Youth Over Beauty

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Welcome to Team Gai.

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It was probably pathetic that they couldn't even bother to see me off.

Rather, it was probably more pathetic that I expected them to.

By they, I mean Kiku and Sayuri.

Both of whom were busy today, reporting to the Hokage for their very first Chunin mission.

Meanwhile, I was stuck with the old obaa-chan. I mean, Hyuuga-sensei.

And even she wasn't going to be with me for long . . .

Heck, it was unusual for her to meet with me separately from my team in the first place.

"Himawari. . ." She rasped out suddenly, her eyes narrowing in my unfortunate direction.

Quickly, I leapt to attention. "Hai, sensei?"

"You don't have to address me as such anymore, Himawari." My former sensei replied as a small smile tried its best to worm its way across her wrinkled face.

My eyes were probably as wide as summoning scrolls at this statement.

"B-But Hyuuga-sensei, you told Kiku that--" I protested frantically.

However, she merely dismissed this with a wave of her hands.

"I don't like those Sato girls, never have." She replied curtly.

Somehow, I wasn't as surprised by this.

"Ano, what should I call you, Sensei?" I questioned, ignoring her previous statement.

"Haruka-san will do fine, Himawari." She retorted, nodding.

Before I had the chance to even test the name out on my tongue, she continued on.

"Himawari, I came to see you one last time today because I think you have potential." She stated somewhat carefully as she placed an aged hand upon my broad shoulder.

At the sincerity of her tone, I blinked several times in disbelief.

"Me? Y-You think I have. . .potential?" I squeaked, gesturing to myself.

Surely she was a bit mistaken.

I was afterall, the only Konoha Genin to fail the Chunin exams; the worst one in my class.

"Yes, Himawari. A potential that never could have been fully realized as long as you were with those girls. That is why I've so willingly left you in Gai's care. His team specializes in strength. And that is the aspect of yourself that you must embrace, rather than deny. You are an Akimichi after all."

Strength? Don't make me laugh.

After all, I'm going to be a medical nin just like the rest of my team.

You don't need strength for that. . .

"Haruka-san, I think you're mistaken. . ." I muttered, casting my gaze to the floor.

Although I couldn't see it, I could definitely feel her gaze burning holes in my form.

"You'll realize it in time, Himawari." She finished quietly.

To be honest, it was the first time I'd ever heard her speak in such a calm tone.

Sourly, I managed to glance at her once again.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say old woman. . ." I murmured, rolling my eyes a bit in a desperate attempt to shake off my mousey demeanor.

"DON'T YOU TAKE THAT TONE WITH ME, AKIMICHI! I MAY BE YOUR ELDER BUT I CAN STILL KICK YOUR ASS FROM HERE TO THE SAND!" She screeched, shaking her fists.

It was then that I found myself wishing that the calm could last. . .

"Gomen, Haruka-san." I sighed.

"Tch. Get out of my sight before I murder you. . .!" She threatened, causing me to grin.

Although her threat sounded more like a lingering promise of violence.

"Hai, Haruka-san." I replied, just as monotone as before.

"And - you'd better fulfill my expectations as well!" She called after me as I jogged off in search of my new team.

"Don't count on it. . ." I whispered more to myself than to anyone.

- - - ☀))

"Sleep in a coffin made of glass, it takes a big facade to hide the cracks.♥~"

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"Would you like more Beef Ramen, Himawari-chan?"

I could help but nod gratefully to Ayame as she presented me with another delicious bowl.

.

.

.

Okay, so maybe I got a bit side tracked upon going to look for my team.

But, I'm hungry okay? I can't train on an empty stomach, nobody can.

"Thank you, Ayame. You're the best!" I declared, shoving aside my empty bowl and making a beeline for the next.

"Iie, Himawari-chan. It's you that's the best. Between you and Naruto, Ichiraku will never go out of business!" She replied cheerfully as I smiled.

I'm glad to know that my incredible appetite can at least due her some good. Pft.

"I don't – slurp - know what I'd do without Ichiraku's, they've got the best Ramen in – slurp - all of the Fire Country!" I added between mouthfuls.

If Sayuri and Kiku were here, they would've never let me eat like this.

And other than that aspect of them, I really do miss their company. . .

"What do you think you're doing?" Someone snarled suddenly, breaking my train of thought.

That voice! That dreamy, masculine voice. . .! I'd recognize it anywhere. ♥

"Neji. . .~" I cooed before I could stop myself.

