Author's Note: Hi! Thank you for reading my story! I hope you like it so far. The only announcement I have at the moment is a request for a beta that can edit quickly. If your interested please message me! On a side note I'm having a pole for pairings. Please leave your vote in the review. Enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter 2: The Changing Tides of the Malestorm

"Naruto," Iruka-sensei called after I reached the door. "Tomorrow team placements are at 8 am. Don't be late."

"I won't, Sensei," Thank you!"

Iruka-sensei chuckled at that as he said, "No problem. I'm proud of you."

I genuinely smiled at that. It was my first true smile all day. I ran out the door, my hitai-ate around my neck, gleaming in the sun.

As, I ran I didn't see Shikamaru and Shino giving me warm smiles, happy I passed even with my difficulties.

The next day, I was so nervous I threw up twice before I even left my ratty apartment. I didn't wear my orange jumpsuit today. I was hoping if I didn't wear it I wouldn't stand out. So today, I wore a long-sleeved, dark green shirt, a tan leather vest, dark brown pants, my black hiatate, black shinobi sandals, brown leather fingerless gloves, and a green handkerchief that covers my hair.

Once I got to class I sat alone in the back row. I was the only one in class. To be more inconspicuous, I laid my head on my desk. However, once people started filing in I felt someone's chakra signature to my left.

"Hey, Shino," I said.

"Hello, Uzumaki-san," he said respectfully.

"Naruto," I said. "Just call me Naruto."

"Alright, Naruto-san," he said.

I snorted in amusement, but let it be. At least he called me by my first name.

"Naruto, Shino," Shikamaru said as he sat on my right.

"Nara-san," Shino greeted.

"Hey, Shikamaru," I said. "I thought you sat on the other side of the room. In the middle row."

"I thought I'd change it up today," he said with a sly grin."

"Yeah right, Nara," I said. "What's up?"

"Nothing's up. Just wanted to sit here today."

"Is it because of my clothes?"

"Maybe," he admitted sheepishly.

"I didn't want to stand out today. Just wanted to blend in, okay," I said.

"That's illogical," Shino said. "If you didn't want to stand out you should have just wore what you always did."

Shikamaru nodded in agreement.

"Hmm," I said contemplating. "Then why is it the only the smartest people in class that noticed me?"

That threw them for a loop. I chuckled. They underestimated the power of my stealth.

"I guess you're right," Shikamaru admitted. "But, I can't figure out how that's so."

"It's cause I changed my clothes, and I'm being quiet," I said. "I'm also avoiding Sasuke and his fangirls. Just wait 'til they call the teams. That's when the show's going to be on the road."

Shino nodded and Shikamaru chuckled.

"I guess we'll just have to wait and see, Naruto-san," Shino said.

"Seriously, you can drop the -san," I said, finally getting annoyed.

Shino shrugged and I sighed. Shikamaru finally fell asleep.

"QUIET," Iruka-sensei yelled with his Big Head no Jutsu active.

Everyone settled down immediately; and once a piece of chalk was thrown, Shikamaru woke up.

"Alright everyone. First of all, congratulations for passing the exam. I'm proud of you. Now your gennins, the lowest of the—"

I tuned him out waiting to hear the teen assignments.

"Team 7: Uzumaki Naruto,"

I was tuned back in now.

"Haruno Sakura,"

I was dismayed. I prayed that I would get someone I could work with.

"Uchiha Sasuke."

Kami never helped me anyway. I slammed my head on my desk.

"Looks like attempt number 38 tonight," I unknowingly muttered.

Also without me knowing, Shino and Shikamaru shared a glance. Shino's eyebrow shot up and Shikamaru's eyes narrowed.

I missed the rest of the team assignments. However, I did notice when everyone started going to lunch. Well... Almost everyone.

Shikamaru's view...

I don't like the sound of that. Attempt number 38? Attempt of what? It better not be what I think it is. I know that he has a mask. But, is it that bad?

I was so focused on trying to deduce what he meant I missed my team, and only heard when lunch is.

"Hey, Naruto, Shino," I said. "Would you like to have lunch with me?"

"Should we not have lunch with our teams," Shino asked. "That would seem more logical."

I make a motion to Naruto, who was still shaking. I don't blame him. Being on a team with the Emo Price with a stick up his but, with a "you shall bow before me" attitude, and his most rabid and pathetic fangirl would be one of the worst tortures a person can receive.

"Ah, well, it's also logical that we have plenty of time to get to know our teams later," Shino said quickly. "I'll come."

"What about you, Naruto," I asked kindly.

"Hm," he asked.

"Will you come have lunch with Shino and me," I asked.

"Where are we going," he asked.

"Where ever you like," I said.

"Can we go get ramen," he asked.

I nodded and he smiled.

We walked to Ichiraku's silently. I took notice of the hateful stare and whispers that he received. He walked in front of us, his shoulders were tense and you could see him look side-to-side fearfully. Then someone threw a stone. That was quickly followed by a beer bottle, still half way filled. It broke and splattered on his back. Shino gasped. I growled, as I quickly grabbed him and pulled him close to me, shielding his body with mine.

"If you mess with him, mess with me," I called out. "How dare you attach a Konoha Shinobi!"

Right when I finished my announcement an ANBU shunshined into view and arrested the offenders. But, the way Naruto shook I could tell that this has happened before, and probably will again.

"It's okay, Naru," I said. "Let's just hurry and grab something, 'kay?"

He nodded and we quickly made it the rest of the way to the ramen stand. Teuchi, the ramen chief, and Ayame, his daughter, made a fuss over Naruto. We even ended up getting three bowels of ramen free.

On the way back we used the roof tops. I didn't want Naruto to go through that again. But, why on earth did he go through it in the first place?

Shino's POV...

We ate in silence. That is unusual for Konoha's loudest resident; even though I know that's part of his mask. The poor boy was still slightly shaking, his eyes darting towards Shikamaru and I as if he was waiting for us to hurt him.

"Naruto-san," I said.

"Hai," he asked.

"Are you excited for your team?"

He just looked down, not saying anything.

"Do you want to see if we can get them rearranged?"

His head shot up like a rocket, and Shikamaru gave me a calculating look.

"Why would you do that," Naruto asked me.

"Because I'm sure all there of us have some reserves about our teams," I said. "Even though most of the selections were logical in specialty wise, from the psychological level they are very illogical. And, with your standing with the Hokage, I believe we can get them changed. What do you say?"

"How will we change them," Shikamaru asked, getting in the conversation.

"Well, how bout us three as one team. Kiba, Hinata, and Ino on a team. Then the last team will be Choji, Sakura, and Sasuke."

"I don't want Choji with Sasuke," Shikamaru said.

"But, he has the best mentality for it," I said.

"I don't think so," Naruto said.

"Why is that," Shino said.

"Choji is nice, but with Sasuke's attitude he'd be crushed," Naruto said.

"Then what about Hinata," Shikamaru asked.

"She'd kill herself," Naruto said.
"Kiba," I said.

"He'd kill Sasuke," Shikamaru said.

"Then that leaves Ino," Naruto said.

"It could work," Shikamaru said.

"Maybe," I said.

"So, when are we going to do this," Naruto asked.

"Now," Shikamaru said. "If we want it changed it's gotta be now."

Naruto and I nodded, then we took to the roof tops.