I do not own anything from Naruto, that is all Masashi Kishimoto.

This is my first fanfic and because it is my first, criticisms are welcome, feedback is appreciated, and flames (well, noone usually likes you anyway :P), no I'm kidding, please still feel free to post reviews.

As previously stated, I do not like to write to canon, but some parts will be as per canon. Though that will be up to my discretion. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed the reviews.

I'd like to apologize about the long time between the last chapter and this one, I had a few things in my life come up, but everything should be good for now. And with any luck, I'll be bringing out chapters at my normal rate. :) ENJOY! :D

"Normal conversations"
"Thoughts"
"Kyuubi talking"
"Kyuubi thoughts"
"Jutsu"
(Jutsu name)

Chapter 7: Graduation

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Time skip of 1 year

"Alright class, now all you have to do is pass the two final ninjutsu tests and then you will be official Konohagakure shinobi and will all become Genin." He looked over his students and smiled to himself, everyone was ready to graduate. "Alright, first up is Ino Yamanaka."

Ino frowned and walked up to the front of the class, although she was confident with her abilities, she would hate to fail, especially in front of Menma. "Why do I have to go first?"

"Alright Ino, first perform the Henge no Jutsu(Transformation Technique) and transform into the Third Hokage." He watched on as Ino successfully transformed into his asked target. "Excellent, now release the transformation and now perform the Bunshin no Jutsu (Clone Technique)" He watched as the first jutsu was dispelled and a clone of Ino was created perfectly. "Excellent. You pass. Please take your seat so we can continue on with the test as fast as possible."

Ino took her seat, smiling smugly and looked up to Menma. "I know you'll pass, I hope I'm put on your team too." She smiled as she swooned over the masked classmate, not paying attention as each of her classmates passed their tests, only coming out of her stupor when she heard Menma's name get called.

"Menma Shonjiki. You're the last one. Now, first the Henge of the Hokage." Naruto nodded and created a perfect transformation into the Hokage, grinning as he was told to the clone jutsu. He created two shadow clones instead of two normal clones as he wasn't able to do the normal clones jutsu. "Amazing Menma. You pass, now dispel the clones."

"Are you sure Iruka-sensei?" Naruto asked, grinning behind his mask.

"Yes, I'm sure. And then take your seat."

"Alright..." Naruto walked back to his seat, whispering over to his Uchiha friend, "Watch this." He looked back at the teacher and grinned, putting two fingers up to release the clones. "Boom..."

Iruka watched as the boy walked back to the desk and scratched his head as he looked at the two clones. He noticed Naruto made a hand sign and whisper something, "Menma... no!" he yelled out too late as he suddenly felt the explosion of paint of the two clones beside him, bowing his head in defeat. "Damn you Menma. This was my best set of clothes! The least ruined!" He sighed and lifted his head, wiping the bright orange and blue paint out of his face. "Alright, since you all passed, wait here while I deliver these and get your teams assigned. He left the classroom, muttering under his breath about the paint.

Naruto busted out laughing as did the rest of the class. "That was good dobe. Never thought you had the guts to prank Iruka-sensei." Sasuke stated, giving Naruto a high-five and a fist bump as had became their practice when one did something good. Despite the masked boy not being an Uchiha, he definitely gave Sasuke a run for his money when it came to sparring, which only added more flare to their rivalry but also added to their friendship.

"Thanks, I thought it was quite good myself, though I should have added more colors."

"You know Menma, you didn't have to do that and you shouldn't encourage him Sasuke-kun, you're better than that.. than him." said a pink-haired Sakura. She glared at Naruto, a little chibi version of her chasing him around while trying to hit him on the head with a bat. "You're just ruining my Sasuke's chances of becoming a great ninja with your antics and your friendship."

Tenten stood up, "Just cause you have a stupid crush on the second best shinobi doesn't mean that you get to talk about Menma the way you do. He could easily beat you in a match with his hands tied behind his back and eyes closed." she finished saying as she was now standing in front of Sakura, face to face as tiny lightning sparks flared between them and their chibi selves were pushing at each other.

Sasuke rolled his eyes as he put his hands together and rested his elbows on the table to rest his chin on his hands. "Annoying girl, always yelling at me for talking to Menma... when will she learn... "

Naruto grinned behind his mask as the two girls began bickering back and forth over him and Sasuke. He closed his eyes and leaned back, escaping into his mind.

"Heya Kendama-sama." Naruto spoke, looking around at the dull sewer drains and water, still wishing he could change the scenery but not knowing how it will affect the seal if he did.

"What do you want brat?" The demon fox growled from resting atop his paws. He wished he had more room to roam and relax in, cause he wouldn't be as cranky then.

