Chapter Summary: There are some unusual family reunions, Naruto is in for a big surprised and the Chuunin exams are here!
Guys, I want to thank you for the constant comments, likes and for you reading the story in general. Thank you.
Please, do forgive the grammar, spelling and funny mistakes, remember that English is not my mother tongue so this could happen.
Now, onto the story, please don't forget to comment!
Chapter 5
Family Reunions: Time for the Chuunin Exams!
Kazama Arashi had to say that he never thought his first encounter with his nephew would be so soon, and certainly not under such circumstances. He watched him closely, studying the likeness of the boy to his brother. Those pictures that were sent to him were good but the reality was another thing altogether.
The blond hair and the blue eyes were definitely Minato's, but that smile, that joyful expression was not his. It was different… Maybe some attributes belonged to the mother. For a moment both their eyes met. The boy was fidgeting a little and Arashi noted with amusement that it wasn't because he was nervous. No: with his expression he could guess that the boy was dying to ask something.
"Is the brat bothering you, sir?" The comment broke the eye-contact abruptly between them. Naruto goggled when he saw the face of an old man at the door. He was glaring at him with despise. "Get out of here, boy. I told you to never walk through this street!"
"It was the closest way to meet my team," Naruto tried to ignore the look of pure hatred from the man. The old man walked towards him and spat in front of Naruto.
"Get. Out," he said with intense venom and hatred in his voice, a thick rod in his hand.
"Uzumaki-san wasn't bothering me at all" Arashi drawled turning to the man and sending him a cold glare. "You, on the other hand, are getting on my nerves."
Naruto and the old man turned to Arashi with surprise; the old man gave Arashi a once-over and shrugged.
"Humph, you're a foreigner, so I can forgive that comment since you don't know what that brat is," he said, pointing at Naruto with the rod.
"What he is?" asked Arashi with a little lift of his eyebrows and a cold stare.
"Again, sorry for running into you. I have to go," Naruto decided it was better to leave before something stupid happened. He waved to the man and left faster than any normal person.
The old man smirked and started mumbling something about how he had scared away the 'demon' and that next time he would have a lucky punch. Arashi for his part checked the road Naruto had taken before regarding the man with chilly indifference.
"The Law forbids me to tell you what the brat is, sir. But if you are a wise man, you won't go near him…or maybe you could kill him, you look wealthy enough to get away with it," said the old man, smiling kindly at Arashi.
"Kill him?" Arashi lowered his voice until it was a dangerous whisper; he stepped forward, feeling a sense of vindicated pleasure in releasing enough of his reiatsu to send the old man sprawling to the ground. The elderly male gasped to catch his breath; Arashi left him to his devices. "Scum. These humans are so savage. Such a waste of my time."
The old man never had the chance to ask what they were or what had been done to him. Kariya Jin did his job as fast and cleanly as usual, and without a second glance at the now unconscious man the group followed Arashi to the commercial district of Konoha and to their hotel.
"This was highly unexpected," said Arashi, "but well, at least he doesn't know anything. This gigai is working perfectly."
"Yes, sir. However, that little episode back there could make him aware of our presence."
"I know, but I had the urge to make that man kneel before me," said Arashi with a smirk that he shared with Jin. "Anyway, it won't happen again. This town doesn't like Naruto at all, as is quite evident."
"Indeed. Sir, if I may ask, now that Naruto-sama is a ninja, wouldn't it be more dangerous for him?" Arashi turned to Ichinose that had uttered that question.
"What do you mean?"
"Sir, if I heard correctly about this place, a ninja's life is very dangerous and there is a high number of fatal casualties in high-ranked missions."
"I see," Arashi chuckled glancing at Ichinose then at Jin. "I have thought about it, Ichinose. Remember this is my nephew we're talking about."
"I am very sorry sir, I never mean to -"
"I know, I know," said Arashi gently to a very embarrassed Ichinose. "That's why I would leave you to take care of him."
"Me?"
"Yes. That's why you're not using a gigai Ichinose. You would be in charge of Naruto's security in this place until we can take him with us." Ichinose Maki looked at Arashi and after a moment he bowed deeply before him.
"Yes, sir. It would be my honour," he said with sincerity in his voice. "Sir, should I let the young Master know about my presence?"
"No, it would be better if he doesn't notice you or anything about us and our mission," Arashi commanded after a moment. "However, if he does notice you, I expect you to keep all of this a secret until Kyouraku-taichou comes."
"Yes, sir, then I will go to follow the young master." Ichinose bowed and once Arashi waved his hand in approval he left.
"Young and eager to proof himself, eh Jin?"
Kiraya Jin smiled nodding, "I told you, Kazama-Taichou, he was perfect for this mission."
"Let us hope we don't have any surprises."
Kakashi watched his students carefully while they played the little game he had invented a few days ago to keep track of their individual progress. Sakura had been the first one to take the job. She had a bell and Sasuke and Naruto had to take it away from her. It was much like the bell test but this wasn't a teamwork test.
Sakura had failed. Sasuke had taken the bell away from her after she tried to trap them in a genjutsu. While Naruto fell easily for it, Sasuke was another matter. He had dispelled the genjutsu easily and taken the bell from her.
Next, of course was Sasuke. Kakashi was really proud of the progress the young Uchiha had made. He had, successfully, hidden away the fact that he had his Sharingan. The first time Sasuke showed it to Kakashi, the Jounin had convinced him to keep it a secret until the opportunity showed itself for him to show the world his bloodline. In the meantime, it would help Sasuke copy some useful jutsus from Kakashi and maybe from other sources.
