Ugh, so sorry it took me so long to update this! Its just these first few chapters seem a tad boring to write because they're mostly dialogue. The next chapter should be purely original with a few exceptions. Hope everyone likes this, I tried my best! This is honestly where I wanted to put Hikari since the beginning, so sorry if it's over-used, and nobody likes it.
Thx so much for the reviews!:D I normally don't give shout-outs, but I feel like giving one today and everyone always like to be heard, right? So, a big shout-out to oliverwoodissohot! Thx so much for being a fan of this!XD And Hikari doesn't have her wings yet, but she will get them later. Oh, and if you've read the companion story to this, Beneath the Darkness, then you might can guess who is the one talking to Hikari.
I do not own Naruto!
Ch. 8: Rivaled Hearts
She was dreaming again. Hikari knew that, if it's hazy and she has trouble moving around, then it's a dream.
The world around her was smoky and unclear, and one thing was for sure . . .
There was darkness all around her.
The light-user shivered, trying to warm herself by rubbing her hands on her arms, causing friction. Albeit some heat came to her, the sense of safety gone within the shadows caused her whole inside to ice over . . . Or that's what it felt like to her.
She just kept walking into the endless abyss of black in front of her. She hoped she would wake up, she didn't know that dreams trapped you like this! Don't you usually wake up right after you realize you're dreaming? Hikari thought so, but it seemed the role of things was having no effect on her.
"Who's there?" A sudden voice sounded all around Hikari, and she yelped and jumped in fright. The words echoed around her, as if she were in a dark tunnel . . . Wait, she knew that voice!
It was the voice she heard last time when she dreamed. The girl's voice that was all alone and afraid . . .
"Where are you?" Hikari spoke, hearing her own voice echo. It was kinda weird.
There was silence for a time, and Hikari thought she was all alone in the darkness once again.
"Where are you?" The girl's voice asked out, and Hikari stopped walking again.
Didn't Hikari just ask that herself a few moments ago?
"I'm in the Village Hidden in the Leaves," Hikari wondered if it was wise to be telling a random voice in her head the place where she lived. "Where are you?" she asked again, hoping to receive an answer.
The voice was hesitant, before it finally answered. "I live in the darkness. Deep underground where there is no light."
Hikari halted, in the darkness? No light? Underground? What did all that mean? The girl's voice was absolutely emotionless, as if she were trying to hide what she was truly feeling . . .
"I'm in the darkness now . . ." Hikari muttered, only seeing black. It felt like it was slowly sucking her vision away.
A pause. "I can help you."
Suddenly, from the darkness emerged a pale hand, but it was only that. Hikari was more than a little hesitant . . .
"You can trust me."
Hikari looked above her, as if a girl matching the voice talking to her would be up there. She reached a shaky hand out to touch the just-as-pale hand in front of her.
Suddenly, the darkness disappeared from around her and she could see light again.
But then she woke up. Her mist gray eyes staring at the tiled ceiling above her bed.
Was she really awake?
Hikari slowly sat up, rubbing her head full of snow white hair.
What was that? she wondered to herself and fell back down, making her bed bounce and her white hair spread out around her. It felt so real.
She then shook her head and covered her face with her hands. Trying desperately to get back into the dream . . . but failing miserably. Wait, why did she even want to go back? She had wanted to leave the dream as soon as possible, but . . .
She felt connected to the mysterious girl. She couldn't explain it, not yet at least . . .
Hikari was having trouble coming to terms with what really went on. After all, hearing a voice in her head that didn't belong to you counted as crazy, right? Was Hikari really that different from everyone else?
She sighed, and just decided to get up and ready for the day.
Because today was the day. The day that would change Hikari's way of living from here on out.
Hikari went over to her best friend's house, deciding to do something that would surely get her mind off of things.
Cooking.
So she set out to the task, rummaging through Naruto's cabinets and fridge-finding the necessary ingredients. She liked to practice and experiment a lot back at her own apartment, so she decided to just go with the basics.
It didn't take long for the small apartment to fill up with aromas of the food. Once, Hikari had burned a few strips of bacon and quickly set out to eliminate the infectious odor.
