Ataraxia--A Naruto Fanfic

Chapter 2

Asami walked out of class behind Sakura. So much rage was building in her, she had to bite her tongue to keep from punching something.  Caught up in her own thoughts, she almost ran into Sakura, who had stopped. 

“Sasuke, where are you?”

Oh no, not this again, Asami inwardly groaned. Sakura turned to see her and blushed a little. “I just thought since we were in the same group and all, we could have lunch together and get to know each other a little better, but he’s completely disappeared.”

Asami narrowed her eyes. “Just the two of you? You do know there are four people on this team, right?”

Sakura’s eye twitched. “Uhh…”

Lucky for Sakura, Naruto came up, cutting her off. “Hey, Sakura! Since we’re on the same team now, I was thinking we could have lunch together and get to know each other.”

Asami took a step back, seeing Sakura was about to let him have it. “Why would I eat lunch with you?”

“Well, I just thought—”

“Naruto, you’re annoying.”

Asami just sat there and watched. Sakura was harsh and Naruto looked so crushed. Then, hope flickered across his eyes and he turned to look at Asami.

She held up her hands. “Hey. Don’t look at me. I already have lunch plans.”

With that, both girls stalked off, fuming. Leaving Naruto confused and defeated.

                                                >^. .^< 

Asami stood outside the Hokage’s office, building up the courage to go in. Unfortunately, on her way over, her anger had fizzled out and now she just felt dejected. Then, she remembered shinobi code and put on a brave face. Barging into the room, she kept her head down, not even bothering to knock.

“Grandfather! How could you!” she heard him let out a long sigh, “It is against the rules to put more than three genin on a team. That is a time-honored tradition! Actually, I don’t even care about that. You’re the Hokage, you do what you want, but you put me on that team! Now, I’m the one who is breaking the rules! You should’ve just failed me; you should have just failed me so there would be an even number. I can become a ninja next year and be on a normal—”

“Asami. Stop this nonsense right now.”

She looked up and met his eyes. The years of being Hokage were clear on his face. He looked so old and worn down. She frowned. So wrinkly.

“You know as well as I do you deserve a spot as a genin. You ranked at the top of your class.” She clenched her fist, but continued to listen, “As for your team, I whole-heartedly believe I put you on the best equipped team for your skill. Everyone on that team has a purpose. Everyone on that team has something to learn from the others. That team wouldn’t work if you weren’t all four on it.”

She looked away, not believing a word.

“This is your destiny. This team, it will be the best thing that will ever happen to you.”

She closed her eyes. “I get why you put the other three together. But what about me? I don’t see where I fit in. Was I just the left over kid, so you threw me on to some random team?”

“You’re not listening to me, Asami. Everyone has something to gain here. Naruto needs to learn sheer power is not everything. The mind needs to be sharp too. Sakura could pick up a thing or two about strength and the body. And Sasuke needs a lesson on teamwork.” He explained in his old, wise voice.