-17-

Genin's Eyes

We didn't bother with testing. There were extensive enough files on all of us that Carl-sensei didn't need to 'see what we could really do'. Besides, if Gaara actually tried, he'd murder Carl-sensei in an instant. Probably. Most likely.

Unless Carl-sensei was actually bad ass enough to beat Gaara.

Which was unlikely.

Right?

I mean...he couldn't be.

Then again. He had been chosen to keep an eye on my class. So...it was his job to protect the kids from Gaara if he snapped, right? Of course...he could just as likely been there for protection from me...and not Gaara.

Couldn't really tell.

I suspected another reason behind Carl not testing us was that he had no option to fail us. The three of us had enough politics behind us that failing us would have some form of backlash...not to mention we would never be accepted back into the academy if they could help it.

So. Since we wouldn't be tested, and there were still many hours to our 'work day' (A total joke, since all shinobi were on call 24/7), Carl decided we could squeeze a few d-ranks into one day. I shook my head in horror at the thought. Couldn't he just do the whole...'team bonding' thing in small doses? I know we were on a time limit before the Council pushed us to A-ranks or some shit like that, but I wasn't sure it'd be wise to just...jump into spending hours at a time with each other.

I was unfamiliar with the Suna Mission Room. It was much like the one in Konoha...an empty room, with a set of desks where annoyed looking shinobi, mostly chuunin, handed missions out. Unlike Konoha, our elusive leader was no where to be seen. Fuckin' prick. I mean for cryin' out loud, that old geezer at least showed himself. Our Kage hid like a fuckin' violet.

Of course, if I were him I'd be too ashamed to show my face in public too.

While I looked around the room in annoyance, I tried to ignore the eyes on my back, which was just making me more agitated. Machiko I could stand, but Gaara's gaze was just...setting me off more. And he'd been staring at me ALL DAY!

I don't even really know why I was so...roar.

I think the Kazekage's entire family just ticks me off. Well. No. Kankuro and Temari were fine...if a little cowardly.

It didn't really matter. I just wanted to get away from 'Mr. The-Voice-In-My-Head-Tells-Me-To-Kill-You'.

"Machiko-chan thinks Aisako-sama should take a deep breath." Machiko's voice quietly whispered as she leaned down to speak in my ear. I cast her a look with narrowed eyes before taking a deep breath and slowly releasing it through my nose. The restless chakra I'd barely noticed stirring in my veins slowly settled. Around the room, people began to relax. I hadn't even realized they'd all been staring at us.

Someone 'tch'ed behind me, and I turned to glare at Carl-sensei.

He gave a feral grin, "I see Satoru and Sora didn't fix that little anger problem of yours."

I'd show him an anger problem-

Machiko let out a little growl-like noise at him.

-later.

When my...pawn...wasn't in the crossfire.

Like he could read my mind, he had the balls to ruffle my hair before striding up to the desk, "I need a stack of D-ranks."

The chuunin gave him a nervous look, glancing at the three or us behind him. Machiko and I flashed deranged grins. Gaara just...did his thing and stared blankly ahead.

Then, from the corner of my eye, I saw his eyes flash to the side and his head tilt, like he was listening to something. And finally, he gave a grin of his own.

I'd say something cute about team bonding if my skin wasn't crawling in horror. It was obvious who had told him to play along.

Anyone with a shinobi's sense of smell could tell that someone behind one of the desk was on the verge of having a...full blown little accident. I'd love to see them explain to their superior that they had to go home for a change of pants...

"Aren't they just the sweetest?" Carl-sensei asked with a dull tone.

"Ah- U-Um...yes sir. Um...D-ranks? Well...there's...um..." The chuunin's voice was cracking, and it was glorious. Of course, he looked like he was like...15, so I suppose it wasn't really his fault he kept switching from man voice to six year old girl voice but...you know.

He took a deep breath, "I'm afraid we don't have many D-ranks available...for your team. Many local clients have specifically asked that you...not...work for them. We do have a few C-ranks-"

"We'll take the D-ranks available."

The scrolls were all but tossed at my teacher, and it kept me amused as we left the room.

The first mission was...painfully short. Too simple. And a bullshit request. Total waste of money.

Our 'mission' was to sweep sand from storefronts.

I know, right?

First: We're in a motherfucking desert. You can have ten showers, and you'll still have sand on you. You can create a sealed room, and sand will still get in. Sweeping sand was a futile mission. It'd just be back the next day.

