The Preliminaries
Some guest complained about Naruto's powers and how he was overshadowing others. I mean of course. I'm making this my way...and Silkbunnies'. Hehe. But I was reading the reviews about Naruto with this shit face. And then I said...shut the fuck up.
Anyway, sorry this is late guys. I'm having writers block right now and I wanted to have at least three chapters ready. Err. Yeah.
His breathing was deep, but quiet. He could hear everything, but couldn't make out the words of Lord Third or Hayate.
He could see everything, but nothing could be recognized. Smell nothing, but the stench of death.
The only thing he felt was his body growing weaker and weaker.
"Naruto. Naruto" He snapped out of his mind to find he and Sasuke alone in the middle of the room. All the other genin stood at the top of the stairs, leaning against the balcony.
"Yes?" Naruto asked. He didn't know what was going on.
"This is my match" Sasuke whispered. "You have to move away." Naruto nodded and slowly walked away, his head down, feet dragging, eyes heavy.
Kabuto's teammate moved back, as if he were afraid of Naruto. The blond shook his head. "I'm not here to fight you."
He sat with his legs dangling over the edge and smiled softly as Kakashi ruffled his hair. Hayate's rules had been heard and he lifted his hands to begin the two contestants.
Akadō Yoroi Vs Uchiha Sasuke
Sasuke, even if he was strong, was not fairing well. Yoroi was stealing his chakra and he was on the defensive, only able to dodge and not attack.
Naruto's eyes narrowed and he looked back to his team. Sakura sat watching hopefully, eyes glazed over.
Kakashi was watching as well, leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. Gai was next to him, turned to him and whispering things no one else could hear.
Naruto noticed that while Kakashi tried to act cool, he wasn't being it.
"Come on Sasuke, kick his ass!" His yell was angry and a few people turned to stare at him. He shrugged. When he witnessed Sasuke nod slightly, the blond sighed in relief.
There was a slight shuffling and the blond turned to find Shikamaru next to him as well as Neji. Next to Neji was Lee.
The blond simply shrugged. It hadn't been like he had a problem with them.
Sasuke jumped back as far a he could and activated his sharingan. Silently thanking his Naruto. Naruto watched in confusion as the Uchiha rubbed the thick scar across his palm.
He simply did a few hand seals. Wires came around Yoroi and Sasuke burned his legs with a burst of fire.
Hayate jumped in the middle when Sasuke began to advance on his opponent. "Seeing as Yoroi can not finish this fight, I announce Uchiha Sasuke as the winner. Medics." As Hayate went into a coughing fit, the medics came and took Yoroi away.
Sasuke walked up the stairs, swiftly bumping fists with Naruto and joining Kakashi and Sakura.
Abumi Zaku Vs. Aburame Shino
He watched the one armed sound nin with hunger, wanting to kill him on spot. Zaku willingly hurt Sasuke. As well as Dosu and Kin. They'd die.
Neji chuckled. "Cool it there, Namikaze. If he wins or if he doesn't, you can search for him and give him a lesson before the finals."
"Yeah. It's such a drag to kick someone's ass in the preliminaries. Hardly anyone's here to see."
Naruto laughed slightly.
"You must have a large crush on Sakura-chan, my rival. Or is it S-"
"Shut it." Naruto growled. And to his utter surprise Lee only glared at him.
"Well you mus-"
"Enough you two" Gai's voice boomed for the first time. "Hayate doesn't need to watch two matches at once." His voice was serious enough, without the flames of youth being added. Naruto and Lee both put their heads down, mumbling a "Sorry, sensei."
Tsurugi Misumi Vs. Kankurō
After Zaku's arms were exploded by Shino's bugs, none of the Konoha ninja bothered to pay attention to the next fight.
Neji talked enough and Naruto found that if he and Sasuke didn't grow up together, Lee, Shikamaru, and Neji were the people he'd call his friends.
Neji, like himself, wanted to be acknowledged.
Shikamaru, was the brains to give him advice.
Lee was his rival, he assumed.
Sasuke was his everything. Sasuke was all of that and more. He was Naruto's to protect even if he didn't know. He was Naruto's baby. Naruto loved him. And he still did.
When Sakura had been called down for her match, Naruto glanced at his dark haired teammate,only to find obsidian eyes staring back.
Naruto raised a brow as they stared at one another. Finally, he smiled brightly, making Sasuke turn away with a smirk. "Hn."
