The teacher droned on and on about chakra and hand signs, all of which Sakura eagerly scribbled notes down on. Other children where either talking or asleep. It was funny really, all these kids coming from such powerful clans and yet not one was paying attention- save for Sakura that is.

A paper ball bounced off Sakura's head and onto the desk. Sakura-already knowing who it was from- ignored it completely and continued to write notes passionately. Another bounced off her head, but more forcefully this time. She sighed in exasperation. They were persistent today.

She picked up the crumpled piece of paper and opened it, the paper making a crinkling sound. It read:

Hey Billboard brow

You better not be looking at MY Sasuke-kun.

You're no good for him,

He'd throw up every day knowing he had to see your face!

Sakura pushed that one aside and unfolded the other paper ball of insults, this one read:

If I hear you have a crush on him

You

Will

PAY

The amount of pain you would get would be unforgettable

I looked back at Ami who was glaring as angrily as she could, which wasn't much. I turned back to the front and wrote the notes on the board almost robotically as I thought over the situation.

I was just threatened, but they will only act on it if she were to have feelings for the dark haired fellow sitting two seats ahead of me. His head is in general direction of the board, so of course to another pair of eyes it looked to be like she was staring at him. Truly Ami was an idiot. Hell, she might mistake a venomous serpent for a hair tie.

"All right class line up! We are heading outside for sparring!" the teacher declared snapping Sakura out of her stupor. I stood and creeped towards the door. Sparring was relatively easy to get out of. All you had to do was act like your opponent hit you so hard that you 'stumbled' out of the ring. Then you could get out of fighting and the other person gets a boost in confidence. It was a win-win.

.

A crowd of children stood before a circle. The teacher then started to shout, "Okay! Who wants to go first?" a multitude of chubby hands shot up and waved wildly in the air. I stood in the back with my hands tucked lightly behind my back, sheepishly playing with my sleeves. I didn't like sparring. But at least if I stay quiet I can avoid being called on.

Two students were chosen to spar each other. They both stood on different sides of the circle, throwing joking insults such as "you're going down poopyhead!" the teacher then blew a whistle for them to begin.

The children lunged for the other both grasping the other and trying to shove the other out of the circle while other children cheered them on. Sooner or later one of them was thrown out. They both started laughing and rejoined the group, getting slaps on the back as well as congratulatory words. The teacher once again asked for volunteers and Ami was chosen.

"Okay anyone else?" the teacher asked but was soon interrupted by Ami herself.

"Ne, Sensei? Can I choose my opponent?" she asked too sweetly.

"Why of course!"

Ami's eyes swept through the crowd and she made eye contact with Sakura, and smiled.

"I wanna spar Sakura." She said still looking at Sakura. The teacher called Sakura up and she walked into the circle with Ami. Now there was no going back

I stood across the circle from Ami. The teacher blew the whistle and Ami lunged for me. I ducked out the way and went to the other side of the circle. This would be the point in time when I would allow the person to get a hit on me and I stumble out. Instead of just shoving me, Ami lunged. Her eyes obviously wanted to hurt me in a non-don't-worry-this-is-just-a-spar way. Once again I dodged but my foot lagged and tripped her. She fell onto her face outside the ring and laughter erupted from the crowd. I felt myself being filled with dread. I had just made my tormentor a subject of laughter. Ami glared at me as she stood. In her gaze, promises of pain later on.

The teacher took us to the school's playground and dismissed us. I walked towards the forest only to get pulled to the side. Ami and her goons glared at me.

"So, forehead, you think it's okay to embarrass me like that?" Ami said taking a step towards me. I instinctively stepped back but was grabbed by two other girls. Ami reared her fist back and slammed it hard into my stomach. I curled over and held my throbbing stomach. My head was slammed down and they girls started laughing, spewing insults as they walked off to ogle Sasuke.

