Chapter I: Natural Born Killers

"There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in."- Deepak Chopra


Naruto's hand trembled as he accepted the rusty kunai Lachance offered to him. After leaving his apartment, Lucien had taken Naruto to the Brotherhood's underground sanctuary to begin his initiation into the Konoha family. The Speaker had explained such things as the Five Tenets, how to safely and discreetly enter the hidden sanctuary, and day to day business of Dark Brotherhood members.

Naruto had listened as best he could, afraid that if he forgot any of these things that his new family would be quick to scold him. Naturally, Lucien had assured him that he would be given the proper time to learn all of the new information. The Black Hand member had also explained that Naruto would still be attending the Academy because his education, and subsequent tutelage under a jonin sensei, would prove to be invaluable tools as he rose up the Brotherhood's ranks.

And so Naruto now stood, his six year-old frame somehow managing to tower over the kneeling and bound man before him.

"It has been discovered that Tarou here, has betrayed the Night Mother by feeding information on her children's whereabouts to members of the Cult of Jashin," Lucien said as he began to circle around Naruto, "Tarou has committed the ultimate sin, the penalty for which, is death.

Lucien stopped and looked down at Naruto. "Naruto Uzumaki, the Night Mother is pleased with your earlier actions and has seen fit to invite you to join our family. All that is required… is for you to seal it in blood."

Naruto shivered slightly as a few of the candles lighting the room flickered, throwing Tarou's tear-stained face into relief.

The blonde was somewhat shocked at how terrified Tarou looked. His wide, green eyes darted back and forth between Lucien, Naruto, and the kunai, sweat collected and rolled of his brow, his chest heaved erratically with shallow breaths, and trails of tears descended down his cheeks, leaving a few damp stains on his shirt.

"Do it, Naruto." Lucien said firmly.

The boy gulped and took a few steps forward, his hand tightening around the kunai's hilt.

"P-Please… don't k-kill m-me…"

Naruto stopped as the mean looked up at him with pleading eyes, eyes that the young boy now found himself completely enraptured with. They way they widened, revealing a disproportionate amount of sclera, the tears continually pooling in the corner of his eye, only to wind up overflowing as they tumbled down his cheek… but behind them… Behind the man's eyes, Naruto could see it.

Fear.

This man was afraid, most likely more afraid than he'd ever been in his life. Tarou was being confronted with the fact that he was no longer going to be counted among the living, and the fear of that fact had gripped him by his very core.

Lucien took note of Naruto's continued hesitance. "Naruto, Tarou has betrayed the family; he has hurt us. Always remember that to wound a Dark Brother or Sister is to wound the family, and to wound the family is to be wounded yourself."

Tarou whimpered as the boy's eyes hardened like chips of frozen ice. "Please… j-just let me g-go… I have a f-family…"

Naruto's eyes narrowed. This man had tried to harm his new family… after six years of being alone, six years of beatings and assassination attempts… this stranger had tried to take it all away. Tarou would just as soon see it vanish.

So it was that Naruto Uzumaki, at the tender age of six, had what he would later describe as his "epiphany."

"Loyalty to the family."

The young blonde was bearing witness to a fitting example of the end result of betrayal; it left someone as no more than an honorless wretch, crying and begging for mercy from the very people you'd stabbed in the back.

Naruto cracked a grin that was out of place on a child so young and plunged his kunai into Tarou's throat, dragging it clean across.

He watched in morbid fascination as the small blade slid across the tender flesh of his victim's neck, cutting through bone and vocal cords in the process, reducing Tarou to a gurgling, twitching mass incapable of speech.

The jinchuuriki continued to hold the spasming man's head in his hand, watching as his eyes bulged wider and wider as more of the oxygen rich blood poured out of his neck like a crimson fountain.

Lucien looked on in fascination as his newest "brother" reveled in the sight of Tarou's dying body. Never had he seen one so young with so much promise! Given the right tutelage, Lucien saw in Naruto the potential to become the greatest of all the Night Mother's children; some day the boy would be the Listener.

