The Career Expo

It was that time in their final year of high school when students met with their mentors. A time when they sat down and discussed the ominous subject of post graduation life. It was exciting but also a panic driving, anxiety triggering weight that hung over every senior's shoulders. With each passing week and term, it grew heavier and heavier.

And while the adolescents approached the life marker that bridged the gap between childhood and adulthood, it was a teacher's job to help their students prepare themselves for that day. The day when they would cross a stage in front of all of those that had been in their lives thus far, family friends, and mentors, where they were expected to spread their wings and fly effortlessly into the sky and smoothly sail into adulthood.

And while far too many adults were happy to put that pressure of expectation over any barely legal individual, despite knowing that adulthood was no breeze, Kakashi Hatake and a handful of co-workers were not one of them. He was more than aware of the forceful hurricane he was about to throw those his fledgling students into where they would be forced to beat their wings furiously and hope they weather the storm. As an educator and mentor, he was not about to let them fail right off the bat. He was going to prepare them for the whirlwind life was about to throw at them.

Despite his determination to stay as uninvolved and impartial to his teaching and his students, every once in a while, Kakashi found himself more fond of certain students than others. It was never to the point that he showed favoritism or unfair grading on their behalf, he treated all his students equally when it came to academics. However, there were a few that he felt drawn to in trying to help more than others when it came to the guidance into adulthood.

It was always random and various selections of his students in which he did this. He was also very particular when he got involved in his students' personal lives. Normally he only allowed the bare minimum that a teacher should be involved in, like career advice, taking note of students who could benefit from speaking with the school counselor, and making sure that the welfare of his students was being protected both inside and outside of school. At any time he saw something not right, he took action when such securities were being violated.

Those were his strict rules when it came to getting personally involved with students. Being ex-military, Kakashi knew the rules were there to ensure a mission was a success. And for a long time Kakashi had once been firm when it came to following rules. Even when he first became a teacher he had been lawfully obedient to the rules he set before himself. However, over the past couple of years he had found himself realizing that such methods were inhibiting his ability to fully prepare his students for their futures. He found himself preparing them for the journey down a path that would be most beneficial to them, not just scholarly, but in every aspect of their life. For if there was one thing he had learned in his many wanderings of the road of life, obtaining joy was not always black and white.

So when it came that time of the year when he sat down, one on one with his assigned students that he was to mentor in their career paths, he took his position very seriously. Guiding them to their dreams but also keeping them grounded so not as to set them up for failure at the end of their road.

Kakashi sat at his desk watching the blonde boy half seated in the chair. A heavy exhaustion overtook the silver haired teacher just watching the boy fidgeting around in his seat.

He had started as expected of anyone about to take on the responsibility of making decisions that would impact his entire future. Back straight, feet on the ground, hands in his lap. This lasted about thirty second before he began to slouch, then crossed his legs, then turned the chair backwards and straddled it. Now he was currently leaning back on two chair legs with his hands cradling the back of his head as his attention moved back and forth between the window to outside and the school hallway. One second he was watching the gym class outside playing soccer in the field and the next he was curiously watching the student that passed by the classroom as they walked down the hall.

For Kakashi, just watching his student's head moving back and forth made him dizzy.

Shaking his head and looking away from the hyperactive teen, Kakashi pulled out a piece of paper from a folder and began to fill it out.

Name: Uzumaki, Naruto

Age: 18

Year: 4

Class: A

GPA: 2.5

Advisor: Hatake, Kakashi

Once the top of the form was filled out, Kakashi moved onto the first section: career goals.

"Alright Mr. Uzumaki, today we are going to talk about what you will do after graduation next term. Are you ready to focus?" Kakashi began, causing the young student's attention to snap to him as he tipped his chair forward so all four legs touched the ground and straightened up. It was still not the most professional of postures, but it was good enough. "Let's start with your career interests, what do you see yourself going into?"

"I am going to be mayor of this town," Naruto said, jabbing himself in the chest with a confident thumb. "And then maybe even become president!"

"Alright," Kakashi commented, jotting down some notes. "And what do you plan to do if elected? What are your views and policies?"

