Beta'd: 7/20/13

Word Count: 7,371 words

Well, here's chapter 2. I hope you're enjoying this and as far as it's gone for me, I've been having fun with this as well.

Also here's a note:

-I'm open to suggestions!

- Would love you opinions!

- And I've been thinking about a pairing.

Other than that, it's mostly my decision, unless there are people willing to speak up.

Consideration

"I'm home" Sasuke called out in his usual even tone.

Unlike in the series, the young Uchiha received a reply in return.

"Welcome back!"

Taking off his shoes at the door, the young raven walked down the hall and into the kitchen to see his uncle. Uchiha Obito, the only other survivor that was left alive after the massacre. Even if he hadn't been within the village at the time, Sasuke was inwardly thankful to have his lighthearted, though slightly goofy, uncle alive. It meant that he wasn't alone, that the boy had some wanted family left. Holding a mug of some hot drink, Obito smiled at Sasuke as he leaned against the counter.

"Hey, kiddo. You sure are late if I can beat you home."

Obito's smile grew as he saw his nephew glower at the fact.

Even after becoming a successful Jounin, Obito was still known to be tardy to anything. The fact that his uncle beat him home bothered Sasuke a lot. How was he supposed to keep and uphold the respectable image of the Uchiha clan if it's last remaining members were always late? The pre-teen didn't include HIM because he was a traitor.

However, his uncle kept him from thinking this totally. If Itachi was such a peace-loving member of Konoha, why would he kill his entire clan? His uncle did make a valid point when they were discussing things in the aftermath of the massacre.

"Our sensei was late by three hours before arriving. Rin-san said you had a mission in the outskirts of Fire Country," Sasuke responded before rummaging through the fridge.

The team meeting had reached well past noon, and the young Uchiha was hungry.

Before taking a sip of his coffee Obito said, "Yeah, I did; but it turns out that the predicted skirmish that was about to break out didn't happen. A treaty was made by the village so that our iron and ore mined resources wouldn't be affected. In return, both towns would be protected under Hidden Leaf's name and would work as one instead of competing against each other. There was no bloodshed and things ended peacefully so we let off early."

Eating a few left over onigiri at the table, Sasuke didn't comment with his notice of the lack of skirmishes and political feuds throughout Fire Country for the last four years. He merely looked at his uncle in response before taking a bite of the tomato flavored rice ball.

"So, how was your team meeting? You still hadn't mentioned who your sensei was." Despite the short silence, Obito went straight to the point since he knew that Sasuke would never socially initiate things himself.

Chewing his last bite, the Uchiha heir was about to answer when they heard a door open and close with a few silent steps entering the two bedroom apartment. A voice proclaimed her presence and a pair of footsteps followed after. The light shuffling reached the kitchen and stopped as the two males saw a pair of familiar faces.

"Hi, I came to visit! And look who I brought with me!" A brown haired woman with matching brown eyes smiled at the sight of the two Uchiha before gesturing next to her as she moved to kiss Obito on the cheek.

"Yo. Sorry about the sudden intrusion, but Rin was the one who dragged me here when she found me on my way to the bookstore."

Silver hair, a face mask, and lazy eyes; Kakashi merely waved a hand to the two before pocketing it. He nodded to Sasuke, who nodded back, and gave an eye smile to Obito, who smirked back at his long time teammate.

Rin put her hands on her hips as she slightly glowered at her former crush.

"Mou!* Your books and Obito's tardiness; I don't know which is worse!"

Obito only smiled at this while Kakashi shrugged off another of Rin's scoldings.

"Haha, don't forget Eri-chan's tea addiction! I'm still surprised she doesn't have yellow teeth from drinking all that."

Rin rubbed her temples in exhaustion while frowning.

"Ugh, don't remind me. I swear she has more shinobi ticks than the rest of us. She sleeps during the day, she drinks tea every minute, and she loves messing with people so much that Anko considers her an un-official member of the T & I department."

Obito crossed his arms and nodded in acceptance.

"Hey Kakashi, you've spent the most time with Eri-chan; is this just her personality or is it another case of gaining those ninja ticks?"

Kakashi poised himself in a thinking position as he sat to the left side of Sasuke. Sitting at the end of the table, the Hatake was put in a short silence to ponder.

