I do not own Naruto. I just like to borrow the characters. If I owned them Kakashi would be mine ^_^

A.N. – not much of a response from the prologue but it is short so maybe this will get more. Thank you to those who have marked it as a favorite or story alert.

BTW – I changed up the bell test a little to fit it into the story better. These things will happen so hopefully nobody is too upset over that.

Now, on with the story!

Chapter 1: First To Go

Sakura sighed for the umpteenth time that night. She was thinking over the day she had while laying in bed. She was placed on a team with Naruto and Sasuke and didn't know how to feel about that. The green eyed girl had pretended to be annoyed about the blond and ecstatic about the other. Already formulating a plan she decided that this was the best chance to slowly 'change' her attitude so that she could be more like herself.

Now that they were on teams there wouldn't be a whole classroom full of other students and teachers to get suspicious of her sudden change in character. Their new sensei didn't really know her so he wouldn't know that she drastically changed. If she was careful the two boys would be oblivious. The first thing to go was the so called obsession with Sasuke. The preteen was going to make it like she was trading it in for becoming serious on training.

The truth of the matter was she did truly want to be better. She wanted to prove her father wrong for all the times he said she'd never make a good ninja. She wanted to be strong enough to stand up for herself so she'd never go through what she went through as a child.

With that Sakura stopped her train of thoughts. She didn't want to think about that. It only brought pain and anger that she couldn't do anything with.

*sigh* "I need to get some sleep for tomorrow," she mumbled to herself. Eventually she drifted off to sleep.

**

Team 7 was pissed!

"What the hell? How long are we going to have to wait for this bastard to show?" This was yelled from Naruto after they had been impatiently waiting for a few hours already.

"I could be doing something better with my time." Sakura's mumbled voice replied in bitter response.

Both guys were slightly surprised since this was the girl who always tried to be on a teacher's good side, but they shrugged it off. The two boys figured it was nothing since all three were hungry and tired from being there so early and being told not to eat breakfast.

"I agree. I could be training." Sasuke finally responded.

With that all three of them were quiet again as they continued to wait for even longer.

Sakura was drifting in and out of sleep like Naruto was but was almost glad she didn't eat because she was so nervous. What if they failed? She couldn't stand it if she failed to become a ninja. How would she get strong enough to hopefully stand up for herself one day? How would she deal with her father taunting her about being a failure and saying how she'd be dependent on him for life?

Just then there was a poof of smoke and when it cleared there was the man all three of them had been mentally cursing and waiting for.

"Yo," came his greeting with a hand wave. Not that his students knew it, but he had been there a little before he appeared. He had taken several minutes to look over and study the three of them.

Kakashi really wasn't impressed by them and thought they'd fail like the others, though time would tell. If they passed his bell test, then he might put more thought into actually finding out a little more about each of them.

Clearing his throat, Kakashi got the attention of the three kids. He explained to them the object of getting the bells from him and within the set time limit.

**

While Naruto went to attack their sensei Sakura went to hide. She knew there was no way Naruto could take him on his own but this would give her a chance to observe their new sensei while Naruto attempted to pound him.

Naruto's attacks didn't really take much time before Kakashi had taken care of him for a bit. Sakura decided to relocate. She didn't bother wondering about Sasuke, the boy had always been a loner and she doubted he'd change now.

Sakura found Kakashi and was trying to decide how to approach the white haired man when he called her name from behind her.

Shocked, the pink haired girl looked over her shoulder as he made some hand seals.

Next thing she knew what there was a beat up looking Sasuke dying in front of her. Luckily she knew it was a genjutsu, however she was torn on how to react. One hand said to act like was expected and use it as an opportunity to attack her sensei. The other hand reminded her that her first small goal was to drop the so called Sasuke obsession. Opps! Apparently she took too long to decide as Kakashi dropped it himself and was looking at her funny.

Kakashi wasn't taking any of this seriously. He used to be Anbu and there was no way these kids would be able to up him, especially since so far they had yet to work together to pass the test. Naruto was easily handled on his own.

After Naruto, Kakashi sensed Sakura near him and decided to get her out of the picture next. He figured a simple genjutsu of her precious Sasuke-kun would be enough to get her to freak out.

While he didn't think it would permanently scar her for life, the older ninja expected to get some kind of reaction from her. There weren't any tears though and she didn't scream. No, she looked blankly at first then changed her expression to one of so what before changing it to one of thought.

Intrigued, Kakashi watched her briefly before releasing the genjutsu and looking at Sakura with a puzzled expression. He knew crazy fangirl types, he'd had one on his team when he was younger, and Sakura's reaction didn't match the profile. So did that mean she was better at hiding her emotions when called for?

Kakashi didn't think that was the case. Her blank face had been too raw; like she didn't know whether to get upset or like she didn't really care. Was she not really into Sasuke? If not, why the change? Why the charade of supposedly being obsessed with the boy?

After he dropped the attack to her senses, Sakura looked shocked and immediately was on edge. He looked at her thoughtfully while trying to think of his next attack. She caught him off guard with what she said next.

"Sensei, if you want to get me with genjutsu and torture me, at least come up with something that'll actually upset me. Contrary to popular belief I actually don't like Sasuke."

"Hmm, I'll keep that in mind," he mumbled while filing the information away for a later date if needed.

