InuYasha Fan Fiction / Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Sensei Exchange ❯ To Begin ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter Three:

To Begin

 

Kakashi patted Naruto on the head once more, trying to comfort the whining genin as he sniffled on the ground. “It will only be two weeks, Naruto,” he said again. It seemed that the Higurashi girl had made quite an impression on his young student with her fire jutsu, and because she was quite pleasant to look at.

 

Naruto shook his head, “Two weeks!”

 

Kakashi finally straightened himself, noticing that the other jounin were staring at him. Then, staring down at his student, he said, “I expect you to learn something with that time, Naruto. You'll survive, after all.”

 

“But I want to be on Kagome-sensei's squad,” Naruto whined again. “It's not fair that Sasuke-teme gets all the good stuff. First you won't train me, making me train with Ero-Sannin, and now, now you've given me another pervert for a sensei!”

 

Miroku, having finally pulled himself from the ground, wondered what it was about having him as a sensei was so bad. Really, he wasn't that harsh and unlike Inuyasha he would be patient with his students; and unlike Kagome he wouldn't be quick to temper if he was insulted. Truly, he believed that the boy had the better end of the deal, since both his teammates, and even his dear Sango, were not as patient as he could be. “I don't think it will be such a bad thing,” he finally spoke up in a calm voice, “Naruto. After all, I know a few different techniques quite similar to Kagome-sama's black flame dragon, I'm sure that if you really worked hard I could teach them to you.”

 

Naruto's eyes brightened at the thought of learning, and he turned his eyes to the jounin that was supposed to become his sensei for two weeks. “You know a jutsu that is as cool as Kagome-sensei's, hentai-sensei?”

 

Miroku twitched at the nickname, but nodded. “Yes,” he continued, “in fact, I know a better one. However, I don't believe that it would be best to use it here, it might cause quite a bit of damage.”

 

Kagome snorted, “As if you know a jutsu better than mine.” Her Higurashi pride refused to back down at the challenge, instantly standing up for the techniques that her clan had created in order to help push Suna forward. He may have been on her genin squad, he may still be her friend, but her Higurashi pride refused to believe that he knew a jutsu better than her own.

 

Miroku sighed, “Ah, Kagome-sama, so easily hostile you can become.”

 

“I'm not hostile,” Kagome replied, her voice eerily sweet. “I can't remember a time when I have ever been hostile to you, Miroku.”

 

The image of the back of her hand hitting his cheek went through the minds of the boys standing around, each of them cringing again at the memory. It was either the girl was bi-polar or she truly didn't think that hitting him that hard was considered hostile. It was down right violent, though, and they did not wish to have that anger directed at them. Then, their eyes slipped to the other girl, and knew from the way her hand pulled at the strap of her boomerang that they did not wish to get on hers either. That boomerang looked heavy, there was no doubt that it was and that it would hurt should they be hit with it.

 

Inuyasha smirked, happy that for once her anger wasn't directed at him. He'd learned when they were younger that the Higurashi was willing to prove, and most of the time able, that she knew many types of jutsu and could control them all until her chakra ran nearly dry. However, he'd learned then that she would turn on him, even if they were in the middle of a fight, if he told her that his jutsu outclassed her own and blasted him with it. It proved just how deeply the rivalry of their clans' ran, how deeply it was written into their very blood, and how stupid it was to have put them onto the same squad in the first place.

 

Sango sighed, placing her hand onto her fellow kunoichi's shoulder. “Kagome-chan,” she said. “Now it not the time to go picking a fight with Miroku. After all, we still need to wish our fellow jounin farewell for the next two weeks, figure out where each of our squads are going to meet, and then learn more about them. Now to mention that we still need to go visit their Hokage in order to inform her we have arrived—I believe there was something mentioned that she wished to see us in person.”

 

Miroku raised his finger, “I do remember that. We are supposed to inform the Godaime Hokage in person that we have arrived, something about possible imposters being put into our places.” However, he knew as he said this that neither kunoichi was paying him any attention. Kagome was straightening herself, obviously wishing to prove something, while Sango was gripping her Hiraikotsu strap tighter when she realized it, too.

 

Kagome squared her shoulders and stood quite tall. “Hyuuga Hinata,” she stated, catching the girl's attention to the point that she almost answered, “heiress of the Hyuuga Clan. Has one younger sibling. Is able to use the doujutsu of her clan and most of the abilities that come with it. She is rather shy, but determined to become strong.

