WARNING(S): Mentions of violence

A/N: This was an interesting one to attempt. I still suck horribly at fight scenes.

Another week of school, another monster to fight.

Sakura - now the magical Ruby, heaved a sigh as she ran through the courtyard, clutching her fist to her chest. Her visor wasn't quite cracked yet, but that last blow had really tested its mettle.

"Ruby, where are you?" A familiar voice rang through her earpiece, harried and winded.

"Near the gym," she responded as soon as she could draw breath, whirling around to stare up at the giant snake slithering determinedly towards her. "Are the boys safe?"

"Pearl is watching them at the cafeteria." Amethyst huffed a laugh. "She nearly fainted when Naruto jumped into her arms."

Ruby chuckled to herself; that poor girl would never be able to compose herself around him.

Turquoise chimed in: "That stupid snake has reinforcements near the front office. Ruby, Amethyst, steer him away!"

"I'm already on it!" Ruby narrowed her eyes at the giant creature and readied her other fist, muttering under her breath, "Sorry, Principal Senju…!"

DOOOOOOOM…

The ground splintered under her knuckles, creating a wide divide in the grass between herself and the snake. The earth crackled in a shockwave towards him and caved beneath his weight.

An ear-splitting shriek pierced the air, coming from the beast's horrible maw. Ruby gritted her teeth, resisting the urge to clap her hands over her ears.

"Why, oh why couldn't you decide to come on a test day?" She shouted at him, picking up the pace until she was sprinting towards the snake. Her voice grew louder and angrier, eyes flickering, as she added, "I was having lunch with SASUKE-KUN!"

"What's happening? What's going on?" one of the students was panicking, pacing back and forth from where they were trapped in the cafeteria.

"Everyone remain calm," Mahou Shoujo Pearl was instructing with a soothing tone. "The giant snake is being dealt with as we speak. Once the coast is clear, you will be allowed to return to your classes."

Sasuke sighed quietly from his spot at the corner table, resting his chin atop his interlaced fingers. It had been almost fifteen minutes, and lunch was nearly over - yet half the school was acting like an earthquake warning had sounded.

"I wonder what we did this week," Shikamaru drawled from beside him. "I don't think the Snake has attacked us for at least a few."

The dark-haired boy shrugged. "Maybe it's because of Naruto's forty-two on yesterday's quiz."

"C'mon, teme, I doubt that snake is Oro-sensei. Wouldn't they have fired him by now?" Naruto questioned with an irritated glare. "Besides, that was the day I got sick! You can't blame me for that! I would've gotten a higher score if I had had more time."

"And whose idea was it to drink that sketchy milk carton again?" Sasuke rebutted.

"Kiba dared me," the blond protested. "It was a thousand easy yen!"

Rolling his eyes, he turned his attention to the windows overlooking the school's botanical area. Much of the student body was practically glued to the windows pointed towards the rest of campus, where some girl in (admittedly a cute) black-and-white seifuku with a round ruby pinned to the front. Her helmet and visor looked almost ridiculous, but its red tint concealed much of her features.

She was either very brave or very foolish to be running at a giant snake with nothing more than her bare fists. Then again, Mahou Shoujo Pearl didn't seem to have any weapons either.

Several boys exclaimed as she hit the trunk of the snake, and his scales practically disintegrated in the strike, revealing a fleshy belly. The beast's roar of pain made the windows rattle dangerously.

"I wonder how much this is gonna cost the principal to repair," Sai commented offhand, making the other three startle.

"Where did you come from?" Naruto squawked in surprise.

"I've been here the whole time." The pale boy smiled that unnerving smile.

"Once again the day is saved," Temari said sarcastically as the four girls walked out of homeroom.

"I hope Tsunade-sama won't be too upset that I broke my visor…" Ino heaved a sigh. "You really came in clutch with your fan. Thanks."

Sakura waggled her brows at Hinata. "How was your time babysitting Naruto? Hmmmm…?~"

Hinata's face turned bright red and she cupped her hands over it.

"C'mon, you'd do the same thing with Uchiha." Temari nudged her and grinned. "Don't think I didn't see how you almost spilled your strawberry milk all over yourself when he asked to sit next to you."

It was the rosette's turn to blush, and the other girls laughed.

"Hey," a boy's voice made them turn around.

Ino's face brightened. "Sai!"

"Hey, Creepy," Temari greeted, hands stuffed into her skirt pockets. "What's up?"

"Naruto was wondering if you would like to stop at the arcade after school." He paused, gaze sweeping over the others. "All of you are invited."

"O- oh." Hinata poked her fingers together. "I would love to, but my father needs me to come straight home."

"A pity," the boy agreed mildly. "What about you, Yamanaka-san, Haruno, Temari?"

"I told you already; my last name is Sho," the sandy-haired girl interrupted.

"We would love to," Ino confirmed, linking her arm with Sakura's. "Right? Sakura?"

"I guess." The girl smiled. "I haven't hung out with Naruto for a while." Turning to Hinata, she added, "Want me to get you a souvenir?"

She ducked her head. "If you want to."

"Excellent. I'll tell the others that you're coming." Without another word, he turned and strolled away.

"I never actually said I'd go," Temari muttered irritably.

"Yeah, but he said the others will be going. That means Shikamaru." Ino flashed her a teasing grin. "Besides, I think he'd tease you more if you didn't go."

"I guess." She heaved a sigh and folded her arms.

"Today has been quite the day…" Hinata stretched, a delicate yawn escaping.

"I'll say," Principal Tsunade's voice made the four jump in surprise. The tall woman stepped out from the staff room with a hand on her hip, a solemn expression on her face. "Step in, girls. We have a lot to discuss."