In the Ninja Academy's office of the Headmistress, Koharu Utatane, the Headmistress and one of her subordinates wait for their tea to cool. "What are the graduating genin looking like?" Koharu asks as she lifts her teacup.

Iruka Umino, looking as harried as ever, sighs in frustration, "I don't think anyone has ever been more willing to let a class go and simultaneously so sad."

"This was the class you started with, was it not?" Iruka dips in his head in agreement. "Although, this load of genin have always been more rambunctious than others. The problem of having numerous clan heirs in one place."

"One cannot forget the fact they're teenagers as well," Iruka adds with a wry grin. "A good class, but, well."

"Indeed," comes the Headmistress' response, her own smile echoing Iruka's. "The apprenticeships have all gone by now, and we have spoken over those genin at length. Would you mind telling me what the genin are currently looking like? We can discuss teams afterwards."

Taking a sip of his tea, before placing the teacup down, Iruka finally opens the first manila folder in front of him. "I'll start with Shino Aburame. Over the years, he's been in all the standard classes as well as Tactics and Strategy, Advanced Ninjutsu, Advanced Weaponry, and Chakra Flow."

"So that's ninjutsu and weaponry with chakra down; how is he with taijutsu and genjutsu?" Koharu asks.

"He does as well as can be expected. His taijutsu has a heavy reliance on his insects, which is to be expected since he is part of the Aburame Clan and heir. Whilst his genjutsu could use some work, his insects are able to counter it partially, as long as he has placed one on the attacker beforehand. Nonetheless, currently, it is probably one of his major weaknesses," Iruka says.

"Hmmm… Continue with your next student."

"Chōji Akimichi," Iruka begins, opening another folder. "Like Shino-kun, he's partaken in all the standard classes along with Advanced Taijutsu, Advance Ninjutsu, Kenjutsu, and Sabotage. His main weakness is genjutsu, but his strength lies in taijutsu, which is to be expected considering he is an Akimichi and the Clan Heir."

"Does he prefer offence or defence?"

"His predisposition is for defence, but this is based purely in classroom setting amongst others he knows. It may be due to his personality; however, I have no doubts he will do what's required of him in the field if necessary," Iruka responds.

Koharu hums and picks up the next folder, leaving Iruka to place Chōji's folder back onto her desk. "Sakura Haruno is the only civilian-born student slated for a team, correct?" Iruka nods. "It says here her additional classes were Foreign Affairs, Advanced Taijutsu, Healing, and Tactics and Strategy."

"She's shown excellent chakra control, probably stemming from her civilian background, which means she had a smaller chakra pool initially enabling better chakra control. She's intelligent, not on a Nara level, but she does well enough. With reason to put effort in, she is quite skilled. There's the widespread expectation that she'll do just as well as any Clan ninja." Koharu raises an eyebrow, causing Iruka to add a hurried, "Of course, that's to be expected nowadays."

"I am aware people cling to their old expectations rather than adapt to the changes of the Academy, but it has been some time. You'd imagine people would have changed already," Koharu says after a moment of silence. "It is going to have a possible medic-nin on any of the teams. I'd imagine she'd do well on a combat team since she has good taijutsu as well."

Iruka tilts his head in acknowledgement. "Her ninjutsu and genjutsu skills are slightly weaker, and she's no Tsunade, but she will do well regardless."

"I'm sure that's due to her numerous teachers as well," Koharu remarks. "Although, your class seems willing to team up together and work."

Iruka laughs and scratches the back of his neck. "I think there are a lot of reasons for that," he replies as he picks up the next folder. "Hinata Hyūga," he reads. "Naturally, she was placed in Advanced Taijutsu, but she also partook in Information Gathering, Advanced Ninjutsu, and Kenjutsu. She's done well to present herself as a future ninja and kunoichi. She's geared towards infiltration, reconnaissance, and that area of expertise."

"Even as a Hyūga?" Koharu asks. "They tend to be noticeable with their appearance."

"A henge will suffice, in some missions, I'm sure, but otherwise simply blending in for a brief time to gather information was what I was thinking of. Moreover, her skills make her a defender more than an attacker, so I'm not entirely sure she would do well on a combat team."

