I do not own Naruto as a game, Manga, Anime series or a character. All original characters are mine though :P

Hi no Ishi (The will of Fire) - Ninja-tag Arc

A new class is introduced to Umino Iruka as things get tossed on their head quickly. How is it that so many exceptions are being made? And since when were so many Clan Heirs gathered in one class? How can a little support affect our favourite blond dobe?

All underlinedterms are explained at the end of the chapter.

Please enjoy the final instalment of the Ninja-tag Arc. The girls for Sasuke's harem (as he chooses them) are announce in the final scene of this chapter. Though, I will be honest, there was a three-way tie for first, second and third place... Oh well, seeing that Sakura and Ino are too obvious a choice, they automatically got the boot. Sorry if you don't like that, but they really were at the bottom of the poll. I do have some... unique plans for them though.

Well, you will all see in time. As for now. On with the show!

~Narrator's POV~

"What'd you miss?" Hikaru repeated the question, after the Hokage and Aoba excused themselves. It was almost dinner time, and they officially still had the rest of the night to go, seeing that twenty-four hours would mean the end wasn't until 6:00 AM the next morning.

He tapped his finger against his swollen lips, thinking about that. He could give her a play by play, seeing that it wasn't hard to remember what happened, but what was the point?

"Well?" Tatsuko was starting to get restless, and likely a bit anxious. She hated crowds - which by her definition was anyone she was not used to - and she had been asleep for lunch. The combination troubled her little brother, but there was little he could do at the moment.

"Not much. After the first round, it kinda became a bit more like child's play. Nothing interesting happened, other than Kiba giving Sasuke a black eye." His voice was even, but everyone could easily see the pleased smile on his face as he relayed the last of the news.

"Why would you do that?" She couldn't exactly say she was surprised; Sasuke was not well liked among his peers. Sure the adults LOVED him! The Council ADORED him! Hell, 99.9% of the female population would rape him on sight if they thought they could get away with it. Too bad that 0.1% percent that didn't adore him, hated him more than anything; and the boys all envied and/or despised him.

"Nothing you need to worry about. It was done, and it should be celebrated!" Hikaru laughed as he patted the boy in question's back proudly. Tatsuko was not so easily distracted though.

"What did he do, Kiba-kun?" Sure, Kiba was cocky. In fact, he was likely the only one in the class that could compete with the Uchiha in regards to self confidence. However! Tatsuko knew Kiba far too well to even consider the possibility that he had started it.

'Kiba-kun often refers to the class as his pack. That means he would never attack one of us without just cause. Pack members fought for each other, not against or amongst each other.'

"He was being his usual charming self, Nee-chan. Trust me, Kiba-kunis embarrassed enough as it. Just let it be." Hikaru defended. Kiba, however, thought the girl deserved to know.

"He was sayin' some crap about how I was soilin' his property by enterin' the medic tent unsupervised." Tatsuko's eyes narrowed instantly, then began slowly growing to the size of dinner plates. Then slowly, as the import of those words sank in, he eyes hardened, returning to their normal size again... Yuuna and Hikaru knew the look all too well. It was one reserved for only the most heinous of transgressions. One that virtually guaranteed aggressive - and more than likely, lethal - reprisal from the girl.

"Well, can't say I didn't do something nice for Sasume this time. Thanks Kiba. I owe you one!" Hikaru patted the boy on his back again. True, Kiba was sure she'd be upset too, but he felt it was the right thing to do to explain the situation to the girl.

"Inuzuka-san," Tatsuko began, bowing deeply to the boy, "You have my humblest and sincerest thanks for your actions regarding this... disquieting situation. If you would all excuse me, I believe I need to lay down. My injury is troubling me, and I am rather spent." Yuuna, who knew that her Nee-chan was neither tired, nor in pain, helped her to stand up.

"Do you want me to help you back to the tent?" Yuuna asked innocently. If Tatsuko needed someone to talk to she would say yes, otherwise she just wanted to be alone to plot something.

"That is not necessary, Imouto-chan. Though, I thank you for your willingness." With that, she left. Her face was the epitome of calm, but her eyes betrayed the true depths of the intense emotion ravaging her being. Kiba was sure that even the trees surrounding Konoha would move out of her way if she told them to at that point.

"Did I do somethin' wrong?" Kiba asked worriedly. He was certain that if he was the source of her agitation, he would not survive the week.

