Konohagakure
The first rays of dawn filtered through the cracks in the window, bathing the room in dim light. Rei lay on her futon, staring at the ceiling, unmoving. She wasn't tired — not really — but the thought of facing the day made her stomach twist. Today was the first day of the Academy, and though most kids her age would be brimming with excitement, Rei couldn't bring herself to care.
She groaned, throwing her blanket off with more force than necessary before shuffling toward the kitchen. Her bag sat on the table, packed the night before. The sight of the neatly prepared bento box on the counter caught her eye, still warm from Sakumo's thoughtful preparation. She snorted bitterly. Another reminder I didn't ask for.
Rei grabbed the bento and stuffed it into her bag, but the sound of running water from the bathroom stopped her in her tracks. Usually, Takeshi would be preparing for the day early, but something about the heavy, unsteady rhythm of the sound made her pause.
She pushed the door open with a frown. "Big brother?"
Her voice stopped him cold. Takeshi stood at the sink, his hands gripping its edges like his life depended on it. His head hung low, his black hair covering his face. Rei noticed something strange—something missing. The streak of crimson that symbolized everything it meant to be an Arakawa wasn't there.
Her gaze traveled to the counter. A box of red hair dye sat open, the lid torn off and its contents used. Rei's breath caught in her throat as everything clicked.
"Takeshi?" she said again, her voice softer, almost uncertain.
Takeshi finally lifted his head, meeting her gaze in the mirror. His blue eyes were etched with guilt, and his face was pale. "Rei... I can't do it anymore."
Rei blinked, not understanding. "Do what?" she asked cautiously, stepping closer.
He looked away, ashamed. "I can't keep pretending. I never got my mark, Rei. I've been lying all this time."
The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. It felt like the floor had been pulled out from beneath her. Takeshi—the Takeshi she idolized, admired, and modeled herself after—wasn't who she thought he was. He wasn't even the full embodiment of their clan's strength.
Rei stared at him, her mind racing. "You... never had it? But... you've always had the streak. You—" Her voice faltered as her eyes landed on the box of dye again. The truth was staring her in the face. "You've been dyeing it this whole time?" she said, her voice breaking with disbelief.
Takeshi's shoulders sagged under the weight of her words. "Yes. I wanted Father—Mother—to see me as a true Arakawa. As someone worthy of the clan... but I'm not. I've known it since I was a kid. And every time I watched you — with your mark, your strength — I was reminded of how much I lacked."
Rei's hands clenched into fists, her mind a swirl of anger, disbelief, and pain. "You knew? You knew, and you didn't—" She stopped herself, swallowing the words she wanted to hurl at him. She was angry, but the shame etched into Takeshi's face made her heart twist painfully.
"I tried, Rei," he said, his voice quieter this time. "I really did. But I'm not what this clan needs. I'm not what you need."
Rei's eyes stung, but she quickly blinked the tears away, refusing to let them fall. Her throat tightened, her anger simmering beneath the surface. "Don't say that," she muttered. "You're all I've got left."
Takeshi didn't reply. He only turned his gaze back to the sink, his reflection a stranger to both of them now.
The clock on the wall ticked loudly, reminding Rei of the time. She was going to be late if she didn't leave now, but her feet felt frozen in place. She wanted to say something—anything—to make her brother snap out of it. But the words wouldn't come.
"I... I have to go," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Takeshi nodded stiffly, not looking at her. "Go on. Get going. It's your first day."
Rei lingered for a moment longer, her heart heavy with unspoken words. She wanted to reach out to him, to let him know he wasn't alone, but the weight of his confession made everything feel more fragile than ever. Instead, she tightened her grip on her bag and turned away.
As she stepped out into the crisp morning air, the sharp chill did little to clear her mind. Her brother's words echoed in her head, mixing with her own doubt. For as long as she could remember, Takeshi had been everything she strived to be. To learn now that he had been lying... it left her adrift, unsure of what it meant for her own identity.
She walked the familiar streets of Konoha, her steps slower than usual. The village buzzed with the energy of a new day—vendors setting up stalls, shinobi chatting and jogging past her, and parents walking alongside children dressed in clean pressed clothes. The sight tugged at something deep inside Rei, a reminder of what she'd lost.
