Aju's POV

I was wondering if Hotaru got to Sakura all night, which left me in a lack of sleep. The reason I convinced Kirayari to pester Hotaru with me, is the sole reason I knew who Kimi confessed to. Judging by the number of girls crowding around her, she got rejected and told everyone. If I knew anything about that girl she'd switch her focus on the next person, she enjoyed preying on the boys who were seen talking to someone with higher status than her.

"Sakura-chan?" Naruto's boisterous speech caused many to groan, after explaining to him she wasn't present he went to bother Shinobu. "Gosh, if Sakura isn't present that means Hotaru must've failed." Hotaru was key in this element, Sakura didn't have any envy towards her at least not that I've noticed. Sucking in my lower lips, I let out a mental scream. Of course, she envied her! Sasuke had eyes on Hotaru and Sakura knew that, feeling a bit ashamed of my lack of critical thinking I sulked back into my seat.

Seeing as Hotaru entered the classroom, I fought down the compulsion to pounce her and beg for the answers. Like a respectable young lady, I waited until she sat down to rush her. Appearing before her eyes like a dragonfly, I gave my best charming smile. "Sooooo, Hotaru-chan...care to explain in detail what happened?"

Listening to her let out a displeased groan, I watched as she turned to face me. "In short, she threw a bowl at me, and then Fukō bothered me after." My smile didn't flatter, but my mind wandered. Turns out one of them got to her, this put a damper on things. She wasn't in class, nor was the one mentioned. Did he take advantage of her? Putting away the worse image, and bidding a farewell to Hotaru I went back to my seat. "If Fukō got to her then Masuo also got to her, now who is worse out of them?" My gut was telling me Fukō, but my mind went over to Masuo. "Shit, she said Fukō helped her which means he's in the clear." No, the time they separated could play a huge variable. Glancing at Hotaru once more, I recalled her grouchy tone. Perhaps, I should question him when he came in?

No, I had to intercept him before. Getting up from my seat, I walked down the set of stairs before exiting the classroom. The best option was nothing happened and I was worrying over something trivia, now the graver...she was being toyed with. Allowing other students to pass by, I looked at the porcelain walls. I lost track of time, the class didn't start, or at least an adult hasn't made their way in. It hadn't occurred to me that he may be a no-show, which would put more pressure on him.

Seeing that odd white hair around the corner, I started stepping in that direction. In no time, our paths crossed putting me in front of him. "Hello, I have a question." I couldn't bring myself to smile when looking at those disturbing silver eyes, maybe if I knew this guy more I could smile like I usually do? The initial trial went down the drain as he pushed by me like I was a folding door. My hand latched onto his arm, I was taken back a bit by the muscle he had on his pale skin. "Why are you stalking Sakura? What do you want from her?"

"I don't want anything from her, I take it Hotaru told you she was hurt yesterday?" My grip on his arm loosened, the positive was he sounded sincere. The negative, was that's all he was worried about. Subconsciously, I started to squeeze his arm my strength flowing out as I used my brain. "Can you let go you, clueless bastard? You're going to break my arm." Whispering the first part underneath his breath, the male started to move his arm my hand stuck to him like glue.

"S-sorry," Removing the hold I had on him, my lips parted, "What were you saying?" As he rubbed his arm, I couldn't help but feel a tad guilty. "After helping Hotaru what did you do?" It was all I could ask despite the rising situation.

"Went home, I don't like dealing with things that annoy me." His words ran around me, it echoed in my head and jumped in my blood. It was too simplistic, he had to be telling the truth I couldn't get a good read on him but I had a feeling if I kept pestering him something would happen.

"T-thanks for your time, class is going to start soon." Cursing at myself for bowing, when I came up he was gone. Well, that eliminated one person from the list. Maybe my intuition was wrong and everything was fine? Following the steps back to the class, I stopped only to swat a fly buzzing around my face. "Annoying little pest."

