Chapter 1
Sunlight filtered through the wooden shutters of the small house nestled within Konoha. The quiet was quickly broken by the loud clatter of dishes as Shizune prepared breakfast, humming to herself. The smell of miso soup and rice filled the room, but her mind was on her routine: a simple but familiar dance around the kitchen that brought her an odd sense of peace.
The peace didn’t last long.
“Yona!” Tsunade’s voice rang through the hallway, loud enough to shake the walls. “If you don’t get up right now, you’re going to be late! Again!”
From somewhere down the hall, a muffled voice replied, unbothered. “Five more minutes, Tsuna. The academy can wait.”
Tsunade’s eyebrow twitched, and Shizune held back a laugh as she watched her master wrestle with the familiar mix of frustration and fondness that came whenever Yona pulled one of her “academy is a waste of time” routines. This wasn’t the first morning Yona had tested her patience, and Shizune doubted it would be the last.
“The academy can’t wait,” Tsunade said, stomping toward Yona’s room, her voice sharp. “You don’t get to slack off just because you think you’re smarter than everyone there!”
“That’s because I am smarter than everyone there!” Yona shot back as she finally rolled out of bed, rubbing her eyes.
Shizune, setting out plates, watched the exchange with a faint smile. The fierce protectiveness she felt for Yona had softened with time, becoming something more akin to a quiet pride. Yona was stubborn, brilliant, and so much like her mother that it hurt. If it hadn’t been for that red-haired little girl all those years ago, Shizune wasn’t sure where either she or Tsunade would have ended up.
“Honestly, Tsunade-sama, let her be a little late,” Shizune teased, setting down a bowl of rice at the table. “Maybe a lecture from her teacher will do her some good.”
Tsunade huffed, crossing her arms. “Knowing her, she’d lecture the teacher.”
Yona strolled into the kitchen, still looking half-asleep as she gave them a smirk. “Are we talking about how pointless the academy is again?”
Tsunade glared, hands on her hips. “For the last time, you’re going—”
“Alright, alright, I’m going,” Yona sighed dramatically, grabbing her bag from the table. She looked far too casual for someone who had nearly missed the first bell.
As Yona headed out the door, Tsunade shook her head, muttering, “She’ll be the death of me, that one.”
“She might be a little too bright for the academy’s syllabus,” Shizune said with a smile. “That, and her attitude—she takes after you, you know.”
Tsunade’s expression softened as she poured herself some tea, and her eyes grew distant. “She gets her brains from her mother, actually. My little brother barely had any.”
Shizune’s smile faded slightly as she looked at Tsunade. “And Yona is still in the dark about who her mother was. We’re telling her that she’s an orphan, a clanless child from the war, but we both know it’s not the truth.”
Tsunade’s face grew shadowed, her jaw tightening. “For her own protection, Shizune. She doesn’t need to carry the weight of a clan or the enemies that come with it.”
“She deserves to know one day,” Shizune said softly, as though sensing Tsunade’s sadness.
“One day,” Tsunade repeated, almost a whisper, her gaze fixed on the empty doorway Yona had just passed through. The truth was a heavy burden, one Tsunade wasn’t sure she wanted to put on her niece’s shoulders.
But for now, she watched Yona walk away with a small, sad smile, letting her believe, just for a little longer, that she was simply an ordinary girl in a village full of secrets.
--
Yona slipped into the academy classroom just as the bell rang. Spotting Shikamaru lazily waving her over from his usual seat at the back, she slipped into the empty chair beside him.
“Close one,” Shikamaru muttered, stifling a yawn.
“Eh, Tsunade wouldn’t mind if I missed a few minutes,” Yona replied with a smirk. “I’d be doing her a favor by not skipping breakfast.”
They both rolled their eyes as a flurry of sighs filled the room. Sakura, Ino, and nearly every other girl sat up straighter as Sasuke strode in. The entire class seemed to hum with excitement.
Sasuke ignored them all, his dark gaze drifting briefly to Yona. He gave her a small nod before sliding into his seat a few rows ahead. She returned the gesture, her lips quirking into a faint smile. She wouldn’t call him a friend—he was too reserved, and they both liked it that way. But they did share a kind of respect, the kind you earned after dozens of close-quarters sparring matches. She was the only one who could match him, and they both knew it.
Shikamaru smirked beside her. “Think he’ll finally beat you today?”
“Doubt it.” Yona chuckled. “But it’s fun to watch him try.”
Their amusement was cut short as Naruto stumbled into the classroom, already making a scene.
“Hey, Sakura!” Naruto called, voice full of enthusiasm. “Forget about Sasuke! I’m right here! You know I’m way cooler than that guy!”
Sakura didn’t even look his way. “Quiet down, Naruto! Some of us don’t want to hear your pointless shouting first thing in the morning.”
Naruto huffed, folding his arms and glaring at Sasuke. “What’s he got that I don’t, anyway?”
“Probably basic social skills,” Yona muttered under her breath, making Shikamaru snicker.
“Yona, you don’t get it,” Shikamaru sighed, shaking his head in mock seriousness. “It’s a deep, complicated thing called ‘true love.’”
