A/N; I wanted to finish day three as a separate chapter, before moving on to day four. I'd also like to remind you all that this story is rated M for a reason, and it's not because of "lemons".

I don't own Naruto

Day three (continued)

His clones were like chess pieces with a mind of their own. Switching places with each other at random, sometimes to land a hit and other times giving the ANBU a chance to recover from the onslaught. The momentum from the first squad on scene died away as their initial jutsu ate large gaps into a sea of snarling faces, only to be filled in with no visible change in number of clones. The overwhelming mass of bodies forced them to retreat along the wall, like an amoeba threatening to engulf them in it's blind hunger. Two more squads of five dashed in from the village along the mass's length. Four ANBU flashed through hand signs in unison, unleashing a massive Grand Fire Ball. Three more created massive hands of earth to push as many of them as possible, into the path of the combination justu.

Hundreds of the shadows henged into kunai and were launched high into the air. The explosion shook the area, blanketing it in a thick cloud of smoke. Shadows rained down around the ANBU, many dispersing as they hit the ground, flooding the air with ambient chakra. A shadow slammed his kunai deep into the shoulder of one ANBU, kinetic energy slamming him into the ground. His scream eerily crisp amongst the pitter patter of shadows slamming into the ground. The ANBU started breaking towards the outside of the cloud. Unassuming kunai laying on the ground, dispelled their henge to attack the ANBU as they fled. One shadow was able to drive a kunai deep into the thigh of cat masked woman. She screamed in pain, as she bisected the shadow with her katana and kept running. Her scream morphed into a battle cry, through gritted teeth, as blood squirted in gushing pumps with each step, only stopping as she collapsed out side the cloud. A Hyuga chunnin, byakugan flaring, yelled, "clear", as Ten ANBU finished hand signs. The ground began to shake violently, and a several geysers of water launched into the air, arching into a Dragon with a head the size of a small castle. It crashed into the ground, snaking around the field, blowing away the smoke with the force of his writhing body.

Asuma

Asuma had been on his way to the Jonin counsel to hear about the new candidates for the ninja program. As much as academy scores had mattered in determining their initial standing, what they did in between their time graduating and the team assignment was a one of the best indicators, as to how they would perform for the rest of their ninja career. Most of the civilian children would play games and hang – out with friends, while most of the ninja children would do a little light practice. Some would really train, like the headband lit a fire inside them. Those were almost guaranteed to pass. Some jonin sensei, when presented with the rare treat, where all of their students were those types, didn't even bother to test them.

Asuma had looked into the new Ino – Shika – Cho formation before heading over to the meeting and none of them were training, save for Choji, though he was made to train by his father. He knew that this was going to be a sore spot for the clan leaders, as this disqualified them from being on a team. It was an unspoken rule that three unmotivated genin on a team was a recipe for disaster and, while the winning combination might save them from this end, they would never reach their full potential without someone being a motivational force, outside of their sensei.

It was as he approached the tower that he felt it. A small spike of the Kyuubi's presence in the distance. It wasn't anything close to the real thing but the feeling was the same. He rushed towards the area, popping into sporadic shunshins to eat away at the distance. His last shunshin brought him face to face with six squads of ANBU dispatching a few hundred shadow clones. A few were stationed along the perimeter to stop any of the clones from getting away, picking off the occasional runner. A clutch of kunai sailed passed him, popping into small fox masked shinobi. One jumped off another to head towards him, while the one who'd been jumped off of sprung off of the roof, and over the building's side. The other two sprinted in an arc to attack his side. He lazily side stepped the first clone, dispersing him with a chop to the side of his neck. The two coming from the side threw several kunai at him that he twisted past to engage them in taijutsu. His senses informed him of the incoming shunshin and he lashed out with a kick through both shadows to see one had gotten off a kawarimi with a large potted plant. He let the momentum of the kick carry him around and snatched a shadow coming out of shunshin and slammed him into the ground.

He had to quickly roll forward to avoid a swing from a shadow with a baseball bat.

'That one got pretty close, and where did he get the baseball bat?'

The shadow lunged forward swinging wildly, making weird grunting noises, and Asuma calmly back stepped out of his reach.

'This a joke?' He thought

The shadow tossed the bat at Asuma, who leaned out of the way, only to be caught with a kick to the face. Stunned that he'd been caught off guard, and angry to have been taking it so easy as to be caught by such a weak shinobi, he grabbed the offending limp to slam the shadow into the roof. Another potted plant laid on the roof before him and he grit his teeth. He looked up to see the shadow holding the bat again, and blasted him apart with a large air bullet.

'Punk, kid.'

He turned back to the hoard to see only 50, or so, clones being dispersed by ANBU, and decided to watch with a bit a glee as they tried to get away.

An hour later he was walking into the Jonin counsel to arrive just on time, only to join the rest of the Jonins in shocked horror. There, sitting with no book in sight, was the notorious Hatake Kakashi, a hard look in his eyes.

