I am so happy for all the positive reviews along with the criticizing. Thank you guys so much for the support and telling me when I screw the hell up.

I can’ t improve on my own and I live to become perfect (it’s a tough role) so please continue!!!!

I know it’s been what? Seven months or so? Sorry. But hey the waiting’s over. Next chapter please.

Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto. Some other guy does…..

Survival Test

“What the hell is with waking ups up this early in the morning?” Shikamaru yawned referring to his sensei. Asuma had called them yesterday and demanded a team meeting at seven a.m. The lazy ninja would have still been asleep in bed had it not been for the fact that it was his mother who had actually talked to his sensei. Disobeying her was not something he did often, no matter how much of a drag it would be to carry out her orders.

“No idea but he better have a good explanation,” Ino growled. Shikamaru cast a look at her frazzled looking blonde. Compared to normal, Ino looked bad. Her hair was thrown up sloppily, clothes wrinkled, and the bags under eyes was a small indication that she was going to mouth of Asuma once they reached ground eight of the training ground. Chouji between the two didn’t say anything, but continued to munch his potato chips. If Shikamaru knew his friend a bag would be in his hand all day and he still had no idea where he kept them all.

Suddenly he stopped and narrowed his eyes. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and finally noticed that Ino had yet to shut up. Girls. “What’s up Chouji?” The male in question frowned, “I smell ramen, Miso ramen.” He turned and started walking in the opposite direction.

“Huh?” Ino finally turned around and registered what

Chouji said. “You pig where are you going? This is no time to be listening to your stomach!” Shikamaru sighed and went after Chouji. As soon as she realized that she’d insulted Chouji’s weight Ino gulped, but the boy didn’t notice. She wasn’t sure weight to curse her luck or be thankful for it as she began to follow Shikamaru.

When the two finally arrived Chouji was on the ground in tears as a more than half full box of Miso ramen lay open on the ground filled with bugs and beetles. As Chouji cried at the box Shikamaru became interested in the two sake bottles littering the Thero’s monument, a large kunai dedicated to the ninja killed in action during the Great War up until the attack of the nine tailed fox. The last name was the fourth Hokaga’s, Minato.

The bottle near the abandoned food was empty, but the other was clutched by gloved hands. The hands that belonged to the body passed out underneath the monument.

“Wow,” Ino whispered beside Shikamaru. “Is he dead?” Shikamaru shrugged and Chouji looked up. “He didn’t even get to finish his last meal.”

“We don’t know if he’s dead,” the chunin pointed out. He noticed the look the two gave him and he forced himself not to sigh at the situation. How many times had he done that this morning? He did however roll his eyes and mutter a troublesome before moving towards the limp frame. As he got closer he noticed it wasn’t an old man like the white hair had suggested, but a young male maybe a few years older than himself, and by the punched he was a leaf ninja. He was dressed in civilian clothes with no practical purpose in the field, the blue was to bright and the clothes too loose. Coming up he noticed the face was masked and eyes covered by a hand that lay across the face blocking the sun.

He saw the rise of the chest –barely- and thought of the worst case scenario, alcohol poisoning. “Troubleso-ah!”

As he’d reached out to touch him the teen had exploded in an upward motion grabbing his wrist and swinging him around. With a leg he’d swiped at his feet forcing him flat on his face and sat on his back. The had was gone from his wrist and replaced by a well placed floor covered in bandages on either arm. The free had reappeared at his neck with the vicious bite of a kunai. The other hand never dropped the flask of sake.

“Hey!” Shikamaru could see both of his friends pull out kunai, but stop at the threat to his life. The teen didn’t pay an attention as the one black eye swept the sky.

“Damn,” the word was just a whisper, but Shikamaru heard it as the teen abruptly got off of him and put the kunai away. “What the heck was that?!” Chouji grumbled as Shikamaru got to his feet. His only answer was a sharp glare from the teen as he pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to lessen the head ach Shika was sure he was to have.

“He’s a leaf ninja?” Ino gasped lowering her weapon. The teen didn’t make a sound as he rummaged in his pocket pulling out a bottle of pills. With two in his hand the teen gave them a weary stare before showing them his back as he slipped down the mask and put the pills on his tongue. Shika wrinkled his brow as the sake was used to help swallow the medication. Last time he checked missing alcohol-warm alcohol no less-and pills was not suggested. With a quick swallow the mask was put back on and he turned the bottle emptying the rest on the ground. He tossed the bottle without a care and the genius couldn’t help but wonder how he’d gotten it when he was clearly underage. The mask couldn’t hide that fact like it hid his face.

“Who are you?” Chouji’s question was unanswered as he put on his sandals and then took off into the trees.

“What the hell?” Ino grumbled. “Who was that guy?”

Shikamaru picked up the bottle. “Doesn’t matter. Let’s pick this trash up and get to Asuma sensei. He’s obliviously not going to do it,” Shikamaru had no desire to do any work, but he wasn’t going to leave the monument littered with trash.

Tsunade glanced at the wary teams sitting down in front of her on the grass. Gai’s tem and Kureani’s were the only ones there. She’d sent Jiraiya after Kakashi’s and they were waiting on Asumas to show. It didn’t matter if they’d show up or not if Kakashi didn’t. She’d made the decision not to set ANBU black up squads on watch, but the fact that he had yet to show made her question it. She shouldn’t have because as the thought crossed her mind to send a search party, the junin himself came out of the trees and into the clearing wearing white pants and a bright blue top that had light blue swirls mixed in with it. It didn’t match the green mask or the hentai-ate at all.

