If you caught the note at the end of the Elementalist then you know what this is, the replacement. So, without further a due, I present to you Naruto, the Elemental.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, but the Chronicle sword and all the ocs are mine unless otherwise stated.

"Speech"

"Thought"

"Chronicle Arts" "Jutsu"

Spirits of the Chronicle Crystals

Naruto ran as fast as his eight-year-old legs would take him, praying that he could outrun the mob tonight. Normally he could without issue, but tonight was the Kyuubi festival and there were ninja in the mob. They were gaining on him.

He wasn't the fool he played on the daily basis by any means; he knew why he was chased and beaten. He saw that tears didn't help, and stopped crying because of it, putting on a mask of smiles in it's place. That made them madder.

He rounded a corner and sprinted down the alley, praying that he could somehow avoid the incoming mob.

Everyday he wondered why; why was he chosen to hold the Kyuubi within him? Who had passed such a judgment on him? Was there something about him that made him the right choice, or was he fated to be crushed under the weight of such a life?

His muscles screamed in protest as he rounded another corner, but it was his spirit that truly took a blow; it was a dead end. He whirled around to see the light from the mob's torches starting to appear on the wall and he could hear them approaching. Then, quicker then Naruto could follow, the ground beneath him collapsed and he fell into the darkness.

The ground then sealed itself up and left no trace that anyone had ever been there. The mob rounded the corner to find the dead end and no child in sight. They turned around and resumed their search, unaware that their target was literally right beneath their feet.

(with Naruto)

Drip.

He felt pain in his right leg. He figured the fall had broken it or something.

Drip.

Speaking of the fall, where was he?

Drip.

He sat up, wincing when he tried putting weight on his leg. His eyes slowly opened to deliver a scene that he wouldn't have expected.

He was in a long stone hall, either side of which had a large number of painted glass windows. Light filtered in through them from somewhere, but looking around showed no entrance nor windows beyond the painted ones. The quiet dripping continued, despite the lack of water.

Slowly, and very carefully, he stood. Then, making sure never to put any weight on his right leg, he began to hobble down the hall, taking in each picture. They seemed to depict numerous different people, but the more he saw, the more he started seeing a pattern.

While the genders, and occasionally species, varied they always have a very metallic color to their hair, for some it was like strands of liquid silver. Their clothes had no pattern, but then he noticed that each on had a sword sheath somewhere on their body. Finally he saw that their eyes were painted with a menagerie of colors, looking almost like someone had captured a rainbow and used it in place of paint.

Hello young one.

Naruto nearly jumped out of his skin when the voice sounded in his head. He looked around, searching for the source of the voice but to no avail.

You won't find me with those eyes child.

"Wh-who are you?! What do you want?!", Naruto shouted back, beginning to wonder if he had gone insane.

Calm yourself boy, there is no need to become so worked up.

From no where a gentle breeze blew through the hall, and as it faded so did Naruto's worries.

There, much better. Now then, perhaps an explanation is in order...

Naruto saw a chair rise out of the ground behind him and sat down, surprised when he found his leg healed. In front of him a crystal pillar seemed to grow out of the ground like some sort of plant. When it was twenty feet tall it suddenly stopped, but Naruto couldn't help but wonder what sort of crystal it was. Every time he blinked it seemed to change colors, slowly shifting through every known colors and several that Naruto had no name for. All the while black runes danced just under the surface.

I see that the crystal calls for you as well. But I digress, first I should tell you what it is, should I not?

Naruto sat patiently for once, content with watching the swirling colors within the crystalline spire.

You see, this is no ordinary hall. Once every thousand years or so, the crystals pick a new person to give their powers to. These powers give the wielder just that: Power. However it is up to the wielder to choose how to use the might they were given.

I am but one of the keepers of the Chronicle Halls. I cannot tell you too much, lest I influence you. All I can say is this: You were chosen. Touch the pillar and take the sword. As for the power, do with it what you will.

The eerie silence once more returned to the hall and Naruto was left sitting five feet away from the ever shifting spire. He stood shakily, feeling like something big would happen if he touched the spire. He had been given a poor explanation, but part of him knew that was the point. He inched himself forward, but the closer he got the more he felt like something was being pulled out of him. He ignored it and moved forward until the strain was almost too much for him to move. With a sudden cry he lurched forward and his palm contacted the spire.

He heard a bestial roar before a white light engulfed him.

(Three days later)

His first thoughts were that of disdain; he hated hospitals. He slowly sat up, his eyes closed and his hand clutching his head.

"What ran me over?", he half joked to himself. His whole body was aching and his head was pounding, not to mention that, for lack of a better description on his behalf, his...mind itched. He also noticed that once the ache started to subside he felt oddly good, far better then he should if he was in the hospital.

"Wait... why am I in a hospital?", he said finally, opening his eyes and looking around the white room. Nothing was off about it, it looked and smelt like a normal hospital room; he could even hear a few nurses talking out in the hall. Then another thought dawned on him: why was he noticing these things? He had never smelled the room before, though the scent of cleaning agents was heavy in the air. And how could he actually hear the conversation through the wall? He had been used to hearing muffled sounds through doors and such, but he could hear their words quite distinctly...

The sound of footsteps brought him from his thoughts back to the real world. He looked at the door and waited, his mind starting to ache again. An older voice cut into the conversation of the younger ones, asking for his room. They answered politely and he heard them say Hokage-sama.

"Guess the old man decided to come say hello.", Naruto whispered to himself.

The door opened slowly and quietly, the aged face of the third fire shadow peeking in. when he saw Naruto was sitting up on his bed he let out a sigh of relief and stepped all the way in.

"Naruto, I'm so glad your alright. How are you feeling?", he asked his surrogate grandson as he sat in the chair beside the bed, his old bones creaking in protest. Naruto smiled.

"I feel great jiji!", He said with his usual enthusiasm, though he noticed his throat hurt a little when he spoke above a whisper.

"That's good. You were unharmed when you were found, but you were so cold I had assumed the worst...", He replied, trailing off as he saw the puzzled look on Naruto's face.

"Found?"

"Yes, you were found by a patrol just outside the village walls. They couldn't figure out how you got there, but you were alone and unharmed. The only odd thing was the sword that you had clutched in your hand.", Sarutobi said, leaning forward. He was hoping the boy could tell him what had happened.

"I had a sword...?"

Naruto was confused. What had happened?

"All I remember is running from another mob. They were gaining on me so I ran down an alley... but it was a dead end.", He paused as the memories came back. "I fell... through the ground. I don't know where I landed, but there was a voice that filled the whole hall. It called the place the Chronicle Halls."

"What do you mean Naruto? What was this hall like?", he asked, praying that he hadn't stumbled upon one of Orochimaru's labs.

"It was...huge, and I couldn't see the end. I don't think there was one though.", He paused once more as the image of all the windows and the crystal came back. "There were colored glass windows lining the place, each showing a different person or thing... then the voice told me about the place a little and a crystal grew out of the ground like a tree. The voice told me to touch the pillar and take the sword. I touched the crystal... but then all I remember is a roar of pain and a bright light."

