Hey! Sorry it's been practically a year! I just never had the time to post. Anyway, hope you enjoy the newest addition to this story.

Oh! Before I forget, dialogue that is italicized is stuff being said in Japanese.

Chapter 2

Arrival

In the Great Hall

"Hey Harry. How were the Dursleys this summer? Still unbearable?"

"Oh, hey Ron. They were ok. They were too terrified to bother me after I blew up all of Dudley's new game systems."

Before Ron could even begin to laugh, he was interrupted by Hermione. "Harry! You know that's against the rules!" she reprimanded.

"Oh, come off it, Mione. I bet it was bloody hilarious!" Hermione bit back her retort and sat down just as Dumbledore stood up. The sorting was over and it was time for his speech.

"Welcome to our new students, and welcome back to our old students. Many of you may know that Voldemort has returned." The students gasped, and one first year looked like he was about to pee in his pants. "Not to worry, however, because we have enlisted help to protect you from new dangers. They should be arriving no—" He was cut off by some shouting and scuffling outside. "—it appears they have arrived."

Outside the Great Hall

"Frog! Stop fooling around! We're here as ANBU on a mission! Jeez. I can't believe you're still so immature."

"Sorry, Cat. But this place is so cool!"

"SHH! Remember to speak in English when you're talking to the people here. If you must say something important, do it in Japanese. Oh, and if you don't know how to say something to them, tell me and I'll translate. Got it?"

"Hai!" chorused three male voices.

Back Inside the Great Hall

With a little smile, Dumbledore announced, "Without further ado, the ninjas of Konoha."

The doors swung open to reveal four figures in black cloaks. Their hoods pulled over their heads, casting a shadow over their faces.

"Hey, Hermione."

"Yes, Harry?"

"Do you know anything about these ninjas of Konoha?"

"No, actually. I don't. I mean, I tend to focus more towards school subjects and the magical community. Maybe the library has books on them. I must go and look…" Hermione trailed off, muttering to herself.

"Wow! Something even the genius Hermione doesn't know!"

"Oh shut up, Ronald!" she snapped back.

Harry continued to watch the quartet. He assumed them to be all men, although the leader was on the short side.

The four ninjas walked quickly over to the staff table and bowed in front of Dumbledore. The leader had a brief and silent conversation with the Headmaster before signaling to his companions. There was a blur of black and suddenly they were standing behind the professors.

Whispers of amazement echoed throughout the Hall. Dumbledore cleared his throat and everyone quieted. "Allow them to introduce themselves."

The tallest one flicked back his hood, revealing long dark brown, almost black hair, but the hawk mask obscured his face. In a low, but stern sort of voice, he stated, "Hawk."

Pulling his hood back, the next tallest ninja had brown hair pulled up in a spiky ponytail. It reminded Harry of a pineapple. However, that was all he could make out because a deer mask covered his face. Lazily, he said, "Deer."

The next ninja was the shortest. He tossed his head back, making the hood fall back and reveal spiky blond hair. Again, that was all that could be seen, for a frog mask rested upon his features. In a voice that suggested he was suppressing excitement, he nearly shouted, "Frog."

"Goodness. Are all of their names just the animal of their masks?" exclaimed Hermione.

Before Ron or Harry could answer, the leader shook his hood back. There were a couple of gasps from the students, including one from Harry, because the leader wasn't a man at all – it was a girl. She had shoulder-length black hair streaked with red. Her bangs were held back by her cat mask. Her voice held amusement as she stated, "Cat."

"Well, that answers your question, Hermione."

"What kind of names are Hawk, Deer, Frog, and Cat anyway?" Ron whispered.

"Ronald, you're so thick sometimes! They're obviously code names. They are probably undercover and can't let anybody know their real names."

Dumbledore spoke before Ron could retort. "Now that introductions are done, let's eat!" He clapped his hands and food appeared on the tables.

"Finally! I was starving!" Ron groaned.

Hermione shook her head in disgust at the way he shoveled food onto his plate. "Honestly! Don't you ever think about anything other than your stomach?"

Ron replied through a mouthful of food so Hermione couldn't understand. She just rolled her eyes and started eating. Harry glanced back at the head table, only to find that the ninjas were gone! Looking around, he found Deer and Frog standing on either end of the room. Hawk and Cat were nowhere to be found.

Hmm... not as bad as I thought. Review!

-itatsukyoashira