"Okay class! Today, everyone in the whole school, will be having a practice exam, to see how much you guys have learned in the past year. This will help us figure out, where exactly you are on the learning board with us." Inu Sensei said, making all of us groan. He began speaking again, but I zoned his voice out, as soon as Obito leaned near my face.
"If I have to take another stupid written exam, I might actually kick the bucket! This is getting ridiculous!! I want real action, not some stupid paper test! It's not about the words! It's all about the real action!" Obito whispered to me, as I nodded.
"I agree with you. I'd like to show off my skills in front of Kakashi and show him just how good, I've truly gotten in a year!" I whispered back, and he winked at me.
"The look on his face would be priceless! He'd probably go home crying to his daddy, because a girl kicked his butt. Now that's something, I'd want to see!" He whispered, making me giggle.
"If anyone kicks kaka's butt, I hope it's you, Obito! He's always calling you an idiot, it would be good to stick it too him for a change." I whispered and he snickered.
"Yeah! That would be great! I'd like to see his face when I-"
"Obito! (Y/N)!" Inu Sensei said, making us both jump and sweat nervously.
"Would you like to share with the class, what you think is so much more important than me explaining the exam rules! Rules to an exam, need I remind you, that will determine where exactly you could be placed by next year?!" He said, as Obito and I chuckled awkwardly, looking down at our desk in embarrassment.
"S-Sorry Sensei." We said in unison, as the rest of the class laughed at us, with the exception of Rin.
"Idiots." I heard Kakashi say, making me scowl at him. He smirked under his mask.
I'd love to wipe that little smirk off his face by kicking his keester in those exams. I'm gonna get the highest scores. You better believe it! Oh, it's on Hatake.
"As I was saying..." He paused, getting himself together, while glaring the both of us down.
"The test today will consist of three parts. Hitting the target with Kunai and Shuriken, showcasing your battle skills against the partner of my choosing, as well as seeing how far you guys have come along in making your very own shadow clones and transformation jutsu's." He said, while writing it down on the chalk board.
"The students that can pass all three tests, will be scheduled go to see the Hokage, doing some tests for him, and getting your status transferred one step closer to Gennin." He said, making all of us get excitedly.
"Keep in mind, some of you have skills to be promoted automatically to Gennin, seeing as some of you, already have a higher class rank." He added, as I smirked.
"Now that you guys have an incentive to look forward too, everyone line up, and let's get moving!" He said, as we all started heading outside towards the training area.
"Alright, first things first, each group of two, will stand at a post." He said, standing in front of the row of posts.
"You will get five minutes of practice time, before you both will show me if you can hit the target or not." He said.
"If you notice, you might end up getting paired with someone who is not in your class, that is okay.
Bring it on, whoever it is, I can get this in my sleep.
"Alright, I'll be calling out the pairs now." Inu Sensei said.
"Group one will be Might Guy, and Asuma Sarutobi." He said, as they both took a stance near the wooden post.
"I accept this challenge of having you, Asuma Sarutobi, as my rival for the throwing contest!" Guy yelled in excitement. Asuma just smirked, tossing a kunai up in the air, over and over again.
"Go Guy!! Go big brother!!" I said cheering them both on.
"Next, Group two will have Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara." He said and I smiled.
"GO BEST FRIENDS!!" I yelled before looking over at Kureni.
"That's my best friends, go best friends!" I said, as she giggled at me.
"Group three will be Kureni Yūhi and Anko Mitarashi." He said and I smiled.
"Go girlies!!" I shouted as Anko gave me a thumbs up and Kureni smiled. As names kept getting called, I started getting annoyed that I didn't have a partner, or better yet, a post.
Am I just not going to have a partner? Well, I guess that's fine. I do better on my o- Wait a second. I thought to myself as I looked around.
Guy, Asuma, Obito, Rin, Anko, Kureni...
My eyes scanned the posts, as each one was full with the other classmates. I took a very sharp breath and held it.
No... Don't tell me.
I turned my head slowly as the only person I saw left was a smirking at me. Stupid Kaka head, was looking my direction, before looking back at our Sensei. I growled knowing exactly who's names were next.
"And the final group, Group Thirteen, will be (Y/N) Sarutobi and Kakashi Hatake." He said making me sigh heavily.
You have got to be kidding me.
"Yay me." I mumbled sarcastically, rolling my eyes, stepping up to our assigned post. I looked over to see Kakashi smirking at me.
