It wasn't until months later than Iruka guessed that they were finally able to continue with their one day family field trips as on a Wednesday they were rounded up and led to the Hokage Estate where it would be taking place.

"Apparently this guy that came is my Godfather" Naruto chattered excitedly eager to meet the man himself for the first time ever, Hiruzen had, had no choice but to tell him despite his old student's reluctance on the whole matter.

Nine minutes later they were crowded into a large sitting room "Right you kids I'm Jiraiya one of the Legendary Sannin and summoner of Toads from Mount Myoboku, today you'll be learning about the fundamentals of Fuinjutsu" Jiraiya introduced himself.

Sakura's eyes lit up while the rest of her classmates whispered in confusion amongst themselves "Hold up Legendary Sannin, just like that woman you admire right Sakura" Sasuke whispered as Jiraiya passed around small books, blank tags, ink-pots and brushes.

His friend nodded seriously practically vibrating in excitement "This seems like a very complicated thing to take up as a hobby" Shino frowned eyeing the odd writing in what looked to be simple squiggly lines to him.

"Oh yes Shino, very complicated, Naruto probably has no idea like the rest of us, however I found a book on the concept of Fuinjutsu once in the library so I should have a standard idea" Sakura giggled picking up the book that was set before her and flipping it open.

Almost immediately she recognized the seal-work within as the storage scroll seal, followed by several others that she could easily recognize, summoning, exploding tag, illusion tag, all of them would come in handy no doubt when they did become genin.

Jiraiya scratched his forehead and looked to the academy sensei for help "Class if you could focus on Jiraiya-sama, he'll tell you what to do" Iruka cleared his throat and all of his students did as told, lowering the books and looking to the man.

Where he stood "Right Fuinjutsu is simply put what an Uzumaki specializes in, it's complicated seals written down and bonded with chakra to make work, with Fuinjutsu you could probably create anything, so long as you know the fundamentals" the white haired man explained.

To his disappointment only a few kids, including his own gaki of a godson were paying rapt attention to him "Uh-huh but your forgetting Mister that we're still only six and don't even know what these books say" Ami Himekari scowled unhappily.

Glaring at Naruto, this was all his fault, his family name just has to have a complicated stupid looking hobby that she couldn't understand "Hey leave him alone Ami, it's not Naruto's fault, and he doesn't understand either so don't blame him" that pink haired freak butt in.

Naruto's head popped up from where he'd ducked it to stare wide eyed at one of the few girls in class that weren't nasty to him, Iruka smiled fondly at the little girl "Yeah well I'd like to see you do better by the end of today, Uzumaki better understand this stuff or you have to quit the academy for good" the purple haired girl spat.

Iruka sighed and went to intervene "Don't you know she has to stand up for herself Umino" Jiraiya shook his head, having seen the girl look over the fuinjutsu book for beginners with understanding in her gaze.

It was a wonder how she knew but if she could help his godson then who was he to complain "We'll help him to" the little Uchiha in class nodded decisively, even though he often got annoyed by the blonde to, Sakura's reputation was on the line.

"Even though we don't understand either" the Aburame Heir reminded in an exasperated tone as Naruto shuffled towards them and joined their close-knit group, shaking lightly and extremely nervous as he nearly dropped the ink-pot.

Before Sakura placed a gentle hand on his arm "No need to be nervous Naruto" Sakura smiled kindly at the boy who was a troublemaker in their class, but she saw that for what it was, he was lonely and wanted friends.

At that Naruto did calm down a little "So what's first Sakura, how exactly do we even begin to understand what all this stuff in the book means" Sasuke creased his forehead and frowned, looking through the book but not recognizing anything.

Sakura grinned "First, your calligraphy plays a large key in fuinjutsu, second these are seals all ninja should recognize and be able to use, like this one, it's the storage seal, you should know it Sasuke, Shino, Naruto you to if you've ever seen it" the rosette said.

