15 • Shenanigans and Sharingans
I can only stare blankly at what's in front of me. Everything around me is muted as I try to process what just happened. I'm mentally over 30 years old. I'm physically better than my peers. I'm theoretically smarter than my peers in knowledge due to ROOT. And yet...
"How the ever loving fuck did I lose?" I mutter in disbelief, the shogi board still the same as it was two minutes ago when Little Deer declared his win. Even now he's smirking in smug success as Blond and Duck argue about which one of them would be better, Bunny tries consoling me, Butterfly continues eating, and Beetle studies the board.
What an embarrassment. Getting shown up by an actual six-year-old.
"That was fun," Shikamaru comments almost lazily, but I can hear the excitement in his tone. "I actually had to try."
"Let's play again," I demand, glaring a little at the smug little shit. "We'll play again and again till I win because fuck damnit, I will win one of these days."
His smirk widens into a genuine grin, a glint lighting in his usual lazy eyes. "You're on," he agrees wholeheartedly, an obvious conviction in his voice.
I don't blame him, not many actual six-year-olds are really interested in shogi and I can't imagine how it must feel to win a game. From what Shikamaru shared as he first explained the rules of the game to all of us, he's only ever played against his father and clan members — all who are older and better than him.
I will win against him one day. That's a fucking promise.
ʕ •̀ o •́ ʔ
It's after school, the academy having just let out, kids still running around the yard and parents still mulling about. I only have a couple of hours before I'm due back at base. Since I'm still with the all civilian class, it's boring as fuck.
"No mama! The books are all wrong! They loved each other! It was forbidden love!"
For the most part.
I bite down on a cackle, happily walking along as I hear more and more of my classmates complain to their parents about history. When I first made up that trashy romance story, I didn't actually think it'd progress so far! And the absolute best part?
"Haruno-san," a very irritated and tired voice calls from behind me. I turn around with the most neutral expression I could have.
"Good afternoon, Fu-chan," I greet with a small smile to his scowl. Behind him stand Princess and Duck. Sasuke looks confused while I can barely make out the amusement in Itachi's expression.
"Would you care to explain why several of my officers have reported that first year civilian academy students have walked up to them to apologize?" He scowls even harder, hands curling into fists. "And just how they came up with the ludicrous idea that my clan's ancestor was..in love with the first Hokage?"
Itachi snorts quietly, Sasuke pales a little but I can see his lips twitching into a smile, and Fugaku is turning red. I can't help the grin that pulls at my lips, only barely holding back my own laughter.
"Ah, I think the idea is that Madara-sama was actually in love with Nidaime-sama. He was only using Hashirama-sama to get to his brother," I correct instead.
Fugaku's expression turns stormy, his eyes very briefly flashing red. He opens his mouth to speak but is quickly interrupted.
"Oh! Uchiha-san!" A civilian woman calls, her daughter pulling her along. I smile and wave at the daughter, someone from my class obviously. She smiles back brightly but quickly turns her attention to Fugaku.
Her expression is somber understanding and I can already see Fugaku connecting the dots in his head. The brief dread on his expression is priceless.
"It's very unfair that you must carry your ancestor's mistakes," she consoles in the only way a six-year-old could. "It's okay. We know. It's the past. It's okay."
I turn away, biting down on my laughter while my shoulders shake from the effort. Sasuke is turning red himself in holding his laughter in with his hands. Itachi is very politely turned away, a hand raised to cover his mouth as he "coughs".
It's only when my classmate leaves, her mother scolding and apologizing all in the same breath as she follows, that I breathe out deeply.
"Don't you know, Fugaku-san?" I question, grinning when he turns to glare at me, suspicious at the use of his real name. "Given a believable enough reason, you seem so much more approachable."
I laugh at the surprised expression he freely shows, quickly running off before he could say anything.
ʕ •̀ o •́ ʔ
Burrowing my head in my folded arms, I fight off a yawn while ignoring my classmates. There's nothing more tiring than getting absolutely no sleep and running drills all night long because Dino-shit decided to try a schedule change. Added to that was the Academy giving some fucking test we had to take which I paid no attention too at all and most likely failed.
