I do not own Naruto or any of it's characters.
Warning: Small instant of Crude Humor in this chapter. Chapter also jumps around a little bit, sorry if that bothers.
"True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island... to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him is a blessing." - Baltasar Gracian
Careful What You Wish For: Those Who Abandon The Mission.
It was morning time in the Village of the Hidden Leaf. Birds were singing, Crickets were chirping, Mothers were shopping, Shinobi were shouting... Wait, Shinobi were shouting?
"GET BACK HERE! WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON YOU!"
"YOU REALLY CROSSED THE LINE THIS TIME, NARUTO!"
Ah, yes. Shinobi were shouting, and blonds were pranking! Well, just one blond really. Twelve year old Naruto Uzumaki, to be exact. Who had painted the Hokage Monument, and was now leading a group of Jonin and Chunin on a chase through the village. Laughing all the while.
"HaHa! Your all just mad, because I better than you, losers! Haha! Shouted the blond, happily. At least, until he turned down a street and noticed a second group of Shinobi, coming at him. He made to turn back, but the first group was coming at him from that direction.
'Crap, I'm trapped!' Thought the blond. He quickly tried looking for an escape route, but there wasn't one! 'Well, looks like this is it! It was fun while it lasted.'
He was about to surrender, when suddenly he was grabbed from behind and had a hand put over his mouth to silence him. He struggled to get free, but couldn't. That was when he saw the strangest thing. The two groups meet each other in the middle of the street, but instead of turning towards him, the kept looking around.
"WHERE, DID HE GO?" One shouted.
"I DON'T KNOW!" Was his reply.
'What the hell is going on?!' Thought Naruto as he watched the confusion.
"LOOK, THERE ON THE ROOF!" Yelled one pointing up.
"LETS GET'EM!" One shouted, as they all jumped up and took to the roof.
Once they were gone, Naruto was released from the hold. He turned and saw his best friend Sasuke Uchiha, smirking at him.
"What are you doing here!?" He asked.
"Saving your ass, again!" Replied the Uchiha. "Now come on, lets get out of here. Before they realize, that they are chasing a Genjutsu!"
They both turned to leave only to come face to face, with the scariest sight imaginable. Their Sensei, Iurka Umino!
"WHAT THE HELL, WERE THE TWO OF YOU THINKING?!" Shouted Iurka as he stood beside the Third Hokage. "WHY WOULD YOU TWO DEFACE THE HOKAGE MONUMENT?"
"Hey, I didn't help him plan the prank or pull it off." Said Sasuke. He and Naruto stood facing their judgment. "I just helped him get away. Well... almost get away."
"THATS STILL HELPING HIM!" Taking a deep breath, Iurka tried to calm down. "Sasuke, you are the top student in my class right now. So why would you even get involved in this foolishness?"
Sasuke just shrugged his shoulders before replying. "Would you leave your friend in the line of fire, Sensei?"
That brought Iruka up short. He sighed as he looked at the two boys in front of him. What polar opposites they were. There was Naruto with his bright spiky blond hair, and even brighter orange jump suit. And there was Sasuke, with his long raven hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Dressed in mostly black and dark blue.
Where Naruto was loud and boisterous, Sasuke was more quiet and reserved. Where Sasuke was top of the class, Naruto was deadlast. Yet these two had, despite their rocky start. Somehow become the best of friends.
A soft chuckle came from Iruka's right, he looked and saw it was the Third Hokage.
"Don't be too hard on them Iruka. They are just boys after all." Said the old Hokage, with a kind smile.
"But Honorable Hokage, what kind of message would we be sending if we don't punish them?" Asked Iruka.
"Hm, I suppose you are right. Still, let the punishment fit the crime." Said the wise old man. "Since Naruto was the one to paint the Monument he can clean it. Sasuke on the other hand, is to do a five thousand word report on the practical applications of Genjutsu. To be turned in tomorrow."
Naruto started to grumble about his punishment, but Sasuke just bowed and said. "Yes, Hokage-Sama."
"Good. Now shouldn't you all be in class?" Said the old man.
Later that day as Naruto was cleaning the Hokage Monument. Sasuke was at his training field. It had been four years since he had made that fateful wish and found himself stuck in the body of his one time friend. Tomorrow they would take the Graduation exam, and take their first true steps in becoming full shinobi.
He had made a few changes, from his original timeline. But had been careful not to change to many things. Naruto was still, the deadlast of the class, but only by a little. In truth, if the blond studied more he would probably tie with Kiba. Sakura and Ino, where still fangirls, but he knew that would change as they grew older. Still Sakura wasn't a violent with Naruto as she had been in his timeline. Sasuke figured that mostly had to do with it being well known that Sasuke and Naruto were friends.
