Monday, January 21st, 2013.
Happy MLK Jr. Day! Happy birthday Mr. King!
Happy Inauguration Day! Congratulations, President Obama for your 2nd term!
Sorry, Gaara, for missing you birthday on Saturday. I tried to update, but had no time.
Sorry, Giotto (aka Primo, from KHR) and Minato because I will miss your birthdays on Friday. Funny how your birthday is on the same day, the 25th. So alike...you look like an older version of your future successor and main character of the anime, blonde, sweet, kick-ass, had a high position in whatever it is you do, (MinatoHokage, GiottoBoss of Vongola, 1st at that) etc. And are hot. Can't miss that.
Shino's birthday is on the 23rd.
Inoichi's on the 24th. RIP.
Yeah, I'm not hiding it much anymore. RIP, Shikaku too. I'm sure Neji's death circulated by now if you didn't already know. If not, sorry, and too bad.
Disclaimer: Gaara, if you will.
Gaara: I would get some romance if Cherry owned Naruto. She'd probably also do a cool One Piece crossover with Oda. Or KHR with Amano.
Dedication: To my beloved Momo-chan, for being my friend and being the only reviewer to the first chapter! And also, aalc95 for being the only review for DoOver since chapter 19. I think everyone thinks I'm dead or still on vacation. Is that the case, guys?
Now READ! And REVIEW!
Chapter 2: Team Selections & Introductions
Recap
I looked to the calendar to see what day Itachi sent me (and others) to.
I gasped. "Today is-"
End Recap
Sakura POV
"Today is the day our teams are chosen!" I bolted out of bed and stopped when I saw something on my bedside table. A couple things actually.
A red cellphone. My Team 7 picture. My Team 7 photo with Sai and Yamato, minus Sasuke. Another picture of me, Naruto, Sai, Yamato, Kakashi, and Sora(1).
My laptop. Oh, good! Now I don't have to buy my software all over again!
And finally, my headband.
Instead of the blue cloth that I had when I first graduated, it was red.
I guess the headband and the other Team 7 pictures and our laptop came back with us to the past.
I guess so, Inner. I'm glad it did.
Me, too.
"Sakura! Wake up, now! Do you want to be late?!" Wait a minute, that's my mother's voice! But she sounds…different.
But she sounds so…mean, and nasty.
Remember Itachi some things would change? Maybe instead of being nice and stuff, our parents are mean?
Maybe…
Shouldn't we be getting ready for the academy? We don't want to be late.
I forgot! Shit! Gotta get ready!
**Time Skip: ½ Hour later**
I was walking in the hallways of the academy, heading to my class to find out our teams and sensei.
"Hey, forehead! Wait up!" I turned to find Ino-pig running up to me.
When she caught up to me, she asked me a question. "So, did you add all of our numbers in your cell yet? Even Matsuri and Temari's? I did. Yamato-taichou's, too. We need some form of communication. I doubt 'Weasel' has a cell."
At first I didn't understand, and then it came back to me. "Yeah, I did, Pig. It's a good thing we have another name for 'Weasel'. We can't call him by his name. And if anyone asks about 'Weasel' just say you have a friend you call that because he's sly or something. Sasuke-kun will be furious and everyone else will be suspicious. Now let me through the door; we're here. But we should still come up with a better nickname. 'Weasel's' lame."
She stepped aside to let me get to the door of our classroom, but whispered, "Remember to stay somewhat in character, as to not arouse suspicion." I nodded to let her know I heard.
As I stepped through, she came in right behind me and exclaimed loud enough for the class to hear, "Hey, class, listen up! I have an announcement!"
As the students turned to her to find out what the hell the outburst was about, I looked around to view any visible changes that Itachi mentioned due to the time travel.
Then I saw it. Sasuke and Naruto. No, they weren't being lovey-dovey, I'm no longer a yaoi fan.
Well…not of those two, anyway.
I never was a fan of a yaoi relationship between those two. It's like picturing your two brothers together. Ew.
That one prank Konohamaru pulled on me involving Sai and Sasuke (2)was a one-time thing.
I swear.
Really.
Right.
Anyway, the two of them looked like…best friends. Like they were later on when we became a team. Arguing all the time, but best friends. It made me smile.
That's good. That gives Sasuke more incentive to stay or have help to defeat Itachi. Although I hope Itachi will tell him soon.
So do I.
"Attention, attention, everyone! I, Ino Yamanaka," Ino started, -I totally forgot she was there for a minute- "Am officially over Sasuke Uchiha." Gasps filled the room –mine was among them.
What are you doing PIG?!
