• (Note: The characters point of views will change between eachothers so don't get confused.)


    Matsuo POV
    It was a warm summer morning in Konohagakure. I emerged from my bedroom wide awake and energetic, smelling burning blueberry pancakes. I ducked my head into the kitchen, where Iruka Umino, the head teacher of the Ninja Academy, was currently stumbling back and warding off the flame that completely enveloped his pan. I hurried forward and, whipping the fire extinguisher out from its place under the counter, doused it. Waving away the thick black smoke with a cough, Iruka took a step towards me. "I'm sorry, Matsuo." he said earnestly, nudging the pan's handle. "I had such a nice breakfast planned for your Graduation Exam."
    I grinned. "It's okay," I said. "As long neither of us are on fire, I'm happy with a poptart."
    Iruka watched wistfully as I moved to the cupboards. "A poptart won't give you enough energy for today," he said worriedly. "I'll make something else. Just give me a few minutes."
    "Seriously. A poptart will be fine." I pulled out the pastry treat and went up to him, giving him a one armed hug. "Thanks anyway though, Uncle Iruka."
    He set his hands on his hips. He was already dressed as well, in the dark green vest that marked him as a Chunin ninja. "Are you sure? it won't take me long at all to make some waffles. I don't even need the stove for those."
    In answer to this, I took a big bite of my blueberry poptart, narrowing my eyes. He scratched his head. "Alright," he said. "I know when I'm beat. Let me just go grab my things and I'll head off for the academy." he jutted a finger at me. "You, get ready."
    I saluted him. "Yes, sir!"
    With a sharp nod, he left the house. After finishing my poptart, I showered and changed, putting on my best outfit for the day. The Ninja Academy Graduation Exam. Finally, after so many years of studying and testing and lifting weights, I would be graduating - getting my headband to signify my new rank as Genin. Sure, it was the lowest rank of ninja.


    Akane's POV.
    'Finally,' I thought. 'I've made it to the Leaf village.' I began to enter the Leaf gates when a ninja, suddenly appeared before her.
    "I suppose your Akane Makoto?" He questioned. It was my first time in the Leaf village since I had left the Sand.
    "Yes, that's me. What do you want?" I wasn't use to having to trust people so right of the bat.
    "The Hokage wishes to speak to you, and afterwards, I'll show you where you live, and take you to the ninja academy where you'll graduate, and learn while there." He spoke. He stood, and pointed towards where I should go, and said he'd meet up with me later. As I made my way through the village I noticed it looked totally different, I didn't want to look like some tourist so I kept my mouth shut, and ended up finding my way to the Hokage.
    "Akane Makoto," The Hokage spoke, he coughed. "I see you have quite a few abilities," I nodded to his response. You should be quite a good ninja hear even though you haven't graduated yet." He glanced up, soon you'll graduate, and I'll stick you on a team do you understand?"
    "Yes I do. Thank you for this opportunity," I said, I could feel his gaze on me, and I didn't want to look up.
    "Asuma?" The Hokage announced.
    "Yes, Lord Hokage?" He questioned. It was the same ninja as before. This Asuma guy smiled at me.
    "Show her to her appartment, and let her rest, I'm sure she's tired," The Hokage said. After that I was led to an appartment where I was ready to fall asleep on anything I found comfortable, which would be the couch now.
    I could see my brother, he had the most happiest smile ever. I smiled back at him, and he picked me up and spun me around like he did when I was little. Both of our smiles grew, and then I hit the ground. Everything when dark, and I started falling. I could see images of my brother fighting to stay, but then he was kidnapped. Te dream ended as I flew up from the couch, and started breathing heavily trying to get my heart rate back to normal, like the many other times, before. I heard a knock on my door. Rushing to it, I found Asuma standing there, just lighting a cigarette.
    "Ah good morning Akane! Have a nice sleep?" He asked then took a deep breath of his cigarette. I was silent as I went to go change.
    "I'll be out in a minute," I told him walking back and grabbing my clothing to change. I stuck on my black mesh leggings and shirt, and then my red vest, while adding my black shorts. "I'm ready," Pausing for a moment to see Asuma packing food into my fridge, I stared waiting for him to notice me. He finally finished to turn, and smile weakly.
    "We forgot to store your fridge for your arrival," Starring still I walked out of my apartment to wait for him.
    "So where are we going today?" I asked him.
    "The ninja academy, your going to graduate today since we have all your records from your previous school, your requirements are fine," I found this sort of odd I guess thinking I would have to go through more than just trying out for the Graduation Exam.



