AN: Hello again everybody! Thanks so much for all the positive responses, I know some or most of you are disappointed in me rewriting this but hey it needed to be done. So anyway I guessed some of my past readers noticed that there wasn't much change in the first chapter then before it was rewritten. This is because most of the big changes wont happen till around midway from where we last stopped (After Wave if any of you are curious). For now it's just minor changes that will help explaining the story a little easier then last time. So without further waste, enjoy the read!
Dream Killer
"So yeah, I saved my teacher, got myself a new power and arrested all in the same night." Naruto tried his best to keep a straight face while the driver just stared at him like he was some kind of alien.
"Kid, unless you got some proof I'm just going to assume your some kind of lunatic and is actually trying to kidnap that girl you got there." The blonde let out a smile of amusement before lifting up his gloved right hand. The mark underneath gave of a brief glow but it was enough to prove his point.
"… Alright kid you got me, just give me some time to let this all settle in." Naruto merely gave a nod in response. Movement from his side brought his attention to the now awake sleeping beauty.
"Naruto… how long was I asleep?"
"Not too long, a couple of hours at best."
"Felt much longer then that kid. Mornin' there missy, how's your nap?"
"… It was warm." Her words caused the old man to guffaw in laughter and Naruto to blush in embarrassment.
"Inori, how many times must I tell you to choose your words properly?"
"But you really are warm."
"… I give up."
"Buhahahahaha! Where did you meet this girl kid?!"
"Oh shut up old man I'm getting to that." Inori turned to Naruto, her face telling him to explain what was going on.
"I'm just telling the old man here about how we got ourselves all the way out here."
"All I needed was a reason, but prince charming over here decides to tell me his whole life story."
"You won't get what's going on until I explain from the beginning right? So stop complaining old man."
"Alright, alright, kid's these days have no respect for their elders."
"So where are you now?" asked Inori.
"Right about when I first got this." The blonde held up his right hand for her to see.
"So it's around when we first met."
"Bet it was love at first sight huh kids?" Both teens looked to each other, a small blush spread across Inori's face while Naruto gave off an uneasy grin.
"Yeah, love at first sight alright."
"So… Let me get this straight. After dinner you went to take a walk to clear up your head when you suddenly felt a chakra signature not far from your location so you decided to check who it was. You managed to track down the source which turned out to be Mizuki who managed to surprise you from behind. Then Umino-san came in and defended you which resulted in multiple injuries from a Mizu Bunshin (Water Clone) that you managed to take down. When Mizuki provoked you some more you suddenly gained this new power that lets you take out a weapon from Mizuki's body. Then the ANBU came, am I right so far?"
Naruto rolled his eyes at the man in front of him, "Yeah that's what happened, I told you like three times already."
"Yeah well I already knew beforehand actually."
"Then why did you make me repeat myself?!"
"Just making sure." Minato chuckled in amusement as his son started to fume about stupid and deaf hokage's.
After the fight with Mizuki, Naruto was escorted to the hokage tower where his father waited for him while Iruka was sent to the hospital for treatment. The clawed gauntlet that Naruto extracted from Mizuki had already disintegrated into silver threads that travelled back into the traitor. Naruto had to hold back from laughing at the surprised reactions of the ANBU, not that he could actually see it what with those damned masks. Now we find our hero sitting opposite of his father, retelling the events that happened in the forest.
"Uh… so can I go now?"
"Net yet Naruto, you still have yet to show me your new power."
Naruto grew a bit nervous at that, truth be told he actually didn't know how to activate show his new power. Minato sensing his growing discomfort at the question, ordered the ANBU out of the room so that father and son could talk in private. When they were finally alone Minato let loose a tired sigh, "Why isn't anything easy with you Naruto?"
"…"
"We're alone now Naruto, you don't need to act so guarded with me."
"It's the fact that we're alone that's making uncomfortable Hokage-sama."
"Look Naruto, I know we've discussed this many times before but just because your mother and I favoured Haruka over you doesn't mean we don't care about you. The reason is because-"
"I know the reason. It's because she's a jinchuuriki. You wanted her to be strong so that people won't start targeting her like when we were kids. Still doesn't excuse you guys for leaving me alone."
"….. I'm not denying it. I was worried about her. Your mother didn't exactly have the greatest childhood so I didn't want it happening to her. Guess that in all my genius wisdom I completely forgot about you."
"Gee you think?" Ouch, now that got to hurt.
"… You really don't know how to pull back on your punches huh?"
"What can I say; growing up alone makes you see things in a different light. Plus we're alone; I don't need to hold myself back."
"Be that as it may it still doesn't excuse you from letting me know about your new powers. It could be dangerous Naruto. Don't make me make it into an order soldier."
"And I would tell you Hokage-sama if I even know what that power is in the first place."
"You mean to tell me you don't know?"
"Not a clue."
Minato had to sigh at the boy's attitude, "Then try to activate it again."
"If I didn't know what my power is what makes you think I know how to activate it?"
"You did it once before you can do it again. Now try."
Naruto sent his father a glare before looking down at the back of his right hand. The King's mark stared back at him as he started to concentrate on activating it. He continued concentrating until his patients grew thin.
"Argh god damn it, do something already!"
"Naruto calm down and focus."
"What do you think I've been doing?! This thing just doesn't want to do anything!"
"You can't do anything without first calming down! A ninja must always keep his cool no matter the situation."
The two stared into each other's eyes, one glaring the other calm. A second later light began to appear under Naruto's feet as a blue magic circle materialized. A circle of light had also appeared on Minato's chest similar to what happened to Mizuki before.
"What the hell?!" Naruto had to stop the sudden urge to thrust his hand into his father's chest. When the two broke eye contact, the light disappeared from both of them. Minato touched his chest, specifically above his heart where the light had suddenly appeared. A smirk formed on his lips as realization dawned on his face.
"Naruto, Look into my eyes and concentrate again." Naruto looked at him with a single eyebrow raised in confusion before complying with the man's order. The second he started concentrating the light form before appeared again on his father's chest.
"Good, now look away." When he did that the light disappeared.
"Looks like your power activates on eye contact."
