Quote the Speechless: He looks out from behind the curtain and steps out onto stage. "Uh... Hi, sorry." He quickly ducks a rain of thrown objects.
Ghost Wolf: "You said a week! How long has it been now?"
Quote the Speechless: "Uh... three?" Running dodging thrown items. "LOOK I SAID I WAS SORRY!"
Ghost Wolf: Hufing and puffing. "You're luck I'm so tired from work. Just get on with the story."
Quote the Speechless: Looks at Ghost increduously. "You're tired? I'm the one in the process of moving to a completely different house. But yes, you're right. ON WITH THE STORY!"
Ghost Wolf: Mumbling under breath while waking away. "He does't have to lift fruit and vegitables for the next five weeks to earn some money. Enjoy the story folks."
REVIEWS
LbcLostKid: I have not decided on what the couples will be yet.
Tyrchon: Thank you for your positive review, but you should know that Iruka's views on Naruto will not change. I explained that earlier, and it may become a sticking point later on, I haven't decided yet.
Dragon Man 180: Naruto is still rather distrustful of other people. So far the only ones that he has, gotten close to are Kibou and Keito, and he will wait till others prove to him that they can be trusted, he won't go out of his way to make friends because of the hard time he had in the orphanage.
JohnnyG: Thank you, and trust me that you will see a connection later on, though it may take a while to work it into the story line. I have not decided on pairings yet, but I am leaving the option wide open.
Citan: I will be following a lot of stuff in the manga for a while until I can find a good point to separate off at. Yes I agree that pairings when they are so young seems quite unnatural and for that reason I'm leaving them blank for the time being.
Samurai Demon-God Sekikage: DON'T GUT ME! I HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO WRITE!It took me a while to build up the nerve to write it myself, but now that I have started I doubt I will be stopping anytime soon.
Dragon Noir: Yes, but he will not stay subdued forever, in fact you will see a much better change in this chapter. You will see in time who and why Kyuubi attacked. No, I am sorry, Iruka will continue to dislike Naruto until something happens much later in the fic. I don't know what couples I will have in the story, so I'm just leaving it wide open right now.
Also thanks to Night-Owl123, Morgri, ZeroX1999, WorldSoCold, MaxFic, and Fleetfoot for your reviews.
Chapter Three
And so it went for two long years. Naruto goofed off in school, doing only enough to pass and not get in too much trouble that he's kept late. Keeping his reputation as 'dead last.' Naruto found school more and more boring as he ended up learning more and had more fun when he wasn't in school. Whether he was learning a new technique from Kyuubi, like Donton: Jishin Handou no Jutsu (Earth Type: Earthquake Kick Technique) that concentrated a large amount of Chakra into his foot and when he brought it down on the ground, would send out a shockwave that could knock down trees, if directed properly, or could send out a shockwave in all directions if he wanted it to. Or one of many fire techniques, such as Katon: Kitsune Fukumen Bakushin (Fire Type: Fox Mask Dash Technique) a fire technique that made a fox head appear on the end of a rope of fire that would chase after any visible target at high speed so long as Naruto could exhale and keep the technique up.
From Kibou Naruto learned fast and efficient ways to concentrate chakra into his hands. As Naruto got better he would mold the chakra into a blade around his hand, and use it to assist Kibou with making clothes. Kibou insisted on talking as they worked, so Naruto told him what had gone on during the day while Kibou would tell him anything of interest that happened in the store. This improved Naruto's concentration. Kibou impressed Naruto with his ability to, with one finger, cut the steel mesh that he used for extra weight and protection of the clothes that he sold to Shinobi, for that was who his biggest customers were.
Naruto learned different sewing styles and how each piece of clothing was sewn together. When he was good enough to concentrate the chakra around a single finger Kibou started to show him how to wrap the chakra around a needle so it would put less stress on the fabric than just forcing the needle through. He was even shown how to emboss leather to create patterns and make it easier to fold and use. When Naruto made his first Kunai Holster, after six months, he embossed a stylized fox head on it. In congratulations Kibou allowed him to keep it and said that he was now ready to work solo in the back room.
Naruto accepted and enjoyed the quiet time in the back room, because it was what Kyuubi considered Nap Time, and it was really the only time the Great Fox slept, training Naruto in his sleep about history or tactics concerning different terrains, enemies, and a myriad of other things other than just new techniques. But while Naruto worked in the back room, or with Keito, Kyuubi slept.
