Family Values

The night was cold, especially for someone who had grown up in a place known as the Fire Country. The breeze weaving through the alleyways sent a chill down her spine as she turned onto yet another street, finally deciding it was time to head home. Even though the village watch checked on her every hour or so, she had yet to make up her mind about how to break the latest news to her family.

The day had started like any other, except if every day felt like it could be your last. Team assignments had mostly gone as planned; she found herself placed on the Uchiha's team, granting her the access she would need. That was the upside. The downside, however, was her other teammate. Despite years of effort, she had been unable to avoid being placed on his team. The family would be very upset when she told them, and she had put off going home until the night had grown so cold and dark that she had no choice but to face them.

Stepping through the front door and kicking off her sandals, she wasn't surprised that they hadn't even noticed she wasn't home. Entering the kitchen, she discovered some leftover food in the refrigerator, which she devoured as quickly as she could before someone could stop her. It was rare that they left so much, and she was determined to make the most of it.

Drinking milk straight from the carton, she felt full for the first time in weeks. Wiping the milk from her lips, she closed the refrigerator door and brushed off any imaginary dirt from her dress before stepping out of the kitchen to confront her family.

The short walk down the hallway to the family room was too quick as she found herself in front of the whole family who had turned their heads as one as soon as her silent footsteps entered the room.

"Father, Mother, I have news, I have been placed on the Uchiha's teams," she said, holding her breath as she waited for the response.

"Good, the plan is finally moving forward. Soon, we will have what we need to restore our clan," said her father, taking a long pull on the pipe in his hand. The scent of tobacco and herbs filled the air, making her head spin as he blew the smoke in her direction.

"What are you not telling us? I know you, girl. I can see your lies from here," said Grandmother, pointing her blind eyes in her direction. Using a long, bony finger, she aimed it at her chest, causing her to take a half step back to avoid being poked even from across the room.

"The other teammate, who is it?" asked her mother, setting down her knitting without looking at her. She never really looked at her, not since what happened to Momoka.

"As we planned, the top two students, male and female, are on the same team, and the third is the last passing student," said Sakura, hoping against hope they would drop the subject.

"It must be hard to be around that smelly dog boy," remarked her mother, returning to her knitting.

"LIE, I smell a lie. Who is it, girl?" yelled her grandmother, reaching out to grab her arm, but the old woman was slow, and she was fast, at least compared to her, as she stepped back out of reach.

Clearing her throat, she held her hands in front of her, one to look submissive and the other to stop them from shaking. "It is the Uzumaki. He somehow passed this year," she said, bracing for the blow she knew would come. As her father's backhand landed on her face, she fell back into the door frame, managing to avoid falling to the floor, this time. She had learned long ago to endure it; the one time she had fought back, it had ended badly, very badly.

"How could you allow that creature on your team?" growled her father, settling back down after retrieving the fallen pipe. He packed it with herbs this time, seeking to calm his nerves before doing something that could jeopardize their plans.

"I tried to get him off the team, I did, but the sensei insisted that a team must have three members, or we'd all have to start over," she explained, refraining from wiping the blood from her broken lip, knowing it might provoke him further. She would deal with it later; for now, the sight of blood seemed to discourage her father from more violence.

"There will be missions, a slip here, a small trap there, even a sound to alert an enemy, is all it takes," said her mother, not missing a stitch in her knitting as she listed the many methods she had to employed to eliminate obstacles to the plan before the seal had been placed on them.

"Still, she will be influenced by that... that... creature," said her father, taking a long pull on his pipe and holding it in before blowing the smoke in her direction once again. It took all her willpower to stop from coughing as the smoke surrounded her.

The sound of a drop of blood hitting the floor broke the extended silence, causing her mother to pause in her knitting. "Clear that up and go to your room. Make sure to wear a clean dress in the morning."

Hastily, she wiped the blood from the floor with the edge of her shirt, careful not to draw any more attention. With her head bowed, she made her way to her room, the image of her father's scowling face still vivid in her mind.

