Chapter 9

Long Night Talk & Time skip: One Month's progress!

I own Nothing

"Why does all this crap have to happen to me?" Naruto questioned as he slithered through the halls, his legs dragging behind him lazily as the fatigue of the day started to show through. The abuse his clones did to him was taking its toll as the adrenaline rush Naruto was riding was falling rapidly.

He sloshed his way towards his room at a snail's pace as his arms slouched to his sides, his shoulders at an all time low, and his head hung like a melon on a string. The only reason he was able to make it to his room was because of his photographic memory of this place, seeing as he used to walk this whole complex when he was a child, analyzing everything about this house. One of his more common little quirks that he has learned, or rather forced himself to drop, sure he still does it when he is in an unknown location but far more less than he used to.

He found his way to his room by following the proper board planks on the floor and flopped down on the hardwood floor, allowing the cold, wood-stained floor to relieve his aching muscles. "Damn you body, why can't you just not hurt!" Naruto complained mentally as he literally started to…..slither. Yes, his body began to contort and pivot in a way that perfectly mimicked a snakes moving body. Ah, how he loves to do that. Especially when he can scare the crap out of Konohamaru. He waits until he hears the pitter patter of the little ones feet and then he begins his hunt. Normally he would be waiting for Konohamaru to come out of his room right about now but he was too damn tired.

He slinked under his bed and curled up his body to keep himself warm as his mind started to drift off into sleep….or at least that's what it would have been doing if not for a sudden tug on his cerebral cortex!

"Oh god, please not now." he whined, feeling another pull in his mind, telling him that you-know-who wants to have a heart to heart on today's events.

He slowly closed his eyes, allowing his body to become numb and lifeless as his mental body took over, allowing him to walk among the area his mind has carved out for Kurami to live in. It was dark and dank, just like Naruto remembered; it had that same feel his old musty cage used to have. "Note to self, remember to change this place up a bit. It can't be appealing to Kurami-chan" He thought dryly as he trekked through the ankle deep water and soon found the right pathway to his freed beauty.

He saw her sitting on the water as if it was solid as she watched a flat translucent image play before her, it was a memory. It was one of her and Naruto's most precious once, cobbled together like a montage or highlight video. Naruto took a seat next to his distracted vixen who seemed transfixed on the movie before her.

"Hey, I remember this." Naruto interjected, pointing to the screen as he snaps his transfixed tenet from her daze, "but….I don't remember this from that angle" he commented, tilting his head slightly in a comedic fashion as he watched the scene play out.

The screen showed a single, scaly boy who laid his head softly on a small girls lap. The girl then started to run her small, delicate fingers through his silver locks as he smiled and scotched more into her warmth.

"That's because these are my memories, they are from my perspective. Almost like my own personal home movie." she said cutely, her smile growing as she watched the small little Naruto snuggle into her thighs.

"So, is there a reason you are sitting her in the dark, watching these particular memories?" Naruto questioned numbly, even his mental from seemed to be dealing with the effects of his emotionally and physically exhausting day.

"I just wanted to relive the good old days." she said plainly, her eyes glued to the moving pictures that continued to the next memory. The first time she and Naruto played a game in her mindscape. It was hide-and-seek; she taught him how to stretch out the dark hallways and to give them different turnoffs and pathways to make full use of their playing field.

"Good old days, huh?" Naruto asked questionably, raising an eyebrow at her, "I don't really remember the old days being all that good. What with all the torture, operations, abuse, etc." he says sarcastically, getting a small but visible smile from Kurami.

"You know what I mean" she says playfully, pushing Naruto's shoulder lightly, "I mean the nights we spent playing for hours, those moments when you would wake up and I was the first one you wanted to speak too….When it was just me-and you against the world." She mumbled, chocking slightly on her words as a tear tried it's damndest to break through. To be honest the Kyuubi was everything to Naruto and he was everything to her, they grew off each other.

Naruto wouldn't be the same if Kurami wasn't there those first few years to help cement feelings and emotions into him. If she wasn't there he probably would have been ten times worse that he is today. An emotionless machine ready to do Orochimaru's business without a second thought.

As for Kurami, she grew much more attached to something, giving her a new hope in this world that she has always believed to be a never ending cesspool of filth and garbage. But, after she was cut off from Naruto she started to become paranoid, what would happen if Naruto doesn't need her anymore? What happens if someone takes her Naruto-kun away?