Second: One of my team mates was Gaara of the Shitty Fucking Sand.

He literally didn't have to lift a hand. The sand just lifted like a blanket and fled from the storefronts, slipping into alleyways.

I don't think the street had ever been that clear of sand.

"Great work kids!" Carl-sensei chimed, "Look at all the team work you're building."

I frowned, not liking the tone he was using. I looked up at his sadistic smile.

"Unfortunately, I'm not feeling the 'team' vibe as strong as I should, so I think you three should go get yourselves some lunch. Together. Without bloodshed."

"Oh fuck you, Carl."

Lunch was a bust.

I mean, I love Carl-sensei, but the man clearly hadn't been thinking when he suggested we go get lunch.

Or maybe he some how forgot that the three of us were social pariahs, and more often than not were FORBIDDEN from entering most stores. They might let Gaara in, out of fear for what he or his father would do, but Machiko and I?

As soon as the three of us approached the first restaurant, a cheap little place that sold overly salted meat, the owner of the establishment was standing in the door, glaring at us hatefully.

While Machiko stopped, clearly disappointed, I kept walking until I was standing in front of the man.

"What are you doing here?" He asked me.

"My team and I were planning to have lunch, kind sir."

A sneer decorated his face, "I don't fucking think so. I have a business to run. I can't have your kind coming in here and scaring away my customers."

"Can we have some take out then?" I asked, pretending to be hopeful when I already knew the answer.

"No." And with that, the door slammed shut.

Prick.

"Machiko, remind me to tell my cult not to eat here, whenever I meet them."

"Yes, Aisako-sama!" I could see her frowning though. Whether it was because of the owner denying me, or because I intended to meet my cult, I wasn't sure. She was a little possessive, in case you didn't notice.

I couldn't blame her. I was the only person who was on her side when we were little, and now I was the only person who really cared for her. My family was wary around her, 'Sora' was only using her, and the rest of the village...Something told me that if I could find someone else who cared for her...she'd loosen up. For now, she was just scared I'd grow bored with her and toss her aside.

After the first restaurant, we tried another, this time using a henge. Unfortunately, there was a shinobi inside, who instantly demanded we release the illusion. Once we were discovered, we were 'asked to leave the premises'. With a kunai pointed at us

Not that that was really a threat.

But we left, lest someone rat us out to 'Sora'. He was always going on about pretending to be compliant to authority in public, to help keep the council off our case.

The next four places went just as badly, until finally, we just gave up and returned to the training ground where Carl was waiting. As we drew near, he tossed us each a small bag. Inside was an apple, and a familiar pastry, looking like the ones Machiko and I stole from that one stand owner. With the knowing look he shot me, I figured that's where he got them.

"Aw, thanks Carl-sensei~!" I snickered, taking a bite of the apple. When was the last time I even had an apple? Weren't they hard to come by? We didn't grow them here, so they had to have been traded from somewhere, which meant they cost more, what with the shipping fees...

Machiko let out a delighted noise as she devoured her food, but Gaara was completely silent as he stared at the fruit. His head cocked to the side, like he was listening to something again, and I shuddered, as I usually did when I realized who he was talking to.

"So, I take it lunch was a bust?" Carl asked, but he really didn't need to ask. He already knew.

"Of course it was. You can't just expect the sheep to let us graze with them without them kicking up a fuss and bleating useless shit."

"Baaaa." Machiko bleated mockingly, and I snickered. Carl looked amused, for a moment, before he schooled his expression. Mr. Professional, he was.

"Alright. Once you three finish eating, we'll head out and do the next mission."

It was hot. Have I ever mentioned how much I fucking hate the desert? I hate the sun, and the heat. Fuck, I miss snow. I could handle snow. Snow melted, sand? Sand just sticks to you and gets everywhere.

We'd been out here for hours. The mission was supposed to be simple enough. Find a certain kind of cactus out in the desert. I'd seen the cactus plenty of times. Saki used it in her poisons, and in my favourite soup. Unfortunately, we couldn't find any out around the village, so we had to search further and further out into the desert.

The sun had shifted further and further to the west, and now it was beginning to sink towards the horizon, telling me we'd been out here for at least 5 hours, but it was more likely 7, with no breaks or shade.

And worst still?

