A story I hope to write about my self-made character Karu Iro. Review and let me know if you're interested in learning more about my mild-mannered nin :)

I don't own Naruto.

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The most difficult time in one's life is not choosing their path, it is adhering to it.

Tracing the clouds.

Iro sighed, catching the paper plane mid-air, crumpling it, and tossing it into the fast-growing pile of undistinguishable paper wads that had formed around his feet. Propping his head up on the desk that was just a bit too short for him, he stared blearily at back at the Sensei, who seemed to be rather irritated at the young man's lack of interest. Jesus, he was awake wasn't he? What more did that jerk-off want from him?

"IRO!" Iruka scolded, scratching the scar across his nose agitatedly, "PAY ATTENTION DAMNIT! For the love of Pete, you're almost 16 and still a pre-gennin! Does that bother you at ALL?!" Iro rolled his eyes. "We have this discussion every day, Iruka-sensei. Every day you blither on about my age, and every day I have to point out that had it not been for that bitch Hokage of yours I'd still be at Chuunin level..." his voice lowered a bit and he stared hard at his desk. "A Missing-nin perhaps....but still a Chuunin..."

Iruka scowled at the crude reference to the Gondaime, but chose to ignore it. The kid was incredibly lazy, and irritating to extraneousness, however, to be perfectly honest he, Iruka, was also terrified of him. He'd seen what the boy had done to the squad sent to retrieve him, and it made him wonder what kind of twisted things Orochimaru taught his students. The boy seemed perfectly benign though, and given time Iruka was certain that despite his shady past, he could become a fine example of Leaf's strength. If only...Iruka thought dismally, his eyebrow twitching in irritation, "...he would do his WORK!" The last part he finished out loud, for effect.

"Quit talking to yourself, it isn't healthy." Stated Iro matter-of-factly, eyeing a bristling Iruka with a look of bored amusement.

Breathing deeply, Iruka prepared to burst forth with his retaliatory comment, but stopped short, snapping his jaw shut as an ear-piercing shrilling announced the end of the day's session. The Chuunin instructor sighed, letting out that deep breath he had saved so specially for his favorite student. His shoulders slouched, and he waved tiredly at the class, who were busily suppressing the giggles that built up every time the older student and their sensei got into on of their "discussions". "Class dismissed".

Iro stretched, getting up to leave while running a wrapped hand through his unruly brown hair. His mouth seemed to envelop the better part of his face as he gave a deep, heartfelt yawn. God he loved those. He had almost reached the door when he noticed his Sensei staring pointedly at him. "What?" he inquired. He wasn't really a rude person, life just sometimes annoyed him. He actually liked to think of Iruka as somewhat of a friend, showing him that he held him in rather high esteem by engaging him in the idle banter Iruka liked to refer to as an argument. Iro grinned. He had no idea what an argument was. Now Tayuya...that was a woman who knew how to argue. He sighed, remembering the redheaded sound nin, his mind misted over, faint pangs of regret washing over places deep within him nobody would ever see.

"You know, Iro..." The older chuunin started, waking the young man from his reminiscent stupor, "...if you would only apply yourself..." Much to Iruka's surprise, his student gave him a wry grin. "I know, I know, Iruka. Don't worry about me, I've already done this academy thing once, remember?" He smile grew even larger, nearly splitting his face as he tapped the slashed Sound Hitai-ita. He stretched again, heading out the door of the academy, the sunlight making him squint. It was a beautiful day in Konoha.

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This on an OC character of mine, named Karu Iro. He is a missing-nin from sound, leaving shortly after Sasuke is captured, disgusted at Orochimaru's true nature. His full history will be revealed depending on how many chapters I put in, and how many folks review saying they're interested :).

I plan to update soon, so keep an eye out!

-Grum