Analysis on Fate of a Cockroach Essay - 3973 Words
Tawfiq al-Hakim or Tawfik el-Hakim, (October 9, 1898 – July 26, 1987)
was a prominent Egyptian writer. He is one of the pioneers of the Arabic novel and drama. He was born in Alexandria, Egypt, the son of an Egyptian wealthy judge and a Turkish mother The triumphs and failures that are represented by the reception of his enormous output of plays are emblematic of the issues that have confronted the Egyptian drama genre as it has endeavored to adapt its complex modes of communication to Egyptian society. Early life
Tawfiq Ismail al-Hakim was born October 9, 1898, in Alexandria to an Egyptian father and Turkish mother. His father, a wealthy peasant, worked as a judge in the judiciary in the village of al-Delnegat, in central Beheira province. His mother was the daughter of a retired Turkish officer. Tawfiq al-Hakim enrolled at the Damanhour primary school at the age of seven. He left primary school in 1915 and his father put him in a public school in the Beheira province, where Tawfiq al-Hakim finished secondary school. However, due to the lack of proper secondary schooling in the province, Tawfiq al-Hakim moved to Cairo with his uncles to continue his studies at Muhammad Ali secondary school. Egyptian drama before Tawfiq el-Hakim
The cause of 'serious' drama, at least in its textual form, was in the process of being given a boost by one of the Egypt's greatest littérateurs, Ahmed Shawqi, "Prince of Poets," who during his latter years penned a number of verse dramas with themes culled from Egyptian and I these included Masraa' Kliyubatra (The Death of Cleopatra, 1929), Magnun wa Layla (Driven mad by Layla, 1931), Amirat el-Andalus (The Andalusian Princess, 1932), and Ali Bey el-Kebir (an 18th-century ruler of Egypt), a play originally written in 1893 and later revised. However, between the popular traditions of farcical comedy and melodrama and the performance of translated versions of European dramatic masterpieces, there still remained a void within which an indigenous tradition of serious drama could develop. Plays
The publication and performance of his play, Ahl el-Kahf (The People of the Cave, 1933) was a significant event in Egyptian drama. The story of 'the people of the cave' is to be found in the eighteenth surah of the Qur'an as well as in other sources. It concerns the tale of the seven sleepers of Ephesus who, in order to escape the Roman persecution of Christians, take refuge in a cave. They sleep for three hundred years, and wake up in a completely different era - without realizing it, of course. In its use of overarching themes - rebirth into a new world and a predilection for returning to the past - el-Hakim's play obviously touches upon some of the broad cultural topics that were of major concern to intellectuals at the time, and, because of the play's obvious seriousness of purpose, most critics have chosen to emphasise such features. Within a year el-Hakim produced another major work, Shahrazad (Scheherazade, 1934). While the title character is, of course, the famous narrator of the One Thousand and One Nightscollection, the scenario for this play is set after all the tales have been told. Now cured of his vicious anger against the female sex by the story-telling virtuosity of the woman who is now his wife, King Shahrayar abandons his previous ways and embarks on a journey in quest of knowledge, only to discover himself caught in a dilemma whose focus is S through a linkage to the ancient goddess, Isis, Shahrazad emerges as the ultimate mystery, the source of life and knowledge. When the National Theatre Troupe was formed in Egypt in 1935, the first production that it mounted was The People of the Cave. The performance for one thing, audiences seemed unimpressed by a performance in which the action on stage was so limited in comparison with the more popular types of drama. It was such problems in the realm of both production and reception that seem to...
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Follow/FavThe Uzumaki Chronicles: Rising Tides
What if Naruto was trained by Itachi and Kurama early on in his life? What if the Uzumaki and Namikaze hid a dark secret about their clans? Watch as Naruto rebuilds himself from a broken boy with a shattered soul, to the beginnings of a warrior of legend, and start on a path to find both the pieces of himself, and his origins. Rated M for violence, gore, and sexual themes/lemons
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Ok, so it didn't take me an hour to post all these, and i still have one more to go before the revision is all caught up with the story...i like, had to eat...and fiend on music while i took a shower because its hot as fuck in my house. But anyway, her you peeps go, and please do me a favor and stay open minded on the Uzumaki clan's bloodline traits in my fic. I don't like flames, they burn.Enjoy!Chapter Eight: As Daylight DiesBright…That's the only thing she was able to have conscious thought of. Her head was throbbing and felt like it was mush. Her neck burned too. It hurt so much it was amazing that she could feel anything else but that. She could faintly hear voices around her, but it wasn't coherent nor was she able to make out anything but mumbles and a few shouts.So tired…~Outside the medical room~"How can you POSSIBLY be thinking about helping HER!" a ninja that worked in the interrogation unit couldn't contain his fury at the thought of having that blasted snake's bitch in the same building as him, let alone have her receiving aid. "She's OROCHIMARU'S whore-"The man was silenced as a hard back hand landed squarely on his jaw, causing a bit of spittle and even a tooth to go flying out of his mouth.Kurenai, Inoichi and Jiraiya all looked towards Ibiki, the head of the interrogation and torture department. His fist off to the side, evidence that it was him who had struck his subordinate without so much as a second thought.He picked up the typical looking Konoha ninja by the front of his blue shirt and glared in his eyes coldly, as if his very eyes were going to stab the man in the skull if he spoke out of line again, "Need I remind you of who you were talking to SOLDIER?!" he glanced back at Hiruzen and moved the man in his grasp down on his knees so he could see him, "That is your superior officer you are talking to. The leader of our village and our top ninja. You WILL show the proper respect you whelp!"He threw him back against the wall he had picked him up from, and watched as the ninja in question picked himself up and bowed before taking his leave. No verbal apology came from him, but he did leave after giving the respect demanded of him, though the glare he sent towards the unconscious Anko showed otherwise.Hiruzen sighed, "You can deal with him later Ibiki. We have more pressing matters to attend to…How is she Inoichi?"He turned to one of his only friends, seeing the calculative look in his blue-green eyes as he rubbed his chin, "Her memory has indeed been tampered with, whatever that seal is, it's doing something to her chakra network that I haven't seen before. I'm no medic, but I know enough about the body to know that that seal is causing all sorts of problems for her. Her mind seemed to be under lock and key. Clearly someone doesn't want her talking about something she shouldn't be, and has gone to extreme lengths to make sure of it."The Hokage nodded before looking at the genjutsu expert of the village, "Kurenai?"The raven-haired beauty stepped forward, her scarlet eyes focused and her body wrapped in a red dress covered in bandages and topped with a mesh armor undershirt told any who viewed her that she was not lacking in confidence, and that this rose had thorns to boot."Yamanaka-san is correct in saying that the seal is disrupting her chakra flow. From what I can tell, it's as if she is under a form of genjutsu, the cursed mark is altering the chakra flow in her head which is the main function of a genjutsu. But, I'm afraid that is all I can offer, the rest will have to be discerned from Master Jiraiya."Kurenai frowned a bit, disheartened