Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything familiar.
Akane Yuhi walked the streets of Konohagakure, enjoying the breeze that was blowing through her black hair. It was early morning, and she was making her way to the Ninja Academy. Today was the day she was supposed to graduate, and she was terrified that she would not be able to perform the necessary jutsu under pressure.
Her older sister, Kurenai, had wished her good luck that morning before leaving to go meet with the Hokage. "I have faith in you, Akane." She had told her. Akane had hugged her sister tightly, enjoying the feeling of having someone rooting for her. Her class didn't start for about twenty more minutes, so when she got there, only one other student was present.
Sasuke Uchiha.
His eyes flickered up to her as she opened the door, and he nodded in her direction. "Good morning, Sasuke." Akane said, giving the young boy a smile. He grunted in response, but she paid no mind to it. She sat in the seat beside him, placing her hands on the desk.
"Are you nervous?" She asked him, rolling her eyes when he shook his head.
"Why should I be?" His voice was low, but she could still hear the arrogance.
"Oh, shut up. Not all of us are as cocky as you." She said, but he knew she was joking.
Sasuke and Akane had been friends since he was a child, and she was there with him through everything he had been through. While they kept their friendship to themselves, her sister was well aware of the bond between the two. None of the other Genin were aware of just how close the two were.
After Itachi had slaughtered the Uchiha clan, Akane refused to let him suffer alone. Considering her young age, she didn't quite grasp the concept of what the young boy was going through, but she persisted. She took him meals that her family would prepare. She would show up and ask if he wanted to play or train, which made him forget, just for a moment, that his life was in shambles. Akane was the glue that held Sasuke together in such a difficult time, and for that, he would forever be silently grateful.
"Are you nervous?" He asked her, and she shrugged.
"I don't even see myself as a ninja, you know that." She said, her voice quiet. "I want to be a medic, I'm only doing this for my sister. I don't want to disappoint her." Akane knew that family was a tough subject for Sasuke, but this is something they've discussed before. He knew of her dreams to be a medic-nin, but Kurenai had high hopes for her to be a successful kunoichi.
He didn't respond. The door to the classroom opened, and Akane jumped. She didn't realize that class was about to start. Normally she moved away from Sasuke before anyone else came in. It was just a necessary precaution to avoid awkward questions.
Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akamichi walked in together, not commenting on the Uchiha and Yuhi sitting together. She noticed Shikamaru raise an eyebrow, but he shook his head. The two went to their normal seats, and Akane smiled at her friend. "I'm going to move to my seat. Good luck today, Sasuke. Maybe afterwards we can go get lunch to celebrate." She moved to her normal seat, smiling at Shikamaru and Choji as she moved.
The only sound in the classroom was the crunching sound of Choji eating his chips, but Akane was beginning to let her nerves get to her. Even if she didn't want to be a kunoichi, graduating from the Ninja Academy would be an honor for her. The other students began pouring in to the classroom, and eventually the seats were full and Iruka-sensei was standing up front.
"We will now start the final exam. When your name is called, please proceed into the testing room. The final test will be on the clone jutsu." Akane smiled slightly to herself. This was one she could handle.
When her name was called, she entered the testing room. Iruka-sensei and Mizuki-sensei were sitting at a small table, rows of headbands sitting on it. "Good morning, Akane. Are you ready?" Iruka-sensei asked, and she nodded, her red eyes closing as she prepared herself. She made the hand signs quickly, "Transform!" She said, smiling as she looked at her three clones standing beside her.
"Good job." Mizuki-sensei said, smiling at the young girl. She was pretty, he noticed. Just like her sister. She would not only grow up to look just like her sister, but she would also be talented like her.
"Congratulations, Akane Yuhi. You have passed your examination. You are now a ninja." Iruka-sensei said, standing up and holding a headband out to her. She stepped forward and took it, bowing to her elders.
"Thank you, sirs. I will make you proud." She said, exiting the room. She was the last student to test, considering they called the names in alphabetical order. Akane was surprised to see Sasuke sitting at his desk, fingers laced as they supported the weight of his head. She held her headband up, grinning shyly at her friend. "So, I passed."
"I see that." He said. Sasuke wasn't the type to congratulate others, but Akane knew that her best friend was proud of her. "Can we go now?" He asked her, standing up. He had already tied his headband onto his forehead, making her grin. She nodded, before reaching up and tying her own headband onto her forehead.
"How do I look?" She asked, flashing Sasuke a peace sign and sticking her tongue out at him. He snorted quietly, and he gave her a small smirk.
"Like a ninja." The pair left together, walking past the crowd of students and parents that were gathered outside of the Academy. She knew that Kurenai was not part of that group. The Hokage had probably assigned her a mission this morning, but she knew that her sister would be home later that evening to celebrate.
Akane frowned as she saw Naruto Uzumaki sitting on the swing under a lone tree, the shadows casting a dark shade over him. He had his goggles pulled low over his eyes, and a knot twisted into her stomach. "He didn't pass." She sighed, making Sasuke look up. He didn't say anything as the two continued to walk on, but Akane couldn't help but feel bad for Naruto. Even though he was a goofball, he was a good person who had dreams to be a great ninja. Life wasn't fair sometimes.
"Did you want anything special for lunch? I know you don't really like sweets, so no dango. But we could get ramen. Kurenai will cook dinner tonight, and I already told her what she should make, so you're expected to come." She said casually, making him glare at her.
"Loosen up, Sasuke. It's a celebration dinner. She's going to make ongiri and tomatoes, just for you." She said, nudging him gently with her shoulder. He perked up slightly at that. She knew that was his favorite food and that he would give in once he knew what she was making.
"I'm only going for the food." He stated, his tone low. She chuckled.
"I know, buddy, I know. So, ramen then?" Sasuke sighed in agreement and the two went to Ichiruka's Ramen Stand, which she knew was Naruto's favorite. She ordered a miso ramen for herself and Sasuke did the same, and the two silently slurped their noodles together. Akane was used to silence between her and Sasuke, but it was never anything uncomfortable. There was no need for them to always have a conversation. Just being together was enough for them.
After they had finished and paid for their ramen, they decided to go home. "Come to my house around seven, okay? Dinner should be ready by then." Akane told her friend, who just nodded. He didn't say anything to her as he turned around and walked away. "Sasuke? Congratulations. I'm proud of you." The red-eyed girl called out, and he looked at her over his shoulder.
"You too." Was all he said before he stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked away. Akane rolled her eyes, making her way to own house.
What Akane wasn't aware of was the eyes of a fellow Genin following her as she walked past. Shikamaru Nara was at the barbeque stand with Choji, their usual place to hang out. The friendship between the Uchiha and Yuhi girl was confusing, because they were polar opposites. Shikamaru assumed that she hung out with him for his looks, because it wasn't his personality that most girls chase after. He watched as her red eyes twinkled as she smiled, and the sun beat down on her long black hair. Her outfit resembled her sister's, but relatively more modest, considering she was so much younger than her elder. He shook his head when he realized he had been staring at her retreating figure for far too long, and he turned his attention back to his plate in front of him.
"How troublesome." He sighed.
