A Shadow Surviving

by JAzure20

Fight to survive. Her paths led her in becoming a shinobi in order to exist. She was an outsider and so she must create her own path and a new future for herself. It will be hard, difficult, and overwhelming, but as she's already gotten used to being pushed around. A story of growth, self-confidence, and becoming a legend in her own rights is about to begin.

6. Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – Admittance

"I was told I was a genius. I knew the truth, I'm not. I just learn and adapt quickly, that does not define you as one simply because you are better at something than someone else. While others would take it for granted in being titled as such, it is also a frustration when your hard work is downplayed as simply because you are presented as a prodigy."

~XXX~

It was bizarre finding both Hagami and Giran near the entrance of the hospital from where Sana had just now her pre-academy physical analysis. Apparently, they had been curious to where she went and was told by one of the caretakers of her decisions of finally applying for the academy. It was nearing the evening, and the two escorted her back to the orphanage for a day rest without any training. It was something she declined. If she missed a day of training, then it would simply cause her to be more lazy for another day break of doing nothing. The two boys chuckled at her reason before easing her worry stating that she would have to be well rested in order to be up early for evaluation.

"I have already been analysed in being fit to become a ninja." The Hyūga nodded his head at her statement before tapping the side of his head.

"While that is good, having a lack of energy will do you no good from when you start your lesson in the academy." He rubbed his chin, he started to blush and halted Sana from interrupting him, "While, the knowledge there might not have anything that would perhaps interest you from my notes, there are also things which I am privy from that is meant to be taught to…certain gender."

"Gender?" The question caused the dark haired boy to widen his eyes before blushing the same as the Hyūga who said so.

"Ah, yeah. The girls in the academy have an extra class which is only for girls. Most of us got the general idea of what it's about but…umm, let's say it's not something I find comfortable to learn even if I was a girl to begin with."

Sana raised a brow at his words before nodding seriously. It seems as though there was indeed something to learn from the academy that was not available to a specific gender, it now only means that she would have to study it more by herself than having another person's opinion to the matter.

"A-anyway, the other reason for having to rest early is because you'll be getting tested in what you currently know in general; History, Mathematics, Literature and whatnot." Giran said scratching his cheek, "You'll be arriving earlier than us before joining a class that fits your general level."

"I see," the girl hummed at his words and seeing the reason for missing her training for today. Even if she was to neglect the two boy's words, the lack of food to consume didn't really help in having the energy to focus on training. "Then I'll leave early for the test and see you guys in the academy?"

"Of course, we'll see each other in our lunch break. It'll be fun to have another of my friends finally joining." The dark haired boy grinned at her as the three continued their path to the orphanage.

"I'm amazed you even have friends to begin with, Giran." Sana said with a wave of her hand.

"Hey!"

~XXX~

Maybe it was the training the violet eyes girl received from Shisui coming to fruition when she woke up sensing a presence nearing her. The early rest the girl took actually helped her feel less exhausted that usual, yet the feeling of her stomach aching for its need for food would continue to linger. One of the caretakers opened the door without knocking and raised a brow at her awoken gaze staring at his direction, it had caused the man to sweat-drop and feel a little uneasy which was what the girl was going for.

He spoke afterwards a few seconds later telling her to get ready to head to the academy. Looking at the single window of the room, it was before dawn. Any more of sleeping for the day wasn't likely to happen after her first day of the academy.

While following the man to the academy, she looked around, memorising the pathways to said building. It was better to get used of quick ways to arrive if she was to go by herself. What caught Sana's attention the most was the stone monuments of the previous and current leaders of this village, near it was a tall wooden building which was the general location of where you would find said leader. There was really no reason to actually come near this part of area in the first place previously. But, it was currently going to be a daily view seeing those stone faces and building for a couple of years now, she could just tell that looking at it would get boring sooner or later.

Entering the school building, Sana was then led to an office room. Informing them of the reason for her appearing in the academy before walking away without any lack of farewell to her. She was practically left to stand in the room awkwardly, waiting for the person who left the office to return.

"Take a seat, Sana-san." the dark haired man sitting at the front desk requested. He had a gentle face. Her initial thought was that he was a secretary of sorts, but the forehead protector around his neck indicated his status as a ninja to the village. Was there other occupations as a ninja? From what Sana could analyse from the top part of the man's body, it was like the physical aspects of the man was now more on appearance than for really any real danger to risks that may occur. But who was she to say if the man was capable or not. "There will be someone who will be with you shorty."

