Naruto's Darkness Part 9 Reinforcements Have Arrived

A/N: Hey everyone, time for another update this chapter will be slightly different form canon well obviously with Team 10's assistance, there will also be a surprise or two so stay tuned and I hope you enjoy the newest chapter.

Kurama Talking/Jutsu's

'Naruto Talking to Kurama/Sakura Talking to Inner Self'

'Inner Thoughts'

Inner Sakura

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto just this story and the OC's I c0reated

One day has passed since arriving at Tazuna's house, Team 7 in the meantime have been given evil glances from his grandson Inari. Of course the ninja didn't care, but still rude!

Naruto became easily annoyed with that brat it didn't help that Kyūbi kept trying to influence Naruto to kill the younger brat, it wasn't working.

Naruto was completely ignoring him, this in turn angered Kyūbi and pissed him off even more. Realizing manipulating Naruto was getting difficult, the demon fox theorized why, it was that Pinkette wannabe kunoichi.

On the first day Kakashi, took the opportunity. In teaching them, well more of Sakura and Sasuke a Chakra Control exercise Ki Nobori No Shugyō (Tree Climbing Exercise). Naruto having already learned it, Kakashi watched on while Naruto demonstrated said tree climbing exercise nicely enough.

His teammates had opposite thoughts on him doing the exercise, Sakura trusted Naruto knew what he was doing, secretly praised him. As her Inner Sakura smiled, a light blush on cheeks and punching the air. 'I can do that, I know it, Naruto-kun I won't be dead weight!'

Now Sasuke was inwardly fuming at Naruto than later Sakura's easy take on tree climbing. Both Naruto and Kyūbi agreed seeing the Uchiha frustrated in his arrogance was highly amusing.

A day later with Sasuke still working on the tree climbing. Naruto's leaning against a tree, Sakura though is laying on the ground next to him she's very tired though she did master the exercise. She would look at both of them on occasion she once again stopped again at Naruto when he pulled out his Ninjato.

The reason Naruto did this was because Kyūbi had informed him of 4 chakra signatures approaching. Sakura stands up in a rush by his side clenching a kunai. Turning away from Sasuke's training, said Uchiha lands on the ground. Kakashi smiles at finally seeing Pakkun land with Team 10 right behind the dog.

"I see, good work Pakkun. Glad your team could make it Asuma." He says to his fellow sensei.

Asuma smirks "Didn't have any missions yet. When I heard from Pakkun, that you guys may need reinforcements, well couldn't refuse."

The two nod at one another, Kakashi explains what they have been doing. As both their teams try to mingle/catch up well all except Naruto who just ignores them all but keeps his blade ready for anything. Ino snobbishly states they all know how to climb trees when she hears what Team 7 were doing.

The senseis along with Sakura and Naruto roll their eyes. Sakura shakes her head at Ino. "Hey Ino two words for you: No Hands." Team 10 blinks confused having forgotten that Naruto told them the exercise a few days ago. Inner Sakura smirked at their dumb founded faces, knowing that she's already got it done herself.

Kakashi clears his throat. "Naruto care to show Team 10 what Sakura means?" Sakura's not offended at being passed over, She's happy Naruto could demonstrate it again, although she's not sure why she's happy she's confused with her own actions.

Naruto finally sheath's his Ninjato and walks to the tree and places his feet on it and starts walking up like he's walking on the ground. Sakura let's a smile show as Team 10 looks on surprised. "That's so cool Naruto. How'd you do that?" Ino smiles. But inwardly annoyed Sasuke wasn't asked to show them how.

Naruto gives the instructions with no emotion. "Pour chakra into your feet then start climbing, beginners give it a runner start before the tree."

"Too much chakra will repel you off, too little you won't stick and possibly tumble down painfully."

Ino turns to Sakura who nods with her hands on her hips smirking. Ino clenches her fists determined as Team 10 goes to work at it. Sometime later Ino smiles realizing it wasn't so hard. She like Sakura had come to it quickly.

