Emolette: New chappie!
Naruto: -groans- I hate you very much.
Sasuke: Back from Sakura?
Naruto: Yeah. After she fixed me up, she asked Gaara if he would like to eat lunch with her and he agreed.
Emolette: Yay! My plan worked!
Sasuke: So you asked Gaara to take Naruto to Sakura to play matchmaker?
Emolette: Yup! And it worked! Yay!
Naruto: -rolls eyes-
Sasuke: So, did you decide if you're going to pair me up with an OC?
Emolette: Too early to say. Now, let's see you and Naruto show your stuff in the genin exams!
Naruto: Woot! Let's go!
Sasuke: Hn.
Emolette: -angry vein and slaps Sasuke upside the head-
Sasuke: OW! What the fuck!
Emolette: -grins- That's better!
Sasuke: -grumbles-
Chapter Five
" Graduation "
It has been two weeks since Naruto and Sasuke went the Battle Tower and found the potions book. In those two weeks, Naruto has slowly been releasing his hidden knowledge and had even gotten a perfect score on a pop quiz while the class brainiac, Sakura, only got a 99. Sasuke has also made an effort to show his true self, helping a couple of his classmates who were having trouble with a jutsu and being nice to Naruto (though he always nice to him when not in public). Everyone who knew them got the crazy idea that the real Naruto and Sasuke were kidnapped and the two who were in their place were imposters, but they didn't have any proof to prove that.
On the Friday of the second week was the genin exams and everyone was both nervous and excited. Well, everyone except Naruto and Sasuke who knew that they were going to pass with flying colors. Maybe Shino too but it was difficult to know what Aburames were thinking since they were so quiet and stoic.
"Now, we will start off with a written exam," said Iruka that morning, holding up a bundle of papers and all the students groaned. "You have one hour to answer it. You may begin when you get your paper."
Naruto stared at the paper that was placed in front of him. It had simple questions (simple for him at least) and he answered all fifty questions in fifteen minutes. He set his pencil down and waited for Sasuke to finish. Five minutes later, Sasuke set his pencil down and Naruto tapped out a message.
"Took you long enough"
Sasuke smirked and tapped back a reply.
I'm not as studious as you'
Naruto smirked and returned to staring at the clock. Forty minutes and they'll go out to the courtyard to test their physical skills.
In the courtyard, the students were spread out and were chattering loudly. Iruka had to do his big-headed jutsu to quiet them down.
"Now," he said, clearing his throat with a small cough. "This part of the exam is to test your accuracy. When I call your name, come up to the ten meter mark and throw your weapons onto the target dummies."
Naruto rolled his eyes. This is more boring then I thought. He looked around for Sasuke and saw him surrounded by his fangirls as usual.
"Tch. They won't last ten seconds in a battle," Naruto mumbled to himself.
"D-D-Does that i-include m-me N-Naruto-k-kun?" said a soft voice and Naruto looked to his right to see Hyuga Hinata, twiddling her fingers next to him.
"Of course not Hinata-chan," said Naruto with a kind smile. "You're the only girl in our class who doesn't drool over Sasuke and you're also part of the Hyuga clan, so I'm sure your Jyuken is awesome."
Hinata's face turned into a tomato and she twiddled her fingers in shyness.
"Th-That's n-n-ot t-true," she said timidly. 'M-my cousin is m-much stronger th-then me and m-m-my father th-thinks I'm w-weak, so h-he tr-trains my little s-sister i-instead of me. H-He th-thinks I'm w-worthless."
"Don't say that Hinata-chan," said Naruto, putting a hand on Hinata's shoulder, therefore making her blush an even deeper red (if that was possible). "You'll pass the exams and you'll be a great kunoichi, unlike the other girls here. You just have to train harder and maybe you should consider learning some medical jutsus, so you'll be of even more use to your team. And also, don't be shy to ask your sensei for help. Prove your father, and everyone else who doubts you, wrong and show them you're strong, okay?"
