Thank you for the kind reviews.

Unbeta'd. Please mind the mistakes.

This chapter includes first meetings, a lot of misunderstandings, and a look into the different lives of our precious team 7.

Konoha Academy

Class 2B sat restlessly. Iruka-sensei was out, retrieving the pile of paperwork that would decide their future. Taking advantage of his absence and the restlessness of their new rank, the students had broken off in social clusters. Most were surrounding a desk in the back, where Sasuke Uchiha sat with a smug look on his face and clearly enjoying the attention.

"That can't be true," Kiba exclaimed at him, "Your brother's really wanted by another hidden village?"

"Two," Sasuke corrected him.

"Lie!"

"Don't call Sasuke a liar, Kiba," Ino shot back.

Sasuke leaned back, arms crossed and nose up. "I'm going to be as good as him once I get out of this place."

The only four people who weren't fawning over the Uchiha found themselves huddled in a middle row. Sakura, Shikamaru, Choji, and Shino sat in that order respectively. Shikamaru, who could have been asleep for how alert he appeared, stirred with a sigh. "Yeah, only Itachi was an Anbu captain at your age."

He said it quietly, and even so, Sakura smiled from behind her book. Unfortunately, she wasn't the only one to overhear and The crowd around Sasuke went quiet.

"How troublesome," Shikamaru sighed again, his eyes still closed and his head on his arms.

Then came footsteps approaching at a leisurely pace that made Sakura's heart beat faster. She looked up between her bangs, which hid what she would call a large forehead, and then quickly back down to her book on basic Fuuinjutsu. Maybe if she stared at the diagram in her book detailing a steel sealing scroll a little harder it would pull her in.

"What was that," Sasuke sneered.

"Hmm?" Shikamaru mumbled.

"Are you calling me weak."

"No," said Shikamaru without hesitation.

Sasuke scrunched up his nose. "What?"

"But, you're a brat trying to live up to his brother's name and can't. Don't see a Jonin vest on you." Well, he didn't see much with his eyes still closed.

Choji shoved another handful of chips into his mouth to keep from laughing. Sakura gave him a sharp look because he clearly wasn't helping the situation any. And of course Sasuke took a step forward, clearly thinking of a violent end to this fight.

"S-Sasuke," Sakura whispered in an attempt to defuse the situation, "Please leave us alone."

Sasuke turned his glare on her and she turned white.

"Looks like forehead's trying to be a hero," Someone laughed. Another pitched in that Sasuke was just defending himself when they started it.

"Mind your own business, ugly," Sakura thought it was Ino who joined in the taunts but couldn't brave herself to look up to be sure.

Before anything could escalate, Iruka walked in oblivious to the flinch that rippled through them all. "Sorry about that," he showed off an impressive stack of files. "We had a last minute change. Back to your seats everyone. You may be genin but you're still in the classroom. Yes, you too Ino - no not next to Sasuke. We've talked about this."

The class returned to their seats. Choji gave Sakura a smile which made her feel a little less shaky.

"Now, I know you're all eager to find out who your teams are. So without further ado, Team one..."

Sakura hung off every name. There were very few that she would like to be placed with and her nerves grew jittery as they narrowed down. The likelihood of being placed with Shino or Shikamaru or Choji was growing but she didn't like that Ino and Sasuke hadn't been placed either. Clenching her fists tightly she decided to risk praying.

Not Sasuke. Not Ino. Not Sasuke. Not Ino.

"Team Seven," Iruka glanced at Sakura. "Haruno Sakura and Uchiha sasuke."

There was a collective groan in the class. Sakura turned pale and Choji offered her some chips, thinking she was about to pass out. She politely refused, suddenly unable to stomach anything.

"Your third member is a transfer from another unit. He will be here shortly."

Sakura didn't hear the other teams getting called out or even really care about the transfer student. She was too busy staring at her hands. Eventually, all the teams started to cluster together but Sasuke stayed across the room with his arms crossed in a clear pout. Sakura looked at Shikamaru with a pleading expression. "Can people change teams?"

He shook his head. "I don't think that everyone graduates. With any luck, you'll be returned to the academy to be placed differently."

Sakura smiled a little. "I don't think that would be too bad, at this point."

