"... Harry."

Harry yawned then stretched his arms over his head before rubbing his fists in his eyes while sitting up. As he opened his eyes he was met with a curious sight, Naruto was clean, dressed, and impatiently waiting for Harry to get out of the bed so he could fix it. "What time did you wake up?"

"... four." Naruto said tersely, as he impatiently pulled Harry off the bed and started to set the sheets to rights.

Harry blinked in astonishment, while Naruto wasn't really lazy, he still wasn't usually up so early, especially if training wasn't involved. "But... Naruto you don't have to be there until eleven... it's only eight o'clock."

"... I know." Naruto answered shortly, still cleaning his room.

Harry was starting to get concerned. Quickly coming to a decision he grabbed Naruto's arm and pulled him to the kitchen. "Sit." He said as he pushed Naruto towards a chair. Naruto only had two, one for him and one for if Sarutobi dropped in to check on him (this happened rarely, usually around his birthday). Naruto thought about his chairs in a fog as Harry puttered around the kitchen making wonderful smells emerge from pots and pans on the stove. Naruto supposed he should get another chair soon since Harry was determined to drop by more often, and for if Iruka would ever decide to visit. Al though Iruka probably wouldn't want to visit Naruto's crappy apartment, just because he respected Naruto didn't mean they would suddenly get close. And even if he did visit, what were the odds that he would visit at the same time as the old man? And Harry wouldn't show himself to anyone else if they visited so he really didn't need a new chair, but having it would make him feel happier. Like he should have because it meant people would visit him, spend time with him. And not just one person at a time but more meaning he would have to buy...

THe clack of a full plate placed in front of him, broke Naruto out of his chair daze.

Harry was looking at Naruto in concern as he pored them both a soothing cup of tea. "Ok what is it? Something is bothering you a lot if you're getting up at the ass crack of dawn to clean of all things. I thought you were happy to graduate, you're finally on your way to becoming a ninja. Those old bats in the tower (the Hokage advisors) can't stop you now. So why are you so worked up? Tell me, please, Naruto." Harry asked gently as looked Naruto straight in the face.

Naruto just looked down into his cup of tea, raised it, took a deep swallow and then set it down again all with out looking at Harry. "It's not that." He said suddenly after minutes of silence. "I'm happy that I graduated academy. I'm just worried..."

"What are you worried about?" Harry was confused, what could Naruto be worried of now, that he wasn't worried about only twelve hours ago.

Naruto picked up his fork and used it to push around the food on his plate. "What if my teammates hate me, what if my jounin sensei hates me. I don't know if I can handle being around people I am supposed to trust and have them hate me. I know the villagers have hated me for years and even my peers dislike me. BUt I could deal with that because I didn't have to trust them, rely on them to keep me alive while in battle. If my whole team hates me, will I even make it to chunin let alone fulfill my dream of becoming Hokage."

Harry reached over and gently pulled Naruto's chin up. "Listen to me Naruto. No matter what happens, or who your team mates are. You have nothing to fear, because I will always be here. I won't let any thing stop you from fulfilling your dream. Even if I have to cut down every other ninja in the village to make that happen."

Naruto chuckled wetly as a single tear left his eye. "Hey I'm not the worst ninja in the village! I'm Naruto Uzumaki and I am the greatest ninja in Konoha!" He said as cheerfully and loudly as normal. Then in a quieter tone, "Thank you Harry."

"For what?" Harry asked smiling into Naruto's happy warm blue eyes.

"For saying exactly what I needed to hear. For always being there. For being willing to commit mass murder on my behalf." Naruto furiously rubbed at his eyes and grinned.

"Lets not go that far, like you said you are wonderful. I'd only have to kill some people." Harry chuckled along with Naruto and soon they were both laughing, and somehow ended up in each others arms.

"... You're going to be late if you don't leave soon." Harry murmured into Naruto's hair.

"... just a few more minutes, then I'll be able to face them again." Naruto buried his head deeper into Harry's shoulder.

Harry just hugged Naruto tighter to him with out saying a word.

... In... class... fifteen... minutes... later...

Naruto was chuckling happily to himself from his seat as he saw the confused faces of his classmates. He didn't even mind when the Uchiha sat next to him, trying to get far away from his fans.

"Naruto what are you doing here?" One of his classmates asked. "Today is only for the students who didn't fail!"

Naruto snorted indignantly. "What can't you see the headband?!" He cried out pointing to his forehead.

Before the kid could answer, he was interrupted by Sasuke's biggest fan, Haruno Sakura. "Excuse me, may I pass?"

Personally Naruto didn't see the appeal of Sakura who, for some reason, was one of the most popular girls in school. She was to obsessed with Sasuke, didn't train, insisted on going on ridiculous diets, and relied to much on book knowledge. If it wasn't for how smart she was, she'd never have made it through ninja academy. IN his opinion it was girls like Sakura that gave kunoichis a bad name.

