It's been a week since I've made the bet with Sasuke. Not much has changed except the fact that I'm not doing Shikamaru's homework anymore. The last two weeks before the exam is mainly just review worksheets and such. I told him I wanted to study for myself and not carry his lazy ass up to the next grade. He only yawned and turned his head away from me. I'm currently sitting in my room surrounded by the textbooks that I swore off at the beginning of the year. I groaned and fell back on my bed as I heard the screams of the kids on the floor below me. I frowned as I put all my books in my backpack and climbed out the window. I can never have a place to myself in this damn village. I decided to go find a tree that was far away from humans or any other living creature that could find a way to annoy me.

"I never thought I'd see you with a textbook, Akira-san" a small voice said from behind me. I jumped and turned around only to see it was Sakura. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding before giving her a questioning glance.

"What are you doing here? This is my tree," I said while pointing at the tree behind me. It wasn't mine, but I'm sure it would send a message across to Sakura. Whichever one it may be.

"I was looking for someone to study with me. Ino said she was busy," Sakura looked at the ground and fidgeted with her fingers while talking to me. Am I really that intimidating? I wasn't aiming for that; I was aiming for the girl that didn't need anyone as a way to separate myself from them in order for my plans to work.

I sighed before plopping my ass down on the ground in front of the tree that I claimed as my own. I patted the ground next to me to indicate that I was willing to study with her. Sit your ass down girly!

"Thanks," she mumbled.

"No problem. Which war would you like to start with first, hm?"

"I thought we should follow the study guide. Maybe we should start with the shinobi rules then the wars and then the weapons?"

I frowned at her shyness. I knew it wouldn't last long, but it almost feels fake when you look at her shyness now and then look forward to her twelve year old self. I've always wondered who she really is.

"Then when do you want to do chakra and math?"

Chakra was our "science" subject. We were only learning the basics at the moment like what it's used for like the different elemental types. It wasn't much, but I'm sure there will be loads of questions on it because it "wasn't much". Our math was multiplication and extremely hard and confusing word problems that also involve the lovely thing called statistics.

"We could do that tomorrow if you'd like to continue studying with me," Sakura said with nervousness and it almost seemed like she was waiting for me to throw the book in her face and tell her to fuck off. I looked towards the sun to try and figure out the time. Since it's getting closer to the exam our school days have been cut in half. The first half is towards studying in the morning until noon and then we go to school from noon to four as a "group study" I guess you could say. I determined it was around ten and that we only had time with the rules, wars and weapons for today. I'd be surprised if we even made it through the wars with how long the weapons and rules would take.

"Yeah, tomorrow sounds good. Now let's get started on the shinobi rules, hm?" I suggested with a grin. I don't have anything against Sakura really. It's more of how she lets herself go and changes into a raging bitch in a year or so. I glanced at her and noticed her hair was getting longer. Oh no, it's starting.

"Ne, Sakura-chan," I tried to get her attention, "why is your hair getting longer?"

Sakura looked at me with confusion for a minute since it was a random question that seemed strange for me to ask. She blushed after the words processed in her mind and thoughts of a certain someone flooded her mind. She twirled a strand of hair around her pinky while her eyes were still glued to the text book.

"Sasuke-kun likes long hair," she said softly as if it was common sense. I sweat dropped before subconsciously twirling a strand of my hair.

"You shouldn't grow it out. I like it short since it brings attention to your face. Don't listen to everyone when they make fun of your hair and forehead. Yours is only bigger than mine by a few centimeters! And have you looked at my red hair? I look like a tomato!" I gave Sakura a small rant so I can try and get my point across. Hopefully I could help this small thing by stopping it before it gets way out of hand.

"Why is your hair long then?"

I could sense her getting defensive and somewhat judgmental of me. That's understandable since I told her not to grow her hair out for Sasuke even though mine's well past my shoulders. I can see her minds footsteps as they lead to her thinking I'm in love with Sasuke or something. Bitch, please.

"My dad likes my hair long. He says it makes me look as pretty as my mother," I said softly as I twirled more strands of my hair. Sakura's mouth formed an 'oh' before she brought her attention back to the textbooks. We studied in silence after that which I can't really complain about.

Before I knew it, the two hours have past and we were putting our books back in our backpacks and then walked to school together. We walked in silence for a little bit before I began to think about our schoolwork.

"So did you do the math review packet? That thing made me stay up all night!" I exclaimed. I fail at trying to make conversation, but it was worth a try. Sakura smiled before nodding her head instead of simply telling me she did her homework. I blew a few strands of hair out of my face as we approached the entrance to the Academy.

