Disclaimer: This story is a fanfic. Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, and Boruto are all owned by Masashi Kishimoto

*Cover Photo by PotakuCat on DeviantArt

*Oh, I updated within the same month, how did that happen? :D

(Also! My Grammar and spelling are horrid, please enjoy my story otherwise. If anyone wishes to beta read, that'd be GREAT :D)

Passion Was Their Creation:

Chapter Five

Kasumi's face was blank, but her eyes laid heavy on the toad sage. "They?"

Jiraiya stood tall his face steel-like. She gazed at him waiting for a response but her late sensei's preceptor seemed to be taking his time.

He then licked his lips. "Come, it's better if I spoke about this with you somewhere private."

Kasumi stood, giving the academy a quick one over then placing her hardened gaze back on Jiraiya. "Lead the way."

He nodded, taking off into the sky in a blur, she followed closely behind. Concern shot through her body as she thought over the implications of what he had said. They are coming for him. Him being Naruto and they being the questioned factor. Just who were they? The young Jounin had a few guesses. Was it Danzo and his army of Root operatives? That sounded plausible. He had approached her displaying his complete disregard for Naruto as a human being. Had he done something, maybe Jiraiya had been snooping and discovered the man speaking about going after Naruto?

No, but Danzo was a Konoha shinobi. Radical, yes. But still a shinobi of the leaf village. He wouldn't do something to someone so close to the Hokage. Would he?

She dashed across a few rooftops as she continued to keep up with the Sannin.

It had to have been something else or rather someone else. But why? Why Him?

That was a stupid question, she knew exactly why him—why it was Naruto.

They arrived at their destination. It was Jiraiya's rather large and well-kept dwelling. They entered and he immediately invited her to take a seat, the atmosphere still strong with concern and she wasn't the only one that it was emanating off of.

"Lets cut straight into the nitty-gritty." The elder man rubbed his chin and laid back getting comfortable. "You and I know the extent of the power held within Naruto."

She easily deduced where he was going. "They want to use him as a weapon." Her fist clenched.

"It wouldn't be the first time someone attempted to use a jinchuriki as a weapon."

She glared. "Jiraiya-sama please tell me...who?"

He sighed. "The Akatsuki. They're a criminal organization, they work heavily underground and are composed of a powerful bunch of S-classed shinobi, all of which are stated as high priority in the bingo book. They have done little except a few mercenary campaigns, but it's their overall goal that's so alarming. To collect all nine Bijuu, that is. Or so my contact informs."

She nodded her head in understanding. All nine Bijuu? That wouldn't be an easy task, even for S-class shinobi."Does the Sandiame know about this?"

"He was the first person I told."

It made her blood boil. She knew the complications of living with a Bijuu sealed within you. And although she could never know the exact feelings and hardships that a Jinchuriki had to endure, she had a first-hand look at the prejudice placed against Naruto. She let a gust of air escape her mouth.

"I won't let them touch a hair on his head." She declared confidently.

"Neither will I." He looked down at his hands. "We lost Minato-kun, I won't allow us to lose his son."

"Well, what are our first steps to combat them? I would surely love to crack open some heads." She made sure to maintain her tone of voice and keep it nonchalant.

"Nothing as of now."

She rose a grey eyebrow. "Nothing?"

He clicked his tongue. "As of now, we've got nothing. They have activity here and there—but they're never in the same place for too long. Also keep in mind, as of now their actions as a whole aren't any of the village's priority. Some villages even hire them."

"Right, nothing." She repeated.

"...but a motive and a name. And even if we had more, it's extremely hard to track them." He answered. "As of now, all we can do is prepare Naruto for when the day they come."

"Ah." She had already intended on making him a shinobi that was worthy of the name Hokage. But now, there was crucial reasoning behind this, and apparently, there was a limited amount of time.

"This is classified information as of now—very sensitive stuff. Listen Kasumi, not even the elders are aware of this info. I know you won't say anything, but just know how much weight this carries."

