"Akari Kita!"

I lift my head from the desk, squinting down at Iruka Sensei. "Yes?" I mumble, leaning my head on my palm. A few snickers pass through the class, which I choose to ignore. Iruka Sensei sighs. "It's your turn," he says.

"My turn?" I echo stupidly.

He glares at me. "Your turn for the graduation exam," he says slowly, in that irritating way all teachers seem to use. I push myself up from my seat, kicking back my chair, and slowly make my down to the front of the class. I pass a dejected looking Naruto and raise an eyebrow at him. He pouts and turns away, arms across his chest. How badly did his exam go?

"So," I say. "What Jutsu am I doing, Sensei?" Iruka Sensei pinches the bridge of his nose, refusing to look at me. "The Clone Jutsu," he says, in a way that tells me he's tired of repeating himself for my benefit. He does it a lot, actually.

I shrug. I'm not as lazy as Shikamaru at least. That's got to count for something. I make a handsign, holding it in front of my chest. I gather my chakra and say, "Clone Jutsu." In a flash of smoke that burns my eyes, two very real-looking Akaris appear beside me. I narrow my eyes at my clone's hair, wondering why I didn't brush out my bed-head this morning. Oh wait. It probably got like that when I fell asleep in the middle of class. Again.

Someone claps behind me. I look over my shoulder to see Hinata, blushing slightly as several pairs of eyes turn on her. She's being nice, unlike some people.

I turn back to Iruka, who's now smiling. I'll admit, he's the reason I actually try to do well. It's just funny to see my Sensei's goofy smile, which he shows whenever I do something right. "Good work, Akari," he says, nodding. "See what happens when you put forth a little effort?" I shrug, undoing my Jutsu. He sighs again. "Here, you've earned this, I guess." He tosses me a headband with our signature leaf symbol on it. I grin slightly at the sight of it. Despite my lack of enthusiasm with school, I've been looking forward to being a Shinobi for a while now. Then I frown, looking back at the class.

Everyone's passed.

Except Naruto.

Oh boy. Kid must be hurting on the inside. I mutter a thanks to Iruka, then head back up the steps. But instead of heading for my own seat, I take the empty one next to Naruto. He looks at me out of the corner of his eye but says nothing.

The Nine-Tailed Fox, I think to myself. I've only heard stories about the beast, but I know it killed a whole lot of Hidden Leaf Ninja twelve years ago, before the Fourth Hokage sealed it inside a child. That child happens to be sitting next to me. The fact that he has a demon inside him doesn't bother me all that much, not like it does the others. As long as he doesn't go on a rampage and try to kill everyone, I'm just going to see him as Naruto Uzumaki, "Future Hokage", as he puts it. But unless he gets better with his Ninja skills, that dream will always be just a dream.

I'm rooting for him, though, since I don't think anyone else in my class has the desire to become Hokage. We all like the Third, and don't really enjoy the idea of not having him around. But he'll have to go someday, I suppose, and if Naruto cleans up his act a little, he might just be in the running.

"You ok?" I ask him quietly. His eyes widen, surprised at my concern, before they narrow at me. "Stop pretending," he mutters, turning away again. I sigh. I figured he'd react like this. No one ever really talks to him. They just point and whisper behind his back. I've seen him outside on the lonely swing just in front of the Academy, all by himself, watching the other students. He doesn't trust anyone to say a kind word to him, and I'm not surprised. I myself don't really acknowledge him, either, but I don't mock him. It isn't much better, but I don't think he'd accept me as a friend. Not if he doesn't believe I have good intentions, anyway.

"Have it your way," I mutter, getting up again and moving to my real seat. A few people turn to look at me strangely and I roll my eyes at them.

People just don't understand how to be nice to others, do they?

"Hey, why were you talking to that runt?" Kiba asks from his seat in front of me. "Runt?" I repeat. "You guys are always getting into trouble together. I thought you liked him at least a little bit." Kiba frowns, his eyes downcast. Akamaru, his little Ninja Hound, barks from atop his head. Why Kiba decides to bring him to class, I'm not sure. It's not like he can show of his combo attacks in the classroom. Well, he could, but he'd bust about a dozen holes in the walls. Yeah, that would impress everyone.

"Okay everyone, class dismissed! Remember, come back tomorrow for your team assignments!"

