^_^
“Thanks Sai, if you hadn’t been sneaking around after us – I don’t think I could have stopped her alone.” Naruto said seriously.
No, the world was not ending, but Sakura was still too worked up to care either way. She was so sick of being stereotyped, of being judged. Coming to the Academy was supposed to change all that but it was still the same. She was a fool to believe that she could ever stop being that pathetic little girl, that she could actually be worth something, be –
“Shh, Sakura, it’s okay to cry.” She shook her head, clutching the book close, and hating that Sai was looking at her like some alien specimen to dissect. Hating that Naruto was seeing her like this. She was strong, she was smart, she was –
“Sometimes I’m not all there, you know.” She let out a shaky laugh, which caught in her throat for too long, echoing, “I – My mum always said that I was a bit – odd. I – I wanted to st-study when I should have been d-doing my chores and s-socialising an– and I –” Sakura choked back the whine, “was always reading until I hurt my eyes and had to get them fixed ‘cause I wouldn’t look pretty with glasses on aangh,” she tried to push Naruto away, self-consciously wiping at the fluids running down her face. She was such an embarrassment.
“I think you’d look real pretty with some glasses,” Naruto grinned earnestly enough through the bruises, though his eyes were tight and worried, “whoever told you otherwise is stupider than I am.”
Sakura forced a snort and ducked her head. “Y- you sure you an’ Ino aren’t related?”
Naruto put on a put out expression. “Baah. I’m much prettier than she is.” Sakura bit her lip to suppress a giggle.
“That is untrue Naruto-san,” Sai observed in his bland way, continuing despite Naruto’s spluttering, “though your colouring is more vibrant, Ino-san’s facial symmetry and slim physique are superior aesthetically. Perhaps if you lost some weight -” He gave Naruto a considering look. The giggle broke through.
“What the hell?!” Naruto looked appalled. “Now you’re qualified to weight-watch me? And stop staring at me like that! That’s creepy!” Sakura laughed louder, tears of mirth streaming down her face. “And look what you did – you made Sakura cry again.”
She elbowed him. “Ah-hahah – get off, a-hah – ‘m not crying!” She said, before bursting into tears again, but this time let the hurt drain out without censor. She wished it was Ino there, but she was off on a real mission and Sakura was never going to get stronger if she always ran to her…With some effort she managed to wind down from her hysteria into a comfortable state of exhaustion that left her feeling vaguely numb and oddly content. She began to take greater stock of her surroundings.
An airy, well-lit room, fairly high up in Konoha. Naruto had practically carried her there, after he and Sai had stopped her from pummelling the disgusting man. Sai had apparently been hidden in the shadowed arches of the ceiling and had jumped in the developing fray after Sakura, in the midst of fury-enhanced strength, had managed to break free from Naruto’s grip. Together they had managed to get her away from the approaching security (books were precious after all) bearing the bruises without complaint. Sakura felt slightly guilty but the marks on Naruto’s face were already fading naturally and Sai was in the process of healing his own. Her curiosity overcame her guilt.
“How are you doing that?” Both boys looked at her, though Naruto’s puzzlement was more obvious, she was beginning to be able to read into Sai’s ‘blankness’. “I want to know how to heal people.” She confided, hoping that they would understand.
“Oh!” Naruto practically beamed at her, “You really are like ‘ba-chan then.” Humiliated and hurt – stupid– she began to get up, pushing Naruto away. That insensitive idiot –
“Who is this ‘ba-chan’, Naruto-san? I was made aware that you have any other living relatives.” Sai’s question gave her pause if only for curiosity’s sake.
Naruto shrugged, somewhat confused, “Oh, she’s not related to me (I think) I just call her that to annoy her.”
Sakura frowned, “So. Who is she?”
Naruto gave her a cheesy smile, “Well who else has scary strength, heals people, and is an old hag?” Sakura’s eyes narrowed and Naruto laughed nervously, rubbing his still-bruised jaw, “Tsunade, of course.”
