Quick footsteps were heard going through all of Konoha as Sasaku ran as fast as he could to the Academy. He swore and bit into a rice ball. The two swords he had bounced against his right hip as he ran. He spun a corner and slammed into a poll. Stumbling back, he rubbed his forehead. 'Wait a minute...' He swore as he turned back around. He ran as fast as he could to get back to his apartment. He burst in, grabbed his headband on the table, and ran out again.

He continued running down the street, then rested against the poll he'd slammed into. "What're you doing here?" a voice said behind him. Sasaku turned around to see Raiden. "Woke up... pant... late... gasp..." he panted out, getting a small smile from Raiden. "You do know that there is a way to go places much more fast and easy, right?" he asked. Sasaku slapped his headas he remembered. Raiden went on explaining it anyways. "It's fairly easy," Raiden continued, "You focus your chakra all throughout your body, and instantly focus it somewhere else. Your body will follow soon. It uses up little chakra, but more to go further distances. It requires a lot of focus, but is really effective."

Sasaku looked at Raiden blankly. "That would have helped a long time ago." Sasaku said, making a sign with his hands. Raiden walked away and Sasaku closed his eyes. He felt slightly drained as a puff of smoke encased him. It dissipated as he appeared outside the classroom door. He opened it and walked in. Ino wasn't there, and of course, neither was Sasuke. Naruto was in a back corner and everyone stayed at least two seats away from him. "Alright," Iruka said, "class starts now." Sasaku took a seat and began listening to the lesson.

Iruka was teaching a basic medical ninjutsu. This was one that healed small cuts and bruises, and used up little chakra. It was simple though, and could easily be deployed in battle. That was the first half of the class before they were let out for an hour at noon. Sasaku went to a small sushi bar for lunch. When he walked in he saw Ino sitting in the corner. He walked up to her. Her foot was wrapped up professionally and she had a crutch leaning on the wall next to her.

"I didn't see you at the Academy today." Sasaku said, "How's your leg doin'?" Ino turned in surprise to look at him. She relaxed a little when she saw it was Sasaku. "Oh, I'm doing fine," she said, "My dad just wanted me to take it easy today." Sasaku laughed, "You picked a bad day to miss," he said, "we learned some medical ninjutsu today." The two laughed for a while and then Sasaku said, "Get whatever you want, I'm buying."

"Oh, no, you don't to do that." she said. Sasaku smiled at her. "Don't worry," he said, "I want to." The two ate there lunch and laughed and had a great time. After nearly three-quarters of an hour, Sasaku paid and went back to the Academy. 'Looks like rumors are already going around.' Sasaku thought, looking around at all the girls who looked at him with disappointment, longing, confusion, and even fury. He sighed and got to the classroom.

The second half of the day was spent on high caliber taijutsu, and the different forms of it. Sasaku wasn't doing so hot in the lesson. All his taijutsu was freeform, not any specific style. Lee, however, seemed to know more about the subject than the teacher himself. Finally they were let free. Sasaku rubbed his sore muscles and walked back to the apartments with Naruto. Naruto's head was hung down, as if he were in deep thought. "What are you wondering about?" Sasaku asked.

Naruto sighed. "There's this girl I like," he said, "but I don't know if I'll have the guts to ask her out." Sasaku groaned. "After what happened last time," he said, "I doubt Karei will-"

"I'm not talking about Karei"

Sasaku stared at Naruto in shock. "Is it Sakura then?"

"I'm not going to say, but I suddenly have strange feelings welling up inside me when I see her. I realized that I think I've liked her all along. But I don't know how to go about it." He looked at Sasakus eyes. "This is the first time I've ever been this nervous. I don't know what to do. Help me, please."

Sasaku sighed. Then he smiled. "Warning for you, don't be yourself." He let out a laugh. Naruto remained silent. "Alright, seriously, just be natural around her. Ask her if she would like to have lunch with you tomorrow. Talk with her and just act like a good friend." Sasaku smiled. "And if it's the same girl I like, you're dead." He was, of course, thinking of Ino. Naruto laughed like a madman. "I've seen your taste in women! You're the second most shallow person I know!"

"And who might be first?" Sasaku laughed.

"You know that Ino girl in class, right?"

Sasakus eye twitched. He fought back the urge to punch Naruto across the face. "Well, see ya!" Naruto said, running off. Sasaku cracked his knuckles, then thought for a second. 'If what Naruto says is true, then she probably doesn't like ME, just Sasaku...' He continually thought about this as he wandered aimlessly through Konoha. He was passing the weapons store when something caught his eye. He looked to see armor that would fit right under clothes. He shook the image off and began walking again, thinking about what Naruto had said.

Sasaku turned back around. He walked up to the window with the armor. It looked durable and lightweight. There were places for the joints to move comfortably. He considered the mission he'd only just got back from, and knew there would be harder ones he could die in. He walked into the store and came back out soon enough wearing the armor. His clothes hid it perfectly. He walked back down the street, when he suddenly saw a familiar face. The face saw him too and they both tensed up. Sasaku clenched his fists as the man smiled.

"Sasaku..."

"Horo..."

To be continued...