The way of Shinobi

by thejuvenile

Kakashi Hatake, man of a thousand jutsus. Such an infamous man was to receive a genin team. They were high profile, so putting them to extreme lengths was the only way to increase their chances of survival. He would break them, to put them back together. The Leader, the Scout, the Medic, the Diversion, together, they made up team 7, and he would make them formidable.

4. Chapter 4

A/N: Hello everyone here is the new chapter which will be in last but not least Sasuke's point of view! I hope that all of you enjoyed last chapter and that you guys can come to understand Sasuke and like him. After reading all of you guys reviews I would be lying if I said I wasn't amused. While this story is focused on friendship you guys insist on trying to figure out pairings. Some of you guys believe I will go canon, others SasuHina and NaruSaku and others are getting a SakuHina vibe! It's very interesting to me how you guys perceive my writing and my lips are tightly sealed! Just know I am not against any possible couples and you won't really know for sure unless I take the story in that direction. I don't mind in the slightest if you guys review about your opinion on pairings but I would really appreciate if you would also acknowledge the events that happened in the chapter and give your thoughts on that as well! So, as usual please read and review and tell me how you feel about Sasuke.

And before I forget I would personally like to give a big thank you to Jammy who gave me a very long review! Not only did it make my day but it really inspired and pushed me to write this chapter! Also, to answer your questions about the Uzumaki clan and why Naruto or anyone for that matter doesn't know his parents, patience. ;)

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Everything was always the same.

It seemed nothing would change.

In a small apartment in the heart of the village a silent war raged on between boy and sheets, the latter in which was winning and effortlessly at that. It was late August and the heat was unbearable so the window was open allowing anyone access to the sight going on inside. Who knows if having the window open was useful or not, in all actuality it might be hotter out here than it was in there.

The anbu in his thick garb resisted the urge to take off his mask and wipe the sweat on the tip of his brow. He smacked his teeth together in annoyance, it was just too damn hot! Looking down he caught the sight of a drunk tripping over a trash can no doubt on his way home from the bars. Unconsciously he found himself shrinking back into the shadows as the drunk spoke unintelligible words and looked up near his position. The man's eyes were dazed and his face flushed from downing so many drinks.

Then the drunk encountered another drunk and the anbu found himself frowning in distaste under his mask as they got into a fist fight. It was beyond his comprehension why the two young boys who were so important to this village were housed in such a bad district. But who was he to question the authority of their honorable hokage.

He turned his attention back to the sight of the last Uchiha, thinking to himself if the boy would just take a couple seconds to still his movements he could easily release himself from the covers wrapped securely around his body.

But per usual the boy would not still his movements. This would always end the same. So his eyes narrowed on the small figure who in his career as an anbu he found himself in this positon too many times for comfort. Five years he's been in anbu. Five long years it seemed, and each year he found himself assigned this mission about ten times. Ironically, it was this mission that he hated being assigned the most. Not the missions that practically guaranteed his death or the ones where he lost squad members but this one.

Standing here just watching the boy fight his demons and knowing he couldn't do something even if he wanted just rubbed him the wrong way.

He was anbu, a protector of Konoha, and he couldn't even help a small child losing his sanity to a nightmare. He fought with his life on the line for the civilians, for the children, the elderly, so the next generation of the leaf would have a future.

He hated this mission because it made him feel so useless.

And he did not become anbu to be useless to his village.

But condoling the child was not within the parameters of the mission. He was to watch and make sure he remained safe from any dangers. He could not expose himself unless something posed as a threat. That was his mission, nothing more and nothing less.

When the boy began to let out quiet screams the anbu decided he had enough. The boy was fine….physically.

So he shook off the urge to assist him, backing up, having seen enough. It was time to move on and check on another boy who was also important to his village.

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He could not calm himself because he had seen the eyes.

The eyes of the one who had killed his clan. The eyes that made him fearful to actually go to sleep, so fearful that he would have to exhaust himself until his own eyes could no longer be kept open and unconsciousness would claim him against his will.

If you asked him the boy could not tell you how many times he woke up in the middle of his training grounds. It seemed forcing his body past its breaking point was the only way to get the desired sleep his body so desperately craved.

Those eyes had once again paid him a visit, as they did without fail every night. So because the boy had seen those eyes he continued to thrash about tussling with the sheets to be released. He felt suffocated and right now he needed to breathe.

When Sasuke was finally free he began to wheeze uncontrollably, unconsciously clawing at his throat because he still could not breathe and he thought perhaps he might truly die. As he attempted to get his breathing in control he started to survey his surroundings until it finally dawned on him that it was just a dream.

It was just a dream.

His arms fell limp at his sides and with the adrenaline gone he began to feel the deep cuts his fingernails left behind on his neck. Unbeknownst to him several thin trails of blood were making its way past his chest.

He wasn't dead. He was alive.

He could feel pain, the ache in his now sore throat reminding him that if he could feel pain there was no question he was alive.

So now, finally calm he focused on his shirt that was clinging to him like second skin. He hastily wiped away his tears and sweat, it being the only evidence of the pathetic nightmare that haunted him every night of his life.

The clock read 0412, so he decided now was as good as time as any to start his day. Going back to sleep was not an option, it was never an option. It was practically impossible. So he began to put on some shorts and strap on his sandals.

Opening his drawer he grabbed a clean shirt, and after taking off the damp one he was wearing and throwing it in a dirty clothes bin, he moved to put the fresh on. Taking notice of the now dried blood combined with his sweat he went to the bathroom to take a quick shower.

Fifteen minutes later he was gathering his weapons and leaving.

Once at his training ground he began light stretching. After that he created a shadow clone to begin his taijutsu training. It was a useful jutsu though admittedly tiring. The Hokage taught him the technique, going off about it "only being fair I teach you as well I suppose." He didn't understand what he meant at first but just decided it was the words of a senile old man.

Then when the dobe used the technique to try and challenge him he understood immediately. The Hokage showed a slight amount of favoritism toward himself and the Uzumaki. It was quite obvious why. If the old man was anyone other than the Hokage and he wasn't teaching him useful things then he would be annoyed by this fact.

He shivered lightly as he felt a trail of sweat go down his neck. It was just that hot. His clothes were pretty much drenched from his workout so he needed time to allow them to dry and cool himself down.

The sun was rising from the east so judging by its position the time was give or take around seven. Since he was finished his morning training it was time to make his way over to the academy, classes promptly began at eight after all.

Walking through the halls of the academy he made his way over to the fourth year classroom. Earlier he had caught the hands on a clock that let him know he was thirty minutes early.

Wonderful.

He would need to start bringing a watch to morning training so this never happened again.

Once he got into the classroom he took his usual seat toward the middle at the end of the row. He had his chin placed securely in one of his hands as he stared straight ahead. He felt a wave of tiredness come over him before he fought it off.

He was physically exhausted. Emotionally exhausted. Mentally exhausted.

Despite that he could not sleep.

Sasuke was tired, but the kind of tired he could not sleep away, because sleep would only leave him even more tired.

The only thing he knew to do to distract him from the thoughts and memories that would come to haunt him at night was train. Train until he was so physically exhausted that he could train no more.

So train he did.

Sasuke would not admit it but it was evident that he was scared to close his eyes. He was scared to sleep, to dream because it would always without fail lead him to that fateful night.

The night everything changed.

Every night he relived the worst day of his life.

So every night his hate grew stronger and as a result his resolve grew tenfold. He would avenge his clan. It was the only thing he could think to do that would rid him of the whispers. The whispers of the dead who filled his body with guilt. Sasuke was no fool. Even if he had not come home late that night he knew there was nothing he could have done to prevent what had happened.

But he should have died that night.

He should have died alongside his father, mother, and his clansmen. Then he wouldn't be plagued with so much hate, anger and guilt as he lived.