Had the situation been different Tsuande would have laughed at the looks the genin gave the male as he moved to stand beside Asuma.

“A my long-“ Asuma had to stifle Gai’s remark. One of which he was sure would end with “eternal rival”, they had tried to tell him that no one was suppose to give any indication of who Kakashi was before Tsuande could talk through it with the kids. Luckily Gai got the message and shut up. Asuma breathed deeply when his team arrived, disaster avoided.

“Asuma?” Shikamaru raised his eyebrows at the unexpected Hokaga and other teams. “Just sit down Shikamaru,” he removed his hand from Gai’s mouth and took a drag. “There’s something we need to discuss. All we’re waiting for is team seven.” Kakashi snorted gaining their attention.

“It’s that guy!” Ino pointed speaking lowly to Shikamaru.

“What guy?” Tenten looked at her as they sat down on the grass. “He was passed out under the monument and totally freaked out and attacked Shikamaru this morning on our way here.”

“Ah then he’s dangerous?” Lee asked pointedly cradling his fist in his open palm as his head bobbed up and down.

“Of course he’s dangerous the guys a ninja, look at the head band,” Kiba cut in with his sarcastic voice.

“It doesn’t matter,” Neji looked at them. “He’s here with the Fifth so we shouldn’t question him or his decisions.” The Hyuga crossed his arms.

“Hey Grandma Tsuande!” An orange blur whirled into the ground putting every ninja to their feet. Naruto barely stopped before tripping onto the woman. “Did you fix him? Where you able to to find a cure?” As Naruto rambled on Sakura and Sasuke appeared with Jiraiya, looking anxious. The Toad Sage was more interested in Kakashi’s reaction to the blonde blue eyed male. He was sure the boy was going to be shocked and he wasn’t disappointed.

Kakashi stood straight, his black eye wide as if someone had just told him Gai was a girl. “Mina-“ he left his voice to stray as his hands clenched and shook violently at his side. He had to close his eyes to bring himself under control. The blonde hair and blue eyes too much like Yondaimes had disturbed him. The fourth flashed throughout his mind, laughing, encouraging, and then all covered in blood.

“Naruto calm down!” At the sound of the males name Kakashi jerked his eyes open. It wasn’t Minato, it was his son Naruto. The vessel of the Nine Tailed Fox. Kakashi’s blood ran cold at the thought of his sensei’s killer. “Naruto get in line and we’ll discuss it.” Tsunade growled, putting her hand son her hip. Naruto go the point and stood near Shino. Kakashi had to stop himself from grabbing a kunai and ramming it through the blonde’s throat as he moved. It was so easy. And so tempting. He could avenge Minaoto and then die as he should…

“Alright!” Tsunade’s voice was booming and it stopped Kakashi from opening the pouch on his side. His hand was directly above it, but the male stopped and didn’t move before relaxing and letting it go. This wasn’t the place for an attack anyway. The boy had friends her, including the sanin. His eyes glanced towards the Fifth Hokage.

“Listen up,” her voice was loud and demanding. Kakshi watched amused as the genin and ven Gai snapped to attention. Tsuanade took a breath and sighed her voice calming down. “We have a problem with team seven. One of their team is terribly out of commission.”

Lee blinked before peaking over the line to look at Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. The blonde and pink haired of the group glanced at the ground while Sasuke looked on as if nothing was wrong. His face was completely impassive. “Just what I would expect out of my rival,” Lee thought. “Intensity that is solid even when your team faces hardships.” He nodded slightly before a thought occurred to him and he raised his voice.

“Permission to speak Lady Hokage,” Lee’s boosted standing at complete attention. Gai seemed pleased with this while the others looked at him funny for caring on a military like stance that wasn’t used in Hidden Villages any longer. Kakashi blinked twice before looking slightly between a beaming Gai and a questioning Lee. The similarities between the two was astounding and it freaked out the teen.

“Who allowed Gai to…pass on his genes? Let alone have sex with a female?” Kakashi thought as he slowly shook his head. This was definitely not something he expected.

“Um…” Tsunade seemed taken back by Lee’s usage, but she quickly regained her composure. “Permission granted, but Lee you really don’t have to ask that way.”

“Yes, forgive me Lady Hokage.” Kakashi was surprised the boy didn’t bow in apology. “I was wondering how it is that someone from team seven could be hurt when the members are standing right with us and seem to be absolutely fine. There appears to be nothing wrong.”

“Ah Lee,” Gai spoke up saving Tsunade the trouble. “Lee, Lee, Lee you disappoint me.” He crossed his arm over the green spandex. “There isn’t just three members of team seven, but instead four. Have you forgotten my eternal rival?”

Lee “Oh’d” dramatically and Kakashi fought the urge to puke or just put the boy out of his misery along with everyone elses.

“Forgive me Gai sensei! I should have known better it will be five hundred pushups when we are allowed to resume our training.” Lee seemed really sad now as he looked at the Hokage, “What happened to Kakashi sensei?”

Most in the group frowned at the prospect of something happening to the silver haired male. Neji didn’t like it at all, Kakashi was no push over and for him to be taken advantage of just proved how far they needed to go and train to become even more invincible than the Hatake nin had been. If Kakashi had died or was seriously injured than how much farther did he need to go to defeat the man who had taken him down?

“Team seven was returning from a mission two days ago when they were ambushed and Kakashi was put under tremendous pressure to save his team. Gai and Jiraiya were set on back up, but by the time they arrived the damage to Kakashi mentally and physically took its toile.”

Shino narrowed his eyes from behind his black glasses.

