Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto!

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Chapter 4

Team 8

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Kurenai Yūhi was surprised when she was assigned a genin team. She was by no means good with children and she really did not have any experience in teaching children. So when the Hokage came to her with the proposition she was surprised. She had just came back from a months long mission when the assignment of being a instructor was offered towards her.

She was never in the village for long. Always out on mission trying to help the village in anyway she could. She was a master at genjustu and her taijustu wasn't far off, and she knew many different ninjutsu to add to her arsenal. She was a well rounded ninja. Her skills could have been well used off else where than training three genin. She was hesitant in accepting the position considering that she knew she wouldn't be the best fit for the job. In the end she accepted.

There was one thing and one thing only; she had to make these three genin into real shinobi's. So when she accepted she was granted access to read the students files. So as she looked at the three students in front of her, she realized she got exactly what she read, for the most part.

Kiba Inuzuka; the heir of the Inuzuka clan. His personality was headstrong, and sometimes an egotistical attitude. Despite that his instructor in the Academy noted that he seemed very loyal. He had a small canine companion named Akamaru. Some other instructors also noted that he was very friendly with Choji Akimichi, Shikamaru Nara, and Naruto Uzumaki, even sometimes pulling pranks with them. As Kurenai thought to herself, she knew that it would be a little bit hard to get the boy to work well with his team but he would be loyal and protect them on any missions.

Kiba Inuzuka Notes: During class when going over the team strategy exercise, he had one of the best plans, well organized and efficient strategies. If put more effort into studies could have made top marks. Seemed very interested in learning summons and different type of ninjutsu when discussed in class.

Shino Aburame; the heir of the Aburame clan. He is quiet, and sometimes off putting to his academy classmates. Didn't say much the entire time during his years in the Academy. Mostly trained in his insect based techniques. He was collected and a very solitary person, often times mysterious. Rarely showing emotions. As she looked over this specific boy, she noted that everything seemed true. He wouldn't be hard to convince to work together as long as everything goes to plan, Kurenai thought to herself. She nodded as she read the notes, her eyebrow perking up as she read the first one. We could have a healer on this team.

Shino Aburame Notes: When discussing medical ninjutsu he seemed interested, when talking to him after class he declined, most likely in fear of stepping away from clan tradition. Taijustu is off but could make impact if trained upon more.

Hinata Hyuga; the heir to the Hyuga clan. During the entirety of the Academy, she has been shy. Eyes always looking at the floor, fiddling with her fingers. She was much more open during the start at the Academy but as the years went on she seemed to grow more closed off and shy, most likely do to the Hyuga's clans' teaching. Her clothing seems to hinder her in her movements. She lacks the determination to finish strikes, and seems to lose motivation easily. Kurenai looked at the notes and frowned when she noticed the notes were mostly looking down on her.

Hinata Hyuga Notes: Lacks the confidence needed to be a shinobi. In her own head most of the time. Stuttering makes her ineligible. Seems interested in advancing her taijutsu but her lack of coincidence is hindering her.

But these seemed off because as she looked at the girl in front of her most of these words didn't stick true. As she pulled up a mental image of the picture that was on her student profile and compared it to the girl in front of her it was different.

The clothes were not the same. These clothes were much more aerodynamic, less baggy and more free flowing. She had a smile on her face and was communicating effortlessly with Kiba who had complimented her on the new outfit and telling her she smelled like lavender and flowers. Shino wasn't saying much but he was listening intently and by the way his chakra was flowing she could tell his insects were reacting rather nicely to the two.

She was blushing and her stutter was much more calmer than what the notes were over exaggerating it to be. She needed to talk to the instructors in the academy, not believing that could get most of the information incorrectly.

She coughed, grabbing the attention of her three genin. They had made it to their training ground, training ground #8. They walked in silence but as they sat down on the grass they began to talk among themselves, not liking the quiet. Both Kiba and Shino were surprised with this somewhat new Hinata. "Welcome everyone. Before we get started with what I have planned, I'd like for everyone to introduce themselves. I'll go first to give you an example."

"My name is Kurenai Yūhi. It's a pleasure to be your sensei. I will be here for help, information, or anything else you might need. I'd like if all of you voiced your opinions to me and give any advice you think I might need as well. We are here to learn from each other. My specialization is genjutsu, but I am well honed in other aspects as well. I like all types of fruits and I even enjoy sweets and my friend Anko and training. My dislikes are people who are lazy, who are unwilling to work for what they want, and I'm not too fond of many spicy things. My hobbies include training, reading and learning, and I do dabble in drawing and plants. Finally my dream is to show that even kunoichi's can be strong and break the cycle of mostly male dominate shinobis."

