"Normal speech"
"Thought"
Nine-tails/Other big voices
InnerSakura
A/N:
Disclaimer
I do not own Naruto in any way, shape, or form. Thank you for reading though.
"I-I got it… Oh… one more thing… I finally understand why you're so protective of Hinata and why you don't want me around her. But know this... I won't be the monster you think I am… BELIEVE IT!" Naruto stated with confidence brimming from his words as he finally left for home.
The Graduation Exam
A couple of days later…
"Naruto… May I have a word with you?" asked Iruka.
"Look, from what you've told me, I know that you're still having trouble adjusting to your… predicament, but that's still no excuse for your schoolwork. One day you're doing your best and making excellent progress and the next you're unwilling to cooperate. You should really pull yourself together."
With that said, Naruto's one gold eye turned to crimson red, his horns grew out, and he just walked away.
"Wa-was it something I said?" Iruka questioned with a baffled look on his face.
Naruto was now at a training ground practicing his jutsu and other techniques when he sensed a familiar chakra signature…
"What are you doing here 'princess'?" he openly questioned.
From behind a tree stepped Hinata as she bashfully smiled and blushed at being found out. She was wearing a small, hooded, beige colored jacket with the symbol of her clan (a leaf with a spiral in the center) and blue colored pants that stopped a few inches above her ankles.
A/N: I couldn't really think of anything original that fit her style so I just left it as is.
"How do you always seem to manage to find me?" he asked
"We-well…" she responded, pondering what to say next…
"I…I'm not sure. The other day when I found you in the woods… s-something just seemed to draw me in that direction. I was originally with a guard, but he soon became preoccupied with a beautiful woman. A-And to my surprise I stumbled upon you." she added while turning an even brighter shade of red.
"So this guy was distracted by some woman and instead of doing his job, keeping an eye on you, he decided to flirt with some woman…? Sounds like someone lost their job…"
"Actually… he just stared at her, not really paying attention to anything, or anyone, else…"
"Why would he spend a great deal of time just staring at someone…? That's just creepy! He should have summoned up the courage and just talked to the lady…"
A/N: Byakugan… get it…?
"Anyway… Are you here to watch me train?" he asked.
"I-Is it alright?"
"Sure thing, as long as you promise not to tell anyone about this then you can feel free to watch any time you want."
She just nodded and blushed at what he said, "Wa-Watch him… a-anytime I-I WANT!"
As the words replayed through Hinata's mind she began to do some serious blushing. Meanwhile, Naruto decided to get his training underway. This continued on for several days until a couple of days before the exam…
"Listen up everyone! The exams that you all will take will be in three parts: the written or paper portion, the taijutsu portion, and the ninjutsu portion. In order to graduate you must pass at least two of the three portions without completely bombing on the third. The ninjutsu portion will be on the Clone Jutsu," Iruka stated.
A resounding "AWWWW!" was then heard.
"IF YOU'VE GOT A PROBLEM WITH IT THEN I SUGGEST YOU STUDY, TRAIN, AND PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR WHAT'S TO COME!" Iruka snapped back.
Naruto was once again working his butt off trying to perfect his jutsus. Then he noticed Hinata staring in his direction as if watching him was as important as breathing itself.
He stopped what he was doing so that he could properly ask Hinata why she didn't seem to be preparing for the exam. He assumed that she was ready for it, she seemed like that kind of person to him.
"You must already know all this stuff, huh? I bet your ninjutsu and taijutsu skills are amazing, right?"
"A-Actually… I study the material every night, bu-but… I-I'm a-afraid that m-my ju-jutsu skills aren't very good."
After saying this she felt like she had let Naruto down. He inspired her to do her best but that motivation would disappear when she needed most…
"Well then, let's do something about that then Princess," he said with a smirk on his face. This caused Hinata to also smile but blush a bit. The two then spent the rest of the evening focusing on Hinata and her skills…
Later that night, Naruto continued to practice his jutsus. One in particular kept giving him trouble though: the "Clone Jutsu". It seemed like no matter what he did he just couldn't seem to figure out what it was that he lacked or was doing wrong.
The next day…
After classes were done Naruto found an empty training ground and got started. Some time after beginning he noticed that Hinata had not shown up. He was a little worried but figured that she was just doing the exact same thing he was. It was better this way, he wouldn't distract her and she wouldn't distract him…
Hinata was currently telling her father about the exam because she wanted some help, particularly with her taijutsu. She didn't want to interfere with Naruto's training so she figured she'd ask her father.