Sarutobi sat quietly, contemplating what had just been said. Most of it sounded ridiculous, but he had seen odder and eight year olds don't simply disappear and then reappear in the forest with a sword that no one can unsheathe.

"Where is the sword?", Naruto asked suddenly, the realization dawning on him. Sarutobi jumped slightly, having descended into his thoughts. When he processed the question he stood up and walked over to the corner of the room. When he turned Naruto saw the longsword gripped in his hands.

"Naruto.", Sarutobi said, drawing the child's attention from the sword, "Are you sure you don't remember anything about this sword?"

Not only had no one been able to draw the blade, but it couldn't seem to leave the same room as Naruto. Any who picked it up found an invisible barrier at the door. Those who tried to use chakra to remove it from the room or unsheathe it found a sizable chunk of their chakra gone and a very painful jolt.

"No."

"Alright then, just checking.", Sarutobi said with a faked smiled. He didn't really want to hand the blade over, but he didn't know what would happen if he didn't. He walked over to Naruto's bed and cautiously handed the blade over.

As soon as Naruto's hand grazed the sheathe it flew into his hand. Naruto seemed to suddenly fall unconscious before springing out of the bed, shocking the old man. He dashed into the closet and donned his clothes, though he left the orange jacket there. Then he dashed out and went to the window.

"Naruto! What-", was all that Sarutobi could say as the boy jumped out of the window. He ran over to see him landing safely on a nearby rooftop, but before he could even begin to sigh in relief the boy ran off towards—if he remembered correctly—training ground 14. He swore and called his Anbu to him before jumping out the window and dashing off after Naruto. He was praying to Kami that the Kyuubi wasn't trying to escape.

(with Naruto)

Get to the Water, quickly!

Naruto nodded at the voice in his mind, running towards the pond. It wasn't huge, but it was big enough for what the sword wanted him to do. He didn't even find that odd, the thought of a sword telling him what to do.

As the pool came into sight he slowed down and stopped at the edge, catching his breath. He stared at his reflection his the water with a fair deal of amazement; despite the stillness of the water, his reflection was wavering and shifting like he had just punched the water.

Draw the sword now, and gently set us in the water. We will use it to speak with you.

"Why would you do that if I can hear you in my head?", Naruto asked aloud.

Because the old man followed you, and we cannot speak in his mind. With the water we can manifest a physical form and assure him we're not some instrument of demonic intent.

"What does manifest mean?"

Just put us in the water. Then we'll talk definitions.

Naruto sweatdropped at the tone the sword had used and shrugged. He gripped the handle and drew the blade, staring at it when it was fully unsheathed.

It had a three foot blade and a one foot handle. The handle itself was wrapped in black leather with a silver spiral inlaid into it. The hand-guard was silver as well, and had a simple shape—pointing up just slightly. The pommel was detailed though, looking like an angel wing and a demon wing wrapped around the same ever-shifting crystal he had seen in the Chronicle halls. Then his eyes found the blade.

It wasn't metal, but instead it was made of nothing but the crystal of the Chronicle halls. Black runes danced under the surface, their erratic patterns giving the illusion that the blade itself was never still. Despite the frailness that he had seen other crystals display, he doubted he could break this if he tried, and the edge looked sharp enough to cut through just about anything.

He stopped himself from looking and knelt down in front of the water. With the utmost care he set the blade down into the water and a few things happened at once.

First the Hokage appeared beside him with a squad of ten Anbu.

Second the pool began glowing a bright blue.

And finally the water rose and took the form of a man.

Since he was made of water there were numerous details that were distorted, but he looked to be about six foot three with long spiky hair. He wore what looked to be an open kimono and samurai-esque pants. Across his back was a War scythe.

"Naruto! Get away from there!", the hokage shouted, grabbing the boys arm and pulling him behind him while his Anbu surrounded the pool. The water man made no moves and only stared directly at the aged Kage.

"Who are you? Identify yourself!", one of the Anbu commanded. Naruto peeked out from behind the robes of his grandfather to see he had an eagle mask.

"It would only serve to agitate the situation further.", the man calmly replied, not taking his eyes off the Kage. He then stepped forward, walking on the surface of the water like it was solid ground. The Anbu moved to block him, but he moved right through them, turning into a thick mist before reforming in front of the Hokage.

Several of the Anbu slashed him with their blades only to find that it had the effect of trying to cut water; the blades just passed right through.

"You are the leader of this village, are you not?", he asked, his voice starting to carry the edge of ice as a sword passed through his gut.

"Yes.", Sarutobi answered, the edge to his voice making some of the Anbu shiver from the sheer amount of killing intent it had. He did motion for his Anbu to stop cutting the water-man though.

"You think you frighten me human?", he asked after a moment, mirth creeping into his voice.

"I won't let you harm Naruto.", he replied resolutely.

"If I harm him then I have to listen to an earful from over a thousand other spirits for the next thousand years. Now either calm down or I do this the hard way."

"I am not the one threatening the peace. I am calm."

"I merely asked Naruto to place us in the water so I could tell you what we are. Yet you charge here with a squad of assassins like we planned to suck the boy's soul out. You are the one disturbing the peace young man, not me.", the water man said with laughter.

"What do you mean us?"

The water-man didn't answer, instead he grabbed his scythe and held it in front of him. It suddenly shifted it's form to that of Naruto's sword, startling those there.

"Hey that's mine!", Naruto shouted, going around the Hokage and grabbing the sword from the man's hand. He just chuckled.

"Indeed it is, but it was once mine. Before me it was another's, and another's before them. That sword is older than the world my boy, older than the world. Well, this one anyway."

"As for you...", he said, turning his gaze back to the Hokage. "If I had meant the boy any harm I would have killed him when I had the sword. Now then, Siren's call."

A heavy mist suddenly coated the area and the Anbu all fell into a deep slumber. Sarutobi tensed but the man made no other move.

"I think it's time to explain exactly what we are.", the man said before a smirk came unto his lips.

(Eight years later. Btw the genin wear their Shippuden clothes and styles. Sasuke just doesn't have his rope belt.)

The classroom was buzzing with activity as the newly graduated genin awaited their senseis to be announced.

The graduating class consisted of ninja mostly from clans, the only one of the nine genin that didn't come from a clan of Konaha sat away from the others. He wasn't alone as the Aburame heir Shino sat next to him, having a conversation with a beetle.

Naruto was roughly six foot tall, though he still had a few years of growth left in him. But if you had seen him as a child you probably couldn't connect how he looked now to his childhood.

Long silver hair was pulled back into a ponytail with a few shorter spikes still flaying out randomly from his head. His ever shifting eyes lazily looked out the window, blue before a blink and green after. The whisker marks he bore as a child had disappeared. His face itself was, as he had heard one young lady from another village put it, akin to that of an angel's. His lithe form bore no fat and a lean sort of muscle.