Haruno Sakura vs. Yamanaka Ino
Naruto had actually sniggered as Sakura and Ino knocked one another out. Hayate called down Tenten and Temari.
Tenten was a decent fighter with weapons. Her style worked well, but it was the only style she had. 'That could be a problem,' Naruto instantly calculated. Temari had a wind element, which could make it all the more easier for Tenten's attacks to be ceased. Had Naruto been anyone else, he would have boasted. He had too many styles.
But, Naruto was Naruto. He thought nothing of who would instantly win the fight. Nor did he boast. He could only name their weaknesses. Because to him, it didn't matter who you were or what you had. What mattered was how far they went to get there.
In the end, Temari did win the match. But, Tenten gave her all and that was all that mattered.
Shikamaru's match against the Kin girl had been fairly misunderstood to everyone but the Konoha ninja. He had evidently outsmarted the sound nin and Naruto couldn't hide his loud snort when the medics came to retrieve an unconscious Kin.
Sasuke looked toward him. Bubbles of laughter escaped his lips then. "Did you see that, Sas? I just...didn't expect that." He turned to an unknown ninja. "Did you expect it?" He questioned.
Sasuke, although he tried to glare at Naruto, gave a light chuckle and shook his head. Who could blame him?
"Exactly. It is just….wow."
Shikamaru walked up the steps lazily, stopping as Hinata smiled and held out some ointment to him. Although the nin hadn't gotten dirty, he thanked the Hyuga anyway.
"Will Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto and Inuzuka Kiba come down to fight please?" Hayate asked.
Kiba gave a howl and jumped down immediately, ready to show everyone that Naruto wasn't so great.
Naruto walked down patiently, trying to figure out what move could be used with the least amount of Chakra.
That was his all world destruction, but he wasn't allowed that. It wasn't appropriate and he sure as hell didn't want to be questioned.
Refusing the latter, Naruto put his index and middle finger together and stuck them out to Kiba.
"What are you doing?" The dog-lover asked.
"Remember this from our academy days? It's the Harmonious symbol. This tells me that you and I are comrades, and we fight on an equal basis. Sasuke and I do it all the time."
Hayate observed for a moment. "It is good to see *cough* you, Naruto-san." The blond only nodded. He couldn't look away from Kiba staring him down. "When you two are ready, begin."
Kiba instantly ran toward Naruto, lashing out, he hit thin air. "What?"
"I can travel at the speed of light." Everyone looked to see Naruto sitting on top of the hand sign stones. "It's a Namikaze thing." He observed his feet, as if this fight was nothing.
"You think you're better than me, huh?"
"No. I attempted to be your friend twice and this is how you treat people? But, to be arrogant for the first and only time, when I jump into things I win. Look at your dog."
Everyone turned to see Akamaru asleep. "I knocked him out when I moved out of the way." Kiba growled and the blond only laughed, singing "guess who's turn it is?"
Feed me, It whispered in his head, wanting nothing more than power. It fed on his bones and gnawed at him.
Naruto moved toward Kiba in a slight wince. This'll fucking hurt, he thought.
With a single push of his finger, Kiba had flown backward, instantly unconscious. Hayate covered his eyes when the wind flew around the arena.
Naruto growled at himself. All he'd done was use his chakra within the punch and that rad really gotten to him. But, he wouldn't let anyone see his weakness. The blond stood straighter and smiled weakly.
Hayate stared for a moment. Eventually, he smiled softly at the fourth's son. "I now declare Naruto Namikaze as the winner of this match."
The blond nodded and walked up the stairs cautiously, his head down.
When he reached the middle, however, Kakashi jumped down. "We're going to take you to the hospital okay?"
The boy protested "But"
"No buts. No more watching the fights; you need to rest. Come."
They began walking out. "Naruto."
The blond froze and looked back, staring again into Sasuke's obsidian eyes. The Uchiha stood against the banister.
"Sasuke?" He asked back, waiting on the raven's reply. His voice, much to his dismay, was hoarse and needy and the blond hated the raised brow of Kakashi.
The Uchiha closed his eyes and looked away. "Good job. Can't wait to see your real power."
The Namikaze blushed slightly. "Thanks, teme. I swear I'll defeat you. And I never go back on my word. That's my ninja way."
Sasuke smiled a small one. "Hn."
Kakashi pulled the boy along.
When they were outside, Naruto looked up at him. What's going on? I told you I'd make it out, didn't I?"
The jounin nodded in seriousness. "Naruto. Are you feeling okay.?"
The blond raised a brow. "I'm fine."