It's after-lunch and I couldn't even get a nap during lunch since I promised I'd play with Naruto the day before. I plan on keeping my promises this lifetime, just to change things up. Kinda regretting it now.
"Haruno-san?"
I bite back a groan of frustration, simply lifting my head with the most minimal effort to stare down the teacher at the door. Then I blink because I know this man. Not really, but I know of him.
What does the Brat Posse's teacher want with me?
"They didn't get in trouble and drag me into it, did they?" I mutter through a yawn, already standing up to get the six brats and see what happened now.
Stopping in front of Scarface, I fight back my reflexive derision of smiling men. "Yeah?"
"Your test results are done. You'll be transferring to my class. I'm here to get you," he explains which honestly doesn't explain shit.
"Test? Transferring?" Is that what the test we took earlier today about? That still makes no sense to me.
Scarface only continues smiling, beckoning me to follow him to my supposedly new class. Well fuck. Dino didn't prepare me for this. How the hell am I supposed to explain I'm no longer in a class under his careful watch?
Problem for future me to figure out.
"Lead the way," I murmur, a grin pulling at my lips already. Oh this is going to be fun.
ʕ •̀ o •́ ʔ
When the fuck did I become the responsible one of the group?
"No, Little Blond, you can't pour paint down the toilet."
"Look, I understand your frustration Little Duck, but brutally beating up the people that annoy you isn't going to help. Go break a tree, not the kid's face."
"Maybe you should ask if they want to see the bugs you found before showing them, Little Beetle. That way your little friends won't scurry off when the other kids scream."
"Little Bunny, on any other occasion, I would agree. However, this one time, I'm going to have to say no. Mostly because I don't think we could survive the consequences of insulting the Head of the Merchants Guild's daughter."
"Are you eating enough, Little Butterfly? You explained that you have to eat more than an average civilian and clan kid. Those snacks don't seem like enough."
"Little Deer, while I understand the want and need for naps on a spiritual level, doing so in a tree to escape playing with Little Blond is really unnecessary."
Well, more like, when the fuck did I become somewhat responsible?
"You're gonna want to pour the paint on door handles and other inconvenient places. It'll be funnier."
"Now, if you really want to beat the kid up, wait until we can start sparring in class. You won't get into trouble that way."
"Either way, fuck what those little shits think. You're little friends are interesting and really fucking helpful. If you were the type, I'd suggest hiding some in their possessions to really freak them out."
"However, once we get to the flower language part of those stupid kunochi classes, then you give her a big 'fuck off' bouquet."
"You should really start smuggling in some more snacks. Get the stuff that won't make a lot of noise, then you can really eat in class and throw them at those fuckers that make fun of you."
"The roof would be a better place to nap. Come down and help me steal one of the keys from the teachers. They're ninjas, they honestly don't fucking need them."
Nothing like getting in trouble together to strengthen friendship, right?
ʕ •̀ o •́ ʔ
I stare at the gate separating the Nara clan compound from the rest of the village, rocking on my heels as I wait. The two guards at the gate peer at me curiously but have left me alone when I explained that Shikamaru had invited me over.
It was after class right now, and he invited me during lunch earlier today. I had some "errands" to run but accepted the invitation. He told me to inform the guards on why I was there and wait for him to come grab me. It's been a few minutes since a different clan member left to inform the heir and I'm ready to lay down in the middle of the road for a nap.
Just as I lift a hand to cover a yawn, I notice the approaching figure just behind me. I don't pay them much mind, simply double checking that my chakra is curled protectively around itself.
"Well, hello there," the person greets with a lazy drawl, sounding both confused and interested.
I blink tiredly as I turn around, tilting my head up to look at the rather tall figure of one Nara Shikaku in the face. The reminder of my short stature is almost enough to make me scowl but I only yawn instead.
Glancing at the sky and position of the sun, I politely return the greeting. "Good afternoon."
"What are you doing waiting out here?" He asks curiously but not unfriendly with a raised brow.
