Summary:Mataauhimade (Till We Meet Again)

A modern day teen has nightmares he seen and read about Naruto’s world. Is he really from our world, or another? What does the nightmare have to do with Naruto and gang? Definite Pairings: OCxSaku, NaruHina, [Other Pairings: TBA]

Disclaimer:Don’t own Naruto (I wish) nor Otogi: Myth of Demons game series or any other Anime. I do own Ocs, the plots that sprout in my Fanfics as well as original jutsus created by me.

A/N:Here is my latest chapter in my epic story. Sorry for being so late in my update because had to plan out this chapter and what will happen in the next. Trying to link chapters to each other in some fashion is tiring. Anyways, here it is. Onto the next chapter!

“Talk”

‘Think’

Jutsu

‘Inner Sakura’

“Tailed-beast talk”

Flashback

Chapter 15: Of teachers and rivals...

A number of nins remained to face off against a single shinobi. The lone defender was sweating and panting as he stood in a defensive stance. It been about two hours since he started his ‘spar’. The area was littered with a few weapons and pock mocks along the ground.

‘Why? Why now after what we through.’ The ‘genin’ thought bitterly. ‘All this time he was alive, in this world of all places.’

The distracted ‘genin’ barely realized that two of the opposing nins came at him. One swung with a kunai that made a glancing hit. The white and blond haired boy winced as he leapt back only to be stuck in chest by a flying kick from a second opponent. The world started spinning as his vision blurred by the sped of the kick as Mouka’s body skipped along the ground tumbling. On instinct, Mouka tucked into a ball to protect his body from any more damage. The senjin planted both legs out in a wide stance with one hand underneath. Mouka stopped tumbling and skidded to a full stop in a crouch.

“Damned that hurt. I should been more careful.” Mouka said in frustrated growl. “Why the hell I tell them go all out.” He looked down at the cuts to his right hand using it as a handbrake. Red liquid trickled from his chest as the wound was now bigger from the flying kick. “Shit”.

About twelve remaining ‘Mouka’ clones glanced at each other before nodding to precede with a followup of attack. Mouka looked back to see the some of the clones form up to attack.

‘Crap. Shouldn’t let my guard down. Time to end this right here, right now.’ Mouka thought angrily that he got hurt easily from a spar. ‘This is bad!’

Three ‘Mouka’ clones ran from the right while two came at him from the left as they moved into their pronged attack. The remaining charged at him directly. This was going to the last attack of the clones and Mouka knew it was going to end very messily.

‘I guess it time to try out my modified jutsu.’Mouka thought at the prospect with the odds against him.

The attacking clones closed in from both sides rushing at him with kunais drawn. The teen chaka jumped, somersaulting above their heads as the two groups of clones gathered in one spot. The apex of his jump. Mouka twisted into a reverse roll and quickly fired four shurikens at the gathered clones.

“Kage Sakura Fubuki no Jutsu!” Mouka quickly did hand-seals that caused his four shurikens had become three dozen weapons.

The group of clones quickly realized they were caught in there rush to finish him. The shurikens exploded into shower of white sakura petals right just before it hit them. They were surrounded by the dancing petals as one of the clones laughed at the jutsu gone array.

“Hey? How you going to beat us with sakura petals instead of shurikens? Hmm?” One of the clones said as he held out a single white sakura blossom that turned from a shuriken.

Mouka crouched landed facing away from the group of clones that were memorized by the dancing petals of sakura. “Never assume anything.”

“What?”The clone shouted back.

“Kaboom.”Mouka said quietly.

The clones were surprised that the white sakura petals glowed brightly before exploding in a rippled effect. Multiple mini-blasts sent shockwaves as Mouka barely could stand up against wind and debris from the massive explosion.

‘Think too much chakra.’Mouka was near chakra exhaustion as he dropped to one knee. ‘At least it worked.’

Before he blackness consumed his being, he saw a shadowy figure emerged from the dust cloud that obscured Mouka’s sight. ‘Damned missed one? What you doing here?!’

---

It had been an hour since his brother left in anger. Naruto didn’t like the situation had developed in an instant they walked into old man’s office. The old bearded kage himself had a frown adorning his face.

“Are you alright Naruto-kun?”The old man said as he let a puff of smoke. “I am certain you are angry at the man for not being here. As for your brother...Mouka’s reaction was true. Anything else would had been false.”

“Hey oji-san...”Naruto let out slowly after some thought. “I am not happy, but not angry either. Maybe, I don’t have memories like nii-san. I do feel a little disappointed and sad that he wasn’t here to take care of us. Why wasn’t he?”

“You noticed something about the way your brother talked about ‘his past’ and how he shields others from it.”The old man looked carefully at the young blond teen who nodded in return. “Secrets...everyone, no matter how close to a person they are. People hold their own deepest secrets close to them. They feel they need to both hide secrets from what they believe that will hurt others around them to protect them.”

“That mean’s...”Naruto trailed off from the revelation that Mouka was holding back in his story of his ‘past’. All he remembered what Mouka said, that Kohona was in big trouble and certain events lead to open war. In the end, he gave a less then happy ending of sorts but none specific to an individuals or was in the war, only about himself. Why? “I kinda guess my brother was holding something back what he told us.”

“Don’t take it too badly Naruto.” The kage got up and went over to the blond. He put a hand on Naruto’s shoulder and gave a reassuring smile. “You know is much older than he let’s on. We can force it from him, but you don’t want to. He will tell us when he is ready. As for now. He has to reassure of himself with your new sensei.”

“Alright oji-san.” Naruto gave a small smile in return as felt a bit better from the old man’s wisdom. “I am going to find him.”

---

The headache was massive say to the least and sore body to match. He pretty much ran himself into the ground. That much chakra expended in such a short time was stupidity in itself for sure.

‘Idiot.’Now thinking back, he always told his siblings not do what he just did.

Before his eyes closed, he also remembered a figure emerge from the dust cloud after the explosion and then face fully revealed. Why now of all time and he shows up suddenly?

“I know you are awake my friend...”A friendly voice said, hesitating for a moment before continuing. “That was not smart to fight one hundred of ‘yourself’, you know that?”

“Is that so?”Mouka slowly opened his eyes finding himself resting against a tree. “It seemed we didn’t have anyone to tell us as children.”

His former sensei visibly winced at the harsh words that pierced his heart from his former student. Scratch that, his student now in this life and he had every right to. Those words rang true and that he was cause of those emotion that Mouka was feeling.

“I am truly sorry.” Raikoh said, his eyes drawn to the training ground as he stood there. “I know you really don’t want to see or hear anything of me. Still...in the end, I want you know the reason why.”

“This is not some guilt trip you laying on me?” Mouka didn’t turn to his sensei of old and new. Cool blue eyes now watched the sunlight coming off the lake’s ripple. “You told me that we will see each other again. Yet it took almost a childhood of pain for you to come?”

His brown eyes now glanced at Mouka. The young teen had painfully drawn up his legs in loose embrace of his arms. His head was slightly bowed into his arms only a pair of pained blue eyes he could see, he turned away from the masked eyes. Bangs of spiky white and blond hair seemed to hang about his eyes yet not get in the way.

