Chapter 10

Sorry for my very long absence, I will admit some of time I was busy and other times I was lazy. I sincerely apologize. But I hope it all is

forgiven with this new chapter! And now that I have a new laptop more chapters are sure to come.

~Enjoy

~KiraSan

I awoke early this morning, I stared out my window. The first day of spring; today's my genin exam. I had some trouble sleeping, due to

all my excitement for the day to come faster. I looked at my huge new bed in my room, I had finally replace the futon. Inside the sheets

was Haru, still sleeping. I smiled, ever since he came home, he was very attached to me. There were times before he would accompany

me to my training with Gai. But now, he goes to the Academy, after deciding he wanted to a shinobi like me. I jumped in the bed, tickling

him. He was just too adorable. "Haru. Time to wake up!" I said, tickling him further in random spots. He laughed, "Nee-san, s-stop

please" I smiled, "Come on, time to get ready" I said as I headed out the room.

I came into the kitchen, fully dressed and ready. I zippedup my sleeveless jacket up and fixed my kunai pouch on my hip. Grandmother

and Haru were already sitting down and eating breakfast. "Morning Nee-san," said Haru as I took my seat. I grinned, "Morning Haru,

Morning Grandmother" I said as I grabbed a piece of toast. Grandmother nodded, "Today's the big day Kira, you're going to take your

test today?" I nodded, "Yes, I have to take it today at the Hokage's office. It's still early compared to the Academy students, they have a

few more months." I said as I drank my tea.

Grandmother smiled, "You'll pass for sure Kira" she said. I collected my dishes, "Thanks Grandmother, I will do my best." I took them to

the sink and gave them a quick rinse, "Haru, are you ready? I'll still walk you to the Academy today" Haru took his dishes to the sink, "Give me a

second." He ran back to the room. I waited by the stairwell, putting on my gloves and sandals. He came back wearing a dark blue

zipped up short-sleeved jacket with black shorts. He put his sandals on, "Bye Grandmother," we both said as left. Haru and I made our

way through the busy streets, "Don't you have a test today too?" I asked Haru. He frowned, "Yes, I've been studying all night. This one

isn't my best subject." I patted his shoulder, "Well I have been seeing you study for these past couple days, you'll past, don't worry." He

gave a small smile, "Thanks. You'll pass your exam too!" he said. I grinned at him, "Thanks Haru". The academy started to come to

view, "Alright, Have a good day Haru." I said. He turned to me and waved, "Bye Nee-san and good luck." I stood there for awhile and

waved back to him. When he was in the building, I made my way to the Hokage Tour. My journey was brief as I went inside the building.

I was greeted by a shinobi waiting by the stairwell, "Kira, I presume?" he asked. I nodded. "Good, let's make our way to the Hokage's

office. He'll explain what's going to happen" he said as he went up the stairs. Once we arrived to the Hokage's office, I stood in front of

his desk. "This is how the examination works. The first part is a written exam of everything you have learned. You will be timed and an

instructor will be present to observe you." he explained, "The second part, you are to perform basic shinobi ninjutsus and I will be there

to observe, along with an instructor." I nodded, "I understand." "Then you will accompany me to start your written exam" said the shinobi

next to me. The Hokage grabbed his pipe, "Good luck Kira," he said as he lit it.

*Neji's POV*

It was noon and Team Gai were training as usual. Neji and Tenten were sparring while Lee practiced with a dummy. Lee then sighed for

the thousandth time. "Lee, what's wrong with you" called Tenten finishing her spar with Neji, he winning of course. "I want to know how

Kira's exam is going" he said as he gave the dummy a strike. Tenten gave Lee a light shove, "She'll be alright, we've been helping her

and she's reviewed everything the week before". Neji thought to himself while Tenten and Lee were still talking. The following week

before, Kira had been studying every moment she could, even combining both with her exercises. Neji couldn't help but admire her

dedication. At times, he had found her sleeping during her lunch break, which she would admit she had been studying all night before.

