Protege

By Coded

Chapter 1: The New Kid

' ' Thoughts, " " Speech

-Starts a year before the Anime-

'Ah, the start of another good year here at the academy. Wonder what my kids are going to be like this year.' Iruka-sensei thought to himself as he surveyed the new batch of kids arrayed out in the seatsbefore him.

Iruka sat at his desk, picking up his attendance sheet. "Ok, welcome to the ninja academy, everyone! Lets make it a good year! I'll begin roll call now, I will be doing this every day from here on out, so don't think you can just skip class!" Smiles crept onto the faces of several of the children. 'Ah, how easy it is to win over children when they're under duress.'

Iruka went down the list, taking small mental notes about each student as he read the name off. "Inuzuka Kiba..." "Here!" called out Kiba, echoed by a bark from Akamaru. Iruka frowned down at this paper as he read the next name. "Katashi Daisuke...are you here Daisuke?" "Hai, I'm here. Unfortunately," Daisuke grunted, several of the children around him laughing at the face he was making at their teacher. 'Just my luck..this class is going to be full of pranksters as it is..' "Daisuke, I don't recognize your name. Who are your parents?"

"I'm new. You wouldn't know my parents, as they've been dead for quite afew years. I moved here with my older sister." Daisuke said matter of factly. Iruka merely nodded and moved on with roll, pausing for a moment when he heard a round of laughter come from the children closest to Daisuke. 'Looks like he's making friends already..this is going to be a rough year.' Iruka thought to himself.

Meanwhile, the other studentswere surveying this new boy. Mainly the girls of the class. Daisuke was tall for his age, with brown hair that looked red in the right light. His eyes were also red, a twinkle of mischief making them even more attractive.

Ino, who was sitting next to Daisuke, as she had arrived late and all the seats near Sasuke were taken, examined him closely. 'Hm...he's pretty cute, almost as much as Sasuke-kun. A shame he isn't anywhere near as powerful!' The blond academy student looked downand locked eyes with her rival, Sakura, who had been looking up at the new student. Little did the pair know they were thinking almost the exactly same thing, along with most others in the class.

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6 months had past since the first day of the academy, and class was going better than Iruka had expected. Chouji, Shikamaru, Kiba and Naruto were still a handful, however Daisuke was much more mellow than he would have expected. Sure the boy cracked jokes almost non-stop in class, and had the other student's attention more than Iruka did, but he was surprisingly knowledgeable and answered questions almost as much as he made jokes.

Iruka sat at his desk, studying the grade reports while the students read silently to themselves from the textbook. When he arrived at Daisuke's name he frowned. The boy was passing, but barely. Almost as if...a thought struck Iruka and he frowned to himself. Looking up he raised his voice, "Thats enough, class is dismissed for the rest of the day, finish the reading as homework. Daisuke, could you stay after, please? I'd like to speak with you."

"Oh shit," Daisuke muttered under his breath, "What did I do now?" Ino laughed, along with the other students within earshot. Much to Ino's initial distraught, the seats of the first day were the seats for the rest of the year, and she was upset at being so far away from Sasuke. However, sitting next to Daisuke wasn't so bad, he was smart and funny, and he had a certain charm that Ino found refreshing. Of course he was no Sasuke, but he wasn't far off, in his own way.

Daisuke strolled down to Iruka's desk with his hands in the pockets of his pitch black pants. Iruka still hadn't figured out what the material was, for it clung to the boy like a second skin, yet didn't seem to hinder his movements at all. The boy wore a long-sleeve t-shirt of the same material under an unbuttoned dark blue long-sleeve shirt, with the sleeves rolled up above his elbows.

"Daisuke," Iruka began once everyone was out of the classroom, "I have the grade reports here, and you're barely passing."

Daisuke's eyes shifted all around the room, his head still facing Iruka. "Hai..but I'm passing, right? So whats the problem?"

"The problem, Daisuke, is that you're one of the smartest students in this class. You're popular, you have good skills as a ninja, and you're smart. So why are you coming so close to failing?"

Daisuke shrugged his shoulders uncomfortably, "Yeah yeah, I have so much potential. I've heard that all my life. Life would be too boring if all I did was schoolwork, I've got no time for that. Besides, everything you teach here is too easy."

"Too easy for you to do?" Iruka asked incredulously, and his eyes bulged out of his head when the boy nodded.

"Thats about the jist of it, yeah. Listen, this is something I've done all my life, its just my way of doing things. Besides, makes school more exciting when theres a chance of failing. Otherwise it'd be too boring. Anyways, are we done?"

Iruka sighed to himself and nodded, shooing his deliquent student out of the classroom.

