The Backside of the Rose

Golden Warrior

Whoa, LONG wait for this chapter XD So sorry to keep you waiting. Here it is now. I'm going to change the genre to general; the depression thing was rubbing off on me.

And, without further wait, here's the next chapter

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Ch. 3

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Iruka faked-coughed, which got each child's attention.

With a slight giggle, he began, "I bet you're all ready to know why I've brought you here." There were nearly one-hundred children packed in.

"Of course" many kids nodded at Sakura's very obvious statement.

"Ah, well, you'll be happy to hear that you've been hand-picked by our most elite ninjas, pooling from the jounins, the ANBU, and the Hokage-"

"Huh?!" Naruto exclaimed

"Naruto, please let me finish" Iruka reprimanded

"Fine", Naruto replied, groaning.

"Anyway, you've been hand-picked by our elite ninja, to become the next generations' genin, or in-training ninja."

Most kids were staring awe-struck; one even cried.

"Now, there are ninety-nine of you here, exactly, so there will be thirty-three teachers. Each of you will be teamed up with two other kids. Teams of three and an instructor will form to complete missions, which you will be paid due to completion."

Most kids nodded, or replied, 'All right'

"So, I will list off the teams…"

"TEAM SEVEN!"

This woke up Shikamaru and Naruto from their wonderful naptime-experience.

"Naruto Uzumaki!"

Naruto almost fell out of his seat

"Sasuke Uchiha!"

Sasuke groaned at this.

"And, Sakura Haruno!"

Well, Sakura was split, so she nodded, feeling happy to be with Sasuke, yet terrified to be with Naruto.

The rest of the teams were called off, and Iruka instructed them to wait for their sensei to arrive with them. They were not informed of their teacher, though. So, much later after each team left, a man finally stepped in, and asked,

"Are you team seven?"

Naruto blinked, and replied with a casual "Yeah".

"I'm Kakashi Hatake, your instructor", the new man grinned.

"Dammit! About time you showed up!" Naruto yelled out.

"Sorry. See I was busy looking for a home for a mouse I found in my condo this morning, an--"

He was cut off by a fuming Naruto.

"--And save it, punk! You made us wait here for hours, so you could find a home for a stinking… rat?"

Kakashi sweat-dropped as he rubbed his head and nodded, which made the others fall over.

"Right then…" Kakashi resumed with a cough. "I'd like to learn about you guys. What're your names, hobbies, ect. You can go first, over there with the green eyes" Kakashi finished. Naruto raised an eyebrow in annoyance.

'What a punk…'

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About 7:00 P.M. at night, it was now. The foursome was huddling around a campfire and tents, just by the west gate of Konohagakure.

"I'm Sakura Haruno. I really like to impress my parents with my grades. Being a ninja is something I really want to take seriously, so I don't accept a failure, no matter how deep or shallow the failure was."

Sasuke and Naruto grinned, 'That's my Sakura-chan' they each thought.

"I dream of becoming an excellent medical ninja, much like Tsunade. I think what really bothers me are people who don't care at all about what they do, and sit around like someone will bail them out eventually. I also like Tai food. But, I didn't mention what I really like…"

Naruto and Kakashi raised a brow, while Sasuke groaned.

"It's…um… I really like Sasuke."

Naruto's head fell mentally, and Sasuke mentally pumped a fist.

"Thank you Sakura, now let's have this one tell us about him"

Knowing he was referred to by Kakashi, Sasuke began, "Right then. I'm Sasuke Uchiha. I'm really interested in reading mystery novels, and taking walks is something I do for a hobby. I'm fond of tomatoes in my food, and also seafood and taking a few hooks on my punching bag is something I do to cool off some steam.

The others nodded in approval, waiting for him to continue.

"My goal is to fully develop my extended family's hereditary-technique, the Sharingan. I want to be just like my brother, Itachi nii-san. Strong, handsome, and a real funny man. He's something I'd love to be"

Kakashi thought about it for a minute…

"What's a Sharingan?" Naruto asked

"It's a dojustsu, or eye-technique. In Sasuke's family's case, it's hereditary, so all of his family, or clan, has the ability to unlock the Sharingan from within." Kakashi told them. "What a Sharingan does though, is a mystery for another day."