"You mean I have to stare the guy in the eyes before I can use it?"
"Not quite, try looking between my eyebrows." He complied and the same process repeated itself.
"Ok, I think I get it now. Your power doesn't actually require you to make eye contact but it requires the recipient to believe you're making eye contact with them." Minato got up from his chair, walked up to Naruto before placing a hand on his shoulder. Naruto looked up at him in confusion.
"What are you doing?"
"We're gonna go take a short cut."
"A short cut to where?"
"Someplace genin like you aren't suppose to have clearance for." With a quick hand seal both father and son disappeared in a swirl of leaves. Minato had to steady Naruto as they appeared in a hallway after the sudden Shunshin(Body Flicker). Naruto glared at his father as his head swirled from the effects of the jutsu.
"Next time warn me when you're about to do something like that." Minato smiled cheekily in amusement as he ruffled Naruto's hair to which the boy swatted his hand away in annoyance. Minato led Naruto to a room where a few shinobi sat or stood facing a window that what he had to guess lead to another room. Their black uniforms showed they were part of Konoha's Torture and Interrogation Force. The shinobi stood up straight and saluted their Hokage when they realized he was there.
"Yondaime-sama!"
"At ease everyone. How goes the prisoner?"
"It's almost over Yondaime-sama, Ibiki-taichou just finished squeezing Mizuki of all the information he could give and then some." As the man finished his sentence the door to the other room opened to an intimidating man who had multiple long scars over his face. The scarred man turned and saluted Minato like the others did.
"Hokage-sama, it's a pleasure to see you on this fine night. You saved me the time to find and report to you on my findings."
"Not right now Ibiki-kun, I need to borrow Mizuki for a second. Your report can wait." Ibiki raised an eyebrow at that before he noticed an additional 'shorter' presence in the room.
"Hokage-sama if I may, why is your son here?"
"He's the main reason I need to borrow Mizuki. If you want to know more you're just gonna have to wait and see." Naruto started to sweat a bit when all the other occupants of the room turned their attention to him.
"Heheh uh…. What's up everybody?"
"….."
"Come on Naruto."
"Right behind you." When Naruto entered the other room he blanched at the unpleasant stench in the air.
"Ugh shit it smells of piss in here."
"That's because it is piss." Naruto turned in surprise as he saw Mizuki tied up in a chair with his head hung low. He looked haggard and his pants was stained in what he guessed was his own urine.
"Damn Mizuki-teme what did they do to you?" Mizuki abruptly brought his head up as he recognized that voice, how could he not when it was the reason he was here in the first place.
"YOU! YOU SON OF A BITCH I'M GONNA KILL YOU WHEN I GET OUT OF HERE. I SWEAR I'M GONNA TURN YOU INTO SHIT AND MAKE YOU WATCH AS I KILL YOUR FAMILY URGH!"
Mizuki had to gasp for breath as the pressure in the room suddenly increased to unbearable levels. That's when he realized the other occupant in the room.
"Y-YONDAIME-SAMA!"
"Good evening Mizuki, this is just gonna take a few minutes but I'm gonna need a bit of your… cooperation. Can you do that for me?" Mizuki shook his head up and down so fast Naruto thought his head was about to fall off.
"Good, now look my son in the eye." When Mizuki looked at him Naruto had to bite back a laugh at how scared the man looked before he realized why his father wanted him here. The circle of light appeared again as Naruto activated his power. Mizuki cringed back as the blond approached him with his arm raised like a man ready to execute him.
"W-What are you doing?! S-Stay back! I TAKE BACK ALL I SAID ABOUT KILLING YOU FAMILY JUST DO-UUUAAARRRGHHH!"
It was too late as Naruto shoved his hand in the man's chest for the second time that night before taking out the clawed gauntlet from before. The shinobi in the other room looked through the window in awe at the whole display.
"Holy Shit!"
"Did you guys just see that?!"
"Is that a new bloodline limit?"
Naruto looked at the unconscious Mizuki then at the gauntlet in his hand before turning to his dad.
"That's good Naruto. You can put that back, were done here."
"Ok but how do I do that?"
"You mean you don't know how to put it back in? How did you do it before?"
"Um… I just didn't think about and it just upped and disappeared on me."
"Ok then try to concentrate on putting it back."
He did that and a second later the gauntlet started to disintegrate into silver threads before it entered back into Mizuki. When the process was over Mizuki woke up again.
"Huh? What? What did you do to me?!"
Everyone looked at Mizuki in confusion, "You mean you don't know what happened?"
"A-All I remembered was looking at you in the eye before everything blacked out."
Minato looked him in the eye and saw he was telling the truth before nodding, "Alright, Naruto we're done here. Let's go."
When the two exited the room they were greeted with the sight of the interrogation team looking at Naruto in wonder.
"Hey kid how did you do that?"
"Yeah was that some kind of bloodline limit?"
"Can Hokage-sama do that too?"
A loud cough from Ibiki reminded them of their manners before they apologized to both father and son. Ibiki turned to address his leader after giving each of his subordinates a subtle glare.
"Hokage-sama, the weapon your son pulled out from Mizuki was similar to the weapon described by one of the ANBU that brought the traitor here. His relapse of memory from whatever your son did when he placed it back confirmed Mizuki's loss of memory during his capture. If I may ask, what just happened?"
Minato sent an amused smile at his top interrogator, "What you all just saw was a power awakened in Naruto when he and Umino Iruka tracked down and subdued Mizuki. There isn't much I can tell you but what I know is that this power gives the user the ability to extract weapons from a person's body. When the weapon is drawn out the recipient is knocked unconscious and when it is placed back that person will lose all memory of the event. That is all I can say as of now."
Ibiki and his team nodded, their curiosity sated. Minato turned to address his son, "Naruto, can you wait outside. I need to discuss some things with Ibiki-kun and the others."
Naruto gave his father a look before complying with his orders. When the door closed behind his son Minato turned to Ibiki, "I want your report handed to me early tomorrow. Torture Mizuki a bit more before disposing him. Try not to spread rumours about Naruto's new power. Understood?"
"Hai, Hokage-sama!"