"Alright then, see you tomorrow." Daisuke said as he turned and walked away.

Ino motioned frantically to all the students standing behind her. Everyone had been interested in why Daisuke was being held after, and most of the class had decided to stick around and find out, with the exception of Sasuke and Naruto. Everyone thought of Ino as being the most friendly with Daisuke so they nominated her to be the one listening at the door. In reality, she wouldnt exactly call the two friends, but she wasnt going to argue with everyone's decision, as it made her feel important.

She was, however, starting to regret that decision, the conversation between Iruka and Daisuke had ended faster than she expected, and while everyone else was going to be able to get out of sight before Daisuke came out, she herself was going to be caught in the open. Ino stood quickly and leaned against the wall next to the door, trying to act casual. When Daisuke exited the classroom and turned to see Ino standing there, a surprised look crossed his face. "Ah..Ino-chan, what are you doing here?" Ino smiled sweetly at the boy. "I just wanted to stick around and make sure everything was ok, you didn't get scolded too bad, did you?"

Daisuke grinned and shook his head as he began walking again and Ino fell in next to him. "Nah, just more of the same stuff I've heard all my life from adults. I'm surprised it took him this long to talk to me about it. Nothing serious, but I appreciate the concern."

Ino nodded and stopped as they exited the academy. "Alright, well I'll see you tomorrow, Daisuke, alright?" With a smile and a wave, the blond turned and walked in the opposite direction of Daisuke's home. Daisuke stood and watched Ino until she turned a corner and disappeared from sight. Sighing to himself and shaking his head, he began the walk home, observing the clouds as he went.

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Another 6 months passed, and it was time for the genin selection exam. Daisuke had gotten through the year, and made friends of almost everyone at the academy. Most of the boys saw him as a rival, which he secretly laughed over. When it was Daisuke's turn to take the exam, he stepped up. "Hai, lets get this over with." Daisuke breezed though the exam and turned and walked lazily back to his seat, flashing Ino a thumbs up as he sat down.

After Ino had finished taking the exam, Iruka stood and called out to all the students. "Alright, you all have an hour recess, I'll go over the results and let everyone know who passed when you all get back. Have fun!"

Daisuke walked out into the playground with the rest of the children, the brown haired boy went to sit under his favorite tree to pass the time, but several of the other students followed him. "Well, Daisuke, how do you think you did?" Asked Kiba. "Of course not as well as you, Kiba." Daisuke made a face that caused Kiba to turn red and everyone else to laugh.

"You aren't..worried even a little bit?" Asked Hinata tentatively.

Daisuke had closed his eyes, and when the white-eyed girl spoke he opened one and focused it on Hinata. "Worried? Over a test? Nah, no point. Here's my view on worrying: it does nobody any good. If I passed then I passed, if not then I didn't. Worrying isn't going to change any of that." Daisuke closed his eye again and smiled. "Stress just makes you grow older faster, best to avoid it where you can."

All the other students walked away, but Hinata stood there a moment longer and thought.

'He sort of sounds like Shikamaru,' Hinatasaid to herself as she nodded silently and walked away, leaving the boy to his thoughts.

Daisuke opened his eyes again when he sensed Hinata walk off. He sat back against the tree and watched the behavior of the other children. 'Heh...everyone's so worried, so silly.' Daisuke frowned slightly as his eyes found Sasuke. The Uchiha was surrounded by every girl in the class, with the exception of Hinata, who was silently observing Naruto as he practiced throwing kunai, using a tree as his target.

The sound of Ino and Sakura fighting over Sasuke again drew Daisuke's attention back to the group. His eyes took on a sad look as he watched the exchange, the two most vocal Sasuke lovers in a shouting match, while Sasuke stood there annoyed and all the other girls drooled about how cute he looked when he was annoyed. 'Poor Sasuke, he has it so rough, being fawned over by all the girls, he has his pick of anyone in town.' Daisuke was still lost in thought when a voice jarred him from his reverie.

"Heya, Daisuke. What's up?" asked Ino as she flopped down on the ground next to him under the tree.

Daisuke tried to mask his surprise at someone else approaching him. He may have been the comic relief in class, and some people may have looked up at his ability to know all the information without ever opening a text book or studying, but it was rare that someone went out of their way to start a conversation with him.

Daisuke grinned at the blond's nonchalantness at sitting down in the dirt. "Ah, Ino-chan. I didn't realize you were done your argument with Sakura-chan."

Ino made an annoyed face. "I decided it wasn't worth the effort. Sasuke-kun will never love her anyways, he's destined to be mine!"

