I spent the entire night reading into the book, specifically in the earth release section. Re-reading lines over, and over, and over again. Hours spent analyzing each and every word on the pages. Painstakingly looked over each individual syllable to make sure I understood.

And I can't fix it.

At least, not now, as I don't have access to chakra paper, or someone to teach me about earth release. Or experience.

Okay. I'm getting in a bit over my head with this, it's likely I'll have to wait until I'm finished with the academy to try it, but at least it's a solution.

"Ton'neru! It's time to leave for the academy!"

Dragging myself out of bed I threw a jacket on, mumbling all the way out the door, "I am so fucked."

Walking into the living room, I saw Jak-Jak sitting at the dinner table, playing with her food, y'know, like an adult.

She glanced at me her eyes widening, "Ya look terrible! Did ya sleep at all last night?"

I smacked my lips, "Mmmh."

She stared at me worried, "Are ya alright to go to class Ton'neru?"

Walking to the front door I reassured her, "It'll only be worse tomorrow if I don't go."

Jak-Jak leaned forward, "Are ya sure about that?"

I paled, "Just, just trust me on this."

She seemed unconvinced but nodded.

I shuffled outside, recoiling at the sunlight. Starting off onto my typical journey throughout Konoha's streets, at least, that's what I had planned until I saw Anko at the edge of the flats.

Sighing I walked up to her, my head hung low, "Why're you here Anko?"

She ginned at me, "Just thought you'd appreciate the company on your way to the academy! Also, to make sure you don't get lost in the library again."

How thoughtful of her.

"Look Anko, any other day, I would welcome your company with the warmest smile I could muster and open arms, but today?" I glanced up to her with tired eyes, "Today I just need some alone time."

She recoiled, "Daaamn! You look like death! Even with just your eyes!"

I let my head fall again, "Thanks for the ego boost Anko…"

I felt her place hand on my shoulder, "No problem! C'mon! Let's go!"

She completely ignored me.. might as well deal with it… where is she going?

Anko had taken a sudden detour to the left, "Hey!"

She peeked back around the corner with an annoyed look, "Yes Ton?"

I matched her look, "Where are you going?"

"To the academy, what's it look like?"

Deadpanning, I craned my neck up to her, "It looks like you're taking the longest way possible to get to the academy."

She huffed, "It's so we can go meet Ibiki alright."

I blanched, "You mean that giant kid in the Shinigami's fortress that was carving up someone?"

"That's the one, but isn't the Shinigami's fortress a bit of a stretch?"

"No."

She stared, and then turned back around the corner, "O-o-ok then, welp, you're coming anyhow."

My brow rose, "And who said I'm going with you?"

She slowly peeked her head out from the corner with a cold look, "What was that?"

I froze, "Nothing!"

"That's what I thought."

I smirked.

Might as well try to get some practice in, it might even save me my eyelids!

I molded some of my chakra into a genjutsu once more, taking into account the sound of my voice, footsteps, and of course, the visual component of me following her.

"Hurry up Ton!"

I looked up from the ground, "Give me a second!"

Turning the corner, I quickly cast the genjutsu directly onto Anko's retreating from.

And now, we wait.

I sat at the corner for a few seconds before I saw her turn around.

Did I fuck up?!

"I know you're tired Ton, but could you walk a little faster?"

A grin crept onto my face as I stared.

Finally! All that studying actually achieved something!

I turned back to my normal path, slightly happier and more energized than before, and strolled off, whistling a joyous tune.

At the academy however, that little boost was gone, both physically, and mentally, as I realized that whenever Anko got here… let's not think about that.

Sitting next to Hayate, I let my head hit the table.

"What's wrong Ton?"

I turned to face him, my head still on the table, "Anko."

And sleep deprivation, but that's not as scary.

He recoiled, "I see," He pivoted to look out the window, "Try not to get me involved."

Treachery… I still have to get him back don't I?

I stared holes into the back of his head.

Not worth the effort… might as well get some rest since I'm early.

As I felt my eyes close, I had one last, terrifying thought before succumbing to my exhaustion.

Anko's definitely going to get here while I'm out.

I was awoken by Hayate shaking me, "Class is about to start Ton."

I babbled incoherently, but raised my head nonetheless, "Mmmkay."

He shook his head, "I'm sorry."

Why's he apologizing-.

My eyes shot wide open. I turned as slowly as I could to my left.

"Hey there Ton."

I paled, met with the sight of purple, "Hi Anko, h-how was your trip here?"

"Oh! It was great until I realized you hadn't said anything the entire trip, and to my surprise, when I tired to get your attention, my hand went straight through you!"

Tsk, I knew I forgot something.