Lachance patted the young boy's head before speaking. "Well done, Naruto-kun! Always remember to find great joy in the kill, for each life we take is a gift to the Night Mother!"

Naruto smiled and nodded his head the praise. "Hai, Lucien-sama!"

Said assassin chuckled at the boy's politeness. "I believe it is time to introduce you to your new tutors, Naruto-kun." Lucien said as he began to lead Naruto out of the room containing Tarou's body.

The pair walked down a long candle-lit hallway that branched off in several directions, eventually finding themselves in a modestly furnished sitting room, along with two individuals Naruto had never seen before.

The first was a somewhat pale young man, dressed in the standard Konoha jonin uniform with a katana strapped to his back. He gave a sickly cough and bowed to Lucien.

Naruto was far more interested in the man's companion, however. He had deep, calculating brown eyes that seemed to drink in every little nuance of Naruto's appearance. His weathered face spoke of numerous harsh battles fought throughout his career; and his well-trimmed goatee gave him a commanding aura of unspoken wisdom. He wore a simple black yukata that was held together with a red obi, the only notable feature being a stitched pattern of lilies trailing diagonally from just above his right foot to his left sleeve.

Normal enough attire, to be certain. But what Naruto was truly curious of was the massive scroll lying next to his feet. From what the jinchuuriki could make out, the scroll was bound with a thick leather strap that seemed to double as harness to attach the scroll to its carrier. The young blonde spied numerous paintings of nature scenes, most involving towering trees, rustling autumn leaves dyed orange, yellow, and brown, and babbling brooks that gently cascaded down rocks, forming gentle waterfalls.

The man saw Naruto scrutinizing his scroll and grinned at the boy's interest.

"You will be tutored by various brothers and sisters in the years to come, Naruto-kun," Lucien began, "But I have personally arranged for the two men before you to have a hand in your education. The knowledge they shall impart upon you will be invaluable as you grow older, child. Take their lessons to heart, and use the power you will gain in service of Sithis."

Naruto nodded and looked to the younger shinobi, bowing in greeting.

The younger man bowed back and stifled another cough. "Hello, Naruto-kun. My name is Hayate Gekko, and I'll be training you in the art of Sairento Kiringu."

The blonde grinned and bowed once more before turning to his other sensei.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Naruto-sama. I am Hamaki Mimura."

The boy chose not to question the man's reverent title for him. "What will you be teaching me, Hamaki-sensei?"

Hamaki smiled widely as he bent down to release the leather strap and unfurl his scroll. "Tell me, Naruto-sama, do you like animals?"


"He can't seem to deactivate it, Hokage-sama…"

Sarutobi's eyes widened slightly. "How did he activate it in the first place, he is barely seven years old!?"

The med-nin sighed as he entered what was commonly known as "lecture mode." "We've known for awhile that the Sharingan manifests itself when an Uchiha suffers severe amounts of physical and emotional stress; this can range from a life and death situation, to simply losing a close friend of family member.

"Needless to say, last night's events seem to fall under both categories."

The Hokage snorted at the man's lack of tact. "Then why can't Sasuke-san deactivate it? I've always been led to believe that once Uchiha awoke their Sharingan, they were free to use it at their discretion."

"That is true, Hokage-sama. However, it appears that Itachi Uchiha did something to Sasuke-san's eyes. We believe he used some unknown dojutsu on Sasuke-san shortly after his own Sharingan was awoken. We think that, coupled with Sasuke-san's high levels of stress, is responsible for his current condition.

"The theory is that Itachi must have attempted to use a very powerful genjutsu on Sasuke-san. This in turn seems to have tricked Sasuke's brain into thinking he was beginning to die. Naturally the body went into shock as a result, inadvertently locking his Sharingan in a state of activation."

Sarutobi nodded gravely. "Will he survive the constant chakra drain?"

"We believe so. It is imperative that Sasuke-san's chakra reservoirs be increased as much as possible to prevent total chakra exhaustion. Luckily, as his body grows more accustomed to the Sharingan, the stress it will put on his reserves will decrease. In essence, the boy will need to be extensively trained in chakra control if he intends to continue his shinobi career.

