Author's Notes:

El friloero : thanks this the continuation….

RyoshiMorino: Well sakura will lash at karin but that the story….

SaltyUchiha: Please stop the hating, and your really salty…

Well the next chapter will be different from the original story…

End Author's Notes

Chapter 3: Naruto's Shadow

Bee stood with his arms folded, expressionless as always, with his eyes hidden behind sunglasses. Yamato had stopped him when he received a message from a masked ninja, an ANBU, with a message from the Hokage. The two had then been standing and talking to one another for a few minutes, the ANBU having departed, while Yamato tried to ascertain the information he'd been told to double check. "Look, I'm sorry to stop and ask you here, …but since you're not carrying the sword we'd heard you had and since you're coming here instead of our previous arrangement, I need to confirm the details." The dark-skinned man tilted his head and then flung his arms out wide in yet another pose.

"What's there to know? We had a little problem and it had to go. Now I'm here and the problem's no mo'."

Yamato hung his head and again sighed. He decided to try a new tactic. "Okay, I guess if you're not going to elaborate, I'm going to have to have to send a messenger to the Raikage for the details…" He started to turn away, then turned back rapidly, adopting his familiar 'horror face' he always used to make a point… Heh, particularly with Naruto … "…because his brother is unwilling to be cooperative!" he added, in a menacing tone.

"Woah woah, let's not be so hasty. After all, no need to get nasty. Don't worry or tell my bro-I'm just playin', it was that Akatsuki guy hidin in the sword I was carryin'. That same shark-faced dude that I fought before, it was the real one this time that my bro and I aced once more. Our info got out and the original idea screwed, so I came here when the plan was renewed. The leaf beat Pain so it's plenty secure, so we'll train here uninterrupted for sure! WHEEEEE!"

Yamato had long since dropped his 'horror face', unable to sustain it under the constant, rhyming, nonsensical barrage. He thought hard about the message he'd just received. If I didn't have training in decoding, I don't think I'd have been able to really get that . "So what you're saying is that… Hoshigaki Kisame hid in his own blade somehow? And then he managed to spy on Kumogakure and learn about the alliance's plans… but that the information got out, despite you defeating him?"

Bee nodded once, folding his arms again. "You got that right, but let me tell you he's a tough motherfucka; he took himself out and made our efforts to capture him make us look like suckas."

"So he killed himself? Damn, what a stubborn guy. Guess we still have no ideas what they're planning or capable of yet then." Yamato rubbed his chin in thought as he muttered to himself. "We've only seen two so far that haven't been killed in combat… or… or her. But… hmm, I don't think she's a danger anymore. We were told to keep an eye out for her, more as a potential ally later…"

"You talkin' to yourself ain't makin' us any younger, c'mon man, let's get to the village I don't wanna wait any longer."

Yamato snapped back to attention, "Yeah, but our first stop is to see the Hokage-" He started to say, but Bee interrupted him again, rapping once more about how he'd come there to see the Hokage to begin with. "Yeah yeah yeah, I get it!" Yamato finally cut him off. There was a pained expression on his face as he once again took the lead, Bee's story checking out with what he'd been told to ask him by the ANBU. Yamato started to lead him again toward the Hokage's office, a tortured expression on his face the entire way that only grew worse and worse as Bee continued to rap about his surroundings. Yamato was amazed he could create a new verse about every different little thing but was relieved that soon Bee wouldn't be his problem anymore.

Nearly an hour later, Yamato practically lay in the corner of the Hokage's office, his mouth sagging open as he'd been enduring Bee's rapping the entire time. Tsunade stared at the dark-skinned man who sat, grinning broadly, opposite her. "Alright, so you'll train Naruto, but we need some controls. Without a distant and secure location, we can't risk the Nine-Tails running free."

Bee threw up his arm and once again exclaimed, "Don't worry a bit about Naruto's darkness, if it comes up, Woody and I can handle that mess! WHEEEEE!" Yamato shuddered but had long since given up fighting over the nickname 'Woody'. He just hoped that that Bee would forget about it… Or at the very least don't mention it around Naruto . Otherwise he remained nearly catatonic.

"Yamato!" Tsunade snapped, quickly returning him to an upright seated posture before he hopped up from his seat and gave her his attention. "Do you think you and Bee could restrain Naruto if he started to run out of control?"

He rubbed his chin slightly, "Without the pendant… might be tough… but… between my wood element and his full mastery of the Eight-Tails, we probably could-"

"Got that right! Wouldn't even take all night!"

Yamato shuddered again but continued after Bee's outburst: "-but there'd be a lot of damage to the surroundings. The two highest tailed beasts battling it out, if we didn't end it quick, it'd take even more abuse to make it stick." He stopped, clearly in horror at himself for his unintentional rapping.

"Not a bad rhyme, you might get to my level in time!" Bee chimed in, patting him on the shoulder. Yamato's head was in his hands, and he seemed to be sobbing, but Tsunade ignored it (as he'd been behaving strangely the whole time) and put a hand down on her desk with enough force to startle the two men and return their attention undividedly to her.

"Alright. I'm allowing it, but Bee, take every precaution you can against his transforming unless he's got control of it. I don't even want him starting to try until you're sure he's ready. Yamato, I want you present during any sessions to monitor and restrain the Nine-Tails chakra if it even slightly goes out of control. Lastly, I want this done somewhere out of the way. Not too far from the village that you're in danger, but definitely not close. Yamato, I'll entrust assigning the extra guards and scouts necessary for wherever it ends up happening to you. Simply put, no vulnerabilities, and don't let Akatsuki know we aren't still going to send Naruto to that 'island'. If they waste time looking for that and then can't find him, we'll have an advantage; maybe we can even lay a trap or two there." The two men nodded and Tsunade stood up and continued talking, her voice going somehow even more serious than it had before. "Listen, the shinobi joint alliance feels that both you," she nodded to Bee, "and Naruto are to be kept off the battlefield and out of this war. Let me tell you right now that I agree; but only so far. Neither of you should be leading charges against the enemy. That doesn't mean I don't want you fighting. Truth be told, I feel that we have almost no chance of beating Madara and now Sasuke without the power you two possess. Also, regardless of our whims, you two are the goal of Madara and that means one way or another he'll be dragging you into this. I'd rather you became involved on our terms. If you have any objection, let me know now!"

