A/N: Hm, after much thought, I have decided on the pairings. I decided that the Hinata voting would win anyway, since they're smoking the competition. I also like the Fem. Haku and Fem.Gaara ideas, so I'm going to make them characters. If they end up with anyone, who knows. Anyway, I'm showing a bit more of the bond of Sasuke and Naruto. Couple of things. Sasuke is not going to ditch Konoha. Sakura will be one of the main villains. Orochimaru will have a smallish part. Here's a rundown of the basics of the characters:
Naruto: 13, blond hair, blue eyes, whisker-like birthmarks on cheeks. Wears black taijutsu suit (think Lee/Gai suit, but black), along with black shinobi pants, shuriken/kunai pouch, and black sandals. Konoha headband has black cloth, tied same way as normal. Insane stamina. Has large chakra reserves, chunin level taijutsu and ninjutsu, nonexistant genjutsu. Is also a couple inches taller due to not eating ramen all the time. (It's part of him not acting like so much of an idiot) Chakra affinity: wind
Sasuke: 13, black hair, black eyes. Wears exact same outfit as in the manga, but his shirt, headband, piping on arm warmers, and sandals are black. Acts and thinks more openly, see's the benefit in working as a team for his goals. Still wants to axe murder Itachi. Chunin level taijutsu and ninjutsu, above average stamina. Chakra affinity: Fire
Hinata: 13, dark dark dark blue hair, lavender-tinted eyes, byakugan. No change in the outfit except for black pants, sandals, and headband. Is slightly more vocal and outgoing due to the Hyuga not being as mean. Neji is still a prick, however. Knows no ninjutsu, proficient in jyuken style of taijutsu, lacks killing intent to use genjutsu effectively. Has slightly more developed body than most girls her age.
Kiba: 13, no change except for black headband. Proficient in clan ninjutus and taijutsu.
Shikamaru: 13, no change except for black headband. Average taijutsu, extensive knowledge of clan jutsu, no genjutsu.
Choji: 13, no change except black headband, black pants, and black sandals. Slightly above average taijutsu, proficient in clan jutsu.
Shino: 13, no change except black headband. Is slightly more talkative. Below average taijutsu, excellent use of kikai bugs and clan jutsu, several genjutsu.
Fem.Haku (when she appears): 15, wears same clothhing as before. When not in hunter-nin disguise, wears black shinobi pants and sandals, light blue skintight, longsleeved top, and black ANBU-esque vest. Weilds a kekkei genkai allowing ice manipulation. Weak taijutsu, excellent ninjutsu.
Fem.Gaara (when she appears): 13, has long red hair with same unkept texture, is pulled back into 2 ponytails. Wears white shinobi cargo pants, no shuriken pounch. Wears red beater with a white vest. (The vest is identical to the one Gaara has in his part 2 style, which is attatched to his gourd.) Has a thin, atheletic build. (Meaning like a b-cup chest and some, but not very feminine curves like Hinata.)
2 Months after Graduation
"Sasuke, do you have a visual on the target," said Kakashi's voice through a wireless earpiece.
"Yes, the target is approximately 25 meters away north of my position."
"Affirmative, Naruto, I want you to engage and capture our target and confirm his identity."
"Not a problem," said Naruto. "Give me 10 seconds." Naruto silently whispered his favorite technique, instantly causing 4 copies of him to appear. "Alright, you know the drill, this time scare him a little." He signaled for the clones to engage.
In a flash, four copies of Naruto had a ginger cat by each of its paws, holding the nuisance away from them. "Got the bastard," one said.
"Good, now let's make sure he doesn't do this again, I'm tired of chasing this damn cat around," another said. The procession of Naruto clones began tossing the cat high in the air, casing it to mewl in fright. Kakashi and Sasuke entered the scene, staring at the odd situation of four clones tossing a cat back and forth.
"Ahem," Kakashi coughed. "Are you quite finished?"