When Minato got back to Naruto he shunshined the both of them back to his office.
"Well, this has been one heck of a night right Naruto?"
"… You know what this power is don't you?"
"... Looks like you caught on to me. You're pretty perceptive when you want to be Naruto."
Naruto turned away from the man, "It wasn't that hard, you were too excepting of the situation anyway. You weren't trying to hide the fact in the first place."
"Or isn't it just that I trust my son?"
Naruto's cheeks reddened a bit at those words, "Whatever. So are you gonna tell me what this power is or not?"
"Alright, alright there's no need to rush." Minato stood up from his chair and walked over to the portrait of the late Sandaime before moving the portrait aside. He then did a few quick seals before placing his hands on the part of the wall that was covered by the portrait. The portion of the wall that was covered gave way to reveal a secret compartment. Minato took out what looked like a book before closing the compartment again. Minato handed the book to Naruto who widened his eyes in surprise as he recognized the symbol that was etched onto the cover of the book. It was the same symbol as the one on the back of his hand.
"That mark you see right there is called the King's mark, it's the same as the one on your hand right?" Naruto nodded numbly as he stared at the book. Something inside him recognized the tomb in his hands and it left this empty feeling in the back of his head. It was like he was remembering something but all he could find is a big wad of nothing.
"Where did you find this?"
"It isn't mine. It was in the possession of the late Sandaime, Sarutobi Hiruzen. He told me that he inherited the book from the Nidaime who found it with his brother the Shodaime. And from what he told me that book is even older than them."
Naruto looked taken aback at that. The knowledge that the book was even older then the Shodaime era was a bit ridiculous but he couldn't find it in himself to doubt his father's words. Naruto gently opened the book and wasn't surprised that the words were already faded away and that only blank, dusty, brown pages was left of it.
The blond quickly flipped though the page until he reached a page somewhere after the middle but not all the way at the back. A drawing of an eye with four rings stared back at him as the image of the horned man with six red comas on his neck flashed through his mind.
"This…"
"That's the Rinnegan(Samsara Eye), it is the most powerful out of the three great doujutsu. Its powers are unknown and there was only one recorded person who could use it, the Rikudou Sennin."
"What's it doing here?"
"I don't know. All I can say is that it's related to the power of the Kings and the King's mark."
Naruto nodded at his words before continuing to browse through the book. When he got to the last page he let go of the book in shock. The book landed on the floor with the last page still open to all to see. It was a drawing of an eye. The same eye as the ten tailed beast that he saw in the white void.
"Naruto what's wrong?!"
Naruto clutched his head in pain as a searing headache suddenly ran through him. His breathing started getting haggard as sweat formed on his brow. He could hear the sound of a girl crying out in pain at the back of his head but it was so soft and brief. It all stopped when his father clutched his shoulders to steady him.
"Naruto are you alright? You were clutching your head as if it was about to explode."
Naruto didn't answer and instead turned back to stare at the book. Minato noticing this turned and frowned when he caught sight of the drawing.
"If you want to know about that eye then you're out of luck because even I don't even know what it is. Sandaime-sama theorized that it was another form of the Rinnegan but I have my doubts. Come on I think it's best we call it a night. It's already three in the morning so it's no wonder your head hurts."
Naruto didn't say anything opting to stay quiet as Minato shunshined them both to his apartment. Naruto bid his father goodbye before heading inside. The young shinobi stripped his shirt and shorts off leaving himself in only his boxers before his body collapsed on the bed. His mind was tired from the assault of pain back at the office so it shutdown to recuperate.
Little did he know the surprise waiting for him in his own mind.
(Guilty Crown – Euterpe)
Saita no no hana yo
(Oh the wildflowers that bloomed)
What is this?
Aa douka oshiete o-kure
(Ah, please tell me)
Naruto slowly opened his eyes and found himself in an unfamiliar forest. The star filled night sky looked beautiful as he lay on the grassy forest floor.
Where am I?
Hito wa naze kizutsukeatte
(Why do people hurt each other)
He slowly stood up, ears twitching as he followed the soft melodies of a girl singing somewhere in the forest.
Who's singing?
Arasou no deshou
(and fight one another)
The cool breeze of the forest winds felt wonderful on his skin as he got closer to the source.
Why do you sound so sad?
Rin to saku hana yo
(Elegantly blooming flower)
He finally reached a vast field of blooming white flowers. Soft white petals flowed with the wind as the flowers swayed left and right.
Where are you?
Soko kara nani ga mieru
(What can you see from there?)
The blonde gazed at the beauty of it all before he found something pink in the middle of all the white. When his eyes finally registered what it was he could feel his heart instantly skip a few beats as his breath caught in his throat.
I found you.
Hito wa naze yurushiau koto
(Why can't people)
She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Her exotic pink hair flowed with the wind as she hugged herself from the cold. Her petit body was soft white one-piece that did little to protect her from the cold.
Dekinai nandeshou
(forgive one another?)
"Beautiful."
Ruby red eyes snapped to his in surprise before quickly narrowing. In an instant she disappeared from view before reappearing before him. The next few moments were a blur and all Naruto knew was that he was now lying flat on the ground, his arms pinned underneath fair dainty legs the owner of which crouched bodily on top of him. Small and dainty fingers wrapped themselves around his neck causing him to breath in discomfort.
"Who are you?" her voice was small and soft, almost a complete contrast to the strong and melodious one from a moment ago. Naruto tried to reply but found it hard seeing that she was currently crushing his windpipe. He tried to knock her off but for the small girl managed to keep him down without much of a problem. He did at least manage to make her loosen the grip she had on his neck.
"*cough, cough* damn it woman get off me!"
"Who are you?"
"Let me up and then we'll talk!"
"No."
"And why's that?! I haven't done anything to you!"
"You're trespassing."
"Trespassing on what?!"
"I don't need to answer the enemy. Now die."
"HEY WAI-"
It only took a moment and Naruto could feel and hear the snap of his jugular. The next thing the blonde knew was jumping straight up from bed in breathing haggardly, his hands quickly reaching up to his neck to check if it was still in place.
