I am posting much sooner than I had planned since my muse was hyperactive this past weekend. Enjoy
Meeting the Teachers
Naruto walked slowly towards the Hokage Tower. This early in the morning there were few civilians out on the streets. Most ignored the young blonde as he strolled but a few actually greeted him. Surprised, he would say hello in return. Even after a year, it perked him up that some people were beginning to warm up to him as a person. He signed in at the Chunnin guarding the door of the Hokage's office since he had never been there before as an official ninja. The guard opened the outside door and pointed to a small waiting area where he saw Hinata and Sakura already sitting. A secretary sat near the inner door and nodded to Naruto and went back to her sorting through papers. Hinata smiled up at Naruto and Sakura just sat quietly. Both girls kept their silence so Naruto did as well. He was nervous enough as it was and he figured the girls were quiet for the same reason.
A few minutes after eight, the inner door opened and the three genin were called into the Hokage's office. Sarutobi sat behind his desk and three people stood off to one side. Naruto glanced over at the people; an old guy with long white hair who looked more like a kabuki actor than a ninja, a long haired large busted blonde woman who looked to be in her mid twenties but something in her eyes said that was a lie. She looked too experienced for her apparent age. Her simple clothing was in a peasant style but from the materials used, he guessed that was more for comfort than lack of funds. The third person was a purple haired woman in an open trench coat. She had her arms folded and a haughty look about her. Through the open coat he could see a chain mail shirt that had to have been custom made to give the appearance of being skintight. It gave the illusion of her being exposed while at the same time; no skin at all was visible from her neck to mid thigh where the mail ended. A leather skirt over her hips and shin guards completed the outfit. At first it seemed a trashy look, but Naruto saw it was one that was calculated and would allow her to get in a first strike while most males were being distracted by it.
Sarutobi noticed all three genin looking over the teachers and noted all the youngsters sizing up the instructors. He cleared his throat to get the youngsters' attention. "Please, take a seat and we will get this meeting started. I am glad you are all on time and we can get down to business. Naruto, Hinata, Sakura; I want to introduce you all to your teachers; Jiraiya, Tsunade and Anko. You might recall that Jiraiya and Tsunade are two of the Sannin of Konoha. Anko is the former apprentice to the other member. They are here to be your teachers for the next few years."
The genin had known this from the announcement by Iruka the day before but hearing it from the Hokage made it all too real.
"In the beginning, each of you will be trained by one of them as apprentices. Later on will be teamwork and cross training between teachers. Right now I just want to have each instructor tell you what is expected and to know of the hardships this training is going to place on you. Then I will want to know from each of you if you think you can accept the challenge being laid before you. Jiraiya, you first."
Jiraiya stepped forward. "I am Jiraiya. The Toad Sage of Mt.…" He was about to continue on in his introduction dance but Tsunade hit him from behind.
"Just the basics, you baka," she snarled.
Jiraiya rubbed his head and got up. "I will be Naruto's primary instructor. I will focus on ninjutsu and making Naruto the heavy hitter of the group. After initial training of each of you, I will handle the duties of being the team overall sensei during missions until you all reach jonin rank."
Tsunade stepped up next. "I will be training you, Haruno, in the art of being a first class combat medic nin. When I am done with you, I plan on you being not a person who hides from enemies but one who can take care of herself in battle. In time, I plan on having you being equal to the task of any jonin level mission as well as being a first rate doctor."
Anko was suddenly behind Hinata crooning in her ear. "I get you little Hyuuga. I plan on having you becoming a silent but deadly killer of your enemies. Together, we will modify your family's style to suit your talents and make enemies remember why they should fear a Hyuuga in battle all over again." Anko was back in line with Jiraiya and Tsunade before Hinata could even shudder. No one had even seen how she had moved so fast.
Sarutobi chuckled at Anko's antics before getting serious again.
"All three of you are part of a plan to help Konoha over the next few years. If you think something is not going right or are having doubts about what is happening, please bring them up to an instructor or myself. The daimyo himself is aware of this training program and is focusing a keen eye on it. I have faith that all three of you can fulfill all things expected of you. That is why you were selected for this. Now, I will leave you to your teachers."
Seeing Sarutobi was finished, Jiraiya addressed the kids, "Any questions right now?"
Naruto, Hinata and Sakura were all too shocked at the moment to do more than shake their heads no.
"Good, I want all three of you to be at Training Field 16 tomorrow morning at this time for PT. If anyone is late, all three pay the price. You are a team now and all punishments will be given as a team when merited," Jiraiya said. "Now, shoo. We have a few more things to discuss with the Hokage."
