A/N: with unexpected days off from work I got my next chapter finished. Please leave a review.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto in any way, shape or form. The only thing that is mine are the few OC's I've made.
Ch.6 Academy Days
For Sakura classes passed by easily. She, Kiba, Choji, and Shikamaru were all together in one of the four first year classes. According to Iruka sensei students would be weeded out until there was only one class left in their third year. By the time she and the others graduated, they would be either eleven or twelve, depending on when their birthdays fell since classes for the year started in the fall and ended in the spring with a break during the summer. Until graduation, though she had history and tactics with Iruka sensei and next year he would start ninjutsu lessons. Suzume sensei taught only first and second years, for first years she taught reading and writing along with basic coding while for the second years she only held Kunoichi classes. For Geography and Physical education the first years had Mizuki, who would start on actual Taijutsu lessons during the second year. Akamaru and Kiba's least favorite class, Math, was taught by Daikoku sensei who would also give lectures on the basics of Genjutsu to third years. How to actually perform and use Genjutsu was not taught in the Academy, only genin could learn it either from special tutors they could request or from their Jonin instructors. There were also some part time instructors, but Sakura hadn't had any classes with them yet.
Sakura soon learned the hard way that every teacher had favorites. For Suzume sensei, her favorite was Ami and this led to trouble for Sakura and her friends. Suzume sensei never did anything extreme, but questions were ignored and if she could Suzume sensei would give Sakura detention for things like talking in class. Other teachers also had favorites like Daikoku sensei who always praised the Uchiha students he had in the past and the current Uchiha in one of the other first year classes. Mizuki sensei was always just a little nicer to any of the students who didn't fit in socially very well. Surprisingly, no one had figured out who Iruka sensei had as a favorite since he tried very hard to be fair to everyone. Sakura was sure it was just a matter of time until someone figured it out though.
One interesting fact Sakura learned was that not all children born into a clan actually went to the Academy. Some were taught at home while, according to Shikamaru, the ones that did attend were usually from a main family and thus encouraged to make connections during their time at the academy. So the majority of her classmates were also from civilian families. The only ones from clans in her class this year were her friends and Yamanaka Ino, whom she had yet to talk to as the girl spent more time with the other girls. Thankfully, they weren't part of Ami's group.
All in all the Academy was fun for Sakura. She was happier with her friends, even if she missed traveling with her father a little. If she was still traveling though she never would have met everyone. Aiko san always made her glad to come home. Pakkun and the other nin dogs were all adorable and Pakkun said he'd get Kakashi san to introduce the other nin dogs in his pack to visit her at some point when they meet again. Kiba and her friends were great and even helped when she said anything about wanting to be a great ninja. Hana was like the big sister she never had and the fact that Kiba didn't mind Sakura spending time with his sister was great. Also meeting their mothers and how one was a Kunoichi while another was a housewife and the last was a mix of the two, let Sakura think that maybe she didn't have to follow her Father's plan for her. She could be more than just a delicate lady.
Today, Sakura ran towards the Academy. The group of friends had decided to meet up at the entrance gate for today. They had wanted to see who would get their first. As she arrived it looked like she had won. Her joy was short-lived though as she then saw Ami show up.
"All alone today Freaky Forehead?" Ami said as she approached.
Sakura ignored her not wanting anything to do with the bully. She just kept looking down the road for her friends. Sakura did notice Ami's quick glance past her though, and knew whatever came next couldn't be good. She tensed up as Ami started to walk towards and then past her. Next thing she knew Ami fell down and screamed. Then she figured out what Ami planned as Suzume sensei came running over. The whole situation ended with Sakura getting detention where she would have to write "I will not trip other students" two hundred times before she would be able to leave.
When Kiba and Akamaru arrived, they were the last ones there having been delayed that morning. Confused as to why the other three looked depressed Kiba got the story from Choji. Sakura had to calm him down when he then wanted to go after Ami. Right before they had to go in for class Kiba decided something had to be done and said so.
