Weatherman

Sakura Haruno shifted around nervously in her seat. The chairs and tables of the classroom were messily arranged and crowded to the back, but that didn't particularly matter with the class they had during their first hour. The floors were hard, smooth (if a little scuffed up) wood, and there were foam mats spread out at the front of the classroom, where a teacher's desk would normally be. The white walls and speckled ceiling were kept impeccably clean, though that probably had to do with the fact that they, along with the floor, had to be cleaned at the end of every day.

Taijutsu class could get a little messy, though not with the eight-year-olds. They had the class first thing in the morning because that was when the room didn't have red stains in odd places. Most of those were actually from the last-year students messing around when the teacher wasn't in. Of course, the first and second year students younger than Sakura was had taijutsu classes too. But they had them outside for the most part.

Sakura tapped her pencil on her desk habitually. She had her notebook out too, and on a fresh page, but it wasn't all that likely to be used. It was a taijutsu class after all, not Iruka's history lessons. She glanced around the room and the open doorway. Almost everyone was already in class, if not in their seats. The only people missing were her friends and the taijutsu instructor. The teacher was likely late, as he was half the time, and Sakura knew her friends had gone to see Yota for a few minutes.

I wish I could'a gone with them... Sakura thought, melancholy. But I'm grounded.

She turned in her seat and reached into her open backpack hanging on the back of her chair. Sakura pulled out a pale pink envelope, a shade that almost matched her hair. Her light green eyes read the words messily scrawled on the front of the closed envelope.

'To: Sakura'

She sighed and thought. I really wanna go to Choji's sleepover... but Mom'd never let me. Why doesn't she like my friends? They're nice...

Her regretful face stared down at the envelope. The crisp, uncrinkled paper felt smooth and calming. Thinking back on when Choji'd given her the invitation, Sakura remembered the individualized colors of each one. Choji was the one of the group who understood everyone else. He noticed people. Sometimes, well, a lot of the time, it felt like they all had their own roles to play. Choji was the empathetic one. Kiba was the one who fought back. Ino never backed down from anything she set her heart on. Naruto was the funny guy who always knew how to cheer someone up. Shikamaru was the smart one, obviously, no matter how low his grades were in school. Yota was the glue that brought them all together. As for herself... Sakura wasn't sure.

Maybe I'm just the one who always needs help. She thought gloomily. I-I can't even ask Mom about Choji's invitation...

Suddenly, the eight-year-old had a brilliant idea. I got it! I can ask my Dad to let me go to the sleepover! If I'm quiet about it, maybe Mom won't even find out! Cha~! A smile slowly lit up her sad face.

Suddenly, the rapid click~clacking of running footsteps was heard echoing in from the hallway. It was just barely audible over the general din of an unsupervised classroom, but the other students quieted down after hearing them, as if anticipating exactly who was coming. And they probably were. The echoing taps gave way to a relieved sigh as someone appeared in the doorway. And it was... Mizuki-sensei.

Of course. Sakura almost rolled her eyes at that. He hardly ever gets here before the students. Maybe I should call him out on it? This bold train of thought gave in to her more timid inclinations. N-no. I'll get in trouble. L-like Naruto always does when he s-shouts it out...

Though glancing at the old clock above the courtyard door next to the mats, Sakura noted that it was 8:14. Only a minute before class officially started, and her friends still hadn't arrived yet.

Mizuki looked around the classroom and noted all the faces he saw. The five empty seats at the table where Sakura was sitting alone were really quite obvious. He double-checked all the students he recognized and asked the now-silent class. "Does anyone know where Ino, Choji, Shikamaru, and Kiba are?"

Sakura kept quiet, knowing that if she said anything it could lead to ANBU finding Yota again. Though she did notice that Mizuki hadn't even mentioned Naruto. It was a little odd, but no one ever seemed to acknowledge the blond when he wasn't getting into trouble. Besides his friends and Iruka, of course.

"Hmm." Mizuki thought nothing more of his absent students and started pushing the door closed.

WHAM! The door slammed against the wall as Mizuki jumped back on instinct. In the doorway there now stood Naruto, Kiba, Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru, panting fairly heavily, leaning against the door-frame and against each other.

"Heh, -pant- we -gasp- actually -wheeze- made it." Naruto said between swallows of air.

