__Sara Pov__

When I came back to the house I was tackled by not four, but eight little kids. I lay at the bottom of one of the biggest and most painful dog piles ever.

"Can I ask for you all to get off of me now? Preferably before my spine breaks?" I mumbled into the cloth in stuffed in my face. I was quickly uncovered and saw that there were, indeed, four extra kids.

"Sara-nee! You're back!" Ayaka jumped on me again, I was ready this time though and caught her in a hug.

"It's good to see you four, Ayaka, Daiki, Junichi, and Hibiko. Can I ask who your other four friends are?" That seemed to shock them from their excitement and turn to manners.

"Right!" Daiki began introductions. "This is Konohamaru, Udon, Moegi, and Naoko. You guys, as you already guessed, this is Sara-nee."

"I've heard so much about you Sara-nee! I look up to you so much!" Moegi gushed.

"So you're the one who thought of the treaty for us to come to the leaf?" Naoko questioned. She was a cute little girl. Her hair was a very light bluish-silver and was complimented by wonder filled light pink eyes. She wore a kimono-like yellow dress that went to her knees. Normally when people wore yellow they appeared washed out, but the dress seemed to brighten her dark skin as if there was a slight glow. She would be beautiful when she grew up.

I snapped out of my assessment of her. "Oh, so you must be from the ninja village that came here recently!" I guessed, covering the fact I had been staring.

"I'm the daughter of the head of the clan! I'm going to be an amazing ninja! I'm already in the academy!" She boasted proud.

"What was your families surname again?" I asked politely.

"We're the Hikawa! That means scarlet river!" I smiled, she really liked to show off her knowledge.

"Well then you four, do you want me to watch your practice for a while?" I asked nicely.

"Will you really?" Konohamaru asked.

"Sure, I already do it for these four, why not for all eight of you?" They all cheered and crowded around me as we walked to the back of the house.

I watched them as they threw their kunai. Konohamaru was doing well in aim and form while Udon lacked something in his form. Moegi had perfect aim, and so I didn't bother to fix anything on her form. Naoko was like both Hibiko and Junichi, perfect form, but somewhat lacking in aim.

I helped and fixed things here and there. I was lucky they hadn't started on jutsus yet, otherwise I never would keep track of all of them.

After an hour or two Kakashi came to get me so we could talk to the Hokage together. I told the kids I would be back soon and to not overwork themselves while I was gone. The all nodded and waved goodbye.

"You really are like a mother..." Kakashi mused as we walked.

"What is that supposed to mean Kakashi?"

"Just that your nature attracts kids to you, they seem to love you as a sister, but also as a mother. Your nature is very protective and kind."

"That can't be true. I am far from motherly."

"You are very kind though, and that makes up for it I suppose... as far as the kids are concerned."

I started to blush and walked ahead of him so he couldn't see it. "Shut up Kakashi, its not like its unnatural."

"Well you don't see many people your age walking around with eight kids at their heels... Are you calling me Kakashi?" He realized.

"Yes, now shut up Kakashi."

He did and we walked the rest of the way in silence. When we walked in all of the team leaders were there, as well as the leader of the Hikawa clan.

"Hello Hokage-sama, it's nice to see you again." I greeted. Then I ran forward and gave him a big hug. He chuckled good naturedly.

"It's nice to see you too Sara, now what is this business you'd like to discuss?"

"Right." I went back to professional mode. "I want temporary leave from my team."

He seemed shocked at my request. "Why is that Sara?"

"I want to be able to train and go on missions with other teams to strengthen my teamwork, also only teams of 3 are allowed for the chunin exams next month. I would like to make a temporary team with two of the ninja from the Hikawa clan a week before it begins, in the case that I am recommended." I said it brisk and to the point.

"Why do you need to strengthen teamwork with other teams besides your own?" The Hokage questioned, most likely to see if I had thought everything through.

"Because, I won't always be on the same team, after the chunin exams I may be leading a team on missions or may need to provide back-up for another team and end up working together. I can only get accustomed to four personalities as it is now. If I were to work with other teams and other habits I can strengthen myself to be able to work with any team."

