Beta-ed by Jenny-Cat-Miaow.
Chapter 4
Sasuke jerked awake in the same hospital room that he had woken up in before.
Itachi was so confusing it wasn't even funny. Had he promised to take care of Sasuke for his parents' benefit, their peace of mind, before he killed them? But then why did he want to make Sasuke hate him afterwards? Sasuke had been there, he'd heard the promise. So why?
Sasuke snuck out of the hospital again, this time not pausing to listen to the nurses' conversation. He just kept running, straight back to the Uchiha compound.
What he didn't expect to find was Naruto waiting for him, arms crossed over his chest and eyes closed but turned towards the ground as he leaned against the wall that surrounded the compound. He looked angry and Sasuke didn't blame him.
"Teme . . ." Naruto started, but his voice trailed off. He sighed and looked up at Sasuke. "Shall we go and get some of your things?"
"I can't move in with you Naruto." Sasuke immediately caught on to what the blond was offering, "Not yet. And don't forget, we agreed to let this happen as normal so that we're placed on Team 7. Besides, we both don't need the added attention." Sasuke paused to run a hand through his hair, "I appreciate that you're here for me, and I won't forget it, but just . . . leave me alone for now, kay?"
Naruto watched him for a moment before nodding stiffly and shifting his weight away from the tape marked wall. When he walked passed Sasuke he brushed his hand against the Uchiha's in a final show of comfort and Sasuke closed his eyes to fight the tears because of it.
Walking through the ruined streets of the Uchiha clan district was just as depressing as it had been the first time around. He didn't walk very far, merely standing at the entrance, having only walked a few paces in. He stood staring at the world around him, trying to absorb it all again, to come to terms with it. His home . . .
He stood at the entrance for what felt like hours, until the rain came, but still, he stood there, not moving at all. He couldn't look away from the broken buildings, the shattered compound . . . the evidence of what had happened to his family.
He flinched slightly when a jacket was placed on his shoulders and he turned to see large green eyes and pink hair carefully pulled back by a red bow. "Sakura . . ."
She smiled softly before saying "I told my parents I'm staying over at Ino's tonight."
His hand was grasped by someone much warmer and he knew it was Naruto's. "I don't care who knows. I'm sticking right here and to hell with the rest of them." Naruto declared.
Really, Sasuke should have known. The two had hardly given up on him the first time around, they weren't about to start any time soon.
Sakura tugged them all forward, moving to find some shelter from the rain. They ended up sitting in his old room, the two of them having bought a change of clothes and warm food. Sasuke couldn't have been more grateful towards the two as he was right in that moment.
They hadn't given him what he'd asked for, but they'd given him what he'd needed.
.0.0.0.
When the next morning dawned bright and clear, the Uchiha saw that his teammates were still curled around him, fast asleep. This time, he would not go to the shrine. He already knew what it said. This time he would survive; get through this, one day at a time. And this time he'd have Sakura and Naruto at his side, every step of the way.
.0.0.0.
All three sat in the Academy, only two days after the massacre had happened, including Sasuke. He knew that many thought he should still be at home, recovering from the horrors he had seen.
But they didn't understand that he had no home to return to, that all the family he had left was right in this room. Only he couldn't talk to them, not yet, lest he risk questions he did not want to answer. They' been taking so many risks lately that it wasn't even funny but from now on, they had to stick to the plan. They had to make it to Team 7 and if that meant Naruto failing that exam for the third time then so be it. But they would all be on Team 7, no matter what. He just couldn't handle anyone else.
It was the only thing that kept him sane as he had to listen, had to endure the chatter around him, the not so quiet whispers of the other students as they spoke of his family, used the tragedy that had befallen him as the next big thing to gossip about and trade secrets of.
"I heard he's the only one that survived."
"I heard he was found in the same room as his parents."
"I heard he's some kind of freak and that's the only reason he's still alive . . ."
It made him sick!
How would they like to have their entire family ripped from them in an instant? And by the very person they most adored. And the worst part about it, all of it had been completely necessary.
Sasuke sighed heavily, wishing he could be miles and miles away from here, with his teammates on some outlandish mission just like the days in Team 7 before Orochimaru. But as it was he was forced to stay in this room, where he had told both Naruto and Sakura that under no circumstances were they to treat him any differently from before. The only way he'd convinced them to agree was by saying he couldn't bare it if he suddenly found himself graduating with a new team.
So he would continue to have the best grades, Sakura would continue to be the best kunoichi and Naruto would continue to be the dead last.
It was that simple.