Making it back to the classroom, Mia was standing in the spot where the instructor usually directed us. Funny enough, it fit her character. "For the remainder of this period, we will be alone since Jiei-sama had something to take care of, with this in mind he's been tasked with rearranging the random seating arrangements. Since he is busy, he passed down the small mission onto me and I took in what would work best for everyone." Mia cleared her throat before continuing, "When your name is called you will take the front seat and move horizontally." Her stern gaze got everyone to listen, and thus the new seating started.

"Aju, Kiyoshi, and Naruto for the first table." I wasn't upset with my seat, Naruto was nearby and Kiyoshi was too. One didn't talk at all, and the other could keep up it was the perfect way to chip at that mold Kiyoshi had. It didn't take long to get in the seat, the two boys following right in line the frown on Naruto's face causing a giggle to come out.

Completely disregarding the Sakura predicament, I couldn't help but greet myself. "Long time no talk Kiyoshi, hehe." Waving although being right next to him, I couldn't help but cheese. "Even if time flew by, you're still the same quiet kid everyone knows...but," Clapping my hands together, I wiggled closer to the boy. "You're more vibrant, you made a friend huh?" Wiggling my eyebrows I already knew he wasn't going to respond but, this was nice.

"Aju-chan, you need to leave him alone! You know he only talks when he feels like it." Watching his eyebrow twitch at Naruto's words, I nudged the male in the middle.

Kiyoshi stayed as silent as a buddha monk, I knew it wouldn't last long in the month we had left both of us would wear him down. His lips parted, and my eyes widened I was expecting some words but as I witnessed a yawn I could feel a tick mark appear on my forehead, Mia's next step of seats came out which more or less surprised the class.

"Shinobu, Seiko, and In-" Before she could finish the class shook with Ino's complaints.

"HELL NO, you cannot put me near creepazoid and octopus hair! I-I want to change!" Ino didn't mind all the eyes on her, she was more worried about her future with Sasuke, she knew Mia wouldn't put personal revelations in making the list, but she wanted to desperately fight for another seating. Her voice was met with a questioning gaze from Mia, and I found myself stifling a laugh. It was cute seeing Ino so flustered over a seat.

"Next up, Masuo and Hotaru with Sasuke." Now, there was the surprise. I was expecting her to be stationed with the two. "Following them will be Kiba, Hinata, and Shino." I turned around looking at the few fill-up empty tables, Masuo rushed into the class late and Mia directed him only for him to run into Fukō. They exchanged a few words before he got to his seat.

"Kirayari, me, and Sakura," Mia watched as Kirayari waddled to her seat, Sakura wasn't present and she had to finish speaking about the chart before. "Shikamaru, Choji, accompanied by Akira."

"Who is Akira?" I was the first to rise at the new name, and obviously, if I took a second to think I would've known it was a new student.

"A student that is getting a late admission, they will start around next week," Mia explained dutifully, before placing the paper on the table. "Kimi, Fukō and Braxton."

After finishing off the list, the tables were rightfully claimed the only missing students were Sakura and the new kid. Looking around the room, I couldn't help but feel the awkward atmosphere. Everyone was out of place, and the room was quiet...well besides Kirayari talking down Mia. Masuo was trying to go back to sleep, and Shinobu was trying to get Naruto's attention while Seiko calmed an angry Ino.

Fukō was reading some book, while Kimi fixed herself. Hotaru was doing the same old, with Sasuke minding his business. Maybe, it wasn't the new seats. It was our lacking adult? I haven't let it sunk in but Iruka was out of commission until he awoke, he was my favorite teacher. Sure, I adored Jiei's class but Iruka was a better educator overall. I haven't found time to visit him, and today I was free...thinking about it slightly maybe giving him a flower will boost his recovery.

