A.N. Sorry it took so long to update, spring break + migraines + studying for 6 AP exams (Thank goodness that's over) choosing college course, being grounded from the comp for not having an A in AP Spanish (which I suck at...and never wanted to take in the first place) kept me busy. Are you ready for more Naruto and the start of his ninja career? Also, I don't own Naruto... isn't that shocking? I thought every single person who spoke his name obviously owns him. . . but apparently not. sorry for the long A.N

Chapter 3 Dead Last?

For once Kakashi wasn't the only person late to a meeting. Kurenai walked into the Hokage's office with her usual calm demeanor, but the other jonin could sense a small amount of killing intent coming off of her. This was a unique spectacle, seeing as Kurenai was one of the most composed jonin despite her youth. Ice Queen indeed.

As she took her seat Kakashi looked up from his book and decided to put it away after only a moments hesitation, an angry kunoichi was always dangerous and he knew his book would only fuel her rage.

"We can start now, which teams passed?"

"Team 7 passed, they eventually managed to work together like a true team," Kakashi smiled through his mask.

"Team 8 passed as well." Kurenai's killing intent rose the slightest amount.

Ibiki grunted, "Team 9 passed, they have great potential."

"Team 10 passed, they are just like their fathers." Asuma took a long drag on his cigarette.

The Hokage was relieved, all of the students had passed, it meant less paperwork and no angry parents, last thing he needed was a clan head fuming at him. "What do you think about your teams? Just give a brief overview of their potential as a unit."

Kakashi let out a small chuckle. "Team 7 is exactly what we expected, a good tracking and combat team. When Sasuke gets his sharingan they will excel even more in both areas. Kiba and his hound Akamaru are doing quite well as the main trackers, but I'm a little concerned about Sakura. She certainly has great potential, but her mentality and current skills will drag out the time for her to achieve anything note worthy (AN: Admit it, she was kinda useless at first)."

What Kakashi didn't realize was that Sakura had in fact figured out the bell test long before Kiba or Sasuke had thought to question the rules. She had thought about her dilemma, a young physically weak genin couldn't get a bell from a jonin but maybe Sasuke could. She knew she was week and sought help. . . or rather any excuse to be with Sasuke.

"I'll try to get her to focus on her genjutsu to provide additional support to the team." Sarutobi nodded in agreement as such training would round out the team nicely.

After a few seconds Ibiki decided to go next. He wanted to give Kurenai a few more minutes to calm down. She was friends with Anko after all and he knew that hell hath no fury like a women's wrath, especially when said women had a repertoire of sharp weapons and deadly jutsu. "There really isn't much to say about Shino and Yakumo besides the reason they were paired together. They both have level heads and personal abilities that are well suited for tortu- er, uhm interrogation and espionage."

Asuma let off a small chuckle at Ibiki's near miss. Torture was for Anko and Ibiki, interrogation was for clan heirs. "They will stay in the village for a while as we work on both of their physical conditioning. They are stealth and intel oriented as planned. That Shino is quieter then all the Aburame put together. Yakumo is still very frail, but what's a little frailty when you can trap most jonin in a genjutsu?"

"Very well, I'm glad we managed to seal her Ido (that demon like split personality of hers). Her genjutsu rival that of the sharingan and will be a great asset to the village. How is team 10 son?"

Asuma let out a puff of smoke and said, "They are just like their parents. Ino-Shika-Cho clones, except Ino is much noisier then her father." That was all, no additional explanation was needed. (really, the combination is so famous in Konoha that the Hokage and 3 jonin wouldn't need a real explanation, so I'm not giving one :P)

After a short awkward silence, and a deep calming breath from Kurenai, the analysis of team 8 was delivered . . . like a sucker punch to the face.

"Hinata and Naruto are some of the most promising genin in this village, and could very easily become the strongest genin team since the Sannin." She meant business, as seen by her glowing red eyes from a subconscious genjutsu.

"Kurenai, I've seen the files of each of the genin and I doubt that a two-man squad consisting of the dead last boy and girl, despite any potential, are that good," the cyclops let out with sigh.

Asuma decided to pitch in his two cents as well, "Heck, even with the byakugan and the kyuubi those two can't have more potential or skill then the all these other clan heirs combined."

The glowing glare that was aimed at the men was well understood. She wasn't done yet and as Hokage Sarutobi had seen such looks on Kunoichi, namely his wife, and knew to NEVER interrupt. Ibiki knew Anko and the direct correlation between interruption and attempted murder.

"If they have such little potential why does Naruto have more chakra then Kakashi here and the ability to make several hundred shadow clones? Why does Hinata know more about seals then I do? Why do they both have wind and water as there two main elements?" Everyone in the room was surprised, they knew he would have a lot of chakra going for him, but all this?

