Small Fish, Big Pond by fang_shinobi
Summary: Sakura has always been number one… until she transfers to a new school of the weirdest kinds of geniuses around… 'Small fish in a big pond' has now become an understatement.
Disclaimers: Masashi-Kishimoto-sama is true genius, and I dare not claim ownership over his masterpiece!
Author's Note: The school in this fanfiction is fictional, and though it may resemble any you've heard or know of, please pardon me, for this idea did not spring forth of my mind without prior inspiration. Yes, this school is based on one I used to attend, but only to a certain degree. Enough colorful words. All I can say is read on!
Introduction
Geeks. That was the first thing that came to mind when Sakura first heard of Kusanagi Science High School. A school for geeks. That was the second.
And who wouldn't think that? Top students from everywhere apply for that school, and best of the batch or not, the entrance exam is still not easily passed, even without the ninety student per year quota. Only ninety freshmen and one or two sophomores (in case of freshmen dropouts) are admitted. It was pretty exclusive for a government-operated school.
And if you thought getting in was tough, getting out was barely an option. It was either walk out the school gates with a diploma in your hands or get booted out if you flunk. Dropping out for other reasons meant certain circumstances I'm not even going to talk about.
So why then? Why enter this school? Some say that going to this certain educational facility was depriving teenagers of a life. The advanced lessons, tiresome research projects and hectic schedules would be easy turn offs. Unfortunately, it's not their decision to make. Mostly, it's their parents who decide.
But for Miss Haruno Sakura, age sixteen, it had been her decision. "I already told you, I could do better than Ichinoe High," she insisted when she'd been trying to convince her parents. "I can handle Kusanagi." She had spent the last year in Ichinoe, a competent yet academically unsatisfying school. Her freshman year was ending, and the upcoming sophomore admission test was her only chance.
Perfect score sheets. 100's all lined up in a column. She was definitely Kusanagi material. When her parents finally said yes, she managed to grab a spot for the entrance exam. Why, yes, even the admission test had requirements and limited slots.
Fifty students took the test for that one empty slot. Three-quarters of the examinees had an advantage over her, having had taken a similar exam the year prior, but just didn't quite make it in. It would be more impressive if a first-timer such as herself could get the spot though.
And she did. If she didn't, there wouldn't be much of a story, would there?
She was going to fit in. She was going to catch up with the previous year's advanced lessons. And she'd still be number one.
Prologue – In Kusanagi, three weeks before the next school year starts…
"Hey there! You must be Haruno Sakura! Welcome to Kusanagi High, or Ku-hai as we'd like to call it! I'm Ino! I'll be showing you around!"
Sakura's mouth hung open half an inch at the sight of the blonde before her. If it wasn't for the obviously Japanese name, the girl's light complexion, sunflower-colored tresses and quick American-English slang would've convinced her that she was talking to a foreigner!
Ino was pretty and sunny, with round baby blue eyes and pink lips. She was slender and long-legged under that short jean skirt, and her golden mane was pulled up in a sporty ponytail. There was nothing remotely geeky about her! Did they hire a model just to welcome her?!
"Good morning," Sakura replied in a slow deliberate English. "Yes, I am. Nice to meet you, Ino-san."
"No need to be so formal!" responded the other girl. Finally, Nihongo. "We're going to be close friends soon anyway. We'll be roommates for the school year."
She's actually a student here, thought Sakura, bemused. First impressions never do last…
A/N: Sakura's ambitious? Quite. Being up there in those high ranks could get to one's head. I'm not pointing fingers, mind you. Leave a review please. Chapter 1 will be up within this month.