Disclaimer: Again, I don't own anything or anybody mentioned in this fanfiction except Tomoko, her family, and Nagareboshi Cafe. The song for this chapter is the piece titled All of Me from John Schmidt of the Piano Guys. They're actually a YouTube group of classical music artists that I've really loved listening to recently. Please enjoy!

Author Notes: To the guest that asked about Tomoko adding lyrics to some of the songs mentioned in this fanfic, I haven't actually decided on that yet. I initially thought of her playing the songs alone considering that a lot of the original pieces were sung in English and Naruto-verse is all Japanese (as established in Chapter 2), but we'll see.

And thanks to all my readers who waited patiently! I ended up having to study for a midterm and dealing with college, which is why this update is a little late. In the future though, updates may only be once a week depending on how much free time I have, so just be aware of that. Thanks again for supporting me and Civilian Pianist and I'll continue to do my best!

Chapter 8: Chunin Exams & a Clumsy Uchiha

It was around 2 weeks after my first hug to Kakashi that he told me that Minato-san had recommended him for the Chunin Exams. By then, we had established a routine of sorts, where he would visit Nagareboshi at least once a day if he could, whether after a mission or training, to order his usual meal of miso soup with eggplant before sitting down next to me for a song request. With the many times he came specifically to me for a song, I think Mom and Dad considered him a regular by that point. Sakumo-san sometimes visited too — it just wasn't as often.

And Kakashi finally started getting used to my hugs! …I think. He's still a bit stiff when I hug him and honestly, after the first time, the following conversation ensued and it was awkward.

"…Tomoko, can you please get off me now?"

"…You really don't like hugs, do you, Kakashi-kun?"

He deadpanned a dry, "Gee, how could you tell?"

"You're stiff as a board even when I let go of you. But just note, since you're my friend, I want you to be aware that I am a huggy person, so expect at least one or two every time I see you."

"…Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"..."

"..."

I think we just established a silent conversation via eye contact. Don't know how I feel about that.

"…Just no tackle hugs like this time, okay? I don't want to lose my life."

"Hugs don't kill you, Kakashi-kun."

"…You get the idea."

"I don't put that much force in!"

His only response was an equally deadpan, "…I seriously beg to differ."

If I didn't see him like the friend he is, I probably would've been offended. But honestly, it's Kakashi — a socially awkward ninja that's apparently really good at his career, from what I remember from canon.

I just hope my influence makes him a little more open to people, myself included.

But honestly, hearing about the Chunin Exams wasn't something I was expecting today. It was supposed to be a normal day at Nagareboshi, with the usual song requests and seeing the regulars, Kakashi included! Not a time to start worrying about my friend possibly dying of all things!

Not to mention, why was he telling me, a civilian girl, about this? Wasn't there risk of a security breach or something? … Maybe I should start asking for privacy seals to put on the piano if someone wants to talk to me personally unless Mom and Dad put one down already.

"…You're really serious?" I couldn't help but turn in my piano bench to look at Kakashi directly, ignoring the tempting shine of the black and white keys near my hands. "Minato-san thinks you're ready?"

The silver-haired Genin simply pulled out his registration paper from his pocket as an answer, holding it up in front of my eyes. "Yeah, so you'll probably not see me for the next week or so. Minato-sensei might come by to tell you my progress though, so you don't have to worry about me too much."

In response, I just frowned. He was really taking the exam situation a little too lightly for my liking. "Isn't the Chunin Exams really infamous for the possibility of getting killed while taking it? And, no offense intended, Kakashi-kun, but how long have you been a Genin for?"

Kakashi simply frowned through his black mask, stashing his registration paper back into his short pockets before crossing his arms across his chest. "About a year, but I've already been on missions with Minato-sensei and trained with Dad. Don't worry, Tomoko, I'll be fine."

That actually didn't reassure me. I knew that Minato-san and Kakashi's father, Sakumo, were more than capable ninja, but recommending a 6-year old to take a possibly fatal promotion exam? Honestly, I would prefer standardized testing if these death match-ups are the main choice for shinobi promotion — and that's saying something.