"I was curious about something. Have you changed your mind about wanting to tell me anything about the Fourth Hokage?" Naruto asked, grinning. He knew that the Fourth Hokage was his father, but he wanted to know a bit more about him, and his mother as well.

"Have you changed your mind about changing the landscape?" Kyuubi countered, still resting.

"Are you going to try to kill me if I open the gate to change the landscape?" Naruto asked calmly.

The kyuubi growled lightly before giving a very toothy grin,"Maybe... maybe not. Are you willing to take the chance?"

"Not really." Naruto sighed softly.

"Then no, I have not changed my mind."

"Fine... be a hateful little furball."

The fox growled before cutting off the communication with his jailor, getting more and more irritated with him when he wouldn't change the landscape. He could be relaxing in a large hotspring instead of some dank sewer water that smelled to have grown stale.

Iruka walked back into class and was flipping through the papers with the teams and who their new jonin teacher would be. "This is going to be interesting and fun. A lot of people are going to be disappointed." As he walked in, he noticed that the class had gotten really quiet, so quiet he would be able to hear a pin drop. They were all looking at him with their utmost rapt attention. "Alright class, you are going to be divided into teams based on your strengths and weaknesses." He paused as he watched the class look at one another. "Alright, first up. Team Ten will be Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi."

"Well, at least I'm with friends. However, this is going to be more trouble than its worth." Shikamaru thought to himself, looking over to Choji who was eating a bag of chips and Ino who was frowning.

"Awwww. I'm not going to be on the same team as Menma-kun…" "Iruka-sensei is there any way we can change teams?" Ino asked, looking over at Menma, hoping that there was a chance.

"No Ino, all these teams were finalized and approved by the Third Hokage. There is no way you can change teams until you make chunin." Iruka answered before going back to the papers.

"Why do you have to be chunin before you can change teams? Isn't there some sort of special circumstance that can allow you to change teams?" Ino pleaded somewhat, a small chibi version of her biting her nails while crying a little.

"The reason why you have to be chunin is because once you get promoted to that rank, you will be assigned to different kinds of teams based on your specialities and on what kind of mission needs to be completed. Though in a lot of cases, the teams stay together longer than that as the bonds you have are forged together well and you learn to work well together. As for special circumstances, there are only a couple of circumstances in which you can change teams." Iruka said looking at Ino.

"What are those circumstances?" Spoke up Tenten and Sakura at the same time, before glaring at each other.

"Well, first there's the chance that your teacher dies, in which case you'll either be assigned a new teacher or your team disbanded. Second, there's the chance that one or two of your teammates die, in which case you will be assigned to a new team. Or third, in the case of the rule of silver being broken."

"Rule of silver? What's that?" Ino asked curiously.

Iruka put his fingers to the bridge of his nose, rubbing it slightly, feeling the scar that was across it, which served as a reminder to him always about the rule of silver. He sighed lightly and looked back up to the class. "Honestly, you should ask your parents about the rule of silver." An audible sigh was heard around the class, making Iruka roll his eyes. "If you really want to know though, the rule of silver is one that all shinobi follow. By giving an item of silver to another shinobi, you are asking that person to be yours, to be bound to each other regardless of the circumstances. However, in order for the rule to be considered in effect, the second shinobi must give their gifter a piece of silver in return of equal or greater value than the piece they received. Once both shinobi own a piece of silver given by the other, they are bound to each other, either in terms of relationship or friendship, though usually it's the first that is seen." Iruka finished before looking up to see Menma fall back in his chair. "You alright Menma?"

Naruto fell back to the floor, in shock at what he just heard as his memory played over: "Menma-kun, how much did you spend on this silver necklace?" He sat back up and scratched his head, trying to play off his worries, "Yes Iruka-sensei, I'm okay. Just lost my balance. By any chance, what age does the rule of silver usually start."

"Why do you ask? Have someone in mind to give some silver to?" Iruka asked, grinning and teasing the masked boy of 12.

Ino and Tenten both looked over to Menma and smiled and blushed. Both of them thinking, "Awww, that's so sweet, he's going to give me a piece of silver to be his. He's such a gentleman."

"No reason. I was just curious." Naruto said, smiling a fake smile, not that anyone could see it behind his mask.

"Well, usually the rule of silver doesn't apply until you're about 16 years old as it gives the shinobi time to find out who they truly are and what path they are going to follow." Iruka said. "Does anyone else have any more questions before I continue with the team assignments?" He watched as everyone shook his head. "Alright… then Team Nine will be assigned with Neji Hyuuga, Rock Lee and Sakura Haruno. Team Eight will be assigned with Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyuuga, and Shino Aburame. Lastly, Team Seven will be assigned with Menma Shonjiki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Tenten. You will meet with your new teachers at the respective training grounds that they requested, which you can find in these envelopes with your marked team number. Report to those training grounds at 9 AM tomorrow morning. You all are dismissed."

