Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its affiliates. Anything that you recognise is property of its respective owners. Any relations to persons living or dead are purely coincidental.

Base/s: Naruto

Title: The Orchid

Summary: Naruto Uzumaki put up with a lot of things. Being called 'girly' was just one of them. Not that anyone would dare say it to his face. ANBU!Naruto NarutoIno

Music used for inspiration: Down and Out - Tantric

"Ran? You awake?"

There was a voice whispering to him. Why? Couldn't the voice see he was trying to sleep?

"Oi, Ran!"

He grunted and turned his head to the side. Maybe they would go away?

Poke. Poke poke. Poke poke poke.

Naruto Uzumaki stopped pretending to be asleep.

He opened one eye and glared. Not that anyone could see it.

"Same. Do you mind?"

His teammate snorted.

"I'm doing you a favour, you know how the Captain gets when she catches you sleeping."

"You should know how I get when you interrupt my sleeping." Naruto shot back, displaying why it was a bad idea to wake him up when he was napping.

Same snorted again.

"Believe me, between you and the Captain, she wins hands down for scariness."

Naruto huffed.

"I can't see why."

Same clapped him on the shoulder.

"It's because you're girly. You just can't be scared of a girly guy."

Naruto, naturally, had to defend his manliness.

"I am not."

"Ran, you named your sword Sōndansu no Kōgō." His friend said flatly.

"Hey, I didn't come up with that! But I can't see what's wrong with it..."

Same sighed.

"It sounds like a very girly girl came up with it. Half the squad thinks you're either a crossdresser or gay."

"I am not gay! Nor am I a girl wearing a man's clothes!"

Same recalled the many, many times they had had this argument.

"Maybe you're right."

Naruto was pleasantly surprised that his comrade had actually agreed with him. It was a nice feeling. Maybe now he could finally get some respect around-

"But you're still girly."

Or not.

Naruto fidgeted under the stern gaze of his superior.

Hana Inuzuka, or rather, Okojo, glared at him from behind her desk.

"You were sleeping in my briefing again."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"I didn't mean to! I was just uh, really tired?" he offered.

The glare intensified.

"You job Lieutenant, is to be alert at all times."

Naruto hung his head.

"Yes Captain." He mumbled, sullen.

Hana eyed him before picking up a paper on her desk and handing it to him.

He skimmed over it, it was his daily schedule.

"Patrol for the whole afternoon?" he complained, still looking at the paper. "What did I do to deserve that?"

Hana smirked under her mask.

"Slept through my briefing. Now move your ass."

Naruto sighed again.

"Yes Captain."

Naruto walked into the communal work area for Squad six and, spotting his target in the far corner, cupped a hand to his mouth.

"Oi!" he called, "Same! Patrol, now!"

"Coming sir!"

He waited for his teammate to amble over and they collected their gear, Same strapping his ōdachi on his back, while Naruto did the same with his katana. He patted his ever present tessen that rested in holsters at his sides. He didn't generally use the sword much, preferring his senbon, taijutsu or his tessenjutsu. By all intents and purposes, he should have been good at Genjutsu but he could never get his head around it. If he admitted it to himself, it was worse than that. Frankly, his Genjutsu was awful. Too subtle. Even though senbon were hardly flashy...

Patting his pocket to make sure he had his preferred weapons and general paraphernalia, he and Same exited the building to do their morning patrol around the village.

Patrolling was a job most ANBU loathed with a passion. You walked around until your shift was over getting stared at and looking for trouble. Trouble was usually something trivial like a cat in a tree or a genin who'd fluffed a doton jutsu. In Naruto's case, he got stalked. Same, typically, found this to be highly amusing.

Same, true to his codename, had an affinity with water jutsu. Water aligned shinobi were rather rare in Konoha, with more being aligned to fire or earth. Same was the 'big hitter' of squad six. With his height and bulk, he easily dwarfed most normal people and the large sword on his back did nothing to detract from his intimidating aura. Needless to say, their path was clear as they made their rounds.

"Mister ANBU! Oh, please, I need your help!"

Naruto really hoped the doddery old woman was talking to some other ANBU that might be walking by.

Same turned towards her and just loud enough for him to hear, he heard his partner curse. He stifled a chuckle.

"Yes ma'am?" he asked, politely.

The old woman tottered over to them, he face the picture of worry.

