Hinata had arrived early at Naru-chan's apartment the following morning, as promised. Her redheaded girlfriend groggily answered the door, clearly having just rolled out of bed if her hair was anything to go by. There was also the fact that she was tiredly rubbing her eyes in the most adorable manner. She couldn't help but giggle a bit at the sight, it was abundantly clear the girl spent more time on her hair then she would readily admit if it was always this messy. She didn't say a word as she took Naru-chan into her bedroom and sat down on the bed, and gestured to the ground in front of her. Naru-chan nods and does as she indicated, taking a seat on the ground and leaning her head back onto Hinata's thighs. Hinata gently runs her hand through Naru-chan's red locks. She spots the brush she had given Naru-chan all those years ago and leans over to grab it. Finally she takes note of the bed head that seemed a little odd. The two bangs that were sticking up in a manor distinctly similar to the way it did the night before.
That's enough to get her thinking. Does the other girl channel the strange energy in her sleep? If the only real requirement is she sits still then does sleeping soundly work? Did Naru-chan just never notice anything odd in the morning? She might not have, she seemed unaware of the transformation and Hinata hadn't had a chance to explain what she saw yet.
"You know you transform when you use that energy."
"Really?"
"Yep, your hair turns white and you become much paler, your eyes also turn red. It sort of makes you look like an albino rabbit now that I think about it."
"Huh."
They fall into a comfortable silence as she starts to brush the girls hair. It's so soft, she knows Naru-chan only bothers to take care of it because she likes it and that always makes her heart flutter. Honestly Naru-chan is just so cute sometimes, more like all the time, and her blushes, rare as they are, are just the most adorable thing in the world. They always make it so Hinata wants to just cuddle her girlfriend for hours. Though she also wanted to do that when the older girl won her spars, or would excitedly point at something new or interesting, or would play with her little sister, or when she looked at her with those deep purple eyes that just seemed to sparkle and then flashed her with that bright smile that's only for her. She had it bad. It wasn't her fault, her girlfriend was unreasonably cute. Of course Hinata wouldn't blame her for that, it only made her love the girl more.
"What'cha thinkin' about?" She realized she had stopped brushing, Naru-chan must have noticed. She was looking right at her with a look of curiosity. God she loved that look when she just got so curious about something. Hinata often had to resist squealing when her girlfriend would tilt her head at times, like a confused puppy.
"You, and how much I love you." Naru-chan leans back at that. Hinata had just caught the appearance of a faint smile.
"I'm glad you asked me out."
"I'm glad I asked you out too." Hinata was well aware they would have simply remained friends forever if she never took the initiative. It's not like Naru-chan was one to hesitate, but she didn't understand emotions to well as a result of her childhood. Of course for all that they lost because of it, she sort of felt like it made the times when Naru-chan was expressive all the more poignant. When she was mad she was very mad, when she was happy she was very happy and so on.
"You know I just realized the villagers won't be allowed to hurt me anymore."
Hinata practically growls, though her brushing remains gentle. She'd never take her frustration out on the other girl. "They never should have been allowed to hurt you in the first place. . . Why did you never try and leave the village?" She would have never blamed Naru-chan for leaving. She would have missed her for sure, but she would have understood. The girl deserved to be happy and healthy.
"By the time I realized, or rather you made me aware, what they'd been doing was wrong I already had reasons to stay. I would rather stay in the village with you then leave by myself, even if it means the villagers would abuse me."
"Even knowing our leader sacrificed you for a supposed greater good?" Hinata had figured that out when she realized Anbu were always assigned to watch Naru-chan, but they would always wait to help her until after injury (she had even caught one who had tried to help but been stopped by another, it made her sick). According to Naru-chan one time she heard them say not to intervene until she had already been injured a bit, Naru-chan had assumed they didn't like her. Hinata knew better, the Anbu were nothing if not good at keeping their emotions out of their work, they would protect any other citizen with brutal efficiency, they seemed to avoid protecting Naru-chan with that same brutal efficiency. Hinata had made the truth of it clear to Naru-chan for her own safety. The bottom line was, they had standing orders to only make sure she survives, nothing more. Any abuse was allowed to happen within reason and as long as it was out of sight of foreigners.
"I can't forgive him for sacrificing me without my permission or my parents." They didn't have definite proof that he didn't have their permission. But he would look guilty everytime they were brought up and given that she was an orphan since birth they both suspect that he had them killed and for the sake of hiding that from them kept their identities a secret from Naru-chan. There might be another reason but it was likely just as awful, and likely still reflected poorly on the old man. Oh that reminded her she had news for her girlfriend.
"Hey Naru-chan."
"Yeah?"
"I know who you mother is."
"You do? For how long?"
"I found out last night after we parted, I decided to finally get some answers from Otou-sama." She had gone and asked him as soon as the two separated, she had thought it could shed some light. And Hinata had witnessed the wistful looks on her parents faces enough to know that the girl must resemble someone they knew.
"What did he say?"
"Your mother was named Uzumaki Kushina. Apparently she was a redhead and a bit of a loudmouth. She was, and now you are, the last known member of the extinct Uzumaki clan." She suspected that there may be more somewhere around the Elemental Nations, the clan was too old for there not to be, but no one knew of them as far she was aware. Most seemed to have long since abandoned their surname and can only be identified by that same red hair that Naru-chan has.
"I have a clan?"
"It would seem so."
"Then that means I'm also an heiress right?"
"I don't know if she was from the main branch, but it's a possibility." Every clan had a main family. People liked to talk poorly about the Hyuuga for having one but they were really just an extreme in the divide between the two branches. Even the noble Senju had a main line, although they have died out much like the Uzumaki.
"Well if it's true then that means we should have a closer social status now right?" Ah yes, social status, the reason the elders tried to use more than any other for why she can't marry Naru-chan. They had claimed it was always possible to just get a stud from the branch family to continue the lineage so her marrying a woman would only be a minor problem (though they say it's a minor problem, they still act like it's a big deal, because the truth of the matter was they hated the 'demon').
"Yes I suppose so."
". . ." Hinata was content to sit in silence as Naru-chan thought. "Uzumaki Kushina." The girl rolled the name around in her mouth. Finally after a few moments she smiled. "Mom."
Hinata smiled at that, she had actually been giving Naru-chan Uzumaki themed gifts for years now. The swirls she often gave were the clans crest, but she had always given them as her father and mother had guaranteed the girl would like them. It had quickly become a default as she saw the girl had indeed loved the emblem. She couldn't help but wonder if the desire for whirlpool was some sort of genetic memory. Or maybe an imprint from when she was a child and having seen her mother, like a lost memory that surfaced as an instinct? Or maybe it was just a coincidence that the girl liked it so much? It was hard to say.
"There all done with your hair, now where did you put the senbon?" Naruko gestures to her nightstand. The senbon were still in their box but the lid was open for viewing. Hina-chan reached over and grabbed both.
Hinata twists the other girls hair up into a twisted pony tail, then coils the hair to make it a roll, leaving a space between the hair and her head. She pinches the roll and tucks the end of the redheads hair into the space. Afterwords Hinata inserts the senbon at the top right of the roll pausing and then speaking at this point. "Stay still now, I don't want you to get hurt."
"Okay." With that Hinata continues and carefully brings the senbon forward until the tip is pressing against Naru-chan's scalp. Then slowly and gently she brings it down until the direction of the senbon is reserved. Then she pushes through the rest of the roll of hair. She gently releases it and smiles as the hair is held in place. She repeats the process with the second senbon only this time it's at the top left. The two senbon create a cross, also known as a saltire, holding the redheads long hair in place. The roll of hair is tightly secured above her shoulders and only bounces, never coming free. Hinata nods seeing that the senbon worked as intended. She had actually made her sister, mother, and even her father sit through her practicing so she could get it perfect for Naru-chan.
Naruko feeling Hina-chan finish with her hair stands and turns towards the other girl. "Thanks a lot for helping me out Hina-chan." Naruko had only manage to learn so much from that but she had learned how to make the roll, and with some practice she can get it down.
"So ready to go visit Ayame for your sash?" Naruko shakes her head no.
"I've gotta get dressed first Hina-chan."
Hinata hadn't been thinking about it but now that she's looking she realizes her girlfriend was only wearing a loose t-shirt, and short pajama shorts. Hinata can't help but look at her girlfriends thighs and nod appreciatively. The other girl trained her legs a lot and it showed. Naru-chan wasn't very top heavy, with a relatively small chest and otherwise thin frame, but she had a sturdy set of abs and a generally well sculpted body for her age. Of course there were other things that made her think Naru-chan wasn't very top heavy than just her strong thighs, her behind was definitely a treat to see. Really everytime they worked out Hinata felt like she was in for a treat. It sort of made her feel bad, treating Naru-chan like a piece of meat, especially since the girl likely didn't even realize, but she couldn't help how much raw appeal she saw in Naru-chan.