Most days being murdered in cold blood by his own brother didn't sound so bad. At least his pain would have been instant. At least he would at this very moment be resting for eternity.

Resting peacefully sounded so very good to him.

But according to him, he wasn't even worth killing.

Itachi had truly left him with a fate worse than death.

Creak

Startled, he straightened up glancing to the clock then to the door that was opening. Twenty minutes until class starts… he knew exactly who would walk through that door.

"Mmm my schedule isn't very busy today if you would like me to show you how I make it." The soft, firm voice of the Hyuga.

"Yea that works, I've been really curious since that time Naruto gave me some. I wonder if it has the ingredients I think it does." The confidant, slightly high pitched voice of the Haruno.

His gaze shifted from one to the other as he watched a flicker of surprise come onto their faces. He wasn't usually this early, so they weren't expecting him to beat them here.

"Good morning" the Hyuga offered him a small grin and slight bow before taking a seat next to him. He could feel her observant eyes linger on him before shifting back to the pinkette. She would ask no questions, which is why he tolerated her presence.

He wouldn't explain the bags under his eyes or the scratches on his neck even if she asked.

"Hey Sasuke" Sakura chirped out before scooching her way past him to sit on the other side of the Hyuga. He turned to his right to nod in their direction as greeting. Though the Haruno stopped in her tracks before she actually took her seat to turn and look at him fully.

They were too observant he thought with slight annoyance. So he swiveled his torso to face the knowing eyes of the pinkette head on, noting the Hyuga beside him who tossed them an interested look.

He flinched slightly as Sakura placed a secure hand on his shoulder. He resisted the urge to shake her off. He let his eyes do the talking for him as he narrowed them in a look that commanded her to get off. Though she wasn't looking at him, she leaned in closer, her eyes narrowed in concentration as she looked at his neck.

He sucked in his teeth and averted his gaze as he removed her hand on his shoulder with one of his own. All three of them knew that the scratches on his neck came from fingernails. There was no way he could have gotten them while training.

He had no excuses even if they asked, they all knew this. They were smart enough to come up with plausible explanations on how this could have happened. They were the two smartest girls in the class after all. Their only match from the boys being himself, the Aburame and the Nara.

Distracted with his thoughts he found himself flinching once more as Sakuras fingers were on his chin. She attempted to tip him upwards trying to get a good look at his whole neck though he forced his chin back down.

She furrowed her eyebrows at him, annoyed at his reluctance, and he found them having a silent conversation. Hinata who was watching them with a neutral look gave him a shrug as if to say "what's the harm?"

He could either have the Haruno take a look at it and fix the evidence of last night or potentially be victim to many stares and whispers today. Thinking of his options he decided he'd rather only them two see it any day. Giving in Sasuke tipped his head upwards giving her better access.

It was better to have her heal it than having all the teachers asking about it he supposed.

Moments later his eyes closed as a soothing feeling came over him.

It was Sakura's chakra.

As quickly as it came it was gone and the pinkette was in the seat beside the Hyuga continuing their conversation like nothing had happened.

This was why he accepted their presence.

That and because they were suitable training partners, they would no doubt be stepping stones on his journey to grow stronger.

As the time for class to begin slowly approached the classroom began to fill in with more and more students.

That person was too annoying. That one was incompetent. That one was an idiot. That one was a fan girl. He didn't even know how that person has made it this far in the academy.

All around him he found things wrong with each and every one of his classmates. Because of these things he would not bother himself being around them. They would only slow him down or hinder his growth. They were nothing like Sakura or Hinata who were in his opinion valuable assets to have around. Valuable assets….that's all they were.

At least that's what he told himself in the beginning.

Admittedly, he did not mind them being around him. They were intelligent and often he found it interesting to compare thoughts on different matters.

Testing his skills with the Hyuga was always a good way to improve. Then there was the pinkette's vast knowledge of no doubt hundreds of books always letting him know some new interesting information that could prove useful.

He found the rate in which the Haruno was growing overwhelmingly fast, it was interesting to bear witness to.

One could say Sasuke actually liked having them around. They weren't like other girls. Heck they weren't like anyone their age. They knew what they wanted in life and no doubt would accomplish it. In a way they were just like him.

"Hinata-chan, Sakura-chan!" a loud bolstering voice disturbed his thoughts. Sasuke ignored the boy who sent him a glare as he moved past him to sit at the very end of the row, near the girls.

For the life of him he would not accept that boy.

"Hinata-chan I'm so going to beat you in a spar today BELIVE IT!"

He was too loud.

"Naruto be realistic okay, it's not going to happen." Sakura closed her eyes in slight annoyance at his loud voice, as she gave him a warning to lower it.

Ease dropping he found himself agreeing with the Haruno, the voice of reason in this situation. The Hyuga on the other hand only gave the blonde false hope as she answered his declaration with an encouraging smile.

"Sakura-chan you never know today could be the day! I just have a feeling!" he answered with his voice noticeably lowered a few notches. Sasuke actually turned to him noticing the cheesy grin on his face as he shuffled his blond locks.

He was too optimistic.

How could someone hold so much hope without proof that things could turn in their favor? Sasuke just didn't understand the boy.

"Hehe How about we go to Ichiraku today after training guys? Teme's not invited of course" The blond shot him another glare, which he ignored. He would not give him a reaction he wanted.

"Gomen Naruto, Sakura and I have plans today" the boy seemed to sulk for a few seconds before his face moved into a grin once more.

"That's okay we can go tomorrow!"

He was too cheerful.

The blond was everything he was not. His complete opposite.

When Iruka-sensei walked in Sasuke gave his attention to the piece of paper in his hand.

"Okay class today we will be assigning D-rank missions for you guys to complete before noon. As usual the academy teachers will rotate groups to check on your progress. Once you have completed your mission you will return with your team and eat lunch together with them. The rest of the afternoon will be spent learning formations with that same team."

As fourth years Sasuke was getting used to the D-rank missions they were doing. Along with Hinata and Sakura they concluded the academy was trying to get a head start on forming teams. It was smart, he admitted, too bad he hated every team he was placed on as of yet.

Though the quicker he got through the missions the sooner he could get away from his annoying teammates. These D-rank missions were having him nervous for the team he would be placed on. What if they were incompetent?

As long as they didn't slow him down he didn't care.

Though this new development was interesting. Every other time they performed D ranks they weren't forced to eat and learn formations with that team. What was different about this time?

"The Hokage is expected to stop by and watch as well, so be on your best behavior, understood?"

There was a pause before it broke out into buzzling excitement. Sasuke nodded in confirmation as his classmates let out choruses of "yes" or "hai".

The hokage? He felt his eyes narrow as he realized something was indeed different about today's teams. As Iruka-sensei began reading off names on the list he found himself wondering…. did the academy already choose teams?

"Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Chouji Akimichi"

What followed was a scream of frustration. Ino went stomping up to the front as she grabbed her teammate's scrolls that contained their mission. She was without a doubt more than disappointed at her team. Then she sat down in a huff crossing her arms.

A few seconds later she had a flirtatious smile on her face giving him a pointed wink.

Sasuke refrained from scoffing in disgust. Ino Yamanaka…. she was loud and a fangirl. A combination of two things he hated. Though her abilities were admittedly decent. Once she left the academy and was away from all these distractions she would improve. She needed…some motivation or perhaps a goal.

Sasuke saw no surprise there. The Ino-Shika-Cho trio was well known in the village. Their history of success made it a no brainer that those three would be coupled together. Seeing as how Ino didn't make a huge scene meant that even she understood that.

"Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame"

That settled it. That was a clear scouting team, the very same one the Hyuga herself believed she would be placed on. These teams were more or less set in stone.

He felt himself bubbling in anticipation for his own team to be called.

To his right he exchanged a brief look with Sakura before Hinata got up and received her scroll. She took a seat down next to Shino. Kiba complaining about his team took a seat near them as well with his dog.

"Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Har-"

"YAYYY SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto shouted earning him a playful punch from Sakura. The pinkette was dragging the boy down in his seat and had a hand muffled on his mouth to shut him up.

Iruka-sensei took that as his que to say the last name.

"Sasuke Uchiha"

It did not go over well.

Sasuke, ignoring the boys shouts of protest calmly stood up and got to the front to receive their scroll. When he got back he took the liberty to open it and begin reading the contents.

They would be pulling weeds and managing the garden of an old lady who hurt her back. The reward money would be five thousand ryo each.

Simple and boring.

"Geez why couldn't it be me Sakura-chan and Hinata-chan instead" Naruto sputtered out shooting him hateful looks.

He felt his patience grow thinner with him.

In theory he could see why they placed the three of them together. Though Sasuke could see it going downhill fast. Naruto would not accept his leadership. He could picture himself in many disagreements with the blonde and knowing Sakura, she would not care enough to try and put a stop to it.

"Okay you all have your missions, be on your way."

Walking through the village on the way to their destination he felt himself grow more and more irritable at the blond wanabe shinobi.

"Iruka-sensei just had to make a mistake, there's no way that I should have ended up on a team with the teme. Sakura-chan definitely but you I will not accept!" Sasuke could practically feel Naruto glaring daggers at his back.

Beside him he felt Sakura sigh. "Naruto get over it already. Let's just hurry up and finish this mission so we can get back for lunch"

When they finally arrived to the house Sakura knocked on the door. After a few minutes an old woman came and greeted them. She smelled of peppermint and Sasuke could smell hints of a stew cooking inside.

"Oba-san what smells so good?" Naruto eyes twinkled and Sasuke imagined drool would come out of the boy's mouth at any moment. This was not what they were here for.

Before the old woman could answer he promptly asked her if the garden was in the back. Here in the front he didn't see any plants or flowers.

"Yes, right around there. Now you all be careful of those thorns." The wrinkles on her face became more evident when she smiled.

Thanking her he went on his way, already feeling done with this mission.

Halfway through pulling the weeds Naruto sighed exasperatedly beside Sakura, who was in between them.

"Why couldn't it be Hinata-chan instead of you?"

Behind him he took notice of the academy teachers who were looking at the three approvingly. Every now and then they wrote something on their clip boards but overall they seemed satisfied in being able to find the perfect team.

Heh, perfect team huh?

He stopped pulling weeds and regarded the blond who frankly he had enough of today.

"Do you have a problem with me?" it was time to address what exactly it was that the boy had against him. Sasuke didn't care enough to rack his brain for the reason the blond had a vendetta against him when he could just ask.

"Yea I do actually" the blond spoke with malice in his voice and a hint of a grudge.

"Care to enlighten me?"

"You're a jerk who won't acknowledge me, besides can't you see that you're getting in the way of me Hinata-chan and Sakura-chan?"

What a child

"Heh, so basically you hate me because I won't acknowledge you when you insist on that obnoxious act you put on?"

"Act?!" the blond saw blood as the boy took a shot at his character. Naruto clenched his fists no doubt wanting to pummel him already.

"If Sakura or the Hyuga had a problem with me they would say so already. It's just you and your misplaced jealousy, your acting like a child."

Beside the two boys Sakura looked on wearily. If they started fighting she would be out of there. You wouldn't catch her getting in the middle of two of the best taijutsu users of their year.

The Uzumaki's face was red in anger….or was it embarrassment. He decided it didn't matter as he cut him off while he was yelling at him.

"Don't tell me that's actually your personality?" Sasuke spit out. To think it wasn't actually an act. Someone could actually be that annoying…impossible.

"Guys let's get back to pulling weeds" Sakura's words fell on deaf ears as the two boys never heard her.

"How dare you! You want to talk about acts, how about the gloomy pity me party you have going on?"

Pity? The last thing he wanted was anyone's pity and certainly not from someone so below him. Sasuke seethed with anger.

"You want to know why I won't acknowledge you? Maybe because you're not on my level! You just take up space, wanting everyone's attention but not actually doing anything to deserve it." He let out a bitter laugh.

"Not on your level? I'm so sick of you and your, "I'm better than everyone" attitude! Let's go right now!" the blond raised his voice and stood up ready to square off with him.

"No need, we both know the end result" Sasuke simmered down and got back to working on pulling weeds, he was done with this dispute. If he continued with the blond that was exactly what he wanted, and there was no point. The sooner he was done with this the sooner he could be done with this team.

Then he felt a chunk of dirt hit the back of his head.

Slowly turning his head to look at the culprit he felt crinkles of dirt slide down his neck inside his shirt. He was welcomed to the sight of a smirking blond idiot.

And he felt his blood boil.

"Hah! That should bring you down to my level, right teme?" Naruto crossed his arms quite pleased with his handiwork.

Sasuke was still angry that he was caught off guard, and by a boy who wears an orange jumpsuit no less. Not even bothering to get rid of the dirt on his head, he stood up to meet the blond.

He took the chunk of dirt in his clenched hand and hurled it at him. He was not disappointed as the dirt made a 'plop' sound as it hit Naruto square in the face, literally knocking the smirk off him.

"You'll never be on my level, dobe" he spat in disgust.

"Wait guys, don't do this" Sakura spoke, finding herself backing up. She knew they wouldn't listen to her, but she had to at least try. Besides, it wouldn't be her getting in trouble here. So with that she got a good distance away as the two boys faced off.

Then chaos ensued

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"Failure?" Iruka-sensei's voice might have squeaked as he looked to the three promising academy students before him then back to their scroll.

"Yes Iruka-sensei, these two destroyed the garden and fought." Sakura spoke with that fake sweet voice of her's as she made it perfectly clear she had nothing to do with it.

Destroyed was an understatement though so at least she downplayed it. Iruka-sensei's face was as white as a ghost as he looked at him then Naruto awaiting an explanation.

Sasuke would not give one.

He was after all a little angry with himself for letting the blond get the better of him. He shouldn't have lost control like that. There was just something about Naruto that just…sets him off.

"Iruka-sensei, I refuse to be on a team with the Teme!" Naruto's clothes were dirty and he had a bruise of a pretty purple shade forming on his left cheek.

He could thank him for his appearance. Sasuke's clothes were also dirty from the dirt and plants that stuck to him but at least the Uzumaki didn't get a shot in. Sasuke liked to think that if the academy instructors didn't step in when they did Naruto would have more than one little bruise.

"Well too bad these teams are handpicked so you guys might as well get used to them. It's out of my control. Now after lunch instead of learning formations you two will go back and fix that old lady's garden."

"B-But-" Naruto was cut off as Iruka sensei told him no butts.

"I can't believe you guys did this" Iruka shook his head in disbelief. He gave Sasuke an especially strange glance as if to say he never expected this behavior from him. The man sighed and made to leave then turned back as if he forgot something.

"Do you guys feel any shame at all? It was an old lady's garden" he stressed the words "old" and "lady" so the boys could understand how bad they messed up.

Naruto hung his head down in shame and Sasuke averted his gaze from Iruka-sensei.

"Since we're probably going to be on a team when we graduate you guys should learn to get along. You're not too different after all." Sakura offered her two cents as she went off to probably go eat lunch.

Naruto of course ran off after her shouting "Sakura-chan wait" as he went.

He didn't care that Iruka-sensei wanted him to eat lunch with them… he refused. Sasuke went off to find a nice quiet place. If he was going to be stuck on a team with an idiot he would have to get used to running off to find some peace and quiet.

Not too different…hah what could he have in common with that loud Uzumaki. Uzumaki…. Should he even call him that since everyone knew he wasn't really apart of the clan?

