Chapter II:

Sarada awoke to the cawing and clicking of crows at her window. Careful not to make any additional noise she slid her window open slowly to allow them entry. To her dismay they flew in with boisterous gusto before perching affectionately on her wrist and shoulder. Giggling Sarada offered each of them a treat,

"Honestly you two, you've got to be more quiet. If Mama finds out I've been meeting you guys behind her back, she'll kill me."

The two birds cradled their heads into Sarada's face in understanding.

"You guys came to wish me luck huh?"

Sarada smiled remembering her first encounter with the pair. It was about four years ago; she had just turned four when the couple summoned themselves at her bedroom window for the first time. They were only fledglings when she first met them, hopping playfully outside her window. They were quick to acquire a fondness for her, leaping trustfully into her little treat filled hands. Smitten with the pair Sarada decided to introduce them to her mother. Although finding the picture of young Sarada nestling the baby birds like infants in her arms quite endearing; she did not approve of Sarada keeping them. Sakura explained to her that the crows had a home just like theirs and a mama who was probably worried sick about them. With a bit of resistance Sarada let them go; however, getting the duo to leave her proved to be a greater challenge. No matter how hard she tried to keep them away they just kept coming back to her. Soon enough she stopped fighting it and decided instead to keep her relationship with the pair a secret from her mother. They soon became inseparable. The pair visited her almost every morning and sometimes even while she played in the park or when she went shopping with her mother. No matter where she was they always seemed to find her. They liked to keep a watchful eye, always ready to protect her in case of any danger. In fact, she could recall a time when they nearly pecked a young Boruto to death for pulling her pigtail in the sand box. They were like her guardians always at a close watch.

Sarada was startled back into reality at the sudden swoosh of black feathers as the birds swept through her open window. Shutting the window behind them, Sarada turned back to her bedroom to get ready for the day ahead.

By the time Sarada made her way downstairs, Sakura was already working away making breakfast. Her mother amazed her most of the time. It was incredible the way she could just keep moving. Sarada always thought her mother's workaholism had something to do with her father. Perhaps she wanted to keep her mind occupied so that she couldn't find the time to think of him. Regardless of Sakura's strength, she was never very good at hiding her feelings from Sarada. She knew her better than anyone did.

Noticing Sarada's arrival, Sakura quickly shifted her attention from the crackling eggs at the stove to her daughter.

"Ah sweetheart you're all ready! Come sit. I'll pour you a cup of tea."

"Good morning, Mama!"

Sarada sat down at the table watching the steam rise up from her tea cup as her mother poured her excitement onto the breakfast table.

"Can you believe it? Todays the day! SHAAANAROOO! Get ready Konoha because my daughter is going to kick some serious butt!"

Sarada giggled at her mother's childlike enthusiasm. Sakura was often very level headed and cool but in moments like these she could be quite the opposite allowing her emotions to get the better of her. Sarada was okay with it though, because she too possessed the same quality. Although most of the time she was more reserved, she also had her moments of slipped passion.

"Mama…"

"Yes Dear."

"Why did you become a shinobi? I mean what was so attractive about it?"

Pensively, Sakura placed her fingers against her chin, before blushing at a certain embarrassing memory from her genin days. Perhaps it was Sarada's choice of words that brought her back to that day, when Kakashi had asked a similar question about her dreams and she'd retorted like a babbling idiot. Of course, she hadn't initially become a ninja to pursue the love of her life, but it was still embarrassing to think back to the days when it seemed like it was her only aspiration. Before meeting Sasuke, she had the dream of becoming a respectable ninja unlike her parents who opted for a humbler experience.

"I guess it was because I wanted to prove to myself that I was capable of doing it. Besides, becoming a ninja was a very common aspiration for children when I was growing up. In these times of peace, you've got more options, but back then the most revered occupation was that of a shinobi."

Finally catching a glance at the time, Sakura snapped back into her morning craze

"But that's enough reminiscing for now. We've got to get going otherwise you're going be late for your first day and I'm going to be late for work."

As they made their way to the academy, Sarada thought back to her conversation with her mother at breakfast.

"I guess it was because I wanted to prove to myself that I was capable of doing it."

Certainly, Sarada was capable of becoming a shinobi, unlike her mother, she had two shinobi parents. But what about her father? She wondered why he had chosen that path. She was about to open her mouth and ask her mother before she was interrupted by their sudden arrival at the academy. They were greeted by Aunt Hinata and Lord seventh who were dropping off a very feisty Boruto. Sarada greeted them before turning her attention to the sibling quarrel culminating between Himawari and Boruto.

"I told you not to bring that stupid stuffed animal, yet you did it anyway so deal with it because I'm not carrying it for you. It's super uncool!"

"It is too cool! Maybe you're just not cool enough to see it! Now hold it for me because I'm tired."

"Absolutely not! No way! Sorry kid it's not happening," said Boruto before folding his arms in definitive defiance.

Sarada took the opportunity to weigh in on the argument.

"Hn. Figures YOU would act like this," said Sarada very matter of factly.

Boruto turned at the sound of Sarada's voice obviously unaware that she had witnessed their squabble. Himawari's eyes lit up as soon as she saw Sarada before quickly running over to her for a hug. Himawari looked up to Sarada almost like an older sister and Sarada loved Himawari like the little sister she never had. They got along perfectly. The same could not be said about Boruto and Sarada's relationship. The two couldn't quite pinpoint where their disdain for one another had stemmed however, it was clear that they could not stand one another.

"What is that supposed to mean?!" exclaimed Boruto.

"It means that you're an idiot. You can't even set aside your own arrogance to show some chivalry towards your exhausted kid sister."

"You're to talk! You're the most arrogant person I know! You think you're little miss perfect! Constantly judging everything I do!"

"Maybe if you weren't such an idiot I wouldn't have to!"

The two were getting dangerously close to turning their verbal battle into a smack down before Naruto stepped in to ease the two. Sakura giggled before saying to Naruto something about the incident seeming "very familiar," to which Naruto replied with a sheepish smile.