An Unexpected Friend (Book 1 of the Unexpected Series)

Summary: Kokoro graduates from the Academy and finds out who is on her team.

"Alright, Kokoro," Iruka said as he smiled at her sweetly. She stood in front of him and Mizuki, another Academy instructor. He had shoulder-length, white hair that held tints of blue in it and green eyes. Mizuki was one of Kokoro's least favorite instructors at the Academy. He showed his prejudice towards Naruto the most, and every time he taught a class, Naruto was oddly silent afterwards. "You've passed the written portion of the test with flying colors. The last thing you need to do is create two successful clones of yourself."

Kokoro nodded her head sharply and quickly did the hand signs before two mirror images of herself popped up beside her. She squealed in excitement before she coughed into her hand and waited for Iruka to tell her she passed.

"Congratulations, Kokoro," Iruka said with a warm smile. "You may collect your hitai ate and exit the building. I can't wait to see how you do in the future."

"Thanks, Iruka-sensei!" Kokoro thanked him. She picked up a headband and quickly tied it around her head. She tried positioning it so that it sat comfortably against her forehead, but every time she moved it, it messed up her hair. She scowled and went to take it off before she walked through the exit of the building and heard the whispers.

"Look at her smiling as if she's going to help the village."

"I wouldn't be surprised if she messed up all her missions."

"Who's to say she won't abandon an important mission. Recklessness like that does run in her blood."

"Can you imagine if the Uchiha gets placed on her team?"

"I hope he doesn't or else we'll have another Hatake with a sharingan."

Kokoro curled in on herself and dropped her hand to the side. Discreetly, she looked around to try and find her dad, but he was nowhere in sight. Where was he? She needed him, but he wasn't there for her. She knew that he knew she was graduating today. She had reminded him vehemently every day for a week about her graduation. She should have known he wouldn't show. She hung her head and gripped her headband to take it off, but she froze as she heard new whispers start.

"At least the brat didn't pass."

"Can you imagine what he'd do if he was allowed out of the village?"

"He deserves it."

"Stupid, demon-"

"Sh. You know we aren't allowed to speak about it."

Kokoro dropped her hand again and looked around wildly for the boy they were talking about. She spotted him sitting on the swing in front of the Academy. He was still and his head was hanging low. She huffed and straightened herself before she marched over to him.

"Naruto," she addressed him cautiously. He raised his head slowly and gave her a wobbly smile.

"I knew I wasn't good at it, but I hoped I could do it," he told her quietly. His voice was hoarse, like he had been crying, and it was thick with emotion.

"I know you tried your hardest, Naruto," Kokoro reassured him. She gathered him in her arms and hugged him tightly. Naruto began crying silently against her shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her, too. "You'll still become Hokage, Naruto. Don't give up, yet. Don't let one stupid transformation jutsu get in your way."

"I'm sorry, Koko," Naruto wailed quietly. "I tried. I tried."

"I know," she repeated as her own tears began leaking from her eyes. The sound of a throat clearing interrupted them, and Kokoro pulled away from Naruto with a glare on her face. She glared at Mizuki for interrupting them. "What do you want?" she asked him.