The food tasted off do to the state of the dishes he was sure but he gave them a good wash and put them away. He drank sipped at his glass of milk as he began his essay. He didn't care if Sakura and Sasuke were angry at him for ditching out. Sakura should have realised that someone like him didn't have a home. She could be so stupid and dense sometimes that it hurt others but she was oblivious.

He went over his essay several times before he finished knowing it wouldn't likely do him any good anyway. Iruka-sensei would just 'Lose' his homework or give him a bad grade just because his name was on it.

He pulled a leaf out of his inventory just a Sasuke came through his window.

Naruto wanted to cry this wasn't fair. It got worse Sakura came in the window next. He got up and washed his empty milk glass then left the room. He found what amounted to a bedroom and shut himself inside. The door actually closed. He sat against it knees to his chest but he didn't cry. He wanted to but he didn't. He hadn't cried in a very long time since he was about five and discovered that crying wasn't going to get him anywhere because no one cared. Not about him anyway.

Someone knocked on the door. It was a polite knock so he ruled out Sakura at once. She was probably looking over the essays he'd left on the broken table in the kitchen. The knock came again and again.

"Naruto." sure enough it was Sasuke's voice. "You need to come out so that we can train."

"How did you know about this place?" Naruto asked, his voice held no feelings or emotions it was a dead voice.

"I followed you after seeing you turn into me in the market." Sasuke explained. "I wanted to know why you did that."

"Because they wont sell to me or they'll over charge me." Naruto found himself telling the truth. "But everyone loves you."

There was a long silence.

Naruto didn't want to go out there and listen to how Sakura felt about him living in a dump. He was sure that she was going to tell everyone and that they'd figure out away to throw him out of his new home. They would tease him and ridicule him worse than they already did he was just sure of it.

"Come out, Naruto."

"She's going to tell everyone and they'll laugh about it and tease me." Naruto didn't know why he was telling Sasuke all this why he was letting the other boy behind his mask and shields.

The silence stretched on.

"Yeah. Probably." Sasuke finally replied, "She can't keep her mouth shut about anything."

Naruto didn't know what possessed him to leave the room but he did. He and Sasuke walked to the kitchen.

"These essays are crap, Naruto!" Sakura snapped. "You'll never get a good grade like this!"

"It doesn't matter." Naruto replied, with a shrug his smile back on his face. "Iruka-Sensei will take one look at my name and give me a 0 anyway."

Naruto got stuck doing the essays over and over again.

Essay Writing-10

Sakura still wasn't satisfied but had to go home so she left. Sasuke stayed.

"I can't offer you any food." Naruto said, fidgeting. Why was Sasuke staying.

"That's fine." Sasuke replied. He watched Naruto wiggle around where he was sitting on the floor a bit. Naruto was nervous. "Leaf Sticking, now."

Naruto nodded and quickly put the discarded leaf to his forehead. It didn't take him long to notice that gaining levels was getting harder.

Leaf Sticking- 29

Naruto was shaking again. He'd fought hard controlling his Chakra for just those nine levels. He felt a bit of blood come out of his nose but he didn't stop. He wouldn't stop until he passed out. He would gain the experience it took to master this skill if it killed him. He didn't want to bring Sasuke and Sakura down he didn't want them to fail because of him. He didn't want to be a burden on them. He never should have entered the Academy. He wasn't fit to be a ninja.

Sasuke watched Naruto struggle through Leaf Sticking why was this so hard for the other boy? He just didn't understand. His eyes zoomed in on the blood coming from Naruto's nose. He was really straining himself to get this mastered. He wondered what level Naruto's Leaf Sticking was at now but he didn't want to break the blond's concentration.

Leaf Sticking-30

Chakra Control- 3

Naruto passed out.

Sasuke got up and got the bleeding stopped then carried Naruto to the room. He spotted a collapsed bed and put Naruto on it. He didn't even hesitate he removed Naruto's clothes except his shorts. He folded them on the bedside table then looked at Naruto. He didn't know what possessed him to do it but he kissed Naruto's lips before he left and went home to get dinner.

The next day Naruto was up early he took a shower and got in his next set of clothes. He went outside and did some laps and stretches before spending the morning in Taijutsu practice. He would get stronger and faster.

When the time came he rushed off toward the school meeting Sasuke partway there. He pushed himself to his limits as they raced along. But he lost again. Naruto knew Sakura couldn't keep a juicy secret like his living arrangements to herself and sure enough the entire class seemed to know it would only be a matter of time before all of Tokyo would know. He handed in his essays.

"Today you will practice the Academy 3." Iruka told them. "But in a new way. Allow me to ...er...allow Kakashi to demonstrate."

A Jonin with silver hair walked up beside Iruka.

"First you create a clone."

Killer Intent-6

Kakashi created a clone noticing the evil look the Sakura Haruno was giving his Sensei's son.