That was supposed to be me, she thought bitterly, her gaze darting to the smiling families. Her mother was supposed to be fussing over her hair, her father giving her a firm nod of encouragement. Now, they were gone, and Takeshi... well, he wasn't even who she thought he was.
Rei shook her head, pushing those thoughts aside. I don't need anyone, she told herself, clenching her fists. I'll get through this on my own.
The Academy gates loomed ahead of her, their imposing size doing little to excite her. She had trained for years at home, forging her abilities through her father's guidance, before his passing ,and her own stubborn determination. The idea of sitting in a classroom learning basic jutsu felt like a bad joke. This is going to be a waste of time, Rei muttered under her breath, narrowing her eyes as she approached the entrance.
The loud chatter of students filled the air as she stepped inside. The hallway felt larger than life, packed with kids eager to start their shinobi journey. Rei's gaze swept across the crowd, catching glimpses of familiar faces—Anko, Genma, and Hayate among them. For a moment, she thought about walking over to say hello, but the weight of her discontent stopped her. She couldn't face them, not yet.
As Rei reached the classroom, her tardiness was obvious. The opening ceremony had already ended, and the room was quiet, save for the sound of rustling papers and the instructor's voice.
"Nice of you to join us, Arakawa," the sensei remarked, looking up from his desk. His tone was neutral, but his eyes lingered on her longer than necessary, an unspoken judgment hanging in the air.
Rei rolled her eyes and sauntered into the room, ignoring the stares of her classmates. A silver-haired boy sitting near the window caught her gaze briefly before turning back to his worksheet. Kakashi. She gave him a smirk, mouthing What are you looking at?
Kakashi didn't react, his eyes firmly fixed on his paper. Rei let out a soft snicker, plopping down into a mid-row seat, slouching back as if she owned the place.
The sensei walked over with a worksheet, setting it on her desk without a word. She picked it up lazily, glancing over the simple reading comprehension questions. Her lips curled into a smirk. This is going to be way too easy.
Rei finished the worksheet in less than five minutes, her pencil scratching quickly across the paper as the rest of the room remained focused on their tasks. She leaned back in her chair, arms crossed behind her head as she surveyed the classroom, a mix of boredom and curiosity settling in. The other kids squirmed in their seats, faces furrowed in concentration, some nibbling on their pencils as they struggled to put the right answers down.
Her amber eyes slid to Kakashi. He had already finished his worksheet too. Of course, Mr. Perfect would be done, she thought, rolling her eyes. Kakashi, sensing her gaze, turned slightly, his dark eyes meeting hers for half a second before he turned back to stare out the window, his expression unbothered.
Her lips twitched into a mischievous grin. We'll see how long you can ignore me, scarecrow.
Rei stood from her seat, ignoring the sensei's raised eyebrow as she strolled up to the front to hand in her worksheet. She smacked it down on the desk with just enough force to make the sound echo in the quiet classroom. The sensei gave her a pointed look, but Rei only grinned back innocently before turning to walk back to her seat.
On her way, she heard a faint whisper from one of the girls in the back row. "She's so full of herself," the girl hissed to her neighbor, her voice dripping with disdain.
Rei froze mid-step, her grin fading. Slowly, she turned to face the girl—a dark-haired student who sat surrounded by a small group of others who all seemed to hang on her every word. The girl smirked, clearly unbothered by Rei's attention, and leaned in to whisper something else that made her group snicker.
Rei's blood boiled. She clenched her fists, her jaw tightening as she considered her next move. But before she could say anything, the bell rang sharply, signaling the end of the lesson. The class erupted into motion as students scrambled to gather their things for lunch.
Rei's glare lingered on the girl a moment longer. I don't have time for people like her, she thought, brushing it off as she grabbed her bento box. But as she headed for the courtyard, she couldn't quite shake the bitter feeling brewing in her chest.
The Academy was already testing her patience, and she wasn't sure how long she'd be able to hold back. Rei trudged into the courtyard, bento in hand, her amber eyes scanning for a quiet, remote corner to hide away for lunch. The wave of noise—children laughing, shouting, and chatting in groups—made her want to turn around and skip the rest of the day altogether. But Sakumo's carefully prepared bento reminded her she wasn't about to let anyone think she couldn't handle this.
