Chapter 4

Graduation: Taking the First Step

"Rise and shine, little one," Kurenai's voice called through the fog of sleep and dreams to Amari.

Whining softly, Amari creaked her eyes just enough to see the obscured shape of her mother standing beside her bed. "Can't you…just tell Iruka-sensei I created a real clone?"

Because she really wanted to sleep. Her tired body and mind were already calling her back to sleep, her eyes falling close as she remained in her curled up position with an extra pillow held in a tight embrace.

An amused hum was the only warning she had to the two fingers assaulting her forehead with a poke. Again she whined and opened her eyes. "I thought you wanted to show everyone how far you've come in two years. You don't want to miss out on the one opportunity you have to show your abilities to your peers, do you?"

Goading her pride was not going to work. Nope, she was going to stay right here, under the warmth of her blankets and close her eyes because she was smarter than this. She would not fall for such a dirty trick to get her out of bed.

"I'm sure Iruka would beam with pride if you actually showed him your new technique."

Nope.

"You're his top student, the one who dedicated herself to every lesson and never stopped trying, even when you failed. Now's your chance to show him what his lessons taught you; today is your chance to show what perseverance and dedication can do."

This was a dirty trick…

"…Troublesome adult."

But also incredibly effective.

Against the desires of her body, Amari forced herself to sit up to face the morning. She pinned her tired eyes to Kurenai, who was wearing an infuriating victorious smirk. "Good morning, little one."

"Cheater."

Her mother's smirk grew all the more victorious. "Perhaps." She gave her another poke to the forehead. "But you allowed it to work, little one. That makes it fair game."

Amari sighed in defeat. "I know…"

"Don't take too long getting ready. Breakfast will be done soon," her mother informed before ruffling her already messy hair and departing from her room.

"I'll—" The tired girl covered her mouth as a yawn broke out of her. "I'll be down shortly," she said through her yawn.

Amari extended her arms above her head and stretched out her back before sliding lazily off the bed onto her feet. Dormant aches awoke in her legs the moment her feet touched the floor, regret followed.

Troublesome. Maybe training so hard the night before wasn't such a good idea. No use complaining about it…Amari let out another yawn. It's a drag, but this is the only way to keep getting stronger. With that, Amari tiredly trudged to the shower with her feet dragging the whole way as her eyes barely remained open.

Nothing was new about this for her, well, nothing except her mother goading what little pride she had to get her out of bed. Amari liked to think she was like a carriage going up a steep hill in the morning; it took her some time to reach the top, but the moment she made it over that hill she was moving at high speed from then on out.

So her climb to full awareness and energy began, starting with a shower that served to get her nearly fully wound up for the day. After getting dressed, brushing her hair and teeth, she finally headed down to the kitchen for breakfast—the final stop on this journey to wakefulness.

Sunny side up eggs with toast and a side of bacon was waiting at the table for her while her mother was cleaning the pan she had used; a soft smile was on her face as she hummed a soothing tune.

Amari cleared her plate, savoring each bit of food in a timely manner before washing her plate as her mother finished drying off her remaining utensils. By the time she was done she was fully awake and ready for the day.

Once all the morning chores were done, Amari returned to her room to grab her backpack so she could leave for school. Admittedly, now that she was awake, she was excited and nervous enough to give her jitters.

Today was finally the day.

Today was the final test at the Academy

And once I pass this I'll be one step closer to fulfilling part of the promise I made.

Kurenai was waiting for her at the door when she got there with a smile on her face. "You are ready, little one, but be prepared for anything. Your test will be different than the others," she warned.

Amari nodded confidently. She had been the one to openly say she'd create a hundred thousand clones. That warning was obviously the repercussion of it. Doesn't matter. I'll show how far I've come. I'll show everyone what I can do. She pulled her purple bandana down over her left eye. Here we go.

And after one final hug to her mother, she was off and on the path to the Academy where she would be able to turn the page of this last two year chapter of her life and begin a new one.

