Author's Notes: I'm aware several people are prompting me to update this faster. I suppose I should, but this isn't exactly high on my list of priorities. Work, School, and Family do come first. Plus this isn't exactly my only hobby... Since the school year will be over relatively soon. I should be able to kick more update out at a more frequent pace. Anyway, I hope you're enjoying this fiction so far, and I'm glad there are people who like it.

Hmm...putting in two slashes wasn't working right when I uploaded this, and I don't really want to figure out why. Even if I didn't really use it much in this chapter, I don't want to deal with it in future chapters so I just changed it. Hope that doesn't throw anyone off.

On another note, even though I am working on this. I've been reading some of the Ranma 1/2 and Naruto crossovers scattered across the site, and it got me to thinking about how to do one... and I got this lovely idea... Ranma ½ tends to be another favorite of mine. I don't plan on doing anything with it in this fic mind you... but don't be surprised if one shows up by me in the near future.

# # Voice in Naruto's head

/ / Inner Dialouge.

{ } Akamaru

Chapter 4: Complications

"Huh? Wha? Bwuh? Gah?" Naruto had been trying to choke out the questions he had, but his mouth was having trouble keeping up with the stream of words he was trying to get out at the same time. Gamakichi looked up at him with a smug grin. Naruto could tell the small frog obviously knew something about what was going on and knew this was just getting Naruto worked up. He would have lost his temper right there and yelled at the frog, but that got lost from the sudden shouts of the even more surprised Kiba and Shikamaru. Actually, just Kiba. Shikamaru seemed to be more amused then surprised. Most of the conversation was lost in all the yelling. Between Naruto yelling at Gamakichi, Kiba shouting out how amazed he was, and Shikamaru trying to calm Naruto down. Nobody really heard what Gamakichi was trying to explain. Gamakichi eventually gave up trying to talk, and let himself be amused by the current situation.

Some time later, after all the shouting had ended. Gamakichi explained what he understood about Naruto's situation.

"Well, Naruto, explaining what happened is kinda weird. We know about that wish you made. We've always known about that well in fact. It actually belongs to a kami. But pops says, the kami it belongs to can't actually change the past, something about it not being in the kami's 'domain of influence' whatever that means. So in order to actually change your past, you were taken out of your original time line and put into this one. So you're really on a different world that just happens to be a year behind ours. Since our realm is on a different world then yours to begin with. Summoning us here shouldn't be any harder then summoning us on your original world...Might actually be easier come to think of it. It is relatively closer when you consider the amount of dimensions between them."

"That explains a lot." Naruto nodded, despite he didn't really understand a word of it.

"So if he's from a different world. What happened to our Naruto?" Shikamaru asked.

"I dunno. Maybe he was sent to this Naruto's home world. I wouldn't be surprised, but I can't actually tell you since I'm not from that world either."

"Well, I suppose it wouldn't be that bad if Naruto went there, I mean the worst is over for him isn't it?" Shikamaru asked.

"Umm...well...no, from what I heard Naruto's life wasn't about to get any easier." Gamakichi gulped. He didn't really want to tell them about what had happened the very day after Naruto left. It was a very messy incident. Involving Sasuke and that cursed seal. A lot of people had died. Although nobody had seen Naruto during all that, so if the other Naruto was there he was probably hiding. Which probably saved him, as Sasuke seemed to have been hell bent on challenging him as well as his brother.

"...So you're saying something worse then this Gaara is going to happen?" Shikamaru asked raising a curious eyebrow. Gamakichi hadn't been there personally, but his father said the sand kid had been killed by the Uchiha long before he had gotten there. As well as a lot of others, Gamakichi shivered.

"Much worse, but that's because..." Gamakichi frowned as he recalled how his father said it had ended. Sasuke has challenged his brother who was still looking for Naruto at the time, and Itachi was not amused. He had ended up killing Sasuke...but at the very least Itachi wouldn't be looking for Naruto on this world, so Gamakichi didn't want to have him worry about that problem at the moment. Besides he seriously doubted Naruto would like to explain to them why Itachi was looking for him.

"Is...everyone alright?" Naruto frowned knowing he wasn't about to like the answer.

Gamakichi didn't answer. This was enough to answer Naruto's question. Naruto's head dropped as he stared blankly at the ground.