"Yeah", Naruto started, smiling up at the image frozen on the screen. It was a wide angle shot of both Naruto and Kurami as children, wrestling around in the water as they giggled and laughed.

He couldn't help but notice the twinkling in Kurami's eye back then; something had changed from the hard and tough persona she put on when he met her. She was afraid, guarded, and ready to strike, almost like how he was when he was taken from Orochimaru's lair.

Even after their first meeting she was still very on guard, especially when Naruto touched her. Every time he did he could feel her skin tense, even if her face didn't show it. She hated contact…..just like him.

"I guess you could call that the good old days." He said kindly, taking his eyes off the big screen and now set them on the downcast Kyuubi who, at this point, has pulled her gaze from the screen only to look down towards the reflective surface.

"Naruto-kun?"

"Yeah?" Naruto retorted, seeing her gaze now lock with his.

"Do you really love Anko?" She questioned as her eyes seemed to grow desperate when those words left her. Now, don't get her wrong, she is no push over and she can definitely bring others to their knees with fear just by looking at them. But, the thought of a world without the love of her life is nothing less than heart wrenching!

Naruto's eyes begin to widen as he didn't understand why she must bring that up again. Of course he knew that was probably what she wanted to talk to him about, but when they started going on and on about the good old days he might have thought the idea had slipped her mind.

"Look Kurami-chan, you know I can't answer that", he says solemnly, knowing that's not what she wanted to hear.

"Well, why not!" she hissed, smacking her hand against the water's surface, "why can't you just come out and say it! You don't like me anymore, you're done, and you're trading up! Just be a man and just say it!"

"It's not like that damn it!" Naruto barked back, having to dig deep inside to try and find the reason or the answer Kurami was looking for. "...You know I can't answer that. I can't express love, hell I don't even know what it is." he retorted calmly, allowing himself a moment of composure so as to not say anything stupid to Kurami.

"Why not? Why is it so damn hard for you to say you loving someone?" she questioned bitterly, her words hiding a deeper root of this problem.

"I don't know!" He yelled, standing abruptly with rage and confusion crossing his features as quickly as they came. "Do you think I enjoy sitting around, confused out of my mind at the odd feelings I get from time to time that bubble to the surface? Don't you think I want to be able to look you in the eyes and say I love you?!" he retorted harshly, his pain evident on his face.

"Then why don't you!"

"Because it would be hollow! It wouldn't mean anything to me! Me just saying a word doesn't mean there is any weight behind them for me." said Naruto, "It would be like me saying a made up word. It means nothing to me." his rage soon left him as he realized what he said. He plopped down on the water's surface and closed his eyes shamefully. He had just told a woman who hopes that one day she would hear those famous words from him that those words won't amount to anything in his eyes.

"So, is there any other dreams of mine you want to crush?" she asked sarcastically, hopefully covering up the pain she feels inside.

"Please Kurami-chan, let me explain-" he was about to say but was beaten to the punch by a very hurt Kurami, who scoffed at the suffix and said.

"You know what; I think I have had enough of your explanation for today. I want to leave this conversation with a little more dignity, thank you very much." she said dejectedly, her body put up the front her words couldn't back up.

"Kurami-chan-"

"Don't call me that again!" she hissed, "I don't think someone who can't even say they love me deserves to us such a suffix while addressing me! From now on it's either Kyuubi or nothing, got it?" she questioned; quickly jumping from her seated position and began to walk towards the corner of her cell she kept for herself.

She passed by Naruto only to be snagged by his hand, gripping tightly around her as Naruto's face contorted in a somewhat painful expression. "K-Kurami-chan…...I…...I"

"I said, don't call me tha-"

"Can you please just listen for 5 fucking seconds!" he yells aggressively, his built up feelings finally breaking through.

"...W-What?" she questioned quietly, almost as if his yelling didn't get through even though it would take a deaf person to pull that off.

" I just wanted to say...I care about you too much to let it end this way. I hate having to blather on like a fool about my emotions, you know that. Every single time I see idiotic couples sit out in public, bitching about their problems and their feelings, I want to walk up to them and kick their damn heads off. But….I won't let you leave here and not hear….my feelings for you!" He said, his delivery seemed almost painful for him, like he pulled those words from the deepest retches of his buried emotions.

