Hiiiii. Sorry for the long break, I had the most ridiculously crazy past few weeks at school TT_TT Are you guys ready to meet our genin team? So am I!

Black Camellia

By Sparrow-Chan

…

Part 1: Heaven

Chapter 4: First Meeting

…

The first thing Orihime becomes aware of is how unrealistic the world around her looks.

Like all dreams, it feels like a hallucination made up by the mind to fill up the darkness of sleep. Only, Orihime recognizes this dream. It is her first memory. At least, the first memory she can recall. Surely there was something before it: a time when she was spoon fed, a time when she couldn't crawl, a time before she was born. But her mind goes silent when she attempts to journey beyond the square image it already shows her, a little girl kneeling in front of a grave. She knows the grave well. The name etched onto the tombstone, which she runs her tiny hands over, is familiar.

Obito Uchiha.

At the time when this actually occurred, she couldn't read it. Funny how, after you learn to read, you can look back to the time before and not imagine being unable to make sense of the lines and curves that create letters. Uchiha, she traces with her stubby fingers. Obito, she tries to pronounce slowly. She smiles at the name, admiring the pretty bouquet placed on the stone by her mother. Asako- or, the shadow of her which exists in Orihime's mind- wanders away into the other rows of names, pausing at each one like it's particularly special. The scent of lilies and wet grass raises up from the dirt below, encasing her in the kind of fuzzy cotton dreams are made of. Then something else happens- a change in mood, atmosphere, tone- and her father appears. He crashes down to his knees in front of the tombstone, squeezing his fists tightly.

"Daddy?" She turns her head towards him, worried. She reaches out to touch him, grabbing ahold of his sleeve. Her voice is small and slurred. "Wut's wrong?"

Kakashi looks at her with one black eye and one red eye. There is so much in his expression- sadness, resignation, tiredness. He picks her up by her armpits and sits her down on his lap, pressing his chin down almost painfully atop her head. She drags herself away, confused. He stares down at her, looking alien.

"Did you forget?" He asks. Is this a part of her memory or is recollection and dream blending together? The background rips away the clouds to reveal a pitch-black sky speckled with stars. The grass underfoot turns to mud, and shadows reach up with black hands to dig their nails into her skin. She attempts to lean away, feeling chilled by the breath of an ominous wind. Panic tugs violently at her guts. Kakashi looks past her lifelessly, like a puppet with shiny, dulled eyes.

"Forget?" She asks, quivering with fear.

Kakashi's black eye turns red.

"Did you?"

Someone else's voice, a fragile whisper.

"Sometimes, I think I should just die."

...

Orihime groggily awakens to her white ceiling staring down at her.

That was not pleasant.

But the memory of her nightmare is already fading away, disappearing like the night at daybreak. Her whole room is brightened by sunshine coming in from the white-curtained windows, light pouring in to illuminate her neat and girlish bedroom. She allows herself to lay still, simply breathing. She never needs an alarm to wake up in the morning. It may have something to do with the fact that her father has her go to bed early, but she always awakens as the sun turns from the rosy red dawn to pale yellow rays.

After five breathes, she decides its time to move on to the rigidity of her morning routine.

She pushes herself up and holds her stuffed toy- Mr. Pumpkin- against her chest, snuggling it with remnants of sleep. She checks the clock. 7:00 am, it reads. A small yawn, a smaller sneeze, and she slips out of her pink-duvet covered bed. Her feet lower into slippers placed strategically beside her bed, and she pads softly to the bathroom. Once done with her morning preening, she sneaks quietly through the living room to the kitchen. She likes to think it's her domain, though she needs a step stool to reach the tabletops and has to crawl onto the counters to reach the upper cabinets. But there is a glorious simplicity to the kitchen: no work done is wasted.

She flips open one of the cook books kept stacked neatly next to the sink.

Omelettes? Omelettes.

She beats eggs, shreds cheese, slices up bell peppers and cooks bacon. By the time she plates the second omelette, her special two-cheese delight, the tea kettle begins to whistle. On her way to the stove, she deposits the omelettes into the oven to keep them warm while she waits for Kakashi to awaken.

What kind of tea?

Earl Grey is good for the mornings, she's read. She doesn't like making coffee. The smell is too strong, it makes her nose crinkle up with disdain. Not to mention her dad always gets too jumpy after drinking it. He is not a man who should be over-excited about anything; it doesn't fit in well with his cool demeanor.

