The weeks turned to months and in-between schoolwork, training with Sasuke, lunch and dinner with Naruto, and training at the hospital, my life was busy. I barely had time to read books outside of books for my training – and I loved it. I was a workaholic. I knew it, Iruka-sensei knew it, Fujikura-sensei knew it, Hokage-sama knew it, everyone knew it. Which was why I was being kept a close eye on to make sure I didn't 'burn-out' as they say.
I haven't contacted Tobi or anyone in the Akatsuki yet. It's been too dangerous with someone always watching me. But I didn't mind. I could pretend that I was just a normal, Konohagakure academy student. Living a normal, Konohagakure academy student life. You know, just without any parents.
I was wrapping up a sprain in the hospital of a child who fell over when a nurse came in. She looked nervous and was playing with her hands, looking left to right as if expecting someone to jump out and attack her at any second.
"Takara-chan, there's someone here that wants to speak with you," she stuttered out and I nodded, telling the kids parents what to do before leaving, following the nurse throughout the hospital to a private conference room.
Outside the conference room were two ANBU and I tensed up. Was the Hokage here? The ANBU opened the door and I entered, freezing when I saw an older man with bandages covering his face. My face turned hard.
Shimura Danzo.
Tobi had warned me about this man. He said if there was anyone I should watch out for in Konohagakure, it was him. I forced myself to relax as Danzo met my gaze.
"Takara-chan. I am Shimura Danzo and I wanted to invite you to join my organisation," Danzo stated and I frowned.
"I don't want that. I would rather work under the Hokage," I stated and Danzo's gaze sharpened.
"What makes you think you won't be working under the Hokage?"
I shrugged. "Tobi."
Danzo stiffened at my words, his eyes narrowing. "Where did you hear that name?"
"Where do you think I got the Sharingan from?" I questioned and he turned pale.
"B-but I was under the impression..." he trailed off before regaining his composure. "Are you loyal to Konohagakure?"
"I'm loyal only to one thing. And that's myself," I replied and Danzo pursued his lips, nodding stiffly before leaving the room.
Once he left, I collapsed onto one of the chairs, realising that I probably just made an enemy out of one of the most powerful shinobi in Konohagakure.
...
After my shift ended at the hospital, I made my way to the Hokage tower. I signed in at the receptionist before making my way up to the Hokage's office. I knocked on his door, entering when given the clear and the Third looked at me in surprise before giving me a smile.
"Takara, how can I help you?"
I frowned. "Shimura Danzo."
The Third stiffened. "What of him?"
"He approached me today and asked me to join his organisation. I declined, but I would like to know that this doesn't affect my standing with you," I replied and the Hokage's eyes flashed with anger for a split second before calming down.
"It doesn't. He was ordered not to approach you. You are to be with your peers, at your request. I will speak with him about it," the Third stated and I frowned.
"Don't worry yourself. I can handle him."
The Third cracked a smile. "He's a very powerful, very influential person in the village. You will be best off letting me deal with him. I'll make sure he doesn't approach you again. That being said, if you do decide to join his organisation in the future, I will not stop you."
I nodded. "Thank you, Hokage-sama. I will take my leave now." I bowed and left the office contemplating what has been said by both Danzo and the Hokage. It appears my peaceful life here in Konohagakure was starting to waver.
...
Today was an interesting day. The start of the graduation exams. Today was the written portion – where we'd be tested on our reading and writing, mathematics, geography, science, and history knowledge – and tomorrow was the physical portion where we'd be tested on our sparring, ninja tool and weapon use, and one of the Academy ninjutsu as well as quizzed on our knowledge of Genjutsu.
I sat in class. Naruto – of course – was freaking out over the written portion of the exam. Even with me tutoring him from time to time, he still wasn't the sharpest kunai in the pouch and it often showed with his test results. Everyone was sure he was going to fail the exams completely. Me? I had more faith in him. He'll do poorly on the written exams but still pass, as for the physical exams, he'll do alright as long as he isn't tested on the clone jutsu. Of course, knowing his luck, that would be what we're tested on.
Iruka-sensei arrived and the class settled down. He explained the first exam and then handed it out. Once everyone had their exams, he told us to begin. This went on for all the written exams for the day and I was confident that I got in the top five for the class (if not the top three with me being either second or third. I suspected Nara Shikamaru would be first place for the theory, with a girl with pink hair named Haruno Sakura taking up either second or third).
The next day came along with the practical portion of the exam. First came the sparring. I was up against Sasuke and I won like usual, though Sasuke now put up more of a fight thanks to our regular sparring sessions. I actually worked up a bit of a pant now when training with him that I didn't have to fake.
Then came weapon and ninja tool use. Naruto was the best when it came to using ninja tools to create traps (it was skill he developed from his pranks) and Sasuke was the best when it came to throwing weapons followed closely by me. We were then quizzed in a separate room on Genjutsu, and then came time for the dreaded ninjutsu test. As I suspected, it was the clone jutsu and Naruto failed. By the end of the day, everyone but Naruto passed the graduation exams.
I tried to cheer Naruto up but he just pushed me away, telling me he wanted to be alone and so I left him to his sorrows, going with Sasuke for another sparring session. Tomorrow we had off whilst they sorted out the teams and we're supposed to get our I.D photos taken.
Because I had graduated, I decided to go to the shops and get some proper clothing for missions instead of what I already had. I chose an outfit and got about five pairs of the same outfit, paying with the money I had earned from working at the hospital. I returned home and was surprised to Iruka-sensei knocking on my door.