As she said the last part she watched as Hinata's eyes widened, and she watched as the girl shrunk into herself, a blush echoing on her features. As Kurenai was introducing herself she noticed the slight flicker in Shino's body as she mentioned her hobby in drawing. She mentally noted this to herself. It was easy to read Kiba's when she mentioned plants.

"Kurenai-sensei, you like plants?" Kiba asked, a slight amazed look in his eyes.

Kurenai nodded, a smile echoing on her face. "In my backyard yes. I have mostly fruit plants consisting of strawberries, blueberries and peaches. I have some flowers growing out there as well, marigolds, cosmos, and lavender flowers. All three of you are invited to see it if you'd like. Shino you can also see my drawings one day if you'd like." She said, sending a smirk his way causing Shino to look away.

Kiba chuckled at Shino. "Oh man! Shino you draw?"

Through the darkness of his hoodie we could see small red specs on his cheeks, concluding that he was blushing. "Yes. Why? Because it can be peaceful."

Hinata giggled at them, hearing her giggle, caused Kiba to smile brightly. "What about you, Hinata-chan, anything Kurenai-sensei said that aligns with you as well?"

Hinata blushed, lowering her head down a little bit. "I e-enjoy sweets as well."

Kurenai chuckled at her. "What about you introduce yourself next, Hinata?"

Hinata's eyes widened, being called out caused her to blush furiously but nodded with insane speed. "Yes. Um. My-My name is Hinata Hyuga. The Hyuga specializes in our main technique, the Byakugan. I am heir, b-but that might be going to my y-youngest sister considering she shows more potential." Hinata stated looking down, worry overcoming her features but after a few minutes of what looked like a small conversation in her head, she smiled and continued. "My likes are sweets, mainly cinnamon rolls, umm I've taken a liking to dragon fruits as well."

Kurenai raised her eyebrow at that with surprise. Interesting.

"I've also began enjoying my new training regimen that I have created. I-It, it is new but I think it has helped." She said smiling to herself, pushing her fingers together once more, than her eyes hardened. "My dislike is the rift between the main branch and side branch of the Hyuga and the branch seal." She shook her head. "I also dislike arrogant people and people who look down on others when they know nothing about them. My hobbies include flower pressing, making healing balms, training and as of lately reading. My dreams is to break the rift in the clan, prove to everyone that they are wrong and that I am indeed strong."

Kurenai nodded. "Flowering pressing and healing balms? Very impressive, Hinata. You're goals are also very admirable and I'm sure one day you can reach them." This caused Hinata to blush at the praise but nodded nonetheless happy that she got a second compliment today.

Kiba smiled as well, and Akamaru barked. "Sensei is right! Do you think I'll be able to see your flower pressing book one day?"

Hinata nodded, her face hot red but was smiling nonetheless. Her head turned over to Shino when he started speaking up.

"Healing balm. Can I see? Why? Because I think it is impressive and I'd like to know the inner workings of what went into it. Why? because it might be important to learn in the future."

Hinata smiled at him. "Of course, Shino-kun. I'll show it to you once we have free time."

Kurenai smiled at their bonding, letting her shoulders relax, getting them to work together might be easier than what she originally thought. They seemed to be bonding really well. "Kiba you got next."

"Alright sensei." He exclaimed, smiling, his canines showing. While Akamaru barked besides him. "My name is Kiba Inuzuka. I'm from the Inuzuka clan. I'm also the heir of the clan and our clan specializes in ninken as fighting companions, which is Akamaru!" Akamaru barked jumping on top of Kiba's head wagging his white tail. "We are easy to identify by our red fang markings." He stated, pointing at his cheek while smiling.

Kurenai nodded. "Thank you for the information, Kiba. We will know if we run in your clan on any futures missions because of your helpfulness."

Kiba grinned brightly. "My likes are gardening as well, but I do it on the side but I enjoy. I like training with Akamaru and recently been getting into summoning learning but I don't know how to go about it. I like BBQ and I enjoy making strategy games inside of my head. I dislike people who are annoying, and who don't work hard and people who go against their word. My hobbies are gardening, reading, playing with Akamaru and training. My dream is to become the strongest in my clan and obtain wolf summoning and I want to see if I can transform into one too!"

Hinata blinked as she looked at Kiba. "Strategy games?" She asked in confusion.

Kiba nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, like.. like I imagine a fight in my head and come up with random strategies."

Kurenai nodded. "That's good, Kiba. That will help in real time."

Kiba showed his canines. "Yes sensei!"

"You're turn, Shino." Kurenai called out.

