Third Person POV

After introducing themselves the tension in the dining room seemed to die down. Sasuke still found himself uncomfortable. While Sakura was trying to pass through with fake confidence. It had quieted down as everyone was busy eating and the sound of chopsticks and plates was a bit loud.

"Will y'all be registering with the seal shop?" Mizuko asked the two new genin, Sasuke wasn't quite sure how to respond as he had just found out about the shop recently. But Sakura was quite eager to give her opinion about it and eagerly nodded.

"Yes! I've already picked up my paperwork and filled it out. I do have some questions about it since I heard that they haven't been out for long though.." She trailed off and began to blush slightly. She didn't want to seem rude or anything, it was a new field and it was interesting to know about a brand new branch of jutsu that was available.

Maybe not learn the shinobi art itself, but learn about the studies and logistics itself. Sakura did pride herself in being a bit of a bookworm after all.

Mizuko slightly cocked a brow at that and gestured to her to go on.

"I heard that there was a whole field of study in testing of seals. Is that true?" she asked with a slight blush. Maybe if Sakura wasn't able to make it as a combat ninja, she could enter the research department. Her parents were always complaining that she should quit her ninja career because she 'wouldn't make it far'.

Maybe if she convinced them that she could change her field into something easier, something more 'ladylike' or acceptable for a woman. They would stop pushing her to quit her shinobi career and enter an arranged marriage.

Sakura's mother always complained about how she shouldn't have become a ninja in the first place. Despite that, her father supported her. Even if he also believed she should have gone to a civilian school like the other girls and learned how to cook, clean, sew, and run a household. They believed Sakura was wasting her potential, youth and beauty on a fool's dream.

But that's not what she had wanted. Sure her father was a career Genin, and he didn't have a reputation. Instead, he worked as a merchant in her mothers family business. That didn't mean Sakura wouldn't try, the last thing she wanted was to marry someone her grandparents –that she hadn't even met– would pick out. And be shipped out to god knows where and live out as a trophy wife for the rest of her life.

Being a kunoichi was her only chance at freedom and she knew it. And Sakura wasn't going to let that go no matter what!

"There is, that would be the research department. But you would have to specialize in that and need continued education to enter there. At least, that is what I believe." Mizuko stated. A bit puzzled by Sakura's question. Sakura eagerly nodded at the thought while Kakashi glanced over at her. Taking notice of his students' academic interest. Taking note of it so that he could give her material for some self study.

"A-about the seals, what do they do?" Sasuke asked, he had begun prodding at his food. He had eaten a bit, but in moderation. He'd been feeling queasy since he had arrived. Even more so now that he was actually talking to Mizuko. Sasuke tried not to think of his mother, he didn't even want to say her name as it was so close to his own mothers name. This felt so wrong.

Same hairstyle, nearly same name. He was very grateful that Lady Mizuko didn't have any other similar mannerisms as his mother. Had Mizuko shared the same hair color or shared any other traits, he would have just ran out of the temple faster than they could have said his name.

Before Mizuko could even respond Karin perked up and responded. "Well that depends! There are different kinds of seals! There are seals that are exploding tags that explode in different angles and ranges, barrier seals that protect clients, silencing seals, chakra restraining seals for bandits or nuke nins, even seals that help with your clothes or weapons. It varies and depends on your rank. Not everyone is allowed to buy the same thing." She says.

"I would have thought Naruto would have given you a bit of info by now, or at least promoted the business a bit." She glanced over at Naruto. Naruto choked on his food before coughing and composing himself. "I didn't have a chance."

"And we can't promote sales or merchandise to academy students!" he adds in defense. He points his chopsticks at her which makes her click her teeth and look back at Sasuke.

Sasuke gives a curt nod as he looks back down at his food that he's eating. Effectively ending his conversation with Karin yet making him seem kind of stand-offish.

He's having an easier time looking and talking with everyone else, but Mizuko was someone he found it hard to communicate with. Perhaps it was because it stirred up buried emotions within him. He wanted to go home, crawl under his blankets, and not think. Ignore this sinking feeling he's had for years now.

He tried to shake those uneasy feelings away, he should go training instead. Going home would be a waste of precious training time.

"Once you two get your seal license approved you can come and purchase some. I'm sure Naruto will tell you which ones will be the best fit." Mizuko gave Naruto a smile. Naruto gave her a sheepish smile and his cheeks slightly flushed as he thought about helping Sakura out with finding seals and giving her advice. He might not be the best seal master or the most advanced at making the seals, but he knew his way around the seal shop by now.

"I wouldn't mind!" Naruto nodded eagerly and even Kakashi grinned. "I'm sure that would be very beneficial. It could help bring the team together. Maybe he could even give me some advice on the most popular seals as well." Kakashi added.

Naruto glanced over at his new sensei and nodded a bit flustered at the newfound attention. "Big brother is going to be the seal master of his team." Kenta teased and Naruto kicked him from underneath the table.

"Are you part Uzumaki?" Hisashi asked abruptly as he munched on a piece of meat. Sakura was suddenly flustered as she touched a strand of her hair. "Me?" She asked as she was confused. "Yeah! Your hair is almost red!" He stated as he pointed at her. She shook her head.

" No, I don't think so. Well, we aren't is what I should say." She says. " My father has pink hair and his family came from the land of water a few decades back. But they were simple farmers. He decided to be a shinobi since that was his dream." She says sheepishly.

"Oh." he responds as he eats his food. "Yeah, and my mother is from the Haruno Merchant Clan. They handle a lot of the fabric imports to the village. My uncle is the one that handles the exports and imports for the Haruno Merchant Clan branch of this region." She adds with a satisfied nod.

"So you aren't Uzumaki?" Hisashi asks, cocking his head in confusion. "No, I am a Haruno." She says with a slight sweatdrop. "Wait, so your family brings in the fabrics to the seamstress!" Fumiko gasps in excitement.

Sakura turns to her and nods. "Umi and I are really big fans of... well... we like a lot of the fashions and trends of the kimonos and fabrics. If you don't mind, can we be... friends." she mumbles the last part.

Sakura kind of stares at her in shock, she had met most of Naruto's sisters and most of them were pretty loud and outspoken. Fumiko however, spoke in a softer and quieter voice.

"Um yeah, sure." Sakura responded while trying to ignore Karin's glare.

The rest of the meal went by quickly and by the end of the afternoon all three of Naruto's teammates said their goodbyes and left for the night.

___

It didn't take long for team seven to end up taking D rank missions. They were going around the village doing small missions which were more like chores.

"Another one?!" Naruto exclaimed in exasperation as they left the Hokage tower. Sakura glanced at him from the corner of her eye, but didn't say anything. Sasuke on the other hand wasn't one to hold back. "They give the mission, we accept it. That's how it goes." He rolls his eyes.

"Yeah, but you'd think that they'd give us something better at this point! There's no bragging rights to glorified house chores!" Naruto complained loudly as he sighed at the end of it.

"Everyone gets their fair share of D ranks as genin. You'll just have to deal with it for now. Eventually, you'll have a few C rank thrown in the mix." Kakashi sighed as he trailed behind them in a slow pace with his book in hand.

"Sensei, did you have to do D rank missions too?" Sakura asked. Kakashi hummed for a moment as if he was thinking about how he wanted to respond.

"I did a few, I decided I didn't like them so I became a chunin." He said without elaborating any further.

All three of his genin glared at him. " So how do we become Chunin?" Sasuke asked in an irritated voice. "Do better." Kakashi responded sarcastically before receiving a death glare from all three of his students.