Fucking Carl wouldn't let us split up, so I had to deal with Gaara fucking staring at me like the creepy little shit he was.

At least...if it got dark, it'd cool down a little out here. Until it got too cold, and then we were fucked.

I stomped through the sand, getting too agitated to use my chakra to say on top of the shifting grains, so the sand was in my sandals and I was sinking with each step. If I used my chakra, though, it'd probably fuck something up, because SOMEONE was standing so close behind me, I could feel his robes every time my arm moved back.

And finally...I had enough.

I spun on my heel, forgetting I was ankle deep in sand, so I ended up on my ass, staring at the red head.

"WILL YOU PLEASE FUCK OFF?!"

Wide sea-foam eyes stared at me, giving no response. What? He couldn't fucking respond? The hell did he think he was?

"I mean FUCK! It's fucking creepier than hell having you standing right fucking behind me and breathing down my neck! The fuck is wrong with you?!" I felt my chakra flare with my anger.

Still, he didn't respond. Machiko had wisely taken a few steps back, and Carl was no where to be seen, as he had been all day. I knew, however, if I tried to leave he'd appear out of no where and order me to get back with the team. I'd already tried three hours ago.

"Its fucking bad enough I have to spend all fucking day out in the fucking shitty ass shit-pile desert, without YOU fucking staring at me like I'm some sort of circus freak!"

Gaara's head cocked to the side, and again my chakra flared. What? He could respond to the fucking monster inside his gut, but he'd just ignore me?

I spat to the side, feeling the saliva in my mouth solidifying as my chakra began to get a little more wild.

"Mother think's you're on your period."

Oh hohoho...Bitch did not just fucking say that!

The sweat gathering on my skin suddenly shot up and hardened into small, amber spikes before falling from my skin, no longer sticking.

"Your MOTHER'S A FUCKING PILE OF SAND, YA STUPID FUCK!"

He actually looked a little offended at that.

Pft. Mama's boy.

"Mother says you aren't denying it." His eyes narrowed a little

"Tell your 'mother' to go fuck himself!"

"Mother is not a man."

"He is to! And if not, than fuck I've never seen a woman that fucking ugly!"

The sand around us shifted, and I realized just how fucked I was if I kept insulting the Ichibi. Fear flashed through my veins, along with my chakra, which became all the more wild as it began to push for an escape. At the same time, a crazed grin was beginning to twitch at my lips. Did he forget just who Ai- I was? I could say what ever the fuck Ai wanted-

"Alright." A voice suddenly cut in, and my eyes snapped towards Carl-sensei, who had appeared beside us. Ie didn't look worried in the slightest about getting caught in the middle of our argument, even though my chakra could FEEL the water inside his body, and was sooo tempted to start- "You both need to calm down."

"Neh, sensei?" Machiko asked, "Aisako-sama doesn't like the heat...Machiko does not think Aisako-sama will really be able to calm down until she's in the shade."

Carl raised an eyebrow at me, like he couldn't believe someone from Suna wasn't used to the dry, sweltering heat.

"Machiko, I want you to keep walking in this direction for three minutes. You should find a cluster of the cacti we're looking for."

"But what about Aisako-sama? Machiko does not-"

"It's an order."

Machiko pouted, a cool rage entering her eyes as she stared at him for a long moment, before reluctantly leaving.

Three minutes?

Are you telling me that if I had waited three motherfucking minutes, I could have been headed home by now? Are you fucking kidding me?!

A dry laugh escaped my lips as I flopped back into the sand. At least with my chakra flaring like this, my sweat had vanished, so the sand couldn't stick as easily.

"We need to do something about that temper of yours."

"We're trying, but it's sort of impossible for me to be 'calm' around this team."

"I know that you two are having some weird ass lovers quarrel for some petty reason-"

"He abandoned me!/She replaced me!"

Carl actually rolled his eyes.

Now that we were a little distracted from each other, my chakra began to settle, and the only movement from the sand was when the wind picked up ever so slightly.

And then, a question I just had to ask escaped, "Gaara, do you even know what the fuck a period is?"

"...No."

Carl asked us to come to the training ground early the next day, so I slipped out early that day, making sure to grab some breakfast before I left. Our teacher led us through some exercises, making sure we did the right number of laps, push ups, sit-ups, katas and chakra exercises. I realized he was making Machiko and I go through the typical warm up 'Sora' and Satoru made us go through, so he must have spoken to one of them at some point yesterday.

