Chapter 3:
New Teams and Hard Feelings
Ren walked into the classroom and quietly took her seat. She was the first in the class, and Iruka-sensei was already at his desk. Within the next fifteen minutes the class was filled with excited students.
Hinata and Mika found their way to Ren's seat and each sat on either side of her.
"Ren, did you hear?" Mika asked enthusiastically.
"Hear what?" Ren questioned.
"Iruka-sensei let Naruto Pass!" Hinata chimed in.
Ren turned to her and smiled. "That's great! Maybe you will get to be on the same team as him." She teased.
Hinata averted her gaze as a deep red blush graced her pale, soft face.
"Okay everyone, take your seats!" Iruka-sensei said loudly.
The students scattered and sat quietly while anxiously awaiting the new team listings.
"I will read your team number first, then I will read off the members and tell you your team leader, ... your new sensei." He paused and turned a page on the clipboard he was holding. "After I am done reading the teams you will meet your new sensei, and begin training under them right away.
xXxXxXxXx
Ren let out a long sigh as she walked down the dirt path to the lake training ground, along with her new team mates. Mika was up ahead talking dramatically with their new sensei, Yanagi, who didn't seem to be too intent on listening.
Takashi was walking silently beside Ren as they began to approach their destination. Yanagi slowed his pace so the four of them could walk together as a group. Takashi was never much of a talker in class, so it didn't surprise the two girls that he wasn't saying anything now. Although he was never very social, he seemed to always make it a point to be nice to people. The former classmates knew a lot about eachother, but nothing except a small rumor about their new sensei.
They reached the training ground and each took a seat on the rough burnt grass, torched by the ever present, blazing summer sun that hung over fire country. The lake was just a few feet in front of them, and the cool breeze that drifted off of the water hit their faces, refreshing them from their previous walk. Yanagi sat in front of the group, facing away from the lake and toward the three new genin.
"Okay, I'm supposed to give you a formal introduction, so here it goes." Yanagi cleared his throat and continued, "My name is Yanagi Umitatsu. I am a jounin in the first division. I'm sure all of you have heard the rumors going around about my nomination to become a part of the ANBU Black Ops. However, due to certain circumstances, that won't be happening anytime soon." Yanagai concluded with a certain air of annoyance.
The three genin exchanged inqusitive looks.
Ren turned back to their new sensei to find him staring intentedly at her, causing her to jump slightly out of surprise. Yanagi smirked and looked around to Mika, then Takashi. He observed them for a moment before speaking again.
Yanagi breathed in deeply, then slowly sighed. "So I've told you a little about myself, just to be fair, you all should share something as well." He stated firmly. "Let's start with you' Yanagi pointed to Ren, 'tell me about yourself. Your name, hobbies, things of that nature." He said folding his arms over his chest and eyeing Ren.
Ren didn't move. She stared at Yanagi for a second, then at Mika and Takashi.
She closed her eyes and began to speak, "My name is Ren Tarotsuchi. My hobbies? Well, I think you will learn all of that in time, there is no need for me to tell you."
Yanagi's smirk faded away, as he nodded his head slowly while looking over toward Mika again, then once more toward Takashi.
"Thank you Ren. That was very... informative' Yanagi said sarcastically, 'Mika, why don't you go next?" He said, directing his attention toward her.
Mika smiled wide, took a deep breath and began, "My name Mika Shihoin. My hobbies include training, drawing, running, and learning. I'm also very proud to be a part of this team." She finished, straightening her back and grinning broadly.
Yanagi smiled slightly, then nodded toward Takashi, "And how about you?" He asked.
Takashi looked up at their new sensei, then to the other girls.
HE smirked and said, "My name is Takashi Obitsuki. I like to train and hang out with my friends. I dislike rude and obnoxious people."
Yanagi chuckled to himself.
"What's so funny?" Ren asked, turning on him sharply.
Yanagi calmly looked at her. His dark blue eyes fixing upon her equally dark purple ones. Rens expression softened under his gaze. For the first time Ren was actually looking at her new sensei.
He was a man seemingly in his early twenty's or late teens. He wore the jounin's signature green vest, with a navy blue short sleeved shirt that fit tight, defining every muscle in his upper body. His vest was unzipped, giving him a lazy and defiant appeal. For pants he wore black baggy shorts which stopped halfway at his knees. He had both leg and arm guards, including his forhead protector which was surprisingly in its propper place. His face was very young and seemed to hold a constant look of mischief. His hair, a light brown, looked disheveled and windswept, making him look even more mischeveious and curious. Part of his bangs fell into his face, but not enough to obstruct his vision.
By now Ren couldn't help but stare back in awe.
"I'm sorry Ren, but is there something wrong?" Yanagi asked her, giving her that smirk that seemed to be his favorite expression.
"N-no. Nothing's wrong." Ren replied turning away, embaressed at herself for staring, and completely forgetting that she had even spoken angrily toward him.
Mika looked back and forth between Ren and Yanagi. She caught Rens attention while Yanagi began talking with Takashi, and furrowed her brow at her. Being that Ren and Mika have been friends since they can both remember, Ren recognized this as Mika asking her "What's wrong." Ren just shook her head at her friend, then motioned with her hand telling her that they would talk later. By Mika's expression, she obviously wasn't satisfied with the answer, but was willing to wait it out anyway.
After the introductions, Yanagi had the three new genin show him what they had learned, and tested them as to how effectivly they could work together with their different skills.
By the time their training ended, the three were sore and almost incapable of movement.
Yanagi had left due to the Hokage's orders, so the genin willed themseles to stand up and slowly make thei way home.
They talked about their training on their way back. Takashi was joining in a seemingly breathless conversation with Mika. Ren, however, barely spoke at all.
When Takashi took his leave, Mika turned to Ren.
"Ren, what's the matter with you? Why were you acting so wierd today? Especially with Yanagi-sensei." Mika asked with a concerned expression.
Ren knew this question was going to come sooner or later, and she still could not come up with a reasonable explination for herself let alone an explination for Mika. Still, she tried her best.
Ren spoke quietly, "Well, I was just wondering the same thing." Mika looked at Ren confused, "It might be because I don't really like change, and a lot of things happened in one day today. It all changed on me, and... and it was especially hard to accept that I have a new a new sensei." Ren slightly lied.
Mika smiled, "Change isn't all that bad. I bet these missions are going to be fun. And as a plus, we have a really hot new teacher." she said winking.
Ren laughed, "Yeah. I did notice that."
Both Ren and Mika laughed and talked the rest of the way. Ren said goodbye to Mika as she left for her road.
Ren shoved her hands in her pockets and walked the rest of the way home.
"Hey Ren." A voice said behind her.
Ren turned on her heel sharply, while taking out a kunai. Clang! Her kunai hit another, held by a familiar person.
"Sh-Shikamaru?" Ren asked, shocked.
Shikamaru chuckled and lowered his kunai. Ren lowered hers as well.
"Has your sensei's training got you a little on edge?" Shikamaru asked jokingly.
Ren smiled. "No, but my team had quite a work out today." she said slouching slightly.
Shikamaru nodded, "Same here." He yawned, "Well I'm beat. I'll see you tomorrow Ren." He smiled.
"Oh, okay. Bye, Shikamaru." Ren smiled back and waved.
Shikamaru gave a small wave and walked off with his hands behind his head.
Ren stood there and watched him dissappear into his house. With her heart pounding, she twisted up her face in a joyful expression. Jumping the steps, she gleefully skipped into her house, which neighbored Shikamaru's.