XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER OR THEIR SUCCESSORS IN ANY SHAPE OR CAPACITY. I ONLY OWN MY FICTITIOUS OC'S.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Upload Schedule: Sundays and Thursdays

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Glossary: Scene breaks will be denoted by a line of X's

"Speech"

'Thoughts'

"Demonic or summons speech"

'Demonic or summons speech'

Jutsus shall be rendered in Japanese or English depending on which they are. For example, I will not be saying Almighty Push, I will be saying Shinra Tensei, or Rasengan instead of Spiraling Sphere. However instead of Raiton: Gian I will be saying Lightning Style: False Darkness

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Loud knocking was what stirred him from his sleep. He slipped out of bed and grabbed the pair of pants he worse yesterday and pulled them on. Tying the cloth belt off around his waist the boy made his way to the door. Unlocking the deadbolt Naruto opened the door and was surprised to see Shizune and Tsunade.

"Good morning Naruto, Master and I wanted to come personally drop off the few supplies Ty Lee will need for the first week. May we come in?"

Naruto moved away from the door and waved his arm inwards to invite them into the apartment. Naruto watched the two walks in carrying two boxes, placing them down on the couch the two took in his apartment.

"You should really consider decorating brat, it may help with your uptight demeanor."

Shizune lightly hit Tsunade over the back of her head.

"Be polite Master, he did invite us into the house."

"Now, Shizune is going to be staying here with you for the next week. While you are gone today she and I will be clearing the sparring room out so that it can be fitted with two futons. IS that agreeable?"

Naruto nodded and left the women to their devices as he left for his room. Taking a quick shower Naruto wiped off with a towel before looking in the mirror. He picked at a place where skin seemed to be peeling and he grabbed it and pulled. Removing the false skin that covered a horrendous scar on his face he nodded.

"No need to hide it anymore. This is who I am, scars and all." Naruto placed his hand and traced the scar, a line that framed the top of his cheek bone with a single two-inch line traveling down the trough of his cheek. The scar wasn't that bad, but because of it being so deep it had an early reddish tint to it compared to the rest of his pale skin. Naruto left the towel in the bathroom walking naked into his room. He slid on a pair of boxer-briefs and fished through his drawers. He pulled out his usual brown turtleneck, but he did not bring out his normal tunic. He brought out a brown leather tunic, sliding it over his head it was just as long as his shirt. Naruto pulled out a set of brown cloth long track pants, pulling out some medical tape he bound the pants at both ankles and around his right knee. Naruto tied a maroon cloth belt around his waist tying the tunic down to his body. Picking his headband off of his nightstand he bound it to his left thigh, reaching down for his red Yu Yan headband he tied it around the turtleneck sweater neck like a necklace. Naruto stood in the mirror and instead of dawning his usual face paint he had to follow his clan's tradition. Today he would make his own pattern and make his identity with his war paint. Naruto sat cross legged in front of his desk, he pulled the mirror from his kit over and placed it so it balanced against the drawers. Naruto looked into the mirror and he saw his scar, his violet eyes, his pale skin and he knew what he would do. Using his right pointer and middle finger Naruto made three lines falling from his scar that ran along his cheek bone. The appearance was similar to the scars extra appendage giving off three dark red lines going down his cheek. Naruto the made a copy of the scar and three lines on the right side of his face. Naruto looked into the mirror seeing the three inverted lines coming off of the semi-curved lines and nodded. These were his marks, and he would make this his identity. Naruto picked up the mirror and placed it back down into his small pack, Naruto was about to move onto putting resin on his bow string but he smelled something, something heavenly. Walking out of his room Naruto saw Shizune with her black hair tied back into a very short ponytail slaving over the oven moving about with purpose and grace. Shizune saw Naruto and smiled to him.

"Good, you're out. I made a little something your mother used to love for breakfast. It is called eggs benedict. It is very good when prepared correctly however, I am not the best at poaching the eggs. It is really harder than it seems."

"You did not need to do this aunt Shizune. I would have prepared something for the three of us."

"Naruto, I made you a promise two nights ago remember? I stand by my word, so I decided to make you something she loved for breakfast!"

Naruto smiled softly to the woman and Shizune could see, this was a genuine smile.

"Now, come over and get a plate." Just as she was preparing a plate there was a loud knock on the door.

Naruto looked to the clock and saw it was barely even 6:45 am.

"That must be your Master. Would you please let him in? I expected him to be here so I cooked extra."

