A/N: Yeah Im back, The combination of moving, broken laptop,writers block, imminent finals week, and life in general has been keeping me from writing so here is monster, i will work on Ascension next. So in short, Highschool sux, ill work on other stories soon, blah blah blah. enjoy

Naruto was running. He wasn't sure why or where he was going, it's like the need to run had suddenly overcome him. He had been trapped for so long, and now he was free. The wind was rushing through his fur. His paws were smacking the ground, causing small tremors. He was waving his nine bushy tails in pure glee. Then he saw a cluster of objects, not even the size of his paw, and he felt an overwhelming rage burn up from inside of him. He roared as small insects bit and struggled with all their might.

Naruto finally realized what they were, they were people. This was Konoha and he was attacking it. A man on a very large frog appeared, the Fourth Hokage. Naruto roared on the outside as he cried out on the inside.

XXXXXXX

Naruto sat straight up, sweating and huffing. Holding his face in his left hand and placing his right hand over his heart, Naruto managed to slow his breathing and reflect. The dream was hazy, but he could remember being some kind of animal. Why would an animal dream scare me so much? I used to dream about being a toad all the time. Naruto sighed, "No reason to let it bother me. I'd remember it if it were important anyways." That was when Naruto heard the door open.

Quickly retying his headband around his neck, Naruto went to investigate the noise. What he found was…

…amusing. "You know," Naruto called from the doorway between his bedroom and the living room, "I can do that myself."

Mai didn't miss a beat as she moved from watering one plant, to another. "I don't doubt your ability to tip the watering can, just your ability to remember to do it. A lot of plants die because Ninja aren't around to water them often enough."

"So you're going to come here every day to water my plants for me?"

"That's the idea, yes."

Naruto sighed, but smiled all the same. Checking the clock, Naruto noted it was only seven o'clock; he still had two hours before team assignments. "Have you eaten anything yet?"

"No, not yet."

"Then come on into the kitchen when you're finished, I'll make us something." Naruto said as he walked into the kitchen. He quickly went to the cupboard and removed the instant pancake mix, syrup, and peanut butter.

In a half hour, he had four pancakes on the table in front of him and Mai. "Itadakimasu." They both said before beginning their meal. It was a fast meal, both parties eating normally but finishing soon regardless. Afterwards, Naruto went to jump into the shower while Mai promised to clean up. About twenty minutes later, Naruto was staring at himself in the mirror.

He was wearing a black sleeveless shirt under a jet-black coat. The coat had a stiff collar and a crimson swirl design on the left shoulder. His heavy-duty shinobi pants were equally black with a pair of steel-toed combat boots of the themed color. His orange and red sword poking over his shoulder, adding a little splash of color to his dark ensemble. His headband remained around his throat allowing his unnaturally spiky hair to fall free. The good thing about this was that his strawberry blonde locks now shaded his eyes so that the red become unnoticeable unless they were intentionally looking for the color of his eyes. It was all finished off with a few choice scrolls strapped to his belt, crisp white bandages wrapped around his wrists and hands, and finally his kunai pouch strapped to his right thigh. Nodding at his acceptable appearance, Naruto strode out of his room, and after locking the front door, began the walk to team placements, emotions already hidden behind an apathetic mask.

XXXXXXX

Naruto had been in room 102 for about an hour and a half, when, ten minutes before team placements began, students began filing in. None noticed him, or probably just didn't care. He had arrived before everybody, including the teacher, plopped down in a chair in the back, propped his feet up onto the table, and began reading his scroll. He was left to his own devices until about five minutestill, that's when his more prominent classmates showed up. Sasuke was the first to appear. He marched up the stairs to the same table that Naruto was sitting behind, promptly sat down and proceeded to stare at the ceiling, ignoring Naruto completely. Naruto just yawned and continued reading. After Sasuke, the others just flowed in.

Chouji glanced at Naruto but said nothing. Kiba, thankfully, was too happy about being there to notice or care about the blonde. Shino nodded to him and sat down. Hinata gave him an odd look, like he was familiar but she couldn't remember, probably because of all of his personal changes, when he looked up, careful to keep his eyes shaded, she turned red and looked away quickly.

