White Dragon Hidden in The Leaves

My footsteps echoed through the halls of the academy as I carried my Scroll pack, my golden brown eyes darting around nervously. I couldn't shake off the lingering doubt and fear that clung to me like a second skin. Despite the private lesson I had with Izumi the day before, I couldn't understand what it was she wanted me to learn. Even then I didn't even have the chance to ask Grandpa as he was gone all day yesterday and even this morning.

deciding to try and take my mind off what I was feeling I took a closer look at the academy.

The academy itself seemed to be an extension of my emotions, cold and uncertain. The walls were lined with light red wood panels, their polished surfaces reflecting the sunlight streaming in from the many windows on either side. The floors, made of polished stone, were cool underfoot, providing little comfort for me, who felt lost in thought.

"Hey, come on, Ayumi!" Naruto called out, his voice echoing down the hall. "We're gonna be late!"

"Sorry, I'm coming," I replied, quickening my pace to catch up with him and Hinata.

As they walked together, I couldn't help but steal glances at my two friends. Naruto, full of energy and determination, and Hinata, shy and overly kind. I admired them both each with their own strength, something I felt I lacked.

"Are you okay, Ayumi?" Hinata asked, noticing my pensive expression. "You seem...distracted."

"Ah, it's nothing," I lied, forcing a smile onto my face.

"Just thinking about the lesson with Izumi yesterday. I still don't really get it, you know?"

"Hey, don't worry about it," Naruto reassured her, patting her shoulder. "I bet you'll figure it out in no time! Believe it!"

"Thanks, Naruto." I appreciated his unwavering support, even when my own self-doubt threatened to consume me.

As we entered the classroom, the chatter of our classmates filled the air. Moving to sit down at the second row, while my thoughts still racing as I tried to make sense of the training Izumi had given my. I barely noticed when the teacher began addressing the class.

"Alright, everyone," the teacher announced, "today Studying chakra control Remember, it takes hard work and dedication to become a great ninja!

clenched my fists under the desk. I know the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to prove myself , not just toy grandfather, but to everyone else as well. Suddenly, I felt an unfamiliar surge of determination bubble up within me, as if fueled by some unknown force.

"Let's do this," I whispered to myself, my eyes narrowing with newfound resolve. "I won't let anything stand in my way."

After a few hours lunch break came around. Not feeling hungry I excused myself to use the restroom. My travel there was occupied by my thoughts.

As I stepped out of the restroom, my mind still clouded by uncertainty and doubt. As I took a deep breath, hoping to steady myself before rejoining my classmates. However, as I turned the corner, I found myself face to face with the three bullies from my first day.

The same ones I had beaten back when they tried to give me a rough welcome.

"Look who it is," sneered the biggest of the three, his dark eyes narrowing with malice. "The freak who got lucky yesterday."

"Must've been all those cheap shots you took," the second bully chimed in, crossing his arms and smirking. "Or maybe it's because you're always hanging around Naruto and Hinata like some kind of pathetic loser."

"Leave me alone,"I snapped, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. Anger bubbled inside me, threatening to spill over.

"Aw, did we hurt your feelings?" the third bully mocked, making a pouty face. "Maybe if you weren't such an embarrassment, people wouldn't talk about you behind your back."

"Shut up!" I felt my face flush with rage, my heart pounding in my chest. I couldn't stand how they were speaking ill of me and how they undermining my abilities.

"Did you really think that just because you're Lord Hayai's granddaughter, that would make you special?" The tallest bully sneered, leaning in close. "You're nothing but a weakling who hides behind others."

"Enough!" i shouted my vision momentarily blurred by tears of frustration. My anger was palpable now, As my entire body quivering with barely contained fury. How dare they belittle me and insult my friends?

"Come on, guys," the second bully said, sensing the dangerous shift in the atmosphere. "She's not worth our time."

"Fine," the first bully spat, glaring at At me one last time before turning away. "But remember this, freak we'll be watching you."

As they walked away, my body trembled with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. I couldn't believe that they still had the nerve to target even after I stood up to them yesterday. What did I have to do to prove myself?

"Stupid bullies," I muttered under my breath, wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. "I won't let them get to me. I need to stay focused and become stronger."

As i clenched my fists and made my way back to the classroom, I would show everyone, my friends, my teachers, and especially those bullies. Just what I was capable of.

As I was walking down the hall towards my classroom I saw them again this time walking up towards me again. As I tried to ignore them.

"Hey, watch it!" one of the bullies shouted as he pushed past me, nearly knocking me off balance.

"Leave her alone, guys," another bully warned, his voice laced with fear.

"Or what?" The first bully sneered, turning back to face me. "You gonna hit us with another cheap shot?"

"Maybe I will" i responded, my cheeks flushed with anger, as my hands trembling at my sides.

