Aki 04.
After what seemed to be hours, but in reality was only a few minutes, the group of 6 finally agreed on the perfect lunch spot. Much to Naruto and Ritsu's dislike.
Right under a large oak tree, perfectly shaded from the luke-warm rays of the autumn sun. The ants seem to think so too.
"OH DEAR KAMI! THE ANTS ARE TRYING TO EAT ME ALIVE!" Ritsu exclaimed, jumping up from his seat for the 100th time.
Soma sighed quietly. "There isn't even that many of them Ritsu. Just calm down."
"HE'S RIGHT! EITHER THEY'RE TRYING TO EAT ME, OR THEY WANT MY RAMEN!" Naruto yelled, jumping up from his seat holding onto his ramen cup for dear life.
Fuyu laughed lightly at her friend's plight. "They must be after you two." she giggled.
Naruto and Ritsu pouted slightly simultaneously.
"Will you two idiots just sit down. They don't even bite." Sasuke growled.
"Shut up Sasuke!" Naruto whined.
"Take a step in our shoes for a while, then you'll understand what we're going through!" Ritsu added.
"We're all sitting in the same place." Sakura reasoned quietly as she gently blew on a cluster of rice. If this is what they act like with just a few ants around, how on earth are they going to act on actual missions? She asked herself worriedly.
"Here," Fuyu began, raising from her seat. "We'll trade seats, there aren't as many ants over here."
Ritsu and Naruto eagerly sprinted from their previous location over to Fuyu's seat, sitting down happily with their lunches in hand.
Fuyu happily took Ritsu's previous seat, unaware of Sasuke's onyx eyes following each step she took.
You've got to stop being so kind Fuyu. Sasuke thought to himself as he took another cluster of food towards his mouth.
"What do you think our Sensei's will be like?" Soma asked curiously.
"Our sensei is going to be 10x better than yours. That's for sure." Naruto said cockily as he chowed down on his ramen.
Ritsu scoffed loudly. "You wish."
"What was that Rit-!"
"Either way, they'll both be amazing I bet." Fuyu answered, interrupting Naruto's retort.
Sakura squealed loudly. "Maybe they'll be girls."
"No way!" Ritsu objected. "They're definitely going to be guys. Everyone knows that."
"That's not true." Sasuke objected. "There are numerous powerful shinobi who are women."
"I'm not saying that girls can't be strong. Just our sensei's have to be men."
Sakura and Fuyu glanced at each other with a scolding look on their face.
Ritsu would be the one to say that. The both thought to themselves, turning back to their lunches.
"I guess we'll just have to wait to find out then." Soma sighed, shrugging his shoulders lightly.
Just as long as they help me reach my goal. I don't have time to deal with setbacks. Sasuke thought to himself, tightening his grip on the chopsticks in his hand slightly.
Fuyu noticed that he tensed slightly. Sasuke…She thought to herself sadly. I promise you'll reach your goal. Just please be patient.
:-:-:
"Where are they!" Naruto asked looking out the windows that paneled the right side of the classroom. "Every other team has been picked up by their sensei, except for us! Even Iruka Sensei left!"
"Maybe their a little busy Naruto." Fuyu suggested quietly. "Just wait a little longer."
"What kind of Jonin are they?" Ritsu sighed, half asleep.
"I don't know, but I'm going to teach them a lesson." Naruto answered, creeping over to the black chalkboard, reaching for an eraser.
"What are you doing Naruto?" Sakura growled as she watched him conveniently place the eraser between the door and frame tightly. Ha, they definitely deserve this! They should know better than to be late. Sakura thought to herself happily.
"They're not going to fall for that Naruto. They're Jonin." Sasuke said confidently. "I'm pretty sure they already know what you're doing from a mile away."
"We'll see Sasuke!" Naruto retorted sprinting away from the door.
"Either way, it'll be hilarious!" Ritsu commented happily.
"Don't you guys think about the consequences will be? If they do end up falling for that, don't you think they'd be annoying?" Soma said thoughtfully, disagreeing with the whole plan.
"Soma's right." Fuyu agreed "Should we really be doing this, especially for a first impression?"
"You two worry too much! Just enjoy the fun we poke at them." Ritsu said, waving his hand lazily.
As soon as the last letter rolled off Ritsu's tongue, the classroom door slowly slid open causing the eraser to collide with a silver headed man.
He stood there for a few moments, simply staring at the eraser that helplessly laid on the ground.
Ha! That's what he gets! Sakura thought to herself.
"Hahaha! You fell for it!" Naruto laughed, pointing at the man happily.
"Oh geez. And you call yourself a Jonin?" Ritsu added, clutching his stomach tightly from his laughter.
Seriously. No one should've fell for that, much less a Jonin. Sasuke thought to himself, disappointed.
"I'm really sorry sensei. We tried to stop naruto, but he wouldn't listen." Sakura apologized quietly.
The silver headed man, slowly picked the eraser up and placed it back on to the black board before moving out the doorway to allow a brown haired man in, who was slightly taller than him.
