When We Met

Do you remember our first day at the Shinobi Academy?

I arrived late after having slept through the alarm, again. I hated waking up early. If there had been a religion against waking up before 10AM I would have gladly joined it. I vaguely recalled having hit the snooze button on my pink kitty clock, but either it didn't work or I had accidentally, or purposely, turned it off. It wasn't until my mother called me down for breakfast did I realize I was going to be late to my first day of school.

Luckily, I had my clothes set out from the night before: a new deep violet tunic to compliment the clan's stripes tattooed on my cheeks, and black leggings. I did not have time to do much with my hair but to give it a few quick strokes of the brush. Back then my hair was straight and not terribly long, making it manageable, but in my hurry, a few tangled strands were roughly pulled from my scalp. Downstairs my mother had set the table with a full breakfast: rice, miso soup, a small broiled salted salmon filet, some pickled vegetables, steamed eggs, and natto. I hated natto and I still do. Why couldn't she ever remember how much I hated it? It was my father who liked it. I just drank the soup, then headed out the door with my backpack.

We lived about half a mile from the academy. A quick walk through the village square would have taken me about fifteen minutes, but I didn't have fifteen minutes that day. I ran, pumping my short little four-year-old legs as quickly as possible, rushing past shopkeepers sweeping the front of their stores (I nearly knocked over several stands), mothers out with their babies for a morning walk (I barely dodged the strollers), old men out walking their dogs (I might have stepped in something), and others on their way to work.

I arrived at the academy barely able to breathe. Then I had to find my way to the assigned room, which wasn't too hard as the rooms were luckily numbered in logical order. I did not know much kanji, but I knew my numbers. I ran down the hall, spotted room 110 and headed toward the entrance.

I did not see the boy running from the other direction. We crashed at full speed and I found myself ungracefully sitting on the floor with my tunic's skirt riding high up and my legs splayed. I quickly recovered, stood up, and straightened my clothes before apologizing.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" the boy said from the ground. He rubbed his head and glared up at me. He was a stout boy with black spiky hair and black eyes, dressed in a midnight blue zippered jacket with matching pants.

"S…sorry," I stammered again, even though it was as much his fault as mine. I was never good with confrontations. I did not like him or his tone.

Then his attitude completely turned around. "Oh no, it was my fault. I'm the one who should be sorry," he said as he got up. He stood aside and gestured for me to enter first. He was even blushing a bit.

The majority of the class had already taken their seats. I recognized many from the playground and around the village. Some of the kids apparently knew each other, too, and were already talking amongst themselves. I shyly made my way to an empty seat in the back.

I found myself sitting next to a slender boy with wild white-gray hair that stood up at a slant. You did not bother to glance over as I sat down. The boy who had entered with me sat down to my left with a loud creak and plopped his books down noisily. You looked up with a frown. Your gray eyebrows knitted crossly. Then you returned your attention to your book without a word.

That moment allowed me a look at your face. Unlike the uncouth boy to my left, you were quiet with pale skin, gray eyes, and fine features. I opened my mouth to introduce myself, but did not get out the first syllable before the other boy interrupted.

"Hi, I'm Uchiha Obito. That's U-chi-ha, as in the great Uchiha clan, as in the Konoha Police," the boy who crashed into me proclaimed loudly.

"Er, nice to meet you. I'm Mihashi Rin," I replied. Then I turned back to you and said, "And you are…?"

You said nothing at first then you seemed to sighed, then said curtly, "Hatake Kakashi."

I smiled at you and tried again to engage you, while ignoring Obito. "The first day is so exciting. Isn't it?" That was rather a hypocritical statement from me. I was not excited at all about starting classes at the Shinobi Academy. I had no desire to be a shinobi, but my parents were shinobi and their parents before them and their parents before them. If anything, I was terrified. Pain was not my thing, and my father had not returned home for months.

You did not seem to hear me or maybe you chose to ignore me. Instead, Obito chimed in, "Yes, it sure is! I plan to be the best shinobi ever, and then Hokage!"

The last comment induced a snicker from you.

"Are you laughing at me? Me, the very soon to be great Uchiha Obito of the reknown Uchiha clan!"

"If you're the best that clan has to offer, then it's fallen very, very low. Underground. With the blind naked mole rats."

"How dare you insult my clan!" Obito rose up from his seat.

"You're the insult," you said coolly and turned away.

"Why you…"

I did not like being in the middle of an argument. I didn't understand what you two were arguing about. Who were the Uchiha? Why were you so annoyed? Sure Obito seemed to be rather obnoxious, but he also seemed interesting and full of excitement. "Er, class is about to start." It was my first attempt, of very, very many, at mediation between you two.