Not mastered it as Sakura had, but Ino handled it better than her teammates. Resulting in Sasuke angry even more, to him it was infuriating two weak fangirls had handled this simple task were he an elite and an Uchiha at that couldn't.

Asuma praises Ino, as he watches Shikamaru and Chōji keep trying. Ino sits beside Sakura watching too but she's also quite tired.

Naruto who's leaning on the tree smirks. "Looks like Sasuke-teme is more humiliated now. But anyway I guess good work Ino." Ino's eye twitched angry. "Thanks I'm that good. But don't think you could disrespect Sasuke-kun like that."

Ino expected Sakura to rightfully agree with her. But looking at the Pinkette, Ino receives a small shrug. Naruto blinks at that as well she's confusing to him he wasn't going to answer Ino what would be the point she can be louder than Sakura sometimes.

He takes a deep breath than starts walking off, Sakura gets up from the tree trunk. "Naruto you okay? Need me to get Kakashi-sensei?" She asks hurriedly.

He stops a few feet away turns to side glance Sakura. "There's a lake a few minutes away. With nothing to do here, figured I'd train there."

Sakura nods already walking over to him. "Another chakra control exercise or something else?" She questions curiously.

Naruto tilts his head "Yea your right the first time. Instead of trees it's water Suimen Hokō No Gyō (Water Surface Walking Exercise)"

Ino having popped up at the Jutsu's name eagerly asks "Could you teach it to us?" Naruto blinks a raised eyebrow at Ino. "I'm not your sensei or teammate so why should I." Naruto turns to Sakura before Ino can comment. "Sakura you could ask Kakashi. He's better." Sakura smiles looking him square in the eye. "Naruto, I don't believe that. Plus Sasuke will need his help tree climbing. You could teach Ino and I, it would help with team building and I'm persuasive."

Naruto inwardly sweats in nervousness and slight annoyance. 'She shouldn't have this effect on me any more. I don't care, I don't!' He thinks Kyūbi grunts in disagreement and annoyance.

Naruto turns and starts walking without a word. Sakura smirks over her shoulder at Ino, gestures to follow them. Asuma had noticed Naruto than the girls walk off, with nod to Kakashi to watch his students Asuma tails the others.

After following them for a short while he sees them by the lake sees Naruto standing in the water. Sakura and Ino fusing their own chakra.

Asuma smirks thinking 'So that's what their doing. Kakashi was right, that Naruto kid is getting stronger. The girls are proving to be much more, than just sad fangirls.' Asuma walks out Naruto hasn't noticed to focused on his task or just doesn't care. "So girls learning water walking huh? What Naruto didn't mention is you need to constantly pour chakra with the waters continuously moving. Or risk falling in and getting soaked."

The girls nod to one another slowly walk over the edge of the shore. They both get close to Naruto in the semi-center of the lake until they lose their control. Ino goes under having to swim back up to the surface freezing.

Sakura looked on in shock, she herself is about to fall under, Naruto without hesitation grabs her through the waist holding her steady. Sakura blushes badly wondering to herself. 'Say something, he shouldn't be holding you this close. He- I shouldn't let him, but it feels right.' A nervous giggle she wiggles a bit. "Naruto-kun thanks, but I'm good now. So you can let go."

Before she finishes he gently does as she asks without giving her another glance he moves to give her room he heard the Naruto-kun but chose to ignore it a slip of the tongue probably.

After about an hour Asuma announces "Alright you 3 let's head back. Should be time for lunch, Oh before I forget, Ino, Sakura great work your getting it." Ino smiles walking gently over to the shore. "Thanks sensei. Speaking of lunch I bet Chōji is already stuffing his face." Ino shakes her head fondly. Sakura walks to the shore and waits for Naruto to come along.

