Unsure how to process the whirlwind of shit coursing through her, Aimee pushed herself upright, settling into a cross-legged position. He mirrored her, sitting up with quiet grace as her heartbeat finally steadied.
“So... uhh...” he began, scratching the back of his head.
“I don’t know about you, but my mind is officially cleared,” she said, trying not to grin too hard. “Thanks for that.”
“Agreed. I suddenly feel ready to take on anything.” The sound of his voice sent a pleasant shiver down her spine.
She rolled her eyes. “Well, I hope tomorrow is everything you want it to be.”
“You too, mysterious hilltop woman,” he replied, pressing his palms to his thighs as he rose smoothly to his feet. He glanced toward the horizon, where the first hints of dawn began to color the sky. “Looks like we’ll both find out soon enough what the day has in store.”
Aimee followed his gaze, watching the sky brighten.
Was it just a coincidence? Or a sign of something brightening in her future.
She stood, brushing the dirt from her clothes and hair, and asked, “Why do you wear the mask, anyway? Even in your own village?”
He gave her a sideways glance and a playful wink. “Maybe I’ll tell you if we ever meet again.”
And with that, he vanished in a classic ninja exit, leaving her standing alone to face the rising sun.
“Right.” She shook her head and began the long walk back to the village, wondering if she had time for a quick shower before heading to the headquarters for team assignments.
She should have been annoyed—after all, they’d clearly spent so much time carefully selecting the members of each four-man team, only to throw her onto this one at the last minute.
We weren’t sure where to put you, Aimee, and the Hi Seisho couldn’t make a decision before this morning. Harato-Sensei’s explanation echoed hollowly in her mind.
“This is the best team ever!” Taiga’s excited voice snapped her from her thoughts. She turned to see him practically tripping over himself, eyes wide with enthusiasm as he looked at the other girl assigned to their team. “Right, Momoka?”
Aimee’s mouth tugged into a grin as Momoka gave a half-hearted nod, barely paying attention, her gaze fixed on the final member of their team. Iruka, a small and moody boy, was another orphan like Taiga. But that was the only similarity between them. Where Taiga was loud and chaotic, Iruka was serious, quiet, and undeniably talented. At least for a fourteen-year-old.
“Right, Aimee?!” Taiga’s voice cut through again, clearly needing someone, anyone, to acknowledge him.
“Yeah, dude. Best team ever.” She smiled, reaching over to give him a fist bump.
“Well, except for Iruka, anyway,” Taiga added in a loud whisper, leaning closer as if sharing a great secret. “He’s definitely going to drag us all down. I’ll probably have to save him on every mission.”
Iruka, having overheard, simply turned to stare out the window, ignoring Taiga’s dramatic commentary.
“Definitely the weakest link,” Taiga muttered under, glaring at the boy.
“Taiga.” Aimee rolled her eyes.
They both knew Iruka was one of the most talented students in their class. Truthfully, though, she was having a hard time focusing on the present. Her mind kept drifting back to the night before, images flashing uninvited through her thoughts, sending waves of heat rising to her cheeks.
“Anyway,” Taiga pressed on, undeterred. “I just hope this Kiba guy is as good as they say. The last thing we need is a dud Squad Leader.”
“Taiga!” Momoka huffed, finally tearing her gaze away from Iruka to cross her arms. “Kiba-Sensei is supposed to be amazing. We’re lucky to have him. Andsomeof us are actually here to learn.”
“Amazing, huh?” Taiga glanced up at the 'trap' he’d set in the doorway. “We’ll see about that.”
“He better not fail us for that,” Momoka grumbled before turning her eyes back to Iruka, effectively dismissing Taiga’s antics.
Aimee was about to say something when the sound of the doorknob turning caught their attention. Taiga practically vibrated with anticipation, while Momoka and Iruka straightened in their seats.
As the door creaked open, a shinobi in dark, form-fitting layers with a high-collared tunic and bracers stepped through. He paused, scanning the room, his eyes sweeping over them before freezing the moment they landed on Aimee. Time seemed to halt for just a second, long enough for the basket of trash Taiga had rigged to come loose and rain down.
“Gotcha!” Taiga exploded from his chair, laughing wildly. “So amazing, huh?!”
