A/N: Oops, I said I wouldn't take too long didn't I? My bad, next one will be up as soon as I get all my english essays finished. -_-; Anyway, enjoy!

He was breathing in... and he was breathing out. He was trying to locate this sixth sense but it just wasn't happening! Naruto let out a frustrated puff of air. He couldn't hear any little voice in the back of his mind all he could hear was a loud voice in the forefront of his mind telling him that the bastard Uchiha was having him on.

"Do you really find it that hard to listen to yourself?"

Naruto's eyes snapped open to find Sasuke watching him. They were sitting opposite each other in the arena. Naruto was supposed to be tuning into his sixth sense but they had been meditating for hours and all he could think of was how his left butt cheek had fallen asleep.

Naruto let out a low growl and jumped up, trying to shake some life into his ass.

Sasuke watched him jiggle around, "What the hell are you doing?"

"My ass cheek has gone to sleep!"

Sasuke looked away with a muttered, "Oh..."

"Look, Sas, this meditation stuff just ain't working, isn't there some other way?"

"No. And don't call me that."

"You sure?"

"Yes I'm sure!"

"But-"

"No!"

Naruto scowled at the bastard, throwing himself back down on the ground, "I probably only have five senses."

"You have a sixth, just like us. You've already been using it."

"I have?"

"Yeah, you didn't get lost on your way here, did you?"

"Yeah, but I think that's just luck. I mean everytime I get to a point where I'm not sure I just take a guess."

"Exactly!"

Naruto gave him a sceptical look, "You make no sense."

"It makes perfect sense, dobe! I told you before that the sixth sense is sometimes referred to as the undefined sense and this is exactly why. You may put it down to luck but the sixth sense is what makes you guess correctly. Some people without magick can possess the sixth sense to a certain degree but it will only ever be something like someone who can actually use methods of divination to learn things about people or a Policeman who is unusually acurate with his firearm-"

"That's not some sixth sense that's just being a good shot!"

"How about when people know someone's following them?"

"The person's obviously not very stealthy!"

"And when you turn around and look at the exact spot they were?"

"Then you heard them!"

"A human's hearing it not that accurate. Just stop questioning me for a moment and believe me when I say that all of that is just part of the sixth sense. It's not some little voice in the back of your head, it's instinct, chance and luck!"

"Huh... so I'm already using my sixth sense?"

-0-

"Yes!" exclaimed Sasuke, glad Naruto was finally seeing things his way.

"So that means... there's no point in all this meditation crap-"

"The point of the meditation is for you to learn how to put your mind in a state where the signals come through loud and clear for when you're fighting."

"But you said I was already hearing the signals so you can just teach me to fight with a sword already!"

"Wait, what?" he stared at the blond who nodded eagerly before Sasuke let his gaze fall to his sword which lay in it's sheath by his side. "I never said I'd teach you sword fighting."

"Then how am I supposed to kill demons?"

"You're not going to be killing demons for a long time."

"What?! Why?!" cried Naruto impatiently.

"There's a lot to do before you can officially join the Hunt. First we've got to wait for your power to emerge, then you'll need to learn to control it and then how to use it. Only after that will you be able to start fighting with it and then you'll need extensive weapons training. And you'll only be permitted to fight alongside a hunt member after your initiation. It's not something that can be acomplished overnight."

Naruto looked totally appalled and Sasuke had to admit he felt a little sorry for him. At least he hadn't been stuck underground during his training process; he had been trained at their family estate just outside the city, by his brother and father. But after the massacre it had been decided that Sasuke would not be allowed to stay there for his own safety and due to his unstable condition. Sasuke expected that by now the Uchiha estate was either the home of bums or populated by demons.

"When will I be able to go to the surface again?"

"It depend's how quickly you pick up basic fighting, since your magick has surfaced you can guarantee demons and parasites will be drawn to you just like that vampire was."

"I'm a fast learner."

"I'm sure you are, but you definitly won't be allowed to visit the surface until you gain a firm control over your own power."

