"I realized that the world did not exist for my benefit. It followed that the ratio of pleasant and unpleasant things around me would not change. It wasn't up to me. It was clear that the best thing to do was to adopt a sort of muddled cheerfulness."

― Banana Yoshimoto, Kitchen

I really needed to get a rank and soon. The "borrowed" money I had asked from Gai (with fluttery lashes and some ass kissing) was running out and I was growing anxious with my upcoming plans which involved, believe it or not, actually being a ninja. Besides all of that, I was all jittery from not being in any action in so long and not being able to train. Ugh.

I was currently leaning on the window sill with Sei on the stool beside me. The sun's early morning rays had just begun to reach through the glass and land on our faces. I am, and always will be, a morning person but what's there to do in the morning if you can't even afford to buy coffee? Ugh.

"Sei, this whole immigrant-slash-civilian lifestyle really isn't cutting it for me," I said with a shake of my head. "I want a coffee, a mission, and my husband back." I whined. I threw my head back as I dragged out the "baaaaaack" to further emphasize how needy I was today. And how bored. I was talking to Sei, my plant, yet again but it beats looking for Gai and engaging in conversation with him. I loved that bowl-cut haired man, I do, but even Buddha runs out of patience after hearing "youthful" enough times.

A slight wind slips through the opening in the window and causes Sei's branches to rustle a bit, the pink ribbon waving in the air catches my attention. "Okay, okay I'll stop whining and just get on with it." I said with a sigh. I was already dressed but had wanted to mope around a bit before seeing Hiruzen again.

It's now or never.

As I put my shoes on and leave for the door, Sei's ribbon waves again and I catch a flash of pink as the door closes.

Redundant, is the word that comes to mind as I fill out a form that looked exactly like the one I filled out in the hospital. It might actually be the same form but labelled "Konoha Shinobi Registration" instead of "Konoha Patient Registration" at the top. I sigh as I fought back the urge to roll my eyes. Personally, I hated paperwork but at least I wasn't like Kakashi. I turned in my things on time, albeit with a grumble.

"Thank you. Hokage-sama will be waiting for you in his office." The man in the front desk said to me after I turned in the form. I nodded my thanks and walked towards the Hokage's office room briskly.

"Good morning, Hinowa-san. I take it you wish to apply for a rank now?" Hiruzen greeted me as I entered the office.

"Ah, good morning to you too, Hokage-sama. And yes, actually I was hoping that it wasn't too early to apply for genin?' It was a little embarrassing to say it aloud since I had gone through this process once already- though with fellow classmates- and that I was, and still, am an elite jounin. Weird to be tested for something that I already had the skills to do, but this is just all the nitty gritty things I'll have to do first, I guess.

Hiruzen gave me a pleasant smile before taking a sip of his morning tea, "No, no it's fine. I'm sure someone of your caliber was itching to get back to using her summons and medical ninjutsu." He said after the drink. His face still held that smile but knowing him like I do, there was a bit of accusation in his tone. Why? What do you know, Hiruzen?, I wished I didn't have to hide things from him but as it stands, he is the most immediate danger to my wellbeing. Funny how the people you once were able to confide everything to turn out to be the ones you have to hide everything from, I thought bitterly.

"Anyhow, I assume you've filled out the proper paperwork?" I nodded my head. "Normally you'd have to go through some training in the academy, then be tested by one of the chuunin senseis there but...As it stands, why don't you show me some basic exercises and I'll just decide on your promotion right here?"

Hiruzen knew he was taking a risk by promoting a village stranger to genin so soon, but the lack of medic-nins and the upcoming chuunin exams called for drastic measures. It might have been cruel to use her as something to show off to the other hidden villages- with her rare summons and all- but intimidation was a tactic that all nations employed. Besides, the young lady would then have to go through the proper exams to be promoted again if she wished at which then the chuunin exams will truly show what she is capable of. There was also that niggling suspicion of the inconsistency with her summons...

"That sounds perfect for me, Hokage-sama." I smiled back at him. I guess I was lucky since I didn't have to bear even more humiliation of having to go to class with a bunch of ten year olds, but I didn't miss the fact that it was strange for him to be promoting me so easily. Perhaps he had something else in mind?

"Let us start then. I'd like to see a clone technique, another summon, and wall walking, please." Hiruzen asked. With a nod I put my hands together to make the hand signs for a clone.