"You know, I could cook for you for a change," Orihime smiles at the hot water she pours.

"Good morning, Daddy!" Once placing the kettle down, she hops off of her stool and half-skips to the kitchen entrance. Kakashi yawns and runs a hand through his silver hair, using his free hand to pat Orihime's head once she's firmly attached herself to his left leg. With her forehead presses against his stomach, Orihime lovingly snuggles her father. "How'd you sleep?"

"Well," In a smooth motion, Kakashi sweeps Orihime up from under her knees, grabbing the mugs of tea to take into the living room. "I didn't dream much. Did you?"

"Yeah, but I don't remember them." She laughs. He puts her down at their dining table, setting the mug decorated with hearts in front of her and the other plain black mug at the head of the table. When he goes into the kitchen to retrieve their meals, she sips at her drink.

Needs sugar.

"I probably shouldn't let you drink tea. It has caffeine."

"Is it bad for me?"

"Well, yes, but just because you're still growing." Kakashi returns and sets her breakfast in front of her. "You know, you're so short, you need all the milk and sleep you can get."

"I'm sorry."

"It's a joke."

"Oh. Hey, guess what?"

"What?"

"Did you forget?"

"Uhh…It's your birthday?"

"No, silly! Today's the day!"

"Ah." He smiles. Or she thinks he does. It's hard to tell since his mask is already on, but she can hear it in his voice. When he pulls down the mask to eat the breakfast she made, her assumption is proven correct. Orihime admires her father's face, from his thin eyebrows down to his narrow jaw line. She doesn't know why he choses to wear a mask, though he said something or other about it being used as a disguise- since people don't know his real face, it's easy for him to escape tricky situations. Uncle Guy told her in a whisper that Kakashi wears the mask because he feels vulnerable without it on- it's a way for him to hide. Orihime doesn't believe Uncle Guy. Her dad's so handsome and talented that there shouldn't be anything for him to be have to hide from. "You're meeting your Genin team."

People often tell her she looks like her father, but those are the people who didn't know her mother. Guy raves about how much she resembles Asako.

"Yes!" She tucks into the two-cheese delight. "And you're meeting yours, too."

"Hm," He leans back. "We'll see about that. I bet they'll be another rowdy group of brats."

"I'm sure they'll be better than the last one," Orihime offers shyly. "I bet you'll like them! And I bet I'll like them too, and my teammates."

He stares at her for a minute, one dark gray eye staring at her and the other one, the scarred one, sealed shut. Sometimes, staring at the thin horizontal scar draped over her father's left eye gives her chills. She feels guilty, like he gained that scar because no one protected him. How that relates to her is difficult to explain, mostly because it doesn't.

"Ori?"

"Yes?"

"Are you sure you're ready to graduate so soon?"

"Huh?" Confusion comes across clearly in her voice. A small prick of shame stings her stomach.

Does he think I'm not ready?

Blood floats up to her cheeks, painting them pink.

"You've qualified to graduate early, but you've only been going to the Academy for a year...Don't you want to stay with your friends from your class instead of being placed with the older kids?"

"Um," Discomfort racks her body. She is not used to being doubted, especially by those she trusts. Even though she knows better, his words feel purposefully hurtful. It's as though the stool she used in the kitchen came out from under her, a stool she had always known to be sturdy and trustworthy. "It's not that I don't like my friends...But I think I've worked hard. And my teachers say I'd benefit from being placed with a more advanced group. Is that...Okay?"

"Ah," Kakashi leans forward and pats her head. "I didn't mean to fluster you, Orihime. I'm just worried because you're young."

"You became a Chunin when you were two years younger than me." She points out, but not angrily. In fact, her father's gentle stroking of her hair makes her feel warm.

"You're right," He smiles more. "I should put more faith in my daughter. I'm proud!"

She beams.

"Well, no time to waste!" Eagerly, she finishes her breakfast. "I don't want to be late!"

"Eh…Relax a little longer."

"You don't want to be late again, do you?"

"...It's not that bad a habit…"

…

"What are the rules?"

"Do what my sensei says, be polite to my teammates, and never let my guard down."

"Good girl."

