Chapter 3: The Hunt Is On

Today's the day I officially become a ninja.

Kurai walked down the busy streets of Konoha to the Academy. She had her new leaf headband tied around her left thigh proudly. Yesterday she had passed the final exam with flying colors by creating six clones without breaking a sweat. She would have made more but she didn't want to walk back to the classroom looking exhausted and weak. Last thing she wanted is a certain someone thinking she couldn't handle making three clones. Kurai heard some distant shouting behind her and turned her head to take a glance at the source. Ino and Sakura… Go figure.

"I'm going to sit next to Sasuke!" Ino yelled.

"Like he'd want to sit next to a pig like you, Ino!" Sakura yelled back.

"BILLBOARD BROW!"

"INO-PIG!"

The two rushed past Kurai and were quickly closing in on the academy. Kurai quickened her pace slightly, but managed to look as casual as possible. Let's see who wins the race…

Ino and Sakura charged into Iruka's classroom still yelling over who gets to sit next to Sasuke. "I was here first Billboard Brow; I get to sit next to Sasuke!" Sakura scoffed, "Puh-lease! I was here a full half-second before you!" The girls continued to yell at each other by Sasuke's desk when Kurai finally arrived. She looked down at the now growing group of Sasuke fan-girls arguing over the empty seat. Kurai rolled her eyes and walked down the opposite aisle when a brilliant plan struck her mind followed by a devilish smirk. She continued to walk down the aisle straight to Sasuke's desk. The girls were still preoccupied and didn't notice her approach Sasuke. "Good morning Sasuke. Is this seat taken?" Kurai asked. Sasuke looked at her and then glanced over to the group of angry girls. He seemed to be contemplating who he's rather sit by: one of his freaky, rabid fan-girls or Kurai, who was anything BUT a freaky, rabid fan-girl.

"It's all yours" He replied.

She gave him a nice "Thanks" when he moved to let her pass to the middle seat. Once seated nicely next to Sasuke, Kurai looked at the gaggle of girls to her right. They still hadn't noticed that she was sitting in their coveted seat which made Kurai smirk again. This is going to be great. Just when Kurai was enjoying her 'make-every-girl-in-Konoha-go-mad' plan, a hyperactive orange blob burst through the angry mob of girls and pointed out that Kurai was sitting in 'their' seat. "What do YOU think you're doing in MY seat!?" Sakura yelled. Kurai coolly replied, "You weren't sitting here, so this can't be your seat." Sakura was thoroughly pissed. "WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO SIT NEXT TO SASUKE?!" She yelled. Kurai calmly turned and looked at Sakura, "Why, Sasuke did of course." Sakura looked like she was about to blow her little pink head off and it took all of Kurai's might not to laugh at her purpley-red face. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN SASUKE SAID YOU COULD SIT THERE!" Ino yelled out this time. Sakura was so pissed she was at loss of words. "I asked Sasuke if I could sit here, and he said yes. So here I am, in MY seat." Kurai spoke matter-of-factly. Ino glared daggers at Kurai, who looked back at her with an emotionless face. Suddenly Naruto jumped on the desk and glared at Sasuke, who glared right back. What makes Sasuke so freaking better than ME! Naruto thought. Kurai just looked at the two boys and sighed, typical boys. Kurai saw one of the boys sitting in front of their desk stand up and bump into Naruto. She turned to see Naruto and Sasuke locking lips, both with a shocked and disgusted look on their faces. Sakura looked pale in the face and Kurai fought to keep a semi-stoic face; she was trying her hardest not to laugh hysterically. Naruto and Sasuke broke into a fit of coughing, sputtering, and mumbled curses. Boy, my day just keeps getting better. Kurai thought to herself and smirked. The joy of making the two Sasuke-crazed girls squirm was still fresh in her mind. Iruka finally entered the room and everyone took a seat. Sakura actually took a seat next to Kurai; Making sure I don't "make a move" on Sasuke, huh? Kurai gave herself a well deserved mental pat on the back for making Sakura so paranoid. Naruto took a seat in front of Kurai and Ino took hers behind Sakura.

"Congratulations guys, you are officially ninja!" Iruka said. The class clapped and cheered at their accomplishment and because they knew they no longer had to listen to Iruka's boring lectures. "Now, to start you guys off, you will be put into squads each having a jounin as a teacher. Listen up for your squad's number and your name!"

"Team 10: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akamichi."

Ino let out a frustrated groan and put her head on her desk. Looks like I'm not going to be with Sasuke! She thought.

"Team 8: Hinata Huuyga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame."

"Team 7 will be the only 4 because of the odd number of students… Team 7 consists of: Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno…"

Naruto pumped a fist in the air.

"…Sasuke Uchiha…"

Sakura cheered out loud.

"And last but not least, Kurai Arashi."

Sakura's face contorted with rage. "Why do I have to be with Kurai and Naruto!" she yelled out. "Yeah and why do I have to be with SASUKE of all people?" Naruto raged. Iruka sighed and explained that each one of the members perfectly coincide with each other. Both Kurai and Sasuke have superior skills in ninjustu, taijustu, and weaponry, Sakura is smart, has great chakra control, and is great in genjustu, Naruto on the other hand did poorly on everything. They were put together so that everyone could learn off of each other and grow; even Sasuke and Kurai had some skills to work on. Naruto and Sakura still continued to pout but Kurai saw this as a golden opportunity. I get to mess with Sakura and compare my skills to Sasuke's. This is perfect.

"Alright, after the bell dismissing lunch report back here to meet you're Jounin instructors. Have a nice lunch and good luck!"