I am amazed by all of the positivity I'm receiving, thank you all!
T = Transition.
Thank you all so much again!
Before though, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for such a "break", I don't want to make excuses. I just couldn't deliver smh. It won't be like this again. I feel really bad. Sorry.
I've been reading a lot recently, I've tried to upgrade the quality of my work. Let me know how you like it please!
Thank you.
Far From It: Chapter 1
"It was Itachi…"
Naruto was shocked by those words, never in any scenario did he anticipate Itachi being responsible for the genocide of his own clan.
Naruto remained silent, grappling with how to react to the shocking sentence. Just then, the bell rang, marking the beginning of the day. He sat beside Satsuki, with Sakura on his right. Satsuki kept her head down throughout the lessons, unmoved by Iruka's attempts to lift her spirits.
After what felt like hours trapped in the classroom, the lunch bell finally rang. Sakura quickly moved from her desk, hurrying over to her blonde frenemy, Ino.
Naruto tapped Satsuki, thinking she might be asleep and not have heard the bell.
His assumption proved correct.
She raised her head slowly, squinting against the bright light that greeted her still drowsy eyes.
"It's lunchtime."
With a mumbled "okay," she slowly and gently approached Naruto, her hands covering her teary eyes as they walked away together.
"Here..." She handed him a pair of gloves she had knitted herself, hiding her face in embarrassment as she presented the gift.
The gloves bore the pattern of the Uzumaki symbol.
"Thank you for the gift and for you know uh.. remembering..." He scratched the back of his head with a smile.
It was his 8th birthday.
After school that day, they engaged in various activities. Although not Satsuki's favourite, they shared a meal of ramen, strolled around while chatting, pulled pranks together, and eventually sat on the Hokage mountain.
What might have seemed like rain to the people below were actually just tears streaming down from Satsuki's eyes.
Nothing eventful occurs in the missed years. One of the only time skips that I'm planning.
5 years later.
A cicada's mating chirp was heard in the drop dead heat of Konoha.
In the academy, all the boys pitied Naruto, as he consistently found himself in the company of the girl they collectively considered the "prettiest in the grade."
"Team time today!" Naruto's enthusiastic proclamation echoed as he wiped away a bead of sweat from his cheek. Satsuki nodded in acknowledgment, her long, flowing hair cascading down to the midst of her back. Amidst their conversation, the vibrant blue high-collared crew neck she wore added a subtle touch of elegance to her demeanour.
Their joy was tempered by a shared awareness that the likelihood of ending up on the same squad was slim, given the academy's balancing rule. Naruto, while not the most academically inclined, wasn't at the bottom of the class either. Satsuki's presence undoubtedly contributed to his standing, creating a subtle but significant influence on their academic dynamics.
"You think we'll be on the same team..?" Naruto asked.
"Not really, I hope so. I wouldn't be able to stand any fanboys on my team, they'd drive me insane."
The shocked elders of Konoha sat around a table.
"We can't have them together, it would ruin the balance, Hiruzen!" Danzo shouted out at the Hokage.
"Relax, Danzo. It will not be a problem, no team is imbalanced with this team existing."
"The two smartest in the class, and then the Kyuubi? That is not very balanced!"
"I'm with Danzo."
"There's a reason for this team, and as stated earlier, every other team is very balanced. There is no worry. Also, despite Shikamaru's clan, his scores point to him barely passing."
"We all know it isn't because he's not intelligent! His clan is known for being lazy and smart, we've seen this with many other Nara's in the past!"
Hiruzen shook his head in response, picked up the paper and started reading it to himself.
'Satsuki, Naruto and Shikamaru.'
The class started to settle down, remembering what the day was.
"As you all know, today is the day you receive your squads, but before that, I just wanted to say how proud I am to have had you all as my students and I wish you the best in your career as Shinobi. Good luck."
A pin drop could be heard.
"Alright, come over to see your teams."
He flipped over the paper, revealing all the teams.
Every kid rushed over to the paper, anxious to see their squads.
"Tell me who's on my squad." Satsuki told Naruto, receiving a nod.
