Hyuuga Naruto

I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 6: Academy Year 3

"Hi everyone," Naruto said to his friends as he entered the classroom.

"Hey Naruto," They all chorused. Over the two years of the academy, Naruto's group of friends had grown. It now consisted of Shikamaru, Choji, Hinata, and newly added Tenten and Lee. Lee was so far the "dead last" of the class, having the lowest grades. He had black, bowl-cut hair with a long braid going down his back. Tenten was just above Naruto in class grades. She wore her brown hair up in two buns above her head.

"Iruka-sensei says we have a special surprise today," Lee said excitedly.

"Ya, I wonder what it is," Tenten joined in, just as excited as Lee. In fact, the whole classroom seemed to be full of anticipation for the good news their teacher was sure to bring.

"Alright class settle down into your seats for role," Iruka said upon entering. After calling role, he began to speak. "Today we will be starting your weapon training class," this was met by a series of cheers. "You may know this consists of kunai and shuriken training, but we also have a few special options. "Follow me and I will show you."

Iruka exited the room, followed by the class. Whispering among themselves, they trailed their teacher through the academy, until they reached a large open room. The room had wood floors, and some wood training posts. To the far end of the room, there was a table full of scrolls. On the other end their was a table of holsters filled with standard ninja stars and kunai.

"First follow me over here," Iruka stated walking over to the table of scrolls. "Each of these contain a practice-specialty weapon and instructions on how to use them. Now, who wants one of these weapons?"

Many hands went up. In fact the only hands that DIDN'T go up were those from clans, and Lee.

Iruka sweat-dropped at this, "Ok then, each of you come and pick a weapon."

Tenten was up at the table ready to make her choice. She was just hoping they had it, she had wanted this all her life. 'SCORE,' she thought. 'They actually have it!' and with that she picked up her scroll and walked back to the group.

After this took place those who didn't want a specific weapon, and those who didn't get one (and there were quite a few), all went over to the other table with standard tools. Once everyone had gotten their materials, Iruka spoke.

"Now you have the weapons you will continue to use throughout your ninja career. We will be practicing with only kunai and shuriken at school. Those who use something else must practice with the scroll on their own time. The scrolls you got today are level one of the weapon. After completing level one at your own place, tell an instructor and have them test you. If you are efficient in performing the contents of your scroll, you will be given the scroll for the next level. Any questions?" No hands went up. "In that case lets begin our shuriken training!"

For the rest of the school day, students practiced their accuracy from various distances. Tenten and Sasuke did the best, while Sakura did the worst. Naruto of course did just average, so as not to show his true power.

As soon as class was over, Naruto dashed home, ready to train more than ever. 'If the other students are getting stronger, I should be too,' he thought. So all that night Naruto practiced. Seeing and targeting the tenketsu (a skill even Hiashi didn't know about yet), his speed, overall fighting style, and bloodline techniques. Naruto covered it all. In fact he trained so hard that later at night, Hiashi found him passed out on the garden ground. Exhausted from his day's efforts.

The next day their was no academy, due to it being Saturday. So he walked over to a quiet lake he saw walking around the other day. Sitting on the dock he saw Sasuke Uchiha himself, all alone. He seemed to be in deep thought.

"Hi there," Naruto began as he approached. "My name's Naruto and I'm from your class at the academy..."

"...Hello..." Sasuke said without making eye contact.
The two sat in silence on the dock for a long time, feet dangling and a slight breeze being the only background noise.

"I know about your family..." Naruto said, almost whispered really. At this Sasuke turned sharply, ready to bark out, but Naruto wasn't finished. "And I know you must be hurting, but you'd feel a lot better if you opened up a little..." he continued. "If you do, I promise you'll find at least one person who will be your friend."

"Like who?..." Sasuke asked skeptically. In the back of his mind, he couldn't help but be afraid of losing someone else.

"Like me. I'll be your friend!" Naruto said cheerily as he hugged him. "But for now, I have to go home for lunch. See you later Sasuke!" and with that he dashed off.

Sasuke, still wide eyed from such physical contact, stared as the blond ran off. The only one who had ever actually hugged him before was his mother. He smiled to himself, faint blush still on his cheeks, and thought; 'Bye... New friend.'

Yay! Another chapter! I know I know, the ending was cheesy and their was implied yoai (it isn't serious until later), but it was nice. Friendship FTW! That's all for now, graduation is up next!