Disclaimer- I do not and will never own Naruto. Only the characters created within my story.

Thinking

"Talking"

"Monster/animal talking"

"Telepathic talking"

A/N I'm going to try and use some Japanese phrases and honorifics, this is my first time doing so and sorry if I accidentally do some of it wrong. I'm still looking for a beta reader who can help me with some mistakes and translations. Thanks to all those who favorited my story.

Chapter 4- little brothers

Shinaka arrived at the left window of Iruka's classroom in the academy. Iruka stood behind his desk, rubbing the scar over his nose as he kept staring at the clock behind him. Shinaka looked at the clock as well and noticed it was half past two. Half an hour after she was supposed to arrive.

Most of the students were talking animatedly to each other as they waited. While others were staring at the blackboard, wishing for the day to end.

She saw Shikamaru, Ino and Choji sitting in the middle row at the front. Shikamaru sat the closest to her, his head resting on his arms, most likely asleep. Choji sat in the middle munching loudly on his chips, while Ino next to him looked on disgusted by his loud eating.

At the top left sat Hinata, between Kiba and Shino. Kiba sat next to the window and was talking to Shino and Hinata. He was telling them about the new nin-dog he got a couple of days ago. It was at home now being checked over by his mother to see if he was fit and all his vaccinations were up to date. He didn't have it with him in class but Tsume said he could take him on the survival trip as a bonding exercise. Shino was mostly silent, but Hinata stuttered in a quiet response at the right moments while occasionally looking towards Naruto who was sitting in the row behind Shikamaru.

Naruto sat next to Sakura, who sat between him and Sasuke. His had his head on his folded arms and even with her advanced hearing she could barely hear him whisper something about stuck-up Uchihas. Most likely because his crush was trying to get a conversation from Sasuke. Who was ignoring her as he brooded at the desk before him.

Shinaka always enjoyed visiting the academy. The children's' emotions were always so light, even when they were angry, it was a fraction of the emotions felt by adults. It was a nice break from the shinobi and vindictive civilians surrounding her daily life. People tended to lose their innocence and joy in the world around them as they grow, and everything became more normalized.

She opened the window silently and dropped a smoke bomb at Iruka's feet, startling his students into silence. She looked intimidating as her dark purple eyes seemed to glow in the thick white smoke.

When the smoke cleared a couple of the kids shouted out "Shinaka!" in a happy surprise. It was mostly the clan children and Naruto. Sasuke and Shino were silent, but she felt one of Shino's kikaichū on her shoulder, telling her he was pleased to see her. She carefully allowed the bug to crawl on her hand and whispering a quick, "it's good to see you too", she let it fly back to the Aburame heir.

The other civilian kids looked at her in disgust, mimicking how their parents looked at her. Most of the clan kids knew her however as she often helped out at their clan compounds, as their parents were her former classmates and held nothing personal against her or Naruto. Aside from the occasional prank, some of which she helped him perform. That made them and their kids precious in her mind.

"Next time use the door Shinaka-san." Iruka said between cough's, waving his hand around to clear the smoke.

"Sorry." She replied, rubbing the back of her head with a sheepish smile.

Naruto was first out of his seat and she was caught off guard when he unexpectedly gave her a big hug around the waist. "Ne-chan. Ne-chan. What are you doing here?"

Shinaka knelt and hugged him back. She reveled in his familiar scent and waves of joy radiating off him for a moment before standing up again. "I'm here to help with the survival exercise you are doing this week."

"But we're not going for another two days." Naruto said looking up at her.

"I know, Ototo," Shinaka said rubbing his head. "but Iruka-san wanted me to give the class a few pointers and warnings before we spend the whole week in the forest. I'm going to tell you a few things about hunting, gathering and how to survive in the forest with limited rations. That means tonight you will pack a single bag for tomorrow and only bring the things you need."

"And for those of you who think you are able to bring extra food and things for entertainment we will be checking your bags in the morning." Iruka added. "You will be allowed to ask your parents for help, but for the few of you who don't have any shinobi parents to help you Shinaka and I will be available to help after school today or early in the morning."

Most of the kids whined at this. "This is so troublesome.", ""Yuck. I'm going to get mud all over myself." Was a few of their replies, while the ones who were looking forward to it shouted out their excitement.

"Ok class settle down. Settle down." When the class continued to chatter loudly amongst themselves Iruka used his patent Big Head no Jutsu, "I SAID SETTLE DOWN." The kids soon stopped talking and listened to their teacher. "I know I told you how to survive in the wild, but in practice it is harder than in theory. The first thing we are going to do is tell you is what a shinobi should always carry in their bags in case of emergency."

Naruto, who had jumped back in fright from Iruka's sudden yell, quickly adjusted his green goggles on his head before running back to his seat.

Shinaka noticed with some amusement the jealous glare Sasuke sent towards Naruto. She was never close to the Uchiha's, but during her time in the Anbu she had come to respect Sasuke's older brother Itachi. It was a tremendous shock when he killed his entire clan. That was only two weeks ago. She thought Sasuke would need to take more time off from school to get over the shock of his family's massacre. He was here now, appearing composed on the outside, but there was no happiness in his heart. Only a deep hatred. It was no good for him to be here so soon after the massacre.

When Iruka sent her a pointed look Shinaka cleared her throat. "The first thing you should always have on you is some sort of tool or weapon you can use to cut and hunt with. You should also bring flint and steel to light a fire, a sleeping bag for cold nights, a few shinobi ration bars, something to hold water. In the future you may add other items that you might find useful such as your own shinobi gear, but these are the items you will need the most."

Iruka started again when Shinaka finished talking. "Tomorrow we will help you further. I will be your main sensei, but Shinaka will be helping out and keeping us safe."

"But Iruka what is there to worry about out there?"