Making a Deal

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or anything I reference. This is a work of fanfiction that I make no money off of.

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Naruto POV:

In 'canon', about a week passed at Tazuna's before the battle at the bridge. I wasn't certain how long we'd be here, but four days was already enough to have me slightly aggravated.

I mostly steered clear of the house, working on training in the woods, not wanting to cause potential collateral damage with what I was doing.

After waking up from the use of hundreds of clones on the first night, my mind felt much clearer. Kurama's chakra had evidently lingered in my system even after what happened, because my chakra felt lighter afterwards. It wasn't until that day where I started to suspect a problem.

I could have possibly taken on Zabuza without getting injured if I'd fought more intelligently. I'd tunnel visioned in the fight, but it wasn't the first time. The Iwa nin could have been killed if I'd not forcefully grabbed ahold of Kurama's chakra, clouding my mind with anger, Zabuza wouldn't have broken a chakra blade with his swing like he did with the cheap blade I picked up, and I noticed I'd used Kurama's yin chakra to enhance my mind.

To speed up my mind's processing level, I'd been channeling small amounts of Kurama's chakra directly into my brain, which seemed to be foolish after what happened.

I felt awful when Rin approached me the following morning. She told me she saw through my eyes, what I'd seen. It confirmed a fear of mine that our minds were connected by Kurama. I remember how the conversation went.

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Flashback, 3 days ago.

"Naruto," Rin called out irritably, "I don't care that you want to sulk about yesterday, I need to talk with you."

I'd been out in the woods working on my Shunshin, trying to chain it together safely.

I had close to a hundred clones working on it, a similar number working on strengthening my chakra blade/armour and the mind portion of the Lightning Cloak.

A great deal of progress had been made with my bloodline ability since I'd gotten advised by Rin on how to sharpen and thin my chakra out like she did with her wind affinity.

The Lightning Cloak part had gotten to the point where I could have it actively coursing through my brain for up to ten seconds without making my mind fuzzy. I could have it for longer if I spammed clones to have less chakra to flood my grip on the lightning though.

I wiped some sweat off my brow and let my chakra blade fade away, nodding at my clones that I'd been sparring with to do something else.

I walked towards Rin, who had walked towards the area I made my own to train in.

I got to her and she wrinkled her nose in disgust.

I'd forgone wearing a shirt while sparring with my clones. No point in tearing up a perfectly fine shirt when working more on my Kenjutsu.

"Will you put on a shirt?" She asked, scratching at her nose, "You smell."

I'd been training for hours and was covered in sweat, but I could still keep going for awhile, Uzumaki stamina and all that.

"I don't want to trash a good shirt." I shrugged.

"My eyes are almost watering," Rin groaned, "And I don't like seeing you like that." she gestured at where I had some blood from where a cut slipped through.

Nodding at her discomfort, I stepped back and concetrated, pulling some water from the air and forming it into a ball, before dropping it on myself.

I washed off the sweat and blood as best as I could, before putting on a black shirt that I pulled from a storage scroll in my back pocket.

"Better?" I asked, tugging at the shirt from it sticking to my chest.

"Yes," Rin replied, acting like I was a puppy that listened to a command, "Now sit," She demanded, pointing to the ground, "I want to talk."

"About?"

"Yesterday," She clarified, "The man you killed with a Rasengan."

I stiffened slightly at that.

"Kakashi tell you?" I asked irritably.

I didn't want Kakashi telling her what happened. I wanted to do it myself.

"No," She replied quietly, surprising me that Kakashi didn't tell her, "I saw it."

At my look of confusion, she continued.

"I don't know how," She explain quietly, "But I saw what you did through your eyes."

My whole body flinched when I absorbed what she just told me.

"No," I muttered to myself, "Damnit."

"Why don't you look surprised?" She demanded, glaring straight at me, "Did you think this was possible?"

I didn't know how to explain this. I'd suspected, more like worried, that we might have been linked by Kurama slightly. It wasn't lost on me that I'd get clingy at times when I'd used his chakra, even in small doses. I didn't think anything of it.

Until now.

Dragging a hand through my damp hair forcefully, pulling at it slightly, I groaned and looked straight into her eyes.

"It was something I worried about." I admitted, before putting up my hands in a placating manner, "I didn't think it was an issue until now. I thought it was just paranoia."

"How our we connected though?" She asked herself, "The Kyuubi got cut in half." She whispered.

"Possibly like how a Kage bunshin works," I stated, "Bijuu are chakra constructs with consciousness, kind of like how bunshin are. We're still connected to our bunshin."

Rin just shrugged and groaned slightly, not liking the conversation.

"When did you think this was possible?" She asked.

"After we stopped sleeping together." I said, flinching slightly at how I worded it.

"Don't say it like that," she stammered out, her face turning a shade of green, "That sounds gross."

"You know what I meant," I said tensely, not liking the image at all, "It wasn't funny when Konohamaru said it."

Konohamaru asked that awhile back, at least whether we were a couple, not knowing who Rin was and wondered why we seemed so close. Jokes were funny, but that was just plain creepy.

"But anyway," I continued, "We didn't get good sleep afterwards, especially you. My problem makes sense, I'm a sensor. You aren't."

I kept feeling cold for a couple weeks after we started sleeping in separate rooms, Rin's chakra no longer being literally right next to me.

"So I think the Kyuubi is comfortable having both halves closer together," I continued, my tone even, "And a connection was always there, we just didn't know it was until what happened yesterday."

Rin got quiet for several moments, looking like she was thinking of something.

"I didn't see what was said," Rin said slowly, "I only saw what you did, and who it looked like you killed."

Her face had gotten pale at the last part.

I didn't want to let her know what was said, but she'd dig until she found out. Asuma or Kakashi would tell her, probably Shikamaru too, if Rin pressed him hard enough.

I took a deep breath and explained the entire amount. My tenseness from paranoia, jumping at shadows, the Demon brothers and how vicious I was feeling, the next attack and how my mind tunnel visioned. The Iwa nin and what caused me to fall apart.

She progressively got paler as I went on, finally fixing me with a silent stare at the end.

"Why me though," She asked quietly, "Why would he hate me so much?"

"Who does Iwa hate?" I asked softly, "Someone who killed over a thousand of them in one battle?"

Rin's face tightened, and her hand ghosted towards her stomach.

"The Yondaime." She said tightly.

"They hate blondes because of that," I said sadly, "And you've got a similar shade to his."

I didn't point out that they weren't similar...they were identical. The colour and texture, with the same spikiness to it.

Rin was quiet for a couple of minutes, before taking a deep breath and looking me in the eyes.

"Why did you see yourself killing me?"She asked, her body shivering slightly.

'That's why she's sickly looking.' I thought. She seemed a bit off when she came here, as well as yesterday. I assumed it was from her killing someone during the ambush. She probably didn't get much sleep, the image being a potent one.

"The memory of the Genjutsu overlapped," I whispered softly, pulling her into a hug, "I never wanted you to know how terrible it was." I could feel my voice becoming unsteady, "I didn't want you to know what people would do to you."

"I don't want you to hate like I do."

Rin and I held each other for several minutes, not saying anything. She eventually pulled herself away slightly and looked at me with a soft expression.

"Kunoichi are already taught the dangers of what can happen," she whispered sadly, "Boys with Kekkai genkai are targeted more than girls, but everyone else, it's girls."

I hadn't realized she'd been taught this already. It was an oversight on my part.

"I'm not made of glass, Naruto," She continued, "You can't just avoid taking care of yourself. You can't help if you're not helped."

"I know," I exhaled, "But what happened yesterday isn't something that I thought would happen. That never happened when I channel its chakra." I then stiffened at the last part.

I then gave Rin a look of contemplation.

"What?" She asked curiously.

"Have you ever tried using its chakra slightly?" I asked, genuinely wondering if she had.

She shook her head no.

"Ok," I said, "I want you to try and hear if I'm speaking or see any images. Shut your eyes." I instructed kindly.

I needed to know if this connection would open from me using the chakra. If it did, it would progress my theory.

Rin shut her eyes, holding on to my shoulders as I started to channel Kurama's chakra.

I was grasping ahold of my emotions extremely tightly to make sure I didn't start freaking out. I was pleasantly surprised when the chakra didn't feel the same. It felt watered down from all other times, like comparing molasses and whiskey.

'What happened?' I thought. 'Did Kurama get indigestion or something stupid like that when the Genjutsu decided to come up?'

Rin peeked her eyes open to see what was happening.

"Nothing?" I asked, still confused at how the chakra felt.

"Nope," Rin replied, "Nothing at all."

"Ok," I thought aloud, "It feels different. Give me a second." I then used my sensing and channeled even more Bijuu chakra.

I felt my canines sharpen and Kurama's chakra respond to my will.

Again, the chakra felt less malevolent. My thoughts weren't trying to escape my control with the same intensity. I could probably channel twice as much without it beginning to screw with my head.

