Note:

Sorry for the delayed update. I've been really busy and I can't find a time to fit the updating of the story in my schedule. I hope you guys like this chapter...mwahh... keep safe everyone.

Third Person's POV

Akira frowned looking at the fight as Kiba attacked with a Fang over Fang with Akamaru. They can't even see anything because of the smoke bomb. Naruto...being a prankster is sure will pay off in a time like this...

Naruto wipes the blood from his mouth. He looks around as he dodges Kiba and his dog. Humph, He will not be defeated at a Jutsu this lame-dattebayo!

He stands up, a smirk forming on his lips. Just watch, everyone...Just watch me defeat this guy, Akira-ttebayo! He thought as he forms a hand seal.

"Transform!" Akira heard Naruto say. Akira smirks as the smoke slowly disappears.

"I see how it is!" Kakashi said seeing three Kiba.

"Huh?" Sakura said confused

"There, look closely." Kakashi said as he keep his gaze on the match.

"oh! That's a clever move Naruto!" Sakura said surprised to see three Kiba, the smoke is already gone.

"I'll give you a piece of advice! I was careless before and a little late to realize it..." Kiba said looking at the other Kiba.

"But the transformation Jutsu isn't effective anymore! why, you ask?" Kiba said as he land a punch on him.

"I can smell you. Don't mess with our senses, Naruto." Kiba said with a smirk but it drop and change into a frustrated look when the Kiba he punches undo the Jutsu revealing Akamaru instead.

"W-what?!" Kiba said. Everyone in the room looks shocked.

Kakashi smirks under his mask. He is a prankster, indeed... He averts his eyes to Akira. So being a prankster isn't a waste after all.

Akira raises her brow in amusement. Meh...a prankster is a prankster...Naruto you are really a genius! She nodded to herself

Kiba looks at the Kiba behind him with frustration. What is going on?! "Then you're Naruto! Messing with me!" He said punching him.

Akira grimaces when that Kiba flew and revealed itself as Akamaru. She really felt bad...that punch was harder than the punch the other one received.

Akira's eyes avert to the other Akamaru when he stands and remove the henge. A smile plastered on his face.

Naruto quickly launches forward noticing Kiba's frustration and distraught. He kicks him on his chin making him fall to the ground.

"You little...!" Kiba said as he look at Akamaru and then look back at Naruto again. He can't believe that he got tricked like that. Darn it!

"Think hard about your Jutsu before you use them! Because they will be used against you, baka-dattebayo!" Naruto mocks him, giving him a thumbs down.

Akira's brow twitches hearing that. She surely knows who in the hell that comes from. She looks at her Sensei.

Kakashi chuckles. He's using his line, word to word... He turns to look at Akira and gave her an eye smile, seeing her already looking at him. A memory crosses his mind as those purple eyes look at him emotionlessly, he shakes his head and looks at the fight again, his face suddenly feeling hot...again.

Akira turns to look at the fight again. Why is he shaking his head...Why is he red? Is he sick or something? She takes a quick glance at her Sensei. Well, he looks fine...

Kiba slowly stands up and bites his hand to calm himself. Arguing with this guy is only a waste of time! Don't go at Naruto's pace...calm down.

Kiba observes Naruto as he calms himself. Naruto can't still keep up with his movement yet...He still has a disadvantage! Look closely at Naruto's movements and if there's an opening...He can surely take him from behind with the All Four Jutsu. Nothing to get flustered about...

Naruto became alert when Kiba pulls out eight shurikens from his pouch.

Kiba throws the shuriken at Naruto's direction. If he does this in a level-headed manner, it's a match he will most certainly win!

"So you've finally gotten serious, Kiba! Well then...I'll and this..." Naruto said after he dodges the shurikens.

"With my new special technique, I've been saving up-dattebayo!" Naruto said forming a hand seal.

Akira rests her head on the railing still sitting, legs dangling. Special technique? What are you going to do Naruto...?

"Huh...When did he?" Sakura said in shock. They always have spars with each other during training and practicing during the chunin exam is also impossible for them.

"Leave it to Naruto-kun to hide a new technique!" Lee said. Akira looks at him. He actually left his team and stand along with her team...well, she didn't mind.

"What new special technique! That's obviously a bluff!" Kiba said

"You can test out whether it's a bluff or not-dattebayo!" Naruto countered, building up chakra.

"I don't know what kind of technique this is but! I won't let you just do it!" Kiba said running toward Naruto, as he throws shurikens again which Naruto dodges.

"Ninja Art of Beast Mimicry...All four Jutsu!" Kiba said.

