Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Flashback 15 years ago…
"Once more!" The red headed woman cried out giving out instructions to the woman who cried out in pain and pushed giving a great heave. "Good! It's almost there! One more push Sister!" She ordered as her younger sibling was in the middle of giving birth.
The small room was full of people as the woman laying on the cot was in the process of giving birth. Her, her sister, a maid, a man with white hair who watched from the doorway and an older man with grey hair as well. The two had red dots on their foreheads and the elder seemed more concerned while his son looked on a bored look on his face.
The woman cried out as she gave another push this time with all her might.
"It's out! Just a second, let me get him!" Her sister said and lifted up the infant as the maid wiped her forehead. "A boy, it is a boy Ayako-chan!" She exclaimed holding the small child who had two red dots on his forehead and put him in a blanket.
The younger man scoffed and turned and left the room and the woman glared at her brother in law as she hated the fact that her sister was married to a man who was so cruel. She doubted he would care for the child, so long as he had a weapon to use.
"Let me see him." The elderly man said and gently took the child from his aunt. The old man, the current head of the clan and the newborn's grandfather examined him in the light and then put the babe close to him holding him in his arms.
"Since the beginning of time, our two clans, The Uzumaki and Kaguya have served alongside and fought with one another as our families our the key of our true strength." He said whispering to him. "We are fighters, warriors who do not back down from any challenge and shall always be there for each other. When one is threatened the other protects it. Show me young one, show me you possess the same strength and spirit of our two clans!"
The child then let out a wail and then started crying his cries filling the room Although his aunt was known for her wildness and ferocity, she could not hide the tears going down her face as she witnessed it.
"Ho Ho! Already practicing his battle cries," The Head of The Kaguya said smiling and beaming with pride. "This child Kushina and Ayako, shall be most special indeed." He said to his stepdaughters and handed the child to his mother.
She cooed softly and shushed him as he began to calm down feeling his mother's touch.
"Sleep my little Kimimaro, Sleep." She said as he fell asleep in her arms.
Present Day…
It had been over a month since the events at Wave, and Naruto Uzumaki was at the training grounds practicing his Technique by himself. Team 7 was done for the day as they had finished training and he was getting some extra work done. The Blond practicing his form and footwork.
He thought back to the events of Wave. His battle with Haku and using his Kekkai Genkai for the first real time in a fight. Haku had disappeared after it had ended thrown from the bridge by his late master Zabuza who then cut down their attackers using only a Kunai at the cost of his own life ending the reign of terror that Wave had endured for so long and allowing it to finally recover and connect with the Mainland.
And much to his surprise he and Team 7 had discovered that The Bridge Builder Tazuna had named it after him. Naruto at first tried to decline it as he didn't deserve to have a bridge named after him but the old man and his family had insisted on it, as he had helped the town and its people regain their hope that had been taken from them.
Yet despite it his mood hadn't been the same after he had saw his cousin leave. Kimimaro had left without them heading back to wherever he lived telling him they'd continue their training later on.
That girl who he had saw with them had talked to him a moment as well, he didn't know who she was or her connection to him but she seemed to know his cousin as she had left with him. What she said surprised and took a lot of wind out of his sails.
"If this keeps up, he continues pushing his body like this, he's going to die."
What did she mean? Was Kimimaro sick? What was wrong with him? He had noticed him cough at times whenever they had trained but he hadn't thought of anything of it. He didn't think there was something wrong with him. How foolish and stupid he was for not seeing what was going on with him. For thinking it was nothing.
When he thought about it, Kimimaro coughed quite a bit and some times saw him spit up blood as well. Yet he was too ignorant to think that something wasn't wrong with him.
"What if…what if he dies? Then I'll be alone…again." He said to himself. Kimimaro was his only family, the only family he had left and one who he hadn't even discovered until a few months ago. And for him to lose him as quickly as they had discovered one another wasn't right in his eyes. "It's not fair! Why do I always have to be alone?" He said as even though Kimimaro called him Trash and rarely smiled, Naruto felt as if a part of him had finally found something that he had been searching for a long time. And to lose it so fast, it would be as if the gods had decided he would be their plaything.
