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Quote of the Day: Live throws us all sorts of problems. It knocks us down. But don't be afraid to live. Live your life. Fall nine time, get up ten.- Me

Time

2 Months Later

Naruto grunted as he pulled himself up the side of the cliff. Normally this would be no problem, except he had about an extra fifty pounds on him. And he was not allowed to use his chakra to enhance his strength. Naruto looked up, searching for a place he use to continue up. There was none. The closest spot seemed to be just out of his reach, about three feet high and to the left. Naruto adjusted his grip, he would have to jump for it. But he was growing tired. His arms and legs were burning. His muscles ached but he was determined to make it to the top. Naruto lowered himself a bit and jumped, reaching out as far as he could for the ledge.

He fell short. Fell short by just three inches.

"Fuck!" Naruto yelled as he felt gravity enforce its law.

Before he fell a hand grabbed his stopping his decent. Naruto looked at his savior.

"Not bad Naruto, you made it about a fourth of the way this time." said Ryu as he looked up the cliff, holding onto Naruto as if he weighed no more than a small cat even with the extra weight.

Naruto frowned. Since he had decided that he would remain in the Wasteland he was going to serve it the only he knew how. By becoming a Wasteland ninja. Ryu, Ken, and Yuuga were ninja so they were helping him "catch up" to rest of the people in his age group. Ryu was helping him with his strength/endurance training. Ken was helping him hone his reflexes and reaction time, and Yuuga helped him with his chakra control. The Shikyokage had told him that the next chance to try and become a ninja would be in eight months. That was two months ago.

Apparently the requirements to become a Wasteland ninja were higher than they are in Konoha. To become a ninja here you have to pass five different tests. The first was genjutsu, he would have to create a genjutsu of a certain strength, and dispel a genjutsu. The second test was learning a set amount ninjutsus that all ninjas need to know. The third test was a taijutsu test. Everyone in the village needed to know a certain style of fighting. Naruto learned that there are hundreds different types of styles, each specializing in a certain aspect of fighting, from the speed of Kung-Fu to the power of Tae-kwon-do. He would need to at least prove that he is at least at the level of blue belt, an expert of the fighting style would be there to judge his performance and determine if he passed or not. The fourth test was weapon proficiency in any weapon he decided, again a master of the weapon would be there to judge. The final test would deal with what ninjas are known for, remaining unseen. He would be put into a mock scenario, where he would either need to "assassinate" a person, or steal an item. And all the tests were done one right after an other. So it was also an endurance test.

"I won't be happy until I make to the top." Naruto said.

Ryu chuckled, Naruto was not satisfied with only a fourth, he wanted it all. Ryu pulled up to be level with him. Naruto used his chakra to stick to the wall knowing that his training with Ryu was over. They slowly began his decent.

"You have been improving greatly Naruto." Ryu comment as they neared the ground. "By the time the test comes up you will be more than ready."

"Thanks to you guys. I've learned more in these past two months than I've ever learned back in Konoha." Naruto said a somber look pass across his face.

Naruto always felt sadden whenever he thought about his previous life. The bads of his past life outweighed the goods.

"You don't need to compare your life here to you previous. At least you can remember the good things."

They reached the ground dusted themselves off and started to head to their usual training grounds to meet up with Yuuga who was going to help him next. The system that they created had Ryu training Naruto in the morning at about seven to ten forty-five. After that Yuuga trained him eleven to one. After that he gets a two hour break. Then his training with Ken would start. Then at five all four of them would train with the Shikyokage. This happened every other day, to allow his body to recover. Even with the Kyuubi inside of him helping him heal his training was pretty extreme, he need to cram years of training and preparation in to eight months, and he had used two months already.

Then came to decide on a fighting style. When Naruto was asked which fighting style he wanted to learn he was stumped. There were so many that looked appealing to him. After three days of looking over many styles and sitting in to see instructors teach the style Naruto could not decide. Naruto want a strong style not to mention a "cool" one. That was when the Shikyokage offered to teach him his style. A style that only five other people in the wasteland knew. Ryu and his siblings were surprised, their style was a family one. The master of the style was only allowed to teach their children and was allowed to take one apprentice, and the Shikyokage had already taken an apprentice. Ryu despite himself objected. But the Shikyokage waved his complaint off, saying that his current apprentice was practically a master himself. Of course this discussion took place in private, after Naruto accepted. It was settled Naruto was going to learn Ansatsuken.

"So Naruto have you decided which weapon you wanted to use?" asked Ryu.

