Chapter 3: Making A Great Team... NOT!

Come on Simran, don’t fail me now.

My eyes strained to stay open as I feared the results that would come out of this. I really didn’t want to be separated from Simran, it would make it harder to wake up from this nightmare. Simran was the only thing keeping me from thinking this whole thing is a dream. As Simran made the same hand signs as I did moments before I stared with my mouth a gape in shock. Before I knew it the corridor was covered in a layer of white smoke. Simran’s cocky smirk made me look twice at the four clones standing before me. Each just as perfect as the next. Letting out a breath of relief that I didn’t know I was holding Simran released her jutsu. “Why the shocked look? Is it because I beat you?” her lips still graced with the cockiness of her smirk. I shook my head getting myself out of the shocked state I was in.

“Okay you both pass, please do come in.” Iruka smiled happily at the both of us before opening the sliding door to the classroom and heading inside. Just as Simran went to go follow him I pulled on her arm stopping her in her place. She turned around to me raising an eyebrow in confusion.

“How did you do that?” I asked, my voice coming out a little more confused that I would have like it to.

“For one, I do actually listen to you when you talk you know. I know you don’t think so but I really do. Secondly, I do believe you’ve forgotten my skills of photographic memory.” Simran said seriously giving me a nod before continuing into the classroom. To be truthfully honest, I really did think that she didn’t listen to me, sometimes it really didn’t seem like she was. It made my heart leapt with joy when she told me that all this time she really was listening. With a smile upon my face I made my own way along the wooden floorboards into the classroom.

As I stepped into the room I noticed that there were at least thirty eyes on me. Oh god. I gulped nervously and quickly made my way over next to Simran in the front of the classroom.

“Okay class, today we have some new students who are going to join our class. Please make them feel welcome.” Iruka stated to all the wondering pairs of eyes. He then turned to us and asked us: “Would you like to introduce yourselves?” I wasn’t too sure if it was a question or a requested by I simply just smiled politely giving a quick nod.

Simran went first. “Sup, I’m Simran and I’m going to beat you all.” Simran spoke confidently pointing out towards all the people who sat in front of us. Simran then smiled sweetly and added “Any questions?” A few people were a bit taken back by her confidence while others just stared at her. I heard a guy at the back of the class room yell out:

“Yeah, you have a boyfriend?” The guy had short black hair, crystal blue eyes and a cocky smirk across his face. I don’t think I had ever seen him before, so I didn’t really think of him as anyone important.

“Nup,” Simran answered simply brushing them off and turning to me.

I awkwardly stepped forward and gave a small wave, “Um, Hi.” I mistakenly looked up into the disinterested onyx eyes of a person who sat near the back of the room. He was all too familiar and I immediately recognized him. I gave a short sigh before putting on a charming smile and continuing my introduction. “My name is Stephanie, nice to meet you all.”

Unfortunately, the reaction I got wasn’t the one I was intending. “Yo, don’t you two have last names?” My smile soon faded, oh dam. I looked at Simran for answers but noticed that she was staring straight back at me.

“Now, come on. Leave them be.” We heard a voice behind us speak. “Now girls you can go sit next to Naruto,” Iruka pointed towards the boy sitting to the right, near the back. His blonde hair spiked up and his blue eyes gleamed with joy. I quietly nodded and followed Simran to the seats that sat next to Naruto.

“Okay class, quietly talk among yourselves. I’ve got to go see the Hokage.” It was then that Iruka gave the class one last look before exiting. Once out, I was surrounded by a classroom of voices, each group having their separate conversations. I let myself relax into my chair, letting go of the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“Hey, Steph?” I heard Simran whisper through the many voices of the crowd. When I turned my head to look at her I noticed she was staring straight ahead in deep thought. “Please tell me this is all a dream.” The blank facial express and hardness in her eyes told me that she was serious.

I sighed  gently “If so, we are dreaming the same thing.” I stated truthfully. “I think it would be best to have an open mind, treat things as reality until we have proof otherwise.” I whispered in a lower voice. Simran sighed slouching in her chair.

Feeling something I had a quick look around for anyone who may have overheard, I noticed one person in particularly who was staring at us intently. His onyx eyes curiously bore holes into me as if he was trying to figure something out. What, I wasn’t too sure about, but the gaze made me feel a little uneasy.

