Finding the Right Path

Hi all, new chapter up after all. My Laptop died, but now that it is fixed, will start updating...hopefully.

No Pairings for now, but that may change

I do not own Naruto or any other aspect that reference people who could sue me...

Chapter 13

"Ah. So it was too hard to conceal your presence from your apprentice?" The Sandaime asked Anko. Her face had lost all its expression, a steel gaze in her eyes. "Please explain what had happened." The Sandaime continued, lighting his pipe before taking a drag. A sign that he was in deep thought, and willing to listen.

"Fox had set up camp along the border. On the first day, however, two enemy Shinobi came from Ame no Kuni. When they passed, Fox fell from the tree. He was in a state of disarray, and ran a high fever that night. He said something about Uchiha Itachi. I concluded that one of the enemies was the Uchiha." Anko exclaimed, as Fox stood still listening to the verbal report. "Fox's fever broke and he started to get better. He created a few Clones and replaced himself with one of them. I didn't find out till later that he had left for Nami no Kuni. I only found him thanks to my tracking skills." Anko stated, not informing the Hokage of the skills the Snake Summons possess.

The Sandaime was going to speak, before Anko continued.

"I came across Team 7, whom had failed their escort mission. Uzumaki, Haruno and Hatake were hurt on the mission." Anko stated. Fox was still silent, but in his mind, he knew that he was screwed. His Sensei had not spoken a word to him after he had killed Gatou. "Uzumaki explained what had happened and that Fox had just finished speaking with them. I tracked Fox to a large precinct when I saw a red light flashing. Some thugs were rushing into the building. I followed them, and found Fox in one of the rooms. He killed Gatou." Anko stated, much to the silence of those present. "We remained with Team 7 until they were ready for travel. We arrive in Konoha before them." Anko concluded.

The Sandaime took another puff from his pipe before looking at Fox. He then looked at Anko. "Anko." He stated in a soft tone. Anko stiffened at the words, her face still stone cold. "Thank you for your report, you are dismissed." The Hokage exclaimed.

Anko turned on her heals and walked straight out the door, not even looking at her apprentice.

"Fox." The Sandaime stated, gaining the young ANBU's attention. "What did Itachi say?" He asked taking note of the subtle shift in Fox's character. Fox did not see this coming.

"He said that there were a group of S-Rank Shinobi targeting Jinchuriki. He has been tasked with bringing the Konoha Jinchuriki to the leader. The purpose was to extract the Tailed Beast's from within. He said that he isn't sure of the purpose behind the extraction, and that they aren't ready for the process just yet. He said a few years at most." Fox exclaimed, taking note of the Sandaime's calculating gaze. He was surprised when the Hokage asked the question, but still relayed everything Itachi had stated. Well almost everything.

"Thank you." The Sandaime stated, before standing. "Now your mission was to keep an eye on the border of Ame no Kuni. Itachi was supposed to meet you there and relay this information, without raising the suspicion of his teammate. You were not aware of this detail, and it is an S-Rank secret, punishable by death." The Sandaime stated, staring intently at the Fox-faced ANBU member. "Your Sensei is not so forgiving, and you will have to work hard to gain her trust. She does not know these details, nor will she find out… Understood?" The Hokage stated, then asked.

Naruto nodded his head once, trying to think of a way to confide in his Sensei.

"Your escapade in Nami no Kuni was not a part of your mission, and could have compromised our position. You killed a business partner of Konoha in cold blood, and left an injured team without support. You are hereby placed on probation. Over the next few months, you will be accompanied by other ANBU operatives on all your missions." The Hokage stated, standing right in front of Naruto. "You are dismissed." The Hokage intoned, turning from Fox and walking towards the window.

Naruto gulped slightly when the Hokage turned away. He couldn't move, and was paralysed in front of the Hokage. He was grateful for the punishment he received, as he knew it should have been worse.

With no further thought in mind, he turned and walked out the door, making his way to his and Menma's home. He hadn't been there in a while, but felt it was better than heading back to ANBU HQ, considering the mood his Sensei was in.

"The mission was a failure." Kakashi stated, after giving a verbal report to the stoic Sandaime Hokage. Menma, Sasuke and Sakura had dropped their heads, thinking that it was their fault to begin with. Sakura still wasn't a hundred percent, and their journey back to Konoha took longer than it should have. Sasuke still hadn't spoken more than three words to Menma on their way back from Nami no Kuni.

Menma was also, surprisingly, quiet. There were some instances when he would talk, but most of the time he remained silent.

"It happens." The Sandaime stated. "We'll have to reimburse the family the amount that the Bridge Builder paid." The Sandaime continued. "Team 7, you are dismissed." The Sandaime exclaimed, before continuing. "Kakashi, stay behind please."

With that, the members of Team 7 left through the door. Sasuke taking the lead, Sakura in the middle, whilst Menma bringing up the rear, each with their head slightly lowered. Each Genin wanted to get home as soon as possible, and try to get this disastrous mission out of their minds.

"How are they?" The Sandaime asked in a polite tone. Kakashi thought for a second, before answering.