Even his outburst drew his last ounce of breath he had from his lungs, causing him to pant lowly and rasped, almost like this experience hurt him.

Kurami on the other hand just stood there, stunned at Naruto's outburst. Naruto was a wildcard; he was never a 100% readable, as most unstable people are. He would mostly shut down emotionally at points he couldn't handle or didn't want to handle at that particular time. but now, at one of the hardest emotional moments of Naruto's short life, he is actually confronting it. Not wanting to ruin the head of steam Naruto was slowly building, Kurumi just stayed silent, waiting to hear Naruto's emotional breakthrough.

"Look, I am not really good at this." he started, pointing out an obvious point that anyone who has spent four hours with the guy would have noticed. "I have never been good with describing myself to others or my feelings towards them…...but, I'll try, for you."

"...When Orochimaru took you from me, I was devastated. Something inside me died on the day he tightened up that damn seal. But, when Jiraiya brought you back to me…...I could honestly say I cried tears of joy…..and on that day I vowed that I will never let anyone take you away from me, not even Kami himself" he said, taking a more different approach to convey his emotions.

"You mean everything to me and I won't let you go…...ever!" he yelled, allowing his grip to tighten around Kurami's wrist. Enough to show he was serious but not too tight to leave a bruise or hurt.

Kurami held back a tear, she had made a fool of herself far enough for today she doesn't want to add getting teary eyed on the that list too. She wiped away a stray tear from her cheek and smiled, happy to finally hear a definitive emotion from him.

"You know, saying "I love you" would have saved you a whole lot more thought" she questioned cutely, turning around and embracing Naruto who quickly accepted it.

"Well, whoever said I liked the easy way?" He retorted back, squeezing her tightly to himself just so he could continue to feel her presence.

As the two continued to hug, Naruto's fatigue got the best of him. He passed out in Kurami's hands, diminishing what remains of his manly ways but at this point he didn't really care. Kurami just smiled and sat down with Naruto's limb body as she places his head on her lap as she played through his long strands of silver hair.

As she watched over Naruto she couldn't help but smile, and soon enough her charming, innocent smile turned into a stretched out, diabolical snicker as she says in a hushed voice, "Kurami: 1, Anko: 0"

Time Skip: 1 Month

"Naruto and Anko reporting for duty!" Anko yelled proudly, stomping into the mission registration office and saluting the Hokage, while Naruto trailed along behind her with his custom made ANBU mask on.

Now, you might be wondering why the forcibly retired ANBU is still wearing his mask? Well, for his whole month of probation he has had to trek around this god forsaken village doing everything a new genin, freshly crapped out by the academy would do as his punishment. He walks dogs, paints fences, catches a cat that he would rather swallow whole than to save one more bloody time.

So, he was told to wear his mask because of it, so the younger generation wouldn't recognize him and technically he was still keeping his court appointed obligations. He would also drop his genjutsu to add to the mystery, if he ever got near anyone he knew from the Academy they would just stare awkwardly at the scaly bastard.

Aside from dealing with crap missions he also has to deal with the awkwardness that surrounds both him and his sensei. Sure she seems practically ecstatic when she is in front of the Hokage but in all honesty, they both are mute if they are in the same room. None of them talk to each other or discuss what happened, they basically act like five year olds who are too embarrassed to make the first move.

And it isn't even about embarrassment, its more about thick headedness. Neither one of them wish to stick their necks out just for it to get chopped off. They have no way of knowing if the other will actually take the apology and their relationship can begin again or just laugh at them and spit in their face.

But not everything is bad for Naruto. He and his new apprentice have been training together for the whole month and he has to say he is very surprised at Ayame's progress. She could easily take on those green horns Genin's and she could even give some Chunins a run for their money.

But, even though she is making tremendous progress it still doesn't make up for the fact she wants to come with Naruto on his first mission outside of the village.

She contently bothers him every damn training session to remember to bring her along on his mission but he keeps telling her no. She isn't experienced enough to tag along and he doesn't know what level of difficulty of mission he could be thrown into.

But she was persistent, even going as far as tagging along on Naruto's final day of probation but forgetting to tell Naruto about that little detail. So, if you where anyone in the hallway that led to the Hokage's office you would see Ayame crouched down, peering into the Hokage's office.

