Beep. Beep. Beep.

Grrr… stupid alarm clock

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Ok, Ok… I'll be up in a minute…

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

SLAM.

Oops…

There goes my third one. Why do they break so easily? Now I have to buy another one.

Slowly, I sat up out of bed, yawning and rubbing my eyes. Morning already… I could hear the birds chirping outside. That confirmed it was morning. I smiled, looking up. Well time to get up then.

With that, I leaped out of bed and headed to the bathroom to wash up. After that, went to my closet. Hmm… what to wear today?

I'll go with blue. I grinned pulling it out. Blue it was. I liked it, especially with the black flowers at the bottom.

I then continued to put on the rest of my clothes. After combing through my hair, I debated where to wear my headband. I stopped hearing the water running downstairs and someone washing the dishes. With a grin, I just tied it on my forehead then headed downstairs to where I found Granny. She was in the kitchen with her back towards the entrance, by the sink. I smiled as I walked over.

"Morning Granny!" I greeted her with a kiss to the cheek and then stepped back to let her turn around.

"Good morning, Kasumi. Why must you always wear those type of clothes?" she sighed greeting me. I couldn't help but giggle as I walked over to the shoe rack to grab my sandals. Here we go again… Granny's mocking my wardrobe.

"Why not wear a kimono like all the other normal girls?" she went on. I just sighed.

"I can't go around fighting in a kimono Granny." I replied as I put on my shoes. In a way I was wearing a kimono — a kimono blouse, to be exact. It stopped mid-thighs and I wore legging under it. I don't know why Granny didn't approve of this. It was better than what others wore.

"Hmph, I still don't understand why you want to be a ninja, when you could live a regular life at home?" Granny scoffed turning around. I just smiled shaking my head. Says the former ninja herself…

"Hey did Gramps already leave?" I asked randomly.

Granny nodded, "He left early because he had a mission and he wanted to talk with your Sensei before leaving. That old man's gotta watch it. Not good for his health to be this active. He needs to retire." Another one of her rants.

"Uh huh…" I nodded. Aww that can't be good… wonder what he wants with his former student…

"Well I gotta go now, later Granny!" I called to her from the door.

"You be careful now." She warned.

"Yes Grandma, I'll be fine." I replied heading out.

I was welcomed to the morning breeze. I smiled looking up at the sky, allowing the breeze to pass through my hair. If only it were longer, then I would probably feel it lift up from the wind, but nah. I don't want long hair, just because I know it would get in the way. Opening my eyes, I remembered that Sensei would be expecting us soon.

Better get going then.

Of course, Sensei had to chose the weirdest places to meet. I mean seriously, Ichiraku Ramen Bar? Not that I minded that. I mean I could get something good to eat while waiting. Haha Naruto, I bet your sensei doesn't do that. I smirked to myself. I could imagine his face when he would hear this. I was going to have to tell him soon, except the thing was, I hadn't seen Naruto for a while now. In fact, I barely saw him anymore. Then again, I didn't get to see any of them as much. It was mostly because we were all training. I mean I realized how much we had to learn when I was assigned to my group. There wasn't much time to socialize.

The smell of ramen noodles caught my attention. Ah, yes. The wonderful smell of ramen. I was so tempted to get that for breakfast, but I knew if wouldn't be a smart idea. That would be unhealthy.

"Hey Kasumi, welcome." Ayame greeted me as I entered the restaurant.

"Hiya Ayame! How are you?" I greeted her as I sat down on one of the stools.

"I'm well thank you. How about you?" she replied smiling.

I smiled, "Eh you know. The usual."

Ayame giggled at my response, shaking her head. I looked around the place. As usual, I was the first to arrive to the meeting place first. Not even Sensei made it on time, ever.

"Well, well, if it isn't one of my favorite customers. Kasumi." A deeper voice spoke up. I looked up to see Teuchi appearing from the back.

"Hiya Teuchi." I waved to him cheerfully.

"How's it going?" he asked.

"Meh pretty good. Hey, can I get some breakfast please? I haven't eaten yet." I added. It was true. Why eat breakfast, when we're meeting at a ramen shop? Besides, not like I'm paying for this or anything. I'll let Sensei do that.

"Coming right up!" Ayame replied.

"So, where you headed to now?" Teuchi asked.

"Eh… I don't know… Sensei said we're meeting here." I replied.

"Here huh? Wonder what Genma has planned for you." He thought scratching his chin. Yep Genma Sensei is our teacher. He's an ok guy; actually, I think he's pretty cool. (He always buys me ramen.) But besides that, he's laid back, pretty easy, kinda lazy at times, but that gets made up when training.

