"Excuse me?"
Akita Sekai snapped her head around to look at the Hokage, lavender eyes narrowing. She was a small thing, her height only reaching two inches over five feet. Her long fire red hair was tied up into a ponytail near the top of her head, though strands fell on either side of her face, and side swept bangs kissed her brows. A black mask hugged her face, concealing her nose and mouth. About her neck was a hooded scarf, carefully wrapped around to its full extent so no fabric hung out.
"You heard me correctly," the old man said. "I want you to train a team of three. It's about time you became a proper Sensei."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was an ancient looking man. The creases on his face were deep, but strangely symmetrical. He wore elaborate white and red robes which stretched up and around his wide rimmed hat. His eyes were beady and dark, but sharp, like they saw everything. There was a mole beside his left nostril, and liver spots dotted his skin.
Akita stared at the Hokage. Could he really be serious?
"Stop looking so surprised." The Hokage's voice was half laughing. "You've been a Jonin for over two years now. Your skills are valuable. It would be ideal for our Genin to learn from someone who came from the Village Hidden in the Mist. And this year seemed the perfect time to do it, after all. I doubt any of the others will have the patience for him."
Akita blinked. It took her a moment to place who the Hokage was speaking of.
"Kurai..." she murmured. "Has he been experiencing problems?"
"Your nephew fails to understand the concept of respect," the Hokage said. "With you as his Sensei, perhaps he will listen."
Akita looked out the window. Down below, the recently graduated kids from the academy were running around in glee. They were hugging one another, joking and laughing. It was easy to spot Kurai's out of them with his shock of flame red hair. She saw him saunter his way over to one of the girls and lean toward her, saying something. The girl had long blond hair done up in a long ponytail. She whirled on him and punched him hard across the face. Kurai stumbled back, but Akita could see the laugh on his lips.
"Honestly, you'd think he'd learn after the tenth punch," she muttered with a shake of her head.
"He certainly believes he's quite the charmer," the Hokage said.
Akita turned back to him. "You honor me with this responsibility, Lord Hokage," she said, bowing her torso, hands pressed together.
Her posture and words were calm and respectful, though she had to admit, even for her it was tricky keeping her composure. Two years she'd been a Jonin, and two years she'd been waiting to be trusted with a team. She assumed that Hiruzen waited until now so that the village truly trusted her. After all, it had only been six years since she officially became a Shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village. The people had to feel comfortable with her teaching their children.
But now it had finally happened. She was a proper Senei. And she never thought she would get Kurai as part of her team. Part of her believed the Hokage would have thought of it as a conflict of interest. But it seemed she might be the only one to teach him.
"I have the utmost confidence in you," the Hokage said with a soft smile. "You'll need to report back here in about an hour for your team assignment. I'm not certain who they plan to place with Kurai. But whichever team he falls to, you will be in charge of."
"Yes, Lord Hokage." Akita bowed again before turning and heading out the door.
She closed the door behind her, headed down the hall. She couldn't keep the small grin from her face as she went, though the mask she bore concealed it. Akita had never liked the Jonin vested outfit. She instead wore a lavender sleeveless tunic. Belts crisscrossed her torso and hips. Black leather gloves went over sections of fabric that went up to her biceps. She wore black leggings, her kunai pouch was strapped to her left thigh, and her Shinobi headband on the right, and bore black open toed shoes.
"Someone seems pleased."
Akita paused. She had just been turning the corner to go down the hall on her right, but a figure was approaching from the left.
It was another Shinobi, an amused glint in the one eye that was visible. He had a fray of silver hair that leaned out toward the left. His headband was pulled down over his left eye, and he too had a black mask that hid his lower face. He wore the green, pocket laden vest of a Jonin, and the rest of his outfit was black leathers. One hand was bare while the other had a fingerless glove on it.
"Kakashi," Akita greeted him. "What gives you the impression I'm pleased?"
Kakashi chuckled as he came to a halt in front of her. "You get this little spring in your step whenever you accomplish something. So tell me, what did you achieve, Aki?"
Kakashi and her nephew, Kurai were the only ones who called her by nicknames. Kakashi with Aki, and Kurai with Aunt Kita. Akita had made certain anyone else who attempted to get on such a familiar level with her regretted it.
"The Hokage just gave me some good news is all," she said, turning to continue walking, but Kakashi gripped her shoulder and turned her to face him. He stared at her, waiting with his brow raised expectantly.
Akita glanced at the ground for a moment. "I've been assigned a Genin team."
"Oh!" Kakashi's eye closed, a sign that Akita knew meant he was smiling. She supposed she could read him as well as he could read her. "That's great news then! You've been waiting for so long!"