"Ah, just the two I was hoping to see." he said with a smile, "I have one C-A class mission, and another S-ranked mission." He stated, pulling out two scrolls from the pile of scrolls next to him. He laid the one labeled "C-A ranked" scroll in front of Anko and the other one labeled "S ranked" scroll in front of Naruto.

"Uh, Hokage-sama. I think you made a mistake" Anko chimed in, scratching her head as she looked over the lower ranked scroll.

"No, no mistake has been made." He stated firmly as Naruto picked up his scroll and scanned through it as well, "Both of these missions cannot be ignored and you two are the only qualified ninja's for these two jobs."

"Well, then why does Naruto-kun get the higher ranked mission? He's still just a genin." Anko asked, slightly bitter that her "student" was given the higher ranking mission.

"You know as well as I do that Naruto is far stronger than his ranking entails. Besides, he has had more fields experience with his work in the ANBU core than you have had in the past few years. So, his skills and experience is needed for this S rank mission." The Hokage explained, getting a resenting but understanding nod from Anko.

"Okay fine, I guess that makes since. So, where are we going Hokage-sama?" She questioned reluctantly, looking to Naruto who continues to study his scroll.

"Anko, you will be going to wave country to give support for Team 7 against two new threats. They have been there for over a week now but they have ran into a few….problems. They need a helping hand and you seemed up for the task." he said with a smile, getting a nod from Anko. "And as for you Naruto, you will be going to Kirigakure to assist the resistance."

"Resistance? Resistance for what?" Anko asked, a slight but audible worried tone graced her question, almost as if she was worried for Naruto's safety.

"Apparently there has been a war over bloodlines" Naruto stated with his trademarked monotone, "work" voice, trying to seem more serious and focused than he actually was.

"A war!?" Anko asked with concern, whipping her head towards the masked Naruto then back to the Hokage, "Are you serious? You're sending Naruto-kun into a warzone! With all due respect Hokage-sama bu-"

"That's enough Anko-san" Naruto spoke with authority, walking behind his sensei and placing a firm hand on her shoulder, "I know what I am doing. I have a few ties within the people of Kirigakure and besides, this so called war is coming to a head already. It should be an easy task for someone of my level."

"How could you say an S-ranked mission is an easy task? It's ranked S for a reason!" she barked back, trying but ultimately failing at keeping her emotions in check.

"It's simply a political S ranked mission, see?" he said, producing the scroll and unraveling it in front of Anko, revealing in a big, bold letters, "Political S ranked Mission". "And besides, Sarutobi forgot to mention the reason only I can go is because I have a history with the Mizukage and the people of Kirigakure. I spent a few months there in my ANBU days as a bodyguard for the previous Mizukage. It was a favor asked before he flipped his lid and asked for the complete extermination of anyone with a blood line. And the people they're actually rather enjoy my cynical outlook on life."

"So, you're JUST going over there to deal with all the bureaucratic BS, nothing too dangerous?" she questioned, her words were drenched with concern, which actually touched Naruto's cold, scaly heart. Anko has never been one for emotion, especially in front of people, but her concern was endearing and rather….adorable!

"Hai, I am nothing more than the voice for Konoha. I shall be gone for 2 months, helping rebuild, setting up channels for the people of Kirigakure and Konoha to trade between one another, and set up a peace treaty. No fighting, I promise." he said with a smile, even though it was blocked by his stoic Viper mask.

"Now that that's settled, you two leave in two hours. You are dismissed" the Hokage interrupted, ruining a moment the two were trying to have. Both sighed and started for the door only to hear the Hokage's voice one one more time, "oh, and Naruto, may I have a word."

And so Naruto stayed, allowing Anko to walk out and close the door behind her. He turned to meet a more stoic and stone faced Sarutobi, mostly called his, "business" face.

"Naruto, you know you can't keep that promise, right?" he questioned, staring the Viper down as he seemed to loosen up, if only ever so slightly.

"Yes, I know. Nothing is ever that simple." he stated calmly, nodding slightly towards the aging diplomat. He hated having to lie to Anko but even though are having a….complicated break, I guess? He still felt a tiny tinge of guilt. But why should he? For the past month Anko has not tried once to apologize for her random and rather hurtful outburst, and besides why should he even care? He is already in a…..kinda sort of relationship with Kurami, why in god's name would he care if another girl was mad at him? It made no sense.

"So, since she's gone. Can I get my real debrief on my mission?" Naruto asked knowingly, getting a nod from the serious Sarutobi. One look at that stone cold look and you would know why he was considered the God of the Shinobi's.