The real Naruto only grinned, "Just about. Hit me," he said, motioning to the clone that just caught the poor cat. The clone tossed the cat to Naruto, who, instead of catching the cat, put it in a bag. The clones disappeared and he began walking towards the center of Konoha.
"Hey, are you guys coming?"
"Idiot, you do know our mission is to catch and bring that cat back unharmed, don't you," questioned the Uchiha.
He scratched the back of his head, not paying attention to the snarling cat trying to claw its way out. "Oh he's fine, he's just scared. Hopefully this'll teach him a lesson. If not, I'll just have to learn water walking and do it over a river."
His partner and sensei just shrugged. Such was the norm when Uzumaki Naruto was on your team. Kakashi disappeared in a swirl of leaves, forcing the pair to walk the long way to the Hokage tower, Sasuke wishing he knew the shunshin no jutsu.
"Hey Sasuke, think we can get a better mission? Maybe a C-rank," the hyperactive blonde asked, opening the tower's doors loudly.
Sasuke scratched his cheek in thought. "I suppose we could ask, since we do have more D-ranked missions completed than the other two rookie genin cells combined."
"And if not, go on a rant about how the last Uchiha isn't being challenged enough to be the best he can. The council fucking loves you."
That was true, the Uchiha thought, the village council did treat him with an overwhelming amount of bias. Or as Naruto put it: they have a hard-on for the sharingan. 'Baka.'
"But they hate you, for reasons you've yet to tell me." Naruto's face darkened, becoming a mix of anger and fear.
"I'll tell you another time, understand it's something that I can't tell just anyone."
"It is fine, I can wait."
Team 7 walked into the mission room. At a long desk sat the Hokage, Iruka, and a pair of chunin that Naruto did not recognize. One was chewing on what appeared to be a senbon, however. Naruto walked proudly to the Hokage.
"Mission: Rescue Missing Cat complete," he said.
A cloud of tobacco smoke hovered around the brim of the Hogake's hat. "And where, dare I ask, is said feline," looking at the slightly struggling bag in Naruto's hand.
He reached into the bag and pulled out a very afraid and shaking cat, "Right here. I don't think he'll be leaving home anytime soon."
"MY CAT," an oddly deep feminine voice yelled. To Naruto's horror, the land monster better described as the diayamo's wife charged towards him. He braced for impact, but only felt her meaty arms snatch the cat away from him.
"Oh thank you so much! I don't know what I'd do without my little Tora," she wailed, squeezing the cat. As miserable as that cat was, he definitely looked relieved to be in hands other than the blonde's.
'Squeeze it a little tighter, come on.' The diayamo's wife did not crush the cat to death in her arms, much to his dismay. 'Don't run away again, or I'll test out my new jutsu on you,' he thought.
"So," the Hokage asked, "what mission do you want? I have babysitting, trash-collecting, painting a building…"
"FUCK THAT! We're too good to be doing stuff like this, give us a challenge old man," Naruto yelled. Just at that moment, Kakashi arrived via jutsu.
"What'd I miss," he asked, before burying his face in a tiny orange book.
"Naruto, with his limited vocabulary, just asked for a higher ranked mission," Sasuke said. 'He got the point across.'
Kakashi sighed, "Look Naruto, you guys have been genin for two months, and even though you did admirably well with my bell test, I don't want you thinking of doing C-ranked missions."
A voice to the Hokage's left coughed. It was Yamanaka Inoichi, the council member who, by law, must be present for every mission assignment. The representative varied, and much to Naruto's luck, it happened to be the father of the girl he killed.
'Well, I didn't really kill her, Kyubi did, but they don't need to know I had any involvement. And it's not exactly a bright idea looking into the mind of a so-called demon.' Naruto shifted uncomfortably under the gaze of a man who looked ready to tear the boy limb from limb if he so much as coughed.
Inoichi glared at the boy. "Someone as lowly as you would do well to watch their tongue, demon." Naruto simply glared at the man.
"I will not tolerate such talk in my presence, Inoichi. You'd do well to remember that," the Hokage spoke.