"How will I do that?"

"Meditation-"

"Not more!" burst Naruto.

"-will help," finished Sasuke. "But it will be mostly a test of willpower."

"Willpower... I can do that!"

Sasuke nodded, he had no doubt that Naruto could. Naruto had been underground for nearly a week now and he was getting on fairly well. He hadn't gotten lost in the last few days and had taken Sasuke's lesson's with as much patience as he could muster.

Sasuke glanced at his watch, it was nearly 1 O'clock. "Let's go for lunch."

Naruto gave him a shocked look, "You're actually initiating a break in your grueling regime of meditation and push-ups?"

Sasuke gave him a scathing glare and hit him over the head with the sheath of his sword as he passed, "I can hear your stomach rumbling, dobe."

It was true that Sasuke had been working him hard. Though the excercises were actually an attempt to wear the energetic boy out enough that he would concentrate on meditation they had, for the most part, failed. Naruto seemed to have an endless supply of energy and Sasuke found him almost as annoying as Lee, though at least Naruto didn't feel the need to set himself constant challenges of strength!

As soon as they entered the kitchen area Naruto headed for the cupboards where Hinata had put away his requested ramen. Sasuke shook his head slightly, Naruto had looked like he was going to melt when the shy girl had asked if he wanted any particular food.

"Sasuke-kun, do you want donburi?(1)" called Sakura from the kitchen.

"Please," he replied as Naruto brought his ramen over to sit next to Sasuke.

"You actually say 'please'?"

"It's polite," Sasuke said snidely.

"Yeah, but you're not."

"I'd be polite to you if you offered to cook me lunch."

"Ha! You wish!"

"No I don't, since I'd probably end up with that crap," said Sasuke, turning his nose up at Naruto's cup ramen.

Naruto gasped, clutching his ramen to his chest protectively, "It's not crap!" he said sounding scandalised.

"Hn, it's also not nutritious. Thanks, Sakura," he added as a bowl was placed in front of him.

"Ha, whatever! I don't need nutrients since, as you can tell, I'm a strong, well developed young man!" Naruto replied looking very pleased with himself.

Sasuke choked a bit on his rice as Naruto puffed out his chest. He wanted to come back with a clever insult that would prove the idiot wrong but a voice in his head was agreeing that Naruto definitly looked perfectly healthy. Naruto had demonstrated his physical fitness every time Sasuke attempted to tire him out and several of those excercise periods had involved Naruto getting too hot and removing his shirt; not only was he physically fit but he had nothing to be ashamed of. Sasuke concentrated hard on his food trying to think of something to say. But he was saved the trouble as a loud shout echoed from the doorway.

"PAAAAARTAY!"

Naruto started coughing as he had nearly inhaled his noodles. Lee was immediatly at his side giving him a hard pat on the back and saving Sasuke from watching Naruto's 'death by noodles'.

-0-

When Naruto emerged from his coughing fit he saw the source of the boistrous voice. A young man with messy brown hair and red, triangle tattoo's on his cheeks was standing in the doorway as Hinata hurried over.

"K-Kiba-kun! You're very early, the p-party's not until later."

"I know that, I'm just here to help set up. So when does the birthday boy get here?"

"As if you don't know, you're just here to harrass Hinata whilst Neji's not around to threaten you with castration!" scolded Ino.

"Ah young love!" cheered Lee.

"Ino-chan!" cried Hinata.

"Shut it, bitch!" growled Kiba.

"Bite me, werewolf!" Ino shouted in return.

Kiba gave a shout that sounded more like the roar of an animal than anything and charged at her. All around the room people jumped to their feet, except Sasuke who was still eating his donburi. But before anyone could move towards the pair a pink-headed blur had fixed herself firmly between the two.

Sakura had her hand at Kiba's throat, "You won't touch her," she said, the threat evident in her voice.

Hinata had moved to Kiba's side. She lay a gently hand on his and pulled him away as Sakura let go. As Hinata led Kiba over to the dining table Sakura turned to her girlfriend.

