Disclaimer: I Don’t Own Naruto, too bad.

Yuuhi Kurenai prided herself on being the best female shinobi in the village. She was one of only two Jounin ranked shinobi in the entire village, the other being Mitarashi Anko. To hear directly from the Hokage, one of the greatest shinobi to ever serve Konoha, that her new students may well exceed his ability, was not something she would have ever thought possible. Kurenai had always been supportive of the idea that men and women were equal and had equal potential, but she never honestly believed that a young girl like Hinata could ever gain such skill.

All of these thoughts were running through the young Jounin’s head as she walked towards the academy to meet with her team for the first time. She’d been studying the files all of the night before. It was unfortunate though that the only comprehensive file she had was on Shino, who quite honestly creped her out with his bugs. She’d worked with his father in the past and it wasn’t an all together pleasant experience. With that though she shivered once.

Nonetheless she opened the door to the waiting students. There before her sat her new students. Naruto was sleeping on his desk. Hinata seemed to be meditating. Shino seemed to be talking to a bug that was resting on his finger.

“Hello,” said Kurenai nicely, “My name is Yuuhi Kurenai and I am your new Jounin instructor.”

The students all just looked at her.

“Why don’t we start by introducing ourselves?” she suggested. She then pointed to Hinata, “You first.”

“Pardon me, but what would you like to know?”

“What’s your name? What do you like? What do you hate? What is your dream? That kind of thing,” she said

“My name is Hyuga Hinata. I like . . . I hate people who are closed minded. My dream is to change my clan.”

“Good, now you,” she said pointing to Shino. Naruto and Hinata seemed to perk up in interest because prior to then Shino rarely if ever spoke.

“My name is Aburame Shino. I like finding and identifying new species of insects and then learning about them to control them for my advantage. I hate people who squash bugs indiscriminately. My dream is to one day know of every kind of bug in the world.”

That seemed to color the other three a bit green, but Kurenai pressed on, “Now you.”

“I’m Uzumaki Naruto. I like Ramen and spending time with Hinata. I hate people who don’t see me for me. My dream is to one day become Hokage so that the entire village will have to acknowledge me.”

“Very good everyone,” said Kurenai.

“How about you?” asked Naruto.

It surprise Kurenai that her students wanted to know about her. “My name as I said before is Yuuhi Kurenai. I like singing Karaoke. I hate perverts. My dream is very private.”

“Cool,” said Naruto, “I’ve never tried Karaoke, is it any fun?”

“What? You’ve never tried Karaoke? Well, that will have to change,” said Kurenai, “Since I was just going to use today to get to know you, I think that this will be the perfect opportunity. So, let’s go to Karaoke, my treat.” She smiled brightly at her team.

And so the newly formed team 10 spent the entire afternoon singing Karaoke and getting to know each other. Or rather Naruto and Hinata got to know Kurenai because Shino just didn’t talk much. He didn’t react much either.

“Okay, so tomorrow morning we have a final test for you to become an official team,” said Kurenai, “Meet me on training field ten at 8:00am.”

“See you tomorrow Kurenai-sensei,” said Naruto.

“Have a good night,” said Hinata with a slight bow.

Shino just seemed to vanish.

Kurenai was very happy as she began to walk home. Then she met up with a man who more often then not pissed her off.

“Yo,” said Kakashi.

“What do you want Kakashi-pervert?” asked Kurenai.

“I just wanted to ask how your meeting went,” said Kakashi.

“Very well, and yours?” she asked politely.

“Not bad,” said Kakashi, “They’re going to have to work very hard if they ever plan on becoming valuable shinobi.”

“Trouble already?” asked Kurenai.

“Uchiha,” said Kakashi calmly.

“Is he consumed by it?”

“I’m afraid so,” said Kakashi.

“I do hope he can get past it. I would hate to lose the last of the bloodline.”

“He’s not the last but he may be the last in Leaf Village if he does not as you say ‘get past it’.”

“We can only hope,” said Kurenai.