"Hah… hah… What the fuck was that? A dream? But… it felt so real…"
Several hours later we find our blonde hero sitting in class, waiting for Iruka to come in and begin team placement. The teen had a far off look in his blue eyes, his mind going back to the girl who had nonchalantly snapped his neck. A part of him thought it was all just a dream but it felt too real for it to be one
"Hey Naruto, why do you look so glum?" the blonde in question turned to his left and gave his friend Chouji a smile.
"Oh it's nothing, just dreamt of a cute girl snapping my neck in two."
"Even in dreams women will find a way to make our lives troublesome."
"Shut up and go to sleep Shikamaru."
"Zzzz…."
"Shit that was fast."
Nara Shikamaru and Akamichi Chouji were two of the blonde's familiar acquaintances if not delinquent partners. Shikamaru was lazy as hell and Chouji eats like a pig but the two were nice. The three of them often skipped class to slack off from all the boring lectures.
The classroom shook for a bit before the doors to the class were flung open to let in two of the loudest girls in class, Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino.
"Hah! I beat you Ino-pig! I'm sitting next to Sasuke-kun!"
"Beat me my ass! My foot was right in front of you when we got in so I'm sitting next to Sasuke-kun!"
"Oh yeah! I'll show you whose foot is in front of whom!"
"Bring it on billboard brow!"
Chouji, Naruto and the rest of the class sweat dropped at the two crazed fan girls fighting and had to resist palming themselves in the face when most of the girls in class joined in to bicker on who was sitting next to Uchiha Sasuke.
Truthfully Naruto didn't know what to say about the class heartthrob. Several years ago his brother went on a killing spree on his own clan. The mad Uchiha had killed many of the higher ups and the whole clan elders. The only ones to survive were the most of the younger adults and children. Now the clan was lead by Uchiha Mikoto, Sasuke's mother.
At one point when they were kids the two of them were close friends… but that was a long time ago.
"I really don't get what's so good about that freaking Uchiha. I mean I'm more of a better catch, right Akamaru?"
"Arf!"
Inuzuka Kiba was a brash and stubborn guy. The guy had dubbed himself as male alpha dog of the guys in class and sees Sasuke as someone trying to take away his position, not like the Uchiha was trying at all in the first place. He's fun when he doesn't act like a douche and even joins in on skipping class with them most of the time.
Naruto turned to regard the rest of the class but only two caught his interest. One was Hyuuga Hinata. To the blonde she was just some weird girl who can't seem to speak up for the life of her.
Aburame Shino was an enigma. The boy was tall, quiet and no one actually speaks to him most of the time except maybe Kiba.
Turning back to the fight between the girls it seemed that both Sakura and Ino realized that Sasuke had empty seats on both his sides so they each took one much to the raven haired boy's displeasure.
Naruto paused when he saw Sakura's pink hair, the same colour as the girl from his dream. Maybe the two were related? He quickly hit himself from thinking about that. There was no way the two had any connection what so ever.
Sakura had bright annoying bubblegum pink hair while her's was of a paler and softer shade. Sakura had bright green eyes while she had deep red ones. Most importantly were their voices. Sakura sounded like a banshee on steroids while dream girl sounded mesmerising. Oh wait there was one more thing.
His dream girl was definitely 'bigger'.
By now Iruka had just came in to greet the class. Everyone took notice of his injuries and probed for an answer to which he simply replied, 'It's classified'. The scarred man took a few minutes to regale them on their new duties as shinobi before placing them all into teams.
"Team 7 consisting of Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke-"
"YES! Beat that Ino-pig! TRUE LOVE ALWAYS WINS!"
"… and Uzumaki Naruto, you three are under Hatake Kakashi. Team 8 is Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuuga Hinata and Aburame Shino under Yuhi Kurenai. Team 9 is still in circulation from last year and lastly team 10 is Nara Shikamaru, Akamichi Chouji and Yamanaka Ino under Sarutobi Asuma."
"WHAT?! Sakura gets to team up with Sasuke-kun while I have to stay with Lazy-ass and Fat-ass!" It took both Naruto and Shikamaru to hold Chouji back from mauling Ino when the portly teen heard her call him a fat-ass.
"Ino these teams were organized by the hokage himself. If you have any problem then you can take it up with him."
"But can't you just switch me with Naruto?! I'm sure he'll work better with those two bozos."
"Naruto's placement is different. It's tradition to pair up the dead last with the rookie of the year to balance the two. Sakura has better academic grades then you so she fits perfectly in the team. Now sit down and stop complaining! It might not look it but all of you have been paired up with people that balance out your faults and play by your strengths. Remember, a well balance team who trusts one another is stronger than anyone shinobi. Now we're gonna take a quick lunch break. I advise you to eat together to familiar yourselves with your new team. Class dismissed."
When Iruka finished everyone took Iruka's advice to heart and separated to find their team members. Well… most of them.
"Sasuke-kun, now that we're teammates would you like to have lunch with me!"
"No."
Naruto felt a bit of pity for Sakura who was so easily brushed off by Sasuke. Getting up, he approached the down trotted girl and tapped her shoulder. Instantly she swirled to face him in surprise but instantly looked ticked off when she saw who it was.
"What do you want Naruto?"
"Just wanted to see if you want to have lunch together." That reminded the blonde; He used to have a crush on this girl. What was the reason he stopped liking her?
"Ew no thanks! Just don't get in between me and Sasuke-kun and we'll be fine. I don't want a dead last like you to drag Sasuke-kun down."
Oh yeah, she was a total bitch.
"Alright fine then you stuck up bitch go and run after your precious Uchiha. I'm sure Sasu-gay will love to have lunch with you, not that he hasn't already brushed you off right?"
A couple of students laughed at his words added to the fact they already knew Sasuke had already turned the girl down. It was amusing to see her sputtering to find a comeback with her face red from embarrassment. Knowing her uncontrollable temper, Naruto did the hand seals for the kawamiri behind his back just in case she got physical.
"YOU TAKE THAT BACK NARUTO-BAKA! SHANNAROOOO!"
Her fist met wood as our blonde replaced himself with a chair before laughing off and jumping out of the window.
