Chapter 8

One, two, three days... now is the third day that she went to the Academy and three days ago after they met at the training grounds that she had constantly ignored him. And much to her relief, he did the same. But being in the same class as he, a clash between the two of them can never be avoided. Well, not literally a physical clash, but more of the intellectual one. Whenever class discussions came about, they were mostly the two who would do most of answering all the questions Mito would throw at the class, constantly trying to surpass each other. And the class just sat quietly, completely dumbstruck and utterly amazed with the two competing genins.

'Sometimes I wonder how these two even had to enrol in the Academy if they already know too much.' Mito scratched his head thoughtfully as the two continued discussing, or rather arguing about the topic they are discussing for the day. 'At least I get to take a break from talking. And the class seem to pay more attention to them than me.'

Before their arguing escalates even further to other subject matter, like what mostly happens in the past three days, Mito then decided to call it off.

"Okay the two of you, you may take your seats."

Yuka and Itachi both let out a heavy puff as they sat. There wasn't even a minute spared after Mito had ended their much heated debate and they had settled on their seats, they now shifted into a staring contest, sending death glares to one another.

'Really, these two.' Mito himself was completely oblivious to what has become to Yuka and Itachi for them to come up to this. And it was just a day after the classes have opened that they are already considering one another a rival. Well, as long as the students will learn and will not try to harm each other, he wouldn't have any qualms about the two's unlikely rivalry relationship. He even finds it amusing.

The highly-hailed Uchiha prodigy, and the mysteriously two-colored eye genius.

Red against blue and green.

Definitely a sight to see.

Mito smiled to himself then let out a cough to catch everyone's attention. "Before we end the day, I believe that we've covered all the basics and things you all need to be prepared for your Justsu training, by the next time we meet, we're going to have our first exam."

Some of the class whined while others let out excited squeals. The two at the back, well, still throwing deathly glares at one another as usual.

"No worries my dear children." He caught everyone's attention again. "We won't be starting with the techniques that require any use of chakras yet. We'll begin with something that I'm sure everyone will be able to participate easily with."

There were whispers heard within the class, some were wondering what their sensei was up to. All these were broken when a hand was raised and a familiar voice was heard.

"Are we talking about sparring here sensei?"

Everyone turned their attention for a second at the girl at the back. "Yes Yuka. Before everyone leaves, I'll be drawing names to see who'll be paired with each other. Then we'll have a little competition to see who's most capable in hand-to-hand combat. This is also a part of a test that we'll be using to measure your abilities for future references."

A mixture of thrill and awe was felt inside the room. Each one seemingly holding one's breath as the names were drawn and written on the board. Tension only eased and replaced with anticipation as most of the names were already written, except for two.

"And for the last pair..." Everyone held up their breath again, expectantly, as Mito opened the two remaining pieces of paper. "We have Uchiha Itachi and Hashiro Yuka."

Waiting for their names to be called is like waiting for the last grain of sand to trickle down on an hourglass. It was like forever. Wait a sec, did he just thought of their names? Itachi stole a moment of glance at the girl at the other end of the row. She held a straight-faced expression as she herself waited for her name to be announced.

There were only ten names left, and so far, his and her names were neither called yet. Being paired with another won't be a problem since they'll be doing round-robin competition after they had spar. It was a face-off with her that had his whole body tense, not with anxiety, but with sheer excitement.

Maybe it was during the first day that he had interfered with the fight between her and the blonde girl, or when he found her training even during their supposedly break and was able to closely study her eyes for the first time, or when he had followed her into the forest secretly but then got caught up by her in the end, or even the day he and Shisui saw her at the training grounds, he wasn't sure. But he was sure of one thing, Yuka definitely got his attention. Aside from the attitude and the probable abilities she posses in which he wasn't fully aware yet, her eyes were the ones that struck him the most.

The two-colored eyes.

Itachi wasn't the type of person to be left out with the rumors going on around the village. And he was also capable of separating facts and mere fiction from them. But one talk of the town he couldn't miss was about a girl of his age, having two different colored eyes. Most the children and their parents were scared of her, like she was a disease or something.

From what he heard from the elders and his father, she had normal eyes before and only changed when she began her chakra training at the age of three. Having two ANBU parents maybe did justice for a three-year old girl to start training at a very early age. Likewise, he himself had gone on a very early start of training as well. She went through a lot of tests, and none of them produced any results showing any malignancy on them. Other than that, he knew nothing of her. Though his clan were capable of extracting any information they want, when it comes to that girl, everything remained classified. She was even under the protection of the Hokage himself.

And it only meant that her eyes were special, she was special.

And he couldn't wait until she would show him what her eyes can do, just like the eyes of his clan he possesses.

As the last ten names were drawn one by one, Yuka sat with her brows furrowed together and tightly shut lips. Even her fists were clenched tightly for a reason she wasn't sure. Honestly, Yuka doesn't even know whether she will or will not be happy if the person she was thinking of at that moment will ever be paired against her. When Mito announced what the class will be doing by next week and confirmed it, only one name sprang unto her mind.

The Uchiha boy.

Surely she had seen some of her classmates do have a potential but not in the level that she looks forward to into fighting when the chance comes, such as Mito had just stated. The over-protectiveness of her parents seems to be an advantage to her now. Teaching her even the advance techniques for her own safety, with all these Yuka was definitely sure she'll be way ahead of the others who'll be attending the Academy. It was probably the same reason why they were against her decision of enrolling in the first place, but regardless of the fact, they still gave in to her request.

With the three years she spent training, for Yuka, it can't be called into fruition if she isn't able to test out her abilities to some she's equal with, in a literal approach. Enrolling in the Academy was just an excuse to fish out promising genins like herself who she can contend with freely, of course, without the interference of the discrimination to her eyes.

Yuka glanced on the side of the room where the windows are, where he sat with a face she thought he was probably thinking of the same things as she were.

They need someone they can be matched with, and no doubt, they're one another's perfect candidate.

Mito dismissed the class as soon as he finished drawing the names and even gave some tips of what they do to prepare for next week. Yuka waited until almost everyone was out of the room before she stood up to leave as well. As she went past the door, she noticed someone leaning near the doorway, with hands crossed on the chest. Her eyes narrowed curiously. The Uchiha boy was waiting for her.

Another contest of glares began. Yuka broke it off as she turned away and sighed. "We can do this all day if you want but I won't be wasting any more of my time with this. I have other things I could do way better than just glaring back at you." With that said, she turned her heel to go, only to be stopped by what he said.

"I'm looking forward to our match." His arms were still crossed as he leaned on the wall. His eyes were that of a predator ready to pounce on a prey.

She replied back with a taunting smirk. "Just make sure to keep your temper in check. It'll be totally uncool to your fan girls to see you lose."

"We'll see about that." Itachi whispered to himself as he watched Yuka walk away.