HELLO ONCE AGAIN! I am so sorry for the very late update, I've been very busy XD . I want to thank all you wonderful reviwers for taking the time to express your thoughts and you readers for taking the time to read my story. I hope you continue to do so and enjoy it. Well, without further due, here's chapter 8! Enjoy! :D


CHAPTER 8

The Beginning of a Journey

"All right then!" she said, her strong voice tinted with a malicious glee that made them all look at her suspiciously. "I have just the thing to settle this kind of thing. So as to not complicate myself with deciding who's responsible and who's not, I'll just punish all of you!" She raised her hand before Ino had the chance to complain. "You'll eventually know what you did wrong. Now let me finish. Your punishment for today's action will be…" she paused, inwardly chuckling at the tension she could see in her students as they leaned in, both eager and nervous of what the punishment might be. Sakura's heartbeat quickened at the thought of expulsion. She watched as Tsunade made eye contact with each of them again and grinned wider. She could swear a special glint shone in her amber eyes when they looked at her.

"…community service!" She finished in a cheerful voice slightly coated with cynicism. The room instantly turned quiet, the only sound being the soft hum of the air conditioner.

And that's when Sakura knew all hell would break loose.

She glanced to the girl who she fought at the cafeteria from the corner of her eye, knowing she would be the first to burst from anger. She could see the pretty blonde's face already reddening in fury. Ino swiftly stood from her chair and slammed her open palms into the principal's desk, making Tsunade look up from a file she was uninterestingly skimming. The loud sound seemed to echo through the otherwise quiet office and startle Choji, making him drop a bag of cookies he was trying to open. Sakura's eyes followed a single cookie that rolled away from the rest and, almost dramatically, gently tapped Ino's purple heeled shoe and fell. "3…2…1"

"WHAT DID YOUSAY?! HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY EXPECT ME TO THAT?! WHAT IN THE WORLD MAKES YOU THINK I'M GONNA-"

"QUIET!" a single, powerful command from Tsunade instantly silenced her. Tsunade assumed an identical position as hers and held her steady gaze against Ino's surpriced blue eyes. Their silent conversation seemed to work in the elder blonde's favor when Ino's eyes broke contact and she begrudgingly sat back down, lowering her head to the now glaring principal. Tsunade sighed and relaxed her shoulders, before she sat again.

"As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted" another glare thrown to Ino "you will all be doing community service to make up for your actions. And of course… "she glanced at the students as Naruto's hand raised bashfully. "Yes Uzumaki?" "Erm…what exactly did we do so badly that we have to do community service?"

Tsunade stood again, slowly and gracefully walking around her desk and making her way to the boy's seat. She stood in front of him as she spoke, leaning in with a low voice "What did you do, you ask? Well, not only did you break twelve rules in one go and do one of the things I detest most, which is fighting, you also destroyed school property. The little coward here" she points to Ino, who huffed in indignation "broke a tray on one of your classmate's head. This one-" she points to Sasuke "Broke five chairs while doing his Jackie Chan moves; and you!" this time, Tsunade leaned in more, almost menacingly "I just don't like you" she finished simply in a sing song voice. She pulled back and gave a smile to Naruto's perplexed and unbelieving face.

Sakura couldn't help but giggle a little at his open mouth and wide eyes. To her, he seemed like a cartoon fish out of water. Unconsciously, Naruto pouted and sank lower on his chair, mumbling something along the lines of "how can she not like me? I'm adorable." Tsunade's voice got Sakura's attention once more.

"Anyways! You will report here tomorrow at 8am for a brief orientation on what you'll be doing. Since today's Friday,- because some genius decided it would be a good idea to start classes today-, you won't start to work right away, you will start next Monday. All of your classes will be squeezed to fit a schedule from 7am to 12pm. At twelve thirty you will report to your assigned place and do whatever task is assigned."

"Excuse me, principal" Sakura intervened "but how are we supposed to fit six classes on such a short time limit? Won't our teachers be busy with other classes? And what about lunch and study hall?" "Glad you ask. Well don't worry about the scheduling arrangement. Shizune will appoint a teacher who will instruct all six classes through that time, and lunch will be provided for you. Now, stop by after classes today to get your new schedules. Alright, I'm done here" she finished, getting up and walking to the door. She opened it and stood by, quickly yelling at them to leave. "Except you, Haruno"

Sakura gulped, nervous about what the principal might want. She made her way back to her seat and anxiously waited for Tsunade to sit. She was unconsciously wringing one of her head bandages in her hands, clutching it so hard her knuckles turned white. The principal slowly walked towards her and leaned on the desk; she could feel her amber eyes studying her, and when she peeked up from the pink locks shielding her lowered face, she could see the scrutinizing gaze with which she looked at her. Before Sakura could say anything, a booming, hearty laughter broke the silence between them. Her emerald eyes widened at Tsunade's remarkable change of character as she laughed; her shoulders relaxing and her posture bending a little and becoming more casual. The blonde woman sat in her desk and gave her a smirk.