"Hm….honestly Obito, I don't know. I think it's mostly her personality, but at the rate she's going… it's hard to say."

Obito huffed in disappointment, "Some so called prodigy you were. All that's left now is an open closet pervert."

Kakashi glared at Obito, but just as he was about to fire back the man was interrupted:

"Wait, Eri? As in Yoshida Eri?"

The three seasoned shinobi turned their attention to the voice in question.

Staring down Sasuke with surprise, Rin wanted to make sure of what all three of them were thinking. "Yes, Sasuke-kun. Do you know her?"

Sasuke didn't see what the big deal was. Why were they all surprised that he knew her name? Yes, he figured that they must've attended the academy together and maybe gone on a few missions too, but the boy's thoughts ended there. Sasuke had to mentally do a double take before asking, and even then he had waited to hear the name that had been spewed out by the class's dead last.

Nodding at Rin, Sasuke slowly spoke as the adults listened with hidden anticipation and surprise, "She's team seven's assigned Jounin instructor. I just met her today…..is she always late to a meeting?"

It was here that Obito raised an eyebrow,

"Eri-chan late? Not usually; if she is then it's for a good reason. She was late to your team meeting, really?"

Sasuke nodded towards his uncle, adding that his instructor was at least three hours late. Kakashi only further inquired for more info on this new perspective of his former teammate. Yes he could imagine her late, but at least her reasons were more reasonable than Obito's. Maybe a few minutes with twenty at most, but being late by three hours was not a trait found in the Yoshida Eri he had worked alongside with.

"What did she do when she got there?"

To this question, Sasuke eyed the floor as everything that had happened before he arrived home replayed.

"We relocated to the roof, but after a few minutes of sitting there doing nothing, Sakura suggested that we should start the meeting."

A small scowl now adorned Sasuke's face as he explained the incompetence of his new sensei. To say that Rin, Obito, and Kakashi were surprised was an understatement, yet not. Eri was late to the meeting by three hours, (probably) faked ignorance on giving introductions, and was generally indifferent to all three of her potential students; this included Naruto despite Sasuke's explanation of the blonde already being particularly close with Eri.

To say that the three were interested – well, it did explain some of their feelings. Since when had Eri befriended the Kyuubi container? Why was Eri a Jounin instructor? What was the question she asked?

"What did she exactly ask you three?" Kakashi wondered if this was another one of her philosophical metaphors.

Eyeing the floor, Sasuke recalled the event from his memories, stating her exact words, "She said, 'speed, strength, stamina; which would you choose? You can only choose one.' That's what she said."

"So what did each of you guys choose kiddo?" Obito contemplated the question for a few minutes before seeing a glint of amusement within Kakashi's eyes. He felt that something about the question was off.

"I chose speed, Sakura chose stamina…" Sasuke awkwardly left it off from there.

"And your third teammate? What did Naruto choose between the three?" Rin prompted for him to continue.

After spotting that knowing, familiar glint within her old teammate's eyes, the medic-nin quickly caught on to his rhythm. Looking back, she always remembered that the solemn raven haired jounin had an interesting thought process. The way she spoke was sometimes cryptic and it took a while for people to catch on.

Awaiting Sasuke's reply, the three seasoned jounin saw him grimace and slightly scowl. It was as if he refused to tell them, but despite this he grumbled it out anyway.

"Naruto chose stealth."

"I get it now."

Obito's outburst gained him attention. He nodded before sipping at his mug again. Sasuke only blinked in confusion, while Kakashi nodded in agreement and Rin smiled and hmm'd to show her acknowledgement.

"Get what?" Sasuke was annoyed; why couldn't he understand like his uncle and friends did?

Rin smiled softly. She thought it was cute and adorable how small things such as this annoyed Sasuke to no end. She knew he was used to succeeding in most areas, just like how Kakashi was when they were with Minato-sensei. It was only natural that Sasuke would become frustrated when he suddenly hit a road block.

Rin decided to at least clear some of the mystery that was her tea loving friend.

"Sasuke-kun, you're having a hard time understanding Eri-chan, aren't you?"

Sasuke scowled at this while refusing to speak. He didn't like admitting his inabilities, understanding a person's character included. Rin's smile only grew as the young Uchiha remained silent. Obito gave a satisfied smirk while Kakashi raised an eyebrow in interest. Silence was heard from there on out…

That was until Sasuke shot out of his seat, frowning the whole way as he prodded heavily towards the front door.