Getting to the Academy didn't take long, Amari once again being early as she liked to be, but that earliness came at a cost today. Upon entering the classroom she found not only Iruka and the usual early birds, but also a few members of her love struck posse already there as well. Internally she was slamming her head against every solid object imaginable the whole walk up to her seat, because she knew, she knew the moment she sat down they would swarm her like moths drawn to flames.

Carefully, and as silently as possible, she set her backpack down and sat down, hoping not to attract any of their attention. It didn't work. They still made their way over to her and started this other morning ritual she found no pleasure in whatsoever. One day is all I ask. One! One day without the horde. Is that too much to ask?!

Shikamaru, much to her despair, refused to help once he arrived, instead choosing to watch her with his annoying smirk at the torture of social interactions and touching no amount of therapy would ever help her recover from.

Eventually, and Amari meant a long eventually, Iruka started the class. "We will now begin the final exam. When I call your name, please proceed to the testing room. The final test will be on the Clone Jutsu," Iruka explained.

A glance to Naruto revealed to her trained eye hints of panic in his body language. Naruto…you didn't master it did you? Amari sighed, not in disappointment at the boy, but at her plan failing completely. I should have been more hands on. I just thought because I could do it…because of how much of a weakling I am…was, that he'd knock it out of the park with his determination.

The theory seemed so solid at the time. Naruto's lack of chakra control and larger reserves to her meant he'd be able to perform the Shadow Clone Jutsu easier. The amount of chakra necessary to get one solid clone, in her theory, should have given Naruto no choice but to expend enough chakra that he'd inadvertently create a solid clone.

Clearly she was wrong either completely or in only a few areas. It was hard to say without having been hands on with him, but that was a mistake she'd fix as soon as the test was over. I'm going to force you to train with me all night until you master this jutsu, and then I'm going to get Iruka-sensei to pass you.

She'd get him to pass, rules be damned. There was no way she was going to move on without the blond knucklehead. She was going to make sure that he would one day see his dream come true and the first step was going to be taken tonight. No matter what, Amari swore on everything she held dear she'd see him pass by the end of the day.

"Amaririsu Yūhi, as I recall your goal was one hundred thousand real Shadow Clones. Did you succeed?" Iruka asked.

And just like that, all of the attention in the room went from her sensei directly to her. The need to shrink away until she too small to see or but a shadow on the floor flared in her heart, but Amari kept it at bay by remembering how proud her mother was and how proud she was of herself. "No. No- not one hundred thousand I mean," Amari answered. Iruka nodded for her to continue. "I managed…"

Internally she paused, realizing that if she was to train Naruto she'd need to conserve her chakra instead of pushing herself to her limit here. Unfortunately her pride was arguing to go all out. This was her chance to show what she could. Doing only a few clones might make her seem more like a joke than the people who laughed at her already thought.

But…I need to be smart about this. I need to put my pride away so I can do better for Naruto. Him passing matters more to me than showing off.

"Fifteen. I can create fifteen real clones," she said.

Despite what sounded like too small of a number to her pride, Iruka still beamed with pride at her while other students gasped in shock. Even Sasuke Uchiha raised an eyebrow in surprise, or maybe he was unimpressed at her learning something he didn't think was difficult.

Amari didn't know. She couldn't read the boy very well other than the cold attitude he projected at everyone he didn't like, which was pretty much everyone from what she had seen from the shadows.

"Care to let me use you as an example then?" Iruka asked, dragging her back from her reverie.

The young girl gave a small nod. Not that I probably have much of a choice. Mom said my test would be different, guess this was what she meant. "Okay, let's take a trip out to the field where Mizuki-sensei is waiting for us. From there, however, we will continue as I said by proceeding to the testing room as your name is called."

The Nara in Amari was setting off all of her instinctual warning alarms to pass on the message at full emergency volume that something was really off about this, other than the obvious. Iruka-sensei wouldn't use her to discourage the class or even to show how far she had come compared to the others.

Who exactly is trying to see what I am capable of? And why the field, I could easily create fifteen in here to show I know the jutsu…

Amari hummed in discontent and grabbed her backpack before standing up to walk with her sensei. As she walked down the stairs she caught Iruka's gaze and tried to silently question what was going on; the look he gave her in return told her she was right to assume there was another purpose for this little field trip.