As she reached her bedroom, she closed the door behind her and fell face-first onto her bed, the springs creaking in protest. The pain in her lip began to throb, reminding her that she needed to deal with it. Gingerly touching the tender skin, she winced at the contact, knowing she would need to clean and dress the wound. "Still, she will be influenced by that... that... creature," her father had said, this made her think about the orange-loving boy, he was a lot of things but a creature, that was a strange thing to call someone.

Her eyes focused on the small mirror on her desk, and she noticed the dirt on her dress and the bits of forest in her hair. The test with that one-eyed Sensei had been harder than she expected. With a sigh, she pushed herself into action and headed to the bathroom. Stripping off her stained clothes, she turned on the shower and let the warm water wash away the grime of the day. Taking care to make sure all of the leaves and twigs were washed out of her hair. After what felt like an eternity, she emerged, feeling somewhat better.

Gingerly applying cream to her lip, she winced at the sting but persisted, knowing she had to look presentable in the morning now that she had a chance to get Sasuke to look at her without any competition. With a fresh night dress in hand, she slipped it on, the fabric cool against her skin. Feeling a sense of exhaustion wash over her, she collapses back onto her bed, hoping for a night free from her family.

….

"You should have seen it," yelled out Naruto as he jumped into his favorite seat at the ramen bar. "I was making clones, kicking and punching. It was the best fight ever, and at the end, that bastard Kakashi said "I didn't pass."

"Really now," said Old Man Ichiraku as he placed the first of many bowls in front of his best customer.

"Ya really, but then he tied me up to this training pole and said I couldn't eat. Can you believe it? Me! Not eating. I thought my stomach was going to burn a hole in my gut. Then the strangest thing happened. Sasuke gave me some of his food, and then so did Sakura," continued Naruto as he pushed the noodles into his mouth as fast as he could before drinking down every last drop and holding out the bowl for more.

"So you did pass?" asked Ayame as she took the bowl from his hands and put it on the pile to be washed later before handing him his next bowl.

"Dattebayo, Kakashi said it was all a test of teamwork, and we passed," yelled out Naruto before giving his bowl his full attention.

"Then you are on team Kakashi?" said Ichiraku, paying more attention to the noodle pot than Naruto.

"No, no, team seven. It's me and Sasuke with Sakura," said Naruto, dripping noodles on the counter as he talked with his mouth full.

"Isn't that the girl you like?" said Ayame, always one to keep up with the gossip.

Naruto paused in his noodle shoveling and looked up at the girl behind the counter before saying, "I guess, you know, now that I am a real ninja, maybe someone else will talk to me."

"It's you that has to talk to the girls first, be a man, and step up," said the old man, stirring the pot, hiding in the steam so Naruto didn't see the grin.

Naruto looked back down at his noodles before draining this bowl and grabbing the next. The old man was right, but every time he tried to talk to someone new, he was chased away or ignored. For some reason, Sakura was the only one who reacted to him, maybe not in the best way, but he would rather be hit by a girl than totally ignored. It means she likes him, right?

Finishing his tenth bowel he jumped to his feet and started to head home. It was only a few blocks away but the last time he walked down the main street to his apartment he was attacked three times. Taking an alley and then a cross street he made his way following the shadows as best he could until an hour later he made his way up the backstairs of his building to his graffiti-covered door.

Walking into his apartment, he kicked the instant ramen cups out of his way and made it to the bathroom for a cold shower. He was relieved that the water was working today, as getting thrown into a river and then kicked around in the dirt for an hour had filled not only his clothes with dirt but also his skin was covered in dried mud in places he didn't want to think about.

Clean and dry, he dropped his orange tracksuit onto the pile with a dozen others. For some reason, that shopkeeper had given him his whole inventory when he found Naruto looking in the dumpster for something to wear. He figured if he wore a different one every week, he wouldn't have to do laundry for a year.

