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Chouka stood infront of the classroom. All eyes were on her as Iruka lectured the two boys tied together on the floor. Her eyes were locked onto the floor, wondering how'd she get herself into such an situation. How did she get caught and roped into trouble along with Konoha's troublemakers? How did it get to this point?
Well, it started with Chouka minding her own business. She was casually wandering the village, skipping class for the millionth time. Naruto and Kenta, Konoha's infamous pranksters were running away from their consequences. Said consequences (which was just ninja chasing after them) were trying their best to catch the two troublesome boys who has graffitied all over the Hokage Rock. The cliff that held all four of the current and previous Hokage's faces.
The ninjas didn't notice her, no one really did. But this time, she was glad no one noticed her. She was skipping class the day before the exam, which was the day she'd become a genin. She'd be in some deep trouble if she was caught.
And she certainly was. A man Chouka was very familiar with stood infront of her. Usually, he wouldn't mind her skipping and would let her do her thing, but it was the day before the exam and he was not having it. So he kidnapped her, brung her back to Iruka's classroom, and said, "this yours?"
And that's how she ended up here. Standing infront of the classroom waiting for her scolding while everyone was staring at her. No one ever noticed she was gone and if they did, they didn't expect you to be here. So it was certainly a shock to see Chouka IN class.
"And you, young lady!" Iruka said. Chouka sighed, already annoyed. She wouldn't have been here if it wasn't for that damn smoke addict. "You've rarely attented any, if not all, of my classes! You skipped the exam last year, forcing us to hold you back! You'd be lucky to even pass this year with all the classes you've missed out on. And that goes for you two, Naruto and Kenta. You three got that?"
The boys looked away in rebellion and Chouka only grumbled a yes sir.
That didn't satisfy him.
"Alright, then! Because you three missed it, the whole class will be redoing the Transformation Jutsu. And that includes you too!
Everybody groaned. Chouka sighed miserably. All she wanted was to sit down and not draw anymore attention to herself, but it seems like today is not the day.
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Everyone was lined up side by side. I didn't stand in line since I saw no point. I was last after all, so it'll be a bit before my turn comes up.
These kids could be potential enemies in the future. I can watch and observe them and see just how skilled they are.
First up was Sakura Haruno. From what I can tell, heard, and seen, she was one of Sasuke's many fangirls. Due to a rumor that Sasuke liked girls with long hair, she grew it out. Unfortunately, due to teasing back in the early Academy days, she covers her forehead with her bangs. Sakura was also a smart girl, but she had no real fighting experience. She relied on book smarts and avoided any physical trials to focus on impressing Sasuke.
"Did you see that Sasuke?! Did you see that?!" She asked, after transforming back into herself.
Sasuke ignored her and stepped up since he was next. A shiver ran down my spine. I never saw how girls could fall for Sasuke. To me, his glare was terrifying and there was no way I would trust a guy like him.
Sasuke Uchiha. He was the last of his clan. Every since the Uchiha Massacre, no one has ever seen a smile on his face. It was hard to believe there was one on there in the first place. Anyway, I knew Sasuke was skilled. He was an Uchiha and there was a high chance he already unlocked his Sharingan. It'd be a pain to fight against him.
Man, how does Naruto stand up to a guy like that? His chakra is disgustedly tainted with hate, it makes me sick.
"Good. Next." Iruka said.
The infamous Naruto Uzumaki stepped forward. Everybody knew him, just like they knew Sasuke. Naruto, along with his one and only friend, was a prankster and troublemaker. Not to mention, he was an underdog as well. He didn't have the best control over his Ninjutsu, from what I've heard. Though, he dreams big. Wanting to become Hokage and all that. It's not impossible, but the chances aren't in his favor either.
To everyone's shock, including my own, Narut transformed into a very sexy, female version of himself. Iruka's nosebleed sent him flying backwards. I turned around from the sight, not wanting to fall for it.
Damn Naruto and that Sexy Jutsu of his!
To my pleasure, Iruka scolded him. I chuckled evily to myself until I felt a pair of eyes glaring into my soul. In the line, there stood the infamous Kenta Bushida glaring at me.
I nervously laughed and looked away.
Haha, I should be sure to stay away from Kenta. His strength is rumored to be impossible to match with and I don't even wanna know if that's true.
Today really isn't my day...
"We need to talk, Chouka." Iruka said. We both sat above Naruto and Kenta as they cleaned the graffiti off the Hokage Rock. "It's about tomorrow. As your teacher, I'm worried for you. You missed the exam last year and forced me to fail you. Now, you missed every class of mine. I don't want to fail you again."
"And you won't, Iruka-sensei." I said to him confidently. "I missed it on purpose. I didn't feel prepared or ready enough to become a genin."
"As for skipping your class, I'm sorry sensei. I have no real excuse for skipping. I always went out to train, eat with Matobi-sensei, or just to skip class. Please forgive me." I bowed. My words were genuine and I had no excuse for missing his classes.
Iruka sighed, but smiled anyway. "I'll forgive you if you give the boys an extra hand."
I looked down to see the boys grumbling to themselves. They obviously weren't happy.
"Fine. I'm only doing this because I owe you. By the way, Iruka, can I give you a nickname?"
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His eyebrows raises for a second, surprised by my question. "Ah, Asuma told me about your habit of giving people nicknames. Said something about it's your way to sh-"
"What?!" Chouka interrupted, embarrassed. "He told you that?! Damn Matobi! Spilling my secrets like that..." Before Iruka could tease her anymore, she jumped down to help the boys.
Iruka watched as the girl went silent and started helping the boys. Naruto gave her weird looking before returning back to his work while Kenta paid her no mind. He smiled, happy to get along with the girl, but it sooned faded.
