Well here is Chapter Two…
School is starting up again, so the time between updates will start to increase…dramatically…but hopefully I can fit in some time to write like usual. It's going to be a pretty busy year, and I'm not sure if I'm ever going to be away from homework or practice.
An update on Naruto's and Gaara's effected behavior…
Gaara is still a ruthless killer on the inside, yet he is calm and only utilizes that ruthlessness when against actual enemy ninjas. He isn't bloodthirsty, mind you, just an cold-hearted killer, only able to smile from Naruto's influence.
Naruto is still a hyperactive kid on the inside, but being around a stoic person half his life has made him slightly more serious and strategic, and overall a better ninja because of someone else to bounce ideas (and taijutsu) off of.
This way, I'm only altering their personalities by the slightest degree, except for the parts which I, the writer, have decided they needed an improvement. Not an OP Naruto, not a friendly Gaara…yet. This is only the beginning! Stay with me, and your patience will be rewarded.
Also, in case you haven't noticed, Naruto has not learned the Shadow Clone Technique. There's a good chance he will through other means, but so far he does not possess the knowledge.
Warning: there will be slight Sasuke-bashing in the following chapters, but hang in there, he will eventually become just as appreciated as any other ninja.
And a last warning: any Neji lovers will be disappointed. You will see soon enough.
Anyway, thanks to all who've reviewed/favorite/followed… Really means a lot to me.
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Chapter Two: Team Seven
The next morning started almost exactly as the last. Gaara was in a sour mood ever since the incident, but also relieved that he finally knew the source of his banishment. Later today he and Naruto planned on going to the library (sneaking through the windows, of course… The librarian would never let them in through normal means) and researching what kind of demon might be inside Gaara.
He was anxious. Very anxious. This was the answer to all their problems, or at least the first step towards them.
But, being who Gaara is, he just let show the emotionless stare that had come to rival that of Sasuke Uchiha.
These thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Naruto noisily falling out of bed and struggling to get up. In the background he could hear Naruto's rather noisy alarm go off. Sheesh.
"Ever think of, you know, just letting me wake you up every time?" he asked.
Naruto just grinned his silly grin and said "Can't let that happen, Gaara! Imagine if you weren't there, and then I'd have to go and wake myself up! I can't have myself rely on you to get me out of bed!"
He had a point.
Their morning routine fell into order and soon enough they were walking back towards the academy. But this day was special. They wouldn't be learning math, science, literature or, god forbid, history. Instead they would be separating into their own three-man teams, hopefully with a sensei that could take this handful of a duo.
That is, if they were put on the same team.
As they walked towards the academy, ignoring the hateful glances sent their direction and admiring the Konoha band on their body (forehead for Naruto, gourd strap for Gaara). Naruto was all for it; he loved having something that proved he was officially a Konoha shinobi. Gaara inwardly appreciated it with a bittersweet feeling. He had wanted to be a Suna shinobi, but for now he would have to pay his allegiance to Konoha.
The classroom was partially full by the time they got there. Half the civilian kids were there, along with most of the clan kids.
But really, they weren't kids anymore. They were shinobi. They proved it that when they passed the entry exam – right?
No time to speculate on their own thoughts however. Iruka was about starting to address them. The last few kids had stumbled in through the front. It was time.
"Alright class. Well, actually, you aren't really my class anymore, but I will always look at you guys that way. Anyway, what's going to happen now is you're all going to be sorted into teams of three. These will be your genin teams, under a sensei that will come to pick you up when I'm done. After that, good luck." He smiled, feeling somewhat remorseful knowing that over half of them would be seeing him again, most of them civilian kids.
He started on the list. Naruto didn't bother listening for the most part, but Gaara was drinking in every word. This would be too easy if they just let them past; he had a feeling he would need to know these teams, just in case.
Until, finally, Naruto's name was called.
"…Naruto Uzumaki, Gaara, and Sasuke Uchiha will be on Team Seven!"
While most the girls complained about the team ("Why do the freaks get to be with the hot guy?!), Gaara and Naruto were thinking about the same thing. Their sensei was going to have a lot to handle. Sasuke didn't know it, but Naruto was nearly as strong as the other two, which means they successfully fooled the teachers.
The bad news was that a) they had the emo pouter on their side ("So your whole clan was massacred by your older brother, who you had held as an idol for so long. Big deal!), and b) this squad was hella overpowered.