Sakura turns to Ino they happily fist-bump. Ino drops her hand giving Sakura a confused expression as the 3 follow Asuma back. Naruto behind the girls lost in his thoughts. "Hey Sakura, how come when Naruto insulted Sasuke-kun you didn't back me up?" Sakura looks behind herself at Naruto.

Faces forward smiling at Ino's question. "I guess, I don't know, It didn't bother me. I mean Sasuke just needs more practice. You should have seen Naruto-kun show me the first time it was so easy I didn't stumble not once. It was actually really fun." Sakura giggles happily. Both kunoichi's in training unaware Naruto heard their whole conversation.

Getting back to the clearing Asuma sees Shikamaru on his back cloud watching. "Shikamaru you gave up already?" He asks his unresponsive student sadly. Kakashi smiles "He understood it, his first go. Told me it was a waste, when he already mastered it."

Asuma chuckles shortly. "Understandable, the kid's got brains but hey he's a Nara enough said."

Kakashi looks at his two students relaxing with Ino on the tree trucks. "So what were those 3 up too?" Asuma shakes his head. "Believe it or not, Naruto was teaching the girls Suimen Hokō No Gyō (Water Surface Walking Exercise). They both had trouble but it didn't last. Sakura honestly Kakashi is a natural with chakra control. Naruto surprised me too, he already mastered it, yet teaching it was rusty not the best teacher."

Kakashi looks at the two, Sakura back with Ino sitting down talking with Naruto crossed armed leaning relaxed on the tree next to them. 'Sakura, your building yourself up more than I thought you would. Naruto, your parents would be proud of you. Lady Kushina would have approved of Sakura.' Kakashi thinks eye smiling as he does.

Sasuke panting from exhaustion looks over glaring at Naruto. He had heard some of the two senseis conversation.'Those two can't be that strong. Sakura is too weak and Naruto won't surpass me. I'm elite an Uchiha.' Sasuke thinks enraged.

During lunch it's calmly quiet until Inari speaks up. "Mom, those people are going to die. It doesn't matter how many of them come here. They will feel pain, heroes don't exist."

Tsunami scolds Inari, he angry shuts up. Naruto scoffs leaving the table heading outside. Sakura surprising everyone excluding Kakashi and Asuma goes after him. "Naruto!"

Inari looks up sniffing "Why did he leave?" Sasuke stops eating without turning to the child he answers. "The idiot walked out, to stop himself from attacking you. You brat, you say you know what true pain is well news flash brat you don't you have no idea what true pain is."

Team 10 look curious at that. Ino sitting next to Sasuke wonders what he means. Chōji actually stops in mid-bite wondering too. Shikamaru shrugs it off but read between the lines. Kakashi scolds him. "Sasuke that's enough."

Inari just scoffs and runs upstairs, Tsunami apologizes and tells them about Kaiza and how important he was to Inari and how with his death Inari had changed. Kakashi goes on explaining Naruto's hard life, that recently he himself changed recently. All of Team 10 are flabbergasted as Sasuke now sees his is not the only one with a sad lonely life.

Meanwhile, outside Sakura keeps shouting for Naruto to stop. He ignores her, she in turn races after him. As Naruto goes back to the lake they were at later he clenches his fists growls angrily. 'That little s***. He doesn't know what real pain is. Having a mother and grandfather love you unconditionally. The nerve to say there's no such thing as a hero. Little s*** was asking for it.'

He thought angrily. Just as Kyūbi was going to suggest causing Inari to feel real pain. He is again ignored by Naruto, when Sakura comes up from behind unnoticed and placing a hand on his shoulder.

She moves her hand up until it's gently rubbing his whiskered left cheek. Sky blue eyes stare into emerald green widely in shock. "Little Inari doesn't know what he's talking about. Naruto together we will bring peace to this place. Tazuna is close to finishing the bridge. We will defeat Gato somehow. I promise I won't be dead weight to you or the team."

Sakura removes her hand, instead kisses his still warm cheek smiling brightly. 'She, Sakura-chan, just kissed me! But I-I'm not right for her.' Naruto thinks conflicted as Sakura holds his hand in hers.