“Tell me, what do you think of the Uzumaki boy?” requested Kakashi.

“He’s very personable. As far as his ability goes, I’m just not sure yet. We’ll find out at the test tomorrow,” said Kurenai, “Do you think your team will pass?”

“They already have,” said Kakashi, “No matter what the outcome is tomorrow I have to pass them because of the Uchiha boy. The Hokage fears what may happen if he is sent back to the academy.”

“Isn’t that a bit dangerous?” asked Kurenai.

“Yes, but I’m sure I can work with them. The only thing that we’re going to have to work very hard on is their ability to work as a team,” said Kakashi.

“From what I’ve heard the Uchiha doesn’t know the meaning of the word,” said Kurenai with a snort.

Kakashi apparently didn’t like that comment because he took out his favorite orange book and disappeared before Kurenai could berate him for reading such smut.

BREAK

“So what did you think of Karaoke?” Naruto asked to Hinata as he sat on the couch and waited for her to sit next to him. Hinata and Naruto had picked up a video on the way home.

“It was okay, but I don’t care for singing in front of so many people,” said Hinata.

“Well, I think you should sing more often. You sounded great,” said Naruto.

“Thank you Naruto-kun,” said Hinata with a light blush. She then sat on the couch next to him.

Naruto’s body seemed to be on automatic. His arm automatically went around Hinata’s shoulder and pulled her close him. His head then automatically rested on top of her. It didn’t even occur to Naruto as he did it. But after he was slightly surprised but very comfortable at the same time.

Poor Hinata though was trying to keep all the blood from rushing to her head. Her Naruto-kun was holding her closely in an intimate way. Most importantly though was that she was enjoying the closeness immensely. Figuring that Naruto was okay with this she snuggled in closer to him and slipped both her arms around his waist.

Together they sat like that and watched the movie, though neither was really concentrating on the movie. Hinata was debating in her mind whether or not to kiss him. Naruto was trying to figure out why he did this to begin with and why he was enjoying it so much.

“Naruto-kun,” said Hinata softly.

“Yes, Hinata-chan.”

“Naruto-kun, do like me?” she asked bravely.

“Very much so, you’re my best friend,” said Naruto stupidly.

“No Naruto-kun, I mean do you like me as more than a friend?”

Naruto had not considered such a thing. He knew that he was beginning to have different feelings toward her but he had not considered that maybe it was because he liked her for more than just friendship. “I haven’t really thought about it Hinata-chan. I know that I have been having some strange feeling when I’m close to you or holding your hand. I’m not sure what that means though.”

“Well, what if . . . what if I said that I liked you . . . as more than a friend?” asked Hinata stuttering slightly.

Naruto seemed shocked. He never thought that she would like him in any way other than just being her best friend. It was something that he just didn’t consider. “Do you really?” he asked timidly.

“Yes Naruto-kun,” said Hinata nervously.

Naruto remained silent for a long time considering. Then he thought back to his talk with Tsunade and Shizune about the differences between boys and girls. Then he remembered that stupid question that stopped him from being able to look Hinata in the face for a week. “Have you ever thought about kissing Hinata?” Suddenly he was thinking about it again. How would it have been to kiss Hinata? Would she like that? Would she hate him if he kissed her?

“Stop thinking about kissing her and just kiss her already you stupid idiot,” scream Kyubi inside his head.

Naruto didn’t think about it any further. Instead he just lifted her chin to look him in the eye. She had nervous tears in her eyes, but that didn’t stop Naruto from inching closer. She closed her eyes waiting expectantly. He too closed his eyes and before he knew it his lips and hers were touching.

Naruto was really enjoying it. Her lips were very soft and moist. To his surprise her lips parted slightly and he felt her tongue touch his lips. On reflex alone did his mouth open slightly allowing her tongue inside. It was a very unusual feeling as her tongue massaged his own trying to coach his tongue into her mouth, which wasn’t very hard to accomplish.

