I do not own Naruto and his associated articles; only my OCs.

Reading through the scrolls had not gone as Manami had planned. The blue haired kunoichi vaguely recalled getting halfway through the first one before she was woken by Namazu shaking her shoulder. Her neck ached from falling asleep at the desk and the oil lamp she had lit was burned out. To her displeasure, Manami had been asleep for some time and now was greeted by the sound of rain pattering against the waterproofed canvas. Groggily, the kunoichi processed that Namazu was informing her of breakfast. She nodded in response, mumbling that she would be there soon.

Manami was mortified that she had fallen asleep; she hadn't even been that tired. And yet, she had drifted off into an easy and deep slumber. At least she hadn't drooled, the medic thought to herself, as she straightened her slightly rumpled clothes. After that, it only took seconds for her to secure the scrolls and store them out of sight and out of mind.

A mist greeted Manami upon exiting the tent; the humidity had spiked despite the rain falling. A distant rumble sounded, promising more to come. The grass was damp and slick, wrapping into her exposed toes as she proceeded to the camp fire. The flames crackled against the precipitation, burning brightly. The entire team was there, eating cold rice and pickled plums. Manami's mouth dried from thinking about the sour taste the plums had.

It appeared that this would be a typical meal now that she was out in the front lines with Squadron Hatake. Umino Namazu waved her over, in an overly eager motion that didn't fit with her discontent. Reluctantly trudging through the damp foliage, she found herself being handed a bowl nonchalantly upon arrival. The kunoichi didn't feel particularly hungry, but it was best to simply do what she was told and eat.

The medic felt especially uncomfortable now, not because she had fallen asleep while reading, but rather because it felt as if all eyes were on her. Somewhere deep inside she wanted to retreat to her tent and eat in peace, but that would do nothing to build relationships with her teammates. Manami instead stood rigid and silent as she consumed her morning meal.

The uneasy feeling passed before too long as Hatake-Taichou cleared his throat. The groups' attention was turned to their silver haired commander, who met each of their eyes before continuing. "I know it has only been a short while, but I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our newest member, Hamano Manami who has joined us from Uzushiogakure." All attention was on the blue haired woman now. She tensely gulped down the bite she had just taken.

"I'm certain that she will be visiting with each of you personally in the next week or so and this means that you must be on your best behavior. None of the trouble you put Sho through. Do you understand?" There were a couple of resigned sighs coupled with silent nods.

"Good. I haven't discussed it with Manami, but upon further contemplation, I do believe that the best course of action to incorporate her into the unit best is to have a demonstration of her abilities in a spar. This is to help not only our unit to know her fighting style but for her to get into a condition where she will be ready for the field. She will not be joining us on our excursions until I have deemed her ready. Is this understood?"

"Yes, Captain." The team gave the impression of boredom which was on the ideal side in Manami's opinion. She took a small amount of pride for being in the front but it didn't make her comfortable with being surrounded by people. People who were starting to take an uncanny interest in her. The kunoichi abhorred being the center of attention.

"However," Sakumo interrupted her thoughts, "We won't hold the spar until this evening, to give our medic a little more time to settle into her quarters and to familiarize herself with the medical bay. We'll meet in my quarters after our dinner. In the meantime, I would like to speak with Jirou and Yuudai. You are free to go about with your duties until later." Sakumo met Manami's eyes and gave her a knowing nod, before departing from the group.

Her heart was hammering and it was most likely because of Sakumo. There was something overwhelming about the man and yet… She couldn't quite put her finger on it; he was different from anything she had ever seen. He was someone whose power and attention would someday make him into a great man.

Maybe he was already a great man. Honestly, besides the idle gossip that passed between the Jounin and Chuunin, the medic knew little to nothing about anyone from the Village Hidden in the Leaves. It made her feel unintelligent. Manami felt naive because she had been so focused on her studies and her own life for so long.

Her mind felt like it was spiraling out of control; she was in over her head. Manami's brown eyes met Namazu who was staring at her in concern. "I'm quite full now, where may I put this?"