Naruto walked to the door and opened it and standing there in short sleeved black shirt and black cloth sweatpants was his master.

"Good morning Naruto."

"Good morning Master, won't you please come in?"

"Thank you, Naruto."

Itachi walked in with Naruto and he smelled something that almost made his heart stop. IT smelled like his aunt Kushina's breakfast food. Itachi walked to the kitchen and saw Shizune standing there.

"Good morning Itachi."

"Oh, good morning aunt Shizune. I wasn't expecting you to be here."

"Ahh, I am here to help Naruto prepare for his guest to stay."

"His guest?"

"Naruto here took responsibility for the protection of a young woman named Ty Lee."

"Isn't she the daughter of the man my father's squad brought in?"

"Indeed, the very same daughter. Please, come get a plate, I prepared extra, I figured you would drop by to pick him up."

Itachi followed Naruto in and the two took a plate as they sat down to enjoy their breakfast with Shizune. Tsunade walked into the room and fixed her own plate pouring extra sauce over her meal.

"It is very good to see you Lady Tsunade. How are you?"

"Oh, hey Itachi, didn't know you were there. You blend into the atmosphere too much, it's creepy. I'm good though a little annoyed at the moment at work so I took the morning to assist Shizune."

"Ahhh, that explains why you were here as well."

The four conversed for the next quarter hour as they ate however, once Naruto and Itachi finished they had to leave.

"We will be done with testing around one o'clock, so Naruto should be home right after lunch."

"Oh? I thought your tests were only two hours?"

"I have a feeling this group will pass. If they do I am going to start giving them a lesson for them to practice while we are there. After lunch I will let them go."

"That is good to hear. Well you two take care!"

Naruto grabbed his new bow, attached his quiver to his hip and followed his Master out the door to the training ground.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sasuke just arrived to the training ground to see Sakura doing hand stand pushups against a tree. Sasuke blushed since her red shirt had come up on her barely stopping before her bra. Her creamy skinned midriff bare for the world to see, the sweat traveling up her torso and her toned muscles strained from the work.

"Uhum, see something you like?"

Sasuke blinked rapidly and cursed inwardly as he saw Sakuras cocky smile. He watched her lower a leg forward as she rolled forward into a standing position her back to him. Turning around she used the bottom of her shirt to wipe the sweat from her forehead.

"You know big brother told me we shouldn't train this morning. He said his test is going to be hard to complete and we will need to be at one-hundred percent to complete it."

Sakura raised her eyebrow to him.

"Does your older brother also jerk you off for you to worship him so much?"

Sasuke blinked, once again the bluntness of the girl caught him off guard. However, before he could retort his older brother and Naruto landed in the middle of the training field.

"Good, you three are all here. Now, come gather around, I want each of you to sit on top of the three logs."

Naruto jumped up and with one hand grabbed the top of the log and hoisted himself on top of it easily. Sasuke took a running jump and managed to use his forearms to grab the top of his log and pull himself up. However, what impressed Itachi was Sakura, in one solid leap she took off and landed gracefully on top of the log she had left.

"Good each of you, and very impressive Sakura."

Sakura smiled as Itachi continued.

"Today is a special day. You take your team placement test. All that means is that if you pass this you three are officially Team 7. If you fail you will be put on active roster and will complete missions with random assortments of ninja until you are deemed strong enough to be Chunin. So my test is very simple. I have on my body three bells, one on my hip, one around my neck as a necklace, and one in my equipment bag. You three will need a bell each to be able to pass, however, the bels have certain colors, one with a blue stripe, one with a red stripe, and one with a pink stripe. You three can guess which one is which. Now, I am going to set a timer once I am finished and we will begin. You may use any force necessary to complete this exam. I do hope you each can pass, I would hate to have to fail each of you." Itachi nodded as he reached into his pack, pulling out a kitchen alarm he set it for three hours and set it down upon the ground in between the three logs.

"You may begin."

With his words two of the three scattered. What surprised him was Naruto had stayed behind, this caught him off guard, he had figured Naruto to be the one to head for the trees. Perfectly camouflaged in the autumn leaves he would have been hard to find, but no. Naruto jumped off his trunk landing before his sensei. Itachi raised an eyebrow to the teen, but what caught him off guard was Naruto jumping forward with his right fist stretched outward. Itachi grabbed his wrist with his left hand and spun tossing Naruto a few dozen yards away. Naruto stood and Itachi smiled, as much as he acted like a calm guy, he could see the fire and will behind his eyes and those eyes looked just like his aunts.