"What are you doing here Naruto?" asked a voice that, while mildly condescending, mostly just sounded lazy."This isn't for dropouts. You can't be here unless you graduated."

Naruto simply lowered his scroll so he could look at Shikamaru and raise his eyebrow. While inside he wanted to stand up and yell at Shikamaru to open his eyes and look at his headband. To see how he was the best, dattebayo! Wow, that's deeply programmed. Anyways, Naruto reached up and flicked his headband causing a small 'ping' noise, and turned back to his scroll. As Shikamaru was walking away, Naruto heard him mutter something about 'troublesome blondes'. Naruto couldn't help but smirk a little.

And that's when the rumbling noise began. Everyone, including Sasuke, looked at the door with a mix of mild curiosity and blatant distaste. Everyone knew what the noise was and wasn't very happy about it. Sakura and Ino burst through the door, and got stuck in the frame. Now this was a relatively wide door, letting in groups of four with no issue whatsoever. But neither Sakura nor Ino would allow the other to gain even a tenth of an inch advantage, causing them to be stuck in the now groaning doorway. Naruto rolled his eyes and turned back to his scroll.

"Hey dope. What are you reading?" Naruto sighed. Couldn't he just read in peace?

"Basics of taijutsu." Naruto grunted in reply.

Sasuke smirked. 'And insert arrogant comment.' Naruto thought. "Trying to catch up to me? Give up dope, I'm years beyond you." Sasuke said proving Naruto correct. Naruto didn't justify the remark with a response and simply continued reading.

"Is that Naruto?"

"Didn't he fail?"

"Why is he here?"

"He probably stole that headband."

"Loser!"

Advanced hearing was not helpful when everything anyone had to say were doubts and false accusations. Naruto was already breaking one of his rules, emotion was impossible to cover for him. 'Alright fine!'Naruto thought, tic marks appearing for every comment he overheard. 'scratch that rule. Emotion is fine but don't be an idiot.'

That's when someone grabbed Naruto and threw him into the aisle. And he even knew who, the 'out of the way Naruto' sort of revealed the rosette as the culprit. It was the last straw.

"Oi! What the hell!"

Sakura looked surprised for a moment, but then her expression turned to one of annoyance. "What do you want Naruto?"

"I want to know why you shoved me into the aisle!" Naruto kept yelling. 'So much for not looking like an idiot.'He thought.

"You were annoying Sasuke-kun. Why would you sit next to him anyways? He's so far above you." She said matter-o-factly.

Naruto just sat there and gaped at her. "Wha… what? I was there FIRST! HE sat next to ME!"

Sakura just scoffed "Yeah right Naruto. Go pull a prank or something." Naruto continued to sit there with his mouth hanging open before finally shaking his head. Standing up to keep himself from looking even more like an idiot, he collected his scroll and his sword, and plopped himself down next to Shikamaru, who was leaning back and waiting for it to start. With Sakura happily chatting to a silent Sasuke in Naruto's former seat, Ino silently sat on Shikamaru's other side. 'At least she just ignored me.' Naruto thought. It was then that a woman with dark black hair and light brown eyes wearing a Chuunin vest walked into the room. It was Iruka-sensei's replacement.

"All right listen up. I realize this team placement meeting is late and I'm sure you've all got questions as to why it took so long, where Iruka is, and who I am. I can only answer one." she said kindly yet in a way that you knew who was in charge. "My name is Moriko Yurei. I've been a Chuunin for three years and unfortunately, I will not have the pleasure of knowing you. However, I am here to assign you to your teams. Now, Team one…" Naruto zoned out after her introduction, as did most of the rest of the class.

"Team Seven, Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, and Hinata Hyuuga. Your Jounin sensei will be Kakashi Hatake."

"YES! I'm with Sasuke-kun! Love conquers all! Take that Ino-pig!" Sakura yelled, making the victory sign at Ino.

"But I wanted to be with Naruto-kun." Hinata muttered, disappointed.

'Hm, guess the old man decided to change up the teams after all.' Naruto thought.