"I saw you wince from using that small amount of chakra, Naruto. What's gotten into you?"
Naruto frowned and Kakashi pulled out a soft drink. "I have to recharge myself. That still doesn't mean that I'm not able to fight even an S-rank ninja. Just in pain is all."
Kakashi only pulled the boy near him. "Mhm. Here drink this."
Naruto complied and laughed a little. He felt bubbly all of a sudden. Then he stopped abruptly.
He felt as if his lungs were slowly filling with water, as if there was just less space in them for the air. Inflating them felt like pushing up a lead weight on his chest. Naruto sucked in the air as if it were molasses, yet he was standing in a rose garden on a pristine winter's day. If the birds around me could sing and fly, why couldn't he breathe? Why was it so hard?
Kakashi looked toward him with concerned filled eyes.
"Sensei. What did you give me?"
Kakashi remained silent. "Sensei-" He stooped again. His eyes began to droop and his body felt heavier. "No. No, no, no. I do not want to sleep sensei."
He couldn't sleep. Not after what Hikari's monster said to him. Not after the visions. Pein could only help for a duration of time. And now? And now he was back. Haruto was back and he was worse than before.
The copy-nin's heart shattered like glass. He couldn't help Naruto if he didn't know what was going on. "Tell me why."
"He...he's going to...get me. I am not insane." Naruto whispered. He could already see the man. Standing; waiting. He wanted Naruto and Naruto unconsciously wanted to be beside the monster. They'd be one in the same then.
Kakashi only stared in concern and Naruto stepped back. He could see the monster. His protruding teeth, stained in the blood of his feast. The feasts of human...dead and alive. His pure yellow eyes, sinister in darkness. His claws. His markings.
He smiled at Naruto, and yet, the being's mouth still protruded downward, salivating. It spoke in gurgles, irony.
"That human believes nothing you say. Come here, grandson. Think of how strong you'll be with no voice telling you not to kill, not to harm. Why should you listen, anyway? You can be a king, mighty, crushing your enemies under your foot. There is no right and wrong, only what you can and can't do. You were born to be a beast like me. Come closer, let me close the door behind you."
Even in his fear, Naruto stepped closer.
Outside his mind, the blond still dizzied at the drink Kakashi had provided him. The prodigy growled and backed away. "You think I am crazy, don't you?"
Kakashi shook his head, but Haruto said yes. "I'll kill you, sensei." The blond formed his rasengan quickly.
He ran toward the Hatake, but just as he neared, the boy clasped fully, letting Kakashi catch him and take him to his home, where' he'd rest for some hours.
When the blond awoke from his sleepless nap, Gaara was lying next to him reading silently. He grunted and Gaara smiled up at him.
"Aniki! You're awake. Kakashi-sensei says that you should feel better now. The match must have been very tiring."
"What'd he say? How long have I been sleep?"
"Uh….Kakashi-sensei said that the exams were tough, but he knew you'd feel better from his jutsu. You've only been asleep for about five hours." Gaara smiled innocently at him. "And that's good for you right, aniki?"
Naruto sat up, feeling relieved. "Right. Five hours is just enough." Leaning forward, the blond squeezed the tip of Gaara's nose.
When Gaara breathed deeply, Naruto only smiled in relief. "You're alive." Gaara giggled and squeezed the tan nose.
"You too, big brother."
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation and Sasuke moved in with a sheet of paper in his hand.
"It's about time you woke up. Jeez, dobe, you were fine before. What happened?"
'I'm dying and my heart and lungs are failing.'
"Nothing. I was just tired from the second exam." the blond muttered. Sasuke had on an odd uniform that was now all black. He looked nice.
The Uchiha walked over with a smile. "Tch. Weak is all." he mumbled.
The blond balled his fists. Sasuke was such a bastard at times. "If you're going to insult me, teme, you didn't have to come."
Gaara sighed and laid his head on Naruto's arm, making the blond calm. "Aniki." he whispered.
Naruto slumped. "Why are you here, Sasuke? To insult me?"
The raven smirked. And handed him a sheet of paper. "Finals start in a month."
Reading the sheet, Naruto smiled softly. The matches of the final battle had been displayed and he was up first.
Namikaze Naruto v. Hyuuga Neji
Uchiha Sasuke v. Aburame Shino
Rock Lee v. Nara Shikamaru
"Weren't there more? And who did Rock Lee fight against? I didn't see his match?"
Sasuke shook his head. "Rock Lee was automatically gained consideration because Kankuro left. When it was time for the final matches to be chosen, Temari left too."