Hinata was thrilled. After all of her hinting and suggestions to him and her being jealous anytime he would talk to another girl, here he was kissing her. His lips were warm and inviting for her and before she could stop herself she found her tongue begging for entrance to his mouth. And then he granted that. He tasted wonderful to her.

Before either of them knew it Naruto was lying on his back on the couch with Hinata on top of him. They were just kissing but it was the best thing either of them had ever felt. Of course neither of them realized that Kyubi was using his powers to heighten the sensations that were coursing through every nerve ending. Kyubi had been planning for this to happen for some time now. In fact he had planned for it from the moment the two were joined through him. It ensured that they would stay together and protect each other. For he knew that separate they were powerful, but together they were unstoppable, especially if they were in love.

BREAK

The pair fell asleep together on that couch wrapped in each others arms. All the while Kyubi was working on their bodies while they slept peacefully. They were about to receive one hell of a shock when they woke up.

“Mmm, Naruto-kun,” Hinata mumbled in her sleep the next morning as she began to slowly wake up. She had the most amazing dream the night before and couldn’t wait to see the subject of her dream in person. Suddenly she was aware of someone wrapping arms around her tighter. Hinata’s eyes shot open. It wasn’t just a dream. She was really and truly wrapped in Naruto’s arms.

“Morning Hinata-chan,” said Naruto as his body flexed underneath her to stretch.

“Did we really kiss last night?” she asked still not quite believing.

“Yeah . . . we did,” said Naruto with a dreamy look on his face.

“You look different this morning,” said Hinata as she looked at Naruto.

“Eh?” mumbled Naruto. He blinked a few times then his eyes widened when he looked at Hinata, “Um, Hinata-chan, you also look different this morning.”

“What do you mean?” she asked worriedly.

“Well, you look foxy and by foxy I don’t just mean sexy,” said Naruto with a grin.

Hinata didn’t know if she should blush or worry. She settled for a combination of both. She then hurried away from Naruto to look in the mirror. She rushed into the bathroom. Her face was really different. She now had whisker marks to match Naruto. The tips of her purple hair were now and orange color. She then checked her teeth to see two elongated incisors that looked quite animal like. Very suddenly her senses were overwhelmed as new smells, tastes, and sound bombarded her.

“Hinata, calm down now,” yelled Kyubi through the mental link, “I gave you and Naruto a few gifts last night. Give yourself a minute and things will return to normal. I promise. I’ve already told Naruto the same thing.”

“But why do this now?” asked Hinata.

“Consider it an early engagement present for the two of you. I told Naruto the day he saved you that it would create a bond between you. I knew that the bond would over time grow so strong that Love would develop. I realize that neither of you may be ready to admit you’re in love but I know because of the link between you through me. I knew that if you felt love then you’d be ready for these gifts,” explained Kyubi now to both of them together, “Now get ready, I’m bringing you both inside to discuss a few issues before you have your first team meeting.”

Naruto and Hinata were both suddenly standing before Kyubi’s cage. Kyubi looked very small now, but that didn’t change the fact that he was still radiating huge amounts of power

“Now, I want you two to listen to everything I’m about to say very carefully. I gave you those gifts last night to help you protect each other. I know that you are powerful alone but only together will the two of you be able to get me my revenge. Never forget that if one dies you both die. Now, about your gifts, I know you both look a bit more fox-like now then you did before but it couldn’t be helped. If you need, you can use that same genjutsu to hide your appearances. You both now have access to a huge amount of my power that I had to hold back from you because neither of your bodies could handle the power. And I also have this for you Hinata.” Kyubi opened her mouth and spat out a small scroll. “Go on open it.”

Hinata unrolled the scroll. There were several open boxes. “What am I supposed to do with this?”

“Cut your thumb and sign your name,” instructed Kyubi.

Hinata did as she was told and signer her name in blood.

“Now, put a little blood on each finger tip and press them to the paper,” said Kyubi.

Hinata again did as she was told.

“Good, now roll up the scroll and give it back to me,” said Kyubi.

Hinata rolled up the scroll and gave it back to Kyubi.