Sakura almost fell over, “WHAT?! AND YOU DIDN’T TELL ME THIS BEFORE –”
Naruto made a warding gesture, “Sheesh, Sakura – and people say I’m loud. And I thought you knew since you’re always going on about wanting to be like her (good job on that, by-the-way) and quoting books about her and well, I just thought you’d know since you seem to know everything else‘bout her – seriously, I didn’t even know about the whole ‘medic-per-team’ thing until you told me, and I lived with her and Shizu-nesan for a bit.” He shrugged, obviously unaware of just what a Big Deal this really was.
Sakura started to mutter to herself, “Stupid, stupid! I’ve been lecturing when I should have been questioning,” she absently shook her head at Sai’s querying look, “and I’m supposed to be smart! - anything else you think we should know?” She stared accusingly at Naruto.
He scratched his blond head, “Um, the reason I ended up with ba-chan was ‘cause she lost a bet with ero-sennin…the reason I ended up with ero-sennin was ‘cause Kaka-sensei really did trade me for a limited edition Icha Icha…Kaka-sensei watches me ‘cause Father’s his old sensei…I’m over at the Hyuga compound a lot ‘cause Hinata’s my best friend and her cousin’s fun to mess with,” Sakura rolled her eyes, “er, there’s also the-thing-about-Kyuubi and Dad’s sensei was ero-sennin and -”
“Hold it!” Her head was throbbing, “What thing about ‘Kyuubi’? And who’s ‘ero-sennin’.” Naruto started twiddling his thumbs and muttered something she could not catch. Sakura huffed, “Well?”
“I said ‘I can’t tell you’.” He mumbled from under his breath. Sakura’s ground her teeth together and forced her anger down.
Her gaze flickered to the bland smile shaping Sai’s face before locking back onto Naruto’s bowed head, “Does he know?” Naruto nodded and shrunk slightly, pissing her off, “Oh, great. Thanks a lot Naruto. Let’s not even pretend that I’m, say, a part of this team, and maybe I don’t know – deserve to know if there’s something wrong with my team-mate,” he flinched and she did not allow herself to feel sympathy, “nevermind that I didn’t push you before,” she had stayed quiet all these weeks with the hope that he would confide in her of his own volition; more the fool her, “and that I confided in you an- and,” she was not crying,“and why the hell am I even on this team, when you don’t tell me anything and you don’t even care–“
“I do care okay?! I care so fucking much I can’t stand it! I can’t stand everyone watching me, but hardly anyone actually seeing me -” Red tinted her vision, swirling about Naruto like living gauze, “And is this what you wanted to see? Is this what you wanted to know, are you happy now?!” Paint was suddenly swirling about Naruto adding to the surrealism as he snarled, rending the bindings with a wickedly curved claw, and a primal terror threatened to overcome her as his red-slit gaze turned full force on her, “Look at me Sakura – this is my Kyuubi.” Tears evaporated upon touching the red mist of chakra and the terror faded. This was still Naruto. The same overly-emotional, loud and generous boy. The boy who could have any number of friends but hung out with the misfits, the outcasts of Konoha and would skip school to run wild with Kiba, Shikamaru and Chouji, who stood up for Hinata and was convinced that girls only liked him because of his status.
“You’re an idiot, Naruto.” Sakura watched with interest as the transformation reverted, leaving a tentative grin upon his face, “And you’re such a show-off! You could have just told me, but no, you had to go and have your little fit,” she waved dismissively at the damage done to the stone floor around him, “honestly, you always have to do things the hard way don’t you and scare Sai while you’re at it –”
“I am fine Sakura-san,” Sai added unnecessarily, sarcasm obviously beyond him, “I am trained for such eventualities,” Naruto mimed blerching, “and regardless, Kakashi-san would have stepped in if necessary.”