She went to open Naruto's window in his living room space and breathed in the fresh air, sunlight spilling into the messy apartment.
Naruto mumbled in his sleep, turning over on his back. He kept smelling food, and it was making his mouth water.
He grumbled as he sat up and rubbed at his sleepy eyes. He had on his normal, every day pajamas. They were gray and baggy, he wore a black hat that had eyes and two teeth that stuck out over Naruto's forehead. His spiky blond hair was hidden with it on.
Naruto got up from his cozy bed to open his bedroom door. Light poured in, and the smell of food intensified.
There in the kitchen was his best friend, appearing to be flipping pancakes.
A grin broke out on the blond's face and he went to quickly change.
Hikari was humming to herself as she finished preparing the plates.
"Hey, Hikari! What smells so good?" Naruto asked, sniffing the air like a dog would and then looking over Hikari's shoulder.
Hikari smiled over her shoulder at her friend. "Morning. I was just making a small breakfast for us."
Naruto studied the piles of pancakes, bacon, sausage, and toast. His eyes widened into saucers because there was just so much . . . food!
"You call that a small breakfast?" He shouted, but Hikari ignored him and grabbed the two plates.
"We'll need to eat up, since this is a big day and all," she whispered, sitting the plates down in front of their usual seats.
Naruto noticed how her face was down, her long hair hiding it from view. Then it hit him. Today they're going to announce squads.
"Hey, no matter what happens we'll still be best friends." Naruto said in a serious tone and Hikari looked up at him.
"Promise?" she asked him, and Naruto smiled.
"I promise."
She smiled then, she knew Naruto always kept his promises.
They sat down and started eating and talking. They stayed away from the subject of teams, since Naruto knew that that would only upset Hikari.
"Is it good?" Hikari asked him, looking over at him as he wolfed down the pancakes.
He stopped, and looked at her with his big blue eyes. His mouth stuffed with pancakes.
Hikari giggled at him and he finally swallowed all of the food down.
"Of course! I love your cooking, Hikari!" he exclaimed with a big grin.
"Thanks, I'll come over and cook more often then." She began thinking, maybe she could find a recipe on how to make home-made ramen . . . .
His blue eyes got enormous. "That would be awesome!"
After they cleaned up, they soon set out for the Academy.
As Naruto and Hikari made their way to the academy, a certain pink-haired kunoichi was on her way too.
So . . . I'm not a little academy student anymore. She thought to herself before raising a fist in the air in determination. I'm Sakura Haruno, kunoichi-in-training. I will become stronger . . . A sudden image of her childhood crush came to her then.
Sasuke Uchiha. Even to this day, the love she felt for him was stronger than ever.
He will be mine! Sakura's inner psyche shouted. Her inner self was much more outspoken than Sakura herself, she developed it over the years. She never found it odd, just a small faze in growing up.
I have to become stronger . . . for Sasuke . . .
Just then, as she walked past the Yamanaka Flower Shop, Ino stepped out.
Ino's blue eyes saw her and they both stopped.
"Good morning, Sakura." Ino greeted, her voice much more mature than when she was a kid. She wore a short purple vest like blouse with a raised collar, a skirt that was cut off on the sides and bandage on her stomach and legs. She also wore purple and white elbow warmers with this, and her headband around her waist as a belt. Her light blond hair was long and tied up into a ponytail with bangs covering the right side of her face. She also wore a pair of small, silver, hoop earrings.
"Good morning, Ino." Sakura greeted her rival and old friend, both having the same smiles on their face's.
Sakura continued walking then, and Ino followed suit; walking alongside her.
They're not exactly 'good friends' now. Not like when they were children.
When Sakura found out Ino's love for the same boy, it all went downhill. They tried to stay friends, they really did, but a rivalry formed between them. Who could impress Sasuke more and win his affections? They had to know.
Naruto and Hikari were already in their homeroom, sitting in their seats in the very back.
Hikari noticed that almost all of their friends were there — she had shared greetings with Hinata and waved at the rest.
She kept wondering if any of them would be on the same team as her . . .
