Team Seven was grateful that their two days of mandatory recovery were over. The Hokage was well-aware of Sasuke and Naruto's determination and habits. Thus, the mandatory recovery period was practically house arrest. Naruto, in particular, had to be constantly monitored. Hiruzen had, at first jokingly, assigned Umino Iruka a C-rank mission to enforce the no-training orders.

To the Hokage and Iruka's surprise, what had begun as a joke mission had become a legitimate mission. Sasuke and Sakura wished they had been there to witness Naruto's thirty-seven escape attempts.

It would have helped with their own mind-crushing boredom. Kizashi and Mebuki had been very determined to ensure that their precious cherry blossom recovered and enforced the recovery period as if it was house arrest.

Sasuke, though...Sasuke had undergone the worst of all tortures. He was not watched over by the Academy teacher he had 'adopted' as a big brother figure. He was not attended to by his parents. The Uchiha survivor had the tragic fate of 'hanging out with his beloved sensei'. Kakashi had decided to crash at Sasuke's apartment while the Jonin's own was being 'fumigated'. Sasuke was convinced that if the recovery period had extended into a third day that his Sharingan would have fully matured in a desperate attempt to help Sasuke escape.

Kakashi spent nearly forty of the forty-eight hours attempting to evangelize Sasuke in the ways of the Icha Icha series.

Team Seven had never been so glad to see each other. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke exchanged their experiences under mandatory recovery. The conversation was pleasant until Naruto indulged his ego.

"They named a bridge after me! That kickass Ice Release thingy I did wiped out all of Gatō's thugs! When we were leaving, Inari...who isn't as big of a brat as we thought...said he'd try to get a holiday named after all of us! But! I. Have. A. Bridge. Named. After. Me!"

Sasuke ground his teeth. He was proud of what Team Seven had accomplished during the mission to Wave. A part of Sasuke wondered if liberating an entire country was something Itachi had done at age thirteen. The Uchiha also knew that Naruto had received almost zero acknowledgment his entire life. Still, Sasuke's friend had been going on about the damn bridge for at least fifteen minutes.

"I know, you've mentioned it," Sasuke said flatly.

Kakashi suddenly appeared behind Team Seven. "If it helps, the national holiday in Wave is on July Seventh and is named after all of Team Seven."

"Oh, that does help..." Sakura spoke up before shrieking in surprise. She spun and attempted to back-fist the source of the voice in a reflexive defensive action.

Kakashi casually caught his kunoichi student's swing. "Not bad, Sakura. That'll help you with your training. We're heading to the Hokage's office. After everything that happened in Wave, I need to prepare you all for the new reality you have discovered."

Team Seven recognized Kakashi's normal flippant tone, but there was an edge to it they were unfamiliar with outside of combat. The curiosity weighed on them heavily as they fell in behind Kakashi. Chuunin guards and secretaries stood aside for Team Seven. In reality, it was due to Kakashi's reputation. That did not stop Team Seven from indulging in vanity. They embraced the idea that the Chuunin were stepping aside for them.

Of course, this just fed into Naruto's newly recognized ego.

Sasuke had just started to promote Naruto from 'tolerable' to 'actual teammate'. He couldn't blame Naruto for his pride. Sasuke's pride was one of his few possessions. It was just that Naruto had crossed over into hubris. The worst part was...the blond-headed hyperactive knucklehead hadn't acknowledged Sasuke's contributions or near death. It stung just a bit.

The musing was cut short as Team Seven entered the Hokage's office.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was a legend and every member of Team Seven respected him greatly. The Third Hokage radiated a grandfatherly aura to the loyal citizens of Konoha. He was directing that sense of Grandfatherly Pride at every member of Team Seven.

"Team Seven, I can tell that you are grateful to return to active duty," the Hokage began. "Konoha, and the entire Land of Fire, thanks you for your efforts in the Land of Waves. Our Daimyo has taken a personal interest in the aftermath of your first true shinobi mission."