"Not only that but they have really good team work. Those two managed to think up a clever plan to get around my illusions and take the best advantage of the Byakugan by guiding Naruto's clones with it. They have potential for stealth, tracking, combat, intel you name it and they could probably do it."

She turned her wrath on the Hokage. "How is it that two outstanding young shinobi that are amongst the greatest seen in years are the dead lasts of their respective genders, and don't even get me started on how they managed to paint the Hokage's faces in broad-daylight without getting caught."

Naruto was halfway to his favorite ramen stand when he realized that he was dragging Hinata along with him. Literally dragging. Did she even want ramen right now? "Hey Hinata," Naruto said as he stopped abruptly. "What do you want to eat?"

Hinata started to blush at her close proximity to Naruto. "Uhm, I ate before the test. Could we get more of a snack like dango?"

"Dango it is then." Naruto grabbed Hinata and made a beeline for the nearest dango stand which proceeded to deny service to miscreant scum cough cough demon brats cough cough. The owner of the next stand treated the pair no better then the first, or the third and fourth for that matter.
Even after seeing this treatment of her best friend a thousand times she couldn't help but get mad.

"If this next place refuses us so help me. Lets just say we'll have a new victim for some pranks." Lucky for Hinata the owner of the stand they approached did not here her, not so lucky for her the lady eating dango did, and threw kunai at the two genin.

Anko Mitarashi wasn't particularly fond of children but she had a small soft spot for any girl who had to endure a family pricks-err Hyugas. She even liked Naruto the poor boy who was an outcast reviled in his own village much like her, but no gaki would mess with HER favorite dango stand!

"If this man is wiling to serve a 'Snake Whore' like me then I doubt he'd turn away a pair of brown-nosed kids like you." She took a moment to lick the blood off of the kunai she threw making Hinata gag a little and Naruto jump back in dismay. "Hmm, especially when said children happen to have the best blood I've ever had. ANOTHER ROUND!" At her call a platter of dango was placed in front of the three. She offered the dango to Naruto and Hinata, who warily started eating.

"So you guys are the next generation of genin and I surmise that our young Hyuga is a conspirator to our ominous orange prankster here." She gave Naruto pat on the back and ignored the choking sounds he made. With a grin She continued, "What would your father do if he ever found out?"

"Eep." Hinata turned bright red as she tried to bury herself in her jacket, which Anko seemed to find highly amusing.

"Hehe, kid I'm not gonna tattle on you. In fact, I would like your help some time on some sweet revenge, but maybe when you are older. After all it's what your first day on the job?"

Naruto, who had finally realized that shadow clones could perform the heimlich maneuver, had joined the conversation again. "We are gonna be the best squad this village has ever seen, without a third member! We're prepared for anything!"

"A two-man squad?" 'Could they be...Kurenai didn't tell me which kids she had. This will be of the devil.' "Kurenai, why didn't you tell me you had such an interesting pair of gaki's to train?"

Kurenai easily ignored her puppy eyes genjutsu. "Naruto, Hinata, you have a training exercise tomorrow morning to prepare for." but before she explain further she was cut off.

"Ehh! We don't need more training, we should be starting missions right away! Who else will save princesses and stop criminals?"

"N-naruto, training is very important. What kind of training is it Kurenai-sensei?"
"I was about to get to the Hinata. The Hokage wants to confirm my evaluation of you two. He has asked Kakashi, an elite jonin and sensei of team 7, to administer his bell test." She exchanged a knowing look with Anko and before Naruto could even ask the test was being explained.

Anko let out a sigh, "The bell test is meant to divide a three-man squad and see if their teamwork withstands. Since you are established genin and in a pair that won't work. Your goal is to obtain a bell each from a pair he has, do that and you pass."

Naruto leapt for joy. "We could get that bell easy."

"Don't be so sure Naruto. If he went all out I doubt I could get a bell safely alone." Her eyes shone with concern, "but you aren't alone, you have Hinata and Kakashi is trying to test you two for ability and potential, not crush you. Besides we have a few advantages."

"Like what sensei"

"Easy Hinata, we have the kids who painted the Hokage mountain in broad daylight and-" at this Anko spluttered on her dango, "Thwat wash dem?"

"And the knowledge that Kakashi shows up several hours late, in fact I think his tardiness earns him a prank or two."

Naruto could barely contain himself. They had more then a few projects in the works and what better purpose then passing a test to further there ninja careers?

A.N. Hey everybody, sorry for being mia so long. Up next is going to be the bell test, because its fun and I felt like it. I might even get to the start of the wave mission, maybe. If you have any questions or comments feel free to review or message me or do BOTH (I don't bite I swear)! I hope you stick with me and enjoy the story.

Sincerely RogueHealer.