Still smirking, Obito tauntingly asked, "Hey Suke-chan, where're ya headed off to at this time of day?"

Bearing his fangs, Sasuke glared daggers as soon as his uncle's illicit nickname was spoken. The young raven stopped momentarily while stating in a very peeved fashion, "Training grounds to prepare for Eri-sensei's test."

Sasuke quickly left the scene as the three young adults smiled amusing grins. However, this soon passed as grown team Minato sent each other wary looks. Obito was the first to initiate what could be an intense and interesting discussion.

"Do you guys really think that Eri supposedly signed up for this? Cause I'm having a hard time believing this."

Kakashi casually shrugged before pondering aloud, "If anything, Eri could've been assigned this out of direct command. She's too…passionate? No, more like satisfied. She's content for the most part with being a mediator and foreign relations officer."

Rin nodded, "But would Hokage-sama really assign her this kind of role? I'm worried that Eri-chan might suffer from the kind pressure that's directed from the council. We've already witnessed the kind of state that she could dampen into, and with her withdrawing tendencies…"

Rin's sentence dropped off with a heavy silence.

A few seconds after, Obito picked up where she left off.

"Right… And honestly, I respect her as a valuable comrade and friend; but, do you think she could honestly teach the little brats on how to kill another human being?"

Eyeing the floor, Kakashi gave his two cents, "She'll most likely have a difficult time, and if anything…"

His eyes upturned and grinned.

"She'll keep moving."

The remaining two smiled in agreement, content as of present to be reminded of the fact. Kakashi nodded before standing to leave the kitchen table.

Obito questioned the long time "Bakakashi" as said silver Jounin walked off and out with this leaving statement:

"Don't mind me, I have some unfinished errands to run. I hope you two enjoy the rest of your day."

Obito eyed the kitchen door dubiously with arms crossed. The room was silent as he tuned towards Rin who was wearing that same worried look.

…

…

…

Obito deadpanned, "How much you wanna bet that he's buying more porn?"

Eri was casually inside her apartment after meeting with the Hokage. Overall, it had been a good report where they both had been expecting a more difficult Uchiha to deal with. Yes, he was still difficult, but at least there was bit more to salvage rather than him becoming enveloped with depression and rage. Sakura seemed cautious at first, but showed some process of thought; however, she was still too much enamored with the idea of having Sasuke on her team. Eri would have to talk to her in private later, but that was only if the three were able to pick up on her hints and pass the test.

Naruto was, of course, surprising. Eri really hadn't expected him to pick up on the question she had asked, but it was refreshing to say the least. And the answers the three had given her had all fallen in accordance with how each of them thought.

Speed for Sasuke spoke of how he wanted to avenge his family as soon as possible. He wanted to hit hard and clean. Sasuke's style was the type to leave no openings or mistakes, making his attacks agile and deadly. He truly wanted to achieve his goal as fast as possible.

Sakura wanted to have stamina. This choice revealed how she wanted to survive and stay alive, but sometimes that meant in avoiding the fight, avoiding the work required of a shinobi. However, it also spoke of how she wanted to be there for when her comrades were down and out; that she would stand in front of the threat since she would have the energy to do so.

Naruto made a choice outside of the given three, stealth. It was a cry from his past that he had chosen that. To be ignored all his life except for as something that was hated, Naruto wanted to disappear sometimes. To have this and the attention he sought, the boy wanted to be an unknown factor that the world was aware of; to be that secret yet watched out for danger lurking in wait. It only added to the Uzumaki's unstable and unpredictable nature. Naruto didn't want to be measured; he wanted to exceed all expectations, to be the X-factor in life. It also explained how he was able to accomplish so many pranks.

Sitting at the table with a cup of chilled milk tea and a few documents and wavers that needed to be attended to, Eri scanned the sheet while twirling the pen between her fingers. Resting was her trusty messenger owl, Hekaer of the great horned owl variety, sleeping in his hutted nest in the corner of the kitchen the sunlight barely touched.

Everything was quiet and peaceful, just the way she liked it. Everything was perfect, but life always got in the way. A traveling caravan group wanted to sell their goods in the market place and since Eri was a diplomat to foreigners, this required her attention.

