FOR QUEEN ESPADA, my new favorite person~! I swear, I love you. I'm trying to get to the Gaara part as soon as possible, but its just draaaagging ooon. And don't worry, Iruka won't be her team leader, although I'm not too sure who will be and I would LOVE some input if you have any!

And to all you random, disappointing people, sorry I've taken sooo looong. I could give you a ton of excuses... but I'd be lying. And that's bad. I just haven't hit a muse lately... BUT ALL THAT WILL CHANGE!

Chibi-Gaara- (Since I really wish he could be here *luffles* ) She no own nufink! *cute green stare* Me have cookie? *blink* *blink*

Can't resist that, huh?

Hoshiko- REVIEW! Or face my newly-crowned Genin wrath!

It's true, folks- Read on!

Whenever you don't want morning to come, it seems to come even faster. One moment I was falling asleep, and the next Iruka was waking me for breakfast. I stumbled out of bed, dressed clumsily, and almost tripped over myself when I made it to the breakfast table. I knew I should be going over my jutsu and my book studies again, but my thoughts were muddled and I couldn't think to put toast in my mouth. It was just one of those days. And it was going to suck. Slipping on shoes, I pulled my bag over my shoulder and left the house for school a bit early, hoping to squeeze in some practical practice before the exam. Unfortunately, everyone else had the same idea, either cramming, trying to learn the last bits of a history book desperately, or going over the jutsu a few times for icing on the cake. I would like to believe I was in the last group, but I'm still shy of showing people my jutsu. They're always just a little different, either to compensate for my vision or because I couldn't see them done. I didn't get much practice with everyone else, I just practiced alone.

Henge was my worst: although I could mimic everything else about a person, their physical characteristics eluded me. So Iruka said my Henge always turned out in odd shapes, and muddled colors.

Bunshin was my best technique, being my first, but they never looked quite like me according to my friends. If I were to make a perfect bunshin, I had to be told what I looked like. And then, it was my interpretation of it. I had once seen colors- as a baby- and I had vague impressions of swirling, bright vortexes and shadows. The colors were normally close enough, but my eyes were never right.

Kawarmi just… was. Not too good, not too bad. It would be OK if that was chosen, I think I could pass the easiest with it. It was a purely physical move, and I could sense the objects around me just enough to get it right.

I chose the furthest corner of the yard to go over my jutsu, and there were no slips. The techniques flowed into each other, and the chakra flow seemed regular compared to everyone else's. My book knowledge was pretty good- I learned better when things were more interactive, but listening to facts over and over got them stuck in my head well enough. Last quiz, I scored even higher than Sakura Haruno.

The time came to file into class. Iruka stood at the front, hands on his hips, and kept us in suspense for a good five minutes. Noone spoke. Then, he called out, "Now, for the graduation exam, you will do the Bunshin technique. When you are called…" His voice faded for us and we all spun to converse with out friends. I was happy with the selection, it being my best jutsu, but Naruto was distinctly worried.

Having no last name, I was last. Naruto was a little higher in the alphabet at U, and when he came out of the testing room he was really depressed. I thought to myself that he must have really been hoping to make it this time. Hinata, Shino, Kiba, Cold Boy, Rival Girls, Shikamaru, Chouji, and a few random people looked happy, so I would assume they passed. Then, it was my turn, the very last person to be tested. Nerves had fried my concentration, and I jumped when a fly landed on my head. The calls of 'You'll be fine!' 'Good luck!' and 'Don't screw up!' were gradually filtered out as I forced myself to relax and walk through the door to the exam room. Deep down, I was kind of hoping they would be tired of watching poor kids fail and would take pity on me if I did screw up. But then again, if the rest of the judges were anything like Iruka himself… it wasn't much of a hope at all.

They didn't say anything, didn't make a sound. I cleared my throat, and started. I gathered my chakra like countless times before, and created two bunshin. I had asked Iruka to tell me what I looked like before, and I called up every last detail I could remember. I stood in silence while they appraised my work, then they started muttering. It must be some kind of ninja skill, but I couldn't hear a word they said. So I stood and fidgeted for a bit. Then Iruka put his hand on my shoulder.