I stood and walked deeper into the forest before breaking out into a run down a familiar path. Within a few minutes I had reached it. My grotto, the place only I knew about. I walked in and lightly tapped a hanging paper flower and muttered "tadaima"

My grotto was an opening of a wide tree. The far wall was covered in flowers in makeshift vases. A shelf was filled with books on one side and on the other was a praying woman. I had stuffed animals on a blanket, outside the grotto was surrounded by different types of flowers.

I remember how I had found this place. I was running from Ami and had taken shelter here until it was sunset. It was warm inside the grotto so during the winter months it would be pleasantly warm.

I walked happily towards the flowers in glass bottles and looked at them appreciatively. They were blooming currently due to the sunlight that peeked through the ceiling of the grotto. I gently touched a Cosmo before turning to the entrance. Mother wanted me to help in the bakery today so I had to leave early.

I ran out of the grotto and towards the city. Jumping from rock to rock and bouncing off trees, flying off to my destination. My foot steps were light like feathers, barely making a sound as I zoomed through the forest. The icy wind cutting and grasping my face with its cold fingers, whispering in my ears encouragement to quicken my pace. It felt like I was being blown away and consumed at the same time. I love this feeling.

I broke through the forest scape and over a fence, then I darted down my street. I burst through the door of the bakery and rushed to the back. I saw my mom putting tarts in the oven before turning to me.

"Ah! There's my brave blossom!" She said enveloping me in a tight hug. "Are you ready to help mommy and daddy today?" I nodded excitedly and grabbed a clipboard and apron. I walk out to the front and towards table #7. Sitting there was a tall, buff, man. His mouth and nose were covered and he had short, spiky hair and small eyebrows. In front of him sat a …..Boy? He had long black hair and a very feminine face. Leaning on their booth was a few bags and a large sword. They seemed like travelers.

"Excuse me sirs, what would you like?" I asked reading off the clipboard that said what I was supposed to say. Hey, what do you expect? I'm only 8.

The bigger guy ordered a black coffee, and the younger boy ordered strawberry macaroons and lavender tea. I walked to the back and made their orders. I carefully put them on a tray and wobbled outside. I walked slowly so I wouldn't drop the tray. I placed foot after foot in front of the other, soon I had made it to the table and slid the tray onto it. I placed their respective drinks on their table, bowed, and then walked off to another table.

Later I returned to their table to hand them the bill. Another table had called me so I ran over to them.

.

"Hey, what do you think of her?" said the oddly feminine boy, nodding over to where Sakura stood.

"Huh, she's pleasant and oddly mature for her age." The taller man said sipping his coffee through an opening in his mask.

The younger boy giggled and began to scribble a note on the bill. The older one looked at what he was doing, and shook his head with what could only be described as a smile under his mask.

.

I walked back to the table where the two travelers were seated. Only to find they were gone. I picked up the bill, to find there was a note scribbled on it:

Hey there!

I just wanted to say you shouldn't cover your eyes with your hair like that. It doesn't flatter those pretty emerald eyes of yours!

You're really pretty so don't hide yourself!

If you don't I might cry! TnT

Love,

Haku + Zabuza

I flushed slightly before tearing of the part of the receipt that held the note and stuffing it in my pocket. They were very nice. I finished off my shift and went home.

.

I ran upstairs and changed my clothes into home clothes. I flopped onto my bed and stared at my ceiling. Those two were prime examples why she utterly loved traveler and their far away thoughts.

.

A/N: wow this took sometime didn't it? Welp time to let ya'll know what's going on huh?

1: I am continuing a story for the wonderful calliope oft! They didn't know what to do with it since they hadn't updated in a while. Its Marionette x reader but that will probably won't be put up 'til later since I have to plan out the story and line it up with the characters personas! So watch out for it!

2: I have an idea for another story. The main idea without telling the story is the bigger clans have a huge part in konoha's government and has a lot of power over what happens. And a certain clan does a certain girl wrong soooo…..yeah chaos

3: I'm looking for a fanfic I read before. The story was like it showed sasusaku before Sasuke left the village, like the in between parts we didn't see, like what fillers are except this one had sasusaku and was rated m for….ahem…..mature…themes. I don't know if that helps but I tried.

That's about it anyway, hope you have a great day.