Perhaps the biggest change was in himself. He didn't know whether or not he and Sasuke had finished merging. But he did know that he now thought of himself as more Sasuke, than Naruto. He was not loud and hyper active like Naruto, but neither was he as cold as his Sasuke had been. He had some how found a middle ground.
That was not all that had changed, it would seem being a Jinchūriki of the Nine Bijuu. Had also had an effect.
...Flash Back...
One Year Ago.
Sasuke Sat alone in his training field with a squire piece of paper in his hands. The past three years since coming here, he had trained his ass off. He could now form the Rasengan, not only form it, but form it with one hand! Something he had been unable to do in his past life. Now having reached that point he wanted to begin the arduous task of adding his element to it. While he knew he had a Fire Affinity, what he didn't know was whether or not he had a Lighting Affinity or Not.
Was his Sasuke born with two Affinities? Or did he have to work at it? While a Fire Release Rasengan sounded awesome. What he really wanted to do was crate a Lighting Release Rasengan. Which would give his Rasengan an ability to pierce, as well as drill. Thus making it more lethal.
So it was with that in mind that he channeled his Chakra into the paper. What followed was not something he was expecting. The paper slit... into five! One crumpled, one became soggy, one started to burn, one split again, and the last turned to dirt. All Five!
…End Flash Back...
As best as they could figure out, because all the Bijuu had shared small portions of their chakra with him over the years. In order to increase the size of his reserves. He had somehow acquired their affinities. That was the good news. The bad news came when he tried to create a Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, and failed miserably! It would seem that he would have to relearn Wind Nature Transformation as well as the other four, before he could take the Rasengan to it's next level.
He was able to master Wind and Fire in a year thanks to having already learned one and knowing what steps to take with it. And the Uchiha Library had detailed scrolls on Fire Nature Transformation. But it would seem for the other three, he was going to need a teacher. Which in and of itself, wouldn't have been a problem. If it weren't for trying to explain why an Academy Student was wanting to learn Nature Transformation! Not to mention, the questions that would be asked when they found out he had all five Natures.
So for now, he had to contend himself with just Wind and Fire. Another problem arose when he finally was able to make a Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. Without Senjutsu, he couldn't throw it! Unless he went into Tailed Beast Mode, which would not only alert every Sensor Type in the village, and plenty of Non-Sensor Types. That he was a Jinchūriki, but would likely alert Yang Kurama of his other half's presence. Something he and Yin Kurama had been careful to avoid, at least until the time was right.
So to sum it all up, he was pretty much screwed! At least for now. Still that didn't stop him from getting stronger in other areas. He had the Sharingan after all, so after a bit of thought. He decided to take a leaf out of Kakashi's book, and copy Jutsu! So anytime he could get a chance he would go by the Training fields and look to see if anyone was training. If they were, he would hide and watch with his Sharingan.
Doing this, he had managed to pick up a few Water and Earth Jutsu. As well as quite a few Fire Jutsu. As Sasuke was pondering all of this, he felt an influx of Memories enter his mind. Good, his clone had finished that damned report! Naruto was always getting him into trouble, people were right. He WAS a knuckle head! Still Sasuke knew better than anyone the potential in Naruto. If he was just taught in the correct way.
Speaking of which, tomorrow was graduation. That was when the 'Fun' would really begin. It would also be time for him to do somethings he had been thinking about and planing for a while now.
Sasuke was following Naruto from the tops on the trees. All had happened as it had in his time. From Naruto failing the Exam, too being tricked into stealing the scroll of Seals. Sasuke was now tailing him to make sure the rest of night followed along as it had previously as well. As it would not be good if something he done or changed caused either Iruka or Naruto or both to die.
He also had an ulterior motive, something he wished he had had the foresight to do the first time. Something that would prove beneficial to him, and later Naruto aswell. Sasuke watched from his hiding spot within the trees as Naruto entered a clearing and opened the Scroll. Scanning until he found the Shadow Clone Jutsu, than left the Scroll to begin the process of learning it.
This was it, what he had been waiting for. Sasuke activated his Sharingan and manipulated the wind just right. The scroll began to unroll itself on the ground unnoticed by Naruto. Sasuke didn't really have time for his mind to process all that was written in the Scroll, but that didn't matter. With his Sharingan it would be committed to memory, in picture perfect clarity.
It was when he came across the Jutsu he was looking for that he stopped the wind. There it was, the Jutsu that he had always wanted to learn, right where The Second had left it. The Flying Thunder God Jutsu! With this one Jutsu he could save a lot of lives, but damn was it complicated! It was going to take a lot to master it, but that was okay. While Sasuke couldn't produce the number of shadow clones that Naruto could, he could still produce enough now. That they could help speed up the process, even if just a little.