"And I really hate loud-mouthed kids who talk shit all the time. Especially when they're really just a coward", Sasuke teased Naruto.

"Hey! You watch it, bastard!"

"What's the matter, dead-last?"

"That's enough!" Sakura yelled, and slapped them each.

Now it was Kakashi's turn to sweat-drop. After the three were finished messing around, Kakashi signaled Naruto to begin.

"My name's Naruto Uzumaki." He paused for a moment, to think about what to say.

"I like food, it's really something I can talk about forever… I also really like my friends, because they're always out to help me succeed and become closer to my goals."

"Hmm? What kind of goals do you have?" Kakashi quirked.

"Oh! I've got a few." Naruto piped up, with a large grin.

Sakura and Sasuke blinked at this

"Yeah, I really want to marry a beautiful and kind woman, someone who'd never forget me, or forsake me. And they'd really be an awesome cook, and maybe a great ninja." Naruto giggled.

Sakura groaned, and slapped him again.

"What the hell is that all about? You're not someone to talk like that!" she exclaimed.

"Hehe, you've got some nerve, Sakura" Sasuke laughed. 'If only she knew…'

"Now, let's have him finish, please" Kakashi reminded them.

"Thanks", Naruto started, "My other goal, is something I really don't share with people often, it's something people don't really tell me they want to be either. I… I want to be our next Hokage."

'Wow, such high limits for himself, yet he's from such a terrible place, and he acts like he was never there, or he just has unlimited perseverance... Sounds a lot like you and your student, Gai…' Kakashi thought to himself.

"I also have one more thing to say." Naruto said in a calm, serene tone.

This caught everyone's attention, and Naruto then poked the fire with a nearby stick, a behavior to help him procrastinate saying what he needed to say next.

"I um--"Naruto was cut off.

"It's alright Naruto" Kakashi gave him a very friendly look, and Naruto really thought he had known his secret.

"Secret's out, I guess." He laughed. "Anyway…I…"

Sakura and Sasuke looked at each other, and then at Naruto. "Come on, let's here it" Sasuke replied.

"…Remember the story of how the wonderful Fourth Hokage died?" Naruto asked

"Yeah, he sacrificed himself to send The Kyuubi into a seal of a newborn baby. It was…about 13 years ago, right?" Sasuke asked

"Yeah. But there's more to that." Naruto replied.

Sasuke gave him a look like he still didn't know what he meant, which was replaced by wide eyes and a slight shake…

"…You're not…that child…are you?" Sasuke asked

"Bingo" Naruto said softly, with a sad smile.

Sakura and Sasuke looked wide eyed at Naruto. This was the three-time genin exam failure, the one with no potential in anything, no bloodline limits or jutsus, or anything.

But, here he was, with a major demon of the highest rank sitting inside his stomach? This was a lot for the children to comprehend, although Kakashi seemed to take it…quite well, the two others noticed.

"So, that's all I've been told" Naruto explained. "Nothing else, though."

"Right then, it's almost 11:00, so I suggest you guys get some rest. Tomorrow starts boot-camp"

"WHAT?!" the young trio screamed

"Boot camp" Kakashi repeated.

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Once Naruto crawled into his tent, he settled down, and fell asleep in his sleeping bag.

"Hey" Naruto called out, knowing Kakashi was there.

"Hey" Kakashi replied.

A small silence followed, and Kakashi finally broke the silence.

"That was very brave of you to confess your secret, Naruto. I really respect you for doing that."

"Thanks, Kakashi-sensei." Naruto replied, with a yawn. It was late, now.

"I need rest, we've got a long day tomorrow, right?" Naruto asked

"Yup" Kakashi told him

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Fin

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Yup, chapter 4's all finished. R&R (read and review) is greatly appreciated. I'll try to get chapter 5 up a.s.a.p.

Peace out

Golden Warrior