Stuff: umm yeah first sorry for taking so long I was in basic training and now in tech school so didn't have any time to do anything and I will now be continuing story as best as possible (need to study and stay focused on schooling but I do get some free time) I don't remember exactly how I was going to start this chapter originally so don't get angry if it sounds a little off but it wont be too far gone.

Disclaimer: um naruto is not mine, yep… that's about it for that

Naruto POV

I wake up and take in the surroundings of my room, the morning twilight and the girl behind with her arms around my waist. I continue to lie here I think of all I had to do to make this moment happen. The giant mishap that damn near got me kicked out of the village or the stealing of the forbidden jutsu and the endless amount of time it took to perfect each new plan and procedure to pull this all off and now its here. Finally I completed the task I set out to do those many years ago.

After becoming more aware I find that I am extraordinarily tired; my whole body feels like I got The Uchiha to use me as a punching bag. I sigh in satisfaction anyway however as Iziri snuggles closer to me hiding from the sun that has just started peeking over the sill and spilling into the confines of my bedroom. All thoughts of being exhausted fade from my mind as I slowly slip back into more comfortable sleep then I can remember.

'Nothing can go wrong today'

After my pondering I noticed something strange about the room. Shikamaru was sitting on the floor, he was getting his breath and telling me, "Naruto… we got… 5 minutes to get …. be at the academy." Realization dawned on me immediately. I've been asleep for several days and today is the final test for graduation. I wasn't even able to get my sandals on before he was shoving me out the door and we were sprinting the entire three miles to the training facility. Most of the way I was being half dragged and half stumbling to keep up with Shika. We make it to the academy's front doors 5 minutes late and enter.

"You both will receive a deduction to your exam, now take your seats." We didn't even see Iruka-sensai before he got that out. Sullen and more then slightly peeved we take our seats at the back of the classroom. Iruka was finishing a note on the board stating the requirements of the exam: one fully functioning complete bunshin, a written test, and a decently performed kawarimi.

Shika, after seeing the criteria glanced at me with a worried look. I knew he was thinking what I was thinking, 'how the hell am I going to pass the exam if I can barely move without stumbling, I've never even been able to perform a proper bunshin before how am supposed to do one now.'

Everyone looked board off their gourd as the test was being past out. I knew I wasn't going to have a problem with this part of the exam at least. 20 minutes flat and I am again waiting in overwhelming fear of the bunshin. I believed I would be able to pull of a kawarimi but it might not be enough. An hour later everyone else was done with the test. After handing them up Iruka-sensia, told the class to line up as he had each student perform both jutsu. I was in the back trying to form my chakra and before I knew it

"Naruto-kun!" I stop concentrating and look around to see everyone looking at me and a slightly miffed Iruka waiting on me. I step forward and prepare myself.

Putting up the proper seal I say calmly and firmly, "kawarimi-no-jutsu" and smoke spewed forth and a chair was in my place. I didn't come forward right away on account that I blacked out. I was shaken awake, quite rudely, by Sasuke. I start to stumble forward but I had to catch myself on the closest desk and wait for my head to stop spinning. By now my sensei was getting worried, "Naruto-kun if you feel you are unsafe to complete the test due to illness you have the option to forfeit the next part of the exam and take the evaluation as is, its your choice."

I didn't even give it a thought. I stood up and went back to where the chair was standing (it was moved) and put up my hands and took a deep breath to coordinate myself. Snapping out the hand seals rapid fire and said the trigger words, "Bunshin no jutsu" smoke enveloped me. Shikamaru had his breath held in anticipation until the smoke cleared, I was on the floor with a bunshin standing were I was though it had no defining features (face, clothes) other then colors and the basic shape of my figure. I wasn't even awake yet before the class had all filed out.

Shikamaru and Sasuke dragged me out to the tree swing next to the academy and woke me up 20 minutes later I found. Before they started spewing forth words of encouragement I walked away toward the back of the building to cool off by myself, they didn't follow.

'I failed… I failed… why, I came so far and then I fail. I FAIL NOW. IT'S JUST NEVER ENO…'

Before I could finish my downward spiral of self hate I find myself standing in front of one of the test examiners by the name of Mitsuki. He doesn't seem anyway perturbed by my presence, which seems odd considering no one in town can even stand my very existence let alone being around. "Naruto-kun, I see you are not doing so well."

