Chapter Four: A New Story

Hiruzen sighed as he sat back in his chair, bringing his pipe to his lips as he lit it up with a spark of fire chakra, 'That was ridiculous, those three managed to learn A-rank techniques in only a few hours, not just any ninja can do that.' Hiruzen thought while blowing out some smoke.

Hiruzen's eyes softened as he watched Hinata look at Mizuki sadly, 'And this girl just broke free of the clan after recovering from an extremely traumatising position, learned a jutsu she shouldn't even have the chakra to achieve and helped in taking down an active Chunnin defector... even in her pyjamas.' Hiruzen thought before turning to his door and glancing at the candle on his desk.

Blowing out the candle, the lights in his office automatically lit up as Hiruzen cleared his throat, "You're allowed in now." he said calmly.

*BAM*

Tsunade stormed in angrily as the door she had punched flew out the window, "What the hell is going on Sensei?!" She demanded as two other men walked in behind her.

"I am currently filing for banishment for someone in my clan, I have more important matters to attend to then to wait at your door old man." Hiashi said disrespectfully.

Shibi merely stood silently as he waited for an explanation.

Hiruzen took a pull of his pipe and calmly looked over the three in front of him silently. He blew out the smoke through his nose before looking firstly at Hiashi, "...Tell me, I've heard that Hinata may be a threat to the Hyuuga clan, is that true?" he asked.

Hiashi sighed quietly, "Yes, it is true."

Hiruzen nodded, "So, she is also the one that is being banished to the branch family of the clan?" he asked.

Hiashi smirked, "The paperwork is filled, I'm just having it filed in the Hyuuga archives. As of tomorrow morning it will be filed and therefore, become clan law." Hiashi said, knowing his work was done.

Tsunade closed her eyes as she suppressed her rage, though she was glad she wasn't the one that had to show it.

Shibi's fist slammed into Hiashi's face, sending the man to the ground in shock. Hiashi stared at Shibi before the man bowed to the Hiruzen, "My apologies Hokage-sama, I slipped." Shibi said calmly.

Hiruzen nodded as Hiashi lost his composure and spluttered in shock, "Slipped?!" he shouted.

"Forgiven Shibi," Hiruzen said with a smile, "Hiashi, the matter is closed." he finalised.

Hiashi was about to speak up when Tsunade slammed her fist into the Hokage's desk, "Forget this idiot and tell me where my son is!" Tsunade demanded.

Hiashi quietened down at Tsunade's words, feeling hurt as he still believed that the two of them held a special connection.

Hiruzen sighed after taking a long drag from his pipe, "Since Hinata is no longer part of your direct family Hiashi, you aren't needed here. I'm sorry for putting you out like this." He said with a tired smile.

Hiashi bristled with annoyance and anger before hiding it under his mask of no emotions. He turned and briskly walked out of the office, slamming the door behind him.

Hiruzen sighed as he took another drag of his pipe, "Iruka is bringing Naruto, Shino and Hinata here now along with the forbidden scroll and their prisoner. Hinata was given an impossible task to achieve with a promise of gennin status as he reward. But she more than achieved, she learned to use an A-rank jutsu in around three hours." Hiruzen said, letting that dawn on them.

Shibi looked out the window for a moment in contemplation, "Then it would be logical she be given gennin status. But what of my son?" he asked.

Hiruzen smiled, "Shino also learned an A-rank jutsu that goes with his style perfectly. While Naruto found and used a special seal that awakened any hidden bloodlines he may have had locked away in his chakra coils." Hiruzen explained.

Tsunade blinked at that, unsure of what to expect, "So like, one of those chakra mutations?" She asked.

Hiruzen scratched his chin in thought as he looked up at the ceiling, "Well, I think that's what he might've been aiming for, but it seems that instead it's done something with his Sharingan." The Hokage explained.

Tsunade and Shibi were stunned quiet for a moment before a knocking was heard at the door, causing Hiruzen to straighten up as he nodded to Shibi.

Shibi took a few short steps and opened the door silently, letting Iruka lead the way in followed by the children, "Kaa-san!" Naruto exclaimed as he ran over to Tsunade, hugging her around the waist.

Tsunade sighed in relief as she took a knee, hugging Naruto tightly right back as she relaxed, 'Thank the Log, I couldn't stand to lose you too.' Tsunade thought protectively as she felt the Senju Necklace press against her collarbone from it's place around Naruto's neck.

Naruto swallowed deeply as he felt the familiar tremor of holding in tears run through his mother's body, 'Kaa-san...' Naruto thought with a fair bit of guilt as he tightly hugged her back.

Tsunade stepped back as she stood tall again, though a hand didn't leave Naruto's shoulder as she turned back to face the Hokage.

Following her ex-sensei's gaze, she immediately understood why he was quiet.

Hinata looked at the ground quietly with a soft smile on her face as Shino and Naruto were embraced by their parents, 'I'm glad their parents are here for them, it would hurt a lot if they were left alone after an ordeal like that...' She thought, honestly happy for her friends while unknowingly sad at her own loneliness.

"Hinata."

The young girl looked up as the Hokage said her name, causing her to blush in embarrassment as she realised everyone was staring at her...in her pyjamas, "Y-yes Hokage-sama?" she asked timidly.

The Hokage leaned forward as he watched her eyes, "Tell me, what would you rather, the life of a ninja? Or slavery in your clan?" He asked calmly.

Hinata's eyes widened at his words, "I...Umm, why?" she asked as she felt tears building up in her eyes.

