NaruSaku: UPDATED:
November 11, 2004
Well I can at least thanks for your reviews. So at the end of this chapter there will be a response for everyone that reviewed. The correct guess for who she sits next to is: Hinata and Shikamaru. You'll be pleasantly surprised, I think, at the way I bring them both into the story. I will be placing them in the way that I would imagine meeting them in real life.
It's true though, I received what I deem a FLAME. My real first for this story : ( AND if I recall correctly, I did not ASK for a flame, I advised against one, because they tend to depress me. In response to the FLAME, however, I will be adding a comment to the end of the page… after all; it is also a review, no matter HOW disheartening it was…
The problem is that it couldn't have come at a worse time. I got sick on Tuesday -- and managed to NOT take my test. And since you all have a good idea of how my/Sakura's new teacher is, you can probably guess that she gave me hell for it --
However, I don't have to take the test until Monday so I figured I could type right about now, Wednesday. Since I am not feeling the best, (once again due to the flame and the heavy burden of life), I'll apologize if there is anything wrong with my writing. (Yay, I got a 63 on that test too :D 63 (((OBVIOUS sarcasm)))
I am hoping that there is at least SOME character development occurring here… Because we aren't even finished with the first day, I find it hard to believe that there would be, but even still… I hope your enjoying my Sakura because I enjoy writing her. I'm also hoping you'll like the way the other characters are placed in this story as well.
December 1, 2004
I wanted to apologize, I had made a semi-promise that I would post more then one chapter that week, however, life got the better of me, and I was unable to post because of a faulty decision on my part. But we all make mistakes, and step out of the box, all that it means is that I am now paying for it -- So I am sorry about your chapter, and I hope you will like this one, because I went through and act of congress to get it posted, BELIEVE me. I had WANTED to post it sooner… but once again, oh well.
Exams are here for me, and I have to study for chemistry, "just like Sakura" my friend who is fan at school tells me- and we laugh about it. I'm still typing; in fact I have been PLANNING some events in this story out… YAY! I hope you like my new characters too, I try to make them fitting, and I got the question, are they in Japan? The answer is NO, they are in American, I think (WORRIED) I have to sort the DETAILS out over Christmas break!
Happy Holidays everyone!
Enjoy, and don't forget to check out the bottom of this page if you reviewed for me. : P
-Luky
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Chapter Four: "Go FIGURE: Late AGAIN!"
…
( ' Thank you GOD! ' )
Sakura wearily dragged her body around the corner officially leaving the Science section and turning into the elective block. She had never felt so weary. It didn't show in the way she carried herself though, and she still walked with her head held high and her back straight. She prided herself on her ability to maintain her image, no matter what the circumstance. After going through a class like she just had, she figured it was a good thing she had worked so hard on that ability, otherwise the new exchange student would have been crawling to Music class.
She had been counting on her first class flying by without a problem. In all truth, she had known that Shizumi's (' Damn BIRD LADY! ' ) class would be the most difficult but she had never expected it to be so detrimental to her person. Not to mention, she would have never had guessed she would leave that same first class with her very first three detentions…
-On her very first day.
Sakura let a glum look pass over her face as she crept along the halls. She couldn't believe she was late for another class. She thought that giving her multiple detentions and a huge case of humiliation was enough for the "old-bat" but that hadn't been the case. She had needed the extra enjoyment from her displeasure…
( ( ( FLASHBACK ) ) )
Sakura hurriedly rushed down the steps, her text book in her arms and her black bag slung over her shoulder with practiced haste. The bell signaling her release from first period hell was still ringing and she kept her head high as she strolled past the last row of desks but had to let out a mental sigh when the screech of Shizumi-sama's voice echoed through out the classroom. She didn't have time to ignore it either as the dreaded woman's hand cruelly snaked out to grasp her around the arm.
Instantaneously the inner Sakura burst angrily out of the protective shield surrounding her and the outwards Sakura began to instantly entertain in rebellious thoughts.
Sakura gave it a sideways glance of irritation before she turned and with a well practiced smile on her face said, "Yes, Shizumi-sempai?" The grip on her arm was painful, the old-bat's greasy talons sinking into her flesh. A spray of spittle issued from the woman's mouth to form something to the effects of: "disobedient child," but Sakura contained her flinch and remained silent, listening irritated to her high pitched squawk.
