Chapter 7: The First Ninja Lesson

"Naruto, tell me again how you managed to make Hinata pass out." I huffed and shifted Hinata, who was currently passed out on my back. We were all walking in the Forest of Trials. The sun was almost done setting, and the forest was growing darker by the moment. Even though we caught Hinata, she was fast asleep, and none of us had the heart to shake her awake. I got stuck carrying her though. Don't get me wrong. Hinata is nice and she's not that heavy, but carrying her makes me unable to move fast, and she's much heavier than any orphan girl I've carried. I shot Sasuke a look.

"I told you before. It was all your fault." Even in the growing darkness, I could see the blank look on his face. "Sasuke, you flung a freaking fireball at her! She already wears her heavy jackets. That fire made her overheat and pass out!" Sai, who was currently walking and drawing sketches of the darkened forest, spoke up.

"Technically, Sasuke breathed fire. He breathed fire at her." I narrowed my eyes and let sarcasm seep into my voice.

"Oh, yes. He breathed fire. That makes it all the more better." Sasuke jumped up and over a couple tree roots and looked back at me with a small smirk.

"You're just upset that I happen to know a jutsu." Irritation bit at the back of my throat. Okay, so I am a bit jealous that Sasuke knows a jutsu. Can you blame me? We've only been ninja students for a couple days, and here's Sasuke being all cool and strong by getting ahead and learning a jutsu. I don't know any. A jutsu is a ninja-art that requires charka in order to be activated. Long ago, ninja used many forms of jutsus in battle. In order for me to become a true ninja, I will learn many of them and master them all. But...

But Sasuke learning one before me just pisses me off!

I glared at Sasuke and shifted Hinata on my back again. After jumping over the roots too, I looked ahead and saw we were almost out. Gaara, who stood to my left, noticed this and looked at me.

"Should we try waking her up again?" I looked back at Hinata. Her arms were wrapped around my neck, and her head was nuzzled into the back of my neck. Her lavender scent filled my nose, and she looked so peaceful sleeping. I made an uncertain noise in my mouth.

"I dunno. I can keep carrying her until we get to the dorms." Gaara nodded at that. We all walked out of the forest and into the field again. I looked around. "Where's Kakashi?" Sasuke shrugged. He went over and closed the forest gate.

"Who knows? Let's just walk back to campus." Everyone agreed, and after I adjusted Hinata on my back again, we dashed across the field. The tired feeling I felt before was still there, but I dismissed it and ran with the others. Everyone of us was getting faster. I can tell my speed has been increasing just by sprinting around like this. In fact, carrying Hinata isn't even that bad anymore. It's almost like an exercise. We all jumped into the main forest and leaped into the trees. Sasuke, Sai, and Gaara jumped higher than me, but I didn't mind. I simply jumped lower and steadier, so Hinata wouldn't wake up. She's worked hard. She deserves to sleep.

We finally arrived at the school, and after Sasuke opened the gate, we headed in. We all walked across the campus. The sky was pretty mix of orange and purple, and the air was crisp and cool. The street lamps lit our way, but the the last rays of the sun were just enough. Sai sighed.

"Nature is truly nice, is it not?" No one replied to that, so he went on. "It's very elegant and prim, yet, in a moments notice, it can become violent and destructive and turn itself into rumble and ruins. Suicidal, almost." I cocked an eyebrow.

"You think nature is suicidal? That makes no sense, Sai. Why would something that knows it's all amazing and pretty, scar and destroy itself?" Sai hummed to himself before answering.

"Looks can be deceiving, Naruto. Take us humans for example. We purposely participated and instigated foolish wars only to have many of our kind scarred and slaughtered. Are we not like nature?" I stopped walking and frowned at him. First off, when was Sai so dang poetic!? Second off...

"Why compare us to nature?" Gaara and Sasuke stopped and looked at us. "Sure, nature and humankind are both beautiful in their own ways, but we chose to have wars and destroy ourselves. Nature can't chose that. It's nature! So, stop being so poetic!" Sasuke gave me a disgusted look.

"We're not beautiful. Humankind is probably the ugliest thing on this planet. All we do is make mistakes and shed blood."

"That's a little true, but we have made beautiful things too! We've made art, fighting, food, fun, and happiness!"

"What "happiness"?" We all turned to Gaara. A cold look was in his eyes. I blinked and recoiled a bit. Not him too... "I'm sorry, Naruto, but I can't help but agree with Sasuke. Happiness is just a feeling we feel when the despair is over. All we do is create a world full of it." No. I will not listen to this!