“What was that exactly?” asked Hinata.

“It was a summoning contract for foxes,” said Kyubi, “I may be a demon but at one time I was a fox. As such I was able to get control of the summoning contract for my brethren.”

“How come she gets that contract and I don’t?” whined Naruto.

“Because she doesn’t have enough chakra for this contract you idiot,” yelled Kyubi as he spit out another contract which hit Naruto in the head with a loud thud.

“Hey that hurt Kyubi-sensei,” whined Naruto.

“Just shut up and sign the contract you idiot,” yelled Kyubi angrily.

Naruto rubbed his forehead a bit more before he unrolled the contract and signed it the same way that Hinata did. Naruto then threw the contract back at Kyubi.

“There, now was that so hard?” asked Kyubi sarcastically.

“No, but what was the contract for?” asked Naruto.

“That was the contract for summoning demon animals,” said Kyubi, “You will have to start out slowly with summoning demons Naruto. Demons are very proud and for any mortal to summon them would be seen as an affront to them. You must begin with the weakest demon and then work up from there. If you begin at the strongest demon you can summon it would just as soon kill you as obey you. By starting with the younger, weaker demons they will spread the word about you and the more powerful demons will be more willing to listen to you.”

“Cool,” said Naruto.

“I would suggest though that you never summon a demon within miles of the village or it will not end well. Same with summoning foxes for you Hinata. This village still does not look too kindly on foxes,” explained Kyubi.

“Are you sure I’ll be able to summon a fox?” asked Hinata.

“Yes, your chakra capacity is enough and will develop enough that you will be able to summon the boss fox Kitsunebunta easily enough. I did not give you the demons contract because you are not as attuned to the demon spirit and chakra as Naruto is. I was the boss demon but I imagine that I have been replaced, probably by the wolf demon or the tiger demon. They were both the next in line for leadership.”

“Sweet,” said Naruto excitedly.

“Now, I’ve taken up enough of your time this morning. You two had better be on your way or you’re going to be late,” said Kyubi as he ejected them from in front of his cage back into their apartment.

“Naruto-kun,” began Hinata.

“Yes Hinata-chan,” said Naruto with a smile.

“Are you okay about last night?”

“Very okay, you?”

Hinata blushed but nodded vigorously.

“Good,” said Naruto as he gave her a quick kiss before he ran to his room to begin changing and preparing for the days training. Hinata did the same after she recovered from the light kiss from Naruto.

Not too much later the pair joined Shino on training field eight. They arrived just in time too. It was right before Kurenai arrived.

“Good morning team,” she said cheerfully, “I don’t know about you but I slept great last night after karaoke.”

“I slept really well also but I don’t think it had anything to do with the karaoke,” said Naruto which caused Hinata to blush furiously.

Of course Kurenai was curious but chose not to say anything.

“So, what’s this test you mentioned yesterday?” asked Naruto.

“It’s quite simple really,” said Kurenai as she showed them two bells, “you have to get the bells from me. The one that doesn’t get the bell will be sent back to the academy.” She then vanished in a puff of smoke. The thing that she didn’t realize was that she left without the bells.

“Here you go Hinata-chan,” said Naruto as he handed her one of the bells.

“Thank you Naruto-kun,” said Hinata with a smile.

Shino though looked truly perplexed if that were possible.

Naruto tossed his second bell to Shino, “Here you go Shino.”

“Why are you giving this to me?” he asked in a monotone voice.

“Well, I figured that we’re a team right? So, I did the work but the team should share in the rewards right? If she really wants to send me back to the academy after I snatched both bells from under her nose then she’s a fool,” explained Naruto.

As if on signal Kurenai reappeared not looking very happy at all.

“How the hell did you take those bells?” she demanded.

“Well, they were dangling out in front of me so I did a quick replacement jutsu just before you disappeared,” explained Naruto as though it wasn’t that difficult to do.

Kurenai then looked at him as if looking for the bells. She then noticed that Shino and Hinata had them.