He even ordered Gaara to do them too, although I noticed he was actually having trouble keeping up, much to my smug amusement. I was under no illusions that I was somehow better than him, but I knew he didn't work with his body nearly as much as he should. If or when he lost the Sandcastle, he'd have to learn to do shit on his own.

The mission room had more people in it today, and for some reason I was startled to see Gaara's 'original' team there. For some reason, I thought we'd never see them.

Instead, three wide pairs of eyes watched us as we walked into the room. Two remained wide, while the third pair suddenly filled with something akin to adoration.

Temari and Kankuro looked nearly the same as in canon, with only a few changes, which I'm sure would disappear the closer we got to the chuunin exams in a year's time. Shigeru...I still had no clue what to do with that guy. I mean, he was actually kinda cute, but it was kinda strange how he...latched on to me, or whatever. I'd never met the guy, and he was already going on about how he 'loved my laugh' and thought I was a 'Goddess-'

Waaaaaiiiit...You don't think-

Naw. That'd be weird.

He wasn't...you know...part of my cult, right?

Fuck. Now I wanted to know. Was he? Was there really a cult at all?

I knew that if I wanted any answers, I'd have to ask, but I really didn't want to. He just...gave me the creeps. People didn't hit on me. Not in the last life, not in this one, and probably not in the next, if I was reborn again.

I didn't have a romantic bone in my body. Either of them.

And then, Carl, being a social butterfly compared to the rest of us, wandered in their direction, likely to talk with Baki, who was once again the Sand siblings' teacher...just missing one. My 'teammates' and I were forced to follow our teacher, if only to make it easier to ignore the staring eyes of the other shinobi in the room. Seeing us draw near, Shigeru seemed to practically vibrate where he stood, stumbling forward a step to meet us.

Me.

He reached out and clasped my hands in his, even as I leaned back. Beside me, Machiko actually HISSED and the pulling sensation of sand clinging to my clothes became more noticeable. Shigeru ignored both of my teammates, and instead locked his olive green eyes onto mine. Or tried to anyways.

My eyes flickered around to the people I knew would save me without killing the guy, but Temari and Kankuro were staring warily at their younger brother, and Carl was talking to Baki, although the bastard had the nuts to smirk at me from time to time, watching me struggle.

With no other option, I looked into his eyes while trying to steal my hands back, without success, as he'd just move his hands with mine when I tried to move them.

The hands I was trying to pull free suddenly ended up near his lips as he kissed them, "A pleasure to formally meet you, Aisako-sama."

I shuddered at the address. Was I the only one who found it weird as fuck when someone other than Machiko called me that? Because HOT DAMN did that sound strange coming from him.

Although Machiko seemed to find the address...acceptable, based on the noise she made, cutting off her hiss.

Ignoring the discomfort I felt about him holding my hands (very gently, like they were made of glass), I frowned at him, "Yeah...Don't call me Aisako-sama. Ever. Its weird coming from you."

For a second, I thought he actually looked a tiny bit hurt, before he was beaming at me again, "My name is Shigeru, and my family and I are truly devoted."

"Um...what?" Confusion contorted my face, devoted? To what?

Maybe he really was part of that Cult thing?

He looked surprised for a second, before realization crossed his face, and he smiled, looking a little embarrassed, "Oops. I forgot how protective the Guardian could be."

"The who?"

Again, he looked surprised, then a little panicked, "Oh dear, you really don't know anything about-"

Before our 'conversation' could be continued, my minion burst in between us, ripping my hands from his, "Machiko is wondering your intentions for Aisako-sama."

He blinked, before giving a charming smile to my companion, "Why, Machiko-sama, my only intention is to express my love for the L- For Aisako-san."

I stared at him. Machiko-sama? What had Machiko and I done to earn that much respect?

Her blue eyes narrowed, "Machiko does not think she believes you. Machiko has not seen you before."

"I've been there. I'm just hard to notice when I'm in the presence of someone as radiant of Aisako-san..."

Looking away, I frowned, feeling extremely awkward about all of this. On one hand, I REALLY wasn't used to being called 'radiant'. Not in this life, or the last. On the other hand, there was something about this guy that made my hair stand on end. What did he mean by he had 'been there'? Where?

What the hell was going on?

Why did Machiko know what he was talking about?

