A/N: Hey everyone. Its that time again. Here's another chapter of my main story. In this chapter, I wanted to give some of the more major characters (Rise, Kaze, Serah) some more backstory. They're still thirteen, I know, but kids can be deep, as we all know. A lot will be revealed in this chapter as we celebrate the birth of new Genin and Kaze's birthday. That being said, let's begin.

Chapter Fourteen: Birth of a Shinobi

December had arrived in Konohagakure once more. Christmas Day dawned on the sleepy village with a light, powdery snow. Three months had passed since Rise's birthday. Kaze's birthday was rapidly approaching. In April the young boy would become a teenager, along with Serah. Kaze awoke in his bed to see Syao looking at a letter in his hand. Kaze dropped from his bed onto the floor and he peered at the letter, reading it out loud.

"Dear Syaoran Uzumaki. We are pleased to announce that your graduation ceremony will be held Christmas Day at twelve-thirty in the courtyard of the Academy. We are also pleased to announce that you have come in second in your class. Please continue your hard work. Sincerely, Tsunade."

Kaze read it again silently and he let out a soft whistle.

"Second? Impressive Syao."

Syao chuckled and he shook his head as a high pitched yell came from the room next door.

"Top of the class!"

Syao rolled his eyes and he looked at Kaze.

"No surprise there."

He said to Kaze. Kaze knew that Lyn was an exceptional student, but he had been blinded by his devotion to Syao. He saw the older male as a role model, but he had never seen Syao fight. Kaze wondered about Syao's fighting style, but he knew he'd see it eventually. He dressed quickly in his usual clothes as a knock came at the door. Rise was rousing everyone for Christmas. Kaze heard Naruto and Hinata's tired feet plodding through the hallway, followed by the heavy steps of Rise running.

"Get up!"

Kaze opened the door and he smiled at Rise. She was in her best clothes, the outfit her mother had given her for her birthday. Kaze had become somewhat more at ease since her birthday, having grown accustomed to her bare skin. Rise didn't mind his eyes. After all, the two of them were dating all but formally. Rise had promised herself to Kaze as he had to her. Rise led the way into the living room and she sat down next to the tree. Hinata distributed the gifts and she gave the go ahead. Rise tore into the boxes and she drew out several pairs of warm pants. Rise hugged her mother and she kissed her cheek.

"Thank you. I needed these for winter."

Hinata hugged her youngest child and she smiled. Rise also received a new set of kunai and several shirts. Kaze watched her and he started on his own gifts. He noticed a package with the seal of Sunagakure on it, with a card attached to it. He opened it and read it in a hushed voice.

"Kaze, I hope this finds you well. Your mother and I are well. We miss you terribly, but we shall see you soon enough. You're almost thirteen my son. You know by now that your power is being hunted. I offer these scrolls to you in the hopes you can learn new ways to protect yourself and those you love. And I also wanted to let you know I'm proud of you. Rise and you belong together for many reasons, so I hereby grant you permission, yet I also offer a word of warning. Only tell those you truly trust, because any word could reach the enemy. Kaze, you are a strong boy, and you will one day make a fine Shinobi. Everyone in Sunagakure is praying for your success. Grow strong my son. With all our love, Mom and Dad."

Kaze felt tears fall down his cheeks as he read that card. He pocketed it. He really did miss his parents and his home. Rise saw that he was crying. She moved to sit next to him and she put her arm around him. Kaze whispered to her and he gave her the card.

"Read it."

He spoke these two words to her while he dried his eyes. Rise took the card and read it. Her smile grew wider with each passing second. Rise knew what he meant. She handed it back to him and snickered. Rise couldn't be happier. Kaze then drew out the scrolls and examined their contents.

"These are-"

He started to speak but was caught in awe. They were his father's original Jutsus, such as Sand Coffin, Sand Armor and the Sand Clone. Kaze packed the scrolls away and he smiled.

"My apologies. I'll practice these some other time."

