Visiting another family was put off for a couple of months due to the next slip being drawn having the last name Uzumaki "Lord Hokage has agreed to step in for him as a guardian of sorts, however the person who knows the hobby in mind is currently out of the village" Iruka told them.
And that was that "Totally sucks couldn't you just draw another slip and forget about the loser" Ino scoffed under her breath, and earned a sharp look in response from their sensei, she slumped in her seat sulking and muttering under her breath about the unfairness of the situation.
"For now, we'll have you learning how to wield shuriken, so single file line class and follow me out to the academy training grounds" their brunet sensei instructed and nearly everyone jumped up in excitement.
Sakura however looked a little pale "What's the matter Sakura" Sasuke eyed his friend worried that she wasn't feeling well, he'd never seen her sick of course and he certainly didn't want to ever in the first place.
Their mutual friend could guess what the problem was though "You've never held a shuriken have you, why because you come from a civilian family" Shino stated, not being cruel but just saying the obvious and Sakura nodded her head.
"I'm going to be terrible at it I just know I am" Sakura admitted looking lost and confused, it was the problem with being a child from a civilian family and wanting to be a ninja of the Leaf Village, the rest of the students that were from clan backgrounds had leagues of practice ahead of her.
Sasuke grimaced "Never know Sakura, you could beat even me and my family are the masters of the Shuriken jutsu" the little Uchiha burst out trying to cheer her up like she was constantly doing for him and was graced with a very small smile to his relief.
As her reluctance went away "Exactly, why because despite all this you still have talent" the Aburame Heir nodded seriously and Sakura perked up to her usual self a couple minutes later, having the courage to at least try and practice.
Until they were all handed five shuriken and she felt the cold metal weapons in her hands "Before you try your hand, remember control over strength, don't throw to hard and aim only at the targets" Iruka lectured in a warning tone.
Knowing that some of his students were likely to try and throw their weapons at their classmates "Right here we go" the lone pink haired girl in his class took a deep breath and he focused his gaze on her as she stood a standard five feet away.
Watching her classmates closely as they took up their throwing stances and shifted into one herself making him realize that she'd never trained like this before and before Iruka could offer to help her focused her attention on the target ahead of her.
And with a quick flick of her wrist sent all five shuriken flying from her hand, loud thunks signaled they'd landed on the target and he looked real quick to see how the little girl had fared, only to be moderately surprised.
One shuriken was nearly dead center of the target while the rest were in one of the outer rings "See told you that you'd be good Sakura" Sasuke grinned praising his friend as she went and collected the shuriken to try again.
"Yes, why because your different than the rest of our classmates" Shino piped in practicing himself now after making sure his friend would do alright with the sudden throwing lesson they'd been dragged into by their sensei.
Their friend proved the statement of being different to be true when in the next moment she turned and spied their sensei who was stood very near them "Is it different wielding kunai and senbon Iruka-sensei" Sakura asked interested in other sorts of weapons.
His lips quirked up "Yes Sakura-chan, kunai are heavier so you have to account for their weight when your throwing them and then the senbon needles are much lighter and you need to exert very little strength over throwing them, their also very breakable" the brunet lectured.
Remembering what the girl had blurted out a couple weeks ago during their first family visiting session, and suddenly Sasuke and Shino were listening to the lecture as well "Can you show us Iruka-sensei or is that not allowed" the lone Uchiha in his class inquired.
Interested in learning much like Sakura was as she stared at the shuriken in her hand before looking to him with wide eyes full of curiosity "Well I don't see any harm to it, wait right here you lot, I'll be back in a few minutes" Iruka nodded making his decision.
Then hurried back into class to get the packs of kunai and senbon needles he'd purposefully left behind "Here we are a kunai and a senbon needle" the brunet presented the weapons to his three curious students once he'd returned.
And the kunai was taken by the boys while the senbon needle was taken by the lone girl out of the friends "Do you mind if we try Iruka-sensei, why for curiosity sake" the Aburame Heir asked eager to try his hand with the heavier weapon, Sasuke to.
While Sakura was fascinated with the thin needle like weapon "The only difference is it's not like a sewing needle" the rosette murmured scanning the weapon intensely as Iruka gave them permission to give the different weapons a try.