He jerked slightly when an ANBU shunshined into the room, and knew that this was different from last time. He might have been in a daze somewhat after Itachi's attack the first time around but he knew there hadn't been an ANBU.
"Uchiha-san, the Hokage requests your presence."
"Well tell the Hokage I refuse." Sasuke replied while many gasped at his disrespect to the Hokage. "If it is merely a request I am within my rights to refuse."
In truth, Sasuke didn't feel like seeing the man that hadn't tried hard enough to save his clan. He hadn't tried hard enough to keep Danzou in control.
"Hokage-sama said to reply to that statement with 'If Sasuke-kun is well enough to go to the Academy, then he is well enough to come have a small talk with me.'" Sasuke was amused at the tone the ANBU used when parroting the Hokage's words but he wasn't really amused with the words themselves.
"I'm not sure if I like the fact that the Hokage used my name so casually." Sasuke narrowed his gaze at the ANBU.
"Well, then Uchiha-san, seeing as you are not taking the hint, it appears I'll have to take you to Hokage-sama by force." The ANBU stepped forward, clearly thinking Sasuke was going to make this easy for him.
Sasuke had no such plans. He was far too annoyed right now to play the meek little Uchiha victim.
The minute the ANBU made a grab for the back of his shirt he used one of Shisui's tips to end up on the other end of the room, halfway between the window and the door, either exit was good.
"I'm sure you're aware of the fact that my cousin was Shunshin no Shisui, correct, and I'm also sure that you and your brethren have a certain protocol when it comes to a certain Uzumaki Naruto." Sasuke began while the mentioned blond perked up in interest, doing that odd thing where he hops up onto a table, crouching on it as he observed what happened around him. Sasuke had long since come to the conclusion that it was so that Naruto was in a rather unique position to bolt before you could get to him.
This time he smirked at the ANBU and the ANBU flinched.
"Nah Itachi-kun isn't going to catch me this time." Naruto winked at the ANBU. "Neither is Shisui or Inu. Makes me wonder what you poor souls are going to do now." Naruto taunted while the ANBU began to fidget, the ANBU equivalent of paling and whimpering, in the beginnings of an anxiety attack.
"So, tell me again how I absolutely have to go see the Hokage." Sasuke's smirk widened as he saw the ANBU visibly struggle with his next decision. On one hand he was oath bound to obey the Hokage, on the other hand being the reason Uzumaki Naruto began one of his little escapades again was not a fun place to be. His fellow ANBU would make sure he knew that.
"B-but Hokage-sama requests your presence." The ANBU stuttered.
"That's too bad, I just don't feel like seeing him right now. So tell me, are you going to insist that I see him." It wasn't really a question; the ANBU followed orders and an order from the Hokage was as high up as they come.
Hanging his head the poor ANBU pressed a hand to his radio link, "I'm requesting backup with a Code Orange issue . . . and reporting a Code Uchiha issue. It is advised that ANBU Inu be called in from retirement."
"Naruto, you heard the man." Sasuke grinned wolfishly.
"Now, Sasuke we ruuuuuun." Naruto cackled with a foxy grin before making a mad dash away from the classroom using the window. As he hopped through it, he yelled "We must collect supplies."
Sasuke gave the ANBU a cheerful wave before following the blond.
"Since when was Uzumaki and the Uchiha such great friends?" The ANBU muttered.
"Neko, why are you reporting a Code Orange, we don't see anything that appears to relate to it?" His superior radioed back.
"Well sir, I have it on good authority that it's about it start. I thought the heads up would help." Neko replied. Perhaps he'd be saved because he'd given the heads up.
"Who's authority?"
"Straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak. It would appear that the Uchiha goaded him into it and is now helping him." Neko cringed at the reply that was sure to be a demotion of some sort.
"You mean to tell me that the Dead Last of the Academy, that particular Dead Last, is now getting help from the Rookie of the Year?" Neko wilted at that tone he was hearing.
"H-hai. Apparently, Uchiha did not wish to see the Hokage today." Neko replied meekly.
A huge sigh was all he got before the radio suddenly went dead.
Neko waited, wondering what his orders were now.
"Ah, ANBU-san?" Neko looked up at the Academy instructor that looked more than a little gobsmacked, having never seen something like this before. Clearly he did not know Uzumaki that well. Neko envied him.
Uzumaki had changed his pranking grounds from the village shopping district to the ANBU headquarters and he was rather efficient at it. If they didn't know any better, they'd say his role as the dead last in the Academy was all just an act but upon observation they had come to realise, most of the Uzumaki's successes were based on sheer dumb luck.
