Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter Six
The class of upcoming ninja buzzed with excitement and the nervous energy was overwhelming.
Hinata kept an indifferent expression on her face, trying to hide her slight nervousness, though she knew both Shino and Shikamaru could see it.
Naruto looked depressed, "I can't believe the final test is the freaking Clone Jutsu."
Kiba winces and places a hand on Naruto's shoulder, "I'm sorry dude, but don't worry, I'll become a top ninja for you."
Naruto glares at him and Kiba laughs sheepishly looking away.
Hinata frowns, "I looked over you with my Byakugan, you have an abnormal amount of chakra for your age, I think you use to much when you try to create clones, just focus on using the least amount of chakra you can during the test," Hinata suggests, she doesn't have better advice than that and she mentally kicks herself for being such a bad friend.
"You aren't a bad friend because you don't have the answer to his problem Hinata. Why? Because we don't know everything, we are only ninja in training, and this test decides whether or not we can become Genin," Shino says.
Hinata gives him a small smile, she knew Shino was perceptive, and the fact he could read her so easily was a good example of their friendship.
"We have lunch before the test right? Practice during lunch, even if it's a drag," Shikamaru says with a lazy yawn.
Hinata nods in agreement, "Yes! That's a good idea!" She agrees, "And extra practice isn't always a drag, it can be very helpful Shikamaru-San!"
Shikamaru shrugs in response, "Whatever ya say Hinata."
At lunch, Naruto attempted the Clone Jutsu while the others watched, a pitiful black and white lump appeared beside him, Naruto slumps over in defeat.
Hinata winces, "You use to much chakra," she says, "Try using as little as possible."
Naruto tries, and while the clone comes out a little better, it still isn't good enough.
"Maybe you have a problem with chakra control?" Kiba suggests.
Naruto groans, "I'm terrible at that stuff! I'm never gonna pass the Genin test!!"
Hinata smiles at him, "Just picture yourself using the least amount of chakra possible, and create a clone!"
Naruto tries again, and the clone came out in color, but didn't look very good, "Ugh..."
"It's better than before, it's got your signature orange!" Kiba says, trying to cheer him up, Akamaru whines at the sorry attempt.
Naruto plops down in frustration and starts eating his lunch, "I guess I'll have to take the graduation test again," he says with a frown, "I won't be able to become a Genin with everyone."
Kiba suddenly grins, "Maybe Shino can drain all your chakra down, and then you'll have no choice but to make a successful clone!"
Shikamaru slaps the back of the Inuzuka's head, "Idiot."
Kiba pouts, "It was a joke."
"A very, very bad one," Choji says, finishing off his bag of chips.
The rest of lunch passes in silence, as all six contemplate on how Naruto can pass the Genin test.
Line Break
Hinata tugged at the forehead protector resting around her neck, she, Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Shino were waiting for Naruto to finally come out.
When he did, the five saw his sad expression, and that he had no forehead protector, and all five of them shared the same expression.
"No amount of Ichiraku will help us with this," Kiba says, Akamaru whimpering in agreement.
Hinata's expression turns to confusion when Mizuki, one of the Chunin that ran the test along with Iruka, approached the blond.
"Did Mizuki ever show any expression other than contempt when he looked at Naruto?" Hinata suddenly asks.
"No..why?" Kiba asks.
"Because he just approached Naruto and the two left together," Shikamaru says, eyeing where the two had been, "That can't be good."
The four boys look to Hinata who activates her Byakugan, "I see them, Mizuki and Naruto-San are sitting on a balcony of an abandoned building, they are talking but I don't know what they are saying."
"How's Naruto acting?" Choji asks, "Maybe that can give you insight on what they are talking about?"
"Hmm, Mizuki said something and Naruto-San left..should we follow?" Hinata asks.
The group looks at each other, sharing similar expressions, "I don't think I can, my mom will be seriously mad if I don't come home soon," Kiba says uneasily, Akamaru barking in agreement, "I'll see you all tomorrow for pictures!" He adds before leaving.
Shino adjusts his glasses, "I must go now too, why? Because my parents will worry if I don't come home soon," he waves before heading off as well.
"Mom will be mad if I don't come back soon too, she really wants to know if I passed or not, see ya tomorrow," Shikamaru says with a yawn, "Don't worry too much, Naruto will be fine."
Choji smiles at Hinata and walks off after the lazy Nara.
Hinata heads off after they leave, 'I stayed behind a bit later than usual but father shouldn't worry too much,' Hinata thinks as she walks home, 'I really hope Naruto-San is okay, I know Iruka and the Hokage will be watching over him.'
Hinata arrives home, the guards at the gate bowing in respect before letting her pass, she heads inside the Main House and takes her sandals off, slipping into house shoes before heading to her father's office.
She knocks on the door and heads inside once Hiashi gives his okay, Hinata enters and bows respectfully before standing tall, showing him her new forehead protector, and proof of her knew status as Genin.
Hiashi nods, a small smile on his face, "Good job Hinata, I had no worries you wouldn't pass, your a Hyuuga after all, and my daughter no less."
Hinata beams, "Thank you father!"
"You should show Hanabi, I believe she's waiting for you in your room," Hiashi says, a flash of amusement appearing in his eyes, Hinata barely catches it before it's gone.
"Of course," Hinata bows once more before leaving.
She enters her room and sees Hanabi sitting on her bed spacing off, obviously having waited there a long time, "Hana-Chan?" Hinata asks, walking over and poking the side of Hanabi's head.
Hanabi is brought out of her thoughts and gives Hinata a wide smile when she notices her and hugs her older sister tightly, "Congratulations Hina-Nee-Chan!! I knew you would pass without a doubt! Your the strongest person I know!"