Akita saw a slightly searching gleam in his eye. A few years ago, he would have had another comment to go along with that. Any time that Akita had received good news and shared it with him, like the time she'd been accepted into the Hidden Leaf Village as a Shinobi, or when Kurai was accepted into the Academy, he'd say: "You don't seem all that excited about it."
But he hadn't said that to her for some years now. She supposed he knew how she was at this point- perhaps he didn't understand it- but at least he was aware Akita wasn't the type to jump for joy. Or even smile much.
"So," Kakashi went on. "Have you thought on how you're going to test them?"
Akita had, but she wasn't sure about discussing the details with him. She knew that Kakashi was notorious for his test. Not a single Genin team had passed it. A lot of Shinobi thought he was too severe. But Akita knew that Kakashi wouldn't put his Genin through something that was completely impossible. He just hadn't found a team worth training yet. She found herself wondering if she should come up with something just as challenging, but in truth she had no idea what Kakashi's test involved.
"I think I've narrowed it down to two options," she said. "We'll see how they fair."
Kakashi laughed. "I'm sure they will have their work cut out for them with you as their Sensei."
Interesting thing for him to say, Akita thought.
"I think the graduates won't be assigned into teams for another hour or so," Kakashi said. He gestured with his head. "Let's go for a walk."
Akita nodded and fell into step at his side. He was the only one she would agree to such leisurely activities with. Several of the other Shinobi had attempted to get to know her. Engage with her. Akita allowed them to talk. She would respond politely. But it wasn't part of her to just... mingle.
"So, I take it that you being assigned as a Sensei and Kurai graduating in the same year isn't a coincidence?" he asked.
Akita shook her head. "Apparently he has expressed some issues regarding respect. Lord Hokage believes I'm the only one he'll properly listen to."
"Hm." Kakashi placed a hand on his masked chin. "That might have been a mistake putting him under your training then. He needs to learn to respect all his fellow Shinobi, not just you."
Akita glanced at him. "He'll learn," was all she said.
Kakashi looked at her, an amused glint in his eye. "You're really set on him being assigned to you, huh? Well, I suppose the Hokage might be right. For what it's worth, I think you'll be a great Senei, Aki."
Akita glanced away from him. To be honest, she was nervous. She was from the Village Hidden in the Mist. She didn't share the blood of those here. But she was determined to show she belonged. That this was her home now. And above all, that she wasn't the same scared teenager that Kakashi had saved six years ago.
Ryo Uchiha felt like she was going to explode, she was so happy. She bounded toward the classroom at her brother's side, a spring in every step.
"Will you calm down?" Sasuke sighed.
She glanced over at him with a beaming smile. She and Sasuke both bore the same black hair and dark eyes. But while Sasuke wore a blue, high collared shirt with the insignia of their clan on the back and tan shorts, Ryo preferred a more elaborate outfit. She had on a hooded jacket, black with red and white trimmings, which stretched down to her thighs. She had on a matching skirt that equaled its length, and fishnets that stretched down to her knees. Her open toed shoes were red too, as well as her fingerless gloves.
Ryo shoved her brother playfully.
"Come on, even you have to admit you're excited!" she said. "We're Genin now! We're real Shinobi!"
"Why be excited about obvious outcomes?" Sasuke asked dryly.
"Sour sport," Ryo told him as they entered the classroom.
All the other graduates were gathering here, taking seats at the three chaired desks around the room. Ryo was looking for an open spot when there was a squeal.
"Hiiii Sasuke!"
Ryo had to resist the urge to groan. Her brother had gotten quite popular during their time at the academy. And Ryo hated his fan girls. She glared around as the girls closed in around them the moment they entered the room.
"Hey, Sasuke!" Ino said.
Ino was a taller girl with long blond hair done up in a pony tail. A section of her bangs hung out over her eye and she wore her headband around her neck like Ryo. Her blue eyes drank in Sasuke hungrily.
"Are you excited about your first assignment?" she asked.
"The answer is no, I already tried asking," Ryo said, waving her off.
"Tch."
Ryo looked around and blinked. The scoff had come from Mikazuki Hyuga, or Mika as everyone is class had called her. Her pale, milky eyes were narrowed toward Sasuke. Her hair was cut short, sticking up a bit in the back and sweep over her face to the left. It was the most interesting thing about her. She had dyed it several different colors, red at the roots, then yellow, then green, then blue, then black at the tips. The style was layered, and the shades seemed to mold into one another.
Mika's clothes were almost as wild as her hair. She wore a blue hooded top with sleeves that reached halfway down her upper arms, opened slightly in the front to reveal a yellow shirt beneath. She wore a red thigh length cloth skirt, under which were white leggings, her kunai pouch tied about her right leg. She had elbow length purple gloves, and her opened toes shoes were blue like her top. Her headband was tied around her waist like a belt.
