Disclaimer: Sorry, no.
Shikamaru rolled a shogi piece around his fingers as he watched the clouds from his position stretched out in the garden. He could hear his mother moving around the kitchen. A faint frown crossed his face as he listened to her humming. He knew that during dinner she would continue her attempts to get him to actually put effort into the exam tomorrow. She had been trying all week, to his father's amusement, to motivate him. He didn't understand why she bothered. His father had graduated last in the class and still became a great shinobi. The academy scores didn't matter in the long run, so he didn't see the point in putting effort into participating or even answering questions.
All that mattered was passing the final exam.
His mind flashed briefly to tired dark violet eyes, flecked with slivers of red. He had learned over the years that Natsuki's eyes were a good tell for his mood. Their color never seemed to stay the same shade, shifting and changing almost like clouds. It was interesting to watch. Though, he was sure most people would disagree with him.
Shikamaru rolled the shogi piece over the back of his hand.
He sighed softly. It had been a shocking discovery when he was six, but now it was simply frustrating to see the reactions of the people, supposed adults, interacting with the twins. This newest development with the academy only made it more unbearable to stand by and watch.
He readily admitted that he was very lazy, but there was something about those twins that made him want to take action. He found himself hating the moments Naruto lost his smile or when Natsuki curled into himself, his eyes flashing like a cornered cat. It was the same feeling he got when something insulted or belittle Choji for his weight.
However, unlike Choji, they couldn't fight back. Not really. Choji had a kind heart, but his temper could be nasty depending on the circumstances. The risks of insulting an Akimichi's weight was well-known throughout the village. Naruto and Natsuki, on the other hand, were expected to take whatever ridicule is thrown their way. He once saw a woman curse at them in the marketplace, following them and insulting them until Natsuki turn around and took a step toward her in anger. The woman proceeded to run away screaming over how the "awful demon" threatened her. Everyone, of course, believed the woman. More often than not, teachers who caught them skipping class blamed the twins instead of Choji, Shikamaru or Kiba if he had joined them. Iruka-sensei was the only instructor who lectured them all equally.
Considering all of this, Shikamaru should have expected some shenanigans with their graduation, but even so…
He opened his eyes, wondering when he closed them. He slowly relaxed his hand once he realized it was clenching it the shoji piece tight enough to cause pain. He could feel the imprint the shogi tile made on his palm. He wondered vaguely where his dream of a peaceful, unremarkable life went. Because, so far, he seemed to be tangled in something that most definitely did not allow him to detach himself and ignore the world.
For better or for worse, he had not walked away. He didn't avoid them when he had first realized the truth and continued to befriend them.
He was smart enough to realize that didn't lead to a very unremarkable life.
He wondered vaguely why he wasn't as disappointed as he'd thought he'd be at losing his dream of an unremarkable life.
The classroom was abnormally quiet when Kurama and Naruto entered. Despite being early, most of the class was in their seat looking decidedly stressed. Kurama sent an amused look towards Shikamaru, slouched over his desk, who was the only one who looked completely unconcerned. Choji, who was inhaling chips beside him, paused for a moment to give them a shaky smile. Naruto bounced over to the boys a grin firmly fixed on his face.
Despite having woken early panicking over the exam, Naruto was putting up a good front. Kurama sent the blond an amused look as he walked over to the group. Apparently, the quizzing they did this morning had calmed him down enough to act normally. Which was more than what could be said for the rest of the class. The top girl, Sakura, was frantically going over her notes, while her hands formed the proper hand signs for the three main jutsus repeatedly. Everyone else looked to be in various states of panic. Even Sasuke looked concerned as he brooded silently in his spot at the front of the class.
Kurama himself wasn't overly panicked, just worried over the fact that Iruka hadn't contacted him to let him know how his meeting with the jounin instructor went. If there wasn't outside factors involved he wouldn't have been worried at all, for himself or for Naruto.
"You don't look very anxious." Shikamaru's words pull Kurama from his thoughts. "Good news?"
Kurama smiled blandly. "No, but at this point, there is nothing I can do."
"Hm." The brunette narrowed his eyes before lowering his head back down on the table. "True, I guess there is no point in stressing over something you can't control."
"Yeah! It's best to just relax!" Naruto beamed. "I'm sure we'll all do great!"