 

“Hyuuga Neji, prodigy of the Hyuuga Clan—branch member. Also able to use the doujutsu of their clan and unlocked most of the secrets behind it on his own. He is—” she was cut off by her friend.

 

“I realize that you've done your homework, Kagome-chan, but speaking with them is the only way to truly get to know them.” Sango patted Kagome's shoulder, but noticed that her words hadn't stopped Kagome was continuing.

 

“Uchiha Sasuke, only remaining member of the Uchiha Clan within Konohagakure. His clan was massacred and the only member still living is his elder brother, by the name of Uchiha Itachi—Itachi is currently working with Akatsuki. He is able to use the sharingan, though at what stage I was not able to find. He is aloof and seems rather cold to most, though I have heard that he is willing and able to protect his teammates,” she continued. “He is also considered a prodigy.”

 

“Stupid wench,” Inuyasha growled.

 

Noticing that she was getting odd stares for having looked up information on the students they'd be teaching, she snapped her attention to her rival. “Why don't you say that to my face, dobe?” she hissed.

 

“Feh,” Inuyasha replied.

 

“As I thought,” Kagome allowed a small smile to cross her lips, “you did nothing to even try to learn something about the people who'd soon become your students. Most of the information I already knew, simply because I try to keep up with the times, but I understand that you're still too slow in order to even figure out what a scroll or book looks like.”

 

A growl echoed through Inuyasha's chest, but the slight movement of his superior caught his attention. He did not move from his spot, instead telling himself to ignore her cutting words, since she was always trying to push him into responding to her. The hatred between their clans' was deep, written straight into their DNA, but he still hated it whenever she did that. Like she was trying to pull out the fact that it took him longer than her to get the status of genin—even if it was only a couple of months, and then he'd been placed onto their genin squad.

 

“However,” Kagome smiled, “your suggestion is a good one, Sango-chan, and I shall make sure to do so. After all, you're right, only speaking with them will I truly get to know them and understand them to a more personal level.”

 

Miroku nodded to the suggestion as well, before finally saying, “I have heard that there is a bridge near the Hokage Tower, I would like for that spot to be my squads meeting place. Unless,” he smiled toward the girls that had come with him, “one of you lovely ladies wishes to take it.”

 

“No, I will find a post close to the gates, since I do not know the village very well at the moment,” Sango stated shaking her head.

 

“I don't want it either, Miroku,” Kagome sighed. “You can keep it.”

 

“Ah, very well,” Miroku smiled a little more. “Now, all I need is for,” he glanced at the three members of his team, “TenTen to show me this bridge and then I will be able to get there every morning for the next two weeks.”

 

TenTen frowned a little, inching away from her new sensei, remembering the way he'd placed his hand onto Kagome's backside as if it were a normal occurrence. Sure, she was a weapons master, but she was positive that pulverizing her sensei for him touching her was against some rule somewhere. After all, he was only her sensei for two weeks time, he was around her age, and he was from another village—one that just happened to be their ally—so she doubted that anyone would disapprove of him touching her if she allowed it. However, she was also certain there had to be a rule about a sensei not touching their students in such a manner, so when she found it she would make sure to shove it in his face.

 

“I would be happy to show you where the bridge is located, Miroku-san,” Kakashi smiled a bit behind his mask. The boy's face dropped in disappointment, but there was nothing to be done about it. After all, his reading was one thing, Miroku's obvious habit of touching women's butts needed to be dealt with. True, he couldn't do much, but he could do something to deter the boy from touching his female student.

 

Naruto's face dropped too, having wished that his new perverted sensei had chosen Ichiraku Ramen as their meeting place. Of course, he doubted that his new sensei knew that much about the shops around the village, so he couldn't really blame him. Still, it meant that he'd be further from his favorite eating spot then he'd like to be, and he had this twisting feeling in his gut that he didn't like. Something was going to happen and he wasn't going to like it as much as he didn't like the fact that he'd gotten another pervert as his sensei and Sasuke had gotten the sensei he wanted.

 

Inuyasha frowned deeply, “I want to meet at one of the training grounds in the forest that way I don't have to go search for one later. I'll check them out later, if one of ya guys want to help me look.” He looked up expectantly at the Konohagakure jounin, knowing that one of them would give in sooner or later. After all, they'd need a place to train too, not just a place to meet.