that she couldn't really offer much. But there wasn't much she could do about that. She had almost no knowledge of fuinjutsu. The only people besides the toad sannin that she knew had any capability in the dead art was the Sandaime himself, and Kakashi.Hiruzen nodded, "I see…this is beyond my level of expertise. I'm afraid the rest is up to you, my student." He closed his eyes. He could only imagine what his deranged disciple had done to the poor girl laying helplessly on the table just a few feet behind the medic room's door.He opened the door and everyone followed him through into the small medical bay within the interrogation and torture department.He had known Anko somewhat, and he had always had a sense for people. His experience in war had granted him that knack and he had never misjudged anyone before…only miscalculated. He had known what Orochimaru was capable of, and was foolish in thinking he could change the boy. It was one of his life's greatest regrets…that he hadn't killed him when he had the chance. His mercy had caused the misery of countless others. The proof was lying right there on the medical bed before him.They all cringed as they heard the girl whimper once more, clutching at her neck as the mark flared up again. As if sensing their discomfort and milking it for all it was worth.'It couldn't be...' Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, and his jaw tightened when he noticed the way the mark pulsated with chakra, warping the poor girl's own chakra against her will…as if something was moving within it.The weary Hokage took notice to his student's change in demeanor instantly, he had seen that look many times in his lifetime. He was onto something.The sage walked up to the table. Anko wasn't bound in any way, her body's condition took priority over her suspicion and it wasn't as if she was is any shape to pose a threat to the level of ninja that were all in the same room anyway. Judging who she had as a teacher, she could probably best Kurenai, perhaps even Inoichi. However, Ibiki, himself, and his former sensei were a different story. They had nothing to fear, and chose to grant her comfort.He closed his eyes and placed one hand over her stomach, she had been dressed in a hospital gown to cover her modesty, and another on the hand that was clutching at her neck before removing it so he could directly feel the cursed mark.A few minutes of silence went by, the company in the room watched as a fleet of emotions ran across the Toad Sage's face before he finally ended on anger. Disgust, hatred even. They all concluded that whatever he had discovered about the seal, it went against the older man's teachings on a personal level if the emotions he was showing were anything to go by.He robotically removed his hands from the poor girl, his expression not wavering in the slightest.A minute passed by. No one said nothing as the grey haired sannin stood in place, quivering in anger. Kurenai flinched when his knuckles actually cracked because he was clenching his fists so tightly. Their white color a reflection of how hot with anger the sannin was.He took a ragged breath and released it in a frustrated huff before all but growling out his findings."I cannot remove the seal."Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, while the rest simply looked on in curiosity and confusion, unsure of what else he was going to say. The Sandaime spoke up, "Orochimaru is a master in his own right…but it isn't his skill in seals that is keeping you from removing his mark from that girl, is it?"He knew his students like he did his own children. Nothing was ever simple with Orochimaru. The snake always had some sinister goal that he sought to achieve or some sick experiment that he was conducted for Kami knows what reason. Everything he did was never as it seemed, it was always dark, and twisted underneath…just like his mind.The seal master put his hand back on Anko's neck and copied the seal, placing it on a scroll for study and immediately began scribbling away without so much as blinking."I cannot remove the seal without killing her…there is a failsafe implemented into it. And I can only alter so much without risking both her mind and her body. The mark that…that…man, placed on her has sentience. I can only do so much without it retaliating."Everyone gawked at what they had just heard. Sentience? What did he mean by that? They all asked themselves the same question, 'Is he saying the mark is ALIVE?'It was the Hokage that voiced this question for them, "What do you mean it's sentient? How can this be?" Hiruzen's jaw tightened. He didn't like where this was going.Jiraiya was still working possible ways to alter the seal without killing the poor girl, "There are objects in this world that actually have a mind of their own. No one truly knows why this is, but chakra behaves in a way that allows it to do many things. Some good, some bad…but no other chakra is as mysterious, and as powerful as Natural Chakra. The chakra that nature itself gives off. The life of the very world if you will. Given a vessel, it can do wonderful things…take us for example."He looked around the small group of ninja. Rank meant nothing to him right now, for they were all equal beings. Each destined to become one with the world once again, each had been formed of the same energy that flowed all around them.To the sage, who had been granted what teachings that were known about the world and its secrets, the secrets of life and the very force that allows it, he was but one small piece of the world, just like everyone else in the room."The chakra that each human, each animal, each tree and blade of grass contains, it's all borrowed, shared. We all share a connection, a force that binds us together and allows us to exist and coexist with one another. That is the energy that is all around us, and in everything that you can see, touch, smell, hear, and everything you cannot. Everything is roped together and given structure by chakra. The physical aspect is what makes up everything around us. The ground beneath our feet, the mountains in the distance. Even the clothes that we wear.""What gains consciousness, and what we define as life, has a concentration of the spiritual half of chakra. The actual energy of chakra itself, and not just the vessel that gives it form."He paused, looking around at the owl eyes in the room. Each person other than himself learning of how truly insignificant they were in the grand scheme of things. Each one riddling themselves with countless questions and accusations. Demanding answers, denying what they see fit so that they can go to sleep at night and wake up to the worries in their life and the reasons behind them, living blind to how pointless their village's and even their entire world's mindless bickering truly were.He silenced their minds with the ultimate truth of their world. A question of existence in a thousand forms, what is life? How did we come to be? How is it we can use chakra? What is the world that they live in? Where do they go when they die? Everything. The most weighted questions of all, the toad sage answered it with a simple, three word reply."Everything is chakra."Silence befell the group. He turned around and got back to work."The thing that is life, behaves the same way that chakra does. Always changing, and almost never the same. Each person, each animal, each tree and even each rock is different from the one next to it. Save for a few identical instances. Earth, Wind, Lightning, and Water. The four nature manipulations. All common in origin…but different in vessel.""When chakra is influenced, however, everything changes once more. Emotion. A strange occurrence in of itself, has a great effect on chakra. Anger, happiness, sadness, will. They all make chakra behave differently, as they do with us. The relationship between chakra, and living things have always been closely knit together. It is said that the soul also works alongside chakra, perhaps even has a form of chakra of its own. The soul is one of the only things in this world that is even less understood than