The breeze blew warmly as I gazed in the distance. Children's laughter echoed through the area. I sat further away on the stoned bench watching in internal sadness. Children seemed excited, parents are proud. Ninja Academy was in full swing and all I could do was look on helplessly and dream the impossible dream of my own life.

My name is Reiki. I'm 5 years old, living in the far west side of Konohagakure, Hidden Leaf village in the Land of Fire. I am not your average child and I am shunned among the villagers. I am quiet and reserved and barely cause trouble but I have an internal deep secret that if it got out I could be endangered.

I longed to be a part of a world with everyone else, being acknowledged and welcomed, feeling loved.

"Aren't you out here alone?" A soft voice spoke beside me.

Being lost into my thoughts I never realized I was not longer alone. I turned and looked up and found myself face to face with a Jonin ninja. I knew instantly who he was. He was spoken of around the village and regarded highly of his abilities. I found myself face to face with Minato Namikaze. He was a simple man with soft features. He stood tall with yellow spiky hair that stood him out from the rest of the ninjas with ocean-blue eyes, and a welcoming smile.

"Looks like things are going well, don't you think? Over there celebrating for the new graduates; big party, no?" He spoke again. I nodded slowly and short. The pain in my chest for longing was digging deeper.

I stood hastily feeling the sudden need to disappear until I was stopped.

"Wait, where are you going? I apologize if I upset you. My name is Minato. You must be Reiki Ookami." Minato spoke.

I turned around in surprise. Surprised he knew my name. "How do you know who I am?"

Minato chuckled. "I've seen you around. It made me curious, my apology. So I followed you and found that you live on the west side of the village. I heard voices in whispers about you, but you never sense them or you ignore them. I apologize again for invading."

I looked to the ground, unable to speak. I knew I should be frightened, angry that I was being followed. I had heard the whispers. They were hard to ignore and I found myself in the middle of them sometimes. Their wondered questions and rude rumors made it difficult for me, but to my parents they ignored them. The only person that ever acknowledged them was the 3rd Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. He always made an attempt to visit once and while.

"You know, between me and the Hokage, I believe you would make an excellent student." Minato spoke with a smile.

At the mention of student I glanced up at him. I couldn't help the smile that slowly formed upon my face. He became the 4th person to say so, but upon realization despite them saying so it couldn't happen. The smile that quickly formed instantly vanished in the same moment. I glance back at the children in the yard. Once again the longing stabbed within me.

"Would you mind me speaking with your parents? It has been asked by the Hokage for me to take you on as a student and I would be delighted to. Granted you would like to be my student with the others. Of course you'll need to catch up but I think you will do wonderfully. So what do you say?" Minato asked.

Surprised by the offer I could only nod. I was afraid to gain hope in fear of it disappearing.

"Great. I will meet you tonight with the Hokage for dinner. Perhaps I could bring my girlfriend along, no?" Minato asked with a smile.

I nodded happily and ran into the direction of home. So many feeling ran through my body - hope, happiness, fear, despair, and longing.