People flood out the doorway, jamming through the relatively small opening, excited to tell their parents about graduating. I follow more slowly, pausing to wave to Iruka Sensei before exiting. He smiles at me, and I know he likes me, along with every one of his students. Even Naruto.

Happy squeals and excited murmuring greet me as I step outside into the bright sunlight. Everyone is with older siblings and parents and friends, telling them the good news. Except for two kids. Sasuke walks slowly home, hands in his pockets, his chin up. He ignores the mob of girls staring adoringly after him. And then there's Naruto, sitting on the swing, his forehead against one of the ropes. The breeze makes him sway back and forth gently. I can't help but feel hollow as I look at him. Maybe I should--

"Hey! Akari!"

I jerk my head up, searching the crowd for the familiar faces of my Mom and my older brother, Masaki. I spot them pushing through the throng of people towards me. When I look back at the swing, Naruto is gone, the swing left swaying in his wake. Hm. I wonder where he went. He usually sits there for a while.

"So you graduated!" Masaki says, finally standing in front of me. I grin a little. "Yeah," I say proudly. "Nailed my graduation exam." I pull out my headband and tie it around my waist like a belt, smoothing out my silver skirt and pulling down my mesh leggings so that they're just above my knees. Masaki slides an arm around my shoulders, tugging me in the direction of home. "Nice job, little sis," he says, a cocky grin on his face. He's fifteen, so he's been a full-fledged Shinobi for three years now, but he's still a Genin. I know if I make Chunin before he does, it will be the ultimate victory.

Now all I need is a good team to help me realize that goal.

***

A call outside startles me from my sleep.

I sit up, leaning on my elbows, blinking in the light of the moon, streaming through my window. It sounded like an alarm call. I rub my eyes, swinging my feet to the floor. I walk to my window and peer outside, squinting to make out the scurrying figures on the ground. The Ninjas are running around frantically, some dashing from roof to roof. They look like they're searching for something.

Or someone.

I spot Third Hokage in the streets, several dozen Leaf Ninja surrounding him. He seems to be the only calm person in the whole Village right now, his kind eyes trained on an orb in front of him. Images flash across the orb's surface. Something bright orange appears, then disappears just as quickly, seemingly swallowed by foliage.

Naruto.

What else is that obnoxious orange color in this entire Village?

Someone shouts that they have to go after "him". I assume "him" is Naruto. What's that knucklehead done now? To have the Village on such high alert... Ugh. He's going to get himself arrested. Or worse.

Then Thrid Hokage chuckles, silencing all the other Ninja. I can't make out what he says, but it only seems to infuriate the Ninja. They start arguing with him, but he ignores them, turning back to the orb.

Hm. If the Third thinks everything is alright, then there's no need to worry. I stretch my arms above my head, yawning, before walking back to my bed and lying down. Gotta get up early tomorrow anyway.

***

I dress quickly in the morning and make my way to the Academy. Hm, this'll be the last time I come here for a while, won't it? I'll miss this place, and the kids here. They certainly made class interesting, when I was awake to see it at least.

Everyone is already in our classroom by the time I get there. I head up to the last row of seats and take an empty one. There's a slight commotion as Sakura, her pink hair flying, dashes to get the seat next Sasuke, causing Ino to yell out some insult or another. I think she says "Billboard Brow" or something. Really, her forehead isn't that enormous. In a huff, Ino sits beside Choji, who is utterly oblivious to her presence. He chats to Shikamaru, while munching on BBQ chips. Shikamaru releases a sigh and, catching sight of me, lifts his hand in a lazy wave. I return it, adding a small smile. My fellow sloth.

I face the door when I hear it open and Iruka Sensei steps in, carrying a clipboard. He stands in the middle of the floor, waiting for our chatter to die down. Then he lets his gaze travel over all his former students. "Well, let's get on with it!" Kiba shouts impatiently. Several others shout their agreement. Iruka scowls, then looks down at his clipboard. He starts spouting off names, indicating what team each of us is on.

I'm not really listening until he says, "Team Seven will consist of Naruto Uzumaki-"

The energetic blonde boy looks up eagerly.

"-Sakura Haruno-"

Her head bangs against the desk while Naruto cheers.

"-and Sasuke Uchiha."

