Chapter Summary: Naruto learns that everybody lies, a new Jinchuuriki shows up and the veil is about to be lifted.
Hello there guys!
I want to thank you all for stopping by and reading the story. Please rememeber that English is not my mother tongue so I apologize for any grammar, spelling and funny mistake.
Now, enjoy!
Chapter 4
Ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies.
Sarutobi Hiruzen let his gaze travelled from one shinobi to the other, in their eyes it was evident the changes done by their recent mission. Whatever traces of ignorance or innocence in regard to the shinobi life was finally gone and replaced by maturity and determination.
The Third Hokage leaned back against his chair, his hands resting on his abdomen as his dark eyes lifted to meet the single eye of Kakashi. The question hanging in the air was not so much about their maturity but if this was going to lead them to a road of greatness or danger.
The file holding the report shared by Kakashi spoke of his worries in regard to Naruto and his strangeness during the mission. But Sarutobi could not help but noticed the lack of information about Sasuke, in the eyes of the Third Hokage both teens were prone to go down the wrong path.
"Quite the adventure you and your team had back in Wave Country, don't you agree Kakashi?" Sarutobi smiled softly breaking the tension in the room.
"Yes, sir. It was rather difficult and even after the client lied about the rank of the mission, I can say that everything went just fine." Kakashi smiled at the old Hokage, ignoring completely the glares that Sasuke and Sakura sent his way. Naruto for his part looked at the floor and his hand darted to the katana by his side.
For a brief moment Sarutobi's gaze flickered to the katana hanging from the young blond's side, before he turned to Kakashi once more. There was a silent exchange between the Jounin and the Hokage that made Sarutobi realized just how important that mission had been and that Kakashi hadn't been all that honest in his report.
"I see. I greatly regret that you had to face the real dangers of life as a shinobi so early in your formation as a team," Sarutobi continued directing a kind stare to each member of Team 7. "But I'm also glad to notice that each one of you is accepting and coping with the difficulties maturely."
Sasuke merely looked away with his arms crossed and a thoughtful expression, while Sakura seemed a little pleased with herself. Naruto looked at the old Hokage and revealed a small smile when he saw approval and happiness in the old man's eyes.
"Now, since the rank of this mission was higher than you thought, the payment would be scaled up accordingly," said Sarutobi, chuckling when he saw the amazement in Sakura and Naruto.
"Really? We get more money for this mission?" Sakura asked, already making plans for the money.
"You mean that we completed a mission higher ranking than a D, right?" This time it was Naruto who asked excitedly. "What was the rank?"
"Well, I would say a C or B rank mission," answered Sarutobi with a hand on his chin. "So, I guess that, seeing all the troubles you went through, I could give you the payment for a B rank mission."
Even Sasuke had to show some kind of excitement at the prospect of a B-rank mission registered on his profile while still being a newbie Genin. He looked at Naruto and Sakura and he realized that, while they may be excited about the rank of the mission, it was the money that made them so happy.
"Okay, you can go now. We'll see each other in two days at the bridge, 7 a.m. as usual," Kakashi told his team, wearing an amused smile from what could be seen of his face.
Sasuke frowned a little, not really liking the idea of two days of doing nothing, but he merely nodded and started making his way to the exit with Sakura close behind. Naruto was about to leave when Kakashi's voice stopped him.
"Naruto, can you wait outside for a moment?"
Naruto nodded his head, curious as to why the man would want him to wait.
He left the Hokage's office and closed the door behind him. Sasuke and Sakura peered at him curiously but the blond boy shrugged.
Inside the office, Sarutobi leaned against his desk with his chin resting on his hands. Once the door closed behind Naruto, Kakashi waited a few seconds before turning to face the Hokage. Both men regarded each other seriously. Finally, it was Sarutobi who broke the silence.
"Now, Kakashi, what was so important that you couldn't write it down in your report?"
"What did you do this time, Naruto?" whispered Sakura, her eyes narrowed at the blond.
The young man contemplated his recent deeds, scratching his head trying to identify the reason why Kakashi would want to talk to him.
"I don't really remember," he said at last.
Sakura rolled her eyes while Sasuke let out a small smirk.
"So, you're going to be scolded and you don't even know why?" asked Sakura exasperatedly.
Naruto looked at her with indignant blue eyes. "Hey! How do you know he's going to scold at me?" retorted Naruto. "Maybe he just wants me to stay so he can finally say how awesome I was back in the mission."