Ryo had never seen another of the Hyuga Clan dress so brightly.
Mika was one of the few girls immune to Sasuke. In fact, Ryo was certain the girl hated him. Oddly enough, Ryo preferred the girl that hated her brother over the ones that fawned over him.
"Let's go sit down," Ryo urged Sasuke.
He nodded, not even bothering to answer Ino's question before they went and found a table to sit at. It left the girl looking crushed, and Ryo couldn't be more pleased.
Sasuke sat next to the window so the only one who could sit beside him was Ryo. She leaned back in her chair, kicking her feet up on the desk.
"I wonder what our first mission will be!" she said eagerly. "I'm ready to take one anything!"
"I'm ready for you to stop talking," Sasuke muttered.
Ryo shoved his shoulder with her foot.
"Hey Ryo."
Ryo blinked and looked around when a blond boy sat on her other side, smiling.
"Naruto!" she exclaimed, shocked.
She'd thought he'd failed his exams. But there he was, beaming and wearing a headband on his forehead.
Naruto Uzimaki was an interesting one. He'd always been the black sheep of the class. No one really spoke to him much, and when they did it was usually berating or yelling at him for some screw up. He had spiky blond hair, bright blue eyes, and strange uniform lines along his cheeks that almost resembled whiskers. He wore an orange outfit with a high folded over collar on his jacket, and blue open toed shoes.
"Surprised to see me?" he asked smugly. "I passed to Genin yesterday!"
"Well I suppose miracles do happen!" Ryo let out a laugh.
Naruto shot her a glare. "Hey-!" he began but Ryo shoved him with her foot like she had to Sasuke.
"Oh shut up, moron, it's called teasing. Lighten up," she said.
Naruto still looked a little irritated, but he relaxed. "You could have just said congratulations."
"Nah, not as funny as making you all riled up." Ryo beamed.
Sasuke let out a small scoff of irritation. Naruto leaned forward, glaring at him.
"What, something to say?" he snapped.
"Nothing at all," Sasuke muttered.
Naruto looked like he was about to yell, but someone appeared behind him.
"Naruto."
Naruto turned and his blue eyes went wide. "Sakura! Hi!"
Sakura was another of Sasuke's admirers. She had long cherry-blossom pink hair, and wore a red tunic-esc dress with white lining and markings. Sakura tended to have three personalities, Ryo had noticed. There was loving, doting, drooling Sakura when she was around Sasuke. Braniac, "I know everything" Sakura that placed her grades at the top of the class. Then finally, angry, wrathful Sakura, who screamed insults and orders at those who annoyed her. The last one was usually reserved for Ino and Naruto.
"Move your ass!" Sakura ordered, her third self flaring to life. "I want to sit near Sasuke, so get lost!"
Naruto looked crushed. Ryo felt bad for the guy. It was obvious how much he liked Sakura, but she couldn't even give him the time of day.
"Naruto was here first," Ryo said, leaning forward on her elbows to glare at Sakura. "And I'm sitting next to my brother."
She saw the rage ignite Sakura's eyes, which only made Ryo smirk at her. Sakura didn't dare say anything to her, since she was her beloved's sister. It would risk making Sasuke mad.
"Ugh," Sakura grumbled then sat at the table across the aisle from Naruto, folding her arms.
Ryo chuckled and Naruto glanced over at her, looking somehow both grateful and irritated at once.
"You didn't have to do that, Ryo," he said.
"Sure I did, I don't want to sit by her while she drools over my brother," Ryo said before glancing over at Sasuke.
He appeared to have not even noticed the exchange. He was glaring at the chalk board, hands folded before him, lips pressed to his knuckles. Ryo was glad that Sasuke didn't encourage all the girls to fall all over him, but he also couldn't be bothered to tell them to back off. Ryo supposed that's why she was here.
Naruto was suddenly up on the desk. Ryo let out a startled yelp and picked her feet out of the way as Naruto positioned himself in front of Sasuke, glaring at him with his nose a mere inch from his.
"What do you want?" Sasuke demanded, locking eyes with him.
"What makes you so special, huh?" Naruto snapped. "If you ask me, you're just a jerk! Why does Sakura like you so much?"
"Get out of my face," Sasuke snarled.
"Are you guys planning on kissing, or what?" Ryo asked with a laugh, attempting to break the tension.
That was when the boy sitting down in front of Sasuke let out a laugh at a joke his friend told. He leaned back, placing a hand on his head, and bumped right into Naruto's backside.
Ryo gaped as Naruto fell forward, and locked lips with Sasuke.
Their eyes were wide with shock and horror. Sasuke shoved Naruto away from him, spitting in disgust.