The black haired man removed his cloak and placed it next to Mouka before he sat down. Mouka didn’t bother looking up. Raikoh wore a dark blue t-shirt with a red mesh over it followed by his jonin vest over that. Grey combat pants with a couple weapons holster on the left leg while on the right was a kunai holster strapped on. Bandages were wrapped at the ends of his pants tucked into leather combat boots to minimize the pant noise when walking. The jonin sensei had a sword strapped to his back which looked like a katana, only slightly longer with a red leather handle. His head band was tied around his neck very much like his friend Hinata.

Though Mouka wanted nothing to do with the man, not even a glance when the older man sat down. The fact Raikoh was going to tell his own past meant something more. He wasn’t sure where he was going with it. Just kept his eyes forward. Maybe he should listen? He did considered Raikoh his friend and sensei from before. What harm can it do? Storming off didn’t help the situation and letting off the steam before calmed him down. All he can do was to listen, that much he owed for being a friend in another life.

“I know you don’t have to listen to me for what I have done, I had abandoned your brother and you in a childhood that was supposed your fondest memories to cherish and protected.” Raikoh sighed as he looked out into the lake again His eyes seemed to glazed over as remembering things long forgotten. “Before I had meet you. My life before this or yours was something I never told anyone about. My family was large, probably big as the Inzuka or Abrume. The land we lived on was quiet and peaceful for three generations. My family were called the Hogsha no Kaiba, the Blade of Guardians. We protected the land with our lives and the ruler.”

“I was about five when I chosen to be a swordsman, wanting to follow in my father’s footsteps. Determined, I tried to learn the sword, but my father told me not until I was older. My mother came to me and said ‘There will be plenty of time for you to grow up. You should be cherishing your childhood and those memories’, I never understood what my mother was saying to me.” Raikoh leaned back against the tree and closed his eyes. He didn’t know if Mouka was looking at him or paying attention but he continued. “I had little in terms of friends. Not until my father took me to the local market in the village. There I meet more kids and we became friends. After awhile, I realized there was silver haired girl by herself. She seemed lonely or lost, she was a strange girl. Nobody wanted to associate with her. Me. I introduced myself and asked her if she wanted to be friends. All she said was ‘what is a friend?’, my friends and I taught her. For almost three years we played and had fun together. Our memories helped shaped us.”

The black haired sensei stopped for a moment. His voice lowered to a whisper. Mouka strained to listen even he pretended not to.“Until...the civil war. I asked if her parents were staying out of it. All she said ‘I am alone and valuable to my guardian’. It was until three years into the civil war that I have learned she worked for our lord...” Raikoh felt tears gather behind his eyes. “A year later, my clan was murdered, betrayed by our very own lord who started the civil war. The girl that was my friend had strange dark powers that killed one by one the people I knew. I wanted revenge, revenge that consumed me so willingly to sell my only humanity for what happened and kill my former lord.”

“In the end I have found and fought her to the death. She would have won, yet she let her guard down and I mortally wounded her.” A tear slipped down his face as he retold his past. Mouka sat there in silence as he saw the pained look on his new sensei’s face. “She laid dying in my arms and I killed her, one of my best friends, I asked her why? She should had sent me to my death. Then she said in her dying breath. ‘How can I kill one of my fondest childhood memories? You changed me enough to realize what I had done, done to our friends.’ I was stunned say to the least. The next thing she said that changed my path. ‘You are not an avenger should had never been. You should strive to cherish and protect these childhood memories and those of future generations, it will help shape their path in life.’ then she died. It was later I realized my revenge earned nothing from killing without remorse, I finally understood what she meant.” Raikoh wiped away his tears with a gloved hand. “It is the reason why I was away for so long Mouka.”

The pain in his sensei trembling voice burrowed through his shell. He had suffered as well, losing so much, loss of friends he known and the killing his own best friend because of one lord’s ambitions.

“I don’t understand, why my brother and I have to suffer, what does it have to do with your past?”Mouka raised his own head, streaks of tears came down as he looked into brown eyes. He wanted answers that only his sensei can give.

“I was trying to protect your childhood memories, give you a chance to grow up with your brother.” The black haired man said lowly as he bowed his head. “I wanted to protect you from ever feeling the hate and anger of the village. Thought I could go out and try to stop the two bijuus from attacking even before you were born...I failed, your brother and you, suffered because of my failure. The price I paid was not high enough. I felt ashamed to face your brother or you. Especially to you Mouka-kun.”

The black haired man stood up, not glancing at the teen next to him. The tall sensei brushed some grass and dirt off his pants before staring out onto the lake again. He sighed. “I am truly sorry what happened. My abandonment of you when my knowledge was opposite. I am your friend Mouka, maybe, I will become the sensei and friend I should had been in this life.”

“Raikoh...san...”Mouka hesitated and calling him his teacher or friend. Could he trust him? He wasn’t sure. Yet. How can anyone feel angry at someone who tried to protect and give a happy childhood. What price did he paid?

“I will see you at Training Ground Nineteen at 6 am. I will understand if you or your brother don’t show up. I wouldn’t blame you for what I did. If Team Zero picks another jonin or something, I will understand.” The jonin turned around and picked up his cloak before he stopped next to Mouka who was still sitting. “Whatever you decide, I won’t hold it against you.”

The black haired sensei leapt off into the trees. Mouka simply stared out at the lake. Just think of the story Raikoh told him.

‘Should I stay angry at him? If everything he said, true, he wanted to protect our childhood, why didn’t he come back then, because of shame?’ Mouka debated inwardly. ‘His life was not much better than ours was it? The choices...he made and mistake he made just shows were all human aren’t we.’

His thoughts were broken when he heard shouting.

“Nii-san!” A blond haired Uzumaki came bounding out of the woods. “There you are! Are you alright? What happened?”

“Not much happened, did a bit of sparring.”Mouka scratched the back of his as looked at the training ground. “Oops?”

“And you tell me not to overdue it?”Naruto raised an eyebrow. “Anyways, you alright...you know...the new sensei?”

“I guess it’s fine. We have team meeting tomorrow morning.” Mouka said unsurely. “I am sorry bro.” Mouka lowered his head.

“Heh? For what?”Naruto cocked his head to the side. “What you talking about?”

“I am sorry about ignoring you.” Mouka lifted his head a bit and sighed. “I...sorry I hurt you earlier with my stupid actions.”

Mouka felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see a small smile on Naruto’s face. “Everyone needs to let out once in awhile. You are no different. So...what changed your mind about sensei?”

“Our childhood memories helps to shape our path in life.” Mouka remembered Raikoh’s story and what his friend said. ‘We all try to protecting something precious.’

‘What price did you pay Raikoh...sensei?’ Mouka thought to himself as he and Naruto went to clean their training ground.

---

As expected, their sister came home that night and went straight home. She was eager to see her two brothers and wanted to know if they had pass. Her reaction was mixed by all accounts that would be heard throughout the following day. She was happy they passed with flying colors, her displeasure was known with their antics earlier on the Hokage Monuments. Soon, people would only remembered ‘They are at it again.’ or ‘How long before they become pin-cushions’. Secretly, she was also angry when they told her about the team arrangement. It took all their strength to keep Tenten from running out the door with weapons in hand to hunt down some of the civilian council members and it took fifteen minutes before she could calm down. Eventually Naruto convinced her it was nothing and that they would be fine. Well she wasn’t entirely convinced yet.

“Who did you get as sensei for your team?” Tenten furiously chomped bites of her ramen once in awhile because of the team that her brothers were forced into.