The written portion of the exam was simple. Kurama breezed through the questions on history, math, and protocols with little trouble. He supposed that was the benefit of having a teacher tutoring them nearly every evening for years. He still wasn't all that fond with how Konoha depicted certain events and people in history, but he knew what was needed to pass this exam.
They were led outside after the written portion and began the throwing and sparing portion. While the throwing was fairly easy he was once again paired with Sasuke for the sparing making him grimace. The boy went after him with a vengeance forcing Kurama to continually dodge a hail of swift kicks and punches. Despite his best efforts, several blows landed on his arms and legs making them throbbed painfully.
Kurama jumped backward to try and gain some distance, but Sasuke was quick to chase after him. Seeing no other option Kurama dove for the other boy's feet, diving under a kick and catching Sasuke's other leg to bring him down with him. They grappled on the floor for several seconds before Kurama broke off and flipped to his feet. When Sasuke came into striking distance Kurama was ready. He aimed a kick towards his head before spinning around to aim another kick to the boy's solar plexus. The second kick landed, but the Uchiha trapped his foot, despite his wheezing, and held him there.
"Time!" Mizuki shouted as Iruka wrote down the scores for the both of them.
Sasuke let go of his foot and Kurama stepped away, panting. He was glad that this spar was time and skill based rather than winner based. It looked like Sasuke was going to win that one unless Kurama thought of something quickly. He glanced at his opponent. He was still wheezing and he clutched his chest with a pained grimace on his face, but there was a proud look in his eye proving the other boy knew he would have won.
Kurama tried not to scowl.
Instead, he focused on Naruto's fight with one of the civilian boys. He smiled as Naruto charge with a shout. Despite Iruka's constant complaining over Naruto's brawler tendencies, it didn't mean Naruto was bad. Not only did he have unpredictability on his side but his attacks were strong, if a little sloppy at times. The other boy put up a good fight but Naruto got him with a knee to the groin, which made everyone winced. Needless to say, the boy was down and not getting up.
"A-alright, uh, time." Mizuki glanced at Iruka, who was grinding his palm into his face.
Naruto grinned while rubbing the back of his head. "Ah-ha, sorry 'bout that."
The boy scowled and shoved Naruto's helping hand as he rolled away. Kurama couldn't completely blame the boy, but the flash of hurt that crossed Naruto's face made him frown. The rest of the fights went by quickly after that. Kurama tilted his head back and watched the sky as the other student fought one another, only looking when Shikamaru and Choji fought their opponents.
Soon enough they were back in the classroom for the final portion of the exam.
"Alright. Everyone wait here. When your name in called, enter the adjacent room where you will be tested on your ninjutsu." Iruka looked at everyone sternly. "No funny business, this room is monitored."
With that Iruka and Mizuki left the room.
Kurama sighed and settled down in his normal seat. Naruto was practically bouncing beside him as they waited for the first name to be called.
They waited…
…and waited.
"It's been twenty minutes!" Sakura shouted.
"Why hasn't anyone been called?" Another student asked, looking panicked.
Kurama glanced around at the panicking students in faint amusement despite his own worry. It was amazing how easily everyone panicked when not given any instruction. He wondered just how many of these children would actually become shinobi and how many would simply give up before they could make chunin. He wondered how many would actually go on to become great shinobi. It was hard to tell at this age.
Naruto giggled beside him and he gave the other boy a suspicious look.
"I didn't do nothing." Naruto rolled his eyes. "I just thought that someone must have lost the paperwork or something and Iruka-sensei is probably chewing them out."
Kurama rolled his eyes. Naruto was probably telling the truth, but Kurama had learned to be suspicious over the years when it came to his brother's pranks.
Eventually, a wide-eyed chunin stepped into the room and called the first person. He traded confused glances with his brother, but the chunin left the room with the student before anyone could ask him what caused the delay. Things went quickly after that as students were called and left the room to finish their test. Soon the room was almost empty. Naruto fidgeted nervously beside him.
"Uzumaki, Naruto!" The chunin called with a scowl.
Kurama sent his brother a smile. "You'll do great. Just concentrate."
"Yeah! I'll definitely pass! Believe it!" He pumped his fist in the air and charged out of the room.