Kakashi locks up their apartment, slides his key into his pocket and hands Orihime her copy. She strings it quickly onto a thin necklace chain and puts it around her neck before tucking it underneath her shirt. Kakashi offers his hand, and she takes it energetically. When thinking about a ninja village, the mind tends to stray to a place hidden in the folds of shadows, concealed in mist and secrets. Konoha is not like that. Surrounded by a perimeter wall and built in a perfect circle, Konoha basks in the sunlight. On it's founding, no one expected it to grow as large as it has several generations later. Because of that, the traditional clans have plenty of space on their marked plots of land and everyone else- civilians and lesser ninja alike- live in apartments slapped together with slabs of wood and black tubes. On the walls, posters and plaster are spread only a few feet apart, depicting art, new products, and notices.

On the Hatakes' way to the Academy, they pass the tea shop on the corner near their apartment and wave at their grocer. Her father's eyes catch on his favorite book store, and he looks longingly at the titles displayed through the glass. When his feet begin to stray towards it, she gently pulls him back onto a straight line by their linked hands. They pass a tailor's. She looks at it happily, then down at her clothes. Ninja gear. She pestered Kakashi into taking her shopping when she graduated, so she'd look prepared for combat. The lady who works there helped her chose something, and was extra nice to her dad. She told Orihime she thought he was cool, and Orihime has to agree, her dad is cool. Of course, the lady expressed disappointment she choses to wear a mask like her father, and tried to coax her into taking it off. But Ori likes the mask, how it fits snuggly against her nose and cheeks. She feels strong when she wears it, like she's absorbed some of her dad's strength through his trademark apparel.

"I can't believe you ditched the polka-dots." Kakashi speaks up, having followed her line of sight. "I loved the polka dots. You were so cute."

She blushes. A twinge of guilt tickles her stomach.

"I mean, I still like them. I'll wear it on my days off, I promise."

"I'm just teasing." He amends, half-laughing. As they near the Academy, Kakashi's feet begin to drag more and more.

"Daddy..."

"We aren't on time," He sulks. "We're early."

"Being punctual isn't bad. Lord Hokage isn't going to wait for you to give out the team assignments."

"He might." Kakashi shrugs his shoulders. "How about you go in and I'll run and say hello to Obito?"

"Uncle Obito?" Orihime considers it, looking at the entrance to the Academy. They may be early, but freshly-minted Genin are already swarming there, pointing at their shiny forehead protectors and cracking jokes. They look chummy and tightly-knit, and significantly larger than her.

"...Actually, I can be early once," He straightens up casually. "I'll walk you in."

"Uh-" She realizes that no parent stands behind their Genin child. On the contrary, they huddle at the edges, leaving their children at the boundary to go inside alone. "No, go visit Uncle."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." She hugs her father tightly, taking in his warmth as encouragement. "I'll be okay. I'm good at making friends. And you should ask Uncle to help you with your team!"

Kakashi scratches his cheek. Then he kneels down and taps the same cheek, smiling with his one showing eye.

"Okay, I will. And I'll try not to be late."

Orihime leans forward to kiss him, but pauses.

"You know, we both are wearing masks."

"Huh," Kakashi cocks his head. "Right. I guess my little girl can't say a proper goodbye anymore…"

Quickly, she pulls the navy fabric down over her lips and presses a kiss to his cheek.

"Bye, Daddy."

"See you soon. Be good."

She turns away from him, taking a deep breath to settle herself. Waking into the Academy never felt like such an undertaking before now. Just looking at her fellow graduates makes her shrink inwardly. But, like Uncle Guy says, "Youth is a pool of opportunity- dive in!". The early bird doesn't get the worm by simply getting there first; it has to have the guts to lunge before anyone else, too.

She now understands what Guy said about Kakashi's mask. She feels safer hidden behind the thin fabric than she would otherwise.

...

At first, no one notices Orihime as she sneaks through the Academy.

She feels a little guilty, having told her father that she'd make friends, but having to look up at strangers doesn't make her feel very friendly. It's easier to take advantage of her small stature and slip through the halls quietly. She catches herself moving towards her old classroom, and sees a gaggle of her friends hovering outside the door and giggling. They spring up when they notice her, waving enthusiastically. They point at her forehead protector and yell praise. She nods eagerly before ascending the staircase with hot cheeks and several staring eyes.

