Author note: I really love Pokémon, and Naruto fanfiction. Mix them, and what do we have?

This atrocity - created by yours truly - someone with no experience writing. Enjoy! c:

PS: Just in case, I'll rate this M. I don't trust myself.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor Pokémon.

Adventures

Chapter I

A cat, a mouse, a playhouse, a rope, and a chair

"Naruto! Graduation day, remember!?"

Groaning the blonde in question rolled around in his warm comfortable bed, burying his head under the orange pillow. He desperately muffled his ears for the peace of his ears'.

Goddamnit… what does he want now? Let me sleep in for just one day, would'ya!?

Banging fists assaulted the blonde's door – as per usual, and the sleepy boy pushed his head further into his pillow, until something made itself very clear in his mind. Graduation…?

With a jolt Naruto jumped up, and with an enthusiastic tone he shouted:

"Holy Miltank, you're right mutt!"

Rummaging through his drawer Naruto slapped on a black shirt, his black zip-up hoodie with two orange stripes, a pair of dark blue jeans, and his black sneakers with yet again orange stripes. He grabbed the light blue and black backpack beside his bed and took a quick check in the mirror. Hmm…

He had all of his clothes on, and he had already triple-checked yesterday that everything he would need was in his backpack. His spiky tousled blonde hair, drowsy blue eyes and whisker birthmarks met his sight. Something seemed out of place…

He spotted a green object on the bedside table, and instantly knew what it was. A pang of nostalgia went through him at the sight of his goggles, but he refrained from putting them on his head, instead grinning to himself and heading out the door.

…Quickly, almost ramming into Kiba.

Kiba's deadpan and slightly annoyed expression said everything. "Watch where you go idiot." Kiba closed the door behind him and began heading down the narrow hallway, Naruto already on his heels.

The blonde smirked in amusement, "It's not my fault your reflexes suck, mutt." He dodged a half-hearted swing and a maybe not so half-hearted growl, snickering, before the smell hit them both. Swiftly exchanging glances, they both sped up until they were just outside the kitchen door.

"You're a god Shino!" Kiba exclaimed, salivating inside his mind. Meat.

For once, there was food on the table – and not just any food! There were bacon, toast with jam, orange juice… Only one more thing could make the day better.

Ever observant, Shino immediately gave Naruto a warning eye when he took one step towards the cupboard.

"No ramen."

Groaning the blonde slumped his back, but headed towards the small wooden table where Shino and now Kiba were already seated. "Yes mom," he grumbled and sat down. Although their kitchen and dorm in general sure wasn't impressive in size, it fit them all, if barely.

He grabbed tons of food, and then couldn't hold it anymore.

His sparkling eyes met Kiba's equally animated ones, although his excitement was slightly more concealed. "I have no idea what Pokémon I'm gonna pick. You guys?"

With a mouthful of bacon in his mouth, Kiba grinned and set his fork down. "I won't spoil, but I have a pretty damn good idea!" He closed his eyes and nodded, as if he just said something sagely. "I'm still going to check out all the options though, just in case."

"I will be selecting a bug type, as it is the Aburame's, and by extension, also my preference. Although similar to you Naruto, I am… hesitant as to what species. Why? Bec-"

Interrupting the Aburame with contained exasperation, Kiba gave him an understanding smile. "We get it Shino. Hard to know before you see your choices right?" Turning to Naruto he eyed him thoughtfully. "Are there any types you're interested in atleast?"

Naruto gazed down into his glass of orange juice, frowning a little bit but a stubborn smile remaining on his lips. A grass type would be good for starting out, they're usually really friendly and calm and all that jazz… but fire-types are so cool!

"I don't know. As you know Mom's got a fire-type, and Dad's got an electric-type, so maybe one of those since I know them. To be honest I'd be psyched with any type." At that he looked up and beamed.

Kiba and Shino shared amused smiles unknowingly to Naruto. "Certainly, a fire or electric-type seems appropriate for your character."

The blonde gave the collared boy a skeptical look. "Is that a compliment or insult bug-boy?"

"Both?"

