Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 1 – Thrown Into The Plot

I settled into one of the seats at the back of the room as usual upon arriving at my classroom, waiting for Iruka sensei to get here to announce the team placements. I didn't hold out much hope at properly making genin this time around, peering discreetly around the room at the nine students I knew would.

To be honest it didn't bother me, I had prepared for this day pretty much ever since I'd decided I might as well train as a shinobi, thinking that I'd at least be able to defend myself, after being unexpectedly reborn into a manga I hadn't even finished, though I did get a decent way through it. How well my memory holds up is a completely different matter.

I was nudged out of my thoughts, turning to whoever had decided to sit next to me today to see Choji greeting me with a smile, holding out an open bag towards me "Chip?"

"Thanks." I returned his smile, reaching to pluck one out "What flavour are they today?"

"Barbeque."

"Nice." He nodded in agreement, happily relaxing into his seat as he continued to munch. I could now see that Shikamaru had arrived with him, the Nara sitting on his other side, body already hunched over his desk, head laying on his arms as he attempted to get more sleep.

"Naruto! What are you doing here?" My attention moved to one of the other kids I knew wouldn't pass today as he spoke loud enough to hear even over everyone else's chatter "Class today is only for the students who didn't fail!"

"What?! Can't you see the headband?!" Naruto jerked his thumb towards said piece.

"Excuse me," Sakura sounded polite but practically shoved her way past the boy "may I pass?" Naruto seemed quite happy about this, probably incorrectly assuming she wanted to sit next to him and not Sasuke who was seated at the other side of the desk. "Naruto, move it! I'm trying to get around you!"

His face dropped as I was proven correct, him turning to glare over at where the Uchiha sat beside the window, obviously enough that it caught his attention turning to him with a scowl as he asked "You want something?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Naruto shouted back "Are you talkin' to me?!"

Sakura took this moment to shove past him, Naruto falling with a choked grunt, barely catching himself before he fell out of his seat as Sakura took the one in the middle of the two boys "Good morning, Sasuke. Is this seat taken…?"

Unfortunately for Sakura Sasuke, as usual, didn't even spare her a glance, instead returning to face the front of the classroom, ignoring everyone around him. This didn't seem to phase her though as she happily continued gazing at him, a few of the other girls in his fan club glaring at her enviously.

Naruto obviously didn't like this and tried to pick a fight, hopping on desk in front of Sasuke, crouching on it to glare at him. My eyes widened as I realised what scene was about to take place, instinctively reaching a hand to shake both Choji and Shikamaru, Choji looking at me in curiosity as the Nara slowly lifted his head, grunting out a "What?"

I nodded over to where Sakura was scolding Naruto, my lips already twitching up at the corners "I don't think you're gonna want to miss this, it's bound to be funny."

He raised a brow before sitting up fully to watch the drama, Choji following his lead with no fuss, having already pulled out another bag of chips.

"Get lost!" Naruto scowled at Sasuke leaning in so their faces were quite close, in a way I'm sure he intended to be threatening. There were a few offended cries from the fan girls around the room, many of them calling for Sasuke to take action.

It was at this point that I gleefully got to watch as the boy on the row in front of where Naruto was crouched, leaned back, not having took any notice of the commotion going on behind him. He turned to apologise after knocking into someone only to pause his words in shock, others around the room also staring in disbelief as we were met with the sight of Sasuke and Naruto with their lips locked, both of their eyes practically bugging out in disgust.

A snort escaped my lips. I lifted a hand in an attempt to smother my laughter as the pulled apart coughing and spluttering as if they'd tasted something foul. A lot of the boys around the room were laughing out loud at the display but a lot of the girls who fawned over Sasuke were watching the scene in fury.

"You were right," Shikamaru murmured, I turned to him in question which he answered with a smirk "That was funny."

"…Do you think we should help him?" Choji asked, looking over as Sakura began beating on Naruto, the other girls joining in, though made no move continuing to eat.

"He brought it on himself." Was Shikamaru's answer.

"Besides," I added with a look at the clock "Iruka sensei should be here soon. He'll put a stop to it if they haven't finished by the time he gets here."

