Disclaimer: No Naruto me ownage. Probably for the best.

Notes: Hey guys, if you want to give me ideas on what you want to see happen, feel free to message me! Enjoy!

"Sarada Uchiha!" Sarada marched confidently to the center of the classroom, being sure not to look anywhere but her sensei to show her superiority over all the other kids. Which, of course, was only needed to make up for Sarada's own new inferiority complex. It practically appeared over night, but how could so much confidence be torn down in just hours? No, maybe it had started with that bully..The first time she had ever called herself a monster..

"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" Sarada called out, swiftly weaving hand signals with her hands. She winced a bit as her right fingers twisted, but she had decided beforehand that she would rather be faster and in pain than slower and still in pain.

Around her, 4 clones appeared, making 5 versions of herself visible. The class remained quiet at her achievement, as expected, but disappointing her at the same time. The teacher slowly handed her official ninja headband to her. Finally, she thought, finally I'm one step closer to being the Hokage. To her relief, excitement still came to her every time she thought of her ultimate dream. Not everything had been taken away...yet.

Hours before, Sarada had been greeted awake by both of her parents, each wearing a smile on their face to encourage her with. They had made her bento in a special way and created the foreign dish of pancakes for breakfast, Sarada's personal favorite breakfast food. She had gone off with a serene smile on her face that remained undisturbed until she entered the Academy's doors. The events yesterday at the Academy had hardened Sarada, readied and numbed her unconsciously every time she walked through those two front doors.

And so Sarada was ready when she had finally been called to action. She had been absolutely born for this. But after it had happened, after she had gotten her headband, after all the excitement was over, Sarada couldn't help but feel low and disappointed at the lack of feeling of accomplishment. She felt that something should have changed, something big should have happened, appeared in her own emotions. So that's it? She thought. That's all my dream is worth?

Boruto approached her, congratulating her and showing off his own headband. They exchanged insults, their heated display filled with giggles and over exaggerated winks, quickly cheering Sarada up. Mitsuki smirked, thinking Boruto must have finally made his move on her. He strut over like the fabulous person he was. Both ninjas didn't notice him until he stretched a hand in between their faces.

"You guys are really into each other, huh?" Immediately, denials were thrown and faces were heated a deep red. Mitsuki simply smiled, as the denials-turned-insults fell on deaf ears.

Sarada couldn't believe this boy was so perceptive, they weren't being obvious at all! Right? Upon seeing Boruto's flushed face, Sarada quickly changed her mind, becoming silent in embarrassment. Her heart beat strongly in her chest, full of life and happiness, and Sarada took the moment to relish such blessings. By the time she came to her senses, both boys were looking at her questioningly. Suddenly, Sarada hatched an idea at the sight, remembering how she herself had been just as confused by Aburame-sensei.

"Guys, you want to see some true art?" Sarada smirked mischievously. Boruto nodded fervently, ignorantly, and Mitsuki's eyes gleamed with interest. She walked calmly over to her sensei, hearing the two boys' footsteps following behind her. "Sensei, I'm ready to see some true art now." Shino nodded, glancing behind her.

"Are they coming too?" Sarada nodded, causing Shino to nod again in acceptance and lead the way back into the forest behind the Academy. The trio focused on their teacher's back, as they had already seen the sights that the forest had to offer a while back. Sarada had explored these woods once herself and had gotten lost, worrying her parents sick. It was still a calming experience to her, as it was one of the strongest memories in which both of her parents showed their love for her.

The trio jumped over trunks and roots, determined to make the trip as fun as possible, especially after just getting their ninja headbands. They laughed and played with the trees, the Aburame leader rolling his eyes, smiling under his mask. The greenery only seemed to brighten Sarada's view of the world, giggling as Mitsuki swung from one tree to another.

Without a sound, their teacher had stopped walking, and Boruto bumped into his back, immediately jumping back and apologizing. Unlike Naruto at his age, he still had respect for his teachers.

