1. Graduation
Miyuki sat silently in her seat as Iruka stood before the class of academy students. Her wolf pup, Kaminari, laid on her lap, sleeping soundly. Though it was the day of the graduation exam, Miyuki was not nervous. She had been training for the day she would become a kunoichi for as long as she could remember. Miyuki was positive she was ready to move to the next level, just as many of her fellow peers felt.
Miyuki began to listen as Iruka gave is instructions. "For your final exam, you must each generate a clone! Wait here until your name is called, and then come next door."
Simple enough, Miyuki thought to herself. She trailed her eyes over the class until they landed on Uzumaki Naruto. A small smile tugged at her lips when she the hyperactive blonde panicing. It's not that she wanted Naruto to fail, no, in fact Miyuki would like nothing more than to see the boy graduate. However, Miyuki couldn't help but find amusement in the fact that the clone jutsu was Naruto's worst jutsu. Silently, Miyuki wished the boy good luck.
Time seemed to pass fairly quickly as Miyuki waited for her name to be called. She had already seen a great deal of her classmates come and go with new forehead protectors, meaning they passed the exam. There were only a handful of students left to take the test, Miyuki included. Finally, Miyuki heard what she had been waiting for. "Tukiko Miyuki."
Miyuki calmly stood up from her seat, carrying a still sleeping Kaminari in her arms. She entered the exam room and faced thetwo sensies, Iruka and Mizuki. Miyuki held back a small growl when she caught sight of Mizuki. Everytime she was near him, Miyuki sensed something off about him. He just gave off a bad vibe to Miyuki. Sadly, Miyuki could not prove he was a bad person so she just kept her mouth shut.
"Tukiko-san, all you need to do is create at least three clones," Iruka stated, drawing Miyuki's attention to him.
Miyuki nodded and made the ram handsign. In a poof of smoke, three clones of herself and three of Kaminari appeared standing along side Miyuki. Iruka and Mizuki clapped at Miyuki's performance. Miyuki dismissed the clones before walking up to the desk to accept her leaf protector. Iruka handed her a royal blue protector that matched the hip scarf she often wore. "Thank you," Miyuki muttered softly, offering a small smile, as she took the protector from Iruka's hand.
"You're welcome. Congradulations, Tukiko-san. I'm sure your family will be proud."
Miyuki frowned slightly but Iruka nor Mizuki took any notice. "Yes...I suppose so...I'll take my leave now. Have a good day, Iruka-sensie...Mizuki-sensie," Miyuki added hesitantly. She bowed her head before turning on her heel and exiting the exam room. Miyuki continued to leave as next student, Uchiha Sasuke, was called.
Once outside the academy, Miyuki took a moment to scan the crowd of parents and newly graduated students. There was a slight feeling of hope that her own parents would be standing amoung the crowd waiting for her but Miyuki knew it was a pointless. Her parents weren't going to be there for her. The only person who would have been there waiting for her with open arms was long gone and wouldn't be coming back. Miyuki sighed as she held Kaminari closer to her body before leaving the academy grounds.
Miyuki continued to walk around Konoha with Kaminari, wishing to avoid going home for as long as possible, however it seemed fate had other plans. A lower member of Miyuki's clan jumped in front of her, halting Miyuki in her tracks. "Your presense has been requested in the meeting hall."
"I see..." Miyuki sighed, knowing she would have to return to her compound immediatly. "Thank you. I shall go now. You're dismissed." The messanger left without another word. Miyuki sighed once more but went to her clan's compound without complaint.
As she entered the large compound, Miyuki recieved many looks from cold, judging eyes. Miyuki, however difficult it was, kept her calm composure and ignored the harsh stares. She refused to allow anyone from her clan to know how much their actions toward her hurt. If she did, it would only give the clan more reason to ridicule her - their own heiress, thier princess.
Miyuki pushed open the doors of the meeting hall and found her parents sitting at the opposite end of the room waing for her. Miyuki shut the doors behind her then proceeded to walk closer, only to stop when she stood in the middle of the room. From there, Miyuki knelt down, placing Kaminari on the floor, and bowed in respect though she wished not to. "You requested to see me, my lord and lady?"
