AN: Sakura gets her say because I cut her short last time and this may just clarify some of the questions asked…and create some more. ;D Team 7 bonding ahoy!
Konohagakure’s Academy – [Graduation Day]
“…team 7, Naruto Namikaze, Sakura Haruno…and Sai.”
“WHA?!”“NOOOO!” “Yes.”
Everyone took a moment to stare at the pale boy wearing a black belly-top, who waved back from the corner, oblivious to the general confusion.
Naruto voiced what everyone was thinking in his usual blunt manner, “Who the hell is that anyway?”
Iruka-sensei sighed, “I’ll explain after class. Now get off the table, Naruto - Sakura, put that kunai away – next, team 8…”
“This is annoying.” Sakura twitched cracking her knuckles which Naruto eyed before scooting a couple of desks away. “I mean, our new sensei’s late and probably has the same kind of lacklustre attitude towards everything else in life - you don’t like me – the feeling’s mutual I assure you – and now I have to deal with that,” she pointed at the benevolently smiling Sai, “because you can’t go anywhere without a babysitter to save your pampered ass – how the hell am I supposed to get stronger, dammit?!”
Naruto harrumphed, “You think I want to be watched 24/7? I didn’t choose to be the Grand Master’s son and have everyone and their grandmother after me to be something I’m not. You have no idea what it’s like to be different.”
Sakura snorted, “Please. You love the attention. You’re probably planning on pranking our sensei first chance you get.” She narrowed her gaze on the other’s innocently widened eyes. “That’s not going to work on me Namikaze, I’m not one of your fangirls.”
“See!” She raised a brow. “That’s exactly what I mean – you don’t see me at all! You all have precon- preconcen – precen-”
“Preconceptions.” She wearily aided.
“Yeah, that – about who or what I am. If I do well, it’s ‘cause of my father – of course I’d do well, and if I don’t, it’s ‘cause of my father again, ‘cause I’m trying to be rebellious or I’m a disappointment or whatever, I’m never just me, never just Naruto–”
“Oh, spare me,” Sakura cut in, “I dislike you because you’re an irritating loudmouth who hit on me for three months straight despite my attempts to get you to leave me alone nicely,” she ignored the grumbled ‘shyeah right’, “and Ino - Ino for fuck’s sake– had to kick your ass before you got a clue that I was not interested and never would be. I could care less about whom your father is, Naruto Uzumaki, which is the crappiest pseudonym ever – you could have at least changed your first name too - and the only reason you have not got hauled in for your pranks more often is because you’re you! So I dislike you for you, you stupid annoying little– stupid - ARGH!”
“Hm. Perhaps I should come back after your little…love confession?” The grey-haired man held his hands up defensively as Sakura turned her glare on him. “Meet me on the roof once you’ve calmed down.” And ‘poofed’ away.
-----
“Alright, boys and…girl. I’m your new sensei, Kakashi Hatake. Why don’t you introduce yourselves, likes, dislikes, hobbies, dreams – yes, Naruto.” Sigh.
“I know you! You’re the Lazy one - Father sent you to spy on me didn’t he?!”
“…The ‘lazy’ one?”
“Yeah – is it true that you’re a pervert like the old hermit and you’re always late and you have a weird growth on your face that you have to keep covered ‘cause if not it’ll mutate and you once babysat me but traded me for a limited edition Icha Icha so Father punted you out of the village with a Thousand Years of –”
“Na-ru-to.” Sakura growled out, Inner Sakura having reared her ugly head.
“And - a-hahaha, believe it, um, my name’s Naruto Uzumaki! I like ramen in a cup but I love Ichiraku ramen best. I hate waiting the three minutes for ramen but I really hate it when people have preconceptions about me.” Sakura shook her head in exasperation at the thumbs up. “So I guess I don’t really want to have them about people either ‘cause that would be dumb.” She concealed a faint smile behind a cough. “My hobbies are playing pranks on people like Ebisu-perv and the mean ol’ Elders – who deserve it - and training with my friend Hinata when she doesn’t get all weird on me. My dream is…” He hesitated visibly before straightening, “is to honour my mother’s sacrifice, and live out her dream to find my own ninja way.”