Once she is inside the halls of the upper levels (the levels of the older kids) she begins to be pointed out. A few of her fellow Genin study her with various levels of apathy and puzzlement as she moves through the hall. Her stomach churns, threatening her with the prospect of vomit, which makes her even more nervous. When she thinks about it, she doesn't even know what she's nervous about. She always imagined she'd be proud to graduate early, excited to meet her Genin team. And she does feel those emotions; its hard not to. But being unknown and young and totally alone weighs on her just as heavily.

She stops in front of the classroom she was directed to go to by Iruka the day before, staring at the closed door. Maybe she should rethink this. Go back downstairs and talk to her friends, feel their support and confide in them. But if she leaves now, it will look even more strange to those staring than if she goes in.

"Hey." Startled, she jumps nearly a foot in the air. Shikamaru Nara materializes beside her with a yawn.

"G-good morning." She timidly responds, shocked. Shikamaru looks like the average civilian, not the heir to an old clan. He wears plain, baggy clothes and has passable looks. But what sets him apart from most are his pissed-off eyes. It's like everything he sees his a disappointment, even when he's not really paying attention. He stuffs his hands in his pockets in a manner that mirrors Kakashi's habit, tilting his head to stare at her sideways.

"Orihime, right? Yeah. You really graduated early, huh?"

Oh my God. Conversation. Be charming!

"Yes, I did. How are you?"

Dad would be so proud!

"Fine…" He sighs. "This is such a drag. My sister made me come an hour early."

Her pulse quickens. She hasn't spoken to Shikamaru much- in fact, she can count the number of times on her hand. They met when she was out with Uncle Guy and he decided to take her to the Nara clan's compound so he could return a weapon he borrowed from the clan head. Shikaku Nara greeted them very politely, but the scars scraping over his face made him permanently intimidating. Just as Guy was about to adhere to her subtle gestures to leave, Shikamaru appeared from a long hallway wearing a plain grey kimono. Shikaku said,

"Ah, Guy, you know Shikamaru. Shikamaru, this is Orihime, Kakashi Hatake's daughter. How about you two play so Guy and I can chat?"

"I'm avoiding Seiyuri, Dad. She's being a pain. Can I go hide somewhere?" Shikamaru scuffed his feet on the floor. At that time, she thought that he looked a lot like sandpaper: visually interesting, but undeniably rough.

"Only if you take Orihime with you." Shikaku had responded, apathetic to his son's apparent plight.

So, Shikamaru took her to a far corner of their house to hide out underneath a desk in the library. They didn't talk much- Shikamaru justified it by whispering that they had to be quiet to avoid his sister, whom he described as too damn competitive. It was hard to relax in that silence, sitting next to a prickly boy in a silent library. Once Guy found them, she silently rejoiced at the prospect of going home. From then on, their interactions were limited to him calling out a hello now and then, which always surprised her so much that her replies were often stuttered. But now, she's grateful for the conversation, and pounces on the opportunity to make a friend.

"A-at least your sister values being early. My dad has a habit of being late."

"Eeeeh…" He drawls when he speaks. She can't tell if he's still interested in the conversation. "Does that bother you?"

"Not really. Though sometimes it feels like I'm the parent."

He pivots towards the classroom.

"Are you going in?"

"Yes!" She eagerly slides opens the door and holds it for him. Shikamaru raises a brow, but says 'thank you' as he enters. She follows him like a duckling, wondering if he's bothered by her sudden clinginess. From his posture, it doesn't seem like it, but her worry prompts her to ask if she can sit beside him and a broadly built boy. He says yes without thinking, resting his chin in his palm and closing his eyes. It appears just being in the classroom makes him laboriously tired. Neither herself, Shikamaru, or the other boy- identified as Choji- say anything for a long while. The silence allows her to drift off into her thoughts and worries. Luckily, Shikamaru and Choji's presence next to her has kept other children from scrutinizing her too hard, though she gets looks. She hears someone whisper,

"She's too young. Give it a few weeks..."

