Right, here's the sixth/seventh chapter for your enjoyment. I'll apologise in advance for the sucky fight scene. ^^

As usual, any feedback of any kind is most welcome, even if it's just the tiniest word of praise (it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :3), or some constructive criticism (which I really want! :D).

Now, on with the show! :D

Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto, blah blah blah. :P We all know the drill by now.

Chapter 6

School report release date loomed with all the usual dread and panic from the pupils – What will my grades be like? I really messed up on that test; will it be okay? I wonder what position I got in all the rankings.

And perhaps the most significant one pressing on their minds – what will mum and dad say and/or think?

For three in the class, the last wasn't a major issue. Naruto, who had obviously never had to worry about parents' expectations; Sasuke, who had lost his; and Kasumi, whose father, despite always receiving the report card from his daughter, paid no attention to it and seemingly couldn't care less if she was failing miserably.

She worked to the best of her ability regardless of the lack of interest, trying to prove to herself that she wasn't going to be a failure of a kunoichi – she wanted to become like her mother, who was a stalwart jōnin, and whom Kasumi had always suspected was in ANBU.

However in Sasuke's case, he was still determined to make his mother and father proud by upholding the great and honourable Uchiha name. It was something he took seriously – as seriously as he did his revenge on his brother for the slaughter of their esteemed and skilled clan.

Yet he was arrogant in said determination, perhaps because he was an Uchiha. Having come first place in all the tested areas in both his class and the school since his first year there, he was convinced that no one – no one in his class anyway; they were all idiots and not worth his time – could challenge him, a great Uchiha, for the top positions.

When his report card was laid on his desk, he opened it with the usual lack of enthusiasm and the bored thought of one used to an achievement; I'll be first place for everything, yet again.

His jaded scan of the grade table evolved into a disbelieving stare and then further into an outraged glower. For three of the areas – taijutsu, senjutsu and team – proclaimed him as second out of the class and the whole academy instead of his 'rightful' status.

Ino and some of the other girls who professed their undying love for him flounced over as everyone was speaking about their grades.

"Top of the board as always, Sasuke-kun?" Ino simpered, having elbowed past her nondescript rivals to reach him first.

Even just one look at his twisted features unnerved Ino, his resentment and ire clear. "Ano… Sasuke-kun? Is something wrong?"

He said nothing, only crumpled the paper and left it on his desk. As he walked away (because Uchiha most certainly don't storm away) with his back facing her, Ino took the opportunity to unfold it and read over his marks.

She was instantly stunned by the results until the rabid fan-girl inside of her starting swearing that she would make whoever had beaten, and thus angered, Sasuke pay for what they had done.

Kasumi was anxiously watching Iruka as he handed out the reports to the class; Naruto didn't understand why she was so nervous; but then he didn't really care about it.

Iruka finally reached them and handed both her and Naruto the appropriate paperwork. As her report changed hands, he grinned at her, "Well done Kasumi-chan," before walking on.

"A-arigato Iruka-sensei," she responded quietly. Iruka froze in mid-stride and slowly turned to stare at her, rather shocked at hearing her call him 'Iruka-sensei' rather than 'Umino-sensei' as she always did. After a moment, he shook his head gently, smiling to himself and proceeded to walk around the class.

After reading through the report, she laid it down deliberately on the table. Her brain seemed to take a couple of seconds to process what she had seen and then she suddenly ripped it open again, making sure that it wasn't just her imagination.

I came first in the class and out of the whole school in three areas? Am I dreaming? Is this actually real? A dazed and dumbfounded look crept onto her face.

Naruto peered over her shoulder, skimmed through it with vague interest and let out a loud whoop when he saw her marks.

"Wow Kasumi! That's so awesome – well done!" His mouth was stretched into a huge grin but then he fell silent for a moment, thinking. "Wait, wait a minute, wasn't Sasuke the one who was always first? Ha! Can you imagine him not getting first place? Serves him right."

She tried to silence him and, when he continued boasting for her, glanced around the room, nervous.

"Quiet N-Naruto," she hissed at him, "Uchiha-san's fan club is probably out for the blood of whoever outdid him."