Eventually, Shikamaru got dragged over to sit with Choji and Ino. Shino left a little after that to sit by Kiba and Akamaru and Genji. The numbers in the class were off since Hinata dropped out two years ago. It seemed only Sakura had been really sad to see the quiet Hyuuga leave.

Sasuke sat in the top right corner. Sakura moved to be more comfortable in the lower left. Most of the instructors came for their students early on and eventually, it was just Shikamaru's group, Shino's group, and Sakura and Sasuke. Then after about ten more minutes, they too left.

Finally, the door opened and Sakura hoped it was their teacher to break the tense atmosphere radiating between them. A boy no older than them with hair brighter than the sun and blue eyes that forced Sakura to look away approach. He looked terribly young and far too thin in his oversized uniform with a Headband strapped to his forehead but that wasn't why Sakura couldn't keep eye contact. There was something in the back of her mind screaming at her, reminding her of some natural order and overwhelmingly she felt that he was different than them somehow. The backdrop of scuffed floors and scratched walls did nothing less than melt away leaving him as the only thing she could focus on even when she looked away.

This team was turning out to be a nightmare.

Moments Prior
Konoha Academy

As he was briefed for any mission, Naruto was given the outlay of the village, interest points, and people and what to avoid doing and saying to not appear suspicious. In all honesty, it felt like an undercover mission no matter how many times Master said it wasn't. It felt like he was supposed to mold himself into this 'Naruto' character.

Master told him to be himself in yet Naruto had no idea who that was. He'd only ever been Nomu before but Nomu was cold and relied only on instincts. But Nomu didn't feel right for Naruto.

Naruto had one thing he was sure came from his true self: he wanted to become the strongest and make Master happy.

The folders given to him less the one in his hand were sealed inside his jacket. As he leaped across rooftops -he wasn't ready to face crowds yet- he absorbed everything he could from the paper about his new teammates and Sensei. The teammates seemed rather ordinary. The girl had top scores but low performance results and the boy was well rounded but nothing compared to others he'd fought. Their Sensei had most of his history classified but Master himself praised Kakashi- albeit reluctantly- as a man to learn much from.

He was late getting to the tower. For the briefest of moments, he thought his team might have left without him.

This was the first time he'd seen a live Konoha Nin without a mask on aside from the Master. Did they always look this soft?

Something flipped in his stomach after a moment of studying the pinkette but he didn't dwell on it any more than he'd dwelled on the warm sun. He'd long since learned to ignore that constricting feeling in his chest. "Haruno Sakura? Uchiha Sasuke?"

The two straightened up, attention sharp. "Are you our teammate?" Sakura asked.

The tension was easy to decipher and it bothered Naruto. When Master was tense it was because he'd done something wrong. When he did something wrong he was punished.

So he grinned because that sometimes helped relax Master. He let his own shoulders drop and lowered the folder like sheathing a weapon. "Yeah. That's me!"

Sakura's eyes widened. Sasuke walked down to the middle row and gave him a drawn-out glance over. "You? But You're a baby!"

After a moment of recalling what the word meant- and still not understanding- Naruto crossed his arms. "My name is Uzumaki Naruto!"

"U-um Uzumaki-san," Sakura questioned. "I've never seen you before. Really… how old are you."

Master warned him to act like others yet not even a minute in and he felt different. It was like they were having separate conversations. "I don't understand," he admitted, growing almost sheepish and more so at his teammates returned confusion. Something told him it wouldn't go over well if he asked them what they were trying to ask. Naruto knew there were old people- like Master Danzo. But how was that measured? He tried a weak, "I'm not?"

"Hn," Sasuke rolled his eyes. "This team is turning out to be a disappointment."

(Disappointments were bad. He was trying so hard to be good-)

Sasuke continued. "You two are going to hold me back! I'm stuck with a stupid baby and a weak nerd. I bet they'll give me my own private Sensei when I tell my father-"

Oh! Naruto understood. Sasuke was disappointed because he thought he was weak. So then the natural course of action to disprove that would be...

The next noise out of Sasuke's mouth was far less distinguishable- and far less annoying to sine. Out of nowhere, Sasuke tripped from his position of lounging cooly as if someone had pushed his knees out from under him and he fell forward, knocking his forehead against the rows of desks in front of him with another loud groan and coming down hard on top.