As Naruto contemplates why Sakura is acting this sweet. She herself is doing the same. Still holding his hand gently with her own wonders 'It's strange but feels nice. I treated Naruto-kun like dirt in the academy. It's in the past but it was still wrong. He yelled at me, but I can't blame him really. Even if he down the line doesn't want me any more, I will continue to show how sorry I am and how I want to see that smile, his goofy sweet smile again.'

Sakura is broken out her thoughts by Naruto squeezing her hand. Emerald eyes stare into sky blue ones questionably. He sighs feeling his throat tighten mesmerized by her eyes. "This first mission sure has be crazy. We aren't done yet either." Sakura giggles.

Naruto still dumbfounded just nods. "Zabuza's not dead so yea your right. So getting close to Gato will be harder too."

Sakura's face screams shock "What? But Kakashi-sensei checked his pulse."

Naruto looks away from her eyes to focus his thoughts. "So that's it. What did they tell us about Hunter-ninjas in the academy?"

Sakura explains automatically. "They're too work on the body right there. To avoid problems they don't wait." Sakura gasps cupping Naruto's face to look at her. "But that means, we were tricked. That boy took Zabuza's away. Oh no!" Naruto nods and removes Sakura's hand off his face.

Than her other out his own hand, not realizing he still held it, placing it at her side. Fingers lingering on her palm. "Sakura-chan you-you should head back. I still need to train and clear my head."

He turns away from her, she places her hand still warm from his contact on his wrist. "But Naruto it's late. We need rest. You can't stay out here." Naruto pulls his wrist out her grasp. "Tell the others. Kakashi-sensei and Asuma-sensei should already know what you just figured out. I will be fine. Go okay don't worry."

Naruto walks off, Sakura stares down at her hand that held his wrist tightly. She smiles contently heading back to Tazuna's house.

When she gets back she tells everyone Naruto's training so they all sit down and like Naruto said Kakashi informs everyone about Zabuza still being alive, Sasuke is shocked, Kakashi then tells them the reason why and about the Hunter-nin which again Sakura knows about.

Asuma nods "So now what if he's not dead then what."

It's surprisingly Sakura who replies "If the Senbon were placed in the neck, and going by the anatomy then it will take maybe a week to recover."

Kakashi nods "Very good Sakura, your correct so we have a week to prepare for him and it also means we have to prepare for the Hunter-nin, an unknown individual, then we have to be wary of Gatō, we don't know if he'll hire anyone else for now it's a wait and see game, so I suggest we send a team to train for half the day while the other team guards Tazuna then after lunch we switch what do you think Asuma."

Asuma rubs his chin "I agree so what can you tell me about Zabuza what did he use against your team."

Kakashi thinks for a minute "Well he used Kirigakure No Jutsu (Hidden Mist Technique), Suiton: Suirō (Water Prison Technique) and Suiton: Suiryūdan No Jutsu (Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique) That was the only Jutsu's he used, he's also a Kenjutsu user and a good one other then that your guess is as good as mine."

Asuma nods "OK so a Suiton user understandable being from Kirigakure, do we know anything about this Hunter-nin."

Kakashi thinks for a minute "I can't say anything about the individual's techniques or if the person is a Male or Female the person sounded like a male but with the mask it was unclear, we know he or she is young, but older then our Genin maybe a year or two older but that's it, were going into this particularly blind in regards to the Hunter-nin and I don't like surprises."

He then thinks for a minute before continuing "I can only assume that the Hunter-nin was watching the battle so will know what I can do, Naruto and Sasuke other then tricking Zabuza with a Shuriken attack, neither Zabuza nor this Hunter-nin have any idea what they can do."

"So like us they are also in the wind in regards to my team, add in you and your team and we have the numbers advantage and unless they bring more ninjas we have the upper hand."