chakra itself.""So, how does emotion play into all this you may ask? Well, all you have to ask yourself to answer that question is what are the Bijuu? Manifestations of evil incarnate. Chakra given a vessel when the Juubi was first split into pieces."The sannin began to finalize the seal, feeling confident in its ability to counteract the effects of his ex-teammate's handy work."There are things in this world that we do not understand, that no one ever will…and…there are things in this world which we should not understand. Things that should remain a secret, and un-trifled with. The soul is one of those things. It is sacred. To both the owner of it, and the natural flow of the world. It is why there are jutsu that are very forbidden. And…it is for this reason, that I cannot remove the cursed mark from Anko."He placed the seal over the mark, and flooded his chakra into precise points. A Steady glow began to appear, it started off as an almost light-grey, and darkened to a bright-blue. The helpless girl on the table could do nothing as the feeling of fire in her body was snuffed out by cold, and finally gave into the unconsciousness that was just barely kept at bay from the pain.Everyone in the room watched as the seal master did his work. Wonder and curiosity filling each of their eyes.Hiruzen stepped up to his student's side, putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. And almost hesitantly asked him what his other student had done, "Jiraiya…what did Orochimaru do to this girl?"Immediately, anger flashed across the sage's face, once more making him quiver with the need to pummel a certain snake's face in.He steadied the chakra flow in Anko and stabilized the fluctuations that were causing her pain. With that done, he could finally focus on himself, and increase the gravity seals on his body so that he wouldn't do anything stupid."He sealed a piece of his soul in her."Hiruzen locked eyes with his student, looking for any signs of subliminal messages. And sadness fell on his face when he saw exactly what he was hoping he wouldn't. He knew it would be much too generous and boring for his student to simply release the poor girl that now lay in troubled unconsciousness.The room is silent for long moments of hard silence. The tension and emotions running rampant in the room not allowing anyone to break the quiet of the room. Ibiki was the one to speak up first, his dedication to his job and his village's security taking priority as his shinobi mentality took hold."She is a puppet to him then? Should we keep her alive?"Everyone in the room knew exactly what he was really asking. Would you like me to kill her?The Sandaime, already weary and racked with guilt, spat on the day he took Orochimaru as his disciple. And now…another child of Konoha could perish because of his weakness."Her soul isn't corrupted by Orochimaru's, only watched. Like a shark watches its prey from the depths of the ocean. He cannot control her completely, not without making direct contact with his chakra to hers. As she is, he can only influence her. Whisper in her mind, not guide her kunai into someone's throat. If she did, it would be of her own choosing and loss of will to resist."Everyone turned back to the toad sannin. Getting a picture of the situation that Anko was in."So then she is a sleeper cell. Maybe not literally, but given enough time Orochimaru could break her spirit. Take control after breaking her will to live." Ibiki concluded. He wasn't made the head of Intelligence and interrogation for no reason. He knew the realm of espionage like no other in the village (save for two brothers who were currently resting at the moment). He wasn't about to take the chance of a possible double agent in their midst. They had enough of them already.One's that he would enjoy getting information out of once he flushed them out. He knew his village's defenses weren't impenetrable. But that wouldn't stop him from doing everything in his power to ensure its safety.Jiraiya sighed, not liking where the girl's fate was heading, "Yes and no. If Anko is anything like she used to be, it will take years to break her. Considering she made it here in the condition that she did, I'd say my wayward teammate has more to worry about than we do. As it stands, she is no different than a Jinchuriki in the sense where she'll have a voice in the back of her head, telling her to cause as much harm and destruction as humanly possible…I say give her the chance to free herself from Orochimaru. It will likely never happen, and she will die trying, but at least she will die free and leave this world in peace."A chorus of exchanged looks went around the group of ninja. Each one would've been given the same chance had it been them lying on the table. BUT…they were not student to their village's greatest betrayer and enemy. The slumbering girl simply couldn't be looked in the same light as they were because of the mark that she bore.Hiruzen couldn't help but stare aimlessly. The mentioning of her situation being similar to that of a Jinchuriki made it increasingly difficult for him to simply cast the girl's life away. 'What if it were Naruto…' He imagined if it had been Naruto, he would allow him to fight tooth and nail, and let him decide to be killed or not.The subject of Jinchuriki's became a touchy one ever since things went bad with the last Uzumaki."It is too risky in my opinion. I suggest we end it here, while she is asleep and spare her a life of torment."Ibiki's comment pulled at the old Hokage's heart. His decision wavered by the possibility of Anko finding peace in death and not having to suffer all throughout her life. He wasn't a stupid man, he knew Naruto was still suffering, and would continue to suffer until the day he died or is killed simply for bearing the demon that is imprisoned in him. He thought, what if he had chosen to 'spare' Naruto the life of a Jinchuriki, and allow another to bear the burden of the Nine-tailed Fox.It was a stupid thought. Especially since Naruto was the only human alive that was capable of imprisoning the kitsune. His family being the only ones able to contain the bijuu. But…it did not stop him from thinking of how better off the blonde would be, if he was never made the container for the spirit."As long as she is supervised, she should pose no threat. In fact, she may very well be more loyal than most of our shinobi comrades because of what Orochimaru has done." Jiraiya replies back. Not knowing if he was fighting for the girl's life or denying his wicked teammate's sense of victory and hoping that Anko did indeed live so that she could kill him."But you cannot know for sure."The toad sannin paused, and slowly shook his head, "No, Ibiki…I cannot be sure of how strong her will is."The group fell silent once more, each going over what had been said since the girl was brought in until now. Each ninja looked to the comrade next to them. They could see in each other's eyes that the young woman's chances weren't very high, despite her body being in acceptable condition."There is no one here who will take the responsibility of watching over her. We each have our own affairs to attend to, and quite frankly, we have no room in the military for half-brainwashed shinobi who could snap at any moment."Kurenai looked at Ibiki, a mixture of shock and offense plastered on her face at how heartless the veteran was being. Yes they were shinobi, but they were people too, not just walking hearts with kunai! At least, in one point of their lives they were."How can you say that? She's just a girl for Kami's sake!"The 'Ice queen of Konoha' wasn't taking to the ex-spy's attitude too well. She had seen too many men consumed by the life of being a ninja, and watched them carry out their actions with clouded judgment too many times to just sit idly by."All it takes is a child with power and the motivation to use it to do more than just bruise a few people. I speak for all of us when I say that I will not chance on having her!