Parents and family members were waiting outside the Academy building to see their children when I arrived.

"My apology as I attempted to squeeze past everyone. I was able to squeeze through around five people before I reached the front door of the classroom. Once the door opened, every student, including the sensei, turned to face me.

While everyone was staring, I walked to my normal seat, close to the teacher.

Having ignored everyone, they remained silent before returning to their previous conversation after I took my seat...

As I leaned against my arm, I stared out the window. I was trying to clear my mind so that I could concentrate on graduation. I needed to think about something other than my current circumstances at home.

"What's the matter, Uchiha?" A voice shouts

When I paid close attention, it was only Ichirou.

"He's so irritating," I muttered under my breath.

"Ichirou, leave me alone," I said.

"Uchiha, what did you say?" Ichirou taunted, "I can't hear you," as he and his pals began to chuckle and laugh.

They had also been tossing crumpled-up pieces of paper at the back of my head.

I couldn't keep back my rage because I was still in a sour mood.

"I told you to stop bothering me and leave me alone!" I yelled, slamming my fist against the wooden table in front of me.

At the outburst, the entire class fell silent, and most of my classmates' faces were frozen with surprise.

Even our Sensei was surprised. Ichirou and I were often arguing with each other. But I've never had an outburst in front of the entire class; I'm typically cool and collected, even in stressful situations.

He merely stood there, staring at Ichirou, breathing deeply out of rage, then returning his attention to me with the same expression as everyone else.

The realization that I had just had an outburst in front of the entire class added to my frustration.

"Ahem," the sensei exclaims, capturing everyone's and my attention.

Is there a problem, Haru, he wonders?

It's nothing, I muttered as I sat back down in my chair.

As a result, the class never resumed their previous conversations and instead began muttering to one another about what had just occurred.

It went on like this until we all had to congregate outside in front of the Academy.

Once everyone was outside, we were divided into lines that were separated by each classroom and each Sensei for the class.

We would be the first students from each class to graduate from the Academy, so it was a major event. So many villagers, parents, family members, and friends have gathered to congratulate us.

It was supposed to be a great day, but it was simply awful, and all I wanted to do was get it over with and get home so I could take care of my mother. To be honest, I didn't want to do it, either. I didn't feel motivated to do anything; instead, I felt empty.

And I've never felt this way before.

After ten minutes of waiting outdoors, applause and claps greeted the appearance of the Hokage in front of everyone. Uncle Izuna and Old Man Tobirama accompanied him.

Then, old man Hashirama singled out for everyone to be silent. Once everyone had done so, he began to talk. Everyone is paying close attention to what he is saying.

I, on the other hand, wasn't paying attention because his remarks were all congrats and looking forward to seeing the wonderful shinobi we would become in the future.

Looking around, it was clear that many adults and students were feeling emotional and pleased. I hoped I could feel how they did, but I couldn't.

My mind was drifting off into space, unconcerned about what was going on around me. I had no idea they were calling up each of the graduates and giving them their headbands and vests.

making their way down the list of students one by one. When they called my name, I didn't hear them.

"Haru Uchiha, the next graduate"

"Please come up, Haru Uchiha."

"Hey, Haru, go up already," a student named Luck in my class nudges me, pushing me out of my thoughts and bringing me back to reality.

"Oh, sorry," I responded, nodding and walking up to the platform where old man Hokage stood.

As I approached him, he grinned and rubbed my shoulder. I took the headband and vest from his hands with two hands and a bow.

Straightening my back and gazing up as I meet uncle Izuna's gaze, he grins and says, "Your mother would be proud."

I certainly hope so. I went off the platform with a little smile on my face. There were still kids being called after I reached the end of my class's line.

With everyone applauding and clapping, it was finally time for the last person to be called. She was a student in my class.

To be honest, I had never heard of her, let alone that she was a classmate. She had to be one of the quiet kids who didn't engage much or stand out.

"And now for our final and final Graduate of the day." "Would you please come up to the platform, Yuki Futuba?" The Hokage made the announcement.

"Yuki Futuba, are you here?" he asked again. With no answer, many of the students in our courses began whispering to one another.

"Has anyone seen her today?"

"No, I didn't see her at all," stated another kid.

Then our sensei approached him and began chatting to him. It was difficult to hear what he was saying over the din of parents, family, and friends, cheers, and student talk.

It was most likely because she wasn't even here. Sensei then moved away from us onto the platform.

"Ahem," said Old Man Hokage.

"With Yuki Futuba's absence, I'd like to announce that the first-ever Leaf Villages Shinobi Academy Graduation has come to an end."

"Congratulations to everyone newly promoted shinobi!"

"I trust you do everything in your power to grow, serve, and protect this village with the will of fire within you." Following that, he concludes his remarks.

Once he was silent, the audience erupted in applause and cheers.

To be honest, I felt better during the ceremony, but now that it was over, my anxieties began to return.

The Sensai quickly began directing the students to their parents and family members.

No one went home straight away; instead, it was more like an after-party with people just hanging around with one another.

I was sitting alone, not chatting to anyone. I didn't make many friends at the Academy since I stayed to myself and only talked to people when I had no other option.

I'd spend all of my time at the hospital, either waiting at my mother's side or training.

"Hello, Haru!" a voice yells out

Looking in the direction of the source of the voice. Uncle Izuna is swinging his arms in the air and shouting out to me.

My sigh escapes my lips. I got up from the bench and walked up to him.

"What is it now, uncle?" I asked, " looking at him?"

"Aw, kid," he exclaimed as he threw his arm around my neck and began squeezing my head.

"Hey, let go!" I screamed as I struggled to free myself from his clutches.

"Come on," he urged as he let me go.

"What are we doing?" I asked, soothing my aching head?

Uncle Izuna stated as he began walking in that direction, "to the woods."

"What are we going there for", I wondered as I trailed behind him?

He said this while glancing back. "I initially heard from Lord First that you awakened your Sharingan while I was away."

"Now that you've graduated from the academy, you're a Genin."

"It's probably time for you to learn how to use it." He elaborated.

"That's fantastic." Excitement was mounting in me as I said this.

I'd completely forgotten that I'd even woken it up. I haven't used it since it appeared in the hospital the day my mother awoke from her coma.

This should be a lot of fun.