"They are heart broken. They got beaten pretty easily. They feel like they're weak, and that they need to train more to get stronger. Sakura is recovering well after the false-death state. Sasuke and Menma haven't really spoken to each other yet." Kakashi concluded, taking out his book to read.

"Gatou was not to be killed." The Sandaime stated, causing Kakashi to lower his book. "It wasn't your fault Kakashi. Fox is a highly skilled ANBU operative. He was on an assignment that should never have placed him in the same vicinity as his brother. He has been reprimanded for his actions." The Sandaime stated, causing Kakashi to nod at him. Kakashi knew that Naruto had gotten off easily. On the one hand, he was glad, but on the other he was surprised. This should never happen when it came to ANBU operatives. Kakashi knew that as a fact.

"Thank you for keeping them safe Kakashi." The Sandaime concluded, smiling at the Jounin Sensei.

"Hai Hokage-Sama." Kakashi responded, before making his way towards the door.

The Sandaime dropped his gaze to his lap. He just got further confirmation on a theory he was working on. The connection between Naruto and Menma was very strong, and involved emotions. They could feel each other from opposite sides of Hi no Kuni. This he found very interesting. 'Minato, Kushina.' The Hokage thought wearily, looking at the picture of the Yondaime Hokage.

Menma and Naruto awoke to banging on the door. Naruto got up first, answered the door, and was surprised when his Sensei pulled a Kunai out and started attacking him. Thinking quick, Naruto moved out of the range of the Kunai, but was hit by a boot straight into his chest. He was sent further into the apartment, as Menma opened his bedroom door. Realising who had hit his twin, he quickly closed the door and went back to sleep. This is one of the consequences his brother had to deal with.

Naruto started rising slowly, only to get hit in the back of the neck, knocking him out cold. With her anger semi-sated, Anko bent down, picked her student up, and slung him over her shoulders.

Naruto awoke with the sun shining on his face. He was surprised when he found himself tied to the Hokage Monument. He was bare naked, and the ropes were tied together using Ninja Wire and Chakra. When he tried to move, a Shuriken came flying from the top. Naruto looked up in a panic, noticing his purple-haired Sensei, wearing an evil smirk. Naruto gulped slightly, knowing this was going to be a long morning.

"Time to get started." Anko stated, before throwing Shuriken at the confined body of Naruto.

Naruto slowly opened his eyes once more. He was in a room with white walls with a strong smell of antiseptic in the air. He tried to move, but felt extreme pain coursing through his body. His entire body felt like it was on fire.

He recalled the last memory he had when a face became visible to his uncovered eyes. He gulped and started cold sweating, his body reliving the pain once more.

"Now brat. What do you have to say for yourself?" Anko asked, brandishing a Kunai, and stopping it millimetres from Naruto's blue eye.

"I-I'm s-so-orry. Sen-Sens…"

"Save it brat." Anko cut in before Naruto could finish. "I don't want your apologies; I don't want your excuses. I only want the truth." Anko stated, as Naruto blinked his eye, showing he was listening. "How did you know I was on your trail, and what did Itachi do to you?" She asked.

Naruto thought for a moment, before deciding to answer. He knew that his Sensei would kill him, or close enough to it, if she wasn't appeased.

"Firstly, Itachi told me that a Kunoichi was concealing her presence nearby, my first thought was that it was you." Naruto exclaimed, fear still evident in his voice. Anko's eyes widened slightly at this, before concentrating on Naruto once more. "Secondly, I was in some type of Genjutsu. Itachi took control of me for three days, but in the real world, only a second went by." Naruto stated softly. Closing his eyes slightly, and putting on a sad face.

Anko looked at Naruto's facial muscles, to determine if her apprentice was lying to her. She withdrew the Kunai, just as Naruto opened his eyes.

"Rest. When you are better, come see me." She stated, before walking out the door.

Menma walked into the room with some flowers. He noticed that his twin was still asleep and couldn't believe how much he had changed. He had found out that Gatou and his mercenaries had been killed. Word around Nami no Kuni, was that it was some type of demon with a fox's face.

Menma had tried to ask Naruto what had happened when they were in Hi no Kuni, but Naruto more or less closed himself out. He would say not to worry about it, and that it was over.

Naruto was always quiet, but he hadn't been this closed off from Menma, so this really scared him.

Menma moved closer to the bed, noticing that Naruto was covered in bandages from head to toe, with only his mouth and eyes unveiled. He placed the flowers at the desk, before taking his seat at the available chair. Menma wasn't going to stay long, he just felt like visiting his brother.

"Why did you have to be in ANBU?" Menma asked himself, looking at his brother all the while. Menma exhaled a breath, deep in thought for once.

Naruto opened his eyes, and looked towards his brother. "I wasn't always going to be around." He stated. "You'd have to grow up eventually." Naruto exclaimed, taking a shuttering breath before releasing. He knew some of his ribs were broken, so too his arms and legs. He hoped that he would recover within the next week or so, considering his regenerative ability.

"Yeah I know." Menma responded, sounding dejected. "Why can't we be closer, like when we were kids. Before." Here Menma exhaled, before continuing. "Before we knew about the Kyuubi." He stated, looking up at Naruto.