Choji accepted our words easily, switching to another bag, this time jerky, with no worries. Where this boy stashed his food I don't know, but would honestly like to learn.

Iruka did in fact turn up in less than 10 minutes, shooing the girls back to their seats, though Naruto did look a little bit worse for wear at that point. It didn't seem to bother him much though as he sat back at his desk grumpily muttering under his breath as Iruka began to speak.

"From this day forward, you are no longer students of ninjutsu, but full-fledged shinobi." He announced once he was sure he had all of our attention "But among the ranks of the shinobi, you are mere novices, lowest of the low. Your greatest challenges all lie ahead. The next step is the assignment of official duties to you all on behalf of our village. We will begin by dividing you into three-man teams, each of which will be mentored by a jonin, a more senior ninja, who will guide and coach you as you become familiar with your various assignments."

He stared us down, eyes moving along the rows as if daring us to argue "I made the selections so that each team's abilities would be approximately equal."

"What!" Quite a good portion of the class responded, disgruntled to hear that they wouldn't get to choose who they were put with. Though they quickly quieted down when Iruka dragged his gaze over them again.

Satisfied that everyone had quieted down he reached for his clipboard, beginning to read off team numbers, listing the students assigned to each. I didn't pay much attention to the other teams, only noting the teams I knew passed in canon as I waited for my name to be called.

"Team ten. Akimichi Choji… Nara Shikamaru… and Yamanaka Ino."

"Team nine is still active."

"Team eight. Inuzuka Kiba… Aburame Shino… and Hyuuga Hinata."

"And lastly, team seven. Uzumaki Naruto… Uchiha Sasuke… and Chinen Atsuko."

"Master Iruka!" Naruto immediately stood from his seat in protest as I sat in wide-eyed shock "What were you thinking of saddling a most excellent shinobi like myself…" he pointed at Sasuke "with that loser?!"

Iruka pinched the bridge of his nose before answering with a patience that could only be gained from being a teacher "…Of the twenty-seven of you, Sasuke has the best grades. Naruto, you would be the bottom of the class. The idea is to balance your different strengths…that's why you ended up together!"

"Hmm," Sasuke hummed, not even bothering to look at him "just don't drag me down…idiot."

"What'd you just call me?!"

"Just knock it off, Naruto!" Sakura scolded him from her place still seated in between the two.

I hesitantly raised my hand drawing Iruka sensei's attention to me "Yes, Atsuko?"

"…I understand that they balance each other out…but why am I on their team? Why not one of the other girls…like Sakura…"

Sakura shot up from her seat at my words, slamming her hands down on her desk in enthusiasm "I accept!"

"No." Iruka told her bluntly, causing her to slump back down in disappointment, before he turned back to me "While you may not realise it, Atsuko, you are in fact, the top kunoichi of your year." He held up a hand, halting me before I could argue "Although Sakura may have the top marks in theory, you are only slightly behind and your practical marks are only just behind Sasuke."

I gaped at him in disbelief, there was absolutely no way that was true, which is exactly what I told him, spluttering "There's no way that's true!"

He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms "Didn't you ever check the scoreboard after test results were released? Or read your report cards?"

"No." I replied honestly. I was never really bothered about my score, plus the result board always had a crowd around it so it seemed like a hassle to even try to get through them, so I never looked. My report cards were also just handed straight to my parents once I got home, they always told me I did good but I just thought that meant I was maybe slightly above average…

"Well, now you know better." He stated, clearly cutting off any arguments I could come up with as he clapped his hands, addressing the whole room "Okay everyone. I'll be introducing your Jonin sensei's this afternoon, until then, you're dismissed!"

Immediately the chatter from this morning started back up as what were now my previous classmates all moved to join their new teammates, most deciding to have lunch together before meeting with their sensei this afternoon.

I sighed, watching as both Naruto and Sasuke left without a backward glance, I pulled my bento out of my bag, setting it on the desk in front of me as I decided I wasn't even going to try to convince either of the stubborn boys to have a team lunch. It would have been a complete waste of the break anyway. Settling further into my seat, my desk mates having already left, the classroom only containing a few other stragglers at this point, I dug into my lunch.

