Sorry this was late, I couldn't post this chapter for some strange reason :Q
Chapter 9

Rolling in tangled bedsheets, I crack open my eyes. I can’t see five feet in front of me.
Yeah, I’m not a morning person. Kakashi’s not here for my 'first' academy day. Such parenting skills. At least I get his bed.
Probably another mission again. I curl back up into the blankets, shutting my eyes. Trying to close out the feeling like I’m forgetting something. First academy day?
Crud.
I roll off the bed and flop to the floor, dragging off most of the blankets. I get up and throw the blankets back onto the bed (Kakashi can make his own bed, that *er).
I grab my jacket off Kakashi’s desk, struggling to fit in. Why are my arms so dysfunctional in the morning?
I reach for my sword next, but find that it’s not anywhere to be found.
Shrugging, I decide to look for it later. It’s not like I need it for the first day of the academy.
Right?
Swinging open the door, I head off to my first day in academy... again.
---
4 years later
I creep behind Iruka, watching him screech at Naruto for vandalizing the Hokage monument.
“GET YOURSELF BACK DOWN HERE YOU IDIOT!” Iruka’s veins are bulging… again...
Naruto panics, swaying back and forth on the rope he's on.
It’s funny how Iruka’s the only who can really terrify Naruto. He’s like a critical mother.
Chuckling, I sneak back to the classroom while Iruka manages to tie Naruto up with his own rope.
As I settle back into my seat, Iruka marches back in. He has a * Naruto in his possession, who scoffs sullenly.
All of my classmates stare at the idiot.
Iruka starts ranting about how you’ve failed the graduation test twice, the next one is tomorrow, and other stuff that I tuned out on.
Then Iruka announces a pop quiz, which makes everyone groan in frustration.
This is a daily routine this class has. It’s filled with Naruto usually causing some sort of trouble.
I already knew the E-rank jutsu that were taught in the academy. I had to shove a book about acupuncture behind the academy scrolls to even learn anything in those years.
---
The next day, a crisis occurs that changes my whole life.
No, it's not the graduation exam.
Naruto, who’s sitting right next to me, starts sweating profusely. “O-oh no…”
I give him a blank look.
“…Go into the testing room when you hear your name,” Iruka finishes.
I didn’t hear what Iruka said, but I can guess what the requirement was.
When Naruto tries to make a clone, it always turns into this pale, floppy figure sprawled out on the floor. Everyone else does fine, producing multiple clones.
“Hatake Kyoma!” Iruka calls, and I grumble at the last name.
I walk into the exam room, two clones right in front of me. Mizuki and Iruka sweatdrop at us.
“Pass!” I catch the forehead protector thrown at me. Wrapping it around my forehead, I take a moment to get used to the new weight. Then I slice my clones to oblivion (hope Kakashi doesn't find out I brought my sword).
I’m quickly ushered out and led outside, running into the other graduates.
They’re showing off their forehead protectors even though everyone has the same thing.
Naruto comes out last, and he’s the only one who comes out without a forehead protector.
My heart sinks immediately.
While parents start to congratulate their children, Naruto walks over and sits on a tree swing.
Although I can’t consider us friends, we’ve always been... there.
I start to walk over to him, but a hand grasps my shoulder.
It’s a civilian woman, who has this scowl on her face. “Hey, don’t go near him. That thing’s not worthy of becoming a shinobi.”
Another woman chimes in. “That thing was the only one that failed the graduation exam, which was more than I could ask for…”
My breath quickens; my heart beats faster.
I tightly grasp the hand on my shoulder, hearing the 'crack' of bones.
You pieces of filth...!
When I turn to give the two women a glare, they cower back, one clutching her hand in silent agony.
My blood boils with murderous intent.
But when I look back at the swing, Naruto’s gone.
I send one last glare at the repulsive civilians and run off to find Naruto.
---
Just as I’m about to give up, some ANBU appear in front of me hurriedly.
“The Hokage requests your presence immediately.” They immediately disappear into smoke.
Appalled by the urgent tone in their voice, I have no choice but to follow.
---
I don’t expect the crowd of jonin crammed outside the Hokage’s office. They’re all chanting for death. Well, isn’t that morbid.
“Kill the demon if you see him!” A man from the Akimichi clan shouted.
A foreboding feeling washing over me, I push through the men. The Hokage doesn't even blink when I burst in, letting the door slam behind me.
“Why was I called?"
The Hokage meets my gaze steadily. “Naruto stole a forbidden scroll full of kinjutsu.”
My blood runs cold.
“We're taking drastic measures to get it back.” The Hokage holds his hand out, and a scroll appears in it.
“Since you are young, I had hoped this moment would arrive later in your life." The Hokage takes a deep breath. “I trust that you will not repeat this to anyone. It’s an S-class secret.”
I find the courage to speak again. “W-Why… are you revealing an S-class secret to me?”
This is one of those times where I notice how old the Hokage really is. “Kyoma, there’s no easy way around this. Naruto is the Kyuubi container.”
He lets it all out in one breath.
The demon that destroyed Konoha twelve years ago.
“…Naruto… destroyed his own village?” I ask, so confused of the words that fall out my mouth.
The Hokage’s head falls into his hands. “No, Naruto is the container. Not the actual Kyuubi. He never had any control over the monster.”
I let out a breath.
The Hokage smiles, but it’s frail. “Naruto’s seal is... unstable. There’s a one-in-a-million chance that the Kyuubi will break out, but if something happens…”
He pulls out a scroll from his sleeve, laying it down on the desk for me to see. “Here's the seat. Complex fuinjutsu; very few can interpret it.”
Ink marks stream across the scroll, all tangling together in one seal. My eyes widen as I take it in.
“Kyoma, your—lifelong—mission is to monitor Naruto and keep the Kyuubi sealed. You'll have to learn how to make the seal.”
I stare at the Hokage in disbelief.
What?
“Naruto and I don’t even get along. There are people in this village that would do better than me.”
“You are Naruto’s closest friend. I thought about giving Iruka this job, but he has academy classes to teach.” The Hokage’s eyes narrow. “I dare not ask anyone else to.”
“Hokage-sama, we aren’t…” I trail off.
Would there be anyone else to ask?
I hang my head in guilt. Everyone wants Naruto dead.
Seeing my indecision, the Hokage continues. “If you accept this mission, you will be put into the ANBU. Your expectations will rise, but you can do it. Remember, this is for Naruto.”
For Naruto.
Gulping, I nod.
“Good. Bring Naruto back safely, and the mission is yours.”
This post was last edited by MisakiFuuji at 2017-4-21 10:45