"Why the Hikawa clan for your team?"

"That one is because I know they are strong and have the basics of teamwork. I felt their strength first hand and know there should be at least two my age who are ready to take the exam." I looked to the leader for affirmance and he gave it with a nod. "Those are the only people around my age that would be ready other than the already formed teams of genin."

"Why wait to make the team? Wouldn't it be just as good to work with your hopeful team for a month?" He really was testing me. I can't believe he felt the need, I always think things through.

I repressed a sigh. "Because I want my teamwork to be polished. If they worked with other teams as well it would be ideal, but I would be happy if only I got the chance as well."

"How long would you expect the temporary leave of your team to last?"

"In regards to my hope of joining the chunin exams and becoming chunin, at most until the end of the exams."

"How do you feel about this Kakashi?" The Hokage turned to look at him.

"She has already spoken to me about it while we were in the land of waves. Although she threatened me into agreeing at first, after hearing the entire plan I saw it as a good idea. She is a good combination with all her teammates, but the other three definitely need to work on their teamwork with each other, it would be a good chance."

"Do all of the team leaders and Hikawa clan agree to this proposal?" They all nodded agreement. "Well then... as Hokage I grant you leave of your team until the end of the chunin exams, you will join with Kurenai's team for one week to start. Each week your team will change for the month before the start of the exam. Good luck with your training Sara." He smiled brightly at me.

"I will do my best Hokage-sama... are we done with formalities now?"

"Yes, we are quite done with them." He smiled at me.

"Well then..." I walked to Asuma. I took his pack of cigarettes in his pocket and traded them with suckers, he didn't notice. "You should stop smoking, it can kill you." I then took his cigarette and replaced it with a lolipop. That he did notice.

"You have quick hands Sara, can't wait for your week with my team."

I nodded and walked to Kurenai. I stood on my tiptoes and whispered in her ear, "You should just ask Asuma out, you both like each other." She blushed red when I said that.

"Um... Sara..."

"OH! Right, you guys already hooked up. Forgot, sorry." She blushed an even deeper red. I walked to Gai and stood in front of him.

"It's going to be fun having you on our team Sara." He said with a good-guy pose. "You're so youthful!"

"For the spirit of youth!" I replied back. For whatever reason he burst into tears mumbling about how much youth I had. I turned to Kakashi. "Is he always like this?"

"Always." He said dully.

"Yikes, I almost feel bad for you." When Kakashi spoke up Gai turned to him.

"Kakashi! My youthful rival! Battle me! Today I will win and break the tie!"

"Never mind, I feel bad for you Kakashi." He sweatdropped and they went into some rock-paper-scissors war.

I turned to the man I had yet to meet. "Hello, my name is Sara, it is a pleasure to meet you." I held out my hand to him.

"Hello Sara, I am Hikawa Atsushi, leader of the Hikawa clan. Are you the girl that advised the Hokage to talk to us in hopes of us joining the leaf?"

"I indeed am. You must be Naoko's dad, she's at my house now with Ayaka, Dai, and Jun. Anyways, after you sent ninja to attack Hibiko, who I was in charge of guarding, I talked to the Hokage about the matter. Your ninja were skilled and I felt with the right polish on their training they would be amazing additions to the leaf. We had it rough during that battle."

"I appreciate your sincerity, you are a kind child." I heard a snort at that, I would get Asuma for that later. "I am also grateful that you did not kill any of my clan, we are tight knit and are all pretty much one family."

"I'm glad that you joined us, I'm sure that the leaf will need your power sometime in the future."

"Now then... I heard you were good at analyzing personalities?"

"Gramps! Did you tell him? You are such a blab!"

"Sorry Sara, he mentioned you and I told him you were fairly smart and good at reading people." He apologized. "Also, leave my office alone. The last time you pulled a prank on me it took a week to get everything off of the ceiling and back on the floor."