"Then you Transform yourself and your clone into your teammates."

Kakashi turned himself into the fourth Hokage and his clone into the Third Hokage.

"Then you Sub Jutsu with your clone."

Kakashi subbed with his clone.

"and that's how today's lesson will go." Iruka stated.

"Don't hold us back, Naruto!" Sakura demanded.

Naruto just gave her his brightest grin. He was soon learning to channel the proper amount of Chakra needed for the clone. He'd been overpowering it.

"That's why I couldn't clone Jutsu." Naruto thought aloud. "Okay, then this needs practice."

He practiced until he'd mastered the proper amount all the while ignoring Sakura yelling at him to get on with the lesson.

"Clone Jutsu!"

Everyone was shocked when a proper clone appeared.

"Transform!"

Naruto became a perfect Sasuke and Clone became a perfect Sakura.

"Sub!"

He subbed with the Sakura Clone and ended all the Jutsu.

Clone Jutsu-1

Transform Jutsu-1

Sub Jutsu-1

Naruto continued doing this over and over again not realizing that he was the only one who was currently pulling it off until Sakura hit him over the head.

"How are you doing that?!" she demanded. "We're your teammates tell us right now!"

"No." Naruto told Sakura then leaned into Sasuke and whispered in his ear. Sasuke was soon nodding. "Got it, Sasuke?"

"Hn." Sasuke gave his signature response but nodded he'd liked Naruto's breath on his ear as the younger boy whispered in it.

"TELL ME NOW, NARUTO!" Sakura bellowed.

Naruto and Sasuke both began the Jutsu again and both pulled it off.

"Hinata." Shino said, and jerked his head to Sasuke and Naruto.

"Right." Hinata nodded. Her Byakugan was already activated so she watched them and tried to copy them she managed after a few attempts. "Okay, got it here's what we need to do..."

"Shikamaru!" Ino hissed.

"Working on it." he replied, eyes locked on Naruto. "I dont' see Chakra like Hinata so it may take a minute."

Ino and Choji both excepted this. They had faith he could figure it out.

"I think..." Shikamaru finally nodded after a long silence. He tried a few times and finally managed. "Yeah, okay, this is exhausting but I got it."

He leaned into his team and explained the method. Sakura was still bellowing at Naruto to tell her how to do it.

Naruto finally collapsed in the grass and brought up his Stat screen which he only just remembered he had.

Naruto Uzumaki

Rank: Academy Student

Title: Dobe

Level: 1

HP: 500/500

MP: 0/8,000

STR: 20

DEX: 50

VIT: 20

INT: 7

WIS: 6

LUK: 5

"Ugh, out of Chakra." Naruto moaned. "How did that happen? I never run out of Chakra." He rubbed his eyes. "Skills."

Which he'd only just remembered he had.

Transformation Jutsu- 25

Clone Jutsu-25

Sub Jutsu-25

"You should end today's lesson with level 25 in all of the Academy Three." Iruka decided to call.

"YEAH!" Naruto cheered. "BELIEVE IT!"

Sasuke was laying next to him also out of Chakra. He opened an eye to stare at Naruto for a second then closed it again.

"Iruka-Sensei, " Sakura whined. "My teammates wont help me."

"I wouldn't either if you took that attitude with me, Miss. Haruno." Hiruzen Sarutobi the 3rd Hokage said. "Naruto helped Mr. Uchiha because it was not demanded of him. Naruto is a very kind, gentle person, if you treat him properly he will help you. Never forget this Miss. Haruno Naruto is a very powerful person with a lot of untapped potential he will need help and guidance and understanding from those around him. You are his teammate it is best if you help him the best you can not put him down."

Naruto heard it all and couldn't believe his ears. The 3rd Hokage had never stood up for him before hell, the man had never even spoken to him before. Never even seen him so why? Why was the man saying all this about him? Naruto didn't understand. He just didn't and he didn't like not understanding. Of course he never understood much of anything.

By the end of the class Sakura was the only one left standing because she still couldn't figure out how it was done and had given up even trying until she knew the theory. Naruto and Sasuke were sure she'd gotten points taken away demeaning their good work. When everyone was able to move again they were back at TG 1 and individuals were going in.

Naruto laid there thinking hard about learning a jutsu and just what kind he should try. He had no idea what his element was at all. When it was his turn Naruto got just a bit farther which was progress of course. But of course Iruka-sensei didn't see that as he tore down Naruto and telling him how bad he'd done. Naruto didn't understand he'd made it farther than everyone except Sasuke even Hinata and Iruka acted like it was nothing. He sat down next to Sasuke and tried to hide his feelings behind a bright smile. He noticed Shikamaru watching him and beamed at him.