If it wasn't for the nine-tailed beast attack twelve years ago, then she still would've had at least one parent to care for her. I still would've had my parents. And Kenta still would've had his. And Naruto...
"You know, I was thinking... If you guys finish before the sun sets, then I'll buy all you of some Ramen Ichiraku."
Naruto and Kenta worked harder than they have ever had to before. Chouka didn't understand their sudden motivation, but decided not to ask.
Iruka looked at the three children.
And to think they're all orphans.
Chouka didn't join Iruka and the others. The sun was setting and she didn't feel like interrupting their time together. She knew very well that she wasn't as close to Iruka as Naruto and Kenta were. But she did know two people who she could rely on.
"Why so lonely?" Chouka looked up to see her one of her three favorite people. "You okay, kiddo?"
Chouka smiled before it fell into playful anger.
"You smoke addict! You got me in trouble today! I had to do the Transformation Jutsu infront of the class and help clean the Hokage Rock because you brung me back to the classroom! I thought we were friends, Matobi!"
Matobi, also known as Asuma Sarutobi, was a blunt man who used to train and take care of Chouka when she was eight years old. After a couple of years of training her, she had mastered everything he hd taught her. Now, Asuma comes to check up on Chouka every now and then.
"Sure did, but I guarantee you got something good out of it. Isn't that right?"
Chouka looked away, not wanting to admit he was right. She got to examine her classmates and she finally got to apologize to Iruka.
"That's what I thought. Now stop being sad. We're meeting Kurenai at the Yakiniku Q."
He started walking and Chouka followed.
"Really?" A smug look plastered itself on Chouka's face. "Do you need me to be your right-hand woman or something? I don't want to third-wheel and ruin your da-" Asuma smacked the back of her had. "OW! I'm telling Kurenai you hit me!"
"Huh?" His eyes widened and sweat-dropped at the remembrance of what happened last time. "Heh, sorry kid. My hand slipped." He placed his large hand on Chouka's head.
"Yeah, you better be sorry..." Suddenly, Asuma's hand tightened. "Wait, wait, ow, I'm sorry! I was just playing!" Satisfied, he untightened and moved his hand off her head.
"Yeah, you better be kid."
Today was the exam. For the first time in months, Chouka attended Iruka's class to everyone's shock. And to her own surprise, she was actually listening to Iruka explain the exam. There was a written and physical test. Chouka had no doubt she'd pass. So when she stepped into the other classroom to preform the Shadow Clone Jutsu, she was confident.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Two copies of Chouka appeared beside her.
Iruka smiled. He was proud to see Chouka wasn't all bark and no bite. He checked something off his clipboard.
"Good job, Chouka. You're officially a genin!"
The exams were over and Chouka was happy to prove to Iruka that she was prepared. Though, when she stepped outside the Academy, a bunch of parents and siblings awaited for their children. It ruined Chouka's happy mood, but she didn't show it. Instead, she squeezed through the crowd of adults and their children, trying to get out.
Why'd they have to crowd the entrance and be so close together? Can't they leave some space?!
Chouka squeezed through one more person before falling onto open ground. She stood and brushed the dirt off her clothes, mumbling. When she looked up, she saw Naruto sitting on the swing alone with Kenta nowhere to be seen.
"Did you hear, he failed the exam for the fourth time!"
"It's a good thing he did too. If he managed to be a ninja, think of all the bad things he could do!"
"Especially with that THING inside him!"
Chouka turned back towards the crowd she came from. She heard a couple of girls whispering, but the crowd was to noisy and thick to point out where.
What are they talking about? Is it about Naruto? And what thing?
When Chouka looked back, she expected to still see Naruto sitting on the swing, but he wasn't there.
I hope he's okay...
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"ChΕ? Is that you?" A familiar voice said to me. I turned around to see two familiar faces. One a delight surprise and the other in pure shock. "Would you look at that? It is. Hello, ChΕ!"
"Obaa-san!" Chouka said, looking between the elderly lady and Kenta. Realization hit her. "Wait, Kenta, you're her grandson?! Obaa-san, you never told me this!"
"And you never asked." She laughed. I could only sigh, not expecting this plottwist.
Fuyumi Bushida, Kenta's grandmother, was a pale woman who had snow white hair and the coldest green ice eyes ever. She was a wise, old, woman who bragged about taking care of the third and fourth Hokage. Sometimes when I skip class, I'd find her on the roof, meditating. I would help her roof garden, listen to her many stories, and I would sometimes read to her. Unfortunately, she was losing her eyesight day by day. It's only a matter of time before she loses it all.
Yet, she smiles despite everything she's gone through.
"Kenta, dear, have you met ChΕ? You seem to know each other."
"Uhm, no. Not officially." He said, oddly quiet. He seemed a lot more awkward for some reason.
"Well, introduce yourselves! Make sure to shake hands. You start first, Kenta."
He sighed, seeming annoyed. "I'm Kenta Bushida. It's nice to meet you."
He extended his hand and I didn't hesitate to take it.
"Chouka Gushiken. Obaa-san talks about you a lot. Never expected she was talking about the infamous Kenta."
He took his hand back, embarrassed. Fuyumi laughed at her grandson, making his face turn even more red.
"I should get going. See you two some other time." I waved them goodbye and headed home.
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Chouka laid down on her bed. Contemplating everything from yesterday to today. So much has happened. Instead of spending her days by training alone or with Asuma, she had managed to apologize to Iruka, meet Fuyumi's grandson, and pass the exam.
But this is only the beginning. After tomorrow is orientation day. She'll be assigned into a three-man squad and tested. Whatever that test is going to be, she wasn't planning to go head first into it unprepared.
So she let herself fall asleep. She'll train hard tomorrow.