Here's another chapter!

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. . .

I glared at Kame-chan from the corner of my eye.

She remained oblivious.

My eye twitched.

Kame-chan then turned her head, a light giggle forcing its way past her lips. Her blue hair swung with the motion, and she paused to briefly flick it out of her face.

From his place beside me, Yashamaru coughed quietly.

I sighed heavily, releasing my pent up frustration of the past month into the abuse of bandaged hands.

I had been sitting next to Kame-chan for a month.

And it pissed me off to no end.

During class I was expected to sit next to her.

During group or partner assignments I was expected to sit next to her.

It was driving me crazy!

Kame-chan stared blankly into the distance, idly tapping the end of her pencil against the wooden surface of the desk.

Tap tap tap

My eye twitched.

Tap tap tap

I scowled, resisting the urge to box out my ears.

Tap tap tap

"Stop tapping!" I finally exclaimed, whirling in my seat to face her.

The pencil dropped to the desk.

Clang!

I growled, seizing her wrist in my hand and shaking it furiously.

Kame-chan smirked, cooing, "Aw, does that bother you, Aka-chan?"

"I wouldn't want to satisfy you, now would I, Kame-chan?" I said coldly.

Kame-chan's smirk dimmed somewhat, and it remained shaky on her face, "You made a made a mistake the moment you insulted me," she whispered through gritted teeth.

I chuckled, but it was cold and filled with no emotion, just a dead, cold promise, "And you made a mistake the day you insulted my hair, Kame-chan," I whispered back, my voice sounding like ice.

Kame-chan looked near-shocked, but I didn't really take any satisfaction in my verbal victory. In fact, I was quite surprised at how cold and near-emotionless I had sounded back there.

I frowned, flexing my bandaged fingers.

What's happening to me?

It was as if the academy was draining everything from me with its oppressive cream walls that seemed to go on for eternity.

I'm breaking, I realised.

Sunagakure was breaking me.

It was ripping me open, and soon enough, all of my secrets would be out in the open.

I felt a flash of hatred for the village that was so sudden, that it caught me off guard.

I loved this village, right?

Suna is so dreary.

Huh?

It's a hell hole.

No, stupid voice, Suna is beautiful!

I hate it here.

Okay, I don't think I'll listen to this voice.

It's fucking weird, that's what.

I glared down at the piece of paper in front of me, squeezing my pencil until it creaked and threatened to snap.

When I saw the question, I glared even harder.

We had to answer some sort of shitty survey, and by reading the questions, it only served to get me even more pissed off than usual.

For example...

Question eight

What do you think of Sunagakure?

I didn't why the question made me feel the barest hints of anger in my stomach, but as I began to think, I slowly began to understand.

Sunagakure had turned Sasori into a sociopath that cared for no one but himself.

Sunagakure may have redeemed itself in the case of Gaara, but he had still been hated and unloved.

Sunagakure was the cause of Gaara's descent into an uncaring sociopath that craved for blood.

My pencil snapped.

It's all their fault.

I stared down at the piece of paper, shaving and pieces of wood littering the fine black print.

I buried my face in my hands, uncaring to curious gazes that were directed at me.

Sunagakure is a hell hole.

...

...

...

Tap tap tap

A consistent tap at my elbow.

Tap tap tap

I blinked.

Tap tap tap

I looked down.

A pencil rested innocently in the crook of my elbow.

Confused beyond belief, I took it into my free hand and looked up.

Indigo eyes pierced mine, and Yashamaru smiled faintly.

"Use it," he said, "it's yours now."

My eyes went slightly wide at his kindness, but slowly, a smile as faint as his began to bloom on my lips.

"Arigato," I whispered.

I wiped away the pieces of shattered wood on my desk and began to meticulously answer the questions.

I didn't dare answer them truthfully, because if I did, then I would be answering a niggling worry in the pit of my stomach.

A few moments later, I heard Sensei say, "As soon as you finish your survey, then you can leave."

As soon as he said that, I began to scribble on my piece of paper with renewed vigour.

When I reached the last question, I scribbled in some mindless nonsense and got up from my seat and began to approach the teacher.

Sensei looked up when I approached, "Finished already, Yūmaru-chan?"

