Because we all know Renoa Heartilly has the best bandwagons. Quick tribute to her and her work. By the part of my brain that hasn't been melted. Much love, clockwork. Other standard disclaimers apply.
1. Introduction
He wonders, briefly, if maybe destroying the village wouldn't have been the better option. He really doesn't want another genin team, even if Naruto is stuck in the same boat.
Hyuuga Hanabi is small and delicate-looking, and she stomps as hard as she can on Naruto's foot when he points this out. Kakashi smacks the blond on the head with his book while reaching out to pull her hair, materializing out of nowhere and four hours late.
He smiles behind his mask like he hasn't done this before and calls for introductions.
Naruto's goals haven't changed in five years, nor have his likes and dislikes. The only difference is he's not interested in the kunoichi present, and she's staring at Sasuke for another reason entirely. It's almost a comfort to know the idiot at least, will remain constant.
Kakashi looks expectantly at Sasuke. Hyuuga Hanabi is peering at him calculatingly, no doubt trying to figure out how he ranks as an opponent. She doesn't look like she takes kindly to being second place. Sasuke looks blankly back at his teacher.
"Pass," he says indifferently.
The girl is about to say something, but a flutter of chakra and ginkgo leaves stops her. Hanabi shuts her mouth and scampers over to the new arrival, casually asking if her favorite tree appreciates this use of foliage.
Hinata doesn't have the time to answer her sister. Once she catches her breath, bent over and gasping quietly, she pushes Hanabi toward the Hyuuga estates with a few desperate words. Hanabi pales beneath her natural coloring and doesn't even bother to bid farewell to her teacher before hopping off the roof and flitting away.
Hinata straightens her back, but does not raise her head.
"I am very sorry for the interruption. My sister, Hyuuga Hanabi—"
Sasuke notes the bow comes too effortlessly for a Hyuuga, who do not bend their head or their wills so easily. And yet everything about it is sincere and dignified.
Kakashi waves the apology away, cheerfully.
"We're just doing introductions, Hyuuga-sama. Maybe you can fill in for today." He gestures her closer, rude to a fault, to assume her byakugan is activated.
Hinata takes no offense and those few steps obligingly.
"Her goals?" Kakashi prompts.
"Ah… I don't know specifically, but I would guess… to make her family proud?"
"Likes and dislikes?"
"L-likes? Roasted corn and sweets and eh," she smiles to herself, "festivals. Especially ones with fireworks. She doesn't like fish or kabuki."
"Birthday? Weight? Favorite color, actor—"
Hinata stares at the jounin in horror. Surely this isn't necessary information.
"He's just teasing now," Naruto pipes up.
"Stupid."
Hinata starts and looks at her sister's teammates for the first time. "Naruto-kun! Uchiha-dono." She bows again in greeting, and turns back to their teacher in consternation.
"Kakashi-san, you must be aware Hanabi has been training within the Hyuuga household since she was four. Her Academy placement…"
"Yes, yes," Kakashi nods enthusiastically, "the age restrictions instated by the Sandaime." No one looks at Sasuke, who doesn't fucking care about the marks his brother has left on the village. "But it's because she's been through such rigorous training, that we felt it would be best for these three cute genin to be on the same team. Too great an imbalance of power would have a bad effect on the team dynamic, right, Hyuuga-sama?"
"Ah, yes but the missions," Hinata tries again, helplessly.
"Hanabi-chan is sure to come in handy catching cats! Don't worry," he tells her softly. "To target any one of them, you would have to go through the other two. And me."
"Of course, sensei. I didn't mean to criticize the arrangement."
"It is unusual. But there's no helping all the trouble that follows Naruto around." He shakes his head in mocking defeat.
Naruto howls in protest, and to shut him up, Sasuke shoves him. In a comradely fashion. Naruto, sprawled on the ground, doesn't see it that way and goes for his legs.
Kakashi turns to Hinata to ask resignedly, "Girls are supposed to have a calming effect on their teammates, right?"
Hinata hides her laughter behind her hand and says she doesn't know before taking off. She glances over her shoulder, to see Naruto waving a wild goodbye, and Sasuke contemplating her despite the tanned hand pushing his face into the bench.
Because boys are boys, and I'm already screwing with canon over here.