Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, but I do own the plot.

Phrase of the day: Slaughter is just laughter with an 'S'

To the reviewer Kit: You said that both Naruto and Natsuki don't question why they share a last name? If you read Chapter 2, you'll see that Naruto accredits their sharing of last names as a clue to their familial relation. Plus, I made sure that Hiruzen arrived late to the sealing so he has no clue, thus the meeting with Jiraiya. Thanks for reviewing though.

To Shadow of the Fallen Sage: I think I love you- in a brotherly way ya know? Thanks for the support!

Naruto couldn't go to sleep. He stayed up all night just thinking of his weirdly similar dream and to Kakashi's last words before he disappeared.

'This mission will have a fail rate of 66%. You guys only have a 33% chance of actually passing this mission.'

Those words prevented him from sleeping that night. He tried making up some plans to help him on the mission tomorrow but soon gave up once realizing that making up plans wasn't really his forte. Before he knew, it was already morning and time for him to go to his mission meeting point. Too intimidated by Kakashi's statement on their success he ate breakfast and made his way to the training ground.

Seeing as he was the only one currently there he sat down at the base of the tree and closed his eyes and fell asleep. After a while his eyes snapped open and jumped out of the way as he narrowly dodged a granola bar, which fell to the floor harmlessly.

"You need to be more aware of your surroundings." A voice said from a couple meters behind him. Turning around he saw his male teammate Sasuke standing with his hands in his pockets. Naruto just rolled his eyes and tossed the bar back at its owner who caught it deftly. "Go ahead and eat that now, you'll need all the strength you can get later. I already ate at home."

Sasuke's eyebrows rose. "Didn't Kakashi say not to eat anything before the mission?"

They heard a snort. "Yeah like I'd go on a mission without eating first." They turned their heads to see Natsuki rubbing her eyes and eating a granola bar. "While he did say not to eat, I'm pretty sure he meant it as a suggestion rather than a command."

"That's twisting his words around. That's pretty evil." Sasuke commented. Natsuki smirked.

"That doesn't even cover it Sasuke." Naruto said with a wave of his hand. He smirked. "Calling Natsuki evil is saying Shikamaru is lazy. It's a huge understatement."

Sasuke snorted as Naruto got whacked in the back of the head. He felt phantom pains of when his sister would do the same when he accidentally insulted her. He knew that those smacks actually hurt more than they let on. It's a wonder how Naruto still could use his brain functionally.

"Well, it warms my heart seeing my little Genin playing around like that, but we need to start this mission." Said a familiar bored voice.

The three Genin turned their head towards the lowest branch of the closest tree. When seen, the Jounin just raised his hand and said, "Yo."

Naruto stood up and pointed his finger at their sensei. "You're late Kakashi sensei!"

Kakashi jumped off the branch and walked towards the Genin with one hand raised in the air and the other in his pocket. "Mah, I was only slightly late. The road of life is difficult to navigate you know."

Naruto crossed his arms angrily. "You said be ready for the training tomorrow and you're late!"

Kakashi nodded as he pulled out an alarm clock. "True, but I didn't say what time to be here. Anyways, I'm going to set this clock to noon. And put these two bento," he places said bento on top of the training posts, "Right here. Now, I'm going to debrief you all on the mission so gather 'round."

Kakashi leaned against the post, setting up his clock as he spoke. "The point of this mission is to take the bells I've attached here." He points to the bells which were hung on the loop of his pants. "That's all there is to this mission. If you can't get them by noon you go without lunch. You'll be tied to these posts and watch while I eat my lunch in front of you."

Not hearing any stomachs grumbling he raises an eyebrow before shrugging it off. "There's only two bells! That way at least one of you will end up tied to a post and ultimately disqualified for failing to complete the mission. That one goes back to the Academy."

"What?! You can't do that!" Naruto shouted.

Sasuke's eyes hardened while Natsuki's eyes narrowed.

Kakashi finished setting up his clock and placed it on the post. He turned back to the Genin. "I can do this and more because I'm in charge of you three and have been given the power to do so. Any more dumb questions?"

Naruto growled but sat down not saying another word. His teammates hadn't moved from their positions.

Now that we got past the questions, I'll continue my debriefing- if it's ok with you." Kakashi said pointedly. Naruto blushed but stayed quiet. Nodding, Kakashi began again.

"It will be all three of you versus me so I'd advise you all to use real kunai and shuriken. If you're not prepared to hurt me, you won't be able to take the bells."

Kakashi paused. Seeing none of his subordinates react he grins slightly. "Heh heh heh... How can I say this... I'm actually starting to... like you guys."

Kakashi took his hands out of his pockets and turned fully towards the Genin. "Get ready... Annnd... START!"

With that, the Genin disappeared.

Naruto landed on the ground after separating from his teammates. He saw Kakashi from his vantage point hidden between the tree's leaves. 'Ok time to get the bells.' Naruto thought as he made some clones and sent them around the perimeter of the field. "A ninja must know how to conceal their movements and hide effectively." He heard from Kakashi below. Naruto grinned. Kakashi wouldn't know what hit him!

