A.N. Okay, so I want to dedicate this chapter to one of my faithful reviewers: animeboylover! I love your reviews so much! After each chapter I always wonder when you are going to review, so thanks!

EDIT: Hey, I just noticed I labeled this chapter and the one after this wrong, so I went back and fixed it. Sorry about that.


My Protector

Chapter 6 – Team 9

I slammed my hand on the evil machine that woke me up. My day off and I forgot to turn off my alarm before I went to sleep. I groaned as I sat up. I was the type of person that once I got up I couldn't get back to sleep at all. I groaned again, standing up slowly from my bed. I sighed tiredly, making my way to my bathroom.

I turned on my shower on the hottest setting, waiting until it heated up before jumping in. I let the water wash over me slowly, relaxing and waking me up at the same time. I stepped out after I finished washing myself, quickly brushing my hair and getting dressed in my usual attire. I looked in the mirror, realizing that I hadn't put on my headband yet. I decided to sling it around my neck, thinking it looked best there.

I looked at my watch, seeing that it was about the time that Lee would come to get me up if we had still been in the Academy. I wondered what to do. I could train, but it was my day off, so I wasn't too keen on the idea. I got an idea and rushed out the door, locking it as I did. I could go help Iruka-sensei at the Academy this morning like the other day! I'm sure he wouldn't mind me being there…

I hurried down the road, ignoring the glares sent my way. Soon the Academy came in to view, a familiar sight that was almost comforting. I slowed my run down to a walk, making my way to my old classroom. When I walked in, I saw Iruka sitting there like two days ago, filing and signing papers busily. I grinned at him when he looked up, surprised at seeing me in his classroom.

"Naru! What are you doing here? You're not supposed to come for the sorting until to tomorrow."

I smiled at him, "I know, but I don't have anything to do until noon, and I wanted to see if you needed any help."

He looked shocked at my answer for a moment, then his face softened in his familiar kindly smile. "Sure, Naru, I'd love some help."

I made my way over to him, glad I could help out my favorite teacher. I did whatever he asked of me for a while, only leaving when my former classmates started to arrive. I wandered around town after that, no destination in mind as I waited for noon to roll around.


A knocking at my door drew me out of my bored daze. I looked up from my couch for a moment before standing and walking to my front door. I open it to find Lee standing there, his new Konoha headband tied around his forearm. I smile at him, walking out to stand beside him.

"Heya, Lee." I said when I locked the door again, "How are you today?"

"Good." He replied, grinning his familiar toothy smile at me.

"I have something really cool to show you," I said, grinning like a maniac.

"Ooooh, what is it?!" He asked back, almost jumping up and down.

I took the lead, skipping cheerily, "You'll just have to wait and see!"


"Ok, a few more steps!" I said, grinning broadly from my position behind Lee, my hands covering his eyes. Lee stepped forward again, trying not to trip on the rocks at his feet. We were at the top of the mountain, overlooking the flower filled meadow. I was anxious to see his reaction.

"There!" I exclaimed, uncovering his eyes in a swift movement. Lee gasped at the sight, his eyes opening wider in wonder. I grinned, pleased that Lee liked my discovery.

"Cool, huh?" I said, getting a nod in return. "I found this a few days ago, when I went jogging up here. I didn't show you then because there is something else hidden in the meadow that I was fixing up, if you want to see?"

Lee turned to me, grinning widely. "Of course I want to see! This is great! You always find the greatest places! Wow…" He rambled on as I lead him down the slope and into the surrounding flowers. I laughed delightedly, skipping through the flowers with Lee, feeling very much like a little kid. Of course, we were both little kids at heart, Lee more so than me.

When we reached where the trap door was, I stopped, dragging Lee to an abrupt halt. He turned back to me, blinking incomprehensively, as if asking 'why did you stop?' I flashed my eyes downward, continuing our silent speech, saying 'look beneath you.'

He followed my eyes, spotting the wooden door directly below him. He jumped back like he'd been electrocuted, almost falling as he did so. His mouth hung open, looking at the door in the ground with a shocked expression. I giggled, bringing his attention back up to me. "Is this what you were talking about?"

I nodded, opening the hatch slowly. "Yeah, it's pretty cool, huh?"

He nodded fervently, watching me open the door. I started stepping down the ladder inside, beckoning Lee to follow me. He waited for me to get to the bottom before jumping straight down. I rolled my eyes. Typical Lee.

He looked around the room, taking in the bright furniture and bed, then switching to the desk and closet. I walked over to the cupboard, opening it to reveal what I already had in it. "I thought the best use for this would be weapon and emergency food storage, since you can't really keep perishable food in a cupboard." I said, feeling the need to explain.

"Wow! This… This is just too cool! Where did you find all this stuff?" He finally said after a moment of silence.

"Oh, well, the bed and desk were already here, but I found the other furniture around town. Everything else I brought from my house."

He suddenly ran up to me, swinging me around in my arms. "This is so cool! Thanks sooooo much for showing this to me!"

I laughed. "Of course, Lee! I guess this is officially 'Lee and Naru's best hideout ever', eh?"

He put me down, as there wasn't much room for spinning, grinning from ear to ear. "Most defiantly!"

Lee started jumping around the room, looking at the finer details I knew that he would end up noticing, yelling something about 'my best-est-est friend ever!'


