Author: Nothing new, only that the fanfic may be coming out faster. Due to the fact that I'm now on summer break
Disclaimer: I don not own Naruto.
Enjoy the fic.
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Just a small journey.
It had been over a week since Naruto returned to the village and one hell of a week it was. First off, Ayame had yelled at him after the fight with Sasuke for not coming to see her first, while Neji just looked at him with pity. He had gone through this crap more than once. After that he had in interesting meeting with Tsunade, Yugao, and Shizune. All three of them tackling him to the ground in a bone crushing hug, which was actually literally possible due to their strength, in a very public place. Most guys looked at Naruto in shock. I mean come on, It's not every day that your tackled to the ground in a bone crushing hug by three of the hottest girls in the village. It that were true, we'd all be in heav- .
Moving on, Naruto then went to see Iruka, who was busy talking with one of the women in the village. Her name was Kurenai...or that's what Naruto thought. Of course when Kurenai watched Naruto come over to Iruka and see him after so long, she was happy for Iruka, But when she saw the whisker marks, well...she had second thoughts. That was until Hinata showed up, with a smile on her face, which actually surprised Kurenai, since she didn't smile all to much. When Kurenai noticed who Hinata smiled at, she decided to give him a chance.
Naruto also went over to see another Anbu he knew, which made her somewhat happy. Hana wasn't one to get over exited ( neither were her dogs ), but she still would give the guy a hug and be glad he was back. Since he was pretty much the source of life in the village. Now at this point, with Mikoto, Shizune, Tsunade, Ayame, Yugao, Hinata, and Hana, possibly more, as some of his closet friends, some people would think that Naruto was one lucky bastard. Hell, I sure know I do... Anyway, for what Naruto was doing at the moment...
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Naruto was currently heading over to the assigned meeting place of his new team. Of course he knew that kakshi was the leader so he came a couple hours late. He had barely gotten to know the people on his team at all, only that they were trained by his grandparents and, that Sasuke and Sakura did not receive one of the family summoning contracts. Nope, the frogs and slugs went straight to Naruto. The seal for frogs on his left hands palm and the seal of slugs right on his chest.( Which explain why Tsunade always wore shirts that exposed a good portion of her chest.) It was a good thing he decided to were bandages around his hands, or else Sasuke would get pissed...again.
Naruto sighed, ever since he beat the shit out of Sasuke without trying, the guy had been challenging him to a fight. What he failed to understand is that Naruto wasn't really interested in fighting at all, only in pushing himself beyond his limits to test himself and if he became stronger because of it, that was only a side affect. Naruto in general wanted to have a nice peaceful life, but do to some 'circumstances'he was forced to continue fighting.
Naruto continued to walk the streets of Konoha ignoring the cold stares he was receiving from the older generation and enjoying the nice breeze that was passing by. Just like when he was younger. When Naruto arrived at where he was suppose to meet his team, he took in the surroundings. It wasn't much, just an open area with three logs planted in the ground and a forest behind it. Naruto just stared at the logs for a couple of moments, before he pulled out a kunai and defected a wave of shurekin and kunai that where aimed at him. He then moved his kunai to his right, with the kunai sideways.
" You know, I never was one for surprise's." Naruto said, as Sasuke looked at him with a glare. Before glancing at the kunai, which was being pressed against his throat. A second later two bunshin's appeared on the scene, one having Sakura over it's shoulder. The Clone put her down, as both of them disappeared. Naruto then put his kunai back into his holder, while he walked over to the shurekin and kunai that were used to attack him earlier. He then started to examine them.
" I see you went with the kunai made for assassinations. Faster then normal and made to make zero sound. They also break easier. It has a nice structural build, but they could be better." Naruto stated, as Sasuke looked at the kunai.
" It's a piece of crap, the kunai doesn't even work properly." Sasuke's eye's widened as a red cut appeared on his right cheek.
" Oh, they work perfectly Sasuke-kun. I should know since I designed them after all." Before Sasuke could ask, in a large poof of smoke, Kakashi appeared right before them. His book in hand.
" Yo." Kakashi said, as he continued to read his book, while Sakura pointed at him accusingly.