After a while he figured they were in position and threw some shuriken at Kakashi from his position. Seeing Kakashi catch them with two fingers by the holes, he used the tree as a boost and propelled himself towards the sensei. "Take this!" Naruto shouted as he positioned himself to kick Kakashi. Kakashi ducked right as Naruto flew passed him overhead.

Kakashi stood back up and scratched the back of his head. "You know compared to the others, you're a little bit... weird. And troublesome. As much the Nara would say."

Naruto smirked as he made a signal with his hands. He dug his hands into his shuriken holster and grabbed five in each hand. "Why thank you. Dodge this!" Naruto said as he threw his projectiles at his sensei as fifty others followed from the trees above them.

Kakashi's eyes widened slightly as he grabbed a tenth of the projectiles and threw them at different locations at the trees. Hearing multiple 'poofs' he turned his attention back at his orange and black wearing Genin. 'Naruto knows the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu?' He instinctively moved his hand into his kunai pouch and grabbed a kunai when he saw Naruto throw more shuriken and weave handsigns right after throwing them. "Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Ten shuriken bacame fifty as Kakashi thought 'His academy files didn't have that jutsu listed down. Did he learn it when he stole the scroll?'

Not having more time to think as fifty deadly projectiles headed towards him, Kakashi took his kunai out of his pouch and used said kunai to deflect the shuriken. Resisting the urge to throw the kunai at his shocked student, he pocketed the kunai and began digging through his pouch, bringing his student back from his shock.

Pulling out his book, Kakashi began reading it. Looking up from the corner of his eye, he saw his student's face getting slightly red and said, "What are you waiting for? Make your move."

Naruto hesitated. "But... I mean, why are you reading the book in the middle of our fight?"

Kakashi didn't look up from his book as he turned the page. "Why, to find out what happens in the story of course. Don't let it bother you. With your weak attacks, it really doesn't matter if I'm reading or whatever."

Naruto growled before he took notice of the title. "Wait what? Icha Icha Paradise? You can't be serious! You can't read while I'm attacking you! Why are even read that in public in the first place?!"

Kakashi looked disgruntled. "Hey, this is quality writing. It's not something a kid like you could appreciate."

Naruto snorted. "We'll see you soon enough." With that, he charged Kakashi and punch him who raised a hand to block it and then turned the page again. Naruto, off balance, fell forward and pushed off the ground with his hands with a mule kick which Kakashi dodged by moving out of the way.

Gritting his teeth, Naruto crossed his fingers into the Kage Bunshin handsign and made five copies of himself. Kakashi looked up from his book for a second before shrugging and continued to read it. Seeing this, Naruto grinned before he and his clones began to throw shuriken and together wove handsigns of the Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu once more.

Once the shuriken hit Kakashi he exploded into smoke and was replaced with a log. Naruto and his cloned stopped and began to look around. Not seeing anything, they slowly moved towards each other with their backs.

"I don't see him. What about you?" One clone asks.

Clone 2 shakes his head as well, still looking around. "Can't see him on my end either."

Naruto, the original, palmed a smoke bomb just as he heard, "You really need to be more observant of your surroundings Naruto."

Freaking out, the clones jump apart and throw kunai at Kakashi, who without a moments notice, grabs the kunai, deflects the others, and throws it at a Naruto who bursts into smoke. Kakashi then grabs another Naruto by the arm and throws him into a clone, which both burst into smoke. Naruto and his last clone jump even farther as the Jounin, with speeds greater than what Naruto could comprehend, rushed and punched him in the chest sending him flying and went behind the other Naruto. Hearing and seeing smoke from the location of where he punched the other Naruto, he formed the Tora handsign and brought a little chakra to his hands. Kakashi gained a glint in his eye as he thrusted his hand upwards towards Naruto's behind. "Sennen Goroshi (One Thousand Years of Death)!"

Right as he made contact, Naruto burst into smoke and the field became silent other than the snickering of his female Genin and the whistling of metal cutting through air.

Sasuke cursed as his shuriken hit a Kawarimi log. 'Kakashi probably knows where I am. I gotta move!' He thought as he jumped from tree to tree. Apparently moving in a circle, he found himself back in the field where Naruto put up a decent attempt in grabbing a bell. 'I wonder where he learned those Jutsu from?' He thought as he landed on the ground sending dust from his landing. Feeling as if something was wrong, Sasuke moved around looking for Kakashi when he found his sister, Satsumi bleeding with all sorts of weapons ranging from kunai to swords and senbon stuck all over her body. "S-Sa-Sasuke. H-he-help me..." She said as she lifted her head up showing she lost one eye. Sasuke was tempted to go and help her or go and kill whoever did this to her, but realized something important.

"Tch, Kakashi, if you're going to do a Genjutsu, do it right." Sasuke said annoyed.

The world around him distorted until he saw Kakashi. Said Jounin, stood with his book still out while saying, "Well, you passed the Genjutsu test. Now let's see about your other skills."