He sat down on the ground and sighed, wondering just what it was that was wrong with him.
The next day…
"Who are you? State your name and business." The Kunoichi said to Kimimaro as they where in a meadowland and a few miles away from The Village. By the look of it she had been training in the area. She wore a pink shirt and blue pants and had her brown hair in two buns, around her head she wore a hitai-ate with the symbol of the Hidden Leaf on it.
He did not answer and took a few steps forward meaning to walk past her. She gripped the bo staff she had with a tighter grip. "If you are heading to Konoha, I'll need to know why so I can inform others up ahead and at the gate so you can pass through." She said a bit more conviction and determination in her voice.
Kimimaro didn't answer as he noted she had gotten into a fighting stance and her form showed she was able to handle herself in a fight. It was a ninja's duty to protect the Village from any unknown or would be threats from the Highest Jonin to The Lowest Genin. He found it somewhat amusing that she thought she would be able to stop him.
"I'll give you one last warning state who you are and what your purpose is." She said but he detected a hint of nervousness in her voice.
Shaking his head and letting out a weak cough he moved forward not wanting to be bothered by this.
"Hey! Stay back!" She yelled out at him as he advanced. Cursing under her breath as she didn't expect this to happen while she did some private training she decided there was only one thing to do…
She attacked.
Leaping up she threw multiple shuriken at him and in the blink of an eye he avoided the thrown weapons easily not even one coming close to hitting him. This surprised TenTen and she quickly threw kunai but saw him dodge it easily and by the look of it wasn't even trying as he had a bored look on his face. Growling she threw double the amount this time only for him to effortlessly dodge them.
(He knows where my attacks are going to be, even before I throw them.) She thought to herself and clutched her Bo Staff she had and charged him hoping to catch him off guard with a frontal assault. She spun her wooden weapon and swung but he dodged it easily. She was skilled with the weapon, as she practiced with it nearly an hour a day but she found all her attacks and hits not even coming close to connecting with his body. He was even faster than her teammate she guessed as he was making her feel like a fool as he hadn't even did one offensive move against her.
She thrusted her staff hoping to hit him in the chest which he dodged and she spun it and swung aiming for his head which he blocked with one hand holding it in place.
(Great! Now he's just mocking me!) She thought and struggled to pull it free out of his hard grip.
Suddenly before she could react he reached down and picking up dirt threw it right in her face causing her to cry out and shield her face. He then went in for the finish.
TenTen opened her eyes and swung her staff wildly but only hit air and noticed he wasn't in front of her. She looked around scanning the area but didn't see him anywhere. Where'd he go? He couldn't have just teleported. He's not that fast!
She looked but didn't see him when she suddenly felt a hand press against the side of her neck.
"Dam-" She started to say when pressure was applied and she went unconscious.
She started to fall but was caught by Kimimaro who caught her around the waist with his other arm before she hit the ground.
He should just leave her there, she had attacked him first and he hadn't until just now done anything to assault her. But he knew if she was found unconscious like this people would get suspicious and the last thing he wanted was thirty or so of their ANBU bearing down on him.
Sighing he lifted her and her weapon up and threw TenTen over his shoulder and began carrying her as he continued on his way.
At the training grounds Team 7 was busy training under the eye of their Sensei who looked on from his reading spot at the group. Kakashi looked on as they worked. Their skills had improved recently as of late but they still were dysfunctional at times he knew.
Sasuke and Naruto were neck and neck and he would put them about even despite the fact that Sasuke had obtained The Sharingan a month back in Wave. Sasuke had been wanting more training from him as of late including wanting to learn how to walk on water as he was determined to master his Sharingan.
Although as of late he had noticed some of the looks Sasuke had been giving Naruto. As if there was something between he didn't know about going on between them. He had expected them to be rivals the moment he first saw them as both where proud. He and his teammate in his youth was rivals as well, but they had looked out for one another as well. Sasuke and Naruto didn't have that same feelings towards one another. Sakura still fawned over Sasuke but not as much and was rather neutral towards Naruto only yelling at him when he was annoying her so that was a plus, a sign she was starting to take things serious for a change.
