Lotus Of The Leaf ~Book One~

Chapter 20! Genin Takedown! All Ten Rookies Face Off!

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Upon entering, we were stared down by a huge amount of people. They glared at us just as we entered. "Sasuke! Where have you been! You have no idea who much I was hoping you'd show up here!" I hear a familiar voice yell, making me look back to Sasuke. He carted Ino on his back with an irritated look on his face. I giggled at his anger, watching as a flush crawled up his cheeks. "I've missed those brooding good looks of yours!"

"Hey, you porker! Back off! He's mine!" Sakura yelled at the blonde.

As they continued to bicker, Shikamaru and Choji stepped in, who currently munched on a bag of BBQ chips. Shikamaru's face broke out with a grin as he and Choji came to my side. Choji offered me some chips, which I gladly accepted. "Hey." Shikamaru greeted casually after clearing his throat. "I knew this was going to be a drag, but I know it was going to be this lame." He said, trying to sound brooding. I giggled at him, and elbowed his side.

"Says you, but you sure looked happy when you stepped in!" I smirk to Shikamaru, who turned bright red at that.

"So the three stooges are here, huh?" Naruto hums.

"Hey! You know what, pipsqueak-" Shikamaru started, but stopped after wards. "Ah, forget it, you're a waste of time."

 We turned to see Squad Eight. "Well, well, well, what do you know? Looks like the whole gangs back together, huh?" Kiba remarked, casting a glance towards me. A smirk slipped onto his face as he slung his arm around my shoulders.

"O-Oh, hi Naruto..." I hear Hinata's soft voice call out. Naruto looks over at her, and she casts her gaze downwards with a heavy blush on her cheeks.

"Hey, Ren. You pulling your hair out with your team yet?" Kiba cooed, smirking when Akamaru gave a light bark. "You got that right, Akamaru, we should show Ren what a simple evening looks like, am I right?"

Shikamaru, Sasuke, and Naruto all gave the dog boy an angry glare. I let out a small laugh and pulled Akamaru away from Kiba, holding him like a small infant and scratching his belly. "No thank you. But I will take Akamaru for a bit!" I coo at the small dog as he kicks his leg from the attention. Akamaru barks once at his master, a wide grin embeloshing his muzzle.

"A-Akamaru...." Kiba muttered, embarrassed. "Dont brag, alright?"

"Still as clueless as ever, I see..." Ino grumbles to Sakura, their bickering halting for a moment.

"We're all here. The Ten Rookies." Kiba laughed after receiving Akamaru back. "This is gonna be fun. At least, for those of us good enough to make the cut, huh Sasuke?" Kiba smirked at him.

Sasuke returned the smirk. "Careful, you don't want to become over confident, Kiba."

I giggled at their exchange, wondering out this would all play out. "Just wait, we're gonna blow you guys away! We've been training like crazy!" Kiba announces.

"What do you think we've been doing? Sittin' around pickin' daisies?" Naruto accused. "You don't know what training means!" He points at Kiba, a frown settled on his face.

"D-Don't mind Kiba... I'm sure he didn't really mean anything by it...." Hinata says, pushing her fingers together nervously.

"Huh?" Naruto hums, turning his gaze on her. She blushes again and looks down. Kiba gives her a questioning look, which I make him stop by clearing my throat.

Choji stares at Akamaru, and takes a step forward, but Shino cuts him off. "Hm? What do you want? What's wrong?" Choji asks as Shino looks down. I look down, following their gaze to see a small bug scurrying past them.