel like you are in danger, I'll take it upon myself to send help. But understand that either way I'm still going to pay you generously for this mission. No genin ever gets this opportunity, much less someone who isn't even a genin yet."

Killua bowed. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. I will carry out my mission." Killua felt all types of awkward. Him and manners didn't mix.

Hiruzen laughed. "I can see how uncomfortable you are. Just call me 'Hiruzen-san' or 'Sarutobi-san'. Think of me as an older friend. Tell Gon-kun the same when you get the chance."

Killua smirked slightly. "How about old man? I think that's more up my alley."

Hiruzen cackled, amused by the boy's boldness. "Why yes, if that makes you comfortable." He sobered up and got slightly serious. "Good luck Killua-kun. Let us hope that things go smoothly tonight."

"Yeah, I'll do my best." As Killua made his way to walk to the door, he saw Cat, who he had forgot was even there, nodding at him. He nodded back in respect and exited the office. As he walked down the stairs to exit the building, he could only think one thing.

"...Did I really get myself into this?"

"...Yup... I really got myself into this..."

It was now nighttime and Killua was following Naruto who had just stolen some scroll from the Hokage's building. He had briefly went back home after he got his mission to let Bisky know where he would be. He told Gon that he was just going walk around alone for a bit, but he could tell Gon didn't completely buy it. He promised to tell Gon what was really going on when he returned. He just knew that if Gon knew where he was actually going, he wouldn't hesitate to come along too. Gon has good stealth skills, but he also could get very emotional and jeopardize their position before they even get all the evidence. Hence why Killua does stealth work better alone.

And now, he was watching from atop a tree as Naruto was down below using the scroll to practice some type of clone technique. He was making quite a few of them too. Killua briefly wondered if he should be stopping this, since that scroll seemed to be important. And Naruto was learning very quickly... wasn't that dangerous? Back when him and Gon first met him, Killua had sensed some type of dark presence from inside the boy. But now, he didn't know. If this naïve kid routine was an act, it was a damn good one.

"I sense it too," Gon had said when Killua brought it up. "But... it doesn't really feel like it's is coming from him... it just... I don't know how to explain it. But he's not bad, I can tell! He just seems lonely... he kind of reminds me of how you used to be Killua… that's why I want to help him!"

He trusted Gon's instincts, but he didn't know if the boy was hiding pain, or something sinister. If he was hiding his true self right now, that made him all the more dangerous. But then again, it wasn't his mission to stop him. His mission was to watch so the Hokage could spectate from the crystal ball and see what exactly Mizuki was trying to do.

Killua thought back to how the ANBU had snuck up on him. Obviously, ninja had to be good at concealing their presences. Mizuki could possibly already be here, watching Naruto too. Revealing himself first could be the most foolish move he could make. He has to wait it out. Just for now, he has to fall back on his assassin training.

"Hokaga-sama! The brat has gone too far this time!"

"He won't get away with this one!"

Hiruzen sighed. Leave it to Mizuki to spread the word around. He'd hoped this would be a quiet operation so that Killua could handle it with no one the wiser. But now, it seems as if it was Mizuki's intent to go out of his way to get people to hate Naruto even more so he can be a scapegoat. All the pieces were falling into place.

"It's been a few hours since the scroll has been taken. We must find Naruto. Head out!" The shinobi all scattered. Hiruzen, unfortunately, had to send out a search because it would seem suspicious if he didn't. Until he got more proof that Mizuki was behind all this, he would have to make Naruto the enemy, as much as it pained him. He could only hope none of them will find where Naruto and Killua are and that Mizuki shows up and exposes himself. That would be the best case scenario.

As he headed back into his residence to continue spectating Killua and Naruto from his crystal ball, he either didn't notice or just didn't care to confront the figure in green who had been listening in from the roof. The figure jumped off in the direction of Killua and Naruto.