Naruto wasn't worrying about anything. He was grinning the whole while, glad to finally be a Genin. He was officially a ninja now, and he would prove his worth to the world!
"Huh? Hey you two," Came a lazy greeting and the two turned their heads to see the Nara himself.
"Hey, Shikamaru!" Hikari greeted with a smile, to which he formed one as well.
"Are you nervous any?" he asked them.
"Maybe a little . . ." Hikari's low reply was drowned out by Naruto's loud outburst.
"I can take anything on, believe it!"
At that moment, Sakura and Ino ran into the room. Both shouted, "I'm first!" Dramatically, and then proceeded to have a debate over who was actually first.
Hikari turned around in her seat and decided to interrupt the bickering rivals.
"Hi, Ino! Hi, Sakura!" She didn't have a clue as to what they were really fighting about. Her guess was it had to be about a boy whose name begins with "Sas" and ends in "uke."
Sakura was the first to stop bickering to address her light-haired friend.
"Oh, hey Hikari. How are you?" she asked her with a smile. She didn't know why, but seeing Hikari always brought out her gentle side — maybe it was because Hikari herself is a gentle person.
"Hey, Hikari!" Ino said sweetly.
Hikari found herself smiling at the two girls. "I'm doing great."
"I'm gonna go sit down. See you guys later," Shikamaru said, and with a small wave he went two rows down to where Choji was.
Sakura's green eyes lit up suddenly, confusing Ino, and then she suddenly walked away.
Sakura went up to the last table on the other side of the room. There sat Sasuke, alone and to himself.
"Good morning, Sasuke." Sakura spoke softly, a hopeful smile on her face. She really hoped she could get him to talk to her today. Sometimes he would, and it was always to her . . . Just her. She figured it was because they were close friends when they were children.
Sasuke had his fingers laced together in front of his face, his chin somewhat resting on them. He remained motionless and impassive, before his onyx eyes looked over at the familiar girl.
"Morning." He greeted her, then slightly pulled out the chair beside him. "You can sit . . . if you want." Then the Uchiha boy stared back at the front.
"Okay, thanks." Sakura still spoke softly, afraid to ruin the moment.
She was just about to sit when she felt someone grab her by the elbow.
"What do you think your doing, forehead? I'm sitting next to Sasuke!" Ino said, her blue eyes fierce.
"Cut it out, Ino-pig. He wants me to sit next to him!" Sakura spoke in a low and harsh tone toward her rival.
Suddenly, Iruka came in and everyone quietened as they were ordered to take their seats.
Sakura had sat down next to Sasuke quickly, leaving an ill-tempered Ino to walk back to her usual seat.
Cha! Score one for Sakura! Inner Sakura announced with a victorious grin.
Iruka had shared a quick smile with Hikari and Naruto before beginning.
"As of today, you are all ninjas. To get here you've faced difficult trials and hardships. But that's nothing. What comes next will be far more difficult. Now you are Genin, first-level ninja." Iruka then looked down at the pile of papers he was holding.
He sighed. "Normally you are placed in a three-man squad, but this time around we've had an even number of students to graduate."
"Does that happen very often, sensei?" Sakura asked him.
"It does every few years. It's quite common, actually in most shinobi villages. What will happen is that one squad will have four members. Each squad is led by a Jonin, an elite ninja warrior." Iruka explained.
There can be four people to a squad? Hikari thought, not counting the jonin instructor. Hope started swelling inside her.
But that's only one squad. The odds of being in that squad are slim at best. But still, with an added person you have more fire power. Sakura thought, and began thinking of who she might be paired with.
"We want each squad to have a balance of strength and abilities, so that's how we set them up." Iruka then held up the papers to his face. "I will now announce the squads!"
Those words made Hikari's heart start pounding. Her previous fears started resurfacing.
She waited to hear her name be called, listening intently as Iruka-sensei called out the squads. She could tell Naruto was starting to get angsty and a little impatient beside her.
"No matter what, we'll stay best friends, Hikari." Naruto muttered to her alone and she looked at him with shock. His words reminding her of his promise earlier.
He was nervous too? Hikari nodded, and her gray eyes returned to the front.
