Chapter 1: Team 7

12 years later:

"Team 7 consists Naruto Uzumaki,...Sakura Haruno,...Sasuke Uchiha,...and Kagome Higurashi." Iruka said. Kagome, with Kirara on her right shoulder, and Naruto shot up from their seats and cheered. When they noticed the attention they were receiving, they quickly sat back down.

We're on the same team, Kagome-chan! Naruto thought, excitedly. Kirara mewed for her excitement.

Hai! But we're stuck with a fan girl, Naruto-kun. Kagome thought with a smile, which turned sour after mentioning the 'fan girl'.

Ugh. Naruto groaned. Both of them slumped their heads down when they heard that Sakura Haruno was put on their team. Not to mention, Sasuke Uchiha, who's known as the emotionless prince with no social life (that's what Kagome thinks). Even if she doesn't like Sasuke, she promised Midoriko that she would protect Naruto and Sasuke. She wasn't so sure about Sakura though.

I wish Hinata-chan was on our team instead. Kagome thought, sighed.

I agree, Kagome-chan. Naruto thought, sighed. Kagome and Naruto are able to communicate telepathically because of the nine-tails inside of Naruto (which Naruto never even knew back then) and Kagome's abilities that were gained from her summons: kitsunes. Kagome had been reunited with Shippo and Kirara in the shinobi world when she was eight years old. Shippo had made a summoning contract for her when she was in her first year at the academy. Kagome was surprised to meet all of the kitsunes that she had rescued and saved back in the feudal era. Full fledged kitsunes and hanyō all pledged themselves to her as soon as she signed the contract. They also got along fine with Naruto as well.

The reason why Kagome and Naruto are close is because they've been brother and sister ever since they were babies. Kagome's mother adopted Naruto after the nine-tails attacked the village. Even though no one wanted to take care of Naruto because of the beast, her mother decided to take on the role as Naruto's mother. Kagome took on the role as Naruto's older sister, even though he's a week older than her. But that didn't matter to them.

"Iruka-sensei! Why do I have to be paired up with those two? I thought this was suppose to be a three men squad!" Sakura said while pointing at Kagome and Naruto. An angry tick mark appeared on both of their heads. Having Sasuke on the team was bad enough, but having Sakura on it made it even worse. A lot worse.

"We have an uneven amount of graduates this year. We have to pair each group with the highest scores and lowest scores, which balances out the team. Simple as that, Sakura." Iruka said with an angry tick mark that appeared on the side of his head. He really didn't like being interrupted at the moment.

"So Sasuke-kun and I are paired together?" Sakura asked in a hopeful, yet cheerful tone.

"No, Kagome is. She scored higher than you and Sasuke. Naruto somehow managed to score higher than you, Sakura." Iruka said, "Make sure to work on your jutsus because they're your weakest point."

Soon everyone started to laugh at Sakura. She felt so embarrassed at that moment. She couldn't believe it! Kagome and Naruto actually scored higher than her?! That's impossible! Those two are well known pranksters. Not to mention that some of the boys think that Kagome is a wild beauty because of her sapphire eyes and long black hair with a tint of blue that was tied in a ponytail. She seemed pretty strong in everyone's eyes. All of the boys were fanning over her whenever she smiled at them. She hoped that Sasuke didn't have feelings towards Kagome. Then she noticed that Sasuke turned his attention at Kagome. Sakura's fears were about to come true.

"So let's all get along, Haruno." Kagome and Naruto said at the same time while smiling with closed eyes. She sweat dropped at the tone of their voices. Somehow she knew that their smiles sometimes mean that they're about to cause trouble.


"It's too bad we're not on the same team, Hinata-chan." Kagome said as she took a bite of her lunch. She invited Hinata, Shikamaru, Chōji, Kiba, and Akamaru for lunch after the teams were all announced. They've always had lunch together ever since they all attended the academy together. Kagome and her mother always made the time to lunch for all of them. She also had to make sure that Naruto and Chōji ate healthy foods as well.

"It-It's ok-okay, Kagome-chan." Hinata said, nervously.

"Don't worry, we'll see each other before missions." Kiba said as he pet Akamaru.

"Yeah, you're right, Kiba-kun." Kagome said with a small smile.

"Kagome-chan, do you know who we have for a jounin sensei?" Naruto asked.

"Hai, in fact, I know everyone's." Kagome said.

"Really?" Chōji asked before taking another bite of food. Kagome nodded.

