The Guiding Light

Chapter 2: Missions and Training

Authors Note: I read the reviews and I thought I'd throw in some plot twists based on suggestions and questions. As for Snakes age that shouldn't matter but he's about mgs1 age. Sasuke is different because I hate how he acts in the series so he's a bit more wise and thoughtful towards those he thinks deserve consideration. As for why I don't describe the training in great detail is because I don't think it's important. If he uses a new move I'll explain how he learned it but regular training is a waste of time for me. Please if you have any suggestions or comments then send them to me other wise enjoy

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto…yet

Team 7's first mission was nothing spectacular nor challenging to ninja. In fact no one on Team 7 was very excited about picking weeds from some old lady's garden. Naruto just made his opinion known easier by complaining and grumbling to their sensei who seemed deep in thought. Snake was remembering his first mission with his team. Though he worked alone now he had a team at one point in his life.

**FLASHBACK**

Snake was hiding in a bush doing his best not to be seen by their target. His teammate's voice suddenly rang in his earphone "Snake do you have the target in sight?" a girl voice asks gently. Snake smiles and says quietly as he looks at their target. "Affirmative Naomi, move Liquid in from the East, I got the South." He says as their target, a cat starts to clean itself. "Go!" their sensei says and all three genin pounce on the creature. Somehow Liquid, who has long blond hair and looks a lot like snake, caught the cat with out injury. Snake however was covered in stinging cuts. Mission successful. There Sensei took them to the hokage who said "good work it seems your sensei David has taught you well" he teases at the glaring genin.

**END FLASHBACK**

As he was spacing he was interrupted by Sakura's yelling at Naruto for being so dumb. Once he looked he say why, Naruto had tried to tell the herbs from the weeds but couldn't so he started pulling out herbs with weeds. Good thing Sakura stopped him before he tore the whole patch up. Sasuke meanwhile is done with his share and simply shows Naruto the difference between the two vegetables. This caused Snake to smile gently and respect the Uchiha more for being Friends with Naruto. He remembered the story Sasuke told him about why they were friends.

**FLASHBACK**

Snake was overlooking their training when Sasuke decided to take a break; this gave Snake the chance to ask the boy a question that was plaguing his mind for ever. "Sasuke, lets talk shall we?" he asks leading the boy somewhere quiet and they could be alone. Sasuke raised a brow and asks "You're not going to rape me are you?" he asks jokingly just trying to get on his sensei's nerves. Snake simply shook his head and says "what? No! All I wanted to know is why you and Naruto are such good friends. Not that I mind or anything it helps if your teammates are your friends." He says waiting for the boy to answer. Sasuke gave great thought before answering his sensei's question. "Well Sensei it's because he helped me through when my family and clan was destroyed by my brother." He says hoping that answer would suffice for his sensei's curiosity.

Snake however was still curious and asks "Well what did Naruto do?" he asks gently and with much interest while Naruto and Sakura took a break from sparing (mostly because Naruto noticed she was exhausted and could barely stand). Sasuke looked over to the blond who was smiling at Sakura despite her berating him for being soft on her. "to be frank he just said a few words, smiled and promised that he'd help me get revenge just I'd have to give myself another reason to be a great ninja." He concludes before saying "Naruto told me this 'Sasuke I know your life is hard right now, and I'm sorry this was literally thrust upon you, life is hard and it does often beat us to our knees and it'd keep us their if it could. No one on earth can hit us as hard as life, not even the hokage. But Sasuke its not about how hard were hit it's about how hard we can get hit how much we can take and keep moveing forward. I believe if you can do that you'll defeat your brother.' That's why we are friends" he says smileing gently at the memory.

Snake smiled warmly and says "I see well he's a good boy with a lot of determination and grit, I'm sure he'll be a great Ninja one day despite the special guest in him" Snake says warmly.

**End FLASHBACK**

After Naruto and Sakura had caught their breath they continued sparing, Naruto naturally holding back not wanting to hurt the pink Kuniochi. Snake noticed this and stopped their training (Which consisted more of Snakes CQC) and looked at Naruto with a quizative look and asks the boy, "Why do you hold back in your training with Sakura? You don't hold back against me or Sasuke" he says gently as Naruto smiled a bit uncomfortably and scratched the back of his head a bit embarrassed. "Well Sensei I didn't want to hurt Sakura-chan" he states simply. Sakura didn't hear the additive suffix on her name she was appalled that he was holding back. He was already fast and could outlast her any day, just what is he? She thought to her self.