Keito was a harsh task master, pushing Naruto to ever higher goals in strength, speed, and endurance. But she was also patient, helping Naruto perfect his stance and the flow of movements time and time again. Naruto learned how to use weapons properly instead of just, what she called, the 'flim-flam' that he learned at the academy. When she thought he was ready she taught Naruto how to use the small forge that she kept in the back yard. He learned how to work the metal and repair damaged Kunai and shuriken, as well as making molds to fit his hands, and learning how to melt and pour the metal to make his own sets of weapons. He also learned to make blades and metal folding techniques to increase the strength.
The Taijutsu was not, as Naruto had expected, just one style, but five, and Keito expected him to learn each flawlessly before he made his own form from them. There was the Earth style, one of hard kicks and punches concentrating Chakra into a fist or foot to increase the power of the impact, and into the body to harden and guard against the attacks of others. The Fire style that used feints and diversions to distract from the actual attack, concentrating the Chakra in a special manner to make after images that threw off the opponent while making burning punches and kicks with the same concentrated Chakra that he used for the cloth. The Water Style that focused on using your opponent's strength against them through flowing movements, using chakra to catch the opponent's attack and make it impossible for them to get out of his grip. The Wind Style, another flowing style, but much faster, used to get inside an opponent's guard when they attacked and making slashing attacks with the hands concentrating chakra into the fingers to burn his opponent. And the last style, Lightning Style, pure speed to dodge, as piercing attacks were made with the pointer and middle finger, Chakra formed around each so that they came together into a point, designed to immobilize the opponent by targeting specific pressure points and joints. Though he could never beet her in a fight he did learn all the stances and movements. And every time, at the start of the week either Kibou or Keito would come to him, making hand seals and increasing the weight of Naruto's Jacket and pants.
Naruto spent his entire time training until finally two years had passed since the start of school and Naruto had turned twelve, and had his first actual birthday with Kibou and Keito, a very emotional experience for him, it was also time for the first Gennin exam for his class. Naruto was surprised, that so much time had passed, to him it was all a blur, but he had changed, that much was obvious. No longer was he the shy repressed boy that he had been before, now he was smiling more, and instead of letting all the glares and cold looks get to him he ignored them. But the only time that he ever fully came out of his shell was when he was with Kibou and Keito, laughing, joking, and pulling some practical jokes, something he was very good at. He also found out that he had, what felt like, unlimited energy, letting him train or work in the back room for long periods of time without resting. Naruto also took to carrying around with him a sketch pad that he would draw in, sketching any new styles of clothing or ideas that came to him for patterns. Once a week the three of them would sit down with his sketches and talk about them and they would pick one or two things and test them out, and if they sold well then Naruto would make more and keep a part of the money made from them. But there was one thing about Naruto that didn't change over those two years, the book that he had gotten that fateful night, he kept it with him at all times, in a protected pocket of his jacket.
Naruto was lost in thought about forearm protectors and if there was a way to increase the mobility without taking away from the defense that they provided, when his name was called for the test. He had to be called two more times and have the kid next to him kick his leg under the table before Naruto responded.
"Huh?" Naruto looked up confused.
Mizuki, one of the other teachers, rolled his eyes and shook his head. Iruka frowned. "I said that it's your Turn, Naruto, unless you don't think you can pass the test." There were several sniggers from the students and Naruto Blushed in embarrassment. He got up and went down to the front of the class while the students murmured and pointed behind him. Naruto stepped in front of the desk that both Iruka and Mizuki were sitting behind, when he realized he didn't know what he had to do.
"Uh…" Naruto scratches the back of his head, embarrassed anew. "What do I have to do again?" The students behind him started to laugh and Iruka rubbed his forehead.
"You have to make two Clones using the Bunshin no Jutsu, and then use a Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique) to look like either me or Iruka." Mizuki explained. "You get three chances at each."
"Oh, ok." Naruto smiled as he decided to have some fun as this would be the last day in the class. He jumped up flipping over in the air calling out the word. "HENGE!" Naruto landed looking just like Iruka except that from behind he had a sign that said 'Kick Me' the students burst out laughing except for one boy in black hair who just scowled at the stupid antics of the 'Dead Last' student. "Huh? What? Did I do something wrong?" Naruto turned to look at the rest of the class, his back facing the two teachers so they could see the sign, he then changed back, smiling as the rest of the students continued to laugh.
But Iruka was not laughing. He glared at Mizuki who wasn't trying very hard to cover his smile. "Naruto the exercise was for you to make a copy of me exactly." Iruka said as he stood up, upset about being made the butt of the joke.