"What though? The teacher already gave the detention and I have to go." Sakura said.
Shikamaru broke the next silence "Well, we will have to have a rescue mission then."
"Yeah, we're not just going to leave you behind in detention!" Choji added.
By the time Sakura had to go to detention Shikamaru's plan was set and ready to go. In advance Sakura wrote the two hundred lines she was supposed to. She did this during class while the boys made sure to take notes for her. During lunch Choji distracted Iruka sensei while Shikamaru got the rope from the supply closet. Also during lunch since Kiba was the fastest runner, he ran home and got some smoke bomb seals from his sister's room. As everyone was leaving for the last class of the day, which was Mizuki Sensei's Sakura lagged behind to place the seals, with Kiba's help, just outside on the ceiling by the door to the classroom where her detention was to be held.
As Sakura entered the classroom for detention, she was nervous and really hoped that Shikamaru's plan worked. Suzume sensei was already there and told Sakura to start her lines. As she worked, Sakura was mentally counting down the five minutes she had to wait. When the smoke exploded from the hallway, she knew that Kiba had set them off and could only hope he didn't get caught. Suzume sensei shouted to Sakura to finish her work as the teacher ran out. She quickly switched the almost blank paper to the one already covered with the two hundred lines. She then ran towards the window where a rope with a loop tied at the end waited. As she grabbed it and placed her foot in the loop she gave two quick tugs to let Shikamaru and Choji know she was ready. They pulled her up to the roof where they then waited. The three were shortly joined by Kiba and Akamaru who had escaped fast enough that they didn't get caught.
"Do you really think we're safe up here Shikamaru?" Sakura asked.
"The teachers will all think that who ever did it would leave the area as soon as possible. They won't expect anyone to be up here on the roof." Shikamaru reassured her.
"Now we just need to think up some sort of prank to get back at Ami." Kiba said.
The group of friends traded ideas for a while up on the roof. Ideas ranging from having something ending up dumped on Ami to some how getting her landed in detention were all mentioned. No specific plan was agreed upon that day, but Shikamaru said they should wait about two weeks, so Sakura wouldn't be an immediate suspect. When they all finally left for the day none of the friends had noticed the hidden blonde boy who had a huge grin from hearing all the prank ideas.
The next day the group of friends walked to the Academy together. Just as they turned the corner so they face the entrance they noticed Suzume sensei waiting. Jumping back, they weren't sure what to do. Akamaru barked a quick message before running off.
"He went to get Iruka sensei." Kiba said.
"Oh, that's smart. At least with Iruka sensei there we will be able to talk." Sakura said relieved.
"Yeah, tell me about it Suzume sensei doesn't listen to anyone." Shikamaru said, relaxing enough to slouch again.
"Hey, here comes Iruka sensei! Let's go, " said Choji who was peaking around the corner every so often.
Sure enough, there was Iruka with Akamaru coming out of the building. The friends ran up to the Academy going straight towards the male teacher. As they all started talking at once, well Sakura, Choji, and Kiba were, Suzume sensei also came over.
"Haruno detention again today." Suzume sensei shouted and silence followed her statement.
"Excuse me Suzume san why does Sakura kun have detention?" Iruka sensei asked.
"She skipped out of her detention yesterday for tripping Himekawa Ami. Also, I'm sure her friends are the one who caused all that smoke yesterday and if I could prove it they would be joining her."
"You wouldn't even listen to me yesterday! You just took Ami's word for it!" Sakura interrupted "And I left the two hundred lines you wanted on the desk. You said the detention was until I finished and I left them for you!"
"Did she leave them Suzume san" Iruka asked
"Well yes, but"
"Then I don't think Sakura kun needs another detention." Iruka then turned to look at the children. "Now come on kids you have history first today."
With that Suzume sensei was left outside as the others all went in. The friend's admiration of Iruka sensei grew just then. They all were then surprised by the conversation Iruka sensei started on the way towards class.