"Bunshin no jutsu!" A small plume of smoke dissipated and revealed an identical copy to myself. The clone was a simple one, any jounin and even chuunin wouldn't be fooled into thinking it was actually me. I could have even made a shadow clone but as they say, don't show all the tricks up your sleeve just yet.

Hiruzen gave his nod at approval as I continued on to the next thing. The clone poofed away while I bit my thumb and called out, "Kuchiyose no jutsu!"

Instead of Mushu however, I had called for Ryuujin-sama because he was the only other dragon that would fit inside the office's walls. At least, while he's still in human form.

"Sorry, Ryuujin-sama, I needed to summon you to pass my, ahem, genin test." I whispered to the dragon man after he appeared and gave me a questioning stare. For some reason, the air had filled with a bit of Killing Intent and it brought both our hackles up.

"You say you only summon dragons yet what you bring out is a man. Explain." Hiruzen commanded, his eyes suddenly lost the cheeriness it once held and had replaced it with steely hardness. Oh, this was why the ANBU were on edge. They thought Ryuujin-sama was not a dragon but some kind of threat. Or backup I had brought to, I don't know, overthrow the Hokage like some evil mastermind. Ha, I thought a little sardonically.

"I apologize, Hokage-sama! Ryuujin-sama here is actually a dragon but he also holds a special ability that allows him to take on a human form. I'd gladly show you his original form but I'm afraid he would burst through the tower's walls just from his sheer size. I promise you that I wasn't lying when I said I summon dragons, just dragons." I pleaded.

A few beats of tension passed through us as Hiruzen and Ryuujin-sama stared each other down in a mild look of a challenge. It's hard when two beings of high power meet. Finally, both looked away with a sigh. "I see... Next time, a bit of forewarning would help your case, Hinowa-san." Hiruzen said as the ANBU's Killing Intent slowly creeped away.

"I'll keep that in mind, Hokage-sama," I replied. Ryuujin-sama nodded in his own acceptance and stayed since I made no move to send him away. "I'm going to demonstrate my wall walking now."

I headed to the left side wall and focused the chakra in my feet. It was a simple thing that I haven't even consciously thought of for years but being under someone's scrutiny made me hesitate to take my first step. After I had placed one foot on the wall however, I continued walking until I was about three-fourths up the wall.

"Very nice." Hiruzen commented. Ryuujin-sama gave a short grunt in approval as well. Both nodded at me, their figures completely horizontal, as I hopped off the wall.

"Well, that concludes that then!" Hiruzen announced. He opened his desk and dug around a bit until he pulled out a familiar black band with adorning silver. I smiled giddily.

"Congratulations, Tatsuya Hinowa of the Land of Tea," I blushed at the formal name. "As Hokage, I entrust this headband to you to signify that you are now a ninja of Konohagakure and that you will swear your loyalty to this village. By taking this headband, you are taking on the Will of Fire, the belief that love is the key to peace. Do you swear, then, to love this village and strive for peace?"

"I swear." I answered with certainty. The Will of Fire was something that I knew I held and believed in. It was something that encompassed all that I stood for since I wanted nothing more than peace and happiness for those I loved.

"Then I hereby call you a genin of the Leaf! You may now wear this headband proudly." Hiruzen held out the headband to me with a genuine smile this time. Off to the side, Ryuujin-sama gave his own smile as pride danced in his ocean-blue eyes. It mirrored the same look he had when I had become a genin the first time around.

I accepted the headband and tied it on my head, making the metal glint off the top of my scalp like a silver crown. I forgot how envigorating it felt when I first passed the genin test. This is actually the first time I felt so validated in this world, like Tatsuya Hinowa isn't some nobody, she's here and she belongs to Konoha. I couldn't help the small giggle that escaped my lips as I played with a dark strand of hair. Today is a good day, I thought sincerely.

But like most good things, they all come to an end. From outside the heavy, wooden doors I felt the familiar, cool chakra that reminded me of stormy nights and metal. Hatake Kakashi was standing just outside those doors and I had a bad feeling I know what for. Genins just can't be left alone to their own devices, right? They need someone there to instruct them on how the ninja world works. Someone like, say, a jounin sensei would be perfect for that.

"Now that you are a certified genin, Hinowa-san, you must be placed in a team led by a jounin sensei, as per the rules." As Hiruzen said those words I was angrily cursing whoever made those rules to the grave. "I'm sure you'd like someone who you are familiar with, so I reached out for the help from one Hatake Kakashi."