“Kakashi’s family carries a unique form of chakra that is not only white, but almost a living thing on its own. The chakra took control over his body and transformed him,” Tsunade paused this was the tricky part, “It pushed him back several years. As far as he’s concerned both mentally and physically the Ninja Wars just ended a year ago.” She made sure not to mention the fox with Naruto so close by. “Its what we believe to be a defense mechanism in his body for when his stress levels went over what he could handle.”

It didn’t surprise her when several of the genin raised eyebrows and Lee formed another question on his tongue. She decided the best course would be to cut him off. “Please hold your questions because I don’t understand how any of this was caused either. I’m sorry to say it but Kakashi will be in this stat until further notice. It’s hard to believe, but it’s the truth of the matter. Isn’t that right Kakashi?”

The group’s eyes fell to the male as Kakashi nodded.

“So if you’re Kakashi than what was with attacking Shikamaru huh?” Chouji spoke up. Kakashi looked his way with a bored expression. “Who?”

Asuma stepped in, “Chouji the last thing Kakashi remembers is what happened years ago. He doesn’t remember anything that has happened for the past twelve years. So he doesn’t know who any of you are or anything. He doesn’t even know who Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto are.”

“H-h-ow is that po-pos-possible?” Hinata voiced beside Kiba.

Tsunade sighed. “We’re not sure, but while we find out he’s going to be training with you all. It will be a good learning experience for you all as well as him and it’ll keep his records up so the other villages will be unaware of what has happened. You are not allowed to tell anyone,” Her voice got strict. “This is highly classified information and you’re silence may be Kakashi’s life because if his enemies are aware of his more vulnerable (Kakashi winced slightly at the word) condition they may try to pick him off. If any of you tell anyone you will be stripped of your title as a leaf ninja and made a civilian for life,” Tsuanade allowed the last part to sink in completely.

“So Kakashi will be joining each team temporarily starting with Gai’s team.”

“Hell no.” Everyone looked Kakashi’s way as the curse and rebellious statement left his mouth in shock.

“So this is Kakashi,” Tenten muttered processing his rude behavior for later.

“What do you mean no?” Tsunade looked at him.

Kakashi stepped fore ward, “I am not going to waork with a bunch of infants. All of them should still be at the academy learning their abc’s not in the field.” Kakashi’s eye ran down them again still not impressed in the slightest. He stared at her lazily and stuck his hands in his pockets. Most of the teenagers in the line didn’t know what to say or do about the comment.

This was not the Kakashi sensei they knew.

“Watch it Kakashi, that’s the future of our village,” Asuma tried to pass it off as a joke. Kakashi didn’t take the bait, “Spare me. If they’re the future than we’re fucked up.” He stared at Tsunade, “I will not be paired with a bunch of wannabie ninja.”

“What the hell?” Kiba growled as his temper began to grow. “Wanna be Ninja?” He moved foreward only to be stopped by Shino.

“Calm down he’s trying to rile us up.” Kakashi snorted, “Well there’s hope that some of you might live to see chunin, maybe a month of it.” Shino narrowed his eyes, but didn’t comment.

“What are you talking about?” Naruto growled jumping closer, “You’re the one who passed us!”

“Naruto he doesn’t remember,” the pink haired female moved towards him. “He doesn’t know that he was our sensei.”

Kakashi had to hid the disgusted sound in his throat. He’d actually taught that blonde freak? That demon was under his command? “If I passed you three than I must be crazy. I can tell by looking at you that you should have been dropped from the program completely.” His voice was deadpanned as he stared at them.

Nartuo ground his teeth together trying to control his temper.

“And what makes you the expert?” Jiraiya broke in crossing his arms.

“You know as well as I do that I could kill all of them in one fell swoop. They wouldn’t stand a chance.”

“That’s it,” Kiba lost his temper and pushed past Shino as Akamaru barked. “You need to shut your big mouth. You’re what our age?”

Kakashi sighed, “I’m sixteen. You’re what? 14? 15?”

“Yeah so?”Kiba almost rolled his eyes.

“Then it’s pathetic that you’re a genin.” Kakashi returned the stare at all of them. “It looks like the village has gotten soft. At your age I completed my first mission as a junin.”

Kiba’s eyes widened as he mirrored everyone else with an open mouth shock.

“That’s how he was able to immobile me so easily,” Shikamaru thought.

Sasuke grinned and felt his fist tighten in anxiety. Kakashi was only two years older, but already a junin. They would have almost the same amount of experience-this would be perfect training for Itachi.

Jiraiya rolled his eyes at the drama and cleared his throat. This was not going as expected. He realized the solution with ease as he remembered how Kakashi had been in the past. There was only one way to get the male to agree to this and that was to get him to respect the genin. And to get him to respect them….

“Let’s test your theory Kakashi,” His voice was smooth as he smiled, “let’s make a bet. You win you pick where you’re located and get the missions you want. I win you do things my way.”

“Meaning?”

“You fight them. A team made of the best fighters from each team to fight you one on one,” Jiraiya held up one finger. “No medical attention between matches because it’s so easy,” His voice carried heavy sarcasm. “If you can win every match you can choose your rank. If you fail you do as Tsunade says.”

Kakashi smirked, “Fine. Somebody needs to teach them a lesson.”

“Tsunade?” Shizune looked at the lady, but all she did was smile. “Sounds good to me.” She never backed away from a gamble.

Jiraiya smirked knowing full well that would have been her reaction. And they called him the dumb one.

“Alright junin,” Tsunade looked towards the top ranking men and woman. “Make your pick. I assume you all remember what Kakashi was like at this age.”

