Author Note: None
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
-Chapter II-
A year has passed since Naruto and the girls became friends. Through the year, their relationship has been steadily progressing, but it seems that there is a limit to how much it can grow, and it seems that they have reached the limit. Hinata, Ino, and Sakura will be enrolling to the academy this year, two years before boys of their age due to the amount of extra knowledge that Kunoichi has to learn before they can become ninjas. Sandaime had seen how depressed Naruto became after he heard about the news. Naruto thinks that they will start drifting apart because they won't be able to see each other as often if Tenten's first year was any indication. After taking everything into consideration, Sandaime decided to enroll Naruto into the academy as well, just so he can be with people around his age more often, not to mention allowing him to spend some time with the girls during the breaks, even if Naruto would have a difficult time handling the classes. He tried to explain the pros and cons of the situation to Naruto but the boy ignored all the other points as soon as he heard that he can be with his friends. As soon as the Hokage lets the boy out of his office, Naruto immediately heads for the park, where he knows that the girls are waiting.
"Naruto! Where were you? It's not polite to make a lady wait," Ino says with a huff.
"Lady? What lady? I don't see any lady."
"Na… ru… to…!"
"Ehehe… Ino-chan. I was just joking."
Putting his hands up to protect himself, Naruto starts backtracking until he bumps into someone. Turning around, he sees Sakura glaring at him with a dark look in her eyes. Chuckling nervously, he starts backing away from the two angry girls until he bumps into someone again. This time, it's Tenten who has a few training kunais in her hands. Finding himself surrounded by three very upset and very dangerous girls, he appeals to the last person for help only to be ignored with a pout and a turn of the face. A few minutes and a very bloody beating later, Naruto finds himself in the care of the four girls who feel bad about how much damage they actually dealt to the boy.
"Naruto-kun, are you alright?" Hinata asks.
"Yea… yeah. I feel much better as long as you all take care of me. I wish it wasn't so painful getting to this step though."
"You deserved it." Tenten says.
"Oh yeah! I almost forgot! Tenten-chan. Can you teach me how to do a Henge no Jutsu?"
"Why would you need to learn that now? You'll learn it in your first year."
"Please," Naruto begs.
"Oh fine. I'll get the textbooks tomorrow."
"Thank you Tenten-chan! You're the best."
Tenten's face flushes from the hug that Naruto gave her. The other girls look on with a small hint of jealousy but Ino and Sakura quickly shakes it off and begins to daydream about a certain member of the Uchiha clan doing the same to them.
"Naruto! All right already. Let me go."
"Oops, sorry Tenten-chan."
"So, what are we going to do today?" Sakura asks.
"Actually, I found this really pretty place that I want to show all of you."
"Really Ino-chan? Well, lead the way!" Naruto says.
Ino ends up taking them to a flower field near the walls of the village. The group is mesmerized by the scenery and decided to make it their meeting spot from then on. When it's time for them to leave, Naruto reminds Tenten about the lesson again, which Tenten responds by throwing one of the wooden practice shuriken at Naruto's forehead for being so troublesome, but says she will come and get the shuriken back from Naruto the next day, sealing the promise.
The next day, Naruto arrived at the flower field half an hour early, excited to get the lesson started and for his plan to begin. The girls still didn't know that he would be joining them in their first year and he wanted to keep it as a surprise. Hinata arrived about fifteen minutes later with her guardian and Sakura and Ino arrived minutes later. Tenten arrives a few minutes later than usual since she had to get the books from her home before coming to the field. As Tenten starts explaining the basics to Naruto, the other girls starts creeping in from their games so they can learn some of the basic shinobi knowledge and get a head start against the other people in their class. This becomes their routine for the next week until the first day of academy begins for Hinata, Ino, and Sakura.
That morning, the three girls gather at the front yard of the academy, waiting for their teachers to show up and take them to class with all the other people entering this year after saying their goodbyes to Tenten, who had to rush inside before she's late for class. In their nervousness, the fail to notice a blond dressed in orange from head to toe sneaking around the crowd to get near them so they would be put into the same class. It's not until the girls are seated inside the classroom that they finally see a blonde girl with two ponytails in an orange blouse and knee high orange skirt with black pants underneath sitting at the same four people desk with them. Before they can say about it, the teacher has begun her lesson so the girls wait until the end of the class to confront the 'girl.'
