After school, me and Naruto were at the hokage mountains, cleaning up the paint from Naruto's prank. Naruto was complaining the whole time about how he is the one who the old man punishes.

"Naruto you better clean all of the paint on the mountain before the sunsets." Iruka-sensai said, pointing his finger towards Naruto.

"Yeah, Yeah it's not like anyone is waiting for me at home!" I frowned. Naruto has a had a really tough past, he had to live all by himself, without his parents. He never had any friends and be villagers would treat him very badly, like he was a monster.

After hearing this Iruka-sensai frowned and had a guilty look on his face. "Hey, why don't I treat you for ramen after your done with this?" "Wow Iruka-sensai! Now that is some serious motivation!" Naruto exclaimed and started working at double the speed. I couldnt even see his hand! 'Wow this kid loves ramen.'

"Hey Hikari, do you want to join?" "No thanks Iruka-sensai, Sasuke would be waiting for me at home."

Iruka-sensai nodded in understanding.

"Hey Hikari!" I was on my way back home after cleaning up the Hokage mountains when I heard a familiar voice. I turned around and saw my two friends "Hey Choji! Hey Shikamaru!" I said waving my hand and heading towards them.

"We are heading to the training grounds for some last minute practice for the graduation test tomorrow. Wanna come?" "And we will be getting some food afterwards." Choji added while munching on his packet of chips.

"As tempting as that sounds I'll have to pass. I promised to train with Sasuke today and I am already late."

"Ok see you tomorrow then." Shikamaru said while putting his hand behind his head.

"Yup see ya!" I said waving and headed back home. 'Man I am an hour late. I will be getting a you-should-be-on-time lecture from Sasuke' i thought while running back home.

"Sasukeeee I'm home!"

"About time! I have been waiting for you for over an hour. You should be more on time. Now explain yourself young lady."

"Well it took me longer than I thought cleaning the mountains and I met Choji and Shikamaru on the way back. Anyways, are you ready to start training?"

"More than ready, but here eat this on the way, you must be hungry." Sasuke said while tossing me an orange.

"Aww Sasuke were you worried about me? That I was maybe starving to death?" I teased after catching the orange.

Sasuke grew a tick mark. "I am going." Sasuke picked up his weapons pouch and left.

"Hahaha Oi, Sasuke! Wait up!" I grabbed my bag and ran out of the front door. For the rest of the evening, we trained, practiced our jutsus and did many sparring matches. We came home around late night and I took a shower and went straight to bed. 'Boy I can't wait to become a Genin. Then I will on step closer to my dream.'

Next morning, Sasuke woke me up, got ready and we headed to the academy together just like everyday and we as usual, early than everyone else. After everyone came into the classroom, Iruka sensai started to call our names to give the test. "Hyuga Hinata" Hinata stood up and headed to the next room. She looked at me while passing me desk "You'll do fine." I gave her a thumbs up and an encouraging smile. She gave me a confident nod and headed out the classroom.

After 30 min, Iruka sensai called my name. "Good luck Hikari. Not that you need it." "Hn thanks. See ya outside" "Good luck Kari-chan!" "Thanks Naruto! Good luck to you too!"

When I entered the other classroom, there was iruka sensai and another sensai sitting next too him. 'I am not getting a very good vibe from this guy' "Alright Hikari, this is Mizuki-sensai and he will be grading you along with me. Now you have to make 3 clones to become a genin."

'Thats it? Alright 3 clones it is' "Clone jutsu" I made 3 perfect clones of myself. 'Wow my hair looks pretty good today' I thought proud of my hair styling skills considering my hair is always a mess.

"Good job Hikari, you have graduated and now are a Genin. You can pick up a headband. Congratulations." Iruka sensai had a very proud smile on his face.

"Thank you Iruka sensai." I grabbed a headband and returned a smile to Iruka sensai

"Congratulations" Mizuki sensai said.

I glanced at him wearingly "Thanks" I said without any emotion and headed out of the exam room.

When I went outside, I saw many parents hugging their kids and telling how proud they were while some other parents were waiting worriedly and impatiently for their child to come from the academy. Times like these really made me wish that I could have a parents and a family again, even though they never treated me fairly, I still missed them. It was better than the lonely and empty feeling that I experience everyday. Honestly, Sasuke is the only reason why I am still sane and alive. Ever since that day, Sasuke has become very protective over me and our bond has grown stronger ever since.

I headed towards the bench to wait for Sasuke. I spotted Hinata with her little sister Hanabi, who was holding her sisters headband and trying it to tie it to her forehead. I gently smiled, Hinata had told me a lot about her sister and I could tell that she loved her very much by the way she talked about Hanabi with such fondness. Hinata and I are good friends and my only girl friend. At first it was difficult to talk to her but once she got a bit more comfortable around me, we instantly became friends. We talk about anything and everything and it is good to have someone except Sasuke and Naruto to talk to.

I saw Naruto coming out of the door, his head hung low. I had a terrible feeling in my stomach. I walked towards Naruto. "Hey Naruto."

"I didn't pass"

"Nar-"

"I want to be alone kari-chan" Naruto said gloomily.

"Oh o-ok. But I am here for you." I said gently.

Naruto nodded and went toward the lone, broken swing at the tree and sat there dejectedly. 'Oh Naruto' I was very sad that my best friend wasn't able to graduate. "Hey Hikari, let's go home"

"Oh hey Sasuke" I said sadly

"What's the matter? Did you not graduate?" Sasuke looked at me worriedly

"No I graduated but Naruto didn't" I glanced back at Naruto but only to find an empty swing. 'Where did he go? That's strange he was there a second ago'

"Hn it's ok. He'll get a chance next year." Sasuke put a hand on my shoulder and we started to walk away. I glanced back once more at the empty swing set 'Naruto please come to the academy tomorrow. I really don't want to be a genin without you.'