No one's POV

"So, here we are. After going through all that, we are still alive." Mia wasn't thinking when she put herself right here, her eardrums were bleeding from how much was said in the short amount of time. She couldn't help wonder if Kirayari had a wine-up tool planted on her back, the endless energy was beyond tiring. "I think I understand, why you put these groups in this order." Mia had to hand it to her, she wasn't lacking in becoming a ninja; she respected her abilities but being known as a carrot girl put a damper on her image. "Kiyoshi being put in the middle of the two will..." Zoning out for a second, Mia couldn't help but keep quiet. Kirayari was wrong, she simply placed them down; the only one she thought about was keeping Hotaru near Sasuke. She was assured of her process, of Hotaru growing with him around. Coming back to reality, she brushed some of her bangs too, "I think it's admirable that you put so much thought into it."

"I didn't." It was the honest truth, "I was responsible for figuring out the seating situation for order, and I did it according to how Jiei-sama will work best with." Kirayari felt a little stupid for forcing herself to believe the top student put more effort in than she let on, still being next to someone with such status was amazing. Mia turned to view Kimi pestering the one person it wouldn't work on, a breath of relief coming out. "So, Kirayari care to explain why they call you carrot girl?" She never understood the endless amount of bullying directed at the girl, sure her clan was part of the problem but they refrained from bullying Sasuke.

As the two conversed, or more so one listened Kimi didn't stop trying to get Fukō's attention. "So, tell me again what you are doing when a teacher isn't around?"

"Studying, this is going to come in handy sooner rather than later." Kimi didn't understand this weirdo, she thought he was cool caused he ditched and didn't care what others said but here he was studying.

"You've been hanging around Hotaru too long, you haven't been acting like this bad boy everyone knows...maybe you should get away from that whore before it's too late?" Tapping his arm Kimi couldn't help but snicker at her analogy.

Clicking his tongue, he stopped his reading. "Whore?" Placing the book against the wood, white bangs cascaded over his eyes. "Why do you think that?"

Sitting up straight she pointed down where the woman in question was, "She knows everything she is doing, you see how Sasuke keeps looking over to see what she's doing? She's even giving him room to do that, that's what my mom calls a whore." He didn't think she was doing that on purpose, he knew she was simply immersed in the book she had. Kimi finding her words weren't working took it up a notch, "When you weren't here, they were seen together all the time...they even went somewhere together private."

She was trying to get a rise out of him, she wanted to see him doing something unorthodox. "Whatever she does on her own time doesn't affect me, she and I aren't even friends." Kimi's head turned her eyes boring into his own, she had a knack for messing with people...she honed this skill for years so why wasn't it working on him? He was keeping a cool exterior but on the inside, he was most likely angered, it was what she thought.

"Friends? Sure, whatever you want to tell yourself loser." Breaking away from the contact, she kept trying to poke at Fukō. Unfortunate for her fun the male stopped responding and commenced on the book again, "Gosh, even I can get Mia but you must be a real creep...are you a p.e.r.v.e.r.t? It makes sense if you are," Snickering at her own revelation she leaned back into the seat this would be for some good gossip.

Fukō ear's twitched with the sound of a crack, meaningless words would always stem from an idiot's mouth. If she wanted to see him as a pervert he'd allow it, he didn't care, after all, he had the upper hand overall.

The classroom was soon fueled by the sheer amount of noise going around, some children yelling around the room while others started throwing paper balls only for Mia to condemn them to pick it back up.

Shinobu being one of the prominent ones to start the whole altercation tossed a paper ball at Naruto which in return got a dozen thrown back, only one hitting the target while the rest flew around the room.

In the midst of all that happened, no adult showed up and as the bell rang, most of the students left the room. Mia was one to stay back, cleaning up the mess her classmates made. She found herself cursing under her breath with each paper ball she picked up, she figured she was alone her dainty fingers scooped up another ball of paper before she swayed towards the other person remaining. Upon getting closer she noticed the book, her memory outlining the edges of the cover. "Why do you have Masuo's book?"

Fukō didn't reply to the female, he wasn't entitled to. She was the class leader of sorts, and with her knowing who the book belongs to; bought up a new problem. She was working against him at this point, the distaste they had for each other was vibrant. The last time they had a decent conversation being months, even then he figured she was being nice to make conversation.