"I can take it; it is my turn for dishes, though you really ought to eat more. You barely touched anything here." He said looking down at the bowl.

"I'll be fine. I've got a couple of things tucked away. But I really must be getting back to those scrolls. They're… not going to read themselves, hm?" Manami's voice felt forced as she spoke so she retreated before Umino could question her. Heading back to her tent, Manami measured her movements. She was making a hasty retreat, but she didn't want everyone else in the camp to know that.

Inside her tent, she let out a hushed breath of relief. Without a doubt, her team would think she was weird. That wasn't anything different from how her classmates had viewed her in Uzushiogakure. But still, she was resolved to make a conscience effort to fit in with her new team.

Manami could feel loose droplets beading in her hair but was used to the feeling. Uzushiogakure often had misting like this, being located so close to the water. Picking her way through the small opening she reached her cramped desk. The scrolls were spilling onto the floor. Apparently they hadn't been as secured as she had thought. Craning her neck, Manami caught sight of a scroll that had rolled under her cot.

Annoyed, she knelt on the cool ground and snatched the rolled material from its hiding spot. Across the label was the Captain's name. Her fingers tingled suddenly like needles and pins as she carelessly tossed it onto her cot. That was another mystery she had yet to fully rationalize; her reactions to Hatake Sakumo. But that, along with the secret of the barrier would have to be dealt with later. Settling into the wooden camp chair, the new medic resumed her reading.

After a couple of hours, the kunoichi had pored over the scrolls twice and felt comfortable with the information that had gathered in her head. The scrolls had been very through. Academy graduation dates, team assignments, mission records, injury and hospital records, along with typical information found in standard medical histories, date of birth, blood type, height, weight, allergies.

The medical shinobi had devoured the information, painting a fuller picture of the team she had been assigned to. She was in awe, all while feeling grossly under-qualified. Clearly this was one of Konohagakure's best teams, if not the best. All were experts in their field, accomplished marksmen, competent leaders, all hidden behind a façade of laidback jokes and easy-going mannerisms.

Her hands were now busy pulling supplies from shelves and placing them onto the desk she had pulled from across the medical tent. Labels had been moved before the endeavor. Once she had inspected the materials, Manami would replace them on the newly organized shelving.

Still, she thought her hands brushing the labels, with a team of hard headed personalities there had to be an individual that could bring them all together. To make use of them in the best way possible. And that person was Hatake Sakumo.

There was no doubt in her mind about it now. His records were clean and pristine. He had never suffered any serious injury that would plague his limbs or muscles. He was accomplished in ninjutsu, kenjutsu, and taijutsu and a formidable opponent.

In summary, he was a former prodigy and now a genius. And he was only four years her senior.

The few accomplishments she held in high regard seemed like nothing compared to his. He was Konoha's best kept secret and shinobi prided themselves on secrets. This brought her thoughts back to the purpose of this team. If Hatake Sakumo was a secret, undoubtedly their team would have not only the element of shock but also of surprise. If an enemy thought you were a nobody, they wouldn't know how to react. They would underestimate you.

Manami had contemplated that this could be the reason she had never heard of the white haired man. The more she thought about it, the more justified it became. This team would be a nasty blow and undoubtedly Sakumo's name would be known when all of this was over.

She viewed her handiwork, feeling satisfied with the outcome of her organization. A day on her own had been needed after the constant contact with people. Manami hated to admit it, but people did wear on her patience and mental state. These couple of solitary hours had brought her back to a state of rational calm and she no longer felt the anxiety of being surrounded by strangers. But this could change once she was forced into contact with them again this evening.

Even when lost in thought, Manami had an acute sense of time. It had been very helpful when she had worked and researched in the hospital, always internally knowing when she was scheduled for surgery or when medication was due and being able to tailor tasks to keep herself busy for the duration of her free time. This sense also had its drawbacks. Like knowing when you had to do something that you weren't looking forward to.

