Esparza3368- I know. I purposely did this 1) because I didn't want a godlike Naruto. I wanted him to grow into his powers much like any other person would. By the end of this story, he'll be way stronger. 2) I have another reason that you'll see at the end of the Chuunin Exams
Shingen Takeda 1521- I forgot to say this last time but thanks. I hadn't realized until after I updated that I made Hinata say that. You helped me figure out how I'm going to keep their relationship both original and how I'm going to get them together. Many thanks friend.
Narutos vixen- My favorite reviewer :). She did stutter before when talking to Naruto (young love) or Sasuke (nervousness). But she stutters more now because she feels bad about what happened on the bridge and lost her confidence.
A/N: Also, I'd like to thank narutos vixen and red-volpe for being faithful reviewers. You guys give me some good ideas and you rock!
So it Begins! Konoha's Tanseiijin vs. The Queen of Emos!
Three teenagers, two boys and a girl, were training intensely at Training Ground #108; their only spectator was the pale half moon. One boy was off by himself training, while the other boy and the girl were practicing with their ninja tools.
"Hey, did you hear? Lord Namikaze is allowing twelve rookies to take part in the exams! That is the first time in five years," the boy said.
"No way! Lord Namikaze has more common sense than that!" the girl shouted. "It's probably some stubborn old Jonin tryin' to one-up the other."
"No, the squads under the tutelage of Hatake Kakashi-san, Inuzuka Rin-san, and Uchiha Obito-san are a part of that group," the boy replied.
The other boy walked over to them, picked up a kunai, and twirled it between his fingers. "So we get a chance to do battle with the students of the second-generation Sannin? Hmmm…I almost feel…sorry for them," the boy said as he threw the kunai at a large boulder. A small smile spread across his face as the kunai became embedded in the boulder almost hilt deep.
A month had gone by, and the Chuunin Exams were tomorow. Team 7 sat on the ground at Training Ground #44, waiting for Kakashi, who was late as usual. Sasuke was twirling his kunai as he assessed his two teammates. Hinata and Naruto both seemed downtrodden. While Naruto's depression made him work harder, Hinata's caused her to slack off and lose focus. Naruto had mastered three new jutsu since they left Nami. Hinata spent most of her time getting scolder for not trying hard enough. Sasuke was, surprisingly, on Naruto's side.
"Oi! Blondey!" Sasuke shouted. Naruto didn't even look at him. Sasuke sighed in annoyance and stood up. He walked toward the sitting, depressed Kitsune and kicked him square in the head.
"What the hell did you do that for?" Naruto shouted.
"I have a lock on the emo thing. Stop copying," Sasuke said.
Naruto growled at Sasuke and said, "Fuck you."
Sasuke rolled his eyes and said, "You're even more pathetic than I thought. You're letting what some stupid girl said affect who you are! Fuck her and fuck what she thinks! You're your own man! So grow some balls and stop acting like an idi—"
Naruto cut Sasuke off by punching him…and punching him…and punching him. He raised his fist to punch him again, but a hand clasped around Naruto's fist.
"Naruto, that's enough," Kakashi said. The Kitsune yanked his hand free and walked away from Sasuke.
"Well, I was going to say we should practice Taijutsu, but it seems we've already done that," joked Kakashi. He reached into his pocket and pulled out three forms. "These forms are applications to take part in the Chuunin Exams. I nominated you three to do so."
The three Genin took the applications, and filled them out. "If you're going to take part in the exams, go to room 301 at the Academy tomorrow by 8:00 a.m." The Jonin turned his back and vanished.
Hinata was the first to spring to her feet and walk straight out of the training field. Naruto's face softened a bit, but he remembered why he was being so harsh to her, and his face hardened again.
Sasuke shook his head and thought, 'He needs to get laid.'
Hinata wandered aimlessly through the village, tears streaming down her face. She wished she could go back to that day on the bridge, and take back what she said. Naruto wouldn't hate her and they would still be friends.
'And now he won't even look me in the eye. I'm such an idiot,' thought Hinata. 'I…I can't be in the Chuunin Exams. I'm a wreck, and if it's true that death is a possibility, I can't risk Sasuke or Naruto-kun's safety.'
Hinata bumped into an elder man as she was lost in thought. He had long, black hair, and the same pure white eyes that Hinata had. He wore a plain, green and beige kimono and wooden sandals. He seemed to be a very intimidating person. Hinata bowed before the man and said, "Konnichiwa, Tou-san."
Hiashi bowed to her and said, "Konnichiwa, Hinata-chan. Why are you so glum? Do you want to talk about it?"
Hinata hesitated a bit. Her father overreacted when it came to boys. But maybe he could share some jewel of wisdom with her that could help her win her friend back.
"W-W-Well sir, I, uh, may have hurt my b-b-best f-f-friend's feelings," Hinata stammered. She broke down into a full sob and her father pulled her into a loving embrace.
"Shhh, my little flower," Hiashi said as he hugged her. The man did this while glaring at nosy villagers who were trying to find out what was going on. Hiashi was a feared ex-ANBU; the villagers weren't dumb enough to piss him off. "Which friend did you offend?" he asked.