“Hm, that is true.” Sakura and Naruto shared a moment of fright as Kakashi-sensei came through the window with an amount of urgency equivalent to that of an ambling stroll, “Though I’m quite impressed as the amount of damage you’ve managed to cause in my absence,” ‘you’re always absent’ muttered Naruto, “which warrants another couple of week’s cleaning duty,” ‘nooooo!’ “in say, the library.” An eye-grin that hinted at all sorts of creative retribution should they ‘happen’ to disappear, Kakashi-style.
“When do we start,” Sakura said listlessly.
Kakashi smiled sincerely, “Right now.”
--
Self-consciously, Sakura smoothed down her skirt (Ino had helped her pick it out though the rest of her ‘advice’ on how to find a Hyuga husband had been promptly ignored) and adjusted her shuriken holster.
“Don’t move,” Naruto muttered, “or they’ll see us.” She kicked at his shin out of habit. The compound’s guards seemed to take no notice of them but Sakura knew they were, what with their ‘all-seeing’ eyes…
“Naruto-kun, I – I’m so glad that you could co – oh, excuse me Sa- Sakura-san and, um, Sai-san?” Sakura kept a straight face as the guards snapped to attention as the Hyuga heiress faltered in her rapid approach and began blushing, head bowed and fingers fidgeting.
Some things never changed.
“Greetings, Hinata-hime,” Sakura and Naruto gawked in tandem as Sai stepped forward and bowed deeply, “I am honoured to be welcome in your beautiful home.”
Okay, now the world was ending.
“Hm. It is heartening that there are yet some in this diminishing world that show the appropriate respect for their betters.” Sakura fought to restrain her leftover gawking at the graceful boy who had just glided up behind Hinata like a bird of prey. His attitude left much to be desired but damn, he was pretty…
“Please can I kick his arse Hinata-hime– just a little,” Sakura shook her head in pity as Naruto suddenly threw himself at the poor girl’s feet and began hugging her legs causing all Hyuga in the vicinity to freak out in their own way.
Sai looked at her and she shook her head again. Eventually they actually went in.
To say that the Hyuga household was beautiful would be misleading. The pathways were spotless, the tatami and screen doors in perfect order, everything orderly and in its place with little concession to frivolity and imperfection.
It was beautiful in the way frozen tundra would be; absolutely unforgiving.
The garden was different.
Sakura was fascinated by the sudden change in texture and light, here things felt softer, the faint twinkle of bells in the wind kept in time with the muted swish of the willow and there was a distinct lack of hard edges. Hinata seemed at home. In contrast to her earlier strained attempt at playing the role of the gracious lady she had loosened up dramatically and was now linking arms with Naruto and tugging him along as she chattered excitedly about her latest plant projects. Sakura tried to keep up with her babble but most of it went over her head, though Ino would know; strange that the two girls were not better acquainted, but then again Sakura had been just as guilty of overlooking the young heiress, having dismissed her as one of Naruto’s hangers-on…
She really should have known not to judge by appearances.
Sakura turned her gaze on Sai, who had an expression (which was notable enough in itself) of wonder as he was tugged along good-naturedly by Naruto who ‘refused to let him disappear only to pop up and give them all a heart attack again’. Sai’s smile almost seemed genuine, though that could just be a trick of the light or Naruto’s infectious cheer at work. Huh, someone was missing from this tally…
Sakura stopped to look back for the other Hyuga and blushed as he quirked an elegant brow at her, “Um, sorry, my name’s Sakura.” With an effort she made it sound less like a question, shoving her hand forward in greeting. She felt her cheeks flare brighter as he just stared in question at her outstretched hand.
“Neji.” He finally said, just as she was contemplating whether she could bring her hand up fast enough to smack his stoic face. She waited but nothing else seemed forthcoming.
