Chapter Four

Team 7 first meeting

Naruto was now around a table to celebrate his thirteen birthday. He wasn't alone and the only four persons who had to be there were not four anymore. Tsunade had invited all the people who were present in the street when Naruto had show his Sexy jutsu man version. So, Hinata, Itachi, Sasuke, Neji, Kiba, Shino, Chouji, Shikamaru, Tenten and Lee were around the large table. Jiraiya was between Tsunade and Shizune and Iruka was beside Naruto.

The table was full of cake and pastries diverse. Tsunade had seen things in big and she had made most of them herself. She had wanted Naruto's birthday to be unforgettable for him.

Naruto was shocked. How in the world did Tsunade have been able to make all of that? He was really impressed and happy even if nothing was showing on his face. He wanted to thanks them but was unable to do it because she was already putting cake before him. Naruto took his spoon and began to eat. Really it was delicious. Never before he had eaten something as good as that. He did his little smile Jiraiya had teach him and looked at Tsunade who was nearly crying with a big mother loving smile on her face. All people who were present ate and after some times, Tsunade broke silence.

"- So Naruto, have you think about my idea? Do you want to join the ninja Academy?" She asked.

"- I don't really know yet. When you said you wanted to teach me, I wasn't thinking it would be in school. I thought it would be just like with Jiraiya." Naruto answered."

"- I wanted to do that too but I have a lot of responsibilities but I will find some time for just the two of us. " She said with a smile.

Naruto just nodded. He was a little sad to not be able to spend more time with Tsunade. He wanted to be with her not with people he didn't know. He was scared even if it wasn't showing off on his face.

"- Don't worry, Naru-chan! We're all in the academy and our teacher is Iruka-sensei so you won't be lost." Said Kiba while Akamaru was barking.

"- How did you just call me?" Naruto said with a hint of anger in his voice. "I'm not a girl so don't call me like that. It's not like I had chosen to grown up looking like that." He said with a sad voice.

"- Naruto-kun. Where are you going to stay?" asked Hinata to relax the atmosphere.

"- Naruto will live with me. I have a big house and only live with Shizune. There is plenty of space for him." Said Tsunade with a big smile.

"- But that scary man said that it wasn't possible because you were Hokage and that I was ... what I am." said Naruto.

"- Don't worry about this old geezer. He had nothing to say. My private life had nothing to do with my work." She said always smiling.

"- Arigato." Naruto said with his little smile.

Naruto was happy. Even if he wasn't able to spend time with Tsunade, he was going to see her all the time because they were going to live together. Perhaps, he would agree to enter the academy to not be alone during the day when she would be at work. And he would be able to spend time with Hinata who was so gentle with him.

"- Then, perhaps I will enter the academy..." He said.

"- Then let me explain to you. Tomorrow, there will be teams formed. Three people per team and a teacher will be with you all the time. You will be sent in missions." Iruka said with a smile.

"- But Naruto-kun is not a ninja." Tenten said.

"- He had trained with Jiraiya during three years, he had the level just like you." Tsunade answered.

"- Then, will I be with Hinata?" Naruto asked.

"- No, I'm sorry but Hinata's team had already be decided. You will be put in Sasuke's Team. There is a vacant spot. " Iruka said.

"- Then, if it's not Hinata, who the other one?" Naruto asked with puppy eyes.

"- A girl name Haruno Sakura." Iruka said.

Just at that time, Sasuke sighed loudly.

"- Gomen nasai." Naruto said.

"- Why are you apologizing?" asked Itachi.

"- Sasuke-san doesn't seem happy that I'm in his team." Naruto explained.

"- That's not because of you. It's cause of Sakura. You will discover really quickly that in this village, the Uchiha are very popular with women. Itachi is like an ice king so nobody comes near him but he had three fan clubs. Sasuke isn't so lucky. Women constantly hunt him. Two in particular and one of them is Sakura. So be careful of her. When it comes to Sasuke, she's terrifying." Explained Tenten.

"- Tenten-san is also an Uchiha fan?" asked Naruto.

"- No! I'm a pretty boys' fan!" She exclaimed proudly.

