Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto…if I did, the world would be in chaos.

4 YEARS LATER/SAKURA POV:

"Congratulations Sakura. You passed."

Iruka-sensei smiled at me. I bowed and left the room quickly. Being the last to take the exam, since I was the youngest, the academy room was empty as I made my way outside. 2 years younger to be exact. I arrived outside and realized everyone had already left, with the exception of a young blond. I walked over to my friend and sat next to him on the swing. He scooted over, making room for me.

"Hey Naruto."

"Hey Sakura-chan."

The usually energetic blond looked sad. I patted his hand and he sighed, his usually cheerful demeanor deflated.

"Iruka-sensei failed me again."

Naruto looked up and saw my new headband. He smiled sadly, though I could see a hint of jealousy in his eyes. I frowned, wrapping my arms around his shoulders in a quick hug. A real smile broke through this time, though his icy blue eyes remained sad.

"I'm glad you passed Sakura."

I nodded, slightly distracted. What could I say that would make him feel better? Naruto had been there for me since day one. When I first arrived at the academy I was mocked because of my odd looks and intelligent mind. Naruto had been the first, and one of the only, friends I had made. I brightened and pushed Naruto's arm gently. He grunted, but kept his gaze fixed on the ground, kicking up a small cloud of dirt.

"Hey don't be sad. You can't give up yet. You never give up remember? That's your ninja way."

Naruto looked up at me. Smiling, I closed my eyes, naturally tilting my head to the right. Suddenly a force knocked me off the swing. I fell to the ground, another body lying on top of me. I felt Naruto squeeze me before getting off me. He helped me up, pulling me off the ground. His eyes sparkled and he began to speak, full of passion and energy.

"Thanks so much Sakura-chan! You always know what to do. I'm going to go find Iruka-sensei. Believe it!"

He nodded to himself and began to run away. I chuckled at his antics and began to walk to my apartment. It was near the edge of the southern gate, so I had a long walk ahead of me. Thunder boomed and a light drizzle began to fall. It coated the streets, quickly turning into a down pour. Within a few seconds I was soaking wet and everyone that had previously been on the street had disappeared inside shops and houses.

I smiled to myself, content with the silence. I loved it when Konoha was bathed in rain. It made me feel even more comfortable than I already was. My mind wandered and I began to think I came from a region with a lot of rain, seeing as rain always made me happier. It made me feel stronger and I sighed contently. Suddenly, the rain stopped. Looking to my right, I saw a silver-haired jonin holding a bright red umbrella. He held it in one hand and in the other there was an orange book.

"You know, you really shouldn't read porn in public."

"And you shouldn't walk in the rain. Besides, you tell me that every time you see me."

"And you'll never listen will you Kakashi?"

Kakashi giggled like a school girl, answering my question. I sighed and continued walking. We finally arrived at my apartment and I opened the door with a key. After undoing the genjutsu and the traps I had laid, I walked farther in. I took off my shoes and began the well worn course to my room. I heard Kakashi behind me.

"Don't forget to close the door."

I heard the door click shut and walked into my room. Closing the door behind me I glanced around my room. It never ceased to amaze me. My room was painted blood red, darker in some areas then other. All my furniture was dyed black and was made of willow wood. My floor board was also willow, but darker and stained a stunning dark maroon. My sheets and comforters where black with a red cherry blossom tree stitched into it. A small chandelier hung from the ceiling, bathing the room in black light.

It put a twisted look on my room, but it was what I liked and always went with my mood. I slipped out of my wet clothes and changed into a black sports bra and black cargo pants. Quickly pulling on a black mesh shirt that went to my elbows and tying my waist long hair into a braid, I made my way to the kitchen. As I rounded the corner to my kitchen I spotted Kakashi. He was sitting on my counter, again, reading his porn book and fiddling with his mask. I sighed and poked him as I passed. He looked up, his eyes twinkling in amusement.

"What do you want for dinner Kakashi?"

"Hm, how about ramen and your famous dango?"

"My dango is not famous!"

"Yes it is."