"Did you pass the graduation exam?" Tukiko Arashi questioned his only living child. Miyuki straightened her position before holding out her hitai-ate for her parents to see. Arashi eyed the band with his cold sapphire eyes. His blue eyes were the only thing Miyuki inheritated from her father that she was thankful for, besides her Kekkei Genkai. She had always loved her eyes, mainly because her brother had always told her how beautiful they were. "Good," Arashi's voice broke the silence that had built up. "You are dismissed."
Miyuki bowed once more. "Yes, sir." She wasted no time leaving the meeting hall with Kaminari close behind her. Once the doors were shut behind her, Miyuki glanced down at the black she-pup. "Why don't we grab something from the kitchen real quick then head to out room. I'm thinking about going to bed early tonight." Kaminari yipped in reply. Miyuki allowed a brief smile to flash across her face. "You're always sleepy, Kaminari. Just like Shikamaru-san." Kaminari yipped again causing Miyuki to roll her eyes.
Withing just a few moments, Miyuki entered the kitchen, making a plate of food for herself and a bowl for Kaminari before walking to her room. She closed and locked the door behind herself. Silently, Miyuki and Kaminari ate their dinner. When she was finished, Miyuki changed into her night clothes, which consisted of a simple blue t-shirt and a pair of black shorts. She slid under her covers with Kaminari snuggling into her side. "Good night, Kaminari."
It was two days after the exam and Miyuki found herself sitting in the same seat she would always sit at in the acedemy, except this time she was not there for lessons, she was there to be placed on a team. There was only one thing Miyuki wanted from her new team and that was to be able to get along with everyone.
Miyuki sat silently in her seat, daydreaming about various things while she waited for Iruka to come into the class. When she heard several gasps, Miyuki was brought out of her thoughts to see Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke lip locking. Miyuki blinked a couple of times to make sure she was seeing correctly. "They're gay?" Miyuki found herself saying outloud. At her comment every head in the classroom, aside from the two in question, turned to look at her with either glares (the fangirls of one Uchiha) or surprise (mainly the male population of the class). Miyuki shrugged off the stares she was recieving. "What? You have to consider the posibility that they might be...I mean, they haven't exactly stopped yet..." Miyuki pointed out, making a gesture towards the two boys. That seemed to make everyone look back at Naruto and Sasuke.
When everyone faced the boys again, they pulled apart gagging, but Miyuki couldn't help but slightly wonder if they were just acting and actually enjoyed their accidental kiss. "Naruto, you piece of crap, you are dead!" Sasuke threatened the blonde while trying to rid himself of Naruto's taste.
Naruto was on the floor gagging like he wanted to throw up. "Poison! My mouth is ruined!" Then again, maybe they didn't like it, Miyuki sweatdropped as she watched the boys. From behind him, Miyuki saw Haruno Sakura and several other of Sasuke's fangirls start to gather around Naruto emitting a dark aura. Miyuki could smell bloodlust coming from the group of girls. Poor Naruto, Miyuki thought as the girls beat Naruto for stealing Sasuke's first kiss.
It wasn't long after that Iruka eantered the classroom. "From this day foreward, you are no longer students of ninjutsu, but full-fledged shinobi," Iruka started to lecture. Miyuki zoned out, though she still heard everything he said anyways. Miyuki only really paid attention when she Iruka started to call out teams. "Team seven, Haruna Sakura, Tukiko Miyuki, Uchiha Sasuke, and Uzumaki Naruto...This will be the only four member team due to the odd number of students."
Miyuki was, for the lack of a better word, shocked. She had not expected to be on a team with any of her new proclaimed teammates. She and Kaminari would have fit in better with Team eight with Abarame Shino, Hyuga Hinata, and Inuzuka Kiba, and Kiba's own partner Akamaru. So why would she be placed on Team Seven? Miyuki would have to ask Iruka about it once he dismissed the class. Miyuki gazed over at her new teammates as they argued with each other. She could already tell that they were going to have difficult times ahead of them.
"Okay, everyone. I'll be introducing your sensies this afternoon. Until then, you're dismissed." Miyuki took the opprotunity to talk to Iruka as he started to walk out of the classroom.