No pressure, I just have to do my best and I'll be done, she tried to reassure herself only to groan inwardly. Oh who am I trying to fool? I'm so damn nervous now; my stomach feels like it's doing backflips. I can feel my heart beating against my chest. Jitters turned into rogue waves of shakes sheer willpower kept to a moderate twitch in her hands.

Who was scouting her? Why did they want her to do this in front of the whole class? Was she being examined for a special team because of her growth or was it something else entirely?

No matter how many different questions she asked herself, Amari found no answers on her own. Focus, I just need to focus on performing the jutsu and nothing else. Thinking of anything else was going to make her too nervous to think, too jittery to control her chakra without wasting any.

Focus. I just need focus. Amari inhaled a deep breath and exhaled it, hoping to reach something close to a meditative state to keep her nerves in check.

The whole class made their way out to the field following behind Amari and Iruka while whispering amongst themselves. She ignored them all. Their hopes or criticism or random conversation about nothing in particular could not be allowed to drag her mind off elsewhere when she needed focus. Their voices needed to become unintelligible background noise to her ears.

As Iruka opened the doors that led them out to the field, the light from the sun poured in, causing Amari to hold her hand up and block it from hitting her eye. After a moment her eye readjusted to the change in light and she slowly made her way to the center of the field with Iruka right next to her.

Focus. Breathe. Focus. Breathe.…Oh man, this is so troublesome! I can't stop wondering what this is all about. It's driving me crazy! Why would anyone want this? What purpose does it serve? Are they trying to test my ability to do the Shadow Clone Jutsu or see if I get stage fright?

"Amari, I'm happy you've chosen to aim for a smaller number of clones."

Amari had to keep herself from snapping her head to her sensei—who was on her left and out of her main line of sight—in shock of his knowledge. "How did you—" The question died on her tongue. "You were there that night," she realized quietly.

"I was," he agreed. "You've grown tremendously, Amari, and given the choice I'd hand you your headband now to spare you from this situation." He sighed. "I argued against this actually. I didn't want you to be put in a position where others could perceive you as a showoff and resent you, or for your ability to sew doubt within them. You've probably already realized that possibility."

"…I have, but I'll be okay, Iruka-sensei. I can take their resentment if it inspires them to become stronger."

"You shouldn't have to bear that kind of burden, Amari."

"I'll be okay, Iruka-sensei," she tried to sound more reassuring than she felt. "I've dealt with worse than a little resentment."

Compared to losing her two closest friends, dealing with kids her age talking trash or sneering at her wouldn't bring her down. It'd still hurt, but she'd handle it.

"I know…" A resigned sigh left Iruka. "Anyway, Lord Hokage was the one who asked for this." Lord Hokage wanted this? The Shadow user felt her confidence slip a little. "He and many Jōnin are watching this from the roof of the Academy. You have already passed this exam, but he wishes for the Jōnin who will be training this year's Genin to see how far you've come, which will help with your placement," Iruka explained in a whisper.

Jōnin and Lord Hokage? Remain calm. Breathe. Focus. Remember to breathe— oh screw it, there is no way I can calm down now!

This was nerve racking! Not only were all the students watching her, but a group of Jōnin and the Hokage were as well.

Amari inhaled a deep breath to fight the need to hyperventilate. I can't crack now. I cannot fail this. She took in another deep breath and let it out. "No pressure, Iruka-sensei," she said with a bit of humor in her voice.

Iruka smiled down at her and patted her head. "You'll do great, Amari. Just put your all into it as you always do…Just don't push yourself too hard, okay?" Amari nodded and put her backpack down on the ground next to her as Iruka walked back over to where Mizuki was standing.

All eyes were on her now.

I can do this, just relax and focus.

She closed her eye, again seeking out her meditative state to push all the nerves away and keep herself from even glancing up to the top of the Academy. When she felt ready, she exhaled a final breath. Okay, time to show what I've got. Amari brought her fingers into the clone seal as she focused her chakra into the jutsu. "Shadow Clone Jutsu," she whispered to herself.