I turned around sharply and made one hand seal while building water chakra in my gut.

Suiton: Teppodama.

I hardly cared about overcharging certain jutsu with chakra, no such thing as overkill and all that, but I planned on seeing if Kurama's chakra was any less potent in beefing up my jutsu.

It wasn't.

The compressed ball of water blasted forwards and tore through several trees, ripping some straight out of the ground or snapping them in half.

My clones stopped their training for a moment to see what I was doing. They shrugged and went back to training after a few seconds.

"What was that for?" Rin asked, her tone an annoyed one, "You killed several trees."

"The Kyuubis' chakra is messing with me less," I explained, "But it's not less potent when I use that jutsu." I gestured towards the shattered trees.

At Rin's confused expression, I elaborated.

"The chakra isn't messing with my head," I explained, "Normally, I'd be irritable right now from how much chakra I have in my tenketsu."

Rin nodded, but stepped away slightly.

"Can you stop though?" She requested, "It's making my skin itch."

"Oh," I realized I was still using it. I let it go and felt it dissipate, "Sorry."

"So it probably isn't just using it that opens a connection," I mused, trying to think of something else.

"Other than what happened yesterday," Rin cut in, "Is there anything bad about a connection? Wouldn't that be helpful to us? To be able to talk without speaking?"

"Do you want me hearing your thoughts and seeing what you see?" I deadpanned.

Rin looked confused at what I was getting at.

"Hypothetically," I said, trying to not think of visuals in detail, "What happens, say, a few years from now if you like a guy, or I like a girl. Do you want to see and hear what I'm doing?"

Rin's face twisted into a look of horror, her cheeks turning red.

"No. No. No." She started shouting in English, "I don't want to think of that. Ew. No." She started pacing around and hitting the side of her head, "I don't need that image of you with a girl."

"And I don't want to see you with a guy." I said, feeling ill at the thought, "That's partly why I want to know what the hell is going on."

Rin stopped her pacing and looked back towards me.

"What are we going to do?" She asked, "We don't know enough about these kinds of seals." She gestured towards our stomachs.

"We'll need to talk with Kakashi," I said slowly, "I'm not sure if Jiji will know enough about seals to know what's going on. We're not exactly normal Jinchuriki."

Other Bijuu weren't split in half and sealed in two different people.

"Only Jiji's student, Jiraiya, could think of something. Inoichi might also be able to see what's going on with the Kyuubis' chakra, it feels less potent."

I saw Rin's face shift slightly towards looking aggravated.

"Jiraiya," She muttered, "A pervert that trained him."

'Dad, I hope you don't see how much she hates you.' I thought.

"Rin," I scolded her lightly, "He did what he could based on the situation."

"He could have done it better." she grumbled.

"I felt his chakra," I stressed, "The one that attacked us and kaasan."

Rin didn't like when I brought that up.

"And it felt 'unnatural'." She parroted what I said.

I didn't like having to repeat this conversation with her. She didn't like our father, and she'd probably despise him more so when she finds out his relation to us.

Rin started shifting her weight back and forth between her feet, a sign that what she was about to say next worried her.

"How are you?" She asked, her voice soft, "I felt the hatred and fear, but it wasn't all of it, was it?"

I sighed and shook my head, knowing I needed to be truthful with her.

"It's never good," I answered, "The last time was when Ino used her Juts- don't make that face. She didn't mean to do anything. She doesn't know." I added irritably at seeing the look on Rin's face when I mentioned Ino.

Rin didn't like Ino after what she accidentally did. She tolerated her, but still didn't like to speak with her if she could avoid it.

"Sorry," she said sheepishly, "I won't interrupt." she promised.

Shrugging, I continued talking.

"I talked with Kakashi and I'll say the same thing I told him...I hate what the chakra does to me," I said tersely, "It helps sharpen my mind, but the ambush showed that it doesn't like to mesh with my mind properly if I'm already stressed."

"Why did you even start using it more?" She asked.

"I can think faster when using it," I answered, "Using it and my sensing is how I can use the Kawarimi and Shunshin without looking."

I'd probably need to start training up the mind enhancement portion of the Lightning Cloak with a lot more haste, even if I had to go behind Kakashi's back on it.

Rin just groaned at that.

"No freaking wonder you can move that quickly, you're already a speed freak."

"Resistant seals." I grinned cheekily.

Weights worked fine enough for Lee, but I preferred the resistant seals. They made sure specific joints and muscle groups weren't stressed improperly when they were activated. Lee couldn't use the ones I did, mainly because it required a properly functioning chakra pathway to feed it chakra.

Hardly anyone else used these ones because the seals, almost a dozen of them, worked best when they were done by yourself.

Shadow clones solved the issue of painting seals in hard to reach places.

But speed could only take you so far. You needed to think as quickly as you were moving, otherwise you'll trip or smash into something.

"But back to what you asked," I shook my head, thinking back to what she needed to know, "That...image," I visibly shuddered at remembering it, " and how I reacted isn't how my mind normally is, Rin."

I put my hand on her shoulder.

"The Kyuubis' chakra played on my fear that you were hurt," I said gently, looking directly into her eyes, "I know you're strong, I know you don't need me hovering over you, but sometimes, I can't help but be paranoid about not being there to help you...and the Kyuubi makes it so I couldn't fight through my fear and realize the Iwa nin was lying." I finished, pulling her into a hug.

The loss of control frightened me. I got complacent and thought there'd be no danger in using yin chakra from a volatile entity when I already had a history of unstable yin chakra.

Rin melted into my embrace and returned it with equal measure.

"I love you, oniichan." she mumbled.

I smiled and pulled her closer, whispering into her ear.

"I love you too."

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End Flashback:

Thinking of that helped to center me more so. My sanity and impulse control mattered more than being stronger faster.

I was not going to be what the village idiots said I was.

"Time for some more fun." I muttered, making the hand seal to make more Kage bunshin.

My inner monologue switched between English and Japanese at times, especially when thinking of the name of techniques/Jutsu.

I pushed a little harder and made around a hundred clones.

"You," I pointed towards the half on my left, "Work on our blade refining, and you," I gestured to the others, "Work on the Lightning Cloak. Try and see if you can stabilize it better. And don't dispell unless I order you." I stressed. I didn't need to get distracted.

They all nodded and went their separate ways to work on their tasks.

Looking down at my bracers, I opened a seal up and let water pour out. I used the water to then make around 50 Mizu bunshin to fight. I wasn't wanting the feedback to hit me from killing Kage bunshin.

I Shunshined around fifty yards away and took a deep breath, carefully focusing to balance the Lightning chakra into my brain.

If I put it in the wrong areas, I could end up stopping my heart, lose bowel control, or do what I did almost a year ago and melt my neurons, requiring me to take time to heal.

The last few months showed a marked improvement in my chakra control. The stabilizing of my chakra growth to a more steady pace a couple years back was complete, I could finally keep up with my chakra's natural growth as my body matured.

As the lightning took effect, everything seemed to slow. The wind sounded different, my breath seemed to go at a snail's pace, I could hear my heart beat at a disturbingly slow speed.

My right hand spiked out chakra into the form of a blade, sharper than I could manage a couple days ago.

I'd really screwed the pooch when I thought it was a good idea to use Kurama's chakra constantly at a low level. The extra chakra meant I struggled to use the blade. I had to constantly separate a small portion of my yin chakra to use the blade/armour, given it was a yin release ability similar to how the Nara used their shadow. I couldn't chuck the blade or make a kunai out of it to throw, it required my body touching it to feed it.

Tensing my body, I shot forward at the clones in a golden flash from my blade.

I managed to carve through 27 of them before I needed to stop.

I blinked and furrowed my brow.

"A little better than before, but I need more." I muttered in English.

The other Mizu bunshin charged at me, their initial order was to attack me.

I spiked another blade out in my other hand and readied myself for a Kenjutsu fight.

The first one got cut down almost instantly, exploding into water as I decapitated it.

3 more jumped towards me with kunai drawn. I twirled one blade in an arc around me to ward off the others that reached me, while the second tore through the nearest airborne clone.

I switched with a rock to get me out of the encirclement, giving a moment of reprieve.

They pursued me while I pelted a couple with kunai, shuriken, and exploding tags, taking a few out.

I Shunshined straight through the line and flipped forward, swords out, and my momentum sending me over their heads and taking three more down when I heard the *slink* of my chakra blades taking off a few heads.

'Come on, a couple more.' I thought, charging back into the dozen remaining.

The Mizu bunshin were easier to kill, given that they didn't think as well as Kage bunshin.

No strategy was used by them, and I slashed through them like a hot knife through butter.

Scowling, I made a couple Kage bunshin and ordered them to attack me, the two using chakra blades.

I deactivated one of my own and wielded just the one, stretching the length of the blade and hilt to a proper two hand length.

