AN: Sorry for the late update! I was a bit lost with stuff! Accept a virtual cookie! I just want to give a shout out to BentShuriken! Thanks to you, I got back in the mood of writing! I thank you for your reviews! I'll dedicate this to you! (Sorry that it's not edited. My beta and I are busy with exams) ENJOY!

Chapter 11: Cutting the Strings

Flashback

The sun was up high in the sky, shining brightly. The wind was hot and uncomfortable, making a certain kid grumble irritated. He was sitting outside the school gate. He wished he was alone but instead was with a muttering Uchiha.

The five-year-old blonde was fairly comfortable with the raven haired boy but at times like this, he wished that he wasn't. Sasuke was lying on his back, staring at the clear sky, which bothered the young Namikaze to a degree.

He wasn't sure why, but almost everything bothered him today. Perhaps it was the fact that it appeared that his mom forgot to pick him up or send anyone to come get him or he was having a bad day in general and everything darkened his mood and eyes. He woke up late and didn't get a chance to eat breakfast which was the worse. It was that one time he was allowed to eat ramen and it was homemade!

He stopped his pacing and shoved his small fist in his pockets, glaring at the ground. "Where are they?" He asked himself more than Sasuke. He looked up at the sky in resignation, as if the sky were to respond to him or graciously grant him a wish.

"I don't know. They are busy." Sasuke muttered a response as he sat up. "They don't do it on purpose." He added softly, scratching the back of his head hesitantly.

"I know!" Naruto sighed loudly and looked at Sasuke with questioning eyes. He didn't know that Sasuke was forgotten at times too but it would make sense. Both of their parents were busy though Sasuke had it much easier. At least he had Itachi who would pick him up at times; it was one of the few things Naruto envied from the black-haired boy. Sasuke had a large family and had kids his own age to play with, even if they were distant cousin. He didn't share that luxury. He only had a younger sister who was too young to play with him.

"Where's Itachi?" He asked as he sat next to his raven-haired friend. "On a mission" He answered tiredly, resting his arm on his knees.

Sasuke chose he words carefully. He did not want to stir up another argument. The last time that they fought, Naruto said they were no longer best friend and they haven't spoken to each other since that eventful day. He didn't want to dwell on it because it would make him too upset. Naruto was his best friend and just like that, he wasn't which saddened the Uchiha which resulted him to have no one to turn to.

Naruto was good at keeping his promise. He hasn't spoken to him for nearly three months. In any other situation, Kushina and Mikoto would have sat them down and talked about it, but not with these boys. They were stubborn, Naruto getting it from his mom and Sasuke from his father.

The only way to move on with their friendship was to both ignore what happened so none of their pride was hurt. The black-eyed boy forgot why they argued but decided to not allow that anymore. He wanted his friendship with the blonde to reconnect. The young Namikaze was the only one who he knew would understand the pressure from being such an important clan and the duties they have been given. Such bond was molded at an early age and they could have been called brothers if not they had different parentages.

"Sasuke-chan, Naruto-chan." A deep voiced called as a person manifested in front of them.

"Niisan," Questioned the young boy in a black shirt. He rubbed his onyx eyes and saw his brother dressed in his anbu attire. He wore long black pants to his ankle and black sandals. The chest armor over his short-sleeved black shirt was slightly stained with blood along with guards and his gloves, but despite the blood, Itachi seemed unharmed. His porcelain mask was nowhere to be seen and it brought a smile to his younger brother.

Itachi's eyes softened as kneeled down to look at his brother. "Sasu-chan, I am here to take you home." He said affectionately, giving him a small smile. He chuckled a little at the baffled look of his brother and poked his forehead. He stood up, walked towards the azure-eyed boy, and smiled at him too. "Naru-chan."

"Itachi-niisan." Naruto said happily as he tightly hugged the ebony haired anbu. The ninja returned the embraced and turned to look at Sasuke. "Come Naru-chan. Your mom apologies for not coming but an emergency council meeting began and she couldn't come. I'm babysitting."