"Umino." He replied tonelessly.
"Is something wrong? Or would you like me to go and bring those two back to the Academy?"
That would be the fricken day! ANBU showed up by a fricken chunin Academy instructor, a glorified desk bound super charged civilian. No way in hell!
"No Umino-san. They will both be returned shortly." Ha! As if, Uzumaki would keep them on their toes for hours to come. They'd be lucky to get home in time for dinner today. But ANBU kept their cool, at all times.
"NEKO!"
Except when their superiors showed up personally to punish them.
"Why the hell aren't you running yet!? Uzumaki could be halfway across the village by now, and that includes having left his brand of traps along the way. Get moving! The Log will not be able to help you should I get my hands on you if Naruto is not detained in the next five minutes."
At that current moment, Neko wished he was anyone else, even a glorified desk bound super charged civilian.
.0.0.0.
Naruto snickered as he watched the ANBU squad dispatch from the base. If he didn't know any better he'd say they looked kind of upset at being called out at all, and actually really annoyed that it was for a premature Code Orange. If they felt that strongly about it, he would indulge them.
"So, what do you usually do when there's a Code Orange?" Sasuke asked curiously, standing next to him and watching as well.
"Well you remember those times when the ANBU are all really visible, and those times where they're running around the village like ants or something?" Naruto asked.
"That was you?" Sasuke's eyes widened.
"Yeah, apparently, they don't like it when I help them keep their identities anonymous. Or some of the other stuff I help them out with." Naruto shrugged as though it was no big deal. "I mean come on, all I did was put glue on their masks, and rigged them to spray paint in the ANBU's face should they attempt to remove them. They didn't even thank me. Well maybe I went a little overboard when I swapped all their rations supplies with instant ramen. Or maybe it was overkill to exchange all their kunai with the Academy ones, you know the ones that have that strange rubbery effect so that no one gets hurt but they're still made of metal." Naruto elaborated with a pout.
Sasuke blinked at him, taking in the blonde's all too serious expression, wondering if he was joking or not.
"Ah who am I kidding?" Naruto cackled, "I'd do it again any day and not just to 'help them keep their identities a secret'. At the current moment I'm debating the advantages of setting up a somewhat strenuous obstacle course for them to run through. Well they wouldn't see it as such but they need to be kept on their toes."
"What did you have in mind?" Sasuke quirked a brow. He might be the more stoic of the two, but Naruto had always been able to somehow rope him into these little things.
"Let's sneak into their rooms, shall we?" Naruto rubbed his hands together gleefully. "This time you can cover us with that overpowered genjutsu shit of yours." He added before hopping down from the building and making his way into the ANBU headquarters using nothing but a simple henge.
Sasuke raised a brow at that. If the ANBU could be fooled by a henge, then they deserved whatever it was that Naruto was about to unleash upon them.
.0.0.0.
Five or so hours later found Naruto still running from the ANBU, only Sasuke was surprised to note that the ANBU were constantly under-estimating his blond teammate. A simple henge or replacement jutsu seemed to be enough in some situations to completely fool his pursuers. However, Naruto had this knack of being able to use those jutsus at just the right time.
Then again, Naruto's Kami given luck just never ceased. He would do things that made even Sasuke raise his brows.
Naruto had lectured him for a full ten minutes, that 'One does not simply, run, from the ANBU.' Sasuke hadn't even been aware that there was a special way for running when it came to both speed and stamina. He supposed that Naruto being the son of the Fourth meant he was bound to have some sort of speed under his belt.
Naruto's style of running was a very effective one, one that could not be predicted . . . even with the Sharingan as Sasuke had discreetly tried to.
Seeing the blond like this, playing with Konoha's most feared, he had to wonder how Naruto had ever been the dead last. He supposed Naruto just wasn't one for textbooks. Or sitting still for long periods of time.
Sasuke had been told by Naruto after the first two hours, after Sasuke had become rather embarrassingly winded from all the running, jumping and dodging, to make a break for it while he still could. Naruto had used a Kage Bunshin as a substitute to fool the ANBU into leaving Sasuke alone.
As far as Sasuke knew, they were still running.
And this was all before Naruto had even set up his prank – or rather before the prank had gone off. That part was still to come. They were only chasing him in an attempt to prevent a prank that had already been laid.
And that was how Sasuke found himself sitting on the docks, staring at the water below him. It was rather peaceful here, and he liked that. He found himself thinking that he'd be hard pressed to wait until he was twelve before he started acting. There was no question that he needed to train more – they all did – and they would do so more earnestly once the Uchiha massacre attention had died down a little.