The Hokage kept a calming expression on his face as he spoke, "Your father, Hiashi, has expelled you from his clan for leaving the compound against his order for the last time. He believed that after your experience, you would only do good as a branch house slave, giving way for Hanabi to become clan head," Hiruzen explained, watching as Hinata's arms fell slack by her sides, "Right at this moment, you are being removed from the Main house family and you have two options that you need to sort out right now if you want to live under your own power." Hiruzen explained.

Hinata stood in stunned silence for a moment as stared at the Hokage for nearly a full minute.

"Hinata," the Hokage said forcefully, causing her to look up at him again, "As of this moment, you are not part of the Hyuuga clan, by tomorrow morning, you will be part of the Hyuuga's branch family. As a ninja of the village, even a clan head needs your vocalised grant to become part of a clan. If you register as a ninja of the leaf village right now, you will be Hinata, gennin of the leaf. No one but me would have direct influence over you." Hiruzen said as Hinata's eyes finally seemed to show realisation, "Not even a Clan Head."

Hinata was silent for a moment as she nodded slowly, "D-do I have a chance at becoming gennin before tomorrow?" She asked, her stutter nearly evaporated by the time she was done talking.

Hiruzen smirked as he moved his hand, relaxing it on top of a new Konoha headband that sat on his desk, "Well it is against the law for me to leave an unattended civilian alone when they have knowledge on a High Level Ninjutsu, so either I let the genius that managed to learn an A-rank jutsu become a ninja under my watch, or I have her imprisoned for an unspecified time period." Hiruzen said as he lifted the headband towards Hinata, "Hinata of the Leaf, do you accept a position as gennin of our village?" he offered with a smile.

Hinata began to smile softly as she took a step forward, but the moment her foot touched ground, she paused, "But... what about Hanabi-imouto-chan?" Hinata asked.

Everyone paused at that.

After a few moments, Shibi spoke up calmly, "What is it that you are concerned about with your sister?" He asked.

Hinata chewed her bottom lip nervously, "Tou-san, he doesn't accept failure very well, and without me to be there... what if someone beats her in a training spar?" Hinata asked, no more stutter evident in her voice.

Hiruzen's brow furrowed, "I'm not sure what exactly you mean Hinata, but if you aren't part of that clan you can't be persecuted by a clan for looking into an issue of child abuse." Hiruzen clarified.

Hinata's eyes widened, "Can... will I be protected by being a ninja of the village if I know things about the clan?" she asked quietly.

Hiruzen nodded, "Yes, but only if you don't have the Caged Bird Seal am I right?" he asked, wanting confirmation for a theory he'd agreed with upon hearing years before.

Hinata nodded as she stepped forward towards the Hokage's desk again, the truth beginning to pour out of her, "Yes, when branch members try to speak up or leave the clan, the elders of the Main branch use it as a chance to show the younger generation how they basically enslave the branch family with the threat of pain and death, that's why I.." she paused as she took a shaky breath, "I...I hate the Caged Bird Seal!" Hinata nearly shouted suddenly, her tears pouring forth through her eyes, "I hate my family for what they do to their cousins, I hate the clan for the separation and hatred they show each other," she said as she cried, "I hate that my... my own father hurts everyone! I always have to play the weaker one between Hanabi and I, cause if she loses he'll hit her instead! I hate that the weakness I've had to hide behind made Kenta want to hurt me and I Hate not being able to STOP IT!" she shouted with rage and sorrow filled tears pouring down her face.

Naruto and Tsunade stared in shock as the usually quiet Hinata finally seemed to explode with everything she had kept bottled inside, but it seemed like this was the reaction Hiruzen had wanted or expected since he was easily able to reply, "Then take this chance to stop it all Hinata!" Hiruzen's powerful voice rang out as he stood, looking down at Hinata with a glow of encouragement in his gaze, "This is the first step that only you can take to end these harsh clan practises, this is one of the moments that defines your life," he said as he walked around the desk, kneeling so that he was at eye level with Hinata, "Will you hide in the clan and be slave to the Hyuuga," he asked as he placed a hand on her shoulder, "Or will you be the light that saves them?" Hiruzen asked as he lifted his other hand, holding out the headband in offering.

Hinata placed her hand on the headband and smiled softly, "Yes," she said in a slightly raspy voice after shouting for the first time she could even remember, "I... I choose to be Hinata of the Leaf, not of the Hyuuga." Hinata said with a slight smile towards the Hokage.

The Hokage looked up at the nearly forgotten Iruka, "Iruka, would you do the honours? After all only a teacher can announce an official graduation into the ninja life." Hiruzen said.

Iruka blinked once before smiling from his place at the door, "Hai Hokage-sama," Iruka said as he took the headband from Hinata and begun to wrap it around her forehead, "I officially declare you a gennin of the Leaf village Hinata." Iruka said with his smile still in place as he stepped back.

Hinata turned to Iruka with a bright smile, teeth and all as her shell of fear, quiet and sadness was all but shattered, "Thank you Iruka-sensei!" she exclaimed happily, her new headband tied firmly on her forehead.

"So, you need a place to stay right?"

Everyone in the office looked at Naruto as he finally stepped out of Tsunade's grasp and towards the ex-Hyuuga as she stared at him with wide eyes, "Don't you need a place to live now after the Hyuuga clan house?" he asked before looking up at Tsunade, "I still have the spare room in my part of the house Kaa-san, can I offer it to Hinata?" Naruto asked hopefully.