"Yes! Itachi-niisan, teach me how to beat Sasuke!" Naruto proclaimed as he grabbed the eldest Uchiha's hand.

The blonde earned another chuckled from the older man. "Sasuke can hold his own Naruto." He commented softly as Sasuke pouted and sent a small glare at Naruto.

"Niisan, let's go home and eat first." Sasuke commented as he grabbed his brother's free hand.

"I can make lunch if you want or give you a snack. I know I took long." Itachi began as he swung his arms a bit making the boys giggle giddily.

"Yes! As long it's not tomatoes!" Naruto grimaced at the thought as he skipped along.

"Why not?" Sasuke whined a bit.

This time, Itachi could not hold down a whole heartily laugh escaping his lips. "How about a compromise?" Neither boy answered as they turned to look at each other.

"Ramen?"

"No!"

"Why not?"

"Kushina-oba said is unhealthy." Sasuke said sulking.

"What if I make tempura?" Itachi asked both of them with a faint smile, staring at both boys.

"I want to cut the mushrooms!" Naruto agreed, smiling brightly.

"I'll cut the vegetable." Sasuke said lightheadedly.

Amused, the Uchiha prodigy felt both boys tug at his hand more insistently. "We'll get there in time."

"Niisan! We are hungry!" Sasuke replied, sending him a pleading look. Itachi opened his mouth and tried to speak but no words came out.

"Itachi-niisan!" The short blonde called, giving him the puppy eyed look.

Resigned, Itachi sighed and shook his head. I guess I can't fight it.

In an instant, Itachi bent over and grabbed both boys in arms, both adjusted in his arms comfortably. "Close your eyes." He advised as he quickened his pace, heading to the forest.

Both boys snickered and grabbed the end of his ponytail. "Naruto." He warned as he jumped tree branch to tree branch in a rapid pace.

With smug faces, both five year olds smiled at one another, their skirmish forgotten with the thrill of such speed. "Faster!" Sasuke gleefully shouted to his brother playfully.

Five Years Later

"Sasuke, you are being stupid!" A familiar voice yelled, not hint of playfulness. He ran after him in the hope to talk some sense into him.

"Me? Really Naruto?" A raven-haired boy spat out venomously as he stopped in front of academy gates. "You are the reckless and stupid one."

"Psst." The blonde made an indignant sound as he crossed his arm and stare at his best friend with a murderous glare. "Why can't you ever think of anyone else?" Naruto began tapping his foot against the floor, waiting for a response.

The stoic boy grunted and shoved his hands in his pockets, turning away from the blue-eyed boy. "I did." He whispered quietly.

"Why are you damn too quiet?" Naruto yelled as he ran to him as Sasuke began hastily walking away.

"What do you want me to say?" Sasuke yelled in his face, enraged.

"Admit that you let one of classmate get hurt because of your stupid pride." Naruto said steadily, his cerulean eyes clashing with jet-black eyes.

"I. . .happen." He replied coolly. "Dobe, of all people, I thought you would know me better."

Insulted with this new nickname, Naruto frowned. "Teme, I saw it happen. Now she's at the hospital. She's not from a shinobi family ya know."

"Then why is she here then?" He took a step to the Namikaze heir. "We come to the academy to train and make our rank to become strong shinobi. This is not supposed to be fun."

"Do you not like the idea that citizens want to learn how to defend themselves? Does it hurt knowing that someone that isn't Uchiha is stronger than you?" Naruto mocked.

Taking his subtle hint, Sasuke scoffed at the idea. "Dobe, you are no threat to me."

"I'm a dobe yet I beat you at some exams both physically and mentally?" He asked rhetorically, his fist at his side were shaking from rage.

"I want to earn my father's respect and work my up the ranks like Itachi." Sasuke replied hollowly.