It wasn’t until there was an annoy high pitch squeal sound from one of the girls in the room did he stop glaring at us with those accusing eyes. Moments, if not seconds, later a group of girls surrounded the end of the table that I so carelessly sat at. Every girl had bright smiles on their faces and their eyes twinkled with delight as they stared lovingly at the single person at the other end of the table. Ironically the same boy who was glaring at me seconds ago now looked out the window scowling from the attentive girls who swooned to him.

 It wasn’t until there was a girly squeal from the pink hair guy sitting two seats away from me.  I watched as a group of girls surrounded our table with a dazed look in their eyes. A few had love struck looks in their eyes as they stared lovingly at the same person staring at me only seconds ago.

“Oh my ears… I hate fan girls” Simran whined as she placed her hands over her ears.

“You and me Simran, you and me both.” I replied copying her exact motion. Unfortunately, covering my ears did not completely block out the continuous high pitch screams, squeals and callings of the dozen girls that clumped near me. I groaned suddenly considering the idea of committing murder in this classroom. I really didn’t understand the point of fan girling over someone. His hot we get it, get a life.

I winced as one of the girls screeched out his name. In a way I feel kind of sorry for him, but secretly inside I’m laughing at him. I’m pretty sure the blonde only a seat away was laughing at him inside too. It was minutes of pain later when Iruka finally came back into the classroom.

“Already everyone, please be seated. I now hold the finalized list for your teams.” Iruka stated sternly to the class of beady eyes. “All teams will consist of three people excluding one team. Due to the new arrivals we have had to add to a created team, giving one team five people.” I sighed in slight relief as I now knew that Simran and I would be sticking together. “Okay now listen out for your names.” Iruka then went down the list of names starting at one and going down. I hadn’t listened until he called out “team 7!”

I didn’t know why I started listening then, maybe because I knew who was in that team already, maybe because I had heard it all too often, but when he begun to read the names in teams 7 my ears perked. It was all so much cooler in real life. “Team 7 will consist of Sakura Haruno, Naurto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.” I tapped my chin in boredom as Sakura and Naruto took the own turns in being happy. I didn’t even have to watch there facial expressions nor did I care when Naruto yelled out accusing Sasuke of being under him, naturally Iruka explained to him how he got the lowest marks and Sasuke the highest. It was until Iruka’s next words that I was brought back to the reality of the classroom. “Anyways, you didn’t let me finish. As an addition Stephanie and Simran will be joining team 7.” Iruka stated knowledgeably.

“Hmmm?” I hummed stupidly, I managed to keep my bored facial expression across my face but deep inside I was slapping myself. How cliché, of course we would be placed in a team with all the action.

“Great” Sasuke mumbled under his breath. But he clearly meant for us to hear it, it would have reached this end of the table if he didn’t.

“I’m sorry you have a problem?” Simran asked eyebrows raised in annoyance.

  “You’re just going to hold me back.” Sasuke claimed accusingly. In all truthfulness I knew that we wouldn’t be the best additions to any team. Fuck yeah we knew how to fight, but in comparison to the years of training that this class had we were barely beginners, maybe even worse than Naruto at this point. Still, his ego only made me want to prove him all the more wrong.

"Cocky bastard" Simran hissed under her breath while she continued glaring daggers at Sasuke. I cleared my throat in an attempt to stop the glaring competition but it seemed to echo as a stronger voice with much more authority seemed to copy my exact actions.
 

"Actually, both these girls passed the test with no study, nor prerequisite training. They were purely put on the spot, more so than any of you." Iruka explained to the class – he seemed quite impressed but a little curious. The class erupted in a stream of whispers. I couldn’t help but sink into my seat in an attempt to make myself disappear. Although it was nice to be talk up upon, this time it gave Simran and I false representation of our skill level.  I managed to hid my face in my arm – making it look like I was scratching me forehead – as I felt the glares from the surrounding people. Too much attention, it's not good for the soul. 

As Iruka continued to read out the names of the next couple of teams I continued feeling the glare of one raven haired person in particular. I tried to keep my attention on Iruka as he explained that we were to wait for our new assigned team leader, but I couldn't help having a quick glance to my left at least once. Indeed, I was correct as there sat none other than Sasuke Uchiha, high and mighty in his supposed glory as he shot daggers through his continuous glaring eyes.

This was going to be a long day. 

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"I don't care how great this "sensei" is. His so late!" Simran whined as she spread herself comfortably across the long desk – one down from me. She had taken up that position about twenty minutes ago complaining how uncomfortable the chairs were.