 

“I, the—” Gai was cut off. He sighed a little at it, but allowed the one who'd cut him off to continue. After all, he wanted to be the first to start his vacation, showing up Kakashi as much as he could, thus proving just how much more youthful he was compared to his rival.

 

“I would be happy to show you the training grounds of all the squads and allow you to choose which you like the best, Inuyasha-san,” Kurenai said, smiling a little.

 

Turning to the three members of her squad, Kagome asked, “Is there a place that serves oden in this village?”

 

Sasuke scowled at the thought, but said, “The Ichiraku Ramen stand does.”

 

Inuyasha's head swung around so quickly that the other jounin thought he might have hurt himself. However, his mouth dropped open, and he seemed for a moment like he'd lost the ability to speak, before he stuttered out, “D-did you just say r-ramen?”

 

Naruto's lip quivered at the words. He'd known. God, he'd known. Not only had Sasuke gotten Kagome-sensei, but he'd also be getting his favorite place to eat as his meeting spot in the mornings. “It's not fair!” he yelled, rushing to latch onto Kakashi-sensei once more, but the jounin managed to avoid him completely this time. “Kakashi-sensei, it's not fair!”

 

“Yeah, what of it?” Sasuke asked, scowling a little harder at the other jounin.

 

“One of you will show me this stand,” Kagome said quickly. “It will be our meeting spot.”

 

“Like hell it will, wench,” Inuyasha shouted. “I want the ramen stand!”

 

Kagome glared at him with as much hatred as she could muster, her voice coming out dripping with venom, “You want to bet?” She wasn't about to give up the place that sold her favorite food to Inuyasha. Hell, she'd fight tooth and nail for the place before she'd ever give it up to Inuyasha. He may be a ramen hog, but she didn't care about that at the moment. He'd said he wanted one of the training grounds, he would get one, but he wasn't getting her ramen stand.

 

“That seems reasonable enough,” Neji nodded. “Hinata-sama and I will be able to show you the stand before we return to the Hyuuga district.”

 

Inuyasha growled, “Shut up, kid. You're not showing that bitch anything, the ramen stand is mine!”

 

“Just because you're obsessed with the stuff and can't stand to eat anything else—”

 

“You're cooking sucked,” he yelled back at her, knowing that she was talking about their many missions together.

 

“—doesn't mean that I'm going to give up the chance to eat oden while I'm here. You chose to take one of the training grounds, dobe. You stated you wanted one as your meeting spot, it is not fair that you suddenly get the place that I want just because you're giant stomach can't stand the idea of someone else eating the only meal you'll ever touch,” Kagome yelled. “Maybe you should have thought about it when you allowed your stupid mouth to run instead of thinking first!”

 

Inuyasha's next growl caused Kagome's eyes to flash and for a moment the Konohagakure shinobi wondered why they continued to do so even when she wasn't going into battle. Then, they watched as Inuyasha's nails sharpened to claws, and his ears disappeared before new ones appeared on top of his head. “You stupid bitch, I'm not going to allow you to have that ramen stand,” he hissed.

 

“And I'm not going to allow you to have it,” Kagome stated, the markings in her eyes beginning to spin. Then, she smirked, and turned her head to the silent trio. “Gaa—”

 

“No you don't bitch, you're not bringing the Kazekage into this!” Inuyasha roared. “I know damn well that he'll let you have that damn stand, and as you stated, that's not fair either.”

 

“Inuyasha.”

 

Inuyasha's form stiffened and he turned his head to the Kazekage, dipping his head in respect, thus covering his eyes with his bangs. His golden eyes flashed, however, when he caught sight of Kagome, before his claws twitched. “Yes, Kazekage-sama?” he asked softly.

 

“You will stop this foolishness,” Gaara stated. “You have already chosen the training grounds, thus Kagome will get the ramen stand.” Knowing that the jounin would take his word as law, he watched as Inuyasha glared at Kagome for several moments until his sand swirled slightly at his feet. Then, he watched as the jounin nodded, and turned away in embarrassment, obviously hating the fact that he'd been brought into the argument.

 

“Now that that's settled,” Kagome rolled her eyes, “I will take you up on the offer of you showing me this stand, Neji.” Then, she turned her eyes to the now silent Uchiha, and said, “If you wish, Sasuke, you may accompany us. I would be happy to have the company, and I would pay for your meal. In fact, I would like to extend the offer to each of you.”