Lecture flashing through her mind about the senbon needle Sakura turned and gripped it gently, facing the target again, then with a light flick of her wrist, controlling the amount of strength she put behind her throw sent the needle flying through the air to hit the bullseye.
Both of her friends inched away from her "You're a good shot it's scary" Sasuke shuddered frightened of his female friend who was scarily reminiscent of his mother, who was the mistress of the shuriken jutsu over everyone in the clan even his older brother couldn't beat their mother.
Shino nodded sagely in agreement "Switch, why because it's better to know how to wield a variety of weapons" Shino held out the kunai and carefully took the throwing needle into his own hands as Sakura grabbed the kunai to try her hand at throwing it.
Iruka shook his head when she proved to have a talent for all sorts of weapons and passed out kunai and throwing needles to other students that wished to practice with the different weapons as well until it was time to head back in and get their regular lessons underway.
Before they knew it the day was over and they were released for the weekend "Isn't that Shisui-san" the little Aburame Heir pointed out as they exited the gates of the academy to head home in opposite directions like usual.
Sasuke and Sakura looked up at the same time "Yeah it is, wonder why Shisui-san is here" the ebony haired six year old frowned in confusion and looked around but didn't spot his older brother so it was just Shisui.
And a couple minutes later they were stood before him on their own as Shino spotted his father and left with him "Sasuke-chan, Sakura-chan guess what your having a sleepover the entire weekend" Shisui clapped and the two kids shared a confused look.
"Has something happened Shisui-ni and where's the sleepover going to be" the pinkette asked, not afraid to call the older boy that in front of her friend who'd already known that she'd been given permission to do so by Shisui himself.
Shisui grinned "Sasuke-chan's of course, your parents are going off on a trip to sell some wares and asked if I could look after you and once Mikoto-sama learned she demanded to have you stay at the house with Sasuke-chan" the older Uchiha announced hefting the little girl into his arms.
While Sasuke just gripped his shirt tightly knowing that they'd be body flickering to the compound "That's fine with me it keeps Sakura from getting bullied" Sasuke scowled, even though the girls no longer pushed her down, they still called Sakura horrible names.
Just as if the thought manifested them Ino, Ami and their two friends appeared only to freeze at the sight of the teenager sporting a headband and then hurriedly scurry off to wait for another chance to get at the pink haired freak.
"Oh but what about some stuff I'll need clothes Shisui-ni, if I'm going to stay the whole weekend that is" Sakura piped in wrapping her arms around his neck carefully so she didn't accidentally choke her friend.
Earning a chuckle and a second later they were stood before her house "Go in and grab what you need Sakura-chan, Sasuke-chan and I will wait right here for you" Shisui ushered her into the house and she disappeared down the hall to do as told.
Upon returning with a pack of essentials Sakura found Sasuke staring at her house like he'd never seen a house before "Do you really live here" the second heir of the Uchiha clan asked with a frown eyeing the building and seeing how small it was.
He wondered did her family have enough money was that why they could only live in a small home "Mhm, me, my momma and daddy I know what your thinking Sasuke and for three people that's perfectly normal if your from a civilian family" the rosette explained.
Sasuke flashed her a sheepish smile and waited for her to be lifted again then they were off to the Uchiha Compound and before the main family house "Right I'll see you for dinner probably if not in the morning Sakura-chan" the older Uchiha ruffled her hair gently.
Then body flickered once again leaving the two six year old's to head into the house and politely take their sandals off, Sasuke watched his friend as she put hers neatly out of the way "Thought I heard the door, welcome to our home again Sakura-san" Itachi rounded the corner a second later.
Greeting his little brother and the girl that had befriended him, who would be staying the whole weekend in their house thanks to Shisui and his mothers interest in the little girl "Here already that was fast" Mikoto looked up when her two sons and the pink haired civilian girl shuffled into the living room.
"Yes, ah thank you very much Mrs. Uchiha for allowing me to stay here in your home while my parents are off on a trip" Sakura bowed low as was polite, by that point Sasuke was use to her general politeness towards all adults and her strangeness.
Mikoto blinked and nodded "Come on Sakura, better to get started on our homework" Sasuke sighed grabbing her by the wrist and leading the way towards the low sitting table where they sat and spread out their lesson books and worksheets to do their homework.
"I have to wonder, did Shisui teach her how to be polite like that" the eleven year old mused to himself and his mother as they wandered into the kitchen to get started on dinner, Mikoto peered down at him before shrugging.