She inclined her head. "You know I don't gossip."

"Right, train him the best you can. Then I'll take over eventually—shadow clones are a start. And look at 'em a natural."

She shook her head in agreement. She'd make him strong, and she'd protect him until the day that he surpassed even herself.

"Really, Naruto really? Why in the blazes would you drag both myself and Mizuki-sensei and swarm us with your shadow clones! Oh, and I bet Kasumi-san is just laughing it up somewhere too huh?"

Naruto scratched his head, a cheesy grin on his face. Honestly, he'd gotten way too excited. Grabbing his two senseis was really an afterthought.

"Although, mortifying and quite irritating. Naruto clearly displayed that he indeed deserves to move onto the next stage of his shinobi career. I don't even think I can make that many clones." Mizuki stated his arms crossed and smile prone.

Naruto's grin intensified.

"I think we already established that he'd pass, the point is that he has to learn not to be so immature—and so does that Kasumi!" Iruka stated as a matter of fact. "And I'm not sure whether she's rubbed off on you or you rubbed off on her!"

"Probably both." Mizuki commented, not helping Iruka's situation but Naruto agreed.

Iruka pressed his eyebrows together. "I never really liked those goggles of yours."

Naruto blinked, Iruka's words a bit if a shock. "Eh, I like 'em. Keeps dirt out my eyes and looks pretty cool."

"Yeah, but it doesn't really give you that shinobi look."

Naruto's eyes were squinted, he watched as Iruka dug into his back pocket a slick grin on his face. Naruto gazed at Iruka's outstretched hand. And for what felt like a drawn-out amount of time, that's exactly what he did. His blue glossy orbs retained its gaze on the object in his hand. He processed it. He tried to process it—and it took a moment, but he finally processed it.

He was at a loss of words.

Large hands grasped the green goggles on his forehead removing the apparel. Naruto proceed to watch the headband in Iruka's hands, his pupils following the item even after it left his view and as he felt the headband neatly placed and tied around his head. Iruka stepped back and continued to smile, pridefully.

Naruto's lips remained divided.

"Congratulations, you're a ninja."

He knew this was going to happen, especially after mastering the Shadow Clone jutsu it was only expected. But, hearing the words from Iruka himself. It paralyzed him to the core, his accomplishments and all of his hard work finally paid off.

And it was all because of Kasumi. Probably the coolest person he'd ever known and the most beautiful girl in what he'd say was the entire world. Yes, if it wasn't for Kasumi he would have never made it here.

"Iruka-sensei!" He yelled tackling the man into the wall, grabbing him into the heaviest bear hug he could muster. Iruka grunted, complained a bit but eventually accepted his fate.

And Mizuki stood there scratching his head awkwardly.

The afternoon couldn't have ended better.

The morning found itself covered in fog.

It had been a while since she'd been called into the Hokage's office. Usually, she went there on her own accord, seeking the Third out. Now, he wanted to speak to her.

Maybe he'd bring up the threat of that criminal organization and their apparent goal at using Naruto as a tool.

She read her little book, jumping across rooftops and never taking her eyes off the page. Finally, she made it to her destination and hopped in through the window.

She entered her feet making no sounds. The Third thoroughly and slowly smoked his pipe, puffing out little bursts as he sat patiently.

"Kasumi-chan, I'm surprised you came on time."

Kasumi flipped her book closed and placed it in her back pouch and bowed. "There was no cat stuck on a pole today, Hokage-sama."

"Ah yes, that age-old excuse."

"It's not an excuse—Believe it or not It. Actually. Happens sometimes."

He shook his head in disbelief. While she was actually being serious.

The third took out a vanilla folder and slid it across his desk. Kasumi eyed it for a moment before taking the item and flipping it open.

Her eye went ajar. "Sasuke Uchiha." She flipped through a few pages, holding information on the boy's grades and personal details—including a profile picture. The sole survivor of the Uchiha clan, prodigy, and brother of the infamous Itachi Uchiha.