"Is...Sakura-chan alright?"

"..."

"Damn it! Where was Sasuke!?"

"He...Naruto it...he..." Gamakichi tried to explain everything that happened, but couldn't. Naruto didn't really understand what Gamakichi was trying to say, but Shikamaru knew almost immediately, and it didn't take long for Kiba to figure it out as well. They stared blankly at the frog. As slow as Naruto might be, he eventually figured it out as well, and shook his head in disbelief. Seeing that Naruto apparently understood, Gamakichi sighed and found himself continuing the story.

"I'm not sure what happened Naruto, all I know is what my father told me. Sasuke got this cursed seal from Orochimaru that boosted his chakra immensely. He used it to challenge Itachi and it...it got out of hand. He attacked Itachi who was in the village looking for you. A lot of people died trying to stop them or got caught in the middle..."

Naruto growled through clentched teeth...

"and Sasuke lost..."

"But...Sasuke isn't like that...and he was in the hospital the day I left..how could he have? When did? Why?" Naruto asked in disbelief, "I shouldn't have left! I didn't need this stupid wish in the first place! I should have been there! I could have done something! It..."

"Naruto, clam down, it's not your fault." Gamakichi began.

"That stupid well! I can make a wish to fix all this!" Naruto gasped. Then promptly remembered he didn't know where the well was anymore. He groaned, and stared at the ground. This wasn't good.

"Look, Naruto, maybe it's too late to do something about this in your world, but you are here now. Maybe you can help us with our Sasuke. You said you were going to be on his team. Talk to him, or something." Kiba suggested.

"That might not be a good idea..." Shikamaru frowned, "If our Sasuke is looking for power too...telling him there was a way to gain more might make him go looking for it, and cause the very problem we're trying to avoid. It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy. I think it's better just to make sure Sasuke never gets it or find out about it."

"Well, if it's so bad to tell people about the future why'd Naruto tell us?" Kiba growled.

"Probably, because Naruto doesn't know any better." Shikamaru shrugged, "or at least doesn't think things through too well. It's not like it matters though. He's right when he says that it may or may not happen. If we wanted to, we could easily change our grades, and as a result be assigned to a different team just to prove Naruto wrong. Of course then again, things could have already happened from Naruto's short stay here that could have altered things so that even if we did change our grades. The others in our team would have changed their grades due to other events, and we'd end up on the same teams anyway. It's the only true way to test the idea of fate."

"bwuh?" Kiba blinked not understanding a word.

"Don't worry about it Kiba. Thinking about it is too troublesome for anybody. Best not to worry about it."

"Err...whatever you say, Shikamaru." Kiba blinked hoping he hadn't become as clueless as Naruto.

Naruto frowned. There was nothing he could do with that had already happened. Not unless he found that well again, which was unlikely. Kiba was probably right, he would need to do something about this Sasuke, but he didn't really know this Sasuke. Then again he apparently never really knew his own Sasuke. Plus talking with Sasuke... that would be the day. As if he could ever get that arrogant jerk to talk about anything. Naruto grinned as he faced his friends again. "You just watch. Even if I can't talk Sasuke out of it, he won't beat me."

"You sure Naruto?" Shikamaru asked.

"Heh," Naruto simply grinned confidently, "I'll make sure of it."

"Hmmph, well since you're training so hard I suppose we ought to train ourselves." Kiba grinned, "Right Akamaru."

{Right!}

"I dunno how you do it Naruto, but you seem to make everything so complicated. You sure know how to ruin a guy's day you know that." Shikamaru sighed, "Oh well, I suppose some extra training now will make things less troublesome in the future."

"We could train together." Naruto offered.

"Nah, you're way above us. Besides, I want to see if I can beat you during that fight we have at the chunin examine, and I can't have you knowing all my secrets. Now that I know you're not going to be a push over. You won't win that fight so easily." Kiba grinned.

"We'll see." Naruto laughed.

The two other rookies left to go train on their own. Leaving Naruto sitting in the empty training field once more.

"You'd better go home Gamakichi your dad's probably worried."

Gamakichi nodded and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Things were getting complicated now. Naruto looked up silently at the sky. The sun was still in the sky. It would be several hours before nightfall. With a new found resolve. Naruto created another set of Bunshins and continued his training.