Her eye remained closed as she felt her chakra drain with each individual clone forming until fifteen heads of blue hair littered the field.

Amari opened her eye and let her hands fall to her sides as she looked around to see the fifteen solid clones standing around her. I can do more…Biting the inside of her cheek, she struggled to keep herself from adding more to surprise everyone. I know I can do more…and that's enough for me. Her teeth released her cheek. I've already proven myself to Iruka-sensei, Mom and myself. I don't need to do anything more. Besides, I have other plans.

She had a new goal to achieve today, and that goal did not revolve around this test. All she had to do now was receive her headband and figure out where to go from there. There were plenty of scenarios she needed to run in her head and training techniques to think over so she could get Naruto to pass as well.

If he doesn't pass on his own. She wouldn't write off her best friend yet. Perhaps the pressure of the exam was exactly what he needed to get it right.

Hopefully. Now where is Iruka-sensei? The Shadow user went to look for her sensei when a sense of danger hit her. Quickly looking to her clones, she found them trading glances while grins were plastered on their faces. Oh no.

"High fives anyone?" one clone asked.

Amari's eye bulged in pure fear. Don't you dare! Don—

There was a thunderous cheer and several whoops from her clones as they began high fiving each other with all the zeal and pride she kept hidden and locked away. Ah man, why do my clones have to be so troublesome! Amari, feeling insanely self-conscious and nervous, could only grab her left arm and hope it all ended soon, forgetting completely that she had the power to end it herself.

Why did her clones have to act out her hidden emotions? Sure she was so proud of herself, and part of her wanted to join in the high fiving, but couldn't they keep it hidden until they weren't in front of people?

Openly gloating wasn't in her nature, and seeing as most of the students jaws were agape as they found out they were real clones and not just illusions it didn't seem right. Everyone in the class had worked really hard and she didn't want the others to feel like they didn't do well enough…although her clones weren't helping her achieve that.

Iruka approached her with a headband in his hands and a proud look on his face. "Should I dispel them?" Amari asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Iruka laughed heartily at her ask for permission of a jutsu she controlled and the chorus of "no's" from her clones.

"Why do I even ask? You'll all have your own when I create Shadow Clones next," she muttered to herself before dispelling them all.

"Congratulations Amari, you are now a full-fledged Genin," her sensei said as he bent down to her. He handed her the headband with a bright smile. "The road won't be easy, but I believe you will become a great ninja, maybe as great as your favorite Sensei!" Iruka said with a laugh.

Amari couldn't help but stare down at the headband in her hands for a moment, a sense of disbelief coming over her now that it was in her hands. Even though she had been told that her graduation was an inevitability by Shikaku and Iruka had told her she already passed, none of it had felt really real until this moment.

Their words, supportive as they were, had seemed too hopeful to the inner doubter still residing within her heart. But only now could the doubt be silence. Only now could she really say she graduated from the Academy and earned her headband.

This was hers. Her headband, her symbol that she had actually become a ninja despite being told by Kasai that she would never be good enough to be a ninja.

I…I did it. Her reflection stared back at her in the headband, her onyx eye full of the memories of the past two years from the fight between Ryu and Kasai and ending at this achievement.

All the hard work, the long days and nights of studying and pushing herself until she collapsed, it all paid off. Amari clenched the headband tight in her hands, feeling tears beginning to well in her eyes from pure happiness.

I did it.

She looked up to Iruka, who gave her a bright smile, and then she did something that was likely against all regulations: she tackle hugged her sensei as tightly as she could.

Iruka gave her a friendly hug back with a laugh coming on from the action. I really did it. I really became a ninja! Amari smiled into his chest. I did it Ryu, just like you said I could…but I'm far from done now. This was the first step on a long road, and it will only get harder as Iruka-sensei said.

She released her sensei and looked down at her headband again. But for now I'll enjoy this moment while it lasts.

The Shadow user tied the headband around her neck, the new weight keeping her smile in place.

"You're not going to wear your headband over your eye?" Iruka asked.

She had considered it, but there was one big reason she decided against it.

