Author's Notes: Well this is the chap! Read on and I hope your need for read will be satisfied! Thanks for atleast stopping by but I will be more grateful if you review, if you do review I will privately reply, like I did to these wonders:
Darkryus
Cobra0000
Jimmy BZ
Caliko
Voiceofsummer
TigrezzTail
I have to say I was pleasantly surpised by the amount of reviewers.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Konoha's Number One Knuckle headed Ninja.
-Naruto's subconscious-
Naruto walked through his green hued sewer-like mindscape, looking for the Kyuubi no kitsune, (nine tailed fox) eventually he reached it, a 20 foot cage that harbored his roommate. When he reached it a growl emanated from behind the bars and two devastatingly big eyes blinked open.
"Damn you kid!" a deep voice growled.
"What'd I do?" Naruto said confused about why the fox was angry at him.
"I'm not recalling what happened in that apartment!" Kurama growled not wanting to recall what happened when Naruto Hiraishin'd to that green apartment. BLEGH.
"Hey it's not my fault he took my kunai, he should've just left it where it was!"
"Don't go blaming him! It is your fault! How was he supposed to know that that was one of your marked kunais?"
"DAMN IT! It's not my fault! Why're you defending him anyway?!" Naruto screamed.
"'Cause I like pissing you off." Kurama chuckled. It was true, this was one of his favorite past times. If he was going to be stuck in this kid for Kami knows how long, he might as well make it fun.
"Bastard."
"This still doesn't change the fact that he couldn't tell your kunai apart from any other. You need to make it recognizable so that never happens again!"
"Fine. But you're still a bastard."
"Thanks. That really means a lot." The fox said with a (hehe) foxy grin.
-6 am-
"Wakey wakey." Kakashi said leaning over Naruto who was still asleep. He grabbed the kids shoulders and violently began shaking him.
"uuhhnnn…" Naruto let out with some drool.
"WAKE UP!" Kakashi screamed into his ear sending the orange pajama wearing child shooting up. Naruto rubbed the sleep from his eyes and gave Kakashi a cold glare.
"Why are you in my apartment Kakashi?" Naruto said too calmly.
"Did you forget? You have training with Gai. So get up and head for training ground three." He gave the blonde an eye-smile and POOFed away.
Naruto groaned and began to push himself off the bed. When he was ready Naruto headed towards the training grounds. Since he wasn't used to getting up early he was still sleep and coincidently, he bumped into several people getting scowls and cold looks which he paid no attention to. They were setting up their shops for the day and didn't need a brat barging into them.
He finally reached the training grounds and met up with AAAAAAAAHHH! It was him. The guy (or should I say Gai) from The Apartment Incident. The orange clad ninja's jaw dropped to the ground, his eyes widened in shock with his pupils dilating, and his hair stood on end. Faintly Naruto heard a scream from within him; the fox had recognized the man too. The fox screamed? WHOA! MIND EQUALS BLOWN!
"Y-y-yo-ou…" The orange clad Genin stuttered this day had just got a WHOLE lot worse.
"I see you remember me. May I say it was most un-youthful of you to sneak into my apartment." Gai responded oblivious of the fact that Naruto had begun to shiver and sweat. "Now let's begin the training."
"O-okay." DAMN 'why do I keep stuttering? I'm starting to sound like Hinata."
"Let us begin! But first you will need these…" he threw a pair of strap-on weights to Naruto. Who, not knowing their weight, caught them and was anchored to the floor by their colossal weight.
"WHAT THE HELL? Why're these so heavy?!" Naruto asked, dramatically pulling himself up.
"That is your punishment. I told Kakashi to give you more but he said that's all you can handle. So put them on and we'll start the run." Naruto strapped the super weights on his ankles, all the while cursing Kakashi under his breath. "Three, two, one… GO!" Gai screamed and was off. Naruto trailed behind him, normally he would easily have been able to keep up with Gai's pace but those damn weights were pulling him down. With all his strength he pushed on, following Gai through the fields and, to his dismay, up a hill.