Naruto started, honestly shocked. He had expected Sasuke to dodge as the masked monsters did, he'd even made sure his current was nice and blunt. Suddenly it felt like a bad idea to admit guilt. "Um… Careful. The winds a little strong, You were saying? "

Sakura widened her eyes and gave Naruto an incredulous look. Okay, apparently despite not knowing how he did it they had picked up on something.

"What-how- did you just-" Sasuke came up absolutely seething. The effect was only diminished by the large red mark on his forehead and chin and how he was laying across the tabletop. "Do you know who I am? You're going to be dead when my br-"

Then, the door opened again, and an older man walked through. Bland eyes, an unassuming posture despite- perhaps in regards to - his deep green Jounin vest. He gave them all a bored look and seemed only slightly perplexed as to why Sasuke was laying across the row.

Sasuke instantly got up with the dignity he had left. "We have a baby as a team member," He pointed accusingly at Naruto.

Their new Sensei struck an intimidating image with his tall stature and masked appearance yet all Naruto felt was relief. He knew how to interact with monsters better than the unmasked ones.

The monster- masked man- Sensei spoke, "Given that you are the same age, I'll just assume you're all babies."

Naruto was instantly confused again by the concept of age and Uchiha let out a noise both outraged and surprised. Sakura bit her lip hard to keep from giggling at the mixed reactions but the urge was Immediately stifled when Sasuke turned his glare to her.

"Do you have a problem with that," Kakashi questioned Sasuke.

"Ah, er..."

"Good. Now I don't feel like introducing myself yet to you brats. In fact, I was sort of hoping you'd just go home before I dragged myself away from something more important- and literally, anything is more important than being in the room with you babies. But oh, well, I'm getting paid for this so meet me at dawn by field 3. And don't eat anything. You will throw it up otherwise."

Then with a puff of smoke, he was gone without even introducing himself and before Sasuke can finish uprighting himself. Naruto blinked in his seemingly constant state of confusion. Their sensei seemed... reluctant? But Master had praised the man!

"Oi Uzumaki," Sasuke challenged as soon as they had recovered from the short and abrupt meeting. "How dare you make me look bad in front of my Sensei! And don't think I forgot what you pulled with that wind! What did you do? You wanna die punk?!"

Naruto whistled. "Uh, but it was just the air?"

The nonsense answer cause Sasuke to bristle further. "You think this is funny? Just wait until my brother hears about what you-"

"Brother?" Naruto interrupts with genuine curiosity. He's heard the word before - during a mission he thinks- but he can't remember what it means. It isn't a parent, he can deduce that but not much else because Sasuke answers in disbelief turned smug.

"My brother is Itachi Uchiha."

"Ah!" Naruto finally made the connection. It's easy because he knows Itachi indirectly as Master briefs him on everyone of importance. "Uchiha Itachi. Youngest Anbu captain and second strongest Sharingan user. Potential Hokage candidate. Three village bingo book entry. Highest bounty 20 million Ryo. He was born with you?"

Sasuke was so thrown by the reaction he couldn't formulate a response. By the time he recovered Naruto was already halfway out the door and moving at a brisk pace. It only took one look at the street- speckled with people as it was- for him to cower back. The rooftops seemed like the best mode of travel.

Before he could finalize his decision footsteps came at him. It wasn't the boy, he recognized from the footfalls, so he allowed his shoulders to stiffen but didn't turn around.

"A-ano, Uzumaki-san?"

The girl was jogging over to him. Blast, there went the rooftop escape. Easily he let a grin take hold of his face because that had seemed to put her more at ease earlier. "Hey. Haruno-san?"

She hesitated for a second, hands recoiling to her chest before exhaling, "Um, you can call me Sakura, if you want. S-since we'll be on teams and all." She tried to introduce again. "I've never read about people transferring."

"I'm from a different organization. I can't say much about it, sorry."

She stepped up next to him, hands instead intertwining behind her back. She leaned forward, peering curiously up at him through her bangs. "Why?"

For someone who reminded him of a deer, in the beginning, she was awfully inquisitive now. The question had him at a loss. Master just said to not talk about it and he'd never questioned Master. He remembered once Master said he was going to seal any bad words about the organization away on his tongue but the instinct- demon- kept him away.

(Naruto still doesn't understand. He would never say bad words about Master Danzo. Never.)