"Kakashi Hatake would never let me live it down. He'd call me a copycat," Amari explained. Iruka smiled and shook his head in amusement. I'm sure I'll wear it on my forehead at some point, just not now.

Amari hazarded a look up at the roof of the Academy only to wish she hadn't. Up on the roof was not only the Hokage, who was smiling with a pipe in his mouth, but her mother, Asuma, the bushy browed Jōnin named Guy, Shikaku, several shinobi she didn't recognize, and of course Kakashi.

Her mother had a proud smile on her face, nodding to her as they made eye contact, and Asuma and Shikaku wore big smiles as well. She couldn't tell what Kakashi was doing under his mask, but he was staring at her intensely as Guy was speaking to him with fire in his eyes. Every now and then he made wild gestures with his hands, perhaps to accent the importance of whatever he was saying, or possibly at the fact Kakashi wasn't responding to him.

Hard to say. Either way the look Kakashi was giving her filled Amari with discomfort; it was as if he could see right into her very soul with his eye.

Had she done something wrong or was he just evaluating her performance? What was Guy saying to him?

Kakashi finally gave her a closed eyed smile before she looked back down at the ground. Seeing them up there made Amari acutely aware of her situation again. She couldn't hide amongst her clones any longer and she could feel the eyes of every single person boring into her.

"Um…Iruka-sensei. What do I do now? People are staring at me like I revealed that I have two eyes," she whispered.

Realization crossed Iruka's face. "Oh, right." He stood up fully and looked to the students and Mizuki before looking back to her. "You can either wait in class for everyone to finish, which means you'll face your fans," he offered option one, an amused grin splitting onto his face.

Amari visibly gulped at the notion of facing the horde. "Or you can wait on Academy grounds away from everyone and read or tree climb," Iruka offered the saving grace.

"Tree climbing!" Amari said immediately without second thought.

"But your fans," Iruka pleaded like he was trying to coax her to face the horde. She shook her head feverishly, earning a chuckle from him. They'd be more relentless now than they were before, and that's saying something!

"Okay, I'll send for another teacher to watch you, but until then don't push yourself too hard."

After a sigh of relief, Amari nodded and picked up her bag. Though her chakra reserves were nowhere near as depleted as they had been when creating sixty-two, it was still good to stay cautious.

Her sensei spared her one last smile and patted her on the head. "I'm proud of you, Amari. You've come a long way in such a short time. I can't wait to see how much you grow in the years to come," Iruka said.

"Thank you, Iruka-sensei," Amari said, bowing her head to him. He left afterwards to deal with the rest of the students. As they all filed away back into the Academy building, Amari only caught the back of Naruto's orange jacket. Do your best, Naruto, or you'll have to face me and my training, and I won't go easy on you.

Until then she would train. Amari looked down at her headband and saw her thick and wild blue hair cascading over her shoulders nearly blending in with the sash. I earned this headband, now I just have to continue to prove that I am deserving of it…and one day I will be strong enough to take down Kasai.

One day. She had been saying that for two years, but now one day was realer than it had ever been. Soon as she had enough experience under her belt and enough strength she would find him and bring him down. For Ryu. For the Kasai she lost. For the little girl who lost everything she loved in that forest.

One day.

When she approached the tree, a gust of wind blew across the field, bringing a humored smirk to her face. She knew this trick now. "If I had to pick one Jōnin that would be watching me, who would it be?" Amari asked aloud, feigning ignorance. Silence followed but she knew better.

She could wait him out.

After a few more seconds, a deep chuckle rumbled above her. "Still catching on I see, little shadow." Shikaku appeared in front of her looking equally amused and impressed. Definitely his impressed look this time. "I see you chose to create fewer clones than Kurenai said you were able to. A good plan if you're intent is to teach Naruto should he fail."

An embarrassed blush tinted her cheeks; he had caught her red-handed on why she held back. Her blush made Shikaku smile genuinely at her. "Congratulations on becoming a Genin, 'Risu. Your hard work has paid off."

She bowed her head in gratitude for his praise; the elder Nara wasn't one to hand out praise for no reason. If he was congratulating her, it meant she deserved it. "Thank you, Uncle Shikaku. Are you supposed to be watching after me while I train?"

