Sorry about the wait, I was caught up in my other story Chibi Naruto. I should have the next chapter of this story out soon. As well as the conclusion to Bye. I have edited this story because some people interpreted this chapter in ways I didn't intend. I sorry for the misunderstanding!!!

Chapter 6

Naruto walked briskly toward the academy. He was in a great mood, he was even whistling a tune he heard his dad play once. The first year at the academy were dreadfully boring, he knew about most of what they were talking about. But his dad said he would have to go through it.

"Think of it as a step to being Hokage." Minato told him.

Plus, Sakura and Hinata acted strange all year. They would be themselves when was with them, but when they came in contact with each other. He didn't like the disdaining looks they shot each other.

"But today should be different! It's the last day of the year, that should cheer them up." He said convincingly to himself. "One month without listening to Iruka-sensei talk."

The true reason for his good mood was that today was the day they would be evaluated. He would get to show off some of his techniques. "Wait till they see my jutsu!" He almost shouted.

XXX

Hinata waited for Naruto by the gate, hoping to walk to class together. Sakura had already went inside, leaving him to her. For some reason, they were always trying to get his attention. Rivalry? She thought as she reminisce.

"Hey Hinata-chan!" Naruto's cheerful voice made her jump.

"G-good morning Naruto-kun." She managed to say while trying to keep her swiftly beating heart under control. "How are you?"

"I'm good." He grinned at her like always, making her blush. He looked around, nobody was around. The grounds were deserted. "Are we late?" He asked, looking up at the sun. I know I woke up on time...

"No, everyone is at the cafeteria." Hinata answered, her diversion had worked. Everyone would be busy until the bell rang dealing with toads. She was completely alone with Naruto. I hope she's there too.

"Really? I thought most of them didn't like the food there." He grimaced, the food was indeed horrible. Karin-san should teach them how to cook. "I hope it's not mystery food." He chuckled. He remembered one kid eating it because of a dare. That must be especially bad. No one falls unconscious unless it is! He looked at Hinata questioningly. She was looking conflicted, which wasn't really like her. "Are you okay? You don't look very good."

Her face felt like it was on fire when he put his hand on her forehead. Her carefully thought out plan fell apart immediately. Everything went black as she fainted. The last thing she heard was.

"Hey! Hinata-chan!"

XXX

Naruto panicked when Hinata suddenly fainted. What did I do?! He caught he before she hit the ground. Why is she always fainting in front of me?! He sighed heavily. He was just no good with girls, even though his two best friends were girls. That, for sure, he knew. He couldn't get his so-called fan club to leave him alone and Sakura and Hinata looked like they are fighting. "This is too much for a six year old."

XXX

Hinata's eyes fluttered open, blurry eyed. She groaned, her head was hurting. "Ow..." She felt a bump on the side of her head.

"You're finally awake." Naruto's voice hurt her head.

"Too loud." She muttered.

"Sorry." He apologized, bringing his voice down a notch.

Her eyes focused, Naruto was in the chair next to her bed, looking concern. "What happened?"

He grinned sheepishly. "Well... you fainted... and I kind of dropped you on the way. Sorry about that."

She moaned, her plan to confess her feelings for him had failed. Why did I have to faint? Of all the times to faint, I had to do it there! she thought with self-deprecating. "Are we late?" Sshe asked miserably, trying to keep the thought of failing away.

"No, the bell just rang." He peered directly into her face, concerned. "Are you okay Hinata-chan? We can skip class if you want," he offered. No matter how much he wanted to show off, his friends mattered more to him than what stranger thought of him. Oh well, I can show off my skills some other time.

Hinata shook her head, seeing that he wanted to go to class. "I'm fine, just a little light-headed." She gingerly climbed out of the bed. "We should get going before we're late."

He nodded happily. "Right!" He grabbed her hand, causing her heartbeat to speed up again. "Here, this will be faster." He then threw her on his back, almost making her faint again. The infirmary was on the opposite side of their class. "Hang on tight!"

Hinata barely had time to wrap her arms around his neck before he took off at full speed. He weaved through the halls, careful not to crash into anyone. Today wasn't so bad. . . She leaned her head against his neck and let out a content sigh. She was blushing like mad and was on the edge of consciousness, but she was happy at the moment.

She must be wore out, Naruto surmised. I hope she's not getting sick.

XXX

Karin watched Naruto disappear around the corner, amused. "Like father, like son. Really, what is the chance that he is as dense as his father?" This was her job, helping out at the academy's infirmary. She was no Tsunade, but she could teach medical jutsu well. She just didn't like the hospital. Being here was easier, and she got to watch the boy, she thought of like a son, grow. She whistled the same tune Naruto was as she got back to work. "It will be interesting to see how he grows. . ."

XXX

Naruto running into the classroom with Hinata on his back drew questionable stares. "I made it!" He shouted, skidding to a stop just as Iruka came in.

"Okay, take your seats!" Iruka said, ignoring the fact that Naruto was very late.

Naruto let Hinata off his back. "That was close, huh?"

She nodded, her face still flushed. "Y-yeah."

"Hey Sakura-chan!" He called as they went to their seats.

"Morning!" Sakura greeted him, shooting Hinata a hostile glare. "And how are you, Hinata? Have any trouble with your little pets?" she asked innocently while ringing out her pink locks. Slime dribbed from her hair onto the desk.

"Um. . . Not really," Hinata replied, chuckling nervously.