Her hands fist in her lap. To distract herself from her own thoughts, she watches Genin enter the classroom: an unkept boy with a small puppy curled up in his hair, a blond boy wearing a bright orange jumpsuit, a girl in beige with a pixie-cut. A boy in dark blue wearing a displeased expression- Orihime's eyes lock onto Sasuke Uchiha and stay fixed on his form. She knows Sasuke pretty well actually. According to stories, her mother and Sasuke's parents were good friends, and as a result she was often babysat by their family. Sasuke looks totally different from the vague memories she has of those times. Instead of a smiley boy, his face is cold and hard. A permanent scowl stains his lips, and his eyes focus on an invisible landmark straight ahead of him. It's like his body has become a vessel containing an infinite range of emotions; sadness, anger, contempt, loneliness.

She lowers her eyes. No one ever directly told her what happened to the Uchiha clan, but she saw the graves next to Uncle Obito's. One day they weren't there, and the next, they all were. It was too long ago for her to remember anyone except for Sasuke and his older brother, so she never felt the true weight of the loss despite missing them. The way that Sasuke looks, it seems like he has never forgotten the full impact.

Orihime averts her gaze, now distracted with going over what she knows about the Uchiha and saying a prayer to Uncle Obito and wondering if her dad's going to be on time or not.

"Naruto kissed Sasuke!"

Orihime swivels her head in the direction of the shout, but a pack of screeching girls blocks her view of action. Kids begin to jeer and laugh at the mishap, bringing equal parts interest and discomfort to Orihime. The only way she can relive the moment is by shyly asking one of the other girls in the class about it, who describes it to her in a dramatic fashion.

"That Naruto…" The girl growls, tossing her long blond hair behind her shoulder. "I can't believe him sometimes."

It was an accident…

"I'm sure he didn't mean any harm," Orihime attempts to sooth her.

"Hah. No chance of that," The older girl shrugs. "Oh well. As long as that Sakura doesn't get to be on a team with Sasuke…" Her pupil-less blue eyes focus on her. "You're not aiming for Sasuke too, are you?"

"Huh?" Orihime vehemently shakes her head. "No."

"Ah, I'm paranoid. You're what, eight? Nine? No chance of you having interest," She laughs before abruptly stopping. "Why are you here, anyway?"

"Leave her alone, Ino." Orihime jumps. Shikamaru awakens next to her, turning his head towards the blond girl. "She's a graduate."

"What?"

"The forehead protector. She's a Genin, like us."

"Whaaat? This little shrimp?"

"Some people do manage to graduate early, you know."

Maybe it's Orihime's imagination, but Shikamaru's voice sounds clipped. Choji reaches into his knapsack and pulls out a bag of potato chips, his beady eyes shifting between the two.

"Geez, okay, whatever." Ino raises her hands and rolls her eyes. She turns back to Orihime. "I wasn't bothering you, right?"

"..." Orihime peaks between Shikamaru and Ino, wondering what to say. "...Right."

"Told you," Ino smirks before prancing off. Shikamaru sighs.

"Sorry about that, Orihime."

"It's no problem," She responds. "Actually, I'm just worried now I'll end up on a team with Sasuke and Ino will think I'm a liar..."

The Nara boy stares at her, his mouth slightly opened in disbelief. He scratches the top of his head, squeezing his eyes shut.

"Don't let girls like Ino push you around, okay, Orihime?"

"...Okay, I won't." Personally, she didn't think Ino had crossed any major boundaries. She was curious. Everyone in the class, of the ones who noticed her at least, were probably curious.

"Especially not…" Shikamaru stares at her. On cue, he sighs. It's like he's on a timer. "What a drag…"

"Shikamaru?"

"Yeah?"

"Um…" She bites the inside of her lip. "Why are you-"

Being so nice to me, would have finished her question, if Iruka-sensei didn't walk in at that very moment. She snaps to attention even before he raises a hand for everyone to settle down, her nerves firing off wildly. Her foot twitches, and it alarms her enough she peaks below her desk to watch it do it again.

"Everyone!" Iruka smiles, hands behind his back. "Congratulations on graduating! From this day forward, you are no longer mere students, but full-fledged shinobi. But, among the ranks of the shinobi, you are just novices, the lowest of the low. Your greatest challenges all lie ahead."

Orihime's back strains under her rigid, straight posture. She can hardly contain all the energy flowing through her. It's so exciting she wants to tell someone how she feels. Of course, talking during a presentation as important as this would be inappropriate.

"The next step is to assign you all official duties. We will start by dividing you into three-man cells, each of which will be mentored by a Jonin who will guide and coach you while you become familiar with your various assignments."