"You idiot!" he yelled. "I'm going to kill you!"
"Gah!" Naruto spluttered, wiping his tongue with the back of his gloved hand. "Gross! I think I'm going to throw up!"
Ryo could not keep the laughter down. She held her stomach and leaned back in her chair, her whole body shaking with hysterics.
"I didn't mean it!" she gasped. "But it actually happened- how precious was that timing?!"
"Shut up!" Sasuke barked at her.
"NARUTO!" Sakura roared, rising from her desk in a fury.
"Eep!" Naruto turned to her from where he sat on the table in front of Ryo. "I'm sorry, Sakura, it was an accident!"
"Just sit down, lover boy," Ryo said, grabbing Naruto by the back of his jacket and yanking him into his chair.
A laugh came up and Ryo saw that the boy on the other side of Sakura was practically crying. He finally calmed and looked to Naruto.
"Really, Naruto, kissing the boy my crush likes to make her jealous wouldn't be my first attempt to win her heart!" he said.
This was Kurai Sekai. His flame red hair sat like a disorganized layering of feathers atop his head, and his eyes were as green as summer leaves. Ryo would admit that Kurai was probably one of the most handsome boys in class. He wore his headband peculiarly, the silver plate on the side of his head instead of the front, tied at an angle so most of it was hidden under his hair. He had a sleeveless lavender vest with a black fur lined hood. There was no shirt beneath, showing off a surprisingly toned chest and abs. His arms were bare down to his fingerless black gloves. He wore baggy, pocket laden black pants, his kunai pouch on his left leg. And there was a katana sheathed at his right hip. His open toed shoes were lavender like his hooded vest.
Ryo never got along with Kurai. He infuriated her more times than not. He was way too cocky and arrogant for his own good. He'd come to the Hidden Leaf Village six years ago with his aunt, Akita Sekai. At first, he'd been shy and distant, but about two years ago, he suddenly bloomed. He became so outgoing it was almost invasive and tried to charm every girl around him. When he'd tried it on Ryo, she'd been holding back her fist for the punch but Sasuke had beat her to it.
"Talk to my sister like that again, and you'll have a lot more than just that black eye," he had snarled.
"Shut up, Kurai!" Naruto barked at the redhead. "No one asked you!"
Kurai just laughed again.
"If you're all done goofing off," a voice called from the front of the room, "we're ready to begin your assignments."
Ryo looked forward to see Iruka, their teacher from the academy looking at them with stern eyes. He had deeply tanned skin and dark hair tied back in a wild pony tail, and a thin scar went across the bridge of his nose. The room quieted as everyone settled.
"Alright," Iruka said. "Now, you're all Genin now. But if you think that means you're done learning, you're going to be sorely disappointed. From this point on, all of you will be fitted into teams of three, and assigned to a Jonin as a Sensei that will oversee your missions and train you to better your skills as a Shinobi."
Ryo raised her brows. Teams of three? She didn't expect that.
"Great," Sasuke muttered beside her. "Just people to get in my way."
Ryo elbowed him playfully. "Come on, Sasuke, it could be fun! We might get assigned to the same team!"
"I suppose that would be bearable," Sasuke said.
"Now, the teams are the following," Iruka said.
He listed off the teams one by one. Ryo waited patiently for her name, or one of her friend's names to be called.
"Team Seven," Iruka said. "Naruto Uzimaki."
Naruto perked up beside her.
"Sakura."
Sakura let out an audible groan as Naruto let out a cheer.
"And Sasuke Uchiha."
Now it was Naruto's turn to groan and Sakura's to cheer.
"Great," Sasuke grumbled.
Ryo glanced from Naruto and Sakura then to her brother. "Well, aside from getting stuck with one of your fan girls, I think you and Naruto will make a decent team."
"Hey, Iruka Sensei!" Naruto shouted, leaping to his feet. "What's an upstanding Shinobi like me getting stuck with a loser like that guy for?!" He pointed to Sasuke.
Sasuke's brow twitched and Ryo rubbed her brow.
"Naruto, you graduated at the bottom of the class. Sakura and Sasuke were near the top. We had to even these teams out." Iruka said flatly.
Naruto sank back into his chair, looking devastated.
Iruka named off the next three teams before Ryo's name was called.
"Ryo Uchiha."
Ryo looked up. She must be part of the last team. She'd been zoning off a little when Iruka had called out the first few. She wasn't certain which people in here were still team-less.
"Mikazuki Hyuga," Iruka said. "And Kurai Sekai. You three will make up Team Eleven."
Ryo blinked a few times. Mika? The rainbow haired girl who hardly spoke a word to her? And Kurai? One the last people that she'd ever want to even be in the same room with?!