My lunch was disturbed as a hand was slammed either side of my bento, making me look up in confusion right into the face of one Ino Yamanaka who was scowling at me "Don't think that being on Sasuke's team gives you an advantage!"

"…in what?" I asked, confused at this unexpected confrontation.

"At dating him!" She stated as if I was stupid "He'll never go for you."

"Good. I won't go for him either." He was too much of an asshole for my tastes. I swear his fan club must be full of masochists.

Ino gaped at my response for a moment her mouth opening and closing as she took in my words before turning away with a huff, crossing her arms as she stated "You better not."

"…Can I eat my lunch in peace now?" I asked when she didn't move.

"Yes, you can." My reply came not from Ino but from a disgruntled Shikamaru as he walked around the desk, clasping a hand on Ino's shoulder, Choji shooting me a smile and wave as he moved to stand beside him. "We're apparently going to be eating lunch as a team so we'll be seeing you."

With that said the newly named team ten left the room, Ino having snapped out of her previous mood as she took the lead, probably heading up to the roof where the other two usually could be found during lunch.

I shook my head, resuming my lunch as I thought For ninjas there's just so much…drama.

It wasn't long before the lunch bell rang, many of the newly promoted genin having already returned to the room before it had, eager to move on now that they'd graduated. If only they knew that only three teams were actually going to make the cut.

Well, I admitted three teams are supposed to make the cut. I don't know how it'll go with me taking Sakura's place.

Iruka entered the room last calling out "Alright everyone! Until your instructors arrive please sit with your assigned teammates."

Quite a few grumbles sounded at the order but chairs began screeching back as people re-seated themselves with minimal fuss, Sakura shooting Sasuke a longing look as she vacated the seat that was unfortunately now mine until Kakashi arrived. I greeted both of my teammates with a nod, Naruto squinting at me curiously before turning away after seeing nothing of interest, Sasuke barely spared me a glance.

Which was absolutely fine by me, the less interest they showed in me the more likely I could potentially be switched for a different kunoichi.

Some people might be like 'Oh but if you're on their team you get right into the plot!' Yeah, I know, I've read the manga okay? But they get into so much shit it's unreal. Honestly if I end up stuck on their team I'm gonna be even more worried about my life expectancy than usual.

I zoned out as the jonin began to arrive, only recognising the few I knew to be the instructors for the other passing teams, Asuma and Kurenai, though I did spot both a Hyuuga and Akimichi in the mix. Of course, as I'd been expecting since being told I was going to be a part of the cursed team seven, our jonin sensei was late. Even Iruka had eventually left, only giving us a pitying nod before leaving the three of us alone.

Naruto peered out of the classroom door impatiently "Why are we the only team…whose teacher hasn't shown up yet?!"

"Luck of the draw?" I offered.

"All the other teams have already gone off with their teachers. Even Iruka sensei has gone…" He trailed off, perking up a bit as he ran over to the board at the front of the classroom, swiping the eraser, proceeding to drag one of the chairs over to the door, climbing on to it to wedge the eraser into the gap at the top, grinning triumphantly "That's what he gets for making us wait!"

Sasuke let out a scoff, speaking for the first time since we'd returned to the classroom after lunch "No way could a superior shinobi be caught by such a simple booby trap."

As if to prove him wrong – though I think it's likely he heard us talking and did it on purpose - Kakashi made his entrance, the eraser falling as Naruto planned, releasing a cloud of chalk dust as it hit him smack on the head.

"Gotcha!" Naruto didn't even try to hold back his laughter "Good one!"

"Hmm… How shall I put this?" Kakashi pretended to think it over as he got his first look at us "Based on my first impression, I'd have to say…I hate you. Meet me on the roof." With that said he left, Konoha's signature swirl of leaves taking his place.

Naruto let out an offended sound immediately running out of the classroom with a shout, Sasuke briskly moving to follow, walking past me without a glance. I sighed, May as well get this over with.

Once the three of us made it to the roof we were met with the sight of our new sensei leaning against the railing, gesturing for us to take a seat on the steps in front of him with a bored expression "Now, I'd like you all to tell us a little about yourselves."

Naruto squinted at him "Like what?"