"Um...protect the citizens and take down the bad people," Naruto said nobly.

Kakashi raised a quizzical brow. Did this kid think Konoha was Gotham City or something?

Kakashi let out a long sigh. "Yes, protecting the city from bad people is all well and good, but do you know what that would entail for you as an elected official? You're not going to be fighting crime by beating up sketchy people like some vigilantly. Being an official means giving speeches, writing laws, and meet一''

Naruto's eyes seemed to glaze over and Kakashi found himself snapping his fingers to regain his student's focus.

"Naruto," he said, grasping his attention. "What I mean is it's going to take a lot of focus and effort to accomplish this. You will be going up against a lot of high officials and strong personalities. Some good people you can trust and others manipulative and deceiving. You will have to be able to distinguish between them. Anything you say, people will hold you accountable for. You can't just promise things and expect them to happen, you have to plan, implement, and adjust."

Naruto suddenly stood up and placed his hands on Kakashi's desk, his bright blue eyes alight with a burning determination as a resolve took over his persona. "I am going to be the greatest president that ever lived! I'm not going to run away from a challenge. I will never back down on my word because that is the true presidential way! Believe it!"

There was a long drawn out silence as Kakashi looked at possibly his most struggling student in every way, and finding himself already casting his vote for the elections to come. He was easily distracted, struggled with nearly every subject, and seemed to lack any initiative in scholastics. But he had a heart of gold that could be trusted to ensure the wellbeing for everyone.

"Alright," Kakashi said, gesturing for his student to sit back down. He picked up his pencil and looked down at the next section on the form. "Let's talk about your steps of achieving this. What have you planned so far?"

"Get elected," Naruto stated confidently without giving any indication that he knew there was far more to a campaign than the votes.

It took Kakashi everything within him to not facepalm right in front of his student. Why he assumed Naruto would know anything about campaigning and running debates, despite the fact that he knew full well that Naruto attended nearly everyone of his fathers rallies, was beyond him.

"How about I just put you down for getting a degree in political science with a minor in public speech. Maybe doing a summer internship at the capitol building."

"Science?" Naruto parroted dumbly. "What does science have to do with being mayor? And I already know how to speak. Why would I need a class that teaches you how to speak?"

At that, Kakashi slumped forward as his face met his hand. It was going to be a long, long day.

Name: Haruno, Sakura

Age: 17

Year: 4

Class: A

GPA: 4.0

Advisor: Hatー

"I want to go into the medical field," Sakura proclaimed before Kakashi had even finished filling out the top of her form.

Kakashi looked up, surveyed her for a moment, then nodded. There was not a doubt in his mind that she was qualified for such a career. She excelled in her classes and according to her aptitude test, she fit within the profession. He started writing some notes on her form.

"That is a good choice, it's a growing field and I have no doubt you would excel and contribute to the profession." He looked up at her. "However, it is quite a large field, have you narrowed it down at all to any specific position within that field?" he asked, grabbing a folder and pulling out a few papers.

"I would really like to be a doctor, specializing in pediatrics. I would major in biology for my bachelors while working on any additional prerequisites for medical school. Possibly do a double major in early childhood development or psychology. Then when I graduate I could take the entrance exams and start medical school immediately," Sakura informed without a single hesitation or second thought as to what she needed to do. "Ideally I would like to attend Konoha University but Suna has a good program and I have family there already. But Mist academy in the islands could be an option too if I didn't get into either. It's not as prestigious but still accredited. I probably wouldn't get to work in a big hospital in the city, but I know plenty of small town doctors that make a great impact in the communities that would be just as fulfilling."

Kakashi paused in his shuffling of paperwork and looked up at her. She was seated perfectly in her seat with her uniform looking perfectly in place as if she was interviewing for actual enrollment of Konoha University and not in front of her high school counselor who had not even bothered to change out of his grey sweatpants that morning.

She held a confidence in her posture that had developed and shone brighter over the years. Her green eyes brimming with intelligence and her young face full of enlightened thrill as she discussed her future plans. It made what he had to address all the harder.