"We've now come to the team that will have four members." This alerted everyone whose name hadn't been called yet.
"Squad 7: Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, and Hikari Kyoko."
Hikari was stunned. Had she heard right? Her and Naruto . . . were on a squad together?
She almost couldn't believe it; it felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Hikari!" She was suddenly tackled into a hug by her rambunctious friend.
She was still in shock to even respond back.
"Did you hear? We get to be in the same team together! Isn't that awesome?" Naruto cheered, a happy grin on his face.
Hikari looked at him with wide eyes before it all clicked.
"Hikari?" Naruto said again, this time in worry as he watched the tears slowly swell in her misty eyes. Why would she be crying?
Hikari rubbed at her eyes, she didn't realize just how emotional she had gotten over this. She formed a beaming smile, closing her eyes before quickly hugging Naruto.
Now she knew she wouldn't be alone . . . She would always have him; Naruto would always be by her side.
Iruka announced the other squads, and Hikari found it rather odd that all of her friends were on teams together.
Squad 8 consisted of Hinata, Kiba, and Shino. Squad 10 had Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino.
Afterwards, they were all dismissed for a lunch break.
Sakura was positively beaming! She and Sasuke were on the same team together! Not only that, but Hikari was on her team too! She didn't care much for Naruto . . . it definitely made Hikari happy though. Probably because they're such good friends, but she had Sasuke all to herself now!
Yeah, Ino-pig won't get in the way of true love! Inner Sakura chanted.
She was in the academy yard now, looking for the raven-haired wonder boy.
"Where could he be?" Sakura questioned out loud, she really wanted to have lunch with him — since he didn't object to her sitting beside him in orientation.
Hikari was coming out of the academy when she spotted her pink-haired friend. Naruto had followed Sasuke to who knows where . . .
"Hey, Sakura!" Hikari called out, and the pinkette turned around to see her new teammate.
"Oh, hi Hikari. Where's Naruto?" Sakura said as they met up.
The white-haired kunoichi shrugged. "I think he went after Sasuke . . . you know how boys can be. Since we're in the same group and all, I thought we could have lunch together." Hikari said with a smile, holding up her wrapped lunch.
Sakura found that to be a good idea, especially since Sasuke was no where around . . . "Sure, Hikari. I'd love to!"
Elsewhere . . .
Naruto had followed Sasuke, silently impressed with his own skill since his rival had yet to pick up on him.
Now I'll just swoop in and take him by surprise! Naruto thought to himself with a mischievous smile. Sasuke was still walking on the dirt path with Naruto stealthy following in the forest.
He crouched down, and realized too late that he had stepped on a branch. Naruto instantly cringed and looked up at Sasuke on the path five feet from him.
Sasuke paused, and Naruto was worried that he had been found out, but then Sasuke started walking away.
Naruto breathed out a sigh of relief, mentally cheering, but the Uchiha moved unexpectedly.
A rock sped right by the blond's head before he had time to blink.
"What are you doing . . . loser?" Sasuke questioned in a monotone voice, looking directly at Naruto's form.
There was silence, to which the Uchiha sighed.
"I know you've been tailing me ever since I left the academy, so give it up." Honestly, it didn't impress him.
Naruto had an aggravated look on his face. Alright then, time for faze two!
Naruto jumped from the forest to attack Sasuke. Why? To prove he was better, that's why!
Naruto had the surprise advantage, but Sasuke was ready. As Naruto was just about to punch the Uchiha in the face, Sasuke was quick to block the blond's fist. He then nailed him with one of his own.
Suddenly, Naruto poofed away in white smoke!
What the . . . ? A clone? Sasuke sensed his rival behind him and quickly jumped away.
There were now two Naruto's in front of Sasuke.
"Alright, what gives? These clones are solid, not an illusion." Sasuke said.
Both Naruto's laughed to themselves. "It's because their not regular clones. Its Shadow Clones." One Naruto answered with a competitive smile.
Sasuke smirked. "Well bring it on, loser."
Naruto instantly got ticked. "Don't call me that!" And both Naruto's launched themselves at Sasuke.
Back with the girls . . .