Sakura then voiced her opinion and says "Sensei its ok, I can barely keep up with him anyways, its not just his stamina it's the fact that he's getting faster daily." She states a bit crestfallen. "Naruto was shocked that she noticed his improvements at first until he said "that's not true Sakura you're doing great your getting this CQC believe it!" he says grinning. Snake grinned but then says seriously "If that's true Naruto then why hold back? Wouldn't doing your best bring out hers?" he asks as Naruto thought about that point and says "I suppose, but I wont go all out after hard training days, that's a bit too much I think" he states just showing his care for her. The strange thing is, she noticed that he was expressing care and thoughtfulness towards her health.

They're Training ended after Naruto went all out on Sakura almost by force from Snake who didn't want anyone to fall behind. However, before Naruto could break her arm with a grapple he taught the boy he stopped the session. "ok guys that's enough we have a new mission tomorrow it's a C rank mainly cause I think your ready and I am bored watching you guys pick up trash" he states smiling as Naruto jumped for sheer joy. Sasuke simply smiled while Sakura hit him in the head violently saying "quiet you idiot you're a ninja's ninja are quiet." She hissed.

The following day they met at the mission office standing before the Hokage and Iruka. The scared nosed chunnin smiled at Naruto warmly before hearing Snakes following sentence. "Hokage-Sama were here for our c-rank mission" he says cooling but proud of how his team has come along, so far they've done many d-rank missions and lots of training, he knew they were ready. Iruka however did not agree with this view and says hotly "hokage you can't let them do this mission! Its way out of their league!" he exclaims simply looking out for his previous students mainly Naruto. Snake was caught off guard but that didn't keep him from stating his point "Iruka I understand your worry but it's unneeded, they are ready I've been improving all of their skills including teamwork." He explains calmly and saw Iruka calm himself as the Hokage says "he's right Iruka, plus they've done their share of the D-rank missions so now they're going to Wave to escort that man" he says pointing over to and old drunk man.

The man stood about as tall as Iruka, whose 5'10, he had grey hair that looked like it was receding. The man was obviously out of shape cause the beer belly seemed a bit too obvious for Naruto's liking. The man looked over team 7 a bit bored and says "this is my escort to wave? A bunch of brats? And what's with the short one with the stupid look on his face?" he asks bemused. Naruto heard this and laughed not knowing the remark was pointed at him and asks "whose the short one with the stupid look" he asks looking at his teammates and after seeing he's at least 6 inches shorter than both of them, he gets angry. "Let me at him I'll destroy him!" he proclaims as Snake holds him back. "You can't destroy the client Naruto, just calm down and just show him that being a great ninja doesn't depend on your height." He says which makes Naruto grin in acceptance and a bit after they head home to pack.

About 3-4 hours later they met at the gates all packed and ready as snake says "remember team, expect anything, this may only be a C-rank mission but we need to stay on our toes. See beneath the underneath pay attention to your surroundings it could save your life, as well as your teammates" he explains seriously to which they all nod. They begin walking in a formation that they agreed on, Sasuke and Sakura on the left and right flanks of Tazuna, while Naruto is in front with their Sensei bringing up the rear. As they walk Snake notices the puddle on the ground, while the genin saw it as well but thought nothing of it. Snake was more experienced then that.

Suddenly two large chains were wrapped around Snake. Though snakes eyes widened in shock, he was actually watching from the tree's having replaced himself with a series of logs and placing a genjutsu to make it seem like he died when they pulled the chains ripping 'him' apart. The Genin not really knowing what their sensei had planned all panicked in their own way. Naruto froze for a moment as the enemy, who are chained together and had on black cloths with masks that resembles Katkashi's, the brothers snickered as they dashed at the old man who was behind Naruto. At first he didn't register what happened but reacted in instinct and grabbed the giant clawed arm and threw it down into the ground while brining the opposite leg up and planting a bone shattering kick to the man's face while the other is yanked from Tazuna after only being centimeters from killing the man.

