The Notebook
The sky seemed brighter when Sakura woke up the next morning.
Her toothpaste was mintier, her hair was more controllable, her clothes were softer, her skin was smoother, her eyes were greener, and her step was peppier. Not even Shikamaru's grumpiness–which, she had to admit, based on him drowning banana bits in the milk of his cereal bowl, was on record highs–could persuade her to feel anything but happy.
And, really, there was no way she should be feeling this good on a Tuesday morning.
She skipped through her yellow kitchen, dancing around the island Shikamaru sat at, and skidding her butt across the smooth wooden surface of the table that no one ever ate at. She slid in her socks to the biggest cabinet, slipping a little, but grabbing it for support at the last moment.
"What's wrong with you?"
Sakura stopped abruptly, a cereal bowl, box, juice glass, and jug of milk gathered precariously in her arms. She stared at her stepbrother with her eyebrows hunched and mouth slightly askew. She shuffled her socked-feet to the island counter and dumped everything.
"I'm–" she huffed, trying to find the right word as Shikamaru started stabbing the bananas with the end of his spoon. Sakura watched for minutes before she settled into the high barstool. She started pouring her cereal, fruity loops of color plopping into the ceramic. "I'm just happy, Shika," Sakura continued, moving on to the milk. She tossed her words carefully in her mind before speaking them, and they still came out choppy. "I–I don't know. I don't want to, like, impose, or anything, but–are you...um–"
The brunet beside her bit out a sharp laugh. "Look, Sakura, don't try not to hurt my feelings. I've just had a bad couple of days," he shrugged, looking into the milky bowl. "But, I'm a big boy. I can take some sticks and stones."
"But what about words?" Sakura asked softly, green eyes flickering into her reddening milk and the profile of his solemn face. Everything about him was hard, she thought, from the straight line of his nose and the angle of his cheekbones. It almost made him look more vulnerable. "Or actions?" she continued, prodding, she knew, but hating seeing him sad sad, instead of his usual nonchalant, emotions don't matter, I'm Shikamaru self.
Her stepbrother shook his head, hair still damp, down, and wet from an earlier shower. He twisted in the chair until he faced her fully. "I'm not about to commit suicide, Sakura," he smirks, but then decides it's a little inappropriate. "Right now, I'm going through something I'm not used to going through. That's it. Are you going to eat your toast?"
"Toast?"
He smiled, eyes glistening. "Just checking. You were starting to care too much."
Sakura grinned back.
He was okay.
She ate her cereal in general silence, only pausing to chew or scoop more colorful rings into her mouth. She watched the leaves fall from the trees from the picture window, delighted with the birds that chirped and flew around in the air. The sky was blue, clear, and bright, even though the sun was nowhere to be found amongst the towering trees in her backyard.
"I have to get another notebook. The one Jiraiya gave me is too small," Sakura announced after downing the remnants of milk in her cereal bowl. Shikamaru stopped stacking his various plates and bowls and looked at her, one eyebrow up.
Sakura laughed, "Can you give me a ride? I don't want to ride my bike all the way to Target then school," she scrunched her nose, "I'll be all sweaty."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "Fine. Let me get my keys."
Entry 1
Title: Sorry Guys
Written By: Strawberry_Shortcakes1
Sorry about another notebook. I just realized that the one I had before was way too small.
Whoops.
Anyhow, I just want to remind you guys to remember to return this to Jiraiya-sensei's classroom for me. I had to fight for the original two, and, you know, while I do love playing Hide and Seek with lined papers, I'd rather not.
So, yeah, do me a favor and do that.
Thanks a lot!
Strawberry
(Also, new quarters also bring new twists. I don't think anything major will go down, but I might announce new rules or something tomorrow. Not like you guys follow them faithfully, haha, but just putting it out there.)
Entry 2
Title: No Prob
Written By: K9-Swag
I'd do that for you, no problem. I mean, I'd kinda have to write in that last, and all, but if I ever do, you can count on me.