She planted her head on the desk in despair.
"You got it easy, Sasuke!" she complained.
Sasuke scoffed. "Oh stop whining. There will probably be plenty of times when we have to work with Shinobi we don't like. Might as well get used to it. However..."
Ryo looked over to see Sasuke was leaning forward to glare at Kurai.
"I'm going to have a word with him before we go to meet our Senseis."
Ryo sat up. "Sasuke, don't," she said with a sigh. "Honestly, how will I be taken serious as a Shinobi if you're fighting all my battles for me? If he tries anything, I can punch him just as hard as you can."
Sasuke met her eyes for a moment. She saw the wary look in them. Sasuke had always been very protective over her. They were twins, and the last of their Clan. His reasoning was valid enough. But Ryo had meant what she said.
"I want each of you to go to your assigned rooms to wait for your Sensei," Iruka said, stepping forward and handing a piece of paper to the first of every team he called out. Ryo took her paper and frowned at it. "You will show them respect and listen to what they say. Dismissed."
Ryo got to her feet and glanced at Sasuke.
"Well good luck with your new boyfriend," she said.
Sasuke glared daggers at her and she turned and hopped onto the desk and around Naruto before he could retaliate. She pushed Naruto toward him and took off out of the room, laughing.
"I know, I wish we were assigned to the same team too. But you heard what Iruka Sensei said. They have to even the teams out. Having two Hyuga's on the same one would be way too over powered."
Mika smiled at her younger twin sister in the hall. Hinata was always so shy and timid. It was easy to see why she wanted Mika to stay with her. Hinata had been assigned to an interesting pair of boys. Shino was quiet and unsettling to even be around while Kiba was loud and wild, his little dog always on his shoulder. But Mika had confidence Hinata would be fine with them. If there was one thing Mika prided herself on, it was her judge of character. Shino would be polite, and Kiba would look after a shy adorable girl like Hinata.
Meanwhile Mika was stuck with the class "charmer" and that jackass Sasuke's rambunctious sister.
Hinata met Mika's eyes. She had short hair, like Mika, but hers was a dark, near black gray-puprle. Her eyes were white and pupil-less as all those of the Hyuga Clan's were. She wore a baggy hooded jacket, and her headband hung around her neck.
"I'm just a little nervous," Hinata admitted. "What if my Sensei is really strict?"
"Then you'll show them just how tough you can be!" Mika said, clapping a hand on her sister's shoulder.
Hinata gave her a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. She'd always been nervous. Fighting wasn't something she particularly excelled at, not like Mika. Hinata was to the books, more learned in the ways of what each Jutsu was called and the proper hand signs on how to use them. Carrying them out in combat? That was a different story. Though they'd both been trained since they could walk, Hinata never could grasp the concept. Or she simply didn't want to. Though in a family like the Hyuga Clan, it wasn't an option.
"Hey, rainbow girl!"
Mika turned to see Ryo Uchiha had stepped out of the classroom. She beamed at Mika and beckoned.
"C'mon let's go meet our Sensei!"
Mika wasn't sure how she felt about being called "rainbow girl" but decided it would be best not to waste time. She looked back to her twin.
"I'll see you later, okay?" she said with a smile.
Hinata smiled back and nodded.
Mika turned and went to Ryo. The Uchiha beamed at her, hands on her hips.
"We should make a killer combo, you and me!" she said cheerfully. "The Hyuga's Byakugan with the Uchiha Sharingan! No one could stop us!"
"You can use Sharingan?" Mika asked, raising a brow.
"Well, not yet," Ryo admitted. "But just give me a little time with this new training and I know I'll get it down!"
Mika had to admit, she didn't mind Ryo. She was bubbly and hyper and happy all the time. It was someone Mika could easily get along with. But she was also sister to Sasuke Uchiha.
Ugh, Sasuke...
Every girl in the school liked him- no- drooled over him- worshiped him! And he was a total douche bag! He was rude, arrogant, inconsiderate, and all around a jackass. How the girls could like him, Mika would never understand. She was glad that her sister, Hinata seemed immune to him. She didn't know what she'd do if Hinata started tripping over herself every time she saw Sasuke.
Mika wanted to be friends with Ryo. But how could she when she hated her brother?
"Well, well, well, ladies."
An arm fell around Mika's shoulders, and she saw the same person drape their other arm around Ryo, pulling her close. Kurai Sekai's flame red hair was glaring when Mika turned to face him.
"Now that we're in a team together, I just want you sweeties to know that I'll take care of everything. No need to fight and get hurt, you just let Kurai here take care of you."
WAM!
In the same motion, Mika and Ryo slammed their fists into Kurai's face, sending him sailing backward. Kurai landed on the ground hard, gripping his face and groaning.