He wore baggy black cargo pants with silver flames at the bottom, held up with the help of a belt that bore a buckle resembling a dragon skull. Combat boots covered his feet and were partially covered by the pants. His torso was covered by a white tank top, over which was a black sleeveless jacket that ended at his knees. He kept the jacket open so he could have easy access to the longsword at his hip. Fingerless black gloves adorned his hands. His Konaha Headband was tied around his left bicep with a black cloth.

Shino spoke with a beetle, Naruto spoke with a ten thousand year old ice spirit. Perfect silence from the two.

Most of the other students tried to avoid the pair. Shino because of his bugs, Naruto because of his eyes and somewhat aloof attitude. He wasn't cruel, but he had a bad habit of not sugarcoating things.

You have to be calm to properly use my powers

"I know, but in the middle of a fight it's pretty damn hard!"

I will not say it isn't. It will take much meditation and practice before you can use me for more then training. Still, you at least have Nacaro on your side.

"Yeah, that metal head should be able to get me out of some tight situations. It's that fire guy I'm worried about..."

There are at least three hundred and ninety-seven fire specialists in the sword Naruto. I think I know which one you're speaking of though.

"Jaxter."

Ah, that makes sense. He is a bit... odd.

" The insanity I can live with, the perverted comments are what aggravate me."

You must learn to cope. There are worse individuals in here. Now then, I think the teams are being announced. Good luck.

"Thanks Cyrus."

Naruto came back to the world of the living in time to hear that Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Chouji Akimichi had been grouped together under Asuma Sarutobi. He uttered a silent prayer for his lazy classmate; Ino would tear Shikamaru's head off.

"Team eight under Kurenai Yuuhi will be Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuuga, and Naruto Uzumaki."

There was silence as everyone looked at the Hyuuga Heiress and then to the silver haired youth. Everyone knew Hinata had a low self esteem, and Naruto tended not to notice such things when he commented on things or criticized people. One comment from him might shatter the girl.

Shino was actually quite happy with the selection, though the logic behind it might require some explanation. He knew that he could work well with both Hinata and Naruto, though he might need to speak with his silver-haired classmate about restraint when it came to his criticism. He didn't want to have to deal with a Hyuuga having a breakdown.

Hinata was a bit scared. She knew Shino well enough to call him a friend, but no one really knew anything about Naruto. Hinata wouldn't admit to having a slight crush on the aloof teen, but it was there. Luckily it wasn't of the same caliber as what Sasuke's fangirls had for him.

Naruto... was zoned out. Cyrus was commenting on the make up of the team and what its potential purposes were, Nacaro was asking if there would be a high chance of him being needed, and Jaxter was commenting on Naruto's luck for landing a spot on a team with girl like Hinata. Shortly after his comment a slap resounded through Naruto's mind that almost made him jump. It did however, bring him back to the land of the living.

Shino and Hinata were beside him, talking to one another about what sort of sensei Kurenai would be. Naruto's prismatic eyes scanned the room, finding some of the teams grouped like his was and others had left. He turned to his teammates and made a vow to at least try to be sociable to himself.

"Well, this should at least be interesting.", Naruto said in a moment of silence between his two teammates. Both jumped at the sudden sound of his melodic voice... well Hinata jumped, Shino just twitched slightly.

"Indeed Naruto-san. I have to wonder though, what sort of function this team will have.", Shino said, shifting slightly uneasily.

"W-well I h-have the Byakugan and the Gentle fist...", Hinata supplied weakly.

"My insects have a variety of uses. Though combined with the byakugan, it seems that we at least have the option of a tracking team with combat capabilities. What of you Naruto-san?"

Both of his teammates gave Naruto their full attention, hoping to get some sort of information on the teen.

"Me? I use my sword and... that is about it. I have a fairly high endurance though; it takes forever for me to get tired. I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I think you two are supposed to find the enemy and once you do you support me while I go bat shit crazy on them."

"A very accurate summation Naruto-san.", an female voice came from behind the silver haired youth. The three turned to see a red-eyed woman standing in the doorway, leaning on the frame. "Though the report said that you were to be the 'combat specialist', bat shit crazy is accurate enough."

"And you are...?", Naruto asked, an eyebrow raised.

"I am Kurenai Yuuhi, your sensei. It's nice to meet you all.", she said politely, even though she wanted to berate Naruto slightly for his lack of manners she knew this was only the first day. "Well, lets get out of here. I know a nice restaurant nearby where we can get to know each other over some good food."

Shino and Hinata rose followed close behind as she left the room. Naruto sighed and went after them, knowing that it would be more trouble then it was worth if he stayed and went on with the conversation in his head.

He caught up without trouble and ignored the small talk that their sensei was starting. He knew that he would have to be social, but in truth he had absolutely no experience with people. Shino he could get along with if only because the bug-user was just as antisocial as he was, but the other two were beyond him. To top it off he would have a pervy fire spirit making a stream of comments about both of them, making it that much harder.

They entered the restaurant and found and open booth. Kurenai sat beside Shino and Hinata sat beside Naruto. He was glad he wasn't claustrophobic on top of antisocial; a wall on one side and a girl that was trying to talk to him on the other wasn't a grand combination for him.

"S-so, Naruto-kun... uhhh, um...", Hinata stuttered out, trying to find something to say.

"Yes?", He answered, trying to keep an even tone. Jaxter had just gone off on a rant questioning his sexuality.

"Y-you said you j-just used y-y-your sword... but we never saw it at the academy out of it's sheath.", Hinata was congratulating herself for finishing without stuttering. Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"I'm aware of that. I don't draw it unless I'm training or unless I need to defend myself. Beyond that only special circumstances will ever see the blade form its sheath."

Kurenai raised an eyebrow at that statement. Most genin, if they specialized in a field or had a weapon, tended to flaunt themselves and their skills. For Naruto to be so reserved about his sword...

"May we see it?", Kurenai asked after a moment, curiosity winning out.

"I fail to see how this is a special circumstance.", was Naruto's curt reply.

"Well, from now on we are a team. Secrets between teammates can end badly if they are brought out at critical moments, especially if the secret pertains to a particular style of fighting or a sort of trump card.", Kurenai argued in an even tone. Naruto sighed and nodded once in her direction.

"Fair enough."

Naruto made no move to unsheathe the blade and the suspense was putting even Shino on edge. Kurenai developed a tick mark on her forehead.

"Well?"

"Do you really want me to draw a sword in a civilian restaurant in broad daylight?", He asked, putting his menu down and letting his left hand lower beneath the table.

"No, please don't. Forgive me, the suspense was enough to cloud judgment.", Kurenai apologized.

"It is quite alright. I understand that it is hard to be around me sometimes; I do not communicate with others very well and it has resulted it situations like this before.", Naruto countered.

