Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor any of the characters, beside the main OC. All credit for creating this amazing series goes to Mr. Kishimoto

Author's note: Thanks to everyone for reading! Answer to the reviews are at the bottom.

Right first thing off: I am incredibly sorry for the HUGE delay in updating. It has been more than three months! Crap... I apologise to all the readers and fan of the stories, especially to my reviewers, but I had problems finding the time to write especially after exams began. When I did have time to write, I just could not do it. I spent hours looking at the white pages on my pc. I really hate writer's block! Just one thing, I don't intend to abandon this story.

Second thing: EDITING. I must graciously thank Deathgeonous for agreeing to beta my work. I have most of the chapter edited and I will update in the following days.

Third thing: resulting from the editing itself the first chapters will have "..." for speech and '...' for thinking, instead of «..» there was before. This chapter has this layout as well.

Sorry again for being so late, I hope you enjoy the chapter:

It's not only about the training

May 2nd, 214 – Library of Konoha, Hokage Mountain

Akimi entered the great building with a beaming smile, inhaling the scent of old paper and ink. She loved that smell. "Good afternoon, Raida-sad." she bowed to the librarian, who was actually a retired jōnin and also controlled visitors for clearance.

The first floor of the library was filled on books about economy, history, science, geography, politics, fictional books etc. It was basically a civilian library. There, you could also find some introduction to the shinobi art, but nothing major.

There was a small section dedicated to academy students, mainly covering things such as chakra control, taijutsu styles or strategy. The students could require the books from the librarian himself, after presenting the necessary proof they were, indeed, students.

After graduating and getting a ninja ID card, one could access to the backroom of the first floor. There, one could find scrolls about more powerful fighting styles, D and C rank ninjutsu and genjutsu and also some tome about Fūinjutsu.

To access the second floor of the library, one needed B rank clearance, i.e. chūnin rank. The archives of more powerful techniques, the A rank ones, were held within ANBU HQ. Or so Kakashi-sensei said. He also claimed that chūnin could get special clearance to access it. Which was why Akimi was so hell-bent to pass the exam. She was going to become a chūnin.

"Akimi-san, it's always nice to see you." the old man greeted. Raida was not tall, nor he was small, but simply of average height. He had long whitened hair and a small pointed beard. He also wore a pair of small glasses. All in all, he seemed harmless enough, but Akimi spotted he was a retired shinobi the first time the two met and the man happily confirmed. "What can I do for you today?"

"Actually I got clearance to get one of the advanced Fūinjutsu books from upstairs... and I was wondering if I could go to the back room while one of your assistants gets it?" the girl gave him the note Jiraiya had handed her a couple of days before.

"Sure thing" the old man smiled. "It should be ready in ten minutes or so, you can collect it on your way out."

Akimi bowed in thanks and turned towards the back room. It was not that she needed any scroll or books, considering how well endowed was her own personal collection, but she was addicted to reading, so she wouldn't turn down the chance of browsing a library. It was actually the first thing she did the day after graduation: explore the new section of the library.

Plus, she found the place quite relaxing. Not many people went there, anyway, she only met Sakura there... quite often, actually. Akimi smiled, breathing into the scent of the library once again, before closing her eyes. 'So, what should I get? Mmm, I doubt that any of the Taijutsu books can help me, not now that both Sabura-san and Jiraiya-sensei are helping me with it. Strategy? It's always good to read about it... or genjutsu? I also think I may have a look at the medical section. I was lucky Oro-teme didn't hurt any of us seriously, cause I am not sure what I could have done then...'

"Akimi-san?"

The black haired girl immediately snapped her eyes open, her body automatically flexing to answer any possible threat... before opening in a welcoming smile. "Sakura-san." she nodded to the pink-haired girl. "Fancy seeing you here."

Sakura laughed. "Yeah, I think we are the only ones from our graduation class to come here on a regular basis."

"I for sure know that Naruto-kun has never set foot here. He usually sends me anyway." Akimi laughed as well. "Have you just arrived?"

"Yes." Sakura nodded. "Kurenai-sensei suggested to keep working on my abilities outside of training with her and I thought of coming here to get some ideas, you know... although I know that I should be working on my physical conditioning."

"Well, pushing yourself too hard is a mistake as well. If you strain your body too much then you would lose all the time you would then need to recover." Akimi smiled. "How is it going anyway? you seem tougher than the last time I saw you..."

Sakura looked surprised at this. Sure, she has explained to Kurenai what happened during her second exam and asked for help. The jōnin had actually been very pleased and more than happy to help. They had been focusing on the basics: physical conditioning and chakra building, but Sakura doubted there was a visible change in her muscles yet.

Akimi smiled more widely. "Your chakra's reserve is bigger." she explained. "I'm a sensor."

Sakura nodded. "Like a natural one, or you learned?"

"A bit of both. Let's say that I... have an affinity to sensorial abilities and I've trained to use them. Like everything, you need to practice. You could learn as well. It's easier if you have good control and I think you have the best control out of those who fought the preliminaries. You should talk about it with Yūhi-san."

"I think I will. Akimi-san, can you... can you help me?"

Akimi tilted her head, not answering right away. Sakura fidgeted. "You have asked already... and I apologise for not answering right away." she started. "I see no problems in helping you, but I do have a pretty busy schedule for next month."

"Of course, you are in the finals after all!"

"Naruto-kun and I have Sundays free. Jiraiya-sensei actually ordered me and Naruto to stay apart during this day, because according to him we spend too much time together. Which is stupid, because we don't spend any free moment of our time together." she stopped. "I would probably already killed him if it were the case."

Sakura was uncertain about what to say, clearly remembering Akimi's fierce protectiveness.

The girl softly smiled. "He can be a real baka time to time."

Sakura giggled. Then she stopped, as if registering something. "Did you say Jiraiya? As in Jiraiya-sama of the Sannin?"

