Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and its characters…except for my own created OCs.

AN: I forgot…. In the start of the anime, Itachi and Iruka are only supposed to be 17 and 25 respectively. Just a note: Since I don't want Iruka to seem too old for Itachi, I changed both their ages to 20 yrs old to fit my story better. So sorry for the mistake…

PS: Ignore the text inside the () for they are merely my comments.

PPS: The italicized words are flashbacks.

Tutor et Ultor

Formerly known as 'Shards of My Secret Unkempt'

By Paranoia-shoujo & lain-trigger01

Chapter 11 :: Strangers in Konoha

Yuurin was glaring at her. Ayako thought in wonder. She felt strangely bemused at the thought. It never crossed her mind to wonder why exactly the older nin was annoyed with her. It was of no consequence... unimportant, as Itachi would always say. Watching from the corner of her eye, she saw her teammates tense at the Hokage's entrance. ANBU were rarely called except for assassinations and espionage. She wondered... why exactly would the Sandaime call for her team specifically. It was their vacation, damnit. Glaring at the Hokage's desk, she forced herself to calm, no reason to blow up at the Hokage merely because of her annoyance at her own incompetence.

Feeling a probing glance on her person, she raised her head to see the Sandaime giving her a tired smile before saying, "The Chuunin exams would be starting in a week."

Frowning in confusion, Aya replied, "A week? But the... it was... Three weeks from now is its supposed start!"

Waving his hand in an effort to calm her, the Sandaime sighed. "A mistake has been made in the scrolls sent to the other villages. For that, the Council and I have decided to push it earlier."

A mistake like that was rather intriguing, Ayako surmised. The Hokage would not be so careless to let one pass as such. Briefly, she wondered if it was some ploy the Sandaime had cooked up. Ayako blinked out of her temporary stupor when the parting words of the Hokage reached her ears.

"... escort Sunagakure's team..."

...Sunagakure... that boy...

"Ayako-san?" Kyle prodded her. "Are you alright?"

Turning to stare at him, she sighed before whispering. "I will keep watch of them for now. Both of you, rest." That said, she left the room with light steps and a troubled mind.

Naruto couldn't help but glare at Sasuke. Even he was perplexed at his own behavior. For some unknown reason, he dreadfully disliked being near his pale teammate. Kyuubi was unstable whenever he was near him. Even the nine-tails' annoyance at the pink haired leech, that was making his mission harder, had never been this strong. Turning to stare at the empty space opposite of Sasuke, he sighed. Ever since the other day, he'd been feeling perturbed... and the feeling that he was experiencing right now likened to it... only now it centered on his charge. Of all people... The thought was pushed aside when he felt Kakashi-san's chakra approaching.

"Yashaku! Ohayou... I got lost today!"

"USO!!!" Both Naruto and Sakura shouted out as Sasuke scowled in annoyance. Seeing as nothing extraordinary was happening, he let himself go autopilot. It seems as if the whole debacle was something ingrained in him already. Everything went as usual. He went on as idiotic as he could. It was during their mission of cleaning the river that everything went downhill.

Slipping on a wet stone, Naruto was swept by the current. As he was slowly being washed towards the waterfalls, the thought of saving himself briefly crossed his mind. Remembering though the fact that he was supposed to be a bakayarou, he screamed out for help, wondering within himself why he wished for that pale Uchiha to save him.

He felt a prickle of fear as he awaited his imminent fall when he felt himself stop. Looking up, he saw Sasuke holding him by foot. The errant thought of Haku's words flashed through his mind as he was slowly pulled up by the quiet boy. '...How jealous would he be, I wonder? Especially if I feed you, Naru-chan? That pale teammate of yours...'

"Moron."

Faintly, Naruto wondered what Sasuke would say if he knew the truth. Would he still be as arrogant as he is now?/ ... Would be still save me from all kinds of danger... I wonder.../

"...usurontokachi.(?) If you want me to stop making you look bad... then just surpass me..."