"You know, for someone who hates me so much, you sure seem pretty happy to be paired up with me." I stated, as he chuckled.
"Me? I guess you're right. I am quite thrilled, to show you that I'm so much better than you'll ever be." He said, making me scowl at him. He watched me, as I carefully looked at which weapon I wanted to use.
"Ready to give up yet?" Kakashi asked me, while grabbing his weapons.
"Not even when pigs fly, Kaka." I growled, while grabbing mine.
"You guys have five minutes to practice, so use them wisely. And.... BEGIN!" Inu Sensei yelled, as we began throwing the weapons at the target.
"It's been a year, and you're still gonna call me that childish name?" He asked, as I smirked.
"It's been a year, and you're still gonna act like a jerk to me for no reason?" I copped back making him chuckle. I threw my shuriken a little too high at the target, missing it completely. I growled.
Ah poo.
"Ya know, for someone who really thinks they are gonna be the best shinobi in the world, you should know it's important to actually hit your target." He said cockily.
"Just shut up." I growled. Kakashi threw his shuriken, hitting the dead center, making me stare in shock, before I rolled my eyes.
"Beginners luck." I mumbled grumpily, before taking a deep breath. I threw a Kunai, and stared at the target wide eyed, when I missed again.
Ah freaking poop!!!
"Care to repeat that?" Kakashi asked cockily. I sighed, grabbing another kunai.
"Care to shut up?" I said throwing it angrily, hitting the target, while knocking Kakashi's off in the process. I smirked to myself. This time he scowled. He threw a Kunai, purposely knocking mine off the target, making me mad.
"Alright you two, are you ready?" Inu Sensei asked as we looked at him. I smirked.
"Oh you have no idea." I said, as I got my stance ready, the kunai in my hand. Inu Sensei held the pen to his clip board.
"Alright, you both can take turns throwing, or throw at the same time, either way aim for the center of the target. You know the incentive, you may begin." He said, and I smirked. I waited for Kakashi to throw his kunai, but it never happened. I looked at him. I could tell he was smirking.
I guess I'll go first then. Time to show the Kaka head, that I have indeed grown.
Everyone's eyes were on us. I bit my bottom lip, getting ready to throw, my hands slightly shaking in excitement and anticipation.
Mommy and daddy will be so proud of me when they find out I became a Gennin before my big brother.
"You can do it (Y/N)!!" Obito and Rin cheered.
Here goes nothing...
I threw it. I knew it was gonna hit the target. It was perfectly executed. But what I didn't plan for, was two other kunai getting thrown at the same time, one knocking mine off track, while the other hit the dead center.
He. Did. Not. Just. Do. That. I thought as I clenched my fists, till they turned white.
He just ruined my chances.
"Wow! What an amazing strategy! I'm quite impressed Kakashi. You did what needed to be done in order to complete your task. Kakashi wins this round." Inu Sensei said, writing down something on his clip board.
"Hear that? Like I said a year ago, grow up, or give up." Kakashi said cockily, before shoulder bumping me. I glared at the back of his head intensely, as I held my arm out pretending to choke him with my fingers, in anger.
"Grow up or give up." I mocked him, as I walked over to Rin and Obito, a frown plastered on my face.
Just you wait. It's not over yet.
"Don't let it get to you (Y/N), I know it would have hit the target." Rin said putting her hand on my shoulder. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down.
"You're right." I let out a sigh.
"He knows I can hit the target too, that's probably why he did that anyways." I put my hands on my head, massaging my temples.
"What do you mean he knows you can hit the target?" Obito asked confused.
"Well, right before Inu Sensei came up, I got really angry, and I threw a Kunai, hitting the center, while knocking his off the target." I said, and Rin grabbed my shoulders.
"That's amazing (Y/N)!!! I'm so proud of you!!" She said, jumping up and down, making me smile.
"Yeah..." I said looking down.
"What's wrong?" Rin asked.
"That cockiness, ruined my chances of being Gennin." I said sadly.
"Hey, don't let it get to you!!" She said trying to cheer me up.
"Yeah (Y/N)! Besides, none of us were able to hit the target anyways! And the fact that you did it, while knocking Kakashi's off! That had to feel pretty good right? I mean, he had to have realized the skills you processed?" Obito asked, and I couldn't help but smile.
"It did feel pretty good... It bothered him too, I could tell." I said, chuckling to myself, remembering the memory.