Tsunade looked at Naruto with a smile, never able to deny him a thing and knowing that Hinata deserved to be treated better, "Of course," she said, looking to Hinata with a smile, "And I'll have Shizune take you shopping in the morning for some appropriate attire. If you want that is?" Tsunade offered Hinata.

Hinata looked between Naruto and Tsunade for a moment before nodding, "Yes, that would be... great." Hinata said, her smiling only growing larger in size.

Hiruzen smiled as he stood, "It's settled then," he said before clapping, bringing everyone's attention back to him, "It's very late, so let's conclude this meeting for now." Hiruzen ordered.

Shino looked up, "And our incident reports Hokage-sama?" Shino asked.

Hiruzen stroked his beard as he begun walking back to his chair, "True, well I'll tell you what, by the time you each get your first mission – at which point a time I will see you in the mission hall – I would like a written report from each and every one of you detailing the entire incident," he said before looking up at Iruka, "But I'll have yours by tomorrow afternoon, as well as Mizuki's work desk at the academy brought here as well via sealing scroll, okay?"

Iruka nodded, "Hai Hokage-sama." he agreed.

The Third Hokage looked around the room one more time, taking in everyone's eyes as they felt the gravity of the situation. The Hyuuga just lost some major power in the Leaf Village.

##########

Opening the door to his half of the house, Naruto stepped aside to allow Hinata to walk in past him, "Welcome Home Hinata." Naruto said with a kind smile.

Hinata looked over the small apartment-like area with a new look in her eyes, "Home..." she muttered with a sigh.

Naruto frowned slightly as he watched Hinata stop a few steps into his place, he closed the door softly before looking at the clock on his wall, seeing it was nearing two in the morning, "Tell you what Hinata, I'll grab some of my smaller clothes that should fit you and leave them here," Naruto said as he crossed past Hinata, going to the first door visible from the doorway, "Right outside the bathroom door, since the other room isn't set up yet you can use my bedroom for the night since you'll need to be up early with Shizune-nee-chan," he said as he gestured down the short hallway, "I'll leave the light on for you." Naruto said with a kind smile.

Hinata nodded before her shoulders began to shake. Naruto raised a brow before his medical training kicked in, 'The shock has worn off, she's about to break.' Naruto realised as he stepped forward.

Hinata collapsed to the side, getting caught by Naruto's strong arms before she came to a stop in his grip. She began to cry out her pain, everything that had pent up, her father, her clan, the incident with the late Kenta Hyuuga. She let it all out.

Naruto sat quietly as he enveloped his arms in medical chakra. The simple technique giving her a warm and comforting embrace as it began to amplify her brain's reading of her emotions. Causing her to feel as much of the emotional pain she could handle in one massive push so that she could recover quicker.

She sobbed.

Naruto blinked and swallowed heavily as he tried to hold back his own tears. He could feel her pain as if it was oozing out of her and into him, 'The downside of being a medical ninja... empathy is the key to healing emotional problems, but in itself, the most painful for the healer.' Naruto thought as he held her tight.

Naruto closed his eyes as a single tear fell, waiting calmly.

Nearly an hour passed before Hinata's breathing evened out and Naruto felt her go limp in his arms as she passed into sleep. Naruto sighed as he slowly manoeuvred her into his arms and stood, holding her in a bear hug as he placed her gently on the couch nearby, resting her head on the armrest.

Naruto sighed as he walked to his bedroom, opening the door quietly as he cleared his bed and set up the pillows for her.

A few moments later, Naruto closed the door to his bedroom as he left her sleep before he walked to the adjoining door and sighed before yawning, 'Geez, this day sure was fun.' Naruto thought sarcastically before looking up at the low light with a smirk as his blue Sharingan eyes span slowly, 'Then again, at least something good came out of it.' Naruto thought with a light chuckle as he stepped out of the hallway and into the main house.

"Good, you're still up."

Naruto looked over to his mother with a smile as he stepped out of the small hallway, seeing her on a large couch as leant against the arm rest, "Come here, don't think I'd miss that your eyes have changed." she ordered as she straightened up to give Naruto room.

Naruto sighed as he moved over to the couch and lay down, resting his head on his mother's lap as he looked up at the ceiling and yawned, "I made it today Kaa-san, I'm a gennin now." Naruto said with a smile.

Tsunade nodded with a smile, "Yes you are, and one day you could become the worlds greatest medic like I did, or maybe even even Hokage like Sarutobi Sensei." She said as she placed her green-glowing hand over his eyes, having him close them as she began to analyse them.

Naruto scoffed, "No way, Hokage? I don't really want that kind of responsibility..." he said before sighing, "Being a Medical Ninja is hard enough as it is..." Naruto muttered.

Tsunade's brow furrowed as she continued reading the chakra pathways in the eyes, "What's so bad about being a medical ninja?" she asked curiously, "You've never shown a dislike of it before now." She said.

Naruto smiled up at his mother, even with his eyes closed, "Yeah I know, it's just occurred to me since we've been back to the village... my entire job is basically about dealing with everyone else's pain and problems," he said before yawning, "And I'm not sure if I'm strong enough to deal with that, or even if I want to for that matter." he said tiredly.

Tsunade's eyes widened, but not because of what he said, 'His eyes... both of them have matching chakra pathways, the same pathways Shisui's eye had before... but there's two other chakra pathways stemming off from the original, and the biology is all Naruto... he just made a pure-blood Uzumaki-Sharingan bloodline, but with something extra if the two extra pathways are anything to go by...' she thought in wonder before trying to refocus on their conversation, "Well, just because I'm a medical ninja doesn't mean you have to be Naruto... tell me, what would your dream job be?" she asked.

