Chapter 2: Daiki and Shin
(1) When I refer to the black sandals, I'm talking about the shoes Sakura wears in Shippuden, but mine are black.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHH!" I sat up straight hyperventilating drenched in my sweat. My heart pounded against my ribcage rattling it with pain. I gulped up air trying to calm my heart rate. Closing my eyes, I took in deep breaths finally calming my tension.
My alarm had gone off ringing throughout the apartment exactly at 6:00 am. It was a panda bear standing up holding a piece of bamboo reading the time. My hand slammed down on the button on the top of its head shutting off the annoying alarm. From the corner of my eyes, I saw my delirious face covered in tears in the reflection of a standing mirror towards the side of my room. My sweaty hands rubbed the salty drops from my eyes, as I threw my body back into my bad looking straight up at the ceiling.
"Hey Moki..." I said. Moki was a good friend of mine that sacrificed his own life for mine. Even though it has been five years since his passing, I still think about him every day. Sometimes, I truly believe that he has been watching over me like a guardian angel.
"I had the nightmare again…" I said. This was something very common for me to do. Back then when Moki was still alive, I would go to him with every problem or concern I had. He always knew the right things to say when I was feeling down. Whatever the topic was, I always felt comfortable telling him how I felt. I know it's kind of pathetic for a twelve year old to talk to a "manifestation" of her imagination, but it was like my security blanket.
"I-I know…It's been the twelfth time this month," I continued on. "It's just final exam nerves! It's the last test before graduation, and it's only two days away!" I could recall his blue eyes gleaming telling me I had nothing to worry about.
"You're always encouraging me… I'll do my best!" I said giving him a thumbs up. I knew right now he was looking down at me giving me a thumbs up in return. Yawning and stretching, I got out of bed scratching my butt and headed straight for the bathroom.
Unlike the majority of girls my age, I really didn't care for looks as much. I didn't bother to buy all the latest fashions and beauty products. To me, it wasn't necessary. I actually couldn't make sense of why girls do it. We're only twelve year olds…isn't doing well in the academy mean more than what type of girls Shin likes? I guess being a tom-boy I never understood what it meant to be feminine.
My clothing style was practical and comfortable for the type of things we do. A plain, white t-shirt with some black shorts that had netting towards the thigh was my go-to style. I pulled over a lavender vest like jacket that had holes to put my arms through. Two pairs of bandage wrappings were wrapped around right underneath where my short sleeves stopped. I had constant muscle soreness around my arm area so it felt good with the wrappings around them. I also had wrapping around my right thigh where I strapped on my small weapons pouch which contains only shurikens and kunais. Lastly, I stuck on my back pouch behind me that I had refilled last night. It contained the same shurikens and kunais, but it also had food pills, plasma pills, exploding tags, and some wire. I used most of the tools in both pouches constantly having to refill them. The other students didn't have to refill as much as I did. I'm constantly practicing trying to get better and perfect my moves. I wasn't wasteful! I always reused most of my weapons and sharpen the blades when they get dull.
There was an empty feeling in my stomach with a grumbling sound twisting around. My hand clutched my stomach as I licked my lips for something to eat. I looked at my long, floor length mirror and cracked a smile as I put up my brown hair. My stomach rumbled again irritating me. "Ok! Let's get something to eat!" I yelled at it.
The apartment I was living in was a two room/ one bath apartment on the very top of the complex. I really liked it. It was nice and small with a beautiful view out on the wide balcony. I walked into the kitchen/ living room heading straight for food. I thought about making lunch, but decided not to. "I'll just buy some ramen from Ichiraku," I told myself pouring in some milk to my cereal. I lifted a spoon full of cereal and shoved it into my mouth hearing the loud crunch sound echo throughout the apartment. I reached over to a small plate filled with cut strawberries, a banana, and a small mango, and scooped up a cut strawberry before I stuffed another full spoon of cereal hearing a loud crouch again.
Being the only one living in this small apartment, it can get really lonely. At times, not even Moki can satisfy the loneliness it can get. Waking up and coming home to no one without seeing a face is saddening… Not being able to say, "Hey, Mom! Hey, Dad!" I sighed staring at the empty cereal bowl.
I pushed in my chair and put the bowl with the spoon and the small plate into the kitchen sink. I strode over to the counter closest to the door picking up my house key and wallet. Slipping my feet into my black sandals, I unlocked the door. The fresh breeze blew past me. It was cool and relaxing in the morning. I locked the door behind me and stuffed the key into my hip pouch then kneeled down and strapped my black sandals (1) that covered most of my calf firmly on. I did a few stretches before my descent down the stairs.
The village was alive getting ready for the day's work. There was something good coming out of the day seeing the sun so bright and warm with not a cloud in sight. I was on my way heading to the Ninja Academy where we learned, studied, and trained to become a ninja to protect our village and the Lord of the country. I resided in the Land of Fire in the Hidden Leaf Village. The village is made completely out of trees due a very special ninjutsu that only two ninja in the village were able to use. The Land of Fire is the largest and strongest out of the whole countries with the strongest military base: the Hidden Leaf Village. The leader of this magnificent village is the Hokage.
The Hokage foresees the whole village for the righter good and is said to be the strongest out of the whole village. Through the history of the village, we've had seven Hokages. Each of their faces was carved into the side of the mountain in the order they were appointed as Hokage known as the Hokage Memorial that can be seen once through the gates of the village. Right in front of the monument is the Hokage building where the Hokage works and deals with very important issues. Since the Academy is right near it, sometime the Hokage would comes in and talks to us like a lecture. You would expect it to be boring, but he's really funny. It's even funnier when the Hokage says something wrong or stupid and Iruka-sensei goes off on him. Iruka-sensei told us he used to be his teacher back when the Hokage was still a student. That gave a lot of us the idea we could become Hokage one day. Especially this one kid I know.
Each person who was carved in the mountain did some incredible feat. They were all heroes and role models that everyone can look up to. I haven't lived in the village long enough to know what most of them had done, but I did hear a lot of stories about the seventhth Hokage. Out of all of them, he was the one who did the most unbelievable feats by not only protecting the Hidden Leaf Village countless of times but other countries as well. He even helped the Shinobi win the Fourth Great Ninja World War against the Akustki. He was already a hero in many other countries before achieving the role of Hokage. I was glad that every morning on my way to the Academy I could always see the Hokages' faces. Their watching eyes all ways made me work harder to becoming the best of my abilities.
