Chapter 14: The Growth of a Ninja

Heiri looked at his teacher lying on the ground, panting. He knew she couldn't move and worse she would kill him if he didn't do something. He glanced at the book he had been writing in and then closed it before heading over to Naruto.

"Um, did she attack you guys?" Heiri asked rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.

Naruto nodded gravely not sure how this would turn out. He really didn't want to fight this potential friend. Then to his surprise Heiri simply sighed and lifted his teacher up, preparing to go.

"Wait! Where are you going, and why did she attack us?" Jiraiya asked the boy.

Heiri grimaced. "My teacher happens to think of my sister as a daughter. My sister is missing and she was last seen going off to fight Naruto. As a result my teacher decided to make you tell her where she is even though by last nights talk I know you had nothing to do with her."

Jiraiya frowned at the boy, glancing at the woman. She sure has a nice body, fantastic curves… "Well we'll tell you if we find her. Meanwhile you should probably put her to bed."

Heiri nodded. "See you later Naruto."

"Bye." Naruto replied.

Naruto turned back to Jiraiya. "Well anyway… I mastered the first part of that awesome jutsu."

"So soon?" Jiraiya looked impressed.

Yeah watch Naruto took a balloon and after filling it and popping it grinned.

"Wow that the fastest I've ever seen someone learn it." Jiraiya said. "It shows that you're flexible when it comes to learning something. That will be very important in the next stages."

Naruto smiled "So what's the next stage?"

/-/-/

Raiki was careful not to mess with Temari after her defeat. It was apparent that she wasn't allowed to hurt Gaara and even more apparent that she could not defeat Temari's wind jutsus. Temari had tied the girl up and locked her in a storage room. She had been left in the room more than twelve hours before Temari remembered her and let her out.

Instead of fuming she spent her time training to find a counter to the wind mistress's techniques. She had met another girl Heini who was a genjutsu specialist and had quickly taken the unconfident girl under her wing as a subordinate. Raiki would absolutely not tolerate another embarrassment.

/-/-/

Naruto had mastered the rasengan in a week, completely shocking both Jiraiya and his father. Not only had he improved his chakra control with the technique and begun working on the rasengan developing it, he had also become good friends with Heiri and he was added to Naruto and Gaara's group and they could be seen training together at any time of day.

Gaara had been wary for a few days, after Raiki had let out his secret, he wondered if things would be different for him and Naruto. Yet nothing between them changed and with his fears relieved it only brought him closer to his friend.

However, not everything was looking great for the Naruto. In fact he had not been able to make friends with Keiden at all. The boy had an anti-social personality like his father.

Naruto had also made bitter enemies with Raiki and was not on good terms with Sado. But it was alright because he was going to see his friends in a few weeks.

The blonde was currently sitting in the dojo. It was an unspoken rule that Naruto ruled the dojo. He accepted any challenge and had only lost twice but both times were without his fan to a much older ninja. He waited for he knew Sado would come in at his usual time to challenge Naruto.

Heiri came in sometimes but he had not fought with Naruto yet, or Gaara. In fact he avoided fighting them as much as he could his reason was unknown. Sado walked in showing off his gauntlets to Naruto. They were brown and had metal spikes on the knuckles of the gloves.

Sado had improved, Naruto would admit that, but Sado's constant drive to find a quick way to beat Naruto was driving him insane. Everyday the big dark haired boy would come in with a new weapon thinking it his ticket to beating Naruto and everyday Naruto predicted the boy's moves even better than the day before. He could now predict Sado's moves like the rock he was.

Naruto got into an offensive stance. Sado would not get a chance to use his weapon if Naruto was on the attack.

Naruto let the boy charge first and then Naruto ran at him. Sado brought his fist back getting ready to punch and in turn Naruto used the body flicker technique to appear in front of him.

Sado looked at the blonde in agony knowing there was nothing he could do. Naruto slammed his fist into Sado's stomach and sent him flying back coughing up blood.

Naruto laughed. "That's less time than it usually takes for me to beat you." Sado stood up holding his side.

"I'm not done yet." The boy charged again this time jumping anticipating the body flicker. He slammed his arm to where he thought Naruto would be and he nearly hit him. Naruto pushed the gauntlet away at the last second and grabbed Sado's leg throwing him into floor.

Naruto then used a back handspring do get some distance between him and Sado. Gaara smiled, "Why do you bother fighting him Naruto?"

Naruto grinned back, "It's good training for him and it's a good warm up for me."

The red hand laughed, something he had learned to do recently and was practicing whenever he felt was an opportune time.

Naruto laughed too and seeing that Sado was down for good he moved him to the wall and waited.