"You guys, snap out of it! Why do you think you're here?" No one answered. "You're here to change that! We're all here to gain the knowledge and power of ninja, but with it, we will change all of that. We'll write out the wrongs of mankind, and when trouble arises, we'll stamp it out and make this world beautiful again!" It was silent as they all looked at me. Sai snickered and turned to walk away.

"And, you called me "poetic"." Eh? Hey! He walked off towards the main building as I glared at his back. Sasuke's face was neutral again, but there was something in his voice.

"To "make this world beautiful again", what do think it will really take?" He turned and walked away. His body was stiff again like the night Hinata and Sai first came here. Something in me turned. Sasuke... Gaara cleared his throat, and I looked at him.

"We should go." He started to walk, but I stopped him.

"Hold on." He looked back at me. "I'm not gonna tell you that we don't create a world full of despair, but I'm not let you believe that we will always live like this. Trust me, Gaara. We'll change this world." Gaara stared at me for a moment before smiling.

"Yes." I smiled back, and we walked off toward the main building. "Naruto?" I glanced at him as we walked.

"Yeah?"

"About the night I came here..." He paused, and I understood. I nodded, so he continued. "Until we figure out how that happened, we tell no one. Okay?" I thought of Hinata, but I could still feel her breathing evenly on my back.

"Don't worry. I don't plan to." He must of thought of her too since he shot her a glance before nodding. We walked back to the main building in a friendly silence, and when we reached the door, Gaara opened it for me. "Thanks." We headed in and approached the main area.

What I saw next surprised me.

There were a bunch more students in the building. I believe there were at least ten of them. They all wore different colored clothes, and just by glancing, you could tell they came from multiple back grounds and lands. There was one guy with a muscular body and wild black hair, and a girl with long teal hair and blue eyes. Kakashi must of worked hard to get all these students here. I walked up, and all eyes turned to me. Sasuke seemed to be inspecting them again while Gaara and Sai remained silent. Kakashi cleared his throat at me, but I payed him no mind.

It was the man next to Kakashi that grabbed my attention.

He had full head of dark brown hair that was mostly kept in large, high ponytail and calm, dark eyes. Some of his hair came down in small side bangs on either side of his forehead. His tan skin contrasted the long, dark scar that ran across the bridge of his nose. He wore a white shirt with dark pants, and there was mesh-material poking out at the top of his shirt. We stared at each other in utter shock. Kakashi cleared his throat again, but I payed him no mind and jumped at my longtime friend.

"Iruka!" Even though Hinata was still on my back, I jumped out toward a surprised Iruka with glee. Everything would've been perfect if Kakashi hadn't grabbed me by the head and held me in place. I blinked and looked over at a clearly pissed off Kakashi. A narrowed eyed Kakashi is a mad Kakashi. I gulped and grinned sheepishly while taking a couple steps back. Everyone was looking at us. Kakashi spoke out in a dark tone.

"Do something stupid one more time, and you just might find yourself lost in the woods sometime soon. Understand me, Naruto?" I nodded fearfully, knowing he could probably own up to that agreement. Scary. Kakashi let go and continued talking again in his normal, lazy voice. "Good. First order of business, let down Hinata." Huh? I looked behind me and saw that Hinata was indeed awake, and she was cherry red and slightly trembling.

"Whoops! Sorry about that, Hinata! Didn't mean to wake you!" I flashed her a smile, but her eyes only seemed to roll back, and she was out again! Why!? What'd I do? Kakashi shook his head at me.

"You just had to scare her again." I frowned and placed her down on one of the couches. "Now, where was I?" Iruka cut in with his usual bright and youthful voice despite being older than us teens.

"Uh, Kakashi sensei?" Kakashi glanced at a timid Iruka. "You were talking about introducing the new students, and you were going to inform them on the lesson for tonight." Kakashi piped in.

"Ah! I remember now! Thank you, Iruka sensei. It's already so much nicer to have you around." Iruka bowed slightly.

"No troubles." Wait. WHAT!? I gaped at Iruka.

"You're a teacher here now!?" Iruka smiled at me, and for a small moment, it looked like he was glowing.

"Don't think just because I knew you ever since you were even more of brat that I'll go easy on you, Naruto." My shoulders sagged as the weight and power off his words hit me hard on the head. Iruka, why!? Kakashi gave him a pleased look.

