Hello, again!
Firstly, thank you for your reviews and follows, they were very motivating!
Secondly, I decided to post this chapter earlier than I intended. This means that the next one will not appear for a week.
Now onto the chapter!
Disclaimer: you know the drill.
[this chapter was re-checked for typos and similar errors]
(* * *)
"So, just as our Hokage said – we welcome you into our team, Hanabi!"
They were currently in a park not far away from the academy, shielded from the sun by the foliage – truly hidden by the leaves of trees.
"I hope we will all get along and that you all will be able to work hard for the sake of your teammates!" Ebisu continued.
True, he was not exactly delighted to have four students, two of them inherently troublesome, in his team. However, he was one of the best jounin teachers in the village and all of the Hokage's arguments were valid, more or less. It was his duty to make sure these young shinobi improved. Not to mention that his teaching skills may indeed have dulled. Something to do with him attending to general jounin duties the past few years.
In short: he accepted the challenge.
He went silent for a moment, regarding all four of his students to see their reactions. Udon was the most calm, probably even feeling safer with another teammate. He was the only one who seemed to be really listening to him now.
He looked at his most precious student: Konohamaru. The boy seemed a little peeved, but that was more likely due to their lack of missions than anything else. He was shooting curious glances towards Hanabi, obviously not knowing what to think of their current predicament.
Moegi, on the other hand, seemed to know enough, as she took great care in ignoring her new teammate, not looking at her at all.
Hanabi herself seemed collected, respectful and appeared to listen well, but Ebisu knew it was just a mask and poor one at that. The girl was obviously displeased with the turn of events.
"Now, let us start with the traditional get-to-know-each-other. I want each of you to tell us your likes, dislikes, dreams and hobbies. Who wants to start? How about you Hanabi?"
Hanabi looked at him with surprise. "Traditional talk? You mean shinobi tell things like that to people in their team?" she asked, voice full of doubt.
At this remark the remaining three chuunins, Moegi included, looked at her with disbelief. Ebisu took note that Hanabi said "people in their team" instead of "teammates". He did not sigh this time, however. It's not like it was unexpected...
"Yes, Hanabi, teammates do things like that" he assured her.
"Why?"
"To build trust and to learn about your teammates, their views and goals. It's the first step to understand them, which is essential for any advanced form of teamwork".
From the looks of it, Hanabi remained unconvinced.
"Perhaps it is best, to show you" he concluded. "Udon-kun, would you be so kind?"
"Yes, sensei" Udon answered and then turned to face all of his teammates. "My name is Sobaya Udon" he started. "I love math. I don't like dangerous and long missions. As for my hobbies I like solving math problems. I dream to be strong and cool shinobi like Uchiha Sasuke".
Moegi smiled at him and Konohamaru rolled his eyes – Udon's preferences known by heart to both of them. Hanabi, however, was slightly curious. Not about the math or the mission part, but about his admiration of the Uchiha shinobi. Was this boy capable of respect for high-class shinobi clans?
"Yeah, we know, Udon-kun" Moegi stated. "As for me, I am Hatsuko Moegi. I like my teammates" a quick side glance and a giggle clearly indicated which teammate she liked the most, although the hint was apparent only to Ebisu. "As for my dislikes, I hate people who do not care about their comrades" this comment was directed at Hanabi and just as subtle as the previous one. Thank Kami that the Hyuuga girl was slow on the uptake in social matters. Ebisu will have to work on Moegi, for all of their sakes. "My hobby is to hang out with my friends. My dream is to become beautiful, strong and wise kunoichi and a student of Sakura-senpai!"
"Very good, Moegi" Ebisu said. "Now, Konoha-"
"Alright!" the Sarutobi chuunin seemed pumped up. "I am Sarutobi Konohamaru, the grandson of the Third Hokage of Konohagakure!" he exclaimed loudly. "I like training, doing exciting missions, ramen and chocolate-covered bananas! I hate onions!" he was spewing each word at alarming speed with no sign of hesitation or slowing down. "My hobby is to develop new jutsus! My dream is to become the Seventh Hokage of Konohagakure and to protect my teammates, friends and all the villagers! My wish is to defeat Naruto-niichan and become great shinobi like him! My favourite phrase is 'There are no short cuts on the road to Hokage'. I believ-"
"That's quite enough, Konohamaru-kun, I think we all get it" Ebisu interrupted, sweatdropping.
Hanabi was flabbergasted. This chuunin was loud and obnoxious. Most of the things he said were either childish (like he could even become Hokage and why the Seventh?) or downright stupid. Nonetheless, the Hyuuga were supposed to be observant and the girl did notice a few interesting things.
