As a shinobi, you reach a certain age where everything just starts to blend together. Especially in a place where humans can call up the elemental natures, teleport, and bring back the dead. Nothing surprises you anymore and you fear very little because you can only crap your pants so many time before you just don't care anymore.

And honestly, living to 40 years of age is a celebration in itself – one that Shikaku was damn proud of.

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It was just too bad his daughter would not be able to celebrate the same feat as well.

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Because when he finds her…

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*CRASH*

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If he survives…

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"GET BACK HERE YOU SPINELESS DEER!"

Shikaku turned the corner just in time to avoid a metal filing cabinet flying through the air. Papers littered the air as they poured out the metal drawers. Shikaku paused to blankly stare at the damage the file cabinet made on its way out of the building.

Two holes…

There was a hole in the wall going into an office and a hole not far after that one, exiting the office – the filing cabinet falling to its death outside. Frozen stiff inside the office was Inoichi, sitting at his desk with his mouth wide open – the hole the file cabinet went out an inch to his left.

"I so badly want to stand here and laugh at Inoichi, but…" Shikaku thought, hearing the sound of loud footsteps of his Hokage racing towards him. Without another thought, Shikaku proceeded to… Well anywhere not here…

"YOU CAN'T RUN FROM ME NARA! BY ORDER OF THE HOKAGE YOUR PROCREATING ABILITIES ARE HEREBY REVOKED!"

Shikaku turned another corner before plowing through the doors to the jounin break room. Inside he found several battle-scarred warriors hiding behind chairs and tables – kicking each other out of their hiding places to offer up as some sort of sacrifice.

Shikaku gave them a dull look before rubbing his forehead, "Oh previous Hokages… I can only hope that you are looking over the village and protecting us from danger. Because its current protection is a bunch of adolescent morons…"

"Damnit Raido… STOP KICKING ME OUT!" Aoba shouted, getting into a slapping match with his fellow jounin behind the couch.

*BAM*

Shikaku's head snapped behind him at the sound of the doors slamming open again. He went pale as a dark aura spilled into the room – a woman crackling in wicked laughter slowing walking into the room.

"…Found you…"

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"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Screamed the room, full of shinobi.

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Looking back at the events to follow, many would claim the lack of capable ninja to defend the Leaf during a possible evasion, and other terrible events, was due to accepting of too many missions at once.

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However…

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The victims of that night – all the ninja in the jounin break room (and a few other shinobi in the wrong place at the right time) as well as the hospital staff knew better…

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Not that a single one ever spoke of it…

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"Come on Duck Butt! Liven up a little!" Came the mocking bark from the young Inuzuka. Sasuke gave him a hard stare back, trying to look intimidating.

Unfortunately, the fluffy spotted puppy tentatively licking his chin as it snugged cutely into his lap removed any fear Kiba should have been feeling. The cooing girl in the background at the cuteness didn't help matters either.

Snickering, Kiba spoke again, "Here. If it's such a bother, I'll take Haru from you…" Kiba reached out to grab the small dog when Sasuke glared harder: Daring Kiba to take Haru and see what happens. Kiba grinned wide, showing a fang, but placing his hands in the air in peace, "Hey man, just trying to help out my teammate! No need to get possessive."

Hinata giggled at her male teammates, "I think we all know what you were trying to do, Kiba." Hinata's eyes softened at the wide eyed pup in Sasuke's lap.

A few weeks after the Chunin exams, one of Kiba's sister's, Hana's, dogs had a litter of pups. As luck would have it, Team Kurenai chose to meet up at the Inuzuka residence that morning, pulling them into the room to have a look. Sasuke, of course, had to be dragged inside – not interested in watching blobs come out of a mutt (his words). Hinata and Kiba watched excitedly as the puppies started popping out – Kiba making predictions on which would be the strongest, which would be the best tracker, and so on. As the birthing process came to a close, one last pup struggled to make its way out. This one was by far the smallest and weakest – easily making it the runt. Kiba easily dismissed the runt, choosing instead to talk about the other puppies to his teammates.

But Sasuke.

Sasuke's eyes were glued to the runt.

The next day, Kiba met up with Sasuke to do some individual training themselves. At the end, Sasuke, trying to sound as uninterested as possible, asked about the litter. Shrugging, Kiba offered Sasuke to come over and see – too tired to explain. Once at the Inuzuka compound, Sasuke immediately sought out the runt, who was growing ever so slowly. He watched as the other puppies crawled all over the runt and knocked him away from his mother. Sasuke grunted, getting frustrated with the puppy's weakness and inability to grow stronger.

But as he turned to leave, angry at himself for caring, he heard the plastic fencing shutter across the floor slightly. Turning back around, Sasuke's eyebrow rose. Pushing at the small fence around the litter was the runt – gumming at the fence and looking up at Sasuke with his crystal blue eyes.

"He wants you to pick him up." Hana had told him at the time, coming up behind him.

Sasuke just gave the puppy an unimpressed look before shoving his hand in his pockets and leaving. Hana shook her head with a smile. If Sasuke thought she didn't see a smile on his face when he turned around, then he was mistaken.

To say Kiba was shocked when Sasuke showed up at his door the next day, silently demanding to be let in, was an understatement. And after that, every time Sasuke came over, Haru, the runt, sought Sasuke out – either finding his way into Sasuke's lap or walking around him in circles until he got a petting or nod of approval.

Kiba smirked, walking away with a sigh, "There's just no trust among ninjas, is there?"

Sasuke smirked, "Not when the ninja in question is you."

Hinata nodded, giggling louder.