"Let's not sugarcoat this, you and I both know that you shouldn't have that in your possession." Mia held her hand out, her eyes not showing a hint of backing down. She figured some punishment was in order, so it was only responsible for him to help clean. "Last time we spoke, I said something about how you could become a true shinobi. I'm not taking it back, I was honest. That doesn't mean I like you if anything. You're a parasite with no social clues and you affect anyone around you." The boy that was being cornered closed the book, standing. He towered above the female. 'Is he trying to intimidate me?'

Placing the book in her hand Fukō pinched the bridge of his nose, "You don't have to say anything, you're going to force me to clean." He would've fancied more time with the book but he got what he wanted, bending over his hand took ahold of some paper. Masuo's strange obsession was beneficial for him.

Mia turned watching the strange boy clean, she didn't question why he was reading the book. He didn't answer why he had it either, the possibilities were endless. If Masuo wasn't making a fuss about it then he either didn't know yet or knew. "You are a waste of talent," Her blunt words, didn't show any effects on Fukō, both of them continued to clean. One even going as far as to make sure the teacher's desk is tidy.

xXx

Masuo struggled to stay awake, he didn't get much sleep last night he ended up scribbling endless notes into his book about Sakura. She had some newfound weakness, exploiting it wasn't something he'd look forward to. Despite, being in a half-awake state. He had the time to bother Seiko about his surgical mask. "You shouldn't be able to breathe that well, what are you hiding?" Oozing his head closer, Masuo's breath tickled the male's ear.

Seiko quickly relocated himself, finding the distance safe enough to answer he rubbed his chest. "I-I don't feel comfortable explaining why I wear an m-mask." It was memories the warm boy didn't want to recall, still; this reaction was better than everyone calling him sickly or nasty. His deathly skin complexion was the butt of jokes. Everyone and anyone that wanted to take a jab at him used it. Masuo's fingertips caught the wavy chaotic pale grey hair, his fingers twisting the strands. Seiko wanted to question how he got so close in a matter of seconds, but he couldn't find the words.

Masuo let go and bought his head back towards Seiko, his lips inches away from the surgical mask. "What will it take for you to tell me?" Light-brown eyes caught the faint tint of red dusting Seiko's ears, he took time to study the warm child before, and at night was the best spot for answers. Seiko called himself a monster multiple times in his slumber, which only made him more interested. If Masuo had a grasp on Seiko's capabilities he would've yanked the mask off, but that would most likely end badly for him.

"I-I'm sorry, I just don't feel comfortable." Speaking up, the male dipped his head away from the boy growing closer. Masuo wanted to press onwards, but Mia suddenly came up to him with his book in hand. He didn't even know he lost it, he had it on him before he entered the classroom. How could he have lost it and not notice? Thanking her and taking the book, he quickly left the shy boy alone. Skimming through each page of the book to make sure nothing was missing, it slipped his mind to ask where she got it. His lack of sleep was putting him in bad positions all around.

Not noticing any oddities in his book, the tension in his shoulders released. The condition was still flawless which led him to believe Mia found it and quickly gave it up, praying for her kindness he kept the item in his grip. The next person to stop him being Aju and she had a look of determination on her features.

"What did you do to Sakura?" The question was reasonable to him, giving her absence Aju was suspecting him or Fukō had a part to play in everything. Aju was one of the simpler people in the academy, so a rational explanation wouldn't work he'd have to be direct.

"Nothing, I dropped by her house to deliver her flowers." He still opted for the truth, he wouldn't gain anything new by lying. If anything Aju would know before he could brush past her; the dainty slim palm hit his shoulder the pain almost enough to render him unconscious. "I-I'm serious, you can stop by her house and ask." With his ending statement, he was freed, the small girl giving a bright smile before moving. "Gosh, crazy girl."