"Oh, it's my grandson! He's somehow got stuck on top of the roof! The silly boy, I don't know how he managed to get up there, he's only nine! What if he falls? Oh, I don't know what I'd do-"

Same soothed her.

"It's alright ma'am. My partner will go and get your grandson back for you."

Naruto felt distinctly betrayed.

After she told them where she lived, Naruto used shunshin to appear on the roof. A small boy was sitting there, playing with a toy glider. He jumped when the masked ANBU appeared in front of him.

"Your grandmother is very worried." He chided, taking a step forwards. The child, wide eyed, took one back.

"Careful there boy, you don't want to fall off the edge." Naruto warned. After all, there would be paperwork if a kid died on his watch. That was unacceptable.

The kid finally opened his mouth.

"But I don' wanna..."

A vein ticked in the blonde's forehead.

"Listen kid, she's down there delaying our patrol until we get you back. Now, you are coming with me."

Petulantly, the child shook his head, crossing his little arms.

Naruto glared under his mask. Not even children were scared of him?

Faster than the child could see, Naruto picked him up by the scruff of his collar and jumped down from the roof. The kid wailed and struggled but Naruto held on tight, muttering as he walked towards his partner and the old woman.

Reaching them, he dumped the child in a heap at his grandmother's feet. Literally.

Same grinned under his mask.

"There you are ma'am." Turning to Naruto he said, "Now wasn't that fun Ran? Doing something for the good of others?"

Naruto gave him the finger, momentarily forgetting that the old woman hadn't left yet. She looked scandalised.

"Such obscenity! Young ladies should not be so rude!"

Same sniggered.

Naruto scowled.

"I'm not a 'young lady' ma'am."

She flushed.

"O-oh, my mistake. It's just your mask, it-" she trailed off, waving vaguely towards his face before apologising again.

Naruto sighed. His mask was plain save for a curling, dark green design that started at where his cheekbone should be and wound round his right eye, ending in a depiction of a flower, inked in red.

"It's alright ma'am, you're not the first to make the mistake." He said before turning on his partner. "And you. You should be more respectful to your superior officer! I'm putting you on standby when we get back."

Same grimaced. Standby was just as bad as patrol, if not worse. ANBU on standby sat, ready for a call that could come at any time to say they, or any member of their team were needed. It was a boring, draining job.

"Yes Lieutenant, sorry Lieutenant." He said, hanging his head.

"No more cracks about my sword either."

"Yes Lieutenant."

"Or jokes about 'flower power'."

"Yes Lieutenant."

Naruto nodded approvingly and dropped The Voice.

"Good. We'll be on our way now then ma'am." He nodded to the old woman who was still embarrassed at her mistake and set off walking at a brisk pace.

He hated being mistaken for a girl.

"I think it's the hair sir."

Naruto almost groaned. Same continued blithely as they walked.

"It's just that it's so long! I know you tie it back and all but-"

Naruto growled.

"Same! No gags about my hair or I'll make you spar with me."

Same fell silent.

Naruto had to agree though; his hair wasn't helping his manliness. It was long and worn in a thin, traditional samurai style ponytail, tied high on his head. His fringe flopped in front of his forehead in unruly locks, and blond bangs framed his face. It wasn't excessively manly like Same's buzz cut, but at least it wasn't tied in a pink ribbon. He had nightmares about Anko trying that with him. Scary woman.

As they made their way through the crowded, bustling marketplace, Naruto felt a small shiver run down his spine. He knew that feeling.

"There he is!"

This was followed by giggling and more whispering as the group of girls who tried to be stealthy as they followed the two.

He ground his teeth. Today was just not his day.

"No, there she is!"

He heard Same muffle a snort.

"No, she's a guy!"

"She's a she. I want to be a kunoichi just like her!"

"What, mistaken for a guy?"

"No, strong! She's an ANBU lieutenant, and isn't oppressed by patriarchal males."

"I just think he's cute..."

"How do you know? She wears a mask all the time."

"He!"

Naruto turned his gaze forwards and tried to shut out the pitifully concealed conversation.

"You'd think they would have realised by now," Same began loudly, "that you can't be a female if you have no breasts."

The whispering paused.

"I could be wearing a wrap."

Same eyed him.

"You're not helping yourself saying stuff like that."

"Just pointing out the obvious. If I was a girl, and trying to hide my gender, I'd likely wear a wrap." He said smartly. "Unless I had a really flat chest."

Same chuckled. Naruto nudged him subtly with an elbow.

"Thanks." He murmered.

