Well some things have come to my attention, I screwed up with Kakashi talking to Naruto about his father and 'revealing' he knew. Trouble is i did that when he killed Gato... Whoops that was a fuck up... I will be going back and fixing that in the Gato chapter as it flowed better in the chunin exams. Thank you for the heads up One Warrior 86, I really do appreciate it!

Anyways, i just wanted to say that Naruto will not become some super godly powerful Genin in the one month. He is going to be stronger, but Kakashi and Gai could still kick them around. Naruto will learn more than Rasengan and summoning though, and I hope you have fun trying to figure it out. If you feel like guessing, feel free to leave a review with your guesses.

Also to address other concerns, I am not taking months to update this story any more, unless I have to. I write this in my free time at work, or when i'm not with friends, or the Mrs, or the xbox. Yeah, I'm an Xbox guy, sorry PS3. So there will not be another 2 year break, again I'm so sorry that happened but shit happened. I'm hoping for at least a chapter a month, if not more.

So I hope that gave you some satisfaction.

Also, anyone have any suggestions on good Naruto Fanfics with Naruto/Ino, Naruto/Sakura or even Naruto/Anko?

I get bored at work and want a good read.

Please let me know.

On to the story now!

Chapter 10

Preparation

Naruto fell to the ground, his breath labored. His hand shook from the chakra burn he was currently experiencing.

Jiraiya sat some distance away watching the boy. 'He's already on the last step of the Rasengan… Amazing. It's been less than a week.'

He had made a bet that if Naruto had learned this within a month, Jiraiya would continue training him well after the Chunin Exams. Of course, he had already been planning on doing so but he wasn't about to tell him that.

Naruto forced himself up.

"I think that's enough on practicing the Rasengan Naruto" Jiraiya called to his new apprentice.

Naruto huffed as he shook his arm, as if trying to get a bug off of his hand.

Jiraiya jumped up and walked to the boy.

"Let's do some more Taijutsu training. I'm not a fan of Goken and believe me that we can teach you a much better style that will suit you."

Naruto nodded, knowing at this point not to argue with the man. When he had when Jiraiya had first brought this up, he had told him to spar with the old man. He had ended up unconscious four different times that day and the man was still holding back.

"Now do you remember what I've taught you so far?" Jiraiya asked. The blonde nodded silently. Jiraiya smiled. "You're quiet today."
Naruto chuckled. "Kinda figured not to talk back to you now…"
Jiraiya grinned. "Excellent! Let's get to business and show me what you've learned so far!"

Sasuke awoke with a start. He sat up looking around wildly to realize that he was still out training with Kakashi. The two of them had left the village and gone to a deserted area away from prying eyes. Kakashi had not been kind to the boy during their training sessions, saying that Sasuke needed to play some catch up with the rest of the competition.

He had been briefed of the other contestants abilities that had been displayed during the exams, specifically the boy that he was going to be pitted against in the exams.

Sasuke looked over to see that Kakashi had disappeared from his sleeping bag not far off.

'Where the hell did he go?' Sasuke wondered. Lying back down, he stared at the star filled sky and briefly wondered who Naruto had been training with. Kakashi had hinted that Naruto had found a trainer for the month and that Kakashi was going to focus solely on Sasuke.

He thought of the blonde and how so many questions regarding him had arisen. Something about that seal had seemed so much more than what Naruto had said it was, especially when Kakashi had grilled him about it when he brought it up.

Sasuke turned and lay on his side. In the distance he could spot the lights of the village.

His new objective was there. The boy known as Gaara had gone after his teammate and nearly killed her. Sakura may have been a pain, but she was part of Sasuke's team and therefore she was friend.

Add to that, Naruto had looked past his experiences with the pink haired girl and had vowed to repay Gaara for Sakura's suffering.

Sasuke closed his eyes. 'I need to get back to sleep… I need my energy to keep up with this crazy regime.'

Kakashi watched as Naruto stumbled into his rundown neighborhood. 'Looks like he's being run ragged.'

"I thought you left the village" a voice said behind the copy nin.

"Jiraiya-sama… I was just worried about my student is all. Minato-sensei told me about what you put him through when you apprenticed him."

Jiraiya laughed heartily. "I didn't think I was that bad."

Down on the street Naruto slowly made his way into his apartment building and disappeared from sight.

Kakashi turned to the Sannin.

"So any specific jutsu you're teaching him?" Kakashi asked.

Jiraiya grinned. "Of course, but I want that to be a surprise! Besides, there's no need to tell Sasuke about it."

Kakashi chuckled at this. "I told Sasuke everything about everyone except for Naruto. I can't pick favorites between the two of them. They're both fantastic students."

Jiraiya nodded as he walked over to the tall Jonin. He watched as Naruto's apartment flooded with light and Naruto dragged himself to his bed before passing out, the lights still on.

"I'm pushing him to get stronger, and soon we'll also look into accessing the Kyubi's chakra."
Kakashi narrowed his eye at this. "Do you think he's ready for that?"

Jiraiya shrugged. "He's a Jinchuriki, there's never a time when they're ready for it. But he will need that power for what's in store for him."

"What do you mean?"

Jiraiya turned back to the Hatake.

"That Gaara boy, he's not just the Kazekage's son. He's the sand village's Jinchuriki and from I can gather, he's taken an interest in Naruto."
Kakashi's eye widened. "Two Jinchuriki's in the exams? That could end… badly."
Jiraiya nodded. "If my instincts are right, Gaara can access the Biju's power at will, but Naruto cannot."

Kakashi folded his arms and looked over at the Sannin.

"Do you think a month is enough time?" he asked.

"Probably not… But it's not what we'll be relying on if he needs to face the boy. There are alternatives to fighting a Biju. Besides, if the boy unleashes the beast during the exams, I have no doubt that old man Hiruzen will end the match."
Kakashi's said nothing for a moment as he remembered how Gaara had nearly killed Sakura before Naruto had stepped in.

