Irukapooka: Yeppers, figured it'd be a hoot to place Iro, a laid-back type, on the two most psychotic characters' team, just to annoy him :D. Don't worry bout Sakura, she's not my favorite character, but she won't stay cold for long :)

Crow-Sensei recently reviewed one of my stories. I'm hoping she (for I'm guessing that Crow's a girl, since she's all stealthy about her gender, but there are a few subtle hints.) reads this one, and likes it, since she's my hero O.o

Third Degree! Haven't heard from you in a while :). Yeah, don't worry though, he's a nice guy, just a little used to everybody being a hassle. He'll turn out fine :D

Anyway, hope you like this chapter. It may die, I dunno, I'm feeling kinda iffy on writing atm. Hopefully it will be just as good as the last (as that one is the shit, I really liked that one.)

Blah blah disclaimer blah blah blah.

On with the fic.

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Tracing the Clouds

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Chapter Four: At First Glance

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"Ah Crap."

Three sets of eyebrows twitched in unison.

Ever quick on his feet, Iro blurted the next thing to come to his mind, which, for once, didn't dig him in even deeper. For this, he was excruciatingly grateful. "Uh, Hi." Kakashi raised a quizzical eyebrow. "Yo." Naruto's grin became a glare and he and Sakura both spat in unison, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN AH CRAP!?" Iro gave a nervous grin, absent-mindedly scratching the back of his head. "I...ah...stubbed my toe?" He offered, and cringed as sparks flew from his two assailant's eyes. Kakashi sighed, and pulled out a book. Iro was positive he had to be mistaken, but it appeared to be a dirty novel. Naruto pushed into his view, a fuming Sakura right beside him, both muttering "Bullshit." Venomously in stereo. "Alright!" The brown-headed gennin exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperated defeat, "I'm sorry! Sheez! It's just..." he continued, keeping both hand out in front of him, should they decide his head needed removing, "Well, you're really loud..." He gestured towards Naruto, who seemed to lose a lot of steam, almost hanging his head in defeat. "...And you've already decided you don't like me, regardless of what I say..." This time it was Sakura's turn to lose her bravado, and she averted her eyes. "It's not that I don't like you, it's just..." she seemed to be struggling as she spoke "...Sasuke...he..." A gentle hand found her shoulder as Kakashi looked down into the young Kunoichi's hurt eyes.

Iro made a mental note of this. Deciding it best to bring it up quietly with his instructor at a later time. He looked up from his thoughts to see the very man in question casting a lazy glance in his direction. "Kakashi-Sensei, right? I just noticed these two are Chuunin...am I correct in assuming I'm the only Gennin in this team? Mind my asking why you'd want a rookie like myself cramping your seasoned professionalism?" Kakashi waved a hand in a vague gesture, replying in a slow, steady drawl. "I know what you're capable of. The title Gennin of the Leaf is only a formality, installed by Hokage-sama to show we do not recognize your status as a full-fledged ninja as you were brought up in the Village of Sound." He paused, leaning over a bit and placing a hand over his mouth (or mask, rather) conspiratorially, and hissed "We don't like them very much." Iro rolled his eyes, mumbling "wow, I had no idea." Kakashi's exposed eye indicated his grin. He spoke up suddenly, voice monotonous as if reciting a mission report. "Karu Iro. 16 years of age as of next month. Possible Bloodline-""Definite bloodline." Iro interjected. "-Definite Bloodline," Kakashi corrected. "Limits unknown. Genjutsu Average, Ninjutsu Above Average, Taijutsu Below Average, Armed Combat Master."

Iro smiled faintly, giving Kakashi a pointed look as he spoke up, "Someone has definitely done his homework." Kakashi's eye grinned back and he waved the accusatory comment off. "Former ANBU, it's a habit." Iro's smile died away completely. "You can cut the crap Kakashi, I know you've been watching me, assessing my actions. I know the main, if not the only reason I was assigned to this team so immediately is because I'm highly suspected of being a spy pretending to be a missing-nin." The Jounin's smile faltered temporarily, replaced by the grinning game-face he had adapted to this kind of situation over years of being pressed with uncomfortable questions.

It was true that he had been observing the boy, and he had been dead-on about Tsunade suspecting his motives for coming to Leaf, as the history between the two Villages was, to be blunt, extremely bloody. But from he had seen, the kid seemed to be earnest in his good intentions, nothing about him registering as possibly treacherous to Kakashi, and he had ample experience in judging these types. He admitted he kind-of liked the young ex-Sound nin, the boy reminded him of himself in his academy days. He took a moment to glance at the wall, now neatly carved in two by the kid's technique. They had all been rather unnerved as the blade of solid wind barreled it's way through their room earlier.

Deciding finally that he'd much rather have Iro's trust than seem another enemy, he decided to be perfectly honest, a thing he rarely did. "Ah, Gomen Iro, yes I have been taking notes on you, and admittedly you are here so that we may keep an eye on you...but please don't hold that against my or my squad, it's an order, not our decision." Iro opened his mouth to respond, and promptly clacked it shut again as Kakashi cut him off. "However, I must say for a forced assignment, I certainly didn't get a bad deal. I like to consider myself a fairly good judge of character and talent, and you seem to be both perfectly honest and an outstanding ninja. My report on you goes on to say that unarmed you are almost a Chuunin...and armed..." Kakashi paused for effect, noticing Iro's small prideful smile, and commended himself inwardly on a job well done. "...Almost a Jounin." Both Sakura and Naruto's eyes widened considerably, as Kakashi nodded to himself.

"A-Almost a Jounin?" Naruto mind reeled. This kid was stronger than he was? No way...but then again, when they had fought, the boy admittedly had won...but only by using his ultimate move, which caused him to pass out, so it was a draw, right? Right...? His mind clouded with doubt, his inner turmoil obvious on his face. Sakura glanced at her blonde companion to see if he was as startled by this revelation as she was, and was rather unnerved as she took note of his current state, the semi-permanent idiotic grin that usually took up residence on his face nowhere to be found.

"At any rate," Kakashi spoke up, dispersing the tense mood as much as possible. "We're pretty much out of time for today...Jounin board meeting, you know. It's good to have you under me, Iro-kun. We did need our fourth slot filled, and your strengths and weaknesses work into our happy little group perfectly. Welcome to Team Seven, I think you'll find you're happy with this little arrangement too, they don't entrust risky business like possible spies to common rabble." Kakashi winked, or at least, it was a wink as far as Iro could tell. Only being able to see one eye was rather confusing. Meet at our usual spot tomorrow at Six sharp. Oh, Iro, it's that little red bridge you like to spend time on in the evenings." With that, he disappeared with a small "poof", leaving only a wisp of smoke where he had once stood. Deciding standing around with the other two would be a bit too awkward, he decided to follow suit. Waving a small good-bye to his new teammates, he too evaporated.

Appearing out front of his apartment moments later, he rushed inside, tossing concealed weaponry and clothing articles as he went. After a short shower, he trudged into the jungle he referred to as a room and sank down into the comfort that was his bed. Tomorrow was going to be a long, long day.

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Well, I hope that wasn't crap o.o;;

Please, PLEASE review! :)