Yamato stared quietly at Bee who sat with his unreadable smiling expression for a few moments. "Got a gift for thinking', and you got that right. I'll train Naruto 'til him and the Nine-Tails are tight. We'll be ready to do as you ask, and kick the shit out of that guy in a mask! WHEEEEE!" He had risen from his seat in enthusiasm in the middle of rant and now stood with his arm straight up and fingers in his familiar 'horns' position.

Yamato again shuddered, but he quickly grinned when he saw the beaming smile on Tsunade's face. "Glad to hear it Bee. Now," she signaled to an aide near the door, "let's get this all started."

Minutes later, Naruto walked into the Hokage's office, confused as to why he'd been summoned. "I thought you said I had a month, it's only been two weeks!" He started to complain, ignoring the strange man from Kumogakure that he had not seen before.

Tsunade held up a hand to stop him. "Plans change. Originally you were going to have to leave the village. Instead you'll be doing your training here with this man, Bee."

Naruto stopped, appraised the man momentarily, and then turned back to Tsunade. "Why am I getting trained by him? I thought Kakashi and Yamato were both fine instructors. Why do I need this guy?"

Bee, at this point, interrupted him by folding his arms and leaning back: "This is the Jinchuuriki with a beast inside stronger than me? Gotta be joking 'cuz a joke's all I see." and watched with a smug smile as Naruto started to shake in anger.

"You wanna fight, sunglasses?"

Yamato, who had been quiet until now, put a hand on Naruto's shoulder to stop and steady him. "I wouldn't try it if I were you Naruto. That man is Killer Bee, the host of the eight-tailed beast and he's a perfect host. He has full access to his beast's power." He saw Naruto's shock and knew he only needed one more push to get Naruto to respect this newcomer and to acknowledge him as a vital resource. "…and, he's the only one who's recently foiled Uchiha Sasuke."

Naruto's eyes went wide and he turned to stare at Yamato, who only nodded a confirmation. "You mean…?" Naruto asked, unable to finish his question.

"Yes, that's right. He can help you take control of the Nine-Tails within you." Yamato answered without waiting for Naruto to articulate his response.

Naruto shook his head, "He can tell me more about how Sasuke is fighting lately. That's what I want-… need to know." He looked awestruck but he righted himself and resumed his original obstinate expression. "I don't want this training to get in the way of my efforts toward Sasuke."

Tsunade's face was unfazed by this latest Naruto outburst regarding Sasuke. "No. You're not going after Sasuke with the Nine-Tails still out of control inside you. In fact, you don't get to do anything but train with Bee here until you can show me a complete mastery of the fox's powers. No missions. No chasing Sasuke. Nothing. Your only goal is mastering your power. Do you understand?"

Naruto shook his head, "But Sasuke is getting worse and worse. What good does it do me to sit here and train? I can train on the way and together this sunglasses-guy and I take care of Sasuke and-"

Tsunade slammed a hand down on the table with barely enough restraint to avoid cracking it, but everyone could hear it strain under the impact. "You're not listening! Don't you know that a trained user of the Sharingan can control the Nine-Tails? All Sasuke has to do is tap into your rage and he can literally control you through that monster inside of you! Do you want that?"

Naruto could only hang his head meekly and mumble a 'no' of reply.

"Good, now acknowledge it. I don't want you to think you can just run off as soon as you make any headway; this is no different than your sage training. If you rush it, it'll all be for nothing." Tsunade pressed the matter while Yamato held a disgruntled look. I know Yamato, I know, this is rough on him, but we can't risk him being his usual self right now. There's too much at stake right now to be soft on him! She thought, as If she could direct it into Yamato's mind and simultaneously absolve herself of the guilt she felt for berating Naruto.

"I…" Naruto began, obviously struggling to find the words that properly expressed his opinion without getting violent, "I imagine there's no choice then. I understand. Until I can show you at least a little bit of control of the damned fox inside me, I'll do as I'm told."

Tsunade felt relieved to hear his acceptance, though it was still the same kind of resigned tone as when informing a child they had to have a tooth pulled. She sighed aloud and leaned back in her chair, suddenly exhausted. I guess age catches up with you even when it doesn't look it… and it doesn't help that I'm playing the grandmother role here. She paused for a moment longer before looking at Bee and Yamato in turn. "You two, he's all yours. Do what you can, take what resources you need. Begin as soon as you can."

"Yes, Hokage." Yamato nodded.

"Time to start at long last? Don't worry little guy, we'll have a blast. First though what you gotta do, is find a way to confront the darkness in you. Without the Falls of Truth there's a hitch, but if you've got the drive you can erase that bitch. Find a way little Jinchuu, until your darkness isn't a problem - mastery isn't for you! WHEEEEE!" Naruto could only stare at the dark-skinned man as he rapped his way to standing and then towards the door. "Come and find me or Woody when ya got a plan, if you think you can't do it, try bein' a man!"

With his piece spoken and without waiting on any of the dozens of questions Naruto was trying to form in response to the seeming-gibberish of Bee's, the man left the room. Yamato shrugged and turned to Naruto, "I think I know what he means, and that kind of scares me that I'm starting to understand him, but regardless, you need to find a way to measure your inner darkness and hopefully control and take over it. While I've got no idea how to go about that, I'm sure you'll figure something out. My only advice is this: Don't try to hide it or lie about it. Something tells me Bee is deadly serious about this, so until you can say for certain that your darkness is gone or under control, we can't proceed."

Naruto nodded and left the room, unsure of even where to begin, but moving quickly as though acting like he had a purpose would somehow accidentally find him one. He was out of sight within seconds and Yamato stood in thought, quietly considering everything that had happened while Tsunade leaned back once more and closed her eyes.

Tsunade drew in a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before letting it go. Look at him go, can you see him where you are Minato, Jiraiya, and Kushina? He's growing so fast that I can't even keep up with him, but don't worry, I'll do everything I can to keep him okay. I can't promise safety, the way things are now, there's no chance of that and I won't lie. I just hope… right now… with Akatsuki losing so many of their number, they're bound to be getting desperate, I only hope we don't have a demon fox to deal with on top of them.