Soon enough, Naruto had learned the Shadow Clone Jutsu. Sasuke watched and waited as he knew what would happen next. Sure enough Iruka Sensei showed up right on time. As did Mizuki.
Naruto was exhausted! He still couldn't believe all that had happen in just the span of a night. First, failing for the third time. Than being tricked by Mizuki into stealing the Scroll of Seals. Learning a Jutsu out of said Scroll, then being discovered by Iruka Sensei. Having Mizuki attack them both, beating Mizuki within an inch of his life. Then finally having Iruka pronounce him a Genin, and giving him his Hitai-ate. But what really shook him, was finding out why he was so hated.
Naruto still didn't really know how to feel about it, he was in too much shock. All he really knew right now as he opened his apartment door, was that he felt like he could sleep for an eternity. It was after turning on his light, that he noticed it. A large box in his living room, with a note attached.
Naruto quizzically walked up to the box and grabbed the note. By time he finished reading it there were tears in his eyes.
Dear Naruto.
Congratulations on passing the Exam. I knew you could do it! Inside this box are somethings I got you, that you might find useful, as we embark on our future as full Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf. Here is hoping that we are put on the same team.
Your friend, Sasuke.
P.S: I know you like orange, but it really would make it too easy to spot you. That being said, I still left a little on them.
Naruto opened the box, and nearly gasped. In side was a couple of sets of clothes. Three white shirts. Three black cargo pants. One dark gray jacket, with a dark red orange swirl on the back. Along with a whole new set of Kunai and Shuriken. When had Sasuke dropped this off? It couldn't have been in the last few hours, after all no one but him, Iruka and the Old Man Hokage, knew that he passed. So it must have been sometime this morning, before they took the exam.
Naruto once again picked up the note, and smiled as he thought to himself. That in didn't matter if he had that murderous fox locked inside of him, or that most of the village hated him. As long as he had friends like Iruka and Sasuke that believed in him, than he would be fine.
Sasuke sighed, as he looked into the mirror. Once again he was dressed in black pants and and a black Uchiha Hoodie with a dark blue v-neck shirt with mesh undershirt. The only real difference now was he had added black fingerless gloves similar to Kakashi's, only his had the Uchiha Crest on them. The other deference was his black Hitai-ate, that his now shoulder length hair fell over the top of, framing his face. Satisfied with his appearance, he pushed the sleeves of his jacket up to his elbows and headed out.
Today was the day that they would be assigned teams. He, as always was one of the first to arrive. He sat in his usual seat, and waited for everyone one else. Everything was moving the way it originally had. Naruto was Deadlast, Sakura was Top Kunoichi, and he was Top Rookie. Which meant they should be put on the same team, most likely under Kakashi.
Sasuke smiled to himself, as he thought how easy the bell test would be this time around. After all he already knew the true meaning. Naruto and He were friends, so they would be able to work together easily, and Sakura was one of his biggest fangirls. So she would likely go along with whatever he came up with. No they would have no trouble working as a team.
It wasn't long until everyone started to feel into the classroom. Including his ever present Fangirls. The loudest of which being Sakura and Ino, who had both tried to enter the class at the same time. Than proceeded to fight over who would set next to him. Really it was no wonder that the original Sasuke had gone down such a dark path, if this is what he had to put up with!
It was during this commotion that Naruto walked into the classroom, wearing the clothes that Sasuke had gotten for him. He spotted Sasuke and immediately started in his direction.
'Hurry up and set down, Naruto. Before one of THEM do!' Thought Sasuke frantically. As he now had a whole group of fangirls, fighting over who would set next to their Sasuke-kun!
But Sasuke's luck was not to improve. For instead of taking a seat, Naruto being his usual hyper active self, jumped up on the desk in front of Sasuke. Than knelt so he was looking Sasuke in the face.
"Hey Sasuke! Thanks for the new clothes and Ninja Tools!" Naruto started talking in a excited rush. "I wearing them now, don't I look awesome?! So, do you think we will be put on the same team? I hope we are. I mean much better you than Shikamaru, he would probably fall asleep during missions, ya know?!"
While Naruto was running his mouth ninety nothing, Sasuke had felt a sudden chill creep up his spine. There was something about this that was oddly familiar. Something he couldn't put his finger on, but knew it was something bad. Then it hit him with all the force of a raging Bijuu.
'SHIT, THE KISS!' Sasuke looked up, only to see it was too late! Naruto had a surprised look on his face as someone had bumped into him from behind, and he started to descend towards Sasuke!
Later on Sasuke wouldn't be able to tell you how it had happened, he didn't remember using any jutsu of any kind. For it was not a conscious thing, he had just wanted to be somewhere... anywhere else than where he was currently setting. For as Naruto was descending towards Sasuke about to give him the accidental kiss that would scare them both!