"Don't worry about it. I know you're not a girl, even if you are girly."

"I'll show you just how girly Sōndansu no Kōgō is if you don't shut your mouth."

Same shut his mouth.

They walked on in relative peace around the village, only having to extract a blubbering genin from a small mountain. All was well.

Splitting off from Same, he threw himself down on the chair behind his desk, propped his feet up and skimmed his schedule for the day.

Patrol, check.

Paperwork. Lovely.

Grumbling and grabbing a pen and a sheet of the stack, he set to work.

After two and a half hours, the only fun he'd had was filling in the form that bound Same for the standby desk. Revenge was so very sweet.

Reaching for another paper he jumped when he heard Hebi call him.

"Oi lieutenant!" he shouted. "We got to get going in ten minutes!"

Naruto blinked. Already? He waved to his comrade to show he understood before rolling his shoulders and calming the buzz of anticipation that coiled in his stomach.

It was only late afternoon but it would take at least a few hours to reach the Land of Orchards where their mission would take place.

Ambling into the armoury, he ignored the quick salutes sent his way in favour of strapping on his weapons. Sōndansu no Kōgō was slung across his back, its green wrap providing some colour to his monochrome ANBU regulation clothing. His uniform was the standard style, save for the long sleeves and tight gloves he wore as a necessity. His kunai holster was full and his senbon pouch was almost overflowing. He patted his pocket, checking his scrolls were where they should be. He unholstered his faithful tessen, looking over the edges that gleamed in the light before slotting them back in their holsters. Lastly, he picked up two small, dull brown jars and attached them to his belt, making sure their lids were securely fastened. He popped the lids and checked the contents. There was enough.

He cracked his neck and stretched.

He wasn't leading this mission, another lieutenant had been in charge of the operation and had pushed to be allowed command. Naruto didn't mind. As long as they were competent, it didn't matter who led the mission, as long as it got done.

Deciding everything was ready, his body flickered and he arrived in what was affectionately known as 'departure lounge three'. It was a concrete box with a tunnel at one end, leading out to a point somewhere beyond the walls of Konoha. There was a large number three stamped in black paint on one gray wall. Each 'departure lounge' was exactly the same as all the others, each leading to a different point outside the Leaf Village.

There was already a few ANBU there, milling around in groups or standing by themselves, readying themselves in their own way.

Naruto found a quiet spot and stood still, closing his eyes. Slowly, at a fraction of his real speed, he began to run through his exercises.

One ANBU, apparently a new addition, nudged his comrade and nodded towards the lone ANBU in the corner.

"What's he doing?" he asked quietly.

The other man, who was sharpening a tanto, looked up.

"That's Ran, Lieutenant of squad six. He always does that before a mission." He explained.

The new guy, with a mask shaped like bear, looked on curiously.

"But what's he doing? It looks like he's dancing in slow motion. All you'd need is some music!"

"He's not dancing, that's his taijutsu style." The veteran explained, stopping his sharpening and looking up himself.

"Really? I've never seen a style like that before." the one in the bear mask admitted. "It doesn't look that powerful."

The older man snorted and the newbie jumped to correct himself.

"Not that is isn't effective! It just looks like it doesn't take the fight seriously." He said.

The veteran scoffed.

"That's the point. Have you any idea how frustrating it is when your opponent just keeps dancing around all your attacks? What good is a powerful hit when it never connects? His style is damnned hard to fight against because it makes you angry, and when you're angry, you make mistakes. That, and those who use that style can twist their way out of pretty much anything." He shook his head. "Damn annoying it is."

The rookie didn't really know what to say to that.

"Oh."

"Ran, cover the left wing."

Naruto nodded, serious.

The team got into position. There were several teams deploying with them. According to the mission briefing Naruto had slept through, they were making the final push on eradicating a particularly nasty crime syndicate operating out of the Land of Orchards. Having been gathering intelligence for weeks before hand and subtly manipulating events, they had prime conditions to strike. Naruto's team were going after the Oyabun of the Akai Ryuu while the other teams were systematically storming the known safe houses, taking out the other senior members of the clan. The instructions were to send a message so the assassination was to look like just that.

"Move out!"

The teams heard the command and one after the other, took off at high speed down the tunnel and through the dense forest, illuminated only by the setting sun.