    After finishing my poptart, I showered and changed, putting on my best outfit for the day, a long light green skirt that stopped above my ankles and showed the sides of my brown mesh covered legs. I also wore a green tanktop with a long sleeved brown mesh shirt underneath it. Mulling over the thought of graduating, I tugged on my light green gloves. The Ninja Academy Graduation Exam. Finally, after so many years of studying and testing and lifting weights, I would be graduating - getting my headband to signify my new rank as Genin. Sure, it was the lowest rank of ninja. But it was better then an academy student.
    Clasping on my green bead necklace, I left the house, locking it behind me before starting down the road. The breeze was warm and ruffled my blond hair, which was tied in a long braid behind me.
    According to Iruka, there was a written exam. I wasn't worried about that at all. Anything to do with writing was basically a breeze for me - not to sound all high-and mighty or anything. but there was another part to the graduation, where you had to perform a randomly chosen E level jutsu in front of the class. Hating anything that had to do with public speaking, I was dreading it.
    "Matsuo!"
    I looked up. Ino was jogging up to me, her own blond hair bouncing behind her. She came up to me with wide blue eyes. "I can't believe it!" she said, squealing.
    "i know" I said back, grinning. "We're going to be graduating!!"
    "Not that." Ino took my arm and pointed somewhere behind me. "Sasuke! His hair is really nice today."
    Rolling my eyes, i hooked my arm with Ino's and hurried to the academy.


    Asuma and I were quiet most of the way to the Academy. Him with his smile, me with a blank look on my face. He wasn't so bad as I started to think and I had finally gotten the nerves up to ask him something. "So............ How log have you been a ninja, Asuma?" He looked down at me surpirsed, and answered my question.
    "Since about I was your age, Why, just curious?" I nodded back at him. I had finally began to trust someone other than just myself, and I thought Asuma would be a good start with that. After our little chit chat everything went quiet again. Soon we had arrived at the Academy, and I could see all the kids who are in training, and some who would graduate. My glance caught on two blonde girls with their arms hooked together, one wearing purple, and the other wearing green. My thoughts were interrupted, when Asuma was giving me directions to the room I'd be in, since he had to leave for another duty. It felt so awkward to be here, I could already feel the stares on me. Finally finding the room I was told to be in I took a seat in a corner where nobody was sitting. ' Why couldn't the class just start, ' I thought, as more people had entered the room.

    We were almost to the academy when Ino twisted around, looking behind her. "Don't look now, Matsuo," she said. "But-"
    "If it's something about Sasuke, i'm not interested." i said sourly. "Come on, l don't want to be late.'
    "No," Ino scoffed. "It's that new kid Iruka was talking about. Akane something or another. Doesn't she look cheerful."
    I glanced backwards. The girl was walking alongside Asuma, wearing a puffy red vest with mesh sleeves. She did look really stoic. I didn't get along well with stoic people - but maybe she would be okay. I turned back around. "Be nice, Ino." I scolded. She shrugged and we entered the building. students were mulling about the desks already, impatient to begin. Iruka was shuffling papers at his desk, looking flustered. I let go of Ino and went over to him. "Uncle Iruka," I greeted.
    "Matsuo, I'm kind of busyyyyy!" He let out a yelp as his papers went flying all over the room.
    Gathering them quickly, I returned them to Iruka. "Don't get all freaked out," I laughed. "It's my day to be nervous."
    He paused in re-sorting the papers and looked up at me. "You don't need to be nervous," he said, smiling. "You'll do great. After all, you're an Umino!"
    I raised an eyebrow. "Arata."
    "You're still my niece," he offered. "Half Umino, Half Arata, I suppose."
    I nodded. "Yeah." I plucked a pencil from his desk and twirled it between my fingers. "Welp, prepare to be amazed." With this, I went over to sit next to Ino.