"Yeah, right," Sasuke interjected with a small, amused smile. "He probably wants to make sure that you don't spend all the money from the mission on ramen."
"That's probably it, Sasuke-kun. That's more realistic," Sakura nodded backing up Sasuke with a longing stare.
Naruto huffed indignantly at Sasuke's words. "Why is so difficult for you to accept my greatness?!"
This time, both Sasuke and Sakura rolled their eyes.
"Maybe because you aren't that great," sneered Sasuke in an almost brotherly manner. Waving a hand at Naruto, he added, "Maybe Kakashi-sensei is just more interested in that katana of yours than in your supposed 'greatness'."
"My katana? What would he want with it?" Naruto exclaimed nervously, his hand grabbing the hilt forcefully.
This reaction surprised Sakura greatly. The pink-haired girl thought that maybe Naruto would start talking about how great he was with that sword. She never thought he would act so… jumpy. Or reserved. When she turned to make a witty remark about it with Sasuke she saw that the Uchiha was studying Naruto with a strange gleam in his eyes.
"I don't know. You tell me," Sasuke comment in a strange tone of voice that sent shivers of fear down Sakura's back. The girl glanced uneasily from Naruto to Sasuke, wanting to know Naruto's answer.
The blond-haired shinobi glanced at the hilt of his sword; he knew the questions wouldn´t stop any time soon. Naruto also knew that after the transformation the blade suffered the questions would come back tenfold and he would be asked to give explanations. Something he was not ready to do.
And yet, Zabuza did warn him about it.
Be it as a way to thank him for what he did or said about Haku, Zabuza told Naruto how after he fell unconscious, his sword had returned to its sealed form and that had raised Kakashi's curiosity. Kakashi wasn't the only one interested in swords after Naruto's little performance on the bridge. Once they were back at Tazuna's place, Zabuza told him how Kakashi and Sasuke had asked questions about swords and katanas. Since Zabuza seemed to be the only one with a fairly good knowledge of the topic, it was obvious they chose to question him
But Naruto couldn't blame his sensei and teammate. Before he released Ryuujin, the katana looked normal. Now, even in its sealed form there were some changes. The hilt was of bright silver with black patterns and a spiral cross-guard. And when Kakashi and Sasuke had brought up the topic, the blond couldn't give them a satisfactory answer beyond the usual 'I don't know'.
"Maybe he wants to know exactly why your katana doesn't look like it did before?" asked Sakura.
"Mmhmm, but I already said I didn't know how it happened."
Sasuke glanced sideways at Naruto. He didn't believe the blond of course, but if he wanted answers he would have to play his cards really well. He was certain about one thing: Naruto was very reluctant to share any information about himself or that sword.
"Do you want to train with me tomorrow?" The sudden change of topic caught Sakura and Naruto by surprise. Both of them gaped at Sasuke as if he had grown a second head. Sasuke almost fidgeted under their scrutiny. "What?"
"Nothing, just…" Naruto wanted to ask if the Uchiha felt well but decided that it would be better not to. "Yeah sure. If you want."
"Yes. See you tomorrow." Sasuke walked away from the group, with Sakura waving good-bye at Naruto before turning her attention to Sasuke and asking him if she could also join their training.
Naruto sat there anxiously, not because of the reunion with Kakashi or the Hokage but because he wanted to get out of there and look for Kyouraku-jii or Yoruichi. They need to know that he did it! He had his Zanpakutou!
If I were you I would be very careful.
'Uhm? Why'
That sensei of yours… I smell trouble every time he looks at you. Not only that, but he also doesn't trust you.
'Kakashi-sensei? Nah, that must be your imagination'
There was a long silence before the zanpakutou talked again.
Naruto, just follow my advice.
Yeah, you better follow the overgrown lizard's advice.
What are you doing here? No one invited you to the conversation.
I don't need an invitation! Do you know who are you talking to?
Naruto chuckled at the fight. Since he had released his zanpakutou he had been able to see him. It was a big dragon, with crimson scales and a tail in the form of a thunderbolt, his eyes black slits within silver irises. He had big wings, as big as a house. The only thing he hated about the two of them fighting was that their voices were deep and guttural which made his head hurt a little. Naruto sat there listening to the argument until Kakashi called him inside the Hokage's office.
This time around the tension was kind of hard to miss. Naruto stood there with both men silent for a few minutes, their eyes completely focused on the blond whose hand was strongly attached to the hilt of the zanpakutou.