I met the first slash with a block that diverted it downward, opening up the clone to being kicked.

I had to pull back when the second swung down at where my leg would have been if I tried to kick.

Backing up while deflecting attacks from the two, I started smiling.

My Kenjutsu, which I wasn't able to think about when riding the rage wave of Kurama's chakra when fighting, was getting better. I felt like I could weather a storm of blows untouched.

Clone 1 flipped over me and stabbed at my head when he was directly over me, failing to get past my guard as I blocked the blow without issue.

Clone two seemed to be taking the more aggressive stance and was slashing and stabbing at me with reckless abandon.

I settled in a pattern of deflecting and countering hits, relishing in the fight. The clone eventually overextended and I flourished my wrist and took its hand off, causing it to dispell.

The other clone backed away as I charged at it, driving it to the ground as I smashed into its guard. Stab to the heart. Twist with the block and shrink the blade edge to avoid its blade and extend it when the clone readjusts. My blade drove through the clones chest, its eyes widening slightly, and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

I still was raring to do more, so I made a couple more and ordered them to use anything.

The two promptly made hand seals and used the standing water to make Mizu bunshin.

Traitors.

The two Shunshined in different directions and fired two Teppodama at me, and fairly large ones at that.

I switched with a large stone to my left, avoiding both blasts of water that tore several inches of earth up, and charged towards the clone.

The clone and I clashed with a flurry of punches and kicks. The clone stayed on the defensive, waiting for the Mizu bunshin to reach us. I had to withdraw from our fight when the crowd of bunshin reached me.

I pivoted to my right, conjuring up a chakra blade to hold off the Kage bunshin, and made a half hand seal to fire a jutsu at the bunshin.

Raiton: Raikyu.

I shot a few balls of lightning chakra at the Mizu bunshin, causing several to get killed and the survivors to scatter.

I turned back to the Kage bunshin and drove my free hand towards its face while our other arms were blade locked.

The clone blocked the punch, but its eyes widened, as well as mine, when I felt a large blast of lightning chakra come towards me from where the other clone had taken off to.

Raiton: Gian. (False Darkness)

My hair stood on end and I jumped away from the Kage bunshin, pushed lightning chakra into my brain, and used my sensing to Shunshin to a clear space several meters to my right, avoiding the lightning jutsu that ended up eviscerating the clone.

'Ouch.' I winced at feeling the clones' memories come to me.

The other clone Shunshined straight at me, Rasengan in its right hand. I met its Rasengan with a Chidori that I made as I saw it charge me. I ended up taking its arm off, before swinging my left arm, which I shot out a blade, and cut its head off, popping it.

'Damn, that lightning does wonders.' I thought. The clones had absolutely no chance at all.

The Mizu bunshin had been wiped out by the lightning jutsu from me, and the collateral from the one Kage bunshin's attempt to hit me.

I shouted for my first batch of clones to stop training and dispell, which they did.

I got the influx of training memories and groaned softly at the slight headache.

I lifted up my hand and made a chakra blade, which looked a little sharper and a more uniform gold colour. The blade sometimes shifted colour when I was using it, meaning I wasn't doing it right.

The armour I tried to make around my chest was still a work in progress. The tenketsu in my chest were less used than the ones in my arms and hands, making the shaping and forming of the chakra difficult like how holding a pen in your feet is possible, but difficult.

I signaled for the other batch to pop, this one likely being worse.

They didn't disappoint when I almost whimpered out loud when the memories came through.

I felt like someone had worked a blade in the space behind my eyes, before it faded away.

Taking a deep breath, I focused lightning chakra into my mind, my chakra being at almost full capacity since much of my chakra had returned to me from my clones.

I managed to keep it steady for thirteen seconds before I started to loose my grasp on it. The Raikages probably spent years working on this to make it combat effective, while I'd been working with a secondary lightning affinity and just about a year.

But I was making progress.

Once I got the mind enhancement done, the physical one would be much easier. The brain was too sensitive to get wrong, but other muscle groups could be worked on without as much finesse.

My physique was fine, my muscles wouldn't be permanently damaged by speeding up the nerve impulses in the muscles, given that I was very well built for my age and I'd heal from any micro tears faster than others.

I was pulled from my thoughts when I felt a familiar chakra signature within my range, which then spiked when it struck one of my traps.

Sasuke.

I left a few seals around to make sure I wasn't disturbed when training. Kakashi and Rin would get around them, as they knew how to get around the less sophisticated traps, Hinata would see them, while Shikamaru wasn't stupid enough to bother me.

Chuckling at how pissed Sasuke was going to be, I Shunshined to where his signature was.

I got there moments later and unsurprisingly, Sasuke was stuck to a seal and was glaring daggers at me.

"How's it hangin?" I asked cheekily.

"Get me out of this." He snapped, trying to pry his leg free from the trap.

The seal he stepped on was a weight seal that would trigger when stepped on. Nothing lethal, just an impediment.

"But then you wouldn't be at my mercy, Sasuke-kun," I giggled, Henging as Naruko.

"I have you now." I said in a deep voice, which was extremely creepy to hear from a nearly naked girl, given how Sasuke's face twisted into one of disgust.

"Just get me out," He demanded, "I need to talk."

"You're talking now though." I pointed out, dropping the Henge.

I was in the mood to torment him, but just a little bit. His reactions were so adorable.

Sasuke still glared at me, pulling at his leg.

"Please?" He asked stiffly.

"Ok," I smiled, rolling my eyes good-naturedly, "But only because you asked nicely."

I made a hand seal and deactivated the seal.

A slight *ping* noice sounded out and Sasuke kicked the seal paper away from him and stood up, shaking his leg slightly.

"Ducky step on some water?" I gestured at his leg, grin proudly displayed.

Sasuke ignored the comment and huffed in irritation.

"I need some help with training." He said, looking uncomfortable with asking.

"Why me?" I raised a brow in question, shifting my weight to my left leg and crossing my arms, "Not Rin?" I added, shooting him a glare.

Sasuke flinched at the look I gave him.

Rin didn't tell me how Sasuke had taken an interest in her, but I still knew. She was a big girl and could make her own decisions, but it didn't stop me from scaring Sasuke for my own personal amusement. Why couldn't Shikamaru be the one actively trying to be around her? At least he'd be an entertaining talking buddy.

"She's learning wind jutsu from Asuma," He explained, glaring back at me, "And Kakashi-sensei is out 'hunting' as he put it." He used air quotes around the word.

Kakashi had been tense and was avoiding both me and Sasuke for the last couple days. He'd been venturing out into the village and the outskirts, ambushing and killing the bandits and brigands working for Gato.

"Is training now that important?" I asked with a questioning look, "You can wait a few days, no?"

"No, I can't," Sasuke said tightly, "I need help," He said the word like it tasted foul, "And you're the best one."

"What do you need my help wi-... No, I'm not helping you ask out my sister."

Sasuke's eyes bugged out.

"N-no," He stammered, turning slightly pink, "That's not what I want."

I made a show of looking surprised.

"Oh, you want get better at kissing. I can oblige helping you with that." sticking out my tongue mockingly.

Sasuke looked very uncomfortable, before his face twisted into an angry expression.

"You're pulling my leg." He realized.

"No, the seal is though."

Sasuke kicked his legs up and jumped to his left to avoid where the seal was that he kicked away.

"The seal's there." he pointed at the ground.

"That's only one." I grinned, making a half seal.

Sasuke was forced to the ground with a yelp when when another tag I had hidden activated.

"Will you be serious?" He shouted, face red with anger.

"I will be Betelgeuse," I sniffed, turning up my nose, "No more and no less."

Sasuke looked like he regretted asking me for help at all, but I didn't care. I was in a fantastic mood from talking with Rin and training out in the woods.

I released the seal and he jumped up and charged at me. I put up my arms and blocked several punches from him. judging by the lack of force in them, he wasn't being serious. He just wanted to vent for a moment.

Eventually catching one of his punches and dragging his momentum downward, I landed a hit on his exposed face, hearing a grunt when my fist met his cheek. He backed up and held his now swelling left cheek, glaring at me.

"No need to be rude." I mock scolded him.

"I wasn't trying to hurt you." Sasuke glared at me.

"And I could have done worse." I said simply, "Now, I've had my fun screwing with you. What do you want help with specifically?" I asked.

Sasuke shook his head slightly and let his hand fall to his side.

"I need a taijutsu partner that I can work with well."

At my raised brow, he closed his eyes for a moment, before opening them.

My eyes widened slightly and I tensed, despite trying not to.

The crimson eyes of Indra's descendants stared into my own eyes.

Sasuke likely noticed my reaction and deactivated his eyes.

"I need to make my taijutsu mesh with my Sharingan, now that I've awakened them."

"Why do you have two tomoe in your one eye?" I asked, "Did you awaken them earlier?"