    Nobody seemed to want to talk to me seeming as I was new. Once class had started a very shy looking girl had sat next to me. Papers had begun to be passed on, for a written exam. Well lets see if their tests were as hard as mine back home. I smirked seeing that most of the questions were quite simple. Now I had an idea to what level the Ninja Exam would be like. I had finished the test quite fast, actually I seemed to be the first one done, till I turned around to find a girl wearing green behind me. Iruka told me to sit back in my seat, and he would introduce me once the tests had all been finished. Within half an hour, everybody had finished. "Okay now, since eveybody has finished their written exams, I would like to introduce our new student. Akane Makoto would you please come down?" He asked me with a smile, I began to stand when I heard the murmurs start. I stood next to Iruka, and I looked at the crowd of students in front of me. "Akan would you tell everyone who you are, and where you are from," I took a deep breath and then began.
    "My name is Akane Makoto, as Iruka Sensei has told you and I've come from the Sand Village to live here," After I had said this one student piped up. It was the blonde in purple from earlier.
    "She doesn't belong here, she belongs back at the Sand," I glared at her just daring for her to say it again. And if she did I'd put her flame out as soon as I got a chance.
    "Ino Yamanaka! Sit back down and be more respectful!" Iruka yelled.


    I gaped at ino as she begrudgingly sat down. "What the heck was that for?" I hissed.
    "it's true!" She whispered back. "You can't tell me you don't think the same thing!"
    I shook my head furiously. "that's not the point. That comment was totally uncalled for!"
    There was deathly silence. I turned back to the front. The red haired girl was glowering at the room, looking quite ferocious. My stomach churned. So maybe she looked a little dangerous. And scary. And a tad bit creepy. But I didn't know her reasons for coming to the Leaf Village. I glanced at Iruka, who, hands on his hips, looked quite ferocious as well. "You students will never be true ninja if you judge people the way that you just did," he said, eyes scanning the class. "If you are done being rude and inconsiderate, I would like to begin the next part of the exam." He set a hand on Akane's shoulder. "You can sit down, Akane. I'm terribly sorry for such a rude welcome to the village."
    She nodded sharply before taking her seat, directly in front of me. I met eye contact with her for a split second and cast her an apologetic look before she turned her back to me.
    Iruka cleared his throat. "Now, the performance of an E level jutsu. I will pick one randomly for each of you, and call you up in turn." he picked up his clipboard. "First up is Arata, Matsuo."
    I set my pencil down and stood, making my way to the front of the class, trying not to shake too much. Iruka didn't meet my gaze as he drew the piece of paper that would decide my jutsu. "Matsuo, please perform the Body Replacement Jutsu."
    I nodded and glanced around the room, looking for a subsitute. A piece of paper. Would that work? I would have to hope. i made a few quick handsigns, and suddenly, I was crouching back on my desk, while in a small puff of smoke a piece of paper drifted to the ground in front of Iruka. There was quiet applause as Iruka made a note in his clipboard. I slid off the desk and approached him. He made a quick note on his clipboard before, beaming, handing me a forehead protector. "Nice work. Next!"



    I watched as everybody did their techniques that were assigned to them pretty simple in my opinion. Then it was my turn. "Makoto Akane," Iruka annouced, as I made my way back up to the podium where he stood. "You shall be doing a Transformation Jutsu. You may start when you are ready," I nodded, and gave him a smile. As I did my hand signs I felt like something was going to go wrong in some way. I transformed into one of my favorite animals, a ferret. Once I transformed back, I felt like I had done really well, and looked over to Iruka to see him starring at the floor. I looked down to see two ferrets sitting by both my feet.
    "Hey there's rats!" I looked over to see a blonde boy shout.
    "They're not rats! They're ferrets, and don't even think about killing them either," I retorted, and Iruka looked at them once more.
    "Akane are these your's?" He questioned.
    "Yes I suppose they came in while I transformed back. Miki, Sho, I told you to stay home," They both ran up my arms in the playful way that they were. I smile as each one took a place on my shoulders. "I'm sorry Iruka Sensei, but I do use them as a ninja,"
    "Well, your not the only one who uses animals," He looked back to a boy with a puppy on his head. "Congratulations you've graduated from the Ninja Academy," He handed my head band, and I smiled walking back to my seat. I heard the squeaking of my ferrets that I only understood.


