Chapter Eight

The written exam was obnoxiously dull compared to the practical exam that the class had all participated in the day before. Surprisingly all of the members of the class managed to pass the practical, with varying amounts of skill, and now they all found themselves baking in their old classroom with several examiners positioned around the room to make sure that they didn't cheat. Or at least, that they didn't cheat poorly. Of course none of the class members ever caught on to the fact that they were supposed to be cheating smartly and either didn't cheat at all (like Sakura and Shikamaru) or decided that they wouldn't get caught (like Sasuke and Ino).

By the end of the exam all of the students were sufficiently groggy from their twelve hours of test taking (who knew that they had actually learned that much stuff?) and were free for a much deserved weekend of rest before the results were announced on Monday.

"So how well do you think you did?" Ino asked Sakura as they left the classroom with Hinata. "You better say well too because my score depends on your score."

Sakura laughed and waved a dismissive hand. "There wasn't anything on that test that I didn't know. Relax, your grade will turn out just fine."

"That's good to know."

The girls all jumped at the unexpected voice.

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura said as she spun around in surprise. "Don't do that!"

Sasuke just smirked before he found his neck locked under Naruto's elbow.

"Oi Teme! I totally rocked the socks offa that test!"

Sasuke glared as he pried the blonde's arm off from around his neck. "That would be difficult seeing as tests don't wear socks…dobe."

"Whaat! I dare you to call me that again teme! Go ahead!"

"…Dobe."

"Why you! I'll—."

"Oi Naruto! Knock it off!" Sakura said as she slammed her fist directly on to the top of Naruto's head causing her cousin to crash hard into the hallway floor. "Sorry about him Sasuke-kun. He has a tendancy to get a little…excited."

Sasuke shrugged. "Hn."

Sakura bit her lip slightly as she watched Sasuke exit the doors to the P.F.T field, wondering whether or not she should call him back. Just as she was about to make her decision she crossed over the Academy's doorframe and found herself falling hard over Ami's extended leg. She cried out in surprise as she tumbled down the short flight of stairs leading to the concrete walkway.

"Oops, sorry forehead girl. I guess I didn't see you there." Ami's friends snickered behind their hands as the blue haired girl crossed her arms with a smug smirk.

"Didn't see her, my foot!" Ino said as she threw her binder to the ground and stalked over to Ami. "You just did that on purpose you jealous little—!"

"Don't worry about it Ino," Sakura said as she struggled to her feet. "I'm okay."

"You had better be," Kairi said as she came up from behind the gathered group, the corners of her mouth turned down into a firm frown. "Wahiawa Ami. You will be coming with me. Right now."

Ami scowled at Sakura before turning to head back into the academy while Kairi paused for just a moment. "Go get yourself to the hospital Sakura. I don't want you going off with potentially broken bones. Naruto!"

The young fox boy turned his eyes to the primary nin instructor from where they had been glaring daggers at Ami's back.

"Yes Kaa-san?"

"Will you help Sakura to the hospital please?"

Naruto nodded before he looped his arm around Sakura's waist gently to help her stand.

"Where does it hurt Sakura-chan? Anyplace real bad?"

Sakura shook her head with a small smile. "Naw, I'm fine. It's just my ankle. I'll live."

Once they were gone Shikamaru and Chouji arrived on the scene, Chouji munching on a bag of chips while Shikamaru lifted an eyebrow at a nearly steaming Ino.

"Oi, Ino. Your dad is looking for you."

Ino turned her glare to Shikamaru who didn't so much as flinch. "Fine. I'm coming. Where is he?"

Shikamaru lazily jerked his thumb in the direction of the park across the street. "Over there."

Without even a thank-you Ino stomped off in the direction indicated leaving Shikamaru and Chouji behind with Hinata. Taking advantage of this, Shikamaru turned to the quiet Hyuuga.

"What's wrong with her?" he asked, sounding disinterested.

"Wahiawa-san tripped Sakura-chan down the stairs and she had to go to the hospital. Ino-chan was very upset with her."

Shikamaru sighed. "Troublesome."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

The weekend seemed to drag on endlessly with nothing but lazing around the compound to keep Sakura occupied. Naruto did his best to stave off his cabin fever by mutilating a couple of training dummies in the second dojo (why would a merchant family need three dojos?) while Ichigo, Naruto's aunt, was studying for her fifth year academy exams under the plum tree in the back corner of the court yard. All three young ninja's were beyond bored so it came as quite a relief when they heard the main door slide open and the tired voice of Hikari call out.