Hinata shakes herself from those thoughts and says "I'll let you change then." With that she steps out of the room. Hinata would love to see her girlfriend naked, she had fantasized about that image more than a few times, but she didn't want to push the girl. The other girl probably would be embarrassed but would say she doesn't mind. It was something Hinata had realized a few months into their relationship. Naru-chan didn't understand pacing, nor did she know how to properly express when something makes her uncomfortable, so it was up to Hinata to watch for the redheads reactions and try not push her out of her comfort zone. She loved the redhead and couldn't bring herself to abuse the redheads trust and naivety. It was for the same reason she never used her Byakugan to peak. She easily could, it was well within her ability. And even if she somehow did Naru-chan would forgive her. But that breached the trust they had and she refused to cross that line. So she resigned herself to her imagination.
Naruko stepped out a few minutes later, in her usual ensemble only with a spare sash on at the moment, this one is red. She'd switch it out once she got the black one with her forehead protector from Ayame-nee. She quickly heads into the kitchen and gets them both a quick breakfast. Naruko makes a few omelets and gets out some rice and chicken she made the night before. She took some time to make Hina-chan a few pieces of cinnamon toast, not having the time or skill yet to make the cinnamon rolls her girlfriend loves. The two girls eat the breakfast the redhead prepared and then set out for the Ichiraku house.
They arrive a few minutes later. With a few quick raps on the door they stand and wait. It only takes a few seconds for the door to fly open and for Naruko to be scooped up into a hug by the civilian girl. She had resigned herself by now to the fact that it seemed every girl in her life wanted to cuddle her. Well she enjoyed it with Hina-chan, but she sort of just dealt with it with Ayame and Hitomi.
"I said it yesterday and I'll say it again, I'm so proud of you!"Ayame tightened her grip, "You've come so far from the little girl with the dead look in her eyes. Now we just need to teach you some common sense, don't want anyone taking advantage of you." Naruko could see the older girl was sending a message to Hina-chan. It was obvious given the glare she was sending her way. Ayame didn't seriously think of Hina-chan as a problem, but she felt like it was her right as an older sister figure to be protective. Or at least Naruko hoped that's the case, otherwise her older sister figure might seriously think she shouldn't be with Hina-chan and that would be terrible.
Naruko started trying to break free, Ayame's grip had gotten a little too tight for comfort. She weakly tried to kick but being as high of the ground as she was it did little. It's her own fault, she had chosen to leave her weights in storage seals today, just in case she needed them off for something, like if for example her sensei gave them a surprise test or something. If she had been wearing them the other girl wouldn't have been able to scoop her off the ground though.
Hinata watches amused, her mother did the same thing to Naru-chan a lot and unlike Ayame she was strong enough to do so even with the girls weights on. Naru-chan only hated it because she thinks it makes people think she needs protecting. Hinata still hadn't gotten it through to Naruko that it's okay for others to protect her just as she protects them. She had only grudgingly accept Hinata because she didn't want to insult the white eyed girl and her own effort to grow strong. She can also freely admit that Hinata is the better fighter of the two, even if the red head is the faster and physically stronger one.
Ayame finally lets Naruko go and gives her the finished sash. "Come on in, I'll help tie it around you." Naru-chan nods and is quickly shuffled inside by Ayame. Hinata follows after the two. Naru-chan unties the red sash she had brought from the house and ties the black sash, the sashes are also known as Obi, around her waist. Naruko heads back out and asks Hinata. "So how do I look?"
"Like a real ninja." Naruko smiles and nods.
"Great! Ready to head to the academy?" Hinata nods and Naru-chan turns towards Ayame, "I'll talk to you tonight Nee-chan" The civilian waves the two kunoichi off.
Hinata inhaled, this is where it really begun. She would grow much stronger much faster now, and she would ensure the clan can't do anything about her relationship. The elders can't complain if she is strong enough to take them on.
They arrived at the academy at ten til nine. Most of the other students had already arrived by then. The only two who seemed to be missing were Sakura and Ino. The two girls look around and spot four open seats. Two are right next to each other while the others are separated. They go for the two seats next to each other, they always tried to sit together (Normally they arrived earlier so it wasn't an issue). The only thing is the seats are also next to Sasuke and it's going to be annoying in a few minutes. Naruko takes the seat next to the Uchiha while Hina-chan takes the edge seat.
The two girls are proven right as their last two class mates come storming into the classroom. "Ha I was first! Take that Ino pig!" Naruko never could understand why Sakura called Ino a pig, the girl looked fairly normal, and Naruko had never heard her oink.
"Yeah right Forehead my foot was 1 centimeter ahead of yours so I was first!" Likewise Naruko never got the whole business about Sakura's forehead, it really did look pretty normal, if very slightly larger than average. She still thought it was a shame the two girls threw away their friendship. But maybe it was never really a friendship if it was thrown away so easily.
Naruko zones out for a bit only to be brought back to see Sakura standing beside her. "Move Naruko-baka! You're in my seat!" The pink haired girl moves to throw the redhead out of her seat but before her hand can even reach Naruko it's caught in a vice grip by Hina-chan.
"You wouldn't be trying to throw my girlfriend out of her seat, next to mine, when we got here first would you? Sakura-san." Sakura gulps and shakes her head no. She may be the rank two kunoichi in class but she knew how scary Hina-chan can be when people were insulting or harming Naruko, outside of spars. Hina-chan smiles and says, "Good then I hope you don't mind taking one of the empty seats." Sakura nods her head and retreats. Truth be told Naruko didn't hate Sakura like Hina-chan seemed to. The girl was violent and mean for sure, but Naruko had a suspicion she was also secretly lonely. She could see it in her eyes, it was all to familiar after all. Still she wasn't going to just accept the attempted violence, not like Hina-chan would let her either.
Sasuke may not care about the two girls to his right, but the fact that they just shielded him from the fan girls is enough to earn his silent thanks. Oh how he despises the fan girls. He would have had no problem if they truly liked him. But he wasn't stupid and the fact that they all seemed to take an interest when he became a vulnerable orphan, and received a large inheritance, had been sending alarm bells through his head for years. If he had to guess the only one that might really have an interest in him, that doesn't stem from his heritage, is Ino. And he's fairly certain that is more of a game to her then anything else. The girl may be weak but she was deceptively smart, and painfully good at gathering info and dispersing false info.
He may not care for the rumor mill, but the fact that she was the queen of it was not a mark against her. Information was everything to a ninja, and she was great at collecting true info and running counter intelligence. Information was needed for him to hunt down Itachi. He couldn't get his revenge if he couldn't find the man first. So he could respect her ability. It was a skill far more valuable than being able to recite the entirety of their text book. Of course it would be far more trouble than it's worth to admit as much.
He dragged his eye to the two girls at his table. Naruko and Hinata. He was annoyed that the Hyuuga took his place as rookie of the year, but she had a backing. He was confident that with the aid of a jonin he would catch up and soon surpass her. He also conceded that she was one of the students he requested to be put on his team. She was likely the only Kunoichi in the class who could keep up with him.
Naruko on the other hand was an interesting case. She was a good fighter, but not an excellent one. She was good at making traps, but not great. She had apparently studied genjutsu, but from what he understood she hadn't been seen doing one successfully. She seemed painfully average. He often wondered what drew Hinata to the redhead. Sure she was attractive, in fact he would go as far as to say she was the most attractive girl in class (not flinging herself at him or one upping him helped). But she was seemingly stupid if her academic grades were anything to go by and otherwise just very normal. It seemed odd for the normally cold Hyuuga heiress to be so taken with her. As far as he could tell the only truly unique thing about her was her physical strength. He had seen her performance in the gravity test and she had proven to have near inhuman strength and will. Maybe that was worth more than he gave credit for, but ultimately he didn't particularly care. Perhaps that was why Hinata was taken with her? She liked that raw physical strength and will. It didn't really matter, their relationship had no effect on his life.
Iruka-sensei walks into the room with a clipboard in hand. Most of the students quiet down seeing him. He nods at them in approval. "There's not much in the way of formalities. We have thirty students and ten teams. You'll be paired in teams of three genin and one jonin. But you all already know that. I'll be starting with team one and working up. . ." He starts to call names and Naruko only really listens for her name or Hina-chan's. She perks up when he gets to the seventh team. "Team 7 will be Hyuuga Hinata. . ." He pauses and Naruko crosses her fingers. "Uchiha Sasuke. . ." Naruko is crossing her fingers tighter praying she'll be on Hina-chan's team, "And Uzumaki Naruko." Naruko can't help herself as she moves to hug Hina-chan in excitement. It seems her girlfriend had the same thought as they met halfway. She ignored the cries of outrage from the other girls in the class. She was on the same team as Hina-chan! She did, however, notice the sigh of relief coming from Sasuke as he heard the names, seems he's as happy as the girls are upset about not being on a team with any of them.