It was like a lightbulb went off over their heads "Whoa your right, your very smart Sakura-chan you know" Naruto gaped as he slowly started recognizing some of the seals or at least a couple of them, the summoning seal was another he could faintly make out among all the squiggly lines.

Pleased that Naruto was making this easy on her, she moved onto the second step, grabbing a sheet of paper, dipping her ink brush into the ink and began carefully recreating the storage seal "Understanding and doing are two different things" Shino grimaced.

Realizing just what made fuinjutsu so hard for people and why it was a dying art "Yeah my hand hurts already and it's only been a couple minutes since I started" the ebony haired six year old complained lightly.

This sort of hobby was probably one he'd never take up "Agreed, how are you faring Naruto" the little brunet among them glanced to Naruto and found him messing up badly, apparently his calligraphy was no good in the least.

And he seemed to get that as he ducked his head "I'm terrible believe it" the blonde moaned pitifully only to have his hand pat gently in reassurance, boosting his confidence and by the time it was lunch he could recreate at least one of the seals in the book, just barely anyway.

While most of the class were left feeling confused at what it was they were even doing in the first place "Freaking show off" Ino scowled as even that stupid Naruto was allowed to join that stupid billboard brow in eating lunch with her, Sasuke and Shino.

Then when she thought it couldn't get any worse Kiba Inuzuka had to go over there and ask if he could join as well since his mom hadn't packed him a lunch that day "Thanks you're a lifesaver Sakura" Kiba gave the girl a toothy smile as he dug in to the delicious rice.

"Well that's what friends are for right" Sakura shrugged seeing them as family as well, by that point the will of fire had been so ingrained into her that it was all she thought about when she saw someone new, to see them as family.

Kiba nodded "Me to right Sakura-chan or are we not….." Naruto trailed off, stomach twisting in knots fearful of what the answer would be until he received a breathtaking smile from Sakura indicating that she saw him as a friend to.

Off to the side pouting Sasuke slumped his shoulders "Don't, you know how she is, why because Sakura is different than your average girl" Shino reminded, they couldn't keep being her only friends forever after all, she was bound to branch out and he'd known that from the beginning.

His comment earned a sigh "Yeah I know but still why the Dope and dog boy" Sasuke huffed under his breath and let his resentment go, if she wanted to be friends with them he wasn't going to stop her, he knew that he was still one of her best friends after all and family regardless of anything else.

Before they knew it the five tiered lunchbox had been devoured and the lot of them were set to practicing their seals again until there was just an hour and a half left of their academy "So billboard brow did you manage to make dumb Naruto understand" Ami snickered cruelly.

It was hard keeping his mouth shut as Jiraiya and Iruka stood off to the side, ready to intervene in the case things went south "Of course I did Ami, cause I at the very least understood what we were doing" the pinkette stated.

"Yeah, yeah one of the seals was the explosion seal and another the summoning seal and though I'm not very good at recreating them, I can at least draw them without messing up horribly" the blonde nodded presenting the seals he'd drawn.

Even though his hand hurt like hell he hadn't wanted to disappoint his friend and see her have to quit the academy just cause of him, Ami spluttered angrily and went to wipe that stupid smile off that stupid pink haired freaks face.

Only to be stopped by a firm grip around her wrist "Good job everyone, keep the books their a gift" the Toad Sage beat a hasty retreat from the house not wanting to stick around as the kids were herded back to the academy.

Ami was oddly silent as Iruka had scolded her on her behavior the whole entire way back to the academy until they were released for the rest of the day to go home, Sakura was off like a shot, having promised her parents that she'd come to their stall that day.

"See you tomorrow then" the little Uchiha grunted earning a wave before Sakura vanished from sight, Sasuke sighed before turning to the only one left "You to Shino" the raven haired boy bid his other friend farewell.

Shino nodded "Of course, why because this is the norm for us now" the Aburame Heir said, then spotted his father and hurried towards the man so they could get home and he could finish his homework before dinner then bed.