I scowled at the use of my too manly sounding name, and merely handed him the piece of paper clutched in my clenched fist.

Sensei accepted the crumpled piece of paper, and his eyes roamed the text, "I can't even read this, it's completely illegible."

My eyes widened as something dawned on me.

He wouldn't...

Sensei caught my reproachful look, and he smirked, "Don't worry, Yūmaru-chan, I won't get you to read it out to the class. It is, after all, a private survey."

I frowned, and Sensei's smirk dimmed.

"Why do you refrain from smiling?" He said it softly, gently, as if there wasn't a class of curious children that loved to eavesdrop.

Naturally, I felt pissed, "It is, after all, a private affair," I answered stiffly, mocking his words from earlier, "so if you would excuse me, Sensei, I'd like to leave."

Sensei simply nodded, and no more words were exchanged.

I was glad.

Really, really, really glad.

I was making my way down a familiar corridor when someone suddenly called my name.

"Hey, Yū-chan!"

I swiftly turned, and I wasn't the least bit surprised bit surprised to see that it was Karura.

I barely knew her, but what I did know was that her class was let out earlier than mine.

"Yeah?"

When she came to a stop in front of me, I noticed that she was still donning a scarf even though it wasn't remotely cold.

"Hey," she huffed, I noticed that her cheeks were flushed, "I want to know if you wanna hang out with me? I was gonna get Yashamaru-chan on my way."

"Hang out?" I repeated the words as if they were a foreign concept.

Karura grinned, "Yeah! We could go somewhere to eat. Just you, me, and Yashamaru-chan!'

"Nobody's ever asked me to "hang out" before," I said quietly, a faint smile curved my lips, "I'd like that, Karura-chan."

Karura grabbed my wrist, "C'mon, then, Yū-chan!"

I allowed her to tug me along, my heart was racing along with me and I smiled a genuine, beautiful smile.

Is this what it feels like to have friends?

We arrived outside the classroom that I had exited only minutes earlier, and we had come just in time to see Yashamaru coming out.

"Yashamaru-chan!" Karura cried, "d'you wanna hang out with me and Yū-chan?"

A look of near-adoration crossed Yashamaru's face, and he nodded, "Sure."

And this is how I found myself crammed me in a booth at a local tea shop with Yashamaru and Karura.

"What d'you wanna order?"

I shrugged, eyes scanning the menu, "I dunno. What're you ordering, Karura-chan?"

Karura hummed, "Probably tea," she chuckled, "not that I can afford anything else."

"I'll have tea, as well," Yashamaru added quietly, he then turned his indigo gaze on me, "and you, Kishi-san?"

I nearly groaned, "Why do you keep calling me by my last name, Yashamaru-san?"

"I barely know you," he pointed out.

"Then can you at least call me by my name?" I pleaded, "just call me Yū-san, I don't really care, but none of this last name business."

Yashamaru smirked, "Whatever you say, Yū-san."

I sighed, "I think I'll just order tea, then. I don't have enough money for anything else."

A few minutes later, we ordered our drinks, and soon enough, they were sitting in front of us.

I picked up the steaming cup and held it to my nose, inhaling its contents.

I nearly gagged.

It smelled wretched!

Cautiously, I pressed the brim to my lips, taking a careful sip.

Almost immediately, my eyes widened, and I took another sip.

And another.

And another.

Soon enough, I as sculling the enitre cup, and it was only moments later that it was all gone.

I pouted at my empty cup, and as I did so, someone cleared their throat. I looked up to see Yashamaru gazing at me in amusement.

His sister was also wearing a similar look, but it was exploited by childish innocence.

All I could say about the tea was: "Wow."

Karura giggled, nursing her own cup of tea, "Wow, Yū-chan, I didn't know that you liked tea so much."

Yashamaru smirked at me from over his own cup, "You were drinking it as if you could die at any possible moment."

"Maybe I really like tea," I retorted defensively, meeting the smirks of my friends with my own, "besides, you drink as much as I do, Karura-chan."

"I may drink a lot of tea, Yū-chan," Karura said dismissively, "but probably not as much as you!"

I snorted a laugh, but I couldn't really hold it in.

I burst out laughing.

