Ai/Itami POV
I refused to let go of Kakashi as I stared at the entrance of the Academy. He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair as he puts his book away.
"Itami-chan, you'll be fine." He reassured for the thousandth time. I swallowed, still gripping his hand tightly, knowing that once I let go, he'll leave me in a puff of smoke.
"K-Kakashi-san..." I gulped, trying to find the courage to tell him. "C-can you p-pick m-me up a-afterwards?" I asked, more innocently and pure than I wanted.
He stared at me in shock, slightly taken aback. I could practically hear his thoughts: Itami? Scared? Not possible! I've never seen her this way! Wait, is this even her?
"Yes, Kakashi-san, it's me." I deadpanned with a sweat drop, huffing slightly. "I just never really knew anyone other than you and Tenzo-san." I confessed, staring at the others through the window. "I don't really know what it's like to be around people." I muttered, but to my consent, Kakashi heard.
He smiled sadly under his mask, putting a hand on my head. "I'm sure you'll beat all of them, I mean, you are former ANBU Captain, The Angel's Flower in all the bingo books, and you beat all the Records at such a young age!" He reminded, making me feel more confident. "I hate to admit, but you even surpassed me years ago." With that, my eyes widened as I stared at him in awe.
I shook my head vigorously. "No, no, Kakashi-san! I could never beat you! You are too amazing!" I retorted, making him chuckle as he ruffled my hair, smiling a closed eye smile.
"It's the truth, Itami-chan. You are strong." He then opened his eye, giving me a look of pride. "I believe in you. Now, go kick some butt."
Determination filled me, not wanting to disappoint Kakashi. I nodded, letting go, and to my surprise, he waited until I disappeared into the Academy. He waved lazily, until I couldn't see him as I entered.
Taking a breath, I trotted over to my new classroom. As I was walking, a voice called me.
"Ah, Itami senpai!" I turned to see Iruka grinning at me. He approached and I smiled. "So you're my new student huh?" He questioned, looking slightly confused. "But aren't you already ANBU?"
I nodded, and began to explain. He seemed to understand my situation, but also had a hint of pity. I mean, who wouldn't? I had to kill people my whole life, no friends, except for Tenzo and Kakashi, never went to the ninja Academy, and certainly didn't have freedom. I even pitied myself at times.
After the explanation, he leaded me to the classroom. When he slid the door open, we were greeted by loud, unending chatter, squeals, laughter, and some crushed paper being thrown around.
Iruka walked to the front of the room, but they didn't even take notice. "Hey, settle down!" He yelled, but was ignored. He grew an anime vein and yelled louder, "BE QUIET!"
It was instantly quiet, chairs squeaking as some quickly sat back down. He cleared his throat and smiled at me with a sweat drop.
"Sorry about that." He apologized, and I only shook it off with a smile. He then diverted his attention to the class. "Okay, we have a new student!" He informed, the class staring at me. "Would you like to introduce yourself or should I?" He asked.
"It's fine, you've done enough, thank you." I said and he seemed happy to be praised by me.
I turned to the class, eyes emotionless as I refused to open up to them. "My name is Itami, pleased to meet you." I said, and immediately whispers and gossiping started to inverse.
"She better not go near my Sasuke-kun."
"She's pretty, but if she goes near my Sasuke-kun I'll make her ugly!"
"S-s-she s-seems l-like a n-nice p-person."
"Yeah, Akamaru! She'll be my girlfriend!"
"Hn."
"Hope she's not too troublesome. What a drag."
"She looks tasty."
"What kind of parent names their child Itami?"
I decided to stop listening, hearing that it's all about girls who are more caught up in love instead of actually being decent ninja.
After the short introduction, I picked the seat next to a shy girl, one I recognized as a Hyuuga. I smiled slightly at her and she blushed in embarrassment, smiling shyly. I turned away, not wanting to make her more uncomfortable than she already is.
