Chapter 4

Tomo slowly awoke to feel the sun on her face. She smiled. Today she was a ninja. For the first time in a very, very long time she couldn't wait for class. The thought of seeing Yomi's face when she turned up at class helped her climb out of bed early in the morning. Quickly and energetically she changed into her proper clothes.

Slowly she gripped hold of the hitai-ate, and held it up, as though it was some revered symbol. She'd worn it when Yukari had first given it to her (after much persuasion to return to the academy). However she hadn't worn it in bed, wanting to keep it in a perfect condition for her triumphant return to the class. Slowly she placed it around her head. She decided it needed a bit of work, the band currently wrapped around her eyes. She was glad about one thing- Yukari had never thought about the technique she used. Shadow clone jutsu- flesh and blood clones. A quick bit of reading of the manuscript- and the emotional tension led to her creating more then just illusions. She was surprised- she wouldn't have thought she'd have enough chakra for that. But she created flesh and blood clones. She grinned. She had a new technique. That ought to help put her above Sakaki. However if Yukari found out she'd broken the rules and read it...

After much stumbling, occasional high paced walking, and some swearing she was ready. She ran down the small set of stairs, waking the people who lived in the room beside her. She ran out into the fresh morning air as the elderly couple began yelling loudly. She walked quickly down the pathway, eager to reach the class for the first time in many months.

A faint sound of laughter brought her to a stop. A teenager stood guffawing. She slowly turned and then pointed to herself.

"Are you laughing at me?" she asked. You better not be jackass!

"Course I am. What do you think you are with that stupid little headband on?" asked the boy. He stood with a bemused look on his face. Even when I pass and become a ninja people treat me like dirt!

"I am a true ninja of the village hidden in the leaves" boasted Tomo proudly. "Who are you?" Certainly wasn't anyone as important as her. She was the best graduate of the current generation of ninja to come from the village. He was just some civilian on a street.

"That's not important. You do realize you look like an idiot don't you? Besides girls can't be ninja's they're too weak."

"Is that so?" asked Tomo moving towards the boy, with a look of murderous intent in her eyes. Girls are weak huh?

"Hey…what are you doing?!" cried the boy in horror.

---Please enjoy this pleasant village scenery. Look at the mountain; isn't it amazing how the faces of the four Hokage were etched into the sides? Please enjoy this relaxing music---

The boy rested in a crumpled heap as Tomo continued to walk at speed towards the class. He groaned in pain as the girl with the short black hair quickly disappeared around a corner. Never again would his belief in female ninja be anything below one hundred percent. Unfortunately the same probably couldn't be said for his back. Or neck, or arms…

---

Tomo ignored the hushed talking as she walked along the corridor, a small group of young trainees, pointing towards her and talking. That girl. She already had a reputation, and fame- it'd make it all the more easier when she became great. She waved towards a fellow student, who let out a faint shriek when she realized who had just returned. The student quickly disappeared. Tomo slowed down as she approached the class door, walking at a slow dignified pace- almost a strut. She adjusted the headband so the metallic symbol was clear to see.

She gripped hold of the door and slid it open. She stepped inside.

"I'm back!"

"W-what?" spluttered Yomi, who sat near the back of the class.

"Hello Yomi" said Tomo, smiling evilly.

"Tomo, I hate to break this to you, but the exam happened yesterday. You didn't pass remember?"

"But you did tubby?"

"Well yes" said Yomi, looking down at her stomach.

"I performed the correct technique in a battle condition. I probably passed the exam at the highest level of all the class."

"When?" asked Yomi, unsure.

"Last night" said Tomo proudly.

Yomi turned as Yukari entered the room (late). "Did you know Tomo's here?"

"Yeah she did something last night, passed test" said Yukari, her phase of encouraging Tomo having already passed. Tomo grinned at Yomi before walking down the walkway, pausing as Chiyo-Chan waved at her. She waved back grinning. I've returned. She was back in class, ready to continue being a ninja. She wouldn't have to wait another year. But what would happen next?

She reached the only desk that still had a space (each desk could only hold three people comfortably). She tapped Osaka's shoulder, the girl sleeping, her head resting on the desk. She glanced up, smiled, moved out of the way, before resting her head back on the desk. Seemingly making as much noise as possible, Tomo sat down. She sat smiling widely as she looked around the class. She turned having noticed the tall figure of Sakaki sitting in silence next to her.

"Sakaki-san!" exclaimed Tomo loudly.

Sakaki looked back at Tomo. She paused for a moment before speaking. "Yes?"

"This time I will beat you! You may have done better then me in roughly 97 percent of all activities we've previously done, but now I'm stronger and I will defeat you Sakaki!"

