'-.-' A/N: I know my writing is choppy, and kinda distorted, but I don't have a good beta right now, so it's probably going to remain that way until the gennin exams, when there will be more dialogue and interaction with the Naruto characters. My little sis is my current Beta, reading my stories.. Unfortunately, she is my little sister...

There will be many time jumps here, so I can get to the Naruto story sooner..

If there are any mistakes I'm sorry. My sister wasn't able to read this before I posted.

Headfirst Into Shallow Water

Chapter 2

Sasuke sat and stared at his brother. "You convinced him to have someone train her? What will she be doing? What will she be learning? Will I get to see her? What about me? Do I get training too? Will I get to learn cool jutsu like you use? How about those awesome fire jutsu Father loves to use? Will I-" Sasuke fired off one question after another, not waiting for a response.

"Yes, someone will begin training her." Itachi interrupted. "She is to be trained as an infiltration specialist. Her mind and memory will be the first things trained, which may take intense training, so it is highly unlikely you will see very much of her. You, little brother, will also be training, but only as hard as you already have. As a member of the main Uchiha family and the second son, you are being watched too closely to begin heavy training, unless you want to go in before your friend. Due to Haruno-san's observations, it is likely that you will have only minimal training before the Academy."

"Minimal training?!" Sasuke burst out, "But I get some jutsu training at least, right?"

Itachi's lips twitched at his little brother's whine. "Of course. When you're older." Itachi did grin when Sasuke let out a shout of frustration. Little brothers could be so funny sometimes.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Sakura sat listening to some unknown Uchiha chunnin explain to her parents, with as few details as possible, the training she was to be going through. From the sound of it, she wouldn't be learning what is taught at the Academy. Instead, she would be skipping forward to learn the gennin and chunnin level skills. Memory techniques, forgery skills, voice coaching, even training in musical instruments, all things indicating infiltration training. That wasn't what her parents heard though. They heard things about blending into all societies, being able to act like a princess or a peasant, training in how to tell expensive fakes from the real merchandise, and other skills her parents wished they had.

Sakura had to give the Uchiha chunnin credit, her parents easily signed the forms, but not before her father had read through them. He may have been persuaded, but her wasn't about to sign his daughters life away. The contract was only that the chunnin could train Sakura, it would be up to the chunnin to convince Sakura to be a spy for the Uchiha Clan.

Sakura smiled at the chunnin, showing her joy that she would learn to be a ninja. Inside, however, she was just hoping that neither she nor Sasuke slipped.

-^-^-^-^-^-^-^-

Three years.

It had been three very long years since Sakura and Sasuke could have a conversation without being monitored. While they had been able to see and interact with each other, neither had been able to talk about their mission.

Sakura sat next to Sasuke, with her head leaned on his shoulder, "I see a familiar expression on your face. Finally able to put up the stoic look?"

Sasuke tapped her forehead with a finger before responding, "Father has pushed the uprising back until our gennin exams."

Sakura nodded against him, "Have you spoken to Itachi about it yet? You know as well as I do that he can get word to the Hokage far easier than either of us. As great as your clan is, Konoha can survive without it, but the clan can't survive without the village. Not and remain a clan anyways."

Sasuke sighed into her hair, "I wish it were as easy as that. How do I tell Itachi that I'd rather side with the village than with our clan? I have no problem saying my father is too weak to run the village. If he were to battle Hokage-sama, he would loose, quickly."

Sakura nodded again, "Can you imagine the devastation it would cause the village if your father goes through with this plans? Orochimaru would be able to sweep right in and take it over. Sasuke? What about us? If we can't stop the plan somehow, who is more likely to kill us? The Council or Orochimaru when he sweeps through what little is left of our defenses?"

Sasuke threw an arm around her to provide some comfort. "I don't know. I don't think Orochimaru is that powerful right now. If I recall correctly, he still labeled as not having any followers in the bingo book. Why the sudden concern over the Snake of the Legendary Sages?"

Sakura sat up to look at Sasuke, when she felt what he was trying to warn her about. They were being watched. Again. "Well, from what I've read about him, he hates Konoha. Don't you think he would take advantage of our lowered defenses? No matter who wins the village, Orochimaru is still likely to want to destroy it."

Sasuke nodded, "Very true. He is Konoha's most powerful missing-nin."

Both children held in a sigh of relief when they felt the unfamiliar chakra signature flicker away. Sakura spoke first, "Has Itachi learned how to alter his signature yet? Or are we in deep shit?"

Sasuke shrugged his shoulders, "Our own fault. We should know better. This is a ninja village."