Asuma nods "Well then we continue training for a day, all of the Genin before we start I'd suggest we get both the Chakra control exercises done but Sakura and Ino have learned both as has Naruto so I suggest one of us watches Naruto, Sakura and Ino while the other guards the other Genin's, then once the Ki Nobori No Shugyō (Tree Climbing Exercise) is done then we teach them the Suimen Hokō No Gyō (Water Surface Walking Exercise) asap."

Kakashi nods "I'll have Naruto, Sakura and Ino spar while you Asuma train the others."

Asuma also nods "I have no problems with that, I have a question to do with Naruto though."

Sakura and Kakashi look at Asuma, Kakashi nods "What's the question then,"

Asuma grins "Naruto seems to have trained himself I heard he did the rock climbing technique also do you know any other skills maybe what affinity he uses."

Kakashi grins "Well, I'm not sure, he's used a Fūton technique so it's possible it's that, Naruto's not very talkative but feel free to speak to him whether he'll talk is another thing."

Asuma nods "Oh yes I remember him mentioning him telling us when we saw him a few days ago but I'll do that but It's getting late we should all get some rest."

Kakashi nods and they all head upstairs. Ino and Sakura share a room Sasuke has to share with Shikamaru and Chōji, Kakashi and Asuma have there own room, Naruto's supposed to share with the other guys but whether that happens in unknown.

An hour later Sakura and Ino are sitting on there futons on the floor Ino grins "So what's it like being on the same team as Sasuke-kun, I bet it's so cool right."

Sakura smiles "Well I was hoping it would be nice but Sasuke's worse then I could have possibly imagined, he treats me like crap thinking I'm weak, he's insulting and sometimes I don't think I can rely on him having my back."

Ino nods "What's happened to Naruto, I mean in the academy he was a loudmouth idiot with hardly any skill and now he's like a totally different person, not only does he dress better which I must admit suits him but what's the deal with him when we saw him doing that rock climbing thing he wasn't very talkative."

Sakura bites her lip "I'm not really sure, something happened from the day of our Genin test to our team placements he's more quiet, he's stronger, faster and skilled I really don't know what happened but I'm glad he's my teammate and not my enemy I know he's got my back."

They both stay quiet Ino's trying to understand all this more then once she nearly opens her mouth but decides against it then decides to come back to that and ask about her running after Naruto "What's up with you and Naruto I mean you ran after Naruto after he left after that little brat opened his mouth, and why would Sasuke-kun say Naruto would have attacked him."

Sakura sighs "The old Naruto, I'd say he wouldn't have, but this new Naruto anything is possible he's already killed two people protecting me, he got badly hurt keeping me safe."

Ino looks at her in shock "Twice what do you mean I heard he saved you on this mission but he only killed one person."

Sakura groans "Something happened a week ago and I'm unable to tell you the full details, but I will say Naruto saved me and killed someone while he protected me, as for why I ran after him well in a way I don't really know, in a way I feel safe when I'm around Naruto he's dark and mysterious has a sort of bad boy vibe but he always keeps me safe did you forget I told you guys this when he was doing that rock climbing exercise."

Ino grins "It sounds like your saying your starting to fall for Naruto." When Sakura just blushes Ino's mouth almost hits the floor "Wait are you saying you might be I mean with the change of look he's got a certain vibe like you said a bad boy vibe and he has a certain hotness to him now, but come on you like Sasuke-kun right."

Sakura smiles but says nothing for a minute still thinking of the kiss even if it was only on the cheek, then there is her growing feelings for him, "I know in a way I should be scared of this new Naruto, he seems angry sometimes he's not a person who talks all the time well not any more I can't understand it really but in a way I know he will protect me."

Ino grins "Man, you've got it hard for Naruto don't you, so what happened after you ran after him, come on you can tell me."

Sakura raises an eyebrow "Tell you the gossip queen of Konoha I don't think so."

Ino smirks a very evil look that Sakura knows well "Don't jump to conclusions Ino."

Ino just shrugs "Did I say anything, you were the one who said don't jump to conclusions not me."

