Naruto jumped quickly to avoid Hanabi's fierce palm shooting straight at him. The veins around her Byakugan wriggled as she stood ready for Naruto's next move. He charged at her and the two swing their arms, attempting to hit the other. Hanabi hits high, then low, then high again, this time hitting Naruto square in the jaw and sending him flying across the room.

The veins around Hanabi's eyes disappeared and she grew worried that she may have hit him too hard.

"Sensei? Did I hit too hard?" Hanabi asked, not daring to move from her spot.

Naruto rubbed his bruised chin.

"Yes," Naruto replied with a laugh. "But that's what you should do. Give no mercy or sympathy."

"Yes, sir," Hanabi bowed to Naruto.

"Naruto! Hanabi!" Naruto and Hanabi's boss called to them. "Break time's over!"

"Yes, Mr. Tomoe," Naruto called back. Hanabi made a final bow before rushing back to her work.

Naruto grabbed a box of stock and went out to unload them.

Naruto was training Hanabi hard to enter her in the Ninja Prodigy Exams. It was a fairly new kind of exams that focused on students that have much higher skill levels than normal. Through these exams, a person could become Sanin level before even reaching age 16. But the main reason Naruto was taking Hanabi there was because the Mountain Ninja that killed Hinata would be present to watch the exams from a spot where he could not be seen. He had been known to try to recruit the people who entered the exams to join him as apprentices. He stopped showing up for a while but began coming back once the guard was down. The ANBU were the only ones who knew Shindo existed. They swore never to let the public know.

Work was over. Hanabi had already gone home. Naruto was now on his way home.

"Hi, Naruto!" A voice called.

Naruto looked to see Hoshimi run beside of him.

"Oh, hi," Naruto greeted her, faking a smile.

"Are you on the way home?" Suddenly Hoshimi's smile faded. "Naruto, why are you bruised?"

"It's fine," Naruto said. "Hanabi and I were just training and this happened."

"Will you be alright?" She asked. Naruto just nodded.

"Yeah, Naruto," A teasing voice was heard. "One ugly bruise."

Kiba walked up beside of Hoshimi.

"And where have you been all day?!" Naruto asked angrily.

"So long as old man Tomoe thinks I'm sick, I'm set for quite a while," Kiba smiled menacingly.

"That's disgusting, Kiba," Hoshimi said. "You're such a fraud."

"Yeah, yeah" Kiba shooed her off.

"Naruto, are you gonna enter Hanabi in the Ninja Prodigy Exams?" Hoshimi asked. "I bet with your training she's very much qualified."

"She's already registered," Naruto replied.

"That's wonderful!" Hoshimi smiled. "I'm gonna come and watch!"

"Well, here's my stop," Naruto said finally.

"Goodnight Naruto," Hoshimi bowed.

"Goodnight," Naruto replied.

Hoshimi looked over, and Kiba was facing the other way. Hoshimi saw her chance, and before Naruto reached his doorstep, Hoshimi had her arms around his neck.

"Naruto," Her voice cracked a little. "You're a good friend, and I hate to see you in pain all the time. Please try to be happy, alright?"

Naruto, a little shocked, wasn't sure whether to pull her off, hug her back, or what.

"Alright?" Hoshimi repeated.

"Okay, Hoshimi," Naruto finally replied.

"Thank you," Hoshimi released her grip and walked back to join Kiba. He pretended not to notice anything as Naruto went back inside.

"Hoshimi, I wish you'd say something," Kiba said to her. "He doesn't know yet."

"Give him time," Hoshimi replied. "He's trying hard to enter Hanabi in. He doesn't need anything in his way."

"Then promise you'll tell him the truth after the exams?" Kiba persuaded.

"Promise."