"Well, like your scroll said, the war is coming to a close. That being said, the Mizukage is starting to become desperate. The resistance believes he is going to go all out in a few short weeks, so they asked for our support." Sarutobi began to explain, pulling out his odd looking pipe and lit the tip. "I could not scrounge together the amount of people they require but, I can give them one of the strongest ninja's in my village. That would be you, Naruto-kun." he said with a confident smile.

"Me?" Naruto questioned skeptically, "what about Azuma or Kakashi, or maybe even Kurenai? They must be stronger than-"

"Naruto, when you were just a boy, you were able to face them and 2 others head on. I believe you don't give yourself enough credit. I have watched you grow in strength from the day you were brought here. You and your apprentice shall be more than enough to end this war." Sarutobi wisely said, going over that "apprentice" word rather quickly. Something Naruto picked up on.

"I'm sorry; can you run that last part by me one more time?" Naruto asked politely.

"Which part? The one about me watching you grow or-"

"The part where you believe Ayame is going on this mission!" Naruto sternly said, showing his disappointment in the Hokage's decision, "I've told her time and time again that she's not ready. Why would you let a civilian jump into an S-ranked mission without any field experience? Hell, you gave Anko the A ranked because you SAID she wasn't ready!"

"Actually, that was a little fib on my part." Sarutobi muttered, taking a long drag on his odd pipe before blowing it out, delaying his statement. "You see, you and Anko are a little…..estranged, am I right?"

"Uuuum, I'm not quite comfortable talking about-" Naruto started, feeling his uncomfortable start to get in the way of his prior issue.

"Nonsense boy, you can tell me!" He said jovially, "you, Konohamaru, and Asuma forget that I was once a young stallion. In my golden days I was quite the-" The old man began to preach, his voice jumping a few octaves as before he was interrupted.

"Sarutobi! I really don't want to have this "little talk" with you, okay?" Naruto blubbered out, waving his hands before him, really trying to drill home to his surrogate grandfather that this is NOT something he wishes to speak of.

"You will listen to my "little talk" or I will make Ayame tag along on every mission you have! You know I can do it!" Sarutobi ordered, indulging in his only pleasure of being the Hokage.

Hearing nothing more come from the scaly teen Sarutobi continued, "now, where was I? AH yes, my glory years. When I was your age, I also was teamed up with my sweetheart, soon to be wife, and just like you and Anko, I and she were estranged. It didn't get any better when we were teamed up either. So, my sensei at the time Tobirama Senju, believed it would help our relationship as teammates and lovers if we split the teams up for a few upcoming missions. I went with Tobirama and she went with my other teammate and Hashirama Senju."

"Is there a point to this old man?" Naruto asked impatiently, slouching in his stance and was having to force himself to keep his eyelids open.

Sarutobi just growled slightly while he rubbed his temples in frustration, "My point is that separation can be a good thing. It can rekindle the fire you two once had. So, as your Hokage and your grandfather…." he said with a warm, fatherly smile, "I am ordering you to take this mission with Ayame, no exception or whining!" force in his voice but also a hint of playfulness and smugness, knowing Naruto could refuse a direct order from the Hokage.

"SO your going to risk the safety of Ayame just because me and Anko are having a little relationship issues?" Naurto asked with a twitching eyebrow and bulging eyes, surprised at the lack of oversight in Sarutobi's thinking.

"Naruto, she will be fine. She has you, and besides, you can always jsut leave her at the base while you go and fight. Now, like I said before, I am ORDERING you to do this, anything other than your complete and utter cooperation will force me to strip you of your ninja title." he said with a sickly righteous smirk, graning on Naruto's ever loving last nerve.

"F-FINE, AS YOU WISH. HOKAGE-SAMA!" Naruto hissed begrudgingly through his teeth, balling his fist in utter rage to the point he could draw blood if he squeezed just a bit tighter. "You crazy old bastard!" he added mentally as he was given the green light to leave. But before he left he was told that it would probably be in his best interest to wait an hour or 2 after Anko left, he wouldn't want Anko to get skeptical.

Ayame, who was peeking through a crack in the door, saw her sensei of 1 month start his walk towards the door. Not wanting to be spotted she rushed backwards and down the stairs, hoping to escape her sensei's wrath. She barged through the tower's front doors and took off to their normal meeting ground, her father's ramen stand.