"I don't think that will stop the boy" Kakashi sighed.

Jiraiya nodded. "Let's just hope that doesn't happen… For now focus on Sasuke, because if he does get past the Hyuga he's fighting, he may face Gaara."

Kakashi nodded. 'I don't think there's any kind of preparation we could do for Sasuke to face down a tailed beast though…'

As the sun rose over Konohagakure, Ino stalked through the streets. She had finally found out where Naruto Uzumaki lived in the village and she was intent on finding him and asking him out.

She had prepared herself to look as beautiful as possible. Her hair was not in its typical ponytail and she was letting it down. She wore just enough make up to make her look better than usual, but not so much that she looked cheap.

Otherwise she wore the same attire. She doubted that it would matter to the boy after all he did have a crush on Sakura at one time.

She noticed as she walked along that the neighborhood seemed to get… poorer.

Ino was becoming slightly hesitant as she had never been to this part of the village in the past, but she was a Shinobi and she doubted many would try anything. She did notice however, a few lecherous looks from the men and some women as she continued further in. The buildings seemed to become even worse in condition until she reached the address she had acquired from Iruka-sensei the day before.

She looked up at the building and shivered. It looked completely run down.

'How can he live here?!' she wondered in disgust as it hit her that he was an orphan and had little money to his name.

She felt a momentary pang of guilt before she stepped into the building. She climbed the many flights until she got to the top of the building and found Naruto's door.

She took a deep breath before knocking three times.

She waited, feeling completely out of place standing in front of Naruto's apartment.

She frowned as there was no activity to be heard from the apartment. 'There's no way that he's not here…' she knocked again, louder this time.

Suddenly the door swung open and was face to face with the blonde prankster.

"Uh…" was his reaction.

For a moment, Ino was unsure what to say and awkwardly greeted him.

"Hey Naruto."

He stared at her for a full minute before speaking. "What do you want Ino?"

She was taken aback by Naruto's tone of voice. He seemed kind of irritated.

"W…well, I was just in the neighborhood and remembered that you lived nearby… So I figured I'd come see how you were doing" she said, mentally kicking herself for not being prepared with a better excuse.

Naruto stared at her suspiciously.

'She was in this neighborhood? What the fuck?' Naruto thought through narrowed eyes.

"C…can I come in?" she asked uneasily. She was very uncomfortable in the neighborhood and felt slightly dirty just standing there.

Naruto nodded and back away, beckoning her inside.

She walked in and immediately was analyzing the room.

'He barely has anything… he's got a bed… a table… a plant?'

Naruto closed the door and walked past her and opened his closet, grabbing his kunai holster.

Ino glanced at the closet and saw a cloak that looked familiar, but she didn't get a proper look as Naruto closed it quickly.

"I'm about to head out so what's going on?" he asked impatiently.

"Ah yeah, about that" Ino chuckled, she blushed slightly. She had not anticipated on this being so difficult. "Well I was wondering if you would mind going out with me sometime?" regaining some of her confidence as she asked.

Naruto stared at her again, this time much longer.

"Did you hit your head?" Naruto asked, his eyes mere slits as he was completely confused.

"No! Why?" Ino blurted.

"Do I really have to say? I mean, you and I have barely talked in the past, we don't really even like each other and you show up at my door and ask me out on a date?"

"Well I wouldn't say we don't like each other, we just don't know each other" Ino said blushing.

"No we don't like each other. Ever since we were eight you and Sakura were always yelling at me and insulting me… That isn't not knowing each other, that's not liking each other." He said bluntly.

Ino felt the urge to smack herself. 'He's got a point… How did I just get lectured by Naruto?'

"I'm sure you just want to get on Sasuke's good side or something now that he and I are friends" Naruto continued. "Knowing him, that wouldn't do much. If you want to date him just ask him like a normal person like you did now. Don't latch onto him and dote all over him… He hates that stuff" Naruto sighed as he walked past her and picked up his sandals.

"He doesn't hate it" Ino said, completely forgetting why she was there. Sasuke was now the subject of the conversation.

Naruto sat on the edge of his bed as he put his sandals on.

"Then you really don't know Sasuke Uchiha… But back to the point, will I go out with you Ino? No."

He stood back up as Ino's jaw dropped. 'Did I just get rejected by Naruto Uzumaki?!'

Naruto walked over to his small kitchen and pulled out an apple for himself.

"Why not?" Ino asked, a vein throbbing in her forehead. She was not happy at getting rejected. No one ever told her no.

Naruto laughed, loudly.

"To be honest, it's not that I don't want to, but I'm way to busy to go out on a date with you. I mean the Chunin Exams are coming up and I need to train so I can get promoted."

Naruto took a bite out of his apple and began chewing.

"What kind of training are you doing?" Ino asked, deciding to just try and get some information out of him at this point.

Naruto swallowed and sighed. "All kinds, is there anything else you need Ino?"

Ino pursed her lips. "Fine… No date… But how about we just hang out? I mean, it's not like you can have too many friends" she suggested.

Naruto stared at her as he took another bite of his apple.

'I don't see the harm of maybe getting some ramen with her sometime…' he thought to himself as he watched her fidget.

'What the hell? Naruto's never been like this before? Now he's just so… Sasuke like…' Ino thought nervously.

"Fine… Tomorrow, meet me at 5 at the main gates, we can go grab some ramen and… hang out or whatever…" Naruto said as he walked towards the front door.

"O..okay" Ino was surprised.

"Not a date though… This is a one time thing Ino, after that, I'm focusing on training for the exams."

Ino nodded as Naruto opened the front door. They both stood there in silence.

"Ino… You need to leave now… I've got places to go…" Naruto deadpanned.

"Oh! Yeah okay" she blushed at how stupid she was acting. She walked past Naruto and he closed the door behind him and locked it.