"Shikamaru, Chōji, you have Asuma Sarutobi. He's mostly hailed for his close ranged melee combat skills. His nature transformations are really cool as well." Kagome said.

"Interesting." Shikamaru said, his brow arched.

"Hinata, Kiba, Akamaru, you have Kurenai Yūhi. She's a powerful genjutsu user. Her genjutsu skills are said to be rivaled to the Uchiha clan." Kagome said.

"A powerful genjutsu user, heh? I can't wait to meet her." Kiba said, grinning. Akamaru barked in agreement.

"Naruto and I have Kakashi Hatake. Kakashi is widely known as the Copy-nin." Kagome said.

"The Copy-nin?" Naruto asked, curious.

"He's able to copy anyone's jutsus. I heard that he copied more than a thousand jutsus." Kagome said.

"That's so cool! I didn't know Kakashi had such a reputation." Naruto said, excitedly.

"Do you two already know Kakashi-san?" Hinata asked after she finished chewing.

"Hai, he's the one who helped us with the prank we did on Guy when we were little." Kagome said, giggling.

"So you were the ones who dyed his spandex pink, right?" Shikamaru asked, his brow arched while pointing at Kagome and Naruto.

"Hai." Kagome and Naruto said at the same time. Kagome could never forget that day. When they were trying to think of a distraction for Guy, they ran into Kakashi. For some reason, he wanted to help them. It had a great result in the end. Guy ended up in tears and he had to wear the pink spandex until he got new ones, meaning he had to wait about two weeks. They always met up with Kakashi when they were on their way home from shopping. But they mostly ran into Iruka whenever doing an errand. Then the bell rang, breaking her out of her thoughts.

"Well, we better get going." Shikamaru said as he stared to get up.

"Not until you help me clean up first." Kagome said, narrowing her eyes at Shikamaru. She knew that he was trying to get away from helping her and the others to clean up. Shikamaru sighed and said, "What a drag."


Kakashi Hatake stood at the entrance to the Konoha ninja academy. He hadn't been near this place in quite awhile. It brought back some good memories to him along with bad ones as well. He shook his head, he didn't want to think about the past now. He had something to do here. Before he took a step, he heard a 'mew' sound near his feet. He looked down and saw a little tan colored cat with black tips on its feet, ears, and on the end of its two tails. The cat was sitting down while staring up at him with its red eyes. If anyone saw this cat, they would probably want to know what it was. But he recognized this cat anywhere.

"Hello there, Kirara." Kakashi said as he crouched down and pet Kirara's head. She mewed as he gently stroke her fur from her head to her two tails. Then he heard two sets of footsteps come his way.

"Kirara! Oh, Kakashi-san!" A female voice said. Kakashi looked up and saw two of the four students he was taking under his wing: Kagome Higurashi and Naruto Uzumaki.

"Kagome, Naruto, how are you two?" Kakashi said as he stood up with Kirara on his right shoulder.

"We're great!" Naruto said with excitement, punching both fists in the air.

"We were just doing some training while waiting for our jounin sensei." Kagome said.

"Oh, he hasn't shown up yet?" Kakashi asked, not telling them that he was their sensei.

"Unfortunately he hasn't." Kagome said, sighed.

"Do you think something came up in order for our sensei not to be here?" Naruto asked.

"Not sure." Kagome said, "But I bet all this waiting is driving Haruno crazy though." Kagome had a mischievous smile on her face.

"I'm sure it is." Naruto said with a grin. Kakashi was also smiling underneath his mask as well.

They haven't changed one bit after the pink spandex episode. Kakashi thought. He was laughing internally when he saw Guy's reaction to his ruined spandex. He wished he had a camera at that time. Guy looked ridiculous; mismatched colors to be most precise. Pink spandex, green jounin vest, orange leg warmers, and blue ninja sandals. He was moping for two weeks, which took about the time to get a pair of new spandex. He was back in good spirits as soon as he got the new ones.

"Well, I guess it's a good thing that you're finally here, Kakashi-sensei." Kagome said.

"Hai...wait, how did you know that I'm your sensei?" Kakashi asked, surprised.

"You just told us." Kagome said, "Also, everyone is already gone and we ran into Iruka-sensei on the way back from our small errand. And also because you've been standing outside of the academy for awhile as well."