There was a stab of...something in my heart, but I squashed it down like a bug underfoot.

"Aisako-sama is quite beautiful." Machiko said in an agreeable tone.

Shigeru nodded eagerly, "I know! How anyone could be foolish enough to call her ugly, I have no clue. Just look at her!"

His hands suddenly shot out, caressing my face as he spoke with Machiko in an excited, adoring tone, "Her face is that of an angel, the smile of a warrior queen, the heart of a saint, hair like rose petals-"

And he went on. And on. And on and on and onandonandonandon, waxing poetic about me.

I just sort of stood there,not really able to move as this guy (a reasonably cute guy, too), gushed about how pretty I was, while gesturing to each part of me he was talking about to my loyal follower, who was eagerly nodding in agreement.

And like, twenty other people just stood there listening and watching with expressions ranging from terror (a couple chuunin, Temari and Kankuro), to amusement (Baki add that treacherous bastard Carl) to disgust (like...everyone else in the room?) to...what ever the fuck that face Gaara was making. You know that...dead inside one that still somehow managed to scare the fucking shit out of everyone? Yeah. That one. But grumpier.

And finally someone intervened. One moment I was trying to get someone to help, and the next, a wall of sand rose up between Shigeru and I, effectively cutting off the view I had of the 'adoration' burning in the other genin's eyes.

People let out startled noises, and the shinobi in the room all shifted, ready to burst into action. Sand gripped at my orange robe and I was tugged back a few steps, while Mr. Grumpy Panda moved towards Carl-sensei and Baki.

"Sensei, I believe we have wasted enough time. It would be best if we got our missions and left."

A frown settled on Carl-sensei's scarred mug before he blew out a sigh, "Fine. Just when she was starting to really squirm too..."

I let out an indignant growl, but was forced by Gaara's sand to follow him to the chuunin desk so we could get our missions.

the whispering sound of sand rushing around us told me that the wall blocking Shigeru had lowered, and I could hear him calling out to me from behind me. Machiko looked back and let out her usual deranged little giggle.

"Aisako-san! I'll come hang out with you once you're done with you mission, okay? Just call me name and I'll-"

He was suddenly cut off, and I turned to see Kankuro whacking him in the back of the head. Pushing chakra to me ears, I could hear him whisper to Shigeru, "Dude, if you want the girl, don't tell her you'll always be in hearing range. That's creepy."

"But-"

"I mean, not that Aisako isn't creepy herself, but even she'll think you're creepy."

"B-but-"

"Besides, I hear all they have for that team are C-ranks, so she might not even be in the village for a while."

My stomach twisted.

What?

And that is how I ended up on a fucking C-rank missions on my second official day as a genin.

I realllllllllllllyyyyyy want to move to Konoha.

I figured it wouldn't end well.

So...Been a while? Heheh...

I AM SO SO SO SOOOOOOOO SORRY!

School's been really crazy this year, especially since I'm graduating this year! i'm trying sooo hard to get good marks... But really, I've had exams. And projects. And lots of lovely little life things that I'd rather not talk about when i'm not trapped in school.

I know this chapter was a lot shorter than a lot of the others lately, but I decided not to leave you guys waiting any longer. i can't promise when the next update would be, so i figured it was now or never (not really but I don't think you'd like it if i didn't update til July or something)

The genin days begin~! We got to see more of the Suna siblings, and look~! Ai and Crazy Gaara are bonding over a mutual threat of bodily harm~! And Ai got to see her new fanboy, and learn more about the 'Cult of the Loved Child'. The plan i have for them...ah... And ya know...I think Shigeru is Hidan to Ai's Jashin, just saying.

What do you think? Is he a religious zealot, or is just crushin' real bad on Ai-chan?

In other news! Over the Christmas holidays, i might have posted a little one shot that might be canon. I'm not really sure. But yeah...Aisako goes to Hell...or...came from Hell? If you haven't already read it...you might wanna go take a looksy at that...maybe...

ANYWAYS~ The poll now tally's at:

Saki: 53

Machiko: 48

Carl-sensei: 38

Takeo: 28

Taiki: 6

Flashbacks: 3

If you haven't already voted, do it in the Poll now! We're only 2 chapters away from the Poll closing!

And to close: DE now has 1460 Followers, 1087 Favourites, is mentioned in 26 Communities and has a total of 479 Reviews!

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