Hinata looked into Naruto's cerulean blue eyes, forced herself not to faint, then nodded. Naruto gave her a fox grin and patted her shoulder.
"You'll be a great kunoichi," he said. "I know confidence isn't your strong point, but don't let that drag you down."
Hinata nodded again. "Naruto-kun, you've changed," she said and was surprised that she didn't stutter.
Naruto was surprised as well. "No I haven't," he said, letting his eyes show the sadness that he hid for a brief moment. "I just decided to drop my mask."
Hinata was about to say something until Iruka called out her name. "Hai Iruka-sensei!" she cried, taking a step forward but stopping and turning back to Naruto. "You know, maybe you should take your own advice," she said to the blond before she ran off to continue her exams.
Naruto smiled at himself. "Yeah, maybe I should take my own advice," he said and then turned to watch Hinata throw her kunais at the targets (each were a bullseye, btw).
Those who came from clans passed the accuracy test perfectly while a few others barely missed. The list went down and then came to the U's.
"Uchiha Sasuke," said Iruka and Sasuke went up to the mark with his fangirls cheering his name.
Sasuke casually put his hand in his pouch, then lazily flicked it toward the targets. With several soft thumps, kunais lodged themselves in each bullseye perfectly.
"Excellent Sasuke," said Iruka, making a note on his clipboard and the fangirls cheered and squealed Sasuke's name. "Next, Uzumaki Naruto."
The whole class went quiet as Naruto went up to the mark, fangirls glaring at his back. Naruto held up an empty hand above his chest, then brought it down in a sweeping motion. For a moment, everyone wondered what he was doing, until Naruto sighed and pointed at the targets. Lodged in each bullseye was a kunai.
I didn't even hear them go in! thought Iruka in amazement. "Uh, excellent Naruto," he said, shaking his head and making a note on his clipboard.
Naruto walked away with his hands in his pockets and everyone stared after him, even the fangirls who weren't glaring at him anymore. Sasuke gave Naruto a smile and Naruto returned it briefly.
Next was the taijutsu test. Each student was to go up to a sparring pole and spar with it using all the taijutsu they know. All the boys passed easily (with Naruto and Sasuke being on top because they obliterated their sparring pole in a blink of an eye), but almost all the girls barely scraped a pass save for Hinata who used her Jyuken and got a perfect score (her courage going up because of her little talk with Naruto). After the physical test, the class went back inside the academy for the final part of the exams.
Back in the classroom, the students waited for Iruka to call out their names before they entered the other classroom to perform the jutsus given to them. Everyone was noisy in the classroom and Naruto sighed, his ears hurting from the noise.
"Oi! Naruto!" cried Kiba, slapping Naruto on the back and making the blond jump and scowl. "You've really gotten stronger huh? What's your secret? Have you gotten yourself a sensei?"
"Eh, you can say that," said Naruto with shrug. "I'm smarter then you think Kiba." he added with smirk.
"Oh really?" said Kiba with his dog grin. "I'd like to fight you someday Naruto."
"Same here Kiba," replied Naruto and Kiba walked off with a smirk.
"Naruto-kun," said a timid voice and Naruto knew who it was.
"Hinata-chan!" said Naruto, looking around to see Hinata. "You did great on the accuracy test."
"A-Arigato," said Hinata with a blush. "Ano, may I sit next to you?" she asked.
"Sure," said Naruto and Hinata sat down. "See, you're gettiing less shy now."
Hinata twiddled her fingers. "I guess," he said with a shy smile.
"And you're not stuttering too."
"It's only when I'm around you though."
"Oh really? Then maybe I should be with you all the time."
Nruto chuckled at his little joke and Hinata blushed a deeper shade of red. Surprisingly, Naruto wasn't as dense as he let off. He knew hinata had a crush on him (who doesn't?) but he would like to be friends with her first and help her overcome her shyness. Besides, he was too young for love and had plenty of time for it in the future. . . assuming he doesn't die first.