Spotting a bench beneath a tree, Rei made her way toward it, grateful to finally sit down and breathe. She had barely opened the bento box when the sound of someone barreling her way stopped her mid-bite.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" Rei snapped as a boy slammed into her shoulder, nearly knocking her food to the ground. Her fiery eyes locked onto his clumsy figure as he stumbled, adjusting his goggles.
"Sorry! Sorry!" the boy said hurriedly, brushing dirt off his sleeves before looking up at her. His onyx eyes widened in recognition, his messy hair sticking up in odd directions. "Wait... you're Rei Arakawa, aren't you?"
Rei squinted at him, her frustration bubbling over. "Uh, who's asking?"
The boy broke into a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his head. "I'm Obito Uchiha. We, uh... met before. I think. You were looking for your brother?"
Rei frowned, vaguely remembering something about a boy in goggles tagging along with Genma and Hayate once. Even so, she couldn't place him. "Maybe," she replied flatly, brushing off the encounter as if it didn't matter. "What do you want?"
"Nothing!" Obito said quickly, waving his hands in defense. "I, uh, just recognized you, that's all. Hayate and Genma mentioned you were... y'know, kinda scary but really strong."
Rei tilted her head, unimpressed. "Great. And?"
Obito blinked, clearly caught off guard by her dismissive tone. "Uh, nothing!" He quickly backpedaled, shifting his weight awkwardly. "Just thought I'd introduce myself since, uh, we're in the same class now."
"Cool," Rei said dryly, turning back to her bento and taking a deliberate bite, signaling she was done with the conversation.
Obito hesitated, clearly unsure whether to stay or go. Finally, he muttered, "Well... see you around, I guess," before jogging off toward another corner of the courtyard.
Rei rolled her eyes as she watched him leave. Seriously, what's with people thinking they can just talk to me? she thought, suppressing a sigh. She was in no mood to make new friends or reconnect with old ones. She had enough to deal with between the whispers in the classroom and Takeshi's confession still gnawing at the back of her mind.
Just as Rei thought she could finally enjoy some peace, a familiar voice called out to her from nearby. "Rei! Over here!"
Her head snapped toward a group of kids sitting beneath another tree. Anko, with her unmistakable grin, was waving her over while Hayate and Genma sat nearby, animatedly talking about something. Rei hesitated. They're just going to ask where I've been...
"Come on!" Anko beckoned again, patting the spot next to her. The carefree energy in her voice was infectious, and Rei finally stood with an exaggerated sigh.
"Alright, alright, don't make such a big deal out of it," Rei muttered as she walked over.
When she sat beside Anko, Genma smirked at her. "Finally decided to join the living, huh?"
Rei shot him a glare. "You trying to get on my nerves?"
"You're just mad because I'm right," Genma teased, leaning back against the tree. His cocky attitude hadn't changed a bit.
Anko nudged Rei's side, her grin widening. "Ignore him. He's just mad because I'm already way better at shuriken throws than he is."
"Not true!" Genma protested, but Anko ignored him, pulling out two shuriken from her bag. "Check it out, Rei. I've been practicing, but I'm still not as good as you. Think you can give me some tips later?"
Rei blinked, slightly taken aback by the request. For a moment, the sharp edge of her mood dulled. "You've been practicing?" she asked, watching as Anko beamed.
"Yeah! You're the one who made it look so cool. I've been trying to figure it out ever since."
Hayate coughed from the side, cutting into the conversation. "Anko's not bad, but she's still got a long way to go."
"Like you're any better," Anko shot back, sticking her tongue out. "You'd pass out before you got halfway through a lesson."
Hayate rolled his eyes, sipping from his juice box. "Okay, okay, no need to roast me on day one."
The group fell into lighthearted banter after that, the warmth of their company easing some of the tension in Rei's chest. For the first time all day, she felt a flicker of normalcy creeping in. She smirked as Genma boastfully showed off his collection of kunai, ignoring Hayate's sarcastic quips about his "exploding ego." Anko caught her up on some of their training mishaps over the past few months, and Rei even let herself laugh—just a little.