"COME ON NARUTO! IT IS MOST UN-YOUTHFUL to be left behind! WHOEVER LOSES HAS TO CLINM HOKAGE MOUNTAIN WITH ONLY HIS TOES!" Gai shouted over his shoulder.
FACEPALM
"What have I gotten myself into?"
-An hour later-
(I'll) HUFF… (and I'll) PUFF… (and I'll blow your house down). Naruto panted lying on the grass and facing the sky. The training Gai had put him through was really pushing his limits. Even with his near-endless stamina and determination he couldn't go on. They had been flat out sprinting through the training grounds, actually Naruto had been sprinting Gai seemed to have been jogging. Then The Green Beast had made him do hundreds of pushups and sit-ups. All the while chanting lunatic like phrases like:
YOUTHFUL FTW, YOSH WE ARE MOST YOUTHFUL, or THIS IS WHAT YOUTH IS ALL ABOUT! Constantly flashing the 'good guy pose' and shining teeth.
The blonde had had enough and threatened the green man if he said the word 'youth' one more time he'd kill him. Saying Gai was torturing him more than training. He was completely worn out. He felt sore all over and was seriously regretting cheating on that overnight exercise. Gai had eventually said he was allowed to leave but he had collapsed there and then. Almost passing out from the exhaustion.
He looked up at the clouds, now he could understand why Shikamaru did this so much. It was so serene, the way the clouds gently rolled over him, occasionally uncovering the sun. The way they silently interlocked with each other making different shapes on the bright blue background.
Naruto closed his eyes and planned out the rest of the day. He would go and meet his team and they would do a few D-ranked missions and some training. Then they'd call it a day at around six and someone would choose a place to eat. Today was Sasuke's turn, 'he'd probably choose an emo place or something' Naruto guessed. Finally at the end of the day he'd head home, maybe stop at Iruka's and say hello. Either way it'd probably be a usual day for him so nothing to worry about.
OH WAIT! He had to go and customize his kunai. He'd have to go to the weapon shop to get some help with it. 'Well might as well get it over with' he told himself. He pushed himself up, noticing that the weariness was already beginning to fade, "Thanks fur ball" he telepathically told his orange companion.
"Don't thank me, it's not like I have any choice, this seal combines our chakra whether I want it too or not." Came the telepathic reply.
He blinked, as soon as his eyes were closed he vanished and before he opened his eyes again he was in his apartment.
He began searching for all the kunai he had and was surprised to find he had a great deal of them, this was probably because every time he couldn't find his kunai instead of bothering to look he'd just go and get some more, they were free so that Shinobi with less money didn't have to worry about their finance issues affecting their performance.
When he had gathered every one of his kunai he found the amount of them quite staggering. He would need a wheel barrow to take all of them to the weapon shop. Hmmm…Suddenly a bulb went off in his head and shined brightly! He had a bright idea! (hehe)
He grabbed a few kunai and headed towards the aforementioned shop. On the way he got several suspicious glances from villagers, it was still only seven in the morning so the streets weren't as jam packed as Naruto was used to.
Eventually he made it to the weapon supply shop and was greeted by… Tenten!
"Hey Tenten, what're you doing here?" Naruto greeted and asked.
"Oh I pretty much run the store. The manager gave me a part time job since I'm here so much!"
"That's great! But why do you need a part time job? You get paid for missions."
"Yeah, but that's not enough to pay my rent since I moved out of my parent's home. And truth be told I really like weapons! Anyway, enough about me what about you? Why're you here?"
"OH… right I need a way of making my kunai recognizable so no…uhh… accidents happen." Naruto answered, cautious of not giving away the details of that accident. Tenten narrowed her eyes, suspicious on what he meant by accidents and was about to ask him when Naruto added, "So do you have any idea what I could do?"
"Hmmm… What kind of change did you have in mind?"