I wonder though… can he truly master the Nine-Tails? If anyone can, it's him, but I'm not sure he's ready quite yet. Something's missing… she mused, and sat back up, Yamato seemed lost in his thoughts and Tsunade left him to them. She glanced down at the folder in front of her on the desk and the forms nearby. I'm glad Naruto didn't notice these, he wouldn't have left me alone about it. She smirked, sliding the folder out from under the obscuring papers to reveal the name on its tab as "Karin". She picked up the forms and thumbed through them. A few of them had performance reviews, a few were notes from Iruka who'd more-or-less taken her under his wing. It was the last one that troubled her.

It was a form issuing a request for Karin to be put under heavy scrutiny and possibly removed from Konoha as a potential spy. Unsurprisingly, it had been submitted by Sakura. Tsunade shook her head and sighed, opening up the folder to see if there was any merit to it. Except these are all solid reviews… distrustful, sure… but she clearly has hit it off well with folks and is trying her best. It only confirms what Iruka has said already about her. Of course… there's the other thing he said, I'm not entirely sure if I believe that part yet. It'd make sense as far as why she's so angry at Karin though.

Tsunade chuckled, and Yamato startled a bit at it, as though he'd been so lost in thought that he had forgotten he wasn't alone. First she's around Sasuke for a time that you can't have, now she's moved on and been given a second chance… a fresh start… something you refuse to give yourself. But that's not all, what's got you angriest is probably that she is slowly dragging away his attention from you. I guess we'll have to have that talk, huh Sakura?

"Tsunade," Yamato's had turned to face her, "may I be dismissed?"

She turned up from her thoughts and nodded, but as he turned to leave she added: "Stick to Naruto. Don't help him unless he asks for it, but don't let him go try and do something idiotic like unleashing the Nine-Tails before he's ready. Understand?"

"Yes, Hokage. I'll keep an eye on him." He nodded and walked out without another word. Whatever he'd been thinking about he had obviously resolved on his own. He had a grin on his face that left Tsunade curious, but she decided not to push it. After all, if it was important, he'd have told her.

Tsunade turned back to the folder and focused on a few points that were vacant on the information. She scratched notes into it here and there, telling Iruka what to focus on with her own lessons. She finally added one more note regarding her sensory technique and filled out a form appointing a Hyuga to review Karin's technique for similarities to their Byakugan to see if they could mutually benefit each other. Lastly, she signaled an aide to come in, setting her tone to be neutral and steady even despite how it pained her.

"Bring Haruno Sakura here. I need to speak with her. Tell her it is a direct order from me, and that it is a pressing matter." Tsunade dismissed the man as soon as he'd acknowledged her orders. I'm sorry Sakura, you're not going to like this one bit, but for right now you and I need to do a little one-on-one training in more than just techniques.

Naruto sat on a bench alongside a path through one of the slowly rebuilding park areas. A frown creased his face and he was trying to concentrate, but he couldn't get anywhere in his mind. "This is pointless!" he grumbled, "I can use nature chakra and I still can't get this lousy beast under control…" He lifted his jacket and shirt and angrily glared at the seal on his stomach. A few awkward and uncomfortable moments passed before he let his clothes drop back over it and sighed. "How do I even find the entirety of my inner darkness, let alone measure it, let alone control it!" He thrashed aimlessly, more to expend the burning impatience within him and as if he could throw off the confusion like a mess of ropes around him.

"Hmm… if you're going to look that undignified, you should probably do it in your room." a voice intruded on his flailing and struggling.

"Huh? Kakashi?" He turned and saw the familiar silver-haired, masked man. "Oh hey! You're smart, you can help me out here."

Kakashi's visible eye widened and he gazed from the book he was holding back to Naruto and back to the book forlornly. "Well, I can try… but at least give me an idea as to with what."

Naruto stared blankly back for a moment and then smiled, "I need to find some way to 'control' my inner darkness. Whatever the heck that really is." Naruto's smile vanished as quick as he'd finished saying it when he saw Kakashi take on a much more serious posture and expression, closing his book and putting it away.

"Naruto, your inner darkness isn't a joke, or some silly moral lesson. Every ninja has darkness in them, it's part of a job where we see friends die and where we end lives at our hands. You can't take it lightly. The most I can do is try and-"

"I didn't quite mean our baggage, I know that, every ninja has that…" Naruto tried to interject, but Kakashi cut him off as abruptly.

"Naruto that 'baggage', as you put it, is our darkness. Don't underestimate that kind of thing. Even simple actions can weigh heavily on the heart." He paused and saw Naruto's face, seeing the struggle to understand. "…Ah, but you're still so young. I forget that from time to time. You'll understand when you really get there, the most I can offer for a reference is Sasuke. His darkness has complete control of him and I'm sure you could see that." He saw Naruto's face grow more serious at the mention of Sasuke, but continued anyway, "I assume you're meaning to control the Nine-Tails though. So, here, I can at least offer this." Without listening to Naruto start to tell his entire story about the meeting with the Hokage and Bee, he pulled his forehead protector up and let chakra flow into the Sharingan eye he had revealed. He then turned his focus on Naruto, his other eye closing and focusing intently on the chakra surrounding Naruto.

"Kakashi?" Naruto puzzled, interrupted by the sight of the technique.

"Use Kagebunshin please, Naruto."

Naruto obliged him and Kakashi observed the entire process before nodding slowly. "Alright, you can end the technique." While Naruto did, Kakashi closed his eye and restored the band of cloth over it once more. "Naruto, truth is, I can barely sense it, even with this sharingan while you're using chakra. You put your darkness in with the Nine-Tails. I imagine, because that has always been your mental manifestation of it already. You keep yours inside and locked away, you're not like Sasuke who revels in it." He sighed and pulled out his book once more. "You'll need someone who can really see into you and understands it. I can't do anything else for you right now."

