Academy Arc: Graduation

It was the last day of before receiving two weeks off. Like everyone else, Yuina yearned for the break. Sensei had been more critical of her efforts the past few months and she strived to meet his standards. Maybe it was because she gave her full attention during classes. Maybe it was because she was a Hatake. Hatake was technically a clan even if they had decentralized over the years, but they were still codified to have a seat in the Clan Council. Maybe her hard work to catch up to Kakashi wasn't sufficient. He could have seen she needed the extra push, or maybe he saw her effort and it was Sensei's attempt at assisting her.

She wasn't the only one given additional attention. Sensei really dug in where he thought students needed to be for the second year. Yearly quotas could be scary. Yuina didn't miss the statistical use of quantifying effectiveness in qualitative jobs.

Once, just once, maybe she could ask her classmates for their perspective. They demonstrated their skills and insight over the year. No matter how she tried to rationalize it the thought left a bitter taste as it would reveal her own insecurities. It was a trait that began in her last time, where it could feel like everyone was waiting for others to make a mistake. This world then added additional fear into the equation because using people's weaknesses against them was a common and encouraged practice.

Yuina threw her kunai towards the targets once more before turning to the three she was sharing targets and supplies with: Ibiki, Nao, and Susumu. "Do you think my form is alright?" She could rely on those three to give her a sensible reply. She would have chickened out if it had been Goro or Kichiro.

She worried as they stared silently.

Worse, they turned to look at each other. Now Yuina was certain she didn't want to hear the answer. "Nevermind."

Ibiki released a breath. Susumu looked everywhere except in her direction. Yuina shouldn't have asked. Now she was even more on edge.

"You don't have to worry," Nao answered even though Yuina had been mentally prepared to move on. "You have better form than Natsu-nii."

"You have a brother?" asked Susumu.

"Two." Yuina already knew that. Nao was the youngest of three and quietly wished her parents would have another child. "Speaking of Natsu-nii, I wonder if he's passed yet."

Sato clapped his hands a few times. "Let's clean up and go back to the classroom." He looked in their direction and swelled with dread. He looked up at the sky, hoping the answer would exist in its vastness.

"I'm sure he did fine," said Ibiki as he pulled out several weapons from the targets.

"You know someone taking their test today too?" asked Miruku as he grabbed some weapons from a target next to theirs as well as some off the ground before placing them in a wooden crate. "I'm sure he'll do fine. If anyone should worry, it should be my cousin. Uncle has been complaining about how much he's been slacking. He thinks he's invincible because he learned to take over someone's mind." The Yamanaka were known for their mind techniques.

Even Yuina could admit that was a terrifying feat that went beyond her understanding. Substances were replicable. Meddling with metaphysical things sounded insane, but was apparently achievable with chakra.

"How lucky," Jun added. "I bet you two get to hear all sorts of stories from your families."

"Sometimes? There are things they can't talk about, and there are other things more interesting," answered Miruku.

"How boring," added Kichiro. "I'll be bragging about all my adventures to you when I graduate."

"Boys," Kurenai stepped next to Yuina. "Always looking for a competition."

"I like it." Mayumi joined grinning. "Aim big and all." Mayumi thought everything felt less scary that way.

"We still have several years before we have to think about that," said Yuina. When the time came, it would happen. Unlike childhood dreams, they were guaranteed to get there someday. She couldn't imagine making it all the way through the program and then failing.

Yuina picked up a full crate and carried it towards sensei.

"Huh? That was weird," said Mayumi to Kurenai. "I would think Yuina would want it more than anyone." She reevaluated her words. "Well, maybe not Jun." To Mayumi Jun was more of the big dreamer who went along with the flow of things, whereas Yuina was the one who went off meticulously, ensuring she reached her goals without the aid of others.

"She always tries her hardest but rules are rules." It wasn't like Yuina could take the exam just because she wanted to. She was probably tempering her expectations. Something Kichiro could learn to do. "Anyway, what do you plan to do during break?"

"I'm going to watch the Touitsu Odori. Mama says it's going to be bigger than ever this year."

"For Foundation Day?" It was a day celebrating the anniversary of Konoha's treaty. Kurenai remembered the lesson where they learned the history behind it. It was a day that wasn't established until after the First Great Shinobi War.

"Yeah. You should come if you've never seen the dance." The Touitsu Odori was a grand dance performance. It never ceased to amaze Mayumi.

"Yuina."

Yuina entered the classroom and was about to take a seat. "Yes sensei?"

Sato tried until the last moment to give any reason aside from age to hold her back at least one more year. "Can you go with Yoriko-sensei?" He looked at his colleague impatiently standing in the hallway.

Yuina wanted to question why, but following orders had been drilled in her head enough, so she agreed without question. She was sure it wouldn't take long to get an answer. Yoriko would be sure to tell her what she needed to do.

"Follow me."

They traversed through the halls to the other end of the building. It was an area she wasn't familiar with.

They entered into an empty room where a man stood.

"Took you long enough, Yoriko."

"Blame Sato."

The man coughed into his fist remembering they weren't alone. "I'm Masato. You must be Yuina."

"Nice to meet you." No one had yet explained why she was there.

They asked her to perform one jutsu after another.