" Your LATE!" Sakura yelled, as Naruto yawned.
" Yes Sakura-chan, that was apparent a couple of hours ago." Naruto said, as Sakura glared at him. Naruto turned his attention towards Kakashi. " So what are we doing today?" Naruto asked, as Kakashi pulled out a piece of paper.
" By orders of the Hokage, we are to go on a C-class mission to be become better actuated with are new member before the jounin exams. We are to escort man known as Tazuna to wave country and protect him as he finishes construction on the countries new bridge. " and with that, the Paper exploded in a burst of flames, as Kakashi yawned.
" You have two hours before the start of the mission. We'll meet at the eastern gate." Sasuke and Sakura nodded, as they headed home, but not before sending a glare at Naruto as they left. Naruto sighed.
"Maybe you should have let them win that little skirmish." Kakashi said, as he continued to read his book.
"No, I'm here to knock their ego's down a few pegs, not let it rise. Being trained by Sennins doesn't mean that you're the most powerful being on the plant and they have to learn that...the hard way."Naruto said.
" Oh well, by the way can you visit Rin some time soon, you know, BEFORE she finds out you're here." Kakashi said, as he looked at Naruto with pleading eyes...or eye since one was covered by his fore head protector. You seriously did not want to get on Rin's bad side, Kakashi knew that to be a fact. That's why when ever he meet her at some place, he was ALWAYS on time. Not even the Hokage's wife could get that kind of results.
" I'll think about it." Naruto turned around and faded out of sight, as Kakashi went in the other direction, hoping to god that he would visit Rin soon...
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Naruto continued to walk down the streets of Konoha, as he headed towards the eastern gate. He was always prepared for a mission, with his scrolls carrying everything he needed. Though it would be a bitch of a mission if he lost some though. That's why instead of going to the apartment that he shared with two of his closest friends and students, he found a nice bench in the park and patched up his scroll holders on his belt. When Naruto was done, he had a good 15 minutes to make it to the gate, plenty of time.
As Naruto was arriving at the gate, he saw Sakura chatting with Tazuna, while Sasuke was leaning backwards against the wall next to the gate. Kakashi had still yet to arrive. Naruto formed a few seal's, as he bit his thum and lightly tapped the ground.
" Kyuichose no jutsu." Naruto whispered, as a small creature appeared in a puff of smoke. The creature was extremely odd looking. It's head, arms, hands, legs, feet, and tail all resembled that of a raccoons, but it's body looked like...a tea kettle.
" Hello Naruto-sama, what can I do for you today?" Asked the raccoon looking creature. Naruto just smiled at the creature.
" Hello Ketoru-kun. I would like you to fetch Hayate Kakashi, he's about to be late for are meeting." Ketoru held out his left paw, as Naruto pulled out a cookie and snapped it in half. Handing a pierce to Ketoru, who looked up at him confusedly.
" Half now, half later. I really need you to hurry." Naruto said, as Ketoru nodded.
" Yah, I understand. Should I have his wife help me?" Ketoru asked, as Naruto thought about it.
"If it can get faster result's, then yes please." With that, Ketoru ran off towards Kakashi house, intent on earning the other half of the cookie. Naruto sighed, as he began to make his presence know to the group. Naruto had a foxy smile on his face as he greeted Tazuna.
" Hello Tazuna-sama, How have you been?" Tazuna, turned around to Naruto with a big smile on his face.
" Holy shit, Naruto. Is that really you? you've...grown."Tazuna said, as he looked at Naruto.
"Yes I have, How are Inari and Tsunami." Naruto asked Tazuna, while he just laughed his ass off.
" Something wrong?"
" No, it's nothing, I'm just remembering all of Inari's failed attempt's at learning from your scrolls!" Tazuna said, as he wiped away a tear. Naruto sighed.
" He tried to skip to the advanced techniques didn't he?" Naruto asked, as Tazuna could only nod.
" Tsunami's been doing great, she hasn't changed much though. Probably just's missed you being around. If only she where ten year's younger..." Tazuna thought, as Naruto looked at him with a frown.
" Your not still trying to set me up with your daughter are you?" Naruto asked, as Tazuna just looked at him with a serious face.