Sarada stopped murmuring an old lullaby her mother used to sing to her under her breath and looked around the clearing. She hadn't been here before. Evidently, the two other boys hadn't either, as "oohs" and ahhs" escaped from their lips as their heads swiveled like chairs.

Shino turned around to face his students and waited until he had their undivided attention. He slowly raised his arms till they were level with his shoulders and stilled. Then, something extraordinary happened. Bugs started to appear, crawling from his sleeves and onto his hands until they covered every inch of his skin. Then, they began to dance, their teacher dancing with them. At first, Sarada laughed at the idiocy of it all, but soon she became mesmerized by its beauty and artistic creativity. Each move was unique and graceful ,and carefully planned out. Sarada began to appreciate what her sensei had done, and realized it was his way of asking her if she was okay.

At long last, she had figured it out. Took her long enough, but she did it in the end. She had figured out the reason for his act and this opportunity. Of course her sensei, of all people, would notice her inner plight, and she felt grateful that he was willing to help her. Her heart burst with delight, and she abruptly got up and began to clap, hoping that her teacher was getting her message.

Shino smiled, giving her a nod to let her know that he understood. After a couple more minutes of awed silence and beautiful dancing, Shino bowed, the bugs bowing with him and slowly receding back down his sleeves. Boruto, Mitsuki, and Sarada all clapped loudly, whooping and cheering for their leader.

I'm okay, sensei, Sarada thought with all her strength as she tried to psychically put her thoughts into her sensei's head, not seeing the nod, thinking that her teacher still had not gotten her message.

They headed back, Sarada bummed, thinking she had not achieved her goal, Boruto laughing with joy, and Mitsuki clapping along to the beat of nature. Shino led the way back with a pleased aura surrounding him. He had done all he could, and succeeded in his goal, which was making his best student happy. After all, it was their second-to-last day together, tomorrow only lasting for a couple hours as he announced the teams and told them their meeting places with their new sensei. He could only hope for the best and wish his students good luck, keeping them in mind as he got to know his next batch of children with eager eyes and innocent minds.

Parting was a solemn event, but at the same time, it happily welcomed the new. Sarada stayed behind as Boruto and Mitsuki headed towards the Uzumaki household, skipping as they went. Shino leaned down to her level, waiting for her to speak.

"I'm okay now. Than k you, sensei, for everything you have done for us-for me," Sarada mumbled, forcing herself not to cry. She had lost count of the amount of times she had cried this week only. The voice was about to jump in, steal away her newfound satisfaction, when Shino sighed contently. Sarada looked up, not even realizing that her head had drooped until now, meeting her sensei's gaze.

"I'm glad. I know you will become a fine ninja and wish you the best. I am always here if you need anything." Shino didn't know what it was like not to have a father in his life, but he knew that without his father at her age, he would have been very far away from the person he had wanted to become. His heart went out to her. He knew that she needed someone as a father figure, and as a teacher, it was his natural duty to become a role model for every child he taught.

"I will," Sarada replied, voice louder than before. She nodded a goodbye to her sensei before taking off towards her house. Tomorrow she would get her team assignments. Tonight, she would celebrate her new rank with her parents.

She genuinely smiled for the first time in what felt like forever. However, it didn't last long.

"TAKE THIS!" Sarada's sharingan activated, she turned just in time to see the brunette from her class try to punch her, aiming for her nose. An eye for an eye, huh? Sarada thought bitterly. She jumped out of the way, causing the bully to stumble and take a few seconds to regain her balance. She smirked at Sarada. "I thought we might as well finish this tonight. What do you say, you bitch?"

"What the hell does that even mean?!" Sarada yelled, frustrated that this girl just had to ruin her night. Mama, Papa, I'm sorry, Sarada sent a silent prayer, it's going to take a little longer for me to get home than usual.

Let's kick some ungrateful ass, the voice whispered, hatred dripping from each word.