I have to say that I dont own the rights of the story:

The original author of the Naruto serie is Masashi Kishimoto

I have to mention something else: English is not my first language and its also my first try making a english fanfic …

O0o0o

Chapter One

Iruka finally woken up, the upper of his body covered with bandage… The room was so bright that he closed his eyes again. The last thing he remembered was doing a brief report to the ninjas that found him and Naruto before passing away. Naruto…

He tried to sit on his bed but flinched because of the pain. Looking around, he saw on the desk next to him a piles of clothes and two letters.

"Hummm"…

Just by looking at them, he knew right away who the senders were. He decided to read the first one, an unfolded piece of paper with Naruto's handwritting on it. It wasn't a long one, the only thing it was written was :

You better heal quickly or I will just die in boredom looking after you at the hospital. Oh, and sensei… thanks again… Naruto

That made him smile for a second or two. But his attention rapidly focused on the second letter, the one with the Third Hokage's seal on it. This one wasn't long either. It was just said to come back as soon as his conditions allowed him for his report… as well as for the team assignation. He slowly began to understand the meaning of this. After a moment, he tried to get up. Ignoring the slight pain, he began to dress up and ignored the nurse when she told him he didn't completely recover yet. The letter in hand, he presented himself at the Hokage Tower and asked to speak with the Hokage. He didn't wait long, much to his surprise. Once he opened the door, he saw the Third Hokage, who was stretching himself, a big pile of documents in front of him.

"Come in Iruka… I'm glad to see you're feeling better."

"More or less," he answered. "Thank you for your time."

"Well you probably know why you are here, so do you mind if we get to the point? I would like to do the Team assignation as soon as possible… and I understand there's a graduated that did not appear on our list," said the Hokage with a wink.

Iruka sighed with relief. He was thinking that maybe Naruto wouldn't have been accepted as it wasn't an official exam. The Third Hokage chuckled briefly before continuing :

"I also want to know from your mouth what happened with the Mizuki case. I didnt want to put Naruto in a team before that. So, go on, tell me…"

After Iruka finished, the third Hokage rose up and walk to the window :

"Humm… All right Iruka. I will be frank with you. As you know, there's is going to be one two-cell team since the numbers of genin who passed. Naruto would definitely have a place in that team since it's a common thing to put the student with the worst grades at the Academy with the one with the higher grade."

"You are talking about Uchiha Sasuke right?"

He turned to look at him. "Exactly. But there's a fact I wanted to consider. Most of the ninjas have families that teach them unique technique from their clans. But not the orphans… Even if we find them a good teacher, most of them will feel lonely and their heart may go astray. If the teacher is concentrating too much on him, there's also a chance jealousy and favoritism will occur. The risk is higher with more than one orphan in the team since the teacher will have to put twice the effort."

"I understand Sarutobi, but the teams were already made. Changing that mean put another member with Uchiha Sasuke and Sakura Haruno.

Iruka changed position in his seat, as he was beginning to feel again the pain in his back. "You wanted Naruto to be switched which whom exactly?"

After a pause, The third Hokage answered, "I was thinking about Kiba Inuzuka's place in Team 8."

Iruka was so surprise that he must have jumped on his seat, the pain in his back increasing. He couldn't stop a moan before continuing. "Are you sure? I did this arrangement because those three are very well adapted for a reconnaissance team."

"That is very true… However, tell me, does Hinata Hyuga or Aburame Shino have a lot of friends in their school?"

Iruka frowned. He finally sighed before saying, "I understand. You are saying this loneliness could make them connect better with each other?"

"Exactly. And don't you think that Kurenai could maybe bring the energy he putted at putting clever pranks and tricks to a better use? You know what she's capable of and you know Naruto more than any other teacher… Honestly, that's why I wanted your opinion here today."

Iruka crossed his arms and thought about it for a second. He knew Kurenai and understood quite well what the Third Hokage meant. "I understand your reason. I do agree it would also make a good match. Shino was the second best after Sasuke and Hinata is a good child. So if you think Kurenai is willing to take Naruto…"

"I know she has no animosity against the child, don't worry Iruka. I may be getting ahead of myself but as I know her, I don't think there will be a problem."