Shikaku nodded and moved off to the side so Amari had room to run. "Yes. For now at least, I also wished to speak to you about your idea for having your clones use Shadow Possession Jutsu." The young girl paused before running, curious to hear what he had found out about her idea. "It is possible, but it comes at a cost."

Shock filled her being, causing her eye to bulge in dread and fear at the one possibility she feared the most. Did someone get hurt because of my questioning?

It only began to dissipate when Shikaku raised his hands up for her to stop her train of thought. "Nothing as bad as you assume. Remember this, 'Risu: never jump to conclusions. Jumping to conclusions without all of the information can lead to you missing important details that others miss."

Amari dipped her head in a nod of understanding. It's a good lesson to remember, not only will it save me from worrying myself to death but it'll help me to see outside the box on missions.

She began focusing her chakra around her feet as the elder Nara continued. "The Shadow Clone and Shadow Possession Jutsu together will drain your chakra as fast as we assumed. You may have a larger supply than most children your age, but it would still drain you of most your chakra within twenty or thirty seconds at full strength."

Leaving me vulnerable or killing me if I wasn't too careful or wasn't able to immobilize or kill my target. "Meaning if I used it I would have to end it fast and be sure I did end it, otherwise I'd be out of chakra and out of the fight," Amari finished for him.

She ran at the tree and rushed up it at a quick dash, reaching three quarters of the way up before she felt lack of traction under her feet. Amari hastily pushed off the tree to spare herself from a dangerous fall. Not enough chakra that time, Amari scolded herself as she landed. But for me to even be able to have my clones use Shadow Possession Jutsu effectively, I would have to train harder over the next several months and years.

The thought actually made the new Genin smile slightly. Training had become as much of a hobby as it was a necessity to become stronger for Amari. She enjoyed pushing herself to her limits and seeing how far she could go; add on the incentive of being able to use her jutsus to better protect her future allies and she was left with excitement bubbling up inside.

Still, I have a lot of time and training before that. Right now I have to be careful with it. "I would have to practice it supervised to be sure I didn't go past my limits and become chakra exhausted or worse." Because I'd try to push further than I should without supervision. "If I do practice it enough, would I be able to hold it longer without losing too much chakra?" Amari asked as she began to focus her chakra again. She wanted to know if she was right to assume she was looking at months and years of training to achieve an efficient use of the technique.

"Over time yes, but it would take more than a few weeks of training to accomplish that. If you do practice, do not under any circumstance push yourself too hard. The cost of the jutsu is not dire when you are careful, but like any chakra intensive jutsu…" The elder Nara trailed off and looked to her to see if she remembered the lesson he had taught her.

"Push too far and you could end up dead," she repeated what Shikaku had told her once. He gave a nod of approval for not forgetting such a simple lesson because of what she accomplished.

So I can do it, I just have to be extra careful when I do. If anything, I'll only use it in the most desperate of times. "So practice supervised, use it only when the need is dire and don't push myself hard. Who knows, maybe it will become effective enough that you will use it," Amari joked.

The corner of Shikaku's lip pulled up in a smirk. "Who's to say I haven't started already?"

The new Genin giggled then ran up the tree again; she reached the three quarters mark again but as her right foot stepped again, the bark of the tree burst underneath her from too much chakra. Amari back flipped to land on her feet then frowned up at the tree. "Damn," she muttered.

"You almost have it. Take a breath and try again."

Listening to the orders of her elder, Amari took a breath and focused her chakra to her feet again. I can feel my control getting better with each try. If I just focus a little bit less than last time, I should have my perfect medium of control. A moment after adjusting the chakra flow at her feet, she ran towards the tree again.

Her feet hit the tree and carried her up the bark to the three quarters mark again, making it three strides higher before she instinctively back flipped off out of fear of bursting off again.

Upon landing she looked up at the tree and noticed that she hadn't actually busted the tree or had too little chakra. No way. "I…I had control," Amari said in a bit of shock. I might have been able to make it all the way up if I didn't push off.

