Chapter 17, Special Meeting

The next day Mirai kept close watch when team 2 was helping out at the orphanage. She noticed something she now wondered how she ever missed. Hikaru was looked upon as a hero and a senpai by the younger orphans while most seemed to back up a little when they heard the name Sarutobi.

'If those clankids have started bullying orphans as well, I swear to god!' she thought as she finished the chores annoyed. The day of missions went well and soon team 2 ended up at her house.

Mirai was kind of nervous. She had never introduced her friends to her mother before and could only hope she would like them.

In the end, there was absolutely no reason for worry. The night went perfectly. Sai and Kurenai seemed to know each other fairly well from before. The boys on the other hand were a handful but the mother seemed to take it all well and laughed throughout the dinner.

As the rest of the team was going to leave Mirai followed them out. "I didn't know your mother was so much fun! Wish you inherited her sense of humour!" Hikaru nudged Mirai gently in the side and she slapped the back of his head in return "Don't compare me to my mother!"

Mirai did smile at him though as they went out through the door. Team 2 waved goodbye to each other and suddenly it was just the daughter and mother left.

Kurenai walked up to Mirai who was sighing of relief by the door "It seems like you got yourself a good team! Nice and fun boys, might even grow up to be good looking if you're really lucky" She winked at her daughter.

"Mo-m! Don't talk about Hikaru like that!" Mirai didn't realise what she just said and was confused when her mother started laughing and going away. "I didn't mention a name now did I?"

Mirai stood still as her mother went into her bedroom. Slowly she realised what she let slip out and stomped her foot on the floor "Damn it!". She felt the blood rush to her cheeks as she thought about it.

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And so the days went by. The team kept doing missions. Now Sai had set up two special training days of the week where they didn't have any missions to do. They also kept seeing each other during their free time. Team 2 and team 1 regularly took getaways together.

Every now and then they got a C-rank mission and most went by without any trouble. Soon weeks had gone by. Weeks turned into months. Now they were here. Half a year ago they were made into genin, 982 D-rank missions and 54 C-rank missions later, Sai was called to the Hokage's office.

Sai had a feeling what this could be about when he looked around at the others in the waiting room. They were the other leaders of Genin teams. He was certain this was going to be about the chuunin exams.

"Just let them in!" Sai turned his head towards the door as he heard Kakashi's voice and soon Shikamaru opened the door to let them all in.

Sai greeted Shikamaru, he had had many talks with him regarding what to do about Mirai lately, so get got fairly close. But when he got up to the desk, his focus was all on his own old team leader. "Kakashi-sama, might this be about the upcoming exam?"

The Hokage simply nodded "You've all been called here today to decide whether you think I should send your team to Sunagakure to take the upcoming Chuunin exam or not. This is an important decision as you all know. Don't send a team that's not ready!" Kakashi looked at them all with a grave expression.

Most of them had already expected this and had prepared their answers. A few said no and was shown out of the door by Shikamaru but most of them remained. "Okay. I see that all of the new genin will compete. Are you three certain?"

Sai simply nodded, Rock Lee gave a massive thumbs up and yelled "Of course Hokage-sama!" and Hyuuga Ko smirked at Kakashi until he saw Rock Lee's reaction. At which point he focused his glare at him, looked at him with annoyance and clicked with his tongue.

"Excellent! Now as you might know, we have a couple of new villages from the west who will join this year's exams. I am not sure how friendly and civilized they are as only Suna have been in contact with them. This is why I ask you all to keep steady watch over your team during the time they will have to spend in Sunagakure."

Some of the team leaders gulped when they heard people from the west will be competing as well. Kakashi saw this and made sure to confirm once more but no one left. "Great! Now it's up to your genin as well. Give them these papers individually."

Shikamaru started handing out a contract which made sure they were in on this out of free will and that Konoha took no blame if they were hurt during the exam. "and if the team is to compete, all members will have to sign it. Have them signed on my desk before tomorrow at 5pm or your team will not come to Suna."

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They hadn't had any missions today as all leaders had been called in for some kind of meeting. Using this opportunity, team 2 and team 1 went to the spa together. They could use some relaxing baths and some chakra treatment.

Hikaru personally felt fine. Ever since he had gotten his chakra to stop leaking out of his body as much, his body would heal a lot quicker. It was still very relaxing to go to the spa with some friends though.

The boys had some proper guy talk when they were taking separate baths from the girls. Nothing of real interest had come up, just some fun and embarrassing moments from their missions really.

Suddenly the personnel came to tell them their time was up and the boys got dressed quickly. As soon as they got out they were surprised to see Sai-sensei and Rock Lee talking and, probably, waiting for them.

Hikaru waved "Hi Sai-sensei! The meeting already over?" This turned the two leaders' attention to the boys. "Yes, and we have something important to ask you but we'll wait until the girls come out as well"

As if on cue, the girls came out giggling. Well, mainly Mibuna giggling at Mirai. "Sai-sensei? Why are you here?"

Now Rock Lee took the stage. He coughed a couple of times to silence everyone "We were just at the hokage's office. He had called us all in to ask if we thought our teams were ready to partake in the upcoming chuunin exams."

The Genin were shocked. They had all forgot that it was coming up soon! "The two of us" He put his arm around Sai and pulled him in tightly "OF COURSE, said you were ready!" This brought a smile to almost all of their faces. Mibuna seemed uncertain.

This made Sai interfere "It's not completely up to us though." he brought out the papers "If you think you're personally ready, you should sign this piece of paper and give it to me or Rock Lee here before tomorrow at 4pm."

He handed out the papers to the two groups. "Remember that this is very dangerous and you will be living in a different village for a period of time so don't take it lightly. There's no shame in realising you're not ready. Next year the exam will be in Konoha so you can wait until then if you want."

All of team 2 and 1 looked down at their papers, thinking it through. Sai now put his arm around Rock Lee "I think it's time for us to leave so you can think on your own. You know where to find us if you have any questions."

The next instant both leaders were gone and silence was left behind.