Meanwhile, Killua was about ready to just find Mizuki and kill him. "I forgot how boring it is doing surveillance... when the hell is this guy going to show up?" He had been watching Naruto practicing this damned 'shadow clone jutsu' and 'true transformation jutsu' for hours now. He had even taken long breaks in between each training session. The boy was now laying on the ground tired, and Mizuki still wasn't there. "I could be playing shogi with Gon right now!"

As if on cue, somebody dropped into the clearing in front of a tired Naruto and Killua tensed, ready to protect the boy. But he relaxed slightly when he noticed it wasn't the man he'd seen earlier.

"Is this one of his colleagues? No, Mizuki didn't seem like he would orchestrate this with others... Maybe the Hokage sent him? Or he was worried about Naruto and came looking for him?" He watched as the man and Naruto talked with familiarity, the man even calling him an idiot and asking why he looked so beaten up.

"Never mind that! Hey! If I show you an incredible jutsu I just learned, you'll let me graduate, right Iruka-sensei?" Naruto asked, excited smile on his face. By 'sensei', Killua guessed this was one of Naruto's other teachers.

"Naruto... where did you get that scroll on your back?" Iruka asked uneasily.

"Oh this? Mizuki-sensei told me about it! And about this place too!" Killua watched as Iruka's face slowly went from unease to confusion. "He said that if I learned a jutsu from this scroll and showed you, I'd definitely graduate!" Killua had no doubt in his mind now. This wasn't an act, he was just really naïve and hopeful. Mizuki took advantage of that.

Iruka's face twisted into horror. "Mizuki did..?" At that moment, Iruka and Killua both simultaneously sensed a new presence in the clearing when suddenly kunai were thrown at Naruto and Iruka. "LOOK OUT!" Iruka pushed Naruto out of the way and took the attack himself. Mizuki appeared on top of a tree with two large shuriken on his back.

"Nice job finding him... Iruka," Mizuki said smugly.

Iruka, who was stabbed in multiple areas, glared at Mizuki. "I see... so that's what's going on here..."

Mizuki smirked before looking at Naruto seriously. "Naruto, give me the scroll!"

"H...huh? What? What's going on here?!" Naruto demanded. Killua observed that the boy was wobbling on his feet, probably still worn out from the training he did.

"Naruto! Don't give him the scroll even if you die!" Iruka yelled. "That's a dangerous scroll with forbidden ninjutsu in it! Mizuki used you so that he could get his hands on it!"

Amongst this conflict, Killua was fighting with his own instincts. The hunter side of him, the side that was created as a result of all the adventures he'd had with Gon, is telling him that he has gotten all the evidence he needs and that he should take down Mizuki. But the assassin side of him is telling him stick to the mission and to not reveal his presence.

Ninja were mostly unknown to him. Regardless of whether or not he was stronger/more skilled than Mizuki, he didn't know if he could take him in a fight with the unpredictable factors ninja have. He was trying to force his body to act, but he kept flashing back to when the ANBU snuck up on him and how easily they could have killed him. Mizuki, too, had probably been here for a while before Killua sensed him. That unnerved him.

"Naruto... you seem to be in the dark right now... so..." Mizuki's words snapped Killua out of his inner turmoil. "I'll be honest with you..."

"NO! Don't!" Iruka yelled.

"Twelve years ago... you know about the demon fox being sealed, right? The one that brought terror to the village?" Mizuki started. Naruto nodded slowly. "Since that incident, a rule has been created for the village. A rule that isn't supposed to be told to you." Killua had a feeling where this was going.

"What rule? Why? What kind of rule is it?" Naruto sounded so confused that Killua felt bad for him. Gone was his devious persona and all that was left was the lost boy underneath. He was starting to understand what Gon meant.

Mizuki let a cruel smirk show on his face. "The rule that states no one is allowed to talk about the fact that you're the nine tailed fox that attacked the village all those years ago. The same one that destroyed the village and killed Iruka's parents!"

"Shut up!" Iruka yelled desperately.

Killua couldn't even move or react.

The dark presence he sensed... was because Naruto is a demon...?

But Mizuki just continued. "You've been sealed up by the Fourth Hokage you admire so much and lied to and hated by everyone!"