A buzz. Apparently the rest of the kids aren't as against chatting with their friends as she is. Several Genin raise their hands with rigor.

"Quiet down," Iruka says patiently, expecting the rise in chatter. "Before you start asking to be put with your friends," From behind his back, Iruka produces a clipboard, "I made the selections so that each cell's abilities would be equal."

A low groan.

"Tough." Iruka deadpans. "Let's see...I'm going to call out three names, and those called will be placed together on a team. Got it? Good. Let's begin..."

Iruka calls three names. And then another three. And another.

The whole time, Orihime sits on the edge of her seat, breath caught in her throat. As each name is called, her heart swells, her emotions arcing wildly. Then Iruka comes to the final name in the trio and her heart falls inevitably falls into disappointment.

I shouldn't get so irritated. Be calm. It's all going to be fine.

She focuses on these meditations, cooling down her prickly nervousness.

"Team 7...Naruto Uzumaki."

Ba-bump.

"Sakura Haruno."

Ba-bump, ba-bump, babump, babump.

"And Sasuke Uchiha."

She falters. She folds her hands in her lap, now feeling a bit abused by the wait she endures. Naruto, the blond boy wearing bright orange, slams his hands on the tabletop.

"IRUKA-SENSEI, WHY DO I HAVE TO BE ON A TEAM WITH SASUKE OF ALL PEOPLE?"

Suddenly, she's not so upset her name wasn't called after Sakura's. After Naruto is berated by Iruka, the teacher returns to his clipboard to finish the assignments.

"Team 13," Iruka scans the bottom of the paper. "Seiyuri Nara."

A girl in the front row perks up. Orihime's lips part slightly as she realizes Seiyuri is in the room. Somehow, when Ori didn't see a female version of Shikamaru slumped in the back of the classroom, her anxious mind wrote the second Nara off. The girl turns her head, revealing a rather pinched face- sharp nose, sharp eyes, sharp eyebrows...Like Shikamaru, and yet somehow completely different. Orihime is fascinated by her for a moment, from the light spray of freckles dotting her cheeks to the wild curls sitting above her shoulders. Iruka continues,

"Kira Inuzuka." A grunt. Seiyuri and Orihime's eyes both dart to the back of the classroom, landing on a boy standing in the doorway. Kira Inuzuka is tall for their age, with an unkempt mop of brown hair slathered over his head. On each cheek, two thin blood-red fangs are painted carefully, and three red dots sit above his left eyebrow.

If Daddy were here, he'd probably say, 'that boy looks like trouble.'

"And Orihime Hatake." Orihime jolts to attention. She has been hoping for her name to be called, nervous and pent-up. Now all the tension in her body rushes out all at once, like water breaking through a decayed dam. A small smile breaks out on her face as excitement takes the place of anxiety. Then she realizes she's being watched. The other Genin stare unabashedly, curious and unimpressed and questioning, all as intense as spotlights. Amongst these gazes, Orihime almost misses two pointed stares from the front and back of the room. It's Seiyuri and Kira, boxing her in with their dark eyes.

Her anxiety comes back tenfold.

Iruka tells the Genin to get into their new squads and prepare to meet their Jonin sensei. His voice is cheery and optimistic, accentuating his words with a laugh. His happiness contrasts greatly with the mood Orihime encounters when she comes face to face with her teammates. She had exited into the middle aisle, thinking perhaps she and Seiyuri would walk up to meet Kira. But apparently, Kira and Seiyuri decided to meet her half way, appearing on either side of her on the stairs- Kira above, Seiyuri below. She would have been flustered by their speed if she wasn't silenced by their heavy, serious expressions.

The two older kids stare at her for a while, sizing her up, appraising her.

Kira breaks first.

"This is so stupid," He growls. His voice is deep and throaty. It's much more masculine than the other boys in the class. Now that Orihime is closer, she notices that his teeth- his canines specifically- are long and sharp. Above his slanted, feral eyes, his eyebrows sit broodingly. He wears a startlingly bright red shirt and black cargo shorts, a set of dog tags dangling from his neck.

He smells like dog.