Tenten jumped up as she heard that she was going to be on the same team as her masked friend. "I'm going to prove to you I'm a worthy kunoichi of you Menma-kun. Just you wait and see. I'll be as legendary as one of the Sannin themselves." She got up out of her chair and was walking over to her two teammates before Ino stepped in front of her.

"You know Menma-kun is going to be mine, right? So just stay out of the way." Ino threatened as she glared at the brown-haired girl.

"Please, now that I'm on the same team as him, we're going to be around each other a lot more. Maybe I'll even get to see what's behind that mask of his. I bet he's super cute too and you won't ever get to see him." Tenten shot back as she shoved her way past Ino.

"Right, because Menma-kun will ever want to spend time with a short haired girl like you when he could have someone with longer hair like me. All men love a woman with long hair. Plus you haven't even grown a chest yet! You look more like a boy than anything!" Ino yelled at her fan-girl rival, a chibi version of herself laughing evilly at the condescending comments, causing Tenten to stop in her tracks before turning around and began yelling back at her about her comments towards her.

Naruto put his head into his hands, closing his eyes. "Are you serious? There's a rule of silver? What the hell did I do? I'm such an idiot. Yugao-chan is my sensei. Sure, she's attractive and beautiful, but still. She's older than me and probably already has been with someone. What if this breaks our friendship? Damn it you fox, why didn't you tell me about this rule of silver!"

The demon fox laughed as he looked out from his cage, seeing his jailor's torment and enjoying it all too much. "You never asked. Unless you ask, why should I give you the answer to anything? Besides, this should make things between you and any other girl interesting, considering the fact that you just offered to bind yourself to Yugao. She's not a bad kunoichi though, if you ask me."

"I wasn't asking you! Kami, what am I going to do?" Naruto thought to himself, hoping the fox wouldn't hear him.

"Simple, you just see how it plays out. If I were you kid, I'd just act calm. No reason to worry over anything. I'm sure your beloved knows about the age restriction to the rule of silver, considering she's a woman. Most women, by the time they get to her age, know of the rule of silver from their parents or boyfriends." The fox told him, grinning at him. This was the most enjoyment he'd gotten so far from Naruto and it made him giddy with fun.

"Shut up Kendama-sama." Naruto said before getting out of his seat and cutting the connection off with, what he considered, his old friend. Naruto walked down and grabbed the envelope, whistling towards Sasuke and Tenten to come towards him, both doing so, though Tenten looked a little bruised and beaten after her brawl with Ino. "Get your act together Tenten-chan, otherwise we're going to fail as a team." He said calmly, opening the letter. "We're meeting at training ground three. Be prepared for anything tomorrow. I'll see you guys later, I have some stuff I need to do and think about."

Sasuke nodded before seeing his friend shunshin off in a swirl of leaves, before leaving himself in the same manner. Tenten, on the other hand, glared back up at Ino who was being supported by Choji and Shikamaru, "Told you I would beat you." She said before walking out the door, keeping her head high after the fight.

Yugao walked along the shops, looking for a store that sold silver pieces, before finding the shop at the end of the street, which was ironically the closest to the Hokage tower and not too far from ANBU headquarters. She was about to walk into the store when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "A bit early for some silver don't you think?" She turned her head to see that it was Itachi, her old team captain, now retired from ANBU.

"What makes you say that?" she asked curiously.

"Well, considering that you just not long ago were denied by Hayate, buying another man some silver would only hurt you. Don't you think?" he spoke calmly, removing his hand from her shoulder. It had been a few weeks since he'd seen Yugao and he noticed that she was always smiling now and had a silver necklace around her neck. "Who got you the silver anyway?" he asked, curiously.

"Early... maybe, but that doesn't mean I won't see if they won't accept me in return. Oh, this?" she smiled and reached for her amethyst moon amulet, showing it to Itachi, "Menma gave it to me about a year and a half ago. He said he spent quite abit on it, so now I'm wanting to return the favor, though I'll have to wait until he is older considering the age restriction." she said, before putting the amulet back between her breasts, enjoying the cold feel of the metal against her skin.

"I'd be cautious with that Yugao. Menma might not even know the rule of silver considering he's an orphan. I don't want to see you get hurt again, nor does Shisui." he said to her, keeping his ever so passive look.

"I know. I will be. How are things with the Uchiha clan since you took over?" she asked curiously.

