The bell test does not go as planned.

The kids don't shout at him when he's late. In fact, he finds then all making some ridiculously glittery flower accessories on the ground, completely in sync with each other. Singing some ridiculous song that sounds eerily familiar.

Its mockingly, clearly great teamwork. They have a rather substantial pile bedside them. He inwardly grumbles and tells himself it doesn't mean anything. Not even the famous Ino-Shika-Cho had good team work to begin with.

His excuse earns him a raised eyebrow from all his Genin, simultaneously .Only Sheldon grumbles something that sounds like 'hokum' under his breath. Kakashi is secretly grateful, as that breaks up their creepy sync.

He announces the parameters of the test.

Again, there's a suspicious lack of shouting. If it hadn't been for the tense look Leonard shot Penny he would have thought the Genin unfazed. Of course a fan boy would fret at the very idea of being separated from his Idol. Penny's face doesn't shift from the beaming smile she's been wearing since he showed up. Come to think of it, its the same expression she'd worn after she'd finished yelling at him the day before. Kakashi silently dubs it 'brainless bimbo extraordinaire'.

Sheldon, similarly consistent with his facial expressions, is blank faced, with a calm stoicism that would make an Auburame weep with envy.

" If you want one of the bells you must come at me with the intent to kill" Kakashi says and watches his Genin 'disappear'.

xXx

It takes him a few seconds to realize that he really has lost Sheldon. Then a few minutes after, to verify.

And that simply can't be happening. Hes an experienced Jounin, arguably one of the best in the village. Green little Genin don't actually get away from him. No matter how smart they are.

Except that clearly they do. He has no idea where Sheldon has gone.

He can feel Penny by the river and Leonard isn't much further by some shrubs.

But no Sheldon. Zilpch, nada. It would have been almost dauntingly impressive if it wasn't so infuriating.

xXx

"Penny" Says a muted voice from behind her, and Penny bites back a shriek.

" What Sheldon?" She hisses as loudly as she dares. It wont do to be mad with the guy who had fed her that morning. She'd been starving when he had produced the 'emergency ratios'.

Best damn bento she had ever had.

" If I could have a moment of your time?" He asked, blue eyes meeting her own deliberately.

Penny silently nodded her acquaintance. Sheldon wasn't often serious but the guy wasn't called a genius for nothing.

He'd really saved her ass with the whole Mizuki thing. And didn't seem to mind that she had a giant demon sealed inside her. He was probably her only true friend. Ino would have never been so accepting. She might of not even bothered to keep the 'covenant' with out the Third's Law. But Sheldon was solid like that. He might be wierd but he had never left her to fend for herself when he could help.

" Our Sensei is attempting to deceive us, Penny" Sheldon began, speaking softly." Genin cells are three man teams. Always. Its the Law."

" So he lied!" Penny snarled," I was about to get really stressed about weather or not I was gonna be your teammate!"

Sheldon blinked at her." Penny, that implies that your sure I am going to pass this test."

Penny shot him a strange look." Name one test you've ever failed."

" I can't",Sheldon didn't notice when his cheeks twitched into the barest hint of a smile.

But Penny did. She gave him a bright beam," Lets kick ass and take names Sheldon."

" We must ally ourselves with Leonard first, Konoha has always prized teamwork beyond individual ability. Its doubtless the true test."

" Then lets go" Penny whispered happily, glad she would be part of the same cell as her whack-a-doodle. It would be a lot of things, but boring wasn't one of them.

xXx

Kakashi came back to himself when he noticed Penny making her way towards Leonard. Perhaps the girl had decided her chances where better with some one she could order around. He followed, utterly unprepared for what he saw.

Penny was indeed speaking with Leonard. She also had Sheldon in tow.

Kakashi blinked, focusing his attention on to the Genin. He could see him. But he couldn't feel him. There where veteran ANBU ninja who couldnt do that. And the kid was twelve. He hadn't managed that until he was sixteen.

" Penny," Leonard was saying," how do you know Sheldon isn't just trying to sabotage us!"

" If that was the case I could have easily left you to your own devices" Sheldon stated frankly.

" What he said", Penny nodded." Beside's Sheldon wouldn't have to screw us over to pass the test and hes never gone out of his way to do that to anyone Leonard."

" But.." Leonard floundered trying to find a way to make her understand that the perfect Genin team was the two of them. Together. Only with out, you know, saying it." He hates people Penny, he told us that yesterday."

" I dislike people in general," Sheldon informed them, " I am a person after all and I'm rather fond of myself. Then you have others such as Penny whom I have grown accustomed to, and incorporated into my schedule."

" Aw, I love you too Moon Pie" Penny teased. Leonard chocked.

Sheldon scowled at her.

" Penny only Meemaw can call me that! How many times must I repeat myself?"

" Ive got her permision, remember moon Pie?" Granny Cooper was exactly the kind of grandmother Penny would be someday. Made of awesome.

" How I wish I could forget" Sheldon muttered, " Be that as it may you do not have my permission."

She smiled brighter at him, one of life's guilty pleasures for her was pocking fun at Sheldon. But they where in the middle of their Genin test now. They're would be plenty of time for that later." Come on Leonard you have nothing to loose by teaming up with us. How else are three Genin suppose to best a Jounin?"

Leonard shot Sheldon one last dark look before conceding. It was only logical.

Kakashi looked at the first group of genin to ever willingly team up against him.

They are unlike any team he has ever seen before. Individually they seem leagues apart. Leonard wasn't the years stop student. But if not for Sheldon he would have been. Kakashi had checked, and no one beside Sheldon had held that honor since the boy was Five. He had gone out of his way to take the rookie of the year title every six months. Doubtlessly to prove he could. A bored genius was often a bitter one. The boy will go far some day. Craft a legend out of his mind.

Leonard has a completely different advantage. He is also the last of an ancient and Noble ninja clan. He has prospects his teammates could only dream about. Blood and wealth are a very special currency in the world.

Penny has a burden he wouldn't wish on anyone. And she has not borne the result well. She is the dead-last of her class and he can only mourn the wasted potential she holds.

Yet they have all agreed to work together. No arrogance or false confidence. The lack of bluster is almost unbelievable. Simply three people who understand that their goal is most attainable through a combined effort.

He knows its the makings of a true legendary team.

He Shushins before them. Curiously, neither Sheldon nor Penny jump. Kakashi looks at Leonards startled face and has a moment of revelation. He casts his gaze at his other two gening. Penny's lips are stretched into her customary grin. Sheldon's face is as blank as it had been mere minutes before.

They had known he was coming.

Kakashi lets his own mouth stretch into a small smile." You guys pass!"

xXx

Im thinking of keeping the shinobi world mostly in tact and adding the rest of the big bang cast as civilians. If i continue I wont be able to resist adding Sheldon's family. On the other hand putting Howard and Raj on a team with Lesly winkle is oddly appealing. Or maybe a gathering of evil with Kripky , Winkle, and Wheaton on a team?