The Hokage allowed the children an excited moment where they exchanged proud exclamations for their future. In truth, this sentimentality was also a strategic consideration. Simply put, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke were strategic assets of the highest order. Hiruzen knew that maintaining the delicate balance of contentedness and 'an edge' was vital. Naruto and Sasuke were too valuable to risk any thoughts of disloyalty.

As the Jinchūriki of the Kyūbi and the last loyal possessor of the Sharingan, the boys were walking weapons of mass destruction. The Daimyo and Hiruzen required Naruto and Sasuke to be powerful shinobi and serve as an indomitable deterrent to Kumo's militarism.

The Hokage was somewhat disappointed that none of Team Seven, even book-smart Sakura, questioned how the Daimyo had discovered the results of the Wave mission so quickly.

"In order to ensure that you reach your potential as quickly as possible, we are accelerating your training. Team Seven will still work together, but additional training has been arranged."

Naruto and Sasuke were especially happy by this development. Sakura faced a moment of apprehension, but the successes in Wave bolstered her confidence.

"What kind of training, Old Man? Is it super bad-ass jutsu?" Naruto asked hopefully.

An amused chuckle escaped the wizened Hokage's lips. "Perhaps in time." He paused a moment. "First off, Miss Haruno, Kakashi and I have decided that increasing your skills in taijutsu and psychical conditioning would provide the greatest boon for you."

"Thank you, Hokage-sama," Sakura replied formally and automatically. She wasn't hugely thrilled by practicing taijutsu because her real hope was to study genjutsu or medical ninjustu. Still, it wasn't the best idea to argue with the Hokage.

"You will meet with Might Guy, sensei of Team Nine, today at four P.M. He will hone your potential to an extent few, if any, in Konoha can." The Hokage finished his statement with a nod.

Kakashi smiled. "You'll be stuck with me, Sasuke. Someone has to teach you how to use your eyes."

"What about me?" Naruto interrupted.

The Hokage leaned back in his chair. "We know nothing about your Dōjutsu, Naruto. Have you any idea how to even activate the Dōjutsu?"

"Uh, not really," Naruto confessed. "Can't I work with Sasuke and Kakashi-sensei?"

Kakashi shook his head. "Sorry, Naruto. We'll still work together. It's just there are some very specific Sharingan techniques Sasuke has to learn. They need to be kept as secret as possible."

"Clan stuff?" Naruto asked glumly.

"Clan stuff, kiddo," Kakashi apologized.

'Clan stuff,' Sasuke thought. He was still a bit annoyed with Naruto. At least he had somewhat calmed down.

"But," Naruto interjected cautiously. "Sasuke is the only other person I really know that has a Dōjutsu! I thought we were going to train together! You know, like teammates!"

'Okay,' Sasuke thought. 'Maybe I'm underselling just how desperate Naruto was for acknowledgment. I always wanted Father to recognize me, but at least I had Mom...'

His annoyance vanished as an idea flashed into his head. A smile worked its way onto Sasuke's face. "Actually, I think you know someone with a Dōjutsu."

"I do?"

Sasuke and Sakura exchanged a look. Sakura leaned forward, flabbergasted. "You don't remember Hinata?"

"Of course," Naruto shot back at Sakura. "I just don't really know her, that's all."

The 'Last Uchiha' had just let his annoyance go, but he still wanted to get Naruto back a little bit for being so obnoxious. Sasuke recalled that Hinata was very quiet and really socially awkward. That nature would clash mightily with Naruto's personality. The resulting awkwardness might get Naruto to mellow finally. A glance over to Sakura confused the Uchiha greatly.

'Sakura is amused. Why is she amused?' Sasuke wondered. "What?"

"Oh, you'll see," Sakura answered in a sing-song voice that only a girl lording a secret over someone could manage.

"Something up, Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked, confused by the exchange.

The pinkette was gleeful at the momentary edge she was in possession of. "Nothing, Naruto. I think this training will be very beneficial!"