" It could work, She is, after all, only 24 year's old. Sure there's a little bit of an age difference, but that's never stopped people before!" Tazuna said, as Naruto just shook his head.
" Um...excuse me, you to know each other?"asked Sakura, as she and Sasuke stared at Naruto in disbelief. Naruto turned his attention towards them.
" You...could say that." Naruto replied, as Tazuna glancing around the area. Naruto noticed this. " Tazuna-kun, what are you looking for? " Naruto asked, as Tazuna turned towards him.
" Isn't your jounin instructor suppose to be here by now?" Tazuna asked, as Naruto only shrugged. A second later, Kakashi appeared in a cloud of smoke. His face was covered in scratch marks.
" Hello Kakashi-kun. It seem's Ketoru-kun finally found you. Now that you're here we can begin the mission." Naruto said, as he headed out of the eastern gates, Tazuna following behind him. Sakura and Sasuke looked at their sensei, before looking at each other and heading out of the gate as well. Kakashi, through all of this, had just pointed towards his face.
" What do you mean Ketoru? Rin-chan did this..."
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It had been a long walk for Naruto. Sakura was constantly asking Sasuke out, while Kakashi's perverted giggling could be heard from the back of the group. Tazuna decided to give Naruto a break and NOT start a conversation, not right now anyway. After about six hours of constant walking they decided that it was good enough and headed in for the night. Currently, they were putting up their tent's while Naruto just watched them with mild interest.
" Hey Naruto-kun, don't you have a tent to set up?" asked Sakura, as she finished setting up her pink tent. Sasuke had just about finished setting up his, while Kakashi was watching them set up their tents from the outside of his black one. While this was happening, Tazuna nor Naruto had pulled out a thing. Naruto just shrugged.
" I don't really need one really, I just like being in the presence of nature at all time's." As if by a stroke of luck it started to rain. Naruto yawned as he turned in the opposite direction. " Well, good night." Naruto walked a bit further, until he was at a large clearing. At that point he started to form some seals.
" Shichuu-tou no jutsu."( I think I used the correct name...if I didn't, fuck it then. I'm not in a good mood.) Naruto said, as four large wooden pillars shot out of the ground, while piece's of would started to shot out from the pillars and form walls. In less then a minute, a HUGE two story house was right in front of the group of tent's Naruto looked back at them.
" Your free to come in if you want." And with that, Naruto and Tazuna walked into the building.
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The group of nin were soon within the house, as they once again put up their tents. They my have been inside the house, but they still wanted privacy. The group were sitting around a camp fire in the house, while they were cooking some very stale rations in an attempt to get them to taste a little better. Well at least they would be if Sasuke wasn't arguing with Naruto.
"Now, now, Sasuke-kun, is that really something you should say to people?" Naruto said, as the anger from Sasuke was clearly visible on his face.
" It's true you bastard! You go around acting all badass and shit, you don't even have a rank. Your nothing but a wannabe shinobi!" Sasuke stated, as Naruto looked at him lazily.
" First I'm a bastard, now I'm a wannabe. Please make up your mind." Naruto replied, as he got into a comfortable position on the floor next to the fire.
" What I'm saying is that if you don't even have a rank, then you can't be a nin!" Sasuke shouted as Naruto just sighed.
" Missing-nin are nin, aren't they?" Naruto asked, as Sasuke getting overly frustrated at Naruto's calm manner and pulled out a kunai. He began to charge at Naruto, who just sat there. Just as he was about to reach Naruto, a black blue appeared in front of him and grabbed his wrist.
"Sasuke-kun, I think you should go for a walk. to clear your head." Kakashi said, as he glared down at Sasuke. When Kakashi released Sasuke's wrist a second later, he glared at Naruto, before putting his kunai away and walking out the door, mumbling "Whatever."on his way out. Kakashi sighed, as he walked towards the fire and sat down. Naruto looked up at him.
" So why is he so uptight about being better then me anyway." asked Naruto, as Sakura's eye's just wavered a bit, while Kakashi took in a deep breath.
" It has something to do...with the team member you replaced..."
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Author: Don't expect some big flash back next chapter, just a short summary, that's it. I have something else in mind.Please read and review.