A/N: Wow it's been forever… For all of you who've been waiting patiently for this, I thank you. And to all those who've either reviewed, added this to favorites, or to their watch… You're AWESOME! This is a short chapter, but it'll explain why Naruto and the others are at Nicky's school…

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, I only own the OCs… You hear that SOPA and PIPA! I own NOTHING! (Sorry about that ^_^' just had to say it…)

Fox in a Forest

Chapter 3 First Day, Part 2

1 week before the first day of school, in the Leaf Village…

"Yes, Lord Hokage? You sent for me?" said one Iruka Umino.

"Ahh, Iruka, yes I have a mission for your academy students…"

"What!" Iruka was shocked at what he was hearing. "What kind of mission are we talking about here!"

"…"

"What! Iruka-sensei, what are you talking about?" Sakura questioned.

"Just what I said, Lord Hokage is going to send some of you on a mission to a small town that's not too far from here…"

"But, I mean, why? We haven't even graduated from the academy yet…"

"I know, but this isn't like a normal mission. It's more of a training exercise than an actual mission."

"Huh?"

"I don't get it Iruka-sensei, dattebayo." (Three guesses who said that… XD)

"Well… You see, before you can become a ninja you must learn how to blend in with non-ninja folks."

"What's THAT supposed to mean-ttebayo?"

Iruka sighed in exasperation, "The town that you will be going to has no idea that the ninja world exists and is very different from the Leaf; the purpose of sending academy students there is to help them learn how to successfully perform missions that would involve reconnaissance for long periods of time in other lands. To teach you how to blend in so well that you'd be hiding in plain sight."

"I see," said Sasuke. "So we're basically learning how to gather information about an area by making ourselves seem like we're just one of the crowd…"

"Correct Sasuke. You don't have to go on this mission if you don't want to, but if you do come see me after class."

The ninja in training looked at each other, excitement plain on their young faces. "I would also like to add that some sand-nin will be joining us on the mission as well."

The students stared at their sensei like he'd sprouted a second head. "Iruka-sensei…"

"Yes, Sakura?"

"Why would sand-nin join us? I know the Sand and Leaf are allies, but…"

"It's because we're allies that we're letting them join us. To help foster friendship."

In the Sand Village at the same time…

"To foster friendship?"

"Yes," Baki told his charges. "However, the Leaf and Sand also use this opportunity to look for candidates to become ninja."

"Huh? What do you mean?" asked Kankuro.

"Sometimes, we can find people who can become suitable ninja in towns like the one you'll be going to."

"I see…" Temari mused.

"I can't tell you how imperative it is that none of you reveal you ninja skills. And don't kill anyone; we can't draw attention to ourselves."

At this, Baki, Kankuro and Temari glanced at Gaara. "…"

"That's all, you have 4 days to prepare yourselves. Dismissed."

1st day of school, the auditorium…

'Wow! Iruka-sensei was right-ttebayo! This place is nothing like the Leaf Village!'

'Huh, this might actually be interesting…'

'I hope I get some classes with Sasuke-kun!'

'This is gonna be such a drag…'

'I better get more classes with Sasuke-kun then Billboard Brow!'

'They better have good food here…'

'I smell a cat… I hate cats…'

'…'

'I-I hope th-that I have s-some classes with N-Naruto-kun…'

'… Why did I agree to come here?'

'I'm actually kind of excited about this…'

'I'll show everyone that I'm not a loser!'

'Gaara… I hope he listened to what Baki told him…'

'He seems to be fine… for now anyway.'

"Not allowed to kill anyone? Like I would bother with these weaklings in the first place…" "Great… That means this is going to be boring as ever…" '…'

As the 15 ninja in training started to walk off Gaara caught the eye of a girl in the stands for a moment. Turning away from her, Gaara followed the rest out of the auditorium. 'Do I… know her…?' The Tanuki in his head snorted, 'Yeah… Like you ever knew anyone that cute before…' Gaara ignored the demon, instead looking at the paper in his hand. 'History…'

Throughout the day the ninja in training attended their various classes; some classes were better than others. But, the day went off without a hitch, other than the fact that Naruto almost got in a fight with some older guys but Nicky took care of that… 'She's kinda scary-ttebayo…'

Gaara, of course noticed that the girl, Nicky, he saw earlier was in every class he had, not to mention she was sitting next to him in all those classes and he was staying at her house… (The universe is a strange thing sometimes… And by that I mean it likes to mess with you a lot…) As the sand sibs and Nicky walk off to the bus, Gaara absently wondered how that year was going to play out…

A/N: Yeah, weird chapter I know, but deal with it. I'll work on it; anyway I'd like to take this opportunity to tell my readers that there is a revamp of my first story, Fox in a Desert, is up. I would greatly appreciate if you could take a look! Peace out! P.S. If you can't figure out whose thoughts is whoes it goes in the same order that they introduced themselves in back in chapter 2... Not sure I did Neji, Tenten or Lee's right though...