Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Tutor et Ultor ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and its characters…except for my own created OCs.

This chapter is dedicated to my friend, P-chan and to all those who reviewed me.

To Kuroi Hikari: About the recaps? I'll do some more like the kiss and the thing with Haku (with a lot of revisions) but other than that it's purely mine. Hope you like this chapter and thanks for the review.

To Wolfgirl13: Naruto is loyal to his family and to Konohagakure.

To ghostninja85: Sasunaru? Don't worry, I also like this couple but I also think that Nejinaru is cute too.

To KCxis: You're right, the last part was so not me. Even I am disappointed with how it turned out… Thus I decided to revise it and delete the insertion of the anime's first episode. I do hope you'll like this chapter more and thanks for the review.

To kugatso-go: Hi! Thanks for the review and here's the next chapter.

To SilverKnight7: Here's the next installment and the pairings are…. I'm not sure yet…

To RuByMoOn17: Here's the next installment.

Tutor et Ultor

Formerly known as 'Shards of My Secret Unkempt'

"What are you doing here? Only those who graduated are supposed to be here?" One the kids asked Naruto as he spotted the blonde boy sitting in the far corner of the room.

"I graduated, obviously. Or are you blind?" Naruto replied, pointing to his new hitai-ate.

"Bu-but… y-you f-failed…" The boy, Ken, tried to articulate as he tried to save face in front of his friends.

"Shows how much you know…" Naruto gave a snort as he stared down the other boy.

"YOU!!!!!!!!!" Ken screamed as he sent Naruto a punch.

He was shocked however when Naruto caught his fist and replied. "Leave me alone. I'm in no mood for play." And indeed, Naruto looked different… more different than usual. His normally blue eyes were a deep indigo and his mouth was shaped in a frown. The moment Naruto released him; he fell back and quickly crawled away from the enraged blonde.

After their brief confrontation, Naruto chanced a look at Sasuke. He saw the girls fawning over him and a smirk was displayed on his lips as a new plan formulated in his mind. A few days of watching Sasuke in school had already gotten him threats via the fangirls, telling him that if he even dared to seduce the pale boy that they would kill him. It was laughable but he did have to give them credit for their determination when it was obvious that the boy despised them. A rivalry of sorts will not cause them to be suspicious of me and it will also cover more loopholes when thinking up a good reason when I get caught staring…. He thought as he watched the pink-haired girl latch unto Sasuke's arm before she was pushed away by the other girls who were all vying for the Uchiha's attention.

Deciding on his plan of action, Naruto jumped up on to Sasuke's desk and glared at his face. He is calm, seemingly not bothered with our close proximity… but there's something wrong, his face is different……… His ears are red?

"What in seven blazes are you doing, Naruto?" Yuki, one of Sasuke's fan girls screamed at him, almost breaking the eye contact between them.

The boy infront of them, wondering what the commotion was about, chanced a look behind him. However this action caused him to bump into our favorite loudmouth ninja, causing his lips to touch with Sasuke's. I'm kissing him. I'm kissing Uchiha Sasuke…. Itachi is SO going to kill me!

"How stupid can you get, NARUTO?!!!!!!" Sakura screamed at Naruto when her shock had worn off. "I'LL KILL YOU!!!!!! You stole Sasuke-kun's first kiss!!!!!" And she proceeded to whack him on the head a number of times.

"It was just an accident, girl. It's not as if I wanted that to happen. Eeew!!!" Naruto tried to explain, furiously wiping away at his mouth with the sleeve of his orange jumpsuit. Hm, his lips were soft…. BAAHHH….. Mentally, he shook his head while he bore a disgusted expression on the outside, pretending to be angry at the incident.

Before any more body harm could be delivered to the blonde boy however, Iruka arrived along with the Hokage and they proceeded to announce that genins will be grouped into threes. "Every group is balanced. One weak, one strong, and one smart….Team 7: Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto, and Uchiha Sasuke!" Iruka announced, looking over at the Hokage to see a barely noticeable nod. Naruto's reaction however was not as pleasant. He demanded to be put in another team without that stuck-up Uchiha. His request was ignored however as the Hokage informed him that the decisions were final.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ten minutes into break, Sasuke found himself fighting the idiot from class. Their fight was ended however when only he emerged from the cloud of smoke that surrounded them. Intending to walk back into the Academy, he saw Sakura moping on the park bench alone. They talked for awhile before she admitted that she would do anything for him to acknowledge her because she likes him so much. She then leaned closer to him to give him a kiss….

Their lips brushed together and when they both opened their eyes, Sakura whispered "Why aren't you falling over dead?"

Sasuke cried out, as if fire was burning and scorching him inside out "What?!!" He asked Sakura as he clung to her, pain ripping him apart.