Confused herself "No idea Itachi-chan but she's definitely not of the norm, most little girls have a thing for our clan's pretty boys, that little girl however doesn't seem interested in the least" the Matriarch crinkled her nose up in thought.
Trying to figure out the puzzle that was Sakura Haruno "Or could it be she's better at hiding it than other girls and is interested, ulterior motives perhaps" Itachi added unsure of that himself or it could be that Sakura really just wanted to be Sasuke's friend for no extra reasons.
"Possibly the only way is to ask, there go tell them that supper is ready" Mikoto smiled pleased with herself as she made up the plates and wrapped one to be eaten later when her husband eventually did make it home from working in his office all day.
A few minutes later Itachi appeared with Sasuke and Sakura shuffling after him before they all took a seat around the table and plates with piping hot food was placed before them along with a glass of tea to drink with their meal.
Sakura waited patiently until Mikoto took the first bite then gave her thanks for the meal and dug in politely "So Sakura-chan why did you become friends with Sasuke-chan" the Uchiha Matriarch got straight to questioning the little girl, not wanting to beat around the bush.
Sasuke spluttered and choked on his tea until Sakura pat him gently on the back "At first it was cause Shisui-kun asked me to keep an eye on him, then when those girls did what they did I wanted to show Sasuke that not all girls in our class were crazy like that" the pinkette admitted.
Itachi covered his mouth to keep from laughing "I should be glad that yours and Shisui-san's term of endearment didn't rub off on her as well, mother" the little six year old boy pouted because in his mind that was just wrong being called a girly suffix like that by his only female friend.
Even Mikoto was mildly amused before her expression shifted to one of seriousness as another person shuffled through the kitchen doorway, Itachi sobered up instantly "Welcome home Father" the eleven year old bowed his head.
Realizing that she was meeting Sasuke's father for the first time Sakura squared her shoulders and stood "Uchiha-sama thank you for allowing me to stay in your home for the weekend" Sakura bowed low determined to not mess up.
Onyx eyes focused on her, a harshness to them that had her squirming inwardly while outwardly she kept her head down waiting for acknowledgement from the older man "Just make sure you behave" Fugaku scoffed deigning to speak to the girl.
Her shoulders relaxed and Sakura raised her head before sitting politely at the table again "Don't think you have to worry about that Father, Sakura's a goody two-shoes after all" Sasuke sniggered and Sakura shook her head with an exasperated look in her eyes.
She didn't comment though choosing to keep silent "How was work Fugaku, everything alright" Mikoto questioned once Fugaku was seated at the table and eating with them, a rarity nowadays considering all that was going on.
Fugaku nodded not really talking as he focused more on eating for the time being "Are we going to train after this" Itachi inquired, wondering if the man was even up to it or if he was going to have Sakura join in as well.
At that Fugaku finally joined the conversation "Work was fine and yes, you to girl so make sure you ready your weapons" the brunet barked and the little girl glanced to him with wide eyes, he was about to get angry.
When his youngest piped in "Sakura doesn't have weapons of her own Father, nor does she know her chakra natures" the raven haired six year old explained for his friend who looked frustrated with herself, all because she wasn't a clan kid like everyone else.
"I can teach Sakura-chan if she'd like" the Matriarch commented with a shrug, eager to teach the girl who was very polite, it's not like she had anything other than dishes to do after dinner anyway and those could be put off for a short time.
Her husband nodded in acceptance "That's great then by the time this weekend is over you and Sasuke will be leagues ahead of your other classmates" her oldest son smiled lightly, prepared to help Sakura himself should she fail.
Sakura nodded "Probably Itachi-san or maybe just all the other girls" the pinkette giggled quietly not daring to be to loud just in case the Patriarch took offense to her laughter in his home, she got the feeling this weekend would be like no weekend she'd ever had before.
And she was right to as soon as they were done eating, her doing up the dishes that she'd used because it was the proper thing to do in someone else's home the five of them headed out back to a large training area.
Just seconds later she was stood by Sasuke with kunai in her hands to practice her throwing technique again, and after every fifteen minutes they were made to switch to a different weapon and even practice throwing with their other hand that wasn't dominant.
