Training

Gon collapsed onto the grass gasping for air. "Killua, this isn't working out well. I can only make one clone." Killua nodded tiredly from beside Gon.

"It's not like we have a choice though. If we tell the hokage 'no,' he'll have us thrown in jail." There were no words exchanged as the pair sat up and prepared their stances again. "This isn't working."

"At least we managed to make the substitution jutsu work. Your right though. We need to find a different way to use the nature chakra. Are you sure there is no way to use our own?"

"I told you, we have nen instead of chakra." Killua froze. That was what they were forgetting! They were forgetting the basics! "Gon, do you remember how we first learned to control our nen?"

Gon's eyes widened in realization. He clenched his fists in excitement. "Meditation! I see. So we need to meditate to learn how the energy feels because it's different from nen?"

"I'm sure we aren't the only people to figure out how to use the chakra in nature. I think this would be a good question to ask the hokage. I get the feeling that if there wasn't risks associated with it then everybody would be running around using it. It's unusually pure compared to the chakra in the people around here."

"It's closer to nen than chakra." Gon paused and began sniffing the air. "Sh! There's someone here!" The bushed shifted revealing a scuffed and dirtied Naruto. Naruto's hands were covered in cuts and his pants were ripped.

"Naruto!" Gon rushed to his new friend's side. "What happened?"

"Huh?" Naruto snapped out of his dazed stupor. "Gon!" He spotted Killua who gave a wave, "and Killua? What are you doing here?"

"Training of course! We aren't doing so well with chakra though…" Naruto gaped.

"What! There's no way! Killua beat Sasuke in five seconds! Are you saying you guys can't use jutsu?"

"It's sorta complicated." Gon chuckled nervously and turned to Killua. He shook his head. "Our clan's bloodline makes it harder to use jutsu…"

"Aw man! I was hoping to see if you guys could teach me some awesome jutsu!" Naruto clenched his fists and pouted.

"Gon should teach you how to fight." Gon grinned at Killua's suggestion.

"Yeah! We can show you how our sensei taught us!" Naruto peeked around Gon to see Killua with a mischievous glint to his eyes. He gulped as the slight smile became an evil grin. "It's a great idea!" Gon frowned, "but what were you doing out here all alone?"

"Ah…that. I was going to practice some awesome pranks!" Naruto gave a thumbs up.

"Liar."

"Eh?" Naruto slowly lowered his hand. No one who was practicing pranks would have hands that were so scratched up. "How…?"

"You look like you've been in a fight. Something happened so you ran out to this secluded training ground to work out your feelings. Killua did something similar once."

"I can't tell you why."

"But Na—"

"I can't! I don't even know why myself!" Gon put a hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"You aren't alone you know." Killua nodded beside Gon.

"Gon saved me once. If you let him be your friend, I'm sure things will get better."Naruo sniffled, teary eyed. I'm not crying, damn it! He wiped his face.

"Will you show me how to get stronger?" Gon and Killua shared the strange look he was always seeing them do."

"You bet!"

A/N: I vaguely remember one episode where Naruto cried about having friends. I think it was vs Gaara? I hope I didn't make him OOC with that...