Third Person's POV
*Flashback* Akira's age:7
Akira dodges the punch Lee throws at her. He is getting quicker and quicker. His movement becomes cleaner and not messy ones, he still has messy movements but he is quickly redeeming himself.
"Ah, I can't even land any punch or kick" Lee said as he tries to kick her side.
Akira just dodges it and smiles at Lee "Come on. You're getting it"
It's been five days since they first saw each other. Now she knows why Lee isn't in the Academy at the time. He said that he didn't go to the Academy that day because his classmates just keep laughing at him, even some of the Sensei's there also said that he can't be a shinobi if he can't use any Jutsu.
But he promises them that he will show them that even if he can't use any Jutsu he will still become a strong Shinobi.
Akira grabs Lee's hand and slightly throws him to the ground. She didn't put too much force on it to not hurt him. She didn't want that, she didn't want for him to have broken bones, she might know how to aid small wounds or big wounds but having a broken bone is different.
She releases her hold on him as he stands up breathing hard. "Ah, you're still too quick Akira" Lee said wiping the sweat on his forehead.
Akira pats his shoulder "Well, I can't be outdone by you that easily. We don't want that, I don't want that, Lee" She said teasing him.
Lee then positions again but stops when Akira shakes her head. "Umm, can we take a break...It's kind of hot you know." Akira said as she stares up at the sky. The sun was practically cooking them.
"Sure, Akira-san" Lee said giving her a thumbs up.
Akira deadpan at that, but she didn't say anything. Even if she says that don't call her that he still sometimes calls her like that but in exchange, she also calls him Lee-san, sometimes. Lee didn't mind it, so...
They both walk to a tree for shade. They slump tiredly. Akira looks at Lee "You sure don't need to go to Academy?"
"Hmm...My Sensei actually have some meeting with the other Sensei. I heard that most of the students don't have any classes. I felt bad for the students that have classes" Lee said then he drank from the water bottle he brought with him.
"Do you want?" Lee offers seeing Akira didn't have anything with her.
"Ah, no but thanks" Akira said shaking her head. She looks up at the sky and hums. So that's why Naruto keep bothering her last night. He said that it's unfair that the others don't have classes while they have one. She said that she can't and he can't really do anything about it. She chuckles at him, and that makes Naruto annoyed and brings up 'that' conversation. She already explained it to him, when he first enters the academy, but his really persistent.
Akira's brow twitches remembering that Naruto suggested cutting or not attending class. He even said that she should be also suffering with him in the academy. She thought he is being serious about studying in the Academy because he always hangs out with Iruka Sensei. Maybe it was the ramen he always bought them?
She can't help but sigh. Akira jumps when a plastic bag got shoved in front of her face. She can feel the hot temperature from it.
"Here" Akira's clone said. The clone looks at her impatiently.
"Take it already" The clone demands shoving the ramen again. The real Akira takes it with a sigh. Why are her clones like that...she is sure she is not like that...
"Here" Akira said giving one ramen to Lee, once the clone disappear.
"Oh, thanks. I didn't see you make any clones earlier." Lee said taking the ramen. He knows that Akira can make shadow clones and it confuses him. Not because she knows the Jutsu but because he never saw her in the Academy.
"And also I'm gonna pay you later for the food" Lee continued.
Akira looks at him and waves her hand dismissively. "What, no. That's a treat, you don't have to pay. And the shadow clone you said..." Akira said
"I made it when we are sparring. The line at Ichiraku ramen is always long." Akira explained as she blow the steam coming from the ramen. Naruto is right Teuchi-san really made good ramen or Naruto likes to say it, as the best ramen shop in their town.
Lee didn't argue. Knowing full well that Akira will not let him pay for the food. In the five days they know each other, Akira will always buy them food, he actually wonders how she has a lot of money, for her to always treat him. Maybe she has some savings...?
"Akira, can I ask you a question?" Lee said after slurping the soup. He actually wants to ask this the first time he told her about his experience in the Academy, but it slips out of his mind. But now is the time, that's what he hopes.
"Well, sure" Akira said after sipping from her ramen. The look on the boy's eyes makes her also curious about what he is excited and confused about judging by how his eyes twinkle and brows knit in slight confusion.