There was a scratching sound at the tent's door as a small grey paw and snout shimmied the zipper open. Yoko followed, shaking his damp fur and sending water droplets flying. The smell of wet dog was a little overwhelming. Manami crinkled her nose. A dry huff that sounded like a covered laugh came from Yoko. The wiry hound trotted to the kunoichi, his eyes begging for a scratch. Manami rolled her eyes but relented a quick scratch behind the ears.

"Already time for dinner is it?" Manami asked, glancing over the medical tent one last time. A small grumble followed by a sigh came from the hound, confirming the kunoichi's thoughts. "That means that I should get moving then?" Another huff as the dog sauntered to the tent opening, eyeing the kunoichi wearily as if telling her to hurry up.

"Yes, yes. I'm coming." The kunoichi turned to the lamp to extinguish it before following Yoko into the rain. It was a refreshing feeling to have the rain on her face, though Manami was quick to notice that none of the team was around. A small hutch stood instead next to the banked fire and pot, a packet of chopsticks and a stack of bowls sitting under a woven cover. Stalking over to the hutch, Manami collected her dinnerware and opened the pot. After scooping the cooled rice and bean mixture into her bowl, she turned to walk to back to her tent.

Yoko intercepted her course, brushing her back around to face the main tent that held the captain's quarters. His dark eyes looked to the tent and back to the kunoichi who stared at him questioningly. Her expression read you can't be serious while the hound's gave an expression of absolutely. Exasperated, the kunoichi headed towards the shelter with dog in tow.

Manami entered the tent hesitantly. The entire team was present including the ninken, who all sat at attention in front of the team members, watching their master intently. Sakumo was standing over the table contemplating the map and flags, a bowl long forgotten in his hands. His eyes acknowledged the kunoichi, a flit of a smile in them before he returned his attention to the map.

Namazu smiled at her openly though, waving her over to the open spot next to him on the bench. Silently and reluctantly, Manami accepted the silent invitation, allowing herself to settle next to the dark skinned shinobi. Seated, she started to eat her evening meal as quietly as she could, but the silence was so deafening that every bite she took sounded like a rock slide in her ears. To make matters worse, her stomach let out a low groan. The teammates the medic could see smirked at the sound. An airy chuckle sounded from down the bench.

Yoko seemed to be the only one that understood as he stretched and let out a loud yawn before curling up at the kunoichi's feet. With a hidden grin, Manami rubbed the wiry dog's belly using her foot. The hound wuffed his contentment, winding into a tighter ball.

At his close proximity, the wet dog smell made the kunoichi's nose itch without control. Manami chose to ignore the sensation, breathing out through her nose to expel the scent. Finishing her bowl, she found it swept from her grip as Namazu exited the tent with stack of bowls and a handful of chopsticks. Without food to hide behind, the kunoichi kept her hands busy by absently petting the ninken resting on her feet.

Namazu was quick to return and the evening's meeting was underway. One of the reasons for the quiet camp that day had been Hatake-Taichou sending out half the group to reconfirm and recount the numbers at the enemy camps surrounding them. Daylight had been a two sided blade. Better sight not only for their team but the enemy forces as well.

This made their mission more dangerous as wet feet had the tendency to leave more traces than dry. But the team was successful having Hyūga Jirou's byakugan. With his eyes, the scouting team never got within range of the enemy and had an especially accurate depiction of the bordering opponents. A few different tactics were suggested. Manami found that the captain seemed to seriously consider their submissions but never settling on one. It was quite diplomatic of him and everyone seemed satisfied with his decision to think more on it.

Finally, the subject was back on Manami though the kunoichi was better prepared for the attention this time around. The current topic was as to who would be best to match her against for sparing. The amount of space in the camp and the confines of not using powerful jutsu put a stall in the plan as the team and Manami tried to envision the best opponent.

