Child of the Moon

The Sorting Ceremony

Tsukiko pushed open the door, stepping in to see a number of jonin gathered around a table, a crystal ball on top, which the Hokage was using to observe the Academy. She greeted the others, by way of a slight nod, before situating herself close enough to see, but not exactly in the middle of it.

They watched, discussing things as they came up before a ninja with all but one eye covered spoke up, in a lazy manner.

"Most promising new student, Sasuke Uchiha," he commented, as the ball focused on Sasuke.

"Tsukiko has observed his growth more closely than most," a red-eyed woman said, glancing over at her. "Any comments?"

"He's talented," Tsukiko sighed, looking at the boy with deep regret. "But he isn't... he doesn't play well with others."

"Sounds like trouble," one of the other ninjas said.

They then discussed a little of his past, how he was the sole survivor of the massacre...

Tsukiko sensed that the masked ninja was looking at her.

'I can feel you staring, Kakashi.'

'You look a little tense is all. Nervous?'

'You know why.'

Kakashi glanced back down at the crystal ball. "Naruto Uzumaki, huh?"

That drew away the attention of the other jonin from Sasuke.

Tsukiko knew that none of them really wanted Naruto. And that... upset her more than the discussion of the massacre did.

A small accident, a slight bump. That was all it took before Tsukiko had to leave the room to avoid breaking out into laughter. Poor Naruto. And poor Sasuke! When she had regained her composure, she was able to return. Kakashi threw her a brief look, his thoughts questioning her sudden outburst, which she brushed off.

As the squads were being announced, Tsukiko leaned on a wall and watched quietly. As the teams were formed, a jonin was called forward and assigned to that team.

"Squad seven!" Iruka's voice emanated from the orb. "Naruto Uzumaki!"

Tsukiko looked up.

"Kakashi," the Hokage said, waving the lazy eyed ninja forward.

"Sakura Haruno. Sasuke Uchiha."

'So Kakashi is the jonin for Naruto's team? And Sasuke is on that team too.'

Tsukiko smiled slightly to herself. 'Well, hopefully, they'll do alright.'

Once the teams were assigned to jonin, Tsukiko was called forward.

"I assume you know what I am about to ask you," Hiruzen said, looking at Tsukiko sternly.

"They're a ragtag bunch," she answered. "But... they just want a home. As for the other one..."

"You've trained Nanami Hyuga personally for a number of years now," Hiruzen said. "Do you doubt her abilities?"

"Not at all," Tsukiko answered. "With more training, she'd be a phenomenal ninja. My concern is how her solo abilities would work in a team situation."

"You will need to evaluate that for yourself," the Third said. "Now, I know you know my other request."

Tsukiko threw an amused look over her shoulder, to where Kakashi was waiting, reading a novel. And not a quality one from the cover, or his thoughts.

"Yeah, I figured he'd want to background check his students," she laughed.

"So this is where Naruto lives?" Kakashi said aloud, looking around the apartment lazily.

"I live here too, ya know?" Tsukiko commented, digging through the fridge for something. Clearly, she'd forgotten to stock up since she arrived, and settled on a glass of water in the end. "Admittedly, I've been outta town for a bit, though."

"Hmm," Kakashi said in a noncommittal manner. She could tell he was just trying to rile her, so she ignored him.

"As you know, he'll be on your team, along with Sakura and Sasuke from the Uchiha clan," Hiruzen said calmly before a wry smile came to his face. "Goodluck, you'll need it."

"They all seem pretty headstrong," Tsukiko commented, popping into her room quickly.

"This milk is way past its expiration date," Kakashi commented, Tsukiko emerging with a frown. "One sip and you'd both be running to the bathroom all day."

"Good thing I don't drink milk all that much," she said with a heavy sigh. "Though... Knowing Naruto, he didn't just have a sip."

"Seems like this kid's just one big problem," Kakashi sighed, though Tsukiko could sense him think about an old friend, and how much like him Naruto was.

"Probably," she smiled. "But he's got a big heart."

"Telling me to go easy on him, huh?"

"Don't," she said, before swiping at his mask. He dodged it, and she grinned. "Next time, for sure. But seriously. He won't grow if you go easy on him."

"Got it," Kakashi said before he and the Third left.

Tsukiko made sure she had everything, before heading out to meet her own team.