"And hey, it could be worse! You could have accidentally throw it at Inu sensei!" Obito said, making me laugh.
"Yeah, I guess you're right!"
* * *
"Okay, now we will see your guys' combat abilities, without the use of jutsu's." He said.
"Now for this round, I switched up the partners, based on their combat abilities. Here are the rules. No aiming at the groin. If you are knocked down, off your feet by an opponent, and you cannot immediately get back up, then you are out. Once the match is over, you both will give the unison sign, and the next group will continue. Do you understand the rules?" He asked us, and we all agreed.
"Great! First group will be...." He said looking at his clip board.
"Rin Nohara and (Y/N) Sarutobi." He said and I looked at Rin. We smirked at each other, as we made our way up to the fighting spot.
"Good luck (Y/N)! I know you can do it!" She said, cheering me on.
"You too Rin! You're still my best friend no matter what!" I said and she smiled.
"No matter what!" She repeated.
"Are you two ready?" Inu Sensei asked us. We nodded.
"Ready!" We said in unison, as we got in the fighting stance.
"Remember the rules! I want a clean fight!" He said.
"And Begin!" He yelled, before we charged at each other.
Rin and I danced around each other, throwing kicks and hits, all of course, while blocking each other's attacks. The sounds of "wows" and "whoah's" filled the air, the longer the match went on. I noticed Kakashi was watching us intensely, making me smirk.
Yeah, you watch what I can do. I thought to myself, as I managed to hit Rin in the chest.
"Ahhh!" she called out, as she slid across the field on her feet. I noticed Obito, watching us as well. He looked impressed while concerned, as his eyes darted back and forth.
"I'm sorry!" I called out, as we charged towards each other again.
"Don't be sorry!" She said before she sent a kick my direction that I couldn't block in time.
"AH!" I cried out, as I nearly hit the floor, but managed to do a backflip and roll, to get back up on my feet.
I will not lose this match.
I looked around and everyone, including Kakashi, looked impressed.
That was close. I thought to myself before chuckling and wiping the sweat off my face. I was out of breath, but I wasn't going to give up. I charged towards her again, while she went for that same move. Being prepared this time, I slid under her, kicking her right leg that was still on the ground, knocking her over. I made sure to finish the match, by coming up and grabbing her shoulders, making her fall on her back, with me pinning her down to the ground. We both looked at each other with tired eyes, panting hard.
"That was very impressive (Y/N) and Rin! (Y/N) you realized your opponents main move, and you turned it into a weakness. Good job you two!" He said, as I helped Rin up.
"(Y/N) wins! This concludes the match, please make the unison sign." He said, as Rin and I smiled. The kids cheered for the both of us.
"That was really good (Y/N)!" She said, as we connected our hands together.
"You were amazing Rin! Thank you for being my partner." I said before we walked off to the side.
"Wow!! Guys that was so cool!" Obito said hugging us both, making me blush.
"Ah it was nothing; I just had a good partner." I said, shrugging my shoulders, watching the other fights as they continued. As it got closer to the last few groups of people waiting to fight, Rin spoke up.
"Who do you think you're going to go against Obito?" She asked, while he thought about it.
"I hope it's Kakashi!" He said, before he glared over at Kakashi's direction.
"Me too!" I spoke up, and they both looked at me.
"I hope you get him, and you knock him to the ground!" I said while punching my other hand for emphasis.
"Well, we will just have to wait and find out." Rin said and I smiled, before putting my hand on his shoulder.
"But hey! No matter what happens, you're gonna do great..." I said as my face felt warm.
"I just know it." I finished off, before looking back towards the match ahead of us.
"Thanks (Y/N)! And thanks Rin! I can surly count on the two of you!" He said, as Inu Sensei called out Anko to be the winner. After a few more matches, it was made clear that it was going to be "Obito vs. Kakashi."
"Good luck!" Rin and I said, as he made is way up there.
"Yeah, good luck." Kakashi said, making us all shocked, that he was nice for a change.
"You're gonna need it." He added.
Go figures. You can do it Obito!
"And BEGIN!" Inu Sensei said, as the two boys charged at each other. Kakashi went in with a kick, as Obito blocked it, and went to punch him in the face. For a while, we were all so impressed with Obito blocking and dodging Kakashi's attacks. That was until Kakashi grabbed Obito's arm with his free hand, holding him into place, before punching him in the stomach, sending him a few feet away. I let out a growl.