"Well, yeah." Akimi shrugged. "I am really grateful to have the chance to learn from him, but he has some major flaws. Like... he is a super pervert."

"Super... pervert?"

"It's a long story..." Akimi nodded to herself. "Which I don't think you really want to know."

"I don't?" Sakura asked. "I'll leave it at that then."

Akimi giggled. "Uh, what about we look as some books while we talk?" she moved towards the medical section, her meeting with Sakura did remind her painfully of what happened in the forest of Death.

Sakura followed her.

"I think it's best if you figure out from your sensei how to go about your taijutsu style. However, you should consider that you are not really suited for melee combat. In a team, you would be an excellent support fighter, but not the heavy hitter."

"Nor I want to be, actually."

Akimi laughed a little at this. "Considering that your sensei is Konoha's genjutsu mistress, I doubt you would find anything useful in that section... so that leaves medical section. You may want to pick up a book about strategy, I'm heading over there next."

Sakura nodded.

"Then, if you have free time to kill and don't want to exert yourself too much, throwing weapons practice is always golden."

"What about Fūinjutsu?"

Akimi looked sharply at her. "It's a very difficult to learn. Very time-consuming. However, I think that knowing the basis of it is always good. But the books here are not very good. I can give you a better one to introduce you to the Art."

"Whoa." Sakura said, overwhelmed. "Thank you."

Akimi raised an eyebrow. "You seem surprised."

"You are just a very reserved person..." Sakura trailed off. "And yet you have been so friendly. Oh, kami, that came out wrong... it wasn't an offence."

"It was pretty true, actually." Akimi laughed. "I don't usually bite. Unless someone pisses me off. Mmm." and her gaze became lost.

"Something wrong?"

"You know, in order for us to train together we should properly getting to know each other. All this years I have seen and seldom talked to 'fan girl Sakura'. I never spoke to Haruno Sakura. So far, she seems to be quite an interesting person."

The rosette gaped.

"So, what are your personal thoughts on ice-cream, Sakura?"

Naruto gulped. He wasn't really intimidated, because – hell – he was the most unpredictable and knuckleheaded ninja of Konoha. Still, he didn't want to get Shino in trouble by somehow angering his father.

Shibi Aburame was squaring him up and down. Well, the man wasn't really moving his head and he wore sunglasses, so Naruto could only assume. The elder Aburame crossed his arms and finally nodded at the blonde genin.

"Finally I'm able to meet you, Uzumaki-san." Shibi said. "My son has told me quite a lot about you."

"Has he?" Naruto asked, surprised. "I mean, I..."

"Of course, he told me a lot about you by Aburame's standards."

The boy restrained a chuckle. So, Shino had gotten his sarcasm by his father after all. "Of course."

"So, how are you coping with what happened in the Forest?" Shibi asked, beckoning Naruto to follow him into the house, away from the doorsteps where they had been standing on. "It must have been a shock."

"I'll make due. Brooding too much can't make me good, right?" Naruto replied, somehow finding himself at ease with the older man. "And I train a lot, I'll catch up with the snake-teme in no time."

Shibi didn't reply, but Naruto swore he saw his shoulders tremble a little, as if he were amused.

"Shino is meditating in the courtyard." the Aburame said, as they stopped in front of a door. "I thank you for coming to help him... and perhaps to drag him away from training for at least some time."

Naruto ruffled his hair, embarrassed. "You are welcome."

"I'd like to ask you and your friend Katora-san to make some time for us next weekend. My wife wants to have you at dinner... and I want to show you our vault. I think there is something you two can help us with."

Naruto nodded, not about to turn down a food offer. "Sure thing, dattebayo!" he threw his fist into the air. "Thank you!"

"Good." Shibi said and, without adding another word, he left.

Naruto shrugged. 'He talked a lot, for an Aburame. I guess it overwhelmed him.' He turned to open the door, careful not to make too much noise. He didn't want to startle Shino.

His teammate was sitting very still under a tall tree. Naruto watched around, studying his surroundings. It was almost automatic for him to do so, even when he was in a friendly environment. The forest around the Aburame Compound was dark and it was difficult to see, especially because the air seemed somehow denser than usual.

He narrowed his eyes. "Spores?" he wondered. Then he smirked: he just had an idea.

"Naruto."

The blonde turned. "Shino." he nodded.

"Thank you for accepting to help me." the Aburame said. "I can do the Clone technique well now, but I still think it uses too much chakra."

Naruto smiled. "I've been thinking about that." he replied. "You want to use the technique as a distraction to cover your Kikai, right?"

Shino nodded. "Exactly. Uchiha-san knows a Katon jutsu too many, in my opinion."

"Well, when you are not fighting against a Sharingan user, the purpose of distracting can be achieved by regular Bunshin, can it not?"

"I suppose so."

"And Kage Bunshin are an exact replica of the original." Naruto smirked widely. "Moreover, when they dispel, their spare chakra gets back to the user."

Shino raised, moving in a way that Naruto recognised as excitement. "And my Kikai absorb chakra."

"Precisely." the blonde nodded. "And you can even make them overload themselves, because in the end it's going to help you."

"Do you think it will really work?"

Naruto shrugged. "One way to find out." he said. "But seeing that you are going to suck my chakra out, you are then coming with me to socialise and meet the other guys."

Shino stayed silent for a while. "I am going to make it really painful for you."

"It's not like I will let you do that so easily. Do you have a training ground here?"

"So basically I have been thinking a lot." Sakura explained, while the two girls walked with their ice-creams cones in hand. Akimi had made a storage scroll for Sakura, to hold the books she checked out. "The second exam was an eye opener."

"Kiba-san said you went out of the village on a C-rank..." Akimi observed. "While I understand than meeting a foe of the calibre of Orochimaru is shattering for anyone, you should have been a little prepared for the rest... I mean the normal exam."

