Her first day in the academy was like nothing she ever expected "To many kids" Shino grimaced behind his coat collar, eyeing the rows of their classmates warily as they sat in the far back of the room to avoid getting in trouble.
"Yeah I agree, but at least we have each other and if I can convince him Sasuke to, so long as I don't act like that" Sakura shook her head in disgust at her own gender, like seriously they weren't even adults yet and Sasuke was still a kid like the rest of them of course he wouldn't be interested.
Shino stared in the direction she was looking and cringed when a high pitched squeal came from Ino Yamanaka and threw her arms around Sasuke, who scowled and tried to pry the girl off of him "Won't be to difficult, your different after all" the Aburame Heir scoffed.
Sakura nodded her head and focused her gaze forward as their sensei finally entered the classroom so they could begin their first lesson "Theory of Chakra, it's important to know how to use your chakra as a ninja" Iruka began after taking roll call to make sure all of them were there.
Droning on and on with his lecture, Sakura writing down copious amounts of notes "I'm probably going overboard but I don't want to fail" the rosette smiled sheepishly when her friend gave her an odd look at her stack of notes that she piled into a folder all nice and neat.
And so on went their morning after switching from their homeroom sensei and learned about theory of genjutsu, subjects that she'd already studied extensively until it was lunch time "Are you going to invite Sasuke" Shino eyed the lonesome boy.
Who looked like he didn't know what he wanted besides being left alone by girls, Sakura pursed her lips in thought before nodding and together they approached "Go away I'm not interested" Sasuke spat already on edge.
"I know and understand one thing I'm not like the rest of the females in this class Sasuke-san, my Mom made extra and I wanted to know if you'd like to share since it seems like you don't have a lunchbox today" Sakura put her hands on her hips.
Sasuke leaned away from her at that, ebony orbs wide and wary as he thought over her offer, he'd just made up his mind when his stomach growled "Fine but if you ever ask me out I'm not hanging out with you again" the raven haired six year old scowled cheeks pink in embarrassment.
"Glad we have an understanding Sasuke now lets go, this is Shino Aburame in case you weren't paying attention when we all introduced ourselves" the pinkette clapped grabbing her five tiered lunchbox before the three of them snuck out of the classroom to the empty roof.
None of them were sure they could actually be up there but it was free of their classmates and so they settled down to eat "Does your mother usually make this much" the brunet heir blinked his eyes behind his sun glasses at the amount of food set before them.
Viridian orbs focused on him as a wide smile split her face "Only on special days just in case I made any more friends, this is a great way to establish friendships, sharing food and the will of fire is seeing everyone as family remember no matter who they are" Sakura admitted happily.
The two boys on the roof stared at her before shrugging "Well either way I'm kind of glad your different than our other female classmates uh Sakura right" Sasuke flushed trying to remember her name and getting it right on the first try proving he had been paying attention.
As she nodded and gave her thanks for the food before digging in followed by Sasuke and Shino "My Father says that the next time you go on a bug hunting expedition you should come get us so we can come along" Shino piped in four minutes later.
"Bug hunting expedition, are you saying you like bugs, you really are different most girls don't like bugs" the six year old Uchiha heir frowned in confusion and Sakura's expression shifted it was one that told him he better tread carefully.
"Let's hope you don't have a problem with that" the rosette narrowed her eyes, that was the exact reason she hadn't told anyone beyond Shisui, who'd snuck behind her back to find out that she liked reading about and hunting for insects.
He shook his head hastily not wanting to be hit or yelled at especially by the only sane girl in his class so far and Sakura relaxed "The subject is touchy" the Aburame Heir offered as Sasuke breathed a sigh of relief and they continued enjoying their lunch.
Understanding in his gaze as he nodded Sasuke resolved himself to never make fun of Sakura for her different likes so long as it kept her from fawning over him like the other girls, she made a decent friend.
With that they finished eating lunch, cleaned up after themselves and headed off to class for their next lesson, upon sitting down Sasuke found his favorite pencil missing, he threw a glare at Sakura thinking it was her and she gave him a weird look from her spot in the back of the room.
Before he remembered that she'd been with him and Shino up on the roof the entire time so couldn't still his pencil and ducked his head in apology, the rest of the day carried on and still his pencil didn't turn up.
"Everything okay Sasuke" Sakura asked gently eyeing the moping expression on his face as he put his books in his bag, his shoulders slumped but he nodded putting on a brave face as they left academy grounds to split up.