Heiri sat looking at a shogi board. He often played by himself rarely finding anyone who would want to play him and even fewer who could beat him. "Naruto let's visit the town."

Naruto looked skeptically at the boy. "You mean the village? I haven't even explored the whole mansion yet."

Heiri laughed. "You're not joking? Fine then I'll show you wherever you haven't been then let's go to the town."

Gaara sighed. "Why do you want to go to the village so badly? There are houses and people, what else?"

Heiri grinned. "I heard a rumor about a haunted house. A haunted clan house to be exact, and to be more exact no one has entered the house in over a hundred years. Or so the legends say."

Naruto looked at his friend in disbelief and excitement, Gaara surprisingly walked towards the door, "Let's go."

Heiri grinned. "Great, let's go."

The boys walked out of the dojo and instead of heading straight toward the mansion they circled around it and then followed the carriage path down to the village. "Hey Heiri, what did you mean by haunted? Ghosts right?" Gaara put out the question only to make sure what they were up against.

"Well that's the thing no one really knows what type of creature haunts the house, only that whoever enters is never seen again." Heiri looked at the sky it was getting to be midday and he knew the blonde would be hungry so he used it to his advantage. "Hey Naruto want to get a bite to eat? I'm sure this town had at least one restaurant."

Naruto grinned, "If your paying I'm eating!" Gaara shook his head, wondering why his friend was so easily seduced by food. Heiri laughed, "Let's go."

By the time the three had finished eating and goofing around it was getting late into the afternoon and Heiri finally got the two to follow him. He wanted it dark, the darker the better, for in the dark who knew what could happen.

"You know when Gaara had his sand around you legs you looked like you were going to piss in your pants."

"Yeah, yeah," Heiri grumbled. After a few more insightful remarks from Naruto a huge building could be seen. "Woah! That's gotta be bigger than the Uchiha clan house." Naruto exclaimed in amazement at the building that stretched for over a quarter of a mile.

Gaara looked at the in disapproval. "It's only one floor what a waste of space."

Naruto and Heiri laughed, "Look around there is nothing else here." Gaara stayed silent still displeased by the shape of the building. Heiri looked at the two and grinned mischievously, "Last one there has to go in first!"

The three raced to the house all using a different type of shushin jutsu to launch them to victory. Heiri arrived first, Gaara and second, and Naruto last. "Well good luck," Heiri said laughing as the blonde's face paled. "Wait umm, how bout we draw straws, or hold hands. Heh, heh… heh?" Naruto had a look of pain on his face as he was shoved in through the door.

Naruto let out a groan as he looked around. It was extremely dark inside the house and the light outside didn't help much. He looked around and formed a few seals and created a small ball of fire in his hand illuminating the room. "Oh god…" Naruto whispered, backing to the door. "Guys you might not want to come in here."

"What scared already?" Heiri joked stepping through the doorway. He looked around as well and though surprised he was not as shocked. "What it's just a few skeletons."

Gaara stepped into the room as well an amused look sprung across his face as he looked around at the deceased. "This will be better than I thought."

Both boys gave him a look which Gaara couldn't help but smile at. "Hey guys help me find a lamp. It won't be much fun to hold a ball of fire in my hand for the next few hours." Naruto said beginning to rummage through the mess careful to avoid the skeletons that were creeping him out.

"Um, how about trying the lights?" Heiri said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. He flipped a switch and the lights flickered for a second but turned on, and not only did the lights go on but a kunai came flying at the lightning prince who caught the projectile right in front of his face.

"Oh wow." Naruto and Heiri said in unison, "booby traps." Gaara scoffed, if only kunai would be shot at him he could walk through the whole house without lifting a finger thanks to his… sand."

"We're going to gave to be careful," Naruto said he looked at Heiri who winked at him. Then both turned to Gaara, "What?" He asked almost frightened by the look in his friend's faces.

Gaara looked around the room with a bored expression. What in here would make a good booby trap. He looked around and seeing nothing important smiled menacingly. Why not, he thought to himself. He let sand leak out of the guard on his back before destroying everything in the room.

"You done yet!?" The other boys asked from the other room having designated Gaara official room tester.

"Yeah." Gaara said. The boys walked in and to their misfortune saw everything destroyed. "Well that's not fun." Heiri stated obviously disappointed. Naruto nodded, "Gaara maybe you should sit this one out."

Gaara looked at them his eyes widening, "You're demoting me?" The two nodded and a brief silence ensued before they all burst out laughing.

The three spent an hour more wandering around the house before deciding it was getting late and to return home.