That, of course, could be argued as a good thing, but really now…was this fair?
Sasuke wasn't really thinking much of it. He knew that Gaara was strong – he had been the only one not to fall to Sasuke's taijutsu, mainly because he couldn't get a hit in – but he also had that loser, Naruto. At least it hadn't been a fangirl. Dear lord, could you imagine?
As the various sensei came in soon after, Gaara began to notice that their sensei – Kakashi Hatake – was not showing up along with the others. Sasuke noticed too, but pretended not too and continued to brood on his bad luck.
Naruto noticed it too all right, and he wasn't going to let it go unnoticed. "Where's the freaking sensei?! Everyone else has left! It's been over an hour!"
Gaara sighed. Naruto was an amazing shinobi, minus the un-ninja-like jumpsuit that he persisted in wearing, but he really needed to calm down a little.
"Will you shut it? If you're going to do anything useful let it please be at least keeping your mouth shut," Sasuke called out. This caused a minor tick to appear on Naruto's forehead, but he had suddenly got a great idea and was not going to let it go.
This fabulous trick? Sticking an eraser above the door.
"Oh man, if this guy falls for it I'm not sure what I'm going to feel! He's gotta be the lamest ninja in the world if he falls for that!" Naruto said with an infectious grin, yet years of perfecting his "zero-tolerance" face allowed Gaara to keep a straight mouth. Sasuke wasn't feeling any amusement.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Naruto watched with open amusement as the eraser landed with a *bonk* on a silver-haired ninja's head.
"Hahahaha! I gotcha! Oh man, I can't believe you fell for that! Ha!" Naruto was on the ground, bursting out in laughter.
That was before the jōnin looked at him with a lazy stare and said in a dreamy state, "My first impression…is that you're unimpressive."
Talk about a blow to your manliness.
He continued. "I expect you all to be at the top of this building in three minutes. Late, you fail, and go back to the academy." And in a burst of white smoke, vanished.
Instead of freaking out, Naruto took his time getting off the floor and dusted himself off. With a grin towards Gaara, he said "Guess this is it! Time to meet our new sensei! Race you, Gaara!" And took off, not unlike the manner of their sensei.
Sasuke was right behind him, not wanting to be late. Nothing was going to hold this Uchiha back.
Gaara watched them both go, opting to ignore Naruto's taunt and walk. Naruto could outrun anybody, even ANBU Black Opts. No way was this taijutsu-stunted genin going to beat him. Pfft. And three minutes to the top? Nothing. Now if he had said one… That would be worrisome.
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"Gaara! What was that?! You didn't even try!" Naruto complained once Gaara had pulled himself onto a stone seat. Everyone else was there, and Kakashi was reading a book with a very…suggestive front cover.
After a few moments of silence Kakashi looked up and said "So you all made it. Wouldn't expect anything less from the top of the class, really." He glanced at Naruto and said "Minus the shrimp, of course."
He closed the book (ignoring Naruto's complaints) and stuck it in his back pocket. Then he formally addressed the team. "My name is Kakashi Hatake. I'm going to be your sensei for now on, make sure you make Konoha proud and not end up acting as fools. But first, some introductions are in order; I don't really know much about you. So what's your name? What's your favorite hobby? What's your goal? What do you like? Do you particularly dislike anything?"
The three genin looked at each other before Gaara sighed and said in a low voice "I am Gaara. I enjoy winning. My goal is to be the strongest. I like seeing the eyes of my enemy when I'm about to defeat them. I don't like egotistical crybabies who think they're all that."
Sasuke noticed the jab, and didn't take kindly to it. He knew it wouldn't hit, but he threw a kunai half-heartedly without standing up at the redhead's face. As expected, the sand came up and blocked it. "Coward." He mumbled. Gaara heard him, but didn't really react.
Kakashi ignored it all, and looked at Naruto instead. "You?" Of course he knew who Naruto was, but it was better not to let any unfortunate onlookers to know that (a.k.a., ROOT…).
Naruto, seemingly a completely different kid than the one Kakashi had seen downstairs, answered in a serious tone "My name is Naruto Uzumaki. I enjoy fighting. A lot. My goal is to become the Hokage of this town, and gain the respect of everyone in it." He said the Hokage bit with a fist-pump and a brave smile. "I like pulling pranks on people, getting stronger, and fighting strong opponents. I dislike people who judge others even if they don't know them. And spoiled milk." He shook his head in disgust. "Gaara meant to do that, but he swears he didn't!"