"So you don't have a 'kick me' sign on your back?" Naruto saw Mizuki glance at Iruka from behind as he sipped some water, followed by him almost choking on his water. Iruka turned and looked at Mizuki, confusion growing as the class burst out into laughter once again. Iruka's eyes grew wide with anger and confusion as he reached behind his back and felt the paper, he ripped it off, not even bothering to read it as he balled it up angrily and threw it away. Now he couldn't say that Naruto hadn't preformed the Henge correctly.
Some of the smarter students were watching Naruto carefully. That trick that he just pulled was a combination of things that Naruto, as 'dead last' shouldn't have been able to do. It was very fast, very stealthy, and only a few people noticed what he was doing. Iruka hadn't because he thought Naruto was too low to pull something like that, and Mizuki hadn't seen it because he was watching one of the female teachers walk past the open door. But several of the smarter students noted that Naruto was hiding something, namely, his true skill level.
Naruto went on to perform the bunshin no jutsu, accidentally making four clones instead of just two, because he was used to needing the extra chakra for making Kage bunshin to spar against. The four clones looked at each other in slight confusion before smiling and they started singing a barber shop quartet song that Kibou loved to listen to while they worked. The real Naruto stepped forward and looked at the teachers. "So, um… Do I pass?" Iruka was pissed and glared at the clones as the song ended and they disappeared in a puff of smoke as each part stopped.
"Yes, Naruto, you passed." Mizuki picked up one of the head protectors that was on the desk and passed it to Naruto. "You must have spent all night practicing those."
"Yep, took me forever to get it right." Naruto lied as he took the head protector and tied it on. He then turned and walked back to the seat, feeling on top of the world as a few of the students congratulated him on his prank. Naruto sat down at his chair and noticed something was wrong. It took him a moment to figure out what it was, his notebook was gone. "Hey, my Notebook, where is it?" Naruto looked around and under the desk. Naruto got worried when he couldn't find it. Then he saw two boys looking down at a notebook that looked just like his he ran towards them. "HEY! Give it back!" Naruto shouted as he tried to grab it.
Monban, one of the kids looking at the notebook grabbed it out of Naruto's reach reading allowed. "Double layers of silk used more often than single? What is this? Been reading women's clothing magazines?" He laughed and threw the notebook to someone else.
Naruto leapt after the notebook grabbing it and stuffing it into his jacket he handed hard on the ground due to the amount of weight that he was wearing after approximately seventeen weight increases leaving it at roughly 300 lbs. Everyone was surprised when the wood floor cracked and everyone felt it as the room shook a bit.
"Naruto go back to your seat." Iruka said angrily at the interruption. When Naruto went back to his chair there were two cracked indentations where he had landed.
"Congratulations Kid." Kyuubi said to Naruto sarcasm dripping. "You got your Head Protector. Gave away that you're not dead last to anyone who even thought about what you did. Gave away that you're wearing weights, and a weakness, that stupid notebook of yours."
Naruto knew that Kyuubi was right, but that didn't stop him from being upset. He spent the rest of the day quiet and withdrawn, not responding even when one of his classmates approached him, wondering how he had gotten the sign attached to Iruka.
When they were dismissed Naruto walked out in silence. While the other students were congratulated by their parents who had come to pick them up. Happy cries of children and parents only pushed him deeper into his depression. He didn't even notice when a girl made to follow after him and was stopped but was stopped by a man, her father, who shook his head and they both watched in silence as the boy walked away. One set of pail lavender eyes watching him, sorry to see the boy who was so happy only a little while ago, turn into the depressed one walking alone.
"Does he always leave alone?" Hyuuga Hiashi asked his daughter.
"Y…yes F…Father," stuttered Hyuuga Hinata. She looked up at her father and saw that he had activated the bloodline limit of their family, the Byakugan, and followed the retreating back of the boy with his eyes.
Hiashi nodded a little as it deactivated. "He is stronger than people give him credit for. He will make quite a name for himself in the future." He looked down at his daughter who was looking up at him confused and he gave her one of his rare smiles. "Watch him, you'll see. Now Hinata, I believe some of your friends are having a party to celebrate. I will send someone from the branch house to pick you up in a few hours." With that he turned and walked away, headed back to the estate. Hinata's friends called out to her to join them, and she looked back towards Naruto and saw he was already out of sight. She then went to join her friends, wondering what her father had meant.
Naruto walked towards the shop, his feet on automatic as he was deep in thought about his book that he almost didn't notice when he had gotten to the store. He pushed open the door and stepped inside, wondering why the lights were turned off when suddenly they turned on and Kibou and Keito jumped out from behind the counter.
"CONGRADULATIONS," they both chorused!
