Chapter 2: Getting to Know You
The day was proving to be quite interesting for Team Six. Already they realized their sensei was a crazy, loudmouthed, cigar smoking man they weren't even sure if they liked or not. They were seated in a quiet spot not too far from the source of the hot springs and the dampness hung heavy in the humid air.
"All right, squirts, I've already introduced myself so now it's your turn. Let's start with you, the blond with the pink highlights." Hinode hated when people pointed that out, but he let it slide for now.
"I'm Uzumaki Hinode, son of the great Rokudaime Hokage. I'm studying medical ninjutsu under my mother and my goal is to provide support for my team. I like to play sports and hang out with pretty girls." He gave Ayame a smile and a wink as the young kunoichi pretty much ignored him.
"All right, pretty boy, how about you? What's your story?"
"I am Uzumaki Hideki, elder son of the Hokage. My specialty is the taijutsu techniques of the Hyuga Clan. I enjoy training hard to perfect my techniques. When I'm not doing that I like to play my Gamestation with friends. My favorite color is...lavender." Hideki looked over at Ayame when he made the last statement. His heart raced when he saw the tiniest hint of a smile on her face.
"Ok, now it's your turn, cutie. Tell me about yourself."
"The name's Hatake Ayame. I have two younger brothers named Shoji and Takamaru. Shoji is the best brother in the world, but Takamaru is a pain in the ass. A couple things I don't like are people that talk too much and stinky cigar smoke." Ayame glared at Konohamaru to emphasize the last phrase. "What I do like is singing and dancing and my favorite hobby is giving pedicures...but only for boys. Girls don't seem to appreciate the gesture."
Both boys and the man gave Ayame strange looks after her comment about her favorite hobby. None of them could think of anyone else who had such an odd hobby.
"Hey, um...Ayame, could I get one of your pedicures sometime?" Hinode dared to ask.
"Sure. I give 'em free of charge. We can set up an appointment later."
"Ok, enough with the metro-sexual chit chat. I just wanted us to spend a little time getting acquainted today. No pressure. Tomorrow, however will be a different story. So go home, get some rest and be ready for anything . Meet me a 08:00 at training ground fourteen. Don't be late. Ya got that, Hatake? I hope you haven't taken on your father's habit. That being said, you're all dismissed!"
It seemed like the genin couldn't leave fast enough. Although they were excited about their new lives as ninja they were still children who desired time for fun and games. The Uzumaki brothers couldn't wait to get home and tell their parents about their exciting day. No one said a word as the two boys burst into their father's office running their mouths a mile a minute.
"Papa, you won't believe who we got teamed up with!" Hinode started. Naruto winced at how loud the boy's voice was. He wondered briefly if that was how he sounded to everyone else at that age.
"Let me guess. Ayame?"
"How did you know?" Hideki asked.
"I'm the Hokage, so I had access to the list once it was complete."
"I knew it! You were keeping that from us the whole time!" Hinode complained.
"Of course I kept it from you. I was only being fair to your fellow classmates. Now, since you're both here you might as well help me with some paperwork." The two brothers began whining in stereo as they reluctantly obeyed their father. Naruto chuckled inwardly at his sons' pouting. They didn't realize that he was preparing him for future responsibilities as a shinobi. A ninja's life wasn't all fighting and excitement. It was balanced out with more mundane things like studying and paperwork. The Hokage figured they might as well learn that now rather than later. After subjecting his beloved sons to an hour's worth of torment Naruto told them to go back to the Hokage's mansion. Once the boys got home they took the initiative to tidy up the gaming room for that evening. Their father was hosting a get together for the children of friends and family who graduated from the academy and they wanted everything to be just right, especially when it came to a certain lavender haired girl. They made sure Ayame's favorite console game, Superstar Karaoke, was included among the choices.
