Chapter 7: Team Arrangement

~ Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. - Confucius

Daisuke couldn't have been prouder of his daughter the moment he saw Konoha's forehead protector strapped tightly around her forehead. Averting his eyes from Obito, he stared intently at the other two, who were waiting with for him to say something, pride sparkling in their eyes. No, he was undeniably proud of his students. He had trained his team ferociously and the results were nothing but fruitful, thanks to their determination to become stronger and stronger.

At the age of nine, Kurenai and Obito had graduated and became Genin, although Gai was much younger than the two, being seven years of age. He had to admit that it was very young, but in the ninja world there was nothing that could astound him. Every generation becomes stronger than the previous one, so was the cycle of life.

"Team Daisuke." They straightened their back, seriousness swirling in their eyes, "I remember the first day I trained the three of you...," He reminisced about the past, a faraway look on his face, "I remember the glint of determination in those eyes," He smiled softly at them, "And I remember the Will of Fire burning brightly in them. The bond you three share could never be severed. Always pulling each other along that same road, walking together towards your goals."

He closed his eyes, smile never leaving his face. It was such a long time ago that he felt so at ease. "I have never been prouder of you three in my entire life. You three are destined to do great things in the future and I expect nothing less from the future Hokage, the Taijutsu master and Genjutsu prowess from Konohagakure."

All three of them smiled broadly, chin tilted upwards in fiery determination. "Remember that these goals are within your reach as long as you keep training. Don't run away from it because something is blocking your path, instead find a way to overcome that obstacle."

Daisuke took out a scroll from his flak jacket and crouched on the ground, biting his thumb as he smeared his blood on the seal.

A reddish glow appeared and then three more scrolls appeared. "Don't you dare to stop fighting for your dream, always remember how hard you worked for it and stay close to each other, be each other's pillar of support." He smeared more blood on the three scrolls, a giant puff of smoke appeared, and the only thing the three freshly graduated Genin could see were the demonic-red eyes of their teacher.

The three Genin stiffened at the seriousness of Daisuke. They had never seen him this serious, not even Obito, who had known her father her entire life. "Always stick to each other, never ever discard the friendship you three have. The bond that you three have should never be considered a weakness, because it is not a weakness, but a power so strong, it will leave you breathless. Never choose something above your friends, because if you do, nothing would bring that friend back, not even the Shinigami." He closed his eyes, straightening his back, three objects in his hands.

When he opened his eyes he said something that would be forever ingrained in their brains,"...those who break the rules are trash, but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash." A soft smile, "A dear friend of mine once told me this, even after he had been ostracized... He had never turned his back on his friends, even after his so-called friends started hating him."

A pained expression appeared on his face and Obito walked forward, grabbing his big, warm hand tightly. "Tou-san, don't worry, we would never abandon our comrades, our friends."

Kurenai smiled gently, grabbing his other hand-the contrast was so unreal. Big, calloused, experienced against small, soft and unscarred. "Obi-chan is right Daisuke-sensei. Not on my watch. I'll keep protecting them. I'd never let them get hurt."

And then Gai jumped up, showing off his white, blinding teeth. "Yosh! I shall keep our youthful friendship strong by doing two-hundred laps around Konoha! Let's go team, let our friendship be engulfed by the power of our youthfulness!"

Before he would begin his laps and drag his unwanted friends with him, Daisuke-sensei grabbed his collar, "No need for that Gai, we understand what you're saying...in a strange way." Then, his voice softened, "Team Daisuke, it had been an honour teaching you-" Before he could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by Obito. He was about to reprimand her for her rude behavior, but after hearing her words, he didn't have the heart to do so anymore.

"Team Daisuke will never be shattered, even if we get split up and get a new teacher, we will remain your students and you will remain our sensei forever. And I speak for the entire team when I say that we want to be tutored by you, Daisuke-sensei." Obito squeezed her father's hands, "You won't lose us that easily, sensei." She teased her father, smiling widely when he chuckled warmly.

"Obi-chan, sensei, you'll need to try harder to get rid of us."

A blur of green and suddenly Gai was hugging them all, crying rivers and rivers of tears, screaming at the top of his lungs about his wonderful youthful team and sensei.

