Two things:

1. I'll be pausing for a bit after this update to update other stories. I'm running out of steam and would rather not ruin this one since I'm enjoying it so far. I should be back to it in about a week, two weeks at tops.

2. In response to one comment: Most ships are still undecided, but I do already have a few relationships that are LGBTQ planned for later. This is fair warning. When the time comes, if anyone is homophobic, they will be ignored.

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Sasuke was ready to get this done, the young Uchiha decided as he stood across from Hinata. The two had formed the seals of confrontation, preparing for the spar as Iruka spoke. "Ready? Begin!"

He wasted no time, leg moving to strike the opponent's side as soon as the match had begun. The movement was matched equally, Hinata's own leg blocking without hesitance. A distant sting welled up as they struck each other, hand moving up to strike her shoulder as they started falling into rhythm.

Her shoulder was struck, but at the cost of his own arm being caught. Pulling him forward, she delivered a strike to the head, his own body twisting and turning to sweep the girl's leg despite the brief moment of disorientation. As her leg was swept, she went to the side, losing balance for barely a moment. By the time Sasuke was moving in for a second hit, the Hyuuga heiress had already gathered herself and was able to block with ease.

That was always the thing about sparring with Hinata-- her balance and defense were hard to get around. Sasuke found himself delivering hit after hit, his usual quick and offensive style a fair match for Hinata's strong defenses. Their fighting styles were a reflection of their clan-- the Uchiha and the Hyuuga.

Though Sasuke had little clan to left to look good for, he wasn't about to throw the match. Especially against the Hyuuga. He didn't have a problem with Hinata personally, but it was common sense that she should be defeated in honor of his clan. The young Uchiha wouldn't be surprised if her thoughts were the same as his. As such, it wasn't a wonder as their strikes went on for even longer than the other groups.

Sasuke moved in for the attack time and time again, moving quickly as he worked to break past her strong defense. Occasionally, she would strike him, causing a momentary shift in the defense. While the strikes hurt, he barely noticed. Instead, his focus shifted to the opening that was left. As soon as she got a move in, he would get one in turn. This went on for a while, up until Sasuke found just the right moment. Just a blow was delivered to his shoulders, forcing him back a bit at the force, he was able to get in a hit. Hinata's arm, which was still out from the blow, was kicked upwards.

His arm hurt as he turned, arm swinging to strike her down while she was unsteadied. A small squeak left her as she tumbled down, Sasuke pausing over top of her as the spar came to a halt. Breathing out of pace, sweat made his bangs cling slightly to his face. Remaining over her for only a moment longer, Sasuke stepped back. She had bruises up and down her arms that matched his own, large lavender eyes blinking lightly as the Hyuuga nodded in defeat.

Hinata stood with a tired look as Iruka praised, "Very good, you two. Now, the seal of reconciliation." he urshed, Hinata stepping forward with her fingers crooked. Sasuke did the same, the two performing the seal quickly so that they could have their injuries taken care of. Iruka prepared to patch them both up, the others already having been tended to. Sasuke watched as Hinata was treated first, Iruka then turning to wave him over. "You next, come on."

"I can do it myself." Sasuke huffed slightly, but moved towards Iruka nonetheless. He could hear giggling sounding off from Sakura and Ino, the ravenet puffing a singular cheek up as he was turned round and round, Iruka taking care of his injuries just like he had everyone else.

Sasuke pointedly didn't respond when Iruka sighed, "I know, I know." his hands working quickly on the young boy. Sasuke's pout didn't leave his face even as Iruka stood. It only faltered when he saw Shikamaru out of the corner of his eye. He swiftly looked away, moving to follow after Iruka. No pouting, he huffed at himself. He was going to be a shinobi. Shinobi don't pout. They scowl.

Right, that was it. Just as his cheek returned to normal, he furrowed his brows, tilted his head back, and followed Iruka with a scowl. Hearing one of Shikamaru's exaggerated sighs, Sasuke merely crossed his arms, following Iruka inside. What did Shikamaru think he was looking at?

They made way through the hallways together, the day having finally begun to come to an end. They were led outside after one final count-through, Iruka letting them stop by the classroom before waving them off as the class began to pour out the front gates. Sasuke stood near the school entrance, watching silently. Even if they were being let out a bit early, some adults had already been waiting outside.

Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji each went one way as per usual. He watched them chatter on, the young Uchiha standing with his hands awkwardly in front of him. Naruto and Shino had begun making their way home, walking out of the gate separately. Then came someone who looked like Sakura, probably her mother. He looked elsewhere to avoid staring, only to catch sight of Hinata being picked up by an elder clansmen. Sasuke's head ducked, arms crossing as he leaned on the school building. It was only a matter of time before Tobira came. No need to head off just yet.

He stayed there, doing his best to ignore the fact that Iruka was still there. He seemed preoccupied with talking to one of the other sensei, though. While Sasuke stood against the school building, Kiba had taken to sitting on the ground and letting Akamaru jump at him. It seemed the dog's patience had worn thin from having to sit still all day, and was now taking the chance to bark and yip happily at its master. Sasuke was sure Kiba was petting it, even if he didn't look over to check.