-" the trench-coat shinobi jabbed an accusing finger at the table, "-snooping around and collecting information because we felt sorry for her!"A flame of righteous fury ignited in Kurenai's gut as she took a step towards the Interrogation specialist."She's impaired as it is simply because of the cursed mark, you would have her KILLED for something that was forced on her?!" Kurenai could honestly say that she was always a lay back person, calm and collective, always thinking two times over before acting. She liked to think she had a good hold over her emotions, but, something triggered her when Ibiki opened his mouth and started spewing suggestions for the girl to be killed. She hadn't been this heated in a very long time, and she was not going to back down.Ibiki's trench coat swayed around his booted feet as he took a step back in sheer astonishment, a look of humorous disbelief stretched across his face in a mocking grin, "You think this was forced? You're getting rusty as the years go by Kurenai, any respectable shinobi who had the ability to place a cursed mark on somebody would place it on one such as Anko here, simply because of the hesitancy of putting children down."Kurenai growled, not just because of the irritating age remark that was meant to manipulate her into simply picking a fight with the master of mind games, but because of the man's insensibility to just cast aside someone's life. Let alone someone so young."LOOK. AT. HER!"Everyone close took a step back while Jiraiya, Ibiki, and Hiruzen blinked in surprise. They each obeyed, save for Ibiki, and each could see Kurenai's argument. Everything about Anko's figure spelled misery. She looked no different than the countless others that the snake sannin had forsaken. Their experiences as ninja made them suspicious, but not heartless. Well…not all of them, but to each their own."You think she volunteered for this? The girl can barely BREATHE without that damned mark flaring up!"Ibiki had heard Kurenai's peace, and thought that he had heard enough. And as he took a step forward, making him tower over the scarlet-eyed kunoichi in an intimidating fashion, it was his turn to prove a point."What you see there is a Sannin's disciple, a trained SHINOBI!" he all but roared in her face, "How old were you when you first took a life? Nine? Ten when your academy instructor brought out the enemy prisoners? That is NOT a child!"Hiruzen rubbed his forehead in frustration and guilt as he recalled the day he ordered the academy to have all students have their first kill a year before they graduate so that they wouldn't go into shock when sent out into the field as genin during the wars. It had increased their forces, but at the cost of many of the genin's lives. Only those capable of adapting survived the last two wars.Kurenai lowered her voice to a growl, not wanting to have her protests brushed aside because she lost her cool, "Your judgment is clouded."Ibiki's eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared in anger. He looked as though he was about to take another step forward, but was stopped midway by the one voice that could make even him stand at attention.A Bo staff went sailing between the two soldiers and imbedded itself deeply into the wall just a few feet beside the two shinobi, "ENOUGH!"The God of Shinobi stood up, his gaze meeting the rest of the eyes in the room aside from Jiraiya, lowering the pairs of hardened eyes save for the genjutsu kunoichi. "Kurenai, your case is just, and your heart is in the right place…But we cannot simply let Anko walk among us without supervision. The risks are too great."The proud kunoichi's eyes wavered before she lowered her head and took several steps back. There was nothing more she could do."Ibiki."The battle hardened shinobi lifted his head only so that his leader could see his attentiveness."Your suspicions are just, and your mind is in the right place…but do not forget what this village has had to face, from its own people no less. You cannot have compassion and duty mixed in one decision, not when it effects a single life. Kurenai is right, your judgment is clouded. That is why, it is not up to you to decide this girl's fate."The tall, scarred man bowed at the waist after a couple seconds of stillness, and backed away just as Kurenai had."Jiraiya is the expert in this field, his skill surpasses even mine in the art of fuinjutsu. I trust his judgment on this girl's condition…But, Anko will affect the village as a whole. Whether her kunai hits its mark on a threat to the village…or it is her kunai that is a threat. As such, I will not leave this decision up to me."He looked around at the curious gazes of his subordinates, thinking back to all the times he had signed the lives of his shinobi over to the shinigami, and resenting himself. 'I'm tired of ordering the death of collateral damage.'He stared each of them in the eye, willing them all to hear him, to hear his request…not his order."Who will take her?"Kurenai blinked, as did all of them. For a moment, the Hiruzen that had led them through two shinobi wars appeared before them, his hardened gaze picking them apart like a lion choosing whic before that Hiruzen vanished, another taking his place, and one that no one in the room had seen before.The genjutsu mistress was very tempted to take her in, but…what then? She knew nothing of rehabilitating a child of war, a shinobi child no less. She had a better chance at getting a boyfriend than she did at helping the girl in front of her. And no man would touch her because of her reputation for mentally scarring men who were especially perverse while in her presence. Despite her will to help Anko, she bowed her head and remained silent, shame painting her expression.No one spoke.The room was quiet enough for everyone in the room to hear Anko's unconscious shuttering breaths. The Sandaime's posture was hard and strong. But on the inside, his stomach felt like vomit was rising. His heart clenched and ached that another child of Konoha would die because of him. Because of his weakness. 'Will nobody save her?'Several moments passed by. And the seconds, turned into a minute. He received no answer…and he lowered his head. He signaled for the Anbu waiting outside, three walked in. Each having a fairly good idea of what their soon-to-be orders were.But one of the Anbu knew what was about to happen, and would not stand for it."Anbu…tak-""I will take her!"Everyone looked to see who had cut off the Hokage, as did he, and to their surprise the Anbu with a Neko-mask stepped forward and knelt on one knee, with her head hanging low.Hiruzen raised an eyebrow, hope once again lit in his heart that perhaps he could save a child for once and nudged his head for her to continue, "Come again?"The Neko-masked Anbu lowered her head more, "I will watch over her Hokage-sama." The floor was theirs, and no one dared to interrupt the Hokage as he was right now.Hiruzen wondered what possible reason Yugao would have to take such a responsibility. Surely it would put her under more pressure than she already was as an Anbu operative. The old Hokage paused for a moment, letting the thought sink in the mind of all those who were present, "What reason do you have that I should allow this girl to go free?"The Anbu kept her head bowed as she answered back, her voice cold and professional behind her mask, "As a shinobi I can watch over her. Despite whatever training she may have, she is still young, and lacks the experience of a seasoned kunoichi. I doubt Orochimaru had her do more than run his errands, however twisted they may be. She may be a fighter, but she is not a ninja."Nobody protested, even after several moments passed. She had a point. A good one at that. Everyone had the same thought of Orochimaru, based on what he had done in the past, that while ninjutsu may be in her arsenal, that wouldn't necessarily mean that she knew enough about being a ninja to outwit an Anbu. Not yet anyway."You make a valid point…is there anything else that you'd like to add?" his eyes softened, and he had to suppress a relieved sigh. His decision was already made, he just wanted to make sure that the finality of it came from Yugao. She had always been a