 

“Whatever,” Sasuke stated, taking notice that Naruto was still whining and clinging to Kakashi's other sleeve. However, he was slightly glad, since this would be the perfect way to find out what it was about this Sunagakure jounin that interested him. Once he found it, and then figured out a way to ignore it, he'd be able to continue on his path to defeating Itachi. Besides, the kunoichi seemed strong, he was positive that something she taught him would come in handy for when he faced off with his brother again.

 

“T-that would b-be very kind of y-you, Kagome,” Hinata paused for a moment, then finished, “-sensei.”

 

“Think nothing of it, Hinata,” Kagome smiled. “I would be happy to have possible new friends accompanying me to dinner, especially since I have no idea where I'm going.”

 

Neji dipped his head a little; “Hiashi-sama will want us back inside the Hyuuga district before nine.” His head was turned to Hinata, obviously speaking to her, and he watched as the heiress nodded toward him. Then, he turned his head toward the kunoichi that would soon become his sensei, and said, “It is very kind of you, however, Kagome-sensei.”

 

Kagome's smile brightened a little.

 

Sango allowed her lips to dip down, as she sighed. “We will still need to visit the Hokage Tower before tomorrow, however. It may be best if we went there first before we decided on anything else.”

 

Miroku smiled, “You make an excellent point, Sango.”

 

Sango turned to glare at him, noticing how close he had gotten over the period of time since he had last spoken. “Don't you even dare, pervert,” she tugged at the strap of her Hiraikotsu, showing how serious she was. Now was not the time for his affection, not when she wanted to make the best impression she could. However, it was still slightly disturbing, and caused a slight twist in her chest, whenever he asked his stupid question or touched a woman's butt.

 

“I would not even dream of doing such a disrespectful thing, Sango,” Miroku replied.

 

Temari, Sango, and Inuyasha all snorted. Temari because she had been very embarrassed when the jounin came onto her after Gaara became Kazekage. Sango because she knew that he was lying to make himself look better, not to mention get himself from being hit. And, Inuyasha because he had spent so much time in Miroku's presence that he knew the idiot was trying to make people see his respectful side—though, he always sounded so serious.

 

Kurenai shook her head, saying, “I would be happy to escort you all to the Hokage Tower, before taking Inuyasha out to show him the training grounds.”

 

“That won't be necessary,” Temari stated suddenly. “However, if you wanted, you could take Inuyasha out to see the grounds now, and then bring him to the Hokage Tower when you're done. I don't think that Tsunade-sama will mind very much, especially since she was nearly forty minutes late the last time we came to see her.”

 

“That means that we'll begin understanding each other tomorrow,” Sango stated to her squad. “I hope that you'll all be ready, since I plan to start around eight in the morning.”

 

Ino stepped forward, “Sango-sensei, how will we know where to meet you? You haven't picked the place near the gates you want yet.”

 

“When I know, you'll know,” Sango smiled secretively.

 

Ino, Chouji, and Shino blinked in confusion, but decided that they would not question it. After all, they knew next to nothing about the sensei they had been given, so there could be some strange Kekkei Genkai that she was hiding up her sleeve.

 

Sakura got the same idea, “How will we know where you want us, Inuyasha-sensei?”

 

Lee nodded, “Yes, an excellent question!”

 

“My senses are a lot better than any of yours,” Inuyasha snorted. “If I have to, I'll hunt you down in the morning and drag you all there.” He was still slightly torched about the fact that that blasted Higurashi once again got the Kazekage on her side. He didn't know what it was, since she didn't seem all that great, but she seemed to draw in more attention than anything else he had ever seen. And, most of the time, he loathed her for it.

 

Shikamaru seemed to detest the thought all together as he sighed. “How troublesome,” he muttered. He noticed that the strange ears on top of his new sensei's head moved very much like a cat's until they were directed at him. He was sure that his sensei had easily heard what he had said, but was slightly grateful when the Sunagakure jounin simply tensed and then ignored him, his ear turning away.

 

The newly formed squad two noticed how Kagome's shoulders tensed after she turned away from them, staring disbelievingly toward everyone else. She looked ready to explode, and they were sure she could, but instead she simply let out a whine. “That's not fair, I already made plans!” echoed toward the others, thus gaining them all the attention.

 

“Kagome-chan,” Sango sighed, knowing where this was going. “You can eat your oden tomorrow, and then for the next two weeks.”