Naruto smirked. He never expected Temari of the sand to back down. She seemed tough. "Temari-san, eh? Never expected her to back down."
Sasuke crossed his arms. "Maybe she was afraid. Everytime someone mentions her, you smile or something. Do you have a crush on her?"
A blond brow raised. "Why?"
The Uchiha deflated, much to Naruto's obliviousness. "You smiled when she won against Tenten. And you were attempting to flirt with her before. You did horrible."
Naruto laughed lightly, watching Sasuke's beautiful annoyed face. How he loved him. "I wasn't. I think she's a strong young girl. Soon to be a strong woman."
Sasuke deadpanned at him. "So is Hinata-chan. She's pretty tough. She was the top Kunoichi of our class."
Naruto shrugged. "I'm not sure why, but Temari-san...she reminds me" He glanced to Gaara, who was absentmindedly tracing the tattoo markings and seals on Naruto's arm and torso. He'd always been fascinated by the words inked on Naruto's skin.
"Temari reminded me of my mother. She'd always been a tough leader."
Sasuke softened and looked down. "Eh, Really?"
"Yeah, teme."
"Still...your mother was tougher than Temari."
Naruto chuckled as Kakashi walked in with Sakura behind him. The girl seemed dejected and Naruto wasn't ready to face that she did not make it to the final round because she had been thinking of Sasuke.
His Sasuke.
Kakashi smiled. "Naruto good to see you're up and smiling. I suppose you don't want to kill me."
The blond showed his fangs. "You're lucky I'm already being watched." He didn't care if Kakashi were a jounin or not. His business was his own.
His eyes met Sakura's green ones. "Good job out there, Sakura-chan. You gave it your all and even then, Ino couldn't beat you. Congrats." She smiled in return.
Kakashi crossed his arms. "What are your plans for the month, Naruto? Your training schedule?"
The blond, using the arm that Gaara wasn't tracing, touched his chin in thought. He supposed that Kakashi could help him. The man had lost his best friends, father, and sensei, and still hanging in there. He supposed that Kakashi would be able to give him tips on his mentality.
Because all in all, Naruto was going fucking insane. No matter how many times he got away from his great great grandfather. No matter how many methods of meditation he used.
Insanity was his curse, it was the thing he loved and feared above all else. The strange thoughts that once sunk him into new realities with graceful ease, never leaving a trace or a clue they had taken hold, still come and go like they did before. Each is a florid daydream, not viewed like a movie, but lived in first person. Naruto was always the main character, monsterized and heroic, a delusion of grandeur.
He like them that way; they were always much better than a mundane life.
If Kakashi could show him, maybe then Naruto wouldn't have thoughts of destroying the world. Or worse, thoughts of killing Pein one second, but then letting Pein live the next.
"I was hoping that you could help me out, Kakashi-sensei." he mumbled hopefully.
By the frown behind the mask, he knew it was an instant no. "Naruto I'd love to help you...but I had already opted to train Sasuke. I always assumed that you could handle things alone."
Pein's voice reached him. The worst thing about being strong is that no one ever asks if you're okay.
"I can, but-"
"Naruto, you cannot be selfish. Sasuke is a good young man who has as much potential as you do."
The jinchuriki watched the lips of his best friend perk up almost slightly. Sasuke was happy. Naruto knew before and he knew now.
He knew Sasuke loved the attention that Kakashi gave him. It was always 'Sasuke has this' and 'Naruto, I think Sasuke would' that. Sasuke fucking loved how Kakashi praised him. Even if he hated it, the blond whispered his demon's thoughts. Whore.
Naruto growled, his fangs touching the bottom of his chin. "You said it yourself. I'm not strong mental-"
Kakashi put his hand up. "Naruto, enough. I didn't want to resort to this, but if you need help getting stronger that much, I'll find another trainer for the month. I'm training Sasuke and that's final."
Gaara looked between his brother and the silver haired jounin. He watched as Naruto thought for a second and then put his head down. "Gomen, sensei. But, I won't be needing another trainer."
Kakashi sighed. "You'll understand as you grow, Naruto. Not everything can be about you. Even if the prophecy says that. Sasuke can and will be just as powerful. You don't need to train anymore. That's enough."
The man walked out and Sakura said a quick goodbye, following suit. Sasuke looked back and forth from Naruto. He was obviously eager to train with Kakashi and learn something new.