I raised my hands in surrender, "Now, Anko, we can talk about thi-," She pat my back, "It's alright Ton."

I let out a breath, "Really?"

She nodded, I smiled, "I'm glad that we can be mature about this," I turned to Anko, and realized something. She was smiling.

Innocently.

"What'd you do?"

She placed her hands in her lap, smirking, "You know, I don't know why you always hide your face, you look fine."

I felt a soft breeze on my face.

Wait what.

Reaching up to my face, my fingers met skin and I froze, fear clinching my heart.

SHIT.

My face went blank, "Anko."

She looked over at me as sweetly as she could, "Yes Ton?"

"Where are my wrappings?"

She put a finger to her chin in thought, "I don't know why you'd think I know."

This..this bitch! This is my life!

I stood up and looked down at her, my hand in front of her on the desk, "Anko," I glared down at her, clenching my other hand so hard it hurt, "Tell me, where my wrappings are."

She stared up at me with an innocent look, shrugging.

So, my life's a joke huh? A JOKE!

My hand was shaking now.

All the sudden, Anko's look changed, she looked, scared, terrified even, tears threatening to pour out of the corners of her eyes.

She was shaking, her breath quickening to the point of hyperventilating.

I unclenched my hand, confused, "Anko?" I reached for her shoulder.

She shrieked, curling in on herself.

What?

I looked around, and I noticed something. Everyone's staring at me.

Shaking.

I recoiled, a puzzled look in my eyes.

The door bust open, a blonde man appearing in the doorframe, kunai drawn.

I threw my hands in the air, "I didn't do anything!"

His eyes met my mine, a cold and calculating gaze holding me in place.

A small group of ninjas behind him ran into the room, running to me with weapons drawn. Everyone in class seemed to be back to normal if the shocked gasps were any indicator.

I stood as still as possible, my arms burning from being kept up so long, "I didn't do anything!"

The blonde man walked up to me, still with a cold glare, "You're going to have to come with me."

Didn't think I'd get a personal meeting with the Third Hokage today, but I suppose this is warranted.

I stood before the man with the hat, his hair in the early stages of greying, a pipe in his mouth, and a few wrinkles on his face, although I believe that was because of the dark look on his face.

"Do you know why you're here today Ton'neru?"

I looked up from the ground, my face in its usual stone mask, "Because of what happened in the classroom sir."

He nodded, pulling the pipe out of his mouth, "Yes, the amount of killing intent you exuded should be impossible for someone of your age," He placed his pipe back in his mouth, "I only want to find out why."

I nodded, swallowing my spit.

So that's what it was, but I've never done that before. At least, I don't think.

"Do you have any familial traits that could have led to this incident."

Shaking my head, I looked to the side, "Not that I know of sir."

I felt the cold grip of killing intent start to choke me.

"Are you telling me everything young Ton'neru?"

I nodded my head as fast as I could, attempting to keep from breaking down, "I-I-I have a kekkei genkai, but I don't think it should affect my killing intent."

He continued glaring, "What brought you to such a state that you would be able to do that?"

I gulped, shaking, "O-one of my classmates, Anko, took something very important to my survival, so I got scared."

The pressure disappeared just as quickly as it had begun, I glanced back up at the man, his brow raised, "We'll have to look into that later," He wrote something down and put it to the side, "Do you have any ill intent towards Konoha as a whole?"

I shook my head.

Why would I?

He glared at me, analyzing every part of my face, his gaze cutting through me.

Keeping his eyes on me, his face lightened, a small smile on his face, "I suppose we are finished then, you may leave."

I looked up at him, flabbergasted, "Really?"

He nodded, "You seem genuine enough, so if you say you didn't do it on purpose than I can only believe you, however, we will be consulting your caretaker about this kekkei genkai you speak of."

I nodded fervently.

"Dismissed."

I bowed before turning to go back home.

"YA WHAT!?"

I was forced back by the yell, "I just had an audience with the Hokage," I rubbed my chin, still unwrapped, "Also, you may get a ninja at your doorstep asking about our kekkei genkai."

Jak-Jak face palmed, "I thought I told ya to keep our ability a secr- what am I talking about, why'd ya have an audience in the first place?"

I crossed my arms, "First off, have you tried to stare down the Hokage and hide something? And second, I might've scarred my classmates."

Jak-Jak massaged her temples, "How?" She sighed, "Never mind, I guess we're stuck here then."

I tilted my head, "Why?"

She deadpanned, "Ya think they'll just let us go?"

I shrugged, "I don't particularly mind, it seems pretty good so far, pretty nice people too."

Jak-Jak sighed, transforming partially in annoyance, "Okay, okay, I can deal with this."