Naruto smiled as he felt her chakra meld easier into his chakra network, before where it was an uncomfortable feeling, now it felt extremely calming, "I think... I'd want to be a ninja teacher, like, maybe a Jonin Sensei? Or maybe since I already can be a medic, I can eventually become a teacher for that? Or..." he began with a shrug as he yawned again, "Maybe an academy instructor?"

Tsunade smiled softly, 'Little Naru-chan...always just wants to help others be stronger.' she thought with a smile as she felt the fully repaired chakra pathways that she had come to associate with the Mangekyou Sharingan, 'It seems his Mangekyou might even be available with less damage being done to his eyes.' she thought before she pulled her hands away, her examination coming to a close for the time being.

Tsunade blinked as she noticed Naruto's still face, she smiled softly as she picked up a pillow from the side of the couch. She set it next to her head as she rested back and closed her own eyes, planning to join him in sleep for the night.

##########

"Tsunade-sama? Naruto?"

Tsunade began to stir as Tsubaki called her name. She opened her eyes to see her new maid standing on the opposite side of the coffee table, two sets of a healthy breakfast sitting in front of her.

As soon as the observation really settled in, Tsunade sat up with a jolt, shaking Naruto awake and causing him to slowly sit up with a groan, "Hmm?" Naruto asked as he wiped his eyes from sleep.

Tsunade cleared her throat as she looked around the top floor of their hillside house, seeing that the morning light had been pouring in the window for at least an hour, "Right, morning Tsubaki." Tsunade said with a sleepy smile.

Naruto turned to the coffee table at the same time Tsunade did, both the take a deep breath through their noses as the smell of the breakfast Tsubaki had made them hit their noses.

Both mother and son blushed as their stomachs rumbled in unison, but that was quickly drowned out by Naruto burying his face in his meal.

Tsunade smiled down at the food before looking up at Tsubaki, who had obviously been up and active for a few hours at least, "Thanks Tsubaki," Tsunade said as she took her first mouthful. She glanced around the room and raised a brow, "Where's Shizune?" she asked after swallowing.

Tsubaki smiled at Naruto and Tsunade's pleased expressions, "She and Hinata went shopping about half an hour ago to find Hinata some suitable ninja-wear, I would've left you two to rest but," she paused with a glance at Naruto as he scarfed down another mouthful, "Naruto has team assignments in an hour and you received a black-label letter this morning Tsunade-sama." Tsubaki said.

Not knowing what a black-label letter meant in a ninja village, Naruto paid it no heed as his eyes shot towards a clock, "AH! I gotta get ready! Thanks for the awesome food Tsubaki!" Naruto exclaimed as he jumped up to his feet.

Tsunade watched as Naruto came back for his last piece of bacon before sprinting back off, disappearing down the hallway in a blur as he rushed to get ready.

Tsubaki chuckled slightly as she watched Naruto retreat to his room, but the atmosphere quickly became heavy as she turned back to Tsunade, seeing the Senju Clan Head looking down at the envelope in front of her with a frown on her face.

The plain envelope had but two things on it, a single black stripe and the mark of the Hyuuga Clan Head, causing Tsunade to sigh as the events from the day before finally caught up with her, 'I just took in the clan heir of the Hyuuga clan, the daughter of a guy with a weird man-crush on me, and an unsealed free Byakugan user.' Tsunade thought with a sigh as she looked down at the envelope, 'Should've seen this coming.'

Opening the envelope, Tsunade began reading what she assumed would've been a threat of some kind for taking in Hinata, but she simply raised a brow as she began reading the letter to herself.

##########

Naruto threw his jacket on over his singlet as he looked down at his new ninja tools. He wore a Medic Belt around his hips, holding three pouches under his jacket that held all that was necessary for an advanced field medic but sacrificing a full ninja pouch with shuriken and seal tags. He now also had a kunai holster strapped to his left leg and secretly, two storage seals stitched into the inside of his jacket sleeves. 'Better to be prepared for anything rather then unprepared for the random.' Naruto thought to himself as he finished getting dressed and left his bedroom.

A few minutes later, Naruto walked out his front door with a grin as the morning sun drenched over his form. He fastened his medic pack as he took the first few steps into the light and grinned up at it, the sunlight shining brightly off the Hitai-ite which he wore as a belt buckle like his mom used to when she was gennin.

Looking ahead, Naruto's grin turned to a confident smirk as he began to march towards the Academy, 'Life as a Konohagakure gennin... this is gonna be cool!' Naruto thought to himself as he picked up his pace a little in excitement.

It was some time later that Naruto actually focussed on where he was going and as he looked up, he got a shock at what – or rather who – he was seeing in front of him.

##########

Hinata blushed as she readjusted the forehead protector over her eyes, her Byakugan secretly activated underneath to help her not only train in it, but deceive all of her enemies into thinking she was disadvantaged by her lack of sight. She rather enjoyed having it active the whole time, especially since it made her feel more comfortable about the new clothes she was wearing considering she could see way more of anyone else then they could see of her.

Hinata's short blue hair was covered by the hood over her head, but her bangs were still visible over the headband that she wore proudly. The hoodie was sleeveless and a very dark orange that in a dark light would seem closer to brown. She appeared to not be wearing a shirt underneath it since as it stopped above her belly button, everyone could see her bare skin showing and subsequently the scar that lead down to disappear underneath her pants. Hinata's blush increased as she saw Naruto basically checking her out as he walked in the gate, his eyes very much glued to the tight black material that was closer to tights then pants other then the pockets present on them. The only thing that had stayed the same was her ninja sandals.