:P
What's new at KA? Well, Tsunade has called in, hell, I don't know, every school in the freaking district, and they are here! Suna's principal–the guy with the head wrap swag going on–even brought his kids. His kids.
That one with the red hair? The freshman? Don't act like you don't fucking know who he is! The guy has had criminal charges put against him! Multiple. And Tsunade let him in. What the hell.
What.
The.
Hell?
I'm scared for my life. Terrified. I accidentally bumped into him and saw my years flash before my eyes. I swear, it was going to be all over. I was going to die. Right there. In front of the English Hall water fountain.
But then I ran, and, luckily, it was a nice beeline right into Kurenai-chan's class. She's back, by the way, and with a watermelon tucked under her sweater! I'm fucking ecstatic, mostly because she can stop all the BS that was flying about her. Like, I don't know why people talk about it when young, unmarried teachers get pregnant.
Real talk, they're not nuns. They can do the woo whenever, wherever, and with whoever they want. For those who don't have Kurenai for English, I'd say she's about three or four months along. I do not read pregnancy books. Also, it's Asuma's kid, like I guessed earlier.
I heard this rumor that Kiba and Ino are only going out because Ami set them up awhile ago. I've been ignoring it, really, because I just wanted it to go away. But, yeah, Ami is just a big of a part of their relationship as she was when she was with him. It's what, well, she's what got them together because they both rather enjoy throwing darts at printouts of her face.
:)
So no. Nobody is getting paid, bribed, or proffered to do anything. Ino's not spiting her in any way, and neither is her boyfriend.
If you haven't noticed, wipe the crud out your eyes.
They really care about each other.
K9
Entry 3
Title: Relax
Written By: Gingerly
I'm almost sure the person you bumped into wouldn't have killed you.
That's ludicrous. He simply tussled you up a bit. Put some ice on your eye, and you'll be fine. Don't over exaggerate the injuries. They are nothing compared to what that person very well could have done.
But, I must congratulate you; you're an excellent runner.
Just like a bitch.
I suppose I shouldn't expect anything less in Konoha, however. Most people here are overdramatic, or expect their peers to care about their trials and tribulations. They're hardly problems, merely obstacles, considering Konoha is one of the wealthiest counties.
Don't let me get carried away. I can talk about economics all day.
I do notice things though. I mean, the girls here a sluts. I'm not suggesting they dress like eighteenth century housewives, but, man, I feel like a director for a pornography will walk in any moment and cast a whole classroom.
Maybe that's the goal. I should never judge.
I guess.
That's what my father would say, anyway.
The classes here, though, are impressive. I'm surprised that I'm learning and my interest is being held. I'll hold further judgment until lunchtime. If lunch is amazing, I'm going to move.
The only downfalls about Konoha–besides the whores and whiny pansies–are the weather and the shopping. For so much expense, no fashion designers find homage in Konoha. It's odd, considering that the Hidden Leaf is so centralized. Or course, fashion is a little more...how you say...commercial here. Jeans, t-shirts, skirts. Nothing odd, or daring.
Safe is the word.
I should stop rambling in this. I'm not talking about anything, but it is soothing. Therapeutic even. The last time I had a chance to document in here was this past weekend, at Friday's game, and, while I said it then, I have to reiterate.
I really like this.
Ginger
Entry 4
Title: Love Me
Written By: BlondeBomb31
OMFG SAKU-CHAN IS SOOOO CUTE!
Ok. I'm done. I'm just so, like, ha, I don't know, proud of my little nerd. Her outfit is hacking adorable. And her hair is just so fetch. Makeup? Is that makeup on that little twerp's face or is she just a-glowin' like a bright marker?
Sparkle, bitch, sparkle.
I was so shocked that she actually wore something that I got her at the store. It's like, aw, you love me back, whore.
