As an interloper to this world of heroes and still lacking in familiarity in the use of some of the modern conveniences which were not all that convenient to her. Sakura had fumbled greatly when she received her results from U.A. The projection startled her, with the image and voice of Present Mic then she failed to figure out how to turn off the hologram device and accidentally crushed it between her fingers when her temper got the best of her.
The written exam's results were as good as she could expect them to be. She didn't bother to cheat, and she didn't study either. She answered what she knew and took her best guess where she could. High marks were with maths, physics, and science while they eluded the languages and literature.
For the practical for the heroics exam; she placed first and had been accepted into the hero course. That's when she discovered that there weren't just villain points being tallied, but rescue points that were granted by judges observing the applicants. The giant robot worth zero points turned out to be a hidden mine for points. U.A. wanted to see who had it in them to protect and save others while being aware that they wouldn't receive anything in return. Although they did.
It surprised her that such a straightforward exam actually had more meaning behind it. Her actions of the rescue were praised more than her fighting ability. But after seeing her name on the board; her focus drifted to the one she didn't see.
"So how's Licht doing?"
"Eats, naps and sheds,"
"Okay, fulfilled," Sakura stirred her coffee for the fifth time, even though the sugar and cream had dissolved already. She looked around the cafe at the busy tables. Couple's eating side by side. A group of young girls giggling over everything; men and women coming in for their lunch break. All of it equated to high noise levels, but being the one who called up Hitoshi, insisting that they eat here, she didn't want to look like the tourist struggling to read the menu at the opposite table.
"You got first in the practical exam,"
"Yeah," Sakura's spoon clinked against the cup.
"It was that easy huh?"
For her, she could answer yes but it wasn't. "You can't brainwash machines,"
She heard a huff that was meant to be a dry chuckle, "I expected this to happen; though I didn't think you'd actually call me to check up after the results came out,"
This wasn't out of the sincerest reasons; but after the results came unexpected visitors showed up at her door from the Safety Commission to move her. Her current belongings were only three boxes, so she thought it wouldn't take her long to unpack and settle again; but soon after she had to spend hours with an agent lecturing her about her new home and the conditions she had to follow to keep it. There would be someone to check in on her once a week, on school nights she was expected to be at home by nine and would be receiving calls to ensure that that's where she was and she had to inform the commission beforehand if she was planning to stay out later.
That lecture alone was just the tip of the iceberg she wanted to destroy. Then she was told that in light of her actions, she was also expected to do community service. It was obvious that they were trying hard to keep a close watch on her to ensure she wouldn't run off while attempting to change her behavior.
So when there was going to be a second inspection the next day, Sakura said that she would be spending the day with a friend to prevent another unwanted visit for that day. Though she had also wanted to see Hitoshi as well.
Hitoshi took a sip of his drink, "I am still going to U.A."
"What?"
"I already thought that something like this might happen. It's not out there to think that the heroics course would favor applicants with combat-based quirks, and have a test for it,"
"I get that but there are other schools with hero courses you could apply to. You do still want to be a hero right?"
He didn't hesitate to answer, "Yes, and that's why I'm going to U.A."
Being a hero meant nothing to her; especially for a foreign world but it was clear that this was a dream Hitoshi wanted to make a reality. A dream that he could not let go.
"How are you going to become a hero then?"
"You've heard of the U.A. Sports Festival,"
Sakura folded her arms leaned back in her chair and just stared at him as if to ask if he was doing this on purpose as he should have gotten the idea by now that there was a lot she wasn't aware of.
He coughed, "Right, the same person who thought she could delete the internet. The U.A. Sports Festival is held every year by the school featuring different activities and rounds of events that lead to students from all departments facing against one another. If someone does well, there's a chance they will be transferred into the Hero course,"
"I get it," Sakura nodded. She didn't know anything about the sports festival but she understood that this was an opportunity that Hitoshi had already set his eyes on in advance as a contingency.
'Smart,' If it was going to be people facing off against each other instead of robots then he had a better chance. The exam was already ludicrous with its design. Heroes fought villains, and most of the time, they were organic, made up of flesh. A quirk that could take care of villains without harming them, was way past a perfect capture and followed hero law that talked about keeping one's power in check during battle to reduce damage and injuries. Since it was against the law for heroes to kill.