"Go on then," the bully taunted, puffing out his chest and spreading his arms wide, as if inviting me to take a swing at him.

"Fine!" I gritted my teeth, feeling my frustration boil over. As i focused my chakra, and without even realizing what I was doing, I launched myself forward, my fists clenched and ready to strike.

As I closed the distance between myself and the bully, I felt an unfamiliar surge of power course through my veins. The deep shade of purple that colored her veins spread across parts of my skin, causing it to lighten. But there was something else, too.

Something besides my family's kekkei genkai that seemed to be fueling my abilities beyond their normal limits.

"Wh-what the—?!" the bully stammered, his eyes widening in shock as he saw my transformation.

"Take this!" I roared, unleashing a powerful punch that sent the bully flying backward, crashing into a wall with a loud thud. As a large crack appeared.

"Whoa..." the other two bullies stared, dumbstruck, as their friend slid down the wall, unconscious.

"Th-this isn't natural," the second bully stuttered, taking a step back from me, as I was now breathing heavily, my chest heaving with each ragged breath.

"Is this... Is this, what is this?" I wondered to myself, as my golden brown eyes wide with fear and confusion. "No, that can't be it. This has to be something else this isn't what Grandpa taught me."

"Stay away from us!" the third bully shouted, his voice cracking in terror as he and the second bully scrambled to help their fallen friend.

"Wh-what just happened?" I asked myself as I felt my knees buckled under the weight of what I just did. As I sank to the floor, my heart pounding in my ears. "What did I just do?"

Before I could fully comprehend the situation, a stern voice echoed through the hallway. "Enough!" The academy teacher, a tall, middle-aged man with a serious expression, marched towards them. His eyes were fixed on me, while my appearance was still altered by the sudden surge of power.

"Get out of here," he ordered the bullies, who hastily picked up their unconscious friend and scurried away, glancing back at Ayumi with a mixture of fear and resentment.

"Se-sensei, Im sorry I didn't mean to go that far" I murmured, attempting to regain her composure. However, I couldn't shake the overwhelming fear and panic at what I just did.

"Calm yourself, Ayumi," the teacher admonished, his voice firm and unkind. "I don't know what happened here, but I expect better from my students. Your grandfather will hear about this."

"Y-yes, sensei," I stammered, my gaze fixed on the floor.

Meanwhile, Sasuke observed the scene from behind a nearby pillar, curiosity piqued by my display of power. "Something's different about her," he thought, his dark eyes narrowed in contemplation.

"Maybe Itachi should know about this."

Unbeknownst to both me and Sasuke, a mysterious figure stood outside one of the many windows lining the academy walls. They had watched the entire altercation unfold, their emotionless eyes trained on me. As soon as the fight concluded, the figure vanished without a trace.

With the bullies gone and the teacher's threat still ringing in my ears, I tried to process what had just happened.

"What was that power?" I wondered, my hands trembling slightly. "Why did it feel so... alien?"

As I walked back to class, i couldn't help but replay the incident in my mind. my heart raced as I remembered the sensation of my veins changing color. It was similar to what had happen when I had training with grandpa but it wasn't the same. That surge of strength that seemed to come from an unknown source. I'd have to ask Grandpa once I got home maybe he would know more.

"Focus, Ayumi," I scolded myself as I entered the classroom. "You have to get through the rest of the day and figure this out later." But despite my best efforts, My thoughts continued to drift back to the fight, leaving me with a lingering sense of confusion.

As i felt my pulse begin to slow, I glanced down at my clenched fists, and a small, twisted smile formed on my lips. Something inside me reveled in the pain i had inflicted upon the bullies. It was a dark, unsettling satisfaction that sent a shudder down my spine.

"Get it together," I whispered to myself, my breath coming out in shaky puffs. "You need to focus."

I couldn't shake off the feeling that something strange had happened during the fight. my body felt lighter, more powerful than ever before, and yet it also felt foreign, as though some unknown force had taken control of my muscles and nerves

"What...what was that?" I murmured, my golden brown eyes wide with worry. "It's like...some sort power surged through me but wasn't from me....."

"Hey!" a voice called out to me, slapping me back to reality. It was Hinata, her face etched with concern.

"Ayumi, are you okay? What happened?"

"I...I don't know," i replied, hesitating for a moment. "I just...lost control."

"Lost control?" Hinata repeated, worry evident in her soft voice. "What do you mean?"

"Something came over me," I said my voice barely audible. "And I think...I think my grandfather might be able to explain it....?"

As the day wore on, I couldn't help but worry about my grandfather's reaction when he found out about todays incident. Would he be angry? Disappointed?

Images of his stern face swam through her mind, making her stomach twist with anxiety.

"Maybe I should talk to him," I thought, biting my lip. "Maybe he can tell me what's happening to me."