Naruto got hit by it but he manages to shield himself using his arms, the force making him slide. Damn it. He is fast!

Kiba appeared beside Naruto and punch him in the face, successfully.

"Naruto" "Naruto-kun!" Sakura and Hinata shout. Akira put her hand on the railings, she looks at the fight worriedly. Naruto...

"Stand up! Naruto!" Sakura cheered leaning forward on the railing.

"D-darn! I don't even have time to work up my Chakra!" Naruto said standing up, but as soon as he stands up Kiba attacked again, scratching his hand. Naruto smirked and hold Kiba.

"Take this!" Naruto said as he throws Kiba but he manages to stand on his feet.

"I'm going to be Hokage! I won't lose here-dattebayo!" He said forming a hand seal again but Kiba keep attacking him. He manage to dodge the first attack but Kiba still ended up hitting him, making him fall to the ground.

"This is what it's like when I really let it out. You understand it, don't you?" Kiba said catching his breath.

"To me, you're merely...!" He continued but stop when Naruto stands up again weakly. Naruto looks at Kiba with a smile, annoying him.

"I...Will absolutely not lose!" Naruto said, he looks at his team as they give him an encouraging look, Sakura cheering for him. He locks eyes with Akira, a smile forming on his lips. He will definitely not lose here! Just like he said, he will win this fight for her. And he never backs out on his words!

"You've got absolutely no effect on me!" Naruto said as he looks at Kiba again.

"I'll give the new technique explode no matter what-dattebayo!" Naruto said as Kiba launched toward him again.

"You're slow!" Kiba said going behind Naruto. Everyone watches anxiously at the fight.

"Ooops!" Naruto said as he farts. The room got silent the fart is the only thing they can hear.

Akira sweatdrops and bites her bottom lip. Explode, huh...Sure he did...

Kiba holds onto his nose, nose twitching "Ahhh!"

Naruto grimaces and continues to build up chakra. "Darn. I was straining too much...But nows the time to show my new technique-dattebayo!"

"Kagebushin no Jutsu!" Naruto said as four clones appear and surround Kiba.

"Yoshi! The way you've torn me apart up until now, I'll give it back all at once!" Naruto said as Kiba just looks at him, still holding his nose.

"U!" One of Naruto's clones said as he punch Kiba, the real Naruto jumped on the clone's back as a support as he jump into the air.

"Zu! Ma! Ki!" The other three clones said as they kick Kiba into the air.

The real Naruto then readied himself "Naruto...Barrage!" He said as he kicks Kiba on the back of his head. Kiba's face collided with the floor making him puke blood, and causing strain to his body.

The other examiners look at the fight in shock. Kakashi sweatdrop. A new technique, eh? Well, he was watching Sasuke's technique a moment ago...He takes a quick glance at Akira. To think he still remembers that when he looks so worried at the time. For the record, the name is a rip-off, too.

Naruto's clone pops as Hayate walks toward Kiba and examines him. Hayate look at Naruto coughing. "The winner is Uzumaki Naruto!" Hayate announce.

Akira chuckled. Humph...Bleh...eat that, underestimating Naruto like that...Akira sweatdrop. Ehh...she's bad...

"Shannaro! Nice one! You did it!" Sakura cheered.

Naruto run excitedly to his team but Hinata called his name. "N-Naruto-kun..." He stops and slowly walks toward her.

"Huh? Hinata? Did you say something?" He said hands behind his head.

"Ah,ah,ah...ummm..." She stutters turning to look at him, a blush on her cheeks as she shows him the ointment.

"Take it for her, Naruto" Kurenai said, noticing Naruto just looking at the ointment in confusion.

Naruto nodded and grab the ointment carefully from Hinata. "Thank you! You're nice, Hinata!" He said as he continues to walk towards his team.

"Yo!" Akira said saluting to Naruto as he excitedly walk towards her with a cheeky smile on his face.

"You did it Naruto!" Sakura cheered happily. Naruto blushes and scratches the back of his head.

"Congrats Naruto-kun" Lee said with a sparkling smile. Naruto nodded and say thanks to him, getting overwhelmed by the attention.

"Now, for my fight. I will do my best too!" Lee said with determination.

"I will show you how much I improve, Akira-san" Lee said with fire in his eyes as he turn to look at Akira.

Akira looks at him blinking. She can feel the eyes looking at her, especially the eye burning hole on top of her head.

"I'm really waiting for the day that-" Lee said but a nudge on his side make him stop. Akira gave Lee a look. But, of course, that's not enough.

"Huh? why...? You know as I observe you have been acting like you don't know us." Lee said putting his finger under his chin, thinking of the first time they see each other again after a year.

