Favored by fate

Chapter 4

Nuriko was moody as she entered the classroom where they were told to stay in for team placement. Not twenty-four hours ago did she find out that her twin brother was not a drop out like she had thought and spoke but was actually a jounin! She was far too preoccupied with his thoughts that she didn't even notice that she was being called by her friends.

"Nuriko, you look like you didn't get any sleep at all. I know you're excited but looking like a zombie won't impress Sasuke-kun." Ino pointed out teasingly while Sakura giggled.

Nuriko turned to them for a few moments then sighed as she pushed open the door to the classroom and entered.

The first thing she saw was Sasuke, Shino, Shikamaru, and Neji sitting together (like always when the four were together in the school yard). Shikamaru was talking to Neji about something while Sasuke was watching Shino command his bugs to do something. Sasuke looked impressed and told Shino something and the boy nodded back. This made Nuriko wonder if they knew about Naruto and his jounin status or not.

Then for some odd reason, all four stopped talking and turned to look at her. She felt a shiver run down her spine and looked embarrassed when Sasuke and Neji smirked at her.

"Why are they looking at you like that?" asked Sakura who poke Nuriko.

"How should I know?" Nuriko replied and moved to sit down on the table in front of the boys with Sakura and Ino by her side.

The other two girls kept giggling while Nuriko was in deep thought, wondering if she would ask them or not. Eventually, curiousity got the best of her and she turned to see the four looking straight at her.

"You couldn't be any more obvious that you are now, Namikaze." Sasuke taunted her and smirked.

"And as for your unspoken question, the answer is yes. We are his best friends. Did you really think that we didn't know?" Neji told her with a condescending tone that made her blush due to embarrassment.

Sakura and Ino was confused but before either girl could ask, the classroom door opened and came the source of her current mood and frustration: her twin brother.

"Drop out? What are you doing here? And why do you have that jounin vest? Don't tell me you stole that?" Kiba taunted the moment Naruto walked in.

Naruto raised a brow at him and ignored him all together.

"Good morning. Iruka-sempai couldn't be here to read announce your team placements as he is currently aiding the Yondaime Hokage with a matter. And if any of you are wondering where your Mizuki-sensei is, his body is being examined by the medical nins and the T&I for information. He had attempted to steal the Forbidden Scroll last night but was captured and killed by ANBU." Naruto informed them which silenced the whole room.

"Now, for team placements, I will read the listed teams, its members and your jounin sensei. Starting with Team Eleven: Amemori Tenten, Hyuuga Neji, and Rock Lee. Your Jounin sensei will be Maito Gai." Naruto said with a smirk and Neji groaned, slamming his head on the table in front of him.

"Next, Team Ten: Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, and Akimichi Chouji, the newest Ino-Shika-Cho team. Your Jounin sensei will be Sarutobi Asuma." Naruto continued and Shikamaru groaned as well. He knew it was going to be them but still, a small hope had appeared before when he had topped the exams.

"Team Eight: Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuuga Hinata, and Aburame Shino. Your Jounin sensei is Yuhi Kurenai." Naruto said as he saw Shino and his bugs come out from his coat. His friend was not pleased at all.

"Genin Aburame, control your bugs. If you wish to file a complaint, do so at the Tower." Naruto told him and Shino nodded.

Kiba raised a brow when Naruto addressed Shino as Genin.