~Three Months Later~
Karin and Sakura were as adjusted to the Hidden Cloud Village as they were ever going to get now that they'd been living there for over three months, today however Darui was taking them to the academy to take some tests to determine how much they knew.
And what their placement would be if they were going to the academy, both girls were simply curious "Alright the man your going to see is named Dodai and he'll be in room 8 just down the hall there with the prepared tests" Darui informed.
Once they reached the academy and entered through the double doors, like was the norm Sakura linked hands with Karin before taking the lead in marching down the hallway "But what if I fail" Karin frowned.
Having some last minute worries "It will be alright Karin-chan, you've studied just as extensively as I have after all" Sakura soothed, assuring the sister of her heart that she would pass no matter what due to how much they'd learned in the past few months.
The redhead swallowed nervously but allowed Sakura to drag her into the room where Dodai-sensei was waiting for them with the tests as Darui had told them "Good your here take a seat and if I catch you cheating off each other…" Dodai trailed off.
Neither girl wanted to know what he would do to them if they cheated so chose to sit at opposite sides of the room to prevent that from accidentally happening then grabbed up their pencils took the tests from Dodai and got started on writing.
Midway through someone, probably another sensei poked his head into the room "These the two girls Lord Raikage brought in then" and upon spying them bent over their desks scribbling answers frantically fully entered the classroom.
"Yes" Dodai said simply, not wanting to distract the two from the tests they were taking so didn't fully engage in the conversation the younger man was trying to start with him and eventually he left leaving them to their work.
Until a full two and a half hours later all the written tests had been taken "Don't think your done yet girls, you still have the physical portion to get through, head on down the hall and outside to the academy training grounds to meet with Imoi" Dodai ordered.
Pushing Karin and Sakura from classroom eight so that he could get started on grading the tests "Come on Karin-chan no use in worrying for now when we still have other tests to take" Sakura hummed, threading her fingers through Karin's.
With a pout cause she really wanted to know how she'd done on the written tests Karin let Sakura tug her further off down the hall and outside to the academy training grounds where they met another stern faced man who Dodai had said was Imoi.
Imoi wasted less time than Dodai did by having them start laps "Run as many as you can in twenty minutes, I really don't want to waste my entire lunch hour testing you brats" Imoi practically snarled at them.
Feeling as if the Raikage was allowing these two undisciplined brats way to many liberties like not attending the academy and teaching themselves what they needed in order to become shinobi of the Cloud Village.
Would he ever say that to the Raikage's face hell no nor would anyone else who thought the idea ludicrous but here he was being forced to test them regardless of his feelings "Time" Imoi barked, causing both eight years to skid to a halt.
Eye twitching as they told him how many laps they'd run, fifteen each, surprising him at their stamina and endurance "Okay push ups then sit ups you have ten minutes to do as many as you can" Imoi demanded.
Making them drop, the redhead clearly wasn't use to doing much with her arms as she fizzled out at least ten while the pinkette managed to reach sixteen before being unable to do more push ups then both switched to sit ups twelve each.
He marked that down on the clipboard and ran them through a series of other endurance/stamina related tests before switching to something else "There are five targets, I'm not going to tell you where their hidden you have to sense them out" Imoi informed.
Smirking, knowing that this would be a difficult task, in fact it wasn't even part of the tests that he was supposed to give them, imagine his surprise however when Karin closed her eyes and spread out her senses.
Before finding each of the hidden targets, after that shocking moment he had them perform the remaining tests, shuriken-jutsu, taijutsu, kenjutsu which neither had an aptitude for unfortunately and using their chakra to climb a post.
To see who had the better chakra control "That's it, your done now scram" Imoi sneered sending the two scrambling away from him, it had taken almost a full hour and a half to test them like he would all incoming new academy students at the age of six.
And after a slightly late lunch he was called into the Raikage's office with Dodai "How were the written tests" Ay demanded to know when both academy instructors were stood in front of him after testing those brats.
Dodai cleared his throat after peering at the scores again "Sakura-san had near perfect marks in every subject, and missed very few questions, Karin-san however had average marks, here are the exams so that you can see them for yourself Lord Raikage" Dodai informed.
