Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Warning: Long AN at the end of the chapter.
Chapter Eight
Hinata sat patiently in her seat, Shino sat quietly beside her, and Kiba sat in front of them, a few of their classmates chatted quietly as they all waited for their Jounin Sensei's to arrive.
The door opened and Iruka entered, followed by a few men and woman dressed in Jounin attire.
A man with brown hair, tan skin, and brown eyes stepped forward, he wore the Jounin attire, with two weapons in pouch's on his legs, "Team Ten," he says, Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino stand up, "Follow me," he then leaves the room, the three Genin walking out behind him.
The Jounin who had stood beside him steps forward, she's a beautiful woman with long raven hair, crimson eyes, pale skin, and red painted lips. She wore an outfit rather than the Jounin uniform, she was wearing a wrap dress, with a fishnet shirt underneath and one arm covered in a red sleeve, her hands were wrapped in bandages up to her forearms, and she wore open toed black ninja sandals, her forehead protector wrapped around her forehead like most ninja.
"Team Eight," she calls, Hinata, Kiba, and Shino stood up, and followed her out of the room.
The Jounin leads them to a training ground nearby the Academy, "I want you to tell me about yourselves, tell me your name, one thing you like, and what you think your specialty is," she explains, "I'll start, my name is Kurenai Yūhi, I like flowers, and I specialize in Genjutsu," Kurenai says.
When she doesn't motion any of them to speak, Kiba speaks up, "My name is Kiba Inuzuka, I like Akamaru, my partner in crime, and I like to think I am very good at tracking," the Inuzuka states.
"My name is Hinata Hyuuga, I like to train and hang out with my friends, and I specialize in close combat," Hinata says.
"My name is Shino Aburame, I like to search and find new species of beetles, and I am good at utilizing my kikaichu beetles and scouting," Shino says quietly.
Kurenai looks over them and nods, "You seem to know where your strengths lie and that's good, but now I have some bad news to tell you."
The three Genin stare at her in silence, confusion showing visibly on the Inuzuka's face, and only slightly on Hinata's, and Kurenai couldn't get much of a read on Shino.
"Twenty-Seven of you passed the Genin test, but only three teams will really become Genin, the chance of failure is high but if you three can pass my test, then your officially Genin, if not...your sent back to the academy, or even worse, can't become ninja if I think your not fit for it," Kurenai says with her arms crossed and staring at the Genin with a most serious expression.
Kiba and Hinata gape at her, and Shino's tense form slackens in surprise.
"Your test begins now," Kurenai pulls a kunai out, "You three have to defeat me."
Flashback
Kurenai stares at the three papers in her hands, they were the reports of her three new students, if they could pass her test and prove themselves.
'Hinata Hyuuga, the Heiress of the Hyuuga Clan, Kiba Inuzuka, the youngest of Tsume Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame, the Heir of the Aburame Clan.' Kurenai sighs, "What will my team specialize in?" She asks.
The Hokage smiles, "Isn't it obvious? Tracking and scouting, search and rescue, the Inuzuka's nose and tracking skills, the Hyuuga's Byakugan, and the Aburame's kikaichu and Clan Techniques."
Kurenai smiles uneasily, "Are you sure I'm the best suited for them? I don't think I'll connect with any of them...and I was recently promoted to Jounin, isn't it to soon for me to become a Sensei?"
The Third Hokage sighs, "I knew you would react this way, but Kurenai, you're a strong ninja and you've earned your rank as a Jounin, and I believe you are qualified to teach a team of young Genin," he states, "Hinata, Kiba, and Shino are already good friends, so you shouldn't have much of a problem compared to Asuma and Kakashi."
Kurenai looks down at the profiles, "I guess I have some people to visit then," she says quietly before leaving the Hokage's office.
She visited Tsume first, the loud, tough, and sometimes scary Leader of the Inuzuka Clan, "Oh Kurenai, what brings you here?" Tsume asks.