Naruto's training with that Kimimaro person he believed was the key part as to why he had gotten better so fast as he was night and day from the first time he had seen the blond as he had figured he would have his hands full with him who had finished last in his class and barely graduated. The boy as of late he had found him reading The Art of War as well.
He watched on at them as the time passed.
"Alright that's enough." He called out and they stopped what they were doing. "That's enough for today, take the rest of the day off and be back here tomorrow." He said and stood up.
"You're letting us off early?" Naruto said to him as this was unusual. Usually he was late and kept them for hours.
"Fatigue is of no use for a shinobi," He explained to them. "Tomorrow we shall work on adding chakra to our attacks and speed and hone our reflexes better. Plus I have an announcement to make in a few days." He said with a smile under his mask. "You may find it in-" He started to say when he sensed something going on. "Sorry but I gotta go." He said and disappeared in a poof of smoke.
"What's up with Sensei?" Sakura asked not understanding what just happened.
"I don't know." Naruto responded wondering why he left in the middle of something. Sure he looked the mysterious entrance and exit but those where just for show, this one seemed important.
In one of the empty streets in the lower parts of Konoha, Kakashi landed on a roof and saw a pair of masked ANBU perched like gargoyles. Casually he walked over to them as they had sensed him and knew who he was without having to look. The group had their chakra hidden so to prevent any skilled shinobi from noticing them
"So what's the holdup?" He asked the two and noted there was several other ANBU as well in different spots.
"Some stranger came in carrying an unconscious Leaf Genin. We're currently analyzing the situation to see if he's a threat." The ANBU Captain said no emotion in his voice.
"Oh?" Kakashi responded and looked around noting the ANBU spread out in different hiding spots. "A Bit much for just one guy."
"We're not taking any chances, this kid although he's by himself could be dangerous. Plus he may use the Kunoichi as a hostage." The Captain responded.
"Hmmm, where is he?"
"He's about to pass underneath us."
Kakashi looked and his lone eye widened in surprise when he saw the figure and the person he was carrying. He noted the Captain was ready to make a signal to attack when he passed them.
"Hold your men friend. This guy means us no harm." He said to them and the Captain looked at him. "He has special visitation rights from The Hokage himself and so far has done no harm or been no threat to Konoha. As for the Kunoichi she's unharmed except for the fact she's unconscious as something happened. There's a misunderstanding going on here. If he had been a threat I doubt he would be calmly walking around the way he is as he would be holding her for ransom." He said to him.
The Captain looked at him and slowly called off his men. "We'll keep an eye on him Kakashi and watch from a distance for now, in case you are wrong."
"Do that, I assure you he's no harm to the Village." Kakashi said to them and looked down at the figure. If The Bushy Browed maniac who considered him his rival had found out about this, he would no doubt be challenging the boy immediately for in his eyes harming his student and molesting her.
Kimimaro finally found a bench and walking over placed the still unconscious TenTen on it. He had to enter through a secret path to avoid detection from The Leaf and managed to find an area that was poorly guarded and entered through it. Placing her on it and in a manner that most would think she was taking a nap on the bench so to avoid suspicion in case anyone saw her. She'd awake within the hour and doubted she'd be able to recall what happened.
"Ahh! What have you done to TenTen!" A voice said and he turned and saw standing there dressed in a green outfit was a boy with wild bushy brows pointing a finger at him. The boy was glaring at him.
"It is a good thing I decided to see if I could break my previous record between here and the border between Fire Country!" He said and got into a fighting stance. "For I have discovered a evil man such as yourself preying on an innocent maiden!" The boy continued to say not giving him a chance to explain.
"This shall not go unavenged! Prepare yourself my unknown opponent! You shall suffer a grievous defeat from the green youthful beast of Konoha!" He shouted and prepared to attack.
Naruto was by himself as the blond haired boy was thinking. He was thinking back to the fight with Haku that he and Sasuke had had.
"Sasuke's got his Sharingan now, but I'm surprised he hasn't told anyone about the fact that I have a bloodline as well. I'd figure he'd blab to Sakura and Sensei about it or tell somebody." He said to himself as he remembered how surprised Sasuke was when he revealed it. "Nah, Sasuke maybe pretty cocky and full of pride but he wouldn't tell anyone. That's not like him, he'd try to surpass a person's strength by his own instead of telling people, odds are he's training right now to try and counter my own strength." He said and shook his head at the thought of his rival.