"Oh?" Naruto asked excitedly. Sakura grinned sweetly, yet nigh-maniacally. "That's awesome! Thanks Sakura-chan!"

The Hokage had allowed Team Seven their moment. "I believe Sasuke-kun and Sakura-chan have made a splendid suggestions. Team Eight is currently completing a D-rank mission. Naruto-kun, you have leave to work with them for the day. Please respectfully ask Hinata-chan to assist you. Remember, you want my position one day."

"Of course, Old Man!" Naruto answered emphatically.

"Well, Hinata-chan is the heiress of the Hyūga Clan. Offending her in any way would harm your future candidacy," Hiruzen explained.

"Wow, I thought she was just kind of shy and nice. Didn't realize she was a big deal. I guess it's cool she didn't let things go to her head." Naruto finished with a shrug.

With that, the Hokage dismissed Team Seven. Kakashi and Sasuke headed off for a secluded area.

"Good luck with your training, boys!" Sakura called out as she watched her sensei and teammates head off. "Now...I wonder if anyone knows about Guy-sensei...I should have asked Kakashi-sensei, but...oh well."

Uzumaki Naruto loved the memory transfer part of the Kage Bunshin technique. It was so useful. Especially now, as it would have taken a very very long time to track down Team Eight. Their D-rank mission was tracking down a missing pet.

'Team Eight is perfect for that. They are a tracking team. I wonder what is causing it to take so long?"

"Why is it a bird?!" Kiba shouted as Naruto rounded the corner. "And Kurenai-sensei, when will Hinata be back?"

"Soon. I trust that Hinata will come through for us," Kurenai assured her male students, who responded with simple nods. "And it seems we have a guest."

"Hi everybody?" Naruto asked.

"What's up, Naruto?" Kiba counter-asked.

Kurenai wanted to roll her eyes at male communication. "How are you, Uzumaki-san?"

"I'm good, Kurenai-sensei. Oh, hi Shino." Naruto waved to everyone.

Shino nodded respectfully. Kurenai cleared her throat. "May I ask why you have been trying to track us all day?"

Naruto sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "I, uh, really need Hinata to help me with something and I'm not sure I can talk about it much. Old Man Hokage was pretty...uh...clear on that."

'It can't possibly be about that could it?' Kurenai wondered.

"Naruto-san. Where is your team?" Shino questioned.

"Well, after that mission to Wave, The Old Man said we need special training. Sakura-chan is going to be working with Guy-sensei, whoever the heck that is..."

Kurenai wanted to laugh. 'That poor girl. I almost considered requesting her for my team based off her genjutsu potential, but her physical condition needed someone like Kakashi to help her achieve her full potential.'

"And your sensei and Sasuke-san?" Shino pressed.

"Sharingan stuff. Super secret," Naruto whispered conspiratorially, which worked beautifully to put Shino and Kiba at ease. "As for me, I need Hinata's help, but I'm not sure I can talk about it. Hokage's orders."

The two boys nodded. "So, Hokage send you to shadow us?"

"A bit, yeah. I mean, everybody knows Akamaru has the best manners of anyone we know..." Naruto shrugged.

The ninken howled a, "Don't you know it?" message. Everyone was laughing as Hinata arrived. "Kurenai-sensei, I am back!"

"Welcome back, Hinata," Kurenai greeted her student. "Did you get what Shino suggested?"

"Yes, Kurenai-sensei," Hinata responded quickly. She dashed over and handed the bird seed to her commander.

"Thank you Hinata. Oh, we also have a guest for this mission..." Kurenai said with a knowing smile.

"Hi Hinata!"

Hinata froze and went ramrod straight at the sound of the voice. She desperately wished that she had mastered her Byakugan enough to not need the hand-seal sequence yet. Hinata was close, but hadn't quite mastered it yet. Fortunately, she was still a year ahead of schedule. That meant she wasn't a total failure in one regard according to her father.

"H-Hello, Naruto-kun..."