Naruto started to open his mouth to object but Kakashi had already started to walk away; his face buried in his book once more. Sitting back down on the bench, he considered what he'd been told. See into me and understand it? Who can do that? Wait… if it's understanding it, I know someone who does!

Yamato dashed along, looking to catch up to Naruto who had wandered off before he had been told to monitor him. Wonder if he's had any ideas yet. He mused as he practically collided with Naruto who was dashing towards him. "Woah!" He shouted and came to a sudden stop as Naruto did the same, neither paying too much attention until almost too late.

"Yamato! There you are. I was looking for you." He shouted excitedly.

Yamato raised an eyebrow and defensively asked, "…why?"

"You can take care of my inner darkness with your wood element can't you?"

Oh geez, where do I even begin to explain this… Yamato thoughtfully rubbed his chin with his arms folded across his chest. "Naruto, it's not so much that I 'take care of it'. All I can really do is suppress the powers of the Nine-Tails. Even then, without the crystal pendant, my abilities to do so are diminished even further. I want to help, but you need to learn how to control it on your own. The most I can do is help rein it in when it starts to get out of control… and even then I can only do it if I catch it early. Anything past four tails I don't think I can handle, especially without the pendant." Yamato watched Naruto's face contort in heavy thought once again.

"So if you can't help, I need something that'll let me really get at my inner darkness…"

"Naruto… why can't you do it yourself?" Yamato finally asked, unable to bear the curiosity as to why he kept harping on about finding help.

"Huh?" Naruto stared back at him as though Yamato had asked him something like 'why do people eat'. "Because when I do it alone I can only focus on one thing, one part, one bit of what I feel like is a larger whole. Until I find a way to know I'm at the heart of the whole thing, there's no point is there? I need something to put the whole thing into perspective like how I learned to train with kagebunshin. Or like how I mastered nature chakra. I guess I just need someone who can put it a way I understand."

Yamato closed his eyes and sighed. Naruto will always do things at Naruto's pace and in Naruto's way… he shook his head and started to pace. "Well, it's really a toughie, but it sounds like you need someone who can really recognize how your chakra fluctuates… that's the closest thing right? Since it is so tied to the Nine-Tails?"

Naruto puzzled for a moment and then nodded. "Yeah, I used to be able to use its chakra, but now it's kind of… yeah." He ended lamely, everyone was familiar with what happened recently it seemed.

Yamato paused his pacing with a sudden idea: "So, why not try and find a Hyuga to help you out? Wouldn't Neji be willing to help? He's seen you use the Nine-Tails power in battle before even." Yamato replied.

Naruto started to look hopeful and then suddenly shook his head back and forth repeatedly. "I can't use a Hyuga, that'd be a terrible idea…" Naruto muttered very quietly. Yamato stared and raised an eyebrow in curiosity, obviously something was staying Naruto's hand about them, but he decided not to press it. Naruto finally perked back up, "So do you have any recommendations that aren't a Hyuga?"

Yamato sighed, "No idea, but you may want to resolve that issue with the Hyuga at some point. Especially if you want to be the Hokage." Yamato grinned inwardly: That ought to get him to take care of that on his own.

Naruto nodded and went to his fallback plan for most situations that required heavy thought: go get ramen. Yamato followed quietly, observing and wondering if he could offer any more pointers or suggest any alternatives. While Naruto noisily ate, Yamato still remained outside in thought, leaning against the entryway. I wonder what… oh-ho… never mind, I know why you're avoiding the Hyuga so desperately. I'd forgotten about that, but I guess what Hinata did and said are weighing heavily on you aren't they? I only heard about it from others, but she's not going to be courageous enough to confront him on that matter… it's amazing enough she managed to do what she did… But I wonder-

Naruto's voice broke through Yamato's wandering thoughts, "Ah-ha!" Naruto burst out of the shop quickly and stopped in front of Yamato for a moment, clearly excited. "Yamato! Do you know where Iruka is?"

"Uh… Hmm… yeah, I believe he's out in one of the training fields with that new girl." He replied after taking a moment to remember.

"Thanks Yamato! Gotta go!" Naruto took off at a run, a pace that surprised Yamato given Naruto had just been eating. Hah, think you can shake me that easily Naruto? What are you planning anyway… He started to follow him when a hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Sir, he said you'd cover the bill." the voice of what could only be the shop-owner said.

Yamato turned with an angry glower, reaching for his wallet. Damn! Naruto, enjoy your head-start because I'm going to be charging you interest!

"No, no! You're doing it wrong, the trick with hand seals is to form them as fast you're capable of without messing them up. Don't try go faster, no matter how fast you go if you don't pull them off right, it's a waste of a few precious seconds of battle!" Iruka droned on, giving yet another lecture. Karin had endured a lot of these since their special 'remedial' training lessons to make up for her extreme lack of skill in areas besides healing and sensing. "Remember, your whole abilities are better served by you remaining calm, trying to rush and overdo things will only cost you your advan-"

"Shut up already! You've said that a dozen times! How can I get better if I'm not testing my limits with every move? I have to push things to their absolute breaking point and then do better! It's not like I want to fail! You know what happens to the ones who do?" the outburst was standard, excluding the last bit which had wrenched itself out of her unbidden. Iruka simply stared while Karin put a hand over her suddenly downcast expression. "Look, I'm sorry. I know things are different here in Konoha, but where I've been, if you don't have a purpose and are good at what you do, you wind up on the operating table… or worse, if that's possible."

Iruka sighed, "That's what I'm trying to tell you, don't push yourself so hard, get a good handle on things before you go for something so enormous. Can't master the expert stuff until you've at least got a good grasp on the basics. The only one I know who actually pulls that off on a regular basis is-"

"Hey! Iruka!" a voice called out, the unmistakably enthusiastic voice of Naruto.

"Well, speak of the devil…" Iruka turned and waved at the blond young man running towards him. He nodded to Karin once, "Okay, let's take a quick break and see what he wants."

Karin collected herself, straightening her glasses and smoothing down her clothes as Naruto bounded over, a beaming smile on his face. "Hey, this is great, I was looking for Iruka to ask where Karin was, but here she is already! Though… I think Yamato already said that… oh well!" Karin's face took on a slight pink hue at the fact that he'd been looking for her.