"Oh… uhh… I was thinking it had to can't be too obvious to enemy, and uhh… nothing too flashy."
"Hmmm… how about a mark on the handle?"
"No, they already have that. It's too small."
"What about a ribbon that trails behind it?"
"That would be a little too much. Besides the ribbon would be too easy to rip off." Naruto said, secretly thinking a ribbon would be too girly, but he wasn't stupid enough to say that in front of a strong Kunoichi like Tenten.
"Okay so the first suggestion was too subtle and the second was too much… you are so stubborn!" Tenten said fed up of his stubbornness. "Why don't you just spray paint them pink or something?!" Tenten mocked loudly, something her crush Neji wouldn't approve of. Although she wasn't a fan girl she did like him.
"Hey, that's a good idea." Naruto said surprisingly.
"You want pink kunai?" Tenten asked almost sarcastically.
"No. But I do want ORANGE kunai!"
"Orange? Are you sure, 'cause that's kinda' over the top."
"True… but we could at least make the handle orange can't we?" Naruto asked hopefully.
"Yeah… actually that's not a bad idea. Give me your kunai and I'll get to work."
"Here." He said handing Tenten all the kunai he had on him (around twenty).
"Wow this is a lot. Are there anymore?"
"Uhh… no. I'll bring the rest in a sec." Naruto said raising his hand for a high five. Tenten caught on and clapped hands with him. As soon as the high five sounded Naruto disappeared. Leaving Tenten confused by his actions. What she didn't notice was the seal Naruto had left on her hand so that he could Hiraishin back. After a few seconds of waiting Naruto flashed back carrying a large pile of kunai's with him.
Tenten sighed, this was going to be a LOT of work. She'd have to change the handle color on EVERY one of his fifty, give or take, kunai's. Naruto made sure to keep a few kunai, in case he needed them on missions.
"Okay I'll get to work on these, they'll probably be done by the end of the week, depending on how many missions I get. It'll cost you a load though."
Now it was Naruto's turn to sigh, he pulled out Gama-chan (little green froggy wallet), Tenten had to cover her mouth to stifle the giggles from escaping, and handed her a wad of money. As he placed his wallet back in his pocket his little green companion felt like he was on a diet. Maybe he could give the Akimichi clan some tips?
Naruto's shoulders sagged and walked out the shop door, after he had told Tenten he'd see her in a week. As the door closed behind him with a jingle Naruto made his way despairingly towards the Hokage tower, his team would be there, ready to receive a mission. He was already a little late but he didn't care
As Naruto made his way there, he took in the beautiful scenery of Konoha. His eyes wandered from the simple buildings to swaying trees that lined either side of the path. Finally his eyes rested upon the mountain directly in front of him, Hokage Mountain. The leaders he vowed to surpass. He briefly glanced at the first two the Hokage, Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju. He then studied the features of a younger Third Fire Shadow, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the man that Naruto had felt of as a grandfather. Lastly, he eyes fell upon The Fourth, The Yodaime, Konoha's Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze his dad. Naruto only wished he was still alive, but he knew he had died protecting the village he loved more than his own life. KONOHAGAKURE, The Village Hidden in the Leaves.
-Hokage Tower-
Team Eight and Team Seven waited outside the Hokage's office, Team Eight consisted of Kiba and Akamaru, Hinata and Shino. They were mainly a tracking specialist team and their sensei, Kurenai Yuhi, was known as The Genjutsu Mistress of Konoha. So far only the Haruno and Uchiha were there from Team Seven. Both teams sat there waiting to be called in by the Hokage. After several minutes of waiting the door opened and out walked two Chunin. They nodded respectfully to Kurenai walked on.
"So do you guys want to go first?" Kurenai asked Sakura and Sasuke. As expected Sasuke grunted and Sakura kindly replied,
"Sorry we can't, Kakashi and Naruto aren't here yet."
"Okay, come on guys." The red eyed woman said motioning for her team to follow her into their village leader's office. Once they were in and the door was closed behind them Kuranai bowed and respectfully greeted the Hokage.