"Ah, I see. Well I guess poor Sakura-chan has quite a surprise in for her, when she finds out that all her efforts are for nothing." Daisuke continued to smile.

Ino frowned inwardly. 'Daisuke's sense of humor is off today..and he's smiling..but its not touching his eyes...oh well, I'm sure he's just worried about the test, no matter how nonchalant he acts, I suppose we all are.'

Shrugging off any concerns Ino engaged Daisuke in meanless small talk until recess was over and they were all called back into class.

Daisuke leaned back in his seat, fingers interlaced behind his head, supporting it as he stared up at the ceiling tiles as those that passed the exam were called out and brought to a different classroom. Ino had gotten up earlier and left, along with Hinata, Kiba, Sakura, Sasuke, Shino, Chouji, and Shikamaru. All the remaining students were tense, 8 people had been called already, how many more chances before they were doomed to another year of the academy?

Daisuke blew all the air out of his lungs. 'Jeez..how much longer are they going to drag this on? Just call my name already, I know I passed the stupid exam.' Daisuke sat up as he heard Iruka clear his voice. 'Ask and you shall recieve..'

"Ahem," began Iruka, "and now for the final student who passed this year's exam. Katashi Daisuke."

All eyes were on the brown haired boy as he stood and walked down the stairs to the front of the class, hands in his pockets. "Hai, about time Iruka-sensei. Drew it out long enough." Daisuke smirked at the irritated look on Iruka's face as he dismissed the rest of the class and took Daisuke by the arm, leading him out of the classroom.

"Listen, Daisuke.Your little game of doing just enough to get by may have worked here and before in your life, but from here on our you're a ninja, and that attitude isn't going to work. You'll have life-or-death missions, and your attitude now is going to get either you or one of your teammates killed. I seriously considered not passing you until you had changed your attitude, but thought that a trial by fire would be better for you than my lecturing. You may go now, be back here tomorrow at noon for the ceremony."

Iruka turned and walked away before Daisuke could come up with a witty remark. Shrugging to himself the boy turned and strolled off towards his house.

That night the infamous incident with Naruto stealing the scroll happened, and when Iruka returned with Naruto and explained the situation, an emergency meeting was called by the Hokage.

"Asuma. Kurenai. Kakashi. As you know from Iruka's report, he passed Naruto, who is now a genin. That leaves us with 10 genins, a number unfit to be divided into shinobi teams." Turning to Iruka, Sarutobi arched an eyebrow. "Are there another two students that are able to be passed, if barely, to fill out a team with Naruto?"

Iruka shook his head. "No, Hokage-sama. I could pass a pair, however to pair them with Naruto would make the team extremely weak. Naruto originally failed the test, so he will be at the bottom of this year's genin class."

The Third thought to himself for a moment. "Well, I suppose we shall keep the teams as we originally had them then, and I shall have to find another teacher for Naruto alone."

Iruka shook his head again, extending his hands and shaking them. "No, Hokage-sama! That also is not an option! Naruto has been alone his whole life, what he needs now are friends and teammates. He can't be put by himself, in my opinion as a teacher that will hinder him from growing as a ninja."

"I see...well then a team will have to be shuffled..any volunteers?" The Third looked at the three soon-to-be teachers in turn.

Kakashi raised his hand. "Hai...I'll take him as a member of team 7, Hokage-sama. I think being on the same team as Sasuke will help increase Naruto's growth. I also think that I will be able to keep him under control."

The Hokage nodded and looked down at the three pieces of paper on his desk. "Haruno Sakura. Uchiha Sasuke. Katashi Daisuke. We cannot have a team of four. Who leaves Team 7, Sakura, or Daisuke?"

All eyes in the room turned to Iruka, who wilted alittle under the pressure. "You know them the best at this point, Iruka-sensei," said Kurenai. "Who do you think would fit better?"

Iruka chewed his bottom lip as he thought about the hard decision he was faced with. Remembering back upon the last year, Iruka tried to picture the team with Sakura, and with Daisuke, "...Daisuke. Daisuke will be the one to leave so Naruto can have his place. Daisuke won't be hindered by the fact that he has no team. I believe Sakura would take it personally and be emotionally upset about it. Daisuke will perform the same either way. However, if I may suggest, pick his sensei wisely, he has tremendous potential, but it will take the right teacher to bring it out."

Nodding at the decision, the Hokage dismissed the other Leaf-nins and examined Daisuke's dossier. 'Katashi Daisuke, eh?' the Third thought to himself as an idea suddenly struck him, and he left his office to get some rest.