He rolled his eye and closed his book. "Fine, first of all there is an exam you take. But that's not what makes you a chunin. You have to show that you can lead a team, gather intelligence, make decisions, have the strength to back up the rank, and adapt to situations. We will go on different missions together where you will gain experience as well, which you will need when you are considered to be chunin." Kakashi says with a sigh.

"Even now, the way you act on missions big, and small. I am judging you on whether or not you would be considered for higher ranked missions or a promotion." He shrugs nonchalantly. "You know, cause I'm your direct superior officer and a Jonin."

All three closed their mouths and glanced at each other in silence as they stiffly walked to their next mission area. Kakashi followed behind them, enjoying the silence and the lack of fighting amongst his team. And if he happens to enjoy watching them fight silently in the sidelines, well who could judge him.

____

They tried their best to behave but it was so hard not to act out. Sasuke found himself getting riled up more often than not. Turns out that all this time Naruto had been right and they did have some sort of silent rivalry.

And now that Kakashi had called them all out on their 'childish behavior' they were trying to act more 'mature'. But somehow Sasuke found himself making facial expressions and little petty hand gestures towards Naruto during missions. Not anything 'Offensive' or 'obscene' that usually came from Naruto's side when he really got fed up.

Before Sakura would try to gently scold Naruto or Sasuke, but it had gotten to the point that she was sending glares at both of them. Saying something along the lines of ' We have to really come together as a group and a unit. I'm sure you guys UNDERSTAND' with a sickly sweet smile.

Usually standing between them and at times her pointy elbows jabbing them both in the sides when they would start to whisper a little too loud while Kakashi was around. Kakashi would sometimes ask them if there was something wrong if one of the boys yelped and they would quickly come up with an excuse and wave off his concern. -Not that he didn't know the reason, but seeing them stammer did entertain him-

They quickly fell into a new routine every morning they would go to the training ground that they had agreed on.

"When do you think Kakashi-sensei will get here." Sakura huffed as she stretched her limbs tiredly, before settling down on the ground.

"Who knows. He is always running late. You'd think he would be a bit more responsible. 'I'm your superior officer, blah blah blah.' hmph! Big talk!" Naruto ranted while placing his hands on his hips and closing one eye and making a face in order to imitate Kakashi.

Sasuke couldn't help the snort that came out of his nose at Naruto's antics, he quickly grunted and coughed trying to act as if he hadn't nearly laughed. His laid back sensei did like to put on airs sometimes.

Even Sakura covered her mouth to hold back the giggles, although she didn't really succeed as much. Satisfied, Naruto grinned. "Who knows what that guy is doing right now." He shrugged.

"I'm just listening to my cute little genin, of course." Kakashi spoke cheerfully from behind Sasuke making all three of them yelp in terror.

"Sensei!" They all stood straight in attention. "We were just talking about how uh where you were, uh yeah wondering where you were." Naruto grimaced slightly as he spoke. His excuse not at all correctly formulated as he was caught flat-footed.

"Uh huh, let's go with that." Kakashi nodded humbly and all three of them sweat dropped.

"Today we are training, very very hard. We have been discussing what you want to do right? So we are finally going to dive right in. I've noticed your teamwork has gotten a lot better recently despite the occasional hiccups here and there." He made a point of not glancing at any of them directly as to not place any blame on any of them directly.

Sasuke felt slightly queasy as he himself had noticed that between the three of them Naruto had integrated easily into the team and so had Sakura. He found it hard to really connect with the two of them.

Naruto on the other hand tried hard not to glance over at his teammates as he thought of both of his teammates 'Sakura's not that bad, but Sasuke...'

Sakura had easily warmed up to both of them, which made it easier for both of her teammates to get along with her.

Naruto had quickly found out that despite the 'sweet' appearance, Sakura had a prickly personality. Especially when Sasuke and he bickered or messed up during their missions.

There had been times when even Sasuke would get caught up in the storm of her unrivaled anger. Of course she kept it well hidden from Kakashi -at least they all thought she did-.

Sasuke on the other hand was still an asshole, kinda. He was nice one minute, noticed he was being nice and got mad about it and then tried to be mean. It infuriated both of his teammates that he sent so many mixed signals.

Progress was being made with him in baby steps. Tiny miniscule baby steps, but progress. Forged by humid, hot summer days and D rank missions, and sweaty training days that Kakashi forced them to go through. Who said that the forced misery suffered together couldn't bring people together?

"So to start off, Sasuke, we will be upping your Taijutsu training and your normal conditioning. It will feel like you aren't making any progress for a while." Kakashi started off and quickly noticed how Sasuke frowned and how he scowled. As if he was expecting some new techniques in ninjutsu. Kakashi almost wanted to roll his eyes and throw his hands up in exasperation and annoyance, but held back.

"But we need to build up your foundation in order for you to use stronger techniques. You have some jutsu already. We want to take what you have and take it up a notch. We aren't halfassing anything. You want to be an elite, right? Gotta have the build for that." He said in a happy tone and ruffled Sasuke's hair teasingly to annoy his grumpy student.

"Sakura, you mentioned wanting some studying material to progress in the academic side of the shinobi forces, right? So, I've got you some scrolls to take home and review in your spare time. That does not mean you can slack off on your conditioning and regular training. As a matter of fact I think long distance endurance training would benefit you. You will probably be forced to deliver scrolls across the village, or have missions that include scouting, exploring, etc. Genjutsu practice will also do you some good, both breaking it and making it, since you seem to be very detail oriented I'm sure you will excel in it. So before we meet every morning I want you running laps around the village. I'm sure we can up them every once in a while." He gives her a thumbs up and her face drops slightly at his comment.

"Naruto, you said you wanted to take up some kenjutsu. I actually used the tanto very early on in my career. So I'll get you started on the basics. You mentioned you have a style that you want to implement. I'll help where I can. We will also continue to work on your chakra control, since you're still at an age where it is growing and with your reserves we have to always have supplemental lessons. I'm also throwing in some ninjutsu, nobody expects a kenjutsu specialist to throw out ninjutsu like candy." Kakashi finished with a clap of his hands.

"So now that we have that out of the way. I will show you what your 'normal' conditioning will be." He grinned with what seemed a little to excitement in his voice and his three students stepped back.

"I looked into what you did at the academy." He pouted slightly. "I found it a bit lacking and I thought to myself, hmm, what can I do to make this more... me. Then it hit me, I have a friend that gave me a few great suggestions! So I took them up on it and here is what we are going to do. Follow me." With that Kakashi dashed away and three genin scrambled to follow him.

If only they knew that he asked Gai what training his students did and then tried to outdo him, he had only a few months to train his genin to be better than his rival.

_______

After training his students and dismissing them for the day, Kakashi was exhausted from having to train his genin. He made his way to the rusty kunai to relax with his friends -mooch off of them- relax and spend 'quality' time with them and complain about his students. It wasn't often that he made an appearance so they probably would be more ecstatic about that than how much money he drained from them. Because all the other times he did show up, the other jonins made sure to cause a ruckus as if it was the end of the world.

Especially his best friend Gai. He couldn't blame them, even the other jonin –who were or had been in anbu– made more appearances than Kakashi did. So he couldn't even use that as an excuse.

As he entered the run down establishment, he gave a close eyed smile towards Asuma, who let out a loud low whistle at Kakashi's unexpected arrival. "Look at that, a dog just dragged its corpse in here." he laughed loudly. Eveyone focused their attention towards the entering jonin.

"My eternal RIVAL!" Gai jumped up from his chair and slammed both his hands on the table, his cheeks slightly flushed from the alcohol.

"Get outta here! Booo Booo!" Anko laughed loudly, slamming her hand repeatedly on the table from afar. Some shinobi glanced over at the door to see Kakashi silently making his way through the bar. But dismissed it and went back to their conversations.