“I gave them the bells,” said Naruto ahead of her questions, “If we’re a team then we should act like it. That includes sharing responsibility and what not.”

“Well, I guess all three of you pass then,” said Kurenai with a smile. Secretly she was hoping to fail Shino only for the fact that his bugs completely creeped her out.

“Great,” said Naruto, “Come on Hinata, we have some training to do.” He then turned a walked away with Hinata hot on his trail.

Shino just walked the opposite direction into the forest to be with his bugs. This of course left Kurenai puzzled as to what just happened before her very eyes.

Suddenly she remembered just before they were all out of sight, “Missions begin tomorrow, meet me at the Hokage Tower at 9:00am.”

Naruto waved signaling that he heard and Shino did the same.

“I have to go report this to the Hokage,” she said to the now empty training field.

BREAK

Kurenai was soon standing outside the Hokage’s office waiting to meet with him. She’d already been there for five hours when Kakashi arrived.

“Yo,” he said nonchalantly.

“What do you want this time Kakashi?” asked Kurenai.

“Did you pass your team?” he asked.

“Yes, you?”

“Surprisingly yes,” said Kakashi, “this would be the first team to have ever passed my bell exam.”

“My team passed, I didn’t even get a chance to hide before the bells were gone,” said Kurenai angrily.

The same time she said that Asuma came into the room, “Hey.”

“You’re team pass?” asked Kakashi.

“Yep,” said Asuma, “Never had a doubt in my mind, not with that team.”

“The Hokage will see you now,” said the secretary.

The three entered and took their respective seats across from the Hokage.

“So, how did they do?” he asked.

Kakashi reported first, “They passed and surprisingly enough, Sasuke still worries me, Sakura is pathetic but her attitude toward becoming a better shinobi is excellent. Kiba was probably the best of the group and was able to pull them together to work as a team. I think all his time with that dog of his has taught him the importance of teamwork. He was actually able to get Sasuke to work with him a little.”

“How long to complete the test then?”

“About three and half hours,” said Kakashi.

“That is good news,” said Sarutobi calmly, “Asuma.”

“They passed of course. Once again the Ino-Shika-Cho team passed with flying colors. Choji’s taijutsu is excellent when he isn’t busy stuffing his face. Shikamaru is really lazy. So much so that he makes his father look hyper active. But he is extremely intelligent as well. Ino was the most impressive of the group. She was a natural leader from the start. I didn’t get any sense of bossiness that was written in her file. She lead and had Shikamaru plan and everything went very well.”

“How long did it take them to pass the test?”

“About two hours. I took them out to eat afterwards for doing so well.”

“I see, congratulations then. I hope to hear more good things from you and your team,” said Sarutobi happily. But now he came to Kurenai and her team, which he was most excited to hear the results of.

“Kurenai, how did it go?”

“They passed.” She stopped there slightly embarrassed because there wasn’t much else that she could report.

“How was the Aburame boy?”

“He didn’t do anything,” she mumbled.

“And the Hyuga?”

“She didn’t do anything either,” she mumbled again.

“And what of Naruto?”

“He took the bells in five seconds and gave them to his team mates,” she said quickly and quietly.

“And how did he take the bells so quickly?” asked Sarutobi with a smirk.

“He switched the bells with a twig right before I disappeared,” said Kurenai. There was a red blush now creeping up her face.

“Excellent work,” said Sarutobi happily with a light chuckle.

“How can you say that was excellent work? I was humiliated by a Genin,” said Kurenai unhappily.

“Did he laugh at you?”

“No.”

“Did he injure you?”

“No.”

“Then I don’t see how he could have humiliated you. Think of it this way, you probably have the most powerful and talented of all the Genin on your team,” said Sarutobi, “You should feel lucky. Knowing this, I can assign you and your team some higher rank missions from the start.”

Kurenai was now looking at the situation in a new light. She now had bragging rights over Kakashi and his foolish little Uchiha survivor.

“Thank you Hokage-sama,” said Kurenai with a smile.

“Dismissed,” said the Hokage to the assemble Jounin.