Kiba fell down into his chair with a pout, "Whatever!" He quickly leaned forward to grin, "Enough about me! Word on the street is that Shikamaru, our resident lazy bastard, became chunin. Can you believe it?!"

Hinata nodded with a smile, "Kanoko became a chunin as well…"

Sasuke frowned, "No surprise there." If Sasuke had a point to make, he didn't clarify.

Kiba shook his head, "Well, yeah! Like Sasuke said, not surprising! Kanoko is crazy skilled! I mean do you remember how she ripped Sasuke's soul out and then put it back in?! Talk about insane…"

Hinata nodded, "Well… Shikamaru's her brother… Is it really surprising he made chunin?"

Sasuke scoffed, "Yes." Rolling his eyes, he continued, "While I don't understand exactly why they would chose to promote a ninja so weak, Shikamaru has never been an idiot. He's not a genius like Neji, but if given the right resources, he could out smart Neji a million times over."

Kiba's eyebrows rose high, "Wow. You really put a lot of thought into this."

Sasuke shrugged, "Like Hinata said, he's Kanoko's brother. I was interested to know if he was on the same level as her."

Kiba's face slowly turned into a smirk. Hinata sighed, sensing no good from Kiba. Chuckling lowly, Kiba said, "So you're saying that you've been stalking Shikamaru? Oooo. Wait until the whole female population of the village hears that its number one eligible bachelor is out of their grasps forever…"

Sasuke's eye narrowed, "…What are you saying?"

Kiba got up from his chair and walked slowly towards the window before quickly yelling out it, "LADIES OF THE LEAF! UCHIHA SASUKE LIKES MEN!"

"INUZUKA! YOU'RE DEAD! YOU HEAR ME?! DEAD!" Sasuke roared, leaping towards him. Kiba laughed hard as he jumped out of the window and away from an enraged Uchiha.

Haru whined at Sasuke's departure before Hinata stepped behind him and tentatively picked him up. Holding him close to her face, she giggled and started to pet him, "I don't know why boys act so weird when they're bored either."

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The moon was high in the sky, just one day away from the full moon. The shine of the moon made the water below glitter, creating a fairytale-like scene.

Kanoko barely noticed as the leaves fell in front of her face. She knelt down in front of the water, watching it slowly drift back on forth with the wind.

"How many battles must we fight? How many wars must we defend against? How many times must we die?" Kanoko placed her hand in the water, slowly pulling it up and watching the water flow out of her hand, "With every generation, the world becomes safer and more dangerous – all at once. So much of what I have witness in this new life as Kanoko has given me great happiness and hope."

Slowly standing, Kanoko turned her head to the moon, "…But the danger has only grown. As the five nations become unequal in power, the scale of power tips until it's on the ground – in pieces. The Cloud, Rock, and Leaf have grown strong – stronger than the Mist and Sand. This imbalance will lead to another war, and yet… I cannot in good conscience say I would support limiting the Leaf's power and strength for the benefit of the world."

Kanoko turned around and started to walk away before stopping at a tree and placing a hand on its trunk to lean against it, "The Narutos and Hashiramas of the world would berate me for my cynicism, but I am the same man from when I held my sword over a fallen Uchiha Madara. I act in the interest of those important to me and I see little else."

Exhaling into the warm night air and looking back up at the moon, Kanoko spoke lowly, "Is that why I am here, because I can't find peace? Because the thought is so foreign to me that even death would reject me?"

"Seems pretty simple to me. You're here because you walked here… Or ran here… Or teleported here… You know what, I take it back – clearly this is not a simple conclusion to come to." A voice spoke sluggishly.

Kanoko, with a raised eyebrow, looked down at the figure as he plotted his butt onto the ground and leaned his back against the tree with a grunt.

"And stop thinking so hard about the future. What happens, happens. What's important is that we will always be there for each other – no matter what. You, me, Choji, Ino, Sakura, Naruto… Even Kiba, Hinata and Sasuke." He rubbed his shoulder, stretching slightly, "The world isn't perfect and neither are we, but for every moment we are shedding tears of sadness, there are ten moments when we are shedding tears of happiness."

"It might not be someone else's definition of peace and happiness, but it's mine. Surrounded by my friends and family; watching the clouds with Choji; laughing at Naruto and Kiba with Hinata fretting over them on in the background; chuckling at Sasuke's attempts to outrun his stalkers/fans/Naruto; listening to Ino and Sakura giggle about boys, flowers, and other girly things; making fun of Asuma-sensei about his "non-romantic/as-if-everyone-doesn't-already-know" relationship with Kurenai-sensei..."

Shikamaru looked up at his sister, "Doesn't it make you happy too?"

Kanoko sighed through her nose, her eyelids dropping. She stared into Shikamaru's black eyes, "…It does."

Shikamaru frowned, "Then why do you think you can't find peace?"

Kanoko was silent before slowly sitting down next to her brother, also leaning against the tree. She turned her head towards the sparkling sky before answering quietly, "Because…" Kanoko stopped to collect her words, "I worry too much. Even if there was only one person in my life that I lived for, I would do anything to protect them and their happiness."

Shikamaru leaned against his sister and spoke with a yawn, "Maybe that's your problem. You're living for them and not with them."

Kanoko turned her head slightly to raise an eyebrow at him. Shikamaru yawned again before closing his eyes – tired after a long day.

"Living for them and not with them, huh?" Kanoko thought before smirking lightly at her brother's dozing form, "Perhaps that is what Hashirama meant every time he told me to "lighten up"."

Smiling wistfully, Kanoko evened her breathing as she placed her sleeping brother on her back and started on her way home – her feet moving lightly, so she doesn't wake him up.