Firstly, the boy, she didn't realize it before, was a Sarutobi and a grandson of a Hokage at that. Why not truly a noble by birth (and not by manners obviously), the noisy chuunin was no ordinary shinobi and she probably owed him more respect. Not that she was happy about that. Secondly, he seemed oddly determined and sure of himself, something that had more to do with belief than self-conceit. His words about the Hokage title and path were pretty accurate. He probably got this wisdom from someone else, but still he was not entirely naïve. Lastly, he mentioned Naruto. Did he mean Uzumaki Naruto? The Uzumaki Naruto?
Hanabi was not that well informed, but from what she knew the shinobi in question was the student of famous shinobis like Hatake Kakashi and the legendary sannin Jiraiya. And the jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, even if she didn't know what that meant. Rumour had it that he was the son of the Fourth Hokage and was a powerful shinobi even during his genin years. She remembered that during the chuunin exams when she was seven he managed to actually beat her cousin, using some weird power she has never seen before. He didn't look anything close to impressive most of the time, but if all this was true, then such a shinobi commanded great respect, such that even Konohamaru admired him, but failed to show it properly (calling him niichan of all things). Bah! She heard that the Hokage herself held Naruto in high esteem.
It was than when she realized that all three of her teammates wanted to be like some powerful and renowned shinobi. Uchiha Sasuke. Haruno Sakura. And Uzumaki Naruto. Those names could be heard even inside the walls of the Hyuuga compound. Those three were trained by the legendary sannin, right? Could she be looking at the next generation of sannin in making?
Ridiculous!
"See, Hanabi? Just like that. It's your turn now!" Hanabi was snapped out of her reverie and noticed that all four of them were looking at her. She frowned.
Hanabi was very much used to people looking at her, being candidate for the head of the clan and all. At the moment she should just bask in the attention. But she didn't, she felt nervous instead. Probably something to do with the success pressure that was following her more and more lately.
She should just get it over with. If they could do it, then so could she. No big deal. She straightened herself and then bowed slightly.
"My name is Hyuuga Hanabi" she started in a humble, but a little automatic voice. "A member of the main family of the Hyuuga clan and a chuunin of Konohagakure" now came the likes and dislikes part, right? "I like to train... with my father" she hesitated for a moment her voice changing visibly. "I also like bananas and milk" and not much else, she added in her thoughts. "I dislike mitsuba... and people who do not know their place, are obnoxious and disrespectful" and my sister, and my father, and my clan. "My hobby is to train and hone my skills. My dream is to..." she stopped abruptly.
What were her dreams? To become the head of the clan? To prove herself to her father? For some reason she didn't want to tell them that. They knew it by now, right? Aside from that, did she even have any other dreams? "My dream... is to become a valuable kunoichi to the village of Konohagakure" she finished lamely. Even she knew that it was lame.
Ebisu either didn't notice or didn't care. "Very good, Hanabi" he said, much to her surprise. Why would he want to praise her for something like that when her performance was kind of poor? He obviously wouldn't.
"Now that we're done with it, it's time to move to th-"
"Oi, oi, aren't you forgetting something, sensei?" Konohamaru sneered.
"That's right! The teachers are supposed to do the introduction too" Moegi explained, smirking as well.
"Yeah, it is important that Hanabi knows about Ebisu-sensei as well" Udon agreed, even he was sporting a small smile.
"Ah, you're right!" Ebisu admitted, eyebrow twitching. Damn them! He hoped that he will be able to weasel out of this. Why his students couldn't be this observant during missions?
"Well then, my name is Hayakawa Ebisu, I'm a jounin and elite teacher of Konohagakure. I like kamaboko and fried crab and I dislike carrots and unruly kids" he glanced meaningfully at Konohamaru, who pretended he didn't hear him. "My hobby is to raise elite ninjas. I wish to face other shinobi tutors throughout the world!" he finished.
Hanabi was confused. They were all weird, she wondered how all them, except Ebisu, could be chuunins. Did they have any good points? Even their passionate determination didn't quite impress the Hyuuga girl, it was no different from recklessness that could very much be the reason for their deaths in action.
"Now, since we have two days off I would like for us to have some team training tomorrow. Meet me at 6 o'clock at the third training grounds! That's it for today, team!"
Udon, Moegi and Konohamaru blinked at once and then let out a collective "WHAT?!"
(* * *)
"So what do you think of Hanabi-san?" Udon asked.
