Time to Begin

From the back of the classroom, the young Uchiha could easily observe his peers. People watching had always been one of his favorite habits, not out of nosiness, but more out of a sense of curiosity...and, if he was honest, a desire to belong. Perhaps it was lame, but he'd come to the conclusion that the more he understood his classmates through observing them, the easier it would be for him to relate to them. Yoru felt that maybe if he could do that, his lineage wouldn't matter, and his classmates would come to enjoy his presence, rather than write him off. He couldn't stand the idea of being distrusted just because of his clan's past...one day, one day everyone would understand that he was nothing like his ancestors.

Yoru should've been enjoying this day. After all, he was officially a shinobi now, as the brand new Sunagakure headband on his forehead proved. The only reason he was even in this classroom was because the Academy instructors were announcing team assignments. He should've been thrilled, but even though he would never admit it, he was nervous, anxious. Working in a team was something he wasn't used to, and he was worried that he wouldn't fit in in a team dynamic. Besides, what if his new teammates couldn't stand him? Itami had told him not to overthink it too much, and to view it as an opportunity to prove himself. If he did that, his brother assured him, eventually everything would work out. Yoru was sure Itami was right, but even still, he couldn't shake his nerves. It didn't help that the numbers in the class were dwindling as the teams were announced. Twelve of them now. Can we just end this waiting game...?

No sooner had the thought formed than one of the instructors obliged him. "Team Thirteen will be made up of Takehiko, Odokemono Shirogane, and Yoru Uchiha. Please report to room 125," the man's stern voice rang out. Finally. Getting to his feet, he stretched for a moment, before exiting the auditorium-sized classroom and shuffling down the hall. A left, a right, another left. There it was. Yoru opened the door to the dark classroom, hitting the light switch as he did so, then he flopped into a seat in the front of the room. He was sure his new teammates wouldn't be far behind.