Kakashi was shocked on what Kagome said. He couldn't believe that she already knew that he was Team 7's sensei. He was also surprised that she outsmarted him. Kirara jumped off his shoulder and ran over to Kagome and jumped into her arms.

"Well, it seems I've been found out." Kakashi said while scratching the back of his head, "I'm Kakashi Hatake and I'll be your jounin sensei."

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto said.

"I'm Kagome Higurashi." Kagome said, "And this is Kirara."

"Please look after us." Naruto and Kagome said at the same time as they bowed at Kakashi.

"Don't worry, I will." Kakashi said, smiling underneath his mask. He remembered the first time of when he met these two. They had changed him forever. It was because of them that he was here on this day.

"We better head in before billboard brow starts complaining up a storm." Kagome said.

"Hai, hai." Kakashi said.


"By the way, Kakashi-sensei, I just want to let you know that we have a fangirl in our group. So be prepared for squeals." Kagome said as she, Naruto, and Kakashi headed towards their classroom.

"I'll remember that." Kakashi said. They soon arrived at the door of the classroom. Kakashi pushed the door open and a chalkboard eraser hit his head. The eraser fell on the floor and the two occupants in the classroom were silent until Sakura spoke up nervously,

"I'm so sorry, sensei. But I wasn't the one who put the eraser there."

"My first impression of you...I hate you." Kakashi said. Sakura and Sasuke hung their heads in gloom while Kagome and Naruto sweat dropped. They didn't expect for Kakashi-sensei to have quick judgement on someone. Not to mention being brutal as well.

"Meet me on the roof." Kakashi said before he went 'poof' out of the room.


You put the eraser there, didn't you Kagome? Naruto thought as he and Kagome race towards the roof.

Hai! Did you see the look on Haruno's face when Kakashi said that he hated them? Kagome thought with a grin.

Hai, priceless! Naruto thought with a grin. Then the two of them finally reached the roof and saw Kakashi leaning against the railing. It had been a while since they last saw him. The last time they saw him was before they were on their way to their graduation test. They looked up to Kakashi for his strength and his wisdom that he had shared with them once or twice. Then they ran towards him and stood in front of him.

"Kakashi-sensei, you don't hate me and Naruto-kun, right?" Kagome asked.

"Of course not. I don't hate you two." Kakashi said, smiling.

"Thanks, Kakashi-sensei." Kagome said, "By the way, is Guy still bothering you for another challenge?"

"Nope, he hasn't. He's been busy with his team as well." Kakashi said.

"How many matches have you had with Guy?" Naruto said, curious.

"Around a hundred, I believe." Kakashi said, shrugging.

"Wow. That many?" Kagome asked.

"Hai, but I won in all the rock-paper-scissors games." Kakashi said.

"He never won in any of those, did he?" Naruto asked, sweat dropped. Somehow he could imagine Guy easily losing to a mental game instead of a physical game. If it was a race, Guy would have won, but Kakashi would probably have won as well. He wondered if the two ever had a tie between them. Maybe not.

"Nope." Kakashi said. At that moment, Sasuke and Sakura came up to the roof. Kagome sat on the steps and Naruto sat next to her. Sasuke went around and sat on the other side of Kagome. Sakura, being the last one to the roof, sat next to Naruto. She pouted at the sight of Sasuke sitting next to Kagome. She really disliked Kagome at the moment.

"So how about we introduce ourselves?" Kakashi asked.

"What do we say?" Sakura asked, confused.

"Your name, likes and dislikes, hobbies, future dreams, anything like that." Kakashi said while crossing his arms. Truth be told, he really didn't care what they say.

"Oh, I'll go first!" Naruto said as he waved his hand in the air, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki! I like ramen and everything that Aunt Hana (Kagome's mother) makes. I hate vegetables and waiting three minutes after you put hot water in the ramen. I like training and playing pranks with Kagome. My future dream is to become the greatest of all of the Hokages!"

That's quite a determined dream, Naruto. Kakashi thought.

"Next." Kakashi said, pointing at Sakura.

"I'm Sakura Haruno. I like…(giggle)...who like is…(giggle)...my dream is…(giggle)." Sakura was starting to say with her fists in front of her mouth while glancing at Sasuke who was not even paying any attention to her. But everyone began to lose her at that moment when she started to giggle or squeal between sentences. It was already getting annoying.

"So what do you hate?" Kakashi asked, bored.

"Naruto and Kagome!" Sakura said with such bitterness.

We hate you as well, Haruno. Kagome and Naruto thought at the same time with a tick mark on their foreheads.