Kakashi apparently noticed my concern and simply sighed, uncrossing his arms. "You really don't have to worry, Tomoko — Minato-sensei says it's fine and it should be fine."

Even then, the worrying frown was still on my face, and I ended up scooting a little closer towards the Genin. "It just feels really early, Kakashi-kun. I mean, no offense to anybody, but why would they need you to become Chunin now? You're only 6…"

Is Konoha really trying to set Kakashi up for early death or is war really coming so close to the point where they need to bring children into the fight?

A hand reached over to pat my head.

Huh? I blinked slowly. Is Kakashi the one doing that?

It surprisingly felt nice coming from the ninja.

"I'll be fine, Tomoko." Kakashi seemed to smile gently through his mask, hand still patting my head. "Honestly, Dad's been talking about how there's something going on between the Five Great Shinobi Countries, and that's why the Chunin Exams this year are specifically Konoha-local — so I shouldn't have to deal with too much stuff. Quit wasting your time worrying about me."

Huh, for such a blunt response, that was surprisingly nice. I guess you really do learn something every day.

In the end, I ended up conceding mental defeat with a small smile, looking up into his silver eyes. Kakashi was able to make it through the entirety of the Naruto storyline before - might as well trust him. "Just promise me you'll come back safe and sound, okay? I'll play a full concert for you when you get back, Chunin promotion or not." Maybe it was my own will or my childish instincts, but I ended up offering my pinky to him. Hopefully he wouldn't turn it down.

Honestly, it was a little awkward sitting there offering a pinky to the ninja that decided to go silent for a few minutes. In the end, Kakashi sighed again (a common occurrence now apparently) before taking his hand off my head to link his pinky with mine. "I promise, Tomoko. Just make sure it's a good concert."

I just grinned happily and hummed. "Of course! But I'm going to hug you now, okay?"

Kakashi visibly grimaced, panicked lines clearly showing on his face. "W-Wait, now?!"

"Yes now! It's a hug for good luck!"

"I don't need good luck!"

"Too bad — I've giving it anyway!"

I kinda ended up pouncing on him to wrap my arms around his neck. And we ended up crashing to the floor of the stage with Kakashi on the bottom of the hug pile.

Whoops. I'll probably have to apologize in a couple of seconds since I did kinda violate his 'no tackle-hug' rule. But he was snuggly and warm so I'll just bask in this for a little while longer.

One day, I won't be able to knock him down like this.

"…Why me?" The Genin grumbled dryly.

The next day, it turns out that my fourth customer was Obito Uchiha. It was actually an early morning when it happened. I was just dressed in the usual RWBY kimono dress and red hair ribbon, donning the red hoodie for warmth to help deal with sweeping the front of Nagareboshi Cafe when he crashed into me.

…Yes, I'm being serious here. Obito Uchiha is apparently the most clumsy and heartfelt out of most stoic Uchiha.

Sure, I've served them with music before, but they never really said anything. Heck, I don't think I heard anything except a 'thank you'!

But then again, I've never really talked to Obito until it happened. Apparently, he was running late in getting to the Ninja Academy, and thought of taking a shortcut via the shopping district.

I just really don't appreciate his not seeing me and therefore making our first meeting be a 'Crash into Hello.' Then again, I didn't see him coming either until he knocked me down onto the pavement.

"ACK!"

"EEK!"

Next thing I knew, I got an eyeful of orange goggles before the big blur on top of me quickly scrambled to stand back up. "I-I'm sorry! Are you okay?" A shaky hand was offered to me, and I couldn't help but follow the blue sleeve up the arm to look into somewhat teary black eyes.

Black eyes. Future Sharingan-user. An Uchiha?

"I-I'm okay, but what about you?" I blinked before taking his hand and lifting myself up, lightly dusting off my skirt before grabbing the fallen broom. Thank goodness I wore the black this time — any dirt and I think Mom would kill me.

Immediately, the boy laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his spiky black head with one hand. "I-I'm fine, no worries!" He gave me a fierce thumbs-up, and I could swear a sparkle shined from his white teeth.

Goofy smile, orange goggles, blue jacket, and…apparent clumsiness? Yep, it's Obito.

