Chapter 2

I saw Naruto talking to Mizuki-sensei. He seemed confused at first, but smiled and thanked Mizuki. He ran over to me a few minutes later bursting with excitment.

"Tobio! Mizuki said there is still a way I can pass!" This was the first I heard of any extra tests.

"Really? What do you have to do? I didn't know they offered retests." He smiled knowingly, like he knew something no one else knew.

"It's a secret. But if you come to the clearing in the forest by the old academy weapon storage shed, I'll show you what I have to do!" He ran off before I could say anything else. I'll have to ask Sukima about that.

"Sukima, is there any other way to pass the genin exam besides testing at the academy?" He thought a moment.

"Nope, as far as I know, that's the only way. I should know, I've been a genin for a while!"

"You say that like it's a good thing! If you don't make chunin before I do, you'll never hear the end of it!" I joke with Sukima as we walk home, but on the inside, I am worried about Naruto. What is Mizuki planning?

Later that evening, I was searching fervently for Naruto. Earlier, I overheard some ninja mention a forbidden scroll being stolen. I don't know what is going on, but I need to find him. I finally reach the clearing and saw a worn-out Naruto holding a large scroll. It must be the missing one. As I was about to confront Naruto, Iruka beat me to it.

"Naruto! What are you doing with the scroll?" My best decision is most likely to stay hidden, so I crouch behind some bushes and wait to see what happens.

"Did I pass the test? Mizuki-sensei told me if I learned a jutsu from the scroll, I would pass!" I knew Mizuki-sensei was up to something! Moments later, the traitor shows up and starts talking about the attack on the village from 12 years ago. I wasn't around, so I don't know a lot, but one thing he said grabbed my attention.

"You are the Kyuubi!" I may not know anything about the attack, but I know Naruto is human. He may be different, but he is not a demon! I watch as Iruka takes a hit for Naruto and then the forest is filled with over 100 Narutos! I notice one next to me and jump in surprise. It's a solid clone! I watch as the clones all fight Mizuki and the forest is empty once more.

"Tobio! I know you are there! My clone saw you." I step into the clearing and see Naruto wearing Iruka's headband. Iruka explains to the two of us what really happened that night. "Tobio, do you hate me like the rest of the villagers?"

His question catches me off guard. "Listen, I have no grudge against you or what's inside you. My parents died at different times, so it's not the fox's fault. If anything, I want to help you reach your goal. We'll show those villagers how awesome you are!"

"But why? Why would you bother treating me like this? I never did anything for you..." Naruto looks both dejected and confused.

"Yeah, you did. You are the first person to actually acknowledge me. Everyone else acts like I don't even exist. Heck, I have a feeling if I didn't stand up for you, I would live the rest of my life forgotten in the background. You and I have one thing in common, we both long for acknowledgement." His face brightens with the first real smile I've seen him have on his face. He tackles me in a hug and Iruka takes us both out for ramen. I have a feeling my life is about to get a lot more exciting.

"Tobio! Where the hell have you been? Jin and I have been worried sick about you!" I flinch as Sukima's shouting greets me as I open the door.

"I can explain! I was worried about my friend Naruto, and went to find him after I heard the scroll was stolen!" If possible, he became even angrier.

"You WHAT?! YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!" I stare down at the floor, ashamed that I made him worry.

"Are you Tobio's brother? He told me all about how awesome you are! Man, some people have all the luck." Sukima stopped mid-yell and stared at the person who just spoke.

"Who is this?" I grin slightly and drag the other boy inside.

"This is Naruto, my new friend and the newest member of our family." Three sets of eyes stare at me in disbelief.

"WHAT?!"

The next morning, the two of us are walking to the academy as our first day as ninjas. "Honestly Tobio, did you have to say it like that? I had no clue what you were talking about!" I grin sheepishly.

"Well, I knew my brother couldn't let you keep living alone, and since we are ninja now, we can provide for ourselves! We're practically brothers in everything but blood!" I dodge his fist, chuckling. "You still suck at taijutsu."

"Shut up! I passed didn't I?"

"Barely." Another miss and I run ahead. "Your too slow! You gotta be faster to keep up with the great Tobio Miotosu!"

"In your dreams!" I stumble in surprise as I see him right next to me. "No one can out run the future Hokage!" He races ahead with insane speed. He really is the most unpredictable ninja I know.

Finally arriving at the academy, I collapse into an open seat next to Naruto, breathing heavily. "Your... too... freaking... fast!" Before I knew it, the two of us end up on the floor. "What gives? Can't you cut me a break?!"

