Jesterman: Hello again, I feel the need to make a statement about my story. This fanfic is not by any means a crossover. This is a pure Naruto fanfic and any similarities between these character's and places is for the most part unintended. That includes the currently mentioned OC characters.

These words and actions will be written in the following category:

Jutsus: Bold

Characters' Thoughts: 'Italics'

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and if I did I probably wouldn't be writing a fanfic here, when I could be making money writing this stuff for real.

Note to the Readers: This chapter takes place nearly seven weeks after the Prologue and two weeks before Naruto comes back from his 2 ½ years of training with Jiraiya. I would like to point out that at the rate the material for these stories are rolling out I will have to create more chapters than I originally thought I would be able to. I will go through with this anyway for you my loyal readers. (Yaaay, yahoo, yippee, etc.) I apologize, but this chapter turned out to be mostly flashbacks. So just please bare with me on this, okay?

Rated T

The Path through Fire and Death

Chapter 1: Seven Weeks Passing

Hinata Hyuga had rarely been this happy. Shinji Sensei had apparently even gotten Kurenai Sensei's permission to train her. The seven weeks of training with Shinji Sensei had done wonders for her in that surprising amount of time. Little did Hinata know she was secretly being followed by a familiar figure who kept to the rooftops to stay undetected.

Her skills and powers had increased greatly and with it her confidence. Of course, she was still a little shy and quiet most of the time, but some things never change. Shinji Sensei had told her it was alright and that in many cases she was wise to be quiet and (as he put it!) observant.

Flashback

"You can actually learn a lot more about what's going on around you when you take the time to listen instead of acting," he had reassured her. He was very patient when it came to training others like Hinata and he always seemed very interested in her successes. Surprisingly, he was actually more interested in her "strong-willed" determination than any actual achievements, which he did mention reminded him of Naruto. She of course blushed at the compliment and mention that she was greatly influenced by Naruto. He even genuinely praised her medical skills and use for herbs. Even more surprising, was that fact that he seemed to have very good medical skills and was able to help improve Hinata's. Some of the medical skills and techniques he used were completely unheard of to Hinata. When she asked him about that he told her, "I picked up this stuff during my travels and much of what you pointed out came from the Western half of this continent."

He had apparently done a lot of traveling in his life and was free when it came to sharing those stories. Though, Hinata could tell that he was purposely avoiding telling them certain ones. And the best Hinata could figure were they were extremely painful memories. She noticed a familiar look that she had often seen in Naruto's eyes and decided to respect his privacy, if he ever wanted to share his those parts of his past he would do so on his own.

He also helped her Taijutsu skills a lot. He seemed unusually familiar with the Gentle Fist style, something virtually unheard of outside her clan. He spent a lot more time, however, teaching her Ninjutsu and improving the Genjutsu her old sensei Kurenai had tried to teach her. Hinata was a little nervous about this at first seeing as how the Hyuga Clan was almost entirely Taijutsu and as the eldest daughter of the clan leader she was expected to follow these traditions. When she told Shinji this he, without much thought, told her:

"Hinata, that's ridiculous!"

"B-but, Shinji Sensei…"

"Look Hinata, it's a proven fact that in order to survive and become stronger clans must adapt and even change."

"B-b-but, a-as the eldest daughter of…"

"But nothing! Listen to me Hinata, if you want to exceed in life you can't let relics of the past such as certain traditions hold you back from reaching you true potential. And believe me; you have a huge amount of potential, even if it's not what everyone expects!"

Hinata blushed deeply at this. 'He says I have a lot potential!' Hinata asked Shinji, "A-are sure a-about m-me!?"

"Sure I'm sure, I just find it hard to believe that your not. I mean Naruto believed you did, and I can see why he believes that as clear as day!" Hinata blushed even harder at Shinji mentioning Naruto's confidence in her. "You just need to increase your skills in other areas. I have no doubt at all that this will improve your overall capabilities."

And slowly, Hinata began to follow Shinji's lessons and soon enough her overall skills did improve. Curiously, he insisted that some of the daily lessons involved using her chakra to help plants grow. Not that Hinata minded it, in fact she truly loved it, but she couldn't understand exactly how this would help her as much as he claimed it would.

