Take Me in Your Arms - K.H x F!Y/N x I.U

14. Lingering Conversations

Age: 17

Around you, your fellow Jonin buzzed jovially. All standing in the gathering room, the village's elite ninja waited for the Hokage to begin his team assignment.

You were required to be there, given your Jonin status, but everyone knew you would never receive a team - sequestered to the Academy until... well, fuck, who knows? Death?

No one spoke to you, of course - though, fleeting glances were sent your way.

You stood with Kiiromaru by your side, your arms crossed over your chest, upset by the wasted time spent here when you could've been at Kinka's, or at home, or in the woods. Anywhere else.

"Thank you all for gathering in such a timely manner," Lord Third said, reducing the room to a hush with a voice that commanded respect. Everyone listened. "Today, I will be assigning the recent graduates to teams, and a Jonin to each respective team. Any concerns, or questions, can be addressed, privately, subsequent to this meeting."

Though you listened for the names of Kiba and Sasuke, you mostly tuned the old man out. He enjoyed to blab and you weren't particularly in the mood to give him your undivided attention.

Team 7. That was Sasuke's. It was unfortunate that he was put in a team with... the people he was put in a team with - but, you understood that the teams were based on ability and compatibility. Sasuke's job would be to pick up slack, that was for sure. You hoped Sasuke would be understanding of his position, though you knew he wouldn't be. A small part of you also wondered if that Demon Fox would impact Sasuke's progression.

Team 8. That was Kiba's. That specific Hyuga was a tough-sell for you, but you trusted Kiba to cover her when need-be. His other boy on his team was strange, and you had found him to be fair-to-middling in taijutsu.

Both boys were certainly the strongest of their teams. That was plain to see, and had you swelling with a small bit of pride.

"And the captains will be assigned as follows," the Hokage said with a deep breath.

He began listing the team number, and the Jonin leader. You watched the room until he mentioned Sasuke's team.

"...Team 7 will be under Kakashi Hatake..."

Fuck sake.

A few looks were shared around the room, some even extended to you. You simply stared at the back of the Copy Ninja's silver hair, stewing in your feelings. He stood at the very front of the room, right in front of the Hokage, obscuring your view of the man with his tall, brooding figure.

You didn't want him to be Sasuke's leader.

Could you imagine Itachi's reaction?

Not only was he unable to train Sasuke, you were going to be replaced by Kakashi? Then there was the potential of Sasuke's relationship to Kakashi growing to be better than his relationship to Itachi ever was? Even worse, the idea that Sasuke would join the list of students Kakashi had failed?

Of all the Jonin in the Hidden Leaf, it had to be Kakashi.

Old dame Fortune was such a cruel mistress.

You were indifferent toward Kurenai, the Jonin assigned to Team 8, but trusted her leadership capabilities. She was scouted for the Anbu, years before you, but she, smartly, declined and dodged the draft. Kurenai was one of the Hokage's favourites, even before she and his son started fooling around.

You were too caught up in the disaster that was Sasuke's team assignment to worry about your actual brother.

The meeting dragged on as he listed over twenty teams, before dismissing you all. Five stayed behind while the rest of you filed out of the room - standing right at the back, you and Kiiromaru were the first ones out.