Funeno Daikoku sensei called out our names and we were forced to change our seats according to his seating plan. Obito ended up staying in the back of the room. I was forced a few rows forward and ended up sitting next to a boy with bowl cut hair and thick black eyebrows who introduced himself as Maito Gai. He was missing most of his front teeth, but that didn't stop him from smiling broadly. His short green robe did not match his purple shorts. The color combination gave me a headache when I stared at him too long. When I think of him now, so much has changed and so much else has remained the same.

But at the time, I wondered for a while if there was anyone there who was normal like me.

You were seated in front of me. I was a bit disappointed. Even though you weren't friendly, I thought you were sort of cool and it would have been nice to sit next to you. But at least I was no longer stuck between you and Obito. If the two of you had sat near each other, well, even calligraphy brushes can be lethal weapons.

To my left was a pretty girl with long auburn hair, a shade redder and darker than mine, and several inches longer. Her hair was neatly parted in the middle and pinned back symmetrically with green clips in the shape of Konoha's leaf symbol. She smiled at me and said her name was Motomori Kaori. She wore a long sleeve smooth white silk blouse, and a knee length black skirt. Something about her perfect presence made me feel inadequate, but I was glad to have a girl to talk to. We were at the end of the row so no one sat on her other side.

Daikoku sensei was a large, fat, affable man with fuzz on his chin. I think he was trying to grow a beard; he looked fairly young. Not surprising, since the older shinobi were away on missions, like my father. After the seating arrangements were done he called the class to order.

The class proceeded with the usual introductions. We were each asked to state our names, our interests, and our goals. There were 28 students and as I was near the middle, I had time to think about my answers, but I did try to pay attention to what a few of the other students said.

Now I only remember what you, Obito, Gai, and Kaori said. Oh, and myself, of course. Obito made the same speech he did before about becoming hokage. Many others also aspired to become hokage. Gai was rather timid and he mumbled something about working hard and doing his best. Kaori bluntly stated she was forced to come and would rather be home playing with her dolls. I said I just wanted to make my parents proud. But you, I remember how self assured you were, how determined and forceful. You said you wanted to become a great shinobi like your father and protect Konoha and Fire Country.

There was a war back then, too. I barely remember a time when there wasn't. I hadn't seen my father for months and was always in fear that my mother would be called to service. At our age, most of us just had vague ideas of what war was. Those who lost family knew it better, as something horrible that took away loved ones forever. But you were proud and unafraid, even though you had already lost your mother as I later learned.

Daikoku sensei then spoke about what we'll be learning as shinobi. There was the basic skills everyone had to learn first, which included reading, writing, and arithmetic. Ninja skills were to be learned later, after we studied Konoha's history, the First Hokage's principles, and current events.

You raised your hand and even before sensei called on you, you protested. "I already know Konoha's history, Shodaime's principles, and what's going on in the war. My father has taught me all that. I can already do several jutsu. Can't I progress to the more advance class?"

Sensei stared at you and frowned. "You're White F…I mean Hatake Sakumo's son, aren't you? Yes, I've been war…I heard about you. Being a ninja is not just jutsu and history and principles. You'll need to work with others. You need to interact with your peers. You still have plenty to learn."

You were not happy with his response. Even sitting behind you I could see your back and shoulders tense. You spoke up again, "What can I possibly learn from these babies?"

That was it. That was how you immediately alienated the rest of the class.

Murmurs rose from all around: Jerk. Show-off. Bastard.

Gai, next to me, said nothing, but stared at you with what seemed like admiration.

Kaori stifled her laughter, but I heard a few snorts escape from her lips. "Typical," she muttered.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"He's a prodigy. He thinks he's too good for the rest of us." She shook her head as if she knew all about you.

Sensei told the class to settle down and told you he'd discuss things with you later. You said nothing the rest of the morning while the rest of us struggled with simple Kanji.

When recess and lunch time came, I remember you standing by the door to the yard, all alone. You held your head high, as if you didn't care about anything around you. The other children were running around the yard, playing tag. I was too, but I chanced to look your way. You glanced at us briefly, then looked away, as if our games were too immature for you.

Sensei came over and you spoke seriousIy to him. He laughed as if he wasn't taking you seriously at all. He ruffled your already messy hair and walked away. You were left alone again. You stared at us for a moment. I think you wanted to join us. I wanted to ask you, but I was too shy. I hoped that someone else would call you over to play, but you stood alone throughout recess. I felt sorry for you. No, it was more than that.

That was when I fell in love with you.

-…-…-…-