Sasuke smirked. "You'll see I'm not like the rest."

Kakashi snorted. "Say that after you get one of these bells."

Kakashi turned a page. "This will be interesting...fighting someone from the Uchiha clan."

"Hn." Was Sasuke's verbal response before he dashed to Kakashi and went for a punch.

'Hmm... Straightforward just like his teammate. I was expecting more.' Kakashi thought as he blocked the first punch.

Sasuke only smirked before be leapt back and threw shuriken in a wide arch around Kakashi. The masked jounin reacted by turning a page in his book. "Well, I can say that Naruto has you beat when it comes to throwing projectiles." He says earning a scowl from the raven haired Genin, which then turned into a smirk as the shuriken wrapped around Kakashi that prevented him from moving an inch.

Kakashi held onto his book in shock. "You attached ninja wire to the shuriken?!"

Sasuke replied with "Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu (Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu)." At which a large fireball erupted from Sasuke's mouth and headed towards Kakashi who substituted with a log. Sasuke cursed and jumped just as Kakashi's hands came out of the ground.

When Kakashi removed himself from the ground he asked, "How did you know I was underground?" Sasuke replied, "My sister pulls the same move whenever we spar."

Kakashi nods and sticks one hand into his pocket. "Ok then. I still have to see how you are different from your teammates."

Sasuke scowls and throws two kunai and rushes the Jounin with another. Kakashi uses one to deflect the other and clashes blades with the Uchiha. Said Uchiha leaps back once more before throwing his kunai at the Jounin and pulling himself on top of a tree branch. The Jounin is just about to grab the kunai when he hears a sizzling coming from the kunai in his hand. He immediately drops the kunai as the one Sasuke threw hits the ground sizzling as well.

Sasuke looks at the explosion checking if Kakashi escaped when he is kicked in the back by the Jounin. He crashed into the ground and rolls uncontrollably for a few meters before sitting up cradling his rib from the impact with the ground. "So this is a Jounin..." Sasuke says with pain and excitement.

He rolls out of the way just as a kunai hits the ground and Kakashi lands in front of it. Picking the weapon up he says, "Well, I have to say I'm disappointed. Naruto put up a better fight than you. All you're doing is dodging. So much for the great Uchiha clan."

Sasuke grits his teeth before chucking the last of his kunai at Kakashi. The Jounin dodges the attack by ducking but is met with the knee of the Uchiha. His head is forced up as Sasuke kicks Kakashi in the stomach. The Jounin crashes against the tree letting out a grunt as Sasuke throws more shuriken that pins Kakashi to the tree.

Catching his breath, Sasuke walks up to Kakashi all the while picking up the kunai the silver haired man dropped and held it at the ready as he approached the Jounin. "Hmph, I'll take that bell." He says out of breath.

Right as Sasuke was within meter, Kakashi burst into smoke as shuriken wrapped around Sasuke binding him to the tree face first.

"You have talent. And you were right. You proved different from Naruto. But the person you were fighting was a Kage Bunshin." Kakashi said.

"Arg!" Sasuke said, his face stinging from the impact with the tree. Kakashi walked up to Sasuke and took the kunai from his hands. "I'll take what was mine, thank you." He said before disappearing in a burst of smoke.

'Well, there is one more left. Let's see what she can do...'

Natsuki sneezed as she jumped from tree to tree. She watched both fights between her teammates and Sasuke and was taking Kakashi's skill into observation. With Naruto, he made him angry and exploited a weakness which was pretty noticeable. She tried helping Naruto out with sending shuriken when she saw his Kage Bunshin do the same, but was hit with one of the shuriken Kakashi threw back and retreated while bandaging her arm. She still laughed at the Sennen Goroshi trick. With Sasuke, he used brute force and pummeled the Uchiha pretty badly. She tried helping Sasuke out but couldn't find any opening to help and before she knew it, Sasuke lost. She knew she was the last one and hated being saved for last. She stopped jumping from tree to tree when she saw Kakashi waiting for her in the same field where he fought Naruto.

"Well, all that's left is you. So what are you going to do. Rush me head on like the others?" He asked.

Natsuki smiled which caused the Jounin to involuntarily take a step back. "No, I'm going to take the bells from you."

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Natsuki burst into smoke. "Yes really." Kakashi heard from behind him as he burst into smoke. Natsuki frowned as the bell she grabbed turned to smoke as well. The next thing she knew, she was kicked in the back and sent flying towards the stream.

Falling into the water, she made some Kage Bunshin, and transformed half into kunai and jumped out of the water with the other half of her clones and rushed Kakashi.

"So," he said, "You know the Kage Bunshin as well." He blocked a punch and kicked a clone into smoke.

She shrugged as she threw the transformed kunai at Kakashi which he dodged. "I can't do the regular clone technique so I asked Hokage-sama if he knew an alternative."

Kakashi rose an eyebrow as he punched a clone in the head and threw the other clone in front of another sending both into smoke. "And he just gave you the technique?"