Sakaki sat in silence, slightly taken aback. What have I done? She thought to herself. She didn't mind Tomo, unlike some of the class who really disliked her. Pretty unfairly thought Sakaki. However for as long as she could remember Tomo had been competing against her. However she still welcomed it. At least she wasn't like much of the class who saw Sakaki as cold and unapproachable. Just because I don't talk that much.

Yukari stopped at the front of the room. She smacked the table with a rod, gaining the classes attention. Osaka remained asleep. Yukari picked up a thick book, stuffed with pages of notes taken from other books. She stepped out from behind her desk.

"To test your skills, you will find yourself performing official assignments on behalf of the village. However you will not be doing this alone as you might have possibly been hoping- or dreading" said Yukari, looking intently at Chiyo-Chan. The small girl cowered under Yukari's fierce glare. "Instead this class is going to be divided into three man teams- cells as it were. You will be joined, guided and coached by a Jonin- one of the more senior ninja of the village."

I hope we get Nyamo-sensei thought most of the class in unison. Yukari slowly read through the teams assigning twelve of the students to teams.

"Now we reach Team five" spoke Yukari. "This team contains Osaka…Tomo could you wake up Osaka please?"

Tomo slapped the sleeping girl across the back, who slowly woke up. She looked up through glazed eyes.

"Chicken curry?" she asked in a sleepy voice.

"As I was saying. Team five will consist of Osaka. Our favourite hyperactive colleague Tomo, and Miss Sakaki."

The class turned as a faint cry was emitted from the corner of the room where Kaori sat. She watched in shock as they turned to face her, before looking out the window.

"I think an animal made a noise outside" she said.

Yukari quickly sped through the next two groups. "And now for Team Eight. This will consist of Koyomi, Kagura and our favourite little squirt Chiyo Mihama. Now for our penultimate group…"

With the six final members of the class given a team, much of the class stood up, getting into their groups, saying goodbyes and just generally chatting. Yukari, furious at being interrupted before she could finish stepped into the middle of the room.

"Shut up! You'll soon be sent to rooms to wait for your designated Jonin to arrive. From there you will then be under their command. I guess this is goodbye…what no presents?"

"Goodbye Sensei" said the class in unison. "Thank you for teaching us."

Yukari turned away from the class, her hand covering her mouth.

"Is Yukari-sensei crying?" asked Chiyo-Chan.

"I can't believe no one got me a present" muttered Yukari to herself.

"Well Yomi I guess this is a goodbye" said Tomo, as Teams five and eight converged.

"See you. Take care ok. Good luck Osaka. Look after both of them Sakaki" said Yomi. "I'll look out for you Tomo."

"Ok" said Sakaki. Look after them? How am I meant to do that?

"Next time we meet I'll be a champion ninja" boasted Tomo, gesturing with her arms. She stood in a position, attempting to look intimidating. She waited for someone to respond. Chiyo merely looked confused, while Yomi adjusted her glasses.

"See you later Sakaki" said Kagura. "When we meet again I'll be faster and stronger then you."

Sakaki stood in silence. Again?

Kaori quickly walked up to the group, as the rest of her team stood waiting. She said hello to the group.

"I just thought I'd say bye."

"Goodbye Kaorin" said the group, "Good luck."

"Take care Sakaki-san" said Kaori.

"Thank you, you too."

Kaori blushed. "Goodbye Sakaki."

"Bye."

"Don't forget to take care of yourself."

"Ok."

Kaori walked back to her group, before quickly sprinting back. "Bye Sakaki, be careful." She paused before quickly hugging Sakaki and walking away blushing, in a moment of pure bliss.

Sakaki stood looking slightly confused. Kagura scratched her head, Chiyo seemingly the only one who had an idea of what was happening. And she was too young to fully comprehend what it was.

"Goodbye Sakaki-san" said Chiyo, hugging the tall girl, who blushed. So adorable. The small girl went on to say goodbye to the others, Osaka hugging Chiyo in return, and Tomo patting the small girl on the head.

With the goodbyes concluded, the two teams followed Kaori's group out of the classroom. Takeshi was waiting outside, pointing the teams to different empty rooms. Leading the group, Tomo approached the man. He smiled as he recognized the girl, her antics of the night still fresh in his mind.

"Over here. Feel free to use the furniture and relax. Your true training will begin soon, so enjoy this free time."

"Uh-huh" said Osaka.

The trio stepped inside, and Takeshi stood in the door way. He bowed, before stepping outside. He turned to face the three girls.

"The Jonin assigned to your team will appear shortly. Good luck to all of you."

"Thanks!" exclaimed Tomo and Osaka.

"Thank you" said Sakaki politely.

He nodded and slid the door shut.

Author's note: Thank you for all of the reviews so far! Takeshi is simply an OC. Coming up in Chapter 5- Tomo and her team discover the Jonin who'll lead Team Five. Next on Azumangaruto!