"Hmm," Koharu says as Iruka takes another sip of his tea. "We can figure out the teams after we have gone through the rest of the genin. There are, after all, five more to go. Kiba Inuzuka is next, correct?"

Nodding, Iruka opens the next folder. "All the standard classes along with Sabotage, Advanced Taijutsu, and Advanced Ninjutsu. He was almost slated for an apprenticeship regarding tracking, but one of the other students was picked up instead."

"Yua Nakamura?" Koharu says, hoping that she had the right student. "Her parents were ninjas, I believe."

"Her mother is but her father is a civilian, nonetheless she's under an apprenticeship now. Moving on, the next student who has been slated for a team is Shikamaru Nara; the Nara Clan Heir." Opening the folder, Iruka hands Koharu a single piece of paper. "He took part in all the standard classes and another six on top of that. Like any Nara, he's smart, but he's a potential genius in the making. He could've graduated from the Academy slightly earlier, but instead he simply took on more classes."

"Foreign Affairs, Tactics and Strategy, Healing, Advanced Ninjutsu, Information Gathering, and Encryptions, Coding, and Decoding," Koharu reads. "That is, indeed, quite a number of classes. Not overly surprising, though. After all, his father is the Jōnin Commander currently. What do you think of him?"

"He probably won't make a good combat ninja, as he is more likely to go for incapacitation rather than the kill. That may change with age and experience, but it could also ruin him. We aren't sure," Iruka says.

"We'll simply make sure he isn't part of a combat team to begin with then," Koharu says. "Which leads us to Ino Yamanaka."

"Alike to Shikamaru-kun, she's shown talent in a few areas. She's completed Sealing, Advanced Ninjutsu, Advanced Genjutsu, Information Gathering, and Encryptions, Coding, and Decoding," Iruka says. "She has a good head on her shoulders, smart, and is willing to do what she must."

"That leaves the Uchiha and the Uzumaki then," Koharu murmurs.

Iruka nods. "Sasuke Uchiha has completed Advanced Taijutsu, Advanced Weaponry, Advanced Genjutsu, and Advanced Ninjutsu. He shows strength in taijutsu, genjutsu, and ninjutsu rather than specialising in one. He also has a ninken to work with, although the ninken probably needs to undergo more training before they can participate in important missions with Sasuke-kun. He's smart, but not on the same level as Toru."

"And his mental state? Is he fit for being a ninja?"

"Yes, there is no doubting that. I'd imagine Toru Uchiha has a rather important role in ensuring that. I am certain that Sasuke-kun will manage, and turn to help if he needs."

"Naruto Uzumaki," Koharu reads. "Poor chakra control, and so participated in Chakra Control class until it was better. He has also partaken in Sabotage, Advanced Taijtusu, as well as Encryptions, Coding, and Decoding."

"He's got a good head on his shoulders, manages to see patterns that are illogical," Iruka says. "His chakra pool is massive, so I'd imagine he'd be on the combat team."

"So potential team are expertising in combat, information gathering, tracking, reconnaissance, and retrieval, is that I'm thinking," Koharu says. "From what we've gone through, I'm imagining the combat team will be Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and Sasuke Uchiha. Are there any issues there?"

"Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun are prone to squabbling," Iruka says after hesitating.

"They are ninjas now," Koharu replies. "They will learn otherwise."

"They're genin!" Iruka snaps back in surprise, meeting Koharu's steady gaze.

"They are ninjas," Koharu repeats, and Iruka drops her gaze. "Moreover, it makes sense to have their team as a combat one. The Uchiha will be able to scout, assassinate when necessary as well, whilst the Uzumaki will be able to be a distraction and frontal assault. Meanwhile, Haruno can manipulate others, heal when needed, and also keep the other two under control."

"Very well," Iruka says, jotting down notes on a blank piece of paper. "For a teacher, they're going to need someone who works with ninken, who knows numerous ninjutsus, and is willing to aid Sakura-chan with her taijutsu and can deal with having less chakra than a Clan ninja."

"That severely limits us in terms of teachers," Koharu says, opening her own folder. "However, Kakashi Hatake would be perfect. He can aid Uchiha with his ninken, teach Uzumaki ninjutsus, and find jutsus that Haruno can use, as he has to deal with his eye draining his own chakra."

