Author's note: lyssanja's not yet dead. in case you're wondering what happened to here, the answer is school.
Chapter 6
Snags in the Supposedly Smooth Plan
At exactly 16:00 hours the following day, the students of Class F made their move.
As news of the impending battle spread over the school like wildfire, the corridors became congested with bystanders hoping to get a glimpse of the spectacle. The consensus was 3:1, in favor of Class E.
Shimada Minami marched through the throng, her palms sweating heavily. She knew the consensus. She also knew that the public was in accord with the opinion that what they were doing was excessively foolhardy. If she could have backed out of the plan, she would have done so willingly, regrets be damned.
But then again, the look on kaichou's face as the school signaled the end of a school – day, and the beginning of a war, left no room for second thoughts. And so, here she was, palms sweating, heart palpitating, rushing over to B Wing to retrieve Hatake – sensei. If she could get to Hatake – sensei, she thought churlishly.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kinoshita Hideyoshi, elected leader of first group, turn at the corners, heading for Class E. Her thoughts stopped in the middle of their tracks. She came up with a startling realization.
Nara Shikamaru was a real genius to have thought up an elaborate plan with such simple procedures. His strategy was to gather the three teachers with different areas of specialty to facilitate the battle, allowing a wider range of battle options to choose from. He had also grouped the students according to their forte, and matching them to the teacher that would suit them best. Hatake – sensei taught Algebra and Trigonometry, and her grades in all her math tests did not go lower than A-. Likewise, Kinoshita Hideyoshi was a straight A student in Social Studies. His History, at the very least, was C level. Nara Shikamaru was also kind enough to think of the corners that cut off the view of B Wing from E Wing. It would be a total ambush if Minami succeeded in getting Hatake – sensei to facilitate, and then complete the pincer formation.
At that, Minami had to grin. Not only was it a brilliant plan, it also gave Minami the less dirty work. If she succeeded, she could get as much credit, without having to do the brunt of work. After all, Hideyoshi was the one who would have to face the president of Class E; all Minami had to do was to hack up the remnants. It suited her.
As she rounded up the corner, she felt adrenaline rush through her system, revving her up. "Let's do this," she yelled to her squad, pumping her fist into the air and was answered with a fierce cry. But on the inside, she steeled herself, because she was neither as confident nor as excited as she sounded. They all ran the last few meters towards Hatake – sensei, only to skid to a startled stop.
Nakabayashi Hiromi, the snotty president of Class E, was standing directly beside Hatake – sensei, looking all smug and gung – ho for battle.
Oh crap, was all that ran through Minami's head.
Back at the classroom, Naruto looked on idly as Shikamaru played chess alone. The two were the only ones left in the room; everybody else in the third group had been sent outside to guard the room, Iruka – sensei in tow.
Shikamaru was all for the wait; Naruto was not. "Ne, Shikamaru," he whined churlishly. "What do you think's happening outside?"
"Most probably, Shimada – san's group has already met up with most of Class E's best students, along with their president" Shikamaru answered absently, "and Kinoshita – san should be cleaning up the remnants quite nicely."
"Huh?" Naruto was bemused. "But I thought Shimada'd be going to B. Ya know, to get Kaka – sensei an' all."
"That was the plan, yes."
"Then why is she meeting with the E president guy?"
"The 'guy' happens to be a girl, Naruto. At least know your facts, why don't you?" Shikamaru asked a little bit irately, as he moved his white knight forward.
"So why?" Naruto persisted, ignoring Shikamaru's jibe.
"Because Nakabayashi – san isn't exactly an idiot," Shikamaru said, giving up the idea of throwing Naruto off course. "And her forte is Geometry. Besides, she has the advantage of being closer to B Wing, so she'd probably arrive there earlier than Shimada – san."
'But I thought we were gonna ambush them E's?" Naruto asked, even more perplexed than before.
Shikamaru shrugged. "It's easier for you all to think that way, so I let you think so."
"Then—"
"Yes, Naruto," Shikamaru sighed exasperatedly. "Shimada – san's group is now, so to speak, the frontliner. Kinoshita – san will provide backup."
There was silence as Naruto digested that piece of information. And then, he noticed the alignment of Shikamaru's chess pieces. For a moment there was blessed silence.
"So what happens next?"
"You idiot," Shikamaru snapped, "What do you think will happen? Of course they will all fall back to here!"
"Kinda like one big mess? Doesn't that sound like they just went out there head on?"
Shikamaru ground his teeth. "Yes."
"Then? What happens next?"
Shikamaru slapped his palm on his forehead. "That," he drawled in a slow, frustrated manner, "is the second stage of my plan."
Minami took a step back, suddenly apprehensive. Nakabayashi Hiromi had seen her already, and the bitch was smirking triumphantly. Beside her, Hatake – sensei was scratching the back of his head.
"Well, well, well," Hiromi said sarcastically. "Shimada Minami, isn't it? So," she suddenly towered, her hands on her hips, face contorted evilly and leant towards them. She suddenly grinned sadistically.
"You lot ready for the biggest thrashing of your life?"
"W – Why are you here?" Minami's voice trembled in spite of herself. At her back, her team was already frantically murmuring, bewildered by the unexpected turn of events.
"You mean, why am I not in my classroom, obediently waiting for some other F lackey?" Hiromi laughed. "Please. Don't mistake me for an idiot like you. It's so easy to see through your plans, you know."
Minami clenched her fists. So much for Shikamaru's brilliant tactics.
'What now?" one of her classmates asked.
"We improvise," she said with a bravado that she didn't really feel. She sized up her opponents. Aside from Nakabayashi Hiromi, who was also a natural with crunching numbers, half of Class E were scattered in the hallway of B Wing, awaiting their leader's orders. They were the upper half of the E food chain; definitely with higher exam grades than Minami's own makeshift team. It wasn't looking good for her, Minami decided.
Hiromi must have sensed Minami's own apprehension. She smirked smugly before activating a battle sphere, enclosing the entire hallway. "Hatake – sensei," she said sweetly, "we're ready to call a battle, if you please."
"All right," Hatake – sensei drawled out. "How do you want it done?"
Hiromi's smirk grew wider. "Cumulative test scores would be more than enough."
Minami jerked back, as if struck. They would battle with the sum of all their test scores in the most recent exam, which was of course the placement. It was no secret that all of them in the second group were virtually goners.
If only I had gotten to Hatake – sensei earlier, she thought feverishly. But there was no time for what – ifs; Hiromi's team was already advancing.
One student fell down. "Oi, Shimada!" her classmate yelled frantically, dodging an attack from Hiromi. "We can't fight with cumulative test scores, we'll lose!"
"I know!" Minami yelled back. She too, was busy dancing between the deadly attacks. It was hard; they were overpowered and rapidly getting outnumbered. Oh, she shuddered to think of the fates of those who have fallen in battle.
"What do we do now?"
Minami's mind whirred. Hiromi advanced. Taking a step back, Minami did the first thing that came to mind. "Time for Plan B!" she yelled to her troops. "RETREAT!"
and this is how the epic battle of the underdogs with their direct superiors started. there's more to this development, of course. to those who reviewed in my absence (those i failed to give a reply), i appreciated them. please don't tire of reading my little story. ^^,