'Does this really need my attention? Sure it's in my jurisdiction, and yes it's part of my job, but can't someone else look at this? It doesn't always have to be me!' Eri deadpanned and scowled in frustration while scratching her head. She sighed loudly before slumping in her seat.

Remaining in that awkward position Eri spoke to no one in particular.

"Why? Why can't they just give me a day off and let me rest? Sometimes I wish I didn't have to deal with all this paperwork!"

Out in the corner Hekaer hooted loudly in frustration. He wanted more sleep, especially since he knew that Eri would send him out tonight for another delivery. He hooted again in a softer tone while eyeing his friend with a slight glare. However, he was amused with her poor posture and awkward position at the moment since he knew she was complaining about the usual. He flew over to the table landing short of the documents.

Eri gave her long time partner a sheepish grin.

"Sorry. I woke you again, didn't I?"

Stepping closer, Hekaer only slid his eyelids down halfway in response before looking down at the documents he had delivered that morning. He hooted again before eyeing the paperwork one last time. Hekaer stalked off to the edge of the table before ducking back into his nest. He eyed Eri one more time and then settled to continue his roost.

Eri sighed before fixing herself to sit straight. Since the Jounin had known Hekaer for quite a long time, she knew that these actions were just a scolding to do her work so that she could be done with it, and he could sleep.

She grabbed the pen and read the print before signing off her permission. Adding some last minute details and regulations so that there wouldn't be any misunderstandings, Eri wrote up an exact copy to keep track of the agreement. Signing off, she put away the documents in a folder that was safe – kept in her room with seals on the container. With the time reaching five pm, Eri didn't expect company – but the door was knocked and her Fuinjutsu seals activated, alerting her to a presence.

She opened the door, after placing on her sunglasses, to find a long time friend and comrade at her step.

Used to the already eccentric Jounin, Eri voiced her surprise, although she already had some vague idea as to why he showed up without so much as a warning. "Kakashi? What are you doing here?"

He lightly responded, "Oh, I was in the neighborhood and thought I'd just drop by to see how you're doing. You're not busy, right? You're usually done around this time."

Shaking her head, Eri motioned for him to come in as she opened the door wider. And Kakashi was right about her being finished as usual. Eri was always a person of habit when it came to the things she did. So in some ways she was predictable to say the least, but that was only because they had known each other for so long – ever since they were teamed up together on their mission to destroy Kannabi Bridge.

Closing the door, Eri followed him into the kitchen. She saw Hekaer awake as he eyed the Hatake with slight suspicion, but he was overall comfortable with the man's presence. The scarecrow just lifted his hand in hello to the bird before taking a seat at the table. Hekaer hooted back before continuing his roost. Kakshi looked to Eri for a translation.

Taking a seat at the head where her tea was, she said, "He just came back from a delivery. He prefers that you be quiet while you're here."

Kakshi just smiled fondly under his mask at the bird before nodding at his longtime friend. "Just like his owner."

A loud indignant hoot came from Hekaer, shocking Kakashi out of his relaxed position. Kakashi raised a brow in question as the owl eyed him before hooting a few more times. Hekaer then flew out of the kitchen and out of sight to another part of the house. Looking back to his peer, he saw Eri wearing her sadistic smirk. He sighed in exasperation wondering what he did to anger her longtime animal-nin.

"What did I do this time?"

Eri still wore that smirk; he bet that she was enjoying his confusion. "You forgot again."

"But you're technically his owner. How exactly did I forget?"

Eri laughed under her breath as the smirk grew even larger.

"Hekaer and I found each other 14 years ago. Even though we've known each other for so long he's still technically a wild animal, and therefore doesn't trust as easily as a dog or domesticated animal. We look at our relationship as longtime friends. Especially since he's an owl, and owls are known to be solitary predators and loners. They don't trust as easily as other creatures."

Running a hand through his hair, Kakashi sighed while Eri sipped her tea. "So I just insulted him, didn't I?"

Eri broke out into a grin as she cheerfully stated, "Yup, pretty much! You might want to give him some space for a while since he still doesn't fully trust you. Don't try to pet him either or he could rip up your wrist, causing your artery to bleed out, resulting in death. In my opinion, that's a sad way to go."