"So what do you think their doing?" Sakura asked, referring to the two boy's of their squad.
Hikari looked up at the sky, it was a cloudless blue today. "Knowing Naruto, he probably went to challenge Sasuke again." Hikari smiled at Sakura, rubbing the back of her head. "He tends to do that a lot."
Sakura laughed lightly, and they both sat down on a stone bench. They began getting their lunches out and started eating.
"You know what I'll miss about the academy the most?" Hikari spoke up suddenly.
Sakura looked at her questioningly. "No, what?" There really wasn't anything she would miss . . .
Hikari gazed at her. "How close we all were growing up. That's where our roots started, you know?" Hikari looked down at the stone sidewalk in thought.
Sakura was lost in thought as well. It was where she first made friends . . . where she first learned of love.
The pinkette smiled. "Your right, Hikari. Now we just have to grow up and learn what life's really about."
The two girls stared in front of them for a moment.
Since Sakura and Ino were branded as rivals, Sakura thought she didn't need friendship . . . That the love she had for Sasuke would be enough.
But she was wrong.
Everybody needed friendship. To have love, you needed friendship as building blocks. Since becoming so infatuated with Sasuke, she neglected friendship. She didn't stay as close to Hikari and the rest like she should have . . . And Hikari had been the first person there for her, even before Ino.
She smiled over at her friend and teammate. "Hikari . . . ?"
"Hm?" Hikari came out of her thoughts to look at Sakura.
"I'm really glad we're teammates."
Hikari then smiled. "Me too."
"Yo, loser. If we're going to be on a team together, try not to get in the way." Sasuke said, holding a rice bun.
"Right back at ya!" Naruto yelled and then ate from his own rice bun.
The two rivals were sitting against a bank on the same dirt road that they had previously fought on.
Naruto refused to acknowledge that Sasuke had outwitted him, so the two sat there eating their lunch.
Neither said a word until it was time to head back to the academy.
Where they would meet their new jonin teacher.
"This guy IS late!" Naruto said, very annoyed — all of his patience had officially ran out. He was now pacing the floors of their classroom.
Team 7 was the only group still waiting. Sasuke was sitting down at a desk, his expression cool and waiting. Sakura was leaning against one desk, ready to get started. Hikari stood next to the windows and looked out them. Every now and then she would see a bird pass by.
"Naruto! Just sit down!" Sakura said, annoyed by his pacing.
"I don't want to! How come our teacher is the only one who's late? I'm ready to roll, believe it!" Naruto stopped to stare at his teammates. "The other groups already met their new teachers and took off on some adventure or something. Even Iruka-sensei's gone too!"
"Maybe they forgot . . ." Hikari murmured.
"Doubtful." Sasuke spoke up, his eyes closed.
"Well, whatever it is I'm going to make sure this guy pays for it!" Naruto barked out, and his blue eyes landed on an eraser.
A foxy grin came on his face then as he looked from the eraser and to the door. A plan started forming in his head.
Uh-oh, I know that look . . . Hikari thought, looking at her blond friend.
"What are you doing?" Sakura asked as Naruto stood on top of a chair to trap the eraser between the door and wall.
Naruto laughed. "This is what he gets for coming late!" He hopped down, throwing his arms out. "Surprise!"
"You know you shouldn't do that. Your only asking for trouble." Sakura told him, her hands on her hips.
Cha! I love stuff like this! Inner Sakura grinned.
"Good luck with talking him out of it . . ." Hikari said, knowing full well how stubborn the prankster was.
"Our teacher's a Jonin, an elite ninja. Do you really think he'd fall for something like that?" Sasuke said from his spot.
Suddenly, a gloved hand appeared at the doorway and each genin looked toward the door.
A man walked in, opening the door and the eraser fell on top of his silver hair with a thud!
There was silence, before Naruto broke it with his booming laughter.
"Haha, I got'em! He totally fell for it!" Naruto laughed, pointing at the jonin instructor.
Sakura was blushing, wearing an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, sensei. I told him not to do it, but he wouldn't listen! I'd never do a thing like that." Perfect shot!
Hikari just sighed at this. Nice first impression . . .