"I must say, Haruno, you look like shit." Sakura could only nod her head in silent agreement. She glanced at the mirror hanging from the door and saw a girl with bloody pink hair, bruised and scratched face and rumpled and dirty uniform staring back at her. Sakura suddenly saw her face redden in embarrassment. The principal is right, she looks horrible. "But" the woman says, catching Sakura's attention again " I must also say I'm kind of proud of you girl! You beat my niece just as much as she beat you! Haha thank goodness for that, that brat needed to be put in her place, maybe now she won't be such a pain on the neck. Haha I like you, you've got nerve. " Tsunade was grinning at her, and for a moment, Sakura was confused. "So she kept me here to praise me for beating up her niece?" "Does that mean I'm not in trouble and can be spared from the community service thing?" Tsunade's grin widened and her lips released a carefree laugh, making Sakura hope she was right.

"oh my dear Sakura, not even the earth splitting open and swallow me whole is gonna save you from that"

"Oh well, can't blame a girl for trying." She said sheepishly. Tsunade dismissed her and told her to call Shizune in on her way out of the office. Shizune soon entered and approached the still smiling blonde. Tsunade was sitting on her desk, chewing on a pencil and reading the newspaper. The blonde handed her the files she had been skimming through and, without looking at her, mumbled "here, have these student's schedules rearranged; I left you a note inside with all the specifications and details of this new arrangement. Have them ready for 4pm today."

The dark haired woman sighed, took the files and turned to leave, but stopped when her name was called again. "And when you're done with that, go and take inventory of the supplies in the infirmary. Don't want us running short on anything like last year." Shizune sighed again, as she remembered how after the first week of school they had run out of bandages because the seniors thought it would be fun to wrap the freshmen in bandages and hang them through the halls like Halloween decorations.

She still wondered how they even managed to get the bandages, let alone have the time to get the freshman. Without a word, the woman left the office and returned to her desk, determined to finish her work quickly. "I don't think I get paid enough for all I do" As she positioned her delicate fingers over the cool surface of the computer keyboard and moved to type, she heard her blonde friend's voice call out to her from the office.

"Oh! And Shizune?" she heard her say in the pleading tone she has come to know so well. The black haired woman sighed once more "yes, Tsunade?" "When you're done with the inventory, go to the teacher's lounge. There's a teacher meeting for something I really don't care about knowing"


His worn out sneakers squeaked against the white tile of the halls with every step he took. He didn't know where he was going, and at the moment he didn't care. Because classes were about to end, Naruto saw no need to even bother to find his last class of the day. With the excuse that they would receive a new schedule anyways, the blond decided to find a solitary and quiet place to nap. He had thought of the library, until he discovered he snored loudly when the librarian smacked his head with a magazine and asked him to leave for disrupting the quiet room. Naruto stifled the incoming sigh of giving up on finding a nice napping spot when he was momentarily distracted by a silhouette he registered from the corner of his cobalt eyes. He curiously glanced to his right, and through a window that showed the back courtyard, very near the forest, he saw Sasuke leaning against the bark of a tree, eyes closed and headphones neatly in place.

"Why didn't I think of that?" almost as if feeling he was being watched, Sasuke opened his eyes when Naruto moved to head in his direction. The blond stopped and the two students held each other's stares. Before Naruto could do anything to break the uncomfortable atmosphere that suddenly nagged him, the raven haired boy stood and walked away, into the forest.

"Geez, to think I'm gonna work with that guy for God knows how long. I'm sure we'll be the best of friends. Oh well! Thanks for the tree buddy!" Naruto made his way outside and quickly nestled against the tree, finally relaxing and closing his eyes. He could hear his cellphone ringing faintly in his pocket, and with his eyes still closed, he reached into it and answered the phone.

"hello?" he said in a relaxed and sleepy voice, before being startled by the booming and harsh voice on the other end "DON'T JUST 'HELLO' ME SO CAREFREELY YA' BRAT! WHAT'S THIS I HEAR OF YOU GETTING INTO A FIGHT?! Naruto when I get there you—"

"Hey, hey, hey, wait a second Al! How did you even know?! Are you spying on me? Holly ramen bowls you tapped my phone didn't you?! You frickin' sew microphones into my jacket or something! That's not cool—"

"Naruto…-sigh- sometimes I forget how special you are" the irritated Irish voice of Alfred, now a little more calm, tiredly said. "Aww thanks Al! You're special too!" the blond said

"Kid…did you actually think the school wouldn't call and tell me what happened? Or were you somehow scheming on what embellished story to tell me when you got home?" After a long silence, Naruto hung up the phone and opened his eyes. "Aw man!"


The sound of the bell ringing for the last time in the day seemed to boom and bounce from the white walls as students eagerly picked up their things and made their way out the door. Their excited chatter filled the halls, talking about their plans for the weekend and such matters. Choji could only sigh as he trudged to the door, heading in the opposite direction of everyone else; to the principal's office instead of the exit. After a few turns he felt someone fall into step with him and with a glance he identified Sasuke walking nonchalantly beside him, his characteristic blue earphones in place. The two teens made their way to the principal's office quietly, one enjoying his music and the other a bag of beef jerky after offering some to his companion.

"Say Sasuke, any plans for the weekend?"