"Sakura, I do not doubt you will not be able to get into any school you wanted to. You have an outstanding academic record, your extra curricular activities show you can handle a heavy workload, and you are personable with anyone you speak with." Sakura seemed to beam at his praise which made the next words he wanted to say all the more sour to speak. "However, those schools are extremely expensive…"

It was no secret that Sakura did not come from the same "stock" as the rest of the students that attended the academy. Every year there was a selection of scholarship students granted to attend the school for free. Sakura was one of them.

And while the Uchiha family had a heavy pull in the selection and decision of that pool, Kakashi knew she did not need their connections to attain such a scholarship herself. The school was lucky to have a student like her.

However, university was different. She was competing against a much larger pool of candidates in need for financial aid that contributed and shined just as much as she did. He believed Sakura could accomplish what she needed, but he worried about the financial burden. School was not cheap. And with the extensive schooling she would need, he knew it would be difficult even with scholarships. But even as he suggested such a roadblock in her future, Sakura did not even hesitate.

Immediately she reached for her backpack and began to pull out papers and forms. "I know I will probably have to take out a student loan when I go into medical school, but…" She began fanning the paper out on his desk. "I already called financial aid and I should qualify for a grant each year." She pointed to a stack of papers that looked like various applications. "Then I found all of these scholarships, some of them are not much but if I could get a few of them that could at least pay for my books. And if I go to school here in Konoha I don't need to pay for student housing. I can just take the subway to the other side of the city. I will probably have to leave early and get home late but I can just study on the train ride and it won't be too bad. Even if I get into my second choice I have family there that would allow me to stay with them for at least a cheaper rate than getting an apartment." She unfolded a pamphlet and handed it to him for a certification program at a smaller hospital in the city." I found this program and if I start it right after graduation, I should be able to finish the nine week program before terms start and become a nursing assistant. The pay would be better than a regular job and it would be great experience in the field to see if I really want to go into it before making such a big investment…"

As Kakashi listened to Sakura plan out her entire ten year plan and pulled out more resources that he had himself to help his students, Kakashi realized that there was nothing more he could guide her in. She had already figured it out. And knowing her, she most likely had this all figured out in her freshman year of high school.

"Well it seems like you have everything in order. Honestly, I don't think there is really anything more than I can do for you," he admitted. To his confusion, this seemed to disappoint Sakura, as if she had been hoping for some guidance from him. It was not as if he didn't want to help her...he just didn't think there was anything else that he could offer to her. But then an idea came to his mind. "I have a connection. Are you familiar with Tsunade Senju?"

Sakura's eyes lit up in nearly utter disbelief and he could see a hunger that he was not sure he had ever seen in his student before.

"Of course I know of her. Tsunade Senju is the most renowned surgeon on this side of the globe!" Sakura said, so much sanctity coming through her voice that Kakashi could tell Sakura did not just know who Doctor Senju was, she idolized her.

Kakashi smiled behind his mask. "Well then…"

After promising that he would reach out to her, Kakashi felt much more comfortable with ending their counseling session feeling like he was able to at least help her find a mentor after him. Though he was confident that Sakura would no doubt make herself known to the Senju woman by her own merits without his introduction.

As she exited the room and he finished his notes and paper work before his next student came in, Kakashi found himself not feeling worried for the pinkette what-so-ever, he knew she would make it. She had the perseverance and the resources. Combining that, with her natural talent and intelligence, she would make it. She wasn't just able, but she was a natural for this, just like Naruto. He was not worried about either of them.

Name: Uchiha, Sasuke

Age: 17

Year: 4

Class: A

GPA: 3.0

Advisor: Hatake, Kakashi

The scratch of Kakashi's pen halted as he finished filling out the top of the form and he set down the writing instrument, folded his fingers, and looked at the unhappy looking student that now occupied the chair across from him.

