Solar Eclipse *Rewrite*

Chapter 9

Shikamaru was usually the first in class. He hated mornings, specifically early mornings. But since it was his father who would drop him off on his way to work every morning. He couldn't really do anything about it. So as he waited for everyone else to show up, he laid his head on the desk. About a few minutes later, the door opened. He didn't need to look up to guess who it could be. After himself, usually, Shino or Hinata were one of the first ones in class. After that were Sakura, Ino, and some of the other girls. Kiba and Akamaru's presence was always marked by too much energy, too early in the morning. Choji would always slide in beside him. Koinu, Naruto, and Sasuke had started coming in together. It was a Friday. March 20th to be exact. So while the class waited for Iruka-sensei to come in, they walked over to their friends.

"Oh! Hey guys!" Naruto looked up with a slight twinkle in his eyes. "Guess what day it is?"

"Friday?"

"Yeah, but today's a special day." There was that teasing tone.

"Is it someone's birthday?" Shikamaru guessed, what other reason would some be that excited?

"Yes!"

"Okay." Sasuke, who was seated closest to the window, said. "Well... Whose is it?"

Koinu rolled her eyes. "He's making too much of a deal of it. It's mine. I turned eight today."

"Happy birthday, Ko." Choji smiled, offering some of his chips. The islander had learned that the Akimichi only shared food with people he liked. So it was his way of showing affection.

"Thanks." There was a sad tone in her voice. She sighed, "I kinda wish my family was here..." She laid her head on the desk. "I miss 'em." Her mood didn't improve much after that. It was sad, being homesick on your birthday.

At the front gate, a teenage boy with shoulder-length fiery red hair, and reptilian red eyes entered the village. He was dressed in a mesh shirt, a red button-up that was left completely open, and ripped training shorts. The sun seemed to get caught on the muddy red scales that dusted his cheekbones as he walked. He was very handsome for a teen. "Konoha, right?"

A girl beside him nodded, "yep."

"Okay." They entered, turning their attention to the two chunins there. "Excuse me?"

Izumo and Kotetsu, the eternal guards of the gates, looked at the two. There was a slight air of familiarity coming from the boy. "Name?"

"Gin Mizu, Akito. You might know my little sister, Koinu." Izumo looked at him. They didn't look much like siblings, but they both had that slight accent and that smile. "I'm here to see her. She told me that she is attending the academy. Could you point us in that direction?"

"Sure." He gave him brief directions, pointing towards the academy's general direction. "Tell her I said hello."

"I will." He gave them a toothy simple, flashing his fangs at them. Did all Gin Mizu have fangs? "Come on, Kai." The girl nodded, following close behind Akito.

Koinu sighed as she walked out of the academy. The boys followed, talking lightly behind her. They stopped when they noticed her stiffening. "What's wrong?"

She didn't answer, instead, she started sniffing the air. Her head started to move around as she scanned the crowd. Her eyes landed on a teenage boy, a gasp escaping her. "No way..." Before they could ask what was wrong, she was off. She threw her arms open to embrace the unfamiliar boy. "Akito!" Her voice was watery, was she crying?

"Happy birthday, puppy! Did you miss me?" He picked her up like she weighed nothing.

"Yes!"

"Who are you?" Choji looked up at the boy. He looked around the same age as most of the graduating genin.