Disclaimer: Aki's story is © to me, all events referring to Naruto and his friends that Dragon Man included in his fic, "Naruto the Kitsune Hanyou" are hereby © to him. All other things are hereby © to their respectful and rightful owners.

First Shadow: The Academy

"See you when you get out, alright?" Toji had said to me with a smile.

Would I really see him again? Of course I would. I'm just being stupid. Again. Besides, it's not like he's got a mission today. He's just going to be helping out Dad at work.

All around me, there are faces, happy smiling faces, nervous, anxious faces, just too many to name. The bell hasn't rung to signal us in. I'm so scared, yet so excited to be here. The bell chimes, and I slowly walk forward, passing a girl with pink hair, and another with bright blonde hair. They look like they're both friends. Maybe I can talk to them at lunchtime? Maybe they can be my friends too? I don't know. I keep walking forward, I'm inside, I've just walked through the door. A very hyperactive blonde boy rushes past me. Somehow he looks familiar to me. But he was moving too fast, I couldn't see his face.

"Welcome everyone! I see lots of fresh faces and I can't wait to get started on training you all!" A voice said loudly above the childish chatter.

I turn and see a tall man; he's a Chuunin, just like brother. His hair is dark, and it's funny. It reminds me of a peacock's plume. He smiles at all of us and tells us to follow him. I don't move. The rest of the students push and shove me along. I hate crowds. And loud places. To my misfortune, this academy is both crowded and noisy. Oh joy.

We finally get to the classroom, and we take seats. Everyone sits with the friends they've made. I'm alone, and I sit in the back. I can see Shikamaru, I know him, but not really. He's just barely related to me. We don't really talk much. But it's nice when we do. He looks like he always does. Ready to fall asleep at a moment's notice.

The man that showed us to class in front of the room and he introduces himself as our sensei. His name is Iruka. Brother has told me about him. Brother says that Iruka is a nice man. He looks nice to me, and I know brother wouldn't lie about something like that…I trust him, just as he trusts me.

Iruka-sensei starts talking about what it takes to be a shinobi. I'm not listening. My parents have repeated this same speech at least twenty times. Plus, I had to listen to it again when the Hokage spoke at my brother's graduation ceremonies for going from an academy student to Genin and from Genin to Chuunin. I'm just waiting until he's a Jounin. That won't be too far from now. Toji's really good at what he does. He'll be graduating any day now. Next thing I know, he'll be the next Hokage…But then again, the Yondaime has a son, so he'll probably get Hokage-status before brother will. That lucky brat. Oh well, that's life. I'll get over it.

I sigh as I look around the room, looking at all the people here. I see that hyperactive blonde that passed me. I remember him now. He's Uzumaki Naruto, the Hokage's son. I see the pink-haired and blonde girl too. Then, I see a pale boy with dark hair and a red and white fan crest on his back…An Uchiha. I know him. He's Uchiha Sasuke. He's got an older brother, Itachi. My brother knows him. They're good friends. I haven't really talked to Sasuke, or anyone but brother to be honest. I keep looking around and I see a girl, also pale, but with long bluish-black hair. She turns around, as if she senses my stare. I see her eyes. They're a sort of lavender-white color. I know this girl too. Hyuuga Hinata, Hyuuga clan heiress. Of course, I don't know her personally, just like I don't know Sasuke or Shikamaru personally. I only know them by their reputation. The Uchihas and Hyuugas are the two most powerful clans in Konoha, and the Naras, well, they're my relatives.

Iruka's still talking as my eyes continue to wander. I see a fat kid eating some chips. He doesn't look very interesting to me at the moment. I turn away and see a mysterious looking boy wearing sunglasses of some sort and a coat. Brother told me about these people…The Aburame clan. They have an alliance with these sort of bugs or something, and they play host to these bugs and let them eat their chakra, the bugs in exchange, help them. Another boy, only this one has a very dog-like appearance, and a white puppy sitting on his spiky brown-haired head, obviously an Inuzuka.

Finally, Iruka-sensei finishes his long and boring speech, the people who were listening stand up and start forming a line. What are we doing? Thankfully, my distant relative helps answer my question.

