Chapter 2

Everyone in the class seemed to groan, either inwardly or outwardly as Konohamaru spoke these words. Konohamaru replied with a teacher's voice, gained over years of experience with Ebisu and his grandfather.

"All right, that's enough. The final exam will be held in the next room. We'll call you each individually. Be ready for anything… Okay…first is…Haruno Risa, come on in."

Brushing her purple hair out of her eyes, Risa skipped over to the next room, nearly blissful about the final.

Minoru sighed and closed the single eye he had open. Not even a minute had passed when Risa returned, still smiling from ear to ear.

"Hitomi, come on!"

The golden-eyed beauty stepped up and followed Konohamaru into the next room. Basho slid back in his seat, taking a much-needed nap, while Kenta, Jotaro and Kyoji talked amongst themselves. Minoru stayed silent while his teammates, Shige Hyuga and Natsumi quietly talking about their idol behind his back. Risa sat alone, still afraid of her brother's constant habit of keeping his left eye shut or hidden by a mask. What was the secret behind his left eye?

After only about five minutes, Hitomi stepped out, still smiling.

"Next up…Natsumi Hyuga."

Natsumi slowly stepped up and quickly rushed towards the door, still blushing at the glance from Minoru, his eyes as calculating and aloof as Sasuke's in the past.

Shige realized she had Minoru all to herself now, but then gasped as Hitomi began talking to the "pretty boy" of Konoha.

"So, Minoru…you nervous about the final?"

Minoru blinked, still hiding half of his face with the mask and his mouth with his clasped hands. He cocked his head towards Hitomi and spoke, "Not really…you've heard what Konohamaru-sensei says. I'm just like my dad, a child prodigy… But that's the last thing I wanted… But that's my purpose…" He then reverted to his brooding face, still half shrouded by the mysterious white mask, etched with red markings.

Nearly 10 minutes passed and Natsumi returned, still blushing.

"Shige Hyuga, you're up."

Shige leaped up in eagerness and sped over to the still open doors, a burst of wind following her. Konohamaru sighed and dropped his upper body a bit in disappointment.

Jotaro and Kyoji slipped behind Kenta and Akimaru, both hands covered in a slimy substance resembling skunk spray. They thrust their palms forward, the green mist releasing out in a spray that completely covered the two. As the stench settled, Kenta and Akimaru still sat, totally unaware. Minoru waved his hand a few time and performed a hand seal to drive away the putrescence. Kenta and Akimaru's image began to fade and Kyoji disappeared, attacked by Akimaru. Jotaro looked around in confusion. Shige screamed out in success as she returned to her seat, still jumping with excitement.

"All right…Basho Nara" Basho snapped out of his dream and walked slowly to the exam room, still drowsy from his nap.

Jotaro still looked around for his brother, who was still nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, he felt a tickling on his nose. He turned to the left and blurted out various obscenities, covered by his brother's newly sprouted tail, furry as Akimaru's. Cocking his head to the right, Kenta giggled and leaped up into the ceiling. Basho slipped outside, still dead on the outside, and then shifting to his raccoon grin.

"Minoru Uchiha…prepare yourself…" Minoru sighed and stepped over, removing his mask as he entered the room. Risa scoffed in anger, as she hadn't seen anything of his eye. Only a few minutes passed before Minoru returned, the mask already on his face again. Risa growled, something reminiscent of her mother's temper flaring up.

"Jotaro Uzumaki…"

The brown haired ninja slowly walked towards the door, still looking towards the ceiling.

Kenta appeared behind Minoru, covering his eye.

"Guess who?"

"Kenta, quit it…I won't hesitate to hurt you…" Kenta giggled and backflipped to Hitomi's seat. He faced her, still crouching.

"Akimaru, is that you?" A burst of smoke revealed that it was Risa. Kenta lurched back and returned to his perch in the ceiling as Jotaro returned. Still looking around, Jotaro returned to his seat. Risa stood up and sat next to Jotaro, who became flustered instantly.

"H-hi Risa…So…who do you think we'll get as our instructor?"

Risa smiled and slowly slid forward, her eyes closed and lips pursed.

Inside Jotaro screamed "Hell yeah", but outside, he sweated profusely. Suddenly, he found his lips locked with Akimaru's. A scream smothered Konohamaru's next call, and the chunin in training walked towards Jotaro, ready to scold him, but he stopped in his tracks at the sight. Jotaro was on the ground, foaming at the mouth and eyes pale with shock. Konohamaru sighed and called again to the next student

"Kenta Uzumaki… If you scare your brother like that again, you'll automatically fail."

The orange eyes glinted and disappeared into the next room.

Jotaro awoke to Risa again and he turned to run and crashed into the wall, fainting again. Minoru sighed again and closed his eye, still meditating. Shige and Natsumi were still thinking about their partners in the genin trials their parents had talked so much about. Hitomi and Kyoji were discussing techniques just as Kenta returned.

"Kyoji Yuhi, your turn!"

Kyoji waved at Hitomi all the way to the door, his hair still maintaining its sheen.

The group of students who had already passed all remained motionless as the minutes passed by. Kyoji returned and stood, his face blank. The others rushed towards him, all eager to find out the results. Kyoji looked up, a frown across his face. The frown distorted and Kyoji began cackling as he stuck his thumb out, indicating victory.

Konohamaru stepped out of the room, the other three instructors following suit as a woman of nearly seventy took their place. Tapping her cane, she cleared her throat, catching everyone's attention.

"Tsunade-sama!" All the students called out in unison, all bowing whole or half-heartedly.

"Well, it has been a while since I saw students. It all brings back memories… Anyway, I'm here to give you your team assignments. Genin Team 3 is Natsumi Hyuga…Shige Hyuga…" The first two team members were tense with excitement as the third name rolled off Tsunade's tongue, "and…Minoru Uchiha" Natsumi and Shige both began chattering hysterically as Minoru sighed.

Hitomi smiled acceptingly at her luck. Tsunade pulled out the next envelope and spoke "Genin Team 4 is Basho Nara…Jotaro Uzumaki…" Kenta glared at Basho as he smirked, "and Kyoji Yuhi."

The last envelope didn't need to be told. Hitomi smirked at Kenta and Risa as Tsunade spoke again.

"Well, the last envelope need not be told. Kenta, Hitomi, Risa, welcome to Team 12!" The three glanced at each other again as Tsunade continued, "Genin Team 3's instructor is Inuzuka Kiba, Team 4 is Aburame Shino, and Team 12, Hitomi's team, is Choji Akimichi."

As the ninjas slowly left the room, Tsunade called out again, "Hold on!" All nine stopped instantly, "Well then…your training starts tomorrow. And watch out for a team of four old jonin. You need not get involved with them. They're examining a special candidate. Well, good luck!"

Minoru glared suspiciously at Tsunade, but composed himself and turned to exit, his teammates following. Jotaro and Basho left, still glaring a storm at each other, Kyoji grinning behind them sheepishly. Hitomi smirked at Kenta and Risa, her experience making the other two a bit nervous. She then spoke in a tone that reminded the younger ninjas of Tsunade.

"Don't worry, you two. I'll protect you with my life if I have to… But then, we won't have to worry about it with our sensei…" The other two giggled and followed Hitomi outside to the village.