"Shikamaru invited me over today," I explain as I continue to sway on my feet in an effort to keep myself awake. Today's early morning training was even more exhausting than usual. The Mask in charge of the training had decided to switch things around by taking us out to a secret terrain to run through without the help of chakra. "Told me to wait here for him."
"My son invited you over?" He questions in surprise, but his eyes are sharp. He purposely told me Shikamaru was his son, probably wanting to see my reaction.
Luckily for the both of us, I'm too tired to act like I normally do around Sasuke's parents and Hinata's father. So I just nod languidly, biting back another yawn. Apparently, just nodding was a good reaction to give because he smirks a little and waves me forward to walk with him.
I pause for only a moment but ultimately shrug and follow behind. If I get murdered for following the Nara Clan Head, then I suppose I get murdered and hopefully buried in their forest. From just observing I can already tell it'd be a great place for a nap. I doubt I'll get murdered but stranger-danger and all that.
Neither of us speak as we walk down the dirt path, the forest looming from both sides. It's peaceful and I close my eyes, trusting my meager chakra sensing skills and hearing to follow Shikaku. The peace is relaxing enough to settle my curled up chakra. It doesn't uncurl but my hold on it isn't as tense.
I open my eyes just as I feel a small chakra signature and hear small footsteps up ahead. Blinking against the sun, I squint to see Shikamaru steadily walking over. He speeds up a little when he catches sight of us but it honestly isn't by much. Naras and their lazy yet genius nature.
"Sakura, Dad," he greets when he meets us from where we stopped.
"Shikamaru, son, you didn't tell me you were having a friend over," Shikaku says, a hidden question within his greeting.
Shikamaru shrugs his shoulders, hands stuffed into his pockets as we all begin walking once again. He walks between his father and I, leaving me to observe the forest a little closer as he responds to the unasked question. "You weren't here to tell. I invited her today at lunch. Mom already knows," the last part is muttered rather mulishly, an odd expression twisting on his face.
Shikaku just nods, accepting the answer as I scrunch my brows together as a sudden question comes to me. "Hey, Little Deer, you never did tell me why I was invited over, not that I mind. It's really peaceful here," I comment, turning to look at him, remembering to slowly uncurl my chakra the more we talk.
"You promised to play shogi with me today but you had to get Naruto out of trouble," he explains, looking the other way.
Ah, I did promise didn't I? And I am trying to keep my promises in this life too. I hum, accepting the explanation as I stretch my arms over my head. What I guess to be the main house comes into sight and suddenly I'm being dragged by my arm.
"Come on, I already set up the board in the back," Shikamaru says as he pulls me into the house, silently instructing me to take off my shoes at the door. The last thing I hear before stumbling after Shikamaru is a quiet chuckle behind me.
I don't glance back, already knowing that it's the Clan Head laughing at us. I do feel another presence around the corner though and curl up my chakra when they step into view. I can only guess that she's Shikamaru's mother from the way the boy skids to a stop in front of her.
Even though he was pulling me along, I easily pulled myself to a stop before I could bump into him. I take in the woman's attire, noting her to be in the same category as Sasuke's mom: a retired shinobi to become a housewife. If I had to guess, I'd say she stopped at chunin level while Mikoto is at least jonin.
"Oh, hello," she smiles at me, crouching down to my level. Points to her for taking my height into consideration. "You must be Sakura-chan. I'm Shikamaru's mother, Yoshino." And points off for the use of an honorific. Though I suppose she can't know that I dislike them.
"Good afternoon," I murmur just as Shikamaru quietly whines for his mother to move out of the way so we could go play shogi. I notice the twitch in her brows and curl my chakra tighter in response, hiding any reaction I could have with a yawn.
Whether the change in my chakra was noticed or not, she stepped out of the way and I was dragged through the house to get my ass beat in shogi.
ʕ •̀ o •́ ʔ
Sitting on top of the desk of the front row, I swing my legs while watching as Naruto writes out sentences on the blackboard. Scarface caught him setting up a new prank and after having Little Blonde dismantle his prank, he also has to stay after class for detention.
"You know you don't have to wait for me, Sakura," the blonde comments, looking at me over his shoulder.