"STOP IT!" Iruka's yells didn't seem to reach Naruto.

"Didn't you find it odd how everyone hated you? Hell, even the kids, who don't even know what you truly are, hate you!" Mizuki laughed. "Maybe they can just sense that you're a demon in disguise, one with only selfish and destructive desires. Why would anyone care about you? Why would anyone love you?!"

Killua didn't know if he was getting soft, or if this was just hitting too close to home for him, but he felt his heart clenching in empathy for the boy. Naruto looked so lost, confused, scared and empty. Killua couldn't help but flash back to the Hunter exam, when Illumi had tormented him in a very similar way. But yet, he still couldn't bring himself to move.

"Don't carelessly rush into a situation you have no place in."

"Illumi?" Why was he hearing Illumi's voice in his head? Why... was he shaking?

"To reveal yourself prematurely means death. Ignore everyone except you and your target."

"What the hell?" He was breathing heavier and sweating. The sound of Illumi's voice shook him to the core, and brought back memories of how ominous his aura felt.

"Iruka is no different!" Mizuki continued, twirling a demon wind shuriken. "He may act like he cares, but he just wants to keep you under his watch and control! He actually despises you!"

At this, Killua could see that Naruto was close to breaking. The boy's eyes went blank for a second before he went into a primal state, ready to move at a moment's notice.

"Naruto that's not true! I do care about you! What happened to my parents had nothing to do with you!" Iruka yelled. "He's trying to break you! Don't listen to him!"

But Naruto couldn't hear him.

"Nobody will ever accept you nor care for you! Die!" Mizuki threw the shuriken, and Killua could only watch in horror as it headed towards Naruto.

"NARUTO! GET DOWN!" Iruka screamed.

"You only feel pleasure when people die."

Killua clutched his head. "No!" He closed his eyes, not wanting to witness the boy's death, but suddenly heard what sounded nothing like flesh being pierced.

The shuriken had been stopped and Killua had to blink multiple times to make sure he was seeing correctly. Gon had jumped in front of Naruto and caught the shuriken with one hand.

"How long has he been here...?" From the look on his friend's face, Killua had to guess he was there long enough to hear what Mizuki told Naruto.

Naruto, Mizuki and Iruka all looked shocked, but Naruto the most. "Why...?" He asked shakily. His whole body was trembling, betraying the conflicted emotions he was holding inside.

"Who the hell are you, kid? Some friend of the demon?" Mizuki asked. Although, it was clear he was wary of Gon, particularly because of how he easily caught such a big shuriken with one hand.

Gon never took his angry eyes off Mizuki. "...Who do you think you are?!" A fierce white aura shrouded Gon and Naruto took a step back in surprise while Mizuki looked on in wariness. "How dare you spout off like that acting like you know what Naruto is really like and how Iruka really feels about him! And on top of that, you're lying!" Mizuki flinched. "I can tell that the story you told is only a half-truth! You left out details!" Gon turned to look at Naruto. "Naruto... don't listen to him! He doesn't know you! Trust Iruka! He really cares about you!"

It was silent in the clearing. Naruto looked over at Iruka, Mizuki and then back to Gon with conflicted eyes. "What do you know..." Suddenly, he dashed away from them with Iruka screaming for him to come back. Gon had turned back to Mizuki to deal with him when suddenly the man did a substitution jutsu and disappeared.

"Damn!" Gon said before turning to Iruka and quickly pulling the knives out of him. "He went after Naruto!" Iruka nodded before going through hand seals and disappearing too. Gon turned in the direction Killua was hiding. "...Killua, you can come out now."

Killua was shocked Gon knew where he was hiding despite him concealing his presence. But then again, Gon probably was using his sense of smell. That was most likely what lead him here in the first place. Killua jumped down in front of Gon, feeling enormous guilt. "Gon.. I.." Suddenly, Gon hugged him. He couldn't understand. Shouldn't Gon be punching him for not doing anything? For almost letting Naruto die? "Why...? I didn't even do anything.."