Gaara looked over at him, the ghost of a smile on his lips. Of course he meant it; Naruto had been the only person the pierce his sand guard (even if it hadn't hit Gaara; all it had done was break the sand, and Naruto had jumped from the top of the Hokage monument to accomplish that), and he had wanted payback. It was a tad cruel, but nothing beat victory than the sight of your enemy running to the pot over and over again.
Finally, Kakashi looked over at Sasuke. "And you?" He knew Sasuke Uchiha too, and didn't tell him for the same reasons he didn't tell Naruto.
Sasuke glared over his crossed hands, saying in a (slightly) menacing voice, "My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I don't enjoy anything. My goal is to do something you wouldn't understand. I don't like anything. I dislike slackers who do nothing useful in their pathetic lives."
The top of the academy was quiet until Kakashi broke the silence. "Well, it seems we have a nice, friendly group going here. The emo pouter, the overactive dreamer, and the silent loner." He gave them a smile, noticeable only through his eyes, ignoring the glares of the people he so recently insulted. "We're going to be best buds."
His eyes met there's and he suddenly became very serious. "I warn you now, and because you seem like a group worthy of hearing this I'm telling you now. The test you took at the academy was only to weed out the weaker. Here, you will also be tested, but only three genin teams Now meet me at training ground three tomorrow at five. And I wouldn't eat breakfast by the way…you might puke." With that, he took off.
The three genin sat their while their brains processed that peculiar event, before going their respective ways.
Gaara and Naruto instantly brought up a new conversation topic. "What'd you think of him, Gaara?"
The brow-less child looked at Naruto quizzically before the other genin rolled his eyes and said "Oh, c'mon, I know you were observing Kakashi-sensei the whole time. It's what you always do. What's your 'professional outlook'?"
"I think he's going to be either a very hard teacher," Gaara took a moment to glare at a villager who had been giving them the evil eye, "or a very, VERY hard teacher."
"I think he looks awesome! I mean, that face mask just gives off this professional look that screams 'fear me'! Do you think I should get one?" Naruto said in excitement.
Now it was Gaara's turn to roll his eyes. "You would tear that thing off before you could say 'believe it'. Mystique just isn't your style." He gave Naruto's orange jumpsuit a look over. "And speaking of appearance, I think it's about time to get rid of that obnoxious thing. You dragged that thing from a shopkeeper who thought only to get you killed, right?"
Naruto sighed as he thought of that particular shop. "At the time he seemed like such a nice old man. Only years later do I realize he probably was hoping an enemy ninja would see and kill me. At least I have something."
"Yeah, we're definitely getting you a new outfit."
"Can I at least have some orange on it? I've become used to the color…"
Gaara sighed, feeling like he at least owed Naruto that. "Sure."
"Yes! Victory for Naruto!"
"Now don't make me regret it!"
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The next morning was quite a rush around the Uzumaki apartment. Yes, it was Gaara's too, but it felt appropriate calling it Naruto's because he had been paying for it for years.
Gaara opened his eyes to the sound of munching. He still hadn't slept that night (yet now he knew why…partially), but he had trained himself to cut off all sound so he could at least get some rest. It was like being aware while asleep. A very useful, if bizarre, trait.
But when he saw what lay before him, he was wide awake.
Naruto had woken up early and was having a complete breakfast, toast and orange juice. What irked Gaara was that Kakashi had specifically warned them not to eat. And considering it was Naruto they were talking about here, it really was not all that unexpected; he had forgotten.
"Naruto. What. Are. You. DOING?!" Gaara yelled at him.
Naruto jumped from the sudden voice, spilling orange juice all over his jumpsuit (which didn't really matter, it was dirty enough anyway).
"Wha-what?" Realization hit Naruto in a wave, and he immediately freaked out. "Oh, crap, I forgot Kakashi-sensei's warning! I'm screwed!"
Gaara, on the other hand, was already recovering and trying to calm Naruto down. "Forget it. C'mon, lets head to the market and steal some clothes. We're top-class genin, and I'm pretty sure we've paid for the clothes we're about to steal in the amount they ripped us off from."
The other genin frowned. Gaara hadn't informed him on the "stealing" part. "We're going to steal? Aren't we trying to gain the villagers' respect, not make them hate us anymore?"