XXXXXXXXXXX

Sakura felt herself zooming through the hallways as she tried to get away from the blond on her heels, turning a few corners and then a few more she felt herself lose him. Don't get her wrong, she liked Naruto but even she needs her break every now and then.

Turning her way into another corner she was met with a strong force that had her propelling backwards.

"Omph" She let out as she rubbed her large forehead that ached from the collision. The hands that had stopped her from falling released her and she opened her eyes upon hearing a throaty chuckle.

Looking up and seeing the Hokage she took three steps back. Her eyes grew wide and her face heated in surprise. "Lord Hokage-sama!" she sputtered out bowing low. This was her first time being in such close proximity to him!

"Are you alright child?" he tilted his head peering at her closely.

All she could do was nod dumbly as she took the man in. Her eyes went from his long extravagant robes, to the fancy hat on his head before finally settling on his face and more specifically his smile. He was so…nice!

"Sakura was it?" it was phrased as a question but his tone let her know he already knew the answer. But that just confused her more… the Hokage knew her? A lowly academy student and civilian at that? Sakura shook her head to rid the tears forming in the corner of her eyes as she once again nodded dumbly.

"If my old mind remembers correctly you were paired with young Naruto and Sasuke today, how was it, I hoped they didn't give you too much trouble. You see they can be a hassle but they're both good boys." Sakura noticed the fondness in his tone immediately.

"W-We failed our mission Hokage-sama" Sakura spoke nervously, not wishing to see the disappointment on his face.

The old man tilted his head once more, not in disappointment but curiosity, pressing her for more details.

"Naruto and Sasuke got in a fight and destroyed the old lady's garden we were working on!" Sakura rushed out the explanation in a hurry stuttering as she went. Who in their right mind could talk clearly in the presence of their honorable leader anyway? At seeing the old man's slight surprise for the first time she felt regret at not doing more to try and stop the two boys.

"I see, that is most unfortunate. You all will learn from this I assume?"

"Hai-Hokage-sama" Sakura chirped out in determination. It was the answer he wanted after all.

"Good. It's my hope that they get along better in the future, I'm sure the three of you will get along swimmingly and become a wonderful team" the Hokage offered her another small smile and gave her an affectionate head pat before leaving.

Sakura blushed as her stomach began doing back flips from the touch. The longer she was in the Hokage's presence the more she became comfortable speaking to him.

When Sakura got comfortable she spoke her mind freely.

"But Naruto and Sasuke don't like each other very much!" she found herself shouting at his retreating back in protest. When the Hokage offered her a questioning look at her outburst she found herself squeaking.

The Hokage made his way back over and for reasons unknown decided to humor her.

"I believe that with all the time you guys will be sharing in the future you will all grow accustomed to each other. I have watched this happen many times before." These were the words of a wise old man, the Hokage no less and yet Sakura could not accept them. Maybe he was right, but she wanted to voice her thoughts.

"Naruto and Sasuke don't respect each other, so because of that I-I can't see us becoming a real team."

Once again the Hokage offered a kind smile to rid her of her worries. Sakura was very aware that he was not taking her serious.

"It is only a matter of time before the two of them come to respect each other. Besides, they have you to keep them in line, ne?" The Hokage wanted her to smile and say yes, but looking into his soft brown eyes Sakura could not bring herself to lie.

So she shook her head in disagreements, the worry beginning to eat her alive. She was really going to be on a team with Sasuke and Naruto? Something just didn't feel right. Even if the two of them miraculously started to get along… it just didn't feel right!

"They wouldn't listen to me, it's Hinata who keeps everyone from fighting. She's like our glue since she brought us all together you know? Me, I just let everyone fight it out and heal their wounds, it's all I can do for them." She spoke softly. She realized she was rambling but she just had to tell someone everything that was plaguing her heart.

"Trust me child you have nothing to worry about. So tell me how do you feel about being on a team with them two?"

She thought about the question carefully before composing her answer. Naruto suffocated her with attention because he refused to divide it between herself and Sasuke. Sasuke was quieter than usual in Naruto's presence. She couldn't talk to him much without Naruto making a fuss. Overall Sakura felt like she was stuck in the middle. It was tiring being with the two today without Hinata. She realized she would have to be the bridge for her team and she didn't want that. It would be too much.

"I like Naruto and I like Sasuke but something just feels missing, lonely even" she seemed to think over it for a few minutes before the answer became obvious. She smiled satisfied with the answer she was about to give.

"Hinata completes us."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Hokage made his way into his office and once settled into his chair let his thoughts wander. He was still thinking about the little civilian girl who will be placed on a team with Sasuke and Naruto.

She had rendered him speechless with her declaration that her team would be incomplete without the Hyuga girl. Her eyes were fierce and she resembled another Kunoichi he knew, already at her young age.

Yes the will of fire burns greatly in that one.

"She will make a splendid kunoichi" he felt himself speaking into existence.

Unfortunately she would not get her wish at being on a team with her other friend. She couldn't see it now but this team was perfect. He was very confident that she would get over it. He could see that she was serious about her ninja abilities so once she graduated that would be her primary focus.

All of the potential teams to be crafted were carefully thought out and planned.

KNOCK KNOCK

The Hokage let out a muffled cough before granting entrance to his office. Before him stood Iruka, chunin and sensei at the academy.

"Hokage-sama"

The man kneeled and bowed his head, awaiting permission to move.

He was here to drop off the papers on the progress on the teams. After losing almost all of their genin from the previous year he found himself paying a lot of attention to the academy lately. He wanted to play a keen role in deciding teams, something he usually trusted to the council and academy instructors for the most part.

It was crucial they didn't make any mistakes this time around.

After granting the man permission to speak he watched Iruka slowly make his way over to his desk and set down the papers. The Hokage didn't look to the papers but the man's face that looked strangely nervous.

"Go ahead" he wanted the young man to speak his mind. He took notice of the man clutching his hands together behind his back hoping to gather courage to speak his mind to his Hokage.

"Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke failed their mission." As soon as those words were out he felt himself sigh in relief as he dismissed the man with a wave of his hand. He already knew that information.

"Hokage-sama…if I may be so bold?" He nodded for the man to continue. Iruka took a deep breath.

"I have been these children sensei for almost four years and I believe many of these teams may not be the best, sir"

The Hokage raised his brow at this new information to him. He let his eyes glance over the reports quickly before looking back to him.

"When you think about their abilities Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke would make an excellent strike team."

There was a but coming, he knew it.

"I know that Naruto and Sasuke have to be placed on a team together at your own personal request. Though Sasuke and Naruto do not get along at all. Sasuke is very good at controlling his temper and I'm afraid Naruto is the only one who can rile him up. I feel if they were placed together it would happen too often. Bickering with each other instead of coming together will no doubt hinder their growth, and push Sasuke and in turn Naruto over the edge mentally."

"Boys will be boys…in time I have faith they will come to accept one another Iruka. Besides Sakura Haruno will do well to keep them in line, it has happened many times before."

"Hokage-sama, doesn't leaving that job to one lone Kunoichi seem like too much of a burden? It almost feels like it's her job to play babysitter instead of bettering herself. I know for a fact that Sakura Haruno will refuse to fill such a role."

The Hokage felt the need to defend such a team come up. This very team greatly resembles his own team that he trained. A team that went on to be recognized as legendary sanin. Then there was another team this one resembles, the very one the fourth hokage himself trained.

Yes, two boys who didn't get along well and rivalry fueled them to grow stronger alongside a sharp kunoichi, it was a classic.

Iruka tsked as he continued his assessments "Eventually I feel it will become too much for everyone. This team will devour themselves, eating each other alive." Iruka met the Hokage's stern glare with sad eyes.

The hokage zoned out the chunin speaking to him as he went over other teams he disagreed with. Was he making a mistake here with this team? He thought to his own team.