"Kiba and Sasuke-kun did most of the work on that C-rank. Besides, Kiba brags a lot. We were attacked by two dozens of bandits or so and Sasuke-kun killed them, activating the Sharingan in the process... Kurenai-sensei was doing recon a little forward, so that's why we felt unsafe for a second. She was back in few minutes tough."

"Was it his first kill?" Akimi asked.

"I think so. But he didn't seem bothered." Sakura said. "Sasuke-kun always keeps his cool."

'She still has some fan girl tendencies. That's troublesome. Uchiha-san walks a dark path. He may see the Cursed Seal as a blessing... which is not good. Arrogant as he may be, he is going to become powerful...' "Do you mind if we speak honestly about Uchiha-san? And about your crush for him?"

"It's not a crush!" Sakura exclaimed. "I love Sasuke-kun."

Akimi laughed and the other girl glared at her. She bite off her cone, before saying. "Honestly, Sakura, we are only 13!"

"Still I love him, I know it!" Sakura huffed, annoyed.

"Sorry, I should not have made fun of you." Akimi actually looked apologetic. "I'm just gonna ask you some questions and make some objective observations. I promise you that I'll respect your opinion."

Sakura nodded.

"Why do you love him?"

As expected, Sakura started to rant about Sasuke's coolness, how beautiful he was, how good he was at the shinobi arts etc. etc.

Akimi sighed. "Do you think you know Uchiha-san?"

"Of course I do." Sakura replied, affronted. "We have been at the Academy together. We are teammates!"

"All right." Akimi conceded. "Tell me: what is his favourite colour?"

"... black?"

"I don't know, do you? Maybe it's blue. Or maybe is red, who knows? Favourite food? Hobby? Does he even have a hobby? Dream? Do you know if he likes to read, what he likes to read?" Nothing. "Do I need to keep going?"

"That doesn't mean anything! I mean, I know those things about Naruto! He loves orange. His favourite food is ramen. His hobby is pranking. He wants to be Hokage and he doesn't like to read."

"That's because Naruto-kun is a loudmouth! And that's doesn't even scratch the surface of who he really is." Akimi stopped. "My point is that you know next to nothing about Uchiha-san. And how can you love someone you don't know? You may like him. You may be smitten of him. But you most certainly don't love him. Open your eyes."

Sakura gritted her teeth. "Do you love Naruto?"

Akimi stopped in her tracks. "I..." she lowered her gaze. "... think so. He is my best friend. There is so much history between us... I don't know if I am in love with him. But probably yes."

"Why?"

Akimi smiled. It was a brilliant, beaming smile. "Naruto-kun has been a constant in my life for the last two years. At one point, I lost everything... if you don't count Kaera. After I arrived in Konoha, Naruto-kun and I have been supporting each other since then. He is the only one person in this world I completely trust and I feel safe with."

Sakura looked taken aback by her sincere confession.

"And I know he is far from perfect, Sakura. As I told you, he can be a baka. An annoying baka. Half of the time he speaks without thinking. He is rude. He is a pervert. And the list goes on. But I know, and I'd bet my life on it, he'll be there for me if I need him. What's not to love?" Akimi raised her head. "I'm just saying, stop obsessing over Uchiha-san. Your life can't revolve around him. And then if you get to know him and if you discover that you really like him, or more, then you are free to obsess as you desire. Think about it, how much has this crush influenced your life?"

Sakura sighed. "Ino was my best friend, you know?"

"You mentioned it." Akimi nodded. "And I suppose you have become 'nemesis' because of your common crush on Uchiha-san?"

Sakura nodded, dejectedly. "I miss her."

"Then maybe you should make peace with her. Or try to."

"She'll never listen."

"Mmm." Akimi shrugged. "Maybe you should seek her out, talk about the Exams... is not like her match was that glorious. Tenten-san kicked her ass." she stopped. "Damn Naruto for rubbing his bad mouth off me!"

Sakura giggled.

"Anyway, you could ask her to train together. After all, I think Uchiha-san may prize strength a lot more than he does long hair, you know."

Sakura stopped and gaped. Again. "How do you know about that? It was before you arrived to the village."

"And that, Sakura, is one of the many things you don't really want to know." Akimi smiled. "So, how about I show you my house? I can give you that book and we can have a light spar if you wish."

"So what did you do?" Naruto asked, entering the kitchen. One of Akimi's shadow clones was making dinner, the real one was reading – no surprise there.

"Well, at first I felt the utter despair at being far from you, but after a couple of hours I managed to get a grip on myself." Akimi melodramatically said. "It was hard though."

He chuckled. "So library?"

She nodded. "How did it go at Shino's?"

"Fairly well." Naruto smiled, proud of himself. "His father seems all right, I must say."

"Shibi-san is a very intelligent and competent man." Akimi agreed. "I told you he made me understand he would not judge you because of your... burden."

Naruto smiled. "I trusted your opinion, but seeing it with my own eyes... it was heart-warming." he opened the fridge to help himself with something to drink. "He invited us in his vault, by the way."

Akimi lifted her head in surprise. "What?"

Naruto shrugged. "He wanted to repay the favour I think... and, apparently, he wants our opinion on something they discovered there. I am not sure what. He is not that talkative."

"He is an Aburame." Akimi giggled. "It is a great honour. Basically, it's like he just set a informal alliance with us."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Really? Is this thingy really so important?"

"Extremely. The Aburame are one of the most prominent clans in Konoha, their support in the Council of Fire is invaluable." Akimi smiled. "One step closer, 'to-kun."

The boy seemed too unfazed to reply: he had a beaming smile and was obviously lost in thoughts.

Akimi turned back to her book, but after while she asked: "And how are the other guys, did you meet them?"

"I did. Shika is complaining about training. Apparently, Asuma-sensei has decided to take it up a notch. Chōji is fine, but I think he asked his clan for extra training as well. Kiba also seems to take things more seriously." Naruto shrugged. "We hung out a little, then went to Ichiraku, normal things. Any good books in the library?"