I wasn't sure whether my memory served correctly, but I thought Sasuke first awakened his eyes during the massacre, but I couldn't be sure.

"When did you awaken them though?" I wanted to know.

"The ambush," he replied, "When I got my first kill."

"Ah," I mused, not surprised that such an event could cause it.

"Have you told Kakashi?" I asked, "He's probably the only one in Konoha who could teach you how to use them, I know how hard it is to learn a bloodline from scratch, and yours is a hell of a lot more complex than this." I lifted my hand, which sprouted a foot long chakra blade.

"No, I haven't told him," Sasuke replied, much to my surprise, "Something has him on edge, and Hinata wasn't doing well after her first kill."

I sucked in some air and grimaced at the reminder. Hinata had killed a man and got blood coughed into her hair. I hated getting blood in my hair as well, but my situation involved my own blood getting coagulated in my hair, not someone who I killed and saw his heart explode.

"So," I started slowly, "You held off on telling Kakashi that you finally awakened your Sharingan, getting you one step closer to killing your traitorous bastard of a brother, and you held off...because your team is dealing with things?"

Sasuke blinked for a moment, before nodding his head slightly.

"Yeah, I guess I did."

"Sometimes you make it hard for me to be a menace to you, you know that?" I said with a grin, trying to hide my surprise.

Maybe he really is reachable. Maybe it isn't just wishful thinking.

"I'll help," I said, "But," I raised my hand and pointing my index up in the air, "I want something in return."

Sasuke's face shifted to pleased, before guarded. "What is it you want?" He asked, trying to hide how much he wanted my help.

"What can you offer me?" I asked.

Sasuke looked at me with a hint of surprise at what I asked.

"What?" He asked.

"I want you to think of what you can offer me." I said simply.

Sasuke adopted a contemplative look for a minute, trying to think of something.

"You'll have an ally in the form of the Uchiha clan head." he offered.

"I'm already friends with multiple clan heirs." I countered.

"They're not Uchiha." He said simply, not meaning it arrogantly.

Sasuke was undoubtedly arrogant about his heritage, but he knew that wouldn't fly with me. My clan was just as steeped in history as his.

"You mean how your clan was a founding clan?" I asked, "Along with the Senju?"

Sasuke nodded.

"I'm related to the Senju, remember?" I stated, "I could almost swing getting them to make me a Senju and Rin take my place as the Uzumaki clan heir. I have enough friends that are heirs to push for it years from now, especially since the only Senju left is Tsunade."

I could almost see the cogs moving in Sasuke's head, dissecting what my underlying goals and moves were. I might have been much smarter than him, but his 'canon' self was the top of his class for a reason. He had innate talent in the Shinobi arts, was very driven, and had an uncommonly sharp mind that although wasn't on the level of my own or a few Nara's, was still not something found often.

"You've thought of this for awhile," He blinked in shock, "You covered everything."

"Not all battles are won with strength or brutality," I said, "The Nidaime was a genius that your clan feared only second to the Shodai."

Sasuke nodded grimly, probably having heard stories of the two men from his clan, some possibly being less than savory.

"But strength is still important." Sasuke stressed, not wanting me to control the conversation.

'A battle of wit then.' I grinned. 'This'll be fun.'

"Strength is too much of a vague term," I stated, adopting a tone similar to Hiruzen's, "Strength can sometimes be measured by not fighting back."

If I had attacked the villagers, if I'd goaded them into a fight and broke their bones in 'self-defense', it wouldn't have made me strong. They couldn't fight me seriously, making them closer to prey if I did do that.

Sasuke scoffed at my sentiment.

"What is it you think then?" he asked, "Talk with people? Trying to kiss their ass and hope they don't kill you?"

"That would be weakness born from cowardliness," I replied, "If I knew something was wrong, even if all my friends and those precious to me said to do it, to fight and claw at something, it doesn't mean it's right."

Sasuke still rolled his eyes at me.

"I sometimes think about what happened to your clan," I prompted, using the previous statement as a vessel to guide it to this point.

Sasuke tensed and glared at me.

"I don't ask about what happened when you were younger," he said stiffly, "Don't bring up that night."

"Answer a couple questions, and I'll help train your Sharingan," I offered without hesitation, "Answer a few questions to sate my curiosity, and I'll train with you specifically to help you adjust to you Sharingan, giving you a head start in killing him. That's all I ask, a few questions."

Sasuke took several deep breaths and stared at me, before pacing slightly while clenching and unclenching his hand.

"Damnit," he growled to himself, before shooting me a look of anger, "Ask your questions." he gritted out.

I took a deep breath and steadied myself. I needed to approach this carefully. Getting him to believe Itachi wasn't a psychopath was likely too late, but I might divert his motivations from straight killing him, to getting answers and questioning Itachi's motivation behind killing everyone.

"Did he say anything?" I asked, paying mind to Sasuke's body language, "Did he say why he did it?"

Sasuke wasn't looking at my eyes anymore.

"He said he wanted to test his power," He gritted out, "He wanted to 'test his limits'."

"And you believe him?" I asked incredulously.

Sasuke's eyes shot towards mine, his Sharingan activating from his anger.

"What?" he demanded, "He killed them because he wanted to be the strongest." he shouted.

"Sasuke."

"He killed them to be the strongest of us!"

"Sasuke."

"He made me see what he did!"

"UCHIHA!" I snarled, spiking my Killing Intent.

Sasuke's eyes flashed towards mine and he looked ready to fight.

"You offered answers," I said with forced calm, "To my questions. Let me work it through."

"Why do you even want to know this?" he demanded, "It's mine to deal with."

"It stopped being yours alone when Rin and Hinata were assigned to your team." I said with a glare, "Doesn't matter whether you like her or not or if you're friends with Hinata, I need to know everything he said so I know if Me and Rin need to prepare to help you stomp the bastard into a red smear."

"He's mine." Sasuke spat, sending me a look of hatred.

"Why?" I asked sarcastically, "Why yours? He killed Konoha Shinobi, I'm a Konoha Shinobi. Why not the Hokage? His close friend was an Uchiha. What about Kakashi? His best friend was an Uchiha and considered him a good enough friend to give the Sharingan to him."

Sasuke started shaking slightly, not enjoying the argument I presented.

"Because he took everything from me," Sasuke clenched his fists, "you have Rin, she has you, but I have no one." he whispered.

"Sasuke," I said gently, "Rin and Hinata are your teammates. Most teammates are assumed to be friends. How much of a leap of logic would Itachi need to take to think the two are close friends of yours?"

Sasuke's eyes widened at the last part.

"You understand now," I asked, "Being associated with you might paint a target on the backs of my sister." I stressed the last part, "and Hinata. She is the only family I have left."

Sasuke took a slightly shaky breath to calm himself.

"Ok," He said slowly, "I'll answer the question. I didn't think that's why. I thought you were being nosy."

"Everything I do is for a reason, Sasuke." I replied simply, not elaborating further.

"What details do you want?" Sasuke muttered, obviously resigned to answering every question.

"Precisely what he said, how he said it, and if you're up to it, the details of the massacre."

And Sasuke did. He told me the details about what Itachi had said, the boy in front of me's eyes starting to glaze slightly at remembering the most traumatic night of his life.

He said nothing of the Mangekyo Sharingan.

After he'd told me, I had a contemplative look on my face.

"What are you thinking?" He asked, his voice monotone.

"Test my limits," I mumbled to myself, "I need a rival. But killing kids? Impractical. S-ranks don't kill kids to prove something, a rat could kill an infant. No strength in killing the weak."

I gave a show of running through what Sasuke said to me like I was trying to solve some grand mystery.

"You know about you father's reputation, right?" I asked Sasuke.

At his nod, I continued.

"Killing him would get the most renown," I stated, "An S-rank veteran is hard to kill, even if you never expect betrayal."

Sasuke took a deep breath and growled at the last part.

"Why the hell would he kill kids, infants even, but let you live? Don't say anything, Sasuke, I'm trying to think out loud here." I scowled, not wanting to deal with his complaining.

"Killing an entire clan gives you 'immortality' so to speak in reputation," I voiced aloud, "But not in the way he did it."

At Sasuke's confused look, I clarified.

"If you beat me, not by doing something sneaky, but from actually surpassing and kicking my ass, you'd feel great about yourself, right?" I asked.

"Yeah," Sasuke nodded, "I would."

"What if you did it when I was sleeping?" I asked, "If you couldn't pull it off when I was awake? Would it feel cheaper?"

Sasuke thought for a moment and nodded.

"So why the hell would Itachi kill your clan with a garbage tactic? Nightfall?" I asked, "He was the clan heir of a well respected clan that was feared by Konoha's enemies and produced the most S-rank Shinobi of any clan here since the Senju got targeted and killed, which the Uchiha weren't killed off like your longtime rivals turned friends."