"W-well ma-maybe I-I c-can work on th-that with you?", Hinata timidly offered. Naruto turned his head to her with a look of complete shock on his face.

"You are offering to... help me?", He asked, aloof tone replaced by surprise. Kurenai and Shino watched with mild fascination; it was odd that Naruto would be so shocked by an offer of help.

"Y-yes... if you want to...?"

What happened next surprised her. Naruto's face lost all of its uncaring looks and softened for a moment, a smile spreading across his lips. He looked... inhuman yet suddenly held some sort of otherworldly beauty to him.

"Yes, I would like that Hinata-chan.", he said, his voice turning from surprised to some sort of exotic melody.

As the waitress walked over he shifted back into the Naruto that could care less if the world burned around him. The change was shocking and incredibly quick.

"Hello, may I take your orders?", She asked happily.

"One order dango for me.",Kurenai said before looking at Shino.

"The same."

"I-i'll have a bowl of m-miso please.", Hinata said before her eyes trailed back to her silver haired crush.

"Have any pizza?", he asked, chin resting in his hand.

"What?", the waitress responded, wracking her brain for something by that name.

"No one ever has pizza....(sigh) I'll have what she ordered.", Naruto finally said, motioning to Hinata.

The waitress nodded and wrote it down before walking away. The other three looked at Naruto like he had grown a second head.

"What is pizza?", Kurenai asked, her brow raised.

"Something they apparently don't serve anywhere in Konaha... it's a pity. I at least have the resources to make my own at home though.", Naruto said, sighing contentedly at the end.

"Yes, but what is it?", Shino asked, his curiosity perked.

"Phenomenal.", Naruto replied, his currently green eyes gaining a dreaming look as they shifted to purple.

"Naruto-san, why do your eyes do that? I don't mean to offend but it is... fairly unique.", Shino asked. "I never asked in the academy because I never thought it would matter, but as Kurenai sensei said a moment ago, secrets are a tricky business."

As his eyes shifted to red he looked at the bug user and shrugged.

"Its just part of who I am. They don't really do anything, though I've had several women inform me that they are fairly hypnotic.", was all he said before his eyes trailed to the window.

"They are...", Hinata muttered dreamily, letting out sigh.

"Did you say something Hinata-chan?", Naruto asked, turning his head to her. Hinata tried to stammer out a response that wouldn't make it sound like she had just been staring at him. Her prayers were answered in the form of the waitress returning with their orders.

"Two orders of dango and two bowls of miso, have a nice meal.", the waitress said happily as she sat the food down.

"Well, lets get to know each other a bit more then. I'll start.", Kurenai said as they started eating. "My name is Kurenai Yuuhi, my likes are genjutsu, gardening, spending time with my friends and learning new genjutsu. My dislikes are perverts, people who are harshly close-minded, and people who go against their beliefs. Okay, who wants to go next?"

"I will. My name is Shino Aburame. My likes are working on my clan techniques and tending to the colonies. My dislikes are rash people, pesticides and those who follow no code of conduct nor honor.", Shino said. Naruto was surprised the normally silent teen had spoken first but odder things had happened.

"M-my name is Hinata H-hyuuga. M-my likes are cooking, reading, being around friends, and....", Her eyes darted to Naruto for a moment. "my d-dislikes a-a-are mean people, or people who judge people by their exteriors."

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki. My likes are training, speaking with Cyrus and Nacaro, my sword, and the few friends that I have, like Hinata and Shino. My dislikes... Jaxter's constant chatter, idiots, fangirls, brooding emos, and other such foolishness. That is about it.", Naruto finished.

Hinata had flushed a little when Naruto had called her his friend, but she had felt like the ramen she had eaten had turned to stone in her stomach when he said he hated fangirls. She tried hard to be a good ninja, but she quickly ran over how she acted around him and it added up to one word that scared her: fangirl. Maybe not as bad as Sakura and Ino, but it could still be called being a fangirl.

"Interesting.", Kurenai said as she finished her dango. "Generally genin have to be tested for teamwork, but I am willing to give you three a chance on faith alone. Prove you can work together while we train and we can save a lot of time. But don't think that this will be an easy lifestyle, because at eight in the morning you three have to report to training ground eight for training. Understood?"

"Y-yes"

"Hai."

"Shouldn't be an issue."

Kurenai stared at Naruto who hadn't even looked at her when responding. She let out a minor amount of Killing intent and focused it on Naruto. He felt it and turned to look at his sensei, though the look of disinterest remained.

"Naruto-san, I do not know your background but you are to address me with respect.", Kurenai said in a serious tone. Hinata and Shino were sweating slightly from the increasing Killing intent, But Naruto was unaffected.

"Respect is earned not given. That is my code and even the Hokage himself had to do it. You are no different.", he turned his head and looked back out the window.

Kurenai stopped the killing intent and stared in disbelief at her student. He had just shrugged off a fair bit of ki and then basically told her off.

"Oh, and next time you want to try and intimidate me, I suggest using far more ki. The Hokage made his Anbu faint before it started to affect me.", Naruto sighed and got out of his seat by going over the back of the booth. "I'll be at training ground 8 if you need me. I want to see what I have to work with."

Naruto left without another word.

"Excuse me Kurenai-sensei, but I must ask to leave. I need to return home and attend to the colonies that are inactive at the moment.", Shino asked somewhat hesitantly.

"Go on Shino, it's perfectly reasonable.", Kurenai said as she got up and paid the bill. Shino got up and bow to his sensei before he left.

"uhh, s-sensei... c-can I ask y-you something?", Hinata asked very quietly. Kurenai looked up for the money she laid on the table.

"You can ask me anything Hinata-san.", she replied. "But do you mind if we talk while we walk? I just paid the bill and I need to stretch my legs."

"S-Sure..."

They both left and proceeded to walk towards the area of the village reserved for the training grounds.

"Go ahead Hinata."

"W-well I n-need your help... b-but I'm so-sort of scared t-to ask...", Hinata stuttered out, looking down.

"Hinata-san, it's my job to help you in anyway I can. All you have to do is tell me what wrong and I'll do everything in my power to help.", Kurenai said, feeling rather proud of herself for the declaration to her student.

"I n-need you to h-help me s-stop being a f-fangirl...", Hinata stuttered out, still refusing to look at her sensei. When she learned the object of her affections was the one who just told her off, she wouldn't help.

"I don't understand, you are the least fangirl-ish kunoichi that graduated. Actually you act nothing like a fangirl.", Kurenai responded, not entirely sure how to help. "Well, how about you tell me why you think you're being a fangirl."

"I-I look at him when I can.... n-not anything perverted just...h-he's so beautiful. And I can't think straight when he's around... my mind always flies right to him... and I always stutter around him and....",Hinata went on to a few other things before Kurenai stopped her.

She sat down on a nearby bench and made Hinata sit beside her.

"Hinata you are not being a fangirl. It's just a normal crush, albeit a big one. Being a fangirl is the equivalent of an obsession.", Kurenai assured her.