“Geez, you’re worse than Sai!” Sakura blinked as Naruto said exactly what she was thinking, but dared to actually, um, …noogie…Neji, in the process. “Lighten up, young Hyuga or your pretty face may get stuck like that.” Naruto egged. Neji just poked Naruto at seeming random and he fell over twitching. With now-obvious irritation he tried to smooth back his hair and kicked the wailing Naruto as he felt the um, extent of the damage…
Sakura could no longer bite her lip to stop the laughter.
“Naruto-kun! Are you alright?” Hinata rushed over to see the downed boy, and Sakura laughed harder as she realised that he was mostly faking it, “Neji!”
Neji just crossed his arms and glared at nothing and everything, which with his Byakugan was actually possible, “Hn.”
“You know what Naruto’s like, brother, he was only being friendly.” Hinata was cuddling the overgrown toddler. Sakura snorted as Naruto stuck his tongue out at Neji.
“Ah, so enthusiastic touching is part of friendship?” Sai asked. Neji’s eyes widened alarmingly as he twitched and Naruto almost choked on his tongue. Hinata finally realised that Naruto was a, faking being hurt, and b, that she was cuddling him and c, what Sai had said.
She dropped Naruto on his face with her own about to spontaneously combust.
“NO!”
Sakura was looking forward to get Hinata to be Ino’s next ‘project’. The small girl had a promising violent streak that with a little nurturing could turn into an impressive asset as the KO strike she gave Sai could attest.
---
Sakura was thumbing her way through HandSeals for Dummies (Sai snuck it out by the expediency of having the words crawl off the page…literally) while Naruto practiced his taijutsu with a shadow clone.
Ah-hah! Success!
“Hey, Naruto, come look at this.” She glanced skywards as both Narutos looked her way mid-move causing a dual ‘knockout’ dispelling the copy and laying the real Naruto out on the forest floor.
The remaining Naruto grumbled as he picked himself up and stomped over, “Whaaa-t? Can’t you see I’m training?” She kicked at his ankle, which he dodged with a huff.
“Whatever. Don’t ask me for help then.” She took an involuntary whiff and made a warding gesture. “Ugh, and where’s a cleaning jutsu when you need one?”
Naruto made a face at her, “You don’t smell so hot yourself.” She let it pass because otherwise they would get into yet another pointless argument, and she too mature for that. Really.
“As you can see (though I doubt you can comprehend) these are the Twelve Signs of the Western Zodiac.”
“Yeah, and?”
She sighed, “Meaning that each of the Twelve Eastern signs can be divided into subcategories of twelve, with a person’s natural affinity for an element leaning towards their dominant trait.” The light of illumination failed to well, enlighten. Sakura felt unreserved sympathy for anyone who had ever tried to actually teach Naruto something.
Good at the practical he may be but he was woefully inadequate in the theory side.
“Okay, take Tora for example –”
“Huh? The cat – OW!”
“No. Not the cat, Naruto.” She flipped the page, “as you can see here, the Tiger sign is positioned East-North-East, third in the order of signs thus is diametrically opposed to the Monkey which is ninth in the order.” An expectant look. “So trying to create a technique that utilizes two opposing signs after each other would either result in the jutsu cancelling itself out, or some sort of backlash.”
“Well why didn’t you just say that then?!”
“Because I’m trying to teach you something you ignorant gnome!”
They glared at each other before Sakura decided that she was above that and flipped her hair back, before continuing her explanation, “There are also complimentary signs,” she ignored the elongated groan, pointing to clarify, “Take the Third Trine: Tiger works best in a sequence with Horse and Dog, though the result of the entire technique can be adjusted by altering the frequency of each sign and the order, plus the user’s own focus of course -” A glazed look had overtaken Naruto’s eyes; she shoved him, “pay attention! Now, chakra control is a significant part of the execution of an existing technique so the greater the wielder’s familiarity with a jutsu the less they need to focus as they begin to do so instinctively, so it may come to a point (in theory) where a Special need not use any hand signs at all as they will formulate the necessary chakra near-instantaneously through willpower alone –”
“Waitaminute - So how about chakra clones then?” She mentally patted herself on the back for gaining his full attention. “They don’t use any of these signs. And what about jutsu that don’t use hand signs at all?”