He did of course spend time training Lee and Tenten as well as the new people he managed to gather. These people were Shikamaru Nara and Ino Yamanaka. Who were both a bit shocked and skeptical about him being from the long Lost Village Hidden in Death! They really didn't believe him at first. But eventually, they over came their shock and as for their skepticism Shinji's ability to walk straight through solid object as well as a few other demonstrations soon had them completely convinced. With the addition of Shikamaru and Ino total number of ninja being taught by Shinji Tsunagi was brought up to five.

Strangely, he had made each and everyone of the five swear never to tell anyone about him or the training they were receiving from him. He did say that their immediate family was already told his name and that he was training them, but aside from that they knew nothing more then they needed to. And no one who was receiving training from Shinji was allowed to let their family members know anything more. Or else, as in the case of Kiba Inuzuka who refused to do so, he would erase their memory and drop them off in a random spot inside the village before anyone could say anything (he had hung Kiba by his feet at the top of the ninja academy's flagpole figuring that some he knew would come by to pick him). He had also, much to everyone's surprise, spoke perfect dog (!!??) to Akamaru asking him not to tell Kiba about this in return for a 10 pound bag of multi-flavored dog treats. And, surprising everyone again as well as grossing a few out, Shinji actually ate a few extra dog treats that he had been keeping for Akamaru's training telling everyone, "It would be a shame to let these treats go to waste. And besides, they're pretty tasty!"

When any of them asked him why they were not allowed to tell anyone, all he would tell them was, "I don't want to cause any trouble. Besides, I have my own reasons for why I'm doing this."

He also changed the locations of where they were to meet him everyday as an extra precaution to make sure no one could find them.

After five weeks he gave out summoning contracts to those that didn't have any. Hinata had been given a Tiger Contract with a tattoo place on her arm so she wouldn't have to cut herself to summon one Authors Note: The idea of Hinata Hyuga cutting herself just doesn't seem right to me. Ino and Shikamaru both were given a Hawk Contract. What Lee got though was, to say the least, really unusual.

"O boy, O boy, what do you have for me Shinji Sensei," exclaimed a very loud and very excited Lee.

Shinji sat down on a log and thought for a moment. Then when he got an idea he began looking through his backpack. The backpack had always been an intriguing thing for Hinata. It carried way more than what it should physically be able to. When she asked about this Shinji showed that the inside of the bag was covered in runes. When she asked what they did he explained to he that these runes cause almost any item placed inside to shrink to a twentieth of its original weight and size. The only exception was a few rare mystical items, anything living, and items that were too big to normally fit in it. When Ino asked Shinji if he could make her one he stated that he had bought the item and was currently unable to successfully copy it. However, he was close to being able to produce minor versions with about a ¼ of the originals power. But, he was still trying to work out the glitches.

After he found what he wanted from his bag he drew out a brown colored scroll and placed it on the ground before him. He then said to Lee, "Considering your low amount of chakra there is very little you could actually summon. However, there is one type of summon creature that is capable of and has agreed to a specific contract allowing for an amazingly small amount of chakra needed to summon any of them. You would be capable of summoning any of them even their King despite your low amount of chakra. Unfortunately, they can be tough to deal with."

Lee looked him in the eyes and then he straightened and brought his right hand up giving Shinji a full professional military style salute. Sweat beads dropped at this and at what would inevitably come after. And then he said to Shinji loud enough for everyone to hear, "I vow that I will do my best to accomplish the task before me. By the power of youth!!! I will earn their respect through sheer determination and…" The rest was lost as Lee was dealt a devastating blow to the head courtesy of Tenten.

Shikamaru walked up to Shinji and asked, "Out of curiosity, what kind of creature does this contract summon?" Before Shinji could answer Shikamaru, Lee (who had recovered from Tenten's hit) immediately took the contract from were Shinji had put it and said to everyone, "I have vowed to master these summoning beasts and earn there respect. And I have full trust in Shinji Sensei's judgment." With that said he bit his thumb and signed the contract. And before anyone could stop him he fell to his knees and brought his hand down, "Summoning Jutsu!!!"