Gon looked at him and smiled. "I know you heard everything that guy said about Naruto. It hurt you too, right?" Killua's eyes widened but he said nothing. "I understand why you didn't tell me, Killua. Bisky told me it was a mission. But, I felt like you might need help. So I came after you." He squeezed Killua's shoulder. Killua looked down. "Let's do this. Together. Naruto-san needs help too."

Killua said nothing for awhile before turning his head away in embarrassment. "Then let's go help him, stupid." He quickly leapt into the trees and heard Gon following behind, laughing mirthfully. Despite this being a tense situation, he was glad he had a chance to lighten up a bit before getting back into conflict. With Gon by his side, he felt much more confident. They could do this.

Naruto was tired. He was scared, confused, hurt, angry, had a headache, was ready to break down, but above all, tired. Tired of running, tired of hiding, tired of acting like everything was going to be okay. As he hid behind a tree close to where Mizuki and Iruka were talking, their conversation only drained him even more.

"Iruka… you're an idiot. Naruto and I are the same," Mizuki said. What did he mean by that?

"In what way?" Iruka asked.

Naruto could practically feel Mizuki smirking. "That scroll has unlimited power in it. You're assuming Naruto wouldn't abuse it." He cackled. "Get real! There's no way that demon fox wouldn't use it's power! Just. Like. I would!"

"Yeah..."

Naruto felt the little bit of hope he was holding onto fade away. Iruka agreed with this bastard. He didn't care about him. No one did. They all hated him. He didn't know why he had even slightly believed in what that Gon boy had said. He bowed his head, never hating himself more than he did now.

"The demon fox would do that..."

Naruto's head snapped up in shock.

"But Naruto... is different... he's one of my most excellent students..." Naruto's eyes widened, but Iruka wasn't done. "He may not be the hardest working... or the smartest... but at such a young age he already knows what it's like to feel pain in your heart.." Tears were sliding down Naruto's face. "He isn't the demon fox... He is a valuable member of Konoha... Naruto Uzumaki!" The boy had to cover his mouth so his crying wouldn't be heard.

Mizuki said nothing for a while, but then scoffed. "Whatever. I was gonna save you for after I kill Naruto and that other kid, but you're annoying me." He began twirling a demon wind shuriken. "DIE, IRUKA!"

Naruto's body moved before he could think. He jumped out into the clearing but stopped when he saw two figures simultaneously punch Mizuki and send him flying into a tree. It was that Gon boy again and this time he was with his other friend, Killua.

"No you don't!" Gon said before Mizuki suddenly disappeared in smoke and a log was left behind. "Huh? Another substitution?"

"Stay on guard, Gon. He's hiding his presence," Killua said, shifting into a battle stance.

"Right!" Gon shifted into one too, eyes darting around the clearing.

Iruka took two kunai out and pushed Naruto into the center of what was now a three way defensive formation.

Naruto didn't know how to feel. "Hey... why are you guys all protecting me? You don't have to.."

"Because we want to!" Gon said matter-of-factly.

"This guy's already done enough," Killua added.

"And I don't think I need to repeat what I said about you Naruto..." Iruka glanced at him and smiled. "You're precious to me..."

Before Naruto could feel truly happy that he had three people that seemed to care about him, he heard Mizuki's laughter coming from all directions. They all tensed. Suddenly, a fireball launched at them out of nowhere. Gon and Killua dodged while Iruka picked up Naruto and jumped the other way. Suddenly, Naruto started feeling dizzy and like he couldn't move his body. All he could see were a bunch of colors, completely blinding him. He heard Killua curse, and Gon grunt, telling Killua to use something called 'Gyo'.

"Naruto! Kids! Damn!" Iruka yelled, sounding far away. He also heard sounds of combat, probably between Iruka and Mizuki. "That was a dirty trick Mizuki!"

"Dirty?" Mizuki chuckled. "We're ninjas. Fighting dirty is what we do. And besides," he said, "if these other kids were confident enough to come out here and play hero without even knowing how to dispel a simple area genjutsu, they deserve to die a cheap death!"

