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.

Fourth Shadow: Neji

It had been a year and a half since my first day at the Academy, and I had learned a lot. I was one of the fastest excelling students in the entire Academy. Well except for Uchiha Sasuke, Hyuuga Hinata, Uzumaki Naruto, and Hinata's cousin Neji, along with a kid named Rock Lee and a girl named Tenten. Besides all of them, I was on top and I was feeling good, but not good enough. I still wanted to surpass them. I had to be the best. I had to be an awesome kunoichi for my brother. As we sat in class, taking more notes on battle strategies. At least this year was more exciting.

"Pop quiz!" Iruka said loudly, causing the class to groan. "Now, now, don't complain! It's your fault for not listening! Again!"

"Iruka-sensei! That's just cold!" Naruto exclaimed.

"You will do the pop quiz whether or not you're ready for it!" Iruka replied with a grin.

At this, the son of the Yondaime pouted and began to sulk. Iruka smiled slightly and shook his head, turning towards the blackboard where he had written up all the notes that everyone was supposed to be taking. Curious, I stared at him. Big mistake. The guy was insane! It was like he saw me staring at him from the back of his head!

"Tamahashi Aki!" Iruka called, now turning around, the board erased.

"Hai, Iruka-sensei?" I replied innocently.

"In battle strategy, what would be the ideal angle and speed to throw your kunai if your opponent is attacking you from above and his height is approximately one foot taller than you?"

Wow. He's seriously crazy. That's a near impossible question. Honestly! I'm a little kid! You're asking me about physics and geometry! Naturally, I kept that thought to myself, and looked down at my notes.

"Anno…not to be rude Iruka-sensei, none of this is in our notes, and that's a very hard question to ask."

"Hai, you're quite right. It's good to know that you're paying attention. One of the few that actually is…"

Iruka made a pained face before it darkened to one of anger.

"NARUTO!" The enraged sensei roared.

Naruto grinned sheepishly from the doorway where he had obviously been attempting to sneak out. "Hai, Iruka-sensei?" he asked.

Suddenly a very big-headed Iruka towered over a tiny Naruto. "YOU WILL STAY IN YOUR SEAT AND NOT MOVE UNTIL THE BELL RINGS!"

As if right on cue, the bell signaling the end of the day began to ring. The Uzumaki boy grinned and quickly shot to his desk and grabbed his things before heading out with Hinata and Sasuke. Quietly, I packed my things, noticing that Shikamaru was waiting for me. Together we walked out where Toji waited.

"How was your day?" he asked.

"Boring. We just took notes again." I answered, yawning as if to further prove my point.

"Very troublesome…" Shikamaru added.

Toji smirked. "Iruka-sensei's being boring again? I could've sworn I told him to spice up the lessons a bit."

"I guess he didn't listen to your advice Nii-chan. But at least I was praised by him for being one of the few people in class today that was paying attention."

"That's great!"

I paused. He didn't really sound like he meant that. He sounded sort of distant, almost as if he was sort of saying "Yeah whatever…" Toji-nii-san isn't like that. What's going on? Maybe he's just growing up? I guess…

I shrugged it off and waved a farewell to Shikamaru and walked off with my brother.

Itachi was a little ways ahead of us, Sasuke at his side, and Toji turned to me. "Hey, Aki-chan, I've got to talk to Itachi for a bit, so go back to the shop and wait for me ok? If you want you can test some of the new shuriken I've been making. Just don't hit the customers or any of the lights."

"Okay," I replied, skipping off, forcing a smile.

Wow, he ditched me. My own brother just ditched me. As I continued up the road I rounded a corner and turned to look back, only to see Itachi doing the same to Sasuke. The younger Uchiha sibling walks past me, spotting a bright orange jumpsuit ahead of him. No need to tell me who it was. Sighing, I walked back to the shop, alone. Sadly, I wasn't paying attention and I walked right into someone.

"Oh! Gomen nasai, I wasn't watching where I was going." I said instantly, politely bowing low as my father had always taught me when you apologized.

"It's okay. I'm not hurt. Are you alright?" A boy's voice asked.

I straightened up and met a pair of beautiful lavender-white eyes. I recognized him instantly. I had just walked into Hyuuga Neji, cousin and guardian of the Hyuuga Heiress, Hinata. I couldn't help but stare at his pale skin and pale eyes and beautiful black hair. He was a year older than me and in one of the higher classes at the Academy. Everyone was calling him the Hyuuga genius. I flushed slightly as I realized that he was giving me an odd look, wondering if I'd fainted with my eyes open while still standing up.

"Hai…I'm fine…" I replied finally.

"My name's Neji. Hyuuga Neji." The young Hyuuga boy said politely.

"Hajimemashite, Hyuuga-san. Watashi wa Tamahashi Aki." I responded, just as polite. (A/N: That translates to "Pleased to meet you, Hyuuga-san. I'm Tamahashi Aki.")

"Hey, do you know my cousin, Hinata?"

"Hai, she's in my class at the Academy. Are you looking for her?"

Neji nodded vigorously. "I have to find her quick before Hiashi-sama gets mad at me for not being a good guardian." He explained.

"Oh I think I saw Uzumaki-san a few minutes ago. Where ever he is, Hinata-san is bound to be there too. They're best friends aren't they?"

"Hai, they are. I hope you don't mind me troubling you, Aki-san, but do you think you could show me which way Naruto went? If…if you're not busy of course…"

I glanced up the street where I could see my house from where I stood. I debated on lying just to go home. But eh, what the heck? It can't hurt to help someone out. So I agreed, naturally.

"Oh, I was just walking home. But sure…he went…anno…this way…"

I turned around, heading in the direction I had seen the orange jumpsuit disappear to. In a few minutes, orange clothes appeared in our vision and beside him was a girl with long black hair.

"Arigatou Aki-san! I'll see you tomorrow at the Academy. Sayonara!" Neji said, bowing politely before running up to Naruto's trio which consisted of Hinata, Sasuke, and of course, Naruto himself.

"Um…bye…?" I replied uncertainly, Neji's departure too sudden for my brain to process.

With another sigh, I turned around again, headed back to the shop. As I walked, I heard familiar voices behind me.

A/N: Alright, that was the fourth installment. I know it's a rather bad stopping point, but eh. And I apologize for lack of updates. School's been killing me and I haven't had the time to do much. Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter, and ja ne until next time!