"Nope. You might wanna get out your best black clothes though. Uchiwa's funeral might be coming sooner than hoped."

"Hikaru, stop messin' around. That girl's pissed off, so you better tell me if I need to be worried!" Kiba and Hikaru were teamed up this time, with Aoba as their chuunin. Kiba was actually getting used to the man, seeing that he had been on his team the whole day, in addition to the two preceding ones. Still, there was something so familiar about him that Kiba simply couldn't put his finger on.

"Kiba, how many time do I gotta say it. If she was pissed at you, you'd know it! She isn't the best at hiding her anger, you know!" Hikaru just ducked below yet another tag, not even bothered by the predicament. It seemed that Sasuke was 'it' this time, and since the rule change after the first round, that meant that he was the only one that was allowed to carry any tags at all. Everyone else had to run and could still only dodge.

"That's right, Sasume, keep trying to tag us. Enjoy your last moments alive!" The pale boy shot back, unnerving the emo slightly. Though only Kiba's sharp hearing heard the 'hnn' Sasuke replied with.

"So you were baiting me to tell her what happened then?" Kiba was anxious enough when it came to that classmate. When adding the plainly written murder in her eyes and the tense posture she exhibited after that scene earlier, he really wanted to be 100% sure he was not on her bad side in ANY WAY!

"Yup!" Hikaru announce proudly. "Everyone's been bugging me that I lay it on too thick with the shitstain, so I decided to have you tell her what happened and what he said. That way I know Nee-chan will plot to kill him, and I have my hands clean from the situation. Well, until she asks me to kill him, at least. Which she hopefully will!"

"You hate the boy that much?" Aoba asked evenly.

"Nope. Much more." Was all the boy would commit to.

"Then how come you never laid a finger on him before?" Kiba asked.

"Nee-chan said he was off limits. But since he fucked that up, I doubt that'll last long." Hikaru smiled broadly, not even bothering to hide how happy he was about that.

"That guy ain't letting up is he!" Kiba groused, barely jumping over the latest attack. Sasuke had been chasing them for the last ten minutes. Every time he threw a tag he had to reclaim it - seeing that he only had four in total - so his attacks were erratic. And the three targets figured his impaired depth perception was helping them out quite a bit. Another reason why Hikaru was starting to warm up to Kiba. Anyone that despised that waste of sperm couldn't be all bad.

"Oh look, she can throw two at once!" Hikaru laughed as he dodged the double attack. 'Kami-sama, I lovepissing Sasume off!'

"Hey, Naruto?" Yuuna asked. She and her team were sitting down, just trying to pass the time. Naruto sat on the ground near a stream that seemed to have a calming effect on him. Yuuna was jumping around, complaining about having nothing to do.

As for Kotetsu? He was just thanking the Heavens for getting him away from his first team! He had yet to get over the boisterous nuisances that plagued him the first two days of his test.

Honestly, if he had to hear one more shriek from Sakura, one more pointless argument, or one more complaint from Ino, he probably would have forfeited the test altogether.

'These two seem to get along well enough. Hell, I don't even mind the Kyuubi kid on the team if it keeps me away from those two!'

"Yeah?" Naruto answered after almost a solid minute of silence.

"I've got an extra soda that Hi-chan gave me, you want it?" She offered him. Her voice always seemed to be barely louder than a whisper, so you always had to pay close attention to hear her. Naruto honestly hadn't thought she said anything, until he noticed her looking at him.

"Really? Gee thanks." Naruto smiled broadly. Yuuna was quick to notice that the smile never reached his eyes though. She offered the soda along with a bright smile, all the while wondering why he seemed unwilling to actually take it. "It's okay, I'm not trying to trick you." She eventually said, a bit louder than she otherwise would have.

"Heh heh. Um, yeah, uh... Okay." He seemed flustered, unsure how to act or react. She stuck her hand out a bit more to place the can gently in his hand, without touching him of course. She never really liked touching people, or being touched by them. Naruto kept a keep eye on the girl, just in case. Thoroughly puzzled by her nonchalant, almost serene expression.

'I wonder if it's booby trapped, or something.' The sardonic part of his brain wondered. 'Nah, Yuuna's not the type.' He carefully opened the can, tightly closing his eyes... just in case. The grape soda fizzed a bit as it breathed the air in, but other than that nothing happened. He had already checked the expiration date on the can, so he knew it wasn't over date. The final test was the smell and taste test.