    Soon, class was over, with everyone passing - except for Naruto Uzumaki. I didn't know him that well, but he seemed like an alright guy. But I was too excited to dwell on him for long. I hurried to the front of the room as everyone filed out. Iruka had just barely turned around in time as I leapt into his arms. "I did it!" I exclaimed. "I'm a Genin now!!" Iruka laughed and twirled me around once, before setting me back down.
    "You did great, Matsuo!" he beamed, hugging me tightly. "Your parents would be so proud of you right now."
    I buried my head in his chest. "They're not here now, so your being proud of me is good enough, Uncle Iruka."
    He smiled and pulled away from me. "Come on. I'll take you for a treat. Ramen shop?"
    "Sounds good!" I beamed.
    "Okay. Meet me there - I just need to tidy up some things." Iruka said.
    "Okay!' My insides were twisting and turning - I had never been so excited! I hurried outside, and barely saw the orange clad boy sitting on the swings. Turning around by the gate, I saw Naruto, eyes on the ground. I approached him. "Hi, Naruto."
    He looked up at me, wiping his eyes hurriedly. "What do you want?"
    I hesitated. "Do you want to go get some ramen with me and Iruka? You tried really hard today," I added quickly. "You deserve it."
    He smiled. "Sure! I love ramen!"
    "Okay." As he stood, I handed him my headband. "Here, you can wear it for a while, if you want." Beaming, he tied it on. Too excited to worry about it being wierd, I linked arms with Naruto and hurried towards the gate. As we passed through it, we could see Akane Makoto standing alone nearby, petting her ferrets. "Hey, let's invite her to come with us," I whispered. "She had a rough day. People were being jerks."
    "Yeah!" A still beaming Naruto ran over to her, dragging me along. "Hey, Akane, want to go get some ramen with me and Matsuo?"


    As I stood by the entrance, I saw Matsuo walk over with another kid, they asked if I wanted to have ramen with them. "Uhm yeah, sure I'd like to go. What is your name?" I gave a weak smile. I knew he didn't graduate which made him a tad sad, but also noticed the forehead protector he was wearing.
    "My names Naruto Uzumaki! Believe it! I just love Ramen, and Matsuo, and her Uncle Iruka are going there," I looked over to Matsuo.
    "Iruka's your Uncle?" My stomach gave a growl, looked down at it. "I'm hungrier than I thought." I smiled, they were nice enough I knew I could trust them.
    "Yeah I live with him too. My parents are kind gone," She shrugged her shoulders.
    "Okay so you ready to go Matsuo?" Iruka asked.


    "Heck yeah, I'm ready!" I said, whirling around as iruka walked up. He smiled at Naruto and Akane.
    "Are you two coming?" he asked. They nodded. I waited for Iruka's sour response, but he only grinned. "The more the merrier, I suppose! After you," he said, setting a hand on my back and moving me forward gently. I started leading the way to the ramen shop as Naruto chattered on and on about something to do with the Hokage, who apparently, he held a great deal of respect for.
    "Naruto?" Iruka's voice was puzzled. "Where'd you get the headband?"
    Naruto didn't respond. I guess he was as nervous as I was about Iruka getting mad. I stayed quiet, but hurried to brush my bangs down in front of my forehead. Iruka grabbed my shoulder and spun me around. "Matsuo," He exclaimed. "Your headband!"
    "I-"
    "I took this one when you weren't looking," Naruto lied quickly. And badly. "Matsuo didn't do anything wrong!"
    Iruka rolled his eyes. "NIce try, Naruto." he turned back to me. "You can't give out headbands all willy-nilly like that, Matsuo. You can get in major trouble. Look - any ninja over there would mistake him for being a Genin."
    "She only gave it to me for a little while," Naruto cried.
    "Let him retake the test," I urged. "Please, Uncle Iruka! You've told me of other kids who got to retake it. I know he can pass this time - and then I can get another headband and he can keep that one!"
    Iruka sighed. "Let's not discuss this right now. Let's just get going to the ramen shop. I'm supposed to meet Kakashi there to discuss the new groups."
    Dipping my head, I followed as Iruka led the way. He glanced at Akane. "So, you transferred from the Sand Village?"