Sarutobi was waiting for Kakashi to start talking, the Copy-nin looked at the Hokage and with a serious voice started to recount the events concerning Naruto and the mission to Wave Country.
Kakashi told the old man about Naruto's first kill and his strange behaviour back then, then he proceeded to elaborate on the events in the forest and finally what had happened on the bridge.
"The katana was different; it was red, the hilt had the form of a dragon. On top of that, after Naruto passed out, the katana somehow returned to well… to its original form."
"Did you ask Naruto about this katana?" The Sandaime inquired with a frown, the conversation seemed rehearsed and Naruto couldn't help but think he was hearing everything so he knew exactly what the Hokage and his sensei were looking for.
"Yes, he told me that Yugao-san gave it to him and after the bridge incident I tried to ask him about the changes on his katana but he said he didn't know how it occurred."
"I see. Do you believe him?"
"No, I don't believe that Yugao gave him the katana or that he didn't know why his sword changed."
Naruto tensed at this revelation; his eyes opened slightly though they never left those of the Sandaime. Kakashi glanced out of the corner of his eyes to the blond, but otherwise did nothing else. Naruto let go of the katana, taking a deep breath to get his emotions in check.
The Sandaime nodded tilting his head, "Very well, Yugao."
In a puff of smoke a woman dressed up in ANBU gear and a cat's mask appeared behind the Hokage. The man turned around to see Yugao and with a movement of his hand instructed the woman to remove her mask. She did as she was told and her expression was one of confusion.
"You called, Hokage-sama?"
"Yes, Kakashi had a question for you." Once again the Hokage turned around and looked Kakashi directly in the eye. The Jounin gazed lazily at Yugao.
"Is it something the matter, Kakashi-senpai?"
"In my mission with Team 7 to Wave Country, Naruto pulled out a curious scroll," commented Kakashi, never breaking his eye contact with Yugao. "In the scroll was a very expensive katana."
Yugao remain expressionless and Kakashi was trying to determine if the woman was just acting or if she was just expecting for him to finish speaking.
"Did you give it to him?"
"Yes, it was something I have bought for Naruto's graduation," replied Yugao. The woman was so surprised about the lie; it had come so naturally that she was trying not to reveal her amazement until she had her mask on and was far away from the office.
"I see. Can you tell me where you bought it?" There was a moment of silence followed by a slightly fluctuance on Yugao's chakra. The woman straightened up, her eyes glaring at Kakashi.
"Are you suggesting that I am lying, Senpai?" Her voice was cold, her eyes never leaving those of Kakashi though she was dying to see Naruto.
"No, I am just curious," said Kakashi, smiling with his eye.
"In Suna," she said, once again lying effortlessly. If the katana hadn't come from Suna, she and Naruto were doomed.
However, Kakashi's expression told her that she had been right and she had to suppress a sigh of relief. The Hokage observed the discussion with a calculating expression. When he felt Yugao's mood and Kakashi's reaction he felt it was necessary to intervene.
"Are you satisfied Kakashi?" The Sandaime inquired leaning back on his chair. Kakashi hesitated for a moment before nodding his head. "Very well. Yugao you may go back to your post."
Yugao bit her lip. She wanted to ask how Naruto was and what the hell was happening, but she thought better of it and decided to ask Naruto himself when she had the time.
"I understand your concern, Kakashi, I really do. But you have to stop your suspicions before you end up doing something you regret." Kakashi was ready to argue but the Hokage stopped him. "I admit that the events on the bridge were… unusual, and I also think that it would be good to investigate this. Naruto, you understand Kakashi's concern?"
Finally, the attention of the room returned to the blond, Naruto shot a quick glance to the Hokage before turning to Kakashi who was looking at him without any remorse. Naruto shrugged furrowing his brows before answering.
"I don't see how the Kyuubi could be involved in any of this." He said tiredly, "I already told Kakashi-sensei where the sword came from, and the transformation…I don't know, I can't get it to do it again."
"We don't know, Naruto," Sarutobi tried to say calmly "But we think that maybe he was trying to get… loose, for a lack of a better word."
"So…that's why he made my sword change?" Naruto asked with a hint of confusion in his voice.
You know? If being a Shinobi doesn't work you could always try to be an actor.
Naruto held back his smile, trying to hide it away with a grimace as Sarutobi examined. Then with a single nod, the Hokage offered a half smile.
"It could be."
"Naruto, had you heard or seen the Kyuubi?" Kakashi interrupted all of a sudden. Sarutobi merely sat back and let the Jounin ask the very questions the Hokage wanted answers to.