"My apologies, Hokage-sama, I merely meant that someone who is as much of a liability as the Uzumaki," he spat the name out like it had a bad taste, "should not be taking such risks." 'Then again, he could get killed, which would be good for the village.'
"I am not a liability, I'm the strongest genin in our year, no offense Sasuke," he said, turning to his teammate and muttering an apology. Follow was a pointed glare that clearly said "go with it."
Sasuke caught on and cleared his throat. "Yamanaka-sama, may I speak," he said, bowing courteously.
The Yamanaka's eyes turned to the boy, and immediately became pleasant and caring. "Of course, Sasuke, go right ahead."
He gave a tiny smirk, not missed by Kakashi or Naruto. "Naruto is the strongest genin currently, but I believe that is because he was initially the strongest. I've always been second best, but I am closing the gap rapidly. I only wish to be given a more challenging mission to test myself and possibly awaken the sharingan eye."
"Your points are valid, however, your partner is a liability and dangerous."
Naruto gave a small laugh. "He's right, just ask the Haruno about that."
The man's face blotched with anger. "You will watch your mouth, brat. You should consider yourself lucky, being paired with the Uchiha."
"How so," Naruto challenged before the Hokage or Kakashi could say anything.
"Even a run-down, condemned, house looks good at first when next to a mansion. But eventually it's seen for what it is, complete and utter garbage. Something not even worth bothering to look at."
The jinchuuriki let out a small growl. "I wonder how that's going. Why don't we ask Ino, after all, she hasn't been doing much looking lately, am I right?" To the man's fury, the boy grinned.
The council representative snapped, "I'LL KILL YOU FOR KILLING MY DAUGHTER!" However, before he could move, two ANBU had their swords pointed at the man's neck.
"Inoichi," the Hokage said, killing intent rolling off him in waves, "leave this chamber at once and do not come back. Allow the other council members to act as a representative." Furious, the angered clan head left, glaring daggers into the boy.
"Naruto, you should know better than to provoke a clan head," Kakashi said seriously.
He scoffed. "Why, it's not like their mind techniques will affect me."
"You said you wanted to be Hokage," the old man said, "this means forging strong bonds with the clans. You have, in your short time as a genin, managed to destroy any chance of gaining the Yamanaka clan's support."
"He has a point, idiot," said Sasuke.
"Oh shut up," Naruto then turned his attention back to the new mission, "so how about a better mission?"
The old man sighed. "Very well, if it get's you out of my hair, I'll give you an escort mission." He rummaged through the pile of C-ranked missions, ignoring the boy's celebrating. Finally, he came across the scroll he wanted.
"Your mission is to escort a bridge builder, Tazuna, to the Land of Waves. You may or may not encounter thieves. You are to escort him and protect him until the bridge he is building is completed."
"Are you certain about this, Hokage-sama," questioned Kakashi. He knew his team was good, but he didn't want to think about what could happen if his team wasn't prepared. He didn't want more dead teammates on his conscience.
"Consider this a test, if you perform well, more C-ranked missions might be available. Will someone get Tazuna, please?" The two chunin behind the Hokage walked out the door. They returned quickly with an unkempt man who smelled of sake.
"Who the fuck are these two kids? Am I supposed to trust my life to two brats," Tazuna said, taking a large gulp of sake from his bottle. Naruto quickly became annoyed with the man.
"Sir," Naruto said bitterly, "we are both the strongest shinobi our age. We promise to protect you with our lives."
"That is correct," Sasuke continued, "and we also have the most skilled ninjutsu-using jounin in the village, Hatake Kakashi, as our sensei."
"Tazuna-san, you are in more than capable hands, I assure you," Kakashi said, eye curling, the only way of telling he was smiling.
The old man merely took another swig of his liquor. "Fine, but I want a third ninja assigned to the group for more protection."
"Why," Naruto asked. There was no need for more than 2 genin for protection from thieves. Across from him, Sasuke thought the same.
"Hey, I'm the goddamn client, so what I want, I get," the old man yelled. "Now find another ninja."