I frowned. "You're bleeding a bit from your forehead though." Even as a civilian, the small trickle of red peeking from the fringe of hair meeting his forehead was obvious.

He blinked before briefly touching the spot with a finger, bringing his hand down to look at it. "Oh — I'll be okay, though! I'm the man who's going to become Hokage!" He cocked his goggles at me with a happy grin. "This little blood doesn't scare me at all!"

"Okay…?" Here he is — Naruto Incarnation Number 1…

It took a small tumbleweed passing for something to happen.

"AH!" The immediate loud cry from the boy in front of me made me wince. That was a bit too loud. "I'm already late as is — sorry about that!" Before I could even say anything in response, he was already running off into the distance, glancing back at me for a moment. "I'll come back to apologize later!"

By the time I couldn't see his silhouette anymore in the distance, I was all by myself in front of Nagareboshi, roughed off and quite honestly confused.

…I didn't even ask for his name, didn't I?

In the end, near sundown, he did end up coming back. Honestly, with the thinning stream of customers coming into the cafe, the small boyish figure in the doorway was rather obvious. Thing is, this time, he was accompanied by a girl about my height, wearing a brown vest and donning a brown bob cut (similar to mine, in fact) and purple markings on her cheeks.

Don't tell me that's who I think it is.

The two quickly walked over before pulling up two chairs to sit next to me. The black and brown heads of hair immediately confirmed my suspicions. Obito and Rin?

Obito was the first to speak. "H-Hey, sorry about bumping into you earlier. I was running late to the Academy and thought of taking a shortcut and didn't see you. C-Can you forgive me?" To my shock, he bowed his head. Bowed his head!

No ninja — even if it's an Academy student — should have to bow their head to a civilian girl!

I ended up stuttering. "O-Of course I forgive you! There's no need to bow your head, so please stop doing that!" It felt weird being on the receiving end of that notion. Obito was going to be a ninja heading out to kill people — he really shouldn't be doing something like that! Or feel even the need to do that!

Hopefully he doesn't turn into Tobi this lifetime though.

Rin ended up piping in. "Obito, you're making her uncomfortable — you can stop now." Immediately, Obito lifted up his head to look me in the eye, and I couldn't help but notice how deep they were for just being a black color. Were eyes always windows to the soul like this?

For once, there was an awkward silence. It felt like a pin could drop between the three of us before I spoke. "…Obito's your name?" He nodded furiously, black strands hitting his cheeks.

"Y-Yeah, Uchiha Obito! I'm going to be the man that'll be the future Hokage!" Yep, it's Obito.

Next to him, Rin smiled, straightening her back to show off gentle whites with soft brown eyes to match. "I'm Nohara Rin." And here's Rin, the great catalyst of the whole story — I think. This is becoming a big introduction session.

Despite this, I ended up giggling to myself, smiling back towards the two. "I'm Hoshino Tomoko, nice to meet you. How do you two feel about a song to make your time?"

"A song?" The two Academy students looked confused, glancing at one another before facing me again. I nodded. "What kind of song?"

"Anything you want, as long as you're okay with piano~! Consider this a small service for taking the time to talk to me." I found myself winking towards the two with a big grin on my face. They deserved that much at least for all the hell that would be coming up in the next few years.

Hopefully, Kannabi Bridge won't fall down the way it did in canon and jumpstart the plot with it.

Kannabi Bridge is falling down~

Falling down~

Falling down — okay, that just sounds weird.

Obito and Rin blinked before looking at each other and starting a small, hushed conversation. After a few moments, Rin looked back at me with a curious smile. "Try surprising us then, please." I swear I was grinning so hard to the point of my lips becoming numb.

"One piano surprise, coming up then!" I didn't even think of an anime/video game song when touching the piano keys for my new audience. All I thought about was a song I heard rather recently in my old life — an original done by an amazing group of people.

I really hope I'm doing the Piano Guys justice. Wish they were here to talk about it.

Hopefully my music was doing something. It certainly seemed to enchant Obito and Rin though, and since Kakashi, Kushina-san, Minato-san, and Sakumo-san all seemed to appreciate it already — maybe I was making a difference. I really was praying that it would be enough for the upcoming war.