The newly minted genin filed out and Sarutobi looked over the trio of instructors. "I know this will be a tough assignment for all of you, particularly for you Anko. The choice of each of you is a calculated move. I do not want clones of the Sannin here. I want an improved model. Each student will be strong in their specific assignment but I want a lot of cross training and teamwork in their training."
"Anko, I want you to focus less on what and how Orochimaru taught you and more on what you feel you should have learned as his apprentice. Jiraiya, make sure the others learn ninjutsu to supplement their training and have potential for surprising enemies. Tsunade, I want all of them able to do first aid in case one or more fall in battle. Make them a team in every sense, not merely a trio of strong individuals."
"I know my duties here, sensei" Tsunade grumbled. "That is why I said I want Haruno to be a strong jonin as well as a superior medic and doctor."
Sarutobi nodded. This is where things would get difficult. His plan was out in the open and all he could do now was wait while others picked it up. He hoped the seeds he found would blossom into something grand.
Naruto and Hinata led Sakura to their secret hideout. Their lunch yesterday had gone well. The pink haired girl seemed sincere in her desire to be friends and work with the pair. Hinata trusted Naruto's opinion in that as he seemed to be the better judge of character.
"Wow, you guys really have a great lair. So this is where all the pranks I heard about got cooked up?" Sakura asked. "You do realize that no one had any idea that this place was even around here. Academy kids would try to find the 'Lair of the Prankster' by following you Naruto, but you always shook them off. Not even Kiba could track down this place."
Sakura was walking around while going on with her minor bout of fan girl gushing. She came across the main map of Konoha the pranksters had made. It was lying open on the table with each part labeled carefully in neat writing. Important places were referenced by number to a smaller scroll on the shelves nearby for details about that compound or building. Escape routes that avoided normal patrol paths in the village were clearly marked.
"You really put a lot of planning into that stuff I guess. I never knew that pranking could be such a job in itself."
"Yeah, it was a lot of work at first but once we got all the information gathered it was a lot easier," Naruto bragged. "Hinata-chan here really helped me organize things. She's great at it. The stuff would never have been as successful without her."
Hinata blushed slightly at the praise. It warmed her heart that Naruto thought so highly of her and was now even comfortable enough to call her –chan in public. The pair had been calling the other –kun and –chan in private for months. But after an embarrassing moment near her father, Naruto and Hinata both had stopped using the familiar endearment in public. However, Hiashi still teased her gently about it. He claimed it was the duty of a father to do so but the twinkle in his eye while doing it showed he was not meaning to be malicious.
"Your map here is better than any I have seen in the Academy. I think you have all of Konoha on here."
"Actually, there's a large underground complex near the mountain that we have no idea about." Naruto pointed to a series of marks on the map that indicated doorways and hidden entrances. "That whole place is something we have no clue about. The Old Man says it is a dangerous classified area and we shouldn't pry into it. He was really serious when he warned me too. I have never seen him like that so I avoid the place. We make sure none of our normal escape routes go near it."
Hinata stood off to the side watching Naruto tell Sakura about the pranks they had done over the past year. She had not really been sure about letting anyone else into the hideout. It was their place; their sanctuary. In here she could say anything. She could express her opinion without having to worry about being put down or ridiculed for it. Naruto always listened to her advice and would never tear it apart. He would not always agree with her and sometimes tell her no; but always in a kind way. She needed that comfort right now to get out what was bothering her.
Hinata spoke up to interrupt Naruto's latest tale. "We have other things to worry about, Naruto. We didn't come here for prank stuff. We came here to talk away from everyone." Hinata blushed slightly at being so brash but she kept going. "I … Anko-sensei scares me. She wants me to be someone that strikes fear into opponents. I … I don't know if I can do that." Hinata looked down, blushed and bit at her lip after she finished.
Naruto was not sure what to do. He had not seen Hinata this shy and unsure in a long time. He stepped up close to her and lifted her chin gently to look in her eyes. "Don't worry, Hinata-chan. I believe in you. If the Old Man thinks you can do this then you can. I'm scared too. I bet Sakura is as well but none of us can let that stop us. We just do the best we can and go from there." He then gave her a small honest smile that few people ever got to see.
Hinata smiled weakly as Naruto smiled at her. She leaned forward and gave Naruto a quick hug before she realized what she had done. Then she released him with a mild squeak as she remembered they were not alone just then.
