I entered the academy, a scowl on my face.

"Probably filled with annoying egotistical jerks," I grumbled under my breath, as I pushed open the designated classroom door without knocking.

Multiple pairs of eyes landed on me, and I glared fiercely back at all of them. Some glared back, others averted their eyes, and a portion continued to stare at me in curiosity.

The adult chunin at the front of the class cleared her throat, gaining my attention.

"And you are?" She asked me, raising an eyebrow.

"Kaiza," I grumbled begrudgingly, not meeting her eye.

I could see her nod in my peripheral vision. "You may call me Haruka-sensei. Take a seat beside Itachi," she instructed.

I pursed my lips and raised my head to scan the class for the supposed 'Itachi' boy. The name rang a bell in my head, but I wasn't quite sure where I had heard it before. Sure enough, I spotted an empty seat next to a stoic raven haired boy. His appearance seemed familiar, but again I couldn't place where I had seen him before.

I trudged my way to the seat, sitting down with my head lowered so nobody could see me glaring holes in the desk. I could feel Itachi's eyes flicker to me for second before he was once again stoic. Strange.

"Alright class," Haruka began, "Today we will be reviewing the clone jutsu."

The class murmured in acknowledgement.

"Kaiza," Haruka turned to me, giving me a smile, "You don't have to do it since you're new."

My face heated up as a couple snickers resounded across the class. Haruka angrily hushed them.

"How is she even going to pass the graduation test if she doesn't know how to perform the clone jutsu?" A girl whispered to her friend.

Her friend shrugged. "Who knows?"

Anger boiled inside me as I felt a burning sensation in my chest. I guess you could say I was more concerned about my pride at the moment than the actual consequence of my actions.

"No it's okay," I said quickly through gritted teeth, "I can do it."

Haruka looked doubtful but nodded nevertheless. "As you wish."

However, when the students started lining before Haruka, I started to realize my stupid mistake. I didn't even know how to perform the clone jutsu, much less any jutsu. If I backed out now, it would look cowardly, but if I failed, it would be beyond humiliating.

As I was silently panicking in line, a voice behind me snapped me out of my stupor.

"Tiger, boar, ox, dog," said a male voice behind me.

I turned around only to come face to face with Itachi.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"The hand signs," Itachi clarified. "For the clone jutsu. I thought you might need a tip."

I bit back a sarcastic remark, instead thanking him with my eyes.

Itachi nodded and I turned back around.

I droned out Haruka's words for a while before my name reached my ears.

"Kaiza Minano!"

I stepped forward nervously, ignoring the judging whispers that resounded around me.

Haruka smiled at me once I reached her, "Kaiza I'll need you to make a clone of yourself."

I nodded reluctantly, looking down at my hands.

Tiger, boar, ox, dog.

"Clone jutsu," I murmured under my breath, my eyes fierce with determination. A cloud of smoke appeared, and I waited anxiously for it to disappear.

My face fell as I stared at the pathetic excuse of a clone lying at my feet. It looked like a deflated balloon version of myself. The clone sputtered uselessly for a couple of seconds before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

The class was silent for a second before a couple giggles emerged from the group of students. Pretty soon the majority of the class was laughing at my fail, with Haruka desperately trying to shush them but to no avail.

My face darkened in humiliation as I clenched my fists.

"Kaiza it's okay, it was only your first try," Haruka tried reassuring me, but it was to deaf ears.

I stormed out of the classroom, slamming the door closed as I rushed down the hallway.

Hot angry tears rolled down my face as I ran.

Stupid ninjas.

I was so absorbed in my anger, that I had failed to notice the pair of curious onyx eyes watching me from the window of the academy.