It was only a year later as Sakura turned three that her parents gave into the insistence of the academy sensei's and enrolled their daughter into Orochimaru's class despite her wishes "But papa I don't want to go" Sakura whined as her mother dressed in a pretty yukata.
"Your going young lady so you best quit your whining" Yudoku scolded and helped Sakura put on her purple backpack "Now go with your brother" he ordered and the pinkette trudged over to her brother pouting, Orochimaru smiled and took Sakura's hand.
As they left their home, Sakura started complaining "It's not fair" she stomped her foot though kept walking with Orochimaru, this only drove Sakura to dislike the kami even more it was ridiculous why couldn't she be a normal person for once.
Cringing at the angry words Orochimaru heaved a sigh "I promise to protect you imouto-chan, so just sit between more and Tsunade like before" he ordered lightly, Sakura sulked but nodded her head not wanting to kick up a fuss right now.
"Thank you oni-san" Sakura clutched onto Orochimaru's hand a little tighter as they walked through the academy gates and across the grounds to enter the building and down the halls to the classroom, her nerves got the better of her though when all the older kids stared at her.
After the sensei introduced her as the new student, Sakura was seated between her brother and Tsunade like he had asked and pulled out a notebook to write down notes, 'If I'm going to be stuck in the stinking academy I might as well get good grades' Sakura thought to herself.
Glad to see the pinkette getting motivated Orochimaru focused on the lesson at hand and stayed that way until it was lunch time "Ni-san" Sakura nudged him in the side and Orochimaru gave a jolt startled at the abrupt movement.
"Ah sorry" Orochimaru smiled sheepishly before rising from his seat to let the two girls out, Tsunade shook her head in exasperation while Sakura grasped his hand unwilling to be separated from him though oddly Orochimaru was just fine with that.
Eager to get out of the classroom, Sakura dragged her brother along behind her as she followed Jiraiya and Tsunade to the playground where they would all eat lunch and then play a couple of games until it was time to go back in for even more lessons.
Once the four children were finished eating, Jiraiya turned his attention onto Sakura "So hows it feel to be enrolled in the academy" he teased knowing it would rile the young girl up and sure enough Sakura's cheeks flushed and she huffed angrily.
"I wish I wasn't but I know mama and papa won't take me out now so my only option is to be the best I can" Sakura scowled deeply but didn't direct it an anyone in particular not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings just in case they took offense to her scowl.
Growing pale, Jiraiya wisely let the subject drop after saying one last thing to the pinkette "I didn't mean to upset you Sakura-chan, I think this could be good for you at least you'd be finished much earlier and won't have to go through this again" he flashed her a smile.
Blinking, Sakura mulled Jiraiya's words around in her head before nodding, he was right at least she wouldn't have to come back hear and would be a genin much earlier than any of the other kids "I didn't see it but thanks Jiraiya" Sakura grinned widely.
"No problem Sakura-chan" Jiraiya's cheeks grew red in embarrassment, he hadn't thought Sakura would take his words to heart but she had and now he was feeling a little embarrassed over it Tsunade snickered at him causing Orochimaru to chuckle and Sakura to giggle.
Sakura bit her lip to prevent any more giggles from escaping, Jiraiya really was to funny and wondered how he had turned into such a pervert, sure he was a buffoon but so far he hadn't gone around trying to peek at girls.
Though if she ever caught him doing that, Sakura wouldn't hesitate to pound on him, hopefully it would prevent him from getting any big idea's, though then he wouldn't write those books and decided to just leave it be.
Once lunch was finished all the children were taken out for a lesson on weapons, "Alright next is Toigatta Sakura" the sensei called and Sakura stepped forward nervously, it was an act but if she didn't at least make it seem like she was unsure then everyone would get suspicious.
The sensei handed her a dull kunai and told Sakura how to handle it correctly before stepping back "I just throw it right" Sakura asked innocently, some of the older kids laughing at her, the sensei sighed but gestured for her to just get it over with.