"You have decided to fight head on eh?" Itachi did not even make a hand sign as two shadow clones popped into existence each heading into the woods behind him. Itachi dropped his left leg behind him stretched back by a couple feet, his right foot bent at the knee planted in front of him. His right hand-held palm out and his left hand clenched into a fist at his waist.

"Show me what you have learned Naruto."

Naruto charged forward, he slid across the ground trying to trip Itachi, however the older boy jumped into the air and twisted his body, bringing his right heel down to where Naruto should be he hit nothing. Naruto had rolled into his slide using the momentum to carry his body further than normal. Jumping to his feet he was unprepared for Itachis left fist to sock him in the right side of his face. Naruto leaned back preforming a cart wheel using his two feet as weapons, his right nearly catching his Master in between the legs, his left leg nearly upper cutting the man.

Itachi was prepared for this and leaned back, he sent his right hand forward grabbing Narutos ankle, and once again like a rag doll he threw Naruto clear across the clearing. He watched Naruto right himself midair and use and arrow to dig into the ground to slow his slide. Almost faster than Itachi could react Naruto pulled his bow and knocked an arrow. He let the arrow fly at his sensei who smoothly turned his torso to the right the arrow missing him. Itachi had to immediately duck and preform a butterfly kick to go under one arrow and over another. Landing Itachi caught an arrow that was aimed or his solar plexus. Itachi spun to the left missing one arrow as he used his momentum to send the arrow he had caught back towards Naruto.

Naruto barely had the reaction time to move to the right of where he had been standing as the arrow ripped through his shirt scratching his ribs. Naruto removed three arrows holding them in his hand and quicker than most kids his age knocked them one by one firing the arrows at a fast pace.

Itachi had to once again dash left, lean back, twist right and charge forward with a burst of chakra. Naruto was just about to fire another arrow when Itachi was upon him. Itachi wrenched his bow from his grip, grabbing Naruto by the wrist he kicked Naruto in his ribs lifting the boy off the ground. Itachi let go of his wrist and quickly snapped his left leg out catching Naruto in his breast bone sending him clear across the clearing skidding and sliding across the ground.

Fire, pure fire was burning in his chest. He was having trouble breathing as the wind had been knocked clean out of his lungs. Naruto cursed his weakness as he vanished into the woods to try and track down his teammates.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sakura landed without making a sound in a small ten-meter-wide clearing in the forest. She began to plan what she was going to do, she laid a tag down in the middle of the clearing in preparation for her teacher coming to find her. Sakura leapt into the tree's surrounding the clearing as she created a regular illusory clone to stand in the clearing and act as if it was planning something out. What she had not been expecting was her Master to land behind her on the limb and kick her, hard, back into the clearing and through her Clone. Sakura righted herself as she skidded across the ground, she stood and brushed herself off.

"Wow Master, who taught you how to treat a lady?"

Itachi shortly laughed to the female.

"At least you speak normally. Sasuke does nothing but talk about training, and Naruto rarely speaks."

Sakura laughed loudly before she stretched her back and rolled her shoulders.

"Well, shall we Master?"

Itachi nodded as he assumed his front stance. What Itachi was not expecting was for the Sakura he had been watching to vanish in a wave. She had been a Clone! Itachi spun attempting to catch a fist headed for his back before she phased through him. Itachi leapt as a tag beneath his feet exploded, a single piece of shrapnel had caught the bottom of his shoe.

"God damnit, I almost had you."

Itachi had to admit, he was impressed. Her Genjutsu was impeccable for someone of her rank and age, and her speed was extremely high. She was easily a high Genin almost a low Chunin level already. Why had she been hiding her strength?

"What? You surprised that I'm not all brains?"

"Not exactly what I was thinking. How did you get so strong so quickly?"

"You do know who my guardians are since my parents passed?"

"No, I am afraid I do not."

"Hayate Gekkou, and Yuugao Uzuki."

Itachi's eyes widened. His ex-captain had been her teacher? Itachi knew what a slave driver Yuugao could be so he immediately prepared for her. He would treat her like a kunoichi and not a fragile new Genin.

"I am afraid I was taking you too easy. Time to turn up the heat."

Itachi channeled elemental manipulated chakra into his hands and his fists caught on fire.

Sakuras eyes widened as she prepared the best she could but was not prepared for him to vanish so quickly. She had to use her flexibility to dodge attack after attack, this was nothing like her legal guardian. Itachi was swift but every move he made had purpose and he left her no room to attack. Sakura smirked as she landed on the ground Itachis fist laid right before her face.