Nodding her head, she took a seat near the entrance, hoping to at least have this whole waiting and testing to be quickly dealt with. There was nothing to really look at but the ninja himself who was doing writing something which looked boring just doing.

Fortunately, the waiting was shorter than the hospital as a boyish looking man with, short dark blue hair strode into the room. "You Sana?" The girl nodded her head in confirmation, and he continued, "Follow me. I was tasked to be in charge of your assessment today." The man did not look back at her as he stated so, walking at his own pace, leading her further into the building and into a small presentable room with a plastic chair and wooden desk. A set of papers sat on said desk which was thick with a single pencil to the side of it.

"Take a seat." He ordered, and she obeyed without question. "There are several subjects that are applied for your assessment which is given to everyone before they start at the academy. The test is based on theoretical and based around the academy's four year curriculum you would do when starting. It is our way in testing your critical thinking skills and problem solving. What that means is for you to answer as many questions as you can, it will not result in a failure if you do not know certain things." He paused for a second for the girl to let his words sip in before continuing, "Do not leave this room until I return when your time is up. You will not ask questions. You may start when I leave this room. Am I clear?"

"Yes." And with those word, he disappeared in a puff of smoke. Sana sighed as she witnessed the man disappear in front of her and yet the feeling of something prickly made her think that she was not really alone. With the short but thorough information provided to her, she realised that the time limit for the exam was not provided and so she immediately started to go through with the questions. It was a good thing she was learnt how to actually write with both Giran and Hagami's help, it would have set her back more than she knew. Picking up the pencil and writing down her name where it was indicated, she begun looking over the first page.

The beginning few pages tested her basic understanding of reading, writing, and maths. All things which was to her quite simple if she was told how difficult it was. There was questions based on the rules of a ninja which she basically knew nothing about as well as the whole concept of chakra. Although Sana could answer some thanks to discussion she had with the medic the day before.

Hagami's notes of the geography of the world was more than enlightening for her next few questions as she was able to answer them, although it focused more on Fire Country, if anything else. There was general questions for history which she did not really focus on as it did not really interest her to study on and so she left it unanswered.

There was questions beyond the level of what Hagami's notes provided for maths, but she was able to perhaps figure out an answer if not too confident that it was right. Logic puzzles was plastered in several of the pages as questions to be answered as did decrypting messages. It was something that was not studied by Hagami himself, and yet Sana took her time and made slow but clear process to the questions. There was still several pages left which had more focus on the rules of a ninja that was left unanswered, perhaps the clan kids would get those correct however, she was not from one and so she did not have the same obligation as the others.

For a test created for a set of kids four years above, it was quite simple for her to answer. While there was some that was difficult, with further calculations, she at least had something to write. Deciding to try out some of the history which she had left out earlier, a question about the names of current and former Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village, in order. It was simple enough. Scribbling her answer, Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze.

'List the five great nations to their respective Hidden Villages.'

This question wasn't something that was noted down by Hagami and so Sana had to think about the question more thoroughly in what each part was allied with what. Although she lacked an accurate answer for the question, she knew more than enough that the Hidden Leaf was based on the Fire Country. Now that she thought about it, the Nations were named after a different chakra nature. Going by that process, there was in total five villages correlating to their chakra nature. The chakra nature being Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, and Water.

Writing down the five chakra nature, with the Hidden Leaf connected to Fire, she rubbed her chin as she looked through her notes of information she just made. There was perhaps a time where Giran may have hinted on different village names and their country. She may have unconsciously, ignored him since most of the times the boy would say the most ridiculous of things.

If she remembered correctly, it was Mist, Cloud, and Sand? There was another which she couldn't really get out from her memories, so she did her best to guess. Mist was most likely water with its moisture texture, and so Sana wrote it down next to the Water country.

Lightning and Cloud was something that had some sort of relation to each other as well, so she wrote it down. The Sand was probably something else but she didn't know what as so she put it as an Earth nature. It was basically a half-and-half chance she got it right or wrong right now with the answer she gave.

From there onwards, the questions became more difficult for her. The scenario of previous ninja war was something she knew nothing about, questions of allies of said war was left unanswered. It was all now just guessing an answer and simply hoping. Then came the final parts that was left for her to do. It was something she could figure out an answer when it came to chakra. Using the words of the medic from yesterday, chakra is formed by the mixture of physical and spiritual energy.