"What we are more concerned with, Hokage-sama, is his mental state."

"That is understandable; Sasuke has been through a tragic ordeal. In one night his entire clan was murdered, by his brother no less. I would be most surprised if you weren't concerned for his mental well-being."

The med-nin shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I'm afraid you misunderstand, Hokage-sama. The problem I speak of stems from the Sharingan's abilities to predict movements," he began as Sarutobi leaned in closer, "When an object moves, the Sharingan is able to predict where it is going to be, Hokage-sama. When this happens, an Uchiha will see the afterimage of everything that is in motion. In battle this is usually considered the most helpful of the Sharingan's abilities, but the mental strain it will put on him will be great."

The Hokage withdrew his pipe and, after filling it with a pinch of tobacco, lit it and exhaled the pungent smoke. "What kind of mental strain, Doctor?"

"Hokage-sama, there is a reason the Uchiha did not keep their Sharingan activated all the time. We reviewed the Uchiha clan's medical files and we found several documented cases very similar to Sasuke-san's. They have a name for it, sir."

Hiruzen quirked an eyebrow. "A name?"

"They call it 'Sharingan Madness.'"


Naruto sat on the playground swing with a smile. His first day at the Academy was going rather well by his standards. His new teachers, Iruka-sensei and Mizuki-sensei, were pretty nice. The two chunin had begun class by explaining the Academy's main goal of turning the children into competent shinobi who could successfully serve the village.

The pair had then gone on to explain that all shinobi, from Kage to genin, dealt with death on a regular basis; eventually they would kill for the village, and they very well might die for the village. "That is the reality for a shinobi," Iruka had said.

"We are death."

Naruto had remembered Lucien's words and smiled, the Speaker had told Naruto that the Village's and the Brotherhood's teachings would sometimes conflict with each other, but one thing would always remain certain.

"You are a child of the Night Mother and a disciple of Sithis; for you, death is nothing but the tool you use in their name."

The blonde boy was broken from his thoughts by the rustle of grass followed by a long sigh of contentment. Naruto hopped of the swing and made his way to the other side of the tree it was hanging from and found one of his classmates sprawled out on the ground quietly watching the clouds roll by. Naruto looked around in confusion, he saw some of his classmates quietly eating lunch on the grass while they idly chatted amongst themselves, while the rest of the students were running around and playing on the school's playground equipment. Naruto watched as a few boys raced each other on the monkey bars, several girls squealed in delight as their merry-go-round spun faster and faster, he even watched as several boys piled on one side of a seesaw in a vain attempt to lift a rather rotund boy munching on a bag of chips.

But this boy was different. He seemed perfectly happy with prospect of laying down until Iruka-sensei returned to collect them all for the second half of class.

"What are you doing?"

The strange boy turned his head slightly to regard Naruto. "Watching the clouds."

"Why?"

"Why not?"

Naruto scowled in frustration. "Because there are better things to do, like playing or eating lunch!"

"Says the kid who's watching someone watch clouds…"

"…" Naruto didn't have a comeback for that.

"You shouldn't judge things until you give them a chance," the prone boy remarked, "why don't you give it a chance, you might enjoy it."

Finding no glaring fault in the boy's logic, Naruto plopped down next to him and turned his gaze skyward.

"So what do I do?"

"Nothing, really. You just watch the clouds go by..."

The jinchuuriki zeroed in on a particularly fluffy cumulus. "So why do you watch clouds? Almost everyone else is at least doing something… playing, eating, talking, even studying. I think you're just lazy… "

"That's what my mom says– troublesome woman– but I honestly don't understand why anyone would rather be stuck doing any of those things when they could be watching clouds."

"What's so great about clouds?"

"Just look at them, what do you see?"

Naruto bit his lip in concentration, looking for the boy's hidden meaning. After a minute or so, he gave up and sighed dejectedly. "I don't see anything; they're just floating along…"

"Exactly. That's all clouds do, they float on by and go wherever the breeze takes them. They're not worried about chores, becoming a ninja, school, or homework. They just go on without a care in the world."