Hiashi was intrigued about the test but was more so by the fact that his precious daughter came to him for help. He was obviously the best choice being the most advanced in the Hyuuga clan's fighting style. Though he was more than happy to help, he also couldn't help but wonder exactly why she wanted to lead the dangerous life of a shinobi when she could be pampered and spoiled as much as she wanted. It baffled him…
The two stepped outside and Hiashi decided that he would go over ninjutsu with Hinata some other time. He got into his stance and began to show her some of his advanced taijutsu.
Hinata watched her father's graceful movements hoping that she could do the very same when the time came…
Once Hiashi finished he asked Hinata to give it a try. Her movements were just a bit more clumsy than graceful but she proved that she was capable. When she finished Hiashi proclaimed that they should have a small sparring match so that she could get used to actually using the style in a real situation.
"Come…"
Naruto decided to change and focus on other jutsus because he was starting to get frustrated. He now had one and a half of his eyes crimson red. After a while, it was starting to get dark, so he put his scroll away and decided to get back to his worst skill, the "Clone Jutsu"…
Hiashi was surprised at what his daughter was capable of. If he were not advanced in his technique, ability, and experience then he surely would have been beaten by Hinata. Seeing the look of determination on Hinata's face off-set by how exhausted she looked, Hiashi decided to call it a night…
"A-Are you sure? I… I could go for a little bit longer."
"No, that is more than enough. I am certain that you will pass your exam. Just have faith," he said smiling while trying to hide his own fatigue.
Next day…
In class Naruto looked tired and had an annoyed look on his face…
"I guess Naruto had a rough night, both of his eyes are red and his horns are showing a little," Iruka thought to himself as he passed out the test papers.
Upon receiving his, Naruto looked even more annoyed and his horns grew out a little bit more.
"Okay everyone you have two hours to complete the test in front of you… Aaaaannnd… Begin!"
Iruka couldn't help but notice that Naruto was just looking at the paper and not attempting to do much of anything. Fifteen minutes passed and he just sat there. Another five and Iruka wanted to tell him to get started already, but he figured that Naruto would be sensitive to this and become discouraged.
To his relief, Naruto had finally gotten started just… thirty minutes into the exam. Iruka hoped with all his might that that was enough time for Naruto to at least get sixty percent of his questions right.
As the time left for the test was winding down, Iruka looked towards Naruto to see that he had his head on the desk. This caused Iruka to begin to worry once more, "Naruto, there's still time left, you should be checking over your answers not taking a catnap," he thought worriedly.
Time expired and Iruka began collecting test papers. Once he collected them all he told the class to go to the training hall for the taijutsu portion of the exam and wait for him. He placed the test papers on his desk and couldn't help but take a peek at how Naruto did…
He flipped through to find, at his dismay, that Naruto hadn't answered all of the questions, or even attempted to. In order to pass, Naruto would have to get more than half of his answers correct. This just made Iruka worry more but he decided that he would get back to it as he had let the kids wait long enough…
In front of the kids stood some kind of giant machine with two operators. Iruka finally arrived and some of the students asked what it was…
"It's basically a big, mechanical punching bag," Iruka stated. "The point of using this machine is to test your reflexes. Your power and reaction speed will all be measured by this test."
Seeing that many still looked confused, he continued, "The main objective here is to hit as many of the targets you can as they light up and before they go out. As you make any kind of contact it will change to one of three colors depending on the amount of force used. Green is equal to one point, each yellow equals five, and any red equals ten points, being a critical or fatal amount of force. But if contact isn't made in time, it will just turn off giving no points to your final score which will be calculated by the number of colors accumulated. Any kind of ninjutsu or genjutsu in not allowed here, as well as the use of weapons! If you don't follow these rules, you will be disqualified from the exam. Now… who would like to go first?"
As the first volunteer stepped into the machine Iruka was approached by Naruto with Hinata at his side...
"Iruka sensei, is there any chance that I could go… last," Naruto asked.
"Uh… sure… I guess so Naruto. If that's what you want," he responded.