He, Moegi and Konohamaru were walking back through the streets of Konoha. Konohamaru eyed him briefly. It was difficult whether he was referring to the girl by Hanabi-san out of respect or fear of future quarrels. Probably the latter, if their experience from dealing with Moegi and Sakura were anything to go by.
"I don't like her! She only sees the top of her nose!" Moegi responded acridly. "She doesn't care for her teammates as long as they don't get in her way! I wish her father didn't request for her to be placed in our team."
"It was Tsuanade-baachan who chose our team, remember?" Konohamaru interjected. "But I agree, that girl seriously needs to unwind. I wonder if all Hyuugas are like that – respect and manners along with arrogance and pride."
"Still, we are teammates now" Udon stated. "We need to work together. And I don't mind her helping..."
"Help? Bah! I wonder if she can do anything aside from her fancy eyes and taijutsu" Moegi was still unconvinced.
Konohamaru frowned. He was not too happy with this situation either, but he had a feeling that the Hyuuga girl possessed a few considerable shinobi skills. Not that he was afraid of losing to her...
"I don't know, Moegi, she was trained by the Hyuuga clan head. She might be good actually..."
"I don't think so" Moegi responded, clearly offended that Konohamaru defended the girl. "Besides, even if she was good, she would probably do things on her own. I bet she has poor teamwork."
"We shouldn't underestimate her, I think we should give her a chance."
"Hmpf!"
"Umm... How about some dango? My treat" Udon had to pacify Moegi before the argument grows and he has to deal with both of them.
The girl eyed him suspiciously. Could she have seen right through him?
"Fine!" she responded and started to walk towards the dango shop, her teammates turning to follow her. "But mark my words! We will all regret the moment this girl was put in our team!"
(* * *)
Hanabi walked through the corridors of the Hyuuga compound, deep in her thoughts, her mind still on her new team. They were so... undisciplined, loud, unimpressive and irresponsible. And they were still under tutelage of a jounin. Why they were not having their own missions? They were chuunins for Kami's sake! But then again, so was she, yet she did mission only in the company of her Hyuuga clansmen.
She sighed. Did father really want for her to be a part of some team? And that team in particular?
As on cue, one of the doors she was just about to pass on her way to her room slid open.
"Hanabi."
She stopped abruptly and then turned around and, of course, she saw Hyuuga Hiashi sitting inside. "Yes, father?"
"I need to speak with you" he responded calmly, eyes closed as if meditating.
Hanabi nodded and moment later she was sitting in front of Hiashi.
"You're back quickly. How was your first day with your new team?"
So that's what he wanted to talk about. Obviously.
"Not very good. I was assigned to team led by Hayakawa Ebisu" she explained.
Hiashi's eyes opened. He though for a moment, recollecting what he knew about Ebisu.
"Then I take it that one of your teammates is a Sarutobi?"
Hanabi perked at that. Her father must be really well-informed to know about such details.
"Yes, father."
"What do you mean that it wasn't very good?"
Hanabi closed her eyes for a moment to calm herself. She couldn't do outbursts like the one yesterday too often. She didn't want to truly anger father after all.
"Well, we didn't do much and we were given two days off by the Hokage, so we could get to know each other. We did this peculiar tradition of telling others your dreams and dislikes" she paused, waiting for Hiashi to admit the peculiarity of it, but it never came.
"I understand. Continue."
"We were ordered to meet tomorrow for training. That's all" she finished.
Hiashi regarded her for a moment. "That's not a busy day, but it's typical for new teams" he paused for a moment. "You didn't mention your teammates."
"What's there to mention?" Hanabi shot back. "They are stupid kids with no sense of honour and discipline. They all admire great shinobi, but fail to show proper respect!" she ranted. "Even this Sarutobi boy... No, especially him! He is a goofy idiot, not befitting the rank of a genin, much alone chuunin!"
Hiashi observed her calmly. It was true to some extent. Sarutobi kid was similar to Uzumaki, even learned from him. He was bound to be carefree and idiotic. Maybe even perverted. But that also meant he was dedicated, loyal and hard-working when needed. From what he heard the boy was able to defeat one of the Peins with the rasengan. That particular rumour was probably only half-true. Still, the young Sarutobi seemed to know by heart things that will be beneficial to Hanabi. And Ebisu is known as a great tutor. The Hokage did a good job.
"I didn't ask for this team specifically, but I'm glad with this arrangement."
"What?" Hanabi was on her feet now. Hiashi was sure that she was going to throw one of her little tantrums, but Hanabi seemed to be driven by fear rather than anger. "You can't be serious!"