One was a missing nin and traitor to his village, sworn enemy of the leaf. Another fled her duties and been gone from the village for years, no doubt somewhere busy drowning her blues away with sake. Then there was the last, he would never say it aloud but the Hokage knew that his scouting missions weren't just for the good of the village…..he needed to be away for his own sanity.

Did he break that team….or were they destined to be broken from the beginning?

Then there was the fourth's team. Now thinking it over he didn't want to begin to go over their demise. As talented as he was all that remained was a shattered jounin.

Naruto and Sasuke had to be together, If the Kyubi were to ever be released it would have to be Sasuke to…. So maybe he should switch Kunoichi?

No, the girl was not the problem here. Iruka made it sound like no matter who he put the same result would ensue. But Sasuke and Naruto had to be placed together…

The Hokage racked his brain with a solution to this newly formed problem.

"There is the genin lee who failed his graduation exam and is expecting to graduate this year…. No matter who we put him with we just can't find the right team for him. Most of his classmates don't take him very serious or respect him, and he takes that to heart. I imagine finding the right jounin instructor for him will also be difficult."

Another deep breath filled the room letting him know Iruka wasn't finished.

"I know that Ino-Shika-Cho is a traditional team but I can't help but have my doubts with this generation. Ino is very bossy but it is not her who should lead. She does not respect either of her teammates and is very unwilling to work with them, she needs teammates that will call her out on her crap. The rightful leader is Shikamaru but he is unwilling to take up this position. He's unmotivated… I feel like he needs teammates that will challenge him and make him want to improve. Chouji is too soft, Shikamaru coddles him and Ino is always dampening his self-confidence. He looks to Shikamaru too much and does not have his own voice….he needs to find his own way."

There were too many holes…. with each team there were too many holes he felt. The Hokage squinted at the papers… how could he have missed so much?

"For Hinata, Shino, and Kiba, they finished their mission in a timely manner and it was successful. This team was having a war on leadership the whole time. Each of these members believe it is them who should lead. Perhaps it is because there are two heirs and a dominant Inuzuka or they simply do not trust one another? Regardless they don't argue outright, except for Kiba. I'm afraid they will never accept each other, Hinata and Shino are reluctant to entertain the Inuzuka much to his annoyance. Around Hinata, Shino seems very uncomfortable? I've never seen his Kikaichu so…..antsy. Hinata is quieter than usual around the two refusing to speak unless she has to, I'm afraid it is not due to her slight shyness. Shino and Kiba get along fine for the most part but I can't foresee this team bonding well In the future."

There was a very long pause as the Hokage attempted to sort his jumbled thoughts.

Was he sending all these children to their graves?

"Then what teams would you recommend Iruka?" he began shuffling through the papers hoping there was something small missing. That all these teams weren't a mistake and that the answer would jump out at him.

"I'm afraid I do not know, sir"

The Hokage sighed, resisting the urge to reach for his pipe. What was he missing?

He wanted to know he entertained and explored all possible options before he made these teams. If they died he needed to know he did everything he possibly could for them. His peace of mind demanded it.

'Hinata completes us' the words tickled the back of his mind.

"Iruka, tell me everything you know about Hinata Hyuga"

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sasuke was walking to his usual training ground. He had skipped lunch today in favor of going to fix the old lady's garden. He didn't want to be there alone with the Uzumaki, he just couldn't stand him. He had apologized profusely for his behavior as well as Naruto's. She seemed to forgive him since she offered him stew, which he declined.

After that Iruka had said they weren't doing formations today so that only meant to him that he was free to go home…right?

So he went to his training ground because it was hot today which meant no wind. This was the perfect day to work on that jutsu. The jutsu the Hyuga had given him that day he lost to her and her summon.

He had to admit the Hyuga was certainly interesting to him, no doubt his biggest competition for rookie of the year. Ever since that bracket competition that day in the academy he had yet to beat the girl in a spar.

It was exhilarating fighting her!
Always something new, he never knew what to expect from her. He was stronger and faster than the girl and yet she always somehow came up on top! Fighting someone and not knowing if you would actually win was fun to Sasuke. He liked a challenge and the Hyuga provided it.

It was too bad the girl wouldn't let him fight that wolf summon with her again. Now that was a fight, he had literally played all of his cards to only be defeated so easily.

He needed to grow stronger, and quickly. There was always room for improvement.

The Hyuga was a constant reminder of that.

Haruno was a constant reminder that he couldn't let up for even a second. The girl was improving at vast speeds. If she could do it then so could he.

When he was in the middle of his taijutsu training they arrived. It still felt pretty early for the academy to be let out at this time.

"Iruka-sensei never came back so we were let out early for the day" Sakura explained.

Heh, so that was it. He was bored training with his clone, he wanted a real partner. The Hyuga had a neutral expression on her face, hopefully she would be in the mood to spar.

"Hyuga, spar with me" he commanded. It wasn't that he felt that he had a right to spar with the girl. It was just the only way he knew to ask… and she understood that. If she didn't want to spar she would say so, she knew very well how to stand up for herself. But that hasn't happened, the Hyuga would probably never deny him a spar. That's just how she was… who could turn down a challenge?

He watched as the blond sulked beside the two girls, most likely angry that he was going to spar and he was not. Curious enough the Haruno didn't move to go sit under her tree. By this point she would be reading already.

"Hyuga let's go" he spoke again as she didn't confirm her participation in the spar. With raised eyebrows he watched as she shared a look with Sakura before speaking to him.

"Sasuke, today let's do two on two" Two on two? He signaled for her to continue. So him and Sakura versus her and the dobe? That seemed fair he supposed. This way he would have two different opponents to take his day's frustration out on. He felt a smirk beginning to form.

"Sakura and I versus you and Naruto. If we win you and Naruto will continue to train together after we leave. What would you like if you win?" Just like that his smirk was gone. She was already talking rewards when he hasn't even agreed to this bet. Fight with the dobe? He would only get in my way.

He wasn't stupid, Sakura and Hinata had some of the best teamwork in the academy in their two on two spars. They didn't have a difficult time unless they fought Kiba and his mutt or himself and whoever he was paired with for the day.

The dobe was sulking but wasn't outright protesting about this. That means that this was planned….they prepped him. Judging by how everyone was acting he would say Sakura told the Hyuga all about the events of today, and this was her idea.

They were trying to force him and the dobe to get along…..and he wouldn't play by these rules.

"When we win I want you guys to stop insisting for us to get along" his demands were clear, and seeing how the dobe didn't make declarations of ramen for his own reward…he wanted the same thing.

The spar was standard taijutsu, but weaponry was allowed. He smirked because that was just an advantage for him.

The two girls got in their respective stances. He got in his own and took the time to pull out his wire.

"Don't get in my way" he spoke harshly to the blond who huffed and looked away. He was being strangely quiet. Something about this felt very off.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

He could hear chirping. Opening his eyes and being faced with the sight of the clear open blue skies his eyes trailed the forms of two birds dancing together in the sky. He didn't faint but he was admittedly winded from the fight.

They were in sync, kind of like how Sakura and Hinata were. He clenched his fist and pounded the ground, sitting up. He breathed through his nose, slightly out of breath. If Naruto wasn't his partner he wouldn't have lost. He wouldn't have lost! They probably looked like a joke, Sakura and the Hyuga were literally toying with the two of them!

The dobe was more of a hindrance than any help…..Damnit!

Toward the end they had practically fought themselves and won the fight for the two girls.

He looked to the blond a ways away also laying on his back out of breath. Just looking at the boy in his orange jumpsuit and blond hair just... Honestly the boy could just be breathing, which he was and Sasuke could only feel anger toward him.

"Were leaving now guys, get along!" Sakura spoke in a teasing manner. Beside her the Hyuga did a small bow before she came up and he noticed she was muffling her giggles. The two girls walked off together conversing as they went.

Great they were laughing at them.

