"As of today, you all are official ninja! But, you are only Genin, first level ninja. All Genin will be grouped into a three-man squad, which will be led by a Jonin, an elite ninja." Iruka said as Ayakashi rested her arm on the table, ears perked as she listened. She noticed Naruto fidgeting out of the corner of her eye, wondering what his problem could be. "There will be the exception of one team, which will have four members instead of three."
Naruto stopped moving around, his eyes snapping to the front of the class as Iruka spoke.
'That means I have a chance of being on Naruto's team, albeit slim.' Ayakashi thought to herself.
"We want each squad to have a balance of strengths and abilities, so that's how we set them up." Iruka lifted his papers, reading the first line. "I will now announce our squads."
Ayakashi clenched her right hand, still unable to feel her left as she stared intently.
"Team 7. Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto continued to stare, a hardened expression on his face as he awaited the names of his other team members.
"Sakura Haruno."
Ayakashi heard an irritated groan from where the pink-haired girl sat, causing her tail to flick angrily.
"And Sasuke Uchiha."
Naruto slumped over slightly at the mention of his mental enemy. Iruka smiled and continued on, causing Ayakashi to slide down in her chair slightly.
"Next, Team 8. Hinata Hyuuga. Kiba Inuzuka. And Shino Aburame."
Ayakashi's ears flattened as she waited for her name to be called, wondering what team she could be on.
"Now Team 10. Ino Yamanaka. Shikamaru Nara. And Choji Akimichi! Those are all of the squads!" Iruka said before stopping. "Wait, I forgot one person!"
Ayakashi's ears perked up slightly as she glanced up, her forest green eye landing on Iruka as he looked up at her. "Ayakashi Mahato, you will be on Team 7 as well."
Naruto's eyes went wide as he tried to contain his excitement. Ayakashi sat up quickly, a smile spreading onto her face as Iruka nodded. "Those are all of the teams. After lunch, you'll meet your new Jonin teachers. Until then, class dismissed!"
The others got up, instantly grouping into their teams as they went to lunch. Ayakashi went to push herself up, forgetting about her injured arm through all of the excitement. A sharp pain shot up her arm as it gave out, causing her upper half to collapse onto the table.
"Kashi!" Naruto exclaimed, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her up. "Are you alright? Is it your arm?"
"Y-Yeah." she winced, holding her arm close to her body as Sasuke left the room, causing Sakura to chase after him without a care about them. "It still hurts."
"Just be careful. Let's go get some food then come back to meet our new teacher!" Naruto said quietly, smiling at her. She looked up at him, nodding as they headed out of the room. "Maybe Sakura will want to join us!"
Ayakashi nodded, keeping quiet. They walked outside just as Sakura stopped walking, looking around.
"Hey, Sakura!" Naruto ran up to her as Ayakashi slowly followed. "Since we're in the same team, maybe we could have lunch together and get to know each other?"
Sakura turned around, glaring at him. "Why would I eat lunch with you? How could that thought even cross your mind?"
"Well, I thought-"
"Naruto, you're annoying." she said, a disgusted look crossing her face before she turned and started walking away. "Sasuke! Where are you?"
"But I…" Naruto frowned, a sad look settling into his eyes. "I guess it's just us."
Ayakashi remained silent as Naruto led her back to his home, unusually quiet. They arrived shortly after leaving, making Naruto fish his keys out of his pocket. He pushed the key into the lock, turning it and pushing the door open.
"We don't have too much time, so let's hurry." Naruto said quietly, fishing two instant ramen cups out of the cabinet. He opened the lids, pouring hot water into them and letting them sit. Ayakashi stood awkwardly at the table, a multitude of thoughts running through her head. Naruto sat at the table, looking up at Ayakashi as he rested his head in his hand. "Sit down, Kashi."
Ayakashi sighed softly, sitting down in the chair opposite of him. She pulled her headband up, uncovering her other eye as she looked at Naruto.
"Are you okay?" she said quietly, lifting her injured arm onto the table with her other.
"Yes, Kashi." he replied, shooting her a smile before getting up and getting two pairs of chopsticks, handing one to her. She took it with a nod before pulling her cup over to herself, attempting to snap her chopsticks apart. She still couldn't use her other arm, which was starting to concern her.
"We get to meet our teacher today." she said between mouthfuls of noodles. Naruto nodded as he ate his own food. Ayakashi frowned as she stopped talking, staring down at her half-eaten cup of ramen. "I thought you'd be more excited."
Naruto didn't respond, keeping his eyes down as she waited. Finally fed up with the silence, she shoved her chair backwards and stood up. Naruto glanced up at her as she pulled her headband down to cover her eye, turning on her heels and walking out.
Naruto sighed as the door slammed shut, pausing his eating as he lowered his hands to the table. Ayakashi leaned against the other side of the door, her heart pounding as she tried to calm herself down. After slowing her heart rate, she left for the academy, hoping that Shikamaru would be there so she could have someone to talk to.
When she neared the academy, she picked up her walking speed slightly, walking through the front doors of the building. She turned down the hallway, glancing up at the passing signs as she reached the classroom. She slid open the door, peering inside. No one had shown up just yet. She decided to head in, sitting down at the front-middle table.
The time seemed to pass slowly for her as the students trickled back from their lunch. She eventually spotted two of her teammates walk through the door. The table she sat at remained empty, despite the other genin that were at the surrounding tables. Ayakashi could see Sakura sigh as Sasuke remained indifferent, taking a seat on either side of her. Nobody spoke as they waited for their last teammate to come.
Naruto finally walked into the room, standing in front of his team as they began waiting for their teacher. The number of the other teams slowly dwindled as they continued waiting. Naruto tapped his fingers against his arm as he grew impatient. Finally formulating a plan in his head, he ran over to the chalkboard, grabbing the eraser and the teacher's stool and taking them both over to the door. He pushed the stool in front of it, opening it slightly as he climbed up.
"Naruto, what are you doing?" Sakura asked from her spot in front of the table. As the other teams had dispersed, their own team had expanded to other tables. Ayakashi watched silently from the table closest to the windows. Sasuke's eyes watched Naruto's every move.
He pushed the eraser all the way to the top, closing the door until it rested against the object and held it in place. Naruto turned to look at Sakura, grinning. "This is what he gets for coming late! Surprise!"
Naruto hopped off the stool, pulling it away from the door.
"You're asking for trouble! You know you shouldn't do that." Sakura said, her hands on her hips.
"Our teacher's a Jonin, an elite ninja. You think he'd fall for that?" Sasuke said quietly.
"Sasuke's right! You're so clueless, Naruto!" Sakura agreed just as someone walked up to the door, sticking their hand through the crack and pushing it open. A guy with a mask and white hair stuck his head through the door just as the eraser fell, landing on his head before bouncing to the floor.
Naruto started laughing as Ayakashi sunk down in her seat. "I did it! I totally got him!"
"I'm sorry, sensei! I told him not to do it but he wouldn't listen! I would never do anything like that!" Sakura said, despite the fact that she was feeling just as giddy as Naruto. Sasuke stared at the newcomer, his expression unchanged.
The Jonin reached down, picking up the eraser as Naruto and Sakura gathered in front of the table Sasuke sat at. Ayakashi remained frozen in her seat, unwilling to move any closer to her team or her teacher.
"How can I put this?" the Jonin set the eraser down on the table, raising his hand to his chin. "My first impression of this group? You're a bunch of idiots."