“Not likely,” Asuma grumbled behind his cigarette. Child Kakashi had always kept to himself and when the male hit his teenage years it was as if he’d fallen off the face of the earth to the Sarutobi. It wasn’t until Asuma gained his own junin ranking that he even ran across the male again. He knew from the look in Kurenai’s eyes that see didn’t have a clue either nor did she seem to like it. Kakashi had never been completely “there” in his opinion and putting one of his students against someone wasn’t a chore he liked.

The man looked at Gai and noticed how it came straight down to Lee and Neji. That was nothing new there, Gai knew who Kakashi was like at that age better than anyone. He further looked towards team seven. He felt bad for the kids having to experience something this…bizarre. Having their sensei turn into a smart mouthed kid couldn’t have been fun. When he didn’t even know who you were and told you that he should have never passed you as ninja, that wasn’t something that anyone should experience in his opinion, of course nobody asked his opinion.

Jiraiya was choosing someone to fight against Kakashi and it was no big surprise. Naruto wanted to fight him for what he said, Sakura didn’t want to fight him at all, and Sasuke was the only one who stood a chance. From the smirk on the Uchiha’s face he was perfectly happy with the sanin’s decision as the man pointed him out and began naming off reasons why Naruto wouldn’t get his chance to fight his sensei.

Gai in the end choose Neji. According to him Lee wasn’t well versed in fighting a man of Kakashi’s skill unlike his sensei of years ago who had trained and prepared himself for just Kakashi. He was the only one who could give the Hatake a run for his money. Asuma noticed that Kakashi snorted at that and rolled his one eye. Apparently Gai wasn’t as awesome as he thought he was.

Kurenai choose Shino. There was no doubt that Hinata would have been a good choice because of her linage and Kakashi’s sharingan, but the chance that she would freeze was to great. Kiba was too much of a loose end. He understood why she’d chosen the silent bug master. His clan would definitely give him an edge over Kakashi, and the fact that he wasn’t going to fall into anger was a good thing too. Asuma thought the kid was a little creepy though, especially after the chunin exam with his “Ace” metaphor throughout the fight.

“So who’s going up?” Chouji looked at him as he chewed on a potato chip. Asuma sighed looking at his students; there was no way that any of them could stand up to Kakashi at all. Ino wasn’t good enough, she had her mind jutsu, but that only worked when she was teamed with Chouji and Shikamaru. Chouji wouldn’t have the stamina or the ability to match Kakashi’s skill. Shikamaru was too lazy to do anything and would probably give up the battle before it even started. Kakashi would have drive and Shikamaru would think it was a complete “drag”.

Asuma took a long glance at his shoe. “Shikamaru you’re up.” At least Shikamaru had the brain power to match Kakashi….he hoped. There wasn’t a way to get into the silver ninja’s head and figure out how his mind ticked. For all he knew Kakashi was the smartest ninja to ever grace the village with his presence. At least Shikamaru wouldn’t get killed though.

The chunin in question groaned and put his hands in his pants. This was not what he wanted to do. Not at all.

“Alright so whose doing this. I don’t have all day,” The fifth Hokaga put her hands on her hips and grinned at the others. She had to hand it to Jiraiya, this was a damn good deal. The guy knew how to speak Kakashi’s language.

“Shino, Neji, Shikamaru and Sasuke ma’am,” Shizune looked at her mistress pointing out the names. “Do you really think this is a good idea?”

Ton ton snorted beside her and Tsunade gave the two of them a look. “This is the only way to do this, trust me. Besides with all of us here Kakashi won’t go postal and try to kill anyone. That’s the least we can hope for right now.” She raised her voice and looked at them. “All right here are the rules. We fight at the chunin stadium and in this order: Neji, Shikamaru, Shino, and Sasuke.”

“But,” Sakura looked over at Tsunade. “Lady Hokaga, isn’t the chunin stadium still under construction?” Since the attack of Orachimaru it had yet been finished due to more pressing matters and buildings that needed to be tended to within the village.

“Tsunade grinned, “Exactly. It’s already damaged so there is nothing you can do to make it any worse. This way we’ll have a level playing field. And we can monitor the contestants with ease.”

“What a drag,” Shikamaru muttered as they began to walk towards the stadium through town. What began as a walk turned into a run as the others picked up the pace making Shikamaru groan even further. This was not turning out to be a good day.

When they got to the stadium Kakashi stepped on to the field and walked towards Jiraiya. It was decided that he would play referee since it was his idea in the first place. The Hatake looked at the male in front of him with a slight raised eyebrow. A Hyuga. They put a Hyuga against him first.

He smirked under the mask, “Smart move.”

Neji snorted at his comment, but didn’t fully comprehend what was going through the others head. He got into a fighting stance with ease as Jiraiya began to count down. This was going to be a hard battle, Kakashi was already a junin. He narrowed his eyes lightly as the command to fight came off of the elders tongue as he backed away.

“Major Palm Thrust,” Neji voiced as he moved in to attack. He wasted no time, which would be a mistake. His only chance at winning this was to keep Kakashi moving without a chance to regroup or attack himself. It wasn’t a surprise when Kakashi sidestepped his hand and pulled out a kunai himself. Using the momentum from the attack he spun on his left foot pulling out his own kunai and slashed at the male.

Kakashi could have laughed when the male came at him again. He saw straight through the male’s idea. Keep the enemy moving; it was such a basic strategy. His kunai found Neji’s before he brought up a kick that was reflective. The kid knew tai-jutsu pretty well. That was no surprise with Gai as his sensei.