In an effort to rescue his teammate from a total meltdown, Kiba cleared his throat. "So, can we rescue the bird now?"

"Oh, right!" Hinata squeaked and produced the bird seed. Shino called out to the pet using a phrase the owner had provided. The bird came quickly. Kiba reacted just as quickly and got the bird into the cage.

"Mission success," Kurenai said with relieved humor. "We can head back to the Hokage's Tower and receive our payment. Naruto, you can come along."

"Yes, Kurenai-sensei!" Team Eight responded in unison.

"Thanks, Kurenai-sensei," Naruto boomed. The Genin followed the Jonin back to the Hokage's Tower. Naruto held back as Team Eight delivered their report and received their pay vouchers. It wasn't his place to say anything, and he was curious to see how other teams handled their debriefings. Naruto also took the opportunity to daydream that he was the one receiving the debriefing from a Genin team and giving a quick speech on how this stuff is actually important.

"Shino-kun and Kiba-kun," the Hokage's words cut Naruto's daydream short. "I will need a moment with your sensei, teammate, and Naruto-kun."

Kiba and Shino bowed to their supreme commander, exchanged a look, and left to go get something to eat. Naruto strolled, hands in his pockets, over to where Hinata and Kurenai were standing in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"I trust young Naruto was as subtle as possible about his request," Hiruzen teased.

"Naruto mentioned that he probably couldn't talk about his request out in the open," Kurenai confirmed.

The Hokage nodded. "Excellent. He is learning. The following is a B-rank secret, and thus requires my expressed permission is required to divulge any information on this topic."

"Understood, Hokage-sama," Kurenai said automatically.

"Of course, Lord Hokage," Hinata readily agreed.

"Naruto-kun has a dōjutsu that we have never encountered before. He has only activated it recently to our knowledge."

Hinata gulped. "Hokage-sama, if I, if I may..."

"Is there an observation or insight you would like to provide, Hinata-chan?" The Professor asked.

"Naruto-kun activated his dōjutsu in the past. The day after the...incident...with the three bullies during the Academy, I was going to give Naruto-kun a textbook he had left in class. He was in a great deal of pain and Jonin Kanden Tekuno helped Naruto-kun get to the hospital."

The Hokage nodded. He was surprised that the Hyūga heiress remembered the incident. "Did you see Naruto-kun's dōjutsu?"

"I...I believe so. His eyes became a solid amethyst color with an odd...odd squiggly design," Hinata struggled to recall that moment.

"So you say," Hiruzen lit a pipe. "It appears Sasuke-kun's suggestion was quite prescient."

Kurenai raised an eyebrow at the exchange. It was all quite fascinating. 'Another dōjutsu could be a very powerful asset for the village. I do wonder if the Kyūbi would have any impact on Naruto's Bloodline.'

"Hinata-chan," Sarutobi announced after a drag on his pipe. "I am assigning you a long-term B-rank mission. You will assist Naruto-kun in leaning how to reliably activate his dōjutsu and provide joint reports on the nature of his Bloodline Limit."

"Of course, Hokage-sama!" Hinata could not agree to the assignment fast enough. As the Hokage outlined the details and expectations more thoroughly. Naruto barely heard what the Old Man was saying as he wracked his brain trying to remember the thing Hinata was talking about. There were flashes, but nothing concrete. Still, the fact that Hinata remembered and was showing this much enthusiasm about helping him was awesome.

"I believe Training Ground 14 would be the best location for having Hinata assist Naruto with his dōjutsu," Kurenai suggested.

"An excellent suggestion," Sarutobi concurred. "If you would escort the Genin to the Training Ground, Kurenai-sensei?"

Kurenai bowed at the implicit message. Naruto and Hinata followed suit, though Naruto added a wave. The Genin followed at a casual pace behind Kurenai.

"Training Ground 14 is one of the more private grounds," Kurenai said as they arrived. "You should be able to practice here without interference."

Hinata bowed. "Thank you, Sensei."