    "Uhm..... Yeah I did. You see my parents went on a mission that'd take years, and well my brother was recently kidnapped, on a mission he went on. I began to have money problems keeping my house, so the Kazekage sent me here as a solution," I looked at everybody to see them starring at me. It was getting easier to start talking to people about stuff like this. That's when I saw Naruto looking a bit down. "Are you alright Naruto?" I questioned. He didn't answer me as he looked like he was deep in thought. I decided I'd test my special technique on him. "Activate," I said.
    "Wait what are you doing, Akane?" Matsuo questioned. I told her to shush as I looked back into his past. Everything about it felt like loneliness, and not being excepted into the Leaf.
    That's when I saw a fox's face, and a deep voice, "Get out!" It yelled in a frightening voice that startled me out of my ocular justsu. My head hurt.
    "Akane what did you just do?" Matsuo asked again. I looked at her, and answered.
    "I looked into his past," I said, Naruto's head flipped towards my face. He just starred at me.
    " Wait that wasn't on your papers," Iruka announced.
    "They were just not your papers, the Hokage's did," I said turning towards them. "I'm sorry Naruto for looking into your past," I apologized, and bowed, "I should have asked for your permission, but you seemed distant when I mentioned my family, and now I see why," I said standing back up.
    "It's fine," he said kind of quiet. "Everybody knows what happened to this village years ago, but for some reason they've always stayed away from me, and hated me, so it doesn't really bother me," He answered back before becoming all grins. "Yay! Where here now!"
    "We're going to be great friends Naruto," I told him, while he just grinned bigger.
    "Okay it's time to eat, come on Akane!" Matsuo said grabbing my hand and running the rest of the way to the Ramen shop.


    Iruka was beaming at me as I hurried to get a spot by Akane and Naruto - with me on the outside, seated next to a Jonin ninja with silver hair, with a crooked headband that covered his left eye. Iruka approached him. "KakashI!" he smiled. "How are you doing?"
    kakashi shrugged one shoulder, smiling (even though I could tell more by the squinting eye then the smile - his mouth was covered with a black mask). "Oh, same old, same old. You?"
    "I'm doing okay." Iruka slid into a stool on the other side of Kakashi. "Matsuo graduated today," he grinned.
    I turned at the mention of my name. Kakashi nodded at me. "Good job." he turned back to Iruka. "You seem more excited then she is, Iruka!'
    "well..." Iruka shrugged, face flushed. kakashi turned back to me.
    "Where's your headband?"
    "I gave it to Naruto. To wear for a little while." I said, face flushing. "Since he was the only one who didnt pass."
    Kakashi glanced behind me. "You know, you shouldn't do that." I opened my mouth to object, but he stopped me. "you shouldn't, but it was thoughtful." a pause. "Do you know your team yet?"
    "No," I said regretfully. "Not a clue."
    Kakashi folded his arms and turned to Iruka. "You know, I wouldn't mind having her on my team."
    Iruka looked shocked. "Uh...um...Kakashi, your team is already assigned..."
    "Come on. She would be a good kunoichi." he said. My face flushed.
    "Kakashi Sensei, you don't even know me tht well..."
    "Please. I know everything about you, thanks to my hyperactive friend over here." Kakashi nodded at iruka. "just think about it, Umino."


    I had ordered my ramen, which looked delicious, and ordered something for my ferrets as well. When I was about to dig in, which Naruto was already, someone called my name. "So you're Akane Makoto? I heard about your abilities too from the Hokage, quite impressive," I blushed, when I turned my head to look at the gray haired ninja sitting by Iruka.
    "Oh thank you. What's your name I'm sorry I'm still trying to get acquainted with everyone?" I started wondering why he kept his eye, and face covered up, I heard rumors bout his eye, but I didn't want to question about it at the moment.
    "Kakashi Hatake," He answered right of the bat, I knew who he was.
    "The Copy Cat Ninja?" I asked.
    "Yes. So how's your time in the Leaf Village so far?" He wanted to change the subject now I knew he did so I went along.
    "Oh it's wonderful! Everybody's being so kind I've already made friends, like Matsuo, and Naruto!" I gave my biggest grin I could muster. Hearing someone's chopsticks drop from behind me I looked over to Naruto who was sitting there looking ecstatic.
    "Really? You consider me a friend?" Naruto question in the happiest tone I've heard from somebody.
    "Of course! You were nice to me, even though I came from a different village, unlike that blonde back at the Academy. What's her name," It came off as a question to some people, and Matsuo answered.
    "Ino," Matsuo answered.
    "Yes thank you, Matsuo. That reminds me there must be some kind of way I can get back at her right?" I looked at Matsuo. She had her chop sticks full of ramen, and mouth open when I looked at her. Naruto, Iruka and Kakashi decided to join me at looking at Matsuo for an answer. When she notice, she slurped up her ramen.
    "Why'severyone looking at me?" She questioned suspiciously.