To buy time he decided to walk forward and she followed. He found it was easier to brave the strange looks if someone else was with him. So he focused solely on her when he finally shrugged, "Cause I was told not to I guess."

"By who?" Sakura furrowed her eyebrows when he shook his head. "I'll check the library."

Naruto laughed at that, finding it a funny joke. "What about you?"

"W-what about me?"

"Anything. Uh, any bloodline traits?"

She shook her head. "My parents are both average ninjas. I- I have um... I don't really know. Um... I read a lot. And Iruka-Sensei says I have good chakra control!"

Naruto couldn't tell if she was proud of that or not so he simply returned her smile.

She took the initiative to speak again. "It's nice." And waited for Naruto to ask what she meant before continuing, "To have someone like you on the team. I've been in the same class as Sasuke for years and he's… you saw."

What did he see? "Weak?"

Sakura laughed lightly. He flinched and tried again, "Teme?"

More laughter came. Laughter but no pain. How is it he's forgotten nearly everything about life before Root except for the pain that always followed laughter? That was why Master was different - he never laughed but still hurt him. This girl felt different too but it was because she laughed but didn't hurt. Something warm and comfortable, a feeling of importance squirmed deep inside him until he couldn't keep eye contact with her, mumbling an inarticulately and focusing on the dirt road in front of him.

"So where do you live," Sakura asked when he stopped to consult the folder from earlier.

"Um," Naruto glanced at his piece of paper. "An apartment in the west district."

"You seem confused."

"This is my first time there."

Sakura nodded, though she didn't understand. "Are your parents Ninja?"

Naruto shook his head. "I don't have any," and that was the truth because they're not the same. He's just a thing, a container, a tool but never a person.

"I'm so sorry."

"Why?"

He seems to be good at confusing her. When her shoulders tensed up he did the same. How should he backtrack now? "Um, I mean it's okay. I forgive you."

This time the tension doesn't melt away at his smile. But the girl picked up on enough to let it go. "Okay, um, well do you need help moving?"

"Moving what?"

"Your stuff."

"My stuff?" He asks. Then it clicks and adjusts his precious new jacket. "I'm okay wearing it, thanks though."

Naruto then thought how weird people were. Is it a cultural practice Master didn't teach him? A moment of consideration later - in which she's gone incredibly still and stopped walking- he holds out his free hand in a gesture to her dress. "Do you need help moving your stuff?"

This made her sputter a little, "What? No I- it' because you're moving I don't- Naruto-kun don't you have stuff to move from your old place to your new place?"

"I'm wearing it," He repeats again, this time motioning to his jacket.

Something seems to click because though she's still tense she relaxes a little. "You don't mean... Naruto-kun… Are you maybe wearing everything you own?"

He nods slowly and The disappointed tone in her voice made him lose his grin. Suddenly he didn't want to make this girl disappointed. "I was told to buy 'stuff' though?"

Sakura lit up. "Oh, I see! Yeah! I told my mom I might not be home until late. Can I help?"

He hesitated for the briefest moment but a single glance down the slightly more crowded shopping district had him quickly agreeing. "I was told to go to 'Samoi's?"

She nodded. "I know where that is!"

They walked together into a furniture store that had been on his Master's list. It's dark and the furniture on display is dusty and sun-faded. Naruto kept his head down and grew awfully quiet once inside, the shopkeeper staring him down. His only relief was Sakura's obliviousness to it all. Since he had no preference and had never used any of the items Sakura was talking about he let her take lead.

She found a nice fluffy white futon and a cherry table. When he admitted that price didn't matter she piled up on little bits he had no clue how to use but was too ashamed to say anything. There was a lot of cloth, including a large thick piece for the floor and some thinner ones she said to put on the windows. They didn't seem to serve any purpose but he took them.

"It's 30,000 Ryo," the shopkeeper said roughly when they approached the counter with the list.

"But," Sakura spoke up. "Shouldn't it only be 12,000?"

"It's 30,000," The shopkeeper was growing annoyed.

Naruto pulled out the scroll with the bank book and stamp, "Okay."

The shopkeeper waited until Naruto was done summoning and resealing the book before gripping, "Now get out! We'll drop it off when we get to it. And you better tell you-know-who that I kept my end of the bargain, you hear!"