--------------

"And where have you been?" Gamabunta asked sternly. Gamakichi cringed, having appeared only moments earlier.

"Pop! It's not my fault! I was summoned..."

"Not you, our guest..."

"huh?"

"Hmmph, I don't see what you're concerned with you ugly toad." A familiar voice growled.

"Huh?" Gamakichi blinked as he turned towards a voice he hadn't expected to hear here.

"You know I don't remember our Naruto ever having that much attitude." Gamabunta commented.

"Gee, I wonder... could it be...I'm not HIM!? Nah..." A frustrated Naruto Uzumaki growled sarcastically.

"Family is family, and that extends to apply to you too. Even if you aren't the one that signed the contract, you're linked with him so there's nothing I can do about it...unfortunately." Gamabunta growled irritably, it was apparent he wished that it wasn't true.

"Whatever you old blow bag. The only reason I'm stuck here is because of that stupid wish, and I'm fairly sure I'm not any better off here."

"If you keep it up with that cheek of yours, you won't be." Gamabunta growled obviously beginning to loose his patience.

"Feh, as if you could do anything to me. Family, remember."

"I could just as easily fix that."

"and your precious Naruto would have to be thrown out as well, and you wouldn't want that now would you?"

"Don't push your luck with me, boy."

"Same to you, wart breath."

Gamabunta grumbled to himself as he eyed his new guest. He really wondered if he could put up with this...

--------------

Naruto finished yet another set of Bunshins off, this time making sure that to watch for that sneaky speed trick they had tried last time. He was amazed he was doing this well. Usually this much effort exhausted him only after one battle, then again his previous battle today had been interrupted. He didn't have much time to ponder why though. Most of his thoughts were muddled at the moment. He was absolutely positive Sasuke wasn't the type to recklessly kill people. He wondered how it had all happened. It had to have been during the second test. They had run into Orochimaru, and Sasuke had been acting funny ever since then. Sakura knew something, but had never said anything. So Naruto had always figured it wasn't really that important. He'd have to keep a better eye on Sasuke during that exam, but he barely remembered what had happened during that first day...this complicated things considerably. Maybe he could warn Sasuke ahead of time, but would that actually help? Naruto was so caught up in what he should do, he failed to notice that he wasn't alone again.

"So...you are the sleeper." A stern voice growled. Naruto blinked, as he turned around to face...

"Mizuki?" Naruto blinked. He blinked again. Naruto slapped his forehead as he realized that this was before Mizuki had tried to frame him, and hence was still around. Although this was still a bizarre situation, as he wondered what could have brought Mizuki to him, after all, there wasn't anything he could bait him with to steal the scroll anymore. Naruto eyed the arrogant instructor warily, and realized that he was dressed in the same combat outfit he had worn the night he had tried to frame Naruto. Right down to the twin giant Shuriken on his back, Naruto's eyes narrowed as he realized Mizuki's initial tone of voice hadn't been all that friendly. Nor was the sharp glare he was getting at the moment.

"I'm not asleep..." Naruto protested.

"Very funny." Mizuki hissed, "Give it up. Do you think any real Gennin would posses the skills you do? It's obvious you're the one Sakai sent."

"What are you talking about!?" Naruto blinked, "Who the hell is Sakai?"

"Don't give me that, Uzumaki...or whoever you really are. You will not leave this field alive." Mizuki growled as he reached for one of the giant Ninja stars, "You will not threaten our lord's plan."

"Your lord's plan?" Naruto blinked, confused as hell.

"DIE!"

Mizuki predictably threw the shuriken aimed at Naruto's head. Naruto toppled backwards more out of surprise then as an attempt to dodge. He was still taken off guard by the fact Mizuki seem to be attacking him without trying to have him steal the scroll first. He curiously wondered what was going on, as he rolled out of the way of a hail of Kunai that tore up the dirt where he had fallen. Naruto flipped back to his feet, and calmly took a confident stance.

"Look, Mizuki, I don't know what you're talking about, but you're just too weak to beat me, so give it up already." Naruto grinned. He watched Mizuki go for his other Shuriken, and laughed. Bringing up his hands he made at least a hundred Bunshins appear in every corner of the field. Mizuki paused with the Shuriken held in mid throw. To Naruto's surprise, he calmly assessed the multiple Naruto's, and grinned.