"How would they know already? We just got given them," he queried, head tilted to one side in confusion.

The blank stare directed at him was followed by a sigh, "His marks always seem to be more important to them than their own are. Now please, at least k-keep it down – I don't want them hearing."

Sasuke however had heard, having been intent on picking up someone's cheering or bragging. His head snapped around to look at the small girl who seemed more panicked than proud of her achievement.

Black eyes narrowed as he studied her. She doesn't appear to be very smart – she's friends with that dobe Naruto after all, he sneered. It must surely be a misprint or a fluke. I'll wait until the end to ask Iruka-sensei about it.

"Iruka-sensei, I need to speak with you."

"Yes Sasuke? What can I help you with?" He put his pen aside, looked up and clasped his hands on the desk.

"This." The report card was thrown down on top of the stack of papers in front of Iruka. "Are you sure there isn't a mistake here at all?" Sasuke attempted to sound a little diplomatic and not as if he were questioning Iruka's competency, but his being angry didn't really help.

"Excuse me? A mistake with what exactly?" Iruka asked, trying to keep his voice neutral despite the fact that he felt the urge to deck the boy for his blatant lack of respect.

He got a blank stare as if what he was talking about should be obvious. Sasuke paused before replying, "Do I really need to spell it out sensei?"

Iruka sighed, "Okay, let me see if I understand what you are implying then. You think that I've made a mistake here, here, and here," he indicated each area on Sasuke's slightly crumpled report card, "correct?"

Sasuke nodded and Iruka let out an explosive sigh again.

"I'm sorry Sasuke, but there was no mistake. At first I wasn't sure but I got all of the other teachers here to check and all of our results agreed. You'll just have to try harder next time," Iruka added gently with an encouraging smile.

"So who do I have to beat then?" Sasuke ground out, fists clenched by his sides.

Iruka raised an eyebrow and stated firmly, "Sasuke, it's not a competition. Someone else in the class has obviously worked hard to improve themselves, and they've surpassed you in certain areas. As for whom it is, I can't tell you that information. If they're not bragging about it then clearly they don't want people to know." Unlike a certain someone, he added scathingly in his mind.

Sasuke glared at Iruka and burst out, "Can you just tell me whether or not it was that blue-haired girl, the one that's friends with Naruto, who was first in all three? What's her name – Kazue? Katsumi...? Anyway whoever; was it her or not?"

"I already told you Sasuke – no means no! I wouldn't tell you even if I was allowed to!"

He looked as if he was away to argue and then his mouth suddenly snapped shut. "Hn," he grunted, in true Uchiha fashion. "Whatever. See you on Monday."

And with that, he turned around and left.

However, he wasn't the only one to find out about Kasumi's success: Ino and her lackeys had also heard Naruto chattering on about it as the two of them left the classroom at the end of the day.

"We've got to teach that bitch a lesson!" Ino fumed. "How dare she humiliate Sasuke-kun like that? Who said that she could be better than him, huh?"

"Yeah! That's right!" A chorus of affirmatives was the only reply from the rest of the girls; even if they were 'rivals in love,' it did not prevent them from exacting payback for someone insulting the coolest, most handsome boy to have ever graced the elemental nations.

Well. That was what they thought anyway.

"So when should we do it? Should we wait until next week, and ambush her when she's least expecting it? Or do we go in for the kill now?" Ino asked with a twisted, unpleasant sneer on her face. More than a couple of the girls shivered at the look, disturbed by how manic she appeared.

Ami, a girl whom Ino had never liked, spoke up, "If it's for Sasuke, we must act immediately. To let her go unpunished… It's unthinkable!" Ami's two followers nodded in agreement.

Ino scowled, "I never said that she would get away with this – in fact, I want the opposite. But what does everyone else think? Should we just jump in head first?"

None of the girls said anything. Furtive glances were cast between Ami and Ino; the rest of the group weren't sure how to answer, not wanting to incur the wrath of either.

"Is no one going to answer me?" Ino questioned, brow furrowed in irritation, "I just want to know what you think. That's all."