….

"Alright class! Pass up your math review packets that you had to do for homework! I'm going to hand you your homework for tonight while I'm at it. This is the chakra review packet and I recommend you answer all of the questions or else you won't get anything!"

Iruka-sensei sure can talk. A lot. I heard a few groans as we handed in our homework only to receive another packet. I noticed that the packet was a lot shorter than the math one. Thank the heavens! I can sleep tonight! Yesterday in class we spent the whole day trying to get through our math packet so we didn't really do any "group studying" so I'm guessing today is when we start the stupid thing. The whole week before was us trying to shove as much late stuff to learn as we could before the review week starts. I can honestly say that I can't remember what I learned last week.

"All right, who wants to put their answers on the board for the Intro to Mathematics section?"

Yeah, Shikamaru has a good idea. I'm going to take a nap for the rest of the day.

…..

"Akira-chan! WAKE UP! IT'S TIME TO GO HOME!" Naruto's voice blasted my eardrum. I cringed before lifting my head and giving him a nasty glare. I glanced around me and noticed that it was just me and Naruto left. I groaned and grabbed all myself then shoved it all carelessly into my backpack.

"Alright, let's go home Naruto. I'm sure my mom has some kind of chore for us to do today," I said with dread. I can just hear my mom's nagging and yelling and telling me to do the dishes, wash and fold the laundry, help change the diapers and of course my favorite, go grocery shopping. I'm too lazy to complain about it all and honestly, I don't give a fuck because this is helping my mom and all the little kids. I mean, all she has is me for help since my dad is always at work. Very rarely do the orphanage kids offer to help her besides Naruto.

"Aw I hope it's not changing diapers again. I know some of the older kids can do that for her!" Naruto complained and whined loud enough to make my eardrums ring. I didn't care though since he's always been like this. I've gotten used to this and like my father says, adapt and overcome.

"Don't worry. She's been interviewing some people who are interested in helping her out around the orphanage. I think around twenty five people inquired about the jobs," I said as I hopped around the crowds with Naruto by my side.

"How many do you think she's hired?" Naruto asked softly. I think he was deep in thought about something. That worried me so I tried to see if I could sense anything from him. Shit. His chakra is smooth yet would occasionally spike which means he's fighting with himself on something that probably has been haunting him for some time. I raised an eyebrow at his face and furrowed brows. His face was scrunched up in concentration and I couldn't help but think it looked cute.

I shrugged my shoulders and continued to pay attention to the ground in front of me in case I step on something.

"I think she hired more than she was planning on. I don't know and I honestly don't care right now. I'm more focused on the exam and all our stupid review homework."

"Oh yeah! I need your help on that, Akira-chan. I didn't even get past the first page of math. And this stupid catra stuff is making my brain hurt!"

Naruto was back to being his whining and loud self. He was clutching his head with a pout on his face. I rolled my eyes at his expression before opening the door to the orphanage. Before I could make even one step inside, I was stopped by a woman in her mid-thirties who had her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face.

"Why are the two of you late? Where have you been? And don't give me an attitude! Now go march upstairs and start on your homework! As punishment for being late and going around doing only Kami knows what, you are to stay indoors except for school and you are going to stay in your dorms doing your work and nothing more! Now go!" she blasted our eardrums and dragged us inside by our ears. She threw us towards the stairs and gave us a shove up the first step.

"What the fuck?" I breathed as Naruto and I hid in my room. Naruto was still in shock from the woman and how she treated us. I had a feeling this would go on for years and that there was nothing I could do about it. Much like everything else.

"Who was she, Akira-chan?"

"I have no idea, but I have a feeling she might be one of the helpers my mom hired."

I groaned as I began to remember the woman from my past life. It was faint but I remember her constant nagging and shrill voice. I could never forget her shrill voice. This woman was the cause of Naruto's horrible orphanage life and the reason why he wanted to move out and get his own apartment.

I glanced at Naruto's worried and terror filled face before giving a sigh and getting our homework out. I gave him a reassuring smile.

"Let's worry about our homework and the exam. So, Intro to Chakra, huh?"

Naruto groaned before falling back onto the floor in a heap. This is going to be a long night filled with me doing all the work.

…..

"Naruto, wake up!"

I'm currently trying to eat my breakfast while jumping on Naruto's bed to wake him up. The only thing I've accomplished so far would be finishing my toast. He groaned then grabbed him pillow and rolled onto the floor. He decided the floor was better than the bed since I can't jump on that.