"I suspect you're here for a mission?" Sarutobi cut straight to the chase.
"Naturally." Kurenai answered. And Hinata nodded in agreement.
"Alright then, let me see… AH. Here we go, there's a civilian who wants you to take care of her children." He said with a smile.
"NO WAY!" Kiba exclaimed. "No. More. D-ranked. Missions."
"Oh really. So you're saying you're ready for a C-ranked mission... Kurenai?"
Kiba gave her the puppy face (something being with Akamaru helped him perfect), and looked at her pleadingly. "Oh alright. But only if your teammates are ready too." She gave in; she was a sucker for the puppy dog eyes.
She turned to the two other members of her team, Shino, as stoic as ever, nodded his acceptable of the C-rank. Hinata hesitated for a second, contemplating if she was ready. She really was sick of the D-ranks, not that she complained. But was she ready? She thought about how she'd be letting her teammates down and how proud her father would be when he found out she had a C-ranked mission. Last, but in no way least, she thought about how Naruto would react if she told him, he'd probably be really proud and maybe even congratulate her! She looked her sensei in the red eye and nodded, she was in.
"Great now, now let me find a suitable mission for a team with your talents…Ah here we are" Hokage said pulling out a folder with a C stamped on it.
-Outside the office-
Three members of Team Seven sat waiting impatiently for one of their teammates. Unlike what you'd suspect Kakashi was already there! Who they were waiting for was a certain blonde Uzumaki.
"How is this possible?! He's even later that Sensei!" Sakura screeched at her two teammates. She couldn't believe Naruto was this late! Especially since they were about to get a mission. How was it possible that someone who could move at near the speed of light could be so late?
Kakashi shrugged and sighed, when he headed over here from the memorial stone he had been expecting to see the young jinchuriki, he didn't let it show but he was a little worried. It wasn't like Naruto to stall a mission. Maybe he just forgot? "Well if he doesn't turn up soon I'm goin' to go looking for him."
"Go looking for who?" A familiar cheery voice produced from behind Kakashi.
"An idiotic failure who thinks he's funny." Sasuke answered slyly, earning a chuckle from Kakashi and giggle from Sakura. Naruto scowled.
"Really because the only person in my mind that matches that description is your sorry emo ass!" Naruto said folding his arms proudly as he got a giggle and an "Oooh burn" from Kakashi and a dirty glare from Sakura who was showing obvious favoritism towards 'her precious Sasuke-kun'.
"Says the dead last of our class. How did a dropout like you pass anyway?"
"Rrrr. Says the dead last of the UCHIHA!" Too far! Sasuke lashed out catching Naruto in the face and making him even more angry. With ease to show that they had experience and practice with such situations Kakashi and Sakura held Naruto and Sasuke respectively away from each other. Both boys were giving each other death glares and were breathing monstrously trying to intimidate the other. After a few second Naruto broke their gaze and a devilish grin crept onto his face, he dropped his shoulders making it known to Kakashi that he had cooled off. Kakashi let go of the blonde yet kept one arm on his shoulder to remind him not to do anything stupid. Then he struck.
Naruto's leg pulled back and swiftly he aimed a kick at Sasuke's shin. The Uchiha, who was still being held back by the pinkette much to her enjoyment, didn't have the time or room to dodge the kick. It landed. As Naruto's foot connected the group vanished.
-Hokage's office-
The Hokage FACEPALMed. He was about to explain Team Eight's mission when a group of four appeared in the middle of his office. When they appeared they came with several gasps, shrieks and even laughter. Team Seven had shown up in a strange pose. Kakashi, who was almost MASK-PALM-ing himself, was holding Naruto by the shoulders, Naruto himself seemed to have just kicked someone and was laughing hysterically, that someone he had kicked was obviously Sasuke who was in agony, shock, humiliation and anger all at the same time, and was being held back by a struggling Sakura, who had a blush painted on her cheeks. It was obvious that by the shocked expressions on everyone but Naruto's face he had used the moment his foot connected everyone together to teleport his team into the room. In a way Hiruzen Sarutobi was quite proud of the kid, to be able to use his technique in that split second was impressive, it was only a matter of time until he surpassed the Fourth.