"He's never passed a genin team before!" Iruka protests. "He's never taught children before, does he even know how to interact with them?"

Koharu sends Iruka a stern gaze, and Iruka frowns but writes the name down. "Once someone would have said the same of you teaching," she reminds Iruka. "That team can also be tagged as a potential retrieval team. Now, the information gathering team is obviously going to be Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi, since their skills are suited to the roles. Nara can make plans and put information together quickly, not to mention the Nara Clan techniques will be useful in holding someone still. Yamanaka, when she's older, can seduce people, but also employ clan techniques to extract information. Those two are capable of infiltrating places without a henge. Akimichi can easily attack and defend when necessary, waiting in hiding and acting as an ambush if necessary."

Nodding his head, Iruka continues to write everything down. "Asuma Sarutobi returned recently, did he not?" Iruka asks. "I'd imagine he would teach such a team well."

"Sarutobi has not partaken in any information gathering missions recently," Koharu replies with a frown.

"Perhaps not, but his rather unassuming appearance and ease with which he can blend in means he would have had some training in information gathering. Besides, their clans can teach them that. However, his protection skills and his capture skills would aid the team well," Iruka explains.

"Well put," Koharu praises. "Place him down as teacher then. That leaves Inuzuka, Hyūga, and Aburame in the last team. They'll easily be a tracker team, and perhaps even a reconnaissance team."

"Kiba-kun would work as an attacker, but currently would need someone to hold him back and calculate a plan. Shino-kun can easily fulfil such a position. He can easily calculate plans and ambush others if needed, not to mention his insects would enable him to capture and paralyse others. Hinata-chan with her eyesight would be a good defender, and she has shown capability in being persuasive and influential through emotional manipulation and so would keep both boys in check."

"They should be proficient in genjutsu," Koharu says. "Place Kurenai Yūhi as their team leader then."

Glancing at the time, Iruka starts collecting his folder and putting them in a singular file, along with his newly created notes. "I should be heading off, now, I do believe my class will have finished their last exam. Assuage their worries that they failed, congratulate them, and all that." Standing Iruka smiles at Koharu. "Thank you for the tea."

"Thank you for your input," Koharu returns as she picks up the teacups and plates, "Enjoy yourself." With one last smile, Iruka leaves, closing the door quietly behind him.

Hurrying down hallways, Iruka exchanges brief and quick greetings with his fellow teachers, making it just in time for the door of his classroom to open and his students to come pouring out. Smiling upon seeing them all, he says, "Congratulations! That's your last exam!"

There's laughter and smiling amongst many of the students, but few approach him. The first is, of course, Naruto, with an abnormal expression of frustration on his face. "Iruka-sensei, I failed it! I'm not going to graduate now!" Behind him, Sasuke rolls his dark eyes and turns to talk to Sakura, clearly willing to leave Iruka to deal with Naruo.

Chuckling, Iruka bends down. "All the tests and assessments you've done throughout this year and previous year show whether you're ready to leave the Academy," Iruka reminds his former student. "You have technically already graduated. These exams only check your knowledge and see if there are any major points your new teacher will need to work on. Your teams and apprenticeships and all that is decided before your exam results were finished."

Thinking that Naruto's fears have been soothed, Iruka is shocked when Naruto starts crying. "I don't want a new teacher!"

Iruka nudges Naruto gently, "I can't teach you much more, Naruto-kun. You're ready to be a ninja."

"Iruka-sensei is the best sensei," Naruto says grumpily, but accepts Iruka's words, sniffling and wiping his eyes.

"That's kind of you to say so," Iruka replies, pleased. "Now," he continues, raising his voice and instantly gaining the attention of his former students, "I do believe there are people waiting outside for you lot. Perhaps it's time to go say hello?" Everyone scrambles towards the entrance of the Academy, eager to make it to their families.

Behind them, Sasuke and Naruto walk, watching as the others hurry forward. "Is Toru back?" Naruto asks quietly.

"He should be," Sasuke says with a frown, (and he is hard pressed to believe otherwise, as even though missions are unpredictable this is Toru). "He said he would be."

"That's right! He promised!" Naruto says, a grin on his face. "He wouldn't miss this!" Shoving Naruto, Sasuke hurries forward with a small grin. Naruto yells and chases after, only to skid to a stop beside Sasuke at the entrance of the Ninja Academy.

