Disclaimer: Both stories and all characters are not mine.

"Speaking Japanese"

Letters

'Thinking'

"Speaking English"

Chapter Ten

(Naruto's POV)

Although we had all recently visited Hogwarts, the sight of the monumental, stone castle sitting in the side of the mountain was still as breathtaking as the first. The once deserted grounds were swimming with all kinds of students. The nervous and awestruck first years were being led in the direction of the lake by a mammoth of a man. In the business of the crowds and hidden mostly in the shadows of the night, I signed the familiar movements and focused my chakra. The shadow clone I produced was instantly disguised as a small bird and set to follow the students making the journey over the lake. The other group of students consisted of the majority of the school who would make the journey to the castle in the carriages. I turned to Sasuke and Sakura as we walked with the trio.

"I'll send a shadow clone ahead and have one following the students from behind," I said softy.

"Okay, we stay with Potter and the others while Sasuke does a quick perimeter of the grounds. So far I see no reason to stray from what we've already planned," Sakura replied moving closer to the trio to avoid losing them amongst the crowds.

I moved a step closer to Sasuke feeling his hand hit against mine before lacing our fingers together. Our eyes locked communicating the same message to each other. Be safe. I squeezed his hand lightly, smiling at him before pulling away and moving closer towards the trio. Harry Potter and his friends seemed reluctant to let us trail behind them but at least they were a lot less hostile than they were at Grimmuald Place. We all climbed into the carriages, the creatures pulling them were quite grotesque but the general group of students seemed not to notice so in the spirit of blending in I swallowed the questions I wanted to ask.

The carriage ride up to the castle consisted of Potter and his friends making small talk and avoiding talking about Sakura and myself while we scanned the path leading towards the castle. I wasn't too sure what I was looking for or what to expect. Would this Voldemort guy be reckless enough to begin the school year with an all out attack against the student body? Or would he begin it through trying to infiltrate Hogwarts in a more subtle way? As often as I mess around I do try to take my missions seriously. But right now there was just so much we don't know about the mission and the people involved that it was hard to know where to begin. We've had missions where we have been provided less information than we know now but those missions were always in places that we knew.

The shaky stopping of the carriage at the doors of the castle initiated the next stage of the plan. Sakura and I walked with the trio up scanning through the crowds of students for any suspicious behavior. I turned to watch Sakura next, specifically the small, white slug crawl down the length of her arm before landing silently on the back of Potter's robes. With a way to keep track of the trio, Sakura and I allowed ourselves to be swept up by the masses of first year students towards where Sasuke was waiting with Professor Monagall. Now that we were not solely focused on the Potter kid I could feel my excitement building at the thought of the sorting ceremony we would soon participate in.

"Now, you know that the sorting hat has already been informed of the houses that we agreed upon you being sorted into. All you have to do is walk up to the stool after you've been introduced as transfer students and once your name has been called. Okay?"

"Got it! We're ready to go!" I exclaimed, a bit too loudly causing the turns of a few heads.

The grand doors swung open to reveal the enormous hall now full of students each sitting at their house tables, awaiting the arrival of the new students. And sitting along the table at the front of the room was the staff, many of which we had already been introduced to. What really drew my attention was the old lady wearing a copious amount of pink sitting next to Dumbledore right in the middle of the table. A quick look to my side told me that Sakura and Sasuke had noticed this strange woman too. Just looking at her gave me a feeling of unease. Sakura, Sasuke and I followed the mass of first years further into the hall and waited as each of their names was called. Even knowing that the hat was simply going to sort them all into different houses already pre-decided just being involved in such a different and magical ritual was enough to make me jitter with nervous excitement.

"While I am sure that you all desperately want to eat, there are two more things that need to happen before the food will be brought out," Dumbledore announced through the impatient groaning of the hungry students.

"This year, for possibly the first time, there will be three transfer students coming all the way from Japan to study their fifth year here. I hope that you welcome them all with open arms!"

Professor Monagall lifted the list once more.

"Sakura Haruno."

Sakura-chan walked forward accepting the hat onto her head to have it announced that she would be sorted into Ravenclaw.

"Sasuke Uchiha."