*Sakura* suddenly smirked, her hands clasped together. Smoke filled her place and when they vanished, a girl with slit green eyes and violet hair stood in her place. "Too bad you have to die, Buh-bay, sweety…"

"Not really…"

"Nani?!" The girl gasped, surprised as Sasuke unexpectedly changed to Naruto, the pained expression gone… replaced with a smug but angry look.

"Somehow, I knew it was right to trust my instincts." Naruto said as he grasped her neck in a tight hold.

"What?" she asked breathlessly as she was lifted from the ground.

"You don't get it do you? How about I explain…" He again tightened his hold until her pale face became more pallid. "You don't threaten or hurt the Uchiha, understand? No one … Or else, they die by my hand…"

Unbeknownst to them both, someone was watching them from one of the trees. He was surprised earlier at the venom he heard in Naruto's voice and the strength he displayed… It was unlike the Naruto from before… as if they were two different entities. I suppose this is the real Naruto. He is strong… But why does he hide it? Hm… He is curiously intriguing… worthy of attention… But why

protectSasuke when the boy could protect himself?  His thoughts were interrupted when he heard the cruel snap of the girl's neck. "Poor girl." Shikamaru sighed quietly, watching Naruto drop the girl's corpse before returning to his former task… watching the clouds.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

At the other side of the school, the real Sasuke and Sakura were engaged in a conversation about Naruto.

"…. Naruto can really do whatever he wants, if I acted the way he did, my parents would get so mad. In a way he's lucky, all alone with no parents getting on his case, and that is why he misbehaves so much." Sakura ranted, frustrated that the only time Sasuke deemed her worthy of his attention he wanted to talk about Naruto, stupid obnoxious Naruto.

Sasuke's eyes darkened at the words. "The sadness of having a parent yell at you is nowhere near what Naruto feels." He said with his voice in a low monotone. You don't understand… you won't until you lose them.

"What? Is something wrong, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked confused with his words.

Sasuke frowned at her and replied before leaving. "You are annoying."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

That night, Uzumaki Kenji for the first time in three years left the Uzumaki clan house. "How fares the Uchiha child?" Kenji asked as he stopped by his grandson's apartment.

"He is strong enough to be a Chuunin. Once he learns to use his sharingan and master its usage, he could easily give Itachi a run for his money." Naruto chuckled after relating some instances wherein Sasuke had displayed his strength.

"I see… and the Hyuga's, how are they?"

"They are strong but…"

"But…" Kenji prompted as he curiously watched Naruto's face for some clue.

"… but Hiashi's heir, Hinata, she holds no confidence in her abilities. How can she when everyone else believes her to be weak?"

"Belief is such a powerful thing. It can cripple or strengthen… And what do you think of their prodigy child?" He asked, curious of the thoughts that passed the young fox's mind

"He is strong as he is weak. Unlike his cousin, his weakness lies in his bitterness… such is the curse of the Hyuga Branch House…"

"That is the greatest difference of the Hyuga's and the Uchiha's. The Hyuga's value the elder, holding more favor over one instead of giving it equally while the Uchiha's believe on equal strength making them unbeatable…"

"Twas' a pity they died…"

"…"

"But more pity to their heirs… they hold much weight over their heads…" Especially Itachi as he bears his brother's hate.

Seeing the faraway look on Naruto's face, Kenji remarked. "Out of all of us, you understand Itachi the most. Bearing hate from others, it is nothing abnormal for you…"

"I know. But his pain is worse for the one who hates him, he loves…"

"Maybe…"

"…" They fell silent after that, Naruto staring at the cup before him, deep in concentration.

"Naruto?"

"Kyubi tells me that Itachi successfully joined Akatsuki." Naruto started, his eyes unfocused.

"Really?"

"Hai. It seems that Kisame had joined the Akatsuki again as Itachi. The group also believes Kisame to be dead… killed in his encounter with Orochimaru, which he is but not by Orochimaru's hand …."

Kenji then laughed, amused at his grandson's omniscient behavior. "These are the times that I feel you are lucky… for with the Kyubi inside you; many things are revealed to us."

"Kyubi said that you should keep quiet. He is talking to the fox we sent to watch over Orochimaru."

"And?"

"He has taken over Sound."

"Hidden Sound? When?"

"Long before, the fox said. It was only now that they confirmed it."

"That will complicate things…."

"Yes."

"Anything else?" Kenji asked.

"What?!!!" Naruto gasped, as his eyes turned a briliiant purple.

"Is there a problem, Naruto?"

"Kyubi said they found someone like me…"

"…"

"Gaara of Hidden Sand."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Meanwhile in the Hokage's house, a meeting was going on. Iruka, Kakashi, a handful of jounins, and the Hokage sat in the dining room. They were currently having their tea as they spoke of tightening the security around the village. Asuma suggested that jounins surround the place but Kurenai insisted that it would only cause panic and fear among the villagers. While they were arguing about the pros and cons of it, Kakashi was staring at the bothered Iruka. Their eyes met and the memories of that day flooded Kakashi's mind.