All this was said with a happy grin, but underneath Kakashi recognized that morbid sense of humor; all at his expense of course. He still didn't get how someone as calm as Yoshida Eri, could find something in common with the loud and brash, not to mention vulgar, Mitarashi Anko. Morbid dark humor was especially not on the list when putting two and two together. The jokes those two made when together were enough to scare most Chuunin. The only reason all the Jounin, ANBU, and T& I shinobi didn't freak was because they were already used to the gruesome detailed pictures the woman would laugh about.

Setting down her mug, Eri's smile washed away.

"Kakashi, you're not here to only say 'hi', right? You're visiting because of something else. You want some answers; specifically from me."

She was blunt and to the point. He never really could hide anything from her. To save time Kakashi went straight out with it.

"You were given a team. Not just any team, the team with Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke."

Despite it not being a question, Eri nodded anyway.

"The Hokage assigned me team 7, I didn't have any part in it nor did I register to be a Jounin leader. It was all the Hokage's doing."

A long heavy silence stretched on from there. Truly, Eri didn't want to lead team 7. She'd rather see Kakashi as their Jounin leader or any one of Namikaze-san's three students. She knew how much it meant to the Hatake to meet his sensei's son and successor. But now that she was team 7's Jounin instructor, she had filled a position within the story.

And it wasn't just that she had taken away the chance for the three to strongly bond with the scarecrow. It went so much deeper than that. He had been someone who would largely influence their lives and someone who she was fully sure that could protect the three at all times. The only thing he had been missing had been some help, and Eri had been willing to play a backseat role in all this.

Now she just took his chance to meet the three, and for them to help each other.

"Kakashi."

He turned his attention from the ceiling to her. His eyes widened in surprise to see that her shades were set off to the side on the table. It was rare to see her without her shades, so this just magnified the moment as he saw her dark brown orbs laced with regret and sadness.

"I'm sorry. I knew how much it meant to you to teach and meet Namikaze-san's son, and to teach Obito's nephew. I couldn't refuse though, since Hokage-sama would just order me to do so. I honestly tried refusing the position. I'm sorry."

Eri downcasts her gaze, refusing to look at Kakashi in the eye after apologizing.

The Scarecrow himself, though, could only blink in a dumb stupor. Yes, he did want to teach and meet his sensei's son, and possibly teach Obito's nephew as well. Yes, he honestly was a little jealous after hearing that someone had filled the position of team 7's sensei. But now, knowing that it was Yoshida Eri who would be their team captain, all those feelings ceased. He knew that the three little brats would be in good hands. Plus, he could still see both Naruto and Sasuke after a formal introduction; the Hatake just needed an excuse to show up during one of their team meetings after getting to know what kind of schedule they'd run on. Sure, it wouldn't be himself teaching them, but at least he didn't have the responsibilities that came along with the job.

The seasoned Jounin smiled fondly in response. It wasn't often to see Eri without her shades, and even rarer to catch her acting like this. He couldn't think of a better person suited for the job than her. For someone to have gone through war, loss, ANBU, and the Kyuubi attack; you'd expect someone who was deeply scarred. Despite even all that though, Kakashi was still able to see these rare moments of innocence. This was most likely why Obito doubted her ability to teach.

It took Kakashi 14 years to reach this point where Eri could feel comfortable enough to trust him. Despite the long, agonizing friendship, he deemed that it was worth it. Expressions were one thing though; thoughts were on an entirely different level altogether.

"What are you apologizing for?"

Eri's head snapped up as she eyed the cyclops in confusion.

"Huh? But, I took your chance to train and meet Sasuke and Naruto. You…you aren't mad?"

Eye smiling towards Eri, he lightly proclaimed, "Whatever gave you that idea? Of course I'm not mad."

It was then that Eri threw a scrutinizing look at the one-eyed scarecrow. Under her steely gaze, he sweat-dropped before giving in. His hand ran through that long mane of silver hair.

"Okay, okay; so I was a bit jealous. But honestly, I'm not mad. In fact I'm quite the opposite. I'm happy that you were chosen to teach Sensei's son and Obito's nephew."

Withdrawing her analytical orbs, Eri smiled with closed lids as she brought up her cup of tea. She sighed in relief.

"That's good then. Now that that's out of the way, I'm also guessing that you came here to mooch off of my food again?" She smirked as a brow rose towards the Hatake.