Dropping into bed and putting on his nightshirt and cap, he lay there staring at the ceiling. He was one step closer to his dream. Who knows, maybe he will become Hokage sooner than he expected. The little voice in the back of his head was laughing and telling him to dream big or not at all, and for once, he was going to listen.

…..

Waking bright and early, I jumped out of bed, quickly slurped down a bowl of instant ramen, and dashed out of my apartment. I raced as fast as I could, zipping up my jacket as I ran to the bridge where the team was set to meet. The sun was just beginning to light up the sky as I halted in the middle of the bridge, unable to contain my grin. This was going to be the greatest day.

The crisp morning air filled my lungs, as I stretched my arms wide. I could feel the energy bubbling within me, I couldn't wait for the day to start. With the bridge beneath my feet and the city slowly coming to life around me, I couldn't help but let out a laugh. My teammates might think I was just being my usual self, but deep down, I knew it was more than that.

As I stood there, the faint rustling of the trees and the distant sounds of the waking village provided sounds to the morning. The soft hues of pink and orange painted across the sky seemed to mirror the growing warmth in my chest. I closed my eyes for a moment, taking in the serenity of the early morning, relishing the brief moment before the day began.

When I opened my eyes, my grin widened. I couldn't wait to show my team what I was made of, to prove that I had what it takes to be the greatest ninja this village had ever seen. Today was the beginning of something I had waited for my whole life, and I was ready to show them I wasn't the dead last. No, I was Naruto Uzumaki, the future Hokage.

…..

Waking up in pain, my face still stinging from my father's blow, I groaned as I dragged myself out of bed. Every movement sent waves of discomfort through my body, a stark reminder of the harsh reality that was my life. Finding my way into the shower, I simply let the hot water pummel my skin, much like the ceaseless pressure from my family that seemed to never relent. It was as if their expectations weighed upon me like a burden too heavy to bear.

Drying myself off, I winced as I dressed, careful not to aggravate any of the tender spots on my body. Sitting at my desk, I worked on applying makeup, trying my best to conceal the growing evidence of the bruise on my face and lip. With each stroke of the brush, I felt a sense of resignation settling within me, a bitter acceptance of the harsh reality, this was my life and I had only the single purpose given to me by my family.

Glancing out the window, I noticed that the sun was already breaking over the village walls. With a heavy heart, I made every effort to move silently as I walked down the stairs and quickly slipped out the front door, my sandals clutched tightly in my hand. Pausing to put them on, I made a brief stop at a local convenience store to buy some food before heading to the meeting location Kakashi had instructed us to gather at. I knew deep down that today was going to be a long and painful day, one that I would have to endure with every ounce of strength I could muster.

Reaching the bridge, I spotted Naruto bouncing around, his animated gestures accompanied by excited chatter as he talked to Sasuke, who didn't bother to move a muscle as he leaned indifferently against the railing. The stark contrast between the two boys was palpable. One was a ball of seemingly boundless energy, while the other exuded a quiet hatred for the world around him only looking for a moment to let it all out in a fit of rage.

This was my new reality, I knew the path laid out before me, the silent expectations that loomed heavily as my family expects perfection. I was meant to play a role in a carefully crafted plan, a plan that dictated one of these boys would be a partner in the journey ahead, while the other represented a threat, an obstacle that needed to be removed as quickly as possible. It was a balance I had to maintain, one that demanded a delicate dance between trust and animosity.

As I approached the boys, I couldn't shake the sense of unease that settled deep within my chest. Every step had to be calculated, each word chosen, every action done with a purpose. They were my teammates, and yet, they were also pieces in a game, one that I had no choice but to play. With a forced smile and a cheerful, "Good morning Sasuke-Kun", I prepared myself for the day ahead, this life that fate had thrust upon me was not of my choosing and I hated every minute of it.

…..