"Oh look, here comes one of your teammates." Ayame spoke up. I turned to see Satoshi Hideaki entering the bar. As usual he had a fowl face and his red hair, always covers his eyes. Ugh… what does he get out having his hair like that? Then again, I wasn't one to talk. My hair was always getting in my face.

"Hiya Seto." I smiled waving to him.

"Morning." He replied sitting a seat down from me.

Seto was what some called: the dark cloud of the group. Seriously, always grumpy, and thinking he's all that. But he's not all that of a jerk. Seto was a cool guy. Just a little quiet, he lived with his uncle, who was some sort political man with lots of manners and I guess that's why Seto was like that. Ah well… I don't know, Granny always tries to make me all lady-like, and settle down with a normal life, but I wanna be a well known ninja throughout the country.

"So I'm guessing, Kiri and Genma aren't here yet?" he asked.

"Nope, Kiri's probably still asleep, and who knows about Sensei." I replied.

Seto just nodded. "I'll take whatever." He said to Teuchi.

"So you too?" I smirked glancing at him.

"Psht, I'm not paying, so why not?" he replied.

"Heeey…" I looked up to see a half-asleep Tatsuya Kushimaru, my third teammate.

"Hiya Kiri!" I grinned waving to him.

He just gave me a blank stare. "How are you this hyper already?"

I just broaden my grin in response.

Tatsuya was by far the laziest person ever. Well…except Shikamaru that is. I don't know who's lazier. Maybe we should have a lazy contest to see who would win.

"Can I have whatever they took?" he asked Teuchi, pointing to us.

Teuichi nodded heading back.

Our breakfast came and we all dug in. As usual it was the best thing ever. Kiri finished first and just sat there, staring down at the empty bowl. Seriously, he's lazy yet when eating, he's done first.

"So tired…" Tatsuya complained burying his head in his arms.

"Don't you dare start with your whining," Seto suddenly spoke up.

Here we go again…

"What's up with you, Mr. Grumpy?" Tatsuya asked, lifting his head to look at him with one eye opened.

Every morning…

"I'm sick and tired of you always complaining about the same thing." he replied with his arms crossed.

"Oh yeah? And I'm sick and tired of you thinking you're the best out of all of us." Tatsuya growled getting up.

"And once again…" I mumbled to myself. The sun wasn't even fully up yet and they're at it. It's always like this. Ever since we were first grouped together, the two were always going at it. I don't know what the Hokage was thinking grouping us up like this.

Seto was then smirking, as he leaned back, crossing his arms, "hmph, it's the truth."

And now Kiri is gonna retort him.

"Well too bad you're the only one who thinks that," Tatsuya frowned. Seto will challenge him. Seto narrowed his eyes looking at him. They both stood staring each other down. Seto was about to speak, but he was interrupted.

"Hey, I don't want any fuss in here now." Teuchi spoke up.

"Outside then." Seto offered. Tatsuya nodded.

I looked at both of them. As usual, they were serious. "Guys…? I don't think we should-"

"Stay out of this Kasumi!" they both growled.

"Hmph." I pouted crossing my arms. Why do I even bother trying to break up their fights? They always ignore anything I have to say.

"Alright guys, enough." a lazy voice entered the shop. Phew finally.

"It's about time Sensei." I remarked looking at him. He stood there in front of the curtain with his hands in his pockets, casually chewing on his senbon. But that was annoying. He should be getting mad at them for causing a scene at Ichiraku. However, that's not going to happen. Instead he'sgonna make up an excuse as to why he was late. It probably had to do with Lord Hokage or losing his precious senbon that he's always chewing on…

"Sorry, I had to do something for Lord Hokage first." He explained, giving me an apologetic smile.

See what I mean? I know this team best.

Sensei then looked over at the other two, "hey, Kiri, Seto, enough. It's been a month now and you're still at it."

"Hmph." was all Tatsuya said as he sat back down.

We call him Kiri. We as in everyone in Konoha, minus some actual mature people, call him that, because Tatsuya is an exchange student. He's from the Village Hidden in the Mist, or Kirigakure, which is where he got the name, "Kiri." It's mostly used as an insult though, which is why he's always pissed at Seto, or anyone really who calls him that. But, how I am, I always get away with it. I swear I'm lucky like that. You seriously don't wanna to get on his bad side. Eh, but I always do. And Seto always is.

Like I've said, I get away with not getting beat up, unlike poor Satoshi Hideaki. See, I have a nickname for everyone. Satoshi's 'Seto,' Genma Sensei's 'Sensei,' and Tatsuya's 'Kiri.'

"Seriously, morning's barely begun and you're at it," he sighed shaking his head, "and I was hoping this mission would go peacefully."