"DAIKI!" Two ninjas raced down the streets blowing right passed me. I starred right after them when I heard laughter erupting near me. I looked to the left to see nothing but a large fence. As I came closer, the laughing grew louder.
"Daiki, what are you doing?" I asked the fence. The "fence" began to move following to the ground like cloth. Behind it was Daiki grinning brightly. This mischievous Academy student was Daiki Arashi, better known as mischievous demon that played pranks on everyone and got in trouble all the time. You can always see him running around causing trouble with Iruka-sensei chastising him all the time about "having to get his act together." Daiki didn't do much better in his studies either. He was always last in class especially in intelligence and genjutsu. Anything that involved intellect, having patience, and being calm really didn't float his boat. It was always about taking risks and making everything big and loud like an explosion. That's how I would describe the way he looks like. Messy red hair, very tan skin from being in the sun all the time, overalls with patches and stains, and a scar on the left cheek with a band aid on the other. His eyes were wild and green that shined bright with his mischievous smile.
He smiled slyly narrowing his eyes. "Oh, nothing!" he said teasingly rubbing his hands together diabolically.
"No seriously. What are you doing?" I asked blankly.
"I'm going to graffiti all over the Hokage Memorial! You wanna help Nikki?" he asked edging me on with his elbow.
"Daiki, you shouldn't be doing this. Iruka-sensei is already mad at you for changing the sign on the gate," I said.
"Like I care what he thinks!" Daiki growled. I sighed as he ran off dragging along paint containers with a paintbrush in his mouth. There wasn't much I could do. Once Daiki has a plan in his head, he is determined to complete it with style. This only leaves me the choice to keep walking to the Academy.
I thought running into Daiki and discovering his suicidal plan to graffiti the Hokage Memorial was bad as it is, but nothing can defeat the obnoxious cries of fan girls every morning. Walking through the doors of the classroom, there were students running around while writing inappropriate stuff on the board and walls, picking on the vulnerable ones, and a large group of fan girls about to rip each other's throats out of who would sit next to Shin. From the sight of the chaos, this was us on a good day. I actually saw a few of us reading and talking calmly like normal people. If you looked up the definition for the word crazy, it would be a picture of us. And were supposed to be the next generation of ninjas to protect the village… That didn't sit too well with my stomach.
The classroom was big with four rows of three tables to sit at. Each table was able to fit three people each giving a possibility of thirty-six students in each classroom. There were two sets of stairs that divided the tables from the left, middle, and right. At the bottom was the teacher's desk that sat in front of the board with the door to the left. That was pretty much it.
I walked over some kid who was sleeping near the foot of the stairs heading to my seat. There were the few occasional "Hi!" that I got as I headed to my seat in the middle. We didn't have any assigned seating unless you counted Daiki being in the very front right in the middle where Iruka-sensei would always have an eye on him. For everyone else, we got to sit wherever we're pleased in the terms of first come first serve. Most of us sat in the same spot every day, but from time to time we occasionally move just to be somewhere different. My seat has always been right in the middle on the second row. The only problem of the seating was the fan girls. Everyone knew Shin sat on the far right next to the window in the second row, so there was only one seat next to him. And every day they would complain who would sit next to him. It always ended with Iruka-sensei choosing a boy or that lucky girl to sit next to him. At one point, it got so annoying I was about to go off and ask Shin to sit in the middle of the table, but it his choice to choose where he sat.
Today, I felt like changing seats. So, I got up from my seat and snuck past the crazy fan girls sliding in right next to Shin. Shin looked up at me with his deep, midnight blue eyes making my hear skip beat. "Good morning, Nikki," he said with a relaxed smile.
"Morning Shin!" I chirped. The guy that all the fan girls had fallen head over heels in love with was Shin Nakamura. He was the cool boy that everyone is in love with or envied. Thankfully, he didn't let his popularity go to his head. He's actually very skilled in almost everything rivaling skills to that of a Chunin. He can think fast and was very adaptive to any situation you put him through. The only down side to him was that he was a lone wolf and doesn't do well with others. There aren't enough people who were at his skill level, so in team exercises, he doesn't know how to assimilate to people's different skill level. I kind of feel bad for him when he gets frustrated during those exercises. I always wanted to be on his team knowing I can hold my own, but Lady Luck was never on my side.
"HEY! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" A hand slammed down on top of my desk. A girl with long, strawberry-blond hair was breathing heavily with steam blowing through her nostrils like a bull.
"Oh, just sitting here," I simply replied. She growled clenching her fist to my face.
"THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE MY SEAT!" she whaled on with spit flying everywhere. This firecracker was Ayame Yamanaka from the Yamanaka Clan. She's very loud and very dramatic. Like most girls, she mainly thinks about how good she looks and what type of girl Shin likes. Her training is average, but she's able to use a fair amount of ninjutsu and weapon combos. She's also very well versed in using her clan's Mind Techniques. Since she wants to show off her moves in front of Shin, she works twice as hard and is very determined to win him over.
"Look," I began rising out of my seat, "my morning was already ruined for running into Daiki! And I'm about this close to kicking you're ass if you don't get out of my face! GOT IT!" I threatened her showing my fist. She was hesitant to react and fear had stricken her. She opened her mouth to say something but shut it quickly.
"F-f-fine!" she stuttered angrily stomped off away to a different seat.
"Why are you sitting here?" Shin asked crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes.
I got real small and putting my arms vertically against my chest shy about what I was going to tell him. "Actually, I-I've always really liked you Shin," I replied gently and innocently snuggling my chin into my hands. His face had tinted pink and his eyes were wild. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. "I'm just kidding!" I teasingly said laughing and sticking my tongue out.
Shin seemed a little irritated and tried to go back to his cool demeanor. "D-d-don't act out of person!" he blurted out crossing his arms. I was about to say something, but decided to laugh it off instead.
The daily lesson was long and boring with the extra training and studying for us. With only two days left until the final exam before graduation, the instructors have been working us hard for the past week and a half. I've never been so excited for break to come! I could finally relax right before Iruka-sensei came in for our next lesson. Iruka-sensei was the overall instructor who foresaw how well the students and instructors were doing. He was also our homeroom teacher and was responsible for teaching the last year students of the Academy. He was a very good teacher. Iruka-sensei was able to keep us under control and, he sometimes can be a lot of fun. I liked him because he was able to teach us life lessons he learned from over the years as a person and as a teacher.