Night had fallen by the time Naruto's team had reached their destination. There was no talking, even over the communication devices in their ears. Hand signs told them to spread out and cover all exits. They did so, Naruto slipping several senbon between his fingers. The house they were preparing the break into wasn't a house at all, it was a mansion. A few hand signs and they were scaling the walls silently, black shadows apparently defying the laws of gravity clinging to the walls of the building.

A single innocuous sound, like a cicada made them stop. Their leader, who had made the noise, gestured to a window that was half open, presumably to let in the cool night air. A stupid, rookie mistake.

In the space of a few seconds, it had been assessed and the team were dropping soundlessly from the ledge onto the plush rug that lay underneath.

They crept along the hallway, grateful for the large, opulent decorations of samurai armour and the like that gave them the shadows that were their trusted allies.

They dodged guards and hearing one make a passing remark on the location of the Oyabun, stole down the hallway and towards the training hall.

One by one, each member of the team peeled off, taking their positions to offer surveillance and cover. Naruto crept forwards, towards the mezzanine that overlooked the sparring mats. Guards patrolled along it and the security, despite their ease in breaking in, was tight. These men were yakuza, not shinobi.

He identified his target practicing with his katana below. Naruto studied his technique. He was good, very good. Sparing a glance to his left, he saw a guard rounding the corner and he acted fast. Snapping his wrist out, he sent a coil of high tensile ninja wire to wrap around one of the rafters in the high ceilinged room. With a jerk, he was yanked from his crouching position and into the air. Timing himself carefully, he alighted on the thick rafter with barely a sound. He stowed the wire and watched as the guard finished rounding the corner and walked where he had been moments before.

He let out a breath.

He waited for a few moments, studying his targets movements. Then, the Oyabun paused in his katas and, panting, let his katana drop to his side. Naruto struck.

With a precise flick of his fingers, three senbon impacted in the soft flesh. One was embedded in his windpipe, cutting off his air supply, another paralysed his voice box and preventing him from screaming. The other hit a specific pressure point in his neck, killing him. He was dead even as his body was slumping to the floor.

It took a few seconds before a guard noticed and raised the alarm. Naruto and his team were already gone.

"Sir?" the head guard asked while running towards the form of their leader. "Sir?"

He reached the body a moment before his comrades and quickly turned their boss over, hoping to save him. The guard drew in a sharp breath. There was a look of surprise on their Oyabun's face, and three long needles embedded in his neck.

The call went up.

"Assassin!"

The guard cursed.

"Find them!" he snarled. Another guard was looking up.

"Sir, look!" he exclaimed, pointing.

The head guard looked. There, floating innocently downwards was a single white orchid flower. It twirled innocuously to the ground and settled at a guard's feet. His body shook, his fists clenched.

"Ran."

After the debriefing, in which Naruto loudly expressed the ease of the mission, Hana finally allowed them to leave. Naruto took off for his own house at a leisurely walk, enjoying the night air.

Arriving, he let himself in and, flicking on lights as he went, headed immediately for his favourite room in the house. His garden. Finally taking off his mask and breathing deeply he inhaled the scent of the many flowers that grew in the greenhouse like room. The greenhouse itself was beautiful. It was old and wrought iron, with towering panes of glass that let in shafts of sunlight when it was day. The room itself was big, at least the size of a small house. Plants sat in perfectly arranged beds, overflowing with blossoms and fruit. Ivy and other wall climbing plants inched their way up the skeleton of the greenhouse and dropping leaves and petals on the sun bleached paths. It was like an immaculate jungle, contained within glass. The air smelt of nature and fresh earth, overlaid with scents of flowers. The faint sound of running water could be heard.

He busied himself with pottering around the plants, watering one here, pruning a little there. He reached his favourites, the orchids. There was a place missing where there should have been a plant. Reaching into a little pot, he pulled out a seed and planted it where the missing plant was, adding a little water and his own special plant fertilizer before filling the hole in with earth. Content his work for that evening was done, he turned to leave, washing his hands in a cracked sink near the door.

Lazily snagging the mask from where he dropped it earlier, he yawned as his mind entertained thoughts of sleep.

A week later, Naruto swore as he ran as fast as he could. He was late. Again. He hadn't meant to oversleep, he just sort of... did.

Hana was not pleased. In fact she threw a kunai at him and yelled at him before ordering him to go see the Hokage. Naruto did as he was told.

The way he figured it, the Hokage was either going to give him Ramen or a mission. Either one got him away from his Captain and that could only be a good thing.

He cleared his throat, the receptionist looked up from where she had been doing her nails. She squeaked.