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Shikamaru lazily opened as eye to stare at his sister before smiling lightly and closing his eyes to sleep again. He heard were his father's words from before, "She's rough around the edges… But …She truly and deeply cares for you."

His smile grew, "I know… She cares the most."

And that was the last thought he had before falling asleep on his sister's back – completely at peace.

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"Not long now…" Kanoko thought, looking up at the rising sun.

The morning was just starting and many people were still in bed sleeping.

Turning her head around, she leaped into the air and started jumping from roof to roof until she landed at a certain apartment complex. Walking up slow to the door, she held her hand up to knock on the door.

She stopped before knocking on it to give the door a dull look, "Why waste my time knocking when he's likely still sleeping…" Kanoko hopped around the building to the window over Naruto's bed. Kanoko sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance.

On the bed, behind an unlocked window, was a drooling Naruto – cuddling a life size pillow with a frog cap on his head.

"…No sense of security and paranoia at all…" Kanoko's eye twitched, "…So much to fix…"

Looking up at the cloudy sky with a small scowl, Kanoko crewed herself out, "You can't keep putting this off. No one is going to step up, so it's up to you to teach him some of his heritage – consequences be damned." Kanoko rubbed her temple with her palm while muttering, "Even if that consequence is your sanity…"

Opening the window, Kanoko pulled the pillow Naruto was hugging before throwing it back in his face, "Wake up."

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*SNOOORE*

Naruto turned over on his back, arms stretched, and continued to sleep.

Kanoko's eye twitched dangerous, "I could have killed this idiot three times over by now!" Tightening her fist Kanoko told herself, "Calm… Forthcoming shinobi must suppress their emotions…" Exhaling, Kanoko turned back and kicked Naruto off the bed.

"GYAHHH!" Naruto wailed before jumping back on his bed in a sad defensive stance – barely keeping his balance while doing so.

Naruto blinked at the blank look of his teammate, "…Kanoko?"

Kanoko flicked her wrist, "Get dressed. I'm going to start your and Sakura's training before I leave on my mission."

Naruto tilted his head before jumping up and down with a large grin on his face, "TRAINING?! YES!" He quickly ran around the room, throwing clothes – completely disregarding Kanoko in the room. Naruto was only in his boxers when his head jerked around to a bored looking Kanoko.

"AHHH!" Naruto quickly dived behind a pile of clothes, "Whoops… Forgot you were there…" Kanoko shrugged, "Nothing I haven't seen before… In any case, meet me at training ground 3 in ten minutes – or we'll start without you." And with that, Kanoko jumped off of the window and walked towards the training grounds.

Naruto nodded at thin air before pausing and thinking about what Kanoko said. He pulled on his pants as he mumbled, "Nothing she hasn't seen before…" Naruto shrugged on his shirt, moving passed the thought as he grinned and ran out the front door of his apartment.

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"Sakura-chan! Morning!" Naruto shouted, running up and smiling at his pink haired crush. "Morning Naruto..." She responded, eyeing his over enthusiasm this morning.

Kanoko quickly interrupted, not having time for greetings and team bonding moments, "You both have special teachers now, in addition to Kakashi-sensei. This will make your free time scarce and force your multitasking abilities to become all that more important, but I don't have time to get into that now." Kanoko paused to look them both in the eye, "The point I'm trying to make is no one teacher is more important, more skilled, more knowledge overall than the other. Sure, Tsunade is an expert in healing jutsus and chakra control while Jiraiya is a master of seals and summons, but that doesn't make their skills in lightening jutsus more impressive than Kakashi-sensei's."

"In fact, I would argue that Kakashi-sensei's ingenuity in traps and tricks, as well as his vast knowledge of jutsus of all the elements, makes him a more frightening shinobi. You can see the Jiraiyas and Tsunades of the world coming from a mile away – if you are a shinobi of intelligence -, but the Kakashis of the world are the ones you won't see coming and will make your end that much more painful…"

Kanoko counted the time in her head, "I need to get to the point…" Sakura raised her hand to ask a question. Kanoko quickly responded before Sakura spoke, "Like I said, I don't have much time, so I'll answer your questions later."

Continuing on Kanoko pulled out a scroll, "Essentially, what I am saying is don't focus all your attention on one jutsu, teacher, or ninja art. Balance your time as best as you can." Kanoko walked over and gave Naruto a scroll before walking to Sakura and giving her a scroll as well.

"In those scrolls is a list of tasks, to be completed in order – Naruto, I'm talking to you. In order." Naruto huffed and crossed his arms.

Kanoko ignored his pouting and continued, "They don't have to be completed right away, but I suggest putting some thought into completing them. The skills and information you will gather from completing these task will be beneficial in the future."

Kanoko paused to look at Naruto directly, "Naruto… Do you recall when we first met and I told you your clan name did not scare me?"

Naruto nodded, giving Kanoko a scowl before smirking, "Was that before or after you fell into the hole I left for you?"

Kanoko's eye twitched. Ignoring his statement, and being the adult in the room – although difficult – Kanoko continued, "I believe it is about time you start living up to your clan name and learn their ways." Kanoko started pacing back and forth with an irritated look on her face, "Of course… Digging up real and factual information on the Uzumaki clan was a joke. You would think the clan the Leaf village based its symbol on would be mentioned in more than a fairytale book…"

Kanoko started to grumble, "…When I figure out which idiot or idiots were in charge of writing the village's history and distributing it out to the next generation…" Kanoko trailed off before muttering quietly, "I should consider myself lucky they spelled my name right – as incorrect and vague as they wrote everything else…"

Sakura sighed, recognizing the tell-tail signs of a "Nara rant" starting. Laughing nervously, Sakura tentatively tried to pull Kanoko back to point, "Kanoko… Don't you have to leave soon…?"