They all laughed (or chuckled in Shino's case), and continued their meals the rest of the time without talking, their stomachs craving attention.

After cleaning the table - Kiba and Naruto for once helping out - they all headed out the door at the same time.

Six figures surprisingly met their sight, and Naruto and Kiba grinned in surprise, while Shino remained in the background, his surprise portrayed in the form of his unmoving body.

"We met up on our way to the classroom, so we decided our groups could all walk together today right? Though we would have totally ditched you if you made us wait five more minutes." The other blonde of the Rookie 9 spoke, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

Sasuke, with his back already turned to all of them, mumbled over his shoulder. "I can't believe I had to wait and wake you..."

Feeling his temper flare up, the blonde pushed his anger down for once in favor of grinning at Ino. "That's a great idea! Have you all decided what partner you're picking?"

The Yamanaka gave him a sly smirk. "Yep, but for the sake of suspension I won't let you know yet." She began to walk behind Sasuke, and naturally the group followed her.

Ever the devoted Sasuke-follower, Naruto and Sakura thought with a fond grin.

Sakura piped up shooting a mischievous look at Hinata, who was walking beside her and behind Ino. She flipped her long pink hair mockingly behind her, "Always the one for theatrics."

Hinata giggled quietly, hiding her smile behind a dainty hand when Ino threw a falsely betrayed look at her.

Sakura then gave Naruto her attention, giving him a rare not menacing smile. "Judging by how you're asking and not telling, I'm guessing you haven't decided yet?"

Naruto gave her a sheepish smile, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Always right, Sakura-chan. So have you decided?"

Sakura looked up at the ceiling, seemingly thoughtful. "Almost, but I'm going to follow Ino's example and not tell." She smirked at him slightly, then caught up to the long-haired blonde. Naruto pouted.

"No fair".

Hinata looked at him sympathetically, and blushed a little when his attention shifted to her. "I-if it's to any help Naruto-kun, they h-haven't told me either." Although I tried bribing it out of Ino a couple of times with pudding.

Naruto didn't look or feel all too shocked at that fact even though the girls were dorm-mates just like him, Kiba and Shino. "Figures, Kiba and Shino haven't told me anything either. In all fairness, Shino is 'hesitant as to what species' he should pick." He snickered. "Have you 'determined who to select' yet?"

Hinata giggled and looked to the direction where the Aburame and Inuzuka were speaking to each other, nodding her head slowly.

"I c-can see Shino-kun saying something like that, and w-well… I w-will be c-choosing a f-fighting type Pokémon…"

Kiba and Shino piped up at the Aburame's name, Kiba smiling predatorily – jesting, although Shino was uncertain as to whether Hinata was privy to this - at Hinata. "You talkin' shit about us again Hinata-chan?"

Peeping loudly and blushing brightly, Hinata mumbled something, ducked her head, and quickly ran to catch up to the girls. The three dorm-mates laughed together at that.

"Troublesome." They all turned around at the familiar word, Naruto and Kiba rolling their eyes.

"Have you determined what species to partner with yet, Shikamaru-san?"

At that, Naruto looked at Kiba and snickered with him. Minds in sync, they both thought this will be fun.

Shino slowed down to match the considerably slower pace of the Nara, and they fell into a comfortable silence as Shikamaru mulled over his answer and rolled his eyes. Well, it was either that, or losing unconsciousness for a few seconds, Naruto decided.

"As you know Shino-san, my clan, the Yamanaka and the Akimichi don't really believe in choosing suitable partners. We're probably being stuck with the usual boar, butterfly, and deer-like Pokémon." And there are so many deer-like Pokémon. Billions. What a complex problem, I wonder what to choose…

"I don't really mind that," Chouji, who was walking beside Shikamaru the whole time and munching on his chips, turned to speak. "I wouldn't have any idea who to pick anyway."

Naruto piped up. "Ino won't be very happy though." She'll definitely throw a fit if the Pokémon chosen for her isn't cute. He shuddered. Ino's fits were scary, almost as scary as Sakura's.

Shikamaru snorted. "Atleast there are a couple of pig-like Pokémon."