"Not quite"

"Well, good! At least your great expectations for a nice lunch in the BBQ buffet ain't ruined!"

"Choji, is there anything you do unrelated to food?"

"Well, does sleeping count even if my dreams have food?" His only reply from Sasuke was a heavy sigh followed by silence.


"From 7 to 8: History and Literature; 8 to 9: Mathematics. From 9 to 10: Study Hall. From 10 to 11: Chemistry and from 11 to 12, Physics." Sakura read aloud as she and Ten-ten exited the principal's office. The waiting room was currently empty and Shizune was nowhere to be seen. The two stood there looking at their schedules while Sakura read aloud, trying to ease her friend's anxiety about taking classes with upperclassmen. She looked at her brunette friend with a smile, though Ten-ten could see her slight disappointment " Well that doesn't sound so bad! But I wonder what will happen with the literature thing Mr. Hatake assigned. I was kind of looking forward to that." Ten-ten remembered how Sakura enthusiastically talked about it during lunch, before the whole fight even ensued. She said that she was lucky to be able to work with one of her favorite pieces of literature with someone who knew about the author as well and was hopeful she could make friends with the other student.

"I sympathize with you, Sakura. But maybe you'll see each other in the hallways or something"

"That won't be necessary my dear Tennie, because he's going to be taking classes and working with us anyways" Ten-ten, confused, asked her who it was. When Sakura told her it was Sasuke, Ten-ten could only laugh at her.

"Good luck befriending that walking ice cube Sakura. I can already see you two wearing friendship bracelets and all that crap hahahaha"

"Oh shut up!" she replied, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment "I'm sure he's nice and we can be friends"

"Who's going to want to wear friendship bracelets with her? And for your information, that's so three years ago" Ten-ten stopped laughing and turned to where the new voice originated. Ino stood at the door, directly glaring at them. She quickly pushed past them and entered her aunt's office; not a moment later she emerged with what appeared to be her schedule and pushed past them once more to reach the exit. Before Ten-ten could even come up with some witty remark, she was already gone. The two just stood there, looking at the closed wooden door.

"Now that I think about it, that Sasuke guy might not be so bad." The brunette said, pointing her thumb at the closed door and rudely gesturing to the blonde. Sakura only giggled at her friend's funny face and together, they walked out the office.


"I can't believe I'm being separated from you guys! It's so unfair!" was the first thing Ino said when she exited the office and found her friends waiting for her outside. Two girls turned to look at her with identical sympathetic green eyes. Honestly, the only way Ino ever managed to tell her twin friends apart was because of their skin color. While Ami was a beautiful black haired, green eyed and fair skinned girl, her twin sister Ame was tanned skin, but equally as beautiful. "Don't worry Ino! We'll still have lunch together!" said Ami, glancing at her sister for help. Ame nodded in confirmation and added "Yeah! And we'll still go shopping every Saturday! That new perfume shop opens tomorrow, remember? It'll be great!"

"No it won't! I have to come here tomorrow for some stupid orientation! And I won't eat lunch with you because that's supposedly going to be "provided for" in whatever hellhole they're going to send me!" Ino whined again, frustrated tears rimming her icy blue eyes. The twins flinched after seeing her teary eyes, not knowing what to do. Ino rarely cried or even teard up, and when she did, she got over it quickly. Ami and Ame where at a loss of what to do, but before they said anything, Ino cleared her throat, took a deep breath and straightened up. "Sorry girls, that won't happen again" Just as she started to walk away, the wooden door leading to the principal's office opened and Sakura and Ten-ten came out. Ino felt her previously fading anger begin to show again at the sight of the girls who ruined her face. Ten-ten returned the glare Ino and her friends threw at them, while Sakura only stared. Ino and her friends started to head to the left corridor and Ten-ten to the right, unaware that Sakura wasn't following. Taking advantage that Ten-ten was far from earshot and so were Ino's friends, she called after her.

"Ino! Please wait" said blonde turned swiftly on her heel, hand placed in her hip and glare perfectly in place. "What do you want?" she spat in a venomous tone. Sakura swallowed, for once nervous about what she was about to say. She never though she would fight with anyone, but what she wanted to say was more than an apology; it was something that bothered her the moment she first saw her. "Listen" she swallowed again. "I wanted to apologize…for earlier. It wasn't right for us to fight, and I shouldn't have broken your nose. Sorry" "Tch. Damn right you-" "I'm not finished. I also wanted to say that, if for some odd reason, you find yourself alone and in need of someone to hear you out, you can count on me." After seeing Ino's shocked, and somehow angrier, icy eyes, Sakura turned and sprinted off after Ten-ten.

Ino watched her go, somehow at a loss for a moment. "How dare that little freak even think I'd ever need something like that! And even worse that I'd actually ask her for something. Hpm!"

Snapping out of her thoughts, she also turned on her heel and walked in the opposite direction of the green eyed girl.


END OF CHAPTER! I'M EXCITED BECAUSE VERY VERY SOON THINGS WILL START PICKING UP! PROMISE! ;P ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TO READ AND REVIEW THIS STORY, I APPRECIATE IT! :D 3

-AIIRO