"That was uncalled for," she said, her voice softening at the sight of the other.

"Whatever," muttered Ino, pushing past her girlfriend and storming from the room.

Sakura gave a heavy sigh before running after her.

"Will they be okay?" asked Naruto as Hinata and Kiba joined them.

"They will be fine, they are always fighting like this," said Lee, returning to his seat.

"But m-more frequently recently," Hinata bit her lip.

"They will be fine," repeated Lee. "They will sort it out, you will see!" he gave a broad grin and a thumbs up that made Sasuke roll his eyes.

"So Neji's out, huh?" asked Kiba, casually.

"Shikamaru said that he would k-keep him b-busy."

Kiba's face split into a lechurous grin, "Oh I bet he will."

Hinata blushed and quickly changed the subject, "Where's Shino-kun?"

"Ah, he's not coming. He said to apoligise but he got roped into the early shift. He's a bit pissed really since we were out hunting earlier and now he's got to spend the early hours patrolling some sleepy warehouse with those dum guard dogs. They really are stupid, I mean the security company paid an arm and a leg for these trained guard dogs and they're not half as smart as Akamaru!"

"Akamaru?" asked Naruto.

"Yeah my dog. He's the best, he was only a stray but he's really clever, I mean he must be since he found me and immediatly knew I'm the best pet owner there ever was. Only he doesn't like it underground so I had to leave him at the apartment."

"You live in the city?"

"Sure do. Me and Shino rent a place down by the docks. But anyway you must be Naruto, Hinata mentioned you last night when we were hunting." He extended a friendly hand and Naruto shook it.

"So... you're a werewolf?" he asked curiously.

"No goddamnit I'm not!" shouted Kiba jumping to his feet.

"But Ino..."

"Ino is wrong!" Hinata spoke up in a firm voice that sounded odd coming from her, a second later she blushed and look down at her hands.

Kiba sat back down looking at her fondly. "I was bitten by one though, a werewolf," he said turning to Naruto. "I was only ten when it happened. My big sis was supposed to be looking after me but she was on the phone and I heard something in the backgarden and went to investigate. My ma had a look at the bite when she got home and she looked completely alarmed when I said I got bitten by a wolf-man. She told me it was probably just a dog but afterwards we kept having strange people call around and they all wanted to have a look at me. It was a bit scary to be honest, they always asked me if I felt any different during the full moon or wanted to see my teeth. I kept expecting to change into some monster like I'd seen him do but it didn't happen.

"Then when I was thirteen my powers started to appear. Only then did we realise that the bite hadn't been completely ineffective and my mum was forced to come clean about being a Hunter. I'm not a werewolf but I can transform almost completely into one, with all the benefits of heat sensing vision, extra balance, speed and strength. What sets me apart from those parasites is that I don't feel the need to tranform every moon and kill as many people as I can, I have no such blood lust."

"Wow, that's pretty cool," said Naruto honestly.

"It's cool but I challenge you to find a werewolf that's 'pretty'. At the end of the day I'm a half-bred and some people just won't except that," Kiba gave a heavy sigh.

"Like Ino?"

"And m-my cousin," added Hinata.

"Neji really doesn't like you, eh?"

"Nope," Kiba's face suddenly split into a grin. "But since when have I let that stop me, eh Hina-chan?" Hinata blushed profusly as he hooked an arm around her waist. "Anyway I'm here to help set up for that asshole's party, not everyday you turn 20 and I'd just love to see him get pissed!(2) So what can I do to help?"

"There is not much left to do actually," said Lee brightly. "Hinata just finished the cake and I am going to decorate the lounge in five minutes!"

"Well I can help with that then."

"No, it is my personal challenge to hang all the streamers and the banners that Sai made in five minutes flat! If I cannot do this I swear I will run a circuit from downtown, to the suburbs and then back via the docks!" Lee declared, standing on his chair and putting one foot on the table in a determined stance.

Naruto turned to Sasuke to ask if he was serious but the Uchiha answered before he could speak, "He will do it," Sasuke said looking completely exapperated.