"No, I haven't seen or talked with the furball."
Sarutobi snickered at the nickname.
"Then, you don't know anything about that weird transformation?"
"No, I've already told you that I don't remember anything." The frustration and annoyance were now evident in Naruto's voice.
Kakashi was about to insist when Sarutobi raised a hand for him to stop his interrogation.
"That's enough. Naruto, are you telling us the truth?" There was a momentary pause in which Naruto felt bad for lying to him.
See? I told you. You should be careful around that sensei of yours. I know you feel bad lying to the old man but… it is necessary now. There would be a right moment to tell him the truth.
'Do you really think so?'
Yes, Naruto. I do.
Then with his blue gaze locked on Sarutobi's sharp eyes, he nodded his head. "Yes, Ojii-san, I'm not lying."
"Then that's enough for me," declared Sarutobi. The Hokage turned to look at Kakashi and Naruto did the same. Kakashi and Naruto stared at each other for a moment before Sarutobi spoke. "And you Kakashi? Are you satisfied?"
"Yes, I am. I'm sorry I doubted you Naruto," said Kakashi, Naruto smiled at him and waved his hand unconcernedly.
"Nah, I understand Kakashi-sensei." Then as an afterthought, he added, "But I can totally forgive you if you treated me to some ramen?"
"Ah, we'll see," Kakashi gave a tense smile." Well, I think I better go."
Kakashi walked to the door but stopped when he noticed Naruto was still standing in front of the Hokage. Sarutobi examined at the boy he had come to love as a grandchild and with a single eyebrow asked, "Is there anything else, Naruto?"
Naruto fidgeted in place, not really knowing if his decision was the right one. Maybe he should wait until he saw Yoruichi but…there was a possibility that he could get answers to some of his questions if he used the name that Ichimaru Gin had given to him wisely.
It's worth trying, you know.
"Naruto?" Now Sarutobi was worried, it wasn't everyday Naruto was so quiet and still.
"I was wondering…" There was a brief pause in which Naruto bit his lower lip and then with more confidence he looked directly at Sarutobi, eyes burning with passion and hand firmly on the hilt of Ryuujin. "I was wondering if I was big enough to know about my past. To know about my parents."
The silence that followed that comment filled the room with a strange tension. Naruto didn't move while he witnessed the little exchange between his sensei and Sarutobi. The old man looked at Naruto and studied him for a moment.
He had to admit that Naruto was different from the loudmouth he had been back at the Academy. And, if Sarutobi was to be honest with himself, Naruto was ready to face a lot of things. Nevertheless, the news of who his father and his mother were… of the events that left him an orphan… 'I'm sorry Naruto…you're just not ready yet. But if you keep growing the way you are you will be ready any time soon…and I will lie to you until that moment arrives.'
"I don't think it would be good for you to know right now," Sarutobi chose his words carefully, his face breaking into a condescending expression as he tried to convey sympathy towards Naruto.
"But, why not? You said that when I was big enough to handle the true you will tell me." Naruto couldn't help the whine on his voice, the sudden anger filling up his mind.
"Naruto, the truth is that…" Sarutobi remained silent for a moment. 'Forgive me, Minato, but is for your son's own good.' "The truth is that Naruto, I don't know who your parents were."
There was a low growl of annoyance coming from inside his head and Naruto knew that Ryuujin was expressing the anger and disappointment he felt at that moment. He looked at Sarutobi and his hand let go of his zanpakutou to grab an object hanging loose from his neck.
"Then what about the necklace? How did I get it? Why did you say it's my father's?"
Sarutobi cringed at the reproachful tone Naruto had used. Kakashi, which had observed everything in silence, decided it was time to interfere.
"You were found with the necklace hanging from your neck. The late Fourth Hokage and Hokage-sama thought that it was your father gave that to you."
They're lying.
'I know'
I don't like when people lie to you.
'Me neither, but what can I say?'
Nothing… if they don't give you answers-
'-then I have to wait for Yoruichi-chan to give me some.'
Well, I was going to say that you can kick it out of them… but your option is better.
"I-I see," said Naruto dejectedly. He lifted his gaze when a hand squeezed his shoulder. Kakashi was smiling with his one visible eye.
"Don't worry. I promise I won't rest until I help you find the truth once the time is right."
Naruto was so tempted to ask when the right time would be, but he contained himself and showed Kakashi his biggest smile.
