Lost (Updated)

5

Sora sat in the classroom waiting to be called into the test room. Though as she sat there minding her own business when Hikari walked up to her that cocky smirk on her face as per usual.

"it must be nice to skip classes and put no effort in because you know you'll pass no matter what, with having everyone too scared to fail the Hokages student," Hikari said trying to get a rise out of Sora.

Sora just looked out at the widow not paying her any mind. This annoyed Hikari even more, she went to speak again only to be cut off.

"oh shut your mouth for once will you? You're just annoyed because you have nothing going for you," Senshi snapped from the seat in front of them.

Aisura and Amira sighed knowing this would happen, Senshi hated Hikari because she went out of her way to purposely hurt others just because she could. Senshi didn't get along with Sora but she didn't go out of her way to torment her, while Hikari did and it ticked Senshie off.

"why don't you get off your high horse, you don't like Sora either so why do you keep defending her," Hikari growled.

"because you annoy me more. Stop running your mouth, because if she wanted to she could beat you in seconds without breaking a sweat, you're just lucky she hasn't lost her composure yet," Senshi warned.

Sora looked up at Senshi, did she mean that? Sora always assumed Senshi saw her as weak as well. Hikari went to say something more but stopped as Iruka walked into the classroom with a clipboard. Hikari shot a glare at the two before going to her seat. Sora again looked out the window disinterested, waiting for her name to be called.

"for someone who dislikes Sora you sure do defend her a lot," Amira said leaning over and whispering to Senshi.

Senshi turned back to look at Sora, she couldn't pinpoint what exactly it was about her that made her mad. Maybe it was her distant attitude or the fact she gave off the vibe she was better. Maybe because she was so effortlessly better than her.  Sora was a prodigy brought in from outside the village and was already being trained by the Hokage, she was so out of reach from Senshi and it annoyed her. It felt like Senshi was sprinting to catch up but seemed to close no distance between them. While Sora was causally walking not a care in the world. What Senshi didn't see though was how hard Sora truly worked, that Sora was also sprinting but not to catch up to anyone. No, she was running away from the people of her past, running for her life.

Iruka began calling out names and the students went to do their test, Senshi, Aisura, Amira and Hikari all passed their test, now it was Sora. She walked into the test room a lump in her throat as her nerves grew. She was afraid that no matter how good she was she would be failed because she was an outsider. Iruka gave her a small nod and she took a deep breath performing the hand signs creating five perfect clones next to her. Iruka smiled at her and he picked up a leaf protector holding it out to her.

"well done Sora, you pass," Iruka said happily.

A weight was lifted off of Sora's chest as she took the protector. She did it, she was one step closer to being strong enough to keep her freedom from being stolen from her again.

"Thank you, " Sora said taking the protector and walking out of the testing room. 

She walked into the courtyard of the academy to see others smiling happily and showing the families that they passed while Sora stood alone. Though she noticed Naruto walk out sadly as he sat in a swing, no leaf protor given to him. He must have failed, Sora looked around noticing the cold glare the villages gave him as they whispered. Something she noticed they did a lot. Like her Naruto too was alone. Sora's attention then turned to Sasuke who walked away from the academy having a leaf protector, he too was all alone.

Sora let out a sigh as she went to leave but stopped as Aisura who was with Senshi and Amira called out to her.

"Congrats on passing Sora," he said smiling at her.

She looked at him as he looked a bit nervous while Senshi gave her a hard look and Amira just looked unsure of this whole situation.

"thank you. congratulations to you three as well," Sora said dully as she walked away.

"at least she acknowledged us," Amira said with a nervous laugh when Sora was gone.

Aisura let out a breath of relief while Senshi rolled her eyes.

"I don't know why you go out of your way to be nice to her," Senshi said.

"Because when I look at her I see someone who is lonely and in pain," Aisura said.

"I just see a cold person who shut everyone out," Senshi scoffed.

"I see someone intimidating and scary," Amira said nervously.

Aisura looked to where he last saw Sora. All he saw was something hurting and scared.

Sora returned home and sat in front of a small shrine she had, it was a shrine she set up for her brother, though there was nothing on it that showed that because she had nothing. There were flowers and incense on it and that was all. Sora held out the protector in her hands as she closed her eyes.

"Look, big brother, I'm a genin now. Can you believe it, only two years ago I was locked in a cage, now look at me," She said a strained smile on her face.

Her smile faltered as she looked at her reflection in the leaf protector.

"I'm scared, that when I wake up I'll be there again, or that any day he will show up and drag me back into that hell hole, and there will be nothing I can do about it. That's why I have to keep getting stronger. So that I can keep this freedom. This freedom you died trying to give to me. This freedom that we were meant to share..." Sora trailed off as she felt tears sting her eyes.

She shook her head forcing the tears back, she told herself she wouldn't cry again. Not anymore, to cry would mean she's showing weakness and she couldn't afford to do that in this world. She rose to her feet getting ready to call it a night, wanting to prepare for what tomorrow would hold, and the team she was going to inevitably be put on.