"I am confident that this training will be done in a professional way," Kurenai's eyes as much as her words bored deeply into Naruto's soul.

"O-Of course..." Naruto gulped.

"Good!" Kurenai said chipperly.

'Women are scary...Hinata doesn't seem too bad, though,' Naruto pondered.

"N-Naruto-kun, do you remember what it was like when you activated your dōjutsu?" Hinata asked.

"I was kinda angry at the time, but I remember...pressure I guess behind my eyes. You ever fill up a water balloon a bit too much?" Naruto concluded with a question. Hinata nodded. "It kinda felt like that."

"That means you haven't learned to regulate the chakra following to your eyes. We need to work on that in order for you to properly activate your dōjutsu."

"Ah, man! You mean, we can't just skip to the cool stuff?" Naruto whined.

Hinata giggled, but rolled her eyes. "I-I'm afraid not, Naruto-kun. Would you skip stretching before training?"

"Heck no! Pulling a muscle sucks!" Naruto complained.

"The principle is the same, Naruto-kun. Except...instead of pulling a muscle..." Hinata was nervous about how to break the news. This was a troubling subject, after all.

"How bad?"

Hinata gulped. "Your eyes could explode."

Naruto laughed nervously. "Hinata, you are pranking me, right?"

"N-No, I'm afraid that I'm not pranking you. There are records of…'branch' Hyūga suffering that fate when they attempted to activate their Byakugan improperly."

"I DON'T WANT MY EYES TO EXPLODE!" Naruto screamed.

"I don't want your pretty eyes to explode either," Hinata tried to calm Naruto.

"Huh, what did you say about my eyes?" Naruto asked quickly.

"N-Nothing important! We should get started on that chakra exercise!" Hinata quickly exclaimed to cover her slip. 'I can't believe I said that out loud!'

Uchiha Sasuke was exhausted, but satisfied. He was learning a great deal from Kakashi about the Sharingan. The Last Uchiha just wished Kakashi hadn't lied about team training being a thing. Sasuke hadn't seen Naruto or Sakura in two days.

'I'm actually missing those two...' Sasuke's admission was stunning. The last thing that he thought he had wanted was to form bonds. Sasuke couldn't deny the reality. Somehow, Naruto and Sakura had become his friends. As he wandered the streets of Konoha, Sasuke shoved his hands into his pockets. His conflict needed some kind of outlet. 'Preferably an outlet that would let me gauge my progress with Kakashi...'

It wasn't just his progress with Kakashi, Sasuke realized. He thought back to the tree climbing exercise back in Wave. Naruto and Sakura had pushed him to exceed what Sasuke believed were his limits at the time. That Man had told Sasuke the path to power and revenge was a solitary path, but Sasuke had advanced more in the past couple of months with the aid of others than he thought possible.

Which led back to Sasuke's original surprising though.

He was missing Team Seven. He was missing his friends.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura called out. Sasuke smiled, but quickly felt a pang of habitual worry. The normal response would be for Sakura to squeal and ask for a date that Sasuke, frankly, had no interest in. He wasn't opposed to dating. It was just too early for that sort of thing.

"Is everything okay?" Sasuke asked out of a mix of curiosity and concern.

"I'm just glad that Team 7 will be working together again," Sakura admitted. "Guy-sensei and Lee-kun are beyond hardcore when it comes to physical conditioning and taijutsu. I might even be able keep up with you and Naruto for a bit now!"

"I look forward to seeing it," Sasuke said noncommittally. He was waiting for the date requests to start flowing.

"Well, I'll see you at training with Kakashi-sensei. I have to knock out this 5k run, or I'll disappoint Guy-sensei and Lee-kun."

Sasuke could only watch as Sakura jogged off. That hadn't gone anything like how Sasuke had expected it to go. But...Sasuke could respect the drive Sakura had demonstrated.

'This is so weird.'