Sasuke had accepted that injunction without arguing.
Sasuke did hold on to the bell far better than Sakura; the girl didn't think she would be strong or smart enough to recover it and Naruto…well, the blond was really confusing. At first he did certain unexpected things, like hide himself behind a row of fronds, then he started a straightforward attack and finally he managed, by sheer luck, become the next holder of the bell.
His life as a shinobi had shown Kakashi that coincidences didn't exist, and those dumb acts of Naruto that usually gave him certain advantages were clearly far more than the antics of a stupid kid at the tail-end of the class. Once again doubt and suspicion was back and he decided to watch Naruto more closely than before.
He observed how Naruto kept taunting Sasuke who was twitching in annoyance. The blond had a big grin on his face and was recalling the moment he made Sasuke scream. The last Uchiha shouted something at Naruto that only made the blond smile and come closer to the black-haired Genin.
That was when Kakashi noticed the explosive tags all around the tree Naruto was on. Kakashi watched as Sasuke kept calm while Naruto got closer to the trap. He should stop them. Even with the Kyuubi Naruto wouldn't be able to survive or escape unscathed. He should stop Sasuke for doing that…
He should, but he didn't. He stood there looking, expecting… hoping.
A loud explosion rocked the area and Sasuke's eyes gleamed with triumph when the tree exploded into a million pieces and the ground sank in.
"Hey! That wasn't fair!" Sasuke (and Kakashi, though he would never admit it) jumped in surprise when the voice of Naruto reached him from behind. The blond was behind Sasuke who turned around quickly with shock written all over his face.
"Wh-hat… what the hell?" was all Sasuke was capable of.
"Kage bunshin," Naruto replied matter-of-factly with his eyes focused on the sight in front of him. "And it was good it was one of them, or else…Gee, you were really into the game, weren't you Sasuke?"
"Well, the goal was to obtain the bell," said Sasuke taking a fighting stance, cursing mentally when he remembered that Naruto could do a solid clone.
"Oh, I thought it was revenge for making you scream like a girl, Sasu-chan!" Naruto chuckled enjoying the obvious annoyance from the Uchiha.
Sasuke growled, ready to punch Naruto into oblivion for his comment, but Sakura beat him to it.
"Idiot! How dare you said something like that to Sasuke-kun!" said Sakura, punching Naruto hard on the head. The blond fell to the ground moaning in pain and the bell rolled out from his hand to Sakura's feet.
"B-but Sakura-chan! He almost blew me over! And, he did scream like a girl!"
Sakura's lips twitched upwards for a moment, but when she saw the look of annoyance in Sasuke's eyes her smile was cut short.
"Well, it seems like Sakura recovered the bell," said Kakashi, grinning as he interceded between Sakura and Naruto.
The pink-haired girl blinked, clearly confused by those words. She looked at Kakashi and then at Naruto and Sasuke. Sasuke merely nodded his head towards the bell and Sakura's eyes fell on it.
"I…I did?" she asked.
"Yes, you did. It was an unorthodox way of doing it, but it seems that that is our team's trademark."
"I knew you could do it, Sakura-chan," Naruto smiled at her, the girl returned it and for a moment lifted her eyes to Sasuke who only nodded and then turned around.
"Wait a moment Sasuke."
Sasuke turned around and looked with curiosity at Kakashi who had three sheets of paper in his hand. "In three weeks, you will be participating in this."
Team 7 grabbed an inscription form each. Sakura looked at it and she couldn't help but feel nervous about the prospect. She peered up and saw the gleam of excitement in Sasuke's and Naruto's eyes.
"However, and while I did recommend you enter the exams, it is only up to you to participate. Think it over, you have three weeks, and if you decide to enter just fill the forms and present it on that day punctually."
"You really think we're ready, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked, Kakashi looked at Naruto for a moment, then he turned his eyes to Sasuke and Sakura that were just as curious as Naruto to know the answer.
"Yes, otherwise I wouldn't have given you the forms," the Jounin finally said putting his hands on his pockets. "Now, I have to go, have a meeting with Hokage-sama and I don't want to be too late."
"The Chuunin exams, eh?" Sasuke glanced at the form before turning his attention to Naruto. "You sure you're ready for this, dobe?"
"Of course, I am, as long as you don't keep screaming like a girl, teme."
Sakura rolled her eyes when Naruto and Sasuke started bickering. Moments later it turned into one of their fighting/training sessions to see who was right.
"Boys," she muttered, sitting under a three and looking at the form in front of her. Was she ready? She looked over at her teammates and she knew, without a doubt, that both of them were prepared. Maybe she still had certain doubts about Naruto, but even she couldn't deny that the blond was better than her in many aspects. She sighed. At least she had three weeks to decide and improve if she wanted to participate along with Sasuke-kun and Naruto.
"Oh, look at this; you're all hot and sweaty, ready for me."
That voice and that suggestive tone… Naruto shivered when he felt the woman behind him with a kunai angled at his jugular. "Hello there, Naru-chan."
Sasuke watched the scene and couldn't help but feel a small, tiny little blush started on his cheeks at the sight of the woman, at the tone of her voice. So far he had never seen a woman like her, the way she was dressed and… Sasuke shook his head, he wasn't thinking anything at all about that woman and himself. No, he couldn't. He didn't have time. He was an avenger not some…pervert. Sakura on the other hand seemed annoyed and was eying the woman with mistrust.
