Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

"Talking"

Thoughts

-Flashback-

----------- Change of scene

Thank you so much for the reviews:

R e c R a p t o r, KungPaoChiken, Zero the Death Shadow, and Little Fox Kit!!!!! You really motivated me to keep on writing this fanfic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Demons Dawn Chapter Eleven: Friend

She felt a shill run down her back as a cold wind made its way in the inside of her shirt. Tsubasa couldn't help but touch her forehead, she had never before been gladder of her uneven and thick bangs. It all felt odd but she would grow use to it, she always had grown use to the abnormalities of her life. Having a black 'X' engraved on her forehead was no big deal, since she had no desire to attack the main family, even thought she was living with them for reasons unknown. And now she was not simply Tsubasa she was now Hyuuga Tsubasa, there was little comfort in that.

She sat among students of Konoha all giving her an appraising look. She didn't look or dress like an outsider, but they stared a lot at the wound necklace. She refused to meet their gaze however as she looked on at the teacher as if he was the most fascinating person on earth. Thought she was quickly finding out that he indeed was not, so her eyes strayed to Sasuke on her left found him even less interesting then the teacher and then looked on at Naruto.

She stifled a giggle as she saw his chest rise and fall in the motion of one that is asleep.

Unfortunately for Naruto Iruka noticed as well, he threw a well-aimed eraser at the blond's head. Suddenly Naruto's head snapped up and as his hand caught the eraser, however the aftereffect of that was that the chalk in the eraser powdered his hair and face slightly white. The class snickered silently at that.

"Now Naruto will you pay more attention?" Iruka-sensei said with a piercing glance at him. Naruto only nodded, Tsubasa's smile however turned into a deep frown as she saw Naruto's face. His eyes were wide in shock and his mouth was set in deep grim line, his face was slightly dotted with sweat. Sasuke also noticed but said nothing as he settled back in hi seat.

The reaction did not fail to register with Iruka either but he had no choice but to return to the classes.

"What's wrong Naruto?" Tsubasa whispered, Sasuke perked up his ears thought he gave no physical sign of it. Naruto turned his head slowly toward her his eyes were wide in shock.

"Nothing is wrong Tsubasa," Naruto said his voice low. His heart was beating hard however, pounding in his ears hardly letting him hear what she had said. His hand was over his heart as if he was trying to quiet its wild beating. He felt a cool hand over his shoulder, he looked over at Tsubasa but found that her hands brought up to chest. It was Sasuke.

"Calm down Naruto, don't let them see your fear," Sasuke said and let his hand drop away and faced to the front once again as if nothing had happened, and even then Naruto began to doubt it had. But the words had the desired effect on him.

Naruto's beating heart stilled a bit and he gave a shaky thankful smile to Sasuke and Tsubasa.

------------

"Class, the roster for the group survival test is be up, check on it and report to area 23 tomorrow at six in the morning. Bring only basic weapons, no food. You will be checked for what you bring and graded. The conditions will be explained at the site," Iruka said briskly, then as if on second thought said, "Naruto I need to speak to you."

Naruto's heart skipped a beat. Sasuke and Tsubasa looked at him inquiringly.

"I'll catch up with you later," he said with a wave of his hand as he made his way down to Iruka. Sasuke, Tsubasa and Naruto had become united through unspoken word. Tsubasa naturally found her way to Naruto and since Sasuke was joined to the hip to his roommate their uneasy friendship seemed only logical and as natural as breathing air.

When the classroom was devoid of all people except for Iruka and Naruto the teacher decided to speak breaking the delicate silence that had sprung up.

"Naruto you can't sleep during class," Iruka spoke sternly.

"I know it won't happen again," Naruto said and made a move to go. Iruka put a hand on Naruto's shoulder, stopping him from leaving. "Tell me Naruto what happened." Naruto was no fool and knew exactly what Iruka was talking about, his reaction to the harmless throwing of the eraser was not normal. Naruto hung his head as he gave his explanation as if he was ashamed and the truth was that he was indeed was.

"I use to live in the streets up until I was eleven or so. When I passed thru towns in the night I was forced to sleep in them till I moved on or something happened that forced me to leave. So when people found a dirty kid sleeping by their homes, they always threw stuff at me. Some of the objects were dangerous, sometimes it was really heavy stuff that hit my head or my face. The kids always threw stones aimed at my face, a hundred points if they hit my nose fifty for my mouth and eighty for an eye. Sometimes I couldn't even eat because my face was wounded so badly. But they never got close enough for me to fight back, always they threw things. Tenchi-san taught me to catch and dodge their attacks," Naruto paused a bit for breath, "Iruka-sensei this was a one time thing. It won't happen again."

As Iruka looked on at the boy Naruto seemed to gain years, but the effect was spoiled by the sudden return of his mischievous glint and the playful glint in his eyes.

"I'll be counting on that Naruto," Iruka said, "and take off that chalk dust."

"Hey thanks Iruka-sensei!" Naruto said as he wiped his face and hair.

