Alright. Here's chapter three. Enjoy!

Disclaimer:- I do not own Naruto.

Dosu and Kin both had major stitches by the time they reached the Tower and had to rely on whatever they could use for support.

"I…will…probably…never…recover…from…that…" Kin gasped out, clutching her chest. Zaku was just staring at her in amazement. He hardly felt out of breath and there was no pain. He then turned his gaze to Naruto, who was watching the Tower with a nervous expression on his face.

"What's wrong?" Zaku asked him and felt a surge of anger when he saw that Naruto's eyes were now full of fear and sadness.

"I…it's all gonna end once we walk through those doors. We'll be enemies again and I'll be the dead last dobe that everyone hates and a waste of space."

"NO!"

He didn't know why but at those words something inside Zaku snapped. Grabbing Naruto by the scruff of his neck he forced the Leaf genin to look at meet his eyes.

"That is not going to happen, you got that? I'm not like those Leaf bastards. I will always stand by you, no matter what. You've been there for me even though I was an enemy ninja and helped me understand what was happening to me. I owe you big time." He growled out, surprising everyone in the area. Naruto felt tears prick his eyes. No one had ever said that to him before. Even the Old man and Iruka sensei. Sure they offered words of confort and the occasional treat, but where were they when he really needed them? Did they ever help him when he was being beaten? When adults threw things at him, did they tell them to stop? No, they had never been there when it mattered. In fact, Naruto didn't think that they really cared about him. They just pitied him. Suddenly Zaku slammed him against a tree and punched him in the jaw as hard as he could before letting go.

"What the hell was that for?"

"That was for that comment about you being a waste of space. And if I even begin to suspect that you're thinking that about yourself, I will give you the beating of your life. Understood shrimp?"

Naruto and Zaku glared at each other as the blonde Jinchuuriki got back on his feet nursing his jaw.

"What would you know? I bet you…"

"Don't you even finish that setence Naruto! Before I joined Orochimaru, I was a street brat! I never knew my parents, heck I don't even know if they're both dead or if they abandoned me when I was born! I often starved or got the shit kicked out of me when I tried to get some food! No one showed me any kindness or pity! Most of us in the Sound Village were all unwanted kids before Orochimaru took us in so don't you DARE tell me that I don't know what you've gone through!" Zaku shouted, his eyes flashing with rage. Naruto's eyes then grew hopeful and fearful .

"Zaku…did you really mean what you said? That we will stay friends?"

Dosu and Kin were both as furious as Zaku. Naruto was so used to being hated and betrayed that he couldn't trust anyone.

"Yes, and so will we. You are not worthless Naruto, you have a lot of potential if you really did take on one of the Seven swordsmen of the Mist and came out alive. Even more than the Uchiha brat." Dosu told the blonde Jinchuuriki and managed to make Naruto smile a shaky smile at the thought of being better than the teme.

"I gotta admit, even though you don't look like much, kid you can be quite surprising." Kin added and was shocked at how quickly Naruto bounced back to his usual hyper self after that.

It's funny. He and Zaku are so alike.

She thought as she followed a bickering Zaku and Naruto into the Tower.

Come on! When is it going to be my turn?

Zaku mentally snarled, bored out of his mind. It had been a whole day since he, Kin, Dosu and Naruto had signed in and apart from a Sound Jonin telling them that they had passed the second test and it being announced that there would be a preliminary round before the actual Third test, nothing else had happened. Now he, Dosu and Kin were standing in a room waiting to see who was picked first. Zaku groaned and tried his best to ignore the glares from some of the ninja that had seen him use Fenrir's chakra. And it wasn't just from them. A few of the Leaf Jonins were looking at him with suspicsion too.

Guess they told on me.

He eventaully saw Naruto with his team and grinned when the blonde looked his way. Suddenly the pink haired girl punched Naruto.

"YOU BAKA! DON'T YOU LET ME CATCH YOU NEAR THAT DEMON OR I'LL HURT YOU AGAIN!" She shouted at the top of her voice. Kin growled softly and pulled out some senbon but before she could throw them at the pink haired brat Naruto did something that nobody had ever expected him to do. He turned round and hit Sakura so hard that she fell to the floor.

"SHUT UP! YOU CAN'T TELL ME WHO I CAN BE FRIENDS WITH, SAKURA! AND IF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE EVER CALLS ZAKU THAT AGAIN, I WILL KILL YOU!" He yelled. There was a stunned silence. The rookie nine were stupefied. Ever since they could remember, Naruto had always had a major crush on the pink haired Kunochi and had never ceased to pester her for a date and now he had not only hit her and yelled at her, but had also threatened her. Sakura on the other hand was outraged that the 'baka' had actually hurt her and were it not for the pain of the blonde's blow and the fact that she was terrified of him, she would have beaten him into a bloody pulp.

"Naruto…"

"I've had enough, Sakura. The truth is I never liked you. I just hung round you all of the time because I knew you would never accept me and it was easier to deal with you rejecting me all of the time."

It's about damn time, kit! Now if you would just confess your feelings to the girl you REALLY like then living in your body would be more tolerable.