Naruto sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in attempt to calm down "We'll get there in time Sasuke. It was near war time"

"As my friend, I thought you would understand me Naruto, know and comprehend how it feels at such lowly rank. Itachi was already chunin at 10! What are we? Genin. We come from such strong influential clans." He explained, his eyes becoming vulnerable. "Yet we remain at the academy."

"Sasu-"

"Don't Naruto. You have different priorities than me. Maybe we are too different for this friendship. Your worries put other before yourself and quite frankly, I don't like being the last one you worry about. Bye Naruto." Sasuke said dismissively, running off, disappearing within the scurrying villagers.

"Sasuke!" Naruto called out in worry.

End of Flashback

Naruto stared at the young boy who had emotionless empty eyes. Of all times, Naruto had to remember a troubling part of his childhood. Sasuke was his brother in all but blood. They were together since birth and just for their ideology, they parted ways in the hope to find happiness alone. Without the presence of the other, both managed to feel emptiness of a dear friend that you can entrust your life to. Cutting such bonds is the most difficult thing that convinced Naruto to treasure the bonds he had now before they were cut or loosened. It was always preeminent to fight for what you cared for because in the end if you did not fight for what you believe in, you would be in misery and alone. At least with only one fighting for the bond to stay, you can come to terms and live in harmony. You just had to overcome your own ego and ignorance to understand the other, until then, you stand secluded with no one sharing your beliefs.

Now, an eight year old was speaking of cutting all of the strings and attachment he had molded with his life. He accepted the harsh slap of life and decided not to fight back. Instead of standing back up, wiping off the dust of troubles, he stayed on the ground to continue to receive hits and abuse. His gloomy thoughts caused trouble to his grandfather and more importantly to his mother. His mother gave away her own happiness in the hope to make her son content yet she was not given the satisfaction of seeing her son's happiness.

Naruto did not know how to respond to it. Instead of wanting to yell at him, his first instinct, he laughed softly, earning him a bewildered look from his teammates. "Inari, we will help your grandfather finish the bridge and we will take care of the village. I'll make sure no one dies with us here."

Dark orbs stared the cerulean in annoyance. Inari grumbled and huffed. "Yeah right. You were sentenced to death the moment you came here. Besides, who are you to make empty promises?" The spiked haired kid expressed as he leaned against the doorframe.

Naruto looked at his team and smirked, rising from his seat. "Whether you believe me or not, I will make sure nothing happens to anyone in the village because of Gato. I will show you how a hero can exist and rise against everything and everyone that go against me. I am Namikaze Naruto, son of Konoha's Yellow Flash and Red Hot Habanero of Konoha! I will fulfill my promise because that is my ninja way! Dattebayo!"

With Naruto's proclamation, Sasuke and Sakura couldn't help to smile at their blonde teammate. Naruto's brightening smile being contagious, Kakashi found himself smiling at the striking resemblance to his teacher. Sasuke nodded his head in agreement before eyeing Inari carefully.

The black eyes of Inari were conflicting. The boy wanted to believe him but his life was filled with so much disappointment. He wanted to save himself and his heart from agonizing pain. He was met with despondency and his vulnerable heart wouldn't take it another time.

Without uttering a single word, Inari turned his back to them and made a dash up the stairs. Puzzled, Naruto walked after the boy to hear the door slam above them.

"I'm sorry." Tazuna sighed tiredly, rubbing his temple to ease an incoming headache.

"It's okay." Kakashi answered, as Naruto looked a bit dejected. Putting his hand on Naruto's head, ruffling his hair, he motioned with his head to the door outside. "It is getting late Tazuna-san. We will see you early in the morning to help with the construction."

"What about Kaiza-san?" Sakura asked softly. She looked at Tazuna and saw tears at the brink of falling. Noting the sadness in his dark eyes, she dropped her head and got up with her teammates.

They bid Tazuna goodnight before hurrying to their tents. They were still exhausted from the journey and they were itching to have a goodnight's rest despite with millions of things in their mind.