Kanoko turned to Sakura and blinked, "Oh. Right." Coughing lowly, Kanoko started again, "Naruto. Completing that list will get you closer becoming a true Uzumaki – though I warn you, it will take time. And lots of reading."

Naruto groaned at the word "reading". Pouting he turned to Sakura, curious what her list was. Sakura opened her scroll with a side glare at Naruto's encroaching face.

Turning to Sakura, Kanoko spoke again, "Sakura. You are clanless ninja. While that means you have more knowledge and are better equipped than a civilian born shinobi, it still puts you at a disadvantage. You don't have a history of shinobi to base your skills and abilities off of and only your parent's knowledge and resources to pull from."

Sakura sighed, not unknown to this fact – having heard it from Ino a long time ago. Kanoko continued, "Although, this also means you are not limited. Had I been different, but still interested in offensive tactics, I would likely be forced away from such ninja arts by my clan – a clan that does not specialize in such brazen offensive tactics."

Kanoko pointed to the scroll, "While Naruto's scroll is designed around learning more about his clan, yours is to teach you about clan politics. Who are the clan heads, what role do they serve, what are clan elders, what part do they play in the management of the clan, how does the clan interact with the village's government, and what mercantile does each of Konoha's clans deal in or, in some cases, monopolize."

Kanoko paused to give Sakura a firm look, "In this new world, your worth is no longer in the strength you possess to defend the village, but instead, in what you offer it outside of battles and wars. Knowledge of the clan politics will be crucial in surviving the most dangerous battles: Those within your own home."

Sakura nodded, staring at the scroll in curiosity. Kanoko internally smirked. She could already see the gears moving in Sakura's head. Turning to the both of them, she spoke one last time, "I have to get going." Kanoko paused before rubbing the back of her neck, "I hope you use your time well and learn as much as you can quickly… There's no telling what our future holds…"

Kanoko looked to the side with a half lidded look, "And the fact that I'm even breathing again leads me to believe a dark reality is closer than everyone thinks…"

Kanoko's eyes moved over to her teammates when she saw both of them closely reviewing the scroll in front of them. She smiled lightly, "For all they drive me to the brink of insanity and worry… I couldn't ask for a more dedicated and determined team…"

With a hand sign, Kanoko flickered out of the area and headed for the gates to meet up with her temporary team, for patrol duty.

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"You know… They used to be so cute. But now…" Kakashi thought as he hid in the forest's foliage – not too far away from his fellow Leaf shinobi. Kakashi was pouting over his meet up with his teambefore starting his current mission. As per usual, Kakashi asked them to be at the meet up at 7am sharp, but when he showed up around 9am (which isn't even late by his standards – they should've been grateful) he was met with the sight of…

Naruto.

Reading.

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He thought about turning around right then and there. Screw the Waterfall possibly invading – this was far scarier.

However, being the calm and collected professional he is, he just gave them a "Yo" before asking what the two genin were reading so intently.

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They ignored him.

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He was torn between being proud and depressed. They weren't supposed to act bored and aloof around him, just everyone else… That wasn't too much to ask, was it?

The whole situation had Nara Kanoko written all over it.

Kakashi gave the Leaf shinobi assigned to him for this mission a few hand signs before moving forward. As he shifted through the branches and leaves, he thought about his team again.

The moment the Hokage informed him he would be assigned Naruto, he was happy – if not a little terrified. This was his sensei's son. What if he didn't train him right and he got hurt? Or worse, killed? Or worse than that, drove him to betray the village? Kakashi was under no illusions that he was… sensitive in nature. In fact, many of his friends would say he was a bit socially challenged while laughing at him.

Kakashi always countered that all good shinobi had one or five screws loose…

To summarize, Kakashi felt like he was always walking on eggshells around Naruto – trying to be the sensei his sensei was, but also being himself while doing so.

Of course, having Sakura on the team was a blessing, even if it didn't seem like it. Sakura kept Naruto grounded and focused – well focused for Naruto. While he wasn't sure why Naruto liked the pink haired kunoichi so much, the blond certainly did have strong feelings for her. Getting stronger wasn't just about beating Kanoko or Sasuke, or proving his worth to the village – much of the time, getting stronger was about impressing or protecting Sakura.

And Sakura, while having an unhealthy obsession for Sasuke, didn't treat Naruto with absolute disgust. She did in the beginning, but without Sasuke around for her to impress and Naruto not able to pick fights with him left and right, she started to see Naruto as a person and not some strange kid obsessed with her.

It was a shame that she didn't realize the reason she couldn't stand Naruto in the beginning is the same reason Sasuke can't stand her. It's not fun to be the center of someone's world when you barely know them – in fact, it's quite disturbing.

And then there was Kanoko…

Oh, he's cute little Nara that left him sleeping with one eye open for fear of her silent wrath. When the Hokage gave him the list of his genin and pointed out Kanoko's name, telling him to watch her closely, he assumed Shikaku had asked Kanoko be assigned to him as a personal favor. After all, Shikaku's son was assigned to the Hokage's son's team – clearly the system was rigged.

If wasn't until later that Kakashi realized the Hokage told him to keep an eye on Kanoko because Kanoko was the threat.

In the Leaf village, prodigies are easily identified. Uchiha Itachi, Hyuuga Neji, and himself – just to name a few – were easily identified and given a clear pathway to use their skills to benefit the village. The path was not an easy or even humane one, however. One look at Uchiha Itachi told a person what happens when the prodigy finally breaks under the pressure and stress.