"I do wonder how Haku is right now, it's been a month and I wonder where he is, if Zabuza hadn't tossed him he could've come back with us." He said "But he may also have committed Suicide as well considering how devoted to that guy he was. Well no point wondering about it, I'm getting something to eat."
Heading towards Ichiraku's Naruto was surprised when Kakashi appeared in front of him a look of urgency in his eye.
"Naruto it's best you come with me." He said and his tone told him it was important. "It's about your other teacher."
Kimimaro? What was he doing here at this time? Quickly he followed after him and the two headed into the streets of Konoha.
"Take this!" The green wearing boy shouted throwing a quick kick at Kimimaro who evaded it as a group of people watched on some of them cheering.
Kimimaro cursed his luck as this idiot of a boy had attacked him and did not give him a chance to explain. Part of him resisted the urge to run him through with a sword.
The boy threw fast series of punches and kicks at Kimimaro who noted that his Taijutsu was superb for one his age, perhaps even give him a small challenge. The boy did a spin kick aiming for his head and he dodged it and backflipped out of the way.
"Oh Ho Ho! Most impressive, your defensive skills are excellent my opponent, not many can block and evade my attacks like you can!" He said and got into a pose sticking his thumb up. "However I cannot allow you to go without paying for what you did! HYAHHH!" He shouted and charged him fists flying. Kimimaro blocked and dodged the attacks and did a overhead flip in the air and kicked him from behind sending him crashing into a store wall. A body sized dent appeared in the wall due to the force of it
The boy landing on the ground kipped up and rubbed his face feeling a bit embarrassed. "Hmmm, Sensei isn't around but I believe now is an important time as ever to protect a precious person!" He exclaimed and went to remove a weight that was around his legs.
Before he could Kimimaro dashed towards him and before he could defend himself delivered an open palm thrust to his jaw knocking him silly, he then tripped him up knocking him to the ground.
Two bones sprouted out of his hands and caught his head in a scissor like position on the floor. The Boy quickly realized that struggling to get free would be a risky move as it appeared as if the swords had appeared instantly to him and the crowd.
"Kimimaro-san? What are you doing?" A voice called out and he turned his head and saw Naruto and his sensei heading towards them and the girl who had her hair in buns with them.
"Dealing with this fool of a fool." He muttered in reply.
"That's enough, the last thing you want is to cause even more trouble. Let him go." Kakashi said calmly to him. Kimimaro didn't say anything but let him go and put his swords away.
"You won't get away so easily!" The Boy said getting up. "I shall avenge her!" He shouted getting back into a fighting stance.
"Lee give it a rest!" TenTen snapped at him having regained consciousness. "Nothing happened…"
"But I saw him, he had a look of pure evil in his eyes!" The boy protested.
TenTen shook her head and faint blush appeared on her face embarrassed at what she'd have to explain. "I'd attack him a mile away from Konoha thinking he was a threat and he knocked me out in self defense, apparently he took me back here. He didn't do anything to me." She said.
"What? But TenTen how could you be defeated so close to the Exams? This will put a stain on Sensei's evaluation of us!"
"Give it a rest Lee!" She snapped again. "You owe this guy an apology."
The boy shook the back of his head as he stared at Kimimaro. "I'm not sure what to believe happened but I, Rock Lee owe you an apology my friend." He said and bowed in remorse. "My actions have shamed me as I let my youthful spirit get the best of me at times, if you wish it so I shall commit Seppeku to make it up to you."
"Uh that won't be necessary." Naruto said butting in. "Your sensei needs all three of you to go into the Exams right? You can't go if you do that." He said being a rare voice of reason. "You can make it up by performing well there." He said to Lee.
"I see, Sensei does hope to prove himself to you Copy Nin and your students." Lee said to Kakashi. "For that, I shall warm-up with one hundred laps around Konoha!" He said and in a green blur dashed away.
"He's a special kind of ninja…" Kakashi said watching Rock Lee go.
"You have no idea." TenTen said dryly and walked away as well.