Yashamaru gazed at me quizzically, as if to ask 'what are you laughing at?'

"I-I don't even know why I'm laughing!" I cried, "but for some reason, Karura-chan just makes me laugh!"

Even Karura cracked a smile, though it was more amused than genuine.

"Hey," Karura suddenly said, smacking her hands on the table, "the Genin exams are coming up in a few months, will you be taking them, Yū-chan?"

Take the Genin exams?

I frowned, resting my chin on my palm, "I dunno," I said truthfully, "don't you think I'm a little young for that, Karura-chan? I mean, I am only six."

"Yashamaru's taking the exams," Karura interjected, "so I think you should, too."

My frown deepened.

From what I remember, Yashamaru had made Genin at elevin, and Chūnin at sixteen. From there, he became an ANBU and the Fourth Kazekage's right hand.

So if he wanted to become a Genin at seven, then my presence must have really changed the timeline.

"I don't know if I should," I murmured, looking down at my empty cup, "take the exam, I mean."

"Aw," Karura pouted, "give it a try. If it makes you feel better, I'm taking it, too."

"I don't know," I remained unconvinced.

"Don't tell me you're too scared," Karura taunted.

My frown dissolved into a scowl, "Never!" I said fiercly.

Karura smirked, "Let's play truth or dare!"

I blinked, "Why the sudden change of topic, Karura-chan?" I asked as we payed for our drinks and exited the shop.

"Nothing," Karura answered slyly, "I just wanna play truth or dare. Is that such a bad thing?"

"Not really," I replied a tad cautiously, "but are you serious?"

""Course I am," Karura said smugly, "now are you gonna play or not?"

"I'll play," I said cautiously, "but only if Yashamaru-san plays, as well."

Karura turned to her younger brother, a devillish glint present in his eyes, "Yashamaru," she practically cooed, "will you please play truth or dare?"

Yashamaru remained aloof for a few moments before, abruptly, a mischevious glint appeared in his indigo eyes, "Sure, whatever floats your boat."

Karura cried out in delight before turning to me, "Yū-chan, truth or dare?"

I smirked, calmly saying, "Dare."

Karura seemed pleased with my answer, "Yū-chan, I dare you to... uh, I dunno, hug Yashamaru."

I choked on my own spit, my cheeks flushing red.

Yashamaru seemed to be in a similar state.

"H-Hug?!" My voice was oddly high-pitched, but Karura didn't seem to care.

She nodded, "Yeah! Go on, Yū-chan! Hug Yashamaru, already, would you?!"

I approached the other six year old cautiously, spreading my arms wide.

"Just do it," Yashamaru muttered.

I shakily wrapped my arms around his shoulders, pulling him in for a quick, tight hug.

My chest briefly pressed against his, but after about two seconds, I quickly pulled away, blushing furiously.

I angrily turned to Karura who was, by then, laughing her ass off, "Don't you ever get me to do that again!" I cried angrily.

Karura finally stopped giggling, and she raised her head, still smirking, "You shouldn't have chosen dare, then, Yū-chan~" she sung.

I growled, "Karura-chan," I snapped, "truth or dare?"

Karura hummed, "I think I'll have to choose truth," her smirk grew, "I wouldn't want my ass to get handed to me through a dare!"

I sighed, a faint smile coming to my lips, "Alright, then, Karura-chan," I paused to think for a moment, "I can't really think of any questions, so I'll go with this really stupid one. Karura-chan, if you ever had a son, what would his name be?"

Karura didn't really think, she merely grinned instead, "Well, I've always liked the name Kankurō. So if I ever have a son, then I'll probably name him Kankurō."

"Yū-san," Yashamaru's voice sounded, "truth or dare?"

I smirked, "Dare, of course," I answered, "truth's too overrated."

This time it was Yashamaru who smirked, "Yū-san," he began,"I dare you to try the upcoming Genin exams."

Silence.

Then-

"WHAT?!" I burst out, causing various passerbys to stare at me, "are you serious, Yashamaru-san?!'

His smirk widened, "Of course I am. But seeing as you're the dead last, you'll prbably fail anyway."

"Fine!" I fumed, "I'll do it! Happy?!"

Yashamaru grinned the first grin I had seen him bear, "Ecstatic."