Shizune smiled as she saw Hinata smile and turn, 'So he's here somewhere...' Shizune thought as she looked over to the gate, seeing Naruto turn towards them, 'Wow, those eyes of hers are really incredible.' Shizune thought, still getting used to the idea of the Byakugan let alone trying to understand just what she's seeing and interpreting.

"Hey Nee-chan, Hinata. How's the new threads?" Naruto asked as he came to a stop in front of the two of them.

"HINATA?!"

Hinata sighed as Kiba Inuzuka appeared between her and Naruto, "It IS you! What happened? Why are you dressed like some clanless bum?" Kiba asked, thinking her clothes were about as far from 'Hyuuga tradition' as his own were, it was at this moment he realised her eyes were covered under the hood, "And what happened to your eyes?" he asked in a moment of worry.

Hinata watched Kiba for a moment as she saw him stare at the bare skin she was showing on her tummy, and unfortunately, she saw his body's reaction to her appeal as well, "Kiba, keep your eyes to yourself please. I don't want your attention." Hinata said quite simply.

Kiba's entire persona faltered as Naruto couldn't hold back the smirk that formed on his face, 'Wow, Hinata doesn't waste a moment for thought now.' Naruto thought with a slight chuckle that brought Kiba's attention to him.

Kiba turned to Naruto and scowled at him, "Senju? What do you want?" Kiba asked, only just realising that he was there.

Shizune glanced between Kiba – who was obviously trying to assert his Inuzuka dominance – and Naruto – who looked like he wanted to see the situation resolve – and sighed, 'Nope, I'm needed at the ANBU facilities, it'll just be a bother to watch this unfold.' she thought before placing a hand on Hinata's shoulder.

Hinata looked up at her with a smile, "Thank you for this morning Shizune-san, I've never had 'girl time' before." Hinata said happily.

Shizune nodded and smiled, "Any time Hinata-chan, I had real fun." Shizune said, being honest as she truly did enjoy playing dress up with someone like Hinata, after all, she had a body type that fit most styles of dress.

Shizune placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder as she walked past, causing Kiba to look up at her as did Naruto, "I'll see you later Naru-chan, you make sure that you're careful okay?" she said.

Naruto grinned up at her, "Got it Nee-chan." he promised with a nod.

With that Shizune left calmly, though she took one more glance at Kiba as she felt his gaze on her as she walked away, 'Geez for a kid he certainly doesn't seem to think like one.'

Back at the trio of gennin, Naruto went to address Hinata, but Kiba stood between them as he repeated his earlier question, "What do you want Senju? Can't you see Hinata-chan and I have some things to talk about?" he asked rhetorically as he took a step back, about to place a hand on Hinata's waist.

Naruto's eyes widened, 'Uh-oh, one should never unexpectedly approach or touch someone that's been through what Hinata has, especially a creeper like Kiba.' Naruto thought as he was about to intervene.

**CRACK**

Kiba shouted in pain as he nursed his pinky finger, which was suddenly bent in a very, very wrong way. Kiba stared at it for a moment and opened his mouth as he was about to scream.

Naruto's hands moved quickly, one to Kiba's mouth to cover his shout and one green-glowing hand to crack his finger back into place and heal it, causing Kiba to blink owlishly as he watched his finger morph back into the right shape with no pain.

"Kiba," Hinata said, bring the dog-boy's gaze up to her headband, causing him to feel unsettled as she seemed to look right through him, "I told you before and this is the last time I'll say it again; I don't want your attention." Hinata said with an emotionless voice.

Kiba swallowed deeply and nodded, "'Holy shit... she's become a total bad-ass babe..." Kiba said as he openly stared at her.

Naruto sighed as he let go of his finger while Hinata scowled at Kiba, "Let's just go to class okay guys?" Naruto asked with a soft smile as the morning bell went off, normally signifying class starting.

But today, it meant Team Assignments.

##########

"Alright," Iruka said as he looked over the room full of freshly graduated gennin, "Today is your first day as gennin and as such, it's my duty to inform each of you of the teams you've been placed on as well and if requested, your place in the class's final grade." Iruka said with a smirk, knowing from tradition that most would want to know.

The class sat in quiet excitement, many of them wanting to know if they managed to get in the top circle of gennin and hopefully get a better teacher for the next portion of their ninja careers.

"Now team one will be..." Iruka began, going down his list of people on the clipboard in front of him.

Time passed slowly as the first six teams were called out and many people requesting their scores, some earning a little embarrassment while others swelled with pride as they found themselves in the top ten.

"Team 7," Iruka began again as he smiled, seeing the names, "Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Senju and... Hinata." Iruka said, his smile sliding slightly as he noticed that Hinata's name lacked the 'Hyuuga.'

""WHAAAAAAT?!""

Many people turned to Ino and Sakura as their yell nearly shattered glass, "Sensei! Why does she get to be on Sasuke's team?! She didn't even come to the exams!" Ino shouted.

Sakura nodded in agreement as she looked around the room, unable to recognise Hinata from her place next to Naruto in the back row, "Where is she anyway?" Sakura asked, wanting something to spend her anger on.

Iruka sighed in exasperation, but Sasuke managed to grab everyone's attention as he spoke, "Sensei, my ranking?" he asked with no discernible emotion on his face or in his voice.

Iruka's face moved into a slightly nervous smile, "Sasuke, well you came...second." Iruka said.

The class was quiet at that for a moment as Sasuke turned and glared across the classroom at Naruto, who was looking curiously at Iruka since he was supposed to be listening, "Who came first?" Sasuke demanded.