"- Then what about Hinata?" Naruto asked facing her.

"- I'm ... There's only Naruto-kun for me!" She said turning red.

"- Me? Why that?" Naruto asked not understanding her.

"- It means, she's in love with you!" Explained Jiraiya.

"- What is love?" Asked Naruto.

"- That's something you'll have to discover by yourself." Said Tsunade.

"- Why that? Isn't it a technique?" Naruto asked.

"- That's not a technique, it's a feeling and an unique one." Iruka said.

"- Then, does everyone have it?" Naruto asked.

"- You can say that." Shizune said.

"- But what's a feeling?" Naruto asked again.

"- That's something quite difficult to explain." Tsunade said.

"- Naruto-kun, you like being with Hinata-chan, right?" Said Itachi.

"- Yes." Naruto answered.

"- Explained what it feels like inside you when you are with her." Itachi asked.

"- When I'm with Hinata? It feels like there are bubbles all around me. She's really gentle and her shy smile is pretty. It's funny how she plays with her fingers when she's embarrassing." He said.

"- That's called a feeling. Just like you found her attitude funny. It's called emotion. It's the same when you find someone scary." Itachi explained.

Jiraiya put his thumb on and smiled. Itachi was really a genius. Nobody would have been able to explain something like that so easily.

"- So does that thing called love dangerous or bothering?' Naruto asked.

"- Why do you think that?" Asked Tsunade.

"- That's because Sasuke-san doesn't like Sakura-san." He said.

"- Her love is different. It's not call love but obsession. It's rather different." Explained Itachi.

"- She's really annoying. But she's not the only one. The worst it's when she battles over me with her so called rival Ino." Sasuke said boringly.

"- I remember a time when Sasuke had nearly had both of his arms tore off from his body. They were glued to his arms and were trying to make him come their way. That time was a real scary day. Sasuke's mother arrived and both of the girls run away while crying." Said Kiba.

"- Mom can be scarier than Dad. It gave me chills and when I think about it, it's still giving me." Sasuke confessed.

"- Nee, does everyone in your family look alike?" asked Naruto while looking at them curiously.

"- You can say things like that. Do you know what a bloodline limit is, Naruto-kun?" asked Itachi.

"- I know. Ero-sannin told me. He said Kekkei genkai (bloodline limit) were abilities passed down genetically in specific clans. Kekkei genkai such as the Sharingan works via the user's eyes and are called "eye techniques" (,dōjutsu). Other kekkei genkai such as Mokuton revolve around a simultaneous combination of two separate chakra elements to create an entirely new one." Naruto said like it was only natural that any person knows about that.

"- That's quite right. You quote the Sharingan. Sasuke and I are both Sharingan user just like any other people in our family. Perhaps it's link to our bloodline limit, in our clan we all have black hair and black eyes which turned red when we activate our sharingan." Itachi said.

"- Sugoi! So, so, Hinata-chan and Neji-kun are from the same family too! What's your family bloodline limit?" Naruto asked with puppy eyes, really interested.

"- We're Byakugan user. Do you know about this one?" Said Neji.

"- I don't know anything specifically, Ero-sannin said that the Byakugan can detect and see through anything within its range of sight. In battle, users of the Byakugan can see the flow of chakra within an opponent's body. He also said something about Jûken (gentle fist) I think. Am I right?" Naruto said not really sure if he was right or mistaking with another one.

"- That's right, Naruto-kun. Neji-nii-sama and I can see anything with our Byakugan, just like our entire family" Hinata said.

"- Then, Shino-kun, Kiba-kun, Tenten-chan, Shikamaru-kun, Chouji-kun and Lee-kun? Do all of you have a bloodline limit? Asked Naruto who really wanted to know.

"- Shino is a bugs user from the Aburame clan. Chouji is from the Akimichi clan, they are specialist in enlargement jutsu. It means they can enlarge any part of their body. Kiba is part of the Inuzuka clan, which are specialized in beast type of attacks and pairing up with other animals. Kiba is paired up with Akamaru. Shikamaru is part of the Nara clan. He's a shadow technique user but he's well known for his laziness." Explained Iruka just when Shikamaru cut him.