"I have nothing to do and it's not fair to make you do this when the prank wasn't even half-done being set up," I shrug. "Besides, it was my idea of a prank, so I should be getting in trouble too."
With that, I hop off my perch on the table. I walk over next to Naruto, grabbing the chalk straight out of his hands. I ignore his quiet squawk of protest, writing out the sentences he was just doing. He's already got about half the board done so it's not much work for me.
"You'll get in trouble if Iruka-sensei finds out!"
"Then he just won't find out, now will he?"
I don't need to look over to know that Naruto is pouting while crossing his arms. This isn't the first time I've stayed behind with him in detention. I keep telling him it's only fair to share the blame but he refuses to eat me or anyone else in our group out.
If I had to guess, he sees it as if he's selling out a teammate to the enemy. Which...makes sense actually and is good practice, but still! He doesn't need to take the punishments by himself.
"...thanks," he quietly whispers as I finish the last sentence.
Rolling my eyes, I turn around to give him a grin. "I took an oath, remember?"
He wipes at his eyes with his sleeve, looking at me a bright grin. "Yeah. Friends till the end."
ʕ •̀ o •́ ʔ
I just finished some "errands" and am bloody exhausted. I'm currently making my way back towards the Academy where my favorite napping spot is at. I'm passing by the back of school when a sound catches my attention. I look over to see a group of boys, a few from my new class and a couple from my old one. Surprisingly, Shikamaru and Choji are there too.
How curious, normally Shikamaru would head home as soon as possible for a nice long nap. It isn't often that he sticks around after school, and when he does it's usually because Naruto pestered him into it. But looking around, there's no sunshine blonde hopping about.
I walk over to see what's going on, catching a few words that make me frown. I stop just short of revealing myself, watching as the group of civilian boys walk away. One of them calls for Shikamaru and I almost scoff. As if the young Nara is going to hang out with people that just insulted his best friend.
I watch as Choji walks off without Shikamaru but don't worry too much about it. It's clear to see that the young Akimichi needs a little space after the confrontation. Deciding to leave Shikamaru to take care of the problem, I follow after the Little Butterfly.
I'm not surprised to find him heading to the roof of the school building. It's often empty up here since not many know about it. It's also my favorite napping spot.
I don't stay hidden for long, just enough for Choji to calm down. Stepping into view, he looks up and blinks at me in surprise. I walk over while stretching my arms over my head.
"I saw what happened," I admit as I close my eyes and lay down in front of the bench he's sitting on, making sure my position has the sun able to hit me for as long as possible. "Don't listen to those jerks, Choji. They aren't your friends and they're opinion shouldn't matter to you."
It's quiet after that but not uncomfortable. I can feel two separate signatures heading this way, one is Shikamaru and the other is a shinobi by the way they're taking the roof-route. They stick the landing softly and I peek open one eye to find, who I can only assume, is Choji's dad.
I close my eye and curl my chakra the closer he gets. I can hear him take a seat next to Choji. The two talk for some time quietly and I force myself not to instinctively eavesdrop. I focus instead on the small approaching chakra.
Shikamaru arrives just as the two Akimichi finish talking. I hear him stop in front of Choji first. The two talk for a moment but I don't pay it much attention. Already I can feel myself drift off a little, the comfortable silence making it easy.
Then someone nudges me with their foot.
I open my eyes a little to glare at them because how fucking dare they interrupt the only comfortable sleep I'm getting. Shikamaru just smirks at me, Choji sheepishly smiling behind him. The older Akimichi chuckles from just behind them.
"The fuck you want?" I mumble through a yawn, not bothering to move.
"We're gonna go eat at one of Choji's family restaurants," Shikamaru explains. "You coming?"
I hum, thinking about it. On one hand, free and good food. On the other hand, uninterrupted sleep. One look back at the two brats has me sighing and picking myself off the floor.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go."
ʕ •̀ o •́ ʔ
The school year is ending, final exams are coming up, Little Blond is panicking, Dino is starting to get frustrated, Sushi has been around less often, Princess' stress lines are getting deeper, Little Duck is getting moodier— basically, shit is going to hit the fan soon and I don't want to be here for it.