"Check mate Master, you are caught in my paralyzation tag. That shrapnel earlier was not shrapnel, it was a Henged tag."

Itachi had to admit he was impressed, the girl was very smart, and knew how to use her situations to her advantage. She was Yuugao's kid indeed.

"Impressive, but you forgot one thing Sakura."

"Hmm?"

"Paralyzation tags don't stop Jutsu. Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Itachi exhaled a strong stream of flame, almost too close for Sakura to dodge.

Sakura had to leap to her side face first, but she still got a second degree burn on her left arm.

"Damnit Master! That fucking burned!"

"It is fire, it is supposed to."

Sakura had to turn around as she was surprised to see Itachi standing behind her fist cocked as the realization hit her. The one she had been fighting had been a clone. Sakura's lights clocked out as Itachi hit her clean in the jaw knocking her out.

Itachi looked down to the pink haired girl as he picked her up and laid her against a tree in the clearing.

"Sorry Sakura, but I needed to end this quickly.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sasuke had been left alone for close to an hour. He knew his brother had to come after him at some point so he heavily booby trapped the area. Sasuke opened his eyes as his older brother landed across from him.

"It seems I taught you how to hide a little too well. Are you ready?"

Sasuke nodded as he assumed a lefthanded knife hand stance. Watching Itachi rush at him Sasuke stepped forward his knife hand twisting into a fist that his brother caught. Watching his brother wince Sasuke turned into his brother's body throwing an elbow. He felt Itachi stick his arm in between the two to block the hit the best he could. Itachi shoved forward knocking Sasuke off kilter. Itachi let go of his hand as he lifted his right knee to hit Sasuke in his ribcage however, Sasuke had pivoted on his heel as he spun into the hip snapping another elbow towards his brother's shoulder. He smirked as Itachi could barely raise his hand to catch the elbow and saw Itachi wince again.

Itachi wouldn't admit it but his form and body type had been meant for more flexible and quick strikes, while Sasuke was more of a brawler up in your face. He kind of regretted helping Sasuke develop his own style of Taijutsu. The form Sasuke had created and perfected had involved being within two feet of the enemy's body, not giving them room to block effectively or attack effectively. Itachi had to contort his arm again to stop a jab to his ribs and he used his hand to shove Sasuke hard, which sent his brother sliding. He thought he could breath for a moment but Sasuke jumped up and charged inward again.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Sasuke leaped forward his fingertips outstretched as his body cork screwed. Itachi looked in shock as the spin of his brother's body disrupted the form of the fire ball and dispersed it. Itachi had to step back as Sasuke landed in a roll and pushed off with his hands sending his legs into Itachi's torso. As he rolled forward onto his feet he used both hands to cushion the blow of his brother's knee, leaning inward he clenched his fists together sending his two fists into his brother's chest.

Itachi coughed as he looked to his brother and in a single move sent a hook kick into Sasukes jaw that knocked him unconscious.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Naruto continued to leap through the trees until he saw a gleam of pink. Naruto came to a stop and leaped down into a small clearing in the forest and he saw Sakura the dark purple bruise in full bloom on her jaw. Naruto walked over to her and crouched down in front of her. Naruto shook her shoulder and he saw her stir.

"Hmm, wha?" Sakuras eyes widened as she jumped up from her spot on the ground about to throw a punch at the person in front of her.

"Oh, I'm sorry Naruto. I thought you were Master."

"It is fine. Do you know where Sasuke is? I believe we will need to work together to fight Master."

Sakura sighed as she shook her head.

"We could look around but I honestly have no clue. I think when we separated I saw him go North-East."

Naruto nodded as the two took for the trees. It took an hour but the two finally found their unconscious teammate in the middle of the forest. The two leapt down landing around him as Sakura used her foot to nudge him.

"Did someone get the number of the train that hit me?"

Sakura laughed quietly as Naruto helped Sasuke stand.

"We have to work together."

"What?"

"The test, it is clear that we can't fight and defeat him alone, so why not try together?"

Naruto took his canteen off his waist and handed it to Sasuke who took the canteen and nearly drained it.

"Thanks, how long has it been?"

NAruto took a minute then looked up into the sky.

"It has been two and a half hours. We have thirty minutes. I do believe Master will be waiting for our next challenge in the beginning field. We should make haste while we can."