I felt Sasuke purposely brush past me before moving upwards ready to be sorted in to his own house. I watched his face, stoic as ever, as he sat on the small wooden stool at the front of the Great hall. The old, patched up hat flopped over his head, a ridiculous sight combined with the aloof expression on his face. I was so enthralled in watching his small facial expressions changes as the hat spoke to him. I wonder what the hat was saying to him.

"Naruto Uzumaki."

Oh well, I guess that will have to wait. I walked forward making a mental note to ask him about what the hat was saying as he walked towards the Slytherin table. I hurried towards the hat, smiling wildly; ready for my chance to let the magic hat read my mind. The stool was as uncomfortable as it looked but that discomfort was forgotten as soon as the hat was placed on my head.

"Mm let me see, let me see. Now there's a lot more going on inside your mind than what I normally see."

"This is so cool, 'ttebayo! I guess that's because of Kurama but that's enough about that, read my mind!"

"Now, now don't be so hasty. I am only supposed to let everyone know that Gryffindor is the house you will be in for your stay this year."

"Ugh that's no fun Mr. Hat, surely you can just tell me a few things about my mind just for fun!"

"My what a joyous and insistent young mind. Watch out for the many troubles you will face in the near future, your resilience and willingness to help others is what will get you through whatever lies ahead. That is the most I can tell you right now there isn't time for much more. All that's left is to let everyone know that your house will be GRYFFINDOR."

The hat was taken from my hat before anything else could be said. I was disappointed I couldn't keep chatting to the magic hat but the loud cheers from what I assume was the Gryffindor table brought my attention away from the disappointment. I walked over to the where Potter and the others were sitting, taking the seat opposite from them. Dumbledore interrupted the student's enthusiastic chatter once more.

"Now for the last announcement before the feast begins, I would like to introduce to you the newest Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Kakashi Hatake," He paused looking around for our sensei.

I rolled my eyes; of course Kakashi-sensei wouldn't even turn up to the mission on time. The whispering came back alive as the students turned and twisted trying to catch a glimpse of the new teacher. With a very unnecessary and flashy poof of smoke Kakashi-sensei appeared in front of the students. The sudden appearance of the teacher in the midst of the smoke prompted cheers and frenzied shouts from the students that juxtaposed greatly with the appalled and outraged looks coming from the lady in pink.

"What do you think her problem is?" Ron asked Harry.

Evidently I wasn't the only one to notice her disgruntled attitude.

"She was at my trial, she works for the ministry. What's she doing here?"

"Professor Hatake came from Japan not only to supervise his students but also to teach us all new ways to defend ourselves against whatever dangers may be out there in the wider world."

"Not that you will face anything dangerous with the ministry keeping everything perfectly safe," The pink woman interrupted.

Dumbledore spared her a short glance before addressing the students once more.

"Ah yes, this is Dolores Umbridge from the Ministry of Magic she will be supervising the classes this year and implementing any changes the Ministry deem necessary but only once I have approved."

This Umbridge lady was definitely going to be a problem in the future if the way Harry was speaking about her held any truth.

"Now let the feast begin!"

The sight of all the food materializing could only be described as magical. Food I'd never seen before spread across the long table. Even more amazingly among the widespread of food there were some familiar dishes. I saw onigiri, I knew Sasuke would be happy to see one of his favorite foods. I recognized some umeboshi that Sakura would no doubt be eating right now but more importantly I saw a bowl of steaming hot bowl of ramen, sitting an arms length away from me waiting for me to eat. I visibly perked up, ignoring all other food to grab as much ramen as I possible could. As I quickly glanced up I saw the shocked looks on the trio's faces as I devoured the ramen.

"Is that good, whatever you're eating?" Ron asked, curiously.

"Its called ramen and it is without doubt the best food ever!"

Ron hesitantly took a portion of ramen, brought a small portion to his mouth. He face changed slightly as he went from curious to satisfied.

"Hey it is pretty good."

"It's more than pretty good but since that more than Sasuke admits I'll accept that."

Even the fact that Ron was willing to try something that I enjoyed demonstrated that they were slowly beginning to accept our presence and maybe even trust us. Although a look at Harry's face told me that he might need a little more time to trust us. Ron then pushed a plate of some sort of pie closer to me as I finished my noodles.

"Its treacle tart, its pretty popular 'round here. Thought you'd might like to try some mate."

Who knew that food would lead to the beginning of a better understanding between the wizards and us?