"- So troublesome." Whispered Shikamaru who was nearly asleep.

"- You will find quickly that for him all is troublesome but he's a genius anyway. Lee is unable to use ninjutsu or even genjutsu but he a Taijutsu specialist so don't take him lightly. And Tenten is a weapons specialist user. Be careful she has a lot of weapon on her even if you can't tell." Finished Iruka.

"- Sugoi, Sugoi! Are there some teams here?" Asked Naruto.

"- Neji, Tenten and Lee are in the same team under Gai-sensei. Lee is a chibi looking Gai." Said Shizune.

"- Yes!! Naruto-kun! You must absolutely meet with Gai-sensei! You will be a youthful ninja from now on! You must train under Gai-sensei!" Screamed happily Lee.

"- Sorry to disappoint you Lee, but Naruto will train under Kakashi-sensei with Sasuke and Sakura." Stated Tsunade.

"- There also Kiba, Shino and Hinata who will be in the same team tomorrow. They are under Kurenai-sensei. Shikamaru and Chouji will be together with Ino under Asuma-sensei." Iruka explained.

"- Then, Itachi-san? Are you a ninja too?" Naruto asked locking eyes with Itachi.

"- Yes, I'm a ninja too. But today was my day off. Tomorrow I will meet with my team-mates to go on a new mission." Itachi said.

"- Mission … Will I be able to do some too? Nee Baa-chan?" Naruto asked absently.

"- Of course, you will be able, you already have the level, you only have to meet your sensei and your last team member. Kakashi will surely give you a little test but I'm sure you will be able to do it. But that's a team test." Tsunade explained.

"- Team test?" Asked Naruto without understanding.

"- Just like you combined elements in your jutsu, you will have to work in combination with your team mates. For example, Sasuke is a fire user and you're a wind user. If you combine your jutsu, you will be twice more powerful." Explained Jiraiya,

Naruto looked at Sasuke while thinking. If you combine fire and wind, it will blow. That was a chemical reaction. Fire needs wind or air to grow stronger.

"- What if it backfire at us?" Asked Naruto.

"- Of course, you will have to train to perfection it." Said Jiraiya.

Naruto nodded and yawned while pouting a hand before his mouth. Tsunade took that as a warning. Naruto was tired of his long travel with Jiraiya and needed some sleep. His eyes were half-closed and his head was dangerously ducking in his plat.

"- I think it's time to leave. Naruto-kun seemed pretty tired of his trip. You will all see him tomorrow. You all have to be in good shape." Iruka said.

"- Gomen nasai." Naruto said lowly.

"- Don't worry, we understand very well that you're tired. See you tomorrow, Naruto-kun." Itachi said.

They all stood, Naruto too and went to the door. They all said good-bye to each other and left. Tsunade took Naruto in her arms and smiled like a mother.

"- Time to go to bed, little boy." She said with a smile.

"- I'm not a little boy, I'm thirteen now … Zzzz" Naruto fell asleep in her arms.

"- Not a little boy, nee?" She smiled again and left the living room and went upstairs to Naruto's new room.

She put him on bed, covered him, kissed him on his forehead and left the room. The sun was still shining but it was nearly down. Tsunade went back to the living room where Jiraiya and Shizune were. They all smiled.

"- He fell asleep." She said.

"- I hope nothing bad will happened tomorrow." Shizune said.

"- Don't worry, he pretty strong now. He even learned his father's Rasengan." Jiraiya said happily.

"- In three years? He really his father' son." Tsunade said proudly.

"- One week." Jiraiya corrected.

"- What, one week?" Asked Tsunade.

"- He learned the Rasengan in only one week." Jiraiya said.

"- You're kidding!" Tsunade shout.

Jiraiya smiled. He wasn't kidding at all. After a little bet, over Naruto's sexy jutsu, that Jiraiya lost, he had to teach Naruto this technique. Naruto had learned it but his one version needed a boushin clown to help. But Naruto's best technique was still the kage boushin that Kyuubi had teach him and that Jiraya enjoyed greatly.