"Couple." Akimi replied, noticing he was still a little hyper. "I've also meet Sakura there."

Naruto was finishing to drink his glass of juice and he spattered it around. "Sakura? No honorifcs?"

"New friend." Akimi explained. "It's actually been fun. We argued a little about boys, then we sparred and I also cut her hair."

"You argued about me and Sasuke?"

"Not everything revolves about you." Akimi smirked. "But yes."

"Do I want to know the specifics of the conversation?"

"No."

"Ok, anything I can do for help?"

"Plenty." Akimi smiled. "Thank you, 'to-kun."

May 9th, 214 – Yamanaka Flower's shop

"I am not sure I should really do this." Sakura said, with a small quiver in her voice.

Akimi shook her head and opened the door of the shop. "How do you expect to become a better kunoichi if you can't even face your former friend?" she asked, entering.

Sakura sighed and followed. "You don't really know what Ino can do."

Akimi deeply inhaled the deep, sweet smell of flowers in the air. "You mean besides breaking your eardrums with her high-pitched voice?" she joked. "She won't do anything to you in her own shop besides possibly screaming."

"I suppose you are right."

Akimi smiled. "You are making an offer here, this is why such a public setting is appropriate." she looked around. "Here, send chakra to this tag to activate a small private area around you."

Sakura took the piece of paper. "Thank you. So... I should probably go, right?"

"No time like the present." Akimi gave her a thumb up. "I'll be around, browsing. Good luck." and she walked down the aisle of the shop, towards the seeds selection.

Sakura immediately noticed Ino, who was placing some vases of yellow, bright flowers in the shelves. She took a deep breath and approached her.

"Yamanaka-dono." Akimi deeply bowed to the tall man behind the counter. "It is an honour."

"Curious." it was the reply. "You didn't even glance at my goods, but came straight here. So you only want to talk with me, I assume?"

"I was a little obvious." the girl admitted, with a small smirk. "But I thought it would be a waste of time to try and fool one of the leading members of ANBU Intelligence Division."

"Interesting." Inoichi mused. "Who are you?"

"Katora Akimi." She bowed again. "Genin under Commander Hatake's squad. I was also with your daughter at the Academy, Yamanaka-dono."

"I see." The man nodded, making his long blonde pony-tail wave. "The rumours about you weren't exaggerated. So, how can I help you?"

"It is a very delicate and personal matter." Akimi said. "I am well aware that I am overstepping my boundaries, but I really need your counsel on this."

"Evidently it is so... considering this is the first time in weeks I cover a shift here and you knew." Inoichi smiled. "But please be more clear."

"It's about..." Akimi paused. "... mindscapes." she finished in a whisper.

The shinobi suddenly looked sharper and narrowed his eyes. He glanced around. "I think we best continue this discussion in the back of the shop."

Akimi bowed for a third time. "Certainly. I may also provide a basic privacy seal for you."

Inoichi nodded. "Very interesting." he muttered to himself.

"What do you want, forehead?"

Sakura winced internally at the bitter venom in the other girl's voice. She shrugged. "I'd like to have a chat..."

Ino frowned. "What the hell, forehead? Did you hit your head?"

"You could say." Sakura murmured. "In a figurative way. The Forest of Death changed me."

Ino scoffed. "It was a terrible place but I think you are a little exaggerating." she smirked. "Are you sure you really want to be a ninja?"

Sakura felt a surge of anger. "Yes!" she exclaimed. "I am actually working hard to become a true kunoichi. Are you? Tenten totally owned your ass."

"It's not like you fared better against Akimi. And she is a rookie too."

"Akimi would have won against most of the other genin there. Even Sasuke..."

Ino narrowed her eyes. 'She didn't say "kun"...!' "What happened to you, forehead?" she asked, with the slightest note of concern in her voice.

Sakura sighed. "I almost died in the Forest." she answered. "I can't really say more, but it... it changed my prospective."

"You almost died? You had Sasuke-kun in your team!"

"Exactly!" Sakura shouted. Then she stepped back. "Pretend I didn't say that. It is complicated... and I can't tell you about it."

"Why not?" Ino shook her head. "You are not making any sense."

"What happened... it was very serious. We were ordered not to talk about it." Sakura shrugged. "But was matters is that it gave me chance to think thoroughly about things and..."

Ino stayed silent.

"... I miss your friendship. Do you remember how things used to be?"

"We are rivals now." Ino stated. "You know it, forehead."

"I do, but does this mean we can't be friends? Are you sure it is worth it?" Sakura smiled a little forcefully. "I want a truce of sorts."

"Truce?"

"Yes, we could still spend time together, to shop and to train as friends, while still fight for Sasuke's attention. I am tired to be 'enemy' with you. I want my friend back."

"Sakura, I..."

"Just think about it, Ino." Sakura smiled. "This is all I ask."

"What will happen when I finally get Sasuke-kun?"

"If you win him fairly then I will simply accept it. And I hope you will do the same."

Ino scoffed a little.

Sakura sighed again. "So, what do you say?"

"You should not even be aware of what a mindscape is." Inoichi said. "And yet you do."

"Yes." Akimi smiled a little. "I share one with my familiar, this is the main reason I know about their existence. I have started to learn more about them just in the few last weeks, though."

"Aren't you in the finals?" Inoichi asked, crossing his arms. "I hear Kakashi's squad all passed."

"Chūnin Exams aren't everything." Akimi massaged her forehead. "I believe I was attacked by an old enemy of my clan, in my own mindscape. Or perhaps I was sucked into this person's mindscape. Either way, I probably was in great peril. Sandaime-sama suggested I asked you to help."

Inoichi crossed his arms, his brow furrowed in thinking. "What you speak of... it should not be possible, at least not without direct contact." he said. "You said Hokage-sama sent you?"

"Of course... I am sorry I forgot to give you this." she handed him a small scroll. "It is from Sandaime-sama. I am not lying."