The sun rose and a certain grayed ninja awoke from his deep slumber. He was still sore from the previous battle with Zabuza and the only one to blame was himself. Since leaving ANBU, he has gotten lazy with his own training. Sure, he found himself training and sparring with his old teammate and sensei but it was not as frequent as it should have. Despite being a bit rusty, he did manage to hold his own against the S-rank ninja. He had to thank his lucky stars that he did not die or get any more damage from the battle though it surprised him how tired he was after the whole ordeal.

Now the gray haired ninja found himself making his way to the tent of his three-man cell. He could hear the loud snore coming from Naruto's tent and soft muffled ones from Sasuke and Sakura. It made sense. Naruto was the one who was pushing himself against his limits
and he was starting to show signs of fatigue while Sasuke and Sakura were tired from the lack of sleep.

Kakashi smirked at his idea and began to perform the necessary hand seal. "Suiton: Teppodama." He said softly as gust of water escaped his mouth. He directed the water to Sasuke's tent first and heard gurgling as the water shot out of his mouth into the tent forcefully. Pleased, he moved onto Sakura's tent. Knowing she was a heavy sleeper like a certain blonde, he applied more chakra for strength.

"Ah!" She yelled, sitting up as the water fell down her face.

Kakashi ignored her yells of protest and finally went to Naruto's tent. This time, the gray-haired jonin opened the flap and aimed at the blonde's face. Grinning, he saw the blonde jump and panic from the attack.

"Kakashi-sensei!" Roared Naruto as he sat up and went after his teacher, soaked in water. Kakashi quickly dispelled his jutsu and went to lean against the nearby tree, pretending to read his book. The Hatake waited patiently with a smug smile as each student scowled at him when they gracefully came out of their tents. He had his infamous orange book and glanced up to meet their gaze.

"Good morning team!" He welcomed cheerfully as he closed his book, slipping it in back in his pouch. He refrained himself from laughing and cleared his throat, disregarding the deadly glares of all of them. "Are you not going to change?"

Naruto's eye twitched, along with his two teammates. As he was about to lash out on his teacher, the door to Tazuna's house opened.

"Breakfast is served!" Tsunami called out, waving at the Konoha ninjas energetically.

Kakashi was saved by the sudden intrusion and smiled happily at Tsunami's directions. "The kids will be there in a minute! They got wet and have to change!" Kakashi yelled, his visible eye appearing like the letter u.

The genin shuffled into their tents and hurried to fish out fresh clothes from their pack. They wore similar clothes from before with an exception of Naruto who no longer wore a jacket over his black netted shirt.

They walked inside the house and saw the empty seat where Inari was supposed to be. Naruto stared at it for a second before shaking his head.

"Thank you Tsunami-san." The ninjas thanked before digging in and enjoying the simple meal.

The ninja quickly ate breakfast before the team hurried to change properly. They packed their weapons and patiently waited for Tazuna to come out of the house. Today was going to be the first day they accompanied Tazuna to help construct the bridge. Naruto was eager to show off his shadow clones and have a nice warm up with Sasuke and Sakura.

"Let's go." Tazuna stated as he closed the door behind him, giving the gang a small smile. "The bridge is coming along. It won't take long until we finish though… we have been losing workers." He mused silently.

"You don't have to worry about the workers. Naruto can help you with that." Kakashi said with a smile underneath his mask.

Naruto giggled impishly and looked at his teammates. Sasuke rolled his eyes playfully while Sakura just smiled back.

"Before I forget, I want you guys to wear this." Kakashi said, stopping on the path. He reached into his pouch and brought out three sets of weights. "These are chakra weights. You can adjust how much weight is added by slipping in more chakra. The purpose of wearing them is to make mundane activities more difficult. You will wear them at all time and during break, I will want to see you guys try to walk up a tree again. Afterwards, we'll try walking on water. This will be difficult for you too Naruto because I will want you to add more chakra each time you can run on the water. "

Irritated, they sighed and complied with putting on the weights. Each of them applied different amount of chakra and began to take step forward. They noticed the difference and felt a small strain in their movement.

