Thank you all so much for your support. I'll take the time to answer your reviews at the bottom of the fic. In any case, your support doesn't go unrewarded because this is a new chapter!

-0-0-0-

Her patience was running thin. Frustration, combined with lingering embarrassment from previous events, and hunger made Sasuke a walking human bomb, waiting to explode on its target, which, in this case, would be Kakashi-sensei. Damned pervert. Can't he be on time for once? She had steeled herself for this wait, but even so, Kakashi's habits had a way of making her blood boil.

She sighed, running a hand through her locks, and stopped at the point where her hair used to end. She smiled to herself, almost forgetting her current predicament. Of course, she had longer hair. She was, after all, a girl.

After a few more minutes of waiting, Naruto groaned again and stood up, stretching his arms. "That stupid sensei! He's late! The other teams had already left!" His cerulean eyes scanned the empty classroom and stopped once his gaze fell on the chalkboard eraser. Laughing snidely, he procured said eraser and headed toward the door.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Sakura demanded, rising from her chair. "Hey, Naruto!"

Sasuke bit her lip to keep from laughing. Instead of stopping Naruto, she opted to watch.

"Just having a bit of fun is all!" Naruto laughed. "It's his fault for being late."

"You're so stupid, Naruto," the pink-haired girl argued, but Sasuke could tell that she was excited. The brunet laughed inwardly as Naruto shuffled back to his seat. Again, the newly created three-man team waited.

For once, they didn't have to wait long. Footsteps rose in crescendo outside the classroom. A gloved hand slipped in through the crack in the doorway and slowly slipped it open. Kakashi's masked face appeared in the space, and the eraser plopped onto his already gray hair. Naruto began to crack up hysterically, while Sakura blabbered apologizes over and over again. Sasuke covered her smile with her hand. Same old Kakashi-sensei.

The jounin plucked the eraser off the hardwood floor and stared at it for just a moment. He turned to the team, hand stroking a fake beard and smiled. "Well…my first impression is…

"I don't like you. At all."

Yup. Typical.

-0-0-0-

Tw o

F i g h t

-0-0-0-

The single visible eye scrutinized his students carefully, before transforming into and upside down 'u.' The pink-haired girl on the right, Haruno Sakura, was fidgeting nervously, obviously doubtful in her own abilities. She had some of the best grades in class, but when it came to taijutsu, she was lacking.

Meanwhile, the Fourth's son, Uzumaki Naruto, had a very very stupid look on his face. He may look somewhat like their great leader, but when it came to sheer skill and talent, Naruto was far off. Kakashi sighed. Something tells him that this team will not be so easily handled.

The one who sat in the middle was an Uchiha. A female, but an Uchiha nonetheless. She had inherited her mother's grace and beauty, and her father's skill and precision, allowing her to graduate at the top. However, there was something about her that made Uchiha Sasuke different from the rest, and Kakashi couldn't put his finger on it.

But then he saw the flicker in her eye as she glanced towards Naruto, and it all clicked. He had to stop himself from laughing aloud. That was it.

Uchiha Sasuke was in love…with an idiot. Poor girl.

But he was digressing. Time to get this show on the road! "Alrighty, then. Time to introduce yourselves."

"What should we say," Sakura piped up, her voice quivering in nervousness.

Are these kids that stupid? "You're name. Likes, dislikes, dreams, hobbies," the sensei tiredly answered.

"Hey. Why don't you say something, so that we get the idea?" the blond demanded, arms waving up and down. Kakashi was beginning to like the girl in the middle; she didn't talk.

"Fine. My name is Hatake Kakashi. I have no desire to tell you my likes or dislikes. My hobbies are…My dreams are…absolutely none of your business. Your turn."

Sasuke giggled slightly, and Naruto immediately noticed. No way! Does she go for older men? Damnit!

Geez. I expected as much but it's as funny as it is annoying.

"We learned nothing but his name," Sakura pointed out, her lips forming a pout. She turned to Naruto, allowing the blond to go first. Naruto accepted the chance with much enthusiasm.

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto! I'm the son of the Fourth!"

