The Green Beast and the Hothead Princess

By: Phoenix

Chapter One: Rough First Meeting

"Sakura-sama is NOT lazy! Take that back you pain in the ass!"

"Ha! That Sakura is useless! She couldn't even save her love from his own drive for revenge!"

"Shut up!"

I am sick of this already, and I had just gotten here a few seconds ago.

Why did Lady Tsunade stick me with a team again? Right. I'm "uniquely suited" for this team, even though two of them were chunin already. Apparently, some of the brats still need a mentor to keep them from biting each others' heads off. As a result of this, I now have on my hands two chunin nearly ready to throttle each other, and another who was staring dreamily off into the distance with her Byakugan activated. Ugh. It was like a drug for Ayumu.

I mentally assessed what were supposed to be my new proteges.

Rose Haruno, age sixteen, was cousin to the now famous medical ninja in training Sakura Haruno. While the latter had drive to improve herself, Rose had barely scraped by at the last Chuunin Exams with her previous team before the whole wars mess started. Her long pink hair pulled back into a ponytail high on her head, her ample bosom heaving with fury, the normally laconic kunoichi was now arguing heatedly with Youko. Her normally calm (I assumed that she was normally cool-headed because the profile had listed her so) emerald green eyes were now sparking green fire at the blue-haired kunoichi in front of her. Her hands were waving crazily, and Rose looked ready to kill Youko for insulting her cousin.

Right. That was what this whole mess had started with; I'm taking a shot in the dark since I wasn't witness to it. Youko had to go and shoot her mouth off again about Sakura Haruno. Apparently Rose was very, very touchy about her clan-mates. And the bluenette just HAD to push Rose's buttons.

Youko Shizuka. I almost despaired of making the younger girl listen. She sure doesn't at home, that was for sure, I reflected grouchily. The genin (she didn't pass at the last Chuunin Exams) just loved making my life all the damn harder. I knew her best, as she was my (adopted) daughter. Add that to the fact that no other (sane) jounin would have her, and I was stuck with her on my new team. Youko seemed to take a leaf out of Naruto's book- not the hero of the present time, rather the prankster of bygone days- and I only just managed to confine her antics to the house instead of having them spread like an infectious disease. The bluenette girl had pretty much shown up on my doorstep one day when she was about six years old. I had taken her in, and it had been mayhem in my once peaceful house since.

"FLAT CHESTED BITCH!"

Oh no. Rose had hit upon Youko's only button. And whatta button it was...

Youko screamed right back, "LAZY, WORTHLESS, DAUGHTER OF PIGS! BITCH, WHORE-"

O-kay, I didn't even know Youko knew what a whore was. Must have been one of her previous Senseis who taught her that one.

My eyes finally fell on Ayumu; I had to double check that she could stay out of this competently.

The Hyuuga had her ink-black hair cut in a feathery style that just reached her chin. Her bangs didn't hide the trademark Hyuuga eyes, which now had the Byakugan inherent to all of the Hyuugas active. And she was also gazing off into the distance like a lovesick puppy. Which meant she could only be watching one person on another jounin's team. I sighed. It felt odd to know that Ayumu had a crush on one of my few male acquaintances' (that wasn't an ex) current students. And I didn't know which one. I could hear Guy and Lee yelling about youthfulness just one training ground away, the direction Ayumu was facing.

The argument between my surrogate daughter and her new teammate was reaching fever pitch now; Ayumu didn't even seem perturbed.

Okay.

I didn't know how to deal with more teenagers than Youko at one time (and she was trouble enough). But I did know one way to get their attention.

I wasn't called "Phoenix the Flame Princess" for nothing. Rattling off a few hand signs, I roared, "Phoenix Flower Burst!"

A brilliant crimson flame burst from the ground between Youko and Rose, effectively startling them out of their argument, shaping itself into a lotus flower that curled around both of them.

Both of the girls who had been arguing were staring wide eyed at me, but Ayumu was still in her own little world. I growled inwardly; well, she'd just have to miss the basic self info I provided during this bit. I hoped I could get her attention for the mission though. Letting go of the technique, I breathed a sigh of relief. The pinkette and bluenette were both still staring at me, so it was time to get started.

"Alright. Finally have your attention. If you don't know me, you can call me Shizuka-sensei," I barked, sending a glare at Youko, "That means you too Youko. Let's get introductions out of the way. If you haven't done so already, state your name and any other pertinent details."

Rose grimaced. Youko was sulking, obviously not going to speak up. And Ayumu was still in La-La Land watching Guy's team train.

"O-K... Oi. You with the pink hair. Introduce yourself."

Rose reluctantly drawled out, "Heyy... My name's Haruno Rose. I'm sixteen and wanting to become a jounin soon."

Youko looked like she was about to remark, but I silenced her with a sharp look. Rose fidgeted a minute before elbowing Ayumu. This seemed to snap the Hyuuga out of her love struck daze, because the Byakugan deactivated. Blinking, Ayumu reoriented herself.

"Oh... Is this introductions?"

When no one answered, she plunged ahead.

"Well, my name is Hyuuga Ayumu. I'm a Branch member and am seventeen years old today. I'm very happy to have such a lively team, and I hope we can get along for the forseeable future!"

I resisted the urge to give her an incredulous look. Just how oblivious could a kunoichi get? I pinched the bridge of my nose. Not the time to chew her out for her observational skills. That could wait until introductions were fully and completely over. And my own personal Hell was just beginning...

"Well, my name is Youko Shizuka! I'm Phoenix's daughter so there," Youko bragged, a huge grin on her face, "So that means I'm gonna beat all of you! So there!"

I face palmed. I could already hear the noises of anger and indignation from Rose, who was fumbling for words at her teammate's arrogance. Youko's favorite phrase has come into play, I thought bitterly.

This was going to be a loooooong training session.

Heyyy :) I know I keep saying I won't publish new fics, but... This one got the better of me. Phoenix and Youko are really pushy. Besides, a freind of mine wanted this posted. Hey Leerawks! :) Now I do have two Guy fics published.

Anyways, hope you enjoy Phoenix and her team's antics. I have a feeling there's gonna be more Rose and Youko shennanigans in future chapters... That is, if you guys want it continued. :) Leave a review to let me know how you feel!
-June