Not meeting her gaze he casually said, albeit with guilty pleasure, "Spam musubi and that Spaghetti, would be nice."

Eri deadpanned before sighing. Walking from the table she gathered all the necessary ingredients while monotonously mentioning, "Y'know, you might was well do my shopping since you always eat here four out of the seven days of a week, Kakashi. And can't you just cook this stuff yourself? I already gave you the recipe."

Thoughtfully placing his hand so that he resembled the famous statue, "The Thinker", as Eri recalled from memories of her old life, the man casually stated, "Yes, but it never seems to come out exactly right. And if I were to eat out then I would gain unwanted attention while dining."

Eri stood over a lit stove, watching the noodles boil down and the meat slices fry while she stirred a red chunky fluid. Adding in banana sauce to sweeten the concoction, she smiled wryly and puffed in amusement.

"That's only because people either try to get a good look at your face or are merely glaring at you while you read that famous Orange Tempest boldly in public."

Speak of the devil as Eri turned to find the accused man holding said accursed book. She blanched slightly before turning back to the food while Kakashi eyed her exasperatedly.

"Must you really smear a masterpiece such as this with such a violent title?"

Indifferently she stated, "Well technically no, but you have to give it credit. Any man who's caught dead reading that orange monstrosity out in public is either glared at, beaten, mauled or a combination of the three; especially if said male encounters any self-respective kunoichi. The fury that's unleashed when that book is out…it should be labeled with a caution and self-injury risk."

Wondering aloud, the silver scarecrow countered, "Oh, then what does that say about you? And why haven't I been mauled or beaten to a pulp as of yet?"

The raven woman bluntly stated, "I'll respect your decision as your own, Kakashi. You know that I won't force people to change. I'm not supporting your…eccentric interests, but I will comment every now and again. I'm just basically admonishing you for now."

Kakashi eye smiled while stuffing his face into the orange tempter. Enjoying the relative silence that was left by echoes of cooking, the two were content and at peace. This was greatly treasured by both as the life of a shinobi left a lot to be desired once outside of battle.

Early morning and the sun wasn't up yet. No, rather it was just dark and overcast. Well, what'd you expect? It was only five-thirty in the morning after all.

Kakashi had left quickly after consuming his favorites last night. I can guess he just didn't want to get stuck with the dishes. With my morning routine over, I looked in the mirror before putting on my aviators.

I smirked at the girl in the mirror, "Today's the day."

I walked down the hall and into the kitchen to see Hekear in his hut, wide awake with a bloody breakfast already caught. I gave him a good morning with him hooting in return. After the usual morning breakfast of spam with rice and a sunny side up egg, I supplied myself with the usual kunai, paper bombs, wire, and scroll of weapons.

"One more thing."

Opening the fridge door, I took out two canisters of my milk tea, frosted to perfection and ready to go. Whatever Rin said about me being on an addiction, pfft, that was a total lie! I can stop whenever I want. Perhaps tomorrow?

Okay, whatever, I had to stay focused. I lifted my left arm parallel to the floor and Hekear flew over after gulping down the last of his mouse. Sealing the papers from last night into a scroll, I sealed that scroll within the metal band with inscribed seals. I activated the double security lock and opened the window. Off he flew towards the caravan.

-I smiled. The fresh air was cooling and I fully welcomed it. These mornings would soon be a rare treat. Only trouble was bound to come from now on.

Leaving the window open for Hekear's return, I activated the Fuuinjutsu security that I placed on my apartment. Walking out after locking up, I broke out into a sprint.

Down the hall and out the; window I rolled onto the next building's roof. Keeping the flow, I kept moving. Climbing over walls and jumping off of staircases, I kept vaulting over obstacles that ran throughout the village.

Parkour or free running, this is only one of the many things that the shinobi world lacked. It made sense, though. Why would free running be necessary when people had chakra?

That was the thing, what if you needed to escape from the enemy and you were out of chakra? Taking this into consideration, I began teaching myself. I started out in forests as soon as I reached Chunin rank, scurrying through the training grounds, trying to be discreet as possible.

I remembered almost breaking my neck from a few miscalculated falls, but that was what chakra was for. It saved my life the few times I was careless, and it covered my tracks during the times I broke or splintered my bones. By then I was decent with medical ninjutsu. The rest I left up to Konoha's hospital.

