Ino could see that Hinata and Naruto seemed oddly tense as they were given the name of their Jōnin instructor. She glanced over to try and catch their attention. Silently, so to not interrupt Iruka-sensei's wrath after he'd already been pushed thus far by the class. However they didn't notice, or didn't respond if they did, leaving Ino to stew in her curiosity as Iruka continued with the team listings. It was interesting to listen to the remaining fan-girls mutter about the unfairness of life, and how lucky Sakura was. Since most of the parents now a days had started pushing for them to get close to Naruto, in hopes of gaining the prestige offered by his Gijime, Sasuke had lost a few supporters. Not enough for him to take drastic action, but rather a small dent than a mass exodus. The exams had been far more effective of stripping the self-proclaimed avenger of his cheerleader section. Ino herself was rather torn on the issue, both boys would serve to boost her standing if she netted them. But in the end, Naruto had simply been the easier of the two to obtain. However, as she spent more time with the blonde, that soft whispering in the back of her head was slowly convincing her that she was staying with the boy for much more than just the status upgrade he represented. She was now finding herself just wanting to hang out with him, just wanting to talk, to be with... him.
For Naruto and Hinata, the team assignment seemed to slow to a glacial pace. Both of them anxiously awaiting the arrival of Kurenai to see if it was the one they, or rather Hinata, knew so well or if it was just some random person and the universe was playing a cruel joke on them. Naruto wouldn't be too surprised by it either. 'What do you think Kyuubi-chan?' Naruto asked as Iruka continued to finish listing off teams.
'Hmmm, about this Kurenai-san?' Kyuubi asked softly 'I think she's most likely the one Hinata-chan is thinking of.' she paused for a moment 'As well as they seem to know each other Sarutobi-san would almost certainly put Hinata-chan on her team so she could motivate her the best.'
Naruto's head bobbed a fraction of an inch in agreement 'That makes sense.' he agreed thoughtfully. It was a good decision to place students under familiar teachers. His growing distrust, and dislike of the old man aside, the more strategic side that Kyuubi was slowly grooming him to use more often showing itself. Yet, how could the old man be so competent one minute, yet to allow what happened to Naruto occur... It just didn't add up, and Naruto found himself believing more and more the old man had specifically let it happen.
Kyuubi just smiled a little wider 'Since you're going to have a Jōnin instructor soon I think we can start to step up your training a bit.' she offered the boy. She'd let him watch his classmates' Taijutsu forms from the graduation training, along with other sparring sessions. So far Naruto was progressing nicely in the very beginner stages of most of the styles. Even though lacking a real Sharingan or Kiba's particular feral build she doubted he'd ever be anything more than middle of the range in their specific styles. Still it never hurt to learn them, and they helped Naruto focus and build his body and reflexes up. With a Jōnin around, they could find better things to start learning and she could begin teaching him some of the jutsu he'd witnessed, or read. By now Naruto was fairly proficient with his chakra strings though he rarely used them for much more than elaborate chakra control exercises. That would need to change, they were his one unique skill at the moment and without even thinking too hard Kyuubi could envision at least two dozen ways they could be used to great affect on the battlefield. Still... She wasn't going to just hand the answers to Naruto, he had a mind almost as devious as her own in some respects, he'd surely figure out their uses soon enough. He probably just lacked the real combat experience to force him to experiment with the technique.
Grinning just a bit wider Naruto's eyes flickered to the door, his enhanced hearing picking up the soft footfalls of people coming down the corridor. They didn't appear to be going slowly at all, certainly not as slow enough to be trying to be quiet. Yet he had to strain his chakra enhanced senses to even pick it up, Jōnin really were something else. 'I know Kyuubi-chan, and I can't wait.' he replied enthusiastically. It had always been the plan to kick his training into high gear once he was on a team, improving too fast by himself would just bring up many questions Naruto really didn't want to have to answer.
Kyuubi just giggled softly 'I don't think you'll be saying that once we get started.' she teased light-heartedly. So far Naruto had yet to voice any serious complaints about his training, beyond the usual ones about the lack of "super cool jutsu" as he phrased it. She knew him well enough to be fairly sure no matter how hard she pushed the boy he'd never complain as long as he understood the point of what he was doing.