The Hokage looked at the scene and sighed, "Very well, meet at the eastern gate at 1. Team 7, you have until then to find a suitable partner." They nodded and turned to leave. "Oh, and Kakashi, be on time, it's an order."
Naruto and Sasuke left their sensei behind, leaping causally down the flights of stairs to the ground level. They then began walking the streets. Sasuke immediately noticed a significant change than from when they walked at night. In the day, there were villagers.
He was surprised to see the villagers, who looked on him with nothing but admiration and praise, give the most disgusting looks to the boy beside him. He didn't know how Naruto did it, but the boy just ignored them. A couple of times, people would throw rocks or bottles at the boy, who would just catch them and toss them aside.
'Just why does everyone hate you?'
"So, who should we get for the mission, Sasuke?" Naruto already had a few ideas, but wanted the Uchiha to collaborate with him.
"First of all, Tazuna was lying. He didn't like a paranoid person, so why would he ask for another escort?"
"Simple, because the people he wants protection from aren't just thieves."
He nodded, "My thoughts exactly, Naruto." 'The idiot sure has come a long way. He really isn't such a bad teammate after all.'
"So," the Uzumaki started, "I was thinking we need someone who is good at scouting, since we could be ambushed in theory."
"Smart. I think Team 8 is specializing in tracking. I'd probably be best to choose from them. Any idea where they'd be?" Naruto only grinned.
"Nah, but let's find out. Taiju kage bunshin no jutsu!" He yelled out the jutsu as he made the cross-shaped seal. Suddenly, 249 clones appeared. Sasuke stared at his partner with slightly wide eyes.
The clones left in a flash. "Naruto?"
"Yeah."
"You just made almost 250 shadow clones at one time, when a normal jounin can make about 20."
"Your point?"
"I'm looking forward to the talk we're going to have soon," Sasuke replied. Just how he had such massive chakra, and yet such terrible control, astounded the boy.
'That makes one of us.'
Naruto and Sasuke walked to a sushi bar and sat down. Sasuke listened to his partner's whining about it not being ramen, but he told him that if he wanted to get taller, he'd have to eat right. As they sat down, a waitress who looked about 20 came over.
"Welcome, how are you today, Uchiha-san," the pretty young woman said.
"Very well, thank you. My teammate and I are just getting some food before we go on a difficult mission, and your restaurant's sushi is the best in Konoha," the Uchiha said, flashing a smile that caused the girl to stare at him with hearts in her eyes.
"T-thank you very much, it's always nice to have people such as yourself enjoy our food. What can I get for you and….your…" Naruto gulped, she had just seen who Sasuke's partner was.
"Uchiha-san, forgive me, but we cannot serve your guest," she said, the happy girl from before replaced with an uncomfortable glance at the boy.
"May I ask why," he said, seeing the small twinge of pain in Naruto's eyes.
The girl glared at Naruto before turning back to Sasuke. "We are allowed to refuse service to anyone, and it would not look good to serve a de-."
Naruto shivered a little, feeling the killing intent coming from his partner. The girl, being a non-ninja, was positively terrified. "Who I am partnered with reflects on myself, so calling Naruto a demon is also an insult to me."
The waitress shook her head, bowing. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that, it's how our owner refers to him. We were all told never to serve him food. My apologies, Uchiha-san, but I cannot serve him, I'd lose my job."
The Uchiha sighed. "Very well, we will sit at the end of the bar, near the corner. I'll have some oolong tea and the special of the day. I will also have…" Sasuke turned to Naruto, nodding. He caught on.
"Green tea and the special."
"And green tea and the special, after all, it's an important mission and I'll need my strength," Sasuke said, smirking. The waitress bowed and walked off. She came back quickly with two small pots of tea and Japanese tea cups. They each poured their own.
"Sasuke," Naruto said, looking at his tea, "why'd you help me?"