Naruto had looked though nearly every weapon the village had to offer. Knives to broadswords, poles to chains and everything in between. Naruto learned that each of the Shikyokage's children used different weapons. Yuuga used two fans which went well with her element. Ken used a broadsword, surprisingly since Naruto thought he would use something that would allow him to be more mobile, that also help with his element. Ryu was the biggest surprise, Naruto learned very quickly that Ryu's physical strength unbelievable. So Naruto he would use something like a warhammer, or a mace. But no Ryu's weapon was the katana. Of course Naruto never saw their weapons he was told he would see them when he received his weapon. Which he still hasn't decided on.

"Not yet. I don't want to chose a weapon, spend time learning it and decide I want a different one." Naruto answered.

"Well you best decide soon, the graduation date is fast approaching. And you really need to decide these things quickly."

"Yeah yeah i got it. I'll decide by the end of the week."

They continued toward the training ground. Naruto thinking about all that he had learned about the village and its inhabitants. The first week that Naruto was in the wasteland he learned that there were three kinds of people in the village. Those that were jinchurikis, those that were hanyos, and those that had essence, which meant that they got a boost of chakra from a certain type of demon. Yuuga's friend Kisara was a perfect example. Her father was a hanyo, while her mother was a person that had essence of a tiger demon. So Kisara was one-forth tiger demon, and she got a boost from her mother, but despite her demon side, much to her disappointment, she didn't really have any tiger like traits. She only had slitted eyes, and two really faint stripes one on her lower back that extends from one hip to another, and the other ran from the bottom of her rib cage to the other side around her back. Things like animal traits depended on how strong the demons chakra affected you, and how strongly your body resisted the changes one might have.

In his time here he had learned that his seal was incomplete. The Shikyokage had told him that they were eventually going to have to fix it. But that meant undoing the seal that he has, which would give the Kyuubi an opportunity to escape. Naruto was brought out of his musings when Ken ran up to them a smile on his face. Ryu frowned.

"Ken aren't you supposed to be cleaning the back room." Ryu questioned.

A certain incident back at home involving honey his sister and feathers had resulted in Ken cleaning out the storage room of the house. Still it was worth the laugh even when Yuuga bashed him on the head with a frying pan. Naruto had never laughed so hard in his life, even Ryu chuckled and he was the most serious one in the house. The Shikyokage didn't find it very amusing and made Ken clean out the storage room, and gave Yuuga a curfew much to her displeasure.

"But dude they're about to go at it." Ken exclaimed his smile never fading.

"Who are?" Naruto asked.

"Mitsurugi-san and Akechi-san." Ken said the excitement clear in his voice.

"No way." Naruto answered.

"Way, why else would I not be at home?"

"Because your lazy." answered Ryu crossing his arms.

"Ryu would I lie about something like this?" Ken said his smile still plastered on his face.

Ryu looked at his brother. He was known to tell a fib here and there, but when it came to things that he liked he never lied.

"I suppose not."

Naruto's eyes widened.

"Then what are we waiting for lets go!" Naruto exclaimed as he took off for the arena.

"Naruto you need to start your training with Yuuga!" Ryu called out as Ken and Naruto made there way to the arena.

"Later!" Naruto called.

Ryu sighed as he made his way to Yuuga to tell her Naruto would be late. He took three steps before he stopped and sighed again. He then turned around and started to quickly make his way toward the arena.

At the Arena

There were about fifty other people in the arena. No one ever knows when they decide to fight, so not many people show up. But they didn't care, they only cared about the fight that would take place. Two men were standing in the middle. By just looking at them one would know they were samurai. Both were clad in armor, one was clan in a red colored armor, the other in black. They both hand two blades strapped to their waists.

Heishiro Mitsurugi looked at his opponent who was about five feet away. He was his rival, he was the main reason that he did not leave the village when he first arrived in the wasteland. Before coming to the wasteland Mitsurugi was an undefeated wandering warrior. Never had he tasted defeat. Until he came here. He had been found wandering the desert by a team. They had brought him to the village where he immediately challenged anyone who would fight him. None came forth, he guessed that were afraid. It was then one person came forth and accepted his challenge. When the duel started he was surprised when in less then five seconds he was disarmed with a blade to his throat. He had lost. His opponent had been the one that was standing before him now. When he lost he swore that he would not leave until he regained his honor.

That was seventeen years ago. Mitsurugi had ended up winning the next time they had fought. But he felt that his opponent had let him win. He trained harder and re-challenged him only to lose. And that became the routine they would alternate wins, so to speak. Mitsurugi never left, he eventually became a warrior of the wasteland, he say warrior because he doesn't really care for the tactics ninja use.

Naruto and Ken entered the arena and looked for anyone they knew.

"Hey there's Tayuya and Basu." Naruto pointed out.

Flashback

Naruto met Basu and Tayuya the first week he was in the Wasteland. It was a very tense meet between them. Naruto was still getting used to the fact that there were some people living in the wastes that were once considered his enemy. They met in the very place that would become one of his favorite spots in the village. His training made his slightly paranoid. And when he had first saw her again he was on the defensive. After all she was one of the ones that came and took Sasuke. And from what he had heard she had almost killed Shikamaru.

