Chapter 6!

So sorry for the previous chapter taking so long to be uploaded. Hopefully this one won't take as long. School is a drag. I hate HW, so I never do it. MY grades get bad every semester so I have to try harder. I'll try to make some time for my story. Enjoy chapter 6!

PS: I write these A/N before starting my chapter so I don't know when I'll upload it.

'FINALLY! After six months of boring lectures, I'm finally going to graduate!'

Today was the day the genin exam was going to be held and Naruto was more than prepared. He was so relieved about not having to endure anymore of Iruka's boring lectures. Don't get him wrong, he didn't have anything against him, he actually was quite acquainted with him. Since Naruto never actually tried during his tests at the academy he had fallen to dead-last in their ranks, so whenever he actually did good Iruka would treat him to some ramen at ichiraku.

Naruto had also made friends with the clan heirs that were in his class. Beside Hinata, he had made friends with shikamaru, choji, kiba, ino, and even shino. The first three were pretty easy to get along with since they already knew each other, but ino and shino were a different story. Shino had been trying to protect an ant hill from a bunch of nobodies, so Naruto helped him out by roughening up those little pricks. From then on out they pretty much hit it off as friends. Ino was a little different. She was a lot like the other girls in their class who fawned over sasuke, but she was also friends with shikamaru and choji. She joined them once for lunch and that's where they were acquainted. At first she totally despised him ,he figured it was because of sasuke, but when Naruto had complimented her on her looks and personality she blushed and thanked him. Ino became less hostile and took a little liking to the other blond.

As for sasuke. That was a lost cause. A few months back, after his defeat to Naruto during their match sasuke had been challenging Naruto to all sorts of challenges to prove who's superior. Naruto ignored his challeges and found quite annoying. But three months back sasuke's entire clan had been wiped out by his own brother. Sasuke had skipped a month of school at the hospital, recovering from the mental trauma. When he returned he was completely different. He always had a dark look on his face and he was always brooding during class. During lunch he would just disappear and only return when it was time for class. He had also stopped challenging Naruto and kept to himself.

Naruto had tried speaking to him a few times, but each time he would receive a glare or would just be flat out ignored. Naruto had stopped trying and chose to just leave the boy alone.

Naruto was currently heading into the academy to where the exam was being held. He had walked Hinata to the gate, since he had been walking her home for the last month, and told her he had something to do with Iruka. She had said it was alright and left. Naruto felt bad for lying to her, but he was planning on telling her after he got his headband.

He entered the exam room that was filled with a few upperclassmen awaiting their chance to graduate. They had noticed Naruto enter the room and looked at him questionably. One of them walked up to him and layed a hand on Naruto's head. "Hey squirt. What are you doing here?" he said, while ruffling Naruto's hair.

Naruto had grabbed his wrist and flooded chakra to his hand so he could toss the boy over his head. The boy was groaning in pain as he laid on the groung. Naruto looked down at him in disgust. "I should be asking you that. If that's all it took to take you down." Everyone was looking at Naruto either astonished or in fear. After a few minutes had passed Iruka had emerged from a room with a boy who was looking depressed. 'Poor guy probably failed.'

Iruka had caught sight of Naruto and called him over. "Hey Naruto. What are you doing here?". Naruto looked at Iruka confused as to why he would ask him such a thing. "What do you mean Iruka-sensei? I'm here to become a genin remember."

Iruka had a look of surprise but quickly wiped it off his face so Naruto wouldn't notice. "Oh yeah. Haha. How could I forget." On the outside he was laughing, but on the inside he was thinking really hard on what to do.'He was actually serious about that. Should I let him try. But its to dangerous for someone so young he might not have enough chakra.' He took a glance at Naruto and saw him beaming up at him with a smile etched onto his face. 'But he looks so happy. Heck with it. Just let the boy go for it.'

"Alright then Naruto follow me."

Hiruzen was going over some paperwork in his office as he awaited the test results of this years genin exam. He always like seeing who would be apart of the future generation of the village's ninja. He believed that the future of the village would have to be in the hands of the future generation. It made him think back on his times as a genin, when he was under the tutelage of the second hokage, Tobirama senju. There were good memories he could remember and the bad ones you'd expect in that time of war.