Shino nodded at all of them, and the five boys ambled into the room that had been designated as their classroom for the past 6 years now.

That would take an end today. It was a solemn thought – gleeful if you asked Naruto -, but they could visit.

Seating himself beside Sakura – wishing he could have sat beside Sasuke so he could pester the emo - Naruto yelled at Shikamaru and Chouji to hurry up.

"Some of us are excited for today!"

Sakura glowered at him and he ducked his head a little, her inner agreement unbeknownst to him.

Why are there so many loudmouthed blondes in my life? I wish I could have sat next to Hinata… though getting a seat next to Sasuke before Ino is a definite win.

Naruto glanced at Sakura warily when her expression changed from annoyed to spiteful in the matter of a second. Although nice most of the time, he would not risk her anger today. The blonde gulped a little, looking to the front of the classroom, where Iruka sat.

"Firstly Naruto, be quiet, and secondly, finally we can start. Sasuke-kun, couldn't you atleast today have made your dorm-mates get to the lesson on time?" Iruka sighed out in his usual worn-out way, not caring to listen to the grunted "hn" two seats away from Naruto.

Looking at Shikamaru and Chouji tiredly, Iruka gave them a stern smile. "Just because it's graduation day today, I'll let you off."

None of them replied, Shikamaru yawning and Chouji munching on his barbeque chips.

Grumbling "whatever" under his breath as he could already hear the chatter beginning, the annoyed but excited teacher cleared his throat. "Are you all ready to receive your partners!?"

A chorus of thrilled assents roared throughout the class of 30 preteens. Iruka smiled, finally having all of their attention.

"As I already went through the 'sappy and boring talk' yesterday - yes I'm not deaf Naruto," The blonde in question chuckled " – we'll just begin. Aburame Shino, come to the front." Iruka waved his hand dismissingly and then waved Shino forward.

Standing in front of Shino with his desk cluttered full of Pokédexes, badge- and ribbon cases, Trainer-cards, empty Pokéballs and headbands behind him, Iruka began the obligatory and traditionary speech for all Academy students who had successfully passed the Academy exam. He placed his hand on Shino's shoulder.

"Aburame Shino, from today on you are by Konohagakure law officially a legitimate Genin Pokémon trainer. This enables you to travel the world and carry out missions for your village, Konohagakure, with your Genin team and Jounin-sensei. By receiving and accepting this Trainer-card and headband, you agree to all of the responsibilities of a Genin and Pokémon trainer of Konohagakure. By receiving and accepting this Trainer-card, you will also receive a free of charge Pokédex, five Pokéballs, a badge- and ribbon case, and a Konohagakure headband. Do you accept it, and thereby the responsibilities it demands?"

Naruto watched as Shino gazed at the Trainer-card deeply contemplative (something he could only after years of knowing the bug-boy differ from his usual stoicness). Then the boy proclaimed his approval with a heavy nod.

"I accept it."

Nodding back approvingly Iruka smiled proudly at the young boy while handing over the items. "Go to the laboratory, the rest of the class will meet you there in a couple of minutes. Also," at this Iruka's eyes softened. "Congratulations."

Iruka smiled proudly at him all the way until he walked out the door while tying his headband around his forehead, and then called for the next one in the list to come forth.

He gave the obligatory speech to all of his student with every one of his graduates accepting, before heading to the laboratory. Naruto accompanied him, overjoyed with his new black headband resting snuggly on his forehead. The metal glinted in the light of the hallway lamps.

"I can't believe we're finally trainers! I've waited so long for this! How many Pokémon are there to choose from?" Naruto beamed.

Iruka could feel his lips quirk up. "Enough for all of you to be satisfied and more."

He groaned. "That's no fair Iruka-sensei!" It sucked that everybody refused to say anything today. It was made even worse when Iruka-sensei's smile split into a grin for a brief second. "I'm seriously gonna die if I don't get answers soon…"

They reached the laboratory after a minute or two more of Naruto complaining, the place being in the same building as the Academy, only a floor up. Everyone was already waiting impatiently there, looking expectantly at the pony-tail wearing teacher when they arrived.