"…You know, the usual. Your favourite thing… what you hate most… dreams, ambitions, hobbies. Things like that."

"Help us out here." Naruto insisted, brow still scrunched up in confusion "You go first, show us how it's done."

"Oh, me? My name is Hatake Kakashi. I'm the kind of person who doesn't feel like taking about his likes and dislikes. My dreams for the future are none of your business… but anyway, I have lots of hobbies…" He trailed off, without giving any detailed information in the slightest "Now it's your turn. Starting with you on the right."

"Me, right?!" Naruto perked up, fiddling with his headband as he began his introduction "My name is Uzumaki Naruto! What I like is instant cup ramen! What I like even better is when Iruka sensei treats me to ramen at Ichiraku's! What I hate is the three-minute wait after I pour in the boiling water. My dream is to become the Hokage and then all the villagers will have to acknowledge my existence! My hobbies are pranks and practical jokes, I guess…"

"Next!" Kakashi called, eyes flicking over to Sasuke who was seated in between us both, though on the step behind.

"My name is Uchiha Sasuke. There are plenty of things I hate, but I don't see that it matters, considering there is almost nothing I do like. It seems pointless to talk about 'dreams' … that's just a word. But what I do have is determination. I plan to restore my clan…and there is someone I have sworn… to kill."

I tried so hard not to roll my eyes at the sheer dramatics this boy put into his speech, like I know his background and everything so it was understandable, but honestly? Seeing it in person…he's twelve…it's a little hard for me to take him seriously at this point, despite knowing what he's going to be capable of in the future.

"And finally…" Kakashi turned his gaze to me "the young lady."

"…I'm Chinen Atsuko." I introduced, doubtful that either of my teammates knew my name before now. "I like…books and music and I dislike close-minded people. I have a few hobbies, including reading, writing, and singing. My dream is to live a happy life and die of old age."

Kakashi gave a short nod "Now that we're all introduced, formal training begins tomorrow."

"Yes sir!" Naruto saluted him with a grin "What will our duties be?! Our first real shinobi mission!"

"Our first project involves only the members of this team." He stated boredly.

"What is it? What?" Naruto asked, practically jumping on the spot in his excitement despite Kakashi's tone.

"Survival exercises."

"Survival exercises?" Naruto repeated.

"You'll have to survive… against me." Kakashi revealed, warning "It won't be your typical practice."

Naruto still looked confused "Well… then what kind of practice will it be?" Kakashi snickered. "What are you laughing at?!" Naruto asked irritated "Answer the question!"

"Oh…nothing. If I told you, you'd just chicken out." Kakashi commented, clearly trying to goad Naruto who as definitely the most vocal of our group.

"Chicken out? Why?"

"Of the twenty-seven members of your graduating class… Only nine will be accepted as actual genin. The other eighteen must go back for more training. The test we are about to perform has a 66% chance of failure."

Naruto gaped at him in pure shock, eyes practically bulging out of his head, even Sasuke had obviously tensed up in his seat at this new information. Well, new to the two of them at least.

"See, you're already chickening out!" He slowly turned to focus his gaze on me "But the little miss here doesn't seem to be surprised…" He trailed off questioningly, a brow lifting.

Upon both boys also turning to look at me for an answer I reluctantly responded "…My mom failed her first genin placement. She chose to go back to the academy and ended up passing her second…" I trailed off, unwilling to say any more.

After all, they didn't need to know that the reason she told me, along with my dad, was a part of a discussion we'd had about being proud of me no matter what path I took. Hell, they even let me choose whether or not I wanted to enrol in the shinobi academy or civilian school when I was six.

Or the fact that I knew even before they told me because of knowledge from a past life.

They definitely didn't need to know that.

"That sucks!" Naruto complained loudly "We've already passed our graduation test! Now you're telling us we have to do another one?!"

"Oh! We wanted to eliminate all the hopeless cases from your ranks. The only ones who are left are the only students who share true potential." Kakashi answered with an eye smile that honestly felt patronising.

"What?!"

"In any event," He ignored Naruto' outburst "we'll meet tomorrow morning, 6 o'clock sharp, at the third training ground so that I can evaluate each of your skills and weaknesses. Bring any tools and weapons that you feel you may need. Oh," He made sure to look us each in the eye "Don't have breakfast beforehand…unless you enjoy throwing up."