"I'm here to inform you that the Hokage as chosen me to be the Jounin leader of Kiba, along with his teammates Shino and Hinata," Kurenai explains, "As ninja they will be put in life thr-"
Tsume cuts her off, "Alright, while I am worried for my sons safety, I know you'll watch over him, and that Hinata and Shino will always have his back, if your heading to the Aburame's next say hi to Shibi for me."
Kurenai makes her way to the Aburame Clan compound next, and knocks on the door to Shibi Aburame's house.
The Clan head opens the door, and is surprised to see a young Jounin there, "Is there something you need?" Shibi asks.
"I'm Kurenai Yūhi, the Hokage has chosen me to be the Jounin Sensei of your son Shino, and his teammates Hinata and Kiba," Kurenai explains, "I'm sorry for suddenly appearing at your door like this."
Shibi nods, "It's alright Kurenai-San, thank you for letting me know, I know my son will be in good hands with his friends by his side, and with you as his Sensei, though we've just met I know you'll be a good teacher for my son."
Kurenai nods and gives him a smile before leaving, and moving onto the final parent, Hiashi Hyuuga, someone she really didn't want to deal with.
Kurenai approached the gates, and after explaining her presence to the guards, they alerted a branch member who lead her through the Main House and to Hiashi's Office.
"Come in," Hiashi calls from inside the room.
He looks up and narrows his eyes when he sees Kurenai, "Who are you?"
"My name is Kurenai Yūhi, I apologize for suddenly appearing like this but the Hokage has chosen me to be the Jounin Sensei of Hinata and her teammates, Kiba and Shino. I came here to inform you of this and gain your approval, Tsume and Shibi have already given theirs," the Jounin explains.
Hiashi nods in understanding, "Very well, I approve."
Kurenai falters slightly, from the picture she saw of Hinata, the girl looked fragile despite the skills that proved her worth as a Genin, "Your not worried for your daughter?"
Hiashi looks up at her, "Of course I am worried for my daughter Kurenai-San, but I also know that she's strong and worthy of becoming a Genin and being placed on a team, a team her two friends are on, Hinata will grow stronger under your tutelage and become an even more worthy Heiress of the Hyuuga, I have no doubts and neither should you..especially since you've never met her before and all you know is from a report given to you by the Hokage."
Kurena's eyes widen, but she bows and leaves the room. Outside the door the Branch member had left and leaning against the wall, sitting on the ground was the very topic of her conversation.
Hinata looked up at her, "Hello Kurenai-Sensei," she says quietly, "I apologize for eavesdropping but I came to ask my father a question," the Young Hyuuga stood up and brushed her clothes off, "If you'll excuse me," she walks passed Kurenai and into Hiashi's office.
Kurenai looks back at the door, 'For a Hyuuga, she wasn't what I was expecting.'
Kurenai left the compound and steeled herself for tomorrow when she would meet the rest of her team, 'I can do this, the Hokage believes in me, Three Clan Heads believe in me, for better or worse I am the Sensei of Team Eight and I will do my best.'
End of the Flashback
Hinata, Kiba, and Shino tense and all three grab a kunai, ready to defend themselves from Kurenai, who charges at them.
Kurenai forms a handsign, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" And two clones form on either side of her, the three Genin guard themselves with their kunai as Kurenai's and her clones attack.
Hinata's hand falters under the strength of her new Sensei, before she shoves her Sensei back and kicks the Jounin's stomach, who disappears in a cloud of smoke, 'What!! I thought the real Kurenai attacked me!'
"Byakugan!" The familiar bloodline limit that she called upon never came and Hinata's eyes widen, 'M-My Byakugan isn't working?!?'
Hinata looks around and realizes she couldn't hear the sounds of her teammates fighting anymore, and instead sees Kurenai standing before her again, another kunai ready, "Where is Kiba and Shino?!" She demands.