"Uchiha Sasuke," said Iruka's voice and Naruto twisted his head around just in time to see Sasuke walked across the room. He gave his friend a thumbs up, got a smile in return, and then smiled back. Sasuke left the room and Naruto looked back at Hinata.
"Ano, are you and Uchiha-san friends?" she asked, twiddling her fingers shyly.
"Uh, you could say that," said Naruto, looking around and making sure no one was listening in on their conversation. "We've actually been friends for a long time now."
"Really? Then why is it that you always looked like you hated each other?"
"That's because we didn't want anyone to know that we're friends. It'll spell trouble for the both of us, especially me."
"Why is that?"
"It's . . . complicated."
"Oh, I see."
They fell silent, Hinata twiddling her fingers. Naruto sighed and put his hands to his face.
"I'm sleepy," he mumbled. "I wanna sleep."
Hinata was about to say something when Iruka called out Naruto's name. (a/n: That always seems to happen when Hinata has something important to say. Poor Hinata)
"But it looks like sleep will have to wait," said Naruto and he gave Hinata a smile before going into the next room.
Naruto entered the next room where Iruka and Mizuki, another chuunin, were sitting behind a desk that was laden with hita-ates. Iruka waited for Naruto to stand in front of them before speaking.
"Okay Naruto," he said, readying his clipboard. "You've done excellent so far. Now all you have to do to get your hita-ate is a bunshin jutsu."
Tch, a bunshin? That jutsu's the most useless one in the history of jutsus.
But even so, Naruto did the hand signs for the jutsu and the whole room was filled with Naruto clones, all having a bored expression on their faces.
"Impressive," said Mizuki. "I've never seen anyone make so many bunshins at once, except for the Uchiha. He did the same thing."
Naruto's bunshins flickered out of existence and he mentally smirked. Of course Sasuke passed. He's an Uchiha and happens to be the best friend of a certain jinchuuriki.
"Naruto, you have passed the genin exams," said Iruka with a smile. "I'm very proud of your progress. You may take a hitai-ate."
"Arigato Iruka-sensei, Mizuki-sensei," said Naruto, taking a hitai-ate and bowing to them before leaving.
Maybe I should've gone to some other village. It's so boring here in Konoha.
Sasuke was waiting outside for Naruto, tapping his foot just to have something to do. Those who have already recieved their hitai-ate were outside also, chatting with their friends and family. Sasuke envied them. They had a family, they had friends, they had a life, unlike him and Naruto. The two were marked and they can never have a life like the other children. Who knew that such a simple thing like not having a family can make someone so miserable? Naruto did, and so did Sasuke.
"Sasuke," said a voice and Sasuke turned to see Naruto, wearing his brand new hitai-ate.
"I knew you were goiing to get that," said Sasuke with a smile.
"Of course," said Naruto, smiling also. "You didn't think I'll put that idiot mask on again did you?"
Sasuke chuckled, but he stopped when he heard whispering.
"Look, it's him," said one female villager.
"He has a hitai-ate!" exclaimed another.
"What are those teachers thinking? Making him graduate will only get his hopes up!"
"And he's with the Uchiha boy. He'll only taint the Uchiha name even more."
"I say we do something about this. . ."
Sasuke glared at the whispering villagers who weren't even trying to keep their conversation private. How dare they whisper as if Naruto wasn't even here! If it was up to him, Sasuke would have those villagers locked up real good. Heck, if it wasn't for Naruto, those villagers would be rotting in the ground while the Kyuubi goes on a rampage. Naruto was, and still is, a hero!
Sasuke's hand curled into a fist as he glared at the villagers. Naruto saw this and he put a hand on Sasuke's shoulder.
"Don't worry about it Sasuke," he said, giving Sasuke's shoulder a squeeze.
"But Naruto," started Sasuke but he was surprised when Naruto gave him a smirk.
"Don't worry about it," the blond repeated. "The truth will get out soon. I promise, they'll find out soon."
Sasuke stared at his friend, then nodded. Naruto gave him a fox grin.