"Well said, Iruka." He turned back to us. "As you all can see, we have some new students, so I'll let them introduce themselves." The new kids began introducing themselves. A boy with dark hair and eyes introduced himself as Minori, and he called the girl with teal hair Sadako. They said they came from the same village. A guy with brown skin and spiked, ashy hair said he was Arashi, and his companion was this other guy with neat, brown hair and grey eyes, named Kasumitsu. The guy with the wild, black hair and muscles said he was Shinobu. His friends were a guy with brown hair and green eyes and some girl with short, rusty red hair and brown eyes. Their names were Hyosuke and Tamiko.

The last person to introduce themselves was some other girl. Well, I think she's a girl. She wore a jacket with a hood shadowing her whole face; only her choppy, dark brown hair that parted on either side of her neck flowed out. Her voice was even and steely.

"My name is Ruuka. It is a pleasure to be here." I cocked an eyebrow at her. "A pleasure"? Okay... Don't get too excited now. Kakashi nodded at Ruuka.

"Thank you, Ruuka." He then turned to the rest of us. "Now, would the students, who've been here longer, introduce themselves?" Sasuke was the first to step up.

"My name is Sasuke. If you have questions about your rooming and such, ask me." Whoa. Super professional. Sai stepped up next and half bowed.

"I am Sai. Let's learn well together." He looked over at Hinata, who had just woken up. We all turned to her as she jumped up and hastily but politely bowed.

"U-Um, I'm H-Hinata! L-Let's work well together!" I smiled at her while Gaara stepped up.

"My name is Gaara. Welcome to Yuniti." A pause went in the room as I looked at Gaara. He looked at me with an annoyed expression. Huh? What'd I do? I looked over at the new students, who were staring at me.

Wait. Oh! It's my turn! I gave a grin and scratched the back of my neck. So embarrassing!

"Hehe! Name's Naruto! Thanks for coming to our school!" I heard Sasuke mumble something along the lines of "That idiot" and shot him a look, but Kakashi kept talking.

"So, as you can see, these will be your peers. These five have only a little bit more experience than you, especially Naruto and Sasuke, but I'm sure everyone will catch up in due time. Now that I think about it," he paused and looked at us. "Who won the game?" I quickly spoke up.

"We did! We found her before sunset."

"Excellent work, you four. You too, of course, Hinata. I'll explain the game to the rest of you later, but it's time for class." Huh? Class? Kakashi gestured to Iruka. "We'll have more organized classes and teachers later on, but for now, I want you kids to go to bed tonight with something for your brain to chew on. I'll leave the rest to Iruka sensei here. Well, goodnight." On that note, he walked out of the main room, leaving us with Iruka. Iruka looked us all before talking.

"We'll be going to the first building just west of here. Sasuke can lead you while I gather my things." Sasuke walked ahead, so the others followed. I stayed behind and watched as Iruka attempted to pick up some folders that were on the coffee table. When they started to slip, I jumped forward and balanced them for him. He gave me a grateful but wry smile. "Could it be? Could being enrolled in this school improve your bratty attitude? I'm surprised," he commented playfully. I grinned at him. I missed that smile.

"You know you love me." I tossed my arms around his shoulders and gave him a gentle squeeze. Iruka was my only friend back then. When I was just a pranking brat, Iruka had just graduated college. I used to prank him all the time. I stuffed eggs in his shoes, planted perverted magazines and posters all over his room, made him fall down a hole filled with mud and more. Honestly, I don't know why I went to such an extent with him. I guess I just like how he would yell and chase after me. The attention made me feel good around that time. One day, Iruka was smart and managed to catch me. Instead of giving me a beating, he took me out to get ramen with him. I never had enough money to buy it myself, so I was so surprised at how good it tasted. While I ate, he asked me this:

"Why do you prank people, Naruto?" I didn't have a real answer, so I just said I enjoyed it. He then told me how sad it made him to see me that way. Iruka noticed how lonely I was and said watching me everyday made him feel unhappy. I was so shocked. Someone paying attention to me was one thing, but someone worrying about me was something else. I ended up talking to him more and getting closer to him. Iruka was always there after that. When I cried or felt down, he'd let me stay with him and care for me. Iruka is like family to me. One day, he had to leave our small part of the village and look for a job, so he left but promised we'd meet again. My only friend was gone for a while, but now, he's back! Iruka pulled back and looked at me.

