SleepyCat: Hi. Everyone! So excited that I'm going to do 2nd chapter already! Plan is to get at least 10 chapters by next week, so hold on for a bit. I'm excited for this next one! And I'm listening to EPIC naruto soundtracks.

Like I said in the last chapter, this will be another POV; not all of these chapters will POV. So for future POV haters, there you go.

Disclaimer: Naruto, the characters, or the music I'm listening to belongs to me. :P

-Chapter 2-

-MINATO's POV-

I had lost track of time.

Grabbing my small jug of water, I sat down against the nearest tree as I was catching my breath. I had been training two or three hours; I didn't remember exactly. I had gotten up early this morning to train before going to the academy. I decided to work on the basic skills and chakra controls, due to the fact that the Graduation test was tomorrow. However, I had lost track of time, caught up in my training.

The tree that I was leaning against surprisingly felt comfortable, and I felt as if I almost didn't want to leave or even move. I was pretty tired; even the basic techniques can really push you.

I just wanted to stare at grayish morning sky. There were no clouds and no sun in sight, but a chilly breeze. The cold air felt great against my sweaty self, and it made it harder for me to get up.

Of course, I had to get up. I had never been late to class, and I wasn't going start today either. As top student, I can't be pulling stunts like that. My parents had high expectations for me, and I want to live up to those expectations.

Slowly, I found the strength to rise from my resting place, hard as it may be. I grabbed my little jug and placed it in my bag that contained my books for class. I had brought my school bag just in case I had lost track of time, and of course, I did. I briefly rubbed my bright yellow hair with my hand and then ran off in the direction of the academy.

The thing about me was that even when I was exhausted and tired from training, I somehow always had enough energy to run. I enjoyed running, especially on a cold morning like this. With the cold breeze hitting my face, I felt more energy and more spirit to go faster. Running wasn't training or hard exercise for me; it was a hobby. I'd run at night, morning, afternoon, or anytime I could find; walking was just to slow for me. My mother told me that the first time I was able to learn how to stand on my two feet, I did not walk; I ran. I ran as fast as a 2 year old could go. Ever since then, I've been the fastest kid in my generation, leaving everyone else in the dust. That was the mystery about me.

As I ran through the village, I occasionally caught a "hello" or a "good morning;" most of the villagers were up and awake by now. In response, I smiled back and waved. I knew most of these villagers by heart. While I could say I have a good friendship with most of the villagers because of my parents, it was mainly because I enjoy talking to people. Besides running, I love to talk to people, learn of their day, talk about likes and dislikes, and stuff like that; it was always wonderful to hear a new story everyday. I also enjoyed looking around in all the shops; although I didn't buy anything, I loved looking at all the nick-nacks and other cool stuff. Most of the owners were really nice as well, and they always greeted me with a smile. The fact of the matter is, I love people.

I ran past a small white and green structure that was a two-story old building; there were yellow flowers at the front with a little white-bearded gnome in the front. This was my home, a nice, little house that I have been living in all my life. I had the urge to just stop in front of it and gaze at it's many features, but I was late. I didn't have time to stop by to say "hello" or take a quick shower.

I was on the run.

A few minutes later of running, I had reached the Academy; saying a quick hello to the academy teacher who was hanging outside, I quickly darted inside.

My classroom was all the way in the back, and it's kinda a maze to get there. I actually got lost on my first day at the academy; that was a terrible experience.

I finally reached my way to the classroom; of course, it's not hard to miss with all the screaming and laughing kids in the room. I looked at the clock above me to see how much time I had left.

7:55...

5 minutes to spare. I was pretty impressed, since I trained on the opposite side of the village.

Taking a deep breath, I walked over to my seat, which was in the middle of the left aisle. I noticed my friend, Hizashi Hyuga, was already there next to my seat, waiting patiently for class to start; I sat down next to him, placing my books on the desk in front of me.

Whatever deep phase Hizashi seemed to be fixed on, my arrival snapped him out of it; his pale white eyes turned toward me while offering a simple, "good morning."

I smiled and cheerfully nodded at him. "Good morning!"

"You were almost late today," Hizashi observed. "Was it because you were training again?"

"Hai, I kinda lost track of time," I said with an embarrassed laugh.

"I believe your track of time is off because of the exam tomorrow, am I correct?"

"Probably, as usually."

"With your skills and status, there's no reason for you to worry. It's most likely you will pass; you are nervous because you doubt yourself."

"I just want to get it right the first time. And you too! You'll do great too; you're going to tear up that exam tomorrow. I mean, you are a Hyuga after all."

Hizashi sadly gazed down at his lap, quietly saying,

"only a branch member."

That's right. Hizashi was a branch member while his twin brother was the main branch; I thought it was unfair, them being twin brothers and all. Because of this, I hated seeing Hizashi like this because of the stupid clan rules; I needed to cheer him up.

"Branch member has nothing to do with it. In my opinion, you're better than those main branch guys. You doubt yourself too, but I've got faith in you too."