Silence was the only thing that meet the question. Naruto turned to glance at Mouka for a moment. He wasn’t quite sure what was running through Mouka’s thoughts on the earlier event. At least his brother seemed to gotten over the problem for the most part. They haven’t quite discussed the fact Mouka knew their sensei nor what history they are entangled with specifically. Only thing the blond haired demon container knew was that his brother’s past involved the new sensei.

“Ummm...his name is Minamoto Raikoh.” Naruto started slowly. “Is our jonin-senin. Very strong shinobi. Not much else.” Naruto glanced again at his brother who occasionally nodded but didn’t say anything.

“Wait!?!” Tenten shouted forgetting she was angry earlier. “You have him as sensei!?!”“What you mean!?” Mouka was startled by Tenten’s statement in a loud voice almost choking on his ramen. Naruto winced at the shrilled voice and patted the back of Mouka’s back to keep him dying of noddles.

“You don’t know who he is?” Tenten stared in surprise that her two brothers didn’t know he was. Of course, Naruto wasn’t ready to tell her about the team meeting nor Mouka’s familiar association with the new sensei was definitely out of the question.

“Then who is he?” Naruto lied with question while patting Mouka’s who finally gulped down hard.

“He is my closest second favorite role model, he is the Kohona no Raion.” Tenten explained with large anime sparkling eyes. “...but Tsunade-sama is my number one! I so badly want to meet them both.”

Both Naruto and Mouka sweet dropped at their older sister’s antics. At least she had role models of sorts. They could see Tenten seemed to be lost in her daydream of meeting her two most admired people.

Naruto sighed and shook his head. He tapped his sister’s shoulder which made her regain her composure. The dark haired kunoichi blinked a couple of times before she realized what she done then blushed.

“Sorry! Anyways, your sensei Raikoh-sama is called the Lion of Kohona for a reason and I bet you are wondering about it?” Tenten saw both of them nodded in unison. “He is the only one in Kohona who can summon lions, nobody knows how he gotten a contract with them.”

“Not only that, it was rumored that he was in a special squad with the Yondaime during the war with Iwa.” Tenten recited from knowledge she picked up through out the years. “Amazing you have him as sensei. Even more exciting that I get to meet him in person!!!” Tenten became giddy at the thought and almost practically bounced in her chair.

Mouka smiled and shook his head at Tenten’s behavior.

“You’ll see him eventually nee-chan.” Naruto chuckled. “Wonder what he’s going to teach us?”

“Probably boring chakra excise and then a few low level jutsus.” Tenten chimed in and relaxed back into her chair. “Then a couple of months with boring D-missions from hell.”

“Anyways, I think nii-san and myself should be fine with our new sensei. “Naruto slurped the last of his ramen broth. “What you think nee-chan?”

“Let just say I was not happy before. I would feel better if you two had another teammate.” Tenten sighed as she put down her chopsticks. “Now, at least I can breath a bit better knowing both you have him as your sensei. Mokie, what you think of him?”

There was no reply for a moment. The older sister turned to see Mouka didn’t look up before he answered. “I...think it would work out fine sis.”

Tenten raised an eyebrow at Mouka’s demeanor. It was strange he wouldn’t be more excited at the fact Naruto and him gotten a powerful shinobi to be their sensei. “You alright Mokie?”

“Nothing. Sis.” Mouka raised his head. Sky blue eyes glanced into soft brown eyes. “Just tired. I am going to bed if you don’t mind?”

It was routine that they switched the cleaning dishes after meal and nobody complained. It did just seemed her younger brother was only tired. There was something troubling her brother for a bit. Tenten brushed off his mood tonight, maybe it’s just he didn’t get on that Sakura girl’s team maybe? She knew it was never a good idea push Mouka if he didn’t want to say anything. Maybe she would ask sometime later. She watched as her blonde and white haired brother get up, put his dirty bowl in the sink before retiring for the night.

---

The following morning, Naruto was up and ready for his first official meeting as Team Zero with their new sensei and his brother. The blonde haired teen quickly did his normal routine and headed down into the kitchen. Smell of noodle and meats wafted from the kitchen into the hallway as Naruto approached. Poking his head around the corner, he spotted the dark haired cook. She was humming to herself in her usual Chinese outfit.

“Hey neechan!” Naruto greeted with a wave. “That smells good!”

“Good morning Naru-kun, got breakfast ready for you and Mokie.” Tenten turned away from the stove to see Naruto salivating at the smell of ramen. “Hey Naru-kun, where’s Mokie?”

Naruto shook his head out of his stupor when he heard the question. “He’s still asleep neechan.”

“Okay, he must be tired. Give him another five minutes then wake him up. Don’t want the two of you to be late for your first team meeting.” Tenten emphasized by pointing at Naruto. “I will be going in a few minutes to go for a team meeting myself.”

Naruto nodded and headed back up stairs slowly to give the five minutes. At least his brother seemed to be sleeping better than usual. The teen quietly approached his brother’s room hearing only a light snoring from behind the door.

A mop of blond hair poked into Mouka’s room. The still form of his brother was tucked underneath his cover only showing white and blond hair. Naruto sighed before loudly announced his arrival. “Hey niisan, time to wake up!”

Naruto’s eye twitched as his brother mumbled as he turned over in his sleep. “It’s way too early for this.”

“You asked for it niisan.” Blue eyes twinkled followed by a wicked grin from the blond sibling.

---

The older sister hummed a bit as she finished making breakfast for her brothers. She realized that she heard nothing for almost ten minutes until she heard screaming from upstairs.

“I’M UP, I’M UP, BRO!!!”

Tenten only smiled and wondered what Naruto did to wake up Mouka. She thought about it for a moment before she only shook her head. Nope. She didn’t want to know. The team meeting for her was going to be in about an half hour. She quickly written a small note explaining she will be home by dinner putting it by the two bowls. She laughed lightly again as she heard her younger brother Mouka screamed something about ‘Bloody murder!’ before she left through the kitchen door for her meeting. Nope. She definitely didn’t want to know.

---

The two came downstairs to find their sister already gone and a note waiting for them. Naruto was the first to look at it and read out aloud. “Mokie, Naru-kun. I have gone to meet my team for the day. I will be back by dinnertime. You two behave yourselves. Or else. Love, Big Sis.”

“Hehe..guess we behave don’t we?” Mouka said nervously when he looked over Naruto’s shoulder and noted the darkened words ‘Or Else’ that stood out.

“Oh well. We better eat before we are late right niisan?” Naruto sat at one chair forgetting their sister’s threat.

The smell made Mouka’s stomach let out a lion’s growl. In a flash, both boys where inhaling the breakfast prepared by their sister before they start the day as official genins of Team Zero. They would need all the energy they can get. Quickly they finished their meal off, washed the dishes and dashed out in ten minutes.

The village was starting to stir as the boys sped through the street to their destination past vendors and their stalls. The training ground itself was rarely used and away from the majority of the others. Possibly, the fact no jonin-sensei had chosen this training ground because it was only about two hundred meters from the notorious Area 44, affectionately know as the Forest of Death. The clearing had a lone figure leaning against a tree waiting for their arrival.

“Hello, Mouka-kun, Naruto-kun.” Raikoh waved them over to where he was. “I am glad you are both here.”

“Sorry, Raikoh-sa...sensei, woke up late.” Mouka quickly corrected himself to assure Raikoh that he understood yesterday’s talk. “What are we doing for our first as Team Zero, sensei?”