Placing a light colored folder down upon Ay's desk who snatched it and flipped it open "Heh and the physical tests how did the brats do on those" Ay smirked, having guessed both would pass, he just hadn't calculated that one of them would have quite the intelligent mind.
"At first glance both seemed average, but they have good endurance, the redheaded brat is a sensor while the pink haired brat has little talent for it, though she was better at shuriken-jutsu, taijutsu and chakra control, neither had talent for kenjutsu and that's it" Imoi relayed.
The smirk on Ay's face widened "While not outright prodigies those two brats are smart, and as promised they will be allowed to learn outside of the academy setting as they requested until the brats say otherwise" Ay announced.
Not reneging on his promise "And while it's not in use will have access to the academy training grounds and library to further their training and studies" Ay finished, dismissing the two instructors from his office.
Meanwhile the brats in question were having a late lunch at their apartment "Mm that lemongrass you added from out on the veranda made this fish even better" Karin hummed her appreciation of their late afternoon meal.
Earning a grin "Of course, cause you can't beat homegrown" Sakura giggled softly, eyeing the small veranda they had and the veritable cornucopia of plants that she grew out there it was like it's own mini greenhouse and she was proud of her green thumb.
Seven minutes later they were done eating and just starting to clean up when the door opened and in walked Cee "Lord Raikage has summoned you both" Cee stated simply knowing that the girls would drop what they were currently doing and follow him.
Which they did and soon it was Sakura and Karin's turn to stand before the illustrious leader of Hidden Cloud, his eyes assessed them equally as they stood stock still, hands behind their backs like obedient brats should.
But neither spoke waiting for him to speak first "Congratulations, if you'd intended on attending the academy you both would have made it into your year group, you would have been learning with other little brats your age" Ay said.
Karin clutched Sakura's hand in automatic relief, causing him to smile inwardly at how the two reached out to one another "As such I've decided to have Cee mentor the both of you, he knows the coursework so I expect you to train hard and study well" Ay informed.
Cee wouldn't dare argue "We will don't worry about that Raikage-sama" Sakura assured, jade eyes alight with excitement while Karin bowed lightly, with that Ay waved them off on the heels of their assigned mentor.
Who led them all the way back to their apartment "Cee-san you aren't angry that Raikage-sama is making you teach us are you" Karin asked nervously seeing the pensive look on the temperamental blondes face.
Quickly to assure them he shook his head "I already knew Lord Raikage was going to order me to mentor you, I was merely thinking over what would be acceptable to teach you first and what the schedule should be like" Cee explained.
Trying not to be to harsh with the girls but he also wanted them to live up to the Raikage's expectations as well "Taijutsu is where I'll start your lessons off, every Tuesday and Thursday, from 3:30-5:30, two hours until you improve" Cee listed.
Sakura and Karin nodded "Monday, Wednesday and Friday we'll be in the academy library, studying the history of Kumo and other villages, and other subjects, you'll have the weekends to yourselves for now" Cee finished.
Both nodded their assent to the schedule as he let his gaze trail subtly around the living room until something caught his attention "Looks like Cee-sensei found your horde of plants Sakura-chan" Karin giggled lightly.
When Cee stood automatically and headed for the veranda "All of these are yours, did you grow them yourself or buy them" Cee questioned, never having seen plants growing this vibrantly before in Kumogakure.
"Homegrown all of them Cee-sensei, like I said Isha-sensei was teaching me how to be a pharmacist, the first thing she taught me was how to grow plants and keep them healthy because the healthier the better and stronger their medicinal properties were" Sakura recited.
And being a medic himself Cee couldn't deny that she was right "Can I ask what your using them for" Cee inquired, recognizing several himself, lemongrass, parsley, sage, thyme, then there was medicinal plants in the mix as well.
"Mostly for cooking but I go down to the market sometimes and pick up some beeswax with boswellia resin to make ointment for bruises and flesh wounds that I sell for extra money" Sakura admitted sheepishly.
Cee stared down at her in amusement then gently ruffled Sakura's hair with a chuckle "Sakura-chan would grow more if she had the space but that's all she could fit out on the veranda without choking out the other plants" Karin chimed in.
Earning a head pat as well before Cee finally left them to be on their own, it was a few hours later, near dinner time that Sakura picked up on the sound of crying right outside the apartment door, Karin tuned in as well.