Kakashi sat in the tree high above the little stream and walking bridge. The park was one of his favorite locations in the village, near the memorial stone but secluded from the normal pathways of the villagers. It was small, quiet, and isolated from prying eyes—the perfect place for a new team to meet, talk, and plan the day. At least, that's what he told everyone else. The truth was, it was close to his home, so he didn't have to walk far.

His team was a mess—the Jinchuriki, the last Uchiha, and the only remaining Haruno still allowed to roam the village freely. Of them all, she was the wildcard, and the Hokage had stressed that point over and over in the team assignment meeting. Training a Haruno was like playing with fire blindfolded covered in oil and dancing on a tightrope. It could be done, but was it really worth it?

He had been in the tree for the last hour, watching the team's interaction. Naruto had been the first to arrive, full of energy, wandering around the bridge as if he had never seen water before. Then Sasuke arrived, acting his normal somber self, taking a station at the center of the bridge as if to claim it. He was soon the center of Naruto's attention. Under the endless barrage of chatter, he only blinked at Naruto, and in a fit of frustration, Naruto stood nose to nose with him, as if daring Sasuke to do something.

In the middle of this standoff, Sakura walked over as quietly as a mouse, not even knowing just how stealthy she was. The boys didn't even notice her until she was within arm's reach. Her presence broke the staring match, and she soon became the focus of Naruto's attention.

"Sakura-chan!" yelled out Naruto, "Are you ready to learn some cool jutsu? Do you think Kakashi-sensei will teach that flash step jutsu? It's so cool, and…"

Sakura looked over at Naruto and his endless stream of questions. The boy was nothing but a ball of barely controlled chakra that she could feel hovering around her. With a practiced glare and a quick right hook, she sent him flying into the stream below.

"Leave my Sasuke-kun alone, you… you… loser," she yelled, putting as much effort into the show as possible.

Sasuke maintained his distant and reserved demeanor but did turn to look at Sakura, saying, "Leave me alone…. loser." He added a little more emotion to the 'loser' as if to place her in the same category as Naruto as he walked off the bridge and found a shaded location under a tree.

Naruto burst out of the water and charged up to Sakura. She half expected him to hit her, like every other man in her life, but he just stood there grinning. "You're so strong, Sakura-chan. We should train together, and then do you want to go out on a date with me?"

"I would never date someone like you," she said, marching off to stand near Sasuke, not knowing that the act of just talking to Naruto was all he really needed to feel she was the one. The only person to really talk to him in the whole village, and these small interactions pulled him to her like a moth to a flame.

Moving to join his team, Naruto was unfazed by Sakura as he said, "Where's Kakashi Sensei? Shouldn't he be here by now?"

Sasuke looked at Naruto with his coal-black eyes for a second, as if measuring him before speaking for the first time this morning, "He is known by many names, but the one that everyone agreed on was 'always late Kakashi,' so find a spot and be quiet."

"How do you know he is always late?", asked Sakura, for once dropping the fangirl act.

"I am the last Uchiha. Do you think I would not ask about the one that was assigned to teach me?", responded Sasuke again, avoiding looking at her.

As they waited for Kakashi, the minutes stretched into an hour, and Naruto found it increasingly challenging to remain quiet. He fidgeted, tapped his foot, and occasionally threw pebbles into the stream to alleviate the boredom.

Sasuke remained stoic, seemingly unaffected by the passage of time. Sakura, on the other hand, grew more and more impatient. She began pacing back and forth, shooting irritated glances at Naruto, who couldn't sit still.

Finally, a figure approached from a distance, hands in his pockets and face obscured by a mask. Kakashi Hatake, their Jonin sensei, arrived on the scene. Naruto jumped to his feet, unable to contain his excitement.

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei, you're late! What took you so long?" Naruto exclaimed, his impatience evident in his voice.

Kakashi glanced at his wristwatch, "Oh, were you guys waiting for me? My, my, how troublesome. Well, let's get started, shall we?"