"Well, I'm here, what is it?" she asked, forcing herself to ignore the grin Iruka now wore… or trying to at least. Look at him grinning ear to ear, what's with him? He acts like he's privy to some huge secret that only he knows about! He isn't even right! It's not like- She snapped back to attention when she realized Naruto had started to reply and she had missed the first bit.

"…and that's why I need your help, because you've got that sensor technique of yours and I need to try and gain control of, or eliminate, my inner darkness." Naruto finished, looking a bit ashamed of having to ask for help, but obviously not minding too much.

"Hmm…" Karin stalled, buying herself some time to mull it over in her thoughts without standing there silently. His inner darkness? I wonder why he specifically needs my technique… well, if he's not bothered hardly at all by asking me, he must've already asked a few people or been trying it a lot already… he's pretty headstrong like that. But… would that mean I'd have to spend a lot of time with him? Oh shit! that's the last thing I need, everyone already seems to think we're some kind of item… though… no! That's a load of crap. I'll decide exactly who and what and where and all that! Yeah! Didn't take it from Suigetsu, not going to take it from Iruka! Okay, so I'll just turn down his request and-

"Umm, Karin, that's the longest 'Hmm' I think I've ever heard." Naruto interjected, interrupting her thought train entirely as she realized she had been making her stalling noise the entire time. He was staring at her puzzled, but still hopeful.

"Ah!" she clapped a hand over her mouth in embarrassment, before realizing she couldn't talk like that and moved it away again, equally embarrassed. "Sorry, just a bit of a lot to consider."

Iruka chimed in from the side, "Sounds like it'll be good practice for your sensory technique and you can get to know Konoha's number one unpredictable ninja better!"

"Oh shut up, nobody asked you!" Karin snapped, not appreciating the insinuating tone Iruka had taken on clearly to make a jab at her. "Sorry Naruto," and she watched his crestfallen face as she began and immediately regretted it, looking away a bit ashamed, "but I can't, I've got to do these crappy lessons with that idiot," she unsubtly nodded towards Iruka, "as part of my agreement to not be a captive, ya know… prove I'm actually trying to be a good Konoha Ninja."

Naruto started to reply but Iruka dove in and had an arm over each of their shoulders, Naruto looking confused and Karin desperately trying to worm out of his grip. "I just got a great idea!" he grinned deviously, "how about, we all train together, we'll make Naruto's business part of your sensory training and reinforcement, and when he's got a good grip we'll let him fend for himself while we do our own training until he needs you again? Not that I doubt he won't need you a lot, but what do you say?" The extra stress about 'needing him' was not missed by either party, but while Karin directly understood what Iruka was teasing at, Naruto turned defiant.

"Hey! I won't need that much help! I've gotten a lot better at all this training stuff and you know it!" He kept ranting, but Karin didn't hear it as she was too relieved he hadn't picked up on what Iruka had implied. Iruka simply ignored Naruto's heavy complaints and his own failed attempt to cause mischief while he jotted down a few notes on his clipboard, making sure to clear all this with his superiors later. "Iruka, you're not listening! I'm telling you this'll work!"

Karin smiled at Naruto's continued determination to prove his abilities, going so far as to try and demonstrate techniques while Iruka dismissed his actions easily. He's so stubborn, he won't brood about not being strong enough, he'll just work harder and harder to make sure he is. I think I see why those two had such a close rivalry and friendshi- she stopped as she saw someone coming, two people, but one was a figure she recognized very clearly. She stepped behind Iruka to block his line of sight of her and suppressed her chakra immediately, hoping he hadn't noticed her yet.

Seconds later, the other two noticed the guests, Iruka turning to face them and Naruto turning to wave enthusiastically at the arrivals. He even shouted: "Eight-Tails! Yamato!" Karin didn't recognize Yamato, though his chakra felt familiar, she must've sensed him before but he was the least of her worries at the moment. Also, Yamato looked particularly haggard and drained, as though the company he'd been keeping had been near unbearable. I imagine the Eight-Tails has not given up his habit of rapping… badly. She didn't have to wait very long to hear the confirmation of that guess.

"Naruto, I heard from Yamato, you got a new method planned! Let me see if that shit works or needs to get banned!" the man known as Bee continued with his rap-dialogue for any conversation. "Hoo!" Karin unfortunately realized she had been seen at the man's exclamation as he continued: "It's the red-head with the Uchiha boy-Akatsuki! Is why you're here anything to do with me?"

Iruka raised an eyebrow but then realized, "Ah, yeah, you were with Sasuke's team snake… or hawk… or Akatsuki… whichever it was at the time." He turned to face Bee and continued to place himself between Karin and Bee, recognizing her uncomfortable posture. "She's with Konoha now, she was basically given no choice in the matters earlier and we apologize on her behalf for any troubles she caused you."

Bee threw his head back and laughed, "Is that so? Well, I'll tell you a secret ya know! I used your group and that Sasuke-boy, and besides, you and your buddies saved his ass, I cracked him like a toy. Wouldn't'a lasted without ya a minute and a half that dumb sucka, my only issue is with his cocky ass, that self-righteous motherfucka!"

It took Karin a second to realize she needed to breathe a sigh of relief. So even then, others could see how awful Sasuke was getting. I'm kind of sorry I stayed with him so long now, but him saving his friends showed some glimmer of hope for him. She resumed attention on reality a moment later as Naruto was explaining things to Bee and Yamato excitedly.

"-and that's why I came looking for Karin! I figured it'd be perfect!" Naruto finished.

Bee rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Alright, we'll see if she can do it, who you pick I don't care, we've gotta get you trained, ain't got time to spare!"

Yamato nodded, "He's right, but first a test. Karin, if your sensor technique is as good as they say, tell me what you see in me." He tensed slightly, obviously increasing his chakra-output for a slightly easier test.

Karin frowned, More tests? Damn it all, haven't I proven enough already? Maybe I could lie- she turned and saw the hopeful look on Naruto's face and knew she couldn't disappoint him so badly. …So much for that. Well, here goes … and she focused on the man in front of her, slowly shutting out the other chakra signatures that would distract her from his entirely. Her eyes closed and she focused in solely on the man before her.

