Yay! Chapter 2! Enjoy and review please!
As Hinata and I walked to the academy I admired the sky. The sky had always made me feel safe, like I could do anything, and most importantly the sky gave me hope.
"Hey Emiko!" Hinata yelled in my ear while shaking my shoulder.
"Eh?"
She smiled a small amused smile.
"You were staring off into nothing again," she sighed.
"It's not "nothing" Hinata, it's the sky."
"Well-" she was cut off by an orange blur flying past and knocking us over.
"Hey jerk! That was rude, yeah!" I yelled with my fist raised in the air. The blur stopped and turned around to reveal none other than Naruto Uzamaki.
"Sorry, Emiko and Hinata, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." I cringed at his facial expression; he was smiling but his eyes gave him away. Those big blue eyes told a tale of loneliness and agony. If I was a sob story than Naruto Uzamaki was the king, no the supreme overlord, of all sob stories. I looked stupidly at my fist which was still raised in the air; I crossed my arms in a pout.
"It's fine, just don't do it again." He smiled and took off running again. I stood up groaning and went to help Hinata up but she had red on her face and a look of pure admiration in her eyes. I kicked her gently.
"Come on lovebird we don't want to be late to class, today is our final test!" She looked up at me still dazed before turning two shades of red darker—if that were even possible.
We walked into the classroom only to be hurried to our seats by Iruka-sensei.
"Alright class today is our final examination, the test will be on clones—good luck!" I looked up to see Naruto sitting there very worried. Then I remembered that clones were his worst technique, there was no way he could pass. I tried to give him a reassuring smile as each name was called until it was just the two of us. Finally I heard music to my ears, cutting through the awkward tension.
"Emiko, you're up next." I walked slowly to the room where the exam was being held.
"Alright Emiko try to create three presentable clones." I stood silently before making the proper hand signs and trying to summon up my chakra smoothly and evenly.
"Bunshin no Jutsu,"* I whispered to myself. I looked over to see three poorly made clones. I almost cried.
"I-I know I can do it, yeah! Can I try one more time? Please Iruka-sensei?" I pleaded.
"Go ahead Emiko. This is the last time." Once again I started summoning chakra, this time spending more time on distributing my chakra.
"Bunshin no Jutsu."
My eyes were still tightly closed; I didn't want to see if I failed. Suddenly I felt something being tied around my head; I looked up to see Iruka-sensei smiling at me.
"Good job Emiko." I turned to see three practically flawless clones. In my surprise I accidently released my jutsu causing smoke to fill the room. I hugged Iruka-sensei quickly before dashing out of the room.
"HINATA! WHERE ARE YOU HINATA?!" I screamed frantically, trying to find the short, dainty girl.
"Emiko is that you?"
I whirled around to see Hinata standing behind me with a headband around her neck.
"You did it too? Great job Hinata!"
"Almost everyone did Emi-chan, it's not that big of a deal."
"Almost everyone..who..?" She sighed depressingly before pointing over to the swing that hung on a tree outside of the academy. I turned slowly, already knowing who it was, to see Naruto. It wasn't a big surprise of course but I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He didn't even have anyone to tell him it was okay and he could always try again or to buy him sweets to raise his spirits. I sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing Hinata, just my damned conscience."
I walked over to him slowly before kneeling beside him.
"Uh, hey Naruto-kun, do you want to get some ramen or something? I'll buy, yeah?" I silently cursed myself for being so unsure and awkward.
"Thanks, but no thanks Emiko."
Now I knew something was seriously wrong. Naruto, not wanting ramen? Free ramen? Before I could say anything else he got up and walked away. I just stared sadly after him, wishing that I had decided to be his friend a long time ago. Sighing, again, I trudged my way back to Hinata.
"Hey, uh, I should probably go. Nii-san will want to know that I passed, ya know?"
"Alright Emiko, see you tomorrow."