The three teens leapt into the trees to go to the field this all began in, and the place where this will all end.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Itachi had a good morning, a wonderful breakfast, a pleasant fight with is aunts son, surprised at the strength and wit of the girl on his team, and an enjoyable fight with his little brother. However, if the three did not come soon this test would be over. The three teens had less than ten minutes left, Itachi really did not want to have to go home and tell his mother why Sasuke was not his Genin. The sound of three thuds made him open his eyes and he smiled seeing his three little students.

"Good of you to join me, you have nine minutes left."

The three separated quickly Naruto standing thirty meters back, Sakura only ten meters away and Sasuke running to get into his personal space. Itachi met Sasuke blow for blow managing to keep him from getting too close. However, he was not counting on an arrow glancing his shoulder that broke his concentration. Taking advantage of the situation Sasuke landed a two-point combo, a punch to his brother's solar plexus and an elbow into his ribs. Sakura ran in and as Itachi was recovering and blocking blow after blow and dodging arrows Sakura dropped kicked him in his back throwing him into Sasukes elbow straight to his ribcage. Itachi turned and snapped a kick but his kick phase through Sakura who had vanished. Taking this chance Sasuke threw a high knee to catch his brother in the tail bone but Itachi leapt up. However, Itachi was not able to dodge Narutos arrow as it dug deep into his chest and with a puff he was gone.

"You three are indeed dangerous." The three teens turned to Itachi who smiled to him.

"Sakura with her guerrilla tactics, Sasuke as the brunt fighter and Naruto with long ranged support. Very, very impressive. You have three minutes left." Itachi charged forward appearing before Sakura trying to take her out. Sakura had to bend backwards and perform a backwards cartwheel as an arow ripped between her legs and Itachi had to jump to the side straight into Sasukes left hoom to his shoulder blade. Itachi spun low aiming to sweep Sasukes feet from under him but his leg passed through Sasukes legs. A foot to his chin is what he was greeted by as Sakura jumped off of Sasukes shoulder flipping in air and bringing her heel down into Itachis guard. Itachi crashed to the ground as he rolled back to avoid three arrows. Naruto smirked as the three arrows detonated with a short charge and dispersed chili powder into the air. Itachi unprepared got the powder into his eyes that began to water as he felt three consecutive hits to his mid-section and a swift snap kick to his jaw sending him skidding back. Itachi stood his eyes closed as had been about to continue before the timer rang out loudly across the field.

"Times up, you three take your places on your logs." Itachi used his canteen to flush his eyes in time to see Naruto struggling to get up the log, obviously he hit him too hard. Sasuke had gotten up fairly easy the same as before but Sakura, she could barely jump as she climbed up to the top of the log.

"Alright, so I have to tell you all something, you all pass the test."

Naruto nodded.

"I figured."

"Oh?"

"Indeed, there were no bells, you did not notice it too much, but one of my arrows pierced through the bell that was attached to the other side of your hip and it phased right through. Sakura noticed the same, and Sasuke as well. We agreed to work together to fight you so we could sho you how much of an effective team we could be."

Itachi chuckled to the three teens.

"Do you both agree?"

"Yep!"

"Yeah big brother, I do."

Itachi smiled as he held his arms out wide.

"Then it is my pleasure to announce you three to be Team 7 of Konoha! As my gift for our first day we will be getting a short and easy lesson. I will be teaching you how to start working towards climbing trees with no hands." Itachi laughed to the teens as he walked up Sasukes log and stood on the side of it.

"See?"

Naruto was nervous, he had unlocked his chakra as a young man, but he had never learned any Jutsu.

"Hey, it'll be ok Naruto, my mom taught me this a few months back. I'll help you out." Sakura saw him nod as the two jumped off their logs, Sasuke quickly following with Itachi.

"Good, so we will work on this for the next three hours and I'll let you all go for the day."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Naruto walked into his apartment covered in bruises, cuts, and scrapes all over his arms and his face.

"Welcome home Naruto, how was, oh, my days, what happened!" Shizune jogged over to Naruto who brought the limping boy to his couch and sat him down. She ran her glowing green hands over his body and could tell he was bruised to hell and back, even a contusion in his right shoulder.

"Master was a lot stronger than what had been shown. He fought all of us alone then together. We passed the test, but most of this is from the exercise he had us preform afterwards."

"What exercise?"

"Tree-walking."

"Oh, that makes sense. The first time is always brutal for that exercise." Shizune finished soothing the contusion healing it till it was just a bruise. Shizune stood and motioned for Naruto to follow her. She opened the door to the new spare bedroom slowly and Naruto peeked in. Once again, his breath nearly left his body, there laid Ty Lee. Covered in head to toe with brown and yellowing bruises. Shizune closed the door quietly as she led him to the living room.