Itachi shrugged slightly, "Its not too bad. There was a little riot and disapproval when I was named the next head of the clan after my father was taken to prison, but after everything was explained, most people seemed okay with it and just went on about their lives. Of course, as any new leadership would have, you have those few who don't like the new head and thus get a few challenges for leadership." he spoke, closing his eyes and putting his hands into his pants pockets. He still wore his ANBU outfit, not wanting to relinquish it to find a new outfit.

"Considering your repertoire of skills and experience, I doubt any challenger even stands a chance against you." Yugao spoke as she grinned slightly.

"You don't even know the half of it. More often than not, Itachi toys with them just to get some training in." spoke up Shisui as he jumped down from atop the stores roof. "Long time no see Yugao."

"You as well. What do you mean he toys with them?"

"Exactly that, he lets them think that they can beat him, when in reality, they were already beaten the moment the fight started." Shisui said grinning, patting his best friend on the back. "You should come watch one of the fights, he was actually challenged the other day and the fight is tomorrow at 9 AM. You're welcome to watch as it'll be at training ground fifty."

"Why'd you have to remind me Shisui?" Itachi said, opening his eyes, his three tomoe sharingan active, as it usually is. He purposely had it active all the time as it helped him increase his chakra reserves on a daily basis. Considering he wasn't able to go out and train all the time, this was the next best thing he could do.

"If I didn't, you'd only forfeit due to lack of showing." Shisui teased lightly. "Now get going to the tower before you miss the Council meeting a second time."

Itachi shrugged his shoulders and patted Yugao on the shoulder, "Just be careful Yugao. I'll see you around." he said before continuing on towards the Hokage tower, Shisui walking beside him as their conversation became drowned out through distance.

Yugao walked into the store and was looking around at the many different items before spotting some decent rings, frowning because she didn't see any she liked. She looked up to the store owner and smiled, "Excuse me, but do you make custom designed jewelry?" she asked politely.

"Sure do, but depending on what you request will depend on the time it takes to make it. What can I make for you?" the owner asked as she pulled out a pad and an ink brush.

"A silver ring with four chakra gems in them that can be used to store and withdraw chakra from them as the wearer sees fit." Yugao answered as she looked at the many necklaces on display.

"Chakra gems, huh? Last time I was asked that was with a moon amulet that was specially made. Boy wanted a purple chakra gem. Is there a specific color of chakra gem you wanted for the ring?" she asked, not realizing that the woman in front of her was the one with the moon amulet.

"Hrm..." Yugao thought for a second before nodding and smiling, "Orange and blue, two of each please, orange on the outside, blue on the inside." She reached up and absently rubbed on the chain of her necklace, finding amazement that Naruto would even know of chakra gems, let alone even ask for an amulet to be made with one.

"Alright sweetheart, it'll be a couple of years before this is made as pure silver takes time to make and chakra gems are just as hard to mine and cut. You did want pure silver, am I correct?" she asked, seeing her customer nod. "Alright, I'll send this request out to my runners and we'll contact you as soon as its done. Can I get your name dear?" she asked.

"Yugao Uzuki. Thank you so much." she said, bowing before leaving the shop. "I wonder what you're up to Naruto-kun."

Naruto stood in the backyard of his house, still surprised that he had a place to call home, even if it had been two years since he got the place. He grabbed a pronged kunai and threw it across the yard before teleporting to it, getting used to the jutsu his father left behind for him. He smiled at the thought of his father. He never had thought he had one before, but after his tenth birthday, he was glad he was proven wrong. He kept practicing the Hiraishin and kept teleporting from one spot in the backyard to another until he felt he had it mastered and perfected. He walked back inside and heard someone knock on the front door. He walked up and opened the door and saw Tenten, thankful he still had his mask on. "Hey Tenten, what brings you here?" he asked, standing in the doorway.

"I thought we could train a little and then maybe get some dinner." she said, smiling and blushing a little. "Please say yes, please say yes, please say yes."

Naruto smiled, "Sure. We can go to Ichiraku Ramen. I haven't seen Teuchi-sama in ages! Come on into the backyard, I was just about to start practicing." he answered, completely oblivious to Tenten's blush and forwardness at having a date with him. He lead the way to the backyard and grabbed his pronged kunai from the table on the porch and put it in his pack. He didn't want to give away all of his skills until he had to. "So what did you want to train in?"

"I was actually hoping we could spar against each other. No holding back like we had to in the Academy." Tenten said as she walked out into the middle of the yard.