For a minute Naruto was silent, but as the meaning behind the boy's words sunk in, he couldn't help but grin.

Clouds were free.

Naruto continued to watch the clouds float by, periodically taking note of their various shapes and sizes, enjoying a comfortable silence with his classmate. Not long after, the two boys heard the voices of Mizuki and Iruka informing all the students that their break was over.

Sighing both boys slowly stood and brushed themselves off. The boy took a look at Naruto, scrutinizing his appearance without the distraction of clouds. The blonde wore a simple black shinobi shirt that extended past his neck to cover the lower half of his face, and a pair of white shorts.

"I'm Shikamaru Nara." He said, extending his hand.

The Kyuubi container extended his own hand and shook. "Naruto Uzumaki."


Six Years Later…

Sakura sighed as she examined herself in the mirror. She wore her usual white top that exposed her midriff– her mother hated it– along with a pair of red capri pants held up by a simple white belt. The young Haruno then proceeded to strap her kunai holster onto her leg before heading downstairs for breakfast.

As she padded down the stairs, the smell of her mother's cooking wafted up and permeated the air. Ever since she was a child, Sakura had been enthralled with the concept of "cooking." When her mother was in the kitchen, she was in charge, and she knew what was right. Salt, pepper, and spices were measured in pinches and shakes, not teaspoons. Recipes were stored in her head and put into practical use– her mother didn't do cook books. And when her mother called for the family to convene for dinner, you came right then and there. The family ate together– or you didn't eat at all. But what truly amazed Sakura was how happy cooking made her mother. Whenever Airi Haruno was in the kitchen, she wore a smile and often hummed a happy tune. But it was nothing compared to the radiant smile that blossomed when she watched her family sit down and enjoy the food she had put her heart and soul into.

One day an ignorant Sakura had asked her why cooking was so fun, why did it make her so happy?

"Because I did it for the people I love," had been Airi's simple reply.

Sakura smiled at the memory as she sat down at the family's breakfast table. "Good morning, Mama."

"Good morning, sweetheart," she replied with an exasperated sigh. "I see you still haven't gotten rid of that outfit…"

The young girl only grinned as she picked up a bit of egg with her chopsticks.

Airi shook her head as she sipped her morning coffee. "So today's the big day, Sakura. The day my little blossom becomes an adult. Are you nervous?"

"Not really," Sakura replied with a shrug, "the genin exam is pretty easy; I can easily perform bunshin, kawarimi, and henge… and a lot more thanks to Anko-neechan."

Sakura's mother scowled at her daughter's mention of the eccentric jonin. While meeting Anko had done much for Sakura's self esteem and ninja skills, it had also resulted in her daughter's unladylike fashion sense and behavior. "Yes, well try to make sure you don't pick up too much from Anko-san. If I catch you in fishnet again, adult or not, I'll still ground you for a month."

Sakura giggled at her mother's prudishness. "It'll be okay, Mom, I promise."

Airi attempted to level a stern gaze at her daughter but ruined by smiling softly and reaching for her hand. "Your father would be so proud of you right now, Sakura. You're growing into a strong, beautiful, and intelligent young woman…"

The teen swallowed and nodded. "I know Mama. I just… I wish he could see me when I put on my hitai-ite…" Sakura mumbled as she failed to stop a tear from escaping. "But I promise you this, Mom, one day I'll find out what happened that night. I won't rest until we know who took him away from us."

The older woman took note of the determination in her daughter's voice. While the death of her husband had been a tragic event that had torn their small family apart, it had also changed her daughter. She had become a woman who took the occupation of kunoichi seriously, she studied well into the night, trained for hours on end, and practiced ninjutsu under the instruction of one of the village's most talented kunoichi.