"Ah, come on!" he moaned. "That was hardly fair!"
"So where's this classroom we're supposed to meet our Sensei in?" Mika asked Ryo, completely ignoring Kurai as he struggled to his feet.
Ryo looked at her paper, "Room 13. Second floor! Let's go!" She beamed and led the way at a brisk pace toward the stairs.
Mika fell in after her, and Kurai called out, "Wait up!" before following.
They waited in the room, Ryo sitting on the teacher's desk cross-legged, Mika leaning against one of the student desks with her arms folded, and Kurai sitting on the windowsill with one leg dangling outside.
"I wonder which Jonin we'll get!" Ryo said cheerfully, leaning back on the heels of her hands and staring starry-eyed at the ceiling. "Someone really tough and strict? Maybe someone who's great at strategy! Or maybe even someone super renowned!"
Kurai looked over at them. "I hope it's Kakashi."
Mika raised a brow toward the redhead. "You know Kakashi?"
"Who doesn't know the Copy Ninja?" Kurai said with a big grin. "And sure I know Kakashi. He and my aunt are good friends."
"Wasn't it Kakashi who brought you and your aunt to the Hidden Leaf Village?" Ryo asked, looking at him upside down as she switched to leaning on her elbows.
"Yeah." Kurai's smile couldn't have gotten bigger. "He's a great Shinobi. Probably the best there is!"
Mika noted how different Kurai seemed talking about Kakashi. It was like all his "charmer" pretenses fell away, leaving behind a star-struck boy. She realized she didn't mind this side to the redhead.
"Well Kakashi or not," Ryo said. "I can't wait to meet our Sensei, whoever they are!"
"Good to hear."
The new voice caused Kurai to wail in shock and fall into the classroom with a thud. Mika looked over to see why. A woman was looking in from the window he'd been seated at, her head hanging upside down into view. She flipped over gracefully and slid into the classroom, careful to avoid stepping on Kurai as she did so.
The first thing Mika noticed was the flame red hair kept up in a pony tail. It was the exact same color as Kurai's.
"You're Akita Sekai," Mika said before she knew what she was doing. "Kurai's aunt."
Akita looked over at her. Most of her face was hidden by a black cloth mask. It was unnerving somewhat. Her lavender eyes were calm, almost cold.
"Yes," was her only response.
"Oh wow!" Ryo rolled over and off the teacher's desk and grinned at Akita. "That means you're from the Village Hidden in the Mist! I bet you know all sorts of cool Jutsu!"
"I suppose one could say that," Akita said, looking at each of them as Kurai got to his feet.
"Sheesh, Aunt Kita, you didn't have to scare the crap out of me," he said, rubbing the shoulder he'd crashed on.
"You should be more alert." Akita said, her cold stare locking onto him for a moment before she looked to Mika and Ryo. "I already know my nephew, Kurai. Can you two tell me your names?"
Mika stood up a little straighter. Jonin were powerful Shinobi, and demanded respect. She'd been taught that her whole life.
"Mikazuki Hyuga, Sensei," she said with a bow of her head. "But most just call me Mika."
"Very well, Mika." Akita nodded and looked to Ryo expectantly
Ryo smiled widely. "Ryo Uchiha. Sadly my name is already too short to get a nickname out of. Can you imagine people calling me Ri?"
"Not a bad idea, actually," Kurai said with a wink.
"Don't you dare!" Ryo pointed threateningly toward him.
"I see my nephew has already attempted his charm and wit out on you girls," Akita said with a small sigh. "I suppose I should count myself lucky you both seem immune. Why didn't Iruka put you in a team with two girls?" She looked at Kurai with her eyes narrowed
Kurai beamed up at his aunt. "Because he knows how to help a guy out."
Akita let out a tight breath through her nostrils before stepping into the center of the room. "I want to assure you girls that though Kurai is my nephew, he will be receiving no special treatment from me. From here on, I am your Sensei, and you three are my students, each just as valuable as the other. I plan on training you three to be as effective as a team as you are on your own. We'll come up with strategies and tactics that flatter your strengths. And most of all, we will work towards making all of you stronger and more efficient Shinobi."
Akita looked at each of them one at a time. Mika almost felt like she was going to be turned to ice on the spot.
"However," her new Sensei said. "Before we can do any of that, the three of you must pass a test."
"Huh?" Ryo blinked. "But we did just pass a test! A lot of them! It's called graduating from the academy!"
"You have," Akita said. "But those tests were to show you were capable of Jutsu, knew the hand signs, and understood the concepts of Chakra. It did not test you on how to implement them in actual combat and missions. Tomorrow, the three of you will meet me on the east side of the village at the crack of dawn."