"Naruto. Kakashi-sensei is right. You're strong e-"
"Hottoite! Go away. Leave us alone." The blond stated, not wanting to hear anymore. He wanted to be alone with his little Gaara
"Why do you act like that everytime he chooses to train me? You're jealous." Sasuke sneered.
The blond stood angrily. "I'm not jealous of you. If I were, then I would have to be trained by Kakashi."
Sasuke pushed at him. "You think I'm weak. Kakashi was right. You think everything is about you. Can't you see that this is my chance, baka. That I'm finally not second to you or Itachi."
Naruto was wrong and he knew it just as Gaara yelped. The blond had pushed Sasuke back into the wall. They were nearly the same height, yet the raven stood only centimeters taller.
"I was right." He leaned closer to whisper so that Gaara couldn't hear. "You just fucking love Kakashi-sensei giving you attention. Something I should know about?"
Sasuke blushed harshly in embarrassment, but Naruto wasn't done. "And newsflash, princess. No matter how hard you train or how strong you get, you'll always be second to a God."
He pushed away from the stricken Uchiha. "Leave our home. Leave our compound. And if you ever come back here again, I'll hurt you...so bad."
Sasuke collected himself and glared, storming out in his calm storm. When he left, the door was slammed.
"Aniki?"
Naruto looked down to see Gaara hugging his leg, tears filling his large green eyes. He crouched. "What's wrong, Gaara?"
"Are we really not going to see Sasuke-nii again."
Naruto sighed, letting his anger dissipate. "I don't know, little brother. I seriously don't know." He and Sasuke had argued a lot lately, mainly over other people as if they were both jealous.
Gaara frowned. "But you love Sasuke-nii."
Naruto only looked down, hugging his little brother to stop the weeping. They didn't need Sasuke. Sasuke or Kakashi. They were fine.
One Week Later
Naruto stretched as he watched the seven clones before him. He had recently dropped Gaara off to school and had come back to train himself. He was doing well really.
Although the blond was still dying in his mind, he could now kill more than ten moving targets at once as well as stop the life of someone.
In fuinjutsu, Naruto was now able to place a seal on an enemy's heart and kill him.
The blond sat with a sigh in his backyard. It had been a whole week since he and Sasuke's argument. The boys didn't talk once.
Naruto had passed him in the marketplace yesterday. Even a few civilians seemed shocked as the two best friends walked passed one another without a glimpse.
Even is some hated and feared Naruto, it felt odd that the blond wasn't being liked by the person who acknowledged him.
Naruto noted that when he was in a bad fucking mood, the village was tense. He knew he was trouble best ignored. Sasuke knew that too.
"What are you thinking about?"
The blond tensed and then relaxed as he recognized the voice. Turning, he watched a Zabuza and Haku walked toward him.
They stood before him. "Eh, nothing. What brings you two here?"
"We were just exploring the neighborhood since we both don't have missions today. Then, we went pass the academy and heard you brother saying something about how you needed to train for awesome mind powers."
Naruto blushed. He'd told Gaara that he need to train with his mind and , as usual, Gaara made his brother the strong exaggeration. "Eh, he's a weird kid."
Zabuza sat with a small smile. "So, what is it about this mind stuff. Heard Kakashi couldn't train you."
"No. He was able to. He was capable of training Sasuke and I together. He jst feels that Sasuke should get more attention."
Zabuza shrugged. "Not your fault Itachi is a renowned ANBU and you're a God. Kakashi shouldn't favor people."
"I'm not angry with Kakashi anymore. I can put him to sleep without him being near me. Sasuke and I had a fight, is all."
The jounin laughed. "You two, eh? Odd pair you are."
If Zabuza met something, Naruto did not indulge. Haku smiled. "We're here to help you, Naruto-kun."
"With?"
"Mind training. You want to have a strong mentality, no?"
The blond thought for a moment and looked back toward Haku's pretty face. "Of course. Can't tell you why though. You'll think I'm crazy." He chuckled sheepishly.
Zabuza chuckled loudly, his tongue flicking across his pointed teeth. "We all are in some way. But...since you need help, we'll give it to ya."
"What do I need to have a strong mindset?" He hadn't had a real trainer since Jiraiya and Naruto really needed to get back into things, no matter how strong he was.
Right now, he didn't need Sasuke. He needed to be stronger. While in anger, Naruto believed that Sasuke could follow Kakashi straight to hell.
Haku smiled. "Silly. Over the course of the next three weeks, we'll be putting you through a rigorous five stage training. It's rigorous because you'll have approximately four days to work on each."
