It was the first time since back at home I could wear my clothing proudly. A purple tank top, lavender short skirt covering the top half of my black skinny pants. I wore black ninja sandals instead of the traditional blue.

I ran my hand through my short choppy gray hair and examined myself in the mirror.

My gaze fell to the mark on my left arm. The sign of our clan. Intersecting L's almost making a diamond with arms. One L for life the other for death. A rare gift. A rare curse. It came from my fathers side, he disapproved of me having it. He always thought I wasn't cut to bear such a powerful mark. I was told to never try to use nor understand it, but he wasn't around anymore.

I touched it gently and smiled at it. I'd show him. I smiled at myself as my reflection did the same. Just like mother always said

Always smile. It'll make even the hardest scariest situations seem easier.

I slipped on my black fingerless gloves and sighed. I was ready at least I hoped.

"Emiko, you're in luck. This day at the academy they're only picking teams. However I've arranged it so you could take the exam in front of the class. Iruka-Sensei will of course explain it to you once we arrive. If you pass you'll join a team as a genin." the hokage said walking me down a hallway to the classroom that held my fate.

I stopped suddenly and looked down. "And what if I fail lord hokage?"

He sighed "We'd re-enroll you. It'd only be fair. Emiko if you feel your not ready…"

I clenched my fists "No, I'm ready. I have to prove a few things."

"So be it," the hokage smiled and walked up to the sliding door I guessed led to the classroom. He knocked and a voice from the other side answered. "You may enter."

The hokage motioned for me to stay behind as me entered the full classroom. I peeked through a crack in the door and listened intently.

The class greeted the hokage before he began" Student, I realize it's a bit late but we have a new student joining us today. She shall enter, and perform the same exam you all did just days ago. If she passes she shall join a squad. We are all aware she makes the numbers odd but we feel this team shall exceed none the less.

"I must warn you however. She was just released from the hospital. I want you all to not pry into the reason for this. If you could all prepare yourselves. I would like to introduce you to Miss. Emiko Fuuya."

I took this as my cue and entered the room timidly. It was brightly lit and filled with students. They eyed me as I walked over and stood next to the hokage.

The hokage once again spoke but this time with a more gentle tone. "Go ahead Iruka. She's all yours. I merely wish to observe her condition."

The man named Iruka was tall wearing the Konoha leaf headband under a dark brown ponytail. A scar across his nose made him look a bit raggedy. However he had soft, kind, brown eyes. He smiled softly" Like the rest of the students you'll need to make one clone of yourself in order to pass. Simple enough right."

"Shadow clones or.." I asked confused. It had been a long time since mother and I touched on shadow clones. Unlike the rest of my clan I didn't get to train with father as much as the rest. Most of the ninja who came out of here were males. Father believed females were not worthy of such a title. Mother and I had focused on my jutsu I inherited from her. Dark element clones were my specialty but if I had to perform a simple doppelganger I probably could. I hoped.

Iruka raised an eyebrow and nodded "Well yes."

I sighed and placed my hands in the correct formation. I took a sharp breath and muttered. "Art of the Doppelganger." After hearing the small poof I looked up to see the not perfect but not horrible twin of myself. I smiled softly as the class clapped.

The hokage nodded and reached into his cloak bringing out a black headband intended for members of my clan. A different color was all the separated it from its blue sister. The hokage place it gently in my hands and spoke. "Good luck to all of you may the will of fire lead you forward towards your dreams." he took his leave and left the class chatting.

I smiled softly at the item in my gloved hands. I looked up as Iruka addressed me. "I'm sorry but for the time being you'll have to stand" I nodded and listened to his speech silently.

"From this day forward you are no longer mere students of Ninjutsu, but full fledged shinobi. But among the ranks of ninja you are mere novices ,lowest of the low. Your greatest challenges lie ahead.

"The next step in the assignment of duties will begin by dividing you into three man cells, with the exception of one which will have four to make room for Emiko here. Each cell shall be monitored by a jonin level ninja who will guide and coach you as you become familiar with you assignments. I made the selections so each cells abilities would all be approximately equal.

The class groaned and I smiled sheepishly. As Iruka listed off a few cells I thought worriedly, 'What if no one on the team accepts me?'

"Cell seven Haruno Sakura, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke and Fuuya Emiko."

I perked up and looked around nervously. My eyes met a clearly annoyed blonde who growled and stood up yelling loudly. "Master Iruka! What were you thinking putting a great ninja like me with that loser?!" he pointed to a raven haired male sitting near him.

Iruka glared and put his hands on his hips. "Of the twenty-seven of you here, Sasuke has the best grades. Naruto you however are the bottom of the class. The idea is balance. That's why you're together."

I smiled softly. He seemed funny and energetic. I figured it'd be cool to have him as a friend.

"Then what about her?!" he pointed directly at me. "Who does she think she is just coming in here and doing a fancy jutsu. She didn't even learn here. She's not THAT special"

I looked down as the class fell silent. Well he was right.

Iruka gasped "Naruto…"