Kibou walked over and thumped him on the back. "Always knew you would do it, now you're a true shinobi. And you've got the forehead Protector to prove it." The man was beaming at him as he thumped him on the back once again. Naruto couldn't help but break into a smile.
Keito grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug, and kissed him on his cheeks making him blush. "We're so proud of you. This is a big step for you, and you've got to be ready for what is to come in the future."
"But… I thought you said that the academy was stupid. That it wasn't important." Naruto was happy and confused at the same time, happy that they were congratulating him, but confused because the congratulations weren't making any sense to him.
"Silly kid, we're congratulating you for getting out of the school and starting your life as a Shinobi. Come on we've got cake and drinks in the back." And so Naruto was ushered into the back room where there was indeed cake and drinks. When Naruto saw the banner that hung above the cake that said 'Congratulations Naruto' he started to cry. Without comment both Kibou and Keito hugged him, they both knew that Naruto had had a hard life, far harder than most people who lived in Leaf. This boy who had so much potential, and such a good heart, had been broken by the cruelties of the people of the village they called home. They held him for a few minutes until his crying slowly backed down until he was just holding the two of them close to him.
"Thank you…" He let go of them and stepped back. "For caring about me," he wiped away the tears on his cheek with the sleeve of his jacket. "I shouldn't be crying I'm sorry."
Keito walked up to him and put a hand on his cheek making her look up at her. "It's alright to cry, when you're happy." Naruto smiled at them.
"Come on." Kibou said kindly, leading Naruto over to the table. "Let's eat before the flies get to it."
Naruto smiled again and wiped his tears away as they sat down to eat, Naruto told them how he had passed the exam and they laughed along with him, though Kyuubi grumbled in the background of Naruto's mind.
"Well, tomorrow you'll get assigned a Jounin instructor, and they'll give you you're final test." Kibou said, leaning back in a chair, a drink in one hand.
"Final test," Naruto asked around a mouthful of cake?
"Yes, Naruto, final test," Keito answered. "Your instructor will test you and your team to see if you are ready to actually become Genin. The test varies from Jounin to Jounin, so I can't give you any tips on how to pass. But just remember this. You were put into teams for a reason. You won't be just one person, but a team."
"And you'll have us, our training, and other things we've taught you." Kibou reached over to pat Naruto on the back. "And one more thing," at this Kibou gripped Naruto's shoulder firmly and looked into his eyes, the boys eyes met him as he listened intently. "'Never give up and you can overcome any challenge.'" He reached over and patted the book in Naruto's jacket pocket. "The Yondiame said that." Naruto remembered those words, and he would never forget them so long as he lived.
"Now, before you go Naruto, we have some things to give you." Keito reached under the main work table and pulled out several things. A long metal box depicting the five elements coming together at a central point symbolized by the ying-yang, when opened five scrolls were revealed, each with the symbol of the five elements that he studied with her. A kit of needles and thread with a scroll of their own. And finally a necklace, a fox pendant, the small body made of brass, the tails wrapping up around it made of a red opalescent material that seemed to glow on its own, each ending in a white tip, red ruby eyes looking out, burning with inner fire. Naruto could hardly tear his eyes away from the necklace when Keito started to speak again.
"Now Naruto this is very important. The scrolls in this case are my clan's legacy." Her hands rested on the metal case. "I am the last of my clan, and because of a disease that whipped out all the others, I cannot bear children." Kibou came up behind her and put his arms around her. "In the short time we've known each other, Naruto you have become part of our family." She reached up to wipe away a tear. "The son we could never have. Now before you say anything, we both talked it over long and hard last night. We feel that you are the best person to trust with these. Inside each of the scrolls are the final parts of the training that we didn't get to and the Final Attack for each. Because of the special chakra flowing techniques I taught you they can't be copied you would have to teach how to do it." She took a deep breath and looked Naruto directly in his eyes. "If you accept you must promise to never teach any of these to anyone who is not part of your family."
Naruto looked at her, his mouth hanging open for a minute. He thought about what she had said, about the scrolls and what they meant. The trust that she was placing on his shoulders, and then he thought about the most important thing she had said, overshadowing all others in his mind, 'you have become part of our family… the son we could never have.' And his mind was made up. He closed his mouth and nodded to her. "I give you my word."