Sakura quirked a brow, “Chakra clones, whatever their elemental composition, are ranked A in terms of difficulty and level of mastery required,” his flabbergasted look was priceless, “hand signs are mostly a formality, though they can help focus the gathering of the outgoing energy to a more precise effect. Generally the jutsu’s wielder is required to have perfect control of their chakra output for spacial recomposition anyway,” she pre-empted his gloating; “with the exception ofthe shadow clone jutsu which automatically divides the user’s life energy into halves regardless of how much they have remaining thus why it’s a forbidden technique.” He fidgeted with a sheepish grin and she rolled her eyes, “I don’t even want to know…as for jutsu without hand signs I suspect that they would involve both elemental and spacial recomposition or are simply the result of the aforementioned familiarity with a technique.” She shrugged, “of course, no-one’s expecting that from us genin so you’ve a..few..ye- you haven’t.”
Her jaw dropped incrementally as Naruto nodded, brow furrowed in concentration as a clone popped up almost silently to his right. Sakura’s brain threatened to fizzle out into gibberish as a bastardized – but complete – version of one of the Fourth’s signature ninjutsu, formed in Naruto’s outstretched right hand.
No. Way.
“Ah, so that is the rasengan.” Sakura screamed as Sai appeared behind the Narutos with his usual lack of forewarning, causing Naruto to yelp as the clone popped having lost control and he had to utilize his left hand to try and stabilize the fluctuating energy. He managed to slam it into the ground before it could blow up in his face, causing a miniature earthquake and spiralling indent in the forest floor as the energy dissipated.
Naruto let out a shaky sigh of relief. Sakura leapt over his prone form to let out her relief into Sai’s stupid face.
Sometimes later they were seated calmly once more.
“So where was I?” She asked rhetorically. Naruto grunted and Sai smiled around his black eye; training with the other girls had really paid off, “Right. The Twelve signs of the East can further be configured by – yes, Sai?”
The boy lowered his hand, “Sakura-san, are you an Aries?” He had a scroll out and brush at the ready.
“Er, yes.” Having lost her trail of thought she picked up another, “Why?”
His rapid sweep of the brush quickly etched out a pie chart containing the image of a rat, a dragon, and a monkey around a flame. Naruto perked up and peered over. “Oh, I get it – that’s the first Trine, right? And they’re all fire signs?” Sakura hated to admit it, but she still did not see the point. The brush added in an outer circle containing Aries, Leo and Sagittarius, “So – oh, yeah! Aries is a fire sign so Sakura’s affinity is fire and she’s com- compatible with the first Trine!”
“Whoa, wait a damn minute – flashy jutsu? More your style, Naruto.” Irritation that Sai had just ruined her well-thought out explanation let her disregard the fact that Naruto had actually gotit, “and that’s simplifies the creation and execution of ninjutsu entirely. You still haven’t taken into the account that all base chakra is composed of yin-yang energy, which combines the physical with the spiritual and the ‘void’ which is arguably the sixth element though can merely be considered anti-space/time dis–”
“Hey, Sai,” Naruto muttered, “next time I’ll ask you for hel–p?” He finally noticed her clenched fists. “Haha. I was just joking Sakura – I didn’t mean it! No! Not the earRYARRRGH!”
----
“Good morning, team, today’s task is to –”
“Who the hell are you,” Naruto asked with an innocent expression. Innocent in the way the Cheshire cat grinned.
“I believe that is our sensei, Naruto-kun.” Sai said helpfully. “Though it may also be the result of an area genjutsu targeting our group maliciously as Kakashi-san is never on time.”