I, on the other hand, found the chairs quite comfortable, once you found the right way to sit on it. I’m sure I had annoyed the crap out of the raven haired Uchiha who still sat in the same spot as he was before. He was slouched over and rested his head against his clasped hands. He seriously looked like he was planning to murder someone, well I guess he is, but you get my point. Anyways I would have taken the same sitting posture – after all it is how I usually sit, minus the death glare – but I didn’t need another reason for him to plot my death. So instead, I sat relaxed into the wooden chair. It swung back a fraction as I had my feet mounted upon the desk, crossed slightly. My head was gently cradled by my clasped hands. This position alone took me twenty minutes to find and even now I think I lost feeling in my back as the wooden back of the chair cut into my should blades. No doubt it would leave a nice red line across my back.

I sighed when I heard the scraping of chairs and the mischievous chuckles of one very tricky blonde. The trap was funny the first time, I would always remember cracking up the first time it happened, Kakashi’s face was priceless. I don’t know but something about seeing it for the 6th time because cartoon network decided never to go passed the Chunin exams made it seem a little old. Can’t imagine why.

“Urgh Naruto, you idiot. You’re going to get us in to trouble.” Sakura yelled breaking me out of my thoughts.

“That’s what he gets for being late.” Naruto exclaimed happily.

“So much talent wasted on a kid.” Simran sighed sitting up on the desk so that her legs dangled off the side. “That prank could be so much better.” I couldn’t see her but I was almost certain that she was pouting. It was then that I heard a brief huff of annoyance, one guess who that came from.

“Hey you” I heard the annoying squeak of the pinklett’s voice.

“I’m just going to guess you’re talking to me, because we obviously don’t know how to use names in this place.” Simran sarcastically said rolling her eyes as she went backing into her lying position. Her hair fanned out around her, it was quite messy and yet it still framed her face quite nicely.

“Whatever, Suntan.” Sakura waved her off. “What’s with all the black clothing, are you going to a funeral or something?” Just as the words left her mouth I pulled my feet off the table sitting a little on edge in my seat.

As if a slip of the tongue I cursed under my breath “Oh crap.” I knew Simran was quite defensive about her fashion sense. She wore black for reasons and only rarely other colours.

Simran continued on relaxing on the table not really caring what she said. It was obvious to me that she was fight back beating her face to a pulp. “What exactly are you dressed for, a Barbie convention?”

“Woah, excuse me!” Sakura shouted obviously angered. I liked to image that there were puffs of smoke coming out her nostrils as she heaved with anger.  “Barbie is for, like, ages 4 to 8!”

“Well then it’s perfect for you.” Simran explained effortlessly waving her hand in an uncaring motion.

“Anyway!” I cleared my throat as to stop the childish drama that they seemed to be creating. Simran seemed to relax again hearing my tone – yeah, sure I sound like a mother but she really just didn’t want to see me angry, trust me. Unfortunately, Sakura didn’t seem to get the message.

“I’ll have you know that I am 13 not 8!”

“Could have fooled me….” Simran mumbled under her breath barely auditable. I rubbed my temples in annoyance, as I knew Simran was just trying to provoke her. It was her way of getting back at her for dissing her clothing.

“SAY WHAT!?” Sakura screeched in frustration as she stomped her foot childlike.  I won’t tell them to shut their traps, I won’t tell them to shut their traps. I won’t, I won’t.

Simran sat up and smirked in triumph as she has Sakura all rattled up.

“Would you two shut the fuck up. Frankly, you’re pissing me off. Simran stop provoking her and Sakura. Just shut up.” I exclaimed showing my sense of annoyance but not raising my voice about my normal talking level. “Bloody cat fights.” I mumbled as I sat back into my previous position. Most uncomfortable thing ever, how did I even sit like this for 15 minutes? Closing my eyes I took in the couple of seconds of silence.

“Ah Sakura, I don’t think you look like you’re going to a Barbie convention.” I heard Naruto swoon to Sakura taking her immediate side.

“Whatever.” Sakura huffed pulling up a chair.

There was a long pause of silence before I heard the sliding of the classroom door. The next thing I knew there, standing in the doorway was a man with silver, gravity deifying hair flattened with a black board eraser.

Remember how I said the easer joke was only funny the first time, well apparently its funny the 7th time too. The shocked face plastered in his one eye – the only skin of his face showing – almost brought me to smile, even a little, but I kept the emotionless exterior on my face as I heard the loud laughter of Naurto as he pointed at our sensei.

“My first impression of you is, “ he begun “I don’t like you.” He finished straightening himself out.

“I wonder why.” I spoke sarcastically breaking the icy silence.