Obito smiled brightly, enjoying the nice weather in Konoha. Today would be a good day, she had a good feeling about it, a very good one.

Today they would be assigned to a team. She hoped dearly that Kurenai or Gai would be in her team, but that would be wishful thinking... There was no chance that they'd put two kunoichis in a team, so there was absolutely no chance for Kurenai to be in her team. That left her with Gai, and even that was minimal.

Obito knew that the make-up of the teams were based on the individual skills of the Genin, so that there would be a balance between the teams. This meant that the Rookie of the Year would be teamed up with the Kunoichi of the Year, together with the Dead Last. Generally, Konoha wanted a balanced team, so maybe the chance of her being in a team with Gai wouldn't be so low. Gai excelled at Taijutsu, while his aptitude towards Ninjutsu and Genjutsu were low.

While she was the complete opposite of Gai; her Ninjutsu and Genjutsu were exceptional, while her Taijutsu was low-Chunin. Though sparring with Gai hadn't made her weak, in fact, without him, Obito wouldn't have such good grade on her Taijutsu skills. All thanks to Gai and his extreme training regimen.

Smiling brightly, she touched her forehead protector. Nothing could destroy her day-"Oof!" When suddenly Obito fell on her tailbone, wincing when the pain seared upwards, towards her spine. Before she could even identify the object that made her fall, she heard a low growl.

Confused, she looked up and saw a masked boy around her age, a nasty scowl present on her face. Something about him was very familiar but she couldn't quite grasp where she saw him. Rubbing her head sheepishly, she apologized, "Gomen, errr... I didn't see you." She smiled prettily, hoping he would accept the apology as she stood up in one fluid movement, dusting her skirt off.

To her shock and annoyance, the boy merely grunted rudely, "Watch where you walk, dobe."

She stiffened. Her eyes narrowed in splits and watched him walk away, hands in his pockets, ignoring her and her apology altogether. Fury clouded her better judgement and she stormed towards the rude, grey-haired boy, "Hey you!"

He didn't even grace her with a look, still walking away...

Something inside her snapped and her blood boiled in anger at his indifferent attitude. She appeared in front of him, effectively blocking his way and glaring at him, "What the hell is your problem?! I apologized and you just dismiss me off like that!"

He regarded her with a bored expression, slight annoyance seeping in his obsidian orbs. "Rule 25 from the Shinobi Conduct, a shinobi must never show tears."

"I'm not crying!" Obito denied loudly, enjoying the way he flinched at her shrill scream.

"Really?" He spoke in a monotone voice, "Then tell me why tears are streaming down your cheeks towards the ground?" As if to emphasize his words, he pointedly look at the wet spot on the ground.

She rubbed her eyes furiously, "There is something in my eyes!"

He gave her a dubious look and walked further, not sparing her another look.

"I hate you! You-you old man!"

She ran away from him, not even looking back. She didn't know why his words hurt her so much. Hell, he was a stranger to her-she had never met him. Then why did his presence irked her to the point where she lost control of her emotions and exploded like that?

Kurenai shared a glance with Gai when they saw Obito's sour face. If looks could kill then Obito would have killed the poor squirrel thousandth times.

The red-eyed girl coughed softly, trying to gain Obito's attention, but it failed tremendously. Sighing, she placed her hand on Obito's head, "Obi-chan, what happened?"

Said girl sighed in annoyance, remembering the embarrassing moment and her eyes started tearing up again. "Nothing happened..." She was quite ashamed to tell them about her childish outburst.

"Then why are you brooding Uchiha-style and trying to kill that poor squirrel?"

Gai, for once, listened attentively, wanting to know who or what made his youthful blossom sad.

"I'm not brooding..."

Kurenai pinched the bridge of her nose, "Yes, you are. Now tell me who made you sad and Gai and I will beat them up."

The image of that boy being pummeled by Gai and Kurenai made her snicker in amusement.

"Tempting Kure-chan, very tempting." Another giggle burst through her lips, "...I-.."

"Yes?"

Then, Gai exploded, scaring the duo, "Youthful blossom, please tell us who made you sad! Please!" He started crying rivers and Obito sweatdropped, wondering why he was being so dramatic. But then again, Gai was the definition of dramatic poses.

Obito sighed tiredly, "Some jerk was being rude towards me."