“Do you think he can pull this off?” Sakura asked no one was she looked down at the males. They seemed to be playing with each other, throwing and ducking.

“No way,” Shikamaru voiced form beside her. “Neji’s good but you heard what Kakashi said. He’s junin level. He doesn’t stand a chance.

“What are you talking about?” Lee growled. “Neji is a true genius! He will win this!”

“Lee! No he won’t ,” Gai spoke up. “Neji’s good, but I fought Kakashi when he was this age. Even I couldn’t defeat my rival.”

The genin’s glanced up at him.

“What have I gotten myself into,” Shikamaru muttered.

“Byakugan!” Neji muttered having enough of the ‘warm up’ Kakashi was going through so to speak. The junin didn’t even look effected as he easily dodged each move. It was time to use his kekki-genkai.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes and planted his right foot on the ground using it to propel him backwards as Neji came at him. Now that the male was using his birth right he’d have to keep a large distance between them.

He pushed chakra to his feet and ran up a tree on the side to jump off and land on the wall. Pulling out several stars he threw them at the figure beneath him.

“Rotation!” Neji’s body swirled at the chakra surrounded his body making the weapons fall helplessly on the ground. So the kid was that advanced, good to know. Most genin’s didn’t have that move in their arsenal.

“Way to go Neji!” He heard the Gai look alike and the girl with buns yell at the male. Probably his teammates. Too bad they’d have to see him lose.

The male in question glared at him as Kakashi came back down. “Shadow clone jutsu!” Several Kakashi’s surrounded the male and Neji just grumbled as they all attacked him. He could tell by their chakra signature that none of them was his target.

“Heaven’s Palm.” He moved through them with ease finally killing a third of the clones when he felt a wire wrap around his upper body. “Shit!” his voice was a mumble as the wire tightened forcing his arms to his sides.

“Time to end this!” Kakashi’s voice was haunting as he came from behind the male with such speed that Neji had no hopes of ever following and planted a foot on the side of the male’s face under his left eye. Neji fell to the ground and Kakashi followed suit putting his knee on his chest and placing a kunai on his throat. “I win.” He smirked and cocked his head at the younger beneath him.

Jiraiya sighed as the other genin cheered or booed. Mostly it was cries of disbelief.

“He beat Neji that fast,” Naruto gripped the railing until his knuckles turned white. It had taken all that he had just to beat the male during the exams. Sasuke beside him just grunted. The others were in too big of a shock.

“Great,” Shikamaru thought. “There’s no way I could beat him. Asuma what have you gotten me into?” The male shook his head before making his way down.

“Neji….” Tenten spoke slowly beside the others. Lee was just as shocked standing in front of Gai sensei.

“That’s my rival,” Gai spoke up loud and clear. “I told you none of you stood a chance against him.” He closed his eyes as if speaking a grand philosophy. “None of you have the experience or discipline that he has at this age. No, there is a reason he was a junin, even if I could easily beat him at the level I’m in now.”

“Gai-sensei,” Lee spoke looking at the male in awe. He’d fought this man when he was that good years ago? Suddenly he was completely taken over by his teachers survival at the hands of such a talented opponent. “I can be one too,” he thought.

“What have I gotten us into,” Asuma shook his head as he muttered the words. “Sorry Shikamaru.” He watched his student pass by Neji in the ring. “Just don’t give up right away at least.”

“Right,” Jiraiya spoke slowly as Neji disappeared from the battle ground. “Round two.”

Kakashi moved stretched his neck and cracked his right knuckle.

“3….2….1….”

“What a drag,” Shikamaru muttered loud enough for them to hear.

“Fight!”

Shikamaru didn’t move as the two stared at each other for a while. Neji had used a good technique, however he’d pushed Kakashi to act faster. That was his mistake, but attacking outright he’d pushed Kakashi’s hand to end it either out of boredom or to make sure the male didn’t hurt himself.

No he’d work with the environment around him.

Kakashi shook his head and picked up a kunai off the ground spinning it on his fore finger. Where they just going to stare at each other all day? When the male didn’t take the initiative he decided to make a run and get it over with. Maybe he was scared shitless or something….

Shikamaru looked up as Kakashi barreled down on him silently.

“Shikamaru!!” he heard Ino yell in alarm. He wasn’t stupid he knew that Kakashi was coming to finish off the fight. He wasn’t into playing with them, Kakashi wanted to end the matches quickly and move on. The genin’s weren’t anything to him, so he decided to use the man’s impatience against him.

He had one shot.

As Kakashi got close Shikamaru formed the seals for the paralysis jutsu. It’d be too late for Kakashi to back away as the male’s face was right in front of his own.

“Son of a-“ Kakashi cursed and Shikamaru narrowed his eyes as the hot breath hit his face. He had him.

“Did he get him?!” Sakura asked seeing the others plan first. The answer to that was no. Kakashi dropped the kunai and grabbed Shikamaru’s own shoulders hoisting himself into a handstand above the males head. His feet never touched the ground and there for couldn’t touch the shadow.

Kakashi growled, he’d gotten past the obstacle, but now he was open and vulnerable.

“Well well, what now Kakashi?” Tsunade asked herself from the stands. Shikamaru was a genius.

The Nara male reached up and grabbed Kakashi’s wrists with his hands. “Troublesome.” He’d expected Kakashi to try and move, not get on his shoulders like some acrobat, but the situation could be handled.

Kakashi grumbled and felt his mind move a thousand times a second. He had to get back in control of the situation, but there was no way how.

“Way to go Shikamaru!” Ino yelled. Neji shook his head and felt his hands clench under his folded arms. He’d lost so easily and here was that slacker getting away with almost pinning the junin down.