Around four o'clock the guests started arriving. The Hyuga compound was the closest to the Hokage's mansion so Hiashi, his wife Suki, and their son Ryoku were the first to arrive. Hideki started discussing their sensei with his young uncle right away. He also asked Ryoku what it's like to have a team member who is blind.
"Ken and I haven't sparred yet, but I've heard that he's really good. No one at Lee-sensei's dojo likes to challenge him cuz they constantly lose to him. I know he's got to have some kind of weakness, but if the rumors are true he moves so fast no one's been able to figure out what that weakness is yet."
"Wow, he sounds like he would make a very interesting opponent," Hideki mused aloud as the Hatakes, Inuzukas, and Aburames all arrived together. All of the children carried back packs or overnight bags with changes of clothing. They all knew beforehand that this was going to be a pool party so they didn't waste any time scrambling to find a room to change into their swimwear. While the boys changed in Hideki's room Ayame and Mitsu used one of the guest rooms. The Inuzuka's wolf pup, Taisei, sat at the foot of the guest bed patiently waiting for the girls to change. Mistu saw this as an opportunity for some girl talk.
"So, Ayame, how are things going with you and your boyfriend?"
"What boyfriend?"
"Why Senkou, of course," Mitsu replied with a wink and a giggle. Ayame sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Why does every one assume he's my boyfriend? We're just friends, ok?" the young Hatake explained as she slipped on her silvery white one piece. "I'm not really worried about having a boyfriend right now because I'm focused on my training."
"Oh, how boring! Ayame, you should really try to have a little romance in your life. It'll make things so much more interesting!" the Inuzuka practically squealed as she slipped on her bright red two-piece.
"Really now? So you must have a boyfriend then?" Ayame inquired as she cocked an eyebrow giving her an uncanny resemblance to her father.
"Ummm...no. But at least I act like I'm interested!" Ayame gave an exasperated sigh.
"Look, I don't have time for boys. They can be such a distraction," the lavender haired girl huffed as she tied her hair into a ponytail.
"If you had time for boys what kind of boyfriend would you like?" Ayame crossed her arms as her face bore a thoughtful expression.
"Hmm...my boyfriend would be brave, strong, patient, intelligent..."
"Don't forget super kawaii!" Mitsu chimed in.
"That's really not that important to me. As long as he loves me and treats me well I'll be happy."
"Eww. Not only are you dull, Ayame, you're weird too." The twelve year old was about to make a nasty reply when there was a knock on the door. Ayame opened the door to reveal a rather nervous Suzume on the other side. She was the only genin there who showed up without her parents. Her father, Sekiei Mizuki, was serving a life sentence and her mother, Tsubaki, was off on an A-Rank mission. She was staying with Iruka until her mother's return. The other two girls quietly watched Suzume as she entered the room to change her clothing. It was noticeable that she felt awkward around the other children but none of the other genin understood why. Perhaps it was because of the bad blood between her father and the Hokage because of Mizuki's past crimes, but she wasn't much of a talker so no one could really conclude anything. Without a word she changed into her black boy cut bottom and a halter top. The bottom part of her swimsuit had a shuriken pattern on each side of the legs.
"I like your swimsuit. It's cute!" Mitsu complimented.
"T-thanks," Suzume managed to stutter out. Without another word the girls headed out to the pool. As they went out the back door Mitsu tapped Ayame on the shoulder.
"Hey, Ayame, since you and Senkou aren't an item...could you introduce me to him?" Ayame rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Fine, but if he's not interested don't get mad at me."
Out in the Hokage's huge backyard the party was already in full swing. Between the music, laughter and the sounds of children playing all the young kunoichi knew this was going to be a lot of fun. Ayame stepped out onto the sunlit yard and a rare smile spread across her face. She decided to put all serious thoughts about her training aside and enjoy being with friends and family.
Next Chapter: It's a party with a bunch of adolescents so you know there's going to be some kissing going on! The question is who will it be? Also a certain Siren of Sound causes a stir at the poolside. Review, my darlings and bring my heart much joy!