Yuina fretted that this was an intervention. Had her fears been correct? She had three years of speech therapy in her last life despite it sounding all the same to her. She wondered if it was a repeat of that.

Yoriko's sigh broke her frown, but she still didn't seem happy. Yoriko looked to Masato who shrugged. "It's already been approved," he said.

What had been approved?

"Congratulations on becoming a genin." With an outstretched arm, Masato gifted her a forehead protector with Konoha's insignia.

Sorry, what? Yuina's brain fried, trying to compute Masato's words.

Yoriko handed her a form in succession. "This needs to be completed by the start of next week. Come back here and go to the identification office on the second floor. You'll get your photo taken for your I.D. card. New graduates are expected to be here on the last day of the month for team assignments."

None of this made sense. Yuina was supposed to have another four years. This had to be a mistake. She shuffled through her memories of the last year, trying to find anything out of place. It couldn't be that easy. Clans would constantly fight to show off their members if it were.

Everyone else was capable of the same. Asuma was a prime example. He was even the Hokage's son, so there would have been more incentive for him. Rin from Kakashi's class had been training on medical ninjutsu so her extracurriculars couldn't be the reason. She knew others trained at home too. Susumu. Miruku. Nao. Goro. Everyone.

They just took it easier at school when their guardians weren't on their coattails.

Think. THINK!

Kakashi was capable of everything she could. Better even. She had been modeling her life off him. The paradigm of age development for someone who largely forgot what it was like being so young. He was her benchmark for this world's expectations of growth and behaviour. Yes, she knew she rubbed off on him a little, but not in a way that could alter childhood development.

Sakumo never commented otherwise! Not once did he act like her actions were displaced.

Yuina reluctantly took the forehead protector and paper. She could barely feel the things she was holding. Her mouth felt numb even as she thanked them. Her feet felt numb with each step as if she had been in seiza position before, and not standing around for class. Sounds were drowned out. She perceived only a fraction that was within view. She felt distant, like she wasn't in control of her body. Like she was watching an unknown entity control her like a puppet as she walked back to class.

Was she supposed to go back to class?

There was only be ten minutes or so left.

She entered the room from the front door and sat in the nearest seat. It didn't matter that it was in the front of the classroom. She didn't want to see the eyes on her.

"What? No fair."

"Is it real?"

"How?"

"That's Yuina for you."

"Settle down."

Yuina couldn't put the comments to the person as she fixated on the forehead protector.

As soon as the class was dismissed, mayhem ensued.

She was bombarded with questions more directly. Thankfully, they talked over each other, which gave her an excuse as to not answer.

It still didn't feel real. She didn't want it to be real.

Who would let a five-year-old become an official mercenary? She thought Konoha moved past that.

Asuma paled, wondering if it was his doing. Did his plan work too well? He had never head of anyone graduating by the end of their first year. Was all his work for nothing? Would more attention go back to him next year? Others congratulated Yuina, but he couldn't find the words to do the same.

Mayumi was amused by the twist of fate. "Don't be that way A-SU-MA." Mayumi nudged him with her elbow. He usually only talked to her with Kurenai around or when he wanted to talk about Yuina.

Asuma grumbled as he looked to Mayumi who flushed brightly looking at Yuina.

"This is all because of her hard work. You talk about it all the time. Just because you'll miss her doesn't mean you have to be grumpy."

Great. Asuma thought the worse of it was Kichiro thinking he had a crush, but it was Mayumi he should have been looking out for. He thought her too ditzy for that stuff, but he should have known with how much she likes to gossip that she would be the person to assume such things.

"We have to let her go so she can spread her wings." Mayumi tried to recall the exact line from a play she saw, but figured it was close enough.

"Still, it's really early." Kurenai backed him up.

Asuma wanted to thank Kurenai. She was the only sanity there.

Yuina walked out of the class towards the front gate. She needed to go home. She couldn't process with everyone around her.

People still followed behind, praising and asking her questions.

Outside wasn't any better as Yuina saw Kakashi in the center of his own class.

How hadn't she realized it sooner?

Yuina would have realized it sooner if she hadn't been lost in her thoughts, but there was no way she graduated and he didn't. He tried to look aloof, but she could see his pride. His forehead protector was already securely tied to his head.

Was she supposed to congratulate him for something he took pride in when she thought this would doom them?

Maybe she could convince him of another path.

It sounded ridiculous even to herself. There were few things Kakashi desired. Becoming a ninja was more than a culture. More than a legacy. It was his burning passion. It wasn't something he would ever turn away from.

Yuina's senses mildly returned to her as she felt pain in her chest. She couldn't guide him to a safer life. Even though it was dangerous, she wanted to encourage Kakashi and help him achieve his goals.

Training was more than just becoming stronger herself. It was a way to make Kakashi happy.

Damn it.

She had an unconditional soft spot for him even now.

There was never truly a choice for her. Not when it involved one of them.

They could never end up like Dai.

Kakashi would continue to push onwards to heights she couldn't imagine.

Life just got harder with her realization. It sucked. Life was already on hard mode without needing to complete the optional achievements.

Yuina and Kakashi's eyes met through the crowd. There was only one thing she could do.

Smile.

She'd congratulate him later.