Atsushi looked at me in interest, so I explained. "Well you see... I enjoy pranks, but they're harmless! I thought it might be fun to, well, get creative with glue?"

He looked at me for a few moments before breaking into laughter with all of the Jonin present. Even the Hokage smiled, regardless that it was his office that was at the center of the joke.

"Well, sorry Hokage, but if you wouldn't mind your grandson and 7 other kids are waiting for me at my house for me to watch their training."

"Of course Sara, you can go. I'll stop by later to get Konohamaru."

"Thank you, also, Asuma?"

"Yes Sara?"

"Do you know where Shikamaru and Choji are right now?"

"They should be where they always are when you aren't around."

I laughed, knowing it was true. "Oh! One more thing."

"What is it this time Sara?" Asuma questioned.

"You really should stop smoking, it dulls the senses." I threw his pack of cigarettes to him. "Oh, and feel free to keep the lollipops in your pocket."

With that I walked out with a shocked group of adults watching my back.

_-_

I walked up to where Shikamaru couldn't see me and place my hands over his eyes and mouth.

"Stay still! You're coming with me to my household full of children for mental torture!" I said in a fake masculine voice.

Choji turned to look at me, and just to make it funnier started to pretend to freak out.

"Sara, you really are a troublesome woman." Shika muttered into my palm quite calmly.

"Yeah well... you're coming for shogi and that is final. Did you get any better while I was gone?"

"Probably not, Asuma isn't too challenging of an opponent."

"Darn, I was hoping you could pressure me this time."

"Is that a challenge?"

"Of course it is pineapple."

"I will get you to stop calling me that."

"I guess I need a new thing to get when I win..."

"Before that guys, could we stop at the store? I need to get some more chips." Choji stopped us mid argument.

"Alright then, lets go!" I cheered and Choji did as well. Shika... he was just Shika, what more could you expect?

_-_

When we got to the store we waited for Choji outside. Naruto saw us together and came over.

"Sara! Are you finally on a date with Shikamaru?" He asked excitedly.

"Naruto!" we both complained, I continued it alone though, "How many times have I told you we're just friends?"

"I don't know, you two make a cute couple..." Choji said from behind us with a new bag of chips.

"I think that the universe is against us today." I complained to Shika, fake sobbing on his shoulder.

"What a drag."

"Anyways, where are you three going right now?" Naruto intervened on our dramatics.

"To my house! I have eight kids there right now."

"What? Where did the extra four come from?" Shika asked me.

"Oh! Did I forget to mention those four?" I asked with way too much innocence.

"Yes, yes you did."

"Hey, can I come along Sara?" Naruto had this puppy-dog look in his eyes.

"Why not, it's just 5 more rice balls to make. Actually... Now I need to make at least 8 more for the new kids..." I mumbled.

"Are your cooking skills still limited to those Sara?" Shika teased.

"Shut up pineapple! I can make more food now! Just ask Naruto!"

"Can she really now?" He had a disinterested voice.

"Yeah, all throughout our mission to the land of waves she helped Tsunami with all the cooking." Naruto said.

"Well then... Sara, you get to make me food one day to prove this." Shika ordered.

"What a drag" I said in imitation. "Anyways! Let's get to my house!" I said cheerily, ignoring the fierce glare directed at me from Shikamaru. He eventually gave up.

"So what kids are at your house anyways?" Naruto questioned.

"Well, there's Ayaka, Daiki, Junichi, and Hibiko obviously, as well as Konohamaru, Moegi, Udon, and Naoko."

"Konohamaru is at your house? Old man Hokage's grandson?"

"Yeah, you know him?"

"Definitely, we're fighting over the seat of Hokage. We're rivals!"

"Well then, let's hurry, I told them all I would be back soon."

With that we all walked off to Kakashi's house. Maybe after the chunin exams I'd move out and live on my own. I could only freeload for so long, and with the money from missions I would be able to pay for it.

I would just think of that later. Right now I had to make 51 rice balls. Five each for me, Naruto, and Shika. Two for each of the kids. And the last 20 of course, were for Choji.

Time to get started.