Naruto's enthusiasm was contagious, and despite Sasuke maintaining his usual cold demeanor, there was a flicker of anticipation in his dark eyes. Sakura, though still annoyed, couldn't help but feel a spark of anger at their sensei, this was not part of the plan.

The day was just beginning, and for Team 7, the journey into the world of ninjutsu and teamwork was about to unfold under the guidance of their always-late sensei.

"What's the plan, Sensei?" Sakura asked, finding her place at the center of the team. Naruto and Sasuke moved to join her.

"We'll start with something fundamental – your biggest weakness is teamwork. Follow me to the Hokage's tower; we'll pick up some D-rank missions for the day, and start training on teamwork" Kakashi stated, strolling across the bridge at his usual leisurely pace. There was no need to hurry; it was going to be a long day.

"Mission!" Naruto exclaimed, rushing to Kakashi's side. "How about something epic, like rescuing the Daimyo's daughter from bandits or hunting down a thief?"

"D-rank, dobe. Those are A-rank missions," Sakura couldn't resist interjecting.

"Hey, hey, Sakura-chan, don't call me a dobe! Who cares about rank? We'll make it legendary!" Naruto replied, undeterred by her words.

Sasuke remained silent, walking with an air of indifference. Despite his reserved demeanor, a subtle aura of hate or was it anger lingered in his eyes. Kakashi continued leading them toward the Hokage's tower, emphasizing the need for teamwork to them as they walked even as his nose was pointed at the little orange book in his hand. As they approached the tower, Naruto couldn't contain his excitement. "I can't wait to show everyone my ninja skills! Maybe I'll be the first to complete a mission and become a true hero!"

Sakura rolled her eyes at Naruto, while Sasuke maintained his trademark expression. The team entered the Hokage's tower, ready to take on their first set of missions under Kakashi Sensei, not yet understanding that he was going to address their weakness in teamwork not with cool jutsu or better ways to kill a certain man. No, This marked the beginning of their journey into the world of D-rank boredom.

Team Seven stopped at the door of the bustling hall that was the mission desk, it was teeming with activity from Genin teams like theirs looking confused and dazed to laughing Chunin picking up another mission to the more stoic Jonin learning about their next assassination mission. Kakashi led them up the long table at the end of the hall full of scrolls, the chunin behind the counter was handed over D-rank mission scrolls as fast as he could.

"Mission type?" said the Chunin as Kakashi stopped in front of her.

"Team Seven," was all he said but the Chunin seemed to know immediately what scrolls to pull out, not even looking at them as she handed them over.

"Next!" yelled the Chunin clearing, wanting Team Seven to move on.

Kakashi, maintaining his usual composure, skimmed through the assigned tasks. "Deliver a package, assist an elderly woman in buying some furniture, and fix the damage in the academy training grounds," he casually summarized a faint smile playing on his lips unseen by his students.

Naruto's eyes drained of his enthusiasm. "Easy enough! But when do we train on some cool Jutsu?"

Sakura, displaying her usual practicality, rolled her eyes. "Naruto, we're not dealing with life-or-death situations here. Kakashi Sensei said we needed to work on teamwork"

The look on Naruto's face almost made her blush as he looked over at her, "If you say so Sakura-chan" said Naruto once again focusing all his attention on his pink teammate that once again acknowledged his existence.

Sasuke, predictably remained silent, his expression revealing nothing, but deep inside he began to wonder if he were to get rid of his teammates would Kakashi train him. Meanwhile, the Hokage observed the unfolding scene from his perch above the hall, taking a contemplative puff from his pipe.

'D-rank missions lay the groundwork for a ninja's career. Let's see how Team Seven handles the basics before throwing them into the deep end.', thought the Hokage as he watched them leave

Armed with their mission scrolls, Team Seven left the tower, prepared to tackle the apparently mundane tasks awaiting them in the village. Little did they know that so many were paying attention to their journey in the realm of D-rank assignments.

...

I am trying to keep this in the PG-13 T rating its hard and I may change it.