AN: Please read AN at end of chapter, also I rewrote the first chapter, though not entirely, so yes you will see some overlap here.

"Just do your best, do everything you can.
And don't you worry what the bitter hearts are gonna say."

~Jimmy Eat World- The Middle

Chapter 1

Kakashi sighed again as he waited for his team mates to catch up. He had promised Naruto he would be home in time for his genin test but what had started out a relatively simple A rank had quickly devolved into a spectacularly messy S rank.

He's going to kill me if I'm not home by the end of the day, Kakashi thought bleakly. Unless he was willing to leave his team behind he was going to have to resign himself to dealing with a very angry blonde. Granted I missed his last test because of a mission too, so that might have something to do with it. It was only an end of year examination but this is his genin test and if he wasn't forgiving then, I doubt he'll be now.

Kakashi's head snapped up and a kunai was already airborne when he recognized one of his ANBU.

"You know Snake, it's generally unhealthy to sneak up on people," Kakashi drawled as the ANBU caught his kunai easily and tossed it back to him.

"Awwww come on boss. Is that how you thank your relief force?" Snake teased.

"Relief force?" As Kakashi spoke three more ANBU appeared on the branches near her.

"Well it is the brat's test today and you were running late, so we've had teams on the lookout since."

"Great, so now all of ANBU thinks I'm incompetent…"

"Nah, you just have a tendency to be a bit late to things so we thought we'd assist you in overcoming that habit."

Kakashi's visible eye twitched and he growled a little, barely restraining himself from launching a few more kunai. Then he sighed. "Fine, but you better make sure they get back without any additional injuries or mental trauma. This last mission wasn't exactly a walk in the park."

"Sure thing boss."

With that Kakashi was back to darting through the trees, though a part of him kept up a running commentary on how disrespectful his subordinates were becoming.

Who am I kidding? In my seven year tenure Anko's never listened to a word I said that wasn't a direct order. Itachi was giving me parenting advice from day one and Hizashi was nearly old enough to be my father. Tenzou's the only one who actually listened.

Meanwhile Naruto anxiously awaited his turn to complete his jutsu test. The weapons test had been a piece of cake, and while some of the written had been harder than he had liked, he knew he had passed it. All that was left was performing his three jutsu.

And if I pass, nii-san promised to teach me the Kage Bunshin as a reward. I will make him teach me that technique.

"Uzumaki, Naruto."

He jumped as his name was called, only to grin as Sasuke walked by and gave a nod.

"You're turn baka. Don't take too long."

"As if aho. I'll be done before you know it," Naruto said as he walked towards the open door. Inside Iruka sat next to another one of the teachers.

"Ah, ready then Naruto?" Iruka asked with a tired smile.

"You bet sensei! Let's do this!"

"Alright start with the Kawarimi then," Iruka said.

Naruto quickly ran through the hand signs and replaced himself with one of the chairs nearby. Then he ran through them again and put himself back.

"Good, now henge," the assistant said.

Naruto thought carefully about it before turning into Anko-san with his henge. Iruka just groaned while the other assistant paled suddenly and started coughing.

"That's fine Naruto, you can let it go. Then demonstrate the Bunshin please," Iruka said even as Naruto let the henge go. Naruto took in a deep breath. This was his worst technique and he couldn't make any less than seven no matter how hard he tried, but Kakashi had told him that there was no limit to how many he made.

"Bunshin," Naruto whispered as the seven clones flickered behind him. Each was perfectly formed and Naruto let out a sigh of relief.

"Wow, we only needed three but hey," the assistant said with a smile. "Good job kid."

"You've worked hard Naruto," Iruka told him with a smile as he handed him a hitai-ate. "Congratulations."

"Thanks sensei!" Naruto said, barely restraining himself from tackling his teacher. After the Mizuki incident a few years ago, Iruka-sensei had really looked out for him. He hadn't even gotten that mad when Sasuke and Naruto had gotten into trouble.

"We'll get ramen to celebrate later this week," Iruka said as he ruffled Naruto's hair.

"Awesome! Ah, I gotta go! See you later sensei."

With that, Naruto dashed out of the room to where Sasuke waited.

"Took you long enough."

"Iruka-sensei was just congratulating me on how awesome I am," Naruto retorted and Sasuke just snorted.

"So how many clones?"

"Seven, but nii-san is supposed to teach me a new clone jutsu so I can get it down to one," Naruto said more seriously.

"Still, seven's not bad for you. I made five."

"Show off."

"I'll see you tomorrow for dinner right?"

"Yeah, tonight is supposed to be family stuff I guess. At least that's what nii-san said."

"My nii-san said the same thing. He said he'll teach me a new technique too, so we'll spar soon and test them out."

"Yeah."

Naruto waved as they exited the building and saw Itachi standing at the gates with Mikoto and Shisui. Sasuke walked over to his family, hitai-ate proudly displayed. Naruto tailed behind, though his was also already on display on his forehead.

"Still waiting on the lazy brother of yours?" Mikoto asked sympathetically.