"And those are?"
"The first test will be control, followed by courage, confidence, commitment, and purpose. We begin today."
Naruto simply nodded, waiting on the first test. He figured if the final battles were in three weeks. He'd begin right away."
He watched as both Zabuza and Haku's mood changed. The jounin stood on his feet without his heavy sword.
"You're a monster." he told Naruto. "I know why Kakashi didn't choose to train you. He knows you'll lose control sooner or later. And when that happens...well let's just say no one wants to be held responsible for your monstrous strength."
Haku laughed bitterly, watching Naruto's calm eyes. He bet the blond was killing them over and over in his head. Or even Kakashi and Sasuke.
"I know why he'll blow his top, Zabuza-sama. He's still angry about Pein killing his clan."
Naruto tensed, but Haku went on. "He can't take that Pein didn't kill him too. He can't stand that he wasn't worthy enough for his brother's power. That's why he tries so hard to be strong. He'll never be though."
Zabuza chuckled. "Eh, I always thought he only framed Pein. I always assumed a demon would kill his family. Of course, how could a God lose to a mere rinnegan child. They say he's just like Hikari's monster."
"My biggest concern is that if you killed your whole clan, why leave the little one. Gaara? Why'd you let him live? Surely, a God would deem a child unworthy, right, Hikari's monster?"
Haku stepped back slightly as Naruto's remaining blue eye turned a deep red, a black line gashing through like a cut.
"If I had a chance to be you and go back…" Zabuza began "I would have killed him. One less mouth to feed and one more step closer to embracing my monstrosity."
The demon of the mist had barely dodged Naruto's claw. They stood staring at one another, Zabuza shaking his head and Naruto glaring, breathing heavily.
"You failed." He stated harshly. "You failed the first test because you didn't remain under control."
Naruto slumped down and Haku touched his arm. "That's why you have this time. We'll help you every step of the way, Naruto-kun. We promise. But this is the harshness, you'll have to go through. If you never remain under control and you attack, you may get hurt."
"Why are you two trying to help me? Do you know who I am? I'm a monster." The blond felt terrible. These people were helping him and they knew everything about him.
Haku smiled softly. "Because you helped us in Wave. We also know that it hurt a lot when Kakashi refused to train you. You were searching for guidance and found none. We'll be your guidance, Naruto-kun, and we'll help you every step of the way.
We understand that the hardest miles are the ones you walk alone."
Naruto smiled softly and Zabuza crouched before him, reminding him of the father and brother he once had, how their love had seeped into him like water.
His father crouched before him at height level, smiling with his eyes closed. Their mother always said that out of he and Deidara, Naruto had somehow looked the most like their father.
"I already said, Naruto-kun, I want you to be happy."
The three year old sighed and in his own advanced vocabulary, asked "Daddy. You no understand question. Want Naruto to be a doctor, inventor, or ninja when he get older?"
Again Minato chuckled at his youngest son's mind. "You don't understand, bub. No matter the path you choose, I want you to be happy."
Naruto slumped. "Daddy not answering correctly."
He looked to his father. Even if the man kept repeating, he always seemed so bright when speaking to his sons.
It was the kind of brightness that seared into Naruto's retinas making him close them for fear of going blind; a brightness that would make fresh snow look grey and dull. It was a brightness to rival the sun itself.
"You'll be happy and when you're happy, I'm happy. You'll understand when you get older, Naruto."
The young child simply nodded in sadness. He wanted to begin training in his father's field of choice to make him proud.
"Hey?"
The blond looked at the blue eyes that matched his own. "Yes, daddy?"
"I bet you're going to laugh when I count to five."
Naruto smiled. "Nu-uh."
"Yuh-hun." Minato mocked. "One, two, three, four, five."
He looked to Naruto, but the three year old had already burst into a set of hazardous giggles. Minato sighed. He loved the kid to death.
"When I was growing up, it had been tough. And knowing your life, yours is even tougher, Naruto."
Zabuza sighed, attempting to fill the child in on the dangers of his own life.
"There's part of growing up that's genuine, and part that disguises the greatest pain we can ever know. To take account of one's actions is growth; to protect others instead of being selfish is growth; to react to disaster with calm thought and decisive leadership is growth.
The rest is a mental dislocation, a way to protect the developing brain from hurt it can't deal with. We aren't wired to watch our world be destroyed; we aren't born with the capacity to watch others suffer and do nothing to help; we aren't supposed to be herded like sheep with minds of dull compliance. As we grow, we see problems we are told can't be fixed and so our minds break a little, removing the pain for our own protection."