Iruka-sensei's lesson was about to begin, but it wasn't what we expected. As we took our seats, Iruka-sensei was running late. Not the typical a minute or two late; it was a whole hour late! We began to talk amongst ourselves wondering what could have happened to him. Our sensei wasn't the type to be tardy for a lesson especially something as big as this. He usually told us beforehand if he was going to be late leaving us to have free time, or if Gai-sensei was in the building, then we would be run down to death with pep talks of "YOUTH!"
The doors slid open with Iruka-sense's yelling being heard from outside. He stomped in very angry with a tied up Daiki hoisted on his shoulder. Following them in was a tall figure dressed in long white. A wide hat sat on top of the person's head with two slits of red on both sides. In the middle of the hat was the red character of fire.
"That's the Seventh Hokage!" someone yelled at the back of the classroom. The waves of whisper started up as people pointed and went bug eyed being in the presence of the Great Seventh Hokage. Iruka-sensei ignored us and went straight to punishing Daiki who couldn't move since he was coiled in rope.
"First, you change the sign on the gate! Now you're defacing the great Hokages?!" Iruka-sensei yelled. "WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO STOP MESSING AROUND?!" Daiki huffed disregarding Iruka-sensei's plea. "Ok…seeing as you want to be tough, I'll play tough! Daiki just bought everyone a Transformation test! Line up!"
Everyone began to groan as they trudged down the stairs in a long line shoulder to shoulder. Iruka-sensei untied Daiki and sent him between Shin and another kid named Mei Nara who was fidgeting. He then reached for his clipboard on his desk to begin the test. All you had to do was transform into anything you want,preferably a human, to show how good you were in using the ability. Depending how well you do, Iruka-sensei will say if you passed or failed.
"Remember, the Hokage is watching so I expect all of you to do your absolute best! First up! Nikki!" Iruka-sensei called out. I stepped up and he noted me to perform. I formed the hand seal and a poof of smoke burst revealing myself as Iruka-sensei. I canceled the jutsu and transformed back into myself. Iruka wrote in his clipboard saying, "Pass!" Shin went up and did the same as me transforming into Iruka-sense. He passed as well. Next was Daiki's turn.
Daiki walked up confidently straight in front of everybody. "Well, Daiki?" Iruka-sensei asked waiting for him to transform into something. Daiki smiled slyly as he placed his hands together forming the hand seal.
"Sexy Jutsu!" There was a burst of smoke released from Daiki's jutsu. As it cleared up there stood a thin woman in the nude covered by strips of white clouds. Daiki giggled blowing a kiss to Iruka-sensei. Iruka-sensei stared stunned with his nose starting to bleed. Daiki switched back laughing hysterically at the dumbfounded Iruka-sensei.
"DAIKI, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Iruka-sensei yelled at the top of his lungs. He looked very angry and very irritated by Daiki's foolishness. He stomped towards Daiki with steam blowing out of his nose and his face was a heated red. He was about to grab Daiki when the Seventh Hokage stopped him. We all gasped watching the Seventh walk up to Daiki. Daiki stared frozen by fear wondering what he was going to do. For the first time, Daiki was silent and sweat rolled down his face.
"When are you going to stop being a fool?" the Hokage asked. Daiki only stuttered unable to give a clear reply. The Hokage looked down at him thumping him on his forehead. Daiki cringed in pain rubbing his now bruised forehead. I could feel my heart in my throat about to jump from all this tension. "She needs to be curvier! Emphasize on the butt and chest!" the Hokage advised him on his jutsu.
"WHAT?!" Everyone cracked bewildered at what the Hokage was saying.
"Sexy Jutsu!" The Seventh Hokage transformed into a blond woman in the nude with an over exaggerated chest and butt. We all went wild screaming our heads off of the Hokage's immature behavior.
Iruka-sensei swung down onto the Hokage's head with his vanes popping from his forehead and neck yelling, "NARUTO!" The Hokage transformed back into his original form with a large knot on top of his head. "YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE HOKAGE! ACT LIKE IT!"
"Iruka-sensei! You didn't have to hit me so hard!" the Hokage cried rubbing his giant bump on his head. Everyone busted out laughing watching Iruka-sensei belittling the Seventh Hokage. Iruka-sensei sighed turning his attention back to Daiki.
"Daiki! After school I want you to clean up the mess you caused on the Hokage Memorial!" Iruka-sensei yelled. Daiki groaned kicking the wooden floor.
"Don't worry! I'll help you!" the Hokage announced walking up to Daiki. We all gasped amazed that the Hokage is willing to help Daiki clean up his mess. "I guess it's my punishment for pulling off a prank like that!"
"What am I going to do with you two?" Iruka-sensei grumbled squeezing his forehead.
Even though an hour on class was lost, Iruka-sensei still found some way to make it all up and more so at the end of his lesson. My brain was throbbing trying to process all the information that had been thrown at us. I was so glad we had taijutsu and conditioning training with Gai-sensei next to blow off some steam.
"Now, regarding your final exam in two days," Iruka-sensei said as he was putting papers together from a quiz we just took, "there is going to be a change in the exam from previous years." We all stopped and stared hearing the phrase "change in the exam." "Before, the instructors and I chose a basic skill that all students needed to perform before graduating. However, seeing how this class is doing so well compared to previous yers, I've decided to examine you based on your weakest point. Meaning whatever your lowest score is between ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu is what you'll be tested on." I thought most of us had died seeing how defeated most of the class was hearing about the sudden change. "I expect all of you to do your best!"
Not even Gai-sensei's harsh training could calm down my nerves. I knew I had high scores in all three categories of jutsu, but I still couldn't help to feel nervous. My mind buzzed around wondering which test I'll get. Will it be ninjutsu, genjutsu, or taijutsu? As I walked to Ichiraku Ramen for lunch, I noticed Daiki leaning up against a tree looking beat. He sighed staring down at the ground.
"Daiki, you okay?" I asked coming up behind him. He looked up and went back to sulking shaking his head. "Are you upset from Iruka-sensei's punishment?"