With the feast over and feeling the fullest I have ever been, I was led to the Gryffindor common room. I watched Harry, Ron and Hermione settle around the fireplace before checking on the shadow clone that after leading the carriages was sent up to the common room to ensure there was nothing waiting. I spotted the clone, disguised as a small spider sitting in the corner of the room. Now ensured that the trio would still be under our watch, I slipped out of the room and out onto the grounds by the lake.

Upon reaching the lake I saw that Sasuke and Sakura were already there, waiting. Kakashi was absent from the group meeting, instead using this time to finalize his lessons for the next day.

"Hey guys!" I shouted, moving closer to sit next to Sasuke. "So what have you all got so far?"

"Well there doesn't seem to be anyone in Ravenclaw that we should be watching closely so far. Sasuke?"

"Hn there were many people talking about Potter, I'm not sure how many are actual threats yet."

"The Gryffindor house seems super cool so far. But have you noticed that old woman? She looks angrier than old lady Tsunade and she was at Potter's trial."

"Yeah it doesn't look many of the staff like her either. We're going to have to factor her into the plan. "

I nodded, agreeing with what Sakura had said and leaning closer into Sasuke's side. I saw Sakura smile softly as she stood.

"I better get back to the common room before they realize that I'm gone. Remember to meet here every two night as agreed unless agreed otherwise. Goodnight."

I waved to her as she left before turning my attention back to Sasuke. It wasn't like I needed him near me all the time but I had gotten used to having him beside me as I sleep. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer.

"You know that we need to go back soon," He spoke softly beside my head.

I groaned loudly as I leaned onto him even more, wrapping my arms around him to keep him in the embrace. The small chuckle he let out was one of the cutest noises I've ever heard. I pulled him even closer into a laying position.

"My bed will be so empty without you," I whined.

Sasuke turned to his side, bringing his hand to my face. The light from the moon made his dark eyes shine even more than they usually do. I leaned even closer. The press of his lips against mine left me warm even in the slight night chill.

"We really need to get back to the mission."

"Fine," I replied reluctantly, "But don't think that you're escaping our morning kiss. I expect to see you outside of the Great Hall five minutes before breakfast ends."

Sasuke rolled his eyes jokingly.

"If you insist. Just remember that we can't let this get in the way of what we came here to do."

"I know, Sasuke. See ya tomorrow."

We stood slowly before moving together for one final hug. I leant down kissing him once more before separating completely.

"Goodnight, love you," I whispered, still wondering how I was so lucky to be able to say those words to Sasuke everyday.

"I love you too Naruto."

We walked back to the castle in a comfortable silence before making our way back to our new common rooms. Once in the warmth of the common room I made my way immediately towards the trio, who were still chatting in front of the now dwindling fireplace. Hermione, who curiously asked where I had disappeared, invited me into the group.

"Ah I was just saying goodnight to Sasuke and Sakura."

"You all seem very close, would you mind telling us how all became friends. I'm sure you know everything about us already." Hermione asked politely, possibly remembering the last time she had tried to ask something.

"Sure thing! At school we were all put into the same team, which is the team that you're in for most of the missions. At first it was horrible. I didn't want to be on the same team as Sasuke, Sakura didn't want to be on the same team as me and Sasuke just didn't want to be on a team. A lot of shit happened and now here we are!"

I kept the answer vague, not quite willing to discuss any missions in detail or let split about Sasuke's or my own childhood. It would require more than a couple days spent together to be able to tell them anything about that.

"It must be annoying keeping everything a secret," Harry pouted, obviously annoyed that I didn't properly answer a quite simple question.

"It's the job, you get used to it eventually."

The last of the fire died down and the wizards became aware of how late it had become. They made the move from the common room to the dorms quickly, leaving me the privacy to create enough shadow clones to watch the perimeter. However, using my chakra left a dirty feeling in my body that I hadn't felt since Kurama's chakra had been sealed off completely. I pushed away the feeling and climbed the stairs to the room that I would be spending the next year sleeping in.

The realization that I would be away from Konoha for so long settled in and I found myself missing even my dirty, dingy apartment. Anticipation for the year ahead, however, prevailed and I found myself falling asleep anxious to see how the year would play out.

A/N

Sorry again for being so inactive! I finished school this year leaving me with a lot more time to update this story. Hopefully within the week I'll have another chapter uploaded.

Thank you to everyone for reading, following and reviewing!