Answers to my Reviewers:

Rosebunse: Yes, the orange is kickass and there will be some but unfortunately it's not very ninja like, so the jumpsuit must go.

Wyndstar: I'm blushing, thank you so much for your kind words and don't worry I don't post any stories that won't go anywhere or ones where I run out ideas for the plot.

Prescripto13: Thanks, I thought it suited ANBU Kakashi, I mean Hound is always used so much so that I figured - hey wolves are a more dangerous animal than a dog so let's call him Wolf instead of Hound.

KumoNoHito: Thanks for you for your PM, here are the proper way to use Japanese names.

BalancedHex1232: I'm glad you like it and I think you'll enjoy this chapter.

Fireycloud: Your review made me really happy, so please enjoy and read the latest I have to offer.

AnimeLuver778: Thanks for your review, I was so happy when I got one, here is the next chapter to read.

Noxy the Proxy: Well, you needn't wait too much longer, here is the latest of Scarred.

Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO! If I did…*the author sighs dramatically* let's just say, it would be VERY different…Enjoy

"May your adventures bring you closer together, even as they take you far away from home." - Trenton Lee Stewart

Last Time on Scarred

Iruka stared into his tea as he processed the story but after the silence had passed the 5 minute mark, the man drank the rest of tea before he got up off the couch. Rubbing his student's hair in fondness, the teacher took his leave, saying his goodbyes as he thought, 'I'll have to drop by Kakashi-san's apartment and say thank you for helping Naruto out.'

As Iruka exited his apartment and walked down the buildings stairs, the Uzumaki started to grumble to himself as he cleaned up the tea cups and he got ready for bed, "Why do people feel the need to rub at my hair as they leave I'd love to know."

Naruto was the first of his new team to turn up at what would probably become one of their normal meeting spots - Training ground 7. Scanning the clearing for anyone coming and sensing no-one, he walked towards one of three stumps that sat in the middle of the clearing so he could sit on top of the middle stump. Once settled, it was only then did he start to think about what his Nii-san had told him.

FLASHBACK NO JUTSU

"Oh, by the way Naruto..."

Startled, Naruto looked at his brother- no, the man in front of him wasn't his brother at the moment, he was the experienced and elite ANBU ninja that had guarded and protected him as a child.

Kakashi looked at the boy in front of him and saw all of that potential that was just waiting to be shaped. "Remember, tomorrow morning at 7AM is when training starts," the eye-smile that Kakashi gave his student sent chills down the spine, "And you better hope and prepare that you don't get beaten into the ground because of it."

Kakashi vanished like the ninja he was after finishing that speech and Naruto blinked in stunned surprise and some fear. "Well...I'm fucked."

END FLAHBACK NO JUTSU

It was as he finished reminiscing that he noticed that someone was coming and deciding not to move from his spot he instead just listened as the person came closer and closer to his location. It turned out to be Sasuke who was exiting through the bushes in order to enter into the clearing. The last Uchiha stopped short at the sight the most hyperactive ninja his age sitting perfectly still on top of one of the stumps in the clearing and in an outfit that just screamed ninja professional.

"Yo."

Still a little stunned at the strange sight, all Sasuke did was nod in response. Receiving a nod in return, Sasuke continued his walking but when he reached the stump on the other ninja's left did he stop once again as he looked over his new team-mate. The blond boy was currently wearing a black long sleeved turtleneck t-shirt with the Namikaze swirl on the right shoulder with a darkly coloured no sleeved jacket over the top with the Uzumaki spiral positioned at around the shoulder blades and a burnt orange tribal design lining the bottom of the jacket. He had black 3/4 length shinobi pants that were held up by a sealing belt and were bandaged at the ankles with his holster on his right leg and black shinobi sandals on his feet. He also had on some black fingerless gloves with hand guards and of course his headband over his forehead.

It was then that he noticed a slight change in the genin...besides the outfit.

Not knowing Naruto well enough to say what had exactly changed, he just decided to take note of his observation and instead leant up against the nearby stump. It was after a tense 5 minutes of no conversation from either ninja did Sasuke finally acknowledge that his team-mate wasn't going to start talking and that was when he started to relax. It was nice, the last Uchiha admitted, the comfortable silence with the sounds of nature around them. Especially with Naruto, the ninja never seemed to look at him with any particular expectations (besides being a rival) or tried to use him to gain something. Instead he was just Sasuke Uchiha to the boy and although he would never admit it he sometimes liked that he was just another ninja to the Uzumaki and not someone to be worshiped and praised.

It was still silent between the two boys ten minutes later when the rustling of grass reached their hearing. Turning towards the sound, Naruto and Sasuke waited for their third and final team-mate to enter the clearing.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura exclaimed, who decided to completely ignore Naruto in favour of getting her crushes attention, "Good morning."

"Hn." Was her reply as Sasuke thought, 'Well there goes the peace and quiet...'