"Thank you, Kakashi-sensei. Thank you, Ojii-san," Naruto then he turned around and made his way out of the Hokage's office. "I'm going; it's been weeks since I had a taste of Ichiraku's. Bye!"
"Why did you lie to him?" Once he knew Naruto was gone, Kakashi turned to the Hokage with a reproachful stare.
"Would you prefer I told him the truth? That his father was the one sealing the demon that had caused him so much pain?" said Sarutobi with a tired voice. "That he can't say anything because of his father's enemies. Or that his mother left him as soon as the Kyuubi was sealed?"
"No, I guess not. He is still a child."
Sarutobi shook his head in amazement. "I don't get you Kakashi. One moment you're against Naruto and the other you're defending him. Why?"
"Well, he is still sensei's son. And until I discover that the Kyuubi is interfering, it is my duty to take care of him."
Sarutobi sat there for a long moment before he picked up a document that he passed to Kakashi. The Copy-nin opened his eye in surprise at what was written there.
"I thought you and your team may be interested. You have a month to give me a definite answer."
"You think they're ready for this?" asked Kakashi. "That Naruto is ready?"
"Well, they may not become Chuunin on their first try, but it is worth trying. Don't you think?" Then a small smirk appeared on the old man's face that sent shivers down Kakashi's back. "Besides, I think you need to do more work."
He had his eyes fixed on some point that the man beside him couldn't identify. The silence between them was filled by the sound of the blowing wind and the tired breaths from a blond-haired teenager of not more than 16 years that had stopped in front of them.
"Raikage-sama," the girl bowed respectfully, before facing the man in front of her.
The man ran his eyes over the girl dismissively before he turned to his brother and finally to the girl once again.
"Do you have any idea as to what he is doing?" The Raikage asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
Nii Yugito grinned with amusement at Kirābī before turning to the Raikage. "Sensei said that it was important for his… music to find inspiration in counting rocks."
The Raikage looked at his brother and then at Yugito before he rolled his eyes. Really, he didn't know why he even bothered to ask. He knew he was going to have an idioticanswer for his brother's behaviour.
"Then, let's not interrupt him. I would hate to do so, or else he would start making sounds as if someone was torturing him," the Raikage commented dryly. "Come with me, Yugito, I have a mission for you."
Aren't' you going to follow them?
'Nah, I'm quite comfortable here. I think I almost have another line for my new song.'
Uugh. Of all the people that I could end up being sealed in… The eight-tailed demon groaned and rolled over. Kirābī merely shrugged and diverted his eyes from the rocks to the sky.
'Don't worry. Hachibi-chan…Yuu-chan would tell everything to me.'
If I told you once, I've told you a hundred times! Do. Not. Call. Me. That!
'Whatever ya say Hachi-chan…'
The giant ox huffed indignantly but decided not to say anything. The less he talked with his jailer, the better.
On the other side of the chain of rocks the Raikage was walking around with Yugito following close behind. The girl was waiting patiently for the Raikage to start talking but the man merely pulled out a scroll and handed it to her.
"Inside that scroll are your instructions," the man said sternly. "You're going to meet your team at 7 tomorrow morning. After that you are going to exterminate a Mist team and disguise yourselves as Mist Nins to go inside Konohagakure for the Chuunin exams."
Yugito's eyes widened at the instructions. She scrutinized the scroll and then at her leader. Before she could stop herself she asked.
"Konohagakure? But isn't that a little dangerous, Raikage-sama?"
The man looked at her for a moment before revealing a tiny, hard smile. "Yes, that's why you're going to infiltrate the village as Mist-Nins and why I'm sending you there."
Yugito shifted on her spot, her cheeks were warm while her eyes gleamed with emotion. To send her into enemy territory meant the Raikage not only trusted her to do this, but also that there was something of great importance only her could do.
"One more thing, though."
"Yes, Sir?"
"You should be careful. If our sources are right, the exams this time around are going to be really… interesting and you're not going to be the only special one in there."
Yugito lit up with understanding. Another Jinchuuriki, so that's why she was going.
"I expect you to be successful, Yugito. I do not send you to study under my brother's tutelage so you only learn how to sing. If anyone with working ears could call it that."
And with that said the man left Yugito. She was still stunned by the information and the orders she had just received. With the scroll still in hand she went back to where Kirābī was waiting for her.
"Well? What did he want?"
Yugito opened the scroll but before she could read it the man took it from her.