Sasuke totally noticed. Like, we all know that he is sex embodied, but he's super cute. Like some puppy or something. He was all wide-eyed and blushing and lost for words at the beauty that is his girlfriend (in clothes I got her) ((just saying)) (((I am a part of this))). Just so you know.
Gossip, gossip, gossip. Well, ugh, there are some Sand freaks here. One is nasty like a motherhugging trash bag filled with all the nastiest stuff you can possibly stuff inside.
She sucks.
Let me tell you. Lemme tell you. I's gonta tell you what this WITCH did to Mama BB.
First of all, the pigtail wearing slut was sitting in my seat. I normally don't care much about that, it's petty, but, bitch, I don't even know you! So, whatevs, I think, bitch, since I don't know you, you'll get your fat ass up out of my seat and find another one to heat up with your fatness. But NOOOO. I wasn't even rude.
I was like, "Hi, that's my seat, do you mind moving?"
She then turned all slow away from Shikamaru–who was totally not sleeping and actually, totally, entertaining that slut with conversation–and scoffed. Scoffed. Made that nasty phlegmy noise. And said, "I'm talking. Can you give me a minute?"
"Sorry, I ran out of those."
She's all innocent and like, "You ran out of minutes?"
I'm mad so I scream, "NO, FUCKS. I RAN OUT OF FUCKS TO GIVE! Get out my motherfucking seat, stop talking to my friend, and stop breathing my fucking air!"
Kakashi told me to go get some water and calm down, which is, you know, better than going to the office and getting a detention for dropping multiple F-bombs, but I'm still mad at that whore because she was still totally in my effing seat and Shika was still talking to her!
It's her fault.
So what, I kind of initiated things, you know, got the ball rolling, but I don't care. She just can't take my hard earned seat, talk to my Pineapplehead, and wear Louis Vuitton sneakers!
What a ho!
I hope that, you know, when she rides her broom back to Suna, she gets a splinter in her crotch and she falls into the beach and doesn't die, but gets sand in her bikini that is eternally there.
Ha. Bitch.
BB
Jiraiya never considered the students that flocked into his classes as odd as the other teachers saw them.
He thought that his students were the most 'normal' in the entire school. They knew who they were, for the most part, and stood to their principles and beliefs, regardless of how those beliefs were perceived by their peers.
That was normal to Jiraiya.
He saw all of their morals and noticed that they lined up. Sure, some smoked, some drank, and most probably have had sex just this past weekend. That didn't make them any less immoral than anyone else in this world.
He hated the fact that, while his kids openly expressed themselves at all times, they were forced into closed circles. They were friends with each other, and that made him dissatisfied.
In all fifteen years of teaching, it was his goal to make friends become friends with strangers. He wanted his students to learn how to find likeness with someone who appeared to be opposite. And here he was, starting his sixteenth year, and, for the first time, his goal was starting to come to life.
Haruno Sakura was the last person he expected to achieve that goal. Well, that was a bit of a lie. Sakura's a fantastic student, and always tries her darnedest to succeed in academics. This class was no different than mathematics to her. That was endearing, and it was endearing to see her figure it out.
She could have turned away from Ino, but she accepted the invitation, and, in turn, was let into the circle. One by one, she threw away the stereotypes that shrouded the 'Popular Crowd' and saw them as real.
Real people, Jiraiya theorized, were normal people.
As the chicken clock on his desk clucked closer to the starting time of his fourth period class, he began to get nervous. He was getting too attached to the story of Sakura's Notebook. It was a journey. It was great.
Some people would chastise it, deeming it a collection of writings instead of a story, but, because he knew the authors, Jiraiya knew it was a story. And, right now, the story was going too well.
He recognized the beginnings of antagonists' plotting when he read through the books while grading, but it was taking too long for his taste. Their advances were poorly executed. There needed to be a twist. A major event that effected everyone who wrote in it.
He needed to shake things up, for the sake of a learning experience, but he didn't want to. Unlike the other students' projects, Sakura's dealt with real people.