"I gave myself a reflection and realized what a jerk he can be and that I want someone…different. It's not like we'll actually be together anyway. My crush was mostly artificial, after all." I turned to her, confused and shocked.
Well someone's being quite theatrical, isn't she?
She was too hasty.
"That is all." And with that, she went up to her seat between Chouji and Shikamaru; Chouji had dropped his bag of chips and was gaping at her. Shikamaru looked at her like she had 3 heads. Or 4. Or 5. I'm not sure any amount of heads can hold her... eccentric personality.
"Subtle, Pig! I thought you were supposed to stay in character?!" I thought to her. Ino had developed a jutsu in the future that allowed her to communicate telepathically to others. It takes little chakra and the more she does it in a specific mind, the less chakra it takes until it doesn't take any chakra at all. She lamely calls it "Yamanaka Style: Telepathy". Regardless of the fact that she's the first Yamanaka to come up with it. Creative, right?
Not.
"I know, but you know about my crush on Sai. We can let our real personalities be introduced slowly, so we don't terribly surprise others like I just did. Now shut up and pay attention to Sasuke!" She replied.
I turned to Sasuke, and noticing his lack of the look of a psychopathic axe murderer or the average, revenge-obsessed psycho, I brightened up immediately and couldn't resist smiling happily and saying, "Hello, Sasuke-kun, Naruto!"
Naruto turned to me when I mentioned his name. "Sakura-chan…?"
My expression turned a little solemn. "Naruto, I'm sorry of the way I treated you over the years. I was being a bitch. Can you forgive me? Want to start over as friends?" I asked sincerely. Sasuke raised his brow at my actions, realizing that I was serious.
After Naruto got over his own shock, he nodded, he shook my outstretched hand.. "Of course, Sakura-chan! I forgive you, and I would love to start over! But do you think-"
I cut him off before he could continue. "Sorry, I can't like you like that Naruto. Just friends. But I'll let you know that there is someone who likes you –romantically, of course."
When he heard this, Sasuke grunted, and then turned to me, unbelieving that someone actually likes Naruto.
Naruto, however first got a little gloomy, and then brightened up. "Alright, Sakura! I'm fine with being friends! You can be like-…my little sis'! But there's a girl who likes me? Who, who?!"
Sasuke snorted. "Who would like a dobe like you, Usuratonkachi? And Sakura's older than you(3), so you'd be the younger 'sibling'. Not her."
I interrupted before Naruto could do something to Sasuke. "You both know her, at least her name. But I won't tell you who because you either need to figure out, or she'll tell you, Naruto. She's liked you for a long time."
I snuck a glance at Hinata, who was blushing furiously, looking at me shocked. I winked at her. She turned redder.
Sasuke caught my wink and saw Hinata. Then he nodded in understanding. My guess is that he noticed how she acted around him, but never knew why. And gets it now.
Naruto noticed Sasuke's look but not Hinata, thank God. She'd kill me! Figuratively, of course…I think. "You know, too teme! Who is it?"
He grunted. "You need to figure that out yourself, or she'll tell you someday, like Sakura said."
Naruto pouted, and then slumped down in his seat.
"Alright class, listen up!" Iruka-sensei walked into the class, going to the front desk. "I will now announce the assignments for teams, and then tell you your sensei. You will wait until your sensei comes to pick you up. Until then, no one leaves. Understand? Good. Now, Team 1…"
A little different than last time, but alright. And I forgot how cute Sasuke-kun was when we were younger! It's refreshing to see a not crazy Sasuke!
I know! It makes me want to glomp him! But don't make me, Inner.
I won't.
Good.
I started listening to Iruka-sensei again.
"…Team 6: Ami Watanabe, Yukuo Akizuki, and Renji Konosume." I saw Ami scowl and pout since she wasn't put on Sasuke's team.
"Team 7: Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sakura Haruno." Naruto punched the air, happy that he got his two friends with him.
"That's not fair! How come Forehead is on Sasuke-kun's team and I'm not! She's hardly at the top, like him and I deserve to be with him! I love him and he loves me!" Ami was absolutely furious. It was quite funny to see her react like this.
But I was also pissed. Before I could say anything, however, Ino intervened.
"Hey! Only I can call her Forehead Forehead!"
"Really? 'Cuz I don't care, Piggy!"
Before Ino could punch Ami in the face, Iruka interrupted.
"Ladies, ladies! Stop this! Ami, don't call others names! You'd think now that you're genin you're above this? Ino, what did I tell you about violence in my class?"
Ami tried the innocent act. "B-but! Sasuke-kun and I are meant to be! We're in love!"
