'Kunoichi classes are a whole different world', Inner points out when Sakura is once more bewildered by her classmates' (and teacher's) behaviour. Sakura couldn't say that there was one single goal behind kunoichi classes. They are taught instruments and decorum and flower arrangements. At the same time they are taught how to gossip and persuade, they make up special signals with each other, and learn the nonverbal language of the Kunoichi.

Asano hates every moment of it. She complains that only girls have to do it! Which she finds problematic because Asano's not sure if she's a girl or not, but also because it's not fair that girls have to spend three extra hours at school a week. Technically, it's not mandatory, but any girls graduating from the academy who didn't attend the kunoichi class are thought of as lazy or otherwise lacking.

Which, while is definitely not fair, Sakura still kind of likes kunoichi classes. For once no one is screaming about Sasuke (usually). Although Sakura does admit to finding him visually attractive she doesn't pretend that his behavior is anything other than rude. The other girls explain away his actions are stoic or manly, and Sakura can kind of see why they say that. Far too many parents spout his praises.

The ratio of boy to girl in normal lessons has started to change rather dramatically. Ten students have dropped out since Sakura started at the academy and seven of them were girls. Their class is currently made up of 35 students, but eventually this number might get low enough that they'll be merged with one of the other terms. (At least that's what Asano's brother told her, so they were both taking it with a grain of salt.)

Sakura likes the feeling of unity in kunoichi class. She knows that if she ever needs it, she can go to any of the 12 girls in her kunoichi class and they will help her. If, for some reason, they aren't available, four of the girls have siblings Sakura would be willing to go to (not counting Asano). Another option would be the older and younger kunoichi classes that they spend two lessons a month with. (In the group a year ahead there's a boy that is in the kunoichi class, which makes Asano happy.)

Kunoichi classes are currently bizarre because they are currently talking about how to pass as civilians… and either Sakura, or the general class have serious misconceptions about civilians.

The civilians that Sakura knows are born and raised in Konoha, and while they might take part in a quiet gossip with the neighbours that also were born and raised in Konoha, they would never talk to strangers. The civilians that Sakura knows barely even talk to immigrants about anything other than the weather. (There are four go to topics for safe conversation in Konoha: the weather, Lady Torii Kiyonobu, food, and the trees.)

The girls (and teacher) in Sakura's class seem to think that civilians are slightly slow, unaware of how privileged they are, and generally spend all day gossiping. The civilians Sakura knows work harder than any shinobi she's ever met, and that includes her parents. In part because despite working for up to 16 hours a day, they still make an effort to spend time with their families, which takes effort.

"Uuuughh, kill me now," Asano murmurs from where her head his resting on the kotatsu*. It's getting a bit too warm to have the heater on, but Asano insists that her feet are cold, and Sakura doesn't mind all that much either (open toed sandals, while very popular, are not particularly good for conserving heat).

"Civilian women tend to wear impractical, and brightly coloured clothing…" Absolutely bizarre.

"Sakura," Asano says, nudging Sakura's side without looking up. "Remind me not to do an all-nighter on sealing when I have a full day coming up." Sakura ignores her, mostly because they both know that's never going to happen. "My head hurts," Asano moans, finally (and unfortunately) drawing their sensei's attention.

"Sakurai-chan, am I disturbing your rest?" Sakura giggles silently and without moving (okay, so it's Inner who's giggling, but it's basically the same thing) as she watches Asano's respect for authority clash with her need to make a smart-ass comment.

"...No ma'am. You're not disturbing me very much at all, if you could lower your voice a little though…" Asano trains off, still having not raised her head.

"Sit up, Sakurai-chan." Sensei says, voice going hard, away from her usual fluttery voice. Sakura is abruptly reminded that their sensei is, as a matter of fact, a shinobi. That no matter how often she pretends to swoon over the thought of the Hokage's son, Asuma, she is still a battle hardened warrior who would kill them. She is reminded why infiltration skills are so important, because Sakura had completely forgotten these, rather key, points.

Sakura watches as Asano's back heaves in a sigh before she sits up.

Asano's face, while mostly normal, has an inky mustache on her top lip, and another smaller stain on her cheek. Both Inner and Sakura giggle, along with much of the class.

"What happened to your face, Sakurai-chan?" Sensei doesn't look so upset anymore, but if she's laughing it's all happening on the inside.

"Well…" Asano draws out, grinning even as her face flushes in embarrassment, "you see… it turns out if you have ink on your hands… and then you go like this," Asano lifts her left hand to rub her upper lip contemplatively with her thumb on one side and her fore and middle finger on the other, "then you end up with a pretty rockin' mustache." ('Rockin?' Inner echoes in confusion. It sounds like a good thing… but it can be hard to tell with Asano sometimes. She just makes up words sometimes. Inner shrugs at another of Asano's many quirks.)

Sensei stares at Asano for a long moment before pulling a small bottle out of one of her huge sleeves and places it on the table in front of them.

"Go to the bathroom and use this to remove the marks. In the future, ink can be removed with jam, baby oil, or disinfectant." Sensei gives Asano a sharp nod, and Asano leaves the room to get the humourous stain off. It's too bad, apparently Asano's Uncle has a friend coming over and it would've been fun to see their reaction.

A/N:

*a kotatsu is a low wooden framed table that has a blanket around the edges, and usual a heat source below the table.

1) How do you think civilians in Konoha differ from civilians in your local area and why?

2) What do you think the biggest advantage of taking part in kunoichi class is?

3) How do you feel about my portrayal of Inner Sakura so far?

user TheOne320 has recced Clockwork and a Teacup by Artsome, thank you for sharing. The piece is 200k and a work in progress about a self insert into Sakura Haruno. This work can be found: here or here: s/8684118/1/Clockwork-and-a-teacup