Natsuki nodded her head as she threw the last of her kunai at Kakashi where he deflected them with his own and threw his at her. "I've known him since forever and it was my birthday so he asked me what I wanted. Besides, he knows of it messing with my chakra control. So he gave me the Kage Bunshin."

That made Kakashi stop right as he punched the last of the clones making it dispel. "So you know huh?"

Natsuki nodded. "Ever since I made Genin. He told me the truth. I know I'm not a monster."

Kakashi smiled. "Well that's good. Now you're not getting a bell if you're just going to sit there you know."

Natsuki smirked. "I know, now how about you pay attention before I beat you." Then she rushed Kakashi.

Kakashi rolled his eyes. "What is with these kids and rushing people." He muttered under his breath as he tried to take a defensive stance. Tried being the keyword as he found himself unable to move. "Gotcha sensei." A clone muttered behind him as he put the pieces together. 'Ah, she transformed the clones into kunai and had one sneak up on me. Not bad, but not good enough.' He thought as he substituted with Naruto who had just then jumped out of the foliage and onto the battlefield.

"Gah!" Was Naruto's exclamation as he was punched in the face by Natsuki. The clone behind him popped as he was hit so he went flying next to the edge of the stream.

"Shit..." Muttered Natsuki as she made her way to check up on Naruto as Sasuke smirked as he landed near them.

Naruto held his head as he said, "R-Remind me next time not to piss you off. That hurtya know?"

Sasuke snorted. "That's what you get for rushing ahead."

Natsuki laughed before she realized that Sasuke was free. "Don't tell me, Naruto freed you from you intimate relationship with the tree?"

Sasuke blushed as Naruto snickered before clutching his head in pain. Natsuki sighed. "So I guess that we all got our asses handed to each other?"

Grudging nods from both boys were the answer. She sighed again. "Look," she said getting both of their attention. "We only have a few minutes left and if we don't get one of the bells, one or maybe all of us are going back to the academy. So we need to work together to get the bells."

Naruto gained a confused look on his face. "If we work together, won't only two of us get bells?"

Sasuke was silent as he tried putting together the facts. His face lit up in realization. "This was a ploy."

Both Naruto and Natsuki turned their head towards Sasuke with eerie synchronization. "What do you mean?" Natsuki asked as Naruto nodded.

Sasuke nodded. "This was set up from the beginning to make us fight each other to see who would get the bells first."

Naruto's face lit up with realization as he continued. "Yeah, so Kakashi said that with two bells and three of us, only two of us would pass."

Natsuki then realized the same thing and narrowed her eyes. "So the entire test was bull an-"

With that, the alarm went off. A chorus of crap went off as Kakashi appeared in front of them. "Well, looks like time is up."

All three Genin were tied to the post as Kakashi stood in front of them with an unreadable expression on his face. Then he heard all three stomachs growling as he grinned under his mask. Although he kept a check on his voice as he said, "Uh oh... Stomachs growling, huh? That's too bad. By the way, about this exercise..." The Genin's looked at his face with expectance as he said, "Well, I've decided... I won't send any of you back to the Academy."

Naruto was first to speak. "What?!" Sasuke and Natsuki were surprised as well. "So that means that all three of us-"

Kakashi nodded. "Yes, all three of you... Are being dropped from the program. PERMANENTLY!"

Silence.

Sasuke growled. "What do you mean, 'Drop us from the program'?!"

Naruto agreed vehemently. "Yeah! You said you couldn't take the bells, we'd be sent back to the Academy! You can't just change your mind and kick us out! Why would you do that?!"

"Because some of you don't think like ninja." Kakashi said gaining shocked looks from the three children. "You think like little kids... Like brats..."

Sasuke grunted as Natsuki grit her teeth. Naruto just hung on the post with his mouth open in disbelief. "None of you know what it means to be a ninja." Kakashi continued. "Why do you think we put you on squads. Did you even consider that question for one moment?"

This time Natsuki spoke. "I don't know what you're talking about by right before the test ended, we figured out the meaning of your stupid test."

Kakashi rose an eyebrow. "Really now, then what was the meaning of the test. Tell me."

Sasuke spoke up. "The meaning of the test was to drive us apart with the idea of two bells and three of us so we would fight over who would get the bells first when it was all a ploy."

Kakashi nodded. "Yes the entire thing was a ploy. I purposely pitted you against each other. Do you know what was the true meaning of the test?"

All of the Genin's expressions turned confused. "Judging by your faces, I guess not. I'm honestly surprised. It's so basic, teamwork!"

All three were surprised about this revelation. None of them thought about that.

Kakashi snorted. "That's what I mean. It's too late now, but if all three of you had come at me you might have been able to take them. No, scratch that, from what I've seen, you would have been able to take them."

Naruto scowled. He was so close to passing but he didn't realize the meaning of the test until it was too late.

"But it barely crossed your minds did it?" Was said by Kakashi as it broke them out of their thoughts.