Sasuke's thoughts turned to his other teammate and friend. The whole concept of accepting friendship was very alien. There was no denying that Sasuke felt...better since opening up, but it went against the world view that That Man had instilled in him that awful night.

'But isn't that a reason to reject that mindset?'

The jolt forced Sasuke to shelve that line of thought. He wasn't quite prepared to confront the possibilities that lay along that path at the moment. Instead, Sasuke doubled down on his quick run to the store to pick up some things he had run out of at home. Sasuke's eye arched of its own accord as he rounded the corner. Uzumaki Naruto was standing in front of a giggling Hyūga Hinata. Naruto was resting his hands behind his head and stretching to appear a bit taller. Hinata was struggling to maintain eye-contact and contain her blush, but she was leaning forward and pulling her shoulders in.

It was just like That Man and Izumi…

So much for the 'get Naruto to mellow out through awkward social encounters'. Sasuke thrust his hands in his pockets and slowly approached. It'd be a real dick move to interrupt a moment like that.

"I-It's just a C-rank, Naruto-kun," Hinata pointed out.

"I know, but it's been, fun ya know? Training and, uh, that one post-training lunch that we need to do again..."

'I don't believe it. He stammered. The heck? How is that even working?' Sasuke wondered.

"We can resume our training when I get back," Hinata said with slight hesitation. "A-And I would love a post-training lunch..."

Naruto continued to beam. Sasuke didn't hear what Naruto said next as it was not quite whispered to Hinata. The Hyūga Heiress smiled broadly and was as red as Sasuke's Sharingan.

Once Hinata, eventually, walked away Sasuke called out to Naruto, "Hey! Naruto!"

"Oh! 'Sup Sasuke?" Naruto asked as he turned around.

"The training with Hinata has been going well?" Sasuke asked.

Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "It's been awesome! She taught me how to activate my dōjutsu!"

"Figured out what it does?" Sasuke asked his follow up.

"Uh...not quite. We were going to work on that later," Naruto finished with a shrug. "So...wanna see it?"

"Sure," The Uchiha agreed with a smirk. 'Maybe I can get a spar out of this. I want to see results of my training.'

Naruto grinned. "Kurenai-sensei suggested Training Ground 14. It's out of the way. Can't have all your super-secret Sharingan secrets out in the open now can we?"

"Thinking like a ninja," The raven-haired boy sniped in good humor.

"Someone on our Team has to!" Naruto shot back without hesitation.

Sasuke couldn't help but smirk. He'd probably get a spar out of this after all. Sasuke was excited to see how Naruto would utilize his Kage Bunshins and if Sasuke could overcome them.

The two boys arrived at the training ground. Naruto grinned. "You ready, Sasuke?"

Sasuke lifted his chin. "I'm sure you're eager to show off."

The Uzumaki shinobi laughed as he went through the hand-seals Hinata had worked with Naruto on. "Okay, I'm ready to go."

Naruto quickly finished going through the hand-seals a second time and activated his dōjutsu. Sasuke was surprised by the purple hue, and black, spiraling double-helix design.

"I've never seen anything like that," Sasuke said flatly. "I am not sure there's anything like that in my clan's records."

"So...nothing?"

Sasuke shook his head. "Sorry, Naruto, but no."

"We'll figure it out," Naruto accepted the apology with a shrug. "Hey, can I see the Sharingan? I only saw it a bit when we were in Wave."

Sasuke focused his chakra into his eyes and reveled in the sensation of the awakening his Sharingan.

"That is awesome!" Naruto exclaimed. Naruto's hand found its way to Sasuke's shoulder. "We're going to be awesome."

Sasuke's face hardened. "What have you done?"

"What?" Naruto yelped. "What are you talking about? I know there was like a static shock thing, and I'm sorry for that, but it wasn't that bad was it?"

"You. Stole. My. Sharingan!"

Author's Note: Guess what's back? The poll said I'd be reviving fics and I wasn't kidding. I'm not going to offer any excuses on why this took so long to update. They'd all ring hollow anyway. I just hope you enjoy this update.