"What time is it?" Naruto mumbled through his pillow. I glanced at the clock next to me then shrugged.

"Five minutes after eight."

"In the morning!?"

"No shit."

"But all the other kids are probably sleeping in!" Naruto whined while rolling around on the floor with his blanket wrapping him up in a cocoon. I sighed since I knew I would be a bit late for studying with Sakura.

"Fuck the other kids' ghosts I don't give a shit about what they're doing."

Naruto continued to whine and spaz about for a few minutes before going still and trying to get back to sleep. I rolled my eyes then grabbed Naruto by his ankles and dragged him out the room.

"You know, I thought you'd like to study with me and Sakura-chan this morning," I bribed and hoped it would work. Naruto immediately bounced up from his spot on the floor and ran down the stairs. He did his morning routine in less than five minutes. I felt the need to clap for him once he met me outside the orphanage.

"What about that lady? She said we're grounded," Naruto said timidly while sneaking glances towards the front door. I shrugged before giving him a look that said that I didn't give a shit about the lady. He got the message and followed me like a puppy through the crowds.

We reached the tree with Sakura waiting there for me. She gave me a smile and then a confused look once she saw Naruto trailing behind me.

"Naruto's here to study with us! You ready for some math and chakra?" I said with a confidant grin to try and reassure Sakura. I could sense that she felt nervous with Naruto being here with us. I can't possibly understand why.

"Why are you guys studying the math and catra part? We did that yesterday! And we're probably doing the catra crap today!" Naruto exclaimed with his hands behind his neck and a cocky grin on his face. What's he so cocky about? I tried to sense his chakra and see if I could figure out his thoughts. It seems he wants to show off about his "knowledge" on the weapons instead since math and chakra were his weak points. I rolled my eyes and blocked out his chakra and tried to focus more on Sakura's.

I frowned when I couldn't sense anything strange from her chakra. It was calm and smooth.

"We did the weapons, rules and wars the other day," I said while pulling out my packet and textbook. Naruto's jaw dropped at my statement and I could sense his shock and dazed amazement.

"How'd you get all that done in one day!?"

I shrugged and flipped through the pages of my textbook before helping Sakura out with the pages.

"We just did. It wasn't that hard for us. I think we're doing bukijutsu tomorrow and then we'll probably have mock exams to practice on since we've already done the rules and wars packets," I mumbled as I skimmed through the paragraphs. My mind was going in overdrive with all this studying shit. What sucks is that I've already done all this stuff about five times already. And yet I can't remember the exam and the exact questions. How can I remember an annoying lady yet not have a single clear memory of the exams!? Why must I do this to myself?

"Are you good, Sakura-chan? You seem too quiet and almost secluded," I pointed out softly. I tried sensing anything from her chakra, but it was still the same calm and smooth chakra that I sensed earlier.

"Ah, yes, Akira-chan. I'm fine. I'm just reading that's all," Sakura said softly after she broke away from her daze and thoughts. I frowned but nodded anyway.

"Alright," I let my sentence trail off while I went back to reading. I snuck a glance towards Naruto to notice that he was slumped against the tree sleeping with drool traveling down his chin. I rolled my eyes and went back to my boring routine of studying.

…..

"Alright class! This is your last review packet and then we'll move on to mock exams, okay? This packet is on bukijutsu and it plays a big part in the exam! Make sure to answer all of these questions without having to rely on the textbook!"

My head dropped from my hand before I picked it back up and rested on my other hand. I was getting ready to fall asleep like Shikamaru next to me. My eyelids began to droop and I fought so hard to keep them open. Bukijutsu was something that used to be my strong suit in my past lives and with each life I would try and get better than the last. I can't entirely remember why I solely used bukijutsu and taijutsu in my past lives, but I have a strange feeling that I'll find out the painful way in a few years.

I'm so close to the exam and the end of the year that I can just taste it. I have this end of the year disease like everyone else. I just too lazy and don't give a shit anymore at the end of the year. Of course it would be around exam time that I start procrastinating during school.

Although, I am doing way better than the other kids. I glanced towards Naruto and noticed he was passed out on his desk. I rolled my eyes and glanced back to Iruka-sensei. I'll have to carry Naruto through this exam if he wants to pass this grade.

My eye twitched as Iruka-sensei tried explaining a question for the fifth time in a row.

Just give me the fucking answer you son of a bitch!