Limitless Skies. (Naruto Fan-fiction)

Nothing at all.

Today is the day of the Exam.

Most students are feeling butterflies, or confident that they will pass.

Yui wasn't any of them.

She was busy staring out the window, seemingly looking at the nest of newly-hatched birds.

But she was looking beyond that.

She was looking a the Hokage Tower, noting that the Hokage was dealing with complicated paperwork while smoking an antique pipe.

Surely not good for his health.

Black rings hung under his eyes, symbolizing that he hasn't slept. A pot of cold tea, a toppled over cup and the consistency of him dipping ink into the well. She noticed it all.

How many papers he had got through.

How many pots had to be brewed.

How many times he nodded off to sleep, only to wake again by the slightest sound.

She saw everything.

But it was strange, her clan wasn't anything special. It didn't have any enhancing abilities. It was like any other family.

Ordinary.

"Yui Takeda." Her name pierced the artificial silence she made in her mind, she stood up. Walking towards the door as her classmates mouthed 'good luck' to her. She obliged, and smiled at them. They nodded and resumed talking.

"Okay Yui, just make three clones and you pass." She nodded, her hands forming the correct signs.

Ram.

Snake.

Tiger.

Poof! Three clones surrounded her, one close to deflating but the examiners didn't take note of that and gave her a headband. A silver metal plate with the Leaf symbol, a navy blue cloth attached and firmly ironed.

"Thank you Iruka-sensei." She bowed to her sensei.

"Thank you Mizuki-sensei" She bowed to the other examiner, taking note of the calluses and scars on his fingers. And the sinister aura he emitted. She left the room and walked outside, patiently waiting for the last bell to sound.

At the end of the day, children ran alongside their parents, happy to declare their achievements and boast about the headband.

Yui's family was no different.

"How'd you go, kiddo?"

"I passed."

"Well done dear, we'll have ramen tonight." She nodded.

"Meet you there." Both parents nodded and raced home to get their wallets, and boast to their friends. Yui, instead of walking towards Ichiraku Ramen, she walked towards a saddened Naruto.

"Did you not pass?" His eyes widened, surprised that someone would be willing to talk to him.

"No..." She looked at him, then at the women who were beckoning her over. Carefully she approached the women.

"Can I help you?"

"Dear, you should stay away from that monster."

"Yeah, he doesn't deserve to pass anyways..."

"How exactly is he a monster?"

"Well-"

"Has he killed anyone?"

"No-"

"Has he committed a crime?"

"No-" By now, the women were panicking.

"Has he done a wrong deed?"

"NO-"

"Then please refrain from calling my classmate a monster. Thank you." Yui bowed and retreated to Naruto's swing.

"Why..."

"Pardon?"

"Why did you stick up for me?" She looked at Naruto with uncaring eyes, but his told her that he demanded an answer.

"I was told not to lie, and I will not lie when I say, that I bear no grudge against you and see you as a classmate in need." Naruto looked at her deeply, eyes searching for a betraying hint of her lying.

But found none.

"Thanks..."

"You're welcome, now please excuse me. I have a family dinner to attend to."

AT THE DINNER.

"So... How was the Exam?"

"Very good, thank you."

"Was it hard."

"Not at all."

"How was your day, dear?"

"Rather unusual today."

"Hm? Why is that?"

"Nothing mother. Nothing at all."