Then perhaps he could talk to his teammates about doing something about certain people, such as Kabuto. He wondered just how great Konoha's investigative skills were and just how great Team 7's stealth and assassination skills were in comparison.
"I thought I'd find you here Sasuke." The young Uchiha did not miss the fact that the 'kun' part was left off of his name.
"Sandaime." Sasuke replied tonelessly, never one for honorifics. It seemed whether he wanted to see the Hokage or not, he was going to.
"How are things going for you, Sasuke?" Sarutobi did not ask him to move from his spot, did not ask Sasuke to face him.
And for that Sasuke was glad because he still wasn't sure that he could keep the anger from his face.
"I'm doing as well as could be expected considering my circumstances." Sasuke shrugged. "I'm not alone." He didn't elaborate.
"Ah, Naruto-kun and the Haruno girl are quite protective." The Hokage smiled knowingly, Sasuke could just hear it in his tone. He didn't bother asking the old man how he knew about this. He was the Hokage after all and this was a ninja village. They'd also done a rather poor job of hiding it so far. "I've been watching you three for some time now, after a reasonably concerned chunin of mine told me of a rather odd scene in his classroom. I find myself coming to the conclusion that you three all have that certain something that Itachi-kun once referred to as 'off' or 'different'. He never could explain it any more than that and I don't blame him. I find myself at a loss for adequate words as well."
"What is it that you want from me?" Sasuke wasn't entirely sure what the old man was implying and because of this he wasn't entirely sure if he liked it.
"Nothing at all. I'm just glad that Naruto-kun managed to find a friend, a similar soul so to speak. I would hate to see that special bond you share crushed due to something as pointless as say, revenge."
"Are you trying to guilt me into remaining loyal to the village?" Sasuke asked, finally turning a blank gaze to the Hokage. "that failed my brother and my clan" was the part that he left unsaid. "Because if you are, you're wasting your time. Besides, what made you think you had to anyways?"
Sasuke didn't say a word of his actual loyalties, leaving the Hokage to figure that one out on his own.
"Itachi-kun expressed concern over your mind set. He was uncertain of what you would do after he left and felt he needed to warn me." The Third seemed to be intent on being honest with him. He wondered if the Hokage was merely stating what Itachi had done for the sake of saying Itachi had done it or was he trying, in a roundabout way, to say to Sasuke that Itachi was still loyal. After all, why would a supposed traitor warn the Hokage of a possible threat?
"I will go where Naruto goes." Sasuke replied, not even blinking as he stared at the aged Hokage in front of him. "And where Sakura goes. That being said, can you guarantee that we will be on the same team, no matter what the results of our Academy tests are?"
"I'm sure that can be arranged. But I think I might have missed the part where you three were so inseparable to begin with." Sarutobi's stare was just as blank.
"We were five." Sasuke stated simply. "And it wasn't seen as practical to be friends with Naruto. Now, I simply do not care and no longer wish to hide this fact."
The Sandaime's gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before the old man started to walk away. Sasuke stopped him before he could go too far and asked with a slight frown. "What was the purpose of this?"
"Itachi-kun said you were a strange one, that even he could not comprehend the thoughts in your mind. I think I am beginning to understand what he meant. Does this strangeness apply to both Naruto and Sakura?" Sarutobi raised a brow questioningly to which Sasuke shrugged. "I cannot say, you'd have to ask them."
"However, you did not answer my question." Sasuke pointed out.
"Alright, young Uchiha, I'll be truthful with you. It's been a while since anyone but Naruto was so brash with me. You hail from a powerful clan, a clan that has just been murdered by one of its very own members. Incidentally, the person who did it was your own brother, a brother whom you openly adored. It was my desire to learn if this tragedy had affected your loyalties to Konoha, to see if you were inclined to be easily swayed away from Konoha with the mere promise of power, you after all, are the last Uchiha other than Itachi-kun. Many would try to use this event to gain a hold over you." Sarutobi explained. "You should be wary of that young Uchiha, and perhaps hold those two very close to you."
"Is this your Hokage way of expressing concern?" Sasuke asked with a raised brow.
"You could say that I suppose." Sarutobi smiled back, a twinkle in his gaze.
"And if Naruto, Sakura and I had a desire to train where no one would find us, where could we do so?" Sasuke asked with a small grin, very small.
"Oh I imagine the private Sarutobi grounds would suffice. But then if that is not what you desire, perhaps training ground 19. It is often overlooked." The Hokage was walking away once more and Sasuke didn't call after him again. The old man was strange, using tactics that most would call him crazy for.