Tick

Tick

Tick

The clock above the door was the only sound as Kakashi looked over his desk to the dark haired Uchiha. Kakashi had dealt with his fair share of Uchiha's over the years, all of them giving him a varied difficulty. Obito was too energized and never knew when to give up or take a hint. Shisui was too much of a smart ass who could not take anything seriously enough. And Itachi had been a wizened old man trapped in a teenager's body that took things too seriously. However despite their contrasting personalities that hid between near identical family features, when Sasuke came under his tutelage, Kakashi had thought he had them all figured out. But it turned out, he was severely wrong.

Sasuke was highly intelligent like his brother but only ever bothered with the bare minimum, scoring high on his tests but picking and choosing what assignments to do. Yet his grades never suffered because he was so calculative. He was too smart for his own good. He was possibly the most popular kid in the entire school yet probably had the fewest amount of people he would truly claim as friends.

"So where do you see yourself going after graduation?" Kakashi began.

Sasuke was silent. Then shrugged his shoulders.

Kakashi frowned behind the medical mask he wore over the lower half of his face. He knew this interview would not be as easy flowing as his previous ones, but he had expected at least a little more participation from the brooding student. Then again, he had been noticing something off about Sasuke.

Over the past three and a half years, Kakashi had watched the boy slowly open up and develop into a nearly functional young adult. He had looked over his records from middle school and noted the blackened history of fights, failing grades, and reprimands.

The kid had an entire folder full of demerits and disciplinary actions taken from multiple fights and uncooperative behavior as a student. His first year was a little rocky, but by his sophomore year, after sitting next to Sakura and numerous "study" dates, Sasuke had developed an adequate behavior. There had only been one time last year when Sasuke had come to school one day with a bruised jaw, split lip, and swollen knuckles. It had not taken a genius to figure out that such injuries were no doubt also connected to the red haired boy who sat behind who seemed to have matching injuries. It was later that week that Kakashi had been blessed with the most glorious encounter and reason for the jealous glares that Gaara had shot towards the dark haired rival for Sakura's love interest. And now here he was, grades slipping again, uncooperative, frequent unexcused absences, and tight lipped.

After a full five minutes of silence. Kakashi let out a sigh and leaned forward on his desk, giving Sasuke a hard look. "Sasuke, what's going on?"

Sasuke's dark eyes seemed to take on a hard luster as he shifted in his seat, taking on a defensive posture.

"Nothing."

Kakashi gave the Uchiha teen a pointed look.

"Just put me down for going into business."

"Do you want to major in business?"

Sasuke shrugged.

Kakashi sighed.

Kakashi looked into Sasuke's career path file that had slowly become more full over the years. Leafing through the papers he paused at some older forms from the previous year. "I know last year you wrote down that your plans were to major in business. I know we talked about joining the business association club here at the school and signed you up. But the team captain said you stopped coming to the meetings at the end of last term."

Sasuke shrugged. "Wasn't like they ever did anything."

"They went on a ski trip in the winter."

"Selling candy bars so you can go on a sky trip is fundraising, not business," Sasuke said dryly. "How is any of that supposed to help me run a conglomerate that probably owned the ski lodge they went to?"

"It probably doesn't," Kakashi agreed, "but it builds up your college resume. But you don't seem to be fully invested in the idea. You know just because you already got accepted into the business program, does not mean you have to go into business. Konoha University offers a wide selection of studー"

"I didn't get accepted."

"ーdies…" Kakashi seemed to struggle to process what Sasuke's interruption meant. "I am sorry I think I am misunderstanding. You haven't heard back from Konoha University yet? Early acceptances should have been sent out last month. Did you miss the email?"

"I didn't get an email," Sasuke replied. "And I don't expect to."

Kakashi stared at the dark haired Uchiha, perplexed. While there were many variances in Uchiha's there were certain things that were set into stone. They all had hair and eyes in varying shades of onyx, midnight sky, and charcoaled coal. They all had a knack for anything they set their minds to. And they were always the first choice of Konoha University.

"That can't be right," Kakashi said in confusion. "Perhaps there was a mistake, maybe the email was missed...if not, you should be getting your acceptance this week when everyone else does."

"Not if I never applied."

"..." Kakashi blinked at Sasuke, now wondering if he wasn't just misunderstanding but also needed to get his ears checked. Because he was positive Sasuke had said he had not applied to college. "What? But I wrote you a letter of recommendation? I gave it directly to you a week before it was due." While Kakashi was late for many things, he never let his tardiness jeopardize a student's future.