Hinata giggles and hugs Hanabi back, "Thank you Hana-Chan," she pets down Hanabi's hair, "Have you had dinner yet?"
"I wanted to wait for Hina-Nee-Chan and eat with you," Hanabi responds.
"Alright, let's go eat then, to become a strong ninja you can't miss any meals," Hinata says, Hanabi immediately stands and drags her sister out of the room and to the dining room, Hinata giggling at her sister's antics.
Line Break
"Where's Nee-Chan going so early in the morning?" Hanabi asks, rubbing her eyes.
It was the next day and Hinata was already up, having eaten breakfast earlier, and dressed in her full ninja gear.
"I'm heading over to the academy for my ninja ID picture Hana-Chan," Hinata explains.
Hinata was dressed in her ninja outfit, the one she'd wear out with her team for training and missions.
She wore her forehead protector around her neck, the navy blue material complimenting her pale skin and shoulder length dark blue hair.
Her outfit consisted of a sleeveless light purple turtleneck shirt, she wrapped her arms from her hands up to her elbows in bandages, she wore black knee length shorts with a kunai pouch attached to her right leg, and a weapons pouch hanging on her left hip. She wore ninja shoes that were dark blue matching her forehead protector, with her ankles wrapped in bandages in case of a sprain*.
Hanabi really liked Hinata's outfit, it was really cute and complimented her, "Hina-Nee-Chan looks super cute!"
Hinata giggles and hugs her little sister, "Thank you Hana-Chan," Hinata lightly kisses her sisters forehead, "I'll see Hana-Chan later when I get back."
Hanabi hugs her older sister again before letting her go, and watching her leave the house.
Hanabi hurries to the kitchen to eat breakfast, she had training in a couple hours and she needed to be ready for it.
The six year old smiles to herself, 'Hina-Nee-Chan looked like a professional ninja in her gear, I wonder what team she'll be placed on...'
Line Break
Hinata headed inside the academy, making her way to one of the classrooms where Iruka and the Hokage were sitting inside, "Iruka-Sensei, Hokage-Sama," Hinata bows respectfully after entering the room.
"Hinata-San," Iruka smiles at her, "The photographer is waiting outside to take your picture, once it's been printed bring it back inside so we can give it our final approval," he explains.
"Yes Iruka-Sensei," Hinata is shocked, and concerned, by seeing her Sensei's neck wrapped in bandages..and the fact he was wearing a new forehead protector, 'I wonder what happened...did he lose his old forehead protector..?'
Hinata heads outside and the photographer motions her over and quickly takes her picture.
The Third Hokage smiles at her, "This is a very good picture Hinata-San..are you excited to be placed on your ninja teams tomorrow along with the rest of your classmates?" He asks.
"Yes Hokage-Sama, I hope I'm placed with my friends," Hinata answers with a small smile, "I think myself, Kiba-San, and Shino-San would make a good search and tracking team..Shikamaru-San initially brought up the idea since Kiba-San has his natural tracking skills and Akamaru, and Shino's bugs..." Hinata trails off, blushing in embarrassment at having blabbed on in front of the Hokage.
Hiruzen chuckles, "No need to be embarrassed Hinata-San, your free to go now...and tell your father I said hi."
"Right Hokage-Sama," Hinata stands and bows once more, "I'll see you tomorrow Iruka-Sensei," the bluenette quickly leaves the room.
Heading out of the academy, Hinata's slightly disappointed at not seeing her friends, but guesses they'd either already gone and taken their ID picture, or would be going a bit later since she herself had gotten there early.
Thinking about it more Hinata deduced Shino was probably one of the first to get his picture taken, and Kiba, Shikamaru, and Choji would go later.
Hinata taps her chin in a thoughtful manner as she walked home, 'I wonder if Neji-Nii-San is training right now...Byakugan!' In her range of vision Hinata could see Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee training under Gai's watchful eyes, 'I still can't believe Neji was right about Rock Lee adapting Gai's outfit...he really is Gai-San's mini me.'
Hinata deactivates her Byakugan and focuses on getting home, she might go and get some training done before Hiashi and Hanabi take over the training room for their morning session.
When she got home she changed out of her gear and into her traditional training outfit, one that matched Hanabi's own, and headed to the dojo to start stretching.
'Tomorrow I am placed on my own team and I become an official Genin,' Hinata thinks to herself, a small smile on her face, 'And I can't wait to see where the next step in my ninja career takes me!'
To be continued...
AN: It's almost one in the morning and I'm finishing up this chapter...I guess you can say I have a problem lol.
*Because Hinata's flexibility is a big factor in her fighting style she needs to wear a more form fitting, practical outfit as to not get in her way, me and my Beta came up with her new look and we hope you all like it!
Thanks for all the reviews everyone! You don't know how much I smiled...like it literally hurt my cheeks.
To Guest (1): Once again I apologize for the long wait, the new chapter came quickly once I had figured out what I wanted to write, and I agree with you, I can't wait for the action to begin! And I guess you'll have to wait til next chapter to see if the teams are different or the same!
To LB Cat: I try my best in the humor department, though it seems to come off as dry but that's just me, and of course I won't take offense to your opinion! I really love your reading your thoughts on my story they inspire to me right better..and faster lol.
To Guest (2): Hehe, thanks! I can't wait to see what happens next either lol!
To Hinatapaths: I'm glad you love my story! Your review made me blush, I was so happy. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well!
A special thank you to Hinatapaths and Sorra Boo for favoriting my story, I hadn't received the notifications and I apologize for not acknowledging it earlier.
Thank you for all the reviews everyone and I hope you all continue to enjoy Altered and don't forget to Favorite, Follow, and Review!
I'll see y'all next chapter! Bye!