"This should be fun." Muttered Sasuke under his breath.

In a matter of time, they arrived at the construction site with the sounds of drilling, hammering and the beeping of large machinery. There were several dozen men on their machines, directing the flow of the building with the supplies and placing the board of wood on the ground.

"What will we help you with?" Naruto asked as he looked at everyone in wonder. The smell of wood was fascinating to him, heightening his sense of smell.

"Well, you can help build a base for the machine by the edge. We need to make sure the ground is stable and strong enough so the machine and the worker won't move or fall." Tazuna suggested as he walked towards a group of workers.

"Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Naruto intoned when roughly twenty Narutos appeared, astonishing the workers and Tazuna. They all stared at Naruto as if he had spontaneously grew another head. "What?"

Tazuna shook his head in disbelief before grinning back at his crew. "He never ceases to amaze me, that boy."

Naruto looked sheepishly and looked at his team who playfully rolled their eyes for the second time this day. "Come on Naruto-kun. Let's help!" Sakura said cheerfully.

The pinkette went to the side of the bridge and grabbed three yellow construction hats, threw two of them to her male friends. They caught it easily and placed them on their head.

"Let's get to work!" Sasuke said as they walked with the experienced workers.

Few Hours Later

"Team, seems like we can officially train now that's lunch time." Kakashi said as he placed a plank on a crane. Sakura was at Tazuna's side overlooking the details of the bridge as Naruto and Sasuke were leveling down the materials. Sakura smiled at them and went to assist Sasuke and Naruto.

The bridge was coming along well despite the uncooperative winds and circumstantial events. The base where the workers would stand was complete and it would finally allow the builders get through and commence the connection of the bridge to the land. They had a good mile or so left to finish.

"May I have a word with you, Tazuna?" A man asked. He wore a simple beige short-sleeved shirt and light blue pants. He wore a bandage around his head and carried himself as humble and cautious.

"What is it, Giichi?"

"Well, after thinking about it…Can I quit this bridge building?" Giichi asked hesitantly, his wrinkles around his eyes becoming much more defined.

"W-Why all sudden?! Not you too..." Tazuna replied a bit too loudly. Team 7 heard the commotion and turned their attention to both them.

"Tazuna, I've known you for a long time. I want to help, but if I get too involved then Gato will come after me too. I can't have that. My family needs me." Tazuna's dear friend looked resigned and glanced at his foot. "Everything will lose meaning if you die." He whispered. "Why don't we stop building this bridge?"

"I can't do that." Tazuna answered simply. "This bridge is our bridge. This is the bridge that we've been building with the people of the town in the hopes that distribution and transportation will increase and help our country. And it is because we have a family that depends on us, we should be building the bridge to help them and the future generation. We've invested almost all of your money, our time and resources. We can't allow a man walk over all of us as we stand at home like cowards!"

"But if we die…" He left his thought linger.

"You won't die." Sasuke said, walking to both men. Giichi looked at the dark-haired genin in surprise.

"Because we won't let that happen." Sakura continued.

"We'll protect the old man with our life. Though I doubt we will die because of it. Gato is nothing but a fraidy-cat hiding behind thugs with weapons." Naruto finished with smirk on his mouth.

"Tazuna, I'll leave my clones here while we go train. Twenty would be alright would it?" The young Namikaze asked.

"That should be sufficed." Tazuna answered gratitude present in his eyes. Giichi could only stare at the genins and the jonin who walked towards them. "It's lunch time anyways. Thank you Naruto. And Giichi, think over it." With that, Tazuna walked away still angered at the suggestion of quitting.

Giichi stood uncomfortably under the gaze of the ninjas until he cleared his throat and made his away to town.

"How are you guys feeling with the weights?" Kakashi asked as he began walking to clearing he remembered passing.