"I'd like to thank you all. It's a pleasure. Thought I'd show up to mooch off– I mean, spend quality time with you all." Kakashi made sure to sit himself between Raido and Hayate. Taking a bottle of sake and serving himself.

"He's about to bleed our pockets dry." Tenzo grumbled from the corner of the booth where he had been hiding –more like had been laid out from drinking– a slight pout on his face as he tried to glare.

"I'm hurt that you are insinuating that I would do that to my cutest Kohai. Anko, tell him that it's blasphemy." Kakashi stated as he grabbed the bottle of sake from the table and poured himself a shot. As always he managed to do so without anyone seeing his face.

"Tenzo, Kakashi would never. Look at him, that is the face of a saint." Anko nodded sagely while trying not to giggle and pointed to Kakashi who held up the empty shot glass and the entire table burst out in jeers and laughter.

"We are missing some people. Usually the table is a bit more packed." Kakashi drawls.

"That idiot Genma is on a mission for who knows how long." Raido complains and Kakashi hums in acknowledgement. Gai seems to be vibrating in his seat. "So how is your new team!" He seems to finally break and Kakashi turns to Gai with a calm and bored demeanor.

"Huh?"

"Ah! So hip and cool! As expected of my rival!" Gai yelled, jumping up from his seat.

"So where's Kurenai? She's usually where you are at." Kakashi lazily leaned against the table as he asked Asuma. The man's cheeks turned a crimson red when Anko elbowed him and said something along the lines of 'even the socially awkward one noticed' .

"Team issues. She ends up working late with them more often than not. " Asuma sighs, pushing Anko out of her seat due to her jabs. "She's going to be coming in later for sure." He adds while grunting about nosey idiots.

"I'm going to assume the Hyuga clan is a hassle to deal with. They are the clan with the most active duty clan members." Kakashi stated the thought of having to deal with a large clan like that made his skin crawl. Especially with his team because he had Sasuke on it and it would've meant that he would have to be dealing with the Uchiha clan.

The reasons being his implanted eye, the stigma because of the implanted eye, the resentment that Fugaku Uchiha had against his father and because of his proficiency with the sharingan itself.

The Uchiha elders had not been pleased with his monkiers nor of how he quickly mastered and efficiently used the eye. Which they made abundantly clear over the years.

It wasn't his fault that he was a genius when it came to the shinobi arts, he had literally been the youngest ninja in the village to become a genin (at 5). At 26 years old Kakashi had amassed 21 years of active duty. Whilst most of his peers had 14-17 years.

He had 12 years under his belt as a jonin and another 6 years as a chunin and 1 as a genin (21 years of active duty). While other jonin his age had 1-9 years at most as jonin, 10 chunin (more or less) and at least 4 of genin (14 years of duty at most).

A normal jonin with his tenureship would've been 33-40 years old considering that most ninja graduated at the age of 12.

In other words he was a genius who had been able to master what others couldn't with ease. So when he got the sharingan he took to mastering it quickly and more efficiently than natural born Uchiha with the only limitation being his chakra reserves.

The indignation of the Uchiha elders when he displayed more talent for the sharingan that most Uchiha led to discrimination and mistreatment from them. (Because he was an outsider and an 'Kekkei genkai theif' to them)

After they were all slaughtered in a single night, he felt bad for them despite their differences. He never wished for them to be killed off even if their nagging was annoying at times. So he had mixed feelings about it.

"The stick up their ass clan huh?" Anko chuckled as she got up from the floor with a bit of difficulty. "She will never get those traditionalists off her back as long as she teaches their heiress." She adds.

Asuma snorted. "That's Noble Clans for you. A hassle no matter what. At least the Ino-Shika-Cho aren't as strict as the Hyuga." He lets out a long exhale of smoke while leaning back.

"Anyway, are you finally taking your brats on higher ranked missions?" Anko asked with a slight slur as she settled back into her seat and kicked Asuma out of his seat.

"We are going over tree walking and once they go over water walking to a better extent I'll go ahead and green light them for a C rank. Maybe a bit before that. To break them in, you know." He shrugged and leaned back.

They all nodded "A short C rank not too far off, maybe a low ranking escort." Raido pointed out and Kakashi nodded. "That's what I was thinking. I was eyeing this one that was to the land of Wave, it's close to Uzushiogakure's shoreline. A good detour on our way back for educational purposes." He added as he took another shot of sake and held the cup up in front of him.

Yamato gave him an incredulous look. "Senpai you and your rebellious streak." he struggled to reach out and grab the sake bottle, but he served himself another shot and drank it as Kakashi chuckled in the background.

"What the council can't see won't hurt them. Are any of you snitches?" he asked and they all rolled their eyes.

"Shut up Hatake." Anko shook her head.

_____

"How will you fight other shinobi if you can't stay on the trees?" Kakashi asked as he watched his students struggle to tree walk. Sakura had already learned the skill, but with her lack of reserves she was practicing alongside her teammates.

"Your task for the next few days will be to walk on walls, and to avoid walking on the floor. This will help you get used to walking on all surfaces. You will also work on your core muscles since you will heavily rely on them when you use this skill." Kakashi called out as Naruto tried to keep a steady output of his chakra.

Sasuke on the other hand still couldn't climb the trees like his teammates. He was frustrated by that. He saw his teammates succeed and he was stagnant. He questioned his convictions, judging himself for not being able to understand the assignment as well as his teammates.

Kakashi noticed that Sasuke was frustrated, he wanted to ask him what was wrong. But he wasn't good at anything involving emotions. He could lead and train an elite anbu squad, take A rank missions back to back. But helping his emotionally stunted student, that was a bit out of his league.

'I mean look at how Itachi turned out. He was in your care and supervision and you couldn't see him reaching his breaking point and going off the deep end.' He mentally scolded himself. He hadn't quite forgiven himself for allowing Itachi to lose his mind. He should have noticed any odd behaviors. No one snaps and kills their entire family for no reason. Had anbu been his breaking point. Kakashi himself had become anbu at 13 in comparison to Itachi who was 11 at the time.

He never thought much of the mental fortitude between a 13 year old raised in war and an 11 year old raised in peace. When he was 13 he had been nothing like his 11 year old self, a lot of things changed in that small time period.

The council and Hokage had let Itachi join his anbu squad because they were similar, both graduating the academy the same year they joined it –Kakashi had been 5 compared to Itachi who had been 6--. They both were very young chunin --Kakashi had been 6, compared to Itachi being 10– . And they were very close in age when they became Anbu. Although the only difference was Itachi never got to become a Jonin.

The emotions regarding his wayward kohai left him with mixed feelings about how competent he'd be training a genin team. He had failed training a single chunin, letting the boy break under the pressure of his duty.

'Maybe it was because I was raised on the field. Spent my time fighting in the third shinobi war. I grew up seeing everyone around me reaching their breaking point. Fighting for their life trying to avoid the mental stress of the war. That I wasn't used to peace and could recognize how those symptoms were severe. That it wasn't normal to be under so much duress ' was a wandering thought that always plagued him.

He promised himself that he wouldn't let this team fail, not like team Minato, not like team Ro. -shisui's suicide also hanging heavy over him. An act that no one saw coming. Who knew that he was also struggling.- Only Genma and Tenzo remained from the teams he'd been in, other than himself. The remaining two were long out of his reach. 'Better to dismiss them both as dead.'

Kakashi forced himself to approach Sasuke. "You're having issues getting the technique down?"

Sasuke looked at him wide eyed before scowling and looking away. "I—" Sasuke stammered out, embarrassed.