"Dawn?!" Kurai cried. "Come on, Aunt Kita, that's way too early!"
"Yeah, that seems a little extreme," Ryo muttered, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Very well," Mika said.
All eyes went to her. She felt a cocky grin come to her lips.
"Don't the two of you want to prove yourselves as Shinobi? This is our chance," she said.
Akita set her gaze on her. "Eager. That's good. But careful it does not give way to arrogance."
"Alright," Ryo sighed, then looked up at Akita. "So what is this test going to be about?"
Akita looked down at her. "It wouldn't be a test if I gave you details. As a Shinobi you must be prepared for anything."
Kurai groaned.
"I have confidence in you all," Akita said, voice still calm and even. "Remember, tomorrow, as soon as the sun begins to rise, east edge of the village. If you're late..." She began to walk out of the room and glanced back at the last moment. "You fail."
Kurai was blurry eyed and yawning as he made his way toward the east edge of the village. The sky was beginning to lighten with dawn's approach. The crisp scent of dew hung around him, and a light breeze toyed with his fiery red hair.
He knew being a Shinobi wasn't going to be all fun and games, but he hadn't counted on this early of starts so soon. Kurai was not built for mornings. He adored sleep, and this was seriously cutting into his shut-eye time.
When Kurai had first registered that his Aunt Akita was going to be his Sensei, he knew it was in trouble. Akita had helped train him for the past years, even before they came to the Hidden Leaf Village. And every single training session had been hell. A phrase from his good friend Shikamaru popped into his head.
"Man, what a drag," he said out loud before chuckling a little at himself.
Kurai tapped the hilt of his katana as he walked. It was the only piece of his parents he had left. Akita told him his father, her brother, called the sword Shinoyami. It meant death by darkness. Kurai thought that was a little over the top, but he refused to call it anything else. It's hilt and blade were both black as night, and the bindings on it were red in color, like his hair. It was shorter than a standard katana by about two inches. Kurai had long since perfected wielding it with Akita's assistance.
Finally, he reached the edge of the village. Along here was the tree line of the forest that hugged around the village, their trunks dark and looming in the near darkness. There was only one other figure here.
"Hey, Mika," Kurai greeted through a yawn.
The Hyuga girl was cross armed and leaning against a tree. Her rainbow hair gleamed lightly in the coming light of dawn. Her milky eyes met his and narrowed suspiciously. Kurai suppressed a chuckle. His first attempt at charming these ladies hadn't gone so well. He was thinking that he was going to need a more subtle approach. Otherwise, he was going to get clocked across the face again.
"So, you ready for whatever crazy scheme my Aunt has come up with?" he asked, going to the tree beside her and leaning back against it.
"I'm ready for anything," Mika said evenly, setting her eyes up on the paling sky.
"Hm," Kurai yawned once more and glanced toward the village. "I wonder where Aunt Kita is. And Ryo."
"Ryo seems the type to be a late riser," Mika said. "As far as Akita Sensei goes, I'm sure you would know more than I."
There was a slight bitterness in her tone for the last part. Kurai glanced over at her. "You sound like you have a something to say."
Mika flashed him a irritated look. "I just think that your aunt being our Sensei might lead to some conflict of interest."
Kurai couldn't help but laugh. He shook his head at her and slid to sit at the base of the tree. "Oh if you think Aunt Kita is going to go easy on me, then you've never seen the two of us interact. Aunt Kita has never given me special treatment. I mean sure, she looks out for me, but she pushes me more in training than Iruka Sensei ever did. If anything, I'll be the underdog in this team."
Mika didn't look convinced. Kurai rolled his eyes.
"Come on, she said so herself that I wouldn't be getting any special treatment."
"Talk is cheap," Mika said.
"That it is."
Both of them startled when Akita fell from the trees overhead and landed between them. She glanced between them, gaze calculating.
"Good morning Mika. Kurai," she said.
"Good morning Akita Sensei," Mika bowed her head then blinked. "Were you up there the whole time?"
"I have," Akita replied.
Mika looked bewildered. "I didn't see you."
"Don't look so distraught," Akita said, glancing away from her and down the path they'd come from, looking for Ryo perhaps. "You didn't use your Byakugan."
"I suppose not..." Mika muttered.
"WAAAAIIT!"
Kurai blinked in surprise as he turned to see Ryo running toward them. She had her jacket only half on and her long black hair was a mess.
"You're all here then," Akita said as Ryo came to a halt beside them, panting, hands on her knees. "You should plan your mornings with more care, Ryo."
"I'm sorry," Ryo gasped. "My alarm clock didn't go off. I think I forgot to set it or something, I don't know. Sasuke woke me. It won't happen again Akita Sensei!"