Kakashi shrugged. Naruto glared, but continued. "I love ramen, and I hate the three minute wait for the ramen to cook. My dream is to someday be like my father and become Hokage!" He struck a powerful pose and then adjusted his headband before returning to his seat, satisfied. He glanced over his shoulder at Sasuke, hoping for a good reaction, but was disappointed at the apathetic expression gracing her beautiful features. He sighed, defeated.

"You next," the jounin motioned toward the pink-haired girl.

"My name is Haruno Sakura!" she merrily started. "I like shopping, reading, and manga. I hate…idiotic boys, (at this time, she glowered at Naruto) and my dream is…well, I have no idea." She laughed softly to herself before settling down onto the staircase. Kakashi dismissed her as a typical teenager and gestured to Sasuke to begin.

The girl looked up, her black eyes boring into his own. Kakashi raised an eyebrow. She knows something. How odd. He was struck out of his thoughts by her voice. "My name is Uchiha Sasuke. I don't like a lot of things, but I hate failure. My dreams are to someday surpass my brother and…" A long pause ensued. The three others turned to face her.

Sasuke blushed slightly, but forced herself to continue. "…To become a better person for a certain somebody."

Who? Who damnit!? Naruto's mind screamed. Sakura giggled and Kakashi smiled softly. I knew it!

"Well, now that we're done with introductions, the next thing I say will totally make you flip!" Kakashi laughed as if he was sharing an inside joke with himself. His subordinates, however, classified him as a maniac. After several more chuckles, the jounin continued. "Out of the twenty-seven graduates, only nine will be chose as genin. The rest must return to the academy."

Naruto and Sakura jumped up in protest, while Sasuke yawned and flipped her long locks over her shoulder. "What do you mean only nine!? The graduation tests were only to choose who would qualify?" Sakura asked.

"WHAAAAAAAAT??" was Naruto's only capable answer.

"That's correct. Tomorrow there will be a survival test. Be at the grounds at around five in the morning," he turned around and felt the students stir to go. He raised his hand, and they stilled. "On more thing. Don't eat breakfast."

"Why?" Sakura was stupid enough to inquire.

Kakashi turned his head and smirked. "Wouldn't want you throwing up, now, would I?"

The two ignorant ninja shuddered. Sasuke yawned again and decided to schedule some more sleep for tonight. The three walked up the stairs and left, Sakura chattering excitedly, and worriedly over tomorrow's events. Naruto's mind fumbled in turmoil.

One: the survival exam.

Two: the embarrassing, perverting thing he did this morning.

Three: Sasuke was in love with someone.

Who?

The word swirled around his stomach and head, generating butterflies and a headache. It hurt to think too much. He sighed and nearly screamed and jumped when a hand had touched his shoulder. Turning around, he saw Sasuke, with a warmhearted smile on her face. Her hand was extended out towards him. Reluctantly, he took it.

"You want to go out for some ramen?" she asked, her head slightly tilting to the right in an adorable fashion. "Think of it as a teambuilding exercise and a way to make amends for today." She flustered a little then turned around. "You're paying."

"Oh," Naruto breathed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his feeble sized frog wallet, and then cursed his father for not giving him a bigger allowance. He looked up at her, embarrassed, defeated, and smiled crookedly. "Heh…well, I'm…"

Sasuke elegantly raised an eyebrow, and smirked. Tauntingly, she placed her fisted hands at her hips, sighed exasperatedly and then retrieved her own wallet from her bag. She fished out several bills, fanning them in the air, the whole time jeering at her blond haired companion. Naruto glared, absolutely annoyed by her implied superiorty, but he couldn't bring himself to hate her. After all, she was a goddess.

"I'm paying then, meaning you owe me even more," she coldly threw her hair over her shoulder and sauntered toward Ichiraku Ramen Shop. The captivated ninja gladly followed her.

Inside, the old man turned and gladly greeted the two teens. "Here to spend more of your father's money, eh?" he joked.

"Actually, I'm paying," Sasuke informed.

The young woman frowned and then scolded Naruto. "You can't let your girlfriend pay for you. That's wrong!" and then to Sasuke, "What possessed you to go out with this idiot?!"