Speaking of which, in reality I slowed myself. Walking into the building I stopped by to give Rin a hello. It was already six-twenty, so she was bound to be there by now. I stopped only to give her a medical book that I picked up in Kirigakure. Something about the unique methods related to controlling the water within a human's body and purifying it.

With a quick goodbye, I sped off for the next building. Hokage Tower was next since the foreign relations department was a part of the matters that Hokage-sama must attend to. And since I was head mediator, it was within my jurisdiction to open up the building.

After many combinations of heading right, left, and going straight, I reached the department's entrance with key and seal in hand. Setting the seals into lock phase one, I opened the door. The papers left from last night were then sorted and filed in accordance to emergency, country, and jurisdiction.

When clans dealt with business outside of the village, it was the mediator's job to make sure that they got out of a mistake as cleanly as possible. We weren't exactly lawyers, but more like people to make a business deal. Heck, we could have doubled as lawyers, but I just thought that was too much work. Having to go and sort through every regulation and explain it in full detail was too much.

Leaving a few Kage-bunshin I left the Hokage tower to get some training in. It was seven- forty and the brats were probably waiting for me at training ground seven by now. They should be using this time to train and collaborate, but I never really gave them the hint to do so.

Arriving at the forest of death I was greeted by Anko who was on her usual morning dango break. "Hey Eri, training again?"

Nodding at the snake woman I said, "Yup, I want to get in some actual training before testing my potential team."

She smirked in return, "Oh, careful there Eri, is that arrogance I hear? You always said it's never good to underestimate an opponent!"

I waved it off. "It's not that. It's just, it'll take them awhile to actually reach my level. You know that!"

Biting off a dango she stated, "Whatever you say my little owlet. I just hope you'll rape the minds off of those little green bean sprouts!"

Sighing I replied, "Sadistic as ever I see…"

Throwing a feral grin she shouted, "And don't you forget it!"

Waving a hand, I passed her while giving my regards, "Yeah, yeah. I'll see ya later Anko."

Still wearing that venomous smile, she shot back, "Don't get eaten in there!"

I only smiled in response before jumping over the gate, running into the dark forest.

Ten fifty-five a.m, almost about three hours after the appointed time that Eri had said for them to meet at training ground seven. With the three pre-teens waiting for their sensei to arrive, the hungry growl of empty stomachs could be heard throughout the field.

"Hey Naruto, does Eri-sensei usually show up this late? It's been almost three hours!"

Sakura was getting annoyed and wanted to scream at the class idiot, but since he was the only one who knew Yoshida Eri, she didn't want to mess up her chances with said teacher.

Naruto, on the other hand, didn't mind to complaining about the ebony-haired woman. As tired as he was and even if he did know the young adult, that still didn't save her from his wrath.

"No! But, I swear; when I see her I'm going kill her! Telling us to go without breakfast, is she crazy!?"

As much as Sasuke didn't want to agree with the two, he complied that their sensei was unorthodox. But, if this was someone who worked with Kakashi, his Oji-san, and Rin-san, then he wouldn't underestimate her. He did want kill the crazy Jounin, but to go after an elite shinobi was foolish; despite no matter how irritating they were.

"Kill who Naruto?" A voice was heard from behind their backs.

The three little early birds jumped. When they spun about quickly, within their view was the very woman they were wondering about. Steeling her ears with chakra, she heard a small whisper that stated she was late.

In reality, "YOU'RE LATE!" Sakura and Naruto screamed from the pumping adrenalin.

Eri smirked while lowering the chakra wall within her ear canal, "No, I said for you three to meet at training ground seven at seven a.m. My exact instructions were:

'Bring all your supplies and shinobi gear tomorrow at training ground 7. Be there at 7 a.m. Also, don't eat breakfast unless you three would rather taste it twice. Don't be late, and get some rest tonight.'"

The three graduates blanched at the woman. All in all, they felt stupid for falling for another one of her mind games.

"If I recall, those exact instructions were addressed to you three. I never mentioned anything about myself showing up on time."

"GRRgl GRRgl."

With a raised brow, Eri saw three faces light up to some extent. Two were brighter than the other, but the last one was still a shade of pink.

Eri smirked, "It seems you three took my suggestion. You guys could've eaten breakfast if you wanted to, y'know."