"I want you all to sit on the floor and make a circle, as big as this room permits." Iruka said, sobering up as he went to sit on the floor.

Naruto went to sit beside Hinata, waving slightly at her, and then watched Iruka as he sat himself in the middle of the circle.

"Now, this was the way my teacher went about this when I graduated. I think it's a great way to deal out Pokémon for large classes."

He then zipped up the big brown bag that had been slung over his shoulders the whole way there, and the whole room of thirtyone people went quiet – so quiet, Naruto could in fact hear Hinata inhale.

The bag was full of Pokéballs. There had to be at the least eighty in there.

Iruka rummaged through the bag, before taking out three balls and making his way toward Ino.

He knelt in front of her gently. "I want you to open this at the same time as I open all the others - and don't worry," he gave her an amused smile.

Ino gulped a little at the shiny red and white ball in her hand, the metallic feel of it in her hand only encouraging her anxiousness, before nodding a little.

He walked to Chouji next, and gave him the second Pokéball. He smiled at the boy looking at the ball in his hand with wonder. "You'll make your dad proud."

Lastly, he strolled over to Shikamaru, who gave him a bored glance. "I know you're probably already aware of what's in this ball, Chouji's, and Ino's, but I know you'll love it even so." He handed it over to the Nara, and even though he still looked bored, there was a slight fascination in his eyes as he nodded at his teacher.

Naruto's composure was running thin. What Pokémon were their partners? What Pokémon would he choose as a partner?

Iruka seated himself in the middle again, and looked at them all mischievously. He then tossed the bag high into the air.

The laboratory shone with red light, blinding them all. And then, the room was absolutely filled to the brim.

Everyone squealed at the figures erupting from the red light, well mostly everyone, while Naruto just sat there dumbstruck. It's finally happening.

He looked around, turning his head in all directions at breakneck speed. He caught sight of a Pidgey, Hoppip, Scraggy, Ducklett, Litwick, something he thought looked like Natu, Litleo, Espurr, Wooper, Grubbin… there were so many different Pokémon he couldn't process anything.

Suddenly a blue canine looking Pokémon jumped onto Hinata. His eyes widened.

Hinata looked down slightly startled, her eyes an uncertain, wary but still strangely unsurprised white. For several seconds, the navy-haired girl and the creature simply stared.

And then at an unknown signal, Hinata smiled gently as usual, her whole face returning to it's usual warmth.

Something caught Naruto's eyes before he could marvel at the exchange too deeply.

He didn't know if it was because of how tiny it was, (it was around twenty centimeters tall, tops), or the fact that it probably hadn't moved an inch since coming out of it's Pokéball and shaking in terror, but Naruto couldn't resist standing up and walking over to it.

It just looked so incredibly scared.

He knelt down in front of it, and it somehow impossibly seemed to grow even more frightened. He smiled openly at the tiny yellow mouse with black eartips, extending his hand with the palm showing.

"Please don't be scared of me Pichu." It looked at him distrustfully, but he sat there patiently for once. He didn't know for how long, but the room seemed to get a miniscule amount quieter. Either the students were slowly coming to their decisions, or it was just his imagination.

He didn't question his lack of urgency at the fact that there wouldn't be many Pokémon left for him to choose from, as Pichu began taking tentative steps toward his hand, soon sniffing it. It glanced up at him warily, then put it's tiny palm in his.

His delight was plain on his face. It accepted me. His open smile made it's way into an ear-splitting grin, but he didn't dare move his hand. "Wanna be my partner?"

Pichu hesitated, before nodding and surprisingly climbing onto his spiky head. With a tense body it held onto his locks.

Naruto laughed out loud. "Come, let's go." He walked back towards Hinata where she was sitting in lotus position with Riolu on her lap, the girl smiling at the blue creature.

"Hey Hinata, look!"

The navy haired girl looked up in surprise at his voice as he sat down next to her again, then smiled with a little bit of teeth showing. "T-that's a Pichu r-right? It's so cute!"