"I don't know....", Hinata said. Kurenai had to admit that the girl didn't stutter nearly as much when Naruto wasn't around, but.... wait, Naruto?

"You like Naruto don't you?",Kurenai suddenly said. Hinata meeped and blushed, but she nodded. " I can see why you wanted to talk to me about it. But do you want me to prove that you are not a fangirl? Say something bad about Naruto, just say one of his faults that you notice."

Hinata raised an eyebrow but she thought for a moment.

"Well, he's really uncaring sometimes. And he almost never shows respect to anyone.", She said, fairly sure of what she said.

"Can you defend him on either of those?", Kurenai asked.

"Not really... actually no, I don't know why he's like that. I don't even know if there's a good reason."

"Have you ever heard Sakura or Ino even mention one of Sasuke's faults or not defend him when someone mentions one?"

"No, they always jump to his aid. Then he brushes them away. Then they try again."

"Viola, you are not a fangirl.", Kurenai said, patting her on the back. Hinata was stunned for a moment before she smiled.

"Thank you, it was sort of stupid to think that huh?", she said, blushing and looking away.

"A little, but just remember that your training is more important than your looks and you'll be alright. But would you like to know something?"

"What?", Hinata asked, curious.

"Do you remember how Naruto reacted when you offered to help him? How happy he was and how his indifference melted away?"

"Yes..."

"I really don't know much about him, even his file is pretty barren. But I know he doesn't have a lot of contact with people, and the little he has usually isn't friendly on top of the fact that he is an orphan and didn't have anyone growing up. Depending on how bad it was he may not realize what some emotions are. If you help him enough and explain things like that to him, you might just find him confessing.", Kurenai decided to add a bit, just to be safe. "That doesn't mean you should devote training time to pursuing a relationship to your teammate. After training is done for the day, take an hour or so to walk with him and make good on your promise to help. Then you can try to snag him."

Hinata blushed but nodded. She let a smile spread across her face as she stood up and bowed.

"Thank you sensei. I think I need to head home now, it is getting late.", Hinata said, turning and walking off.

"Just remember, don't do anything too quickly. If it's meant to happen then it will happen on it's own time. Good night Hinata-san.", Kurenai called after her student. When Hinata was out of sight she leaned back and relaxed a bit. She was glad that Hinata had come to her about that; it wasn't a big deal, but it could have ended worse. She might have to work on the girls confidence in herself and her ability to speak around her teammate, but at least it wouldn't disrupt the team dynamics too badly.

"Hey, Kurenai!", Came a feminine voice from her left. She looked over to see her friend Anko walking over, a clean dango stick hanging from her mouth. She waved her friend over and Anko took a seat beside her best friend. "So, how'd the teams go? Get any one good?"

"I got team eight; Hinata Hyuuga, Shino Aburame, and Naruto Uzumaki."

"Oh-ho so you got silver huh? He piss you off yet?", Anko asked, throwing the stick away. Kurenai raised an eyebrow.

"I wasn't aware you knew Naruto."

"When he was ten or so he ended up in the hospital from training too hard. When he got out he went right back to training, but the Hokage asked a few of us to watch him so that he wouldn't hurt himself again. The kid was pretty wicked with his sword back then, so he's probably better now. I've spoken with him here and there, but I haven't seen him draw his sword in six years. Pity too, it's beautiful."

"I didn't know you were a weapon fanatic. How have you hidden it all these years?", Kurenai joked. Anko shrugged.

"You'll say the same thing when you see it. The whole blade is made out of some sort of prismatic crystal that changes just like his eyes, but it has a bunch of black runes just floating around in it. Isn't as fragile as a crystal though; I saw him cut clean through a tree with it.", Anko said, more of a warning then a recollection. "But enough about silver, you'll figure out what you can soon enough. How are the other two?"

"Shino is quiet, but he seems to be alright with talking to the team. He also doesn't seem to mind the idea of teamwork. Hinata is shy, but she has potential. The only problem was that she was under the impression that she was acting like a fangirl and Naruto had admitted a dislike of such women. Hinata has a crush on him and started freaking out, but I helped her when she asked me about it. If she works on her confidence she'll be fine."

"Wow, barely a day into being a shinobi and he's already got a kunoichi after him. I think Naruto needs to be congratulated.", Anko joked. "How did you convince her she wasn't a fangirl though? I mean I've seen the girl staring at him before and knew it wasn't a fangirl thing, but with confidence issues like those she must have been hard to convince."

"I asked her to name off a few of Naruto's faults. She did and admitted that, to her knowledge, he had no reason to act the way he did. Then I asked her if Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka had ever mentioned one of the Uchiha's many faults or ever not defended him if they were brought up."

"And that worked?"

"That's what I'm hoping. I asked her not to try a relationship during training time, but she offered to help Naruto with his people skills so I told her that time could be used to that end. With any luck it won't effect the team that badly, but I'm ready to be strict if it turns sour.", Kurenai said resolutely. Anko nodded and patted her friend on the back.

"Not bad for your first day as sensei. Could have been much worse; Naruto could have started swinging, Hinata could have been as bad as Haruno and Yamanaka, and Shino could have been a homicidal maniac.", Anko said cheerfully while her friend looked and her and sighed.

"Hope I'm not interrupting anything.", Came Naruto's voice from the right of the pair. He stopped in front of them and nodded to Anko before turning to Kurenai. He seemed nervous.

"Is there something you need Naruto-san?", Kurenai asked, trying not to lose her good mood. The silver-haired youth sighed and did a small bow, shocking his sensei and her friend.

"I want to apologize for my rudeness earlier, it was uncalled for. Please understand that I have never been forced to deal with anyone, let alone show respect to them. This sort of setting is alien to me and I cannot guarantee that I will be very pleasant to deal with for the first few days. I am... trying to at least be social, which is a large jump as Anko-san can tell you.", he said, his tone without the usual lack of interest.

Kurenai looked to her friend who nodded with wide eyes. Kurenai sighed and thought back to Naruto's file. It said almost exactly what he did.

Highly unsocial, shows disrespect to every authority figure that demands respect from him. Orphan, and has lived through hatred from villagers due to the fact that the Kyuubi was sealed within him. Current physical state is a result of its extraction and the insertion of something else. What was put in is unknown.

The file had been made public to jounin and above, but it stressed the fact that he had no experience with people several times over. Doing anything with him would require patience.

"I forgive you Naruto. I am sorry for directing so much killing intent at you, but how did you ignore it?", she said after a moment.

"I didn't ignore it... it is difficult to explain but I notice and feel any amount of ki, but it takes large amounts to make me...care about it and have it affect me. I wasn't lying before, the Hokage knocked out his Anbu with ki before I was affected. That is how he earned my respect. I hope you will come up with a more... people friendly method.", Naruto said, his tone shifting back to the more indifferent of his tones. Kurenai nodded.

