Frozen Heart

It has been a while, but I hope to continue these until they are finished. It helps me take my mind off of things.

Naruto is slightly grey in this story and it has elements of Killer Instincts.

I don't own Naruto or Killer Instinct

Enjoy

Chapter 5

The journey back to Konoha took roughly a whole day. Without the cart and the slow merchant family, Team 7 arrived in the Ninja village late in the afternoon. Kakashi was in the lead, book out as usual and blatantly 'ignoring' those around him. Sakura was walking to his right, head held high, feeling ecstatic for accomplishing Team 7's first C Rank. Sasuke was to the left of Kakashi and was pondering the mission parameters and trying to determine if it was worth leaving the village to accomplish something that was dull and boring. He had better things to do, such as train to defeat his Brother, than waste time with foolish . ?docid=44869124

Naruto on the other hand was lagging behind the group deep in thought. His suspicion regarding the young merchant family was growing and he felt as if he should have an idea as to their identity. Naruto knew almost everyone in Konoha, even those that travel from Hi no Kuni to trade with the large Ninja village, yet he still couldn't quite recall meeting the family of merchants before. His thought process was stopped, however, as he and Team 7 arrived at the Hokage Tower.

Kakashi barely spoke a word to his Gennin cell throughout the journey back to Konoha. Now he had to talk to the Hokage and go over the mission details with his team present. It was standard routine, and each team member had to be present so that they could get an idea and understanding on how to present their report to the Hokage. This was half of the report, however, and a written report was always due in before asking for a new mission.

"Hokage-Sama" Kakashi spoke, bowing his head slightly in the direction of his fearless leader.

"Ah Kakashi-kun, how was the mission?" asked the aging ninja. He was sat at his desk with paperwork in front of him.

"The mission was a success and went off without a hitch." Kakashi said, relaying as much detail into his explanation as needed. His book was not in his hands, and it took the members of Team 7 a while to realise that their Sensei was 'acting weird' as he was speaking to the Hokage. His body would tense slightly and his hands would twitch in a certain manner. It was too controlled to be a natural action and each member of Team 7 noticed.

Naruto was the first to see their Sensei 'acting' weird. This was the first time Kakashi did a report without his famous book present. Sasuke saw what Naruto saw a few minutes after Kakashi started speaking. Sakura on the other hand was aloof to what was going on, that was until she felt the presence of her teammates. It was weird. A very cold shiver went up her spine, and when she looked at Naruto and Sasuke, they were both looking straight ahead. She could see though that their peripherals were taking in the form of Kakashi.

Wondering why, she was about to speak to her teammates before almost losing her breath because of an icy cold feeling covering her body. Naruto looked at her slightly and smiled whilst shaking his head. Sakura barely saw Naruto smile, and felt the unhidden message in Naruto's demeanour.

"Ah it seems that Team 7 did well then," The Hokage spoke, looking over the young Gennin. His eyes lingered at Naruto longer than the others and he gave a small smile. "Collect your pay from downstairs. You are dismissed."

"Hai Hokage-Sama," Team 7 spoke in unison. They started walking towards the door, when the Hokage's voice spoke again.

"Naruto, I wonder if you could stay behind." It was a request, not a demand, and Sasuke and Sakura wondered why Naruto got special treatment from the Hokage. Naruto really didn't want to be left with the aged wise Ninja, but he felt he had no choice in the matter.

Sakura and Sasuke walked out of the room with their Sensei, whilst Naruto walked back and stood in front of the Hokage.

"How have you been keeping Naruto? Did you enjoy the mission outside of the village?" the Hokage asked. He started to light his pipe whilst awaiting Naruto's answer. Unbeknown to Naruto, the Hokage started weaving a slight Genjutsu to get Naruto to relax.

"It was good to be outside of the walls of Konoha once more." Naruto spoke, keeping his voice neutral. The Sandaime nodded at his answer.

"I have a report from Inoichi regarding your regular visits. He said that as soon as you got back, he would like to see you." Naruto nodded his head at the Hokage's words. "He said to wait a day or two before seeing him as you just returned home." Naruto nodded once more. His eyes where slightly hazed over, and he was in a trance like state. This was the Sandaime's Genjutsu taking full effect.

"How do you like your new Team?" The Hokage asked while blowing out a puff of smoke.

"They are fine. Sasuke is a skilled ninja. He will make it big one day. Sakura is still weak, but that has more to do with her upbringing. She is very book-smart and her knowledge does come in handy. Kakashi is a better Sensei than my previous one." Here Naruto clenched his jaws slightly. Anything regarding his former Sensei and/or teammates always caused some undue stress on his psyche.

The aged Hokage nodded, while contemplating his next set of questions. "I heard what happened before you left on the C-Rank. Care to explain?" Naruto was quiet for a moment before answering the head of the village.

"It was nothing Hokage-Sama, just a slight misunderstanding." The Hokage nodded. Knowing what really happened he didn't really feel the need for any further questions.

"Your appointment with Inoichi is tomorrow. He said wait a few days, but I recommend going as soon as possible." The Hokage said. "You are dismissed"

"Hai, Hokage-Sama" Naruto replied before leaving the office. He always felt weird after speaking to the Hokage. Many times he said things that he didn't really mean to, and his vision was always slightly hazy. This sense of haziness extended to his memories of the questions and answers as well. After collecting his pay, Naruto left to go home. His thoughts were misty and he felt he needed to clear his head. The only place to do that is home, where no one visits or cares about what he gets up to.

When Naruto left, the Hokage sighed. He hated putting the young Ninja under a Genjutsu every time he saw him, but it was necessary to get the answers that he desired. He straightened in his chair when he felt the presence of one of his ANBU shift.

"Report" the Hokage stated, getting straight to the point.

"The mission was a success but the subject was dazed throughout the mission. It was as though he were trying to remember something he forgot. His charge and teammates tried to open up to him, but he left them hanging and didn't get into too much detail." The ANBU fell silent before continuing. "The subject still does not train to his full extent. It's as if he is hiding something. When he trains with his team, he holds back. The first time he started going hard out was during Kakashi's bell test. I think that had to do more with his Psyche and the Genjutsu placed on him."

The Hokage nodded at the details. He knew that Naruto had potential, but his vulnerable mental state, as well as his paranoia stopped him from reaching his potential.

"What of the teammates?" asked the wise Hokage.

"They are as Naruto described them. The Uchiha is self-centred and cares about nothing but training and getting stronger to defeat his brother. The girl however has started to come around to taking her position as a Kunoichi seriously. Kakashi felt my presence throughout the mission."

"Nothing really gets past Kakashi." The old Ninja spoke to himself, more than to his ANBU operative.

"Naruto also seems to be more relaxed with his teammates than with anyone else. He is still quiet, but he relaxes slightly. He has also started teaching them both a few of the things he learned from his previous sensei. They train whenever they think that Kakashi is going to be late." The ANBU replied before being dismissed by the Sandaime Hokage.

The old man sat in his chair taking a puff of his smoke. He was contemplating what to do with the information when Team 8 entered to receive another C-rank.


Naruto reached his home in the slums and climbed the dirt riddled stairs. Here and there, the stairs was broken and he always felt uneasy every time he walked the slums. This area was also known as the Red-light district, Naruto's home in this large over-populated village.

As he reached the top of the stairs he stood still looking at his front door hanging off of its hinges. He knew that this was a regular occurrence; however, no-one would dare attack a Ninja.