The one who was kicked didn't have much time to get revenge as Sasuke grappled the other while he was in mid air and flung him at a tree at a high arc that caused them to wrap around the tree violently before bumping heads. They cursed and corrected themselves and rushed at the three teammates after Sakura had awoken from her daze. Suddenly they were tackled by two huge forearms that halted them and close lined them to the ground so hard that they passed out. The genin all gasped loudly as Snake smiled warmly and says "sorry I did that to you guys, I wanted to see who their target really was, us or the man" he explains smiling gently as they gapped. "But how did you know they would attack?" Naruto asks wanting to know Snakes skills and learn them to better himself. Snake looks at the boy after tying the men to the tree tightly and leaving a obvious trail for the ANBU black ops and says "Naruto, we walked by a puddle earlier remember? Well it hasn't rained for many days and it's been bright and sunny, obviously they disguised themselves as a puddle." He explains not trying to sound like he was doubting Naruto's abilities but merely telling the blond to be aware of such things.

As they set up camp for the night Snake approaches Tazuna and says "we need to talk" he says simply and calmly and walks off with the man as Sasuke and Naruto talk about what they could be discussing. "I bet their talking about the mission and how the parameters changed and how we have to drop it" Naruto guesses gently as Sasuke scoffs and says "Dobe they're more likely talking about you becoming hokage, of course that's what their talking about." He says a bit teasingly as Sakura inserts her little comment of "yeah Naruto don't be such an idiot" she says crossing her arms and lifting her head to look superior to the blond in Sasuke's eyes. However, Sasuke had a different plan "Sakura I'm sick of you calling Naruto stupid, he's not the smartest but at least he does something, think back in the battle what did you do to help? Or I remember; nothing!" he says a bit harshly.

Sakura ran off crying with Naruto standing and says "Sasuke though I thank you fro standing up for me like that, just don't I can handle myself." He says and walks calmly after Sakura. Sasuke sighs to himself and begins to wonder when he'll meet someone special to him other than Naruto. Sure plenty of girls liked him but that wasn't a challenge, and he likes challenges. It didn't take long for Naruto to find the crying pinkette, he approached her gently and says "I'm sorry about Sasuke he just knows of my past and why I was treated so badly, he's a bit defensive don't blame him" he says trying to comfort her somewhat at least. Sakura turned towards him after wiping her eyes and says "what about your past Naruto? Why were you treated so badly?" she asks gently and sniffs a bit before saying "its ok Naruto, I'm starting to think that loving Sasuke is a lost cause." She states gently.

Naruto almost jumped on this opportunity to swoop her into his arms but thought that to be inappropriate and unprofessional. Instead he says "Sakura, what I'm about to tell you; you can't tell anyone else without my permission ok?" he says sitting next to her overlooking a small lake she found which looked beautiful in the moonlight. Sakura nods and says "if its so important to make even Naruto Uzumaki the number one hyperactive ninja to be calm like this, then yes" she says actually liking how he looked when he was serious in thought which occurred more often. "Sakura, you know the story of how the Fourth hokage killed the nine tailed fox?" he asks looking at her with a gentle look. Sakura nodded and says "of course" she states simply. Naruto took a deep breath and says "Sakura that story was a lie, truth is that the Fourth couldn't kill the beast so he sealed inside a baby. I'm that baby" he says awaiting her response.

Sakura was stunned into silence but stared at Naruto but it all made sense now, why her parents didn't want her near him, why when they found out her teammates they wished death on him. Even why in Konoha people glared at them, it wasn't till now she realized that it was Naruto they were glaring at him not their team. Sakura didn't know what to do or say so she stood up and ran and when Naruto tried to touch her she screamed "get away!" and took off into the forest and out of sight of Naruto who was even more crestfallen.

Snake saw the whole thing and shook his head and joined Naruto's side and ruffled the boys hair gently and says "your brave Naruto, I'll give you that but you can't expect her to take such news gently, she'll be back" he says trying to soften the blow Sakura had invariantly laid on Naruto's soul. Naruto surprisingly smiled at the man a true smile that wasn't fake and says "its ok sensei, I'll just have to try harder to win her heart" he says with determination for her filled his eyes. Snake simply shook his head in admiration of the boy and says "you remind me of a younger me alright Naruto lets go we have a mission to complete" he says having dropped the idea of going back to the village due to the missions change in parameters. He now wanted Naruto to prove himself to be something better than some monster.