sweet woman outside the uniform.As if answering his thoughts, the long purple-haired kunoichi lifted her head slightly, and removed her mask. Exposing her identity to those present in the room, all officials or consultants of some kind and carrying weight in the military politics, she smiled slightly and her brown eyes shined as she gave her other reason for potentially risking her life, "Well…I've always wanted a little sister."The Sandaime couldn't help but let the tiniest of smiles slip at the corners of his lips. He nodded towards one of his most loyal and skilled subordinates and looked to the others to receive their opinions, not that it mattered anyway."What do you make of this?"Inoichi had a debated look on his face, as if weighing out the pros and cons or deciding if he liked what bits of Anko's personality he was able to shift through. After a few seconds of that, he gave a slow but noticeable nod of approval.The Hokage turned towards Kurenai. She smiled warmly, though the feeling of guilt and shame of not throwing her name out there after she all but lit a fire to keep Anko alive still weighed heavy in her gut, and nodded her head, "We've all seen what our enemies look like. Anko is not one of them."Hiruzen looked in Ibiki's direction, expecting some sort of protest, but only received a grunt as a response as the man closed his eyes and crossed his arms. He was going to have no part of this.The weary kage shook his head slightly, sometimes that man was too loyal for his own good. His gaze rested on the only opinion that could sway him. His student gave him one of his trademark grins and a thumbs up, a nice change from all the seriousness of the entire ordeal.The god of shinobi nodded, having had his decision strengthened in resolve, "Very well. She will be under your supervision Yugao. You have revealed your identity to these witnesses and therefor have lost your rank of Anbu, as you are no longer anonymous. And, you have vouched for the life of Mitarashi Anko. You now have it. From this day onward, your assignment is to observe and train this girl to be a shinobi of Konoha. And to terminate her if she is to defect or show signs of espionage. Is that clear?"He had tried to sound stern, but even he didn't believe that he was being serious as he gave his Anbu a new assignment.Yugao's glee was masked by her professional face as she bowed her head low, "Yes Hokage-Sama."Ibiki opened his eyes to give Anko's unconscious form one last look before he took his leave. With another grunt, he spun on his heel and exited the medical wing of his interrogation department, "So be it."Small smiles and nods of approval went between those who remained in the room before each made their way home.One, above all, felt lighter than he had in years. He was very satisfied with how things turned out, happy even. He joyed in the fact that he had saved a youth this time around, instead of sending them to their doom. Anko would struggle, yes…but she would live.A thought came to his mind that made him smile, though a bit of sadness was present. He thought outloud in a tone of relief as he slipped out of his robes after making his way into his quarters."She'll be just like Naruto."The next day was a pleasant one. The skies were clear and had just enough clouds to allow passing shade and the perfect amount of sun. The air had a hint of the scent of trees and various flowers, spring was in its 'last hurrah' and the season seemed to be giving all it had left to give as summer approached, and with it, the rush of everything in the village entering full swing. Shinobi training in particular.Two young shinobi-in-training were trekking their way to the Academy, and both were looking forward to but dreading the next month and the seasoned that followed. They were looking forward to summer because it would be one summer closer to graduating and becoming genin, but were dreading it because of the endurance training that was including with the temperature rise of summer."How many laps do you think Iruka-sensei will have us do this year?" the pony-tailed blonde that was Ino asked in a half-way sigh. Already feeling tired just thinking about the vigorous training that she was NOT looking forward to.The indigo-haired Hyuuga that was walking with her furrowed her brows in worry, and resisted the urge to nudge her pointer fingers together in post-fearful nervousness of another summer of non-stop training. Both in the academy and in the walls of her clan's estate, "I-I don't know Ino-san…I can imagine it will be a lot."She gave a slight sigh of resignation, "He nearly doubles the amount of exercise from the year before since we train more throughout the year gradually anyway."Ino sighed dramatically as her shoulders slumped, "It's going to be two months of soreness and another one full of bruises." She started to drag her feet to add to the effect as she could already see herself sticky with sweat and having her hair glued to her skin as they hid the bruises of the daily spars which were upped in both length and frequency."Heh, what are you complaining about Ino, all that pain means is that you're getting stronger and ready to deal with a whole lot worse."Both girls jumped and gave a simultaneous cries of surprise, "KYAAH!" "Eep!"Ino stumbled a bit and threw a straight punch, which Naruto caught, while Hinata blushed furiously at being snuck up on and thoroughly startled. She blew out a breath of relief and fiddled with her fingers nervously after she caught the sight of a familiar hood that hid a Sunkist-blonde with a few red tips and the rare single red hair or two. As well as the fierce eyes that could pass as glowing underneath the shade of his hood."Not bad, but not good either. You're going to need the summer training."The Blonde in black Anbu-styled pant and a dark grey, nearly black hooded jacket with a dark orange shirt underneath returned his female blonde friend's hand to her use and gave a small smile at the flushed pout that she sent his way. Her body tensed in reaction to the surprise, her lean figure that was getting more toned by the month, was outlined by her dark blue Anbu styled pants cut-off at the calves and sleeveless royal blue turtle-neck sweater."That's not funny Naruto! How do you do that anyway?" Ino huffed, something about being a ninja-in-training and being snuck up on and startled so easily didn't really sit well with her. Especially since it was her friend who NEVER went to class to train that surprised her.The Uzumaki put his hands in his pockets as they resumed walking to academy, "Do what? I just said hi." Hinata could see the small smile pulling at her crush's lips, but Ino was too focused on gathering her bearings to notice as the Hyuuga tried to hide a giggle with the palms her hands.Ino rolled her eyes as she lightly punched him in the shoulder, "You call that saying hi? You didn't even roll into the conversation, you just freaking appeared!"He stopped walking, as did his two companions while he kept a straight face and stared in the Yamanaka's direction. The two girls looked at each other, as it appeared as though their ever mysterious friend was deciding something mentally. After a nod of self-confirmation, he gave a playful two-fingered salute, "Very well then, hi." And resumed walking.Ino was left thoroughly confused, and left standing with a single finger up in the air as if to say "Hold on" with a slack jaw. Hinata merely giggled again as she started to pull at her friend's arm to catch up with Naruto.The three fell into step and were walking at a leisurely pace since they weren't too far away from Academy, and had plenty of time to spare.The surprise for that morning came when Hinata was the one to break the seeming looming silence that followed Naruto everywhere he went when he wasn't stealthing, "So N-Naruto-kun, how did t-training go with your sensei?" Her face was partly hidden from his view by the way she had her head tilted down, not to mention his hood. He didn't blame her nervousness around him, he did look rather threatening, even more so without the hood."It was as good as always I