A/N: Its been too long since I updated this story. I wanted to get this chapter up a while ago, but I've been busy. So here it is: Rise's graduation. Be warned, this chapter will be a long one. A lot is going to happen in this chapter, stuff I've been saving until now. So, here we go.

Chapter Twenty-Three: One Step Forward

October Tenth had arrived in Konoha once more. Rise awoke with a big smile on her face. Today was the day she turned fourteen, and the day she became a Shinobi. Gone were the days of sitting in a classroom for her. Today she'd be assigned to her team and begin her life as a fully fledged Shinobi of Konohagakure. A knock came at her door. Rise opened it to see Kaze, who was already dressed. He avoided her gaze and he hugged her.

"Happy birthday Rise."

Rise could tell something was on his mind, but she let it go. She kissed him softly and she laid her head on his shoulder.

"Thank you."

She whispered. Kaze stroked her hair as if he would be leaving for a long time. When he finally let her go, he placed a soft smile on his lips and he slipped into his room and closed the door. Rise dressed herself in her best and she made her way into the living room. Hinata had already prepared the house for the party they were having that day, after the ceremony. Hinata hugged her youngest child and she whispered to her.

"We're so proud of you Rise. Happy birthday."

Rise hugged her mother and she whispered back.

"Thank you mom. Do you know why Kaze is acting weird?"

Hinata shook her head and she smiled.

"That's an odd question. I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary."

Rise nodded and she sat at the table. Hinata sat a plate of food down in front of her, which Rise began to eat. Kaze came into the room shortly after, his best clothes on and his hair styled for the first time in a week.

"Morning."

He said to Hinata and she hugged him.

"Your parents are going to be at the ceremony. They had something to talk to you about, something they wouldn't even tell Naruto and I."

Kaze nodded and he smiled.

"Thank you. I'm actually on my way over there now. Are you ready to go Rise?"

Rise nodded and they left together. As they exited the house, Naruto smiled sadly.

"Rise is going to be so sad."

Hinata hugged her husband and she nodded.

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder. It'll be a learning experience for her.."

Naruto nodded as Hinata shed silent tears for her youngest child.

Rise and Kaze reached the Academy courtyard just in time to meet up with Nanjo. The young man had recently turned fourteen, roughly a month before Rise. Yuzu was with him, as usual. They looked so happy together. Rise smiled at them as they lined up for the ceremony to commence. The courtyard was lined with chairs for the parents of those graduating. Kaze could see his parents in the front row with Rise's next to her. Syao and Lyn waved at them from their seats, and Rise waved back cheerfully. Tsunade was presiding over the ceremony, and when she took the podium, all the noise ceased.

"Today is another day for most of you, but for these young people, it is the day they become Shinobi. They've worked hard for two years to serve the world, and now their dreams are going to be fulfilled. I pray for their successes and that they learn from their failures. Will the top student please come forward and speak to his peers?"

Tsunade's kind eyes alighted on Kaze. He stepped forward from his place in the line. Rise looked up at him with pride, and a little bit of envy. Kaze stood in front of the podium and he cleared his throat before speaking.

"Its ironic how I'm the top student, yet I'm from Sunagakure. This honor really should go to Rise Uzumaki, who worked harder than anyone to get this far. Rise, come stand with me."

Kaze turned to glance at Tsunade, and she nodded. Rise stepped forward from the line against the wall and she stood next to Kaze. Kaze held her hand in front of everyone gathered, and then he spoke.

"Its been amazing being here in this Academy for the last two years. I've made many lifelong friends, and I've gained so much more than I could ever have in Sunagakure. This is for everyone. Everyone, thank you for accepting me, despite me being what I am. To my friends and classmates, may the future be bright for all of us, and may we all go on to lead full, happy lives."

The courtyard erupted in applause as Kaze finished speaking. They stepped back into the line as Tsunade, who was joined by Hanabi, called them forward one by one to receive their headband. Rise was the last to be called forward. When she did, the entire crowd cheered for her, louder than anyone else had. Rise smiled at them and she tied her headband around her neck, just like her mother used to. Tsunade then concluded the ceremony. As the ceremony ended, Gaara rose from the crowd and he took Kaze aside. They made sure Rise was out of earshot and they spoke.

"Kaze, you need to let Rise know our plans. You're going to be at home for six weeks. We need to prepare you for the dangers of the world."

Kaze nodded and he whispered.

"Yes Father. I'll let her know tonight."

Gaara clapped his son on the head and he smiled. Rise joined them and they headed back to the Uzumaki Manor. The party began as soon as Rise and Kaze entered the house. All of their friends were there. Rise sat with Kaze, Nanjo and Yuzu and they talked about the future.

"Do you know your team assignment yet?"