Meanwhile Sakura stopped running once she ran to Sasuke who raised a brow at her scared look as she explains the reason why. "Sasuke-kun did you know that Naruto has the nine tailed fox sealed inside him!" she says trying to hug the boy for comfort but he keeps away easily as she was in a haste. "Sakura, I've known for quite some time, he is not a monster, I mean think about it" he says as she finally got him in a hug but he didn't return it one bit. Sakura who heard him actually began to think of how much Naruto smiled and laughed, he even trained her in their CQC and gave her pointers. She let go of the Uchiha slowly as if expecting some form of compassion from him. "I guess your right, is that why he's got a lot of stamina?" she asks gently. Sasuke nods ands says "well that's part of it he does work real hard, even when he has free time he's trying to better himself, all he wants is to be Hokage and of course get your attention." He explains nonchalantly and Sakura was shocked and says, "Well I know he has a crush on me but its just annoying" she states which Sasuke attacks because well its kind of what he does. "Is that so? Then why do you have a crush on me? Don't be such a hypocrite Sakura..Atleast he's trying to get you while being himself." He states boredly.

That night Sakura as crying softly in her tent thinking of how she treated Naruto in the past as well as how right Sasuke was. However she was interrupted hearing loud thuds and panting. Getting up noticing that everyone but Snake was asleep as well that they were missing someone, whom was pointed out to her by Snake who seemed to read her mind. When she turned there was Naruto and a few of his clones training hard, running up tree's doing push ups and fighting one another. She approached the blond boy's clones and says "Naruto?" she says in a soft voice to which one Naruto comes to her and says "Yes Sakura-Chan?" he asks smiling at her warmly. Sakura sighs and says "Can you talk to me in private please?" she asks gently.

Once alone with Naruto (who was the real one after all the clones poofed) "what is it?" he asks gently and just looking at her. She was amazed that he didn't hate her, he must really like me she thought before saying "about earlier, I'm sorry I panicked Naruto, I know your not a monster, I just acted on instinct and I'm sorry that people hate you for bearing such a burden." She says and sighs at the end deeply hading barely saying it all. Naruto expected this just not so soon so he smiled warmly and says "don't worry about it Sakura, as for how they treat me, let em hate me, I'll just have to prove that I'm no monster!" he says laughing and leaving her to go train some more.

The next day Tazuna explained to them that Wave country was to poor to afford a higher ranked mission payment so he had to lie about the parameters. He also told them about Gato. "What a guy! Enslaving a whole country for profit, I'll defeat him no matter what I promise you that Tazuna-san!" he proclaims as Sasuke says "Don't get ahead of yourself Dobe, we need to work together if were to get this mission done, besides if I have to burry you it'd be a hassle." He says half heartedly just picking on the blond haired boy. Naruto smiled knowing he was joking but says "I know I wont ditch you guys no matter what were teammates" he says happily as Sakura says "yeah" in a soft voice refusing to do much talking as she was still surprised about how well Naruto took things. Snake was by her and says to her gently so that the others couldn't as the boys were too busy comparing their techniques, "Sakura, you shouldn't worry about hurting Naruto too much about speaking your mind, in fact I think he prefers it" Snake explains gently while also trying to get them together as he would like them to be together. Sakura looked at their Sensei and nods gently and says "but then why is Sasuke-kun so hostile and distant from everyone but Naruto?" she asks gently as Snake sighs noticing that somehow she worked Sasuke into the conversation. "Sasuke had his family killed by his older brother whom he trusted, it's hard for him to trust anyone who hasn't gone through some form of pain such as his. Naruto has seen worse so they got along." He explains hoping that she understood, she did.

Sakura was deep in thought as the Team wadded across the river on a small boat, the fog was so thick that Snake was keeping watch but was telling his genin how to notice Foreign Chakra so that they are aware of anyone in places they would not normally see them. He explained that Chakra could affect the air pressure and temperature to an extent that it wouldn't fit the climate. Obviously this means that someone is using chakra, the first step in locating that person.