Another factor that Sakura didn't entirely agree with; since there was such a thing as too dangerous.
Hitoshi smirked, looking across the table at her, "I'll make a wound that can't heal,"
The pinkette snickered, raising her cup "I look forward to seeing that,"
Sakura knew that there were going to be major changes to her everyday life, but she was still looking for opportunities to find a way home. To rectify her ' behavior issues'; she had to do community service. That was the fine print of the verbal contract she signed and she only learned about it after her name was written. At that point, she was ready to take off on her own, but she decided to take a job where she would have access to personal records.
A hospital.
From her experience, it was one of the few places that she could have access to those types of records and databases. And if she was going to be forced into community service; she'd rather do something relatively pleasant.
It was like going back to her days in Konoha hospital when she first became Tsunade's apprentice. She was still studying to become a medical ninja, and had worked her way up from nurse to a surgeon. The difficulty was keeping up between training and studies. Though her daily tasks only consisted of transporting patients around, clerical duties, escorting visitors, checking inventory, making deliveries, changing beds and so on Sakura didn't mind as she was given a familiar environment in exchange.
She just wouldn't admit it.
Perhaps the war had factored her decision to volunteer at a Psychiatric ward or that she was incapable to resist treating injured people in front of her and she chose to keep away from regular hospitals but here she was.
"Okay, I've changed the bedspreads and visiting hours are over. Is there anything else?"
"Yes, I have reports here that need to be filed and then there's a cart of flowers coming a bit late. Can you stay a little longer again?"
"Of course, Dr. Takashima,"
Her supervisor, Dr. Takashima was a woman with short wild red hair and ruby-colored eyes under thick glasses. Though she had a taxing job, she was always lively; as Sakura learned on her first day.
Doctors needed to practice a certain level of detachment when working to perform properly; especially in conditions like these, but Takashima had a devotion to her patients that she was praised for. And it didn't deter her work.
The redhead was at her desk, signing off paperwork, "I have to admit; when I was told that someone wanted to volunteer here, and a young girl no less I was surprised,"
"That so?" Sakura asked while looking through the files. She discovered quickly that Dr. Takashima was also a bit of an eccentric and somewhat disorganized. She allowed Sakura to sort out some old files and paperwork to neaten up her cluttered office and after discovering that she had a gift for organization, she'd started asking her for help on minor documents and such.
Though that so-called gift was just experience on Sakura's part from working at the hospital and training as Tsunade's apprentice.
"We don't get a lot of volunteers, to begin with since the training is harsh and it can be tough when you aren't mentally prepared,"
"I guess I'm just a special case," Sakura shrugged. It would be difficult since the atmosphere in the ward could change quickly if the staff wasn't careful; that alone would only decrease the chances not erase them.
"You're doing well so far. I hear some of the patients are also taking a liking to you,"
"Well it hasn't been that long since I started, but since I'm going to be working here for a while I want them to be comfortable with me."
Monitoring the patient's general behavior was also one of her tasks and that was easier to do when they weren't avoiding eye contact. She did everything that first week to make sure that patients were at ease with her presence, she could easily detect who was comfortable and who wasn't.
"I wouldn't call it liking, but they're getting used to me I suppose. I'm not in a rush; except maybe to get this filing done,"
"You are good at this. Would you consider a career in the medical profession?"
Sakura didn't bat an eyelash, "I don't know. I'm taking a hero course,"
"Yes, every kid want's to be a hero," Takashima smiled widely, "When looking at you; no one would think that you're capable of taking down a villain with a single punch,"
Sakura paled, "You know about that?"
"I found out from a nurse that recognized you in the video,"
"I'd rather not talk about that," Sakura sighed, as she kept sorting through the reports and files.
"But tell you what, if this hero thing doesn't work out. You should consider becoming a doctor, you've got the smarts for it,"
"Sure," Sakura breathed out.
The hospital corridor was filled with the sound of the wheels rolling along the tiled floors, as Sakura pushed the cart of flowers. She had one more delivery for that afternoon before her shift into the evening and she would be working overtime again.