He knew there was something up with the three of them, but he wasn't inclined to do more than give them the room they needed to grow, so that he could observe and learn more. Sasuke wondered if he could figure it out.
He stood up and began to wander his way back into the village, his thoughts turning to his teammates. Well, now that he had a secure place to train those two were in for one hell of a ride. This time, things would be different.
Another question popped into his mind. What would the ANBU do once they'd realised that Naruto had rigged their beds to fall apart the moment they'd gotten comfortable on them? He supposed it wouldn't be pretty, if they could catch him that was.
.0.0.0.
Kakashi sighed when there was a knock on his door.
He got up off his couch and approached his front door wearily, because being a ninja meant that knocking on a door was simply unheard of unless one was going to see the Hokage and even then it was a hesitant action.
He was more than a little surprised to see a fuming Tenzou glaring at him.
"You runt is at it again and you've been ordered to armour up." Then Tenzou was gone, still mad at him for leaving ANBU.
Kakashi sighed before he headed to his room and pulled out his ANBU armour. One did not retire from ANBU. They merely took less missions.
He found Naruto easily enough. The blond brat was laughing hysterically atop the Hokage Monument and Kakashi, now Inu, dropped down next to him.
"So what's the score?" Inu asked, his tone the same cold politeness of any ANBU's.
"I'm winning. Let's leave it at that. It's too embarrassing for your side to even mention by how much." Naruto shrugged.
Inu smirked beneath his mask and sat down next to the seven year old. He had yet to learn the depths of Naruto's skill, his genius. He was enjoying the puzzle and these small moments where he was allowed to interact with the blond were something he treasured.
"It's a nice day today." Naruto commented, closing his eyes as the wind ruffled his hair.
"It is, isn't it?" Inu hummed in agreement, turning his lone uncovered eye towards the cloudless sky.
The two didn't speak further, simply basking in the warmth of the sun and the enjoyment of each other's presence.
However, when they sensed the arrival of another angry ninja, Inu quickly Shunshined away, so that if it was his ANBU superiors, then he wasn't likely to get into trouble for not bringing the blond in immediately.
Umino Iruka dragged Naruto by the ear all the way to the Academy for his after school catch up lesson. By the sounds of things, Uchiha Sasuke would be joining him.
Inu shook his head in amazement. That chunin was full of surprises. Not one of the ANBU could even lay a finger on Naruto, yet he couldn't out run his Academy sensei.
He was going to have fun reporting that one to his superiors. With an evil chuckle he disappeared into the shadows, already planning some clever words to use in his report.
.0.0.0.
"Should I fail the graduation exam again? You know with the whole Mizuki thing?" Naruto asked, tilting his head so that it hung over the tree branch he was currently perched on so that his he could look down at Sasuke who was leaning against the tree on the ground below.
"No. Besides, if anyone asks how you learnt the Kage Bunshin, you could always say that Sasuke taught it to you. There's not really anyone around to say we're lying." Sakura replied. She was lying in the grass, legs crossed and book in front of her nose.
Naruto had replaced the three with Kage Bunshin at the Academy under a henge while the real three went to training ground 19 and began to train like it was nobody's business. The only time they went to the Academy was during test days and during the days where a Kage Bunshin was in danger, constant danger, of being dispelled. Naruto wasn't complaining because he was actually learning something this time around since his Sasuke and Sakura clone had to actually be paying attention.
The three had decided against acting out towards those who needed it such as Kabuto, in favour of training seeing as they were nowhere near the skill required to kill the bastard and using techniques such as Rasengan and Chidori left pretty memorable markings.
Sure a kunai slash to the throat was pretty anonymous in the world of ninja, Sasuke had just doubted they'd have been able to get that close to the slippery little bastard. Seeing how he was a spy, his paranoia was worse than anyone that Sasuke had ever known and that was saying something since he was an Uchiha.
So they opted for waiting for the Forest of Death. Plenty of opportunity there.
"But, wouldn't that be like letting a traitor live unnoticed?" Naruto questioned.
"The dobe has a point there." Sasuke conceded. "The traitor is in league with Orochimaru."
Furthermore, they had decided to let their grades remain the same as always, Sasuke at the top, Sakura the best kunoichi and Naruto the dead last of the Academy. Sasuke hadn't wanted the Sandaime to start suspecting the other two as well.
It wasn't like the Sandaime was suspicious per say it was more like Sasuke was related to Itachi so his oddness could possibly be explained away by that alone. But Sakura and Naruto had no such advantage so they had to be extra careful not to raise any alarms.