Once on shore Naruto finally spotted the half done bridge and says "whooh that bridge is huge! Your building that?" he asks not being able to help his old curiosity slip through, sometimes Naruto will always just be, Naruto. Sakura and Sasuke shared the same sort of smile Snake had mainly cause it was infectious. Tazuna considered the boy before answering his question "yes my boy, and with out your help these people will be slaves forever to Gato and his thugs" he says seriously which reflected in Naruto's determination. "I wont fail these people, if I can't defeat some lowly thug like Gato how can I expect to become Hokage?" he asks more himself than anyone as they head to Tazuna's home.

Once they arrived they were welcomed by a brunette woman with long flowing hair in a formal looking kimono that's covered by a cooking apron that's almost as white as her skin, almost. She welcomed them all with a true smile and happy voice "welcome to our home your more than welcome to stay as you guard my father while he builds the bridge" she says happily. Naruto reflected her kindness with his own beaming because a grown up had actually smiled at him. "Thanks we will protect your father no matter what believe it!" Naruto says getting pumped up even more and almost bouncing off the walls. Snake made him and the team go train to burn off the access energy to calm Naruto down at least a little so that he doesn't run into a battle blindly. This was an issue that Snake was desperately trying to fix, the boy didn't give up and that was good, however if he ran into any battle with out thinking he'd get himself killed.

While sparing with his teammates Naruto noticed that they both were getting stronger and faster like he was but had different abilities that he didn't posses himself. Sakura could cast a genjutsu so fast that he often didn't realize he was in one till it was too late and had used a lot of his chakra fighting nothing. This was one of her favorite tricks to pull on Naruto and now that she knew why he could almost never break a genjutsu unless helped or inflicted pain upon himself, she knew that he needed her. After he was freed of the genjutsu he was smiling and a bit sweaty while Sasuke and Sakura's chakras were low Naruto was just getting started. They practiced everything as a suggestion by Naruto.

The next day Sakura was watching the bridge builder having gotten the duty today sat looking bored while messing her hair into a ponytail. Suddenly she spotted her team they were walking to her just talking to some of the workers who seemed apprehensive. She caught up to them dragging Tazuna with her so that she isn't accused of abandoning her charge. "What's up guys?" she asks smiling knowing that at least she wont be as bored with everyone around especially Naruto. The Blond boy had become a pillar of strength that everyone and anyone could count on; she realized that if she needed something he'd probably steal it for her if needed. Also, he was a ball of energy and childhood innocence about him that just made being with him fun. Sasuke however, though he joined them once in awhile usually was aloof and alone. The boy only talked to Snake and Naruto longer than 12 seconds, which is all she could manage out of the boy.

Sakura's thoughts were interrupted however when she was tackled to the ground by Naruto who ducked at Snake yelling said word. She was about to ell at the boy but saw the giant sword imbedded into the large tree that wasn't far away. The sword suddenly had a figure on its handle, a man about as tall as Snake but has bandages over his face and pants that look like they maybe used for pajama's more then ninja gear. The man had his back to them nonchalantly and looked over them as if they were nothing. "Hand over the old man and I'll let you all live," he says seriously. Snake stood straight and says in a lighthearted manner "Give up or I'll be forced to exterminate you with extreme prejudice." He says giving a dangerous look before saying "Zabuza Momochi it's said that you mastered the art of the silent kill, and yet you can't even sneak up on us how sad" he says sounding bored.

Zabuza was beyond peeved and looked at the Konoha jonin in front of him now after jumping down and pulling the giant blade out with inhuman ease. "Funny I've never heard or seen you before, I guess you're a useless ninja," he says challenging Snake. Snake was undeterred and says "maybe I'm so good at covering up my movements that my exploits continue to go unknown?" he states simply and readies his combat knife. Zabuza saw the knife and scoffed as he swung his sword to his shoulders as if to point out its size and says, "prove yourself a good opponent and I'll make your death quick" he states simply smiling under the bandages.

None of the genin could register what happened cause they were gone and only clangs of metal on metal could be heard. Sometimes Zabuza would be visible due to the longer swipes his weapon took to swing but other wise it appeared they were matched evenly. Suddenly snake was on one end between Zabuza and Tazuna while Zabuza was closer to the genin then Snake found comfortable but trusted them to act appropriately. He was wrong.