"Now, let's go to Ichiraku's! " he said. "I haven't been there in weeks and the old man and Ayame-nechan might be worried about me."
"Are you going to treat me?"
"Sure, but they'll probably give it to us on the house because we graduated anyway."
Sasuke smiled. If Naruto said not to worry, then Sasuke won't worry because he trusts his friend. His best friend.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sandaime Hokage of Ho no Kuni, was busy today as he was any other day. He was filing papers, reading reports, giving out missions and all that jazz. He felt that he really needs to retire for he was too old for this now, but as long as there is no Fifth Hokage to take his, and Yondaime's, place, he has to endure and do his duty.
Sarutobi's thoughts were interrupted by a knock on his office door.
"Enter," he said and he looked up to see Umino Iruka enter his office.
"Konnichiwa Hokage-sama," he said with a bow. "I've brought the list of the new genins that graduated."
"Ah, thank you Iruka," said the aged Hokage, reaching out and taking the folder that Iruka held out to him. "Is there anything else you would like to tell me?"
"Actually, there is Hokage-sama," said Iruka.
"Oh? Then tell me."
"It's about two of my students, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke."
Sarutobi stopped flipping through the pages of the list and peered at Iruka. "What about them?" he asked.
"It's nothing serious Hokage-sama," said Iruka but he still looked a little nervous. "But I think there's something up with them."
"Would you care to explain it to me?"
"Hai Hokage-sama. It started about two weeks ago. I was giving a lecture on the clans of Konoha and I asked Naruto to name these clans."
"Was his answer wrong?"
"On the contrary, his answer was right."
Sarutobi raised an eyebrow. To him, the day Naruto answers a question right is the day when the world stops turning.
"He got it right?" he asked, not believing his ears.
"Yes, he did," said Iruka, understanding that Sarutobi was having a hard time believing it. "I thought it was a one time deal, but then Naruto just kept answering question after question, even more then Haruno Sakura, and when I gave out a pop quiz, he got a perfect score."
"Are you sure this wasn't an imposter?" asked Sarutobi, still having a hard time believing this.
"I'm sure he wasn't an imposter," said Iruka seriously. "I know Naruto as much as you do Hokage-sama. . . or at least, I know the mask he wore."
"Mask? I see." said Sarutobi, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Naruto must've hidden his true skills to protect himself from the villagers. He was holding back all these years, so my suspicsions were correct.
"Sasuke on the other hand," continued Iruka. "He's changed also. He actually helped a few of his classmates with a jutsu and he's also being nice to Naruto."
Sarutobi's eyes went wide. What has the world become?! A smart Naruto and a nice Sasuke?
"And you're sure they're not imposters?" Sarutobi asked again.
"I'm sure," pressed Iruka. "Please take my word for it."
"Okay," said Sarutobi with a nod. "Who graduated the top in your class?"
"Sasuke and Naruto. They tied."
Sarutobi nodded again. "Thank you for telling me this Iruka. I'll give you the list of the teams tomorrow."
"Hai Hokage-sama," said Iruka, bowing to him before leaving.
What are they hiding? thought Sarutobi, stroking his chin. Something is up. Well, I trust that when they're ready, they will tell me.
Sarutobi returned to his work, putting aside the list for now. He had to evaluate a plan and he was sure that the person he had in mind would be glad to help him. . . he hoped. . .
It was late at night, nearing midnight probably, but Naruto still hasn't slept. He doesn't feel like sleeping at all and he felt restless. Even that sleeping technique Kyuubi taught him wasn't working.
"I'm bored," said Naruto into the darkness of his room.
Then go out and do something.
"But it's boring out there too."
Did I say go out and party or something? Just go out, be one with nature, go run through the trees until you're exhausted. Let the adrenaline pump through your veins. . .
"Okay okay, I get what you mean. No need to evaluate any more."
Naruto got up from his bed and open his window. A breeze let itself in and the coldness wrapped itself around Naruto, making his skin tingle. Naruto smirked as he jumped out of his window, his heart already pumping.
