It's been five years since then, and I had changed greatly from the girl I once was. I used to wear yellow sundresses, a nice compliment to my hair in the sun. I used to smile, people told me it suited me. I used to have friends, but they're all gone now. I'm all alone.
Today was graduation day, I had awaited this day for so long. To be on a team, two of my peers and a jounin, was an opportunity to become friends with someone. Though it's far-fetched, at least they would be her teammates and would have some level of friendship.
The hall was near empty when I arrived, but the peace was broken when the fangirls arrived. Sakura and Ino, head to head, barged past me. They didn't even notice that they knocked me to the side. I scowled as I approached the room. Sakura was starry-eyed, pushing Naruto onto the ground as if he was a piece of trash. All she wanted was to sit next to Sasuke. It was one thing to tick me off and not apologize, but to bully Naruto just to try to sit by Sasuke was unacceptable. Just as she was asking Sasuke for permission to sit in the oh-so-special chair, i shoved past her and sat down. I crossed my legs and gazed aloofly towards the front of the room. She started to protest, but I turned my head to glare, and she retreated like a wounded puppy.
"Hey Aika, can I sit here?" Naruto asked, rubbing the back of his head. He wants to sit next to me?
"Why are you asking me?" I retorted. He shouldn't be asking me if he can sit, it's not my chair. Besides, he was sitting there a moment ago, before Sakura shoved him.
"Uh, well-"
"Don't ask such questions, do as you please"
"Alright class, I hope you are prepared, because today is the final exam to become a shinobi, a genin" Iruka-sensei announced before calling the first student and leading them to the next room.
"Alright, i'm going to pass, believe it!" Naruto punched the air enthusiastically. I just rocked back on my chair, suddenly taking interest in a fly. I was, in reality, anxious to meet my team. Would i be able to become their friend? Would they hate me? Would they fear me?
"…Aika Yasuragi" I let my chair level before rising to my feet and heading into the next room. At a table sat Iruka-sensei and another chunin with white hair. I stopped in the middle of the room and turned towards them, my head reeling. Would I be able to pass? Of course, you're the top kunoichi in your class!
"Alright Aika, just create three clones of yourself"
"…" That's it?! I created three perfect duplicates of myself. One had her arms crossed while the other tugged at her black and white striped arm-warmers.
Iruka smiled routinely, "Congratulations Aika," he handed me the navy headband, a silver plate engraved with the proud Konoha symbol. I tied it around my waist while they told me who was next. I walked out of the door, to find the next person already bouncing outside the door.
"Naruto," he had been eavesdropping, "good luck"
"Heh, I don't need luck, i'm going to be the greatest ninja ever! Believe it!"
If only it were that easy.
We were allowed to leave when we were done with our exam, however, I preferred to stay in the classroom. I assumed my position in my chair, leaning back enough to hit my head on the desk behind me. My eyes snapped open and I snapped back to a regular position, holding my head. I glanced at the clock, had fallen asleep.
I left the lights on as I left, there was still one person in the exam and Iruka-sensei's still had things in here. As I stepped into the hall, Neji Hyuuga was exiting the exam room. He payed no attention to me, too proud to be sporting a genuine headband. Down the hall, Hinata Hyuuga waited for him, her fingers shyly pushing against each other.
"C-congratulations N-"
"Don't speak to me, I do not want your applause-"
I huffed, approaching them until I was right behind Neji. I've had enough of him and his attitude. He always spoke to Hinata in a demeaning manner, always criticizing her for any mistake.
"She's being kind, something you may not understand, Hyuuga. Usually you would say thank you right about now"
"Stay out of this, Yasuragi," he said coldly, glaring at me with his empty white eyes.
"I would, but it's hard to ignore your annoying voice. Unless you want to be on my bad side, I suggest steering clear of criticizing Hinata. I don't want you to speak to her," I turned away from him and towards Hinata, "come on, we have no reason to stay here." I shot a glare at Neji as we walked towards the door.
"T-thank you, Aika," she blushed.
"Don't worry about it, he was out of line," I said while opening the doors. I waved as she headed towards the Hyuuga compound. The remnants of a crowd were disappearing, and Naruto came into view. There was something wrong, he didn't have a headband.
I approached him, but he didn't seem to notice my presence. He was so sad, as if his dreams were crushed.
"Naruto, what are you doing?"
"Aika?" he looked up. I waited for his response. "What do you mean?"
"You look like you've given up. You can't give up on your dream so easily, Naruto. So what if you can't make clones? I'm sure you can do lots of other jutsus just fine. Little things like headbands, they don't make the ninja. It's the heart that determines whether or not you are a ninja." He stared up at me, but didn't respond. If I didn't know he failed, I would probably be rethinking my hasty response. He looked down at his goggles, and I took my leave while he was in thought.
Instead of going to the Yasuragi compound, I went to the hill that overlooked the village. I passed the Yamanaka Flower Shop on the way, the display flowers arranged to show off the brightest colors. It was hard not to look as i passed it.
When I reached Cloud Hill, Shikamaru had already beat me there. I stretched out on the soft grass and watched the sky turn pink.