As Iruka walked away, Hinata asked Naruto if he wanted to go last because he was nervous…
"Yeah… I guess you figured it out Princess," he said followed by a sheepish chuckle while scratching the back of his head.
"D-Don't worry Na-Naruto, I-I'm sure you'll do great. I sh-should know, I wa-watched you for quite some time." The stuttering princess stated trying to reassure her "friend".
Iruka soon found himself out of volunteers but still had many students left. Since no one seemed like they were going to step up, Iruka decided that he would go in alphabetical order…
Eventually he got to Hinata's name and told her to go ahead. She was going to politely decline and ask if she could go next to last instead, but Naruto assured her that she would do fine.
Feeling a little more empowered, she reluctantly decided to go through with it. As the exercise was about to begin Hinata could feel the butterflies in her stomach flap their gigantic wings…
"Begin!" shouted one of the operators.
With that Hinata stood ready to attack. The first light flashed and Hinata quickly attacked leaving it yellow. Another two flashed and ended with the same result. Soon the lights began to flash rapidly one after another. Hinata and everyone else were amazed at how well she was doing. She could tell that she still wasn't as graceful as her father, but it was a lot better than it was before.
Hinata had gotten quite a few yellows, some greens, and some misses but if she kept it up she would undoubtedly pass. She noticed that there were only one or two more lights left that hadn't flashed, so she decided to give it all she had and hopefully impress Naruto in the process…
As one lit she charged and gave a beautiful spinning heel kick, starting from about three feet away. She then turned her attention to the last light. She gave a powerful, yet painful, shoulder thrust. They were only a couple of the moves she witnessed Naruto doing in his training and they resulted in two red lights. It wasn't the most received, thanks to a few of the stronger boys, Sasuke mainly, and even some other girls, but it was more than enough to ensure her success.
As she exited the machine holding her shoulder she looked to see if Naruto had been watching. The closer she got to him she could see that he was a little distracted, but he snapped back and smiled showing that he was proud of her.
She couldn't have been more proud of herself at that moment than at any other time…
Iruka continued through the list of names until there was only one left. He made a great big smile and lifted his head to announce that it was now Naruto's turn… To his horror, Naruto was nowhere to be found.
"Hinata, wasn't Naruto with you?" Iruka asked
"Hm… H-He was right behind me a second ago."
As Naruto left the training hall he was stopped by none other than Mizuki, a Chunin and friend of Iruka's with shoulder length grey hair…
"What's wrong Naruto? You look kind of down."
"I'm completely pathetic, I can't seem to do anything right," Naruto pitifully responded.
"You failed the exam huh?"
"You might as well say that Mizuki sensei."
"Don't count yourself out just yet Naruto. There's always a way to get what you want in life."
"What…? What do you mean?"
"Naruto, I'll let you in on a little secret."
"Well, we can't wait around for him all day, now can we?" Iruka stated trying to hide his concern.
"It's for the best anyway. That kid shouldn't be a ninja," said one of the female students.
"That's right, it's good since he's the…"
"We aren't supposed to talk about that," the first girl interrupted.
"That's where you're wrong. Naruto would make a great shinobi because he works hard and doesn't give up. He'd make a better shinobi than the both of you," Hinata thought as she overheard the two girls.
Later that night…
Naruto was in the forest looking at a giant scroll attempting to learn a few of the jutsus listed. He read off the first one, "Shadow Clone Jutsu", and decided to try that one first…
Meanwhile, Iruka was checking places he knew Naruto hung out at looking for him. Suddenly Mizuki approached him in a panic…
"Iruka, come quick… Naruto's stolen The Scroll of Forbidden Seals!"
This surprised Iruka but he followed anyway. As they arrived at the Hokage Tower they heard numerous threats and claims coming from many of the ninja present before they were halted by the Hokage…
"Yes, yes, there are dangerous jutsus forbidden by the previous Hokage and if they fell into the wrong hands can cause incredible trouble, but I'm sure that Naruto doesn't mean any harm so find him and bring him back… UNHARMED…!"
The countless number of ninja scattered when he was done…
"What would Naruto need with the scroll? I've already checked most places he goes to… Maybe I should check the woods," Iruka pondered as he quickly leapt from rooftop to rooftop.
"My plan is working. I'll ruin Naruto's name and get rid of him to make it look like he escaped with the scroll," Mizuki thought to himself.