Kakashi wished he could walk away and simply wish him good luck. He had learned this when he was 6, he had long forgotten how he struggled or how long it had taken him. He had even mocked his teammates –who had been genin at the time– on how long they took and how they weren't able to do it. 'I learned this when I was six, honestly you are both idiots.' Those kinds of statements sent Obito in a mad rage. He wished he had paid attention to see how Minato taught his teammates.

"How about you practice channeling your chakra to your feet first. Then you can attempt it once more. If you can't move your chakra to the right place then you won't be able to even try and make it up the tree." He tried to help his student out.

"Of course I can channel chakra to my feet." Sasuke exclaimed, flustered and upset 'I was the top student in the academy, Naruto didn't make it to the top five. At least Sakura was the top kunoichi, but she could never get a higher score than me.'

Kakashi wanted to sigh at his student's misinterpretation. "You are used to channeling your chakra to your hands, throat and lungs. Hands and feet are a bit different, so it will take a while to get used to it. Sakura has small chakra reserves so she can control it better. Naruto has been practicing chakra exercises as an extracurricular activity to help with achieving the simple clone technique for quite some time. You have practiced different shinobi arts so you don't have experience with this. You cannot be the best in all shinobi arts. That's why the three of you have different tasks." Kakashi tried to make himself seem reassuring.

Sasuke didn't reply, but nodded solemnly and began to practice the way Kakashi had told him too.

'Minato-sensei, please give me strength. I must've been driving you up the walls, growing up.' Kakashi prayed..

________

With a lot of effort and training-team seven got the tree climbing technique down. There were a few outbursts stemming from Sasuke's jealousy, but they ended up being resolved quickly.

Kakashi had already picked out their higher ranked mission. Considering he was a jonin and that he had the jinchuriki and last uchiha, he had a bit of leeway to be picky about the missions they received. Of course most of it had to go through the Hokage, but the Third Hokage was always a bit lenient towards him –lenient enough to not have him executed for the failed assassination he attempted after Minato died, but in his defense Danzo kind of tempted him to do it. Though he gave up his right to retire from active service due to the attempt. So maybe he wasn't that lenient.-

Kakashi led his team to the mission desk where they had to wait in line to get their missions. He happily watched as his students were trying to be quiet and subtle about the bickering going on between them. – More like Sasuke and Naruto had mouthed off at each other and Sakura was at her wits end threatening them both with bodily harm–.

Soon enough they made it to the front of the line. The Hokage sat at a long table with Chunin flanking him on both sides and there were stacks of mission scrolls laid out in front of them. At that point his three students stood at attention just how Kakashi taught them to.

"Team Seven, I've been considering giving you a higher ranked mission. Team leader Kakashi, do you think they are ready?" The Hokage asked, smiling slightly as he saw Naruto standing at attention like a proper shinobi. Naruto beamed as the Hokage gave him a once over and smiled slightly -both would deny the interaction if anyone asked-

"My team has progressed enough at the moment for higher ranked missions. They'll be able to handle it." Kakashi stated, his orange book nowhere to be seen during the interaction.

The three genin beamed at their sensei's praise and seemed excited about a higher ranked mission.

"Hokage-sama, are you sure about giving them a higher ranked mission? They've only been out of the academy for nearly four months." Iruka interjected as he glanced at his previous students.

Hiruzen cocked a brow and glanced over at Kakashi to see how he would respond. "I thank you for your concern over my soldiers, but it is unnecessary because as you can see." Kakashi gestured to the three genin that silently stood at attention behind him.

"They have improved drastically and are ready to serve their village diligently." He finished and Iruka looked at the three of them with a slight frown and nodded in understanding before a proud smile bloomed on his face.

"I guess they have grown to be splendid shinobi since I last saw them." Iruka added making the three of them beam in pride –Sasuke would never admit that receiving praise from his former sensei made him happy–.

'Even Iruka sensei can see what a great ninja I'm becoming!' Naruto thought to himself in glee.

Iruka gave them all a gentle smile and looked back at Kakashi. "I apologize for doubting your judgment Kakashi-san." Iruka spoke up and bowed his head slightly at the jonin. Kakashi gave him a curt nod before the Hokage held out a scroll.

Kakashi stepped forward and took the scroll that was being handed to him. "Your mission will be to escort a bridge builder to the Land of Wave, there shouldn't be much for you to worry about other than bandits." the Hokage stated before glancing over at one of the Chunin.

"Bring in the client." He ordered and the Chunin hurried off to bring the client for the mission.

"Once you've escorted them you will stay for an additional week before returning, the mission should be at least 2 weeks." He finished off as a man walked in, he seemed to be in his late forties, with gray hair and glasses. He also smelled of booze and didn't seem to be walking straight. "These are the brats I get for the hefty sum I paid?" Tazuna slightly slurred as he squinted his eyes at them.

Naruto's face went red and he held himself back from telling the man off, he had already behaved and kept his composure, the last thing he wanted to do was break off his professional appearance and be out done by Sasuke.

Sasuke on the other hand sneered and gave the client a side eye worthy of an Uchiha. Sakura, on the other hand, pursed her lips in annoyance. Kakashi simply smiled,

"We are completely qualified to fulfill your request, if not my students, then myself as I am an elite Jonin."

Tazuna simply huffed before nodding.

"You have 30 minutes to pack all of your essentials before we head out. Before we leave we will have an overview of the mission. Dismissed." Kakashi ordered and the three of them used the academy shunshin to leave. With Naruto being the last one and frowning towards the client.

It didn't take long before Naruto arrived at the Uzumaki temple.

"I'm home!" Naruto called out as he entered the temple. He didn't get a reply back so he walked around to see where everyone was at.

"Big brother?" Hayami called out as Naruto entered one of the large training halls. The small girl had toys scattered all over the floor and was playing with Kaida. Mizuko had been shocked to see him because he usually finished his Shinobi duty later on in the day.

Naruto gave her a large smile. "We are heading out to our first C rank mission so I'm here to pack." He tells her excitedly.

Mizuko feels her stomach drop. "Oh, that's great. How long will you be gone?" She asks as she gets up from her seat where she had been drawing seals.

"About two weeks, give or take. We are escorting a client so it shouldn't be too hard." he stated as he kept the details a bit vague.

"Oh I see, so are you going to be packing right now?" She asks and he nods. "I'll be using one of my sealing scrolls to carry my things, and I'll definitely take my bed and maybe some ramen, just in case I don't have food there... And-

__________

"Do you have to leave? I mean you're just so frail and you could get hurt." Mebuki urged her daughter.

"Mom, I'm just going to be an escort. There is no nee--"

"But what if you get hurt, and get a scar?! How will you marry then?" Mebuki exclaimed despite her daughter's protest.

"I'll get scars regardless because of my career-"

"Exactly!! That's why you should request a team better suited for you. Your father did well

as a career genin. Just drop out of this– elite roster! You're just not suited for that kind of barbarian lifestyle!" Mebuki reached out to grab her daughter.

She grabbed Sakura by the arm, turning the girl towards her. "Sakura, listen to me–"

"I...Mom! I've earned my place in the elite class. C'mon, I even beat Sasuke in our exercises!" She pulled her arm free, Mebuki huffed at Sakura's resistance. She turns for backup.

"Aren't you going to help me talk sense into your daughter!" Mebuki angrily turned to her husband, Kizashi.

"Uh, right. Look, little blossom. Your mother is just saying this out of concern. Um, What would your grandparents think when they meet you? They'll disapprove of your scars and won't, uh." He glanced at his wife to see if she was pleased with what he was saying. "Find you a suitable partner." Kizashi finished.