The silence continued for a few moments more before someone piped up, "I agree with Ami-chan. I think it'd be best to do it now. There's no point in leaving it until later."

"Very well," conceded Ino, smirking. "All we have to do now is find her. Shouldn't be too hard." Of course, after provoking Murphy in such a blatant manner, they turned out to be famous last words – as it were.

It took the group a little over two hours of wandering around Konoha to finally find Kasumi.

"There she is," Ami murmured, all the girls hiding down a side street and watching their target carefully.

"How're we going to do this?" asked Fuki, Ami's spiky-haired friend. She wasn't the only curious one; others were wondering the exact same thing. No one had come up with what could be done to catch Kasumi.

Ino's replying grin looked decidedly evil, "Well, you see I have a plan. Listen to this—"

Kasumi strolled past shop windows, leisurely taking her time as she made her meandering way to the Hokage tower. Once or twice she paused, something catching her attention.

"I wish I could afford that," she sighed, looking at a newly crafted weapon set laid out on the window counter. She pressed her face against the cool glass, admiring the display and despairing at the price. I guess top quality shinobi equipment is worth that much, but still… It's not fair; she pouted slightly, and looked put out.

Sighing, she detached herself from the shop front and continued onwards to her destination. When she passed the alley where all of Sasuke's fan girls were hiding, several pairs of hands suddenly grabbed her. Next thing she knew her left shoulder collided with a wall, sending pain shooting along her nerves.

Wincing, she looked up, preferring to find out who these assailants were rather than worrying about the pain and any potential injury. She managed to flex and clench her left hand, and sent a quick thank you to Kami that her shoulder hadn't dislocated again. It had been over half a year since that injury, and after a few physiotherapy sessions she was told that she needn't worry about the joint being weaker. It didn't stop the irrational anxiety of hers that it would happen again easily.

She frowned as she scanned the posse and realised who they all were. I knew this would happen, she groaned to herself. Ugh, why did this have to happen when I was on my way to Sandaime-sama? If I get in a fight, he'll be able to tell. I swear he's psychic or something.

Outwardly there was no sign of the conversation she was having with herself. She got her hands under her and made to stand up, only to get a sharp sidekick to the stomach that sent her crashing into the wall. She coughed and gasped for air, winded from the strike.

"Who said that you could get up, bitch?" Ami sneered, the other girls jeering and laughing at her too.

Kasumi merely stared at the ground, her eyes hidden by part of her fringe, "What is this? Uchiha-san's lackeys, his dogs, have decided to— what? Get revenge for their master?" She paused; "How pitiful."

They all gaped at her, having believed that she, being a shy and quiet girl in class, would have just passively taken a beating and then apologised for 'showing up Sasuke-kun'.

"Wh-what did you call us?" Ino screeched livid. They all had much the same reaction: spluttering indignation.

"As-as if! Get real girl! Sasuke-kun doesn't need help from anyone to defeat a midget brat like you!" another raged.

"Then why are you fighting his battles for him?" The question was posed to them calmly, and immediately the flurry of movement that had surrounded her – like a hurricane with her the eye of the storm – ceased.

"Is that what you think this is?" Ami enquired haughtily, looking down on Kasumi who was still sitting in the dirt. "Actually, we just think that you need to be taught your place. You? Better than Sasuke? A likely story," she snorted.

"Yeah! You must've, umm… Bribed Iruka-sensei, or something! There's just no way Sasuke-kun will stop getting the best marks out of everyone. He'll be the 'rookie of the year' when we graduate!"

And yet… Kasumi sighed out loud. She didn't have time for this.

"Are you actually going to do anything? Because I'm busy – I was on my way to work."

"Ha! I'm sure you'd just love to get away so easily, wouldn't you? Coward," spat Ino, setting off the other girls' sniggering. "You have to pay for that attitude of yours – no one is better than Sasuke. You got me? No one can outshine him!"

"Oh? So are you saying that I'm skilled enough to at least challenge or threaten his position? I wouldn't have thought that that would be something one of his fan girls would suggest. What happened to him being the all-mighty Uchiha?"

