Chapter Text
Iruka watched his students filter in, all excited to receive team assignments. Naruto caused a scene, and most the girls in class decided violence was the answer, but in the end, everyone calmed down. He gave his usual speech and smiled.
It was hard, but he began reading team assignments, handing his students over to Jonin.
“Team Seven: Uzumaki Naruto,” Naruto’s head popped up and he began looking over the room to find his new teammates. “Hyuga Hinata,” Hinata blushed and shyly waved at Naruto when he glanced in her direction, the blond looked confused but waved back anyways with a smile. “And Uchiha Sasuke.” Sasuke seemed to sigh in relief while the rest of the class started an uproar.
“Sensei, you can’t be serious!” Ino shouted. “If anyone should be on Sasuke’s team it’s me!”
“No, Pig, it should be mean! My grades are the highest.”
“Calm down girls, while grades do play some role in deciding teams for balance, the Hokage also looks at other factors,” Iruka explained. “If you really have an issue with placement then you can ask your Jonin to bring it up with the Hokage.” After a minute of silence, he smiled and continued reading off the team placements. “Your new Jonin instructor will be here after lunch.”
Everyone started grabbing their things for lunch, some kids went to have one last lunch with their friends, others went to meet their teammates, and some girls were trying to convince Sasuke to eat with them. Hinata walked over to Naruto and Sasuke.
“U-Um… W-would you l-l-like to eat lunch together?” Hinata asked nervously. Sasuke glared, just when he thought he got the one girl who didn’t have a crush on him, he’s proven wrong.
“Why would I do that?” Sasuke challenged. Hinata seemed to cave in on herself.
“S-sorry, I-I just thought it w-would be nice to eat l-lunch with you and Naruto-kun.” She fiddled with her fingers. Sasuke scoffed.
“You're scaring her!” Naruto shouted. “I’ll eat lunch with you Hinata!”
“R-really?” Hinata lit up.
“Sure.”
“Ok!” Naruto was a little shocked she agreed to lunch with just him. Hinata always had been a little weird, but she was always nice. “I m-made some extra lunch.” Sasuke had been just as shocked as Naruto, but he was glad his suspicions were wrong.
Naruto smiled at her as he followed her out. They ended up talking about gardening while they ate, discussing the challenges behind certain plants.
“Y-You’ll have to visit the Hyuga g-garden sometime. I-I lead the upkeep.” Hinata smiled sweetly. Naruto beamed back at her.
“I might take you up on that offer if it’s really alright.”
“I’ll talk to my father about a g-good time for you to visit.” As they finished eating Hinata noted the amount left. “Oh… N-Naruto-kun.”
“Yeah?”
“Would you l-like to take the l-leftovers home?”
“Sure! Thanks, Hinata.” They walked back to class together and waited for their instructor.
After a few hours, they were the only group left. Hinata sat patiently as if this were normal.
“All the other teams were picked up an hour ago! Why isn’t our Sensei here yet?!” Naruto vented.
“Maybe they had an e-emergency, and their r-running late?” Hinata suggested.
“You give people too much credit,” Sasuke mumbled.
“Sorry.” Hinata curled in on herself again. Sasuke made a note of that.
“Don’t be mean to her, Teme!” Naruto scolded. “I think it’s good Hinata sees the best in people.” Sasuke clicked his teeth at the blond.
“Please d-don’t fight.” She mumbled, but it was barely audible over their fighting.
Kakashi walked in about then and sat by Hinata while he waited for the boys to notice him.
“You must be Hinata.” Kakashi smiled behind his mask. “I’m Kakashi Hatake.”
“G-good afternoon Kakashi-sensei.” Hinata stood up and bowed. Naruto and Sasuke stopped bickering when they saw Hinata stand up.
“It was very rude of you two to ignore the young lady.” Kakashi fake scolded. “Now why don’t we go up to the roof and chat.” The Jonin smiled and held the door open for the Genin before he sat them down on the roof. “Why don’t you introduce yourselves?”
“What should we talk about?” Naruto asked. Kakashi took note of Hinata attempting to act as a wall between the boys.
“Your likes and dislikes. Your goals and hobbies, the usual.”
“Are you gonna example for us?” Sasuke asked.
“Sure. My name is Kakashi Hatake. I dislike talking about my likes. I have plenty of hobbies, and I don’t really have any goals.” Kakashi pointed at Naruto. “You start.”
“Alright, my name is Naruto Uzumaki! I like ramen and my favorite ramen is the Ichiraku ramen Iruka-sensei buys me. I really don’t like waiting for ramen to cook.” Naruto took a moment to breathe. “My hobbies are comparing different ramens and gardening. And my dream is to be Hokage, so everyone will have to respect me!” Kakashi noted Hinata’s interest in Naruto as he spoke.
“Very ambitious looks like we’ll have to train hard.” He turned his attention to Hinata. “Now the young Lady.”
“Oh… My name is… Hinata Hyuga… I l-like cooking and gardening, which are also my hobbies. I also r-really like c-cinnamon rolls. I-I don’t really like a-arrogant people… M-My goal…” She paused before squaring her shoulders. “Is to l-lead my clan with the strength of my f-father, and the kindness of my -m-mother.”
“Very admirable. And you?” He looked at Sasuke.
“My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I don’t like many things. And I hate fangirls.” He glared into thin air. “I don’t have times for my hobby’s, because my goal, which will happen, is to kill a certain someone, and revive the Uchiha clan.” Everyone sat in silence for a second.
Naruto hoped it wasn’t him. Kakashi nodded. And Hinata looked even paler than she normally was.
“Alright, that’s enough for today,” Kakashi said.
“What do you mean?!” Sasuke would’ve made fun of Naruto if he didn’t have the same question.
“Tomorrow we start our first mission. But before that, I need to speak with the little ladies father.”
“Why?”
“She’s the heiress to the Hyuga clan, dobe,” Sasuke explained.
“So?”
“I need permission for her to join us on missions,” Kakashi explained. “It’s just a formality.”
“Any reason we aren’t going with you?” Sasuke asked.
“Let’s see.” Kakashi thought before smiling at Sasuke. “Ah, yes. It has nothing to do with you. Meet me at training grounds 15 at 7 am. See you boy’s tomorrow.” He started leading the way. “Come along, Hinata.”
“Ah! Y-Yes, sensei.” Hinata almost took off. Right before she did, she smiled at Naruto and Sasuke. “G-Goodbye Naruto-kun! S-Sasuke-san! I’ll see you t-tomorrow!”
“Bye Hinata!” Naruto waved as she ran off. Sure he thought she was weird, but at least she didn’t hate him for no reason like everyone else.