Naruto reappeared in the middle of the training ground, and disregarding his teammates presences, he leapt up into a nearby tree and assumed the meditation pose he had used to obtain Sage Mode. He let the world fade away, zoning out, allowing all of his senses to numb.

He needed to focus. He could not break down in front of Kakashi, could not let himself be consumed by the memories of war. He needed to play the part of dumb genin. He needed-needed to forget.

His eyes flashed open as he went through one handed seals, the other's nail sharpening into a claw and rapidly carving a delicate seal into the bark. "Forbidden Art: Temporary Memory Stasis."

He sealed away all memories concerning Then, only allowing base fundamentals to remain. He leapt down and made his way to his teammates.

"Hey Sakura-chan, Sasuke-teme." He babbled away talking about ramen, him wanting to be Hokage, and asking what their sensei was like.

"He's a pervert. His  name is Kakashi Hatake. He wouldn't tell us much more than that. You could have been late had you arrived any later. He could be here any minute baka." Sakura sounded exasperated, but didn't try to hit him like she normally would, so the blond took that as a good sign.

"Sorry Sakura-chan. And I don't think He'll be here for a while, I just have this feeling Y'know?"

Sasuke scoffed. Naruto could feel the seal straining. The thing he had locked away didn't want to be, but he didn't quite remember what it was.

The trio sat in silence for the next few hours, and finally, Kakashi poofed up, looking slightly disheveled. 

"Good, the whole team is here this time. Now, today, you have until noon to retrieve these two bells from me. Whoever gets the bells, gets to stay on the team, while the other, goes back to the academy. Ready, Start!"

Sakura and Sasuke vanished, and Naruto would have too, if not for the fact he could not move. Seeing his new sensei, who he had just met, caused whatever he locked away to pound against the barrier, and the strain froze him.

"Hmm, You're an odd one, aren't you?"

"Hmm, You're an odd one aren't you?"

The barrier broke, and now Naruto was frozen for another reason "Kaka...shi?" It was barely audible, and in the next second, Naruto was gone.

The silver haired nn stared at the spot where the blond had stood. What was that? And why the hell was the kid's chakra so familiar, inviting? The jonin put it out of mind, and went to go and toy with his precious genin.

Naruto dashed blindly through the trees, spamming clones to take of the onslaught of memories. In a matter of seconds, he managed to process them all and he collapsed on the forest floor. Sobs wracked his form. He couldn't-"

A twig snapping alerted him, and his war instincts took over. He became hyper aware, senses sharpening to pinpoint precision. He dashed forward, pinning the enemy to the ground and placing a kunai to their throat.

Wide onyx eyes stared up at him in fear. and Naruto realized he was leaking KI, and most of it was from his eyes. He then noticed that it wasn't an enemy, but Sasuke. He lept off of the raven.

"Sorry Sasuke-nii. I hadn't realized it was you." He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. 

Sasuke was shocked. The dead last had almost killed him, and then called him brother?

"Dobe, I am not your brother. Why call me that?"

Naruto blinked. "Huh? Well why not. We have no family, I am going to make sure we all pass, and everyone needs a family, so I'll be your brother, Sakura your sister. And then, we'll get stronger together, so we can complete our goals together. So of course you're my brother!"

Sasuke stood there speechless, before huffing and looking away.

"Now. We need Sakura, and right now, she will only listen to you. So here's the plan....."

Sasuke smirked.

Kakashi stood back in the middle of the clearing. He couldn't find the blond, but the Uchiha and Haruno were out. He giggled as he turned a page in his precious book, reading a particularly juicy part. 

He screamed in terror, when his book suddenly burst into flames, His precious! He looked up to see the Uchiha, looking smug, and the blond, who seemed to be channeling wind chakra through his hands.

"Why...?" Anime tears trekked down his face. Naruto laughed.

"Baka! You need to pay more attention. You get so caught up in your reading when you think there is no threat around! It leaves you vulnerable dummy!"

Kakashi froze. He had heard those words before..... but from where?

"Baka! You need to pay more attention. You get so caught up in your reading when you think there is no threat around! It leaves you vulnerable dummy!"

"Sorry Naruto. But it is hard to not get into this book, after all, it was written by an amazing man."

"I know sensei. Trust me, I know."

Where had that come from? The jonin suddenly unfroze, blocking a rather strange attack from Naruto. But it was also familiar.

"Ha! Told you I'd block it one day!" What? Where was all this coming from?

Naruto stopped dead in front of him, shock plastered across his features. The bells in his hand forgotten. Then he smiled sadly. "You did, didn't you? Well, we win."

Naruto tossed a bell to each of his teammates.

Kakashi smiled, pushing down the unease. "You pass. Welcome Team Seven!" Naruto nodded, and vanished.