"Sensei! You can't do that!" she cried out, trying to take it back, but her sensei was way taller than her and he already was reading the contents of the mission. "Sensei! What if Raikage-sama saw you?"
"Doesn't matter, he probably knew I was going to do this," the man chuckled.
Kirābī tossed the scroll back to Yugito. His face wore an unusual expression that had Yugito wondering what was written in the parchment. Turning it the right way around, she had to read the mission twice to make sure that she hadn't misunderstood anything.
"You should be careful, Yuu-chan." Yugito's eyes twitched in annoyance at the pet name but she listened carefully to him. "There has been a disturbance in the force lately."
Yugito pressed her lips together, the mission itself was strange and the warning the Raikage gave her before leaving was enough to tell her this would be more dangerous that she initially thought.
"What do you think, Sensei?"
"This is going to be dangerous, and if our suspicions are right you will face the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi."
"The Kyuubi?"
"Yeah, and you know what that means."
There was a moment of silence in which Kirābī and Yugito looked at each other. For a moment nothing happened until Yugito heard the faint voice of the cat residing in her. That was when her eyes darkened in shocked comprehension.
"It means total obedience."
Two weeks had passed since Team 7 returned from the mission to Wave.
Naruto was pleased to discover that his training sessions with Sasuke and from time to time, with Sakura, were going just fine. He couldn't say the same from the training they received from Kakashi, though. For some reason, his sensei keep insisting that he needed more control on his chakra and those were the only exercises he was allowed to do. Naruto was getting tired of climbing up the trees with only his feet, but he couldn't do or say anything because the answer was always the same: 'You're not prepared.'
"So, you think that I'm not prepared too?" Naruto inquired while getting ready for his taijutsu session with Sasuke.
The Uchiha glared icily at Naruto. Naruto smiled at him sheepishly. He didn't understand why Sasuke always did the same thing every time they were to train together.
"I don't know. You suck at times," said Sasuke taking a fighting pose. "But there are also times when, for some reasons unknown to logic or to common sense, you are really quite acceptable as a shinobi."
"Oh, Sasuke, I'm so glad you finally admitted it!"
"It wasn't a compliment, dobe," Sasuke growled and launched his first attack. It had been a little strange. The first time they fought in training, Sasuke had been so sure of his victory that he never considered that Naruto could be really good at taijutsu, or ninjutsu, or in any ninja art in general. But the blond had proven him wrong and the young Uchiha felt frustrated because things weren't supposed to be like that.
Naruto was the dobe, and Sasuke was the prodigy. Life was as simple as that.
But Naruto moved with a grace and precision which made Sasuke wonder just how much of a real idiot Naruto was. First, that sword of his, then the stunningly rich chakra reserves and finally these abilities… When had he learnt all of that?
Naruto dodged, blocked, and finally attacked with a side kick that sent Sasuke to the ground. Both of them were breathing hard, staring at each other intensely. To the left sitting against a tree was Sakura. The girl was just as amazed as Sasuke every time she saw the both of them train. Sometimes she just admired how handsome and how powerful Sasuke looked. At other times, she couldn't stop staring at Naruto.
The blond in a battle was different from the loudmouthed clown of the Academy. It was a change that she had never noticed and now that she saw it she couldn't believe it was the same person.
"Sorry, shouldn't have done that," Naruto looked a little apologetic. He offered Sasuke his hand and smirked at him. "Let's call it a draw."
Sasuke slapped Naruto's hand away and stood up on his own. Naruto's smirk never faded; on the contrary it only grew after Sasuke's slap.
"I don't need it to be a draw," he said coldly.
"Sure you do. That punch on my chin was really hard," Naruto showed his chin to Sasuke. "Look, I even bled here."
"That's a cut!" exclaimed Sasuke. "And you did it to yourself when you forgot you had a kunai in your hand!"
"Oh, right!" Naruto laughed but Sasuke merely rolled his eyes.
"Okay, you two. I think that's enough for a day," Sakura offered the both of them a bottle of water. Both Sasuke and Naruto settled beside Sakura and took the water from her.
Over the past two weeks, and after their first B-rank mission, Team 7 had grown close. Sakura wasn't as annoyed as she was with Naruto's presence before. Sasuke was a little more relaxed around them and Naruto…well, Naruto was always just Naruto. That meant that he was always cheerful and ready to strengthen the friendship.
"Naruto, I want to ask you something," Sakura said after a moment of silence. Naruto turned to look at her with the biggest smile she had ever seen on him.
"Sure Sakura-chan, I would go out with you!"