"No, I'm used to it," he spoke up. "It's the final exam."
"There's nothing to be afraid of!" I lied trying to cheer up.
"Easy for you to say!" he snapped. "You're perfect in everything!"
I shook my head denying the fact I was "perfect." "Daiki, you're practically the master of taijutsu, and your ninjutsu has improved drastically from when your first year in the Academy.!"
"That's the point! I know Iruka-sensei is going to make me do the Release Technique in genjutsu! It's my weakest point! I'll never graduate…" He squatted down clutching his head tightly. He shook furiously and sweat ran down his face. He was a nervous wreck!
I walked over to pat him on the back. "It'll be alright!" I said encouraging him. "Just don't give up! Okay?"
Through the rest of the day, Daiki was silent as a mouse. He didn't move. He didn't fidget. He didn't even talk. He just sat there in his sit wallowing in despair. It actually became a distraction watching him do absolutely nothing that when he was loud disrupting the class. And as lessons ended, he didn't bother making an attempt to run away from Iruka-sensei's punishment. He went straight to the instructors' office and waited for him to arrive. Even Iruka-sensei was surprised to see him waiting for him. Daiki grabbed rags, sponges, pales, and soap from the sanitation closet. He along with Iruka-sensei following him, walked to the Hokage Memorial to clean the graffiti he had done earlier today. I was about to head for one of the training areas to practice for my exam, but Daiki not being himself made me worried for him. Instead, I walked the other way heading for the Hokage Memorial as well.
Iruka-sensei was leaning on a tree near the Hokage Building watching Daiki and the Seventh Hokage cleaning the carved faces. There were swirls, weird shapes, and a change in facial expressions with added facial hair painted on the carved faces of the Hokages. Daiki really had gone too far with this prank doing something as bad as this. At first watching him, I was glad he was upset! I wanted to punch him in the face for doing something ad disrespectful as this. Someone like him doesn't deserve to become a ninja. But in my heart, I kind of wanted him to succeed. I was secretly jealous of Daiki's ability to never give up. He was so determined to show everyone how strong he was; he has made a lot of progress from what he used to be.
I walked up looking at the mountain. Daiki really went all out as usual. Judging by their speed, it was going to take them all night to finish cleaning! And Iruka-sensei wasn't the one to let anyone get off so easily in punishment. I knew I was going to lose an evening of training, but this was more important. I retied my hair back and took off my sweater-vest tossing it right next to Iruka-sensei.
"Nikki, what are you doing here?" he asked surprised to see me there.
"I'm going to help Daiki and the Hokage clean!" I replied as I stretched my arms,
"Y-y-you don't have to! It's Daiki's, and apparently the Hokage's, punishment!" he said shaking his hand.
"It's my fault for letting Daiki do it. I should've stopped him this morning, but I didn't!" I said taking the blame. "Besides, didn't you say we should help one another?" Iruka-sensei tried to stop me, but I was already off lending a hand to Daiki and the Hokage. They were standing on a platform with railings that could go up and down by pulling on the ropes on the side. Daiki looked tired from scrubbing for so long.
"Need a hand?" I asked holding up a rag sitting on the Seventh Homage's head on the mountain.
"Nikki, why are you here?" Daiki asked wiping sweat from his brow.
"I figured you and Lord Hokage could use some help!" I exclaimed sliding onto the platform. The two looked at one another than to me as I began to wipe off part of the red clown hair of the Sixth Hokage's carved face. We scrubbed for hours only to have three and half of the monument cleaned. I started to get anxious wondering if it was a good idea to ditch practice and go clean Daiki's prank. The sun began to go down and the sky was a blend of a bright orange and a deep purple. I groaned from the pain in my arms with all the hard scrubbing. At least I was building arm strength…
My only thought was training for the exam. I had to do well! I would be devastated if I failed! Training… "Hey, Lord Seventh Hokage!" I called out. He looked up still scrubbing the Third Hokage's face. "Can't you use the Multi Shadow Clone Technique to speed up the cleaning?" Daiki perked up urging him to say yes.
"I could…" the Hokage began, "but that would be defeating the purpose." Daiki and I looked at him not understanding what he meant. He took off his Hokage hat revealing his short blond hair and bright, blue eyes. "There are two lessons that derived from this punishment. One: don't do stupid things. And two: don't use ninjutsu to solve all your petty problems. You should be lucky and grateful being able to use powerful techniques as ninja. And those techniques are only used for your ninja purposes. Besides, if Iruka-sensei caught us we'll be in deeper water than we already are!" It was truly amazing being in the presence of the Hokage. He brought wisdom that he has encountered through his life, and he made me think how much I've complained about training from time to time. We're just lucky to even be able to walk…
With the Hokage's advice, we took the long more appreciative route to cleaning the Hokage Memorial. True, it took some time, but we did it with our own ability. That made me very satisfied, and I was actually glad for choosing to clean up instead of training. I learned something very important from the Hokage. And through all of this, we were able to make up time and clean the whole monument before 10:00pm. The Hokage even was nice enough to return the items Daiki brought to clean back to the Academy tomorrow morning.
"You guys did well!" Iruka-sensei smiled throwing a thumbs up. "How about I treat you all to ramen?" Both Daiki's and the Hokage's eyes lit up as they began to dance around and jumping into the air with a celebration cry. I laugh watching them jump up and down. They both seemed like goofballs.
"Naruto!" I watched Iruka-sensei walk over to him putting arm around him. "Good job!" I couldn't help but smile watching a strong bond between a teacher and his student.
It was unbelievable watching Daiki and the Hokage gulp down bowl after bowl of ramen. I just stared barely taking a bite out of my own. Iruka-sensei didn't mind and ate his bowl casually. "Aren't you going to eat, Miss?" I looked up at the ramen chef who was reaching very old age.
"I-I-I am!" I stuttered. "It's just…" I looked back watching Daiki and the Hokage eat like wild boars.
The man began to laugh looking at them devouring another bowl. "It's just like the Hokage to be eating like this… You know, he's been a regular here ever since I could remember. He came here a lot when he was still in the Academy. Iruka is always treating him to ramen after he finished his punishment. As time went by, I would see less and less of him. He was always away on missions and saving the world. He grew not only in age but as an amazing ninja as well. But, since becoming the Hokage, he comes here every day…" It seemed that every person the Hokage touched could never forget him.