Nanjo asked Rise. Rise laughed and she shook her head.

"We're not supposed to know for another six or seven weeks. We're supposed to use this time to have our families train us."

Rise smiled and she placed her hand over Kaze's. Kaze held her hand and laced her fingers with his. Hinata then brought the trays of food into the kitchen. The guests were hungry, as evidenced by the mass stampede to the kitchen. Hinata had prepared the finest foods for the party, from bento to egg rolls. Rise helped herself to the meats more than the vegetables, much to Hinata's dismay. Gaara and Matsuri arrived soon after. When they did, they handed Rise her gift.

"Kaze said you liked these, so we got you a collection."

Rise tore open the wrapping and she hugged Gaara and Matsuri tightly.

"Thank you. I love these books."

Rise said, a beaming smile set upon her lips. She held up a set of six books that were written by a retired Shinobi that recounted his life as an ANBU. Kaze whispered to Rise.

"I'll give you my gift tonight."

Rise nipped his neck and she kissed his cheek.

"I know."

She whispered and they sat with their friends. Eventually the party died down and everyone had gone home. Night had fallen, and Rise waited for her parents to go to sleep before she sneaked out of her room and onto the roof where Kaze was waiting for her.

"Remember this spot?"

She whispered to him as she hugged him from behind. Kaze nodded and he placed his hands on hers.

"Its where I asked you to be mine, almost a year ago."

Rise laid her head on the small of his back and she whispered.

"I love you Kaze."

Kaze whispered back to her.

"I love you too, Rise."

Kaze turned in her arms and he wrapped her tight in his arms. Kaze had prepared a pallet on the floor of the roof for them. Rise laid down on it with Kaze next to her.

"The stars are beautiful tonight."

Rise whispered. A shooting star flew by and Rise recited a rhyme.

"Shooting star in the sky, will you grant the wish, wished by I?"

Rise closed her eyes and she smiled. Kaze nuzzled her gently and he kissed her neck. Rise giggled gently.

"That tickles."

Kaze laughed gently and he rested his head on Rise's chest. Instinctively, Rise stroked his hair. Kaze smiled and he looked into her lavender, Hyuga eyes. He then reached into a bag and he drew out a small velvet box.

"I got you these for your birthday."

Kaze opened the box and he drew out teardrop earrings, set with opals.

"They're your birthstone. I had these especially made for you."

Rise felt her eyes tear up. She threw her arms around Kaze and she hugged him tightly. Rise kissed his lips hard and she pushed him back onto the floor. Kaze's eyes snapped open and he whispered.

"Rise, wait..."

Rise looked down at him and she pouted.

"Please let me have this..."

Kaze nodded and she traced his cheeks with her fingers. Kaze could feel her hot tongue running across his body. He felt himself harden from her touch. He whimpered and Rise eventually stopped. Rise rested her body on his, and she stroked his face.

"Kaze, I don't ever want to let you go."

Kaze looked away and he sat up.

"Rise, we need to talk."

Rise sat up and she drew the blankets around her, shielding herself from the chilly night air. Rise sat next to him and she nodded.

"I... I have to go home for six weeks. My father wants to train me himself."

Rise looked like someone had punched her. She let tears form in her eyes, but they never fell.

"Six weeks. When do you leave?"

Kaze looked up at the moon and he sighed.

"One week from today."

Rise nodded and she kissed his cheek.

"At least you're coming back. Right?"

Kaze took her hand in both of his and he nodded.

"I'll be back before you know it. Although I've been thinking of getting a small apartment, like your dad used to have. Now that we're Genin, I want a little privacy."

Rise grinned through her misty eyes.

"I know how you feel."

Kaze stroked Rise's hair for a long time. Rise eventually leaned on him and she nuzzled him.

"Where do you see us in a year?"

Kaze was caught off guard by the sudden question, but he smiled.

"I see us as a team. The two of us maybe a little more... intimate?"

Rise felt the heat rise in her face for the first time since they had been together.

"I kind of wanted it tonight you know."

She said and she laughed, feeling foolish. Kaze nuzzled her and he whispered into her ear.

"I'm not quite at that stage yet Rise. I've seen what it does to relationships. Its what happened to Syao and Nana."

Rise's ears perked up and she smiled deviously.

"My older brother got some?"

Kaze laughed and he nodded.

"You didn't hear that from me though."

Rise nodded she laughed. The moon was full in the sky, and Rise hugged her mate.

"Let's get some sleep. We still have a week until you leave, so let's make it count."

Kaze didn't object. He hugged her close to him and they laid on the soft pallet and fell asleep. They were Shinobi now, and no longer children. Their lives, along with the rest of their graduating class, began here.

TO BE CONTINUED...