She earned a slap for that, the force of the blow flinging her head sharply to the side. She turned back around to look at them, glad that they hadn't noticed the subtle shifting of her position whilst they were all talking. She let herself drop through the air and, upon landing, immediately followed through with an attempt to sweep their feet out from under them with her right leg.

She only hoped that it would bring down some of them, to even out her chances just a little, but she didn't really care about how many. It was more than a little reckless, but she didn't mind. A fight was potentially just what she needed to dispel the nervous energy that had been pressuring her all day.

Naruto wasn't really having the best influence on her rational thinking.

Ami and her two friends fell, as did a few other girls. Ino managed to jump over her leg, noticing it at the last minute and was one of the few still standing. Those on the ground groaned or whimpered; having not expected the strike, they hadn't managed to cushion their falls' at all.

Kasumi got to her feet, testing the manoeuvrability of her left arm. Dull pain shot through her nerves from the shoulder joint, but it wasn't so bad that she didn't think she could cope with it. Trying to ignore the tenderness, she faced Ino with her guard seemingly down. When Ino noticed this, an angry scowl twisted her features.

"Don't take me lightly, bitch!" She snarled, "You think you're so tough, huh?"

Kasumi made no reply, and just stared at the blonde with a bland look on her face. Despite appearing outwardly calm, she was terrified. It was taking a lot of effort to hide her shaking – she didn't want them mocking her for being weak and afraid, after all. She wasn't sure how she would do facing the three girls who wanted to fight her, or at least seemed to. She didn't want them exploiting any weakness that they saw in her.

After all, just because she could remember the lessons they had had about facing multiple opponents didn't mean that she could put them to good use.

I'll never be able to do this, she fretted. And she immediately frowned at the almost treacherous thought. Thinking like that wouldn't help her any – if there was the belief that something could be accomplished, and the determination, it more often than not succeeded.

Her eyes fluttered shut for a brief moment, as she steeled herself.

But, then again, I'm not going to back down either.

Ino chose then to make her move. She charged at Kasumi, fists readied, and swung her whole body behind a powerful right hook.

Kasumi ducked under the blow, dropped to the ground and kicked out, taking all of her weight on her hands. Her strike hit, sending Ino crashing into the wall on the other side of the alley. A twinge from her shoulder caused her position to collapse, and she quickly got her feet back under her before she could fall.

The other two used that visible moment of vulnerability to charge at the girl, who grimaced when she noticed their approach. They were being far too direct in her opinion, but she had too little experience when it came to reading another's movements to tell if they were just using misdirection. It was possible they would make some out-of-the-blue move when she least expected it.

In an effort to deny them any advantage over her, she rolled through the space between them as they came within reach of her. Admittedly this brought her closer to Ino, but one look at the girl groaning on the ground and cradling her stomach and side made Kasumi think she wouldn't be joining them for at least a little while.

Unless she's faking it, of course, she considered warily.

When her feet touched the ground again, she used the momentum to smoothly flow into a standing position. The two against her were turning around to face her again when she stepped out, away from all of them. She didn't want to leave her back exposed to any of them if she could help it; any injury she sustained from such carelessness would be more than deserved in her opinion.

On the other hand, if they didn't exploit such an opportunity when it presented itself, she wasn't sure if they had any right to call themselves shinobi.

Of course, she had her doubts regarding that anyway.

But she couldn't help but be impressed when they decided to change their tactics and staggered their attacks rather than charge straight in at the same time. They came at her from two different angles, although the alley wasn't wide enough for one of them to get around her and into a potential blind spot.

One leapt at her, a flurry of fists. She dodged and blocked what she could, grinding her teeth when several knocks jarred her left arm. A grimace of barely-contained pain marred her face before she managed to grasp back the determination she had felt.

I'll have to be careful of my left arm – that shoulder's being more of a pain than it's worth.

The other attempted to enhance the assault, throwing kicks and punches where she could to keep Kasumi off balance. And damn, if it wasn't working. They had her entirely on the defensive, unable to get in a good counterattack. Those she managed to make contact with turned out to be glancing blows, much to her chagrin.