Tears filled the blond's eyes, but he wiped them away. He really did miss his father. "I'll train hard for you, Zabuza-sensei. I'll be strong mentally and I'll save the world from itself."
"That's the spirit, Namikaze. Come on, you two. Up and at em."
He ruffled Naruto and Haku's heads, making them giggle and squirm away.
Another Week; Two weeks before the finals
Sasuke growled as he was once again knocked down by Kakashi. They'd had been training for two weeks now.
Today wasn't one of the Uchiha's strong suits. Kakashi crossed his arms when he had noticed the boy remained lying down a second longer than usual.
"We may as well stop training today. I see that you're too distracted to continue."
Sasuke frowned with a blush and sat up. "Hn."
A moment of silence rolled over, until shuffling sounded and Sasuke felt his sensei sit next to him. "Want to tell me what's on your mind."
The Uchiha scowled and he blushed slightly, looking away. "Nothing."
Kakashi only sighed and the two sat in silence for a moment.
Sasuke hated the silence and he hated the stillness. It gave him time to think. The silence caressed his skin like a cool summer breeze, soothing his soul, and taking away his jagged edges.
It had been one hell of a rough two weeks without Naruto's presence.
The stillness was worse. No air stirred the grass or leaves. No clouds drifted in the sea of blue above. No water dripped or flowed. Not a sound could be heard either close at hand or in the far off distance. Even Sasuke's own breath seemed to die as soon as it left his mouth.
It was an eerie sort of tranquility, so instead of being soothed, his senses became heightened. It was as if the world were encased in a cocoon, a bubble, and there was no way out.
He missed his stupid dobe.
Another sigh escaped Kakashi. "I know how it feels when you can't live without someone. I know how it feels when one person means the world to you."
Sasuke averted his eyes to Kakashi's calm eyes, but did not say a word. A signal for the Hatake to continue.
"I was young when my father killed himself. I was young when I lost my best friend. I was young when I killed my best friend's love interest. I was twenty when I lost my sensei. Not so young, but still afraid of the world.
I lost my sensei way before then, however. I lost him when he'd gotten a life of his own. Way before I was fourteen, which was the year Naruto was born.
I was afraid. And that showed as my anger. I was always cold to everyone. Distant with my friends. When I was younger, however, and just on the verge of taking my own life, some idiot popped up."
Kakashi's voice had been annoyed. Much like Sakura's when she spoke of Naruto. Sasuke stared at Kakashi and the man only ye smiled.
"Anyway, this idiot was so annoying. Always following me around and spying on my. He did this for a whole year. And everytime I confronted him about it, he'd look at me with this stupid look and say 'you don't need to be lonely.' I hated him."
By the emotion in Kakashi's voice, Sasuke knew the man didn't really hate the mysterious boy.
"I kept ignoring him, going about my business and my life. He would always give me chocolates and flowers when no one else saw, telling me he could help me. Yeah right, like I needed help. I told him I hated him and I never wanted to see him again."
Kakashi looked down. "And then one day, there were no chocolates or flowers. I couldn't feel his chakra hidden and he didn't say anything. So I went to his home to give him a piece of my mind."
"I thought you hated him." Sasuke murmured. Still, he didn't object to the story. He liked it.
Kakashi smiled and ruffled the boy's hair. "That didn't matter so much. What mattered was the sheer fact that he had given up on saving me. I marched right up to his his door and gave him a piece of my mind."
"What'd he do?" Sasuke asked aloud, intrigued.
"He crosses his arms and smiles...that stupid idiotic smile that I notice is used solely for me. And he says 'I'm glad you can finally see.' then he invited me in for midnight tea."
Sasuke giggled at Kakashi's incredulous story, but the man wasn't finished. "Me and the idiot talked for hours. Those hours turned to days, then weeks, some months, and finally we reached five years. I was young when I was faced with a dilemma...at a young age.
This idiot had somehow broke into my body and took my heart. I told him countless times to give it back, but he didn't know what to do. It was him in everything that stopped my loneliness. His eyes, his heart, his lameness, his idiocy. There had to be some sort of jutsu that could stop what I felt for him. But, nothing worked. When I tried ignoring him, he always popped into my head. I was stuck."
Kakashi shook his head. "I don't know, but somehow, I had fallen in love with the most idiotic man."
Sasuke gasped with a blush, placing his pale hand over his mouth. Kakashi-sensei must have felt so confused. "What'd you do then?"