Naruto shrugged as he sent out his chakra, sensing a jonin-level chakra signature atop his house. He already knew who it was without even turning around. "Always looking over me, huh Yugao-sensei?" He walked out to stand in front of Tenten. "Alright Tenten, whenever you're ready. Begin." He grinned as he pulled out a kunai to block three kunai that she had thrown at him. "You're quick with weapons, I forgot that." He thought to himself as he ducked a kick from Tenten, only to backflip as she brought her foot down where he had been standing. "You're good Tenten, but you're slow and sloppy. You'll never beat me like that."

"Just cause you were named Rookie of the Year doesn't mean I can't beat you." Tenten said as she grabbed a few shuriken and kunai, throwing them at her teammate with deadly speed, only for them to be blocked or dodged. "Damn him, he's fast. I just want to get one hit on him... just one." she thought to herself as she launched herself at him, throwing punch after punch and kick after kick, each blow getting blocked or dodged, until she was finally punched in the chest, making her lose her breath.

"I told you you were slow and sloppy. Now stand up and try again." he said as he helped Tenten up, only to be taken by surprise as she was helped up by him, before being pushed backwards, her hand holding a kunai to his throat.

"You really should pay attention to what Sasuke-kun says more. Don't underestimate your opponent and never let them off easy. Also, don't assume your opponent is down unless their no longer breathing or have a heartbeat." Tenten recited to him, remembering things that Sasuke and Iruka had taught or said to them during the Academy years.

"I could say the same to you Tenten." he spoke from behind her, bringing his sword to rest against the side of her neck, his clone poofing underneath her. "You shouldn't close your eyes when you throw your weapons, makes it too easy to perform jutsu. Anyway, I win." he said before he put away his sword. He looked up towards the roof of his house and saw his sensei sitting atop of it and knew she was probably smiling. "Now that training is over, you want to go get some Ichiraku Ramen?" he said smiling behind the mask. He couldn't wait to see Teuchi and Ayame again.

Tenten got up and nodded, "Sure!" "I'll finally get to see his face! He has to take off his mask to eat!" she thought to herself, while in her mind, she was grinning evilly and laughing at her cunning. It was practically her birthday today, a date and a chance to see his face, there wasn't anything that could make this day better. She walked with Menma out of the house and smiled as she walked with him to Ichiraku's.

"Menma-kun, mind if I have a moment with your friend here?" Yugao said as she showed up behind her bound friend and his teammate.

Naruto blushed and got a sweatdrop over his mask as he heard Yugao's voice, remembering that he had bound himself to her after giving her the silver necklace. "This should be an interesting couple of years. I wonder if she even wants to be bound to me." "Sure." Naruto said, walking onward. "I'll see you in a few minutes Tenten. I'll be at Ichiraku's." he said back towards Tenten. "I think I got lucky on that one."

The kyuubi grinned in his cage as he listened to his jailor's thoughts. "I'm going to enjoy seeing this woman making you squirm boy." he thought to himself before taking his nap.

"So, your name is Tenten huh?" Yugao said, looking down at the girl before her and giving her an eyeful as well as wondering what kind of woman she would grow up into, not that it would matter as she would soon be bound to Naruto once the ring was made and he turned sixteen.

"Yeah and you're Yugao. What of it?" Tenten said remembering her as the one who showed Menma the necklace she had and not enjoying that this woman was stopping her from being with her date for the night.

"No point of it, just to say this. If you hurt him in any way, I'll be sure to do everything I can to make sure you regret it." Yugao said before shunshin-ing off in a swirl of smoke.

Tenten stood there shocked at the threat she was just given. "Well that was weird. Oh well, Menma is going to be mine and noone elses." she thought before she ran over to Ichiraku's and found her date having already ordered and eating, though only the bottom part of his mask was lifted and she couldn't see any distinguishable features about him. "Why don't you take the mask off Menma-kun? Wouldn't it be easier to eat?" she asked, hoping he would comply.

"Maybe, but I don't want anyone to see my face." he replied as he continued to eat his ramen, giving Tenten a small smile.

"Well, he has a cute smile at least." "Why not? Afraid of what people may think about you?" she asked before having a bowl of miso ramen handed to her.

"As per Menma's request." Teuchi said, smiling at the boy. "Good to see you again Menma, you should come around more often."

Naruto nodded, "I'll try to Teuchi-sama." he responded before Teuchi walked away. "I'm not afraid of what people think of me, I just don't want to remove the mask. Simple as that." he said before continuing to eat his food.

Tenten sighed and frowned. She really wanted to see his face or at least something distinguishable about him. "Alright... I'll get you to take that mask off at some point." she said before grabbing some chopsticks and digging into the ramen, enjoying the date.

"We'll see about that." Naruto thought to himself, enjoying the ramen before him.