Shikaku nodded to her in agreement, his eyes examining the tree for a brief moment before meeting hers with seriousness in them. "You feared that you had focused too much chakra to your feet as you had before. You feared that you were going to fail, and in doing so you failed."

He's right. When I had passed my last burst off the tree, I was almost certain I was going to have to push off. I didn't trust in my own abilities. A consistent trend in her training that hindered her every step of the way over the last two years. Even after all of her accomplishments, it still lingered on in her heart, bringing forth the failures Kasai would expect from her.

"Trust in yourself, 'Risu. You can do this," Shikaku reassured.

Take a deep breath and focus. You can do this. Amari focused the same amount of chakra as she had before to her feet. The moment she felt ready, she ran up the tree. Trust in yourself, she coached herself. I can do this. Instead of paying attention to how far she was up the tree, she focused on the top of the tree as her goal.

It's just like walking, if you lose your feet you won't go where you wish to be. Before she knew it, she had to grab onto one of the final branches at the top of the tree to stop herself from flying off of it.

"Uh…Uncle Shikaku?" Amari called down. "I just climbed this tree…You didn't boost me up or anything did you?"

There was a humorous laugh from the bottom of the tree. "No. Congratulations, 'Risu, you just climbed your first tree," he called up to her.

Guess it was a dumb question anyways. He isn't one to give me an easy out. Hard work is the only thing that helps me advance. Amari jumped from branch to branch until she reached the ground again. She paused for a moment to look up at the tree in a bit of disbelief that she had actually done it. It has to be a fluke. There is no way I did that just now without it being some kind of fluke.

"Try again," Shikaku coaxed as he motioned to the tree.

Amari nodded and focused the exact amount of chakra she had before to her feet again then climbed to the top of the tree once more.

I- I actually did it? Casting her gaze across the tops of the tress and buildings she could see, a feeling of content swarmed her being. This is more than I thought I could accomplish in the time frame I had given myself. I just have to keep putting one foot in front of another so I can reach my goal.

For many minutes the new Genin stared out at the village as the breeze pushed cool air over her body. This place had once been completely foreign to her, a strange new place she felt she didn't belong. Yet…looking at the village from this tree, thinking back on her time within it and the people she met…This place really was home for her.

Killer view. I wish Naruto or Shika were here to enjoy it with me. She frowned slightly at the thought of the pair. Problem is that Naruto hasn't learned this yet and Shikamaru is too lazy to climb a tree when he could just lie on the ground and watch the clouds.

With a shrug, Amari let the thought go. Oh well, at least I got to see it. Alone as she was, it was still nice to see this all. It was made all the more special with the accomplishments she made just today.

"Amari, come on down! All the other students have finished the exam and it's time for you to go home," Iruka-sensei called up to her.

Awoken from her thoughts, Amari heeded her sensei's words and jumped her way back down. When she reached the bottom she noticed a distinct lack of Shikaku's presence. Must have left when I didn't come down right away.

Her sensei looked up at the tree then back to her, an impressed glint in his eyes. "Amazing, Amari. Keep this up and you'll have a mastery of your chakra control in no time."

"Thank you, Iruka-sensei…" She paused, hesitating to ask the next question on her mind. Alas, she pushed the hesitation aside to learn the truth. "Did Naruto pass?"

Iruka's smile fading told all she needed to know. Well Naruto, you are now forcing my hand. "Amari, I know you tried your best to motivate him, and he did take it seriously, but you can't blame yourself for this."

"I know." A kind sentiment, but she still felt guilt over not being so actively involved in his training. Things may have been different had she been. Seems like I'm going to have to go with plan whip Naruto into shape. A plan she needed to make sure was going to work before getting her friend's hopes up. "…If I can get Naruto to learn the Shadow Clone Jutsu by the end of the night, would he be allowed to pass?" Amari asked.

Iruka raised an eyebrow in question, but before he could answer a strong and familiar chakra presence appeared behind her.

The chakra presence was soon followed by a hand resting on her shoulder, causing her to look up and see her mother standing behind her. The Genjutsu Master gave her daughter a bright smile which she returned. "Ah, hello Kurenai. I'd just like to tell you Amari has been a magnificent student and one of the brightest and strongest this year. I am very proud of her accomplishments."

