The last day before the academy is here… it's driving me insane. I woke up before the alarm clock though I am pleased that it did actually work. I run around the border of the three compounds as the sun is still rising hoping to burn off anxiety as wells as stamina points. I succeed in only one of those things sadly.

Running Proficiency Level has risen X1

You have gained 1 AGI X1

I then continue my workout with some light stretches then move onto sit ups and push-ups all before breakfast yet the anxiety eats at me anyways, held back barely by the calm.

I make a quickly breakfast for Ami and I who seems jittery as well. It feels good not to be the only one who is nervous. When we part our separate ways I wander the village like I had done not so long ago. Maybe I should go to the library? I mean I am not fully done the books yet but I am close… no, not today.

I sigh a tired sort of feeling filling my chest as I do so. I wander closer and closer to the academy on instinct more than anything else. Maybe to just get a feel for the place before I will be expected to spend 5 days a week there for next six years. It seems I'm not the only one with the idea as I spot a small familiar figure staring through the gates of the academy many emotions crossing his tiny face. He is familiar because, he is the one this WHOLE WORLD is named for. Naruto Uzumaki. It's got to be him. Bright, and I mean REALLY bright yellow hair sticks out form all directions. Blue eyes like the sky lost in thought stare at the building. His cheeks have those famous whisker marks but seeing them in real like is different than an anime, they are very noticeable and distinctive, if I didn't know better I would think they were tattoos instead of birthmarks.

I reach out with my sensing hesitantly. I can already feel him from here but try to concentrate just on him like I would when tracking Ami… well it feels like staring the sun because his chakra is blazing onto my senses. His chakra must be unlocked because it courses everywhere in him, I doubt that such strong chakra could ever be locked to begin with. His chakra is thick, like molasses, and so full of life… it feels amazing. I look deeper and deeper and feel and uncomfortable feeling in my gut the closer I look yet I can't stop myself. Energy… lots of energy of different types swirl in him. Bubbly like boiling water yet in the form of flames. Without thinking my eyes close trying to process it. Orange flashes through my mind and red, deep red like blood. I can practically hear a snarl… I have never HEARD chakra before now.

"Hey… are you ok?" A voice tentatively asks. It snaps me form my sensing state and I didn't realize I was shaking. I meet the eyes of the person talking to me realizing they were holding my arms as if worried I would fall over. Dark blue meets sky blue. Naruto Uzumaki… he's just a little kid, no where near what he could become in raw power.

"I… I'm fine… sorry." I say blushing because how do you explain randomly shaking like a leaf for no good reason?

Sensing Proficiency level has risen X3

I blink at the notification. That was really unexpected.

"Oh… ok then." Naruto in tiny form says with a smile letting go of me. I stumble catching myself as he scratched the back of his head. He is not like I expected him to be. He is so… small. He isn't wearing eye sore bright orange, or any orange at all really. Instead he is wearing an oversized white t-shirt and black shorts that aren't unlike my own. Standard orphan clothes really. The only thing of note is the big red Uzumaki swirl on the front. That's right… he doesn't know about the Uzumaki clan does he? The only reason I know about them is because of my story knowledge. I have yet to find a mention of them in the history book I am reading. Something tells me that's intentional. I'm tempted to mention something to him but he's probably too young, and on top of that how could I explain it? No, I should first find a reference at the very least before crossing that line.

"My… my name's Sayori." I say with a small smile. I refuse to be a blushing mess, no that's Hinata's job. Still it feels like I am talking to a celebrity in a weird sort of way.

"Oh!" Naruto says his eyes wide and excited. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki! Ya know!" He exclaims, loudly, VERY loudly, so loud I am tempted to cover my ears but can't hold back the physical flinch at his sheer volume. Seriously, how can such a small kid be so loud? I look around, there are eyes on him, angry eyes, eyes that are accusing. It startles me the depth of the sheer hate in them, empathy wells up in me for the kid, a dangerous emotion. After all if I am going to stay under the radar hanging with Naruto is the last thing I want isn't it? But I can't quite reject him either…

"It's nice to meet you Naruto-san. Will you be going to the academy?" I ask him, with a friendly smile, his own is blinding but forced, mine is smaller, more subtle but sincere. I think he can tell it's sincere, by the confusion on his face.