"Iruka-sensei?" I called out and he spun around, relief flooding his features.
"Takara-chan, have you seen Naruto? He stole something from the Hokage office and everyone's after him," Iruka-sensei questioned and I frowned. That didn't sound like something Naruto would do for a prank. Even he had his limits.
"No, I haven't seen him. But if you want, I can help you look?" I offered and Iruka-sensei shook his head.
"No, it's fine. Just keep an ear out if he returns, will you?"
I nodded and Iruka-sensei left, leaving me frowning as I unlocked the door to my apartment and entered.
Naruto, what are you doing?
...
I woke up early the next day to banging on my door. I groaned and got up, walking over to the front door and pushing it open, seeing Naruto standing there with a bright grin on his face. I frowned.
"Naruto, what are you doing here so early?" I questioned as I glanced at the clock on the wall and saw it wasn't even six o'clock yet.
"I graduated! I learnt this super cool jutsu and Iruka-sensei and old man Hokage allowed me to graduate! We'll be training together as genin!" Naruto shouted in excitement and I blanched, looking at his forehead to see the forehead protector sitting there, proudly shining in the dawn light.
I gave Naruto a smile and gestured for him to come in. He entered and I made us some hot chocolate, sitting down across from Naruto, still half-asleep despite the loudness of the wake-up call.
"I'm happy for you, Naruto. But couldn't you have waited for a more appropriate time to wake me up and tell me?" I questioned and Naruto blushed, rubbing the back of his head.
"Sorry. I was just so excited that I just had to tell you. Do you think we'll be teammates? I hope so. I don't want to be with anyone other than you and Sakura-chan," Naruto stated making me frown at the thought of the pink-haired kunoichi.
Sakura and I weren't exactly the best of friends. We respected each other's skills, but she didn't like that I hang out with Sasuke regularly and she never gets the chance. I suspect that if she wasn't a fangirl, we'd probably would've gotten along better than we do now. Plus, I didn't like how she treated Naruto (who had a massive crush on the girl for whatever reason).
"Naruto, not to be a pessimist, but the teams are usually made up of two males and one female. You will be with either me or Sakura, not me and Sakura," I explained and Naruto frowned.
"Awe," he pouted and I laughed as I stood up.
"Do you want some breakfast before heading home to prepare for your photos?" I questioned him and he grinned, nodding his head and I prepared breakfast for the both of us before he left and then got ready for the day.
After getting ready Naruto and I made our way to get our photos taken. He wanted to wear some weird face paint, but I wouldn't let him, and now he was a bit prissy with me. Not that I cared too much. He was my mission target after all. Not my friend. At least, that's what I keep telling myself.
We got our photos taken and went to give our I.D's to the Hokage. He was looking over them when some small kid with brown hair ran into the room and tried to 'attack' the Hokage. I flinched, prepared to attack the kid but realised that if it was truly any threat, the ANBU would've arrived to defend their Hokage.
As if to prove my thoughts correct, the kid tripped over his scarf and face planted. I looked at him with a blank expression as he shot up and looked around, eyes settling on me and Naruto before pointing rudely at us.
"You two! You made me trip! You two are formidable opponents. I declare you two my rivals!" the kid announced and Naruto and I just snorted.
"You tripped over your own scarf," I stated and the kid glared at me.
"No, I didn't!" he then went on a tangent about how we were truly good shinobi to have tripped him so easily. Naruto, of course, go annoyed and went to punch the kid when some man wearing classes ran in.
"How dare you treat the honourable grandson like that! Put him down!" the man snapped at Naruto.
"Huh?" Naruto questioned.
"Yeah, I'm the Third Hokage's grandson, so you gotta treat me with respect!" the kid announced smugly and Naruto stared at the smirking kid before punching him on the head and dropping him.
"Treat you with respect? What have you done to earn our respect?" I questioned with a raised eyebrow and the kid looked at us in surprise as the Hokage sighed. The Third was obviously over this shit.
"Takara, Naruto, your pictures are fine, you may leave," the Hokage stated and I nodded, giving him a bow before grabbing Naruto by the collar and dragging him out, passing Sasuke as we went.
...
We were walking to the training ground to get some training in when I noticed we were being followed by the brat from earlier. Naruto sighed and confronted the brat and I just leaned back and watched.
"Hey, Naruto," I said, interrupting their discussion.
"Hmm? Yeah, Takara?" Naruto questioned, looking at me.
"I just remembered I have a shift at the hospital. I'll see you tomorrow for our team assignments," I stated and walked off before him or the brat could say anything.
I made my way to the hospital where I signed in for my shift and started to work. I was at that level in my training where I knew the very basic medical ninjutsu – I could heal scratches and cuts using just my chakra. I was just finishing up with my last patient when Fujikura-sensei approached me.
"You've been doing exceptionally well, Takara-chan. I have some more books, these ones on the bodies systems for you to read and study. Once you finish them, I'll start to teach you more advanced medical ninjutsu," Fujikura-sensei explained and I took the books from her with a bow.
"Thank you, Fujikura-sensei. I'll try my best to meet your expectations," I stated and she smiled before leaving.
I signed out for the day and made my way home. Stopping when I realised something. There was no one following me. I paused, looking around everywhere before letting out a small smile. It appears that either the ANBU in charge of watching me have gotten better at hiding their presence, or they have lifted my surveillance. I didn't want to test it out just yet, so I made my way home and prepared dinner, reading the first of the medical text books given to me today (on the nervous system) as I cooked and ate before doing my nightly routine and preparing for the next day. The day I would join a team.