"I will try. You should go get some rest; it's getting late and you have a long day ahead of you. I was going to ask Anko here to help me in fact. From what I gather you two know each other well enough for you to know what sort of hell that entails.", Kurenai said. Naruto raised an eyebrow but turned and walked away.

"Perhaps a few extra hours of rest would be of benefit...", he muttered to himself as he walked off.

Anko waited until he was out of earshot before she started laughing. She had gotten to see Naruto bow and apologize in the same night on top of admitting he was wrong. That had been worth the trip.

"Hey Kurenai-chan, let's go celebrate you getting a team..." Anko trailed off, leaning against her friend.

"I can't drink tonight, I have to be up early tomorrow.", Kurenai said, half wondering if her friend was hinting at what she though she was hinting at. Anko flirted with men, but she had never made true on the flirts, and Kurenai was known as the ice queen of Konaha for her refusal of every man that came to her. Both had the reason of the other.

"I wasn't talking about drinking Kurenai-chan...", Anko trailed off again, leaning over and nibbling on Kurenai ear. Kurenai gently pushed her friend away.

"I still have to be up early...", Kurenai said as she got up and started towards her house. Anko jumped up after her and caught up quickly. She wasn't giving up that easily.

(the next day, training ground 8)

Naruto sat patiently in a tree, his legs dangling off the branch. He had arrived first and had simply decided that a bit of meditation would do him good, but he simply couldn't bring himself to calm down enough, so he settled for sitting in a tree and practicing facial expressions. It surprised him that he had to remember the muscle movements to smile like he meant it. Was he really that emotionless sometimes?

Shino had arrived next and had greeted his teammate before sitting at the base of the tree. Naruto could hear a buzzing coming from his friend and figured that he was meditating or something.

Next came Hinata. She seemed a bit more... cheerful then she had the day before. She hand a bag in her hand, that smelt wonderful. When she got close enough she opened the bag and offered a cinnamon bun to Shino who politely accepted.

"Would you like one Naruto?", She asked, proud of herself for not stuttering. She wouldn't admit that she had rehearsed that a little though.

"What are they?", he asked, leaning down.

"Cinnamon buns, I made them myself.", She said proudly.

"If you can get up here... I'm just really comfortable here.", he said, attempting a chuckle at the end. At least it didn't sound homicidal. Hinata nodded and went over and put her foot on the tree before slowly walking up it. She was glad that all Hyuugas went through chakra control exercises when they were young. Shino wasn't really surprised, but Naruto seemed shocked.

"How are you doing that Hinata-chan?", he asked suddenly. The abruptness of it caught Hinata of guard and her control slipped, causing her to fall. Before she managed to even fall a foot, a hand grabbed her outstretched wrist and pulled her up.

Hinata stared at Naruto's hand as it slowly let go of her wrist. He had deposited her on the branch next to his, but what surprised her was the fact he had done it with one hand. She was light, but it still took a bit of strength to stop someone from falling and pull them to your height in one fluid motion.

"Are you hurt Hinata-chan?", he asked, leaning over and giving her a once-over. She shook her head and tried to ignore the thought of Naruto's eyes on her body.

She reached into the bag and handed Naruto on of the cinnamon buns. She waited patiently for him to eat it, though it took a moment since he seemed to want to poke and prod it before actually eating it. He brought it to his mouth and took a bite.

"This is good Hinata-chan. I've never had a cinnamon bun before.", he said calmly, if a little happily. He took another bite and let his eyes wander back to the training field. Hinata on the other hand, blushed from the praise and took a moment to examine his face from this close since she hadn't been quite this close to her crush.

"Kurenai-sensei said not to start this here though...", she thought to herself, instead turning to look at the training field.

"Think social... think social...think social...", was the repeated mantra in Naruto's head. Out of nowhere a new voice spoke to him.

Tell her she looks nice.

"Who are you?", Naruto questioned. This was the first feminine voice he had heard from the sword.

I'm Saiya, a water spirit. Now you want to compliment her right? Tell her she looks nice!

"You look very nice today Hinata.", He said quickly, unsure of the words coming from his mouth. Hinata turned to face him, a surprised look on her face.

"T-thank you Naruto-kun.", she stammered back, a blush creeping on to her face. Where did that come from?

No, don't rush the words. Now then tell her-

"Look I went from being antisocial to talking on the regular basis in under twenty four hours. Leave me alone until my mind catches up with where my body is."

Look, don't blame me for trying to help your love life., Saiya snapped back, sounding annoyed.

" You know, Jaxter call it the same thing. My love life... I don't require one right now and I would appreciate it if you didn't chatter constantly about a need of one."

I heard my name, what happened?, came to crackling voice of Jaxter.

You stay out of this you pervert!

Who the hell are you calling a pervert? You're the one who was going to tell him to compliment her tits!

A smack resounded throughout Naruto's mind. He groaned and braced himself. When his spirits argued he got headaches.

How dare you say that I would recommend such a vulgar thing!

Saiya, you've been here as long as I have. I hate to break it to you, but you're as big a pervert as Jaxter is., came the cool voice of Cyrus.

N-no I'm not!

I'm not going to go as far as Jaxter and say you were going to recommend a compliment along those lines, but it would have gone there eventually.

Saiya huffed and Naruto heard the sound of footsteps storming off.

"Thank you Cyrus, now would be a horrible time for a headache."

You are welcome. Regardless, if I may say something regarding Lady Hinata and yourself...

"Dear kami, not you too!"

I'm not telling you to say anything. But have you noticed anything odd about her behavior towards you?

Before Naruto could answer both Kurenai and Anko appeared in a swirl of leaves. Oddly enough though, Kurenai looked tired and Anko looked oddly pleased with herself. Then the smell hit his sensitive nose.

"They both reek of each other...and something else..."

That would be the smell of sex. More then likely the two of them engaged in sexual activities last night and awoke too late to take showers., Cyrus answered.

Naruto nor Cyrus continued that conversation if only because that sort of talk generally attracted Jaxter and apparently Saiya as well.

"Good Morning everyone. This is Anko and she'll be (yawn) helping me with your training today.", Kurenai said, her tone that of someone who didn't sleep well.

"Uh, um... Kurenai-sensei, are you alr-right? Y-you look a little t-tired.", Hinata said, coming down from her branch reluctantly. Naruto followed suit but stepped forward a little.

"If you require a few more hours of sleep then by all means go home and rest. We will not hold it against you if you do.", He said. For once his tone was that of mild concern. He knew Anko to be a bit...sadistic and he shuddered to think what she might have done to his sensei. He shoved such thoughts from his mind; what happened behind closed doors was none of his business.

"Thank you Naruto-san, but it's my fault for staying up so late and I'll weather the consequences. But this is sort of why I brought Anko; if I absolutely cannot go on then she will carry on where I left off.", Kurenai replied. In truth going home and sleeping sounded heavenly, but it was her duty to be here.

"What exactly are we supposed to be doing today sensei?", Shino asked. He doubted it would be incredibly strenuous.