"Ya! I'm going to be the best there is! One day I'll be hokage! Just like Jiji and my hero the fourth Hokage!" He declares and I tilt my head as he points triumphantly at the hokage stone faces. I know the whole hokage dream but I don't really remember the whole 'hero the fourth hokage' thing is that something unique to this world? Or was that always the case? I smirk, I could use this, I have no intention of keeping things the 'same' my spotty knowledge may become useless but with me here it could be useless anyway. After all who says that my parents even existed in this world in the original timeline? Who says things aren't already inherently different. I plan to make things better if I can.

"Wow, that's quite the goal. The fourth was a seal master and the fastest ninja alive after all." I tell him almost absent minded way. From what I read about him he is worthy of respect, however I still can't get over the whole enslavement of tailed beasts, and sacrificing your own child thing. Sorry Minato, I admire you but at the end of the day I don't want to be like ANY of the Hokage's at least not in actions. If anything I am a little partial to Madara Uchiha. He may have been a jerk, but he truly wanted peace, and he had his priorities of family first.

"Well I'm going to be better!" Naruto declares though there is a little bit of wonder in his gaze. It's rather intense actually. What to do next? What are you supposed to talk about with a kid? Are you supposed to randomly ask questions or ask to play with them or something?

"Naruto-kun…" a voice says and I jump because well… I didn't feel whoever said that. No one ever sneaks up on me but whoever this was, they were a ghost on my radar. I turn to see an old man and my eyes widen. The third FRICKEN hokage…

In the story I remember that he was old, however it is hard to describe how old he really looks. Not physically, I mean, he looks great for a senior still moving around in a sure footed ninja way, and not even the slightest faulted in his step, no what I mean is his eyes. Those dark eyes have seen MANY things, they are old eyes.

"Jiji!" Naruto says running over and practically jumping on the man wrapping his arms around his neck. The looks of the villagers turn away not wanting to see such a sight as the most hated child being enraged by the most beloved man in the village.

"It's good to see you again, Naruto-kun." The old man says chuckling. "How about we go get some ramen." He offers taking the small boys hand and I smile. It's a heart warming sight, it's almost enough to make you forget the fact that the old man there has probably killed (killed not murdered) hundreds. He will murder (murder not kill) nearly all the Uchiha clan within the next few years even by just by turning a blind eye. It's almost enough to make you forget that the child he is holding the hand of so lovingly, he is simultaneously lying to about everything. It's almost enough to forget the fact that as a jinchuriki, Naruto needs to have close ties to the ruling party, and so his involvement in Naruto's life could very well be equally political as it is about guilt or genuine affection. Come to think of it… did Minato know these special Kage requirements when he married Kushina? Or was it just chance? The sight is so cute you can alsmot not think about all these application. Unfortunately almost is not enough, so I lean heavily into the calm to avoid these thoughts showing.

"Ya! Let's go Jiji." Naruto says but then turns back to me a sheepish look that he forgot we were talking. It's fine, I'm a stranger, from what I remeber Hiruzen there is one of the only positive people in Naruto's whole life and probably doesn't spend much time with the kid considering his job and the fact he has a family too.

"Maybe I'll see you at the academy Naruto-san." I say with a smile for his benefit more than anything else.

"I'd like that… make sure your alright Sayori-chan! Don't want you to fall over!" Naruto declares and I see soemthing flash through the aged Hokage's eyes and stiffen slightly. Why did Naruto have to say THAT? I know he doesn't understand the implications but still… that of all things.

"I'll be fine." I tell him try to hide the hint of fear that is in my voice, I hope I succeeded. The Hokage leads the hero to be away. Once they are out of sight I sprint home not even carrying as I loose stamina it looks horrible and I might actually pass out. I make it home ignoring the notification.

Running proficiency level has risen X1

I run home and collapse on my bed anxious now about what the Hokage might think and if I have failed already to stay under the radar. I begin to meditate only the realizing that I am no longer nervous about tomorrow ironically.

Meditation proficiency level has risen X2

I lay out my book and writing brush, as well as ink. There are pencils in this world… I think but I have never used one before. I just hope that I don't die before I can really get to live.