I don't own anything, Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto
Chapter 1 - Riku's Test
The bright morning sun was breaking through the clouds and puddles were scattered along the path from yesterday's rain. Recently the leaves on the trees had begun to change. The weather was just beginning to get a little chilly but it wasn't bad enough to be too cold. There were still a few tourists but not as many as in the summer months.
This beautiful scenery was lost on Riku. He was late for school, and today was his last day. The Gunin exam was being held and he was not prepared. As fun as it was, he now regretted messing around so much in class.
His family, the Tabemono's, owned a hotel and restaurant. If he couldn't make it as a shinobi he would always have a job there. His older sister, Shu-Mea, and one of his older brothers, Len, were both shinobi but his other older brother, Shizou, and parents worked in the hotel. Their business was known as the best for one reason, their food. Everyone had a specialty and they all loved to cook. Six years ago his grandmother had also come to live with them after the loss of her husband, and she brought a lot of the table as well. Even the Akimichi family highly praised their food. There was no greater feeling then feeding people.
His parents had always been really supportive about him becoming a shinobi. His father had told him to try his best and leave everything else to fate.
Up until that point the path had been quiet, save the sounds of nature and the tapping of his shoes on the path. His concentration was broken by whispering. The words were hushed and too quiet to understand.
On the side of the path as two of the most stupid people in the village. Yuki, who was standing under a tree and looking up at Emiko, who was sitting in on a branch. They were weirdo's that didn't know how to talk to people. They were never seen apart. "Hey freaks." he half-heartedly greeted them, only to be ignored. He rolled his eyes and walked past them. He didn't have time to waste on losers that didn't even go the the academy.
Once they were behind him he actually heard part of something they said, "-don't have time to waste on this nobody." That pissed him off. They thought he was wasting their time. "You know what?!" he yelled as he twisted around, but they were gone...
How? They didn't have time to leave without being noticed, and they couldn't be as skilled as a jonin; they didn't even go to the academy. They were probably hiding behind the tree. God, they were stupid.
Riku hop that the seat next to Lydia was open. She was beautiful and nice and popular. If only he could make her see that he was there. Even if he couldn't sit next to her, it would be fine as long as he didn't have to sit next to that psycho, Tsubaki.
He understood that the guy lost his parents in the war six years ago. And OK, he had to care for his sister, but that didn't give him any right to be a jerk. He was always picking fights and glaring at everyone that looks at him wrong. Riku couldn't understand why all the girls like him. So maybe he was at the top of the class, so what?
By the time he walked into the classroom, it was nearly full. The seat next to Lydia was taken but so was the seat next to Tsubaki. He was just sitting down when Iruka-Sensei walked through the door with a clipboard. "Alright class," he addressed them, "today we will start with Kage no Bushin. Line up."
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The test was over and Riku had failed. While it didn't surprise him, the disappointment was crushing. He was an idiot to think he could wing it.
Some of his friends tried to give their encouragement as they walked past to celebrate with their families. He was the only one that didn't pass. Suddenly the road home seemed too short. He wasn't looking forward to telling his family about his most recent failure.
A heavy hand fell on his shoulder. He looked up to see the face of his older brother, Shizou, who was a cook for the hotel. "I failed." he admitted. He felt his face heat up at that. Shizou didn't say anything, just nodded as they started walking home. "How about some chicken noodle soup?" Shizuo asked. Riku smiled and nodded.
It was one of his favorite meals. Everyone is his family made some part of it. Shu-Mea made the best noodles of anyone he had every met. Unfortunately, she was currently on a mission.
When he walked in the front door, the smell of good food lifted his spirits. His younger sisters latched themselves on each of his legs. Siya and Yuzu, the twins, were only two years old. His home was a warm.
Maybe today wasn't so bad after all.