Many wanted the captain to be the one to test the medic. He had the experience and the best knowledge of what she could be capable of. On the other hand, some thought an Uchiha or the Hyūga would be a better choice, their eyes giving them a clear advantage in a small space. Others argued that they would be the most valuable in case of an emergency and it would be a waste of energy and chakra to send one of them against a medic.

In the end it was Hatake Sakumo's decision. Her opponent for that night's spar would be Uchiha Akio. Out of all of the team, he had spent the most time with her, had the best idea of her reactions and with his Sharingan, he would be the fastest to counter an attack if something went wrong, on top of being the second in command of the squadron. Manami accepted the choice of opponent, feeling a little bit more at ease with the Uchiha than with anyone else.

The group marched out of the tent in an orderly fashion, while the twins cleared the area of anything that might be tripped over. Out of habit, Manami observed her surroundings briefly. The camp was open and flat with no cover. They would have to be careful not to knock over any of the tents with how confined it was and the limit of jutsu she could use was also a little concerning to Manami because all of these factors combined would spell the Uchiha's victory. He had a height and weight advantage over her and the small range of combat related techniques she had would eat into what she could and could not do.

And she didn't know what he was fully capable of. She had a vague idea from his scrolls, but seeing it in action would be something else. He was also the opposite typing of her. Akio was strong in the Fire element, much like the rest of his clan while she was strongest in Water. This would have spelled an advantage if not for his Sharingan.

Having once been caught in its gaze, she had formulated a plan to avoid its power. Genjutsu was her weakest point and by weakest she meant that while she understood the theory of it, Manami was not very efficient at using it. By some unfortunate luck, if she was able to recognize that she was caught in illusion she usually had the ability to release it.

Rolling back her shoulders a couple of times, the kunoichi loosened up her muscles in preparation for the fight. Akio seemed relaxed and not too worried about the outcome, but there was no point in worrying over his demeanor Manami decided. The medic would simply just have to do her best with what she had.

Each took their position, looking at Sakumo for the signal to start. A curt nod came and the spar started. Manami unfortunately learned quickly that Akio had no plans to hold back. As her eyes turned from Sakumo, she found her opponent had left his spot in a flash before movement out of the corner of her eye signaled his move.

Her arm automatically came up to block, but it did nothing to hinder Akio's kick. The medic skidded back, taking its full force. The kick rang through her body, like a bell hit by a hammer, vibrating her to the core. Manami liked to think that she could take a hit, but the pain in her arm told her a bruise would be greeting her very soon. Her other arm rose as she automatically tried to block the taller man's next kick. This block succeeded a bit more, the kunoichi managing to leverage herself to take the hit and then transfer its excess energy from her body.

A split second later, she launched her counter, her numbed right arm swinging out with a kunai in hand, aiming for Akio's unprotected area between his legs. He, of course, saw this coming and reacted with his own kunai, blocking the medic's attempt. He continued around, his leg going in for a sweep. Manami jumped back avoiding the attack.

Akio followed the blue haired woman's movements, using a quick burst of chakra to flip over Manami. At the top of the arc he released the kunai, forcing the kunoichi to counter with her kunai and leaving her open for another high kick. The kick hit with full force, the sound of bones cracking in the kunoichi's neck. The kick overshot as Manami was replaced with the kunai that that Uchiha had thrown. Slightly off balance, the shinobi narrowly dodged a kick as the kunoichi came into an attack from above.

Akio jumped back from the strike, into the path of two shuriken that the kunoichi had managed to throw before her kick. Impressed, he blocked one of the flying stars with a kunai while jumping out of the other's trajectory. The kunoichi was not following, which was a vast oversight, he thought. That is, before he tripped over a low laying wire concealed in the grass. He was quick to recover, planting his hand on the ground and reversing back onto his feet, away from the wire.

"Good use of equipment. I was quite surprised by your ability to switch so quickly between projectiles." A kunai flashed around the kunoichi's neck as the Uchiha that had tripped over the wire dispersed into a cloud of smoke. The kunai dug into Manami's neck before she also dispersed into a puddle of water. "And working with the elements around you will be a large benefit. If not for my kekkei genkai, this spar could have turned out very differently though I would say that you were holding back as much as I was Ma-Hime. But seriously, transforming to avoid me? I'm not that scary."

