I wrapped my mask around my face, my eyes the only thing that is shown. Years have passed and my connection with Choji and Shikamaru grew. People whispered about me in school but they were too afraid to go up to me and talk. All because I wear a cloak. There was this girl named Ino that would hang around with them sometimes but run away the moment I was coming their way.

Shikamaru finally saw my face when he walked in on me in the bathroom washing my face when dirt got in my eyes while we were playing. He just groaned and call me troublesome. Because they saw my face, they wanted to see Mama's face. When they went to my house and asked, she just laughed and brought them inside. She just let them see her without her hood up like I do with them. Of course, she was wearing a mask like me. Shikamaru just sighed as Choji talked about how I should bring my lunch to the academy.

While in the Academy, I met a boy name Shino. He's kinda treated like me. Everyone is scared of him just like they're scared of me. I was walking to work when a voice stopped me mid-step. I looked down to see I was going to crush a beetle. The first thing I did was grab it and gave it to him. He looked a bit shock and pushed his glasses up in acceptance. We would sit next to each other in silence once in a while just to see bugs and relax. It's nice having another friend.

Over the years, my body and mind mature. Mama bought me many bras, well they were mostly sports bras. I'm, apparently, taking after her body. It's very embarrassing when I went to work but Asami made sure I always wear a bigger kimono to hide my body from eyes. I'm almost a C cup like Mama. It was embarrassing when Choji or Shikamaru went to visit me at work.

I will admit one thing, I think I have a liking to Choji. I figured that out when I read a book about the human brain and how it works. I'm pretty sure he doesn't like me, he already has this ideal girl he wants. That made me sad when he told me and Shikamaru about it, I'm glad he didn't notice my sadness when he was telling us about it. Shikamaru; on the other hand, noticed and pulled me aside. Ever since I confess to him, we would go together on a hill and cloud watch. There are times where he would make me feel better and I would tell him how I come to like Choji. Shikamaru always said it might be because he was my first friend. It's a regular thing we do now, which brought us closer together.

I looked in front of the mirror in my room and sighed. Today is the day. The day of the Graduation exam. I have practice a lot to be able to pass and accomplish my dream. If I want to be a medical ninja, I have to learn to defend myself from others. Shikamaru has helped me with my ninjutsu and medical so I could get better. Taijutsu, I trained in one of the training grounds by myself reading books about it. Of course, I chose the farthest and isolated one that no one uses. Genjustu, well, it's my weakness. I have tried teaching it to myself but never could do it right or would always do a mistake when trying to get out of one.

I fix my cloak and head out of my room to the front door. I decided to roll tape and bandages around my foot since I didn't want to wear my ninja sandals or guta. It went up to my ankle once I finished. I opened the front door, closed it, and locked it. I walking to the sidewalk of the building and nodded. While I was making my way to the academy, I saw Choji up ahead standing there as he ate his chips. I speed up and grabbed his arm that was holding his bag of chips.

"Morning Rena, ready for the Graduation exam?" He asked. I nod as we made our way to the academy.

Once we made it there, by the entrance gates stood Shikamaru. He lazily waved at us and walked beside us. I shifted my left hand to his right and grabbed his hand nervously. He sighed and squeezed my hand in reassurance. We went inside and sat in our regular seats. I was wedged between them as I kept a hold of Shikamaru's hand. He rubbed circles with his thumb on the back of my hand, which relaxed me a bit. I held onto Choji's arm as he munched on his snack.

Iruka sensei began to start calling us by our names to take our exam. After we finish, we get to go home. After a while, Choji went to take the exam while giving us a thumbs up. I tightened my grasp on Shikamaru's hand and gulped.

"Relax, you'll do fine. You didn't work hard for nothing. Couldn't take good naps because of you." He complained at the end with a yawn. I smiled and nodded. Shikamaru was called next, which left me alone in my seat. I was instantly surrounded my more whispers. I hate it when I'm alone, their whisper's gets louder.

•••

A little girl with brown hair in a braid was at a small playground in the front of the school. She smiled and skipped near a slide where a couple of girls surrounded it while talking.

"And then my dog ran into the sofa and flipped backward." A redhead girl told as she and the other girls laughed.

The laughter was soon silenced when the girl with brown hair laughed. "That's really funny Megan. It's a good joke!" She smiled at the girls. They all gave her a dirty look.

"What are you doing here? This is our conversation, go play with the boys, Mexican." Megan scoff and walked away as the other girls followed.

The girl looked down with tear swelled up in her eyes.

"I'm not Mexican. I-I'm from Puerto Rico like my Mamí." She rubbed her eyes and sniffs.

"The boys don't want to play or talk to me either dummy...."

•••

"Rena Tachibana."

I looked up and stood from my seat. I walked down the row and out the classroom to the class across. I walked in to be greeted by Iruka sensei and some other guy. He smiled at me and nodded.

"Alright Rena, just make three clones and you'll pass." Iruka said.

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This was what I was so nervous to do!? Three simple clones!!

I quickly did the signs and made three identical me(of course they're wearing a black cloak). Iruka smiled along with that sensei. "Alright, you passed. Pick a headband and you are ready to go." I nodded and grabbed a black headband and carried it in my hands. I went out and went to walk to work.

Where should I put it...

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Hiiiii. This is another chapter I did. Hope you guys like it. I'm not writing a lot here because I still don't feel as good...

So what did you guys like about this chapter??

Did you like the flashback there? I was going to put another Spanish speaking country but I was too lazy to change the way I normally speak Spanish so I decided let's just go with Puerto Rico.

I am getting better, just three more days and I'm all better. In other words, on Monday I'm an all good author who's is stronger and ready to write some more chapter for you guys!!!

Like always, drop a vote, comment, or a follow so I'll know if you guys like reading this story and want more chapters in the near future.

Till next time!