I was making little comments to steer Sasuke with as little resistance as possible, mainly by sweetening the pot by making small comments about the prowess of his clan.

"Itachi was an ANBU at eleven," I stressed the age, "He was already seen as probably the best Shinobi Konoha produced since Namikaze Minato, and he was an army killer and took on the strongest Bijuu and won."

I knew I was being dishonest with the comparative strength, with one being years older than the other, but I was trying to make a point, not accuracy.

"Itachi hasn't done anything truly noteworthy, has he?" I asked Sasuke pointedly, "He's still considered an S-rank nin for killing your clan, but nothing else. He hasn't assassinated Daiymos, attacked villages, or killed other S-rank nin. If he was solely motivated by testing his strength, why would he not be out there leaving a trail of corpses?"

Sasuke had a distant gaze, barely listening to what I was saying.

"No," he mumbled softly, "He did it because he wanted to test his strength."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"You know this because he told you?" I asked.

"Yes." Sasuke answered like it was the easiest answer.

"Did he say he loved you when he picked you up from the Academy sometimes?"

Sasuke glared at me for bringing that up. It was the only time I had overheard a conversation between the two when Itachi actually said those words.

"Yes," Sasuke gritted out, "He did."

"Do you believe him?"

"No I don't believe him." he snarled, "He lied to me."

"He lied to you, your parents, and your whole clan," I explained, "But the one time you think he was truthful was that night?" I asked incredulously, "I thought you were a genius."

Sasuke's expression went back to a hate filled one for probably the hundredth time today.

"Think, Sasuke," I implored, "What motive does he have to let you live? At first glance, you're not in the same league as him, neither am I for Kami's sake." I threw my arms out to exaggerate my point.

"Do you think he might have given you false information to torture you more?" I asked, "Could he have spun some bullshit tale so he'd always haunt you, even if/when you kill him?"

Sasuke looked extremely pale and swallowed heavily.

"I-I," He tried to say, but the words didn't seem to want to come out, "I don't... I."

I decided that this was enough and raised my hand as his head sunk down.

"I'll talk with the Hokage and Kakashi about what happened leading up to it," I promised, "They might know something that could paint a better picture."

Sasuke was quiet, not looking up after I shook his otherwise solid belief that Itachi only did it to test himself.

"He's obviously a manipulative bastard with more brains than he deserves," I said, "You- no we will need to be sharp and ready to fight him if he crawls out of whatever sewer he slunk off to." I finished firmly.

That seemed to spark something in Sasuke, as he blinked and tightened his hand into a fist, a gleam of determination in his eyes.

"That's all the questions I need answered right now. We ready to train?" I asked.

Sasuke answered with only one word, but I could feel the fire in his voice.

"Yes."

/////////////////

It was evening when we got back to Tazuna's, both of us looking rather pleased with ourselves.

The Intercepter Style of taijutsu that the Uchiha clan was known for required a Sharingan to be used to its greatest potential. Sasuke had been able to use it about as best as he could without his Sharingan.

But this afternoon had been different.

He was noticeably better at keeping pace with me when I was fighting at a certain level. I never had my resistant seals active when fighting or outside of training, my balance and timing would have otherwise been off. The seals were meant to aid in building up agility and speed through training. They enhanced the agility and speed exercises that already existed, speeding up the time needed to get to a certain level.

But Sasuke needed training while using the Sharingan. His timing was sometimes off, mostly in the first hour, from him still getting use to actively using the eyes ability to slow down perception and to read a target. He was at a loss at how I was matching his perception speed when both of us already knew I was significantly stronger physically than him.

As the pupil of The Wise said.

"Unlimited Power."

Lightning enhancement combined with the toughest bones and muscles of our age group and being quicker than Lee with his weights off, meant that I was arguably the worst person for Sasuke to fight in taijutsu. My style wasn't exactly one particular form. I took after Kakashi in how he fought, a mixture of complementary forms that made a cohesive amalgamation. A fair portion of mine was based off of the Goken, which Gai helped me with when the teams were group training, mixed with a few other ones, but the Goken complemented my physical strength and speed better than other dedicated forms.

Rin's was more like Anko's fighting style, the Snake style, a style that revolved around speed and flexibility. I refused to think of it as Orochimaru's, even if Anko learned it from him first. Rin was skilled in that taijutsu form because of Anko, she deserved credit.

We both walked, or in Sasuke's case staggered, into Tazuna's home, the few people inside giving a look of surprise that I actually showed up, and Sasuke looking like he'd been on the ass half of an ass kicking. Which he was.

Hinata and Rin were in the kitchen, looking like they finished training.

"Where's everyone else?" I asked nonchalantly, sitting down while ignoring Rin and Hinata's look of surprise.

Hinata recovered from her shock first and addressed my question.

"Kakashi-sensei is out again and Asuma-sensei is with his team training them with working with their clan jutsu." She answered quietly, looking at me with concern.

I winked at her to let her know I was okay, before looking at Rin.

"You look tired." I said simply, seeing how she was almost sprawled out in the chair she was sat in.

"Ugh," She groaned, stretching her arms and back with an audible pop, "You try working on wind jutsu for 10 hours non-stop."

"That's rookie numbers," I snorted, "You got to pump those up."

"And what did you do?" She demanded irritably, "Other than decide to practically live out in the woods?"

I scowled at that little comment.

"I was destroying trees, terrorizing the wildlife, pissed in a creek, scratched my-"

"Shut up," she demanded, her face twisted in aggravation, "I don't why I'm surprised. Stupid questions and stupid answers."

"Ah," I cooed, "My baby sister is learning," I wiped away a fake tear, "I'm so proud of you."

"I sometimes question whether we're related." she deadpanned.

I grinned and dashed straight towards her, catching her off guard when I dragged her up from the chair and ruffled her hair.

She nearly shrieked in my ear when I made her hair a mess, before I pinched her cheeks.

"You have such adorable whisker marks though," I laughed at the death glare she shot me, "I have them too, you know?"

"Stop it." She growled, pushing me away from her.

"Oh, you wound me, imouto-san." I clutched my chest.

Rin glared at me as she tried to fix her hair.

"Why do smell like Sasuke though?" She asked, still trying to untangle her hair.

I shook slightly from trying to keep in a laugh at what I was going to do.

"Sasuke-kun risked great peril to wrestle with the beast that lurks within." I proclaimed grandly, "You see the scars of battle upon his form, badges of honour and vitality!" I shouted exuberantly.

Rin just grumbled under her breath.

"Why do I even ask?" She muttered.

"Because you want to know why Sasuke just can't have enough of me?" I asked cheekily.

"Stop making it sound like that." Sasuke cut in, not in the mood for my joking.

"I kept wanting to stop, but you kept asking for more." I stated almost matter of factly.

"Naruto." He warned, seeing my grinning visage.

"Say it again." I whispered, shaking slightly.

Sasuke didn't take the bait and kept quiet.

I just shrugged and sat at the table next to Rin's chair, grinning at how good this day felt.

Hinata and Rin knew how I would irritate Sasuke, but they were still uncomfortable with how much I'd torment him, Rin probably because I'm her brother, and Hinata because she probably wants to imagine herself in Sasuke's position.

That last part wasn't the best image for me, but whatever.

Asuma and his team showed up about an hour later, the four looking slightly surprised that I was at the table.

"Naruto?" Ino asked, looking at me with a soft smile.

"In the flesh." I nodded, leaning back in my chair.

"Everything fine now?" Asuma asked, keeping things vague.

I nodded slightly and he flashed a smile, before sitting down at the table with the others.

"You been training?" he asked, probably wanting to know what I'd been doing for the past few days.

"Yeah," I nodded, "Mostly destructive stuff though, not good near here." I pointed around the room.

Asuma nodded at that, knowing some of the landscape changing jutsu I could cause by pumping even just a small portion of my chakra into mid-level Jutsu.

Shikamaru was still giving me a side eye look, glancing at Rin on occasion.

He's thinking of something. I surmised. He was good at hiding whether he was thinking of things, but I could still read him, although it was harder than most.

I'd talked with him yesterday about why I was hiding my strength, which he understood after I made a couple name drops on Shinobi that Konoha had that were proclaimed as 'prodigies'. He understood after that, but he still seemed a little guarded around me, probably from him seeing me kill the Iwa nin and promptly becoming incoherent.

Tsunami had been fixing some food for them while we stayed here, set some on the table.

She gave me an odd look before leaving the room.

I let my mind wonder for a little bit, before my eyes shot open at something I just remembered.

"I forgot Zabuza's blade." I said, getting up to leave, "I need to go get it."

"How do you forget something like that?" Ino asked, looking at me with genuine confusion.

"I was having fun with Sasuke." I said, before rushing out of the house.

I got to the little clearing in the forest where I'd been training, spotting Kubikiribocho still planted in the ground.