Iruka snorted. That's right. Snorted.
I never thought I'd see the day.
"I think you're the only on that believes that. I bet your crush on Sasuke is superficial, too." He must have heard Ino's earlier announcement. "And even if you two were in love, it wouldn't change a thing. These are your partners and that's final. I couldn't change them even if I wanted to - which I don't. Now, for the rest of the teams.
"Team 8: Hinata Hyuga, Shino Aburame, and Kiba Inuzuka." There was a bark. "And Akamaru. Sorry.
"…Team 10: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Chouji Akimichi…"
I tuned out while he continued with the teams then moved on to sensei.
"Isn't this great, Sakura-chan! We'll be the best team ever! Believe it!" Naruto pumped his fist in the air.
I smiled, sincerely. "Yup! Do you think so, Sasuke-kun?" I turned to him.
He grunted. "Whatever, I can tolerate the two of you at least. Now be quiet. He's about to name our sensei."
I turned my attention back to Iruka-sensei. "…Team 7: Hatake Kakashi. You may know him as the Copy Ninja or Sharingan Kakashi. But I warn you - he's chronically late. And Kakashi-sempai's never passed a team before. I suggest you do your best."
Iruka-sensei may not have done this last time, but I'm glad he's giving the others a heads-up on our sensei. We certainly could've appreciated one…
Sasuke raised his eye brow at "Sharingan Kakashi".
"Team 8: Kurenai Yuuhi. She specializes in genjutsu. Hinata, I hear she's already begun training you?" The shy girl nodded. "Y-yes. She's strict but a great teacher."
Iruka smiled. "That she is. Now…"
"Team 10: Asuma Sarutobi, son of our 3rd Hokage and former member of the 12 Guardian Shinobi of Konoha. I've been told you already know him, also, Shikamaru." I think he asked that for 2 purposes: to make Shikamaru stay awake and alert, and to answer his own curiosity.
"Yeah," the lazy ass yawned. "He also taught me Shogi, but he's never won." No one was very surprised at that last part. Shikamaru was incredibly lazy but he's a genius. The only reason his grades aren't the best is because he only did enough work to pass.(4)
Iruka finished and then the sensei began arriving. Again, a little different than last time...
Hours had passed and Naruto got frustrated and decided to do the eraser trick.
"Do you really think that will work, Loser? He's a Jounin, and a former member of the ANBU Black Ops. He won't fall for that."
On the contrary Sasuke. "Maybe, but 'even the best fall at the worst of times.'"
He raised a brow at me. "You think he'll fall for it?"
"Maybe," I said, shrugging.
Suddenly, we heard the creak of the door being opened. In walked Kaka-sensei, with in eraser on his head, a scowl on his face under the mask, and white chalk dust on his head.
"HA! I told you it would work teme!" Naruto pointed at Sasuke, laughing.
"My first impression on you guys…I hate you." Kakashi said, taking off the eraser and shaking his head to get the dust out.
"Meet me on the roof." With that, he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
"I hope he'll teach us that." I muttered, following Sasuke and Naruto ahead of me, both nodding in agreement. I'm so surprised how well he's taking my personality change…and he's even acting (relatively) friendly to me! I like this Sasuke!
We sat ourselves on the steps on the roof, Kakashi looking at us. "Alright; I want your name, likes, dislikes, hobbies, and dreams for the future. You know - the works."
Sasuke looked disappointed. He wasn't expecting him to tell him about ourselves of all things.
"How about you go first, so we get the feel of it!" Naruto suggested.
Not bad, Naruto. I like that suggestion.
Sasuke POV
"Well…" started Kakashi. "My name is Kakashi Hatake. I suppose I like some things and I dislike some other stuff. Dream for the future? Huh…never really thought of that. Oh, and I have a lot of hobbies."
Great. All we learned was his name. Which we already knew. And that he has trust issues. Not a surprise.
"Well! Next is…Pinky!" he said.
Sakura, huh? She's been acting different lately. I want to hear this.
She's a girl, Inner. Girls always act different.
No, she's not totally fawning over us and she asked for forgiveness from Naruto, whom she beats the crap out of! And her aura is…more confident. It feels a little weird. Her chakra signature is a little different too; hers, but different from yesterday. I don't get it. She also seems a little older.
*Sigh* I wonder what you're smoking up there… whatever. She's talking now.