Gaara shrugged. "Eh, what are they going to do? Call ANBU on us? They so much as touch us and we'll go to the Hokage. When he asks why we stole, we'll tell the truth about the overpriced goods. He'll berate us, sure, but other than that let us keep the stuff and we'll be on our merry way. Deal?"
Naruto paused for a minute before sighing and saying "Deal" in a defeated tone. Gaara was just too hard to argue with.
The sun hadn't even risen across the horizon when they got to the store. They snuck in through the window, browsed through the selection, until Naruto suddenly called out "This is perfect!" in a loud voice.
"Shut up you bonehead!" Gaara whispered. He felt tense, but not too anxious. They were only stealing; the villagers had done MUCH worse to them in the past.
'Only stealing'. Right. Pure brain power right there.
Gaara, curious to what could've gotten Naruto's eye so easily, came over and was pleasantly surprised that is seemed the right fit for Naruto's style.
It was another jumpsuit, but where it was orange before was now a pitch black. The blue parts from his current jumpsuit were orange on the new one, yet they were a red-orange color, like the hue of a sunset. "Think we should get it for you, Gaara? Seems to fit you better."
Gaara merely shook his head. "Nah; I like my current outfit. Gives me more flexibility, and for someone who doesn't rely on taijutsu that much it's perfect. It also gives a shout-out to my original home, Sunagakure. You can have it." He smirked, suddenly thinking of an idea. "Just make sure to dye your hair red, it will look exactly like the suit."
Naruto, not catching the sarcasm, asked "You really think so? But then, we'll look almost ex-"
"I was kidding, idiot. If you so much as shave your eyebrows I will kill you for impersonation."
They got out easily enough, and with Gaara's sand they were able to mute the creaking sand of the screw being put back into place. They went back to the apartment, so Naruto could change, and then headed out for training ground three.
Sasuke was there, and they actually got a reaction from the normally stoic Uchiha at the sight of a darker, less obnoxious Naruto. That small reaction ended quickly however, and it was back to the mask.
They waited for a long time, Naruto occasionally complaining that his new jumpsuit was "itchy in places no place should itch". Gaara was starting to envy Naruto's forgetfulness; a nice big breakfast would hit the spot right now.
When it was about noon, Kakashi finally showed up. "Hey guys. Sorry for the wait. My alarm clock didn't go, and when I was headed here I ran across a black cat and had to go the long way around town."
He had noticed Naruto's new attire, but decided not to take note of it; they were only clothes.
They were not amused. But Naruto didn't complain; he had gotten some more sleep in, and his stomach was still content from the great breakfast. Gaara and Sasuke just weren't ones to complain.
"Right. I hope you guys aren't hungry," the killing intent increased, "because you're going to have to get these two bells from me. Whoever gets them passes. The loser fails." He held up two regular bells, each about the size of a large cherry. They clanged together softly, emitting a slight *ping* sound when hit.
"In addition," he took out three box lunches and showed it to them, "whoever passes also gets to eat lunch. Whoever doesn't gets to see me eat their lunch while they're chained up to that wood post over there." He smiled at them while the genin team processed this information.
"You only have a few hours to succeed. Once this timer goes off," he again seemingly pulled the clock from nowhere, set it, and put it on the wooden post, "you're out of luck. Of course, it's possible none of you may pass, but I guess only you have to worry about it."
With that, he got into a ready position and said in a louder voice, "Ready…GO!"
All three of them went off immediately, hiding in various bushes. Gaara and Naruto went together, while Sasuke went to the opposite side.
'It seems Gaara and Naruto already know how to work as a team…this will be interesting to see how they implicate Sasuke into their little equation. I doubt they will make it with just the two of them, but you never know…'
Meanwhile, Naruto and Gaara were plotting.
"He's too skilled to be fooled by any of our own genjutsu, and I don't think straight out tai and ninjutsu will help us," Gaara was saying, uncapping his gourd to let the sand trickle out. "We need to trap him, quickly, before he gains a complete understanding of our abilities. I'll trap him from afar with Sand Coffin while you speed up to him while he's immobilized and take the bells for ourselves. Screw Sasuke, the bastard had it coming when he shunned us."