Any further conversation, mental or not, was halted as the door to the classroom opened and the Jōnin filed in. Most of the class were obviously rather surprised by their sudden appearance since Iruka was just finishing a second, thankfully shorter, speech about the importance of their new teams. Out of the entire class only a tiny handful had known in advance that the Jōnin had been there. Kiba had smelt them, Shino's insects had informed him of their presence, and Naruto had, obviously, heard them. Hinata might of seen them but it was considered rude for a Hyuuga to activate their eyes outside of combat.
There were three Jōnin in all, although a total of 17 had passed, some students had been assigned to older teams to replace those genin who, sadly, had died in service of the village. Of them Naruto only recognised one, Asuma, the old man's eldest son. He really wasn't familiar with the chain-smoker but he'd seen him about often enough to be able to put a name to his face.
He also noted a tall, rather beautiful, woman with startling red eyes. He wasn't certain if she was Kurenai but she certainly matched a lot of the descriptions Hinata had given him. Glancing to his left he saw Hinata visible relax and the corner of her lips curl up. Well that was all the proof the blonde really needed "So it is her?" he whispered softly.
Hinata's head bobbed softly but she didn't reply verbally, her soft violet eyes on the woman who had almost become another mother to her. The genjutsu mistress was wearing her usual dress but since it was a semi-formal occasion she'd dug out her flak jacket and worn it as well. Her red eyes flicked up to Hinata and a tiny smile tugged at her lips. Naruto was whispering but really, he might as well have yelled his question. For the obvious reason of the most common trait of most Jōnin, they all possessed the same finely tuned senses as himself. So, Hinata-chan had been talking about her to Naruto-san then? Interesting... She had kind of expected it with how enthusiastically the shy Hyuuga had talked of the blonde to her, but confirmation was nice. Although, she'd have to pull them both aside for a good long thorough talk about his intentions with her little sister, as she liked to refer to her. Especially with the boy having been put under the mantle of the CRA. Hinata-chan was putting up a good front, but it had to bother the girl.
Shaking aside her preconceptions, it wouldn't do for a Jōnin to show such bias towards her students. Especially before she even got to know the boy beyond her little sister's lovestruck rambling. She moved forward and took her place in the small line of instructors that was forming in front of Iruka's desk, falling into file next to Asuma and shooting the man a small smile, one that twitched down as she caught the fresh, unmistakable, scent of cigarette smoke clinging to his jacket. How many times had she told him to quit smoking those damn things?!
Strangely as the Jōnin lined up in front of the class there was a gap left between them. Having not really paid much attention to the team assignments it took Naruto a few moments to realise there must have been four instructors announced. He silently wondered where the fourth was, who would be late to something like this? But only giving the question a passing thought, his instructor was in front of him so it didn't really matter.
Iruka called the teams forward one at a time and their instructors lead them away, "Team 8" he finally announced. Naruto, having already half risen to his feet, was the first to walk down to Kurenai grinning happily at the prospect of learning from the woman. Hinata-chan always said she was strong so he was sure he'd learn all sorts of badass things!
Kurenai smiled lightly at the enthusiasm she could see burning in the boy's eyes, her gaze flicking to Ino and Hinata who had followed Naruto at a slightly more sedate pace "As I'm sure Iruka-san told you, I am Kurenai Yuhi, I will be your Jōnin instructor." She let her unique red eyes sweep over newly announced the ninja, before her "Please follow me, we'll finish our introductions elsewhere." she turned smartly and headed out of the classroom with a calm, dignified, walk, her new students following behind her.
As they left they heard Iruka's voice floating down the school corridor "Team 7... I'm so sorry." Kurenai's lips curled up into a smile as she suppressed the giggle that threatened to spill forth. Kakashi's habitual lateness offended her sense of duty but even so it was amusing when it was causing other people grief, and not holding up their Jōnin briefings.
Kurenai lead her team out of the academy and down the high-street. Flanked by his team and trailing a reasonably well known Jōnin Naruto drew far less glares than usual. Though he was still being shot dirty looks. As usual these just seemed to glance off Naruto who barely even appeared to register them, though on either side the dark look in Hinata's eyes and the soft frown pulling at Ino's face let Kurenai know her female students were aware of this discrimination and neither of them approved.
Kurenai's senses were acute enough to pick up the hushed whispers and she wasn't blind enough to miss the looks Naruto and, by association, the rest of her team was getting. She'd known of the discrimination the young boy suffered under but to see it in person was another matter entirely. Before it had merely been a point of shame for her, a black mark on Konoha as a whole. But even barely knowing the boy she found herself getting annoyed by the stares as they walked. That he put up with this daily certainly earned him some points in her eyes.