"I haven't seen anyone with a large appetite for ramen other than the Hokage," he said noting Daiki. "It's kinda funny how Daiki and the Hokage are very similar. Iruka is always treating Daiki to ramen after punishment. I can't help but smile." The old man smiled and went on with his business. Daiki being similar to the Hokage? That sounded a little absurd. But, looking at them both, they really did seem like one another. It was actually funny watching them eat like maniacs.
"Hey, Nikki?" I looked up from my bowl to Daiki. "Do you know how to use the Release technique in genjutsu?"
"Well, the Releasing technique allows you to look past an illusion," I answered him.
"But, do you know how to do it? I don't get the concept of it!" Daiki exclaimed. I looked at him trying to explain it, but I wasn't really good at explaining complex concepts.
"The Release technique is easy!" the Seventh Hokage spoke up with a mouth full of noodles.
"Really?! Can you teach me?!" Daiki begged.
"Sure! But, why do you need to know it?" asked the Hokage.
"Iruka-sensei is being a jerk and changed the final exam!" Daiki stressed. "He's testing us on our weakest technique and mine is genjutsu…"
"Wow! That's way different from when I graduated!" the Hokage exclaimed. "Well, the way I learned the Releasing technique was disrupting my chakra flow."
"Disrupting your chakra flow?" Daiki looked confused.
"By channeling your chakra around your body then over using it to create an explosion will allow you to use the Release technique. It's sorta like pinching yourself to see if you're dreaming," the Hokage explained.
"Oh, I see…" Daiki fell silent.
"Don't worry. With hard determination and practice, you'll be able to do it! Believe it!" the Hokage threw a thumbs up to Daiki. "You do well too, Nikki!"
The classroom was completely silent than usual. No one made a sound or tried to kill another for a seat. The only sounds being heard was our nervous heart beats and the sound of the seats creaking from our nerves. Fear and tension filled the room. My palms were sweating as I fidget with my fingers taking deep breaths. It seemed everyone was anxious to go except Shin. He was still able to keep his cool and looked quite relaxed. On the other spectrum, Daiki was completely dead. It looked like he saw a ghost looking at his pale skin. The final exam had arrived.
The door opened and most of us jumped watching Iruka-sensei walk in. He was casual and didn't show a hint of the final exam feeling. We started class as usual with roll call and after that he finally spoke. "The final exam has finally arrived. I hope you all have been working hard. This test will determine if you pass…or fail. Those who pass will be able to move on to the next rank of Genin." In the Ninja world, there was a hierarchy of rank and authority. It begins at the bottom with an Academy student. Next, is Genin; the rank we were all trying to achieve. Followed by Chunin, which Iruka-sensei was. Then, it's Jounin. Only the most highly trained ninja were able to achieve this rank. And lastly, the Kage. The Kage is the head of each of the Five Great Nations. Depending on the village you were from determined what the Kage's full title would be. For example, in the Hidden Leaf Village, we have the Hokage; Ho meaning fire according to the country we are from: the Land of Fire.
"As I said before, the last exam will test you on your weakest point. You'll be called one by one and enter in the room at the very end of this hall. There, you'll be presented in front of a panel of judges composing myself and two other instructors. I will tell you what you need to perform for the test. If you pass, you will receive your headband." Everyone went in awe. Finally, the long awaited headband we waited for was finally here. Wearing the headband proves that you are now a true ninja representing your village. Each village has their own headband insignia. Ours is a swirl with a stick connected to a triangle representing a leaf for the Hidden Leaf Village. "After the exam is over, you are allowed to go for the rest of the day! Let's begin!" Iruka-sensei called the first one to go. He looked nervous as he fidgeted his way out the door. I let out a big sigh finally feeling my heart calming down. I knew there wasn't much I could do other than my absolute best. I had to believe in my own ability to succeed especially since the Hokage told me to do well. I didn't want to disappoint everyone who knew I would graduate especially myself.
"Don't be such a nervous wreck. It'll come back to hurt you," Shin said seeing my fidgeting.
"Says you, Mr. Cool Calm and Collected!" I snapped. "I can't believe you can still act so tough knowing your fate is on the line!"
"That's because I know I trained hard for this. All my efforts are going to pay off," he said coolly. "Don't worry. You'll do fine." I tried to crack a smile, but I could feel Ayame's eyes daggering into my soul from the seat above me.
We waited for the first person to come back and tell us how it went. Amazingly, it didn't take as long as I expected. He opened the door and charged in jumping up and down yelling, "I PASSED! I PASSED!" His friends ran down to him looking at him with awe with the headband tied around his forehead. He looked pretty legit now wearing it. It felt like I had to obey him as his subordinate.
He went to the next person telling a girl it was her turn. She gulped and walked out of the door to the testing room. A few minutes later, she returned wearing the headband as well. "It was easy!" she bragged showing off the headband. One by one, people were sent to test and returned back excited wearing their headband. It made me feel a lot better, and I started to get eager wanting to go and get my headband as well. Finally, it came.
Ayame came walking in wearing her headband proudly upon her forehead. She flaunted herself saying how she didn't have to even train for the exam and passed with flying colors. Even so, I knew she was one of the most terrified of the test judging by her lack of annoyance at the beginning of class. Finishing her superiority speech, she looked directly in my eyes and sneered. "Nikki, you're next!" she spat with venom. Confidently, I got up from my seat and walked firmly down the stairs. I was showing great charisma and authority knowing I can do this. As repayment of her showing off, I shoved Ayame before walking out the door. "I'm going to get you for that, Nikki!" she yelled in anger. I turned around sticking my tongue out mocking her. She became furious and tried to charge at me, but everyone was holding her back.
I took a deep breath one last time before entering the room. The room was small with only a window sitting at the back. In front, was a large table with Iruka-sensei, Gai-sensei, and another ninja that I didn't know his name. On the table were all of the headbands left for those who might pass to graduate to Genin. I actually had a hard time deciding what to train on. I had pretty high scores, so anything they threw at me I knew I could do it. I noted that Gai-sensei was there to evaluate people's taijutsu. I walked in standing in front of them confidently.
"Nikki," he said flipping his papers to my paperwork. Gai-sensei smiled knowing how well I've been doing with his lessons.