The black haired man nodded with a smile but frowned inwardly at the quick correction of his former student but couldn’t hold it against him. Naruto either didn’t noticed or he was keeping it to himself the correction his brother made. No pointing in emphasizing the heighten emotions from before since the first meeting of this Minamoto Raikoh.

“As you know, I am your new sensei, Minamoto Raikoh. Normally, a genin test would been done to see if you are worthy being shinobis. Since that you both had been genin for awhile. A test would not be needed.” Raikoh explained as he walked towards the middle of the training ground. “From what hokage-dono told me along with reports of your training and missions. Both of you have slowly obtained that of a low level chunin working on taijutsu, kenjutsu and ninjutsu regularly?”

“Hai, Raikoh-sensei. My brother taught me a lot. Such as the short blade for kenjutsu.” Naruto grinned at his new sensei then at his brother. “We learned much as we can and train as much. We just suck at genjutsu because of our...friends. So we don’t bother trying. We can counter genjutsu, that’s about it.”

The black haired sensei nodded at Naruto’s brief summary and smiled. “Very good. The hokage also told me that you are pretty good at both ninjutsu and kenjutsu correct?” He waited for confirmation and received nods, he continued. “We’ll be training in three areas; kenjutsu then elemental training followed by ninjutsu.”

“What we don’t get to learn new jutsu or something cool!?”Naruto yelled loudly that caused Mouka to wince. “Come on Raikoh-sensei!”

Raikoh shook his head while scratching the back of his head at Naruto’s complaint. At least that’s how he remembered. The blond demon container of the fox was always eager while Mouka just stared on.

“Calm down Naruto. We will get to it.” Raikoh raised his hand in emphasis that complaining will not get Naruto closer to his goal. “Since you guys have not started training with two handed swords. So I decided we will start today on it. Then we will learn of your affinity in the elements. From there we can focus on ninjutsu.”

“Why? Why not just teach us a new jutsu?” Naruto crossed his arm and pouted. “Shouldn’t we be learning that first.”

“To become Chunin or Jonins, it’s a good idea to learn a weapon other than kunai or shuriken. This would help you Naruto in becoming Hokage.” Raikoh lectured as he stopped at the middle of training ground with the two genins. “Afterward, learning your elemental affinity which in turn help you become better at performing ninjutsu amongst other things. Do you understand Naruto, Mouka?”

“Not really...you lost me at beginning.” Naruto laughed weakly while he rubbed the back of his neck embarrassingly. “Umm..nii-san. Do you know what he means?”

“To me it sounds like train, learn and train some more?” Mouka guessed since he only trained in taijutsu and a bit of kenjutsu with Raikoh. His other memories from his original life about training with Raikoh was muddled and vague. The only the words that stand out in his mind was ‘pain, more pain and even more pain’ for some reason which caused Mouka to involuntary shudder.

“Something the wrong Mouka?” The dark haired sensei noticed the white and blond haired genin tremble as was shaking off cold water.

“Nothing.” Mouka shook his head of the thoughts. “Just thinking of something earlier.”

The new sensei shrugged it off. He revealed a scroll that had a red edge to it from his left scroll pockets on his pants. The two young teens were curious when their sensei unfurled the scroll on the ground in front of them. Raikoh bit his right thumb to draw blood before he slammed his hand down on the scroll. “Kai!”

Three puffs of smoke blinded their view just for a moment. The smoke dissipated to show Raikoh standing behind two large wooden swords with pointed end into the ground, a third wooden sword held in his hand.

Upon closer inspection through the smoke Mouka noticed they looked like Chinese broadswords while Naruto was wide eyes. “Look at those!!!” Naruto went over to a massive wooden replica sword and tried to pick it up with one hand then both. It took a bit of time before he removed it from the ground. All the muscle in Naruto’s body strained while holding the wooden sword at waist level. “What the hell!? This thing weighs a ton?!”

“What? Couldn’t be.” Mouka raised an eyebrow at Naruto’s scowl. “Okay let me try.”

Mouka walked over to his wooden broadsword replica . He gripped the wooden handle and pulled hard. It only moved very slightly.

‘What the heck? It’s just a piece of wood.’ Mouka furrowed his brows thinking what was going on. ‘Try again I guess.’

Now with both hands firmly gripped onto the handle of the wooden broadsword. The arm muscles strained as he pulled up hard as he gritted his teeth. The wooden sword slowly shifted from its position until it came out of the earth.

“What..the...”Mouka panted as he lowered the blade end of his wooden sword on the ground. “...heck?!” The same thing with Naruto as he huffed a few times after only holding the sword for a minute before letting the bladed end of his sword rest on the ground. Raikoh shook his head while Mouka stared a moment at his sensei before he shouted. “How will going to use these?!? These weigh bloody more than us?!”

Raikoh chuckled then rubbed the back of his head giving a embarrassed smile. “Oh, I only put on two seals on the replicas for our benefit. One, keep the swords from being destroyed when we use them in sparring. Don’t think our hokage appreciate we cut down half a mile of forest just to replace wooden swords we destroy like the last time.” Mouka winced a bit while Naruto blinked, caught off-guard with the comment ‘last time’. The dark haired sensei went into a thoughtful pose. “The other thing is both of you have chakra weights on the swords. So, I have set it at about two hundred pounds for each sword.”

“WHAT!!!”Both brothers screamed at the candor explanation from their teacher causing him to cringe.

“I am here you know? Don’t have to be like that.”The tall black haired sensei quickly shrugged off their complaint from Naruto and Mouka in a dismissive wave. The two boys gaped at the sensei’s nonchalant reply.

“Let’s get started now.” Raikoh instructed as lifted his own wooden replica sword with ease and pointed at each of them. “You will carry your swords at all times only at these training ground unless I say otherwise and during our training.”

“There are four sword stance each with its only strengths and weaknesses for differing situations.” Raikoh dropped into a shoulder wide stance with sword out front at forty-five degree upward angle with both hands. “This is the first one you learn is called Balance of Nature or Shizenhousoku.”

The wooden sword swung up parallel as the experienced swordsman took a stepped forward pretending to deflect an attack on his upper body region. He came to a stop in a wider than shoulder stance only standing bit lower on bent knees. The wooded sword was now just above Raikoh’s head slightly angled downward and forward across his body. “This is the Diving Eagle Stance or the Kyuukouka Washi.”

In a single swift movement, Raikoh stepped forward slashing downwards with his wooden sword and stopped. His stance was similar to the neutral one except the swords was now angled downwards in front of him with his eyes still looking forward. “This is called Coiling Snake stance or the Maku Hebi.“

The sensei now turned his body ever slightly to the right. The wooden practice sword was swung behind him with both hands still now ended up behind Raikoh’s body in the same downwards position. “This is the final stance called Sweeping Dragon Tail or Sousha Ryu Koutan.”

“You will be doing this stances until I believe you are fluid with them. As I have said before each has strengths and weaknesses for attacking or defending.” Raikoh dropped from his stance to look at the two boys. “First warm up, fifty pushups, fifty sit-ups and sixty laps. Now get to it.”

The two boys groaned and did as they were told for the warmup. It took a couple hours for them to complete the warmup with the wooden swords on their backs adding to the weight on their bodies. After a short break they attempted the stances for half an hour before tiring very quickly until Mouka fell on his back panting heavily. “How...how?”