"I never submitted it."

Kakashi's single visible eye widened. "WHY THE HELL NOT?"

There was a short pause that followed Kakashi's outburst and he quickly cleared his throat. He wasn't exactly the best of role models for his class, he knew better than to fully burst out loud. But there was something about Sasuke Uchiha that infuriated him when he seemed to constantly and purposefully sabotage himself with poor choices.

Sasuke was silent for a long time and Kakashi could see the struggle that the surly teenager was having between spitefully staying silent or opening up and confiding. Sasuke shifted in the straight backed chair and shoved his hands into his pockets as he focused his attention on the window as he looked through the large window panes. But it was obvious his obsidian eyes were not focusing on anything.

"It was the day Itachi went to the hospital," he quietly admitted.

Kakashi did not need him to explain any further. This past year Sasuke's ever improving grades and focus took a plummet when Sasuke was pulled early from school due to a family emergency. Kakashi had learned later it was because of Sasuke's brother having collapsed and taken to the hospital.

He had always been aware of Itachi's condition in his lungs because of the school records. However it had been a mild case and Itachi had hardly missed any more school than his other students. It was easy to forget he was even sick with how much he excelled both academically and physically. But it seemed time caught up and things had progressed...quickly.

Sasuke's head turned away from the window and he leaned forward, resting his hands in front of his face. "I overheard my uncle speaking with my father...he wants me to take over the business."

Kakashi raised his brow in surprise. "That is certainly impressive. You must have proven yourself and Madara can see your potential."

Sasuke's dark eyes flickered up to Kakashi and narrowed. "The company belongs to Itachi. It's always been Itachi," he stated, a strange tone taking over. One that was full of anger and frustration.

"Some things are not always set in stone. Perhaps Itachi was always the obvious choice. He excels at everything and his talents are easy to see...but that does not mean you do not hold anything less than him," Kakashi stated. "You have always been just as gifted as your brother and it seems people are noticing. You should be proudー"

Sasuke was shaking his head vigorously. "Well I don't want it. That is Itachi's! They are just...they are just acting as if he isn't going to get better...as if he will…"

Sasuke's mouth clamped shut and he looked down at his hands. Kakashi took in the tense shoulders and tight grip of Sasuke's hands, his knuckles turning white from the strain.

It took one to know one. Kakashi Hatake was never good at expressing himself which made it easy for him to spot the signs. While his past was certainly different from what Sasuke was currently going through, the memory of that lost feeling was deeply ingrained in him. For it was that lost feeling that had brought him down the path he did.

Without pressing the subject further or offering any other words as he knew nothing he could say would alleviate the pain and stress of his student, Kakashi pulled open his desk drawer and pulled out a pamphlet.

"Here," Kakashi said, holding the folded cardstock out to him. "Take a look at this."

Sasuke reached forward and to the brochure that Kakashi held out for him. He watched as the teenager examined the cover page, his dark eyes pinching together before his eyes flickered up to his teacher.

"The military?"

"It's something that you could consider. There are a lot of opportunities that open up with it and it can lead you to unexpected places that are suited for you," Kakashi stated. "I am not saying it's for everyone...you should certainly put some weighted thought into it. But there is nothing wrong with taking an unexpected path. And I don't just mean yourself. Don't let family expectations govern all your choices."

Sasuke's lips thinned and for a moment Kakashi expected him to immediately reject the suggestion. But to his surprise, Sasuke looked back down at the pamphlet and opened up the folds to look inquisitively at the flyer.

"Hn," Sasuke grunted.

But it was not in his usual dismissal tone but instead that of consideration. He looked up to Kakashi and gave the smallest dip of the chin which indicated his acceptance. Kakashi gave his own nod.

"If you have questions feel free to ask about them after school during my office hours.

Sasuke nodded, then picked up the bag next to his chair and wordlessly made his way to the door, quickly tucking the pamphlet away as he pulled the door open and disappeared into the hall.