It was in those times that he was entrusted with the future of the village by his sensei. Becoming a kage in those times wasn't very ideal. Far from it. It was hard, challenging, and not mention stressful. Hiruzen even believed he grew a few early white hairs because of all the stress in those times. Or maybe it was just the smoking. In his old age he had become accustom to smoking and was even berated by his students about it. He laughed at the memories of his previous students. Before they were the legendary Sannin, they were his cute little students who were fresh out of the academy. They would fight at times, but there was always something about them that brought a smile to his face.

He wished they were still together, all three of them Tsunade, Jiraiya, and even Orochimaru. It saddened him how they broke up trough disagreement and separate ambitions. None of them even resided in the village anymore. Tsunade had left with her apprentice, a girl named shizune, and jiraiya had his spy network which kept him on the move like a hermit. His most gifted student Orochimaru had abandoned the village and was now a rogue ninja. At times like these he would always ask himself where he went wrong.

His reminiscing was interrupted by his secretary who had walked in with a small pack of paper he assumed were the results of the exam. "Are those our new genin?"

She nodded "Yes. They are hokage-sama."

"Leave it on my desk." She placed next to his ungodly paperwork and exited his office. Once she was gone Hiruzen turned his attention to the extra stack of paper that was laid on his desk. After a few seconds of pointless staring, he began to look through the possible genin that would be doing service for Konoha. He a bit pleased with the result and saw some promising ninja, but he brought to a halt at the name he had just read over at least ten times already. He seriously did not expect this one bit.

Name: Naruto Uzumaki

Age: 7

Height: 144cm(4'9)

Weight: 50kg(110Ib)

Brief summary: The boy shows great talent and has unbelievable stamina and chakra for a boy his age. He know a few of the required jutsu. Could not master regular clone jutsu, but knows the shadow clone jutsu and is able to make a fair number of them. He was also strangely referred to as dead-last of his class as informed by his instructor. Highly recommended for genin rank.

Even after reading all this word for word Hiruzen still couldn't believe it. He never expected Naruto to even try out for the exam. The boy had just entered the academy 6 months ago and now he's being recommended for genin. He still hadn't been able to speak with the boy, but now it seems he might have to. 'This is really unexpected. Naruto has really been hiding something from me there is no doubt. I think I'll go visit him later today after I get the team placements finished.'

Speaking of team placement, Hiruzen already had naruto's sensei in mind.

Kakashi had been going through his usual routine for some time. Well couldn't really call what he did a routine, since all he did was go to the memorial stone that was near the training grounds. He would waste countless hours just staring at the thing and thinking on his past failures. He failed to save his best friend, his teammate, and his sensei. It seemed like life just loved to make his life hell. Everyone around him just kept dying.

Why him? That was always the question he'd ask himself when he was drowning in self-pity. Why does he have to live and they all have to die.

He let out a sigh and began heading home. He really didn't like this time of year. It was around this time that he would be called up for a genin team. He hated getting a genin team. He had already failed a good number of them. They didn't have any teamwork and that ultimately brought them to fail his test. It was a test he himself took when he was a genin. When he would see the genin trying to pass his test on their own it would remind him of himself and his own team. He admitted that he was never a team player and never really got along with his own team. It made even more depressed remembering his previous personality.

He didn't know why the Hokage kept giving him a team if it always ended up the same way. Maybe the aged Hokage thought he would help him in a way, but kakashi was pretty sure it was just throwing salt on the wound. He didn't think he'd ever get a team that would meet his expectations... well not anytime soon that is.

He was interrupted on his walk home by an Anbu who had appeared before him. "Kakashi Hatake, the Hokage has requested your presence." He left without another word.

Kakashi began heading for the hokage tower and wondered what the hokage would want with him.

After his short trip to the hokage's office, Kakashi was now face to face with the third hokage who was giving him an unnerving smile. Kakashi was suspicious from the start and the stack of paper the old man was holding in his hand confirmed his suspicions. 'A new team.'

Kakashi mentally sighed. He was hoping this could wait till tomorrow, but it seemed that the hokage had other plans for him. Oh how he dreaded this day. He wish he could just go home and read Make-out paradise. Not stand here and be given another group of hopeless kids who dream of becoming ninja.

"So kakashi, I take you know why you were summoned." Hiruzen began.