He just sat there in his nice sunny spot in the grass as he tried to think of a way out of this. Unfortunately he was a person of his word…and he had lost the bet. His hope was that Naruto would just walk off….and thinking of his personality he decided it was pretty likely.

Eventually the blond got up and with a sneer made his way over to him.

"Teme, If you would have just listened to me we could-" Naruto tried to speak.

Listen to him, why would he ever listen to him?

"No, this is your fault, you should have just stayed out of my way" Yes if the blond had just stayed out his way they would have had a reasonable chance at winning.

The two boys squared off and with a snarl Naruto asked him what they were going to do. So he wouldn't leave and he would hold his end of the bargain? Fine with him, so with his own snarl he answered the blond,

"Make some shadow clones."

He could use some target practice.

All around him Naruto's shadow clones came into existence as he prepared himself.

Snake...Ram...Monkey…Boar...Horse…Tiger, he whispered in his head as his fingers went through the familiar hand signs his father had taught him.

An hour later he was out of breath from using so much chakra on the tiring jutsu, across from somewhere was Naruto, who was probably also out of breath from making so many clones. Never the less the training ground was filled to the brim with his shadow clones.

Sasuke clenched his teeth in frustration. He was almost out of chakra and the dobe just had so much of it!

As a few shadow clones approached him he reached into his weapons pouch pulling out a few kunai. With a flick of his wrist five dobes poofed out of existence.

He had just done the world a huge favor.

Then they all charged him and he found himself flipping, dodging and countering as he slowly became overwhelmed with the growing numbers.

When he became surrounded with nowhere to go he initiated the jutsu that would most likely deplete all of his chakra. He had no other choice though, he would not lose to him!

A huge fire erupted out of his mouth, the flames hundreds degrees hotter than it was outside. Dozens of Naruto's fell to ground wriggling in agony as they were set aflame until their bodies disappeared. Sasuke twirled his head to get more of them, he needed to get as many as he could before he could no longer hold this technique.

All the while Sasuke was looking for the real Naruto.

When he saw a blond in the crowd take a cautious step back and then another he realized with urgency that had to be him. So he began to run in that direction all while he kept up his fire ball jutsu, burning any Naruto that dared get too close to a crisp.

When he got close enough he ended his jutsu. He used a clones head as leverage to leap into the air and launch himself at the real Naruto. When he came upon him he dodged as expected. The surrounding phonies around him tried to use this opportunity to get to him but he easily avoided them with his reflexes.

Upon coming onto Naruto he engaged him in a one on one taijutsu fight, popping any clones who got too close and attempted to disrupt them.

He would win this.

When he took the moment to pop another annoying clone he felt himself gasping for air as he realized the dobe had kicked him. He jumped back cradling his stomach and taking a deep breath.

Naruto had gotten him good, and he wasn't even smirking in triumph or anything. Sasuke was really starting to understand the toll this was taking on himself now. He was tired and completely out of chakra… he needed to end this now.

Tiredly he straightened himself running on a straight path to the blond. He would always know the real one because of that stupid look on his face!

When he got there he gave the blond a crushing punch to his jaw. In the moments that Sasuke took to smirk in monstrous glee, Naruto took the time to pay Sasuke back with his own punch to the jaw.

The two boys were breathing deeply as they tenderly massaged their jaws. In sync they swirled the saliva and blood mixture before spitting it out their wet caverns. Reaching up they wiped the corner of their mouths.

Next the two boys were on the ground exchanging blows before eventually he was pulled off and bam boarded by clones.

He had almost forgotten about them he thought as he swiped at them blindly with a kunai. He wasn't even sure if he had gotten any, he was tired… so tired.

Looking to Naruto he knew that one more attack would do it.

Once more the two boys confronted each other and putting an end to their fight each boy got a final blow on the other's face.

All around them Naruto's clones disappeared as their master was going to lose unconsciousness. It would happen any second, Sasuke knew it.

Sasuke's face couldn't even morph into his signature smirk, because that's how tired and in pain he was.

"I wi-"

He never got a chance to finish as his eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell to the ground with a thump, unknowingly at the same time as the Uzumaki.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sasuke shot up in a split second, his eyes were wide taking in the darkness around him. He passed out at his training grounds again. He selfishly gulped in as much air as he could as he realized his body was in a cold sweat.

He had the nightmare again.

He closed his eyes and took a minute to calm down as his palms touched the cool grass. Did he pass out before Naruto…. Did he win? He thought he did at least.

Taking in his surroundings once more his eyes widened in alarm at the blond who was about five feet away from him. He was awake and sitting up on his bottom his legs crossed in a pretzel. He had his hands in his laps and his sights were traced in on him.

He was looking at him with worry and concern.

Why was he here? What had he seen? Sasuke felt a bit of fear come across him as he realized what the blond probably saw.

"You looked like you were in pain" the blond finally spoke up, speaking the words softly.

He had seen him in his most pitiable state.

Sasuke swore to kami if the nosey little boy opened his big mouth and told anyone what he saw he'd end him! He quickly opened his mouth to voice these thoughts aloud.

"Don't tell anyone what you-"

"I won't tell anyone…." The blond interrupted. His voice sounded hurt that Sasuke even had to ask to keep something like that secret. The blond took a small moment to think some things over.

"Our demons are our own….our problems to deal with" the boy's words were strangely ominous as he spoke in code. Sasuke realized he had never witnessed the blond speak like this.

Yours visit you in your sleep, but they always seem to be there in the back of your mind and mine haunt me every waking moment of my life. Those were the words left unspoken by the blond Sasuke realized.

He recalled Sakura speaking about how they weren't so different.

"You're a jinchuriki… you hold the nine tails inside of you…how can you be so happy?" Truth be told Sasuke might be jealous of the dobe. After everything the boy has gone through in his short life he was just so…happy, and it irritated him.

For a second the two boys just listened to the sound of grass hissing with the gentle breeze. Every now and then they could hear crickets whistling, playing their song.

It was a peaceful night.

"It isn't an act" The Uzumaki finally responded. His face was strangely serious as he wanted to get that across.

An act… those were the words he had used earlier with the blond, he had seemed really upset by them.

Sasuke waited patiently, that wasn't a suitable explanation for him. He needed to know how the boy was always so damn cheerful.

"I mean, it used to be, but once I became friends with Sakura-chan and Hinata-chan everything just seems so much easier. I feel lighter and I don't have to try to feel good, it just happens. Being with them two just makes me..." the boy had his mouth open as he thought over his next words.

"I just feel like if I stick with them everything will be okay" he finally concluded.

Everything about this whole situation just seemed off to him. Naruto and he were having a civilized conversation.

He was having a conversation with Naruto without either of them wanting to pummel each other. He didn't even think he was annoying.

This was so bizarre.

"They will make good Kunoichi" he agreed quietly.

Beside him he heard ruffled movements and when he looked the boy was now crawling over to him. Sasuke felt himself leaning back as the boy got in close and was now looking to him with excitement on his face. It would seem that he would never understand what personal space was.

"Right! Hinata-chan and Sakura-chan are just awesome!" The boy had a bright smile that was easily noticeable in the dark. Naruto nodded his head several times, then took a moment to study his face.

"Teme….your face looks really messed up" he ended with a little laugh.

Sasuke winced in pain as he moved his fingers to brush his face. He could only imagine how he looked but if it was anything like Naruto…

"Heh, your one to talk….dobe" Naruto too winced as he touched his face feeling all the bruises and cuts that made an appearance while they were out cold.

"Your right! We look like crap!" Naruto went about giggling softly to himself.

He watched as Naruto laid down onto his back. Thinking it over for a few minutes he did the same.

"That's okay though, cause Sakura-chan will fix us right up!" he spoke and began humming away no doubt thinking about his precious friends.

For the rest of the night the two boys watched the stars in much appreciated silence. Never did either of them bring up who won their spar.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

No one would speak on it but it would become apparent that there was a different atmosphere around the group.