 

“B-but!” Kagome protested. “I don't see why we have to go see the Hokage now—”

 

“It is very important that we—” Miroku was cut off.

 

“—when we can go see her later.” Kagome allowed her eyes to water, thinking for a moment that her oldest friend might take pity on her, but Sango simply stiffened a little. “I haven't had any good oden in weeks, not since my mother left for some far away mission! Souta's cute, but his cooking worse than mine and his oden tastes like I'm eating dirt!”

 

Miroku and Inuyasha cringed, knowing from memory just how bad Kagome was at trying to cook. Yes, she could easily do most of the outdoors cooking, quite nicely in fact, but whenever they asked for something to remind them of home she was terrible. It seemed that anything that could remind her of a real kitchen made her nerves fry to bits and her food taste horrible. If Souta was any worse… they shuddered at the very thought, suddenly wondering how she had survived since her mother, aunt, and uncle were sent on that mission seven days ago.

 

“Besides, from what I've heard, the Godaime Hokage is someone that should be highly respected, unless she ends up going out to gamble, or worse,” Kagome closed her eyes for a brief moment, “drink and gamble at the same time. Temari already said that she's late sometimes, so why can't I be late? Please?” She gave them her best impression of a puppy dog, staring wide eye into the crowd of shinobi as they all suddenly stiffened.

 

“You may go,” came a soft command. The others turned to see Gaara staring at the Higurashi girl, who suddenly smiled at him. The Kazekage seemed to be in favor of the girl, which was very strange since it was not long ago that they had witnessed how he acted during the chuunin exams.

 

Temari frowned at her younger brother. Though he was Kazekage, and she respected his new position, she really didn't think that he should allow the girl to go. This was a very important matter, the Hokage wanted to see them, demanded it even. She seriously did not think that he should allow the slight affection he seemed to start showing not long ago for this girl to surface at this time. “I don't think that's such a good idea, Gaara,” she said softly, stepping up to his side.

 

Gaara gave her a small glare, and then returned his aqua colored eyes to Kagome, still smiling brightly at him. It was that smile that stopped him from becoming violent; whether on Temari or the males on her squad, he was not sure. That smile, however, he knew would be going home with him, and along with it would come the woman who wore it so innocently. She would stand by his side, even if she did not know of his feeling, and he felt that in some way he should repay her, since she gave him nothing but absolute loyalty when he did not deserve it. “You may go,” he stated once more, “Temari will inform Tsunade-sama that you will visit her in the morning with me.”

 

Kagome bowed, her hair falling around her over her shoulders. “As you wish, Kazekage-sama.” She straightened afterward, smiling a little brighter for him, since she knew that he liked it when she did. “I will obey your orders, and in the morning I will escort you to see the Hokage.”

 

The Kazekage simply blinked, and then nodded to the others. “Move,” he stated rather coldly. They did not deserve to see, nor did they deserve to even know, that he had grown feelings for his jounin guard. He had allowed her to become so, even though she was not ANBU, because she had shown nothing but acceptance toward him once they had announced he was to be Kazekage. She had had nothing to say, except tell him softly that she had never believed what others had said and now she was seeing their words were false for herself. Her kindness still shocked him slightly, but he was happy that she stood by his side without fear. The others did not know that, and they did not need to begin guessing toward it now.

 

Kurenai moved to Inuyasha's side, and looked down at the younger jounin. “It would seem that we will be checking out the training grounds for you before I take you to the Hokage Tower.” She cocked her head to one side, and took a step forward, “Please, follow me.” They both seemed to disappear after that in a great amount of speed.

 

Temari sighed lightly, pulling at the strap of her fan, before falling into line behind her younger brother. His word was law; she could not change it once he had decided. However, she nodded to Sango when the other kunoichi moved to her side, also falling behind their Kazekage. Miroku soon followed, and shortly afterward Kankurou, as they moved toward the Hokage Tower. She nodded slightly to Kagome as she passed her, though she was slightly ticked that she would have to tell Tsunade why the second squad leader hadn't shown and why she would be showing up the next morning with Gaara.

 

Kagome bowed her head when Gaara passed by her, feeling the sand that leaked out around him lightly caress her face and arms. Afterward, she watched as they disappeared into the village, happy that her Kazekage had allowed her this small thing. She noticed almost instantly that the squads belonging to Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha were dispatching themselves, while hers was merely standing there as if waiting for her. Finally, she asked, “Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!”

 

“Kagome-sensei!”