Toru is there, half-hidden in the shadows, but there are four dogs surrounding him as well. Laughing, Naruto bounds forward, already chatting at someone, whether it's to Toru or the dogs, Sasuke isn't actually he sure, (the only thing he's sure of is the relief pounding in his chest).

At his feet, Sasuke's ninken – Takuma – barks loudly, leaping forward and bowling over his littermate, Takumi, who yelps and quickly fights back dancing around the other dogs, surprising agile for a blind dog. This results in two other dogs bouncing around, running to Sasuke and snapping at each other, and circling around the group of dogs and children and people.

Sasuke lifts his eyes from the dogs to Toru, who greets him with a steady smile, with soft eyes. It eases something in Toru that he wasn't aware even needed relieving. There's a bark, and Sasuke's gaze returns to the dogs. Black-and-white Aki, who's never calmed down – and everyone doubts she ever will – is barking as she plays with the Leopard Cur, who's barking and growling and leaping, and having the time of her life.

Of course, amongst them all, there's Naruto, orange and bright and loud, (because no matter how much he changes, no matter what changes around him, he remains who he is regardless). There's laughter tickling its way up Sasuke's throat, but there's also a sigh inching its way out his mouth. Doing his best to withhold his sigh, Sasuke considers the fact he always seems to be surrounded by idiots; and honestly, Toru is no better. Toru, who is standing in the shadows somewhere nearby and almost out of view, with a small smile on his face and dark eyes calm. Reddish-brown hair tied back, and a wolf-like dog at his feet, big and huge and looking completely wild. It suits the older Uchiha, Sasuke thinks, to have something wild at his feet and looking peaceful regardless.

And then Naruto trips over a dog, and even though he's meant to be a ninja now, he falls and Aki yelps, jumping and twisting into Sasuke, who hadn't been prepared, causing him to fall on top of Naruto. Takuma, who's meant to be a loyal ninken to Sasuke, stalks off and away from the pile, Takumi beside him. Meanwhile, Aki and Teisatu are licking the boys' faces, and Toru's laughing softly from his position, because he's not surprised that it all ends like this.

"Perfectly trained ninjas, aren't they?" Iruka calls, his own chuckles dropping away as he comes to stand next to Toru. Sasuke pushes himself up with a huff, glaring at Naruto and dusting himself off.

"A touch too excited perhaps," Toru replies with an amused grin, watching as the pair start arguing. "Sasuke! Naruto! No arguing."

"Sorry, Toru!" Naruto calls back, eyes bright and happy.

"Sorry," Sasuke mumbles shortly afterwards, drifting to Toru's side. He's quickly pulled into a hug by Toru, whether he wishes too or not.

"Congrats," Toru whispers quietly. "You've done well; you've made everyone proud." He steps back, and Sasuke swallows, lifting his head, looking proud and content, even though there is a hint of grief in his eyes, (you can mourn for years and the grief may never leave, only lessen slightly). Stepping around Haruto at his feet, Toru grabs Naruto in a hug as well. "You did it!" He cheers, "Congratulations!"

"I did it!" Naruto echoes back with a grin. "An' I didn't fail according to Iruka-sensei, believe it!"

Laughing, Toru lets go of the younger boy and turns to Iruka, surveying the boys and the dogs with a watchful eye. "Hey, Iruka, we're going out for dinner to celebrate. Want to come?"

"Oh, I couldn't impose," Iruka says, "Enjoy your time together." Except, even as he brushes off the invitation, Naruto is attaching himself to Iruka's hand and pulling him along, not giving Iruka a chance to actually refuse.

"Too late," Toru calls from behind them, "You're joining us for dinner in the Uchiha Clan Compound." He stifles a yawn and follows after them, Sasuke keeping up with him easily.

"Shouldn't you be resting?" The younger boy says reproachfully.

With a wave of his hand, Toru says, "I'm fine. Besides, you're too young to be worrying about me. Tonight is about you two. I'll just get a good night's sleep tonight and perhaps sleep in tomorrow."

"You never sleep in," Sasuke replies as Takuma catches up and keeps pace beside him. "You say that, but you've slept in only a few times when you were completely exhausted."