However, her opponent paused briefly to shake the sweat and hair out of her eyes. She had stopped in the perfect place to prevent her ally from getting around her to attack.

And in that moment Kasumi saw a chance to retaliate.

She drew back, coiling around as her right fist came up to her left shoulder. Then, like the release of a taut bowstring, she uncurled herself, her hand snapping out with severe precision. The back of her fist struck the girl on the cheek and sent her spinning to the right, to crash into some dustbins there.

Ami and her friends seemed to have mostly recovered from their introduction to the merciless road and were making moves to get up.

But the only one still standing gestured with one hand, a chopping motion down to halt the three's advance, and she spoke in clipped tones, "You dare interfere now and you will pay. I'll take her out. I'll do it for my onee-chan's wounded pride."

Sister? Kasumi peeked at the person she had struck, and frowned.

"Don't let your focus wander!" It was growled out between clenched teeth, and then followed by her running at the blue-haired brat in front of her. Kasumi didn't have much time to respond before the bigger girl bore down on her.

Her try at blocking the initial hit backfired, as there was just too much power behind it; being small and light made it easy for her assailant to bring her down if there was enough force and weight behind an attack. She fell backwards and the teenager was on her in a second. She managed to tuck her knees up to her chest before the heavy pelting of pain continued with renewed vigour.

A cry slipped past her lips; she tried to curl in on herself, away from the pain, but it was futile. Despite being in possession of a rather high pain threshold, it was ineffectual against the unrelenting, rage-driven onslaught.

But some part – dark and enraged – of her, deep inside, snapped. It commanded her to stop being a weakling, to stop trying to deal with it as she did the beatings she got from her own father. It snarled at her to fight back, to teach them a lesson.

She put her hands up to the face looming over hers and lashed out with her fists. She then dug her nails into the soft flesh of her cheeks, and dragged them down slowly, shredding skin and drawing blood. It made the girl cry out, but it didn't slow her onslaught.

Crack! The blow to Kasumi's exposed temple made her surroundings start to blur and fade, pain causing waves of nausea to crash through her like the sea against a defenceless beach. The metallic tang of blood blossomed in her mouth after another punch.

Her breath rasping harshly in her throat, the girl halted briefly, and drew her fist even further back for a finishing blow.

But that moment's pause was enough. Kasumi, seizing the opportunity presented, spat a mouthful of blood and saliva into her face and then lashed out with her legs which were still between the two of them, kicking her off.

She went flying and Kasumi shakily stumbled to her feet. A snarl of hatred twisted her features into something feral. She snarled through the hurt, latching onto the fury instead and ignoring the sobbing of her nerves.

It didn't help that her face was a mess of blood and welts, her bottom lip split, painful protests shooting to her brain so they could be heard. On the upside, the look on her battered face intimidated those around her and a collective shudder passed through them.

Everyone else had stepped away from the two some time ago. There were those who didn't want to get involved and a few who had tried to stop Kasumi's beating midway, only to be prevented from interfering.

Whilst granted a brief respite, Kasumi hurriedly searched for a blood increasing pill and an analgesic. Swallowing them with the briefest of winces, she slid into a prepared stance.

Then she decided it was high time she took the fight to them.

Glossary

Senjutsu: When it comes to the report cards, senjutsu does not mean 'sage arts'. Instead, it means 'tactics'; I spent a long time (because in the English manga it doesn't translate the characters) looking through fan translations of that page, found senjutsu and was like, "Wtf?" Some further searching found one where it had been translated as tactics.

I'm sorry if I've got that wrong - it's always possible :P - but I did trawl through the internet for a long time, searching. :)

The mention of 'provoking Murphy' is to do with Murphy's/Sod's Law, whichever you call it. It's basically an old adage that says, "If anything can go wrong, it will." Example: You're making plans to go to the beach; there is glorious sunshine, and blue skies to boot. However, someone recommends you take an umbrella or waterproof, just in case. You poo-poo the idea; "Just look at the weather outside! I won't need an umbrella: it'll never rain!"

I think you can guess what happens next. :P That is provoking Murphy. ^^

Anyways, ja ne! :3