"They are alright." Sakura mumbled as she felt her calves on fire. Cha! Why can't you tell Naruto-kun or Sasuke-kun that you are tired! Then they'll carry you! Imagine those strong arms holding on you tightly and- Get your mind out of the gutter!

"I can hardly tell they are on." Sasuke said dismissively.

"Me too. So sensei, what are we going to do?" Naruto asked, putting his hands in his pocket.

"Well, I thought since we will Zabuza is still alive that we-"

"What!" Sakura asked alarmed. "I thought you finished him off sensei." She bit her bottom lip and looked at Naruto and Sasuke with apprehension.

Kakashi sighed and looked at his female student. "I know he's alive. I feel it. Also, didn't you notice when that hunter nin came, he didn't dispose of the body right away? They only need the head to prove that they were exterminated."

Sakura stayed quiet before looking at her male partners with accusation in her vibrant jade eyes. Once she thought about it, what Kakashi said was right. It has been said that hunter nins dispose of the body quickly before someone else interferes and attempts to steal the village's secrets. The hunter nin that came for Zabuza left somewhere else quickly before anyone could talk to him. But what astounded her as well was how both Sasuke and Naruto appeared unfazed with Zabuza being alive. "Did you guys know this?"

"Sakura-chan-"

"Did you guys know?" She asked again, a bit impatiently. She narrowed her eyes and squared her shoulders.

"Yes Sakura." Sasuke answered, looking directly at her. "We didn't want you to worry. Besides, you have us to take care of you"

Sakura clenched her fist and stared at them individually before letting out a big breath. "Do you guys really think I need you guys to constantly watch over me? I know I don't come from a ninja family but I am here am I?"

"Sakura-chan, it's not like we don't think you are strong enough. It's just…"

She sighed tiredly and looked at all of them. "Give me time… I will show that I not a useless girl. I don't want to hold up the team."

She remembered when they had the bell test, all she could do was get the bells as Sasuke, and Naruto distracted their sensei. She was useless then and she felt useless now. She thought that maybe she can learn some more ninjustu and no longer be dead weight but that seemed impossible. Both Naruto and Sasuke continued to learn and get stronger while she was standing behind.

"In that case, let's work on our affinity." Kakashi said, breaking the tension in the air. "Though some might argue you guys are too young to learn about your infinity, I think you guys can handle it. You guys were the best out of the bunch so it's about time I start training you at my best."

"How are you going to figure out what is our affinity?" Sakura asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She took a step away from her friends and stood a bit to the side.

"I have special pieces of paper from a certain tree. You will have to place the paper on your palm and apply chakra. Depending on how the paper reacts, then we will know your affinity."

Kakashi took out the square papers and handed them to his students. "I will demonstrate." The jonin placed the paper at his palm and applied a small amount of chakra. The paper wrinkled. "This means my affinity is lightening. Now it's your turn. How about you go first, Sakura?"

She gulped and nodded her head. "Okay." She opened her hand and gently placed the paper on the middle of her hand. She applied chakra and felt something solid form on her palm. She opened her closed eyes to see dirt crumbling off her hand. "Nani?!"

"That means you have Earth as your primary affinity." Kakashi confirmed as he inspected her hand. "Though, you are not limited to your affinity. It just means that you would easily learn and manipulate that element. It takes years but if you start at an early age, then I am sure that you guys can master your elemental affinity. You will have to master your secondary affinity too by the time you become jonin."

"Then it makes sense that I was able to Retsudotenshō. I had trouble learning the other ninjutsu." Sakura pondered aloud.

"You made a good call Sakura. Now, once we know all of your elemental affinity, I can help focus your training, specifically ninjutsu."

Sasuke smirked and held his piece of paper. He applied chakra and frowned. The paper wrinkled exactly like Kakashi causing both to raise an eyebrow.

