Sasuke had seen the fascinated and attentive look in Naruto's eyes as Hinata handled her Bo staff and it had given him an idea. Naruto himself had said how much he was looking forward to learning to fight. It was that interest that Sasuke needed to use to get Naruto to concentrate on his training. Perhaps some real physical exercise in the midst of all the mental exercises would do Naruto good. And besides, Sasuke could do with some sparring practice, it made him restless if he couldn't get out to hunt.

But when Sasuke returned to the arena, his arms laden with several practice swords and various protective garments, he was surprised to find Naruto meditating. Sasuke stood as still as a statue on the balcony above the arena. He didn't make a sound, yet after a few seconds of watching Naruto he saw the mans back stiffen. Sasuke almost smiled when Naruto twisted around and looked straight at him.

"You sensed me," he stated.

"I... think you're right," said Naruto slowly.

"Of course I am," replied Sasuke, walking down to meet him.

Naruto's attention was quickly drawn by Sasuke's burden and he gave a shout of joy grabbing what he could from Sasuke's arms. He pulled one of the leathery vests over his head before Sasuke could even explain what the point of this was.

"Awesome!" cried Naruto brandishing a wooden practice sword. "I knew you were a nice guy really, Sasuke!"

Sasuke scowled as Naruto swung the sword randomly through the air. Naruto did a spin and once he had turned a full circle he found that Sasuke was also holding a sword. He grinned but Sasuke didn't give him a chance to think. Sasuke's sword hit his knuckles hard and Naruto's weapon flew from his fingers. Naruto swore loudly, clutching at his hand.

-0-

"Bastard! What the hell was that for?!"

"Be patient, if you rush into a situation you'll get hurt."

"This isn't a 'situation', it's practice!" shouted Naruto, outraged.

"Every bit of your 'practice' can be applied to your future hunting experiences," Sasuke told him calmly. "Now, how about we put on our kit and I'll explain a few things, ne?"

Naruto growled in annoyance at his smug attitude. "I've got the vest on," he pointed out.

"That's the under-vest, you wear it next to your skin."

"Oh... Okay."

Naruto promptly removed his shirt and put the vest on properly. Then Sasuke handed him a thicker vest with adjustable straps which was made of a supple but sturdy material that felt heavy and strong.

"Put these on too," ordered Sasuke tossing a pair of metal arm guards to him. "You can wear them under your clothes and they work well for deflecting hits that can't be blocked with your own weapon. They're made of a fairly strong metal, nothing compared to what Juugo could make mind," Sasuke added.

"Juugo, the doorman?"

Sasuke nodded, "His ability is changing the density of his body but over time he's learnt to apply it to objects. He altered my sword so that it was strong enough to withstand my magick on a regular basis," Sasuke drew his sword from it's original sheath, which was attached to his belt, since there was no need to disguise the weapon when he was underground. "It's a thousand times stronger than the steel crafted by sword masters." He ran the flat of his hand along it's length. "Feel it's weight."

Naruto took the sword carefully, aware of how precious it was to Sasuke, he handled it with reverence. It was indeed a lot heavier that it appeared. Naruto could only imagine the strength of the magick it withstood. Then he noticed the something he had not seen at first, the hilt was set with what looked like a huge diamond. But there was something strange about this 'diamond': the inside wasn't clear; it glinted with a silver light that didn't seem either liquid or gas but swirled in an everchanging pattern that bore no relation to the movement of the sword.

"It's a Kiyo crystal."

Naruto looked up in surprise, he had almost forgotten Sasuke was here, being so hypnotised by the crystal. "Kiyo..." he muttered.

Sasuke nodded, taking his sword back he ran his fingers over the crystal. "You will find one embedded somewhere in every hunter's weapon. They are our ultimate advantage over the demons. I believe you saw me use mine on that vampire's body on the night we met."

Naruto nodded. "She was already dead, but she turned to dust."