Naruto nodded and left. He felt a sting of resentment, anger, and embarrassment. He didn't think his comment was unnoticed by Sakura but she had the sense to let it slide, if not the rest.

"What a jerk," Sakura complained. "He was charging way too much! We should have just gone somewhere else!"

Naruto shrugged. "Ma- I was told to go there. I don't think anywhere else will sell to me."

"Why?"

Naruto looked up at the Hokage monument briefly. Why, indeed. He'd killed a lot of people but never been in trouble for it? What difference did it make if he killed the 4th Hokage? Why was that different than when he killed the Ninja Master asked him to. He opened his mouth to ask but instead came, "It's nothing. Thanks, Sakura. I'll see you tomorrow."

He felt Sasura watching him as he disappeared to the rooftops. It felt a bit like running away, even to him.

Later that evening
Haruno residence

Sakura announced her presence as she walked inside her home. It was always warm inside, smelling slightly of spices that her mother left in a bowl on the kitchen counter. Instantly her mom came flying down the stairs, wearing a yellow dress usually saved for special occasions. "I met with the Hokage earlier!"

Sakura widened her eyes. "Why?"

Her mom wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "He was showing your Jounin Sensei around! Thank heavens your room was clean. Have you eaten yet? I'll heat up some leftovers- we need to make sure you keep your energy up now that you're a Genin. We're so proud of you dear-"

"I didn't yet," Sakura cut her mom off quickly as they shuffled into the kitchen. Now that she saw the food wrapped neatly on the counter she realized how hungry she was and how distracted she'd been with Naruto.

Her mom fussed about how important it was to eat properly now that she was a Genin, how many times can mom say the word genin in one sentence, she wondered with fond amusement as she took a chair at their modest dining table. "I- I met my team."

"Who were they," her mom asked from the kitchen. "Did you get assigned with that Nara boy? You know I wouldn't mind introducing him into our family one day-"

"Moooom, that's gross!" Sakura complained loudly, stamping her feet against the ground. Then more solemnly, "I was put on a team with Uchiha."

"That punk? Why I should go down to the academy and give Iruka an earful! What is he thinking-"

"But the other guy is nice," Sakura interrupted her mother before she really started to rant. "He's a transfer. From another organization."

When her mother continued to frown, not entirely convinced, she continued. "Need any help?"

"No, no, I'm almost done. And don't think you can distract me. I want to hear all about your new teammate."

Sakura leaned back so her mom could put the meal in front of her. "Well, he's a little strange. It feels like I'm talking to a child and he asks a lot of questions, but he knew how to reverse summon using a scroll and we don't learn that in the academy. And he kind of gives off this vibe like…" She placed her chopsticks down and crossed her arms, rice flinging across the table. She pushed her voice into an overdramatic ras, " 'I'm cooler than you even though I look like I'm 10' vibe"

Her mother laughed, "Sounds like quite a character. But look at you, a Genin and still making messes," she scolded and turned for the sponge on the sink. "What's this boys name?"

"Uzumaki Naruto," She said simply but then looked up when there was a dull clatter of a wet sponge slapping on the counter. "Mom?"

Her mom seems to hesitate for a long moment and Sakura read a mixture of fear and guilt in her mother's expression. Sponge forgotten she came around the table and knelt to eye level. "Sakura... that boy… I don't want you to be around him more than you have to. He's different."

"How?"

"He just is. Listen to your mother for once."

Sakura sighed and tried a different approach. "You know the shopkeeper acted strange too. I went with him to buy some furniture for his new place. The shopkeeper marked up the prices and was very rude."

"The world isn't fair."

Sakura grew frustrated and turned away. She hated it when her mother said that. "Well, maybe someone should change that!"

"My goodness, this ill-mannered girl..." Her mother scolded. But then she smiled and stood. "Eat up, get some rest. Show them what you can do tomorrow!"

Sakura nodded, still put off but suddenly determined. "Mh! Shannaro!"

About the same time
Uchiha residence

Sasuke was pissed and he took it out on the stupid steak in front of him despite curious glances from his stupid parents and his stupid brother.

He was upset to the point that he could barely see. Every single thing had gone to shit this day.

First, he was placed on a team with the weakest of the weak: a little boy that couldn't be even half Sasuke's weight and that annoying girl who jumped at her own shadow and hung out with that bully Shikamaru. If he is stuck with them for years then there's no way he'll ever catch up to his brother! He just knows they will slow him down.