Prompting both girls to scramble for the door and open it to find a cute little redheaded boy with gold eyes bawling his eyes out in the hallway, the two eight year old's shared a look before Karin stepped back leaving this in Sakura's hands.
"Hey is everything alright, what are you doing out here, where's your mom and dad and why are you crying" Sakura crouched, speaking in soothing tone of voice as she carefully lifted the little boy into her arms.
Immediately his wailing ended "Lost Nee-chan" was all he said as more tears spilled from already bloodshot eyes, Sakura shushed him, rocking back and forth on her heels as she did so to hopefully settle him down.
Seeing as this wasn't a matter they'd be able to solve completely on their own Karin walked across the hall to Atsui's place and knocked, it was the first time they'd ever had a reason to really knock but they had met the guy quite a few times.
Unfortunately after a couple minutes of knocking and Atsui not answering Karin and Sakura determined that Atsui was not home at the moment either out with friends or on a mission they didn't know so now they had to physically go out and find someone to help them.
Little boy cradled comfortably in her arms, Sakura and Karin marched down the steps and out into the streets of the village "Do you remember where you lost your big sister at" Karin asked gently not wanting the little boy to cry anymore.
For a moment it didn't seem like he was going to answer until "Park" the gold eyed child exclaimed remembering at long last so the two eight years set a brisk walk towards the park that was literally at the end of the street.
They'd never once visited it themselves until now but the second they arrived a girl their age with red hair and gold eyes rushed over to them "Yukai you know better than to worry me like that" the girl scolded harshly.
Not sparing the other girls a glance as she ranted and raved at her little brother "So don't go wandering off by yourself ever again especially when I tell you that I'll be right back" she finished a minute later.
Yukai as they knew his name now sniffled but nodded "Alright now who are you two and why are you holding my brother" the golden eyed redhead demanded to know with a frown and glare, itching to snatch Yukai out of the pinkette's arms.
"Uh well it was to our understanding he'd lost you, I'm glad that wasn't the case though but he wandered into the apartment building down the street and was crying outside our door, I'm Sakura" the rosette explained calmly.
Taking no offense, it's probably how she'd be if Karin ever got separated from her "Oh, my names Karui by the way and now you can hand me Yukai if you don't mind" Karui blinked feeling like someone had burst her bubble.
While holding out her arms and Yukai was carefully passed over to her "My name is Karin" Karin announced remembering she'd also been asked to introduce herself even as she hid partially behind Sakura.
Gold orbs zeroed in on her "So are you new here or something cause this is the first time I've ever seen you two at the park" Karui questioned, wanting to learn more about the girls her age that she'd never met before until now.
Sakura and Karin nodded "We're sort of new, we've been living here for three months now but this is really our first time at the park" Sakura admitted, choosing to keep the reason why to herself it was simply because she didn't trust others her age in the least.
Besides Karin that is anyway who had a shyer more introverted personality out in public "Don't your parents ever bring you to play, enough about that are you gonna go to the academy" Karui demanded obviously more headstrong than either of the two girls in front of her.
"Actually we're gonna self learn the material and coursework while being mentored by a Jonin to ensure we remain on track and become genin at the same time as everyone else in our age group" Karin chimed in.
Still shy but coming out from behind Sakura now that she was certain Karui wasn't going to pose a threat to them "For that other question we have no parents Karui-san….we're orphans, but we live on our own in an apartment" Sakura explained.
Horror, sympathy and pity crept into Karui's gold orbs before she heard someone at the far end of the park calling for her "Look I gotta go but lets meet up tomorrow if you can, bye" Karui waved making sure she had a good grip on her brother before dashing off.
Leaving Karin and Sakura to trek back to their apartment, make dinner, wash up, study as was per the norm for them, bathe and finally go to bed after what had felt like to them at least an extremely super long day that had completely wore them out both physically and mentally.
The next morning during breakfast knocking erupted on the apartment door so Karin dutifully went to answer and came back with Atsui and two other shinobi, Karui who they'd met yesterday with Yukai in arms.
"Is this them Karui-chan, the ones who returned Yukai to you when he wandered off while you were supposed to be watching him" Karui's father asked, still a little upset with his oldest child for being so irresponsible.