"Yes, yes how will I explain it to them?! Your cousins will marry well and you'll probably grow to be an old maiden. I can see it now, you want to break your mothers hear-"

"Mom, stop! I'm... Let it go. I have to go!" Sakura sneered and turned on her heel, heading upstairs. Ignoring her mothers protests.

'She's so UGH!!!' Sakura screamed angrily in her pillow. Before forcing herself to get up and pack her things.

Sakura made sure to double check she had all of her equipment, conjuring up the list that Iruka-sensei had given them before graduating.

She stomped her way downstairs, she could hear her mother slamming plates and pans as she was in the kitchen, probably cooking something.

A hand on her shoulder stopped her from leaving. "Sakura." She turned to see her father. "I know that you're strong, stronger than me when I was your age. I want you to stay safe. Your mother, she might mouth off, but she is just worried for you. She has never been a ninja so she doesn't understand our resolve or how we live. Give her some time, don't.. Don't hold it against her." He hugged her.

"You can come back with a few scars. But come back in one piece." He kissed the top of her head and she sniffled slightly and hugged back. "I'll come back safe and sound, I promise."

She left her house with her shoulders feeling lighter, despite her mothers 'outdated and close minded' views she at least had her father cheering her on from the side.

_______________

The only sound that could be heard was of a shuffling bag and zippers.

Sasuke stood in his room packing everything in silence, his only thoughts being on his progression. He still wasn't used to not being the best out of all of his peers.

His mind slowly wandered to thoughts of his mother. 'Would she be proud? Give him a lecture of what he should take? Offer to help him pack? What about his father? Would he praise him? Would he tell him to bring honor to the clan?

His bro-'

Sasuke cut off that train of thought and slammed his clothes into the bag. 'No use thinking of –what if's-- because those don't exist.' he thought to himself, something inside of him aching at the thought, but he pushed that feeling deep down inside.

He swung his bag on, as he turned around he was met with a picture of his family. Itachi's face had been scratched off. He stared at it and stomped over to it, and slammed it down so that he didn't have to see it.

He left the Uchiha compound with a deep frown on his face. 'Another life milestone they'll never see.' he thought to himself, ignoring the tears swelling in his eyes.

_________

Team seven met up at the front of the gate, the three genin were shocked to see that Kakashi was already waiting for them. "Well isn't that nice? You're all here at the perfect time. Early if I must say." Kakashi smiled at them –although it wasn't that visible since most of his face was hidden, they could slightly see his facial features through the mask–.

"So, I mentioned that we would have a team meeting before the client arrived."

"Sensei, you never said that. You just said that we had to discuss the mission." Naruto deadpanned and Kakashi waved his hand at him. "Semantics, you have to look underneath the underneath. Phrasing can mean one thing to someone and another to someone else. It's not like I'm going to say that I will make sure to check your bags and lecture you before our client arrives. That would be unprofessional, and we have a reputation to keep."

The three genin glanced at each other for a moment before showing Kakashi their bags.

"Hmm, let's see, equipment that you are taking lists them off. We must all know what you are carrying just in case we need to incorporate it into a plan. Better to know beforehand than have to list them off while we are in a time sensitive situation. But keep specific weapons unknown, just in case. Like a trump card."

Sasuke was the first one to go, showing Kakashi his weapons pouch and telling him his hidden weapons and the ones he would use first in a quiet whisper away from the client.

Naruto was the next one to list off his weapon, he was a bit more enthusiastic, but tried to keep his voice down to prevent being overheard. He also listed off his seals –some being chunin level, but Kakashi made no comment on that since Naruto was well within his right to have them– And a first aid kit that Mizuko had forced him to take.

Sakura was the last one to go, she brought everything that was required to bring according to the academy textbooks, she did leave a few things at the bottom of her bag, like a few lip moisturizers and unnecessary items. (Unbeknown to her team that her mother was quite insistent on how Sakura should present herself around her teammates, especially when it came to overnight stays.)

Kakashi gives them all a nod of approval.

"I think this should do well enough. We can go ahead and leave." Kakashi tells them and they all give him a small sigh of relief that they didn't even know that they were holding.

Tazuna arrived shortly after. After checking up with the client and each other, they left the village.

______

It hadn't been long since Naruto left for his first C rank mission. Although Mizuko believed it was too soon, that didn't mean that she could neglect the work she was doing for the village.

Hayami and Kaida were the only ones that were with her at the moment, as all of the other kids were old enough to be at the academy. Or left at home by themselves to do self study.

She was walking alongside the Saito Clan Head. The Saito's were known for their craft shinenawas, silk ropes. Their clan takes the quality of their products very seriously. Making them of only the highest silks. And very valuable.

Anything like it is something extremely difficult to come by, considering that the Saito dominate the silk industry completely, shunning other competitors out the way.

Even though the Saito weren't a shinobi clan, they still had a big influence in the council meetings.

Through Hiashi's recommendation, she had managed to get the meeting and was hoping to establish a business partnership. Her sealing scrolls were great but she didn't have quality rope to go along with it, but she was hoping to rectify that now. She couldn't make everything herself.

It had been a hard realization that she would have to rely on others to help her source products and materials in order not to overwork herself. The demands that the village was demanding from her were more than she could bear and although she did not tell the kids, work was becoming increasingly hard.

She had to limit stock more often than not and that did come with a few drawbacks. She had a hard time standing up for herself in the council meetings when questioned on why inventory was so low. But thankfully the Hyuuga, Akimichi and Yamanaka were always quick to have her back.

The Nara never really said much, being that Shikaku was the Jonin Commander and had to keep a neutral opinion on the matter.

Having the largest Noble clans on her side made it easier to deal with the pressure, but being an 'outside Shinobi' village and Clan head who sold limited goods in the village was a pressure that held a lot of weight.

Also most of the rope would be used for ceremonial uses, like the shrine, temple and tori gates which would reinforce the seals -at the entrance of the temple to ward off any hostile and unwanted eyes and attacks-.

"We have the Washi Paper already made with different floral patterns. I'm sure you will find the quality. Lord Hisashi mentioned that your wares of Kumihimo are popular amongst the Geisha." Mizuko smiled politely and the man chuckled.

"Yes, we have been leading the sales in the flower capital. Even the most well paid Geisha wear our Kumihimo. I also heard from Lord Hisashi that he transferred one of the Hyuga's Tea houses to you." The man gave her a sharp look and Mizuko waved it off discreetly.

"To the Uzumaki Clan. A sign of good will, and a welcoming gift for joining the village. The Hyuuga is a noble clan and we are good allies." Mizuko redirected the jab at the exchange. Not giving away anything about the agreement and exchange between Hiashi and her.

"Ah, Yes I'm sure that the Hyuuga can afford to give something of that value away." He stated in an almost sarcastic manner.

Mizuko's smile slightly dropped. If she decided to drop the pleasantries and retaliate to the jab any possible deal could fall through. Hiashi would lose face since he was the one that organized the meeting.

She was the one that didn't have a stable foothold in the capital and who needed him more than he needed her.

With a deep breath she calmed herself down. "Hmm, I'm sure that it is not missed at all. If you are ever at the capital. Please make sure to stop by. I'll make sure that you are well taken care of there." She stated and he barked out a laugh.

"Yes, yes. Now about that Washi paper–"

_______

"Any Injuries?" Kakashi asked as he sealed away the demon brother's Chakra. All three genin looked over each other before giving their sensei the all clear.

"I think we all got away without a single injury sensei." Naruto stated once he double checked that Sakura and Sasuke weren't injured --Sasuke grumbled about not needing Naruto to check over him and that he could look out for himself–.

Kakashi turned to Tazuna as the old drunken man staggered backwards. "Would you care to explain why there seems to be a bounty on your head?" he asks in a sickly sweet voice.

