Sakura
It was the eve of my fifth birthday when my parents finally came home. They never missed my birthday, I’m sure that was mothers doing. Mother and I were preparing dinner while father cleaned up after their travels. I was making the salad and mother the fish. We’ll set the table soon and father will walk in as mother places the last thing. That’s how it always goes. No one speaks until father starts a conversation. I bask in the silence, it gives me time to think.
Are you sure this is a good idea Inner? We never ask for anything and as long as you say exactly what we rehearsed and play dumb when they mention the academy being for shinobi then mother will make sure you can go. I know, but I hate lying and what if father catches on. That’s why we have to do this right. We only get one chance. Mother wants so bad for you to make friends and father can’t pass up the opportunity for you to learn more. I guess you’re right. Do you really want to go? Do you want to learn to be a shinobi and be able to protect the people you care about? Yes! But it’s not like we have any friends. I thought Genma could be our friend and I waited every day at the spot we met him but he never came back. He was there. You know he was. He didn’t try to hide. That just makes it worse Inner! Then don’t think about Genma or anyone else right now. Think about finally being a shinobi and being able to protect yourself. If you really want this than do it. But if you’re unsure just drop it. You have to give this your all or you will fail. I know, I’m sorry. Don’t apologize.
It was no surprise when halfway through the meal father spoke. “Sakura. What did you do while we were gone? Did you follow the rules?” Always the same.
“Yes father, I followed all your rules. I actually went out more. I explored Konah like mother has been asking me to.” Not a lie, I did explore. I went out and looked at the academy. “I even tried to speak with some kids my age. They ignored me but I tried!” Mother will be happy to hear that. Father won't like that I failed.
“Why didn’t you succeed?” He’s always been so predictable.
“I think I was interrupting something.” I know I was, they were outside in class. “They said that they were busy and that I shouldn’t be there. They were right, they were in the middle of something. I just couldn’t see when I first approached.” That should satisfy him.
“You know hunny, your birthday is tomorrow.”
“Yes mother, I know.” I’m starting to get nervous. Calm down. Father is going to ask if there’s anything you want this year. I know, I always say nothing more than what they got me on their travels. Father probably wont like that my answer changed. Yes well father is a creature of habit and mother only wants you to want something so father can deal.
“Is there anything you want this year?” Father didn’t even bother looking up from his plate.
“Yes… There is something I’d like this year. If that’s okay…” I’m sorry Inner. I'm just so nervous. It’s fine. They’ll probably think it’s because you’ve never asked for anything.
“Really! What do you want, sweetie?”
“Well… um.. I was wondering if I could go to the academy.” Father looks angry. Mother looks concerned. Remember, play dumb.
“Sakura. We told you to stay away from shinobi. You said you followed all the rules.” Look confused. I’m trying. Try harder. Tear up or something. Okay! “You know they’re bad. Nothing more than glorified killers. How did you even learn about the academy?” Inner I’m worried. As long as you stick to our story, which we made true and they don’t find out about Genma you will be fine.
“I saw it. On my walk last week when I tried to talk to those kids, they said they were busy and that I shouldn’t be at the academy. When I looked closer there were lots of kids and teachers and I got so fascinated. I want to learn more and I can only teach myself so much from books. And mother wants me to make friends so when I saw the academy I immediately wanted to go. I could learn more and I’d be surrounded by peers and I could even make friends. I’d be killing two birds with one stone.” Breath. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it would make you angry.”
“Oh sweetie! We’re not mad.” Mother just glared at father. We don’t see that often. I told you, pull at her heart and we’ll get to go. I feel bad. Don’t. They’re raising you to marry one of the Firelords future merchants and to become a housewife. Do you want that. No. Then don’t feel bad. We’re taking our future into our own hands and there’s nothing wrong with that. “You just caught us off guard. We thought you were asking to become a shinobi and that made us worried. You know we have a good future lined up for you. We don’t want to mess that up.”
“Your mother is right. You still need to be desirable to a man. You must be able to be a good wife and mother. Men don’t want someone stronger than them.” He didn’t! Father has always been like this. He’s just angry you’re not a boy. Can’t be helped. We’ll show him! Tell him you just wanted to be smarter for your future husband. I don’t though. I want to be stronger and smarter for myself. Yes, but we still need to convince father.
“Yes father. I just wanted to gain more knowledge and skills to help my future husband and then teach to my children.” I hope this works. It will, father can’t say no to us trying to help his stupid plans.