"Earth to Ayumi," Naruto teased, waving a hand in front of my face. "You've been spacing out all day. What's going on?"

"Nothing," i lied, forcing a smile. "I'm just...tired."

"Alright," Naruto said, Trusting what I said.

"But if you ever need to talk, I'm here for you, okay?"

"Thanks, Naruto," i replied, touched by his genuine concern. "I appreciate it."

"Anytime," he grinned, giving her a thumbs-up before returning to his sparring match with Hinata.

As I watched my friends train, I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing, a desire to understand the strange power. But deep down, I also knew that this mysterious force was different, something more dangerous.

"Whatever this is," I thought, clenching my fists once more, "I have to face it head on"

I sat in class, doodling absentmindedly on the corner of my scroll. my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, all centered around the mysterious surge of power I had displayed during my confrontation with the bullies. It felt as if a dark cloud was hanging over my head, casting a shadow on everything I did.

"Alright, everyone," their teacher announced, causing me to glance up from my scroll. "I want you all to partner up and practice your chakra control exercises."

"Hey, Ayumi," Hinata said softly, noticing my preoccupied state. "Do you want to be partners?"

"Sure," I replied, forcing a smile. Despite the turmoil inside. I didn't want to worry Hinata more than I already had.

"Is something bothering you?" Hinata asked quietly as they began practicing their chakra control. Her pale lavender eyes were filled with concern.

"Nothing I can't handle," I lied, staring at the small blue light flickering between my hands. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong with me

.

"Please, Ayumi," Hinata persisted gently. "You can tell me anything. I'm here for you."

I hesitated, then sighed, lowering my hands. "It's just... I don't understand what happened earlier," I admitted.

"When I fought those bullies, it felt like... like there was something else inside me, fueling my power."

"I'm sure lord Hayai will be able to help. I can come with you if you want," Hinata suggested.

"Yeah, but what if he doesn't?" i asked, my voice trembling slightly. "What if he thinks I'm a freak, or worse, a danger to everyone around me?"

"Your grandfather loves you, Ayumi," Hinata said firmly. "He would never think those things about you. And besides, we're ninjas. We're trained to face the unknown and dangerous"

"Thanks, Hinata," i murmured, touching her hand. "You always know what to say." Causing her to lower her head and murmur something I couldn't hear.

"Alright, class," their teacher called out, signaling the end of the lesson. "Make sure you practice at home, and I'll see you all tomorrow."

As the students filed out of the classroom, I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease. I knew i needed to confront whatever was happening to me, but fear and doubt still gnawed at the edges of my mind.

"Hey, are you coming?" Hinata asked, waiting by the door.

"Yeah, I'm coming," I replied, shouldering my scroll pack. As i walked through the academy halls, i made a silent promise to myself. no matter what it took, I would find the answers I needed. For my own sake, and for the safety of those she cared about most.This was just

As i stepped into the training room, my heart was pounding in my chest. The air was thick with anticipation as my classmates gathered around the perimeter, their eyes darting between one another nervously. My thoughts raced back to the strange surge of power I had experienced earlier, wondering if it would manifest itself again during the upcoming one-on-one fights.

"Alright, everyone," their instructor barked, silencing the murmurs that filled the room. "You will be sparring against one another to test your abilities. Remember, this is a learning exercise, not a competition."

i caught a glimpse of the bullies from before huddled together in a corner, The one I had hurt before wrapped with raps around there waist.

Whispering and occasionally casting glares in my direction. I took a deep breath, trying to ignore their taunts. "Freak," I heard one of them mutter under his breath, making my fists clench involuntarily.

"First up," the instructor announced, "Ayumi Kure versus Nami Uchiha."

As i and Nami stepped forward, facing each other on opposite sides of the sparring mat. Nami had a smug smirk plastered across her face, her dark eyes studying me with a mix of amusement and disdain.

"Ready?" the instructor asked, raising a hand to signal the start of the match. Both of us nodded, but my stomach churned with anxiety.

"Begin!"

As the fight commenced, I held back, focusing on learning my opponent's movements rather than overpowering her as I didn't want a repeat of what happened earlier today.

Nami, however, showed no such restraint, lunging at me with a barrage of aggressive strikes. As I narrowly dodged each attack, Nami's smug smile grew even wider.

"Is that all you've got?" Nami taunted, her voice dripping with condescension. "I thought you were supposed to be some kind of prodigy. No wonder there are only two of you left, your clan is weak. Just like Your pathetic grandfather"

My eyes widened in shock and anger, my hands trembling with barely suppressed rage. i recalled my grandfather's teachings, how I should should remain calm. But honestly at this moment I could care less.