I grabbed Lee's hand, rushing out the door. Yesterday Lee and I spent the rest of the day at the meadow, having fun just spending time with each other. Today we got back into a familiar routine, Lee coming to wake me up, me rushing around getting ready, then rushing out the door with no time to spare. Which leads to right now, where Lee and I are running to the get to the Academy before our senseis start sorting the teams.

As the Academy neared, we saw the last few students make their way to their classrooms hurriedly. We struggled to run faster, neither of us wanting to be late for such an important day. We soon reached the correct classroom, bursting through the doors loudly, sliding on our knees identically, crying a loud "SAFE!"

There were some giggles from the rest of Lee's class, while most others looked annoyed. Lee and I rubbed the back of our heads sheepishly, saying a quick "Sorry, sensei." at the same time. We blinked at each other, before just shrugging off our simultaneous actions. It wasn't the first time something like that happened.

Iruka, who was standing in the corner, just rolled his eyes. "Yes, it's fine, just take your seats."

Lee and I nodded, making our way to our seats. There were some not-so-hushed whispers directed at me, but I ignored then. I turned my attention to Lee's teacher, Makar-sensei, a serious eyed man with black hair. He was talking about something that I didn't really want to listen to, so I just tuned him out. After his very long and boring lecture, he started to announce the team assignments. He said many names I didn't recognize, but I sat up straight when I heard my name.

"Team Nine will be: Uzamaki Naru… Rock Lee…" At this Lee and I jumped up, giving each other high-fives, "… and Hyuuga Neji." After the last name was announced, Lee slumped a little in his chair.

Hyuuga Neji… Hyuuga, eh? He must be related to Hinata. Oh, I remember her mentioning Neji; I think she said he is her cousin. I looked over at Lee, seeing his semi-disgruntled face. I raised an eyebrow curiously.

"What is it?"

He looked over at me, "It's just… Neji and I don't really get along too well. I believe in hard work, but he believes in 'fate' and 'destiny'. He doesn't really like me at all."

"That's not very nice." I said, mildly annoyed already with the boy.

The rest of the teams were announced, and some Jounin instructors were starting to show up. Hmmm… I wonder who our sensei will be. I don't really know any Jounins, beside Kakashi and Ga-

"DYNAMIC ENTRY!"

Gai in all his spandex glory crashed through the window, making a ridiculous pose as he landed. I was caught between hilarity and horror. He's not…

"I'm here for team nine! Meet me on the roof!" He yelled dramatically, gesturing wildly as he did.

I looked at Lee as our sensei left out the window he came in, seeing that he was about to crack up laughing like I was. I stifled my laughter best I could with my hand, figuring laughing was better than screaming in horror. The rest of the waiting genin gave us weird looks as we made our way to the stairs leading to the roof, while Neji just walked stoically in front of us.

I sat down on the stone steps on the roof in the middle of the two boys. Gai stood in front of us, practically bouncing in excitement. "Right! Introductions! I'm Maito Gai, your new sensei! I like the color green, and I don't dislike many things. My hobbies include training and competing with my rival, Kakashi! My dream is to train some wonderful ninjas!" He exclaimed, listing off things on his fingers. Then he pointed to Lee, "Right, you next, Lee!"

"Okay!" my friend yelled, almost as enthusiastic as Gai, "My name is Rock Lee! I also like the color green, Gai-sensei and Naru! I dislike people who pick on my friend," His eyes darkened momentarily at that, "and my hobbies include training and spending time with Naru. My dream is to become a great ninja despite my disabilities!"

Gai jumped up and down. "YOSH! You are very youthful, Lee! Alright, the other boy next!"

Neji started talking in a bored voice, as if we weren't worth his time. "I am Hyuuga Neji. I don't like very much and there are a lot of things I dislike. My hobby is training. My dream is none of your business."

Erm… Ok. That was strangely depressing. "Heh, um… I guess I'll go next." I said awkwardly, "Well, I'm Uzamaki Naru. I'm a year younger than the graduating class. I like training and spending time with Lee, Gai-sensei and Jiji. I don't really dislike quitters and traitors. My hobbies are training and my dream is to protect my friends and become the Hokage!"

I said the last part with more enthusiasm. Gai started yelling something about my 'youthful' dreams while Lee grinned toothily at me. I noticed Neji glace at me with a scowl on his face but dismissed it. Once Gai calmed down, he turned back to us.

"Right, meet me tomorrow at training ground nine at 7:00 AM for your test!"

Lee spoke up first, "Test? I thought we already passed the test?"

Gai just grinned. "That was only a pre-test. Most unyouthful, in my opinion."

Gai jumped off the roof before we could ask anything else. I shrugged, figuring I would find out tomorrow. I noticed Neji walking away quietly and just dismissed it as his personality. Though something about him seemed off…

Lee engulfed me in a bear hug, yelling 'We're on the same team!' over and over again. I laughed happily, letting him release me to drag me off to my favorite ramen stand. Lee and I passed the 'pre-exam', so we would most definitely pass the real test!


A.N.: Ok, just so you all know, I have nothing what-so-ever against Ten-Ten! She's pretty cool, but for the sake of the plot, she's not going to exist, or is on another team, whichever you prefer. She just won't be mentioned at all in this fic! Sorry for anyone that likes her!

Anyway, what did you think? Remember to review! Cyber cupcakes if you do!