"A-Anko…-chan," Naruto added the term of affection when he felt the kunai pressed harder on his skin when he forgot the way she wanted to be addressed. "What - what are you doing here?"
"My, you sound so disappointed Naru-chan," said the woman, taking the kunai from his neck. "And here I came all the way to just play with you."
In the blink of an eye Naruto was behind Sasuke who was trying to get away from whatever Naruto was planning.
"Here, take him instead!" Naruto shoved Sasuke at Anko. "I know he looks kind of gay and all but I swear he likes women!"
Sasuke growled madly at the comment. He wouldn't mind going with the woman but to insinuate that he was into boys was just wrong.
"I don't look gay, you idiot!" snarled Sasuke. Sakura on her part was ready to kill Naruto for implying that the woman could take Sasuke in any way. Anko was enjoying the little by-play way too much.
She batted her lashes at the blond man. "Oh, but Naru-chan…you're all I need."
"No, please!" Naruto pleaded when he saw the woman nearing him and Sasuke. He thought wildly for another treat to toss the predatory Anko. "He… he is a virgin!"
"Naruto!" This time both Sakura and Sasuke screamed at the same time. Anko looked at the terrified blond and then at a blushing Uchiha and a very mad Sakura, she laughed really hard before moving fast and grabbing Naruto.
"Oh, but, I don't like virgin-gay-looking guys." And with that both of them disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving Sasuke and Sakura behind.
Sasuke stood there, fists clenched, with a dark expression on his face. Sakura approached him very carefully, she was about to ask him what was wrong when she heard him.
"Lucky bastard. He not only gets power but a hot chick as well."
Two hours after his kidnapping Naruto found himself in another torture (though Anko called it training) session. Naruto was struggling to get free from the ropes Anko had bound him in without making the big snake in front of him aware of his struggle. As if that wasn't enough he couldn't lose his concentration or else he would fall from the tree and he didn't know if he was going to be fast enough to fall on his feet and not his head. Yes, Anko was a sadistic woman all right. He better not mention that fact in front of her anymore, or else she could do something even worse.
After finding out about the Chuunin exams and his participation the woman went even crazier than before – if that was possible. Now, if only he could get out of that situation and run away as fast as possible he might actually enter the exams without any life-threatening wound on him.
You know? I wouldn't mind being tied up by her. It would make things more interesting.
'Oh, shut up, you're not helping at all.'
I'm helping but you just don't want to hear anything about ropes, bed, and that woman under you.
'I told you to shut up!' Naruto hissed with a soft blush. He would never think, after hearing Ryuujin for the first time, that his dragon could be such a pervert. Naruto sighed and went back to try and free himself.
"What are you doing with my student, Anko?" Hatake Kakashi asked Anko who was watching Naruto from up another tree while cleaning up her nails with a kunai.
"Me? I'm not doing anything to him. Yugao would get mad if I did," Anko answered with a cocky smile that Kakashi didn't find amusing.
"To me it looks like you were working with him," Kakashi said with an accusatory tone in his voice. "Training with him, to be more precise."
"Me? I would never do that," Anko feigned being offended, while smiling smugly at Naruto which made Kakashi narrow his eyes at the woman.
"Well, I ought to feel relieved then, because if I remember correctly it is illegal to train a Genin who isn't under your command. That would be really troublesome for someone like you," Kakashi commented in a kind tone with a barely-evident warning.
For the first time Anko stopped playing with the kunai and her nails and looked up at Kakashi with a disturbing and disconcerting smile.
"Tsk tsk... Threatening me like that isn't going to work, Hatake. Look at him closely, he isn't wearing his hitai-ate or his kunai holder. He just looks like a normal boy playing a funny game with a hot woman."
"We both know he is not a normal boy and that you are doing more than just playing." The bite was obvious now. This time Anko did raise an eyebrow at Kakashi before tossing him an impertinent half-grin. "Maybe, I should let Hokage-sama know about this and see what he thinks."
She considered his words with the same expression as before. Kakashi was satisfied she was finally considering his responsibilities and her intrusion. However, his momentary relief was cut short by Anko's smirk.
"Tell you what," she said with a strange gleam in her eyes, "you stop fucking bothering me about this and stop your bloody threats and I would not tell Hokage-sama about your training methods, your obvious training preferences and the fact that a Genin you recommended to the Chuunin exams is still practicing the tree-walking exercise."
And with that said Anko left Kakashi. Kakashi stood there, furious, and helpless, and watched Naruto finally free himself to land gracefully on the ground, evading the group of snakes that Anko had sent flying his way.
"So, why didn't you say anything if you heard the conversation?" Anko inquired once she had swallowed the dango in her mouth. Their training session had ended an hour ago and both of them were in some need for food.
Naruto scratched the back of his head with a thoughtful expression before answering the question. "Well, it would be really hard to explain how I managed to hear a conversation that was happening a long distance from where I was."
"And? You have to do better than that Naru-chan."
"And what difference would it make? I have known for a long time now that he's been training Sasuke behind Sakura and my back."
Anko looked at Naruto and snorted. She had known that Naruto was smart, just not book smart. He was cunning and never gave any information away unless the situation required it.
"So, what haven't you done anything about it?"
"Nah, that would be a waste of time. Besides, I am dying to see their faces when they notice what I can do," said Naruto with an arrogant smile so characteristic of her own that the woman actually laughed at that.
"You better keep those comments to yourself, brat. Otherwise Yugao may think you're spending too much time with me."
