WARNING! TRIGGERS AND JUST CRAPPY FEELINGS ALL AROUND

AN: Here's another chapter! I hope you enjoy! :D

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO!

Chapter 4 Tests

Walking through the streets with the Hokage was nerve wracking as people stopped and said hello to him constantly. By the time they stopped in front of an apartment building within eyesight of the academy, which the Hokage had helpfully pointed out as we passed it, I was a nervous wreck with my hands clenching at my sides and the blood drained from my face. As we entered the strangely empty complex I began to relax again.

"For now there is only one other occupant living here, but the rent is cheap, and the apartments are spacious. It comes fully furnished except for a mattress as we figure most want their own. The market is only two streets over and the nearest training fields are about a kilometer behind this building. Be sure to check which rank is allowed in which training ground so you don't walk into any leftover traps from forgetful shinobi. The rent is only 1,000 ryo and includes all utilities due at the beginning of each month. Now for the academy, you will be tested to see which year would best suit you. The year is just now starting on Monday so whichever year you do join you won't miss anything. I've scheduled the test for an hour from now so that you can have the weekend to rest and get situated in your new home. Every Tuesday and Thursday after school you have appointments with Yamanaka-san at the hospital. I have let them know that you are to be allowed into see either your mother or Yamanaka-san whenever you want, or need, to. Do you have any questions for me?" Blinking dazed at the sudden influx of information, I went over everything he had said.

"I don't…actually, is there a library nearby?"

"Ah, good question! It is actually two buildings to the right of the academy, just go in there and show them this, and they will let you in." Here he handed me a card with my name on one side and Hokage-dono's signature on the back. "In fact if you are ever questioned while your citizenship is still being processed, show them that and you should be good to go. Now, if you have no further questions?" Here he paused and waited until I shook my head, "Head to the academy and ask for Iruka-sensei, he will be the one testing you today. I will check in on you next Saturday to see how you are settling in. If you'll excuse me? I have to go battle the most evil of all enemies. Stupid paperwork." The last I probably wasn't meant to hear as he grumbled under his breath causing me to huff out a slightly incredulous laugh.

Looking around the spotless apartment I sighed before leaving as well. Finding my heart beating quickly and a cold sweat breaking out on the back of my neck I decided to leave the slightly crowded streets and took to the rooftops allowing me to breathe easier. Jumping down in front of the academy's front doors I breathed deeply, steeling myself to be prepared for anything. I opened the door and stretched my senses to find the only other chakra signature currently inside that wasn't the ever present Cat and Hawk Anbu, and made my way to their classroom. Knocking on the door I waited for the "come in" before entering.

"Ah, you must be Harusame-san. My name is Iruka-sensei, it's nice to meet you. I have the written portion of the exam here. You can take however long you need, after two hours if you are not done five points will be deducted from your score, every twenty minutes past two hours will also result in an additional five point deduction. After you after finished we will move outside to the training grounds for the next two portions, the physical and the jutsu portion. Do you have any questions or concerns before you begin?" Here he gazed at me in curiosity, his spiky ponytail squishing slightly as he tilted his head to the side in question.

Tensely shaking my head I moved to the seat he motioned to with the aforementioned test sitting on the desk. Noticing the slight amount of chakra surrounding the test I curiously glanced at the questions to see that it was showing extremely easy questions such as what was one plus one and other such questions. Shrugging I dispelled the simple genjutsu and settled in to take the much more difficult exam that progressively got harder, ignoring the pleased yet slightly surprised sound Iruka-sensei let out when I did so. An hour later I finished with about fifteen out of the one hundred and fifty questions unanswered as they pertained solely to the history of Konoha. Standing I walked to stand in front of Iruka-sensei waiting to be acknowledged.

Bleary eyes blinked up at me before they sharpened, "Yes? Do you need help with a question?"

"No, I have finished. Though sadly I could not finish all of them, as they are Konoha specific and none of my tutors went that far in depth." I apologetically bowed, then placed the test on his desk and quickly stepped back when he reached for it in slight shock.

Iruka-sensei's dark brown eyes stared in bewilderment at me before beginning to scan the test, eyes growing larger each second. "Well," here he cleared his throat, "All of the ones you have answered seem to be correct. I will grade it during our lunch break after jutsu portion is over. Follow me please."

