Inner's World

Inner rolled her shoulders before letting out a satisfied huff. It had been a long year, but it wasn't a waste of time. Sakura, now five years old, bless the little girl's hard work, had managed to graduate from the Academy, effectively becoming the second person in Konoha history to do so, right after Kakashi Hatake.

The five year old hadn't become the rookie of the year, but the fact that she had manage to graduate at all was enough to garner her some fame.

"Just because you managed to graduate doesn't mean we're done with training. Your taijutsu needs a lot of work, your ninjutsu arsenal is pathetic even though it isn't your fault and the only thing you have going for you is your book smart." Inner bluntly critisized as Sakura stood in front of a mirror, the five year old was contemplating where to tie her headband.

Sakura sulked at Inner's words. 'At least I graduated...' She dejectedly said.

Inner stopped frowning, a soft look overcoming her features. "Congratulations on that by the way. I didn't expect any less from you." She almost chuckled at how Sakura immediately perked up. "Around your neck is cuter."

'Thank you Inner-chan!'

Inner furrowed her eyebrows in surprise. "Chan?" She quietly repeated, quiet enough that Sakura didn't hear her. "No problem Sakura...chan." Using the honorific at the end of Sakura's name was a foreign concept to her, but it did fit.

Sakura was her only friend after all.

'What do you think my sensei will be like?'

"Generic." Inner indifferently shrugged.

There weren't any important characters that could become Sakura's teacher after all. Another pro of convincing Sakura to graduate earlier, protecting Sakura from having incompetent teachers.

In Inner's unbiased opinion, the only competent teacher was Gai. But the youth loving man was only competent in regards to Lee. Asuma was too lenient with the Nara, Akimichi and Yamanaka trio. Kurenai didn't even qualify to be a tracking team's teacher considering the woman was only competent in Genjutsu. Kakashi was too focused on teamwork instead of everyone's individual skills.

Sakura nervously awaited her teacher's arrival in an empty classroom, rocking on the balls of her feet. She had been asked to arrive at ten, which was fifteen minutes ago.

Perhaps something happened to her teacher?

Or maybe her teacher decided to ditch her?

Bringing a strand of pink hair to her mouth, she nervously chewed on it.

'Sakura...' Inner said in a scolding tone.

Immediately, Sakura stopped chewing. She didn't want Inner to give her a lecture. Instead, she glanced at the clock. Green eyes widened as the clock told her it was still ten.

'Genjutsu.' Both she and Inner realized.

Closing her eyes, Sakura focused on disrupting her chakra flow. "Kai." The girl mumbled before opening her eyes. She was greeted with the sight of a boy who was older than her.

'Oh fuck.'

The boy had onyx eyes under which were long, pronounced tear-troughs. He had jet-black hair that was pulled back in a low ponytail and his face was framed with centre-parted bangs that extended to his chin. His headband was tied around his forehead and he had a stoic look.

"I'm Itachi Uchiha, due to special circumstances I am your teacher." He introduced himself.

Sakura blinked. "S-Sakura Haruno..." She bowed politely. "I'm in your care Uchiha-sensei!"

"Itachi-sensei is fine."

"H-hai! Um, Itachi-sensei? Why did you put me under a Genjutsu? And aren't I suppose to have two teammates?"

Itachi's stroic face didn't change. "It was a test to determine if you're qualified to become my student. You won't be getting any teammates, I've been assigned to focus solely on you. This is more like an apprenticeship."

"But w-why?"

"Special circumstances."

Sakura sighed, knowing that her new teacher probably wouldn't elaborate.