The sixth year had finally arrived, and tensions were high.

While we didn't spend time learning new skills, this year was being used as a way to test out knowledge and review older topics like math, geography, and history.

All those who remained had toughed it out through thick and thin, making it past the toughest challenges. Unsurprisingly, a huge portion of the students remaining were clan children, with the few civilian kids including Sakura and myself, although I still have an advantage over Sakura since I live with an experienced shinobi.

"Listen up everyone!" Iruka shouted, silencing the class. "While the graduation exam has a written test, the physical test is worth 80% of your final mark. I want all of you to do your best."

Many people had the same reaction as a realization seemed to dawn on them. Tomorrow was exam day, the morning dedicated to the written and the afternoon for the physical test. After that, we'd become genin and be split into teams with a new sensei who would lead us. None of us would have much time for friends, especially if we are in different squads.

"Rest up for tomorrow, class!" Iruka exclaimed. "Get a good night's sleep and come prepared tomorrow morning!"

Iruka dismissed us and I quickly stood up, hurrying over to catch Hinata before she left the room.

"Hinata!" I called out to her.

Hinata turned around and bowed her head. "S-sorry, I didn't hear you coming."

"That's alright, but I wanted to ask if you could come over today?" I said.

"I-I don't know, but I can ask as soon as we leave." Hinata replied.

"Sounds good," I said. "Besides, I know Tenzo will spot us and run over."

We left the class together and went outside, where students were meeting up with their parents and heading home. And their stood Hiashi Hyuuga, in all his stuck up Hyuuga-ness.

"Yuuto-san," He greeted. "How are you?"

"I'm quite fine, and yourself Hiashi-sama?" I diplomatically replied.

"I am well." He stiffy said.

"Otou-san," Hinata said quietly. "I was wondering I-If I could go over to Yuuto-sans and Tenzo-sans place for a while."

Hiashi looked down at me for a moment before nodding. "On two conditions, you must be home by 7:00 pm and Tenzo-san must be 100% okay with that."

A hand suddenly landed on my shoulder.

"It is no problem at all Hiashi-sama!" Tenzo smiled. "I'll be sure Hinata is home before 7:00."

"Then I will see you later," Hiashi said before gracefully walking away. "Goodbye."

"You're both so lucky." Tenzo sighed. 

"Lucky?" I asked. "How?"

"Hinata's dad is the leader of the Hyuuga clan, making Hinata the next heir by birthright," He explained. "I doubt he would trust her in the hands of anyone he didn't think was strong enough to protect her. Especially after what happened years ago."

Hinata frowned and clenched her fists, now I was curious.

"What happened?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.

"I was almost kidnapped." Hinata spat, saying nothing else.

I let the subject drop. "So should we start heading home then?"

"Y-yeah."

~~~~~

The next morning I was up bright and early, making sure that I looked and felt my best. I wore my gray undershirt, black pants, black shinobi sandals, dark green overcoat and my round black glasses. My yellow eyes were bright and alert after resting all night and my hair was in a neat bun on my head, tied up with a black elastic. My skin was still pale, unfortunately, that much never changed.

"Breakfast!"

Unusually, Tenzo was dressed for battle, his ANBU mask attached to his belt.

"You have a mission?" I asked.

"Unfortunately, yes." He sighed, bringing two plates into the dining room.

We both took a seat and a plate, picking up our chopsticks.

"Do you know what kind of mission it is?" I asked curiously, munching on some rice.

"Even if I knew, I couldn't tell you." He frowned. "ANBU is secretive like that."

"Oh well." I shrugged, emptying my bowl. "Are you going to drop me off?"

"Why? You still too scared to walk by yourself at twelve years old?" He teased.

"You know that's not true, I just like being able to say goodbye." I scoffed, crossing my arms.

"I know," He smiled. "It's just too hard to resist teasing you."

~~~~~

"Good luck today Yuuto." Tenzo said once we reached the gates.

"Thanks, Tenzo, I'll do my best." I grinned back.

"Then I'll see you tonight after you pass and get your new headband." He said, having no doubt in me.

"See you." I agree.

I turn to face the Academy, and once I glance back, he's already gone.

~~~~~

The written exam created a stressed and stuffy environment, and I couldn't be happier when it was over and we were allowed to go outside for our lunch break.

Hinata and I sat together under a tree, next to a small wooden swing, enjoying our lunches together.

"How do you think you did Hinata?" I asked.

"I t-tried my best, and I think I did really well." She replied confidently.

"Me too," I said. "Now all we have to do is ace the physical part."

"Are you worried?" Hinata asked.

"Not really, I've gotten really good at using my chakra, I think I'll do fine," I smirked. "How about you?"

"I've trained hard, t-there's no way I can fail now!" She smiled.

The bell chimed thrice and we both stood up.

"Come on, we got a test to ace!" I exclaimed.

"Y-yeah!"

~~~~~

Hinata passed and came out of the testing room with her brand new headband clenched in her hand.

"Congrats Hinata!" I exclaimed.

Hinata nodded. "G-good luck Yuuto."

I patiently waited for my name to be called until it finally happened.

"Yuuto Tatsumi."

I entered the testing room and stood before Iruka, another teacher, and three rows of headbands in different colours. The second teacher had silverish shoulder length hair and smiled at me warmly, giving off an air of comfort. Something in the back of my mind told me to not trust him though and I wondered what it was.

"Yuuto, this is Mizuki, he teaches another class in the Academy," Iruka said.

The gears in my mind seemed to click together as it finally set in. Mizuki, the guy that tricks Naruto and then gets his ass handed to him.

"Nice to meet you Yuuto." Mizuki said.

"Likewise," I replied with a smile that felt a little forced.

"Alright Yuuto, to pass the test you first need to use the substitution jutsu with an item in this room." Iruka said.

I spotted a chair in the corner and swapped with it.

"Next, transform into a person of your choice."

I transform into a perfect copy of Tenzo, even copying the way he stands with a hand on my hip.

"Lastly, create three clones."

I mold my chakra into three clones, and three versions of myself come into existence, standing next to me in a bored way.

"Well done!" Iruka praises. "You pass, pick any headband you'd like."

My eyes scan the rows of headbands until I spot one with a white cloth. I pick it up and put it into my pocket, not knowing where to put it right away. I leave the testing room and head to the back of the class where Hinata was waiting, her headband now tied around her neck.

"Congratulations Yuuto," Hinata said once she noticed the headband sticking out of my pocket.

"Thanks, Hinata," I replied. "But now that I've passed I think I'm going to have a nap."

"I'll wake y-you up later."

"Thanks."

I slowly drift into a light sleep to pass the time.

~~~~~

"Yuuto, c-class is over."

I slowly open my eyes, squinting as I attempted to see. I felt my glasses being put on and when my vision sharpened I saw that it was only Hinata.

"What did I miss?" I yawned, stretching an arm over my head.

"Iruka-sensei dismissed us saying that we had to come back t-tomorrow to meet our sensei's with our new squads." Hinata explained.

"I guess we should head home then," I said, noticing that the class was now completely empty besides Hinata and me.

Hinata glanced out of the window and I watched as her eyes widened.

"I've g-got to go!" She gasped. "My father is w-waiting!"

Without a proper goodbye, Hinata scurried away to meet her father, leaving me alone in the huge classroom.

"Bye then?" I mumbled in confusion. "See you tomorrow?"

A/N

How is the story so far? I get that it may be a bit boring so far, but things will pick up as things go on.