Continuing further related to the question wasn't something Sana wish to waste on as she did not have the actual knowledge for it to be answered and she did not have understanding on the human anatomy.

There was a question that caused her to pause and widen her eyes slightly at the scenario before tapping her pencil in a rhythm to the table.

'How would you proceed as a leader of a group of four when escaping from an enemy without being spotted?'

The question wasn't exactly straightforward but Sana could get what it was talking about, in terms of survival and making sure that they all are not spotted, there should be perhaps patience in escaping. Information of the enemy is required, such as how many is pursuing them, what is the terrains, was the resources enough to last them for escape if they go for a slow and steady pace rather than a quick one. The girl scratched her head at her answer before writing it down.

The girl sighed as she rubbed her wrist slightly from the strain of writing longer than she had expected as she looked towards the last question of the whole exam; A decoding question.

'The following message from a Country border output which involves activity of ninja from a Hidden Village is written in a simple Leaf Encoded Stage Two. Decode it using these information.'

Leaf Encoded Stage Two? It was something that was new to Sana. Whether it was simplified or not, it was useless to even attempt if she did not really know how to start it. Releasing a heavy sigh, she looked through the small hints to decoding the messages as she continued tapping her pencil on the table. "No point wasting time…" She muttered. The message took more than two and a half page to read the encrypted message. She found a pattern in some parts of the sample, and used them as context. Stretching her arms before waving her hand, she placed her focus on the hint of information.

~XXX~

The man continued to focus his gaze as the violet eye girl go through the test booklet. An unusual child, he had concluded, though it wasn't due to appearance, even if that too was quite strange as well. Her hair being dark, long, mangled and untamed. Several of strands had fallen over her pale face which caused her violet eyes to seem more brighter than you would expect. With the way the strands kept brushing and blocking some view while she was writing, her expression gave no hint of it being a hassle but more of just a minor setback. It was quite surprising since with several other girls would take care of their hair as if it was it is one of their main existence.

The girl was thorough with her calculation as she answered them carefully, writing quickly, he noted she didn't second guess her answers written down or to try it again as she continued on with the next question. The questions were too advanced in terms of the Academy's curriculum, yet she was able to get more than enough accurate answer which was correct.

Outstanding. That can the only thing said with what the man was seeing before his eyes. He crossed his arms and smirked. The medical assessment did verify her major amount in spiritual energy which indicated high intelligence. It was definitely behind the Nara Clan and yet he couldn't deny the girl may be smarter than them if she was able to solve the question with only a lack of resources. Nevertheless, it was expected that the girl did not know everything that is to be answered, such as the ninja rules, she is an civilian orphan. He could give her credits in making up some guesses to some rules even if they were far behind to what it actually was.

And yet, the girl continued to impress by applying concepts of her own medical files towards the questions during the appointment. She focused mainly on the question that could be applied to the information she had received but even then, that was something you wouldn't expect from a five year old child. He was further impressed with her answers to the scenario questions—other early entrants tended to realize they lacked explanation, but few of them actually gave detailed explanations of how specific information might impact their decision, and even fewer had the mentality to suggest mercy killing their comrade, even when it was the best option.

Her answers towards the scenario questions were lacking information, and that was the purpose of the question, it was a way to see how the examiner will figure up a solution to the situation on the spot rather than wasting precious time.

The final parts of the test was begun and the man expected for the girl to give up answering. She did not, the girl was able to find a set of rhythms to the codes and was able to cipher small bits of the messages. It took her awhile, but after nearly an hour she had managed to decode the first message with surprising accuracy. The decoding was slow and unsteady, but he let the time past, watching her trying to complete it, there was remaining time left until the hour hit. The message was anything but perfect, it was something any experienced ninja from any region to decode, but for a child her age? It was an impressive attempt.

Before she could start on the other pages, he faded into appearance before her. He decided to call an end to the test, he's seen all that he needed. "The test is over."

~XXX~

The man was sensed before she he could actually cause her to flinch of his sudden arrival. He announced the time of her written exam was up, before he led her outside the track. The next assessment was the physical aspects. It was something Sana thought to have confidence in her skills.