Rolling his eyes, Toru makes a compromise, "I'll rest tomorrow then. No hard work or training."

"Sure," Sasuke says doubtfully. "Are you here this week?"

"Most of it," Toru replies. "I don't think I'll be called in for a mission anytime this week, but I'm definitely off the rosters for the next three days."

"That because of the back-to-back missions you've been taking recently?" Sasuke asks curiously.

"Yeah, pretty much."

Frowning, Sasuke squints at Toru who scratches the back of his neck. "Were you taking back-to-back missions to ensure you were free today and for the next few days?" Shrugging, Toru doesn't respond, (and Sasuke knows he's right and despite his worry for Toru, he's grateful).

They walk in silence for a bit, before reaching the Uchiha Clan Compound. It's evening now, the sun's rays sprinkling through the clouds and turning them myriad colours. No matter how many times they enter the Compound during the evening, it's always strange to see it compared to how it was during the day. During the day, Shūsanki Square is bright with sunlight and stall owners calling out about their wares. It's often filled with people laughing and talking. Meanwhile, during the evenings, lanterns of different colours are lit to shower the market with light. The stall owners are less shouting and happier to converse. It's less of a market atmosphere and more of a community atmosphere.

The night markets are quiet places, the day markets are loud, but the market that gets caught between the day and the night, in a liminal space, is always a favourite of those who call the Compound home or are regular visitors.

"Are we going to Himura's?" Naruto asks as he pauses just inside the entrance.

"Lead the way, Naruto," Toru replies as he and Sasuke catch up with the other two. As the group of four head towards Himura's diner, Teisatu, Aki, and Haruto all disperse deeper into the compound, whilst Takuma and Takumi stay.

Reaching the diner, they're quickly greeted by the waiter. "Congratulations the pair of you," he says with a smile, bending down to look at Naruto and Sasuke. "Chef's preparing your favourites as a graduation gift. Everything is on the house tonight as well," he adds, looking at Toru who goes to protest. "Nope! No protests or objections. You have to deal with it. Now, there's a table of four out the front that you're all welcome to sit at. I'll bring water and grab your drinks in a moment." With that, the waiter heads into the rest of the restaurant, collecting orders and laughter as he does so.

(And, in another world, this restaurant would not exist, the waiter would be a man starving on the streets with a gaunt frame and hateful eyes, but here he is living and smiling and laughing.)

"I suppose we better go take our seats," Iruka says, amused, as he always is whenever Toru is subject to some kindness the chūnin tries to protest even though he is deserving of such kindness.

Toru gives Iruka a light shove, all too aware that the older chūnin is laughing at him, and takes his seat with his back to the wall. Sitting next to him, Iruka picks up his menu and relaxes slightly against the pillowed wall behind him. Before the group can start talking or deciding what they want, residents of the Uchiha Clan Compound come up to their table.

Person after person greet the table before congratulating Sasuke and Naruto. Toru finds himself smiling as he watches Naruto stutter and blush at the praise, Sasuke looking at the table in front of him and mumbling his gratitude.

(Despite having hardly any family, the two new genin seem to have a rather large one regardless.)

Once the congratulations have all died out, and the four have ordered their drinks and meals, Iruka asks everyone's plans for the rest of the week. "After all," he reasons, "you have a week of break. I'm sure you've got something planned."

Naruto shrugs and Sasuke responds, "Well, the week is to stock up on weapons and prepare for being genin and all that isn't it?"

"Doesn't necessarily mean you can't do anything else," Iruka points out. "I'm sure Toru would be happy to teach you some tricks that he previously didn't want to."

Toru shakes his head with a laugh. "Throwing me to the missing-nin, I see," he teases. "Still, I'm sure I've got a few tricks to teach these two." Pausing, he looks at Sasuke and Naruto. "Anything specific you guys want to focus on?"

Hesitating and biting his lip, Sasuke puts down his drink after taking a sip. "Would it be possible to learn some of the Uchiha kenjutsu?"

"Of course," Toru replies, (heart beating behind his ribs because there is a legacy here that he cannot have because he will never have the sharingan). "I'll teach it to you, but it requires the sharingan, so I'm not entirely sure how far we'll get with it. However, I can teach you some of the styles I know to supplement the holes that come with the Uchiha kenjutsu for those who currently lack the sharingan."