Before now Naruto tried to fit in by pretending to like her. The fact that she was the most popular girl had nothing to do with it, no he pretended to like her because he knew she would never like him back. So he never had to worry about hurting her feelings later on if she ever did decide to date him and he said no. Yep she was his safety blanket against being called gay. But not anymore.

Naruto looked at Sakura impassively. "Sakura." He said deadpan.

She looked surprised at this change of attitude, and then confused. Didn't Naruto have a huge crush on her? She visibly brushed this aside and glared at Naruto. "Naruto move it I'm trying to get to Sasuke!"

Naruto blinked at her, then scooted in closer to the desk in front of him, allowing her to walk behind him to the seat next to Sasuke. "What's stopping you?" He said calmly before lying his head back down on his arms.

Sakura looked at Naruto strangely for a moment, then ignore him in favor of sitting as close to Sasuke as possible. Sasuke glared over at Naruto for letting her through so easily. Naruto just smiled and waved at him, if Sasuke had wanted his help then he should have asked.

Sasuke just turned his head back to facing forward and mumbled something under his breath. Sakura was so fixated on being so close to her idol she didn't notice that he said anything, but Naruto did. And he distinctly heard Sasuke call him dead last.

Very angry now, Naruto forgot to think things through and leaped onto the table in front of Sasuke. He glared into his eyes, daring him to say that again.

Sakura looked on pissed, how dare Naruto get that close to her future husband! Even she never had the nerve to get that close to his face! "Naruto you jerk! Leave Sasuke alone!"

Harry was sitting under the teacher's desk again, watching the scene from the front of the room. If cats could sigh, he would have, as it was he gave a good impression of one. Naruto what are you doing now. You do realize that nothing good will come of this. I feel it in my bones. Just forget about what he said, it's not worth it.

Quiet Harry I refuse to lose to him. Naruto said as he stared into Sasuke's eyes not three inches in front of him.

"Get lost!" Sasuke said as he continued to glare into Naruto's eyes. Naruto just growled at him, to pissed to form words. Neither saw the person behind Naruto, who was waving his arms around excitedly while talking about some taijutsu move. As a consequence, neither was prepared for what happened next.

The boy jabbed his arm back, bumping into Naruto and causing him to pitch forward. Before Naruto or Sasuke knew what was happening, they were locked at the lips. They instantly parted only to start hacking and coughing.

"You're dead, Naruto!" Sasuke said while coughing and spitting, trying to rub the sensation from his mouth.

"Not if I kill you first, Teme!" Naruto Said as he gagged and tried to keep his lunch down.

Harry had watched in shock at what happened. He had to restrain himself from launching into the air and maiming the stupid kid, Sasuke, or possibly both. Noooooooo! I wanted to give Naruto his first ki... Harry was frozen in shock be his own thoughts. Since when did he want to kiss Naruto? When did he start seeing him as anything other than a kid. Sure he was sweet, and kind, and smart, funny, talented beyond belief. He had big ambitions and worked hard toward them. He didn't let the villagers hate taint him. And he was even cute... Harry visibly shook the thoughts from his head.

No he couldn't be having those thoughts about Naruto. He was eighteen for Merlin's sake, Naruto was just fourteen! only four years difference. He should date people his own age! Like anyone his own age would even give him a fair chance. They were both guys! He knows you're gay, beside he hasn't been around people enough to be sure of his own preferences. But... no buts Harry. You know you love him, so what if it changed from friendship to something more. Who else would you trust with his heart?

Harry growled to his sub-conscience in a 'no one' kind of way. He was more accepting of his newly realised feelings for Naruto, and he was calmed slightly from his homicidal rage from earlier. Or at least he was before he saw that slut Sakura beating up 'his' Naruto. Discretely he sent a hex at her that would cause her to feel cramps for the rest of the day. He grinned wolfishly as she suddenly stopped hitting Naruto only to rub her stomach.

Naruto could feel and smell the magic use, and when Sakura suddenly stopped hitting him, he sent a grateful smile in Harry's direction. THen he quickly scrambled into his seat to wait for the teacher.

It was at this time that Iruka entered. Calmly he took in the scene of kids jeering at Naruto and Sasuke, Naruto's beaten appearence, and Sasuke's obsesive rubbing of his mouth. He could only sigh in relief that this was the last day he had to deal with this class. After today they would be someone else's headache.

"Class listen up!" Iruka called out, getting everyones attention. "From this day forward you are no longer mere students of ninjutsu, but full fledged shinobi. But among the ranks of the shinobi, you are mere novices, lowest of the low. Your greatest challenges all lie ahead. The next step is the assignment of official duties to you all on behalf of our village. We will begin by dividing you into three man cells. Each of which will be mentored by a Jonin, a more senior ninja who will guide and coach you as you become familiar with your various assignments."

Iruka waved a piece of paper in the air, drawing everyone's attention to it. "I made the selections so that each cell's abilities would be approximately equal."