"A lightening affinity eh Sasuke?" Kakashi mused with a small smile. "You do well with fire too." He unintentionally addressed his surprised. "Uchiha usually have an affinity for fire but you can have a natural affinity for both."

Sasuke grunted before he smiled a bit. "You know any good jutsu Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi's eye twinkled and he looked at his student with a secretive smile. "I do but you have to get stronger before I teach you it. You need to be faster and more in tune with your molding and chakra concentration."

Sasuke nodded his head and turned to look at Naruto. "It's my turn teme?" He asked with a small smile.

"Yeah dobe."

Naruto did the same as his teammates and waited to see a reaction. The paper lifted itself bit before splitting in half. "Wind"

Kakashi smirked and shook his head knowingly. "Just like Minato-sensei."

Naruto beamed at the comment and laughed. "I thought it would be water."

"Like Kushina? That's pretty rare Naruto."

"True but it would have been awesome though!" Naruto replied animatedly.

"Now, if I remembered correctly, Sakura said she was going to demonstrate to us her earth jutsu. Do you mind showing us Sakura?"

Sakura frowned at bit before answering distantly. "Sure." Boar, ox, snake. The ground began to quake with such force as large cracks appeared causing a lot of noise. Chunk of earth began to rise. It began to spiral around with Sakura's control. She smiled proudly and began to take control with her hand and direct the rocks, avoiding a huge dent on the ground. She closed her hand and the rocks came together, colliding and sending pieces all around them.

Naruto and Sasuke both unshielded their face with their arms and looked at the pinkette. "That was cool Sakura-chan!" Sasuke didn't say anything but smiled softly with approval.

"How do you feel Sakura?" Kakashi asked as he studied her body posture.

"To be honest, I feel drained chakra wise and physically exhausted. I've been trying to build up my reserve but I get tired too quickly." She replied softly, a bit embarrassed for her weakness.

"That's okay Sakura. Although it's a C-rank, it gets tiring especially if you are not used to using a lot of chakra. Once you have larger reserves, then you would be able to do any jutsu with less of a strain." He praised, ruffling her hair. "I have this jutsu that I want to teach you. It's called Doroku Gaeshi. It is simple: you hit the ground and a defensive wall appears. Usually the hand sign of snake helps. It will help you build up your chakra reserve the more you use it."

Sakura made a mental note and paid close attention to the detail Kakashi went over. He began to show Sakura step-by-step when the young jonin remembered about the other students. "Sasuke, Naruto, you can start work on your stamina and add more chakra to weights or meditate, it would help with your concentration. I'll come work with you guys individually after I finish instructing Sakura."

Naruto shrugged his shoulder sat on the ground Indian style. Sasuke looked at him stunned before remarking. "You are going to meditate?" He asked incredulously

"Sure. I could potentially make more clones and have them train but I want to ensure the clones with Tazuna don't disperse. Besides, I want to work on my concentration on my own."

Sasuke nodded and he too got on the ground, tucking his leg underneath him. He closed his eyes and attempted to clear his mind. He took a slow deep breath began to move his shoulder around, removing some of the tension. The voices of all around him became much more distant.

With the welcoming silence, Sasuke was finding inner peace. His body was relaxed and each breath allowed him to notice the small things around him. He could hear the buzzing insects flying around him. He could hear some leaves being stepped on by his friend and teacher and loud crunch that came of it. Without his sight, his sense of smell increase. He could smell the damp grass and sweet intoxicating smell of some wild flowers. The subtle things that was ignored most of the time, he could sense and smell.

Time at such tranquil environment was endless. With such inner peace, one lost sense of reality and felt weightless in another world, another universe parallel to the one he was living in. Sasuke felt a bit light headed and the all the weight and struggles off his shoulders. If he weren't too prideful he would probably sway with the gentle breeze without others laughing at him.

"Sasuke, Naruto. It now your turn." Kakashi booming voice awoke Sasuke and Naruto out of their trance.

FYI, I was a bit iffy about this chapter but I had to post it. I hope you guys liked it!