"Maybe Anko isn't so bad after all…" "I know, sweetie. But I want you to promise me you won't let this dictate your entire life. Find closure, find justice, but don't forget to live your life, Sakura. Be happy, fall in love, have children– after you're married– and grow old. Do what you must, but don't let it prevent you from doing what you want. That is what your father would have wanted. Be happy, Sakura, and I know that your father, wherever he is, will be happy too." Airi said as she stood and pulled her only daughter into a loving embrace.

After a few seconds the two women separated and Sakura bade her mother farewell. The pink haired kunoichi to be quickly made her way to the front door, stopping briefly to strap on a pair of shinobi sandals, exited her house, and took to the rooftops.

In a matter of minutes, Sakura found herself entering her classroom for the final portion of the Graduation Exam: ninjutsu. Two days prior, the exam had begun with taijutsu. Each student was required to fight one-on-one with Iruka-sensei while Mizuki-sensei observed and awarded them points accordingly. Sasuke Uchiha had narrowly outscored Naruto, giving the young Uchiha prodigy a narrow lead in the race for Rookie of the Year. And Sakura herself had been outscored by Hinata Hyuga. While her taijutsu was somewhat advanced for an academy student, it was nothing when compared to the Hyuga's Juuken.

The next day had covered genjutsu. Mizuki-sensei had put them all under a genjutsu that made their fears appear as reality and then tasked them with releasing it. Several students had trouble breaking it, but most seemed to manage. Sakura herself had managed to dispel the image of her dead mother rather quickly with a simple "Kai"; Sasuke had merely used his "Magen: Kyou Tenchi-ten" and it was Mizuki-sensei that had found himself trapped in an illusion.

Ironically, it was Naruto who had dispelled the genjutsu the fastest. As soon as Mizuki's hand seals were done the blonde pulled out a kunai and drove it deep into his thigh. The two chunin instructors had deliberated for a full ten minutes before deciding to award Naruto and Sasuke full marks for superior skill, and in Naruto's case, efficiency.

Sakura snorted as she took her seat next to Sasuke. As usual, the Uchiha had his eyes closed as he contemplated whatever it was that he thought of when he was bored.

"Good morning, Sasuke-kun." She chirped as she settled into a more comfortable position.

"Sakura," he acknowledged without opening his eyes.

The girl snorted at his response. "My, my, Sasuke-kun. So talkative today, is it a special occasion?"

A single, three-tomoed crimson eye opened to regard her. "Hn."

The pinkette sighed and turned to listen as Iruka and Mizuki began to explain the requirements for the ninjutsu portion of the exam. They would all be required to perform the three academy jutsu, but, if they chose to, they could perform another jutsu of their choosing for extra credit.

"First up, Sasuke Uchiha!" Iruka called.

Said student slowly stood and proceeded to amble up to the front of the class.

"Please perform a successful henge, then kawarimi using the chair next to Mizuki, followed by the creation of a bunshin."

The Uchiha sighed and did as told.

"Well done, Sasuke. Full marks." Mizuki called as the teen proceeded to return to his seat, closing his eyes until the mentioning of a particular name drew his attention once more.

"Naruto Uzumaki, you're next."

Naruto stood, sporting a grin that could clearly be seen through his face mask. The blonde now sported a simple dark-blue jumpsuit that he wore unzipped with a black shinobi shirt underneath.

"I owe Hayate-sensei big time for teaching me a way around this… that and for teaching me the Crescent Moon Dance in the first place…"

"You know what to do, Naruto. Whenever you're ready," Iruka instructed.

Naruto nodded and flew through the necessary seals, and in a poof of smoke, he was replaced with pink kimono-wearing Sasuke. "Just call me Sasuke-chan!" Naruto exclaimed as he slapped a goofy grin on Sasuke's normally stoic face.

Several girls in the class directed a large amount of killing intent toward the henge'd blonde and he quickly dispelled the jutsu.

"How'd you like that, teme?"

The Uchiha pointed to his shirt. "Red, dobe. We call this color 'red.' Can you say 'red?'"

"Fuck you!" Naruto shouted as the class broke out in a chorus of laughter.

"NARUTO!" Iruka shouted, silencing the class, "Get on with it!"

The blonde started and quickly replaced himself with the indicated chair.