Just before they were though "My favorite pencil that my Ni-san gave me is gone" Sasuke admitted then hurried off to home depressed how was he going to face his brother now after loosing what had been a gift to him.
Sakura sighed "See you tomorrow Sakura" Shino waved seeing his father and hurrying towards the man while Sakura forced a smile onto her face and started walking home alone, as that time of day her parents would be working at their stall.
It was halfway there that her ears picked up on conversation a short distance away from her "Ino-chan was so brave sneaking into the classroom and stealing Sasuke-kun's pencil now she has a momento for life" Ami Himekari, her park bully giggled.
Disappointed with the girls of her class Sakura squared her shoulders and marched her way towards the flower shop she'd only been in a couple times with her mother "Oh my what an adorable little girl" Aiko Yamanaka squealed when she entered the shop.
All eyes turning to her "Indeed so what can we do for you sweetie or are you a new friend of Ino-chan's" Inoichi Yamanaka asked and his daughter turned her head to spy the girl with pink hair that had sat in the back of the class with the weird looking boy.
Resolved because she knew it was the right thing to do Sakura shook her head "Not exactly Mister, but um just a little while ago Ami Himekari was bragging about how Ino-san stole one of our classmates favorite pencil, he was upset the rest of the day cause of it" the pinkette announced.
Getting right to the point and not beating around the bush about the reason she was there, Ino froze guilt plastered all over her face giving truth to the accusation "You're a little liar billboard brow I did no such thing" Ino crossed her arms over her chest haughtily.
"Then you wouldn't mind emptying out your bookbag and pockets, you and the other girls in class bothered Sasuke all day even when he asked you guys to leave him alone, and stealing is just plain wrong even if you like said person" Sakura narrowed her eyes, determined to cheer Sasuke up no matter what and get his pencil back.
Aiko and Inoichi were shocked and horrified when their daughter roughly dumped out her book-bag "Here stupid billboard brow and if you ever come near me again I'm gonna put you in the hospital" the blonde spat striking Sakura across the face after kicking the pencil out into the street.
"Young lady that was incredibly stupid, you don't threaten someone else or hit them just because your mad and stealing is wrong so you apologize right this instant or you'll go without dessert or seeing your friends that are terrible influences on you" Aiko Yamanaka screeched.
Watching the other girl carefully for any tears "I'm sorry for disrupting your evening Mr. and Mrs. Yamanaka" the rosette bowed politely then straightened and after scooping up Sasuke's missing pencil headed towards where Shisui had said his Clan Compound was located.
"But Mom it's all that stupid billboard brows fault I didn't do anything wrong" Ino sulked unhappy that she was getting punished that stupid billboard brow why couldn't she just keep her nose out of other people's business.
Inoichi shook his head "Grounded now go to your room and think about what you've done" Inoichi pointed and after picking up her things and shoving them harshly back into her bag stomped her way up the steps and slammed the door to her room loudly.
Meanwhile after getting lost like four times in the span of ten minutes Sakura finally found her way to the Uchiha Compound "Are you lost little girl" there were guards posted at the gates to and she knew it wouldn't be easy getting in.
"Not exactly Uchiha-san um Sasuke's in my class and one of the other girls stole his favorite pencil I got it back for him and I'd like to return it please if you'd let me" Sakura held out the writing utensil itching to cry from the pain in her cheek.
They eyed her warily, whispering back and forth under their breaths for a few minutes and Sakura stood there waiting patiently "Very well just go straight through and once your done leave immediately, behave yourself and be polite if you meet Fugaku-sama" they warned.
Opening the gates and hoping they weren't making a mistake in letting the civilian girl through to see their Patriarch's youngest son "Thank you very much and I will, I promise Uchiha-san" the pinkette bowed low relieved that she was getting in.
And after taking a deep breath, steeling her nerves in the process started the long trek through the Uchiha Compound all by her lonesome, it was scary and she gripped the straps of her backpack tightly feeling all the glares directed at her.
Finally after fifteen minutes of being under scrutinizing stares she reached the biggest house she'd ever seen in her entire life and politely knocked on the door, it was less than a moment later that the door was pulled open to reveal a beautiful woman.
"You poor thing how did you get that bruise and scratch on your cheek" Mikoto Uchiha was exactly as Sasuke had described her, kind, as she gasped in horror and looked completely disturbed that she was hurt.
