A New Beginning

Life isn't fair.

I've been dealt a tough hand but I think the world does that to you from time to time. It pushes you, changes you, challenges you. Those who rise are remembered and those who don't fall from recognition.

Im not Naruto, hell I'm not even considered part of the Kohona 12. An outlier. The hidden 13th man in a group of young talent exceeding expectations. Strange and different is an understatement to what describes me. 

Rock Lee has better taijustu, Sasuke has unmatched ninjustu ability, I'm not a healer, not a genjutsu specialist, Tenten owns all in the field of weapons. I'm average.

Maybe thats what makes me so special.

(After graduation)

I knew I would pass the graduation exam. I'm not a Nara but my IQ is well above my age, not even just that I've never acted my age. Kids are rambunctious for the most part, im calm, collected, focused. I know my faults and where I need to improve and continue to improve them. I knew I wasn't the best in any one category but enough so that I was hardly last. The problem came in where I would fit in.

I know the three man cells that typically get formed, ive studied the years beyond me that make it through and its not hard to see where I fall in. Nowhere.

I shouldn't say nowhere because I know where the main cast of people are going, im one of the outliers and wont be on a team with the likes of the Yakamana or Inuzuka. Im clanless, parents less, friend less. I'll be put in a random group with a Jonin sensie not expecting us to move on. I know of the test after the test because I know much more than I let on, more than I should know. 

"Team 20 will be Darth Xion..."

After hearing Iruka announce my name I tuned out the rest, all the other major players as a teamate passed already and no one of note would be put alongside me. It hurt, knowing I was overlooked so much. I know my potential, I already know what I can do. In my eyes within a month or two under proper guidance im already Chunin. No arrogance, i don't have time for that. I know I need to prove myself even if it means this makeshift team doesn't pass, I had to show my worth.

My jonin sensie was no one of note just like my teammates, a man of typical sature, he appeared to be a new jonin but not one to be brushed off. He was of average height but im not an average 12 year old. While most kids may reach the waste or vary around adults there i almost reach most shoulders of adults, eye level to the shorter ones. Like I said different.

My earthy hair and dark brown eyes give off a calm oura, while my height and size can be off putting to some most knew me as a gentle giant, but I was antthing but when put into a fight.

I worked my body, I trained, i learned anything and everything I needed to or could. I never accepted flaws in my ability and always worked to cut them out. My jonin sensei looked like a no nonsense man with his stoic look and posture as he took us to a training field and broke down what the reason we were there for. He had foregone normal introductions in favor of putting it on us 'children' right away. It unnerved the other two boys put in my group but did little to deter me.

"This is the real exam and I bet it will come as a shock to you seeing as you thought you were already Genin. This weeds out the will be and has been of your years in the academy and I have to say I expect little from you three."

Straight and to the point, harsh but true, nothing much was expected of clan less students with not much to standout on, but his eyes wavered on me when he said this and I knew then and there i was already an exception. The two next to me seemed to shrink in on themselves with doubt while I already began thinking of the challenge before me.

"You will fight and fail and be sent back to try again or tell me now that you'll go back willingly." The jonin continued eyeing the other two as doubt crept in, i stepped forward. "Fight me so I can move on." I said to the man moving forward to him to signal my intent but still remaining calm and ready for battle.

"Good." Was all he said as he signaled for the other two to move out of the way. He lowered his stance and got together in a typical stance.

"Taijustu only?" I inquired as I stretched slowly readying my body for movement.

"All out." Simple, straight forward, im already liking this man.

"Chunin level then." I stated back just as ready and level headed suprising the man before me. He changed his stance a little indicating he knew what I meant. Pleased with this I made the first move. 

I know my element and I know my style, just like I know my faults and where I strive at. I drove my fist to the ground and charged the man. When I rose from the ground my arms were encased in Chakra infused earth a move I developed recently after months of trial an error. The curios look the man gave was the only indication he gave but he instantly began preparing for the assault.