It was nearing the end of their mission when he noticed Kakashi looking above. Forming a minor kage-bunshin a small distance away, he ordered it to see what exactly caught his sensei's attention. Learning of the appearance of the Hokage's messenger-bird, he let out a sigh of relief. Finally...

"Well then," Kakashi started, "how about calling it a day?" From the corner of his eye, he noted that Sakura had turned to Kakashi as if to emphasize that she was listening. "I have to go submit this mission report..."

Looking towards Haruno Sakura, he noted that their tradition of goodbyes had already started. He let all of this pass until his turn. Crinkling his eyes to form his fox smile, he told her. "Saa, forget Sasuke! Let's train together." Hearing Kakashi's exit, he smirked inside. For appearances sake, as well as his newfound audience, he turned as if surprised.

Feeling the trio's chakra, he waited until they had covered a bit more distance to stand just behind him before he acknowledged them. It amused him to no end that Konohamaru, the child he used to watch over, without Ebisu's knowledge, was now following him like a loyal puppy... and bringing two others as well. Running a few before stopping, he noted that they were quite diligent in their chase. This is going to be fun...

...Or maybe not... It was minutes after the trio's introduction, all was going well if not for the careless comment that the brats waved about Sakura being his girlfriend. He would've cleared it up if not for the fact that he was supposed to have a crush on her.

She would've been stronger as a nin... He thought as they ran away from her. ...if only she wasn't so obsessed with Sasuke...

Ayako, wearing her ANBU mask, was watching the two siblings with a bit of boredom. The two were walking around the village... just plain walking really. She wouldn't have ben bothered by this if not for the fact that they were making rounds on places that were secluded. She was about to stifle a yawn when a familiar chakra roused her.

Watching keenly the two, she noted that Naruto's character may be in danger now. His pink haired teammate was obviously afraid of the painted nin's face, and if Naruto did not act quickly, Konohamaru-kun may get hurt. But it would be bad if all our hard work was wasted because of these foreigners... She was about to come out of her hiding when a flying rock hit the boy's painted face. Looking towards the tree from which it came, she was pleased to see that it was the Uchiha which had appeared.

"What are you bastards doing in our village?" Hearing his words, she fought hard to suppress her giggles. He was just like Itachi! She was about to go into fangirl mode when a wisp of chakra brushed her senses. Looking towards the tree from which Sasuke was situated, she held back a gasp. That boy...

Naruto stared in amazement. The stirrings of the Kyuubi's chakra washed over him in silence. He remembered the note Ayako gave him when she'd returned... he was here... the jinchuuriki of Suna... He was about to open his mouth to speak when the trickle of another presence alerted him... Another bijuu...

Nibi... The thought entered his mind, or rather more appropriate to say that Kyuubi had supplied the information. A nekomata...

Watching the redhead, he noticed that his eyes lingered a bit on Sasuke and frowned

Why is he staring at Sasuke? And where did that bijuu's presence originate from?

So Gaara is his name...And they are afraid of him...

Ayako frowned at the thought. They are siblings, why would they be afraid of him?

"... to you guys..."

She had missed his words, briefly she wondered what they were before listening closely to his next words.

"...Sabaku no Gaara... and you are? Your name?"

"It's Uchiha Sasuke."

Turning to leave, Gaara paused before saying. "And you? The one in orange? Who are you?"

Ayako was surprised to feel him leak out chakra when he asked her otouto. "Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto."

She watched him walk away from the group as if unconcerned. She wondered though. Naruto had not showed any skills, why would he be interested? Shrugging, she set out to follow the siblings... not noticing the narrowing of Gaara's pale green eyes.

12345678987654321
AN: To all those who've read this, I'd be very grateful if you'd help me think up a few more ideas for the chapters. Although i've some. I'd greatly appreciate suggestions and comments. Thank you for reading.

AN2: To all those who've reviewed, thank you... I hope you continue reading my fics.

AN3: 'Tutor et Ultor' means 'Protector and Avenger'