When Sakura and Hinata arrived at the training grounds Saturday morning nothing was different and yet everything was. Naruto still called Sasuke teme and Sasuke in turn still called Naruto dobe.

But the air was lighter?

Sakura and Hinata would share a long look, did they dare to think that somehow their desperate plan worked?

Sakura would bandage and fix up the two boys faces as she wondered what could have possibly happened last night…

Neither of the girls would ask….whatever happened was their business.

"Dobe, make some clones" Sasuke found himself commanding.

"HUH? Why should I make clones for you teme?" Naruto squinted his eyes with his hands on his hips.

Sasuke rolled his eyes at the boy's dramatics "Just do it"

Yes, everything was the same and yet it was completely different.

So Naruto responded to his command by also rolling his eyes and filling the training ground with hundreds of clones.

Sasuke took his index finger out his mouth and tested it in the air. It wasn't too much wind today and he could clearly get a feel of the direction. Knowing where the wind would blow was one of the crucial points to mastering this jutsu.

He was going to get this down today… he could feel it.

Behind him Sakura and Hinata backed up, most likely the Hyuga had already filled her in on what kind of jutsu this was and how dangerous it could be. Even as the wielder Sasuke had to be careful, he could accidently get third degree burns…like he did last time.

It was kind of weird how this jutsu wasn't as dangerous as his fireball jutsu but he was more cautious with it. Perhaps it was because he has yet to garner real progress with it. The wind made it difficult to control.

"Naruto get out of the way" The blond was no doubt somewhere hidden in his sea of clones. He probably thought this was a spar. Sasuke didn't feel like trying to pin point him.

Naruto, who eventually revealed himself by coming forward looked like he wanted to protest but seeing how serious he was he leaped out the way, landing safely behind the others.

Snake…Rat…Snake…Tiger, he threaded his fingers through the seals carefully and slowly as it didn't come so easy to him as his family's jutsu.

Taking a deep breath and concentrating he felt his chakra swirling together in his belly as he gathered the appropriate amount. He would only be able to do this once today. So he wanted to get it right no matter what.

Slowly a long trail of gun powder began to escape his mouth coming together in a deep vast cloud upon all of the shadow clones that filled the training ground. So far he had done well with the wind… it was not blowing it away.

He took a moment to look at all the confused clones who asked each other what was going on. Some were either trying to escape the dark gray cloud of smoke that reeked danger and others just obliviously stood there conversing, every now and then they stopped talking to shake the dust collecting in their hair and on their clothes. They were loud, so he closed his eyes as he went back to concentrating.

His eyes widened in momentary alarm as he felt a buildup deep in his throat, he immediately ended the jutsu there. Then Sasuke began a coughing fit at the gun powder that was previously in his mouth. It reminded him of when he had first began practicing the fire ball jutsu.

Sasuke took a moment to admire the thick rich cloud of gun powder before picking a flint and tossing it into the smoke screen.

Fire erupted

"Fire release… Ash pile burning" he whispered in awe.

Sasuke watched the explosion with childish glee, it was amazing, it was incredible! The explosion was deafening and made his ears pop. He felt himself begin to sweat at the increase of temperature and all he could see in his eyes was the brilliant color of orange flames flourishing.

It was almost perfect.

He knew he could do better, but for now he would allow himself to celebrate his small victory.

He really wondered how the Hyuga was able to get her hands on such a cool jutsu.

"Wow Sasuke that was good!" Sakura complimented with a whistle, coming closer after a few minutes once the flames settled down. Beside her Naruto held his head as he probably was momentarily overwhelmed by all the thoughts entering his mind from his former clones. When the dobe looked up, finally fine he changed his view to the Hyuga.

"I knew this jutsu would suit you" was all she spoke with that small smile of hers. She moved to go sit under the tree.

"I want to learn a jutsu too!" The blond spoke up his wishes. When everyone ignored him and made to sit under the shade of the tree he pouted.

"Naruto, do you know your element?" Hinata asked softly. Beside her Sakura had already began her meditating.

"Nope! Does it really make that big of a difference?"

"Hai, your element will come to you more naturally" She answered. Sasuke took a seat next to them, he was admittedly a bit tired.

"Huh, So Teme is obviously fire…what about you Hinata-chan?"

"I am water and my secondary element is lighting." She answered as she crossed her legs, and leaned backwards to support her back on the bark of the large tree they were all under.

"Cool, what jutsu do you know?" The blond's eyes were dazzling with excitement at this newfound news. Sasuke found himself looking over interested in this answer as well. He had never seen the Hyuga actually attempt any elemental jutsu. Last he knew she was in the beginning phases of just controlling the water.

The Hyuga's face looked uncomfortable for moment as she bit her lip.

"I don't know any. My clan forbids me from learning any."

At that news he watched as Sakura stopped her meditating and opened her eyes to listen. Sasuke sat back, knowing Naruto would ask all the questions they wanted to voice.

"Whaaaat why? You would be so kick ass though!" Naruto whined disappointed at the news that she would never learn anything.

"My clan prides themselves on our Byakugan and gentle fist combination. We do not need anything else to become unrivaled, capable ninja"

The way in which she spoke told Sasuke, she herself did not agree with her clan. It was very apparent to him that she wanted to learn.

"So your clan only lets you use your family techniques, they don't think it's good to have a variety?" This was the first Sasuke had ever heard of the Hyuga clan being like that. It was foolish if you asked him. Or it was cocky, and cocky certainly was a word that summed up the Hyuga clan.

"My clan believes it to be enough" she spoke calmly directing her answer to Sasuke.

Yes, they were a prideful, cocky clan indeed.

So with those words Sakura went back to mediating.

"Sakura-chan why are you so obsessed with mediating? It looks so boring?"

"Mediating is a good way to expand her chakra coils, Naruto. It's also a good way to rest your body. It's the closest thing to sleep your body can get."

Those words were directed at him and he knew it. Thinking it over he decided there was nothing he had to lose.

He was so tired after all.

So, Sasuke mediated.

"Naruto it would be good for you to work on your chakra control" He peaked one eye open to see Hinata pick up a leaf and place it on the blond's forehead. After a little persuading she was able to get the blond to focus on the leaf.

He would do anything to fix his horrible chakra control.

Sakura mediated…Hinata in turn also began mediating… and Naruto had his tongue open in concentration on the green leaf. Sasuke closed his eyes to go back to his own meditating.

Sasuke found it strangely peaceful.

Unbeknownst to the soon to be genin they were being watched.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Iruka knocked upon the Hokage's office door softly. Lately he's been coming here a lot. It was now the end of September and they soon would be preparing for another academy graduation. Preparations for a graduation took a lot of work.

When he heard his lord's voice granting him entrance he opened the door, taking care to close it quietly behind him. He took his usual knelt position and addressed his lord before he was given permission to move.

"Iruka I have been thinking, take a look at these nine children" The chunin stood up making his way over to the desk. On the desk were nine pictures attached to what could only be detailed reports and profiles on the individuals. He looked upon the nine pictures recognizing the students instantly.

This year was important to the village. Especially after the hellish year for genin they just had. This summer they would be graduating the largest pool of promising genin the village has seen in years. Sure every now and then there was one or two very promising students within a graduating class. An example being Neji Hyuga who just graduated about a year ago.

This year was different because there were so many. Most of them were heiresses or heirs, or had high social standings within their clans. That was probably the main reason they were so talented. They couldn't really be failed without causing an uproar. Not that Iruka thought they would be failed…they were just that good.

So all eyes in the village were on the academy and how these children would turn out.

He looked up to his Hokage, who's attention was not on him but still looking at each of the pictures. As he waited to be filled in he took notice of the crinkles on his face from old age. Being Hokage was a demanding position.