That night, Jiraiya stayed sleep over. In the morning, Naruto woke up and found all of them in the kitchen. They were taking their breakfast and were all waiting for him. He said them good morning and ate with them. When the time came, they all left and Tsunade, Jiraiya and Shizune accompanied Naruto to the academy. When they arrived, Hinata, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Kiba and Akamaru, Shino, Chouji were already there and were waiting for him. Naruto had a little smile. He said good-bye to Tsunade, Jiraiya and Shizune and went to meet them.

"- Itachi-san, Neji-kun, Tenten-chan and Lee-kun aren't there?" He asked with puppy eyes.

"- Itachi already went on a mission. He will surely be there in the afternoon." Sasuke explained.

"- Neji-nii-sama, Tenten-chan and Lee-kun are one year older than us. They already have mission assigned to them. They will come back this afternoon too." Hinata said shyly.

"- So ka. Then, where are we going?" Naruto asked.

"- We're going in the classroom. You know, the one from yesterday when you came to fetch Iruka-sensei." Kiba said.

Naruto nodded and they all went to the classroom. When they entered, flashes of pink and blond hair were seen and Sasuke saw himself being sucked between two girls who were glaring at each other. Sasuke sighted and looked at Naruto who was by the wall with the other.

"- The blond-haired one is Ino and the pink-haired one is Sakura." Said Chouji while eating chips.

Naruto nodded and didn't know what to do. Did he have to let Sasuke like that? Or did he have to help him? He looked at Kiba who was smirking. Seeing that was funny for him. It was always a lot of fun watching an Uchiha such as Sasuke being in that situation.

"- Let him alone. When Iruka-sensei will be there, it will stop." Kiba said while smiling.

Naruto looked at Sasuke who was sending death glare to both of girls but they weren't looking at him. Naruto went to sit on a table just next to Hinata. She blushed and began to play with his fingers. Iruka arrived and Ino and Sakura let go of Sasuke. He quickly went to the seat next to Naruto and escaped being sucked between them. Silence took place and Iruka broke it.

"- First, I have to introduce you to a new classmate. Naruto, come here." Iruka asked.

Naruto stood, Sasuke let him pass and he made his way to Iruka.

"- This is Uzumaki Naruto. Starting today, he will be put on a time with two of you. And … this too. This is you head protector Naruto. It proves that you're a ninja from Konoha." Iruka said with a beaming smile.

Naruto took it and put it around his neck. He then went back to his seat and waited for Iruka to continue.

"- I will now announce you team and your teacher." Iruka said.

He called students and they took of with their teacher. Hinata, Shino, Kiba and Akamaru left with Kurenai. Ino, Shikamaru and Chouji left with Asuma and Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto stayed behind, their teacher was not there yet. Iruka left saying them to wait for him.

"- So you're the new student? You look like a girl. You're sure you aren't one?" Sakura said looking at Naruto suspiciously.

"- I'm a boy, it's not my fault if I look like that." Naruto said.

'- I don't like this girl. She's annoying. Be careful around her. If she's really a hard fan of Sasuke, she will surely be in the way.' Kyuubi said.

'- What do you mean, she will be in the way?' Asked Naruto in his head.

'- She'll be in the way of mission if she's the jealous type. Be careful around her.' Kyuubi explained.

"- Yo! Sorry I'm late, I was helping a old woman with her bags." The man who just arrived said.

"- Liar." Naruto simply said.

"- Whatever, come with me on the roof." He said and disappeared in a pouf of smoke.

Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura took the stairs and went to the roof. When they arrived, they found the white haired man sat on a rail. He closed his book and looked at them while they were sitting on the floor.

"- Let me introduced myself, I'm Hatake Kakashi. I will be your teacher form now on. Now tell me about you. Pinky, you go first." He asked with a smile hidden behind his mask.

"- Don't call me like that! My name is Haruno Sakura, I'm thirteen. I like the pink colour and someone. I hate the yellow colour and a certain someone. What about Kakashi-sensei? " She asked with a smile.

"- What I like or dislike don't concerned you." He said a little icily. "Next, the dark haired boy" He asked with a recovered smile.