"Kurenai just wanted me to help her find your limits. Stamina, chakra capacity and control, stuff like that.", Anko supplied.

"We'll save the chakra control for later, for now I would just like to see physical limits. Start by jogging around the Grounds until you're out of energy. Go at a moderate pace and when you're done just come back here.", Kurenai said, producing a stopwatch.

The three genin lined up and waited for Kurenai's signal to begin. When she gave it they took off; Hinata and Shino ending up a few feet behind Naruto.

Shino was the first to finish at roughly seven minutes. He had the excuse of his family not having to do an incredible amount of physical exertion. Hinata ended next, stopping at ten and a half minutes.

Thirty minutes later found two stunned jounin and two stunned genin watch Naruto go around the grounds for the umpteenth time. He wasn't breathing hard, which was surprising given the fact he had started preforming Gainers and front flips while he ran.

"Alright, you can stop Naruto.", Kurenai finally called, shocked by the genin's endurance. He stopped so suddenly they were surprised he didn't fall over. Then he turned and walked towards them with a steady gait.

"How the hell did you do that silver?", Anko asked, her eyes wide. The silver haired youth shrugged.

"I have a high endurance, but everything has a price. I meant to bring this up earlier, but I didn't have a chance. I cannot manipulate chakra.", he said calmly. He got stunned looks again.

"Come on, everyone can manipulate chakra to some degree. Even civilians can feel theirs.", Anko protested. Naruto shook his head.

"I have none to feel nor manipulate."

"Naruto-san, every living creature has chakra. There are no exceptions.", Shino stated calmly.

"Tell your bugs to try and eat mine then. I have... energy, but I do not have chakra.", Naruto replied, his tone shifting uneasily.

Shino complied and sent out a few bugs. Naruto extended his arm and let them land on his bare flesh.

The bug users brow furrowed and he called the bugs back after a moment. He turned to Kurenai and Anko.

"He isn't lying. There is an energy within him, but there is no chakra.", he said incredibly uneasily. This was beyond odd.

"Hinata, could you check his coils for me? I want to be sure about this before we jump to conclusions.", Kurenai said, her weariness fading quickly. The Hyuuga heiress jumped at the mention of her name but nodded. She turned to Naruto, who spread his arms wide to help with her search for his coils. It also half tempted the girl to only look past his clothes, but she shook her head and made the handseal for the Byakugan.

The veins on the sides of her eyes flared out and she stared at Naruto, looked past muscle and bone to try and see his chakra coils. As soon as she got to that point she cried out in surprise and turned off her Byakugan, rubbing her eyes. She felt a hand touch her shoulder and when she looked over she was surprised to see Naruto standing with a concerned look on his face.

"Are you alright? You aren't hurt are you?", He asked, his prismatic eye reflecting his worry. She shook her head.

"I'm f-fine, you just caught me off guard. You don't have chakra coils, but y-you burn like a furnace with... something. I don't k-know what i-it is, but it's almost like you're m-m-made of the energy, the way it fitted your form.", Hinata supplied. Naruto nodded and removed his hand from her shoulder. "It was very b-bright; anyone th-that tries to see that d-deep might get blinded if they look too long. That's why I cried out; it was like going from a l-lightless cave to s-staring at the sun."

"I told you so.", Naruto said calmly to his sensei and Anko.

"Well, I knew this team would be interesting, but this is a bit more then I signed on for.", Anko said, covering her face with her palm. "What exactly can you do with it? It's not just sitting there right?"

"I can use it to call my sword. That is all I can do with it to my knowledge.", Naruto replied, letting his left hand rest on the handle.

"W-what do you mean b-by c-call Naruto-kun?", Hinata asked.

Naruto didn't answer. Instead he pulled the blade from it's sheath, letting those present take in it's form. Then he pulled his arm back and threw it forward, watching as it buried itself in a tree.

"This is what I mean.", He said. A silver light engulfed the sword for a moment before it reappeared in his hand in a silver flash. " I can do that all day.", Naruto said, sheathing the blade.

"Naruto-san, what is that blade made of? I don't think I have ever seen a blade of crystal before...", Kurenai asked, stunned by the beauty of the prismatic sword.

"I don't think the crystal has a name. It is far older then any can imagine though.", was the only answer they got from him.

"Does the s-sword have a n-name?", Hinata hesitantly asked.

"It has a title, not a name. It is known as the Chronicle Sword. It has had more owners then there are people in the world, each contributing their own... uniqueness to the blade. It got the name 'chronicle' from the fact that fragment of the previous users' souls are absorbed into the blade upon death, thus allowing the old 'spirits' to teach new users. If you wonder why I zone out and ignore people so much, it is more then likely because I am talking to the voices in my sword."

There was silence.

"Naruto-san, are you feeling alright?", Shino asked, starting to question his friends sanity.

"Now you also know why I don't talk often. People think I am crazy.", Naruto said a bit harshly, whirling around and walking off. The four could hear a string of curses from his retreating form that would have made a sailor blush. Hinata turned and glared at Shino before taking off after her crush.

"Naruto-kun, hold on a second!", she called after him, hoping to be able to talk him into coming back.

Kurenai sighed and looked at Anko who just shrugged.

"Okay, we'll just pick up from here tomorrow. You can go home Shino, Anko and I will find the other two and tell them the same.", Kurenai said to her student. He nodded uneasily and started to walk home. In truth he felt bad, he had not meant to offend Naruto.

(With Naruto)

After Shino's comment he decided that elsewhere was a better place to be. He didn't know where he was going, and for the most part he didn't care. He had joined the academy for acceptance, but had found none. He had hoped that being on a three man team might yield better results, but yet again when he tries to explain himself people accuse him of being messed up in the head.

You need to calm yourself, he did not mean any offense., Cyrus warned.

"I don't care."

Trust enough to believe the truth is not won in a day. That is something you must realize. Now then, Lady Hinata is following you.

"Didn't you want to tell me something earlier about her?", Naruto asked as he slowed down. He looked around and found he was in another training ground.

You should notice on your own soon enough. Now then, greet her and for the love of the frozen throne, be patient if she doesn't believe you!

Naruto sighed and turned around, waiting for Hinata to catch up to speaking distance. When she did she stopped and caught her breath; Naruto might not have been running, but he moved through the foliage with incredible grace.

"Naruto-k-kun, please we have to go back. Kurenai-sensei will be m-mad if we-"

"I don't care if she's mad. I don't enjoy being called insane.", he cut her off, his tone reflexively turning indifferent.

"Shino didn't c-call you i-insane, he just...", Hinata stopped herself. She knew Naruto was more angry about what Shino had implied more then what he had said. "Aburames need logic. What you said was fairly out there, but I believe you. It's just that Shino won't until he can see proof. I don't know about Kurenai-sensei, Anko-san and their opinions, but you can't just storm off when someone says something you don't like!"