Pichu drew back as far it could on Naruto's head, and Naruto grinned at her. "I know right? My dad's got a Pikachu, though I didn't choose this guy because of that."

Hinata nodded indulgently, and was about to say something when their whole group gathered around them. Everyone had – more or less - chosen their partners.

Sakura spoke first, her eyes sparkling. "Oh my god is that a Pichu!? It's adorable! Though…" Her eyebrow rose a little. "They're supposed to be thirty centimeters tall on average."

Naruto grinned at her, though he noticed his partner began shaking on his head. Too many people? He patted Pichu on it's head carefully but reassuringly as he said, "Yeah. I don't know why, but he will get his growth spurt soon, right buddy?"

Pichu seemed too scared to assent, so the blonde just kept patting his head.

"Like you?"

Sasuke gave him a brief look before choosing to pay attention to his own chosen partner, a Litten. Growling, Naruto stood up angry and embarrassed, the tiny mouse Pokémon thankfully managing to hold on to his blonde spikes.

"Say that again bastard!"

Sasuke's temper flared, and sensing the growing troublesome argument, Shikamaru decided to step in.

"Please carry on later when I'm not there. We should all thank Inoichi-san for Ino not being troublesome and loud right now, so let's keep it quiet for as long as we can."

Naruto glared at Sasuke, but kept his shaking fist back – if only because it was a special day today, and because he didn't want to scare Pichu more. Sasuke glared daggers at him too, but chose to stop in favor of observing Ino's and the others' Pokémon. Naruto grudgingly followed his example.

A deer-like Pokémon stood at Shikamaru's side, the upper side of it's body green and it's underside peach, with a yellow patterned rim – a Deerling. Ino had a pig-like orange Pokémon in her arms that she was hugging tightly, who looked very happy to be where it was. Tepig. A small, black, insectoid Pokémon crawled around Chouji, and Sasuke snorted in his head, not knowing the name since he didn't memorize weak Pokémon. Shino knew from heart the Pokémon was called Scatterbug.

Sakura then began laughing. Loudly.

"W-what's so fun Sakura-chan?" Hinata stuttered, her face portraying the confusion all of them felt and blushing brightly at the attention their group was getting from the other occupants of the room.

Sakura clutched at her stomach. "I-it's… it's just…" She then looked up at Ino and her Tepig once again, and began crying as she fell to her knees on the floor. Ino's face got redder and redder.

How dare Forehead make fun of me!

"Now you really are Ino-pig!"

Naruto finally understood what was so funny, and desperately tried holding in the bubble of laughter wanting to erupt from his mouth. The nickname Sakura had given Ino ever since they'd started fighting over Sasuke's attention…

He burst out laughing too.

Finally not taking it any more, Ino pointed at a small egg-shaped pink Pokémon Sakura was holding in her arms.

"Atleast I didn't pick a Pokémon without a forehead to cover the fact that mine's bigger than all of Konoha combined!"

Sakura's teary eyes from laughing too hard widened at the retort. The room went completely quiet for a few seconds as Sakura thought up a comeback, and her emerald orbs took on a fiery appearance.

The pink-haired girl tossed her hair over shoulder. "Well atleast I'm not stub-boar-n as a pig."

Que the sound of Hinata inhaling. One time, two times, three times… Naruto began counting unconsciously.

Then both Ino and Sakura sweat dropped before losing it.

Ino began fretting for her mascara when the first tears accumulated in her eyes. "That was so lame!"

Sakura tried squeezing out between laughs, her face red, "I'm so sorry!", but only managed a couple of wheezes. When she could barely breathe anymore, she calmed down and Ino followed, though giggles could still be heard now and then.

That's when Ino noticed everyone was staring at her and Sakura, and turned her attention to Kiba as a diversion.

There was a tiny orange puppy-like Pokémon head popping out of his hoodie. It had a cream-colored tuft on top of it's head. A groan could be heard from Kiba's right, where Naruto and Hinata were standing.

"Oh man I should have totally guessed you'd pick a Growlithe. You've been raving about them for like forever." Naruto deflated at not having guessed what Kiba would pick. It was so incredibly obvious in hindsight.