I smirk quietly as Naruto and Sakura reverse positions, with Naruto's head colliding with the desk and Sakura shooting up out of her seat, joy plain on her face. Sasuke sits impassively, hands linked in front of his face. Naruto starts shouting at Iruka Sensei, and he replies by saying that Sasuke has the highest scores in the class while Naruto has the lowest, so they were placed on the same team to achieve a sort of balance. Naruto reacts poorly to this, jumping on the desk in front of Sasuke an engaging him in a staring contest.

I can practically feel the tension sparking off those two. Man, they must really hate each other.

The boy sititng in front of Naruto suddenly backs his seat up, causing Naruto to tip forward and--

Kiss Sasuke.

Oh. My. God.

After a moment of shock, Naruto and Sasuke spring a part, both spitting with Naruto clawing at his tongue furiously, trying to remove the other's taste.

Sakura gets up angrily and thumps Naruto on the back of the head, her eyes blazing. He falls off the desk complaining, "WHY SAKURA?!"

I roll my eyes. Glad I'm not on that team.

"Team Eight!" Iruka Sensei calls, breaking up the chorus of laughter that was spreading around the room. "Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, and Akari Kita." My teammates all turn around in their seats to find one another while I look down at them. As they spot each other, they each turn to me. I smile easily, actually glad of who's on my team. Hinata smiles timidly at me, Kiba studies me through narrowed eyes, and Shino... Well, Shino acts like Shino and just looks at me.

"Team Ten will be Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara and Choji Akimichi."

So that's Team Ten? Not the most productive bunch, are they? Oh well, I'm sure they'll be fine.

As Iruka Sensei has finished announcing the teams, I head down to greet mine. They're standing in front of the first row of desks. Kiba leans back casually on the polished wood, the ever-present Akamaru atop his head. I give the puppy a wave and his tail begins to wag, thumbing Kiba's head. An embarrassed-looking Hinata looks at me through cautious eyes, a tentative smile on her face. I smile as well, studying her pale purple eyes, the signature trait of the Hyuga Clan. I incline my head to Shino, knowing he doesn't talk much. He does the same, his eyes hidden behind dark shades.

"So," I say. "Nice to meet you, Team Eight."

Before the others can say anything, I hear Naruto shout and turn to watch him as he shoves Sasuke, right out of his chair. I raise an eyebrow, wondering if he'd gotten stupider overnight. Sasuke jumps to his feet, a cold scowl on his otherwise attractive face. He brushes some black hair from his face and turns away, deciding Naruto isn't worth his time. Sakura stares adoringly at him, then turns montrous when Naruto takes a challenging step forward. She lunges at him, knocking his head with her fist, causing him to drop to the floor in pain, wailing, "Sakura!"

I sigh, turning back to my team. "I thought he didn't even pass," I mutter, making Hinata blush. Kiba huffs, crossing his arms over his chest. "Little runt's got a lotta catching up to do before he can take on Uchiha," he says, rolling his canine eyes. "Well, at least Sasuke hasn't killed him yet," I say, much to Hinata's dismay. "N-Naruto is s-strong," she insists, peeking at him over my shoulder. She pushes two of her fingers together, just in front of her face, her cheeks aflame. The gesture makes me see her as someone very young. I wonder how she'll fare as a Ninja.

"I wonder where our Sensei is," I say, looking towards the door hopefully. Several teams have already left, having met their Sensei. Just as I'm about to turn away, a tall pretty woman in a white bandage-like dress over a mesh blouse enters. Her arms and thighs are also wrapped in bandages, with a red sleeve covering her right arm. Her red eyes startle me as she sweeps her gaze around the room, everntually stopping on us.

She crosses the room quickly, her steps deliberate and graceful. She smiles when she reaches us. "I'm Kurenai Yuhi," she says pleasantly. "I'm the Sensei of Team Eight. That is you guys, right?" I nod, along with Shino, as Hinata makes a non-committal sound and Kiba gapes. Never seen a pretty woman before, eh?

"Great!" she says with a smile. "You're my first team, and you look like good kids. Now, let's get your names." She gestures to me to start, so I shrug and smile. "I'm Akari Kita," I say.

"Shino Aburame."

I can't help but stare at Shino, having only heard him speak once or twice. His voice is strange, but not like it would be if he never used it. It's almost creepy.

"Kiba Inuzuka! And this little guy's Akamaru."

Akamaru yips, as Kurenai Sensei nods knowledgably. "I thought you'd have a Ninja Hound," she says. "Don't all the Inuzuka work with them?" She says this to herself, as if recalling something, and Kiba decides he doesn't need to answer. "And you?" Kurenai says, turning to the very shy Hinata.