My former teammates would probably have been drooling right along with me if they were here.

This encounter would probably be something excellent to tell them of later, too.

"How disappointing, Himawari." He replied, shattering my already fragile confidence.

My chopsticks slipped from my hand to the floor with a flourish as I gasped.

"W-What do you mean, Neji? I –” I began, inwardly cursing myself for acting like such an idiot.

"We've been awaiting your arrival at the training grounds all day, and here you are gorging yourself at the local Ramen Bar." He explained, giving me a stern look.

"We. . .?" I questioned, slightly apprehensive.

As if to answer my question, the door to Ichiraku's swung open.

"HIMAWARI AKIMICHI! IT IS MOST UNYOUTHFUL TO MISS YOUR TRAINING!"

This statement was of course, accompanied by green spandex.

Lots and lots of green spandex.

"Oh crap, it's Gai." I panicked, my eyes darting around the room in search of an escape route.

"Actually, Himawari-chan. You must refer to him as Gai-sensei now!" Another voice exclaimed, just as enthusiastically as Gai.

"Gai-sensei. . .?" I tested the title out and immediately felt a shiver of disgust run down my spine.

"Yes, Himawari! My youthful new student! I'm so thrilled that you have become a member of my team! However, you won't get stronger if you don't attend training on time!" Gai exclaimed.

It seemed to me that everything he said was louder than necessary.

"And if you don't get stronger, you'll simply slow us down." Neji scoffed.

I couldn't help but cringe at that.

Who needs strength, anyway. . .?

"Ignore Neji, Himawari. He's just a little irritated." Tenten suggested.

I blinked at her, wondering when she had appeared.

"Okay. . .?" I agreed halfheartedly.

"At any rate, Himawari. What penalty shall you receive for the hours of training you have missed?" Gai er, Gai-sensei questioned promptly.

At this, Neji, Tenten, and Lee all turned to me expectantly.

"Uh - none. I was hungry, so I stopped for a bite to eat. It's not a crime, right?" I replied meekly.

In response, Neji snorted.

"No, but gluttony is a sin. Remember that."

Somehow, he wasn't as appealing when his mouth was open.

"Nonsense, Neji! It is most youthful to eat heartily before you train! Come students; let us join our newest member!" Gai suggested, grinning widely.

Apparently his proclamation was a bit out of order.

Thus, Neji and Tenten were a bit flabbergasted whilst Gai and Lee both wasted no time in pulling up a chair and ordering something to eat.

For some reason, it bothered me that caterpillar brows was the one to take a seat next to me.

"W-What? But - what about training?" Tenten inquired, blinking several times.
The grin never left Gai's face as he replied.

"Ah yes! Don't worry Tenten! After this we'll run 500 laps around Konoha! How's that sound. . .?"

I coughed at this before firmly shoving the half-empty bowl of Ramen away from me.
"Sounds like, for once, I don't want to eat."

But, he was probably just joking anyway. . .

- - - ☀))

"As you're wasting away, like a silver screen cliche. 'Cause after all, we're actors on a stage.♥~"

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"Sucks. Sucks. Sucks. Sucks-ugh!" I muttered between shallow breaths.

Contrary to popular belief, Maito Gai was not joking. Not in the slightest.

I was trying my best to keep a steady, fast pace.

But needless to say I was at the very back of the pack.

And to make matters worse, I was about to toss my cookies.

My aching feet slowed to a temporary stop as I slapped a hand to my face.

Beef Ramen tasted delicious going down, but at this moment, I discovered just how nasty it tasted coming up.

"Himawari-san. . .!"

The hesitant exclamation of my name caused me to whip my head around in search of the culprit.

My eyes finally landed upon a dark green blur that appeared to be rapidly approaching.

I parted my lips, prepared to respond, but failed.

As I projectile vomited into the grass, staining it with my upchucked insides, I was not at all in the mood to have pleasant conversation with Rock Lee.

"H-Himawari-san? Are you alright? Shall I get Gai-sensei. . .?" Lee inquired as if I was actually capable of replying right now.

"G-Get lost, C-Caterpillar. . ." Puke. "-Brows."

I expected him to frown at the insult.

However, I was definitely not prepared for him to take cautious steps towards me and grasp my ebony black locks within his hands.

"It would be most unyouthful to do that, Himawari-san." Lee replied before I could hurl another insult his way.

Instead, I just hurled in general.

And I wouldn't doubt it if some youthful chunks landed on his ugly little shoes. ;)