As the door shut behind him, Kakashi leaned back in his chair and let his hands drag over his tired face, rubbing at his eyes before leaning forward to collect the littering of papers on his desk and put them into the correct folders. As he straightened and filed away each student file into the bottom drawer of his desk, he contemplated and compared each individual to his most recent interview.

Sasuke was possibly the most set up individual for success of all his students. There were no roadblocks in his path. He had intelligence. He had resources and connections in high and low places. Finances would never be a challenge for generations within the Uchiha family even if the next descendants decided to never work a day in their life. And yet, he was the one that Kakashi was most worried about.

Recently he had noticed Sasuke seemed to become quiet and reclusive, compared to his usual taciturn self. He seemed...lost. And Kakashi is worried for his future. Not just career wise but life in general. He had noticed it with his interactions with his classmates and friends. And while Kakashi claimed to not be involved with student affairs, he had noticed a dynamic between the Uchiha boy and his blossom desk mate. He was becoming distant with her and he was not sure if the pinkette had noticed the subtle change. While they were young and the relationship was innocent enough, Kakashi knew better. That girl was a beacon for the dark boy and he was subtly trying to shade himself from her light.

Bonus #1

Name: Nara, Shikamaru

Age: 18

Year: 4

Class: A

GPA: 4.0

Advisor: Sarutobi, Asuma

Asuma slammed a heavy book down on the desk, causing the dozing student who had managed to fall asleep in the time it took Asuma to fill out the top section of his paper, to wake up.

"Good morning Shikamaru, now that you are awake, let's talk about your future," Asuma said as the spiky haired brunette rubbed his tired eyes. Asuma tapped his pen against the form. "Let's talk about your career."

Shikamaru let out a sigh as his body slumped in his chair. "What a drag," he sighed again as his head fell back to stare up at the ceiling. "Sounds like a headache. But I suppose if we have to..."

"Well we do," Asuma said bluntly. "Now what do you like?"

Shikamaru's head flopped to the side and he stared out the window. "Clouds."

"Clouds?" Asuma parroted flatley.

Shikamaru shrugged. "I like watching them move by and change."

Anyone else trying to have this conversation with the lazy teenager would be pulling their hair out by now. However, Asuma had nearly four full years of mentoring the sleepy Nara that he had learned to handle the sleepy boys' shenanigans and was an expert in solving how to bring people's interest and make them an aspirational goal.

"Alright, meteorologist it is," Asuma said, jotting down the career joice on the line.

He looked up just in time to see Shikamaru shrug. "Sure, why not. My girlfriend is a weather girl on the local news. So that would be convenient."

Asuma shook his head. Why he thought Shikamaru would have reached some sort of self motivation at this point in his life was beyond him. Especially when he had started dating his girlfriend Temari. She was a year older than Shikamaru and it had surprised him that the kid managed to bother getting into a relationship let alone continue it for a whole year. It was perhaps something that gave him hope that there was at least a little motivation within the sloth of a student.

Bonus #2

Name: Yamanaka, Ino

Age: 18

Year: 4

Class: A

GPA: 3.3

Advisor: Sarutobi, Asuma

Asuma looked up from the form he was filling out, taking in the next of his students he advised. Ino sat in the chair on the other side of his desk, her long blonde hair pulled up into a high ponytail and cascading over her shoulder as her bright blue eyes focused on her phone as her fingers scrolled through the most recent form of social media.

"Ino, mind putting down the phone so we can talk about your future?"

He was completely ignored, the girl entirely focused on the homepage of ChakraSign.

"Ino!" he raised his voice, causing the girl to pause mid scroll and look up at him. He rubbed at his face when she looked at him, a look of teenage annoyance written all over her expression. As if he was the one being rude and interruptive instead of her. "Can we talk about the career you will be pursuing when you finish here? You may find it a little more important than the millionth other teen cranking that soulja boy?" he said sarcastically.

Ino gave him a look that told him she was far too young to understand his reference. But after a long look, she rolled her eyes and locked her screen.

"Thank you," he said. "Now, what career are you going to be going into?"