"But Anko-chan! I am spending too much time with you!" Naruto whined. "Look at me: I'm eating dango instead of ramen."
Time didn´t stop for anyone.
In the blink of an eye three weeks had passed and the Chuunin exams were schedule to start the next day.
Konoha was buzzing with activity, everyone was helping around to welcome the ninjas coming from allied villages. Businessmen and women filled out the streets as they made their way to the square given to them to sell out their goods. The hotels, Inns and Clan Manors were filled with visitors and important people.
In the last couple of years, the Chuunin exams had become a spectacle in which everyone would bet on the best shinobi, the best fight. And this year, everyone was excited to see what the last Uchiha along with the genius from the Hyuuga Clan would do during the last part of the exam.
It was in the midst of such an excitement that the delegation from Sunagakure No Sato arrived.
Gaara stood at the gates of Konoha, his eyes gleaming dangerously while the demon inside of him stirred with hunger. He was demanding blood, and the blood he was looking for was that of the other two presence he could sense in the village. Someone to his right took a deep breath, his aquamarine eyes rolled to the side until he realized Kankuro and Temari had their eyes on him. The fear and nervousness were evident in their posture, Gaara clenched his jaw before returning his attention to the road in front of him.
Baki glanced at the siblings then at Konoha, he cleared his throat and with more bravery that he actually felt stepped forward.
"Let's go, we are blocking the gates." The man froze when his eyes caught the sight of moving sand around his feet, Gaara walked past him and Baki stood there until the sand glided away.
Gaara snorted and without turning back he let the voice in his head guide him into the village. His mother was demanding blood, and not that of his siblings or sensei, no. Shukaku had his eyes set on a single prey, and that prey seemed to be at the centre of this miserable village.
"G-Gaara, where are you going?" Baki asked when Gaara started to head away from the team. He really didn't want to talk with Gaara, not when he was in one of those moods.
The redhead stopped and turned his head and looked at Baki with indifference. "None of your business." And without further ado he left in a swirl of sand.
Baki exhaled steadily. He turned around and his eyes fell on Kankuro. Kankuro shook his head when he realized what their Jounin sensei wanted.
"No, no way in hell am I going to follow the brat around Konoha while he is in one of those moods," Kankuro ignored the glare Temari sent his way while shaking his head.
"This is not a suggestion nor is it a request. It's an order, Kankuro," Baki approached the young man glancing around before setting his eyes on him his voice lowered to a whisper. "We can´t let Gaara wander around the village when he is like this. Kazekage-sama´s plans could be jeopardized if we allow so."
Kankuro hesitated, he glanced at the spot Gaara had been moments ago then at Baki, he opened his mouth but the other man shook his head.
"As a mentioned before, it's an order." This time around Baki hardened his voice, his eyes glaring at Kankuro. "Go with Temari, if you are too afraid and be careful the both of you."
Temari huffed shaking her head while glaring at Kankuro, the young man cringed under her stare but he couldn't deny he felt safer with her by his side. Of all the people in his life, Temari was usually the only one that could reach out to Gaara.
"Very well, then we will see at the Inn." Temari replied glancing at Baki. "Kankuro, let's go."
Kankuro was about to argue when Temari arched a brow. The young man gulped and followed his sister without putting up a fight.
It didn´t take too long for Gaara and Shukaku to find the person they were looking for.
The blond teen was laughing freely while talking with another four Genin all looking the same age as Gaara. The park they were resting in was just behind the Shinobi Academy and the group seemed to be enjoying themselves. The sight pierced Gaara through his very soul, his eyes darkened at the obvious happiness in the blond's face.
They were monsters. Gaara and the blond were monsters. So, why was the blond laughing and sharing time with these people? Why did he look so happy?
Things didn't work that way.
Not in their world. Not to them, the Jinchuuriki. The Monsters. The soul eaters.
Gaara heard the voices of the past, he saw himself as he had been as a child. He remembered the hatred and the loneliness. That was their destiny. Gaara clenched his fist, he and mother were angry, and they were hungry…she wanted the blood of those around the blond and he wanted the blond's soul.
Nii Yugito stood by the window of her room.
Her eyes travelled around the many roofs and streets she could observe from that position. She never thought a shinobi village could look the way Konoha did; of course, there was nothing much she could judge by since Kumogakure no Sato was the biggest village she knew besides Iwagakure and Uzushiogakure no Sato but the last two didn´t count since the first one didn´t allow them to explore the streets, and the last one was still under reconstruction.
The first part of their mission had gone rather well, the group of Mist shinobi was nothing extraordinary and she and the rest of the team could dispose of them quite easily. Arriving to Konoha had been another quest in itself and now that she was finally inside the village Yugito was nervous.
Not sooner had she placed a foot inside Konoha she felt him. The Kyuubi. The young woman pursed her lips as she remembered her mission: Contact the Jinchuuriki, convince him to join her with the promise of control over the beast sealed inside him and, fin ally but not least, retrieve the sole heir of the Uzukage by any means necessary.
Yugito didn't understand politics or the inner workings of diplomacy, but if Raikage-sama needed the Jinchuuriki and the heir of the Uzukage then she would do anything in he power to accomplish her mission.
The clouds above her head glided slowly while the sun warmed up the day, the sound of children and people down in the village reached her ears. But Yugito had her attention focused on the spot she could sense not only one but two Jinchuuriki. She pursed her lips fixing her clothes before facing her team.