"Iruka-sensie!" Miyuki called out, causing Iruka to stop and turn towards Miyuki. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Iruka nodded, "Yes, I had a feeling you would."
Miyuki wasted no time asking Iruka her question. "Why was I placed on Team Seven? Not to say I don't like my team, but wouldn't it have made more sense to place me on Team Eight? I just fail to see the logic behind the desision to put me with those three."
"Well, I had originally planned on placing you on Team Eight, but Lord Hokage request that you be placed specificly on Team Seven. I wasn't given a clear reason as to why. It's something you'll have to ask the Hokage yourself."
Miyuki sighed but nodded, giving Iruka a small smile. "I see. Well thank you for your time." Miyuki bowed and quickly went back into the classroom before Iruka could reply.
"That girl...I wonder how she learned to move so fast without making a sound...?" Iruka muttered as he walked away.
Miyuki sat back down in her seat and pulled out a small bento she made for herself and another box with food for Kaminari. The two ate in mostly silence, occationally commenting on various things that came to mind. When they were done eating, Miyuki put away the lunch boxes and pulled out a book called Blood and Chocolate. She found that the main character's family was much like her own. Then again, the book was written by someone who knew Miyuki's family well, so it didn't surprise her that much.
She continued to read even after Iruka started to introduce the sensies. Miyuki never heard her team be called so she didn't see a reason to stop reading. Though she did pause briefly when a new scent drew closer. Whoever it was smelt like kanines, forest, and something else that Miyuki couldn't quiet place but to her this person's scent smelt good.
Miyuki glanced up at the sound of Naruto laughing. "Gotcha! Good one!" Miyuki trailed her sapphire colored eyes over to her new sensie. He was a fairly tall man with silver gravity defying hair. The man wore a typical shinobi outfit which was a green flask jacket over a long sleeved black shirt and a pair of black pants. He also wore a matching black mask that covered the lower half of his face and his protector was worn over his right eye like a make-shift eyepatch. There was a white dust in his hair and on his forehead protector. Miyuki guessed it had something to do with the earaser on the floor and Naruto laughing his butt off.
"I'm sorry, sensei.I tried to stop him, but Naruto..." Sakura tried to apoligize to the man. Miyuki had a feeling she didn't really mean it though.
The man laughed, "How shall I put this? Based on my first impression, I'd have to say..." He paused for a few seconds before finishing his sentence. "I hate you!"
Miyuki rolled her eyes with a sigh will the other three deadpanned. "I can't say our impression of you is any better," Miyuki mumbled. Her team and sensei looked at her.
"Did you say something?" the man asked, not sure if he heard her correctly or not. Miyuki didn't bother answering as she continued to read the last couple of chapters of her book. The man watched her for a few seconds longer until he sighed, looking away. "Let's go..."
The team of genin followed their new sensei to the rooftop of the academy. The man leaned against the railing while his students sat on some steps. Miyuki preferred to lay down so she settled on the step in front of her teammats. Kaminari layed down next to her and drifted off to sleep like she usually did.
"Now, I'd like you all to tell us a little about yourselves."
"Like what?" Sakura asked.
The man shrugged,"You know. The usual. Your favorite things...what you hate most...dreams, ambitions, hobbies. Things like that." Naruto and Sakura insisted that the man go first. "My name is Hatake Kakashi. I'm the kind of person who doesn't feel like talking about his likes and dislikes. My dreams for the future are none of your business...But anyways, I have lots of hobbies..."
All four genin sweatdropped at their sensei's introduction. Sakura turned to the other three. "Hey...he said a lot...but all we really learnedwas his name." Naruto nodded in agreement. Miyuki and Sasuke stayed silent though they both agreed with their teammates.
"Now it's your turn. Starting with you on the right."
Naruto grinned and started to fiddled with his forehead protector. "Me,right? My name is Uzumaki Naruto! What I like is instant cup ramen! What I like even better is when Iruka-sensei treats me to ramen at Ichiraku's! What I hate is the three minute wait after I pour in the boiling water." He's obsessed with ramen...Well at least if I ever need him for something all I have to do is bribe him with ramen, Miyuki mentally commented. "My dream is to one day be a better shinobi than Lord Hokage! And then all the villagers will have to acknowledge my existence at last! My hobbies are...pranks and practical jokes, I guess."