Kiba coughed and slapped his friend on the back, Akamaru shifting from hanging onto his shirt collar back to the Inuzuka's head. "Heh. -gasp- 'Course we did."

"Uzumaki, you and your associates were almost late." Mizuki stated, crossing his arms disapprovingly. Not that he should be telling them off. His silver-white hair was still frazzled from his sprint to the classroom. He sighed exasperatedly and exaggeratedly. "Well, you'll all be let off easy this time with a warning. If you're late again, detention for all of you."

He shooed them in the direction of the only empty seats in the room, the ones at Sakura's table. They walked over to the chairs, backpacks bouncing and with a light spring in their steps.

"Good thing we didn't get detention." Choji sighed in relief. "It's my Dad's birthday today."

They set their backpacks on their chairs and each chose a spot, Ino next to Sakura, Choji and Shikamaru on one side, and Kiba and Naruto at the other. It was a six-person table, and they had just enough people to fill it.

Mizuki unlocked the courtyard door and gestured for the students to come outside. They got out of their seats, leaving their backpacks behind, and moved through the doorway in a single-file line. In the courtyard, Mizuki gestured for a non-descript, civilian-family student to come forward and demonstrate basic blocks. The brown-haired boy swaggered to the teacher confidently.

"Basic head block." Mizuki said.

The boy raised his arms crossed in front of his face protectively, his legs standing rigid. Mizuki looked him over up and down, and reviewed. "You're making a common mistake. The upper block is correct, but you're standing too straight. Anyone could knock you over." He demonstrated with a quick punch to his block, which sent the boy tumbling onto his back.

The civilian boy scowled before dusting himself off and going back to his spot in line.

Mizuki called out a different child next, one that everybody knew. "Sasuke, you can demonstrate the whole kata."

Sasuke, the "last Uchiha", stepped out of the line with a scowl on his face. His fangirls were clapping and cheering for him, though Ino and Sakura more quietly than the others. Sasuke assumed a defensive stance and moved from a head block, to a chest block, to ducking down with his arms held out for balance and then sweeping the ground with his leg out for a circular kick.

Their teacher was much happier with that performance and praised the moody boy. "Great job, Sasuke. You're ready for the test early."

He went back to his spot at the end of the line, and Mizuki went back to calling other students out. Shikamaru slouched with his hands in his pockets as he stared up at the clouds lining the sky. He yawned, but cut himself off when he noticed something. It's warm today. And humid. The air's calm. Hmm...

After taijutsu class with Mizuki, the third-year students all had chakra theory lessons with Iruka for an hour. Following that, the kind-hearted chunin let up on them with recess. After that, it was history class.

Iruka droned on and on about the founding of Konoha, doing his best to make it sound interesting. Unfortnately, no one ever really seemed interested in history. "The village was founded by... Who can tell me this one?"

Several children raised their hands sleepily, if only to keep up the appearance of listening, but Iruka called on a pink-haired girl sitting in the back corner rows with her friends. "Sakura?"

She gave the answer more confidently than she usually spoke of anything, and Iruka took that as a good sign that the group of friends were good. "Madara Uchiha and the first Hokage, Hashirama Senju."

"That's correct, Sakura. I see you were listening." He glanced behind him at the clock on the wall. 12:15. "Well, kids, it's time for lunch!"

The class collectively cheered, both for the chance to eat and for the reprieve from history class. Outside, six children sat together, farther away from the rest of the class than anyone else. One of them was stuffing himself, one was feeding a puppy, one was sharing her lunch with another, one was trying to sneak a cookie from someone's lunchbox, and one of them was too lazy to eat.

Iruka watched the six friends sitting away from the rest of the class. Most of the students tended to gather in one large group, with sub-clusters inside. Naruto, Kiba, Shikamaru, Choji, Ino, and Sakura were just... apart. It didn't seem to be a bad thing though, and the chunin was glad that the village pariah had finally gotten some worthwhile friends. They were all good kids. He pulled out a pocket watch and checked the time. 12:34. They still had some time before ninjutsu studies.

Lying down on the cool, sweet grass, Shikamaru felt a strong breeze blow past as he watched the fast-moving clouds above. He sat up, wide-eyed. Not good, not good...

