I could feel the awkwardness of the moment hanging heavy in the air after I'm selected into Squad 10.

Over the next hour, as I do my best to pay attention, I couldn't help but hear the incessant whispering and quiet giggling amongst the students.

For the next couple of hours, we study the same subjects I studied in the Facility; reading, writing, mathematics, science, and geography. Throughout the class, I observe Asuna and Shisui respectively show off their personalities.

Shisui is easily distracted and companionable, passing the time by talking and cracking jokes with his half of the class, and not paying attention to the class.

Asuna, however, is the polar opposite much to my surprise. In contrast to her pugnacious demeanor, she is a studious and attentive student. Throughout the class, she is quietly heedful and only raises her loud voice whenever she had a question or when she answers. Consistently raising her hand to answer questions, even when no one else did. Answering questions with the most precise responses with brimful assurance to boot.

I knew all of the answers as well, but I'm not inclined to raise my hand. I simply jot down my extensive notes as he speaks.

I look up at the clock above Shibata's desk. It is 12:30. After about 5 minutes a piercing buzzer sounds and all of the children prepares for lunch. I weave through the sea of students while keeping my eyes peeled for Asuna. I catch a brief glance of her by the doorway as she looks over in my general direction. Upon seeing me, she begins to whisper to her friends, periodically sneaking peeks at me.

Muffled whispers circulating among the students as I move through the hallway. I could tell from the cold stares and cruel whisperings that I had no friends here. Some children just stare at me. Other backs away from me. "Move it, loser!", A brown-haired boy bump hard into me with his shoulder as he passes me by in the hallway. A few students nearby erupt in a chorus of laughter as they passed by me.

Bastard. The brown-haired boy looks over his shoulder at me and I shoot him a cold glare that makes him quickly look away. I could tolerate the cold looks and the words easily, but I will NOT tolerate any physical altercations. As I said before, I'm not here to make friends. All I focus on me acquainting myself with my new surroundings. I peer into the various classrooms, each looking as monotonous and boring as the last. Textbooks and papers were strewn about on the desks.

Laughter sounds along the halls joined with loud conversations and shouts. Small huddles of girls gossiping and giggling. Some students sit around the hallway, laughing and talking, all except one group that sit silently staring at laptop screens with massive headphones that appear to be permanently strapped to their heads.

I come to the pair of doors that lead to the open corridor. I slowly open the doors, which lets out a tired old groan as the hinges protest.

I head out to the outdoor corridor, there are small huddles of students here and there, filling the outside with a cacophony of chattering and giggling.

Then in a split second, a sudden force rams me sideways, sending me into a heap of human rubble on the hard floor. The bento box of rice I've been carrying shot into the air like a burst of white confetti. Passing students let out a cacophony of resounding laughter. I look up to see a moaning Shisui on the floor, rubbing his forehead. Clutching a bento box in his hand.

I rub my forehead, my head throbbing with a jarring pain.

"Owww…" He squints his eyes. "Samara! Sorry! I was in a rush…" My attention is momentarily taken without a single recourse as some of the children cruelly kick my food out of their way.

Shisui scrambles to his feet and stretches out his hand to help me.

"You okay? My bad," I take his hand and he brings me to my feet. He rubs the back of his head. "I was kinda in a rush, you know."

Then a whisper breaks through the air. "Um...Shisui.." I turn around to see a familiar girl from Squad 4. A soft-spoken girl with short sky blue hair, large light blue eyes, and delicate features. She is holding a fair-sized bento box. "You dropped this….um...Shisui."

"Oh, thanks, Setsuko!" Shisui breaks out into a grateful smile. Setsuko gives him a feeble nod, her hands clasped together. A gentle flush of pink has arisen in her cheeks that make her look vulnerable. "You're welcome." She mutters.

I momentarily glance at my spilled food and realize that I'm starving. I look up to see Setsuko shrinking at the sight of me, her quivering eyes fixated on me. I've seen many looks directed to my uncanny appearance. Confusion. Disgust. Caution. Curiosity. But this is the first time I see someone look afraid of me. Setsuko breaks off the gaze and only looks at Shisui.

"How about we eat together?" Shisui seizes my attention. "I'm gonna eat with Kaori and Itsuki. Setsuko, you should tagalong- how about it, Samara?" He says this rapidly. He points to a spot on the corridor. "To apologize for what happened, you can have some of my lunch."

This boy is very hyperactive. I note. But I nod solemnly. I have no objections to his request. My eyes search for Asuna. "Is Asuna coming as well?" I ask.

He nods. "Yeah, she said she's coming. But she's up in the office. She's very upset" He explains.