"GET BACK HERE UZUMAKI NARUTO!"
In the hokage tower, Minato, Kushina and several jounin-sensei's to be chuckled in amusement as they saw what happened in the graduation classroom between Naruto and Sakura through the hokage's crystal ball.
"The kid is smart. You sure pairing up those two together with the Uchiha is a wise decision Hokage-sama?" said a bearded tanned skinned man.
"I'm sure Asuma-kun. Naruto and Sasuke are both strong boys. The both of them can drive each other to reach higher levels and Sakura will be forced to tag along once she realizes how far behind she is from those two."
"Huh, what has the academy come to letting girls like Sakura who only believe in love and prince charming become ninja. I mean during my time you would be killed if you thought like that on the battlefield, right Kurenai-chan?" said Kushina.
"I agree with you whole heartedly Kushina-sama. I'm just glad I got Hinata and not have to waste my time breaking down a silly fan-girl's dreams."
"I would love to see you do that Kurenai." Said Kakashi, who had his own experience dealing with fan-girls of his own.
"But Kakashi I don't really see the problem with girls like Sakura. A little adoration to the opposite sex is perfectly normal for boys and girls her age."
"That's because you always had Kushina-sama beat your fan-girls away with a stick Minato-sensei."
Asuma chuckled at that, "More like she beat them with her fists Kakashi."
Kushina had the decency to blush while Minato looked at his wife with wide eyes. The rest of the people in the room laughed at the two.
Back at the academy Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke were the only ones left in class as everyone else had left with their Jounin instructors. The three of them had been waiting for almost three hours for their teacher to come.
"God damn it where is he? I should have known he was going to pull a stunt like this."
"What are you talking about you idiot? You make it sound like you know our teacher personally."
Naruto gave her an annoyed look, "That's because I do know him Pinky."
"Don't call me Pinky!"
"You're right, Banshee sounds more appropriate."
"NARUTO!"
Just when Sakura was about to hit Naruto, the door to the class opened. The three genin teens turned to see a tall silver haired man with the lower half of his face and left eye covered by a mask and his headband.
"Hm…. From first impression I already don't like any of you."
Naruto turned to glare at him, "Oi Kakashi! What's the deal on coming so late?!"
"Yare yare, Naruto you should call me Kakashi-sensei from now on. You three meet me up on the roof." After he said that he disappeared in a poof.
Naruto started to grumble under his breath, "That lazy one eyed bastard."
Sakura turned to Naruto with an eyebrow raised, "Hey Naruto how do you know Kakashi-sensei?"
"Didn't you know? Kakashi was Hokage-sama's student."
At the mention that his future teacher was a student of the Yondaime Sasuke eagerly stood up to head for the roof.
"Oh, Sasuke-kun wait for me!"
Naruto rolled his eyes at the girl's obsessive need to follow Sasuke like a lost puppy before following after them.
"Alright time for introductions!"
The three had made it up to the roof where Kakashi was waiting. The man turned to them before asking them to sit down. Sakura raised her hand as if asking permission to speak, "Ano, Kakashi-sensei we already know each other."
"Yes but I don't know you. Just start off with your name then tell us about your likes, dislikes and dreams."
Again she raised her hand, "Why don't you go first Sensei?"
"Alright then; my name is Hatake Kakashi, I have many kinds of likes and dislikes. My dream for the future? Never really thought about it. Now it's your turn pinky."
"See? Even sensei agrees with me."
"Shut it Naruto! My name is Haruno Sakura, I like *turns to Sasuke and blushes*. My dream is *repeats*."
The guy's resisted the urge to palm themselves, "And your dislikes?"
"NARUTO-BAKA AND INO-PIG!"
"Ok…. Blondie you're up."
"I heard you Cyclops. The name's Uzumaki Naruto. I have many likes and dislikes, dreams for the future? Meh."
"Naruto…"
"What? Two can play at that game Sensei."
"At least tell us what you want to do."
"Nothing I wanna talk about. For now though I want to see someone." His dream girl's face briefly flashed in his head.
Everyone turned to him at that, "See who Naruto?"
"Wouldn't you guys like to know?" he said sarcastically.
"Huh, fine I won't pry any further. Lastly we have Mr. Sunshine."
"Grr."
"You're gonna have to skip this one Kakashi. Mr. Sunshine has problems speaking more than one syllable at a time."
"Naruto…"
"Oh you said my name! Pinky can you believe it? Duck-butt can finally say people's names!"
"Naruto! Stop bullying Sasuke-kun!"
"Now no violence you two. Sasuke, I know this is going to be hard for you but you need to win over this disability to speak. Come on, practice makes perfect." Naruto laughed out loud while Sakura gaped at her teacher for joining in on the teasing.
"Whatever… My name is Uchiha Sasuke; I have very little likes and many dislikes. My dream… no, ambition is to lead my clan back to its former glory and bring a certain man to justice."
Naruto chose to keep quiet at Sasuke's words knowing personally who the self proclaimed avenger wanted to bring to 'justice' while Sakura stared at him with hearts in her eyes.
'I expected as much.' thought Kakashi.
"Alright then let's get to the important stuff. Tomorrow we're not gonna have our first mission tomorrow. Instead were going to do, a survival exercise."
"But Sensei we've already did this stuff in the academy lots of times."
"This isn't like your previous training. Us jounin instructors are assigned to give a test and out of the 27 graduates that passed the graduation test only 9 will pass and the other 18 are sent back into the academy. The chances of you failing are at least 66 percent."
Kakashi smiled in amusement at the three shocked faces in front of him. Naruto grit his teeth when he remembered Haruka's words from before.
'So this is what she meant by not for long.'
"But then what was the use of the graduation test in the first place?!" shouted a distressed Sakura.
"Oh, that was just to see if you were genin material. Now be at training area 7 by 5 a.m. and bring your ninja gear. Oh and one more thing before I leave. Make sure not to eat breakfast. You're gonna just puke it out later if you do."
The next day Naruto woke up at 8 knowing that Kakashi will arrive late like yesterday. He took his time getting ready, forgetting Kakashi's warning on not eating breakfast and checking the condition of his equipment. By the time he left the house it was already 9.30.