“I don’t get it why need something this heavy?”Naruto said not fully understanding as he crossed his arm before plopping down on the ground next to his brother. “How we supposed to do these stances even we can barely lift our swords after our warmup?”

The swordsman sensei only sighed at Naruto’s complaint and realized that they a bit of motivation to get going again.

“Listen carefully right now.”The seriousness of their sensei’s voice now drew their attention immediately. They stared into unblinking dark orbs that locked onto their own ensuring that no distraction from what he going to talk about. “I made them heavy for a reason. I want you be able protect your friends and family. These swords represent part of becoming stronger as shinobi. As long you can hold a sword, a weapon, perform a jutsu, or even fight back with your own body you will be able to protect yourselves and those you care about. Even your body is screaming in pain. As soon you let your sword down from being tired during battle or simply stop fighting, you will fail and die. Those you care about will also die.”

“The swords will help you become stronger physically and mentally. As long you can hold your sword and not let it drop. It is a sign you are not willing to stop protecting.” Raikoh said as he placed his own sword tip down. “I want you to be able swing your sword without tiring. In a long battle you will need all your strength against your enemies.”

“The sword represents our strength, Right Raikoh-sensei?” Mouka attempted again to raise his replica sword. “As long we have strength...”

“...never stop, never give up.”Naruto went wide-eyes when he finally realized what Raikoh meant.

“That’s right, when you are fighting with others, they will depend on you.” Raikoh said proudly of his student realizing that fact. “Tomorrow we will be meeting some people concerning what you just learned.” He noticed that Naruto had a large grin, happy for learning something valuable while Mouka made a genuine smile that Raikoh remembered a long time ago.

“I am glad you realized that importance. Are you going to stop?” Raikoh made a wide grin and raised his own wooden sword and fell into the Balance of Nature Stance. Both students nodded ‘no’ and mimicked their teacher. “Let’s try it again.”

---

They were still rough on the stances though slowly improving as they went through the movements from one to the next. It wasn’t until after lunch of raman and udon that they finally started basic sparring with each of the stances. As their sensei put it, practice makes perfect. By the day was over the two teens limped home in a tired and sore manner. Practice swords were sealed in scrolls so they were not discovered by anyone what they were learning. The fewer people the better. Naruto was a bit stubborn about it learning something and wanted to try it out. In the end, Raikoh bribed the blonde haired container with ramen later and the reasoned that it was to their advantage to them if nobody knew.

A single figure sat in the kitchen waiting impatiently for something to happen. A pair of brown eyes scanned the area until they rested on a pot sitting on stove. Steam billowed out as its contents kept warm until eaten. She wasn’t too happy as the time was getting late. They were supposed to be back by dinner.

‘What the heck could they be up to? They better not be pulling pranks right now.’ Tenten groaned inwardly problems, but they did promise to keep it at least the minimum. ‘I hope nothing happened to them...’

The brown haired sister was drawn out of her thoughts when she heard the front door open. She was angry they didn’t let her know they were going to be late and made her worry about her only family. The Uzumaki female got up and walked into the livingroom area to meet them and then scold her two brothers for making her worried.

She gasped at the sight of the two male Uzumakis that stumbled through the front door. “What happened to you two!”

The first through the door was the blonde haired brother. His hair was matted in dirt and blood along with the rest of his body. Tired zombie eyes were focused on one location and one location only. He ignored the question from Tenten as he shuffled to one end of the sofa in their livingroom. Without a word, Naruto’s body flopped forward and to land faced down. Not far behind was her blonde and white haired brother in the same condition as Naruto. He had scratches, blood and bruises everywhere on him. The young teen slouched as he moved tiredly to a single seat couch next to the sofa. He turned and plopped down letting out a groan from his mouth

“Can’t move...”Naruto moaned out. “Pain everywhere.”

“Pain, death, torture.” Mouka gurgled out from his throat. “Not human.”

“Who did this to you?” Tenten asked again. Nobody should be like this, especially a sensei to their student. Now she had second thoughts. “Don’t tell me it was your new sensei.” She growled out.

“Come on guys, it was not that bad?” Another figure appeared in the archway leading into the living room his dark brown eyes looked at each unmoving body only to land on a lone female in the room. “Uzumaki Tenten? Nice to meet you.”

“You did this to them!” Tenten let out her anger along with some killer intent. “What are you think of you doing to them?” The female Uzumaki took a threatening step forward. Her eyes were blazing in anger,

Sensed he was in great danger, the man looked at his two male students and realized that they weren’t in the condition to help him. Okay maybe he went a tad overboard. The black haired Raikoh startled by the angered female, he took a step back and raised both hands in defense.

“Umm...sorry?” The black haired sensei winced at the glare the girl gave him. He needed to calm the girl down quickly when he saw her reach for something. Something possibly very sharp from what the brothers told him. “Excuse me. Tenten...?”

“How do you know my name.” The female sibling stopped in her tracks when she heard her name. Her hand stopped but didn’t stop glaring. “I am waiting.”

“Oh...well...Your brothers told me a quite a bit of you.” Raikoh smiled and nodded to the two prone bodies. “They are very happy to have you as their sister that supports them.”

The brown haired girl blushed at his comments and made a small smile. “I hope to be good to them as they showed me. What family means.”

“They are definitely unique. Willing to go far because they want to protect all.” Raikoh relaxed a bit when she smiled. “You should be proud of them to take on a challenge.”

“I am proud of what they are to me. My family.” Tenten stepped in between the two lying boys. She can hear light snoring that emitted from them. She gave a slight sigh then smiled. “They are something to treasured.”

“I guess you can take it from here?” The black haired man smiled as he stepped out of the door. “Don’t forget to remind them to come to Training Ground Seven, tell them not to eat breakfast.”

“Okay, next time tell me if your going to train like this. I made homemade ramen. Damned they are too tired to even eat because of you!” Tenten now glared at their sensei who began slowly backing out the door.

“Anyways, don’t forget to tell them about their meeting with the other team.” Raikoh quickly replied. “Bye.” He waved before he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

“Hey wait...darn, I wanted his autograph,” Tenten sighed. ‘Why does he not want them to eat anyways?’ The dark haired girl mulled for a bit before shoving it out of her mind. “Oh well. Mokie-kun and Naru-kun can eat the ramen later for lunch or something.”

The brown haired sister went and gotten blankets from the downstairs closet and put one over each. She smiled lovingly at both her brothers.

She heard Naruto whisper. “Ramen, you are yummy.” She giggled at the words then she kissed his forehead lightly. She went to Mouka and heard him mumble out. “I am so sorry Sakura-chan, my love.”

Tenten saw the pained expression across his features. It was something she wished never to fall upon her sibling, she can only watch. Her heart clenched tightly at his words and his restless sleep.

“Mokie-kun, your heart hurts and I wish I could help somehow?” Tenten whispered out before she gently touched his face before kissing his forehead. “I will help you anyway I can.” Tenten quietly got up then before heading to her own room. She glanced back at the sleeping form of Mouka and left him to his restless dreams.

---

The night sky sparkled with stars that began to spread out, the dark haired sensei made a slight smile thinking of his encounter with the Uzumaki female. She was something that the two brothers needed and she needed them. A family of sorts they required. Raikoh shudder at the thought of the elder sister and her mood swing. Why are women always like that he will never understand. Nope. That was one of life’s mystery other than not piss one off, especially a kunoichi from his own experiences. He gave a sad smile at his own situation with one particular kunoichi then Mouka and Naruto in similar situation. Maybe one day. Just maybe, he will be whole again one day. As would Naruto and Mouka. Raikoh continued his walk back home.