Inclining my head in agreement I waited a beat before following him. He led me to a decently sized training are, about the size of what I used to know as a football field. Stopping in the middle of the field he turned to me and said, "Alright, so we'll start with the least difficult then proceed to the final years jutsu followed by any you would like to show in order for a better score. The first is the rope escape jutsu. If you do not know one of the requested jutsu, I am allowed to show you it once along with the hand seals, then if you still cannot do it we will mark it down and move onto the next one. Do you have any questions?"

"I do not know that jutsu. Will you show me?" After he finished he asked if I had any other questions to which I shook my head. I tensed as he tied my wrists together, causing my mind to flash back to when this jutsu would have helped the most before I quickly performed the jutsu as he had shown me. I turned a little grey from how easy I could have removed the bindings back then. Iruka-sensei smiled encouragingly and what followed was about ten other super simple E-ranked jutsu, only about six of which I knew. Though after being shown the hand seals and feeling how the chakra was supposed to move I could do the four I didn't know seamlessly.

"The next three are D-ranked and are called the Bunshin, Kawarimi, and the Henge-no jutsu. Do you know any of these, or would you like a demonstration?"

Tilting my head to the side I asked, "Would the Mizu-Bunshin work? I do not know the Kawarimi, but the Henge I do know." Receiving a startled look at my question I furrowed my eyebrows slightly in worry that I had misspoken.

"Ah, I will show you both the Bunshin and the Kawarimi, and the Mizu-Bunshin we will put in your extra jutsus as that is considered a C-B Rank jutsu. That is very impressive that you can pull such a jutsu off so young Harusame-san!" The surprised excitement in his voice startled me at first causing me to lean slightly away from him, before he sheepishly rubbed at his nose and proceeded to show me the two unknown jutsu.

Nodding to show I understood I proceeded to do all three jutsu before going into the various jutsu I had acquired as Kaa-san's payments over the years. From the simple lightening shock one to the breathing underwater one I had about nine E-D rank and three C-B rank, including the Mizu-Bunshin, Gale Wind Palm, and the last I no longer had the chakra to perform was the Water Whip. By the end Iruka-sensei was staring in complete shock and I was shaking and out of breath from using so many jutsu so close together. Jerking slightly Iruka-sensei seemed to shake himself before saying, "Well you definitely pass the jutsu portion with flying colors. Next is the two part physical portion, which we will do after an hour break for food and so I can grade you written exam. Meet me back here at thirteen hundred and we will do the Taijutsu and Obstacle course portions." Nodding tiredly I left the academy grounds and headed to the nearest food place I could smell.

Ordering some Yakitori and rice I thought over the exam so far. It seemed pretty simple, if slightly exhausting to show all of those jutsu so close together, maybe they were going easy on her as she was new. She would be sure to ask when she got back not wanting any special treatment. Nodding to myself, I moved to throw my trash away and almost bumped into someone standing in line. Paling I apologized and quickly side-stepped to avoid a collision with the very oddly dressed male shinobi. Green spandex should not be allowed as an acceptable piece of clothing, I ignored his wide-eyed look of disbelief and quickly made my way back to the academy.

When I noticed his now determined chakra following me, my breathing sped up and my skin greyed out, before I shot off to the academy and the slightly familiar Iruka-sensei, Cat, and Hawk who were still following but were now tense and agitated. Running into the classroom I tried to get my panic under control and stuttered out what had happened to the alarmed Iruka. Darting behind him as I felt the odd, dangerous, man enter through the window, causing Iruka-sensei to go into a defensive stance in front of me, before he did a double-take and face palmed.

"Maito-san, you shouldn't be scaring people and following them around with no warning! Poor Harusame-san was terrified you were stalking her or something." Iruka-sensei thoroughly scolded the now extremely sheepish man then he straightened and the world seemed to erupt in glitter and sunshine as he put up a peace sign and grinned so wide you could practically hear the 'PING.'

"Ah, I am so sorry for my unyouthful behavior! I saw the beautiful young lotus and thought she looked like a friend of mine! Do you mind if I ask who your parents are, most youthful blossom?" Gritting my teeth after failing to dispel his masterful Genjutsu, I blinked back tears as he must be thinking of my Okaa-san.

"Ye, yes. My Okaa-san is Harusame Akemi, she is currently not, not doing so well and is in the hospital. I do not have an Otou-san." I tensely spoke to the intensely attentive shinobi and shrank as far away from him as humanly possible.