Then their sensei came in after he'd tripped and disgraced himself and his only chance at making a good impression was ruined. All because of that blonde baby. And when he finally came home to vent he's instantly ushered to the dining table for a proper family meal. Not because he's graduated but because Itachi is finally home from a long mission.

It's always about Itachi.

"Don't worry, I think it's dead," Itachi breaks the tense silence and gestured to Sasuke's steak.

Sasuke turns his glare on his brother instead. "What?"

"Your steak. Did you think mom messed up and served it live?"

He really wasn't in the mood but one look from his father- who only noticed once Itachi spoke up- had him withering. "Hn," He leaned back and crossed his arms. With less confidence than he would have liked he turned to his father. "I got my team assignment today. I think they made a mistake..."

Fugaku took his time placing his knife and fork down on the table because heaven forbid he pay apt attention to anyone but Itachi. "Why do you say that?"

"Because I'm with the weakest brats ever! Can't you talk to the Hokage for me?"

"I'm sure it's not that bad," his mother pitched in with a warm smile contrasting the men in the room, "Our Hokage wouldn't waste potential like yours."

Later Sasuke would like to say he wasn't winning but he was. "They really are! They put me with Haruno. She's nothing special. All she does is read all day and she's rude to me! And my other teammates a no-name and I swear there's something wrong with him. He didn't understand anything we were saying and he's like half my size and he pushed me and made me look bad in front of our new Sensei and speaking of-"

"This boy pushed you?" His father spoke up.

Eagerly nodding, Sasuke elaborated. "Yes! He knocked me over and Sensei walked in while I was on the ground. Can't you talk to the Hokage for me?"

Fugaku glanced up at the ceiling with an exasperated look. "You're saying that a boy half your size pushed you over?"

Sasuke paled and fumbled to explain, "N-not physically. He pushed me over with the wind somehow. It wasn't even that strong of a blow I just wasn't expecting it at all. He's really creepy. He didn't even know what a brother was! Dad-"

Uncharacteristically- but a more common occurrence in recent years- Fugaku pinched the bridge of his nose. Instead, Itachi spoke up this time. "Little brother, try to think of this positively. Haruno- the girl correct?- she could become a wealth of knowledge and help you train. And you should never underestimate someone for their size, that has cost many men their lives at my hand alone."

His arguments seemed so weak now, as did his anger, but Sasuke hung on viciously. "But he's stupid."

"Is he from a good family?" Mikoto asks.

Sasuke smirks, "He's an absolute no name. He transferred from someplace or something. No ones ever seen him before and his name is Uzumaki Naruto. What kind of parent names a kid after fishcake?"

The reaction is mixed. Mikoto covers her mouth, Fugaku looks up from where he's been apparently praying for patience or something, and Itachi twitches in what Sasuke could read was stifled laughter. None of those reactions make any sense to Sasuke who stares like he's the only normal one in this family. "What?"

"Invite your teammates over for dinner tomorrow," Fugaku orders and even though Sasuke reads it as such he still repeats a "What?!"

"I think that's a lovely Idea," Mikoto supports and looks to Itachi for agreeance.

Meanwhile, Sasuke sinks in his seat. His family is the worst.

Late that night
An apartment

Naruto walked into the small apartment. Even though he was told to buy things to reduce suspicion of his upbringing it still made him uncomfortable- even with Sakura's help. He didn't understand the purpose of furniture and was glad that the apartment was still mostly empty when he got there.

So he took his clothes off and curled up into the corner against the cold wall. It felt damp in a way that his hallway never did but even so he thought, this is better. It still grew to be one of the most restless nights he could remember. Again he thought of his hallway and how it never had noise but this place was full of it. He could hear footsteps from the people next door, voices from above, someone laughing to his 6. It was so bad he thought his chakra might leak from him again in frustration.

A creature finally freed from his cage and all he wants is to go back. A container that desires containment. How pathetic. His instinct spat. Naruto shook his head adamantly. Come to me, boy. Come inside my cage. It's peaceful in here ke, ke, ke. You'd like it.

Sometimes it's so hard to ignore that voice.

He misses Master Danzo.

Author Notes:

Hinata is not forgotten and will reappear.

Reviews appreciated.