"I'm going for a walk," she announced firmly, the Jounin who was with her team frowned nodding curtly.
The streets around her spread out before her, this was a village that had lived for far too long in peace. There were shinobi, yes. But many of them wore the uniform out of habit more than duty, Yugito dare to think they didn't even wear weapons other that the jutsus they might know.
Stores were soon replaced by homes and gardens along with small ponds and bridges, Yugito didn't need a map or to ask for directions. She was following the heavy presence of those that wear her same power; the young woman furrowed her brow as she approached a big building. Nibi stirred restlessly at the back of her mind.
'Someone else is in here, Nibi.'
I can sense them too, but they are of not consequence to us, Kitty, not for now.
'You recognized them?' Yugito tilted her head looking around her but knowing there was more than one sprit energy around Konoha was unsettling.
Just remember what happen to the curious cat, Yugito. Be extra careful.
'Are you going to tell me what those other presences are?'
No need to worry about that just yet.
'But I need to worry, right?'
Just be careful, Kitty. There are more things in this world than you're aware of.
Nibi went silent after her warning, Yugito tried to engage her again but Nibi refused to answer her questions. Yugito did not press her any longer for she arrived at her destination, taking a deep breath the young kunoichi stepped forth ready to meet the Jinchuuriki she was supposed to recruit.
Gaara had been observing from afar showing a patience he usually didn't poses.
Whenever he experienced the bloodlust deep inside his soul, Gaara acted without giving it too much though. He consumed souls to placate his mother, and he killed to placate his pain. This time around, though was different.
The blond reeked happiness, even though it was evident for Gaara he had a demon inside. They were alike, and yet…
Gaara tensed hearing the purring need from his mother in his mind, she wanted this kid. Gaara was to consume him, his soul…the pain in his body was increasing, and the one on his chest was almost unbearable.
Only his blood and soul would placate this need, Gaara-kun. Take him and you will be free…
Gaara stepped forth ready to feed his mother when the scene changed before his eyes. He clenched his fists as his brother approached the group mockingly, Temari was by his side rolling her eyes while looking around her. The red head pursed his lips, they were looking for him but his idiotic brother couldn't stop the chance to mock those younger than himself.
The air around the playground change, Temari tensed up at the familiar feeling of suffocation around her. She blinked and soon Gaara was standing in between Kankuro and the group of Genin from Konoha.
"Kankuro, you're a disgrace to our village." Kankuro stopped death in his tracks, his arms froze as his pupils dilated as he settled his attention on Gaara. "Put that away."
"B-but Gaara! They started it! I was…"
"Shut up or I'll kill you," said Gaara evenly, his eyes never leaving Naruto.
The tension was palpable in the air, Naruto furrowed his brows at the redhead standing right in front of him. Behind him, Sasuke, Sakura Chouji and Shikamaru were ready to fight, or at least prevent a fight with the Suna Genin but the appearance of this new kid froze everyone in place.
Naruto tilted his head, the pression in the air was coming from the guy that was looking at him with a bloodthirsty grin. The blond knew he had felt something earlier, but his reunion with Chouji and Shikamaru made him relax and dismissed those presences. Now he understood it was a mistake.
Careful, Naruto, this guy…
'I know, please be ready.'
You don't need to tell me twice.
Ryuujin growled inside the blond's head, and Naruto straightened up breaking into a smile. Gaara took a step forward never breaking eye contact with Naruto
"What is your name? Yours and that of your companion." Gaara demanded.
Naruto furrowed his brows, inside his head Ryuujin stirred again.
Kyuubi is restless, give him part of my name but not his.
´Kyuubi? Why? Does he know the guy?'
Naruto was confused now, but his zanpakutou was sounding dead serious, the dragon growled nodding.
They know each other, the demons can sense one another.
Naruto opened his eyes in surprised. Demons. He gave Gaara a once over and finally understood what Ryuujin was talking about. A Jinchuuriki.
Naruto was about to answer but Sasuke stepped forward. "I'm Uchiha Sasuke and I suppose you want the idiot's name."
For the very first time, the attention Gaara had on the blond broke and he redirected his aquamarine eyes to Sasuke. His expression never changed, and while Sasuke was scowling openly to the redhead, sand spouted from his gourd dancing around Gaara. Shikamaru narrowed his eyes, while Sakura seemed ready to scream or to faint; it was Naruto thought the one who noticed some of the sand had placed itself around Sasuke's feet.
"Watch out!"
The scream from the blond came in time, Naruto moved faster than anyone could see and Sasuke was on the ground just as the sand imploded where, moments ago, he had been standing.
Naruto stared, appalled, at Gaara's impassive face. The redhead was ready to harm Sasuke, more than that Naruto was sure if he had not act on time Sasuke would probably be dead or incapacitate. Sasuke was still glancing at the spot where he had been standing, his heart beating against his ribcage while his fist clenched tightly.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura knelt beside the Uchiha, while Shikamaru and Chouji stood right behind Naruto.
"I don't like being interrupted or annoyed by trash," Gaara whispered coldly.
Naruto straightened up placing his hand on the hilt of his zanpakutou, "My name is Uzumaki Naruto, and his name is Raikaze, that's all you need to know."
Shikamaru rose a single eyebrow, he glanced out of the corner of his eye to see Sasuke standing up, his muscles tense and his hands twitching at his side. Then, the eyes of the young man went to the other Suna Genin. The blonde-haired woman and the other one was clearly terrified, their eyes fixed on the redhead. This situation was turning to be a troublesome situation right before the Chuunin exams.
