Naruto had the confused look, but when he saw Hinata smile at him and nod her head - he smiled and nodded back. He just went back to confused again.
Iruka Umino came in and found the room unusually quiet. As far as he was concerned it was an overdue improvement. Figured that they'd wait until the day after graduation and before their second test that they'd learn it.
"Sorry I'm a little late. There was a problem with the roster. Okay, the teams are as follows," began Iruka.
Sakura listened, having expected that. Hoped it wouldn't be the case, but that this was the most likely outcome. She, Naruto, and about half the class looked back at Hinata when she let out a disappointed little cry on the announcement of Team 7. Various interpretations went with that, some of which were probably accurate.
Iruka went on, giving off the usual set of graduating genin and their jonin instructors.
"So where is this guy?" asked Naruto as the other genin left with their instructors.
"Kakashi Hatake, also known as the Copy Ninja. High level jonin with over a thousand jutsu he's learned or copied with his Sharingan." Sakura paused at Sasuke's reaction to that. "He had someone on his genin team years ago. I forget the name, but he was an Uchiha and he gave Kakashi his eye when he was dying on a mission."
Sasuke scowled.
"Anyway," continued Sakura. "He has a habit of being late. If it weren't for that Sharingan, he might be known as the Late Kakashi."
"Oh, that could be amusing," said Naruto, deciding it was too good a nickname not to use.
"So, we've most likely got hours before he shows up," said Sakura. "Anyone got any ideas what to do with our time?"
Sasuke scowled and brooded.
Naruto's eyes were more animated as he clearly went over trap possibilities. As before, his eyes settled on an eraser and the sliding door. "Well..."
"No," said Sakura, sitting back, then adjusting her posture because she'd automatically went into a courtesan pose and she didn't have any assets to flaunt at her current age. "You've got time. Come up with something more creative."
"Oh?" asked Naruto.
"Oh, and one thing I want to make clear with both of you," said Sakura. "I don't date team-mates. No dating, no relationships. I've read some of the accounts and that's just a way to screw things up. So, Naruto - don't ask. And Sasuke, I won't ask you. If we make chunin maybe then."
Sasuke momentarily brightened, but then got thoughtful and brooding again.
Naruto spluttered a few times.
"Besides, Naruto, there's a girl already interested in you," said Sakura.
"Really? Who?" asked Naruto.
Sakura raised an eyebrow at him. "After yesterday, you need to ask?"
Sasuke snorted.
"Oh come on," said Naruto. "Can you give me a hint?"
Sasuke looked at Naruto for a moment. "Moron."
"Naruto, you've had most of the village hating you all your life," said Sakura, shaking her head. Had he really been this obstinate and clueless back then? "Don't tell me you haven't noticed the one girl who figured out your secret and likes you anyway."
"You mean, when she stood up to Mizuki and said..." If Naruto's eyes got any wider, he'd be in danger of having them pop out of their sockets. "Hinata?!"
"The light dawns," muttered Sasuke.
"But she... " said Naruto, looking confused and not really understanding.
"Yes, she's a Hyuga. Yes, she's got a kekkei genkai," said Sakura, who spotted the upgrading of confusion and explained further. "She has a bloodline ability. She can see through walls and see behind her and see things farther away than you can. Those white eyes, understand?"
"Oh," said Naruto.
"Yes, she's relatively wealthy," continued Sakura. "Yes, her father is a royal pain who has a freaking permanent rod up his butt and has never said an encouraging word to her in her life. She lost her mother years ago too, and has a good chance of being branded with the Caged Bird Seal and shipped off to their branch family - possibly ending up as a kitchen drudge or something as I don't think they'd bother keeping her as a ninja at this point."
"Uhm," said Naruto, feeling a little nervous as the heat built up in Sakura's voice.
"Yes, she's practically the only girl in the entire village that likes you as a girl likes a boy," said Sakura. "Now, are you going to continue ignoring her and choose to be alone for your entire life, or are you going to start paying attention to her?"
"But, Sakura, I mean, I like-" began Naruto.
"If you say you like me, or do anything like that," interrupted Sakura. "I'm going to belt you so hard that Hinata's going to have to spoon feed you soup because you won't be able to chew ramen."
Naruto's mouth shut with a click. Sasuke made an amused sound.
"Naruto, you're not the brightest kid in class, but you're not a complete moron," said Sakura, throwing up her hands and looking heavenward. "As soon as we pass the second genin test, we'll be ninjas and in life-or-death situations. If the village gets invaded, genin or not, WE will have to protect the village and WE may lose our lives at any given time. I'll help you but you can't afford to be an idiot any more."
"'Second genin test'?" asked Sasuke.
"Yeah, I've heard about it," covered Sakura, realizing she'd slipped up. "There's the Academy tests, and then the jonin-sensei comes up with another test to spring on us. I think they're looking for teamwork or something like that. Individual tests to get out of the Academy, and then to work with a team in order to get accepted for your team."
"First I heard about it," grumped Sasuke.
"Uhm, hello, Sasuke? Ninjas? We're supposed to be sneaky and clever. Misdirection, illusion, and cheating when you can get away with it. That's first year stuff," pointed out Sakura, who found herself wishing that someone had pointed that out to HER the first time around.
"So, if you're right," said Sasuke. "We ought to work out a plan since our sensei has so thoughtfully decided not to show up until later."
"Maybe we can prank our sensei while we're at it," mused Sakura aloud. "Just to practice the whole 'sneaky and clever' ninja skills of course."
Naruto grinned widely at that. "Now you're talking."
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(Posted Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:26)
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