Shanan had initially planned to accompany Naruto and Sasuke to their team assignments, but Team Guy's sudden mission deployment changed everything. The mission ended up being their longest, lasting five and a half days. Exhausted, Shanan spent days recuperating at home, catching up on sleep, and nursing a sprained wrist sustained during the mission.
Meanwhile, Naruto and Sasuke trained intensively with their new Sensei, leaving little time for socializing. They had to schedule a meeting just to share their experiences with Shanan.
Finally, after a few days, Shanan felt rejuvenated, and the boys had some downtime. As they shared dinner, Shanan's curiosity got the better of her. "Tell me everything!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling excitedly. Her gaze darted between Naruto and Sasuke, eager to hear about their adventures.
"I'm thrilled you're on the same team!" she continued. "Who's your third teammate?"
Naruto's face turned bright red as he began, "Sakura... and I almost convinced her to go on a date with me!" His grin was infectious, but his eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness.
Sasuke snorted, rolling his eyes in exasperation. "Only because he pretended to be me," he said, his voice laced with amusement and a hint of mockery.
Naruto's face turned a deep crimson as he leaped from his seat, his eyes flashing with defensiveness. "You said you wouldn't tell, Sasuke!" he protested, his voice rising. "I was already humiliated enough getting diarrhea during the date." His eyes dropped, embarrassment written across his face.
Sasuke sprang up, matching Naruto's intensity. His eyes flashed with annoyance and protectiveness. "You should be grateful I defended you, Naruto! That date was a disaster. Sakura's annoying. You deserve better than someone who'd laugh at you behind your back." His voice rose, passion pouring into every word. "Be glad I ended it before things got any worse."
Shanan's lips curved upward, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she gazed at the boys. A softness settled into her features, her expression a gentle blend of nostalgia and affection, reminding her of simpler times.
"I know exactly who you should like, Naruto..." she murmured softly, her words lost amidst their argument.
Naruto's voice rose above Sasuke's, his confidence growing with each word. "You did me a favor by sabotaging your own chances with her!" he exclaimed, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. "She'll fall head over heels for me in no time!" He burst into laughter, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
Sasuke's expression remained unimpressed, his eyes rolling heavenward. He sank back into his seat, his gaze drifting toward Shanan. Their eyes met briefly, a flicker of understanding passing between them.
Then, he looked away, muttering under his breath, "Ugh, you can have her." Exasperation and resignation mingled in his tone.
Shanan intervened with a calm tone and a gentle balm to the heated exchange. "Okay, guys, let's not fight. Naruto, maybe try being yourself instead of pretending to be someone else. You're amazing just the way you are, and you deserve someone who appreciates that."
Naruto's face turned bright red as he sat back down, his grin still plastered on his face. "You're right... I just know she'll fall for me eventually, either way." His voice was laced with a dreamy confidence that made Shanan chuckle nervously. She secretly hoped he'd notice Hinata someday and that his affections would shift in a more deserving direction.
Shanan swiftly changed the subject, seeking refuge in more lighthearted conversation. "Sounds good! So, tell me about your Sensei!" she asked, genuine curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
Naruto launched into his story, enthusiasm radiating from every word. "He's not bad, but he tried to trick us! He told us to skip breakfast and then only brought two lunches." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Can you believe it? He told Sasuke and Sakura not to share with me, or they'd fail the test, and we'd all have to return to the Ninja Academy!"
Amusement danced in Naruto's eyes as he continued. "But it was all a setup, a test to see if they'd choose their teammate over the rules. And, of course, they passed with flying colors!"
Sasuke added, his voice tinged with a rare hint of admiration. "That's mostly true, but there's more to it." He leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "He's very laid-back and secretive about himself, but seems incredibly strong. We're lucky to have him as our Sensei."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly as he recalled the test, his voice taking on a more introspective tone. "He even let us use shuriken to attack him, but he was too fast – I've never seen anything like it, Shanan." He paused, emphasizing his point. "His speed and agility are on a whole different level. It's like he's always one step ahead."
As they spoke, Shanan's fascination grew, captivated by the hints of mystery surrounding their Sensei. His unconventional methods and impressive skills painted a picture of a complex, intriguing individual. Her interest deepened, sensing there was more to this enigmatic figure than met the eye.
Her imagination stirred, envisioning a figure shrouded in secrecy, with abilities that defied explanation.
Shanan's eyes widened in awe, her breath catching in her throat. "Wow, that sounds intense!" The weight of their experience settled in, and she added, "I'm glad you both passed his test; having to return to the academy would have been devastating."
"So who is this guy, he sounds kinda awesome!" she said, her voice filled with anticipation, her words hanging in the air like an unspoken challenge.
The room seemed to hold its breath, the silence palpable, as Shanan waited for the answer.
Sasuke's response was straightforward, yet laced with a hint of reverence. "Kakashi Hatake."
Shanan's gaze snapped towards Sasuke, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that bordered on urgency. "Kakashi?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
A sudden flutter in her chest caught her off guard, and she swallowed hard, her heart skipping a beat. The name seemed to echo through her, stirring a deep-seated familiarity she couldn't quite place.
She sought confirmation, her tone laced with a hint of surprise, as if she couldn't quite believe what she was hearing. Her brow furrowed, creasing with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.
Sasuke's expression turned guarded, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Do you know him?" he asked, a tinge of jealousy creeping into his voice, his tone low and cautious.
Shanan hesitated, her eyes blinking slowly as if clearing a sudden haze. Collecting her thoughts, she shook her head, "No, I must have just experienced some déjà vu. That was weird," she laughed nervously, trying to brush off the moment.
But her mind whispered a different story - she had never heard of anyone named Kakashi. Yet, the name lingered in her mind, stirring a faint sense of familiarity. It was as if a door had creaked open in her memory, only to slam shut again.