Sasuke suddenly found himself, setting near the back. What was more odd, was that in his former seat, was a shy short haired Hyuga! Who now had a face as red as a Tomato! The whole class went silent as the hyper active blond kissed the shyest girl in the class, right in front of everyone!
'Naruto-kun is kissing me!' Thought Hinata Hyuga, who was equally shocked and pleased. Sadly this was all too much for the shy and very confused girl. Who had went from setting quietly in the back, to kissing her long time crush! She passed out.
Poor Naruto could not make since of what was happening. Once second he was talking to his best friend, someone bumped him from behind, he start to fall forward towards Sasuke. Then suddenly Hinata Hyuga of all people was now setting where Sasuke had been. Naruto felt his lips meet something soft and warm, and slightly moist. It was like his brain shut down!
He couldn't tell you how long they had stayed like that, it could have been for but a second.. or for days. He honestly didn't know. When it finally clicked what was happening Naruto's face likewise turned bet red and he quickly straightened himself up, and started to apologize.
"Kami! Hinata, I am so sorry! I don't know what happened. Please don't be mad at me! Hinata? Hinata?!" Naruto noticed the girl was now slumped into the seat with her eyes closed, her face was red, and there was a slight smile on it. "Hinata?! Are you okay?! Are you hurt?!"
Naruto started to panic thinking he had somehow hurt the girl. This seemed to snap everyone out of their shock. For soon the guys in the class started to laugh and make cat calls. While the girls, where less than pleased to see the blond steal a girl's first kiss. Naruto found himself surrounded by a mob of angry females. Poor poor Naruto.
Luckily for him, Sasuke snapped out of his shock and came to his rescue. Stopping the beating that was about to take place.
"Everyone calm down!" Yelled Sasuke and he made his way to the mob of pure feminine fury.
"But this pervert just assaulted Hinata!" Snarled Sakura. Getting a chorus of agreement from the girls around her.
"It was an accident, Sakura. Not to mention more my fault than his." Seeing the confused looks on the girls faces, he elaborated. "I don't know how or why, but I somehow in my panic, managed to switch places with Hinata. Besides it wasn't Naruto's fault, he was pushed."
The mob of girls turned their attention on the poor schmuck, who had bump into Naruto. Needless to say he was about to get a quick and painful lesson on situational awareness. While the mob were busy teaching their "lesson". Sasuke walked up to Hinata who was still passed out.
"Is she okay?" Naruto asked him worriedly. "I think I might have hurt her."
Sasuke looked at Hinata, noticing the slight smile on her face. "I think she's okay. Being kissed in public was probably too much for the poor girl and she fainted as a result."
"Oh, Okay. If you are sure." Said Naruto uncertainly.
"I'm sure." Replied Sasuke.
"Hey, Shikamaru. Help me put Hinata back in her seat, would you?" Asked Sasuke, figuring it would be best if Naruto was not seen touching Hinata, until all the girls had time to calm down.
"Troublesome." Muttered the lazy genius. But none the less, got up and help him carry the girl back to her seat.
Not too long after that, everyone was back in their seats and waiting for Iruka Sensei to arrive. Though if anyone were to look closely, through out the rest of the time they were in class. They would see a blond boy would occasionally get a dreamy look on his face. Which would than get replaced with confusion. And a dark blue haired girl would get a small smile on her face, before blushing spectacularly.
All too soon, Iruka came and sorted them into teams. Sasuke smiled, the teams were just like last time! This boded well, as it meant he hadn't changed too much too soon. Now all they had to do was wait for the ever late Kakashi to arrive.
Three hours later, it was just he, Naruto, and Sakura waiting in the class room. Sasuke was currently watching. Naruto put an eraser above the door, while Sakura complained that he was going to get them into trouble. Sasuke just shook his head, he remembered just how anti-climatic that prank had been.
A few minutes later a man in a mask with one visible eye and gray gravity defying hair stuck his head through the door, only to get pelted with the eraser.
"My first impression is... I hate you!" Said the man happily, causing Naruto and Sakura to sweat drop. "Meet me on the roof."
With that the man disappeared. A couple of minutes later the three genin sat in front of their new Sensei.
"Alright." Said their new Sensei. "Why don't you all tell me a bit about yourselves. Your likes, your dislikes, your dreams and hobbies. You know that sort of thing."
"Why don't you go first Sensei." Said Sakura. "You know, show us how it's done."
"Hm. Okay." Said the cyclops. "My name is Kakashi Hatake. My likes are none of your business. I don't really dislike anything. My dreams for the future are... Well, I have lots of hobbies."
'All we learned was his name!' Thought Naruto and Sakura.
"Okay, now you, Pinky." Said Kakashi.