But the minute that he took a stance out of reflex, someone stood in front of her. His hair was white, and just reached his shoulders. He was dressed all in black. His eyes hidden behind his custom looking headband. The two people on the stage stopped what they were doing and stood ready to help if need be. Yuuga however placed herself in the middle of Naruto and Tayuya.

"Whoa now calm down! There's no need for this." Yuuga said holding her hands out to stop the fight that might happen.

Tayuya snorted.

"Damn straight. I can fight my own battles Basu." Tayuya said crossing her arms, and shifting her weight to one of her legs.

Basu turned his head to look at her.

"..."

"Yeah so, I would have mopped the floor with him." Tayuya answered.

"..."

Tayuya blushed and looked away.

"Ahh ain't that cute." said the white haired girl as she sat back down.

Naruto was confused. It looked like they where responding to the blindfolded kid. But Naruto didn't see him move his lips or anything.

"Naruto why don't you calm down and lets see if we can figure this out." Yuuga turned to face Naruto.

Naruto looked at at her and to Tayuya who had now rid herself of her blush and was now lazily looking at him. Naruto slowly came out of his stance.

"So now why don't we sit down and talk this out?" Yuuga said as she motioned to the table that Tayuya and Basu were sitting at.

Naruto and Tayuya stared at each other.

"I think I'll stand." said Tayuya

"Same here." Naruto answered.

Yuuga sighed, they were not making this easy.

"Look guys the sooner we settle this the sooner we can move on."

Neither Tayuya or Naruto said anything. Basu took his previous seat next to Tayuya.

"..."

"Yeah well maybe I don't want to fucking sit down." said Tayuya stubbornly.

"SIT!" Yuuga yelled.

Immediately everyone sat down. Ryu and Ken included and they were not even the source of the problem. But they knew better than to get on Yuuga's bad side.

Yuuga looked between Tayuya and Naruto. They were tense.

"So Naruto why don't you go first, why so hostile toward Tayuya?"

Naruto thought a bit wondering how much he should tell these people. They have show him only kindness. But then again Tayuya had apparently been here longer than he had so they might not believe him should she object to his story. Yuuga was staring at him patiently, waiting for his answer. Tayuya had her arms crossed and refused to talk. So Naruto figured that he would have to start things off. And so Naruto told the story of how Sound had invaded Leaf, how she was one of the four that held up a barrier that stopped anyone from helping the Third Hokage, which resulted in his death. He then told them how she and her group came and tried to take Sasuke. He told them how her team nearly killed his friends, and how she personally nearly killed Shikamaru. When Naruto finished telling his story. The group looked at Tayuya.

"What?" she asked annoyed.

"Well is everything he said true." asked Yuuga.

"Yeah so what?" Tayuya answered

"Your not sorry?" Naruto almost growled.

"Should I be."

Naruto looked like he was about to jump over the table and strangle the maroon haired girl.

"Look here blondie," Tayuya said as she glared at Naruto. "I did what I did because I was ordered to. You think you're so high and mighty you think that you're some kind of paragon. You think because I did something you don't agree you have the right to judge me?"

Tayuya sighed.

"Look I'll admit that I have done thinsg I'm not proud of, but I'm not sorry about being a good ninja. We are given order and even though we may not agree with them we must carry them out. It's the life we signed up for I was carrying out the orders given to me."

Tayuya stopped her rant and looked away. She never liked Orochimaru, but he gave her purpose. When she was brought here she was given a new purpose. Not only that she was given a choice. Unlike Orochimaru, who practically forced her into service, the Shikyokage asked her what she wanted. She had never been asked what she wanted before. So when she said that she wanted some time to think he gladly let her take her time to decide. Tayuya felt a hand on her shoulder and turn toward the touch. Basu was the one touching her.

"..."

"Aww isn't that sweet." the white haired girl behind the drums teased.

Tayuya felt her face heat up.

"Don't say dumb ass shit like that you idiot!" Tayuya yelled at the silent white haired teen sitting next to her, but didn't try to shake out of his touch.

Yuuga smiled and turned to Naruto who was in deep though.

"Naruto," she began breaking his musings. "Tayuya was your enemy at one point, so I can understand not really trusting her right off the bat. But she is a Wasteland ninja now. That means she is now your comrade, and you need to accept that if you two are ever in trouble she may have been the only one that has your back, and you her's."

Naruto thought about it. He guessed that Yuuga had a point. Tyuya was a Wasteland ninja, he was going to become one soon, so sooner or later they would have to get along.

"I guess your right." Naruto said.

"Of course I'm right, now shake hands and make up." Yuuga said triumphantly.