"My name is Sakura Haruno, not Pinky. I'd appreciate it if you didn't call me that. I like…books, history, and medicine. I don't like people with a superiority complex or think that they can force someone to do something they don't want to do. I hate sexists. My hobbies are reading, training, the occasional writing, reading or watching anime, manga and fanfiction, and listening to music. My dream for the future is…is…"
She looked almost distraught, afraid, sad and worried at the same time, but only if you looked closely. Hmm…
However, she continued.
"….My dream of the future is to surpass Lady Tsunade completely in both medical ninjutsu and as a combat ninja! And I want to protect those important to me!"
"...Right, a pink brainiac. Blondie next."
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki! I like cup ramen, ramen from Ichiraku's, Iruka-sensei treating me to Ichiraku's, and ramen in general! I also like orange, friends, and Sakura-chan much more than that chicken-ass-headed bastard! I dislike people who judge and treat people terribly without getting to know them or knowing them at all. I hate people with 're creepy - anime taught me that much. I really hate who people who lie to themselves."
I noticed Sakura barely hid a flinch from this last statement. I wonder why...
"My hobbies are eating ramen and bugging Teme, who's my best friend even if he won't admit it. And I WILL be Hokage one day! The greatest!"
"Okay…a human orange obsessed with ramen. You next, 'chicken-ass-headed bastard'." Kakashi added air quotes around "chicken-butt-headed bastard". Damn him.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. I don't like a lot of things and I dislike a lot of things. My hobbies are training and hanging out with that Usuratonkachi over there. And my dream is not a dream but an ambition that I will make come true: to revive my clan and kill a certain someone." I said.
Our sensei sighed. "Fantastic. A pink brainiac, a human orange obsessed with ramen, and an emo avenger obsessed with revenge. This will be interesting. Anyway, meet at Training Ground 7 at 9 AM tomorrow. Don't eat or you'll throw it up. Bye." With that, he disappeared.
The 3 of us looked at each other.
"Ne, Sakura-chan…" Naruto asked the girl.
"Yeah?"
"Who's 'Lady Tsunade'?" I nodded with Naruto's statement to say I didn't want to know either.
"Oh!" Sakura looked excited. I guess she felt happy knowing something we didn't.
"Tsunade is one of the three Lengendary Sannin – three ninja, all from Konoha, from the same team in fact – who had impressed Hanzo the 'Salamander' when they faced him in the 3rd Great Ninja War, though they were his enemies and they didn't win, I believe. Since then, the 3, the some of the strongest ninja to ever live, became renown.
Tsunade's nickname is the 'Slug Princess', as her summon is a slug –possibly the queen of slugs, if memory serves- and she's first Hokage's granddaughter. Her other nickname is the 'Legendary Sucker' for her inability to gamble but apparent addiction to it. She's a drunkard, too."
At this, Naruto chuckled.
"Orochimaru's summons are snake. However, he defected from Konoha, becoming obsessed with learning jutsu and the secret to immortality, having no qualms of human experimentation while he was at it. He's a sick, crazy, scientific genius – the worst kind."
At this, the air tensed, and Sakura's demeanor darkened some, before lighting again.
While talking about Orochimaru, I sensed… malice in her voice. I would know, after all.
You know… hatred for Itachi…all that jazz.
Hmm..Orochimaru huh. I feel like I should know that name... be familiar with it…why?
"Jiraiya became known as the 'Toad Sage'. However, he's infamous for being a pervert. Correction, a super pervert. He's even the writer of the books Kakashi-sensei reads. If you didn't know, it's porn."
I scowled. Ew…our teacher's a pervert. Perfect.
"He was also the 4th Hokage's teacher, by the way. So he's no pushover. In fact, there's debate over who's the strongest Sannin – Orochimaru, or Jiraiya? I personally lean toward Jiraiya, who I believe can beat Orochimaru if he goes all out, killing him as well, if he wished. However, Orochimaru, I think, is also very capable of defeating and killing Jiraiya."
My interest was spiked. "How do you know so much about them, to the point to make speculations and your own conclusion on who's the strongest?" Why would Sakura know so much about these Sannin? I've only heard the name, Sannin, now that I think about it, yet she's practically an encyclopedia! Surely, some of this information is classified, or at least off-limits to a genin who's only been a genin for a day!
Sakura simply smiled almost slyly and put a finger to her lips. "Se-cr-et!" was spoken, followed by a giggle. Something tells me that"secret" is bigger than she makes it seem. Or I'm just reading too many mysteries and novels…why'd Mother-…how'd Mother get me into mysteries again?! And books period? I'm not an avid reader!
Two words for mysteries: Scooby-Doo. 3 for books: anime and manga. Two more for them all: Mother's boy.
I'm. Not. A. Mother's boy!