"I'll walk you out of this neighborhood and then I'll be on my way" Naruto said as he walked past her and started down the stairs.

Ino followed silently.

"So… You were passing through eh?" Naruto asked as they started through the streets. Ino noticed that the few people around seemed to retreat into hiding as Naruto walked along.

'That's weird…' she thought.

"Ino?" Naruto called behind him.

"What was that?" she asked.

"You said you were passing through?" he asked.

Ino nodded. "Kinda… I was just taking a walk and have never been through this part of the village and figured that you lived here to."
Naruto nodded. "Uh huh… Well at least it was during the day" he said. That sent shivers up Ino's spine. She wouldn't be caught dead in this neighborhood after dark.

"I suggest not coming back here" he said. "It's pretty sketchy, even for a shinobi."

Ino nodded, she would definitely not be returning.

The rest of the walk was silent between the two. Soon, they were in the shopping district.

Naruto stopped and turned to Ino.

"Well, I've gotta head out. My new sensei will kill me if I'm late. See you tomorrow Ino-chan." With that, Naruto jumped up and jumped roof to roof until he had disappeared.

Ino watched him leave before turning and walking away.

'I got rejected by Naruto…. WHAT THE HELL?!'

Jiraiya was waiting impatiently as Naruto walked into the clearing they had met.

"You're late… I hope you're not becoming like your sensei" Jiraiya said with a frown.

Naruto smiled at this and scratched the back of his head. "No you don't need to worry about that. I'm sorry, just this girl was…"

Jiraiya perked up at this. "Oh a girl!?" he exclaimed. "Well why didn't you say so? Is she cute? Is she older or younger? Are the two of going out?!" He seemed far to excited about this.

Naruto stared at his teacher for a moment, slightly uncomfortable.

"Uh… Nothing like that… I'd never date Ino Yamanaka! She's just… I don't know just it wouldn't happen… Ever. I mean… she did ask, but I'm so busy training so I told her no… besides, it would be a disaster!" Naruto began ranting.

Jiraiya smirked at him. "Well is she cute?"

"Well yeah" Naruto answered immediately.

Jiraiya burst up laughing. "So what's the problem?"

Naruto glared at the man comically. "She's one of those popular girls… They get annoying, she's all about gossip and needing to know everything."

Jiraiya shrugged. "Girls grow out of that pretty quickly when they're shinobi."

Naruto sighed. "Well she hasn't. We're just going to hang out and get some ramen, so it's not a date."

Jiraiya nodded. "Well if you need any advice, feel free to ask!"

Naruto nodded as he began to stretch. "So what do you want me to do today? More Rasengan training? Genjutsu, Taijutsu, or maybe another high level jutsu?"

Jiraiya waved him off. "Go train on the Rasengan until noon, I have some plans I need to get together for later."
With that, he disappeared in a Shunshin, leaving Naruto in the clearing alone.

'What does he have planned?' Naruto wondered as flexed his hand, prepared for the pain he would be experiencing later.

Jiraiya walked into Yamanaka flowers, seemingly looking around. He noticed that at the counter was a young blonde girl. He smiled as his thoughts drifted to Tsunade when she was that age.

'Although this girl seems even cuter than Tsunade was at that age' He thought as he spied some interesting colored flowers.

He rounded a corner and ran into a familiar face.

"Jiraiya-sama?" Inoichi exclaimed.

Jiraiya looked at the man. 'He's changed!' he realized. "Inoichi Yamanaka! Been a few years!"

Ino looked up from her magazine as she heard her father and the current customer talking. She noticed he was an older looking man, but was definitely a shinobi.

"What brings you to our flower shop?" Inoichi asked.

Jiraiya shrugged. "Was going to lay some flowers on Kushina's grave as well as Minato's."

Ino's ears perked up when she heard that name.

Inoichi frowned and began to whisper. "Be careful Jiraiya-sama… My daughter has begun looking into Naruto and found a file on Kushina…"

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Kind of sloppy of Hiruzen to allow that to happen, how did she get that?"

Inoichi sighed. "The file was left in the shinobi archives. Granted when we gathered the files, the Kyubi attack was fairly recent, so I'm not surprised that we missed something… Plus have you been down there? It's so disorganized."

Jiraiya nodded at this. He never liked having to go down there for anything. To think that a shinobi village could be so disorganized.

"Why would she be looking into Naruto?" Jiraiya asked.

Inoichi sighed. "She states it's because of the drastic change in him."

Jiraiya nodded. 'The girl sees a mystery to be solved…However, I very much doubt she'd be able to gather much information on him so it isn't a huge deal in my opinion.'

"Well I don't see any trouble. She's just a Genin, not an enemy. I say let her have fun with her mystery. She won't find anything to link the two of them or the fox."

Inoichi nodded, knowing full well what he meant. "If you say so Jiraiya-sama… I trust your judgment on this."

Jiraiya laughed. "Besides, I'm training the boy, so there's no need to worry. I hear she and him may have a date tomorrow!"

Ino went bright red at this. The two men had been whispering up until this point. She had not told anyone other than Sakura of her plans to ask Naruto out.

Inoichi turned and shot Ino a dangerous look.

"Well… Actually no that's not right... From what I understand he rejected her and said he'd rather not. Something about he was focusing on training or something… I swear there's something wrong with that boy."

Inoichi smirked. 'I like this Naruto. He's got his priorities right!'

Jiraiya shrugged. "Besides, he's going to be very strong by the time I'm done with him, can't have any… distractions, weighing him down."

Inoichi nodded. "I understand. Well Jiraiya-sama, it was a pleasure seeing you again. If you will excuse me, I need a word with my daughter."
Jiraiya nodded. "I'll take my leave" and he left the store, a smirk on his face. 'That'll get her into gear. Naruto, you'll thank me later.'

