"What do you think?" Shinigami asked.

"Maka is too neurotic, Soul is too laid back, and Tsubaki is too caring," Naruto answered relaxing against the wall, his hands behind his head "but they aren't half bad."

"And Black Star?" Shinigami inquired, wanting to hear Naruto's opinion.

He frowned as though he had just swallowed something foul "I don't like arrogant people and I don't like obsessive people. That kid is both."

"He's not that bad."

Naruto's frown deepened as he answered "He thinks that he is a god, Shinigami. I've met two people like that and both managed to kill people I care about, even if one of them did bring all the people he killed back. He's a Kishin waiting to happen."

"And if that time comes I have no doubt you will be able to handle him" Shinigami said in a dark tone that many had come to fear. But, in an instant, the dark and cold Death God was gone, replaced by the cheery jokester that was used for the students of Death City. "If you wouldn't mind checking on Kid, it's his first day of school."

"And people are probably gonna pick a fight with the son of the Death God, so I need to stop him before he kicks somebody's ass or finds something that isn't symmetrical and has a heart attack." Naruto walked away glad to have an excuse to go see his old friend's again.

XXXXXXXXXX

Kid began charging for Death Cannon, looking angrily at Soul and Black Star "Black Needle Soul Wave-Length Charge Complete. Feed back in 5… 4… 3… 2…"

"I think that's enough Kid" a hand was on his shoulder "wouldn't want to kill them now would we."

"I think that I do" he said but lowered his guns anyway. Liz and Patti turned back to their human forms as Kid stood there looking annoyed at the intrusion.

Stein smiled in recognition of the jacketed newcomer, Tsubaki was wondering if she should apologize for everyone for fighting, and Soul wanted to know if it was the sunglasses that made this guy look cool or if it was the jacket.

Maka, on the other hand was taking a good look at his soul. It was orange, easily the same size as Stein's, and covered in stripes that looked a little bit like flames. It also seemed to be part witch, but that wasn't possible. The only person she knew that was part witch was… "NARUTO-KUN!" Maka proclaimed and launched herself at him, engulfing him in a rib-breaking hug.

'Who is this guy and how does he know Maka' Soul thought jealousy.

"Hey Maka, it's nice to see you too, now would you please get off me" she smiled and let go.

"Are you on vacation from Konoha" she asked.

His smile faltered before coming back, a few teeth smaller "Afraid not, I…retired from Konoha. I'm back for good."

Maka blinked in confusion. 'I thought Naruto loved it in Konoha.' "Well where is-"

Naruto interrupted her "I'll tell you later" he answered quickly.

'What happened to make him quit Konoha and where is his meister' Maka frowned while thinking.

Stein was thinking the same thing 'Something must have happened, but what.'

Black Star, unaware of the tense atmosphere, was getting irritated. Nobody ignored him, he was god. "Hey, who do you think you are, nobody interrupts a fight that features the great Black Star." He charged forward with his fist cocked back.

A fist connected with his face sending him flying back into the wall. Groaning in pain, Black Star pushed himself out of the rubble, rubbing his jaw with his free hand. Naruto had punched him so fast the only reason that he knew that he got hit was the aching pain in his jaw. He pushed himself up, ready to charge again before he felt someone grab him by the back of his neck.

Shinigami lifted Black Star up as Tsubaki stood in front of him, bowing and asking for forgiveness. "It's quite alright Tsubaki, no need for you to apologize." She smiled and kept bowing while Black Star cursed and attempted to break free from the massive fingers holding him. "Thank you for taking control of the situation Naruto-kun, since it seemed like nobody else could" he said while looking directly at Stein.

"Well I have papers to grade" Stein said quickly pushing his chair away as fast as he could. A crash was heard a second "OW! MY HEAD!"

"So he's still doing the chair thing?"

"Yep" Maka said with a sweat drop.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Pretty nice place" Naruto commented leaning back into Maka and Soul's couch. Across from him sat Soul and Maka. Maka was excited to see her old friend, while Soul was just laying back and looked a little annoyed at Naruto's presence.

Blair, in her cat form, walked into the apartment, and immediately noticed the new guy. His aura reminded her of witch, but not completely. But most of all he reminded her of a large cat. The whisker marks, large teeth, lithe but solid muscles, even the jacket reminded her of a large predator. Not to mention he was very handsome. She leaped into his lap and curled up.

"Well hello kitty" he said and began stroking her behind the ears.

"BLAIR! Get off him" Maka said angry. It was bad enough she constantly came onto Soul, but now she was doing it to someone who didn't even know she could transform.

"It's alright, I've got a thing for cats." He said, while Blair purred.

'Nya, he's so good with his hands' Blair thought while she stretched out in his lap.