"I see, so that's why you know Lee's teammates and they know you" Sakura concluded.

"Really? Akira you're not telling me something-dattebayo!" Naruto said making a cute face at Akira, to tell him more.

Akira's brow twitches at that. She actually said it to him. Well, not the name and appearance though. Just a boy she saw...that has a determination like him.

"Akira, come here for a moment" A voice called her.

Akira looks at their Sensei and walks toward him.

Kakashi bent down a little to her height.

"You really know them?" Kakashi whispered.

Akira leans on their Sensei to hear him better. She sweatdropped hearing that. Does she look like she is joking...

"I thought you were saving me from questions" Akira whispered back. Kakashi raises his brow. Oh...is that what he is supposed to do...?

"Well, I'm curious... See that..." Kakashi whispered pointing to the person wearing the same cloth as Lee.

"He said something earlier, I'm curious...You know him too?" Kakashi whispered a slight frown on his face.

"Maybe..." Akira said with a smirk.

Kakashi looks at Akira. Maybe... "How?" He asks instead

Akira sweatdrop. What does he mean by how? "It's a long story..." Akira whispered.

"I can actually listen to it, hm," Kakashi said giving her an eye smile. Gai never told him about meeting someone like her, despite him always bragging about his team to him and trying for him to get jealous because of him having his own team already.

Akira leans her head back a little. Too close...she could actually just shove him but...she didn't want to be so disrespectful. "That's disrespectful, Sensei. We still need to watch the other matches." Akira countered.

"Really...As I remember you don't really care about such a thing. I could even guess that probably you wanted to shove my face away." Kakashi said a smirk on his lips.

Akira's brow twitched. She really hates him... "Do you want me to tell a story here of all places..."

"Well yeah, I guess. Besides I'm sure I'm not the only one who is curious" Kakashi whispered, looking at the three staring at them.

Sakura leans toward Naruto. "You know, they actually-" She whispered.

"Sakura-chan you're saying such a weird thing again." Naruto said with a frown looking at the two. She said that she always has this feeling... or like that connection between the two. Naruto sighs, he really doesn't see anything like that.

"I am not, you see, girls can see things that you don't..." Sakura reasoned, nodding to herself.

Naruto frown, Sakura always told him and Sasuke about the two being 'fine'- He shakes his head and walks toward the two.

Lee just stares at Naruto and Sakura. What are they? He turns his gaze to Akira's Sensei and Akira. Hmm...What is it? Oh...maybe Gai Sensei will know!

"It's a long story" Akira said shoving their Sensei hand on her shoulder and crossing her arms. She was about to take a step away from him when a hand grab her hand.

"Eh, Naruto?" Akira said noticing the frown on his face.

"Come on, you can tell us the story next time. Let's watch the next match-dattebayo" Naruto said dragging her. Akira looks at him dumbfounded. Why is he radiating something different right now... did something happen? She looks at him with confusion before she shrugs it off and looks at Lee. It's really a long story...

*Flashback* Akira's age: 7

Akira sighs and walks on the village street. Naruto is currently in the Academy.

She sighs and walks towards a forest. She took the lollipop in her pocket and eat it. She is glad she actually not going to do anything for the whole week. Jiji said that she should rest. Ah, mo, she still didn't know what to do...she is been pondering the things she could do today since yesterday.

She continues to walk in the forest. She feels calm when she is surrounded by this kind of surrounding. She felt like she somewhat belongs with it. Besides she can train here, too. Maybe she will just go to that training field tomorrow. That place was her comfort zone when Naruto is not around.

"Ha!" Akira heard someone shout as it followed by multiple hitting sounds. What is it...?

She jumps into a tree and slowly goes in that direction seeing someone with thick brows. She continues to watch as the kid continues to punch the wooden post. Judging from the large dent and the small amount of blood on the post, he always comes here and trains.

Suddenly the boy collapses, she jumps down the tree when the boy didn't attempt to make any movement. Is he dead...

She crouches and examines the boy. "Are you okay...?" Akira asked. She knows that's a stupid question but...what is she supposed to say?

The boy slowly opens his eyes and shakily pushes himself up. "Do you want me to take you to the hospital?" Akira asks seeing his knuckles bleeding and having large bruises on it.

The boy looks at her and put on a smile. "No, it's okay. I still needed to train." He said as he stand up. He still needed to do 1000 push-ups and 500 more punches.

Akira just stares at the boy as he continues his punches on the wooden post again. Akira sighs and stands up. What is she even doing there...

She was about to walk away when the boy collapses again. Akira quickly walks towards him. This is the second time and it's not even a minute passed since the first time he collapsed.