The jounin chuckled. With caution, he removed the black fingerless glove on his right hand. When the action was done, Sasuke gasped in shock.
Kakashi blushed as well and smiled softly. "I married him."
"Kakashi-sensei…" The Uchiha trailed off. "You're married?"
The man nodded. "In secret until we feel the time to reveal, but yes I am. I was only 19 and it was a good decision...then and now."
"Who is he? Who's the boy?"
He wanted to suppose Iruka or maybe even Genma. Even with the mask obscuring his vision, the Uchiha could see a faint blush and small smile. "I'll give you a hint. Like Naruto, he's an idiot. Like Naruto, he's a bit hyper and like Naruto, he wears...odd colors."
Sasuke stared and stared until it dawned on him.
"Gai sensei." There was no cry or yelp or even a denial and Sasuke sobered, feeling like a fangirl for thinking of the ways the odd green beast attempted to woo Kakashi.
And for an odd reason, it didn't shock him.
Kakashi smiled. "Naruto had found out on his own. The boy is bright. The thing is, you two are unbreakable, even in times like this. Sure you fight a lot, but you guys can't even function apart from one another.
Naruto doesn't understand why I don't train him, but soon he will and so will you. Every time I see you guys argue, it reminds me of myself and Gai. Everytime I see him look at you, it reminds me of Gai. You may not see it, but I do Sasuke. This is a bump in the pavement for you guys."
Sasuke blushed and scowled. "I don't know what you're talking about, Kakashi-sensei."
"Meh. I know love when I see it."
"I don-"
The silver haired jounin stood. "Now that we've sorted your feelings, we can get back to training. Come on, Sasuke. You have plenty of time to see Naruto in the arena. Sweaty. In combat. Clothes almost ripped from his fights."
Sasuke blushed furiously and his father cringed on the other side of the village when he heard his son scream. "Sensei!"
One day before the finals
Naruto panted as he pushed through Zabuza's 100 water clones, all of whom held a different attack, more powerful than the last.
Out of every test, purpose was the hardest. It was combined with the previous test and Naruto wouldn't give up.
Carefully dodging a kunai swipe to his stomach, the blond stepped backward and head butt the clone, watching as it dispersed in water.
He slashed and performed jutsus, going faster and faster through the enemies. His goal in mind, he wouldn't back down.
Before he knew, the blond had made it toward the last clone.
Naruto smirked as it performed hand signs. "Water Dragon Jutsu!"
The blond waved his staff in a circular motion as the water dragon spurted upward. He was sure the whole village could see. The next jutsu would tell the citizens, both shinobi and normal alike, that Naruto Namikaze, the village's greatest asset, was ready.
"Ray of Assassination!"
He shielded his eyes from the steam that formed. He had successfully used his jutsu on a moving target. He had used an element that had been weak against fire. And he had won.
The blond clasped to his knees as someone walked over to stand over him. He done it. He'd passed the final test: purpose.
Looking up, the blond found the third hokage standing before him. He spoke and removed his hat, handing it to Naruto. "Your dream is complete."
Naruto smiled and looked back at the man. "Thanks, Haku."
The third smiled and dispersed, leaving Haku in his place. Without hesitation, Gaara and Zabuza ran over to Naruto.
"Aniki that was so cool. You were all like 'pow.' and they were like 'poo.'"
Naruto chuckled as Zabuza ruffled his hair. "You're ready and you're stronger than you were yesterday. There's no doubt you'll win."
Naruto chuckled. "You guys are the best. Thanks. I couldn't have completed without my cheer squad. You guys coming to see my match?"
Haku smiled. "Of course. Why would we miss it?"
Zabuza smiled. "Whoever makes it to the final round with you has got to be strong. That poor poor bastard."
Naruto nodded in a determined motion. No matter how strong the other opponents were, he could not be beaten. He was determined to show Kakashi that no matter how much he trained Sasuke, defeating Naruto would always be a broken dream.
He was going to kick Sasuke's ass...no matter how much he loved him.
Silkbunnies had wished that Zabuza and Haku had a bigger role in anime and manga, so I've decided that not only will they help Naruto in his growth, but Zabuza would also be a sort of father figure to both boys and soon Gaara as well.
Uh..I wanted to create something different in my fic. Instead of the same old pairings, besides Narusasu, I changed some things up. The most prominent odd pairing being Gaikaka. I must say, Kakashi is really cute like this. I better stop...that'll be my next obsession pairing.