Temari could not take her eyes from her brother, just like Shikamaru she was troubled with the situation. Not only because of the imminent confrontation, but because Gaara was quite interested in the blond kid. He was excited, his sand was twirling around in anticipation. Temari knew if Gaara decided to do something there was nothing much she or Kankuro could do.
"Who the hell are you?!" Sasuke exclaimed stepping forward until he was standing side by side with Naruto.
"Sasuke, stand by," Naruto instructed in a serious tone that was entirely unlike him.
"The hell dobe? Do you really think I'm going to let this bastard walk away after the…"
Sasuke trailed off the moment he felt it, the pressure pulling him down, cutting his breathing. He blinked away trying to stand up, just as his mind went to the moment he faced Haku. It was a similar sensation though this time around Sasuke could also feel something else, something he didn't feel with Haku: Fear.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura exclaimed her hand going to her chest.
Naruto slid his right feet to the right, his hands clenching and unclenching. This guy was not kidding about his intentions. Gaara smirked, Shikamaru focused his eyes on Naruto.
"Guys, you better get out of here." Naruto finally said, Sasuke swallowed down shaking his head.
"No." Sasuke clenched his teeth at how laboured his voice sounded.
Naruto smirked his hand firmly placed on the hilt of his sword. He turned to Sasuke shaking his head.
"Really, teme, you should go."
For some reason the pressure around them increased, but this time around it was different. Not so heavy, not so…terrifying. Shikamaru grabbed Chouji's hands and made him stepped back, he tried to do the same with Sakura who did so reluctantly. Sasuke kept his eyes on Naruto and for a brief moment a thought occurred to him: the sudden change was thanks to the blond.
Gaara chuckled placing his hands up front, "That's it, Uzumaki, show me your face…"
The eyes of the redhead held a maniacal gleam while sand around him started pulsing and ebbing with disturbing eagerness. Temari and Kankuro didn't know what to do. They knew they had to stop Gaara but their survival instincts were telling them to run.
"Look at all this display of testosterone, Nibi-chan," a new voice said from above them, the voice was clearly amused by what she was observing, "so much eagerness to fight may speak of just how weak you two really are."
Naruto and Gaara both looked up to see a young woman, not older than fourteen, with blond hair, dark eyes and a hitai-ate from Mist. She was smirking openly at the boys, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
The sand withdrew slowly as Gaara recognized the second presence in the village. Gaara stood there, arms crossed, studying the girl. Naruto for his part was really confused.
'Two Jinchuuriki in Konoha, one of them clearly crazy and the other a good-looking girl?'
"Aren't family reunions the best thing ever?" The girl jumped down, sarcasm dripping every word, she glanced from Gaara to Naruto but it seemed both boys were merely shocked at her appearance.
'Family?'
I don't think an explanation is necessary but, did you really think that we were just simple demons out for blood? You are still ignorant, brat. Careful, for not all of them are what they seemed.
Naruto didn't say anything, he merely glanced at the girl finding himself in the strangest position he had been so far. The world was spinning around him, but it seemed as if time had slow down for a bit.
"Humph, I don't have time for this," snapped Gaara, surprising his siblings.
He turned on his heel and strolled away. A few meters ahead he stopped and addressed Naruto and the blond girl.
"By the end of this farse, mother will have your souls and I will haver your blood." And then, he was gone.
Temari and Kankuro looked at each other, then at Naruto and finally at the Mist-Nin. The blond saw the terror in their eyes and he felt bad for them, for Gaara and for himself, then just like Gaara they were gone.
"What the hell was that?" Naruto whirled around and saw that Sasuke was examining him with an inscrutable expression, behind him Shikamaru was looking at him in wonder as well.
"I don't know," Naruto replied weakly, the girl behind him chuckled and Sasuke just glared at him.
"Don't lie to me dobe," whispered Sasuke, grabbing Naruto by his shirt. His voice rose. "I saw you… I felt it... what the hell was that!?"
"Don't yell at me Sasuke, I don't know what you are talking about," said Naruto, evading the Uchiha's gaze.
"Sasuke-kun," said Sakura tentatively. "Let him go."
"I don't think it was Naruto, Sasuke." This time Shikamaru intervened. "That redhead, he was a troublesome individual, crazy if you ask me."
Sasuke was debating within himself. Should he let go of Naruto or should he beat the truth out of him? But before he could decide on what to do a voice interrupted the teens.
"What the hell happened in here?" The voice came from an ANBU wearing a familiar cat mask. "Naruto? What the hell happened here?"
Naruto opened his mouth to start the explanation but Chouji and Shikamaru beat him to it. Both of them started a lame explanation of how another group of Genin wanted to try their luck before the exams, it went from joking to serious fighting but then it ended in promises of besting one another in the exams. The blond smiled at his friends thankfully, and he was even more surprised though thankful when Sasuke and even the Mist-nin corroborated their stories. Sakura though remained silent, and the ANBU questioned them no more, they left with a warning that any fight will automatically disqualify them from the exams so they didn't want a repeat performance of such childish fights.
The ANBU left, but Naruto knew this was not the end of it.
"I knew I would find you here," said Naruto, jumping down from a tree. Sasuke glanced at him once but continue punching the dummy doll he was using to train his taijutsu.
There was a long moment of silence in which Sasuke kept up his punches and kicks to the maximum, until the dummy exploded into splinters and sandy particles. Naruto watched Sasuke with Ryuujin resting on his lap.