The private ward gave a different atmosphere to other hospitals. The air wasn't strong with bleach, and the seats were plush and every surface was dustless. Sakura reaches for the gray sliding door, and the dull chrome handle, watching it slide open effortlessly.
"Good afternoon, I brought flowers,"
As usual, sitting by a chair pushed out from the desk in front of the wide window. A woman sat starring at the sunset, gray eyes Sakura imagined could shine like stars now tired and heavy, shoulder-length white hair like snow about to melt, a hollow round face; she held herself up with effort. Even so, it was easy to tell she was once beautiful, but deprived of light; like a withering flower denied the sun or cut from its roots.
"Sakura, staying late again?"
Sakura smiled, "It's fine Rei-san. I have permission,"
Taking the glass vase that held the withered flowers, Sakura emptied the water and replaced the blue rindou flowers with the fresh pair.
"Thank you Sakura," Rei gave a sliver of a smile. She was one of the most composed patients in the hospital and captivated Sakura's attention.
From what Sakura understood, she had a traumatic breakdown from a domestic incident, but nothing was specified, and knowing her limits for the time, Sakura wasn't curious for details. It was only in her briefing so she understood how to properly interact with the different patients.
While she was getting to know everyone, Sakura had made an effort to converse and learn their likes and dislikes. Some opened up, others were still doors she needed to pry gently but she didn't have that tension with Rei.
When Sakura asked about her likes, she learned that Rindou was her favorite flower and started getting her a pair.
Sakura set the vase back by the window, "In flower language Rindou means of "victory" which refers to its ability as a spiritual herb that can triumph over illness,"
"I didn't know that. Do you know a lot about flowers Sakura?"
The pinkette sheepishly shook her head, "No but a friend of mine does. Her family owns a flower shop,"
The roots of this flower had medicinal properties that she and Ino used to study and that's when Sakura learned about the meaning behind the flowers. It seemed that some things weren't that different between worlds. Her's would just be considered further behind in development and technology.
"I see, so she taught you?"
"She always enjoyed informing me," Sakura giggled softly pointing to the vase, crisp drops of water sliding down the glass. "Well, maybe next time I can add daffodils,"
Rei leaned forwards ever so slightly, "Do those also have a special meaning?"
Sakura's eyes gleamed, "If I tell Rei-san, can I add them next time?"
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There was too much space.
That's what Sakura thought when she was brought to a house in a residential area, that was now going to be hers. The entrance would welcome you straight into the living room and kitchen area both separated with enough room to make the distinction, on the right, there would be a small hallway with two doors, two bedrooms, and the bathroom.
She was told she would be allowed to furnish it within a certain budget, however, Sakura just brought in whatever she had from her old apartment which was dwarfed by the size of the house. It didn't matter to her that the living room was just a wide space of wooden floors welcoming no one; or couldn't fill the kitchen cupboards with the glass doors, or hang anything on the hooks along the wall for cooking utilities, she didn't care that there was going to be a spare empty room. Or that the walls were a pale gray without frames of memories or expression of self through posters and art. All the space would just remind her of where she was and that she was on her own.
She laid on the floors, warmed by the light of a setting sun starring at the ceiling, the only company, open books with information she couldn't find answers in.
'I should get curtains for the windows,'
That was about the seventh time that thought came up since she moved in, substituting the curtains with bedsheets instead. As long as she could keep the neighbors from looking in, it was fine if they looked like a child's attempt to play house.
If she had done this at home, her mother would be scolding about her poor house skills and her dad would attempt to make a joke that only his wife found humorous but only turned her ears red.
Then they'd sit at the dinner table, and her mother would complain about the chores she refused to do, or how she was untidy, never putting away her shoes properly or folding her laundry. How she'd escape the house to see her friends; who were basically around every corner she turned in the village. Familiar faces greeting her every time she stepped out.
Now there was only one heartbeat in the house, one voice, one presence. It gave her room to dread; to think of the worst scenario; where she wouldn't be able to return. Where there would always cold, even under the rays of sunlight. It was the same as being dead.