Grinning impishly, Sakura aimed her kunai and with a light flick of her wrist sent it sailing to smack dead center in the target, smug Sakura turned and got back into line fighting with herself not to laugh at the look on her sensei's face, 'That will show him not to treat me like a child" Sakura thought.
Sending his sister a quick look, Orochimaru took his turn and missed by several inches "Good but you can improve, I suggest practicing after school" the sensei told him before having Orochimaru stand in line again, he was discouraged though.
Frowning inwardly at the dejection displayed clearing on her brothers face, Sakura huddled into his side "I'm sorry Ni-san" she apologized, Orochimaru was so sweet as a child and she found herself wondering how he had turned into such a well a bastard to put it mildly.
Knowing what Sakura was trying to do, Orochimaru flashed Sakura a reassuring smile "I'll be okay, that just means I'll have to practice, maybe we can stay here for a bit you can help me" he asked hopefully, Sakura rarely refused him.
Perking up at the request, Sakura nodded her head rapidly "Absolutely, it's very easy once you get it right" she chattered quietly so as not to interrupt their sensei who was still going down the line of his students and calling them up to give throwing a kunai a try.
Once everyone had taken their turn the sensei blew a whistle and Sakura separated herself from her brothers side "Five laps around the track, no walking or jogging, the first one to finish will be free from homework" he ordered.
Emerald eyes lighting up at the chance to exercise even just a little bit, Sakura took off like a rocket leaving her brother, Tsunade and Jiraiya in the dust "Is there anything your little sister can't do" Tsunade asked in exasperation starting her own laps thought Sakura was far ahead of them.
"I don't know" Orochimaru shook his head and spied Sakura in the lead, he frowned, why did he have to have such a talented little sister, not that it was a bad thing, it was just so weird, but at least he didn't have to worry so much seeing as she had a thick skin most of the time.
Long pink trailing after her, Sakura felt joy as she raced passed her classmates, none of them realized that this was her slowest pace and could go even faster if she wished it but decided not to because then it would draw even more attention upon herself.
Finishing her laps, Sakura sat to the side on a bench "Well done Toigatta-san, you won't have to do any homework" her sensei stated though he was a little put out that his youngest student had practically outclassed all of her classmates.
Sakura nodded though she knew she would do her homework anyway it was something she simply couldn't just not do even with the permission of her sensei, with that Sakura jumped to her feet as her brother came to a stop crossing the finish line.
"I'm not even going to ask this time imouto-chan" Orochimaru said as they were all ushered back into the classroom for a little free time before they were released for the rest of the day, Sakura smiled at him innocently though inwardly she was a little perturbed by his nonchalant attitude.
Sulking inwardly 'Even Orochimaru thinks I'm weird' Sakura sighed to herself becoming a little depressed at the thought, sure she had been called that a lot over the years but for some reason the thought of her now older brother thinking it hurt a little.
'Why the heck is it bothering me so much' Sakura crossed her arms trying to come up with an explanation to her unwarranted emotion, then it came to her, 'I'm going soft am I really losing my confidence' Sakura scowled to herself.
Unaware of his sisters inner thoughts Orochimaru worked on some of his homework so that he didn't have so much to do at home, he was a little upset that Sakura didn't have to do any but decided he would get over it eventually.
The bell rang and the two siblings gathered up their belongings, along the way back home, Sakura tugged on the sleeve of her brothers shirt "Orochimari-ni do you really think I'm weird" she asked with a frown plastered across her brow.
"Of course not, I adore you imouto-chan, even though you act strange sometimes, where did that question come from" Orochimaru stopped and stood in place before turning his gold eyes on the pinkette, all while wondering if someone had called Sakura a mean name while his back was turned.
Blinking tears back Sakura pressed on "It's just that sometimes you give me this odd look and well you never really elaborate when I ask" she scuffed her shoe on the dirt ground clutching a book to her chest never once looking up.
Rubbing his face a chuckle rumbled out from between his lips before he could stop himself "Oh imouto-chan you silly girl, that's only because I worry about you so much" Orochimaru pulled Sakura in for a hug that she hurriedly returned.
Worries put at ease for now, Sakura happily took Orochimaru's hand when he held it out for her "I'm ready to go home now" she skipped along by his side, adults cooing over her cuteness as they headed home to eat dinner.