As Zabuza remeasured the man in front of him with some newfound respect for his speed when he heard a voice. "Hey! Bandage man! Leave the old man alone or else!" Naruto threatens gripping a kunai in the same manner Snake is holding his combat knife. Zabuza considered the blond but scoffed and says, "Useless ninja like you should just stay out of the way" he says and charges Naruto catching the boy off guard and takes Naruto's headband after kneeing him in the stomach hard. Naruto was gasping for air and saw through his blurry vision that Zabuza had taken his hard earned headband.

Naruto was furious and ignored Sasuke's begging to let Snake take care of it. As he straightened Naruto says darkly "I wont lose to someone like you" he says with newly found determination and created enough shadow clones to surround the man and they all went at him trying to use CQC on the man and it actually worked. Zabuza had never seen the fighting style and Naruto wasn't the best nor was he perfect but he had the basics. This allowed him to throw Zabuza onto the ground hard after twisting with a punch Zabuza threw and grabbed and vaulted him onto the ground with a surprisingly effective thwack and gets his forehead protector and grips it in his free hand looking at the stunned enemy jonin who got up a bit slowly. "Don't you ever underestimate me! My name is Naruto Uzumaki and I'm going to be hokage, remember that!" he exclaims vehemently.

Zabuza looked at the boy impressed says, "I see if that's so then I will defeat you" he says nonchalantly but was disrupted when a small fireball hit him in the face, the burn didn't hurt but it wasn't useless. The source was Sasuke Uchiha who looked at the man with anger and a bit of determination. "Leave Naruto alone or you have to deal with us" he says dangerously as Snake was beside him along with Sakura who didn't seem so special until he noticed that the ground was trying to swallow him. Genjutsu and he hadn't even noticed. Jumping away and chased by Snake onto the surface of the water.

Facing each other Snake starts doing hand signs that Zabuza has never seen before but decides to counter with a simple water dragon. However, that wasn't enough as suddenly what looked like tentacles lurched from the water at Zabuza who barely escapes them but caught by another that attached to him and wrapped him up tightly. It wasn't a genjutsu but a technique that only the elite can do, summoning. "Zabuza you have the unlucky chance to meet my friend, the Kraken" Snake says smiling as he slides the blade across Zabuza's face slowly. However the moment was ruined when three senbon imbedded into Zabuza's neck harshly making the man collapse dead. Snake knew what happened and looked at the hunter-nin that appeared as the summon lets go of Zabuza on the land. "I see so he did have a hunter-nin after him, glad I could help" he says simply while Naruto and the other genin are flabbergasted at the hunter-nin's abilities.

Naruto was the first to ask, "Who is that guy? And how is he able to defeat someone like Zabuza with a single hit?" Naruto asks. Snake answers willing to answer all the boy's questions that he could, something he knew Naruto was barred from. "Well Naruto, he's a Hunter-nin a special operations unit member who is sent after stray ninja from their respective villages and take them out and get rid of the bodies. In fact I'd venture to say he's about your age" Snake says hoping that all he said made sense to the boy. It did however Naruto still had a few questions. "Why do they destroy the bodies? And are you serious our age? I barely could touch Zabuza and he just…" he says leaving his sentence hang in amazement.

Meanwhile the hunter-nin had taken the body away to a secret location. "Well they do it so that any secrets about the village on the body is destroyed like scrolls even chakra coils. These can hold how a village trains its ninja to be so powerful, or weak and thus help the other villages." Snake explains as Naruto nods. Suddenly he gets mad and says, "It's just not fair! He's our age and can already take out jonin? What have we doing all our lives?" he asks as he pounds the ground until his knuckles bleed. "Naruto..We can't control how strong our opponents are just how strong we are, your one of the strongest people I know" Sakura says trying to cheer the boy up a little. This surprised everyone even the Kraken as it poofed.

Naruto didn't know how to respond to Sakura's kindness so he simply grinned and go up and says, "I guess your right, Sensei please teach us some jutsus I don't want to fall behind and I want my team to be able to handle guys like that easier" Naruto says to Snake who was relaxed and looked at them al an says "I agree, but you can't complain if my training is too hard or we'll stop." He says as a challenge to which the genin accept.

Next Chapter: Return of the dead, improvements and revelations, pervs?