How he, himself, hasn't already committed suicide several times over is a mystery. Kakashi liked to think it was his sensei and Obito looking over him and helping him, even after they long passed…

In any case, prodigies didn't just appear out of thin air at age 12. There were too many… Influential people who were on the constant look out for new talent. Even Nara Shikamaru was recognized early on as a genius among geniuses – to the displeasure of Kakashi's jounin commander.

But, until she let it known, no one saw Kanoko for what she was: A terrifying genius of unknown potential.

Looking back, Kakashi wondered if there were any signs.

She was a straight A student – It was understandable. Coming from a clan of intellect, she showed careful thought in her answers and actions, but never going overboard in her explanations. She showed great commitment and determination, but nothing unlike the women of her clan.

Kanoko was distant and colder than most children her age, but not dissimilar to Aburame Shino or even Uchiha Sasuke. At the time, everyone was so concerned with Sasuke's mental health after the massacre that Kakashi doubted anyone looked at Kanoko's distain for the other children too closely.

The only clue that there was more to Kanoko was her rapidly growing chakra reserves and her talent in taijutsu. Those of the Nara clan were typically support shinobi – either specializing in trapping, strategizing, healing, or in rare cases, poisons. They also developed their chakra later in life than most, and started out with very small reserves.

How did Kanoko know to keep her skill and knowledge of Fuinjutsu and Kenjutsu a secret? Kakashi wondered if Shikaku warned her against it…

And how did she even get her hands on the materials to form her seals? That stuff was only sold to chunin and jounin, and even chunin were looked at closely when purchasing such materials… Kakashi doubted her overprotective father would just allow her to run around forming seals that could kill her – he was certainly no expert and could not teach her.

Kakashi stopped his team and waited as the Waterfall ninja started moving about below.

Holding his breath, Kakashi thought again about his students. When they first met him on the roof, he felt a sense of nostalgia. At that point, he only knew a limited amount of information about Naruto and even less about the two girls.

And looking at them from his spot on the railing…

…He saw himself, Obito and Rin before him.

But Team 7 of the now is nothing like the Team 7 of the past. Instead of blowing passed the team's "loser" and turning up a nose at his weakness, Kanoko awkwardly extended an olive branch to Naruto. From the first day, Kanoko treated both of her teammates like important members of the village – instead of kids foolishly playing with knives.

That's not to say Kanoko didn't mess up along the way. Clearly, she saw Naruto and Sakura as just that: kids foolishly playing with knives. However, her pride wouldn't allow her to "mother hen" them. It was amusing to watch Kanoko run in front of Naruto or Sakura, slice the enemy's head off before turning around to chastise them for their carelessness.

Later, it would occur to him that she never flinched at the blood or the brutality in which she cut her enemies down.

Despite the fights between her and Naruto about human life, mercy and caring about more than oneself (Kakashi saw so much of his sensei in Naruto…) and despite her scolding Sakura about her useless and unhealthy obsession with the Uchiha (her words), and despite her tendency to make enemies rather than friends…

Kakashi saw something in her most don't: An unwavering loyalty and compassion for the Leaf and its citizens. He's seen the way her whole presence changes – her eyes turning a deep shade of red, her body straightening, and her aura changing into that of a proud warrior's…

The changes may be too subtle for most to catch, but Kakashi was trained by the Fourth Hokage. He recognized the signs as clear as day – the overpowering urge to obliterate anything that threatened the village and those within it…

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The son of the Fourth Hokage and an incredibly powerful Uzumaki, and vessel of the nine-tailed beast; The (recently selected) apprentice to the Fifth Hokage/the Leaf's most genius medical expert; And one of the heirs of the Nara clan with knowledge and skills beyond her years.

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"…And their futures are riding on my ability to train them properly…" Kakashi sighed dramatically, "I should have stayed in ANBU… If I survive the three of them – the village will likely be so impressed they'll make me the next Hokage…"

Kakashi looked across the way with an exasperated look, towards his rival, Gai, "I'd rather spend the rest of my days running circles around the village with Gai…"

At that moment, Gai looked over and sent him a sparkling grin with a thumbs up.

Kakashi went pale, "I take it back!"

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Kanoko followed behind quietly. She was the least senior chunin in this group and was not looking to make any waves. So far, the patrol had been silent and peaceful. Every once in a while one of the male shinobi would make a crude remark to the kunoichi next to him – sending her in to a fit of quiet giggles.

The Nara could tell that it was grating on the lead chunin's nerves. After what felt like the hundredth time, the leader turned around a roughly gestured to the ground.

All four of them landed at the base of a tree, stretching from tiring muscles – they had been circling around the area for most of the day.

The leader crossed his arms and glared, "A ten minute break and then we start again and Takeshi – You better get everything out you want to tell Kyoko now because I swear… You say one more thing while were patrolling…"

Takeshi held his hands in the air with a sheepish look, "My bad… I'll stop. Promise."

Kyoko giggled next to him, "Riiight. Self-control's never been one of your strong points, Takeshi dear."

"Man! No relief! Are you going to get a kick in too, newbie?" Takeshi grinned at Kanoko.

Kanoko just stared blankly before turning around to place a hand on a tree – pushing her chakra out to get a read on her surroundings.

"Cht. Quiet type I see…" Takeshi started before his girlfriend wacked him on the shoulder lightly.

"Leave her alone Takeshi. She's twelve!"

Kyoko gave him a pointed look before their leader interrupted them, "Ok. Enough. We're heading out." Looking over to a concentrating Kanoko, his eyes narrowed, "What is it Nara?"

Kanoko tilted her head, struggling to push out her chakra, "…Someone's trying to hide their presence… I can't…"

The team flinched before tensing and pulling out their weapons. Looking around, the leader started assigning them positions. He didn't get to finish as Kanoko spun around and bellowed, "Four coming in hot!"