"Correct, a hit with a Kiyo crystal releases a sharp burst of concentrated magick which will cause the body of a parasite to turn to dust. That's because their cells have already been damaged by the magick of the virus, their bodies where never meant to handle magick. However demons, like us, have magick bred into them which makes them much more resilient than parasites. It takes a lot to kill a demon through mortal wounds alone, which limits the usefulness of our physical weapons.

"Our weakness is that we can be corrupted by demonic magicks which is an idea that demons are all too willing to exploit. It is possible to force ones magick into another's body via a flesh wound, which is what demons used to do. In that respect they have the advantage, 'it is always easier to be corrupted than to be purified', Senju Hashirama said that, so when hunters tried to force their own magicks into demons they were corrupted through the connection every time.

"But then the famous Senju clan created the Kiyo crystals, a way to store vast amounts of magick and transfer it to a demons body in one fatal hit."

Naruto gaped a little, he didn't understand the exact details but it was clear that Sasuke did. It seemed the Uchiha was only willing to really talk when he had the chance to make Naruto feel utterly stupid.

"How the hell do you know so much about... everything?" asked Naruto once more feeling out of place.

"I've had my whole life to learn these things and I enjoy learning."

Naruto gave him an incredulous look. "Nerd," he muttered. "So... There's a lot of power in that stone?"

"Enough to kill roughly two dozen demons in this one I'd say." Naruto gave a low whistle. "But that's only because I charge it regularly."

"'Charge it'?"

"Like this."

Sasuke placed his hand over the glinting stone. Naruto watched as the stone began to glow brighter and brighter, the light filtering through Sasuke's fingers and turning his hand red. After a moment or so there was a low humming and Sasuke removed his hand.

"Wow, can I have a go?"

"Not with mine, I'll teach you how to do it when you get yours."

"When will that be?"

"When you get your weapon."

"Which is when?"

"When you are ready!" Sasuke snapped, getting impatient with Naruto's continuous questions.

"Best get training then, ne?" said Naruto with a smug smile.

He knew he shouldn't wind Sasuke up, but it was just too much fun seeing the serious boy showing emotion, even if it was always anger. Sasuke always seemed too mature for his age and Naruto felt it was his duty to remind him that he didn't have to act like a grumpy adult all of the time. When they were both dressed appropriately they stood opposite each other in the middle of the arena. Sasuke gave him a brief explanation of the correct way to grip the sword, which Naruto thought was obvious, but apparently Sasuke was intent of treating him like a complete novice.

"The only objective in a fight with a parasite is to kill without getting infected with their virus yourself but when you go into battle with a demon you aim to disable their movements long enough to place a hit with a Kiyo crystal in one of the vulnerable points. These are: the temples, the base of the skull, between the collarbones at the bottom of the neck, the small of the back or just below the rib cage. Bear in mind a demon will most likely be wearing protection in most of these places so the ideal method is to knock them out long enough to find an unprotected spot. Usually the temples, throat and skull are open but they tend to wear chest armor similar to ours."

"Right," replied Naruto storing it all away for future reference; he planned to be out hunting as soon as possible.

Naruto knew Sasuke was a strict teacher but he hadn't been completely prepared for how harsh the sword training would be. Sasuke was in his element, the sword was his weapon of choice and his connection with it was obvious. Naruto did his best and his reactions were quick; even he was surprised at how natural it seemed to dodge blows and keep his eyes on his partner's every move. But though he found the movements easy, the sword felt awkward in his hand; it felt too long and Naruto found that the long sweeping movements needed hindered his movements. Sasuke said to think of the sword as an extension of his own arm but Naruto felt as though his arm had just grown an ugly great tumor that he was trying to swing around.

Naruto cursed as Sasuke disarmed him again. He could tell the Uchiha wasn't fighting anywhere near as well as he could but he was still a formidable opponent.

"How does it feel to wield a sword?"

Naruto looked up in surprise, "A bit... strange, to be honest."

"Thought so, it's obvious in the way you handle it."

"Thanks," replied Naruto sarcastically.