Maka sat back down, but kept glaring at Blair. Naruto could tell that the atmosphere was tense, though he didn't know why, so he decided to lighten the mood. "So Maka, how long have you and Soul been dating?"

Maka began spluttering, while Soul blanched "We aren't together!"

Naruto just chuckled "Weapons and their meisters have a tendency of getting together as a couple. Just look at Spirit and Kami."

Maka scowled "Yeah, now their divorced because my father is a cheater."

"Maka if there is one thing I know, it's that Spirit didn't cheat on Kami. He may be a flirt, but he loves her and he loves you."

Maka didn't respond and just stared at her folded hands. Naruto sat there relaxed, probably waiting for Maka to respond. Now it was Soul who tried to break the atmosphere. "So what happened to your meister?"

Instead of changing the subject, the tense atmosphere only got worse, as Naruto got a dark look in his eyes. "Well, look at the time; I guess I better get going." Naruto stood up, throwing Blair off his legs, and almost ran for the door.

Maka got up, went to her room, and shut the door. "Nya, he seemed nice."

Soul just stared at Blair "You really can't feel the tension of a situation can you?" He went to his room and hopped into bed. Hopefully Maka would be more cheerful tomorrow.

"Nya, was it something I said?"

XXXXXXXXXX

Naruto settled into his bed, unable to sleep. "I still remember when we met like it was yesterday."

Sasuke struggled against the bonds that held him to the log "Why am I the one tied to the log?"

It was bad enough that some blond kid showed up and made him look bad, but now he was tied to a freaking log. Stupid blondie had actually managed to get a bell, using taijutsu Sasuke didn't recognize and some kind of seal-less fire techniques that were more powerful than his own.

"Naruto managed to get a bell and gave one of them to Sakura. You refused all help and actually attacked Naruto when you saw that he had a bell."

Sasuke growled "Well if you hadn't stopped me, I would have gotten it from him or Sakura, it's not like she could stop me."

Sakura seemed to disregard this comment "Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke is right, he shouldn't be tied to the log."

"You know what Sakura your right."

"Really?" She asked, surprised considering his previous conviction.

"If anyone should be tied to the log it should be you," Sakura gulped at the idea "you failed to attack me at all, and the only reason you have a bell is because Naruto gave you one. Now I'm going to give you one last chance, don't feed Sasuke and I'll be back to administer the test."

Naruto relaxed and felt Kakashi's soul in the trees to the right. Ninjas may be able to hide their presence and chakra, but not their souls.

"Sasuke, here, have some of mine" Sakura practically begged holding out food for Sasuke to eat.

"Are you stupid" Sakura winced at the insult "if I eat anything and he notices I'll lose a chance to get stronger" he finished venomously.

"She's right, you need to eat or else you won't have the energy to keep fighting." Naruto knew that Kakashi was watching them, so maybe this is part of the test. Either way he got a bell, so he was good no matter what.

"I'm an Uchiha, I'll be fine" Sasuke said defiantly. Naruto thought for a second and nodded. Then he shoved a bunch of rice into Sasuke's mouth. Sasuke, surprised, swallowed and then began coughing.

"What the hell was that, what if he finds out" he said angrily.

"Don't worry he already saw it." Naruto said cheerily.

Kakashi appeared behind them, a terrifying look on his face, as Naruto just continued to smile "WHAT DID I TELL YOU, YOU ALL… pass"

Sasuke and Sakura just gaped. "What?" Sasuke asked when he could finally talk again.

"This was a teamwork exercise. Because they fed you, they considered the team before themselves."

As Sakura cut him loose, Sasuke switched back to emo mood and pulled away from her. "Alright, meet back here tomorrow." Sasuke jumped and practically ran off, trying to get away from Sakura and Kakashi disappeared in a shunshin.

Sakura turned on the only other person there, Naruto. "Why did you give the bell to me, why not Sasuke-kun." sticking her face directly into Naruto's.

He just smiled "Beautiful."

Sakura blushed bright red "What?"

"Your soul, I've never seen one so bright and it looks like it's surrounded by cherry blossoms, beautiful." He began to walk away, but turned towards her at the edge of the clearing "Nothing prettier than a cherry blossom."

Sakura just stood there, blushing, and realized that this was the first time she had ever been complemented by a boy.

Naruto smiled and settled deeper into his bed and dreamed of better times.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Another chapter down. Sorry if it's sappy, but next chapter will have some action in it. Also, for those who think I'm bashing Black Star, well I kinda of am. Not a big fan of his, but I'll loosen it up as time goes on. Poll for Naruto's Stand is still up and I would really like some more votes. I want to get the next chapter for it up some time soon.

-Bemmybean