"Iruka-sensei that's not fair! What if Sasuke-kun's amazingness makes them straight! Then they'll have them all to themselves." Naruko could practically feel the delusion radiating from the girl who said it. Sasuke didn't seem to be taking it seriously, instead looking like he wanted to die from how crazy the statement is.
"This was decided by the Hokage and several Elite Jonin as well as myself, if you really have a problem with the teams you can take it up with Hokage-sama." That was enough to shut them up, even as a few still grumbled at the unfairness of it all.
Hina-chan spoke up, "Well for what it's worth, I'm not gay because I haven't met a proper man yet, I'm gay because I like girls. So unless Sasuke is a girl in disguise then your crush is safe." Hina-chan got a lot of people talking down to her about her choice in dating. She was, after all, dating not just another girl but a 'demon' at that. It wasn't uncommon for a particularly brave civilian to say she was a demon fucker. Of course there were a lot who claimed Naruko used some kind of demon magic to brainwash Hinata into being her girlfriend. People were weird.
Iruka-sensei went back to reading off the teams. "Team 8 will be Inuzuka Kiba, Haruno Sakura, and Aburame Shino." Sakura cries out.
"You take me away from Sasuke-kun and stick me with dog boy and the creep?!" Naruko winces for Shino. He may not talk but he was really very kind, and Naruko was coming from a perspective where he actively avoids her. If she thought he was kind then there is no reason everyone else can't. He was quiet and certainly didn't seem appealing, but he was never once rude to anybody and had never done anything other than offer his assistance. He didn't deserve that stigma. Of course assigning unfair stigma was a facet of the will of fire.
Iruka-sensei seemed tired of the complaints. "Each team was carefully considered for maximum efficiency and I assure your team is as it should be. I thought that would be apparent when I mentioned the group of Elite Jonin that decided the team compositions." He continues naming three of the weirdly bland kids who seriously never managed to stop being bland for team 9. "Team 10 will be Yamanaka Ino, Akimichi Choji, and Nara Shikamaru." He pauses for a moment before continuing, "Your jonin-sensei will be here in an hour to pick you up. I encourage you in the meantime to use this opportunity to bond with your new teammates. You'll be together for most of your career, so you might as well get along."
Iruka-sensei walks out of the room and Naruko stands along with Hina-chan. She turns to Sasuke and says. "Well want to come eat lunch with us?" Sasuke is about to reject but Hinata cuts in.
"If nothing else eating with us will protect you from your fans." That's enough for the boy and he nods. The three walk out of the room even as Sakura claims they are stealing her Sasuke-kun.
Hinata had to resist pouting. She had helped Naru-chan convince Sasuke because that's what her girlfriend wanted, but the white eyed girl would have preferred to have lunch with just Naru-chan. It's not like she disliked Sasuke, not since he lost his crush on her girl, but she wants to act lovey-dovey with her girlfriend and he kind of interrupts that. Oh well, it would be good if they could get along with him in the future. Iruka-sensei was right when he said they would be working together for the majority of their career and being friendly would certainly be better than being enemies. They move outside and sit around a large tree.
"So Sasuke, are you mad Hina-chan stole Rookie of the Year from you?"
"Naru-chan that's rude!" Hinata says in a scolding tone.
Sasuke didn't say much on it, but from what it seemed he didn't seem terribly upset. They had been tied for so long it really could have been either of them. Of course she would have been a little upset if he took it from her, so she supposed it would make sense for him to be upset too. She wouldn't blame him if he was. "Hn."
"You know I think that's the only thing I've heard you say in years."
"Naruko!" She loved Naru-chan dearly, but that was being just a bit to insensitive. She needed to explain the girl not to be so tactless about things like this.
"It's alright, it's kind of refreshing." He meant it too, everyone else in the class would be trying to suck up to him right now. Or boldly claiming they'd kick his ass. Most couldn't backup that claim making the fights boring and worthless. These two were treating him normally. It felt kind of nice. It was clear they cared for each other dearly, he guessed he could see why they're together (if only barely).
"See Hina-chan it's fine."
"Naru-chan it's fine to be blunt, it's part of what I love about you, but there is no reason to bring up painful memories." Naruko nods conceding the point.
"Sorry Sasuke didn't think about that." These two are really different when they are not with the rest of the class, they're much more expressive and open. And talkative. He must have been making a weird expression because Hinata laughed at him upon looking at his face.
"What did you think we only spend our time together plotting how to give Kiba a beating in the sparring ring?" Sasuke had to acknowledge that, it would make sense that the girls would normally just well act, well, normal.
"So do you still like tomatoes? Cause it looks like my gardens going to get a big harvest this year and I'll probably have more than I can eat." He blinked at the question. No one had asked about what he used to like in years.
"I didn't know you garden. And yeah I still like tomatoes."
"Yeah I've turned my whole balcony into a garden," Huh, he wouldn't have taken her for the type, but as it turns out even someone who seems pretty average can be full of surprises. It wasn't bad, getting to see a new side of his classmates. "So if you want any just stop by sometime and I'll give you some." Sasuke nods, not really planning on it, having more important things to do, like training, or thinking up ways to kill Itachi, but he might stop by for fresh tomatoes sometimes if he gets in the mood and doesn't want to go shopping.
"Naru-chan are you inviting a boy to your apartment when I, your girlfriend, am right here?" Hinata's tone is one of mock hurt. Sasuke practically choked when she said that. He was not ready to be apart of their relationship banter.
Naruko doesn't pick up on it. "I'm sorry Hina-chan I hadn't thought about that, you know I only have eyes for you. Sorry Sasuke deals off."
She's whipped, there was no doubt in his mind after seeing that exchange. Hinata laughs and says, "It's alright Naru-chan I was only kidding. Guess we still need to work on your ability to recognize what different tones of voice mean."
"Hey I can pick up on most of them, like anger, sadness or happiness. Oh and the one where you want to kiss me more! I'm just not to good with sarcasm, that's what that was right? Some form of sarcasm?" Hinata nods, blushing a bit at the mention of the kissing one. When had Naru-chan learned what she sounded like when she was. . . Getting into it.
"So does that mean the offer for the tomatoes still stands?" The two girls look at each other and laugh. They hadn't expected him to actually care.
"Sure Sasuke I don't mind and Naru-chan doesn't mind." She says that with a certain look in her eye. One that said "If you make moves on my girlfriend I will end you." She smiled as he nodded his head. Good, he knows that making any moves will earn him far more trouble than it's worth. She didn't think he would, but it's better he knows just to be sure.
The three of them had fallen into idle chatter. He had been occasionally giving his input. It was nice, they brought him into the conversation but didn't force him to stay longer than he liked. Slowly his thoughts drifted to Iruka-sensei's speech from yesterday. About why they became ninjas. His reasons had changed from the time he entered the Academy, going from trying to make his family proud to trying to earn his revenge and revive his clan. Six years ago it was inconceivable that he would be driven by a need to kill his brother.
"Hinata, why did you become a ninja?"
"To lead the clan and to protect Naru-chan. She is the main source of my strength and my drive." Her tone was surprisingly serious. He nodded her goal hadn't changed in the six years they've been classmates. If he had to guess it would remain her goal for the rest of her life. He could respect the drive it gave her.
"And what about you Naruko?"
"Originally it was just because Hina-chan was going to be a ninja. Now it's because I want to protect Hina-chan and myself. What about you Sasuke? Why did you become a ninja?" She had changed like him then. Not for the same reasons or to a similar goal, but she had changed too. He supposed that was something worth respecting, finding a reason to push forward when previously she had none.
"Originally it was to be like that man." He could tell from their expressions that they knew he was referring to his brother. He was silently thankful that they didn't ask. "Now it's so I can get my revenge."
"Then we'll help you with it." The red head says smiling at him.
"What?"
Hinata speaks this time. "We're teammates now, Naru-chan and I have gotten revenge in many forms against those who hurt her, so I don't see a problem with helping you do the same." Naruko nods agreeing with the other girl.
Sasuke doesn't respond, he had never considered help. If nothing else Hinata had gotten stronger than him with the aid of a friend and a drive for revenge (and protection, but that's less important to him), at least that what it seemed like to him. So maybe it has some merit. Well he has something to think on now.
The three eat their lunches in relative silence, with the occasional chatter between the two girls. They soon finish and head back inside to wait out the last five minutes for their new sensei to arrive. Truth be told lunch had been nice. Sasuke wasn't actually the brooding jerk he seemed to be. Naruko had a suspicion that it was more a result of people annoying him. The three sit together again, not seeing a point in separating, not that she and Hina-chan would have anyways.