Naruto couldn't bare his twins gaze, so looked straight at the ceiling. "I knew of the Kyuubi long ago." Naruto exclaimed. It was silent for a while, so Naruto looked over to his brother.

"Yeah I figured. You were always good at figuring things out like that. I'm not really surprised. But why didn't you tell me?" Menma asked, his face morphing into one of sadness.

Naruto's face was the same, he was displaying little to no emotion. "You know the answer. But maybe I shouldn't have held this information from you. Maybe I should've told you, instead of trying to protect you." Naruto exclaimed, this time letting some emotion into his voice.

"What's done is done." Menma stated cheerily. "Hope you get better, I got to go and check up on my teammates." Menma concluded, standing up and walking towards the door.

"You were always the stronger out of us." Naruto whispered to himself. Menma heard those words, but quietly disagreed

"It's a secret language Naruto and I made when we were kids." Menma stated, standing across from Sasuke. "One of us was always left out, or we needed to communicate without people knowing. This is what we came up with." Menma continued, looking up to see if he had Sasuke's attention. "It's complex, but I could show you, and Sakura, of course. I should've told you this earlier. Would have been easier to communicate with each other as well." Menma concluded, slumping his shoulders a bit.

"How is your brother?" Sasuke asked. Menma was surprised as this was the first time that Sasuke had enquired about his twins wellbeing.

"He's fine. Probably be out of hospital in a week or so… Maybe. His Sensei really did a number on him." Menma stated, smirking slightly at the end. Sasuke caught the smirk, and wanted to know why Menma wore it now, of all times, when his brother was in hospital.

"Oh, it's just that, well. I'm glad she isn't our Sensei. Could you imagine us lying in bed trying to recover?" Menma lied, not really telling Sasuke that, just as he had found a new family, so too did his twin.

Sakura arrived at that moment.

"Sorry I'm late. Was busy collecting some information from the Library." Sakura stated by way of apology.

"Ah, we're all here? Good." Kakashi asked then stated. He appeared out of nowhere, and slightly surprised his team. "Let's get down to business." He stated, pulling his book from his pack. "Come at me with the intent to kill." Kakashi exclaimed, ignoring the look that the trio were giving him.

Naruto was finally close to a hundred percent and was glad to see his days in the hospital behind him. He was dressed in his normal Shinobi attire, with his ANBU mask the only thing missing.

He hadn't had many visitors during his stay in the hospital, which was understandable. But he was surprised when his twins pink haired teammate dropped off some flowers for him. He was feigning sleep, so as not to interact with her. They were his brother's teammates, but that didn't mean he would create any bonds of friendship with them.

His Sensei had only checked in on him the one time, and his twin, surprisingly, kept his distance after the first visit. He knew that Menma was starting to become more independent, and his reliance on Naruto started to dissipate.

Taking a deep breath to clear his thoughts, Naruto started making his way towards his and Menma's place. He knew that staying with Menma was a no-no, so he wanted to pick up his mask and some other items. He was hoping to catch his brother, but figured he was out training, or on a mission.

"Finally out of the hospital brat?" A voice came from above him, shaking Naruto from his thoughts. He knew who the voice belonged to, and hoped that she wasn't going to send him to the infirmary once more.

He slowly looked up, placing a nervous smile on his face. "Hi Anko-Sensei. I was about to come and see you after I pick up my mask." Naruto stated, watching as the smirk on Anko's face widened.

Her predatory grin was evident on her face, causing Naruto to gulp and swallow spit.

"Run." Was all she whispered, as Naruto started dashing, like a rabbit being chased by a predator.

The chase was on.

"Okay brat, you're going to be assisting in the Chunin Exams." Anko stated to her apprentice, whom was currently tied upside down from a branch of a tree.

The chase, if you could call it that, was over fairly quickly, with Anko forcing Naruto down the path that she wanted. She had planned this, and placed a myriad of traps throughout Konoha. She activated each perfectly, and Naruto only escaped due to his skill. In the end though, she forced him to her favourite training ground, where her final ambush lay.

"It will start in a few weeks, and your role will be pretty simple. The first phase of the exams takes place in the academy. You will be among the Chunin whom are assessing the teams of trio. Your brother's team will be participating." Anko stated with a smirk.

Naruto knew what this meant. Not only was his brother's team going to participate, but the other rookies of his year were also going to be involved. They would actually see Naruto for the first time since the Academy.

"During the second exam, you will be patrolling the area as Fox. You are not to get involved, in any way shape or form, in the exam. Remember, you're on probation, follow these simple tasks, and everything will be fine." Anko stated, whilst brandishing a Kunai. Naruto was slightly nervous as Anko placed the Kunai on the rope. In one swift motion, he was free from his confines. "Any questions?" She asked, only for Naruto to shake his head in the negative. "Good, now it's time for some training. Head to T&I, Ibiki is waiting." At the proclamation, Naruto's face lost all expression.

He bowed to Anko, before leaving in a burst of speed. He was not looking forward to this.