He couldn't add in a ginormous plot twist with knowledge of what it'd do to them. But, that was his responsibility as a teacher. People learned best when put in uncomfortable situations, and The Notebook had become far too comfortable to all the students that wrote in it. It was starting to become comfortable for Sakura.
She, of course, was still nervous about the looming threat of Tsunade swooping in, but Jiraiya will have that handled soon enough.
He brought the tip of his pen to his lips and tapped three times. His chicken cuckooed in time with the shrill ringing of the school bell, and he stood.
All the students sat; their conversations dissipated. For some odd reason, the gray haired hermit actually felt his heart beating rapidly beneath the cloth of his tee-shirt. He swallowed dryly.
"With the start of the next quarter," he began pacing down the aisles the desks made, "I have concocted a new project. The theme is still anonymity, since I just find that so freaking amazing and whatnot."
Laughter bounced around the walls, but did nothing to ease his unrest. He sat atop an empty desk, resting his feet in the hard blue chair. All eyes were on him, waiting for him to continue, but he was still debating on whether or not he wanted to go through with his idea. Yes, it was quite genius, he supposed, but...
He sighed loudly when he caught Sakura's eye and she smiled. "I'm–Well, the idea is what happens to your character when they've had the luxury of anonymity..."
A pen would drop itself silently just to be nice.
Jiraiya scratched his chin, looking away from a pair of confused, worried, seeing green eyes.
He continues, "What happens to your character when they've had the luxury of anonymity taken away. As in, they're no longer...anonymous."
Sakura's eyes widened.
Shit.
Entry 5
Title: Old Pals
Written By: RamenGod_10
I bet no one could even guess how surprised I was when I saw my little buddy today! Of course, I had no business in the Freshman hall, whatever, I wasn't bothering Konohamaru or anything, che, but I saw his little red head bobbing around and I tackled him into the biggest hug ever!
(He pushed me back, but, hey, that's love.)
:D
WOHOOO! Gaara's not my first best friend, that's Teme, but that little monster is definitely one of my first close friends. Our fathers are close because of politics and shit, so whenever there were cross-county conferences, we'd play.
Since he's here, I can only guess that his brother and sister came, too. They're pretty cool, I guess, if you can handle Suna humor. It's kind of dry. But, hey, it's funny if you get it.
I took the initiative, found them all, and invited all three to the lunch table. It's a squeeze, but, yo, everyone's getting along. Temari has obviously already met Shikamaru, and Lee and Gaara are funny as hell. Even Kankarou and his weirdness has something in common with Kiba.
You know. Ridiculous obsessions.
Dog and puppet LOVING.
I think everyone is happy with the temporary visitors.
Score one, me!
RamenGod
Entry 6
Title: Oh, Kami
Written By: LifesABeach
That Barbie is at my lunch table.
Are.
You.
Serious?
And guess what? Guess what? Apparently, I'm in her blessed seat once more. I should really just start checking the bottoms for her name (coughBITCHcough) so I just don't make that mistake anymore.
I'd leave but Naruto would start a scene and the guy from Math earlier sits here. I'm surprised he keeps company with such loud, obnoxious people. You got Bushy Brows proclaiming youth over the youthfulness of color of Gaara's youthful locks, Barbie and her boyfriend are being sickeningly couple-like–Barbie has a boyfriend.
That's...weird.
She–hm.
Interesting.
I could have sworn she was jealous earlier.
What an intriguing dynamic.
I'll ask Shikamaru about it.
Beach
Entry 7
Title: Easy Pickings
Written By: PurplePenguin18
The Sand Siblings sure are shaking things up. They'll be here until Tsunade and all they other Athletic and Administrative leaders make a decision. And if the Sound Hounds are doing what they were told, it'll take a while.
I'm happy. I haven't had to do any work at all today and Ino's feathers are obviously ruffled. I mean, of course I know why, and all, but I wouldn't oust her like that. I'm not that cruel, and I don't want to hurt Kiba more than I already have.