He froze, "Kakashi?"

To which the masked ninja only nodded curtly at him in response. Bewildered, he meandered to his seat, stealing glances at Kakashi, and rubbing his head. He looked over to see the Ino – Shika – Cho combination slumped in their seats, seemingly avoiding the glare from the largest of the three.

'No snacks either, they must be hating their children right now.' He thought.

The door opened, and the Hokage walked in followed by the ANBU Commander. Silence fell over the room, aside from the sliding of chairs, as everyone in the room stood and bowed. After the Hokage sat, everyone followed suit.

"I suspect you're all aware of what just occurred only moments ago. Uzumaki Naruto tapped into the Kyuubi's power while training, resulting in the creation of a couple thousand shadow clones. ANBU were able to deal them, sustaining two injuries to their numbers. This is currently information only available to the ANBU and Jonin, as they were the first responders to the event. Should any connection be made between Naruto and the event, the offender will be charged with treason. We all know that we've been lucky to go this long before something like this occurred while raising a jinchuriki. Further investigation will be done, as to the extent to which he can now tap into its power, though he will now be considered a tier one candidate."

The Hokage paused for a moment looking over the Jonin present.

"We will now begin team assignment drafts."

Kakashi stood up abruptly, "I, Hatake Kakashi, move to claim Uzumaki Naruto as my apprentice."

The Hokage narrowed his eyes at Kakashi, but did not speak. The entire room seemed to lean in and focus on the, normally, tardy and lackadaisical man. Whispers began rolling through the room.

A tap on the floor drew everyone's attention to an elderly looking bandaged man, who slowly rose.

"I Shimura Danzo, object to this claim. You should either be, taking a genin team with Uchiha Sasuke, or making him your apprentice. You are the only Konoha ninja who welds the sharingan, and are thus the only proper choice for his sensei."

Kakashi's lone eye buried into the old man and he leaned forward ever so slightly, "It is correct that I am the only welder, though I could always arrange for lessons outside of his normal team training. It is not essential that I be his sensei. Only his guide if he indeed awakens the sharingan."

Danzo glanced at the Hokage, who sat quietly packing his pipe.

A green spandex man with a bowl cut jumped up to his feet, fist raised, trembling before him, "Yosh, I, Mito Guy am moved by Kakashi's motivation the take the boy under his tutelage and endorse his youthful claim!"

Another Ninja, with a two scars along the side of his face and black hair held high in a ponytail, stood eyeing Kakashi closely as he spoke.

"I, Nara Shukaku, Jonin Commander and Nara clan head, endorse Hatake Kakashi's claim."

The Hokage looked over at the Yamanaka and Akimichi clan heads, whom nodded.

"Alright, the topic of Kakashi's pending apprenticeship will be placed on hold pending my decision and we will move forward with the team requests." Kakashi and the others sat down, and many of the Jonin pulled out paper and pencils.

"For those of you who are here for the first time and to remind some who have been away for a time, you will be given a chance to make a team of genin by picking from each of three groups or tiers. Because there are so few tier one candidates, you will need to make a second pick from the tier two pool. Once you've done so, you will need to write your reasons for this pick along with plans and projections for this team."

The Hokage motioned and the ANBU at the door ushered Iruka and a few other academy teachers into the room carrying stacks of folders.

"As you see, the Academy teachers are bringing in information regarding the future ninja of this village. Everything from their academic performance to what could be gleamed from the ANBU intelligence team's periodic assessments. You are this village's top shinobi and I expect better reasons, than because they will be awesome. For this draft, Naruto will be off of the table, and Kakashi… You and I will need to speak, after you submit a proper team assignment request. Failure to do so will result in an automatic dismissal of your claim. No documentation can be taken out of this room and if you are not planning on taking a team then you are free to leave."

The Hokage rose, along with every other occupant, whom bowed as he left.

Original

Objectively, Naruto could say that the fight between his clones and the ANBU was awesome. He'd been watching the fight for what seemed like a day, and yet he wasn't feeling the normal torture he felt during training. It was possibly the single most educational couple day that he'd ever spent. The tactics that he'd thought of on the fly were amazing, and had he been truly thinking about what was going on he was sure he would not have been able to come up with a portion of what his shadows had tried. Some things even comical, since death held no real meaning for a shadow.

His spar with Sasuke had gone well and he'd even stayed to speak with the boy about their spar. Things they did well and things they didn't. Sasuke had seemed impressed that his taijutsu was already showing signs of improvement and Naruto had admitted that Sasuke was doing much better at handling multiple opponents. It was late on the afternoon when Sasuke asked about his team, and he'd thought for a moment about telling him the truth before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

His research into basic tools had been fruitful, but he was still unable to make sense of the complex drawings of anything he wanted to use. Even the locking mechanism for a grappling hook was beyond his ability to grasp, and his conclusion was that he'd actually have to see about getting help.