"I don't get it." Shikamaru said, getting the attention of Ino and Naruto. "What's the big deal about Sasuke?" he asked. Naruto had to concur, why the big fuss over one guy who showed absolutely no emotion other than arrogance. 'Yup.'Naruto thought firmly, 'that settles it, rule three, out the window.

'"Team Eight, Kiba Inuzuka, Chouji Akimichi, and Shino Aburame. Your Jounin sensei will be Kurenai Yuhi."

Ino turned back to Shikamaru, "You're such a guy Shikamaru. I doubt you'd ever understand. I would hate to be on a squad with you."

"Team Ten, Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Naruto Uzumaki. Your Jounin sensei will be Asuma Sarutobi."

"Ha! What was that you just said about you hating to be on a team with me?" Shikamaru said with a lazy grin. Naruto chuckled softly at the exchange.

Ino slammed her head on the desk, "Are you kidding me? I'm stuck with the bum and the moron? Oh why, great kami? Why?"

Naruto frowned, "It's not a cakewalk for me either you know." Naruto murmured.

"What was that Naruto?" Ino said warningly. Naruto didn't reply, he just opened his scroll and returned to his reading. Then the door opened again and more adults walked in.

A pretty girl with a dress with one sleeve missing that appeared to be made of scrolls walked forward. "Team Eight, I'm Kurenai Yuhi. Please come with me." Chouji, Shino and Kiba all got to their feet and followed her out. Kiba was smiling like an idiot.

Next, a man with a Jounin flak jacket and a red sash walked forward. Taking out his cigarette, he said, "Team Ten, My name's Asuma Sarutobi, you're with me." Naruto, Shikamaru and Ino got up slowly and started following him out.

"Wait! Where's our sensei?" Sakura asked loudly. Asuma stopped and looked at the pinkette sympathetically. Shaking his head, he continued to lead his team out of the school.

XXXXXXX

"Welcome to training ground ten." Asuma said flicking away his cigarette. Looking down at his students, he was slightly disappointed. He had been hoping for the Ino-Shika-Cho trio but for some reason, his father had changed the teams at the last second. He was still confident that he could produce a successful team despite the unexpected circumstances. Speaking of his team, they were all sitting in the shade of a tree standing in the middle of a clearing. With a large pond off to the right and trees on every other side, the training ground would meet all the necessary requirements. "This is where we'll be taking your Genin test."

Naruto and Ino's faces changed to that of confusion. "But, aren't we already Genin?"

Asuma shook his head. "Passing the academy, honestly," his expression suddenly turned into that of contempt. The air felt heavy and a sense of dread permeated the area. The three would-be Genin didn't know it, but Asuma was intentionally directing his Killing Intent on the them. "doesn't matter. I don't give a shit whether you were the dead last in the academy, or the rookie of the year. To me, you're all a bunch of snot nosed brats who think they deserve my teaching." On the inside, Asuma was cracking up, but years of practice and promise of better laughs later on kept his outward expression dead serious.

'Why does this sound so familiar?' Naruto thought.

"I don't even really want a team, but the rules say I have to give you a chance. So here's what I'm gonna do." Asuma said, chuckling as he flicked away his cigarette and began stretching. "I'll pass you if…"

'Oh that's right; this is kinda like what I said to Konohamaru before I…'

"you can all survive the next hour. Begin" Asuma finished before disappearing in a blur and reappearing in front of Naruto and punching him hard in the face. Naruto flew back through the air until he finally landed in the pond.

'hit him.' Naruto thought as he floated down and softly touched the bottom. After a few moments, Naruto shook his head, planted his feet on the pond bed and pushed as hard as he could.

XXXXXXX

Ino was astounded; she sat there with her mouth open trying to wrap her head around what had just transpired. Her sensei just revealed that he could give a shit about them, in fact, that the only way for them to become Genin was to survive, against a Jounin! And his first target had been Naruto. She never really was close to him, or ever was nice to him, but the poor guy didn't deserve to be picked off by this psychopath because he had a dream.

She watched as Asuma slowly retracted his fist from the punching position. Smiling, he cracked his knuckles and turned towards her. "Are you next?" Ino felt wetness on her check.

'He's going to kill me now, I wonder if he'll be arrested or just make up some bullshit story.' Ino thought numbly, she could see her death happening in her mind's eye. It wasn't pretty. She closed her eyes and waited for the killing blow.