Rise giggled and she smiled at him. Kaze smiled back softly and he opened the rest of his gifts. He received several new pairs of heavy pants, a thick coat designed to repel snow and wind and a set of shuriken. He thanked everyone and he smiled. Kushina had made breakfast for them all and they ate a noisy meal. Lyn was gloating about how hard she had worked to become number one. It was not until Naruto promised her a reward that she fell silent. Naruto knew his children rather well, and he knew what Lyn was after. Lyn beamed and the table fell silent. Syao was looking down at his plate after he had finished.

"Lyn. Great job. It had to be one of us, knowing who our parents are. We DO have Hyuga blood after all."

Lyn knew that her twin was disheartened. She hugged him and he hugged her back. Hinata then spoke.

"You know, I think they both deserve a reward. Top two students in the class of a hundred and fifty is not easy to do. Plus it will give us something to brag about to the others."

Syao perked up slightly and he smiled.

"Imagine if these two were the top of the class."

Rise felt the heat rise in her face. She knew she was number one right. Kaze was number two as of last month, with Serah at number three. According to Hanabi, they were nearly tied. Kaze grinned at Rise and he closed his eyes, whispering to her.

"Good Christmas this year."

Rise nodded slightly and she whispered back.

"Can we go up on the roof tonight? I want to talk to you."

Kaze nodded as Hinata told them to get ready for the initiation ceremony. After an hour, the family, bundled in their warm new clothes, made their way through the streets to the Academy. Tsunade, now well in her mid sixties yet still as beautiful as ever due to her anti-aging technique, presided over the ceremony as Hokage.

"We gather today to share the joy of graduation, the day these children become adults. Genin are a special time in a Shinobi's life, when they are full of dreams and ambition. Let us now give rise to the new wave. Before we begin the ceremony, a few words from the head of the class, Lyndis Uzumaki."

The crowd cheered and applauded Lyn as she took the stage. Lyn was draped in a yellow sash and she spoke.

"Every one here is part of the Konohagakure family. As the top of the class, I'd like to thank you all for the support you've given us for the last two years. We're all beginning our journey today, so please continue to support us, as fully fledged Shinobi."

Everyone applauded Lyn's short but succinct speech. When Tsunade took the podium again, Hanabi came behind her with a stack of Konohagakure headbands. Tsuande began to call names alphabetically from surnames beginning with A. It wasn't until Tsunade reached the name Kohaku Sonomura that Lyn grinned. Syao snickered and Lyn kneed him in the leg. When Tsunade called the name Nana Tsubame, Syao grinned. It was Lyn's turn to laugh. Syao chuckled and he smiled at his twin. When the twins were called up together, Tsunade and Hanabi brought them forward.

"These two are the finest Shinobi in their graduating class. These are the Uzumaki twins, the children of Naruto and Hinata. Their youngest, Rise, is a student now. With these three, Konohagakure will be a very nice place to live."

A cheer went up from the crowd. Rise felt her face burning as all her classmate's eyes fell on her. With that, Tsunade closed the ceremony. Kaze and Rise were the first to leave. The ceremony had lasted for an hour that seemed to go by so fast. Hinata and Kushina prepared their Christmas dinner rather quickly. By five, the table was laden with ham, potatoes, pie and other Christmas foods. Kaze was especially hungry for Kushina's apple pie. When dinner was finished and the table was cleared, Hinata called the day over, leaving the children to do as they pleased. After dark, Rise and Kaze went up onto the roof.

"You know, no matter how many times I see them, the stars take my breath away."

Rise said as she looked up at the dark night sky, cradled in Kaze's arms. Kaze drew out the card he had received earlier that morning. He read it out loud and he smiled at Rise.

"I told you I'd ask again, when the time had come, so here it is. Rise, we've known each other since your first birthday. Twelve years later, here we are. My father has given me permission, so, I ask you now, will you be mine?"

Rise grinned at his formality. She put her arms around him, hugging her close to him before she spoke.

"Do you even have to ask? Of course I will."

Kaze brought his arms up to hold her. It was there, on that roof that Rise Uzumaki and Kaze of the Desert entered their relationship as young lovers. To some it might seem too soon and that were too young, but they had their parents' blessings, so they didn't care what anyone else thought. Snow began to fall around them so they retreated inside to their respective beds. Each day from this point on was a day they could wake up and smile at each other, not as best friends, but as lovers.

TO BE CONTINUED...