"Yeah, sure I do." We chuckled together, and he held me out to look at me. "You've grown so much, Naruto." I felt something warm fill me, and I beamed.

"You too. No grey hairs yet, right?" He groaned.

"With you here, I just might gain a few." I grinned, but he looked seriously at me. "So, you really did find a ninja school to enroll in." Iruka's known my dream ever since I was prankster. I nodded.

"That's right, and I love it here! Why are you here though? I thought you wanted to be a history teacher." Iruka sighed.

"I did, but since I always hung out with a certain ninja-obsessed brat, I learned more about ninja history and ninja arts than anyone in my division. For real, Naruto, I know so much about ninjas it's not even funny! Oh well, Kakashi sensei is nice, so it'll work. I'm sure this school will become big again too." We picked up his stuff and headed for the building to the west of the main one. I gave Iruka an unsure look.

"But, why? Why did you become a teacher here?" He breathed out through his nose and looked at me with gentle, dark eyes.

"In case I met you again, of course. Gotta promise to keep, remember?" No words could describe how happy I was at that moment. Iruka paused and looked at me with sad but happy look. He reached out and ruffled my hair softly. A small smile lifted up to my lips.

"Thank you, Iruka." I felt like I was telling it to my big brother. He gazed at me softly before speaking.

"You're welcome, Naruto. Now, stop your babying. Wanna look like a brat on the first day? Also, I won't go easy on you since you're an idiot." I chuckled and smiled again.

"I know, I know." We entered the building he was talking about and walked down a short hallway with several doors spaced widely apart. Walking through the first wooden door, we entered a large classroom. There was a single wooden desk at the very front for the teacher, and the students' desks were on elevated platforms that covered the other half of the room. There were four levels of platforms with two long desk in each section; there was a total of four sections. I looked around and saw everyone sitting in the second section. Putting Iruka's stuff on the desk, I quickly made my way up to the second level and sat next to Gaara. Hinata was one level below me and next to Ruuka. Sasuke was on the other side of Gaara with Sai, and the rest of the students were scattered around the second section.

Whoa. We're like a real classroom now. Iruka stepped to the front and cleared his throat. All attention wad given to him.

"Well, it's nice to meet all of you. As you should now know, my name is Iruka Umino. I'm going to be teaching you about the basics of shinobi lifestyle and ninjutsu training." He breathed out and composed himself. He's doing a pretty good job so far. "Okay, I'm going to ask you guys a question now. It's fine if you don't know the answer. What do ninja use in battle?" A couple hands shot up, and Iruka picked on Hinata, who had her hand hesitantly up and down at the same time. She blinked and began to answer.

"U-Um, ninja use jutsus when fighting," she answered quietly. Iruka nodded.

"That is correct. Good job, Hinata." Hinata smiled lightly, and Iruka continued. "Yes, it is true. Ninja utilize several jutsus in order to combat enemy ninja, but they also used special techniques, weapons, and fighting styles too. As ninja in training, you will utilize every part of your body, mind, and heart in order to combat your fellow peers and enemies in the future." Iruka's eyes perked up and he pointed to someone, one of the new students. "You have a question, Shinobu?" Shinobu, the muscular guy from before, nodded.

"So, as ninja in training, you're gonna teach us jutsus and such?" His voice was kind of deep but full of life. Iruka waited before nodding.

"Sure. Why not?" He turned to everyone. "How does that sound guys? I teach all of you a jutsu to get things started?" Everyone nodded and agreed. I can't believe it! We're about to learn a jutsu! Iruka smiled and took a step back. "Okay. I'll teach you one, but you'll need to understand the basis of charkra first." Oh! I know that! I shot up my hand, and Iruka, who looked surprised, called on me. "Yes?"

"Chakra is like the life-blood of all ninja. Unlike our normal red blood, chakra moves in a counter-clockwise motion. By molding two, um, certain types of chakra in our cores, we can use it to activate jutsus and such. Activation of jutsus is done by...uh. Oh! By using hand signs and other types of bodily triggers and commands." Everyone looked at me in awe. Hinata smiled and gazed at me. Sai had an eyebrow raised while Gaara blinked at me in surprise. Sasuke's mouth was completely ajar. He honestly looked stumped. Iruka was shocked too, and all the other students were staring. An irritated look crossed my face as I glared at everyone in the room. "Y'know, I'm not that stupid." Iruka immediately cleared his throat.

"N-No one said or thought that, Naruto." Oh, yeah, sure. Sasuke spoke.