His lessons at the "Art of the Brush" were uneventful and the old man started expecting him to spent time coming to the shop, stating that he'd be his greatest pupil before the year was up. When he asked about getting a discount the old man had started yelling about "ungrateful brats" and that he was lucky that he was only begin charged for one person.

He was sure that his kawarimi and shunshin would be perfect and he was delighted to enjoy days goofing around atop a lake after he'd mastered the water walking exercise. The fun he'd have turning into a kunai, and having another one of his clones toss him into the air was awesome. HI attempts at a bird henge had been dismal but all the more funny to watch.

He'd awoken in the hospital, late at night, if the beeping of the heart monitor was any indication. The familiar feeling of the unseen presences around told him he'd face the consequences of his mistake in the morning. For now, he would rest and think of what he would say to the Hokage tomorrow. Sure he'd lightly wounded two ANBU, but they would be fine and he would not make the same mistake twice. Whatever mistake it was that he was going to tell the Hokage. He lay there listening to the beeping of the monitor and turned to stare at the dripping of the IV. At some point the drop began slowing and the beep of the monitor stretched out into a low bass before he was gone.

Naruto had known that deep inside himself there was darkness. Some part of him that was evil. He'd hoped that everyone held this small evil portion inside themselves and that it was normal, but not everyone would have the chance to randomly pick out portions of themselves to project into the world. Some portion with its own arms and legs to carry about, whatever gruesome business it had in mind.

Shadow

Some clone towards the outer perimeter came into existence. He was mad, furious, and today was the day. With all the strength he possessed now, that man who be no match for him. That man who'd hurt him like no one had ever or will ever. He replayed the countless angry looks and hushed insults he'd received since he was born, but there had been very few who would actually attempt to lay hand on him. This man had been different.

The puppet crafter, and his little shop. He'd never told, and he never would. He quickly henged into a young boy, with black hair, dark brown eyes, and old worn clothes. He walked with calm simmering fury, into the town proper, on to the market place and into the little puppet shop. Puppets dangled all around. Some simple wooden ones lacking facial features or fingers, and some more elaborate Samurai and princesses in full garb and decorations around them. The old man sat behind the counter, whittling away at some half – finished puppet. He looked up at the chime of the bell, above the door, to see the boy enter the store. He slowly put aside the little wooden carving and greeted the boy with a smile and a wave.

"The price is on the left foot, and please, don't touch any of the puppets without asking for assistance."

Naruto closed his eyes and imagined one of the seals he'd been studying. Each brush stroke coming together in his mind to form the artful silencing seal, and the connection, that every seal needed, to its master. The simplest one requiring it be placed in an array around the entire room, with distance requirements depending on how much sound it would block.

He smiled a sinister grin at the old man and whispered, "Taju… Kage"

, seals appearing all over the shop's walls.

The old man's eyes widened and he began to hobble towards the back door.

'Kage bushin no justu' he thought a moment later, and four shadows appeared around the man, all wearing black shinobi garb and demonic fox masks. They pulled the man up and onto the counter, each holding down a limb, while he struggled and screamed for help. Naruto jumped up and landed, knees first on the man's chest, returning to his normal face, but with red slit eyes and blood red hair.

The young boy gazed into the man's eyes and he started screaming louder, "Please, someone! The demon has come to kill me! Help!"

Naruto reached out with his felt hand and, belatedly wishing he'd read some books on torture, firmly grabbed the man's jaw. He held the man's face steady for a moment, letting the hate boil over and begin to harden, as he closed his right first.

He punched the man's nose, not very hard, but enough to cause great pain. His screams became angry and his struggling increased futilely. And, he punched again, and again, and again, finally the cartilage in his nose buckling with a moist crunch. The man's screams started to become desperate as blood oozed back across his cheeks. Naruto smiled wider, blood spattering across his face, as the man started shaking his head, in hopes to avoid further punishment, pleading with Naruto to stop. This, he did not.

He hit him over and over, laughing at the gurgling cries until the check bones began to crack, and his front teeth had, long since, fallen into his mouth. The struggles had ended and Naruto fetched the carving knife. He cut out the man's tongue and retrieved the one tooth he'd failed to make the man swallow, and left the store. The shop bursting into flames as a small fox scurried away.

Original

Naruto came from the memory still screaming and crying the silent pleas he'd been struggling to make through the horror he'd lived. The true consequence of his failure. The nurses rushed in and he thrashed at the sight of them, "No, stay away. I'm a monster!" His last memory a bird like mask appearing from the shadows with a senbon in hand, before the pinch, and darkness took him.

A/N; I hope I can keep up this pace, but don't be surprised if I start to slow down as we get into the meat of the story. Thanks goes out to the two other brave souls to review my story, "plums", and "name the missing", you guys are awesome. Also, netesy1, is two for three. My biggest fan! I feel a heart jutsu coming on.