"Well, I told you about me being in the Academy...but how come I didn't see you there, or even heard your name? You're really a skilled person so I have the assumptions that you will be famous in the Academy" Lee said looking straight at her eyes.
Akira blinks at him. This is the conversation Naruto brought up last night. She didn't expect for this kind of conversation to be brought out again this time, but she didn't have a choice but to explain.
"Well, I'm not in the Academy..." She started.
"Huh!? But why?" Lee asks eagerly.
"Okay, okay... wait. So you see it's just that I'm not qualified, you know" Akira said and took a bite from her ramen
"But...you can make shadow clone?" Lee said, in more confusion.
"Well, There are some documents needed for me to be enrolled in the Academy. You know some papers...and I don't have that. Hokage-sama is still fixing it, but I'm not really eager in getting in the Academy, so it's fine even if I possibly enter the Academy late." Akira explained. That's the reason she tells everyone, that's the same reason she told Naruto last night. Even though he already knew it, since she told him that when he first enter the Academy and ask her the same question why she can't be with him in the Academy.
But Naruto insist last night for a more decent reason, it makes her sweatdrop. That's a decent reason for her not to be qualified in the Academy, after all, she didn't come from Konoha, she didn't have any background information with her.
She is practically a stranger. All she knows is her name because of the necklace she has. But...even if she didn't see the necklace when she woke up from her sleep that time, she clearly remember her name, it's like engrave in her brain. But other than that she didn't remember anything at all. Even now...well, she actually didn't try doing so.
She looks down at her ramen. She is not wearing that necklace anymore, it's just that she didn't want anyone to see it, especially now in her position. But it is kept hidden in a small box in their apartment, she didn't want to lose it. But she remained wearing the pendant she have. It was hidden under her t-shirt but even if no one can't really see it, she just didn't want to take it off. She felt like it connected to her in some way.
"I see..." Lee said and continues to eat his ramen. So that's why he never really sees her in the Academy, it actually makes sense.
Akira sighs and continues to eat. Even Iruka Sensei is still bothered by it. He said that she should be in the Academy. She told him the same reason, he seems to buy it...But she knows Iruka Sensei probably goes to the Hokage asking the same question. Maybe he even explained and beg for her to be in the Academy from the Hokage.
She sighs and sips from her ramen. Sasuke... Naruto talk about him last night. He said that he always shows off and girls always fawn at him. He said that if she is there probably she will beat Sasuke. Well, she didn't want that, by how he changed she doubts Sasuke would actually let it happen. But maybe...Sasuke still didn't change that much, maybe he is just putting up and acting though. She still hopes for Sasuke to at least talk to her again, even if it is for him to act rude to her, as long as he still acknowledges her.
She finishes her ramen at the same time as Lee. They both put the trash in the plastic bag and just sit there.
Lee really felt comfortable with her. His admiration towards her increases when some of his classmates make fun of him and she stood up for him. She said she is just passing by and it happen to encounter such a scene she can't just watch and ignore it.
Lee looks towards her and sees her just looking up at the sky, seemingly deep in thoughts. He sighs and lets the comfortable silence wash over them.
He can just train tomorrow again or later. Akira suggested to at least take a rest and not push himself too much, when he keeps passing out when they're sparring, also due to the sun's heat.
She also always wrap his hands with gauze, seeing the bruises and wounds become bigger and look worst every time they spar. She said what good it could be if his knuckles are always swollen...his hand might fall out before he even graduated the academy, she told him jokingly.
Lee sighs and looks at his hand wrapped with gauze, they didn't hurt as much anymore. He clenches his hands. He will show them that even if he can't use Jutsu he will be a strong shinobi by using Taijutsu.
Akira just looks up at the sky. She actually will have some dinner with Iruka Sensei and Naruto later. Iruka Sensei said that he will treat them. It's actually a wonder how Iruka Sensei is so close to her, even if she isn't really his student. She chuckles...It was those pranks...
Naruto and her become considered partners in crime, always. Even if sometimes she is actually not involved by some of Naruto's prank, she still always getting scolded. Well, she actually taught Naruto some of those pranks so, maybe she's actually involved mentally and in planning but not physically and on spot. Geez...