Naruto and Harry both grinned at this. Trust Iruka to find a way of making everything fair. Naruto looked around at his class mates wondering who he would be paired with. If the teams were suppose to be equal then he would probably be paired with Sasuke seeing as Sasuke was the best in the class while Naruto was the worst. Hopefully Iruka wouldn't put Sakura on their team even though her book smarts would even them out, she wasn't a very good shinibi.

Naruto started to pay attention to Iruka as his name was called. "... Next cell number seven. Haruno Sakura... Uzumaki Naruto..." at this they both groaned causing some in the class to look at Naruto strangely, "...and Uchika Sasuke!" Sakura leaped out of her seat in excitement while Naruto just continued to look glum. Iruka looked at Naruto a little strangely. He had been positive Naruto would make a fuss about being stuck with Sasuke since it was common knowledge the two didn't get along.

"OK everyone. I'll be introducing your senior ninjutsu instructors this afternoon. Until then you are dismissed!"

... L... a... t... e... r... on the school rooftop

"Dammit!" Naruto said pounding his fist into the roof.

Harry, still in cat form, looked at Naruto sadly from beside him before climbing into his lap and rubing his soft head against Naruto's face. What is it Naruto? Are you upset because of your new teammates, or because of what happened earlier?

Naruto bowed his head, his arms wrapping around Harry as he pulled him in close for a hug. "Everything. Why does SHE have to be on my team. She doesn't even want to be a shinobi! She doesn't respect the position or the traditions, she was wearing the headband as a hair accessory for gods sake! With her on the team how are we going to get anything done! And then Sasuke..!"

Naruto blushed angrily as he buried his face in Harry's soft side. "He took my first kiss." Naruto whispered sadly.

Harry purred comfortingly into Naruto's ears. It'll all work out. She'll get more serious when she realizes that Sasuke isn't the center of the universe, and that the shinobi arts really are important. And as for what happened with Sasuke, don't worry. That does not count as your first kiss!

Naruto sniffed as he held back tears. "It wasn't?"

Harry pushed Naruto's chin up with his paw before shaking his head. OF course not! neither you or him wanted that to happen. It was just a meeting of your lips. That hardly qualifies as a kiss, let alone your first one!

Naruto smiled at Harry blurry eyed. "Thanks Harry, for making me feel better."

Any time. Harry said with a chuckle as he rubbed his cheek against Naruto's affectionately.

Suddenly Harry jumped out of Naruto's lap and looked over the edge of the roof. Hey look it's your new teammates.

Naruto's eyes widened in suprise, "What!? Where?" He asked as he scrambled to the roofs edge alongside Harry. They watched in surprise as Sakura practically threw herself on an unwilling Sasuke. Sasuke was not happy at all with her, and apparently he was looking for Naruto.

Harry almost attacked Sakura when she started mouthing off about how selfish Naruto was because he didn't have parents. And how she envied him not having parents to nag at him. But then Sasuke surprised him when he said how lonely Naruto must be and that having parents nag you didn't compare.

Harry was in two minds about that boy, on the one hand he wanted to kill him because no matter what he told Naruto, he was still pissed that Sasuke had felt Naruto's lips with his own before he did. But on the other hand, he could kiss him himself for the way he shot down Sakura and said she made him sick for what she had been saying about his Naruto.

Well Naruto, looks like Sasuke isn't so bad after all. At least he's willing to stick up for you sometimes. HArry said lightly.

"Yeah... who would have thought he could be nice." Naruto said as he watched as one of his new favorite people walked away from cotton-candy-head. "You know, I think I could tolerate being around him. He isn't as stuck up as I thought."

That's the spirit Naruto. See you do have something in common with at least one of your teammates, you both despise Sakura. Harry said in an overly cheerful tone, causing Naruto to snort in amusement.

... at... Naruto's... appartment...

"This is Naruto's house isn't it?" Kakashi asked in some confusion as he looked around. He had expected the place to be a mess, not the clean and comfortable place it actually was. There wasn't any garbage on the floor, or dirty clothes lying around. The furniture, while old, was clean and you could see where it had been mended in some places. Honestly it didn't look like an apartment of a preteen, especially Naruto.

"Yes." The Hokage said as he watched Kakashi take in their surroundings.

Kakashi looked around some more, even opening the fridge and looking inside. Naruto seemed to live off of ramen and only ramen from what he saw so far. His fridge only contained some leftovers and a carton of milk. Grabbing the milk, Kakashi checked the expiration date from habit, it was marked for two weeks ago.

"He's clumsy, but you're the best choice to watch him. YOu have a talent for sniffing things out! What's more, another member of the cell you shall oversee will be Sasuke, of the Uchiha clan. Best of luck!" The Hokage prayed that Kakashi would be able to handle both boys, and that the three kids would be able to handle Kakashi.

"I'll do my best." Kakashi said lightly, his back turned to the Hokage so he couldn't see how much he dreaded what was coming.

... end ... of chap...

THe comforting and payback will come next, so stay tuned. Thank you everyone for your votes, and reviews. I hope you are all satisfied with the chapter.