Shino nodded and began to talk. "I am Shino Aburame. I am the heir of my clan. My clan specializes in insect control. We are offered insect breeds at birth and they hide under the host's skin." He said that and pulled his arms up, causing some insect to fly out but than back into the sleeves. To his surprise no one was scared about it.

"They are different types correct?" Kurenai asked.

"Yes there is. I'm currently working on maintaining a breed. Ones that zap their chakra but when they return to me, they'll give me the exact amount of chakra absorbed and that are invincible to the poisonous insects."

Kurenai's eyes widened and nodded, impressed at her students progress.

"My likes are insects and finding different kinds so I can experiment on them. I also like training in my clans techniques. I like to draw and enjoy cold foods. My dislikes are people who don't like insects and hurt them. My hobbies are drawing in my free time and I like reading about healing ninjutsu. My goal is to harvest my old brothers insect so I can still have traces of him and show my family that we don't only need to know our clan's technique and that we can be vital in many other techniques. I also want to breed new insects and see what kind I can invent."

Hinata frowned at Shino before it turned into a reassuring smile. "Shino, that is very respectful of you."

Kiba smiled with a more calm demeanor than the other times. "Yes I agree with Hinata. I also think all your goals are admirable."

After the introduction the three genin began to talk to themselves once more, noticing that their sensei seemed to be in her own head once more. Kurenai shook her head to herself and decided to tell them what she had planned next for them. "You guys aren't fully genin yet."

Shino didn't say much. Hinata frowned and as expected Kiba was the one to voice his opinions. "What is that suppose to mean!? We didn't work our asses off for the stupid graduation exam just for this?!"

"You guys need to pass one more test before you guys can be considered genin and so we can continue as a team." Kurenai explained to them. Kiba had calmed down with every word.

"That means we just need to pass whatever test this will be." Kiba said with confidence. "Hinata, Shino and I can do that easily!"

"If you fail you will be sent back to the academy."

There was an awkward but also serious tension that overcame the students. That revelation scared them, bringing shivers upon their skin. Being sent back to the academy was something that they didn't want to happen. They had work so hard to get where they were and they were not going to let a surprise test hold them back from more progress. Kiba clenched his hands, turning them into fists. Hinata stood there, her head hanging low as she stared at the floor, a self doubting look overcoming her features. Shino was standing tall as before but as Kurenai stared at him, she was able to see the slight shifts in his legs, noticing his discomfort.

Kiba was the first one to speak, grabbing the attention of everyone. "We can beat whatever test you throw at us. Just like I said before." He stood confidently. staring Kurenai directly in the eye, ask if challenging her. "We worked so hard to get here, we are not going to be sent back." He stated with sheer conviction, stepping forward.

Hinata blinked, lifting her head up once she heard the confident words from her teammate. Kiba was right. They had worked hard to get to where they were right now. They had to go through their respective individual situations and hardships to be who they were right now. Inhaling sharply, she nodded her head, and with some of Yuki's confidence. "Kiba is right, Kurenai-sensei. We will beat whatever test you have."

Shino didn't say anything, but he was looking directly in Kurenai's eyes as well, some type of determine presence in the way he was looking and standing. Some how being able to read Shino's intention, Kiba barked out. "Even Shino, feels the same way!"

Kurenai nodded. "Alright than but just so you know, determination won't be the only thing you need to defeat me. Today was just for introductions, so tomorrow morning at the same we meet right here and begin the test. Get a lot of rest. You'll need it."

Kiba grinned, "What about we do the test now?"

Hinata blinked, cowering into herself not ready to do the test yet. She wasn't mentally prepared.

Just do it. Yuki exclaimed in her head, causing her to rub her temple for some sort of comfort. You'll probably just stress yourself out waiting.

Shino spoke up as well. "I suggest we do it now as well. Why? Because the sooner we finish, the sooner we can get started on our training and becoming genin."

Even bug boy has a point. Hinata pouted, lowering her head.

Kurenai looked at the boys and then at Hinata. "Well... If Hinata agrees, we can get started on the test." Then she turned over to the boys. "I admire the determination and eagerness to continue your careers and training."

Hinata debated with herself. Than she decided why not. Better to finish it now, than wait until tomorrow. "Yes.." She stuttered out. "We can start the test now."

Kurenai clapped her hands and nodded. "Okay. That seals the deal. If you manage to pass, our team will mainly be tracking and locating. The test will be based around that." Kurenai explained, looking seriously. "You're goal is to find me and tag me. Starting now."

And just like that she's gone.