.

The warning didn't come soon enough before the area exploded.

.

"GYAH!" Kanoko coughed out as the explosion burned her right side. She flew back, but was able to catch a branch and swing herself around – just in time to avoid an attack from the enemy ninja. The shinobi's sword sliced the tree in half, taking a few strands of her hair while doing so.

"IDIOT! SHE'S THE ONE WE NEED ALIVE!" Kanoko heard from behind her. Quickly, she formed a hand sign, "Water Style: Water Shockwave!" It was a mild form of her usual water jutsu, but was enough to push the two enemies back.

Kanoko dove to the ground before taking off in a run, towards the energy signature of her squad leader. Coming up on the scene, she watched him exchange a fire attack with the enemy's lightening jutsu. She jolted in to defend his back against another kenjutsu user – their swords clashing as they canceled each other out.

The ninja jumped back to assess Kanoko with silent intrigue. Kanoko gave him a bland look in return before shifting her eyes to the battle to her left. Takeshi and Kyoko were fairing badly against the two enemy nin. Kanoko's eyes narrowed, "Just who are we dealing with…? We shouldn't be struggling this much…"

Her leader must have been on the same train of thought as he spoke to the three ninja before them, "…Your techniques… You are from the Village Hidden in the Clouds… Are you really willing to start a war?"

The one staring intently at Kanoko spoke for the group, "I'm sorry to have to do this, but your small doe is coming with us." He slowly lifted his arm to point with two fingers, "I ask that you do not fight us because with a single strike of my gale style, you will not survive."

Kanoko's squad leader gritted his teeth, "Darui of the Cloud… To send someone such as yourself to the Leaf… You would seriously believe we would just hand over one of our own!" He started running through signs, "Fire Style: Flame Wheel!"

Fire spin around Kanoko and her squad leader, burning the foliage and causing the ninja to jump back. Sensing an incoming attack, Kanoko yelled, "Above!"

Quickly, the two dispersed – avoiding the flame style attack. Kanoko watched as the blonde grinned widely and shouted, "You won't be able to avoid my hot attacks forever!" And with that, he quickly sent another slice of fire with his sword towards Kanoko's squad leader.

Kanoko started to move forward to help when she felt energy come from her side. Spinning towards it, Kanoko pulled her sword around to counter the gale style attack with a wind attack. The attacks clashed and a large gust burst out from the attack, sending Kanoko a few steps back.

"Though it will be dull, we will defeat your comrades in arms. However, if you were to surrender now, we would spare their lives." The platinum blonde spoke, walking calming towards her with a bored expression.

Kanoko narrowed her eyes, "You commit an act of war, but offer me a choice: Surrender and my comrades live? One side is not leaving here alive – this I know to be true. To promise anything else is a blatant lie."

Darui shrugged, "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to offend you, but I was being serious. I will leave your friends unconscious, but alive if you leave with us now."

The Nara stilled, listening to the clashing of metal, "The one before me… He's clearly jounin level." Kanoko's eyes shifted to the other cloud ninja – who were playing with her teammates, "High chunin level… Maybe jounin as well…"

Focusing her eyes back on the Cloud ninja before her, she spoke, "Darui… Was it? Tell me. What story is your Raikage planning on spinning to avoid war, but keep his prize? And while we are on the subject, what is his interest in a child such as I?" Kanoko paused, before adding, "Answer my questions and I will consider your proposal carefully."

His shoulders dropped before giving Kanoko a dull look, "You call yourself a child, and yet, in the face of an overwhelming force, you ask me such bold questions?" Darui scratched the back of his head sluggishly as he muttered, "I wonder just what kind of trouble the Cloud is getting itself into…"

Kanoko's face stayed neutral before shifting her eyes over to her team. The three of them had been pinned in-between the three cloud ninja, who were casually standing around them – swinging their weapons around playfully.

Darui stole Kanoko's attention again, "But I will answer your questions…"

Kanoko raised an eyebrow, "He's speaking slowly and is willing to answer my questions?" Kanoko's eyes shifted to her injured teammates again, "…And why haven't they killed them?"

Darui was speaking to Kanoko, but she wasn't listening – instead she interrupted him, "Enough. You are clearly stalling me. And I will have no part of it!" Darui cursed as Kanoko teleported over to her team.

"Lightning Release: Black Panther!" Darui shouted, sending a black lightening panther towards the Leaf nin.

Teleporting in front of her team, Kanoko quickly ran through a series of hand signs, "Wind Release: Pressure Damage!" Wind slowly started spinning around their position before rapidly kicking up into a massive storm.

"GYAH!" One of the Cloud ninja screamed, getting caught in the massive tornado and being knocking into several trees.

"BACK! EVERYONE!" Darui roared out to his team – all of them racing away from the storm.

Kanoko firmed her stance and applied more chakra into the storm – completely uprooting the trees in for vicinity. Looking back down at her team, she spoke, "I'm their target. You need to get out of here while their attention is focused on me."

Takeshi held his injured leader in his arms, "You can't possibly expect us to leave you?! You're a new chunin and these guys are the real deal! We need to help YOU escape!"

In his arms, their squad leader coughed up blood and told the team, "Listen… *cough* To Nara… She's right… It's vital to our village's safety… That word of this attack gets back!"

Kyoko joined in as she wrapped the leader's wounds, "But…!"

"Enough! Go! Report back to the village! That's an order!" The leader coughed out, spitting up more blood, "And you will leave me. I will only slow you down."