Sakura chattered on, not bothering to acknowledge her other team-mate nor did she notice that Naruto hadn't even gotten up and asked for his daily date request from the pink haired girl. But the last Uchiha had noticed the change in the blond's routine and got the instinctive feeling that Naruto had just gotten serious about his ninja career. Relieved that at least one of his team-mates would take their team seriously, he knew that things were definitely going to be different from now on.

The three ninja only had to wait for another 5 minutes when, at 7'o clock right on the dot, Kakashi turned up looking just as lazy and unconcerned as he did yesterday. Sakura stopped her one-sided conversation with Sasuke in order to pay attention to her new teacher whereas the two boys just looked at their teacher without speaking a word. Kakashi's lazy but soul penetrating gaze burrowed into each and every one of them and when his eyes came to rest on Naruto, the cyclops seemed to take in the boy's new clothes before nodding slightly in acceptance of the outfit and went back to looking over his team.

"Good Morning my cute little genin." Said Kakashi, his tone a little too chipper for such an early start.

Muttering their own greetings the three fresh ninja looked at their teacher warily, getting the feeling that they weren't going to like what Kakashi was going to say next considering that the last time he used that type of tone he had told them that there was a second test to being genin.

Seeing the wary expressions, Kakashi's lip quirked upwards underneath his mask, 'Good, they're starting to learn,' was the thought as Kakashi's face became blank once again as he watched his students closely.

"Genin of Konoha, Sakura Haruno - you have an above average intelligence and exemplary written scores." Sakura smiled at the words but that quickly faded as Kakashi continued, "However, you also possess extremely low chakra reserves that only allow you to make one Kawarimi*, two Bunshin* and a Henge* for 15 minutes. Then there is your physical prowess that got you one of the lowest scores out of all the kunoichi in your class."

Sakura looked right at her teacher, shocked at his frank account of her skills but before she could even say something Kakashi moved onto his second student, "Sasuke Uchiha - genius intelligence and the highest practical scores of the shinobi with above average chakra levels." Sasuke kept his face blank, knowing that his teacher wasn't finished, "Yet, with all those physical strengths you have the mental strength of a civilian."

Sasuke's face darkened rapidly as he processed what was being said but, like Sakura, he couldn't say anything because Kakashi went onto his third and final student, "Naruto Uzumaki - An intelligent boy that doesn't apply himself." Naruto stared at his teacher not giving anything away as Kakashi spoke of his real talents, "Extremely high evasion and misdirection techniques, Kage sized chakra levels but with little to no control in addition to a great amount of stamina and physical capacity but no discipline to go along with it."

Ignoring Sasuke's and Sakura's surprised expressions at his skills, Naruto just tilted his head like a dog would and Kakashi continued seeing that Naruto hadn't protested his words, "You three are now the current members of Team 7 and with so much potential for me to shape." Kakashi looked at each of his students in the eye and eye-smiled as the man's genin straightened when he continued to speak, "I'm going to be frank, if you three were to go against an older genin team as you were now, you wouldn't last five minutes."

Ignoring the varied level of outraged cries at his blunt statement, Kakashi waited for the three genin to stop their protesting and calm down, "Are you done?" The raised eyebrow and dry tone was enough to make the genin to feel ashamed of their actions (well Sakura and Naruto looked contrite, Sasuke...not so much), that once he was sure that there wouldn't be another interruption did Kakashi speak once again, "As I was saying, as you three are now you wouldn't last however, once I train up your skills and make sure that you work as a team will you make the name Team 7 proud."

Acknowledging the smirk and smiles that his words brought forth, Kakashi gestured for his genin to sit as he folded his lanky limbs into comfortable position on the ground. Once all three were seated did Kakashi start to speak, "Now, before I start our training it's time for a history lesson. Now, who knows who the Nidaime's genin team consisted of?"

Being the Hokage expert, Naruto was the one who answered, "Hiruzen Sarutobi AKA the Third Hokage, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane who are his advisers now."

Nodding at the correct answer, Kakashi tone was pleased as he said, "Very good Naruto, now what about the Third's genin team? Sakura, do you know?"

Sakura straightened her back as she answered her teacher, "He trained the three Sannin - Jiraiya the Toad Sage, the Snake Sannin Orochimaru and the Slug Princess Tsunade."

"Correct Sakura, Sasuke do you know who were in Jiraiya-sama's genin team?"

Sasuke scowled at the question but he did say, "Minato Namikaze the Fourth Hokage, Hiashi Hyuuga the Head of the Hyuuga Clan and...Fugaku Uchiha, the Head of the Uchiha Clan."

"Well done Sasuke, and then the Fourth's team consisted of Rin Nohara, Obito Uchiha and me, Kakashi Hatake." Looking at each one of his students and took in their surprised expressions as he continued, "So you three are now the fifth generation of Team 7."

There was silence in the clearing for several minutes when Kakashi finished speaking. Sakura was the first of the genin to say something, although she hesitated as she said, "S-so we have to live up to all that?"