Actually, Iruka seemed pretty nervous to be in my presence. He kept glancing at me to see if I was satisfactory, and some people who were very observant took notice of this. (Cough Uchiha, Shikamaru, Shino Cough)
After a long half hour, he called it was lunch. I was about to leave to a secluded area, or have lunch with either Kakashi or Tenzo, but a bunch of girls circled around me.
"Hm, she's not that pretty! Sasuke-kun wouldn't want her!"
"Blue hair? What a freak!"
"Yeah, and what is up with that flower?!"
"And look at her outfit! It isn't even pretty!"
I looked down at my outfit, consisting of: A white skirt with black lines going around, a dark navy, long sleeved shirt with a long sleeved mesh shirt under, a white handbag, and long black ninja shoes that reached just under the knees. It wasn't that bad, well, not to me and my two best friends.
I looked back up at them seeing how much make-up, hair products they have.
"And plus, a paper flower?! What a weirdo!"
They all burst into a fit of giggles, looking back at the Uchiha to see if he was impressed by how cool they thought they were, but he was actually scowling at them.
The same thought played in their head: He's not satisfied!
They turned back at me with glares, hands on their hips as some flipped their hair.
"And Sasuke-kun likes people who aren't a freak!"
"Yeah! He's not going to like you!"
My eyes were void of any emotion, not even a slight look of hurt. I stood up calmly and walked pass them, not even batting an eye.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?!"
"She's probably out to steal my Sasuke-kun!"
"What a slut!"
I didn't even bother turning around as I left the classroom. I walked out to have lunch and saw Kakashi and Tenzo waiting for me. I forced a smile, and I could see Kakashi glaring at nothing in particular.
Kakashi POV
I had to stop myself from actually doing something I would regret to those annoying fangirls that were insulting Itami-chan. I was relieved to see Itami leave without a look of hurt, happy that they haven't brought her spirit down.
I quickly appeared next to Tenzo outside where we decided to meet Itami-chan for lunch. We knew she would want to have us around, judging by how she was this morning.
Just then, Itami came out and smiled, but I could tell it was forced. So they really did hurt her! I glared at the thought.
"Hey, Kakashi-san, Tenzo-san." She greeted enthusiastically, waving at us.
"How was your day, Itami-chan?" Tenzo asked, smiling at her. Her smile didn't falter, instead brighten up more.
"It was wonderful, thank you." She said, smiling a closed eye smile. He nodded and gave her some lunch, which she gratefully took and began eating.
I whispered over to her, not even making eye contact. "Don't listen to those girls." I said and she nearly choked on her food. "They aren't real ninja, they just care about love and their looks." I kept going, hoping to encourage her. "If you wanted, you could have taken them out easily."
She smiled at me and poked my cheek, making me look questioningly at her. "I'm fine, Kakashi-san, I just wasn't expecting to make enemies so soon." She then sighed, placing down her chopsticks. "In fact, I didn't really expect for them to insult me without even knowing me." She muttered, but I heard. She then grinned at me, making me slightly taken aback. She had never grinned, it was always smiles or smirks, but never have I ever seen her grin. "I'm really happy though."
I couldn't help the small smile that was creeping onto my lips. "I'm glad you're happy. Now, eat." I ordered and she nodded, happily taking the chopsticks and continuing her lunch.
Maybe this was a good idea for her. I thought, staring at the sky with a real smile, a smile that actually meant something.
Tenzo kept on a conversation, but I was zoning out on it, my mind going back to her future. She'll be in a team, become a Genin again, and will make friends, enemies, rivals, and probably love. I inaudibly sighed, running a hand through my hair. I'm too overprotective when it comes to her. But smiled even more. Maybe I can protect her unlike how I couldn't protect Rin.
"And don't overdo it with the clone jutsu and transformation jutsu. You don't want to show off and go back to being Jonin and ANBU." Tenzo informed Itami, snapping me out of my thoughts in the process.
Itami smiled at Tenzo, until lunch was over and it was time for her to go back to class. We bid farewell and watched as she disappeared into the Academy. I was debating if I should just spy on her just in case or just wait for the day to be over. And of course, being the way overprotective person I am, decided to spy.