Sighing in relief, I got to the clearing and grabbed the blade, securing it on my back.

I'd almost forgotten that Haku had been out in the forest gathering herbs to treat Zabuza.

I'd spotted the chakra signature, which had a distinctly sharp and cold feel to it, something I haven't felt in anyone else.

'Obviously from the Hyoton.' I mused.

It dawned on me that I may be able to set a trap. Haku had avoided me when I was training, probably not finding any reason to cross me after what happened during the ambush. I could train very intensely for a few more hours till nightfall, act like I practically passed out from exhaustion, and have the blade right next to me.

"Yes, that'll work." I grinned.

I made several dozen clones and ordered them to work on two jutsu that I just now started trying to get to work.

Chidori Eiso and Chidori senbon.

Kakashi had been working on a few derivatives of the Chidori over the last several months. I let him think of how to do them, with me 'pitching in my own ideas' on how it could be used effectively. One issue with the Chidori was the lack of range. Chidori Eiso fixed that by extending the range by a few meters. The senbon derivative meant multiple targets could be hit, instead of just the one when you coated your hand with lightning.

As the clones did their thing, I made sure a few were dedicated to sensing for Haku. I didn't need anyone seeing what jutsu I was working on. Chidori Eiso would work as a good surprise to those expecting a point blank attack.

"Ok, focus." I muttered, channeling lightning chakra into my hand.

The lightning crackled without guidance in my hand. I started shaping it into a fine point, before launching it forward.

It petered out after about a foot away from my hand.

"Damnit," I bit out, "I knew it wouldn't be that easy."

I made the hand seals for the Chidori, making one in my right hand, before trying to stretch it like how I drew out my chakra blade.

I found out weeks ago that my lightning chakra and chakra blade impeded one another if I wasn't careful, the blade wanting to destabilize and act like lightning, defeating the original purpose of it in the first place.

The trick seemed to work as the Chidori managed to stretch a little further without destabilizing.

Grinning, I deactivated it and made a hand seal, spawning a clone. The clone promptly dispelled, giving the other clones the hint on how to stretch the Chidori.

I might feel partly bad about potentially giving Kakashi and me credit for Sasuke's would be achievements, but I honestly couldn't bring myself to be stopped by it. I needed more jutsu for the fights to come.

Lightning jutsu were capable of being some of the most dangerous ones for offensive purposes, with the Chidori and its derivatives being a fine example of extremely potent uses in close to medium range, and the Lightning Cloak acting as an enhancement of speed and strength based on the base physical prowess of the user.

The Raikages were built like tanks, while having significant speed for men of their size. You don't expect a man like the Yondaime Raikage to have impressive speed before he uses his Lightning Cloak, but he does.

Thinking of that had me thinking of the Celestial Gates. I hadn't broached the topic with Kakashi or Gai, but I have a feeling that I couldn't use that little trick. Kakashi was able to open the first gate, while Gai and his father could open them all if hell came crashing down.

The drawbacks of opening the first 3 gates was negligible for me and Rin. We'd heal from the muscle tearing within the day, faster if I was adventurous enough to use Kurama's chakra.

Gai was as lethal as he was because his base ability was staggering. His father wasn't a very skilled Shinobi, even if opening all the Gates made him Kage level for a few minutes.

Both of the techniques, the Lightning Cloak and opening Gates, multiplied base physical abilities. Someone like Choji wouldn't receive as much of a speed boost as me, given that I'm fairly damn fast.

But I was guarded about the Gates. They involved disabling the inhibitors on our 'hysterical strength'. A human's muscles are strong enough to rip themselves away from bone and break said bones. We're strong enough to kill ourselves.

But I don't know what the removal of muscle inhibitors would do to a Jinchuriki.

'I'll talk with Kakashi and Hiruzen about it. The Gates would be extremely valuable of a technique to use, if it's safe.'

"With my luck, I'm screwed." I muttered.

Changing my topic of thought, I went back to training the Chidori variants for the next couple of hours.

It was close to midnight when I decided to call it. My fingers were twitching and slightly blistered from training alongside my clones.

I made some decent progress, before deciding it was the time for setting the trap in place.

"A redhead with lightning and an Ice user," I muttered to myself, before laying down and shutting my eyes with Kubikiribocho right next to me, "Why's that sound familiar?"

////////////////////

Haku had finally spotted an opening to retrieve herbs that were spotted near where the red haired Genin kept training at.

"Keep your damned distant," Zabuza had said, "He's a damn good sensor and will kill you no problem."

Zabuza had been enraged when he found out that the Genin had his sword. The boy, who couldn't have been older than 13, had actually stood up to Zabuza in Kenjutsu and was matching strike for strike. If not for the cheap blade, Sarutobi Asuma and the Genin would have killed Zabuza before the Iwa nin could have arrived.

The weaker reinforcements were cut down like they were nothing, while the Iwa nin had run afoul of several of the boy's clones and were held up by the shear volume of Jutsu being flung at them.

Zabuza had been severely wounded, the senbon to his neck being just the tip of the iceberg. His injuries included several slash wounds and the worst being the stab wound in his side from the Konoha genin.

The two surviving Iwa nin looked like they were likely going to ditch Gato, not caring for the prospect of money when the ambush team sent to attack Hatake Kakashi's team didn't return.

Haku stopped hearing the sound of jutsu being used and went towards where the clearing was, spotting the boy asleep on the ground.

With Kubikiribocho right next to him.

Stalking towards him very quietly, Haku noticed how the boy looked, now that his face wasn't twisted in a feral look of ferocity that was there when he fought.

He looked peaceful. His face was softened from resting, but he seemed to twitch slightly, his closed eyes shifting.

'He's dreaming.'

Just a few more feet, and the sword would be back with Zabuza.

Before Haku could grip the hilt, a kick to the back of the Yuki's leg connected, the red haired Genin jumping awake.

Falling to the ground hard from the kick, Haku didn't have time to move until the boy had both arms locked in an iron grip on both arms, his legs wrapping around to lock who he saw as an attacker in place.

Haku could feel the boys breath coming from just inches away.

"Who are you?" He questioned sinisterly, his voice having a disturbing sharpness.

Before Haku could speak, the boy began patting down different body parts.

'Stop. Stop. Stop.'The boy's breath paused, before a deep inhale was heard, almost like an animal sniffing something.

"You're a girl," He whispered, grabbing at her kimono.

She gasped when he accidentally pulled at her bindings on her chest, terrified of what he was doing.

"Please, no." She begged, her breath quickening.

He stopped after he seemed to search for something.

"You don't have a knife hidden." He muttered to her, "I had to check, don't want stabbed because you don't want your breasts felt."

She was shivering at the chakra he was leaking. It made her entire body feel like pins and needles were dancing along her skin.

"Please, let me go." She requested, not liking the close contact.

The boy slowly pulled his legs away from her midsection, followed by his grip loosening on her arms.

She sat up from where she'd been squashed into the ground by his weight, taking a shuddering breath from the shock at how quickly he woke up and attacked her.

"Who are you and why are you here?" he asked suspiciously, "You aren't armed, so you're either a spy or an idiot."

"I promise I'm not a spy," Haku said, "But why would you call me an idiot?"

"Pretty girls like you," He raised a brow, noticing her blush slightly, "Being pretty doesn't bode well in this area. Plenty of scum here that will target you."

That was exactly why she tried to hide being a girl, the people she interacted with being around Zabuza weren't the most savory of individuals.

"I came out to help someone close to me," She answered truthfully, seeing how guarded the boy looked, "He was injured and there are some herbs and plants here," She gestured to the ground around the two of them, "That will help him heal."

She tried to gauge the boy's facial expressions, but came up blank. He was like a wall, unreadable.

After a moment, his eyes lit up and he smiled.

"Well why didn't you say so," He smiled cheerfully, "I can help you out if you want."

She wanted to say no. She was frightened by him. This was the same boy that had viciously cut down several people while radiating such feral Killing Intent, but he didn't look like he was faking kindness. Perhaps he was like Zabuza, someone who was vicious to enemies, but had a hidden kindness for others.

Zabuza didn't have to take her in. He had saved her by training her and taking her with him.

She gave him a kind smile.

"I would appreciate that." She said, before blinking, "How rude of me, but I don't know your name."

His smile tightened slightly, before returning back to normal.

"It's Naruto." He replied, looking her straight in the eyes, "Yours?"

"It's Haku." She smiled, noticing how bright his eyes seemed.

Naruto, now that she knew the mysterious genin's name, stood up stretched with an audible groan, his vertebrae making popping noises.

"Well," he asked, "What plants shall we collect, Haku-chan?"

'He can't be this naive.' She thought sadly. 'Why would he be this trusting after I showed a small amount of kindness? It doesn't make sense, he was so guarded at first.'

She stood up and tried to hide her feelings with a soft smile.

"I'll show you what ones are needed, Naruto." She tested his name out.