She took a few shortcuts and got their in about 5 minutes at a brisk running pace and entered her father's stand, hoping to trick her detective of a sensei. She goes to the back to get prepared for their usual training session while also hoping he would "surprise" her with the news she will finally be able to go on a mission with him. She goes to the back of the restaurant and pulls out a duffle bag from the janitorial closet. She unzips it and pulls out her favorite training gear. She decided that having layers of clothing would just weigh her down and thanks to Naruto's very detailed notes on her fighting style; she knew she needed less clothing to help with her flexibility but also helps her in close combat.

She first slips out of her normal work attire and takes a wad of bandage wrap and wraps it around her chest, keeping her modest chest flat to her. She then picks up her first piece of clothing, a sleeveless chain mesh "shirt". It came down to her stomach and was pretty durable, especially when you were up close.

But, just like most chain mail it was good to block or deflect slashes, but jabs and stabs can render it almost useless. She then slid on a form fitting black tank top and two thick elbow pads and gripper gloves. She then put on a pair of black cargo pants that went down to her knees, slaps on some shin guards and finally, she laces up her steel toed boots.

As she began to straighten up her attire she heard a small but audible *swish* sound coming from the front. She looked up to see the curtains that decorated the restaurant's entrance swaying.

She finished tying her durable leather boots and started towards the door, hoping it wasn't an early bird customer arriving a good hour before the doors were suppose to be open.

She looked around the small table selection and noticed nothing was there. She thought it could have been the wind but she didn't feel anything, no draft, no cooling breeze, no nothing; it was slightly eerie. She slowly started to back step backwards while also keeping her eyes on the curtain which stayed stationary under her gaze.

Her continued trek backwards was soon halted when a solid mass stopped her in her tracks. She traced the mass with her hand, slowly rising up the surprisingly tall and solid thing that blocked her way.

"Ayame, we need to talk" a voice soon spoke, grabbing onto the waitress's wrist while roughly turning her to face him. She met the multi-colored splendor of Naruto Uzumaki's eyes, which right now held a fire and aggression she never liked to see.

"T-T-Talk? Talk about what?" she questioned timidly, seeming to shrink under Naruto's gaze. She hated that look, which promised unspeakable amount of pain for her during her training session.

"You know damn well what, my little apprentice." Naruto hissed, releasing Ayame's slender wrist while passing by her, heading towards the exit. "I will be waiting for you at our usual spot. DON'T keep me waiting." He ordered, getting a whimper from Ayame, she was in a load of trouble!

Forested Training Ground:

Soon enough, Ayame arrived, ready as she'll ever be to face her slave driver of a sensei. Looking back on that day she forced Naruto into being her sensei, she might have choice the worst possible way of payment. On her first day she was given two things, a pouch full of kunai and a target. Seems simple, take the Kunai and through it at the target, she really didn't know why this would help her with her knife fighting skills.

"Don't question me Maggot! Now throw! Throw! Throw!" and that's when Ayame knew she made a big, BIG mistake. "What? You want knifes? Now why the hell will I give you knifes? I'm not gonna waste my money on getting you fighting daggers if I didn't know you are gonna stick it out!" Another lovely line Naruto yelled while in his sensei mode. To be sure this must have been Naruto's payback for the blackmailing Ayame did, and to be honest, Ayame feel he has paid her back in strides.

She never had to work so hard in her life. The first three hours is nothing but target practice, she has evolved to the moving target while she is also being chased by a large white snake.

Next three hours was hand to hand training, Naruto's favorite time of the training. For those three hours he would literally wail on her, picking apart everything she did and telling her to "do it again, but this time do it right." again and again.

It was like a broken record. And for the rest of the time she was told to hunt and kill a summoned medium sized white snake through the forest. This one was so she could practice stealth while also learning how to stalk her opponent.

That was the only one that he actually explained to her, any other time she asked "why" it was always answered with "because I said so". Oh how he loved putting her through the ringer and at times she wonders if he is just trying to make her life a living hell when it comes to training. But, even though she questions his methods she is not going to give up! If her father has taught her anything it's "Don't give up so easily, the human spirit can outweigh anything anyone can dish out!"