 

“Huh?” Kagome turned slightly, and saw that the blonde, Naruto, was staring up at her with hopeful eyes. “Yes? Is there something that you wanted, Naruto?”

 

“Would you mind if I went to Ichiraku with you?” Naruto asked, feeling a grin tugging at the sides of his mouth.

 

“I wouldn't mind a bit,” Kagome smiled. “Why don't you lead the way?”

 

Naruto pumped his fist into the air, “Yeah! Ichiraku Ramen, here I come!” He raced off, but made sure that the others would at least be able to follow his trail of dust in order to make it to the stand as well.

 

“Dobe,” Sasuke muttered, beginning to follow at a slower pace.

 

Kagome grinned, stepping closer to the fidgeting Hinata's side. The girl seemed to calm slightly in her presence, but continued to fiddle with her fingers. She had noticed that she began doing that when Naruto had spoken, and she had a pretty good idea why. However, it was not her place to ask, even if she was just bubbling to ask the girl if her guess was true. She was supposed to be the sensei, the one who taught them, and that was probably not sensei behavior. Though, she wouldn't know, since she had had a woman named Higurashi Chinatsu as her sensei, and her elder cousin had loved to get into her business.

 

OoO

 

“Oden! Oden! Oden!” Kagome sang, clapping her hands together.

 

Hinata smiled, blushing slightly when Naruto had a bowl placed in front of him and he instantly began to shove the noodles into his mouth. A small sound caught her ears, making her notice that Sasuke was staring disapprovingly at his teammate, even though a small amount of humor entered his eyes for a quick second. After that, she turned her sight toward her cousin, sitting on the right side of their new sensei, and wondered what he could possibly be thinking as he stared at her.

 

“Here you are,” Ayame said as she placed a bowl of steaming oden in front of the cheering girl. A smile made its way onto her face, as the girl instantly gave her thanks, and mumbled about how good it was as she stuffed some into her mouth. She had no doubt that the girl would end up being as bad as Naruto when it came to ramen. However, she was happy to see the girl enjoying herself, and went to get the remaining bowls that were ready to be served.

 

“So,” Kagome said between bites, “what do you like to do, Neji?”

 

The white-eyed male simply blinked, and turned when a bowl of miso ramen was placed in front of him. He took a small sip from his tea, and basically ignored the question asked.

 

Kagome frowned, then sat straighter, “As your sensei I demand you answer.”

 

“To train.”

 

“A single word answer?” Kagome asked. Her thoughts moved quickly, and then she said, “You don't like to share your thoughts, that is why you refused to answer me directly the first time. However, that might mean that you have insecurities about your position in life.” She turned away before he was able to answer anymore, her calculating eyes turning to the other boy near her. “And you, Sasuke?”

 

Sasuke shot her a small glance, and stated, “Training, as well.”

 

“I see, you strive to become stronger, whether for the right reasons or not,” she turned away from him as well, and turned her eyes to her final squad member. “You, Hinata?”

 

“A-ah,” Hinata blushed a bit, “I-I like t-to, um, well—I, um…”

 

Kagome stared at her for a moment, and then smiled. “You are innocent.”

 

Naruto lifted his head, and blinked a few times as Kagome turned back to her oden. He wondered what the conversation was all about, but decided not to ask. After all, there was no reason for him to get into a discussion between members of another squad, especially when Kakashi-sensei refused to move him to Kagome-sensei's squad. It simply was not fair, but he hoped that Kagome-sensei would be willing to buy him more ramen in the future. If she was willing to pay, he was willing to eat it.

 

“I hope that by the time I am done with your training these next two weeks that I can change that just a bit,” Kagome finally continued. “Even if I won't be able to change you completely, I hope that I can help you enjoy more things. Be stronger. Live life to the fullest, because it is mean to be enjoyable in some sense. We might be shinobi, but that does not mean that we can't be happy as well as strong.”

 

Hinata opened her mouth, and then closed it, unable to respond for some strange reasons. The words sank deeply into her heart, caught by the strings that hung and wished nothing more than to hear such words. However, she was very hopeful—very hopeful—because maybe Kagome-sensei would be able to help her with more than simply training. Maybe she would be willing to help her with other things as well.

 

Sasuke frowned.

