Author's Note: Hello loyal readers! Thank you for giving this story a chance! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter, and continue to enjoy the following chapter! Thank you for your time, and please tell me what you think. I enjoy constructive criticism. However, please don't flame me. Or go flame my co-writer. We know that this story is unusual, but that doesn't give you the write to try and make us feel worthless. And, if FanFiction's AI is still reading this, if you don't like, don't read. It's not that hard to change stories. But, it's not right to go read the same story to flame the other author. For everyone else, reviews are appreciated, and I do take suggestions. And, if you're confused about how Multiple Personality Disorder works, please PM me and I'll explain it to the best of my abilities. Again, thank you for your time! Enjoy the chapter!
Key:
[This is Naruto/personalities doing sign language.]
{This is Shikamaru doing sign language back to Naruto.}
"This is Kyubbi speaking to Naruto via mind link/Naruto or other personalities using telepathy to converse with others outside of the mindlink."
"This is the personalities speaking to Naruto/Naruto speaking to personalities via mind link."
Chapter 2: Hiding In Plain Sight
I stepped into the classroom, and everyone stared at me like I had a second head. I raised my eyebrow, not knowing what their problem was.
"It's probably because your the rookie of the year," Kei said.
"Yeah, you don't talk, so no one knows how smart you are," Yoichi said. "They think your just dumb, so you don't speak."
"How," Sasuke demanded. "How did you become Rookie of the Year?"
[I worked for it.]
"I don't read signs," Sasuke screamed. "And, we know you can talk!"
"Actually," Shikamaru said as he studied me. "He's mute. He can't talk. However, I don't know how he became mute..."
I turned to Shikamaru.
[Do you read signs?]
{I do,} Shikamaru signed back.
[Can you tell Sasuke to shove off.]
"Naruto said to shove off," Shikamaru said.
"Don't you be rude to Sasuke-kun," Sakura yelled.
[And, tell her to shut up. She's gonna make us all deaf prematurely. I'm already mute, I can't afford to go deaf.]
Shikamaru snorted in amusement.
"What so funny," Sasuke said.
"Sakura," Shikamaru said. "Naruto said to shut up. Your going to make everyone go deaf prematurely. And since he's already mute, he can't afford to go deaf."
Sakura's mouth opened and closed like a bad imitation of a fish.
"Alright everybody, in your seats," Iruka called.
I sat down by Shikamaru, and Choji gave me a nod in greeting.
"Congratulations on becoming genin," Iruka said. "You are now the lowest of the low. From today onwards your trials will be tough, but I believe you can make it through if you train hard!..."
I tuned out the rest of Iruka's speech.
"Team 7," Iruka called. "Uchia Sasuke, Haruno Sakura, and Inuzuka Kiba."
I sighed in relief.
"Yes," Byakayu yelled. "No emo or banshee!"
"Team 8: Akimichi Choji, Aburame Shino, and Hyuuga Hinata!"
"And no stalker either," Heiko said. "Thank goodness. She made me nervous."
"Team 10: Uzumaki Naruto, Nara Shikamaru, and Yamanaka Ino," Iruka finished.
"This will be intersting," Kei said.
"Now, you are dismissed to go to lunch," Iruka said. "Good luck everyone. I'm proud of you."
"Naruto," Shikamaru said. "Come have lunch with me and Ino."
[Okay. Where are we going?]
"How bout we go to Ichiraku's," Shikamaru asked.
I smiled and nodded.
"Hey, Ino," Shikamaru called. "Are you having lunch with us?"
Ino nodded as she walked over.
"Sure," she said. "Where are we going?"
"Ichiraku's," Shikamaru said.
Ino shrugged.
As they walked to Ichiraku's I put on my headphones to block out the multitude of thoughts that drifted to me. My shoulders tensed when the villagers started to glare at me.
"Are you okay," Shikamaru whispered as he walked closer to me.
I nodded, and tried to make myself relax.
"Relax," Yoichi said. "Everything's fine. Hold up your head and act like you own the place."
Kei snorted and said, "Shikamaru already knows something's up. If he's anything like me, he'll only investigate further. And, he's already noticed the stares."
"It'll be nice to have someone worry about us though," Byukayu said.
"I'd rather him not know," Heiko muttered.
"Hey, Naruto," Shikamaru said, pulling me from my mind. "Are you sure your okay?"
"I'm fine," I said. "Just thinking."
Shikamaru hummed as he nodded.
When we reached Ichiraku's, I sighed in relief.
"Welcome to Ichi—," Ayame started to say. "Naruto-kun! It's been a long time! Where have you been!"