"Why?" Sasuke finally asked, panting. Sweat was rolling down his face and he was glaring at the blond. "Why do you have such power? Why do you catch everyone's attention? What's so special about you?"
"I don't know what you are talking about, Sasuke," said Naruto standing up and walking towards Sasuke. "I'm not special and the attention I am given usually it isn't that good. Power? I don't have it, but I've been training hard every day to get where I am, so those scornful and hateful glares people send my way can change into respect and…"
"So, you're telling me that the dead-last of the academy improve in such a little time because he trained?" replied Sasuke sarcastically.
"Of course not! I've been training since before that," protested Naruto.
"So, you're not denying you have a kind of power, whatever that power is." Another silence. Sasuke studied Naruto closely while the blond shifted from side to side, a little uncomfortable by the question.
For a moment Naruto considered telling Sasuke about the souls, the hollows and the Shinigami. About his own power and Ryuujin but…
Don't do it Naruto.
'Why? He is my friend and… I think it's fair to tell him about it. Look at him. He's going crazy trying to figure it out.'
For that same reason. Naruto, I've been with you since you were a kid, I know how alone you've felt all this time but I don't trust him. There is something about him that it isn't right.
'Look, if you are saying that because he wants to kill his brother, that's okay. I'm sure we can convince him to look for alternatives.'
You have too much faith in your kindness. Hear me out, don't do it, and don't tell him about you, me, and our world.
Sasuke peered at Naruto for a long time and he almost smiled triumphantly. He had done it. Finally, Naruto was about to share that knowledge, he had known that the blond was hiding something. An idiot like Naruto couldn't become that good in such short time…
"Well? Are you going to tell me?" he prompted.
"I don't know what you are talking about, Sasuke. Like I said I trained hard to be in the place I am now."
Sasuke's expression clouded over.
Unable to bear the tense atmosphere, Naruto said in a too-cheerful tone, "Come on, I'm just as nervous as you are about tomorrow. Let's go get something to eat. My treat!"
"Okay, let's go," Sasuke agreed. Naruto went ahead of him so he never saw the red eyes behind him.
The day of the Chuunin exams finally arrived.
Team 7 got to the main building right on time to formalize their subscription before moving forth to the hall they were being expected. Naruto was trying to not laugh while Sasuke wore a dark expression, to their side Sakura was trying to decide whether she was supposed to be mad or not.
"Don't feel bad, Sasuke. It could happen to any one of us," Naruto finally said grinning at the Uchiha, "look at it this way, yesterday you told me why everyone was always looking at me and stuff. Well, now you have a fanboy!"
Sasuke glared at the blond; Naruto grin widened as he continued.
"I do have to advise you, though. Be careful, he seems to be looking at you for a serious relationship."
"Come back here Naruto! You're not going to live long enough to enter these exams!" Sasuke yelled, trying to grab the blond that was running ahead of him. Sakura's eyebrow twitched in annoyance at their antics though this did nothing to ease her fears.
"Okay, you two stop it this instant!" she exclaimed, startling both Naruto and Sasuke. They looked at her with wide eyes at her tone and her angry glare. Sasuke and Naruto exchanged glances. While it was common for the girl to scream at Naruto she never had done so to Sasuke, and right now it seemed like Sasuke was included in the scolding.
"Can you behave according to your rank? At least until this whole thing is over?" complained Sakura, stalking forward. Naruto gaped at the angry Sakura. Sasuke could only shrug.
"Women," Naruto murmured and decided to follow his teammate with Sasuke close behind.
The first thing Naruto heard was a high pitch scream of 'Sasuke-kun'. Soon the blond spotted Ino who was coming at them with a huge smile waving at the Uchiha and ignoring the glare from Sakura.
Both, Naruto and Sasuke stepped back and left both girls arguing while they looked around the room.
"Look at that? If it isn't Naruto!" The blond turned around to see a grinning Kiba and his dog Akamaru perched on his jacket. "What happen to that jacket of yours? Finally got some sense of style?"
"Nah, it got destroyed on my last mission," Naruto said sheepishly.
"What?! What happened to destroy your jacket?" Kiba chortled. "Trip over a pebble?"
"Actually, his jacket was destroyed when an A-class nuke-nin tried to kill him and Naruto evaded his attack before killing him," Sasuke drawled, not paying Kiba any attention. Kiba's laughter stopped abruptly at Sasuke's words. Inuzuka
Kiba looked from Naruto to Sasuke trying to determine if what the black-haired guy had said was true.
"And I guess the number eight in your shirt is the number of ninjas you have killed?" This time it was Shikamaru the one who spoke. The lazy boy was leaning against the wall, apparently deciding that standing was too troublesome for him.
Kiba's eyes widened even further and he gawped at the group in front of him not really believing, or at least not wanting to believe what they had just said.
"Kiba, close your mouth, they're playing with you," said Shino beside him. Shino had moved so soundlessly that even Sasuke was impressed.
"So…you didn't kill nine people?" Kiba finally asked. Naruto smirked and shook his head.
"Nah, I killed one," he replied. He then turned his attention on Shikamaru. "So, lazybones, you got dragged here? Or did you come voluntarily? Yesterday you were ready to run away from this."
"Dragged. You really think I would come to such a troublesome event?" yawned Shikamaru, darting a glance at Ino and then looking at Naruto. "You've changed."
"Please, don't tell him that, otherwise he is going to believe he became 'cooler'," said Sasuke, surprising Shikamaru with a hint of a smile.