I can't. She'd reject me Kyuubi. Who'd want to be with the 'demon brat' of Konoha.

He has got to be the densest kid in the world.

Kyuubi thought angrily. Those damned villagers and their hatred had made Naruto too scared to open up to anyone. And what was worse, was that it was clear that his crush felt exactly the same way. At the moment, the girl was torn between concern, hope and triumph as she watched the scene unfold.

Maybe I have a chance after all.

She thought, a small blush on her face. Then shook her head. She shouldn't be feeling happy at seeing Sakura hurt but she couldn't help it. She had always hurt Naruto. He deserved someone better than her.

"What the hell is your problem dobe? He's a Sound nin, as well as a demon. That makes him our enemy." Sasuke hissed. Naruto whirled on him, his normally happy eyes burning with a cold anger that startled the young avenger.

"Your enemy! Not mine! You just hate him because he showed everyone that you aren't as great as they thought you were after all Teme!" Naruto snapped. Kakashi tried to order him to calm down but just as he opened his mouth, Naruto dashed down the stairs and across the arena to Zaku, Dosu and Kin.

"What's gotten into him? Naruto's never acted like this before."

Kurenai whispered. Iurka sighed sadly. He'd been expecting this. A person could only tolerate so much before they snapped and Naruto was no exception.

"What I don't get, is why he's so close to the Sound ninja? I mean he interacts with them the way he should be interacting with his own team."

Asuma observed as he watched the female Sound nin try to look at the bruise on Naruto's face while the two boys were talking to him about various things in an effort to calm him down. However their attention was drawn away from them when the board flashed the names of the first two opponents.

SASUKE UCHIHA

VS

ROCK LEE

"No way. Talk about deja vu." Naruto murmured as the spandex wearing ninja that Dosu had defeated in the forest jumped down into the arena.

"What do you mean by that?" Zaku asked and Naruto quickly explained about the short fight back at the academy while Dosu and Kin watched the Uchiha's sensei whisper something in Sasuke's ear before letting him go.

"I wonder what he was saying to him? Giving him some tips maybe?" Kin asked. Dosu shook his head his good eye narrowing when the proctor asked if there were any objections before starting the match.

"He shouldn't even be down there. The curse mark could get out of control again." He muttered, praying that the events of the clearing didn't repeat themselves.

He needn't have worried though. It soon became clear that Sasuke had been banned from using his Sharingan or any other jutsu and even though his taijutsu was good, Lee was clearly the superior ninja in that department. Five minutes and some expert Taijutsu moves later, Sasuke was being carried out on a stretcher followed closely by Kakashi and Lee was back with his team and sensei, who was shouting some nonsense about the flames of youth. Both Zaku and Naruto winced at the man's loud voice and covered their ears.

What the hell's wrong with me? My hearing was never this sensitive before.

Um…I should have told you earlier. Your senses have been heightened because of my chakra.

FIRST MY EYES AND NOW MY FUCKING SENSES! HOW MUCH MORE OF MY BODY HAVE YOU FUCKED UP FENRIR?

You watch your mouth, pup! If it wasn't for me your arms would still be useless and you could have kissed your chance of making Chunin goodbye!

That still doesn't give you the right to mess with my body!

It's not my fault! These are the natural effects of having my chakra in your body now.

Why you…

"ZAKU!"

Zaku yelped and shot a really dirty look at Kin.

"What?" He snapped. Kin simply pointed to the board, which had flashed the names for the second match.

KIBA INNUZUKA

VS

ZAKU ABUMI

Zaku stiffened while Kin, Dosu and Naruto watched him warily.

Shit! I really didn't want to fight a Leaf Genin. I guess it's lucky that he wasn't in the clearing.

"Zaku don't fight. There's the risk that you will be forced to use Fenrir's chakra and that might cause more problems." Dosu warned in a low voice. Zaku said nothing but he was thinking over Dosu's advice. Should he forfeit?

It's your choice. But if it makes you feel any easier, I promise that I will not give you my chakra unless I see no other alternative.

Fenrir told him.

How can I trust you? You might be trying to trick me? Zaku countered and got ready for the outburst. To his surprise, Fenrir simply chuckled.

Despite the stories you used to love to listen to, they are mostly based on lies. While most of us are tricksters, we are honourable in our own way. When we make a promise, we keep it.

Zaku still wasn't sure though.

"Hah! Bet the he's too scared to face me! Guess the feared Sound demon is nothing but a coward after all!" Kiba crowed. At that, all of Zaku's doubts about the fight were replaced with anger and determination.

He wants a fight, he's got one!

Without another word, Zaku vaulted over the railing and landed in front of Kiba.

"You're going to regret those words, Innuzuka." He growled, his amber eyes glowing with anger and the promise of pain.

Both boys glared at each other, waiting for the proctor to begin the match. Up in the stands, several of the Leaf Genin, Ino and Sakura in particular, were cheering Kiba on with shouts of 'Teach that demon a lesson Kiba!' or 'Kick his tail all the way back to Sound!'. Zaku's temper was getting thinner and thinner with every word, so much so that he was subconsciously giving off killer intent that was clearly unsettling the small white dog at Kiba's side. It was shaking uncontrollably and whimpering in fear and eventually retreated to a far off corner of the arena and refused to come back to Kiba no matter what the dog boy did.