"That's a long way," muttered Naruto; a triangular circuit like that would cover over half of the city, and Konoha wasn't small!

"Good luck with that mate," said Kiba with a wolfish grin. "So... if we aren't needed here fancy a trip to the surface?" he asked Hinata.

"O-okay, give me a minute to get ready."

"Meet you in the lounge, I want to see Lee's decorating record attempt."

Hinata left and when Kiba got up Naruto decided to follow him.

"We should get back to training, I have an idea that might help you concentrate," said Sasuke, effectively stopping his escape.

"But I want to watch Lee!" moaned Naruto.

"Training is more important!"

"He said it'd only take five minutes," he protested. Then Naruto had an idea, "I think it would be best for me to see as many people using their powers as possible because it might help me with my training," he lied.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, "I don't see how watching Lee bounce around will help you."

"It will!" insisted Naruto as he pleaded with his eyes.

Sasuke huffed, crossing his arms, "Fine!" he grunted. "Five minutes and then we train."

Naruto grinned and ran back to the lounge with Sasuke in tow. Lee was standing in the middle of the club lounge with several boxes of white streamers, a number of banners reading 'Neji no Tanjobi Omedeto(3), paper lanterns, balloons and for some reason a box of masks.

"I will now complete my mission!" he shouted happily.

Sasuke rolled his eyes and threw himself into an armchair as Lee hit the timer on his watch. Naruto didn't understand where Lee had gone at first until he looked around to find a banner behind him that hadn't been there a second ago. He caught a green blur fly past as Lee attached a balloon to the helium and hung several streamers before returning to tie the balloon and attach another. After four minutes Lee hit his watch again and gave a loud cheer.

"Gai-sensei will be so proud! I must tell him!"

Naruto saw a green blur disappear through the door to the staircase and he was gone.

"Wow!" said Naruto throwing himself into a chair beside Sasuke. "He really is fast."

"Do you feel as though you learnt anything?" asked Sasuke scathingly.

"Might have if I could actually see him," replied Naruto. "Who's Gai-sensei?"

"His mental mentor, he's even worse than Lee," said Sasuke leaning back into the chair with a expression of long suffering.

When Hinata returned she was no longer wearing her cloak but a thick coat. She was still wearing her long gypsy skirt but she looked a lot more normal now. Then Naruto realised what she was carrying.

"You're not blind, are you?" he asked, nodding at her cane.

Hinata blushed, "Er no, b-but Neji and I p-pretend to be since we c-can't hide our eyes very well."

"That and being blind means she's allowed to carry a weapon," added Kiba. "Nobody suspects a poor blind girl."

"A weapon?! Seriously?" asked Naruto looking her over for a katana or dagger.

The Hyuuga girl nodded. Tossing the white wooden cane in the air she caught the middle and rotated it around her wrist before catching it in both hands and holding it in a fighting stance. Naruto's eyes widened in understanding; it wasn't a walking cane at all it was a bo staff!(4) As Hinata let it slide back into an relaxed grip Naruto noticed that at both ends of the staff there was about 20cm of a silver metal and he was sure he saw something glint in the top end before she covered it with her hand.

As soon as Kiba and Hinata left Sasuke ordered him back to the arena. But the Uchiha didn't come with him, instead taking another tunnel and telling Naruto to meditate while he waited. Naruto thought the strict boy was being hypocrytical when he'd been in such a rush to train but settled in the middle of the room to meditate anyway. 'I am such a good student,' he congratulated himself.

A/N:

(1) Donburi is a dish consisting of boiled rice and some sort of savoury topping.

(2) The drinking age in Japan is 20.

(3) Basically 'Happy Birthday Neji'.

(4) A long staff made of tapered hard wood, bojutsu originated from the Chinese monks and reached Okinawa via trade, the monks tend to use more flexible bo's but Hinata's bo is a rigid maru-bo (round staff) which is more common in Japan. I find their martial arts fancinating ^^

-Yasu