"In the office?" I inquire. "With the Hokage?"

Shisui nods. "Yep, after you know, her little outburst, I heard Sensei sent her straight up to the Hokage to talk."

I recollect my meeting with him, vividly remembering all of his assurances to me.

I just want to make sure you're comfortable here.

I know that this village is very different from what you're used to and I hope that no one is giving you a hard time.

Just remember, that you can come straight to me if you're ever having any issues.

I suppose he is taking the incentive into his own hands on my behalf.

Shisui beckons me to follow him and he briskly leads me down to a flock of students huddling together.

A small cluster of five students all gathered together. Two boys from Squad 1 and all members of Squad 4 eating their bento together. The compound-eyed girl from Squad 4 approaches us. "Shisui! Samara!" She calls out. "Over here!" Then in an instant, one boy in Squad 1 stands up. A tall boy that has long black hair that fell in unruly chunks to frame his face and his eyes were gray and gleaning like slabs of slate. The boy looks askance at me, then he breaks it off before abruptly walking off.

I pause in my tracks, unsure of what to think.

A wave of discomfort overtakes my mind. As far as I'm concerned I'm in the village of complete strangers, no matter how many times I may see them back in class. Everything is so alien to me.

"Oh...uh.." I look at Shisui to see an awkward look cross his face. "I forgot.." He scratches the back of his head.

"Forgot what?"

"Some students aren't that thrilled about you being here..you know?" He fumbles with his words as if he didn't know what exactly to say.

The second boy is comparably short than the previous boy with sharp-looking eyes. He had a full head of short, yellow hair of varying lengths. He has a soft and reasonable voice. "Perhaps, you should have said that you were bringing her beforehand." He scolds lightly.

He quickly looks at me and adds. "No offense, it's just everyone is on edge about you," He pauses for a brief second. His golden eyes fixate on me. "It's just your presence may jog up some bad memories for some."

I didn't know what to say to that. I recall my meeting with the Hokage. He was correct in his concern that many will not take kindly to my presence. It is true that the Otsutsuki does not have a positive relationship with humanity and I doubt we ever will.

My main concern is that my origins will make me a target for any altercation. I don't want to be forced to defend myself. I can't afford trouble or tribulations throughout my time here. If I seek to accomplish my mission, I must try to maintain a squeaky clean reputation as much as I can.

"Well, what can you do? Clearly, she's no harm to anyone." The same girl who called out to us seizes my attention. Her voice is light as a ringing bell. "I'm Kaori Hyuga." The strong aroma of lilac lingers off of her. She is one foot taller than me with sleek, jet-black hair tied with shiny barrettes and large, compound-looking eyes that do not possess pupils, only a haze of gradient lavender. A puff of wind blows her silky, white haori that is decorated with a floral pattern of plum blossoms. I stand there for a brief moment, looking at her in silence. She is...distinctly peculiar. (Although, I'm not the one to judge.) But I do appreciate her kindness.

Politely, I take her hand and give her a limp shake. "Nice to meet you."

She flashes me a shining smile. "Not going to lie, I was a bit disappointed to not be put on the same team as you."

I arch an eyebrow. "You were?"

"Yes, of course, as you know the Hyuga are descendants of the Otsutsuki. So I think we should definitely be friends. I'm sorry if anyone is giving you a hard time." She says sincerely.

"It's fine. No one has bothered me actually." I admit. As I said before, I'm indifferent. As long as I don't encounter any impediments, the words and various looks are nothing but a mere inconvenience.

Once we sit down, Shisui and I sit close together and he proceeds to introduce me to his friends. "Samara, meet," He gestures to the yellow-haired boy. "Itsuki Kitagawa," He then adds. "The one that just left was Yukiteru Yamagata."

Then Shisui gestures to Setsuko and a girl that looks almost identical to her with her long light pink hair, large darkish pink eyes, and delicate features. She introduces herself. "Satoko Mochizuki. Part of Squad 4. You already met my sister, right?" She motions to Setsuko.

Once again, the moment I meet her watery-blue eyes, she takes on a startled look and lowers her eyes to the floor. "Sorry….that I haven't introduced myself earlier," Her cheeks flush. "I...I was going to...but…" Her voice falters. "But...I'm Setsuko. Welcome to Konoha." She never looks me in the eyes and returns to eating her meal.

For a moment, I'm curious as to why she is acting so anxious towards me, but I quickly dismiss it.

Shisui keeps his promise to share his food with me. He has a small meal consisting of two Onigiris and other foods I've never seen before.