Karui ducked her head at her father's flat tone but nodded "Please don't be alarmed Sakura-chan, Karin-chan, we're just a little surprised that while our daughter was so irresponsible the both of you were not and despite it not being your obligation still returned Yukai" Karui's mother soothed.
Seeing the fearful looks being shot her way by Karin or at least who she assumed Karin was while the pinkette who had to be Sakura stood slightly in front of her friend giving them slightly less wary looks than Karin was.
At the statement both eight year old's relaxed "It wasn't really a big deal or anything, we heard Yukai crying outside our door and knew that we had to help is all" Sakura shrugged sheepishly, not use to this kind of attention.
Upon hearing her voice Yukai perked up, gold eyes alighting with excitement at seeing them again and promptly reached for Sakura, every one except Karin looked shocked even as the rosette gently hefted the boy into her arms.
Once his mother had set him down and he'd ambled over to her on wobbly legs, jade eyes softened "Either way thank you for being so mature about it and we ask that you be friends with our Karui in hopes that your maturity will rub off on her" Karui's father requested.
Shaking off the shock he felt over his son, who had until this point been extremely attached to his older sister that he would hardly let anyone else hold him was now letting someone else hold him and had even reached out for the other girl.
"I think that's a great idea what about you Sakura-chan" Karin beamed at the request, no longer afraid as to why there had been so many people stood outside wanting to come into their apartment to speak with her and Sakura.
Sakura aimed a fond smile at her "Sure having another friend sounds nice" Sakura relented, unable to deny Karin new friends that actually seemed quite decent this time around who wouldn't flake on them if something happened that was beyond their control.
Karui's mother clapped "Great how wonderful, to commemorate your new friends why don't we invite you over for breakfast" the woman trailed off spying the kitchen where the table was already set with plates made.
"Or I could spend the night" Karui suggested, seeing that her mothers idea had just derailed considering Sakura and Karin had breakfast waiting for them which would probably be cold at this point but it could be warmed up as well.
Ruby irises lit up "I've never had someone sleep over before, can we Sakura-chan" Karin pouted at Sakura, wanting to experience things a normal girl got to experience, her mother had always been busy helping in Grass's hospital, plus Kusa had been the worst village ever.
If Sakura had any will to refuse that resolve was immediately destroyed as Sakura instantly relented to the request "You'd have to share a futon with either me or Karin-chan, other than that, that's the only thing we don't have a spare of" Sakura informed.
The siblings dark haired father frowned "Just a futon, not a bed" Karui's father questioned carefully and now that he was thinking on it, where were Karin and Sakura's parents, his daughter hadn't mentioned anything.
Only the apartment complex they said they lived in "Well yeah we haven't saved up enough to get actual beds yet" Sakura nodded, eyeing Karui who smiled sheepishly and it was then she understood that Karui's parents had no idea she and Karin were technically orphans.
It was also here that Atsui saw fit to interject himself into the conversation "These girls are orphans and wards of the village, they receive a bi-weekly stipend" Atsui informed, thinking Karin and Sakura were ashamed they were orphans.
Golden irises sharpened on the eight year old's "Atsui-san tells the truth and we've only been living here in Kumo for three months" Karin lowered her gaze to the floor as she spoke, tears burning at her eyes.
Because now she wasn't sure if Karui would get to be their friend or even get to sleep over until Karui's mother nudged Karui's father in the side with her elbow "Who checks up on you, surely you have some help around here" Karui's mother asked gently.
"Darui-san and Cee-sensei" Sakura quipped and Atsui quirked his brow at her, probably wondering why she was calling Cee by that title, which meant not everyone had been told about how the blonde would be mentoring them among the Jonin ranks.
Both parents relaxed however obviously trusting the Jonin in question "Plus I watch out for them sometimes to, and have never once been in trouble with anyone" Atsui piped in yet again, just a tiny bit frustrated that he hadn't been home yesterday.
Thoroughly assured that the girls were suitably looked after Karui's parents acquiesced to the request that had been made "Very well Karui can stay the night, just make sure you don't cause them grief Karui-chan" Karui's father warned.