After the academy let out, Iruka watched children get picked up by their parents, after giving a reminder to Sakura that she had to go directly home. What was previously a group of six was now a group of five. Iruka felt the slightest bit guilty at that. He didn't particularly like the way Sakura's mother thought of things. Watching the eight-year-olds, the teacher noticed that they seemed worried about something collectively. He decided to check on them to see what about.

"What's got all of you looking so down?" The academy instructor asked.

They jumped a little at hearing his voice, obviously not having detected him coming up behind them. Shikamaru was the one who answered. "Nothing much, just talking 'bout the weather."

Now that seemed odd. "What about the weather? It's a nice day." Iruka replied, slightly confused.

"Shikamaru says there's gonna be a big storm tonight." Choji explained.

"With lightning!" Naruto shouted out.

Not one to be outdone, Kiba added. "And tornadoes!"

Ino scoffed and put down Kiba's opinion. "I think that's an exaggeration, bone-head."

Iruka admonished her for the name-calling. "Ino, that's not a very nice thing to say."

"Hey, I'm just teasing him!" The Yamanka replied defensively.

Shikamaru spoke up to clarify the statements. "There's gonna be a big storm late tonight. Really big one. A thunderstorm'll probably start pouring on us a little after ten or eleven."

Iruka glanced upwards, and seeing nothing but thin cirrus clouds and sunny blue sky, replied to Shikamaru. "It's a sunny day, Shikamaru. What makes you think there's a storm coming?"

The Nara shifted uncomfortably for a moment, eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Well... weather patterns. The air's humid enough, the wind's blowing in the right direction, and the clouds are a warning for weather change."

The chunin seemed slightly amused and vaguely impressed. "Well, being able to predict the weather is a good skill to have. Guess we'll see if your prediction's right tomorrow morning, little weatherman. See ya all." He waved and walked back towards the academy building to get some grading done.

The five of them glanced at each other conspiratorially, before each of them said their goodbye and left in the direction of their own houses. Iruka turned his head to watch the five children go their separate ways out of the corner of his eye. He smiled at the sight. It really was sweet that they were friends, and he knew it was about time that Naruto finally got some of his own. He did wonder about Shikamaru's prediction though.

Could it really rain tonight? If it continues into tomrrow that'd put a damper on lessons. He stopped under the doorway with a thoughtful look on his face. Hmm, if Shikamaru's right, the kid's a lot smarter than he lets on.

Late that night, far past any bedtime, six children met on the rooftop of a rundown apartment. Naruto Uzumaki's rundown apartment to be exact. Said eight-year-old wore blue, shuriken-patterned pajamas, with a sleeping cap munching on his head. Ino was across from him wearing a purple nightgown, supporting a half-asleep Sakura, who was dressed in pink PJs. Choji wore a plain, dark blue, oversized shirt, and Kiba was next to him in a fuzzy gray bath robe. Shikamaru was the only one of the group who looked awake, even while dressed in earth-green sleepwear.

"Guys!" The Nara hissed, keeping an eye out for spies. "C'mon, we already talked over the plan!"

"I-I don't think we s-should'a snuck out." Sakura stammered nervously.

Kiba yawned and then pinched himself awake. "Shikamaru's right." He rubbed an eye. "We need to get Yota here if it's gonna storm tomorrow."

Naruto nodded in agreement with the Inuzuka, even while nodding off every few moments.

"We don't even know there's gonna be a storm, Shika." Ino scoffed.

Choji pointed something out. "You know enough to come here with us."

The Yamanaka flustered at that and defensively replied. "That's not the point!"

Shikamaru cut off the discussion with his own statement. "I'm telling you guys, it's a big storm coming. It could wipe out the tree house, and Yota might get hurt if he stays there. He's gotta stay at Naruto's until this thing blows over. Now let's go." He waved his hand in the direction of the academy, and the group set off.

They moved carefully, though they already knew the route fairly well, as it was... different... at night. The shadows were darker, the corners were sharper, the streets were winding and maze-like. The Leaf Village was a different place in the dark. They didn't even have any moonlight, the clouds were so thick. It took longer than their morning trip had, but the children arrived at the Konoha Ninja Academy soon enough.

At least that building didn't look much different at night. The group of six moved quietly, to a cluster of bushes that their friend had hidden in just two afternoons ago.