Inoichi locked the door behind Jiraiya and turned to face his daughter. She gulped.

'Why did Naruto open his stupid mouth?!' she yelled mentally.

"So… You've started asking him out?" Inoichi asked darkly as he walked towards his daughter.

"W…well you see… He's kind of cute… I mean… for Naruto. I… Uh…" she didn't know what to say.

Inoichi towered over her.

"Aren't you a bit young to be trying to get a boyfriend?" Inoichi asked.

Ino took a deep breath, her teenage rebellion seemed to be starting at that exact moment.

"Dad, now that I'm a shinobi, I'm viewed as an adult! For heavens sake I can go to a bar now if I wanted! I don't think age matters when it comes to dating now!"

Inoichi stared at his daughter. She did have a point.

"Besides, I just wanted to go on a date with him, it doesn't mean we're a couple!" Ino took a step forward and Inoichi backed up, surprising himself.

"Besides, he said no to me… ME! So you don't have a reason to be mad! We're just gonna hang out because he doesn't have an interest in me!" A fire seemed to be burning in Ino's eyes that surprised Inoichi.

"I uh… I'm sorry Ino-chan?" Inoichi apologized, feeling completely confused. He didn't know how the tables had turned, but his little girl was right… Somehow.

Ino huffed. When she had gotten home, she was slightly upset that Naruto had said no to her. Now she was fuming. Naruto Uzumaki of ALL people said no to a date with her. That was just insulting.

Ino ground her teeth as she unlocked the door to the shop and walked behind the counter and shot a glare at her father.

He was frozen to the spot when it was thrown his way and he took it as a sign to leave. He quickly left the building and once outside, decided he needed a drink. 'She's definitely her mother's daughter…' Inoichi shivered.

Ino watched as her father walked away before beginning verbally screaming at no one.

"OF ALL THE PEOPLE! NARUTO!"

She began pacing back and forth. If anyone had walked in, they'd feel the wrath of Ino Yamanaka.

"I mean, I'm smart, I'm popular, I'm beautiful! Why the hell would he say no!?"

She realized that she didn't care about information anymore. No one says no to Ino. Not even the most unpredictable ninja.

She was going to win him over, it was a matter of pride at this point.

Suddenly the door slammed open, Kiba having just entered, a look of amusement on his face.

"You asked Naruto out?!" he laughed. "And he said no!?"

This was the breaking point for Ino. That old man that said he was training Naruto was spreading the news around town.

He would pay for that.

Hinata was sitting at her teams training spot when she saw Kiba finally arrive.

"Kiba-kun, where have you been?" she asked quietly. She was shocked when she saw that he was severally bruised and bleeding. He limped along, Akamaru trotting behind him happily.

"What happened?" Hinata exclaimed.

"…I uh… I fell…" Kiba said, heeding Ino's warning.

Sakura was worried about her friend. She had shown up at the hospital in a complete rage. Granted, she had heard the news of Ino being rejected by Naruto, and she knew that there was a storm coming.

Hurricane Ino had begun to form.

"Ino?" Sakura finally called to her blonde friend who was pacing back and forth.

"What?!" Ino snapped. Sakura withheld her anger, she was too tired to deal with being angry.

"It's just Naruto, it's going to be fine" Sakura tried soothing her.

"That's just it… It's just Naruto. He rejected my offer!" Ino nearly screeched.

Sakura sighed. Ino had been continually saying this ever since she had shown up. It was apparently all she could think of.

"So what are you going to do about it?" Sakura asked.

Ino stopped pacing. "I don't know… I've never had to deal with this… I need to find out why" she growled.

"So now you have more about Naruto to find out?" Sakura asked, slightly amused.

"Forget the other stuff!" Ino said suddenly. That mystery paled in comparison to this.

Sakura shook her head. "You're obsessing over Naruto… Naruto of all people Ino."

Ino stopped and stared at her friend. "Oh dear god you're right…" she realized as she sat down next to her. "I cannot believe this… How did this happen?"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "I don't know Ino… You just hate secrets… I guess that's all. Not you're fault."

Ino pursed her lips. "I should just be glad he said no then…" she mumbled.

Sakura nodded. "Besides, after you hang out with him tomorrow, you'll be done with him I'm sure."

Naruto winced in pain as he the incomplete Rasengan he was trying to create broke apart and sent him flying backwards into a tree painfully.

He fell to the ground, keeping his injured hand against his chest.

"You're getting closer" Jiraiya's voice rang out.

He turned to see Jiraiya offering him what looked like a Popsicle.

Naruto took it as it was quite a warm day.

Jiraiya had one for himself and they sat in silence enjoying their frozen treats.

"Well now. Instead of what I normally have in store for you, we're going to study a bit."

Naruto groaned internally but did not say a word.

"Today, we shall be studying tactics."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What kind of tactics? For facing multiple enemies? Or maybe when you're facing down a samurai?"

Jiraiya shook his head. No we will be studying the tactics of… a date!"

Naruto stared at the old man, trying to determine if this was all a joke. When he realized it wasn't, Naruto said, "I told you, it's not a date."

Jiraiya shrugged. "Just because you don't consider it a date, doesn't mean it couldn't turn into one."

Naruto groaned in frustration. The man just wouldn't quit.

"It's Ino Yamanaka… I'm way below her radar."

Jiraiya shook his head. "Well whether you are or aren't doesn't matter, this is an important lesson that I will be teaching you for the rest of the day today and part of tomorrow." Jiraiya said it with a tone of finality, leaving Naruto with no choice but to agree with the man. After all, the man had taught him so much in such a short amount of time without asking for anything in return.

The time for 'hanging out' was at hand. Ino had felt confident as she left the house and reached the main gate. However, as 5 drew nearer and nearer, she felt increasingly more nervous. Something about Naruto had thrown her off, she did not know what to expect from the boy any more.