"Natsuki knew instinctively that Naruto needed help and so she helped him when he sent his clones to hide within the trees. When they attacked, she attacked as well only to retreat when I destroyed the clones and injured her. The next example was when I was testing Sasuke. She was there but I made sure she couldn't do anything so when she saw that I defeated him, she left. Not much she could do there except, I don't know... Free your teammate?" Kakashi said while Natsuki grinned sheepishly.

"Instead, it was Naruto who freed Sasuke, which I'm surprised considering, from what I've seen, you two despise each other." Kakashi said as Naruto attempted to shrug and Sasuke grunted indifferently. "The sad thing was, you found out the meaning far too late."

Kakashi stepped back as he took a glance at the clouds. The Genin were silent as they watched the masked Jounin. He then walked passed them and started speaking again. "Did you notice the stone back here? The names engraved on it? They are all ninja or honored as heroes of our village. They are a special kind of hero... They were all lost in battle."

All three were shocked. Naruto hung his head as he was going to say that he wanted his name to be engraved on the stone.

"This memorial stone... Has the names of my closest friends engraved on it."

Nobody said anything. The atmosphere was too sullen for anything to be said. Kakashi walked back and stood in front of the Genin.

"Alright!" He said, shocking them out of their sullen attitude, "I'm going to give you one more chance. But I'm gonna make it much harder on you."

He threw two kunai at Sasuke and Natsuki. The ropes binding them fell to the ground as he picked up the undisturbed bentos. "eat lunch now to build up strength... But... Naruto doesn't get any."

Naruto was shocked. "Why not?!"

Kakashi shrugged. "Out of all three attempts of trying to get the bells, yours was a close call for the worst. In fact if Sasuke didn't manage to bind me he would be the one without food. Your attempt, while good, let both of us discover what you need to work on. Being more aware of your surroundings."

Naruto growled as Sasuke smirked. Natsuki shook her head. "I told you Naruto." He stuck his tongue out at her.

Kakashi coughed into his hand to get their attention. "If anyone tries to feed him, the person will fail immediately! I make the rules... your job is to follow them! Got it?" He said as he disappeared.

Natsuki and Sasuke looked at each other before nodding and using the kunai left behind by Kakashi to cut Naruto out of his ropes. Naruto, on the other hand, was shocked. "Guys, you heard what he said-"

"Yeah we don't care. You heard his speech on teamwork. After all that do you really think he'll care if we free you or let you have some food?" Natsuki said as Sasuke nodded.

"Although I'm not... Happy about it, you're our teammate and to be honest, we could got stuck with Kiba or someone worse." Sasuke said as Natsuki laughed. Naruto grinned and was about to help himself to some of the food when the sky grew dark and thunder rumbled. The earth shook and the Genin saw a blurry Kakashi speed towards them. "YOOOUU!"

Naruto backed up slightly and mumbled, "Probably wasn't a good idea to talk so loud..."

Natsuki heard this and smack him on the arm. "Idiot... Either way, we have to fight and get those bells as a team."

Sasuke heard this and grunted. "I agree."

Kakashi stopped in front of them as he said, "You all pass!" With an eye smile.

The Genin looked at Kakashi with deadpan stares. "Well," Naruto said, "That was anticlimactic." Natsuki and Sasuke nodded as Kakashi cleared his throat.

"You guys already figured out the test I had to do was make sure you didn't forget it. Which in retrospect, was stupid because I gave you the answer earlier. But there is one thing of Sensei-like advice I want you all to never forget. Those who break the rules are trash, true. But! Those who abandon teammates are worse than trash."

Naruto looked at Kakashi with wide eyes. 'That... Was cool. I gotta admit that. Just not out loud.'

"And," Kakashi said getting their attention once more, "If you guys didn't grasp the importance of teamwork, I was really going to kick you guys out of the program no matter how good you guys are, but you shared your lunch and stood together! And because of this you all pass. On a side note, our first real mission is tomorrow so go home and do whatever. Bye now." Kakashi said as he pulled his orange book out.

His students just sweat-dropped.

Naruto woke up as he remembered the events which happened yesterday. He grinned and prepared himself as he went to meet his teammates by the Academy entrance. If Kakashi would show up on time that is... If he did, then they would start their first mission. Naruto's grin didn't fade as he imagined what their first mission would be. 'Oh would it be rescuing a princess or even body guarding an important celebrity! I can't wait to find out!'

He and his teammates eerily arrived at the same time. No one chose to comment on it as they waited for Kakashi. After waiting for two hours, the newly made Genin started to get impatient.

"Ok where the hell is he?! He was supposed to meet us for our mission two hours ago!" Naruto ranted.

Natsuki agreed until she remembered one crucial thing. "Oh crap!" She said making both Naruto and Sasuke turn their attention to her.

"What is it?" Sasuke asked. Natsuki looked at him with shock. "We weren't supposed to meet in front of the academy, we're supposed to meet sensei at the mission reception office inside the academy."

Sasuke's eyes widened at that. "Oh... Oh shit."