The dark-haired boy stared at his whiskered partner, for once appreciating the look of pain in the boys blue eyes. He remembered his mother telling him that eyes are windows to the soul. If that was true, then Naruto's soul was crying, even if he wouldn't allow his body to.
"We have to look out for each other. We've spent the last 2 months together every day, becoming a perfect compliment to the other."
"You know," Naruto started, sipping his tea, "I'd given up hope." The jinchuuriki's voice held such sadness to it that Sasuke could do nothing but pity him.
"I never had anyone. Since as far back as I could remember, people would glare at me, throw things at me, and attack me. Don't ask why, cause I won't tell you."
"Very well."
Naruto drained his cup, poured another, and began sipping it. "Even though I never had anyone, I always hoped someone would notice me. Finally, after years of pain, I found a person who acknowledged me. The Hokage had always been on my side, but he's a busy man. The first person who really accepted me was Iruka-sensei."
He drained another cup of tea and filled it once more.
"It felt so good to have that one person. It was like, even though everyone else hates me, there's still this one little glimmer of hope, you know? Then, soon enough, I met Hinata."
"Hm, what's so special about that girl," Sasuke asked, intrigued.
"You see it, don't you? She's shy, but she came up to me one day and began talking to me. Me, the demon shunned by the entire populace of this village. That showed me that she really wanted to get to know me, and be my friend."
Sasuke filled his cup up. "So, you're going to ask her out?" He smirked as Naruto sprayed his tea.
"What kind of question is that? I'm being all serious and you say something stupid! And you call me the idiot!"
"So I take it that's a no?"
Naruto thought for a minute. "I suppose I might. She gives me the emotional support I need. She's the only one like that."
The waitress came over with their sushi, which they promptly devoured. They both ate extremely fast, but Sasuke with much more grace and finesse than his partner. Sasuke left some money, enough for a generous tip. They walked down the street.
"Ok," Naruto said, "the clones should have located Team 8." He put his hands in a ram seal. "Kai!" All over Konoha, small shadow clones were dispersed. Some had already been taken care of by rocks thrown by the villagers. Naruto was kind of thankful; it lessened the acute headache he was getting.
"They are on a bridge by the aqueduct, we should be able to get to them in a few minutes."
"I'll race you," said Sasuke.
"That's so immature, I can't believe you'd want to waste our training by…GO," the blonde boy jumped to the top of a roof, leaping on all fours between buildings.
'Cheater. He knows I'm faster though.' Sasuke smirked before speeding up the same path Naruto was blazing.
Meanwhile, Team 8 just finishing up their debriefing.
"Have a nice night you guys, I'll see you all bright and early," a red-eyed woman in a dress of bandages said. She walked off gracefully.
"Peace, I'm out," Kiba said, "Later Hinata, Shino." He and Akamaru ran off towards the Inuzuka compound.
Just then, two blurs, one black and one black with blonde appeared before them.
"DAMN IT, HOW ARE YOU SO FAST," Naruto yelled, startling Hinata and almost causing Shino to raise an eyebrow.
"Hn, you're stronger. You can't have both."
"Who says I can't, I want it all," Naruto said loudly. He then blinked and turned, realizing that he and Sasuke were arguing in front of Shino and Hinata. "Yo."
"To what do we owe the pleasure, Uchiha-san, Uzumaki-san," Shino said politely.
"We have a C-ranked mission to escort a bridge builder to Wave, but he wants another escort." Understanding flew from the two to the remainder of Team 8.
"You think that he might be lying," Shino said. "Probably to save money."
"You got it," Naruto said, "and we figure we might need someone with a scouting speciality. We thought of you guys, but since Kiba isn't here, I guess it's you two. You game?"
'The mission sounds dangerous, but I don't want Naruto-kun to think I'm weak. Maybe I should ask Shino.' The heiress was brought out of her thoughts by the boy she was seeking potential advice from.
"I cannot. I will be occupied with training with my clan that cannot be abandoned. I am sorry," Shino said. "I wish you the best of luck."
"So Hinata, will you do it," Naruto asked. 'Please say yes, I want something to look at besides Sasuke. He's not exactly my type.'