As she stood there, she spotted Naruto approaching her. She noticed that he was clutching his left hand, as if he had injured it.

"How's it going?" Naruto asked her.

"Can't complain" Ino said, staring at his injured hand. "What happened?" she asked.

"Learning a new jutsu… It's a painful process" Naruto shrugged.

"What kind of jutsu?" Ino asked.

Naruto smirked. "You'll have to wait to see it in the exams."

Ino huffed at that. 'Again with the secrets…'

"So I'm starving!" Naruto declared loudly, some of his previous self leaking through. "Let's get going!" He turned around and began marching towards the only restaurant that he frequented.

Ino followed him down the road. "So how is training coming along?" Ino finally asked.

"Pretty good! I've got this crazy strong new sensei and he's putting me through the ringer. He's having me relearn Taijutsu and teaching some strong jutsu!"

Ino frowned when she heard about his new sensei.

"So why'd you tell you're sensei about me asking you out?" she asked, her anger seeming to return.

Naruto stopped and looked at her. "He told you!?" he yelled. 'DAMMIT!'

Ino glared at the blonde. "He's told everyone in the village you idiot!"

Naruto ground his teeth. "Idiot?" he asked.

Ino smacked her self. 'Dammit… That slipped…'

"Sorry… just… Everyone knows that you of all people rejected me" Ino pouted.

"Me of all people?" Naruto repeated, his stare narrowing.

Ino felt like punching herself. She was making the situation worse.

"Sorry Naruto… I just… God why is this happening…" she sighed.

Naruto's glare softened.

Flashback

"Don't yell at a girl Naruto, no matter what she says" Jiraiya lectured.

Naruto laughed at that part.

"Naruto, I'm serious. If she's being… well a bitch, just work past it. I know that's not very like you, but you need to learn to control that temper of yours."

He remembered all of his arguments with Sakura over small insults and had the decency to feel slightly embarrassed.

Jiraiya nodded. "So that's that… Now on to the next subject… Kissing."

End Flashback

Sighing, Naruto took his new teacher's advice.

"So how's your training?" he interrupted her ranting.

Ino stopped babbling and stared at Naruto. "T…training?"

Naruto glanced at her as they arrived at Ichiraku's.

"Yeah, for the Chunin Exams. I mean Sasuke and I are training because there's some stiff competition. Like Lee, Neji and Gaara."
Ino was at a loss for words. She had totally forgotten about training.

"I… I haven't started…"

Naruto sat down, giving Ino an odd look.

"Ah Naruto! Who's the beautiful girl?" Teuchi asked as Ino sat next to Naruto.

"Hey! This is uh… a friend?" he looked at Ino in a questioning manner.

Ino nodded. "Yeah just a friend."

Teuchi grinned. "Well what will it be young lady?"

Ino had never been to a ramen restaurant and had to give the menu a once over.

"I guess the pork ramen?" she seemed confused but Teuchi nodded. "A good choice Yamanaka-san!"

Ino raised an eyebrow at this. Teuchi turned and began making the ramen. "I knew your father. He and his teammates come by occasionally. It's a bit of a hot spot for great shinobi."

Naruto nodded. "So Ino, why aren't you training?"

Ino shrugged. "I guess I just never got around to it. Plus Shikamaru and Choji are training with their parents for the exams."

"So you only train if it's with your team?" Naruto asked.

"Well doesn't everyone train with their team?" Ino countered.

Naruto shook his head. "Everyone has been so astounded with how much stronger I've gotten, but it's not some secret to how I've gotten stronger, I've just been training whenever I can. It just takes hard work and determination. Like Lee. He's stronger than both Sasuke and I and that's because even when he's not with his team, he's training. He's always striving to be the best shinobi that he can be."

Ino seemed surprised by this as Naruto explained.

"I know that you just asked me out on a date, not because you like me in that way, but because you hate secrets. You thought I had something worth hiding and when you saw how much stronger I was, it intrigued you… But the truth is, I just wanted to get stronger to realize my dream. That and I've never known my parents, but if I had the chance to ever meet them, I'd want to them to be proud of me."
This tug at Ino's heart as she knew that his mother was not currently amongst the living.

'Should I tell him? I mean, he does have a right to know about his own mother… But it wouldn't be right coming from me, it's like he said, we don't like each other.' She debated with herself as Naruto continued and arrived at the conclusion to not say anything to him about it… For now.

"Do you think you can face down your opponent?" Naruto asked as he was handed a bowl of ramen.

'He didn't place an order… I wonder if he comes here so much that they know what he usually orders.' She thought to herself. "Well it's just Hinata Hyuga. She wasn't superb in the academy."

Naruto snorted. "And I was dead last, how long do you think you'd last against me?"

Ino pursed her lips. The boy had a valid point.

"I know Kiba did kick his training up a notch" Ino muttered. I heard his sister Hana talking to their mother's dog about it during some 'D' ranked mission" Ino muttered.

Naruto grinned. "What got Kiba's ass into gear?"

Ino was handed her bowl of pork ramen, grabbing a pair of chopsticks she relayed what she had heard.

"I guess him and his team went on a mission and ran into some swordsman that kicked their asses… Some mist ninja with a giant sword."

Naruto choked on his noodles as he recognized the brief description.

"Z..Zabuza?!" Naruto exclaimed.

"That was the name!" Ino realized. "How did you know?"

Naruto wiped broth off of his face. "Yeah… My team and I fought him and his apprentice… Got the shit kicked out of us." Naruto mumbled as he remembered Haku, and briefly killing Gato. Then he realized something. Thinking about Gato didn't rack him with guilt. He smiled briefly. He was beginning to feel more and more like a shinobi.

"So what happened?" she asked. Of course she had read the file on the mission now that she thought about it, however names had been redacted as had the details about the end of the mission and how it was completed.