"Throw up?!" Naruto shouted in disbelief "How hard is this exercise going to be?!"

"Don't be late." Were Kakashi's final words to us, him vanishing as soon as they were said, a small whirlwind of leaves taking his place.

I looked over to my teammates to see that Sasuke had likely started leaving as soon as Kakashi did, already ducking back into the stairwell. Naruto turned to me, opening his mouth as if about to speak before deciding against it, adjusting his headband before running off.

Well, I stood, dusting myself off beginning the trek back to my own home It's not like I expected any different.

"I'm home." I called out, exchanging my boots for slippers as I entered, immediately being hit by the scent of dinner cooking.

"There you are!" My mom called back cheerily, peeking out of the living room doorway long blonde hair shoved up into a messy bun, pulling me inside to where my dad was waiting. "You know we made sure we had this afternoon off so you could tell us how your test went straight away, I just didn't expect it to take this long!"

"Neither did I." My dad chuckled along, reaching over to ruffle my hair that was so like his, curly and brown "So, how'd it go?"

"…I've not actually had my test yet." I admitted, walking into the kitchen to get a drink, the both of them following behind, resuming the tasks they'd left to greet me "It's meant start tomorrow morning but I have a feeling it'll actually be a lot later than our jonin sensei told us."

"Oooh! Who'd you get? Anyone we might know?" Mom asked, leaning against the counter as I retrieved the juice from the fridge, pouring myself a glass.

I avoided their eyes, hiding behind the fridge door using putting the juice back as an excuse as I answered, "Hatake Kakashi."

Both of my parents made a sound of immediate understanding. I closed the door, finally looking back at them to see their sympathetic faces, my mom gesturing me over for a hug as dad continued to stir the pot on the stove.

I walked over to her, letting her pull me to her as she stroked my hair, consoling "Well, at least you've got your teammates." I let out a whine, turning to bury my face into her arm "That bad, huh? Who did Iruka put you with?"

I pulled away from her, dad also peering over at me in curiosity, before I deadpanned "Naruto and Sasuke."

"…Uzumaki and Uchiha?" Dad asked, trying to keep his tone casual, though it was a bit pointless as they were the only two with those names in my class, nonetheless I gave a hum of confirmation.

My parents had never been the type to warn me away from Naruto, like some of the other kids did, especially those with civilian backgrounds. However, that didn't mean that they liked him, but I think it had less to do with him being the host for the Kyuubi – which I wasn't supposed to know about anyway – and more to do with his vandalism, often 'decorating' store fronts. Hell, it was only recently that he'd painted all over the Hokage's faces on the mountainside.

They also weren't fond of Sasuke. But I think that had less to do with him personally, and probably more to do with my complaints over the years I'd shared a class with him than anything else. The stuck-up prick.

"Well," My dad pulled me out of my thoughts "we've always told you that if you fail the test it doesn't matter…even if you do so intentionally."

"Akihito!" Mom scolded, though I think we all could detect the amusement she didn't even attempt to hide.

"What?" He replied innocently "If she wants to try again with another team then that's her choice Himari…"

I snorted, pulling out a chair to sit at the table "We'll see how tomorrows test goes first, and whether or not the other two are actually able to work with me."

"You do what you think's best, dear." Mom told me with a smile that lit up her green eyes, ones that I was always glad I'd inherited, cupping my cheek in affection before moving to set the table.

I watched with a smile as my parents worked together to serve dinner, the love they held for each other obvious, and once again I was so grateful that despite being born into such a dangerous world, I was born as their daughter.

Don't worry mom, dad, I thought as my parents smiled back at me I will.

HERE, HAVE ANOTHER FIC! *throws it at you and runs away*

For real though, I have no self-restraint. If I get inspiration while I've got the motivation and time to actually write then I'm gonna write even if I have multiple ongoing fics already.

Updates could take a day, they could take a year~ Standard disclaimer for my stories at this point.

This will eventually have romance in it, but at this point I honestly for the first time don't know who my OC is going to be paired with, I'm just gonna see how it goes, yanno?