Katamui

If life was easy, then it wouldn't be worth living. That was what Noriko's mother told her as a child, that life was there to challenge people and force them to grow. That was what got her through so many things, her mother's death, her father committing suicide, and her brother's treason and execution. All of it would make her into the person she needed to be, right? If not, what could be left for such a bitter person such as herself? Why other bitter people of course.

Sitting at the back of the room wasn't all that bad, I had concluded after nearly a month at my new self-appointed seat. If you stuck to the top right corner where there weren't any windows then you were pretty much left alone. Everyone tended to gravitate towards the left side, which was covered in windows. It did however, affect my participation grade, that didn't matter to me though, ninja shouldn't be graded on whether they decide to raise their hand.

I also loved being able to watch everyone, and inversely hated being stared at. I also made an effort to never talk to my classmates, which I guess can be considered both a good and bad thing. I've wanted to punch myself in the gut so many times, for not helping that Naruto kid, why people hate him I know not, but I'm not about to step in the middle of something like that. And though I've never made friends here I always considered Hinata a kindred soul and wished her the best, watching her silently long after Naruto was both entertaining and endearing.

Soon, however we would all part, scattering in the wind like flower petals with the possibility of never meeting again. That thought soothed me, at least until I reminded myself that I would be forced to interact with two teammates AND a sensei. If it was just a sensei it might be easier. Speaking of which, Iruka-sensei had stepped out a few minutes ago and had yet to return, I wondered what could possibly be keeping him other than…wait where was Naruto?

BAM!

The door flew open, leaving another dent in the wall as Iruka stormed in dragging Naruto behind him, I winced in sympathy but otherwise ignored the normal drama between the two. I was never particularly bothered by Naruto's pranks so I never really had a reason to complain.

"Time for a Henge jutsu test! Everyone line up! Transform perfectly into me!"

Sigh, Iruka-sensei has always had such a short fuse, especially when Naruto was concerned. I sighed as I stood and filed to the middle of the line amongst the more inconspicuous students. When it was my turn I transformed into him and went back to my seat, melting back into the scenery without giving him the chance to remember anything about my performance. Seeing that class fool turn into a naked woman infront of the teacher my eyes widened, impressed at how he had already come up with his own jutsu before even graduating. It was embarrassing but whatever works, well it certainly affected Iruka-sensei judging by the size of the blood puddle near his feet. Was that normal?

Next we were individually tested on our ability to create clones, I put a decent amount of effort into my performance. However my heart wasn't in it, my heart was never in much of anything since I had started living with my cousin Tetsuo. I was passed, took my headband and sat in the branches of the tree in the school courtyard. The chatter of students and parents assaulted my ears and brought tears to the rims of my eyes. I blinked them back and tilted my head up breathing in the buzz of the cicadas. I lost myself in the tranquility until I felt the movement of the swing below me. I glanced down and saw the disappointed face of my goofy orange-themed classmate before gracefully leaping to the ground next to him. He looked surprised before a dark look settled itself on his face.

"What are you here to make fun of me too?"

I blinked before shaking my head at him, blinking again I took my notebook and ripped off a small slip of paper. I stuffed the book back in the satchel I carried and pulled out a pencil, propping my leg up against the tree I set the scrap on my leg and scribbled my address on it before tossing it to him. He scrambled to catch it at stared at it in disbelief.

"I'm sure you'll figure something out, your smarter than they give you credit for at least."

I knew he would figure something out.

I trudged home to an empty house, Tetsuo was on a trip with his girlfriend, she couldn't stand me and was trying to convince him to kick me out as soon as I graduated. I knew she would succeed, he was weak minded like that.

I walked into the kitchen, determined to just make a simple meal before bed; and saw a note on the counter.

Good luck on your test cuz, I have full confidence that you'll pass

-Tetsuo

I shook my head before continuing on to fix myself dinner. Tomorrow was going to be interesting for sure.

Me: thoughts anyone? Should I continue or scrap, either way I'm continuing till chapter three