A Whole New World

"I have to make it in time, or else I'll miss orientation!" The sound of feet rushing through the bushes got louder. Branches snapped under each step. The building got clearer in the morning sun. "Almost there..." Doors swung open as a purple blur flew past the few Genin standing outside. It was almost 9 a.m. - time for the Jounin Exams.The last door at the end of the hallway was still open, but in a few seconds it would close. Fortunately, she slid her way into the class with 10 seconds to spare.

"Ah, there you are. I thought you weren't going to make it in time," said the sensei, with a pleased look on his face. "What kept you?"

"Sorry, Kakashi-sensei, I overslept. My apologies." Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail. There were a few blades of grass clinging to her dress, and her headband was still in her hand. She tied it around her head, brushed the grass and dirt off, and smiled.

"Very well then, find yourself a seat," Kakashi sighed. "this is the first time that you're late - and I'm usually the late one. This won't happen again, right?"

"Never again sensei; thank you." She found a seat in the front and sat down. The door closed, and she let out a sigh of relief. The Jounin exams were about to begin.

Suki Sato, age 17. Newly oriented Jounin in Konoha. Two hours after the exams, she headed for the ramen shop. "A nice hot bowl of ramen will be perfect!" She lifted the flap and went inside. Today was going to be a good day.

Hands in pockets, somber look on his face. The wind blew gently around him as he walked through the village. The familiar symbol on the back of his shirt stood out, as well as his pitch black hair. He rarely ever smiled, but he did wave to the villagers when greeted. He headed for the ramen shop to get some tea, as well as to get out of the house. He went inside but stopped short when he saw her. He had seen her somewhere before...

"Huh?" She turned around, sensing someone watching her; and she was right. "Hello! How are you?" Her smile seemed to bring light on his gloomy day, but he couldn't let it show that easily.

"Fine." He sat down a couple of seats away from her and got a cup of tea.

"You're Uchiha Sauke, right?"

He stopped. She knows my name? But then again, so does eveyone else. "Yeah, what of it?" He took a sip of the hot beverage.

"I figured. You were in the orientation earlier." She took up her chopsticks continued eating. "It was pretty easy, if you ask me. Anyone could have passed that exam."

Hmph. Know-it-all. "You seem to know alot about the exam. Repeating it?" Sasuke put the cup down and looked outside.

"Not really. This is my first exam. It just seemed easy." She looked at him. "What about you?"

"What do you care?" he said huffily.

"Just thought I'd ask," she said. She paid for the meal and got up. "I'll be seeing you around." With that, she left.

Without thinking, Sasuke got up and ran out of the store. "Oi! Wait a min..."

"Yeah?" She turned around with a puzzled look on her face.

"I didn't get your name," he said before looking like a bigger fool.

"Oh, you can call me Suki." She smiled at him sweetly. "Suki Sato."

"Huh. Sato Suki?" He turned away, trying to compose himself. If he looked at that smile long enough, he would have lost it.

"Yep. Well, I'd better get going. Nice talking to you Sasuke!" Suki ran off in the opposite direction.

Why do I have the feeling I know her from somewhere? Sasuke walked back into the store to finish his tea. He couldn't shake it from his mind. He just had to know.