Akira's brows knitted seeing the flying creature, circling in the sky. What does a hawk doing here...No, more likely what do they need.
She looks at Lee and stands up. Lee looks at her in confusion "I'm sorry Lee. But I just remember that I have something to do" Akira said putting her hands in her pockets. The one week maybe will come to an end more early.
Lee stands up and gave her a sparkling smile "Sure, Thank you, I'm getting a lot better because of you." Lee said.
Akira nodded and turn her back to him. She is about to walk, but stops as she looks over her shoulder. "Oh, and I don't know if I can go here again." Akira said
Lee looks at her, getting confused about how the look in her eyes changes for a split second. Then she splattered a smile on her face. " I mean...I don't know when I can come back again here, but I'll try to go here if I can. Also... I know you will improve a lot more, maybe even better than me, Lee-san" Akira said. She is no Sensei. What she shows to him in their spars is different, far from what she is. She can't really risk doing more than that. Besides Lee will have a Sensei that sure will teach him more than what she shows him or even what she knows.
"It's really great knowing you, Lee-san" Akira said as she started to run away from him.
Lee tilts his head. It sounds different...He looks at his bandaged hands, he slightly clenches them. He will train hard more. If ever she didn't come there to have a little spar with him, he will definitely show her, how much he will improve.
Akira sighs and hides in a tree. She really felt bad...she felt bad for lying to people around her, but...she chose it, what can she do now? And that dinner...she will still definitely go with them. She releases a small amount of chakra and disappears from her spot. Now...what does the bandage man want...?
-skip- Akira's age:11
"100 more, Lee, Neji, Tenten" Gai said as he also did pushups, along with his new team.
"No way!" Tenten said collapsing on the ground breathing hard.
Lee looks at Neji, determination rises up in him seeing Neji easily do it. He will finish this.
This is the second day their team formed, they passed the examination that their Sensei gave them. He is really happy. He knew their Sensei even before their team got form. He truly admires him, his determination rising up after knowing that their Sensei also don't use any Jutsu and use only taijutsu. It encourages him to train more, their Sensei is really strong.
A thought crossed his mind as he pushes himself up with a lot more energy, this time. One year before graduating. He finally saw her in the Academy. She became quite popular in the academy, she is still kind of the same, but...he can't be really sure about that. The last time he really talked to her is when she was still nine and he was ten. And she acts really different at that time. She seems like she's in turmoil.
He always saw her in the Academy when their year level is going on the training ground of the Academy and practicing some shuriken. She is always with that yellow-haired boy, she seems really happy with him even though she always keeps a straight face, her eyes show a really different emotion towards the boy.
Even if sometimes they cross paths, Akira didn't seem to notice him. Her eyes always looking at the boy in front of him, who they can literally hear even if they are a few meters away from them.
Her eyes only wandering around her classmates and most definitely always lock on the book in her hand when the yellow-hair kid is not around or talking with someone.
He wanted to approach her but he is embarrassed. He didn't want to get her and his classmate's attention.
"Okay, now you guys. That's enough for now. Let's take a break and eat some barbeque to gain our energy. Later we will have a more intense training" Gai said giving them a sparkling smile and thumbs up.
"Finally..." Tenten said wiping the sweat from her face.
"Now follow me kids" Gai said enthusiastically as he walks excitedly. His students are following behind him, Tenten looking tired, Neji with just a smug look on his face, cross arms, while Lee has a really big smile with a lot of energy in him.
Gai look at Lee and gave him another smile and tug him with him, putting his shoulder around the boy. The villagers look at their energetic presence. He notices the different look on Lee, as if he remembers something or something happened, but that can't be right. They were training the whole time.
He notices a certain silver-haired jonin in a Dango shop. He heard he failed another team. Kakashi... his friend and rival will miss a lot of fun being a Sensei. He should probably have a talk with him when he has some free time later.
They almost stumble when Lee suddenly stop, Neji and Tenten hitting their back. "What's with the sudden stop?" Neji said this time touching his nose.
"My boy Lee, what is it?" Gai said looking at the boy but he didn't answer and just stare somewhere. His eyes focus on something as his eyes move following whatever he is seeing.
Gai look at where Lee is looking a smirk making its way to his lips. "Oh, my boy. Do you like her?"