That seemed to do the trick, for there grew a small smile on Hizashi's face. All I said was true. Hizashi and I have been good friends for a while; we had great faith in each other,giving the other strength to overcome the limited expectations. He was a branch member, but by now, he was just as strong as his twin brother, Hiashi, and I supported him through it all. In the beginning, I had low expectations, since I was born into a family of citizens who have had no history of fighting. With Hizashi's support, I became the top student and pushed off those expectations. He was a great friend, and I was happy-

"Baka! Outta my way!"

My thoughts were disturbed by a sudden outburst that came from the door. I looked to the front to see a red-haired girl who had just pushed a boy to the ground. The boy seemed to be scared out of his wits and quickly crawled away.

The red-haired girl, one Kushina Uzumaki, was a foreigner whose village was destroyed and was transferred here. She didn't exactly get along with anyone, due to her short temper and scary strength. She was made fun of when she first arrived, due to the color of her hair; however, anyone who got in her way, she would beat them to a pulp.

The boy was a part of a bully group who always wanted to pick on her; I didn't know if the bullies were stupid or just enjoyed getting crushed by her.

Anyway, I didn't think her hair was weird; I mean, I have bright blonde hair which I think was weird. I thought her hair was beautiful; it was red as roses and pretty long too. Not only was her hair pretty, but she was lovely as well, although no one had the same idea as me. However, I was too shy to tell her any of that.

When it comes to girls, I'm pretty much hopeless.

After scaring the bully off, Kushina walked up to her desk in the far back; since she was still ticked off, she stomped her way up the little stairs. As she stomped passed, I slightly blushed into a pinkish-red. I had hoped my blush had gone unnoticed, but Hizashi noticed it right off the bat.

"Why don't you go talk to her, Minato?" Hizashi asked.

"T-talk to her?" I stuttered.

"Yes, the thing you do when you open your mouth, say words, and actually start a conversation."

"I-I..what if I say something stupid? And then she punches me? I mean, I don't want another hole in my face."

"That's better than standing from a distance, never having the hope to talk to her. You can at least try."

"I didn't know you were such the match-maker, Hizashi."

"Only to those who are almost completely hopeless, Minato. Now, you go talk to her, or I'll go myself."

"NO!" I yelled out loud, earning a few stares from my classmates. I had forgotten there were other people in the room. I turned back into a pinkish-red and said, "I-I guess I can try."

I turned around to the back to see Kushina, who was still blowing off steam. Her eyes were closed, but she was clenching her fist tightly. Realizing I had no other choice, I called out to her, hoping to get her attention.

"Kushina! How are you to-"

"Do want to start something with me too, punk?!"

"N-no! I-I was just-"

"Don't make come down there and give you a beating too!"

I quickly turned around, my face still completely red. I let out a deep sigh and said, "well, I tried."

"Class dismissed!"

It was almost like a stampede of bulls, for all the students crowded at the door to leave as quickly as possible.

I looked around for Kushina, but it seemed as though she had already left. I sighed once again and left with Hizashi. I wasn't too happy that I didn't have the courage to continue talking to Kushina.

I didn't want to stay depressed though; it wasn't my personality to stay depressed. As we exited the academy, I decided to talk about something more uplifting.

"I'm not actually worried about the exams tomorrow; I just like to prepare. I'm actually excited. I mean, we can finally get a squad and a sensei. I hope we're on the same team, Hizashi."

"Is there a particular sensei you desire?"

"Hai!" I exclaimed. "I want Jiraiya-sempai, of the legendary Sannin. I think he's one of the coolest and most awesome shinobi ever! My parents don't like him, but they won't tell me why. I don't care though; I think of him as my role model and example. Don't you think so?"

"I agree that he's quite powerful, but how do you know he's one of the sensei's this year?"

Hizashi had a point. I had no clue whether or not Jiraiya was one of the sensei's; in fact, I don't even know if he wanted team at all. You only get one sensei for you whole life, and there was a small chance you could the sensei you want. Sadly, that was the truth of the matter.

"I don't know; I can only hope for it."

The rest was silence. I had decided to walk with Hizashi to his Clan domain, since it was close to my house. We waved good-bye and went our separate ways.

I couldn't sleep.

I laid on my bed, staring at my white ceiling, counting the ticks on my clock next to my bed. My lights were off and the window was open, letting a nice cool breeze to flow in. I was in my most comfortable pjs, and I bet my pillow was made from the clouds of the sky. Everything was so comfy.

But I couldn't sleep.

I wasn't nervous. Like I said before, I was excited. What bothered me was the fact that I only have a slim chance to get my dream sensei. Imagine it: Minato Namikaze, accomplished student of the legendary sannin, Jiraiya-sempai. It was a dream that seemed almost impossible.

But it was a dream that I would cling to.

END OF CHAPTER 2

SleepyCat: yay! Done with this one! Yush!