"Tadaima."

"Onee-chan!" Sakura said as she jumped up from where she had been lounging. "What's the news?"

Hikari paused next to the open shoji screen to raise an eyebrow at Sakura who stared at her eagerly.

"News about what?"

"About Sasuke-kun of course! And the Uchihas!"

Hikari shrugged. "There isn't anything to tell that you don't already know. Sasuke was stricken from the clan records and was forced to take up private residence. If you want to know anything else then marry an Uchiha or ask Sasuke-san himself."

"They aren't going to hurt him are they Hikari-nee-chan?" Ichigo asked. "Now that he's alone I mean. Aren't there still people that want revenge?"

Hikari sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "There is always going to be someone that wants revenge Ichigo. The Uchiha clan lost a great deal of members that night; men, women, and children. I'm afraid something like that isn't easily forgotten."

Naruto's brow furrowed in slight concern. "Is the teme going to be alright?"

Hikari glared at Naruto and pointed a finger at him sharply. "If you talk like that again I'll not only shove a bar of soap down your throat but I'll also tell your mother."

"Gomen," Naruto muttered. "But is he?"

"Only time will tell. Fortunately Yotaro was able to secure an apartment for Sasuke that was next door to his own so if anything should happen then we at least have one of the top ANBU captains close at hand to deal with it. Now quit asking me questions and get back to your studying." Hikari was just about to leave before she snapped her fingers in sudden thought. "I just remembered. Sakura, catch."

Sakura grunted, the breath knocked out of her by the heavy leather bound book her older sister had tossed none to gently in her direction.

"What's this?" She asked as she gently massaged her ribs.

"It's a book of medical jutsus." Hikari said. "I thought that it might interest you, seeing as you were able to master that other one so quickly. Besides, I figured that you needed some skill to balance out your poor taijutsu techniques."

Sakura glared at her smirking sister and mimed tossing the book at her before the two grinned at each other and Hikari once again turned to leave, this time disappearing completely from sight. Sakura sighed and leaned back against the wall of the house while Naruto and Ichigo both turned back to their previous tasks, leaving the pink haired girl to dive into the medical text without any interruptions.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Naruto awoke long before the sun had even risen on the Monday following the testing week. He was so excited he could hardly stop his limbs from shaking in anticipation. Deciding that it would probably be best for him to get an early start, since he obviously wasn't getting any more sleep, he quickly crossed his room to his large closet to pull out his favorite (and his mother's most detested) outfit.

He carried the orange monstrosity with him into the bathroom where he proceeded to fill the furo with hot water before dousing himself with the cold water set aside for cleansing. Once he felt sufficiently washed he sunk into the near scalding water of the furo to relax for a bit before finishing up his morning ritual of brushing his teeth and eating breakfast.

By the time he had snuck into the kitchen to make himself a quick breakfast of instant ramen (another thing that his mother detested) he heard the beginnings of someone stirring down the hall across from his own room. He bit back a grin as he imagined exactly how Sakura looked after waking with her hair standing on ends and her eyes barely open as he heard her shuffle heavily into the recently vacated bathroom.

Nearly an hour and fourteen ramen bowls later he heard Sakura exit and he stood, quickly disposing of the empty styrofoam bowls, before going to the hall to exchange the kitchen for the bathroom once again where he brushed his teeth before meeting Sakura (who had scarfed down a quick breakfast of cherries and sweet rice) at the front gate so that they could leave together for the academy.

Despite having left early the two were still pressed for seats but managed to squeeze past a rather large gathering of students to slide onto the bench next to Sasuke with Sakura first and Naruto to her right.

"Ohayo, Sasuke-kun," Sakura said with a bright smile. "Are you nervous?"

Sasuke spared her only a brief glance before returning his gaze to the front. "Hn."

"Me too. I really hope that I passed…"

A light flick to the back of her head cut off anything else that the young Haruno had in mind to say and Sakura turned to glare at Ino while rubbing the back of her head over dramatically.

"What was that for Ino-pig?"

"You're being pathetic forehead girl. Saying that you hoped you passed, geez. Of course you did!"