Five minutes later 7 jonin walk into the room and call for teams 1-6 and team 9. Naruko finds it amusing that all the bland kids got taken out first. It's about 10 minutes after that another three jonin walk in. The first is a bearded man with a cigarette in his mouth. He seems to have a lazy attitude about him and had somewhat of a resemblance to the Hokage, though his skin was more olive than the old man. He wore the standard jonin vest and had two trench knives strapped to each leg. He wore the black variant of the ninja uniform underneath. He also had a sash with the kanji for fire around his hips. The man certainly carried himself like he was powerful. Despite the lazy attitude there was a sharp look in his eye that just screamed danger. Naruko couldn't help but feel that he would easily be able to take on all of the seven previous jonin, at the same time.
Just behind him was a stern looking man with one eye. He had his forehead protector covering the other. He had gravity defying silver hair and pale skin, from what little he showed. He also wore the standard jonin vest but had the Navy blue variant of the ninja uniform. Lastly he wore a mask that when combined with his forehead protector covered about 75% of his face. Naruko realizes he's the man who had been giving her a clock on her birthday every year since she was five. Naruko wondered just why he bothered to give her presents, he never did anything else in her life and the only conversation she ever had with the man was about how it's important to always try and be on time or early if possible. Speaking of wasn't he late? Or maybe this group of jonin were supposed to arrive second? Naruko didn't know. Much like the other man he had that same air and look of danger. The man wasn't overtly carrying anything dangerous. He seemed to just have standard equipment but she was just as certain that he was powerful.
Lastly a woman with long black hair and crimson red eyes walked in. The woman's eyes sent a pang of nostalgia through Naruko, but she wasn't sure why. The woman had pale skin and didn't seem to be carrying any weapons, but she likely had some hidden on her. She wore an odd dress that looked to be made of bandages with thorny vines patterned on them, but upon closer inspection the bandages were something different. Underneath she could see a small amount of mesh and cloth that seemed to also work as added clothes, acting as a sleeve for the dress, much like Naruko's kimono (the other name for her dress), now that she thinks about it. She completed this newly formed trinity of dangerous looking jonin. She had that same aura of danger that made her sort of want to run away. What Naruko found much more interesting was that she sort of felt safe near the woman. It was a strange paradox, like the woman was incredibly dangerous, but she would protect her despite that.
"You nine are the lucky ones." It was the tan man who spoke up.
"Or the unlucky ones depending on how you look at it." It was the woman who spoke this time.
"We're the three elite jonin who signed up to be sensei this year." This time it was the one eyed man.
The tan man speaks again, "Which means you nine, as the only ones left, get us as your sensei. And all the benefits that come with. Now then Team 10 you're with me." He walks out of the room, they would have to follow on their own. The trio of childhood friends quickly exit the room in a hurry after him. Well Ino does while dragging Shikamaru who doesn't seem to care.
The man with a spike of silver hair speaks next, "Team 8 you're with me, you have five minutes to get to the roof, if you're late by a single second you'll all be punished." The man disappears in a poof of smoke. The team scrambles after the man not eager to find out their punishment for being late. Well that was inline with what Naruko knew of the man, he was all about punctuality it would seem. He may not be wearing his ANBU mask but hair like that was fairly identifiable.
The woman speaks to the three remaining kids. "Well I guess we can stay right here, I'm going to be the sensei of Team 7. So why don't you introduce yourselves to me. Just state what you like and dislike, along with your hopes for the future. I don't need a report on your skills, I'll be testing that later. Oh and I guess you should state your name, just because I feel like it." Something told Naruko that the woman already knew who they were and their skills. Iruka-sensei had said earlier that the Elite jonin had designed the teams right? So clearly the woman must have some idea. Sasuke took the initiative and went first.
"I'm Uchiha Sasuke. I like tomatoes, and I dislike most other things, I will kill a certain man and restore my clan." They had heard it earlier so it was nothing new to Naruko. She did mean it when she offered her help. They were teammates and could be friends, and friends help each other.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruko and I love Hina-chan and ramen, I also like gardening and rabbits." She had never understood the fondness for rabbits but she just couldn't help it. "I don't like people who hurt me, or mock my relationship with Hina-chan, I also don't like it when my forehead is covered. I want to be able to protect Hina-chan and one day make her my wife!" Hinata speaks up after that.
"I'm not going to be your wife, you're going to be mine."
"What's the difference?"
"You'll marry into my family and not the other way around."
"But what if I want to restart the Uzumaki clan?"
"We're both girls, we can't have kids together. I know you know that, and do you really care about restarting the clan?"
"Not really, but I still don't get why you can't be my wife while I'm yours."
"Think about it this way, when we get married someday I'm going to fill the role a husband would traditionally fulfill."
"Do you want me to be a housewife? Or is this a subtle way to try and tell me you wish you were born a man?"
"You're cooking is great and while I think I would love to always have you around the house, you would go stir crazy if you had to be in the house most the day. I'm going to make you my wife and I'll fulfill the role expected of a husband but you're already weird so you can be my weird wife. And no I'm perfectly happy being a woman." Naruko nods accepting that answer.
"You do realize you're just as weird as me if not more so, so I think we'd have a weird marriage too." Naruko didn't really understand but if Hina-chan wanted her to be the wife then she would be the wife. Their sensei gave them a look and Hina-chan introduced herself.
"Oh right, well I'm Hyuuga Hinata and I like my family, flower pressing and flower arrangement, along cinnamon buns. I love Naru-chan the most. I don't like people who mock Naru-chan or our relationship, nor do I like my families caged bird seal. I'm going to be head of the Hyuuga clan and as stated earlier I'm going to take Naru-chan as my wife."
The jonin speaks up, "I don't really mind but aren't you two a little young to be thinking about marriage?"
"Not really, according to Kaa-chan she had thought about marrying Otou-sama only a month into dating, even if it actually took them five years to get married. Just because we're thinking about it and talk to each other about it doesn't mean we're going to go turn in the form right this instant." Naruko nods and adds.
"Not to mention we are legally adults now and could get married if we so chose, and we love each other. So is it really that weird to think about it?"
The older woman speaks up. "No I guess not when you put it like that, I was really more curious to see how you'd defend yourselves. Most young couples in love simply say they will never break up and that it's meant to be."
Sasuke finally speaks again, bored by the conversation about his teammates relationship, and says. "Sensei you never introduced yourself to us."
"Oh I'm aware I was just waiting to see if any of you would ask. I'm Yuuhi Kurenai, I'm an Elite Jonin. I enjoy spending time with my friends and practicing Genjutsu." Naruko's got excited at that. She had made little progress in Genjutsu so having an Elite Jonin who is presumably skilled in it would be a massive help. "I dislike shinobi who look down on women and homophobes."
"Oh sensei are you gay too?" It was Hinata who spoke up here.
"No but one my closest friends is dating my best friend and both are women. Fortunately it's not an issue in most shinobi villages and in some capitals, but outside the village you two will find a lot more resistance to your relationship, as do most shinobi and gay people unfortunately." Having answered the question she continues. "I've already accomplished my goal in becoming an Elite Jonin so my current hope for the future is to turn you three into formidable ninja and an unstoppable team."
Sasuke speaks next. "It never really got explained in the academy. What exactly are the requirements to becoming an Elite Jonin?"
Naruko had a decent understanding of how Konoha ranks its ninja. Obviously the lowest are Academy Students, followed by Genin, then Chunin, then Tokubetsu Jonin (this is also where most ANBU are in terms of strength), then Jonin, then Elite Jonin, and then of course there is the Hokage. But she was also unsure of the exact requirements to move from Jonin to Elite Jonin. "An Elite Jonin must have at least Jonin level proficiency in six ninja arts, three of which must be the three core ninja arts. Beyond all that they must also have an S-rank mastery in at least one ninja art of their choosing. Alternatively they drop two non core ninja arts or one core ninja art for every ninja art they are S-rank in beyond the first. Although there is only one Elite Jonin in Konoha who meets that criteria. Generally an Elite Jonin ranges in strength from high A-rank to anywhere in the S-ranks."
Naruko couldn't help but ask, "So what are you S-ranked in? And what about your other three ninja arts?" She hoped it was Genjutsu, given that the other the woman had said she liked to practice it, but Naruko acknowledged it could jut be a hobby.
Kurenai chuckles and says, "That's something I'm not going to tell you yet. Because you three, are not really genin yet."
"So there is some kind of extra test then?"