"Let me guess Ami kun purposely got you in trouble Sakura kun. I'm also guessing you were all responsible for the smoke filling the hallways yesterday." Iruka sensei said. At the shocked looks on his students' faces he continued. "What I was an Academy student at one time too. I know what kinds of things you all can get up to."
"I really did write the lines sensei" Sakura said looking down.
"It's alright Sakura kun Suzume san tends to listen to her favorites a little too much. Just down disrupt my class with pranks okay. How did you get out though? Suzume never went too far from the doorway to the classroom."
"We're not saying anything but this, we're a team sensei and no one gets left behind." Kiba said just before the children entered the classroom.
"A team, huh. Well the next few years will be interesting. I'll have to keep an eye on them." Iruka said to himself before going on to start class.
Choji's least favorite teacher had to be Daikoku sensei. It wasn't that he disliked math, it was just that the teacher was always comparing everyone to his top students. The example he most used was Uchiha Itachi and how amazing and dedicated a student he was. How if only you put a little more effort in he was sure you would do better. When Daikoku sensei said things like this to him, Choji just felt depressed.
Choji would find himself envious of how Kiba could just let the same negative comments slide right off him. Shikamaru and Sakura did well enough that Daikoku sensei never scolded them. Choji hid himself up on the roof after a morning math class that day. Depressed, he stayed up there actually skipping classes. His friends found him during lunch. Sakura sat next to him while the others sat facing him.
"Choji will you be okay?" Sakura asked.
"Yeah, you've been missing all morning." said Kiba.
"I just let Daikoku sensei get to me this morning." was Choji's answer.
"Well, why don't we skip out on the rest of today and head to my place? Hana's not home so we won't get in trouble there."
"You're saying that because your mom thinks that if we can manage to evade Chunins we deserve the time off." Shikamaru said.
Smiling at his friends Choji responded "Do we still have that rope? We can use that right Shikamaru?"
Soon they did use the rope to climb down the back part of the building. The group could then be seen running through Konoha towards the Inuzuka place. Their afternoon was spent playing. Later on Tsume and Kuromaru found them all spread out in one of the fields.
"What had you brats skipping this time? Usually the stray here keeps you in class." Tsume asked the laying children.
"Couldn't take Daikoku Sensei's comments today. It was all stupid anyway." her son answered.
"Is that idiot still a Chunin teacher?"
"You know Daikoku sensei?"
"In my opinion that stupid ass is only teaching because he isn't that good at anything else."
Kuromaru let out a barking laugh as the children all stared at Tsume. Their laughter soon joined in with his as they let Tsume's words sink in. Kuromaru thought that Kiba had found a decent group to be friends with, especially since they could not only sneak out from the Academy but they also made it all the way here.
They separated shortly afterwards to all head to their homes for dinner. Kuromaru walked with Sakura, Kiba went with his mom, while Choji and Shikamaru headed back together. Shikamaru only let the silence last for a little while.
"You feel better Choji?"
"Yeah, hanging out with everyone was fun."
"We'll most likely have detention tomorrow. That is going to be troublesome." Shikamaru sighed.
"It was worth it since we got to hear that comment about Daikoku sensei. I'm not going to listen to him anymore Shikamaru. I'm going to be so great of a ninja that I'll become Jonin and then I'll prove that I'm better than Daikoku sensei." Choji said this with a huge smile on his face and his eyes seemed to be filled with determination.
"Yeah, we'll all show him how wrong he is Choji. Now let's go home and get dinner."
Both boys were then back to heading home only just realizing that they had stopped walking. Shikamaru was glad that his friend was feeling better but that wouldn't stop his brain from working on the plans currently crowding his thoughts. He was tired of teachers upsetting his friends.
A/N: Review! Really please review I get worried about how I'm doing and would like to know what all of the people who take the time to read think. Also for those that asked about Naruto showing up, I plan on having him next chapter.