Sakura sighed aloud, "Oh well. Hopefully it was someone on our side. Sasuke?"

"Yes, Sakura?" he replied.

"I can't wait for the academy, can you?" she asked.

"I can. Unlike you, I don't enjoy being around children 'our age.'" came the smart mouthed reply.

"Bastard."

~ * ~

Nothing came from the stranger's eavesdropping for a while. Both children assumed it was an 'unfriendly,' but neither could determine who it had been. That is, until he revealed himself to them, until Shisui spoke to Sakura while she was walking past, out of the Uchiha Compound. He only said one sentence, "You're right, Orochimaru was overlooked."

Sakura showed no visible reaction besides the twitch of her hand toward a hidden senbon needle. She just continued to walk past giving him an non-committal, "hm" in reply.

Now that they knew the who, it was still a question of which side he was on. While he was supposedly Itachi's closest friend, he was also the first one to be killed by Itachi, before the massacre had even happened. They could not discuss it beyond coded phrases and subtle hand gestures, so no plan to find out could be made. In the end, the plan was to wait and see what happened. Soon they would be going to the Academy and would finally get to see more than a passing glance of Naruto. Sakura was very excited.

~ * ~

Upon going to the Academy, Sakura realized she had missed something in their plan. It was only when she got to the classroom that she noticed she had not met Ino. It wasn't a big deal in the grand picture, but it was something that Sakura had wanted to happen. It was a good thing the Uchiha Clan would appreciate her making friends in the other clans. Even if she had not been asked to be their spy, they seemed to assume she was and Sakura didn't correct them.

Since Sasuke had to remain 'the stoic and distant Uchiha genius,' it was up to Sakura to gain information from the children. All Sasuke had to do was be patient for another 3 years so that Naruto could be in their class. Oh, and hope Itachi didn't massacre the entire Uchiha Clan again.

It was very difficult for Sasuke to downplay his skills in the first year of the Academy, while Sakura had an easier time of it, due mostly to having to hold back in her training by the Uchiha Clan.

~*~

When they were in their second year at the academy, Sakura and Sasuke were both surprised when Fugaku and most of the Uchiha elders were convicted of high treason and sentenced to death. Only the orchestrators of the Uchiha's plot against Konoha were put on trial.

Sakura was happy to not be stuck between the clan and the village, but Sasuke was more concerned over who would be taking over the clan. Most figured Itachi was going to be the new Clan Head, but they were unpleasantly surprised when he claimed he was too young for the responsibilities that came with the position when he already had his Anbu Captain position responsibilities to fulfill.

Sakura had suggested to Sasuke, all the while giggling, that Itachi just didn't want to be married yet, as was a stipulation of the Clan Head position. Sasuke had actually grimaced at the thought of his brother being romantically involved with anyone.

The Uchiha Matriarch had been the one to step up and take the reins, to steer the clan through the shame of their Clan Head's disgraceful actions.

~*~

During their first, second and third years, Sasuke and Sakura watched as Itachi went through puberty, much to Sasuke's disgust and Sakura's amusement. For 2 years Itachi attempted to date the cousins of his clan who were distant enough in genes for it to not be incest.

When Itachi gave up his attempts, Sasuke was relieved while Sakura just giggled about Itachi's love life being his only failure. Mikoto was disappointed that her eldest hadn't found anyone suitable within the clan, but allowed Itachi to wait until he was older before pressuring him to get a girl.

Sasuke continued to be overlooked, for the most part. His mother only gave the occasional bits of praise and the pressure to see Sakura as a girlfriend rather than a sister. Sakura always laughed herself silly when Sasuke mentioned it to her.

~*~

Before the trail, Sakura spent most of her days being a "social butterfly," flitting from one clan compound to the next. Discussing all manner of topics with the children and adults of each clan. After the Uchiha trials, she spent even more time in the clan compounds. She used her clan's business as an excuse to talk to most of the clans, but she mostly used the children to gain access to the adults.

She spoke to Shino and the Aburame clan about the beneficial bugs, like bees and such and their profitable products. Using this line of topic she was able to learn about their other species of bugs, like the kikai and other battle bugs.

She spoke with Choji and the Akimichi clan about their recipes and their food stalls. Following this topic she spoke to them about their use of food for jutsu and their medicinal pill like the soldier pills and such.

She spoke to Shikamaru and the Nara clan about their deer and medicines. She also plays Shoji and Go with Shikamaru, to understand his strategies and tactics, but she could never find a way to get him to talk about his clan jutsu...

Hinata talked about medicines and the human body. It wasn't very hard for Sakura to get her to talk about the Hyuga training techniques and the juken fighting style. Sakura even took the opportunity to encourage Hinata to be stronger and be more confident.