There was a moment of silence as several gazes met Naruto’s own steady look.
“My name is Sai.” Sakura started, having almost forgotten the quiet teen. “I like watching people and drawing them. I have no dream of my own, only that of fulfilling my mission, Naruto-san...” a close-eyed-smile that Sakura could grow to hate, “and Sakura-san.” She finally shrugged and tilted her head up in response to Hatake’s eyebrow.
“I’m Sakura Haruno. I dislike a lot of things, especially annoying people. My dream is none of your business, but my ambition is to become the best kunoichi ever, to prove that blood does not take precedence over hard work and determination when it comes to talent. To prove that Tsunade-hime was not just a Natural fluke in this Gen Rich (1) society.” She tossed her hair in challenge.
CHA! Bring it on!
“…Riiight. Now about tomorrow’s test…”
---
“This sucks.” Sakura was inclined to agree as yet another baby started to wail; this one tugging on her hair as she tried to feed it. “I wouldn’t even give a level one this kind of shit and call it a mission.”
Sai calmly burped a baby before placing it back in its cot, cooing. “Actually, Naruto-san, all genin, also known as ‘Level Twos’ in the new tongue, must go through a period of adjustment where they develop their teamwork by working through mundane tasks together which may or may not test their skills in other ways.”
“Oh, yeah? Like what? ” Naruto tried pulling a ‘funny’ face and Sakura felt her blood pressure rising as the baby cried even louder in response. She only stayed her fist to his face because, a, there were children present and b, Naruto looked on the verge of crying himself.
“Such as compensating for the shortcomings of one’s teammate.” A bland smile as Sai easily calmed the baby Naruto had agitated. Naruto now looked on the verge of homicide.
Boys. Though after just one day of day-care duty Sakura was beginning to doubt whether becoming a Special was worth all this…
“Sakura-san. Perhaps you should step outside,” slowly she turned her narrowed gaze towards that annoyingly false smile, “I believe that the children are also crying because of your ugly face.”
Oh. Hell, NO.
“CHA, NARUTO LET ME GO, I’LL SHOW HIM AN UGLY FACE, THAT –BLEEPING- BLEEP BLEEEEP!”
“Hey, waitaminute – WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘ALSO CRYING’?!”
“Precisely as I said – you also have an ugly face as well as incompetence, Naruto-san.”
“ARGH!” “I’LL KILL YOU!”
-- -
“Absolutely, disgraceful! I have never heard of such behaviour in my entire life, you –”
Sakura felt a twinge of remorse and tried conveying that in a suitably ‘shamed’ look, but the majority of her self agreed with the mulish expression upon Naruto’s face. So what if they had had a fight? No-one got hurt, per se, though she wished she were strong enough to have wiped that – that smirk off of Sai’s stupid face…
“ – and the children! They could have been severely hurt, or worse– and wipe that smirk off your face Sakura Haruno! This is no laughing matter!” She shrank a bit under Iruka-sensei’s angry look.
“Mah, mah. Iruka-sensei. Don’t you think I should be handling this? They are my students after all.” Kakashi-sensei’s nonchalant slouch would have been more reassuring if he had not also been scratching the back of his head, sheepishly.
“You! This is mostly your fault! What kind of incompetent leaves his students unsupervised while on a mission?!”
“You call that a mission?” Naruto muttered and Sakura wished she were close enough to kick him. “And I thought Sai was supposed to watch me – oops, us.”
“Naruto Namikaze!”
“No! I get it okay? I messed up! And so did Sakura!” Gee, thanks Naruto… “But Sai started it!” Damn straight. “So why isn’t he here? Why’s he got special treatment?! Why the hell do we have an assho-”
“Naruto!
“- like that on our team anyway?! What nutcase decided that?!”