Iruka scratched the back of his head, "Now the person who came first hasn't asked for their score to be read out Sasuke, I can't give that information away so easily." Iruka said apologetically.

Naruto stood as he looked around, not knowing where Sasuke's usual spot was since he was new, "Hey Sasuke, wanna come sit with Hinata and me?" Naruto asked with a smile once he spotted Sasuke.

Sasuke's glare withered as it seemed to have literally no impact on Naruto, 'Either he thinks he's better then me or he's actually glad we're on a team.' Sasuke thought before he realised something.

He had already stood and begun walking.

Sasuke came to a stop at the desk before taking a seat in the empty chair next to Hinata, leaning back as he rested his feet on the table to look up at the roof. Though he was trying to act casual, he was trying to think of a way to find out if Naruto was the one to have beaten him.

"Ano, Iruka-sensei? What was my score?"

Everyone in the class turned to the hooded figure between Sasuke and Naruto as Hinata looked up from resting her head on her crossed arms. The class was mostly silent as almost no-one realised who it was.

Iruka smiled sadly up at Hinata, "Sorry Hinata, but cause of the circumstances of your passing you didn't actually get a passing grade, so unfortunately you got the lowest score of the class." Iruka said.

Sakura seemed to pounce on the opportunity to make her seem better then Hinata, "Ha! Stupid dead-last!" she said as she pointed at Hinata.

"Sakura."

The class was quiet again as Sakura turned to Sasuke with wide eyes, 'H-he's addressing me? Just me?' Sakura thought with a dreamy smile.

"Talk to my team like that again and I'll burn you."

Rather then letting the classroom explode again, Iruka quickly clapped his hands to get everyone's attention as Sakura froze, an emotional breakdown becoming more and more imminent with each passing second, "So Naruto, want to know your ranking?" Iruka asked before realising that this redirect might not have been his best.

Naruto smiled and nodded, "Okay, did I get in the top ten?" Naruto asked politely.

Iruka nodded, "Yes actually, turns out you got number one," he said, letting that sink in for a moment, "Naruto is Rookie of the Year."

As if that was the last straw, everyone in the classroom burst into questions. How Sasuke was beaten, how Hinata had passed, how Naruto got number one after only a week in the academy, even though Iruka clearly said that that the final grade was reliant solely on the final exams.

Iruka sighed as he looked around the classroom, realising he had lost complete control over the kids that bombarded the silent Sasuke and Hinata with questions as Naruto tried to answer them all, realising his team-mates didn't want to, 'Oh screw it. I only really had to inform them of the teams and scores.' Iruka thought with a sigh as he turned to his blackboard and picked up a piece of chalk.

A few minutes after he began writing, he placed the chalk down and came to the realisation that the room was mostly quiet behind him.

Turning around, Iruka raised a brow as he noticed three things. One: every girl was glaring between Hinata and Sasuke, two: Shino seemed to be the only one in the room standing and three: almost everyone in the room seemed to have more then just a few bugs on their faces.

Iruka blinked as Shino brought a single finger to his lips, "Shhh." he whispered gently.

Iruka merely blinked again before a knock was heard on the door and a group of Jonin walked in, "Team 1, with me." a sickly looking Jonin said before walking back out the door.

As the next few teams began to leave, Ino looked up at the board to see that Iruka had written the last few teams up as well as their Sensei, "I'M STUCK WITH FATASS AND THE LAZY BUM?!" she shouted.

Shikamaru and Choji sighed as Shikamaru turned to his friend, "Told ya she wouldn't have noticed it before." Shikamaru muttered.

Ino's outburst made Sakura look up for her name as well before a horrified look came over her face, "I GOT THE STINKY DOG AND BUGBOY?!" she screamed.

"Sakura."

The pinkette turned to Shino as the boy readjusted his glasses, giving Sakura a view of his kaleidoscope eyes, "Sit down." Shino ordered.

Sakura – a girl with an extreme fear of bugs – sat down quickly and silently as anime tears poured from her face.

Naruto nodded as he read from the board as well, "Interesting, so the person who came last gets put with the two best to balance a team and the same repeats throughout the top ten and subsequently the worse five before the last fifteen are mixed around in subsidised groups." Naruto said calmly.

Hinata and Sasuke both looked at him with a raised brow.

**Clunk**

The three of them looked over to the door in unison to come to the same conclusion as they were left behind in the now empty room, 'Our Sensei is late...'

##########

Tsunade sighed as she entered her new office in the hospital. After only half a week of work at the hospital, it was obvious that the standards of medical care had fallen in the few years she was absent and as she began to prove so, she proved that she was still more than capable of running the ICU department.

So here she was, just over a week into her job as one of the three alternating Head Doctors of the ICU unit in the Hidden Leaf Village's hospital.

And fuck was there a lot of idiots.

Tsunade frowned as she fell into the plushy chair behind her desk, looking down at the folder of her last patient for the day, 'Managing to ignite a fire chakra inside the lungs, but didn't release it before it took form of a flame. Idiot burned the inside of his lungs and would've died if it wasn't for that weirdo gennin medic.' Tsunade thought before leaning back and closing her eyes for the moment.

"Long day Tsunade?"

Tsunade's eyes snapped open as she looked at the person standing in the corner of her office, "Jiraiya?" she asked in shock.

The Toad Sage stepped out of the shadows with a grin on his face that was so big that his eyes were shut, "That's me, sorry I missed the dinner the other night." Jiraiya said as he walked calmly into the center of the room.

