Medical Leave

" Yes! Lord Hokage! I never thought that something so insignificant like being a class leader will involve the civilian council. "

The Hokage took out two folders that held the picture of Minato and Rayzen separately.

He spoke while looking at Minato's folder.

" That's where you are wrong, Yoshida! The council and even I see the talent in that kid Minato. Especially his performance in class 0 says much about his future. It would help him in the future, if he could have the experience of being a leader at this early stage. But such a trivial position of a class leader is not a necessity for his rise. The only reason the civilian council is involved is because of..."

He intensely stared at the other folder as he said:

" Rayzen Uchiha! The kid is surrounded in mystery. His actual prowess is much higher than what he shows. From the information we gathered, we learnt that he hasn't unlocked his Sharingan yet. But that also maybe what he or the people behind him wants us to believe. If ever he unlocked Sharingan, he has the potential to be the next Madara. But his behaviour and attitude is a solace to such worries that are yet to be proven. Nonetheless, from what we have gathered, if his identity his uncovered, our village will be in inner turmoil. "

Yoshida was stunned on hearing about his special students especially Rayzen. He felt the need to be careful around the kid.

The Hokage continued:

" The council is paranoid that the kid could use the position as a class leader to spread his influence. This in turn with his starkly different attitude from the Uchihas could make him a very dangerous enemy, if ever he turns against the Hidden Leaf. I also feel it's better to curb his influence than to take the risk. "

Yoshida was worried that the Uchiha may find this to exceed their tolerance. Hence he asked:

" But he is already assigned th- "

The Hokage interrupted him.

" I know that. But he is unlikely to stay low. He will give you a reason to give up his position in time, just make use of that. And also, do not make him feel that he is always under your watch..."

Yoshida nodded and was about to leave, when he asked the doubt he had in his mind:

" Lord Hokage! Do you know how powerful he is? "

The Hokage sighed and said: " No! It must be better than a Genin atleast, but his actual prowess is yet to be determined. I think we will get to know his prowess in the near future... You may take your leave."

" Thank you, Lord Hokage!" And he left the old man alone.

He took out a globe from somewhere and started watching it to see Rayzen listening to the class like a obedient child.

" I wonder how you will respond when you see the 'mysterious' Hyuga child."

...

Without much surprise Rayzen was selected as the class leader, while oblivious to the attention on him. He and his friends got to celebrate without forgetting Sora. But Shiroka had been absent for a few days.

When he asked Yoshida, he found out that she was on medical leave. Rayzen found her house by asking around and saw that there was no one there. Then he went to the hospital closest to the Nara street and searched for her there.

While walking through the corridors, he chanced upon her being diagnosed by a doctor. He hid himself and tried to listen to the doctor's diagnosis.

" Shiroka's body is getting weaker and weaker. She won't make it as a Genin with her deteriorating condition. It seems her body is not conditioned enough to hold the huge amount of chakra in her. Hence instead of a beneficial cycle of improving physique and chakra, the chakra is slowly deteriorating her body. Unless she goes on without using chakra for a long time so that the body could be conditioned to keep up, there is no other way to improve her health. So, it's better if you do not graduate from the academy and while there never use chakra at all. Think about it. I'll take my leave now. "

Rayzen felt sad on hearing her condition. He was constantly thinking of solutions, when a pair of beautiful black eyes that was staring at him for some time, awoke him from his thoughts.

" Shi..Shiroka!? How are you..You were insid-"

"What are you doing here Rayzen?" asked Shiroka while bringing her face close to his.

" Co..coincidence! I am here by coincidence!" stuttered Rayzen as he shirked backwards on to the wall failing to keep a distance between them.

" Oh! Don't you have class now? " retorted Shiroka as she crept upto him with an amused expression on her face.

Rayzen feeling uncomfortable held her by her shoulders and made some distance and finally confessed that he was worried. He asked how she saw him.

Her doctor was a Hyuga, so that explained most of it. Her parents left after seeing Rayzen in deep thought unaware of his surroundings. Shiroka asked Rayzen to drop her at her home, as she made her parents leave earlier.

As they talked on the way, the barrier between them started eroding gradually. Since she was tired, Rayzen supported her as they walked the streets, taking rests in between.

"So what are your plans?" asked Rayzen when both of them were sitting on a bench, relaxing themselves.

" You heard the doctor! " said an uninterested Shiroka.

" So will you be coming to the academy from tomorrow onwards?" asked Rayzen.

" Yes.." said Shiroka in a tired voice.

" Hey! If you need any help from me, you can ask anytime? " said Rayzen in an assuring voice.

"Anything?" asked Shiroka a bit interested.

" Sure, anything that doesn't violate my moral codes..." said Rayzen doubting her sudden shift from uninterested to interested.

" Then! I want to be in on whatever you are planning. " said Shiroka while gazing deeply into Rayzen's eyes.

Seeing her resolve, Rayzen couldn't help but sigh.

' What an intuition, no other Nara in my class is on the same level.'

Rayzen tried to fake it as he asked:

" What makes you so sure, that I have plans and stuff? "

But Shiroka didn't relent as she said:

" We can go on and on about this. But I am too tired for that. So make it easy for the both of us."

Rayzen sighed again as he asked: " Why?"

" You are interesting. I have an intuition that if I stick with you, I'll see and experience a lot more, possibly unimaginable things." replied Shiroka.

Looking at her he said:

" For someone that should be logical, you sure are a bit different! "

And looking at him she said:

" For someone that should be an emotional battle junkie, you sure are a bit different! Besides my intuition has never betrayed me."

" How can I trust you?" Rayzen didn't dilly-dally anymore and came straight to the point.

Shiroka said with an amused smile:

" What do you think? Should I get married to you or something? "

Rayzen wanted to believe that she made a joke, but it was obvious to him that it wasn't from her expression and intelligence. Nonetheless, to a 20- year old possibly virgin mind getting asked out by a child was still funny. But the child having the mental maturity close to the said 20 - year old, made him blush a bit.

"Time will tell!" Rayzen ended this line of conversation with such a remark. They went on to talk about trivial things till he dropped her at her home.

' Time will tell!' thought Rayzen as he walked back to his home alone.