~Flashback~

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."After saying the words, twenty clones of Itachi abruptly appeared, surrounding Kakashi.

With nowhere to run, Kakashi made some hand seals and shouted. "Katon Karyuu Endan." A massive flame blast appeared and burnt up all the Itachi clones. Upon seeing his clones gone, Itachi materialized behind him stabbing him with a kunai on his shoulder.

"Not training as much as you should, Kakashi? You disappoint me." Itachi commented as he again disappeared from view.

Reappearing before the jounin, he was poised for a finishing attack. He faltered however when a voice shouted "STOP!!!" His eyes widened in surprise at Iruka's intrusion.

Distracted, he wasn't able to deflect the kick Kakashi sent his way. But Kakashi didn't stop there, as he ran after Itachi and threw several shuriken in his direction. Itachi caught the shuriken that was aimed for his chest, quickly throwing it back from where it came from. A tap on his shoulder made him turn around. He struck out with his leg, connecting his foot to Kakashi's shoulder. Both males went flying. Itachi struggled to his feet to see Iruka kneeling beside Kakashi, asking him if he was alright. He sighed, watching their interaction for awhile before deciding to leave.

"You are lucky, Kakashi, for I do not feel like killing today. Goodbye." And with his right hand, Itachi then threw a smoke bomb on the ground, creating a smoke screen, leaving the village with a sad smile on his lips.

~End Flashback~

"He faltered when he saw Iruka." He mumbled to himself, not at all listening to the important meeting going on in the room.

"Did you say something, Kakashi?" The Hokage asked, his eyes shimmering with barely hidden amusement. Iruka interrupted their fighting… Itachi must have slipped because of his appearance. The third thought as his eyes brushed upon the absent-minded chuunin. His mouth twitched involuntarily as he noticed the frown on the unusually serious jounin.

Kakashi briefly glanced at the younger chuunin before coming to a decision. I will protect you, Iruka. That I promise…

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

He lay on the bed, motionless and eyes closed. For a long time, he stayed like this. The meeting was adjourned hours ago but the Hokage's parting words haunted him, flooding his being. Doesn't Naruto remind you of him? Of Itachi? They are not so different. Both of them were trapped in roles that others handed to them. Itachi was given recognition but he was also given fear. Naruto was ignored but also feared. They both have very few who trust them. I see how much you care for Naruto but the question is, do you still trust Itachi? The Hokage had asked him

before he left.

"Why, Itachi? Why?" Iruka murmured as his eyes drooped down, his memories imprisoning him in a lovers' embrace, unwilling to let go.

// "Wha..?" Iruka mumbled, confused. He looked down himself to see that he was wearing pajamas and was in his bed.

"Did I wake you?" His silent intruder asked.

Irukasquinted his eyes to look at him, trying to figure out who his unexpected visitor was. "Itachi?" He asked after blinking to the sudden light. It was apparent that Itachi had grown tired of his guessing and just opened the lights for him.

"Did I wake you?" He asked again.

"Well, yes. But it's fine. Don't worry about…." Iruka trailed off, his eyes which have now adjusted to the light were focused on Itachi's *wet* clothes. He briefly glanced to the window to confirm that a storm was brewing in Konoha. ".. You went out in the rain?!!!" Iruka glared at the Uchiha.

Itachiblinked and blinked again for good measure before replying to Iruka's motherly scold. "Yes."

"Take your clothes off, NOW!!!" Iruka commanded as he stared at the pale teen before him.

Itachiraised an eyebrow. "I think your time with Hatake-san has corrupted you, Iru-chan."

 "You know what I mean, Ita-chan,." Iruka replied, annoyed, blushing at the implication of Itachi's words before strolling to the cabinet beside his bed

"Of course."

"I suppose you're staying the night so you can change to this." Iruka told Itachi, handing him a pair of pajamas like what Iruka was wearing.

After they settled for the night, Iruka turned to Itachi to ask. "Why did you come?"

"…because I thought you needed company." Itachi replied after a deep pause.

As the words spilled from Itachi's mouth, the mood of the scene changed. Iruka's mask fell to the ground and his eyes burst to tears. He clung to Itachi as he sobbed. "Why? Why did they have to die? Why did they leave me"

"Ssh. I'm here. I'll always be here." He murmured, watching Iruka sob his heart out as they lay side by side on the bed. When the sobs lessened and finally stopped, Itachi chanced a look at Iruka. Iruka had fallen asleep on top of Itachi due to emotional exhaustion, and Itachi let him. His normally cold sharingan eyes warmed when they settled atop his friend. And when the moon hid

behindthe clouds, he pressed his lips to Iruka's forehead and whispered into

thenight. "I'll protect you, Iruka. I promise. No one will hurt you… or else I

willkill them…"//

To be continued…..

AN: Hope you like this… Please review!!!

ChibiP-chan: Was it just me or were there issues on protection going around in here? Seriously... Galing ni Mie-chan!