Yells of excitement could be heard, multiple expected sigh's also rang out.
'Where am I.. there!'
Naruto located his name, he looked to the left, noticing Uchiha and Nara. He had definitely hit the bullseye. Being paired with two of his best friends was definitely a good thing.
His eyes shifted to the left, noticing the name Kakashi as their teacher.
He made his way to Shikamaru, barely containing the happiness that plagued his body.
"We're on the same squad!" He said, a smirk appearing as he finished.
Naruto walked over to Satsuki and repeated.
Satsuki could definitely see the squad's dynamics, and Shikamaru, embodying his laid-back nature, didn't seem too bothered or enthusiastic. Instead, he appeared more fixated on the table, following his typical lazy demeanour.
They all made groups with their teams, then talked and or stayed quiet awaiting their new Jounin leaders. One by one a Jounin teacher would pick up their teams, after a while of waiting, the second last team was picked up.
Kiba, Ino and Choji.
Shikamaru fell into a deep REM sleep just within a couple of minutes of his eyes being closed, pin-dropping silence filled the entire room they occupied, the occasional words echoing whenever any words were said even if whispered. Hours and hours passed as they sat waiting for their Jounin, anxiety piling on every minute that passed without their newly selected leader being present.
And finally it happened.
The door opened.
This moment felt like slow motion for the awake members of the newly formed squad, Satsuki stood up after hours of being seated in the now smaller than ever academy chairs, her back aching with pain. She motioned at Naruto to wake up Shikamaru, which he did in an instant, walking over and placing his hand on his shoulder, shaking him gently until he awoke.
"Is he finally here?" He asked as drool fell down the sides of his lips.
"Yup, I am…." His five fingers inside a black glove being waved.
'They don't look very anxious huh..'
"Meet me on the roof. Maximum five minutes." He finished off his very lacklustre and underwhelming introduction. Not even mentioning his name.
The tension was high, all three members wearing poker faces, trying their hardest to not let the moment get to them. Pain was swelling up in their chests, knowing what was at stake. Their heart rate and breathing rate sped up to an extreme pace as they stepped out into the hallway they all knew far too well.
~Step Step Step~
One foot lifted after another, they finally made it up the stairs, meeting an already waiting Kakashi. His book covered his already half covered face, the single visible eye glaring in amusement.
'Oh.. well this might be fun..'
As they approached Kakashi, a lukewarm gust of wind hit them all, rustling Naruto's spiky hair and moving Satsuki's long, straight raven coloured hair.
"In time, great job, Team 7!" The newly formed teammates took his enthusiasm as a sign of sarcasm, they didn't think their new sensei wanted any part in them.
"Alright, let's do… all your names, likes, dislikes, dreams and hobbies.."
He raised his index finger at Shikamaru.
"Go."
He started.
"My name is Nara Shikamaru, I like sleeping and watching clouds.."
He paused to think. As he put his hands behind his head, interlocking his fingers.
"I don't find fighting very fun. My dream is to have an average life. My hobby is playing shogi."
"Great example." His finger moved towards Naruto.
"Go."
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto, I like ramen, I don't like the time it takes to let the ramen cook in the water."
He chuckled.
"My dream is to be Hokage. My hobby is playing pranks." He paused.
"My likes are spending time with friends and probably ramen, my dislike is uhh, maybe the time it takes for ramen to boil.."
Kakashi gave what the students could tell was a smile even through his mask just by his singular visible eye.
The sun hit her as she realised what the silence meant.
"My name is Uchiha Satsuki, I like ... certain foods, I dislike …" she stopped, remembering the one thing she hated most, her own blood brother.
"My brother.. My dream is to avenge my clan, my hobby is." she hid her head in embarrassment.
"Nothing.."
"Good. Now as a precaution, we're gonna have a little tiny test tomorrow to see if youre all ready to be Genin. If you fail this test you're going to be sent back to the academy."
'After all that we're still not genin.. And another test.. What a drag.' Shikamaru's lazy mind was devastated.
'Come onnn!' Naruto complained to nobody.
'...' no words for the Uchiha.