"She just arrived a little over an hour ago. She is vry tired and sore, she is going to need both of us to help her over the next week, and after I am gone you will still have to hel her move about freely. Crutches or a wheelchair could help but she needs to try walking somewhat. She can't let her body atrophy too badly."

"I understand, will she be joining us for dinner with the Hokage?"

Shizune nodded.

"She will, hopefully she cn eat more solid foods today. I am not going to lie Naruto over the next few days you may hear her yelp from pain more than once. I want you to know that so you don't barge in to find out what is wrong with her. Understood?"

"Crystal aunt Shizune. Are we cooking tonight or is the Hokage bringing food?"

Shizune smiled widely as she pointed to herself.

"I will be cooking mostly, though the Hokages guest will be bringing an entrée to the table. I expect you to eat to your hearts content, you had a rough day. Now, go shower, remove your war paint, and relax some. We have several hours before the Hokage is supposed to arrive."

Naruto nodded as he went to shower and change into some off-duty clothes. Naruto walked from his bedroom after an hour and smiled, he loved these jogging pants he had. They felt nice and did not hug tightly to his body. Though the shirt was his favorite, it was one of Zarehya's, and the only reason he was able to wear it was because of the two being the same height currently. Narutos bare feet padded across the floor as he smiled to Shizune who pointed to the couch. Naruto saw Ty Lee Laying on the couch with a cover over her body with a book in her hand.

"Hard in Hightown? What would that particular story be about?"

Ty Lee nearly jumped as she looked over and saw Naruto, she smiled and went to move her legs but winced. Naruto lifted the covers off of her feet gently and sat down laying the appendages in his lap.

"It is about a detective who is solving crimes in a place called Hightown. It is pretty good, it has romance, violence, adventure, and clue finding. I love this one." Ty Lees genuine smile caused Naruto to smile back to the girl, a true smile not those he showed other people.

"This is probably a bad question, but how do you feel?" Naruto saw many emotions run through her eyes but the one they stopped on caused him to smile again, the look was of pure relief.

" I am just so happy to be gone from that house. No monster to hurt me, just me. I am in a lot of pain a large amount of the time but Miss Shizune's medicine is keeping me from feeling most of it. What about you, you have some bruises are you ok?"

"I am fine, I had my Genin placement exam with my Master today and my team passed. Our sensei is a little rough, but these scrapes and bruises are mostly from the tree-walking exercise. See if you-"

Shizune watched the two teens for the next two hours just talk. This was the most she has heard Naruto talk, and he seemed to be enjoying himself just as much as Ty Lee was enjoying herself. However, once she saw Ty Lee grit her teeth she walked over to the teen with a glass of water and pulled a bottle of pills from her pocket. Uncapping the bottle Shizune tapped out three pills and handed them to Ty Lee who swallowed them. Shizune handed her the glass so she could drink some water with them and Ty Lee smiled when she nearly immediately felt the relief.

"Thank you Miss Shizune, I feel better now." Shizune smiled to her as she went back to the kitchen to continue cooking. Nearly another hour passed before she noticed the room had grown quiet, peering over she saw Naruto was not asleep but the very faint snoring made her smile. Walking around to the two so she could put Ty Lee to bed for a short nap she froze. Somehow Ty Lee had reversed herself and her head was in Narutos la who was gently messaging her scalp while faintly humming a tune Shizune new very well. It was the tune Kushina hummed when she was being absent minded, the Willow Maiden. Shizune smiled to the two as she brought Ty Lees glass to the kitchen, refilling it with water she placed it back on the side table next to the two teens.

"Be careful, she has a bruise on her right temple."

Naruto nodded as he continued to softly rub Ty Lees scalp with his right hand, the left resting by his side.

"I will keep you safe from now on, you don't have to worry any longer Ty. You are safe."

Shizune smiled softly as she was reminded of her Master and her uncle. Shizune had finished placing the food in bowls and platters when a knock softly rapped on the door. Shizune saw Naruto about to move but hissed at him.

"Don't, she is relaxed and sleeping, I will get it If you move from that spot before she wakes up I'll neuter you personally."

