The Love We Never Knew We Had [Discontinued]

Part 16

~HINATA~

'It's my turn,' I thought, 'here goes, all in.'

My heart was racing; I was nervous.

"First, the written test!" Iruka decided.

"Could they have chosen anything more boring?" Naruto asked. Iruka glared.

"Alright, begin!"

The five of us quickly ran to the tables lined against the academy. Each seat, there was a pencil and paper. I sat, and began.

The first question was fairly easy, name five techniques each with a different element.

The second one was a bit harder, when should a ninja strike? I answered as best I could.

Everyone else had finished; I was the last.

I turned my paper in to Iruka, and waited for the results.

"The winner is," he began, "Sakura!"

I clapped—I was happy for her.

"Next round," Iruka continued, "sparring!"

We got into position, Naruto against Midagi and Honna against me.

Everyone began counting down, and upon reaching one we began.

Honna rushed at me, and I quickly backed up. Dodging a punch, I tried to land my own, but failed. I circled around, attempting to throw her off balance. However, she was not an easy opponent.

'I have to fight harder!' my mind wailed, 'if I don't, I'll have to go back to the academy!"

I calmed myself. Panicking would do me nothing. I raised my hands and got into position. When Honna charged again, I was ready. Parrying her punch, I kicked her in the side. She staggered, and I saw my chance.

With all my might, I pushed against her. She fell out of the ring, winning me the match.

"Next, Naruto vs Hinata!"

I took a deep breath. Now I had to fight Naruto. But however hard I tried, I could not bring myself to hurt him.

On his first attack, I let him push me over.

"Naruto is the winner!" Iruka praised, excited.

"Nice try, Hinata," Naruto exclaimed, helping me up.

"Next, target practice!"

I had to win this one, or all my chances at being a Genin were over.

We were each given five kunai, five tries.

Once Iruka nodded to start everyone began throwing. Taking a deep breath, I threw my first.

It landed in the blue, the second outer one. Not good enough. I threw a second one, it landed in the red, the second inner one. I needed it to hit the yellow, the middle.

I threw another and it hit the black—the farthest from the center. Finally throwing a fourth one, it hit the middle, but bounced off the target. I was getting frustrated. I had one kunai left.

Something caught my eye, just as I was about to throw.

It was Fugito.