'Jeez, I'm so paranoid!' He groped, bringing the can to his lips. He was careful to smell the liquid for anything unusual, but in absence of irregularity he sipped some. Again, nothing happened. No hidden exploding tag, no bugs crawling out, no overly sweet or sour taste. Nothing.

He carefully drank a bit more; soon having to stifle a moan as he started gulping away. With the day being so hot and the cool drink being exactly what he needed, it wasn't that odd that he thoroughly enjoyed it.

"Man, that hit the spot! Dattebayo!" He announced happily. "Thanks!"

"Hey, we orphans gotta stick together, ne?" She smiled, though it was less... full of life, when compared to her normal smiles.

Neither student noticed the subdued look on Kotetsu's face.

Tatsuko sat on her cot, the air around her as pensive as a certain Uchiha emo. Her eyes briefly flicked to the Hyuuga duo in the opposite corner.

Hinata had woken up, seemingly well rested, but chakra exhaustion was notorious for making unexpected relapses. Kou, obviously knowing this, allowed her to sit up, but no more than that. She was expressly forbidden to stand or use her chakra in any way, until he deemed her well rested.

'I remember how that was... someone caring about every injury, no matter how small it felt.' Tatsuko thought sombrely.

It was only a year ago. The event that would, once again, change her life forever. 'Forever? Ha! Forever has come and gone so many times I've lost count.' Suddenly, Tatsuko had the urge to play her flute. Not for any jutsu, not for practice... just to calm her nerves so she could think properly. She resisted though, not wanting to give into the memories that once again haunted her thoughts.

/ "Shisui, bring up the rear!" Fugaku shouted to his second in command. "Inabi, Tekka box him in from both sides; and Yashiro, you take long range! I'll take him head on."

"How like you, Fukagu, to try to assassinate those who do not openly oppose your pathetic clan." Tatsuhi observed dryly. No one made any verbal response, but the tick mark on their foreheads was the only reply he needed.

"It's a shame, seeing I was half hoping Itatchi and Tatsuko would someday help the Great Clans heal the age old wounds your clan inflicted." The tone in his voice was much colder now, as five Uchihas took up their positions around him.

"Don't worry, we've already taken care of that." Fugaku taunted, knowing that his opponent was severely overprotective of that girl.

/

NO! Tatsuko REFUSED to live through that memory again! She never wanted to think about it; she never wanted to talk about it. That day was the greatest taboo in her life!

The simplest reference to any person involved in that day at all had the power to bring her to her knees, and not just from pain... She had to fight to keep her anger under control. No matter how much that day affected her, she could not and would not let her anger control her any more!

A few deep breaths later, her breathing normalized and she could see colours other than red - without Aoba's shades on and her doujutsu inactive. She was slowly soothing the innate rage that rehashing that day called at a moment's notice.

But the tears kept falling.

Quicker than strictly needed, Tatsuko lay her head on the pillow and covered up. If anyone noticed her odd actions, they made no point in drawing attention to it. Or the fact that the Senju turned to face the wall of the tent... or the erratic rise and fall of her chest, shoulders, belly... or pretty much any other uncontrollable reaction to her emotional state.

Like the barely audible sobs that escaped her notice...

/ "Uchiha Sasuke, this is the decision of the Council. You will abide by it, unless you desire to be arrested for insubordination." Sasuke stood there, tensely silent. How could he avenge his clan if he wasn't even allowed to train properly to reach Itatchi's level?

He stood before the notorious Konoha Council, which meant that the Hokage was absent. His two advisers would chair the meeting in his absence, but they were known for their difference in opinion with the Sandaime.

'Not being able to achieve my full potential is every bit as criminal as not agreeing to your drivel.' The Uchiha thought sourly.

"Now, our judgement is as follows: you will select at least four females with which you will begin rebuilding your clan. You will not even be allowed to take your first D-class mission as a genin until your first son is born. Should you prove capable of siring at least four children, with a minimum of two sons, then this council shall aid you in anyway it can in your future endeavours."

"What if they refuse? Or they cannot bare child themselves? Surely you cannot blame me if the females are defective."

"Which is why you are required to select four of them. One barren female is rare enough, four in a row is your own fault!"