Kakashi sighed and bowed, "Sorry Hokage-sama, it seems Naruto is still into pranking."
"HEY! This is the first prank I've done since I graduated and you have to admit it is pretty funny." He said a little too proudly.
"This isn't the time or the place to be pranking."
"Yeah yeah." Naruto waved him off. He turned to The Third, "So when can we have a mission Jiji?" he asked somewhat disrespectfully, although Hiruzen didn't mind, he still got a thwack from Sakura, who, after some protest, had let go of her precious little Sasuke-kun.
"Actually I was just about to give Kurenai's team a mission when you popped in… Actually, by the looks of this C-ranked mission both of your teams could go on it, of course if that's okay with your sensei's."
Naruto quickly turned to the two Jounins, and gave them a pleading look, with puffed out cheeks and a quivering extended bottom lip, and of course bright blue puppy-dog eyes. His expression gave Kiba and Akamaru a run for their money.
"I don't mind Hokage-sama." The red eyed woman responded.
Kakashi shrugged, "Me neither. But I doubt my team is ready for another C-rank."
"WE ARE SO READY!" Naruto exclaimed on behalf of his two teammates who were nodding their agreement.
"Great. Now, the mission would normally require you to: go up north from the village and locate a small group of bandits, of seven or eight, who have been terrorizing travelers for too long. This is why I chose Team Eight since they are a tracking specialist team." Kiba stood up proudly and puffed out his chest whilst Hinata blushed, Shino showed no signs of emotion. "Once they have been located you would inform the Anbu who will… neutralize… the threat. However since Team Seven is more combat suited I will agree to allow you to attempt to capture your enemies or if there are no other options then you will have to, dispatch, of the threat. If the enemies are more skilled than we anticipate then you are to return and inform the Anbu, no questions asked." His voice was stern and commanding. The two Jonins exchanged glances, and nodded. If the situation presented itself they would be ready. The Hokage carried on, "You will leave for the mission tomorrow morning and it will take approximately four days depending on how fast you can intercept them. That is all, you are dismissed."
They filed out of the room with their, 'Thank you's, nods and a 'See you later Jiji!' When they were out the Genin's were dismissed and advised to prepare and get some rest. Meanwhile, Kakashi and Kurenai were talking together about the mission and the different aspects of their teams.
-Naruto's apartment-
When Naruto got home he began bouncing around his apartment excitedly. He grabbed all the stuff he thought he would need. Extra shuriken and kunai, explosive tags, ninja wire, instant ramen, etc…
He hoped that this C-ranked mission didn't go the same way the last one had. What if they met another rogue ninja? What if he met another shemale? What if he freaked out and went kyuubi crazy in front of the other team? What if someone died? These were only some of the questions that flashed through his mind, but he settled on the thought that it was impossible to go anyway like the last one and hoped that this mission went according to the plan. The plan was pretty basic and the mission promised some action. At the very least it would be fun to piss around with Kiba on the mission.
-Inuzuka household-
When Kiba returned home, he said "hi" to his mum and sister and ran into his room. He made sure to take extra soldier pills just in case. After thirty minutes of tirelessly packing, he heard a KNOCK on his bedroom door. In strode his mother. She was a typical Inuzuka, she had long gruff hair and was proud in her stride although she was not arrogant but always made sure that she was displayed as a strong Kunoichi.
"What's wrong Kiba? You look anxious about something." She asked gently sitting beside him on his bed. Kiba scratched the back of his head.
"Nothin' to worry 'bout mum. It's just tomorrow's my teams first C-ranked mission. And…uhh… I was packing."