"I want to do some work on stealth," Naruto says.

"You'll have to change your outfit then," Iruka remarks, with a pointed glance at Naruto's orange clothing. "I know you love orange, but you're also a genin now."

Ever the peacekeeper, Toru adds, "You can give some aspect of orange on your person, but you can't be as stealthy as you could be covered in orange. We can work on stealth, specifically hiding your chakra as well. Did you two have anything planned this week aside from badgering me for more training?"

"We're meeting with the others," Sasuke eventually comments, glancing over at Naruto. "Remember? You wanted to and then you got everyone to wish to meet up as well. We're doing that in two days' time."

"Ahh! That's right! I'm also meeting with Jiji as well!" Naruto says. "We're meeting in three days."

Toru and Iruka exchange a quick glance before breaking eye contact. "Sounds like you've got a good plan going on," Toru says, just as their food is served. "However, let's focus on eating for now which means, Naruto, no talking when your mouth is full." With a small laugh, the group starts their meal.

(Here, there is a boy laughing with determination engraved in his bones and kindness in his heart. Here, there is a boy smiling with hatred erased from his heart and love rewritten, with kindness that he hadn't developed but rather learnt. Here, there is a man in the shape of a boy, with danger written into his eyes and Uzushio scrawled in his heart. Here, there is a man who hides forgiveness behind a steel core, who speaks of hope and love but knows that kindness can only be afforded by the powerful. Here, there are people living and surviving and enjoying their lives with laughter.)

Naruto and Sasuke are the last ones to arrive to the meal, the older boy trailing behind Naruto with a grumpy expression. "You're late," Sakura says pointedly, glancing at the appetisers that have been served to those at the table who hadn't been late.

Throwing himself into one of the empty chairs, Naruto starts placing food onto his plate. "Sorry!"

"It's this idiot's fault," Sasuke adds as he sits in the remaining chair, Takuma lying down by his feet. "He forgot to do some of his chores."

"Chores are the worst," Kiba says causing Naruto to nod with his mouth full. "We ordered for you guys, by the way – your usuals."

"Thanks," Sasuke says as he places food onto his plate. He glances around the small café. It's fairly empty, which isn't abnormal, considering that the café is quite out of the way from the centre of Konoha and any major streets. Despite the hidden nature of the café, it has rather good service and food, resulting in it becoming a frequent lunch location for the group of no-longer-Academy-students to meet.

(The café had seen them crying and laughing and weathered a range of emotions from each ninja-in-training. It had, in its own way, become a place valued for its comfort and the discretion of its staff.)

"Now that we're all here," Ino says in the ensuing silence, "I suppose it's time to speak about our futures. From what I've managed to gather, most of our classmates have been snapped up for apprenticeships. Yua Nakamura, I believe, got selected for a trapping apprenticeship. Sayaka Yukimura and Ami Tanaka were taken for intelligence. Chihiro Satō, Ayaka Matsushita, and Jun Tanaka are working at the hospital already. Chou Maeda has gone into Torture and Interrogation – but I'm not certain on that, they're all very hush-hush about selections."

"Tomomi Takenaka has an apprenticeship for one of the research fields," Chōji adds as Ino pauses. "And that just leaves us, right?"

"Well, the others we all know have apprenticeships," Shikamaru waves his hand, dismissing the remaining members of his old class. "That leads all nine of us to be in teams. Naruto, Sasuke, did you guys hear anything from Iruka-sensei?"

Scowling, Sasuke shakes his head. "He told us there would be three teams but nothing else. He wouldn't even mention potential teacher candidates."

"Kakashi Hatake is one," Kiba says, causing the others to shoot him surprised looks. Crossing his arms, Kiba frowns, "I know things too! I mean, yeah, my clan isn't all that involved with the Academy or anything to do with prospective ninjas really. To be honest, it was more like the ninjas I heard discussing it were laughing at whoever Hatake's genin are going to be. He's apparently pretty harsh."

"He's known as the Copy-Nin," Sasuke says. "He's got the sharingan in one eye from the previous war and is known to work with ninken. He's a prodigy who learnt under the Yondaime and has a high warning in the Bingo Book."