Lee's head snap in his direction and scratch his head "what, no, no" Lee said a blush creeping out his face.
Gai internally cries. Oh, this is a springtime of youth.
Neji looks at where his teammate looking as Tenten did the same seeing a silver-purple hair...maybe the same age as them...
"Ohh... you know the girl Lee" Tenten said stepping forward, teasing Lee. Neji also steps forward to see the said kid more clearly.
"Well..." Lee said scratching his head, embarrassed.
"Now, this is the power of youth. Let's meet this Lee's friend" Gai said practically dragging all of them, forgetting what they are really supposed to do. Neji chokes at the sudden action.
"Thank you." Akira said after receiving the bag full of candy. Hmm... something to eat. Naruto said that he is going to train. She just let him, she will catch up there later.
She walks out of the store and looks around. The village is full of laughter and chattering. She continues to walk as she slowly opens the wrapper of the lollipop, her focus only on the candy.
"Oh!" She said bumping with someone, that literally just appear in front of her all of a sudden. Err- what the hell...
She looks up and sees a Shinobi wearing a green vest, thick brows, and a shining bowl cut. He must be a jonin or a chunin...
"Hi! I am Maito Gai, Konoha's Prideful Green Beast!" The shinobi said giving her a sparkling smile.
"Nice to meet you!" Gai said offering his hand to the kid in front of him.
Akira just look at him dumbfounded. Eh? He just looks at her waiting, eyes narrowing with the second passing. "Oh, I, well, glad to know you..." Akira said shaking his hand. What in the world happening...
"These are my students, Neji, Tenten, and especially Lee, he wants to tell you something" Gai said pushing forward his students. The guy named Neji just looks at her, arms crossed. The Tenten one wave at her.
She quickly move back when Lee got shoved right in front of her face. "Well, hi..." Akira said scratching her head out of confusion.
Gai look at the kid and his student Lee. Now Lee show me the power of youth!
Lee looks at Akira a blush creeping out his cheeks. W-what is he supposed to say...? "Hello, my names Lee! Nice to meet you Akira!" Lee said very fast bowing his head to Akira.
Akira tilts her head. Huh...? Eh...he didn't really need to repeat it and say his name to her...Even though they didn't see each other or talked for a long time, she still perfectly remembered him.
"Well hi, Lee-san. It's been a while..." Akira said putting on a small smile.
"A-akira...long time no see. I'm glad you still remember me" Lee said heads down.
Akira chuckles at him "Dude, why are you so awkward, come on. Your Sensei said you're going to say something, what is it?" Akira said encouraging him.
Gai's eyes water. What a youthful sight to see. Tenten and Neji just look at the two. They will surely know how and when the two met. Now with a close look to her... she isn't the same year as them, they were sure of it. She is the one in the academy that recently got enrolled.
"Now why don't we eat and continue this youthful conversation!" Gai announces hearing this, his student's stomach growl.
Akira's soul left her body when Lee's Sensei suddenly pulled her with them. What...
-skip-
Akira deadpanned looking at Lee's Sensei as waterfall of tears fall from his eyes.
"That's a really youthful story..." Gai said as happy tears continually falls from his eyes.
Neji just looks down with an embarrassed look on his face. Tenten is just looking at her Sensei with a sweatdrop. While Lee has a blush on his cheeks from embarrassment, after telling the story of how he met Akira.
"Umm...how am I being dragged here," Akira muttered looking at the food in front of them.
"The story reminds me of my eternal rival" Gai said as the tears stops falling from his eye.
The kid just looks at him as his student start eating when their stomach growls again.
Akira scratches her head. She isn't really hungry.
"If you like- Akira, right?" Gai said confirming her name
"nhn" Akira said leaning on the wall. Not really want to eat.
"If you want. I'd like to see you spar with my student Lee." Gai said. Now, he knows who is this girl Lee always talks about, who spar with him when he is still younger. How youthful of her to do that...
Neji looked at the academy kid. He is actually curious about how she fights. Lee isn't a strong type of genin, he doubts that this Akira is actually strong like how Lee described her. But her calm demeanor and how she acts shows otherwise from his perspective of her.