Naruto disagreed. "Your sand shield would be best put to use in close-quarters, where all you have to worry about is getting close to him instead of defending." He suddenly looked regretful, and said "I don't know about Sasuke. We should at least try to integrate him. I mean, something just feels off about this challenge. Doesn't make sense why they would give us teams if they're only going to have us fight for a spot…"
Gaara's eyes narrowed in thought, contemplating Naruto's ever-so-few wise words. When it hit him, his eyes widened even larger than before. "You have your moments, Naruto. Kakashi-sensei is trying to make us separate by giving us only two bells, where we only need to get the bells as a team! We need to team with Sasuke if we want any chance of becoming official genin!"
Naruto made a face, inwardly amazed that he had been the one to put this whole 'teamwork' thing out, but outwardly said "But still…I may have felt bad for leaving Sasuke out, but he's still Sasuke. Guess we'll just have to deal with him until we get the bells."
The redheaded boy nodded. "Just make sure we get the bells. I'd hate for him to get a bell and our theory to turn out wrong."
In another bush, Sasuke was waiting for his 'golden opportunity' when he heard a voice whisper "Psst! Sasuke! Turn around!"
With a kunai magically appearing in his hand, Sasuke turned around only to see Naruto beckoning him over to a bush. He left before Sasuke had a moment to consider what just happened.
Sasuke glanced back at Kakashi to make sure his master was still reading his book, and then went to follow Naruto. Why not? He had nothing better to do.
Gaara and Naruto were already settled by the time Sasuke found them. "What's the big deal?"
"Sasuke," Gaara started, "we think the test has a different purpose, that we're supposed to rely on teamwork, rather than ourselves. Together, Naruto and I might have made it, but that defeats the purpose. IN the end, Kakashi could fail us even if we did get it."
Sasuke snorted, thinking how Naruto of all people could help get the bell. But thinking on it more, if he and Gaara tried to get the bells, they stood a chance…
Sasuke motioned to Gaara for a private talked, and when he was sure Naruto couldn't hear whispered "How about we forget Naruto? He was dead-last in our class, he would only be dead weight to be thrown around while in a fight. Let's just try it ourselves."
The Uchiha heir thought he had seen it all, but apparently he hadn't. Gaara's eyes appeared very dark, the light blue condensing to a dark brown in color, rage flowing through his veins. "I will never abandon Naruto. You hear me, Uchiha? I will never abandon the ONE PERSON WHO TOOK ME IN!"
Leaving a visibly stunned Sasuke in his wake, Gaara left to meet with Naruto, he simply said "He won't help," and continued walking. Naruto knew better than to question his best friend when he was in a state like that, so he simply followed his fellow jinchūriki.
Back in the clearing, Kakashi was starting to get a little amused, for lack of a better term. No one had attacked him yet, even though attacking him was the best option.
That was when Gaara, of all people, came barreling straight out of the forest and directly at him.
The red-headed boy didn't have any stance; he was simply running towards Kakashi, hands behind him in an effort to go faster.
Kakashi's first thoughts that this boy was an idiot, but as Gaara went to grab the bells, hand outstretched, and Kakashi went to grab his hand, the sand from his gourd shot out and blocked his hand.
Second thought – this boy was going to be a challenge.
Kakashi had no choice but to dodge as Gaara increasingly went to grab the bells. Kakashi could have ran, but any shinobi can do that, and it wouldn't be very fair to the others if he just ran away the whole time.
Every once in a while Kakashi couldn't help but try and implant his own hit in, only to be stopped by that strange sand and hand batted away. Gaara's speed was also steadily increasing, getting used to the circular motions they had been making.
When Kakashi moved backwards to dodge another swipe, a second set of arms reached around and put their hands over his eyes.
Naruto, having waited until Kakashi was distracted for long enough, had burst out and blinded Kakashi in an effort to stall his movement. At that same moment, Gaara went in for the bells.
They were so close, too.
Deciding that he would need to try harder, Kakashi went all-out (minus his Sharingan) and suddenly Naruto found himself holding a log.
"He replaced himself! Crap!" Naruto yelled out as suddenly he heard Kakashi's voice sound from behind.
"Leaf Village Secret Finger Jutsu: One Thousand Years of Death!" And Kakashi attacked Naruto in a place that would forever scar Naruto.
As Gaara (and Sasuke from the bushes) watched Naruto go flying, Kakashi ran off towards Sasuke, having found the Uchiha's position beforehand and wanting to get him in the fight.