Kurama chuckled before letting out a slow breath. He closed his eyes and concentrated on his chakra. The swirling, red energy rushed through his chakra coils. He tried to limit the amount, but he knew it was a lost cause.
"Uzumaki, Natsuki!"
Kurama stood up and walked over to the door. The chunin led him to the testing room with a scowl firmly on his face. Kurama took a deep breath and entered. He froze in the doorway when he noticed the people in the room.
"Hello, Natsuki. Are you ready to finish the exam?"
The Hokage sat with Iruka and Mizuki smoking his pipe and smiling benignly, but there was a mischievous sparkle in his eyes that made Kurama almost laugh. Iruka was looking rather proud while Mizuki just looked amused. He now knew the reason the exam started late.
"Ah, yes, I am." Kurama smiled.
"That's good. Iruka came to me yesterday, telling me there were some issues involving the exam and graduation requirements. In light of his concerns, I decided to observe the final portion of the exam. Please do continue." He gestured towards the two chunin instructors before settle back in his chair.
Iruka smiled and shuffled the papers in front of his for a moment before addressing him.
"Okay Natsuki, I want you to perform the transformation jutsu, the body replacement jutsu, and the clone jutsu in that order. Begin when you are ready."
Kurama nodded slowly and summoned his chakra to perform the genjutsu. Glancing briefly at the Hokage he smiled and allowed the illusion to slide over him. He smiled in a familiar grandfatherly way and put the illusionary pipe in his mouth as if he was going to smoke.
"Very good, Natsuki." Iruka grinned as he marked down his score.
He let the illusion slide off before focusing on his chakra while eyeing the log left out for this jutsu. When his hands formed the last sign he felt the sudden rush of air and chakra around him that signaled the completion of the jutsu. He stumbled slightly barely managing to not run face first into the opposite wall. He straightened his clothing and glance back with a frown on his face.
The log was smoking and charred, but it was in the spot it was supposed to be; he let out a silent sigh of relief. Mizuki was smiling bemusedly like he always did when Kurama performed these jutsus, while Iruka was darting his eyes at the Hokage. The old man in question, however, didn't say anything. Iruka seemed to realize that the Hokage wasn't planning on saying anything and gave him a small smile before marking down his score.
"Well, that was certainly better than some of your previous attempts at this jutsu. Now, perform the final for us, please."
Kurama walked back to his spot, nudging the charred log out of the way, as he attempted not to scowl. He focused on his chakra again as his hands moved slowly through the proper hand signs. Many of his classmates, including Naruto, didn't need to go through all hand signs, but if he wanted the jutsu to even halfway work he had to complete every hand sign to control his chakra enough not to make his clones explode. He closed his eyes briefly as he completed the jutsu. Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes and glanced at the two clones beside him.
They were both lying on the ground, looking extremely sickly as they steamed pathetically.
He sighed.
"Well…" Iruka began, but the Hokage cut him off with a chuckle.
"I remember another young student who had the very same trouble that you have, Natsuki. Because of her inability to perform the simplest of jutsus, many people thought that she wouldn't succeed as a shinobi. She was very stubborn, however, and ignored all the critics. Needless to say, I was very proud the day I awarded her the Jounin status many years later."
He leaned back in his chair and smiled. "Iruka has notified me that you are capable of completing higher level jutsus, much like that young woman I mentioned. With that in mind, I will pass you despite not completing all of the required jutsu to standard. Keep training and I am positive that you will become a wonderful shinobi."
A slow smiled crossed his face as his anxiety over the situation faded away. Iruka picked up one of the headbands in front of his and moved to kneel in front of him.
"Congratulation, Natsuki, you've graduated." The brown haired man whispered as he tied the cloth around his forehead.
Kurama reached up and touched the cool metal feeling both amused and strangely proud. He glanced at the three adults in the room, wondering how they would react to the knowledge of who he really was. Would they still be so proud? Or…
He cut off that train of thought viciously and bowed to the Hokage and instructors allowing his hair to cover his sudden change in mood. There was no point in thinking of what ifs. It only depressed him and this was supposed to be a happy moment.
"Alright, your brother's probably biting at the bit to know about your results." Iruka patted him on the head. "If you two want to hang around for another hour or so I can take you out to eat once I finished with the exam and clean-up."
"I'm sure Naruto would love that." Kurama bowed again to the Hokage. "Thanks, sir, for passing me yourself."