Clearly seeing Sakura's intimidation about all that history, Kakashi tried to reassure the girl by saying, "What all that means Sakura is that you three need to work hard at being the best you can be and considering all the powerful ninja that have come from being a Team 7 member that means you have potential."

Sakura nodded at the words, somewhat comforted at what her teacher was saying. Identifying this but not knowing what else to say, Kakashi addressed the rest of his team, "Right, it's time to train." Knowing his maniacal grin could be seen through his mask, Kakashi stated, "Since I consider your entire physical prowess to be below my expectations of what level you should be at we'll be starting there."

So he first got them started on running laps, now usually that wouldn't have been too bad but Kakashi went just a bit further. They had to do 20 laps around the training ground without chakra whilst being tied to each other...and at the same time dodging various things such as kunai, shuriken, senbon, knives, swords, daggers, axes, spears, arrows, scythes, sickles, weapons they don't know the names of, smoke bombs, poison bombs, flash bombs, stink bombs all of various speeds, sizes and some of them occasionally covered in exploding tags which were either live or duds*, afterwards the team was incensed to learn that this was considered to be the warm-up. After (somehow) finishing their laps a little singed and cut-up, the trio were moved onto do several sets of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, crunches and other such exercises that focused on toning their arm, shoulder, torso, abdominal and leg muscles. Resistance training was next on the agenda and all those exercises left the majority of their muscles burning.

But that wasn't enough for their demon sensei - they then went onto doing their katas after finishing with their toning exercises. But when they started with the katas, the team found out that this meant that they were to stand in position after position while Kakashi walked around fixing their flawed stances, so they spent the next several hours doing similar exercises over and over but, finally, it was at 11'o clock that Kakashi started their warm-down exercises and half-an-hour later found the team eating a well-balanced lunch provided by their teacher who then explained that from now on, a team-member will be supplying lunch for the team each week. Kakashi would do so for this week followed by Sakura, next being Sasuke and Naruto in last before restarting the cycle.

After finishing lunch, Kakashi got his muscle sore genin and got them to Hokage Tower in order to get their first ever mission. The three genin were too tired to even think of complaining about getting a few D-ranks that required them to pick weeds from half a dozen civilians garden, paint just as many fences and walking the Inuzuka dogs. The missions were completed several hours later and Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura, thinking that they were finished for the day were shocked to realize that Kakashi decided that it was time to test their knowledge on the ninja world. Team 7 congregated at a nearby park and sat around one of the pine trees as Kakashi quizzed their knowledge on the Elemental Nations, what ninja villages they know about, the history of Konoha and her Clans and then finally on what they know about strategy, poisons, traps, survival, seals, signs and the basics of chakra and jutsus. It was only after assigning his genin to fill the blanks about their knowledge did Kakashi finally let his genin go home for the day. This was the routine for the next week and a half before their teacher decided to add chakra control exercises to their already punishing training schedule.

Already cursing out their teacher about their training, this just gave the man's genin even more of a reason to plot his demise as Kakashi pushed them harder and harder in each and every one of their training sessions. And this was the routine for the next three weeks: wake up, meet at the training ground at 7AM and then they were tasked with doing their daily physical workout until 9AM and then that's when things started to vary, the team either did stance and kata drills, tracking and evasion exercises (which meant tracking down their sensei and avoiding his retaliation) or sessions on the ninjas code and conduct while practicing their hand signs a the same time until 11'o clock. After warming down, the team then had lunch at 11:30 and went on to do their missions that started at twelve and were done until 3PM. The final two hours of the day were filled with history lessons, mission tactics, strategy games like shogi and chess and then the team finished with meditation.

This routine would be disrupted as a disturbing secret of Sakura's would end up shaking their team dynamics to their very foundations.

TO BE CONTINUED...

A/N: So...this is chapter 3 of Scarred. I hope it was enough for my readers to last until next Friday; I already have a mob after me because of my Harry Potter story and I don't want a second one coming after me so soon here.

I digress, so please review, favourite and/or follow my story. It makes me feel so very loved.

Lots of hugs and kisses,

'95 is out.

Note: *I've taken some of these weapons from Third Fang's Yet again, with a little extra help (Look it up, it's one of my favourite Naruto fanfictions. It is a BRILLIANT piece of work!)

Terms: Kawarimi no jutsu (body replacement) - The users replace their own body with some other object, generally with a block of wood, the moment an attack lands. This creates an optical illusion, making the enemy think the attack was successful. From this, the user can use the lapse in the enemy's attention to attack or flee from the battlefield.

Henge (transformation) - It's typically used to change the shinobi into things other than oneself, but it's also has the ability to change into animals, plants, and even inanimate objects like weapons. This gives this technique an abundance of uses.

Bunshin (clone) - It's a techniques that creates a copy of the user or objects used by them. The standard Clone Technique is considered the most basic of basic ninjutsu. Despite this, clone techniques are very versatile and useful, and are often used to distract or fool enemies into thinking that they have delivered a critical or fatal hit to the user, leaving the enemy vulnerable.