Seeing the jōnin run straight for his position, Sasuke jumped over Kakashi and into the clearing, where Kakashi took his time to turn around and said "I'm almost impressed. I had to use my secret jutsu on Naruto and Gaara has an automatic defense system, so I can't hurt him. Sasuke, so far you are the only person I am not pleased with."
Sasuke seethed with anger as Kakashi continued to belittle him. "I would've thought better from the last Uchiha, whom so many clans are excited that they may be chosen for marriage with the most prestigious clan in Konoha." He flipped a kunai over, finger rolling it around over and over again… "Who knew that he was such a coward."
That was the last straw. With a roar the normally stoic Uchiha rushed into battle, taijutsu ready to be used in full, nearly lethal force. Gaara, sensing this as a moment to utilize teamwork, quickly joined, using his sand to protect Sasuke from any potential attacks.
"Wh-…Why are you doing this?!" Sasuke yelled as he increased his attempts, now desperate to get those stupid bells.
"Because we're a team, that's why. And a team always helps each other out, no matter what."
"Believe it!" Naruto came in, one hand nursing his bottom but otherwise ready to go. He quickly fell in line with the other two genin, until eventually they forced Kakashi onto a tree.
"Now Gaara!" Naruto yelled over the heat of the battle, realizing that this would be their only chance.
Taking a step back as to use his jutsu, Gaara held up an open fist and said "Sand Coffin!"
The sand, currently in the open protecting Sasuke and Naruto from any potential hits, worked into action as it surrounded Kakashi, binding him to the tree in one solid motion. Some sand came apart from the main mess and flew to Gaara's other outstretched palm.
When he opened his palm back up, to gleaming bells laying there in his palm.
"Woohoo! We got him! Good job, guys! We made it!"
Kakashi had been released, and he dusted himself off. "Good job, Gaara. Now the choice… Who are you going to give the other bell to?"
Gaara wanted to give the bell to Naruto. Why wouldn't he? Sasuke had only been a distraction, and hadn't even wanted to be in the fight in the first place.
But that wasn't the purpose. What if Kakashi failed him for giving it to Naruto? Worse, what if Naruto failed because he gave him the bells?
In the end, Gaara look into the eyes of his trainer and saw he was trapped. He would have to make the right decision. But this was Gaara we're talking about, and Gaara never backs down. So he compromised.
"Both of them." With a flick of his wrist, the sand came up and sliced right through one of the bells. Now there was half a bell. He gave the full bell to Naruto and the half bells to Sasuke and himself. "If I have to choose one, I'd always choose Naruto, but Sasuke did help during the capture, and deserves a bell just as well. This way, we all pass, right?"
Kakashi could only stare at him unblinkingly as time passed, until even Gaara started to feel slightly uncomfortable.
Finally, Kakashi burst out laughing.
It was a completely taboo sound. From the sound of Kakashi's laughter, the jōnin didn't laugh much, but this had pushed him over the edge. The three genin were unnerved slightly more after hearing the manic laughter.
Wiping a tear from his eye, Kakashi finally stood up (he had fallen on the ground) and walked over to Gaara. He outstretched his hand, indicating he wanted the bell back. Gaara complied.
"I have to admit, you got me. Not with just my capture, even if it was momentary and I could've gotten out of it as soon as I got over my shock, but with your solution. That was such an insane idea, cutting your own bell in half to make three, it caught me completely off-guard. I even think I saw a grateful grin on Sasuke's face for that.
Sasuke glared at him ("I surely did not!"), but Kakashi ignore him. "And you're right. Sometimes that creativity can make a great attribute, and in this case, where teamwork is the most vital thing to your training, creativity is a blessing." He smiled. "Good job boys. We are officially Team Seven! You passed! And starting tomorrow morning we meet our new best friend. Hope you like cats!"
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Next chapter will reveal the other teams, and how I moved them around to fit this story setup. I hoped you liked the new Team Seven. I decided to keep Sasuke because he fills such an integral role in Naruto's life.
That and the opportunity to write a completely badass team was too hard to stray from.
Anyway, an update on pairings is a big hint. I'm leaning heavily towards a decision and only those who know this word can guess what I'm leaning towards.
DigiFruit.
If you know what it means, you're probably giggling uncontrollably right now, but please keep your excitement vague. Don't want to spoil it for others.
Read, review, enjoy. Constructive criticism is appreciated. Flames will be ignored.
Cheers!