My size doesn't give away the fact that I have speed to back myself up, I knew my mass would slow me down especially at my age and how much more I could grow so I dedicated hours into honing an ability to move this mass around effectively.

I closed the distance in an instant and the two boys on the side were in awe at my sudden display but my opponent wasn't a jonin for no reason even if he was dialing back his ability to test me. 

I started with a feint right to see if he'd bite, he did, and prepared his own counter i was already expecting. A quick knee towards my midsection that I willingly took in favor of throwing my left hook I knew he wasn't looking for. 

The result. Instant and painful launching of the man across the field. These earth gauntlets were more than just added mass and protection for my arms. My Chakra reserves weren't the largest, impossible with the ball of energy Naruto and an Uchia in my grade but I knew control mattered more. I had a proper handle on it meaning whenever I made contact with these the earth and Chakra would explode out adding even more force and power behind any hit.

I smashed my fist into the earth again adding back the lost parts around my arms and called out, " I told you chunin level didn't I. I don't waste the words I say." My level way of speaking as I calmly scanned the forestry around the clearing unnerved the boys even more from afar and the looks showed how scared they were of a real battle. 'Weak I thought to myself of the would be 'teammates' of this team I knew never would be formed. The only thing to do was show skill and ability to be allowed in the ranks.

"I underestimated you, it won't happen again." I heard from below me as the man grabbed my ankles in an attempt to pull me under using the hidden like a mole jutsu. But this man clearly didn't know what I was. 

When I didn't budge and the man grunted harder to pull me under I reached right through the ground to where the man was. Ripping him out from his cover the shock on his futures even more evident up close, "You just did again." I said equally as calm as a crooked smile came onto my face. 

At close range I knew I could dominate nearly anyone that I was also able to use ninjustu with. Taijutsu only battles and restricted areas or forms hindered me which is why I never struck out in the academy. I held my own, but never to this level. This was where I was home.

Credit to the jonin he had moves, he clearly wasn't a taijutsu expert and I pegged him for ninjustu along with what I sensed was weaponry skills, but his lack of preparation and my sheer unrelenting nature lead to a one sidded battle. 

He was fighting under his level and merely testing me but when I'm told to fight like my life is on the line I sure as hell will. Punches that snapped trees in half and slams that shook the ground. If I was in grabbing range I wouldn't let go unless he shook me. Earth bounded elbows and moves that weren't taught at the academy only helped my case. 

Once he pulled out a scroll and brought out a sword from within i knew the real battle had begun, the only problem for him was that the earth was my friend.

Any swing at me i would block completely with my arm as it embedded into it struggling to pull it away i would continuously counter with jabs and leg kicks that kept him off balance until I found proper openings that he seemed to be leaving to know if I would take them.

In a flurry he picked up his pace and started to use different jutsu from range to keep me on guard but I had another move ready for such a tactic. Earth.

As fire came raining towards me I kicked my leg to the ground and forced a wall of solid ground to rise up and block the heat that would likely incinerate me. When he came around to follow up with in close and precise sword strikes it was back to the old routine we fell in with anything tried up close to me.

As quick as the battle hard started and been it was over as the man waved me off before I charged him again. Looking over to the two awe struck boys he told them plainly, "You two report back to the academy if you wish to continue being ninja of this village, if not continue on with your lives." Turning to me now he became even more serious, "You are coming with me to see the Hokage." 

(Hokage tower)

I waited outside the door of the most powerful man in the village. I had an idea already of what was to come, no one could expect me to preform the way I did and obviously would come under some scrutiny but I had planned for this. It was my way in. My way to grow, even if it meant getting tossed around from team to team and sensei to sensei. 

The door opened and the jonin who spared with me allowed me in after talking to the Kage. I approached the battle weathered and tested man and bowed deeply before waiting to hear what he required of me. He seemed to be eyeing me up and down, looking for the answers before even asking me. Any conversation was like a shogi match, the more you knew beforehand of your opponent the easier the battle would be.

Seemingly satisfied with his inspection he began his questioning. "You originally lived in Suna correct?" The God of Shinobi Sarbutobi asked of me and seeing the resignation on my face only seemed to be ready to dive deeper in his questioning. 