"No it's not."

"Yes it is."

"No it's not."

"Yes it is."

"No it's not! You're the only person that's eaten it!"

Kakashi winked.

"And that's why it's famous."

I groaned and got out a pot. Self-centered know it all, I thought fondly. I began to boil the water and directed Kakashi to get the table set. He nodded and began to get out chopsticks and bowls. With a smile, I looked at him out of the corner of me eye. I couldn't resist chuckling as his Come Come Paradise appeared in his hand.

Awhile later:

"So that's how I beat Gai in a race from Suna to Leaf."

I giggled.

"There is no way that's true."

Kakashi winked and chuckled. He grabbed another dango stick and I turned to the window. I had a lot of respect for Kakashi. If he didn't want me to see his face then I wouldn't see it. Stiffening, I turned back to the table when I felt an unfamiliar chakra appear behind Kakashi. When I saw it was a Leaf ANBU I relaxed. Kakashi nodded, placing his half eaten dango on the plate.

"Kakashi, the Hokage requests your presence immediately."

"Right."

The ANBU nodded and poofed away. Kakashi stood and stretched. He leaned down and placed a kiss on my head, standing back up while I handed him his Jonin vest. Pulling it on, he made his way to my window, while I trailed behind him. Turning, he ruffled my hair softly.

"Bye kiddo."

I smiled and waved as he jumped out of the window, disappearing into the night. I turned and headed back to my kitchen, walking by my table and grabbing some plates and heading to the kitchen.

Next day/Normal POV:

"Team 10, Nara Shikumaru, Akimichi Choji, and Yamanaka Ino. Your sensei will be Asuma."

Ino started to yell about being placed with fat boy and lazy bones. Iruka shook his head and looked back down at his clipboard. He continued to call out teams. He stopped at Team 8 and looked at its future members, hoping he made the right decision.

"Team 8, Aburame Shino, Hyuuga Hinata, and Inuzuka Kiba. Your sensei will be Kurenai."

Kiba winked at Hinata, causing her to blush and faint. Shino caught her, resting her between Kiba and himself. Iruka nodded to himself, pleased. Those two would be a good influence on the shy Hyuuga.

"Team 7, Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, and Haruno Sakura. Your sensei will be Kakashi."

Iruka watched as Sakura smiled and stood, taking a seat between the two bickering boys. He went back to his list, hoping his favorite students would be able to pass Kakashi's expectations.

"Congrats on passing Naruto. I knew you could do it."

"Thanks Sakura-chan!"

"Hn."

Both ninja turned to the third member of their squad. He sneered at them.

"So, I get stuck with the annoying pink-haired girl and a dobe."

Naruto bristled.

"Hey, don't call me a dobe! And Sakura isn't annoying!"

"Hn."

Naruto lunged at Sasuke. He was stopped by Sakura, who calmly put a hand on his shoulder. She pushed him into his seat gently and smiled sweetly at Sasuke. He squirmed a bit under the smile.

"Has anyone ever told you your hair looks like a chicken's ass?"

Later/2 hours:

"Naruto, what are you doing?"

He grinned evilly. Sticking a chalk board eraser on top of the door, he pushed the chair back into place. He stood back, rubbing his hands together, admiring his work. He grinned.

"This is what he gets for making us wait!"

"Hn, dobe. No way would an elite shinobi fall for such a simple booby trap."

Naruto glared at Sasuke, who looked off into space. The door opened and the eraser fell on the spiky silver-haired jonin. He dusted his clothes and shook his head slightly. Looking up, he raised his only visible eyebrow taking in the scene before him. Naruto rolled around on the floor laughing. Sasuke had a look of disbelief and disappointment on his face. Sakura sat in her seat, shaking her head sadly.

"All of you, roof now."

He poofed away. Sakura sighed and grabbed her teammates hands and they all poofed away soon after.

On the roof:

"Alright, so why don't you tell everyone about yourselves?"

Naruto scowled and un-crossed his arms. He pointed at Kakashi angrily.

"Why don't you show us how? We don't know you after all."