"Good. Now create a bunshin."

"You got it, Iruka-sensei! Take notes, Sasuke-teme, 'cuz this is how it's done!" Naruto put his hands in an unusual cross-shaped seal, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

A second Naruto poofed into existence and threw up the victory sign.

"N-Naruto," Iruka stammered, "how did you learn that jutsu?"

"Well," the blonde began as he scratched the back of his head, "I've always had trouble making regular clones, so I decided to find a way around that particular obstacle," he answered, deciding to keep Hayate's involvement to himself.

The scared chunin smiled at his favorite student. "You never have done things the conventional way, Naruto." "Well done, Naruto, you may be seated."

"How'd you like that, Sasuke-teme?" Naruto boasted.

The raven-haired boy sighed in exasperation. "You understand that you basically just taught me the Kage Bunshin technique, right?"

"Huh?"

Sasuke pointed to his eyes. "Sharingan, idiot."

Naruto watched the three tomoe rotate slowly before comprehension dawned on him. "Aw, shit."

Sakura giggled as Naruto's shoulders slumped and he made his way to the back of the class to take his seat between Shikamaru and Hinata, the later immediately tasking herself with cheering up the dejected blonde.

When everyone had finished the ninjutsu test, Mizuki made his way to the front of the class. "Alright, are there any students who wish to demonstrate any advanced jutsu?" Several hands shot up and the chunin looked to Iruka and nodded, "Alright then, let's all head out to the training ground."

The entire class stood and followed their instructors out of the building.

"So Shikamaru, you gonna try and nab some extra credit?"

The Nara scoffed. "No."

"But you could perform one of your family's jutsu!"

"Meh, it'd be too troublesome, Naruto. And it wouldn't really change anything; I know I won't be rookie of the year." Shikamaru shrugged.

"So fuckin' lazy… I swear one day you're going to wake up realize that you've spent your entire life doing nothing but napping and watching clouds!"

Shikamaru stared off into space and his eyes glazed over before he started and resumed walking with his friends. "Don't get my hopes up, Naruto."

Naruto shook his head and turned to his other friend. "How 'bout you, Hinata-chan?"

"Um… I don't really k-know any other jutsu, Naruto-kun…"

The blonde quirked an eyebrow. "Really? I'm sure you've got some sort of secret Hyuga jutsu up your sleeve," Naruto said with a conspiratorial wink as he nudged the girl with his elbow.

The Hyuga heiress held up her hand to hide her blush as she giggled softly. "I'm afraid not, Naruto-kun. I've focused mostly on taijutsu."

The three teens continued their idle chatter until they found themselves standing outside with the rest of their classmates.

"Now, do we have anyone who'd like to volunteer first?" Iruka asked.

"I'll go, Iruka-sensei!" A beautiful blonde girl shouted. "But I'll need two volunteers to assist me."

Iruka nodded. "Alright, Ino."

The blonde kunoichi flashed him a dazzling smile before she turned to her classmates and shouted, "Shikamaru! Get over here now!"

The lazy Nara slouched over and took up his place behind Ino. "Troublesome…"

"Just don't drop me again, you dolt!" Ino snapped before she turned to her rival. "Sakura-chan," she trilled in a far too happy voice, "would you mind assisting me?"

The pinkette stepped forward with a smile. "Only if you'll do me the honor of helping out with my jutsu," she answered as she stood in front of Ino.

The blonde grinned as she raised her hands. "Shintenshin no Jutsu!"

Everyone watched as Shikamaru caught Ino's limp form and Sakura jerked from the force of an invisible force.

"How does she avoid permanent neck damage from lugging this massive forehead around!?" Sakura exclaimed to the shock of the class.

"Ino, a little maturity please…" Iruka chided.

"Sorry, Iruka-sensei… Kai!" Sakura fell to the ground as Shikamaru helped Ino to her feet.

"How was that, Iruka-sensei?"

"Well done, Ino. But will Sakura be okay?"

"I'm fine, Sensei," Sakura muttered as she slowly rose to her feet and dusted herself off. "Would you mind if I went next?"