Leaving the three students in awe. Kiba shook his head before sniffing the air, Akamaru following suit. "I don't smell her. Shino?" He asked turning around to look at the boy.

"I didn't put a bug on her. Why? Because I didn't get the chance to ask." Shino explained, then he turned to Hinata. "Byakugan?"

Hinata nodded, doing the hand signs. "Byakugan!" She turned around to look but couldn't see anything. She shook her head. "She's probably gotten out of my range."

"Alright than!" Kiba exclaimed. "We just need to find her the old way. Akamaru has the scent memorized. We just need to get close enough to pick it up." He explained to them.

Shino nodded in understanding before lifting his arms, letting his bugs fly. "I sent a couple of my insects to go search for sensei as well so we can cover more ground that way."

Hinata bit her lip. "I-I'll keep my Byakugan activated so when w-we are looking we'll have b-better range."

Kiba nodded. "What are the things sensei likes?"

"She likes fruits and sweets." Hinata answered.

"She doesn't like spices." Shino pitched in. "and she also likes drawing and planets."

Kiba nodded. "Alright, lets hit the bakeries in the village."

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It took them awhile to realize that their sensei had been with them since the start, just hiding undercover with a disguise. They had been searching aimlessly. Picking up her scent to only lose her after awhile. It wasn't until Hinata and Shino realized there had been one constant in their searching.

"Hasn't that women been with us since the start?" Shino asked in a questioning tone, not sure if he was making it up or if it was true.

Hinata blinked as they stared from the door of one of the flower shops in town. The Yamanaka's flower shop to be exact. The women was sitting on one of the benches outside, seemingly in her own world. Kiba looked confused before sniffing the air, Akamaru doing the same. "It's Kurenai-sensei." All three whispered at the same time.

Kurenai-sensei stood up from her bench and smiled at them warningly. Kiba was the first to move from his spot, ready to tag his sensei. Akamaru running right behind him but as they got closer Kurenai disappeared from their sights. "Rooftops!" Hinata exclaimed as her eyes snapped open to where Kurenai had reappeared on the rooftops. All three genin jumped from where they are landing on the same rooftop.

Kurenai smiled at them. "Well you guys found me." She stated taking off the hat and jacket she had used to disguise herself. "Now tag me."

Kiba ran up once again, palm stretch out ready to tag his sensei but was easily side stepped by Kurenai. Shino went next, his attempts also in vain considering Kurenai easily dodged that as well. Kiba ran up again but this time, more ruthless, none stop. Kurenai still dodged everything easily, a small smile playing on her lips.

"Um.." Hinata whispered out. "Do you think we can move back to the training grounds?" Kiba and Kurenai stopped to their movement to see Hinata looking below. Kiba walked over to see where Hinata was looking at to only come face to face with Ino Yamanaka. Kurenai chuckled. "Sorry, Ino." Hinata muttered. "We didn't mean to disrupt your peace."

Ino smiled at Hinata in a friendly gesture, having seen everything since the moment they got up there. "It's okay Hinata!"

"We will be taking our leave." Kurenai-sensei smiled at the girl. "Good luck on your genin test. I've seen Asuma-sensei be ruthless."

Ino blinked before silently sobbing with in herself. Tomorrow was going to be hard. Kiba gave her a toothy grin. "It's okay! You got this!"

They went back to their training ground once they said their byes and sorry. Once they were back to the training ground the team huddled next to each other.

"We need to find a way to tag Kurenai-sensei!" Kiba exclaimed in a frustrated manner, as he dug his foot into the ground. Their sensei standing a couple of feet away from them as they tried to discuss the best way to tag Kurenai. His eyes brightened as a plan came to his mind. "Shino, we need to use your insects... well just one." Shino nodded, somewhat understanding what his plan is. "She never said anything about Shino's bugs not being able to count, right?" The three genin smirked as Kiba huddled closer explaining the plan to them.

Soon all three went in separate directions, surrounding their sensei. Kurenai smiled at them, raising her eyebrow as a way to tell them to come at her.

Kiba and Shino went up to Kurenai in a full out sprint at the same time. Hinata going the opposite direction running up a tree and crouching down on a branch waiting for her opportunity.

Kiba went for a touch but like the previous times he was side stepped, Shino went for a swipe to his sensei's legs just to have her jump in the air and disappearing in a swirl of leaves to only end up a couple of feet ahead of them again. Kiba smirked as Shino threw a smoke bomb to the ground.

Kurenai blinked and watched the smoke ahead of her with interested, her eyes widened slightly as Akamaru jumped out of the smoke with quick strides coming at her. She ducked her head to counter the jump and as she turned around to see Akamaru slide to a halt to only vanish in a puff of smoke.