"I guess you already know what's going to happen, so I'll keep it short. The first time you run around the track and through the obstacles will be timed, go as fast as you can. After that, you will continue to pace yourself for a long distance running, and only stop when I decide to say so." So it was basically something like an obstacle training Sana did with Sensei before. "Understood." She said obediently and headed towards the starting line. As the movement of his mouth began to sound out the end of the word to start, she took off. After a few minutes of dashing in full sprint, Sana started to lower her altitude to a more controlled running pace. It wasn't so bad for her. The wind that brushed her face cooled her down with the speed she was going and so she continued with the same pace.

It felt amazing. I felt so free. I swear, it must be the whole alien thing. Considering the things actual ninja can manage, I'm guessing the people here evolved to have a higher capacity for this sort of thing. However, considering what a ninja can actually can manage, it was perhaps something of the norm for them to muster this amount of speed. But it was no matter for her either way, just going on with her pace is the best thing to do rather than rushing everything.

Time continued to pass as Sana continued to think of matters as she started to get winded with the constant running. With a slight grunt, she continued to push forward, this was the only way to leave the orphanage's treatment, there was no reason to stay there, staying as a civilian with her skill was something she could not let happen with the amount of danger lurking outside the village. A haggard breathing came into play soon after by the time the instructor called for her to stop, and as soon as he did so, the girl sat down on the spot while wiping sweat from her face.

"Steady your breath, it'll help you better." Sana gave her confirmation of hearing the helpful advice by doing so even as her heart pulse rapidly. She pulled her head up to the sky as she breathed in oxygen which felt as though her body was limited from. The wind was always so nice after a good exercise such as this. 'A good time to sleep as well…' just as she thought as such, the girl was nudged gently to her shoulder with a kick. Looking at the man, he handed a cup of water and a small towel. Sana pushed herself up before snatching it from his grasp. Practically gulping the whole content in a matter of seconds. "Huuu~" A sound of relief coming from the girl's mouth after her thirst being quenched.

"It was passable, but still pathetic." He commented. Only passable? Did that mean that actual ninja clan born kids was currently faster than her current limit? Shaking her head at the thought, she simply ignored the comment in favour of wiping of the sweat. "Breaks over kid. Time for another round." Sana eyes widened slightly at that. The man gave a sadistic grin as he saw her expression. "We are far from over."

As Sana started to run once more, she had one thought in her mind while breathing heavily.

"Hungry~"

~XXX~

It was a few hours later, with the man only stopping her now as she reached her limit and couldn't even run that she was dragged back to the small room where she took her exam. There was nothing else to do but to wait for the man's verdict to be in play whether she passed the chance to study as a ninja or fail a become a civilian. He was the only one who currently had control at this moment.

It was perhaps a plan of the man to tire her out extremely with only but a few breaks to give her small amount of stamina for other drills given to her. Her jumps were lower than what she could originally do as well as the obstacles she could swiftly dodge quickly resulted now with collisions after collisions. Maybe Shisui was right about actually learning something from the Academy. This amount of drills was still unusual for her body but the results would be tremendous in the following months, and even years. The man was taking his time which was causing Sana to worry slightly of her results. Her confidence in at least passing being wavered now. Perhaps the man was mocking her as she continued to fall on the floor after every drill and was now trying to test her patience. If so then, it was best to just…sleep~.

A loud door swing halted her glazed eyes before placing her attention to the man with a folder in hand. He set them on the table and sat on a chair which was definitely more comfortable than her own.

"Your assessment is partially complete, Kid." He announced. "Quite frankly, your physical assessment was above average for a first year student. Your speed was decent, but how you controlled your stamina and strength was pathetic. When I mean partially complete, I mean that there was other assessments such as taijutsu, ninjutsu, genjutsu, or weapons." Sana halted herself in saying she was fine with taijutsu and just nodded her head. It was still correct that there was hardly any understanding in how to use genjutsu and weapons when she was never taught such things. "Nevertheless, your flexibility will definitely come into play, it was decent enough."

That was an acceptable assessment, she focused more on exercise rather than training drills for actually fighting. The different usage for stamina was vastly different than she actually expected as of today. It was never this much when she trained with Shisui and the others.

When Sana gave no reply after a brief silence, he continued. "Your academic assessment was in short a puzzle and out of place. Your literacy are more advanced than our older students, and your maths are also the same. Did you learn them from somewhere?"