After a minute, she cracked an eye to see what was taking so long. Asuma's fist was stopped a mere six inches from her face. She blinked in surprise until she saw a look of strain on Asuma's face.

"Kagemaneno Jutsu, success." Shikamaru muttered. That wasn't really a surprise, even during the most stressful moments in the academy, Shikamaru kept his cool with a lazy air. That's when a large amount of water suddenly burst from the pond, and from the sudden geyser, a sopping wet Naruto appeared.

"THAT'S COLD DAMMIT!" Naruto yelled, momentarily reverting to his loud self. They all thought Naruto was now going to burst off on a loud monologue about he was the best and would be Hokage. How nobody stood up against him and lived. Instead, he began speeding toward Asuma, he made the cross sign with his hands and muttered something. In a low burst of smoke and barely audible pop, three more Naruto's were running with him.

'Solid clone's?' Asuma thought curiously.

'But, Naruto can't perform the Bunshin no Jutsu.'Ino and Shikamaru thought in sync. Naruto dashed to the right, one of his clones dashed to the left and the rest surrounded Asuma and drew their swords. Naruto picked up Ino while his other clone picked up Shikamaru and they took off.

The moment Asuma was released he went for the Naruto on his left, but they all slashed with their swords. They all missed. Asuma methodically dispelled every one of them with taijutsu alone.

"Now," Asuma said, patting some dust off his vest, "where did those brats go?"

XXXXXXX

"Naruto!" Ino yelled in surprise and embarrassment, "Put me down! I can run you know!"

"Not fast enough, he's a Jounin, we'll be killed in seconds if even tries." Naruto grunted, jumping from tree to tree to get away from their homicidal teacher. Ino kept yelling in exasperation (Or was it more embarrassment from being carried bridal style?) but Naruto tuned her out as he concentrated on running. Shikamaru, on the other hand, was laying limp, allowing the clone to carry him without an issue, but his mind was in overdrive.

"Naruto, how many clones can you make?" He asked finally, cutting Ino off in the middle of her tirade.

"A lot." was Naruto's reply. Shikamaru nodded.

"Can you make about some clones and have them hold a perimeter to warn us when he arrives?" Shikamaru asked, "I have an idea."

"How will I know he broke the perimeter?"

"Make groups of four and have them yell real loud if he appears and takes them down."

Naruto nodded and landed in a very small clearing. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." About twenty Naruto's appeared in a large puff of smoke and quiet pop. "Alright guys, form a perimeter, and yell if he appears." Naruto barked at his clones.

"Got it!" they answered enthusiastically before taking off in groups of four.

"So what's up Shikamaru?" Ino asked, slightly irritated still but calming down.

"I think this test isn't a life and death one, but one to see if we'll work together." Shikamaru said, sitting against a tree at the edge of the clearing.

"How do you figure that?" asked Ino.

"What's your first reaction when someone says they're gonna kill you, and they have enough power in their pinkie to follow through with it?"

"Run." Naruto and Ino answered together.

"Have you ever heard of a sensei killing their squad without repercussions? Ever?"

"No."

"Alone, we might as well stand still and let him kill us. Together though, I think we can take him, or, at very least, hold him down for the remaining time."

"Yeah speaking of which, how much time do we have left?" asked Ino.

Naruto looked at the sun, "About thirty-five minutes. So, Shikamaru, what's the plan?"

"Alright," Shikamaru said tiredly, "here's what we do…"

XXXXXXX

Asuma was visibly grinning. The redirection and extraction stunt Naruto pulled was enough to pass the team right there, not to mention Shikamaru protecting Ino with his Jutsu. It seemed that his team worked together without even thinking about it. Not that it was getting them off the hook. He still had twenty minutes to smack around his Genin.

"You're such an idiot Naruto!" He heard Ino yell.

"Why am I an idiot?" Naruto yelled right back. Asuma shook his head. So much for a well oiled team. He came upon a clearing with Naruto and Ino, red faced and yelling at each other while Shikamaru lied on the ground, seemingly asleep. Asuma wiped all emotion from his face except one of condescending with a glint of manic. A look he had seen on his enemies enough to duplicate it.

