QUICK CREDITS: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, along with the characters Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, and Orochimaru. Hana Uchiha, Hikaru, Hayasho, and even Fukama are MY characters. A few of these characters do belong to other people, and I have gotten their permission to use the characters as I please.

A/N: These stories are not about Naruto, but more about my original characters and my friend's original characters that we role-played in the past.

She watched anxiously as the two men whispered back and forth to each other. Oh, how she wished she could tune in on them. Nervousness made her lungs shrivel up like raisins, and she could feel her face get beet red. Just give me an answer, She whimpered inwardly as she swayed back and forth on her heels. The two men finally broke from their conversation, she couldn't read their faces, "Congratulations, Uchiha Hana, you've passed." Her sensei finally said with a warm smile, "Come grab a forehead protector, and you may be on your way." At this, Hana nodded and stepped forward.

Her hand moved toward the one that had caught her eye the second she had walked into the testing room. She let her fingers wrap around it, and brought it in front of her thoughtfully. Finally, her day had come, "Your brother would be proud of you, Hana-chan, I'm sure of it," Even though she knew her sensei meant well, the words made her throat tighten. When her brother had graduated about two years earlier, she had been there to give him a hug and congratulate him. For the next summer her brother was a rare sight, with all the missions and the training, and then he left altogether. How she loathed the idea of where he was now, and that it had stolen her brother from her.

"Thanks, Sensei," She murmured quietly, weakly, along with the strongest nod she could give before she left the room.

.xx

.xxx

If she had been a normal newly-made shinobi, she would have skipped back to her classroom to show off her forehead protector to her fellow classmates; the thing is that most people aren't normal anymore. She slid the old-fashioned door shut behind her, and picked up the book-bag that leaned against the wall, grabbing it by the handle and throwing it over one shoulder. At the moment, she was the only one who occupied the hallway. The noise of excited children and teens filtered through the classroom doors that dotted the hallway on either side. Everyone would be nearly done with their exams now, and then all the kids would meet their parents outside to tell them the great news. Then the family would leave for the fanciest restaurant they could afford, and celebrate, like a family.

She made her way home, passing through the front door and out into a crowd that was beginning to form. There were parents, proud-looking, and bragging to the person next to them about their child. Hana didn't want to listen to them at the moment, and pushed forward to swiftly pass around the crowd. Unfortunately, she was stopped when one of the parents threw a hand on her shoulder. The girl looked up at a young woman, her skin was fair and her eyes bright were, "Did my son pass?" Hana blinked her gray eyes at the question, and nodded.

"Akira-kun passed, Matoko-san." Hana spoke in a voice that reminded many people of her brother's. Akira's mother smiled at this, and patted her on the shoulder. For a second, Hana thought about staying, but she thought otherwise and set-off at a quicker pace. This wasn't a place that she belonged.

.xx

.xxx

Hana grew up with only three people to rely on. The first would be her older brother, Sasuke Uchiha. As far as she could remember, Sasuke rarely showed a large amount of emotion. Even though he acted like he didn't care most of them time, she thought they had been close. Not close enough. She bit her lower lip, and tightened her grip on the forehead protector. Everyone knew that he had left two years ago, for a bastard known as Orochimaru.

The second would be a person she could hardly remember. A boy, with jet black hair, pale fair skin, and sparkling blue eyes - another Uchiha, of a wealthy family. She was told that his name was Hayasho. Hana could only remember brief moments of playing tag in the park, or going on adventures to the other side of the compound. But, like the rest of the Uchiha's, he was killed during the massacre.

The third person that she thought she could rely on stopped speaking to her a year ago, after he had graduated from the academy himself. And boy, was she surprised to see his ass sitting on the porch to her house. Hana stopped abruptly and put on her emotionless face; she was still pissed at him for abandoning her, so she felt the need to show him that she was strong, "Why're you here, Hikaru?" Hana said as she stepped up onto the porch and leaned against one of the beams.

The blond-haired boy had looked up. He looked a lot tanner from the last time she'd seen him, and he wasn't as scrawny. Hikaru smiled a teethy grin, "Aw, Hana-chan, can't an old friend come to celebrate you graduating from the academy?" Hikaru stood up straight, and laughed. He was about a foot taller then her, and Hana felt the urge to kick him in the knee, "Anyways, I went ahead and got you your birthday present too, seeing as I won't be around much-"

"You were never around to begin with," Hana said quietly.

Hikaru hid a frown from the girl, "I know, I know!" He said energetically, "But I really think this will make up for my absence Hana-chan!"

"If it's a flower, I swear I'll-"

"It's not a flower. Just go check your bedroom!"

Hana stared at him for a moment with a questioning look on her face before letting out a hmph and walking inside. She slid the door open to her bedroom, and stepped inside. Her gaze drifted around the room, and as she did so, she spotted a litter-box, a scratching post, a food bowl, and the most adorable kitten she'd ever seen. The little brown and white fluff-ball jumped up to her feet as she walked in. Its little tail wiggled and it let out a mew for attention. Hana put her hand on her hips and frowned.