"Don't worry, you'll find the weapon that's right for you."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, you'll find a weapon that feels right and when you do your fighting talent will be even better."

"Guess you found the sword, eh?"

"Exactly."

Naruto nodded thoughtfully. "Thanks," he said randomly.

"What for?" asked Sasuke, genuinely puzzled.

"For the compliment, you said I had talent," said Naruto with another wide grin.

Sasuke turned away so that Naruto almost missed his pout, "There was no compliment," he said firmly.

"Sure. Anyway don't you think we should get back to the lounge?"

"What for?"

"Neji's party!"

"Hn. You go, I'll tidy up."

"What? Aren't you coming?"

"It's not my kind of thing," said Sasuke, undoing the laces holding his arm-guards on.

"But what about Neji?"

Sasuke gave him a disbelieving look. "I would have thought it obvious that we don't get along."

"Why not?"

Sasuke removed his vest and undershirt before muttering, "Family differences."

"But his family doesn't live in the city, do they?"

Sasuke glared at him, "No they don't, but he constantly likes to remind me that the Hyuuga's are still around and hold a lot of power."

"Oh... okay, so what shall we do?"

Sasuke shrugged, "You're going to the party."

"Not without you," said Naruto firmly.

Sasuke scowled, "I don't need or want you stuck to my side all the time so do me a favour and go to the party."

"Nah I think I'll hang out with you. What are you going to do?" asked Naruto removing his arm-guards too.

"The most boring thing you can think of."

"Reading those old books on your shelf?"

"How did you know?" replied Sasuke sarcastically.

"I guess I just know you."

"Hn," grunted Sasuke collecting the training equipment.

"Aww come on Sas, I'm sure it'll be fun. You don't have to talk to him."

"No."

"Then I'm going to sit in your room and read your books with you," said Naruto stubbornly.

Sasuke's eyebrow twitched. "Do you like pain Naruto?"

"Eh... no why?" Naruto slipped his under-vest over his head.

Sasuke held up a sparking hand. "Don't piss me off."

Naruto jumped backwards, "You can't hurt me if you can't reach me!" sang Naruto sticking out his tongue.

Sasuke raised a mocking eyebrow. Holding a fist up, he clenched his fingers together and then flicked them open. Naruto gave an unmanly squeal and tried to dodge as five fizzing balls of energy flew towards him. One caught his bare shoulder and stung.

"Teme! You just wait until I can use my powers," Naruto declared rubbing the numb spot.

Sasuke paused and gave him an odd look. "You should make the most of your time free from your powers."

Naruto sobered, "You act like they're evil."

"They can be."

"But they aren't originally. From what you've said our powers are good as long as we can control them."

"They are still a heavy burden."

"So let's have fun tonight, while we can, eh? Come on Sas!"

"Don't call me that."

"Fine. But you know you could use a break."

Naruto swung his arm around Sasuke's neck and grinned. Sasuke sighed and rolled his eyes, carefully he extracted himself from Naruto's comfortable embrace.

"Okay, but I'm not staying long."

"As long as it's time enough for a drink or two."

"You're not old enough to drink," pointed out Sasuke.

"Heh like that ever stopped anyone."

-0-

The lounge was already full of people when they arrived, including Neji. Sasuke was personally glad they had missed the grand entrance. When Naruto hurried over to talk to Neji, Sasuke took the opportunity to fade into the background. But as soon as he'd sunk into an armchair in the corner he was joined by Ino and Sakura.

"Makes a change to see you at any form of social gathering Sasuke," remarked Sakura with a smug grin.

"Hn, you two made it up then."

"Mmm make up sex is the best," drawled Ino stretching her legs lazily over Sakura's lap.

Sasuke rolled his eyes. He didn't want to be here and he definitely didn't want to hear that. He was about to leave when Naruto returned with drinks. Sasuke gladly downed his. An hour later Sasuke became aware that Sakura and Ino had disappeared onto the dance floor and that Karin and Juugo had taken their place.

Karin was talking to him, "You simply must try these out Sasuke!" she said excitedly. "They're Kabuto-san's latest invention, the dear of him! He sent them all the way from Oto!"

