Disclaimer: Same old, same old. Still don't own Naruto.
Author's Note: Hi! Sorry about my crappy last chapter. This one will be better, promise.
Recommended song: Nobody's listening – Linkin Park
Chapter 8: Life, Death, and Everything Else in Between
Walking down the hallway towards her Father's office, Zarien was having a hard time trying to hide her excitement. I can't believe that I'm going to meet my new team today! I hope that my sensei is not too demanding. Zarien sobered. Well, even if he is…
Walking purposefully towards the door, she stopped, taking a deep breath before knocking on the door. I won't let that stop me. Not this time…
-()-
A soft knocking was heard coming from the door. "Ah, I see that Zarien has arrived." Yamin drawled softly. "Shall I call her in?" Gai nodded quickly. The sooner I get away from this guy, the better. He gives me the creeps.
"Very well." Turning to the door, his long, blond hair sweeping behind him impressively, Yamin smirked before calling, "Come in, Zarien." The quiet sound of the paper screen door sliding open was the only thing that disturbed the silence.
Gai leaned forwards, eager to see his new student. Yamin didn't tell me anything about her other than her name, and that she's a girl. I wonder what her specialty is. Well, I guess I'll find out soon enough.
Gai could barely hide his surprise when he saw his new student. The tall, slender girl looked like she would be better suited to being a geisha than a shinobi. Her delicate frame looked like it wouldn't even be able to move at a decent speed. I have a feeling that she is going to be completely hopeless. He was about to dismiss her as utterly mediocre when she looked up. Gai nearly fell over in shock.
The look that she gave him was so intimately familiar. That look of determination, seen so often on Lee's face, but with something more to it. Then it clicked. The almost vicious look told him: Don't Underestimate Me.
He nodded slowly, breathing a sigh of relief when she diverted that intense look away from him. She has spirit to her, I'll give her that.
-()-
A while later…
"Well Zarien, we're almost there. Nervous about meeting your new team?" Gai grinned at the almost silent girl. No, ya think? Of course I'm frikin' nervous. "Ya, a little bit. But I'm sure that I'll get over it." Zarien smiled slightly up at her sensei. But, I can deal with it. After all, not much can be worse than being in the same room as Father when he's mad. This is nothing.
Suddenly they were in a small training area, already occupied by three other people. Zarien looked them over, analyzing them for whatever information she could get.
First was a boy with long, ebony hair tied back about halfway down. His arrogant stance and impassive face, along with pupiless lavender eyes, instantly identified him as a Hyuga. I have a feeling that I'm going to have to watch out for that one.
Next was a pretty girl with an open face. Her large brown eyes gave the illusion of harmless cuteness, but Zarien wasn't fooled. This girl could fight. Nice try, but you can't fool someone who plays the same game.
Seeing that she had gathered everything she could about these people from looking at them, she turned her attention to the last person with a smirk. Shock, however, quickly banished it from her face. Holy. Crap. I-it's the guy who saved my ass from my Dad. What is He doing here?
Looking at the tall boy in slight shock, she couldn't help but notice that he was kinda cute. With his bowl-cut and big, black eyes, he had a kind of… innocence… to him that most other boys his age lacked. Noticing that he was looking at her with the same shock that she felt, she blushed slightly. "Ummm. Hi?"
-()-
Lee couldn't believe what he was seeing. His new teammate was the same girl that he helped a few days ago.
Well, I hope everyone liked this chapter. I'm kinda bummed out that no one reviewed my last chapter, but I guess that it must have really sucked. So, please review, cuz reviews make me happy, and a happy me writes more! Also, if anyone wants to see a picture of Zarien, theirs a link to a picture I drew of her on my profile.