    I felt my insides drop at everyone's stares. "Uh...Ino's kind of my friend..." I said warily, avoiding eye contact with Akane. "I know if she got to know you she wouldn't stay stuff like that..."
    More silence. The stares continued. I turned and looked at Iruka for help, but he was conveniently distracted. I exhaled slowly. "Fine. Okay. It was a jerky thing to do," I admitted, before turning back to Akane. "So I'll just tell you this. She likes - loves- Sasuke Uchiha. Do with that what you will."
    "Ooh." Akane grinned, rubbing her hands together. "This could be interesting." She turned around to chat with Naruto about a plan. I sighed. I invited the both of them and they didnt talk with me if it didn't involve getting revenge on my friends . Great. I felt SO loved.
    I poked at my ramen dejectedly. "I'll be right back," I announced, hopping off the stool. Iruka frowned in concern. "Do you feel alright, Matsuo?"
    "I feel fine," I said. "I'm just going to get a breath of fresh air." I paused, though, looking at Kakashi. "Why did she call you the Copycat Ninja?"
    Kakashi shrugged one shoulder. "Just a nickname I got when I was your age. I'll explain it some other time." He gave me a thumbs up. "Again, good job today."
    "Thanks," I said, face flushing. I turned and left the ramen shop. There was a bench outside, by the park, and I hurried to take a seat there. I was only sitting there for a moment when suddenly a boy in green spandex launched over the park fence, crashing into the other end of the bench. I yelped and jumped back. "Whoa!"
    The boy looked up. He had a bowl shaped black haircut with large, round eyes and thick eyebrows. He jumped up. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean - did I crush your bench?! I'll fix it!" He then immedietly crouched and tried to reassemble the wood.
    "Uh...it's fine," I said. "Are you okay, though?"
    "I'm perfectly alright!" the boy's shoulders slumped as the bench caved right back in. He whirled around to face me, jutting out a hand. "Rock Lee, at your service!!"



    Me and Naruto had stopped talking about the plan once he had gotten his third bowl of ramen. I started thinking about what Matsuo said, about Ino being her friend and all. 'MaybeI shouldn't go with this plan'I thought. Knowing I had upset Matsuo, early, and her being one of my first friends, I started thinking I sounded a bit like Ino, judging appearance, or where you had come from first without getting to know them. "I shall apologize tomorrow, and make up with her!" I shouted aloud without knowing it till I heard Naruto's muffled giggles, and the stairs on me, from my Sensei's and the owner of the ramen shop. "Uhm did I jus say that aloud?" Everyone nodded, even Miki, and So did too. I making such and jerk and fool of myself on the first day. I must seem like a total idiot to everyone. I slapped money down on the table, and said I had to go.
    "But you didn’t finish your ramen Akane!" I heard Naruto say.
    "You can-" I was cut off as I walked into someone. I felt myself falling, till somebody grabbed my arm, and hoisted me back up.
    "Haha! I saved yet another!" A boisterous voice sounded down the road.
    "Geez," Came another.
    And then a "How'd I get stuck on this team?" questioned.
    I loked up to see a girl in pink, a boy with white eyes, and a man dressed in leg warmers.
    "I'm sorry about him," The girl pointed towards the man. "Our sensei is kind of odd.
    "I am not! I'm youthful, and you are not!" He pointer at the two students. "You wouldn't have happen to seen a guy that looked like a smaller version of me would you?" He asked more calmly now.
    "Uhm no I haven't sorry," I answered back stunned by the peppiness.