Before he had a chance to attack next, she moved as though she were about to attack him but faked and left the area. Odd. He'd have to keep his eye on her.

**

Sakura didn't want to stick around in the event that he chose another genjutsu to attack her with. She decided that as annoying as he was, Naruto was her only chance. If she was going to change she might as well start there with things too. Naruto liked her, which was common knowledge. Also, she realized she'd never seen him be mean to anyone, so he was more likely to work with her.

If they could work together and get the bells then it'd be Saskue going back to the academy. That sounded like a good way to show she didn't like him anymore. Thinking to herself, she figured that if sensei had already faced Naruto and her, then Sasuke was likely to be next. This would buy time for her to grab Naruto and plan something.

**

Sasuke was going at Kakashi with all he could. He had managed to set up multiple traps while the older shinobi dealt with the loser and annoying one. The Raven was so close that he brushed the bells and smirked at the man.

Kakashi was surprised that Sasuke had the abilities that he did but that didn't mean he'd let the brat get the bells. Before long, Kakashi could sense Naruto coming up towards them on one side with Sakura on the other side.

Deciding to finish with Sasuke before finding out what the other two were up to, Kakashi used an Earth technique to pull Sasuke into the ground, with only his head sticking out. Just as he was about to impart some words on the raven head, Naruto started to attack him with a massive amount of clones and weapons.

**

Sakura sighed to herself. While Naruto was distracting and attack their sensei she was going to see if see could use a genjutsu on him and set up some traps, but now she'd have to get Sasuke out of the way. While she didn't like the guy, she was above leaving him there to get caught up in the attacks.

Sasuke seemed surprise she wasn't swooning over him when she reached him. He watched surprised as she carefully set a genjutsu and then helped him get out. Looking at him she addressed him.

"Either stay out of our way or help set up the traps we have planned so that we can get sensei and those bells."

"Pft, whatever" was the response she got from the broody ninja.

**

Kakashi was fighting with Naruto but keeping an eye on Sakura. He was disappointed to see she didn't help Sasuke out of his position. With her and Naruto working together that was coming close to the point of the test. The experienced ninja wasn't sure if he should blame them though for not working with the Uchiha.

As Kakashi finished up with the last of the clones and decided to finish this so he could see what the others were up to, he was attacked from his side.

Looking up in surprise there was Sakura attacking him as well. Granted she wasn't much of a challenge but he decided he needed to actually pay attention to what was going on somehow he had a feeling that those two were up to something. His visible eye narrowed.

"Now Naruto!"

Kakashi was curious to know what she was referring to. Looking at the blond his visible eye went wide with shock as Naruto was suddenly a naked female covered barely by wisps of smoke. Avoiding a kick to the face, barely in time, Kakashi leapt back to avoid Sakura's foot taking advantage of his distraction.

She kept at though for a minute and he simply blocked and backed up. Bad choice.

'Shit' Kakashi thought to himself. 'So this is what she was up to when Naruto was attacking me with his clones. Well this shouldn't be too hard to avoid. Nice to see at lease two of them can work together.'

Kakashi easily avoided the traps but he as he was avoiding a particularly nasty one his eye widened. 'Sasuke!' Looking over he could see the raven hair boy about to be caught in the explosions.

Sakura and Naruto smirked to themselves. It had played in their favor that sensei had left the third teammate buried, plus with Naruto's distraction, Sakura was able to place the slight genjutsu to make it appear to Kakashi that Sasuke was still there.

At the last second Sakura released the genjutsu and it revealed to Kakashi that Sasuke was no longer buried up to his head. In fact the so called genius was ready to pounce and grabbed at the bells.

As Sasuke almost reached the bells, Kakashi smirked as the alarm went off signaling the time was up, too bad for them. At least there seemed to be hope for the group after all.

**

Kakashi looked down hard at the three before him. All three were on the edge of their seats waiting to hear his verdict.

"I honestly didn't think you'd make it this far. Naruto, you were impulsive and attacked while the other two did nothing to help you. Sakura, you watched and did nothing so that you could observe, though I must say I'm intrigued by earlier. Seems you aren't the fangirl everyone thinks you are. Sasuke you need to learn to work as a team.

Ninja are put into teams for a reason, it's so they can work together and cover for each others' weaknesses. In my book you are nothing but a piece of trash if you don't take care of your comrades. They watch your back; it is your duty to watch theirs. You'll also be a lot more successful that way. You still have a ways to go and need to learn to work together."

With that said he looked at Naruto and Sakura before continuing.

"Sakura, Naruto, you two were able to work together and didn't leave Sasuke in that spot or to possibly be injured, therefore I will pass you. Sasuke, I hope you work more willingly with them next time instead of setting a few traps while waiting for your opportunity. However it's a start and better than your earlier attempt you made alone."

"Congratulations, you three are now team 7!"

Naruto jumped up in joy.

Sasuke gave a 'hm' and smirked.

Sakura, Kakashi noticed, had a look of pure relief and smiled faintly.

Yep, this would be interesting.

A.N. – sorry if the fighting sucked, haven't really written one before. Let me know what you think. Let me know if I need more details (and what kind if so) or what you think it needs. I didn't want too many details b/c I know I personally get bored (adhd what can I say?) with that. Any questions just ask and I'll answer. Please read and review. Hope you enjoyed

Peace out