Without another word, they all dashed inside the building and saw Kakashi appear in front of the mission reception door with an apologetic look, if you can call it that with his mask on, on his face as he said, "Sorry for being late, a black cat crossed my path so I had to take the long way around."

Naruto, Sasuke, and Natsuki just shook their heads while they gestured to the door. "Ah right, we still have to go get our first mission. Are you guys excited?" Kakashi asked.

Naruto entered the room grinning and beaming with excitement while Natsuki followed. Sasuke shook his head and entered with a small smile on his face.

The mission reception office is located within a huge, wide-open space with six windows and high ceilings with two stick-like lights. The ceiling also has the kanji for the word "shinobi" printed on it as well as a white banner with the kanji that says "mission assignment this way" on one wall and on the other is another banner that says "everybody, do your best". Sitting on the desk is the Hokage himself, Sarutobi Hiruzen and past academy instructor; Umino Iruka. Beside them are a large amount of scrolls seperated by bins that are classified as A through D. Hiruzen sees Kakashi arrive and said, "Ah, Kakashi. Didn't keep your Genin waiting too long I hope."

Kakashi laughs sheepishly, "Honestly, they didn't even seem to mind. It was as if they were late as well."

They all caught the guilty looks the Genin sent each other. Hiruzen coughed and said, "Well then, I suppose it's time to give you a choice in what mission you want to partake in."

Iruka tried not to give away any expression while. Kakashi tried to stop himself from shaking from laughter as Sarutobi looked down as if searching through missions to hide his gigantic smile. "Let's see... You can either," at this point, the Genin leaned closer to hear what their leader was saying with rapt attention, "Weed the council-member Himako's garden, babysit the triplet children of miss Hamako, or looking after a scroll for someone I know."

Not being able to keep it in any longer, Kakashi and Iruka burst into giggles at the faces the three young Genin make. Hiruzen, being used to the hilarious looks on new Genin faces, simply smiles.

"WHAT!" The three Genin shout. Naruto looked like his dreams were crushed. Kakashi still was laughing although silently. It was shown by his body erupting in shivers that he was still laughing.

"Look Naruto," Iruka said calming down enough to explain the situation, "You're just a brand-new ninja with no experience. Like everyone else you take missions like these to develop your skills and improve yourself. The important missions will come later on."

Naruto looked surprised as he said, "Are you serious?! Babysitting is not a mission, it's just stupid, a chore!"

Natsuki smacked Naruto on his arm and said, "Naruto, even I don't like these missions, but we still gotta do them.

Sasuke huffed. "Yeah, even if they are stupid, we still got to take them." He said resignedly.

Naruto just grumbled. Natsuki stepped foward and said, "We'll take the looking after the scroll mission if that's ok?" She looks at both Kakashi, who managed to stop laughing, and the Hokage, who nodded.

"Stopping a ninja scroll robbery seems like a good beginner mission. What do you think Kakashi?"

Kakashi stepped foward. "That will be fine, thank you." He turned to his Genin, specifically Naruto, "You'll be able to take on more difficult missions soon enough."

Naruto nodded his head. "Ok... I guess."

The Hokage adjusted his hat. "Then it is settled... The mission for Team Seven is stopping the ninja scroll robbery."

Naruto fist pumped. "Alright. So where's the client."

Hiruzen smiled. "You're looking at him."

Natsuki gaped. "Really?!"

Hiruzen nodded. "I'll explain everything later, just come to my office. I'll be there shortly."

Kakashi nods and starts walking away. "That would be acceptable. Come on my cute little Genin, we have to leave so other Shinobi can receive their missions as well."

Later at the Hokage's Office

Kakashi and his three Genin entered the office to be surprised by the Hokage already sitting in his chair, pipe in hand.

Naruto rushed foward until he was a meter from the desk and asked, "How did you beat us here? We left you back at the mission reception desk."

As the rest of his teammates joined him, the old Hokage laughed and said, "You don't think you were the only one who can perform the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, did you?"

Nodding, Naruto stepped back as Hiruzen put his pipe down.

"There was a reason I couldn't talk about the mission at the reception desk." The Hokage said.

Sasuke piped in. "The reason, was so no enemy ninja eavesdrop on the conversation, am I right?"

Seeing the understanding looks on the other Genin's faces, the Hokage continued. "While good reasoning, Sasuke, that wasn't the reason why." Standing up and retrieving a piece of paper, the Hokage gave it to the three Genin. On it, was scribbled, 'The scroll that has Katon: Haisekisho (Fire Style: Burning Ash) is going to be mine! When I steal it, I'll use it against you and become Hokage. So don't you dare set any traps!"

Naruto sweat dropped. "It sounds like a warning... What kind of warning is this."

The Hokage spun his chair around to look over the village. "Exactly! It was left in my room this morning."

Natsuki looked at the warning more carefully. "Wait a minute... It's a kid's writing."

Sasuke looked at it as well. "So it's a prank? Now I understand why this is a D rank mission."

The Hokage nodded. "I already have an idea who it is. If it's who I think it is, then you guys will be fine."