---

Slowly, he opened his eyes only to find the livingroom furniture with a blanket over him. The curtains were drawn close letting only a single slit of light through. Standing up slowly, his body felt it went through a meat grinder then yesterday’s events came back to him.

‘The was painful as hell.’ Mouka grumbled to himself. ‘No wonder Raikoh-sensei had a wide grin.’

“Well, he did want to prepare your brother and you for upcoming event.” A low squawk came from his mind. “So quit complaining, no pain, no gain fledgling.”

‘That’s easy for you to say.’ Mouka thought sarcastically. ‘You are inside me.’

“Not my fault you know.” The ancient being responded back. “You know this needs to be done. Anyways, someone is coming.”

‘Yeah. Yeah. Got it.’ The tired teen looked to see a blanket haphazardly on the floor next to the sofa. ‘Naruto?’

“Mokie-kun. You’re up!” A cheerful voice caught the attention of the Uzumaki male. “Naruto’s up and taking a shower.”

“Hey sis. ‘Bout last night.” The nervous boy rubbed the back of his neck. “Umm...sorry?”

A sign of confusion spread across the older sibling wondering what the younger was talking about. Then it hit her on the head. She nodded with a smile. “Sorry for what? You sensei more or less explained things.”

Mouka relaxed at her smile. That’s good meaning no angry sister with sharp weapons running after him or Naruto.

“Besides, think you get enough punishment from our own spars do you think Mokie-kun?” Tenten gave a mischievous smile that Mouka noticed began to sweat a bit. “By the way, Naru-kun is taking much needed shower and change of clothes. You need to do the same as well Mokie. Your smell probably could attract vultures miles away.”

“Ah, come on Sis, I don’t smell that bad!” Mouka exclaimed.

Immediately, Tenten glared the ‘Don’t argue with me look!’ at her younger brother. The white and blonde haired boy was about to complain only to see ‘that look’ from his sister.“Fine, fine. Sis...I will take a shower after Naruto when he’s done.” Mouka pouted and mumbled. “Geez...so fussy.”

“What did you say my dear brother?” Tenten’s brown eyes narrowed dangerously. “I hope you are not complaining are WE?” She said sweetly that sounded a little too innocent that screamed run for your life or else.

Fearing for his well-being, Mouka slowly shifted away from the female and nodded furiously before he dashed up the stairs only to hear the cackling laughter of his older sister. He reached the main bathroom in record time to see spike of pure blonde hair emerged from it in his trademark orange jumpsuit.

Blue eye held confusion for a moment as he saw his brother hurriedly come in his direction and then heard Tenten’s evil laugh from downstair before it went quiet. “What was that?”

“She’s evil I tell you. Evil.” Mouka pouted as he headed for his bedroom. “How can Sis be nice than being so evil the next in under a second?”

“I have no idea. You do something wrong again?” Naruto stared at the state of his brother’s clothing and sighed. “Let me guess. The smell from you is what got you in trouble isn’t it?”

“I don’t smell that...” Mouka stopped before he enter his bedroom. “Wait? How you know?”

“Um...I had the same conversation with nee-chan earlier.” Naruto sheepishly scratched his head and grinned. “She can be very scary too.”

Mouka sighed and walked into his bedroom to grab clean clothing from his closet. Yellow, yellow and more yellow. He quickly made his way to the main bathroom that Naruto vacated earlier. The tired teen stripped out his formerly bright yellow clothes that turned a dull dirty brown with blood in them. He turned on the tap and let it run while he gather his dirty clothes into the hamper. Stepping into the shower, Mouka let the lukewarm water cascade down his weary body as yesterday’s exercise caught up with him. The dirt and blood melted away under soapy water as he washed himself.

An audible growl emitted from his stomach calling for breakfast as he showered. He quickly dried himself and dressed. A faded yellow sleeveless shirt that was a shade still too bright with a leaf symbol in green on the front with a white swirl on the back and a pair of dull orange pants for today’s outfit. At least he wouldn’t look like a complete lemon of a ninja. Even though Tenten asked a few times regarding the choice of color. Naruto lied that they simply liked a lot of orange and yellow. She thought it was creepy but didn’t question further, truth of the fact nobody sold them anything else other than worthless clothing because they were after all the ‘demons’ and simply accused them of stealing. Even worse, had the old weapons dealer friend sold items to them, he would been accused of being ‘demon sympathizer’, be ostracized by the community and ninja. Even lose his business because of higher ups. They weren’t going to risk their friend’s lively hood or reputation.

---

The kitchen was pretty quiet when he first entered. On one side was Naruto pouting at the person across the table with arm-crossed in silence. Blue eyes glared at the person across from him before his stomach grumbled loudly briefly breaking the silence. The person that sat across from the blonde shot glances at him before turning her attention to the new person in the kitchen. A typical family scene in some sense to the newcomer. The person noticed one thing from his perspective which he finally noticed as he looked around the kitchen.

“Um...where’s the breakfast Sis?” Mouka finally spoken.

“Nee-chan didn’t make any because she said we shouldn’t eat anything.” Naruto half-glared then pouted again. “I told her I was hungry but she said don’t eat anything.”

“No noodle...? Come on Sis.” Mouka asked when looked at his brown haired adoptive sister with puppy dog eyes. “Naruto’s hungry and I am so...hungry. ”

“No you can’t.” Tenten sighed as she watched as Mouka use the puppy-look no jutsu followed by Naruto brimming in fake tears. “I am not trying to mean or anything. Come on...don’t give me that look. Your sensei told me to do so.”

“Eh...?” Naruto cocked his head when Raikoh was mentioned made him look like a curious puppy instead. “Wha’cha mean?”

“Raikoh-sensei mentioned something about meeting at Training Field Seven. Also something about eating this morning will make you throw up if you did.” Tenten shrugged about the intention of their sensei. “Before you ask, he didn’t say what it was.” She stopped Naruto just as he open his mouth to ask.

“We should still eat you know.” Mouka huffed at the thought of not eating in the morning. “I rather be full than being hungry.”

“Are you going to disobey Raikoh-sensei?” Tenten said sternly tapping her right feet. “You would get into major trouble. So the answer is still no.”

“Come on nee-chan!!! You want us to starve!!!” Naruto whined and pouted. “”We can’t survive without eating something this morning.”

“He’s right you know? Besides kinda hard to work with all the noise.” Mouka piped in after Naruto. “You want to hear our stomachs growl all morning by denying us breakfast or not?”

“What noise?” The brown haired sister said before she bit her lower lip deciding if they should be allowed to eat something at least. The two boys went back to their large puppy-eyed begging. ‘They should make it a forbidden jutsu.’ Tenten mulled over her decision. ‘Why me? They know me to well.’ Her resolve was crumbling looking at their faces and the weird logic they presented. A large growl that sound like a thunderstorm broke Tenten’s train of thought.

“Fine...fine...you can eat some noodles from last night.” Tenten sighed in response. At the moment both boys jumped and cheered at their victory. “One bowl only. One okay.”

“Thank you nee-chan! Sis!” Mouka and Naruto hugged their sister in a big hug that nearly turned her blue.

