Chapter 031

"Don't fail the Genin Exams," Hinata answered, "He made it clear that your failure will reflect poorly on both him and me."

"I'm touched," Naruto grinned widely, "Looks like your old man is taking a liking to me as part of the family."

"I'd hate to see what he'd do if you actually do fail the Genin Exams today Naruto-kun," Hinata remarked, "I know neither of us would like what he'd do."

"With everything we trained and went through over the years," Naruto said, "I'd be ashamed if I actually failed for real-"

"You did before," Hinata pointed out as she cut him off, "A year ago in fact."

Naruto's happy expression turned into a frown upon being reminded of last's event when he attempted the Genin Exams a little after Neji's class passed the exams. The other jutsus Naruto was able to perform but his worst jutsu, creating a basic bushin cost him his promotion to Genin.

"You still have trouble creating a simple bushin," Hinata pointed out, "Even with your special seals, you put out a lot of chakra."

"…I know," Naruto sighed and acknowledged.

"Iruka-sensei will fail you again just for that alone," Hinata said with concern, "You saw that for yourself last year when you attempted to become a Genin a year earlier and he was rather adamant about not allowing you to become a Genin because of that."

"His reasoning is senseless," Naruto remarked, "I've seen others become Genins despite handicaps worse than my own, like your cousin's teammate, the one called Rock Lee. He can't use ninjutsu and yet that handicap didn't prevent him from becoming a Genin. And if Iruka-sensei thinks he can hold me back again from becoming a Genin because of my inborn handicap, I'll just kick his ass in front of everyone, consequences be damned."

"Just promise that you'll do your best and become a Genin with me," Hinata requested.

"Don't worry," Naruto assured, "Besides, I already have a plan in passing the exams this time. Trust me, I learned from last year's blunder and I won't make the same mistake twice. Just leave it to me."

Confident in his words, Hinata relaxed and watched the sunrise with him while still sitting on his lap and in his embrace.

"Shouldn't we be preparing for the exams my Moon's Eye Spring Rabbit," Naruto asked.

"Being here with you like this for moral support is all the preparation I need," Hinata replied, "I'm confident that we'll become Genins together."

Naruto leaned down and kissed her again.

(Later)

Everyone was making their way to the Academy. The senior class was up and ready for the Genin Exams and confident in passing and becoming full-fledged ninjas. Some had visions of prestige and exciting thrill-filled adventures while others thought that after becoming ninjas they'll earn the approval, liking and acknowledgment of others or of one Uchiha in particular. Well, for such ones, reality was going to prove to be a cruel master and teacher.

Soon, Hinata and Naruto entered the class hand-in-hand with their fingers entwined together. Sasuke caught sight of them like everyone else and the sight of them being together and displaying such irrefutable closeness had always left a displeased frown on Sasuke's face.

I know that they're real close, Sasuke admitted to himself, But that doesn't mean that I don't stand a chance. I can still fight to gain and win her acceptance and acknowledgment of me. It's only a matter of time before she opens her eyes and sees the truth about the dobe.

A few of the girls in class saw how Sasuke was eyeing Hinata and it served to saddened them to see how Sasuke never once gave them such a look. Some wanted to hate Hinata for it but they all knew that Hinata didn't do anything to cause Sasuke to like her that much and everyone knew that the Hyuuga heiress only had eyes on the dead last of their class for reasons they and everyone else couldn't understand.

Shikamaru looked at Sasuke and saw the look in his contemplating expression.

"Troublesome," Shikamaru commented with Chouji, Shino and Kiba gather next to him, "Nothing has changed with him. He still has eyes solely on the Hyuuga heiress."

"Ironic really," Shino remarked, "How all these girls are willing to do anything for Sasuke's attention while the one girl he has his sights on wishes for none of it."

Naruto and Hinata took their seats next to each other. The four boys looked to see Sasuke move from his seat and head over to where Hinata and Naruto were.

"This ought to be interesting," Kiba remarked.

"Hinata," Sasuke greeted, "Today begins the Genin Exams? I trust that you're prepared for them."

"Y-Yes Sasuke-san," Hinata replied, "I'm confi-dent in my abilities to pa-pass."

"I was told that after becoming Genins," Sasuke explained, "That all of us will be divided into teams. Hopefully we'll be part of same team with whoever else will be on our team. If we're paired together I'll be sure to help you get stronger and improve and likewise you can help me as we advance together."

"Funny Sasuke-kun," Naruto retorted mockingly, "I was hoping for the same thing too. The only difference is that I'll be sure to keep you in your place and to keep your hands off!"

"I knew this would be interesting," Kiba remarked as Naruto and Sasuke gave dirty looks to each other. Some in the class were watching the scene between the two boys.

"…It is true though," Naruto admitted, "That Hinata-chan won't end up being on the same team with me."

Naruto had already explained to her the reasons behind why they wouldn't be paired on the same Genin team. She accepted it despite her disappointment. Sasuke grinned, believing that Naruto was willing to admit defeat. Before the Uchiha could capitalize on it…

"But what's also true," Naruto continued, "Is that she won't end up being on the same team with you either, teme. Of that I'm most certain."

What bothered the others in class that were listening to their conversation was how Naruto knew about the things he was talking about. Still, with a confident smirk, Sasuke replied, "We'll see about that dobe."

"There's nothing to see to," Naruto said, "I already told you it's not going to happen and I know why it's not going to."

"And what possible reasons could there be," Sasuke asked, "Hinata and I are both from clans with strong doujutsus. A team with both her and myself together would be rather formidable. What reason could there be that she and I wouldn't be paired together?"

Naruto smiled, "I could tell you, but I think it'll be more fun for you and everyone else to find out why after the Genin Exams are over when the team pairing begins. That way, I can have the sweet memory of seeing that look on your face when you're forced to acknowledge that everything I told you today was true."

There was no mistake that Naruto knew something about the Genin pairing system that he refused to tell everyone about. It irritated Sasuke to no end that Naruto somehow knew that neither he nor Naruto himself was going to be paired with Hinata on their team. Regardless, Sasuke inwardly kept some line of hope open that Naruto would be proven wrong.

A minute later, Iruka entered the class. That signaled for everyone to take their seats.

"Good morning everyone," Iruka greeted, "Today, will prove to be one of the most important days of your life. Very soon all of you will be taking the Genin Exams and upon passing you all will be taking the first step in establishing your shinobi careers as the defenders of our village.

"I know many of you are excited about this but I advise all of you take this day very serious. The Genin exams will consist of a couple of exams testing your skills that will be given by both Mizuki and myself. If you fail, don't take it that you didn't have what it took to become full fledge shinobis, but rather take that failure as a learning experience to help you grow stronger and improve from before."

"That's cool and all Iruka-sensei," Naruto replied, "But can we get the Geinin Exams started already?"

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