"You sure he remembered?" Naruto asked.

Shikamaru nodded, completely certain. "Yota knows this is important."

There was an eerie rustling sound to their left, and the six friends moved into badly practiced defensive positions. A shadow peaked around a tree, revealing itself to be Yota. The six-year-old giggled and said. "Boo!"

Sakura still jumped a little, but the rest of the children sighed in relief.

"There you are, Yota." Shikamaru said. "C'mon, we need to move you, and you won't be seen at night."

The raggedy boy looked up through the canopy of branches overhead and observed the dark clouds above. "'is 'bout the weather?" He asked his friends.

Yota received several nods in return, though he seemed uncertain. "Why I have to go now? It's dark... Sure 'bout the rain?"

Shikamaru was struck by a brilliant idea to convince Yota to come. "Think of it as a sleepover, Yota. You'll be at Naruto's apartment tonight."

"Really?" An excited glimmer was present in Yota's wide green eyes once again. "Sleepover! Yatta!"

"Shhh!" Kiba shushed the six-year-old. "It'll be all over if you're caught!"

"Oh!" Yota snickered and shushed himself. "Right! Shhh!"

Snowflakes started falling out of nowhere.

Ino took the lead on the way back, where instead of a rooftop route the took the streets. A ninja village is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be, but you can be sure that the streets are some of the safest. The group of now seven children made it to Naruto's apartment door without incident, unless startling a cat in garbage can counted as an incident. Naruto took out the key from his pajama pocket and slid it into the lock.

Chkk-unk!

The door was unlocked and the children slipped inside. It was a little crowded in the kitchen with seven people in it, but most of them would be leaving soon anyways. Shikamaru nodded to Naruto, and the blond-haired boy ran into his bedroom and pulled open a closet door. Diving inside the mess, he came back up triumphantly with a rolled-up sleeping bag in hand. The rest of his friends filtered into his bedroom, and they set up the sleeping bag for Yota. The six-year-old jumping for joy the entire time.

While the set-up was going on, Choji stood apart from the rest of his friends, opting instead to stare outside the window in a rather Shikamaru-like way. Dark gray clouds were shifting in the sky, looking more ominous every minute. The chubby eight-year-old watched as a small drop of rain splattered on the open windowsill.

He spoke up. "Hmm. Looks like you guessed it, Shikamaru."

The others paused to listen, their heads facing the Akimichi's back.

Choji continued. "It's starting to rain. Iruka was right too, you really are a little weatherman."

"It's raining?" Ino scowled. "Great, now we'll get wet on the way back. C'mon Sakura, let's go before it starts pouring." The blond led the pinkette out the open window and into the light drizzle. They were soon out of view.

Kiba decided to leave as well. "I better go too, before my mom or my sister figures out I'm gone. See ya all tomorrow!"

Choji and Shikamaru clambered out the windowsill next, leaving only Naruto and Yota inside the bedroom. Yota called out to the two boys. "Bye-bye, Cho-ji! Bye-bye Weatherman!" He giggled.

Choji hopped to the next rooftop as Shikamaru turned around to look inside and groaned. "I'm never gonna get rid of that name, am I." It wasn't a question. He shook his head, exasperated.

Naruto was the one who replied. "Well, it kinda suits you." He snickered.

"How?" Shikamaru raised a questioning eyebrow.

The blond scratched the back of his head, trying to explain the logic to his friend. "Well... You know stuff." Yota rapidly nodded in agreement. "And you can guess stuff. You make those predictions, and you're always really sure about it. Like a weatherman. It's cool." He paused. "Only difference is, you get stuff right."

Yota snickered at that.

Shikamaru raised both eyebrows at that, rather surprised that Naruto and Yota had such an opinion of him. For once in his life, the Nara wasn't sure what to think. He opted to go over the words later, and go home for the moment. He nodded a farewell to the two friends inside the apartment before turning around and following Choji to the next rooftop over. Soon enough, Shikamaru couldn't see the window anymore.

Well... He wondered. That's something different. Weatherman... Eh, it could be worse.

He smiled.

AN: Rio here! I went over and changed things in this chapter a couple times, so please let me know if there are any inconsistencies. Drop a review if you've got the time! :)