[Funds have been tight. Had to survive on instant ramen.]
"Well," Ayame said. "I'm glad you didn't forget about us."
I smiled and nodded.
"Now are you going to tell us who your friends are," Teuchi asked.
[This is Nara Shikamaru and Yamanaka Ino. They're my teammates. Shikamaru, Ino, this is Teuchi and Ayame Ichiraku.]
"Naruto said that this was Teuchi and Ayame Ichiraku," Shikamaru said told Ino, and then he turned to the Ichiraku's. "It's nice to meet you."
"Yes, it's nice to meet you," Ino said.
"Likewise," Teuchi said. "I'm glad that Naruto-kun has found people he can call friends."
I ducked my head. I wouldn't say that just yet...
"They're worried about you," Byakayu said.
I know, I said. But, that doesn't mean that Shikamaru and Ino have proven to be friends.
"What can I get for you," Ayame asked.
[My usual, please.]
"Pork ramen, please," Shikamaru said.
"Chicken ramen, please," Ino said.
"So, do you know who your sensei is," Ayame asked after she handed out our orders.
"No," Shikamaru said. "But, we'll know after lunch."
[I hope we have Anko. She's been wanting a team...]
"And, despite her eccentricities, she deserves it," Ayame said. "I don't know why they keep shooting her down.
"Who's Anko," Ino asked.
[She's a special jonin, and she helps Ibiki in T&I.]
"How do you know her," Shikamaru said.
[I meet her when Ibiki took me to get dango.]
"She's a nice person," Ayame said. "But, she can be...over eccentric."
My shoulders shook in laughter at the understatement.
"So, how do you know someone from T&I," Shikamaru asked.
[I'll tell you later, but if we don't leave now, well be late...]
"Shoot," Shikamaru said as he laid the money down for their food. "Thank you for the meal, Ayame-san, but we got to go."
"Good luck," she said as we speed off.
"It's nice to see him with people his own age, isn't it," Teuchi said.
Ayame nodded, and went back to work with a bright smile.
...Academy...
[Thank you for paying.]
"No problem," Shikamaru said. "I did invite you."
"So when do you think our sensei will get here," Ino asked.
"Don't know," Shikamaru said.
Two people walked in. One was a woman with raven black hair and crimson red eyes, and the other was a male with a cigarette in his mouth.
"Team 7 with me," the woman said.
"Team 8 with me," the man said.
Soon, Shikamaru, Ino, and I were the only ones left.
"Where's our sensei," Ino asked after thirty minutes.
"Right here," Ibiki said as he walked through the door. "Sorry. I had an iterigation that lasted longer than I thought it would."
[Ibiki? What are you doing here?]
"I'm your new sensei, Gaki," Ibiki said.
[Who did you have to bribe?]
...Flashback...
"Hokage-sama," Ibiki said as he walked into Sarutobi's office. "I have a request."
"What can I do for you," the Hokage asked.
"I'd like to request a genin team," Ibiki said.
Sarutobi Hiruzen leaded forward and said, "And why is that?"
"You know how I've been teaching Naruto the art of interrogation for a couple years," Ibiki said.
The Hokage nodded as he said, "And, you commented that he has great promise. Now, I could understand why you would want to take him as an apprentice, but why a genin team?"
"Well, Hokage-sama," Ibiki said. "Inochi has spoken how his daughter Ino has taken to the idea of surpassing her dad as an interrogator. I've been looking at her academy records, and I agree. And, the Nara boy. He has a bright mind, and if it is used right, I believe that he would be a brilliant intelligence operative. However, to face the facts, it's time for new blood in the T&I Department, and I think these kids can lead it into the future."
"Hmmm... Well, I was going to have Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai take the most likely genin to pass the second exam...," Sarutobi said. "However, if you can convince one of them to not take a team, you can have all three genins."
"Thank you Hokage-sama," Ibiki said with a bow.
...Later that same day...
"Kakashi," Ibiki called.
Kakashi turned around, his nose in his Icha Icha Paradise novel, like always.
"Ibiki," he said. "You normally don't seek me out. What's going on?"
"I hear your going to get another genin team this year," Ibiki said.
"Yes," Kakashi said. "Why?"
"I was wondering if I could take them off your hands," Ibiki said.
"No," Kakashi said. "I have Obito's cousin and sensei's son. I'm not going to give up my team."
"I'll buy you the collectors Icha Icha Paradise novels," Ibiki said.
Kakashi thought about it for a moment, "...Fine."
"Thank you Kakashi," Ibiki said, mentally smirking.