Rubbing the back of my head, I looked to the ground, "I'm sorry."

She huffed, "It's fine, I'm just gonna have to deal with," She shuddered, "Politics."

I laughed, and soon after, she joined in.

The next day as I left the house, Anko was not waiting outside for me.

I wonder why?

I took a deep breath, new wrappings adorning my face.

I'm going to have to apologize to Anko…and probably the rest of the class.

I looked up at the sky.

Still pretty early huh?

I sighed.

Might as well, I need something to focus on.

Turning back into my house, I grabbed the two library books, and started off towards my destination.

Walking into the building, I saw the old man from before, just as tired as before.

"Are you alright sir?"

He glanced up at me, "Just fine young man, it's simply how it is when you grow old."
I nodded, "I finished the other books I checked out, do you have any recommendations on what I should check out next?"

The man hummed in thought, "Well what're you looking for young man?"

"Something I can study ideally, I just need to unwind."

He tilted his head, "That's an odd way to relax, but I'm not one to judge," He looked towards the shelves, "Based on your last books, I'm assuming you're an aspiring ninja?"

"I suppose."

He nodded, "Well then you should try some shinobi history, our Kages, other villages, stuff like that."

"Thank you, sir, I assume it's in the history section?"

"I'd recommend checking the combat section, most of the history section is civilian."

I smiled, "Thanks once again sir."

He grinned back, "It's nothing young man."

I turned and gave him one more nod before I started off to the combat section.

What a nice guy.

I thanked the man before jogging out the door, wouldn't want a redux of what happened last time. As I walked through the streets, I noticed a few people glancing at me, whispering with their friends.

Probably should've expected this, there's a good number of prospects in my class. Lots of families.

Doing my best to ignore the looks I was getting, I jogged past the people around to the academy's front doors, catching sight of Hayate walking nearby.

Might as well start with him.

"Hey!"

He turned to me, his eyes widening, everything else freezing.

"Hayate! Are you alright?"

He stared at me, still locked up, "I-I'm fine!"

I sighed, "Look, Hayate, I'm sorry about yesterday, I don't know what it was, but I was tired, and frustrated," I shuffled in place uncomfortably, bringing my hand up to my wrapped face, "And scared."

Looking to the ground, I continued, "I messed up, I don't know how, I just did, and I apologize."

Silence reigned over us for a few tense seconds before I felt his hand on my shoulder, and I glanced up, he was smiling, although he was still shaking, "It's fine Ton, it was, it was just an unfortunate experience. For everyone."

I grinned back at him, "Thanks Hayate, I really do appreciate it."

He nodded his head towards the door, "No problem, want to head inside?"

I only nodded. We walked into our classroom, everyone's chatter died down almost instantly.

I turned to the class, everyone shuffled backwards.

I'll apologize later, when they're not as on edge.

Hayate and I walked to our seats, whispering rising behind us. I ignored it.

I turned to Hayate, "Do you think Anko'll come to school today?"

He only shrugged.

The door slid open.

Talk about timing.

The once boisterous Anko stepped inside meekly, looking as if she hadn't slept a wink since the incident.

She paused when she saw me, but avoided eye contact, slowly walking to her seat next to me.

I feel like a dick right now…she didn't even know why my wrappings are so vital... should I ask her if she's okay?...might as well try.

I hesitated, "Anko?"

She flinched back, "I'm sorry."

I leaned back to give her room, "Are you alright?"

She shook, "Yep."

Sighing I put my head down as I usually did before class, "If you don't want to talk that's fine, but let me know when you're comfortable with it, I'd like to apologize then."

She only nodded.

I frowned, and then I thought of a way to cheer her up, "Do you want to see something amusing?"

She turned to me confused and I smirked.

Half the class was bursting out with laugher while the other half resigned to just watching the spectacle before them.

You see, I cast a genjutsu on Duy, the spandex guy, while he was passing by the window. Nothing to serious.

I convinced him a fake love letter from Meinu had floated down to him.

How it actually worked, I don't know, but all that mattered now, was that Might Duy was on one knee, proposing to our auburn haired, sadist of a teacher, and even better?

She said yes.

Our teacher, thought to be a demon in human skin who's only purpose was our pain was blushing like a school girl while jumping up and down in Duy's arms.

I turned to Anko, "I guess I'm a matchmaker huh?"

She was doubled over wheezing.

Hayate chipped in, more confused than anything, "How'd you know?"

I leaned back in my chair, a satisfied smirk on my face, "I can't tell you that, I'd lose my future business."

As he turned back to the window, frustrated, I howled with laughter in my head for one reason, and one reason only.

I had no fucking clue it'd work.