"WHAT?!"

Yup, Naruto was angry.

Acting indifferent towards the rays of weak killing intent, Eri asked curiously, "Exactly what were you guys even doing while I wasn't here?"

Naruto gladly shouted, "We were waiting for you! That's what we were doing!"

Acting shocked and surprised, Eri had expected that course of action.

"You mean you three didn't try to get in some training before I arrived?"

Said three then turned white. To speak lightly, the three felt very regretful and stupid right about then.

Satisfied with their reaction, Eri shrugged casually before placing an alarm clock on a stump not too far away from where they were standing. The three followed her in a light stupor, just watching her actions before shaking themselves out of it.

Eri turned to face them with smirk.

"Since we've already wasted ten minutes, it's set for ten past noon. You three have an hour to be tested. When I push down on the alarm, the test will begin."

"What do we do Eri-sensei?" Sakura asked and it sounded as if she was scared.

"You three are going on a treasure hunt."

"Huh?"

Sakura was now just lost.

"But, Eri-neechan-!"

Naruto was stopped mid-sentence as Eri motioned for him to stop.

"Let me finish. You three will each be given a clue to find a box. There are three boxes hidden throughout the village. Each person is assigned to a box, but to pass the test you need all three items locked within each box."

"Huh, but why?"

Naruto made some sense of this, but the finality of the instructions was lost on him.

Eri smiled.

"That's because you need each item to answer a final question. Whether you'll pass or not depends on if the answer is correct. If you answer my question correctly then you'll pass."

With the last part again said to Naruto, Eri could see the ensuing pressure building on each of the student's faces.

"So basically if we gather all three pieces that are found within each box, we'll receive the answer to the question you'll ask?" Sakura tried simplifying the entire explanation.

Nodding, Eri replied, "Pretty much. Oh, also, I'll try and interfere with your progress, by either stealing your clue or item, or simply slowing you down."

Sasuke gritted his teeth at this while Sakura and Naruto fell into shock. Before the three could say anything, Eri continued.

"I did say that you three were going up against me didn't I? Anyway, here are a few rules since we're going to be running throughout the village. 1, Do not interfere with the villager's lives and don't endanger anyone who is not taking the test. 2, You can't run on the ground or anywhere within a building. And the last and final one, come at me with the intent to kill."

"Wait, why can't we run on the ground or enter any buildings?" Naruto wondered aloud.

Eri explained, "To make it more challenging and to force you three to think. It will also be less hazardous to the villagers and their businesses. This test only includes team 7."

Eri then proceeded to hand out each sealed clue.

"Do not open until I say go."

Tensing with each passing second, Eri backed up with a hand placed on top of the alarm clock.

"Your clues will signal when the test is over, so you must keep them as well. If you lose your clue by the time the alarm rings, then you are disqualified."

The three nodded in understanding. Their thoughts were in alignment – none of them had ever faced such a difficult test. So many rules and a race against time; plus, they had to fight against each other to pass.

Eri smirked as they unconsciously set themselves into a stance.

"Ready, set…"

Her hand clicked down the alarm.

"Go!"

Right before their very eyes, the Yoshida went through multiple hand seals.

"Katon, Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"

Eyes widening with rushed movement, the Jounin unleashed the technique as the three attempted to jump back in escape. The C level Ninjutsu did burn, but taking it a little easy on the brats, she lowered the intensity of the flame, width, and length of the fireball.

Eri smirked to herself, seeing that there were no remains or smell of charred skin, just that of burnt clothes and cotton. The three graduates had gotten away, but barely. If she hadn't slowed her movements, then they certainly would've been fried to a crisp.

Her mouth broke out into a feral grin, the one that was known and feared by every Chuunin when she was together with Anko.

"Let the games begin."

Chapter 2 End

I hope this was long enough for you guys, cause my back was at the cost of such a fricken' long chapter!

Reviews are much appreciated, and I tried making a different test instead of the usual bell test. I'm sorry if this is of lower quality than my last chapter, but that's mostly because Sunday's are deadline days for this story. It's been a busy week with SAT's so I'm just hoping there aren't that many grammar mistakes.

-Reviews are greatly appreciated please!

-If there's anything lacking that you find then I'd like to be aware of it please!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter since I haven't really gotten a plan for it.

Oh well!

Till next week! ^_^