Chapter 1:
*Hotaru's POV*
"Hotaru….Hotaru, awaken…." my guardian, Masa, says through the darkness of sleep.
Along the his voice, a gentle hand softly moves my shoulder to wake up my body. My pale eyelids open to reveal my grayish blue eyes, but for me, the vision to very blurry. Only colors among the blurr.
"Morning, Father," I greeted, knowing it is him.
"Remember today starts the Genin Exams for you," he reminds me, as I place on my black squared glasses to improve my vision.
"Yes, Father."
He leaves my room so I can do my normal morning routine. Soon later, I am dressed in my normal ninja outfit. Black pants molds to the shape of my short legs while the long fishnet sleeved black shirt fits perfectly on my upper body. Lastly, I place on my black hoodie jacket that molds everything together.
I smooth out my ebony black to the middle of my pale neck hair. My same length bangs opens in the middle to place them behind my pierced ears. Some of the hair there moves back in front of them. My usual look.
Once satisfied, my bare feet head towards the dining room where Father is placing breakfast on the six person black table. I do my task of setting up the table with our beautiful black and jade tableware. Tea is made in the steamy teapot.
Smells of rice, miso soup, soybeans, grilled fish, and vegetables fill up the Ikimonogaku household. The usual breakfast for us here.
"Itadakimasu," Father and I said together with our hands together to begin the meal.
I pour some tea into his cup like normal before pouring some in my cup.
"How are you feeling since last night?" he asked with his glass covered black eyes looking serious before closing them to up take a sip of his tea.
"My skin feels better," I answered, knowing exactly what he meant. "A little sore, but it should be fine within a couple of days." I then sigh sadly, "I just hope the episodes won't effect my ninja career."
"Hey now," he says softly, moving my head up gently by my chin. "The episodes only comes once in a while so they won't effect too much on your career," he smiles. "You are a strong, intelligent young lady who has big dreams that is perfect for your life. Just because you have a serious condition doesn't mean you're not capable of being a ninja. I love you as my daughter even though aren't related by family blood."
I smiled at him. "I love you too Father."
He smiles more and giving me a kiss on the cheek which I return on his cheek.
After breakfast, Father and I did the dishes and put them away. Black ninja shoes are on my feet when I give Father hugs and kisses before heading out towards Ninja Academy.
"Remember do your best and learn from the results," his words embeds within my head.
On the way towards the Academy lies the Hyuga Household. The residence of my best friend and her family. I knock on the door and waited a few minutes. Someone answers and I look up to see her cousin, Neji.
"Morning Neji-senpai," I greeted with a smile. "Is Hinata ready?"
"Morning Hotaru," he greets me in his usual cold tone. "I'll get her."
"Thank you senpai."
"Hn," was his answer before leaving to go get his cousin.
Neji and I have an okay friendship due to me being best friends with Hinata. We walk about small normal things like how's our day going or how's training lately. On occasion, he will give me tips on my training when I am struggling on something.
Soon later, Hinata arrives ready for today.
"G-Good morning Hotaru," she greets smiling, stuttering a little.
"Ready to go?" I smiled.
"Yes I-I am," she smiles more.
We have been best friends ever since the first day of Ninja Academy. It started with her asking if she can sit next to me in the back row and one thing lead to another, we become best friends by lunchtime.
When we are almost to the Academy, something, more like someone, catches my eye. My crush ever since the first day of Academy. Shino Aburame. He's looking for insects as usual, possibly looking for beautiful insexts.
My feet steps in place as I watch him blushing. He's mysterious, intelligent, and treats little creatures equal to humans. It always make me think maybe….maybe….
"H-Hotaru?" Hinata snaps me out of my thoughts. "S-Sorry to in-interrupt with y-your thoughts with Sh-Shino, but we n-need to go to the Academy."
She's right. I can't spend my time by admiring Shino 24/7. Even when there's a possibility that he doesn't like me.
I walk towards Ninja Academy with my best friend. Without our knowledge, he turn to watch mostly me walk away.