"I- Please, They are holding my village hostage. After Uzushio fell we haven't had any protection and thugs keep coming in and out. Gato has been the worst. He trafficks, steals and kills. I'm just a simple bridge builder. I knew he didn't want me to connect the island to the mainland. But I never expected for him to go this far."

"Then why did you hire shinobi?' Kakashi growled and the man gulped.

"My daughter insisted and she gathered money from others. This is all we could afford. This is all everyone in our village could afford. Please, you have to understand. We had no choice." Tazuna begged.

Naruto felt his chest tighten slightly at the mention of Uzushio, were they people that had once been protected by them? Tazuna's eyes would randomly glance over at his headband, and he could feel a pang of guilt in his stomach. Maybe they had been.

"What was Uzushiogakure to you?" Naruto asked, interrupting Kakashi and Tazuna.

Tazuna was taken back by the question and he stared at Naruto.

Nobody in team 7 said anything. They felt out of place to do so. Kakashi's brow raised at Naruto's prodding.

"I- well, they were one of the Islands in the south. We traded with them. Families moved there all the time. They faced the brunt of the attack during the second shinobi war... It doesn't matter anymore. They all fell during the invasion. Uzumaki and not. All gone." He slightly glared at Kakashi.

'Not that Konoha ever came to Uzushiogakure's aid back then' Tazuna thought to himself.

"Afterall the only one I can rely on is you, Konoha to help save wave." Tazuna finished off while turning back to Naruto, his eyes trailing back up to Naruto's headband.

Naruto gulped slightly and nodded. "I see, Kakashi sensei... I want to continue this mission." He stated firmly. "They need help and we are strong and we can handle it right? We are way stronger than we were before." He glanced over to Sasuke and Sakura.

Sasuke seemed to be in deep thought for a moment, before nodding. He wasn't one to back off from a challenge and although he had been able to fight off one of the demon brother's while Naruto held off the other one. He didn't want his first C rank mission to be marked down as a failure.

"I agree, I think we should continue." He added.

He also didn't want to fall behind Naruto of all people.

Sakura stared at both of her teammates, Her mothers nagging going through her head as she thought about how she had been a mere background character in the midst of the battle. She felt ashamed, she wanted to prove to herself that she was more than just a wanna-be ninja that would end up a trophy wife.

"I want to continue the mission as well sensei!" Sakura spoke up. Her cheeks flushed at her sudden outburst. "Ehem, I mean. I think it would look unprofessional if we let our first customer get assassinated." She tried to play it off.

Kakashi sighed and nodded. "I guess you have yourself an escort team."

_____

It doesn't take long for team seven to continue walking towards wave. They have to take a few rest stops due to their civilian client.

Kakashi does his best to be on the lookout for any possible attacks. It isn't until one of the breaks that Kakashi is able to pull Naruto to the side.

"So did you decide to take the mission because Wave was once under Uzushio's protection?" he asks nonchalantly.

Naruto snaps his head up at Kakashi opening his mouth to respond but being caught flabbergasted.

"It's okay if you are. You have every right to do so. Although you might be a bit under qualified to do so." He places a gloved hand on his students head and ruffles his hair.

"If things get too dangerous, don't stick around. Make sure you get home safe. You are not responsible for Konoha's shortcomings nor can you carry all of the burdens of a shinobi village."

"We were supposed to protect them." Naruto muttered as he placed a single hand on his headband. His thoughts going to the homeland he never got to know, the people he never got to meet.

Kakashi felt a heavy burden on his shoulders, his mind thinking of Minato and Kushina, how he never stepped up to help take care of their son, how he never went to help stop the Kyuubi, how he never saved Rin, how he never saved Obito, how he never saved his fathe— he tried to shake away that train of thought.

"You weren't there, and there was nothing you could have possibly done. You are just one person. Do what you can now with what you have. We are helping them with the bridge so that they can get away from Gato right? We are shinobi and we can only do so much and within the parameters of our mission." He added.

Naruto scrunched up his nose and looked up at him. "Thank you, Kakashi sensei."

Kakashi nodded as he pulled away. 'That went better than expected.... I'm such a hypocrite.'

_____

It took three days for them to arrive at the edge of the beach where they would wait for Tazuna's contact to pick them up.

In the daytime they waited in the woods to avoid any confrontation but in the late evening as soon as the fog set in a row boat arrived and they all quietly climbed in.

The three genin were quiet throughout the entire time, since they had never been smuggled anywhere before, it was an odd experience.

They were all hyper aware that Gato and his men were most likely patrolling the border, especially now since anyone with common sense would use the evening fog to sneak in. They kept their eyes peeled out towards the blinding fog. Straining their ears for the tiniest of noises.

The tiny boat creaked at the weight of team 7, their client and their contact. Sending all genin into shivers of nerves.

Naruto had been told what it was like to traverse in absolute secrecy by Karin and Ryuu. Kenta had mentioned it, but since he had been much younger his memories of their time crossing the countries were quite vague.

Their stories were always nerve wrecking. You could tell that they all lived in constant terror.

It wasn't long before they could see the outline of the bridge through the thick fog. "Look." Naruto whispered as he pointed upward. Sakura gasped as she looked up at the archways.

"They're as big as the bridges in the capital." she muttered and Tazuna preened. "Well I am a master bridge builder." He gloated before he sighed lowly. "But it won't do much if they kill me before the project is completed."

Kakashi looked at it and crouched down to his genin. "You see the bases over there, if you take those out, the whole thing collapses. Sabotage 101. Not something we would do. But something we need to look out for." He whispered lowly.

Of course he would know alot about sabotaging bridges, railways, and infrastructure. That was his bread and butter throughout the third shinobi war, not that he would tell his cute little genin that.

"As soon as we get to the mainland, I'll take the back, Sasuke you take point. Naruto and Sakura, you take sides. Diamond formation." He adds.

"Tazuna-san. Where will we be taking residency?" Kakashi asks and Tazuna straightens up. "My home, My daughter and Grandson live there. They will be the ones waiting for us." He adds and Kakashi nods.

"Naruto, you're a sensor right?" Kakashi asks and Naruto furrows his brow, but nods.

"Make sure to stay alert the entire time we are on our way there. I don't want there to be any sort of surprises we cannot handle."

Naruto nods diligently and they all fall into a comfortable silence.

Soon enough the shoreline becomes visible and they arrive to land.

Sasuke is the first one to get off, Since he was the point he makes sure to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. Tazuna gets off next and then Kakashi. The other two follow and the rest of the team follow.

They quickly organize themselves around Tazuna with practiced ease. The older man is taken aback at the shift in attitude. He even felt a bit uncomfortable due to the difference in behavior from before and after the attack.

"Naruto, be on the lookout." Kakashi states and the blonde boy nods.

"Tazuna, show Sasuke the way please." Kakashi adds and the team sets off once more.

Seeing how her teammates have a specialized role in the team yet she doesn't, makes her feel out of place and left out, but she doesn't say anything.

Onward they walked. Everyone looked around, hands slipped in their kunai pouches for quick access. Taking the cover in the nearest tree line. All ninja's taking a deep rooted comfort near the tall vegetation.

Naruto starts to get a little nervous. "Something is out there." He mutters as he pulls out a kunai. His eyes darted throughout the forest. Everyone became tense.

"How many?" Kakashi asked and Naruto grunted. "One.... no two. Yeah there are definitely two. One of them feels weird. I've never felt something like it before. It's cold. Like really cold." Naruto added as he looked behind them.

"Behin—"

"Get down!"