"I will have that report Monday." Sakura looked down at the hand that gripped her arm and violently considered the idea of jerking away. She pictured herself ripping her arm free and reciting the student-teacher code of conduct book in her face, where in section 13i. Line 347 it clearly stated that all physical contact between a student and an instructor is prohibited and any fluctuations to this rule would be grounds for immediate removal from post (referring to the teacher and not the child). But she just smiled and responded in kind, "Yes Shizumi-sama, I will have that report on your desk before Monday, if at all possible."
The grip on her arm increased. Sakura lost her nerve.
"Until then, Shizumi-sama." And she shook her arms free and left the classroom her head held high. It was only until she had walked out the door did she realize that the tardy bell for the next class was ringing and she had to have a pass from her previous teacher to not be counted late. With a hurried cry she turned to the door, the hall completely deserted, and watches in horror as the door slammed closed. It was only then that Sakura realizes that Shizumi had no classes for the rest of the day, and that it was unlikely that she would be able to get a pass.
With a mental sigh she turned and started on her way to the next class.
( ( ( End of FLASHBACK ) ) )
( ' FRICKIN' SADIST! ' ) Inner Sakura raged.
And she didn't need the extra, added on, for a special, on sale price, worry about her portfolio. Even now she felt something inside her stretch, like a string, taunt across her chest constraining her breath. She didn't know what she would do if she couldn't find it. She had no idea if she had managed to save her 200 and plus-paged-report on a floppy disk. In fact, she could remember that it didn't fit, not even when it was compressed…
It must have really skidded somewhere when she ran ( ' I was RAN into! I didn't RUN into ANYBODY! That STUPID Naruto- ' ) and was probably kicked further by Iruka sensei. And from there it was probably picked up by somebody when she was meeting the Hokage and Iruka-sensei.
Even now Sakura felt a funny feeling creep up into the base of her stomach as she thought again about the boy and his brilliant blue eyes. They shimmered like that of a cat and had pierced her deeply, with only a look. She still didn't know why that had affected her so much either. It had brought forth something in her that she had long since buried. She didn't care to remember what happened in her past.
Maybe that was why she had forgotten it?
She shook her head, 'I HAVE to think about it in a positive attitude!' she thought indignantly.
( ' Oh my god! I've LOST it! ' )
She shook her head again, for good measure and to get rid of "Inner Sakura", and made the final turn towards the music block. Even if she couldn't find her paper it could easily be emailed to her from her Aunt and Uncle in Japan. And if not- she would simply re-write it. She knew everything there was to know, after all, regarding the subject of atomic bonds. She could rewrite it, there was no worry.
Right?
"And I can remember my past if I want to…" She didn't realize that she had spoken out loud until came to a stop outside of the music classroom door.
She was alone in the hall because in her quiet thinking/walk she had lost track of time and had failed to measure the distance with her steps. It was true, she had mapped the entire school out and with the distance paired with her normal walking speed she had determined an already set speed for her to get to her varies classes without being late. It was unfortunate that she had worn herself out in the earlier part of the morning, otherwise she might have been able to adjust herself accordingly (after that meeting with Shizumi-sama had taken up a good portion of her time).
And the thought of that un-called for conduct made the detention slips in her pocket start to burn and drag her clothing towards the floor like a lead weight. She clamped a hand over her pocket and her face became serene, her mask falling into place again. It probably wasn't the smartest thing to have let her mask fall so many times during the day (really only during her first class: the first 3 hours wasn't all that much considering she had 5 more to go). She stepped closer and let her hand twist the simple, yet elegantly shaped door handle and opened the door.
As she stepped across the threshold she felt the first twinge of something long forgotten in the back of her mind. Ignoring it, she looked over and around the room and couldn't help but feel the smile swim across her features.
It was exactly what she had expected.
A tall, yet slender woman, whom Sakura knew to be 22 years old, swept across the room towards her. She floated gracefully to stand next to Sakura and she felt another twinge of remembrance tease at her conscious as the woman introduced herself.