Still, the moment didn't last. As the lunch bell rang, signaling the end of their break, Rei grabbed her bento and walked back toward the classroom.
As she entered the classroom, Rei took note of the newly added students—ones she hadn't noticed earlier in the morning chaos. Among them were two distinctive figures she now recognized. Obito, the clumsy yet enthusiastic boy she'd bumped into earlier, and Rin, a girl with a kind smile who had exchanged warm greetings with Anko.
Rei's gaze drifted to Kakashi, who was already seated by the window, his eyes fixed on some invisible point beyond the courtyard. His calm demeanor was a stark contrast to the restless energy coursing through her veins. Rei dropped into her seat with a soft clatter, her arms crossing as she awaited the next lesson with a mixture of boredom and skepticism.
The sensei cleared his throat, announcing their next activity. "Today, we'll practice basic taijutsu forms. Please pair up with your classmates."
Kakashi's gaze slid to Rei briefly, and for a moment, she thought she saw something in his expression that almost resembled approval. But when he turned away, it was just her imagination playing tricks on her. Rei's competitive streak flared; she wouldn't be beaten by anyone, especially not Mr. Perfect.
As students began to pair off, Rei watched Kakashi, her eyes narrowing. "Looks like I need a partner too," she said with a smirk, challenging Kakashi without words.
Kakashi shrugged, though his mask hid any emotion. "Ebisu, how about you and I pair up?"
Rei snorted under her breath. Coward.
Just then, Obito, noticing Rei standing alone, jogged over. "Hey, Rei! Want to be partners? I saw you earlier and thought we should work together."
Rei's initial instinct was to decline, but Obito's infectious energy and the fact that no one else seemed eager to partner with her made her change her mind. "Sure," she said, though her tone remained nonchalant.
As they started their taijutsu forms, Rei couldn't help but notice how naturally Obito moved—his clumsiness seemed to evaporate when it counted. For a brief moment, she entertained the thought that maybe, just maybe, this class wouldn't be so boring after all.
But her competitive side soon took over. No way am I going to hold back.
As the lesson progressed, Rei found herself slipping into a rhythm, her strikes sharp and precise, her footwork light and quick. Obito, to her surprise, managed to keep up but not without stumbling here and there. The clumsy Uchiha had more spirit than skill, but she could appreciate his enthusiasm—though she wasn't about to let him off easy.
"Whoa, slow down!" Obito laughed as he narrowly dodged one of Rei's faster kicks. "You're gonna knock me flat!"
Rei smirked, a challenge glinting in her amber eyes. "If you can't handle it, maybe you should stick to playing tag with the little kids."
Obito puffed out his chest, clearly determined to prove himself. "Oh, I can handle it!" He lunged forward clumsily, forcing Rei to sidestep with ease as her grin widened.
By now, the two had drawn a few sideways glances from the other students. Even the sensei paused briefly to observe them, his gaze lingering on Rei's swift movements before he resumed monitoring the class. Kakashi, too, glanced their way, his expression unreadable as his eyes tracked Rei's fluid strikes.
The lesson ended all too soon, the sensei clapping his hands to signal a wrap-up. "That's enough for today. Class dismissed!"
Rei dropped her stance, the competitive adrenaline still buzzing in her veins. As students dispersed, she turned to collect her things, only to find Rin approaching with a warm, open smile.
"Hi," Rin greeted, her voice gentle but cheerful. "That was really impressive, Rei. I couldn't stop watching you and Obito—it looked like you two were having fun."
Rei blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected compliment. Most people didn't go out of their way to talk to her, especially if they didn't already know her. Her sharp demeanor wasn't exactly welcoming. Still, Rin's sincerity made her hesitate before replying.
"Uh, thanks," Rei said after a beat, her tone less dismissive than usual. She glanced toward Obito, who was awkwardly fiddling with his goggles a few feet away. "He's not bad for a klutz."
Rin giggled softly. "He tries hard, at least. Though I'm pretty sure you're way out of his league. That spin kick you did was amazing."