"Hey..." Akira said as she shakes the boy slightly but the boy just snores in response. Her brow twitches as she stops shaking the boy.

"He is sleeping. How long is he here..." Akira muttered as she sits beside the boy. What is she supposed to do now...She can't just leave this boy here.

"565..." The boy muttered in his sleep as his body slightly twitches.

Akira tilts her head and looks at the boy. 565? What is that...is that the count of his punches or something...

She looks at the hands of the boy again. "It can't be helped." She carefully put his hand on her lap. She took cleaning materials and gauze from the packet of her jacket. Man, she is glad she always brings things like this...for emergencies.

She carefully cleans his hand and puts some ointment on his knuckles as the boy's hand keeps twitching when the ointment touches his wound. She quickly wrapped it with gauze and did the same on his other hand.

"Now, what is she supposed to do...?" Akira said as she looks around. Suddenly the boy's stomach growls making her chuckle.

"I'm hung..." The boy mutters as his stomach continues to growl. Well, she could buy them some food beside it past 12 noon by now.

She makes a shadow clone and put the boy under a tree for shade. Man, it's pretty hot, right now.

"Why am I here?" The clone asks boredly.

"We know that you know why... then I better leave, I don't want to wait in line for too long" Akira said leaving the clone.

"What-" Akira's clone said. What the hell...

"Ah, mo" The clone said slumping on the ground next to the boy. The boy just changes his position and snores more loudly.

"She didn't even leave me something to read before leaving. Stupid me" She said as she cross her arms and lean towards the tree and close her eyes.

-skip-

"When is he going to wake up..." Akira mutters looking at the sunset.

"It's been 5 hours and he is still sleeping." Akira continued as she slides down on the trunk of the tree to lay down beside the boy. She should probably just send him to the hospital, but... he doesn't really have any bad injury and she has already treated his wounds.

Akira closes her eyes. She can't really leave the boy here alone. Man, it's good that she didn't have anything to do. Naruto might go home late again because he still stays to ask their Sensei for some lessons.

Eh, he's actually taking studies seriously... She actually sometimes doubts it. She always hears his name being talked by the Hokage and the other Sensei...but it's not because of 'that', but because of the pranks his always pulling around the town and also in the academy.

She can bearly join him now. But she still always makes time for him, Always...

Akira sighs as she hears shuffling on her side, her eyes still closed.

"Good morning..." The boy said, tiredness clear in his voice.

"Yeah, Good morning" Akira said as she opens her eyes.

The boy jumps at the voice. He slowly turns his head to the girl next to him and blushes. He quickly stands up realizing the time. "Oh, I still need to train!" The boy said both annoyed and excited. How long did he sleep?

"It's already dark...I don't think you should be staying here at a time like this" Akira said sitting up.

The boy looks at her and shakes his head "No, I still needed to do 1000 push ups" The boy said making her sweatdrop. Really?

"You should rest." Akira suggested.

"I can't I needed to train" The boy said.

"Okay, if you want but, I bought some food. It's already cold though..." Akira said looking at the plastic beside her.

The boy blushes and scratches his head when his stomach growls. "Ah...thanks" He just stood there awkwardly.

"Eat first. We don't want to waste food here, you know" Akira said grabbing the plastic and giving it to the boy.

"uhh..." The boy looks at it, contemplating whether to eat or not. He really needs to finish his training... His stomach growls again, making him sigh defeatedly.

"Sure" He said shyly as he grab the plastic and sit beside the stranger. He glances at the girl and sees her reading a book.

"Umm...What's your name?" The boy asks as he slurps the ramen.

Akira looks at the boy and averts her eyes again to the book in her hand. "Hm...Akira"

"That's a beautiful name!" The boy said enthusiastically.

Akira keeps her eyes on her book. Well, it's not really. "nhn" She said instead.

"My name's Rock Lee" The boy announces as he makes a funny pose.

Akira glance at him and raise her brow. "Ah well, that's also a nice name" Akira said averting her eyes again to her book.

She can see in her peripheral view that Lee nodded as he slurps his ramen, loudly. Lee suddenly stands up a huge smile on his face. "Thank you for the food Akira! Now, I can start my training again" He said

Akira closes her book and looks at him "You sure? It's already dark..." Akira said squinting her eyes a little.

"Yes!" Lee said then he went on the post he was just punching earlier. He is about to start but stops seeing his hands. He looks at it and averts his eyes to the girl with him.

"Umm...I, well, I just put gauze on it. I kinda get bored..." Akira said putting her hand in her pocket as she stands up.