They both sighed loudly.
"Hmm. How do I put this… well, my first impression of you guys…I hate you." the silver headed man expressed, causing the group of six genin to pout slightly.
The brown haired man laughed loudly. "Ah, Kakashi. Cut them some slack, they're only Genin after all."
I hope we don't get that guy. Ritsu thought to himself, looking up at Kakashi worriedly.
He sighed once more. "Which of you are Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto?" he asked quietly.
"I'm Sasuke." he answered in his uninterested tone.
"I'm Sakura." she answered happily.
"And I'm Naruto Uzumaki!" Naruto said happily.
"Great. I'm Kakashi Hatake, I'm you're new sensei." he sighed "Let's try and get along, alright?"
"Alright! Now that they're out the way, I'm guessing you three are Soma, Ritsu and Fuyu? Right?"
"Hai!" the three responded happily.
"Great, I'm Nagare Shin. I'll be your sensei from now on."
"Oi, Nagare Sensei." Ritsu called, gaining his attention. "Why were you two so late?"
Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck while laughing nervously "I got lost on the road to life."
Bull. The six Genin thought to themselves, sweat dropping mentally.
"Whatever." Ritsu mumbled "What about you? Sensei?"
"I actually had to talk to the hokage about something, unlike Kakashi. I'll always have a valid reason why I'm late, if I ever am."
"I'm going to hold you to that." Soma promised quietly. "If you're ever late, we'll expect the worse."
"Deal." Nagare responded. "well Kakashi. Since they've already introduced themselves, let's go ahead and do the links, dislikes, dream and ambition thing and get it over with."
Kakashi nodded his head slightly in agreement. "I already know your names, so all 6 of you tell us one thing you like, one thing you dislike, one dream, and your hobbies." he explained, leaning against a desk.
All six of them looked between each other, waiting to see who would be brave enough to go first.
After a few moments of mentally debating, Nagare Sensei decided to go first. Since all of you are still acting like a bunch of 5 year olds in the academy.
"Like I said before, My name is Nagare Shin." he began "What I like that one moment in a mission where it's all life or death, and you have to make that decision, either ending you and your teams life, or saving it."
Ritsu scoffed quietly. What is this guy nuts? Who would like a moment like that?
"What I dislike…the moment where you make the wrong decision. My dreams for the future, hmm I guess getting married, and having a few kids. 2 boys and a girl to be exact. Then as for hobbies, that would have to be training with people. Including students." he concluded with a light smile.
"So, since you like training, does that mean we'll be doing a lot of that?" Ritsu asked happily.
"You bet!" he answered. "We have to be better than them." he whispered, pointing to Kakashi's team sneakily.
A mischievous smile formed on Ritsu's face. "I like him already!" he said to Soma and Fuyu.
Nagare laughed lightly before standing back up straight. "Who's next? What about you?" he asked, pointing to Fuyu.
A light blush formed on her face as she debated his offer. "Alright." she agreed quietly, smiling shyly.
It's only when you have everyone attention that you become this flustered Fuyu. Sasuke thought to himself, smiling slightly.
"My name's Fuyu Saatchi, what I like is the winter time but only because that's the time my jutsu's are most powerful. What I dislike…I hate letting people down." she paused "My dreams are to do everything I can to make everyone proud of me, that would be the ultimate happiness. Then my hobbies are walking along the river bank, especially during the transition from autumn to winter."
I guess that would make sense, since you use ice release. Nagare thought to himself, smiling brightly. I can't wait to see what your abilities are, Fuyu.
"Saatchi clan huh?" Kakashi asked "I bet you're happy winter is coming in two weeks then."
Fuyu nodded her head lightly. "Although, I don't exactly favor the cold. Just the thought of winter interests me."
Nagare chuckled lightly. "That's a little redundant, isn't it Fuyu?"
She shrugged her shoulders light, causing her light brown hair to cascade down to her back. "I'm not sure how to explain it correctly. You'll just have to take my word for it." she replied, smiling with a smile that was contagious.
The charm of the Saatchi clan. I can see why. Kakashi thought to himself.
"Alright, I guess I'll go next." Kakashi sighed. "My name is Kakashi Hatake. What I like…I don't feel like telling you that. My dreams for the future…hmmm…never really thought about that…as for my hobbies…well, I have a lot of hobbies."
That doesn't tell us anything about you then! Naruto and Sakura thought to themselves simultaneously.
"Alright, who's next?"
"Me!" Naruto and Ritsu exclaimed at the same time.
"He's my sensei Ritsu." Naruto reasoned.
"And? It's my sensei who started it."
"That doesn't make a difference!"
"It makes a world a difference Naruto!" Ritsu growled.
"How about you, Sasuke?" Kakashi suggested, ignoring the small argument happening before his eyes.
Sasuke sighed slightly, sitting up straighter, if at all possible.
He took in a deep breath, preparing to speak, building up everyone's curiosity.