"Exactly right Hinata, I'm going to test you three tomorrow to see if you are worthy of being trained by me. If you fail you three will be sent to the reserves and will be forever locked out of becoming jonin, and will only be allowed to reach the rank of chunin through field promotion. And if you really fail I might just kick you out of the program." Naruko doubted they would be barred from being ninja. There would be massive political fallout if that happened to Hina-chan as the heiress of the Hyuuga clan and she doubted Konoha would let go of the last Uchiha that easily either. There could be a small chance that she would be kicked, but it seemed unlikely given that the Hokage had tried hard to convince her to be a ninja and to aim for Hokage. He wanted her to be a ninja, she doubted she had a choice really.
"When will we be meeting tomorrow?" The raven haired boy asks.
"Be at training ground 14 at 8am if any of you are late by even a minute you will all fail. Konoha does not need ninja who are incapable of arriving on time. I'd recommend you don't eat tomorrow, wouldn't want you to throw up." And with that the woman was gone.
"We're eating right?" Hina-chan didn't need to ask but Naruko knew it wasn't truly directed at her.
"Oh yeah for sure." Naruko had starved once and she never wanted to do anything resembling it again. It's part of the reason she learned to cook. Not because she's apparently going to become Hinata's wife (she still doesn't see why the way they say it matters), but because after having had to eat trash at one point just to survive and going days without food as well, she would go out of her way to make sure she eats things that taste better regularly.
"Didn't Kurenai-sensei just tell us not to eat?"
"No she recommended it, she had intentionally been dropping hints that entire conversation about what to expect. Iruka did too." The white eyed girl had picked up on a few things.
"Like what?"
"She already told us her S-rank specialty is Genjutsu, by saying she likes practicing it in particular. Iruka had told us genin teams are always made of three genin and one jonin, and when Kurenai said we would all fail if one of us is late she reaffirmed that. Whatever it is we either all pass or all fail. She also stated her goal is to make us formidable ninja which implies she wants us to pass so she can train us." Well she didn't have absolute proof, but they're ninja they had to work off assumptions all the time.
"She also gave us ammo to distract her with."
"What do you mean Naru-chan?"
"She said she dislikes homophobes and sexists right? Well what if we have Sasuke just act like he's both. If we all pass or fail together then the test will require teamwork right? Not to mention she said she wants to make us stronger as a team than we would be individually" That's why she said unstoppable as a team and formidable alone, she can see where she's coming from now. "So we'll likely be fighting her to some effect, she had intentionally left out most her skills so she can surprise us with them. So I figure if we have Sasuke bait out a negative reaction we could sneak attack her while she's distracted."
Sasuke speaks up now. "She also told us the training ground and then left before it's even noon. We could likely have tested today, it's not like we did anything strenuous so it's likely a chance for us to set up traps in the training ground." The two girls nod at his logic. Then they all smile, a plans coming together.
Kurenai was impressed, she hadn't moved from her spot, merely casting an invisibility Genjutsu to make it seem like she left quickly. The kids easily worked out a lot of what the conversation had hidden within. Of course she'd have to teach them to scan their surroundings first before talking about their plans, they have a Byakugan user right there and didn't even think to check, but that can be forgiven. They are still inexperienced genin, and haven't had time to learn that lesson yet. Hopefully she can drill it into their heads before they have to learn it the hard way.
If their showing tomorrow is even half as good as this though she's confident they'll pass with flying colors. She smiles as the three kids leave to go set their traps. She'd let them set them up without her spying. If only to positively reinforce the good thinking. If she knew where all of them were it might send the message that traps and preparation isn't useful.
.
.
.
She was glad the Hokage kept his promise.
It had been painful, being separated from Naruko all those years ago. The girl was her little sister in all but blood and being forced to give her up to an orphanage that abused her. She knew full well about the time she spent on the street. It's only because of the Hokage's direct orders that she didn't break her deal and go back to caring for the girl (of course by the time she found out the girl was already living in an apartment).
She had worked so hard. Going from a mere chunin to one of the most powerful ninja in Konoha and the most powerful Kunoichi actively serving. She had gone on mission after mission running herself nearly ragged but it was worth it. Naruko may not remember her, but she had managed to reunite them. She could once more take part in the girls life.
And what a life she had. She was happy to see how much the girl seemed to be enjoying her life now. She wasn't entirely sure about Hyuuga Hinata but the girl clearly made her little sister happy. She was somewhat worried about the Hyuuga clan trying to do something, they weren't exactly well known for their kind attitude towards outsiders.
Well she would deal with that when the time comes, for now she wanted to go home and mentally prepare herself. She would truly be seeing just how far the girl had come tomorrow.
Hinata stretched her hand out. It had started to cramp a bit from trying to make not one but three detailed maps of their training ground. Each member of team 7 would get one and on said map was the locations of all of their traps. It was their individual jobs to memorize the maps tonight so they don't get caught in their own trap, and so that they know where to potentially bait Kurenai-sensei into following after them, assuming the woman would be going on the offensive at any point.
"We're going to head to Ichiraku Ramen to celebrate graduating. If you want to come with us you can." Naru-chan says while looking at Sasuke. Hinata really hoped the boy said no. She didn't hate him, he had been polite enough with them and hadn't acted arrogant or stupid, so she certainly had no problem with him as a teammate. Hell she specifically requested that he be put on the team when they were signing up. But she knew Naru-chan actually wanted to be his friend, and that meant dedicating time that would have otherwise been reserved for Hinata. She missed her alone time with her girlfriend already.
"Maybe some other time." She wondered if he just wanted to get some space or if he had picked up on her internal pleas. Realistically it was probably the former.
She and Naru-chan nod and wave the boy off. Hinata watched him like a hawk as he slowly left the training ground. Satisfied with him out of sight she practically jumped Naru-chan. She needed a taste of those soft lips.
She didn't give Naru-chan a chance to question why she had been glomped before Hinata had taken her lips with her own in a searing kiss. She quickly snaked her arms around the smaller girl and pulled her in close. She can feel Naru-chan get on her toes making it easier for them. The redheads arms wrap around her neck and Hinata decides to take it further pressing against Naru-chan's lips with her tongue. The girl acquiesces quickly and she quickly reenacts the kiss from last night. Hinata keeps the kiss going for what feels like ages before she finally breaks away, panting.
"What brought that on?"
"Do I need a reason to kiss you?"
"No not really, but you typically build it up more." Hinata tended to add more drama to the kisses, leaning in first and feeling the other girls breath on her lips as they would near each other, she liked to think it made it more romantic. Of course when she had been deprived as she had been today, she felt it was justified in her haste. Of course looking at the red tinting her girlfriends cheeks she thinks it was worth it.
"You ready to head out?"
"Almost." Naru-chan stood on her toes again and initiates a kiss this time, it's short and sweet. "I love ramen but personally I like your lips better when they taste like cinnamon." Hinata felt the heat rise to her cheeks. She was sure she was as red as Naru-chan's hair. Every time her redheaded lover complimented her it felt like one more reason to pile on why she loves the girl so much. "Now we can go."
With that the two girls link hands and leave the training field making their way towards the ramen stand. Naru-chan is humming happily as she gently swings their hands back and forth. Hinata can't help but smile. She loved seeing the girl happy and nothing seemed to make her happier than going to Ichiraku Ramen with her.
Her thoughts turn sour as she thinks about the ramen stand. Not because the owners were at fault. Not really. The villagers at large knew they helped Naru-chan and went out of their way to make sure the stand got as little business as possible. They only managed to get by as a result of her father having learned what was going on. He gave her a small fund to always finance her girlfriends meals there. So every time they went they almost always cleared out their stock. Leaving just enough to ensure they can serve whatever other customers might show up, which is typically not many. Everyone benefited really. Naru-chan got to have a buffet every now and then. The Ichiraku got to stay in business without compromising their values. Hinata got to make sure her girlfriend was fed and got to see her adorable look of happiness. And her father got to protect old friends without making it seem like charity and he got to make her and naru-chan happy.
The elders of the clan didn't really care about the expenditures on the heiress as she had proven her ability, some had even claimed her a prodigy on the level of Uchiha Itachi or Hatake Kakashi. Hinata knew she was no prodigy, she just had a drive and couldn't allow herself to be weak, or Naru-chan would be the one to suffer. She had to be strong so that they could always be together, and she had to be strong so no one could hurt her girlfriend. She didn't care about being strong for herself, her sole purpose was to ensure that Naru-chan was happy, safe, and Healthy.
They arrived at the stand about twenty minutes later, having chosen to walk at a leisurely pace. Upon lifting the flaps and stepping in they are immediately greeted by the words. "Tou-chan, Naruko and Hinata are here!"