He helped her to grab different plants to make some herbal remedies for Zabuza, the task going by much faster because of his help.

She couldn't risk trying to get Zabuza's sword, as it was strapped to Naruto's back. She'd need to try and come back tomorrow.

Throughout the time he helped her, the two of them talked. He talked of how he cared for his friends and those who were precious to him, but one part had her focusing on every word he said.

"I wouldn't throw my life away for them though."

"What?" She asked, not understanding how he could possibly care for them, but not die for them.

"I'd never pursue dying for them," He said, looking straight at her, "I never want to hurt them, and throwing myself in front of a danger to them would hurt them in knowing that my death was because of them."

"But they would die if you wouldn't protect them." She said, her tone slightly scolding.

'How DARE he say that and say he loves them! They aren't as precious to him as Zabuza is to me, evidently. I'd die for Zabuza.' She thought firmly.

"They'd die for me as well," He whispered, catching her off guard by the vulnerability in his voice, "They'd jump in front of a sword for me, but that would mean I already failed them."

She didn't know what to say to that.

"If I was stronger, I wouldn't need to die for them," He explained, "If I found another way, I wouldn't have to fight and kill to protect them."

Haku almost felt like he was talking directly to her.

"You're a pretty girl," He said again, "I know you're not blind to what's going on in Nami. You risked yourself for who you care about, but how would he feel if you never came back? What if I hurt you accidentally when you tried to wake me up? How would he feel? How much pain would he feel?"

Haku was stunned at the last part. She never thought of how much it would hurt Zabuza if she died, she assumed she was disposable, a tool. Could Naruto be right?

"I," She tried to speak, before clearing her throat, "I think I have enough for now. Thank you for helping me, Naruto-kun."

He nodded and she turned to leave the area, her heart hammering in her chest.

"Will I see you tomorrow?" He asked, raising his voice slightly while walking towards her.

She shook her head. "I have enough. I won't need more probably."

"Oh." He said quietly, looking slightly disappointed.

"Don't worry Naruto-kun," She stepped forward and put a hand on his arm, "We'll see each other again someday."

'Probably when Zabuza tries to kill the bridge builder.' She thought sadly.

Naruto nodded and smiled softly, before his eyes seemed to sharpen.

"Send Zabuza my regards."

Her eyes widened and she backed away.

Naruto pulled Kubikiribocho from his back and had it at the ready.

Before she could run, he made a half seal, she then felt her entire body stiffen, before she fell to the ground, her basket of herbs spilling out.

'He's going to kill me. He's going to kill me.' She thought frantically as he walked towards her unresponsive body.

"You were dead the moment you came here," He said, looming over her, "You weren't getting this back." he gestured towards the blade he had resting against the ground.

She started trying to move, but felt like a massive weight was sitting on her.

"Don't try fighting it," He scoffed, "I'd struggle to get out of it."

"Please." She begged, trying to draw a painful breath.

He seemed to take pity on her and put Zabuza's sword on his back, stepped towards her, and put another 3 seal tags on her, before making a hand seal to deactivate whatever he did to her.

She took a deep breath of air as the weight left her chest, looking at Naruto with fear.

"How did you know?"

Naruto just shrugged.

"Your voice and chakra," He stated simply, "Never felt a Yuki's chakra before."

Haku shivered at the name.

"Based on your age, you're probably the last one. They're supposed to be dead." He looked at her with sympathy as he said it.

The Bloodline purges and the hatred of kekkai genkai killed her mother. Her own father tried to kill her.

"What are you going to do?" She asked, trying to hide the quiver in her voice.

"Nothing," He said simply, "Except offer a deal."

"I'm not telling you where Zabuza-san is." She snapped, "torture me. Kill me. I won't help you kill my precious person."

Naruto just chuckled.

"It's not Zabuza I want, it's Gato," He snarled, voice full of contempt, "I want to know where he is, where his hideouts are. I want to watch the light leave his eyes when I drive a blade through his black heart."

Haku saw Naruto's hair seem to ripple slightly with his chakra flaring, a fire dancing in his eyes.

"I don't know where." Haku pleaded, "Please believe me I don't know."

"But Zabuza does." Naruto stated, no question in his tone.

Her silence was his answer.

"Stand up." He ordered sharply.

She stood up and glared at him.

"You will deliver a message to Zabuza," He instructed, "I wish to make a deal."

"What deal?" She asked tightly.

"If he tells me where Gato is holed up, I'll give his sword back."

"You'd give Kubikiribocho back to him?" She asked, shock in her voice.

"I value freeing the people of Nami no kuni faster over having a fancy sword. What the hell does steel matter in the face of the innocent?"

Naruto had to know how valuable the sword was. The money from selling it to the highest bidder would set him up for life.

"What if he refuses and we fight you?" She asked, suspecting his response.

"Simple, me and my comrades will help Zabuza and any other bastard in our way take a dirt nap."

"I won't let you take him from me." She glared at him.

"I have 3 explosives attached to you," he deadpanned, "You'd be a chunky mess if I wanted to kill you, and Zabuza would be joining you not long after."

Haku hated that she couldn't protect what was precious to her. This boy had nearly killed Zabuza and had her at his mercy.

"Zabuza can't fight both Hatake and Sarutobi," He continued, "Any other bandits and trash will die without an issue."

Haku just stared at him.

"I'm disabling the seals," He said, making a hand seal, "Tell Zabuza about my offer. I won't make it a second time. I'm not risking my friends on the off chance that he'll change his mind at the end."

Haku pulled off the inert seals that he placed on her and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

"Why did you not kill me?" She asked softly, "You could have killed me when you realized I was helping Zabuza-san recover. Why didn't you?"

Naruto was quiet for some time, before taking a breath.

"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"

She didn't know what to think of that.

"You've probably seen terrible things," He said, "Being possibly the last Yuki. The Bloodline purges led to this very moment, with us standing right here. Bloodshed and hatred led to this moment. I could easily have killed you to slow Zabuza's recovery, but what's the point in not trying? I could stop another fight, a lethal one, from happening. I just need to make the effort of talking. Fucking talking," He laughed, "Something so easy. Pushing air out of my throat in a certain pattern might save a few more lives. I've never half-assed things, and right now isn't different."

His posture had straightened as he spoke, a strength in his voice that she rarely heard, and from a boy younger than her no less.

"Go and help your precious person," He whispered, "And I'll help mine."

She nodded shakily and turned to leave, picking up the scattered herbs.

"Oh, Haku," He shouted, his voice full of energy, "Just so you know, you have fantastic curves." He then Shunshined away.

She couldn't keep the blush from her face at the reminder of what he'd accidentally done.

She picked up the basket and left the clearing to go back to Zabuza, hoping she could convince him to agree to Naruto's offer.

//////////////////////////

"Calm down." I told myself, trying to stop the shaking in my hand.

The talk with Haku, as well as first meeting her, had been messing with me in multiple ways.

First, Haku was a girl instead of a boy, worrying me. Two, I managed to come up with a cohesive plan miraculously on the fly, possibly preventing the battle at the bridge and stopping several of Tazuna's workers from getting killed.

And third, my body made very clear how much it liked being pressed up to her body.

She was a couple years older and more developed than the other girls I was around with often, and her chakra felt exotic compared to Ino's and Hinata's, given that I was around them often, while I wasn't used to feeling chakra from a kekkai genkai wielder like her.

"Puberty is kicking my ass." I groaned, shifting around uncomfortably at remembering the feel of her pressed against me, the quick breaths and gasp of surprise, and the softness of her curves.

'Stop it.' I growled internally, 'I don't need to 'relieve stress' otherwise known as jerkin it right now. Stop thinkin with your dick, man.'

I was worked up from just a few moments around her, and I wasn't even close to her.

I remembered how Ino, Hinata, and several of the other girls my age would blossom into beauties years from now. I was not looking forward to dealing with having a much more developed sex drive combined with my past experiences with the fairer sex acting as a stimulant.

"Change subject." I muttered, trying to not work myself up even more.

I looked around and thought of what I just did. I managed to chain together several Shunshins and avoided every single tree and obstacle.

The Lightning enhancement paid off. My head ached slightly, now that I'm thinking of the aching feeling that's not concentrated in my groin.

'Damnit.' I groaned. 'Something else. Something else. Gai moaning 'Youth' while in a speedo. Ok that helps, but not enough. Kakashi and Gai in speedos- yep, that worked, I think I'm gonna puke.' I managed to, with supreme will, rein myself in, finding my happy, controlled center.

I took a deep breath and looked around, seeing nothing but trees and hearing the wildlife.

"I need to talk with Kakashi." I muttered to myself.

Kakashi, while technically not having seniority over Asuma on this particular mission, was the one hunting for Gato's location, given that he wasn't dead on his feet from fighting Zabuza while in a diminished state at first.

Kakashi being a former ANBU might also play a factor.