When he arrived it was to the sight of a haggard looking Sakura and an annoyed Sasuke.
"Morning."
"You're late! What would happen if Kakashi-sensei arrived earlier then you huh?!"
"Well his still not here so no harm done."
Sakura didn't bother to continue arguing, she was too tired and hungry to do anything actually. It was not until about 15 minutes later did Kakashi arrive to the training field.
"Morning everyone; ready for your first day?"
"YOU'RE LATE!"
"Well a black cat crossed my path so I had to take the long way."
Naruto rolled his eyes at the man's excuse, "You sure you weren't just 'lost on the road of life'?"
Kakashi smiled at him, "Not this time no. Well, let's get started."
An alarm clock was set up on a nearby stump, "Here we go, it's set for noon. Your assignment is very simple. You just have to take these bells from me." Two bells jingled as Kakashi held them in front of us.
"If you can't get them by noon you go without lunch. You'd be tied to those posts and you'll watch as I eat my lunch in front of you."
The sound of stomach grumbling filled the air as Sakura and Sasuke realized why Kakashi ordered them not to eat lunch. Naruto thanked god that he forgot about the order.
"Wait a minute there's three of us. How come there are only two bells?" said Sakura.
"Well in that way at least one of you will end up being tied up to a post and fail for not completing the mission. That one goes back to the academy. Then again all three of you could flunk out too. You can use any weapons or jutsu you've learned so far. If you're not prepared to kill me you won't be able to take the bells."
"But that's too dangerous Sensei. We could seriously injure you!"
"Ahaha Sakura I'm a jounin, give me some credit. There's no way three measly genin level teens will be able to hurt me. Not even the famous genius Sasuke." The boy in question looked ticked off at that.
"When I say start you can begin." The three teens got ready for the man's signal.
"Alright, ready? Start!"
As soon as he gave the ok Sakura and Sasuke leaped off into the foliage while Naruto stayed where he stood.
"You know you're supposed to hide yourself from the enemy to surprise him right?"
"No use hiding when the enemy already knows your location. Plus even if I did hide I know you can sense us without even trying." Back in the tree lines Sasuke and Sakura widened their eyes at the logic in the blond boy's words.
"Good point, looks like you're not as stupid as what people say you are."
"You shouldn't listen to rumors Sensei."
"Every rumor starts off from a truth."
"I guess I'll have to prove you wrong then."
"You do that." Naruto took that as his cue to attack but stopped himself when Kakashi reached for something in his equipment pouch. Naruto expected shuriken, kunai, senbon needles and many more dangerous weapons but a freaking book? No.
As one, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura gave the man an incredulous look.
"Why did you take out that stupid book?!"
"I wanted to know what happens next. You should really try reading it Naruto but then again your mother would kill me if I let you start. Don't worry though, with your weak attacks it doesn't matter if I was reading or… whatever."
"Couldn't you at least read something else other than your stupid porn?!"
"It's not porn its literature. I'm surprised you even knew what's inside it in the first place. Looks like little Naru-chan isn't so innocent after all hmhmhmhm."
"Wha – I didn't- How did you- AAAARRRGGGHHH!" Letting anger and embarrassment cloud his judgment, Naruto rushed at Kakashi with his fist drawn back to deliver a punch but the man simply blocked it with his free hand. The blond opted for a high kick which was easily evaded with Kakashi crouching under the extended limb. Naruto spun 360 with his one leg supporting his body and sent another punch but he only hit air.
"You know you shouldn't let your opponent get behind you." Said Kakashi from behind him; the jounin's hands in the standard tiger seal. Sakura seeing this immediately jumped to warn Naruto of his impending doom.
"Naruto get out of there or you'll be killed!"
"Too late! Konoha Hidden Taijutsu Ougi: Sennen Goroshi!" (1000 Years of Pain)
Kakashi comically shoved his fingers up Naruto's ass but the boy was replaced with a log just in the nick of time. Kakashi quickly flipped forward to dodge several shuriken that landed in his former position.
"What the fuck kind of jutsu was that?! It was just a simple ass poke!"
"Hey, hey, no need to be angry. Though I was quite surprised you were fast enough to kawamiri away in time. Looks like you do have some skill."
"You ain't seen nothing yet Sensei."
"Guess I'll have to take you a bit more seriously then."
Naruto once again engaged himself in taijutsu with Kakashi blocking and dodging his attacks with minimal effort. Sasuke stared at the two waiting for an opening while Sakura looked at Naruto in surprise. 'Was Naruto really that good in taijutsu?' thought the pink haired girl. Getting back to Naruto, the boy was quickly getting frustrated that he couldn't land a good hit on his Sensei.
'Looks like I'll have to use that.'
Naruto kicked with his right leg which was grabbed by Kakashi's right hand. The blond then sent a punch with his left hand which was intercepted by Kakashi's only other free hand. Kakashi looked down and stared into his student's eyes.
"What are you gonna do know Naruto? You're literally on your, 'last leg'."
"Heh, that's what you think Sensei. I still have one more trick up my sleeves!" Kakashi gasped in surprise when a circle of light appeared on his chest.
"Sleep tight Sensei!" Naruto reached out to pull out Kakashi's void but the man was smart enough to push the boy away to create some distance. Sasuke and Sakura immediately thought the same thing after that display, 'What the heck did Naruto just try to do?'
"Damn so close!"
Kakashi wearily placed a hand on his chest while keeping a trained eye on Naruto incase his blond student tried anything.
"Huh, that was close. You almost got me there Naruto. Guess I have to thank Minato-sensei for telling me about your new power."
"So he told you about it huh? Isn't that kind of cheating?"
"Information is vital Naruto, especially in a battle. Remember that. Though I have to ask, were you even aiming for the bells in the first place?"
Naruto face palmed for forgetting that, "Shit!"
"Looks like all that effort just went down the drain. You can't beat me by yourself no matter how hard you try."
"Oh yeah! Just wait till I-wait…. You…. You sneaky conniving son of a bitch!"
"Watch what you say Naruto. Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?"