Kanoko looked down at her leader, her storm starting to break as her chakra rapidly faded, "He's right… The chances they make it back are already slim… They can't afford to drag another along."

Takeshi gritted his teeth as he closed his eyes, "…Damn Cloud ninja!" He opened them back up to place a hand on his leader, "We're going to avenge you Daisuke, I promise." Daisuke just snorted as Takeshi looked up at Kanoko, "…Do whatever it takes to stay alive. We'll come for you."

Kanoko nodded before speaking, "You need not come for me. I can teleport myself back, but I will keep the Cloud nin here long enough for your escape." Kanoko formed a hand sign and two clones appeared. Quickly the clones transformed into her teammates, Takeshi and Kyoko, as the real Kanoko picked Daisuke up – letting him leave on her shoulder.

She stared at the chunin for a moment before continuing, "Do not turn back, do not slow down. You will die if you hesitate. I will teleport back to the village once you are in the clear."

Takeshi nodded, "Alright… But if you don't make it back when we get there, I'll assume you were taken."

Kanoko smirked slightly, "…Thank you for the concern." And with that, Kanoko raced out of the clearing storm and in the direction of the village – pushing out her chakra as a lure.

They took the bait, as Kanoko felt all four chakra signatures quickly making their way to her location. Kanoko zigged-zagged through the woods, leaving earth walls in her wake. It took some time, but they were slowly closing in.

Suddenly, the platinum blonde from before, Darui, appeared a few feet next to her – keeping up with her pace. He gazed sadly at Kanoko dragging her leader around before moving away to evade attacks from "Takeshi" and "Kyoko".

Kanoko's clones were keeping their distance – fearing her trick being revealed too soon.

"Gale Style: Laser Circus!" Darui bellowed, sending beams of lights towards Kanoko's "teammates" making them poof away.

Darui's eyes widened slightly, "…Clones." Jumping down behind him was his teammates. Giving them a look, they nodded – about to take off to find the real Takeshi and Kyoko.

Until they suddenly realized they couldn't.

"What the hell?!" One of them yelled, struggling in his movements.

"It's the Nara clan's jutsu! I should have seen it coming… I am sorry Darui…" The blonde kunoichi of the group spoke in a grave voice. Attached to each of them was a black line, extending from Kanoko.

"Shadow possession jutsu, complete." Kanoko muttered, keeping her expressionless gaze firm the leader: Darui.

Darui cursed lowly before sighing, "…I am just as responsible Samui, so you'll have to forgive me as well… This is really dull…"

Kanoko raised an eyebrow, "I never thought I would meet someone who apologized more than Hyuuga Hinata…" Speaking out loud, Kanoko regarded the leader, "We both know how this will end, so I ask again, what plan does the Cloud have to avoid war with the Leaf?"

"What makes you think we intend to avoid war?! Leaf scum!" A ninja with light blonde hair and an orange highlight spat out at Kanoko.

"Karai!" Samui snapped at him.

Kanoko just shook her head with a huff, "After everything your second Raikage went through to establish peace for your people, you would promote war so freely?" Kanoko scoffed, "Such insolence."

Karai opened his mouth to yell back at Kanoko when Darui cut in with a serious tone, "You speak about our Second Raikage as if you knew him…"

Kanoko ignored him as she felt her chakra draining away again. Pulling out a scroll with one hand, Kanoko activated it – sending more chakra into her body, "A few more minutes and that should be enough time for Takeshi and Kyoko to get back." Kanoko assessed those in front of her carefully, "He still hasn't answered my question… I don't believe the boy when he says the Cloud is seeking war with the Leaf. Even if their hate is that strong, with our solidified alliance with the Sand – not matter how weak they are right now – puts us in a position to deal a great number casualties to the Cloud."

Changing tactics, Kanoko asked instead, "What is so unique about me that the Raikage would seek my presence?" Cocking an eyebrow, Kanoko continued, "From what I've gathered, Kumo is known for their thieving of ninja with kekkei genkai – I assure you, I hold none."

Samui narrowed her eyes, "You have us trapped while your fellow comrades escape and you believe your worth to be so little?"

Kanoko heard her leader chuckle with choking on blood, "She's… Got a point… You're a force… To be reckoned with."

Kanoko opened her mouth to respond when Darui spoke suddenly, "I'll tell you how we plan on avoiding war with your village."

The Nara narrowed her eyes with suspicion, "…Go on."

Darui shrugged as best he could while trapped before continuing, "You see, when a ninja becomes a missing nin, their village abandon ties with them. It's one of the reasons why hunter nin are sent out so quickly – to prevent that missing nin from joining another village." Darui tilted his head with a sluggish look, "At that point, the village the ninja originated from cannot blame the village the missing nin joins – for the fault lies with the ninja who abandoned their village."

Kanoko stilled, her heart stopping before she slowly and dangerously spoke, "You… Would not dare…"

"But we already did." Kanoko heard her own voice speak behind her. Whirling around, Kanoko was met with her own face before receiving a jab in the stomach.

"How?! How did they mask their presence from me?!" Kanoko thought as she watched her "clone" shout out.

"Sealing Technique: Dark Aura!"

Kanoko's eyes went wide and her pupils became pin points.

She knew exactly what this fuinjutsu technique was…

.

As Tobirama, he often visited the Uzumaki clan's village – in particular, one Uzumaki who loved to beat him with a variety of seals. He, not one to accept defeat lightly, faced off with her on many occasions.

One such occasion, he remembered her using this exact seal. He remembered how the black essence traveled over his body – completely cutting off his chakra. After blocking his chakra points, crimson lines formed around his body – trapping his movements and leaving him flat as a log on the ground.