'Understatement of the century'

He didn't wait for a response, "the examiners have concluded that due to your being ill we are willing to give you a second chance if you prove yourself exemplary." My ears are open so wide I can hear the grass growing. " The situation is very serious, you must prove your stealth skills and awareness by bringing us a scroll from the hokage tower by tonight after some rest." He gives a few seconds to let my eyes fall out. "Do you except these conditions for the second evaluation of your skill as a nin Naruto-kun?" I didn't even hesitate though I did have a strange feeling in my gut, "Yes Mitsuke-sensei, are there any other specifics I should know about?"

He gives me an appraising look with what could have passed for pride, "Only that you must not be in anyway seen and the destination will be the forest a mile east of the academy no later then 3 a.m." His face is now stern and hard with seriousness. I nod and turn away making my way back around to the swing.

Shikamaru was still standing against the tree but Sasuke was gone. As I approach the Nara shoves himself off he trunk and walks toward me with his hands stuffed deep in his pockets. No words pass between us as we walk back to the Nara residence. We aren't moving too fast considering how I am still quite weary so the sun's already dipped nearly to twilight by the time we reach our door. After opening I turn around to ask Shika-kun what he will be doing and he is already gone.

'How troublesome… hmmm have to ask him about that later'

I close the door and get to my room before I let myself relax. Resulting in a collapse on the floor. I am only inches away from blissful sleep and I feel myself being lifted. I open my eyes to meet Iziri staring back with an intense emotion that I cannot place. I feel a familiar feeling of comfort and only now notice that I was on edge until I was back with her.

'She means so much to me… I can't give her a reason to regret those words she gave me last night.'

She was setting me down on the bed before she speaks for the first time since last night, "You better sleep Naru-chan I want a proper tour of Konoha and a meeting with the Hokage tomorrow so be ready your going whether you like it or not." 'Damn already back to her old self.' Even with the irritated thought I couldn't help but smile at the recognized bark of my former tenant. "Sure you can keep up with that new body of yours?" I couldn't help but give a smart retort. She only huffs and walks out mumbling something about getting something to eat.

And with a resolve to steal my way into the hokage tower and back out with a scroll, I released my hold on the waking world into the realm of slumber.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Normal Pov

minutes to midnight.

'I wonder where she is' Naruto was only a building away from the Hokage office when the thought returned to his mind's eye like a bad itch. He put it out of his head however and focused on the task set before him. Feeling well rested and ready he summoned enough power in his arm and called upon Tapa for a repeat of his first real assignment. He came up from the ground, some bit softer then his first entry to the surface, and stood waiting for instruction. "I need another scroll from the tower and there MUST not be any slips. One of the forbidden jutsu should do, can you complete this task Tapa." The small fox before our blonde nods its affirmative.

"Go" Before Naruto could finish the command Tapa was already vanishing from sight and heading toward the Hokage building.

Minutes passed with agonizing slowness. It was a half hour later when the summoned fox returned. By which time Naruto was moments away from ripping off his own leg for forgetting his cigarettes. Tapa phased back into view the scroll in his mouth, the only acknowledged was a small nod and twitch of the eyes. "Leave the scroll and you are dismissed." One placing the scroll on the ground Tapa left in the same hole he entered.

Taking another few seconds to assure that the area was clear of watchers and causes for alarm Naruto made his way for the forest with the haste only few can offer so as not to be late and to have a peek at what he was handing over. If one looked closely one would notice a strange side glance every so often from our short friend; strange how he never showed such vigilance. It took him a mere dozen minutes to arrive at the forest a short distance in. At this spot he stood and caught his breath before opening the scroll his eyes wide.

2 and some hours later

Naruto POV

I was just getting up from my rest when I heard a disturbance behind me. Swiftly swinging around I drew a dagger and went down into a crouching stance. Iruka-sensei came out from behind a set of bushes like he was lost and trying to find his way out. Upon seeing me he gasped and stuttered, "Na-Naruto-kun there you are, what are you doing here?" It is now my turn to look surprised, "Aren't you here to finish my exam Iruka-sensei?" The shinobi gave a start and a deep crease appeared on his forehead, "Naruto-kun you failed your exam, why did you take the scroll?"

"Mitsuke-sensei told me-"

Before I could clarify my situation I was forced to dodge the kunai flying in my direction. Iruka-sensei along with myself took cover behind trees, assessing were the attacker might be hiding. "Naruto-kun get the scroll back to the Hokage quickly and inform him that Mitsuke has betray-" Given that Iruka had let down his guard to speak to me, he was now sporting a few new body piercings.