Hiashi sighed. This felt like déjà vu and he could already feel the approaching headache. "If you thought that I will go to the Hokage and withdraw my request, then you were wrong" he stated calmly. "It would make us look unreliable."
"Father, do you really think that I can improve by being surrounded by them?"
"And you don't?"
"Of course not!"
The corner of Hiashi's lips lifted upwards in small, but dangerous smile.
"Let's make a deal. If you return tomorrow from your training and again tell me that you truly think so, then I will have you removed from this team and will not ask for another one" he offered. "Do you agree?"
Hanabi hesitated, feeling a foreboding. Her father seemed more sure of himself than she felt herself.
"Yes."
"Then we have a deal" he stated matter-of-factly. "I think you should go to sleep. It seems you have a busy day ahead of you."
"Yes, father."
When she left Hiashi sighed again. If he hadn't been Hanabi's father, he might not have believed that she used to be modest, respectful and, most of all, quiet. That, however, was when Hinata was still a disappointment and a disgrace to the clan while Hanabi was a heiress-to-be convinced of her future and pampered all the time. When her position in the clan was questioned, her difficult, but comfortable life was turned upside down. This resulted in spoiled and whimsical girl who demanded, quite loudly, her old place in the clan.
He could only hope that her team experience will help her go back to her old self, if only a little. It was his fault anyway. And not to mention that her future might take another hit soon.
And all of this was his fault.
(* * *)
Hanabi was in her bed, thinking about her team, her father, her clan... and by extension, about herself. Was her father right? Even if he was, this still will be troublesome, boring and kind of offensive experience. What did she do to deserve all this?
Flooded by her gloomy thoughts, she fallen into a restless slumber.
(* * *)
"Good morning, team!" Ebisu announced happily.
"Good morning..." Udon answered, nowhere near as cheerful. If normally drowsy, he seemed to be sleeping now, leaning on one of the three stakes, his snot replaced with drool hanging from his mouth.
"Good..." a long and undisturbed yawn. "...morning-sensei" Moegi was not much better than him.
"Hmpf!" Konohamaru snorted from his position, sitting with his legs crossed on top of the stake next to Udon. He was faring considerably better than his friends, enough to be actually angry. It was obvious what he thought of the training at his hour.
"Good morning, sensei" Hanabi said slowly and bowed slightly, clearly the most awake of them all. It's not like training early in the morning was new to her. It was just those three morons were a disappointment. Yet, she smiled on the inside.
Her bet with her father was looking pretty good so far.
"So... what do we do now, sensei?" from the tone of his voice it was evident that Konohamaru hoped his stupid teacher had a good reason for such morning training session.
"Ah... just a little exercise I wanted all of you to do" he paused until he knew he had all of their attention. "You're task will be to obtain two of this bells" he produced said items from his vest. "The exercise is over as soon as you get both of them."
"Why do we need to do such a stupid exercise?" Konohamaru complained.
Hanabi couldn't agree more.
"This will be a great teamwork experience and I think it is essential for all you to understand how important the teamwork is. Especially for Hanabi, since-"
"With all due respect, sensei" Hanabi interrupted him, which was so out of place that all of them glanced at her. Ebisu raised his eyebrow. "You can't expect me to work with them" she gestured to the three chuunins. "Besides, my performance is best when I'm on my own. All they need to do is not get in my way and I'm sur-"
"That's it!" it was Moegi's turn to interrupt. She walked – no, stomped – towards the Hyuuga girl.
"Do you think you're better than all of us? You have no right to talk about us like that!" she was practically seething with anger, making Udon step back in fear.
Hanabi, on the other hand, didn't look afraid at all. "Of course I do! Why would I be considered inferior to some weak excuse of a chuunin like you?"
Moegi gritted her teeth.
"I've had enough of this!" she assumed fighting stance. "Would you like to prove that little statement, little missy?"
"What?" Hanabi was visibly disturbed for the first time, her expression matching that of Moegi. "You dare to question my skills?"
"Umm... girls" Udon tried to stop them, but they didn't seem to notice.
"You need to ask? Seems like there are things you can't get or see even with those eyes of yours, huh? " Moegi taunted.
Hanabi hissed. Udon gulped. Konohamaru cursed under his breath.
And Ebisu just smiled.
"All right..." Hanabi shifted, one open-palmed hand in front of her in a typical Hyuuga fighting pose. "I'll show you. Ready when you-"
She was interrupted yet again, swinging her body to the side, watching as two shurikens passed her by. She balanced back just as Moegi charged at her.
She slashed at Hanabi with a kunai, but the other girl dodged and quickly countered with a palm strike from above. Without the aid of the Byakugan, the potential of the attack was limited. Still, Moegi hit the ground painfully.
