Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

...

Sakura rubbed her eyes as the sun crept through the tree leaves, having slept out in one of the training grounds. "It's too early," moaned the purple haired woman by her side who was holding onto Sakura protectively. The prior night Sakura had run away from her home after discovering that her mother had practically replaced her and was on her way to the mansion when she ran into Anko who was also heading there, both parties nearly in tears. In the end they had headed to a training ground and found silent comfort in each other's arms, opting to not disturb Naruto at that hour of the night.

Anko had actually been taking the longest route imaginable, having gone to several training grounds and a brief stop through the Forest of Death before mustering the courage to see Naruto. However when she had encountered Sakura running in the same direction in a hysterical state, her needs became less important as she made sure that the younger girl was looked after. Since neither of them had had a place to go, they chose to sleep on the ground together. This was not the first time however, twice having slept next to one another whilst in the Yondaime's mansion. The first time had been for laughs while the second time had been a genuine comfort situation.

"It's always too early for you," said Sakura as she looked at the hold the snake woman had her in, realising that she wasn't getting out anytime soon.

"Five more minutes," complained Anko in her sleep making Sakura sigh in content, wondering how Anko was more of a mother figure than her own mother, protecting Sakura in her arms. Deep down Sakura knew that she would forgive her mother of only for the sake of her new sister, but that would be many years down the track. She had a plan for that but in order for it to take place she would need to pass her Genin test within the week.

"Hey Anko-chan, what techniques do we need to be able to do to pass the Genin test?" she asked the sleeping woman in her cutest voice possible.

"Bunshin, Henge and Kawarimi," said Anko in a dozy tone as she held Sakura tightly. "No more talky now, sleep time."

"Fine, fine," said a defeated Sakura happy that she had managed to get the information she was after out of the elder woman. All she had to do for it was be an oversized teddy bear for another half an hour. She was comfortable in her arms though and soon her eyelids became heavy and she too slept in the morning sunlight, nothing disturbing the two kunoichi.

...

"Morning Neji," said Hinata startling the elder cousin.

"Hinata," he said in shock taking a small step back. "I had no idea that you had returned."

"Many things have happened cousin," said Hinata with a smile.

"I can tell, one thing which is obvious is the fact that you no longer talk with a stutter," said the older boy noticing the lack of the speech impediment.

"Three years has nearly been enough time to break the habit," admitted Hinata. "I trust that you will be attending the Genin exams this coming week."

"That is true," said Neji wondering what his younger cousin was getting at.

"I will be trying out as well with the hope of succeeding but we are not the only two, Hanabi also wishes to contend and become the youngest Hyūga to pass the exam. At the moment she is training vigilantly with father in the hopes of becoming strong enough within this brief period of time to contend with people older than herself," explained Hinata.

Neji placed his chin in the cup of his hand. "Most interesting, I wonder what brought this about but if she wishes to pass physically she'll need to be able to hold her own in the tournament."

"Tournament?" asked Hinata.

"There's a tournament to help judge who passes on physical and battle aspects. This allows for the instructors to help select teams that help correlate with one another. For example, if you, Hanabi and myself were to be put on the same team, while we would be able to work together in harmony, we wouldn't be able to do a broad range of missions, being limited to our clan techniques. Since our attacks are identical, there is no variety. Most likely we'd be paired with a range or Katon jutsu user, something which takes the fight away from close combat."

"I see, I had no idea of this tournament," said Hinata taking all of the information in as one thought crossed her mind. "I know that in order to pass the exam we need to be able to perform a henge and a Kawarimi but I can't help but think that I've forgotten something."

"You're forgetting about the Bunshin," said Neji filling in the blanks.

"That's right, the Bunshin," said Hinata as if remembering something despite the fact she had never known about it in the first place. "I must go study now if I want to have the best opportunity of passing the written part of the examination."

"You can use my notes if you like, that should cover everything that we'll be tested on," offered Neji. "They should be on my desk at the moment. I must be prepared as well, for I believe there will be a rematch well worth the wait to come. I bid you good day Hinata."