Slowly, after nearly a minute of awkward silence Karin opened her eyes again and then she folded her arms to adopt a haughty 'told-you-so' pose. "You're a wood element user, combination of earth and water chakra. Strange as it is to see one anymore. I detect marks of Orochimaru's handiwork on you as well, so you're not entirely a natural one, but you were completely compatible with it. I think you were before my time there, but not by too much. One of his earlier works, your suffering is probably what gave way to Danzo's wood element manipulation with the First Hokage's cells."

Yamato blinked a few times in surprise. Bee only managed a quiet "damn" in an impressed tone. Iruka smiled proudly, happy to see his current student do so well. Naruto was the least restrained of them all, "Yeah! Way to go Karin! I knew you could do it!" She blushed a bit, losing her haughty grandeur at the way she had so accurately deduced things in the presence of Naruto's unreserved praise.

"Well, I'm convinced. That's about as spot-on as someone can get with just a glance." Yamato sounded legitimately impressed, and walked over. "Iruka, you're okay if we borrow your special student for this task?" He saw the other man nod and continued. "Alright, Karin, you're the one for the job. We're going to have you observe Naruto's darkness so he can begin his training to master the Nine-Tails."

Naruto was smiling happily, Iruka had a look of surprise on his face and was about to say something when Karin sort of breathed out a reply: "The… Nine-Tails? Naruto?" she was sort of confusedly pointing at Naruto as she said it.

Bee bust out laughing: "Aww shit! She didn't know, way to fuck that one up bro!" Iruka had his face in the palm of his hand and sighed; Yamato seemed idly dumbfounded; and Naruto was oblivious as always.

"Ah… she… didn't know, did she?" Yamato asked, belatedly and clearly trying to smooth it over.

"No. No she didn't. I had intended to let him tell her that." Iruka replied while Karin continued to stand there stunned and muttering.

"I mean, I had heard those others talking about the Nine-Tails… and I guess… how Sasuke talked about you… now it makes sense… sort of… Naruto?" she was trying to piece together what she could and everyone could tell there wasn't much time before an angry outburst.

Naruto stepped forward, shaking off his confused expression. "I'm sorry Karin, I should've told you, I guess I kind of assumed you already knew, that was my fault." He reached out and put a hand on her shoulder.

She suddenly went rigid, turning a slight shade of pink at his touch and yanked back, "well, I guess it's not…" she started, and turned and saw the others all staring at the scene. She started to growl, ready to shout at Iruka for not telling her sooner. I even asked him about Naruto! He never answered! Wait… that wasn't what I was asking about then either… was it? No… but… wha… damn it! They're all staring! I'll shut them up!

"Hey guys, can you give me a minute so I can explain this? In private." Naruto said, right as Karin turned and drew in breath to shout at all of them. Karin's outburst got lost in a bit of a squeak noise as she saw them all nod and turn to leave. It left the two of them alone after the three men agreed and departed. Just the two of us? That's only going to make them think more things are going on! Dammmniiiittttt! She turned to round on Naruto and saw that he wasn't meeting her eyes anymore, looking down and away a bit. Her fury suddenly vanished in a sudden insight He honestly feels bad about this… she could see it in his face. And… and… there's something else there… dare I risk trying to sense it?

"Look, Karin, I'm the host of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox. A lot of my power comes from it, and I'm not proud of that, but I'm doing my best to make it a good thing, a blessing instead of a curse. That's what I need your help with, I can't do it alone." He was deadly serious in a way she hadn't quite seen him before and it startled her.

"Wait a sec," she said, making a sudden realization, "so all those times I sensed something dark and horrible inside you, it was the fox?"

Naruto blushed a bit, "You've been sensing me…?"

Karin's face flushed completely red, "oh! I'm sorry! I know that was wrong, I shouldn't have, it's just habit, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-" she stammered out excuse after excuse while her face got progressively brighter in embarrassment.

"Ahhh, it's okay… but that uh… doesn't read minds does it?" he tried to laugh the awkwardness of the situation away a bit as he said it.

"Oh~! No, no, it doesn't read minds… I mean… not really, it can sort of get emotional states from people… but no, not thoughts. That's beyond my abilities by a mile I'm sure." She sounded as reassuringly matter-of-factly as she could manage.

"Hmm, that's a relief!" He said and laughed a bit more, which only made her wonder what he was hiding, but she remained quiet as he continued. "Anyways, that only proves that you're the girl for the job. You could sense the fox inside me even then, when I didn't know you were watching!"

She couldn't help but feel a bit of pride. He really means it… he's actually impressed by that, most people would be furious… and… wait a sec… he's had the fox in him this entire time? Yet… he's so positive… so upbeat… he's carrying a burden every bit as heavy as Sasuke's and look at him. Heh… no wonder you hated him so much Sasuke, you may have been that natural genius, but here's something you couldn't pull off no matter how hard you trained. If only you'd opened up to him more, I'm sure he could've helped you. Instead, you only saw a rival who kept growing stronger and kept eclipsing you. So you turned to the easiest way to find strength… here's someone who never takes the easy way out if it means hurting someone. She slowly came back out of her thoughts and nodded at the one conclusion she had come to: I admire him… and I want to help if I can .

"Naruto, let's try it, I want to see if I can really sense it in you, sure I can prove it to Yamato, but he's different, we need to know if it'll work with you right?" She saw him nod and continued: "Okay, focus on your inner darkness, try to confront it, I'll help you uhm… however I can with this." she ended, slightly embarrassed that she wasn't entirely sure just how she could help, only that she would.

Naruto sat, his legs crossed and his hands resting in his lap, like he would to channel natural energy. "I'm going to concentrate on it, tell me what you can about what you sense. Okay?"

She nodded in reply, sitting down across from him, making sure not to be close. She remembered what had happened with Bee and his Eight-Tailed chakra, and didn't want to get caught up in anything, knowing the Nine-Tails was even more volatile. Okay. So far, he's got nothing going on, just the usual chakra emanations… "Naruto, I'm not getting anything, I think you need to focus on something else, you're emotionally calm, so I think it's not going to pick up anything bad. I think you need to focus on negative things, the things we all normally try not to think about."