Rei tilted her head slightly, unsure what to make of this girl. Rin seemed genuine enough, which was unusual for someone she barely knew. "It's not that big of a deal," Rei muttered, shrugging off the compliment, though a small part of her appreciated it.
"It looked like a big deal to me," Rin said with a grin, undeterred by Rei's brush-off. She shifted her bag on her shoulder, her confidence quiet rather than overbearing. "I think it's cool that you go all out like that. Not everyone's that bold."
Rei paused, unsure how to respond. She wasn't used to people admiring her for anything other than being tough or intimidating. Rin's easygoing kindness was... different. It left Rei feeling a little unsettled but not entirely in a bad way.
Before she could figure out what to say, Obito bounded over, his usual energy on full display. "Seems like Kakashi was watching you too," he blurted out, gesturing toward the silver-haired boy still sitting near the window. "You probably made him jealous with those moves."
Rei rolled her eyes, her initial awkwardness fading as she folded her arms over her chest. "Bakashi? Please. He's too busy sitting on his high horse to be jealous of anyone."
Rin's laughter was soft but genuine. "You really don't hold back, do you?"
"Not my style," Rei replied, relaxing slightly as the conversation shifted into familiar territory—teasing and banter. But as the trio walked toward the lockers, she caught herself casting a sidelong glance at Rin. There was something disarming about her, something Rei wasn't sure she liked or feared. It reminded her of a time when she, too, had been softer, more open... before everything went wrong.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of laughter near the classroom entrance. A small group of kids stood clustered around someone in the doorway. Rei didn't need to look long to figure out who was at the center of it—Kakashi Hatake, the golden boy of the Academy, casually leaning against the frame, looking as aloof as ever.
"Bet he barely even broke a sweat during taijutsu practice," one of the girls gushed, her voice carrying just enough for Rei to hear.
"Of course he didn't," another chimed in. "Kakashi's already on a completely different level. No one even comes close to him. He's practically a genius!"
Rei's jaw tightened. A flicker of irritation sparked in her chest, and before she even realized it, her feet were already moving.
"Yeah, must be nice," Rei muttered as she strode past them, loud enough to draw their attention. She didn't stop walking, but she could feel their eyes on her—especially Kakashi's.
"Something you want to say, Arakawa?" Kakashi's calm voice carried over the murmurs of his admirers.
Rei stopped in her tracks, tilting her head slightly as a slow, mischievous grin spread across her face. She turned to face him, her amber eyes glinting with challenge. "Not really. Just seems like it'd be boring, always being perfect. No room to improve, y'know?"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, his face unreadable beneath the mask, but the slight tilt of his head betrayed some level of interest. "And you'd know a lot about improvement, huh?"
Rei shrugged, stepping closer. "I know enough to know you're not as untouchable as they make you out to be."
Behind him, the group of fangirls bristled, whispering furiously to each other. Rei barely noticed them, her focus wholly on Kakashi now.
Kakashi straightened, stepping forward to close the gap between them. "Big talk from someone who couldn't even make it to class on time this morning."
Rei's grin widened. "Late or not, we both know I'm better than half of the people here. You noticed me during practice, didn't you? Don't try to deny it, Bakashi."
For the briefest moment, Kakashi's brows twitched upward—a flicker of surprise quickly masked by his usual calm indifference. "Not bad," he admitted. "But you're still a long way from catching up to me."
The bait was set, and Rei took it without hesitation. "Is that so? Care to prove it?"
By now, a small crowd had gathered around them, curious to see whether the infamous Kakashi Hatake and the fiery Rei Arakawa were about to clash.
The sensei's voice cut through the tension. "Alright, everyone, back to your seats! Save the rivalries for another day."
Rei shot Kakashi one last smirk before spinning on her heel and heading back to her seat. "Guess we'll have to settle this later," she said over her shoulder, her voice holding a teasing edge that she knew would annoy him.
Kakashi didn't respond, but she could feel his gaze lingering on her as she walked away, her confidence unshaken. She dropped into her seat with a sigh, the faint echo of her brother's voice creeping back into her mind. It's time you started your journey, Takeshi had said.
Rei folded her arms, staring at the empty desk in front of her. Maybe this was her journey—proving herself, step by step, to a world that had already made its mind up about her.
And it started here.