Kakashi looked rather relaxed at the accusation.

"Me? Well, okay. My name is Hatake Kakashi. I don't feel like talking about my likes and dislikes. My dreams are my business only. I have a lot of hobbies, but none that are any of your concern."

Sakura sighed and Naruto pouted.

"All we learned is your name!"

Sakura patted Naruto's hand.

"Don't worry. You can get to know more about him later. We can all have dinner at my place."

Sasuke turned to Sakura, giving her a suspicious look.

"You sound like you know him."

Sakura shrugged.

"Kind of. My parents were really good friends with Kakashi-sensei."

Sasuke 'hn-ed' and turned away. Kakashi watched the exchange with interest. Kakashi pointed at Naruto.

"You, blonde, go."

"My name is Uzumaki Naruto! I like ramen. I really like instant ramen. I like Sakura-chan too, 'cause she's an awesome friend. I dislike teme and waiting three minutes for ramen to cook. My hobbies are pranking and practical jokes. My dream is to one day be Hokage and people will finally acknowledge me! Believe it!"

Kakashi nodded and pointed to Sasuke. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Sakura smiling at Naruto softly, and said boy daydreaming about something or another.

"You, next!"

"I'm Uchiha Sasuke. I don't like much of anything and I dislike a lot, so I don't see why it should matter any. My hobbies are none of your concern. I don't have a dream; dreams are for fools and children. I do have a goal. I'm going to restore my clan and kill a certain someone."

Naruto blinked and shrugged. Sakura looked at Kakashi, her eyes cloudy with worry. Kakashi shook his head, signaling this wasn't the time.

"Okay, Sakura. Your next."

Sakura nodded and cleared her throat.

"I'm Haruno Sakura. I like training and some other things. I dislike a lot of things, but I really dislike people who think their better than everyone else. My dream is to find out who I am. I have a lot of hobbies, but I suppose training would be my favorite."

Kakashi gazed at his new genin team. What an interesting bunch. Naruto, the Kyubi container and Sasuke, one of the last living Uchiha's. Of course, Sakura is something special too. Although not much was known of her background, she was an extremely talented ninja, highly trained even at the age of 6, when he had found her.

"I believe we all know each other now. Training starts tomorrow."

Naruto sat up straighter. He saluted Kakashi and began bouncing slightly. This caused Sasuke to scoff and turn away. Sakura, on the other hand, smiled.

"Yes sir! What will our duties, our first shinobi mission, be?"

Kakashi sighed, shaking his head exasperated.

"Calm down Naruto. Tomorrow's training includes only the members of this cell."

"What are we doing sensei?"

"Survival exercise."

The group looked at Kakashi, obviously confused.

"Sensei, we did survival exercise in the academy. Why do we need to do another one?"

"Because, Sakura, you will be surviving against me. That's not your everyday academy exercise."

He laughed quietly and Sakura rolled her eyes. Naruto glared at Kakashi irritably.

"What are you laughing at sensei?"

"If I told you what kind of exercise you'll be doing, you'd chicken out."

"Why?"

"I'll let Sakura explain. Sakura?"

Kakashi gestured to the pink haired child. She cleared her throat softly.

"The test we are about to take has a failure rate of 66%. Of the 27 students from our graduating class, only 9 will pass. The other 18 will be sent back to the academy."

Sakura looked at her teammates faces. She sighed and closed Naruto's mouth, muttering something about swallowing flies. Kakashi chuckled.

"See? You're already chickening out. We'll meet tomorrow morning on the practice field. Bring all your tools and weapons. And don't eat breakfast."

Sasuke stood and began walking down the stairs. Naruto stood and waited for Sakura.

"Oh, and Sakura?"

Sakura turned, looking at her sensei.

"I can't make it tonight. Sorry."

Sakura frowned by nodded. She walked quickly to Naruto, who grabbed her hand and dragged her off yelling "RAMEN!"

END OF CHAPTER

Happy Birthday to Sakura-chan! Sorry I'm a little late!

Review!

~!snow!~