Authors note at the end...
! DISCLAIMER:I do not own ANYTHING
"..." - People talking
'...' - People thoughts
(P.o.v.) - Different points of view
Summary: Sakura is from a Noble family, The King (Jiraiya) has recently allowed girls to become Ninja's. The Captain of the camp, Ittetsu, is against having women as ninja's since they are more emotional. So the King and the Captain arrange a deal, that if she is not worthy enough she will be sent home and can never become a ninja again. How will Sakura react? What will happen when she arrives? How will she feel being the only girl in the camp? And how will the boys treat her? Read to find out XD!
The Trials of A Ninja – Part One
Chapter Six- Sponsors and Secrets
A dark figure stood in his study, cloak slouched against the ground his back facing three people.
"I caught them Master, they were on the run" The third man said, standing at a distance from the other occupants in the room.
The dark figure merely glanced at his two 'captives' before his eyes narrowed in distaste. The two said men who were bound kept there gazes focused on the floor.
The silence in the room seemed to stretch until he turned around and walked slowly to the men.
"I ask you to complete one simple task, and you fail…Pity," the man said as he circled his 'prey', "You may leave," he motioned to the third man, who scurried out of the room.
Sakura awoke sitting and breathing deeply. She sighed, clutching her chest as she thought of those two men being tortured. They reminded her of the assassins that had been sent for her.
Shifting on the bed, she slid her feet out from under the covers only to shiver as they were exposed to the cool floor.
Sakura quickly glanced out the window and saw that it was still dark. Grumbling in irritation, she lit a candle, which provided the room with a soft glow, and began searching for her staff.
She allowed herself to automatically get into the proper stance just as she had many times, before beginning her dance by swinging the staff diagonally then gripping it tightly before she plunged it forward.
The only sound that was heard was the whip of the staff cutting through the air, and light breathes as she began to give thrusts that were more violent.
She was completely emerged in her routine that she failed to hear the ring of the bell signaling that breakfast was to start in half an hour.
Ino grumpily made her way to Sakura's room, with towels in hand, while muttering that she would much rather prefer being a noble-woman then waking up at such an ungodly hour everyday.
When she finally reached the door, she opened it roughly not even bothering to knock.
She managed to maintain a grip on the towels as she leaped backwards avoiding the whip of the staff.
She silently watched the pink haired female twirl the staff gracefully before giving one final sweep and bringing it to her side.
Sakura cursed mentally at completely ignoring her surroundings. It would not do well to injure someone on her first day there.
"Sorry Ino, I did not notice the time," she said quietly while placing her staff back where it belonged.
Ino remained silent for a moment before nodding and completing her task.
Grabbing the towels, Sakura bid her thanks to the girl who was now arranging the bed covers, all the while muttering curses.
Shaking her head at Ino antics, Sakura washed up before dressing in a pair of plain breeches and a tunic.
Taking a deep breathe she turned around to find Ino staring at her.
"What?" She questioned as she walked to the door.
"Aren't you afraid?" Ino asked quietly, carefully examining the girls' expression.
"No, this is my dream, and I will achieve it, it is just like training at home"
"Except being surrounded by men who will judge and try to ruin you," Ino muttered.
Sakura rolled her eyes at the comment before making her way out.
After what seemed like hours both arrived at the mess hall, Ino bidding her luck before making her way back to the kitchen to help with the preparations for the day.
Sakura looked at the door and took a deep breath before walking closer raising her arm to push open the door when she suddenly dropped it back to her side.
The realization of what she was going to do finally dawned on her, and she began to berate herself mentally about her decision. Too late to back down now, she swallowed any feelings of fear before opening the doors.
The scents and sounds of her peers heightened her senses as she made her way to the table where the meals were being served.
She sighed slightly as she noticed the hall become quiet with her arrival. Various whispers echoed throughout the room, but Sakura kept herself calm before looking for a seat.
She made her way to the back of the hall, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. As she sat down, she noticed others at her table shifting away from her. 'How mature' she mused to herself as she began to inhale the food as calmly as she could.
She had not noticed how hungry she was, through her journey she had only managed to eat stale bread, and the good food was a nice change.
She slightly jumped from her seat when she heard the door open loudly. The hall suddenly became quiet once more, as the Captain strode to the front of the room where a large table was placed facing the rest of hia students.
Everyone stood silently and waited for his words. Giving a prayer of thanks the Captain finally took his seat.