"Hey, it wasn't me!" Ilook and see a group of girls surrounding the third seat. Of course, fangirls came and pushed us out of the way. They picked the wrong day to mess with me. I leap up on the table and stare at the object of the fangirls obsessions.

"You need to keep your fangirls under control, Uchiha! I'm really sick of having to deal with this every single day!" The silent boy looked up at me with an emotionless mask.

"Do I know you?" That's it! I was pissed now! I lunged at the brat and attempted to tackle him. However, things did not go the way I intended.

Naruto had broken through the wall of girls and knocked into me, pushing me off course. "Tobio! I had no idea you liked Hinata!" True to Naruto's announcement, I found myself lip-locked with Hinata Hyuuga, who was sitting in the desk in front. The two of us broke apart, red in the face, and Hinata passed out on her desk.

"I di-didn't mean t-to, I s-swear! It w-was an a-accident, r-really! I mean! I j-just!" I glared at the laughing Naruto, as I struggled to speak. He is SO going to pay for doing this to me!

"Settle down. I have your brand new team assignments." Iruka got everyone's attention and we found our seats. I really hope I end up on a team that is awesome! "Due to Naruto graduating late, but surpassing expectations of genin ninja, we had to shift the team order around. I'll call out each team number, the members, and the jonin sensei." I zoned out mostly for this part. I just needed to know my team and Naruto's team. I just hope we have good jonin sensei.

- Hokage's Office -

"Lord Hokage, you changed the team selections? But why?" The Sandaime looked at the jonin he called forth for this meeting.

"Due to some complications, the assignments had to be rearranged. Upon closer examination of Sasuke Uchiha, it has come to my attention that he cannot be put on a team. His emotional instability will hinder any progress the genin team can hope to make. However, the boy is an asset to our village. I have decided instead to have him taught under one jonin. Ebisu has kindly volunteered to teach the boy while Konohamaru is still young."

To say they were surprised would be a huge understatement. "But who will Kakashi teach? I thought he was going to be placed with the Uchiha because of his Sharingan."

"Kakashi will continue to teach a genin team that includes Naruto Uzumaki. As one of the ANBU that has watched over the boy for years, I think this fit will prove to be beneficial." The jonin nodded. "You are dismissed." The jonin instructors disappeared in a puff of smoke. "I just hope everything works out for the best.

- Back at the Academy -

"Team 10: Choji Akimichi, Sakura Haruno, and Shikamaru Nara. Led by Asuma Sarutobi. Team 11: Shino Aburame, Kiba Inuzuka, and Ino Yamanaka. Led by Kurenai Yuhi. Team 12: Hinata Hyuuga, Tobio Miotosu, and Naruto Uzumaki. Led by Kakashi Hatake. Wait here for your instructors, and work hard to serve as genin of our village."

"Iruka-sensei! You never assigned Sasuke to a team!" Iruka looked over at the pink-haired fangirl who spoke.

"Yes, I almost forgot. Sasuke is training individually under a jonin because of the uneven number we had graduate." Fangirls squealed about how Sasuke was "too amazing for the usual genin team." Iruka sighed, thankful that this was the last Uchiha he had to teach for a long time. He was sure he wouldn't be able to survive another Uchiha and his swarm of fangirls.

- Three Hours Later -

"Okay, whoever this Kakashi guy is, I'm going to make him pay for being three hours late!" Naruto was pacing impatiently, upset that our sensei was so late. I was trying to wake Hinata up, who hadn't moved since the... incident this morning.

"Naruto, calm down. I'm just glad we didn't end up like that one team that had that crazy lady Anko. I swear she was looking at me like I was her next victim for torture." I shuddered, remembering the insane woman with the sadistic gleam in her eye carefully scanning the room like we were animals lined up for slaughter.

"I still can't believe he made us wait!" Naruto grabbed an eraser and started to position it to fall when the door opened.

"Naruto! Don't do that!" He turned to me with an annoyed look. "I have a better idea." The two of us smiled and got to work.

A/N: Yay! Genin teams! I know that a lot hasn't changed and some people may be curious about the team assignments. First explanation: Sasuke. Was I the only one who was surprised the teams were already made including an extra last minute graduate? If Naruto passed late, I would think with the teams already set in stone, they would have an extra person. Sasuke being an Uchiha would obviously get the special training due to the deman of the village. Kakashi is still the sensei of Naruto's team because he knows the truth about the fox (as does Tobio) and is fine with it. Naruto's father was also their instructor. Expect more changes after this! Hope you enjoyed!

Manga-neko signing out! :3