"Ehem, actually I wouldn't mind waiting until someone else decides to want to take me on their team. I really don't mind." I tried to back out from this arrangement awkwardly.

"I assure you, Kakashi-san is one of our most reliable jounins in the village," I could hear Ryuujin-sama snort in my thoughts. "And I've cleared it with him beforehand. In fact, why don't we just bring him in since he's part of this conversation."

Right on cue, the doors open to reveal a slouched man with gravity-defying hair and a facial expression that just screamed, I'm only here because I've got to be.

Great, he doesn't even want to see me..., I thought sadly.

He truly is the clueless man you said him to be. I can sense no recognition from his countenance, added Ryuujin-sama. I wasn't up to retorting back at him about how I didn't say Kakashi was clueless, just that he didn't know who I was. So I continued to look at the jounin who strode with a cat's lazy elegance into the room.

"Yo." He said in greeting.

"Kakashi, I had asked you earlier if you were willing to take on another genin for Team 7. I'm sure you were able to surmise that that genin would be Hinowa-san, who had just been handed her headband just a few moments ago," Ouch, just rub in how much of a newbie I am, Hiruzen. "I've only opened up the possibility to you without needing to hear a reply. But now that she's here, and in need of a jounin sensei, I'd like to hear your response on the offer." When Hiruzen finished speaking, Kakashi turned his eyes on me and assessed me top to bottom. I fought back a blush as his eyes were on me, it was highly inappropriate to be thinking of anything lewd right now.

"You want to get her ready for the Chuunin Exams, huh?" The silver haired jounin said after looking at me. So that's why Hiruzen promoted me personally. The Chuunin Exams were coming up and I could be properly promoted and shown off to visiting villages then. I felt a slight burn of hurt at the reason, but that didn't deter me much. I knew I couldn't go around thinking people were going to give me special treatment because I once held a relationship with them in a world they don't know about. I had to face the facts and know people's intentions for helping a stranger like me. Knowing this wouldn't stop the feelings of hurt and betrayal, however.

"Hm, to put it bluntly, yes. Hinowa-san, if you don't know, the Chuunin Exams is scheduled about two weeks from now. If you truly do feel uncomfortable with the arrangement, just know it will be a short one." As he finished I couldn't tell if that ending remark was meant for me or Kakashi. Probably both.

I risked a glance at the jounin beside me. As usual, his masked face betrayed nothing but I knew he was being a bit apprehensive to all of this. It had taken a lot just to get him to teach three genin students but now four? He hadn't even wanted to be a jounin sensei in the first place, he once told me. For me, though, I didn't mind so much being in a five-man genin team but that being in near proximity with Kakashi would hurt me emotionally. Some part of me rejoiced at the idea of getting closer to him, nonetheless.

"It is...acceptable. But I do have to say, Hinowa-san, seeing as you are a full grown woman and not a child I expect you to be able to at least make rational decisions and have common sense." He nodded to my direction.

Kakashi thought about what it would mean to take on another genin in his team. Would the team dynamics change? Would this woman and the children get along? For a brief moment, he'd thought about that one scene in Icha Icha where the main character had brought home his girlfriend and his children rebelled against both of them. It would be kind of a similar situation, except he and Hinowa-san didn't have any kind of relationship- unless acquaintances count- and he was sure he'd never have any children of his own. But Hiruzen was right, he would only have to deal with her for two weeks and when she graduates- which she better, since no one has summons and medical ninjutsu down to be some mediocre genin- she'd be somebody else's problem. It also helped that the woman interested him a bit. She seemed at ease with everyone in the village and even got along with Gai, which meant she was a decent person at the very least.

"Of course, Hatake-san. I will do my best to help your team in any way I can." I nodded back. Once I'm able to train again, I'll be able to get myself back to full strength just in time for the Chuunin Exams.

"I'm glad to see everything's decided! If you have any further questions, Hinowa-san, please don't hesitate to ask." Hiruzen smiled at me again. I took his words as a cue that I was now allowed to leave so I bade both men goodbye. As Ryuujin-sama and I walked out the door, I didn't fail to notice that Kakashi had stayed back to speak with Hiruzen.

"So tell me the real reason you wanted me to be her jounin sensei, Hokage-sama?" Kakashi asked as he watched the door close. It couldn't be just for familiarity's sake, after all.