Hotaru's POV

Looking in the mirror, I kept my hand up so my hair wouldn't hide the velvet bandaid. Now, I could've easily asked someone to heal the minor wound but I didn't think it was necessary. Yesterday's events flashed through my mind, I had the tendency to overthink; which explains why I came to the conclusion he must've liked me. He never gave me an answer, but his laugh was enough to silence that thought. Still. it was odd. Why was he around me? In school, I understand, but outside? Taking in we had a decent conversation for a first like it was nothing was also out of place we were normally quiet around each other, perhaps we were taking in each other subconsciously? Removing my hand, my hair fell back down to hide the small wound. Sakura snapped, that much was obvious. I was the last straw, and her words were full of anger. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't control Sasuke, and hell if I knew why he was looking at me at times.

Finding my time in the bathroom wasteful, I quickly turned on the faucet; the cold liquid running around my hands as soap was involved. I wouldn't be in class in the upcoming days, I had clan agendas to take care of since my elder was busy with whatever. I figured he just wanted me to attempt this small thing on my own, but even I knew it would end in a failure. Turning the water off, my feet carried me towards the door. I didn't have to tell anyone I wasn't going to be here, thinking about what was coming up made me annoyed. Leaving the room, I followed through to my new favorite spot. It was quiet and peaceful, sitting on the bench. I cracked open the scroll, I haven't had as much time to study or even read new material; someone was always there to bother me.

It seems humans weren't the only thing inclined to bother me, some fly was annoyingly buzzing around my ear. I tried to ignore it, but that wasn't going to work out. Using the back of my hand, I swatted the damn thing only for it to move and buzz more. Trying once more, I couldn't help but loosen up as it moved away in fear for its life. Going back to my scroll, I smiled. Yet, it disappeared right as someone gracefully entered my personal space. Aju was grinning like a mad man, with Kirayari right behind her a sorta scowl mixed with a smile on her lips. Something like this happened before, a sense of deja vu washed over me and I felt like running.

"I am going to say sorry to start," Aju placed her hands together and bowed which made Kirayari smack her lips together, the formal gesture was sure to give people the wrong impression. "I should've figured to give Sakura some room until she felt the time was right...instead it blew over at us." Nodding to her words, I kept my eyes on the scroll.

"Hotaru, spar with me." The harsh tone didn't tear me away from my study if anything it pushed me more into it. "Don't ignore me! Y-You b-." Catching herself, Kirayari calmed down. "You must be really stuck up, at first I was thinking you weren't but it all makes sense as to why you hardly respond to people and help everyone; you know you are better...gah!" Flipping out, I looked up at Kirayari only to sigh. She was wrong, about everything.

"I don't want to battle, it's not in my best interest." I failed to realize how she would interpret it, in hindsight I should've reasoned with her, but seeing how she was at the start only meant anything I said would've got her angry.

"Aju, there isn't no use in apologizing to this brat." Kirayari forcefully grabbed onto the slender girl's hand, watching Aju get dragged away, the bell rang which signaled me to stand and get ready.

Taijutsu class was in session, and Jiei was now present, he wasn't the only one at that. Many of the Jonin were here, for what reason I could only say scouting. "Alright, listen up. We have some special guests today, they already put together some battles that will take place; they allowed jutsu but no weaponry, If you are injured or unable to work at full percent please inform me before starting." Jiei looked around the room for a moment before starting with the first four names, "Aju and Mia, versus Masuo and Fukō." It was a fight, I was interested in seeing it actually, they were both promising but I had my money on Mia's team. Still, I was silently rooting for

Fukō.

xXx

(On the stage)

The two girls took the stage followed by the boys, it was an unfair matchup. Everyone knew this.

Masuo glanced at Fukō, they would need a good plan to win this. "Listen, I can put both of them in a Genjutsu or at least one; we stand no chance if we fight both of them, we lessen the ranks. Mia would be harder in the spectrum of things, plus putting Aju under will give us ample time before she figures out what's going on. I'll let you in on a secret, Aju can't use ninjutsu, or at least from what I gathered. You will need to draw me enough time though." Masuo was asking a lot of someone who was on the fences about everything.