"Die..?" Naruto thought. "They're going to die.. because they came to save me? He's going to kill Iruka-sensei too..?" He could feel himself panicking, but he didn't know a way out of this illusion. The colors just kept clouding his mind more and more. "Damn it.. I'm such a nuisance.. if I never listened to Mizuki.. If I wasn't so stupid... they wouldn't be in this mess.. It's all my fault.."

As if a switch had been flicked, Naruto's mind slightly cleared and his thoughts drastically changed. "Hell no! Mizuki's the one planning to kill them and they aren't dead yet! I HAVE to stop him, no matter what!"

"Heh heh… is that so brat?" Naruto heard a voice in his head, but he was too busy trying to get out of the genjutsu to dwell on it. "Well then... perhaps I'll do you a favor... but only because I don't like the idea of dying because my weakling of a host couldn't break out of a mere illusion."

Naruto suddenly felt an unfamiliar power moving through him, making a path from his lower stomach all the way up to his brain. Next thing he knows, he's on the ground panting, but more or less out of the illusion. What just happened?

"You owe me now kit..." The voice said. "This was a one time thing... don't expect me to bail you out of every situation..." Just like that, the presence in his mind disappeared.

Naruto had an idea of who the voice belonged to, but he shifted his mind to the more current threat, Mizuki, who was standing above a beaten Iruka and staring at Naruto in anger.

"What?! How the hell did you break out, brat?" Mizuki demanded. "You've never been good at breaking genjutsu! You used your damn demon powers didn't you?!"

Naruto bowed his head and stood up. "It doesn't matter how I got out..." Naruto said lowly. He looked around the clearing at Iruka, who was stabbed by multiple kunai and struggling to remain conscious, and Gon and Killua, who were still struggling in the genjutsu. He felt anger build up inside him, both at himself and Mizuki. "What does matter is... you hurt my friends." He steeled his resolve and glared at Mizuki. "I'll never forgive you. I'm taking you down!"

"Naruto.. no.. run away..!" Iruka said. He heard Gon and Killua also speak, but they spoke too low for him to pick up what they said.

Mizuki started walking over to Naruto with a smirk. "Oh? Really now? I could take down a punk like you in one shot!" He began twirling another demon wind shuriken.

"Try it, bastard! I'll return the pain a hundred times over!" Naruto formed a hand seal the exact moment Mizuki started running at him. "Take this! Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Mizuki stopped running to gawk at the one hundred shadow clones that now surrounded him. Iruka was shocked while Gon and Killua, who just managed to escape the genjutsu, were amazed. Gon 'wowed' and Killua whistled, the biggest sign of respect he can give.

"There's so many Narutos..." Gon said. Killua wordlessly nodded, shocked because the boy hadn't made nearly as many clones at once when he was practicing earlier.

"What's wrong?"

"Come at me!"

"What happened to killing me in one shot?"

"You won't come?"

Naruto clones were all talking at once, unnerving Mizuki. "What.. what the hell is going on?"

"Well.." One of the Narutos said, "I guess... we'll come to you!" They all held up a fist with smirks on their faces and dived at Mizuki.

Mizuki proceeded to scream in terror and pain as he was jumped by an army of Narutos.

"Hehe... I guess I overdid it a little.." Naruto laughed nervously.

"No kidding.." Killua said, eyebrows twitching. Mizuki was on the ground with a face beaten almost beyond repair.

"That was amazing Naruto! You're really strong!" Gon beamed. Naruto blushed and thanked him quietly before laughing it off. He felt a little lightheaded.

"Naruto..." Iruka said. The three kids turned to him. "Come over here and close your eyes. There's something I want to give you."

"Did anyone find him?!"

"No!"

"Where the hell could he have gone?!"

"This is bad!"

"He might be far away by now!"