Itachi was a subject she had rather not think about.

She continued flipping through the documents. "Sakura Haruno." The same thing with the pink haired girl. Information, profile picture and a very good description of her. "Hokage-sama what am I looking at exactly?"

He let out a pool of smoke. "That? Well, that right there is your new team."

Her brain barked.

"Excuse me, can you repeat that."

"Your new set of Genin Kasumi, I am placing them in your capable hands."

The Kunoichi shook her head slowly. "Hokage-sama, with all due respect I don't think I'm cut out for that job. It would be nice, but still."

"Oh, why might I ask?"

"Well, for one it would take me away from my availability on the active roster. I'd be reduced to wasting my skills on D and C class mission."

"When has that ever been an issue for you Kasumi?"

"Don't you have to volunteer to be a Jounin-sensei? I did no such thing."

"Yes, It was I who put you on the volunteer list and with good intention, I'll add. Mhhm, your team was put together for a specific reason." Hiruzen grabbed the envelope and flipped back to Sasuke's document. "Sasuke Uchiha, this boy is the unfortunate last survivor of the Uchiha clan; as you know. There is no one else, no one with his bloodline and no who holds the sharingan—that is except you."

She saw where he was going with it and the logic was sound. "Hm."

The Hokage continued. "Kasumi you are the only one who can teach the boy how to control the Sharingan. I need you to perform this task, I need you to do that for Sasuke." The elderly man flipped to the next student, the pink haired girl known as Sakura. "Intelligent girl, very witty and her skills are quite exceptional. Her chakra control is quite amazing, even for her age. You will help bring out the best in her, be the stepping stones for her future as a ninja."

She nodded. "And the third one?"

The old man flipped through his papers revealing her third student. Her eyes immediately picked up on the spiky blond hair of Naruto. The academy student she had trained and refined into her own protegee. The boy who had graduated and was now on the verge of becoming a Genin.

"Naruto Uzumaki. Your self proclaimed student and one of the sole survivors of the Uzumaki clan. Son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki. Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi and my adopted grandson. It was only expected that I put him on your team, not only because you know him but because who else could I trust to amplify his skill and protect my grandson from any external threats." He took a break to smoke. "This is your mission. That is if you choose to accept it!"

She stood gazing down at the blonde boy's profile and then at the third. His gaze soft and almost lazy. Oh, what the hell.

"I accept this mission, Hokage-sama. I will complete it without failure. Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, and Naruto Uzumaki will all be enriched by my teachings and I will make them the best shinobi I possibly can. I will protect them and, I will not let them, my comrades be harmed." The worlds rolled out of her mouth with ease and she meant each word.

The Third nodded, his face forming into a smile. As he slowly closed the folder. "Excellent. I apologize about the short notice, I had originally placed another Jounin on the team. But, in the end, I had decided on making you guys team Kasumi."

Who else could protect and train the Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi and the last Uchiha? Right?

The Hokage removed a small white paper from his drawer and then pushed it slowly towards the girl. She read the paper and immediately smiled beneath her mask.

It read.

Team seven.

"I'm sure you'll appreciate being the new team seven. There are only a few people I'd trust holding the honor of that name."

Minato, Jiraiya and now her. It was quite the sentiment. What could she say? "Hokage-sama…"

"You deserve to carry on that name. Mhhmh, now there isn't much time to waste. You have a team now, you gotta go prepare to meet them later today at the Academy."

The Jounin prepared to depart grabbing the paper and heading towards the open window of the office. This was a change of plans, not quite how she would have expected today to turn out.

Kasumi stopped a thought suddenly coming to her head. She turned to face Hiruzen. "If they don't understand what it truly means to be a shinobi, however." She rose her chin. "I'll send them right back to the Academy."

The third could only hum in agreement.

"Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Naruto Uzumaki. You three make up team seven." Iruka stated. Mizuki-sensei and a few others by his side from the front of the classroom.