The crowd started to disperse as well but Naruto heard some of them muttering Freak under their breath and aiming it at Kimimaro.
If his Cousin heard them he either didn't listen or ignored them.
After training with Naruto for a few hours Kimimaro then started to leave when Naruto called out after him
"Kimimaro wait," He shouted and ran after him. "Wait, let me ask you something." He said and Kimimaro looked confused. "Are you okay?"
Kimimaro looked at him his face blank. "I, I am fine."
"You're a lot paler than you was when we first met."
"It's nothing for you to concern yourself with Tra-Naruto." He said calling him by his name for the first time. "We'll resume your training in about a month. I have other matters to attend to for now."
"But, you look exhausted, see a doctor here or something. I…don't wanna lose my only family."
Kimimaro looked at him genuinely surprised at his words. Did he know? "I'll be fine Naruto. I'll get better. The man I serve now is working on a cure, in due time I shall be much better." He said as he saw the worried look on his face. "Once I'm feeling better, I can show you the true arts of Shikotsumyaku." He said and turned and left.
Naruto watched him go. One thing was certain.
Two days later in Otogakure.
Kimimaro made it to the headquarters of the place and saw the Sound Four. Walking past them ignoring Sakon and Kidomaru's sarcastic welcoming he went to his quarters.
Tayuya the Sound Kunoichi watched him go as the others made remarks. She had told the others he was training in Wave when they had returned a month ago and although the others didn't buy it one hundred percent they had stopped questioning where he was going.
As far as she knew, he was busy with that blond kid. But she didn't know why as she hadn't followed him again as he had threatened her when they got back not to follow him again. And even half dead, he was capable of killing all of them in the blink of an eye. Still, her curiosity made her want to find out what was so special about that boy.
"He's here! He's returned!" A Sound Ninja said coming up to them. "Our Master has returned at last!" He said to them. "All of you, including Kimimaro are to be there in the throne room at once."
Minutes later the group was all assembled and kneeling in front of a figure seated on a throne.
"I trust everything went well during my absence." The man said with a hiss. His skin was a pale white and he wore a light and black outfit with a purple bow like they did.
"Yes Master, no trouble happened during your stay in Suna." Sakon said.
"Good." The black haired man said. His Golden eyes which were like that of a snake seemed to be looking at them all personally. With him was one of his spies and elite men who weared glasses and had white hair and weared a Leaf Hitai-ate as part of his disguise who served as his bodyguard. "In Two Months time, we and Suna will attack Konoha."
Kimimaro raised his head at that the news surprising him.
"I have long desired the destruction of the Leaf and I shall have it! With this Alliance with The Kazekage we will bring it to its knees." The man said clutching a hand into a fist. "During the Exams our men will infiltrate and destroy it, and also obtain The Last Uchiha as well!"
"Yes Orochimaru-sama." Kidomaru said bowing his head.
Orochimaru, The Snake Sannin and Traitor of Konoha stood up. "All of you shall play a key part of this. We have much planning to do…" He said and looked at them and laughed darkly.
Kimimaro looking on wondered what this meant, for him and his cousin.
The next day in Konoha…
"Alright like I said a few days ago I have an important announcement to make." Kakashi said to Team 7 at the end of the day. "The Chunin Exams, held twice a year is coming up in one month. And thanks to our mission in Wave, we have qualified for it." He said to them. "Sasuke, Sakura, Naruto. You will be given the chance to take the Exams and have the opportunity to possibly become Chunin. The odds of a Rookie Ninja on his first try becoming Chunin though are slim though."
"You really mean this Sensei?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah, is this a joke?" Naruto asked as well and he smirked under his mask.
"I'm being serious you three." He said to them. "There are still some areas to Iron out with us but you have shown improvement in your areas. Sasuke with your bloodline, Sakura with Chakra Control, and Naruto you've excelled in both Chakra control and skill. I believe in one months time we shall be ready to take the Exams. After this, we shall see if any of you are ready to take the next step in the Ninja path."
Naruto nodded and looked at his teammates.
(Alright, I'll show you Kimimaro, that I'm worthy of learning the Arts of Shikotsumyaku.)