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The next day,Daisuke arrived in the classroom at noon on the dot, much to the annoyance of Iruka. All the other students had been eager and arrived early, even Shikamaru, who's laziness was world famous. Iruka glared at Daisuke, who smirked and sat down at an empty seat. Daisuke looked around and frowned for a moment. 'Naruto? Whats he doing here...he didn't pass the exam, I was the last one to be announced.' Daisuke shrugged to himself mentally. 'Oh well, I'm sure theres a reason for it, if its important enough someone will tell me, no use prying.'

"Alright, now that everyone is here I will announce your teams. First off, Team 7. Uzumaki Naruto. Haruno Sakura. Uchiha Sasuke. Next, Team 8. Hyuuga Hinata. Inuzuka Kiba. Aburame Shino. Finally, Team 10. Yamanaka Ino. Nara Shikamaru. Akimichi Chouji. That's it for the the teams." After an outburst from Naruto, Iruka gave him a look of death and continued. "You will meet with your Jounin leaders later this afternoon. Return here in two hours. Dismissed."

Daisuke blinked. 'Wait...I wasn't called?' Daisuke was still trying to figure out what was going on when Ino spoke up. "Hey..Iruka-sensei..what about Daisuke? You didn't call his name? He doesn't get a group?"

Iruka was about to answer when Daisuke grinned and spoke up. "Nah, the teams were made the way they are to balance out the power of each team. I make a team just by myself, if I had two others with me we'd be unstoppable!" Several of the newly raised Genins laughed. Not among them were Kiba, Sasuke, and Naurto, all of whom were staring at the confident genin. 'Hn..I wonder how strong he really is, when he puts his mind to it,' Sasuke thought to himself as he surveyed Daisuke.

"Partly true," Iruka said after the laughter died down. "Daisuke-kun graduated with very high marks. We had 10 people graduate this year, so it was a number unable to divide up into 3 man teams. It was decided that Daisuke would, for now, be trained individually by a master that has yet to be decided. Return here with everyone else, Daisuke, and you'll find out who your trainer will be from now on. Dismissed."

Daisuke shrugged and left the building, taking up his usual spot beneath the tree to pass the time until he met his new sensei.

Two hours later, Daisuke rose and re-entered the building, walking to the classroom. Once again, he was the last one there, walking in at 2 on the dot. Retaking his original seat quietly, he sat and waited. Two jounin stood in front of the class next to Iruka, one on each side. "Alright, Team 10s jounin is on my left. Sarutobi Asuma."

Asuma nodded. "Let's go," Ino, Shikamaru, and Chouji stood and left. Ino flashed Daisuke a worried smile as she passed, which he returned with a big grin and a mouthed 'Good Luck'.

"Team 8s Jounin Leader, Yuuhi Kurenai."

Team 8 stood and moved off with Kurenai without a word being said. Kiba eyed Daisuke as he moved past. 'I won't lose to you!' Kiba thought to himself as he eyed Daisuke.

Daisuke glanced around. All that was left was Team 7, and himself. "Geez..our sensei's arent even here on time? Some ninjas." Daisuke sat back and closed his eyes, willing to wait it out.

Naruto alternated between glaring at Daisuke and glaring at Sasuke. After awhile of waiting, Naruto set a basic trap for his new sensei when he arrived. Several minutes later, Naruto's trap had the desired effect. However not on the desired person. An elderly cough caused Daisuke to open one of his eyes and look to the door. Standing there dusting chalk dust off his robes, stood the Third Hokage. Naruto's laughs filled the classroom as the Third ground his teeth. When Naruto's laughs had subsided he spoke up, "Hey, Old Man, what are you doing here?"

The Third Hokage of the Hidden Village of the Leaf glared at Naruto. "I'm here to pick up my new student. Daisuke, if you would please follow me."

Daisuke blinked and stood, following the Hokage out of the room, in shock at hearing he was to be personally trained by the Third Hokage. The two ninjas left the room, one old and one young.

About an hour later, Kakashi entered the classroom to find his three students still staring at the door with their mouths hanging open in surprise.

Author's Notes

Ok so this is my first attempt at doing a story with an OC. I've gotten tired of being bound by trying to keep characters IC even in an AU, so I just decided it would be easier to make my own character, so that way whatever way he acts he's IC! Anyways..I have more of this written already, I'll post it if I get good reviews, I'm still not sure if I like the whole OC idea, but I decided I'd give it a shot.

To all the readers of A Void Filled, I'm not dropping that story at all, I had a case of writers block for that plotline and ended up writing this one to help get over it. I am in fact going tofinish upchapter 3 as soon as I finish up these notes and post thestory, so look for that to be out either later tonight or tomorrow.

To everyone, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please read and review, I appreciate it all, even flames.