Until it felt like her arms were going to fall off, then she was left alone with Mikoto who handed her a slip of paper "Is this a nature sensing paper" Sakura looked at it in awe, having only read about it and now was getting to see one for real.
A little surprised "If you know that much then you should know what to do with it right Sakura-chan" Mikoto gestured for the little girl to go ahead and hoped that the girl knew how to access her chakra at the very least.
Thankfully she didn't have to worry as the paper got wet and then crumbled indicating two chakra natures that Sakura could wield, Mikoto tapped her lip in thought trying to remember any jutsu that belonged to the opposite natures of herself.
"Here I have a couple books on elemental jutsu's for all the natures" the rosette pulled out a couple books on all the chakra natures and handed them over to Mikoto, who looked relieved that the little girl was prepared for any kind of situation it seemed.
With that she flipped through the book and settled on the easiest jutsu's she could find "Start with Suiton: Bubble Jutsu and Doton: Mud wall Sakura-chan" the ebony haired woman instructed, having Sakura practice the hand signs for at least ten minutes.
Before making her attempt the jutsu's, done with their own practice the three males came to watch "You've got this in the bag Sakura" Sasuke cheered knowing that she would surprise them all and in the next moment he was right.
As she went through the hand signs slowly sure for the earth jutsu "Doton: Mud wall Jutsu" Sakura slapped her hands on the ground molding her chakra unsure if she was doing it right until a six foot high wall of earth rose.
Even Sakura looked a little shocked that she'd managed to do the jutsu so easily "Tell me Sakura-san has Shisui-san been training you" Itachi asked seriously wondering if that was the reason why the girl seemed so advanced.
"You know as well as I do Itachi-chan that it was Sakura-chan's first attempt at using a jutsu cause I had to teach her remember" Mikoto scolded and Itachi could have whacked himself as he did indeed remember that Sakura had no prior training.
"Then just good chakra control" Fugaku snorted watching as the girl practiced the water jutsu next and utterly decimated the earth wall before they all headed in and the two six year old's sat down to finish up their homework, then took baths and went to bed.
And the rest of the weekend was like that to, on Saturday Mikoto subjected Sakura and her youngest son to the shuriken jutsu by having them dodge the weapons, the little pinkette proving to be a little more flexible than Sasuke, followed by another elemental jutsu practice.
While Sunday was spent with Shisui as he'd been sent on a sudden mission the day before and got back before the weekend was completely over, when he appeared he found a laughing Sakura and a sulking Sasuke as they were taught taijutsu.
Sakura currently had Sasuke pinned down and Mikoto was thoroughly amused "Well isn't this quite the scene" Shisui chuckled and Sasuke paled looking horrified at his continued humiliation until Sakura graciously let him up.
Only for them to repeat under Mikoto's strict guidance "Hello Shisui-chan your just in time I was going to have these two practice with a tantou next, since Sakura-chan doesn't know how to wield a tantou could you show her the ropes" Mikoto flashed him a kind smile.
"Hold up your having her train to, kami Mikoto-sama she's a little kid" the teenager gaped and looked his little friend over, only finding a few scrapes here and there that had been tended to already and she looked to be happy.
That was a surprise "It's not like we're forcing her Shisui-chan, we did give Sakura-chan the option to opt out after all" the Uchiha Matriarch huffed more amused than annoyed by how much Shisui seemed to care about the little civilian girl.
"Yeah, Shisui-kun I'm fine so no worries" Sakura beamed at him and knocked Sasuke on his back again before holding him down to the ground until Mikoto called it and then a tantou was put in her hands and she was led away by Shisui.
A pouting Sasuke watched her go "She's just going to kick my ass on that to" Sasuke sulked and he was right to, the moment they started sparring in kenjutsu, Sakura knocked his tantou out of his hands five minutes into the spar.
"Ugh I can't keep up with you sometimes Sakura" the ebony haired six year old sighed as they were finally allowed to stop training and take a break to do whatever and Sakura sent him an apologetic smile.
She couldn't help it that she was different "Higher learning rate than most kids my age remember" the pinkette reminded sheepishly, Sasuke nodded in understanding and for the rest of the day they spent it running around the backyard chasing after Shisui.
Before it was back to class on Monday where Sakura went home with her parents who showed up to walk her home after being gone the whole weekend and after eating dinner went to bed, hardly able to wait for the next time she got to stay with a friend.