He actually fell for that cheap trick? Is this guy really a jonin . . . ? Sasuke thought to himself, frowning.
Their teacher bent down and picked the offending eraser up. He slowly raised up to stare at the four kids.
He wore the standard Leaf Village shinobi outfit, along with iron plated gloves. His forehead protector covered his left eye, while his right eye was visible. The rest of his face was covered by a mask. His hair was white — but with a silver edge to it, it was tall and spiky.
Hikari had walked up to stand next to Naruto while Sakura stood nearer to Sasuke, who was still sitting down.
"Hm . . . how can I put this?" The shinobi cupped his chin in thought. "My first outlook on you guys . . . You're a bunch of idiots."
Immediately, their faces fell at his bluntness.
First, the guy's late to meet his students, then he calls them idiots for pulling a little prank on him! Well, Naruto decided that he didn't like this guy at all!
The new Squad 7 met on the roof of a building. Above them was a hanging red sign with "heaven" in black kanji form. Behind them were large trees. They sat on the balcony's steps while Kakashi leaned against the railing in front of them.
"Alright, why don't you introduce yourselves?" Kakashi opened the conversation.
"Introduce ourselves? Well, what are we suppose to say?" Sakura asked him.
Sakura was on the end, sitting next to Sasuke, with Hikari and Naruto sitting beside each other on the other end.
Kakashi shrugged. "Things you like, things you hate. Dreams for the future, hobbies . . . Things like that."
"Why don't you tell us stuff first? I mean, before we talk tell us about you so we'll know how it's suppose to work." Naruto said.
Kakashi pointed to himself. "Me? I'm Kakashi Hatake." He hesitated before speaking. "Things I like and things I hate . . . I don't feel like telling you that."
This alarmed them, well minus Sasuke who appeared to not care.
"My dreams for the future . . . ? Never really thought about it. As for my hobbies," He suddenly looked up in thought. "I have lots of hobbies."
Hikari raised a white brow. He seems to be really secretive about himself . . . I mean, all he told us was his name.
"Okay, your turn. Let's start from the right."
"M-me?" Hikari questioned, shocked that she would have to go first.
"Yes, you." Kakashi told her, trying to offer a smile . . . though you couldn't really tell he was because of the mask.
"Um . . . My name is Hikari Kyoko. Things I like would be my friends, training, and animals. My hobbies include sewing and making clothes, cooking, and training with Naruto." She smiled at this, and noticed Naruto's grin when she mentioned training with him. "Things I hate . . ." Her smile disappeared. What did she hate? Her heart began thumping, and her eyes went wide as if in some unknown reaction. "I . . . I don't hate anything . . ."
Kakashi had been studying her reactions closely. So, it is true about the Angel of the Leaf, being incapable to feel hate . . . I just wonder if the shinobi world will change that.
Hikari had recovered and went on to the next subject. "My dream for the future is to be strong and . . ." She looked over at Naruto before looking away again. ". . . And to get acceptance from the whole village."
Kakashi nodded at this. It wouldn't be very hard for this girl to achieve that dream. He looked pointedly at the eager blond beside her.
"Believe it! I'm Naruto Uzumaki! I like instant ramen in a cup, and I really like the ramen at the Ichiraku Noodle Shop. But I hate the three minutes you have to wait after you pour the water in the ramen cup. My hobby is eating different kinds of ramen and comparing them, oh! And definitely training with my best friend Hikari." Naruto paused long enough to smile at the girl beside him. "And my future dreams is: To be the greatest Hokage! Then the whole village will stop disrespecting me and start treating me like I'm somebody!"
Well he's grown up in a very different way . . . I can tell how much an impact Hikari has made . . . Kakashi thought to himself before looking at the raven-haired genius.
Sasuke still had his hands laced together in front of his chin. His elbows resting on his knees. "My name . . . Sasuke Uchiha. I hate a lot of things, and I don't particularly like anything."
Sakura's excited face fell while Hikari looked down. Her mental nagging and berating starting up again.
"What I have is not a dream because I will make it a reality." His dark eyes took on a cold, vengeful look. "I'm going to restore my clan . . . And destroy a certain someone."