In all honesty, Naruto had been proud to wear his headband and excited to find out just who his new teammates would be. Hearing Sasuke's name being called put a bad taste in his mouth.

"Damn it, why do I gotta be on a team with moody over there." He muttered to himself.

"Maybe we could trade then, huh Naruto?" It was Ino Yamanaka who suggested the exchange.

Oh, he'd do it without hesitation!

"With pleasure. Who're you with again, Shikamaru and Choji? Definitely take those two over the duck head." But he knew the teams we permanent.

Shikamaru and Choji agreed silently, the latter of the two munching on a large bag of chips.

He heard the girl sigh in distress. "Do you know how lucky you are forehead?"

The pink haired girl in question sat calmly to Ino's left. "Eh, I don't see the big fuss pig."

"What, you're lit and you don't even know it Sakura. You don't think he's dreamy?" The blonde slapped her hand on her forehead.

She shrugged. "Attractive? Yes. But, I'd say our milestone as shinobis and our first steps into becoming actual ninja sort of overshadows that."

Naruto nodded in agreement from above. Before glaring at his rival only a desk away. Sasuke must have felt his eyes blaring into the back of his head because his eyes immediately shot up and he turned towards him. The Uchiha gave him a challenging stare.

A sigh later, Naruto removed his gaze from Sasuke. It had already been bad that they saw each other at the academy. Now they had to train and fight together? And how exactly would this affect his meetings with Kasumi. That was a huge question, he hadn't seen her since he'd received his headband. He really wanted to show her that he was a ninja now, just like her. Hell, he loved being around her. Something about her presence was soothing and so encompassing. Would Naruto see her as much now?

"Your Jounin-senseis will be arriving very soon," Iruka said proudly. "I just have a few words left to say to each and every one of you on behalf of myself and all the academy teachers. This year we have spent together was absolutely without a doubt eventful and astounding. I've gotten to know each and every one of you over the years and to have you all leave is quite an emotional rollercoaster for me..." Iruka wiped away a few tears from his eyes. "...thank-you for the past few years and thank-you for allowing us to enrich you in the ways of the shinobi and I ask—no we ask that you all remember us as you go down the path of a shinobi, hone your skills and become the ninja that you were destined to be. Yes, thank-you!" Iruka-sensei bowed.

The class became pin-drop silent after Iruka's speech. Either the class had felt the pure emotion or became extra bored and fell asleep. And shortly after the other senseis began to give their own words of affirmation, encouragement, and goodbyes. It took some time but they all eventually finished and left the class, leaving the future ninja to wait for their new Jounin sensei.

The blond boy watched as the other shinobis grouped up with their teams. Naruto remained in his seat, not finding the need to group up with the other two. He watched as Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino grouped together and began their own silent discussion.

But his new teammates didn't move from their spots either. Even when Choji, Shikamaru and Ino had finally met with their new Jounin, they remained on their own island. Even when they were the last three ninja in the room, the results remained the same. And when the clock made a full rotation four plus times, they still had not spoken a word—let alone sat together.

Their Jounin was late. But, his mind wandered past that. He'd have to reschedule things with Kasimi, whenever he wasn't off doing Genin things he'd be with her.

The boy let out a groan and eyed the clock irritably. "Ugh, it would be our sensei to be last, and four hours and counting no less!" Naruto sighed this time. "Like did they get abducted by Aliens or somethin'?"

"That sounds absolutely ridiculous." Sasuke retorted.

"Shut up bastard, you have any better ideas of what could have possibly happened?"

"Hm.", Sasuke kept his hands folded under his chin. "Definitely not aliens."

"No shit," Naruto growled.

"Dobe."

"Don't make me beat your ass!"

"I wanna see you do it."

"Teme Bastard!".

"Oh Kami, both of you shut the hell up! It's already torturous waiting. I don't wanna sit here and listen to y'all yap!"

There was an exchange of eyes between the three. They all looked at each other stubbornly.