~Two Weeks Later~

Another name was drawn, this time the Yamanaka Flower Shop was their objective for the day as they went and sold flowers or tended to flowers for people with the older Yamanaka's who were nothing like their daughter.

Who liked to brag about anything and everything "How is everything in the classroom Iruka" Inoichi asked watching the kids run about, while having fun, especially the little girl their daughter had bullied ruthlessly all year so far.

"Good Ino seems to be learning her lesson somewhat about bullying people, her and Ami have drifted apart quite a bit and Sakura, well she has a thick skin as usual towards anything that happens to her" Iruka shook his head in amusement.

Inoichi was surprised at that "And the others are doing well, I think this was exactly what they needed to come together as a class" the brunet added seeing how well his students worked together, most of them anyway.

"Perhaps Iruka and maybe Ino will finally see that Sakura could be a great friend to her as well" the blonde chuckled, hoping that day came soon, because beyond that first day Sakura hadn't gone out of her way to bother Ino again.

While on the other hand his daughter had been outright vicious due to her own fault, before they knew it the day was over and they were on their way back to the academy "That was interesting" Sakura commented once they were in their seats again.

Next to her Sasuke rolled his eyes "Yeah interesting Sakura, I'd probably go crazy if I had to learn all those flowers day in and day out" Sasuke snorted quietly as he flipped open a book to read until it was time for them to leave for the weekend.

"For Sakura I don't think it'd be much of a chore, why because many of those flowers have medicinal properties and could be essential to her as part of her dream is to become a medic" Shino reminded lightly.

Sakura giggled softly and nodded while Sasuke stared at her in surprise "Exactly Shino, Sasuke and after we get let out I'm going to be visiting the library to check out some books on medicinal flowers" the rosette announced.

Determined to learn all she could before she became a genin "Knowing you Sakura, being a medic will probably come easy to you" the raven haired boy pointed out, mind flashing back to that weekend and how everything had come naturally to his friend.

"Indeed, why because you have natural talent" the brunet on her other side nodded in agreement to Sasuke's assessment that it would probably be very easy for her to be a medic and Sakura turned red in embarrassment.

Just in the nick of time Iruka released them from class and after collecting their belongings were headed from academy grounds, before Sakura could even begin to run off to home someone stepped in her way and she rammed into the person.

Rather hard as well as she hit the ground on her bottom "Are you alright Sakura-chan" Shisui chuckled from above her being the person she'd run into as his familiar hand appeared in her line of sight so she took it and let herself be hefted onto her feet.

After dusting her clothes off she looked up at her friend "No worries Shisui-ni, I'm fine, what are you doing here, Sasuke said you were going on a mission today and wouldn't be back until three days from now" Sakura frowned confused, he wasn't skipping on the mission was he.

Shisui shook his head with another chuckle "Haven't left yet, your parents told me that they'd be going off on another trip to a nearby town, Fugaku-sama said no this time so ah Aburame-sama there's something I need to speak with you about" the Uchiha spotted his target.

Then with Sakura in his arms hurried towards the man before he could leave with his son in tow "Everything alright Sakura" Shino asked when the two of them were abandoned by his Father and Shisui respectively.

His friend shrugged and glanced towards Shibi and Shisui having some idea what her friend was going to ask the Aburame Patriarch "My apologies I was intending on taking Shino to the bug habitat" Shibi grimaced behind his coat collar.

Not that he minded having the little girl along, the habitat was dangerous for any none Aburame right now and he wouldn't have anything happen to Sakura "No it's okay, maybe I could ask Shikaku-sama" Shisui mused.

Because there was absolutely no way he was going to leave Sakura to fend for herself, Shibi nodded in apology then gestured at Shino before the two Aburame's were gone "If push comes to shove I can just go stay with my next door neighbor Shisui-ni" the pinkette piped in.