He remembered her cocky look as she placed a hand on her hip and stepped on his chest.

As Tobirama, he was trapped and at her mercy…

.

In the present, as Kanoko…

.

It took everything she had not to let the panic set in.

.

How dare they…

How dare they use an Uzumaki originated seal against her… One that her friend created…

How dare they attack the Leaf…

How dare they try to use her against her village…

How dare they paint her as a traitor…

HOW DARE THEY!

.

Gritting her teeth as she felt the seal wrapping itself around her body she caught a look at Daisuke, her team leader. He nodded at her before closing him eyes – knowing what was next.

Focusing her chakra to the ground, Kanoko exhaled before snapping her eyes back at Darui, "I will never forgive your village for what you have done today… I am NO TRAITOR TO KONOHA!"

Darui's eyes widened as the ground and trees glowed with a light blue lines, "BOMB!" He yelled, while speeding out of the area.

.

*BOOOOOOOOOOOOM*

Darui flew through the air as the explosion's energy hit him from behind, burning his back and sending him roughly through the trees. After landing roughly, he groaned, struggling to move, before looking up to watch the large smoke cloud float into the air.

Pushing himself to his feet, he used a tree to balance himself. Darui stumbled along towards the sight of the explosion, looking for his comrades, "C! Samui!"

He heard coughing and quickly moved through the fallen trees and upturned ground to find Samui pulling her brother along with her. He was bleeding from his side and was muttering about the "hot explosion" – the blood loss clearly getting to him.

Quickly, he help Samui place her brother on the ground and started wrapping the wound – to stop the bleeding. Samui looked at him with panicked eyes, "We need C! Atsui isn't going to make it long without healing!"

Darui opened his mouth to respond, but was interrupted by a voice, "*cough* I'm here… Just… Had to grab this demon child first."

Looking over, they saw C stumbling through the rubble with a restrained Kanoko over his shoulder. Dropping her carelessly on the ground next to Darui, he kneeled to heal Atsui's wound. Samui watched in worry as Darui moved him gaze to their captive, "She's too dangerous… We should kill her now…"

C caught Darui's look and frowned, "Darui. The Raikage was firm in his orders. We are to bring her back alive."

Darui's eyes didn't move from Kanoko's form.

"We should kill her!"

All eyes shot up at towards the voice of their last teammate. Karai sluggishly pushed one foot in front of the other. There was a large piece of tree sticking out of his shoulder and his whole front was scarred with the fire of the explosion.

"Karai!" C yelled, getting up and running towards him.

Karai fell just as C got to him. As C started to work on his injuries, Karai's fist tightened around C's vest and spoke, "…Kill her… Avenge… Me…"

Karai's head fell to the side, his last breath escaping.

All of them were silent – taking the loss of their comrade hard.

C was the first to move – getting up to continue healing Atsui. As he worked silently on his wound, Samui looked over at her team leader, Darui, "What do we do?" She asked.

Darui exhaled with sorrow as his eyes traveled from Karai's body to Kanoko. C's face shot up toward Darui and gave him another hard look, "What was the point of all of this, if you're just going to kill her?!"

Samui quickly argued back, "To prevent the Leaf from raising a ninja to sannin level! You saw what she did just now – and she's twelve!"

C gritted his teeth, "The Raikage's instructions were clear!"

"Sometimes things happen!" Samui shouted back.

"Enough!" Darui spoke firmly. Both of them look up at him as he half lidded eyes gazed at Kanoko. Taking a moment to think, he spoke seriously, "She is dangerous." C opened his mouth to argue, but Darui just continued, "But we have our orders and her abilities would aid the Cloud immensely. After all, there has yet to be a ninja we have not been able to convert."

Darui paused to look up at the sky before turning to C, "Were you convincing?"

C nodded, "Yes, I believe so. We have a few hours at most before her father can no longer prevent the Hokage from sending out hunter nin to eliminate her."

Darui nodded, "And Atsui's injuries?"

C took a moment to think, "Give me twenty minutes – maybe a half an hour."

Darui clicked his teeth, "…Work fast. We can't stick around here." Turning to Samui, he spoke, "Understand… I feel the same was as you, and I am sorry, but we must act as the boss commands. He is always looking out for us and our village's best interest. You know he wouldn't have asked this of us if wasn't important."

Samui inhaled a large amount of air before turning her eyes to her brother with a sad expression. Exhaling, she nodded, "You're right. I will do whatever it takes to see this mission through – for the sake of the village."

Darui smiled slightly and nodded in thanks. Turning back to Kanoko's still form, he thought, "I want to blame you for my comrade's death, but I can't help but pity you at the same time… I am truly sorry, but you will become the traitor you fear becoming."

Looking back up at the sky, Darui's expression turned serious, "I will use all my power to make sure it happens."

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Authors Note:

Thank you all for the awesome and wonderful reviews! To those of you that put in requests or thoughts, please know that I am taking them all under careful consideration! Of course, I can't tell you what I plan to do, as it would ruin the mystery, but I more than welcome thoughts and requests!

As I write this arch and start working on the beginning of Shippuden, I really need help answering a question that has been wracking my brain (and driving me crazy).

First, I want to say that my question does not suggest any pairings, I am just trying to understand the Naruto canon better.

Why does Sakura like Sasuke? Did he save her or something and I missed it? I get as a little girl, attraction plays a BIG part in your first few romances, but when you grow up... I don't know, it just doesn't make sense to me and I need help understanding it.

I honestly was surprised in The Last: Naruto the Movie. I always assumed Naruto would get the girl of his choice, but was happy to see Hinata get the guy of her choice.

Thank you for the amazing reviews and continuing to read Second Time's the Charm!