"Ah, straight to the point as usual Kakashi. You see, I figured you'd be the best suited to watch over her since you were the person who had brought her into the village and escorted her to me."

"If you wanted someone she'd get along with, wouldn't Gai have been a better choice?" The green-clad man had told Kakashi how Hinowa had apparently "borrowed" money after asking "oh, so kindly".

"Not only that, I'd wanted someone who will be able to nurture her skills. Specifically those summons she has. You had seen the man she claimed was actually a dragon, yes?" Kakashi nodded. He overheard the entire conversation from outside the Hokage's office walls. It was strange how her summon seemed to want to take on a human form, he had noted.

"Since you have a summoning contract yourself, I expect you'd be able to train her on her use of dragons. At the same time, continue gathering intelligence and report back anything noteworthy. When my ANBU had told me about her summons, I'd been on guard but after this meeting, it truly does seem she means no harm."

Kakashi's face grew serious, "Yes, Hokage-sama, but we cannot overlook any possible threats just from outward appearances."

"Of course, of course. Now, go on and make sure she's prepared for the exams."

With a brisk nod, the jounin bowed and flickered off, leaving the old man alone with a weary sigh.

I hadn't really known when exactly to meet up with Team 7 for our first meeting but I assumed the earlier, the better. Which was why I was out in the third training ground at around 6 AM by myself. I had remembered how Kakashi liked to train them here and coming early was to make sure I wouldn't miss anything. I didn't want my first impression on everyone to be like Kakashi's: late.

I started some basic stretches to warm myself up before moving on to do some push-ups and crunches. Building up your fundamentals with strength training was a must for all shinobi. Though I had particularly didn't enjoy it much, I knew that a conditioned ninja, was a good one. Even Kakashi shared these sentiments, I knew him to be all lean muscle from constant training, though you'd never know just how much work he puts in just from a first glance at him.

With a small huff I picked myself up from the ground and got ready to do some laps around the training ground. As I got about ten meters in it I saw a certain duck, dark, haired boy approach the clearing. I slowed myself down to a halt and raised my hand as some kind of faux wave at him.

"Hn." Was all I got as recognition.

Ah, that's right. Sasuke was dark and broody even before he defected from the village, I thought as I headed over to where he was leaning against the trees.

"I've already introduced myself to you, don't you think you should do the same?" I asked. Sasuke just gave me a suspicious look before rolling his eyes. What a brat!

"Uchiha Sasuke. What are you doing here?"

I smirked a little at his snobbish tone, "I'm going to part of your team, actually. At least, until I'm able to get promoted again."

"What? Don't be stupid, Team 7 is a four-man squad made of one jounin and three genins." He hissed. Damn am I glad that I only ever interacted with Sasuke when he was actually an adult. Thank the gods that I didn't know Kakashi then or I bet he'd sick his shitty kids on me, I rolled my own eyes in thought.

"A genin squad could always be made into a larger group and I am a genin. Just like you. If you'd like to confirm this then ask your sensei." I added. I went back to my laps with a twitch in my eyebrow. Honestly, I shouldn't be picking fights with children (especially those who would be one, big troublesome case later) but if you don't stand up for yourself, who will right? I could faintly hear Sasuke's grumble about how he won't be able to ask until much later since "Kakashi-sensei is always damn late".

After Sasuke's arrival, it was Sakura who appeared about twenty minutes later. She looked girlish and carried a small smile but outright grinned when she saw Sasuke. Just as she was about to head over to him she caught sight of me and instead went to talk to me. I had finished my third lap and was taking a sip of water.

"Good morning, Hinowa-san! Um, are you here to do some training?"

"Morning, Sakura-chan," I said back with a smile. The pink haired girl was much needed relief from the darker boy's constant gloominess. "I'm sure Kakashi-san is going to tell you later but I'm going to be tagging along with your team for the time being. See, I got my genin rank recently and was placed with you guys."

"Really!? I mean, wow, I didn't know you were a kunoichi but I guess you did hint me the other day about seeing me soon! It's gonna be great since I won't be the only girl in the group now!" I laughed at her brightness despite it being so early in the morning. Or actually, it was 7 AM but I knew for sure that Kakashi wouldn't show up until later on towards 8 or 9.

After our little talk, I watched Sakura move to Sasuke and try to initiate conversation with him. I shook my head at how she was obviously wasting her breath for someone who didn't even want to talk with her. Sigh.