Her best friends stiffened and became eerily quiet. Curious, she looked upwards, and wished she hadn't. Kurenai was glaring a hole in the wall and even Gai was frowning nastily, "Obito, who was this rude person. Did you identify him?"

Uh-oh.

Gai used her name.

Without -chan.

Her eyes widened like saucers when Gai narrowed his eyes in splits. "Obito."

Kurenai clenched her fists and inclined her head towards Gai, "He is right. Did you recognize him?"

"Ano...he wears a mask to hide his face and has silver hair that defies gravity." Her eyes widened even more when Gai was scribbling everything in a notebook. Where the hell did he get that from?

Kurenai lifted her chin up, a too-bright smile etched in her face, "No worries Obi-chan. We'll do the rest."

To be frank, a cheerful Kurenai and a quiet Gai disturbed her to no end.

"Errr... guys, what are you two plotting?"

Gai waved her off, pocketing the notebook in his bag. "No need to worry abot that, my blossom."

She sweatdropped when Kurenai nodded, agreeing with Gai. "He's right Obi-chan, all will be solved soon." She whispered ominously and Obito gulped when their eyes were burning with revenge.

Before she could interrupt her best friends, Atsu-sensei barged in the room and everyone quieted down automatically. No one dared to anger him, too afraid to do so. The last one who did try that, was banned from the Academy, never to be a ninja again. Gulping, Obito sat even more straight, her friends doing the same.

Atsu-sensei stared at all the thirty-six students with a scowl on his face. "Going from a wannabe good-for-nothing ninja to a snot-nosed Genin."He locked eyes with a poor Genin from the front row, "You?!"

The boy squeaked loudly, whimpering a quiet, "...yes?"

"Yes what?!"

"Yes, Atsu-sensei!"

He smirked in amusement when the boy started shaking, "What rank are you now?"

Obito prayed for his life, knowing that Atsu-sensei was testing him.

"G-genin, sir..."

Sensei narrowed his eyes in anger, "I can't hear you! What are you, a girl?! Louder boy!"

The boy started stammering apologies, blush as red as blood and then he fainted on his spot.

The trio flinched at sensei's cruel teachings and Obito let out a whimper when he locked eyes with another unfortunate newly graduated Genin.

"You boy!"

"Yes Atsu-sensei!" The brown-haired boy spoke loudly, but everyone noticed the slight tremor in his voice. Obito started praying for him too, and while she was at it, she would start praying for all of them.

Atsu-sensei crossed his arms, displaying his protruding muscles for all to see. It was another intimidating act of him, he liked to scare his students. Why? She didn't know and never would. She didn't dare looking him in the eyes more than necessary, let alone asking him a question. He'd skewer her and then proceed to feed him to his giant dog. Which frankly looked more like a giant bear than a dog. Atsu-sensei wasn't a person to be messed with.

"What rank are you?!" He demanded again, because Atsu-sensei didn't ask.

"Genin, sir!"

Obito closed her eyes for incoming explosion, "Wrong! You are all inexperienced snot-nosed idiotic good-for-nothing cocky useless brats playing Ninja! Am I right, Uchiha Obito?!"

The black-haired teenager squealed, "N-no sir..." and then covered her mouth, regretting she ever spoke up.

Kurenai and Gai winced when the room became eerily quiet. No one dared to utter a word, not even the most obnoxious in the group as all eyes were plastered on the girl.

"And may I ask why not?" He asked calmly.

Obito paled in fear, heart stammering in fear. But she couldn't back down now, otherwise Atsu-sensei would become even nastier. He hated cowards with a passion.

So taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down. "Because while I my be inexperienced, I'm not a snot-nosed idiotic good-for-nothing cocky useless brats playing Nina." She smiled proudly, touching her forehead protector, "This protector indicates the fact that I have studied and trained vigorously. This means that I am no longer a child, but an adult in the ninja ranks. You better start seeing me as your equal because this girl will make it up till the Hokage ladder and become Konoha's first female Hokage!"

She stared at her sensei, eyes narrowed fiercely and daring him to deny her claim on the Hokage seat.

Instead he did something that astonished everyone in the room to the point where Obito was starting to sweat profusely, her serious attitude dissolving slightly on. Atsu-sensei was laughing.