That remark, of course, earned him a slap in back of his head from an irritated Sakura. "Whatever made you think I was asking you out?!"
Naruto massaged his head and looked at Sakura with big puppy eyes. "So cruel, Sakura-chan!"
You have spent way too much time with Kyouraku-jii. My advice is if you want to get a girlfriend anytime soon, stop following his advice!
Both Sakura and Sasuke rolled their eyes at the blond's antics.
"Anyway, if I was to ask someone out that would be Sasuke-kun." Sasuke feigned ignorance while Sakura kept her eyes on him for a moment before turning to Naruto. "And my question was about your taijutsu."
"Uhm? What about it? Did I do something wrong?"
"No, that's the thing. You didn't do anything wrong!"
"Okay, now you lost me Sakura-chan."
"Come on! Where did you learn those movements? They didn't teach us that in the Academy, and you're an orphan so you don't have anyone that could teach you that."
The moment those words left Sakura's mouth she knew she had made a mistake. The usual cheerfulness from Naruto faded and even Sasuke seemed a little tense. There was a moment of silence in which Sakura didn't know if she ought to apologize or just keep her mouth shut. Naruto, however, glared at her with a serious and cold expression.
"I learnt them on my own."
Sakura felt even worse after that because she knew she had hurt Naruto. She ducked her head, flushing uncomfortably.
"Did you learn how to use your sword on your own as well?" Sasuke asked all of a sudden.
Naruto sat there for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I learnt it on my own."
"Where did you find it?" Sasuke continued with his interrogation, turning to Naruto.
Sakura had lowered her face further, feeling really bad. Not only she had hurt Naruto's feelings, but she had started yet another discussion about the infamous sword. What was so special about it anyway? Sasuke seemed more interested in swords than girls, of that Sakura was pretty sure.
"I already told you Sasuke," said Naruto exasperated. "A friend of mine gave it to me."
"What friend? Where did he or she find it?" Sasuke pressed. His voice was just as calm as before but the tension between them was growing. "Where can I find one like that?"
"There you are!"
Their conversation was interrupted by a woman with purple hair. Naruto's face lit up and he stood up and ran up to the woman hugging her as if there was no tomorrow. "Yugao-chan!"
The woman laughed sweetly and hugged Naruto just as strongly as the boy was hugging her. "Missed me that much, eh?"
"Of course, I did! I have so many things to tell you!"
"I bet you have. So, you won't mind if I take you away from your team?" Naruto turned to them and then looked back at Yugao.
"No," he said glancing at Yugao. "Talk to you later, Sasuke, Sakura-chan."
Sakura waved goodbye to Naruto and watched him go with a heavy feeling in her chest. She sat there for a moment until a slight movement caught her attention. When she turned she saw that Sasuke's fists were clenched and that the boy had blood-red eyes.
'I tried asking you in a good way, Naruto. It doesn't matter how stronger you think you had gotten. Now that I have my Sharingan, you won't have a chance against me… and that power would be mine.'
As Naruto's story progressed Yugao's annoyance rose as well. She couldn't believe how irresponsible Kakashi had been with Naruto after his first kill, or the moment he got hurt, or that Naruto only knew the bloody tree-walking exercise after fighting a Chuunin and probably a Jounin-level shinobi!
Then it came the part of the story in which Yugao noticed how Naruto omitted certain things and lied smoothly about others. She watched him closely and without warning hugged him hard.
"I'm so glad you're okay," she said and Naruto merely smiled and hugged her back. When she let go of him, she saw a small blush on his face that he tried to conceal behind the bowl of ramen.
Yugao smiled slightly at that. She was noticing that her little Naru-chan was growing up faster and was becoming a man. She glanced sideways and her eyes fell on his new clothes and the katana that was hanging on his left side.
While Naruto kept those horrible orange pants, he no longer wore the jacket. Instead, he was wearing a black t-shirt with a spiral symbol on his front and the kanji for the number 8 on his left. And of course, there was the infamous katana that she had lied about to the Hokage. She eyed Naruto carefully and then, trying to make sure no one was listening in on their conversation, she leaned towards Naruto.
"Who gave you that katana?" Yugao queried softly, her words barely audible.
Naruto stopped eating. He swallowed the last of the ramen in his mouth and he turned to peer at Yugao before lowering his gaze.
"I found it."
Yugao shook her head. She paid the bill and took Naruto by the hand and started making her way to her apartment.