Sakura bristled at the nickname, but answered anyways. "My name is Sakura Haruno. My likes are.." She trailed off and blushed. "My hobbies are reading and learning. My dream for the is..." This time when she trailed off she both blushed and squealed.
"And what are your dislikes?" Asked Kakashi.
"INO!" Snapped Sakura.
"Okay, now you." Said Kakashi, pointing towards Naruto.
"My name Naruto Uzumaki." Said Naruto with his trademark smile on his face. "My likes are Ramen, especially Ichiraku Ramen! My dislikes are the three minutes it takes to cook instant Ramen. I mean why even call it Instant if it's going to take that long to cook? My hobby is eating Ramen. My dream for the Future? To be Hokage, ya know?!"
"Alright, your turn." Said Kakashi, looking at Sasuke.
Sasuke cleared his throat as he thought of what he was going to say. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha. My likes are my friends. My dislikes are anyone who would mistreat my friends. My hobbies are training and spending time with my friends... I really don't have dreams, I have goals. My goals are to rebuild my clan, and restore it's honor. As well as kill a certain traitor to this village."
Kakashi blinked after hearing that, but given what had happened to his clan. It was not all that surprising. He just hoped the boy wouldn't end up becoming the very monster he hunted. Of course what he didn't know was that the traitor in question was not the one he was thinking of. 'So I have a fangirl, a Ramen obsessed Knuckle head, and Mr. way too serous. Lovely!'
"Alright, now that we all know each other, we can get down to business. Meet me at Training Ground 7 at 0500 tomorrow for your Genin Exam."
"But Sensei, we've already took the Genin Exams!" Exclaimed Sakura, outraged.
"YEAH!" Agreed Naruto, not liking the fact that he may have to take another test.
"Hehe." Chuckled Kakashi as he scratched the back of his head nervously. "You guys are really going to hate this. You see, the test you just took was not the actual Genin Exam, it was to see if you qualified to take the Genin Exam. Which is always administered by the Jonin Sensei. So you see, It's up to me if you guys become Genin or not."
Seeing the stunned and indigent faces of his students. Kakashi finished up. "Remember Training Ground 7 0500. Oh! And don't eat anything, unless you want to throw up!"
In a puff of smoke he was gone.
Naruto sighed as he lied awake in his bed. He was having trouble going to sleep. It wasn't the test in the morning that was keeping him up, though he would admit if only to himself that it did make a little nervous. No what was keeping him awake was every time he would close his eyes he would relive that kiss.
Even now he could still feel the soft warm heat of Hinata's lips against his. This was driving him crazy! He didn't like Hinata, he liked Sakura, DAMN IT! So then why did his heart suddenly beat faster when he thought of Hinata's blushing face? And why did a mental image of Hinata serving him Ramen in a maids outfit, pop into his head unannounced? Most importantly, why was he hard as a rock thinking of all of this?
Naruto sighed in frustration once again, as he climbed out of his bed. Grabbing some lotions he headed to his bathroom. It was clear he was going to have to take matters into his own hands, if he wanted to get any sleep!
0500 came all too soon for the young shinobi hopefuls, as they all walked half zombie like into the training ground. The sun still even not peaking over the horizon. Sasuke though had a bit of an advantage over the other two though, as he knew Kakashi, in someways better than he knew himself.
"It should be illegal to be up this early!" Grumbled Naruto as he sat under a tree.
"W-Where's Sensei?" Sakura asked with a yawn.
"Listen you two." Said Sasuke. "I've heard a few rumors about our new Sensei. Apparently he's late to everything but missions. If fact from what I understand, he probably won't show up till around nine or ten. So if you want to catch some shut eye go ahead, I am."
"Sweet." Exclaimed Naruto, as he leaned back against the tree. Fully intending to take advantage of this new information.
"Ah.. I don't know Sasuke. What if he shows up, and where all asleep?" Asked Sakura, timidly.
"Look if you want to say up, that's fine Sakura. Wake me up in an hour or two. Oh before I forget, there are some energy bars in my pack. If either of you are hungry."
"But Sensei told us not to eat." Said Sakura, She really couldn't understand why Sasuke of all people was disregarding all the rules. Naruto she could understand, but not Sasuke!
"Wrong Sakura, he advised not to eat and it was bad advise at that. An army marches on its stomach. Which is why I ate breakfast before I came. So like I said, if you get hungry they are in my pack." Before he leaned back against the tree and pulled his hood up over his head and used it to shield his eyes.
Two hours later and Sakura had wished she had listened to Sasuke, and gone to sleep like he and Naruto had. Her stomach gave a loud grumble of protest against the lack of food it had received. She hoped she didn't regret this, but she really did need to eat something. Hesitantly she reached into Sasuke's pack and pulled out a chocolate energy bar. She would end up eating two more before she was done.