"Heh, he always runs late. I'd be worried if he was on time," Naruto said, even if he was disappointed that Kakashi wasn't there yet.

"You'd be worried if who was on time brat?" a voice said from behind him. Naruto spun and jumped at Kakashi.

"Nii-san! I passed, I passed and I only made 7 clones and Iruka-sensei said I worked hard and he's going to take me for ramen sometime, and you made it!"

"Good job, and please make sure to breath. I'm not sure how I'd explain to the medic nins that you passed out from talking nonstop," Kakashi teased even as he hugged Naruto and then ruffled his hair. "Now, say goodbye to Sasuke and his family so we can all go home."

"Bye Sasuke. See you later Itachi-nii, Shisui-san, Mikoto-san," Naruto said with a wave. Kakashi nodded his farewells and then lead his charge away.

"Since Iruka-sensei is taking you for celebratory ramen, let's pick something else for our celebration dinner," Kakashi said. Naruto pouted but eventually relented and picked the yakitori place instead.

As they were eating, Naruto noticed that Kakashi's clothes were torn in places, and he was pretty sure there was blood too. Kakashi saw his glances and just smiled.

"None of the blood is mine, and the torn material isn't a big deal. The mission just decided act like a poorly made explosive tag."

"You mean it blew up in your face?" Naruto asked, remembering the time he had attempted to make a tag without supervision. His nii-san had not been happy with him.

"Exactly. But everyone came back alive, with minor injuries. I was a bit worried I wouldn't make it before your test ended though, so I didn't stop home first," Kakashi said.

"I'd rather you be a little late and make it back at all," Naruto said and Kakashi nodded.

"It's part of being a ninja. You know that. And I promised I'd always come back to you. So long as I'm still alive I will always come home."

"Yeah and you're the strongest ever right nii-kun, so you'll always come home."

"Maybe not the strongest ever, but I am strong, so just believe in me," Kakashi said, ruffling Naruto's hair gently. "You'll have to promise me to come back too now, you know. Pretty soon you'll be going on missions and who knows what will happen."

"I'll always come back nii-kun. I promise!"

AN: Ok guys, so before my normal author's note, I first want your opinions. I have currently about 15k words written for this story, however that's nowhere near complete. My advisors for school have decided they would like me to student teach this year (as opposed to next as was initially planned). So for the next two weeks, I'll be cramming for a test that I absolutely cannot fail, while being in class. And after that, I'll have two masters level courses at the same time. Would you rather I post what I have at one chapter a week or so until I run out (hoping maybe I get a chance to write but realizing I don't have a life until February again and even then I start student teaching in March so really no life for sure until the summer) or should I wait to post until I have more to the story written?

And now on to my regular notes. This story has had its outline redone about 50 times and I'm not joking when I say that. I debated graduating the kids early, changing team arrangements and all sorts of weird alterations before settling on the current plot. It was partly inspired by Team 7's Ascension by Eilyfe, which was a great version of a stronger team 7. Naruto isn't going to be super smart per se, but he was raised by Kakashi which has to count for something. At the same time, with Kakashi and Itachi still alive/around, I don't see either being willing to let their precious little ones graduate any earlier than necessary since they want them to not be child soldiers any more than necessary. Because of that, graduation age remains the same. As for team sorting, well you'll see next chapter

Giselle- you're always one of my first reviews so thanks for always reading. Sorry it took me so long ;p

Empty surface- sorry for the wait, I hope you'll find it as good as CN&P1

SoraHuuzuke- thanks so much for coming back!

ArdeaSpark- in all honesty it has 3 parts total, so hopefully I'll get off my butt so you guys can read them all lol.

Prescripto- Lol yep. They adore him so much they won't let the poor man retire. Thanks for coming back!

Uchiha'sLegacy- Sorry it took so long…honestly wasn't expecting to get slammed with school.

Azfaerydust-you wish is my command, at least until I run out . Fair warning, this arc is much shorter than the last, at least time wise, though the events themselves could stretch it out a bit.

Icebabe- thanks so much. Enjoy.

Darkhuntress- I say that all the time. The guy just can't get a break.

Silverdreams- me too! I love this particular AU XD.

Duchessme- this is a pretty direct continuation, though there are events that will need to be explained still as I never did quite finish all of my ones shots.

Kairilovessora- Again my humblest apologies for the wait. Life just seems to go rawr sometimes and I have no Anko to look out for me lol.

Kunohichi- coming up

Akinohikari-thanks! Hope it lives up to your expectations

Sanity and Katlin- Thanks, though I gotta say it's scary having so many people that like it… totally afraid I'll mess something up.

SailorGa-thanks!

Kaleesh- I hope I explained it better with the modifications in this chapter. Most schools have an end of year exam so that's what I was referring too.

Annabelle- lol I'm working on it!

Luzzy- Bro, brunette, either works. I'm just glad you love it.

Dreamlea- sorry this one is tech short. I'll post another one soon to make up for it.

Anyone who posted reviews on CNP1, I'll respond to them when I get off my butt and finish the next one shot for it but thank you thank you thank you for the reviews!