“Then it’s a good thing I’d rather spar with Sasuke than fall for him,” Yona replied dryly, glancing at the crowd of girls mooning over the Uchiha.
As if on cue, Ino slid into the seat on Yona’s other side, shooting her a reproachful look. “You two are hopeless. I don’t know why I even sit with you guys sometimes.”
“Because you’d be bored without us,” Yona replied easily. “Besides, we keep things interesting.”
Ino rolled her eyes. “Interesting? All you do is complain about the academy and avoid work! Honestly, would it hurt you to care a little more?”
Yona smirked. “Work? You mean memorizing pointless history facts and watching Naruto declare himself ‘future Hokage’ at least twice a week? Trust me, my time is better spent elsewhere.”
Ino huffed. “I don’t know how I put up with you two.”
“Because you’re our friend,” Shikamaru chimed in, still half-asleep. “And you know you wouldn’t survive sitting next to Sakura and her daily love sonnets.”
Ino glared at him but couldn’t hide her smirk. “Whatever. But when you both fail your next test, don’t expect me to help you.”
Yona chuckled, leaning back in her seat as the teacher entered, finally putting an end to the morning chaos. She shared a quick look with Shikamaru, both of them thinking the same thing: the academy might be a waste of time, but at least they had each other to get through it.
---
“Honestly, Naruto,” Iruka sighed, rubbing his temples, “we’re trying to cover something important. Sit down and listen!”
Naruto huffed but slumped back into his seat, muttering something about proving himself one day. Sasuke let out a barely audible sigh of irritation, his arms crossed as he waited for the interruption to pass. This was the third time this week that Naruto’s antics had disrupted their sessions, and his patience was wearing thin.
From her seat, Sakura leaned toward Sasuke with a bright smile. “Don’t worry, Sasuke-kun! Soon, you’ll be like your brother Itachi—graduating early and becoming an elite ninja in no time!”
The mention of his brother made Sasuke’s expression harden. He turned to Sakura, his voice cold. “Can you stop disturbing me?”
Sakura blinked, taken aback, her face falling as hurt flashed in her eyes. She opened her mouth as if to say something but quickly looked away, clearly stung by his rejection. Sasuke, however, barely noticed. He was more concerned with the brief look from Yona, sitting a few rows back. She’d raised an eyebrow, her gaze curious but unreadable. For some reason, that look made him feel a flicker of embarrassment.
Yona Senju wasn’t like the others. She didn’t fawn over him, nor did she ever ask for his attention. She was one of the few people in their class who actually challenged him, in both sparring and intelligence. Her opinion mattered in a way he didn’t care to admit, even to himself. And now she’d caught him reacting to something that touched a nerve.
He could feel a dull ache rising as his mind drifted to Itachi. Ever since the massacre, they had been the last of the Uchiha. Itachi had been everything to him—brother, rival, protector. But ever since that night, Itachi had changed, growing cold and distant, nearly a ghost in Sasuke’s life as he threw himself into Anbu missions, rarely seen around the village.
If only he could be strong enough, Sasuke thought. Strong enough to prove that he was more than just a little brother. Strong enough that, maybe one day, Itachi would see him as a true equal, and they could work together to hunt down whoever had slaughtered their clan.
“Uchiha.”
Sasuke snapped out of his thoughts, realizing Yona was now looking at him with that same raised eyebrow, her lips quirking slightly in curiosity. She didn’t say anything else, but her expression was a silent question. He swallowed, hating that she’d caught him lost in his thoughts.
“What?” he replied, maybe a bit sharper than he’d intended.
She shrugged, unfazed by his tone. “Just wondering if you’re going to keep glaring holes in the desk all day.”
Sasuke scowled. “Mind your own business, Senju.”
“Fine,” Yona said, turning back to her notebook with a faint smirk. “But you might want to work on your poker face.”
Sasuke clenched his fists under the desk, annoyed but grudgingly impressed. Yona was sharp, sharper than the others—and annoyingly perceptive. Still, he couldn’t deny that, out of everyone here, she was the only one he didn’t find utterly insufferable.
--
"Alright, everyone," Iruka-sensei announced, clapping his hands to gather the class’s attention. "Pair up and practice the ninjutsu techniques we reviewed yesterday."
Almost instantly, Sasuke moved across the room toward Yona, surprising her by standing in front of her desk before she’d even gotten up. "Senju," he said simply, a hint of expectation in his voice, "let’s pair up."
Yona blinked, taken aback. She quickly collected herself, her surprise fading into a neutral expression as she nodded. "Sure, Uchiha," she replied, getting to her feet. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Shikamaru’s mouth dropping open.
"Oi, Yona! Abandoning me?" Shikamaru drawled, feigning hurt. "I thought we had a plan. Pair up, slack off, and avoid all this ninjutsu nonsense. What am I supposed to do now?"
Before Yona could respond, Ino smacked Shikamaru lightly on the back of his head. "Oh, please. Yona’s lucky to be with Sasuke! Honestly, I’m jealous. At least that forehead Sakura didn’t worm her way in," she huffed, glancing over at Sakura, who looked visibly disappointed as she paired with someone else.