Naruto grit his teeth a little, bracing himself to face unpleasant things, and Karin could feel his aura start to get disturbed. It slowly tinged with darkness, the kind she remembered from Sasuke. "Yes! That's it, I'm sensing your darkness now… it's… eugh!" she grit her own teeth. This is unpleasant… to say the least! I basically have to reach into the mud and feel around… for something mean and evil.

"Are you okay Karin?" She heard Naruto ask and felt the tenuous grip on the darkness she had starting to slip away as he shifted to concern for her.

"Yeah! Fine, you idiot, focus on you!" she growled back, feeling his darkness surge up a bit as he was rebuked. This is a pretty inexact thing we're dealing with here… she thought and kept her focus on him. "There!" she shouted suddenly as she felt that terrible roar reverberate from him. "That's it! I can 'feel' it, the Nine-Tails in you has your darkness in with it… you're going to have to face it, it's right near the fox."

Naruto groaned a bit, "Just when I thought I could avoid the bastard a little…"

"No!" Karin shouted, "no no, it isn't the fox, he's dark that's true, but you've got to separate your own darkness from him and deal with that first, right?" Naruto grunted agreement, and Karin continued, "just try and visualize it and deal with it in your head, I'll do my best to tell you whether it is getting subdued or growing too much."

Naruto let out a small "mmm" of agreement and approval, and resolve creased his features as he sat there perfectly still. The two sat in silence, Karin was intently focused on Naruto while he was in deep concentration focused inward. Aside from the occasional breeze stirring their clothes and hair, both were motionless and only the occasional words from Karin broke the silence. She'd say things like: "You're letting it get away!" or "No, don't dig too deep!" to keep him focused. The only feature on them that changed and moved was their faces. Karin had begun to sweat from the effort while Naruto actually started to sway a little bit, as though losing his balance despite his stable position.

After a few minutes, he fell backwards panting, and Karin did likewise. "Geez, this is difficult! Every time I think I've got an edge on it, it slips away or evades me!" he complained.

"Oh yeah? You've got the easy part! I've got to try and keep you focused on it, while making sure you don't go deeper than you can handle!" Karin yelled at him.

"This isn't going to be easy…" he muttered.

"Is anything when you're involved…?" Karin asked in a sarcastic fashion, but both started to laugh at the embarrassing level of accuracy in her statement.

"Anyways, lets get those other three back, I'll answer any questions you've got about me and my uhm…" Naruto struggled with how to phrase it.

"Yeah, the fox, I know… and… shit! What'll the others think!" she hurried to her feet and helped him up too, wiping her forehead with her sleeve. "Oh god, the things I'm gonna have to hear from Iruka…" she groaned.

"Like what?" Naruto asked, not bothering to wipe away any sweat. She didn't answer and just pushed him along, back towards where the others were.

Several minutes later, and many angry rants from Yamato about how dangerous what they had done was, the group had all been caught up and were standing in a loose circle.

"Can't deny that what they did took brass, even if he is a pain in the ass!" Bee noted in his usual rhyming fashion.

"Yeah, okay, sorry, I know it was dangerous, but at least we know what she does works perfectly for it… now if only I could find a way to actually do it…" Naruto was trying to think while pleading to the others for any ideas.

Karin decided to offer whatever analysis she could, as a matter of scientific pride! she told herself. "Firstly, your darkness is most 'exposed' when you're in emotional turmoil. So somewhere rich in bad and powerful memories would probably work best for this. You'd be surrounded by your darkness and it'd be easier to achieve the state you have to be in to actually deal with it in the first place. Secondly, it is kind of awful on me, it wears me out more than you, so I'll need more routine breaks… but the more we do it, the more familiar you're bound to get and it'll get easier. So we should try as frequently as either of us can handle. Lastly, we need to figure out what a 'success' even is… Bee?" she turned to the man, inquiringly.

"Hmmm" the dark-skinned man rubbed his chin, seemingly in thought, but seconds later it was revealed he had been attempting to find a rhyme, unsuccessfully. "I'm gonna have to give this guy some pointers motha'fucka'!"

Yamato cringed. "Alright, we'll split up for a moment, Naruto, get any pointers you can from Bee, I'll set up to help restrain you if you go out of control so we can try again. Iruka, you can take this time to keep training with Karin until we're ready for her again."

"Alright, sounds good!" Iruka nodded.

"…oh goody, I get to work double-shifts." Karin frowned, knowing that she had no say in the matter.

Karin sat, catching her breath and getting ready to 'sense' for Naruto again. What a hassle! This is so much work, but I guess I did say I wanted to be pushed to my limits… didn't think I'd wind up regretting that so soon! Ah but… she looked up and saw Naruto taking deep breaths and readying himself while Bee whispered advice into his ear. I guess there are worse things I could spend my time doing… or worse people I could spend it with. This way I get to spend more time with him too… and in a way get to know him better? Nah, that's later, he said he'd answer any questions I have… but what should I ask? "Did it suck growing up with the Nine-Tails inside of you?" Oh gee, that'll be a really difficult one to answer. I mean, how 'nice' could that have been? Wow… her thoughts were interrupted as she felt the full blaze of Naruto's chakra. It's practically the opposite of Sasuke… it is hard to look at it's so bright! I guess Bee told him that it's better to go full force… or maybe because Yamato can restrain him now…? Still… wow, that's a lot of energy, it's kind of making me a bit giddy just being close to it and sensing it.

"Karin, we're all ready, let's begin." Yamato said from the side.

"I'm pretty sure the one who gets to say when we start is Naruto, not you Woody." she snidely threw back at him and was rewarded with a growl for the use of his 'nickname'. She heard Naruto and Iruka both chuckle a bit, and grinned.

"I'm ready Karin." Naruto said at last, his eyes closed, his tone and face both wholly serious. She nodded, not that he could see it and closed her eyes as well to resume her focus on him, shutting out the others chakra from her perception to leave just his. When she was done her own preparations, she gave a small 'ready' of her own and felt Naruto start to plunge into his own thoughts.