Hearing the commotion her two sons appeared "Sakura what happened, are you okay" Sasuke was right there glaring at the bruise on her cheek and Sakura flashed him a bright smile even though it really, really hurt.
"Pencil I got it back for you" Sakura held out the missing writing utensil that he'd been moping about for half the day by that point, Sasuke took it gingerly unable to really believe that someone would go that far for him just because he'd been a little depressed.
Mikoto's gaze softened "Itachi-chan would you get the first aide kit, oh wait sweetie at least let me tend that bruise for you okay" the raven haired woman said sternly when she caught the little girl turning to leave.
Sakura paused and looked conflicted "But your guards said that once I was done I had to leave right away and I made a promise that I would behave" the rosette bit her lip worried about breaking the promise she'd made.
"Pish-posh sweetie you can't very well ignore an order from the Matriarch of the Uchiha Clan so I say you can stay for a little while longer until that bruise and scratch is tended to" Mikoto put her foot down and Sakura nodded sagely.
Sasuke grinned "Thank you by the way Sakura for getting it back" the raven haired six year old added before frowning and staring at the bruise as Sakura was dragged into his house and after taking her sandals off was sat down in a chair by his mother.
"Here you go mother and are you the Sakura, Shisui-san is always going on about, sorry I'm Itachi, Sasuke's older brother" Itachi handed off the first aide kit to his mother before directing his attention onto the little girl.
Who nodded "Shisui-kun is my very first friend ever, he always helps me reach the high shelves at the library and lectures me on the important things in life, he's the one who taught me about the will of fire, how everyone is family blood related or not" Sakura explained.
Sitting positively still for Mikoto as she sprayed some antiseptic spray on her cheek to cleanse the scratch so it didn't get infected before a bandage was put over it and a wrapped ice-pack was handed to her to hold to her cheek and bring down the swelling of the bruise.
"Did that involve having to get hurt to, how did you even find out where it was or who took it anyway" Sasuke sulked wishing that she hadn't went to the extreme just over a stupid pencil, he could have gotten another one from his brother after all.
Emerald orbs shined "Ami Himekari was bragging about Ino Yamanaka stealing it so I went to her family shop, Ino-san got mad when she realized that she couldn't hide the fact she stole it from her parents, so she hit me" the rosette shrugged lightly.
Itachi blinked and scratched his cheek in confusion just as a bark of laughter came from a very familiar person "Brutal as ever I see Sakura-chan those morals of yours are something else I'll tell ya" Shisui guffawed hearing her statement.
The little girl merely grinned up at him "Your probably going to be a target for bullying now" Itachi pointed out gently not wanting to see the girl start crying once the realization hit her that some of the girls in her class would hate her now.
"Nothing new, Himekari and her friends already bullied me anyway for my forehead and pink hair so whats one more person" Sakura admitted lightly not bothered and Shisui sighed, sometimes that girl was to different.
Leaving everyone else baffled or confused "Honestly what am I ever going to do with you Sakura-chan" the ebony haired teenager shook his head with a sound between a snort and a laugh, thoroughly amused by the six year old.
His response was a cheeky smile before she handed off the wrapped ice-pack "Thank you very much Mrs. Uchiha for tending to my cheek but if I don't get home my parents will worry" the pinkette popped up from the chair and bowed low for the woman.
"Why don't you have Shisui take you home since your friends that way they aren't worried and know you were with someone they trust" Mikoto waved her hands just a tiny bit shocked that the girl was so polite and very curious how the friendship came about anyway.
She watched Shisui take the girl into his arms like he'd done it a million times and then body flicker off where they found Mebuki and Kizashi still gone "So what to talk about it" Shisui pointed at the bandage.
"Ino Yamanaka stole Sasuke's pencil and he was depressed about it, she got mad that I called her out on it and hit me" Sakura admitted shamelessly and Shisui sighed, pulling her into a fond hug wishing he had a little sister like this girl.
"That was very brave of you Sakura-chan, very brave and thank you for taking care of Sasuke-chan for me during the academy today" the Uchiha leaned back and they settled at the low table as she pulled out her homework.
Sakura bobbed her head "Your welcome Shisui-kun and of course that's what I promised after all" the rosette smiled brightly reading through her books and already knowing most of the material was able to answer all the questions on her worksheets for each lesson.
Until the two of them were sitting in silence, eventually Kizashi and Mebuki returned bearing dinner in the form of takeout and Shisui bid them farewell promising to keep a better eye on his little friend as he returned to the compound for the night.