"Tell me Iruka, is there much the academy is teaching them nowadays?" Even as the Hokage voiced this question his attention was not on him.

Iruka felt his face twist as he thought out his answer.

"Admittedly there isn't much the academy can do for these children anymore. We have taught them all we can…some instructors have taken it upon themselves to teach things not within the curriculum. Our focus now is on teamwork."

Iruka thought about Funeno-sensei who had went ahead and tested the Hyuga and Uchiha on their elements last year. Afterwards he was lightly reprimanded by the higher ups and instructed not to do so again. Though he understood the man's frustrations. The children had nothing more they could be taught. So what should he have done with them standing there looking to him for guidance?

"Iruka, I'm going to propose these genin graduate early. I want them to test at the end of winter with last semester's failures.

His head snapped up at those words.

"Hokage-sama….is that a good idea?" He realized it was bold of him to question his lord but his original thoughts were to speak about unwise he thought that was. Nine children test early to become genin? That was unheard of, even if it was just one semester they would be missing.

"Hai, I think so. All I would need is your recommendation as their sensei and their parents' permission. Though if it comes down to it I have the final say." The way his hand was settled firmly on his chin made it seem like he hoped it didn't come to that.

"You will go through with this even if their parents decline?" Iruka thought about the parents who no doubt probably would deny the request after the previous year they had with genin.

"Yes, I have made up my mind. You said so yourself that you are only working on teamwork, who better to work on that with than their actual teams?"

Iruka had no retort to that, so he stayed quiet.

"A lot of changes will be made" The Hokage finished as he began organizing all the pictures and report in a neat pile, thus ending the conversation.

Iruka felt himself shrinking back at the declaration.

What was his Hokage planning?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sasuke trudged at a slow pace through the village on his way home. This was strange because he wasn't so tired. Usually he would have to run on his way home if he wanted to make it to his bed before he passed out. Meditating has really helped him. But it's also screwed with him in some ways… his mind was getting strangely clear and as a result he was remembering things he'd honestly rather not.

After unlocking his apartment door he went to his bathroom to take a shower. Upon exiting and putting on clothes he wondered what he should do.

He was never faced with these kind of options as the obvious answer was always sleep. But he wasn't that sleepy yet, perhaps he should meditate some more? It was strangely addicting and even without the rewards of expanding your chakra coils he could see why the pinkette was obsessed with it.

Right when he decided what to do he heard a knock at his front door. None of his neighbors ever came to speak to him after he asked them not to. Sakura, Hinata, and Naruto didn't know where he lived. He knew exactly who it was.

So Sasuke promptly opened the door to see none other than his Lord Hokage. He took a step back to allow him entrance and bowed low. Despite the notions of him being such an impolite child (some in which were true) he would never disrespect his lord.

He looked to the lord curiously wondering what brought him here. In turn he only received a chuckle as the Hokage took a seat. He moved to sit next to the chair across from him.

"Sasuke, you're not going to offer your guest some tea?" The Hokage's face morphed into fake hurt as he pretended to be offended.

By this point he knew the old man well. He would rather take out his pipe than drink some tea, but even he hesitated as wondered if he was serious.

"I'm only teasing you, Sasuke, Unfortunately I have to make this visit short."

"What brings you Hokage-sama?" he finally asked aloud. The Hokage pulled out his pipe on instinct and then probably thinking the better of it placed it back within his robes. He tried to refrain from smoking in the presence of a child.

"Sasuke, are you enjoying your time at the academy?"

Sasuke's brows furrowed at the nature of the question. He didn't know how to answer that. Understanding he was dealing with such an unsocial child, the Hokage reworded himself.

"Are you learning new things everyday? Would you say your time spent at the academy is productive?"

"After my second year I have not been learning much. I have found other ways to improve." He answered truthfully, the words flowing out easily. Yes, if it wasn't for his training with them three everyday he would no doubt be complaining about that fact to the third.

In that moment the Hokage thought about the boys three training partners that he faithfully hung out with every day. The third has been watching them in his free time that he's been able to find in his busy schedule. They were an interesting bunch he'd say. The fact that they had come together without the push of outside forces was even more interesting to his old mind.

"What would you say to graduating this upcoming semester?" The Hokage asked gently.

Sasuke looked up surprised at that, he had the makings of a smile beginning to form.

"You see I have just come from Naruto's place to ask him the same question. All I would need is for you tell me that's what you would want. Naruto himself wouldn't agree unless your two friends could join him you see" The Hokage ended in a giggle thinking of Uzumaki's antics.

Sasuke's moment of excitement came to a halting end. The dobe had a point…would Sakura and Hinata graduate early too? He knew he would choose to graduate early regardless but moving ahead without them didn't sit well in his stomach.

As if he was in his mind taking a peak at his thoughts the Hokage spoke.

"You and Naruto will not be the only promising academy student taking this test"

That settled it, Sakura and the Hyuga would no doubt be asked.

He looked up to the Hokage with a determined expression.

"I would like that"

The Hokage smiled pleased with his answer.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

That night Sasuke would awake suddenly as he always did.

As he wheezed out of control he thought about what he had saw. He was out of breath, reeling with fright from his nightmare.

Everything was the same, except everything was different.

He jumped out of bed making his way to the kitchen. His bare foot landing on the kitchen tiles were the only sound to be echoed throughout his apartment. After what he had seen he needed some water to calm his nerves.

There was one tiny detail different in the dream that has been haunting him. It was such a tiny detail and yet he would find himself always thinking back to this. He had never seen it before, never noticed it before and it left him so confused.

Sasuke sat at the kitchen table sipping his water. Even after the contents were gone he would sit there for a long while until he noticed it was morning. The light beginning to peak in through the shades.

What happened in his nightmare would have him questioning all he knew to be true.

Calling his dreams a nightmare wasn't really accurate he realized. They were memories…and seeing it while he slept was just him reliving the events. So if they were memories that meant that all he saw is what happened…correct?

Everything was the same.

Yet everything was different.

As painful as it was Sasuke went through a timeline of what happened that night. He needed to understand. He needed to be sure.

He was running home and entered his compound. It was dark outside and there was a creepy quietness to his compound that has never been there before. It wasn't cold outside and yet he had chills running through his body.

Then he came across the first body and felt horror. Then he saw more and more as he ran with urgency to his home. All around him his family was dead and he didn't understand what was going on.

Then he got to his home.

Sasuke shook his head not wanting to relive seeing the bodies of his fallen parents. He would skip over that part of the memory.

"Kaa-san…Tou-san" he whispered, his body shivering as he contained his sobs.

He was back outside again. Itachi refusing to kill him.

He was transfixed on Itachi's bloody sharingan, mesmerized by the swirling orbs, against his will. He would be overwhelmed by his feelings of confusion, anger and jealousy until the memory would end as per usual.

Everything was the same and yet everything felt so different.

He didn't know what to make of it. His memories were jumbled and he didn't know if what he saw was really real or not. Did it actually happen?

He went over it again.

He went to the academy, he came home and nothing would ever be the same. Itachi had killed his clan, his family and their parents. Itachi felt satisfaction in doing this, he wanted to test his skill by murdering his own clan. That was where things got complicated, because last night one tiny detail was different.

Sasuke grabbed a few locks of his hair trying to make sense of things, he always thought Itachi felt no remorse.

So then why was Itachi ….crying?

He could no longer contain his sobs as his mind refused to get rid of the sight of his niisan with tears flowing down his face.

Sasuke was coming to understand everything was changing… and maybe just maybe all he knew to be true was wrong too.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Okay, honestly it's shorter than I originally planned but I'm just going to end things here. The next point of view will be split between Hinata and Kakashi. Honestly if I can get a lot of reviews I would gladly push to have the next chapter out for you guys in a few days! I feel excited because by next chapter they will be on their teams and I can finally get the true story rolling!

So please please please review and tell me your thoughts!
Until next time…