Entering 'Ninja' Life?

It's time it's time it's time! Academy day is today! Sadly, Kaa-chan said no to admission at four, but I managed to get her to agree for five!

I wonder if I should just graduate early as well ...

After all, Itachi also plans on graduating early, but to be fair, he will be seven when he does so, which is next year. Kaa-chan said I should try to make friends, but I don't think I would get along with them.

Kaa-chan tried before when bringing me to the park to play, but other children my age say I talk funny. Excuse you and your baby babbling! At least I can form a perfectly coherent sentence. Che.

I question the reliability and possibility of going to the sensei myself to request early graduation after I undergo a year of boredom, but ... Hm.

Kaa-chan held my hand tightly as she we walked to the Academy together, with Shizu-nee behind us, and Kashi trailing us further back.

When we reached the gates, Kaa-chan knelt in front of me, and tidied the collar of my dress.

"Listen to your sensei, and pay attention in class, okay?", Kaa-chan said. "I know that you have learnt whatever they might teach in advance, but don't sleep in class. Most importantly, make some friends."

"Hai~."

After Kaa-chan and Shizu-nee bid goodbye, they left, leaving Kashi's shadow somewhere up on some tree.

All of us new students are gathered together to prepare for the welcome speech by Minato-nii-sama as the Hokage.

When Nii-sama went up the platform, all of the kids, including the rowdy ones, stopped fooling around with the help of the sensei.

A charismatic speech about the will of fire and us being the future and carrying it forth flowed out of his mouth smoothly. After his prepared speech, Nii-sama winked in my direction after I grinned at him.

The sensei then had to gather us all again before leading us to our classes, mine being 1-A.

Both Obi-nii and Itachi once told me that year 1 for 1-A class is only for clan children. Only when exams are taken, then those non-clan and civilian students would be placed according to grades from year 2 onwards.

I only hope those children from clans are not as ... slobbery as those I've met in the park.

Being the first few to enter the classroom, I chose a window sit in the middle row. When the class is filled, the sensei that had been waiting for us introduced himself as Shimura Hisoka.

Hisoka-sensei then made us introduce ourselves, as I sat listening to their introductions. Aburame, Akimichi, Hyuga Clan, Inuzuka, Sarutobi, Shimura, Uchiha, Yamanaka, and Nara. The plentiful ones. And then there's me.

"Hai~! My name's Senju Kanako. I aim to be an accomplished medical-nin in the future!"

Geh. Eyes off me, eyes off! Senju name is such a darn magnet.

And that, was the first day of the first year in the Academy.

•

When I came home with Kashi, Kaa-chan was setting food on the table.

"Just in time, go wash your hands first. You too, Hatake brat."

We did so, and sat down for dinner.

Hm. Teriyaki chicken and miso-eggplant soup. Glup.

As we ate, Kaa-chan asked about my day.

"Like we expected", I chewed and said. "Today was just an introduction to the classes, and most subjects I've already learnt." *chew chew*

"Most?" Kaa-chan looked at me confusedly, then her eyes shone with enlightenment. "Aa~! You're talking about the kunoichi classes?"

"Can't believe I'm supposed to learn flower arranging ... ", I rebutted perplexedly. "Are you sure you don't want me to graduate early?"

With a sigh, Kaa-chan put her chopsticks back down on the table, "Let's say you do graduate next year, what do you plan to do? Join a team with older genin?"

" ...no", I looked away from her silently. "I was actually planning on asking for an internship at the hospital before I continue onto a genin team for missions."

Kaa-chan stared back at me with a surprised expression. "Didn't think you'd actually plan it out. I like where you're going at though. Keeps you out of trouble and danger as well." She added for extra measure.

I nodded my head along with her. "So, can I? Graduate next year?"

She gave a long sigh. "Fine. But! I will talk with your sensei every three months to know your progress!"

"Hai~!"

I grinned widely and shoved food into my mouth.

*nom nom nom*

*pause nomming*

Wait. Am I forgetting something?

I swerved my head to the side, only to witness Kashi sliding his mask back up. "Gochisousama deshita." He clapped his hands together.