After dinner though, Orochimaru was surprised as Sakura calmly sat next to him and pulled out her own work "I though the sensei said you didn't have to you" he asked with a quirked eyebrow, Sakura smiled sweetly before shrugging her tiny shoulders.
"Just cause sensei said that doesn't mean I'm going to listen besides I'd rather do it so that I can catch up with all of you" Sakura stated before scratching down a few answers on her math worksheet, Orochimaru shook his head and turned to his own work.
The minute the two siblings finished their homework, Orochimaru realized what it was that he had forgotten "Oh imouto-chan, do you think we can go out and practice for a few minutes since we forgot" he announced sheepishly.
Sakura grinned, and finished up her drawing, it was a target on a piece of cardboard "Alright Ni-san" she grasped the kunai she had gotten from her father and led Orochimaru from the house to a tree and pinned her target in place.
"Now Ni-san" Sakura started in a no nonsense way "The first thing you should understand is that you can't be afraid of the weapon or kunai as it may be, it has to move as an extension of yourself" she lectured after passing the kunai to her brother.
Staring at the metal tool in his hands, Orochimaru listened eagerly, he idly thought that Sakura was better at explaining things than the teacher was "Okay I think I understand that part" he said when she trailed off and looked at him expectantly.
Nodding in satisfaction that at least her brother understood the basics of what she was trying to tell him, Sakura started in with the second part of her impromptu lesson "The second thing you should learn when handling a weapon" Sakura began again.
"Is that aim and accuracy come first, when you get that part down, you can start putting strength behind your throws" Sakura warned hoping to drive that little fact into Orochimaru's brain, it was an important lesson so she hoped he wouldn't forget it the next day.
Gulping, Orochimaru nodded, his sister was scary "May I give it a try now" he asked and Sakura moved to the side so that she was out of the way, Orochimaru hoped to the kami that he didn't accidentally hit her.
Chewing on her finger nails in anticipation, Sakura watched her brother line his kunai up with the target then nary a flick of his wrist sent it flying, it veered off and she crouched to avoid getting stabbed with the haywire kunai.
"Ni-san, you added strength" Sakura scolded in a flat tone of voice, Orochimaru cringed and looked at her with remorse in his golden eyes, sighing 'I can see I have my work cut out for me' she mused inwardly traipsing off to find the missing kunai.
A moment later she found it "Ah Manda-san very sorry for disturbing you" Sakura apologized to the now much larger snake he was as wide as her neck and much longer, the snake settled his green eyes on her before hissing grumpily.
"Don't do it again" Manda hissed reproachfully before slithering into his hole, Sakura slumped her shoulders with a sigh and wandered back to where she had left Orochimaru, handing the kunai she had retrieved back to him, Sakura stood behind her brother this time.
Orochimaru grimaced, but once again lined his kunai up with the target his sister had made for practice and then tossed it with clenched eyes, hearing the disapproving grumble from behind him Orochimaru knew he had messed up.
Throwing her hands in the air, Sakura harrumphed angelically "Ni-san" she started in a warning tone, coming around to face him with her hands fisted on her hips, Sakura ground her teeth when she saw he had his eyes squeezed shut.
Unwilling to face his sisters wrath, Orochimaru sighed "I know I messed up again" he said with a little sigh before loping into the forest to gather the kunai so that Sakura didn't have to, it was the least he could do since she was putting such an effort in to try and teach him how to throw a kunai.
Settling himself in front of the target again, Orochimaru took aim this time exerting control over the force of his swing, it hit a little closer to the center this time and Sakura cheered "You did it Ni-san" she wrapped her little arms around his waist.
"Oh thank the kami" Orochimaru breathed out in relief, his attention shifted when their father poked his head out the door and called them in for bath time, Sakura was taken away first like usual then Orochimaru took his turn.
The nightly ritual was enacted and Sakura dozed into a happy sleep, this time around was going much slower than she thought so she decided that instead of pushing forward like she had before, she would take her time and learn a little more about Orochimaru.