Second chances

Chapter 4: Uchiha massacre

It had been months after the failed kidnapping incident and it was a nice hot summer's day in the village of Konoha. The perfect weather for playing outside, especially for young, overworked children aspiring to become ninjas.Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Instead, the children were trapped inside a humid, stuffy room, trying to listen to another boring lecture by their chuunin instructors. Or falling asleep, which was the apparent case for Naruto and a few others.

"Naruto, Shikamaru, Chouji and Kiba! For the last time, WAKE UP! This is the seventh time I've woken you! See me after class for an extra lesson," said Iruka.

The boys in question groaned.

"But Iruka-sensei," protested Naruto, "With your boring speech and this weather, it'll make even people who can't go to sleep out like a light. At this rate, it could be an S-rank genjutsu(1)."

His classmates laughed at this, but immediately stopped when they noticed their teacher's expression of fury that even Kyuubi wouldn't be able to match. Then he forced a smile, which was eerily more terrifying than him angry.

"Naruto… We're going to have a little talk after this," he said calmly. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you… Much."

Naruto was sweating bullets at this point. Whatever it was, he was positive it was not going to be pleasant. After the lesson (Which seemed to drag longer than usual), the four was held back for the 'extra lesson'.

"Now boys, to be a ninja, you must be able to concentrate," explained Iruka to the four (five if you counted the puppy on Kiba's head, Akamaru.).

"Think about it this way. If you were given instructions that were important for the success of a mission and you weren't paying attention, then what would happen?" He closed his eyes trying to remember his old memories. "I was once like you four. I never paid attention to anyone, or anything; giving me the reputation of the dobe. So one teacher decided to help me concentrate by putting a leaf on my forehead. You have to concentrate all your chakra on it, which is what I'm going to do to you four. Now, any questions?" He opened his eyes to see… Four empty chairs and an open window.

"YOU BRATS! GET BACK HERE!" he shouted. By that time, the boys were little specks in the distance. Cursing angrily under his breath, the chuunin left his office.

"I need a stiff drink…" he murmured.

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"Ne, Shikamaru. You run fast for a lazy guy," remarked Kiba. Akamaru yipped in agreement.

"This is going to be so troublesome when Iruka-sensei catches us," he replied.

"So? It's still funny," said Naruto. "I'm going to wander around for a bit. What about you guys?"

"I need to go home and train. My dad's going to teach me the Jujin Bunshin no jutsu(2) so Akamaru and I can get stronger," said Kiba

."Shikamaru and I are going to my house because my dad is friends with his dad and wants some… Sake or something. It's not something I was allowed to eat or drink, so I don't know what it is. Speaking of which, doesn't it mean that Ino's going to be there as well?" asked Chouji.

The future shadow user and tactician visibly paled. That girl was bossy, mean, manipulative, stubborn, and just plain evil. She vaguely resembled his terrifying mother.Then again, she was kinda pretty...Shaking the thought out his mind quickly, he whined, "Aw man, she's scary though. I hope I'm not in her team when we become ninjas."

'That's just ironic ne, Kyuubi-sensei? To think that those three are going to be in the same team,' thought Naruto amusedly.

"Don't get your hopes up. You might do something that changes the teams, kit."