"Naruto! What do you think you're doing?"
"What do you mean Sakura-chan? My name is Sarutobi Naru. I'm a distance relative of the Hokage."
"Naruto, drop the act. We know it's you. That's why you wanted to learn Henge no Jutsu isn't it!" Ino says.
"Hi girls, how was your first day so far? Hey, who's your new friend?" Tenten asks.
"Tenten-senpai. This is Naruto," Hinata says.
"What! You're Na…"
"Shh! You'll get us all in trouble," Ino says, putting her hand over Tenten's mouth.
"Naruto, if we get into trouble because of you, I'll beat you up so bad…"
"I know. I know. That's why you girls have to keep this a secret. Jiji told me the same thing this morning and he's willing to cover for me."
"Fine, but don't say we didn't warn you Narut… Naru-chan," Sakura says.
"What are you girls doing after school today?" Tenten asks.
"I'm going to Ino-chan's place to study."
"Hey, why don't we all go to Hinata-chan's place to study?" Naru says. "her house is huge!"
"I'm not sure if her father would allow us to…" Tenten says.
"I'm sure Hiashi-oji-san won't mind."
"Oji-san?" three of girls asks at the same time, looking toward each other.
"Naru-chan always calls chichi-ue that," Hinata explains.
"Are you absolutely crazy?" Sakura says, hitting Naruto on the head, "how can you address the leader of one of the strongest clan in Konoha in that term?"
"Why not? He doesn't mind. Anyway, do you girls want to go or not?"
"Are you sure that Hyuuga-san won't…" Ino asks.
"I'm sure chichi-ue won't mind either."
"Well… if you're sure, I guess. It's better to study together in a group anyway. I have to tell my parents first though," Ino says.
"Me too," Sakura says.
"Well, we should go with you girls. The guards at Hinata-chan's place are really mean, but they won't bother you if they see that Hinata-chan's with you."
"They are not mean Naru-chan. They have to be careful as to who they let in. They're doing their job."
"Tenten-senpai is right," Hinata says, defending the other members of her family.
"Whatever. I still think they are mean. Anyway, meet at the yard after school?"
"OK. I have to go back to class. Kurenai-sensei is really strict about people being on time," Tenten says, sighing, "I wish I still have Susume-sensei as my teacher, but she only teaches first year Kunoichis."
"Tenten, are they your friends?"
"Ku… Kurenai-sensei! Sorry I'm late. I'm going to class now."
"Don't worry. You still have time. I'm just… curious about your friends."
"Cu… curious?" Tenten says as the entire group stiffens in fear.
The group looks nervously toward the Chuunin instructor. Kurenai has her attention fixed on the transformed Naruto. While they don't know if Kurenai has seen through the disguise, the look and the smirk she has on her face are plenty unnerving enough for the young minds.
"You certainly have an interesting group of friends Tenten. Especially you, little… girl," Kurenai says, staring at the transformed Naruto.
The group is frozen in place as Kurenai walks toward the classroom, her soft laughter filling the now empty hall. The girls start casting nervous glances toward Naruto who has a look of pure dread.
"I… I think she knows," Naruto says.
"Does… that mean that Suzume-sensei…" Ino asks.
"What's going on? Why aren't you girls in class yet?"
"Su… Suzume-sensei! We're sorry. We're going now!" Sakura says.
After the girls scramble into the classrooms, Suzume stands there with an amused look as someone walks up to her from the back.
"Kurenai, looks like this is going to be an interesting year with this group of students."
"Absolutely."
Through the day, the teachers continue with their lessons as though nothing happened, but the fear had long been branded into the girls' heart. They made sure that they do not make the teachers angry in fear of what they might know. By the time the classes are over, they quickly gather at the yard and leave the academy to avoid another run in with the Chuunins. The girls try to make Naruto dispel the transformation technique as soon as they leave the academy after the school day is over, but Naruto notices how the people are just going about their business when he's in this form instead of sending him hateful glares like they would every time he walks by, so he continues to ignore them until they finally reach the Yamanaka flower shop.