"Well," Iruka-sensei began, "it was very difficult deciding what your weakest point is in. You have really high scores. These even reach a Chunin skill level." I smiled shyly trying to hide my happiness and proudness. Gai-sensei laughed jubilantly as the other looked shocked. "But…there is a problem." My pride cracked and so did my confidence. What did he mean a problem?! I know I did well. I never let my grades slip. He even said I had a skill level that of a Chunin! Even Gai-sensei stopped laughing and became stern.
"What do you mean a problem, Iruka?" Gai-sensei asked staring at him intensely.
"Nikki, you scored as one of the lowest in combat. Combat training is essential to a ninja, and it's a requirement for all students to graduate. In other words, I can fail you right now…" Iruka explained. My throat ran dry as I tried to gulp down my disappointment. After all my hard work, I stood there dumbfounding being told it was all for nothing. I didn't even get a chance to prove to him I was ready to become a Genin.
"But, Iruka-sensei!" I spoke up trying to defend my position. "I am ready to become a Genin!"
"Nikki, I can't allow you to pass with a grade like this!" Iruka-sensei countered. "I will admit your defenses are admirable, but you lack in the offense. If you were put in a real fight, you could possibly lose your life for not being assertive enough."
"But you're not evening giving me a chance to pass the final exam!" I shouted back. "How can I fail if I haven't taken the test?"
"As your teacher, I decide if you're ready or not to graduate!" Iruka-sensei yelled putting his foot down. I wanted to run and cry. I could even feel my eyes become blurry with tears. I sniffled wiping them from my eyes. Even Gai-sensei was getting teary-eyed watching me suffer.
"Iruka-sensei, you're being unfair!" I shouted tears falling down my cheeks. "I've worked way too hard to hear I'm not graduating?! You didn't even give me a chance to pass the test yet! I have a right to get another chance!"
"Then prove me wrong!" Iruka-sensei demanded. "Prove to me you deserve to be a Genin! Prove to me you deserve to be a ninja!"
"I will! I'll become the strongest ninja you will ever see! I'll even surpass even the Seventh Hokage!" I blurted out breathing heavily while clenching my fists.
Iruka-sensei settled down and smiled. "Good!" he said. "I wanted to see if you wanted this badly and you do. It's true what I said about being able to faill you for your ridiculously low score. However,I can't fail you on passion and determination. I know you'll make an amazing ninja!" Gai-sensei got up and walked over to hand me a headband. I was utterly confused not knowing what had happened. I fought against Iruka-sensei and he passed me?
"But what about the test?" I asked looking at the headband.
"In truth, I didn't know what kind of test to give you," Iruka-sensei laughed. "You're just that good!"
"But, it doesn't feel like I've passed…" I muttered.
"I don't know. Why not try using C-ranked jutsu or something," Iruka-sensei said rolling his eyes. I nodded getting into position. I put my arms up showing a hand seal. Iruka-sensei and Gai-sensei eyes went wide.
"THAT'S-"
"Multi Shadow Clone Justu!" There was an explosion of smoke fogging up the room. As it cleared, there were copies of me filling up the entire room. At the same time we all asked, "Did we pass, Iruka-sensei?" Iruka-sensei, Gai-sensei, and the other ninja all just stared dumbfounded with their mouths wide open nodding their heads. While I was training in the White Lotus, the seniors would sometimes speak of a great ninja who was able to do the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu. We would sometimes hear some incredible feats the ninja had done. Sort of inspired to be just a strong, we would try to use it. Eventually most of us gave up except Moki and I. That was a secret technique we saved to really impress our instructors, but the chance had never come until now.
"Oh, Iruka-sensei! Who should I bring in next?" I chirped happily.
"D-D-Daiki…" he replied still in awe. I nodded and thanked all of them.
I headed out of the room full of smiles and excitement. With my earned headband tied on, I can only keep imagining what missions will come, the different places I'll go, and the many people I'll meet. And more importantly prove Iruka-sensei was right in letting me pass. I had to strive for a crazy dream that may seem impossible to most people. No matter how absurd it was, I couldn't quit, or I'll be giving up on Iruka-sensei, the Seventh Hokage, myself, and more importantly my promise to MoKi. It was an impossible dream I'm willing to go the distance for. To be the best in the whole world!
At times, I couldn't help but feel different from others. It always seemed in their perspectives, I was…perfect. I didn't have to work as hard as they did to achieve. I could do anything. Everything came easy to me… That's how they treated me. That's how they all treated me. When they see me, they only see a demigod. They didn't like it especially since I was a Gaijin. I felt like the plaque when most tried to avoid me. I never knew why. Was I really that intimidating?
That's how it was when I walked back to the classroom with the headband on my head. They didn't bother to look up to congratulate me. They knew I would pass. I was perfect. Me failing was unheard of. It hurts when you know you've worked maybe twice as hard as others, and they still won't acknowledge you as a person. I looked about the room waiting if anyone would come up and say, "Good job!" But, no one seemed to notice I was even there.
"Great job, Nikki!" Daiki cheered with a bright for the first time I saw him today. People began to glare and whisper venom.
"Of course she did!"
"She never fails!"
"It's Nikki!"
"She's just too perfect!"
I became real small hearing all those whispers colliding into me. I felt uncertain, scared, and my self-esteem going down. I rubbed my arm nervously disregarding Daiki's kindness. I couldn't even look into his eyes.
"Don't be so modest. You've worked so hard for this! You kept your promise to the Hokage!" Daiki was still smiling. Maybe I was so occupied noticing the negative comments; I was blinded from not seeing the positive ones. I shouldn't care so much about what people thought of me. I know I'm not perfect. I only did so well due to some long, hard training. And Daiki noticed…
"And now it's your turn to keep yours!" I regained my confidence back becoming even bolder than I was before. There was just something inside of me being lifted up. "You'll do your best too!" I threw him a thumbs up smiling.
He threw his thumbs up saying, "Believe it!"
Sometimes, when I feel a huge amount of stress and pressure lift off my shoulder, I get really cocky and daring. Having all that weight lifted off my shoulders makes me crazy gladly getting past all the hard stuff. I just wanted to have fun and enjoy my life. I bounced up the stairs and slid across the table stopping right in front of my seat.
"Just ignore them," Shin said.