There was silence after what he spoke, and everyone was looking at the Uchiha.
Gee, uh . . . I sure hope he doesn't mean me. Naruto thought, uneasy. Surely he didn't annoy Sasuke that much!
Hikari just continued looking down, trying to ignore the mental jabbing of 'It's all your fault!' and doubts of 'Why didn't I say anything before? Maybe someone could have stopped Sasuke's brother . . .'
"All right, next." Kakashi said, looking at the last one, the pink-haired girl.
"Oh, my name is Sakura Haruno. I like to study and learn new things and I, uh . . ." Her green orbs looked at the brooding Sasuke and her face flushed red. "My dream for the future is . . ." Once again she blushed while looking at Sasuke, who didn't notice. ". . . And to become a great kunoichi!"
"What about the things you hate?" Kakashi inquired.
"Um . . ." Sakura looked up at the sky, thinking. "I hate bullies, most of all. And anyone who would turn their back on their friends."
Whoa, that's deep . . . Naruto thought, surprised by her answer. He always knew she was Sasuke-crazy, though he couldn't understand why.
Hikari, finally coming out of her own thoughts, smiled at Sakura.
"Good. Your each unique and share your own ideals. We'll have our first mission tomorrow." Kakashi told them.
Naruto saluted his new sensei. "So what kind of mission are we gonna have?"
"It's a task that we'll all be doing together."
"What kind of task?" Hikari asked, curious.
"A survival exercise."
"But we already did those in the Academy. That's how we got here. I thought we were suppose to go on real missions now." Sakura said.
"This is not like your previous training."
Hikari was starting to get nervous, and Naruto asked him what kind of training it was.
Kakashi started laughing a chilly laugh that didn't help Hikari's nervousness at all.
"You see, only three squads are actually allowed to pass. The rest will be weeded out and sent back to the Academy. So this is a make-it or break-it, pass-fail test. And the chance that you'll fail is at least 66%."
This shocked the four students into silence, before Naruto started shouting.
"That's crazy! We each worked hard to get here! What was that Graduation Test for, anyway?"
"Oh, that. Well that was just to select possible candidates who might become Genin. That's how it is, I decide whether you pass or fail. Be at the designated training spot at 5am. And bring your ninja gear." Kakashi told them.
We've got to pass this, it's the only way to take that step in achieving our dreams. Hikari thought fiercely.
I'm not gonna be weeded out! I'm going to pass this, believe it! BELIEVE IT!
I can't be separated from Sasuke! Now that I'm here on this team, I won't let that happen.
Sasuke tightened his joined hands together, determined to pass this.
Kakashi rose up, waving his hand. "Okay, your dismissed. Oh," He turned his head to look at them. "And tomorrow you better skip breakfast or else . . . you'll puke."
It would be easy for Hikari to get up at that time, she always rose with the sun.
That night, after saying goodbye to Naruto, she decided to go to bed early. She also decided to fix a big meal since she wouldn't be eating anything tomorrow morning.
Comfortable, despite the nervousness she had for tomorrow, she easily fell asleep in her cozy bed.
A dream came to her again, but she didn't hear the girl's voice from before.
Instead, she was surrounded by a greyish mist. In front of her was a mirror.
She saw her reflection in it, and began wondering what was happening.
Suddenly, her reflection disappeared in the mirror, and her eyes widened in surprise. Then white, beautiful wings formed and a small bird flew out of the mirror!
Hikari gasped, moving out of the way. Her gray orbs stayed on the white bird as it flew high into the air, above the mist.
It circled around before coming to land on the ground well away from Hikari.
She took a step toward it, studying it. It was really pretty, she saw a lot of birds, but this one just seemed other-worldly. How piercing its dark, beady eyes were . . . The gentleness of its face, and its pure white feathers layering its small body. One thing she noticed were two thin feathers sticking out from the crown of its head. They went back, so they weren't sticking straight up.
Hikari took a tentative step towards it. "Hello, little birdie . . ." she cooed in a soft voice.
The little white bird cocked its head before suddenly moving. It flew up again, and Hikari was mesmerized in the way it moved.