At hearing Okaa-san was in the hospital he grew slightly grim and then seemed to be confused at the fact that I didn't have an Otou-san. He nodded while seemingly in deep thought then asked, "Do you think she would mind if I visited her? I would like very much to say hello!" Again he struck a pose and grinned widely.

I nodded stiffly and cautioned, "Do not be expecting much. She, she does not remember much of the last eight to nine years." My jaw clenched at Maito-san's sudden grimness and the startled look I received from Iruka-sensei.

Maito-san nodded seriously before throwing his, what I suspected to be his signature peace sign up, "Of course! I shall attempt to fan her flames of Youth back into full blast! Thank you Harusame-chan! I hope we meet again!" I blinked rapidly as he disappeared in a burst of such speed there seemed to be a grinning afterimage for a few seconds.

Hearing an exasperated sigh I turned a stunned look to Iruka-sensei to see a hang-dog look on his face with a slight slouch, before he cleared his throat and straightened up. "Alright, let's head back out to the training grounds to finish up your exam. The first we will do is the Taijutsu portion, where anything goes except chakra and weapons. Following that is an obstacle course that is timed, you will be graded based on time and if you get caught in any traps, you may use chakra during that portion but no jutsu. Do you have any questions?"

Thinking carefully I asked, "For the Taijutsu portion, it graded on time, or the amount of hits I can land or block?"

Blinking, he sheepishly rubbed his nose, "Ah, I'm sorry. So this portion will be graded both on how long you will last, your tactics used, if you can land a hit, as well as your form. Stepping out of the ring counts as the end of the match and a strike to any of the automatic kill strike portions will end the match. Do you have any further questions?

I shook my head and got into the loose beginning stance for the Whirlpool counterpart called Shinkai. Like the currents found deep underwater the style called for smooth, yet very strong flowing movements. It was made to make your opponent feels extreme pressure so that had no time to think, though not understanding why as at first you seem to be moving slowly until they get caught up in the fast currents dragging them deeper and deeper just like deep underneath the ocean.

Receiving an intrigued look briefly before the expected, "Hajime!" I breathed and assessed his stance shifting as after a pause he threw a moderately paced punch towards my face. Flowing smoothly around it I punched a nerve while breathing out as I was taught. Iruka-sensei grunted before doing a leg sweep. Seemingly floating up and over his leg I used his kunai pouch to leap over his follow-up punches and kicked another nerve cluster, this time numbing his left arm completely. The elbow strike that came next was much faster and more powerful, and seemed to be more of a reflex, though this time I got my cheek grazed as I was flowing out of the way. Flipping back into a handstand I pushed up dodging a kick, placing my hand on his thigh I pushed a chakra encased finger into the nerve cluster in his knee before using it to push myself away. Receiving a punch to the solar plexus caused me to misstep as a flashback threatened to overwhelm me. Coughing I brought myself back just in time to flow away from getting full on kicked in the side managing to only get a harsh push instead. Breathing out I flowed around his follow on punch and managed to completely shut down his left arm before a kick snapped out at me faster than I could follow sending me flying out of the ring. Twisting I landed roughly on one knee with a hand to stabilize me.

Glancing up, I brushed a few stray stands of escaped hair out of my face, noting the chagrinned look on Iruka-sensei's face as he poked his left arm. Seeing me watching he coughed and smiled, "Good job!" I've never seen such a devastatingly inconspicuous looking Taijutsu style before. I apologize for that last kick, you surprised me by whatever you did to my arm!"

Carefully studying his face I relaxed as I realized he was not upset, just curious. "It is called the Shinkai style. My Kinjutsu Sensei taught me in case my swords were ever lost or broken in a fight. When adding chakra to the strikes the nerves can either be severed or numbed temporarily, or even permanently. Without chakra, with enough pressure, the limbs can be cut off of all feeling. I can fix it if you like?" Seeing the encouraging nod I asked him to sit down before I maneuvered his shoulder just right, before using a tiny amount of chakra to coax the nerve cluster to loosen up from the knot they'd been forced into. Hearing the relieved sigh I quickly backed away from him.

"Wow! Very impressive Harusame-san. Thank you for fixing that. Now are you injured? Do you need to see a medic before we continue?" Seeing me shake my head he hummed slightly before nodding and leading me towards the tree line.

AN: Phew! Another one typed out! Sorry if there are a bunch of typos I was kind of in a hurry to type this one up, just let me know if you spot any and I'll fix it as soon as I can! :D I hope you enjoyed it! Reviews are the ultimate motivation! :D