Kakashi stepped foward. "Well then, if it's a prank I guess they won't need me for this mission."

Hiruzen nodded. "That's true. Your sensei won't need to participate this time."

Kakashi nodded. "Excuse me Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen nodded. "Yes." With that, Kakashi disappeared. Hiruzen turned back to the Genin. "The location of the scroll is in the small scroll shelf that is placed against the wall. It is the scroll with yellow outlining it. Remember to guard it well. So if someone tries coming to steal it, I want you to catch them."

Natsuki went to the scroll and picked it up to examine it. She placed it back and said, "You have nothing to worry about, grandfather. We got this, right guys?"

Sasuke nodded while Naruto said, "Right!"

Hiruzen smiled as he disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Sasuke grunted. "Grandfather?"

Natsuki nodded. "I've known him since for as long as I could remember. I've always called him either old man or grandfather."

Sasuke nodded and then went to stand guard next to the shelf containing the scrolls. Naruto and Natsuki stood against the wall where they could see the scroll and jump into action at a moments notice. Suddenly, the room exploded into smoke as a smoke bomb hit the ground from the open window.

None of the Genin moved but they could hear the movement which came closer to the general location of the shelf containing the scrolls.

Naruto felt something bump into him as Natsuki and Sasuke opened the windows to let the smoke out. The figure hit the floor as the rest of the smoke left the office.

"Oww!" The figure said as he clutched his head. Seeing the smoke leave and the three Genin standing in front of the scroll shelf, the kid said, "Dang it! It's a trap!"

Sasuke asked, "Who's this kid?" Just as Natsuki face-palmed. "Damn it, not again Konohamaru!" She exclaimed.

The kid, now named Konohamaru, jumped in surprise and rushed Natsuki- only to give her a hug.

"Natsuki-nee! What a surprise. C'mon, you gotta help me steal the scroll the old man is hiding here. I know where it is c'mon you gotta help me!" Konohamaru exclaimed as he continued to hug her.

Naruto could feel the sweat drop on the back of his head grow even bigger. He looked over at Sasuke only to see his left eye twitching and his face a look of confusion. "Neh, Natsuki, who's the kid?"

Konohamaru released himself from his hug and spun around to glare at Naruto. "I'm not a kid, I'm a ninja. My name is Konohamaru! Remember it 'cuz I'm gonna be Hokage one day!"

Sasuke snorted. "Yeah and when that day comes, I'll have a giant smile on my face and sprout wings and fly off into the sunset." Naruto snickered at the image.

Konohamaru growled. "I will become Hokage. And when I do, you'll be sorry!" With that, Konohamaru ran up to the shelf and grabbed the scroll. "With this scroll, I'll be the best- oomph!"

Konohamaru ran into Naruto again who growled and took the scroll from the kid and smacked him in the head with it. "Ow! That hurt. Don't you know who I am?!" Konohamaru said as a man who had dark hair and sunglasses appeared from the window. He wore the standard Konoha shinobi outfit, without the flak jacket and wore his forehead protector like a bandanna. "Honorable Grandson, are you ok? Did this ruffian cause harm to you in any way?"

Naruto snorted. "No, the kid ran into me and fell onto the floor and then took the scroll he tried to steal."

The man gasped. "Please tell me is not true, honored grandson of the Sandaime!"

The Genin's eyes, other than Natsuki, widened at the revelation. Go away Ebisu! You don't teach me anything so just leave me alone!" Konohamaru yelled as he left the office. The man now identified as Ebisu turned his attention to the three Genin. "What are you three doing in the office Hokage-sama! You say that you are guarding a scroll, but what are you actually doing here."

Sasuke grunted. "We are doing just that,guarding the scroll. We were assigned this mission by the Hokage himself."

Naruto joined in. "Besides don't you have to look after that kid. He is probably a couple blocks away by now. Good luck finding him."

Ebisu pushed his glasses up. "I already know where he is for I am an elite Jounin. Do not underestimate my skills."

Natsuki rolled her eyes. "Yes well 'Mr. Elite Jounin,' your charge is getting farther away, you don't want to lose him, do you?"

Ebisu's eyes rose from behind his glasses as he rushed out of the window and onto the rooftops yelling, "Honorable Grandson, where are you!"

Team Seven sweat dropped as Naruto asked, "So, who were they? You seem to know the kid, Natsuki. Who is he?"

Sasuke grunted. "Didn't you pay attention? The kid is the grandson of the Sandaime and the other guys is his trainer."

Naruto growled. "I know is that! It's just that Natsuki seems to know who the kid was personally."

Natsuki smirked. "Yeah I know him. Knew him since he was born. He-"

Konohamaru burst back into the room gasping for breath as he fell to his knees. "I-I made it..."

Natsuki walked up to Konohamaru and helped him sit down on a chair. "So what did you do this time? Did you skip out on your training again?"

Konohamaru blushed. "N-No, I just-" he couldn't come up with a good excuse.

Naruto smirked at the kid while Sasuke wandered off to look over the village. "So how do you know this kid again?" Naruto asked.

