AN: I just went ahead and wrote the next chapter. Shout out to all my invisible readers :D!

Chapter 2

Hazuki POV

Class is finally over after running ten minutes late. Some kids are rushing home as fast as they can before they get a scolding from their parents. My parents haven't set a curfew for me, as they trust me to get home safely.

I stretch my arms and observe my surroundings. Seems like everybody is goofing off before the exams. I roll my eyes and start towards my locker to get my bag.

My locker is near the end of the row, which I really like. It's less crowded and I don't have to socialize with others. Don't get me wrong. It's not like I don't have friends. I happen to find most people intellectually draining.

I gather my books and head off to the village's library to cram for tomorrow's exam. Everybody else would be training out in the fields, but I learn better by reading the books. I browse the selection and come across a familiar face.

"Looks like someone is easygoing today," I tease.

Shikamaru regards me with that bored look of his. "I should have known you would be here. You don't waste any time."

"Shouldn't you be studying?" I question.

Shikamaru sighs. "You sound like my mom."

"Chouji says that to me all the time."

"You do nag him a lot."

"That's only because I care."

Shikamaru lazily chuckles and glances at the clock on the wall. "Speaking of nagging, I have to get home before my mom has a panic attack."

"See you tomorrow," I say pleasantly as he leaves.

I leave the library and start to head home. I look up at the Hokage monument and see that Iruka-sensei is forcing Naruto to clean it off.

I remember when Iruka asked me to tutor Naruto. It was then that I discovered that he was a hopeless case and told Iruka to never ask me to tutor him again. His pranks are annoying and take precious time out of class and his outbursts are loud and an obvious cry for attention.

I arrive home. Mom greets me cheerfully. "How was your day, sweetie?

"A waste of time. Iruka-sensei spent most of the day chasing after Naruto and we didn't get to do the review he had planned for us. I might need to pull an all-nighter," I sigh and sit down at the kitchen table.

"Don't let Naruto interfere with your studies, Hazuki. He's probably going to fail anyways. He completely vandalized the Hokage monument. I've never seen anything so disrespectful."

"I agree. Iruka-sensei is making him clean it up. Hopefully that will teach him some discipline."

Mom places a dish of sashimi in front of me. "You know what they say, fish is brain food."

"Thanks, mom," I smile and eat it, enjoying every bite.

The next day is the graduation exam. Everyone is nervously waiting in the classroom as, one-by-one, they go in to take their exam. We're being assessed on the clone jutsu, which is no problem seeing as genjutsu is my specialty.

Chouji is hyperventilating next to me. "What if I fail? My parents freak out. I wish I had a bag of beef jerky right now."

I wrinkle my nose in disgust. Chouji seriously has some gross eating habits. "I'll make a deal. After the exam, I'll treat you to some barbeque. All you can eat." I promise.

Chouji looks at me with worship in his eyes. "You'd really do that? Even though the way I eat bothers you?"

"You're my best friend, Chouji. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the ones you care about."

Chouji crushes me in a bear hug and says "thank you" at least fifty times. Before I pass out from lack of oxygen, his name is called.

"Good luck," I gasp as he leaves the room.

The air outside is fresh and the breeze feels good. I see my parents and run up to them to tell them the good news.

"I passed! I placed fourth overall!" I exclaim as I hug my parents.

"We're so proud of you. We knew you would do well," my dad pats my head and smiles warmly.

"We're going out to eat later. You can bring a friend if you want," Mom offers.

"Ok. Just let me go tell Chouji the plans," I say.

Something catches my eye and I look over at the tree with the swing. Naruto is sitting on the swing with the most pitiable look on his face. I heard he had failed.

'Is it because of me?' I wonder. Suddenly, I lose my appetite.

AN: Aaaaah! Sorry that was so short . The next one will be longer. Spring break is coming up for our heroines and after that, it's time to begin! Isn't it? Okay, I'll stop now. Reviews make me happy!