Naruto was surprised she had gone through most of that without stuttering, but he was more surprised she was shouting at him when she normally barely spoke above a whisper.

"I have never had to work in an environment where I cannot simply leave if it suits me. If you think that this is going to cause problems then I wish you luck in your endeavor.", Naruto said, crossing his arms.

"What endeavor?", Hinata asked, ire still high.

"You promised to help me with my people skills. I assume situations like this are a part of that skill set?"

Hinata stopped. She had been about to start another rant but Naruto was right; she had promised.

"Alright, let's start now then."

"What?", Naruto had been surprised by the sudden change in Hinata's mood. She had gone from borderline pissed to borderline happy.

"Let's start now. You need all the help you can get so let's not waste anymore time.", She said confidently.

"Have you noticed you're not stuttering?", he asked as she lead him out of the training grounds and towards the park.

"W-what?", she asked, suddenly realizing that she she gone a good three minutes of talking to him without stuttering. And now she was stuttering again. "I-I don't k-know what you mean."

"You didn't stutter when you were shouting at me. Your voice is very pretty when it isn't as broken as it normally is.", Naruto said simply, unaware of the effect if had on the girl. She was hoping that the radiant blush she had right now would dissipate before she reached the park and had to face him.

"T-thank you. Th-that's a good s-start though; compliments can make people like you more. J-just don't overd-do it.", she advised.

"Okay... so you like me more now?", Naruto asked, curious. Hinata stopped in her tracks and whirled around, a blush on her cheeks.

"W-what?", she stuttered. She had not expected that from him.

"You said that compliments make people like you more. I complimented you when I said your voice was pretty. Does that mean you like me more now?", he asked, truly curious. Talking exclusively to spirits that had lived very violent lives tended to make you a little... unknowing on some simple things.

"We-well uh, umm you see... I-I uh..."

"There you are!", Kurenai shouted from a few meters behind them. Both teens turned to face their sensei; Hinata with a minor look of thanks, she wasn't ready to confess just yet, and Naruto bore an annoyed look. His question had gone unanswered.

Kurenai and Anko ran over to the two and both took a moment to catch their breath.

"Damn silver, you're hard to find when you don't want to be found.", Anko admitted. Naruto quirked an eyebrow.

"If I wasn't then I probably shouldn't be a ninja.", he said indifferently. "I take it you are going to begin shouting now Sensei?"

"No, but I should. Simply running off like that was both unprofessional and rude, Shino was fairly disturbed that he offended you when he didn't mean to.", Kurenai admonished, still she couldn't quite throw all the blame on Naruto. Shino should have considered the repercussions of his words before speaking. "You two are free to return home, but we are meeting at the same time tomorrow and I expect that there will be no more incidents."

She directed the last statement Naruto's way and he looked her in the eyes and replied in an even tone.

"I will make no promises, for to do so would be lying to your face. That is... bad.", Naruto asked more then said, his head turning to Hinata as if asking if he had chosen the right word. She nodded meekly and he turned his gaze back to his sensei. "Well then, I think I will go home. I have a few... choice words for my spirits. Good afternoon Hinata-chan, Kurenai-sensei, Anko-sensei."

"sensei?", the trenchcoat clad woman asked, an eyebrow raised.

"Forgive any false implications, but I am under the impression that Kurenai will need your assistance again. Many more...sleepless nights may lie ahead. In any case sensei is an appropriate title if you intent to help your friend teach us.", he said, his eyes holding a spark of mischief when he mentioned Kurenai's sleep problems.

Anko and Kurenai froze for a moment when he said that and looked at each other before looking back to see Naruto walking away. Hinata bowed and began her walk home, leaving the two alone in the street.

"He knows?", Kurenai asked worriedly.

"Figures. He told me once that his senses were almost painfully sharp sometimes. We didn't exactly have time to shower this morning so I doubt we smelt like linen sheets.", Anko said, sighing at the end. "I doubt he'll say anything to anyone. If anyone is good about keeping secrets like that hidden, it's silver."

"Secrets like what?"

"Secrets like ours and his; secrets that cause a lot of trouble for the people they concern if they are made public.", she said, pecking her friend on the cheek. "Well, what now?"

"Well... it's two in the afternoon, and I personally think I could use a shower.", Kurenai said, starting to walk to her house. Anko walked beside her and smirked.

"Was that an invitation?", Anko asked, bumping Kurenai with her hip.

"What do you think?", She replied, shunshining to her house. Anko followed suit.

Pay up, you owe me twenty bucks metal head., Jaxter said within Naruto's head as he watched the leaves from Anko's shunshin land. He stood on the topmost branch of a nearby tree and shook his head.

"I don't mind that they are gay, but could you two try not to bet on their sex life.", Naruto half demanded, hoping that Jaxter wouldn't start something.

Come on this is great!, Saiya said from the back of his mind. Now maybe they'll let you watch if you're a good student!

Saiya, that is both inappropriate and highly demeaning to both of his teachers., Came the cool voice of Cyrus.

I'm just teasing him. Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot. Let's make a deal, you try to be more social and I'll try to refrain from the perverted comments.

Wow, never thought I'd see the day when you agreed to stop being a pervert., the metallic voice of Nacaro sounded for the first time in days.

"Can you please stop arguing, I have to start training in the transformations again. I'm going to start with Cyrus, then Nacaro. If you promised to shut up I might try you Jaxter.", Naruto thought. He jumped down from the tree, the impact not bothering him in the least.

Hey! What about me!, Saiya complained.

" I can barely maintain Nacaro for thirty seconds and he has no element. Cyrus lasts about ten seconds. Trying you tonight may only result in burnt time and mana, and I have to be careful with what I have since I can only train at night now.", he responded, weaving through the trees. When he finally reached his private little sanctum he unsheathed his sword and looked at the surroundings. A small pool to his left and the base of the Hokage mountain behind that. The thick trees of the forest that surrounded the small clearing made it extremely difficult to come here, but After years of practice he had managed to get it down.

He sighed and positioned the blade so the tip was towards the center of his chest.

"This never gets old.", he said. Then he plunged the blade through his chest.

Okay, there was chapter one. Tell me what you think.

For those of you who are wondering how quickly Naruto's eyes shift color, it's somewhere close to once every three seconds, and there are often more then one color in his eyes, but never more then five.

I know some of you might be a little mad for me making Kurenai and Anko lesbians, but quite frankly I don't give a shit. First of all it's my story. Secondly, for those of you who want a reason, ninja life is hard and the individuals take comfort where they can. Kakashi in porn, Gai with his flames of youth, and Kurenai and Anko in each other.

For those wondering why they hide it: difference inspires fear, fear inspires hatred, hatred inspires misery. They are trying to comfort the other, not make both their lives harder. As for why I write in Friend or Best friend in place of girlfriend, it's more of how they act in public and the fact that they are both best friends and girlfriends..

Sorry for the mini rant.

The rest of the chapters i had done are on my other Computer and in storage, so please be patient.

Enix out-