“Fine, you can go.” See, I told you. “But I will pull you out if I see or hear anything about shinobi or you doing anything to jeopardize our plans.” How are we supposed to get strong if father will pull us for showing it. They’re hardly ever here, we can train outside of school and act like we’re weaker at school so the reports say that we’re not field strong but we’re excelling in school. You think that will work? I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t. Can we pull it off? Don’t be dumb, stupid.
“Don’t forget to make friends too, sweetie.” HAHAHAHAHA! Mother has balls. INNER! What? It’s true, look at her glare at father. Well look at father getting angry! He looks like a tomato. INNER! That’s not nice. But it’s true. He’s only getting angry because he thinks we’ll get mixed up with shinobi. Oh. Dummy.
“Fine.” I love how mother pulls the strings. Doesn’t that mean she’s bad too? Hmm… Inner? You should probably thank them, they did say yes.
“THANK YOU!” Really, was the yelling necessary? I’m excited and happy and not emotionless like someone I know. Oh wow, it hurts. It burns. Help me, my outer thinks I’m emotionless. Your sarcasm kills me. Good.
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As it turns out a lot of kids attend the academy and pink hair draws a lot of attention. I want to go home. No! We can’t chicken out now. We’re so close. They’ll get over it. On top of all the looks I’m by myself. Mother and father said that they can’t just change their schedule just because I decided I want to go to some damn ninja school. They had no problem staying away longer though. You said that was a good thing. It is, I just find it ironic. At least mother was kind enough to inform us that they didn’t know when they’d be back. Oh so kind.
So I’m sitting here by myself as the Hokage drones on and on about what the academy teaches and hard work. Does he ever stop talking? This is probably really important. Yet you’re not paying attention. I already know all this. Between Genma and the books at the library I think the only thing I need to hear is what class I’m in. Speaking of Genma, I think he’s here. I can feel him. Really! Yeah, but don’t get your hopes up. He was avoiding us and there’s nothing pointing to him having stopped. Okay.
“...Haruno Sakura…” Pay attention. “Umino Iruka…” Iruka-sensei. He looks young. He has a scar on his nose. I think it adds to his charm. Gross. “...And that concludes the opening ceremony. We are excited to see all of you on Monday. Have a great rest of your days.” Thank God it’s finally over. I hope class isn’t that boring. Inner! What, we already knew all that stuff. I’m just saying that I hope we actually get to learn something. Although, you’re so dumb I’m sure your big head needs all the information it can get. I’m ignoring you.
I was walking towards the school gate when I saw him. A little boy with blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and scars that look like whiskers sitting alone on a swing. He looks sad. He’s by himself too. Maybe you should go overthere. Yeah okay. What happened to ignoring me? Shut up! HAHAHA!
Trying to get to the blonde boy was proving more difficult than I originally anticipated. It was like people were trying to stop me. I was almost to him when I saw the glint of something to my right. Genma! Blonde boy forgotten I changed my course, new mission catch Genma. Man He’s fast. You’re just slow. I have small legs! Why is everyone so big? You’re tiny. Shut up! We can’t loose Genma!
BAM
Ouch, who put a wall in the middle on the road. That wasn’t a wall dummy. Huh? Look up. I ran into a man. A mean looking very serious man with red eyes and long black hair and he is glaring at me.
“Watch where you’re going girl.” He sounds pissed. People are staring again and pointing. They’re whispering too. The right thing to do would’ve been to apologize. I ran.
I made it to the park before anyone caught up to me.
“You ran into Uchiha-sama! You stupid pink haired brat!” Why does it feel like something warm is going down my face? She threw a rock at you. Oh, I think it hit its target.
“YOU DIDN’T EVEN APOLOGIZE!” Another rock came at me. This one hit my shoulder. Dodge. I’m trying.
“YOU COULD’VE HIT ITACHI-KUN!”
“OR SASUKE-KUN!” They kept throwing sticks and rocks at me. I was cut and bruised all over. They’re approaching.
“Who has pink hair anyways?”
“Look at her forehead, its huge.”
“She’s just a FrEaK!” I couldn’t help myself, I tried to throw a punch. You’re so stupid. These girls are older than you and over half your size! I’m sorry! Don’t apologize! Just run! With that I was running, again.
I ran until I couldn’t run anymore and then I ran some more. I didn’t stop until I was in a little clearing surrounded by trees and a little stream running through it. I collapsed to the ground, breathing hard. Inner? Yeah. I hurt. I know, you’ll be okay. ‘Mkay.