"Haku kicked our asses, but Kakashi was kicking Zabuza's ass, then Haku got involved and ended up dead…" At Ino's confused look Naruto clarified. "Haku was the guy's apprentice. He was about our age."
Ino nodded as she listened. She was betting this was the mission that Naruto had made his first kill.

"At that point, it looked like Kakashi was going to finish Zabuza off, but then the guy that hired him showed up… Told Zabuza the deal was off and then…" Naruto stopped as he remembered what he had told Haku and what the boy had told him.

This was something that he couldn't share with Ino.

"…I flew into a rage and… I killed Gato and some of his men… In the end, we buried Haku and Zabuza left." Naruto concluded.

Ino had noticed that he had skipped some parts at how he had paused and thought for a moment.

There was a low whistle from Teuchi. "Wow Naruto… After hearing that, the ramen is on the house."

Naruto smiled gratefully to the old man. "So I'm just surprised that Kiba's team ran into him. I thought I'd never hear about him again."

Ino nodded. "Wow… Small world, huh?"

Naruto chuckled as he proceeded to eat more ramen.

Ino silently ate her noodles, thinking over his story.

Naruto chuckled. "It's funny, it was that mission that showed me how much stronger I could get… Guess the same happened for Kiba when he ran into Zabuza."

Ino nodded. "Do you think that Hinata is training then?"

Naruto nodded. "She's a Hyuga… I'm sure that her clan has been teaching her a lot since she graduated. I would be surprised if she didn't become a Chunin." Naruto said as he picked out a fishcake in his ramen, causing him and Ino to smile.

"I think I can manage without training though" Ino said, brushing some hair out of her face.

Naruto chuckled.

"What? Don't believe me?" Ino asked angrily.

Naruto was gazing at his ramen, wondering how to ask this.

"What happens if you end up fighting Sasuke? Will you be ready then? Or what about that Gaara, or even Rock Lee? I know for a fact Lee is stronger than Sasuke." He set his chopsticks down and picked up his ramen bowl. All that was left in it was broth.

He began to guzzle it down as Ino stared at him, pondering his question.

Naruto placed the drained bowl, smacking his lips in satisfaction.

"Will you forfeit?" Naruto asked.

"No!" Ino snapped.

"Then how will you win against Sasuke if you have to fight him?" Naruto turned and stared into Ino's eyes, startling her. In his eyes, she could see the fire of determination.

"If you are pitted against Sasuke Uchiha, he will take you down so fast… Granted compared to Sakura, you'd last a lot longer, but Sasuke won't care that you were in the same class as he was. He'll come at you without hesitation."

"How do you know?" Ino asked, turning around, feeling her frustration building.

"Because I've fought him… Sakura has spared him, our teacher has fought him. Every time he doesn't hold back. He wants to be a Shinobi more than he wants to be a friend, and that's why I respect the bastard." Naruto said as he stood up.

Ino gawked at him for a moment. She didn't want to admit it, but Naruto was right. In the academy, anyone that went up against Sasuke in a spar was taken down quickly with no remorse. Everyone in that class had known this first hand.

"I…I'd lose…" Ino finally said. Naruto offered her his hand. "Come on. I want to show you something my sensei showed us when we first met him."

Ino stared at his extended hand, blushing slightly. 'Oh god… Please don't say he wants to hold hands…'

Naruto could tell what she was thinking. "I'm just helping you out of your seat… I'm trying to be polite."

Ino was impressed. He had never treated girls this way in the past, but he had clearly learned how to treat a lady appropriately.

She took his hand, face going slightly red as he helped her out of the chair.

"Thanks again Teuchi!" Naruto called.

Teuchi smiled as Naruto let go of the girls hand and led her away from the stand. 'That boy is becoming quite the ladies man… Jiraiya would be proud.'

On the roof over looking the ramen stand, Jiraiya sat, his telescope glued to his eye.

"There we go kid… Do what I told you… But where the hell are you taking her?"

Naruto and Ino arrived at the spot Team seven had the bell test so many months ago. He smiled, thinking about how close he and Sasuke had gotten, and how teamwork had been the answer to passing.

He led her to the large memorial stone.

"This is what helped convince me when we met Kakashi-sensei… This stone has the names of every Shinobi that died in the line of duty… They are all heroes and will forever be honored here."
Ino's eyes widened. She had heard of the memorial stone from her father many times, but had not seen it until now.

"I did some research, and most Shinobi that die, end up on this memorial… Because most of us will die out on a mission. My goal, besides becoming Hokage, is to ensure that my teammates don't end up having their names written here. The only way for that to happen is if I'm strong enough to protect and support them…"
He looked at Ino. "I'm sure you wouldn't want Shikamaru or Choji's names to end up here… That's why I've been training so hard, why I want to become a Chunin. This is how I know I'm on the right path."
Ino nodded, the thought of it made her think about being a shinobi. She was always raised believing that becoming a ninja would simply just happen, but now she was realizing that wasn't the case.

"My own parents have their names on here…" Naruto mumbled absentmindedly.

Ino's head snapped around and gawked at the boy.

'He knows who his parents are?!'

Naruto realized what he had said, but didn't care. Ino wasn't someone he knew well, but she needed to realize what was required of a shinobi before something happened to her before what happened to Sakura happened to her.

Naruto sighed, rubbing the back of his head.

"Sorry… I didn't mean to get intense like that Ino-chan… I just get really passionate about being a shinobi."

Sighing he turned around. "I hate to cut this short, but I've gotta get going, I've got training in the morning, but I'll see you around?" Naruto asked, a big smile plastered on his face.

Ino stared at the blonde, bewildered at how much he had changed.

"We should hang out again!" she declared.

Naruto was shocked at this outburst but smiled. "How about after the Chunin exams? I've got a lot of training to do."

Ino nodded. "I do too." This caused Naruto's smile to widen. "Who knows, maybe we'll fight each other!" Naruto said happily.