Sakura noted the moment between the pair and had been quite blatantly begun looking at the map with her back to them. After hearing the squeak, she turned and spoke up, "Are you guys hungry yet? It is gonna be lunchtime soon and I missed my breakfast. Say, Naruto, why don't you go get us some take out and bring it back here?" Sakura practically drug Naruto to the doorway. "Me and Hinata can just sit here and wait for you to get back. I am sure we could both go with something from that Chinese place near the Academy."
"But I'm not sure they are even open yet and it's all the way on the other side of town." Naruto stammered.
"Then you just wait for them to open and bring it here after that." Sakura gave Naruto a seriously scary look. "Don't worry about us, we'll just be waiting here and be having … Girl Talk"
Naruto gulped slightly and nodded. He realized now that trying to stay would be a health hazard so he made a quick escape.
A few quiet minutes passed as Hinata just kind of stood there while Sakura looked around the room. "I can sort of see why you like him, Hinata. Most boys would have just been scared stupid instead of trying to make you feel better." Hinata looked at Sakura wide-eyed. "Don't worry, Hinata. I'm not going to try to steal him away from you. I might have given up on Sasuke but Naruto is definitely not my type."
"He was right on one thing. I'm scared too. Tsunade said she wants to make me into a medic and doctor. I hadn't even thought that far ahead into my future. I was just planning on being a ninja to protect people and make a living. My dad had tried when the war was going on but he couldn't even get into the Academy." Sakura stopped again and looked at the mission clothes and masks stored on one shelf and had a thought.
"Naruto said you went on some of the pranks with him. It must have been scary to have gone with him on those."
"It was not really that scary. We planned things out ahead of time and if it looked like we couldn't do it, we would back off." Hinata walked over to the masks and picked up her Rabbit one.
"But you must have gotten almost caught a few times. I would think that would be terrifying."
"One time we almost did. We were trying to get into one clan compound and they had changed their security the same night we went in. We got stuck waiting in a ditch for about a half hour before we could pull it off." Hinata stroked the ceramic of the mask before continuing in a soft voice. "I was anxious but no scared. It's funny, but when I put on the mask; it's like I am not Hinata anymore. With it on, I am Rabbit. I am confident and sure of myself because people would only get to see the mask, and not who is under it. Rabbit has no reason to be scared."
"So all we need to do is put on a mask of sorts. Like Naruto does when he is not around you. He is a caring sensitive guy to you but he only lets other people see the loud prankster. That must be the secret of the 25th Rule; A Ninja must never show Emotion. The mask is being the person we need to be for the mission and we keep what we really are hidden away where it is safe."
Hinata smiled a bit before placing the mask back on the shelf. "It's just that I need to learn to do it without having a real mask on my face. Thank you, Sakura"
When Naruto returned with the food, both Hinata and Sakura were chatting like girls always seemed to do. He could tell something had changed there but without more information on it, he just kept his own 'mask' in place and loudly announced his return.
End Notes: Regarding the Reviews
Regarding Sasuke and how his character is completely off what many see as 'normal'. I feel that he lost a lot of respect off frame from people after word filtered around on his behavior in the fire. People saw he was not 'all that' and began to rethink their treatment of him, much as they had for Naruto. Basically, Sasuke was being dismissed to his face instead of being lauded like he had in the past. His is acting his age of 12 and pitching a fit over things. Of course, he never sees that the root of the problem was within him and blames Naruto for it. His behavior turned to being that of a bully due to wounded pride and an overblown sense of entitlement.
I do read all reviews and I do note suggestions. Noting them does not mean heeding them. If they fall into the plotline I already have, so much the better. I have the story plotted out for about 20 chapters right now. I have only a rough idea for anything after that. My time spent writing is more to fill in my outline and make it work. Whenever possible I am avoiding using fanon ideas in my writing and just pull from canon, i.e. manga and anime sources. Hinata is still shy, just not so much around Naruto. For her, a little acknowledgement goes a long way. I know it had for me at that age. Sakura is still overcoming the identity crisis she went through earlier in life instead of it happening off frame during the time skip.
On Romance. Any romance I get into will be more of the fluffy kind. Awkward teenager stuff as they cope with training, new ideas and feelings. It will not be easy for them as they grow but it will not become a triad. I mean the characters are only 12 right now.
On clothing. The 'mesh' that everyone seems to love, I read once it is a form of chain mail. Very solid and most definitely non-see through. The 'bandages' are a flexible armor wrap similar to Kevlar. It protects with a minimum of weight but is not impervious to harm
On Chapter Size Another person asked for longer chapters. All but one of my chapters have been over 2500 words before any notes. This puts me well over most writers posting on here. I will only say like I had earlier, I post my story at natural break points to give it a more episode like feeling.
Next Chapter: The Training Begins
Edited and Reposted