Carefully snagging Yukai from Sakura who had stood there holding the heavy toddler without a single complaint "I promise Dad that I'll be on my very best behavior" Karui promised, her own eyes wide with excitement.
"First we'll go home so that you can pack what you need for your sleepover and let these two eat their breakfast in peace" Karui's mother declared, waving at Sakura and Karin who waved back with smiles.
Atsui stayed however even as the two girls disappeared into the kitchen to warm up their breakfast and eat "So….Cee-sensei, since when did you start calling him that" Atsui drummed his fingers on the kitchen table while Sakura and Karin cleaned up.
Verdant orbs shot his way "Yesterday Atsui-san, when Raikage-sama assigned him our mentor in the shinobi arts since we're self learning the academy material, he's gonna be teaching us so Cee-sensei seems more appropriate than Cee-san" Sakura explained.
Karin bobbing her head along in answer, Atsui was silent for all of a second before he practically bust his gut laughing, his amusement was infectious and soon Karin and Sakura were giggling right along with him not really sure what he had found funny about what had been said though.
Eventually they all calmed and seeing that he'd gotten his question answered Atsui left, half an hour later Karui returned with a pack on her shoulders, then after dropping it off by the door leveled her gold orbs on Sakura and Karin.
"Lets go to the park I want to introduce you to my other friend Omoi" Karui declared in a slightly demanding tone because she knew she couldn't force either Sakura or Karin to come to the park with her.
Imagine her surprise when Sakura grabbed a picnic basket and stuffed it full of snacks followed by a blanket while Karin picked up a bag that hung to her waist "We did promise after all, so we're going fully prepared this time" Karin grinned lightly.
Karui blinked then shrugged not bothering to ask, merely led the way out of the apartment, waited patiently for the door to be locked behind them before marching off down the street to the park where Omoi was waiting for them.
Upon seeing the extras, his mouth dropped open and his sucker hit the ground with a dull thud "Uh Karui who are those guys did I finally upset you enough that you befriended others to beat me up where I could then be hospitalized and possibly die" Omoi rambled nervously.
Sakura opened her mouth then closed it wearing a baffled expression "Ignore him, Omoi has a habit of over-thinking things to the point of being annoying with it" Karui waved her hand dismissing Omoi's concerns.
"But no Omoi, I met them yesterday, they returned Yukai and I wanted them to meet you so they have one more friend in this village" Karui admitted, intent on being the best friend that they probably desperately needed.
Instead of just relying on themselves all the time "That's the gist of it…my names Sakura and it's really nice to meet you Omoi-kun" Sakura greeted warmly, a little less hesitant to make friends now especially when Omoi didn't automatically dislike her.
Her self proclaimed sister however was a bit shyer "An..And I'm Ka..Karin" Karin stuttered, practically hiding behind Sakura who pat her arm gently in reassurance but knew that it would take a little while before Karin warmed up to Omoi.
Omoi gaped at the two girls with contrasting personalities before shrugging and after setting up the blanket with picnic basket the quartet bounded off to have fun "So your really not planning on attending the academy" Karui asked a few hours later.
When they gathered on the blanket to eat the snacks that had been packed by Sakura "Not in the conventional way Karui-chan but you will see us around at the academy but we'll be most likely cooped up in the academy library" Sakura said.
"Wait what I'm not sure I follow the conversation" Omoi frowned, delighting in the finger sandwiches that were delicious while sipping on the orange juice and he wondered where Sakura had bought her orange juice from because it was absolutely delicious.
Karin giggled lightly having opened up a little more "We're not going to be in class with you, we're gonna be mentored by Cee-sensei at Raikage-sama's orders" Karin explained, also enjoying what had been packed.
Just as they were standing to go back down the little hill to play some more, someone came up behind Omoi and shoved him "Omoi-kun" Sakura rushed after him, Karin on her heels while Karui dealt with the bully.
"Owww that hurt" Omoi cried cradling his arm after landing on it harshly, Sakura felt anger boil in her veins even as she gently took his arm and looked it over carefully asking him if he felt any pain and to wiggle his fingers.
Relief was visible in her expressive green eyes when he told her the pain was fading "Good but will you let me check you over just in case you got scrapes to" Sakura requested calmly, glad that his arm hadn't gotten broken.