Kurenai's eyes narrow, "Don't worry about them right now, your fighting me for your position as a Genin...do you want to fail my test and go back to the academy, or worse..never become a ninja?"
Hinata's eyes steel with determination and she rushes forward, enhancing her palms with chakra, if she couldn't use her Byakugan, then she would fight and do her best to take down her Sensei without it.
Hinata rushes forward and thrusts a palm at Kurenai's shoulder who steps back and dodges the attack, she grabs Hinata's arm and throws her off balance and pins her to the ground, placing a kunai under the Hyuuga's neck, "Your easy to read, and you said that you specialized in Taijutsu?"
Hinata grits her teeth, and her eyes widen when she hears the thuds of her teammates hit the ground, she looks up and finds Kurenai's clones standing above their unconscious bodies.
She see's the cuts on their bodies...but no blood stains on the grass?
Everything suddenly becomes clear as Hinata covers her entire body with chakra and yells out, "Kai!"
Hinata blinks blearily and finds herself standing in the same position she was before Kurenai placed the Genjutsu over her, she looks on either side of her and sighs in relief seeing that Shino and Kiba were both okay.
"Congratulations, you pass," Kurenai says, "Shino broke out of the Genjutsu moments before you did, and I feel Kiba should break it soon as well."
Only moments later Kiba proved Kurenai correct as he blinked and shook his head, "You weren't kidding when you said you specialized in Genjutsu."
Kurenai chuckles, "No I was not, you three pass, and we will start training as Team Eight officially tomorrow morning at this training ground, meet here at 7 o'clock sharp and be prepared."
"Yes Kurenai-Sensei!" Kurenai smiles at them and watches the three Genin leave the training ground, 'Seems like I had nothing to worry about...these Genin will be very interesting to work with.'
Line Break
"Your Genjutsu convinced you that you couldn't use your Byakugan?" Kiba asks.
"Yes, I couldn't activate it...it was a scary feeling," Hinata says honestly.
Shino nods in agreement, "Kurenai-Sensei's Genjutsu felt very real."
Kiba grins, "I'm excited for tomorrow."
Hinata smiles, "I am too, I wonder what Kurenai-Sensei has planned for us."
Shino adjusts his glasses, "I wonder as well. Why? Because I'm sure whatever Kurenai-Sensei has planned will improve our ninja skills and our skills as a team."
The group of three spot Team Ten up ahead, Shikamaru spots them and nods lazily at them, and Team Eight walks over to them.
Ino crosses her arms as she looks at Team Eight, "Why are you over here?" She asks.
"Shikamaru and Choji are our friends," Kiba says, "If you paid even the slightest attention to your teammates you'd know that."
Hinata gives Kiba a look of disapproval before focusing on Ino, "My name is Hinata Hyuuga, I don't believe we've been properly introduced to each other yet."
Ino looks the other girl up and down, "Your the quiet and weird girl who sits in the back...you blew up at Forehead-Girl didn't you?" She asks.
Hinata blushes in embarrassment, "I lost my temper..I just can't stand seeing Naruto get mistreated by others, he doesn't deserve that," she says, "I think I was a bit...nervous and jumpy this morning as well."
"Whatever, it was really funny to watch," Ino says, "And why would you be nervous at all? Your one of the top students in our class."
Hinata smiles at the compliment, "High expectations have been set for me as I am the Hyuuga Heiress..I was afraid of disappointing my family..and my friends."
Kiba snorts, "Like you could ever disappoint us! That's our job."
Hinata shakes her head, "You can never disappoint me, you are all perfect the way you are."
Choji smiles, while Shikamaru looks away with a light flush of embarrassment, Kiba flushes in embarrassment as well, and Shino shifts slightly.
Ino rolls her eyes, "Wow, that's the cheesiest thing I've heard all day," but she smiles at Hinata, "Since this is the first time we've ever talked, there's something that I've been wanting to tell you."
"What is it?" Hinata asks curiosity, unsure of what the Yamanaka would have to say to her.
