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Naruto and its characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto

Thanks to Hatochan she is my beta reader

Naruto POV

" Naruto-kun, wait !!!"

I slow down as Sakura and Sasuke catch up to me. "What? " I ask them as they run next to me.

" It's just that we have always run together. " Sakura says.

" What the ...?" I look at her and just keep running with them.

None of us say a word as we finish. Both Sasuke and Sakura are standing there looking at me as Kakashi tells us the rules of the sparring session. I just nod and step forward. I watch as Sakura comes forward and eyes me. " Sakura , I will NOT be holding back so I suggest you also give it your all." I see her visibly pale as she nods.

Kakashi nods and says, "HAJIME !"

Sakura comes at me in a dead run with kunai in both of her hands. Same old tired move that she has used on me countless times. I give a sigh, then before she knows it I knock her feet out from underneath her and put my knee on her back to get a handful of her hair. I put my kunai to her throat and whisper in her ear, "Forfeit now."

" I forfeit!!!" Sakura all but cries. I get off her and pull her to her feet. She then runs to Kakashi. Sasuke steps up and looks at me. "Sasuke I will not be holding back so I expect you to come at me with everything. "

Kakashi again says "HAJIME!"

Sasuke immediately starts making seals as he lets loose a fireball. I jump straight up in the air and land behind him. I start to land a blow and he dodges. This keeps up until I finally have had enough of the game. I land a blow in his stomach and literally knock him down. Heh, I knew that I could beat him . With my mask on, I was always dead last and weak . Without it, I am stronger and better than he is. Yet, I also know what strength means to him. I will help him ...if he asks and ONLY if he asks.

Kakashi watches from the sidelines and doesn't say a word. Sasuke stands up and glares at me. I am almost surprised that I haven't burst into flames from the heat of it.

" Damn what a sore ass loser !! And after all the times he has beat us in to the ground not once did we glare at him like that!!"

" Yeah, I know but to him this is a MAJOR insult. But, he had better get over his damn self, and fast, before I give him a lesson in humility !!!"

Sasuke walks over and mutters, "Good match. " and walks away.

" Ok, great job. We meet here again tomorrow at the same time." Kakashi says before he vanishes.

I start walking home. I have two hours before I am to meet Gai-sensei. I walk inside my apartment and flop down on my couch. I start thinking about how Genma became one of my sensei.

Flashback:

I am attacking Lee with everything that I have, but I keep missing. "Damnit, where the hell is he??" "OOOOFFF!!!" I fall backwards as once again Lee kicks me in my gut. I get back up and notice that Master Genma is watching with his senbon almost falling out of his mouth.

Gai-sensei comes up. "Great job you two! Now do 100 push ups. GO!!"

We take off and start the push ups and I watch them talk while they are both gesturing in mine and Lee's direction. "Naruto, come here please."

I run over. "Yes, Gai-Sensei?"

" Genma wants to teach you how to use your weapons more effectively."

I look at them and smile "Really ? Alright, when do we start Genma-sensei ? "

Genma-sensei looks at me and smirks "Tomorrow evening after your training with Gai." After that he turns and walks away.

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The next day, after I leave the academy, I go straight to Gai-sensei's training ground and wait for him to call me over. I am reading Leaves of Grass

"Alright Naruto, 5 laps around the village !!!"

I put my book away and take off. I see Sakura harassing Sasuke and I almost feel sorry for him. ' Almost' being the keyword here. I see Iruka-sensei talking to some jounin with silver hair and...' Is he blushing???' Oookay... too bad I have to train, that conversation looks very interesting.

I get back and see Genma-sensei already there. "Alright Naruto, listen up. Genma here is going to be teaching you some different techniques. Do your best and I will see you tomorrow. " With that Gai-sensei and Lee go to another part of the training ground.

"Alright Naruto, we are going to start an exercise that takes 95 percent trust. First off, do you trust me ?"

I look him in the eye and say, "No, I don't know you at all, so how can I trust you?"

He looks at me and smirks. "Good answer. Trust is earned not given. Tomorrow I am moving in with you "

I actually feel like he has dropped a bomb on my head. " LIKE FUN YOU ARE !!" I yell at him .

" Naruto, this will become your exercise in trust. " He tells me in a calm voice.

" You got evicted from your home didn't you, sensei ?"

" I did NOT get evicted and we will be spending A LOT of time together. Why, would you rather move in with me?"

I choke. I feel my face turning red and snarl, " Fine! Move your damn stuff in, but know this, YOU are sleeping on the couch !!!"

I hear him laughing at me. "Fine, I will be moving in while you are at school and I expect you to come straight home afterwards to begin our training."

I storm off and go straight to Iruka-sensei's house. I bang on the door. He answers and I storm in and start bawling; that is how angry I am .

I tell Iruka everything and he looks at me. " I see, I have heard of this exercise and it is a good one. Trust me nothing bad will happen ok?" I nod and hug Iruka. "Come on. I will treat you to ramen."

I pull back and smile at him.