"N-N-N-N-Namikaze N-N-Naruto," Hinata choked out. Hiashi had tensed visibly at hearing that boy's name. He knew they were squad mates (probably the biggest fuck you Minato could think of after their 'disagreement' eleven years ago [1]). He prayed to Kami for help when Hinata told him that they were good friends. But now, as Hiashi cradled his crying daughter, he prayed to Kami for forgiveness and asked to help her.
"Well, Hinata-chan, what did you do to hurt him?"
Hinata replied, "I called him a monster!" She then began crying even more, for the seriousness of her actions hit her. "Oh Kami, I'm no better than the other villagers! He's the sweetest boy ever and he doesn't deserve someone like me!"
"Hinata-chan, something like that you may never be able to take back. Not with words anyway. Sometimes, you have sacrifice something so the person you've wronged sees that you really do regret all the horrible things you said," Hiashi said.
Hinata just hugged her father tighter as she cried. The older man did nothing but hope that Kami heard his prayer.
Team 7 met in front of Ichiraku's and then walked together to the Academy. The walk was the usual awkward quiet that seemed to cover the group these days. They arrived at the Academy, and saw a large group of ninja standing in front of room 401.
"Hey, get outta the way!"
"We got exams to take!"
It seemed that two Chuunin were blocking the way into the room, denying all of the ninja access. The leader of the pair seemed amused by the Genin's attempts to get through. Hinata walked up to the Chuunin and bowed her head.
"Please sir, let us through," she asked.
The Chuunin looked dumbfounded, then replied, "What are we, girl scouts? No!"
"Well, then can you at least release this Genjutsu?" Naruto said. The two Chuunin were shocked the blonde kid figured it out so quickly.
The Chuunin captain smirked and said, "I know your type. You specialize in Genjutsu but you lack in all the other necessary areas and rely on your tem to save your ass.
Naruto smirked back and said, "Actually, I thought about it. Room 301 is on the third floor; we only went up two flights." Giving the Chuunin his famous Kitsune grin, he turned and began walking up the stairs. "I'll be heading to the third floor now. [2]"
The Chuunin captain growled and rushed at Naruto. "Try figuring out this!" he shouted as he made hand seals. However, before he could finish, he was punched in the stomach, not by Naruto, but by another boy. He had shiny black hair, done in a bowl cut hairstyle. He had thick eyebrows and small black eyes. He wore green spandex, orange leg warmers, and bandages on his arms.
"It is not honorable to attack someone from behind," the boy said. Two other kids walked over to the boy.
"Lee! What happened to not drawing any attention to ourselves?" another boy asked. He had long black hair that was tied at the end. He wore a beige high collar shirt, grey pants, and bandages on his arms.
Lee sheepishly smiled and muttered out an apology. "Sorry Neji-kun. I hate cowardly attacks like that," he said.
The girl shook her head at her teammate. She had brown hair tied into two buns. She wore a sky-blue Oriental-styled shirt, and navy blue pants. "Stop being so gung-ho Lee-kun."
"But Tenten-chan—" Lee began but Naruto cut him off by placing his hand on his shoulder.
"Thanks, but I could have handled it," Naruto said as he dispelled his clone.
The three Genin were shocked, and Lee asked, "How did you know he was going to attack you?"
Naruto gave them a Kitsune grin and said, "Let's just say I have a nose for these things. By the way, I'm Namikaze Naruto, (points at Sasuke) the emo queen is Uchiha Sasuke, (points at Hinata) and Hyuuga Hi—"
"Nata. Hmph, I should know who my cousin is," Neji said.
Lee then said, "I am Rock Lee. This is Ichiban Tenten [3], and as you may have presumed, this is Hyuuga Neji." Lee looked at Sasuke, and then asked, "You wouldn't happen to be the son of Uchiha Obito, would you?"
"No, Obito-san is my cousin…why?" replied Sasuke.
Fire seemed to flare in Lee's eyes as he pointed at Sasuke and shouted, "YOUR OBITO-SAN HAS DISRESPECTED MY SENSEI FOR THE LAST TIME!!!! I CHALLENGE YOU TO A TAIJUSTU MATCH TO THE DEATH!!!!"
Sasuke smirked, and replied, "How about a regular old Taijutsu match? Death is kind of…overboard."
The two boys stood in the center of the playground, stretching and getting ready for battle. Naruto, Hinata, Neji, and Tenten sat off to the side to watch. Neji looked at Hinata, who was trying her hardest not to show how freaked she was. I mean, if your best friend was mad at you and you had your "wonderful" cousin on the other side of you, tossing killing intent your way, you'd be freaking too.
Lee smiled as he dropped into his stance. "I have always wanted to test my abilities against those of a member of the genius clan's," Lee said.
Sasuke smirked and said, "You're pretty brave for challenging me, knowing what clan I come from and what I possess. But you're also dumb. I'm about to show you what the Uchiha name means bushy brows!"
Tenten looked at the clock tower that stood in the distance. "Lee! Hurry up, we only have a half hour to get to meeting room," she shouted.