"Your outfit is really cute," the Yamanaka says, "Hinata...I think we could be good friends, come by the flower shop when your not training, if I'm there we can hang out."
Hinata beams at the blond, "Thank you Ino-San! I would love to hang out with you," the bluenette answers cheerfully, happy to have made another friend.
Ino smiles as well, "By the way..did you get tested by your Sensei too?" She asks.
"Yeah, our Sensei put a Genjutsu over us, I guess we impressed her by how fast we all dispelled it," Kiba says.
Choji smiles, "Our Sensei tested out our skills as a team," the Akamichi says.
"He just took us to get barbecue too," Ino adds.
"What're you doing?" Shikamaru asks.
"We're just walking around, we are all excited as tomorrow is our first official day as Team Eight!" Hinata says.
"Same for us," Ino brightens up, "Let's go shopping!"
Shikamaru and Kiba immediately voiced their thoughts, which was no, and Choji sided with Shikamaru, while Shino inches closer to the boy's.
Ino scowls at them and grabs Hinata's hand, "We can leave the boys to do whatever they want! Let's go!" She then drags Hinata off.
"Poor Hinata," Kiba says, "Having to be stuck shopping with Ino."
"Troublesome women," Shikamaru mutters, "I'm gonna go watch the clouds."
He and Choji head to the Nara's favorite spot to watch the sky, Shino and Kiba tagging along.
To be continued...
AN: Hello again! So I've decided on, more or less, an updating schedule. Every time I finish a chapter I almost immediately begin writing the next, so I will update twice a week, on Sunday's and Thursday's, sometimes a day or two late if I don't get to updating the story.
*I am not sure what final test Asuma gave his team so you'll have to excuse my lack of information. But on that note, I'd like to hear your thoughts of Kurenai's test and what you thought of it, and I hope I kept her in character.
To Sorra Boo: I'm really glad you like the story and plot, and I'm happy you like my writing style as well! I can understand your confusion on the last chapter and I hope that the conversation with Ino clears it up. And about the fainting, the way I've written her up until now as that she is a lot more confident and calm than canon, and that her personality is much different, but growing up in the Hyuuga compound has made her introverted, and she rarely sees public displays of affection, especially between two males, these types of situations make her uncomfortable and the fact that Naruto, who likes Sakura and hates Sasuke, and Sasuke kissed shocked her, and thus she fainted. I hope this explanation clears up any confusion you may have.
To Crazy Chimera: I'm glad you liked the chapter and your excited for the training! It really begins next chapter so you'll have to wait and see how I handle the training.
To Splaaash-attack: I'm glad you liked the chapter and it appears you'll have to wait until next chapter to see where I take Team Eight.
To LB Cat: Yay! I'm glad I have the characters on point, and of course I added the humor, and Naruto isn't the only one able to fill others with determination!
A special thank you to Himeko63 for Favoriting and Following Altered, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Since this is a Hinata Centric story, I will not show as much Team Seven and Ten, and of course we'll see glimpses of the ever youthful Team Gai who's been missing these last few chapters. I'm not sure how long it will be until the Chunin Exams Arc. But me and my Beta already have a few ideas for what we'll be doing.
Also if there is a pairing you would like to see happen, my Beta has already given her opinion, please let me know! Right now I am not focusing on the romance, as the story and characters are developing and I've primarily shown friendship, which is a big part of the story but the pairings are important, and I am very open to any kind. But while I am not discriminate against LBGT, I am not yet comfortable with writing those types of pairings, I'll take them under consideration but I am more comfortable with straight pairings and I hope I don't offend anyone with this, since as of a few years ago I hadn't really thought of same sex couples as a thing, and while I love to read about them, I am not sure of how to write them.
As of now, it is undecided whether I will be taking this story into Shippuden, if you would like to see that let me know!
Don't forget to tell me your thoughts by reviewing! And don't forget to Favorite and Follow as well!
I'll see y'all next chapter! Bye!