Ino gossiped and talked about fashion and flowers. It was her mother that Sakura learned the most from. Yamanaka-san had the habit of complaining to anyone who was willing to listen to her. Sakura learned who in the village was a reliable source and who just loved to gossip.

Kiba bragged about his jutsu and animals, so it didn't take much effort to learn about the Inuzuka clan.

Sakura spent her time with Sasuke just relaxing and talking. She spent time with him as often as she did any of the others, no more or less. She had a reputation to uphold, after all.

~*~

One day, during their third year, Shisui, who had been keeping a tab on her since the Orochimaru incident, decided to ask her about her social behaviors. He and Itachi were passing her as she was leaving the Uchiha complex, when he spoke up. "Haruno-san? May I ask a question?"

Sakura paused and looked at the two before turning to them and bowing slightly in respect (of their higher status in rank, not necessarily them as a person). As she straightened she replied, "I believe you just did, Uchiha-san, but I will allow another. Good afternoon, Uchiha-san, Itachi-san."

Itachi raised an eyebrow at her less formal address, but only nodded in reply. Shisui grinned at her smart mouth, "I had noticed your busy social schedule, Haruno-san. Is there a reason for such interaction with the clans? I recall you losing your instruction with the change in the clan's power."

Sakura smiled at Shisui patronizingly, "One doesn't forget the lessons taught simply because their teacher has changed Uchiha-san. We are ninja and we use everything we have to survive and thrive in our roles. If you'll excuse me, Itachi-san, Uchiha-san. My clan will be having a meeting soon and my father has requested my presence. He mentioned something about an arranged marriage offer that he needs me to protest. My pull as heir is being requested by the male. Have a good day." She said the last sentence over her shoulder with a wide grin while walking towards the gate again. She loved it when she could point out a 'superior' ninja's ignorance. The reminder that her own clan was important and quite large would cause the Uchiha to recognize her strategies and manipulation of the Uchiha clan for what they were. A way to be trained as a ninja before the Academy. Something Itachi was also reminded of.

Shisui looked at Itachi and had to ask, "Do you suppose she had ever considered being a spy for the Uchiha clan? Or do you suppose she was using us to her advantage?"

Itachi looked at Shisui for a moment before glancing at the retreating back of Sakura. "She never wanted to be a spy, Shisui. She wanted to be a ninja. 'A ninja uses everything they have to their advantage.' She was acting like a ninja before I met her. When she was four."

Shisui glanced back at Sakura's back too before saying, "Think Sasuke will marry her? She would be a good addition to the clan."

Itachi glanced at Shisui before shaking his head, "We will see."

~ * ~

When their last year at the academy finally arrived, Sakura and Sasuke were very relieved. Just one more year and they could stop holding back as much as they had been. As soon as they get on a gennin team, they get to show off most of their skills. Some jutsu were still forbidden, such as the chidori and Tsunade's genjutsu, as well as every seal they both knew.

Sakura was to purchase as many medical scrolls and books as she could, and Sasuke was to copy down any that were in the Uchiha clan's library. She wanted a good reason to explain her medical knowledge and jutsu. Sakura also received her great uncle's ninja equipment from her family, which included a medic's pack (though outdated, it was still useful), a pack of various weapons, as well as a pack full of various ninja tools *1*. Her family would not give her the jutsu scrolls until her graduation to gennin.

With the last year also brought Naruto into their lives. Sasuke and Sakura took the opportunity to introduce themselves, but only Sakura was able to interact with him on a regular basis. After the first two months, Sakura asked him to be her teammate, while explaining that she didn't like him in a romantic way. She told him of their plan to be on the same team, but that he would have to be the dead last in the class to be on it. Everyone who cared to look knew that the rookie of the year, the top kunoichi, and the dead last were placed on the same team, after all.

When Naruto agreed to the arrangement, Sakura and Sasuke were pleasantly surprised to realize how high Naruto's scores were when the teachers weren't doctoring his papers. When they noticed that Iruka didn't doctor his work, they helped him stay just under everyone else's scores, even if he could do much better.

When it was close to the gennin exams, Sakura made sure to talk to Sasuke in public about who they thought would make the best teams in their year. They even made sure Itachi and Shisui was in the area before having the conversation.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

::::::::::::

'-.-' Author's note '-.-'

*1* edited: changed to be more vague. :P

Next is the Gennin Exams and FINALLY the start of the real story!!! Though, like the Naruto manga, there will be short time jumps, much shorter than my jumps in this chapter.