Kiba patted him on the shoulder. "To be fair I could have picked any canine Pokémon. A Riolu for example wouldn't be bad." He shot Hinata a grin, and the shy girl returned a tiny smile in his direction.

Shino seemed to materialize out of thin air, his sunglasses glinting. "That would be impossible Kiba. Why? It is widely known Riolu only choose Trainers capable of manipulating or at the least sensing Aura."

Naruto visibly perked up at that and looked at Hinata with stars in his eyes. "Aura? Does that mean you can sense Aura Hinata!?"

"W-w-well…" The navy-haired girl stumbled, looking at Ino for help.

Ino took the cue quickly out of habit.

"Everybody in the Hyuuga clan can," she turned her head in Sasuke's direction, sending a wink. "and sometimes some of the Uchiha clan members develop the ability too, though it's rare."

Naruto squinted in envy at the internally proud Uchiha. Surprise surprise the Bastard can maybe sense Aura too. He turned his head to Shino. "What Pokémon did you choose Shino?"

Shino pulled out a Pokéball, and threw it into the air where a red light emerged from the ball. He then caught it again, just as a white fuzzy larva-like Pokémon with blue eyes appeared. "I selected Larvesta as my partner. Why did I choose it, and to recall it you ask? Becau-"

"Alright class! I can see you've all picked your partners now and managed to calm down a little," Iruka gave a sheepish Sakura and Ino a smile, "so now you have to find your partners' Pokéballs. This might take a while, but when you're done you can head back to the classroom. I'll stay here until the last of you have gone back to recall the Pokémon that didn't get chosen. " He all gave them a… was that a sadistic smile? Before beginning to recall Pokémon. He had all of the unchosen Pokémon's balls rounded up.

Everyone was quiet again. "Because the probability of this happening was over 90%." Shino ended, then walked out the door, just as Sasuke with a glare began looking for his ball.

Naruto and Kiba groaned in unison. There was a suspicious lack of a muttered "troublesome", but they all ignored it, preferring to finish the task as fast as possible.

…Five minutes later, when only one ball was left on the floor, Shikamaru stood up from laying on the ground and picked up Deerling's pokéball. Deerling sweatdropped as they ambled out of the room, last.

Naruto stretched in his chair with Pichu still on his head. "Only the team assignments left now huh?" He spoke up, smiling when the mouse didn't tense at his voice.

He looked at Kiba who was talking to Shino beside him. I wouldn't mind being with Kiba or Shino, though… he glanced at Sakura out of the corner of his eye with a small blush on his face. I kind of really want to be with Sakura-chan.

He then noticed Sasuke who was sitting beside her – ahem, Sakura who was sitting beside Sasuke – and Naruto shivered. I'll kill myself if I land a team with him.

Unknowingly to Naruto, Sasuke was thinking the same thing about him, and Sakura for that matter. He glared ahead of him as Sakura kept on chatting in his ear. Or Ino for that matter.

Iruka smiled at them all proudly. "And now for team assignments. As you all know, the people you get placed with" stuck, Sasuke replaced in his mind, "will be your teammates for the rest of your Genin career, as will your Jounin-sensei. This means, no replacements!"

All students gulped and held their thumbs. Nobody wanted to get stuck with someone they hated.

"The teams are assigned to be either balanced or specialized, meaning you'll either end up on a team with completely different personalities and skillsets from you, or on a team with personalities and skillsets that complement your own. And now," Iruka picked up a paper from his desk, "Team 1…"

The ponytail-wearing man began calling out names of people Naruto didn't really know, until he came to Team 7.

"Team 7: Uzumaki Naruto…"

The blonde held his breath and tensed, feeling his yellow companion tense even more in response. He let it out, hoping it would ease the mouse.

"Haruno Sakura,"

"Yes!" He jumped up in excitement, pumping his fists into the air, just at the same time as Sakura groaned.

"Uchiha Sasuke."

"Yes!" Sakura shouted. Thank you, every god out there! Take that, Ino-pig!

In his mind, Sasuke pictured a rope. And a chair.

"Your sensei will be Hatake Kakashi."