"Your going to regret that" I whispered before launching myself at Nami, my movements swift, and With a single, fluid motion, I executed the only technique I was taught. As I shouted "Buddha Killer!"

Rushing under one of her swings i aimed my elbow, uppercut Nami directly in the head.

Nami's eyes widened in surprise as she crumpled to the floor, unconscious. The room fell silent, the other students staring in awe at what had just transpired.

"Match over," the instructor announced, his voice stern. "Ayumi Kure is the winner." His eye motioning towards the other staff near by. They rushed to tend to Nami as the placed her on a stretcher and cared her away.

As I stood over her defeated opponent, I couldn't help but feel a mix of satisfaction and unease. She shouldn't have talked bad about my grandpa I thought. But if I had hit her any harder I might have just killed her.

"Good job, Ayumi," Hinata said softly, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You showed her that you're not someone to be messed with."

"Thanks," i replied but worry lacing my voice. " Maybe I shouldn't have hit her so hard"

"Like I said before," Hinata reassured her, "we're ninjas, I don't think our enemies will be that considering. Besides what ever she said must have gotten her that hit.

As I looked into Hinata's determined eyes, I started laughing and she eneded up joining me. I knew she was worried but with friends like Naruto and Hinata by my side, maybe facing the unknown wouldn't be so terrifying after all.

With the previous match settled, i took my place among the other students, watching as the fights continued. I crossed my arms over my chest, my golden-brown eyes narrowing with each passing moment.

My frustration was evident in the tense set of my jaw and the dark glower that seemed to permanently etch across my face.

"Hey, Ayumi!" Naruto called out, his grin wide and infectious. "Did you see my match? I barely made it through, but I won!"

"Of course I saw it, knucklehead," I replied, unable to help a small smile that tugged at the corners of my lips. "You did well, but you need to work on your defense."

"Y-yeah..." Hinata stammered, her cheeks flushed from embarrassment. "I lost my match, though."

"Don't worry you will get them next time." i said, as my gaze fixed on the boy who had defeated her.

"That kid got lucky. Next time, he won't stand a chance against you."

"Thanks, Ayumi," Hinata murmured as she played with the string from her hoodie.

"Hey, you two! Get ready for the next round," the instructor barked, cutting their conversation short.

"No time for chit-chat!"

As the matches resumed, i couldn't shake the feeling that I might loss control, I was afraid of consequences if I ended up in more trouble. As I watched the other students spar.

"Nice move!" Naruto cheered, clapping wildly as another student executed an impressive technique.

"Focus, Naruto," i muttered, my voice tinged with annoyance. "We're supposed to be learning from these matches, not just cheering them on like we're at a sporting event."

"Sorry, Ayumi," he apologized sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "I guess I got a bit carried away."

"Next time, try to keep your head in the game," I advised, my tone softening.

"Will do," Naruto promised, giving me a thumbs up.

As the final match came to an end, the instructor dismissed the class with a stern warning about keeping our emotions in check. The students filed out of the training room, some of them with their spirits dampened by the weight of his words.

"Hey, Ayumi?" Hinata asked timidly, as they made their way back to the academy. "Do you think we will make it as ninjas."

"I don't know, Hinata," I admitted, her eyes clouded with doubt. "But one thing's for sure: we can't let fear hold us back. We have to keep pushing forward, no matter what."

"Right," Hinata agreed, her voice filled with determination. "Together, we'll face whatever challenges come our way."

I nodded, " Though we should definitely practice together consider your results"

"ehh that's not fair" She replied while embarrassed. I chuckled as we walked side by side, As Naruto waited for us up ahead. Our destination the academy yard.

The bright afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Academy's training yard, as students scattered about, practicing their techniques in small groups.

I stood with my arms crossed, observing my other classmates from a distance. my golden brown eyes narrowed as i watched them, deep in thought.

"Hey, Ayumi!" Naruto called out, bounding over to my side with his usual energy. "Wanna practice together?

"Sure, why not?" I replied, offering him a small smile.

"Great! Let's get started!" Naruto declared enthusiastically, performing a series of hand as smoke appear but nothing else. This causing me to laugh.

"Maybe we should focus on practicing with our first" I said as I watched his usual smiled be replaced by embarrassments but never the less he nodded. And for a while we sparred. Naruto being the only other person the recovered as fast as I did.

after around 30 mins.

"Hey, guys!" Hinata called out, approaching them with a shy smile. "Mind if I join in?"

"Of course not!" Naruto exclaimed, more than happy to include her. "The more, the merrier!"

"Thanks," Hinata replied gratefully, stepping into our training circle.

Together, the three us trained , our laughter and camaraderie echoing through the yard.

As the sky darkened we went our separate ways. Today I didn't have any training with Izumi as she was still busy with her ninja duties. Traveling the long path towards my family compound I could help but worry as to what expected me at home.