Since I'm taciturn in nature, I keep to myself, eating my Onigiri in silence, listening to the surrounding conversations around me,

"Wanna piece?" My eyes flicker to Shisui holding out a strange brown rectangle item to me.

I arch an eyebrow at it. "What is this?"

Shisui is visibly taken aback by my question. But he keeps going. "Chocolate. It's really good."

"I never heard of it," I say honestly. The Facility prohibited me from possessing any forms of sweets. I honestly don't know what sugar looks like. I only had vegetables, fruits, grains, and meats throughout my life in the Facility.

"Oh, try it then. It's really good. I promise.'' He encourages.

I take one bite of the sweet chocolate chunk and a shudder runs through me. Even though I'm not finished with my Onigiri, I ignore it until I've eaten the entire thing. And I have to resist the urge to ask Shisui if I could have his other one.

I think Shisui must have noticed that I liked it as he beams. "See, I told you it was good."

I say nothing and just resume methodically eating my meal for a good five minutes.

He is the loudest among us, brimful of excitement. Almost unable to sit still. "I'm so ready for the first mission! Just one step closer to my pathway of becoming Hokage! I just can't wait to start!"

"Me neither," Setsuko says almost inaudible.

Her twin sister is her polar opposite; outspoken and assertive. "I've always been called intuitive, and I'll just say that I have a really good feeling about my pathway of becoming one of the greatest Kunoichi!" Satoko beams. Her nose tilts assuredly into the air. "I was born for this."

Shisui looks at Setsuko. "What about you? What are you planning to do?"

Setsuko bites her lower lip, her eyes sticking to the floor. "Medical Nin. I think I'll be useful if I just improve my healing ability." She mutters.

"That's awesome, Setsuko. I heard that teams are very lucky to have a Medic." Shisui expresses. Then he adds. "Plus I just can't wait to see the rest of the world!" He eyes everyone. "What about you guys?"

Kaori lets out a small giggle. "I'm planning on becoming both a Sannin and a Medical Nin. With my Byakugan, although, it is not as powerful as the upper relative, I know I can be very effective in battle, and my knowledge in pharmacy will help me with the medical practice."

A skeptical look crosses Itsuki's face. "Becoming one of the legendary Sannin is easier said than done just like becoming Hokage is a difficult path to follow." He advises.

Shisui is not deterred. "Any obstacle in my way will be a piece of cake for me! I know that for a fact! If I'm gonna be Hokage, I'm never giving up anytime soon!" He proclaims. There is no end to this boy's enthusiasm.

It is near the end of lunch when everyone begins to depart from the group, eventually leaving me and Shisui walking back to class together.

I glance once over my shoulder to see Asuna marching over to us, her scarlet qipao dress flowing in the wind. Her face contorted with frustration, her lips sealed in a scowl. She fixates her gaze on me and Shisui.

Shisui waves her over to us. " Hi, Asuna, what's up?" He says in a friendly tone.

She crosses her arms with an indignant look. Her domineering voice loud and firm. "We need to talk." She says sharply. "Look, I just came to tell you that I want to talk to you two about our Squad. Class is going to start soon, so we might as well walk back together so we can talk!"

With that, Asuna squeezes in the middle between us as we all enter the crowded hallway. Eyes are on me as usual, whispers directed into my eardrums. Shisui doesn't appear fazed, but Asuna's cheeks are flushing every time judgemental eyes land on her. "Look, Wo- I mean Samara..I was wrong for how I acted back there."

"Excuse me?" I mutter in disbelief. I'm taken aback by that statement.

"I'm sorry." Asuna chokes out.

"You're apologizing?" Shisui chimes, equally as surprised as me.

Asuna frowns, her eyes were narrowed and her hair seems to crackle with electricity, ''Shisui! I'm not talking to you!" She hiss.

Well, that didn't last very long. I wonder what the Hokage said to her? I think.

I look at her to see her face softening slightly. "Look, I may not like you. And we haven't started on the right foot, but since we're on a team together. We should try to be cordial at least. Look, I was being a bit….unladylike...back there…what happened in class was a bit uncalled for…" I could tell it is taking a great effort for her to confess to all of this.

I nod.

"You don't talk very much, don't you?" Asuna remarks.

"I'm just waiting for what else you have to say," I state bluntly.

Asuna didn't seem to appreciate my tone and narrows her eyes at me, her distaste for me ever so palpable. She lets out a relenting sigh. "Look, since we are on a team together, we need to discuss some ground rules," She looks toward the classroom door. "Tomorrow, we meet up again, okay!"

NEXT CHAPTER WILL COME SOON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. GIVE REVIEWS AND THOUGHTS. Big thanks to everyone who is reading. Please review, favorite, and subscribe.