Naruto lookede at Tayuya and she looked at him. Naruto was a bit hesitantto shake. Tayuya just refused to.

"SHAKE!" she yelled with the same ferocity as she did before.

Ryu and Ken jumped slightly in their seats. Basu's hands clamped over his ears. While on stage his brother, who was busy tuning one of the guitars accidentally popped the string he was tuning, and the drum stick that his sister was spinning in her hand went flying to some unknown direction. But her shout got the desired effect. Both Naruto's and Tayuya's hands shot out and gripped onto each others. Yuuga smiled she once again solved a problem, a bit of forcefully than she would have liked, but none the less she got it done.

"See aren't things a lot more simple if you just listen to me?"

Naruto and Tayuya looked at each other. They gave each other and released their hands.

Present

Naruto and Tayuya ended up becoming friends, well sort of. Tayuya never always that she never accepted being friends with anyone. But everyone knew that she didn't mean that. It's just growing up the way she did she never really learned how to express happy feelings like that. So she just stuck to cursing and rudeness. But her friends still stuck with her. Especially Basu who obviously cared deeply for the maroon haired girl. Naruto and Ken made their way to their friends. After a breif greeting they sat down and waited for the fight to start.

Ryu entered the arena and stood at one of the entrances.

"You know next time you guys decide to ditch me at least give me a heads up." a voice said to him.

Ryu turned and a saw his sister standing there with her arms crossed.

"Sorry it was not my intention."

Yuuga waved it off.

"Whatever you guys are so childish."

Ryu was about to answer when she stopped them.

"SHH, it starting." Yuuga said.

Ryu looked back down at the arena. Both the combatants now stood about four feet from one another. Both had their hands on the hilt of their swords. Everyone was one the edge of their seats. Eagerly waiting to see who would make the first move. A leaf danced through the wind, making its way down near the two men. As it landed in between the two warriors made their move. Both swordsman drew at the same time. Their blade slidding out of thier sheathes.

But then they stopped Their swords were only halfway out of their sheathes. They stared at each other before they resheated their blades and shook hands. The entire crowd groaned in disappointment. Believe it or not this was a common occurance. Some times they would actually fight, but most of the time they just did this.

"Another draw it would seem." Mitsurugi said to his opponent as he shook his hand.

"It would seem like it old friend. Though it would seem like we have a lot of unhappy spectators."

Mitsurugi chuckled.

"These people should know by now what to expect by now."

People were starting to file out of the arena. Grumbling and complaining to each other about the lack of action.

"I assume that you will be bringing the family over for dinner?" Mitsurugi's red armored friend asked.

"Of course. You can tell Kaede we will be there." Mitsurugi answered.

Both of them made their way out of the the arena.

"Man that make like the 5th time in a row they do that. This sucks." Ken complained.

Naruto was about to answer before his eye fell on Yuuga and the evil look on her face. Naruto's face paled. He had forgotten that he had ditched training with her to see this match.

"Oh man you are in so much trouble." Ken taunted.

Just then from behind Yuuga and Ryu appeared the Shikyokage, and he looked upset. Naruto chuckled as he saw his face pale.

"Karma's bitch ain't it?" Naruto taunted back.

"..."

"I swear you say the most stupidest ass shit." Tayuya's loud annoyed voice sound.

Tayuya and Basu were make their way toward the exit, which happen to be where everyone was. Yuuga turned her attention to her friend while her father scolded Ken about not finishing his chore, and Naruto for skipping out on his practice.

"I swear its like you two are joined at the hip. Its like lately you are always together. Is there something going on I should know about." Yuuga teased

Tayuya blushed as she turned her head. Basu just grinned.

"Damn it, your acting just as stupid as he is."

Yuuga continued to tease her friend as her father started to tell Ken and Naruto their punishment. Naruto half listened as he let his mind wander a bit. The short time he spent in the wasteland the happiest he has ever been. When he was a Leaf ninja his dream was to become Hokage. But now he had a new dream, and that dream was to become the best wasteland ninja he could be, and protect the life he was building, and to protect the lives of those who call the wasteland home. He was going through a transformation. He hand entered the wasteland one way, and it will break him down and reforge him into something greater.

This was without a doubt one of my worst chapters. Sorry you waited so long for such a poor read. I'm going to do another poll. It is going to be what kind of weapon Naruto should use. I'm going to put several types so choose your favorite and hope it wins.

Ok so this is the important announcement. I know that my update are really spaced apart, so this may not matter to some of you but here it is. I am going to be going to boot camp. So as of Aug.6 2012 I am going to be unable to work on my fic. I really wanted to add more chaps but was really busy preparing to leave. When I finish boot camp I intend to continue this fic. So this won't be good bye, just till next time. So please R&R I hope to read some of you reviews before I leave.

Well See Ya Squall Leonhart Out.