"Training ground three, 5:30 in the morning. Latest."
He started walking off.
"Oh and try not to eat breakfast. You might vomit."
He disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"I say we should go eat now, you guys?" Naruto asked the entire group.
Shikamaru shrugged.
"Nothing better to do."
Satsuki answered
"I'm in."
Beep Beep Beep!
The orange alarm went off on the nightstand on the right side of Naruto's bed, the shorter hand on four, longer hand on 5. His curtain was slightly open, no light shining into his room.
He lifted his body, laying his back on the hard and smooth wood frame supporting his mattress. His eyes shut closed as his head pushed back until it was against the frame, his chin pointing to the sky.
He eased into a set of stretches, every limb being extended to the max. He opened his mouth wide.
'mmmmngh' (T) *Yawn*
Shikamaru gently brushed away the tears that welled in his fatigued eyes. Shikamaru woke up naturally, his body instinctively knowing the right time.
'5 extra minutes never hurt anybody…'
He shut his eyes, craving just five more minutes of rest.
Unfortunately for him, his body wouldn't give in, his brain unable to rest on such an important day.
He took a breath in, letting a deeper breath out, sighing. He sprung up, sporting his go to matching pyjamas, the crewneck top and relaxed sweatpants. The clothes were dark as the night, the Nara symbol engraved in red on the rear of the top.
His gentle gesture sought to dispel the remnants of sleep lingering in the delicate corner of his eye.
He stood up and lifted the bed sheet, preparing to reshape the neatly arranged layers of fabric.
'Whoosh'
The sheet gracefully unfurled as he lifted and then descended his arms, methodically flattening it out from the end of his bed.
One more.
'Whoosh' (T)
Satsuki finished making her bed, all black sheets covering the perfect white mattress.
She swung open her door, heading straight for her bathroom.
The faucet turned on, and after applying toothpaste to her toothbrush, she began to brush her teeth, glancing in the mirror, she noticed two lines by her eyes, resembling Itachi.
Quickly wiping her eyes, she tried to push away thoughts she didn't want on her mind that day.
Thinking she had sufficient time, she decided to take a quick rinse.
A very cold rinse.
—
"I swear he makes us wait on purpose." Naruto rolled his eyes as he finished.
Shikamaru replied, eyes closed, "Yeah, it's really annoying."
"Is he trying to kill us...? Waiting here is like torture." Naruto asked, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
Satsuki's head was down, she had her arm crossed, leaning against a tree.
"Whe-"
As fast as Naruto started complaining he stopped, as a puff of smoke appeared. Instantly, every team member sprung into defensive mode, ready for whatever awaited them.
"Relax, my little genin! It's just me!" Kakashi put his hands up in a manner to show he isn't a threat, his tone laced with a touch of sarcasm.
"Alright..." Kakashi reached into his pocket, retrieving two bells, his visible eye crinkling in a mysterious manner.
He switched from sarcastic to serious. "I have two bells, whoever gets the two passes. Whoever doesn't is going back to the academy, if no one is to get any bell, all of you will be sent back."
"Only two?" Naruto wondered out loud
"Yea, whoever doesn't get will be sent back to the academy. I'm only taking two of you."
'Woah..' Naruto thought.
'Impossible…' Satsuki thought.
'… can he do that?' Shikamaru thought, his mind flooded with every genin squad he's ever seen, he knew there was no such thing as a two-man team.
"I think that's al-." He was cut off by a dashing Naruto.
'What the hell, Naruto!' Although she didn't look the role, nor would she ever tell him, he made her very anxious in a lot of moments, this was one of them.
'No, Naruto!' Shikamaru mentally facepalmed.
Kakashi blocked the attack effortlessly, making Naruto fall back multiple feet, as a drip of sweat fell down Kakashi's forehead.
"I didn't even get to say start!"
And like that, there's the first non prologue type chapter, and I'm really sorry for the break guys, I know I said I'd get one out within a week or whatever but for real I'll try to have a new chapter out in a week. I promise.
Have A Good Day and a happy early Christmas if you celebrate!