Naruto nodded chuckling to the protectiveness of his aunt while he watched her open the door. What Naruto was not expecting was Minato to walk in with the Yamanaka from the hospital and a four-year-old child to burst in running around. Shizune swiftly chastised the child as Minato spotted Naruto on the sofa with Ty Lee. About to speak he noticed Ty Lee napping and he just gave Naruto a quick smile and a wave. Minato picked the small child up and held him on his hip and watched Narutos eyebrow raise in a question. Minato nodded and motioned to both the child and Naruto with one hand and pointed back to himself with a nod.

"Mmmm." With a stir Ty Lee slowly opened her eyes feeling a hand softly rubbing her scalp she turned and nuzzled the hand unaware of those watching her. Realizing though whose lap she was in she blinked her eyes and slowly tried to sit up, and with Narutos help she sat up straight and leaned back against the couch.

"Did you have a good nap Miss Lee?"

Ty Lee rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she looked forward and almost jumped in shock. There was the Hokage, his new wife, and their son.

"Oh, Lord Hokage, I had no idea you were here! I apologize for being asleep."

"Don't apologize, you are injured and need rest. I take it you will be joining us for dinner?"

Ty Lees eyes opened up wide as she realized why the Hokage was here, Naruto must have invited the Hokage over.

"I had no idea Naruto had the type of pull to bring the Lord Hoage over for dinner."

"Is it wrong for a father to want to meet with his son? We may not be on familiar terms, but it is nice to share dinner."

Ty Lees eyes nearly bulged from their sockets, not only did this mean Naruto was near royalty to the Fire Nation, but he was actual royalty in Konoha! Ty Lee looked over to Naruto and smiled nervously.

"I had no idea Lord Hokage."

"Please call me Minato while we are alone. We are all friends here and I would feel uncomfortable with you calling me anything but that."

Ty Lee nodded and looked to her left as she saw Shizune and the blonde woman chatting while setting the table with food. Ty Lee then went to stand but let out a loud whimper from pain. She then felt herself being lifted softly and with the utmost car as she opened her eyes and saw she was in Narutos arms. She leaned in so he would have a better grip and brought her over to the table sitting her down gently in a chair. Immediately Naruto took the seat next to her and soon thereafter everybody had joined at the table and begun eating. Time passing with idle conversation about how each person's day had been and what had transpired during Narutos testing, but then Naruto addressed the elephant in the room.

"So, you remarried?"

Minato suddenly stopped eating and swallowed his food. He looked Naruto in the eye and instead of seeing sadness or anger he saw acceptance, maybe happiness?

"Yeah, let me introduce you two officially. Naruto, this is Inora Yamanaka my wife. Inora, this is Naruto Yu, my son." Minato watched the two as they nodded to each other Inora bit her lip softly. Minato could feel that she felt a little nervous and maybe worried but Narutos next words set those fears aside.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Inora. I am pleased to hear someone is taking care of Minato. From what I was told of the night of my birth he needed someone. I thank you for seeing to his care."

Inoras eyes widened, she had expected rage, cursing, maybe even passive aggressive wording but Naruto did none of those. He thanked her for taking care of Minato!

"Oh, I, it was no problem. I'll always be there for the people I love."

Naruto nodded and looked to the kid.

"So, what is your name?"

The child looked up at Naruto his aquamarine eyes and dusty blonde hair moving to meet him.

"I'm Kai, you're Naruto, right?"

Naruto nodded and quicker than anyone could stop the kid left his chair ran around the table and hugged Naruto so tightly it hurt a tad bit on Narutos bruises.

"Please don't go! Daddy always told me about you, and I always hoped you would come home. Please never ever go big brother."

Naruto smiled softly down to the child and picked him up and sat him on his lap. Naruto smiled truly to the child and nodded.

"Never, that's a promise." Naruto smiled as he saw the kid very happy. Naruto and everybody else continued to talk for a while till the food had been eaten completely. Naruto may have only had a single sofa and a single recliner but that didn't stop everybody from moving to the living room to chat. Once again Ty Lee and Naruto sat on the couch her laying her feet in his lap so she could rest her body. Minato sat in the recliner holding Kai who had gone to sleep and the two women were in the kitchen cleaning the dishes and enjoying their talk.

"You surprised me again Naruto."

"Hmm?"

"I expected you to raise hell about Inora and I or reject Kai. However, you did not, it seems too good to be true."

"I don't blame Inora or Kai for our short comings. Just like I don't blame the Kyuubi for mother's death. Just because someone sinned does not mean their taint spreads to those around them. You may not be considered my father by myself or my family, but your family is not to blame." Naruto saw Minato flinch when the Kyuubi had been mentioned and he nodded softly to Naruto.