Keito smiled at him as he closed the box. "Give me your hands." He did, she placed his hands on the top of the box and her hands on top of his. "Baindo Tensou no Jutsu! (Lock Transfer Technique)" Naruto felt a spark leap from her hands to his, and then, feeling the spark take a little of his Chakra, jump to the box, which glowed red for a moment. When they lifted their hands the pattern had changed. Now it depicted a fox with nine tails, five tails reaching out to form a pentagram, each one symbolizing a different element, and the four remaining tails circling around a central ying-yang, the fox standing protectively over it. When he saw the fox depiction his first reaction was to step back, feeling he had done something wrong, he looked up at Keito who was looking at the box, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Don't be afraid boy, it's alright, we already knew, and by the look of it so do you, but I won't ask how you found out." Kibou said looking at Naruto. "I knew you were the container for the Kyuubi when you told me your name that first day. So does everyone else, though they are forbidden to tell it to the younger generation. That's why they looked at you so coldly, they think of you as the demon and blame you for what happened eleven years ago."
"Then… why? Why treat me like this, like…a son?" Naruto stammered.
"Because, Naruto." Keito said walking over to him and putting a hand on his cheek. "You aren't the demon. You are a boy with a great responsibility. Most people can't see that, but we did. And don't you ever forget it. You are Uzumaki Naruto, not the demon Kyuubi, and we love you as a son." And she hugged him again, pulling him tightly into her embrace. Naruto hugged her back just as tightly, he had a family now.
"Now onto my gift," Kibou said after they had broken the hug. He reached over and picked up the small sewing kit and scroll handing them to Naruto. "The sewing kit is yours to keep, remember a ninja is always self sufficient. Keep your clothes in good condition and they will last as long as you need them for. Besides, you'd be surprised how much more a woman appreciates a man who can fix the holes in his socks." He winked at Keito and they all laughed. "And that scroll contains nothing as special as the ones my wife gave you. But it does contain a useful genjutsu, the Hada Gisou no Jutsu (Body Camouflage Technique) it basically takes a picture of your surroundings and surrounds you with it, so as long as you don't move you appear to vanish. The scroll also has the jutsu for altering weight, the one we used on your jacket and pants for training, now you'll be able to alter them whenever you want."
"And now, for your final gift," Keito picked up the necklace on a silver chain and walked behind Naruto, putting it around his neck and locking the latch taking his hand she put it over the lock and repeated the jutsu that she had used on him and the box, the chain glowed for a moment before turning a deep red. "Only you can remove the necklace or open the box, it will only recognize your chakra. There is a Jutsu carved into the back of the pendant, it will absorb any of the extra chakra that you give off, it can hold a fair amount before it stops. To reclaim the power that it has stored put your hand over it and say the name of your Furry Friend." She looked at Naruto and then pointedly at his belly.
"Huh?" Naruto was confused.
"My name you fool, Kyuubi." He objected to being called Naruto's 'Furry Friend' but not too loudly.
"OH!" Naruto's eyes widened as he finally got it. "Right, I got it."
"We figure that with you being a ninja now, you won't be able to work here any more." This thought had not occurred to Naruto and it looked like he was suddenly conflicted. "Don't worry. We knew this day would come though not like this. You'll still visit us right?"
"Of course I will." Naruto smiled as he took out his notebook. "I've still got things in here to talk with you about." They all smiled and settled in, Naruto opened to the page where he was working on new forearm protectors. "I was thinking about double layered Leather, with it sewn so that metal slats can be slipped inside for added protection. My problem is that I can't find a way of one handedly putting them on with them being fully secure."
"Well, let's see what you've got." Keito looked at the pages and smiled. They spent the rest of the night talking about the forearm protectors. It was late before Naruto left the shop after giving each of them a big hug. The metal box under his arm, the sewing kit and scroll in his pocket, and wearing the necklace, Naruto was happier than he had ever been before.
Naruto woke early the next day at Kyuubi's insistence, starting with his daily run and then running to the academy where his team and jounin instructor would be assigned. Naruto was now wearing the forehead protector and the kitsune pendant necklace, though he kept the necklace hidden under his shirt. Naruto made excellent time as he had released the jutsu on his clothing allowing it to return to its normal weight. Now, some two hundred pounds lighter he was almost a blur as he ran.
"That's why I said to remove it. We don't know what will happen today or what this final test might be. It's best that you learn the difference between your weighted clothes and not so you can use your body to the best of your abilities." Kyuubi said to him, laughing as Naruto skidded to a halt outside the Shinobi School.
Only one person saw Naruto arrive. Haruno Sakura almost screamed as the orange figure slid to a halt just in front of her. But she didn't scream she fainted. Naruto watched as the girl crumpled, confused as to why she had fainted. He walked up to her cautiously.
"Sakura?" He had never had much to do with the girl. He thought she was cute but he had seen how she acted around one of the other boys in the class, Uchiha Sasuke. His thoughts were brushed away as she started to wake up. "Are you alright? You fainted."
