Thanks for all the Faves, Follows and Reviews!
belle hawk: You're welcome lol. I had the same problem, not to say I didn't like quite a few of the kind you mentioned, but I really wanted one that was just fully Naruto-verse for once. Hope you continue to enjoy it!
Lisa-francis.96780: gotta love a good lack of drama at times, I know I do lol. Neji will have to deal with another of the gang, hope its not too painful for him.
Chapter Twelve
Kaida dressed carefully for his first day as an official Genin of Konoha.
After the testing yesterday, the Inuzuka had thrown a big bash, at which all three of them were presented, with much pomp and circumstance, one of Tsume's handmade coats.
A vest in Kaida's case, a deeper red then his current one with thick black fur lining the hems and hood and, when held, the inner wire mesh and flak plates made it heavy.
He put it on now, feeling the weight settle over his shoulders, steadying.
Kakashi's gifts were awfully handy as well.
The long-sleeve mesh shirt was fluid and light on his skin, cold at first then warmed to skin temperature under a black shirt. The metal backed gloves were thin enough they didn't bother him and they had no fingers, which Kakashi knew was a must when it came to Kaida.
He was too tactile, it freaked him out when he couldn't feel things.
Last but not least was his Shinobi kit that settled in the small of his back, packed with exploding tags, weapons, wire, anything he might need.
When Kakashi had handed it to him, he winked and said 'its bigger on the inside.'
'Kashi could be real weird at times.
He'd also given Kaida more pouches to strap elsewhere but since they were in village, Kaida just stuck some kunai through the loops on his thigh and a stack of shuriken in his kit, ready and raring to go.
Kakashi was waiting for him in the living room and he gave Kaida a once over, Niko-Niko sitting beside him in the backpack the Inuzuka had gifted him with and his Hitae-ate now firmly attached to his red scarf.
Tsume really was very good at arts and crafts.
Kakashi walked forward and tugged lightly on the hitae-ate loosely tied around Kaida's neck "are you worried?" his dark eyes searched Kaida's bottle green.
"yes." Kaida said simply "but prepared."
Kakashi gave him a crooked grin and pulled his mask up over his face, readjusting his own hitae-ate over his eye "then lets go."
"you don't have to go with me, you know." Kaida said "if you're busy."
"I'll just walk you to the gates, you're still only seven, you know. You might get lost." Kakashi dodged Kaida's punch and opened the door, bowing mockingly "after you, great Shinobi."
Kaida rolled his eyes and left, Niko-Niko trotting after him down the steps.
Kakashi only used the door at home, much to the irritation of everyone else, but he locked it up real tight before he followed Kaida, the door all wrapped up in nasty jutsu and physical traps.
Kaida patted the inner pocket of his vest and smirked.
Ibiki's gift had been an extensive trap setting kit and he, Hina and Natsu had salivated over it. They could make some epic pranks with it.
They navigated the marketplace and busy streets with ease, the Academy gates coming almost too soon.
Kakashi stopped at the entrance and dropped heavy hands on Kaida's shoulders, drawing his attention up.
"don't overthink things and give this-" He handed Kaida a sealed envelope "to your new sensei."
Kaida nodded and tucked the letter away next to his trap kit, giving Kakashi a smile that showed his pointed canines "I'll do my best to get along with whoever my teammates are, even if its Neji."
"good pup." Kakashi patted Kaida's head, then pushed him on his way.
Kaida walked into the classroom without looking back, settling in his seat between his best friends. It took a while for everyone to trickle in for the late start but they all managed to get there on time, filling the once empty room with murmured words and the occasional laugh.
Iruka was the last to arrive, with a clipboard in one hand, looking rather tussled. He looked like he had wrestled a couple of wildcats, a small cut on his cheek already scabbed over.
He cleared his throat and stood in front of the class, looking them over as if checking to make sure they were all paying attention before he started to speak.
"Every one of you have worked hard to get to where you are today; but you're not done yet. Being a Shinobi means always trying, always improving and always enduring, no matter the circumstance but remember, you aren't in this alone. Your team is your family, they pick you up when you falter and, like a family, you protect one another. Put aside any petty squabbles and look forward. Today you are Genin of Konoha and you carry the will of fire."
Iruka blushed profusely when they clapped, Kiba whistling and cat-calling.
He finally threw his hands up in the air "okay, enough, I get it!" and sighed when they settled back down, still red faced "I'll read out the groups."
a hush fell.
"Team ten; Daisuke, Shikamaru, Choji." He looked at the three, making sure they heard and continued "Team eight; Kiba, Neji, Shino."