“Let...go so I can heat up our breakfast.” Tenten chuckled as they released her, they never seemed tired of noodles. When they grow up, she doubt that would change either. She wouldn’t have it any other way would she? Nope, definitely not.

---

The three Uzumakis ate their breakfast and cleaned up after themselves. It was still early as they headed towards the appointed training ground for the meeting. Naruto began to argue with Mouka which noodle was better, ramen or udon. The conversation was loud and boisterous that Tenten could only roll her eyes at. She hoped it didn’t disturbed the residences that have waken yet. Somehow, she only hoped so.

“Um...nee-chan?” Naruto stopped his ramen comparison with Mouka to see Tenten following behind them. “Why are you coming with us again?”

“Well, I have a day off today. Just wanted to see what my two favorite brothers will be doing today.” Tenten mused at scenarios that their sensei could be cooking up just like when she started with her team. Pure torture. “Beside...I still need his autograph!!!” Tenten’s made anime eyes that twinkled like sparkling stars with a huge grin.

“How she do that?” Mouka blinked a few times from the brightness. Naruto only shrugged and continued walking again as the other two followed.

As they moved along a couple streets, there were a few citizen out this early. Most heading to work or opening shops for the day. She was broken out of her musing to see stares at her then glares at her brothers? That didn’t seem right, for pulling pranks. They haven’t done anything for awhile and they did promise to keep it at a minimum.

‘Why they glaring at them? What they do?’ Tenten thought angrily before glaring right back at the some citizens daring to continue. ‘I even heard few times ‘demons’ and ‘monsters’ for no reason other than pranking, but those pranks are harmless.’

She continued to follow behind her two adoptive brothers and kept watch over them. She glared anyone down if they did so or occasionally flashed a kunai as a warning. ‘I really need to why the citizen glare. It’s not right.’ Tenten thought over reasons for the hostile behavior when ever it shown. ‘No reason for them to. Mouka and Naruto won’t tell me why but they say past pranks are the reasons.’

The three family members approached the designated area and past the wooden archway that lead into the training grounds. The training grounds are normally surrounded by woods provided stealth training or secluded training spot. There was a small wooden bridge that spanned over a small running stream from a small pond to the north and ran south that eventually connected to a larger river that flowed in the direction of the Kohona Central Park. In the middle of the training ground were three wooden posts.

The three could see four figures waiting off by the side in the shade of the tress. Naruto recognized one of them immediately and began to wave wildly.

“Hinata-chan.” Naruto shouted loudly before jogging off to meet her.

Tenten chuckled and followed Naruto. Mouka slowed a bit, glancing at the other two members. One of the male genin had short spiky dark hair with hands in his coat pocket. Black shades and high collar covered almost his entire face leaving it obscured. Even in the warm weather, the dark haired boy worn long-sleeve jacket and dark blue pants with a bandage wrapped around right thigh. It didn’t seem he didn’t have any weapons. Then looks can be deceiving.

‘Hmm...What’s his name. Sano? Kino? No.’ Mouka observe a couple more second. ‘Now I remember! The quiet one, Shino of the Abrume clan, bug users all.’ Mouka shudder a bit at what they could do with their creepy crawlers. The other boy on Hinata’s team had a small white dog sitting next to the male. A heavy brown coat and black shinobi pants were worn with a weapon holsters strapped on to his left leg while his right had a bandage wrapped around his thigh.

The Abrume stood there stoically not give away any sign of emotions, just a simple nod when Naruto and family approached. A large smile appeared on the blonde’s face as he hugged the violet-haired beauty who turned bright red at the touch. Mouka could only shake his head at his brother’s actions then smiled. The sister on the other hand giggled at the moment. This made Naruto blush when he realized what he was doing.

“Eep.” Hinata yelped at the contact in surprise. The action didn’t go unnoticed by the other male genin who lowly growled that caused Mouka to glance twice warily in the direction. “H..h..hello Naruto-kun. H..how you doing?”

“I’m fine Hinata-chan. How about you?” Naruto said happily ignoring the look from her other teammates for a moment. “Hey all.”

“I...was wondering...what we doing?” Hinata shyly stuttered while she tapped her two pointed fingers together. “Kunerai-sensei didn’t say.”

“Neither did our sensei. Actually, we didn’t know to come here until this morning.” Naruto scratched his head sheepishly while he grinned. “If it’s a challenge. I will meet it head on!” The hyper-active blonde shouted with a fist in the air.

“Calm down blondie, too early in the morning.” The boy that was quiet for awhile mumbled. “Probably something insignificant and stupid that even the baka could do.”

“What you say dog-boy?” The blonde nin stopped his cheer to glare. “Say that again?”

“What you say? You heard me before baka!” The other male genin of Hinata’s team glared back while his companion whimpered at the rising voice. “You and your brother must have done something to cause this.”

“Kiba-kun, they...they did do anything.” Hinata quietly tried to intervene between the arguing males.

“At least I know it can be done better than you can doggy breath.” The blonde jabbed back at the other boy named Kiba.

The two males began snarling in each other’s faces and throwing insults at each other. The bug user stood their without moving since they showed up. Though a worried looked crossed Hinata’s face as it seemed the two males were about to come to blows. The blonde and white haired young teen only sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Owwww!!!” They shouted in unison stopped the bickering of Kiba and Naruto as both males were clutching their heads. Hinata giggled at Tenten’s action as she stood in between the two boys wielding a glare with fist over each head.

“You didn’t have to do that Sis, besides dog breath deserved it.” Mouka said nonchalantly as possible until he looked at his sister. “Something the wrong?”

“You want some of this too Mokie.” Tenten said as her left eyebrow twitched in glare. “Or do we need another example of when to be quiet?” At that moment, Mouka thought ‘Mommy’ as he visibly gulped until a presence moved next to him.

“She is right. Pointless to argue until we know the facts.” Shino mentioned at the fact nobody knew the purpose of being at Training Ground Seven.

As Mouka was going to say something he faintly felt another presence entering the area but didn’t show it. Pretending to look around at the training ground he saw a mop of pink hair coming quickly.

“Sakura-chan!!!” Mouka shouted as he quickly waved to the young girl. She seemed to hesitate for a moment before waving back.

She slowed down a bit as to look over the group before she walked over. The pink haired girl wore a red dress trimmed in white cut at the side for movement and bicycle shorts underneath. A white circle was also on the front and back. Most importantly she had the soft red feather tied into her hair. There was no dark haired boy in her sight. The bubble-gum hair girl frowned inwardly that he was not there yet and she was early. Her mother forced her out the door early and Sakura didn’t argue, the reasons she knew very well that sent slight shivers through her body.

‘I hate it. Sasuke-kun not around and why are the other team here?’ Sakura thought. ‘Mom wanted me out pretty early so not be late for my team meeting.’

‘Why didn’t you eat anything before you left?’ Inner Sakura said with a large snarling anime head. ‘And why are they here and no Sasuke-kun?’

‘Why do you always butt in?’ Sakura retorted back. ‘You know why, besides, not eating this morning was sensei’s order. Anyways, I am on a diet, eventually Sasuke-kun will fall for us because our looks.’

‘At least Ino-piggy is not here. Cha!’ Inner Sakura did a small dance. ‘Sasuke-will be all ours because our beauty!’ Inner Sakura went to pose in front of a silver mirror in a fancy pink and red kimono.

‘I am just afraid if Sasuke-kun found out my secret.’ Sakura sighed inwardly. ‘I would lose him.’