"My name is Midori Kusanagi, you must be our new exchange student." Her voice was musical and had a melodic tune to it. Sakura looked up into the bright, SMILING face. Her complexion was fair, her face crowned by a head full of luscious brown curls that twisted and spun and lay across her shoulders and down the small of her back like a curtain. It was rich in color and shine and it adorned her shoulders like a dark shawl. She was wearing a long, ankle length skirt that was pristine white with a yellow ribbon lining at the edge. It floated around her legs like a bell when she walked and Sakura was reminded of the ancient shrine maidens in her homeland, Japan, who had worn pants that had the same effect. Across her chest was a simple white cotton blouse with the same color ribbon that spilled across the U shaped collar line to tie in a pretty yellow bow just at the point where any normal teenage boy would be looking. And it was obvious that the young gentleman in this classroom were hard pressed to not look at such a place.
Midori Kusanagi was 22 years old, had graduated from high school when she was only 15 and had gotten her doctorate in Music six years later. Sakura had never been able to figure out exactly how she had managed to escape from school like she had. It was only in the past year that she had been teaching at Osaka. She was the only recent addition to the staff, as the older music teacher had decided to retire after 60 years of service.
Even now Sakura couldn't understand exactly how someone could be so old and stay at a school for so long and she distantly wondered if maybe the Bird Lady would retire soon too, maybe tomorrow. She knew thinking that was just and exercise in wish-full thinking, but she could always remain hopeful!
She realized that Kusanagi-sensei was introducing her to the classroom and she looked up at the taller woman and found herself drowning in her swirling green depths. That woman had the brightest green eyes she had ever seen. They swirled and seemed to switch shades and twinkle as she smiled. They were deep like an ocean full of knowledge and talent and beauty.
Sakura felt another twinge. This time it was envy.
"Class, I would like to introduce to you Miss, Sakura Haruna, our new exchange student from Japan." She put her hands lightly on Sakura's shoulders and she was reminded of the gentleness she had felt when she had met the Hokage- and was reminded that she had met him this morning and ever since then everything she had planned for this school was not happening the way she had wanted/thought it too. This was probably the only thing, this teacher, she had expected from this school. This teacher was just as she remembered. She still didn't believe it had only been 3 hours since she had met the Hokage-
It felt like forever.
She was led to her seat, and Sakura was able to notice that the class consisted of 15 boys and 29 girls, including herself. She was sat down and noticed that the seat next to her was empty but next to the empty seat was a boy whose girth far extended that of the balanced music chair. She could safely assume that the next to hers was a female and that the boy that sat next to her had a deficiency regarding food and food consumption. Even as Midori talked he munched on a king sized "Carmel-Swift" and was currently busy pealing back the wrapper to another.
"Sakura, today we are trying out to see what voice part you will be singing. We have finished with everyone else, I'm afraid so I do believe it is your turn." Sakura felt the knot of dread curl through her stomach as she got up from her seat. It was good that she had remembered to take her bag off otherwise she would have walked up to the front of the class with her bag still at her waist and from her first experience with her bag she would most likely be remembering to keep her bag at her desk/chair.
As she neared the piano she remembered her confusion when she had done her research on this school, and this type of class. She didn't understand why American's had to have "electives," or even why they were essential to graduate. She would have felt much better if she had been able to just skip on by and take the advanced courses in math and Science, and perhaps History too? But no- electives were required for graduation so she had picked her first set of electives, for her first day, carefully. Now as she neared the piano, having never sung before in her life, she felt tension lace up her spine.
It wasn't as hard as she had thought it would be. As Kusanagi-sensei gave instructions she followed them. When she was asked to sing a note, she sang it, with little or no trouble. When she was asked to sing a scale, she nearly made the class feint with joy because her pitch was so excellent. She could control where her voice flew too very well and without very much thinking, Kusanagi-sensei determined that Sakura was easily a "Numero Uno Soprano!" (With an obvious English accent beneath the horribly pronounced Spanish. Sakura had to smile at her energy.
When she returned to her desk she had a smile on her face. She was glad she had aced the test, and now everyone in her music class knew her name and knew that she had a spectacular voice. It was a great start for her in this class. She couldn't help the smile across her face. Things were looking up since running into Naruto and Shizumi's class.
And for the rest of class she was taught about how she should breath while singing, proper posture, a good diet that she could keep to stay healthy, and several other little things that were required to know for singing. Sakura played her part well. She was attentive as possible and didn't flinch a bit. She couldn't help the quick twitch of her lips as she watched Kusanagi-sensei twirl around the room, singing, showing her that it was possible to sing and dance and not get winded.