Unfortunately, I will be here for it if my new training schedule is anything to go by. Weight training has been added because that's definitely within a seven-year-old's capabilities. Speed training has increased, just this time Weapon training has been added to the mix. Stealth has been put on the back burner so I could focus more on my Medical training (if you can even call it that).
Tensions within the Uchiha Clan have been rising the past year, seemingly more agitated everytime I visit — not sure if that's because I'm visiting, or if something is going on. The romance re-make of history I did at the start of the school year has, very surprisingly, picked up speed. Some of the more, ah, hardcore fans have started conspiracies and somehow gotten some adults into it. It's mostly all civilians but no one is really stopping it, so...yeah, tensions could be about that.
Whoops?
My friendship with the clan heirs is going well despite wanting to keep far away from them, thus keeping Dino as far away as possible. I'm still only friends with Naruto, Sasuke, Hinata, Shikamaru, Choji, and Shino. The Yamanaka and Inuzuka clan heirs are much more sociable and liked so they have their own grouping of friends. Luckily, I haven't been pressured into meeting them yet, so that's a relief.
I haven't had the chance to meet the other people that I vaguely know become important in the future. I see them in passing during my morning commute from the house to the Academy, or even during the few free hours I have when class lets out. I am officially unavailable for the weekends though, a simple lie of spending time with Kizashi since he's so busy. The reality is all day training.
It only really really results in me being a lot more tired during the day, making it difficult to pay attention in class. I've succumbed to taking naps during lectures when I can, subtly jolting awake when I can feel Scarface about to pick on me to answer his questions, pay attention, or wake up. Yay for two lifetimes of trauma building my spatial awareness so finely.
And boo for the brats taking notice and mentioning it to their parents. I've already had Mikoto gently question me on my sleeping habits; Prick (I still don't know his name) subtly asked over my well-being; Shikaku and Yoshina stare me down during a dinner I was invited to; Chōza (as he introduced himself during lunch when we first met) suggesting different meals to help with insomnia; Itachi stare at me worriedly; and Shisui smile at me as his eyes were nothing but concern during the few times he's around.
I appreciate the concern but it's not like they can really do anything about it. However, is is nice to know that not all adults are stupid or fuck-ups. My last and current sperm-donor should take some fucking notes.
As it is, things are picking up speed and it won't be good or pretty.
Sushi, the resident curly-haired Uchiha, has gotten increasingly busy this last year, being around less often. I can also tell by the tension lining his shoulders that he's stressed beyond belief. I have suspicions but nothing really concrete to look further into it. If Danzō wants me involved then he'll throw me at the problem. For now, there's nothing I can do without risking my position.
It fucking sucks and there isn't anyone I can reasonably stab to vent out my frustrations.
Actually, now that I think about it, I should probably be concerned that hurting someone is the first thing I think of doing to relieve stress. It's not like I had therapy in my first life and I sure as fuck can't afford it here, if this place even offers therapy. But it's not like I'm going to stab the first person there is, so it's probably fine.
Probably.
Sometimes you live twice and just gotta love the double trauma.
ʕ •̀ o •́ ʔ
Did I write this because I have no idea what I'm doing and just want to start the Uchiha Massacre arc? Yes, yes I did.
Not sure if you caught it but this chapter is a time skip of a full year so Sakura is 7 now. Last chapter she was 6 because she was first starting the Academy.
Anyway, it's a few days late but Happy New Years everyone! I hope this year treats you and yours well. Stay safe!
NOTE: this is written in Anna/Sakura's pov therefore it's written in a way to showcase her limited knowledge of Naruto as well as the way she deals with trauma (as in, not acknowledging it and the reasons behind certain actions or non-actions) + there's a lot of things going on that she doesn't know/is unaware of, therefore you the readers don't know either, so i would appreciate it if questions regarding that would stop being asked, thank you. I do have a plan (well, more like half-baked plan) to address that information, though it'll be awhile before I make a decision on anything.
Alright that's all, thank you for reading and I hope you liked it!