“Payback for this morning!” Chouji yelled eating another potato chip.

“This morning?” Sakura looked at the fat male. “What happened this morning?”

As Chouji began to explain how’d his team had met up with Kakashi earlier the silver haired junin finally came up with an idea. It was risky but it could work. Shikamaru was straining underneath him to hold up his weight and he saw the males’ knees began to bend. All he needed was one arm.

Jerking himself hard to the left he felt the grip in his right wrist loosen and took advantage of it reaching and pulling out a fire seal. Shikamaru saw exactly what it was and cursed dropping his arms and throwing off Kakashi at the same time. The seal blew up where the two of them had been moments before.

“Shit I can’t see a thing!” Naruto yelled looking over the side. “They’re okay Naruto,” Sakura calmed the boy down. “Shikamaru saw it in time to get out and Kakashi did as well considering he’s the one you set it off to begin with.”

“Nara,” Kakashi smirked looking at the male. “A Hyuga and now a Nara. Are all of you from clans?”

Shikamaru snorted looking back at him before dusting off his knees. His one chance gone there was very little he could do to win this fight. “That’s not my place to say.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Kakashi spoke forming several hand seals. “Shadow clone.” Several Kakashi’s filled the area and Shikamaru hid his frown.

“Just great, now which one’s the real one?” He sighed. If he used his jutsu he’d have to split it up to catch them all and even then his power would be limited. With his chakra that spread….

The clones moved in for the kill and he figured he had no chance to win, but to use his jutsu again. There was no way that Kakashi would fall for a simple substitution. Besides the match had been over the moment he stepped into the ring, his only real job was to get Kakashi ready for Shino who was suppose to prepare the male for Sasuke.

He wasn’t stupid and when they’d announced the order of the fights he knew exactly what was going to happen. They’d made sure that the others were there to wear Kakashi down slightly, but it was Sasuke who was supposed to beat the male. The only one with a sharingan and the Uchiha abilities, not to mention the fact that he’d seen his teachers fighting style before because they’d trained together one on one would make him the only choice and the only option to winning the bet.

He used the jutsu and hoped that he’d get one of them when two hand’s grabbed his ankles.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, he knew that justu.

“Earth style: head hunter jutsu!” Shikamaru was yanked underground as all of the clones disappeared and his body was covered with packed sand. He couldn’t even move.

Kakashi looked at Jiraiya. “Tell me this is not the best of them?”

The old man shook his head and Kakashi could feel the others stare at him in disbelief, fear, and anger. Good. They’d beg not to have him on their team. That would only help further his case with the Lady Hokaga.

They got Shikamaru out and the male dusted off his sand covered clothing before making his way up towards the others. He passed Shino, “What a drag.”

“You had a good idea, but you left your flank open to attack.” Shikamaru stopped and stared back at the male as he went through the door leading to the fight.

“What the heck is that suppose to mean?” The deer raised an eyebrow and shook his head. Shino had always been a little off….

“This should be good,” Kiba spoke as Shikamaru passed him to get to his team. “Shino will make mince meat out of that guy.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Neji spoke up. “Kakashi’s been toying with us the entire time. The fight I had with him wasn’t even close to the level he’s used to fighting.” The words were true, but that didn’t mean that they didn’t disturb the male who spoke them. It hadn’t been a hard fight in the slightest, quite the contrary, it was the quickest he’d ever been in.

He glanced towards Sasuke and saw the male smirking slightly as he clenched his hands at his sides. “I hope you were watching,” he thought. Like Shikamaru, Neji had figured out the game plan. Sasuke was the one who was suppose to win the battle. He turned his eyes back to the battle and turned on his byakugan to watch the fight.

Kakashi glared at the male across from him. “Aburame clan.” His voice was light and barely a whisper. If the dark haired male heard him, he didn’t show it.

“This’ll be fun,” Kakashi thought getting in a defensive position. There was no way to fully defend yourself from the smallest of insects that might be commanded by the clan, but to go on the offensive would be stupid.

As the fight began the two just stared at each other for the longest time until Shino pulled out his right hand from the pocket of his shirt and pointed it at Kakashi. There was a loud fluttering sound before several hundred beetles floated out from under the clothing and made their way towards the Hatake.

Kakashi stood still and as they hit his body was replaced by a log.

“Hm…” Shino made a slight sound surprised that Kakashi had gotten away, but didn’t bother to do anything about it. The beetles were attracted to chakra, there was no place to run or hide. Soon the queen, the leader, moved towards the trees in the corner. “Got you,” he thought.

“Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!” Kakashi blew out a ball of flame as the mass of beetles got closer scorching several of them. Shino narrowed his eyes and didn’t notice that a simple clone had come up behind him. He didn’t have time to block the blow that came to his head, but he did send several beetles at the clone and it was dissolved almost immediately. Shino pushed him self up and glanced towards the beetles surviving the nin-justu.

“You can’t hid from the beetles, they can sense your chakra.” Shino spoke automatically and sure enough the bugs went deeper into the small forest that Kakashi was hiding in.

“Damn if I can’t,” Kakashi muttered. He pulled up his Sharingan, it wouldn’t work as well as a byakugan when it came to the bugs, but it would slow things down a little. And a little might just be good enough. “How do we get out of this one?”

Kakashi felt something crawl up his leg with its’ nine skinny hairy legs and let out a curse as he pushed away and dropped another seal. The blow blew up the area and Kakashi strayed further into the small trees providing cover with the smoke.