"Thanks!" I chirped smiling at him. "It seems though you'll be the last one going, huh!" He only smiled finding my attitude amusing. "Hope you haven't been waiting long!"
"It doesn't matter if I go first or last; I'm going to pass either way," he said.
"It looks like we are all becoming Genin!" I exclaimed. At that moment, Daiki charged in with full blown tears with his headband tied securely to his forehead.
"Well, would ya look at that…" Shin trailed off seeing the idiot out of the whole class wearing a headband.
"It looks like it's your turn. Bring it home, Tiger!" Shin just shook his head as he got up. I stuck my foot out preventing him from leaving. "Good luck!" And with the signature thumbs up I put my foot down. He strolled away stopping close to the door. He sighed before looking straight at me with a thumbs up.
"Oh my baby passed!"
"You did good, Son!"
"Wow, Genin! How about that!"
"You're making your way in life!"
"That's representing our family!"
I watched from afar of all the families congratulate their loved ones for graduating and making the rank of Genin. I could recognize a few of the families from the famous clans of the village. There was the Nara clan, Yamanaka Clan, Akimichi clan, and the Aburame clan. I even saw Shin with his family celebrating his success. I was by myself watching from a swing that was tied to a tree outside the Academy's entrance. When I said at times I felt different from others; I also meant not having any parents.
I never knew my parents. I didn't even remember how I was in the hands of Lord Hiroshi who raised assassins to serve him and kill for him. Everything about where I came from was a blur. I didn't even know if Nikki was really my real name! Who am I?
"Hey, Nikki…" I looked up to see Daiki standing right next to me. We were both in the similar boat with no parents showing up.
"Where are your parents?" I asked.
Daiki shoved his hands in his pocket looking at the ground. "My dad is still on a mission…"
"Oh…" I mouthed out.
"Anyway, I only came to say good job. See ya tomorrow!" Daiki walked off leaving me behind still on the swing. I sighed and went on my way deciding to walk around the village.
I decided to give myself some rest and not train at all for the rest of the day. All I did was walk around the village to get negative thoughts out of my head. Walking also helped me to think. I liked thinking. I think about everything that comes to mind. It's just refreshing and relieves stress.
It was about 7:00pm when I got home. My stomach was grumbling; I haven't eaten anything since this morning. I ignored it and went straight to bed. All I wanted to do was sleep as soon as possible so tomorrow will come. I just wanted to start my life as a Genin. Unfortunately, slumber never came. I was too much of a light sleeper, so falling asleep was difficult for me. The only reason I could fall asleep so easily previous nights was due to tiring out my body by the intense training. And the fact I didn't go to bed until 11:00pm was also a factor.
I stared at my ceiling with my body stretched out over my bed. It felt too awkward looking at my clock to only see 7:30pm read across it. I didn't bother to talk to Maki and tell him I made Genin. I wasn't in the mood. I was too anxious for tomorrow that it kept me up. Frustrated, I jumped from my bed and headed for the door. I shoved my feet into my black sandals and walked out of the apartment descending down the stairs.
At first, it was a jogging pace that led to a full on sprint around the village. I slowed down to a walk as I reached open gates that was the only entrance and exit of the village. Breathing heavily, I spotted a bench nearby and decided to rest there. My lungs were burning and sweat was washed upon my face. The cool breeze swept around me, so Iripped off my hair tie to feel the breeze wash through my hair. It cooled me down and relaxed my heated muscles.
When I stood up I heard footsteps heading my. I looked to the left to meet with Shin's eyes. "What are you doing here?" he asked. He too seemed winded from running watching his chest rise and lower.
I shrugged asking him the same thing. "What are you doing here?"
"Minding my own business!" he snapped. I gave him a disgusted look pissed he was acting cold.
"What rubbed you the wrong way?" I asked still mad.
"My family…" he sighed. He walked over to the bench and sat down. I sat back down next to him.
"Did something happen?" I asked.
He only sighed and nothing more. I got up to leave knowing he wouldn't say anything. I wasn't going to waste my time with someone who was acting childish. "Sorry for being childish," he apologized. I turned around surprised to see the Great Shin admit he was at fault. One thing I really hated about him was that he blamed others for failing. Even when it really was their fault, he didn't have to be so vicious about it. When it came to him, he would blame others for being too weak. He despised being wrong.
"My family can go overboard with a simple celebration, and it got too much for me, so I left," he explained.
I sat back down right next to him. "They're your family. They're happy you made Genin!" I exclaimed.
He shook his head. "No…It wasn't for me. It was for my older. He came back from his first big mission…" I looked at his sadden face. It must be tough living in an older sibling's shadow.
"Even so…family is still family; no matter how much you hate it…" I looked up at the night time sky watching the stars light up the world surrounding the moon. "You're lucky to have one…"
"Nikki, I didn't-"
"It's okay," I smiled at Shin. "I've never met mine before, so I can't really say anything about it. Lord Seventh Hokage taught Daiki and me something very important. He told us we should be lucky and grateful for having strong, ninja abilities. We should appreciate for what we have." I couldn't help but notice the moonlight touching Shin's eyes. The silver light emphasized the deep blue in them. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Then I felt my stomach cry for hunger.
Shin started laughing making my face turn a bright red embarrassed. In response, his own stomach made the same sound. He didn't show it, but I could tell his embarrassment when he held his stomach and looked away. "It's still pretty earlier. I'm pretty sure Ichuraku Ramen is still open," he said as he got up. He nudged his head for me to go. I started to follow when I stopped. I looked at my clothes and realized I was still in my pj's. I couldn't possibly go to the busy streets wearing cotton shorts that barely went over my butt and spaghetti-strapped top that showed my midriff! And the fact that Shin saw me in this?! I dove behind a nearby tree hiding from Shin. Shin turned around and walked over when I stopped him.
"Wait! Don't come any closer!" I screamed waving my hand.
"What's wrong?" he asked looking behind the tree. I screeched trying to cover myself with my arms and hands.
"I'm in my pj's!" I squealedfreaking out. "I can't go out there in this!"
"And that still didn't stop you from going outside," he said matter-of-factly.
"I didn't know I was going to run into anyone!" I barked. Shin threw his jacket at my face and walked back onto the path. I lifted it off of me inspecting it as I put it on. It was quite big on me. The sleeves went past my hands and it was baggy. Although the jacket was longer than my shorts, I showed a quite bit of leg.