Tsunade sighed again as she sat forward, "That was last week moron, you really messed up." She said.

Jiraiya raised a brow, "Huh? Why did I mess up?" Jiraiya asked.

Tsunade looked up at Jiraiya with an angry but obviously exhausted glare, "Cause on that night Sarutobi and I had a little talk concerning who Naruto's Godparents were and since Mikoto is gone, that left only his Godfather there to look after him," Tsunade said as she stood to her feet, her hands clenched tightly, "But where was he again? Oh yeah, writing porn for money!" Tsunade said angrily as she punched through her desk in anger, breaking it in half and clearing a path for her to walk through.

Jiraiya blinked with wide eyes as he stepped back, "H-hey let me explain here! It wasn't my fault! Sarutobi-sensei said that Naruto can't leave the village yet and then I had to go set up my spy network throughout the elemental nations!" Jiraiya said in panic.

Tsunade scowled as she walked past Jiraiya, "I know everything you really got up to Jiraiya," she said as she slapped him in the chest with a yellow envelope, "And you have a lot to make up for." she said as she paused at his side.

Jiraiya looked at the envelope in confusion as he begun to open it, only to find two columns named 'Penance' and 'Crimes' side by side down the page along with a paragraph down the bottom from their Sensei;

Jiraiya,

I am ashamed that you shirked your duties as a Godfather in favour
of leering on the women of the Five Elemental Nations. You have
used your status to get into places and do illegal activities. As much
as I hate to do this it's the only way I can be certain about your
actions at this point in time...
For each crime that I could report you for, you shall do the village one
favour specifically for people of this village or the village itself. If you
refuse, pack your bags and start running.

Looking forward to seeing you at the first task.
Hiruzen Sarutobi

Jiraiya was about to be stunned and furious as he read the paragraph to it's final word, but before he could say anything out loud about it, Tsunade cut him off, "Before you begin to bitch, look at the first few acts of 'Penance' and make your decision." She said, pointing to the first line of words and walking away.

Jiraiya blinked owlishly as he read the first task, 'Chill with the Hokage on the next available Saturday for his day off? Teach a team of Naruto Clones weekly? Teach a three lesson course that's full prep for... FEMALE JONIN SEDUCTION MISSIONS?!' Jiraiya read questioningly yet hopefully in his mind as blood began to leak from his nose.

Tsunade nodded as she watched Jiraiya begin to get lost in his daydream, tapping him on the forehead protector to get his attention as she walked past, "Focus idiot, most of these aren't that bad, though a few will be time consuming," she said before opening the door back into the main part of the hospital, "How about we go get started on number four? Don't expect anything sincere ya perv, and you're picking up the check." Tsunade said as she walked out the door.

Jiraiya blinked as he looked down at number four on his list, "Take Tsunade out on at least five dates, whether it be as friends or something more, you both need to talk." Jiraiya read out loud.

Jiraiya looked up and out the open doorway, seeing Tsunade looking at him with a blank expression, one that Jiraiya was familiar with.

'Dear Log, what has her this pained? It's not really about me ditching the kid is it?'

##########

"Rock."

"Paper."

"Scissors!" Team 7 exclaimed as they thrust their hands out.

"Oh damn." Naruto said with a fake frown, having fun testing Hinata and Sasuke's reactions to his subtle mind analysis techniques, such as rock paper scissors.

Sasuke smirked as he and Hinata turned to one another, both of them holding out their hands as Naruto tried to predict their movements, 'Sasuke will pick rock again but this time Hinata will too. Then next turn Sasuke will go scissors and Hinata will lose with paper.' Naruto predicted, smirking as what he was guessing began to unfold in front of him.

Naruto raised a brow as Hinata surprised him by picking rock a third time, "Hinata wins!" Naruto said with a grin.

Sasuke scowled before leaning back and shrugging, "Big deal, it's just rock paper scissors." he grumbled.

**Creak**

The three gennin turned their heads in unison as the door to the class room opened, letting a grey haired Jonin walk in, "Hello, Team 7?" Kakashi asked with an eye smile.

Sasuke stood immediately, "That's us." he said confidently.

Kakashi looked him up and down before pointing at Sasuke, "...Too emo," he said before his finger pointed at Hinata, "...Too blind," he said before pointing at Naruto, "...Too...ugly." Kakashi said calmly before turning away, "Meet you on the rooftop."

**POOF**

It took a few moments for Kakashi's words to register in their minds, but when they did, Naruto jumped to his feet angrily, "Hey what the hell?!" Naruto shouted before leaping to the door of the classroom, turning back to his team with a grin, "Race ya up there!" he said before stepping out of the door.

Naruto chuckled as he instantly heard the two people behind him get to their feet, 'So the key for this team is to give Sasuke a challenge to spur him on to be stronger and to give Hinata the opportunity to prove herself now that she's stopped holding herself back, I wonder how strong she'll grow without the oppression of her clan hanging over her...' Naruto thought to himself as he dashed up the stairs.

Pushing open the doors to the rooftop, Naruto paused as he spotted their new Sensei sitting on the rail opposite him. A second or so later, Sasuke and Hinata stopped at his sides, staring at Kakashi as he opened his single eye, "Ah, hello you three, come take a seat." Kakashi said, waving them over casually.

Naruto frowned as he marched over to Kakashi, 'I don't know what's up with this guy, but as long as I can get these two to have a friendly rivalry between them, they'll grow strong together, and hopefully help me to do the same.' Naruto thought as he arrived in front of their new Sensei, taking a seat to Sasuke's left as Hinata sat beside him.