"It is likely you will have him as your teacher then. Why? Because he has the sharingan and therefore will be able to teach you when your kekkei genkai manifests itself." Shino says as a waiter comes and collects the appetizer plates.

"Alright, then we can assume Hatake will have Sasuke-kun on his team, which means Kiba-kun will not be on that team," Hinata deduces. "It also means I will not be on that team considering the fact that Sasuke-kun and I both have kekkei genkai that occurs in our eyes."

"There are rumours of Hatake's expertise in tracking," Ino says slowly. "So, if Hatake's teaching a tracking team, then it's likely along with Sasuke-kun, he'll also have Shino-kun, and a third member."

"Probably yourself," Shikamaru points out. "After all, you'd be able to gather information from the being tracked down easily enough. That leaves the rest of us to form two other teams. It's likely that Naruto-kun will form part of a combat team with his insane chakra pool."

"He'd be the attacker more than likely," Sasuke says with a glance at Naruto as everyone's food finally arrives. "And, since he heals extremely fast, there's no need for a medic, but then the other two members would need strong defences."

"I reckon it'd be Hinata-chan and me on that team then," Chōji says after swallowing a mouthful of food. "Hinata-chan as an extremely strong defence and she can scout for enemies and all that. I can defend and attack equally well and prefer to defend. It'd be a good working team."

"Which leaves Shikamaru-kun, Sakura-chan, and myself!" Kiba says, "Plus Akamaru of course! What do you think we'd specialise in?"

"Capture and interrogation," Sakura says, baring her teeth in something that could be called a grin in a warped reflection. "After all, everyone knows medic-nins know how to cause the most pain."

"Also, Sakura-chan could infiltrate 'cause she's not got any distinguishing features aside from her hair and hair can be died," Naruto states as he pushes his empty bowl of ramen away. "Then Shikamaru-kun can hold whoever still and Kiba-kun can attack!" With a grin at his classmates, Naruto adds, "I can't wait to see Iruka-sensei's face when we tell him we already knew the teams we were placed in!"

Between deciding teams and having his life invaded by Uchihas, Iruka's life is far from boring. Meanwhile, a Ninja Academy class finally graduates and attempt to figure out what the future holds for them.

Writing three characters is difficult and it kills me trying to write NINE! Nine characters; what the hell. It's so difficult juggling personalities and conversations and making sure everyone talks and I'm not forgetting characters (eyes Chouji and Shino and Hinata), especially when there are changes to characters that I haven't written in length.

I don't actually have much to say for this chapter, probably because I can't remember my thoughts when writing it.

ALSO, in regards to Sasuke and Naruto meeting with Toru and the dogs, that scene is actually a rewritten version of my comment to SilasRed in chapter 12 of Sea Dreams; it was originally:

Sasuke just stands there without twitching a muscle, his face completely emotionless, and there are two dogs bouncing around him and one sitting at his feet, a magnificent black statue with a grey muzzle. Black-and-white Aki, who's never calmed down - and everyone doubts she ever will - is barking as she plays with the Leopard Cur, who's barking and growling and leaping, and having the time of her life. Right amongst them all, there's Naruto, orange and bright and loud because no matter how much he changes, he's still him. Sasuke just feels surrounded and he's doing his best to withhold his sigh, because really, Sasuke always seems to be surrounded by idiots, and Toru is no better. Toru, who is standing in the shadows somewhere nearby but also out of view, with a small smile on his face and dark eyes calm. Reddish-brown hair tied back, and wolf-like dog at his feet, big and huge and looking completely wild. It really suits them all, (and then Naruto trips over a dog, and he's meant to be a ninja, but he falls and Aki yelps, twisting into Sasuke who's underprepared and falls on top of Naruto, and then Ken is stalking away from them, and the other two dogs are licking the boys' faces, and Toru's laughing softly from his shadowy corner, because of course it all ends like this).

Anyway, that's all I really have to say for now. Updates are continuing to be once a month until I write a bunch more (I'm going to try and write faster so I can do either monthly updates or bi-monthly updates, but because of new years and christmas, I don't actually have any pre-written chapters now (also because I've been away pretty much all of December and so couldn't write which is a travesty).