...Flashback End...
"...No one," Ibiki said.
[As if.]
"Anyways," Ibiki said. "Meet me on the roof in five minutes."
Ibiki then body flickered away.
Naruto looked at Shikamaru and Ino, and they all walked to the roof together.
"Good, your prompt," Ibiki said as they sat down on the bench. "Now, tell me your likes, dislikes, dreams for the future, and favorite subject. You first, Naru-chan."
[My name is Uzumaki Naruto. I like plants, foxes, working with Ibiki and Anko, puzzles, anything electronic, playing pranks, star gazing, and ramen. I hate when people judge others before knowing them, prejudice, bulling, egomaniacs, and people that hurt my precious people. My dreams for the future is to take Ibiki's job when he can no longer do it. My favorite subject is Psychology.]
"Good," Ibiki said. "And, I'll happily give you my job one day. Next, the Nara."
"My name is Nara Shikamaru," Shikamaru said. "I like cloud watching, shoji, deducing things about people, and puzzles. I hate when people say I'm lazy because I don't do work when it the work is obvious and has little meaning, people that judge before they know someone, and bullies. My plans for the future is finding a job outside of my father's shadow. My favorite subject is investigation."
"Interesting," Ibiki said. "Now the only girl of the group."
"My name is Yamanaka Ino," Ino said. "I like flowers, poisons, my families techniques, the cross bow, and finding the truth in gossip. I hate bullies, people that think they're better than others, girls that don't take being a kunochi seriously, and traitors. My dream for the future is surpassing my dad. My favorite subject is Sociology."
"Very good," Ibiki said. "It looks like we have a bright group of interesting individuals. It almost makes me sorry to say that you haven't actually become genin yet."
"What do you mean," Ino asked.
"We have another test don't we," Shikamaru sighed.
"Correct," Ibiki said. "And, it starts now! Your objective is to find where Inochi, Anko, and I really are! That will be in your designated training areas. You also have to find out what time you have to meet me tomorrow! Now start!"
I turned to Shikamaru, and he placed his hands into a seal I've never seen before.
[Shikamaru?]
"Do we interrogate you," Shikamaru asked Ibiki. "You never said how you want us to get the information."
"That's up to you," Ibiki said.
[We'll never get Ibiki to talk. He'll probably have the answer on his person.]
Shikamaru nodded and trapped Ibiki in his Shadow Imitation Jutsu.
"Ino," Shikamaru said.
Ino nodded and she did her mind transfer Jutsu.
[Shikamaru, that's not him. It's a Shadow Clone.]
"Then, how do we find out where he is," Ino asked with Clone Ibiki's voice.
Genjutsu, Yoichi suggested.
Switch with me, I said.
[I'm going to use Genjutsu. Please return to your body.]
"He said that he's going to use genjutsu, Ino," Shikamaru said. "Your going to need to switch back into your body."
Yoichi used False Darkness and searched Ibiki's person. When he found a card, he poped the clone, and switched back with Naruto.
[It says to go to the Forest of Death. That's where Anko is. Figures.]
"The Forest of Death," Shikamaru asked disbelievingly.
I nodded and signed, [Also known as training ground 44.]
….Training ground 44...
"Hello gakis," Anko said as she stepped out of the forest. "It's time to try your hand to get information form me."
"So, what do we do," Ino asked.
"We could attack her," Shikamaru said. "She may have another piece of paper on her..."
[I don't think so. She's different than Ibiki. Plus, the clone was just a starting point, and Ibiki wouldn't let us do the same thing twice. He would have told Anko what we did to the clone so she won't fall for it.]
So, what should we do, Ino thought.
[We could always try to seduce her.]
"Huh," Shikamaru asked, and Ino stiffened.
It was like he was reading her mind.
[Well, it was only a suggestion. What do have to offer?]
"Well...we could bribe her," Shikamaru said.
I stopped for a second.
Of course, I thought. How could I be so...so stupid?
"Hey," Anko yelled as she threw a kunai at Shikamaru. "I don't have all day!"
[Anko. If you give us the information Ibiki gave you, I'll buy you a lunch and a dinner of all you can eat Dango this week.]
Anko smiled in delight, "You sure do know me, Gaki. Fine. The real Ibiki is in the Tower in the middle of the forest. You owe me Dango, Gaki."
And, with that Anko went on her way, most likely to go get Dango.
It took hours to get to the tower, and by the time they got there, they were all beyond frustrated.
"Hello," Ibiki said. "I'm happy you made it this far. If you pass me, all you have is one more test."
