A/N- I have a sequel planned for this fic. It will be a crossover of Prince of tennis and Naruto. Just letting you know before you start reading this. If you want to read the prequel POT Fic that goes with it- it's titled, 'Prodigy'. Then by all means read it, it's under E. Ryoma , prince of tennis. This as well as 'prodigy' were made as prequels to better understand a future story titled 'Journey'. If you want more information visit my Profile page. There are summaries there.

This will partially follow the anime. There will be parts but mostly different like... conversations, and all fight scenes will be changed. So consider that my warning. So don't expect me to go flipping back and forth from my writting to the anime or even the manga and making them in sync. Because I don't have the patience for it. They will be different.

Hidden Strength

Prologue

Flashback

Three children. Their faces were so innocently content. Two sat peacefully enjoying the wind as it carressed their sweaty bodies. After a day of training, this was peaceful. Konoha was truly a beautiful place. They sat on the head of the fourth Hokage.

The third shuffled uneasily. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. He clamped it shut. Just to try once more, and only until the fifth try was he successful.

"Tou-san says we have to go." The child spoke quietly, much to the other two's surprise. His greenish hair fluttered in the wind. Framing his baby features. Five year olds all of them, and yet this was what they would discuss. A best friend leaving. It was gut wrenching.

"Why?" Another spoke. His hands in his pockets, as he kicked a few stray pebbles. His midnight black hair falling around his round cheeks. The Uchiha family symbol shone proudly on his clothing.

"He says I need to leave. It's not safe." The childs emerald hair parted, revealing golden eyes.

"That doesn't make sense! Can't Oji protect you, like he does with me?" The two children stared at their blond haired friend, his blue eyes striking. Even then refusing to drop his smile. Except this one wasn't cheerful but hopeful.

"Oyaji says it's his job. I'm sorry, we leave at sunset." The three children sat in frightful silence. None knowing just what to say.

"Why." The two dark haired children sat by each other, hugging pulling the blonde haired into the group hug.

"I'm sorry Sa and Naru-chan. But Oyaji says... The clouds are moving." The children looked up at the sky in confusion as the sun set.

"I don't understand." He spoke, pouting. His hands still in his pockets.

The boy patted his hair. "It's ok Sa-chan."

"Don't go!" He yelled trying to grab his friend.

"I have to Naru-chan."

"But were linked! Kyuubi is in both of us!"

"I know." He dissappeared in a swirl of leaves. Leaving only two boys.

"He's gone Naruto."

Said blonde turned around facing his best friend. "Sasuke?"

Sasuke's face remained passive, as Naruto sniffled. Sasuke turned away leaving. "Don't leave me too!" He kept walking, digging his hands deeper into his pockets.

End Flashback/dream

Naruto POV

I woke up clenching my pack. It's always the same dream. I stared at them all, as they slept. My ears perking up at all the sounds around us.

To the right of me I could hear Kakashi-sensei's even breathing. His mouth covered even now. He fell asleep, book in hand. Just thinking about what he reads, I feel like I should get slapped. He's such a perv. Ughh!

The old man beside him. Sakura on my right side. She's such a bitch. Aren't you a little cynic this morning? Shut up Kyuubi. I don't have the patience for it. And she is. Like I don't know what she thinks about me. I'm not a moron. I stared at her as she slept. Stalkerish. Sometimes, I wonder about you Kyuubi.What? You thought it. I shook my head softly. When I felt the air shift. My eyes automatically moving to the last member of this team.

We were surrounded. Use a shadow clone and dissappear now. You can attack from the shadows. I know. I faded into the darkness as the group of three neared us. I watched my sleeping form and smiled. Looking at my silver haired sensei. I realized he was awake. Bravo sensei. Substitution Jutsu. I crouched as they took up posts around them. Soon the four were up and about..

Sasuke's eyes automatically connecting with my shadow clone. He must have felt the presence. I had all three locked. One to my right and forty yards ahead. another thirty more yards down the road and the third to my left and fifty-five yards down. Sasuke's pace dropped. He began hovering my shadow clone. Now he worries for me. It's been like this since team 7 formed. Like I need him now. Eight years is a long time, and I can't forgive him.

-Sasuke POV-

I can't understand this feeling. I just can't let him get hurt. The thought alone deserves to get smacked out of my mind. I watched as he stood up, through the corner of my eye.

I know it's because I see him. It's been different for a while now. Sometimes I fight the urge just to hug him.

What is that? I pulled in my aura, and locked eyes with Naruto. I felt three, no four? I don't understand. It feels like Naruto. But it can't be. I dropped my pace, as Sakura came next to me.

"Sasuke, how'd you sleep."

"Like I was on the ground." Can she really not feel the three foreign auras? I looked at her cheerful smile. Yes, she really could. How did she become a genin?

"Oh me too." I half expected a glomp from Naruto, but then I remmembered. He doesn't glomp me anymore, and it's my fault. "Come on Naruto! Your too slow."

"Of course Sakura-chan." He ran forward like a little puppy. How I wish he would look at me like that again? But he never smiles at me.

"Aaah!" What the fu-.

I turned around as Kakashi's head was cut off. I gulped as Naruto froze. I stationed myself in front of the old man. As well as Sakura. We were surrounded by three people before we could blink. Naruto was still frozen. "Damn it!" I growled, pulling out my kunai. Ready to defend.

I watched as Kakashi's corpse fell to the ground. Blinking as it burst into a cloud of smoke. Kakashi popped out of nowhere, substitution jutsu, and suddenly two were incapacitated. I didn't even see him move. The third running at Naruto. I jumped in between smacking the kunai out of his hand. Lodging mine into his throat.

I turned to Naruto. "Why didn't you move?" Grr! He could have died! I grit my teeth.

The old man walked up to me resting his hand on my shoulder, looking at Naruto. "Your not much of a ninja boy."

Naruto just smiled cheerfully. "Now, now guys. Lets not be rude."

He unfroze with a goofy smile. "Sorry. I got to use the bathroom." I watched as he ran into the bushes. In awkward steps. Naruto will always be Naruto I guess. I shrugged off the old mans hand. Naruto is an amazing ninja. Stupid old man.

"I'm going to scout ahead." And Kakashi-sensei dissappeared.

-Naruto POV-

I watched as my shadow clone ran to me. "Kakashi." I greeted quietly. I dissolved my jutsu.

"That was very impressive, you knocked them both out before I got the chance. When did you replace yourself with a clone?" He rubbed his clothed chin, his eye watching me intently.

"Before you did your substitution jutsu." I shrugged walking out of the bushes. Placing a bright smile on my lips.

"Are you okay Naruto?"

I looked at Sasuke, as my smile dropped. "What do you care?"

My cheek cracked to the side as Sakura slapped me across the face. "The least you could do is show some respect to the guy that just saved your life!"

"Ungrateful brat." They're so stupid. I feigned shock, gripping my cheek.

"Naruto."

My head snapped to the side. "What Sasuke?" I ground my teeth as Sakura tried to slap me once more.

This time Kakash grabbed her wrist. "Let's not be hasty."

"Hn. I don't need your help. I had a plan." I stared at the old man. "I vowed to protect you and I did." I looked at Kakashi. I put my hands in my pocket and walked faster. Leaving three people blinking in confusion and one chuckling sensei.

A/N- Did you like it?