Academy
The sleepover was a success in Kyoko's humble opinion, her friends were smiling and making plans for more sleepovers already. The next one would be at the Aburame twin's home and after that at Naomi's place. Their father's were surprised by their plans but also very pleased at the end of the day. The shinobi of Konoha took a lot of pride in camaraderie and teamwork, seeing their children get so close to each other made them feel relieved.
A few days after their first sleepover, the Academy opened and they were all standing in line listening to the Hokage give a speech. Kyoko eyed the old man, she had read how he had retired his hat but took on the responsibility again after the Yondaime passed. It was very responsible of him to do so and she respected that. On top of that, rumour has it, he had even taken up the responsibility to care for one of the orphans. She looked at the blond boy who had arrived with the Hokage, he was wearing a crow hoodie.
Kyoko, 'Damn, I want a cute hoodie like that.'
Naomi was watching her, 'I really hope we were put in the same class.'
Torune was nervous, 'They will never put twins together in the same class.'
Shino was beside him using his kikaichu to comfort his brother guessing what was in his mind. They went to check their sittings together and found Torune and Kyoko were in class 2-C while Shino and Naomi were in class 3-B. They looked at each other and sighed, this was to be expected. Naomi saw with a pout that her cousin Sasuke was with Kyoko and couldn't help but feel a little envy towards him.
Kyoko, "Hey, let's do our best to pass the first year. That way the class rooms will become smaller and combined."
Naomi perked up, "Then all four of us can be in the same class."
Torune, "Sounds like a good plan."
Shino, "Does that mean we are studying together?"
Kyoko, "Damn right, we are. We are gonna get that leaf exercise down with multiple leaves by the end of the year."
Naomi, "How many leaves are you planning?"
Kyoko, "At least, thirty leaves, I'm at ten leaves right now. I plan on starting tree walking next year."
The three looked at each other then nodded at Kyoko in agreement, chakra control was the basic of the basic. It was always a good idea to master the basics. The first year was mostly theory anyway, to help the children belonging to non shinobi families get familiar with the concepts of becoming a shinobi. Luckily for Naomi she could share one class with Kyoko all to herself and that was the kunoichi class.
Kyoko found the kunoichi class very interesting and she was not sure if it should be called kunoichi class. Most of the stuff they learned were etiquette, manners, which tea was best for which situation and how to get information. She raised this point with her Sensei who went by Kurenai Yuuhi who was about to refute her but then thought about it. Naomi was a little reluctant to lose her time with her friend but she understood where she was coming from.
A voice rang out, "You know the two brats got a point Yuu - tan."
Kurenai turned, "Anko - chan, why are you here?"
Anko, "I wanted to check out the new batch of kunoichis."
Kurenai, "Is that so?"
Anko eyed the two girls, "I like these two. The boys should also go through what we learn. A lot of the young brats have no respect for females especially the civvie brats who think they are hot shots now."
Kurenai mused, "Tell you what girls, I will point this out to the Hokage in the next meeting. You are right about this being more of etiquette and knowledge class then actual kunoichi one."
Kyoko nodded, "Thanks Sensei. Thank you as well ma'am."
Anko waved, "The names Anko gaki. None of that ma'am stuff."
Naomi, "Ah, thank you, Anko - san."
Anko watched them go, "A polite Uchiha huh? The world must be ending."
Yuuhi snorted, "Kyoko is top of the class followed by Yamanaka, Uchiha and a civilian Haruno. There is some fierce competition between Yamanaka and Uchiha."
Anko grinned, "Oooh! So, we got competitive kunoichi this year. Good good! I'm happy to hear that."
Yuuhi eyed her best friend, "Why are you here exactly, Anko?"
Anko, "It was the Hokage's idea. He wants me to give a special lecture on poisons around Fire country. How recognize them and deal with the poison."
Kurenai, "Ah, good luck then."
Anko left and went to the seminar hall and hid herself while waiting for the brats to arrive. Kyoko and Naomi sat together with Torune and Shino as they waited for their guest Sensei to arrive and give a lecture. Kyoko was reminded of her college days in her past life where guest lecturers would visit. Anko appeared in a loud show of fire crackers and greeted them getting their attention immediately.
Anko, "Howdy gakis! I am Anko, the snake mistress and torture and interrogation expert of Konoha."
Kyoko clapped, that was an impressive entrance almost the same ridiculous level as Reborn used to be. Kyoko noticed Anko was grinning because the other kids had followed suit when she had started clapping. Yamanaka Ino though was not pleased, she was the girl people followed not this brunette who was admittedly cute. She would not lose to her and glared which Naomi noticed and glared back.
Naomi, 'Is she glaring at me? Well I am not losing to her.'
Haruno Sakura was fiddling her ribbon nervously while trying to calm Ino who was in a glaring match with Uchiha - san. She didn't want to fight with the pretty Uchiha and the brunette Naiko - san next to her. But Ino - chan was hell bent on making them her rivals. The pinkette didn't think Naiko - san even noticed them what with her attention being on her books, Uchiha - san and the twin Aburame - sans. Anko - sensei had started class, better to pay attention.
Kyoko was fascinated by the subject, especially the different types of poisons that grew freely around Konoha. Even area forty four known as the forest of death was a treasure hub for poison specialists. Verde - sensei would have loved it here, Kyoko noticed the blond boy who came with the Hokage and was wearing a dog hoodie today was writing too. That boy reminded her of Tsunayoshi and the twins for some reason. Naomi noticed her attention being divided between their sensei and the boy in the hoodie.
Naomi whispered, "What's wrong?"
