Sarutobi High School CH.5

Sakura pulled on her jeans quickly, grabbing her bag and taking a bite of her bagel at the same time. She was running late and had missed the bus. And today, of all days, her mother was needed at the office. Just her luck. She had ten minutes left to get to her class.

"This sucks," Sakura muttered through a mouthful of bagel. She ran a quick comb through her hair and ran out the door. She raced downstairs, almost falling and breaking her arm, but she had no time to stop. She grabbed her keys from the tree and ran outside, forgetting her jacket. It was supposed the be cold later that day, but she had nine minutes to get to class now. She fumbled with her keys, finally locking the door and racing down the street.

'If I run fast enough, I can make it with a minute to spare,' Sakura thought to herself, taking another bite of her bagel before tossing it to a dog. She was out of breath as the school came into view. She really hoped they wouldn't do too much in P.E. She banged through the doors as the bell rang. She cursed.

"Not good," she muttered, running to her locker. She put in the wrong code three times before she finally got it open. She tossed her bag in and grabbed her English book, running to Kakashi's class. He was going to kill her and humiliate her if she was late again. This was the second time this week. She had been up late every night since Sasuke had asked her out, thinking about an outfit. She saw his classroom, grinning. She was almost there when the door slammed shut. She yelled before she ran face first into the door. She groaned, rubbing her nose. That was going to leave a mark. Kakashi opened the door cautiously.

"Ah, Miss Haruno. I'm glad you finally decided to join us. But next time, insted of running through the halls like a maniac and breaking your nose, try waking up on time," Kakashi said, smiling at her through his mask. Sakura glared at him, still rubbing her nose.

"I'll remember that for next time," she muttered, trying to get around him, but he blocked her way.

"Nope, not yet; where's your late pass?" he asked sternly. Sakura cringed.

"Uhh, I don't have one," she said lamely. Kakashi sighed.

"Your first week here isn't very impressive, Sakura. If this happens one more time, I'm afraid you're going to have to do a Saturday detention, and your mother will be notified," Kakashi said warningly. Sakura's eyes widened. Saturday detention? As in this Saturday?

"I'm sorry Kakashi sensei, it won't happen again, I promise," she said earnestly. Kakashi nodded, letting her pass. She walked to the back of the class where Sasuke, Naruto and Hinata's gazes were fixed on her bright red nose. She bowed her head, taking her seat quietly.

"You ok?" Hinata and Sasuke asked at the same time. Naruto was late as usual.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I just woke up late. I haven't really found my alarm clock yet," she muttered, covering her nose. Hinata giggled, pushing her hand aside, inspecting it.

"I don't think it's broken like Kakashi sensei said. But it will probably be red all day," she said, trying not to laugh. Sakura groaned.

"Perfect, I'm going to be Rudolph for a day, that's just what I needed," she said angrily, slamming her English book on her desk. Sasuke shrugged.

"I like Rudolph," he said unnessecarily. Naruto smirked.

"I'm sure a lot of other guys do too," he said innocently. Sasuke rolled his eyes.

"And I'm sure you are all going to do a Saturday detention for me," Kakashi said quietly from behind them. They all jumped, turning around. Naruto blinked.

"We are?" he asked. Kakashi nodded.

"I've been waiting for five minutes for you to pay attention, but apparently you guys just had to finish up your conversation about Miss Haruno's nose, which is perfectly understandable," Kakashi said conversationally. The four friends looked at each other uneasily.

"But don't worry, you can finish your conversation this Saturday, my room, nine to five," he said, walking to the front of the class. Sakura banged her head on her desk. Naruto followed suit.

"Now that we can finally begin, we're going to study adjective clauses and verb clauses," Kakashi said, writing a series of sentences on the board. Sakura half-heartedly took out her notebook. Not only had she ruined her Saturday, she had ruined the others Saturday too. She felt terrible.

=============

"Kakashi is such a prick," Naruto grumbled, his arm around Hinata as the four made their way to P.E. later that day. Sasuke nodded.

"I'd love to tell him what he can do with his damn clauses," he said angrily, pushing open the door to the gym. Sakura and Ino were already there. Hinata ran over to them. Sasuke and Naruto made their way into the changing rooms.