Hiruzen sighed as he came out of his residence to address all the anxious voices outside. "There's no need to worry." The ninja all turned to him. "He'll be back soon," he said with a smile. He counted this mission as a success for not only Killua, but Gon as well. Even though Naruto finished Mizuki, Killua is the one that allowed Hiruzen to get evidence for Mizuki's treason and Gon had saved both Naruto and Iruka. The three boys were all very promising, and he couldn't wait to see how they would grow. Their potential seemed to know no bounds.

Naruto, in particular, gave him a lot to look forward to for the future. The boy must have a high chakra output to be able to make 100 shadow clones at once.

He didn't know what to make of the mental issues Killua displayed though. He seemed to plagued with something much more than simple fear. But, he supposed that Gon would be able to help him with that. The interaction the two had by themselves had brought a smile to the man's face.

"Not yet guys?!" Naruto asked anxiously. He had been closing his eyes for a while now. If he had them closed for too long he might fall asleep.

"Be patient stupid," Killua said, with Gon laughing in the background.

"Ok, you can open your eyes now," Iruka said. Naruto opened his eyes to see a headband-less Iruka, a smiling Gon and a smirking Killua. "Congratulations... on graduating." Naruto felt his lip trembling, bringing his hands up to feel the headband now tied around his own head.

"Let's celebrate!" Gon said. "Bisky took us to this ramen place that's really good!" Naruto felt his lip trembling more.

"You would say that..." Killua said, staring dryly at Gon. He looked back at Naruto. "You should pick the place. Where do you want to eat?"

Naruto couldn't take it anymore. "You guys!" He jumped at them and enveloped all three of them in a big hug.

Gon was laughing, Killua was embarrassed, and Iruka was smiling. Naruto cried for about a minute before he was hit with an overpowering wave of fatigue.

"Wait.. I don't feel ri..." He suddenly collapsed on the ground, unconscious.

"Oi! What happened?" Killua said as him and Gon knelt down to check on him.

"Naruto-san, are you okay?" Gon asked. He put a hand to the boy's face, checking for fever.

"It's okay." Gon and Killua turned to look at Iruka, who spoke. He had a fond smile on his face. "He just fainted because of the jutsu. The shadow clone jutsu takes a lot of chakra to even produce one, but he made a hundred all at once and no doubt he made many more before. On top of that, when shadow clones are dispelled, the creator receives all their experiences as memories. He must've been getting hit with the mental experiences of each clone and eventually they overwhelmed his mind." He laughed. "But he'll be ok. He just needs rest. Every jutsu has it's drawbacks after all. Even the most powerful ones."

Gon turned to Killua and whispered, "Just like hatsus..."

Killua shrugged. "Basically."

They all watched Naruto's sleeping form for a bit before Iruka turned to them. "I assume you're the two boys that the Hokage told me were new to the village and were becoming genin soon... Gon-kun and Killua-kun, yes?" They nodded. Iruka smiled. "Well, I don't know how you guys met, but please continue being Naruto's friends. I know you won't be on the same team as him but please watch over him when you can."

"Of course! You can count on us!" Gon replied with no hesitation.

Killua glanced over at Gon before looking back to Iruka. "What this guy said. Friends stick together."

Iruka smiled and looked back at Naruto. In just one day, it seemed like the boy's life had taken so many steps for the better. This just made him all the more scared for what Naruto will experience when he actually becomes a ninja. He was only at the starting line.

Chapter 7 End

In case any of you didn't notice, I changed up Hiruzen's crystal ball jutsu a bit (or should I say added to it). I took inspiration from Palm's hatsu and added restrictions and a new ability (recording) to the crystal ball just because it was never really fleshed out much in the series.

I also toned down the extent of Naruto's shadow clone jutsu (his max in the first chapter of the manga was 1000, but I toned it down to 100). I also added limitations to it to make it even more difficult and risky to use. This is all for the sake of making it so that he won't be able to just spam clones to fight. I plan to have Naruto be a very creative and tricky type of fighter, not someone who just spams two jutsus and relies on Kyuubi chakra.

But anyway, thanks for reading!