Kyoko, "Well, it's just, his hoodies. Where does he get them? I want one."
Naomi's eyed the blond, a Uzumaki Naruto, the ward of the Hokage, 'I have to agree, he does wear adorable hoodies.'
Torune who was on Kyoko's left, "We can ask him after school."
Shino nodded, "Admittedly, we want a pair too."
Kyoko, "It's a plan."
Kyoko looked outside it had been a few months and it was already winter when Anko appeared to give them a special lecture. She informed them there would be another lecture in two months when she would bring some snakes for them to identify. The ones who successfully identified the snakes would get extra marks. Anko smirked on seeing the Yamanaka sit up straight with a competitive glint in her eyes.
Anko, 'Inoichi will be pleased to hear her daughter is very serious about becoming a kunoichi.'
Ino dragged Sakura along, "Let's go to the library Sakura - chan. I am not losing to any Uchiha or their friend or relative this time."
Sakura looked back at where her crush Uchiha Sasuke was then sighed agreeing. She didn't know why Ino had a beef with Uchiha - san but she figured it would be best not to tell her about her crush on Uchiha Sasuke. The last thing she wanted was to make her best friend feel betrayed, just because she liked another Uchiha. Sakura hoped Ino - chan got a win soon, then she would tell her about her crush. Hopefully she would not consider all Uchihas her rival after she wins.
After the class was over they decided to head over to an upcoming ramen stand called Ichiraku's ramen stand. According to word of mouth, it was very popular among the Chunin and Genin for it's delicious noodles. As they were leaving the Academy they came across three boys picking on Uzumaki and another girl who looked like a Hyuuga, Hyuuga Hinata, Naomi remembered. Kyoko felt her temper flare on instinct as she rushed to help.
Kyoko, "What do you think you brats are doing?"
A boy with red hair sneered, "Teaching the demon brat and the freaky eyes a lesson."
Another boy with dark hair sneered, "Yeah, they are freaks of nature..."
He didn't get the chance to finish his sentence when Kyoko punched the ground with controlled fury making a crater. Naomi, Torune and Shino smirked at the fear that was seen on the faces of the three bullies. Naomi moved to make sure the Hyuuga girl was alright while Shino and Torune went to check on Uzumaki who was staring wide eyed.
Kyoko. "Listen up, you punks. See that? If you do not leave right now, that will be you next, got it?"
Naomi watched as the three boys shrieked because of fear and ran away, "Cowards! Can you get up Hyuuga - san?"
Hinata nodded, "Ye.. Ye.. Yes, Uchiha - san."
Naomi, "Call me Naomi, there are two Uchihas in class, it'll get confusing."
Hinata flushed, "C.. Call m.. me Hi... Hinata, then."
Torune, "Are you okay Uzumaki - san?"
Shino frowned, "Your hoodie was torn by them."
Naruto grinned, "I'm okay. See, it doesn't hurt."
Kyoko, "Are you sure?"
Naruto nodded, "Believe it! Your jutsu was so cool though. Can you teach me?"
Kyoko had to stop herself from hugging and cuddling the little sunshine, "It was not a jutsu, Uzumaki - san, it was chakra control."
Naruto's eyed widened, "No way, dattebayo. That boring stuff Iruka - sensei teaches is actually so cool. Oh ah, you can call me Naruto."
Kyoko smiled, "If you want to know, why don't you both join us for ramen at Ichiraku's. I can explain how it works while eating. I am hungry."
Hinata, "Y...You w.. would?"
Naomi, "Kyoko always shares her knowledge to those who are interested. So are you interested?"
Hinata nodded, "Y.. Yes."
Shino, "Then let's go."
Torune, "This way."
Unbeknownst to them, they were being watched by the Hokage, the clan heads and ANBU being lead by Inu who had just arrived after their mission. The Hokage gave a satisfied puff of smoke as he watched young Naruto make friends with the other child of interest and her group. Inu had seen what the three boys did and had been seething in anger but after watching Naruto make friends calmed down. He was now with people who seem to genuinely be interested in him.
Sarutobi, "Report Inu."
Inu, "After a thorough investigation, we have come to the conclusion that the Uchiha clan was in no way involved with the Kyuubi attack. The rumours were ironically started by civilians who were paid."
Fugaku clenched his fist, "Has the culprit been identified?"
Weasel spoke up, "We have a few suspicions but nothing solid yet."
Inu, "But the main point being the Uchiha clan is not to blame, they are innocent."
Sarutobi nodded, "Continue the investigation on who is spreading discord among us. The Uchihas are free to rejoin the village any time they want. The houses they vacated have not been touched by anyone. They will be ready to be moved into by tomorrow."
Fugaku nodded feeling lighter, "Thank you, Hokage - sama."
Shikaku grunted, "This should not have even happened in the first place."
Inoichi scowled, "We were all played for fools."
The other clan leaders nodded in agreement, by isolating one of the founding clans, they were weakening Konoha. It was a very well played terrifying tactic, the Uchihas were part of the Konoha police force. If they had decided to leave because of all the mistreatment, it would have left Konoha vulnerable with a large power vacuum to be filled. Hiashi gave a quiet sigh as his eyes turned to the Hokage's crystal and watched his daughter smile at her new friends while eating ramen.
Shibi hummed, 'It seems Kyoko - chan has adopted two more into her group. She seems to be the catalyst for many things. I will have to keep a closer eye on her.'
Fugaku was eyeing the girl his niece was close to as well, 'I look forward to more interesting changes in the future.'
Kyoko meanwhile sneezed, 'Someone's thinking about me. Must be mom and dad.'