"Kashi!"
The smaller girl's ears perked up as the familiar voice reached her, causing her to twist around. "N-Naruto."
"There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere!" he ran up, bending over and placing his hands on his legs as he tried to catch his breath.
"You have?" she asked quietly, her tail swishing behind her. "Why?"
"I wanted to make sure you were okay!" Naruto said, looking up at her. "And, well, I thought we could be friends."
"Friends?" Ayakashi repeated the word softly, looking down. "Are you so sure about that? Being friends with a… a freak like me?"
"You're nothing of the sort!" Naruto exclaimed, a look of surprise crossing his face. Ayakashi looked down, sadness settling into her eyes. "You seem like an amazing person, Kashi!"
"I do?" she asked quietly, lifting her eyes to look at him. "You… You think I am?"
"I know you are! You shouldn't hide who you really are from others just because of what you look like!" he grinned, holding his hand out. "Now come on! The graduation exam is tomorrow so we should practice together!"
Ayakashi laughed softly, taking his hand and letting him pull her up. "Okay!"
"Let's head to the grounds!" Naruto exclaimed, pulling her along. Her tail streamed out behind her as she fought to keep up with the boy. He laughed as they ran through the village, heading towards the training grounds.
"Alright!" Naruto said as they stepped through the fence. "Let's get down to business!"
Ayakashi nodded, grinning as Naruto ran towards the center. He stopped, turning around.
"What did you want to practice first, Naruto?" Ayakashi stepped forward, tilting her head as she did.
Naruto stayed quiet, thinking. "Well, I'm not so good at the clone jutsu, so maybe that? It's been on the exam for the past three years and I've failed it every time!"
"That sounds great, Naruto." Ayakashi smiled. "Let me see what you can do."
Naruto nodded, holding his hands up as he started the hand-signs for the jutsu. Blue chakra surrounded him as he did. "Clone Jutsu!"
Poof.
Ayakashi stifled a laugh as she stared at the lump next to his feet. He groaned, his face flushing in embarrassment.
"I can see why you failed." she said quietly, grinning. "It seems you don't quite grasp the subject."
Naruto frowned as the lump disappeared. "Why don't you show me how to do it?"
"Alright. Watch." Ayakashi made the hand-signs, a serious look on her face. "Clone Jutsu!"
Poof.
Three perfect clones stood next to Ayakashi, staring at Naruto. They disappeared as soon as they came, as she wanted to keep her chakra usage low.
"How did you do that?" Naruto stared, mouth open, at his friend. "You made it look so easy!"
"It's simple once you understand it. It's learning it that takes time." Ayakashi said, sitting down to watch Naruto. "This is how you do it..."
Ayakashi explained it to Naruto, nodding for him to try again. They practiced all day until the sun started to disappear below the horizon.
Ayakashi stood up, looking at Naruto who was trying to catch his breath. "I think that's enough training for the day."
"What? No! I can still go!" Naruto protested, going to make the hand-signs again. Ayakashi placed her hand over his, shaking her head.
"You're exhausted, it's late. Let's go back." she said, pulling him along. "I need to talk to the Hokage about finding a place to stay."
"You don't have a home?" Naruto asked quietly.
She shook her head. "I just got here today."
"Well, why don't you come stay with me! It is late, so the Old Man is probably asleep already!" Naruto grinned as he fell into step with her.
"Are you sure about that?" Ayakashi looked over at him, raising her eyebrows.
"I'm totally sure!" he grinned, tightening his hold on her hand. "Let's go! Before it gets too dark!"
"O-Oh, alright!" Ayakashi fought to keep up with the boy.
"We need to get a good nights rest if we're going to pass the exam tomorrow!" Naruto smiled back at her as they entered the village just as they closed the gates for the night. "Come on! This way!"
Ayakashi laughed softly, her ears perked in interest as she followed the boy to his home. They arrived at a tall building that looked to be an apartment complex.
"This is where you stay?" Ayakashi asked quietly. Naruto nodded as he pulled out his key, unlocking the door and leading her inside.
"This is the place." Naruto grinned, shutting and locking the door behind them. He pulled her up the stairs, pushing open his bedroom door slowly. "Okay, you stay here and I'll go get ready."
"N-Naruto."
He stopped in the doorway, turning to look at her. "Yes, Kashi?"
"I-I don't have any of my clothes. I left my bag at the Hokage's. I was supposed to pick it up after I got out of class." Ayakashi whispered, her tail swishing nervously.
"Oh. Well, tomorrow we will get them before class!" Naruto grinned, stepping over to where he kept his clothes. "In the meantime, you can wear this."
Ayakashi frowned, looking back at her tail then back at the shirt and pants he was holding. "I'll just take the shirt for now."
"Are you sure? Alright then. Here you go!" he smiled at her as he handed her the oversized shirt. "I'll be back!"
He left the room, leaving Ayakashi to herself. She glanced around the small bedroom, glancing at the bed before sighing and pulling off her outfit. She slipped the shirt over her head, her tail hanging low to keep the fabric down. She stared out the window, frowning slightly. A lone girl in an unfamiliar place that already hates her.
"Kashi! I'm back!" Naruto stepped around the corner, eyes landing on his friend. She turned back around, her forest green eye twinkling as the moonlight bounced off of it. He stopped, staring as she stepped backwards, lowering her head.
"Let's go to bed, Naruto." she said quietly, laying her clothes out on the floor to use as a cushion. Naruto watched her quietly before frowning.
"What are you doing?"
Ayakashi froze, glancing up at him, her tail flicking lightly. "Laying my bed out, what else?"
"Oh no. You're sleeping in the bed!" he folded his arms across his bare chest.
"But, Naruto."
"No buts!" he bent over, picking her clothes up and laying them on his windowsill. "I'm not going to let you do that. You're my guest. Plus, it's always cold on the floor."
Ayakashi's ears flattened against her head in frustration. "Alright."
He grinned, pulling back the covers and offering for her to go first. She sighed, shaking her head and crawling onto the bed, taking the spot closest to the window. He crawled in after her, his smile gone as he sat up next to her. She glanced at him, tilting her head slightly.
"Are you alright?"
Naruto's eyes darted to her as he quickly replaced the smile. "Yeah! I'm fine! Just thinking about the exam tomorrow."
"Don't worry about it, Naruto." Ayakashi said softly, placing her hand on his. "You'll do fine. I can feel it."
He laughed, laying back and throwing his arms out to either side. "Yeah, I guess you're right!"
Ayakashi chuckled quietly, clutching the sheets in her hands. Naruto looked over at her, smiling gently as he reached up and pulled her down against him. She made a noise of surprise as she looked up at him, her head resting on his chest. He continued to smile at her, his eyes twinkling with happiness.
"N-Naruto."
"It gets cold in here. You look so frail, I just want to make sure you're warm." he said, giving her a small squeeze as he pulled the blankets over them. He leaned his head back, resting it against the pillow as he stared at the ceiling, his smile never disappearing. Ayakashi looked at him a few moments longer, smiling as well before relaxing against his side, closing her eyes as she let the weariness she felt wash over her, sending her into slumber.