"OOkay. Next." Kakashi said, pointing at Sasuke.

"I'm Sasuke Uchiha. I don't like anything and I hate everything." Sasuke said, "I don't have a dream...but I have an ambition: I will kill a certain man and revive my clan."

Itachi Uchiha, no doubt. Kagome and Kakashi thought at the same time.

What Sasuke didn't say that he was interested in Kagome. There was something about her that drew him to her. He had to admit that she's beautiful, but he didn't know how strong she is. He had only seen her demonstrate her skills in class. She wasn't like any of the girls in the academy. She was always training whenever she had the chance. Naruto was always with her when she was training. He also didn't know why she hung around with Naruto. He knew that the two of them were always playing pranks on the other shinobi. Perhaps he'll never know.

Naruto shivered by the tone of Sasuke's voice when he mentioned his ambition. Sakura's head dropped when Sasuke mentioned that he hated everything, but her head perked up when she mentioned his goal. To her, he looked so manly and cool. Then she noticed that Sasuke was glancing at Kagome. But Kagome wasn't even paying any attention to him.

What does she have that I don't? Inner Sakura asked as she clenched her fists in anger.

"Last one." Kakashi said, pointing at Kagome. Everyone stared at Kagome when she cleared her throat.

"I'm Kagome Higurashi and this is my partner, Kirara." Kirara mewed at her name, "I like reading, eating oden, and training with Naruto. I hate fan girls. My hobbies are pulling pranks with Naruto." With a soft soft smile she said, "My future dream...is to become a strong shinobi so that I can protect those who are precious to me."

It was silent for a moment. They were entranced by the words of Kagome's future dream. It sound so pure and innocent. Full of determination. Just like Naruto Uzumaki's dream of becoming Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village.

So I have two determined dreamers, a fangirl, and a bloodthirsty avenger. My most interesting group I have. Kakashi thought with a grin, This is going to be VERY interesting.

"Alright then, starting tomorrow, we'll begin our first mission." Kakashi said.

"What kind of mission?" Naruto asked, excitedly.

"A survival test." Kakashi said.

"Survival test?" Sakura asked, confused.

"Hai. But it's not going to be like the ones you had in the academy." Kakashi said. Then he began to laugh for some reason. They were starting to feel uneasy by Kakashi's dark laugh.

"Um, what's so funny, Kakashi-sensei?" Kagome asked, confused at why their sensei was suddenly laughing. It started to creep her out.

"If I told you, you probably won't like it." Kakashi said, smiling underneath his mask. They looked at each other and then back at Kakashi. He cleared his throat before he answered.

"Out of 28 graduates, only 10 of them will become ninjas. The other 18 will be sent back to the academy and be waited out. The chances of failing this test is probably 67%." Kakashi said, still smiling underneath his mask. All of them had a look of shock on their faces except Sasuke who had a dark glare on his face. Kakashi laughed again while pointing at their expressions.

"See, I told you wouldn't like it." Kakashi said.

"WHAT?! I thought that we all become ninjas when we graduate! What's the point of it if we all get sent back?!" Naruto exclaimed, panicking to be most precise.

"Your graduation test to was to prove yourself at whether you become a ninja or not. In order to be passed as real ninjas, genin have to pass a test that a jounin assigns. Since jounins have more experience in the shinobi world. It also helps them prepare for real missions." Kakashi said.

Everyone was determined at that moment. Although they had different goals in mind. None of them wanted to fail the test that Kakashi will assign to them.

I can't fail this test! If I do, I'll be separated from Sasuke forever and he'll be that Higurashi girl! This is a trial of love! Sakura thought as she glared at Kagome who wasn't paying any attention to her. At the same time, Sasuke was clenching his fists.

I won't fail. I will surpass Itachi. I will revenge my clan. Sasuke thought. Then he glanced at Kagome who was sitting next to him, I also don't want to be separated from Kagome.

Let's do our best, Naruto-kun! Kagome thought.

Hai! Naruto thought, excitedly.

"So come to the training ground tomorrow at 5 am. Bring your ninja gear with you as well." Kakashi said, "By the way, don't eat breakfast."

"Why?" Sakura asked, confused. Everyone blinked in confusion. Why was their sensei telling them not to eat breakfast?

"You might barf." Kakashi said with his visible eye closed which was shaped like a upside 'U' and poof after his warning.


A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.

- Brad Henry