Saga of Tanya the Kunoichi

Iruka sensei sat on his seat, then gestured for Tanya to sit down on the empty chair in front of Iruka. 

As Tanya sat, Iruka took an envelope lay on top of his desk. He received the letter suddenly by the Hokage himself; and it's about Tsuyu's request for earlier advancement.

The academy policy since the end of 3rd shinobi war is no more early advancement and graduation strictly. Hiruzen, despite his flaws and weaknesses, still cares for Konoha and he truly believes in caring and nurturing the children of Konoha as the sprout will turn into new leaves.

Iruka is surprised upon receiving the order to allow the advancement. But as it's a direct order, and that Tsuyu herself wants it, he doesn't talk much to Hiruzen but wants to talk to Tsuyu instead.

In the office, Iruka eyed Tsuyu who, as always, sat upright almost too formally and professionally on her seat. She really doesn't seem like a child, Iruka thought.

Iruka coughed lightly to clear his throat before speaking.

'Tsuyu-kun, about your request to advance… like I said before, originally the academy was very strict to not allow anyone to graduate or advance early'.

Tsuyu's eyes lit up a little, expecting a change she had wanted.

'I was informed that you are given an exception and your application is approved by the higher ups'. 

As soon as Iruka finished the sentence, he could see a hint of a smile on Tsuyu's lips. 

Iruka had some worries for her, and her brother Naruto. So he continued.

'But as your homeroom teacher, I need to ask if you are really certain you would want to advance earlier. It's only been 6 months since you started academy'.

Tanya's mood improved a lot. She thought she would have to waste a lot of time, unable to improve further or learn newer things since she was told the academy policy doesn't allow it anymore. But considering the higher ups know her status of jinchuriki and be able to control Kyubi chakra, it is almost expected, she thought.

"I am sure Iruka-sensei. I would like to further improve and gain the next step towards becoming a shinobi of the Leaf".

Iruka looks at Tsuyu with a soft gaze, almost that of a mentor.

For him, even if Tsuyu is very mature for her age, she is still a child. And Iruka already had some theory in his head that she is the way she is because she was an orphan and had no guardian nor anyone she can rely on - and because of her intelligence she essentially had to mature up far too much to take care of Naruto and herself.

If Naruto causes trouble and really just tries to be the class joker for the attention of others, Tsuyu takes the other extreme road of losing her own childhood entirely. Iruka felt pity and sadness for both of the siblings. But Tsuyu doesn't know Iruka's thoughts and can't tell him he's imagining things.

'Tsuyu-kun, can I ask why you want to advance so early…? You won't be able to see your classmates anymore. And it might be difficult for you to settle in a new environment with new people', Iruka said softly, wanting to remind Tsuyu of her friends.

"Iruka-sensei, I understand your concern. But as an aspiring Shinobi of Konoha, I have to push my full potential and see how far I can go. I believe the current curriculum in the 1st is no longer able to provide me what I need to grow better". Tanya's tongue moves as if she's in an interview for a promotion and why she deserves it.

'Won't you miss your classmates? It will be difficult to meet new people', Iruka asked directly after.

"I will miss them", Tanya said honestly. 

After all, it's like her coworkers are all nice people that are easy and simple to deal with, with few that give flavor to the office each day. So it isn't always boring and can be amusing even.

"But I believe I will always be their friend, even if we no would no longer are classmates". 

'Okay… sigh'. Iruka pinched the bridge of his nose before he truly let go of Tsuyu.

'I understand. If you are sure, I will arrange your transfer. I will still be your homeroom teacher for the rest of the academy. So, if there's any problem at all, come to me alright?'.

Tsuyu nods politely. She doesn't think much and just replies like a professional helpline service because she wants to get it over with.

'Oh and then… there's Naruto', Iruka said, feeling a little uncomfortable mentioning him. 

It's because while he's his student, Naruto is also someone who contains the 9 tails that made Iruka an orphan. But he tries to see him as his student, and a child, and do his job.

'I have talked with you before and I am concerned if you leave he will feel… lonely'.

Tanya finally remembered Naruto. His decision to ask for an advanced course doesn't include the fact that she is going to leave Naruto behind. 

Tanya for once is thinking about it and the consequences towards her twin brother. But she believes it doesn't matter at the end of the day because Naruto would always see her after the academy is over at home. Or if it's that bad, she can come during lunch hour. So nothing would change and it has no consequences.

"Sensei, me and Naruto live together. We will always see each other at home. It would be no problem. Besides, I believe my twin brother is a strong person and will make friends sooner or later".

If anything, the classmates' treatment towards Naruto now is because of his lack of social ability to properly make friends. But he is already quite acquainted with Hinata and she suppose once she moves to another class the two could spend their time together.

Naruto has been consistently eating lunch with Hinata alongside her for weeks now… even if they really didn't talk much at all. 

Iruka contemplates and nods, thinking there's not really anything wrong with what Tsuyu said. 

'Alright… I got it. I will arrange the transfer. Once it's done I will call you. Oh one more thing…'.

Iruka's face turned a little serious.

'Sandaime-sama asks to see you after this. Don't be nervous, Sandaime is a nice person and you can see him like a grandpa', Iruka said assuming Tsuyu, as a child, would feel absolutely scared meeting THE Hokage. He placed his hand on her shoulder, as if wanting to comfort her.

It's akin to meeting a king in a sense. Perhaps if a child is dumb enough they wouldn't understand anything. But smarter children knowing the difference in power and status would feel absolutely nervous and scared from being affected by the hierarchy.

"Sandaime-sama wants to see me?", Tanya thought, but then she remembered he did say he wanted to talk to her.

"I understand. I will not keep him waiting".

'Um… you aren't nervous..?', Iruka asked. Because from his own experience before, meeting Hokage makes him sweat nervously the first time.

"No, Iruka-sensei", Tanya said blandly.

'Ah… okay, go on. He is at the office…'.

Tanya nods and heads to the Hokage office, leaving Iruka in a sense of wonder at Tsuyu's maturity.

But then his face turned into that of pity. He starts to imagine and makes a drama of how sad her life is, not knowing what a child should be like at her age in his head, feeling like he should have done more for Tsuyu as her homeroom teacher… and then a movie about Naruto's and Tsuyu's life in their lonely home without any parents play in his head, with Tsuyu taking up the role of the responsible sister. In one episode, Tsuyu had to carry a lot of groceries in her hands, returning home only to cook meals for Naruto who's shunned by the village. 

She then sees Naruto crying, and has to comfort him with words over and over again almost every other day. As she washes the dishes, Tsuyu breaks down and tears fall down her cheeks, mixing up with the soapy water in the sink. She cries in the midst of heavy burden and tiredness when no one is looking, keeping a facade of maturity and strength for Naruto and herself. 

But of course that's just in his dreams-