"Hey kiddies! If you're finished, I'd like to kill you so I can pick your bone fragments out of my clothes before lunch!" Asuma said brightly. A movement in the corner of his eye brought his attention to Shikamaru. The lazy boy was crouched with his hands in the rat seal. Asuma's eyes widened and he quickly appeared in front of Shikamaru and clocked him in the head, dispelling him in a puff of smoke. Asuma's eyes grew even wider. He quickly spun around, but suddenly froze up, his shadow attached to Naruto.

"Kagemane no Jutsu," Naruto said before another puff of smoke revealed it to really be Shikamaru, "success. Come on out Naruto." Naruto dropped directly in front of Asuma and drew his sword. The black blade was leveled at his throat.

"The way I see it, sensei, you have three choices." Naruto said darkly. Shikamaru and Ino couldn't see it, but Asuma had a clear view of Naruto's burning crimson eyes that seemed to glow in the dark shadow created by his hair. "You can pass us yourself," Naruto continued before nodding toward Ino, "you can have Ino take over and report to the Hokage herself about how we passed, or I can cut you. Your choice."

"You wouldn't." Asuma challenged.

"I'm not very good, but at this range, with no movement going on, you're like a training dummy."

Asuma sighed, before smiling brightly, "Congrats kids, you all pass with flying colors."

Naruto nodded and sheathed his blade over his shoulder. Making a quick 'cut it out' motion, Naruto began walking toward the clearing followed closely by Ino and Shikamaru. Asuma grinned, this team was awesome.

XXXXXXX

Naruto yawned as he walked next to Ino. After they had passed, Asuma took them to a barbeque place. They almost didn't let Naruto through the door, but a quick look from Asuma is all it took to shut them up. Shikamaru actually tasted some sake and got drunk off the first sip. Then he sort of passed out. That's when Asuma decided it was time to leave.

XXXXXXX

"Alright I'll see you two tomorrow. Remember to meet me at the training ground at eight." Asuma said while throwing Shikamaru over his shoulder, "I'll go ahead and take drunkie here home."

"Bye Asuma-sensei." Ino called after him. Naruto turned and began walking toward his house when he heard Ino clear her throat.

Turning around, he asked, "What's up Ino?"

"A gentleman walks a lady home." She said forcefully.

Naruto held up two fingers then put one down. "One, I've never been considered a gentleman. Idiot, moron, annoying, in the way, all of this will come out of people's mouths along with a few choice when asked about me, but not gentleman. Two," Naruto said before putting down his second finger and looking up at the sky, "it's the middle of the day."

Ino had a look of indignation, "It's a matter of principle Naruto!"

Naruto sighed. "Fine." He began walking next to her allowing her to subtly lead the way without actually being in front of him, keeping the illusion of him escorting her as opposed to the other way around.

'At very least I'll know where she lives now, that should come in handy one day.' Naruto thought while trying to keep from sighing in boredom. So this is how Shikamaru feels all the time. After about five minutes of walking, they finally made it to Ino's house.

"Alright Naruto, thanks. I'll see you tomorrow." Ino said stopping at her door.

"Yeah okay seeya." Naruto replied in a bored manner. As soon as Ino shut her door, Naruto looked left, then right, then up, before jumping ten feet into the air and yelling happily, "Alright, I'm on a team! Take that Kami!" He then turned upward and began flipping off the sky. That's when Ino's door opened back up and Ino popped her smiling head out.

"Oh and Naruto," Ino said brightly causing Naruto to turn his head around in surprise and horror, "I totally saw that." Then she laughed and slammed her door.

Naruto sighed.

XXXXXXX

Naruto finally trudged into his house. He didn't bother taking off his jacket, pants, or even his boots for that matter. He just fell into bed with an exhausted smile on his face. He didn't even notice the banner saying 'Congratulations Genin' or the black haired girl with a cake standing underneath it. And he definitely didn't notice the small smile on her face as she pulled his boots off for him and draped a blanket over him.

"Sleep tight, Naruto-kun."

A/N: so there it is. please review, i may sound like a broken record but i put it up here to see how people like it.

~W.O.E.