The Hokage nodded. "Konoha has always been a place of opportunity. It would be hypocritical to refuse to graduate hardworking students over something so trivial."
"I hardly think it's trivial, sir, but it is something that can be overcome." Mizuki murmured as he shuffled his papers.
"Very true. Now, be gone with you Natsuki! Who knows what that brother of yours is up too right now, personally I don't want to find my office defaced with porn magazines and posters again."
Naruto tackled him as soon as he stepped out of the building grinning like a mad man when he noticed the headband over his brow.
"You did it! I knew as soon as I saw the Hokage that you'd pass, but I was still worried! We're both shinobi now! This is so awesome!"
Kurama chuckled at the fast paced words allowing his brother to spin him around as he talked excitedly. The students and parents still waiting in the courtyard glared at them for causing a ruckus, but neither boys cared. The funny thing about being subjugated to glares and hatred for years is that one simply gets used to it. Kurama rolled his eyes as the adults pulled their children away from them as if they hadn't been in the same classroom for years.
They were lucky, really, that Naruto was such an inherently good kid. After all, the creation of monsters doesn't happen overnight. If he wouldn't have looked insane he would have shaken his head in annoyance. Even after all these years, there were still many things about humans he hated. Instead of focusing on the people around them, he turned his attention back to his brother.
"Iruka-sensei said he'd take us out to eat after he was done."
"Yes!" Naruto cheered. "I want pork ramen!"
Kurama rolled his eyes and herded his brother to the tree swing in an empty corner of the yard. "Who says we're going to have ramen? What about sushi? I think I want sushi. It's better."
The look of utter betrayal was worth it. Kurama shielded his smirk behind his sleeve as Naruto began his long-winded defense of his favorite food. Truth be told, he didn't mind ramen, but the amount of utter indignation Naruto expressed when he teased him was amusing.
He glanced at the headband now tied to his brothers head and tried not to grimace. Being a shinobi was the only route they could take as "jinchuuriki", but it wasn't one he was looking forward to considering what the job entailed. Although the Hokage spoke of the will of fire, at the end of the day, shinobi were now weapons. Kurama glanced toward the looming cliff, wondering vaguely what Hagoromo would think of this future. He had worked so hard throughout his life to bring peace only for others to spurn it and use his teachings for more wars; more deaths.
"Natsu? Hey, Natsuki! Are you even listening to me!?"
Kurama turned towards his with an amused smile on his face, undoubtedly that peace loving fool would adore Naruto. "Hm, I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention. Did you finally admit that sushi is better than ramen?"
Naruto's screech was fit for a fox and made Kurama laugh as he darted away from his enraged brother's attacks. Iruka found them wrestling in the dirt like six years rather than the genin they were supposed to be now.
"Honestly," Iruka rolled his eyes as they looked up at him sheepishly. "Hurry up and wash yourselves off before I leave without you two."
They did end up going to Ichiraku, much to Naruto's relief, though it looked like Iruka had started regretting it as soon as Naruto started his third bowl and didn't look like he was planning to stop. Kurama doubted he could ever understand how his brother could eat so much of the same thing without being sick and he honestly didn't want to know. He had his preferences, but there was a huge difference between preference and obsession. Naruto's love of ramen was definitely an obsession.
He glanced up at Iruka when he felt the man's hand in his hair.
Iruka smiled sadly at him. "Being a shinobi is tough work both mentally and physically, but you'll both be great. I know it."
Kurama smiled wanly at him. It had surprised him just how much Konoha coddled their children throughout the academy. He supposed that with the current lack of war or brewing war the Hokage was becoming more lenient with academy students, but that didn't stop him from worrying about his brother or even his fellow classmates. Iruka had attempted to touch on the tougher subjects of shinobi life, but even he shied away from laying the complete truth on their shoulders. He appreciated it all the same. It gave him time to adjust to the odd workings of human life.
It was fairly easy to get Naruto to go to bed when they got home, the boy was exhausted from all of the excitement today. He laid there with him for a little while anyway, wringing the sheets as waited for his brother to fall asleep.
"We're really Shinobi now, you know." Naruto murmured with a soft smile. He had yet to unhand his new headband. "We'll get super strong fighting all of the bad guys. Right, Natsu?"