Naruto led the way rushing back to the exit and finally stopping when the exit wasn't where he though it was. "Shit. Hey guys!" Naruto's yell was apparently not heard as he received no answer.

/-/-/

"Hey Naruto?" Heiri said as he reached the exit. "NARUTO!" He yelled loud enough to wake the small town's inhabitants. "Shit. I guess he's lost Gaara."

The two sighed, "Should we go back in and get the idiot?" Heiri asked.

Gaara sighed, in truth he wanted to but Naruto would be annoyed that they didn't trust him enough to exit a house if they went to get him. "Let's give him some time. If he's not back in ten minutes we'll go in after him."

/-/-/

Naruto wandered through room after room growing more and more frustrated. "Why in God's name does every room look the same." He shouldered his way through a door only to be met with a descending staircase. Aw shit, he thought as he began to roll down the stairs.

Muttering some curses, which he had only begun to say since befriending Heiri, Naruto stood up rubbing his head. WOW. That was the first thought that ran through the blondes head as he stared at the massive library.

He moved toward it slowly at first wary of booby traps but then faster as the thought of what the scrolls contained moved him onward. Naruto's hand flew to the first scroll he could get his hands on. Suiton Combinations with Other Elements,was the title of the first scroll he encountered, in it were a bunch of jutsu and what other jutsu they could be combined with. Wow if all of them contain this many jutsu I wouldn't be able to learn all of them if I had a lifetime.

Fortunately for the blonde most of the scrolls were on taijutsu and chakra control and theory. However, Naruto was not disappointed as their were still hundreds of jutsu and he knew even if he learned them all he would not be able to remember them so taking three scrolls; one on tai jutsu, one on chakra theory, and the original scroll he had come across, he quickly put the scrolls in his weapon pouch before walking upstairs.

As soon as the blonde reached the top step he realized to his horror that if he did not mark how to get back he would, perhaps, never again find the library. So he sat on the wooden floor in the hopes of thinking up an answer. Five minutes had already passed and Naruto decided he had to go. Gaara and Heiri will be waiting for me… What's something that would definitely be identifiable and easy to find again.

He grabbed his fist in frustration not having any justu that would work to that extent and then looking at his fist it came to him. He skillfully took out a kunai and stabbed his hand cupping it until he had enough blood and then smudging the thick red liquid on the door. He walked around looking for the exit and marking each door he came through with blood until his hand was healed by the Kyuubi.

He took a kunai out again and was about to stab himself when he realized he could just mark the walls with the kunai. Wow… And to think I get mad when Jiraiya calls me an idiot.

Naruto dragged his kunai on the wall, and after crisscrossing his own marks once or twice found Gaara and Heiri who were just about to get him.

"Hey guys did you miss me?" Naruto asked sarcastically, before both boys bonked him on the head. "I can feel the love." Naruto joked as the boys shook their heads at their mischievous and sometimes clueless friend.

/-/-/

Jiraiya was a very happy man. He had a student who was Hokage another on his way and who he had unintentionally named. He was a famed author and a legendary sannin and finally it was prophesized, by the Great Toad Sage no less, he would make a decision that would affect the world.

Oh yes life was not bad but for some reason his good looks and charm did not affect the jounin from lightning country and she remained immune from his offers of 'a wonderful evening.' He walked away from her disappointed she was not dazzled with his war stories. A shame she has fantastic curves and an amazing mouth… just perfect. Maybe I'll right a book about her. I'll call it Kunoichi in the hot tub. He raced off to get writing as inspiration hit him like a two ton truck pulling a trailer.

Of course her rejection didn't mean she wasn't flattered. She had not been with many men, though it was easy to understand why, most guys didn't like being with a woman who could kill them as easily as breaking a twig and who had the temper of a wet cat. In truth she sort of liked him he was strong but his age was a major deterrent (he was in his fifties and she in her late thirties) even though she had seen how well he had kept his body in shape when she ambushed him in the pool area. She blushed shaking the thoughts out of her head. "Stupid old men," she muttered.

/-/-/

Minato smiled wearily at Anko. It was getting easier to be around her all the time as she had the same personality as Kushina, it was no surprise that they were best friends a long time ago. Anko lay sleeping on the floor curled up with her hair covering her face. The dangerous and often insane woman slept as peacefully as his wife had. He laughed softly, they even acted the same. Anko had come the night before and slept in Naruto's bed.

He lay on the bed next to her and stroked her hair. He knew he had to let go of his grief. If Kushina could speak to me I know she'd want me to be happy.

He lay down his chest right next to the 'crazy snake lady' as Naruto called her. She startled and looked up smiling barely awake if awake at all. She was, as of recently, learning to be more comfortable around him. She felt it easier to relax around him and be a person she had not been in a long time. A comfort she had not felt since before Orochimaru had left her. She wrapped her arms around him.