"Well, at least our whole date isn't ruined; we'll come around eight, as planned, and pick you guys up, no harm done. But, for tonight, you, Shikamaru and Neji come over to my place for studying and hanging out and eating pizza," Naruto said, taking his shirt off and tossing it into his locker. Sasuke nodded, pulling his shirt off too.

"Pizza and video games sound good," he said, taking his gym clothes out of his locker. Naruto pulled his shirt out, crinkling his nose at the smell of sweat. He shook his head, pulling it on.

"And listen, I'm gonna tell Neji about me and Hinata," Naruto said, as Sasuke locked his locker.

"What a great idea! But tell me Naruto, do you have a death wish?" Sasuke asked, grinning sarcastically. Naruto rolled his eyes, pushing Sasuke into the locker.

"Come on man, I don't think he'll be too mad," Naruto said, shutting his locker triumphantly.

"I bet he'll even be glad his best friend is dating his cousin!" Naruto said, walking proudly towards the door. Sasuke followed, rubbing his arm.

"Yeah, I'm sure he will be, as long as we're in the Twilight Zone," Sasuke muttered. Anko blew her whistle shrilly, about a foot away from the two. They covered their ears.

"Hurry up ladies, we're playing dodgeball," Anko called as the students lined up in their squads. Sakura groaned for what seemed like the millionth time that day.

"Dodgeball? I'm going to be murdered! I'm accident prone or something," she said, shaking her head. Hinata smiled encouragingly.

"Don't worry. If you're on Sasuke's team, nothing will touch you," she giggled. Sakura sighed, not entirely convinced. Anko walked down the line of scared students, choosing team captains.

"Uzumaki Naruto and Aburame Shino," she said, pointing with her hands as she walked to the back of the line. The two walked forward.

"Shino has first pick," Anko said, sitting back in her chair.

"Fine. Lee," he said, emotionlessly. Lee ran up, holding his hand up for a hi-five. He received nothing.

"All right, Sasuke," Naruto said, holding his hand up for a hi-five. He, in turn, received nothing.

"Kiba,"
"Shikamaru,"
"Temari,"
"Hinata,"
"Ino,"
"Sakura,"
"Tenten," They went back and forth until only Chouji was left. They were arguing over who had to take him.

"It's your turn Naruto!" Shino said angrily. Naruto shrugged.

"Don't care, I don't want him," Naruto said, ignoring Chouji's hurt expression. Sakura frowned.

"Naruto, you're so mean! Chouji, you're on our team," she said, smiling at the chubby ninja. Naruto pouted.

"Fine fine. Hey, Anko? ANKO!" Naruto called, waving an arm to the occupied ninja. Anko looked up from her One Piece comic.

"You guys finished with your pissy-fight? Good. Naruto, your team to the left, Shino to the right. Sasuke, you and Kiba get the dodge balls," Anko instructed as the young ninja walked to their appointed spots. Sasuke and Kibe spread the dodge balls along the center line and returned to their teams. Anko blew her whistle, signaling the start of World War III. She sat back, reading about the misadventures of Luffy and his crew as balls and shouts went flying around her. She yawned, finishing her comic, not enjoying it as much as the Bleach comic she had read a week ago. She watched the game as slowly, the benches started to fill up and soon there were no more than five to a team. She wasn't surprised that Naruto and Sasuke were left. She was surprised that Sakura ahd made it, as well as Lee. Usually, by this time, Lee would be somewhere in the stands yelling something about youth. Damn Gai.

"I hate dodgeball!" Sakura muttered angrily, dodging ball after ball. Naruto and Sasuke were way into the game, exchanging insults with Kiba and Lee on the other side of the gym. She rolled her eyes. Boys. She dodged another ball aimed at her face, deciding enough was enough. She let a ball hit her arm, walking dully to the stands to sit next to Hinata.

"Ok ok enough!" Anko called as Naruto, Sasuke, Lee and Kiba were hurling ball after ball at each other. Sakura was pretty sure all four of them were already out, but didn't want to admit it. She just wanted to take a shower and change out of these sweaty clothes. She looked up as Naruto threw a punch.