What's so great about him? He's just like every other guy. Naruto thought to himself angrily.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. There are many things I dislike, and not much I do like. And I have an ambition that I have no plan to leave as a dream. The restoration of my clan, and to…kill a certain man." he answered simply.
I knew it. Nagare and Kakashi both thought to themselves.
Fuyu winced slightly as his last words, knowing all too well who he could possibly be talking about.
"Alright, thank you Sasuke! You're up, Soma." Nagare instructed, trying to delude the negativity in the air.
"I'm Soma Niou. What I like is surprising people in any way possible. What I dislike…I'm not sure yet. My dream…is to make my brother Setsuke, proud. Then my hobbies are learning about past shinobi." he answer quietly.
Nagare nodded lightly. "Soma." he began softly "You're brother passes away two years ago, correct?"
Soma looked up at his sensei quietly. "Right…" he answered quietly.
Fuyu lightly clutched her heart through her shirt. Oh Soma, I never knew. She thought to herself sadly.
A sad smile grew across Nagare's lips. "I'll be sure to do everything I can to ensure that you're brother will be proud of you. Alright?"
Soma nodded his head lightly. "Thank you, Nagare sensei." he said sincerely, bowing slightly.
"And I'll be sure to help too!" Fuyu added happily, driven with a new motive.
Soma looked over at her surprised before a smile graced his features. "Thank you, Fuyu."
"Naruto." Kakashi said "your turn."
"Right!" he said, fixing his headband that sat on his forehead. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki! What I like is ramen, especially the kind at the Ichiraku Ramen shop. What I dislike is the three minute wait after you pour the boiling water. My hobbies are eating ramen. And my dream…is to be the next hokage!"
Ritsu snorted. "I'm surprised your dream isn't to eat all the ramen in the world."
Naruto curled his fists at Ritsu. "Watch what you're saying Ritsu!"
"Alright alright. Be nice to each other." Nagare advised. "But that's a pretty big dream Naruto. It'll be a lot of work to help you towards that."
There's no point in helping him, he's too much an idiot. Sasuke thought to himself.
"But it'll be done." Nagare added.
"Promise?" Naruto asked, slightly surprised.
"Promise! You're just a much apart of my team as you are Kakashi's."
"Thanks Nagare sensei!" Naruto replied happily.
"Yeah yeah yeah. My turn!" Ritsu interrupted. "My name is Ritsu Saruwatari. What I like is impressing people. What I dislike is when others show me up. Then my dream is to become stronger than my father. And my hobbies are looking after my grandparents."
Nagare and Kakashi laughed lightly.
"I'm glad you enjoy looking after your grandparents, Ritsu." Nagare expressed between laughs. "Think you can channel that enjoyment to your team?"
Ritsu looked over at Soma and Fuyu who were both looking at him intently. "Hell yeah I can!" he answered, throwing up a thumbs up.
"Great. Now, Sakura. It's finally your turn."
Sakura nodded her head happily. "My name is Sakura Haruno. The thing or, person I like is…well…and my dream for the future is…um…and my hobby is…heh. What I dislike is…Naruto of course!" she answered, going through a number of mood changes.
Everyone but Sasuke looked over at her confused.
"Riiight. Well it's a pleasure to meet all of you."
"From now on, we'll most likely be going on the majority of our missions together as one large team." Nagare explained "That just means more friends. Which is a great thing!"
Friends. Sasuke mused to himself. I guess…it wouldn't be too bad then.
"We have our first exercise tomorrow, 5:00 am. If you're late you automatically fail." Kakashi explained as he made his way over to the classroom doors "Oh, don't eat breakfast either."
Don't eat breakfast? Everyone asked themselves mentally.
Nagare sighed loudly. "We'll meet tomorrow. See you all then." he bided as he closed the sliding door that led into the classroom, leaving the 6 Genin alone.
"well, that was fun." Ritsu said.
Fuyu laughed lightly. "Their both interesting."
"You mean lazy! Kakashi sensei was 40 minutes late for no reason!" Naruto exclaimed.
"I'm sure he had a reason also Naruto." Sasuke answered as he walked down from the rows of seats.
"I wonder what the exercise is going to be like." Soma thought.
Everyone shrugged their shoulders lightly.
"It must be serious since they told us not to eat breakfast." Sakura answered quietly.
"We won't know till tomorrow! But let's all do our best. Alright?" Naruto said.
Everyone simply nodded their head in agreement.
This better not hold me back though. Sasuke thought to himself as he silently looked down at his feet.
Fuyu looked over at Sasuke. I already promised that we won't be hindrances to you Sasuke, you of all people know that I never go back on my promises.
:-:-:
Neither of them would expect that this would be the first step together down a long long road full of heartbreak, broken promises, wishes, and hope.
Thank you so much for reading! Every read that my story gets means a lot to me. :)
Please leave a review/comment about what you think about this chapter, and what I can/should work on. I'd really appreciate it!
-EZ