"NNNOOOO," Shinji cried as everything seemed to move in slow motion.

A thick cloud of smoke appeared as Shikamaru turned to Shinji to ask him what creature the contract was meant to summon, but before he could say anything the smoke cleared and the answer to his question could now be seen before him. What appeared through the smoke caused the jaws of everyone, except Shinji who already knew what it was, to drop. There before them was a SQUIRREL!!!

This squirrel had eyebrows like Lee and Guy's. It then said to everyone, "Hi my name is Chitters I'm here for the advisor position?" Lee did not fall over at this, but everyone else fell over. Minus Shinji who only sweat dropped at this.

Ino got up and turned to face Shinji and while pointing at the summoning exclaimed, "WHAT THE HELL, A TALKING SQUIRREL!!! YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT THERE IS SUCH A THING AS A SQUIRREL CONTRACT!!! WHO THE HELL HAS EVER HEARD OF A SQUIRREL CONTRACT ANYWAY!!!!!"

Ignoring him Shinji said to the stunned Lee, "Now Lee, I should warn you that they tend to be overly energetic, overly helpful, very loud, and…. Come to think about it they seem to match you perfectly!"

A few seconds past with Lee just looking at his summon. He then forced everyone within the vicinity to cover their ears as he gave the biggest shout "yahoo" that anyone present had ever heard from him. He then hugged the squirrel stating, "He's perfect, this is one of the happiest days of my life!!!" At this everyone (including Shinji) fell over.

During the seven weeks Hinata and everyone else got to know the other person who was helping them train. The gray mass of chakra that Sensei Shinji had been talking to was actually a real life ghost. He introduced himself in the second week of their training, "Hello, my name was and still is Kazumoto Yamazaki. 384 years ago I was a great and powerful ninja of the Yamazaki Clan. I chose to be Shinji Tsunagi's partner about ten years ago. And I have been his partner ever since."

Shinji then said, "Yep, and it wasn't until nearly eight years ago that I managed to find and master any of the Guardian Spirits!"

"Guardian Spirits," the students asked!?

Shinji informed them that, "Every member from the Village Hidden in Death has one spirit partner who can grant them their power and wisdom. But, a Death ninja usually uses more than one! Unlike a Spirit Partner they usually stay in type of hibernation stasis until they are called for. The number of Guardian Spirits a Death ninja can posses varies depending on three factors; the strength of that particular ninja, the power of the Guardian Spirits, and the most important of the three the method used to gather and maintain them. The can even use up to a hundred!" He then lifted up part of his bead necklace to better so that Hinata and everyone else could see it better. While holding it up he said to his five students, "I use these special beads to contain mine. Right now I have gathered 15 Guarding spirits, but I am only able to use at the most 8 of them at any given time."

"So, out of curiosity, how many types of ways to contain these Guardian Spirits are there," asked Shikamaru?

"To be honest, I'm not really sure! There are many ways to contain them, but I only know of a few!"

"A few huh?"

"Well, keep in mind, my people were almost wiped out by the Village Hidden in the Heavens about 500 years ago and we have been hunted down ever since. Though, the Heaven Village disbanded the official hunting parties about 100 years ago not many survived. There are only so few of my people left!"

"Wait a minute," said Ino, "does that mean there are more of you Death Nin running around?!"

Everyone looked expectantly at Shinji whose expression took on a look of regret, pain, and was that FEAR that he showed?!

"I'm sorry, but that is not a topic I am willing to discuss," said Shinji with a non-violent, but serious 'don't even try to pursue this topic' look that stopped any further questions about this matter.

…End of Flashback

Hinata couldn't help, but ponder, 'I can see why that would be such a sore subject for most people and not the kind of thing that anyone would want to discuss. But still, what was with that painful look of fear he showed? I wonder what could have happened to him? I mean, what could he be so afraid of?' Hinata decided to stop thinking about what could cause Shinji-Sensei to be so afraid and to focus on getting to the meeting place on time. So she quickened her pace still unaware that she was being followed.

End of Chapter One