"Be my guest, Sakura. Ino, pleas assist her as she did you."

"Whadya got for me, forehead girl?" Ino quipped as she crossed her arms under her chest.

Iruka paled as he recognized the grin on Sakura's face… only one other person in the village smiled like that…

"A little something a friend of mine taught me… Sen'eijashu!"

Ino screamed as a pair of snakes shot out from Sakura's wrists and coiled themselves around her body hissing and flicking their tongues as they poised themselves to bite her neck.

"Letmegoletmegoletmegoletmego!" Ino screeched as she struggled fruitlessly.

"I didn't hear a please…" Sakura trilled in a sing-song voice.

It was barely audible. "Please."

Sakura smiled and withdrew her snakes.

"Well done, Sakura," Iruka praised as he watched the snakes slither back into the kunoichi's wrists.

A few more students volunteered to attempt jutsu, and the test ended after Naruto and Sasuke had once again attempted to outdo each other. The Uchiha had stepped up and unleashed a massive fireball that scorched a large portion of the academy's grounds.

Naruto, not to be outdone, cockily stepped forward and shouted, "Futon: Daitoppa!"

After a five minute lecture from both teachers covering the numerous reasons why destruction of property was illegal, the chunin had grudgingly awarded both boys additional points.

As the class was dismissed, Mizuki asked Naruto to walk with him.

"What's up, Mizuki-sensei?"

The chunin scratched his chin. "Well Naruto, we've run into an interesting problem this year…"

Naruto stopped walking. "What is it, Mizuki-sensei?"

"Well, you and Sasuke are currently tied for the title of Rookie of the Year, something that hasn't occurred in quite some time."

"What happens now?"

The chunin smiled. "A tie-breaker, of course! Right now Iruka-sensei is assigning Sasuke his task, and I'm here to give you yours. Whichever one of you completes the assignment in the most efficient manner will be awarded the title Rookie of the Year."

The masked blonde nodded, his face growing serious. "What do I have to do, sensei?"

The white-haired chunin placed a hand on the newly minted genin's shoulders. "What do you know about the Scroll of Seals?"


Jutsu

Sairento Kiringu- Silent Homicide

Magen: Kyou Tenchi-ten- Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change

Shintenshin no Jutsu- Mind Body Switch Technique

Sen'eijashu- Hidden Shadow Snake Hands

Futon: Daitoppa- Wind Release: Great Breakthrough

A/N: Greetings, folks. I hope you enjoyed the first "official" chapter. Firstly, I'd like to think everyone who reviewed the prologue; you guys make it all worthwhile. Now, about this chapter, I chose to skip over Naruto's training for a specific reason. I don't like to go into great detail concerning character training because I feel it gives too much away concerning their abilities and takes some of the suspense out of battles. It's not as fun if the readers already know everything the characters can do. Also, they academy years were not covered for a similar reason. As the story progresses, more and more will be revealed about the character's childhoods; all in good time, folks. Also, if you're looking for character bashing, you won't find it here. Nothing ruins a good story more than character bashing, so I make it a point to avoid it. Furthermore, you might find that certain characters will behave differently from canon… well, this is an AU fic and the Brotherhood's web of influence reaches further than you might think….

Now, about pairings… this is most likely going to remain a Naruto/Haku/Hinata story. Haku will be involved with naruto before Hinata, but all three will eventually come together. I understand that the number of Naru/Hina fics is growing by the second, and I realize that a lot are very sub-par, but all I ask of you is to give it a chance. We all have our personal preferences, and that's fine. If you're going to hate the pairing, hate it because you think I'm shitty writer and don't do the characters justice, not because you're tired of seeing it. Anyway, next chapter we have the survival tests and much action, so look forward to that. And, in this chapter, two very important things happened, bonus points to anyone who can pick them out. See you guys next time,

-Andrew

P.S.: I'm in the process of looking for a beta that I can bounce ideas off of, and can find the occasional grammatical error. If anyone's interested, let me know in a review, or shoot me a P.M.