Knowing that he was worried about her and wanting to make things easy on him to, Shisui flashed her a kind smile "Oh I just remembered I wanted to go to the library" Sakura jerked nearly toppling out of Shisui's arms.

Thanks to quick reflexes though she didn't almost eat dirt "Very well just please wait for me there Sakura-chan" the ebony haired teen sighed and set her on her feet, where Sakura nodded seriously then sped off to the library.

Leaving him to hurry to the Nara Compound "Shisui what brings you here" Shikaku looked up from where he was playing a game of shogi with his son while Yoshino was intermittently reading a book or watching the game progress.

"I have a favor to ask of you Shikaku-sama, see there's this little girl I know that's without a sitter for the whole weekend and I was wondering if you could watch her, she'll be no trouble I promise" Shisui requested hopefully.

He was a few seconds away from getting on his knee's to beg when Shikaku nodded "Your talking about Sakura aren't you, troublesome" Shikamaru piped in suddenly and his father raised his brow in response.

While Shisui laughed and cleared his throat "Sakura you don't mean the Sakura that Ino-chan and her friends have been bullying do you Shikamaru-kun" Yoshino inquired a glint in her dark eyes that made her husband wary.

As Shisui and her son nodded in answer to her question, Shikaku blew out a breath relenting to the demand in his wife's eyes "The girl can stay Shisui just make sure she comes prepared" the Nara Patriarch agreed to the request.

Shikamaru groaned softly, "Better to not let Ino know or she'll for sure blow a gasket" the Nara Heir shook his head with a disgusted snort, not even sure why Ino was all the time getting mad at Sakura anyway cause Ino wouldn't tell him.

"Hurry now Shisui-san don't leave that little girl alone for much longer" the Nara Matriarch waved the teenager off and without a sound or wisp of smoke body flickered to the library where Sakura was waiting for him.

Clutching a few new books in her arms "To home to pack a bag right" the little rosette smiled softly and Shisui nodded hefting her into his arms where he body flickered across the village to the her house and she scurried in to pack a bag for only the second time.

Then when she was done she found herself in another compound "Just knock on the door Sakura-chan, see you in a few days" the Uchiha ushered her towards the door, Sakura nodded holding tightly to the books and squared her shoulders.

Marching towards the door determinedly Shisui did his best not to laugh as he hurried off to start his mission while Sakura did as told and knocked on the door, it was opened a few minutes later revealing one of her classmates "Come in Sakura, take off your shoes as well" Shikamaru said.

Looking bored as usual "Here already that was rather fast" Yoshino commented when her son and the girl who must be Sakura shuffled into the living room, the little girl carrying two packs and three books to her surprise.

"I didn't want to keep Shisui-kun from his mission any longer than I had to so hurried up, also thank you very much for allowing me to stay in your home Nara-sama, Mrs. Nara" Sakura bowed low and Shikamaru stared at her as if he'd never seen her before.

She was starting to get nervous when Shikamaru's dad started chuckling "No need to be so formal, just call me Shikaku or whatever" Shikaku waved his hand watching her subtly as she sat politely at the low table and pulled out her lesson books to get started on her homework.

He was rather surprised at that because his own son wouldn't even do his homework on a good day and here was a little girl from a civilian family doing her homework with intent to get it all done "Tell me Sakura-chan do you like any kind of sweet" the brown haired woman asked.

And Sakura looked up at her "Anmitsu the matcha kind that's my favorite but I'll eat anything cause my Mom and Dad didn't raise me to be picky about food Mrs. Nara" the rosette announced in a polite tone.

There went Shikamaru giving her a weird look again "Okay just how is it that you pissed Ino off when your like that cause I'm really curious now" the only other kid there sighed tired of wondering and since she was right in front of him decided to ask.

"I think she's just upset that I called her out on stealing Sasuke's pencil back on the first day in front of her parents Mr. and Mrs. Yamanaka, I don't condone anyone stealing someone else's belongings for a reason as having a crush on them, it wasn't right" Sakura admitted.