Sometime during that class Sakura learned the name of the big ( 'BIG is an UNDERSTATEMENT! ' ) boy next to her was Chouji. She had to smile when he was gently admonished for cramming another bar of chocolate down his throat. In all honesty, the way he ate… Sakura felt sick just watching him. But she and the rest of the class laughed along with Kusanagi-sempai and it was kind and light hearted. She felt like a normal girl for that instant, and she was almost completely at ease. And it also helped to see that after the boy had sat down he had whipped out another bar, this time it was a "Milky-Cream" bar and he stuffed it into his mouth before she could see him do it. Sakura laughed in the middle of a warm up and she found several other faces turning to smile at her.
After the two hour class period was over, Sakura was extremely excited. She had been unable to speak with anyone there but the laughter and their smiles let her know that they weren't stiff necked ( ' LOSERS ' ) students like she had expected. And the girl who would have sat next to her was absent too, so Sakura knew that once they met they would become fast friends, so she wasn't worried really.
It didn't even faze her that she was acting like any other normal student, and could have easily been in any other music class. She didn't stop to think that "wow, the people in here aren't the tight necked people whom would be in a school of this prestige" or "wow, no teacher would trip over a music stand and simply laugh about it" or "WOW, I didn't know that you could eat in the classrooms." For the time in that class it didn't affect her, the name and standing of the school didn't matter. She was just learning music and wasn't putting on an image.
(This is CERTAINLY healthy (((Smile)))
As Sakura heard the bell ring, the class got up, stood and began to file out of the classroom. She saw that they were laughing and smiling. She couldn't help but laugh at it. She grabbed her bag and watched CHouki amble down the steps, his large bottom swaying with his considerable mass. She laughed again.
From the side she saw Kusanagi-sensei walking towards her. She was amazed again about how beautiful the woman was, and she could see that some of her obscene height was due to the two inch white strappy sandals she wore on her feet.
( ' I want to be JUST like Kusanagi-sempai! ' ) Thought inner Sakura with a lance of determination.
"Sakura-chan… May I call you that?" Sakura watched her come to a stop the faint smell of lilacs drifted to her nose.
"Yes, Kusanagi-sempai, you may call me whatever you please." She smiled, genuine, and felt something inside her flutter almost painfully with remembrance. She didn't have an explanation for the feeling and she ignored it for the time being.
Kusanagi-sempai smiled warmly and with a comforting hand on her shoulder said, "Then you may call me Midori." Sakura felt the significance of what Midori was saying. She felt something in her glow and she smiled broadly and bowed at her waist, a clumsy bow and said, "Yes Midori! I look forward to our next class!" and turned to leave.
Midori watched Sakura walk away, a misty look extending across her features as she watched the pink haired girl make her way down the hall, her pink hair gently swishing around her waist in a long straight curtain.
'She doesn't seem to remember,' she thought wistfully, 'I guess that is good…' Sakura disappeared around the corner, a smile still evident on her face and as she turned away Midori shut the door and let the first tears begin to fall.
…
END OF CHAPTER AUTHOR COMMENTARY:
…
YAY! It is done! I had so much fun writing this chappie! It is a little boring if you ask me but I was so intent on just letting everyone read about the new teachers and circumstances that I just couldn't leave out what happened in the classes. You can be happy, there is only ONE other class for this day and it is Iruka's class. And then there is detention and home. So if there are those who are looking fro Naruto/Sakura action, you will have to wait because it comes in chapter seven.
I have been thinking a lot about this story and how the characters fall into place and what they are and how they work. Which way you meet them? It'll be great. I put Chouji in here because I needed another student. He was just a place in. The big ones, haha, excuse the pun, will be Ion, Hinata, Shikamaru, and Lee. Neji will be in here too, but he won't be for a long time. And I STILL don't know about Sasuke… He is a PART of Sakura's past, I'll let you know that much, but whether or not it will cause difficulties for Naruto/Sakura fans like myself, LOL, is undeterminable at this time :D
So, any feedback is appreciated. SEE! I said I was having some trouble but I would STILL post. Keep in mind, I am STILL typing. If I couldn't type, I would do things long hand, although I despise long hand --
The next chapter is where you meet Iruka and Sakura speaks with him in regards to the building project "report" he had filed sometime in the beginnings of the year. I might throw in something to traumatize our heroine further, during lunch, but I am not certain yet :D I'm going to take a break since I have been doing this non stop and I am still in trouble ( (((nods))) and rightfully so…)
And the responses to the REVIEWS are here: (I was really happy that I had gotten so many :D)
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Mike Pan- I truly HATE my teacher- in fact, she is intentionally trying to fail me because I had a TDE to get out of her class for choir, and she said she didn't sign the paper. Sucker, is all I can say because I have the paper work :D
JoeDoeBell- Thanks for you review! It was GREAT for constructive critique! I will try to not to second guess myself so much, especially since you are right and it is NOT professional! Your review, telling me that it was amusing, made me very happy!