Shino narrowed his eyes, so far he’d been in control of the battle keeping Kakashi on the defensive, but the male had yet to be taken down by his various beetles. He didn’t want to get into the more lethal of his arsenal, but it seemed he didn’t have a choice. A red bug with small grey wings crawled up to his index finger and he brought it to his mouth whispering before sending it off.

A small bite would be all it would take.

“Chakra huh?” Kakashi thought. They were attracted to chakra and he needed to get them all together to get rid of them. The bugs created a limitless amount of foes, they were small and basically not worth his time, but together they were a problem.

Kakashi closed his eyes as the answer to his problem came to him.

“Shadow clone.” Several clones popped up and he pumped them full of all the chakra he could spare. He knew that he still had the Uchiha to deal with so he saved enough. Just enough.

His clones ran to the middle around Shino and the male watched as several of his beetles came out.

“Lesson one,” Kakashi thought. “Gen jutsu!” He formed the hands signs and watched as the entire force of beetles and even Shino himself came under the spell. Kakashi held it still as one of his clones he’d kept out of the entire deal came out and blindfolded Shino as the male stood frozen in his own mental nightmare. As far as Shino was concerned there was fire everywhere.

The clone put the metal against Shino’s throat and looked at Jiraiya with a raised eyebrow. “I believe I win.”

“What the heck was that?” Kiba growled. “A gen-justu,” Kurenai spoke up and stared down at the ground beneath him. “A pretty advanced one at that too. I’m afraid Kakahsi’s won this round.”

Jiraiya nodded and Kakashi let the jutsu go. Shino fell to his knees exhausted, how had the male effected him that badly from a mind jutsu? “Come,” he spoke to the chakra bugs and they came back to their master. He stood up and stared at Kakashi knowing that the match was over.

Kakashi was going to walk back when he glanced down at the ground to pick up his kunai as the other clones died. He looked at his pants leg and swore loudly, “Fuck!” A red bug stared back at him raised and ready to bite.

One bite would put in paralysis. Kakashi knew that much. Flipping the kunai he picked up over, Kakashi stabbed the bug and felt the blade enter his flesh as well.

“The ace in the hole,” Shino muttered looking at him. Everyone was silent as Kakashi stared at him hard until he chuckled darkly.

“Match is over. I won.” Kakashi pulled off a bandage and whipped away the wound. Shino stared at him in understanding before turning and walking back to his team.

“That guy gives me the creeps,” Naruto muttered. “What was that?”

“The red bug? I don’t know,” Sakura answered shaking her head. “But the match was already over, shouldn’t he be penalized for it?”

“The match was over yes, but Shino placed the bug while it was still in play,” Tsunade spoke looking at the pink haired girl. To be honest she almost had to agree with Naruto, the Aburame clan had never been anything close to average in her opinion. “So since that was the case if Kakashi had been bitten there would have been nothing we could do about it. Sasuke you’re up.”

Sasuke turned away from Kakashi and ‘hun’ed before walking to the stairs. Naruto pouted, “I still don’t see why Sasuke gets to fight him and I don’t.”

“That’s because Sasuke has the only chance to beat him. Jeez didn’t you figure that out already? Troublesome.” Shikamaru shook his head at the blonde coming closer.

“What do you mean?” Sakura asked.

“I mean that since Kakashi has a sharingan and is a junin level, Sasuke is the only one who can beat him with his own sharingan and the chakra that his blood line gives him. Uchiha’s have more than we do because its needed to power their kekki genkai.”

Kakashi stared at the male in front of him with a slight scowl on his face. “It figures-a Uchiha.” He placed his hands in his pocket and looked over at the male as Jiraiya told him to start. Their plan wouldn’t work, he wouldn’t deal with it.

Sasuke smirked at Kakashi, “My move huh?” he thought before pulling out a kunai and moving behind the male using the speed from the chakra at his feet. Kakashi didn’t know what Sasuke was capable of anymore and he was sure that he could use it to his advantage. The other was sure to underestimate him. And Sasuke Uchiha was nothing like the other guys.

“What the he-“ Kakashi’s voice as rough before he dropped to his knees allowing the kunai to take off the ends of his hair and nothing more. Sasuke’s knees came up and he felt the knee ram into his jaw sending him sprawling backwards. To regain his footing Kakashi flipped himself over and used his hands to slow himself down to a stop. He could almost hear the gasps that came from the other genin in the stands as they begin to understand what he himself already knew. This was a different kind of fight.

The Hatake stood and looked at Sasuke as the male fell back into his stance before the fight had started, calm and collected. Kakashi tilted his head in the others direction, this was good. This would provide entertainment. A feeling of pride came to him unexpectantly, this was his student. He’d taught him. As soon as the feeling came it went away, “No, not mine, but my other self,” the one that had died and given birth to a younger Kakashi.

Sasuke stared at the male and decided that the surprise of the attack was over. There wouldn’t be another like it again, not that Kakashi was taking him seriously. If he was going to win the battle than he’d have to get serious too, just like the other male.

He opened his own sharingan and went into his own attack using a barrage of tai jutsus.

“That is my technique!” Lee cried as the hidden lotus was used during the attacks, but it was easily deflected by Kakashi. “It was as if he knew.”

“Of course he knows that technique,” Gai spoke up. “I used to fight him all the time.” His voice was proud as the others looked at him in slight awe, Gai had fought at this level years ago?

Kakashi cursed as Sasuke came up to him and pushed the male back swinging his left arm to distract him and using his right leg to kick the male in the face. Sasuke wheeled backwards, but immediately pulled out several stars and threw them at Kakashi. A move that he would have used himself. Kakashi formed hand seals using an earth jutsu to pull up dirt to take the attack.