I'm just, overall, impressed with Temari. She is a bright one. Without a single idea who Ino is or what she's about, she's ticking her off. I'd def recruit her if she went here. I think she'd be really valuable.
And the young one is a super cutie; when he grows into his face...oh my god.
The other one has paint on his face which is just weirdness.
Away from them, though, has anyone else noticed Naruto and Neji's cousin? I mean, cute couple, but I don't know if they're a couple. They don't even sit at the same lunch table. They don't share any classes and, I mean, I'm only going off word, but, I hear that they both really want to be together, were together at the dance, but now, they suddenly are just not. Not like they broke up, but...they're not together.
That doesn't make sense.
Whatever.
Kabuto-sensei is starting to actually teach Science. He has Words of the Day and I think that's just ridiculous. It's science, you weirdo. Why do we need to know words?
He's like, "Soak up all the knowledge you can, blah blah, words are intelligence, blah," and I'm debating on whether or not I prefer Orochimaru over him. I'll decide when I see this guy's first test.
Penguin
Entry 8
Title: Redemption
Written By: RedHot4
I need a boyfriend. Not just a hookup. Something that is beyond official, okay?
Like, right, I'm not giving up on Sasuke-kun, but now that he's with that whore, Sakura, I think I've realized what the problem is.
Sasuke-kun wants a girl, not woman. And, hello, I'm ALL woman, okay?
But that doesn't mean I can't change. I own some jeans that I don't have to hop and shuffle into, and I think I have a couple shirts I can wear a bra with.
I can do it.
I can be what Sasuke wants.
I can be the girl that holds hands instead of...other body parts. I can keep my hands out of back and front pockets. I can earn affection the slow, old fashioned way. I can. I can.
I'll just need a boyfriend to make him jealous.
He doesn't need to be particularly attractive since we definitely won't be having sex, or, possibly, be making out. I just request an amazing body and good humor. Like, not boring.
Don't worry about how I look. I'm gorgeousness embodied.
Just meet me by the pool, you know, in the deserted corner of school, and we'll work from there, k?
Red
Entry 9
Title: HAHAHAHA
Written By: _SmoothBlu
this bitch is hanging up boyfriend wanted signs.
lmao. HAHAHAHA. i cannot breathe.
don't nobody want to be with her slutty, STD machine ass. that's like signing over life.
oh wow. that bitch knows what she wants, i'll give her that.
Blue
Sakura ignored Sasuke's form pacing outside the door as she was as she sat in a chair she'd pulled up to Jiraiya's desk.
She was furious with the hermit. How could he expect her to do that to everyone she'd promised a safe haven to? She couldn't oust them! So many secrets are written in those pages and some people would just be ruined. Sakura couldn't live with herself, knowing it was her fault that someone was humiliated.
Of course, she realized that some people were obvious and, smartly, not everyone had written out their own life stories. She was still ripping a rug from underneath their feet, though!
Her impassive mask had melted and molded into a full-on grimace, making Jiraiya's eyes jitter around and his fingers tap his desk nervously. He should have expected her to be upset. He would have been a fool to think that she wouldn't demand to talk to him during her free hour about his brilliant idea.
She growled.
"I'm sorry," Jiraiya breathed, raking through his hair. Sakura tightened her lips, tilted her head, and awaited his equally brilliant explanation. "You're not my only student and this has to remain a learning experience for you, especially considering that you aren't particularly writing The Notebook yourself. I can't custom make a project for you."
Sakura's defensive anger started to fade at the logic, but she remained peeved. "I understand that," she said. "I just don't see the learning aspect in blindsiding every one of the people that write in it."
"You'd learn, first hand, the effects of losing something as influential as anonymity."