“Who would be stupid enough to think I needed a babysitter -” She tried to make an ‘Abort! Abort!’ movement with her hands, as Iruka-sensei mouthed wordlessly and Kakashi-sensei slapped his hand to his forehead protector.
“ – as if I’m some stupid kid who needs daddy to – oh. He-heh. Hi, dad.”
“That ‘stupid’ ‘nutcase’ would be me. Son.”
The Fourth was just like the iconic images of him scattered about Konoha. Somehow though, only the mountain-top sculpture came close to capturing his ‘larger-than-life’ aura. Currently he had a similarly stony expression.
Sakura found herself feeling more awkward than she had in a long time as Naruto locked into his ‘mulish’ expression, complete with narrowed eyes and sulky slouch.
“Yeah, well that makes sense then.” Sakura felt like facefaulting as Naruto managed to compound his previous blunder. “I mean – Sai’s still an asshole,” insert Iruka’s scandalized reaction here, “but he must be a useful one if you choose him.” A false smile that jarred worse than Sai’s. “More useful than me anyway –”
“I have spoken to both Sai and his superior.” The Master cut in. “However Sai’s behaviour is irrelevant as you are well aware of the potential ramifications of losing your temper, Naruto Namikaze -” Sakura hedged a look towards the two sensei but received a subtle negative from Kakashi-sensei even as he started to usher both Iruka-sensei and her outside the Level 2 mission briefing room, “thus I am extremely disappointed with your behaviour. No! There is no excuse for attacking your teammate, and worse, during a prolonged mission that has now had to be reassigned plus the damages incurred. Thankfully no-one was hurt – children, Naruto! What the hell were you thinking?!” Sakura started and stared wide-eyed at the developing scene just as the door closed softly behind her and Iruka-sensei.
Naruto’s voice was still audible if slightly muffled.
“I wasn’t, alright?! I wasn’t thinking ‘cause stupid Sai pisses me the hell off and I don’t need a babysitter, damn it!‘cause everyone else already is and why the hell do I have to be so different huh?! I hate -”
Then even that was abruptly cut off, as if by a wall of silence.
Sakura shifted a glance towards Iruka-sensei, observing the well-worn furrow between his eyebrows deepen as he paced. She worried her lip as she back leaned against the opposite wall and ran increasingly improbable outcomes through her head. Really, was what they had done that bad? So much so that Naruto’s father, the Grand Master no less, had to be called out? And Sakura had not exactly been blameless in this scenario…not that she wanted to be told off or anything, but it seemed slightly unfair that Naruto was getting the brunt of the blame…
Maybe this was what Naruto had meant when he complained about being different.
Sakura exchanged a look with Iruka-sensei as he paused, then almost simultaneously they rushed forward to press their ears to the door. Sakura caught the subtle hands signs and wondered if Iruka-sensei had ever been a part of Konoha’s Intelligence Network…
“-oice! And who’s at fault – is?” Sakura strained her ears to catch the elder Namikaze’s words through the slight buzz of static. “-haps that is why –ou failed to -”
“Sensei th -” Sakura cursed Kakashi-sensei for perpetual bad timing and having such a murmuring voice, “-trusted Naruto to – y – bility –ow.”
“Murmuring bastard,” hissed Iruka-sensei and Sakura gawked at him until he reddened. “Er. Don’t repeat that.” He mumbled.
“-dle – alloca – ent for – team.”
“-ake sure you do and clean up -” Huh. His voice was getting clearer…
Iruka yanked her away from the door and cancelled the eavesdropping technique just as the door opened. The Fourth ignored their hasty bows as he swiftly walked away. Sakura nearly had a heart attack when two ANBU Specials materialised from the wall at the end of the corridor to join him. One of them gave Iruka a chastising finger before falling into step behind the Master.
“Naruto! Are you alright?!” She snapped out of her daze in time to see Iruka-sensei fuss about the exiting genin…
Who looked absolutely horrible.
Her gaze turned questioningly upon Kakashi-sensei only to have the question die in favour of another, “What the hell happened to your arm?!”