Not long after that she woke up Sasuke, who than woke Naruto. The two boys each grabbed a energy bar and began to eat. When Sasuke was done eating he stood and began to stretch.
"What are ya doing, Sasuke?" Asked Naruto, looking at him weird.
"Stretching, what does it look like?" Replied Sasuke offhandedly.
"But why?"
"Because there is no telling what Sensei will have us doing and I don't feel like getting a cramp. So I'm stretching, and about to do some warm ups. It will likely be another hour before he arrives."
It wasn't long before both Naruto and Sakura joined him for his stretching, which later evolved into light sparing.
That was how Kakashi found them an hour later. In a three way spar, where each combatant was only exerting just enough energy to stay loose. He looked down around the tree and noticed empty food wrappers lying on the ground, he couldn't help it. He started to chuckle. This of course caught the attention of the three Genin.
"YOUR LATE!" Yelled both Naruto and Sakura.
"Yes, I am." Said Kakashi with an eye smile. "You Know, I've had a lot of hopefuls looking to become my students over the years. And you're the first group who have used the time that they were waiting productively."
"Not to mention." He said gesturing towards the food wrappers. "Saw through my little puking false hood."
"You mean you lied to us?!" Asked Sakura scandalized.
"Hehe. Yes, Sakura. I lied to you." Said Kakashi with another chuckle. "Seeing through deception is an essential quality for Shinobi. And you three have. I think it's save to say that I'm starting to like you guys. Now if only you can survive my test."
With the word test everyone became deadly serious.
"What is our test, Sensei?" Asked Sasuke, already knowing the answer... or so he thought!
"Oh it's nothing too hard, just a simple Assassination Mission." Said Kakashi just as calmly as if he was talking about the weather.
"WHAT?!" Exclaimed all three Genin at once.
"But Sensei." Sakura began to protest. "We are only just out of the Academy. We can't handle a high rank Assassination Mission!"
"Calm down, Sakura." Kakashi began to placate the panicking girl. "You'll only be Assassinating a clone of mine."
Sasuke couldn't understand what was going on. Why were they not doing the bell test? He was about to get his answer.
"Usually I have my hopefuls try to get some bells off me, to force them to work as a team. But I did my research on you three and it turns out that Naruto and Sasuke are best friends and would have no trouble working together. And I somehow doubt Sasuke would have much trouble getting you, Sakura to work with him and Naruto. So since teamwork is not likely to be an issue with you tree, I decided to test your skills instead."
Sasuke wanted to pound his head into a post! If something simple like being Naruto's friend had caused this unexpected change, he hated to see what some of his bigger changes would bring!
"Alright Listen up, I'm going to go over the rules!" Said Kakashi, causing Sasuke to snap to attention. Kakashi put his hand in a cross seal that both Naruto and Sasuke were all to familiar with. With a puff of smoke, eight Shadow clones popped into existence.
"Alright, in these woods due west of of this training field is a compound that I had a friend of mine set up last night. If you just head straight you won't miss it. Now at the compound will be four guards and the target." As he said this a group of five Shadow Clones stepped up. Four of them Henged into Samurai while the fifth Henged into a fat Nobel. "Now to make it more fair, the guards will not be able to use chakra based techniques and neither will the target. Now me and these three Shadow Clones will be playing enemy Nin, who were hired to stop you! And we will use Chakra Based Techniques. So you better treat this just like it were a real mission, or you'll fail."
Kakashi saw that they were nervous, good! That was just what he was wanting. "Now here are the most important rules. First if you don't complete the mission before high noon, you all will fail and go back to the academy. However should even just one of you complete the mission, than you will all pass. I will point out though that should that be the case, and only one or two of you complete the mission, than the one or ones who didn't will be forced to wear this for the next year!"
Kakashi wiped out something so disgusting, so horrible, so revolting, that it burnt the eyes just to look at! It was a green form fitting spandex body suit with orange leg warmers!
"That's right." Said Kakashi, seeing the shudders and looks of absolute horror on the faces of his Genin. "How much is your dignity or the dignity of your teammates worth to you? Okay when the bell on this alarm sounds, the test begins. When the sun reaches its peak, the test is over."
With that said, Kakashi place the alarm on a stump and he and his shadow clones took off into the woods. About fifteen minutes later the bell sounded and the team took off into the woods.
"Damn it!" Cursed Sakura, as she nursed a small scratch on the side of her neck. "That was the sixth booby trap we've run into, and we still haven't reached the compound. At this rate we'll never make it!"