"I'm here to see the Hokage." He informed her as she stuttered out apologies.

Flushing, the woman led him up to the office before knocking and bowing, leaving him alone. He heard the old, strong voice of the Hokage asking him to enter. He did so, throwing himself down on one of the chairs in front of his desk. The Hokage sighed.

"Naruto, have you still not learned any manners?" he chided, an amused twinkle in his eye.

"Absolutly none." Naruto supplied, cheerful.

"Never change Naruto." Sarutobi chuckled before sobering. "As you no doubt know, the academy graduates have become genin and are now training with their jonin teachers. And I'm sure you also know that Sasuke Uchiha is among them." He paused and gave Naruto a serious look. Naruto nodded, equally sombre. "He's on a team with Sakura Haruno and Ryou Takashi."

Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"I though Shikamaru Nara got the lowest grade in that class?" he asked.

The Hokage sighed, slumping in his chair.

"He did. But the council didn't want to split up the InoShikaCho team they so love."

Naruto snorted.

"Just because their fathers worked well, doesn't mean they will."

"Oh I don't know," Sarutobi said, "They seem to be doing all right so far. Now, recently Team seven was given a C-rank mission to Wave." He held up a withered hand to stall Naruto's protests. "I know. But they work together very well and they have Kakashi with them. I thought they were more than capable of doing a simple escort." The Hokage sighed, looking every bit his age. "As it turns out, our client wasn't entirely truthful about the danger they would be facing. Kakashi contacted me asking for reinforcements. Apparently they're not just facing bandits, but Gato, the shipping magnate and all the ninja he can hire as well. And that includes Zabuza Momochi."

Naruto's eyebrows raised.

"The 'Demon of the Mist'? I see. I assume you want to send me."

The Hokage nodded gratefully.

"Kakashi is a damn good ninja, but even he can't protect the bridge builder, his team and fight a ninja like Zabuza at the same time. You leave in an hour. I shall inform your Captain."

Naruto stood and nodded professionally. He made to leave but paused.

"Hey granddad," he called, Sarutobi turned to him, "Water my plants yeah?"

The Hokage laughed and shooed him from his office.

Smile fading from his face, Naruto took off for his headquarters as fast as he could. He needed to prepare.

Just as the Hokage had said, he left the village gates barely minutes before his allotted hour was up. The two gate guards saluted him and marked his passage in their book.

Naruto took off at a run, leaving dust trails behind him.

Kakashi groaned as he opened his eyes. His body was still weak from his chakra exhaustion.

"Sensei!" he heard Sakura's voice and she rushed to help him up. As she supported him, they walked into the little room where Tsunami was serving Sasuke, Ryou and Tazuna some broth, while the two genin talked.

"Sensei." Sasuke dipped his head in greeting, Ryou gave him a quick wave as his mouth was full.

Kakashi sat with a grunt, wincing as he moved.

"So," Ryou began when he'd swallowed, "when are we going after that Zabuza guy? We'll kick his ass with all the training we've done!"

Kakashi shook his head.

"We won't be kicking anyone's ass until the reinforcements I requested arrive." He said, halting their thoughts.

"Reinforcements?" Sasuke asked, apparently not happy about it.

Kakashi nodded.

"I'm in no condition to fight and none of you can take on Zabuza and that hunter nin. So I sent a hawk back to Konoha yesterday."

"We don't need reinforcements!" Ryou protested.

"They will only get in our way." Sasuke agreed.

Kakashi chuckled. Sakura frowned.

"What's so funny?" She asked.

"If I think they're sending who I think they're sending, that won't be a problem."

"Who-"

"And old friend."

Naruto panted as he finally slowed to a halt. It was late evening and the sun had all but disappeared.

He surveyed the town. Poverty was rampant and misery thickened the air until it was like tar. He shook his head and ignoring the curious and apprehensive looks sent his way, made his way to the address marked on the scroll.

Coming to what he presumed was it, he knocked on the door. He was grateful for the long sleeves and gloves he wore, as the night was bringing a chill.

He was broken out of his thoughts when the door was pulled cautiously open. He looked down. There was a small boy about ten years old staring up at him with something like fear through the crack. Finally.

"Y-you're a Konoha shinobi?" he asked and Naruto was slightly impressed.

"Yes."

The little boy looked thoughtful.

"H-how do I know? You're wearing a mask."

Naruto raised an eyebrow under his mask. The kid had some brain cells after all.