The man quickly read the note. "I am sure your understand this was necessary. I cannot speak of such delicate matters with the first random genin that enters my shop."

She smiled politely. "I know."

"So tell me, did you directly meet this man you speak of? When did this attack occur?"

"The night before the preliminaries." she replied. "I was very distressed because of what happened in the Forest..."

Inoichi nodded, indicating he knew what she was talking about.

"... and this man appeared to me in a dream. He also told me he 'drank' on my emotion to find me. And my familiar, Kaera, said my chakra was messed up."

Inoichi scratched his head. "I never heard of something like this before." he murmured. "I suppose that both you and Hokage-sama assumed I would be knowledgeable about this because of my family jutsu."

"Well, yes." Akimi nodded. "You shoot out your spiritual energy to take out someone's else energy, so I thought you entered their mindscape as well."

"Normally we don't." Inoichi replied. "While we would be able to do it, it is forbidden. There are incredible high risks for us... and for our target as well. Still, for that to happen we would need contact."

"Perhaps there was contact, just not a direct one." Akimi mused. "Through emotions, maybe?"

"You have been thinking hard about all this. It could be. Either way, I'd say this is definitely a Kekkai Genkai, so it is hard to say without knowing the specifics to it."

"What about Genjutsu?"

"If your chakra was messed up, it could probably be something like that." Inoichi said. "But if true mindscapes were involved, you really risked to die."

"Do you know if there is a way for me to defend myself from such attacks?"

Inoichi sighed. "I am not sure." he replied. "I heard you are good with seals, perhaps that is the solution."

"I don't have enough information to do that."

Inoichi nodded. "I'll help you with that then." he said. "I will send you a couple of books. You may find something. But for a while, you need to be cautious... be sure something is there to wake you up, just in case."

"Kakashi-sensei suggested that as well." Akimi said. "I thank you for your time, Yamanaka-dono."

"You are welcome. It was a very interesting chat." the Shinobi chuckled. "I should have known Ibiki wouldn't have been impressed for nothing. Next time, do bring your teammates. I would personally like to meet them."

Akimi bowed. "I shall. Now, I actually was interested in something from your shop as well." she said. "Do you happen to sell spores too?"

Later that evening, Aburame's clan compound

"Dinner was really lovely, Shibi-san."

The tall coated man nodded. "You already told that to my wife, Akimi-san, but I appreciate your zealous compliments." he was walking ahead of her, Naruto and Shino. "We are almost there."

"I can't wait!" Naruto jumped, excitedly.

He earned a sharp glare from Akimi, before the girl turned back to the elder Aburame. "I must also thank you once again for letting us see your vault. It's an honour." she said. "I hope we will be able to reciprocate."

"You shall, later on." Shibi nodded curtly. "But right now, you are very busy training for the finals."

Akimi smiled. "I suppose you are right."

Shibi stopped at the end of the dark corridor they crossed, down below the house of the Clan Head. Then he bit his finger and quickly performed a long set of hand seals, hiding his hands below his coat. He finally slammed his right hand into the wall, which trembled with the strength of the blow.

Few seconds later, a door appeared in the same very spot and Shibi nodded to himself, opening it, before stepping aside and making an inviting gesture to his guests and to his son. "Enter."

Akimi was the first in, followed by Naruto and finally by Shino.

The Aburame's vault was completely different from Akimi's and Naruto's one. For instance, it was very dark: instead of large bracers, it was only lit up by two small torches. Moreover there was an extremely moist air, that reminded Naruto of the Land of Waves and of Zabuza's Kirikagure technique. Lastly, the room appeared to be entirely dug into raw earth, without using stones of any kind: both the walls, the ceiling and ground were of solid dirt.

The place was fairly empty, Naruto noticed what he believed to be gourds, of several sizes and shapes. He remembered that Shino explained to him they were used to host extra hives of insects. He could also make out the shape of a couple of shelves on the wall opposite to the entrance and he assumed the secret scrolls and techniques of the clan were there.

Shibi closed the door behind them and the sound seemed to awake Naruto and Akimi from their scrutiny of the vault.

"This place really suits you, Aburame-dono." Akimi murmured. "Impressive."

Shibi gave out a soft chuckle. "My son, Shino, is my sole heir. One day he will ascend to clan headships as I did. You three are very close and I can see your bond is solid and true." he said. "For this moment on, our clans are allied."

Akimi and Naruto nodded.

"And friends." the blonde genin added. "Above all, friends."

"Indeed." Shino said, smiling behind his collar.

"Well, then." the elder Aburame said. "Now that we have gotten this formality past us, there is something I want to show you. I think you may be of help, Akimi-san."

The man walked towards the left lateral wall and stopped halfway there. "We did not suspect anything until we moved a shelf for mere chance..." he explained, gesturing towards the wall. "... because Shino was looking for a certain scroll to help him with his fight with Uchiha-san."

Akimi got closer, Naruto shadowing her, but letting her take the lead. The girl immediately spotted the strange signs and kanji above the wall. "A seal..." she whispered in awe, moving her fingers over it. "A very old one, I'd say."

Shibi crossed his arms. "Probably as old as the compound itself..." he said. "And we were one of the first clans to settle here in Konoha."

The girl nodded and moved her hand in front of her, just before Katon chakra blazed from her skin, illuminating the wall properly. Shibi knew of her skills in nature manipulation, but seeing it firsthand impressed him slightly.

Akimi stared at the lines on the wall for several minutes. Sometimes she would trace one of them or mutter behind her teeth. Eventually she turned, dispelling the flames she had evoked. "It is a very complex seal." she said. "I am not sure I understood everything, but the main array is definitely a blood seal. I suspect it is a storage with a lot of protection around."

"Do you believe it has also a set of handseals to activate it?"

"That is where it got difficult." Akimi said. "Usually the combination to activate a seal are passed down in scrolls or orally. It is very complicate to recreate them only by observing an old seal."