'Naruto, Sasuke…..' She shut her eyes to fill her vision with memories of her friend's trying to fight off the knot twisting in her stomach.
"Oh crap, crap, crap!" Sakura chanted, running out of the shower; conditioner half-rinsed out of her hair and with little care for her wet feet sliding her across the hall as she dried herself down on the way to her room. Smelling the burnt toast she left on the counter after rushing to make breakfast, thinking she could finish in the bathroom before it was done.
"This is not right," She huffed.
When it came to punctuality; be it team meetings or missions, training sessions, or medical appointments, no matter the inconvenience of time or the place, Sakura was never late. The one that was usually waited on was Kakashi, and he'd offer an array of 'reasons' for his tardiness. Which Sakura and Naruto would call him on.
But if he could see her now; she would never be able to comment again.
Since coming to this world, Sakura's schedule was free for her to fill and with terrors gripping her some nights, she was able to make up for the lost sleep. Though her mornings mostly began pass eight if she could make it through the night without waking up.
Despite being aware that school was going to be taking up her time, Sakura didn't set an alarm for the first day; thinking she could rely on her internal clock. It let her down. Now she was beating her feet against the wood to get ready.
She threw on the white long-sleeve shirt, buttoning it up quickly and poorly fastening the red tie, then tucking one end of the shirt into her dark blue-green skirt, slipping spandex shorts under. Observing herself in the mirror for two seconds, she flattened down her hair and wiped the side of her mouth that had a smudge of toothpaste.
"Eh, good enough,"
Though she rushed out the door, barely able to kick her heels into her sneakers. She had to return twice; forgetting her bag and then to lock the door behind her.
There was a train she was supposed to take that would get her closer to the school, but she wasn't familiar with the station, and couldn't navigate properly. By the time she realized which train she needed to get on, it had already departed the station five minutes ago and she didn't have the luxury to wait.
So she decided to run to school. From where she lived to U.A. it would be considered a tiring commute to do by foot.
Sakura, on the other hand, wished she had just done so in the first place.
Leaping across rooftops of buildings and houses, the top of telephone poles, jumping between the gaps creating alleys, crossing the streets from the air, avoiding the pedestrians, vehicles, and traffic lights. Sakura was making a quick route to school. Which would have already started by now; but since it was the first day, there would only be orientation and the entrance ceremony.
'I can probably just sneak in during the entrance ceremony,'
The air began to feel heavy around her, the hairs on her neck became alert, a churn in her gut. It was startling, like hearing a shrill scream highlighting the severity of an unknown situation. It did not remain unknown for long, as Sakura caught the scent of ash on her tongue, and could see the smoke rising into the sky, painting it black several roads away, with buildings obscuring the scene. Leaving a lot to the imagination. But one thing was certain; where there is smoke, there is fire.
"Oh come on!"
Sakura clenched her teeth lightly sucking in a breath. Head twisting between the straight path down a lane of buildings that would get her to school or the turn that she knew would lead to trouble.
"Don't do, don't do it, don't do it….."
Her ears shook from the noise that reverberated towards her as effectively as a thunderclap, flames becoming momentarily visible. That was definitely going to be enough to alert heroes if it hadn't already, but it didn't matter anymore. Sakura was already off the building roof, over the street and narrowing her eyes when the smokey air touched them.
Fire was an important source of life but it was easy to forget its destructive properties until control of it was lost and it grew to engulf and overpower everything in its path. This was a good example of such a time. Spectators were watching from a good distance on the other side of the road, as flames escaped from inside the building with an intensity that reached them.
Sakura couldn't turn back from this, especially when she saw a man attempting to rush towards the building but was being held back by a group.
"MY FAMILIES STILL IN THERE,"
"Heroes will be here soon!"
"It's too dangerous to go in there!"
"I DON'T CARE!" He screamed, punching one of the men that were holding onto his arm. "I'll GET THEM,"
"Not on the fourth floor!"
A shadow blurred over the group, catching attention before it vanished into the flames. It was difficult to see when smoke was tearing up eyes and wrapping its fingers around throats, but someone had certainly rushed into the building.
