For the couple of few days you have been rather busy, you've worked before but this time you barely had time. It would consist of going to work and then back home, there were only a few times where you would see TenTen and the others, however, those times you had been accompanied by your parents. They would drag you back home only giving you the change of returning their excited hand wave.

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Though from what you have heard, they had taken their written test and it made you more than happy to hear that they had passed. However, as days passed, you noticed the increase of people around the village, and you understood why. Because of the Chunin exams, there were others arriving from other villages that would participate in said exams.

How long has it been? Probably around two weeks since you had started work, you barely had any time to be alone. However, because of the approaching Chunin exams, the hours of work decrease. The person for whom you had been working left, he only wanted the three of you to clean the house a few days a week. It was the perfect opportunity to look around and possibly buy some new things such as clothing.

After an hour or so of looking around, you had finally found what you needed. As you stood outside of a store, you couldn't help but look at your bag. Sure enough there's plenty of money inside of it, having a full time job had its perks; you would be able to buy anything that you wanted as long as it did not exceed your budget. However, there's that thought of how things would have been if your parents had supported your goals.

Looking up at the sky, you smiled sourly knowing you would not get anywhere just thinking over and over about it. Sadly, you needed to head back home before your parents decided to come and get you.You love them, of course you do, but it gets tiring that they stick around a lot more now. You scoffed as you began to walk back home, what happened to the 'You should get to meet kids your age,' if they don't let you?

Defeated, you dragged feet walk back home. You were hoping that at least they would allow you to go and enjoy yourself around the village but they made it clear that you were not allowed. There were continuous thoughts of how sour you felt at your parents that you did not hear the sound feet, of a person who seemed to be in a hurry, seemed to get closer and closer. You were so startled that when someone placed their hands on your shoulders unexpected, you dropped your things to the ground.

There was a laugh as the person removed their hands to walk around and face you. You placed your hand over your beating heart and shook your head, but a smile appeared on your face nonetheless. "TenTen, you scared me."

Her response was another laugh. "Sorry, I just saw you and I had to stop you. It's been a while since I have seen you. What's the deal with your parents anyway?"

That was enough to eradicate the smile from your face, she of course noticed. "I talked to them about entering the Academy and about you guys." She only raised an eyebrow waiting for you to continue. "They were so furious about the idea and they disagree about hanging around any Shinobi."

"What? Why?" But her question needs an answer that you don't even know. You merely shrugged your shoulders. "That's unreasonable!" She was fuming, but after taking a deep breath, she smiled again. "Anyway, do you want to come with? I'm meeting with a few friends."

Of course, you would love to, but what if your parents search for you? You glanced at the direction of your home and then at the ground thinking, you shouldn't even hesitate but you did. "Okay." This time you focused on her and grinned. They wouldn't mind, would they?

She mirrored your grin and grabbed your wrist but not before picking up your stuff, she then dragged you to the location where she would meet up with the others.

It was overwhelming, you had expected a few people to meet but you were surprised to see a large group. Your eyes scanned all the forms of the group and in total, you counted around twelve with TenTen of course. Though your eyes widened in surprise upon spotting Naruto.

As you got closer, those who noticed you turned their gazes toward you. Neji and Lee being the first ones to notice your presence.

Lee rose to his feet and stood up to greet you. "[Name]! It's good to see you!! Come seat next to me."

He tore you away from TenTen's hold and dragged you to a spot to his left. His actions brought more attention to you and it wasn't very thrilling to have all the set of eyes on you.

TenTen sighed as he took a seat next to Neji who was seating not to far from you. Naruto narrowed his eyes as he inspected your face, upon realizing who you were, he shared a smirk. "I was looking for you! What happened?" Now he frowned.

This time it was TenTen's turn to raise an eyebrow. "You guys know each other?"

The blond male nodded eagerly. "Yeah, I met her at the training grounds. She was crying."

He spoke fast, he didn't even give you time to interrupt him. You blushed in embarrassment, why did he have to tell them that detail? He even said it so casually. There was a guy who had been looking rather bored, now however, he opened his right eye to look at you. The others weren't quite sure how to react, it's obvious that you were embarrassed about it. "Oh, that's was when you told them, wasn't it?"

At TenTen's question, Lee turned to look at you curious but Naruto didn't stay behind. "Wait, you know what happened? Oh, come on! I wanna know too!"

"Like I told you before, nothing serious." It was your sincere response but from the serious look on TenTen, she didn't agree.

"It is serious! I still can't believe they didn't let you enroll to the academy. That's unfair." Sadly, she didn't notice your pleading glance, you just wanted to leave it.

The blue eyes of Naruto narrowed. "What? They didn't? I outta beat some sense in to them!"
Taking a long deep breath, you forced a smile on your face. "That's alright, I gave up on that idea."

That might have struck a cord on Lee and Naruto. There were a few 'Here we go again.' A determined glint crossed Naruto's gaze before he slammed his hands on the table. "You gave up? What the hell are you talking about? If that's your dream why are you giving up?!" For an instance his eyes softened and so did his voice. "When you give up, your dreams and everything else, they are gone."

Stars appeared on Lee's face before he rose from his seat. "You have to believe in your dream [Name]! You can't just give up!"

They are correct, but they don't understand. "I appreciate your support, I truly do. However, if I can call this place a home, I'm willing to sacrifice those dreams."

There was silence, no one spoke. Naruto seemed to be a little confused so TenTen explained to him about the situation. Long sigh escaped someone's mouth. "What a drag. That does not mean you need actually give up on them."

The voice belonged to a kid with brown eyes, and black hair in a spiky ponytail. There's a bored expression of his face. He seems to be a bit younger than you, it was a little hard to tell. "Right, introductions. That's Shikamaru Nara." She then begins to introduce the rest.

There's Ino Yamanaka who is probably the same age as the rest. She has blue eyes, and has pale-blonde hair in a ponytail with bangs framing her right side of face.

Choji Akimichi, you hadn't noticed before but he has been eating a bag of potatoes chips. He waved at you before he popped a potato chip in his mouth. He's has a round build, with markings on his cheeks in the form of swirled. He also has brown spiky hair.

There's a pink haired girl with green eyes, who is introduced at Sakura Haruno.

A guy with a small puppy is named as Kiba Unuzuka, he wears a hoodie over his head. From his wide smile, you could spot fangs, and there's also some markings on his cheeks. His companion is name Akamaru.

There's a very timid girl with short dark blue hair with similar eyes to that of Neji, her name is Hinata Hyuga.

A very mysterious male sat next to Hinata, he merely nodded in response once he was introduced as Shino Aburame.

Finally, there's Sasuke Uchiha. The guy didn't say anything at all. He looked rather annoyed to be there let alone having to listen to all the drama.

Now that you knew all their names, you looked back at Shikamaru. "But what are you suggesting? That I train on my own?" Now that you looked outside, you decided it was best to leave. You've been out shopping for a few hours and your parents will probably be looking for you. "I appreciate it, but I have no knowledge about the Ninja arts." As you stood up an grabbed your things but offered them all a smile. "Anyway, I'll just be on my way. It was a pleasure to meet all of you."

Some of them said their goodbyes and then you headed back home. That was a lot of people to meet, it was pleasant but was it necessary for them to know your problems? You sighed scratching your head in exasperation. Though, they were friendly and welcoming, that you had to admit. You just wished that you would be able to get to know them better.