"As am I," Kurenai responded with a pride irradiating from her. Amari shyly looked down at her toes, a small smile tugging onto her face for making her mother proud. "I don't mean to interrupt, but Lord Hokage has asked for you Iruka. He is waiting in front of the Academy for you."

Iruka nodded in thanks for passing the message on and Body Flickered away. The new Genin looked up to her mom in question of why Lord Hokage needed her sensei, but the look her mother's face showed that she was unaware as well and wouldn't tell even if she did. "So, I was thinking Ichiraku," the red eyed Jōnin said with a sly smile.

Normally Amari would have agreed to it in a heartbeat. Part of her was actually jumping with joy at the thought of having some Ichiraku ramen and spending time with her mom. Naruto had introduced her to the restaurant, being the fanatic he was when it came to ramen, and thanks to him she was nearly as crazy about ramen as he was.

The only difference was she actually had a diverse diet.

Despite her love for Ichiraku ramen, she couldn't just ignore Naruto's situation. I know Mom wants to spend time with me and celebrate my graduation, and I really want to enjoy this final day before being assigned a Jōnin Sensei with her…but there is something that I have to do. Naruto needs to be trained so he can pass tonight and move on with me. If I am able to teach him the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu then Iruka will have to pass him.

"Mom, I would love too, I really would…but I have a plan to help Naruto pass."

Much to Amari's surprise, her mother's smile remained. "I know you do, which is why I wanted to take you there for lunch and give you the gift I have so you can get to work with him."

…Wait, what? It took a second to register what her mom said, but once it did Amari beamed and gave her a big hug. She's been planning this all along.

Kurenai hugged her back and gave her a kiss on the top of her head. "Come on, little one." The mother and daughter duo left the Academy together, though Amari did notice Mizuki and Naruto leaving together as well. A noticeable frown creased her mother's lips at the sight of the pair leaving together, Amari would even say it was on the border of suspicion, but they continued on their way to Ichiraku.

After a bowl of ramen each, Kurenai had her daughter close her eye before giving her the gift. Amari couldn't even begin to guess what it would be, but she felt excited just the same. Everything her mother had ever given her had been heartfelt; no doubt this would be the same.

"Okay, open your eye." The dōjutsu wielder opened her eye and saw an open jewelry box with two earrings inside of them. They were silver hoop earrings with a purple gem on the bottom that seemed to shine brighter than any gemstone she had ever seen.

"They're beautiful," she gasped. "May I?" she asked, barely able to restrain herself from examining them up close. Kurenai nodded and allowed her to take the box so she could look deeply into the gems. Not only were they beautiful, but the amethyst purple matched her bandana and shirt perfectly. Amari giggled with excitement at the new gift and nearly tackled her mother out of her seat. "Thank you! They are so pretty."

Kurenai gave a gleeful laugh as she hugged her daughter back. "I'm glad you love them. Let's go get them in then I'll let you go find Naruto."

After saying farewell to the Teuchi and his daughter and thanking them once more for their kami blessed ramen the pair departed Ichiraku to get Amari's ears pierced. Once they were in and they were out of the store, the young girl hugged her mother tightly again.

"I am so proud of you, Amari. You will become a great ninja, I just know it," her mother whispered into her ear.

"Thank you, mom. I love you so much," she whispered back.

Kurenai's grip tightened around Amari. "And I love you, little one." They remained attached to one another for a few more moments until finally they let go. "Don't push yourselves too hard and be careful. Something feels off," the Jōnin warned.

With a nod and one more hug, the young ninja left and began her search for the spiky-haired knucklehead.

It was time for some training.

A/N: A quick but kind of important note, I'm still posting on Friday this week and then returning back to once a week posts, but because this was a shorter chapter and I didn't want to leave this story for a week on this not very action oriented or extremely emotional part, I decided to post today so Friday's post could jump you all right into the fun and action waiting beyond this final world setting chapter. A heated encounter is coming. Perhaps bring tissues.

Anyway, thanks for reading and see you Friday!