"I'm getting another genin team." Hiruzen could here the distaste in kakashi's voice. It saddened him to see kakashi in such a dampened mood. But he regained his smile at what he had in store for the young man. "Well your half right."

Kakashi raised his visible eyebrow and begun to wonder what the hokage meant. They were in a deep silence for a short time before kakashi spoke his confusion. "What do you mean lord third."

"Well, you will be getting genin, yes, but it won't be much of a team." Seeing kakashi's distraught and still confused face, hiruzen chose to elaborate on the subject. "You will be getting a genin, but only one."

"One?"

"Yes. So maybe we should call it an apprenticeship."

"Apprentice? But why?"

"Well this genin is rather special." With that being said he handed kakashi one of the sheets of paper he had in his hand. What he saw on the paper surprised him greatly. It was a genin report, but that's not what surprised him. Seeing who the genin was sent kakashi's mind into a frenzy. He returned his gaze toward the hokage. "Are you serious about this?"

"Dead serious."

"But how did he even pass the exam he's only seven." Kakashi couldn't understand how this boy is even being recommended for genin. He knew who the boy I mean how could he not. The boy is his sensei's son. Naruto Uzumaki. During the early years of the boy's life kakashi had been assigned to watch over him but after he had been required to take on a genin team he couldn't take watch over the boy anymore. In those days he would see Naruto be mistreated in various of ways and it made him more bitter. He couldn't stand how the villagers were treating his sensei's son. Though he didn't like it he couldn't do anything about.

"That's what I've been asking since I saw the report." Hiruzen took a whiff of his pipe before exhaling the smoke and continued with his inquire. "I haven't kept an eye on Naruto for awhile. I'm planning on talking to him later tonight. So will you agree to be his sensei."

Kakashi stared at him for awhile and then let out a sigh. He scratched the back of his head as if unsure of his answer. "Well I'll give him the bell test and see how he does. Once he is done I'll make my decision."

"Very well. You'll meet up with him tomorrow at the academy. You are dismissed Kakashi."

Kakashi bowed his head and left the hokage's office. As he walked home he thought to himself 'This is going to be interesting'

Naruto was making a dash for the hyuga compound. The sun had just set and the village was shrouded in darkness. Their were barely no people outside. They were probably preparing for a good-nights sleep. For Naruto this was the perfect chance to meet up with Hinata and tell her about his new promotion. He was a bit reluctant at first to tell her because he didn't know how she'd react but in the end he realized that she was his best friend and he didn't want to hide this from her.

He knew this wasn't going to be an easy task since the compound was guarded by hyuga guards who possessed the byakugan. He hoped with the cover of the night would give him an edge.

Arriving at the compound he could already see the two guards that were at the gates of the complex. He knew this would be the easy part. All Naruto had to do was swiftly jump over the compound walls. But now he had no idea how to find Hinata. They may hang out a lot but he had never entered her home so he has no idea where her room would be. He figured Kurama might be able to help with this situation. 'Oi, Sensei could you give a little of your chakra to enhance my senses.'

'Why can't you ever do anything on your own?' Kurama sighed.'Very well. But make it quick. If those hyuga sense even a bit of my chakra, it'll be over for us.'

Naruto nodded. He closed his eyes and felt some of the fox's chakra seep into his chakra network. An instant later the world seemed clearer to him. His senses were increased to point beyond that of any human. Naruto used his nose to sniff out Hinata's scent. It led him to a window that was still dimly lit. Kurama's chakra receded, while Naruto slowly headed toward the window. He took a peek and could see Hinata, who was still awake, dribbling something down on a piece of paper. Naruto knocked on the window and watched as Hinata jumped at the sound.

She blushed at the sight of Naruto at her window. She walked over to open it and allow him inside. "W-what are you doing here N-naruto-kun?"

"Oh well, I came to tell you something."

"W-what do you want to tell me?"Naruto was beginning to get nervous. He couldn't bring himself to look Hinata in the eye. He let out a sigh. He dug into the ninja pouch he brought along and took out his new headband he got from Iruka. Hinata gasped when she saw it. "H-how'd you get that N-naruto-kun?"

"Well Hinata-chan, I sort of took the genin exam and passed." Naruto watched as an expression of disbelief adorned on Hinata's soft features. He also saw the surprise and worst of all the hurt. "Y-you took the exam and p-passed. B-but w-why?"