“Very funny, guys, now –”
“Guys?! Do I look like a guy to you,” Sakura tried emulating Naruto’s patent ‘hurt’ expression with a special feminine twist, “honestly, if you really were Kakashi-sensei then you would at least know who the heck you’re teaching – not that Kakashi-sensei is ever around to teach us anyway –”
“- so I vote that we all go out for ramen until the real Kakashi-sensei comes looking for us, whaddya say?” Naruto made a grand sweeping motion and Sakura bowed before taking his arm and offering her free one to Sai who smiled slightly before taking it.
“Nice as it is to see that you’ve finally got that teamwork down, how about we up the stakes a little?” The too-mild tone abruptly ended her playful mood.
“Okay, give it your best shot.” Naruto was practically bouncing in place, having no self-preservation. She kicked him.
“Hm…” Sakura settled in for a long wait, “Maybe I was too hasty in nominating you guys…” She made a face at him.
“Nom-a-what? Nooo – tell me, tell me!” Her head dropped into her hand as Naruto began hopping about in agitation. Sai sat next to her and just watched with a faint smile. Sakura wish she knew what Naruto had that could create personality transplants if only to prove that he really was the cause of such changes.
Kakashi just got out his book, neatly side-stepping the shadow clone that tried to take him from behind.
Sakura considered helping him but got distracted by the dirt under her fingernails. Huh. She needed to trim them again, maybe her hair too…
“Ahem. As I was saying,” a pointed look; Naruto muttered something physically impossible under his breath, which Kakashi let past, “I’ve nominated you guys for the Mock Chuunin Exams and –”
“YAAY! You’re the best sensei ever!” Naruto managed to glomp onto Kakashi’s waist and Sakura regained interest as Kakashi flailed about with Naruto attached in a rather, erm, compromising way…
She giggled.
“Damnit Naruto, stop slobbering on me! Heel!”
“Should I help?” whispered Sai and Sakura shot him a warning glare. HellNO!
Finally Kakashi remembered that he could just substitute away and Sakura pouted as he did so. Naruto’s enthusiasm waned momentarily but he soon bounced up and began to dance about, “Chuunin exams! Chuunin exams! -”
Sakura let him have his moment then, “You do realise that these are only the Mock Chuunin Exams, right?” Naruto stopped in mid-skip. “They’re for the genin to practice what they’ve learnt and to familiarise themselves with the type of battling that normally occurs in the real 3rd Level exams.” He deflated.
“Correct Sakura, though they also act as a trial amongst ‘friendlies’ for the examiners to ascertain which have the necessary fortitude and skill to take part in the chuunin exams,” Kakashi commented from his ‘safe’ perch in a nearby tree, “It lessens the risk of casualties thereafter.”
“Well. What are we waiting for then?” Naruto smirked, “Let’s go for it!”
(nb – I have the Mock roughly figured out, partially written etc, and it contains an untimely appearance of the Kyuubi, which Naruto manages to rein in again but after the rest of the group – Teams Gai, 8 and 10 – manage to get an eyeful. Am thinking of leaving it be for now though ‘cause am lazy and want to get this ‘interlude’ – ye, gads! – over with..>_>…)
-
“-a mission to find lost cat, Tora -”
“No. Never. Again,” Naruto had locked into Stubborn Mule mode and had the harrumph to go with it, “Iruka-sensei, come on, we’ve chased that blasted cat all over the country – can’t we just put a tracking device on it?”
Huh. That was a good idea actually.
Iruka shuffled some papers to counter Naruto’s beseeching look, “You know the daimyo’s wife, Naruto,” he did? “she won’t have such a thing restricting her…pet’s ‘sense of self’,” Iruka’s face showed that he understood that sentiment about as much as Sakura did, “so just do your best and I’ll put you boys,” Sakura scowled, “and Sakura, of course, on the list for ‘Tora-leave’,” what had initially been a joke was now a necessity as the super-intelligent designer feline was as wily as a cat-burglar and had adapted to all attempts to catch it causing a time-consuming ‘man’-hunt guaranteed to have even Specials froth at the mouth.