Kakashi glanced over the group with a bored expression in his eye before it rested on Hinata, "So, tell me a little about yourselves guys."

Hinata blinked, "Umm, what should I say?" she asked.

Kakashi shrugged, "Y'know the usual, your names, likes, dislikes, dreams and stuff." Kakashi explained.

Naruto cut in, wanting to know more about their Sensei, "Why don't you show us how it's done Sensei?"

Kakashi held his chin in thought as he looked up at the sky, "Well, let's see... my name is Kakashi Hatake, I like some things and dislike other things. Yeah..." he muttered before pointing at Hinata, "Your go."

Hinata blinked behind her headband, casually taking a glance of Sasuke and Naruto's expressions simultaneously as they focussed on her, "My name is Hinata of the Leaf, I like the chance that I've been given by being expelled from the Hyuuga clan. I dislike the harsh practice of clan separation, my dream... is to save my sister and every one else from the horror that the main branch! And... umm," Hinata paused as she realised she didn't know what to say, "And I want to... have a real family with someone..." she said, not even realising her words until they were out before she looked down sadly.

Kakashi blinked at Hinata's introduction, 'Okaaaay, this is interesting, when did she leave the Hyuuga?' he thought before glancing at the next in line, Naruto, "Okay blondie, you're up."

Naruto smiled, "My name is Naruto Senju, I like the new friends I've made in Konoha and helping those that I can, and my team and my family..." Naruto said, his smile becoming a grin, "I like basically this village in general, so my dislikes..." Naruto said as he tilted his head in thought, "I guess... violence really. I don't like people I care about getting hurt, even if that means I have to hurt someone else to keep my friends from pain." Naruto said before scratching the back of his head, "But I don't really know what my dream is yet, I guess right now, it's to help me and my team mates grow stronger together." Naruto said happily.

Kakashi eye smiled at Naruto, 'For the first time... here's a kid that I actually want to teach, and after only a few sentences too.' Kakashi thought happily before turning to Sasuke, "And last but in no way least..."

Sasuke glanced at Kakashi before looking down at his hands, "I am Sasuke Uchiha, I don't like many things other then getting stronger, but I dislike many things that are constantly thrown in my way every day," Sasuke said, his glare hardening, "And my dream... is to rip out the heart of a certain man and make him watch it beat it's last." he said darkly.

The group was in a tense silence as Naruto looked down sadly, 'Itachi isn't the bad guy here... if only there was a way I could clear his name...' Naruto thought, hoping beyond hope that somehow he was right about Itachi.

Kakashi scratched the back of his head, "Hmm... I think I know a pretty good technique for that..." Kakashi mumbled casually before looking back at the trio who were staring at him intently, "Right, so I want you all to meet me tomorrow morning for your final test alright? You guys know where training ground seven is?" Kakashi asked as he stood up and yawned in apparent boredom.

Naruto shook his head, "Nope and what test?" he asked.

Kakashi eye smiled at the blonde, "Well get help from your friends, and this test truly decides whether you get to become part of a gennin cell and take missions or not." Kakashi said.

Hinata frowned, "I know where training ground seven is. Do you..." she trailed off as she looked up, glancing between the two boys that were staring at her, "...Want to meet up in the morning?" she asked.

Naruto nodded, "Yeah! There's this ramen place down in the market district and-"

"No breakfast tomorrow," Kakashi said, cutting him off, "You'll just end up throwing it up again." Kakashi said with an eye smile.

Sasuke frowned and then sighed, "How about the gates to the Uchiha district? My clan house is right next to the edge of the village and the training grounds." Sasuke said with with a bored expression.

Naruto nodded again with a smile, "Yeah that seems cool to me." Naruto said before looking to Hinata, wanting her to speak up.

Hinata nodded at his look and smiled, "Yes. The Uchiha district sounds fine." she said, though she was wondering if Naruto had forgotten that they now live together.

Kakashi chuckled as he watched the group before performing a one handed tiger seal, "Well, I'll see you guys in the morning then, Ja ne." Kakashi said with an eye smile and a wave.

*POOF*

Naruto and the others blinked in shock as the smoke dissipated, "Was he a clone?" Naruto asked.

Hinata shook her head, "His chakra signature was here and he was solid." she said, causing Naruto to smirk.

The two paused and turned as they saw the door close, Sasuke's head disappearing from view through the small window.

Naruto blinked in confusion at Sasuke's abrupt departure, but Hinata quickly grasped his attention with her next words, "So, Naruto...did you..." she began, seeing Naruto raise an eyebrow at her expectantly, causing her to blush in embarrassment, "W-wanna go down to the market district? For some umm, ramen?" she asked nervously, never having asked a friend out before, she looked off to the side nervously as she twiddled her fingers.

Naruto smiled simply, happy that someone wanted to do something with him, 'This is what friends must be like.' Naruto thought with a smile before speaking, "Yes ma'am! Wanna take a shortcut?" Naruto asked as he jogged up to and stood next to the railing overlooking the edge of the building.

Hinata sighed in relief even as she giggled at Naruto's words, stepping up beside him before looking down and frowning, "Umm, I don't think we should jump from here..." Hinata said softly.

Naruto surprised her by grabbing her hand and pulling her into an awkward hug as he formed a Ram seal behind her back, "Stay close!" Naruto exclaimed as the two of them disappeared in a shunshin.

#########

Chapter End.

Sorry it's been a while, hope you like this story :)

Naruto's making friends, Hinata's moved in to the Senju Household, and Naruto's new Sharingan is developing well.

Hope to see you all at chapter five :)