And so far it had gone reasonably well, considering the graduation exam was in two days' time.
Naruto back flipped off the branch, looking more like he had fallen off of it but Sasuke knew he was using gravity's momentum, being lazy. "So if I fail, he'll try that stupid stunt again. Also suddenly going from being the dead last to being able to pass the exam is suspicious. Besides, I still can't do a normal bunshin." Naruto was actually pouting at that, even if technically the boy was really somewhere between twenty-two to twenty-three years old mentally.
"Alright, just for the sake of simplicity, you'll fail the exam. You better hope Mizuki comes at you, or else you're stuck as a pre-genin, again." Sasuke agreed with a smirk.
Naruto had used his borrowed time, so to speak, in order to look up whatever he could on the sealing arts, wind style, trap making, strategy, coding and taijutsu. Sasuke had broadened his knowledge on fire style and lightning style techniques as well as several other knowledge related areas, especially history. Sakura had looked into a number of earth style and a few water style jutsu, branching deeper and deeper into the medical field. All three had drastically improved, having only needed a single year to get to their old level of skill because they knew exactly how to do it and had only needed to train their bodies to catch up to their minds.
The three of them were well versed in kenjutsu, Sasuke's favourite apparently, and Naruto still couldn't do genjutsu and had resigned himself to the fact that he never would.
So effectively the rest of their time had been spent learning things entirely new. Considering the skill jump they had achieved in the two and a half years or so between the Fourth War and the day Sasuke had left to train with Orochimaru, their skill now was only limited by the fact that their bodies somewhat kept them back, and that they were their own teachers and that was always slower than having an experienced Shinobi around to guide one in the right direction.
Naruto was also slightly gleeful of the fact that his sage mode was not lost to him, it just no longer looked the same, and he was no longer in danger of turning into a toad. For some reason, having not signed the toad summoning contract meant that he was no longer bound to those same rules. Sasuke had explained it as no longer having any blood ties disrupting his chakra. Naruto hadn't really understood how blood ties to the toads disrupted his chakra but he didn't question it. It would have led to a lengthy explanation he really did not feel like listening to.
However, both Sasuke and Naruto had the tiny problem of not being able to access the things that made them truly powerful. For Sasuke it was his Mangekyou and for Naruto it was the seal. In the original time line he had cracked it in Wave but now that he knew he wasn't about to die, or that Sasuke wasn't really dead, it wouldn't work this time around. It would take something more for the both of them.
Much more.
"Just don't do anything stupid." Sakura sighed, putting the book down.
"You know, I was actually thinking of telling the Hokage this time." Naruto mused.
"Yeah but wouldn't that make you look even more suspicious than stealing the Forbidden Scroll? I mean you are the type to actually go out and fall for Mizuki's ploy, don't look at me like that. You did it once before." Sakura continued. "In short, play the dumbass."
"Yeah, yeah. Man you guys really love reminding me of how much of a dobe I used to be, ne?" Naruto grumbled.
"You make it so easy." Sasuke teased with a smile rarely seen outside of their company.
Naruto wore a lot less orange. Well he planned to stop using the henge of his orange jumpsuit after he became a genin. Sasuke stuck to his Uchiha blue and black, only this time displaying the crest more visibly and more proudly. He had a promise to keep to his father after all. Sakura stuck to her red. She loved that colour and that outfit. No one was going take that away from her, period.
"So I'll see you guys at team assignment." Naruto winked before suddenly disappearing, no clouds, no smoke.
They didn't even want to know what he was up to. It probably involved pranking the shit out of Mizuki.
.0.0.0.
"Kakashi-kun?" Sarutobi looked up in surprise as the silver haired jonin practically bounced into his office.
"He's graduating today~!" Kakashi sang happily, making the ANBU hidden in the room tilt their heads in confusion.
"Actually, Naruto-kun failed, on the bunshin I believe." Sarutobi replied, knowing exactly who Kakashi was talking about. Ever since that incident where Naruto had wandering into the ANBU headquarters, Kakashi hadn't stopped pestering him about the blond.
It was almost comical to see the look of shocked disbelief on Kakashi's face but as it was, Sarutobi distinctly remembered Uchiha Sasuke's words about going where Naruto did and this was troublesome, very troublesome indeed.
"Can't you make some sort of exception? He is a Jinchuriki you know." Kakashi almost whined, regaining the ability to speak.
"People already feel I favour him too much, let him get away with too much. If I simply pass him, I will never hear the end of it." The Sandaime sighed.