"I was taught by a friend to read and write, and basic maths." She explained. "After I had learned the material, they gave me extra questions which helped me improve."

The man across from her nodded his head. "Even so, there was more questions unanswered that caused you to have a lower grade. You skipped all the questions related to the ninja rules and provided a poor written answer of chakra and first aid section, it was basically a glance showing a failed exam. However…" He placed a hand of the exam booklet she had written on and sighed. "Considering your…formal education, you did well in those area. What in fact stood out more however, were your answers to the scenarios and the encrypted questions."

"…Meaning?" She inquired. Looking down, clenching her fists together under the table.

"The encrypted questions was not meant to be answered. There are several versions of the one you did for the entrance exam. Students from clans and ninja families are given such that are very much different. It was merely meant to catch people with things they shouldn't know…including spies."

The man gave a serious face as she looked up immediately in shock. His voice cold as he said so. Sana felt the killer intent but tried to calm herself. Compared to Sensei's, this was much easier to at least handle. However, did that mean she failed—

"Fortunately, you was observed while you was doing the whole procedure the entire time. The analysis was that you're just incredibly intelligent."

"Does that mean…"

"Yes. You pass, congratulations."

~XXX~

Sana returned to the orphanage with a slight slouch. With her now becoming a student at the ninja academy, she was no longer limited within the building and was granted more freedom. It was decided that she would start her studies in a few weeks' time with over a month of materials to catch up to the current students. With the amount of books provided, it was difficult to actually hold all of them, and so they had to seal all of it inside a scroll, just so it was more easier for her to carry. Though it seems that the man provided the scroll for other purposes than to just bring around and was emphasised in its importance to keeping it safe and making sure the books are secured inside when she was not using them.

The drills she did had her thinking on putting those into her training in order to catch up. If the words of what the man said was true, she was still behind the other students and so, she would have to train harder…the next day. There was now a reason to actually have an excuse to things that shouldn't be provided to a child like her now. She was going to be a ninja. Be sent out to fight, to kill and steal. She had to do better and learn more that it would be embedded to her head.

It was dark as she arrived at the entrance of the orphanage, she was welcomed brightly by the caretakers which felt unnatural and disgusting. She was served more food than before, it irked her that they had this amount and yet they still distribute it unfairly. "You worked today, didn't you, dear?" The caretaker chuckled. "You missed lunch so I kept some extra food to make up for it." Sana gave a silent thanks which she didn't actually mean and soon after left to take a shower before hitting her head on her rough pillow. She was too tired than usual and her eyes shut immediately.

~XXX~

The perk of being known as a ninja academy student was that she did not have that much of a curfew. There was no longer the need to leave so early in the morning to train secretly. The long overdue rest she had was taken longer than expected and she sighed in relief with each tension leaving her body.

Getting up, she got to the dining area where the caretaker from last night noticed her appearance and walked towards her. "Since you're starting your training, it'll be better to have some durable clothes." The woman explained as she showed the best clothes which wasn't mangled to the extreme.

"Pick out a few outfits that you think will be comfortable. It's all been used before, so there won't be any reason to really stay here." The room contained various amount of clothing and footwear's which were worn out but better than what she was wearing currently. Sana observed the clothing's before noticing something that stood out to her; her old clothes which the caretaker took. It wasn't long and was already mangled and beyond repair at best. She gritted her teeth before returning her emotions stable before the woman noticed. The woman was definitely tow-faced, her personality upon her admittance to the academy did a full switch of her neglect. Sana continued to touch the fabrics of school shirt which felt durable and appealing before deciding on a simple black shirt with the leaf emblem displayed on one side of the sleeve while the others was seemingly pulled out, the next was a plain black cream coloured shorts which looked the cleanest out of the rest and picked that before she was done.

The woman smiled at her and sent her to try them on. The size was too big for her, but they would do for when she continued to grow older over the year. Sana picked out other shirts of the same texture and size before grabbing a standard sandals her size.

With new wardrobe provided, the woman left her alone to study and train, which was a relief to her. The scroll Sana received from the instructor was grabbed from her tucked pillow before releasing the content like it was shown before. A puff of smoke, stacks of books appearing on her bed. There was a small note of instruction in what to start and nodded at each books with which to read first. There wasn't that much time so she needed to finish it quickly in order to catch up.