Hikaru joined Hana in her bedroom with a teethy grin playing on his face, "C'mon where's the squealing, the hugging, the thank-youing?" Hikaru laughed, looking very pleased with himself. Hana narrowed her eyes.

"What makes you think I'll have time to take care of it now?" Hana growled.

Hikaru wapped his hand in the air, like it was no big deal, "Aw Hana-chan, being a genin is simple. All you have to do is spend a few hours a day earning some money, and then you have the rest of the day to do whatever you want!" Hikaru spoke, having been through a year of it already. Hana clenched her fists.

"So you're saying... I'll still have a lot of time hang around with my friends and everything?"

"Yep!"

"And maybe even visit them every now and then?"

"Yep."

"What about calling them, oh I don't know, say for a quick chat every once in a while?"

Hikaru frowned down at the girl, "...Hana, I'm sorry. I-"

Someone knocked on the door, "Who the hell did you invite over?" Hana growled angrily.

"Ah... Just Sakura... I just thought she'd want to celebrate." Hikaru said nervously.

"Why did you think that?"

"Hana, she cares about you..."

"Ha!" Hana spat, "She cares about Sasuke! Why should she give a crap about his sister?!"

"Hana don't be like that... I'm sorry, I really am..." Hikaru spoke in a voice that surprised her. It sounded like he was begging, pleading. Hana sighed, letting the anger sweep out of her in one breath.

"Whatever... Go let her in. I'll go order some takeout."

.xx

.xxx

"C'mon Hana-chan! Pleeeease?" Hikaru was shaking her now, by the shoulder. Hana furrowed her brows in frustration. Sakura was giggling, which made Hana even more annoyed. Hana sighed loudly.

"Why should I have to try it on? It's just a stupid forehead protector." Hana muttered while crossing her arms and closing her eyes.

Hikaru grabbed her forehead protector and grinned his usual teethy grin, "Sadly Hana-chan, you don't have a choice!" Hana's eyes widened and she scrambled to move away. The boy literally leaped on her, forcing her down before sitting on her back. The poor girl made some struggling squeals, but Hikaru had her. It felt just like old times, Hana realized this. Even after a year of silence, they were still good friends. After a while, Hana stopped struggling, and let Hikaru play with her hair as he tried many different styles with her forehead protector.

Hana glanced over at Sakura only to notice the girl eying her oddly. The Uchiha's eyes narrowed slightly, "What?"

Sakura dropped her gaze, and Hana had to fight the urge to roll her eyes, "He made the same expression when he was annoyed..."

Hana stayed quiet for a moment, "Sasuke has a name, you know." The girl said coolly.

"Right... Sorry, Hana-san."

"Don't be," Hana said and let out a groan, "Are you done yet Hikaru?" She asked, almost adding a pleading tone to her voice. Her chest was beginning to ache from the pressure. After another moment, Hikaru stood up, clapping his hands together like he had just accomplished something.

"Uh-huh! And you should look at yourself Hana-chan!" Hikaru exclaimed. Hana stood up and touched her forehead protector lightly. She had worn her brother's forehead protector once, but she had put it on her forehead. The way Hikaru had put it, felt different. Hana walked to the mirror, which had been placed in the hallway years ago.

"I look like Sakura," Hana noted with very little emotion in her voice. She didn't necessarily mind her forehead protector being in the same position as Sakura's, it just felt a bit odd. Hikaru walked up behind her with a smile so wide that you couldn't see his eyes they were so scrunched up.

"You look cute, Hana-chan!" He laughed, and patted her head affectionately. Hana frowned.

"Cute?" Hana spoke slowly, and sounded almost as if she were confused. No one had ever called her cute.

"Yep!"

Hana thought for a long moment, "...Okay. I'll keep it like this then."

.xx

.xxx

The two didn't stay long after that. Sakura had night shift at the hospital, and Hikaru had a mission in the morning. He said he'd visit her next week, when he returned from the mission, so she could tell him about her teammates. It seemed fair enough, she guessed.

She spent the next week training on her own, and bonding with her kitten, which she had named Fukama, since it meant 'bad time.' But finally, the day came, a week later - she would finally meet her new team.

Hana had to say she was quite nervous. Brother, were you ever this nervous? She closed her eyes, and rested her head against the door that led to the room where her team, Team 5, was supposed to meet. Oh, well, It was now or never. The girl put on a brave face, and slid the door open.

Inside were three people who had already been waiting. One was a girl about her age - she hadn't seen her before, so she guessed she was from a different class - she had stunning white hair that was brought up in a ponytail, and even more stunning violet eyes, and to top it all off, she had lovely tan skin that would make any girl jealous.

In one corner was a Hyuga who had been in her class for the past year. They had never really talked, but he was always the class trouble-maker. It surprised her that he even passed, and disappointed her that he'd be on her team.

Leaning against the blackboard was a woman. She had most of her oily black hair kept in a cap on which her forehead protector was attached to. The rest of it was sticking out to the sides. She looked kind enough, even though she had an annoyed look on her face.

"Next time, Uchiha Hana," Her sensei snapped suddenly, "Don't be late."

A/N: Thank you for reading the very first chapter to my very first fanfictiony story. 3