"GO OBITO!! YOU CAN DO IT!!" I cheered out in anger, as he nodded, charging back at the grandpa boy. He kept trying to hit him, but could never seem to land a single hit.
The longer the match went on, the more Obito got hurt. Rin and I looked at each other, with worried faces. We never once gave up hope, but we knew it was clear who was to win this match. Next thing we knew, Kakashi managed to flip him on the floor, making the Uchiha lose.
"Oh Obito..." I whispered out, feeling bad for him.
"And the winner is Kakashi!" He said as everyone cheered for him. Everyone except for me.
"Please make the unison sign." Inu Sensei said, as the two boys just stared each other down. Kakashi said something that suddenly made Obito growl.
"YOU STILL WANNA GO HATAKE?! I CAN FIGHT YOU ALL DAY!!" He yelled, grabbing ahold of Kakashi's shirt.
"Why? So I can easily beat you again? I'll pass." He said, with no emotion.
"OBITO! KAKASHI!" Inu Sensei yelled out. Obito let go of Kakashi's shirt.
"I said make the unison sign! Now!" He scolded, as the two boys glared at each other, connecting their hands together. Obito then stomped over to us again.
"Who the hell does he think he is?! He thinks he's so good, so high and mighty, with his hedgehog looking hair! I'm tired of it!!" He said in frustration. I let out a sigh, before we moved back into the classroom to do the final task.
I'm tired of it too Obito. I'm tired of it too.
* * *
"Okay guys, everyone line up, and let's see how far you guys have come along on your shadow clones and transformation jutsu's!" Inu Sensei said, as we all lined up.
Asuma was first in line. He walked up and turned around to face us. He took a deep breath, before looking up at the teacher.
"Whenever you're ready" Inu Sensei said, and Asuma nodded. He began to perform the hand signs Ram, Serpent, and Tiger.
"Shadow clone justu!" He yelled, as a shadow clone puffed up next to him. It was almost perfect, except the left eye was missing. Obito couldn't help but snicker at him, and I hit him upside the head.
"Ouch!! What was that for?!" He asked, rubbing the back of his head.
"That's my big brother! You need to be nice!" I growled and he frowned.
"Sorry (Y/N)." He said sadly and I smiled.
"It's okay." I said back to him.
"Okay Asuma, I want you to transform into me." He said, holding the clip board in his hands, writing things down. He started doing the hand signs Dog, Boar, and Ram.
"Transform!" He said, as he transformed into Inu Sensei perfectly. The class clapped for him and he smirked.
"Yay! Go big brother!!" I said cheering for him. I saw him chuckle. Inu Sensei started going down the line, testing everyone's skills.
"Hey (Y/N), Obito, how well is your guy's jutsu's?" Rin whispered.
"Mine is fantastic, especially my shadow clone jutsu! I finally figured it out!" Obito said, staring at Rin.
"What about you Rin?" He asked her.
Why do I suddenly have that funny feeling again?
"I still haven't figured out the Shadow clone jutsu yet! But I'm really good at transforming!!" She said excitedly.
"Well if anyone can do it, it's you!!" He said, while blushing.
Why do I feel mad? What is wrong with me?
"(Y/N) are you okay?" Rin asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
"Um, yeah." I said, chuckling nervously.
"You look upset. What's wrong?" Obito asked. I shook my head.
"I'm just a little nervous on the shadow clone; I just recently figured it out. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it's worse than big brother Asu's." I said, looking nervous.
I can do this. I just need to remember what Minato taught me all those times he baby sat me.
"Obito Uchiha!" Inu Sensei said, as Obito stepped forward, turning around to face all of us.
Wait? Did I really just miss Rin... Oh...? I wonder how she did...
"You can do it Obito!" Rin said, cheering him on. He smiled.
He has a pretty smile...
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!!" He yelled, before the class busted out laughing, except for Rin, Kakashi and I. Next to him, was his shadow clone, a puddle on the floor, with no eyes. My eyes went back to Obito. He was red and embarrassed.
"Such an idiot." I heard Kakashi mumble, shaking his head.
"Why are you such a jerk huh?" I asked him.
"What?" He asked back not phased.
"You want to call me a child, for calling you a stupid Kaka head, but your personality sure fits it. Do you even have an ounce of kindness in your heart? Why do you think you're better than everyone else? Huh?" I asked and he glared at me.
"Because I am." He stated matter-of-factly.
"No you're not." I glared back at him.
