Chapter 4

The Academy was abuzz when Kazumi arrived the following afternoon. For most students, that Tuesday had been like any other; for others, however, it marked the beginning of a new chapter. In half an hour, the graduates would be acquainted with their team leaders.

And Kazumi would be reacquainted with some of her former students.

A smile appeared on her lips as she entered the building. Before she could even make it to the second set of doors, someone threw their arms around her.

"Kazumi-sensei!"

Though the gesture came as a shock, Kazumi did not push the person away. She gazed over her shoulder to see who it was instead. To her surprise, she met the eyes of Sakura Haruno.

"Sakura-chan," she cooed, "you surprised me!"

The girl released her and took a step back. "I haven't seen you since year four!" she said excitedly. "What're you doing here? Are you one of the new senseis?"

"Wow, look at how much you've gown! I can't believe how tall you are now. The last time I saw you, you were this high!" Kazumi laughed and held a hand at the level of her hip.

"I'm almost as tall as my mom now." Sakura beamed with pride. "So, are you one of the new senseis or are you just visiting?"

"Oh! I'm sorry – you asked me that before, didn't you?" It had been a rhetorical question, but Sakura bobbed her head anyway. "Yes, I am. I've been assigned to Team 6."

The girl deflated when she heard which team her former teacher was on. "I'm on Team 7 with Sasuke and Naruto."

"You seem upset," Kazumi noted. "I thought that you liked Sasuke?"

"Well, I really like Sasuke…but Naruto is so annoying," she said. "All he talks about is ramen – well, that, and how he wants to be the next hokage. I mean, give it a rest. We just graduated!"

Her blue eyes softened as Sakura spoke. "Sakura-chan," she began, "do you have a dream? A goal that you want to accomplish?"

"Yes, of course," she replied. "What I really want is – well, who I want to be with is…"

"You don't have to tell me, Sakura. The point is: how would you feel if someone said that your dream was 'annoying?' Would that hurt your feelings?"

Sakura was quiet for a few seconds. "I guess it would," she said meekly. "I never really thought of it that way."

"The truth is," Kazumi began, "that there will be times when we're paired with someone we don't like. It is our job as shinobi to see past it and focus on the mission."

"You're right," she murmured, bowing her head. "I'll do my best, sensei."

"Ganbatte kudasai. That is all I ask, Sakura-chan." Kazumi smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I should get going. Why don't you have some lunch? I have a feeling you'll need it."

"What? Why?" the girl blinked in rapid succession.

Why? Well, for one, Kakashi will probably be late. And two…

"Sensei?"

Sakura's voice pulled Kazumi from her thoughts. "Hm? Oh! Just making conversation. I don't want you to be hungry is all."

"Okay," she agreed. "Well, it was good to see you, sensei! I'm glad you're back. Maybe you can watch us train sometime!"

"I just might. Mate ne, Sakura-chan." Kazumi saw the girl off with a wave before turning around.

Initially, she planned to attend a luncheon with the other instructors. Leftovers were doubtful now, but she could certainly use the company.

The staff room was mobbed. In addition to Academy personnel, there were at least ten jonin present. Unsurprisingly, Kakashi Hatake was not among them.

"Yo! Kazumi-san!" Asuma waved from his seat. He and Kurenai occupied a table by the window. "We were wondering when you would show!"

Kazumi pulled up a chair when she reached them. "I was visiting with Sakura," she said. "I still can't get over how tall she is."

"They grow up quickly," Kurenai agreed.

Asuma removed a cigarette case from his chest pocket. "Yeah. Once they receive their forehead protectors, most of them do." He slid a smoke out of the case and held it to his lips. "But there are always a few kids who take more time than others."

Kurenai looked at Kazumi. "So, it's your first year as a squad leader," she said. "Who do you have on your team?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing!" Kazumi replied. "I have Hiroshi Sato, Emiko Tanaka, and Jun Kobayashi."

"Wait a minute – they paired Jun and Emiko together?" Asuma took a drag of his cigarette and exhaled. His words left on a breath of smoke. "I heard that both of them were suspended in year four."

"For one week." Kazumi leaned back and crossed her legs. "I caught them defacing the building on recess. You'd be surprised how…creative adolescent girls can be."

"That's right – I'd forgotten that you used to teach here." He cocked his head to one side. "Creative how?"

"Let's just say that Emiko and Jun have an extensive vocabulary," Kazumi mused.

"I hope they've matured since then," Kurenai said.

"And what of Hiroshi?" Asuma asked. "I'm not familiar with him."

"He's a sweet boy," Kazumi began, "but he lacks confidence."

"Kurenai can relate." Asuma balked and cleared his throat. He had misspoken. "Er – her student can, I mean."

"Oh?" Kazumi leaned forward and placed her elbows on the table. "Why? Who do you have?"

Asuma's blunder seemed to have gone unnoticed. Kurenai sighed and folded her arms. "Hinata Hyuga. I've been working with her for a while now. She's made progress, but she isn't on level yet."

"I blame the parents." Asuma pinched the cigarette between his fingers and extinguished it.

"Asuma." Kurenai shook her head. "Don't."

An uneasy silence fell over the table. The Hyuga clan was regarded highly; it would be unwise to criticize Hinata's parents. Fortunately, the bell sounded before Asuma could press the issue.

"That's my cue," Kazumi said. "Are either of you free tonight? I'm thinking drinks at Anago to celebrate." The dive bar was – and had always been – her preferred haunt.

"Count me in." Asuma stood and arched his back. "Kurenai?"

"Sure," she agreed. "I could use a night out. We'll meet you there at 6."

The clack, clack of Kazumi's boots echoed through the hall. Instead of rushing to meet her team, she chose to freshen up in the bathroom.

Why am I so nervous? she thought, leaning over the sink. I know the kids.

Kazumi splashed a bit of cold water on her face. Try as she might, she could not stop her skin from flushing.

"Damn it," she muttered. "I guess that's as good as it gets."

The woman stepped away and yanked a paper towel from the dispenser. For whatever reason, interacting with older children made her anxious. They were like little adults, each with their own motives, thoughts, and biases.

"But at least the uniform fits." Kazumi stared at herself in the mirror. The padded, green vest was very forgiving. Though she had put on a few pounds since her last mission, it was difficult to tell.

The used paper towel hit the trash can with a swish as she exited the bathroom. Iruka's class was just across the hall. She tugged on her vest, inhaled, and drew back the screen.

What she saw hardly surprised her. Emiko and Jun hadn't changed at all.