Sure, we're not...get back to listening, will ya?
"But anyway, Tsunade's my idol."
"Ooh, that's cool, Sakura-chan!"
Sakura nodded.
Orochimaru huh…
Why do I feel like I should know that name? It gives me a bad feeling.
Suddenly, Sakura's phone rang, giving a sound like a bell. A text.
She jumped, not expecting it. I didn't even know she had a cell.
Who cares?
She took out her phone and looked at it and smiled excitedly. Who could have texted her?
Jealous?
Of what?
Quickly, she texted something back and put it back into her pocket.
"I have to go. See you tomorrow. But I suggest eating; if he said we're going to throw it up we must be doing something that will take quite a bit of energy. But how will we do that without food? Anyway, bye!" She smiled then ran off.
You know, she's kinda cute when she smiles.
Since when did you care if a girl looks cute? Much less Sakura?
I always have. I just didn't tell you. You're 13, turning 14 in a couple months. Your hormones should be tormenting you by now. I must be getting them, then.
I have no time for women. I need power to kill Itachi; not romance.
Oh? And what about your second goal? As they say, it takes two to tango.
Don't kids come from Heaven transported to Earth by storks or something?
. . .
..Inner?
. . . FUCK! I'M STUCK WITH A MORONIC CHILD FOR AN OUTER! I can't believe that Itachi left you, Shisui, Mother, and Father (barely) alive. I wish he killed Shisui! He's been teaching you LIES!
So it's not storks?
*Cue Facepalm, then Sigh* That's a lesson for another day, Young Grasshopper. I'm leaving.
Good riddance.
I walked home, suddenly forgetting about my conversation with my Inner and wondering what Mother cooked for dinner.
I hope it's onigiri with tomatoes inside.
(1): I'm still debating whether or not I'm including Sora later. I might here ReWind, but probably won't in DoOver. DoOver's chaotic enough as it is - it doesn't need many more unplanned characters. BTW, I'm updating it Saturday. So look forward to it, if you read DoOver!
(2):I was never a huge of a yaoi fan in the first place. I don't hate it, it's just not my thing. I read a SasuNaru doujinshi a couple times, though,and they were tolerable. I still don't like it really, especially if the character is as straight as a board. I'm not homophobic, but I just hate it when my fave fictional characters that are obviously straight are paired up with another straight guy. (which usually happens) If they weren't or were questionable in the first place I wouldn't have a problem. It's like putting Sanji from One Piece and Jiraiya together- some of the straightest ladies' men EVER, despite their incredible age difference. That'd be pedophilia even though Sanji's 19 before the Time Skip, and therefore legal. But yeah...I might read a doujin once in a while, but that's it. I'm sticking with my usual favorite couples. (SasuSaku, NejiTen, etc.)
Oh, and the prank she's talking about was in Naruto chapter 344, I think. To keep Sakura from getting mad at him after performing the Sexy Jutsu in front of her with a clone, he transformed on clone into Sai and himself into Sasuke, and "Sai" and "Sasuke" were in a very provocative position. Let's just say, Sakura got excited. Naruto was horrified and disgusted, Kakashi was too, I think, but not as much as Naruto. (I'm pretty sure he was there). All Sai said was, "Oh. That's Sasuke-kun and I." He doesn't realize...nevermind. Let's just say, Konohamaru won an un-bruised head, and blackmail on Sakura.
(3): Sakura's birthday is March 28th, Sasuke's July 23rd, and Naruto's October 10th. It's likely she was actually born the year before Sasuke and Naruto because of the Japanese school system or whatever, and it would make more sense with her being 12-13 according to the data books and all that in Part 1, since I estimate Part 1 to be about to just over a year long. And the Waves mission was in the Spring, so that means the Selections Day was before that. (Here, it was a couple weeks after Sakura's birthday, so she's already 14 - remember, they're a year older than they should be). If I'm right and she WAS born in the year before Sasuke and Naruto, Tenten is also younger than Neji and Lee in canon - Neji was born in July, Lee in December. Just speculation. But here, Tenten and Sakura are older than their teammates.
(4): It's a good thing Shika starts working harder in Shippuden. I'm already lazy enough, I don't need another influence. Oh, what am I saying? I adore Shika!
I might update Saturday, or the one after. (today's date is at the top of the page). Depends on your reviews.
LOVE YOU ALL!
YOU CAN STILL VOTE FOR SASUKE'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT FROM NARUTO! OR FROM KAKASHI, SAI, SAKURA, FUGAKU, ETC!
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Love,
Epic Otaku Cherry