"Tadaima!"
"Okaerinasai, Ino-chan."
"Ojamashimasu!" Sakura says as the girls enter the shop after Ino.
"Ah, Sakura-chan, you're here too. Who are your friends?"
"This is Hinata-chan, Tenten-chan, and…" Ino says.
"Naruto-kun, is that you? Why are you dressed up like that?"
"Eh? Inoichi-oji-san, you are Ino-chan's father?"
"Yes, you mean my little princess didn't tell you? Anyway, what are you doing dressed like that?"
"I wanted to go to the academy with everyone but I'm too young so I used a Henge no Jutsu to get in as a girl. How did you see through it?"
"Any half way decent ninja should be able to see through that. Beside, I don't think there is anyone else in the village who dress as brightly as you."
"Wait a minute. Any ninja can see through it? Do you mean that tou-san?"
"Well of course."
"That means that Kurenai-sensei and Suzume-sensei…" Tenten says, casting nervous glance toward the other girls.
"Did you say Kurenai? She would definitely be able to see through it. She isn't known as the Genjutsu mistress of Konoha for nothing."
"We're in trouble, aren't we?" Sakura says, shoulders slumping.
"Well, if she saw you and didn't say anything, I think you're in the clear. If she wants to say anything, she would've said it then. Anyway, aren't you going to cancel it or do you plan to have it on from now on? I think my wife would want to see the little Naruto-kun that my little princess talks about all the time."
"We've been trying to get him to dispel the transformation but he keeps saying something about people looking at him funny," Ino says, crossing her arms with a huff.
The look on Inoichi's face tells them that unlike the girls, he knows exactly what Naruto was talking about. The other girls want to ask him what he knows but Ino stops them before they can say anything. She knows her father a lot better than the girls do, and it's not a very bright idea to talk to her father when he's in this mood. Gesturing for the others to follow her, Ino leads the group to the back where the living space is located. After finally calming down, Yamanaka Inoichi go to lock the front door of the shop before joining everyone in the back for lunch.
It's pretty easy to get the permission from the parents. After all, it's not everyday that your children are invited to go to the compound of one of the most prestigious clan in the entire village. With him putting it back on as they left the Yamanaka flower shop and only taking it off briefly when they were at Sakura's house, the girls finally manage to convince Naruto to cancel the Henge when they approach the compound when Hinata says that the new look might scare Hanabi.
"Ta… tadaima."
"Okaerinasai Hinata-sama. I see you have invited some friends, shall I prepare a meeting room?"
"No… it's OK. We will just study together in my room."
"Oh, I almost forgot. Hiashi-sama says that you should go to the clan meeting room with all your guests when you return," the guard says.
"Chichi-ue wants to see me? Very well, thank you."
"I will prepare some snacks for your friends, Hinata-sama."
"Thank you."
The group gathers outside the meeting room as Hinata knocks on the door gently. She opens the door when Hiashi's voice beacons her to do so. A collective gasp escapes their lips as they see the people inside the room.
"Su… Suzume-sensei, Kurenai-sensei, Hokage-sama…" Hinata whispers.
"I see that you all have finally made it. We've been waiting for you for over an hour," Hiashi says, clearly displeased by the lateness of his daughter.
The girls quickly form a wall around Naruto to keep him out of Suzume and Kurenai's line of sight. They slowly back toward the door to allow Naruto to escape until they bump into someone standing behind them. Looking up, they see a man in a Chuunin uniform with an unlit cigarette in his mouth standing at the door.
"A… Asuma-oji-san," Naruto says.
"Now where do you think you're going Naruto? We've been waiting for you forever."
"Hehe… now why would you do that? It'll be a lot easier to find me at my house."
"But then it wouldn't be nearly as fun as this, now would it… Naru-chan?" Kurenai says, smiling.
"Kurenai-sensei, Suzume-sensei, I can explain…"
"Oh, that's quite alright Tenten. There is no need to explain. Sneaking a boy into a Kunoichi class, you know the punishment," Susume says.