Fukō looked over to where his brother stood, "I can buy you enough time, or at least try."

Mia and Aju didn't conversate once, and the match started. Masuo leaped backward, his hands coming together as he focused chakra all around his body.

Fukō cracked his neck, there was no possible way for him to win. The rules stated that lethal moves shouldn't be allowed, but with Jonin watching everything was just about going. Well, that was before he mapped out the key to winning. It was scummy and dishonorable, and he even hated the thought of trying something like this. It would make him a target.

xXx

(In the stands)

I watched unaware of what was happening, but from my point of view it looked like Masuo was going to be channeling his chakra while Fukō played defender; how could he defend against Mia and Aju was something I was curious about, still, it wasn't like they would allow that. Mia most likely caught on already and plan to leave Aju to Fukō, then again he wasn't dumb at all if he purposely stalls Mia and tries for Aju's attention it could work by luck. Well, if he didn't do any of that he could always exploit that they were girls. Ripping apart a piece of clothing will stall them if not make them forfeit, but he would get labeled as a pervert. Comdiecally, I felt that he would go down that path.

"Hotaru-chan, who do you have your money on?" Naruto's voice kicked up, the smart choice was Mia and Aju. It actually was the most logical and would most likely win, so why when my mouth opened I said the opposite team?

"Fukō and Masuo are going to win this because he has a different look on his face." My finger pointed directly at the male with white hair, I could tell even; he was taking this seriously. My lips curved upwards into a smile, I felt a small tingle of joy.

Omake

My wrist flicked along the thin paper, the ink staining the white sheet in graceful handwriting. The sun came from the wooden window frame, the plant lying on the edge getting its nutrients. A smile basked onto my face, as my mind moved with theories and ideas. Of course, making them come true was something else entirely it didn't help to write what you thought down.

Dipping the end of the pencil in the jar of dark ink, I continued my path. I was alone for the third day in a row, my skin started to pale again and I needed to bathe. I didn't mean to skip my current washing schedule, but my cousins wouldn't let me in no matter what. They locked the door, and I wasn't going to jump over the walls. If they wanted to be childish, I'd let them. Finishing the front, I pushed the sheet towards the sun to dry. My long hair was in a messy bun so it wouldn't get in the way of my writing, stretching a yawn came out. My gaping mouth closing, I didn't bother to check on my grandfather; he was most likely tending to some important meetings.

Placing what I wrote down, I stood my nails scratching my thigh. Shuffling towards the door, I placed my shoes on before sliding them open. I was risking my health again, I haven't eaten in two days if I went another someone would scold me. Even, without eating I retained my baby fat. Gosh, my body was weird. Taking one step, and another a rhythm started as I left the clan compound.

It didn't take long to get some sweets, walking with a plastic bag in hand she popped another ball of flavor in her mouth; her cheek expanding as she chewed. People her age were supposed to be having fun with friends, but she was sure her generation was full of people that liked to be alone or at least enjoyed other things than being with friends causing trouble.

A bird fly by the shadow catching my eye for a moment, it was rather small. It looked like, it was released recently the way it was flying. The wing movements were faster than normal, it was exciting. Popping another Mitarashi Dango in my mouth, I kept moving back towards the compound. With some food in my system, I could get another day of studying in.

Just had to get this chapter out there, been busy. I Will get to more pm's soon, in this chapter we see more slight interactions and some hints of a new student among other things; follow the last chapter: if you have anything you want to add before the teams are made pm me now; since I fleshed out the characters a bit, it could be friendships to rivals with canon characters. With that said have a good day! To the ones that already did so, don't worry I am going to be responding this weekend when I feel better.

With that said, I will be getting to reviews also around the next chapter.

Thanks for the support! How will the fight play out? Also, Kimi is kinda...anyways hope you have a good day or night! See ya next time!