Finally, they arrived at their destination. A small park a couple of blocks away from the academy. Konoha was littered with many such small areas where greenery was encouraged. This one was Kurenai's personal favourite as it harboured a wonderful array of geranium plants that flowered into a beautiful pattern of blue and white. Finding an empty picnic bench she sat down and turned her gaze to her genin.
Ino, with her knowledge of plants had been to this garden, and indeed most of the public gardens, before. But she let her gaze sweep over the plants enjoying their natural beauty. Hinata too had been here before, but whilst she lacked the knowledge that Ino held, she was a keener gardener and the cornucopia of flowers distracted her more than the Yamanaka. Finally there was Naruto whose gaze did flicker to the colourful petals of the flowers, but they didn't hold his attention like they did for the others and his focus was almost entirely on Kurenai.
Clearing her throat brought everyone's attention to her immediately, and giving them a soft smile the Jōnin began "Now then, I told you my name in the classroom. I think it's only fair you tell me yours." she knew them, of course, she'd read their profiles thoroughly as any good Jōnin instructor would. Even Hinata's.
"I'm Naruto Uzumaki!" Naruto was, predictably, first to speak up "Nice to meet you Kurenai-sensei! Hinata-chan has told me loads about you." He was genuinely happy to meet someone who helped his precious person so much. Hinata blushed at his carefree declaration to the older woman, her gaze averting a little.
Silently glad he had chosen to call her Kurenai-sensei rather than something less... appropriate Kurenai nodded and smiled a soft fond smile "I see, Hinata-chan has told me about you as well." She responded lightly, as it was practically her job to tease her little sister a little, especially now Hinata had the self esteem to survive it.
Ino saw how red Hinata was getting and chose to interject and save the Hyuuga from further embarrassment. Was this what those two had been talking about before? Why did the Hyuuga princess know a Jōnin? It didn't add up. "I'm Ino Yamanaka." She introduced herself simply.
Her confusion must of shown however as Kurenai answered her unspoken question anyway "I'm sure you know how Hinata and Naruto know each other, I know Hinata because I became something of a personal trainer to her during the academy." her tone was carefully neutral, and her phrasing designed to answer without giving any details "But do not worry, I won't be showing any favouritism, it would be unprofessional." she offered the blonde girl a reassuring smile to go with the statement.
Ino nodded, believing the older woman "Ah ok." She hadn't known Hinata-san had had access to a personal trainer but it did make sense. Such a noble clan as the Hyuuga's. Of course they would give their heir every advantage under the sun to ensure she was the best. She couldn't help the thought that skipped through her mind, cruel as it was, that such training was really wasted on someone as meek as Hinata.
"You three seem to know each other." Kurenai noted, she knew Hinata and Naruto were an item. Every Jōnin did, along with the information that Hinata could apparently subdue the Kyuubi's influence on the boy. But nothing had reached her ears about Ino, Hinata certainly had never even mentioned the girl during any of their talks.
Naruto nodded and smiled widely, his gaze flickered to both Hinata and Ino for a moment silently asking for permission. When the girls nodded back faintly, Hinata's cheeks reddening slightly, he turned his eyes back to Kurenai's "They're my girlfriends!" he announced proudly "Or at least Hinata-chan is, I don't think I asked Ino-chan if we were yet but we've been on a few dates and I just assumed, I me..." he began rambling before Ino cut him off with a giggle
"Yes Naruto-kun, I'm your girlfriend." she assured him, her cheeks heating faintly. God he was just so cute when he got all flustered like that, Ino thought to herself. She found herself comparing Naruto and Sasuke more and more, Naruto's cute versus Sasuke's cool. Both were attractive in their own way and some dark voice hissed that Naruto could be cool too if given the chance, that same voice that was slowly making her lean more towards the bright blonde with whom she was now dating.
Hinata was seized with a powerful urge to grab Naruto and kiss him senseless, some primal urge to stake her claim to him. But she didn't act on it, just watched the two interact with a soft frown marring her features. She didn't want to share, and she especially didn't want to watch him be sweet with anyone but her. She would do anything for Naruto. Though, and if enduring this meant she got those wonderful moments when it was just the two of them then she'd bear the pain gladly.