That's not good. If Akamaru's behaving like this. It means that he is as strong as the red haired Sand nin.

One of Kiba's team mates thought, suddenly concerned for the dog nin. He wasn't the only one.

"Do you think he'll be alright?" Kin asked Dosu worriedly.

"Kin, it's the mutt I'm more concerned for. It's clear that he really angered Zaku with his words and you what his temper's like." Dosu replied and Kin bit her lip. It was true, Zaku had always had a fiery temper and could get as violent as Tayuya when he lost it. And with his new power boost, the Leaf nin could end up crippled or even killed.

"-cough- Very well, if -cough- you both are -cough- ready. BEGIN!" No sooner were the words out of his mouth, Zaku threw up his arms and blasted Kiba into the wall before the dog nin knew what was happening.

Don't give him time to recover!

I thought you weren't going to interfere in this fight?

I said I wouldn't give you my chakra. I didn't say that I would stay out of…Look out!

"Take this trash!" Kiba shouted, hurling several shuriken at him. Zaku managed to evade them all easily and was amazed at how quick and fluid his movements were. His taijutsu had never been this advanced before. Remembering the advice he was given, Zaku charged Kiba as soon as he was sure that the attack was over and it looked like he was going to meet Kiba head on.

Heh, too predictable. I'll just move to one side and then hit him with Tunnelling Fang.

Kiba duck rolled to Zaku's left. Shooting onto his feet, he activated a move that he was sure would blast his opponent to pieces.

"Tunnelling Fang!"

You've got to be kidding me! Zaku mentally screamed as he barely managed to avoid being hit by the rapidly spinning column that was Kiba.

"Slicing Sound Wave!"

But it had no effect and for the next couple of minutes, Zaku was forced to rely on his new speed and reflexes.

Try putting more chakra into your attack!

That might work. But it would do a lot of damage…

"ARRRGHHH!" Zaku yelled out in pain as the cyclone hit his leg and there was the sickening sound of snapping bone.

Kin's hand flew to her mouth so that the scream stuck in her throat didn't exit her mouth. Dosu's good eye slammed shut.

"ZAKU!" Naruto cried out in horror as the boy he considered his friend hit the ground hard.

"HELL YEAH! YOU ROCK KIBA!"

"CHA! THAT'S IT! SHOW THAT DEMON THAT WE DON'T WANT IT HERE!"

A sudden burst of killer intent silenced both Ino and Sakura. But they were even more shocked at where it was coming from.

"T…that is enough. I c…cannot believe that you two would stoop so low. You d…disgust me."

Hinata snapped in a cold voice, making both Kunochi very uncomfortable as she held their gaze for a few seconds longer before turning her attention back to the fight.

Zaku gritted his teeth as he tried not to put too much pressure on his bad leg as he righted himself. It hurt more than any injury he had ever received. Well apart from having both his arms broken. But his eyes were on the cyclone. It was beginning to slow down.

Almost…almost…

Finally the cyclone turned into a grinning Kiba that would soon be coming to land.

"It's over! Slicing Sound Wave!" Zaku yelled, putting as much chakra as he dared into it. Kiba had no time to dodge. It hit him dead on and sent him once again crashing into the wall. But the impact was much more harder than before. Kiba groaned as he slumped to the floor. Zaku fought off wave after wave of nausea as he waited for the outcome. A minute passed and Kiba still didn't get up.

"The -cough- winner -cough- is Zaku Abumi." The proctor announced. Zaku grinned up at Dosu, Kin and Naruto before finally allowing himself to slip into blissful darkness.

And that's that.

I paired Zaku with Kiba cos I wanted to start showing how Fenrir's chakra has changed Zaku and since he had no other ninjutsu apart from the sound waves and the fire jutsu that Fenrir gave him in the Forest, I thought it would be best to go with the physical changes and Kiba seemed like the best choice to go with.

I also enjoyed bashing Sakura and Ino. I like Sakura in Fan fiction, but mostly I think that she is a total BITCH! I mean, the way she treats Naruto is disgutsing! How dare she play on his feelings to try and get Naruto to give up chasing Sasuke! As for Ino, I do like but she's one of the few people I can write as a bad guy as well as a good guy so in this story, she'll be a bit of a bad guy. Whether she changes over time is up to how the story goes.

And before anyone asks, yes it will be a Naruto and Hinata pairing. If you don't like it, TOUGH! She's one of the few Leaf female characters I like. But she'll be a bit OOC. She won't stuttet, except when she's really angry or upset. I've also made Zaku a little OCC too. Don't worry, he still stays the same Zaku, but he'll be more unsure of himself.

As for the poll on what path this story takes, so far, Zaku and the other Sound ninja joining the Leaf is in the lead with four votes. Closely followed by them becoming rogue ninja along with Naruto and anyone else with three votes. I might do one or two more chapters before I close the poll so don't hesitate to vote on your choice.

Thanks!

Minotaurlegend15