"If you think I'm right for the task, I will, Naruto-kun." She was doing well at keeping eye contact while talking, but her eyes fell to the ground when Naruto looked troubled.
"Hinata, look at us." The girl raised her head to look at Sasuke and Naruto. "If you don't think you are ready, say so. You're too important to take a risk like this if you aren't prepared," Naruto said.
'He thinks I'm important! Oh god…but am I strong enough? I don't know.' Sasuke seemed to sense her apprehension.
"It's alright, we will find someone else if you are unsure, come on Naruto," he said. Naruto nodded and followed, but not before turning back to look at Hinata.
"It's a shame, we really haven't seen each other too much. I was looking forward to it. But hey, let's get together when I get back."
At the words "get together" Hinata blushed. 'No, I should try. There is Naruto, Sasuke, and their sensei to help me if I need it.'
Hinata ran off after the slowly disappearing pair. She appeared in front of them in a purple blur, making the two wonder how fast she really is. "Naruto-kun, Sasuke-san, wait. I'll accept the mission. Tell me where to meet you and I'll be there."
"East gate at 1, and here," Sasuke tossed her a small scroll, "it's a sealing scroll for your pack and equipment. Carrying things on your back will only be a burden to your jyuken."
"See ya at 1, Hinata-chan," Naruto said before the pair left.
As the girl packed her things and walked to the eastern gate 2 hours later, she only thought one thing. 'He called me chan!'
She walked to the gate, to see Team 7 minus their sensei and a drunk-looking man waiting.
"Hey look," Tazuna said, "it's a girl. Why don't you come over her miss, I've got time." His voice carried to her, which made her blush. Sasuke covered the man's mouth and whispered in his ear.
"Tazuna, our mission is to protect you. That girl, aside from being about a quarter of your age, is the third member of our team. Also, if you want to live, I'd suggest watching your drunken comments, because if you piss Naruto off, Kakashi and I won't be able to save you."
The builder looked to the blonde boy, who looked about ready to give Kyubi another meal. If only he knew how to get Tazuna in his head. His murderous rant was brought to an end by Hinata giving him a hug.
He felt himself oddly comfortable with Hinata burying her head in his chest. He noticed that her ears weren't red, meaning she wasn't feeling embarrassed like usual.
"Hey Hinata, what's up," Naruto said, running a hand through her hair.
The Hyuga girl just looked up at him, before getting on her toes and giving him a small kiss. Sadly, at that moment Kakashi showed up.
"So is this the reason you chose Hinata," asked Kakashi, sneaking up behind the pair. Naruto's eyes turned into saucers while Hinata stood defiantly.
"I was thanking Naruto-kun for trusting me with this mission, and as someone who doesn't have much contact with people, I thought a kiss would be most appreciated," glared the girl, byakugan blazing.
Kakashi cowered slightly. "My bad, my bad. I'm Hatake Kakashi, Team 7's sensei. It's 1, let's get going." The girl blushed when she saw him brandish a porn book and began reading it while walking. "I'll take the lead, Tazuna stays in the middle. Sasuke and Naruto, you flank the old man, and Hinata search the surroundings with your eyes periodically from the back."
"Yes, the first time out of the village, see ya later losers," Naruto yelled, giving the middle finger to the few villagers walking by.
'Hm,' thought Hinata, 'maybe this won't be so bad.'
A/N: Land of Waves arc finally is begining. Tazuna isnt a pedophile, just hammered. Honestly, it happens to the best of us. And no, Hinata and Naruto aren't going to be going at it anytime soon, nor becoming a couple. They're just flirting, testing the waters if you will. They're becoming much more comfortable with each other as they mature, which is what happens when you're now expected to put your life on the line every day.
Oh, and for Gaara, she's not gonna be as indestructable as Naruto, i.e. you'd have to tear out his heart or chop of his head to kill him. Nah, she's just gonna be able to heal most major wounds. But that throat cut Naruto took would have iced her.