Shikamaru quickly looked away. Something was wrong with Naruto but he couldn't put his finger on it. Naruto had always been a mystery and a puzzle to him one he was determined to solve but no matter how he tried he just couldn't solve Naruto.

Naruto finally headed back to the base after the team training. Sakura and Sasuke followed. Sakura seemed to be watching him closely and thinking hard. She instantly tried to bully Naruto into doing his essays as soon as they arrived.

"No, you did that last time and we weren't able to train." Sasuke snapped. "Today, we train. Naruto, you're team leader decide what we do."

Naruto was a little shocked.

"I have an idea but I'll need you to set the timer on your cell phone." Naruto replied. Sasuke nodded pulling it out. "Okay, Sakura and I train Taijutsu for two hours while you Chakra Train. Then you and Sakura train Taijutsu while I Leaf Stick. Then you and I spar while Sakura Chakra trains the Academy 3. Then Sakura can go home and you can help me with my essay."

"Sounds good." Sasuke nodded setting the timer.

"No it doesn't!" Sakura protested. She might be able to defeat Naruto but she didn't stand a chance against Sasuke. They both gave her a dead look. "We should practice Shuriken and Kunai as that is what we are relying on right now."

Her protests fell on deaf ears.

"Begin."

Naruto engaged Sakura instantly. She wasn't able to dodge him and he landed a hard hit to her cheek. It was clear to both Sasuke and Sakura that Naruto wasn't holding back he meant this to be real training. Sakura was not happy with that but could see that Sasuke clearly approved. So began fighting in earnest.

Novice Academy Taijutsu-2

Naruto was shocked he'd gotten that after a single hit but kept fighting Sakura he moved with every ounce of speed he had and used all his strength while steadily improving as he gained exp and levels.

Sakura was overwhelmed she couldn't believe Naruto could fight like this sure his form was still all over the place but she could tell he was improving already. Okay, she had to admit that he must be training. She did her best to counter him and fight back but she couldn't not really. They were some distance from the base because Naruto didn't want it to be discovered and she could tell they were being watched.

Kakashi stood watching his future team. He'd agreed with Naruto's training plan the moment he'd heard it. Though he had to wonder what Naruto was doing bringing his team to this desolate place for training. He looked around Konoha Village, Tokyo, Japan or what remained of the original Village. This place held a lot of bad memories. He focused on his students and how they were doing. It was clear to him that Sakura not Naruto was going to be the problem on this team. He wondered how he'd be able to help them. He'd been told that Sakura and Naruto didn't know any Ninjutsu outside of the three. He decided he'd start there and maybe introduce himself to Naruto in order to help him train the jutsu he wanted to teach the boy. He decided against it. No he should probably keep his distance from Naruto. After all Naruto was the spitting image of Minato Namikaze who was Naruto's father and Kakashi's Master.

Kakashi had been Minato's lover as well as student right up until Naruto's birth. Yes, it was best if he ignored Naruto or he would likely give into temptation and make the boy his lover against the boy's wishes. Kakashi had consented to his relationship with Minato it hadn't been forced on him and Kakashi wasn't going to force Naruto into a relationship either. Though he couldn't tear his eyes away from the boy.

Sasuke's alarm finally went off and Sakura collapsed. Naruto watched Sasuke reset the alarm and order Sakura to her feet. Then they began.

Novice Academy Taijutsu-50

Naruto was very pleased with his quick advancement in this skill he'd get the chance to level it up even more when he fought Sasuke. He sat down and put a leaf to his forehead to begin Leaf Sticking all the while watching Sasuke and Sakura spar. If that's what you could call it.

Observe-1

You can get information on people and objects. The higher the level the more information.

He began noticing patterns in Sasuke's fighting and in Sakura's it appeared like Sakura was afraid of being hit. Of course with Sasuke as her partner Naruto didn't blame her he'd been on the receiving end of Sasuke's hits during matches before they hurt.

Two hours later Naruto had

Leaf Sticking- 34

Observe-10

He'd gotten nine levels just by watching Sasuke and Sakura fight and trying to find patterns but he'd also gotten another skill.

Move Reading-5

That had also come from watching Sasuke and Sakura fight. He got to his feet putting the leaf in his inventory.

"I only managed four levels." Naruto reported.

He could tell the bruised Sakura wasn't pleased. Naruto then went to fight Sasuke as Sakura began trying to figure out the Academy three.

Four hours later, Naruto and Sasuke had lost track of time, Sakura finally put a stop to the fight and bid the boys goodnight after reminding them to do their homework.

Apprentice Academy Taijutsu- 25

Move Reading-10

Naruto would have been overjoyed if he didn't hurt so much. He and Sasuke went into the base and Sasuke helped him with his essays of course it was all in Naruto's words Sasuke just helped him plan it out better and fix some spelling mistakes. Then Sasuke left and Naruto ate. He took a shower and started a small load of laundry before passing out in his bed.