Sakura just sighs and lies down "Goodnight Ino."

Ino chuckles "You know it's been years since we've had a sleep over."

Sakura laughs "Yea it has."

Ino grins "So do you think Naruto will come back tonight, or stay out all night it must get cold during the night."

Sakura just shrugs and yawns "No idea, but he can take care of himself you should be more worried about anyone stupid enough to attack him."

Ino just nods and yawns herself and within moments she's asleep. Sakura tries to sleep for over two hours she just lies there she hasn't heard the door open so Naruto hasn't come back which means he's still outside. She quickly put her clothes back on and slips out of the room.

She tiptoes downstairs and unlocks the door before slipping out, she knows this is stupid she has no idea where Naruto is or even there's no guarantee he'll be where she left him over three hours ago.

She pulls out a Kunai and cautiously walks forward listening to everything she can hear animals out at night this really wasn't the best idea she could come up with, She's really not thinking straight right now, she sighs before she keeps walking after a short while she reaches the lake she sees him just standing there doing nothing.

Naruto's just standing there thinking when he senses someone behind him he knew it was someone but wasn't sure who but now the persons closer he knows it's Sakura, so he turns around and sees Sakura she's shivering he just sighs at what she's done coming out in the cold

"What are you doing out here, kind of stupid to come out your shivering."

She nods "I was looking for you, what are you still doing out here it's 2AM do you even sleep, is this what you do every night in Konoha although I doubt you would with those people after you."

He sighs "I don't understand you Sakura, in the academy you wouldn't give me the time of day and now your spending time with me you kiss me out of the blue, now you leave the house in the early hours of the morning to come look for me when you have no idea what is out here."

"Gatō's men could be out here we have no idea what his men do kidnapping, rape, murder who knows and you sneak around by yourself kind of stupid if you ask me, who knows what could have happened."

She gulps realising what he said "I was careful, but it's not easy to see in pitch black, but how would you know Gatō's men could be out here have you seen some of them, wait did you kill them."

He looks at her "To answer your questions firstly it's dark so you should have stayed inside, I can take care of myself, and yes I saw some of them earlier, I went into the town they were drunk they were talking about Tazuna saying Gatō's annoyed with Zabuza for not killing Tazuna."

"I did get some clarification that Zabuza's alive but I already knew that, as for your last question no I didn't kill them, but they know about us so they could try something but I'm not sure about Team 10 though."

She looks worried "Well what do you think will happen now then they know about us, this is bad if they know about us then don't you think Gatō will hire more ninjas especially as Zabuza is currently out of action, if they know about us either someone saw us at Tazuna's house or someone saw us training or lastly someone's helping out Gatō and giving him information who's to know that he doesn't already know about Team 10 arriving as backup."

Just then they hear a cough Naruto scoffs "Took you two long enough to make your appearance waiting to see if we'd do something perverted Kakashi-sensei, Asuma-sensei."

Asuma stays quiet but Kakashi chuckles "Not at all Naruto, we saw Sakura sneak out of the house so we decided to follow her and we end up hear, so doing some detective work Naruto."

Naruto shrugs "I wasn't tired so I like to go for walks good thing I did and you heard what I said so we definitely know Zabuza's alive but out of action and Gatō's not happy about it."

Asuma grins "Well nice work Naruto, what Sakura said is also possible but if the village is in fear of this Gatō it's possible this so called person could be doing this against his will say his family is under threat we don't know anything and are just assuming things."

Kakashi nods "Well let's head back to Tazuna's, later on we can think on all this more, let's get some sleep, both of you did well today, well Sakura did, but Naruto you did well with this new information."

Asuma nods "We have discussed what's going to happen for the next few days so let's head back shall we."

They all nod and head back to Tazuna's Sakura heads back upstairs to her room Naruto just lies down on the couch, Kakashi and Asuma head upstairs but Asuma comes back and puts a blanket over Naruto before heading back upstairs.