"IDIOT," Sakura jumped up! "You shouldn't run up to a girl like that. I thought you were attacking me!" That confused Naruto, but he apologized.
"I'm sorry, I always run to school in the morning, and I got um… excited." Trying desperately to think of a reason for him showing up early and so fast without giving up anything about himself.
"Huh, right." She obviously didn't believe him. Sakura looked around and sighed. "Come on, why are you really here? I always get here first and you usually get here last, but today you almost run me over to get to class?" She started walking to the class room, Naruto followed.
"It's uh… hard to explain." They walked into the empty room, Iruka's bag behind the desk showing that he was already there, probably went out to get a bite to eat before class started.
"Whatever." Sakura turned to look at her classmate, there was something different today. He moved so fast earlier, the way he carried himself was better, not hunched like he was weighed down. There was a spring in his step seeming to say that he was full of unreleased energy. "Look, what was with that book yesterday? I heard the bit about double layering of silk, but why would YOU have a notebook with stuff like that in it?" Her stance showed that she was going to get an answer one way or another, Naruto sighed.
"I live alone, and I needed a way to earn money after the orphanage kicked me out." Naruto explained, but Sakura was already confused.
Orphanage? Kicked out? Living Alone? She had never known any of this, and when she thought about it, she didn't know anything about him at all, so she listened to his story.
"So, I got a job at a clothing store. And well… I would do… um… scouting, for the owners." He was trying to think up a suitable lie so he wouldn't have to give up anything about Kibou and Keito. "I would see what people were wearing and taking notes, and they would pay me for keeping them… ahead of the other stores." Sakura looked at him for a long moment and then nodded, seeming to buy into his lie.
"That was smart of them. No one would suspect someone like you of scouting for a clothing store." Other people were arriving now, and Sakura moved away to fawn over the Uchiha as soon as he walked in the door, leaving Naruto alone again. But he was used to being alone and went back to his usual seat in the back.
Naruto sat, not really paying attention to what was going on, instead practicing his hand seals for his new attack Katon: Ryuuza Hane Hitofuki no Jutsu (Fire Type: Dragon Wing Gust Technique) a technique that let him summon fiery dragon wings that he could control for a short period of time. When his name was called he looked up startled and forgot what he was doing, and for a moment he put power into the jutsu causing a heat shimmer in the air on either side of him that dissipated quickly.
"Naruto, pay attention when someone's talking to you," Iruka sounded irritated as Naruto had been ignoring him calling his name five times. "I was assigning you to a team." He looked back down at his clipboard. "Uzumaki Naruto, Haruno Sakura, and Uchiha Sasuke, you will be Team Seven."
"Sensei," Sakura spoke up? "As much as I appreciate being on the same team as Sasuke." Sakura blushed at that. "Why do I have to be on a team with Naruto?" That comment really stung Naruto and his shoulders slumped as he looked down at his desk.
"Sakura, the teams are put together so as to balance out the members of the team. You, Sakura, are the best in class at the mental aspects, while Sasuke is the highest with physical aspects. Naruto on the other hand is the lowest at both and it was necessary for you three of you to be put on the same team. I am sure that Sasuke and you can make up for any of Naruto's Shortcomings. Maybe if he's lucky something of you will rub off on him. I'm sure you two will be fine." Iruka smirked at Naruto before going back to read from his list the names of the members of the other teams.
After all the different teams had been called, the students were told to wait in class for their jounin instructors to show up. Several of the teams' new teachers walked in immediately, seeming to say they had been waiting to take their teams. Soon there was less than half of the originating class, but no sign of the instructor for Team Seven. After half an hour there were two teams left seven and eight.
Kiba was playing ball with Akamaru, bouncing the ball off the wall or floor and having the dog jump after it. Shino was sitting by an open window, though no one could tell, he was watching a spider catch a butterfly in it's web, though he had quite an affinity for insects he knew better than to interfere, though it may save the butterfly the spider would starve, so instead he watched as the butterfly was wrapped in silk by the spider, learning from it.
Hinata was doing something a little more covert than Shino. With her bloodline activated he was watching Naruto, though her back was turned to him. Her bloodline limit, the Byakugan, or White Eyes, allowed her to see everything around her in a full 360 degrees, and see through objects and follow chakra flow. What she saw now made no sense. Naruto was sitting at an angle behind her as she pretended to watch Kiba and his dog. Naruto's chakra supply was one of the largest she had ever seen especially for a genie level and yet he was called 'dead last' she couldn't figure out why. She was going to keep watching him but it was at that point that the door opened and a woman walked in with the Leaf forehead protector resting on her brow.