A laugh from inside calls back followed by the words. "One of everything comin' up, along with two extra bowls of miso ramen!" They had promised Naruko a feast for graduating and that's what they were going to give her. The red heads eyes were practically sparkling in excitement at the mention of all the delicious food she was going to get, it brought a smile to Hinata's lips, it was moments like this where she knew Naru-chan was truly happy. The three girls chat about their day for a few minutes before Teuchi calls out "Order up!" Ayame- steps into the stands small kitchen, which is hidden behind another wall so it's out of view of customers, they claim it's to protect their secret techniques. Hinata wasn't sure who would want to steal ramen recipes. Ayame comes out with two steaming bowls of ramen, she sets one down in front of each girl. Before heading back in and coming back with another two bowls, placing both in front of Naru-chan. If the girls eyes were sparkling before then they were absolutely shining now. One day she would make sure Naru-chan could always shine so bright.
The two girls say "Itadakimasu." and begin to eat. Well Hinata eats, Naru-chan inhales the food but that's the whole reason they're here. To give Naru-chan a treat. While they eat Ayame asks.
"So how did your team assignments go?"
"I got paired with Hina-chan!"
"Naru-chan, chew and swallow first then answer."
The red head does so this time before responding. "My bad Hina-chan. Oh and Nee-chan our third teammate is Uchiha Sasuke."
Ayame winces and asks, "I've seen his fan girls, he's gotta be quite the brat right?" Hinata knew the older girls opinion on Sasuke. She had said on multiple occasions that anyone who has that many fans for doing nothing can't be anything but trouble.
"He's actually not that bad, just a bit reclusive." The white eyed girl meant it, he had actually been quite pleasant, he was likely the best option they had, truth be told. She really didn't regret requesting him, even if the request wasn't the reason the three of them were paired together.
"Oh well that's good, I'm glad you didn't get anyone you dislike."
"Oh Nee-chan can you make something clear for me?"
"Maybe depends on what it is."
"How does it make a difference if I'm Hina-chan's wife or if she's mine?" Ayame looked at the white eyed girl and raised an eyebrow. She clearly understood the implication Hinata had been going for. Of course as much as she loves Naru-chan she knows the girl will never be one to pick up on subtlety on the first pass, or second, or third. She would get it eventually, probably in a few months when something else helps it click. Ayame clearly seemed to be questioning her reasons when she knew the exact same thing Hinata had just outlined.
"It means she wants to make it clear she's wearing the pants in the relationship."
"Well of course she's wearing pants, she doesn't like combat dresses." Hinata giggled. Of course Naru-chan didn't understand that either.
"No you misunderstand, its a metaphor."
"Oh, well what does it mean?"
"You're a little to young for me to tell you that, ask again when you're sixteen."
"Oh come on Nee-chan it can't be that bad." The two girls in the know smile. Of course it's not that bad, but Hinata wasn't about to explain it yet (it was more fun this way) and Ayame had already reconciled the fact that things pertaining to the relationship were first explained by her and then clarified by them if needed. Or at least Hinata hoped the older girl had, otherwise she might be silently outraged by Hinata's behavior, but that seemed unlikely. The Ichirakus weren't the passive aggressive types, they were blunt as they come.
Teuchi walks out with bowls of ramen in each hand and gives them to Naru-chan. "You wouldn't plan on marrying our Naruko without my permission would you?" He asks menacingly. Hinata shakes her head no and answers quickly."
"Of course not you would be the second person I ask." Naru-chan would obviously be the first. Hinata may not truly be afraid of the man, but he saw Naru-chan as his second daughter and was as protective as one might expect. And she didn't want to anger the man because she knew it would hurt the redhead if two of her favorite people were fighting. Plus he seemed to like it when she played up the whole 'scared of the protective father' bit, so she figured there was no harm in doing so. Truth be told Hinata suspects he knows that she isn't really afraid, but for whatever reason he never commented and she never asks. Of course acknowledging that they're playing the game ruins the game, so neither would if they didn't have to. Teuchi nods his head in approval and returns to the kitchen, there was still more ramen to make.
After that the four fall into a comfortable conversation while the Ichiraku family continues to make Naru-chan ramen. The white eyed girl moves to pay as Naru-chan finally finishes her last bowl and Teuchi shakes his head. "No this was our gift to you and Naruko. You don't owe us anything." Hinata tries to protest, this would be a huge loss for the family if they didn't pay, but the man stops her before she can. "Don't worry, we didn't use any of our normal stock for this, we bought a separate stock for just today and just for her. We've been putting money away for this for a while now."
Hinata nods not willing to push harder, it would be disrespectful to Teuchi's generosity. She settles for giving a small bow and saying. "Thank you for taking care of her all these years."
"You have nothing to thank me for, I was just doing what any good cook would do when he sees a starving girl."
"No! You took it farther, you protected her when I was unable to, you gave her a shelter, and you made her feel like she has a family. For that you will always have our gratitude." Hinata saw Naru-chan join her in bowing just a moment later. Hinata knew full well that the girl loved the family to death, she would wager that she herself was the only person Naruko cared for more in the whole village.
"Yeah Ojisan! If not for you and Nee-chan then I would have starved to death. You gave me a chance to live my life." Naru-chan lifted her head and flashed the family a smile, Hinata couldn't help herself as she smiled along, it was infectious.
"Get out and go have enjoy the rest of your night, you brats." The girls do just that, knowing he didn't want to be seen getting emotional.
"Are you alright Tou-chan?" Ayame asks in concern, she had only seen her dad tear up like this a few times in her life. The first was when he got the news Minato-san and Kushina-san died. She had been five at the time so she only barely remembered them but they had always been kind to her. They also seemed to be long time friends and customers of her dad. The only other time was when her Kaa-chan died, but she had been crying herself she could only barely remember his tears.
His voice was barely above a whisper as he says. "Minato, Kushina, are you watching over her? She's come so far. Your little girl you were gonna love to death is growing up. God I wish you were here to give her the family she deserves. I should have never had to find her starving." That was it, he broke out into full blown tears. "Ayame. . . Close the shop, we're done today." He couldn't work like this.
"Okay Tou-chan, take it easy alright?"
"Alright."
The three genin had arrived at training ground 14 at 6 am. Naruko brought breakfast for all of them. It was simply a banana for each of them, a few oranges and apples. More leftover rice and chicken. Along with a Tomato for Sasuke, cinnamon toast for Hina-chan, and a few homemade dumplings for herself. They're not as good as ramen but they're her second favorite food and can be made healthier without ruining the taste. She tried adding strawberries to ramen once, it was a terrible mistake.
After eating breakfast they reviewed their plan. They had all memorized the map of traps as promised. While discussing Hina-chan was helping Naruko put her hair up again. Sasuke seemed a bit confused but didn't question it. The two girls continued as if Hina-chan wasn't fiddling with her hair at all.
The plan was fairly simple, the girls would charge together against Kurenai-sensei and would likely be defeated in some facet. Sasuke would intentionally insult them, specifically being discriminatory about their sexuality and gender. He would then boldly proclaim real ninja should learn to hide and then he would dash into the forest. If all goes according to plan Kurenai would chase after him seeing as the other two would be defeated. Then the girls will follow her into the forest using Hinata's Byakugan to track them. The two would sneak attack the woman when the time was right.
"This plan seems a little unfair."
"How so Sasuke?" Hina-chan asked.
"If she gets really angry you're not going to be the ones it's directed at."
"Don't worry, if she really seems like she's going to hurt you we'll just admit the plan." Naruko nodded, that seemed fair enough. The plan wasn't worth risking their teammate. "But that's only if it seems like she's actually going to flay you. We would never want to admit something like that in a real encounter and I feel like Kurenai-sensei would judge us poorly if we did at the drop of a hat."
"Alright, I guess I can see your point." He still didn't seem thrilled, but he had said he would do it and Naruko could only trust that he would stick to his word. It benefited him just as much if the plan worked after all.
They had finished reviewing and revising the plan faster than expected so the trio decided to use the remaining time to train together. It didn't matter if they knew what the others could do if they didn't know exactly how fast and how consistently they could. For example she needed to give Sasuke a feel for how long it took her to take off her weights in a pinch, so that he could adapt to distracting an enemy for that long or longer. The list goes on.
Of course who knows, maybe Kurenai wasn't going to give them a practical test that involved fighting her, it was a real possibility that they spent that time doing prep work for nothing. Well it wouldn't truly be nothing, they had worked together and gotten to familiarize themselves with Sasuke's abilities and he had with theirs.
Kurenai arrived in the clearing with a puff of smoke. She quickly spotted the three kids and nods. "Good you all arrived early. I hadn't said it but this is something you should always try and keep in mind. If you aren't early then you're late." Of course she wouldn't have failed them if one of them arrived on time. That was personal belief and not a requirement for genin to pass, so it would have been unfair to test them on her beliefs when they didn't even know.