Kakashi pouted, like a literal genuine pout worthy of a three year old child and not an elite jonin.
"There will be a retribution." Kakashi's lone visible eye narrowed when the Sandaime ignored his pout and continued with his paperwork as though he wasn't even there in the first place. Kakashi's words were something that he'd heard Naruto mutter once and had quite liked it. So the Sandaime really should have known that something was deeply wrong when he saw his ANBU shudder. But he didn't think much of it, considering Kakashi had been acting slightly out of character – well his public character anyway.
.0.0.0.
As Naruto sat in the clearing, waiting for Iruka and Mizuki to appear, he contemplated the oddness that was Hatake Kakashi. The man had approached him today, very discreetly and had said one sentence, "Someone needs a retribution, make sure it happens."
Then he was gone as though he'd never been there, his parting message the ANBU hand sign for Hokage. Naruto wasn't too worried about the details as to why Kakashi thought the Hokage needed a retribution but he was all too happy to oblige.
Just because Naruto couldn't do genjutsu didn't mean he didn't know at least one genjutsu, the only one he'd ever been able to master and it worked hand in hand with his sexy no jutsu.
The Hokage found himself in a world of undignified perverted bliss when Naruto stole the scroll. His pride was going to be stinging from that one for a while. See, all Naruto had to do was perform his Sexy no Jutsu and the ensuing nose bleed was what activated the genjutsu. He thought it was quite genius really.
Now, all he had to do was play the dumb little Academy student that got played by a traitor and then he was home free all the way to Team 7.
They still hadn't really decided what they were going to do about the bell test. He'd suggested they merely wing it and see what Kakashi-sensei did.
Whatever happened, it was sure to be interesting. Sasuke had said something like that some time or other.
Sakura hadn't really had any suggestions merely because she thought playing with the jonin was childish but Naruto and Sasuke both knew that she was just as giddy about the prospect of doing so. She still had a score to settle with him about that first genjutsu. Naruto had a score to settle with that "Never let an enemy get behind you" spiel and Sasuke was still pouting about ending up neck deep buried in the ground.
"Naruto!" The loud angry yell dragged Naruto from his thoughts and he looked up at Iruka-sensei.
The blond grinned happily, seemingly oblivious to the chunin sensei's anger and he saw that anger dim slightly, as though suddenly unsure of the situation he found himself in.
"Iruka-sensei! Are you going to pass me now? Mizuki-sensei said you would. He said that if I learnt a jutsu from the Forbidden Scroll then you'd make me a genin . . ."
Naruto pretty much zoned out as Mizuki showed up and Iruka clicked the pieces together in his mind. This time, Naruto moved Iruka out of the way of the oncoming kunai, glaring daggers at Mizuki the entire time.
When Mizuki got over his momentary shock, asking Naruto if he wanted to know why everyone hated him, the blond shrugged and replied. "I don't care. It doesn't bother me. As long as I have my precious people, people like Iruka-sensei, then I don't care."
Mizuki was too stunned to reply and Naruto took the opportunity to take him out, using the Kage Bunshin just to show off and not because he expressly had to.
"Naruto?" Iruka stuttered out in confusion, this time having not caught the overly large and obnoxious shuriken in his back. Naruto just couldn't bear to see his favourite sensei suffer through that a second time.
"Being the best is rather over-rated, don't you think? Besides, I really still can't do a Bunshin." Naruto grinned, offering a hand to his stunned sensei who had somehow managed to end up on his backside.
Iruka sensed that this was his third moment of confusing insight into Uzumaki Naruto that he wasn't entirely sure he'd have seen otherwise. Was this Naruto's way of telling him that he was more talented then he'd allowed his records to show?
Either way, Iruka couldn't deny the boy a promotion after that display. So he took the offered hand with a soft smile and gave the boy his own headband in return.
.0.0.0.
Hatake Kakashi skipped his way into the Hokage's office, coolly elbowing those in his way so that he could get to the Hokage's desk first, giggling with a giddy expression on his face the entire time. He purposefully came late so that he missed the Hokage watching the genin in his crystal ball. He didn't know why the old Hokage felt the need to do that. Personally for Kakashi it was too much like spying.
As it was the Hokage had been in the process of talking to his jonin, not even bothering to wait for Kakashi this time seeing as it was about assigning teams. He hadn't sent the call for the silver haired jonin because he'd wanted news of Miuki's betrayal to stay semi-quiet. He had been planning to give Hatake the happy news that sort of wasn't considering the circumstances of Naruto's promotion to genin when everyone else was dealt with.
He really should have known Kakashi would have found out sooner than that.