"It's true. Why don't you have a spar with Lee, since it's been a long time since you guys spar? It would be fun to watch" Neji finally said. Just wanting to see with his own eyes what this Akira can do.
Akira looks at them having a hopeful look in their eyes, while the Hyuga just keep looking at her intently. Man, she felt like he is trying to dig something from her...
She sighs. "Okay, why not?" Akira said tapping her finger on the table.
"Okay, so it's decided. Let's finish this food first." Gai announced digging in the food.
"Just eat Akira," Tenten said noticing Akira just look at them with uncertainty. Akira sighs and just eats. Well, they drag her here... not all of them but their own Sensei...
Neji observes Akira's every movement. He didn't take his eyes on her even when she looks at his direction. She would also return the same look at him before she turns her gaze to Lee and Tenten when they were asking her questions.
-skip-
"Lee, you really improve" Akira said landing on her feet and catching her breath. The 20 minutes spar Lee's Sensei setup is already done.
Lee quickly stands up from laying on the ground and smiles at Akira. "Of course I am" Lee said.
Gai watch her every movement intently from the beginning until the end of their spar. Judging from her skill...if she could just graduate now, she can probably be a genin or even more, despite the fact that she just enter the academy, but since there were now an age limit of 12 before graduating, she will only be given at that time a graduation exam to be a genin.
He is an experienced Jonin, Konoha's Prideful Green Beast. It may seem to the eyes of others that this is all her skills...but...he can perfectly see it, how she is still holding back most of it, most of her skills. He is a Taijutsu master...even if she tries to cover it up, by slight tripping, slight messy movement, he can perfectly see it. His curious eyes stare at her as she talks to Lee about how he can almost beat her.
Neji watches the fight. He isn't a fool not to see it. There is something more to her. She is showing a different her, no, she is showing them what she wanted them to see, she is limiting them from seeing more.
"You're still awesome. I should keep training hard more" Lee said scratching his cheek.
"Come on, you really become better. In no time, once you get missions. You will improve more, while I am stuck in the Academy..." Akira said tilting her head. Lee chuckles at that
A figure appears beside Lee with a sparkling smile. Gai smiles at them. "Isn't this radiating the word rivals." Gai said making them look at him.
"Rival?" Lee asked. He always listens to his Sensei. Their Sensei always has very inspirational words.
"Rival. It's someone who will push you to your limit. They are the ones who will make you improve more...It's just like how I am with my eternal rival. The spring of youth is just starting... and this is the perfect time for a rivalry!" Gai announced putting his hands on Lee's shoulder.
"What do you say Lee?" Gai said looking at him and then averting his eyes to Akira.
Lee perked up at the idea. Rival...an Eternal Rival. Neji is someone he rivals on his team and Akira...she is someone he wanted to beat and catch up just like Neji. He wants to become even better. "Yoshi! It's decided Akira you will be my rival!" Lee said making the same post as his Sensei. A sparkling smile and a thumbs up.
Akira's brows twitch. Wow, they actually look the same, green jumpsuit, and a bowl cut is the only thing missing...
"Rival?" Akira said pointing at herself. Lee nodded eagerly still with a sparkling smile. Lee gave her a hopeful smile. A rival...an equal...
Akira sighs. Sometimes things leave her no choice "Why not?" Akira said putting her hand in her pockets.
"Ohhh...what a youthful scene" Gai said squishing Lee even his other students didn't get pass it, also getting squished. Akira already back away expecting something like that.
"Well then, I should probably go, my little-Naru, is waiting for me" Akira said turning her back to them.
"I will wait for you to graduate. Until then, when you're finally a genin. The next time we have a spar I will definitely not lose. I will show you how much I will improve, Akira-san" Lee said, making her stop.
She looks over her shoulder. "Sure...I will definitely wait for it, Lee-san" Akira said with a smirk on her lips.
"Ja ne" She said giving them a two-finger salute.
"Oh! That's really youthful my boy, Lee! Let that power of youth continue by doing 1000 push-ups!" Gai announced positioning.
"Oohh! Hai! Gai Sensei!" Lee said as he quickly do push-ups.
"What?!" Tenten said almost collapsing just thinking about it.
Neji looks in the direction Akira went on. Humph...it seems like he already saw a worthy opponent on the next year's students.
*End of Flashback*