"Is it a hero?" A hopeful cried.
"I don't know, I didn't see much!"
The waves of heat radiating through the air were visible in the confined space of the building that was being stripped bare of its flesh by these flames. When it cleared there would be a fresh skeleton, but Sakura wanted to at least ensure that it wasn't any of the residents. Her clue may have been the first floor but that still left her oblivious as to which direction she needed to go. And with the current strength of the fire; no ordinary person would be able to escape.
'Come on think,' Sakura stepped back as rubble that was once ceiling fell in front of her. She carefully checked around for any signs of life and when she was certain there were none, she moved into the hallway of the other apartments.
It would be difficult to hear screaming, or rather it wouldn't be a good idea since the fire was removing the oxygen.
Sakura looked at her hand, 'If my sight, and hearing are useless…..'
This wasn't something she had any proficiency, but it was her best hope. If not then she was just going to have to look in each apartment. But if she didn't get out of there in time, then the building was going to collapse on her.
Although this heat was nothing compared to the dimension Kaguya had teleported her to, of lava, rock, and flames.
Sakura resting her fingertips on the bricks, then her palm ignoring the uncomfortable heat as she sends her chakra through the surface, it was something she theorized after Tsunade taught her about examining patients with your chakra to sense abnormalities. She didn't think she'd be able to sense everything in the constantly changing building under these conditions, but she was able to identify signs of life.
There was on this floor, two doors down from where she currently stood; all she had to do to get over was jump across the gap.
She moved swift but agile, as she didn't want to cause any rubble to collapse on top of her. Even careful when she took the door from its hinges and used the waxed wood to smother some of the flames on the floor, giving her more room to move.
"He….HEL-" A cough sounded, "HELP,"
She heard the difficulty shrieks and whimpering in what remained of the apartment; behind another closed door.
"HOLD ON,"
She removed the door again, in what was left of a bedroom; the bed was long set up in flames but it was blocking the window. And there must have been flames near the door as well before she brought it down. There was a woman, huddled over a woolen blanket, and Sakura could barely see a peak of hair and watery eyes.
She put her hand over the woman's foot, restoring the flesh quickly.
"It's okay now, don't worry," Sakura soothed, the women as she son to her body; judging by his height he couldn't be older than four. The ash and smoke had painted their skin patches of dark and it looked like the women had sustained an injury to her leg; the skin was torn open from her foot up her ankle.
"It'll be fine," Sakura assured as she threw her blazer over the women covering her upper body and then lifted both of them into her arms like picking up cardboard.
There was now a window, that Sakura could make an exit of. Kicking the flames away she leaped out, followed by an eruption of smoke.
The man who wanted to run into the building was immediately next to his wife and child that Sakura brought out on the other side of the road away from the fire.
"Thank goodness!" He was crying, as he cradled them in his arms. Likely thinking he wouldn't have had the chance to do so again. He looked at Sakura, "Thank you so much! Thank you!"
Sirens were heard from down the street, police cars and a firetruck. Of course, the heroes arriving at last. That was the sign for Sakura to leave as quickly as appeared. Flickering out of sight faster than the eye could follow, she was on the rooftops leaping across heading back to her house. Planning to take another shower and wash off the stench of smoke. Officially too late to care about going anymore.
'It's just the first day, not like we do anything important,'
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"I have not had to come to a student's house for bunking the first day of school ever before, Haruno. You better have an explanation,"
While not concerned about skipping on her first day; Sakura was aware that she'd be receiving some sort of message from the commission or school. Which is why she wasn't surprised when a familiar U.A. teacher appeared at her doorstep. Dreary eyed as always.
"Hello to you too; and please come in," Sakura said though he was already in her house and she was busy shutting the door. She saw that he was carrying a bag in his hand and saw a hook sticking out.
"Why didn't you come to school?" Shouta asked while observing her empty house.
"I got lost on the path of life," Sakura said definitively thinking it sounded better when Kakashi used that excuse while giving a coy smile further aggravating the man.
"Does your path of life always lead you into burning buildings?" He shot back.
Sakura pulled in her teeth, "Well….on occasion. Did someone record me again?"