Kaida glanced at Kiba, snorting at the look on his face. He was okay with Shino, they had even hung out before but Neji had always rubbed the Inuzuka the wrong way.
Iruka continued, oblivious "Team five; Sakura, Lee, Tenten."
Sakura glanced furtively at Sasuke then sunk in her seat, apparently resigned, while Tenten looked pleased to have another girl in her squad.
They'd probably get along, all three were heavy hitters with tendencies to resort to physical retribution.
"Team seven; Natsu, Hinata, Sasuke." Natsu looked like she wanted to stand up and cheer and sink and groan at the same time but settled on throwing a smile and a thumbs up at Hinata, who gave a small smile back, her colorless eyes bright.
Kaida grabbed Hina's hand under the table and stared intently at Iruka, knowing but still waiting for Iruka's announcement "Team three; Ino, Kaida and Hina."
Kaida did cheer, Ino dragging him back down as Iruka lowered his clipboard "your team leaders will arrive to pick you up shortly. Be patient and behave." he glared at Natsu with that and she chuckled nervously.
Kiba's team was the first to leave, with Kurenai Yuhi, graceful as always and sharp as a kunai, winking at the rest of the class.
Kaida had always been wary of her, not just because she was a Genjutsu specialist, but because she loved to torment any boy she though 'adorable'. Kaida had begged Kakashi not to let her babysit him ever again and for once, Kakashi listened.
Then came team tens sensei, Asuma Sarutobi. With an unlit cigarette in his mouth and hands in his pockets, jerking his thumb behind him "come one."
"so the ino-shika-cho line is broken?" Kaida asked Ino and she snorted "no, Daisuke's my cousin, his parents chose not to join the Shinobi corp." she threw a devilish grin at the boy as he left "his names not even Daisuke, It's Inosuke but he thought that was lame and convinced everyone to call him something 'cooler'."
Hina giggled into Adzuki's ruff and Ino smiled at her.
Niko-Niko pressed his nose into Kaida's hand, asking for attention and Kaida complied, scratching his chest and ears.
Kaida was a little sad to see Natsu go, and Hinata too but at least they had each other and Sasuke didn't look too grumpy when none other then Shikaku Nara came to pick them up. The jonin looked them over before giving a deep sigh and muttering "mendokusai." before leaving with the newly minted team seven.
A man in such a vibrant green it hurt Kaida's eyes burst in as Shikaku left, the man throwing him a look as he planted his feet and gave them all a thumbs up "I've come to collect my youthful students!"
Sakura looked absolutely horrified, her pink hair standing on end like a ruffled cats "but-" she started then stopped, closing her eyes tight before getting up with tenten and lee and following he mad man from the room.
A window on the far wall slid open and someone rolled in, glancing around "is he gone?" his voice was low and serious.
"green man? Yeah." Kaida said, cocking his head at the dark haired newcomer, maybe in his early twenties with hair that spiked behind his Hitae-ate.
He stood up and brushed imaginary dirt off his clothes, clearing his throat as he looked at them, eyes dark and quick "I'm team three's leader and I came back from a long mission just for you three." he smiled "Hokage-sama seems to think we'll be a good match."
Kaida gave him a searching look, taking in the high collared black shirt and the Tanto across the right side of his back, much like Kakashi's, his stance solid and light at the same time, light he was ready to move at any moment.
He sat down on Iruka's desk and grinned "this is my first team, so I'm excited. Since we have some time, and I bribed Iruka for his classroom, lets take a quick second to introduce ourselves, yeah?"
He pointed at Hina and she said "I'm Hinata Inuzuka, but I go by Hina and this is my Nin-ken, Adzuki. He has the best nose in the village and he only gets distracted sometimes." she lifted the pup up onto the desk and the man smiled and nodded at Kaida.
"I can kinda tell who you are from some descriptions, but why don't you tell me yourself?" he said, eyes on Kaida.
"Kaida Hatake, my chakra affinity is lightning and I'm an honorary Inuzuka. This is Niko-Niko-" he pointed to Niko, who's tongue lolled in a smile "my Nin-ken, and my uncle said to give this to you."
Kaida handed over the envelope and the man put it inside his jacket before looking at Ino.
Ino took over at the look "Ino Yamanaka. I'm proficient in the language of flowers and I know how to make a snare." her voice was bland and Kaida covered a laugh with a small cough while Hina hid her smile using Adzuki.
Their new sensei smiled "nice to meet you all, I'm sure we'll be a strong team."
"What about you?" Ino asked "what's your name?"
"me?" The man's smile was bright and his dark eyes danced as he leaned forward with a mischievous tilt to his head.
"I'm Shisui Uchiha and I look forward to working together."