"I've been watching you, Uzumaki, and I already know the serious flaw in your Jutsu." Mizuki laughed.

"What's that?" all the Naruto's asked in unison.

"You don't change spot when you create the Bunshins!" Mizuki yelled as he launched the giant Shuriken at the real Naruto. Said Naruto simply shrugged and ducked the giant projectile.

"Oh come on, Mizuki, that was lame." The Narutos taunted. None noticed the giant blade change direction in mid air and go sailing back in the direction it had come. Nor did they notice the slight twinge of a smile that crossed Mizuki's face. The blade continued to descend.

"Who is this lord you were spouting off about?" Naruto asked wanting to clear this up before he beat Mizuki senseless. Mizuki's grin grew wider as he watched the blade descend.

"Why do you think I'm sleeping?" Naruto frowned. As Mizuki's gaze changed to Naruto, he grinned evilly as he watched the projectile continue towards it's target. There was no way it could miss now... The Shuriken hit Naruto squarely in the back, and continued to pass through a harmless puff of smoke. Mizuki's jaw dropped. True, Naruto really didn't change places when he created the Bunshins. Usually his actual position was masked during the creation, but a good memory could locate the real one by remembering where he had been. It was a simple tactic, but ultimately useless, since one could always switch places with by using Kawarimi. After all, that's what Kakashi had done to him a long time ago. No sense in putting that lesson to waste. Mizuki was so shocked he almost forgot that his own projectile was still returning to him. He barely remembered in time to catch it. Now realizing that he was not only surrounded, but by a foe that was probably stronger then he was, he nervously adopted a fighting stance. There had to be a way for him to get away.

"You didn't answer my questions." The Naruto's repeated in unison.

"You haven't won this yet." Mizuki growled as he charged at the nearest group of bunshins and tried to desperately hack his way out of the circle of Naruto's. Naruto was surprised, he didn't remember Mizuki being a good fighter, then again Mizuki had panicked when he used kage bunshin again him. So perhaps he never really got to see. Still, Mizuki seemed to be better at fighting 1 on 1 fights then against a hundred all trying to strike him at once. As Mizuki dealt his vicious blow to the bunshin using his oversized shuriken, he left himself wide open to an attack from behind. A mistake Naruto had learned to correct early on in his training. Two others tackled Mizuki from behind, knocking him forward into the waiting arms of still more Bunshins. It wasn't until a muffled yelp of surprise from one of the Bunshins that the clones stopped trying to dog pile on top of Mizuki. In the precious moments of silence that ensued. The slight hissing and the smell of something burning was the only indication of what was about to happen. Moments later the entire pile exploded. Mizuki appeared seconds later in the branches of a tree not to far away.

"What was that?" One of the Naruto's asked in surprise looking at the crater where Mizuki had been. Mizuki's eyes narrowed and tossed a Kunai at the Naruto that spoke. The blade hit and passed through yet another Bunshin. He scowled. Moments later, an exploding tag that had been tied to the kunai blew up taking several more Bunshins with it. The remaining Naruto's growled, and took out a handful of Shuriken. Mizuki didn't even get a chance to blink as he saw what looked like a cloud of spinning metal advance upon him. It obliterated the tree, reducing much of the limbs to firewood. Mizuki had the sense to use Kawarimi again to dodge the assault. He would run for now. Naruto Uzumaki was apparently much stronger then he was led to believe. He was most definitely the sleeper, and even if he could not deal with him himself. There were others that could surely get the job done. He had simply confirmed what they needed to know. His mission complete, he began leaping through the trees, away from the battlefield.

It took Naruto several seconds to make sure Mizuki was gone, before he relaxed. He knew that this was a problem. As he stood there in the empty field he thought about everything that Mizuki had said, and wondered just what it was that he was talking about. There was something very wrong with this, he had no idea what, but something...something was VERY wrong with this situation. Who was Mizuki serving? Who was Sakai? What did he have to do with anything? And how in the world was he supposedly sleeping? Somehow....everything...was just so...

"...Troublesome."

#Troublesome? Who do you think you are? Shikamaru?#

Naruto groaned. He had almost forgotten about that problem too...