Sasuke raised a sceptical eyebrow; Karin rarely spoke good of anyone, much less Kabuto. Suigetsu walked over and pressed another drink into her hand.

"She's much more agreeable when she's drunk, don't you think Sasuke?" muttered Suigetsu sitting on the arm of Sasuke's chair.

"I swear if that's another tracker I will go all the way to Oto just to ram it up his ass!" Sasuke told Karin firmly, remembering the last time he had trusted Kabuto's technology and the leader of the Oto hunter's coven, Orochimaru, had ratted him out to Tsunade for trying to return to the Uchiha estate. He'd gotten within a mile of the deserted area when Kakashi had turned up in a black jeep and used his hypnosis powers to bring him back to the city.

"No no, not this time! Here," she passed him a pair of headphones. "They're for when you're on the surface, undercover and all that jazz!"

"Headphones? That's completely idiotic; when you're in danger of being attacked you need to be able to hear approaching enemies, not music!"

"Well there's the trick right there. Go on, try them on, you'll be surprised I bet," she waved madly at him to put them on.

Sasuke sighed in defeat and slipped them over his ears. A second later they had been thrown back at Karin. Sasuke clutched at his ears in pain.

"What the hell?!"

"Oh no Sasuke what's wrong?!" cried Karin falling to her knees in front of him.

"You just fucking deafened me is what!"

"They were set to the highest sensitivity," murmured Juugo examining the headphones that had been thrown his way. "They are designed to pick up the smallest of noises and magnify them. A high setting in a room full of loud music was bound to be painful."

"I feel so much better now I understand how I was deafened!" snapped Sasuke storming away.

-0-

Meanwhile Naruto had been shown into Tsunade's office.

"Naruto, I thought I'd take this opportunity to introduce you to Tenzou, he's kindly agreed to alter your boots so they're a bit more... useful." Then she turned to a man in the shadows. "Sorry to pull you away from the party Tenzou."

"Don't worry about it." Stepping into the light the man gave Naruto a friendly smile, he had an honest face and a stern glint in his eyes. "Hand me your boots then," he said briskly gesturing to Naruto's boots.

"Er... yeah," muttered Naruto unzipping his boots and wondering what Tsunade meant by 'alter'.

"I'll be right back," said Tsunade heading for the room that Naruto and Sasuke had snuck into.

Tenzou pulled a small bar of silver from his pocket and picked up one of Naruto's shoes. Naruto watched with facination as the silver appeared to melt and flow over his fingers. Then Yamato ran his finger over the metal pieces at the front and back of the boot coating each in a layer of silver.

"There you go, now they're not just a fashion statement; parasites are highly allergic to silver and that'll sting like hell if you manage to land a good kick."

"Wow, that's brilliant! Thanks," said Naruto pulling his heavy boots back on. "So your power is to melt things?"

"Not really, there's no heat involved so it's more like... moulding."

"You can 'mould' anything?"

"As long as I'm able to feel it's structure by touching it."

"Why wouldn't you be able to feel the structure?"

"Well if it's alive like plants and animals it'll have a magical barrier." Naruto gave him a puzzled look. "A thin layer of magick just below the skin. We all have it though it varies according to the strength of a persons magic so normal humans barely have any barrier. It can be bypassed via an open wound or shattered by a high density of magick, like that from a Kiyo crystal."

At that moment Tsunade returned silencing any further questions. Yamato quickly excused himself and Naruto made a mental note to ask Sasuke about 'barriers' later. Tsunade sat behind her desk and gave Naruto a piercing look that made him feel rather serious even with a decent amount of alcohol flowing through his body. She waved for him to sit down.

"There is someone here who's been holding onto some of you father's belongings."

A/N: Heh I hope it's okay... I'm so weighed down with essays and coursework right now so updates are likely going to be slow. Believe me I'd rather be writing this than reciting liquidity ratios and the Hawthorn Experiment. -_-;

-Yasu