Sasuke smirked to himself. Thank goodness Yona wasn’t like the others—she wasn’t about to fawn over him like a mindless fangirl. She could actually keep up, which made all the difference.
As the two of them moved to an empty part of the training area, they started with basic ninjutsu drills like the rest of the class, matching their speed and accuracy with ease. But it wasn’t long before they moved into a rhythm that seemed natural, quickly abandoning the basic moves for more advanced techniques.
Sasuke’s eyes glinted as he formed a seal. "Hope you’re ready, Senju," he said with a smirk. He inhaled, summoning his chakra. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
Yona’s eyes narrowed in challenge. She shifted into her own stance, gathering water chakra with practiced ease. "Water Style: Water Shield!"
The two jutsu collided, steam hissing as water met flame in an explosion of heat and mist. Sasuke grinned, exhilarated by the clash. Most of their classmates were stuck in the basics, and none would have dared challenge him like this.
“Not bad, Uchiha. But you’re going to have to do better than that,” Yona taunted, circling him with a smirk.
Sasuke let out a scoff, though there was an unmistakable glint in his eye. “Yeah? Guess I’ll just have to put you in your place, Senju.”
They exchanged blows, their techniques growing more intricate with each clash. Yona countered his every move with ease, her sharp wit and quick reflexes challenging him in ways few others ever had. She parried another strike, rolling her eyes at him. “You realize you’re predictable, right?”
“Predictable?” he replied, raising an eyebrow as he dodged her water strike. “At least I don’t rely on tricks.”
“Oh, says the guy who’s practically a walking ego,” Yona shot back, unable to hide her smirk.
Sasuke couldn’t help it—he barked out a laugh, a sound that surprised even him. He was enjoying this. And he hated to admit that it was actually… fun. Before he knew it, he was on the ground, blinking up at her as Yona stood over him, a triumphant grin on her face.
“Looks like I win,” she said, crossing her arms as she looked down at him.
Sasuke scowled but begrudgingly conceded. “Fine, you got me. This time.”
“Don’t worry, Uchiha. Losing isn’t so bad—you might even get used to it,” she teased, clearly seeing right through his attempt at acting unbothered.
Just then, Sakura’s voice rang out across the training grounds. “Hey! Yona, you cheated! There’s no way Sasuke would lose like that!”
Yona rolled her eyes and turned to walk away without a word, heading toward Shikamaru, who was lounging under a nearby tree. “You’re wasting your breath, Sakura.”
Sasuke watched her leave, his scowl fading as he felt a mix of irritation and something else he couldn’t quite place. He looked down at his hands, flexing them as if still feeling the thrill of their sparring match. For the first time, he’d lost—and surprisingly, he didn’t mind as much as he thought he would.
Meanwhile, Shikamaru shrugged as Yona joined him. “I admit defeat. I could tell from the start that all this training was a lost cause,” he muttered, earning an exasperated sigh from Ino, who was glaring down at him.
“You two are hopeless,” she muttered, hands on her hips as she continued her lecture.
Sasuke’s gaze lingered on Yona for a moment longer than he intended, frowning as she talked with Shikamaru. Maybe there was more to her than he’d thought.
--
The rest of the class dragged on, filled with the usual theory-based questions. Sasuke barely paid attention, his gaze drifting out the window as Iruka reviewed techniques he’d already mastered. Sakura was the first to answer each question, her hand shooting up eagerly each time.
Sasuke glanced her way, annoyed. She knew every theory answer by heart, but what was the point? Her fighting skills were barely competent, and her chakra reserves were next to nonexistent. Not that it surprised him—she came from a civilian family with no shinobi background. It was clear to him: power didn’t come from books alone; it came from skill, practice, and raw strength. And he intended to get stronger, far stronger.
As his thoughts drifted, a plan began to form in his mind. He knew he needed a sparring partner who would push him, someone who could actually match his pace and challenge him. Yona Senju.
When the final bell rang, he waited outside the classroom, leaning casually against the wall, watching as students filed out. He spotted Yona saying goodbye to Shikamaru and Ino, who both headed off with the rest of their friends. As she walked alone down the hallway, Sasuke pushed off the wall and called out to her.
“Yona.”
She stopped, glancing over her shoulder. “Sasuke? What’s up?”
He walked up to her, hands tucked into his pockets. “What are you doing now?” he asked, his tone casual but direct. “Want to train?”
Yona blinked, her eyebrows rising in surprise, but she quickly masked it, crossing her arms with a hint of amusement. “You want to train? With me?” Her lips curved into a smirk. “You know, Uchiha, most people would be a little more polite when asking for a favor.”
Sasuke shrugged, ignoring her jab. “I need a partner who can keep up. Are you in, or not?”
She grinned, intrigued. “Every day after class, then? Who knows, maybe you’ll finally get good enough to keep up.” She feigned a sigh. “It’s really lonely at the top, after all.”
Sasuke huffed, but he couldn’t help the flicker of a smirk. “We’ll see who’s at the top.”
Yona rolled her eyes playfully. “Alright, but don’t go crying when I win. Again.”
With that, they set off toward the training grounds together, a new rhythm forming between them as they pushed each other to reach new limits.