Hanabi sneered.
"What's the matter? Needing cheap tricks to win?" she mocked, the familiar feeling of accomplishment washing through her. She needed that one. "Not good enough to fight fair?"
Poof.
The white smoke revealed a log instead of Moegi.
Kawarimi no jutsu? thought Hanabi. When did she...
"Fight fair?" she heard Moegi's voice behind herself. She turned and saw that the girl was right behind her, aiming at her with a right hook. "We are shinobi! We don't fight fair!"
Hanabi moved purely on instinct. She rotated, grabbed her opponent in mid-air and intended to throw her to the ground once more. Moegi, however, landed on her feet and quickly somersaulted back, dashing towards Hanabi as soon as she touched the ground and going for a roundhouse kick.
But Hanabi had already activated her Byakugan. She ducked under Moegi's kick and hit her flat in the stomach with the Juuken, sending her flying a few feet backwards in a cloud of dust.
"Aww!" Moegi whined, when she attempted to stand.
"Who's next?" Hanabi asked, back in her stance, superiority sparkling in her eyes.
Konohamaru jumped down from his stake. "Told you so..." he shot in the direction of Moegi and the turned back to Hanabi. "And you, what do you think you're doing!?" he barked at her.
"She got what she deserved" Hanabi shot back, eyes narrowing. "If you want to be next, then shut up and-" she stopped abruptly, eyes-widening.
"Hanabi-san!" Udon shouted, losing his calm as well, but then noticed that Hanabi turned to the side and deactivated her Byakugan. Before he could turn himself he heard a new voice.
"Hey! Is that how teammates are supposed to treat each other?"
All of them turned to look in the same direction as Hanabi just in time to see two figures land a few meters away from them.
Hanabi was speechless, staring at the newcomers as they started to walk in their direction. They looked like... No, they couldn't be...
"Naruto-niichan!"
"Sakura-senpai?"
They were.
"Hey, Konohamaru!" greeted the blonde, orange-wearing shinobi, with a smile so wide, that it couldn't possibly be healthy.
"Hello, Moegi, Ebisu-sensei" the pink-haired kunoichi answered.
"What are you doing here?" Konohamaru asked puzzled. He knew that this training ground was used by Team 7 frequently, but he was sure that his stupid teacher reserved it for them today.
"That's what we should be asking you, don't ya think?" Naruto shot back, though he continued to smile.
They stopped just a feet or two away from them. Naruto glanced at each of them.
When he looked at Hanabi the girl felt that it was the best moment to introduce herself.
"I am Hyuuga Hanabi of the Hyuuga clan" she said, her voice a little higher and more hasty than she intended. "I take that you are the Great Uzumaki Naruto" she continued. "It's an honour to make you acquaintance" she bowed at the end.
"You're Hinata's little sister, right?" Naruto asked, his smile fading a little. That was not the response she expected.
"Yes..." she admitted hesitantly. It was always "Hanabi – Hinata's little sister". Never "Hinata – Hanabi's older one". Not anymore.
"I see..." Naruto glanced at Ebisu. "It makes sense now."
"Of course it does" Sakura smacked his head from above gently enough to be considered almost affectionate. "I told you so from the beginning..."
"Umm... Sakura-san" Udon interjected. "Sorry to interrupt, but we are in the middle of the training and we would like to use your training ground..."
At this Sakura smiled and Naruto openly laughed. Udon, Moegi and Hanabi were confused. Konohamaru, on the other hand, started to sweat.
If he was right, then they were in a serious trouble.
"Of course you do!" Sakura admitted. "That's why we're here for, right Ebisu-sensei?" she asked.
Ebisu smiled back and swinged his arm. A jingle was heard for a moment and died down as soon as both shinobi caught what Ebisu threw at them.
"No way!" Moegi exclaimed in panic. Udon had his mouth open. Hanabi blinked. And Konohamaru gritted his teeth.
"So? Are you ready?" Sakura asked, putting on her famous gloves.
"Let's get this started!" Naruto shouted, kunai in his hand.
Everytime one of the two shinobi moved, the bells on their waists jingled in mockery.
They were in a very serious trouble.
(* * *)
Sooo... here we have a formal introduction, Hiashi' bet, Moegi getting her ass kicked, Hanabi acting like... well... arrogant Hyuuga prodigy, an announcement of the bell test, a reference to The Mummy (1999 movie) and over 4000 words.
So far the interactions between Hanabi and Konohamaru are close to zero and the next two chapters are mostly fighting chapters, so not very much chance for romance... but be patient.
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