"Hm."

"I just can't believe that it's taken literal four hours for them to pick us up. Great role model, definitely can teach us in punctuality!" Naruto stood too his feet and made his way to the chalkboard, preparing himself to grab a lonely eraser.

"What're you doing?" Sakura imposed.

The short blond shrugged. "Gonna pull a little prank on the late asshole."

Sasuke shook his head. "Idiot that'll never work."

"It'll work, I used to do this on Iruka and the others all the time." He confidently defended.

"However true that may be, this is a Jounin."

"Yeah, don't be foolish Naruto." Sakura agreed with the Uchiha.

"Doesn't mean much, I've caught elite shinobi off guard before."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, weird emotions clicking in his black orbs. But the boy didn't press any further and kept quiet.

"Anyways, it's too late," Sakura stated, as if on cue the door opened, revealing the familiar and ever so beautiful features of his own Kasumi.

"Yo." She greeted, and all three students stared at her, as she eyes them nonchalantly with her one eye.

Naruto didn't have an immediate reaction. He just watched her, his lips stuck together but his eyes glued to her every movement. She stepped into the classroom, stood at the very front and eyed each of them while reading her weird book.

"I'm late, sorry. Had to talk a poor civilian out of jumping out their four-story apartment."

"You're my Jounin-sensei?" Naruto pointed.

"Our." Sakura corrected.

"Why yes, yes I am." The elder ninja answered.

Naruto grinned from ear to ear, hell he didn't expect that. But, he definitely accepted it wholeheartedly.

"Meet on the roof in the next five minutes. We have a few things to talk about."

With that, she disappeared in a puff of smoke. Leaving the three Genin to look on in the spot she'd just been mere moments ago.

"You know her, Naruto?" Sakura asked.

He nodded. "That's the women who taught me how throw Kunai, chakra control, improved my taijutsu and recently Shadow Clones."

"Shadow clones?" Sasuke eyed him again.

"Yep look." He summoned twelve shadow clones, all of them surrounding him and proudly pointing to himself. He quickly dispersed them.

"Hm."

"That's—impressive. But we should really head to the roof."

They all agreed and left the room together.

Alright, Kasumi already had everything planned. Now she had two choices, get things over with and jump into the test immediately. Or wait a few days and do that later.

Her cute little Genin stared up at her expectantly, they must've been anxious.

"We'll begin with introductions." She held up her free hand as she stared down at her book, giggling internally as the plot thickened. "Likes, hobbies, goals, dislikes. Things of that nature."

She continued to gaze down at her book. Waiting for one of them to begin, but it never happened. She peeked over her book.

"Any takers?"

The pinket spoke up. "Why don't you go first?"

She'd been volunteered. Okay! "Right. My name is Kasumi Hatake. My likes—I don't feel like sharing and I don't have any hobbies. My goal—you don't need to know that."

She watched them all glare at her.

She then closed her book, deciding that they deserved her undivided attention. "You, go." She pointed to Sakura.

Sakura nodded and cleared her throat. "My Name is Sakura Haruno. My hobbies include trivia games, not too interesting. My likes are good eateries and training. And my goal—well, is to be a great shinobi so that my parents can see that I'm serious about all of this."

That was a good answer she liked that. Sakura seemed to have something to prove, just like everyone trying to become a shinobi should. She liked the girl, already.

She then pointed to Naruto, her lovable protege. "Go."

He nodded at her. "Cool. So, my name is Naruto Uzumaki. My hobbies include pranks, eating different types of ramen and training to get stronger! My likes are ramen and—" he paused abruptly. Sasuke, Sakura, and Kasumi rose an eyebrow. He shook himself and continued. "My goal is to become Hokage, yeah! I want everyone to acknowledge me as an awesome shinobi, just like you—but better!"

And she'd without a doubt help him get to that point. He finished and there was a short length of silence.

"And last but not least."