"Naruto, I'm going to kill you!" Tenten hisses.
"There will be no killing today. I have already explained everything to Kurenai and Suzume. Of course I was quite surprised myself when he came to me with the Henge no Jutsu. I never figured out where he learned it from until I realized that he is quite close to you girls and Tenten is in her second year…"
"Of course, teaching someone a ninja technique when the person isn't a ninja is another punishable offense for any academy student and ninjas," Susume says.
"Naruto, you are so dead."
"But jiji didn't say anything about it! It should be alright then right?"
"Just because I didn't say anything doesn't mean it's not wrong. But this time we'll let it slide."
"Of course, to be able to use the Henge no Jutsu at your age is pretty amazing…" Susume says.
"I even made up a new technique with it!" Naruto says, eager to show off.
"Oh really? Mind showing us?" Kurenai asks.
Naruto steps out from the wall of girls around him and go through the sequence of hand seals with a broad smile on his face. A transformation and a few seconds later, the Hokage and Asuma are seen unconscious in a pool of their own blood while Hiashi is looking away with a blush on his face.
"What in the world is that!" the girls screams.
"That's my new technique Oiruke no Jutsu. Knocks any man within sight out cold."
"And makes every woman within sight want to kill you!"
"Eh? Why are you girls looking at me like that?"
"Na… Ru… To… I'm going to kill you!" the girls growl.
A severe beating and a couple of revived male ninja later, Naruto once again finds himself in the care of the girls, including Hanabi, who sneaked into the room when the girls had their attention set on Naruto.
"Tou-san, I believe we should make that a B-Rank forbidden technique, don't you agree Hiashi-san."
"Such indecent technique shouldn't be used at all. I say we should just ban it altogether," Susume says.
"I'm sure he would reconsider whether he should use it again after what happened. We should refocus on what we are here for," the Hokage says.
"Oh yeah. Why are you looking for me jiji?"
"Well, it seems that Kurenai and Suzume are strongly against you entering the academy as a female…"
"Especially after that display," Susume says.
"…Right. Therefore…"
"Please don't kick me out. I really want to learn."
"No one has doubt that Naruto, but in order for you to enter the academy at your age is if you have the backing of your clan," the Hokage says.
"But I don't belong to any clan."
"This is where Hiashi-san comes in. I'm sure if the Hyuuga clan is willing to add their support, no one at the council would complain."
"I would have no problem with that… as long as he enters as himself and not pretend to be someone else."
"Thank you Hiashi-oji-san."
"O… oji-san? Show some respect you little brat!"
"Oh that's all right Asuma. I've gotten used to it."
"Gotten… used to it?" Asuma says.
"That's what he's been calling me since the first time we met. Actually, it would feel strange if he starts calling me differently now."
"It seems that Naruto has quite a pleasant effect on you Hisahi-san," the Hokage says.
"Yes, but the people outside don't need to know that. My clan still has a reputation to maintain."
"I have to admit, I would never imagine someone from the Hyuuga clan to be joking around."
While the adults are conversing amongst themselves, the children are all interacting on their own. Whenever one of the girls tries to get closer to Naruto, Hanabi would grabs onto Naruto and glares at the girl, even her own sister.
"Mine!"
"Now, now, Hanabi. You have to share," Tenten says.
"No! Mine!"
"Naruto-kun," Ino says, appealing to the boy after conceding that she's not going to get through to Hanabi.
"Naruto-nii-sama!" Hanabi says, clutching onto Naruto even tighter.
"My, it looks like Naruto is quite popular amongst the ladies," Asuma jokes.
"Come on Hanabi. Be a good girl and share," Kurenai says.
"Good girl share?"
"That's right."
"…OK."
Kurenai smiles at how the girls swamp Naruto as soon as Hanabi releases her grip on Naruto. Seeing they have completed what they want to do there, Kurenai, Suzume, Asuma and the Hokage decide to leave. Naruto tries to get away by saying he should go but the girls drag him to Hinata's room making up an excuse about studying.
Additional Author's Note: Leave a note if you like the story.