"I shall see you at dinner," said Hinata as the two cousins walked away from one another. Hinata's mind started to race as she realised that her own sister had tried to trick her so that she would have less chance of making her way through the tests. Hinata wasn't adapt in making a Bunshin, Hana and Anko having only spent a couple of hours on all three basic techniques before moving onto higher ranked jutsu.

Hinata knew that her sister would now be thinking that she had the upper hand, but two could play this game, especially if she knew what the written test was going to be about. Who said there was ever anything wrong with a little sibling rivalry?

...

"It's good to see you guys," said Ino currently in a massive hug with the ever lovable Chouji.

"It's been so long," he said fighting back tears as he spun around with Ino in his arms.

"I thought my father was sprouting nonsense when he said that he'd been told that you had returned," said Shikamaru from the sidelines as he watched the reunion of friends.

"Are you coming back to class?" asked Chouji putting Ino down on her own feet.

"In a way," explained Ino. "I need to see one of the teachers to figure out what I need to know for the Genin test."

"You taking the test?" asked Shikamaru as the three children walked towards the Academy.

"There's no time like the present," said Ino pumping her fist. She wouldn't go out and tell her two childhood friends that she was doing this in the hope of being partnered with a very specific boy at the end of it.

"You're as troublesome as ever it seems," said Shikamaru placing his hands behind his head as they continued to walk down the path as the academy drew closer.

"If you think you can pass the test you must have gotten stronger," said Chouji in admiration.

"You don't know the half of it," said Ino with a cheeky smile. "I can use techniques that even my father can't."

"How did that happen?" asked Chouji intrigued.

"A ninja never reveals their secrets," said Ino sticking her tongue out playfully causing the big boned boy to chuckle slightly.

"Either way, it's good to have you back Ino," said Chouji with a smile spread across his face.

"What he said," said Shikamaru believing that it would be too difficult to come up with his own way of concluding the reunion speeches.

"Well it's good to see you two haven't changed," said Ino slightly annoyed with Shikamaru's response but shrugged knowing that it was hopeless to try and motivate a male Nara.

...

Tenten sat in her allotted seat in the class, having been welcome back with open arms. "It is good to see you!" exclaimed Rock Lee as he opted to take the seat next to her. "I must ask though, what have you been doing the past three years?"

Before she could answer another voice spoke up. "Wouldn't we all like to know," said Keina Uchiha, still proudly wearing the symbol of her clan on her back despite what had happened recently.

"Trust me, if I was to tell you, you probably wouldn't believe me," said Tenten with a smile as Neji walked into the room and took his seat, wiping the remaining sweat off of his brow. He had been training with his father until the latest possible moment. Despite having held the title as the strongest in the class for several years he knew that it was in jeopardy by week's end, something he would not relinquish without a fight.

Tenten hadn't originally been in the same class as Neji, Keina and Lee however after only two days in the academy the teachers had deemed that she should be placed with people her own age. Much to her annoyance, Tenten had been moved away from her friends and stuck in this class, not that she had stayed in there long before jumping to sensei Anko's classes.

Before Keina could respond the sensei walked in and clapped his hands twice, gaining the classes attention. "Everybody, despite how late it is in the year, we are receiving two new students who will be studying with us in preparation for the Genin exams," she said as she indicated to the doorway where two blonde students walked in. "I'd like you to meet Temari and Naruto, daughter of the Kazekage and son of the Hokage respectively."

"Yo," said Naruto lifting his hand as a toothy smile shined at the rest of the students. The grip Keina had had on her chair tightened and splintered slightly in her grasp as she looked at the one who had banished her uncle only a handful of days earlier. Yet she knew she couldn't do anything with the teacher always watching, not to mention he was the son of the Yondaime, a title that most likely wasn't for show if they believed they would past the exam after only a week of studying.

"It's nice to meet you," said Temari bowing slightly despite being the oldest student in the classroom.

"Alright then, Temari why don't you take the spare seat next to Tenten and Naruto can have the one next to Uchiha Keina," said the teacher indicating both of the female students. Temari quickly ran up the stairs before embracing the brown haired girl she had spent the last three years with. Despite being apart for less than a day it had felt a lot longer, as if they were good friends who had separated many years earlier.