The Genin intensified his gaze, then spoke. "My name is Sasuke Uchiha. My likes, dislikes or hobbies are irrelevant. What I have isn't a goal, but what I intend on making a reality. I am going to kill someone."

Kasumi gave the last Uchiha a solid stare. Ah, revenge. He was speaking about Itachi and she understood completely.

But—the other two Genin seemed to be completely freaked out.

Oh, well. As was the world of Shinobi!

She brought up her hand. "Great, we've been acquainted. You're all distinctive and quite interesting. With that said, we have a mission. And I mean right now."

"Kasumi-sensei, now?" The blond jumped to his feet.

"Yeah. In the world of shinobi, you can be summoned on a mission at any moment's notice."

They gazed at one another.

"I'll need you all to head to training ground seven, immediately. This is important—I'll meet you there in ten."

The sky was still a deep and vivid blue. Naruto scratched his head, as he watched the sun slowly shift across the atmosphere.

The three students watched as their Jounin sensei approached with slow and relaxed strides. She looked at the three, fixing her ponytail and clearing her throat.

"Alright, time for the test." She eye grinned.

"WHAT?! Another one?" Naruto was genuinely hurt.

"What test?"

"Hm."

She held up a finger. "So you three did in fact graduate. That much is correct. But, that is only the beginning! Right now, you guys have to do a test and based on how you perform it will determine whether you become a ninja or not. Yes, you will be sent back to the academy for another semester if you fail."

Just when he thought he was out of the clear! He bit his lip hard. There was no way he was going to fail this test, he'd get through it with ease.

"What's the test?" Sakura asked yet again.

She held up two bells. "This. There are two bells and three of you. Your objective is to get one of these bells and then you pass. Any questions? No, then we'll begin." She placed the bells on her side.

Naruto took a few steps back. He'd sparred with Kasumi before, but he knew even then she'd been holding back. And he meant she had been holding back A LOT—it wouldn't be easy getting a bell from her!

"Three!"

"Wait we're starting now?" Sakura exclaimed.

"Two!"

Fuck that. Naruto dashed backward in a blur of black, getting some distance knowing exactly just what she'd do from up front. Sakura and Sasuke did the same, taking their sides next to one another.

"One!"

They all stared at the girl, waiting for a reaction of any sort. Maybe an attack? It never happened she just stood there, her black orbs holding no emotion and her masked face impassive.

"What're you guys waiting for, c'mon attack. I know you're braver than that Naruto! Come at me with the intent to kill me, that's the only way you'll get the bell.

Naruto grunted, going into his pouch and withdrawing a Kunai.

"What're you doing dobe? You'll never win facing her head on."

He was doubting him. He wouldn't be doubting him as soon as Naruto got the bell. "You're just saying that because you can't."

Sasuke frowned, removing his own kunai from his pocket. "We'll see then."

Naruto smirked at him as Sakura just stood there just staring.

Alright, he could do this. Naruto inhaled, his mind mentally prepared.

The boy dashed forward, Sasuke following closely behind.

Naruto extended his Kunai forward, as Kasumi ducked. He huffed in annoyance, as he attacked again this time driving his Kunai downward. She slide to the side with lightning speed. He missed! She then responded by grabbing him by the arm and roughly tossing him over her shoulder. He went airborne, flipped a few times and then threw his weapon. She caught it by its tip, holding the Kunai between two fingers. before she allowed it to fall to the ground. This was all done with ease.

"Amazing." Was all he could murmur as he landed in the grass a few feet away.

Sasuke followed up on Naruto's attack slashing his knife rapidly at her. She evaded each attack with ease, bobbing his accurate swipes as she moved side to side. She then sent a heavy punch directly into the boy's face. Sasuke bawled as his body skid across the ground, he then rolled back to his feet

Seconds later, the pinket attacked delivering a roundhouse kick that the Jounin lazily blocked. Sakura then twisted around in a complete 360 and lunged a fist aimed for the grey-haired Jounin's face. Kasumi caught her fist, then crushed her hand before taking the small girl by her wrist and slamming her into the wet grass below. Naruto could hear her groan. Before she quickly slipped away and got a good distance.