Sakura continued to eat silently ignoring the stares around her. Only to be interrupted once again when the Captain announced her name and someone else's.
Grumbling silently at the constant interruptions Sakura made her way to the front after she cleared her place.
She also noticed another person stand up. 'That must be Nara' she thought thinking of the name the Captain called out.
Both stood beside one another at the head table gazes aimed forward as the waited on instructions.
"I believe that you have not chosen anyone to guide, am I correct Nara?" he said quietly after a long moment.
"Yes, sir" Shikamaru replied lazily
"Are there not enough Genin?"
"No, sir"
"Then I would like you to meet the new genin you are going to sponsor"
Shikamaru remained quiet for a moment before accepting.
Sakura stood quietly observing before being dragged off to the door. When she got outside of the hall, she pulled her arm back and got into a stance.
Shikamaru looked at her with a brow raised.
"My name is Nara Shikamaru" he said extending his hand.
Looking at his hand warily, she accepted. "Haruno Sakura" she replied.
Nodding his head, he began to walk down the hall. Sakura watched him go silently, not knowing whether to follow him or not.
"Well, are you coming?" she heard him mutter before she made her way by his side.
Both walked at a brisk pace with Shikamaru pointing out what certain rooms were, or what classes she would have.
She found out that because of his intellect he fast tracked a year, so he was now a Chunin.
"So why did you decide to become a ninja, Haruno?"
Sakura studied the man beside her wondering why he had suddenly asked that question.
"I am not here as a joke, if that is what you are thinking. I think I can better serve my country this way then by being a court lady."
Shikamaru nodded his head before mumbling that she was troublesome.
Throughout the morning, Shikamaru noticed that she was different which made him respect her in a way, although he still was not completely convinced that she would pull through.
Sakura knew she was not there to make friends, but having some support did not hurt, and brought a slight feeling of comfort.
After finding out her father's opinion and what he sent others to do, her confidence seemed to shrink.
'Is this what mother thinks as well...' she thought before clenching her fists.
Shikamaru noticed her strange behavior but shook it off, thinking that it was none of his concern anyway.
The bell rang loudly signaling lunch, which brought both of them out of their thoughts.
Kazuo slammed his fist on his desk in anger at the message he had just received. His daughter had made it to the camp, and the assassins had already been taken care of.
Kazuo clutched his head in despair. He knew the master would not be content in finding out that their may be a leak. Cursing loudly he threw the scroll against the wall by the fireplace, and stormed out of the room.
Mai who had been in her room, which was next to her husbands study, heard the commotion he was causing.
Getting up from her desk, she made her way to the hall, glancing around, she saw that her husband had left; the echo of the front door signaling that he left the house.
Making her way silently to his study, not wanting to be caught once again, she glanced around the room.
She first made her way to the scroll that had been thrown haphazardly against the wall; and read the content.
She furrowed her brows in question when she noticed that it mentioned her daughter and something about men being disposed of. She looked at the end and noticed the same name once again. 'Kabuto…who are you?' she questioned silently.
She walked over to the desk laying down the message before glancing around the room.
A scroll tucked into the bookshelf caught her attention. 'A hopeful wish that may fill the desire of one...' she continued reading silently. Putting the scroll down, she quickly raced into her room to get a fresh scroll and her ink.
Walking quickly to the office she wrote down as much of the poem as she could while scribbling the mysterious man's name.
A loud bang made her jump. 'He is home' she thought nervously before putting the scroll away and making her way into her room.
Hearing quiet thuds, she knew her husband was on his way upstairs. She quickly went to her desk and pulled one of the drawers until it was completely detached from the table.
She saw her secret compartment were she kept her treasured items and stored the scroll in there, while shoving the drawer back in place. Only Sakura and herself knew of this little secret, and she meant to keep it that way.
Taking a deep breathe she relaxed against the chair. Only to realize that she had left the scroll that was previously thrown by her husband; on his desk...
Hello! Hope you enjoyed the chapter ! Sorry if the update was a little bit late, but I did not know how to start this chapter, and then I began and it transformed into this.
Thank you to those who reviewed or simply read the story, it is greatly appreciated :D
Sorry for the spelling errors but I am trying my best to spot them, but sometimes no matter how many times you read something you never catch it --
Please review, constructive criticism is also greatly appreciated!
Until the next chapter…
RedFoxDemon