CuteC- Your excitement is so endearing! Thanks! I'll send you updates as soon as I can get my computer functioning with AOL again J (I love the upside down smiley (: )
Ayumu-Kun- I'm sorry, it is doubtful that Naruto will get very much time where it is written about what he thinks (not certain what that is called, third person?) It will have a little bit from everywhere, so you don't need to worry. The ninja's of Konoha are HARD to hate, so I had to make some stuff up to make the reality of the school being so different apparent. :D
Malita- SORRY! If you read the author's notes, I said somewhere that I did not want a proofreader? Whenever I have the time I simply edit it and then repost it. I shouldn't have that trouble now though because of the new feature :D Sorry for the inconvenience, are you mad at me?!
Third Degree Run- Well, I have a few ideas of how Sakura gets rid of her, some of the ways I wish I could get rid of her. I recently found out that my chemistry teacher "Irish's up" her coffee, as I like to call it- puts alcohol in it :D And there I was wondering why she was such a grouch- she is Scottish and a straight whiskey caffeine witch :D I am glad you hate her as much as me- makes me HAPPY! > What does TDR mean, lol?
Sn00b- This isn't your real name is it? I can't find you on an author alert list, so I was kind've confused :P
Kabuto-san- You were right, Hinata and Shikamaru! I hate her too! Sorry for the lack of updates, my friend! I am comforted in the fact that you all cared so much to review though :D Thanks!
Krn-Kimbap- You've been so faithful in reading my posts! Thanks so much! I often times have trouble finding adjectives other then "good" while I write. It is one of those things I think I need to be conscious of in my writing! Thanks for the correction :D
NarutoGirl- She is insane! I like Chemistry too, almost as much as Biology, (although I am mainly an English/Musician type of student) but her style of NOTE taking, lab report, test- does not work for me. I hope you'll like her and Sakura's next encounter! Do you think it is selfish that I am using a teacher from my life and venting about her, inventing an alternate universe to complain about her to others?
UnImportant- Thanks for the flame, please do not continue to read and write the things that you have. It was insulting and while it could have been "crueler" I thought it was cruel enough for my taste. If you feel the need to flame again? Don't. In fact, since you feel that way, I do believe you can stop reading this entirely. Thanks :D
AnimEvivvErz- It HAD been awhile, sorry for the long wait… again! As far as WWWR, hehe… I am sort've at a loss for how to phrase the next part, it is difficult and I haven't started working on it yet -- sorry if you were waiting for that… Want me to spoil? I did leave it at a horrible cliffy… Lol!
Keltosh- I don't like Sasuke either, so let's hate him and hopefully he won't make an APPEARANCE in the story :D
Smiter- The teacher IS vile, that is why she has Midori directly after- but is Midori really all that perfect? Oo you'll have to read and find out- the main plot is appearing!
Kyuubi In Disguise- YAY! It worked! You should still review for every chapter! I just finished reading a 101 chapter story but I reviewed for EVERY chapter, just to make myself known… Granted, there were 2801 reviews so I probably WASN'T noted, but I took up a few pages :D I'm proud! Naruto is smart I think, he just doesn't apply himself properly… I got a 63 on that test, but oh well! YAY! So you will review for this chappie too?!
SugaBab- Thanks for going back and reviewing for every chapter!
…
And I PROMISE I won't have such super long commentaries anymore. I like to talk so if I ever get internet back, I'd like to resume conversations via email :D
Now REVIEW! AND NO FLAMING
BTW: Has anybody noticed what the title for every chapter as well as the story signifies? What is it and where does it come from? Think of the story and piece it together in your mind. If you have a good guess, tell me about it and I will send you a cookie.
So send me a review? I LOVE you! (I got 20 this last chapter, can I get the same?! OO)
Happy Holidays! ( December 8, 2004)