"Um, well I did!" At least he's honest. I let my head fall to the table as Iruka calmed the class down. Oh, great. Sasuke's such a riot.

"Hey, enough of that! Anyway, thank you, Naruto, for the synapsis. Like he said, chakra is important in activating jutsus. For tonight, I'll teach you the "Shadow Clone Technique"." Another new student spoke out. "Yes, Tamiko?" The girl with the short, red hair leaned forward.

"Can we see an example?" Iruka shrugged.

"Sure. Why not?" He stepped back and breathed out. Quickly, his hands moved in front of him, creating different signs, and he spoke out in a voice similar to the one Sasuke used in the forest. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" A puff of smoke appeared along with a popping sound, and when it disappeared there was another Iruka.

Wait. What!?

I rubbed my eyes and stared in wonder. Iruka had created a clone of himself! Everyone was silent until Shinobu spoke up again.

"What just happened?" The Iruka on the left laughed while the one on the right smiled.

"I've simply made a clone of myself. This is called a Shadow Clone." The right Iruka made another sign, and the left one suddenly puffed up into smoke. "By equally distributing chakra, you can create temporary clones of yourselves. They can be used to help combat enemies or cause diversions. This a basic jutsu that any ninja or person with chakra can perform. I don't want to overwhelm you guys since this is our first lesson, so I'll allow you to look over these papers with basic jutsus in the mean time." He began to pass out papers, and soon everyone was looking up jutsus to practice or learn about. I glanced over at Sasuke, who was currently reading the book Hinata had at the forest.

"Whatcha reading that for? In fact, how did you even get it?" He looked up at me, annoyed.

"I took it from the Hyuga's sack while she was sleeping. Anyway, I found out how Kakashi knew her movement pattern. He gave her this book. His name is printed right in it." I peeked over at the book and saw lots of complex techniques for movement and free running in it.

"This is pretty complex. Hinata must of studied hard." Speaking of Hinata, I looked up and saw her gazing at us. Catching my look, she jumped and grew slightly red. She walked over to us slowly.

"C-Can I please ha-have the book back? K-Kakashi Sensei trusted it t-to me," Hinata stammered. Sasuke focused his eyes on her.

"No can do. I'll give it to you after I study a bit more." She looked lost for words, so I turned to Sasuke.

"Come on, Sasuke. Don't be such a sore winner." By then, Gaara and Sai had approached us, and I smiled. "Just because Hinata's better at evading than you doesn't give you the right to be stingy." Sasuke narrowed his eyes at me and soon smirked.

"Oh, is that so? Quick question: who here knows a jutsu again?" GRRR! I fumed and stood up.

"I'll show you, Uchiha! I'll learn an even cooler and stronger jutsu than you!"

"You make me laugh. Go ahead and try, oaf."

"Shaddup, samurai boy!"

"Excuse you?" Before he could launch a fire ball at me too, I turned and stomped over towards the front of the room. On the first desk were more packets and books. I took the first book I saw, turned around, shot Sasuke an annoyed glance and walked towards Iruka.

"Is it okay if I study outside?" He looked up from examining a piece of text with one of the new students.

"Um, okay. Don't be long." I walked outside and headed for one of the lounging areas. Stupid Sasuke! It's not like I can't learn a jutsu or anything. Sitting on one of benches, I opened the book and began memorizing jutsus.

Which is a complete lie since I started to doze off.

A sharp pain went through my cheek as I pinched it subconsciously. Aw, man! Why can't I be more like Gaara or Sai, being super smart and a good student? I could do it too! I just have to focus.

But how? How can I focus? I'll admit it myself: I rarely focus on anything for too long. My attention span is so short, but when I really want to get stuff done, like enrolling myself into a ninja school, I get it done. Things like studying and learning aren't totally for me. I wonder if Kakashi or Iruka can really teach me. I'm like a hopeless case.

Maybe...

Suddenly, I stood up and closed the book. No way. No way am I going to think that way. I am going to become Hokage. Even if I'm a bad studier, I will become the best ninja alive! I turned and walked towards the dorms, but, surprisingly, Kakashi was walking my way. He cocked his head at me.

"Where are you going?" I grinned at him.

"I'm going to hit the books till bedtime. Tell Iruka and the others I went to bed. See ya!" His gaze followed me all the way to my door. I know it. I felt it. I am going to study, and when morning comes, I'm going to find more information. I sighed. I hope I have enough soda in my room. Tonight's gonna be a long night.