[Ibiki give me the information, or I'm going to drink coffee and lock both of us in your office.]
Ibiki paled. The last time Naruto drank coffee, Byakayu took control and he was literally bouncing all over the walls. He babbled nonstop and pulled so many pranks that half the village was tense for a month. The Hokage had to ban Naruto from ever drinking coffee on any occasion.
"T&I," Ibiki said. "Just don't drink the coffee."
Naruto smiled and nodded.
[You guys do the next one. I don't know much about Inochi.]
Shikamaru and Ino just nodded.
….T&I HQ...
"Dad," Ino said as she stood across from her father outside the T&I HQ.
"Ino-chan," Inochi said. "Hello boys."
"Inochi," Shikamaru said.
[Hello, Yamanaka-san.]
"Well, we start...NOW," Inochi said, and he shunshined away.
"Where do you think he's gone," Shikamaru said as he turned to Ino.
"If I'm right, and I hope I'm wrong," Ino said as she palled. "The forest."
[Why would he go there?]
"Because of our Clan's jutsu," Ino said. "He could be any animal or person we might come across."
"Troublesome," Shikamaru said.
"Kei," Naruto said. "I'm going to need your brilliant mind."
"Okay," he said.
"Naruto" leaned forward for a minute, like he was about to kneel over.
"Naruto," Shikamaru asked. "Are you okay."
[I'm perfectly fine. I was just thinking.]
"About what," Shikamaru asked, suspicious.
[Is there a way to find out which animal Inochi has possessed?]
"Not that I know of," Ino said.
"Naruto," Kei said. "It's time to tell them."
"Why," Naruto said. "We can do this without my telepathy."
"Yes," Kei said. "But, it'll be easier with it."
"Okay," Shikamaru said. "All we need to do is find his body, and hold it captured. We might even find a note on him..."
"Maybe," Ino said. "But, he'll keep it heavily guarded."
[Then we confuse him. I can create Shadow Clones and Transform them into you two. He won't be able to find us.]
"That's if they don't get popped," Shikamaru said. "But, it would be a good distraction... Okay, this is what we're going to do..."
Kei walked into a clearing, and "Ino" and "Shikamaru" were up in the trees.
"Hello, Inochi," Kei said. "It's been awhile."
"Kei," Inochi said as he walked out into the clearing. "It's nice to see you again. How have you all been?"
"We're fine," Kei said. "But, this isn't really an appropriate time for an appointment, is it?"
Kei leaned back and put his arms behind his head.
"I see you've made shadow clones of your teammates," Inochi said. "Your as smart as always..."
"I see you've made a shadow clone too," Kei said. "I presume you have others scattered about?"
"I can't tell you that," Inochi said. "It would ruin the surprise."
"So there are other shadow clones," Kei said. "Is your real mind in an animal?"
"Why do you ask that," Inochi asked. "If I did, I wouldn't be able to talk to you."
"Yes, but it would be a "surprise"," Kei said as they started to circle each other.
"It would," Inochi said. "But, that's not why your here is it? You want to know if you should have Naruto use his telepathy..."
"Hmm. Maybe," Kei said. "Or maybe I have an alternative motive. But, who really knows?"
...With Shikamaru and Ino...
"So, Naruto is distracting your father," Shikamaru said. "Or whatever else that he maybe using."
"Yes," Ino said. "So we have to find my dad's body. And, it's going to be a place that will be well guarded by trap and etc. Getting to him is not going to be easy."
A boar jumped out of the bushes and rushed the two genin hopefuls.
They jumped up into the branches.
"I would think not," Inochi said as he walked out of the follige. "I hid myself rather well, and Naruto can't distract everyone of my clones. So, what will you do?"
"Shadow Imitation success," Shikamaru said as he walked from behind a tree. "Well, I think Naruto did perfectly fine. But, you might want to tell us what we want to know, or Ino will hurt your body..."
Ino crawled out of a foxhole with Inochi's body behind her.
"Okay," the shadow clone said. "What do you want to know."
"What did Ibiki tell you," Shikamaru said.
"He said that you will meet the three of us—us being Anko, Ibiki, and I—at nine tomorrow morning at the T&I HQ if you pass the exam."
"Now, about Naruto," Shikamaru said before Ino could leave Inochi's body. "Is he sick?"
"That's something you should ask Naruto," Inochi said. "I have no authority over that information."
"So he is sick," Shikamaru said.
"Daddy, what's wrong with Naruto," Ino asked as she moved away from Inochi's body.
"I'm not really Naruto," Kei said as he walked up to his teammates.