Her morals weren't something she'd ever back down on "How is it you became friends with Shisui Uchiha when your not part of the Uchiha clan, to the point he'd actively go out of his way to find you somewhere to stay while your parents are gone" the Nara Patriarch questioned.

"Back when I was five, I met him in the library and we met there every week or other week if he was off on a mission and became very good friends, we've done lots of things together and my Mom and Dad trust him a lot" the pinkette answered as was proper of her.

Just then Shikamaru clutched his head as if he was in agony "Ugh I can't keep up with you, your to troublesome" Shikamaru groaned and Sakura took her turn to give him a weird look but shrug lightly and focus her attention on her homework again.

Until she was interrupted again fifteen minutes later as Shikamaru's mom came back with matcha anmitsu for her and the rest of them "Lots of things like what Sakura-chan, does he train you, Shikamaru tells me your rather talented" Yoshino inquired.

"Not exactly, but I did stay once with Sasuke and his family, they taught me some things, but beyond that and teaching me how to wield a tantou, Shisui-kun hasn't taught me anything, though he does take me on adventures outside the village sometimes" Sakura smiled brightly.

Finishing her homework first before giving her thanks for the sweet and digging in with delight and manners that had been instilled in her "Heard some rumors do you actually call him Ni-san" Shikaku piped in wanting to know and having been curious for awhile.

To bad for him they weren't just rumors when Sakura lowered her spoon and gave him a happy nod "Mhm Shisui-kun gave me strict permission to call him that, since I don't have any siblings of my own, he told me to think of everyone as family" the rosette chattered.

Emerald orbs bright and full of life, filled with the will of fire that had also been instilled in her by the very person they were talking about, so deeply ingrained into her that it was unlikely that she could ever go back to the way she was before meeting Shisui.

"Yet around us you don't call him that why is that Sakura-chan" the older woman asked kindly curious about what the girl would say next as it would no doubt prove very interesting and she was right to as the little girl perked up.

And turned to face her "Cause I know it might make some people uncomfortable, Sasuke doesn't mind but if I were to go around calling him Shisui-ni in front of other Uchiha like Uchiha-sama, then their likely to get mad" Sakura said seriously.

Shikamaru shook his head "Moving on do you like shogi or have you not played it before" the Nara Heir tried to direct the conversation to a safer topic hopefully because he couldn't keep up with the previous subject anymore.

Fortunately for him it did seem like Sakura knew what he was talking about "Read the rules once but I've never played, always wanted to try though oh but first Mrs. Nara may I wash these dishes" the pinkette grinned polishing off her sweet and looking up at the Nara Matriarch.

Completely lost by that point Yoshino led her into the kitchen and pulled out a stepping stool so that she could reach the sink, then wash and dry the dishes she'd used before they were put away and by the time they returned to the living room Shikamaru had set up his shogi board for them to play.

"Just be careful and try not to get to frustrated if you lose, beside myself Shikamaru is pretty good at shogi" the Nara Patriarch warned moving to lay down on the couch while Yoshino returned to the kitchen to get started on dinner.

While the kids started their first game of shogi, Sakura proved to be a tricky opponent when fifteen minutes later Shikamaru found himself boxed in, but tying with Sakura "Wait what, how the heck did you do that" Shikamaru gaped eyes flying across the board.

Looking over each and every one of his pieces wondering where he'd made a mistake "Don't know but does that mean we both lose Shikamaru" Sakura tilted her head to the side curiously unsure if this was a good thing or a bad thing.

And definitely not wanting her classmate to be mad at her for beating him at one of the things he apparently did best "That's right, maybe we should go a round one of these times" Shikaku chuckled from the couch seeing his son's dumbfounded expression.

If the girl could make that sort of look on his son's face then he knew Sakura would be a good friend to Shikamaru for the rest of their days to the end of time literally she was that loyal he could feel it deep in his soul.