"Well, despite the fact that the eyes have no irises or pupils, we have judged that this is good enough for a passing grade. Congratulations, Hoshiko."

I gaped up at his voice for a bit, before crashing back to my senses. I could have hugged him. That, however, would be out of character, and so I settled for grinning at him and stepping back to my friends in the other room. But Iruka pulled me back.

"About your team though… the Hokage said that due to your blindness… it might be a good idea to break with the three-person team code, and put you together with another team. Hoshi… You've done something incredible. You have proven that you won't hold anyone back. But that doesn't mean you are the equal to a Genin who can see and perform jutsu with no flaws. It won't be so bad…"

I had sat and taken it for the first part of Iruka's explanation. At the end, not so much. I was pissed. I slammed out the door. Everyone was already outside, the exams over, and I ignored the other voices calling after me as I ran. I hadn't cried since that day my bloodline appeared, but I did now. The tears made tracks down my face, and I ran to the farthest place in Konoha I knew- the 'forest of death'. I was far too weak to actually go far in, but I liked the silence of the surrounding areas, the peace and quiet. It started to rain, and it hid my tears. I tried to calm myself down, but the sobs kept wracking my body. The darkness of my eyes was tinged with red, and my hands were bleeding from where I dug in my claws. I had to keep it in this time. Last time I scared my friends. I could get punished now- I'm supposed to be a responsible Genin.

Genin. My mind latched onto that word. That's good. I can calm myself like that. I was a ninja. Teams didn't matter. But… they thought I was incapable of defending those I cared about. Ugh- I was thinking in circles, one thing after another, getting nowhere. A twig snapped right by my ear, and I heard someone laugh when I jumped backwards.

"Yo, kid. Whatcha doing here? It's not a place for kids."

I wiped my eyes, huddled back under my tree, and huffed out an answer. "I'm just sitting here, and I can handle myself fine."

"Well, I suppose you're the girl the Hokage was talking about, right? Awful small. Thought you were gonna be tougher. The cryin makes you look more like a civilian."

I straightened up indignantly and shook my head. "I had a good reason!"

She inspected me for a good few seconds, then said, "I'm Anko Mitarashi. Can I ask why you're crying, then?"

"My name is Hoshiko. The people making the teams said that I'm not good enough to be a member."

"They're not allowin you to be a genin?"

"Oh yeah, but I'm supposed to be some kind of fifth wheel after the three main people of the group and the sensei."

Anko scoffed. "So you're mad they let you be on a team? Kid, you know you're the first, or maybe second I can't remember, blind kunoichi in… well forever. Better be fu- ahem- freakin' proud of yourself!"

"But-"

Anko snorted. "No buts. Be glad they put you on a team and deal with it."

I glared in her general direction, crossed my arms, and thought about it. I guess she was right. I was thinking the same way, I guess, just hadn't been able to make up my mind. "Fine. You might be right."

I could feel her smirk from where I sat. "'Course I'm right. Now, like I said, this is no place for kids."

"But I like it here. It's nice and quiet."

She was shocked for a little bit, before answering, "It's called the Forest of Death and you like it because it's quiet?"

"Yeah."

"Ok. Now run along. Can't have little psychopathic genin-to-be running about underfoot, as fun as that might be. Just remember kid, a four-man team isn't such a bad idea. You're not a genin yet."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You still have the practical exam." She was grinning again. "Just hope you're not on my pathetic team… they have no chance."

I left the area quickly, thinking about this practical exam. Tomorrow we were introduced to our instructors, so I assumed the exam would take place then. I felt bad for Anko's team for a second before thinking on all of my taijutsu and ninjutsu. I was hopeless at making others see things with genjutsu, due to the fact I couldn't see. It was a given.

Iruka would have told me if there was more, right? No. If he thought it would give me an unfair (ha) advantage, he wouldn't tell me. I guess Anko was telling the truth. I better suck it up and talk to more people in my class, then- don't know who I was gonna get stuck with, and I might as well make teamwork easier. So my afternoon was planned out- let's make friends.

Joy…

Yay! I like Anko's character.

Don't you love Spring Vacation? It's a little too short, as always, but still awesome.

So I'm hoping to squeeze Gaara into the chapter after next... *crosses fingers*

Thank you! R+R!