"Are you done yet?" Shin asked annoyed. I shyly walked out from behind the tree blushing furiously as I tried to pull the jacket lower. Shin grunted and grabbed my hand dragging me into the busy streets of the village before I could say something.
"But, Shin," I whined, "what if someone sees?!"
"If you don't notice, they won't notice," he replied as we broke into the streets. The streets were much more compacted at night than during the day. It was to the point being shoved with every step we took. The people on the streets seemed different as well. It's as if the demons had gone out to play through the night. They looked at me with nasty or lustful looks. Scared, I grabbed Shin's arm as one of them tried to touch me. Shin looked up and glared at the pervert stopping him cold. I was more afraid of someone trying to rape me rather than showing too much leg.
We finally broke out of the wild crowd for Ichiraku Ramen. Luckily, the shop wasn't full other than a man dressed in white and a normal ninja. Shin and I sat a seat away from them on the other side. A woman with long hair walked over to us and asked what we wanted to order. We told her what we wanted and a few minutes later she placed it in front of us. "Be careful! It's hot!" she warned. I grabbed two pairs of chopsticks from the holder and handed one pair to Shin. We both broke them apart and began to eat our ramen.
About five minutes into our meal time, the old man from two days ago came up to me smiling. "I see you're acquiring a taste for my ramen now," he chuckled. I smiled awkwardly at him. I did like ramen, and I even have my favorite flavors, but I wasn't an avid eater like Daiki or the Hokage. "And I see you're on a date." He was looking at Shin who chocked on a noodle hearing the word "date".
"D-D-DATE?!" I stuttered. "WE ARE NOT ON A DATE!"
"It looks like you two are. I mean two kids at your age sneaking out at this time of night. What do you call that?" the old man just laughed to himself as I sweat dropped. "I'm just giving you a hard time!" I ducked my head back into my bowl slurping up ramen noodles.
From the corner of my eye, I saw the shadow of the ninja walk over to Shin. "I know who you are. You're Kenji's younger brother!" Shin growled and broke his chopsticks in half when the young man had said that. Whoever his older brother was really made him mad.
"Kenji…Nakamura… I know who he is." The man in white turned to us. My eyes went wide. I knew who he was just by looking at his blue eyes.
"Lord Seventh Hokage!" I gasped. He smiled with a wink. Shin didn't show any emotion.
"I've heard Kenji Nakamura is on the rise as one of the best ninja in his generation," the Hokage continued. "He was at the top of his class coming out of the Academy, and he's already went various B-ranked missions. His teachers have said his ninjutsu is second to none, and he has the skill of becoming a great Jounin. But, in my perspective, the kid is very arrogant and vain stepping on anyone who got in his way. He was born with talent, and didn't train as hard as he could because of it. I don't like him one bit. Someone should teach him a lesson!"
"Why don't you?" I asked.
"Me beating him won't do anything. I'm the Hokage. It'll look like the Hokage beating up a little kid. Maybe his little brother can show him up," the Hokage smiled slyly hinting to Shin.
"How can I? You even said he was the best in his year!" Shin snapped.
The Hokage chuckled. "I once had a friend who was like you. You actually kind of remind me of him. Anyway, he was in the same situation like you are now. He had all the talent in the world, but couldn't surpass his older brother who too had unbelievable power. After the long, hard, intense training, determination, and bitter failures, he was able to beat his older brother and exceed him."
"Who is he?" I asked.
He looked up at the ceiling as if he was looking at the sky letting out a long, heavy sigh. "He's an old friend who couldn't sit in the same spot for too long. He's always on the move. Probably traveling the world. Hopefully one day, he'll come and visit the village."
"What makes you think I can do it?" Shin sighed wishing to be able to do what the Hokage's friend had done.
The Hokage got up from his seat and walked over to Shin. He placed a hand on his head rustling his hair. "Because I believe in you!" he said. "I can see it in your eyes the will to strive. You can do it!" Shin sat there stunned and overwhelmed by the will the Seventh Homage was placing in him. Even sitting right next to them. I can feel Shin's will ignite.
"Well, I'm leaving now! See ya tomorrow!" the Hokage waved good bye to old man and woman.
"Bye, Naruto!" the old man said. Before the Hokage left, he turned around and put a thumbs up in the air. Shin cracked a smile and returned the favor.
Shin started to pull money out of his wallet when the old man stopped him. He shook his head saying, "The Hokage already paid for both of yours." I smiled along with Shin.
With much persuasion and stubbornness, Shin decided to walk me home. He said that it was the right thing to do. I huffed at the idea, but almost being touched by one of the creepers that roamed at night, I was glad he was there. I hadn't realized I was still clinging to his arm when we turned the corner onto an empty street. It was quiet except for the sound of the rustling leaves.
I yawned tired of the long night. But, it was worth it. Running into the Hokage seemed to bring a good, warm feeling to me. And I could sense Shin was less cold than usual. For one thing, he hadn't yelled at me to let go of him.
"You're getting tired," Shin stated watching me yawn again. I smiled faintly squeezing his arm.
"My apartment complex is right there. The one with the red roof," I pointed to the building once we reached the housing area. We turned the corner heading closer and closer to the building.
"Which apartment is yours?" he asked.
"The one at the very top," I replied. "It's the only one with a balcony and amazing view."
"You live all alone at the very top…" he whispered.
"Yeah…you get used to it," I said trying to stop him for worrying. I hated when others worry about me. I didn't want to feel like a burden to anyone, so I hide my emotions when I'm sad.
We ascended up the long stairs together finally reaching the top. Where my door stood at. I finally let go of his arm and went to my door. "Thanks for the ramen and walking me home."
Shin shook his head meaning it was no big deal. "The Hokage is really something!" he exclaimed. I nodded my head. "See you tomorrow!"
I walked back into my apartment locking the door behind. It was a really great night! I put my hair behind my ear realizing I still had Shin's jacket on. I snuggled into it. The scent of him rose from his jacket. I couldn't stop smiling. With another yawn, I walked to my room looking at my clock. It was close to 11:00pm. I got into bed snuggling underneath my sheets and breathing into Shin's jacket falling asleep.
Personally, I could have done the ending better and the whole night out on the town with Shin was really cheesey, but I wanted to have a special moment with Shin and the Hokage like with Daiki.