... Mou.

•

Weeks have passed, and I've made a few friends. Well, 'friends' seem to be stretching it currently, as we are more likely to be like-minded companions.

Nara Shikufu, the son of a cousin of Shikaku-nii, and Inuzuka Hana, a surprisingly quiet Inuzuka, especially when compared to her mother, Inuzuka Tsume.

As typical of a Nara, Shikufu prefers to laze about, as he obviously is already ahead of the class teaching materials. Hana is laid-back and more even-tempered than other Inuzuka's I've seen, with her ninken's the Three Haimaru Brothers. The three of us get along with each other well enough that we are seen hanging around together in the Academy.

While Shikufu naps here and there even around us, Hana and me prefers to floof and take care of the Haimaru Brothers. I once asked her why she doesn't name them individually, and she said that no matter who she tried to call, they always respond together, thus 'the Three Haimaru Brothers'.

As both Shikufu and Hana entered the Academy normally, they are both a year older than me, six. I asked why they haven't tried an early graduation, as they seemingly don't want to stay another minute in the Academy. They only said that they just want to go with the flow.

Hana told me that she is interested in medical-ninjutsu as well, but prefers to focus on healing puppers instead of two legged humans.

At times when it's deemed as 'pupper floofing time', I had to bug Kashi to summon Bisuke or Guruko to join in the fun. Pakkun and Kashi's other ninken likes to complain that I'm being biased. I am not denying that I am.

•

While kunoichi classes are normally a bore. I have my fair share of fun. During flower arranging class, Hana's pups prefer chomping on the blooms, while I pluck the petals and try to revitalize or grow them back using medical ninjutsu.

One time, I made a fuss for the ANBU's and Hokage. Probably unintentionally of course. So, while I was using my deep green glow on the petal-less flowers, I accidentally used too much chakra, going into the depth of what Kaa-chan deemed as 'non-public' ninjutsu.

The smell of rain once again flowed out of my overflowing chakra, and the petal-less flowers not only grew back its petals, but the stems started growing roots. From there, other new flowers started sprouting out, some even of different breeds.

Kashi and the other ANBU on duty, Kuma-chan, had to throw in a smoke bomb, and whisk me away. Of course, whisking away the affected bunch of flowers as well.

I find myself being placed down on a chair in Nii-sama's office.

Minato-nii-sama gave me an amused look. "So, what are you here for?"

Kitsune spoke, "She used her regenerative chakra in class." "Accidentally, of course," I butted in. Kitsune stared back at me with a pointed look. "The flowers she used it on changed, so Kuma had to throw in a smoke bomb." He added, while placing the overgrown flowers on the table.

Minato-nii-sama stared at the flowers, then turned to me. I had to steel my will and look away from his questioning gaze.

Minato-nii-sama gave a sigh, "Neko."

Neko-chan the ANBU materializes next to him. "Hai, Hokage-sama."

"Tell her sensei not to panic, and that Kanako-chan is with me."

Oops. Poor sensei-in-charge.

"Understood, Hokage-sama." Neko-chan saluted, and shunshin's off.

Minato-nii-sama turned back to me, and I looked away again.

"Kanako-chan, what did we tell you before?"

"... It was an accident", I replied in a soft voice. "I didn't mean to use that much chakra."

Nii-sama stayed silent for a while. "I heard from Tsunade-sama that you plan on graduating early, then going for a medical-nin apprenticeship in the hospital?"

I nodded, "Next year."

"So you've got about half a year left ... Hm." Minato-nii-sama settled into a contemplating posture.

After a minute or so, he finally moved. "Tell you what. Just try not to make too much surprises in the remaining months. Once you undergo your training, and enter a genin team, you'll have free reign, and have no need to conceal your abilities and prowess. But still, be careful, okay?"

"Un!" I nodded in tandem, "I promise, Nii-sama!"

He shooed me away, indicating the fact that a ton of paperwork was waiting for him.

I had the silent Kashi - no, Kitsune, shunshin me to back to Hana's side.

Sigh. What a day.