"Oh, thanks!" Lee said. He looks at the figure in front of him. Compared to him her posture was more collected than him, her aura is kinda different, and she is radiating something...compared to him when he looks at himself all he can see is a weak kid, who can't even use a single Jutsu...that's why he barely have friends. They always say that he will not be a shinobi because shinobi are supposed to know Jutsu and not just mere Taijutsu. Even in Taijutsu, he is still not good.

Akira notices the sad look in the kid's eye. "Umm...are you okay?" Akira said awkwardly.

"Oh...sorry," Lee said scratching his head. He really should train more...

Akira looks at him. She knows that look very well. "You know, I can help you if you want..." Akira suggested.

Lee perked up on that. "Really?" He said excitedly.

"Well, yeah...I guess" Akira trailed off. She can stay a little longer.

"Sure...what do you want to do?" Akira said voice louder.

The boy just looks at her shyly, but she can see that he is thinking. Akira sighs and looks at the moon.

"Hmm... If you want we could do some spar..." Akira suggested still looking at the moon. Spar at night is actually a good idea. The cold wind blew as she looks at Lee again who is just looking at her, blush on his cheeks.

Lee look at Akira as the moonlight illuminated her face. He can feel his cheeks become warm. Her eyes look content and reflect something more as she looks at the moon. It's hard to identify what emotions she has. He isn't someone who is good at reading someone. One thing is certain, though: This Akira hardly displays any emotions. He can say that she isn't someone who just talks to someone like him. But...

"Umm...what's up? Dude, don't look at me weirdly..." He heard Akira say. He snaps out of his thoughts. His cheeks became more warm realizing that he is becoming a weird boy in her eyes.

"Ah, sure, a spar will be great..." Lee said sending her a smile.

"So...do you want to spar right away or you still want to do something... else?" Akira said tilting her head. A yellow-haired boy crosses her mind. He must be with his Sensei again eating ramen...She chuckles at the thought.

"First off, why don't we know each other a little...? It's a little awkward to have a spar without atleast knowing each other..." Lee suggested scratching his cheeks slightly. He wants to know more about Akira. This is the first time someone actually talks to him and not laughs at him, and makes jokes about him and his look. He wants to grab the opportunity of having a friend.

He actually feels nervous. Maybe knowing each other isn't something they should do and just spar right away. What if Akira knows about him not being able to use Jutsu and laughs at him and says the same thing as the other people say to him?

Akira tilts her head and looks at Lee. That, the same look in his eyes earlier slowly returns, as his eyes dart everywhere. "Sure...why not, Lee-san" Akira said this time with a small smile. Lee looks at her and nodded eagerly.

-skip-

Akira trips Lee making him fall on the grass face-first.

"Ah, I didn't see that" Lee said as he sit up. He is amazed...she really moves very smoothly.

Akira offers her hand to help him, and he quickly grabs it and pulls her down. Akira looks over her shoulder as Lee pinned her down to the ground by sitting on her back. Her right hand was pinned on her back.

"Ah, mo. That's cheating..." Akira said trying to wiggle out of his grasp. She smirks and quickly made a move making them exchange positions. She is now sitting on his back, his right hand also pinned on his back.

She sighs and stands up. "Well...I still won" Akira said as Lee stands up and stretch his shoulder.

Lee laughs and scratches his head. "You're awesome Akira-san" Lee said eyes slightly twinkling.

"Just call me Akira...Besides you're one year older than me..." Akira said putting her hands in his pocket.

"Well, you're really awesome Akira, despite me being older than you" Lee said

"Well, I know" Akira said nudging him a little. Lee chuckled at that.

Akira looks at the moon again, then sighs. "I'm sorry but I needed to go home." He must be waiting for her...

Lee looks at her "Oh, sure, Thanks for sparring with me"

"Don't worry, if you want tomorrow, I can probably stop by" Akira said making Lee perk up, the sad look being replaced by a really happy one.

"Really?" Lee asks to confirm that he is not hearing words.

"nhn" Akira said nodding her head.

"Well, I should leave, Lee. See you tomorrow" Akira said as Lee nodded. She gave a small smile before running away from him to the now quiet street of Konoha. A thought cross her mind making her slightly look over her shoulder. He is actually supposed to be in the Academy...right? Well, she actually supposed to be in the Academy too...Meh, she would not just ask...she didn't have any reason up her sleeves, well she has, but not bringing it up in the first place would probably be the safest one.

Lee looks at her as the shadow slowly engulfed her figure. He is happy. He feels content. Akira is very different from others, even after knowing about him not being able to use any Jutsu, she didn't look at him weirdly or laugh at him. He really will be waiting for tomorrow, he hopes that she will have time to stop by...