"Still, thank you for accepting them. They both were worried about you accepting them and worried you would hate them. Whether he showed it or not Kai was truly scared." Minato smiled softly to the sleeping boy who clutched at his shirt so tightly.

"You know, I always wanted a little brother. Even though I have one on the way from my parents, you have given me a brother I ever knew of. Thank you." Naruto felt Ty Lees foot brush his forearm and he turned to see her looking awkwardly at him.

"Are you ok?"

"Uh, just a little heavy and awkward. I am a guest but I'm seeing you two be so intimate."

"Oh, I apologize, I had no idea this conversation made you so uncomfortable." Naruto smiled to her and he heard Minato chuckle.

"You two are cute together you know, that right?" Minato watched the two look away Naruto closing his eyes as Ty Lee blushed up a storm.

"Wait, you two aren't involved?"

"No! I, I just met him the other morning before all this happened!"

"Oh, well I can tell you, you two do look good together." Minato chuckled seeing Naruto start to blush and Ty Lee turn a darker shade of red. However, before he could continue a raven flew into th room from Naruto's open window. The raven dropped a rolled letter in Naruto's lap and his eyes widened at the crest. It was his parents seal they used when something important was sent.

"What's that?"

"It's from mom and dad, though its important, the seal it is-"

"The royal seal of the Yu Yan clan only used when the clan is communicating a message from the Fire Lord to a subject."

Naruto picked the letter up and cracked the seal opening the letter. He began to read it and his eyes widened as he read the letter from top to bottom. Naruto nearly dropped the letter as he leaned back into the couch.

"Fuck."

Minato raised an eyebrow to his language.

"What's wrong, what'd they say?"

"The Fire Lords children and his daughter's body guard are coming to Konoha to stay for a year or two."

Minato immediately stood up and grabbed the letter and began to read, as soon as he finished he responded in kind as Naruto did.

"Well, shit. INORA, we need to leave now, I have to call a meeting of the clan heads ASAP."

Inora looked over to her husband and the look in his eyes said it all, this was no discussion this was an order.

"Alright, I'll be one-minute packing up our dishes." Inora saw him nod as she went back to packing their dishes up.

"They ask to stay with you however, you do not have the room to occupy them. It will be a few weeks before they arrive and in the mean time I will find a small house that is for sale and you will have to live there."

"Minato, I-"

"This is not up for discussion. This is not just a gift from me to you personally, but the children of our Lord are coming and they wish to stay with you. So, you need a larger living space to occupy them, as such you need a house not an apartment. Understood?" Minato watched Naruto nod his head and he made to leave with Inora who was heading to the door.

"Maybe we can have a more calm and fun dinner later, but for tonight I have to attend to this. I apologize for leaving so soon."

"It is fine Minato, I understand." With that Naruto watched the three leave and saw Shizune walk into the room and sit in the recliner.

"That went better than expected." She laughed when Naruto started chuckling.

"That was so awkward, never do that again you blondie!" Ty Lee still had a blush but huffed when Naruto began to rub her feet, she nearly melted under the touch.

"Okay, I forgive you, for now. Just keep rubbing my feet that feels so good."

Shizune giggled watching the two, it was almost like a mirror of her Master and uncle. She stood and went to Narutos bathroom to prepare Ty Lee a bath and came back to retrieve her.

"I am sorry to break up your happy time Ty, but you need to bathe." She heard Ty Lee groan but relented as she heled Ty Lee stand and slowly the two walked towards the bathroom. Naruto smiled watching the two go as he stood and began to clean what little mess was left of the apartment. He just had this feeling that everything was going to go tits up soon and he hoped he was ready.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Well, I do feel like this chapter has gone well. I do fear I am still a tad bit rusty at writing fight scenes and would love it if some of you more veteran writers would be willing to give me a few pointers to learn from. Also, on the case of Sakura, I do hope you like how she is now. I always hoped Kishimoto would have made her a stronger and more rounded character, but it almost seems like he made the team full of one trick ponies. Naruto with his Toad Jutsu, Rasengan, and Kyuubi. Sasukes Chidori and Sharingan techniques, and Sakuras healing and strength. This just did not feel right so I feel like fleshing out their skills will work out nicely in the end.

As for people who feel the plot is advancing too quickly, I need to address this. Every chapter, every chat, every fight, and every happening has a purpose and a place. If something happens it has happened for a reason and will be addressed.

I will see you all into the next chapter

~Ardent Chronicler