It was true, they'd been out over and hour and a half and still hadn't reached the compound thanks to running it to traps set by Kakashi and his clones. What was worse was Sasuke was sure Kakashi would put a hidden meaning in his test. But for the life of him he couldn't thank of what it was. Whenever Kakashi wanted to teach team work he would always do something like the bell test to pit the Genin against each other. By telling them one or two would go back to the academy.
If fact he had told them that as long as the mission was complete they would ALL pass. So if it wasn't team work, than what was it? And just where in the hell was Kakashi. So far all they had run into was traps. Sasuke was sure there would be an ambush at some point, but it seemed to never come! They had a little less than an hour to complete the test, Kakashi's attack would have to happen soon.
"I know Sakura, but the only thing we can do is keep going." Said Sasuke as he turned around to face her, only find her and Naruto no longer there. "Sakura? Naruto?!"
He looked around but there was no sign of them anywhere. It was then that he noticed it. There were no animal sounds coming from the forest, what was even more odd was the the leaves and branches of the tress were swaying in the breeze. Except there WASN'T a breeze!
'SHIT! Genjutsu!' Sasuke thought to himself. He quickly put his hands into a Ram Seal. "KAI!"
His head swam for a second as reality returned to him. He looked around and saw Naruto tied and gagged to a tree struggling trying to get free and still no Sakura! He was too late! Kakashi had already attacked and apparently had taken her.
Sasuke grabbed a Kunai and released his friend from the tree. "Naruto what happened!"
"What do mean what happened?!" Snapped Naruto, once he removed the gag from his mouth. "Kakashi and his clones attacked out of nowhere, pend my to the tree, and knocked Sakura out and took her! And the whole time you just stood there like a dummy!"
"He had me in a Genjutsu or I wouldn't have just stood around!" Sasuke snapped back. "Did you see which way he took her?"
"Yeah, they took in that direction." Answered Naruto as he pointed in the direction they had went. "Why?"
"So we can go and get her!" Said Sasuke as he was about to give chase, only for Naruto to drop a bomb on him.
"We don't have time!"
"What?!" Demanded Sasuke, there should still be time if they hurried.
"And they call me the dumb one." Naruto grumbled, causing a tic to form on Sasuke's forehead. "You were doing your little statue impression for close to fifteen minutes! If we go after her now, we won't have time to complete the mission!"
Fuck! If there was one thing Sasuke hated about Genjutsu it was how it fucked with your senses! He could have sworn he was only under it for a minute at most.
"Look I like Sakura, and if this were real I'd be all for going after her. But it's not like Kakashi Sensei would really hurt her, right? As long as we complete the mission, than the worse that would happen would be her having to wear that ugly suit! So come on lets complete the mission, Sakura will understand." Said Naruto as he began to head towards the compound. Only to notice Sasuke had not moved. "Come on man, we don't have a lot of time left."
"No." Said Sasuke softly.
"What? What are talking about? We don't have time for this."
"No you know Sakura as well as I do, and she would rather die than have to wear that suit." Said Sasuke. This whole thing was starting to make sense to him now. "And think about it. Why take Sakura anyways?"
"To make us abandon the mission and go after her." Said Naruto.
That was when the last piece fell into place. "Come on, we have to go get Sakura!"
"But what about the test?!" Asked Naruto exasperated.
"Sakura IS the test!" Said Sasuke as he took off through the trees in Sakura's direction. Naruto hot on his heals.
"What are you talking about? You are acting crazy!" Demanded Naruto.
"No I'm not, just listen to me. Look if just one of us completing the mission would allow all of us to pass, than what would be the point in even taking one of us. There wouldn't be a point, the other two would just go on without her. Unless there is a hidden meaning to the test! He wants us to choose between the mission or our teammate, And I'm willing to bet my life, that teammate is the correct answer!"
"What makes you say that?" Asked Naruto dumbfounded.
"Think about what all Kakashi said this morning. About how, Seeing through deception is an essential quality for Shinobi. And then that whole thing about, How much is your dignity or the dignity of your teammates worth to you? No, he wants us to go after Sakura. But he is trying to hide that fact by making us think we would still pass if we don't."
"And what if your wrong, Sasuke?"
"Than I can go back to the academy with my head held high knowing I did the right thing! Besides, I'll never leave a friend behind! Because that's my Nindo My Ninja Way!" He received no more protest from Naruto after that.
Before long they came upon a clearing, with a single solitary tree in the middle. Tied to the tree was a struggling Sakura. But something wasn't right. 'Why isn't she being guarded?'
He was about to motion for Naruto to let him know that something was up, and they need to scout around the area a bit. But before he could Naruto burst into the clearing making a beeline towards Sakura.
"Sakura-Chan! Hold on and I'll untie you!" Exclaimed Naruto.
Sasuke really want to face palm, at his friends brashness. Was he really that bad when he was Naruto?