"But you know how to do it." Naruto spoke up. "Ero-sennin worked hard with you on that."

Akimi nodded. "That he did." she replied. "Of course it's a very tricky branch of Fūinjutsu, so what I tried to determine is whether there were or not defensive mechanism that would destroy the whole array if a wrong combination is given."

Shibi nodded. "And?"

"Well, there is a destructive array up there, very small I almost didn't see it." Akimi indicates the top of the wall. "But it is definitely linked to the blood seal. Whoever created the array did not want anyone but an Aburame to activate it, but did not care greatly about the combination, probably because mistakes can happen, especially with long set of handseals."

"It makes sense." the man stepped forward. "How long do you believe the combination to be?"

"Easy." Akimi sad. "You need to count all the symbols that come out from the main array that you may notice is circularly shaped. They almost look like spikes."

"I can see that." Shibi nodded. "So... fifty-three. Fairly long."

Akimi nodded. "We could try it right now, but I don't expect it to work at the first try."

"But seeing how the seal reacts may help you find out the right combination." Naruto said, smiling. He did want to occasionally show off his knowledge about seals. "Right?"

"Right." Akimi smiled, just as Shibi bit his thumb and watched her with expectation. "So, Snake... Tiger... Ram..." she started to say.

Few minutes later the girl nodded, saying: "... and Snake."

Shibi slammed his hand into the wall and array did light up, but nothing else happened. Akimi sighed, a little defeated. She turned to study the array, which was still shining. Eventually she nodded. "I am ready again. Let's try with: Ram, Snake, Tiger..."

It took Akimi five tries before she got the right set of handseals, but Shibi did not show the slightest annoyance for her failures. He did compliment her though, sounding a little impressed – and for an Aburame that meant huge shock.

The clan head was so busy giving his regards to the girl, he did not look immediately at what the seal revealed to contain. Nor he needed to.

"SUGOI!" Naruto exclaimed. "That is a Summoning Scroll!"

"Holy crap!"

Naruto and Akimi had just witnessed something very rare: the stoic Shibi, head of the most stoic clan of all Konoha (and the ninja world), swore animatedly. It probably was the most memorable moment of that peculiar evening.

May 10th, 214 – Outskirts of Konoha

"So, brats..." Jiraiya started with his booming voice. "How do you think it is going?"

"I'm going to kick ass, dattebayo!" Naruto shouted, enthusiastic as usual. He was also jumping around.

The blonde was never serious unless he needed to be. Jiraiya snorted while Akimi giggled a little.

"I'm not sure, Jiraiya-sensei." Akimi replied, sitting on the ground. "I feel I have all the knowledge necessary to do well in the exam, but I don't know if I can back it up."

After the first day of training, as soon as Jiraiya actually taught them something, Akimi immediately started to call him 'sensei'.

Jiraiya looked at her sharply. "Many kunoichi have had this one issue. But you should know your stamina is well above chūnin level."

"And you should know this Exam is not exactly normal. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." she shook her head. "But I have a little side-project to help me feel... safer."

The Sannin arched an eyebrow in curiosity.

"A summoning tattoo linked to a chakra storage seal." she explained. "For Sabura-san."

"He is your strongest summon, right?" Jiraiya asked, receiving an affirmative nod. "Well, this is a good idea. Although, maybe you should spare it for the boss of the Tiger clan, no?"

"That's what the project is about, sensei. I know how to make a specific summoning tattoo with the blood of a certain creature. I want it to be general."

Jiraiya's eyes widened. "You mean like the jutsu itself?"

"Hai. That way, as you have enough chakra stored in the tattoo, you can summon anyone from the clan." Akimi smirked. "Meaning that I could theoretically store enough chakra to call Zukogane-sama... but I think I'll never try it before I can actually summon her on my own."

"It makes sense. I have to say, Akimi-chan, sometimes I'm really scared by that brain of yours."

The girl ruffled her hair, a little embarrassed.

"And what about that seal for water jutsu?" asked Jiraiya.

"Oh, I've been researching constantly about it. Actually, considering that they are both space/time seals, I've been studying the way the Summoning Contract is made. So the two things are linked. Also, I've been looking at the scrolls you have given me, plus a couple of tomes from my own clan's collection."

"I thought your grandfather gave anything above B rank to your summons to keep." Jiraiya said.

"Everything, but Fūinjutsu material. I've got the whole thing with me. Gramps didn't want to hinder my growth, since he saw how much talent I had for it as a child. He drilled me a lot about being careful in making seals and everything else."

Jiraiya nodded.

"And it was a true blessing, because thanks to our shared ink, Naruto-kun can power up my seals, thus covering my lack of stamina."

'It's almost incredible that they have a shared ink. Even Minato and Kushina started to use one only after they were engaged... although Kushina-chan could easily use her special chakra and Minato was a little powerhouse, so...' "Anyway, you didn't answer."

Akimi smirked a little. "I'm almost there."

The Sannin nodded. "Right, considering the day of the Exam is getting closer, I wanted to make a little change in our training schedule. Basically, I shall not teach you anything new, but I'll rather focus on seeing you use what you already know as best as possible. Ehi, gaki, what are your thoughts on the matter?"

Naruto had obviously got bored with the conversation and was now doing push up to keep himself occupied. "Well, two things." he said, without stopping. "I want to try and summon one of the Great Threes. And, what about my special chakra?"

"That chakra can be an useful ace in the sleeve for you... if you can control it." Jiraiya observed. "But I can feel your reluctance."

Naruto leaped on his feet, glaring at the man. "Well, excuse me if I'm not so eager to use the help of the one thing has made my life hell for years, has almost destroyed Konoha and has caused who knows how much destruction!" he spat.

Akimi got up as well, putting a calming arm on Naruto's shoulder.

"Of course, you are right, 'mi-chan." the blonde said after a few minutes.