Sarutobi returned to his deck and say, "The team assignation will be tomorrow then, as scheduled. Don't tell the boy before that and return to the hospital. I heard you only needed one last treatment but still, take it easy ok?"

He said that with a smile and returned to his work. Iruka saluted the Hokage and returned at the hospital. In conclusion, he was very happy with The third Hokage decision. He hoped he could hold his tongue if Naruto showed up…

O0o0o0

Kurenai was finally enjoying some free time with Asuma. They wanted to enjoy the time being, knowing too well those moments were soon to end with the coming of the team assignation tomorrow. Asuma insisted to make the dinner and was determined to make the best chili Kurenai ever ate before. She looked briefly at him before returning to the book she was reading. The weather was perfect and the chime at her window was singing a beautiful song. She was definitely happy today… little did she know this happiness was going to be compromise by a little knock on the door. As she responded, she recognized one of the third Hokage's henchmen and greeted him with a smile. "Hi, may I help you?"

"Sorry to disturb you but the Third Hokage would like to see you in one hour."

Great… Being summoned by the Third on her day off wasn't really what she was hoping for the day. With a little sigh, she nodded and saluted the messenger. Even the best meal in the world wont taste as good now… Well, she's was used to it anyway. She just hoped it wouldn't take long….

O0o0o0

"Well I don't have any problems with it but are you sure?"

"I already explained my point to you Kurenai… I know you can do it."

She sighed. "Fine but for that, I would like to have his academy result, his profile, any information you could give me. You know that I want to be prepared in advance."

"Thank you Kurenai. I already prepared the information that you need."

As the Third Hokage was handling those folders to her, he said, "I'm sure that you will be able to connect with the boy. I trust you Kurenai."

Even if she was a little annoyed at the extra work given to her on her free day, the warmth from the Third touched her. With a faint smile, she answered, "Don't worry, I should be ok… If there's anything, I will report to you back, promise."

O0o0o0

What she found in those folders was… disturbing. While admitting that his abilities and strengths on the terrain were promising for a reconnaissance team, his profile was telling otherwise. He wasn't especially smart, easily fooled and hyperactive… While she was surprise the boy could produce Mass Kage Bushin, she still wondered what Sarutobi intention was…

Asuma sat right next to her, holding to glass full with fresh orange juice. "With lots of pulp, just how you like it."

"Thanks," she mumbled.

Having heard the whole story when she came back, he asked her, " I bet you're wondering what you're going to do with the little clown, right? "

"It's not that hard to tell… Well, what would you do in this case?"

He looked right in her eyes and said, "That kid never knew his parents and is hated by everyone… You sure you don't know where to start?"

Kurenai paused before answering, "You're right… I'm guessing he hoped the boy would see me as a mother figure. He definitely needs one."

"See, you already knew the answer… You are also a psychological genius, I'm sure you will tame him in no time. "

Sighing, she answered, "I was really glad to have only one person with social issues to deal with this year."

"Ah, you mean the Hyuga girl again? She's only shy, it's not a big deal-"

-"No silly, I meant you!"

Asuma laughed. After a long moment, he turned his face to make her look in her eyes and said, "Lets promise something... Once our genins have become chuunin, let's try to make our own family... What do you think?"

Kurenaï blushed… and then said :

"You already spoken about this to your father haven't you?

"Hahaha, I'm that readable?"

"YOU ! I …you're so… !"

She didn't finish her sentence. Curse the Sarutobi family… She was never able to resist them…

AUTHORS NOTES:

I know the concept of Naruto being is Team 8 have been done already BUT I wasnt satisfied by any version I saw from it... Either they didnt make the original characters belivable, became way too deviant of Naruto world or they were taking directions I dont think they would do. A friend of mine suggested I write a fanfic myself with that concept since he liked my ideas.

I write for my own satisfaction first. I dont mind if my stories dont connect with everybody. If you dont like what I write, you can tell me, I wont mind... as long as you stay polite.

I can recognize a mistake, even my own, if we point me where I overlooked. If something need to be changed, just tell me.