guess." He replied nonchalantly. Still walking, he closed his eyes and tilted his head ever so slightly, detecting another scent in the air as he and his friends went about their way. The crowds were lessening as they got closer and closer to the Academy grounds. So it wasn't too hard for him to single out scents without the aid of sending chakra to his nose.Hinata nodded a little, accepting the usual vague answer of the nature of her friend's training with his might-as-well-be-a-phantom sensei. Though she would usually end it right there, Hinata was growing curious to the point of contemplating tracking him in that forest of nightmares that he and his sensei seemed to like so much."D-did you learn anything new?" she asked, hoping not to annoy or rouse suspicion of some sort from her childhood friend. Her 'curious self' was nervous with excitement while her shy half battered her with thoughts of being too forward and obvious that she reeaally wanted to know what kind of training he was receiving.'Perfect' the Uzumaki heir thought to himself as his feral eyes narrowed at a shadowed section of buildings with catwalks littering the sides and linking the structures together, a common thing in a ninja village to help with maintenance and patrolling and what not. But, Naruto's senses weren't that of your ordinary Academy student. And he would have himself track down half the beasts in the forest of death individually if he couldn't detect the amateur's scent that Hiruzen sent his way."Actually, Hinata…" He started, earning a bright look on her angelic face. He took hold of a small throwing knife that he slid down from his sleeve and into his hand, he and Itachi were trying out throwing knives in the place of shuriken, and whipped around to send the thin six-inch blade from hilt to tip slicing through the air.He aimed for the middle of an advertisement poster on one of the village farmer's property twenty yards away. He hadn't had much time to practice with the replacement for shuriken, he had only flipped it around a few times and balanced it on his finger to test the weight proportions. The small, slightly curved throwing knife darted towards his target of choice for only a second before it dug into the wall halfway up the three-inch blade."I did."'Alright, two inches down and one to the right. I need practice.' The small throwing knife was a promising replacement for shuriken. He almost never used them in combat simply because the damage they did was minimal to none and were only useful as distractions. Sure he could cut up an enemy with them, but what good did a few cuts that usually only grazed the target do in a heated battle?"W-wow, that was impressive!" "That's what your sensei taught you the past couple of days?"He nodded to each of his friends as they continued on…and without the added pair of watchful eyes lurking about the shadows. He had made it clear to the Anbu that was watching him that he knew he was there, and did not welcome his presence. Ever since he started his training with his Itachi, Hiruzen had made it a habit to keep a watchful eye on him. Well, try to anyway."Among other things. He likes to teach me to not rely on just one weapon, or one tactic." He smiled a little to himself, 'If only you knew…'The main reason why Naruto was looking for a replacement for shuriken had a lot to do with the fight that he and Itachi had gotten into at the end of their mission. During the entire duration of the skirmish, He had only taken out once out of the ten root agents that he had fought with them, while the other ten were occupied with dying from his brother's strikes. And he had only gotten a kill-shot with the shuriken when he used his reaper's sight to down the numbers at the beginning of the fight.He found that even light-armor cut the shuriken's effective use by more than half, and that was with his strength. The only times you could kill when using them is if you hit your target in the head, throat, or a major artery. During a tough fight with the numbers against him, Naruto didn't want to rely on his reaper's sight to bail him out because he would be left disoriented afterwards. He couldn't afford to be vulnerable even for a second in a life or death situation, especially if he's protecting someone dear to him.So, a replacement for the shuriken was necessary since kunai were usually used in knife fights and only thrown when necessary. He could throw them just as fast as a shuriken, but an experienced shinobi would be able to block them because of their size. He needed something small, and that packed enough punch when it hit that it killed if he wished it. So, he had chosen the throwing knife. Different from a Kunai, and most ninja ignored them since they figured having kunai and shuriken would leave no need for them. Throwing knives were more common with samurai than ninja because of that.All Naruto needed now was a little practice, "It's a different lesson every time we meet. I learn as much as I can while he's teaching me, and I work out the rest when he leaves. It's so that I won't be dependent on a single teacher, or on a teacher at all to learn."Hinata nodded, being subjected to similar training herself by her clansmen and her father. "That's pretty smart. Let's you do your own thing but with guidance at the same time." Ino answered back before sighing a bit, "I wish the academy did that."Hinata gave a sympathetic smile while Naruto gave a light chuckle as they walked through the academy gate, "And you ask me why I never show up."~Hokage's office~The curtains were closed and Hiruzen was already on his second round of Tabaco with his pipe. He didn't like what he had just been informed by his Anbu.He sighed deeply, unsure of what to do at the moment, "And you say that he noticed you even while you hid in the wall?" he asked an Anbu with a dog mask. His hair was wild and untamed, but he was otherwise undistinguishable and had his identity hidden.The Anbu nodded while he was down on a knee, "Yes Hokage-sama. I believe that someone else will have to be assigned to track Uzumaki-san. He sniffed me out."Hiruzen raised a brow, unsure of what his Anbu was implying, "Explain."The dog-masked Anbu lifted his head a bit, "I believe Uzumaki-san has a heightened sense of smell. As for any other…attributes of his I cannot say, but smell I am sure of. The reason why Inuzuka are primarily trackers is because few of us can mask our own scent, myself included. Our canine partners cover it with their own scent and it's a smell that you can't really miss.The moment I was out in the open, he detected me just as I would another ninja. Then…there was this." He got up from his kneeling position and handed the small throwing knife that had been thrown at his chest. It wasn't deep enough in the wall that he was melded into to hurt him, but it did startle him. Scared him even, that a kid like Naruto could detect an Anbu, let alone imbed a knife into a wall, academy student or not.The Hokage took the small blade and swirled it around in the palm of his hand, having some familiarity with throwing knives himself, "Aaah yes, Naruto-kun's way of telling you to leave him alone." He was starting to get worried. He had been having Anbu watching over Naruto since birth, but since his training with Itachi, Naruto had put a stop to that. At first he would be lost in a crowd or a section of forest. Then it was evasion all together, and ghost-like disappearance just like his mentor. But now…"It seems Naruto-kun is getting tired of being watched all the time. Even by me."The dog-masked Anbu visibly gulped, "Is…Do you think he's still himself Hokage-sama?" He knew he shouldn't question his leader, but with all the rumors going around the village. Well, he needed to hear it for himself that the Kyuubi was still locked away.The Sandaime closed his eyes, nodding slightly as he understood the hidden meaning behind his subordinate's words. He wasn't your usual unapproachable Kage, he had a sort of grandfather image in his village. He had stood watch over Konoha for so long, that his ninja felt like he was more than just someone