"Before I realized, it was four in the morning." she admitted sheepishly to him, "I admit I can get caught up into these kind of things"

"Neji? Are you listening?" called Tenten, snapping him out of his thoughts. He looked at Tenten and Lee, "She'll pass her exam, I'm

certain of it." he told them. Gai appeared before them, "My youthful team! We have a guest coming to see us. It's none other than the

Third Hokage" The team stared at their sensei, "Are we getting a mission?" asked Lee. Gai had a slight smirk on his face, "You'll find out

soon enough, let's go to the opening. He must be waiting." he said leading his team out of the training grounds. Once out of the training

grounds and into the clearing, they were greeted by the Hokage. "Good afternoon Team Gai." said the Hokage Everyone bowed, "Good

afternoon Hokage-sama".The Hokage smiled, "Gai, your team has grown since I last seen them." Gai bowed, "Thank you Hokage-

sama" The rest of the team stood silent for a bit, "I bet you are wondering why I'm here to see you guys. It has nothing to do with a

mission, but some good news." said the Hokage, looking at each team member. They remained silent, waiting for an answer. The

Hokage chuckled, pulling out his pipe, "I bring forth good news that your newest teammate has passed her genin exam and I get no hint

of emotion?" he said as he lit his pipe. The team stared at him before the news had settled in their minds.

"She passed?!" yelled Lee and Tenten in unison.

A faint laugh was heard behind the Hokage, Kira came out from behind wearing her leaf headband proudly around her

neck, "Took you guys long enough to respond." she teased sticking her tongue out at them. Lee was the first to pull Kira into a friendly

hug, "Congratulations Kira! I knew you could do it! I believed in you." he said excitedly. Tenten followed suit, just with not as loudly as

Lee. Kira then came in front of Neji, a small silence lingering around them. "I passed." she smiled to him. A faint smile crept on Neji's

face, "Congratulations." he said. She stuck out her hand to him, "I look forward to be on this team, please help me along my way and I

will do my best." she said. He chuckled and shook her hand, after a few shakes, Kira quickly gave him a fast hug. "Sorry." she said as

she pulled away, giving him a nervous smile. After collecting himself from the sudden outburst, he managed a smile, "It's okay." he said.

A sound of someone's throat being cleared signaled them to turn their attention back to everyone. "So I'm proud to say that Kira has

passed with perfect marks, even under the short amount of time she had." said the Hokage. Kira grinned sheepishly, "Well, studying is

what I do best," she said. The Hokage smiled, "I'm sure you're good at many other things besides that. But now you are a team, I will

assign you a mission soon, so be ready." Everybody nodded. "With that, I take my leave. Congratulations again Kira." said the Hokage

as he turned and left.

Kira turned to her team, "I would like to say that I'm truly happy that I achieve to be genin-level, with all your help

of course." she said, smiling at her teammates, "Years ago, I never thought I could have this lifestyle, everything was decided and

handed to me...But now, I'm making the life I want, my own way." She bowed to them, "I know I still have some way to go, but I'm ready

to catch up to your level, I don't want to be a burden since I'm new" Gai grinned, "Then you have no time to slack off then, we will be

ready until our next mission. So let's start training. Fifty warm up laps! GO!" "Hai Sensei!" said the team

*Kira's POV*

"Grandmother! Haru! I'm back." I called as I ran up stairs, excited to see my family again. "Kira!" cried Haru as he tackled me into a hug.

I ruffled his dark hair, "I wasn't gone that long" I said to him. Haru released me, "Those two weeks felt like forever" he said in protest. I

chuckled, "It was under two weeks, but I'm back now," I placed my bag on the table, "Where's Grandmother?" Haru had a small pail in

hands, "In the garden, we were tending to the tea plants" I followed Haru and went downstairs. In the back of the kitchen, we went out

the back door into garden. It was about a medium sized backyard, most of it covered in bushes and small trees. I plotted the field for my

grandmother, along with my team's help. I had originally asked Tenten to help me, which Lee overheard and had dragged Neji into it,

making it to a weird training practice. I smiled at the memory, after we had finished we had Grandmother's now famous tea cakes along

with tea. It was really fun that day.

"Grandmother" I called as I saw her removing some weeds. "Kira." she said as I made my way and embraced her, "How was your mission?"