A scowling kunoichi appeared, canceling the transformation jutsu that made her appear as one of the thrown kunai. "I told you not to call me that. And it was better safe than sorry. Clearly you don't know how hard you kick or choose to ignore it. You could easily dislocate the shoulder of someone my size even if it's just in a friendly practice. Are we to continue?" Manami's attention was directed again to Sakumo, who was looking between the medic and Uchiha in amusement.

"No, I think that will be enough for tonight. Everyone saw some of your capabilities, though we won't see the full extent of them until actual battle. Does anyone have any questions?" The captain asked looking around the spectators. Most seemed bored and ready for sleep, covering up yawns.

Hyūga Jirou, who deactivated his doujutsu, had questions. During his observation of Manami and Akio's match, he noticed a peculiar path of circulation with the medic's chakra. Her chakra coils were normal per se, but her control and flow went beyond the normal parameters of her body to the beading that was held in her hair. It appeared to be a continual connection with a light drain on her system.

But, it was also clear to him that the Uchiha, Akio, and more than likely Hatake Sakumo were aware of it. Or at least partially so. In the meantime, the Hyūga decided he would keep an eye on the matter and observe before directly confronting the medic. There would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

After the spar, the rest of the week fell into an easier routine. Umino Namazu explained to Manami the duties rooster and its order. There wasn't an actual physical list but that didn't stop the tanned shinobi from creating one for the kunoichi. The gesture was a nice one that Manami didn't find it necessary. In the end, the list was forced into her custody until 'she got used to how things worked around camp'.

The short handwritten list itemized a number of duties from latrine digging to cooking the meals in camp. From the looks of it, Namazu had taken her duty as well as her own the first day, doing both the dishes and the cooking though it had been her turn to wash the dishes. This revelation made her flush in a vexing discomfort. There was nothing she could do about it though. It was in the past and she would have to move on from it.

The kunoichi kept herself busy in the meantime, conducting physical exams to match the information she had read in the scrolls to the patient. The process had been awful for several reasons, the first being that she had to ask her teammates whom she had just met to allow her to do a physical exam.

Namazu had been the first and very understanding. In fact, when she had questioned whether or not conducting an exam without clothes was crucial to the assessment, the Jounin had voiced a supporting opinion. In her second interview, the situation spiraled out of control.

Akio, her second patient, was once again his annoying self. When asked to strip, he had asked if the kunoichi would like to watch. Furiously embarrassed, she shoved an examination gown at the man and fumed for the rest of the appointment much to the Uchiha's amusement.

Those were the only exams she had been able to conduct that day, the rest of the team having been sent out to scout. Later in the evening, she managed to waylay the twins on their way to dinner, asking them to come in the morning to see her in the medical tent. They agreed.

The next morning however, the two kenjutsu users showed up in their underwear, claiming that Uchiha Akio had instructed them to. According to Daichi, the Uchiha had also mentioned that the kunoichi had a strange medical related fetish and preferred to be called Pantsu-Sensei. They were promptly expelled from the medical bay and told to come back with clothes on. This wouldn't be the last of the team's antics either.

Soon, the story had been passed around the camp. Conversations would stop when the kunoichi walked by, much to her discomfort. Though the worst part was the snickering that would follow after they thought she was out of hearing. The normally calm kunoichi started to go out of her way to avoid spending prolonged contact with the team which was difficult in such a small base. But that didn't stop her from trying.

The rest of the examinations were done sporadically over the rest of the week. Manami bided her time, picking off her teammates one at a time when she knew they would have free time and when she wouldn't be interrupted. The last teammates to evaluate were Hyūga Jirou and Hatake Sakumo. The Hyūga had been the most challenging to corner. He was rarely on his own and was always off on reconnaissance. The captain had also been the same.