"Move it Sarutobi!" Kakashi growled, viciously kicking Asuma to the side just as he'd been about to accept three folders from his father.
Kakashi was practically bouncing on the spot as he placed his hands on the front of the Hokage's desk and grinned manically at him as he waited.
"Since when was he so lively?"
"Since when was he early?"
He heard the whispers but he didn't care.
"He passed!" Kakashi nearly growled victoriously, lone visible eye shining brightly.
The Sandaime sighed as he picked up Team 7's files. They were on top seeing as they'd only just arrived themselves. He'd barely held them out to the eager jonin when they were snatched from his grasp.
"You do realise that they have to pass your bell test Hatake. You can't just pass them." The Third felt the need to remind the jonin.
"Pfft, you've just handed me the most bonded team in the village. I don't have to do a thing other than bask in their glory." Kakashi replied with an evil cackle.
"Care to elaborate on that one Kakashi." Asuma growled with a wince as he rubbed his aching side and accepted his own team's files from his father. "I thought your team was the misfits and the ones most predicted to fail."
Kakashi looked up from the files he had been flipping through to look at the other jonin with a wide incredulous eye. "Are you serious?"
"Well yeah, you've got Uzumaki and the simpering fangirl. The only person worth teaching on your entire team is the Uchiha." One of the other jonin replied, misreading Kakashi's mood.
Kakashi burst out laughing. Those poor deluded fools. He'd leave them to suffer in their moronic ignorance.
He couldn't help but wonder if he was the only one that noticed that none of them went to the Academy, that Naruto knew the Shadow Clone jutsu long before he'd stolen the Forbidden Scroll or that the three of them were the ones that had painted the Hokage monument or that they cheated, so to speak, on every test. Was he the only one that noticed that Sakura was faking the fangirlism so hard that it was nearly killing her?
Naruto wasn't the dead last any more than Sasuke was the undisputed Rookie of the year. He'd say the two were easily equal in strength but he wasn't sure just how much above the average genin they actually were.
Those in the room shifted slightly at his decidedly evil cackle, waiting for him to elaborate but he did not.
"This team sure does promise to be interesting, Kakashi-kun and I'm glad to see you're taking such an obvious interest this time." The Sandaime chuckled.
Kakashi merely nodded, continuing to peruse the folders in his hands. Kakashi wasn't exactly thrilled about the Uchiha on his team, he was indifferent towards the Haruno girl but he was absolutely ecstatic to be teaching Naruto.
He couldn't explain it but ever since that night he'd watched the boy having a nightmare, ever since the boy had wandering into ANBU to enquire about his well-being, Kakashi just couldn't ignore him as effectively as he'd been doing before that nightmare. He'd found himself watching the blond from a distance, trying to deduce the extent of his skills and happily failing miserably. Naruto was just impossible to profile.
"Be sure to keep an eye on those three. I have a feeling that they're going to take this village by storm." Sarutobi's eyes were twinkling with an amusement he very rarely showed and it proved to Kakashi that the Hokage was not completely oblivious to the Uzumaki and the Uchiha and their antics, antics they were far too skilled at keeping hidden from the general public.
"Hai, Hokage-sama." Kakashi bowed, tossing the Academy files he'd fought so rudely to get over his shoulder and supressing the snicker when they hit someone on the head. They were completely useless anyway and he only wanted to see if anyone at the Academy had noticed the strange things that he had. They hadn't.
"Hang on, why are you so excited to teach the Uzumaki brat?" Someone had the foolish urge to ask.
Kakashi turned on the jonin before the Sandaime could answer. The only visible part of his face was the smallest patch of skin and one eye, yet that tiny part was actually quite expressive should the jonin choose for it to be. The expression he was giving the other jonin was a cold glare, topped off with the creepiest smile known to the Elemental nations and honestly, Sai and Anko would have been proud. "Are you questioning my cute little student? The one who openly proclaims to be your next boss and so help me, I'm going to make sure he achieves that goal!"
"N-no Hatake-san." The poor jonin stuttered.
"He's not your student yet, Kakashi-kun." Sarutobi sighed, a long-suffering sound as though this was something he and Kakashi often argued about.
Kakashi turned his glare on the Hokage who merely blinked at him.
Kakashi snarled before muttering, "There will be a retribution." disappearing in a Shunshin of leaves. The Hokage, after hearing that proclamation from the Jonin twice in as many days, having already run into a Naruto worthy amount of trouble shortly after the first muttered promise, had the presence of mind to shudder the smallest bit before clearing his throat so he could continue with his meeting.