"- I'm Uchiha Sasuke. I like my friends and being alone to. I hate fan girls. My dream is to be in the same team as my brother and be good friend with Naruto." Sasuke said with a smile for Naruto.

"- Okay, now, Blondie, your turn." Kakashi said.

"- My name is Uzumaki Naruto and I'm a boy. I love Tsunade Baa-chan, Jiraiya Ero-sannin, Shizune nee-chan, Iruka-sensei, all the people who where at my birthday yesterday and Ramen. I hate a lot of people from this village and I don't have a dream but I hope I'll be good friend too with Sasuke-kun." Naruto said with his little smile.

"- Jiraiya Ero-sannin?" asked Kakashi suddenly interested.

"- You don't know him? He's the one who writes the perverted books that you read. Icha Icha Paradise, he's always spying on the women bath. He said it's to gather informations. Baa-chan is not really happy about that." Naruto said a little childishly.

"- I know him! He's my idol!" Said Kakashi like a child.

"- You perverted sensei! How can you be a teacher if you like looking at naked women?" burst Sakura while hiding her small breast in her arms.

"- I don't look at small fish like you, Pinky. And I'm a teacher because I have the qualifications." Kakashi said.

Sasuke grinned at the reflection about Sakura. Naruto was looking at Kakashi and Sakura without understanding. Kyuubi was laughing inside of him and Naruto made a pout because nobody explained anything to him.

"- Now, that we know each other a little, we're going to train." Kakashi said.

He stood and they did the same. They went to training ground and trained for two hour. Sasuke and Kakashi were sparing together and Naruto was left with Sakura who didn't want to spare with him. She was cheering on Sasuke and Naruto was sitting by himself, playing Jankenpo (Rock, paper, scissor) with two of his clown.

"- Kakashi! My youthful rival! You were there!" A giant Lee arrived with a smile and glittering teeth.

"- Yo, Gai. What are you doing here? You weren't supposed to be on a mission?" Kakashi asked once Sasuke and him had stopped sparing.

"- Mission complete! My youthful students are the best! They took care of it finger in the nose!" Gai said youthfully.

"- Then, what are you doing here?" Kakashi asked again.

"- Lee told me about a new friend and he wanted me to meet him!" Gai answered with the same glittering smile.

"- Naruto-kun! This is Gai-sensei! Were you in training?" Lee asked with the same smile as Gai.

"- I was playing Jankenpo. Sakura-san didn't want to spare with me. What was your mission? Neji-kun and Tenten-chan aren't with you?" Naruto asked while his two clowns disappeared.

"- Neji went to fetch Hinata and Tenten went to give the report to Hokage-sama. They will arrive soon." Lee explained.

"- So you're Naruto-kun, Lee's friend! You're a cute little girl …" Began Gai before Naruto cut him.

"- I'm a boy! I may look like girlish but I'm a boy!" Naruto shout finishing with a pout on his lips.

Tenten, who had just arrived, laughed at Naruto's pout. Neji and Hinata arrived shortly after and Naruto stood by Hinata. Hinata was playing with her fingers.

"- Yo, Naruto! I was searching for you. Tsunade will finish later than predicted so what about we'll go to get some Ramen?" Jiraiya said appearing from nowhere.

"- Can Hinata-chan, Neji-kun, Tenten-chan, Lee-kun, Sasuke-kun, Kakashi-sensei and Gai-sensei come too?" Naruto asked.

"- Sure, they can if they want." He answered.

Kakashi had his only uncovered eyes wide opened. His idol was right before his eyes and he was invited to eat Ramen with him.

"- Oh, an Icha Icha Paradise's fan! What about we talk about what you think of my books while eating?" Jiraiya said.

"- Ero-sannin! Don't talk about naked women while we eat Ramen! I'll tell baa-chan of you do!" Naruto screamed.

"- Tell her and I tell her that you used your sexy jutsu!" Answered Jiraiya childishly.

"- But I didn't use it! You're big perverted sensei!" Naruto said.

"- Which one will she believe?" Jiraiya asked.