"I wanted to prove myself. I-I'm sorry"

"Why are you sorry? Naruto-kun."

Now it was naruto's turn to take on a look of surprise as he brought his head up to face Hinata. She had a few tears that streamed down her face but she was smiling. "Y-you shouldn't be sorry Naruto-kun. I'm happy that you can finally get the a-acknowledgement you deserve."

Naruto just kept staring. He didn't know what to say. He could feel a serge of happiness flow through his entire body. No longer able to contain himself Naruto caught Hinata by surprise when he scooped her up in hug. Hinata felt the blood in her body go up to her face as the heat adorned her cheeks. "N-naruto-kun?

"Thank you, Hinata-chan. You're the best."

She smiled and silently accepted his thanks. She enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms. Pressing her head into his chest, she closed her eyes and just soaked the moment in. How close they were, his scent, his warmth, everything. Ever since he saved her and they became friends she found herself becoming infatuated with her best friend. At first she thought it was just admiration, but as she began to hang around Naruto more often her heart began to throb and she grew more shy than usual. Soon she came to a realization that what she felt for him was more than friendly feelings. She still didn't know what to call it but she was sure these feelings weren't the feelings of friendship. Having him so close like this just proves her superstitions. 'Yes. I think I r-really do like Naruto-kun more then a f-friend.'

Sadly he had released her of their embrace and headed toward the window he came from. "Its time for me to go Hinata-chan. I'll do my best to become great. And I'll be waiting for you to join me... at the top." He gave her his foxy grin and disappeared into the night.

Hinata stared at the window and began to smile. 'Just wait, Naruto-kun. I'll be there. Right by your side ... holding your hand.' With a little blush, she went to her bed and turned off the lights. She then transcended into the dream world.

Naruto had returned home unnoticed or so he thought. Entering his apartment, he headed toward his fridge for a midnight snack. He was happy beyond belief. Hinata was happy for him and supported him. He couldn't ask for anything else. Opening his fridge, he didn't find much. Only some outdated milk and old instant ramen cup he never got a chance to eat because of kurama. 'I need to go grocery shopping later.'

"Shouldn't you be preparing for bed? Naruto-kun." said a voice behind of Naruto. Wasting no time Naruto spun around and had already launched shuriken at his intruder. The shuriken were easily caught by wrinkly and boney fingers. Sitting in one on a chair at his dinner table was Hiruzen Sarutobi. Naruto was infuriated with himself for not noticing the old man when he walked in. 'How could I let my guard down? Dammit!'

"Those are some pretty impressive reflexes for a seven year-old." Hiruzen spoke but Naruto stayed quiet and motionless. He continued staring at the man as if studying him. After a moment of silence he spoke up. "What are you doing here, Jiji?"

"Well I came to see how you were doing and to congratulate you on passing the genin exam. Its quite the feat to pass that exam at your age. So tell me Naruto what have you been up to?"

"Not trying to be rude, but that's none of your business."

Hiruzen only chuckled at his rather disrespectful comment. "Well I guess your right. I was just curious."

"What else do you want? I know you didn't come to meet with me this late at night just so you could ask about my well-being."

"Well I came to tell you about your team placement."

"What about it?" Naruto said uncaring

"Just that you'll be the only genin in it."

Now Naruto's attention was on the old man who just basically said he won't be having any teammate what so ever. "What do you mean I'm going to be the only one in it?"

"Just that. You'll be under an apprenticeship."

"Then who's going to be my sensei?"

Hiruzen stood up from his place and headed toward the front door. "You'll have to wait till tomorrow. See you later Naruto-kun and good luck." Grabbing the door knob, Hiruzen exited the small apartment and shut the door behind him.

Naruto laid on his bed and began thinking about what the Hokage had told him. 'Why did he wish me luck?' He sighed and turned to his side. He took off his headband and pulled the covers over him. 'I'll worry about it later.' With a big yawn Naruto finally submitted to his sleep.

Finally DONE! After 3 weeks of being AFK. I'm finally done. Sorry it took so long. GOT LAZY. ;)

Well I hope this chapter has brought you pleasure. I will be working on the next right away. Hopefully this time I can get it out earlier than this one. Oh and if there are any mistakes, I will go back and fix them. Its just I want to upload this right away so I won't revise it until later on.

IM OUT! PEACE!