"My n-name is H-Hinata. Hinata H-Hyuga."

I smile encouragingly at her, which only makes her blush. I look back up at Kurenai Sensei and frown. From the look on her face, it's as if she already knows Hinata. But Hinata didn't say anything... Well, she probably would've been too nervous to admit it anyway.

"I'd like to see how all of you fight," Kurenai says suddenly. We all look up at her quizzically. Fight? Who are we fighting? "Since there are four of you, instead of the usual three," she says, "we can have a quick bout to see your different fighting styles." She smiles as she says this, as though the idea amuses her greatly. Why, I'm not sure, but hey, she's my Sensei. Gotta do what she says. "Come on," she says, waving her arm, indicating for us to follow. She leads us out the door.

I spy Hinata looking back over her shoulder, gazing after Naruto. I turn to look as well and see him openly challenging Sasuke again. Ugh. That boy has no sense whatsoever. Sasuke will beat his brains out before he has a chance to say "Believe it!"

Yeah, Naruto, I believe you're in way over your head with this one.

As we make our way out of the Academy and towards the training grounds, Kurenai waves to a silver-haired Jonin casually leaning against a tree. Most of his face is hidden behind a mask, only revealing one eye, sparkling with amusement. He lifts a hand to return Kurenai Sensei's wave, then nods to us as we pass.

"Who's that?" I ask, jerking my thumb back at the Jonin, who doesn't seem to hear me. "That's Kakashi Hatake," Kurenai says. "He's an exceptional Shinobi here in the Leaf Village."

"Does he have a team?" I ask, slightly curious about the silver-haired man. Kurenai nods. "Team Seven," she says, frowning. Hm, strange. "You don't sound very enthusiastic about that," I point out, jogging to catch up so that we're side by side. She sighs. "It's just... he's yet to pass a single student."

Hinata gasps, while I narrow my eyes. "Pass? What do you mean Sensei?" I ask. "Well," she says. "Kakashi has his own way of doing things. I'll admit I don't know much about his training methods, but I do know that he gives his students a test before he formally accepts them as his team. And he hasn't passed one of those students yet."

"Can he do that?" I ask. She nods. "Third Hokage respects Kakashi's assessment, as he's an Elite Ninja and very trusted by all of the Village. If he doesn't think a student is worthy, he'll send them back to the Academy for another year of training."

That explains the kids who looked too old to be training at the Academy. I always thought it was strange when I saw a thirteen or fourteen year old glumly listening to their teacher's lectures. Former students of Kakashi, I guess.

I notice Hinata's trembling, so I drop back to walk with her. I put a comforting hand on her arm, and ask, "Are you alright, Hinata?" She dips her head, watching the ground as we walk. "Um, I just, I-I'm worried about N-Naruto. He'll be so disappointed if he doesn't pass..." she whispers. Oh most certainly. Disappointed doesn't begin to describe how Naruto will feel if Kakashi deems him unfit to be a Ninja. I hope he knows about the Nine-Tailed Fox...

"I'm sure he'll be fine," I assure Hinata, and she sends me a grateful smile. Hm. I actually don't know how Naruto will do with his new Sensei. Kakashi seemed nice enough, but if what Kurenia Sensei says is true, he must be hiding a very tough spirit.

Oh, I hope that knucklehead doesn't do something stupid and fail. Hinata will be crushed.

***

"Okay team!"

We're in an open clearing inside the training grounds. Several wooden posts occupy one area of the grounds, and off in the distance I can make out a large rock with what looks to be writing inscribed on it. Otherwise, it's just the forest around us. Birds call out to one another and rustling branches catch my eye, distracting me from what Kurenai Sensei is saying.

"-and Akari, you'll of course be fighting Kiba."

Please tell me I'm hearing Kurenai Sensei wrong.

***************************************************************************

Hey! Just me checking in! To anyone who is awesome enough to check out this story, here's a little warning: I know my first few chapters are a little slow, but I honestly believe the story gets better, so if you wouldn't mind reading them...

That was me trying to not sound pathetic while I asked you to take a chance on my story and keep reading. It didn't come across as cool, did it? *sigh* Yeah, thought so. Anyway! If you've taken the time to reach this point, thank you! You are a wonderful person who deserves to be rich and famous!

Peace.