'Why don't I have a choice in this?' Sasuke wondered. Obviously a member picked up on his thoughts.

"You wish to rebuild your clan, do you not?"

"Of course!"

"You also wish to avenge your clan by slaying your brother?"

"I have never hidden those ambitions. Why are you asking?"

"What if your brother should prove the stronger, and slay you instead? What happens to the Uchiha clan then? You would have Itatchi be the only living Uchiha? Perhaps even rebuild the clan himself? He could easily have his crimes pardoned in another village and use his army of Sharingan wielding Uchiha against you! Against Konoha! If you wish to be aided or unhindered, then you will consent to this plan and rebuild your clan first!" Sasuke didn't care to identify any single speaker in the crowd of nearly thirty people. The only thing he cared about was that there was no other choice.

"Fine, you want me to knock up four brainless fan-girls? Then I want your word that you will give me every opportunity to become the strongest shinobi Konoha has ever produced! I will also want a team of ANBU stationed at my side at all times. And If so much as ONE female turns the offer down, then it falls on your collective failure."

"That is non negotiable! It is you who must choose them, but they must choose you as well! You can blame no one other than yourself in that regard!" There was a long pause as Sasuke thought of another way to get out of this mess.

"Furthermore, if you fail to acquire four concubines by your thirteenth birthday, we will be forced to select them for you!"

/

'Why must I always suffer so?' Sasuke asked himself, throwing all four tags at once at the Yukikami that had taken every opportunity to frustrate him ever since they met. 'Why is everyone so focused on hindering my training, my advancement? It's almost as if... he... is arranging this to stagnate my growth!'

That's when it hit him. The ideal plan... the best way to strike back at that man, without even going against the vile plan he had been coerced into. No one knew better than Sasuke that he had a few... personsof interest, before his defection. Though the list was short, it was long enough to placate the council... and it gave marginal room for error.

'First there was that Inuzuka girl... Hana I think her name was. She was a classmate of his, a close friend. Oh how sweet that would be.'

'The blacksmith's daughter always clung to him like a love sick puppy, she was definitely in love. Corrupting Tenten's love for him will be needed.'

'As well, that Kitsunaga girl. He was especially protective of her. He seemed to defend her from anyone that dared to get too close. She is going to be the most frequently ravaged of the bunch!'

'Then there was that Kohaku brat... his teammate's little sister, and her father is the Kohaku representative to the council... what was her name? It doesn't matter. She is definitely going to be getting it the roughest! That'll teach the Council for messing with my plans!'

'And last but not least, his absolute favourite... his best friend. The one he always turned to when he needed someone. Though I will never understand what they had in common...' The boy paused in his attack, slowly savouring the idea of ruining that girl for life! The one, true enemy of the Uchiha clan...

'Senju... Tatsuko... Itatchi's fiancé!'

End Chapter 10

End Ninja-tag Arc

A/N: As you all know, I want to send out lots of love to Kiravu and my reviewers! It's Kiravu's insight and creativity that help me to mould this story into what it is (compare earlier chapters to the later ones, and you'll understand what I mean), however the reviewers give me the desire to update quicker ;)

Anyway, this is the final chapter of this Arc. That doesn't mean you need to keep an eye out for another story published by me, though. The new Arc will simply start as 'Chapter 11' in this story.

I'm willing to bet that more than a few readers are starting to wonder what really happened between the prominent clans in our beloved Konoha. And what the heck is up with Itatchi and Tatsuko being engaged! That one must have hit you like a bolt of lightning from clear skies. Does that mean that there are more than a few cannon facts have been changed? Meh, maybe, maybe not. This is not AU though, simply because I define AU (alternate universe) to mean that EVERYTHING is different. That is certainly not the case here, I just creatively interpret the cannon facts and see them as I deem them needing to be seen.
The only thing you need to worry about, is that this chapter is shorter than my normal minimum (by nearly 1500 words), but it says everything I want it to say.

Chapter 1 of the following Arc, 5 Ninja Academy Students, should be released fairly soon. Simply because I have been plotting it for quite some time. It will likely be longer than this Arc, but that depends on how much needs to be written for it to be complete. Sorry, but I do not believe that I, as the writer, have the right to decline valuable pieces from an Arc simply because of a quota. If it needs to be said, it should be said. End of story.