"No, but the police called the school when a U.A. blazer was identified at the scene and your description was given from the victim you pulled from the fire,"
"Oh, okay," She nodded.
If emotions could appear in ink on the face, Shouta would have had annoyed written right across his. "You missed your first test Haruno,"
Sakura tilted her head, "What? I thought there was just going to be orientation and the entrance ceremony today?"
"U.A. doesn't follow standard education procedures and there's no time for pleasantries like that in the Hero course. I run my class how I see fit and today there was a quirk assessment test for you and your classmates,"
Her eyes widened with surprise and Shouta thought for a moment that she understood the severity of her actions, but then she opened her mouth.
"You're going to be my teacher!?"
He felt his eyebrow twitch, "Haruno. You not only missed the first day of school so that you could engage in vigilante activity but by default you place last in your class for the quirk assessment test,"
"Um, what exactly is this test?" Sakura asked, scratching her cheek.
"That doesn't matter since you missed them,"
"Well sorry," Sakura yawned softly.
"I told your classmates that whoever placed last in the test would be judged in having no potential and be expelled. And the one who placed last is you, do you understand?"
"Yeah," The pinkette stretched out her arms, "I'll try to be on time tomorrow. Is that everything?"
"You were expelled, Haruno," Shouta waited for a reaction he had seen on multiple occasions since becoming a teacher but he didn't receive it.
"Then why did you bring me my blazer?" She pointed with a grin having seen through his ploy. "You aren't going to expel me,"
"I am," Shouta waited for a moment again, but there wasn't even a cringe, "On paper, you are expelled, but re-enrolled into the hero course. This will be on your record,"
Folding her arms, the pinkette tapped her barefoot against the floor, "You were waiting for me to react. Why is that?"
'Doesn't even bring up her record,' Every student he expelled would be wrecked about that and it would always sit with them even if they were only expelled on paper. But this girl clearly had no regard for her status on record. Even though it had just been created. He thought that she would at least point out the unfairness of his expulsion. Immaturely state how it wasn't entirely on her for choosing to save lives instead of attending school. There were certain acceptances to using your quirk to attempt heroic acts, and rescuing in states of emergency was one of those times.
However, she didn't know that. Even so, there was no reaction. She had more to lose than any of the other students if she was removed from U.A. and yet she was still fearless.
'No regard for herself,'
Running a hand through his disheveled hair, displaying his contempt and exhaustion for the girl, he spoke, "You don't appreciate the opportunity you've been given to become a hero, and that is frankly more than irritating to witness,"
Sakura frowned, "Why? I already said I don't care about being a hero,"
"Then why do you keep saving people?" Shouta received an answer quicker than he anticipated.
"Because I can," Her voice was detached, yet firm. And Shouta understood that she was strong-willed and talented. But she would be her own demise if she did not learn that there was a difference between self-sacrifice and recklessness. Especially when disregarding the rules. Her ability was also clearly adding fuel to that fire.
She was highly praised for her performance during the entrance exam. But there was no way for someone her age to understand what the real world was like and what it would do to those who didn't understand their limits.
"Listen Haruno. This isn't some game. Just because you have talent doesn't mean you can go out recklessly on your own and break the rules. You don't behave rationally at all. And if you keep this up, you're going to suffer worse consequences than being expelled. The hero course is to train you to become a real hero, not give you a pass to do whatever you want,"
There was blatant indifference directed towards Shouta as Sakura's face lost all forms of expression and that in itself was expressing her lack of concern for every word he used in an attempt to pry understanding into her mind while it was too full of disinterest. It was worse than a student protesting and fighting him on his every word; because then at least he knew that he had gotten through in some way; but Sakura wasn't having that.
"Thanks for bringing my blazer. I'll be at school on time tomorrow,"
Shouta left the pinkette's house without greeting or any further discussion. It was clear; she couldn't be moved by words and he wondered if it had something to do with the condition he found her for the first time. He still didn't know the details and she would likely refuse to give them. But it didn't matter. Because U.A. would show her what it meant to be a hero. Perhaps then she would realize what he was trying to teach her.
Hopefully, before he strangled her with his scarf.