Hey everyone not sure if it feels like its been a long time to you but it has for me and I am loving it. At first I was really lost with how this story should go but as it progresses I love it more and more. I am definitely amping the romance so I will have to change the rating but i'll do so when I get there. Also there will be angst I said originally there wouldn't... and well there is.

It's always hard to see what direction the story goes since I write based on how inspired I am. However like I said I do like the direction and have a basis planned out now so that's somewhat good...although it never sticks to script... oh well I hope you continue reading anyway. Also I did get some responses that yes the whole are thing came from one piece though that is not the only anime that did that. if you see any other references than let me know.

Naruto dozed lazily enjoying the warmth of his bed. A week had since passed from his outburst and as always Rin managed to soothe him in the best of ways. And maybe it was because they were the same carrying power greater than themselves. But either way everything was back to normal and Naruto was quite content with that.

"NA...Ru...TO…"

However the body is a strange and mysterious thing. That when you want to wake up it doesn't but when you need too….

"Mom?...what's going on…?"

Naruto yawned lazily as he rubbed his eye still unaware of how in danger he truly was.

"WAKE UP! YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE AGAIN!"

Naruto shoved a piece of bread in his mouth taking a huge chunk,

"Hey where's dad?"

Not that he cared but the man was usually hanging around in the morning,

"He went to go see someone."

Kushina said as she continued cleaning. Naruto spared her a glance. Though Minato was no longer hokage many important and valuable people called on him for assistance and advice, and Minato never refused if he could help it. 'Going to see someone' that was just a code phrase for this type of event.

"So you're going to be alone?"

Kushina looked up. Her son was so handsome. His blonde hair was spiked like his fathers but softer. He refused to grow out his bangs so it came out shot and was hidden by his headband. Large blue eyes that captivated any and everyone. And always dressed in that orange jumpsuit. Minato had complained it was inappropriate for a ninja to wear such a color but Naruto refused and Kushina had sided with Naruto that he could make his own decision because honestly it was Minato's fault. Ever since the boy was little he had said orange was the perfect color and often got him things in the shade.

But now standing before her was her growing boy a genin now and strong; and he was worried about her.

The thought made her smile,

"I'll be fine, you go to your team i'll probably go see Mikoto anyway."

Naruto watched her and it was in these moments that she did have some regrets. In order to protect him from the hate of the village and the enemies of her husband she had allowed Naruto to leave… And that had changed him.

The innocence and naivety that he once had was cloudy sometimes with unfathomable insight. She should be happy that he was growing up so much like his father but…. It all seemed so sad.

That a child still so young should have eyes that old…

"Really it's one thing that Naruto is late but now KAKASHI?"

Sakura groaned. Still….

Sakura turned to look at the other person waiting. She mentally squealed!

Here she was with the guy of her dreams: Sasuke Uchiha.

Just the thought that they were alone was sending her heart racing. Those dark eyes, relaxed posture SOO HANDSOME!

So what if Kakashi and Naruto were late THIS WAS PERFECT!

"Hey Sasuke…."

She had to play this right, put on the charm. She look up through her lashes that she was blinking a bit more than usual. Tilted her head and angled her body so that he saw her best side.

She saw him turn to her and felt a bit of victory,

"You know since they're taking so long you know we can train….Alone."

Meet him on common ground, Sure she wasn't a fan of training but he would appreciate it so there was no reason not to use it,

"Sakura…"

She swooned, just the way he said her name made her happy.

"If you really want to train than i suggest that you train alone, training with someone who's skill level is so low would only hurt me."

Her world shattered…..

LOW!?

Kakashi was never one to be late, with Obito still consistently late even as hokage he had a reputation to keep. So when the time passed that he was supposed to meet his team it only irritated him further.

Still there were some things that just had to be settled…

"I'm against it"

How many times has he said that now?

"And i'm overruling you"

And how many times has he heard that?

"Why...why can you just respect my decision!?"

Obito looked at Kakashi, there was a slight desperation in the man's eye but he hid it well.

"Kakashi you can't hide them away…"

Two days, that was how much time he gave the punctual man to hand in the application;

the chunin exam application.

But after two days of not seeing hide nor tail of the man he realized that it wasn't coming and decided to recommend team 7 himself and that's why Kakashi was here face hidden behind that mask he always wore but his eye filled with betrayal, hurt and anger.

"They aren't ready, it's just that simple."

But Kakashi's stubbornness was enough to get even Obito riled,

"Not ready? Kakashi you have Sasuke Uchiha who is being trained by Anbu and have also agreed that Sasuke is ready, Sakura who is being trained albeit not much but still by Rin the best medic in this village currently and who also agreed that the chunin exams may be just what the girl needs and last but not least…!"

He watched Kakashi's brow drop lower,

"NARUTO FREAKIN-MAKI!"

He saw the man wince but he was furious at this point

"THE SON OF THE FOURTH, TRAINED BY A LEGENDARY SANNIN AT FIVE AND COULD PROBABLY TAKE A CHUNIN DOWN IF HE WANTED! AND YOU'RE SAYING THAT TEAM ISN'T READY!? WAKE THE HELL UP BAKASHI! YOU'RE THE ONE NOT READY!"

It's true they were still young but from the report the other day all the rookies would be joining this year and without a doubt the team that had to be there was team 7 because Obito had no doubt they would pass.

"I…"

Obito had left no room for rebuttal he had nailed it and he wasn't going to back down on his decision; team 7 would enter the chunin exams whether Kakashi agreed or not.

Obito sighed,

"Kakashi i allowed you to be the team captain because you were the best fit and most qualified… Don't make me regret that decision"