Ino smirked. "I'll kick your ass Uzumaki!" she declared, pointing at him.

Naruto nodded. "You can try, but remember, I'm a future Hokage! There's no way you can defeat me!" With that said, Naruto turned and began to walk away, leaving a grinning Ino. 'He's a completely different person… He's becoming kinda cool.'

Jiraiya sat in the tree not far from the memorial stone, tears comically falling from his eyes.

"Th…that was beautiful kid…" he sobbed.

Inoichi walked in the front door, his head spinning from the drinking session he had with Chouza and Shikaku.

'Oh god… I cannot keep up with that Akamichi… Shikaku had the right idea not challenging him…' He stumbled through his living room when he nearly ran into his daughter.

"Oh hey Ino-chan" her father slurred.

"Hey… dad… Uh, can I ask you something?"

Inoichi tried nodding but fell backwards onto the couch.

"Can you help train me for the Chunin exams?" she asked.

"…..I think I'm hallucinating…" Inoichi mumbled as his eyes began to close.

"DAD!" Ino yelled. Inoichi jolted up.

"I'm serious daddy… Help train me for the exams."

Inoichi shook his head. "Uh… yeah Ino-chan… Daddy just needs to sleep this off…" Inoichi said as he began to doze off.

Ino huffed. She was going to make sure her father got in trouble when her mom woke up in the morning.

Jiraiya clapped as Naruto walked into the clearing.

"Well done kid, a successful date!" Jiraiya declared proudly.

Naruto went red. "You were watching!?"

Jiraiya gave him a thumbs up. "I thought it was little odd taking her to the memorial stone, but I think you really helped that girl realize what being a shinobi really meant."

Naruto smiled. He had hoped he had helped Ino realize what Kakashi had helped him realize.

"But did you have to mention your parents?" Jiraiya asked, his tone turning serious.

Naruto frowned. "I didn't say who they were… Just that their names were on the memorial stone…"

Jiraiya nodded. "Even so tread carefully, even the slightest slip up could have grave consequences."

Naruto nodded. "Yeah… sorry Jiraiya-sensei…"

The man shrugged. "Now then… Instead trying to master the Rasengan, I want to try something else today. Something that may save your life in the exams if you face that Gaara kid."

Naruto's eyebrow shot up.

Jiraiya sat down and motioned for the boy to do the same.

"Surely you have suspected he's not an ordinary Genin" Jiraiya said.

Naruto nodded. "But how do you know about him?"

Jiraiya grinned. "It's my job to know things. But haven't you sensed it?"

Naruto sat and thought about the times that he had encountered the boy.

"He seems familiar…" Naruto muttered.

"That's because he's a Jinchuriki, just like you." Naruto's eyes widened at this. The boy that had nearly killed his teammate, was like him.

"I'm sure you can realize why he is the way he is" Jiraiya began, looking to the sky. "His father, the Yondaime Kazekage, sealed the Ichibi within him to try and create a weapon."

Naruto's jaw dropped. "His father sealed it in willingly!?" Naruto exclaimed.

Jiraiya nodded. "Like you, he was ostracized by his village, his own father rejecting him as a failure, not being the weapon he had hoped for."
"How do you know all of this though? I mean, my status as a Jinchuriki is a secret" Naruto wondered.

"The Sandaime Hokage hid your secret hoping you'd live a normal childhood, the Kazekage did not care about his child having a childhood, all he wanted was a weapon… All of that isolation, no love in his life, has turned him into what you see today."

Naruto glanced at his stomach. "So does he have control of it?" Naruto finally asked.

Jiraiya sighed. "I'm not sure, but we should assume that he does… Which is why I'm going to teach you a jutsu that only you can use."

Naruto raised an eyebrow at this.

"What do you know about Fuinjutsu?" Jiraiya asked, a grin playing at his face.

Sasuke dropped to the ground, panting heavily as Kakashi stood over him.

"I'm surprised at how quickly you got the hang of the Chidori" Kakashi said, his masked face expressionless, however you could hear a tinge of pride in his voice.

Sasuke glanced at his sensei. "So what's next?"

Kakashi was surprised at Sasuke's question. "You're up for more?"

Sasuke nodded as he tried to get up but fell back down from exhaustion.

"Yeah… What else can you teach me?" Sasuke panted.

Kakashi opened his orange book, which had disappeared for a majority of Sasuke's training.

"Why are you pushing yourself this hard? You never used to."

Sasuke stared up at Kakashi, thinking of what used to drive him to become strong. Itachi. But now, it was something different. Naruto had caught up to him so quickly it had surprised everyone, and Sasuke was sure that if he didn't double his efforts, Naruto would leave him in the dust. He wasn't doing it for revenge at this point, though he was still certain that he would kill his brother, but he wanted to prove himself against Naruto, to grow with him.

Naruto was his friend, his only friend.

Kakashi noticed his silence and decided to guess.

"Is it to do with Naruto?" he asked.

Sasuke did not acknowledge him, but Kakashi could tell that was what he was thinking.

Kakashi snapped the book shut and nodded. "Well, there are a few things I could teach you as we're very far ahead of schedule with the Chidori…"
Sasuke grinned. 'Naruto… I hope you've learned some new tricks for the exams… When I fight you, I won't be holding back.'

Ino struggled to her feet, her nose bleeding profusely.

"Ino-chan, we should stop…" Inoichi sighed.

"No daddy… I need to get stronger" she said, wiping her face with her arm.

It had been three days since Ino had woken her father up after a night of drinking telling him to train her like he had promised. Inoichi had no recollection of such a promise, but he had been black out drunk the night before.

Ever since they had started, he was surprised by how she had thrown herself into her training with not only their family jutsu, but some Taijutsu training that she had requested.

When questioned about it, she had given a very convincing argument.