“Nooooo… Why can’t Kiba do it?! He’s a dog –”
“Naruto!”
“-person. Dogs chase cats so why do I,” Sakura cleared her throat, “I mean we hafta do this,” mumble, “stupid thing -”
“Yes, I can see he’s matured greatly, Kakashi,” came the Grand Master’s dry tone as he entered the room. Sakura slumped much like Kakashi was doing as Naruto once again managed to put his foot in it.
This time she was close enough to kick him before he could talk back.
“Master,” Sai bowed ingratingly, as Naruto swore under his breath, “despite Naruto-san’s immaturity,” She had to slap a hand over Naruto’s mouth to muffle his, um, indignation, “he has surely proven by his performance in the mock Exams that he can keep his cool under pressure,” she dared not look at the Master least he could read how much Sai had just bent the truth in her eyes, “if I may suggest that we be allowed to take on a C rank so that we may be eligible for the real Exams.”
That was probably the longest thing she had ever heard Sai say. Naruto was actually going a bit watery in the eye so she pinched him to bring him back to reality.
“Very well, your comments have been noted,” the Master gave them all a piercing look, “Umino, give them the mission to Wave.” With that he left and Sakura wondered why he had even bothered to come, considering that he could have just passed the message on by courier. With the growing tensions between the Great Nations as the chuunin exams neared, not to mention the internal conflicts cropping up as medics demanded more pay and less working hours, the Elders voted in yet more judicial tape regarding the Academy’s entrance requirements, merchant tax inflation and those were just off the top of her head through the latest news…she would think that with the Master having to mediate through it all that he would not have the time to drop off a C rank for some lowly genin.
Even if one of those lowly genin was his own son…who was currently regarding the door with a wistful expression more suited to a story about orphans.
She gave him a semi-sympathetic pat on the back.
“OW! You’re always hitting me Sakura, and I haven’t even done anything yet!”
Her eyebrow twitched. “Well don’t just stand there like some dummy then!”
“Who’ a dummy?!”
“You are Naruto-kun.” Sai replied helpfully, “As ‘dummies’ are generally dickless.”
Naruto was shocked speechless. Sakura recovered first and fell over laughing as Iruka-sensei started to holler at Sai incoherently and Kakashi-sensei scratched his head with an eye curving skyward.
“Um, hello? I was told that my escorts could be found in this room.” A pale, strained smile twisted the speaker’s lips and the faint lines about her dark eyes.
“Ah, yes, ma’am, I’m sorry for making you wait – Naruto! Sit! – do you need something? Some water, a seat?” Iruka-sensei resembled a frazzled hen.
“No. Thank you, but I’d like to leave as soon as possible.” The woman glanced hesitantly over Team 7. “I –I thought that they would be a bit…older.”
“Hey, lady! If you need an escort, then we’re your men!” Sakura shook her head as Naruto got into the poor woman’s personal space, “My name’s Naruto Uzumaki and I’m going to be the greatest ninja ever! No bandit’s going to get past me – you’ll be home safe in no time and –”
Somehow, as the woman smiled softly, a misty expression overtaking her eyes, Sakura could not help but feel the foreboding.
-
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Notes:
1 – According to ‘the Biotech Century’ by Jeremy Rifkin, a potential danger of commercial practice in genetic modification is that ‘genetocracy (genetic aristocracy) is all but inevitable’ with the division between the ‘Gen Rich’ – those able to pay for say the genetic enhancement of their unborn children – and the ‘Naturals’ – who either cannot afford to genetically screen/enhance their future child or do not wish to – widening as more and more knowledge of our very ‘life code’ becomes ‘negotiable’.
(I’m also missing a Sai-explanatory scene here but I think I might just leave that for his own ‘interlude’…ideas? And anything else I need to clarify? I’ve stared at this thing for so long I forget what seems odd…-.-‘)