"I don't blame you for thinking that way," Seiyuri responds. Orihime turns to her, called by her beautiful voice. It sounds so smooth, like dark chocolate being poured onto a cold scoop of ice cream. There are no other defining qualities about her other than that; her looks are average at best, though the more Orihime stares, the prettier the plain simplicity of her face becomes. "You're older. Of course going through this "team ceremony" twice would be annoying."

"Hah." Kira leans back and crosses his arms. Older. That explains why he's so much taller than them, and why his voice is so deep. And why he is much more comfortable in his body than the other boys- honestly, she's embarrassed she didn't guess he was older. "It's bullshit, that's what it is. This is my fourth Genin team. You think they'd stop hounding me to attend this classroom announcement shtick."

"Fourth?" Orihime blurts out, her jaw dropping. Neither kid acknowledges she spoke.

"The other teams didn't work out, I take it."

"They couldn't keep up."

"They could've done something better."

"Pff. They coulda-" Kira stops. He looks intently at Seiyuri. Orihime's glad she's not on the receiving end of that gaze. It looks hot. Seiyuri must be made of ice not to be affected. "Why dja wanna know?"

"I'm just making conversation," Seiyuri shrugs. As a sum of her parts, she looks completely normal. This strikes Orihime, since she has a feeling that Seiyuri should be more, that there should be some sort of sign about- about what? How different she is? But her sharp gaze is undermined by frizzy hair. Her coy smile is undercut by freckles. Her crystal clear voice fills up the emptiness in other people's heads.

Uncle Guy always says that Sirens don't have to be beautiful to lull sailors into the rocks. Kakashi smacked him upside the head and told him to get over his ex-girlfriend already.

"Hm." Kira's attention scalds Orihime. "And what the hell are you doing here, huh?"

Orihime feels herself go paler than she already is.

"I'm a graduate. This is my team."

Kira rolls his eyes.

"Obviously. I mean why you. You're like- like- Five."

"Nine," Seiyuri corrects.

"Eight," Orihime provides quietly.

Kira makes a face. His eyes roll back into his head as his jaw juts out to the side.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm irritated."

"Oh."

"Well," Seiyuri chimes in, smiling patiently. "Let's not get riled up. The instructors at the Academy wouldn't have allowed Orihime to graduate if they didn't have faith in her abilities."

Orihime's cheeks color.

"I'm sure that's why we were placed with you, Kira," She smiles even more largely. "Two promising Genin need a leader familiar with the ropes to help them grow."

"Huh?" Kira raises an eyebrow.

"We need you to turn us into good ninja. Someone as strong as you will be a great role model."

"Role model…" The sole boy considers this, his arms crossing. "Yeah, well, I am pretty fuckin' amazing."

"Because Kira is older, he can even out the maturity level of the team." Orihime considers that reasoning, before nodding slowly.

"And guide us younger members," Seiyuri presses. Kira chuckles and bears his teeth. It takes her a minute to recognize the act of smiling on his face.

"Heh. I am fairly bossy."

From behind Orihime, a woman chuckles. Seiyuri and Kira jump back, not having noticed the arrival of the newcomer, as Orihime stumbles forward and turns around.

Kawarimi no jutsu? Or is she just that good?

A tall young woman- probably Kakashi's age- stands behind them on the long bench Orihime had previously occupied. She looks delighted with herself that she managed to startle them, her light brown eyes glittering ominously.

"Hi brats."

"W-who are you?" Kira asks, growling. His eyes struggle to stay on her face and not on her mesh top. Seiyuri notices and closes the gap between them with her arm. Swiftly, she jabs him in the stomach, not looking remorseful even when he bends over in pain. Orihime's jaw drops. The woman bursts out laughing, throwing her head back. Once she calms down (and Kira stops giving Seiyuri the death glare,) the lady steps down from her higher position and nods in approval of them.

"The name's Anko." Anko leans down and smirks. "And I believe that I'm your Jonin Sensei. Let's have some fun."

HI! Thank you everyone for reading thus far! I appreciate all those who have followed, favorited and reviewed.

Orihime meets her Genin team! YAY! I've been working up to introducing them and I'm glad I finally could. I know that we've seen more of Seiyuri and Orihime than of the dirty-mouthed Kira so far, but we will get more info on him and his background later. Also yes, Anko is their jonin-sensei!

If anyone has any questions, please ask! Please review! And please keep reading! I am so grateful to everyone who has kept with me so far hahaha.

Thank you!