"Yes I a-"
"A person that is better than everyone else is a person that everyone looks up to. Someone everyone wants to be. And maybe people look at you, and think they wish they were you, but you know what? I don't, and I never will. You may be able to hit targets, and be a good fighter, and maybe be skilled at jutsu's, but none of that truly matters. It's the way you treat people! That's what makes a person! And unfortunately for you, that's what makes you the lowest of low. You may be better than everyone else at the things that are key to becoming a shinobi. But you Kakashi, will never be better than everyone else on the key parts of being a decent human being." I stated, making him glare at me.
"Make fun of Obito, all you want. But Obito will have more heart and soul than you ever will, and that's exactly why I look up to him." I said.
"Then you're looking up towards failure." He said and I smiled.
"Then I guess I'd rather be a failure with a heart of gold, than a cold hearted shinobi like you'll be. You could learn a thing or two from him, Kakashi." I said, before Obito came back to his spot looking disappointed. I put a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, it will be okay! Like you always say, don't let it get to you.... But also, like my daddy always says, it's not about how fast you get there, but the journey it takes to get you there." I stated quoting my father. He smiled.
"(Y/N) Sarutobi!" Inu Sensei called out and I took a step forward.
I know Minato said this is forbidden, but I have to try it. I have to prove to Kakashi, that I am good at something.
I turned around to face the class, and took a deep breath. I started thinking about Kakashi, and everything he's said to me over the past year.
You'll never make it acting like a child.
You're immature.
Grow up or give up.
Ready to give up yet?
Grow up or give up!
Grow up or give up!
Grow up or give up!
I will never give up Kakashi Hatake!
I opened my eyes, and began to make the signs.
"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!" I yelled out, as I hoped that next to me was a successful shadow clone or two. I looked at everyone in front of me and they looked shocked. Even Kakashi's eyes were wide.
Did I do it?
I looked over and saw three different clones of myself, standing there, smirking at the class.
I did it!!
Big brother Asuma looked like he was about to have a heart attack. Obito looked at me as if I had done the impossible. Rin looked at me as if she was so proud of me, that her heart would explode at any second. I stared right into Kakashi's eyes, and in that moment I felt so powerful.
How's that for giving up Kakashi? I thought as I smirked to myself. Inu Sensei was in shock, as he wrote down something on his clipboard. I easily turned into Inu Sensei before walking back to Rin and Obito.
"That was so beyond cool!!! How did you do that?!" Obito asked, as Rin pulled me into a hug.
"I don't know... I just...Got angry?" I said, more as a question, as he looked at me weird.
"Kakashi Hatake." Inu Sensei said. Kakashi walked up there. He didn't look at our Sensei. In fact, he looked directly at me smirking, as he did the signs.
"Multi Shadow clone Jutsu." He said, and it was my turn to be shocked. The whole room went silent, not a single word was said. I was mad. Really freaking mad. There wasn't one, or even three shadow clones. No, there had to have been at least thirty of them scattered around the room. I scowled at him, before they all disappeared.
"That concludes the practice exam test. Kakashi Hatake, being as you are the only one to pass all three rounds of the test, you will be scheduled to take your real test in front of the Hokage next month, and hopefully become the first Genin of this class. Congratulations." Inu Sensei said.
"I can't do this anymore!" Obito whisper shouted.
"It's like we can't win with this guy!! I'm starting to sound like I'm just talk. He's younger than me, this is embarrassing." He sighed.
"As much as I hate to admit this, if we want to be stronger than Kakashi, Obito... it's gonna take more than what we doing. A lot more." I said.
"She's right. Kakashi is on a level that is going to be hard to beat, if it even can be." Rin said.
"Anything is possible, if you truly want it." I stated blankly, as I watched Kakashi turn into our Sensei.
"Well I want it, so then... Let's do it!" Obito said holding a fist in the air.
"Do what exactly?" I asked looking into his charcoal eyes.
"All three of us train as hard as we can, until we can beat Kakashi." He said, as we watched him walk back over too us. He stopped right in front of me, smirking behind his mask.
"You may not like me, but I think it gets under your skin, that you just can't out due me huh? Oh well (Y/N), not everyone is born a winner." He said cockily. I balled up my fists, watching him walk away.
"Starting after school, we train, and we train hard." I said to Obito, as he nodded, the both of us never letting our eyes off Kakashi.
"It's time we put him in his place."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love you guys. Thank you for the love and support.
Posted: September 5, 2018
Edited: February 20, 2019