"Yeah, sure Naruto."
"We'll prove that we aren't monsters. Then I'll be Hokage and make everyone realize that we're awesome. They couldn't be mean to us then, right?"
"A village must respect their Hokage." Kurama murmured back. "But, it takes a really long time to be one."
"I know." Naruto flashed him a grin. "We'll have to work really hard like Iruka-sensei said, but I definitely will be Hokage eventually. I'll make sure no one is mean to you when I do, so don't you worry!"
Kurama chuckled, watching blue eyes slowly dropped as his brother fell asleep. Yes, Hagoromo would definitely love Naruto. He waited until Naruto's breathing had completely evened out before slipping out of bed and climbing onto the roof.
Kurama leaned back and watched the stars, breathing deeply as he tried to calm down enough the think clearly. Now that he was alone his anger was starting to slowly creep up on him. Despite having received a headband today, the amount of struggle it took to get it was irritating. The whole situation was incensing, but what frustrated him the most was that fact that he didn't understand why. He understood the little things people did, the insults and refusing to service. Those were small petty things, done by petty people.
This was different, someone or several someones had attempted to prevent him from graduating and becoming a shinobi. That couldn't be simple bias. After all, they thought he was a jinchuuriki. Despite people's general attitude towards containers, everyone understands that jinchuuriki are necessary for the political dance between the Hidden Villages. The jinchuuriki were weapons, a threat, always present in discussions of war.
To refuse to train one for the inane reason they attempted to claim was ludicrous.
Kurama clenched and unclenched his hands trying to level his breathing. Naruto was simply happy that he graduated with him and was already looking forward to their team placement, but Kurama couldn't let it go. He knew there had to have been a reason someone, presumably someone with power in the village council, had tried to prevent him from graduating. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly while he tried to think of the possible reasons for failing him.
Separation.
Resentment.
He opened his eyes and watched the flickering stars for a moment. He took another breath. Had he been a real human child, how would he have reacted to not graduating? How would he have reacted to watching his twin become a genin without him? He frowned thoughtfully. He didn't like that train of thought.
The soft sound of shoes scuffing against the rooftop brought him back to the present.
He turned and tilted his head to his, now former, academy instructor.
"Mizuki-sensei, what are you doing here?" He had always felt the subtle malice hidden behind the man's smile, but now a shiver went down his spine as he looked up into the white's haired man's eyes.
"I wanted to congratulate you, Natsuki-kun, for graduating despite the meddling of a certain council member." The man crouched down next to him, smiling benevolently.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up. A thousand thoughts flew through his head as he tensed.
"Thank you sensei."
He knew he was outclassed. All of the training and effort he put into getting stronger over the years wouldn't matter here. Mizuki was supposed to become a jounin before something happened on a mission that prevented him from moving up in rank. Iruka never said much about the matter, so Kurama had assumed it wasn't a huge deal if the man was allowed to teach.
His hands clenched around his headband as he felt the subtle shift of killing intent in the air.
If he ran now…
No, Naruto was asleep in the apartment bellow.
Maybe if he shouted loud enough...
Mizuki chuckled, obviously understanding what was going through his head. "You don't want to wake your brother, do you? That would be unfortunate."
Kurama scowled.
"Don't worry, I need you alive."
Kurama saw the hit coming, but he couldn't dodge it as it struck the back of his neck.
"After all, hostages are more useful alive and I'm going to need some major leverage to get away."
Everything faded to black.
Seriously, though, Konoha needs to work on their backgrounds checks for their teachers...
Okay. I am so sorry about the late chapter, guys. Apparently, life has decided that any time I make plans for an update schedule, something goes wrong. Chapter eight was supposed to be up on the 7th, but I had health issues and I had to go to the hospital (only for them to send me home in more pain). It wasn't lethal or anything, but I had to have surgery done and am still recovering. I'll try to get the next chapter up this week, but at this point, it depends on my pain level. That being said, I will continue with this story. I've had so many ideas for future events and I even have a vague idea of how I want it to end.
I'm kind-of running out of removable organs, so I won't try and set up a weekly schedule again, but I'll do my best to update as regularly as I can.
Anway, thank you for all the reviews! I have to say, in these past two weeks especially, they have made me so happy and motivated despite the RL nonsense. So, thank you. You guys are awesome.