To shocked to refuse Omoi nodded numbly and let Sakura look him over, his knee was a little scraped up from rocks but even that was dealt with as Karin handed her a bottle of water to pour over his knee to clean it, then put ointment on it and even wrap it.
Before helping his stand all in a matter of seconds "Geez Karui I see your taste in friends have degenerated even worse now that we're no longer friends, why would you ever want to hang around someone with such a big ugly forehead" a grating voice filled their ears.
From the top of the hill, Sakura however didn't rise to the taunt "At least I have friends" Karui shot back smugly knowing that the girl before her had lost all of her friends for being such a terrible excuse of a human being.
Karin fidgeted uncomfortably as the two girls nearly came to blows with one another "Karui-chan" Sakura called when it looked like Karui was about to push the other girl down the hill and effectively reigned in the situation.
As Karui turned with a sneer deciding it wasn't worth it to fight with her former friend "Yeah, yeah" Karui huffed turning her back on the blonde girl who stormed off in a fury, while she carefully made her way down the hill.
But it was clear Omoi really didn't want to go running off to play anymore so the basket and blanket were packed up "Want to come see our place Omoi" Karin offered, able to figure out that he didn't want to go home just yet.
He perked up in excitement and gladly followed them all the way back to their apartment "How come you have so little stuff" Omoi frowned, once he'd explored the entire place with Karui who hadn't gotten to see any of the other rooms yet either.
"Their orphans Omoi so that means they can't get everything at once and have to get one thing at a time right" Karui announced with a roll of her eyes, glad that the fight earlier hadn't escalated to actually physical violence.
She knew that her mom would have come get her by now and not let her spend the night if that had been the outcome of the earlier confrontation "Right on the mark Karui-chan, don't feel bad Omoi-kun" Sakura pat his arm gently.
Awhile later Omoi had to go home for dinner so Sakura started making up the evening meal "So all that stuff earlier, you made it didn't you" Karui commented, seeing the spread of food as it arrived on the table already plated up for her.
Sakura smiled and nodded "Even the orange juice was freshly squeezed" Karin chimed in, putting her hands together to say her thanks for the food before digging in, right as they were finishing up knocks echoed through the house "Now why does that sound familiar" Karin commented.
Having a flash back to that morning as she went to answer and found Omoi on the other side "Are you Sakura" the adult with him who couldn't be anyone but Omoi's father demanded to know, Karin drew away from him with a violent flinch.
Already shaking as she remembered the adults back in Kusagakure, her heart sped up within her chest and she was near hyper-ventilation when Sakura's familiar presence reached her senses as it swiftly headed in her direction "No Dad that's Karin-chan" Omoi said.
Not missing how his friend had reacted to the aggressive tone his father had used "I'm Sakura, what seems to be the problem Sir" Sakura arrived mere seconds later, placing a gentle hand on Karin's back to help calm her down.
Reeling back at the polite way she'd addressed him Omoi's father relaxed "Are you the one who gave my son this" the man demanded holding out a petri dish that had bruise ointment that she distinctly remembered giving to Omoi for bruises.
"Yes Sir…I gave Omoi-kun that ointment cause someone pushed him down the hill at the park and he landed on his arm, I wasn't sure if there was going to be a bruise or not so gave him that just in case so it didn't hurt as much" Sakura explained.
Dark eyes blinked at her in confusion "You didn't mention someone pushed you Omoi and you say this is ointment for bruises" Omoi's father frowned, realizing that he might have overreacted a bit where his son was concerned.
Especially since the ointment had been given out of concern "Because you didn't let me, just demanded I take you to the person who gave me the ointment" Omoi sulked, though he knew that his dad was only worried.
Omoi's father grimaced "Right, sorry for the misunderstanding and for scaring you Karin" the man pat Karin on the head gently and with that both father and son were gone leaving the three kunoichi in training to themselves.
The rest of the evening was spent reading in silence as Karui found that while her new friends had books they didn't have any games, when it was time for bed they cleaned up, by taking individual baths before locking up and going to bed for the night.
And the next morning after breakfast, Cee came to escort Karin and Sakura to the academy where he started their lessons off on the history of Kumogakure, giving them a more in depth lecture on the development of their country after the first Great Ninja War.