Jiraiya felt a little pang of annoyance. "Will you ever tell me how the hell do you do it?"

Naruto just smirked. "Now, where would be the fun in that?"

The Sannin grunted. "Damn brats." he muttered, shaking his head. "Right, Naruto, why don't you try and see if you can summon Gamaken or Gamahiro with only your own chakra? Don't attempt to call Gamabunta yet."

"Why?" Naruto frowned.

"Because he is most likely to give you a test to see if you are worthy of him." Akimi said. "Meaning that it would be better if you could use that chakra as well when you do it, which would leave you with more chances to actually pass it."

Jiraiya nodded, not bothering to ask the girl how she knew it.

"Gamakichi speaks a lot of his pops." Akimi said. "I pay attention to details."

Naruto huffed. "Ehi, I'm also observant! You are just a damn nerd."

She just raised an eyebrow at him.

"Not... not that it's a bad thing, 'mi-chan."

She smirked.

"I... I'm just going over there and attempt the jutsu, now!" he babbled.

"Baka!" Jiraiya snapped. "The Great Threes have this name for a reason. One of them is enough to obliterate this place!"

"Where should I go then?"

Jiraiya snorted and made a Kage Bunshin. "Come on, I'll show you a suitable spot. Akimi, this clone is going to work with you in Fūinjutsu, or with any jutsu you need help with."

"Thanks, sensei. Oh, Naruto-kun, you may want to summon 'kichi and ask him to warn the Great Threes you will attempt to summon them. And be respectful... I'm serious!"

The blonde sheepishly nodded. "Will do."

"Now, clone-sensei, would you mind if we go to my house? I have only parts of my research materials here and..."

"The main problem would be distance." Akimi said, after staring intensely at the scroll where she had drawn the seal. "Also, this seal is huge!"

Jiraiya was pensive. "Theoretically, the more distance the greater chakra would be need to transport the water."

"What if the extra amount of chakra destroys the main array because of the overload amount of energy? That's dangerous..." Akimi shook her head. "And I'm not sure yet the water would shoot out of the seal in a useful manner."

"Further calculations are needed." Jiraiya stated. "And you need to have one of the gaki's clones to test it out."

"Just let me... yeah, if I move a little main storage seal from the one who links it with the user's seal and then..."

"Yeah, I see it! There would be enough room to put a seal that determines with precision the direction of the jet of water..."

"Which would be effective in a, say, 45° angle, right in front of the user. So to make it more useful... the chest. I could draw this on the armour Naruto-kun plans to buy for the exams."

"Chain mail?"

"Leather reinforced with chain mail. We ordered custom ones from Tetshu-sensei. They should be ready for the exam."

The Sannin nodded in approval. "You were right, Akimi-chan, you only need to put some finishing touches on this seal. It's, I daresay, a masterpiece."

She blushed. "I couldn't do it without your help."

"Mah, you could. You would have just needed more time. I wonder why did I never think of something like this..."

"You are not a water type, right?" she said. "And it's not like you really need a seal to get earth or fire."

"True enough."

Akimi yawned. "I'll go make dinner. Why don't you dispel? So the original will know I'm inviting him over. We need to discuss Kyūbi's chakra." it was safe to say it aloud, since they were in the Vault.

"Something tells me that's not really a mere invite."

She just smiled innocently at him.

Jiraiya was standing with his arm crossed, on top of a small hill near a deserted area north of the village. He watched down, beyond impressed.

Naruto had actually managed to summon Gamahiro, one of the Three Great Battle Toads. The brown coloured toad had been quite impressed by the blonde, but agreed to let Naruto summon him only after making him fight against his clones to show his own skill. He also said he would speak well of him to his brothers.

Naruto was obviously exhausted, laying breathless on the ground, but he was smiling like an idiot. Considering the feat he had just achieved, Jiraiya could not blame him. He thought he would never find another apprentice after Minato's death, but know he almost regretted not being able to come to Naruto sooner. Training him and Akimi gave him hope once again.

Just then, he received the feedback from the clone he left with Akimi. "Bloody hell." he muttered.

"Something wrong, Ero-sennin?" Naruto immediately asked.

"I think Akimi has basically completed your seal."

"Oh, I knew she could pull it off. I'll be off to help her with dinner."

"Actually she invited me. We have a lot of discuss." Jiraiya pointed at the blonde's stomach. "Get over here, I'll use Sunshin."

"So, you used Kyūbi's powers two times. During the battle of the bridge and during your fight with Orochimaru." Jiraiya summarised, finishing the glass of sake Akimi had given him after dinner. "Both times you were angry out of your mind because someone hurt Akimi. Am I right?"

The blonde nodded.

"So the trigger seems to be strong emotions." the Sannin pondered.

"Strong negative emotions." Akimi added. "Which would make sense, because the Kyūbi would see it as a chance to escape."

"Could it be possible?" Naruto asked, worried. Now using that power didn't seem such a good idea. "Can it escape?"

"Only if you die." Jiraiya said. "Or if you use all its chakra. Which would probably result in your death anyway."

"Right, but how do I do it on purpose?" Naruto asked. "And without risking it influencing me? I mean, the two times I used it, I couldn't think straight... what good would it do to have extra power if I become more reckless and idiotic that I already am?"

Jiraiya stayed silent. 'Kushina sealed the Kyūbi in a way that it couldn't move nor speak. And she certainly didn't think to use its power ever. Neither did Mito-sama.' "It's difficult to say. Kyūbi is the proudest of the Nine Tailed Beasts. And the most uncontrollable." he finally said. "I heard that the Nibi and the Hachibi are more docile and even collaborate with their host. As such, they are the more powerful Jinchūriki."

Akimi wanted to growl at him for using that world, but decided not to. She knew the Sannin didn't think of Naruto in those terms. Or she hoped that he didn't. The things he said, anyway, she already read in the scroll the Sandaime had given her. "I think..." Akimi started uncertainly. "I think you need to speak with the Kyūbi. Make a deal with her."

