Hotaru looked at Shin when he said that she, Rin, and Sakumo had been hand-picked by the client. "That's true. I remember him mentioning that. I'm sure he has his reasons for sending each of us. I just find it odd that he didn't add one to round out the team." she shrugged. "Oh well." and left it at that. He seemed a bit surprised when she patted him on the back and spoke to him, but he thanked her and smiled, so she returned the smile with a bright one of her own. "What are friends for?" she replied, although she supposed that they weren't technically friends yet, since they'd  only just  met, but she hoped that they would be.<br/><br/>When they arrived at the gate, she informed the squad leader that they were there and then looked at Ayame when she approached her, thanking her for walking with Shin. "Hmm? Oh, there's no need to thank me. It was my pleasure, really." she smiled, waving off the thanks. She looked to Rin, who still hadn't moved from his place against the tree, then to the squad leader, who told them to move out. "Right." she replied before looking to Shin, who had looked her way and smiled when he spoke. "Seems like it." she replied, smiling in return as she headed out along with him.<br/><br/>Rin watched the others quietly, watching their interactions but never interacting himself. He didn't even speak so much as a word even when the squad leader said it was time to move out. He simply moved from the tree and followed after him. The two ANBU members were scouting ahead and everyone else was following after the leader. He kept pace with the leader, keeping enough distance between them so that they wouldn't run into each other. He glanced back to see Shin lagging behind a bit and Hotaru sticking with him, probably not wanting him to feel left out or alone., He supposed she'd found a new friend. She was good at that. Making even those who normally would feel like outsiders feel like they were a part of a team, a family. She'd done it with himself and Hikari when they'd been a squad, and she continued to do it even now.<br/><br/>He wondered how this was going to work, since Ayame apparently had a problem with Aiji, who seemed to not even remember who she was, and Sakumo seemed to be pushing his buttons already, too. He might not go out of his way to make friends with anyone, but he didn't go out of his way to make enemies or push other people's buttons, either. He generally tried to keep peace and get along with everyone, or at least not cause any unnecessary conflicts. He would work with whatever team he was assigned and he would stand by them and protect them no matter what, even if he didn't particularly like them. That was just the kind of person he was. He wondered if the others would be able to put aside their feelings and work together. In theory, at the level they were, they should all be able to, but that it didn't always work that way, and even if they put their differences aside while on the battlefield or while actively focusing on the mission objective, that didn't mean that they would do so on the off times. He hoped they could get along, one way or the other. He wasn't a fan of bickering, arguing, or other such conflicts, especially among teammates.<br/><br/>Hotaru stayed behind the others and kept pace with Shin, rather than going ahead with the others. She didn't want him to be left behind or to feel left out. Besides, if they did come into contact with any enemies later on, it was best if no one was left alone. For now, however, she simply decided that she'd stick with him just because. At least until or unless he got tired of her and asked her to leave. She didn't want to intrude or anything. She just didn't want him to be alone. Besides, other than Rin, she didn't really know anyone. Rin wasn't talkative, even to her, and she didn't think that this was the best time to attempt to get acquainted with the other two that were currently with them, and considering their exchange moments before, she wasn't itching to interact with them right now anyways. She was, admittedly, curious to get to know Genji, but even if she wanted to talk to him right now, he was rather busy at present. Besides, she was perfectly happy to hang out back here with Shin anyways. She thought that they would be good friends. If he wanted to be, of course.