"Another mission?" I asked. Hopefully this one would be more fun.

"Why do have a bad feeling about this?" Seto sighed.

"You always have a bad feeling about it, Seto. Now come on, hurry up and eat so we can go." Sensei replied.

"I'm done!" I announced placing down my bowl. "I'll be right back, I have to pack some things!" I said heading out. Just as expected, Seto and Tatsuya did the same, leaving Sensei to have to pay.

"Oh no you don't." Suddenly he appeared in front of me, causing me to crash into him. I let out a yelp falling to the ground. Seto and Tatsuya came to a stop next to me.

"Ugh… you're too fast." Tatsuya groaned.

"This time, you guys are paying for yourself." he replied with his hands in his pocket.

Tatsuya let out a whine, "Aww come on Boss, just this…" he stopped when he saw Sensei's gaze.

"You ordered it, so you pay." He replied.

"But my precious money!" Tatsuya protested.

Sensei just shrugged. "Not an excuse. Now go pay." he ordered all of us.

I sighed getting up and started walking back.

We arrived back at the bar where Teuchi stood with an amused face.

"Get caught didn't we?"

"Ugh… he's too fast." Seto groaned, digging in his pocket.

"He was ready for us that time." I added as I got my money out. We both placed it on the counter then turned to Tatsuya.

"You gonna pay or what?"

"I'm short a couple ryo." he frowned looking at his empty wallet.

"Here…" I sighed getting out the rest of the money he needed.

"Awe sweet, that's Umi, I owe you." he smiled, but he was suddenly frowning, "Dam… I owe you one."

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" I demanded with my arms crossed.

"You know I hate being in debts," he replied.

"Well next time don't waste your money then," Seto spoke up before I could retort. "Now come on. Sensei is waiting," he went on and headed out of the shop.

I couldn't help but giggle at the face, Kiri made behind Seto's back as he left. After paying we both followed back to where Sensei was waiting.

"Everyone paid?" he asked us and when we nodded he continued, "Good. Now on for the mission. Shall we?"

We all just nodded following him.

"So Boss mana, what mission did you get us this time?" Kiri asked as we headed for the entrance of the village. Why can't he just call him 'Sensei?'

"There's a farm a village over," Sensei started.

"And…" It was Seto that spoke and looking over, he looked annoyed that Sensei wasn't explaining things right away. Then again, Sensei always did that. He would always lead us on like so.

"The old man that owns the farm is at the hospital with a sprained ankle. He's supposed to come back in three days. His wife has requested that we help for a while," he explained.

"And just how long is a while?" Kiri asked. The annoyance was pretty obvious in his voice.

Sensei shrugged, "Two weeks."

"What?!" we all exclaimed looking at him.

"Come on, it's not that bad." Sensei replied casually, clearly expecting our reaction.

"Not that bad?" Kiri echoed, "Boss, we're gonna be stuck on a freakin' farm for two weeks!"

"That's what he said, retard." Seto muttered. They glared at each other. Honestly, both him and Seto were the same. When waken up before they usually do, which is way after noon, they can be very grumpy.

"Hey, better than the mission Kakashi's group was sent on. They have to walk dogs." he replied chewing his senbon.

"What's wrong with walking dogs?" I asked.

Sensei looked over at me with a raised brow, when I asked that, "don't you hate dogs?"

I instantly shook my head with my brows furrowed, "no… what made you think that?"

"Well I assumed based on how you act with the Inuzuka kid," he explained.

I blinked and then realized what he meant, "Oh that!" I gave a small giggle, as I scratched the back of my head, "He's different. I love Akamaru. Kiba on the other hand is a different story. He's mean."

Genma just nodded his head slowly, "right… Well anyways, it's not like I chose this mission. Lord Hokage gave it to me."

Ugh Lord Hokage…

"Seriously? Lord Hokage this, Lord Hokage that, do you want him to die already," Kiri asked.

"Hey watch it." Sensei warned, "You all should get some respect for him. He's done a lot for this village."

"Yeah, yeah." Tatsuya sighed rolling his eyes.

"Says the one who's always complaining about him." Seto muttered. Obviously, both were thinking along the same line as me, though I would never ask for the Hokage's death.

Sensei sighed, shaking his head. "Look I'll make you a deal, do this, and I'll give you a week to sleep all you want," he offered.

"But I don't sleep that much?" I protested.

"Fine, I'll buy you ramen." he replied.

"Okay, I'm in!" I chimed.

"Yeah same here." Kiri grinned.

"I guess that works." Seto nodded.

Genma Sensei just sighed looking away, "I'm spoiling you guys with bribes."

"You're problem for not knowing how to handle kids. Not ours," Seto replied as he marched on.