At last, Iruka stood up, paper in hand, and leaned against his desk. That paper must’ve had the names of people who were on the team. He cleared his throat, getting the attention of the rest of the class, and started to speak. “Okay. So, you all have been working hard this week with the different parts to the exams. I got everyone figured out now, and I have in my hands the list of who will be in which groups.”
An excited buzz ran through the group like a pack of horses and Iruka waited for the chatter to die down before continuing. “I won’t keep you all waiting. When I call out your name, come up and get your headband signifying your new status as a Genin.” He smiled reassuringly at us all, something I missed because I was praying as hard as I could.
I was scared; there was no other word to describe it. What if my teammates were fans? I didn’t want them bringing me down. What if they weren’t, but they judged me? I’m not unapproachable, but do they listen? Please, I beg of you Iruka, have your choice be a wise one...
“Team 1: Kyoka Fusuki, Raijin Kumonari, Narumi Uchiha. Team 2: Melodie Himitsu, Ai Tama, and Salvatore. Team 3: Miyako Hyuga, Kurai, and Ruchi Otome…” Iruka continued, but I stopped listening after he said Team 3.
I made it. I was now a Genin. I strode up to the front of my class and received my headband, smiling at the Konoha symbol. This was my home, and even though my family had had other ideas, I wasn’t leaving.
So Iruka partnered me up with Salvatore and Ai Tama, the boy who I did a clone of for the test and the girl who doesn’t seem to show an emotion except anger...Salvatore grinned at us like he was thrilled with his new teammates. I’m not surprised, I did hear tell that he was a ladies man.
I couldn’t tell what Ai was thinking, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it wasn’t happy thoughts. And to top it off, we both had black hair and gold eyes! Before today, I only knew two people who had golden eyes—me and my uncle…
Debating on where to put my band, I opted for tying it around my neck. Looking back at Salvatore, I nodded and smiled a little. Thank God he wasn’t a fan boy. Hmm, who would our sensei be?
We all went to our seats and Kurai, who hadn't said anything today, went up to Iruka, “If you don’t mind I’d like to go it alone. I don’t need two dead weights keeping me down.”
“Excuse me,” Miyako said pointedly, “but what do you mean by two dead weights?”
“I meant exactly what I said.”
“Don’t doubt their abilities Kurai,” a hush went through the room when I spoke. “They’re better than you think they are.”
“How so?” One of Kurai’s eyebrows rose in a challenge; he obviously wasn’t a lovesick fan.
I appreciated that, but I didn’t appreciate wrongfully judging others either and I was more than ready. “They both did exact clones of themselves in the test and they both made Genin level, like you.” I leaned back in my chair. “If they didn’t have the ability, would they have passed?”
I waited for Kurai’s reaction. He had skill, that was for sure, but he also knew about my status and more than that, he knew that I had produced a flawless clone of Salvatore, so it was clear that I had power myself. There was more to me than popularity.
“…I suppose not…” he said as though the very words killed him inside.
Iruka gave his verdict. “Kurai, stick with your team for now. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it, as I always say.”
“Isn’t that actually a proverb?” Raijin asked.
A chuckle spread through the room, instantly lightening the atmosphere.
Kurai very reluctantly went back to his seat and sat down, looking like he had swallowed a shuriken.
An excited murmur spread through the room. Melodie Himitsu, the “silent queen” of the Academy, tells off a group of her fans, and then sticks up for Miyako and Ruchi? What a historical event! The Silent Queen publicly spoke twice!
How idiotic…
I caught Miyako’s eye as she also returned to her seat. “Thank you,” she whispered gratefully.
“You’re welcome,” I whispered back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I wonder what they call Narumi…the “sweet queen” I suppose…
Continue?