"I am Yuuhi Kurenai." Everyone was looking at her now, except for Naruto who seemed oblivious. "I got the wrong time for picking up my team." She looked around the room a little confused. "I am here for Team Eight, you other three, you're team Seven correct?"
Sakura nodded. "Do you know where our instructor is? Did something happen to him?" While Sakura didn't mind spending time with Sasuke, she didn't like waiting.
Kurenai sighed and shook her head. "I am afraid that your teacher has been known for coming late. There is nothing I can do." She beckoned for her students.
Kiba laughed as he walked towards the door. "What are the odds? The team with the 'Dead Last' gets the dead last teacher." Shino didn't react as he also walked towards the door. Hinata however stopped and looked back at the last team and then at Kurenai.
"C… could they… could they come with us?" She looked at Kurenai and then couldn't help but glance back towards the boy in orange at the back of the room that still had not moved, or even reacted that they could tell since the woman walked into the room. The glance was not lost on Kurenai who also looked up at the boy in the back row for a moment. Sakura and Sasuke looked at Kurenai intently waiting for her decision.
"I don't see why not." She said after a moment. "It's his fault for being late anyway. I'll leave a note for him." She walked over to the blackboard and started writing a note for the late jounin. Sakura and Sasuke had started for the door, and after a moment Naruto shook his head and looked around, his eyes gained a far away look as if he was thinking. Kurenai finished her note and turned to see Naruto watching her, she was shocked by his eyes as he walked towards the door. So blue, so cold, they reminded her of ice, of bitter cold. She suppressed a shudder as the boy walked past her and out into the hall way with the others before following him out. She knew that he had led a harsh life and honestly felt sorry for him, but she could not show it or she would be in trouble with the other Nin, especially those who lost family to the Kyuubi.
Naruto was deep into a game of chess with Kyuubi, something that he took very seriously because he hated losing and he never managed to beet that damn fox yet. Suddenly Kyuubi had yelled at him to pay attention and he looked up to find the other people walking down the hall, headed outside, he followed after them, not realizing the pail eyed girl was following him, watching him intently.
As they walked Kurenai explained a little about what their duties would be as genin. Basically the lowest of the low jobs, babysitting, weeding gardens, walking dogs, picking up things and making deliveries, and that would progress until they passed to the next level, then they would get harder jobs to suit their abilities. But for now they were stuck with the small things. Among them only two people didn't say anything, Naruto who was absorbed in his game, and Shino, because he doesn't talk often. They got to Training Area Eight. Kurenai stopped them in a clearing.
"Alright, I need to get an idea of each of your abilities so I'll know your strength's and weaknesses and see where you need the most help, so do your best to impress me." Kurenai said, looking at each of the tree on her team. "Now, you pick the method by which you will show me." This was her test, she gave them a goal, impress her, there were a variety of methods that they could try, survival test, ask her to set up an obstacle course, have them fight against her to test them, but in her eyes, those were the wrong answers. The way to pass would be to spar against each other, so that not only she would know their strengths and weaknesses, but the entire team.
The members of Team Eight looked at each other, thinking the best way for them to 'impress' her.
"A fight of course, it's the best way. We should each fight Kurenai-sensei so she can know how good we are." Kiba said loudly, Akamaru barked in agreement. Hinata looked at Kurenai, obviously not wanting to fight her and looked down, biting her lip and pressing her fingers together. Shino looked thoughtful.
"No." It was the first thing Shino had said in her presence, and it wasn't very loud, but it had an instant effect. "It would not be fair for us to fight against her, and she should not be the only one to know our weaknesses."
Kurenai was surprised, Shino had gotten it right on the first try, where as Kiba had made the common mistake of overconfidence in his skills when challenging someone far superior to him in skills.
"W… what should we do then?" Hinata stuttered, but she looked relieved at the thought of not fighting their teacher.
"We should fight each other." Hinata paused for a moment between finger taps and looked at Shino, she didn't like the idea, but he was right, it was probably the best way so she nodded in agreement.
"Hold on, we don't have enough people, we would need to fight one on one for that, but we don't have enough time for two to fight and then rest while the other is still fresh." Now it was Kiba's turn to surprise her, he was also right, it wouldn't be fair.
"We should still do it, rotating, so we can see how we fight when at our strongest and weakened." And there it was, the final piece, Kurenai smiled, Shino would make a good leader, cool headed and logical.
It was at this point that a man jumped down from a tree on the Kohona side of the field. Everyone turned to look at it save Naruto who was loosing his game of chess and quite frustrated.