It was early in the evening when Manami finally made the decision to conduct a double interview as the team was gone but both Hyūga and Hatake were on base, in the captain's quarters discussing the next week's move. Manami had taken the better part of the early afternoon anticipating and gathering her courage to deal with the two Konohagakure shinobi. Gathering the scrolls in a tightly tied bundle, the Uzushiogakure made her way to the canvas covered tent, ignoring the rain that drenched her shoulders on the short walk.

Clearing her throat outside of the tent, she paused for a breath and then entered, giving the two men inside a moment to comprehend her entry. Both were standing over the map, Jirou with his normally stoic expression, Sakumo with a tired smile. Manami's mind blanked momentarily, her rehearsed words fleeting. Buying time, she approached the table setting the scrolls onto the unused chair nearby.

The words came back to her as she inhaled. "As you both know, I have been conducting exams on Squadron Hatake over the course of the last week cross-referencing the scrolls that you," a pointed look at the Captain, "have provided. I am sure you are also aware that I have interviewed everyone in the camp with two exceptions, the two of you." She paused, indicating the empty chairs. "If you would allow me the pleasure."

"Of course, Hamano-san. There isn't anything that I can't take care of later. Jirou? If you would." The captain indicated one of the chairs, having taken the other. Jirou followed the silver haired man's example without emotion. Things progressed smoothly after that.

Manami started off with the basics, asking when and where the shinobi were born, their height, their weight. And she moved on, asking questions about if there were any drugs they used, any family history of health problems, the last time they were hospitalized and for what, if applicable. It was a very formal range of questions that were normal for a hospital visit. Any pain? Reoccurring headaches?

She was very through in her questions, but made no notes and asking medical questions from her memory. The kunoichi didn't do as much as look in the direction of the scrolls. Sakumo was pleased with the fact. If there was no need for notes or the scrolls, the blue haired kunoichi was fulfilling her promise to return the scrolls for disposal. She also seemed satisfied with the answers they were providing.

After the questions, she conducted the physical exam, explaining that there was no need to take off their clothes. Sakumo knew, of course, of the incident with the twins and Akio. The captain didn't see the point in involving himself with the matter. Not because he didn't care, but because of his confidence that the kunoichi would be able to overcome the problem on her own.

She, however, had been avoiding the situation rather than confronting the team. Truthfully, it would have been easier if she had challenged the men and had settled their joke early. But instead, it had festered and grown, causing the seventeen year old to draw further into herself. Namazu kept him up to date on the situation.

She took their pulses, blood pressures and temperatures to establish a normal set of vitals. Manami also asked them to perform little exercises, such as raising their arms over their heads or to fully extend their legs, to know the extent of their normal physical limitations. Satisfied with the results, she stowed away what little equipment she had brought along. Brushing off her pants, she sat and looked between them. "Do you have any questions for me?"

Sakumo shook his head, but he noticed that Jirou did not. "Thank you, Hamano-san. I do have a question, but it does not pertain to the physical you just conducted. May I continue?" Manami nodded carefully, not quite sure what the shinobi had his mind on. There had been no hint given to her about the state of his thoughts, but if she could answer his question she would try.

"Very good. You see, the day after you arrived, you and Akio had a spar, as you will recall. During that time, I had the opportunity to observe you with the Hyūga's Byakugan, which you are aware of is a doujutsu native to Konohagakure." Manami nodded, following his train of thought curiously.

"And in my observations, I noticed a particularly interesting display of chakra control from you. It was interesting in the fact that it seemed to be a maintained connection between you and your so-called hair beads. I have thought on it for a while, and observed them at times since then and uphold that you do have a constant bond to this beads-"

"So what you want to know is 'what are they'?" Manami interrupted.

Thank you for the continued support and the reviews from Prescipto13 and Juliedoo. They were and are still much appreciated critiques and compliments to my writing style. I would also like to thank xLilim for unknowingly inspiring me to look back into writing this story.

If you have any questions, feel free to message me and as always, Constructive criticism and reviews are appreciated.