Akita stared at her for a moment. Ryo looked like she was going to burst. Kurai had been on the end of that glare of Akita's before. It was not pleasant.
"I suppose in this case it's a moot point," Akita finally said. "It isn't sunup yet."
Just as she spoke, the first glare of the sun's rays pierced through the trees. Akita looked over her shoulder at the glare with a smile.
"Now it's sunup," she said, then reached into a small pouch at her hip.
From it, the Jonin produced three short ribbons of fabric. One was red, one was blue, and one was yellow.
"Here is your test," Akita said.
She handed the red ribbon to Ryo, the blue ribbon to Mika, and finally the yellow ribbon to Kurai. He took it with a frown.
"What are these for?" he asked.
Akita produced a second set of the ribbons. She tied the red one to her forearm, the blue one to her ankle, and the yellow one around her ponytail.
"Listen carefully," Akita said, pulling the yellow ribbon tight. "I'm only going to explain the rules once. I want you each to tie that ribbon to yourself, I don't care where. Your goal is to get the matching piece from me."
"Sounds simple enough," Mika said, tying the blue cloth to her forearm.
"I'm not finished," Akita replied bluntly. "The only way that you can pass is if all three of you pass. You have until midnight tonight to get your ribbon. If even a single one of you does not have your piece, you all lose."
"What?" Ryo cried. "But that's not fair! What if we're better than the others?"
Mika shot the girl a glare and Kurai scoffed.
"Sweetheart, you don't have to worry about that," he said. "I'm far from dead weight, and Mika there is from the Hyuga Clan."
"Whatever, you don't know anything about her Clan, you thought she was blind the first time you met!" Ryo snapped.
Kurai laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh yeah. I forgot about that. What can I say? The weird pupil-less milky eyes seem like they can't see!"
Mika was glaring daggers at the both of them now.
"The reason for this exercise is not just to test your skills as a Shinobi," Akita said. "It's to test your skills as a team. You three will be working together until you ascend to Chunin. And that can be anywhere from one year to ten. So I suggest you start by learning to get along with one another."
Her voice was calm as it always was, but Kurai could sense the ice in it. The three of them all bowed their heads slightly and refocused their attention on her.
"Now then." Akita folded her arms. "A few last rules. If you so much as touch a ribbon that is not of your color, you get a penalty point, and the ribbon is automatically reset. If you accumulate up to five penalty points, you lose. If I take your ribbon, you gain a penalty point, and you must reattain it from me, as well as the other ribbon matching your color, in order to pass."
Kurai thought his head was going to start spinning. In all honesty, he shouldn't be surprised. Akita had been brutal when it came to training tactics ever since the incident six years back. But this was extensive. Only five penalty points and they were screwed? Damn.
"We will break at noon for an hour for lunch," Akita went on, turning her gaze to the trees. "I brought packed meals for each of you. But other than that, you will be using everything you can in order to obtain your ribbon from me. There are no rules other than the ones I laid down for you. Our arena shall be the forest you see behind me. I'm going in, and you will allow me ten seconds before pursuing. And be warned..." She shote a glare back at them. "I will know if you cheat."
Kurai knew all too well. Akita was one of the best Shinobi in the village. One thing she excelled at was remaining hidden out of sight. Though with Mika's Byakugan, they might stand a chance.
"I'm ready," the Hyuga Clan girl said, pushing her rainbow colored bangs from her blank eyes.
"Yeah!" Ryo said excitedly, fixing her hair up in a ponytail with her red ribbon.
Kurai fastened his around his left wrist, pulling the knot with his teeth, then offered his aunt a smile. "Whenever you're ready, Aunt Kita."
Akita looked between each of them one last time. Kurai could have sworn her mask twitched a little, suggesting a smile. Those were rare for her. Then she darted up into the trees and out of sight. Kurai didn't even hear her retreat.
The three of them stood there, waiting.
"Should we come up with some kind of plan?" Ryo suggested.
"I'd suggest we stick together," Kurai said with a small, nervous laugh.
"My Byakugan should be able to find her," Mika said. "Kurai? You're familiar with her techniques, I assume?"
Kurai glanced over at her. He did not miss the contempt in her voice. "I'll tell you this much," he said. "If Aunt Kita wants to stay hidden, she'll stay hidden."
Mika looked into the trees. A cocky smirk came to her lips. "Well, she's obviously not tried to hide from a Hyuga Clan member before."
Mika raised her hands to the sides of her face and flared her fingers out to the sides of her eyes.
"Byakugan!" she cried.
A thin outline appeared in her eyes where her pupil would normally be, and the veins around her eyes bulged out.
"Stay on my tail," she instructed.
It had easily been ten seconds. With sharp nods at one another, they leapt into the forest.