 

Neji's eyes narrowed. She was much calmer, more relaxed than she had been earlier, it was clear to see. She was reaching deeply into what she believed in, telling them something from her heart, that was also clear to see. However, whatever reason she had, whether she was meant to teach them or not, had yet to be deciphered in his mind. Though, he would be willing to bet that it was either because she wanted to become closer to them, on a personal level, or because she simply wished to truly help them achieve the greatest amount of power they could under her training.

 

Naruto stopped eating, staring at the Suna girl for a long moment. He had known she would be a great sensei; that was why he wanted her so much, not just because she was pretty. “Vooh,” he breathed, his mouth full as he stared at her. From the way she had acted around that Inuyasha fellow, he would never have guessed that she would become so deep. It was almost as if he was looking at a completely different person from the somewhat shy and easily angered girl she had seemed like—in fact, she seemed… older, wiser.

 

“Now, how about we get around to telling each other a little about ourselves?” Kagome smiled, her attitude returning to a cheerful one. “I personally believe that it is pointless to list off likes, dislikes, and dreams for the future, but it is the easiest way to assess another persons personality. So, why don't we start with you,” she turned and smirked, “Neji.”

 

“Wouldn't it be more productive if you began?” Neji asked. “That way we would know how you wish us to respond.”

 

“I believe the details were pretty straight forward, but I will go first if I must,” Kagome sighed. “I like many things, ranging from oden to gaining more power in order to help protect my village—it would actually take forever for me to list all of the things I enjoy. However, I dislike spiders, Taisho Inuyasha,” she narrowed her eyes in thought, “cockiness, people who will not even listen to another opinion, and Inuyasha—”

 

“U-um, Kagome-sensei?” Hinata said hesitantly. When she got her new sensei's attention, she continued, “You s-said Inuyasha t-twice.”

 

“Did I?” Kagome frowned. “Dang, I'm always doing that!”

 

The look on her face made it quite clear that she did not actually care. Whatever reason she had for disliking Taisho Inuyasha, even if it was only because of the rivalry between their clans, or some other reason, she did not care that she showed it so blatantly. Actually, the way she had smirked and chuckled were obvious signs that she had meant to say his name more than once in the first place. Even one with low observation skills should have been able to see it clearly.

 

“Anyway, my dream is to become strong enough that I do not need to watch my friends fall in battle, because I will be able to help them survive,” Kagome said softly. “I used to strive forward in order to step ahead of my elder sibling, but I found that that was too much too soon, so I decided to find something that I could reach. I dream now of a life surrounded by my loved ones, whether friends or more, because I was able to protect them, instead of them protecting me. And, I hope that if I cannot watch that happen, that I die honorably in battle.”

 

She allowed them to go next, listening intently as they spoke of their own dreams. She knew that would be more important for when she was training them, because then she would know what she was training them for—their likes and dislikes were just added bonuses so she got along with them the best she could. She listened as Hinata spoke of becoming strong enough for others to notice; when Neji spoke of his future being written already, yet unfocused and able to change; and as finally Sasuke spoke of his ambition to kill his brother. She listened, silently watching them even after Naruto moved to the front of the ramen stand and waved happily as he said goodbye, because it was important that she did.

 

This was the beginning, whether good or bad. She needed to prepare for when they began the next day, and she hoped that she would be able to do it correctly. Especially since she was only doing this because Gaara had ordered her to, stating that she was one that he had chosen for the mission. The only experience she had was listening to her old sensei, and even that was not very good.

 

OoO

 

KibaSin: You know, originally I thought this story would be pretty short, but apparently I've already gotten my notes up to chapter nine, and I'm barely, by then, passing the fifth day. I think I might have to move some things around, and I apologize if I don't update very often, I just had most of this chapter done yesterday and decided to put it up today.

Kiba

OoO

 

Dictionary

Akatsuki - dawn; daybreak

-chan - suffix used for children, intimate friends, and family members

Dobe - dead last

Doujutsu - eye technique

Ero-Sannin - perverted sannin

Genin - low ninja; junior ninja

Godaime Hokage - fifth fire shadow

Hentai - pervert

Hiraikotsu - translates to “come flying skills”

Jounin - high ninja; elite ninja

Jutsu - technique

Kazekage - wind shadow

Kekkei genkai - bloodline limit

Konohagakure (no Sato) - Village Hidden Among Leaves

Kunoichi - female ninja

-san - suffix used for “Mr”, “Mrs”, “Ms”, or “Miss”

-sama - suffix used in high respect

Sensei - teacher

Sunagakure (no Sato) - Village Hidden Among Sand