[Aria's pov | The Academy]

Naruto had begun to eat lunch with us everyday, and we'd sort of brought him into the fold, I guess you could say. Sasuke was still iffy about it, and the pair of boys argued a lot, but we were friends, and I think that's all that really mattered. We'd brought Naruto into our turn-taking process when it came to lunch, and he couldn't be happier about it. We were becoming close, and fast. I was glad for that. I was glad for all of it. Naruto and Sasuke seemed to clash in some ways, but they were so much alike that they couldn't deny the clear opportunity for friendship that had presented itself. And with me here, they couldn't easily push each other away. Not with me working so hard to push them together.

"I'm sure you'll pass with flying colors, Naruto! You made one clone when you were training with Sasuke and I." I told Naruto in a reassuring way. He was shaking with nerves, his eyes darting nervously about. "I-I don't know." His voice wavered. Crap, I'm supposed to give him inspirational advice. "Rise up, Naruto! You can do it." Thank you music. You've always been a bit of a curse, but today you have saved me. "Hn. Don't be so afraid." Sasuke grunted, glancing at me. He had an earbud in one ear. I shrugged as if to say 'what else was I supposed to say?' and the Uchiha shrugged back. 

"I'm not afraid, believe it!" Naruto exclaimed hotly. Sasuke and I shared a look. "Alright, then go in there and kick ass, Naruto!" I patted his back, grinning. Iruka stood by the door, patiently waiting for Naruto to finish receiving his pep talk. The man who soon would no longer be our sensei gave me a soft smile, as though silently thanking me for being Naruto's friend. Sasuke and I subtly nodded to him. "You can do it, Naruto. Don't be an idiot." Sasuke's encouragement sounds really insulting, but I'm sure Naruto gets the gist of it, right? 

"Believe it." Naruto stood up, his fists clenched with determination. I gave him a thumbs up and a grin, and Sasuke grunted in what I guessed was heartening way. It's sort of hard to tell with him. Naruto gave us one last grin before turning and darting towards the door where Iruka stood waiting. I turned to Sasuke instantly. "You think he'll make it?" I asked him, leaning back in my seat. Sasuke adjusting his earbud. "Hn. I hope so..." He trailed off. "Aw, have you accepted him as a friend?" I cooed, poking at his cheek. He swatted me away, a blush rising to his face. I heard him click his tongue. "I guess he's not as bad as I thought he was." He admitted gruffly. I laughed. "I'm sure he thinks the same of you, Sasuke." I patted his back. He shot me a glare in return.

"Hey, Sasuke. What are we gonna do if we're not put on the same team?" I asked. We had always talked as though we'd always be together, with the same sensei, on the same team. We talked about going on missions together, and we worked on our teamwork, and tried to think of combo moves we could do together. Naruto had been working with us on that sort of stuff as well. "Then we'll request to be moved." Sasuke said gruffly. I frowned. "I don't think that's possible." I pointed out. "I'll make them." He hissed. "Alright, alright. Don't get your panties in a twist." I rolled my eyes. 

We sat in silence for a while before I was called out. I wondered how Naruto did. He hadn't burst in here beaming, but then again, nobody has. The exam room has a door that leads to the front, and school is almost over, so they're probably just having people exit through that door. That's probably what happened... yeah. It's gotta be. Naruto definitely passed, no doubt! There's just... he couldn't not pass, right? We worked so hard to get him to channel his huge chakra into those clones, and he'd gotten one flawlessly, and a second one passable! I hope he didn't panic...

I entered the exam room, smiling at Iruka-sensei and Mizuki-sensei. Mizuki has always rubbed me the wrong way, but I'm not sure why. It's probably nothing. It's just... he's not very nice to Naruto, and sometimes I catch him glaring at Iruka-sensei like he didn't something wrong! Only, Iruka is one of the kindest people I've ever met. I can't see him doing anything that would seriously make someone hate him. Besides, he and Mizuki were childhood friends, right? Maybe I heard wrong... I don't know. I could be imagining things. I've always been paranoid.

"Just make three clones, Aria! You passed the written part of the exam with flying colors, so even though your kunai throwing wasn't the best, you'll still pass if you get this part of the exam!" Iruka chirped happily. My kunai aim has always been wrong. It could be because of my music. It makes me vibrate sometimes if the song is intense enough, and every time we go to throw kunai, really intense dubstep music plays. The bass drops get me every time. 

"Hai!" I nodded, bringing my hands together. I carefully formed each handsign, closing my eyes and concentrating my chakra. I heard three simultaneous pops, and opened my eyes to see that I had managed to make three flawless clones. I lit up, turning to look at Iruka for approval. He was absolutely beaming with pride. "Good job, Aria! Come pick a headband." Iruka wrote some things on his clipboard, as did the smiling Mizuki. I bounced over. "Good job, Aria." Mizuki's smile seemed fake. Nonetheless, I still returned it.

My took one, bowed, and darted for the door. I looked for a good place to put the headband. My sweatshirts are usually baggy, so around the waist isn't much of an option. I wear spandex that end just above my knee, so I could tie it around my thigh. Some of my shorts are long though... I can't put it on my shoe, even if my boots are tall. The only real place is my forehead or neck. My hair, nowadays, is always pulled up in a tight bun. That's how I've worn it for years now. I'm wondering if I should cut it. It's gotten much too long. 

"Wait, I left Canterbury with Sasuke!" I realized, my eyes widening. I have to go get him certified as a ninja pet! I can't believe I just up and left him there! I was so nervous and excited that I forgot to bring him along too! I guess Sasuke will bring him, and then we can go together to get him certified as a ninja animal at the Inuzuka clinic. It'll be okay... he probably won't be too mad. And if he is, I'll just get him fruit cups... Yeah, it'll be okay. I'm getting worked up over nothing. Probably. I mean, he could be really really mad! Or maybe I'm just anxious... I don't know!

I went to look in reflection in one of the outdoor sinks, which were shiny and metallic. My bangs were parted unevenly, a majority of the hair going to the left, and the rest to the right. I think it would probably look best on my forehead, right? It seems like it would... yeah. That's how Naruto and Sasuke would wear there's, so I should too! That way we can all match. It'll be great. Probably.

Tying it carefully around my forehead, I adjusted it slightly to where it was straight. I grinned at myself, wondering if Kakashi was here. I turned to look for him, but I saw someone else instead. I paled, my eyes widening. My heart sunk into my stomach, and my eyes nearly watered. Naruto sat across the school yard on the swing he'd always seemed to gravitate towards, his head hung low, and his eyes sad. I rushed over immediately. It was apparent what had happened.

He hadn't passed.

~

I forgot Canterbury existed for a second but as soon as she starts ninja-ing out, he will too so-

This chapter was like, 1300 words long so that's better than 600... Yeet