But while at times she thinks Naruto is the demon incarnate when he trains her, she has realized something about him that most seem to just miss. He wasn't insane, so many people - him included - call him a nut job, a Waco, a freak of nature, but he was none of that. It took A month dealing with his brutality to realize he was nothing more than a broken man who was in desperate need of a pat on the back and someone to stay by his side.

"Ayame!" Naruto shouted dryly, "Come, I have much to discuss with you"

"S-Sure, I'd love to talk to you Naruto-kun" She said timidly, walking slowly towards the center where her cloaked teacher stood. Over the month he has changed his attire slightly, instead of the normal black clothing he just decided to wear a long black cloak with a hood. It helped psych out many people while it also adds to his creepy factor. He turned towards his student as she reached a few feet from him. He reached into his long sleeve and pulled out a scroll. He tossed the tan colored scroll to his student and told her dryly, "open it." which she did without delay. She was soon greeted in big bold letters, "Political S Rank Mission" while below it held the real details of the mission Sarutobi wrote down when Anko left.

"Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is a dangerous S ranked mission. Naruto Uzumaki and his apprentice, Ayame shall leave for a mission that will take 2 months to complete. -" But she could only get that far before Naruto snatched the scroll from her grasp and started threatening down at her (he is taller than a normal teen if you haven't noticed)

"Now, why would the Hokage, a very reasonable man even if he does have his moments of idiotic faith in people, request my apprentice; who I must stress is NOT ready for an S ranked mission, to join me on a mission out of the blue bloody sky!?" Naruto asked bitterly, his pointy teeth gritted together like puzzle pieces being shoved violently together.

"I-I-I don't know. Maybe he t-t-thought I would be a good…" she tried to think of something she would be good at but nothing came up, besides her marvelous cooking skills and her above average knifing skills she had no other skills.

"Exactly, you are just a apprentice, you don't have the strength or the skill to be on a S ranked mission. I cannot believe you went behind my back and asked him when I told you hundred times no!" he barked angrily like a parent scolding a child for making them look foolish with their lies.

"I did not! I can't believe you would think I would go behind your back! Do you not have any trust in me?" she questioned hurtfully, trying to cover up her lies like an assassin tries to cover their tracks in the dirt.

"I know damn well you went to him with this."

"How?"

"Because, I never told him I had an apprentice in the first place." Naruto retorted harshly, getting a shocked look from Ayame.

"W-Why not?" She questioned, truly hurt by Naruto's secrecy about his new apprentice. "Was he embarrassed of me?" she thought sadly, wondering why someone who says he doesn't care about appearances would be embarrassed about having a civilian as an apprentice. "Maybe he is just embarrassed that he has to lug around a "Civilian""

"I didn't tell him because anyone who isn't certified by the Council and the Hokage to get an apprentice must pay a fine of 2,300 dollars and right now I don't have that much money." He sighed, his level of rage dropping just a little to explain this with a more level head. Even though at times he can be an insensitive ass, he knew he didn't want an angry woman on his hands simply because of a misunderstanding….that and he was going to have to be on the road with her for 2 months, if she was mad it would make this already annoying mission that more hellish.

"O-Oh! Is that why you didn't want me to tag along?" she questioned

"No, it's because you're not ready…...but, seeing as I am under ORDERS to bring you, my hands are tied. Go home and pack enough stuff to last you 2 months. Where not coming back here for a while so you better be prepared." He murmured, "I shall be waiting for you at the village gates in 2 hours, DON'T keep me waiting", he then turned from her before he puffed into smoke.

"Wow….that was strangely anti-climatic." She thought with the feeling of happiness but skepticism just like a child would when he wasn't punished straight away. She just shrugged and began to wade through the brush and briers that riddled the surrounding of their personal training ground.

Two Hours Later: Village Gate

"You ready?" Naruto asked, standing right in the middle of the entrance, his arms folded over his chest while his cloak and mask covered his face from view. Most people would be terrified of such a massive and slightly odd figure but Ayame just walked up to him with a smile on her face and a backpack on her back.

"Of course, I can't wait!" she said excitedly, almost jumping for joy as she finally got what she has wanted for an entire month, she can finally show Naruto what she can do.

"Did you say farewell to your father?" Naruto asked cryptically, turning towards the direction to go out of Konoha.

"Yeah, why?" she asked skeptically.

"Because, the life of a ninja is paved with dead bodies and ours could be the next added to the pile."

Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed. Please review and if you have any questions please feel free to PM me.