"Oh, I forgot to mention. You guys have two hours to take one of these." She played with the bells causing them to ring. "Oh, but, yeah, I like this approach. May I suggest just trying a little harder though."

She was mocking them and she was enjoying this. Naruto narrowed his eyes.

"I'm gonna get one of those bells!" Naruto yelled. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

His clones appeared in elegant puffs of smoke, all of them manifesting in an instant. Sasuke and Sakura's jaws dropped to the floor, but Kasumi merely lifted her head, though she remained still. Two hundred clones.

"That's what I like to see, Naruto. You might actually get a bell if you play your cards right." His sensei replied.

Oh, that's what he intended on doing. Naruto and his clones all surrounded her and then attacked.

They all attacked at the same times. But Kasumi was fast and he meant she was only a blur in his vision. Her clones began to disappear as the girl took them out one by one. She'd punch them and kick them as they attempted to attack, it was as if there were multiple Kasumi's at once, but in all actuality, there was just her.

The battle continued for a few seconds and already his clones began to fall in number and the numbers were falling drastically. She wasn't even letting them get close to the bells before she completely devastated them.

Fuck it, he'd do it himself. All his clones poofed away at his own will. The blond then attacked. His fists were fast but her evasive skills were fast when he was done attempting to take her out with taijutsu, He slid across the ground and attempted to grab at one of the bells. He was close… so close! She kicked the boy sending his small form into the air before as he plopped heavily on the ground like an anvil. He could taste copper in his mouth, and he could feel liquid from his lips. Man, she had done a number on his face.

He laid on the ground for a second, his eyes staring at the sky. He'd try again in a few seconds.

"Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!" Naruto's eyes turned quick enough to witness Sasuke expelling a massive ball of fire and sending it right at Kasumi.

It seemed like it made contact but clearly hadn't when the grey-haired girl appeared out of the ground and dragged the boy into it, leaving only his face exposed to the elements.

Naruto brought himself to his feet, blinked for a second and poof Kasumi was gone. Just like that!

There was no way they'd win like this and he meant absolutely zero chance of getting a bell. She was faster, stronger and more tactical. And that was obvious from the beginning.

Naruto stepped beside the trapped Sasuke. He sighed.

"Safe to say that we're out classes."

Sasuke didn't reply, he just sent Naruto a scowl.

"Look, I'm gonna get you out of there."

"Hm."

"I'm not doing it because I like you no, don't get it twisted, I'm doing it because there is no way we're gonna beat her by ourselves. I'm sure you know that already though!"

"I'm aware."

"How about this, all three of us attack her simultaneously, not to beat her or anything but just enough to distract her so one of us can the bells. And the best 2 outta the three get what they deserve. Sounds fair to me, am I right?"

"Ah, you're suggesting that we all regroup work together to get a bell and then fight for the bells afterward?"

"Yeah, that would be the best way to do it." Naruto shrugged as he began fixing Sasuke out of the ground.

Naruto pulled him by his head.

"Ow, damn it that hurts."

"Suck it up."

Finally, he dragged the Uchiha from his earth prison. The blond looked him up and down and then nodded. "It's a truce then?"

Jet black eyes fell onto Naruto's crystal blue. "Truce." Sasuke acknowledged.

"Great, so now we need a plan."

"Find Sakura, then when she's with us we'll work something out." The Uchiha finished just as a cry of anguish sounded off a distance from them.

"That's her, let's go!"

The two boys took off in that direction, knowing full and well that they'd been in for a fight for the books.

*I had a completely different meeting between Team Seven and Kasumi written, which included the three Genin attacking her when she entered. But I decided that was sort of crackish and out of character for them. lol

*Anyways I do hope you guys enjoyed the story, if you didn't and have an issue with it please inform me in a Private message or review. Thank-you for the support.