Naruto wasn't as fast taking his seat, watching the eyes of the female Uchiha carefully as he walked up the stairs. This however left his back vulnerable as one of the four boys who Neji and Naruto had defeated many years earlier pulled a senbon out of his pocket with the intent of humiliating the boy. With a flick of the wrist the weapon soared at the back of Naruto's neck, yet despite not seeing the oncoming weapon, Naruto's hand shot up and plucked the metal out of the air, his eyes never leaving Keina's.

"Detention!" shouted the teacher at the student who accepted his punishment, knowing to argue otherwise would be futile having been caught in the act. Naruto took his seat without further incident and forced his eyes to look at the blackboard despite feeling the intense stare of the Uchiha staring into the side of his skull. On guard and ready, Naruto prepared to tackle both the information he was soon to absorb and the potential danger sitting by his side.

...

Mikoto walked with a purpose up the tower, having arranged a meeting with the Hokage earlier that morning. With what had happened, she had had a lot of time to think about herself and what this development meant to her and her family. The way she saw it however, she had one option, something that Kushina may have agreed to many years earlier.

"Hello Rona," she said as the administrator came into view.

"Afternoon," said the Hokage's assistant happily. "The sexy beast is ready to see you now."

"...Thanks?" said Mikoto unsure of how to take that comment about the Hokage. Shaking her head slightly from side to side, she entered the office to find the Yondaime looking out the window at the monument as one head was successfully removed from the wall. Mikoto felt no shame in watching her husband's head be removed from history, having only disgraced the Uchiha name.

"Ah, Mikoto how are you?" asked Minato noticing that he had a visitor.

"I have been better," she said as she walked to the desk as the Yondaime took a seat in the Hokage's chair, fidgeting slightly as he tried to make himself comfortable.

"I imagine," said Minato as he became increasingly frustrated with the furniture, opting to stand rather than remain seated on the wooden frame. "I take it you are here for a reason."

Mikoto looked at Minato, a serious expression printed across her face. "I have a favour to ask."

...

Short chapter I know, don't hate me for it.

Cursed eyes: You bring up a good point about teams, the only one that I have truly set is the one that our favourite blonde knucklehead is on, and even that is nothing like it is in canon. As for the rest of the girls, we need to see whether or not they pass the test first.

Brown Phantom: Emancipate hey...If that complicated word means what I think it does then it means you and I are thinking the same thing, I think?

Kagekishi no Hi: You asked whether or not I plan my stories in advance. In all honesty, I rarely do. I have a basic plot outlined in my mind but only for the next two chapters ahead. Usually however I think of something different and try to shift it around to make it better (or what I believe in my opinion). So I guess you could say that I wing it.

When is my ending point...I can't actually say. This is my first Naruto piece so I want to extend it as long as I can but whether or not I have an actual ending point is unforeseeable. Chances are that I'll just eventually get bored and put it on permanent Hiatus. Hopefully no time soon however, I think I can still pull out some good originality. There will be times when I choose not to continue it for an extended piece of time but that will be to work on other things or get further on with real life, I can't guarantee anything. Sorry if this doesn't answer your question directly but I have no real way of doing so.

For those who think that Yukihiro should burn: She is a manipulative bitch who seeks power in politics. Like every good politician however their luck eventually runs out.

Kakarot Son: Why don't I resolve the problems between Sakura and her mother...because conflict is fun?

SpartanCommando: Damn, I thought I was the only one with blood clones, and yes, the method is brutal. We haven't even seen it performed, only the mess that it made.

As for the potential Minato pairings, the Kage/Jinchūriki mix already happened, Minato and Kushina. Whether or not Minato will eventually pair up with anybody is up in the air. Some people want it to happen and others think that he should just remain single. The end result is not yet clear so don't push it...at least for now.

Imagaco: The part 2 is sort of to say that the major arc of the story is over and the next is beginning.

Hope you enjoyed, peace out.

If you want to read other Naruto Harem fics of mine, look up 'A Life of Ramen.' Ha, who says that self advertisement is a bad idea.