Debate Team (sasunaru/narusasu)

|| Chapter Twenty Nine ||

When Sasuke and Naruto entered the classroom, they were immediately overcome by the whiff of strong fruit punch scented perfume. The aroma lingered in the room, the uncomfortableness of it making the two exchange glances.

"Please have a seat," Said the instructor, who didn't appear to realize how much body mist was too much that morning as she smiled sweetly and motioned to a row of seats across from the redhead and blonde.

Sasuke hn'd, clasping Naruto's wrist as if it were second nature to him and dragging him along towards the set of seats. There, he dropped his hold on Naruto's wrist and pushed two vacant tables together in the same manner that their opponents had set up theirs. The two took their seats, Naruto taking his first.

"Your names are?" The young lady who was their judge asked, twirling the black inked pen she carried between her well-manicured fingers before pointing it towards the two seated across from Naruto and Sasuke.

"Temari," The blonde student introduced herself, a sweet smile lingering on her lips in hopes of winning herself a few points with the judge. Although, when the judge ignored her look, Temari continued, turning towards the redhead seated next to her.  "And, this is Gaara. We have the same last name: Zabakuno."

A raspy cough escaped the redhead—now known as Gaara—'s lips. "I don't need you to speak for me." He spoke, his unprofessional mannerism—which Mr. Hatake had been strict about when teaching them— apparently only surprising Naruto.

Naruto turned over to see what Sasuke had to say but his face stayed as impassive as ever. Next, he turned towards their instructor to see if she had anything to say for the rude behavior the redhead displayed so openly, but she was too busy scribbling something on her clipboard to notice.

Taking this as an opportunity, Gaara pushed his chair back disruptively as if he were some snobby rich kid who hadn't had any discipline growing up, and stalked over to stand in front of Naruto, reaching his hand out to introduce himself. "Zabakuno, Gaara. Pleased to meet you."

Sasuke's head whipped around in an instant, his former impassive demeanor now long gone. Naruto could see from the corner of his eyes, a small sketch of the raven's face. A pissed-off one.

But who was he to get in Naruto's way of making new friends? Yeah, the redhead may be their opponent and yeah, he may seem like an asshole so far, but, don't judge a book by its cover...?

Fuck it. Naruto's hand whipped up as he extended it in front of himself enthusiastically. "Uzumaki, Naruto." He shun a big toothy grin as he spoke, his confidence shinning. "It's nice to meet you as well, Gaara. I hope we can be good friends."

"I agree." The other gave a smug smirk in return, squeezing Naruto's hand tightly enough for it to mean something, yet so subtly that no one but Naruto would be able to notice, before finally letting go.

Sasuke noticed it though. Maybe the redhead intended for him to as he noticed him watching the interaction like a hawk. He wasn't sure. What he was sure of was that he was now extremely pissed. There was no way he'd let Gaara win the stupid competition now. He was set on winning now more than ever before.

The instructor cleared her voice, breaking the eye contact between the two shades of blue, "And you two?" She inquired, pointing her pen at Naruto and Sasuke, Gaara striding back to his seat.

"Uchiha, Sasuke and Uzumaki, Naruto." Sasuke spoke up for both of them, avoiding eye contact with Naruto. And, no, he wasn't going to play the pretend nice card with the judge like the other team. He'd win with nothing but pure skill. Even if he had an idiot like Naruto on his side.

After taking a swig of her water bottle, the instructor cleared her throat loudly, finally introducing herself. "All right, my name is Ms. Akimichi! I am your instructor for your first round today! All of you are beginners, correct?"