"Next," Kakashi ordered as he scratched the back of his head.
"My name is Uchiha Sasuke," Sasuke began his introduction. "There are plenty of things I hate, but Idon't see that it matters considering there is almost nothing I do like. It seems pointless to talk about dreams...that's just a word...but what I do have is determination. I plan to restore my clan and there's someone I have sworn to kill."
Everyone was silent until Miyuki broke it. "Boy, you need a life..."
"What?" Sasuke asked in irritation.
Miyuki rolled her eyes. "I'm not repeating when we both know you heard me. Anyways...you might want to try and live a little before seeking revenge. You're only twelve or thirteen. Get a girlfriend...or boyfriend...make friends, do something stupid and laugh about it later. My word you have time."
"What would you know about it? At least you still have a family that loves you!" Sasuke scoffed at Miyuki. Miyuki stared calmly at Sasuke. She had thought about saying that he was wrong. That the only person who loved her was dead and she had often wanted to hurt the people who had killed him but she kept her mouth shut. She didn't want to get into her personal life.
"Forget it. It doesn't matter what I or anyone else says. I have a feeling you won't change your mind." Miyuki shifted her gaze over to Sakura who was some what glaring at her. "Why don't you go next?"
The pink haired girl blinked in surprise before nodding. "Right. I'm Haruno Sakura. My favorite thing is...well it's not a thing, it's a person. A boy...and that boy is...Uh let's move on to my dream." Sakura squeeled while she blushed. "I hate...Naruto!" Naruto didn't take that news very well as he began to cry. "My hobies are..." Sakura didn't even have to finish her sentence.
If I only hear about Sasuke while I'm around her, I swear I'll go crazy, Miyuki sighed.
"And finally the last young lady."
"I am Tukiko Miyuki and this is Kaminari," Miyuki gestured to her partner. "I suppose I like reading, among other various things. I don't really hate anything or anyone. I think hate is such a strong word and should only be used when neccesary. However, I do have things and people I dislike. Hobbies? Well I volunteer at the animal shelter and I help out at the Inuzuka's animal clinic sometimes. I also visit people in the hospital, bringing them flowers or just keeping them company. I make stuffed animals for kids at the orphange and also for those at the hospital. I like to do other things but I won't go into that. My dreams are just a little to personal to share with everyone right now. Maybe once I get to know everyone better I might tell you. But we'll just have to wait and see about that."
Kakashi stared at Miyuki for a moment, actually everyone did, but Kakash's gaze was the most intense out of all of them. He couldn't help but think that Miyuki was such a unique girl. He found it rather interesting that she would take her time to do such kind things for other people. Kakashi mentally shook himself from his thoughts. "I believe we all understand one another. Formal training begins tomorrow."
Naruto saluted Kakashi while a grin spread across his face. "Yes, sir! What will out duties be?! Our first real shinobi mission!"
"Our first project involves only the members of this team."
"What is it? What?" Naruto questioned Kakashi persistantly.
"Survival exercises," Kakashi stated simply. Miyuki shrugged, accepting his answer, and pulled her book back out. Shi ignored the strange stares she recieved as she flipped to the next page. Miyuki didn't even bother looking up as she grabbed the handout Kakashi was passing out. "Did you even hear what we discussed?" Kakashi inquired his white haired, female student.
Miyuki read the last page and closed her book. She glanced up at Kakashi. "Of course. We're supposed to survive against you. The majority of students return to the academy. THe test you want us to take has a 66% failure rate. And you don't want us to eat breakfast...Correct?"
Kakashi blinked in surprise (she tends to make people do that). He had been so sure she didn't hear a word of their conversation after she started reading her book. "Right."
Miyuki nodded and stood up. "Well sorry to disappoint you so soon, but I plan on eating in the morning. I'm not stupid enough to go training without eating. I do need my energy, you know!" Miyuki began to walk off with Kaminari walking beside her before Kakashi could say another word.
"Interesting," Kakashi mumbled to himself as he himself left the rooftop. It appeared to him that he was given a very unique team. Kakashi just wonderedif any of them really had what it took to be a shinobi. Guess he would find out.