And then he started clapping his hands.

Shocked Obito gasped, "S-sensei..?"

His laughter became even louder and everyone awaited Obito's death.

"After all these years of teaching snot-nosed brats I finally get one who has enough balls to oppose me." He chuckled in mirth, shaking his head. When his laughter died down, he continued, eyes still shimmering with amusement...and was that pride shining in his eyes? "Who would have thought that the shy meek girl would transform into a confident kunoichi? Well, I certainly didn't."

And then Atsu-sensei was smiling towards her, a real smile, that lightened up his entire face.

...Atsu-sensei is actually sexy... Then her face flushed at that thought, eyes widening when he appeared in front of her. Inwardly, she wondered why she hadn't noticed his bright blue eyes. He was damn fine...

He placed his hands on top of her head, fondness seeping in his voice, "You've grown up into a hard-working kunoichi. I'm proud to have called you, my student, Uchiha Obito."

Obito felt her heart warm up at his touching words and she flashed him the most brightest smile. "Arigatou, Atsu-sensei!"

After the class had quieted down, Obito noticed the sour and jealous looks she received from her classmates. Talk about childish.

Sighing in bliss, she stared at her sexy sensei as he gave the graduates the last speech they'd ever hear. She couldn't help but ogle his fine ass. Why oh why did she have to graduate this year? It was such a shame that she wouldn't be seeing him so much anymore. Once she became Hokage she was sure that Atsu-sensei would be enamored by her and ask her hand. And then she'll have dozens of children and live happily ever after.

Another sigh, another confused look from Gai and Kurenai.

"Obito?" Kurenai asked quietly, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

The black-haired beauty blinked her eyes, tilting her head to the side, "Nani, Kure-chan?"

"You're sighing every two seconds..."

"Not now, Atsu-sensei is speaking." Obito quieted the girl down, her eyes instantly moving to his fine ass.

"...Now, I'll be reading the team arrangements. Pay attention because I won't be repeating myself..." He started listing off the teams one by one, nodding his head in approval when everyone appeared to be present. Good, a ninja must always be punctual. Every second could mean anything for a ninja.

Obito started praying that she would be with Gai-everyone else from her class was stupid, with the exception of Asuma and maybe Genma. She didn't know the rest of them. She just hoped her team mates wouldn't be annoying fan girls or cocky teenagers. She didn't feel like dealing with idiots.

"Team Seven consists of Hatake Kakashi, Might Gai and Uchiha Obito." Atsu-sensei smirked in her direction and Obito felt her cheeks heat up. Oh my...she didn't think she would become this affected by her teacher. And then her attention snapped back to what he said and a pleased smile crossed her face, sending Gai one of his famous thumbs up. "Team Eight consists of Yuhi Kurenai, Shiranui Genma and Sarutobi Asuma..." Obito smirked slyly when she noticed Kurenai's flushed cheeks. Oh, this is priceless. Who would have thought those two would be in the same team?

When Atsu-sensei finished the long speech, Obito faced her two best friends, smiling brightly. "I think we got lucky in contrary to other people, no?"

Gai flashed his pearl-white teeth and Kurenai frowned slightly, "I guess so..."

The Uchiha teenager snaked her arm around Kurenai's waist, smile still intact. "No worries Kure-chan. No one would replace you. Ever."

"I know, Obito, it's just that I had envisioned our team to consist of us three..."

Gai's happy smile turned downwards, a serious expression replacing his usual 'youthful energy'. "Kurenai, no one will tear our friendship apart. That is a promise of a life-time."

The two freshly Genin turned to look at Gai with slightly widened eyes. No matter how many times they witnessed Gai's serious expression, it never ceased to amaze them how different he was, how serious, how un-Gayish... They could count the appearance of Gai's seriousness on one hand. And whenever it happened it left them stunned.

Then, Gai's serious self disappeared and his energetic, bright smile appeared instead. "Yosh! After the team assignments, we shall meet at Obito's house and celebrate us becoming Konoha's official Genin!"

Satisfied that his two favourite blossoms were smiling in happiness, he mentally patted himself.

Obito hummed softly, waiting for her newly appointed Jounin-sensei, together with Gai. Chuckling softly, she shook her head at his strong will to never stop and keep on going.