"Now then as for your test, you will have three hours to attempt capture me." She pulls out a glass ball from a storage scroll she had hidden on her. And drops it onto the ground, it shatters on impact. She then pulls out two identical balls from the same storage scroll. "As you can see these are extremely fragile, and I'm extremely clumsy. I have one more on my person. One of you will pass for each intact ball. Don't worry I won't intentionally break the balls to spite you, I'll try and protect them. But if you are reckless in fighting me then they will break. I'd recommend coming at me with the intent to kill. Begin." She would more or less be juggling these the entire time she was fighting the genin, assuming she at any point needed to use her hands against them.
Naruko and Hinata charge her quickly with the redhead moving faster and going for a drop kick. The woman simply side steps only to be met with a Jyuken strike aimed for her heart. She quickly tosses one of the balls in the air and grabs Hinata's wrist and throws her into Naruko. Good these kids were at least taking this seriously, she absentmindedly catches the ball. Naruko ducks underneath Hinata and dashes forward once more throwing a right hook at her. She moves to block the strike, but it was a feint as Naruko was really aiming to kick her in the side. Kurenai once more tosses another ball in the air as she grabs Naruko's wrist while lifting her own leg high and blocking the smaller girls kick with her shin. She had to admit it stung a bit, but nothing she hasn't faced before. The girl was definitely wearing weights. Kurenai had sparred with Gai enough time to know what a kick with weights felt like and this matched the feeling perfectly, albeit it held much less impact.
Naruko grabs onto Kurenai's wrist seeing the opportunity to grapple her. Hinata having recovered rushes forward and aims a Jyuken strike at the hand holding Naruko's wrist, Byakugan blazing angrily. Kurenai twists it snapping the wrist and making the girl eat the Jyuken strike. Naruko cries out in pain. Hinata looks at her in anger. The ball descends and Kurenai tosses her other ball up in the air to replace it with the old one.
"What? I told you to come at me with the intent to kill and you thought I wouldn't be willing to hurt you in return?" Hinata screams in rage and tries futilely to attack Kurenai. The woman throws the ball up and uses both hands to deflect Hinata's wild strikes. "You're too prone to anger, your concern for the demon blinds you. If you just cut your ties to her you could go much farther as a ninja." Hinata puts all her weight into a strike, only for Kurenai to easily sidestep the sloppy punch. She grabs Hinata by the back of her head and slams her into the ground face first. If the crunch is anything to go by she broke the girls nose. "The Jyuken requires the user to always keep their cool, it only works when you can calmly assess the body of the enemy and see what they are planning based on their chakra flow. You threw that away when you became enraged over that monster." She stuck a hand out and caught the other ball.
"God I can't believe I lost the Rookie of the Year spot to a weakling like you. I guess I shouldn't have expected anything better from a woman." Kurenai looked at him from the corner of her eye. He was either stupid or brave, possibly both.
"I'd watch yourself Uchiha, I won't hesitate to break your jaw."
"Please like a weak whore like you could beat the might of the Uchiha. You'd be better off if you just spread your legs so I could get started on rebuilding the clan."
"Ah I see you wish to be castrated instead."
"What afraid of a strong man, to tell you how you should act? I know your friends have an aversion to cock but I guess you d-" He's interrupted as a pale leg finds itself embedded in his sternum. He rockets back into the forest coughing up blood in the process.
"You wanted to know my three extra skills? I'll show you them first hand." She tosses a ball in the air and bites her thumb and wipes it along the vines of one of her bandages. It's revealed to be a sealing scroll as a sword pops out. "I'm fairly well versed in the use of Kenjutsu, you'll see first hand when I gut you." She walks into the forest after him, calmly juggling the two balls as she walks. She clearly needed to teach this kid what it means to know when not to run his mouth. She briefly wondered how many fingers were to many to cut off. She smiled, she had to get in that mindset if this is what they planned, it was a good chance to teach them how plans can go horribly wrong.
"You okay Naru-chan?"
"Yeah, just a broken wrist, how about you?"
"She broke my nose. I think our plan worked a little too well."
"I hope she doesn't hurt Sasuke too badly."
"It will probably be fine."
"All I can do is apply a healing salve to your wrist, it won't do much but it should ease the pain." Naruko nods and let's the other girl do so. In the mean time she sits in the lotus position, planning on using her nature transformation (that's what she and Hina-chan had taken to calling it having no better name for what she was doing). Apparently her whole body underwent a transformation she had been unaware of when she used it. She stills her breathing and body. She opens her eyes a few moments later, she felt like it's working, but she had no visible way to tell. Hina-chan looked at her and said.
"You're going all out then?" Good it worked.
"Yeah, lets go quickly and help Sasuke."
The two girls quickly head into the forest with Naruko in the lead, Hina-chan is scanning their surroundings constantly with her Byakugan. They find Kurenai-sensei just as she stabs her sword through the Uchiha's hand, pinning him to the ground. Naruko winces along with the boy as she sees it happen. She had taken to long to use her transformation. She needs to get faster so something like this doesn't happen again in the future. Kurenai-sensei's voice sent shivers up her spine as she spoke down to Sasuke.
"You're out of luck Uchiha, the moment you got stabbed by my sword it was game over for your clan of thieves. My second skill is in the use of poisons and this blade is coated in one made just for you and other misogynists. It will render you impotent by causing necrosis in your testicles. In other words by the end of the day your balls will have rotted off." Naruko didn't let the woman continue, she jetted forward and lashed out with a kick towards the woman's side. Kurenai-sensei managed to dodge it, but oddly it seemed like she still reacted as though she got hit, albeit only barely. Naruko hastily grabbed the ball as that she had been juggling, needed to keep these from breaking right? At the same time Hina-chan activated one of the traps and a volley of kunai are launched at the woman. She easily dodges only to find she landed on a false covering for the ground. She begins to fall into a pit they had dug. Inside were razor sharp spikes that could easily kill the woman from this height. Kurenai-sensei dropped the other ball and managed to stick to the wall using her chakra. The woman quickly flipped over onto the ground. Naruko winced as the ball shattered, she already knew it was a teamwork test, but still maybe letting them break was a bad thing.
Sasuke gave her no time to recover as he sent out a roaring fireball towards the woman. He was grimacing in pain as he had forced himself through the hand seals despite the stab wound that was quickly turning a sickly mix of purples and yellows.
"10 o'clock!" She could feel Kurenai-sensei's chakra enter the log. Wordlessly Hinata rushed towards it and began to throw a strike forward toward Kurenai-sensei just as she appeared.
"You're in my range of divination. Hakke Rokujūyon Shō!" She throws two strikes forward both aimed at the woman's torso. "Two palms!" She throws another two, these aimed at the arms. "Four Palms!" She lashes out with four more strikes all aimed at tenketsu in the woman's torso. "Eight Palms!" She sends out another eight strikes now deviating into attacking the legs as well. "Sixteen Palms!" She's now peppering the woman's entire body with welts from her attacks. "Thirty-Two Palms!" Her strikes had been speeding up the entire time and had become a blur. "Sixty-Four Palms!"
Hinata stumbled forward as her moment carried forward through the woman as she popped in a puff of smoke. What kind of clone was that? According to Hina-chan elemental clones could be easily detected by the Byakugan. "What?!" Her girlfriend was clearly as confused as she was. Naruko felt Kurenai-sensei's chakra reappear in the center of the training field just as the energy began to disperse.
"Her chakra is back in the center of the training field. But I think we need to get Sasuke to a hospital to remove that poison." As she was speaking the energy fully faded. She didn't have to say anything as she knew Hina-chan was aware of the difference in appearance.
"Are you saying we abandon the test?" Kurenai had used another Genjutsu to spy on the kids, she had quickly realized Naruko was a sensor of some kind so she had tried to make them think she wasn't still here by using another clone.
"She never said we couldn't leave and come back, if we hurry we might pass." This is true they technically could leave if they so chose. But it didn't matter.
"There's no need for that. You three already passed." The girls blink in surprise and Sasuke just stares dumbly, likely feeling delirious. She smiles, she had been lying when she said it was designed for misogynists and would rot his balls. Why would she have something specifically prepared for that? She wasn't about to go assaulting random citizens for having shitty beliefs, as much as she might want. No instead the poison just acted as a hallucinogenic that would slowly become more intense in nature as it spread through the bloodstream. Essentially the victim wouldn't realize they were slowly losing their edge until it was far to late.
"Kurenai-sensei, but we didn't capture you." It was Hinata who spoke.
"I know I merely told you that you needed to attempt to capture me. You three did just that. Not only that but you passed the secret test."
"What? Senju is the best?! That's a lie and you all know it!" Sasuke could barely tell what was happening. Kurenai held in the chuckle, she was tempted to leave him like this but that would be cruel.