"Sakura-chan, what happened to your hair? You look like you just got out of bed." Naruto was bewildered by Sakura's look. After she rang out her hair, it immediately stood up in spikes.

Sakura grinned gaily. "I had a little mishap with some toads this morning. Don't worry, I intend to make the one responsible for letting them loose pay," she growled threateningly and glared again at Hinata.

Uh-oh, they're fighting again. Naruto stepped between them. I've got to do something, or else it may get out of hand. "Sakura-chan, Hinata-chan. . " He was about to ask why they were fighting when Iruka's voice rose up amid the idle chatter around them.

"Okay, we're going to the field!" Iruka announced, interrupting them. "This will be your finally evaluation. Be sure to do your best."

XXX

"Okay, we will hold sparring matches!" Iruka held a clipboard. "It doesn't matter who goes, just give it you all." He looked at the crowd before him. "Anyone want to volunteer?"

"I think Sasuke-kun should go first!" A girl from the back shouted. Cries of assent followed and Sasuke was pratically tossed intot he sparring ring.

"And Naruto-kun too!" Again, a girl volunteered him also.

Iruka looked thoughtful. "Well... it would be interesting to see the two best students go at it.... Alright, Naruto, Sasuke, come up here." He even if he was interested, he was worried. Those two had sparked something of a rivalry.

Naruto walked calmly to the center. Inside, he was itching to show what he was made of. This will be the first time I get to show what I can do! His dad had him keep all his jutsu a secret. For this day, he told him to give it his all. I'll make you proud dad!

Sasuke was already up there. Watching his opponent. Namikaze... I can see how strong I have gotten against you. I won't lose!

"You can use any technique or jutsu you want. The match is over when I say it is, got it? Please don't try to kill each other." They both nodded. "Begin!"

"Namikaze." Sasuke said coolly.

"Uchiha." Naruto replied with equal warmth. Sasuke had proven himself to be a cold, arrogant person to Naruto. Something he didn't like. Time to bring his arrogant ass down to earth. The girls may like his haughty behaver, but that's them. "You may want to step back sensei," he suggested seriously as he got into a taijutsu stance.

"You're in the way." Sasuke snapped at his teacher.

XXX

On the side lines, there were cheers. "Go Sasuke-kun!"

"You can win Naruto-kun!"

Sakura was having a hard time deciding who to pick. She didn't want either to lose, but choosing who she wanted to win was hard. A dilemma, and the worst kind! She groaned as she looked on indecisively.

"Go Naruto-kun!" Hinata cheered softly.

XXX

"You're move, teme."

Sasuke smirked. "My first move will end this, daddy's boy."

"We'll see!" Naruto growled, making the first move. He lashed out with a side kick, aiming for his head.

Sasuke smoothly ducked and went to sweep Naruto's legs out from under him. "Too slow!" he shouted.

"You shouldn't underestimate people!" Naruto hopped into the air and spun around, bringing his leg down.

Sasuke launched himself back, skidding across the ground. He had an insolent smile on his lips. "It's over." He performed the first jutsu he learned. "Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" Spewing out a giant ball of fire.

"Hey, that's going too far!" Iruka shouted angrily, beginning to intervene.

"Sensei, don't move!" Naruto ordered before Iruka could do anything. "You might get hurt."

Iruka stopped short, blanching. I could get hurt? . . . Just want kind of power does he possess? he wondered as he felt the chakra build up in Naruto. He is the Hokage's son after all, he reasoned as the wind began to whip up and blow sand and dirt around.

Naruto quickly formed the hand signs of his own jutsu. The ball of fire didn't make him frigthen. "Fuuton: Chou Kogarashi!" The wind around them picked up until it was howling like a mad beast. The freezing, blustery wind blew out the ball of fire.

What?! Sasuke pulled out two kunai and plunged them into the ground to keep from getting blew away.

The crowd had less of a hard time, only some of the wind hit them. Which made them stumble around and shakin due to the fridged tempture.

"So strong!" Some one yelled over the wind.

"It's freezing!!!"

"This is going to be a great fight!"

Naruto let the jutsu go and the wind calmed down. "Had enough?"

Sasuke was breathing heavily. He tried futilely to keep his teeth from chattering. "You wish!" He took a deep breath, the cold air calming him. Father's jutsu scroll will come in handy. I was right to study some of the advance techniques. "Here I come," he whispered. "I hope you are ready, Namikaze, because I am not going to lose to you."

Naruto got ready as Sasuke charged straight at him. "Bring it!"

"That's enough!" Iruka's voice stopped both of them in their tracks. "I declare this a draw! Now, shake hands." He said.

"A draw?" Sasuke was outrage. I'm not done yet!

Naruto looked disappointed. "Really?" He walked back to the crowd. "I was about to win." He murmured quietly, but Sasuke caught it.

They briefly shook hands and went in opposite directions. "We'll finish this another time, daddy's boy! Don't think this is over."

Naruto looked at him over his shoulder. "Anytime, teme!"

XXX

From a rooftop, two figures watched the two boys with interest. One wore a blank, white mask and the other had his cloak hood drawn over his head, obscuring his face.

"What do you think? They are both strong for little boys?" the one in the white mask asked.

"Yes, and the sharingan has yet to awaken in the young Uchiha. And as expected, the Namikaze boy is growing at an amazing rate." He turned around and started to walk away. "The master will be very pleased to hear this.

Next chapter: Celebration and an unexpected gift