"If I have to fight someone who prefers close combat, I'll be a sitting duck with what I have now" she had declared loudly.

Ever since, she had been taking up Inoichi's time so much that he had to clear it with the Hokage and Ibiki to take time off to help train her. The Hokage was more than happy to do so, but of course Ibiki wasn't thrilled, but he understood.

Ino struck up a Taijutsu pose again, and faced down her father.

"Let's keep going" she said fiercely.

Inoichi regarded his daughter for a moment before speaking.

"Ino, what brought this on? It was like overnight, you went from a girl who content with the abilities she had, to a girl that strove for more… Not that it's a bad thing!" Inoichi put his hands up in defense.

Ino sighed as she dropped her pose. "It was Naruto… That night we went to get food…"

Inoichi frowned. He didn't like that she had basically gone on a date with the boy, even if she said it wasn't a date.

"He was telling me why he's been training so much… Why he's striving to be a great Shinobi… He took me to the memorial stone and told me about what it represents…"

Ino said, a somber look on her face.

Inoichi was surprised at this. The Jinchuriki of the hidden leaf village, the pariah that many tried to avoid or abuse, seemed to be much wiser than most Chunin. He knew of what it took to be a shinobi and the dedication that it took. Ino explained everything that she had heard from the boy, including the mission to wave.

'Zabuza Momochi…' Inoichi thought as his description came up. 'To think they survived a bout against one of the seven swordsman of the mist was impressive.'

"So that's why I need to start training… As dumb as it sounds, I'm jealous at the resolve that dobe has… The dead last of the academy is on his way to becoming a great Shinobi…"

She sounded slightly depressed at that point.

Inoichi nodded. "Very well… At least now I know Ino-chan. Well, let's keep it up then, I'll try to get you ready for the exams, but I can't make any promises."

Ino nodded. She knew that it was up to her to become stronger, Naruto had made that part clear.

Temari walked into Gaara's room.

"The Chunin exams begin tomorrow Temari" Gaara said as he stared at a blank wall.

Temari nodded. "I understand what I need to do… No holding back, attack to kill…"
Gaara nodded. "If he truly is a Jinchuriki as I am, he will be unharmed… You will die…"
Temari was about to speak when Gaara glanced at her, shutting her up.

"If you do not aim to kill, I will kill you myself… Slowly, and painfully…" Gaara said, his bloodlust filling the room.

Temari flinched. "Y…yes brother… I will aim to kill him… No holding back…"
Gaara looked back to the wall. "I could care less about the war Temari… I just want to kill him… Naruto Uzumaki…"

He felt something stir within him, the Ichibi was getting anxious at the mere mention of Naruto.

The Hokage sat at his desk, surrounded by his ANBU and the Jonin that were currently in the village.

"I have gathered you all here, to make sure that we are all prepared for the worst scenario." Sarutobi said to those assembled.

"This Chunin Exam will be unique for multiple reasons. The Yondaime Kazekage will be here to watch the exams and his two participating children."

The Jonin and ANBU all stayed silent as they listened to their leader.

"In addition, it has come to my attention courtesy of Jiraiya, that the boy Gaara no Subaka, the son of the Kazekage, is more than likely a Jinchuriki…" The Jonin stayed silent, but you could see a few of them shift uncomfortably.

"And as everywhere in here is aware, there is a high probability that he may end up fighting Gaara… If it is to happen, we must be prepared fr the possibility of either or even the both of them, to use their Biju in battle."

A murmur ran through Jonin at this point.

"Jiraiya has informed me that it is doubtful that Naruto will access the Kyubi's chakra, but we must be prepared. If this does happen, steer clear of the boy and let Jiraiya handle him. Understood?"

"Yes!" The Jonin and ANBU all spoke at once.

"Good… Now of course, be on the look out for anything else as well, with two Kage together, you never know if someone may try something, so be careful tomorrow!" He dismissed his forces and they quickly exited his office, leaving him alone.

Jiraiya suddenly appeared before the old man.

"Jiraiya-kun" The Sandaime said with a smile. "I take it you and Naruto are finished?"

Jiraiya yawned and scratched the back of his head.

"We just finished actually."

The Sandaime stood up, his back cracking from sitting in his chair all day.

"So… May I ask what you've taught him?" The Sandaime inquired.

Jiraiya grinned. "Oh I'm not telling you that old man, that's a surprise. You'll have to wait just like everyone else, even Kakashi doesn't know."

The Sandaime frowned. "I hope that there wasn't any Kinjutsu involved" he said.

Jiraiya shrugged. "You can't intimidate me Sarutobi-sensei, but no, no Kinjutsu was taught to him."

Hiruzen nodded. "Good to hear Jiraiya."

Jiraiya smiled as he imagined what the Hokage's reaction would be to the jutsu Naruto now knew.

It was going to be fun.

Well there is Chapter 10, a little shorter than usual, but I didn't want to start the fights this chapter, that will be next. More Naruto/Ino moments will happen during and after the exams.

Naruto and Sasuke are progressing further in their training in this than they did in Canon so they are stronger than they were.

And yes, there is the reason for Kiba being stronger and yes, Hinata and Shino are stronger for it as well. The Rookie 9 are stronger than in Canon, as is Rock Lee. After all, he was never injured and he's been training the whole month as well.

As for the match ups for the exam,

Here are what have been revealed thus far.

Temari VS Naruto

Ino VS Hinata

Sasuke VS Neji (well i didn't out right say it, but there are only two Hyuga in the exam)

THat leaves Rock Lee, SHikamaru and Choji. Yes, there is an odd number of participants but it works out.

You'll see.

Anyways, please review, follow, favorite, all that Jazz. And the next chapter is in progress, I'm very excited for this part and I hope you are as well. I have some fun stuff planned.

Until the next chapter (which will be coming to you sometime this March)

So again, Review, review, review!

Zukara