"I should probably give him the antidote." That said she walks over and sticks a syringe into his neck (she retrieved it from one of the many scrolls on her person), a clear liquid being injected in. "He should be feeling better in about an hour." She clears her throat. "Anyways, there is a secret test to see if you three could work together as a team, even when you knew one of you would fail as a consequence. Here in Konoha we value teamwork above all else so if you failed to work together you would have failed together. By the way, you all need to work on your acting skills, Sasuke wouldn't have fooled a child with that act. If you're going to say something don't over exaggerate, I'll bet you two really thought I saw Naruko as a demon." The girls nod, she knew they had believed her, the anger in Hinata's eyes and cold apathy in Naruko's betrayed the fact that they fell for the ruse.
"But I can't blame you, my third extra jonin level skill is in manipulation and torture, I had been manipulating how you three would act since yesterday. And as you might have noticed, I never used a single Genjutsu that fight. That's because I intentionally spread information I wanted you to act wrongly on." Of course it just meant that they hadn't been prepared for a few things, it's not like it would have made a difference even if they did know better.
"So are you not S-rank in Genjutsu?" Naruko asks slightly disappointed.
"Oh no that's the truth, but it should be made clear no elite jonin is a one trick pony. Now then, seeing as you all passed I'll give you the rest of the day to relax. You may want to stop by the hospital before tomorrow so the med nin can patch you up. Meet here at 8am, I'll be breaking down our training and work schedule."
The three kids nod and make their way out of the training ground. Well Hinata and Naruko nod, Sasuke just sort of stare blankly. It was good that they took her message seriously and were the ones bringing Sasuke. He likely couldn't make it himself at the moment.
With a sigh she starts making her way to the Hokage tower, she had a report to give. Of course she tried to bury the giddy feeling of knowing that her sister had grown into such a fine kunoichi, a kunoichi under her tutelage.
The Hokage stares at the new Jonin-sensei in charge of the first academies students. "Team 1?"
"Failed. Recommendation, send them to the reserves."
"Team 2?"
"Failed. Recommendation, give them remedial lessons at one of the other academies and let them try again next year."
"Team 3?"
"Failed. Recommendation, send them to the reserves."
"Team 4?"
"Kick them out of the program."
"Team 5?"
"Passed. Will be beginning missions shortly."
"Team 6?"
"Passed. Training begins later today."
"Team 9?"
"Failed. Recommendation, send them to the reserves."
"You seven are dismissed. Now then you three." He says gesturing to the elite jonin in the room. "How did your teams do? I want full reports on my desk by tomorrow evening, for now just summarize. Now then Kurenai?"
"Team 7 passed. They showed exemplary deductive skills and teamwork. While they lack experience they already understand the value in helping one another and actually took the time to set up traps in the training field. Each one of them is already strong enough to be low chunin."
"Good. Kakashi?"
"Team 8 passed. They only barely did but they managed to pass the second half of the bell test. Their individual skills vary wildly. Kiba might be able to make chunin but Sakura is barely worthy of genin. Shino might as well be a chunin already."
"Team 10 passed. They have great teamwork and are already intimate with each others skills. They're only mid genin in strength but they've all got talent waiting to be dug up." That was no surprise, they were the new InoShikaCho trio for a reason. If they had poor teamwork then that would be a massive problem.
Hiruzen nods. It's not often that all the elite jonin end up passing their students. Last year Gai was the only one to do so out of four elites. This is a strong generation indeed. "Good, you're dismissed. I expect to see training reports every week and each of you here tomorrow for a mission." The teams trained by the elites were required to be reported on as they're considered a bigger investment of villages resources. Likewise they are required to take missions everyday except Saturday and Sunday, a regular team would only be required to take three a week. Well assuming they're D-ranks, if they are higher ranking then the normal required amounts are ignored for every week they're on that mission. Higher ranking missions also granted down time post mission so as to allow a recovery period, but that was fairly standard.
The three ninja salute their Hokage and then vanish in puffs of smoke. Hiruzen turned and looked out at the village from his window. He found himself wondering recently if his predecessors would be ashamed of him. He already knows Minato would be, the man was an idealist through and through. But the Nidaime was just as calculating and pragmatic as Hiruzen was if not more so. He was sure the Shodaime would be displeased, the man would have condemned him for having the Uchiha clan wiped out or for Naruko to be sacrificed for the greater good.
He had found himself feeling guilty over that more as time passed. But he had burned that bridge years ago and there was no turning back. All that was left to do was press forward, he had made his bed and he intended to lie in it.
Noihara Rin was proud of her career. She had become one of the greatest medics in the history of the village, second to only Senju Tsunade. At the young age of 18 she had taken over as the director of Konoha's hospital, and she had decreased the ninja mortality rate in the village from 10% to a mere 1%. She had done excellent work over the courses of her life and she was truly proud of it.
It was for this very pride that she smiled coldly at the nurse working the front desk. She had called her about some people causing problems at the front. As it turned out those people were none other than Uchiha Sasuke, who had an injured hand (a stab wound from a sword by the looks of it) along with Hyuuga Hinata and Uzumaki Naruko.
"Would you repeat that for me?"
"I-I said that the demon was causing problems and would further injure Uchiha-sama." The woman was clearly sweating bullets.
"How many times must we tell you that I didn't injure him?! Just treat him already how is this so hard?" It was clear Naruko was frustrated with the treatment.
"It's clear they're just under your demonic influence you little whore!"
"That's enough! Whether or not Naruko-san caused this injury is irrelevant! You have a patient in front of you who is inured, in fact he still seems to be bleeding, and you are arguing with rather than getting him treated!" The woman wilted with every word. "If this happens again then I will have no choice but to administer disciplinary action. I'm giving you a warning today. Don't make me regret that choice." She turned to the three kids. "Come with me I'll get you treated." The two clan heirs needed treatment, she found it a bit curious that the redhead seemed completely fine. If she wasn't mistaken they were likely coming from their genin test and if they were that beat up then surely their sensei would have hurt Naruko too. But who was she to say.
The three genin nodded and she turned, if they had any sense they would follow her. She took them to a bench and quickly began healing Sasuke. The wound was deep but she was skilled and quickly closed it. He seemed faintly interested in her technique but didn't make any comment. Then she turned the the Hyuuga heiress and similar quickly set the nose in place so it would heal properly. Hinata yelped in pain as the broken nose was abruptly moved. Now she began to actually heal it as the cartilage mended and the nose returned to normal. "Alright you three are good to go. Try not to get stabbed like that again, that could have rendered your hand useless. And if you do don't force yourself to use it, the stress is terrible for the tendons when they're already strained from the damage."
"Right, I'll try not to get stabbed next time."
"As long as you try."
"Thanks for the help miss. . ." Naruko was the one who spoke.
"Rin. Noihara Rin." She was sure Hinata and Sasuke knew her, she had treated them personally on multiple occasions. Clans had sway like that. Naruko was of course someone she was familiar with, as her sensei's daughter but she had never met the girl in person. She looked like her mother to a frightening degree, but she didn't seem to have the same temperament. "If people give you trouble here in the future just seek me out. I'm a healer first and foremost. If someone is injured I will heal them, and that's that." The trio nods and stands.
"Thanks for the help Rin-san." She nods and waves the kids off. She smiled as she returned to her office, it was nice seeing the kids. They sort of reminded her of her own team. Albeit the resemblance was only a mild one.
She opened her ever regal white eyes, the world around her was the same as it had been for the last dozen years. How long had it been since she was the one in control? Too long, it wouldn't last. It never did. But maybe she would finally get a chance to meet her. Only time would tell.
A/N So I've figured something out about myself. I can't take breaks. If I take a break I'm far more likely to not updates for months on end than I am if I just keep writing. This chapter was finished not only quickly, but I had a lot of fun in the process of doing so. So I guess that just means you all are in for a treat. Yay! Anyways I hope you enjoyed this chapter, we finally get to see a bit into the personalities of Sasuke and Kurenai, so them being tagged is no longer clickbait! Thanks a lot to everyone who read and reviewed last chapter I appreciate it a lot. I try and respond to every review with a pm so if you check your inbox there is good odds you have a message if you haven't seen it already. I also wanna give a big thanks to everyone for following we just hit 200! I can really feel the love and it does mean a lot, it's super encouraging to see that so many people (presumably) enjoy my writing.
On another note a mistake was once again pointed out to me this time in regards to the gravity test from last chapter. It was intended for the gravity to feel like it's doubled everytime the level rises but I said it was increasing by a factor of one, which means it's not actually changing. Chapter 4 has been updated to correct for this. To that same reviewer who pointed out the error, thank you very much I hadn't even realized I misunderstood the phrase and would have never noticed.
Oh by the way, I have no idea if anyone is interested but I went and uploaded the first chapter of a Fairy Tail fanfic idea that I had in my head for a while. It's more genderbending and more yuri so it's there if you're interested. I have no idea if I'm going to keep up with it, but it's there if you want a short read.
Until next time.
CM 02/05/2020