Abruptly, it started flying toward Hikari. She was ready to catch it, thinking it might be afraid in the room they were in.
It missed Hikari's hands and dove toward her heart. Hikari was expecting to catch it then, but what she didn't expect was for it to go through her.
There was a sudden blue and shining energy swirling around where it had entered, almost like a portal . . .
And Hikari felt a strange sensation before she woke up.
In the same shape as last time. And Hikari pulled at her hair. What was that? Where had the bird gone? How had it gone through her like that? It was impossible!
Nothing is impossible when you're in a dream, she reminded herself.
Hikari sighed, and then got up to get dressed and pack her bag.
After doing all this did she finally realize the time.
She dropped everything. It was 6am! She was an hour late!
Hikari quickly grabbed her things and started for the door.
But a light tapping on her window stopped her.
"What could that be?" she muttered to herself.
She moved the curtains back and her heart stopped.
It was the white bird from her dreams. There, sitting on the ledge outside her window. Its beady black eyes stared into her gray ones as if saying 'come and follow me!'
Before she had a chance to go over and open the window, the bird flew off.
She stared out the window, puzzled. Then she remembered.
"I'm sooo late!" she screamed at herself, running out the door without a second thought.
She really hoped she wouldn't be kicked off the team because of this.
As Hikari ran down the silent street, she figured it would take her at least a half hour to reach the training grounds.
Something white passed swiftly by in front of her and she stopped. Looking up, she saw the white bird from before sitting on a tree branch.
"Hello, what is it that you want from me?" Hikari asked it, her eyes curious despite knowing she was late for her survival mission.
It cocked its head to the side before flying off the branch. It started flying all around Hikari before turning sharply to go into the woods next to her.
Did it want Hikari to follow it? She thought so, and decided it wouldn't hurt anything to do so.
There was no trail, and Hikari jumped from tree branch to tree branch while following the white bird.
Soon, there was an opening and Hikari landed. The white bird was gone, and she looked around for it.
She then noticed that she was actually near the training ground area where they were suppose to meet. This had been a short-cut.
Hikari smiled, knowing the bird had helped her . . . Why, she didn't have a clue.
She realized someone was there, out of the corner of her eye, and she looked over in their direction. Standing all alone, in front of a dark silver stone, was Kakashi-sensei.
What is he doing here? she questioned before recognizing the almost black stone.
Her eyes immediately went downcast. Mourning for whoever her sensei had lost to cause him grief.
"Hikari . . . Why aren't you at the training field yet?" Kakashi spoke, his back still facing toward her. His voice softer than usual.
She looked up, but wasn't shocked that he knew she was standing there. He was a jonin, after all . . . .
"I was just on my way, are you coming?" she asked softly, not daring to interrupt the calm and silent atmosphere that had settled.
"I'll be there soon," he answered, his voice low.
Hikari nodded, though he couldn't see. She was turning to leave when she stopped, looking back at the silver-haired jonin.
"Kakashi-sensei?"
"Yeah . . . ?" He turned his head slightly to let her know he was listening.
She smiled. "Take your time."
This stopped the masked man, and he turned his face to give the girl an eye smile.
"You know, that's the first time I heard that."
Hikari just smiled again, and left for the training grounds.
She basked in the glow of the morning sun. She always enjoyed those first few rays of sunshine.
When Hikari made it to the clearing, she saw her teammates.
Sasuke was standing up, looking bored. Sakura and Naruto were resting against two of the three posts.
Upon her arrival, they all looked up.
"There she is." Sasuke stated, as if he found the answer to all of their problems.
"Hikari!" Naruto jumped up and ran to her.
"Morning. Sorry I'm so late," she spoke with an apologetic smile.
"Glad you're here, this knucklehead wouldn't shut up!" Sakura said, mock-punching him.
Hikari smiled as Sakura went into all of Naruto's ranting. Again, she was glad that she was put on this squad. Now they had to prove that they were a team.
Hikari: Be sure to check out Beneath the Darkness when you get a chance!
Destiny: And don't forget to review!
Thanks for reading! Look forward to the next chapter!:D