Sakura jumped on their client, throwing them on the ground. A blade, the size of a grown adult man soared through the air, where their torsos once were and then buried itself into a tree. Naruto's stomach drops at the sight of the thing.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" A tall tan skin man stated he wore light blue pants with cow print leg warmers and arm warmers.

Team 7 jumps into formation, Sakura helping the client up while Sasuke and Naruto leap in defense, Kakashi standing in front.

"Kakashi, copy cat ninja, no wonder the demon brothers disappeared. Even while carrying around a bunch of brats, those two should have been no issue for you."

"Zabuza, demon of the hidden mist." Kakashi sneered as he glared up at the man.

"Nice to know that my name is known far and wide." The man cackled. "Why don't you step aside and let me take the man's head, I'll spare your brats if you do so." Zabuza laughed but narrowed his eyes when he noticed Naruto's headband.

Kakashi stepped in front of Naruto, obstructing the view of his student. "Your fight is with me."

Zabuza glared down at Kakashi. "Who knew Konoha still harbored monsters in their ranks. Better cull them while they're young I suppose." the man spit out.

Kakashi lifts his headband up revealing the sharingan. "Protect the client. And stay away from this fight."

He launches forward and attacks with a barrage of kunai. Zabuza wastes no time in ripping his blade out of the bark of the tree and dodging the attack.

Kakashi follows up with a few water bullets and he attempts to push the fight away from the client. He tries to land a few hits, between Zabuza's dodging and defense.

Zabuza retaliates by attempting to kick Kakashi in the ribs. The land hits but it ends up being a lightning clone and it shocks him.

Meanwhile, the three Genin are paralyzed by the amount of bloodlust that is being emitted by the Jonin. Sasuke is the first to snap out of it, being that he had been exposed to it in large amounts before.

"We have to protect the client. C-c'mon." He shakes both Naruto and Sakura.

Sakura is the first to react and nod. She arms herself and starts to pull her client up. Trying to get him to stand up. But Tazuna can barely keep his legs from buckling in fear.

Naruto on the other hand is overwhelmed by the bloodlust, he's paralyzed. He can feel Sasuke and Sakura breaking free. But, he– he can't move. 'Damnit move already!'

He feel's Sasuke look at him over his shoulder, noticing that he's still frozen. Naruto growls as he tries to react, move, something.

His chakra sensing, it's locking him in. He tries unfocusing. Unfocusing on his surroundin–

"Snap out of it already!"

Sasuke stops a stray kunai from hitting Tanzuna with his own, the deflected kunai lands just a few inches away from Naruto's foot.

Finally,

Naruto leaps into formation. Taking his kunai in hand. Sasuke finally stops defending solo and makes space for Naruto.

Naruto understands that he is Zabuza's target now. That look and distasteful comment earlier is proof of that. That look the nin gave him when he saw his Uzushiogakure headband. There's no doubting it.

But was it enough for him to be called a monster? He had seen Tazuna's reaction to his headband...the man saw hope... Zabuza's however, his reaction had been hate... dare he say fear.

"Barrier. Let's place him in a barrier seal." Naruto stammered out as he dug his hands in his pouch and brought out his ink brush, ink and seal paper. His hands were trembling slightly. He just needed to connect the seals he had together and the client would be safe.

Sasuke looked at him and nodded. "Okay. we will watch your back. Set the seal."

"Sakura, help me guard Naruto and Tazuna. He will be vulnerable while he is writing out the seal." Sasuke ordered.

"Are you an Uzumaki?" Tazuna asked as he trembled on the floor. He watched as Naruto set down the pieces of paper and began to connect the lines together.

Zabuza and Kakashi were exchanging heavy blows when he saw it...

Right over Copycat nin Kakashi's shoulder, behind him. He saw the kid with the swirl headband unwrap a stencil and scroll. Zabuza's eyes widened.

Quickly tearing through Kakashi's defenses, he aims for Naruto. He understood what the symbol on the boy's forehead meant. And he wasn't going to give the little demon a chance to write a single line.

"Haku kill him, forget the target. Kill the blonde brat. That thing can't be allowed to live!"

The barrier went up in a hue of light blue, Naruto cheered in success, though his relief was short lived because when he looked up, kunai were raining above him. Sasuke and Sakura quickly jump in defense, deflecting kunai targeting him.

"Take cover!" Sakura yelled as she yanked Naruto back by his collar.

Sasuke had to jump away as sebon was launched towards them.

"Careful! Needles!" Sasuke hissed. Everyone else retreated a bit at his calling.

A series of loud explosions came from where Kakashi and Zabuza were at. Catching the genin's attention for a second. The mist nin was wrung back into battle, his path blocked by Kakashi once more.

"Sensei—!"

A masked shinobi shunshined in front of them, startling the squad.

"Apologies, but my master has given me orders to exterminate you." they bowed their head gracefully, long silky hair falling forward, framing their mask.

"Anbu? Mist Anbu?" Sasuke stammered out as he noticed the insignia of the mask.

Being that his brother had been in anbu, he knew a bit of what it entailed. Seeing the insignia on the mask he could only assume that it was the hidden mist anbu. What he couldn't understand is why they were working with a missing ninja.

The three genin split, retreating away from their enemy. Ice started to form around the clearing. Cutting their few exits.

"The Ice! The cold I mentioned! It was Ice!" Naruto yelled as they had to attempt to dodge the attacks.

"Naruto move!" Sakura yelled at the top of her lungs and Naruto felt the presence behind him and he dropped down barely dodging the large blade that swung above him. Zabuza had managed to escape Kakashi's barrage of attacks.

Before Zabuza could follow up the attack. Kakashi kicks him on the temple, sending him across the clearing and chasing him down.

Naruto is slightly trembling but tumbles forwards and proceeds to dodge the masked ninja.

Sakura was sending kunai attacks from the distance she was at but they were all countered.

Sasuke was the first one to rush in and attack, quickly attempting to get in a taijutsu battle. They fought but it was obvious that he was being overwhelmed.

Naruto quickly flanked them and sent out a few hits of his own. Despite his own shortcomings, he wasn't one to back down from a fight. "C'mon let's take this bastard down!" Naruto yelled as he ducked down and dodged a few hits.

Sasuke didn't verbally respond, but his attacks became more violent.

Sakura stood in the sidelines, she wanted to jump in but she noticed the ice forming. She clenches her jaw when she sees the ice form the structure of a case, if she doesn't do something it'll surely trap Sasuke and Naruto in it.

She reached into her kunai pouched and pulled out her specialized explosive tags, wrapping them on her kunai and tampering with the heat sector. She was fumbling with them slightly as she kept looking up. Checking to see how much time she had left before the barriers completely formed.

She tossed the kunai and hid on the side of the barrier that Naruto had set up hoping that the heat of the explosion did not injure her teammates.

As soon as the explosion went off she jumped out, unfortunately noticing that all three of them were thrown spew. She didn't waste a second however, quick to attack the enemy throwing kunai at their downed form.

"Get away from them. They can cast an ice barrier!" She yelled at the top of her lungs as Sasuke and Naruto.

The two stumbled slightly as they tried to get up and move away.

At a distance there was another explosion where Zabuza was thrown across the water, Kakashi was soaking wet and breathing heavily. He had been trapped in a water prison jutsu and had used a small explosion to set himself free. The heat of the explosion had left blisters on his exposed skin, but he was free and able to fight once more.

Zabuza who wore less clothes than Kakashi was not so lucky, the boiling water had blistered the sides of his body.

Zabuza grits his teeth and pushes past the pain, despite the pain and burn due to his arm warmers his hands were left unburned so he is able to wield his sword. He retaliates but Kakashi is able to use the metal plates on his gloves to deflect the strikes.

