Genkaku (Naruto fanfic)

Chapter 9: Dream team

Shizuka stood in front of the academy, taking in the sight of the building as she tightened her ponytail and forehead protector securely.

Today was the day. She was going to be put on a team of genin under a jounin sensei and would start taking missions. A nervous zing went through her veins. Her and her teammates would be working together for years. These people were gonna be the ones she'd have to trust to have her back in life or death situations.

Shizuka inhaled deeply, trying to calm her jittery nerves. She wondered who it would be. Maybe she'd be lucky and have Shikamaru, Kiba or Chouji on her team? She really hoped so.

She was pulled out of her internal musings by the sound of two girls squabbling loudly, barely able  to move out of the way in time to not be overrun by Ino and Sakura.

"Hah take that, forehead. I win again!" The blonde cackled loudly, pointing a finger at her rival.

"No way! I won, you pig!" Sakura retaliated loudly.

Shizuka winced at the volume of their argument and silently slid around the duo. She faltered in her step as she came face to face with Sasuke who was just entering through the door himself. They stared at each other awkwardly for several long seconds.

After the Hokage had dropped the bombshell on them that they were in fact related to each other they had silently walked out, both too deep into their head and needing to process the information to actually talk about it. Without a word, they parted ways and Shizuka headed towards the barbeque restaurant to meet up with the Inuzuka's.

Tentatively, she quirked the corners of her mouth up into a polite smile.

"Good morning."

He was quite possibly her closest relation that was alive so Shizuka was willing to at least put in an effort in getting to know the boy she had mostly opted to ignore during her academy time.

Sasuke slowly gave the most minute head nod as he returned her greetings before turning around and walking to the classroom. His gait was deliberately slow, only picking up after she fell into step with him quietly.

They went their separate way as they entered the room, her moving over to where Chouji and Kiba were standing around Shikamaru's desk and Sasuke moving to his usual spot near the window.

"Morning guys!" She chirped cheerfully at her friends.

Chouji and Kiba returned her greeting enthusiastically. She looked at the Nara and let out an amused huff. The boy was slumped over his desk with his eyes closed and breathing evened out.

"Stop pretending to be asleep, Shikamaru."

The boy groaned and raised a hand in greeting though he didn't bother opening his eyes or lifting his head from the desk.

"So! Are you excited to find out who your teammates are gonna be?" She questioned as she hopped to sit on the empty desk next to Shikamaru.

Chouji merely shrugged his shoulders.

"I already know who my team is gonna be."

"What?! Do you have secret insider information?"

If he knew who his team was, maybe he would also know who going to be on her's.

"Nah" He started. "Shikamaru's and Ino's father were on a team with my dad so they'll probably chuck us kids together too."

Shizuka slumped dramatically. If Shikamaru and Chouji were out of the running, that only left...

"Kiba" She whirled around towards the brunette, taking his hands in her own. "That means you're my only hope."

"Well actually" Kiba rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. "I'll probably be on a tracker team with Hinata and Shino. Our parents worked together too."