Ino scoffed. "I don't need a career. I already have one," she said, raising her phone. "I have a channel."

"You can't make a career from posting random videos on the internet."

"I've been making money since I turned 18."

"How much?" Asuma questioned sceptically.

"Like $200," Ino replied.

Asuma rolled his eyes. "And you expect to live off of that?"

Ino gave him her own version of skepticism. "Uh...yeah. $200 a post is like...really good. If my followers keep increasing at the rate they are now, I will be up to $500 a post in six months."

Asuma stared silently at the barley of a legal age girl in front of him as his brain silently did the math. He knew just how often Ino was posting on her phone because every time she did a chorus of alerts rang throughout his class as everyone who was following her got a notification. In a day this girl could make more than he did in a week...Why the hell was he teaching?!

"Alright, fair enough," he said, doing his best to not show that he just found out his student made more money than him with just a click of a button that he did in an entire day's work of putting up with teenage attitudes and hormone drivin adolescents. "Let's just say this doesn't work out, what then?"

Ino shrugged. "I don't know, maybe marketing? I'm really good at getting into people's minds and knowing what they want."

Asuma shook his head. "Alright, marketing it is," he said, jotting it down on the form.

Bonus #3

Name: Akimichi, Choji

Age: 17

Year: 4

Class: A

GPA: 3.4

Advisor: Sarutobi, Asuma

Cruch. Munch, munch, munch...crunch! Munch, munch….

The large boy that sat in the chair that hardly had half of him in its seat, muched away on a party sized bag of BBQ chips as he watched his teacher fill out his form and waited patiently

"So what are your plans for your future?" Asuma asked finally.

Choji paused in his chewing and looked thoughtful. Finally, he dug into the bag of chips and pushed a handful of the crispy snack into his mouth. "I'mft gointh tho be a th-chef," he said with a spray of crumbs.

Asuma did not even bother to press further. There was no need to question that the large boy would need any more motivation than his vivacious appetite to achieve his goal.

Bonus #4: (Because we still need some SASUSAKU)

When Sasuke was twelve years old, he caught Shisui making out with one of the many random girls he seemed to always have on his arm during a party he threw without Itachi's permission when Mikoto and Fugaku had gone overseas for the summer. Despite the fact that Sasuke had just barely grown out of the belief that girls had cooties, he was still disgusted and disturbed by the sight. It looked as if they were trying to eat each other's faces. It seemed the experience would be a wet and slobbery one. Especially after hearing the noise when Shisui pulled away from the girl to give Sasuke a smirk before shoving him out of the pool house in which he had thought he was seeking refuge from the party raging within his home. The slurping sound had haunted him for years.

When he turned fifteen, his peers seemed to become disillusioned with the idea that such things would be pleasant. And while everytime he sat across from Sakura during lunch period, watching her lick her lips when smudge of sauce managed to linger at the corner of her mouth, and he found himself fantasizing what it would be like to lick her lips himself and wondered just how soft they were after she smoothly applied that cherry lip balm across them, he still convinced himself that he would never sink so low.

Now, at the age of seventeen years with an entire year's worth of practice in the art of kissing, Sasuke could not get enough of it. It drove his hormone riddled body crazy and made him feel out of control, but he loved it all the same. The feel of her soft lips and the taste of the cherry had him yearning for a taste any chance he could get. At the bus stop before school, behind the bleachers during lunch, on his couch after school, in the pool house on the weekends. If he wasn't such a private person, he would do it in the middle of class. It wasn't as if their home room teacher would have minded anyways...

It was that time of the year where spring was just around the corner but winter was still grasping to remind people it was still not over by keeping the air frigid despite the green buds that had begun to manifest among the otherwise barren bushes and tree branches. But despite the cold air, Sasuke felt heated and feverish and he sat on the park bench of the dimly lit corner of the abandoned park. It was hard not to when Sakura was sitting on his lap with her hands combing through his hair, giving it the occasional pull as her lips moved against his with heated yearning movements.