"Okay, don't worry cub, everything'll be fine." She said giving him a quick cuddle. "Besides, you have Akamaru with you so I'm sure there won't be any trouble you two can't handle." Akamaru gave two happy chirps translating to the Inuzukas as,
"You got that right!"
Kiba's mother chuckled, "Remember Kiba teamwork is the key. Not only with Akamaru but with your whole pack." She ended.
"Yeah that reminds me, Team Seven is coming too!"
"Then make it known that you consider them as temporary members of your pack too okay!" She ruffled his hair and he nodded determinedly. None of his teammates would be harmed when he was around! Not. Even. Naruto!
-Hyuuga Compound-
Hinata walked in through the Hyuuga compound gates nervously, she gave the two branch-member guards on duty each a nod. She walked in to her home briskly hoping not to encounter her father or younger sister. It not that she despised them or even dislike them, it was just that she didn't feel up to any arduous training he might insist on her. Despite his stern demeanor Hinata knew he was just trying to take the Hyuuga on a good path. She, being the oldest from the two sisters, was set to become the future head of the clan although when she didn't show the determination to become the leader her father had cast her aside and set his hopes on his youngest daughter Hanabi. This led to the relationship between the two sisters to crumble apart, since Hanabi didn't want to become the leader and because of Hinata the responsibility was forced upon her.
Hinata got to her room without encountering anyone, she slowly slid the door open hoping not to make even the slightest of sounds. Luckily she got in to her room without any human contact. She slid the door closed and let out a sigh. And that's when she noticed her. Hanabi Hyuuga was sitting on a chair in her sister's room.
"Good evening Oneesan." Hanabi said levelly.
"Hello Hanabi-Imouto." Hinata said trying to sound cheerful, "May I ask why you are in my room?"
"Hn, Father sent me to get you, he wants to see how far you have progressed from our last spar."
"Oh…I-I'm sorry Imouto I have my fffirst C-ranked mission tomorrow and I n-need to prepare." Hinata stumbled.
"Hmm… I see. You better explain to Father." Hanabi responded unlike someone her age should. She walked out the room without another word, and headed towards her father's office.
Hinata sighed, it was at times like this that she wished things would return to the way they were before her mother passed away. She followed her little sister out the room and towards the office of her father. She couldn't afford to go through the usually brutal training she her father often put her through. She would have to explain the situation and deny any form of training. She steeled herself up for what was to come, when the two reached the door and Hinata was about to knock a call came from within,
"Enter." An emotionless voice called. Hinata slowly pushed the door open with a trembling hand and entered with her sister. She took in the ever-cold presence of her father. He was sitting at his desk, in the perfect posture to show his authority. He watched them enter without another word, wondering why Hinata seemed even more nervous than usual, very un-Hyuuga like.
"F-Father." Hinata said, reprimanding herself for her verbal weakness. She bowed and straitened stiffly, putting all her effort in to not trembling before her father. Much to her disappointment, to Hiashi, a Hyuuga therefore a man proficient in reading one's body language, her apprehension was even more readable. She was obviously about to do something unexpected.
"Hinata. I take it that Hanabi has informed you of the scheduled training session."
Hinata nodded, "Yes father."
"Then why is it that you are here and so tense?"
"I-I am here to a-ask you to e-excuse me from the tr-tr-train-n-ning." Hiashi raised a brow. Slightly. Ever so slightly. So slightly that a Byakugan wouldn't be able to catch it. His thought raced to decipher a reason his oldest daughter would have to deny training. Mission?
"And why would that be?"
"B-because I h-have my fffirst C-ranked mission due tomorrow morning."
Knew it!
"Hmm… Very well. You are excused. Dismissed."
Hinata thanked him, bowed and drifted out the room relieved. That had gone better than she had predicted. Actually that had gone as good as it could have, apart of course from her stuttering and jumpiness. She made her room to her room to pack for her mission.
Authors Notes: Thanks for reading people :thumbs up: Hope you like and remember to review! Next chap will have more action to make up for this chap. Till next chap OVER and OUT!