Naruto made a pout and turned his back to Jiraiya.

"- And what about me?! Why didn't you ask me to come eat Ramen with all of you?" Sakura said angry.

"- You said you don't like me? Why I would invite you?" Naruto said childishly.

"- Stop acting like a little kid! You're the worst person I ever meet. Did your parents never teach you to be polite?" Sakura shout.

"- I don't have parents you big pink thing!" Naruto screamed before running away to hide his tears.

"- Naruto!" Jiraiya shout.

Naruto ran into the wood and only stopped when he didn't feel any chakra around anymore.

'- Don't cry, Kit. This pink girl is not worth it. You don't have to force yourself to like people you hate. If you don't like her, you don't like her. It's simple.' Kyuubi said.

'- But she badmouthed my parents … it's like she badmouthed Ero-sannin or Tsunade baa-chan. She is a hateful person. I know I'm not really well mannered but she clearly said that she doesn't like me. I don't want to be hate by people that I had just meet. If they learned you're inside me, they will hate me and I won't have a chance to make friends.' Naruto explained while crying.

'- You know, Kit, people are not supposed to judge other by appearance. If they do, it'll prove that they are the worst kind of living people. Don't take it to heart. I know it hurts but you have to be strong and one day you will be able to smile brightly just like Jiraiya, Tsunade or Iruka. You just need time to get used to have other people around you.' Kyuubi explained. ' Now go back and eat Ramen, you will feel much better after that.'

'- Thank you, Kyuu-chan. You're always there when I need you.' Naruto said.

'- One day, I won't be the one to comfort you anymore.' Kyuubi said.

'- I don't understand. Will you leave one day?' Naruto asked tears threatening to fall again.

'- No, I won't leave you, never but one day, you will fall in love and you will understand when this time will come.'

'- If you say so then I'm going. I'm hungry.' Naruto said while drying his tears.

He made his way back to the village and went to Ichiraku where all the other were with Itachi. He had joined them when he had come back from his mission. Sakura wasn't there and Naruto was relieved. He really couldn't stand her at all. Tenten was the first one to see him.

"- Naruto! We're so sorry about what that pink thing said. We were worried about you. All she can do is badmouth other." Tenten explained guiltily.

"- You missed something good! Naruto-kun! It was the first time I saw Hinata-san so angry. It was frightening! She screamed at Sakura and even slapped her on the face. Really, angry women are scary!" Lee told him.

Hinata was playing with her finger childishly and was bright red too. Neji was proud of his cousin but swore to himself to never anger her on his own. Really, the shy girl he had always known was really scary sometimes. Naruto didn't say anything and only kissed her on the cheek to thanks her. After that, Hinata fainted and Naruto while catching her fell on his ass on the floor. He then looked at Jiraiya who was laughing. Naruto was looking at him with puppy eyes without understanding why Hinata had fainted. Itachi stood and helped him to stand while holding Hinata in his arms. Hinata opened her eyes and nearly fainted again when she remembered Naruto's kiss.

"- Are you ok, Hinata-chan?" Naruto asked with worry in his voice.

"- I'm fine … Sorry to have worry you." She said.

Neji was holding his laughers. It was not good for his image to laugh. Sasuke and Itachi were the same. It wasn't Uchiha like at all to laugh. But the fact that Itachi and Sasuke were jealous of the kiss was true. You could say that since the blond had entered their life again, it had been love at first sight for the brothers and that it was a first for both of them. Sasuke and Itachi were well aware of the feelings of the other for the blond. Naruto was still looking at them with puppy eyes. He wanted to understand why Hinata had fainted from a kiss. He didn't think about that anymore when a large bowl of Ramen appeared before his eyes. Jiraiya took him on his laps since there weren't enough seats. To Naruto, Ramen were his first love and it was the only thing that could remove all sadness from his heart. He was not aware at all that he had not one but four stalkers near him. Hinata was first in line with Naruto's kiss but Itachi, Sasuke and Neji … Yes Neji too, were all right behind her. Really Naruto had no idea how much he was loved but right now he was too busy with his Ramen to look at all those lusty glares that were send to him.