Konohamaru glared again. "I'm not a kid. My name is Konohamaru! Remember it! And I know Natsuki-nee because I'm going to marry her once I become Hokage!"

Sasuke tripped while Naruto's mouth fell open. Natsuki sighed and rubbed her forehead while Konohamaru smirked at their reactions.

Naruto shook his head. "How the hell are you going to marry her, if you can't even become Hokage? You got knocked down just running into me!"

Konohamaru grit his teeth. "I will become Hokage. And that scroll will get the job done, so hand it over."

Naruto smirked. "Sorry, not a chance, your grandfather hired us to make sure you don't get the scroll. If I just give you it, we'd fail the mission."

Konohamaru just pouted. "Then how am I gonna be Hokage if I can't beat the old man?"

Natsuki answered this, "You need to work on your other skills. The ones you were still practicing like the transformation and clone techniques."

Konohamaru crossed his arms and huffed. "But those are boring. They won't let me blow things up or burn things into ash!"

Naruto sat back listening to the exchange when he got an idea. "Ok, how about this." He said getting both Natsuki and Konohamaru's attention. "I'll teach you a Jutsu, only if you leave us alone for the rest of the mission."

Seeing Konohamaru's eyes sparkle at the mention of the words 'teach' and 'jutsu', he made a clone and had it join the guarding of the scroll while he took the young boy to the corner of the room.

"Ok, so the technique I'm going to show you is the Kage Shuriken no Jutsu (Shadow Shuriken). This basically let's you hide another shuriken in the shadow of the one you threw for a sneak attack. So when you throw one and miss, the other appears right after it making your opponent dodge because they can't hit a shadow. It works with any shuriken, or so I'm told, so you'll have fun no matter what." Naruto explained.

Konohamaru took out a notepad and pencil and started taking down notes. Naruto sweat-dropped. "Hey, Konohamaru, what are you doing?"

Konohamaru looked up with glasses that suddenly appeared on his face. "I'm taking notes so I don't forget later, why?"

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Taking notes is pretty smart- like in the academy, but what if someone steals them like you were with the scroll. Then they use the jutsu against you and your friends."

Konohamaru looked down, notes and glasses disappearing. "I don't have a lot of friends. It's because I'm the grandson of the Sandaime. People are scared of being friends with me and thanks to that, they all call me 'honored grandson of the Sandaime', not Konohamaru. All I have is Natsuki. And now since she is a ninja, she won't have a lot of time to play with me anymore."

Naruto looked at the kid with sadness. He knew what is was like to not have someone to hang out with or play with you until he entered the academy. Then he made friends with Shikamaru, Choji and Natsuki.

"You know what," Naruto said, getting Konohamaru's attention, "I'll be your friend too. Heck, I'm already your badass sensei for teaching you this, why not be friends too."

Konohamaru lost the defeated look in his eyes and smirked. "Yeah! And one day, I'll beat you to become Hokage!"

Naruto scratched his head. "Why? Don't get me wrong, I'd love to beat you to the ground any day at any time, but why fight me?"

Konohamaru grinned. "Because the student has to beat the sensei once they learn everything they can. Plus, we're gonna be fighting to see who can marry Natsuki!"

This caused Naruto and Natsuki to go as red as her hair and Sasuke to choke on his spit. Konohamaru frowned. "What? Is it something I said?"

After teaching Konohamaru the Kage Shuriken no Jutsu and getting him to forget about the scroll he said he would target, the members of Team Seven stood across from the Hokage with Kakashi standing next to them.

Hiruzen cleared his throat. "It seems that you've completed the mission. I want to thank all of you for your hard work. Here is the mission pay for each of you. You've done an excellent job for your first mission."

The Genin bowed. "Thank you Hokage-sama." The old man laughed. "No, thank you. I've been receiving reports of my grandson performing exponentially better since your mission. And of a certain... challenge that was issued."

Naruto and Natsuki blushed while Sasuke smirked. Kakashi giggled but that was because he was reading his book. "At any rate, you are all dismissed. I will see you all at a later date."

Once Kakashi led the Genin out of the mission reception, he said, "I want to let you know that I am proud of the way you guys guarded the scroll. You managed to protect a scroll that could have contained vital information. Said information could have been either useless or have the power to ultimately ruin Konoha. Not only that, you managed to sway the enemy against stealing the scroll. All in all, it was a job well done."

Naruto grinned while rubbing the back of his neck and Sasuke smirked while Natsuki rocked back and forth on her feet a large smile on her face. Kakashi started walking towards the training field. "Come on my cute little Genin. Just because you finished a mission doesn't mean you can skip out on team training." He said resulting in groans from the rest.

Thanks for reading the story so far. I'll put up the Wave mission chapter probably before New Years Day, so look out for that. Thanks for reviewing this story, it makes me feel like I'm not some random loser writing what they think is going to be the best fanfiction on the entire goddamn site. So thanks for that.

Review by clicking that button. Yeah, the one down there. Riiight there.