"I can't just take it away," Sakura pressed, "I can't just–"
"Why?" he countered. He let the question echo and hang in the empty classroom, and his eyes softened when he noticed the light sheen glossing her own. "I remember a day not too long ago when you came here, crying about not being able to do The Notebook at all."
Sakura stilled, suddenly remembering, "During The Challenge?"
He nodded. "And look now–look at how much has changed in your life because of it. Have you not noticed the change in even Ino? Aren't you two best friends now? That wouldn't have happened without The Notebook. She would still be stomping around in stilettos and clown face makeup."
The girl across from him laughed, but still shook her head as she wiped a single tear from her eye. "That's why I can't reveal everyone, just for a grade. I mean," she brushed her hair out of her face, "I've promised them a safety net that will always be there, and you're asking me to swipe it away while they're not looking."
"You don't have to do that, Sakura. Think creatively."
Sakura settled a stare on her teacher. She didn't think imaginative thinking would make the situation he was asking her to complete any less bleak.
He sighed, "Maybe you can make riddles or something like that. Offer a prize for people who solve correctly–perhaps they'd never be on the hot-seat."
The rosette narrowed her eyes, considering, but knowing she'd have a hard time doing even that. She met Jiraiya's even stare and sighed, hiking the strap of her purse higher on her shoulder before she stood. "I'll think about it," she muttered, not only to him, but to herself. She'd have to run it by Shikamaru and Ino, of course.
Halfway to the door, she turned back and waved, mostly feeling bad for being so mean when Jiraiya was just doing his job. As she opened the door, feeling Sasuke's fingers interlace with her own, she watched the figure of the white-haired man appear and disappear as the door swung closed. She hoped she'd make the right decision.
"What was that about?"
Sakura had been making a concentrated effort to keep her shoulders down, her grip on Sasuke's hand relaxed, and her eyes clear the whole walk to Sasuke's next class.
When he questioned her, she couldn't help but come up with a thousand different defenses in her mind. She didn't want Sasuke knowing she was Strawberry. She was sure he didn't like the whole idea of The Notebook and think lesser of her, at least on a minimal plane, because she started it.
He'd said as much multiple times in his own entries. Would the fact that they were boyfriend and girlfriend change that?
It was basic knowledge that couples should never keep anything from each other. That created tension, and tension was the last thing Sakura wanted. They would break up faster that way. But, the year was still young. What would happen if she told him and they broke things off badly?
A lot of people would be out for her head. Well, more than the people that wanted to congratulate her on a job well done, anyway.
She licked her lips and sighed, keeping her eyes on the tile, "Just a project I was confused about. No biggie."
Sakura knew he wanted to push for more, but held off, thankfully. She felt horrible. If there was anyone she should trust, it ought to be Sasuke. But, Shikamaru and Ino already knew Strawberry was her. Tsunade was on her and Jiraiya's back, Ami, Kin, and Karin couldn't be too far off from piecing two and two together, and the last thing she wanted was the whole school knowing.
But what was so bad about her, her mind reminded? She wasn't gossiping. She didn't announce everyone else's secrets.
She just supplied the means of transportation, and soon, if she did what Jiraiya had assigned, she'd be taking things into a completely different gear.
A/N: Final arc start! I'm for sure this time. This is going to be it. If I go according to plan, the story will be over within 15 chapters.
I'll warn you though, there's going to be a little bit of a time skip soon. Nothing interesting really happens in mid-September until mid-October so I'm just going to skip it. Sasuke's surgery might be planned within that time skip, too, so...yeah. That's the plan for today, but it might change tomorrow.
This arc is gonna be dramatic though. And sad. I know. I'm evil.
:D
BUT HAPPY ENDING, I SWEAR!
This chapter was so very rough. It was just rough. I was sick writing it the whole time, so hopefully I'll get better and my writing will correspond.
Thanks to everyone who responded to my InoShikaTema question. It helped bunches.
:)
Review, Alert, Fave,
Hot
(QUESTION: What do you think Sakura should do about The Notebook?)