And while his elated body thrived from the feel of her as she pressed closer to him as he began to wander down her jaw and nibble at her neck, more recently even his mind thrived for the mindless hunger that took over during their make out sessions. It had been a more recent development that let him forget about everything that was happening and quickly approaching. Everyone kept talking about how much they looked forward to being done with school, for time to skip forward so they could begin their futures. But for Sasuke...that was not the case.

He didn't want to make choices, he didn't want time to move forward. In the future there was uncertainty. And he didn't want to think about what it could hold...so he sought distraction. And this was the perfect activity for it.

He felt Sakura's hand direct his head and soon her lips met his again. And the moment he was tasting that sweet cherry that he had learned to associate with her and breathed in the subtle fresh scent of her minty rainforest shampoo that seemed to just be a part of her, he was lost. He gave into the raging hormones that he so desperately kept at bay and Sakura loved to push. His hand grazed her waist and his heart skipped when he felt the warm smooth skin of her torso when her shirt lifted as she raised her arms around his neck. She let out a soft moan that had his hand moving upward as he dared to venture further up her shirt, a place he had only dared try a few times in their more recent sessions.

His fingers had just barely begun to slip beneath the heavy fabric of her sweater when a flashing of multi-colored lights and the audio bleep of a patrol car rang out across the park lawn. Sakura let out a yelp and wrenched herself from him, twisting out of his lap to face the blinding spot light that flooded across the grassy field.

The sound of a door opening and slamming shut had Sasuke raising a hand and squinting into the bright lights as a silhouette began to walk towards them.

"Hikaru, go ahead and cut off the lights," the figure said into his walkie talkie attached to the shoulder of his uniform.

The moment he heard the voice, Sasuke's thundering heart began to beat even faster for a completely different reason. From the corner of his eye, he saw Sakura bury her face and let out a mortified sound. And all Sasuke could do was glare heatedly as the figure of his cousin reached them.

"10-4," came a static reply before the strobe of red and blue cut off.

The momentary blindness only lasted a second before the click of a button sounded and Sasuke was being blinded again but the bright light of Shisui's flash light.

"Well, well, well," Shisui sing-songed with glee. "When I got a call that there was fornication going on in the neighborhood…"

Sasuke gave Shisui a sharp look, his eyes watering as he stayed determined to not let his glare falter against the bright light that Shisui was blinding him with. "Were NOT having sex."

"Not yet," Shisui said suggestively. "And you two are far too young to be having little pinkhaired ducklings following you around."

Sasuke looked at him in disgust before grabbing Sakura's hand and began to stand. "Whatever," he shrugged, then looked at Sakura. "Let's go."

He moved to walk away but was met with a stiff arm to the chest. Sasuke looked down at the arm blocking him and with great restraint to not break it, he looked up to his cousin.

"What?" he growled out.

Shisui let out an amused huff. "This is a public park."

Sasuke gave him an annoyed look. "We were kissing," he said dryly. "That's not illegal."

"No...but it's certainly not an appropriate activity for a place for children. I can't just let you guys lurk off to another dark alley." Shisui looked at his watch. "Besides, Sakura's curfew is coming up. It would be against my civic duties if I didn't make sure two adolescents go home safely. Your parents will be worried sick."

Sasuke let out a huff of amusement, not taking his cousin seriously. And again, he moved to depart.

Unfortunately, Shisui was not one to let Sasuke slide...ever.

Sasuke took one step before he found himself locked in the back of a patrol car, Sakura next to him, her face covered in embarrassment as they were chauffeured through the neighborhood, lights flashing and blaring, as Shisui gave them the "dangers being a horney teenager" lecture.

It's been way toooooooo loooong! I hope everyone is well! Thank you for everyone who gave so much encouragement and checked in with me. I have been well just extremely busy. And it will probably be long again before another update. I was going to do all of our favorite characters, but I just could not think of any careers/interactions so sorry but Team 8 got a little neglected this chapter as did the editing (oops).

We only have one more high school chapter after this. We are coming up to the adult years quickly which will by lovely but tough as our group learns the rough realities of adulthood.

Next up: The Graduation. The moment has finally arrived and our pairing and friends walk across the stage and say their goodbyes before going their separate ways, some far more separate than they thought...