"Hey!" Naruto affected a pout. Kiba grimaced with fake disgust. Naruto shrugged and said, "But I did change; it is good that someone noticed it."
Shikamaru had observed Naruto carefully from below half-lidded eyes since he finally got to meet Naruto the day before. So far the heir to the Nara Clan had said nothing to anyone, but he sensed a real change in Naruto, there was something about the blond bothering him. Though Shikamaru wasn't sure what it was. Naruto was still Naruto, even if he really had mature over the last couple of months since they last saw each other.
"Something wrong, Shikamaru?" Chouji stood beside Shikamaru glancing at his friends just as intently as him.
"There's gonna be trouble," Shikamaru said in a low voice.
Kiba and Naruto were now arguing over the definition of cool while Ino and Sakura had resumed their blatant attempts to endear themselves to Sasuke.
Shikamaru looked at his feet. "I thought we just had to be careful with Sasuke, Shino and Hinata, but apparently Naruto is going to be difficult as well."
Chouji took another chip and watched the blond boy and then back at Shikamaru. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Chouji nodded, knowing that Shikamaru was very seldom wrong about such matters. A new Konoha Genin joined the group, engaging the group in light conversation before disclosing a deck of cards filled with vital information about the Genin participating in the exams. Shikamaru stayed away; he preferred gathering data on his own and analysing them by himself.
Yugito hadn't taken her eyes away from Naruto ever since the blond entered the room.
Their first encounter the day before had been unexpectedly interrupted by the ANBU, but now in the middle of this exam she would not waste her opportunity to track and speak with the blond. Uzumaki Naruto. Yugito smiled, he was kind of cute. That smile and blond locks made him look quite handsome, while also a little innocent.
With a gleam of determination in her eyes, Yugito stepped forward.
"Nii-san, where are you going?" asked one of her teammates.
"I need to do something." The other teenager merely nodded and stood back.
Yugito neared the group from Konoha, barely hearing what they were discussing until she caught the words 'card', 'abilities' and something about information on the other Genin in the room. Well, this was a good opportunity to do establish her second contact with the blond. She hunkered down.
"You guys seem to have an interesting card collection."
Kabuto and the others looked up at the owner of the voice. It was a girl; the same girl Team 7 saw the day before when they faced Gaara and his siblings.
"You were the girl from yesterday, outside the Academy!" Naruto exclaimed, looking at her with surprise.
Yugito beamed. "I would like to know what information you have on this blond here."
"I don't think that would be wise, you're not exactly an ally..." Kabuto hesitated, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"I also want to know about Naruto."
Sasuke's intervention surprised everyone. The black-haired guy was looking directly at Naruto and then turned to lock his gaze on Kabuto's cards. "I'm curious what your cards say about him"
"What the hell is going on here?" whispered Ino in Sakura's ear. "Since when is a woman and Sasuke-kun interested in Naruto?"
"Don't ask me, I don't even know myself but… I can tell you that I'm a bit curious as well."
"Why? is not as if Naruto is that strong or anything like that," said Ino with an amused smile.
Sakura only shook her head slightly. "You would be surprised."
"Okay, here it is. Uzumaki Naruto, Genin of the Leaf, taijutsu is low to average, ninjutsu is average and genjutsu is non-existent," said Kabuto looking carefully at his cards and then at Naruto, Sasuke and Yugito.
From their faces Kabuto had the impression he was missing something which bothered him greatly. Orochimaru-sama wouldn't be happy if he omitted any detail about one of Sasuke's teammates.
"Ha! What a joke! I don't know why you want to know about the deadweight, Sasuke. We all know he is a loser!" exclaimed Kiba with a toothy smile.
"Humph, I take it those cards of you aren't up-to-date, right?" Sasuke commented acidly, losing all interest in Kabuto.
"I don't know what you mean," said Kabuto. "They are reliable and have the right information up to last week."
"Well, you don't mention that my stamina and my chakra reserves are above normal or my sword," Naruto mumbled just as disappointed as Sasuke. He grabbed his card with a single eyebrow lifted.
"Oh, that. Well, your chakra reserves are not that important if your ninjutsu and genjutsu abilities are so low. It doesn't matter how much chakra you have if you don't know how to use it."
"Exactly! See that's why you almost didn't graduate," said Kiba.
"And your sword. I'm sorry to say this Naruto-kun, but do you even know how to use it?" Kabuto asked with a small smile.
Naruto and Sasuke frowned at that. The blond was about to reply but was stopped by Sasuke who merely shook his head. Yugito who had been observing the entire time smirked.
"Wow, that's impressive," said Yugito looking at Naruto. "Finally, I know your name, Naruto-kun."
Kiba, Ino, and Sakura were dumbstruck at the flirtatious tone the girl was using to address Naruto. Naruto for his part was looking nervously at the girl and then at Sasuke who merely shrugged.
"Eh, yeah but I don't know yours."
"Oh, right. Nii Yugito," the blond teen stretched out her hand, her eyes gleaming with the same mischief as they did the day before.
Naruto hesitated momentarily before he too stretched his hand and grabbed Yugito's one. It was warm to the contact; Naruto locked his eyes with her and he could swear he heard a purring in his head.
"Wh-why…is that girl looking at Naruto like that?" Kiba demanded. "Why would any girl look at him like that?"
But no one could answer Kiba's question because at that moment a bunch of Konoha shinobi appeared in a number of smoky puffs.
"Okay you brats! Sit down, the Chuunin exams are about to start!"