Kakashi made a show out of ‘noticing’ the bloody appendage, “Ma, now how did that happen.” His visible eye widened, “I should probably get this checked out. Thanks Sakura.” She stared unimpressed at the production. Iruka-sensei muttered something derogatory-sounding.
“It’s my fault.” Naruto whispered. “I lost control again.” It was only then that she noticed the blood staining his hands.
Perhaps she should have been more freaked out but the lost expression upon Naruto’s face held her spellbound.
“No-one that matters blames you, Naruto.” Kakashi nodded at Iruka-sensei before ‘poofing’ away. “Those that do, aren’t worth it.” She had never heard the strict man sound so gentle before. Awkwardly she started to leave.
“Sakura?” Blue eyes blinked at her hesitantly.
Oh, sod it. “I’ll take it from here, sir. Sheesh, Naruto! Stop being a nuisance - you’re getting blood all over Iruka-sensei.” She grabbed his hand and began to tug him towards the nearest bathroom, valiantly ignoring the stickiness against her palm. Gross. Naruto actually remained quiet for all of three seconds.
“Bu –but! Aren’t you even gonna ask what happened?” He literally dug his heels in to stop. She was relieved at the annoyance that bubbled up from within.
“Fine! Tell me why you look even worse than you usually do then – after you clean yourself up.” Sakura used their slight difference in height to full effect.
A sheepish grin, “Um, I don’t think I can?”
“Then don’t offer to you stupid – annoying - ARGH!”
-
“Mess duty.” Sakura stated darkly. Kakashi-sensei nodded. “Is that…” She gestured in the bastard’s direction, “Sai, going to be apart of this ‘mess duty’?”
Naruto made a show out of ‘whispering’ an aside, “Yeah, ‘cause he needs a good clearing out.” Sakura smiled as she entertained the thought of shoving a scrub brush down Sai’s throat…
“Behave you two.” Sakura mimicked the ‘who me?’ look Naruto was now sporting. Kakashi glanced skyward. “Yes, Sai shall be pitching in. You’ll be expected to do this alongside your other missions,” Great, even less free time, “until I say you can stop.”
“Right. Let’s get to it then.” She blinked at Naruto’s returned cheer. She was beginning to wonder whether the boy was bi-polar…“The sooner we start the sooner we finish right.” Complete confidence in his ridiculous ‘hero’ pose. Sakura smothered the grin with an effort. “And then you won’t have an excuse not to train us!”
Kakashi managed to look offended, “I have perfectly valid reasons. I’m a busy man, you know.”
“Cough. Porn. Cough.”
Kakashi’s eye curved happily, “As I said – valid.”
-
“Oi, Forehead! Don’t tell me they demoted you already?” Ino let out a low whistle. “Though I must say the kitchen slave look works better on you than it should.” Sakura scowled as Ino pranced in like she owned the place, throwing an arm carelessly about her. “Can’t say the same for bimbo-boy there though.” She added quietly.
Sakura lost the scowl to a fit of laughter which Sai exacerbated by cocking his scrub-hatted head at them, and had to sit down until the giggles subsided, “Ah – oh, my – I’ve missed you ‘Pig.”
“And I’ve missed your overly big mouth, oops I meant forehead.” Ino tweaked her headband back and smirked, “Seriously, though, where’ve you been, girl? I haven’t heard from you in weeks.”
Sakura slumped in the chair, aware that Sai was listening in from the oven-cooker and not caring, “Mess duty due to botched day-care duty plus equally blah so-called ‘missions’, which are meant to be supervised by our sensei but he’s a complete dork who keeps disappearing on us…Oh, and trying to get Naruto to understand that private training does not mean dating. Though I think he’s just doing that to annoy me now. Jerk.”
Ino seated herself with a moue of distaste, “Really? Since when do you entertain annoying blonds – excluding me of course.”
Sakura rolled her eyes at the wink, “Since I found out that below the bluster, and the showing off and the wilful ignorance and the sheer bloody-mindedness,” Ino snorted and Sakura waved her the finger, “there’s actually a pretty sweet guy who just has a lot to live up to.” She shrugged self-consciously as Ino peered at her. “No, I don’t like him, like him. It’s just – like having an annoying little brother, I guess.”