‘One, I think things will work out in the end.’ Inner Sakura said absentmindly. ‘Though something not what you expect I think. Even I am not sure.’ Inner Sakura replied the last part more quietly before she cut off the link. Inner Sakura turned to see a door in silver. She reached out to touch the light only to frown and smile at the glimpses she caught.

Back in the real world, Sakura was wondering why her Inner Sakura cut the link so abruptly. Well it didn’t matter for now other than the mention of a steel door in her mind.

The blonde and white haired boy saw the red feather in her hair and smiled. Sakura looked a bit more exotic now then before. Only a fool would missed that. He noticed that his crush involuntary shivered and quickly ran up to the girl. “Hey Sakura-chan! You alright?” Not really thinking, Mouka put a hand her forehead to see if she had a cold. It wasn’t chilly that morning. Still you never know. “Sakura-chan...?

“Ahhh.” Sakura jumped back a little that startled Mouka. “What were you doing pervert!!!” She pointed accusingly at Mouka a large vein popped out of her forehead. The rest of the group did anime sweat drop and started at Sakura’s big head jutsu.

“Ehh...” Mouka stepped back for his only safety before he grinned. “Well you kinda looked dazed or cold. Thought you caught something.”

“Oh.” Sakura overreacted. The Uzumaki brother only wanted to see if she was okay. She was out for a couple minutes and wasn’t used to being touched by anyone except her parent or hope a certain boy. Still she find the blond and white haired boy in front of her with a large grin kinda sweet when he is not shouting or running around with his brother Naruto. “Sorry, just thinking Mouka. Do you know why we are here?”

“Nadda. Just told to come here by my Sis.” Mouka pointed at his sister Tenten for the reason Naruto and him to be at the training ground. “Hinata-chan also said her sensei asked them to meet here also.”

“Let’s join with the others and guess wait.” Sakura shrugged and walked off to join the rest while Mouka kinda stared as her hips swayed slighty. ‘Geeze, get a grip Mouka.’ The demonic bird container mentally slapped himself before joining the rest of the genin.

Fifteen minutes of waiting, another figure appeared on the Training Ground Seven. The Uzumaki brothers recognize the dark blue outfit immediately as he approached. The last of the Uchiha clan and prodigy Sasuke. To Mouka, the person was a friend of sorts and still is if you can count the rivalry that have started in Academy. Too much attention seemed to make the young Uchiha go into his cold shell. Naruto noticed this first and told his brother Mouka what was slowly happening from their younger days. Nothing seemed to work except sparring or competitions.

“Sasuke-kun!!! You finally came!!!” Sakura screamed and ran up to her dark haired crush forgetting everyone else. Mouka just shook his head sadly. She still doesn’t want to remember them and only keeping him at arms length.

“Hn.” Sasuke said only in return. Dark eye glanced at the group that gathered on the grounds to see the two Uzumakis then saw someone he didn’t know. A girl wearing a Chinese styled shirt in light red and green pants stood with the two blonde boys. “So the dobe and dead-last are here as well along with dog-boy. Who’s the girl with them?” The dark haired avenger said cooly.

“Sasuke-kun! Do you know what’s going on?” Sakura said sweetly trying to gain his attention by moving in front of him. “Nobody knows what’s going on.”

“I have no idea so get out the way.” Sasuke stepped around the annoying pinked haired girl not noticing that she was hurt by his cold actions but didn’t care, though Mouka was incensed by his actions. “You, just like everyone are dead weight.”

“Dumb-ass! You arrogant bastard!” Mouka stomped up shouting loudly. “She was just asking you a question!” Next thing you know, he was sitting on the ground rubbing his head. “Ow! Sakura-chan has a mean strength.” ‘That’s the truth to.’ Mouka winced at the thought of Sakura being Supergirl or something.

“What you say? Mouka-baka, don’t talk to Sasuke-kun like that.” Sakura stood over the poor Uzumaki brother with menacing glare forgetting her depressed state. “Care to repeat it?”

“What you say Mouka-baka!?!” Cold dark eyes turned to sky blue ones. Neither flinched at the stare off. “Care to say it again.”

“You heard me ducky...Of course not going to say it again with Sakura. You and me, right here, right now” Mouka shouted forgetting that his pink haired crush was standing over him still fuming.

He stood up only to cringe at the killer intent coming from a certain female behind him. “On second thought.” He bolted off followed by Sakura.

“Get back here!!! You are not going to harm Sasuke-kun.” A screaming angry female was dangerous, especially a kunoichi.

Sasuke ignored the two genins to go back to observing the rest of the group. In particular, the unknown female that came with the two brothers. Naruto shook his head while his brother was being chased around by the pink haired genin. The Hyuuga female glanced between Kiba and Naruto as they began to argue again about who was better. The stoic bug user was just that. Stoic while he watched everything going around himl.

---

Not far from the genins up in a trees were three figures that observed the group of genins interact with each other. They noticed the third team member of Team Seven had just entered the training ground. A dark haired female beauty with piercing red eyes wearing a battle kimono that stop at thigh level. Her arms were wrapped with bandages as with her thighs. She quickly glanced at her team before observing the others especially the two Uzumakis and their sister.

“What an interesting team you have Raikoh-san.” The dark haired woman spoke first, her eyes never leaving the scene below. It looks like Naruto and Kiba are in a stare down that might come to blows while Mouka was still running around in a circle from angry female.

“They are unique and will go along ways for sure.” The dark haired teacher replied as he too intently watched the family of three.

“That’s an understatement sempai. Though well said.” The silver haired jonin chuckled never bother looking away from his little naughty orange book. Then he heard a low growl coming from his right followed by intense killer intent.

“Kakashi, if you don’t put that away...” The black haired beauty said menacingly. “We have more important things.”

“Right....” Kakashi looked up at Kunerai and sweat drop at her scary glare that was sent his way. He quickly put his precious book into his kunai pouch fearing of the consequences to his hobby while Raikoh only shook his head then smiled.

Just like old times. Almost. Raikoh only sighed at the scene next to him and the one down below. It was something they should be doing and not having to worry about war, death or struggles. He smiled at the two.

“Okay. I think it’s time, shall we?” Raikoh interrupted the two jonins.

”Hai sempai!” Both turned in unison as they both disappeared in puffs of smoke. A faint smile graced his lips. It was like old times. Almost. The former swordsman disappeared in a whirl of leaves. Someday it will it will like it used to be.

---

Glossary

Kage Sakura Fubuki no Jutus - Shadow Sakura Blizzard Technique

Balance of Nature - neutral sword stance (medium attack + strong defense) Shizenhousoku

Diving Eagle - high sword stance (strong attack + weak defense) Kyuukouka Washi

Sweeping Dragon Tail - low sword stance (strong attack + weak defense) Sousha Ryu Koutan

Coiling Snake - low sword stance (weak attack + medium defense) Maku Hebi

A/N:So how was this update? Tried to link them together from one to the next. How do you like the short fight scene, a bit dry? Might revise it later for a better one. How do you like his reasoning for leaving Kohona? So what was Raikoh’s price? Anyone figure out the female from the previous and linked into this chapter connected to Raikoh? There will more connection later on for Raikoh and said kunoichi. What are the three jonins planning? How do you guys/gals like Tenten’s role in the story so far? She will a influence in things to come. In what capacity? Wait and find out. Until next time...What is the meaning of a team?