"You know I thought there was more to you Iruka but I am sadly mistaken, you always were weak."

Mitsuke-sensei shows himself some 50 meters away from Iruka-sensei's wounded form; he doesn't know where I am. Iruka shakes off the pain shouting, "do not show yourself under any circumstance Naruto-kun!! He must not get the scroll!" Mitsuke just walks toward Iruka laughing, "Iruka, still protecting that little piece of shit you call a student; what do you think he would say if I told him about how your parents died?"

Iruka's face is one of shocked dismay, "enough, you know it is forbidden!"

"Forbidden indeed to hold the truth of ones birth and reason for the hate of Konoha. You can't tell me your not at least a smidgen curious at all the ugly looks you get Naruto."

"Hell I am surprised he hasn't figured it out by now. Isn't he almost 15, you would think he would know now that he is the carrier of the Kyuubi!, killer of thousands including your beloved parents Iruka."

"She killed your parents as well you piece of shit." With lightening swiftness, the traitor turned to face me. His body stretched tight in fear at the sight of several hundred blonde haired blue-eyed teenagers with merciless faces. He reversed his direction to make his get away and froze just the same as before.

Another couple hundred were already standing guard in the trees, on the ground, and in front of Iruka-sensei. There was no place for him to run. When he turned around once more in disbelief I gave him one solid punch in the face and he was out.

I stood with my many, looking at the person who made my life so much worse, and all because I gave to much hope in a 'too good to be true' thing. 'I will never make this mistake again for as long as I live. Though I will never get a chance like this again'

Slowly as I continued in my thoughts my kage bunshins started to disappear in groups of 10 and 20 until there was only Iruka-sensei and I along with the unconscious Mitsuke. 'I will never be accepted as a nin now with this on my record, all because of my incapability to be aware of temptations. I have forever failed her…'

"Naruto-kun?"

I come out of my thoughts and take note of the 5 feet of scorched earth where I stand. Looking over my shoulder I acknowledge Iruka's question and move toward him extinguishing the last vestiges of the foxfire. I don't know what I must of looked like but he must have been aware that I was in strong internal turmoil by the expression on my face. He said nothing for several moments but spoke at last, "close your eyes Naruto-kun I have a gift for you."

For the first couple of seconds I had strong hesitation, but nothing I do now can make the situation any worse so I comply. I hear the movement of tight fabric. A moment later I feel the damp cloth being put to my head and tied snug. There is a light strong metal over the cloth. I have just received my haiate.

I can't stop the tears as they stream down my face. I open my eyes slowly to see Iruka's face slightly bloodied and without his head protector. My mouth opens and moves but I am unable to speak. He smiles so broad it seems to split his head. "Thank you Naruto-kun and congratulations genin." And with that he picked up the limp body, I gave him the scroll and he vanished.

It took me another 5 minutes to get a hold on myself and start my walk home. I only just got out of the clearing when I heard someone grunt. I turn with my dagger raised, only to catch a pack of 'Strikes. Shikamaru gets off the tree and starts walking toward the forest edge with his trousers swallowing his arms. I catch up and walk beside him take drags out of my cigarette every so often.

"So did you tack a piece of scrap metal on a strip of cloth and call in a hai-ate." I bust out laughing at the random and very rare joke from the Nara. The rest of the walk home was quiet save for the occasional chuckle from either of us. By the time we are home the sun is rising and I finally remember to as a question that had been on my mind all night. "Do you know where Iziri has been?" All he does is grunt and lead inside and upstairs to our rooms (mine is directly across from his). Instead of going into his room he opens the door to mine and gestures for me to enter. I enter looking back at him expecting to come in next when I get a large helping of pain served to the back of my head.

Taking a few seconds I was able to begin understanding the words being screamed into my ear. "What the hell did you think you were doing not telling me?! Did you actually think keeping some thing like that from me was a good thing, huh do you?!" Iziri's petite form was just coming into view through the flashes of pain. Her red face flushed and her eyes searing holes through me. In short she looks really pissed.

Though she stopped short on her tirade and crossed her arms. Looking down at me (still laying down where she knocked me flat) with a strange visage.

"Congratz Genin"

Relief flooded through me in an instant. I stood up to face her and give her a proper thank you when she lifted me by my shirt and started dragging me down the stairs.

"Now lets get going, I want that tour"

'Damn it!'

Well there's another chapter review or I will stop, this is taking time I could be using to fold clothes… only three thousand but I should be able to pump out more.

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