The two shinobi looked at her like she was crazy.

"What? It's not like the Kyūbi is going to freely give Naruto-kun anything! And it's not like Naruto can overpower the fox, at least not right now! Let's get real."

"It would be extremely dangerous..." Jiraiya said. "But it could work."

"How do I talk with it?" Naruto spat.

The Sannin looked uncertain. "Try to centre yourself. Meditation." he eventually said.

"I have been meditating for years and I never..."

"You never wanted to." Akimi interrupted him. "When I first bonded with Kaera, we couldn't control the link. I had to meditate until I was able to find my mindscape..."

"Mindscape?"

"It's the mental representation of your inner self." Jiraiya explained. "Only the most able and expert shinobi, monks or samurai are able to literally find and enter in it. You can do that, Akimi?"

She shrugged. "It's easier for me, and I suppose for Naruto as well, because our two seals – albeit they are very different – tamper with the concept of mindscape itself. I mean, the seal Gramps made created a connection between me and Kaera from nothingness... with the consequent fusion of a part of ourselves, and therefore of our mindscapes, where the telepathic link is. I can accede that part. I'm working on the real thing, but I'm nowhere near to enter my true, whole mindscape.

Jiraiya nodded. "So you think that Naruto and Kyūbi share a mindscape as well?"

"Yeah. I found some parts of Naruto's seal are kind of similar to the Bonding Seal between me and Kaera. But if you think logically about it, Kyūbi has been into Naruto since he was born, modifying his chakra coal and living with him."

Jiraiya nodded again. "Technically, you could say that Kyūbi only exists in Naruto's mindscape, its body is destroyed. I think the Yondaime put some kind of barrier to allow it not speak directly with you, Naruto, but I bet if you purposely seek to speak with Kyūbi you would be able to do so."

"So I need to meditate?" Naruto asked. "But I though the main focus of the exercise is not to think about anything."

"It's a little different." Akimi explained. "You need to think about the seal, the Kyūbi, your connection... space everything else out and will yourself to speak with it. Then, you should be able to enter your mindscape."

Jiraiya looked serious. "But don't attempt it without me there. If something goes wrong..."

Naruto nodded. "Anything else I need to know?"

Akimi smiled. "I have a book about Mindscapes you should read."

"And you need to consider what exactly you are going to say to Kyūbi. Striking a deal will be difficult." Jiraiya said. "That conversation is going to be a battle, sure you will not use ninjutsu or taijutsu... but that doesn't make it easier."

Naruto sighed, before smiling once again. "So does any of you have some ideas of what leverage could I use against a thousand years old demon?"

Jiraiya sighed, pouring himself another glass of sake. He was in for a long night.

REVIEW ANSWERS:

Trishi: thank you so much for reviewing! I am glad you liked the chapter and the Kabuto thing at the end. I did not really feel like writing a fighting scene between him and Kakashi, so I opted for that solution. I'm very glad you liked it. I hope you liked this chapter as well (despite the huge delay in updating)

shootingcuz: thank you for reviewing! Glad you liked the chapter =)

NATSUxERZA 123456: thank you so much for reviewing! I am glad I actually managed to make someone laugh with that scene, because that was exactly what I was trying to do. =) Glad you enjoyed the chapter (even though it took me so long for updating)

Neo Amon: thank so much for reviewing! I am really glad you enjoyed the chapter and also that I made you laugh! =) And you got it extremely right: it was not just a very funny scene to write, but it also showed how close Naruto and Akimi are (not to mention how their Loyalty Seal comes in handy) I hope you liked this chapter as well and sorry for the retard in updating.

deathgeonous: thank you so much for reviewing and accepting to beta my work! I hope you like the chapter =)

nakuuo: thank you so much for reviewing =) I hope you enjoyed the rest of the story as well =)

Rainbows my mother language is Italian, but I studied English for a while and I've been abroad for a year learning the language... Thanks for the review =) (and I am very sorry but I can't understand what you mean with your question: "But what's with the around what they say?") I'm glad you enjoyed the story.

ILOVEANIME123: thanks so much for reviewing and sorry for the enormous delay in updating. I am glad you enjoyed the story. About the Kinjutsu thing, I actually think that it an accessory definition for a jutsu. Like, you can have a forbidden ninjutsu technique (like Kage Bunshin) or a forbidden taijutsu technique (like Reverse Lotus etc), or even forbidden genjutsu techniques (like the technique the first or second Hokage uses during the fight with the Third when Orochimaru summons them). I hope you liked the chapter!

Skipper917: thank you so much for reviewing =) I am glad you liked the story and sorry I updated so late!

cornontheaub: thank you so much for your review and your compliments =) I hope this chapter didn't get too boring, because there is no real action, but if it did, please do tell me why, so I can at least try to make next ones more exiting.

jaelin910: you are absolutely right. I think I messed up the word when I translated it in my head from Italian to English because I did know about the meaning of the hypo and hyper prefixes. But thanks for pointing it out and reading the story! =)

1412 karasu: thanks for pointing out those mistakes. For example I really did not know about the existence of the word "critiques" which makes me a little puzzled. I've already gotten a beta, so thanks for the offer, but no.

ex-ellen: thanks for reviewing and here is the new chapter. I am sorry It took me so long to update. I hope you enjoy it.

CHAPTER NOTES:

Nothing much to say, really. This chapter is really just filler but it also does build up interaction and relationship between the characters. I just hinted a couple of the tricks Shino is preparing for his match against Sasuke and tried to show how I am trying to get Sakura down to an acceptable if not likeable character. I hope the chapter did not bore you too much. Next one will be a little more interesting, I think. Our favourite nine tailed demons will make its first official appearance. (and I am not making any promise about when I will update it, because I obviously can't keep them)

Next chapter: the month of training ends (plus a handful of very interesting meetings)