That didn't deter Shikamaru any as they started up another game once all the pieces had been returned to their starting positions, only to end up tying yet again to Shikamaru's absolute frustration while Sakura became nervous.

Right in the nick of time Shikamaru's mother appeared "Dinner's ready no more playing shogi for the night because after will be bath and then bed time" Yoshino put her hands on her hips and said all that in a firm tone of voice that had both children scrambling to put away the shogi board.

Before following her into the dining room where dinner was already plated up for them, Sakura did as proper and waited for the Nara Family to take their first bites then after giving her thanks for the meal dug in with manners.

Until she was to full to eat another bite, her plate was mostly devoured and to Yoshino's surprise did up the dishes she'd used by herself took her bath without complaint already drowsy with sleepiness at that point dressed for sleep and crawled into a guest room bed for some shut eye.

When Sakura woke up Saturday morning it was to sunlight streaming through the curtains and Yoshino standing over her ready to shake her awake "Well then if your up time for breakfast" the Nara Matriarch said sternly.

As the little girl yawned and nodded quietly before getting dressed in proper day clothes, then folded up her sleep clothes and put them in her backpack for sleepovers and headed from the room carefully finding her way to the living room without help.

"Shikamaru's gone to play with Choji so your stuck with us for the day" the raven haired Jonin grunted as she took a seat at the table for a slightly late breakfast, it was a surprise Yoshino had let the girl sleep as long as she had.

Even though it was still rather early "That's okay, I still had a little bit of homework to do then I'll probably just read my new books quietly on the couch so I'm not in your way Nara-sama" the pinkette admitted forgetting about what the man had told her and remaining polite despite that.

Wondering how the kid had turned out to be so well-mannered the two adults decided to question her "Did Shisui-san teach you how to be polite like that in front of Clan leaders and such" Yoshino questioned carefully.

Not wanting to upset the girl "My Mom and Dad, they said I was different the moment I was born so raised me accordingly to always be polite to anyone no matter who it was" Sakura quipped lightly with a smile.

Thinking fondly of her parents no doubt as her eyes got a faraway look in them while she ate "How are your studies in the academy" Shikaku asked suddenly before she could drift away from them completely.

Already proving to be deep in thought when Sakura jumped a little at the sudden question "Ah um…according to my last report card I've got straight A plus's in all my classes, even the physical portion" the pinkette stammered for a second.

Trying to remember her grades, rattling them off when she did so she didn't leave him hanging on his question "Well no wonder you could tie with my son" the Nara Patriarch chuckled amused, this girl might turn out to be smarter than Shikamaru at this rate by the time they were genin.

Sakura blushed and ducked her head sheepishly as she finished eating then washed the dishes she'd used "You know Sakura-chan you don't have to do that right" the brunette woman said gently not wanting the girl to feel as if she had to be as formal as she had been so far.

"I know but I want to cause it's only polite since you're both allowing me to stay here in your home I have to take responsibility for myself" Sakura responded in a confident tone to their amusement before heading into the living room.

By the time the two of them got to the living room themselves Sakura had already finished what was left of her homework and was sitting quietly on the couch holding a book on medicinal flowers "Any reason your reading such a complicated book" Shikaku inquired.

And the little girl nodded "Learning to be a medic someday maybe after I become a genin" the rosette admitted glancing up from her book for a brief moment to answer him then returning to reading to his exasperation.

This was one little kid that had even him baffled "That's a great goal Sakura-chan do you have someone you like perhaps Sasuke-san, Shikamaru tells me you two are friends after all" Yoshino pressed wondering if the girl had a crush.

But to her surprise Sakura shook her head "Sasuke and I are just friends, and I don't think I have a crush, to young to even think about such things" Sakura said with such a straight face that Shikaku had to fight down the laughter that wanted to burst forth suddenly.

Questioning done they decided to leave the girl to her reading and around dinner time Shikamaru returned from playing with Choji the whole day to eat supper, take another bath and then go to bed again until it was finally Monday where they headed to the academy together.