“I don’t have a choice,” he muttered pulling his hentai-ate up and revealing his left eye. It was older than Sasukes.

The earth jutsu fell and Kakashi made several clones sending them at Sasuke with amazing speed. The other male was forced back into his tai jutsu techniques again to defend himself until Kakashi formed several signs. Sasuke read them in flash and two fire ball justus hit each other creating smoke and fire.

“How in the hell?” Kakashi’s eyes widened. The male was a genin, he shouldn’t have been able to perform a ninjustu. He wasn’t the only one surprised, several other gasps came from the crowd as Sasuke jumped in the air and preformed several phoenix fire ball jutsus keeping Kakashi on his feet. On hit Kakashi’s feet and sent the male sprawling backwards coughing despite his mask. The smog was just so close.

Sasuke used the time and performed the only justu he was sure to bring the other down. Jumping up the wall, he used his chakra to hold himself up as he preformed the same technique that he used on Gaara.

Kakashi heard it before he saw it as Sasuke came towards him. Anger filled his chest as he stared at his own technique being used against him. How the hell had someone like that pulled off what had taken him years to create as a junin. A simple genin. A Uchiha no less. Kakashi sprung to the side with such speed that Sasuke didn’t see him and rammed the chidori harmlessly into the wall. Kakashi pulled out a kunai and ran at Sasuke who barely could keep ahead of the blade as it slashed his shirt and side. When Kakashi slowed down slightly Sasuke pulled out his own kunai and it was as if the man stopped as he tripped on a rock pulling Sasuke’s blade into him with a sharp kiss. It embedded itself deeply in his shoulder causing Sasuke to go wide eyed himself as he pulled back. His blade dripping with his sensei’s blood.

Kakashi smirked at him before performing another clone jutsu.

It was time to end this.

Kakashi pulled out a scroll and ran his thumb over his own kunai. “Earth style: Fang Pursuit Jutsu!”

“Shit,” Jiraiya muttered. Kakashi was pulling that off with just a genin? He was taking this more seriously than the older male thought.

“Kakashi,” Tsunade muttered. The other junin looked at each other and then their Hokaga. On her word they were ready to jump in and stop the fight. This was going on a different level then they had thought. Tsunade didn’t give them the word.

“Wha?” Sasuke growled as the clones died away themselves. Wasn’t there anything else the man could do? As the thought ran through his mind the ground shook and within a second he felt the piercing fangs dig into is skin. The bloody kunai in his hand fell to the ground as a slight scream of pain and surprise came through his mouth. Several dogs were around him, holding him down.

“A summoning,” he thought as his sharingan faded back to onyx.

Kakashi walked towards him with a snarl. His hands formed the chidori and he ran towards Sasuke with a deadly glint in his eyes.

“Sasuke!” Naruto yelled jumping off the railing for fear of the other male’s life. Sakura was right behind him.

Jiraiya grabbed the offending wrist and immediately the lightening blade stopped several feet from Sasuke’s face. The Uchiha could barely breath as the dogs faded and he was left standing on his own. His face and shocked eyes stared at Kakashi, but without really seeing.

He’d almost died.

Kakashi smiled back at him and even chuckled slightly as he pulled his hand away from Jiraiya’s grip. “I wasn’t going to kill him.”

“You had the match won. That was unnecessary,” Jiaiya growled back folding his arms. Naruto and Sakura ran to Sasuke’s side who took their help staying standing. The gash wounds from the teeth left deep rips in his skin. The others joined them and Tsunade walked over to Kakashi with a scowl. “You’re lucky I don’t throw you out on sick leave or something. “ She growled at him before moving to Sasuke and cleaning his wounds.

“Guess we don’t have to worry about him joining any of our teams,” Kiba pointed out with slight relief as the tension and adrenaline fell from the group slowly. “Since he won we won’t have to deal with him.”

Kakashi turned to look at the group. “I won so I get to choose,” his voice was impassive. There wasn’t a drop of the emotion he’d felt with the battles in his voice. “I choose to…play with the kiddes. Gai I guess your teams first, you know where I live. Get me tomorrow.” He dropped the hentai-ate in place and turned walking away.

“Well, it seems that our youth was too much for him,” Gai smirked. “I will have my rival on my team. Kakashi on my team.” There were mixed emotions as the teams and the sanins talked with one another and left. No one really knew what to make of the turn of events that the silver haired male had decided to grace them with.

“Looks like we’ll get a chance with Kakashi later in the week too.” Sakura voiced before splitting from Sasuke. Naruto had already left. Sasuke let her go and stared down at the path Kakashi had taken.

“Yeah, but what side of Kakashi,” the male whispered. The killer that had stood in front of him with that look in his eyes as he’d prepared for the final blow. To take the his life was nothing like the teacher he’d had. Sasuke went home.

Kakashi sighed pulling out a shot glass and filling it before walking to the bath room and pulling off his clothing. He applied the alcohol to wound before drinking the shot with grim satisfaction. This new clothing wouldn’t do. And neither would his weapons. The male stood up and walked over to a closed off closet before opening the door.

He smirked as he walked inside the closet like space. This was exactly what he could use.

“Never thought I’d be such a pack rat.”

So yeah a lot of sucky battles, but it was kinda necessary. You know…..but hey it was over 9,000 words so….blah.

But anyway tomorrow there will be plenty more angst to come and maybe even a mission. I haven’t decided.

Anyhoot-please review. You know I love you….even if the chapter was kinda sucky…..