"You're still here." He heard Kiba's voice, merely nodding in reply. He wasn't really used to speaking to the other outside of a few remarks here and there, so it was hard to know what exactly he was getting at. Silence was apparently the wrong answer, the brunette snorting at him as he nodded. "How come? Don't you usually go home right away?"

Well, that was true. Usually, he left the school right away. Even before...everything...he usually either went straight to the training grounds or compound. Occasionally, the store. Regardless, he supposed it was weird for him to be here still. Today was different, though. Today he was waiting, just like Tobira had said. He'd stay right here and wait. "Yeah, usually."

Sasuke glanced over at Kiba, watching the other sit on the ground with his dog on his lap. Normally, he'd leave it at that. It was none of Kiba's business why he stayed. For some reason, though, the shinobi-in-training felt a strange want to explain further. He had a clansman. A clansman that was going to come pick him up. Eyes lingered on the puppy which was staring up at him only briefly. The ravenet turning to look forward again, explaining in an almost sheepish tone, "...But I'm waiting for someone today. A clansman of mine is going to pick me up." a weird sense of pride swelled in Sasuke's chest as he spoke, "His name's Tobira. He's from Kiri."

"Woah. Kiri, that's the mist, right?" Kiba asked, holding onto Akamaru as did so. The brunet was petting the animal, no longer looking up at Sasuke. "Isn't Kiri supposed to have a bunch of awesome shinobi or something? Is he a good fighter?"

Well, Sasuke wasn't sure, but it seemed like it. "I haven't seen him fight yet, but he's definitely strong." nodding as if to reaffirm his point. "He's really fast, and can hide pretty good. Plus he's really smart. It's like he knows everything I'm thinking, he's so good at knowing things."

Kiba snorted at this, Sasuke blinking as the other stood from his spot, holding Akamaru in his arms. "Really? If he's that strong, maybe he has a jutsu or something that lets him hear what you're thinking!"

Eyes widening at this, Sasuke scowled and stood a little straighter. "I didn't mean it for real. There's no way someone could read minds if they aren't a Yamanaka or something." he spoke confidently, though his voice had an edge of uncertainty to it. "Besides, I don't want him to know exactly what I'm thinking. That's weird." flustering only slightly at the idea. He had made it feel awkward enough yesterday, he really hoped Tobira hadn't been able to hear all his thoughts. That'd be horrible! He shook his head, "Plus, he said yesterday that he couldn't read minds! Just take his best guess."

"Sounds exactly what a mind reader would say." Kiba pointed out, looking as though he were thinking hard on it. "Maybe you can test it? Think something, like a question? Or talk a lot in your head and see if he looks like he notices?"

Sasuke blinked. Kiba was right. That was just what a mind reader would say. Maybe he did have a jutsu or kekki genkai that let him hear what he was thinking? "Well, maybe." the young Uchiha spoke uncertainly. "But he always has this super serious look on. Shinobi are supposed to be unreadable. How would I tell?"

Kiba only shrugged, "You're supposed to be Mr. Genius, aren't you? I'm sure you'll see something. If he doesn't admit to it, everyone's gotta lose their temper eventually. Just keep doing it until he tells you to stop."

"I'm not making him mad at me just to check and see if he's able to read minds." Sasuke deadpanned, arms crossed as he spoke. Maybe he could just ask him? No, that'd be weird.

The other wasn't much help, the young Inuzuka speaking with amusement, much to Sasuke's annoyance. "Guess you'll never find out, then."

Unsettled but not sure how else to argue with that, Sasuke merely gave a low huff as they returned to the silence. They stood side by side, Iruka having headed in by now. People were still leaving their classrooms, though the flow from the school had begun to slow as more and more people got picked up.

It didn't take long for a woman to appear, all but barking at Kiba as she spotted him, "Hey, time to go." her facial markings easily marking her as a member of the Inuzuka clan. The large dog by her side didn't hurt, either. She seemed pretty tall to Sasuke, but then again, everyone did.

"Comin', comin'," Kiba spoke from beside him, the brunet heading over with Akamaru. His voice had carried hints of forced annoyance as he ran over to the woman. The boy only paused briefly to turn around and give a half-hearted wave goodbye. The dog-lover merely gave a simple, "See ya." before disappearing after the woman. Sasuke only nodded in turn, waving ever so slightly as he watched the two head off on their own. He could feel the woman's eyes on him, but ignored her out of awkwardness.

Tobira appeared not long after. It was four minutes past three when the silver-haired man came into view, stopping just as he reached the front gate. Sasuke perked up as he finally came into view, the young Uchiha holding onto his backpack as he began speed walking towards him. Tobirama still had that serious expression on, the one that reminded Sasuke so much of his father. Even so, it was...different? He wasn't sure how to explain it, nor would he try to. For now, he was content to just have Tobira. Even if he did seem a bit scary.