"You are excused to go to your friends."

Naruto made a gagging sound at the comment. Iruka chuckled at the sound as the boy made his way out of the classroom. How it is that they have become friends? It seems that Naruto indeed did not drive him crazy. But now Sasuke seems almost protective and possessive of Naruto. And it's no wonder, it seems that Naruto is his first real friend. Even thought they would never admit to it. Iruka gave a tiny sigh over the thought. Uzumaki Naruto was indeed interesting.

----------

Sasuke and Tsubasa were waiting outside for Naruto a little ways off from the Academy building itself. There was a crowd of students looking at the roster, as there were some groans and cheers. Naruto eagerly made his way to it, however it took the presence of the Uchiha and the Hyuuga to make a clear path. Sasuke read the list over, Tsubasa rechecked it and then turned back to Naruto whom no one had let pas despite his energetic and somewhat questionable protests.

"So who am I with!?" Naruto practically shouted at Tsubasa.

"Your with us of course!" Tsubasa said a happily practically jumping up and down Naruto style but catching herself at the last moment composed herself in her proud manner. Naruto smiled at her but did his customary frown at Sasuke, and Sasuke only smirked at his reaction.

Tsubasa's expression darkened slightly as she remembered something, "oh. And we have someone else on our team. I think she was a leftover since all the other teams had three members."

"Who?" Naruto said suspiciously his voice only hinting at his apprehension.

"I'm not sure some Haruno Sakura," Tsubasa said offhandedly.

"Who?" Naruto asked again more confused then before.

"The girl that lead us to the school when you lost us," Sasuke spoke up.

"I told you before that it wasn't my fault!"

"Whatever." Sasuke said no longer paying much attention.

"You didn't even have to let me lead you know so it was you fault in fact! Ha!"

"You were the one that told me you know the way."

"And you believed me! You were much as a fool as I was!"

"Well at least we agree on one point. That you're a fool."

"Hey!"

Tsubasa had learned early on to stay out of their argument, it was their way of talking. Naruto was always willing to talk to her, Sasuke was another matter, thought he was beginning add a syllable a day to her, thought it was unlikely that he would exceed the limit of paragraph at a time.

Naruto looked ready to clobber Sasuke thought Sasuke didn't look like an innocent lamb himself.

"Lets go out to eat! Sasuke will pay," Naruto offered generously. Tsubasa giggled slightly as she lifted her hand to her mouth to cover it, as was her habit.

"I can't I have to go to Hyuga-sama for Byakugan lessons, since I still don't know how to use it," Tsubasa said in lowered tones. "He only agreed to train me after they put the seal on my forehead." She parted her bangs firefly, allowing them a glimpse of the cursed seal. Sasuke's eyes narrowed at that and Naruto simply stared.

"That's harsh Tsubasa," Naruto said sympathetically. Sasuke to her surprise nodded in agreement to Naruto's comment. She smiled warmly at them.

"It's o.k. I won't give them a reason to activate it," she said. She waved goodbye at the two and left.

"So is the offer still up for ramen still on Uchiha?" Naruto said grinning from ear to ear.

"Sure why not. Might as well enjoy our last meal. Knowing you we'll probably starve from lack of food or something. You'll be drag," Sasuke finished in a knowing tone.

"No, Sasuke please don't tell me such a horrible thing! You'll break my heart!" Naruto said dramatically as Naruto deftly lead them to the ramen stand.

"Look I don't know how much you know about surviving in the wild, is all I'm saying," Sasuke said responding to the taunt that he usually ignored in a quiet tone that was unlike him. Naruto got the cold glint in his eyes that made Sasuke shiver, but his body showed nothing of it.

"You know what? Your probably right," Naruto said and became quiet and reserved, he hated that sound that was pity filed. Sasuke was grateful for the silence but as he saw Naruto walk past the stand and back toward the Academy rooms he knew he had touched on a soft spot.

But Sasuke along with Tsubasa were worried about him. Tsubasa had happened to see Naruto's thinness when a wet shirt had clung to his body during a practice match. When they had been outside they had discussed this. Sasuke had noted that Naruto looked healthier then he had when he had come in, but not very. Tsubasa had commented without thought the reason most people didn't notice this was because of the boundless energy that he seemed to have. Sasuke had only silently agreed.

End Chapter Eleven

Next Chapter: The survival test, pass or die. (bit dramatic, I know --;)

Chapter is eleven is done. More of a filler chapter then anything, oh well. I'll try to make the next chapter better. Any suggestions are welcome. If anyone is reading PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!

momon101: I now there too much description ­-sighs- It's more of a habit then a writing style. I like your suggestion but I'm not sure what Akatsuki is... yet.

Zero the Death Shadow: I like all of your suggestions!!! And I will definitely try to put some in this fanfic. And thanks to you I have a bunch of ideas! I'll try harder on character plot, and thinking about it Sasuke needs some explaining. As for Kyuubi, yes, yes, yes! Parings, now that I am not sure about, but maybeeeee....

Thanks for the reviews, again.