Iruka had finally found Naruto sitting in the woods, reading the scroll…
"There he is, I've found him," Iruka said to himself.
"Naruto, What are you doing out here? He questioned.
"Iruka sensei…! I was practicing and you're just in time to see the new jutsu I learned," Naruto told him.
"You… you were just… practicing? But why do you have that scroll," he asked skeptical of Naruto's response.
"What, this…? Mizuki sensei told me about it. He said that if I showed you one of the skills from this scroll then my graduation was guaranteed."
Taking in all that Naruto had said, Iruka figured out what exactly was going on. Just as he did, a shower of shurikens came flying at them. Iruka managed to push Naruto out of the way and barely dodge the attack.
Blood began to drip from parts of his body where some of the shuriken hit him…
"Naruto, give me the scroll!" Mizuki shouted.
"No Naruto, don't! No matter what don't give Mizuki that scroll, even if it means your death…!" Iruka shouted out.
"Mizuki was just using you to get his hands on that scroll!"
"Tch! No matter what you say Iruka it's pointless. Naruto you don't need that scroll because I'll tell you the truth now… Twelve years ago a demon fox was sealed as I'm sure you know. Since then, a rule was created for this village that… no one is allowed to mention… that you are that very same demon fox." Mizuki said as he sneered at Naruto and Iruka.
"Noooo! Stop this Mizuki!" Iruka shouted.
"Wa-Wait… I… I'm the Nine Tailed demon that… destroyed the village?"
"Everyone has lied to you including Iruka. He actually hates you too." Mizuki stated as he prepared to attack.
"Grrrrrrrrrrr!" Naruto roared as he released some of his chakra as his horns grew out completely, his tail changed to that of a lizard, both of his eyes turned red, and he grew wings…
"It's over; no one will ever accept you!" Mizuki shouted.
"He is hated by the villagers because of that incident. Because of that he causes trouble to get attention. He acts tough but is really suffering!" Iruka thought.
Mizuki then attacked hurling his oversized shuriken in Naruto's direction, but before it reached him, Iruka dove in, taking the blow.
As pain could be seen on Iruka's face, Naruto slowly began to return to his previous appearance.
"I-Iruka …sensei… why… Why would you…?"
"My… My parents… after they died, I felt like I wasn't being acknowledged so I would do stupid things for attention. Since I wasn't able to do well in school, it was better than being nothing so I kept acting like an idiot. And I bet that you felt pain just like I did… I'm sorry Naruto… if I had done a better job then maybe you wouldn't have had to feel like this." Iruka said with tearful eyes.
Naruto then got up and began to walk away…
"Narutooo!"
"Heh… Why don't you give it up Iruka, he's the demon fox and nothing more." Mizuki said while grabbing Iruka by the collar…
He and Iruka were surprised to see Naruto fly by and knock Mizuki on his butt. As Naruto stood in front of Iruka he had returned to his weredragon state(the wings, the tail, the horns, etc.).
"If you ever lay a hand on my sensei again… I'll… kill you!" Naruto stated menacingly.
"Oh really! Let's see what you…"
"SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!!!" Naruto interjected.
Just then, there were over a hundred Narutos all looking at Mizuki like he was a piece of meat tossed into the lion den…
"So many… Narutos…" Iruka said to himself.
One of the clones gritted his teeth and said, "Fresh Meat!" while pointing at Mizuki. He looked on in horror as everyone one of the bloodthirsty Narutos launched at him. Blood curdling, girly screams could be heard all the way to the Hokage Tower…
As Mizuki lay unconscious in a pool of his own blood, Naruto walked towards Iruka returning from his weredragon form to his blonde haired, blue eyed self.
"Heh heh, I guess I went too far," Naruto said as he laughed sheepishly.
"Come here Naruto," motioning for him to come closer. "There's something I want to give you."
He stepped forward as Iruka began untying his forehead protector, "This is now yours," he said with a smile.
"Th-Thanks… sensei. Uuum… Is there any way that instead of you just giving it to me… I can earn it?"
"You don't have to, the jutsu you just used was great and plus you passed the written portion."
"That's great and all but is there any chance that I can do the taijutsu thing?"
"You want to give that a try? Well, you don't have to, but… sure, you got it!"
What a happy ending, but now… things start to get a little more interesting…
Next chapter: Team Formation