Here we go again… she sighed a bit internally, knowing that the warmth of his chakra was about to go away as he immersed himself in his darkness to try and come to grips with it. Ugh, it's so savage and selfish! How much of this is the fox and how much is Naruto though? I can't quite separate the two as well I'd like to be able to. No… this can't be Naruto, not him, he's stronger than that… wait… huh? She snapped out of her thoughts and called out "Naruto! That! Whatever you're thinking of! Focus on it. More! What you've got right now feels more like 'you' and less like the fox!" That's it! That's what I can ask him about! …wait… if I ask him about all the negative stuff in his life to try and learn what I can focus on and help him discover… that'll drive a pretty big wedge between us. This sucks… either I do my job better… or I get to know him better… wonder if I can somehow juggle both… she snapped out of her thoughts suddenly and signaled Yamato. "Rein him in a bit, I can feel it slipping away."

"On it!" he replied, clapping his hands together and summoned several branches that twined around Naruto who remained motionless even as energy bubbled out over him. The branches seemed to be eating the energy and kept from expanding any further. "I'm holding it back, but I can't reduce it without messing this up for you!" Yamato added.

Karin nodded and kept her focus on Naruto. "Okay, Naruto, you have to focus on the things that are negative for you, not the fox. Its hatred and darkness are getting in the way, but you need to solve your own before you can worry about it." She kept her voice flat and even, so as not to interrupt his concentration or her own. Naruto gave no sign that he'd heard her, but she could sense his darkness ebb and change slightly. This is going to be a very long day… she thought bitterly and kept focusing and guiding where she could.

Hours later, the training was over. Karin was lying on her back on the grass staring at the night sky, a few feet from Naruto who was doing the same. The others had left, having various things to do and having been satisfied with the progress both the two young ninja had made today.

"Ugh, my whole everything hurts." Naruto whispered.

"At least you don't feel like you've been surrounded by the dark and disturbing all day. I'm having a hard time remembering happy things are possible." Karin countered.

"No matter what I do, I can only fight it to a standstill! It's no good… though I suppose that's a step up from not even being able to confront it…"

"Yeah, come on, look on the bright side, you get to achieve some great new power if you succeed. All I get is a pat on the back and a 'thanks for the hard work'!"

"Karin?" Naruto rolled on to his side to sort of face her.

"Yeah?" She matched his motion to look back at him.

"Is it really that much of a burden to you?" He sounded sincerely apologetic.

She paused, considering his tone and thought about it, then smiled warmly, "If it were anyone else, I'd say yes." and was inwardly elated when she saw him smile happily at her reply.

"So, how's Konoha for ya?" He quickly threw out, changing the subject.

"Hah, what little of it I get to see is nice, I suppose it feels good to really have a purpose again though. I mean, under Orochimaru you only have his purposes, and under Sasuke was no different. Under Akatsuki was the worst, I didn't even know what purposes we were being put to, but they weren't good, that's for sure." She mused and saw his rapt attention and felt compelled to continue. "I like it here. It's just, I feel like I'm worth more and, like I said, having a purpose of your own makes all the difference."

Naruto nodded, "Yeah, I can empathize with that. I didn't have a purpose for a while, even here. Part of the whole 'you have the thing that destroyed the village inside you' deal. Now I'm a hero. It's a bit of a switch."

Karin smirked, "Something tells me you were always playing the hero, or at least, wanted to be." Naruto grinned with a 'caught me' expression on his face. Karin sighed, but all of a sudden flashed a mischievous grin: "So I'm curious, why were you so worried about me reading your thoughts? Got something naughty going on up in that blonde mess?"

Naruto's face turned a light shade of pink and he rolled onto his back again. "Ahh, it's just umm… your thoughts are private ya know?"

She matched his motion again and stared at the night sky. "Yeah… yeah I do."

"Hmm?"

"Oh, was just thinking about some things."

"Like what?"

"Well, like what you're going to do after you master that thing inside you."

"Oh… well, it doesn't really matter does it? I'm just glad you got to know me for me, and don't think less of me because of it."

She felt her face flush at that, "Geez you're dense sometimes you know?" she mustered as much haughtiness as she could to recover her poise, "I just meant, I've been seeing you everywhere, and now this training? I can't get away from you it seems. I'll only be getting away from you after this training is over it looks like."

"Oh! Oh… did you want to?" he sounded crestfallen.

"No!" the answer was jerked from her before she could think about it and all of her poise went with it, her face turning a bit brighter a shade of pink. "I just meant…"

"It's okay, I know what you mean. This all feels a little forced or coincidental…" His voice betrayed a bit of confusion, as though he was only saying it to stop her from having to explain it for him.

"Well, I keep getting shunted around from circumstances and people giving me only a few options. I kind of want to pick for myself." She held up a hand as though to grab the stars above her.

"Well, I guess I can't really complain about these circumstances and people… they brought you here after all…" he mused idly and heard a tiny gasp from her before she could stifle it. He laughed nervously, trying to cover up what he'd said somewhat, "Heh, what would you pick for you, Karin?"

"I think…" She turned to look at him staring up at the sky. She stared quietly at the wonder on his face and the friendly smile she'd grown familiar of. "I think I'd pick…"

He slowly turned to look back at her, realizing she'd been staring at him. "Karin? Are you alright? Your face is all red, I can see it even in the twilight."

She shook her head a bit and sat up, turning away from him and breathing heavily. What in the world is going on? Why can't I look at his face? Every time I try, I feel like… like… She got up and looked over her shoulder at him. "I… I… I'll see you tomorrow." she dashed away, expecting him to follow and relieved when he didn't. She fell onto her bed and lay there, staring at the ceiling and not even seeing it. Her heart was beating so fast and so hard she felt she could hear it in the still darkness. Oh my god, my chest is so tight… this isn't like him… this isn't like me around him! This isn't some crush on good looks… this is… this is… do I like him? She mouthed a word at the ceiling, not pronouncing it outside of her head. If anyone had seen it, they would've been certain it could only have been one thing. "Naruto."

What other obstacles could lie in the path of Naruto's training? The maidens of Konoha!