"Ne, Gai?"

"...two hundred and thirty-three-...yes, my beautiful Lotus?"

She stared at his sweaty forehead and frowned slightly, "Do you know this Hatake kid?"

He shook his head, a frown marring his face, but he never stopped exercising. "I might have heard his name from somewhere..."

"Could he be related to Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang?"

Gai stopped exercising and regarded her with a curious expression, "The possibility of that is quite big."

Obito chuckled quietly- Whenever Gai talked to her in a serious manner without screaming at the top of his lungs, she enjoyed it immensely. Behind that thick skull was a hidden genius, he just needed someone who he could trust and talk to, but most of all, he needed someone who he could depend on, where he could be himself. "I don't think there are that many Hatakes running around Konoh-" Confused, Gai flickered in front of her, a fierce protective stance.

"State your business."

Wow, today was becoming a strange day.

As if it didn't make matters worse, she gasped in shock and then her eyes widened upon seeing a familiar person. "You!"

Inwardly, she smiled in satisfied glee when he winced at her brash loudness. Serves him right, the jerk!

"Obito-chan?"

Blond hair. Blue eyes. All summed up in one word: sexiness overload!

"Minato-san!"

"Horror... My eyes..." A bored tone spoke firmly.

Blood boiled in her veins, eyebrows twitching... "You jerk! Stop being so mean towards my best friend!"

Eyes rolled in annoyance and then obsidian orbs looked away, hands in his pockets.

Gai stood there unsure of what was happening around him, until he remembered what Obito had told him and Kurenai this morning. Something about a jerk who had been rude to his beautiful lotus. His eyes narrowed in splits, "You saddened my youthful blossoms." Hands clenched into fists. "That was most unyouthful of you."

"I could care less about that. A true shinobi must be able to hide his feelings."

Obito glared at him, fingers twitching in clear annoyance. "For the record, I am a kunoichi."

As if he didn't insult her enough, he stared at her, eyes lifeless, "Really now? Didn't notice."

She was on the verge of killing this nuisance, but before she could attempt anything illegal, Minato stepped in, clearly displeased by what he was seeing.

"Enough." That effectively made them shut up, even the arrogant silver-haired boy, "I can't believe I'm seeing this. Is this Konoha's next generation of ninja's?!"

Progressing those words, Obito halted on one specific word. "Wait...a moment..." She flinched when Minato turned his attention on her, not liking the fact that she had interrupted him. "Is this arrogant, stuck-up boy Hatake Kakashi?"

A curtly nod.

She ignored the asshole in favor of sitting down, "I-I can't believe this..."

Startled, she looked up when Gai smiled gently at her, hands on her shoulders. "No worries, my beautiful blossom, together we can achieve anything." He comforted her soothingly.

"If you're so weak then you should probably quit being a ninja." He stated rudely, eyes narrowed in splits. He really didn't like this girl. As to why? He had no clue, but she was rubbing him the wrong way.

Enough was enough. Obito stood up in one fluid movement, "You've asked for it, you asshole!" Before anyone could stop her, she flickered in front of the silver-haired boy, punch aimed towards his surprised face and he was so close-she could feel his breath on her cheeks. Almost. And then reality came crashing in and she was sprawled ungracefully on the ground, eating dust. "What the?!" She screamed in outrage.

Ignoring the pain, she jumped upwards, eyes wide when she noticed who had knocked her aside. "M-Minato-san!"

His angry eyes flickered towards her and then to Kakashi, who was glaring daggers at her. "You two!" He started, killing intent radiating from him and making the trio gasp in shocked mortification, "Uchiha Obito, you do not, under any circumstances, attack your fellow Konoha-nin. For that reason alone, I should strip you from your Genin rank and send you back to the Academy!"

Obito felt her eyes tear up, but she refused to let them fall. Not in his presence. She gritted his teeth, looking away from her future sensei.

Minato wasn't done, far from it. Turning his attention on his silver-haired student, his glare became menacing. "I'm truly disappointed in you, Kakashi. I thought you were better than that. Insulting and provoking your future team mates from the start! Could you be any worse?!"

At least Kakashi had the decency to look down in shame, angry eyes boring a hole in the ground.