"Girlfriend!? No! That's no it! Why would I go out with--"Naruto stopped himself completely. The real question he had been asking himself was why wouldn't he go out with her. Blue eyes turned to see her reaction. For a split second, he swore he saw a twinge of sadness and regret. But the apathetic mask returned.

Sasuke's answer was a shrug. "I'll have whatever Naruto's getting," she said.

"The usual, then," grumbled Naruto.

The two ramen shop owners nodded and proceeded to finish up their orders. Sasuke sipped casually on her water, trying her best to not allow her frustration to surface. What is Naruto's type then? Does he still like Sakura? She cursed underneath her breath, scolding herself. There's no need to jump to conclusions. I have to play this game properly.

Few minutes of awkward silence passed and the ramen orders were finally completed and placed in front of them. Naruto ripped apart the chopsticks, starved and excited. " Itadakimasu!" the blond announced, and he began to devour his food messily. Beside him, Sasuke muttered the same thing and gracefully took the chopsticks. The young woman laughed aloud at the irony of their differences.

By the time Naruto was already finished, he had begun staring at Sasuke intently. The way she raised the food to her plump lips and swallowed…No! Don't go there. Damn…Naruto banged his head on the countertop, and turned all attention towards him. Sasuke blinked and sighed. Reluctantly, she shoved her ramen towards him.

"Take it. I'm not that hungry, anyway."

"Really!? Thanks!" Naruto reached for his chopsticks and tried eating it slowly, like Sasuke did. It felt ridiculous, so he just ate the rest of it quickly and cleaned himself up with a napkin. The old man handed them a bill and Sasuke placed the money on the counter and left.

Nighttime was beginning to fall. The two teammates walked home toward the Hokage tower in an eerie silence. Should I say something? Sasuke tried thinking of a simple topic, something even an idiot like Naruto would understand. Much to her chagrin, nothing came up. She sighed.

"Uh…Thanks for the dinner. I had a great time!" Naruto said, flashing her a thumbs-up.

"Hn." She nodded. Turning on her heel, she waved her hand in a simple good bye and started her way back to the compound. Naruto blinked after her. Something in his brain kept telling him that he was doing something wrong. Of course, being the nitwit he was, the blond shrugged it off and entered the huge building.

-0-0-0

"You let her…walk home alone?!" his mother's screech filled the hallways, and almost shattered Naruto's glass of water.

After taking a gulp and placing the cup on the table, Naruto shrugged and answered, "Is there something wrong with that?"

Uzumaki Kushina, Naruto's feisty, bright, and happy redheaded mother, let out an exasperated breath and leaned back onto the soft recliner. She glanced over at the man leaning against the counter, smiling handsomely, her husband. "The boy has inherited your idiotic ways of love," she commented, waving her hand disapprovingly.

"Well, I got the girl, didn't I?" Minato murmured, and then shrugged much like his son. "She treated you to dinner…how disappointing. You need to learn how to be a real man." He gave Kushina a look that stated, Don't you DARE comment. She giggled.

"Well, if you gave me a raise in my allowance…" Naruto attempted to manipulate the situation. However, his parents were too clever and childlike, and then both gave an automatic "No" to his request. The teenager groaned again and stomped up the stairs, yelling good nights from his bedroom.

Kushina laughed again, and turned to her husband, who was currently finishing his son's water. "Yup. More like you everyday."

Minato glanced at her questioningly and then sighed. "An Uchiha, eh? Naruto's going to have huge trouble." He smiled, looking back fondly on old memories and friends. Finally, he shook his head, looked up at the ceiling. "Well, it's about time. I was almost worried that he was…you know."

Again, his wife laughed. Oh, how much he loved that sound.

-0-0-0-

Mikoto didn't quite understand why, but she complied with Sasuke's demands to make a full breakfast that morning. And she was almost shocked at the speed her daughter devoured said meal. Perhaps her new sensei told her to do so. She was pleased with that thought and said nothing more on the matter. Fugaku was glad that she was eating healthily, and Itachi left the table, claiming that he had lost his appetite.