I took a deep breath to steady myself and push back the memories of my early years spent in the desert nation. Looking him back in his steeled eyes and schooled expression i explained. "Correct and I will elaborate more in order to keep any questions you may or may not have down." Pleased with this response the older man leaned back and brought his pipe to his mouth, unlit as if knowing he couldn't relax quite yet.

"My parents had me in Suna and I grew up there for the first 8 years of my life. Though there is plenty i dont recall I don't find loyalty to a village that caused my parents death and left me stranded for the last 4 years of it. I lived off the streets with no place to call home and little in the form of friends. It became apparent though that I wasn't welcomed by anyone there and kept myself out of spite and young age. I became reckless and trying to survive did many things to feed myself and quench my thirst to know more of this cursed world I called home." Looking at both men present they were attentive if not sympathetic knowing of the harsh times that Suna their ally has been going through. "I learned from books and scrolls I had stolen as well as from overhearing conversations how the leaf has been prospering so much of what Suna citizens and shinobi considered their work and opportunities. Without a second thought I found the location of what the called the leaf village and an information I could about it. When I turned 8 and had felt the last straw snap with my time suffering there i made the journey on my own away from there to hear. I believe you may recall my initial meeting with you when I first arrived and for a lighter term begged to be trained as a shinobi in your ranks." 

The Hokage took a second to digest before he nodded his head, "I do remember your arrival but i didn't belive you any training prior to arriving here?" He asked and I got his meaning quickly, "correct, i never learned a thing from Suna or was brought into their academy but it taught me how to survive. Its hard for anyone to shake their habits and while I may feel more free here and welcomed I still acted similarly and do so now at times. While I would never steal from this village I did work my way through the libraries or in observations of other ninja to progress my knowledge of what the academy was teaching in order to catch up and then to move ahead. While I hope you don't blame me or punish me for actions we shinobi would take given our way of life i also wont lie to you about it." 

The Hokage again took a second to regard me before he decided to light his pipe and send me a warm smile, "Living in a ninja village its only expected that some of us take our professions beyond just the missions we're assigned." The smile never left as he inhaled and let out some smoke through his nostrils. "I hope going forward and being a genin will reduce these 'hidden' actions going forward?" That smile and the way he said what he said made me believe he knew of what work I was putting in for myself and how not to mention hearing him call me a genin brought a rare smile to my stern features, "of course lord Hokage." I bowed again to him in gratitude in more ways then one. "Good then there's little left of me to ask other than you continue to improve and keep growing your will of fire for the leaf. While Suna is our ally and it was years ago since you sent foot there or called it home know that eyes will be on you and many will question you even if I know where your heart is. Don't hold it against them." In quick fashion I replied, "I never would, nor would I hold anything against our allies in the desert, it just wasn't meant to be for me there." That smile returned and I felt a weight lift from my shoulder, "good then its time we iron out what will become of you with your new genin status without a proper team."

After that meeting with the Hokage it was set up that I would be a floater. Fitting knowing my lack of connection to most in the village but my undeniable ability as a shinobi. It would help me grow my individual skill and tie me more to the village, it's people, and the brothers and sisters I may be fighting alongside someday with our lives on the line. 

It starter off easy with simple D rank missions with some of the younger groups. Even some of the up and coming group of 12 genin that seemed to be taking the forces by suprise at their ability. My favorite group to work with was the Yaka-Nara-Michi group as while they had what I would call a lazy attitude and work ethic overall they were good people and a shogi battle with the Nara was always good fun even if I still haven't won, close never counts in a battle. 

I even got some C ranks down the line as I kept growing and learning with some of the older genin squads still in circulation and while none of them were to trying they were always good experience to learn and evolve from. 

Today was another such day after a few stints of D ranks they'll throw me on a C rank but this time it was with one of the recent graduating groups, team 7.

I haven't had the chance to work with them before but knowing that THE Kakashi was their Sensei I had high expectations for what has become of the three under him as a whole.