who gave out orders. "Yes, dog-san, Naruto-kun is still himself. Do not let his appearance misguide you, he is still the boy you watched crawl about his room and play with his toys."The Anbu nodded, still unsure, but calmed. Many of the older Anbu had taken turns watching over Naruto since no civilian would adopt him nor help raise him. He had grown up alone, with only his toys and Anbu guardians to keep him company since Hiruzen was busy piecing the village back together after what had happened with both the Kyuubi, and the slaughter of the Uchiha.In fact, the only other people to interact with the vibrant blonde had been the Ichiraku's. The dog-masked Anbu could somewhat understand the reason behind Naruto's behavior. He had grown up having to claw for the food that he ate if no Anbu was available to deliver a meal…or willing to provide one. Without the humble Father and daughter of the ramen stand, the dog-Anbu didn't know how Naruto would be now.He perked up at the sound of his leader's voice, "Very well than, you will be reassigned. Dismissed."He nodded before taking his leave. Uncertainty filling his mind and caution growing at the thought of the Uzumaki.Hiruzen leaned back into his chair, at a loss for what to do. In the past five years his relationship with Naruto had declined and damn near vanished. Naruto had made it clear that he did not trust him after learning about what he had ordered Itachi to do. More than once he had offered to take him out to the ramen stand that he loved, but was declined. He was now just the Hokage to him. He hadn't been called Jiji since the day he allowed him to be trained under Itachi.And now…peacetime was over. Talks of war had been going around and blood had been shed in Kiri. Relations with Suna had been straining and Kumo was just waiting for a reason to invade. Iwa, he imagined, was sitting idly by and looking for an opportunity to see what it could gain while everyone else was busy fighting. All in all, it was another day in the shinobi world. Everyone was recovered from the last war and looking to start one all over again."Everyone except Konoha…" he sighed as he ran his hands through his hair. He didn't even care where his hat was, mostly because he didn't know where he had even thrown it.Everyone was back to acceptable strength save for Konoha. With the cleansing of the Uchiha clan, Konoha had lost the sword that guarded its walls. The Hyuuga's were used as the impenetrable shield, to block the borders and discourage the enemy by being an immovable object with their ability to see the enemy coming, shut them down, and block anything they threw at them.The Uchiha were the unstoppable force. They were sent in small units during combat, because that was all that was needed. They could see through their enemies attacks, cut through borders and strike fear into their enemies by being the cursed sword they were by countering everything thrown at them, and taking their enemies lives and skills with their ability to copy jutsu. With Konoha's sword gone, they were left with no force to attack. No force to show strength in attack power, none that was feared anyway. Essentially, they were defenseless. In his mind at least, after three bloody ninja wars Hiruzen had learned one thing that he knew was absolute truth.The best defense, was a good offense.How long would it be before Konoha's shield was slipped by because there was no sword behind it? All-seeing eyes the Hyuuga may be, but even the sharpest eyes could be blinded.Hiruzen needed a sword. Something to strike fear into the hearts of the shinobi villages so that his own might see more than a decade of peace before the next bloody war. Hiruzen needed a force which he could have as a deterrent, someone that would make every village dream of never setting foot in his village unless it was for peaceful reasons.But…he would have to settle for a dagger.Just then, an idea came to the old war veteran. An idea that he knew he was going senile for even conjuring such a thing up in his thoughts. He really was too old for this…he was so tired…the shinobi world didn't need another hero to come save the day.The world needed something else.Steeling his resolve over his political psychiatric ward worthy plan, Hiruzen pulled out a scroll and started writing away like a reporter who just caught wind of a potential story of the year. 'A sword in the hands of a master, can bat aside shields and parry other swords.' He thought to himself as he started looking at potential candidates for his plan. 'But the same outcome can be reached…when one has a dagger.' He set his pipe aside, too focused to smoke while he began writing out his plan for Konoha's only hope if war erupts in the elemental nations, and the fires of conflict reach its' borders.His own problems with the all-but-destroyed relationship with his surrogate grandson creeping up into his consciousness as kanji filled the empty space on the scroll.'A shield in the hands of a master can block any sword and arrow from the front…but cannot see the dagger slipping through the shadows, sneaking past it's watch. A sword in the hands of a master, can strike down any enemy before it, and take the head of a kage should they be beaten…but it does not see the quiet knife stalking about the shadows, waiting for the sword to tire before striking.'Hiruzen's writing brush was scrambling about the page on his desk like a cockroach that had just been discovered, his experience in decades of conflict and countless battles coming together in his head as he formulated what would be but another entity to haunt him in his sleep and stab at his heart.He wrote down various regulations and expectations. Numerous locations that could be used for a headquarters, but were only recommendations that he knew would surely be ignored if what he was writing up would be agreed to and signed. Names of various contacts and targets were written down. Villages and Kage's were put on a list for both reference and potential reason. He wrote a section for funding, and asked how much the participants would need, should they agree.He gave no restrictions or limitations to the contract he was making. He only gave three simple requirements.And as he wrote them down, thoughts of the two first candidates that he NEEDED to agree to sign-on in order for his plan to work, raced through his head.'A dagger in the hands of a master knows no bounds. For it is not the armies in wars that win them, but the battles, and the individuals that fight them that win wars. In the hands of a master, a dagger can wait for the opportunity for the shield to get heavy, and rest before striking. A dagger can lurk amongst the people, slipping past the wielder of the sword before striking at his back.''A dagger can wait for a kage to leave the safety of his village or slip into his quarters before finding his or her neck. A dagger in the hands of a master, can slip past the guard of any ninja before they cast a jutsu.'He wrote the only three orders. The only rules that needed to be followed in order to be a part of his plan. 'A dagger, in the hands of a master, knows…no bounds.'