The future Yondaime pinched the bridge of his nose, looking at his three students, his team, Team Seven. Sighing, he released all his frustrations and fury and decided to give them one more chance. See how they would fare...

...hopefully they would grab this chance and not mess it up.

Kakashi glared at the kunoichi on his team, whispering harshly, "I'd rather have a fangirl on my team."

Obito gasped in shock at that statement and then fury clouded her senses, "You fucking asshole! Take that back!"

Everyone knew that being called a fangirl wasn't a compliment, in fact, it was an insult of the highest degree. And being under a fangirl was even worse.

Gai sighed in annoyance and looked at his sensei for help, who just stared at the two of them going at it, turned around and walked briskly away. He so didn't sign up for this.

"Alright, all issues have been settled I hope?" Minato asked with a very bright and cheerful (forced) smile on his face.

Even Gai shuddered at the creepiness of that smile. It was inhuman.

Obito's muffled voice reached their ears and Minato snapped his attention towards Kakashi, who was whistling innocently at his sensei. "What? I didn't do anything." Muttering under his breath, "Can't help it if she is such an idiotic kunoichi."

This made the black-haired kunoichi scream in muffled rage, ripping the ropes apart. Without another word, she lunged towards Kakashi, killing intent spreading through the environment.

"If the two of you won't apologize in less than five minutes, then I will drop the two of you from Team Seven and send you back to the Academy." He glared at Kakashi, "Yes, even you Kakashi! What has gotten into you?! It seems like the devil is possessing the two of you!"

He couldn't wait till this day was over and he could cuddle with his dear girlfriend. This Genin team was going to be the death of him, he could feel it.

Minato swore he could see lightning cackling between the two of them.

And then he waited.

...and waited...

...and waited-

A minute had passed and still nothing, "You two got four more minutes."

He sighed, staring at his green-clothed student, who was frowning in worry.

Obito decided to suck up her pride and apologize-this was getting her nowhere. "Ano...Kakashi-" She swallowed the lump in her throat that made speaking so much harder. Her arch nemesis looked at her, awaiting. "I-I'm s-s-sorry."

There, she said it. She trampled on her pride and apologized first. Sneaking a glance at Minato, he appeared immensely relieved, attention moving towards Kakashi.

Kakashi clenched his fists, wondering why he was forced to apologize. It was all because of that stupid Uchiha girl that he was in this mess to begin with. If she had never lost her focus and bumped against him, then he wouldn't be in this predicament. Looking at his mentor, he noticed his impatient, serious expression. Luck wasn't on his side today, it seemed he had no choice but to apologize. He so didn't want to apologize to her, but at least he wasn't forced to apologize first. Sighing quietly, he opened his mouth and tried to speak, but no words came out. He frowned and opened it again, only to fail miserably.

"..."

Seconds were ticking by and he could see that they were getting impatient with him. Very much so.

"I-..."

Frustrated, he was about to try again, but a warm and calloused hand (from spending too much time on Taijutsu and weapon throwing) startled him. As if he wasn't shocked enough, he saw Obito looking at him with a gently smile, "Apology accepted."

Minato didn't know what to say-one moment he saw Obito glaring at Kakashi, and the next, she was smiling softly at him. Understanding clear in her eyes. To say that he was flabbergasted, was the understatement of the year.

Gai smiled in happiness now that everything was over with. But why did his heart thud painfully? Shaking his head, he cleared his thoughts away-it has been a long and tiring day, he just wanted to get home and tell his father everything about today. Though, they had to meet at Obito's house first to celebrate and afterwards he was able to leave.

Grinning in relief, Minato looked at his soon-to-be Genin, "Finally, we can go forward. For a moment I had really thought that I had to drop you two from the program..."

Obito sweatdropped. How many chances did they receive from Minato? Too many to count. He was such a soft-hearted man. And don't forget that he was sexy-looking. Her eyes picked a soft chiming sound and then she was staring at two bells in Minato's hand. "Now, we'll start with the real business. ope you three are prepared because you'll get one chance to take these bells from me."

Kakashi sighed in annoyance.

Obito gulped in fear at Minato's overly happy expression.

And Gai just grinned in response, excited at the prospect of a new challenge.

Team Seven was in for a bumpy ride. And this was only the beginning...