Ataraxia--A Naruto Fanfic

Prologue

"What about this one, Lord Hokage?" asked a young man, holding up a picture to an elder man sitting behind a desk.   

Headshots of young ninja were scattered across a table in front of the two men, some placed in groups of three, others off to the side. The Hokage took the photo from the man, scanning the groups in front of them.

"Ah, he would go good here" the old man said, placing a brown haired boy next to a shorthaired girl and a boy with sunglasses.

They were coming down to the final arrangements and tension settled on the young man's shoulders. This was a big deal. After all, these teams were the future of the village and he wanted everything to be perfect.

He pointed to a young girl, "Do you know where you want to put her, Sir?"

The old man picked up the girl's picture carefully. She had long brown hair and gray eyes. He smiled. Then, he examined the other young ninja before placing it next to three other pictures, moving them to the completed side of the table.

 "That will be a perfect match." 

The young man sweat dropped, "Are—are you sure, sir? You want to put her in the four-man group? You know she’s a stickler when it comes to rules. She won't like this—“

"It doesn't matter what she likes,” he said firmly, “I've put great thought into this particular team and her abilities will be a valuable asset."

The young man gulped, but nodded his head in agreement.

The elder man continued, "With her skill and intelligence, she helps to even out the team. Besides, she'll be good for the boy."

 "I didn't know they were friends,” the young man said doubtfully.

 The old man let out a snort, smiling fondly down at the photos, "I don't believe they are in the least! They will be in the future, though. The boy has a way with people, you know. And she has an accepting heart, once she opens up."

 "I trust your judgment, sir."

 "Alright, let's finish this up. I want to go home and have dinner with my family."

 The young man nodded, admiring his confidence and wisdom. Too bad the Hokage wasn't going to be the one announcing teams. No, it was all on him. Sometimes, he hated his job.

                                                           >^. .^<

"KONOHAMARU, WHERE ARE YOU?!" Asami shouted into the woods. 

It was useless, she told herself. She'd been searching for hours. There was no sign of Ebisu sensei or the little brat. Sighing, she continued on into the forest in search of the demon child.

 "I am so dead if I don't find him" she mumbled.

 Suddenly, she heard shouts coming from ahead. Taking off, Asami broke through a clearing to find Konohamaru.

 "There you are, you little punk. I've been looking everywhere for you! What were you do—" she stopped when she noticed another boy standing there, "huh? Naruto?"

Naruto Uzumaki. He was a boy that was in the same class as her in the Academy. Although they had grown up together, Asami didn't talk to him much. Actually, she tried to avoid him. He was a squirt. A loser. A troublemaker. She didn’t need to be associated with that.

 "Asami? Why are you here?" Konohamaru asked, a scowl on his face.

 Glancing between the two boys she said, "Looking for you. What in the world are you two doing? Hanging out? That can't be good."

 Naruto gave her a huge grin. "I was just telling Konohamaru about all the hard work he has to put in to become Hokage." He put his hands behind his head, smiling proudly.

 Asami's eyebrows knit together. Naruto preaching hard work? That was new.

 "Alright...Well, Konohamaru, let's go." She said, starting toward him.

 Konohamaru stopped her. “We’re rivals, now. Got that, Naruto?” he jeered.

 “I look forward to that day we battle, Konohamaru,” he said.

 With that, Naruto started to walk away and Konohamaru meandered over to her, droning on about how she always ruined all his fun. She sighed. She knew he didn't really get along with Ebisu sensei. He didn't show much interest in 'hard work' unless it was in his assassination plans for the Hokage.

 "Hey, Naruto," he turned around, "uh...thanks."

 He gave her a look of confusion, making her roll her eyes at his dimness.

 "You know...for looking out for Konohamaru and stuff."

 He nodded, understanding. He started laughing a light blush coming over his face, "Oh, yeah. Sure. Anytime."

 With that he disappeared in the trees.

 Asami put a hand on her hip. "He's so weird..."

 "If by weird you mean cool,” Konohamaru said, awestruck.

 Asami looked down at him, frowning. Way to choose a good role model. She thought wryly, rolling her eyes.

 "Come on, you little punk," she said, grabbing him by the wrist, "Mom is going to kill you for being late, then grandfather is going bring you back to life and kill you again for running away from Ebisu sensei."

 Konohamaru paled as he thought about the wrath he was going to face at home. He was going to be in so much trouble. He shook his head fiercely, trying to think of a plan of escape. Unfortunately, Asami already had a death grip on him.

 He started clawing at his arm, trying to get away. "YOU'RE THE WORST SISTER EVER!!"

 Asami Sarutobi laughed manically, enjoying every second of dragging her little brother back to his death.