Naruto is now in the last year of the academy. He worked hard to be at the top of the class. It wasn't easy beating Sasuke out of his top spot in the class, especially with the teachers sabotaging his progress. But all it took was one complaint from Naruto to the Hokage, and all the teachers involved with holding Naruto back were sent to Ibiki, then prison.

Naruto had not only improved himself academically but also physically. He found out that you couldn't be the best, the strongest, if he didn't start taking his training correctly and seriously. He asked Iruka to set up a training regime for him, and asked for any advice when he needed some. The two of them grew much closer due to this. They grew to see each other as brothers. One day he asked if he could call Iruka his older brother and Naruto swears he saw tears coming out of his eyes.

Today Naruto was in class writing down notes for the upcoming test. He would need to ace this test, like the rest, if he wanted to keep his spot at the top of the class. After Naruto took his spot, Sasuke has seen Naruto more as a rival than a weakling like everyone else does. After all, if a weakling passed him, what does that make him? Over time the boys have actually become best friends, Sasuke even asked for his help sometimes after class. Sometimes they would go training together as well, much to Kurama's protest at first.

Hinata has been through a lot in the past years as well. Ino and Sakura had eased up on annoying her, to the point where she enjoys their company now. Hinata's life with the clan also improved. Sparring with Neji, training under her father, and all the elders giving their advice made Hinata progress at an impressive rate. Her father and the elders were happy with Hinata's progress and were convinced she would make an excellent leader when she's of age. To Hinata, her clan was everything. This is why she gave it her all when training.

Hinata was doing well in school, in fact she had the third highest grade in class. Hinata's placing in class greatly disappointed her however. She was behind Naruto and Sasuke. She, along with everyone, was greatly shocked when Naruto jumped from the bottom of the class to the top in just a month. Rumors spread that he was cheating to get the best scores, but if anyone paid attention enough, they would see that he worked hard to earn his spot. Due to this, Hinata respected the blonde.

The school year was already almost up. They only had a little over 6 months remaining. A quarter of the class had low scores, including the now dead last Kiba. He always put off his school work, and always did horrible on the tests. He claimed that the information wouldn't be useful in the real world, and all that truly mattered in the end was who was stronger than who.

"Alright class, don't forget to review over what we learned today! It'll be on the test!" Iruka yelled out while everyone was packing to leave.

"You got it Iruka-sensei!" Naruto yelled out, causing most of the class to frown at him.

"Ughhh! Sensei, why do we need these tests!? They won't help us when we're out fighting other ninjas!" Kiba yelled, with a chorus of approval supporting him.

"Kiba..." Iruka shook his head as he started. "These tests can help you out in the field if you actually stop and think about it. This week's test is on trap settings, you can use these tricks to protect yourself and your comrades from an enemies ambush." Iruka continued to lecture Kiba on the importance of paying attention in class while everyone else snuck out.

"Man Sasuke this test is going to be easy!" Naruto told Sasuke, who nodded, as they walked out of the schoolyard towards the Uchiha's training grounds they usually used. "Just six more months and we're going to be ninjas! Genin of course but we have to start somewhere."

"Yes. One step closer to having my revenge. Once I kill that monster I can finally rest and be happy." Sasuke said.

"Yeah, but I'll be there beside you when you do fight him.!" Naruto said as he put his arm around Sasuke's shoulder. Sasuke sighed but gave a nod.

"I swear you're so damn annoying."

"Believe it." Naruto declared with a wide smile.

Naruto and Sasuke walked in silence that they both appreciated. They didn't have to fill the silence. They just enjoyed each other's company. "Have you learned any new jutsus?" Sasuke asked Naruto as they entered the training ground.

"No, I'm still working on mastering the last one I picked, Wind Style: Great Breakthrough. I'm starting to get annoyed that I can't seem to get this one!"

"It's only been what? Four days since you picked that one out. Calm down and learn it slowly. At least that's what I do."

"And it takes you weeks to master it." Naruto shot back, making Sasuke develop a tick mark on his head.

"Shut up dobe." Sasuke pretended to growl out, but the smile on his face ratted him out. Naruto chuckled at their usual banter. He appreciated their bond. He would do anything to prevent it from breaking. After they were done laughing, they slipped into their taijutsu stances and rushed at each other.

-With Hinata-

Hinata was walking just behind Naruto and Sasuke as they exited the academy. As they turned to walk towards the Uchiha compound, Hinata turned to walk home. As she was walking she was thinking about how things were going in her life. She had grown closer to Sakura and Ino, going as far as to call them her actual friends, which was a huge leap. 'I wonder what type of training I'll have to do when I get home.' Hinata was broken out of her thoughts when Kiba landed in front of her.

"Jeez Hinata don't you hear when your boyfriend is calling you?"

Hinata deadpanned at Kiba."Inuzuka-san we are not dating. I'm not your girlfriend and you are not my boyfriend. Please stop saying that we are."

Kiba let out a sigh. She was always like this. All cold and formal, he hated it. He just wanted her to be like all the other girls. If she were to stop being so cold and formal, then that'd be something he'd enjoy. 'Oh yeah. She'd be the total package then. Popular girl with a hot body that's crazy about me. Now that'd be my perfect girlfriend.'

"Ah come on Hinata-chan." Kiba whined with a smirk. "We will be if you just admitted that you're deeply in love with me."

"I do not like to lie, Inuzuka-san. Now excuse me but I have to head home." Hinata told him to try to get away.

"Ughhh fine… BUT only if you give me a kiss on the cheek." Kiba said, wearing a shit eating grin.

"I will not kiss you Inuzuka-san. Please stop trying to be romantically involved with me. I do not see you like that. And please move out of my way before I move you myself." Hinata said with a stern voice in the end.

"Jeez fine fine I'll move." Kiba moved aside and watched Hinata walk away from him, towards her clan compound. After she was out of view, Kiba let out a long sigh. "Man. One day Hinata. One day you will fall madly in love with me." He smirked as he walked away.

-With Naruto-

After Naruto and Sasuke finished sparring, with a score of 3-2 in favor of Naruto, they moved on to training their ninjutsu. After about 2 hours of that, they spent the rest of the day just hanging out together. They talked about things children their age talked about. Crushes, favorite jutsu they wanted to try, plans on killing Sasuke's older brother, managing their money, and about food. Normal children stuff.

They finished talking and Naruto was now on his way home. As he was walking back to his apartment, he was glared at and they muttered hateful words towards him. Unfortunately he was able to hear what they were saying. Monster, demon, Kyuubi brat. All those hurtful words were his nicknames given to him by the villagers who couldn't understand that the Kyuubi was sealed into him. They believed that he WAS the Kyuubi, instead of just his container. To Naruto, Kyuubi was nicer than the villagers he was going to protect with his life once he became a genin.

'I just wish that they could just see me for me.'

Naruto's mood was lifted a bit when he heard Kurama snore in his sleep. He usually would sleep and wouldn't make a noise, but he let out a snore to let Naruto know that he was always there for him. A smile graced Naruto's lips as he remembered how the two bonded further. They had practically become brothers, another special person to Naruto. In his eyes, his family was growing. And he'd do anything to protect them.

As he arrived at his apartment, he slid his key into the lock and turned it. The lock however didn't click, indicating that it wasn't locked. Naruto didn't notice, due to being tired and unfocused, and opened the door. He looked around and spotted someone wearing glasses. Before he could react, he was chopped in the back of the neck by someone else.

OOOOU Naruto be careful!

Guess who it was!

Also I hope you're enjoying this story! Till next update! Take Care!