"Naruto-kun?! Is Sasuke-kun with you?" Asked Sakura with a wide eyed look of relief.
"Yeah, he's right be-" Before he could finish his sentence a Kunai flew from the direction where he had just came from and impacted in Sakura's forehead. All he could do was stair in shocked horror, until the oddest thing happened. Sakura burst into smoke!
"That wasn't Sakura, Naruto. It's a trap!" Exclaimed Sasuke, having been the one to throw the Kunai.
"Very good, Sasuke. What gave it away?" Asked Kakashi as he and his clones dropped from their hiding place in the tree. One holding the still bound and gagged Sakura.
"Plenty." Replied Sasuke. "For one thing Sakura had a scratch on her neck from one of your traps earlier. Also Sakura's eyes are darker, and her hair a little longer. But the dead give away was when "She" called Naruto, Naruto-kun. Sakura can only tolerate Naruto on the best of times. And in all the years she's known him has never once called him kun!"
"Like I said, very good. But that still leaves my three to your two. Your out numbered." Said the Kakashi holding Sakura. Who for some reason was blushing.
"I don't think so." Said Sasuke with a smirk. "Ready Naruto?"
"On it!" Said Naruto with a foxy grin on his face, as he and Sasuke both put their hands into a cross seal. Making the Kakashis eyes go wide.
"MUTIPAL SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!" They both cried out.
Soon there were twenty Narutos and Ten Sasukes in the clearing with them. And just like that the clearing evolved into a battle field. While the Kakashi clones were the more skilled fighters, the Naruto and Sasuke clones had numbers on their side. And were starting to be overwhelmed.
Suddenly the Kakashi holding Sakura felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up and quickly jumped into the air just in time to avoid a pair of hands that shot up out of the ground.
'Earth Release?!' Thought Kakashi. 'Where did Sasuke learn that?'
Kakashi was about to get his answer and an even greater surprise! For as he was landing Sasuke shot out of the ground and threw a Kunai at him, but Kakashi could tell it was way off the mark and would miss him. That was when the surprise came, right as the Kunai was about to pass him. Sasuke's eyes both turned blood red with three black tomoe in each eye. A fully Evolved Sharingan!
'When-' Was all Kakashi had time to think as Sasuke threw another Kunai hitting the first and causing it to change directions. It still missed him, or so he thought. Until a hand lashed out and struck him in the face. It was at that moment that he realized that he wasn't the target. It was the ropes that bound Sakura.
Who was now free of her bonds and quickly kick off of him and rolled to where Sasuke was standing. Sasuke picked her up and put her slightly behind him, as he grabbed two kunai in a reverse grip, his Sharingan spinning like mad the whole time. Naruto quickly joined them, leaving the clones to fight each other.
"You guys ready?" Sasuke asked his teammates, getting nods from both of them.
All three were about to attack Kakashi when an alarm sounded from inside his pocket. Kakashi took a quick glance at the sky before he eye smiled and dispelled his clones. "Well test is over. And the target is still alive. So that means you all... PASS!"
"What?!" Asked Sakura stunned.
"You see Sakura, I knew that Naruto and Sasuke were friends and would have no problems working together, but what I was sure about was you! While I knew that you would work with them or with Sasuke at least, I however wasn't sure that they would work with you. Would they be willing to sacrifice everything for you as they would for each other? Even if it was just to save you from a little... or maybe in this case a lot of embarrassment? So I set this up to find out."
Kakashi Explained "A good friend of mine once told me something that has stuck with me through out all of these years, and I hope it sticks to you three aswell. Those who abandon the mission are trash, but those who abandon there friends are even lower than trash! You guys have done well! Lets go get some lunch, tomorrow we will begin missions and team training."
Sakura beamed and Naruto cheered as they followed there Sensei out of the forest. Sasuke just smiled as he thought to himself just how differently this had gone for the original. And yet at the same time... still kind of the same.
(A.N) Well Let me start off with an apology for being gone for so long. Life can sometimes throw some real surprises at you like finding out you have another kid on the way. But I hope this chapter makes up a little for it.
Anyways on to business as they say. I know Naruto might have been a little OOC there, but try to understand. That this is a Naruto whose had a friend a lot longer than he did in the Manga. So he's bound to be a little different. Plus as he said, if it had been a real life situation he would have been all for going after Sakura, in fact he probably would have been the most vocal about it.
As you can also see Sasuke is starting to develop his own unique personality that is both Naruto and Sasuke and yet at the same time Neither. Which is how I want it to be. I want him... at least for now to be Naruto but calmer and be Sasuke but kinder, Ya know?
So what did you guys think about Naruto's first kiss? And what was that Jutsu Sasuke used? Guess we'll find out together ;-)
Don't forget to review, see you all next time.
Sincerely: Reddog24485.