Though I had to give it to her, she was determined. I even thought back to how I was when I had first started developing feelings for a certain silver haired jounin. I guess I was a little forward too, but only as much as other jounins would ever show. In fact, the most I tried to get Kakashi's attention was when there was a small gathering of jounins at the mission's desk and the Hokage had asked if anyone would take a short, A-ranked mission with Kakashi. I had instantly volunteered with a gruff raise of a hand which got me a few looks and a leer from Gai that day. I was thoroughly embarrassed since I was certain everyone knew of my "reservations" for Kakashi but I didn't care since I was able to spend some time with him.

Just as 8 rolled over, a blonde loudmouth came storming into training ground three.

"Hey guys! Kaka-sensei isn't even here yet is he, that lazy bastard!" He yelled out at no one in particular. I could see Sasuke's growing irritation and how Sakura was lifting up her fist at Naruto.

Before she could hit him though he caught sight of me just as Sakura's swing flew past him, "Oh, Hinowa-chan! Is that you? What're you doing here, you do know that Team 7 practices around these grounds, right?"

"Shut. up. Naruto! First off, you're way too loud! I bet the entire forest could hear you! Second, of course Hinowa-san wouldn't know we practiced here since she's new to the village!" Sakura flamed at him. Naruto only sweatdropped in response.

"Oh yeah, haha, that's right...Wait! So why are you here, Hinowa-chan?" He recovered.

"I'm going to be part of Team 7 for the time being." I answered with a closed-eyed smile, mimicking Kakashi's own eye crinkle. I think I could sense the three children's shiver at the sight.

"Righhhht...Hold on! That means, you're a ninja!" He accused, finger pointing at me. Sakura immediately bonked him in the head while scolding him for pointing at people.

"Yes, you're right, Na-ru-to-kun. I am a kunoichi. Just a genin, though, so I have to be on a team lead by a jounin-sensei. I hope we can all get along." I said. It was probably all in vain seeing how our first meeting went: with me bloodied and bruised and them too young and highly impressionable. I knew from my previous life that Team 7 carried a bond so strong that they would all lay down their lives for each other but I didn't really see myself fitting into the picture. I was like a background character to their main stories, only brought up when Kakashi was around. The sooner I can get to chuunin, the better. Which reminds me, I needed to start solidifying my plans on what to do during Sound and Sand's invasion during the Chuunin Exams.

Naruto was too preoccupied being scolded by Sakura to further question me so I turned away to do some simple chakra exercises. By the time 9 AM came by, Kakashi finally appeared in a poof of smoke.

"You're late!" Naruto growled out at him.

"Sorry, I got lost on the road to life." Kakashi replied with that eye smile of his, totally unapologetic.

Then he opened his eye and looked at me with feigned surprise- men like Kakashi don't get surprised when they already knew I'd be there, especially if they could sense my chakra without even needing to know I was joining his team.

"Well, hello and good morning, Hinowa-san." I answered his greeting with a terse nod. I kept my feelings and expressions in check but I couldn't deny how cute his "surprised" face was, even when fake.

"Okay team, this is Tatsuya Hinowa. I'm sure you all remember her," There were nods and a yeah! from the crowd. "From now on, she'll be a part of Team 7. Get along now."

"Why?" Sasuke grumbled.

"Hmm? Why, because she is a genin in need of a team. And from now on, she is a part of our team. Remember what I told you: those who break the rules are trash, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash." He finished. I stared at him solemnly as he said this. Kakashi had always held those beliefs close to him. There were countless times where I've seen him bend and break for his comrades, for those he cared about. For him, those words meant everything. So to see him say those words in regard to me joining the team, his team, I felt a swell of pride rise from inside me.

Damn, being a part of this team is already giving me heart palpitations. Maybe I should've begged to be paired with Gai instead, I thought after that swell simmered away.

"And you know what, Sasuke," Said boy flinched at the tone of his sensei. "For today's training, I'm pairing you up with Hinowa-san for the day."

Kakashi smiled.

Sasuke frowned.

Naruto looked lost.

Sakura had her mouth wide open.

And I sighed, again.

A/N: Thanks so much to all my readers and DarkDusk27 with their reviews! Just as a fair warning, this is going to be a "slow-burn" story a.k.a. "will take a very long time before real action begins and will include long-spaced intervals between each said action".