I smiled, "Successful as always!" She nodded, "You didn't get hurt did you?" she asked. I shook my head, "Only slight bruising and a few

nicks and scrapes, other than that I'm perfectly fine Grandmother" She nodded again, "That's good, I know you're capable of defending

yourself, but I still worry." she laughed, "Let's finish here and we can start dinner. And we'll have your favorite tonight." My entire being

instantly lit up, "BBQ!" I said happily. We had once went to a BBQ restaurant and I had fell in love with it. Assorted grilled meats and

vegetables with rice and small sides. Weeks after that, Grandmother bought a table grill, knowing my growing love to the meal.

"Well, lets finished quickly, we'll eat good tonight."

Once inside, we assigned each other tasks to prepare the meal, "Haru, you'll set the table and the grill. Kira and I will make the sides."

said Grandmother.

I began the rice while Grandmother gather ingredients to prepare the small sides. Before, Grandmother taught me how to cook, "It's an

important skill and a times a good hobby" she had said, "You never know there will be times you're alone and you need to prepare yourself

something"

I had trouble in the beginning, but I've become more than decent now, and there will be times I help Grandmother in the Café, preparing

her tea cakes and other things. "So what are the sides today Grandmother?" I asked. She smiled, "Potato Salad, pickled vegetables,

spiced bean sprouts and green salad with a lite miso soup" I grinned, "Sounds great." . Once finished and everything set, we sat down

and ate. Occasionally Haru and I would fight over which piece was ours, but other than that dinner was great. After we finished and

cleaned up, I went to take a bath. I soaked in the tub after I finished washing my body, my tense limbs begin to relaxed. I replayed the

earlier events after I got home, Our mission was to guard a merchant with all his valued items to the harbor at the edge of the Fire

Nation, where I first arrived. A lot of bandits and thieves tried their luck to rob him but we drove them away. It was pretty easy. Once we

report in to the Hokage, he dismissed our team while Gai stayed to talk privately about something. We waited outside, slightly confused.

"We didn't do anything wrong in the mission, did we?" I asked my team as we stilled waited. "Impossible." said Neji, with no hint of

emotion on him. I nodded, "You're right". Gai emerged from the room, a slight serious expression on his face. "Is everything alright,

Sensei?" asked Lee, while we waited for his answer. Gai turned to us, "Everything's alright Lee. You're all dismissed for today, meet at

the training grounds at the usual time, I will have some news for you." and with that he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

I sunk deeper into the hot water, wondering what Gai-sensei will say. I kept wondering till I felt myself get light-headed, only coming to

the conclusion it might be another mission. I got out and grabbed my towel. Once dried, I changed into my nightclothes, and went to my

room while towel drying my hair. Haru wasn't in yet so I opened my window and sat at the edge. My mind would usually drift to back to

the island but I shut that out, savoring the calm night. Haru then walked in, "Nee-chan, you alright?" he asked, voice full of concern.

I smiled at him, ruffling his hair, "Did you grow taller when I was gone, shorty" I said teasingly. He made a face, "I'm not short. I'm still

growing, you know." he said pouting. I chuckled, "Of course you are" I smiled, "I'm turning in tonight, I have to wake up early to meet up with my

team". Haru nodded, "Night Nee-chan, I'm going to be with Grandma for a bit before I go to sleep". As Haru left I went to bed and

snuggled in the covers and let sleep take over. I stretched my limbs as I made my way to the training grounds. It was a bit chilly this

morning, so I had dawned on my sleeves on my jacket to keep warm. As I approached the grounds, everyone was already here except

Gai-sensei. I greeted my team, " Morning everyone." Lee was practicing on the padded tree, Tenten was sharpening her weapons and

Neji was practicing on the dummy. Everyone greeted me as I settled in grabbed inside the bag I was carrying and pulled out a canister

of water. I was practicing how to freeze water, I did it by accident once when I was sparring with Neji and froze him in place. Now I

needed to figure how I did it. After ten minutes of practicing, Gai-sensei had appeared, "Good morning my youthful team. I bring some

exciting news". We gathered to hear what he had to say, "What is it sensei?" I asked. Gai grinned at us, "I referred all you to take part in

the chunin exam"