"I'll do that after I get those bells from you." With that Naruto palmed a few smoke balls and threw them on the ground before escaping. Kakashi stared at the now empty spot where the blonde last stood and smiled.
"Looks like Naruto has a bit of your inquisitive side Minato-sensei, but then again you'd have to be a real idiot to not catch the obvious hint. Now then, time to have some fun with the others."
It didn't take long for Naruto to search for Sakura. The girl had screamed so loud that the blonde was sure people from the centre of the village could hear her. When he found her she was lying on the ground unconscious with not a single wound on her.
"Must be genjutsu. Oi, Sakura wake up!" He slapped her face lightly just to give her a little push. When she woke up she bolted upright and looked left and right as if searching for someone.
"Sasuke-kun! Where are you Sasuke-kun?!"
"Oi Sakura calm down!" Realizing she wasn't alone Sakura turned and took hold of Naruto's shoulder's.
"Oh Naruto thank goodness you're here! It's Sasuke-kun, he's hurt! There was blood everywhere! We need to find him before he dies!"
"Sakura calm down it was probably just a genjutsu!"
"A… Genjutsu?"
"Yeah look around you. Sasuke is not even here and there's no blood." Sakura slowly looked around to confirm the blonde's words before sighing in relief.
"Oh thank goodness."
"Sakura listen to me. I need your help."
"W-Why do you need my help?"
"I need you to help me get the bells from Kakashi."
"B-But then what about Sasuke-kun?! If I help you and we get the bells he'll get sent back to the academy. I can't do that to him!"
"Listen to me Sakura we don't have much time! Forget about how many bells there are! Kakashi is only using that to divide us and make us not see the real meaning of this test."
"W-What real meaning?"
"You're a smart girl Sakura so think. Why do the higher ups waste their time putting us into three man teams only to throw one of the members back to the academy? It just doesn't make sense!"
"You're right! A normal genin squad is made up of three genin and one jounin instructor. There's no such thing as a genin squad with only two genin only. The bells are only a distraction from the true purpose of the test. I got it! Its teamwork! We have to use teamwork to get the bells! There's no way a single genin can win against a jounin! *Gasp* Naruto we have to find Sasuke quick!"
"I'm right behind you!"
When they found Sasuke both of them were treated to the amusing sight of him buried up to his head in the ground. Well Naruto found it amusing; Sakura on the other hand almost shat her pants.
"AAAAHHH Its Sasuke's severed head!" Naruto stopped her from fainting again.
"Oh no you don't! *Slap* Get your head straight woman! He's just buried up to his head!"
"T-Thanks Naruto."
"No problem. Not sorry about slapping you."
"You ass! come on we have to get him out of there!" Both of them started to dig Sasuka out. Naruto smirked at his currently immobile teammate.
"Hey Sasuke, how's it feel to be almost six feet under."
"Shut up you idiot and just help me already!"
"Is that how you show your appreciation when someone is trying to help you out? You're lucky we need your help or I would have just left you here to dig yourself out."
"I don't need your help in getting the bells. I can do it myself."
"Yeah I'd love to see you try. Oh wait, that's how you ended up in this situation in the first place you cocky bastard."
"BOTH OF YOU JUST SHUT UP OR I'LL MAKE YOU SHUT UP!"
"…."
"Thank you. Now just wait a bit more Sasuke-kun we almost got you out." A minute later Naruto pulled the now loose Sasuke out from the ground.
"Alright now that we helped dig out your emo ass it's your turn to help us out by helping us get the bells."
"Why should I help you two? There are only two bells and I'm not gonna give away mine when I have one. Plus we're running out of time."
"Sasuke-kun please listen, the bells aren't the real purpose of the test. Sensei only put them there to distract us from the true purpose of the test."
"And what's that?"
"It's teamwork emo-boy. Kakashi can pick us off if we're alone but together he's gonna have a tougher time guarding those bells. There's no way a single genin can take down a jounin in the first place, you yourself already know that."
"Hmph, get real Naruto. I touched a bell by myself and the next time I'll grab one."
"Ugh! Forget about those stupid bells! Kakashi only placed out two bells so we would compete with each other on getting one ourselves so we would never work together. It's pure logic genius!"
"Please Sasuke-kun listen to Naruto!"
"…. Alright fine, I'll help you guys. Any of you have a plan?"
Naruto grinned evilly, "Oh you just leave that to me."
Kakashi stood leaning back on a tree reading his book. He observed the whole conversation between the three teens and had already deemed them worthy to pass. Now he just wanted to see if they were strong enough to get these bells from him.
Kakashi took out a kunai from his pocket before lazily deflecting two incoming kunai.
"Hmm now this is a surprise. I didn't know you two would want to work together, but then again it's obvious that you two will have the most likely chance of passing this exercise. Though can you two get the bells before time runs out?"
The two boys didn't say a word before they rushed at Kakashi. Kakashi didn't bother reading his book when the two attacked. They were good but their coordination in their attacks needs work. Naruto's haphazard and rough attacks clashed with Sasuke's more precise and graceful strikes. He would give them credit for effort though.
Suddenly they changed tactic as Sasuke pulled back and started firing kunai and shuriken whenever he found an opening. Now Kakashi was slowly being pushed back as both boys rounded him up to the bushes. Kakashi widened his eyes in surprise as suddenly Sakura leaped out from her hiding spot from behind the bushes to try and get the bells.
"Oh no you don't!" Grabbing Naruto by the arms he threw the boy at Sakura, making them collide with each other.
Katon: Goukakyu no Jutsu!(Fire release: Grand Fireball)
Shit! He forgot about Sasuke!
Utilizing a quick kawamiri, he escaped the fireball just in time with only a few scorch marks on his clothes. Just as the three got ready to charge at their Sensei again,
*!*
The alarm clock rang, signaling the end of the exercise.
"Looks like none of you three manage to get any of the bells. You guys did good but it wasn't enough. I'm sorry to say but you three are gonna have to go back to the academy."
It wasn't a second after he said that did all three of them started to smile quite evilly. Well Naruto and Sakura did. Sasuke never smiles, he smirks.