~Back in room 2A~"-So now were all going to show what we've been practicing, who wants to spar first?"A symphony of groans, nervous chatter and excited shouts erupted in the large room. It was towards the middle of the year and another chance to see how far everyone had progressed since the last round of serious sparring.Everyone started to file outside of the classroom and head to the fields where the rest of the classes were gathering to have their friendly bouts. It was an exercise to prepare them for various showcased conflicts ranging from clan disputes, royal entertainment, village disputes and actual combat.The class of 2A was making their way through the various halls to the fields and were chatting amongst themselves."So, who do you want to spar against besides the ground this time Shikamaru?" a girl with her hair styled in two tightly wound buns and wearing a short-sleeved Chinese-styled dress asked in a playful voice.A boy with a spikey pony-tail dressed in a green shirt with a mesh undershirt and Anbu-style pants yawned in response, "I'm not looking to spar anyone but the ground Tenten, everyone else is too troublesome."A boy walking next to him with a large green jacket with blue Anbu pants and spikey brown hair with red swirls painted on his cheeks nodded in agreement as he munched on the bag of chips he always seemed to have…and never ran out of."I want to fight Ino again, we were so evenly matched last time. What do you say Ino-pig?" a bubblegum-pink haired girl that went down to her back with a long red battle dress with splits in the sides and black spandex shorts underneath asked in a challenging banter, her evergreen eyes lighting up with confidence.Ino scoffed as she got the girl into a light headlock, "Bring it on billboard-brow, we'll see how long you can last this time." The two girls giggled as they traded insults and promises of pain while they made their way to the fields.Over the years in the academy the two had grown fairly close and had a nice rivalry going on, they could be mistaken as sisters if they didn't look so different from each other. Hinata looked at the two with fondness in her own Lavender-eyes as she watched the playful exchange. She was close with Sakura as well, though not quite on the same level as Ino. They were made to be sisters, she was like the friend both sisters had and would always be asked whose side she was on.She giggled as Sakura rubbed her forehead and Ino rubbing her bottom. She had flicked Sakura after another one of her "billboard" rants and gotten a kick in the ass in return. Sakura saying something to the likes of 'Pig tails being sensitive'.She then remembered who she was walking next to in the hallways and felt her face become hot. She scrunched her shoulders up as if to hide her head and unconsciously pulled her hood up so that half her face was hidden from the sides."Who do you want to spar with, Hinata?"The sudden sound of a slightly raspy, but nicely toned voice nearly made her jump as she twitched slightly in mid-step. She tried to calm herself as she turned to her left to face the mysterious golden-blonde that was her best friend. His piercing eyes boring into her own with a calculating, and yet gentle gaze as she took in her form in the reflective glints that were his eyes. The exotic display of azure, teal and ice blue making her nervous and fascinated at the same time. As her body fit perfectly into the animal-like slits that were his pupils."I-I'm probably going to s-spar with Neji-san again. T-the elders think its g-good practice for me." She resisted the urge to fiddle with her fingers as she turned her probably blushing face completely to face his. "W-what about you N-naruto-kun?" she took in every detail about his calm, whiskered face. His fierce eyes, predatory, but harmless when they looked her way. His lips in a thin line with the slightest of smiles pulling at the corners. His blonde locks of spikes framing his face, and the few tips of red in them just above his eyes with a few stray of solid-red strands glinting like fire."I'm not interested in fighting anyone today. I'll probably just do what I always do." His voice was just as cold as his eyes. Sharp when you first hear it, but warm when you get used to it. She had been watching him all throughout the past five years as his change set in. And each week that passed by, she found herself more and more fascinated by him.How dangerous he appeared to others…but how…him, he looked to her. That's all she really saw when it came down to it. Not the fierce slitted eyes or his nearly clawed hands. Nor his fanged smile on the rare occasion that he showed teeth instead of his trademark small grin. She simply saw Naruto. Her Naruto. Her friend."You mean hide?"Her friend that was about to get angry.'Damn…' she thought as she closed her eyes and took a deep mind-clearing breath. 'Just when he comes to class with me too.'They were outside now, in full view of well over a hundred academy students. The sun was out and the clouds were parted, perfect weather to pick a fight. Class 2A stopped as they had just reached their class's sparing platform and were about to pick partners before a loud snobbish voice sounded out, traveling easily to reach every member of the class. Hinata turned around, getting slightly in front of Naruto as he only turned his head to see the very person he was at a loss at what to do with.A boy in white shorts and a blue high collared shirt with the Uchiha symbol on the back was walking towards Naruto while Hinata was slowly but surely inching her way to get completely in front of him.The boy kept walking, his lips in a thin, serious line while his onyx eyes narrowed at the sight of Naruto. His raven-black hair shadowing his eyes with a few bangs as two larger ones traveled along the sides of his jaw, the back of his head flared out with a few spikes of his dark hair."Duck out of a fight you know you can't win." His footsteps grew closer until he was only a few feet away from the red-tipped blonde Uzumaki. Hinata was now completely in front of him while Naruto was barely starting to turn all the way around. "You don't even show up anymore because you know how pointless it is."Whispers began to work their way through the gathering crowd as Iruka and Mizuki decided to see how things played out. Both were interested in what would happen. Neither had seen the Uzumaki fight even once throughout the academy, he was always able to get out of sparing and the rest of his scores kept him afloat so there was nothing to ding him on. The Hokage had later let them know that he was allowed to spar when he wanted to because of his condition. The instructors figured it was probably for the best so nobody fought against that decision. But now…things were just falling into place.It was a known fact that Sasuke and Naruto did not like each other. The incident from the years before sparking all sorts of rumors. But it seemed to the crowd like things were going to get interesting pretty soon.Naruto was now fully turned in Sasuke's direction, almost oblivious to the fact that Hinata was standing in front of him, in between him and the polar opposite of his brother. The blonde kept his hands in his pockets as he narrowed his eyes at the raven-haired nuisance he didn't really have a plan for yet, "Uchiha… What do you want this time?" he didn't hate Sasuke, but he didn't like him either. He was like the harmless Nat that kept bugging you until you finally squash it.And he was starting to get really annoying.Hinata's own eyes narrowed, her stance getting defensive in what was probably going to get ugly as she kept herself firmly between the two would-be combatants. Sasuke looked at her with humor in his face as he spoke to Naruto. Finding her protectiveness of the class failure somewhat interesting, "I want that sword. I know you have it hidden somewhere. That sword belongs to the Uchiha clan…and I want it back."Naruto narrowed his eyes, and could already feel his anger starting to build. That grin on his face and the way he looked at Hinata gave off a mocking feel to it. And Naruto Uzumaki didn't take too kindly to people that mocked the people he cherished.His patience now gone, he stared down the little boy that was so different from Itachi, "You don't know what it means to wield that sword…and you know nothing of what it means to be an Uchiha." It had been a while since his last episode of…whatever was happening to him. He knew that his next clash was coming, but he didn't notice it in time to realize his chakra rising.Sasuke was oblivious to the obvious signs of Naruto's change in body language too, but Hinata wasn't. She could see the tensing in her best friend's body, and the slight glow to his shadowed eyes underneath his bangs and hood. She activated her Byakugan to confirm what she was feeling, and what she saw made her shut her eyes with a slight yelp.Naruto looked down to see Hinata, having heard her slight cry of pain but was kept from doing anything as Sasuke came back from his stunned stupor of having been both embarrassed publicly, ag