She glared as Ino started to laugh, “Now, what?”
“Please.” Ino gasped out, “As if you’d ever be interested in him.” Sakura developed a tick in her forehead as the other continued to laugh.
“Is Pig-san alright?” Abruptly, Ino stopped laughing. Sakura redirected her irritation towards Sai.
“Excuse me, but I don’t remember granting you permission to call me that, weirdo” Ino bit out and Sakura smiled smugly.
“I – do not understand.” Sai glanced between the two of them. “I used the proper honorific to denote our lack of relation.”
Sakura was confused, “That’s not what she was protesting to (I think) You’re not supposed to go around calling girls ‘Pig’ even with an honorific.” Not that Ino was a proper girl anyway, but whatever.
“Yeah, only Sakura gets to call Ino that ‘cause they’re best friends.” Naruto elaborated, giving her a start. He had finally returned from the loo and was regarding Sai with uncommon patience and civility.
Well, uncommon before last couple of weeks.
“Okay, who are you and what have you done with the brat.” Ino demanded; her eyebrows becoming almost non-existent.
“Who you calling a brat, psycho-prig.” Sakura sighed as the two began to cuss each other out. As the joint-top rookies of their year they had a long-standing rivalry which Naruto had turned into a full-blown feud by trying to get too ‘friendly’ with Sakura, who Ino was extremely protective of due to their respective histories. (Though personally Sakura thought that they were more alike than they would ever admit to and their banter was just their Blond way of bonding.)
Sai just stood there, looking back and forth, and Sakura finally took pity on him. “Don’t try to understand it Sai. Just clean.”
-
“So explain to me why we’re here again.” Naruto demanded, “I mean I know the chuunin exams are coming up and all but I doubt that we’d be allowed to enter anyway, ‘cause of the stupid entrance requirement that we actually go on a proper C rank mission.” Huh. Naruto was usually so woefully ignorant of his surroundings that it was a pleasant surprise to actually have some intelligent input from him. “This sucks!”
“Keep your voice down,” Sakura murmured, tip-toeing to ease out an oversized book someone had obviously misplaced, “and I didn’t ask for you to follow me so you can go ‘play ninja’ with the kids if you want.” Walking down the stacks she pointedly ignored the annoying sound effect Naruto made.
“So whatcha looking for anyways?” Her nose wrinkled at his drawl and she waved the book at him in askance. “Human Anatomy: from Mind to Matter,” Naruto mimed yawning at her, “Shyesh, you coulda at least gotten one with more pictures.” He waggled his brows and she swatted him with the book.
It was a heavy book.
“Ow! You’re worse than ba-chan I swear -”
“You two – out! This is a sacred hall of learning. I won’t have you desecrating my precious books!” Naruto opened his mouth, most likely about to make a snide remark so Sakura thought fast and caught him in a headlock.
“I’m sooo sorry sensei.” She smiled as sweetly as she could with Naruto gagging for breath and pin wheeling his arms, “but my,” elbowed, “friend and I are just really stressed over the upcoming chuunin exams and –”
“Namikaze-san! My apologies sir, I didn’t recognise you.” Her jaw flapped wordlessly as the librarian did a 180 into a simpering sycophant. “If you and your… girlfriend,” his what? “would like I could arrange a private room for you to, ahem, study in.” It took a moment for the insinuation to register. Sakura flushed in humiliation and rising anger.
“Excuse me, sir,” she let go of Naruto who caught his balance on her shoulder; she shook his warning hand off, “but who the hell do you think you -?”
“Namikaze-san, if I may be so bold –” disregarded so completely she started to tremble with fury, “this girl is far too common for one of your status, though she undoubtedly has her uses –”
Oh.
Hell.
No.
“CHA! LET ME GO NARUTO I’LL BLEEP-ing BLEEP BLEEEEP THE BLEEP!”
-