Chapter 15

"Hatake." He heard the blond whisper. Kakashi sighed in relief. At least he wouldn't have to fight the blond again, that was not something Kakashi believed he could do safely without at least three or four more months of extremely intense, Gai level training.

The red chakra and killing intent drained out of the room and Hinata found that she could look at him again without feeling herself getting choked.

Naruto hissed and clutched his neck in pain, remembering the last time he was conscious.

He narrowed his eyes in anger. That hunter nin would pay, very very dearly.

He grunted and made to walk when a wave of dizziness hit him, he swayed on his feet and had to grasp the wall to keep himself steady. He clutched his head and resisted the urge to growl. What the hell had that blasted hunter poisoned him with?

Kakashi, seeing his unasked question spoke up as he ushered Hinata away and everyone back into their rooms. "You've been knocked out for nearly a day, don't be surprised that your still not at your full 100 that hunter nin hit you with one of Kiri's more exotic mixes. I'm surprised it didn't take you longer to wake up."

He took out a plastic bag with the poisoned kunai on it. I had Pakkun sniff it and he says that it doesn't smell like any poison he's ever seen, he also said it smelled potent and was more than likely highly acidic in nature, so I suggest you take it easy for the next few days, Zabuza wont be coming back for at least, at least, a week. Maybe even three and even then he probably wont be at his full 100, either so you can rest, I'll handle Tazuna and training Hinata and Sasuke.

Naruto shook his head as he slowly eased himself down. "No, if your summon says that he has never seen this kind of poison then that can only mean one of two things, either it is a new poison that has not yet reached Konoha Anbu or he made it himself. I find the second option to be more likely since poison herbs can be found quite easily in Kiri. If so, then that hunter has obvious knowledge of herbs, both poisonous and medicinal and, being a hunter nin, he has knowledge of human anatomy and functions. Therefore…"

"He can speed up Zabuza's recovery." Kakashi finished sighing. "I'd hoped you'd still be delirious enough to just let me take over." He muttered scratching the back of his head.

Naruto refrained the urge to twitch in annoyance at his former captains laid back response. Instead he took a deep breath and spoke. "Perhaps…you should guard the bridge builder while I train the Hyuuga and Uchiha."

Kakashi immediately responded with a resounding, resolute "No!" He cleared his throat and regained his composure before he spoke again. "I mean ummmm…your still injured and uhhhhh…'I wouldn't have to return to Konoha with the Hyuuga and Uchiha heirs half dead from whatever the hell you'll put them through.' You need to get as much rest as possible." He finished somewhat lamely.

Naruto hmphed "I will be fine within one or two days rest, I suggest you inform the Hyuuga and Uchiha that they will be joining me for training, tomorrow at dawn." He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, indicating the conversation was over.

Kakashi tried to think of something that would deter him, but other than his health he couldn't think of anything. He sighed and stepped out of the room. It appeared as if he would have to get flowers soon. Either for a hospital room or a funeral home.

Hinata and Sasuke quietly walked through the forest, the sun was just peeking its golden head over the horizon, Kakashi had barely let them eat breakfast before ushering them out of the house. He said to just keep going and they'd reach a training field where they could…well…train.

Hinata didn't know just how the hell they were supposed to train themselves and Sasuke was wondering just why the hell they had to go out to a clearing in the middle of nowhere when they could have easily trained near Tazuna's house.

Their questions were answered however as the tree's parted, revealing their third teammate, clad in his black clothes and mask, waiting for them.

"Good, you have both arrived." He stated in his simple monotone drawl. Hours of meditating had dulled the burning in his neck to a dull throbbing ache, that still didn't mean he was through, he still had to regain the chakra he lost while expelling the poison. And the increased use of Kyuubi's chakra was throwing his control completely off. It would most likely take the rest of the day for Kyuubi to stop his chakra flow in order for Naruto to regain his chakra control.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "How the hell are you even standing? That hit to the neck would have killed anyone else." He asked incredulously.

"It is none of your concern Uchiha." The jinchuriki stated simply. Sasuke grit his teeth in anger and was about to speak before Naruto cut him off. "I will not answer any of your questions, so do not waste your breath or my time."

Sasuke glared at him, Hinata seeing the tense atmosphere decided to intervine before a fight broke out. She probably wouldn't have done this normally, since she knew her masked teammate would win rather easilly against either of them. But, Naruto had been hit with both a highly debilitating injury and a very potent poison and for all she knew he could be struggling to stand.

She stepped forward and addressed him. "So, you will be training us then?"

Naruto nodded. "Yes. I assume Hyuuga, that you have completed the tree climbing exercise, since your clan focuses on precise chakra control." He stated more than asked.

Hinata nodded Naruto then turned to Sasuke. "Have you completed the tree climbing exercise?"

Sasuke grunted and crossed his arms. "Why the hell would I learn how to climb trees?"

Naruto turned to Hinata. "Show him the exercise and explain the purpose of it, once you have done that, join me down by the river."

That said, he turned and left the two, Sasuke glaring holes into the back of his head while Hinata turned and sighed tiredly, shouldn't the instructor train the students equally instead of leaving one student to deal with the responsibility?

Did that even make any sense? Hinata shook her head to clear the cobwebs and began instructing the last Uchiha on the chakra control exercise.

Moments later.

Hinata walked through the trees until she came across a decent sized river, with Naruto standing along the embankment. He turned to her and nodded, tearing her out of her thoughts. "Good, you're here, now, is it safe to assume you know the water walking exercise?"

She nodded.

He nodded back and shifted through one of his pouches before removing a card and tossing it to her. "Now, mold chakra into the card and we shall see what your elemental affinity is."

Hinata nodded and the paper card immediately became drenched in water.

"A water elemental? I suspected as much" Naruto seemed to pause for a moment as his voice escaped him with something akin to self satisfaction and Hinata could have sworn that a slow, evil smile spread across his face had it not been for his mask. "Excellent." Came his hollow voice, making a shiver go up her spine.

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