"Ran?"

A voice came from inside and the boy jumped and turned around to fins Kakashi, looking tired but standing up.

"Ran!" he said, his visible eye crinkling into a smile.

"Kakashi. Nice to see you too." Naruto chuckled. "And what's this, got yourself injured have we?"

"Ahh, you know how it is." The older man lamented.

Naruto grunted.

"Do I ever."

Kakashi turned to the little boy.

"It's okay Inari, he's with us."

The boy nodded uncertainly but opened the door wider so that Naruto could come in.

"Sensei?"

Sakura, Ryou and Sasuke were standing in the hallway, looking from their teacher to the newcomer.

Kakashi smiled at them, leaning on the wall for support.

"Team, this is Ran. He's our reinforcements."

Ryou raised a dark eyebrow.

"One guy?"

Sasuke looked like he agreed with Sakura looked pensive, torn between trusting her teacher and siding with her crush.

"One guy." Kakashi confirmed, not giving them any more information. He winced when he tried to move and Naruto was by his side in a flash.

"Don't over exert yourself." He said sternly. "Your poor, fragile body can't take it yet."

Kakashi chuckled weakly.

"Since when are you ever the voice of reason?"

Naruto scoffed.

"Since you became a moron apparently. Zabuza should have been a piece of cake for you."

Sakura was shocked at hearing this ANBU speak in such a way to their teacher.

Ryou was trying not to laugh.

Naruto turned to them.

"Any of you know any medical ninjutsu?" he asked, hopeful. Sakura raised a weak hand.

"I-I know a little bit."

"That's more than me then. Take a look at this idiot. I need to talk to your teammates and get the situation here."

Nothing happened.

Naruto chivvied them into action.

"Now would be a good time."

Sakura rushed forwards, flushing and took her teachers weight, helping him to where he had been resting.

Naruto turned to the boys but before he could speak, he was interrupted.

"Hello?" a young woman was standing in the doorway, looking a little confused. Naruto noted she was rather pretty.

He turned to her.

"Sorry for the intrusion ma'am. I'm the reinforcements from Konoha."

"I...see." she said uncertainly.

"I won't intrude any more than I have to ma'am, I just need to speak with the team here."

"Oh!" she exclaimed, a small smile forming on her lips. "You can stay as long as you want, although you may have to share a room with Kakashi."

He gave her a short bow.

"It's much appreciated ma'am."

She waved a hand.

"My name is Tsunami, drop the ma'am."

He nodded in acquiescence.

"My codename is Ran."

She nodded bowed and left them alone.

Ryou spoke after a moment of silence.

"Your codename is Ran?" he asked, incredulous.

Sasuke would never admit it, but he wanted to know too.

Naruto sighed.

"Yes, it is."

"Orchid?" Ryou was obviously having a hard time wrapping his head around this.

"Yes. My codename is Ran, my mask has a flower on it and my sword is called Sōndansu no Kōgō. Yes, I know people think I'm a girl. No, I am not a girl cross-dressing as a guy. No, I am not gay. Yes, I know my hair is long."

Ryou blinked.

"Empress of the Thorn Dance?"

"Yes."

"That's um..."

"Girly?" Sasuke finished with a slight smirk.

Naruto glared at them. This is why he didn't like dealing with children. Even if they were the same age as him.

"You do realise that I'm going to be filling in for your sensei until he's back on his feet right?"

"Yeah, so?" Ryou looked confused.

Naruto smiled nastily beneath his mask. They couldn't see it, but some of his intent must have leaked through.

"That means I'll be training you. I wonder, you're going to need practise avoiding a sword. I can help with that."

Ryou paled. He backed away, holding his hands up.

"Nah, we're okay thanks." He assured.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! I uh... gotta go check on Kakashi sensei!" and he was out of the door faster than the eye could follow Naruto snickered. Sasuke looked unimpressed.

"C'mon," Naruto said, turning back towards the Uchiha heir, "I need all the information you have on the situation here."

-End Chapter-

How is it? I had this idea for a while and it's finally put into action. And yes, I'm being deliberately mysterious with Naruto's skills. But don't worry, he'll show you some soon.

Also, I'm a moron. I have an exam tomorrow that I haven't studied for and I used all of today to write this crap. My mind wouldn't let me NOT write it all down. Why am I so stupid?

As this is just a hobby story, updates will likely be infrequent and it won't be up to the quality of my other stuff. Just to warn you.