The seals on the plates that reinforce the metal make it so the sword glides off and is unable to pierce the metal, It also makes the blows lighter and gives him an opportunity to reach for his Kunai and counter attack.

He manages to kick Zabuza on his now blistering side and follow up with a stab on his exposed side. The man is forced back into dry land and towards the trees. Back to where Kakashi is more comfortable fighting and away from the water.

Meanwhile Zabuza is being cornered by Kakashi, Haku is starting to be cornered by the rest of team seven.

Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke surround Haku while he begins to send out blasts of ice and they are forced to jump back. "My master needs me, I can no longer afford to let you stand in my way."

Naruto makes shadow clones to overwhelm the ice nin and the other two jump back in order to regroup. Sakura was the furthest of the three. Since she kept her distance from the get go.

She has figured it out. This mist anbu's specialty is ice, so far they've been able to push them back by not letting them have time to use it. And the explosion tag melted the ice earlier, the heat was super effective. Surely if they use something bigger, they can defeat the mist nin. They need something bigger than an explosive tag, something like–

"Sasuke! Your fireball Jutsu!" Sakura exclaims, catching Sasuke's attention. He immediately catches on. 'Of course'

But before they could formulate a plan, while they were both distracted, Naruto's clones were cleared all at once. They both turn in shock when the real Naruto is thrown back past them, landing closer to where Sasuke is.

The ice nin is slouched forward, clearly panting before making a one handed hand sign. Sakura's eyes widened.

An Ice Dome surrounds both Naruto and Sasuke. Sasuke jumps back, but his back meets an ice panel instead of freedom. He curses.

Naruto jumps to his feet and is quick to make clones, however nothing the clones did or what he did seemed to affect the ice.

The mist nin runs to their encasement. Their body entering the ice!

Sebon needles begin to rain down on the clones and genin.

"No!!" Sakura screams as she runs toward them, throwing another kunai with an explosive tag. A small bit of ice melts from one of the ice mirrors that appeared. The Ice ninja's image appears on all of them.

Sakura watches in horror as the dust clears and Naruto and Sasuke are both on the floor covered in sebon. She doesn't stop running towards them, her feet not stopping despite how her mind is telling her that they are dead. 'I have to feel it, I have to touch them and know that they are, It can't be THEY CAN'T BE!'

As soon as she is close enough she is attacked. In her worry for her teammates, she lets her guard down, a perfect opening.

It was too quick, it isn't a sebon but a kunai instead. She notices too late. She ducks and blood fills her vision. "MY EYES!" She screams at the top of her lungs as she collapses holding her face in her hands.

The Ice dome dissipates as Haku, the Ice ninja reveals himself, the face mask is cracked, there are burns running up his body and on his chin. He is glaring down at the girl who he blinded.

He turned to master, who was losing his battle with the Konoha Ninja. And then glanced at the genin that he had taken down. The bridge builder was busy vomiting in the barrier, unable to handle watching what had happened to the young genin.

"I must help ma-'' He lept forward but at the same time was yanked back by his hair. His body was slammed down to the ground and all he saw was strands of pink hair as he was punched in the face.

"You!" Sakura screamed as she attacked him, There was blood streaming down her face from her wound. Haku was able to recover from his shock and they both began to brawl. Sakura did not let go of his hair or her hold of him. Knowing that her vision was limited with her injury.

"Let go!" He sneered as he punched her in the face and she elbowed him in the neck. He wheezed as he tried to catch his breath. "You will not, you won't!" She hissed out as she tried to pin him down and ripped his mask off her nails digging into his skin as she did so.

"You bitch." He headbutts her and she screams as her injury is further aggravated. Blood is pouring down her face and into her mouth, onto her clothes and even spilling all over the mist ninja.

"No!" She punches him again and again, scratching and biting. Unwilling to let him get up. Haku punches her again and manages to push her off this time. As he hits one of her pressure points.

He stumbles as he gets up. He grabs her by the hair and begins to drag her. She screams profanities at him scratching at his wrists, her nails digging deep into them making him bleed.

Zabuza is heavily injured and Kakashi is looming over him. "Wait! Hostage exchange Hatake!" The mist ninja yells at the top of his lungs.

Kakashi freezes as he turns to see Sakura's bleeding form by Naruto and Sasuke. The Mist ninja had dragged her over to them.

"Don't kill him, and I won't kill them. We will leave you and your client. just... hostage exchange." the unmasked nin gasped.

Kakashi's one gray eye dilated and a deep growl escaped his lips. "Keep hurting them and I'll cut both of your hands off." His voice sounded animalistic and his body was twitching.

"Leave my master there and let me collect him. I'll let them both go. Kill him and I'll kill all four of us." The boy threatened, he was shaking in fear but in desperation. His eyes were fixated on Zabuza.

Sakura was crying softly, not daring to cry out loud. 'Shinobi don't cry rule 25, shinobi must not show tears, rule 25!' she chanted in her head.

Kakashi crouched down growling, his kunai by Zabuza's neck. "Set the girl down and step away from her and then we can talk. You seem a bit too trigger happy." he snapped.

Haku glared at her, shaking her slightly as he set her down. Earning a growl from Kaskashi. "Step away from Master Zabuza." He says in a monotone voice as he makes an ice sebon.

Kakashi slowly steps away from Zabuza. Both of them began to move away from their hostage. Keeping an eye on eachother diligently.

As soon as Haku makes it to Zabuza he picks up his injured body. Throwing an arm over his shoulder. Zabuza gives a pained, but also worried look over at the ice nin. Looking at the blood covering the smaller, as if questioning. Haku shakes his head, 'the blood isn't mine,' he seems to say. He then turns towards the genin whose blood belonged to.

"Girl! What is your name!" The boy yells out angrily. Sakura is barely able to stand up. She looked up at the mention of her name. She cocks her head, exhausted and confused. "Sakura... Sakura Haruno." She says loudly, confused at why he is asking.

"Haku Yuki! Don't forget it, I'll never forgive you for what you did to my face! You... Bitch!" He sneers as he vanishes with Zabuza in tow.

"His face?! What about MY FACE! What about my teammates!? That—! ARGHHH!" She screamed out in anger as she tried to wipe the blood off her face.

"Sakura are you alright?" Kakashi asked, his voice still distorted in a low growl, but his sharingan eye closed. He stood rigid. Shaking by his overexertion in his fight with Zabuza.

He stumbles forward, towards the girl on the ground. She's trembling in exhaustion and coming down from her adrenaline rush. "I'm fine, It's a cut on my forehead. He missed my eyes, thankfully." Sakura's voice wavered and cracked. Everything was okay now.

Kakashi helps her up, her knee's buckle yet she stands. "You need to get that fixed. For now, here, let's wrap it with gauze.'' He pulls out a roll from one of his jonin pocket pouches on his vest.

She bows her head and he cleans her face a bit.

"I managed to deceive him and took advantage of the situation when he thought he had disabled me." She sniffled.

Kakashi nods his head in approval. Of course Sakura would think of a more deceptive way to defeat an enemy. She would do great in the genjutsu field. Kakashi thinks.

"You did good," he responds " Giving her a small praise, his voice deep and raspy. He had been unable to calm down since seeing his injured genin. But he would do his best to comfort them.

She mutter's a quick thank you. They turn towards Naruto and Sasuke. They rush to the boys aid. Where they laid unconscious.

"Do you think they will be alright?" She asked. "Probably." He muttered as he turned away and pulled down his mask and ate a chakra pill. "I'll carry them, to the next location–"

"I'll carry Naruto, he is heavier. Sasuke is lighter. And we need to dismantle the barrier as well." Sakura spoke up. Kakashi sighed and nodded. He placed his hand on her head and petted her. "Sure thing kid."