"Iruka-sensei, what are we doing right now?" he asked.

"We're going outside to practice some basic chakra gathering." Iruka answered.

I grumbled under my breath, I didn't want to do anything on the first day! I was hoping everything would just be a bunch of talking…oh well. It's not too hard. Brother showed me how to gather chakra. It's not anything hard, like making a Bunshin clone…

Outside in our line, Iruka-sensei talks about how to gather chakra, and demonstrates, giving us a few minutes to practice. Finally he pulls out a big scroll and starts reading off names.

"Aburame, Shino!" he calls out.

The mysterious sunglasses kid walks forward. Shino, huh? Interesting name…

Shino forms a seal, and chakra is built up. I can feel it from where I stand. I bet this guy is strong…

Iruka nods that Shino passed, and he reads off the next name, "Akimichi, Chouji." The fat kid walks forward, stuffing the last of his chips into his mouth before making a seal. I have no idea if he did anything at all. I can't feel anything like I did when Shino went. Chouji falls back into the line and a few other names are called, still I can't sense anyone's chakra…do any of them even know how to find the chakra in themselves so they can gather it? I sigh. How disappointing.

"Haruno, Sakura!"

The pink-haired girl steps forward. She looks confident. She gathers a great amount of chakra, and I can sense it. Finally! Someone who knows what they're doing! The Hyuuga girl goes next, followed by the Inuzuka boy. More unimportant and insignificant people are called forward before Shikamaru finally gets his turn. He still looks bored. He makes his seal and does fairly well. A few more insignificant people until my name is called…Finally, I hear it!

"Tamahashi, Aki."

I walk forward from the line, nearly shaking with excitement. I know I can do this! I make the seal, and I feel the chakra molding itself into shape. Iruka-sensei smiles and gives me a slight pat on the back. I know I did well. As I walk back, I see Shikamaru's face. He looks surprised. I grin, thinking about what he may be thinking of me. However, my glory doesn't last. The Uchiha boy is called forward, and the chakra he gathers is immense. Much more than what I'd put together. Now all the girls, except for the Hyuuga girl, are fawning over him. How sickening. Naruto, the Hokage's son is next. The commotion made from Sasuke's performance dies down quickly as all watch with bated breath, hoping for a more exciting performance from the Yondaime's heir. Naruto does just as good as Sasuke, and everyone claps and cheers. I admit I gave a short applause. The blonde girl goes last, and we are all ushered back into the classroom. I look at the clock on the wall, wishing that this day would go by faster. Iruka-sensei talks a little more, and we take a few notes. He says that if we do well in basics, we'll start on jutsus early. My interested is piqued somewhat.

A bell rings, and everyone pulls out lunch containers, heading outside. I grab my lunch and follow them. Upon arriving outside, I see that everyone's split off into their own little groups. I suddenly feel all alone. I'm too shy to ask anyone if I can sit with them, especially since I don't really know anyone here in the first place. I wish Toji-nii-chan was here. Then I wouldn't be alone. I walk off to a vacant spot under a shady tree and sit down to eat.

"Oi, Tamahashi-san, don't sit by yourself!" Shikamaru calls from behind me.

I turn around and see him motioning for me to join him. I gather my lunch and take a seat next to him.

"This is my relative. We're barely related though." Shikamaru says, speaking to the fat kid, who I finally notice is sitting nearby.

Chouji nods, stuffing his face.

"Does he ever stop eating?" I whisper to Shikamaru.

Shikamaru shrugs. "Shhh…don't say anything. He'll get all mad and offended." He replies quietly.

I smile slightly and nod in understanding.

By the end of lunch, I finally know someone in my class. We go back into the classroom as the bell chimes again, only this time I sit with Shikamaru and Chouji. The rest of the day suddenly isn't as bad anymore.

A/N: Sorry it took so long to post anything. I've been busy. School's been giving me hell. Essays, tests, you know, the stuff that wants to make you kill yourself…Anyways, until next time! And my Inuyasha fans, Ch. 19 is in progress and near completion, so please be patient. XD Ja ne until next time!