"Well there's always a chance…Ow!" Sakura glared back at Ino again in retaliation to another flick. "What!"

"Quit acting all pathetic Sakura, you know you passed. Mostly because I cheated off of you and if you didn't pass then I didn't either. And if that was the case then…well…I'd definitely have to kick your scrawny butt forehead girl."

Before Sakura could respond the sound of the classroom door cause all of the students to quickly fall silent and stare in strict attention.

"Good morning class!" Iruka said. "How are you all today?"

No one answered.

Iruka blinked in surprise. "Goodness, I don't think I've ever had a graduating class this silent. Then again, we did have to do things a bit differently this year. Usually today would only be for those who's names were announced on the Friday before, instead this time we'll announce the graduates here." He smiled kindly and lifted his clip board. "Well then, shall we begin?"

If possible the silence got even deeper as Iruka opened his mouth to announce the first graduate.

"When I call your name please come receive your forehead protector before returning to your seat. Akihara Kayko."

Kayko breathed a heavy sigh of relief before jumping quickly to her feet to race down the stairs to the front of the room.

"Congratulations Akihara-san," Iruka said as he handed her a forehead protector. Kayko bowed quickly before heading back to her seat to giggle happily with her friends.

"Aburame Shino." Quietly Shino stood from his seat on the second row and moved to take his forehead protector, bowing to Iruka while accepting the chuunin's Congratulations before returning to his seat.

On and on the students were called down one by one before it was Sakura's turn.

"Haruno Sakura." Sakura nearly collapsed from relief as she slid past Naruto to accept her hatai-ate. Iruka smiled as she slowly approached.

"You did very well on your exams Sakura. I'm very proud of you." Sakura beamed brightly as she bowed to Iruka before taking the forehead protector and returning to her seat where she quickly tied it around her hair like a headband.

"Hyuuga Hinata."

"Alright Hinata-chan!" Naruto cheered causing Hinata to blush a million shades of red as she hurried down the steps to shakily accept her forehead protector. Again the names continued to be read off until they reached the S's.

"Sasuke."

An outburst of whispers followed the announcement of Sasuke's name but he paid it no mind as he silently collected his forehead protector, bowed to Iruka, and then returned to his seat, either not noticing or not caring about the glares that Sakura and Naruto were sending to all those still rude enough to continue their harsh whispers.

After a quick call for quiet Iruka continued the names until at last every name was called (including Naruto and Ino, both having seen fit to make quite the spectacle of themselves) except one.

"Now all those who's names were not called are allowed to stay for the remainder of the class, but once this class is dismissed they will begin preparations to begin next semester's sixth year class unless they wish to discontinue their time at the Academy." Iruka glanced quickly at his second clip board before continuing. "You all may have a fifteen minute recess to stretch your limbs before I will announce your knew three man cells. Dismissed."

Everyone quickly left the room to head out to the P.F.T. fields to get in some quick exersize. Everyone that is, except one person.

Wahiawa Ami had yet to leave her seat as she sat smoldering over the fact that her name was the only one not on the graduating list.

End Chapter Eight


Kaliea: Sorry it's taken so long, I've had a bit of writer's block. Hopefully though the next update will be faster. Don't forget to review!
Review Answers:

Izari-Hime: It may come off as Naruto centric but it doesn't just focus on him. This story is how things could have happened under these circumstances. This includes several things concerning the Uchiha clan which, for a while, will be the main mystery behind this fic. Also, there will be quite a bit of NaruHina, it will just take a while to develop.

ChristinaAngel: If you read the other chapters carefully you'll probably be able to make a pretty well educated guess as to what went on the night of the Uchiha Tragedy. If not then you'll just have to wait for everything to be made clear.

CherryBlossoms016: Oh Ami has it coming. Unfortunately what she has coming will cause her to form some rather unbecoming alliances.

grim reaper sakura: I hope that you still come back despite the late update.

Dragon Man 180: Ami wasn't Sasuke and Sakura's teammate in the first place. She was just the girl that they had to run the practical exam with. The teams will be announced in the next chapter. Bet you won't be able to guess who is on whose team.

hot-ninja-babe: Sorry about the late update. I hope that you enjoyed the chapter.

slstmaraudersjple: Well I do what I can in all regards. Thanks for the review!


Kaliea: Thanks so much for all of your reviews! I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter. Stay tuned for the next one. Ja for now!