"I'll be going now! Wish me luck," Sasuke cheerily, and uncharacteristically said, before slipping on her sandals and skipping off.

Mikoto glanced at her husband, who casually dunked down the rest of his tea. He looked up. "Yup. She found a boy. Now, I wonder when it'll be Itachi's turn." He eyed said man carefully, questioningly.

Their eldest son blinked, shrugged, and left.

-0-0-0-

Sasuke arrived at the grounds at five sharp, even though she knew all too well that Kakashi probably wouldn't come until three hours later. She sighed and plopped on the grass. Two seconds later, Sakura stumbled onto the scene, rubbing her eyes and yawning. "Morning, Sasuke-chan," she said. Sasuke acknowledged her with a nod.

Few moments later, a yawning, drowsy Uzumaki Naruto staggered towards the two females. As soon as he reached the patch of grass, which they sat upon, he collapsed into a fit of snores and drool. Sasuke giggled, and Sakura would too, if she weren't so hungry and tired.

Three hours later, the three of them, one well-rested and full, and the other two exhausted and starved, jumped up in surprise as Kakashi-sensei materialized in a giant poof of smoke. Jovial, he waved his hand casually, acting perfectly normal, as if he was never late at all. "Yo. What's up?" the outline of his smile was apparent underneath the tight fabric of his mask.

"Is that all you can say!?" Naruto and Sakura screamed, anger suddenly fueling them with energy.

Sasuke sat on the grass, frowning in disapproval. Kakashi's antics never ceased to vex her so. She watched as Kakashi attempted to calm her teammates before standing up and flipping a kunai in her fingers. "Well, what's next on the agenda?" she asked as calming as she could. But she knew, as well as Kakashi, that her blood was boiling with excitement. I haven't fought in a while. Time to see if anything's changed.

"It seems as if one of you has grasped the situation," the silver-haired jounin commented, pushing his two attacking subordinates aside. His hand reached behind him and out from his back pocket he pulled two bells. He watched in amusement at the fascination radiating from the children's eyes. Sasuke remained indifferent. Slowly, he shook them, their sound filling up the empty, but tense atmosphere of the training grounds. After tossing them in the air, catching them and tying them securely onto his belt, he continued. "Two bells. Three people. One of you will not pass."

He waited for the initial shock fade from their eyes. Sternly, "You need to come at me with an intent to kill. Whoever doesn't get a bell by noon gets tied up to those polls and I get to eat their lunch in their faces!" He said the last part with such a sarcastic humor, meant to annoy people. Naruto and Sakura clutched tightly onto their stomachs, blushing at the growling noises.

"You'll be sent back to the academy if you fail. We'll start when I say--"

The sentence remained unfinished. At full speed, Naruto lunged, fist first, kunai in hand, at his sensei. Everything that happened next was a blur, and Sasuke almost cursed his luck as a woman. If she wielded the Sharingan, then perhaps she would've caught the gimmick that Kakashi performed. Somehow, the jounin had flipped their positions so that Naruto was on the defensive, with his kunai pointing at his own head. Still smiling, the man whispered, "I hadn't said, 'Go' yet. But I'm glad you seem to understand the situation as well." He twisted the boy's arm for extra effect, and then let Naruto go.

Kakashi waved his hand with a flourish. "Now…let us begin. Ready, set, GO!"

-0-0-0-

Thank you for your reviews. Please add more. Thank you very much.

DarkMiko13 – Yeah. It's so difficult for me to write and think of long chapters, but thank you so much for your review.

Stoic Sol – Thank you for your review. Of course, JealousFemale!Sasuke is coming up soon, because she's cool like that. And since Hinata is so shy, well, you get the picture.

my name IS a flower – Thank you. What do you know, here's the next update!

Alexwill22 – Thank you very much for your support!

DrownMySoul –I love your review; it made me all warm and fuzzy inside. And here's the update for you! I'm glad I could inspire you, as well.

Chaos Jester Power – Yay for my first reviewer. Thank you so much for your support.

And for those who alerted and favorite, thank you so much. I love you all!

My stories always start small, but I'm hoping that they'll grow to be so much more.