The man was dressed in black pants and jacket a jounin vest on over the jacket, worn with use. He was also wearing a mask over the lower half of his face, and his forehead protector was angled down over his left eye covering it completely. His silver hair stood out in the mostly dark clothing.
"Hatake Kakashi, instructor of Team Seven." He scratched the back of his head as if embarrassed. "Sorry I'm late, this little boy asked me to help with his homework…" He could not keep up the lie under the other Jounin's glare as she stalked over to him.
"Kakashi, today you were supposed to pick up your students." She was only a few feet away from Kakashi now. "You're over an hour late now!"
"I'm here now ok?" Kakashi looked over at his team. "Team Seven, follow me, we're going to our own Training Area." He turned and headed away to another area. Sakura looked at Sasuke and then together they went after Kakashi, a moment later Naruto looked up from his seat under a tree and followed after them.
Kurenai watched as Kakashi walked away. "I hope you know what you are getting yourself into Kakashi." She murmured to no one. "And you better treat him well, or you'll have more than you can handle." She then turned back to her students and spoke out loud to them all. "Alright, first, Shino against Kiba, and then Hinata against the winner while the loser rests."
Kakashi led the three to another training area. He took them to an open area with three wooden stumps standing in a row. Kakashi jumps up onto the middle stump and sits down facing his young charges.
"Alright, introduce yourselves. First you," he pointed at Sasuke.
"I am Uchiha Sasuke. I don't like many things at all. My dreams are reviving my clan and… to kill a certain man." He spoke with complete seriousness. Sakura stared at Sasuke. To her it was the most awesome, incredible thing he could have said. Kakashi looked as if he had expected that answer and sighed. Naruto on the other hand had pulled a fork attack on Kyuubi and had managed to take down the demon fox's Queen, so he was smiling happily, completely oblivious to the angst around him.
"I see, well then, how about you?" Kakashi said, looking at Sakura this time.
"Me? Ok, well… There is someone I like." Sakura blushed as her gaze darted to Sasuke who completely ignored her. "My dreams are…" Again she looked at Sasuke, blushing even more. "And as for things I hate? Well… Rivals! DAMN YOU INO PIG!" There was silence after her loud outburst. Kakashi sighed. He really didn't want to deal with a lovesick girl going through puberty. Naruto was scowling now, the outburst had distracted him and he had just lost because he misplaced a piece, Kyuubi's laughing didn't help either.
"And lastly, you," Kakashi pointed at Naruto.
"Huh?" Naruto paused and listened to the last few minutes again in his mind reviewing what he had to tell. "Oh right. I am Uzumaki Naruto, I like… my teachers." Sakura stared at him, everyone knew that Iruka had always been mean to him, how could he like his teachers. Wait, teachers, plural? Was there someone else teaching him? Kakashi had also picked up on that. "I don't like mean people. And as for my dreams, I really want to become the greatest shinobi ever, greater than the Yondaime, so everyone will respect me."
Sasuke almost laughed, the 'dead last' become greater than the Fourth Hokage, it was never going to happen. Sakura looked at Naruto and wondered, what was it about this boy that made him want to be so great, even though everyone appeared to hate him. Kakashi smiled under his mask, this boy was interesting, he could already tell that this boy had great potential, and possibly, had already started to tap into it.
"Alright, it's late now, show up tomorrow here at Seven Sharp and we'll see if you're ready to really become Genin. And don't eat a breakfast, you'll regret it." And with that he disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"What did he mean by that? 'If we're ready to really become Genin,' I thought we were already Genin." Sakura voiced her confusion to the other two members of her team.
"He's going to test us." Sakura was surprised that it was Naruto that spoke up. "Yesterday we were just tested to see if we had the skills to be a Genin, tomorrow we're going to be tested to be actual Genin. I intend to be ready." He started to walk away. "And I suggest that you do eat something tomorrow, we all need to be at our best."
Sakura watched as Naruto walked away, and almost missed Sasuke walking away as well. But she didn't and she turned and ran up to Sasuke pestering him with questions, but this time it wasn't just about him or her, she wanted to know about Naruto. This seemed to annoy Sasuke more than her just talking but to ask about the 'dead last' in his presence ticked him off. He was the best Naruto was the worst. There was nothing else that mattered in his mind other than strength.
Quote the Speechless: Alright, Ghost Wolf has left, so it is up to me to close off this chapter. I am sorry that it took me this long to put up the chapter. Hopefully I should get the next chapter up next week, but don't count on it. I am in the process of moving all my possessions and those of the rest of my family into another house. But that will not stop me from writing. But it may stop my internet connection. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the longer chapter, it probably won't happen very often, but on well. See you next time!