Days rolled on and nights were quick to past. She was excelling in classes, especially with the help of Aki and Shig, even though Shig was a grump about her joining in on the two-person study group. Her chakra control was getting better every day, she was able to make it to 20 steps and get down easily enough without being exhausted.

However, her taijutsu was lacking. Her stances were getting better but only at a slow rate. She was already behind most of the students, and with her progress she was falling even more behind.

That's why she laid awake, staring at the skylight. She needed to practice more, yet with her practicing chakra control and studying, she didn't find time or energy too. It must have been an hour already after lights out and snores ranging for loud to soft sounded through the room in a chorus.

After a few minutes of decision making, she made her choice. Crouching onto her bed, she crawled to where her bed met the wall. Easily she walked up it and onto the curved ceiling towards the skylight.

She worked at the latch, cringing as the hinges scrapped loudly, it seemed like it wasn't opened often. She was small enough she did not have to open it very much to slip out and close it quickly before any rain came in.

Sakura kept chakra pooled at her feet she moved slowly across the slippery metal roof. She knew just where she was going. Making it towards the end of the bunker was a canvas covered area.

Like most places in the city, there was not much of a 'yard'. It was more of a concrete slab covered with a canvas tarp. It had a few training dummies lined up and a drawer full of wooden kunai and shuriken, along with a lockbox of real kunai and shuriken. Only a few kids could come here at a time, and Sakura had only been able to get out here once in the few weeks she has been here.

It was the perfect place to train Taijutsu.

She jumped down under the cover of the canvas, her clothes already wet, but she didn't let that stop her.

Moving through her kata's and other muscle building exercise, she worked for a good two hours, repeating each move, implanting them to memory.

Unware that two dark eyes of her sensei watched her from the bunker windows, a small smile on her lips.

The next few months were repetitive, studying with Aki and Shig, practicing chakra control as well as learning a few beginner ninjutsu, shadow clones and substitution. Her taijutsu improved incredibly, although not her strongest point, she was caught up with the rest of the kids and was becoming skilled at it.

Sakura trained a lot more with Taro, him practically begging her to help him graduate this year. He had clung onto her as he saw her excel at chakra control and was book-smart, two areas he lacked in. It helped her out since he was bigger than her, so she had to find ways to counter his brute strength.

Mari-sensei, who was a smaller lady, gave her a few pointers and even shown her a few moves to help direct weight and chakra.

As they were having a small spar session, Kyou approached them.

"Taro, are you ready to take your exam?"

The boy in question gulped slightly, looking towards Sakura. She gave him a bright smile and thumbs up, she had really warmed up to the boy these last few months, even if he was a bit obnoxious at times.

He nodded towards their sensei, following her into the designated exam room.

Sakura smiled, looking around and wondering how many students would take the exam.

"Grandfather is not impressed with your progress in the academy."

A young woman sharpened her naginata, not even looking up at the younger boy. She had sharp black eyes, just like him, however her long blonde hair that was pulled into a loose pony tail differed from his spiky brown hair.

"So? Why should I care what that old man thinks? He already has chosen you as his favored one and his successor," though his voice held ignorance, his eyes showed that maybe he did really care.

"Well, Shigure-chan, I've heard him talking about disowning you if you don't pass this year. You are bringing disgrace to this family. You slander our grandfather, yet he was the one that built this empire. You really do not appreciate what is handed to you, do you?"

Shigure slouched forward, hiding most of his body from his sister. She was not one to lie, only one to be brutally honest. Like she was now.

"Disowned?" He murmured, his hot-head cooling off fast. It's not like he didn't appreciate his grandfather, he was considered one of the most powerful ninja in the world, even if he was becoming cynical in his old age. He pretty much single-handedly held up Amegakure's status by his own will-power.

Yes he wasn't a man Shigure necessarily wanted to anger, however, Shigure sometimes enjoyed the simple things in life. He figured with his older sister being chosen as Hanzo's heir, he would be able to simply be looked over. It seemed like that was not the case.

"Yes, disowned. You must prove yourself, aniki. I do not want to see my own kin fall, but you are creating a bad name for all of us."

Although her words were sharp, that was probably the softest she would ever be. Shigure knows she didn't hate him, well, she didn't see him as any threat to her status of Hanzo's favorite. That turned into a bit like sibling love, but that was stretching it.

"Fine. I'll graduate this year. Hell, I'll even start training with you, Sada." The girl smirked, getting up and strapping her naginata to her back.

"You might regret saying that, aniki."

He grunted, getting up and stretching a bit.

"I usually end up regretting everything I say."

She chuckled, heading to the door.

"Now, let's go have dinner with grandfather and the Grass ambassadors."

"Hai, onee-sama."

Sakura lay in her bunk, her eyes looking around to see many empty bunks. Taro graduated, along with Kin and Miki. Shig had held back for Aki. Along with the three bunkmates, 17 other students had graduated or got kicked out because it was their second year. It seemed so empty, so silent besides some muttering of other students.

It was almost lonely. Even Aki seemed quiet at this time.

Sakura took this time to lay in bed and take a rest day. It had been pretty much non-stop since she got here. Now she could perform basic jutsu, transformation, clone technique, and sealing jutsu's. Kyou had also begun showing them the body flicker technique.

For Sakura, completing these jutsu's came easily for her, usually a few days of practicing she has it perfected, sometimes she only needed a day. Many muttered she was a prodigy of some kind, she didn't really feel like that was the case. She worked hard, in her free time and even at night to accomplish and keep up with the others.

Sure somethings came more naturally to her, especially anything to do with chakra. However her stamina lacked, and although she trained to increase that, she still felt weak compared to some.

As the lights flicked out and the room filled with light snores, she climbed out of the skylight, simply sitting on the roof, letting the rain wash over her.

The rain was cold, but against her warm skin it felt almost nice, like cold kisses spread across her face.

She was in the moment she almost didn't see a small piece of paper, seemingly unaffected by the rain, land in her lap.

Almost is the key word.

"Oh Sheru-kun, I can't believe this is first day of academy. I know you will make our clan so proud!" A woman with red-hair smiled down at her son, a dazed look in her eye as she gathered her rather despondent son into a hug.

A father looked on, the same dazed look on his face as he set a small smile towards the boy.

"You will do the Yudoku name well, Sheru."

"I will do my best," the voice was apathetic, as the boy was released from his mother's grip. His honey-colored eyes stared lazily at his parents, while his shaggy red hair was left messily around his eyes.

"Good luck, Sheru-kun!" His mom called to him as he walked into the large academy building. A small smirk on his lip. He climbed the seemingly unending steps to room 357.

As he walked in, he was greeted by his new class. Sweeping his gaze over the room, there were no students that popped up in particular. However, for just a second longer, his gaze focused on Hanzo's grandson, Shigure, looking bored as ever.

Yes, everything was going to plan.