Yeah, this feels better.
Naruto jumped across the roofs and towards the forest where it was more fun because of the intwining branches that makes a perfect obstacle course. Naruto sped up and tested his reflexes, dodging the branches and landing on them with soft thumps. The rush of cold air piercing his skin like daggers and the adrenaline pumping through his body made him feel much better and the restlessness he had felt earlier disappeared. He now knew why he was restless all of a sudden; he wanted to rip off his mask and just bury it so he could be himself now, but he still had to wait for the right moment.
Maybe at orientation. I'll surprise everyone, but not too much to give them a heart attack. Dropping my henge might make them die of a heart attack, so I'll just use the name I was born with and maybe change my clothes. Kill me orange is not the ideal color for a ninja.
Naruto grinned, feeling even more better now, but that was short lived when he felt a presense head his way. He stopped in his tracks and immediately hid himself in the leaves and waited as the presense came closer. A moment later, a figure rushed by where Naruto was hiding and Naruto recognized him as Mizuki, the chuunin who was there along with Iruka at the genin exams.
What's that on his back, thought Naruto. A scroll and two giant shurikens?
Naruto nearly jumped as another figure rushed by him, yelling for Mizuki to stop. Naruto gasped when he saw that it was Iruka and he quickly and quietly got out of his hiding place.
What's going on? Did Mizuki do something wrong? Why is Iruka chasing him?
All these questions flew through Naruto's mind as he followed Iruka to know what was going on. He jumped through the trees for a few minutes until he came upon a clearing where Mizuki and Iruka were standing a few feet from each other. Naruto hid in the trees and watched them. He was too far to know what they were saying (he momentarily forgot about his enhightened sense of hearing), but judging by the expressions on their faces, Mizuki has done something and Iruka was angry at his friend. Mizuki didn't even look guilty for whatever he did. In fact, he looked like he was mocking Iruka. Naruto didn't understand, wasn't he Iruka's friend? Why was he acting that way?
Iruka's face contorted into an expression of rage and he reached into his pouch and threw some kunais at Mizuki. Mizuki easily dodged the the kunais with a smirk and he rushed up to Iruka and punched him hard in the stomach. Iruka dropped to his knees, his face now showing pain, but he had enough strength to swipe at Mizuki with a kunai, though Mizuki jumped away and landed on a tree branch. This time, Naruto was able to hear what the silver-haired chuunin was about to say.
"I'll finish you off once and for all Iruka," he said, unstrapping the giant shuriken on his back. "You were a such a nuisance to me and nuisances should be eliminated."
Mizuki held the shuriken behind him, then threw it with skill towards Iruka, who couldn't move because of the pain in his stomach.
"Iruka-sensei!" cried Naruto and he jumped out of his hiding place and appeared just in time to push Iruka out of the way. Both Iruka and Mizuki's eye went wide with surprise.
"Na-Naruto?" said Iruka, looking up at his student who he has never seen clad black.
"Iruka-sensei," said Naruto, standing up and not looking at his soon-to-be former teacher. ". . . Mizuki will pay for hurting you."
"N-No, Naruto!" cried Iruka. "You're no match for him! Run now!"
Mizuki, who got over his shock, started to laugh. "So, the used-to-be dobe is here huh? You want to save your precious teacher from getting hurt huh?" he said, sneering.
". . . You will pay for hurting Iruka-sensei. . ." said Naruto menacingly, hiding his eyes in his hair. Iruka could feel the killing intent radiating from Naruto, but Mizuki didn't notice it.
"Do you even know what you are boy?" he said, his eyes manic. "You're a demon!"
"No!" cried Iruka, his eyes getting even wider. "Don't tell him Mizuki!"
Mizuki laughed like a madman. "You were responsible for all the deaths that occured here twelve years ago boy! You were responsible for killing hundreds of ninjas! You were responsible for killing Iruka's parents! You wanna know why?"
"NO! DON'T TELL HIM MIZUKI!" yelled Iruka, tears already dripping from his eyes.
