"Today we're going to review the Transformation Jutsu again. At the end of the lesson, I'll call you up in groups of four, and you are to attempt to transform into something. What you transform into today is up to you." Izumo smiled. "The group with the most creative Transformations get a free meal coupon for Ichiraku Ramen."

As the classroom chatter resumed; each of the students comparing ideas for the competition at the end of the lesson, Izumo looked down the register on his desk. "We're going to need some space for practicing, so in a short while, we'll be working outside. Before that, I'm going to put you in groups of four."

Tenten turned in her seat. "So, Allia, what do you think you'll try and transform into?"

"The prize goes to the most creative ones, right?" Allia replied. "I'll definitely pick something really cool!" She grinned confidently, and sat back in her seat, thinking of things she could do. "I know! How about a dragon?"

"No way. That'd be way to difficult, even for someone as clever as Neji. Especially since you do have a lot of difficulties with Ninjutsu techniques." Tenten waved the idea aside. "Try something smaller. And cuter. I'm thinking of trying a puppy. Because puppies are adorable."

"Well in that case, I'll try a kitten. Everyone knows cats are better than dogs."

Tenten laughed. "Good thing we don't have anyone in here from the Inuzuka clan to hear you say that."

"But it's true!" said Allia indignantly. "For starters, they don't leave their poop lying around-"

"Eww, that's gross, Allia." Tenten wrinkled her nose in mock disgust.

"…Group number five. Tenten. Allia…" Izumo announced.

"Cool, we're in the same group." Tenten grinned. "I won't lose to you, Allia."

"…Kiku and Rock Lee." Izumo finished.

Tenten groaned slightly. "But he can't do any jutsus. Now we've no chance of winning…"

"Don't say that so loud." Allia said, elbowing her in the side. "He might hear you and that's a little unkind."

Tenten was about to reply with a complaint, but was interrupted.

"If you'd all be so kind as to get into your assigned groups, we'll go outside to practice," called Izumo. "There will be plenty of opportunity to discuss your ideas once you're there, so please remain quiet until then."

The students stood as one, and began moving around into their respective groups. Tenten and Allia were soon joined by Kiku, a small and shy girl with dark brown hair, and Lee followed behind. Wordlessly, the class followed Izumo out of the room and out into the grounds.

When they reached the running track, Izumo stopped.

"I'd like you all to spread out so each group isn't able to cheat from each other."

Tenten lead the group to nearest corner of the track area, and promptly sat down.

"We all know what's at stake here, don't we?" she began, as the others joined her in sitting on the floor. "Not just a free meal at Ichiraku's, but victory." She looked round at each member of the group intently. Allia returned the gaze with her own look of determination, Kiku's eyes quickly fell to staring at the floor, and Lee didn't even try to make eye contact. He simply fiddled with a small pebble on the ground, rolling it around under his fingers.

"The three of us girls," Tenten continued, "We have to prove that we can be just as good as the boys are. Kiku, you're one of the top Ninjutsu students in our class…" Kiku blushed heavily at the compliment. "I'm fairly confident that I'll be okay, but you Allia, you're kind of shaky at this, aren't you? Reckon you can pull it off?"

"I can't make any promises, but I'll try my best." Allia replied. She looked across at Lee, who was still fiddling with the pebble. "What about you, Lee?"

He sighed and looked up. "You all know that no matter how hard I try, I can't do a transformation. Or any jutsus, for that matter."

"We have plenty of time to practice before the end of the lesson." Allia prompted. "Who knows, maybe you'll pull it off this time. You'll never know if you don't try, right?" She stood up, dusting off the backs of her trousers. "You know the saying, don't you? Seven times down, eight times up?"

Lee got to his feet too, and grinned. "What have I got to lose?"

Allia turned to Tenten and Kiku, who remained seated. "If we both mess up, it'll be down to you two to save the team. I'll try my best, and I'm sure Lee will too, but we aren't guaranteed to be successful like you guys are. I'm sorry in advance if I mess up."

Tenten nodded. "I won't hold it against you." She looked back at Kiku. "Right, we need to decide on a theme…"

Allia and Lee walked a short distance from the other two.

"So you're Rock Lee, right? I don't think we've spoken before, have we?" Allia noticed his attention was slightly divided. He was staring at the pair of cat-like ears poking out from her lilac hair.

"If you think those are weird," she said in a bored voice, "Wait until you see my tail."

Lee snapped out of his abstraction, and apologized. "I am so sorry. I didn't mean to be rude."

Allia laughed. "Don't worry about it. I've had far worse, believe me." She put her hands on her hips and shook her head in mock annoyance. "You'd think people would be used to it by now. People like me have been living here for generations. Hey, you know what I think?" she grinned, folding her arms. "They're just jealous, because I'm obviously the most awesomest thing since awesome."

Lee laughed as well. "Is 'awesomest' even a word?"

"It is now." She held out her right hand. "My name is Allia, and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."

Lee shook her hand uncertainly. "Pleased to make your acquaintance as well."

"To business!" Allia said. "Is it true? That you really can't do any Ninjutsus or Genjutsus?"

The smile disappeared from Lee's face, and he slumped slightly.

"I'm sorry, I didn't meant to be so abrupt or insensitive." Allia added when she noticed his discomfort. "But I guess that makes two of us then."

"Huh?" Lee looked up in disbelief.

"Well, it takes so much effort and energy out of me just to produce a single illusionary clone that I might as well not be able to do so at all. My success rate is a little less than one in five."

'So I'm not so different after all…' Lee thought to himself.

"Ah! I've got it!" Allia blurted out. "We'll transform into each other!"

"How?" said Lee, puzzled. "I can't do Ninjutsu, or Genjutsu, and you said you can't either."

"We'll do it like this." Allia slipped a hand into the pocket of her trousers and began rifling around. She pulled out many things in the process; pieces of crumpled up paper, a few sweet wrappers, and a pencil sharpener. A few minutes later, she held up a white round ball in triumph.

"A smoke bomb?" Lee asked sceptically.

"You're not thinking like a ninja." Allia grinned impishly. "We drop this when it's our group's turn, and simply switch places with each other. When we 'Transform' back, we drop a second one, and switch back."

"I do not think the sensei would fall for something like that though."

"You're forgetting the most important thing here. Marks for creativity."

"Should we tell Tenten about this?"

"Yeah, good idea, Lee. Maybe we can get her and Kiku to Transform into each other to make ours look more in place. You know, a group theme."

Allia walked back to Tenten and Kiku's spot, Lee followed close behind. Tenten stood up to greet them, as did Kiku.

"Tenten, have you and Kiku decided what you'll Transform into?" asked Allia.

"We have a couple of ideas, but Kiku said it'd be better to discuss them as a whole group. What about you two?"

Allia held up the two smoke bombs in reply.

"…Smoke bombs?" said Tenten uncertainly. "You're going to use smoke bombs?"

"Yes. We'll pretend to Transform into each other, under the cover of the smoke. It'd be less weird if you and Kiku Transform into each other as well."

"Come on, Allia. Do you honestly think the sensei will fall for that?" Tenten put her hands on her hips and sighed exasperatedly. "What if you get into big trouble for it?"

"Can't be worse than what we'll get if we don't Transform at all." The grin had vanished from Allia's face, and was replaced with a more serious expression. "I'm sure Lee would agree."

Tenten looked from Allia to Lee, and then to Kiku. "What do you think, Kiku?" she asked a few moments later.

"What have we got to lose?" said Kiku with a small smile. "Sensei has a sense of humour, maybe we'll get marks for creativity?"

"See, Lee? I told you so." Allia said confidently. "Kiku agrees with me."