I never realised, that by agreeing to his dare, that that single promise would impact my entire life.

. . .

I balanced Akito on my lap, my fingers weaving through his bright red hair.

"So," Mum began, "what's this about becoming a Genin at seven."

Akito whined in discomfort as I ruffled his hair, "Yashamaru-san dared me to," I mumbled.

"And who is this "Yashamaru"? Mum inquired, taking a sip of tea from her cup.

I eyed her tea jealously, but I forced myself to respond, "He's a just a friend, Kaa-chan. He made me promise to try the exams out."

"But do you want to become a Genin so young?" Mum persisted, "Takashi-chan was older than you and look where he is now."

"Onii-chan was eight," I pointed out, "only two years older than I am right now."

Mum sighed, "I don't know if I want my only daughter to become a ninja," she murmured mostly to herself, "especially when she has an illness that could easily tax her down in combat."

"Kaa-chan," I interrupted, giving her a faint smile, "it's fine. I actually can use my chakra. But only in small amounts, and even then it's taxing to my coils. So far, my limit of using jutsu is three. Sensei already taught us the Clone Jutsu, and he's moving us onto the Transformation one."

"Show me, then," Mum said, giving me a hard look, "I want to see your jutsus in action, Yū-chan."

I blinked, "Uh, sure, Kaa-chan."

I stood up, cradeling my brother against my chest and turning around, setting him gently onto the seat I'd just vacated.

Akito gazed up at me with his big black eyes, I gave him a soft smile in return, patting his already spiky hair.

"Okay, Kaa-chan," I said, "I'll show you the Clone Jutsu and what I already know of the Transformation jutsu."

Sensei had made us memorise all the various hamd seals, but I still couldn't remember even half of them.

I clapped my hands together into the very familiar seal that Takashi had first taught me when I was only three.

"Clone Jutsu!"

Smoke poofed around me, and Akito gave a sudden shriek of delight.

I grimaced at the feel of the acidic sludge that was my chakra, spitting out a tiny globule of blood. The blood trickled past my lips and dribbled down my chin.

I wiped it away with a careless shrug, marvelling at the clone I had created.

Unlike before, the clone didn't look as if it was going to fall to the ground dead.

Unfortunately, while my control was reasonable, I absolutely sucked at Genjutsu-based techniques.

The clone was missing a great big chunk out of its torso and head, half of its face smiling back at me.

I frowned, swiping my hand through its malformed head and making it disappear from existance.

I turned back to Mum, "That good enough for you, Kaa-chan? I've been working on that jutsu for months!"

Munm hummed, "It's pretty good for someone your age," she said, "though Takashi-chan's was more advanced than yours is."

"Yeah, 'cause he's some sort of prodigy," I answered bitterly.

"He only graduated that early," Mum explained explained softly, gently, "because he was forced to fight in that damn war."

"And it was the biggest fucking waste of time in the entire world!" A familiar voice cried.

"Takashi-chan!' Mum scolded, "don't use that sort of language in front of Akito!"

"Whatever," Takashi muttered in response, he then turned to me, "why don't you show me that Transformation Jutsu of yours, Yū-chan?"

I nodded, "Right!"

It felt strange for my jōnin brother to take an interest in my academy, given that in my old life, I had had two sisters instead of two brothers.

I clapped my hands into the same sign as earlier, concentrating on Mum's visage.

Long black hair...

Bright green eyes...

"Transform!"

A puff of smoke wreathed around me, and I looked down at my hands.

Instead of their normal pale colour, they were patchy and tanned.

My mother's light green robes replaced my own light blue ones, but they were missing parts, revealing my robes' colours instead of hers.

I shrugged, at least it was better than my first try the previous day.

I then fingered my new waist length hair.

This I had gotten correct.

Instead of my natural crimson hair, the strands were a deep black colour- a colour that neither I, Takashi or Akito had inherited.

I looked back up at my family, "At least I got Kaa-chan's hair right," I said sheepishly.

Takashi just sighed harshly, pinching the bridge of his nose woth his thumb and forefinger.

Mum gave the her-me a weird look.

Akito shrieked with laughter.

... yep, I'm definitely ready for these Genin exams.