Ayakashi's ears twitched as she arose from her sleep, rubbing at her eyes as she sat up. She opened her eyes, glancing around the room as it came into focus. She heard a light snoring from beside her, causing her to look down at the boy sleeping soundly next to her. Her eyes floated to the clock sitting on his dresser.
6 a.m.
She pushed the covers off of her, tugging the shirt down as she got off the bed, making sure not to wake her friend. She grabbed her clothes from their spot on the windowsill, pulling them on one by one. Looking back at Naruto, she left the room, letting him sleep a little longer.
She unlocked his door, stepping out into the new light. She pulled her hat down on her head, shading her eyes from the rising sun as she headed towards the Hokage's building.
She kept to herself as she passed by the many early risers among herself. She looked up at the tall building as she arrived, opening the doors in the front. She stepped inside, walking up the stairs on the inside.
"Hokage?" Ayakashi knocked lightly on his door. "Are you here?"
"Come in."
Ayakashi opened the door, peeking her head around the door. "Good morning, sir."
"Ah, Ayakashi." the older man looked up at him, holding his pipe in his hand. "How was your first day?"
Ayakashi frowned, closing the door behind her. "It… Well…"
"Not so great, hm?" the Hokage blew some smoke out from his pipe. "Iruka came and told me what happened."
Ayakashi looked down, clasping her hands and folding them in front of her. "I suppose it didn't go so well."
He stayed silent, causing her to look up at him. He then smiled, setting the pipe down on the table in front of him. "You don't have to wear that hat around me, Ayakashi. I won't make fun of you."
She sighed softly, pulling her hat off of her head. "The other villagers don't seem to like me very much. The kids don't seem to understand why I have these, though."
"Unfortunately, the adults in this village know about it. I made them swear to keep it from their kids, in hopes that you could make some friends yourself."
Ayakashi frowned, taking a seat in front of the table. "I'm not sure how well that's going to go."
"Kashi!"
Ayakashi's ears perked up, causing her to turn around just as the door flew open.
"Kashi! There you are!" Naruto bent over, catching his breath. His clothes looked like they were thrown on hastily and his hair was a mess. "I've been looking for you! Why did you leave without telling me?"
The Hokage raised his eyebrows as he looked between the two children. "Leave? Did you find somewhere to stay?"
Ayakashi looked over at him, ears flattened slightly. "Well, only for last night."
"Old Man!" Naruto stepped forward, grinning. "Can Kashi stay with me?"
"With you?" the Hokage thought for a moment before looking at Ayakashi. "Well? It's your decision."
She glanced at Naruto, noticing his waiting expression. Glancing back at the Hokage, she nodded. "I'll accept it."
Naruto laughed loudly, grinning. "Alright! So it's settled!"
Ayakashi chuckled softly, glancing at the Hokage. He smiled along with them, nodding.
"You guys should get going. Don't you have the graduation exam to take?" he said, picking up his pipe.
"That's right! We need to go!" Naruto grabbed Ayakashi's hand, pulling her onto her feet.
"Before you go." They stopped, turning back towards him. He smiled gently, tossing Ayakashi her bag that he held onto the day before. "I think this belongs to you."
She smiled, letting go of Naruto's hand to catch the bag. "Thank you, sir!"
They ran out of the building, heading towards the ninja academy together. The other villagers watched them run past, some scowling, some turning away. They arrived at the academy as Naruto looked at her, taking her hat and pulling it off of her head. She grabbed at it, trying to take it back.
"We can do this, Kashi." he frowned, putting it in her bag. "Together."
She frowned, her ears flattening as he reached behind her and pulled at the base of her tail, taking it out of her holder and letting it free.
"I'm not so sure about this." she said softly. He retained his serious look, staring into her eyes.
"You'll do fine."
She nodded as she followed him inside, heading towards their classroom. They stepped inside, causing the others to look at them. They had arrived a bit early, so Iruka wasn't there yet. The students who were there stared at Ayakashi, frowning at her as their conversations stopped. Her ears flattened against her head as they walked to their seats.
"Look at her."
"Those ears."
"What about that tail?"
Ayakashi's ears flicked around as she listened to the others, anger bubbling inside of her. She growled softly, clenching her fists on the table.
"Hey."
Naruto placed a hand over hers, wiggling his fingers through hers and intertwining them. She looked up at him, her eyes wide as she stared at him. He smiled at her, letting his head fall to the side slightly.
"It's okay. Just focus on me."
She nodded, staring at him with a small smile. He chuckled softly, a light red colour dusting his cheeks.
"Ayakashi."
Her head snapped up as she stared at the one who spoke her name. She stared at a boy with pale eyes and brown hair.
"What do you want, Neji?" Naruto said, clutching her hand tighter.
"I'm not speaking to you. I'm talking to Ayakashi." Neji replied, keeping his eyes on her. "I want to know why you have those absurd things. And what's with your eyes?"
Her tail swished as she glared at him, her different coloured eyes glancing over him.
"It's none of your business!"
Ayakashi glanced over at Naruto, her dark red eye landing on him as her forest green eye followed. Neji's mouth twisted into a frown as he looked at him.
"I said I wasn't talking to you."
"Well I'm talking to you!" Naruto stood up, slamming his hand onto the table. "You don't need to know anything about her. So leave her alone!"
Neji scoffed, walking past them as he went to take his seat farther up. Iruka walked in moments later as the rest of the class followed, all clamoring about the upcoming exam.
"Alright everyone! Take your seats and we will begin with the exam!" Iruka said, holding his clipboard in his hand. "Let's start!"
"I'm so excited!" Naruto grinned, squeezing Ayakashi's hand tightly. "I have a feeling I'll graduate this time!"
Ayakashi smiled at him, nodding in agreement. "I know you can do it, Naurto!"
The number of the other students slowly dwindled, leaving a few others, along with Naruto and Ayakashi.
"Next up, Kiba Inuzuka!"
The boy with the dog stood up, grinning at his puppy as he left the room.
"I must be next!" Naruto exclaimed, standing up quickly. Ayakashi giggled quietly as Iruka stuck his head back into the room.
"Ayakashi Mahato!"
Naruto groaned, sitting back down as Ayakashi smiled at him as she stood up, standing as she went to take the exam. She walked out of the door, following Iruka to the exam room.
"Alright, Ayakashi. Good luck. I know you'll do well."
She nodded, smiling at him as she opened the door to the exam room, stepping inside.
"Ah, you must be the new citizen we've heard about." the other Chunin smiled at her as Iruka took his spot with them.
"Y-Yes."
"Alright. Ayakashi, was it?" one of them said, straightening a pile of papers in front of him. "You may go ahead and perform the clone jutsu."
Ayakashi frowned momentarily, Naruto's face flashing through her head. 'I wonder if he'll be okay.'
"Ayakashi."
Her ears perked up as she looked at Iruka. "Y-Yes, sensei?"
"You will need to make 3 clones of yourself. Do you think you can do that?"
Ayakashi nodded, stepping forward so she could perform the jutsu. She raised her hands, making the hand-signs for the jutsu. She finished, closing her eyes. "Clone Jutsu!"
Poof.
She heard clapping as she opened her eyes, seeing three other clones of her. She released the jutsu, standing up straight as Iruka motioned her forward.
"Only two days here and you're already a Genin for the Village Hidden in the Leaves." Iruka smiled, holding out a headband. "Congratulations, Ayakashi. You're a full-fledged ninja now."