Disclaimer: I own nothing but this storyline.
Ch. 2: Friendships The friendship between Ino and Sakura had only grown over time. Two years of civilian school passed before it was time to enter the Academy at age 8. But of those two years, they were well used. Sakura was always very open to Ino, and Ino, although she didn't always understand it, and thought it sometimes strange, was open to what Sakura had to say. Ino didn't know much about the mind arts yet. Her tousan taught her a little about reading people though, and she knew Sakura was being honest. Sakura was soooo smart and often spent time tutoring Ino. In return, Ino shared her minor taijutsu abilities with her best friend. In fact they were in the middle of a spar right now!
Sakura knew Ino hadn't had much interest in practicing her ninja skills. She had grand dreams of being a lady and not a ninja. But Sakura Knew that Ino needed to be stronger, and without a challenge that wasn't going to happen.
Plus...Sakura knew no taijutsu, and that would cripple her future as a ninja. She realized right away that Ino's style wasn't going to fit her, but the physical conditioning of her muscles could only improve her.
The wrackspurts whispered at her, as she learned bits and pieces of ninja knowledge. Most wrackspurts could only maintain their connection with the living world for a few minutes at a time, but they always had something interesting to say.
'Dropkick...' a wrackspurt whispered from the side as Ino came in with her little fists swinging. The green blur with the peculiar vague smile seemed to be pleased as she took Ino down with a swoop. 'How youthful..' it trailed off as it began to fade. 'When you get a little older look for my student..his name is Maito..g..'
Sakura tilted her head as the wrackspurt faded away, before pulling a panting Ino to her feet.
"I'll beat you next time Sakura-chan!" Ino declared with a defiant smile.
"I believe we are both ready for th exam tomorrow," Sakura said in a pleasantly calm voice, her eyes drifting along following something. Ino turned, but as usual she couldn't see anything in the flowering bush.
Sakura smiled at Ino's quiet frustration. "When we have a better grasps of chakra control and your father teaches you your family jutsu, you'll be able to see them too."
Ino turned to Sakura, chewing on her bottom lip. "How come my tousan can't? He can do anything! " Doubt crept across her face.
"Your Otousan did not try when he was young, and now it is closed to it," Sakura replied. Ino watched her dubiously.
Sakura reached her hands out in a cup under a flower. "Ino-chan, put your hands atop mine."
With a trusting look in her eyes she reached slow, but stopped, startled, as she felt what seemed to be little wings brushed against her hands. She stood back and looked at Sakura's empty hands with awe as Sakura said goodbye to the little critter.
"What was THAT?" she exclaimed in a hushed voice. Instead of answering, Sakura responded with a comment.
"The energy put off by the massive chakra enhanced trees surrounded Konoha seems to attract all sorts of fae.." it was almost inaudible to Ino.
"Fae..." Ino mumbled. It hurt trying to think about it. Suddenly she jumped.
"Oh no! Tousan wanted me to come home early cuz Shika and Chouji are visiting! " she hugged Sakura briefly.
"See you tomorrow Sakura-chan! " she called, as she dashed off. Sakura wandered back in the direction of her house. She had to pass the Academy, celebrating the recent graduating class. A morose ten year old swung on the swing.
As if by magic he got up to leave, slumped in depression, but as he looked up he met Sakura's eyes and suddenly she Saw so much.
Was this the child of the prophecy she had waited so long for? She Looked at him but there was something hazy. She smiled a kind and friendly smile at him.
"Hi! My name is Haruno Sakura! " she chirped, her eyes focused for once.
The surprise streaked across the boys face before he put on a shy smile, different than most people saw from him. "My name is Uzumaki Naruto and I'm gonna be Hokage dattebayo!"
Her eyes danced in delight. "I know." she said mysteriously. His eyes widened a fraction.
"Wanna go get ramen!?" Naruto exclaimed, jumping in place. Sakura creased her brow. "I can't, I told kaasan I'd be home soon." She could almost hear his heart shatter.
"But meet me here tomorrow at lunch! Academy entrance exams will be over by then and I will come celebrate with you!"
A huge smile crept across his face. "Really!?" he cried. She nodded. "YATTE! We'll be in the same class! "
She was shorter than him, but he was so cute she stood on her tiptoes and ruffled his hair. He flinched, expecting a strike, but the positive contact near brought him to tears. A watery happy smile drifted across his face but they soon parted.
This exchange wasn't entirely unnoticed. An Anbu with a weasel mask didn't know whether to smile or not, until he had a full background check of the child that was going to be both in his charge's class and his little brothers class.
Far away the Great Toad Sage looked into the distance. "The future is changing..." he muttered.
A.N. This story stretched on over one topic far more than I thought it would timeline wise and didn't do anything I expected it to. I hope you like it despite that.