And then they lay there both sharing the others pain as they agreed silently to accept their losses and move on.

/-/-/

The time which had been scheduled for the children's stay at the mansion had ended and all the parents and guardians stood with their children in the meeting room as speeches were being delivered.

The caretaker motioned for silence as he walked up to the podium he had put in to make the public announcements look more orderly. "Well I'd love to say that I had a huge impact in your children's development, but I didn't. Your children made alliances and unfortunately some enemies." He glared at Naruto who huffed and turned his head away. "The children's development is not surprising, they with their guardians trained and not only learned but helped their friends as well. In conclusion seeing how much of a success this was there will be another session in this house in six months. That is all, farewell and good luck, up and coming ninja."

The adults clapped in relief, a few had thought things may have resorted to violence.

Naruto walked to the side of the room where the children congregated as their parents did on the other side of the room the formalities not yet out of the way.

"Naruto!" Gaara and Heiri said simultaneously.

"What?" Naruto asked startled by the two boys. He looked warily at some teenagers who leaned quietly against the wall. The older children respected Naruto's group for it's power, but they were stronger and more experienced and therefore refused to let themselves socialize with the younger ninja aside from siblings.

Naruto was mostly suspicious of the five older teenagers, because he knew, in truth, nothing about them. Two were twins from The Village Hidden in the Grass, a tall boy from the Mist village, one from Lightning country- Heiri's cousin who Naruto knew more than any of the others- and finally a beautiful girl from rain Keiden's cousin who was just as anti-social as he was.

Naruto grabbed his two friends enveloping them in a hug. "Well I'll see you guys in six months." Gaara's face fell. "It's going to be a long six months." Heiri nodded, "I'll hope to see you before then… If I don't kill my sister and get arrested first." Naruto and Gaara gave him an amused look not sure if he was joking.

It was then that Naruto noticed two more chakra signatures from behind him. "Naruto when we meet again I'll kill you." Sado growled using a sadistic tone.

The blonde smiled, "I'm looking forward to it, that is if you aren't such a prick." His friends laughed. They knew that as much as both the boys pretended to hate each other, but in truth all they had was a friendly rivalry which Sado was forced to accept. They also knew Naruto kept it going because Sado was not allowed to be his friend, and it was one way they could communicate without the Tsuchikage punishing Sado for betraying him.

They frowned at each other their eyes locked before they turned seeing not only Gaara's siblings enter the group, but Raiki and her follower as well. "Well, well if it isn't the punks and the sand punk's siblings."

"Shut up you bitch!" Temari said softly to the girl so the adults wouldn't hear them. "Or do you want me to kick your ass again?"

Raiki smirked, "As if you could, but this is not the time, nor the place." A silence followed as each group stood not relenting. The silence was finally interrupted by Minato, as he walked over and ruffled Naruto's hair. "How's it been son?" The Yondaime asked, a large smile on his face as he received a hug from his son. "Great dad! I met a lot of crazy people like that girl," he pointed to Raiki, "And that guy," he pointed to Sado.

Then not giving them another moment of his time he turned to his new friend, "Dad I'd like to introduce you to Heiri." He said giving his father his trademark foxy grin.

"A pleasure." Both said shaking hands. Minato turned as Jiraiya grabbed his shoulder. "Hey kid, he's done great a quick learner too."

The fourth smiled. "Well of course he had a great teacher." His words caused the sannin to rub the back of his head embarrassed by the compliment. The two adults continued to talk Jiraiya laughing the whole time.

Itachi stood a few feet back staying alert and on guard filling his role as body guard superbly. The most powerful Uchiha greeted Naruto with a smile and a small wave. "ITACHI." Naruto yelled running over and hugging the Uchiha as if he were a favorite teddy bear. The stoic ninja laughed. "You're crazy."

Then to Naruto and Jiraiya's horror a purple haired kunoichi walked over from the adult scene and latched on to Minato's arm. "Oh my God! Please don't kill me Anko." Both Naruto and Jiraiya begged fearing for their lives not knowing what other purpose she had there if not to kill them.

She gave them an uncharacteristical laugh before sticking her tongue out at Naruto. "Don't worry kid I'm only here to kill the senile, pervert."

Naruto fell to the floor in relief. "Thank god!"

Jiraiya on the other hand hid behind his apprentice apprehensively. "Hey kid this is good training defend me with your life." The groups happiness and good cheer was infectious. Naruto was pleased with how the trip had gone yet he was anxious to see his old friends again. At the present the only thing that mattered was maintaining what he had.