Um... Hey? Yeah, I've not updated this story for an entire year. I'm a crappy author. I'm really sorry! Anyway, I hope you like it even though it's short. I decided to put it out because I wanted to get another chapter done, but I was struggling to think! So, this is what you get.
Disclaimer: Okay, seriously? People would never read a manga I wrote, it would never get finished.
The next morning, the three assassins-turned-ninja arrived at the academy. They were around five minutes late, due to the receptionist not believing their story that the Hokage had instructed them to arrive there.
They were still wearing their clothes from the previous day, but they had decided to take down their hoods. Even so, it was an impressive image. When they had reached the room they had been directed to, they knocked on the door before entering.
Inside the room was a full class of genin graduates. Many were clearly from clans, and obvious friend groups were seated together. Nearly every single prospective ninja was looking at the new arrivals with a mixture of surprise, curiosity and contempt.
At the front of the room was a chuunin teacher. He had brown hair tied into a ponytail and a horizontal scar across his nose. He was looking at the new ninja with shock and surprise, until realisation spread across his face. He smiled warmly at the team and nodded.
"You're the ones that Hokage-sama informed me of. My name is Iruka. Come in, and introduce yourselves."
The assassins moved hesitantly to the front of the class. The entire class was staring intently at them. Shimizu moved forwards to speak.
"Hey! My name's Shimizu. It's nice to meet you!" Some of the boys in the class smiled back, while a couple of the girls glared at her. Shimizu just flicked her hair and slid backwards.
Gaara didn't move, choosing to speak from where he was. "My name is Gaara." It looked like he was about to say something else, but he just stood silently for a few moments before Naruto stepped forward.
"Yo, I'm Naruto. I hope we can be friends." Naruto finished what he was saying with a twinkling eye smile, before the glint faded and he moved back.
Iruka nodded and smiled at all of them. "Well then, you can sit down now. Unless you'd prefer to stand?"
Shimizu nodded her head slightly. "We'll stand. Thank you."
The group moved to the back of the class, some people following them with their eyes. The focus was returned to the chuunin at the front of the class when he coughed slightly. "If everyone has finished staring, I'll announce the teams. Team One is Kimiko Seiku, Hatori Sotaki and Hiro Honda. Your sensei is..."
The students listened carefully as their groups were called out. Some cheered, others groaned. Finally, by some coincidence, only the clan heirs and the assassins were left. Who knows how that happened.
"Team Seven is an exception this year. They will be a five-man team due to the amount of people we have. The members are Sasuke Uchiha," A dark haired boy with black eyes glanced up momentarily, before frowning and turning away.
"Sakura Haruno," The pink-haired fangirl squealed excitedly about being placed with her love.
"Shimizu, Gaara and Naruto." The three assassins shared a look. You know. A look.
"Your sensei will be Kakashi Hatake. Team Eight is Hinata Hyuuga, Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame. Your sensei is Kurenai Yuuhi."
"Team Nine is still in circulation, so Team Ten is Ino Yamanaka, Chouji Akimichi and Shikamaru Nara. Your sensei is Asuma Sarutobi."
Iruka smiled widely at his students. "You will meet you sensei here tomorrow morning. All I can say is good luck as you continue your journey as ninja of this village." The chuunin nodded once more, as if pleased with his final words. He then left the class, saying, "You're technically dismissed, but it'd be good for you to learn a little about your new team mates."
The moment Iruka exited, a few students rushed over to the new arrivals to interroga- I mean ask... Uh... Yeah. Ask them questions.
One of the first there was the current Inuzuka heir, Kiba. The hot-headed brunettte was eager to find out who these people were, where they came from, and most importantly, how strong they were.
"Hey! My name's Kiba. Kiba Inuzuka. So, how come you didn't join the academy? Why did you pass straight away?"
Shimizu looked at the boy with amusement. "That would be for us to know, and for you to find out. Or, in other words... None of your business."
This last statement was finished with a blinding smile from Shimizu. Kiba frowned.
"Hey, I was one of the top students in the academy this year. You got through on a lucky break. Show some respect."
Shimizu stuck her tongue out at him, while Gaara stamped on Naruto's foot to stop him throttling the moron.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Sasuke Uchiha sat in silent contemplation. 'I wonder if these new people will be any challenge. They better not get in my way. My brother will pay for what he did, and they will not stop me.'
Next to the black-haired drama queen there were two girls, a blonde and a pinkette. They were screaming at each other like banshees. The only common theme that could be drawn from the conversation was the fact that both of them seemed to think that the Uchiha was their one true love.
Naruto, who had been listening from his group, was astounded at what he was hearing. It was funny of course, but also a little terrifying.
Not only were the girls nearly ripping each others hair out, but it was over a boy. How on earth had they managed to pass the test to become genin if the only thing they focused on was a childish crush?
He was so focused on the two that he didn't notice Gaara poking at him.
"What?" he snapped, slapping Gaara's hand away.
"The dog kid asked you something. You should listen more."
Naruto flipped Gaara off, then turned to Kiba. The brunette looked a little annoyed. "My name is Kiba, not dog kid. Anyway, I wanted to ask you why you're wearing masks."
Naruto sighed. "Why couldn't you ask one of the other two?"
"Well, the girl started talking to Shikamaru and Chouji, and I don't want to ask your friend 'cos he looks like he'd kill me if I did."
Naruto snickered at the look on Gaara's face. "Yeah sounds about right, doesn't it Gaara?"
Gaara just glared at him.
Kiba nudged Naruto. "So? Why do you wear masks?"
He shrugged. "Personal preference? It's easier for someone else to judge you correctly if they can't see what you look like."
The Inuzuka clan heir looked confused. Although he didn't realise it, Kiba had lived a very sheltered existence, as had many of the other graduates of the academy. They didn't understand how you could be judged like that, because they had always been judged by friends and family more on their ability than their appearance.
"I still don't-"
"Naruto! It's time to go!" Shimizu cut off Kiba abruptly. Naruto nodded and turned to Kiba. He smiled.
"It was nice to meet you. See you tomorrow."
Shimizu grabbed Naruto's collar and pulled him away, ignoring his protests.
When they had exited the academy and gotten a fair way into the town, she let go. Gaara, who had been following quietly, stopped next to them.
"What the hell was all that about?" Naruto demanded. Shimizu smiled sweetly.
"Oh, nothing. I just couldn't stand the idiocy leaking out. It was suffocating."
"And so you found it necessary to throttle me as you pulled me away from a perfectly normal conversation."
Gaara coughed slightly. Shimizu shot a glare at him while Naruto looked inquisitive.
"What is it Gaara?"
"Shimizu wanted to leave because the boy she was talking to is smarter than her."
Naruto whirled round in glee to see Shimizu trying to melt Gaara's brain with her mind. "Is this true? Ha, this is brilliant. I have to find this guy. Does he play shouji? Did he challenge you yet? If not I am so getting him to. I already worship this guy and I don't even know his name!"
Shimizu shot him a withering look. "Oh ha ha. And what do you mean you don't know his name? You remember the name of everyone who you were in class with when you were here. And I'm pretty sure he was one of them."
Naruto facepalmed. "Dramatic effect Shimizu. Dramatic effect."
Gaara sighed. His two team mates refused to stop bickering. He was getting hungry. Neither Naruto nor Shimizu noticed when he disappeared to find something to eat.
So, there you go! To anyone who still reads my stories, thank you, and I hope you liked the chapter. Reviews?