"You don't have lie to me, Naruto," she said once they were inside the apartment. Naruto pulled out his zanpakutou and put it on the table before sitting on the sofa.
"I…I'm not lying."
"Of course, you are!" Yugao exclaimed eyeing the sword before settling her eyes on the boy. "Was it Yoruichi-san?"
Naruto's eyes widened alarmingly at that name and he tried to deny Yugao's words, but the woman merely smiled at him.
"I know all about her, Naruto." Yugao offered a sad smile, her hand went to the boy's hair caressing his blond locks just as Naruto gasped in surprised. "Well, at least I know that she is a cat that can talk and that she isn't a summoning."
"I... I..."
"I just want to know if it was her who gave you the sword."
After a minute or so, Naruto nodded his head.
"Good, I lied to Kakashi-senpai and Hokage-sama because I suspect as much."
"Sorry I put you in trouble, Yugao-chan. It wasn't my intention, but I couldn't tell them that it was my cat that gave it to me."
Yugao chuckled and agreed. "That would have been too weird."
"Yeah." Naruto fiddled with his thumbs. "How did you know about Yoruichi-chan?"
"It's a long story. I would tell you once she is back." Naruto wanted to keep asking but thought better of it and nodded his head. Yugao ruffled the boy's spiky hair. "Now, I'm more worried about that training regime Kakashi had you on. I guess it wouldn't harm anyone if I taught you one or two things beyond his, well, call it his syllabus."
"Really? That would be aweso-" Naruto's enthusiastic shout was cut short by a knock on the door. Both of them looked at each other before Yugao stood up and opened the door to reveal a grinning Anko.
Naruto gulped in fear at the look the crazy woman was sending his way. Yugao looked really surprised at her appearance, but she stood aside and let Anko in.
"What are you doing here Anko?"
"I was on my way to my apartment when I heard Naru-chan and something about… training and teaching him one or two things," Anko leered. Naruto blushed hard at the innuendo in the woman's voice. "I just thought I could teach him something useful as well."
If Naruto thought that Yugao was going to save him or say something he was totally wrong. Instead, the woman had a contemplative look on her face and after a moment she grinned at Naruto and nodded.
"That is a great idea." Naruto's mouth opened, shocked at what Yugao had said while Anko seemed really pleased with that. "But nothing sexual. Don't try to look innocent Anko, I know what you're thinking. Definitely not with Naruto."
Anko pouted as if she was greatly disappointed, though she winked at him. Naruto sighed in relief while Ryuujin seemed really frustrated.
Two days after his conversation with Yugao he was wondering if taking Yugao's and Anko's advice was a wise decision.
He felt as if he was betraying Kakashi and his teammates, but if he was going to be honest with himself the training with Kakashi was going nowhere. Naruto glanced at the clock hanging from the store near the bridge, he was just on time to join the two women now that his teammates and Kakashi had gone to do their daily routine.
Naruto was so distracted that he never noticed the man in front of him until he crashed into him, knocking down the bag the man had in his hands and his zanpakutou.
"Oh, sorry! I wasn't looking!" said Naruto, scratching his head sheepishly and picking up his sword.
"It was nothing."
Naruto looked up and he found himself in front of a very wealthy man, if his clothes were any indication. Beside him was a group of at least five people, all of them with their hands on the hilts of their katanas.
"Uh, again I'm really sorry."
The man looked at him with a strange gleam in his eyes and then he asked something that caught Naruto off guard.
"What an interesting necklace…" the man trailed off and lifted a single brow at Naruto.
The boy stood there for a moment before he reacted. "Oh, my name is Uzumaki Naruto."
"Uzumaki Naruto." The man repeated his name thoughtfully. Naruto saw how the fierce men around him relaxed and let go of their weapons. "Well, Uzumaki-san, that's a real interesting necklace. You should take good care of it."
"I always do," said Naruto, starting to feel a little uncomfortable. "Who are you? You're not from Konoha."
The man snickered at the blond's change of attitude. His eyes were still focused on the necklace and after a minute or so he turned his attention to Naruto. "How rude of me. I haven't introduced myself, have I?" Naruto shook his head and the man's smile grew. "My name is Kazama Arashi. It's a pleasure to meet you, Uzumaki-san."
So, Yugito, Kirabi and Arashi had finally appeared. Next chapter is going to be the begining of the Chuunin exams and the first meeting between Yugito, Gaara and Naruto...Anyway, I really hope you enjoy this chapter.
See you next time!
do not forget to review and tell me what you think about it.