She turned around and in her horror Hinata was there with a smile as her hand was inches away from touching Kurenai's shirt. Kurenai smiled at her. "Are you going to tag me?"

Hinata eased her stanced and grinned up at her, as Kiba and Shino approached from behind her. Kiba had her hands around his neck and Shino looked calm. "Your hand, Kurenai-sensei."

Kurenai looked amused and than smiled when she saw one of Shino's bugs on her hands. "When?"

Kiba grinned. "That's only for us to know!"

"It was a good plan, Kiba." Shino complimented. "Why? Because Kurenai-sensei has no clue."

Hinata giggled as Kiba laughed out loud.

"Well..." Kurenai smiled. "You guys have passed. You guys did good and all three of you worked together since the start. We need to focus on our tracking skills because it took you three, a little over two hours to find me."

"Well..." Kiba grunted. "That's because Shino didn't have a bug on you, and Hinata's byakugan doesn't see that far and you covered your scent!"

Kurenai frowned. "Well Kiba. Those will be the disadvantages we face when we go on missions. We'll focus on all three of those and increase your skills."

Shino spoke. "Sensei, can I keep the bug on you? Why? For mission purposes so we don't lose each other." He then turned to his teammates. "The same for you two."

Their sensei nodded. "That is a good idea, Shino. We wouldn't want to lose each other when on a mission."

Hinata nodded her agreement as well, letting Shino place a bug on her. Kiba as well. "Hinata." Shino spoke. "You have a lot of chakra reserves."

Hinata blinked.

Kiba exclaimed with wide eyes. "And you smell like a reptile or something!"

Hinata blinked again.

Kurenai nodded as well, amusement flickering in her eyes. "And where do you get dragon fruits from?"

Hinata blinked rapidly. She shook her hands in the air, a blush grazing her face.

And than she stopped, a serious look on her face. "We're going to be a team for awhile now right?"

Kurenai halted at the change of the atmosphere and nodded. "Yes, Hinata. We will be your team for a long time now. You will be closer to us, than anyone else. We will have your back outside the village as you will us." Kiba and Shino looked on, slightly confused but they let their sensei talk. "If there is anything you need to tell us, we will have open ears and a calm mind and protect that information."

Hinata nodded before smiling. "So I guess I should tell you guys, b-but don't get scared." She stuttered out with a shaky hand. "I w-will need some s-space." She stated as she moved away from the group.

They watched in intense silent as their Hyuga teammate closed her eyes and opened them up with quickness and precision that scared the two genin boys. "Yuki, release!"

They watched as a small glowing lavender dot appeared from under her shirt and stood in the middle of the space they had made. They watched in bewilderment as the dot expanded into a shape. Kiba eyes widened as a grin erupted on his face. "Oh my god! It's a fucking dragon!" He exclaimed as the glowing aura disappeared and in front of them stood Yuki.

Yuki stood proudly as he let out a roar. "Yuki!" Hinata exclaimed. "Too loud!"

Yuki frowned lowering his head before this time letting out a small roar.

Hinata shook her head but giggled fondly as she walked in front of Yuki, rubbing his scales fondly. "Yes Kiba. This is a dragon, his name is Yuki."

Akamaru barked before running up to Yuki and jumping on his scaled and than running up to his head and laid on top comfily.

"Hinata." Kurenai gasped. "That is a dragon!"

Hinata gulped before frowning. "I-Is that bad?"

Kurenai rubbed her temple before shaking her head. "No, Hinata." She whispered. "It's just that we thought the Dragon Realm had vanished."

"W-What?" Hinata shook. "I was just there?"

Kiba and Shino looked confused.

Kurenai inhaled deeply.

If she thought she would have been a genin teacher to a dragon master (who everyone thought had vanished in thin air), a Inuzuka who wanted to obtain wolf summoning (something that hasn't been sighted in a long while) and a Aburame who wanted to defy clan tradition and learn medical ninjutsu and invent and breed his own insects (something the Aburame have stopped a long time ago because it got dangerous real quick).

She wouldn't have accepted.

She had her work cut out for her.

Team 8 was going to destroy everyone.

"We all need to speak to the Hokage."

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Author Note: Team 8 is in action everyone! Can't wait to get into Kiba and Shino's character. I have so much planned for them as well. All I can say right now is that Hinata is going to be the best Hyuga alive. Kiba is going to be the best Inuzuka alive. Shino will be the best Aburame alive. :D hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Reviews keep me motivated and if you guys don't mind check out The Archive, I uploaded the prologue already and I have so much planned for that as well :D.

Unedited.