Lee smirked and replied, "I only need five minutes." Sasuke took off toward Lee in full sprint. Lee bent his knees in anticipation, then leapt up and shouted, "Konoha Boushisenpuu (Leaf's Spinning Whirlwind)!" Lee leapt up and kicked Sasuke full force in the head with his left leg and in the side with his right. From those two kicks alone, Sasuke's vision darkened.
'His strength is unreal!' the Uchiha thought as he put some distance between the two. Sasuke was suddenly punched in the face, causing him to roll across the playground.
Sasuke shakily stood up. The world was really dark, and everything seemed to be in triplicates. 'I need to use it! Here goes!' Sasuke's eyes turned red and two tomoe appeared in both eyes. "Sharingan!"
"So you have finally brought out your Sharingan? I am sorry to inform you that it will not work against me," Lee said.
Sasuke smirked and replied, "Oh yeah? Well—gyack!" Lee had kicked him high into the sky. Sasuke's Sharingan couldn't detect Lee at all!
'He…he must have a kekkei genkei, too! That's the only way he can beat my eyes!' thought Sasuke as he went soaring into the sky.
Naruto groaned and said, "That's one of Konoha's forbidden Taijutsu! It took me a while to realize but this is the only style of Taijutsu to be considered Kinjutsu! He's about to use…"
Lee leapt into the air after Sasuke and maneuvered his body so he would be behind the Uchiha. "It is true that the Sharingan can read Nin and Genjutsu by reading chakra levels and hand seals, but Taijutsu is much more different. You may be able to see my movements, but seeing is useless if you cannot move fast enough to defend yourself!" Lee shouted. The bandages on Lee's arm began to slowly unwrap.
"Your Sharingan makes you a genius type; basically a person who does not have to work hard to be successful. I, on the other hand, have pushed myself far beyond my limits to master Taijutsu. And I'm here to show you that hard work can overcome genius talent!"
A pinwheel flew out of nowhere toward Lee, forcing the spandex-clad boy to maneuver out of the way. A red tortoise trudged toward Lee with a scowl on his face.
"Lee! What the hell is wrong with you! You know that technique is forbidden!" the tortoise shouted.
"I am sorry Asamashii. I just wanted to see if I could beat Sasuke-kun," Lee sheepishly replied.
Asamashii growled back, "What a shitty excuse! I hope you're ready to pay! Here's Gai-sensei!" A plume of smoke appeared and a man who looked like an older version of Lee was seen standing on Asamashii's shell.
"Yosh!!! You guys are the epitome of adolescent youthfulness!!!" Gai shouted. Team 7 was frightened by the Jonin; he had even bushier eyebrows than Lee!
'It's like a forest on his forehead!' thought Hinata.
'And Naruto says I look like a queer,' thought Sasuke.
'Those eyebrows are magnificently scary! I wonder if they have their own mind!' thought Naruto.
Gai looked at Lee and, without warning, punched him hard in the face. "You are…you are," Gai stammered as tears poured down his face.
Lee was crying as well when he replied, "Sensei, I…I…I…"
"LEE!!!"
"GUY-SENSEI!!!" The two rushed each other and hugged tightly as scenery with a sunset and an ocean appeared behind them. Team 7 was visibly grossed out by this display of affection.
"It's alright to make mistakes Lee-kun. On the road of life, mistakes are inevitable, like bad hair days. However, you broke my rules and attempted to use a technique I have forbidden you from using. Your punishment will take place after the Chuunin Exams," Gai said. He looked over to Team 7, who were slowly inching away from him.
'So they're Kakashi's,' thought Gai. He waved his hand to them and shouted, "How is Kakashi-san and Obito-san?"
"How do you know them?" Naruto asked, still visibly weirded out by Gai and Lee's display.
"KAKASHI-SAN IS MY GREATEST RIVAL!!! AND OBITO-SAN IS MY GREATEST CRITIC!!!" Gai said. "FOR THAT REASON, YOU THREE WILL BECOME MY SQUAD'S GREATEST RIVALS!!!"
Tenten and Neji sighed in embarrassment at their sensei's antics. "Uh Gai-sensei, we have only five minutes to get to the meeting room," Tenten said.
Gai looked over to his students and shouted, "YOSH!!! THEN GO, MY STUDENTS, AND ILLUMINATE THESE PROCEEDINGS WITH THE FLAMES OF YOUR YOUTH!!!!!!" Gai dispelled Asamashii and then leapt over the gate and ran off into the village.
An awkward silence covered the group and finally Naruto said, "Soooooooooooo…who's up for taking an exam?"
Next Time: We've finally gotten to the meeting room! There's a lot of strong guys here…I CAN'T WAIT TO KICK THEIR ASSES!!! But first we have to take a written exam. I suck at written exams and if I fail…we all fail!
I Spy! The First Exam!
1- Minato and Hiashi had a rather interesting disagreement eleven years ago that ruined their two decade friendship. Any bets as to what, or who, caused the disagreement?
2- Before someone tells me Naruto couldn't figure that out, this Naruto is smarter than the one in the manga and he is good at Genjutsu. Also, some people think better when they're mad.
3- As far as I know, Tenten's clan was never revealed so I stuck her in the Ichiban Clan. There's no hidden meaning with this; just laziness lol.