"BECAUSE YOU'RE - " started Mizuki but he was cut off when Naruto disappeared from sight then reappeared behind him.
". . . You shouldn't talk so much in a battle Mizuki nor give your opponent an opening," said Naruto before he twisted around and landed a hard kick on the side of Mizuki's head.
Naruto's foot made contact with sickening crunch and Mizuki flew through the air and crashed through three trees before slumping onto the ground, blood dripping from his head. Iruka was shocked.
H-How did Naruto do that?
Naruto appeared next to Mizuki in the blink of an eye, grabbed him by the collar and dragged him back to Iruka, throwing him onto the ground in a bowing position.
"Apologize to Iruka," said Naruto and Mizuki glared at him.
"D-Demon!" he spat but Naruto just smirked.
"Don't waste your breath bastard," he said, staring down at Mizuki who could now feel the blond's killing intent and was trying not to cower. "I already know what I am, what's inside of me. I knew years before you even became a chuunin. I know more then you think, and even some things you don't want to know. I've seen things that you don't want to see and I've experienced hardships that you don't want to experience. I doubt that a few worthless words like 'You are the Kyuubi's container' can deter me."
Naruto then grabbed a fistful of Mizuki's hair and forced him to bow his head towards Iruka, who was looking at Naruto with both awe and slight fear.
"Apologize to Iruka!" hissed Naruto and those words seemed to ring in the air.
"G-Gomen Iruka!" said Mizuki, his face showing pain because of Naruto's grip on his hair.
"Good boy Mizuki," said Naruto, letting go of the chuunin. Mizuki twisted his head around to glare at Naruto, but Naruto struck the chuunin on the back of the neck with the side of his hand, knocking him unconscious. Iruka still stared at Naruto, shocked, confused, and slightly fearful.
"N-Naruto," he said, not kowing what else to say.
Naruto went over to pick up the giant scroll, that was dropped by Mizuki, and he went back to Iruka and held it out for him.
"This is what you were after, right?" said the blond, looking at Iruka with no hint of emotions in his eyes.
"H-Hai," said Iruka.
Naruto set it down on the ground and turned away. ". . . I'd appreciate it if you don't tell anyone about what happened here Iruka. I'd like to explain to you, but now is not the right time. I will say this though; the Uzumaki Naruto you knew is not the real me."
And at that, Naruto disappeared in a swirl of leaves. Iruka just stared.
He had just had a glimpse of the real Naruto.
Emolette: Ooh, I made Naru-kun scary!
Naruto: Oh Kami! This sadistic girl made me scary!
Sasuke: I've seen scarier versions of you Naruto. but why did you make me nice?!
Emolette: Ooh, I made Sasu-kun nice!
Naruto: I've never seen a nice Sasuke. . . has anyone?
Emolette: I haven't seen a nice twelve-year-old Sasuke. That's one of the reasons why I made this fanfic. I thought it'd be fun to make a nice Sasuke.
Sasuke: -eye twitch and angry vein- Nice does not look good on me.
Emolette: -snuggles Sasuke- But it's so kawaii on you! Besides, you were nice when you were a kid.
Sasuke: -glare- Of course I was! I was innocent back then!
Naruto: So, what's going to happen in the next chapter?
Emolette: Team 7 forms! And Kakashi is introduced! And the bell test takes place!
Sasuke: Finally! I've been waiting for this. It was soooooo embarrassing to be buried neck-deep into the ground.
Emolette & Naruto: -laughs their asses off-
Sasuke: -glare-
Emolette: -wipes tears from eyes- Don't worry Sasu-kun, you're stronger, so that won't happen to you.
Naruto: -also wipes tears from eyes- I have a feeling there's going to be some Sakura bashing in the next chapter.
Emolette: Oh, you can count on it -sadistic grin-
Sasuke: Let's just finish this already and you get writing on the next chapter!
Emolette: Hai tachou! -turns on laptop and starts typing- Thank you for reading and review if you want!