I traced my way back to Tazuna's, made a clone, then sent it to see if Kakashi was back yet while Henged as a rat.

After about a couple minutes, I found out that Kakashi was back.

And he was jumpy as hell.

I flinched when the clone got stomped on by him when it was scuffling around the floor of the room he was sleeping in.

After a couple minutes, he still hadn't shown up out of the house.

I noticed just moments before it happened.

Kakashi had a distinct chakra signature, but he was disturbingly good at concealing it, even to the point that skilled sensors struggled to track him sometimes.

He'd evidently slipped through both my visual sight and chakra sight.

I had a sixth sense to turn, only to find a slightly glowing red eye in the head of a silhouette trying to crash into me.

I had sleep paralysis demons less scary than that bullshit.

I blocked the punch that was aimed for the back of my head, the follow up kick to my temple was ducked, with me driving forward with my shoulder into his ribs.

Kakashi made a slight *umph* sound, before he wrapped his arms around my midsection and lifted me up over his head and flipped me over.

I hit the ground behind him hard, but sprang back up and blindly swung out with a blunt edged chakra blade.

Kakashi deflected the hit with a kunai, tensed up further to reengage, before his posture seemed to freeze.

"Naruto?" He asked, still holding the kunai tightly.

I shut off the blade and pushed some lightning chakra into my hand, lighting up my face in the dark.

"Who the hell else uses chakra blades?" I asked rhetorically, still spooked by how freaking scary he looked.

'ANBU are scary SOBs, no doubt about that.' I shivered.

Most people wouldn't catch Kakashi before something like what happened occurred. I would have been on the ground and at his mercy if I wasn't trained to fight ANBU by one of the best ones the group had.

"Well," Kakashi started to say, but stopped midway, "No one?" He said questioningly.

I just took a deep breath and shook my head.

"Scared the hell out me," I groaned, "I saw your damn eye before I saw anything else. Freaky."

"You wouldn't be the first to say that." Kakashi shrugged.

"Nor the last." I finished.

"Was the rat yours?" He asked suddenly.

"Yeah," I answered, "And that hurt, by the way."

"Don't sneak up on me when I'm sleeping."

"How the hell am I supposed to talk to you then?" I demanded.

"Do it when it's not 2:30 in the morning." He said irritably, "Let me sleep when I can. Asuma's keeping up on training the others, you're doing your own little things, and I'm trying to make sure we get home earlier."

"Funny you should mention that," I snorted.

At his look of question, I elaborated.

"I had a little visitor," I explained, "A certain mysterious Yuki."

Kakashi leaned forward, any irritation in his posture vanishing.

"Go on."

And so I explained everything that transpired, minus the meta-knowledge that spawned my increased precautions I put.

I had dozens of clones Henged as animals that could attack Haku if she somehow managed to pull a quick one on me, but they weren't needed.

Kakashi eyed me critically for a moment.

"You went out to train," He said slowly, "Forgot Kubikiribocho, went back, trained some more, spotted an enemy nin, set up a trap without telling anyone, and tried to broker a deal with a weapon that is worth a great deal of money?"

Putting it like that, it made me sound like an idiot.

"You left out the part where I helped Sasuke train his Sharingan," I countered sharply, "Something you should have been doing because you're the only one that isn't a clan killing asshat that has a Sharingan. Something as important as that warrants some leeway in forgetting about the heavy ass blade I don't like toting around. You also left out the part where I had dozens of clones and explosives in case things went pear shaped with Haku."

I ignored his raised brow at the name drop.

"I also maneuvered a deal in place that would help us in every way, and without giving up a single thing."

Kakashi was silent for a few minutes, before he stepped forward and looked straight into my eyes, both of his own uncovered for effect.

I didn't back down. I was firm in my choice. I wasn't going to second guess my choices. They were mine, and mine alone.

Sasuke needed help and the assurance that someone that was his superior was willing to help him achieve his dream, Nami no kuni would benefit from Zabuza snitching on Gato at the low low cost of a self repairing sword that I disliked using.

At my unwavering stare, Kakashi eye smiled and ruffled my hair.

"You're learning," he grinned, "New intel changes the parameters of a mission. You did good thinking of that extortion plan."

I visibly relaxed, before scowling at what he was doing to my hair.

"Alright alright, old man," I grumbled, leaning down and throwing out my arm to get away from his reach, "Stop it."

"But my adorable little genin has such pretty hair." He eye smiled.

"My hair is not pretty." I grumbled, "It makes me roguish and handsome."

"It's pretty." Kakashi snickered flatly, "It's your mother's hair."

"It didn't look spiky in the picture of her." I pointed out, "Probably our Dad." I whispered.

Kakashi just kind of nodded absentmindedly at the mention of his Sensei.

"But what's the plan?" I changed the subject, "Tomorrow is when the next meeting happens."

"The question is if Zabuza accepts." Kakashi pointed out. "You sure that sword is worth it? That's one of the legendary swords of Kiri."

"If it gets Gato dead faster and gets us home, I don't care." I shrugged.

Kakashi looked pleased with my answer.

"Will you need me there?" He asked.

"Nah," I waved dismissively, "I'll be fine."

"You sure?" Kakashi asked, "She may try something." He pointed out.

"Like what?" I rolled my eyes, "She's not as dangerous as Zabuza, and I did fine against him."

"She's a little older than you, right?" He raised a brow, to which I nodded, "Lets say she loosens up her shirt and tries to be a little friendly, what then?"

"T-that won't be an issue." I tried to say, not looking at him.

"Something happened, didn't it?" He said, a slight grin noticable by his eyes crinkling.

I just groaned in frustration.

"I didn't know she was a girl when I pinned her and checked for a weapon."

Kakashi chuckled softly to himself.

"Get a good feel?" He asked amusedly, miming his hands cupping something.

"Yes," I muttered, "And I can't stop thinking of it."

"No self respecting man forgets his first." He giggled, still miming his hands gripping something.

"Stop, please," I nearly begged, "I don't need that from you, it's already embarrassing enough."

"It's my sworn duty to tease you relentlessly, Naruto," He smiled, putting a hand on the back of his neck, "You took all the fun out of harassing Sasuke, he's wised up."

"I don't want to keep thinking about it," I said irritably, glaring at him slightly, "It's bad enough when I didn't have a girl pressed up against me."

"It's not that bad," Kakashi rolled his eyes, "I know it wasn't as torturous as you're making it out to be."

"I'm an Uzumaki," I deadpanned, "With a furbag speeding up my healing from progressively making it work harder. My body didn't get the memo to not get... a reaction," I said tightly, "From anything and everything. I already told you I can't do anything about it with Rin around. How'd you feel if you thought your sister could smell or hear you?" I shivered as I finished the last part.

I did not need Rin knowing what I was thinking 24/7, trying to casually glance at women, and genuinely thinking about emulating Jiraiya by going to the hot springs.

"I know that look," Kakashi said suddenly, "You're not just pretending to be a pervert." His eyes widened further. "One of us." He declared, almost chanting it.

Scowling, I nodded.

"Yes, I'm a pervert."

"I didn't catch that," Kakashi cupped his ear and leaned closer, "Repeat that."

"I said I'm a pervert," I said irritably, "I liked touching her, how she felt, and I like hot women. I think about them all the time. Happy?"

"Yeah, but Rin won't be." He glanced over my shoulder.

I flinched and almost bought it, but Rin wasn't behind me.

She hated perverts.

"Ass." I muttered.

"One of us." He replied dismissively.

I just sighed and shook my head.

"And here I thought you'd help me," I groaned, "But you're an ass just like I'd be."

"I aim to please." Was his reply, before his posture stopped being laid back.

"I do have a question," He asked, looking very serious, "Have you seen or sensed the man who infiltrated the Hyuga compound since it happened?"

I blinked, surprised that he'd bring that up.

"No," I said slowly, gauging the part of his face that was visible, "Why?"

"Just curiosity," He relaxed, his posture going back to a less tense one.

'That was worrisome,' I thought, 'I didn't want him digging.'

"Now," He sighed, turning around to head back to Tazuna's house, "I need to sleep. We'll talk tomorrow after you've had your little rendezvous with your girlfriend."

"Har har." I deadpanned, "I eagerly await that moment."

"I'll be sure to let Hinata and Ino know that." He grinned, before dashing away from me.

"Smartass," I muttered to myself, "Think you're funny joking about that? Grr, I need to up how much I mention Anko, that'll show him."

I went towards the house as well, planning to probably sleep on the floor, not that it mattered to me right now.

I forgot to ask Kakashi about there being a possible issue with me training with Gai to open the Celestial Gates.

'Whatever, I'll remember tomorrow.'

///////////////////

End Chapter:

The encounter at the bridge will probably be next chapter.

Anyway, thanks for reading. Comments are welcome, and may you have a wonderful day.

Raging.