"Oh I don't think so Kakashi-sensei. Even if we don't have the bells we have something much better."
What could they be talking abou-wait! Shoving his hand into his equipment pouch, his eyes widened when he realized his precious book was now missing. Looking back to them he saw his book in the hands of Sakura who had a dark look on her face as she held the book out to Sasuke who was already in the motion of burning it with a fire book.
"WAIT! Not my book! Anything but my book! Alright you three pass! Please just don't hurt my baby!"
All three of them looked at Kakashi in disgust before tossing the book back to him. Kakashi quickly caught the book and held it up to his face as he hugged it for dear life.
"It's ok my precious daddy's got you. You're safe with daddy. No mean genin are gonna burn you with daddy here."
…. Ok, awkward.
Placing his precious book back in its original place, Kakashi approached the now weirded out genin.
"Ok looks like you three are now official genin. Good job on finding out on the true purpose of the test."
"Actually Sensei it was all Naruto's doing. He made the plan and if it wasn't for him we wouldn't even have known about it in the first place."
"I see. Come here you three I want to show you guys something." Kakashi lead them to a large stone that had many names engraved on top of it.
"This is the memorial stone. The names of Konoha's greatest heroes are engraved on it. They were all killed in action."
All of them bowed their heads in respect for the fallen, "The names of many of my friends are on this stone including the names of my teammates. You will find that with friends fighting beside you while protecting each other back to back is a luxury on the battlefield.
Sasuke if it wasn't for Naruto and Sakura's help you would have to dig yourself out of the ground leading you to waste too much time on getting the bell.
Sakura, if it wasn't for Naruto's guidance you would have panicked and continued looking for Sasuke hoping he would be alright.
And finally Naruto, without Sasuke and Sakura's help you wouldn't have been able to pass in the first place. Remember this as this will be the most important lesson I will ever teach you.
Those who abandon the mission are trash, but those who abandon their friends are worse than trash."
Kakashi turned behind and smiled at his team, "Starting tomorrow team 7 will be reporting for their first mission."
"Woohooo we did it we did it!" shouted Sakura as she jumped up and down in glee. Sasuke let a small smile grace his lips while Naruto grinned like a loon.
Later that night Naruto found himself in the same not so familiar forest from before. The same melodious song from before reached his ears; guiding him to the familiar sights of flowers and a pink haired songstress. It took the pink haired singer only a moment to notice and widen her eyes at him before quickly jumping back in weariness.
"You again..."
"Yep, I hope you're not going to try and kill me again because I really don't like the idea of my neck being snapped a second time."
"There are other ways."
"Seriously here I just want to talk."
"Talking is over."
Naruto quickly jumped back less he wanted his jaw to be smashed open by a speeding kick to the chin.
"Whoa, what part of I just want to talk did you not understand?!" the pink haired beauty chose not to answer and instead pressed on the offensive. Punch after punch kick after kick the blonde had no time to think as he continued to block each and every incoming strike.
'Damn this bitch can hit hard! I have to find a way to stop her.'
As his mind raced his eyes roamed everywhere trying to find a gap in her ongoing tirade of hits. This proved futile though as his opponent left no opening to exploit. His eyes widened as the blonde noticed the way her skirt constantly flipped about as she continued to move. This bit of distraction cost him as a strong kick went pass his guard and straight into his gut. The girl placed her hands on either side of his head, nimbly jumped off the ground before utilizing his skull as a fulcrum to smash her knee roughly into the boy's cranium. Naruto could swear he heard a loud crack ring in his ear before the force of the attack sent him flat onto the ground.
"Argh! Fuck me!"
The pain in his skull clouded his vision making him unable to notice the incoming knee drop into his gut.
"…Not… literally…"
His gasps of pain did not make his opponent pause as the familiar feel of her small dainty hands clutching his neck, hard.
"Ready to die?"
The blonde found it hard to hear her; he was having enough trouble keeping his vision straight what with the amount of pain running through him. It looked like she wasn't waiting for his reply as he could feel her hands tightening, a bit more and she would have successfully crushed his windpipe killing him a second time. Naruto had to wonder what goes through her mind as she slowly squeezed the life out of him. Pulling up whatever strength he had left the blonde used it to steal a glance at his soon to be repeated killer.
Maybe he was hallucinating, maybe it was the lack of air and oxygen but the sad almost forlorn look on her face made his heart wrench. He didn't know how but his hand had automatically reached up to cup her face. Instantly the tightening around his neck stopped but did not loosen. Her wide red eyes stared into his as a small smile graced the blonde's lips.
"Hey… you shouldn't… kill someone… with a face like that… makes it hard… to hate you…" his words were weak and barely even audible but Naruto had no doubt she heard them. The next second her hands loosened and air, sweet, sweet delicious air rushed back into his lungs.
"HAAAH…. HAAAAH*cough,cough*Haaaah… sweet Kami… w-why?"
Her eyes were shadowed by her hair as she stared at her hands for awhile before slowly dropping them on his heavily breathing chest.
"I… don't know…"
"…Well, guess introductions are in order. Name's Naruto, Uzumaki Naruto. You?"
"… Yuzuriha Inori."
AN: Waaaah this came out different then last time right guys? Yeah if any of you were disappointed that all the fluff is gone then I'm terribly sorry. I mean to me it came off too quickly last time, now I can relax and properly develop Inori as a character. So yeah if any of you want to know why Inori is so hostile then you'll have to wait to find out XP
Database:
Uchiha Sasuke
Age:13
Social Status: Genin of Konoha
Review: Strong, smart and handsome. Uchiha Sasuke is talented in the arts of the shinobi and is regarded as number 1 rookie in his graduating class. During the Uchiha Massacre when he was 8 his brother Uchiha Itachi went on a killing spree slaughtering many of his kinsmen including the elders of the Uchiha and his own Father. Now the clan is lead by Sasuke's mother Uchiha Mikoto with Sasuke titled as next in line for succession as head of the clan. Because of the incident Sasuke intends to lead the Uchiha back to its former glory and to bring his brother to justice for his crime. This line between 'justice' and 'vengence' is a thin line for one Uchiha Sasuke.