{Good job. This sort of thing is always a bit anxious-making, but you handled it. I'll try to help you keep track in the future. Let's try to be home on time today, what time does she normally want you back by?}

{I think what really matters is that she knows when I'll be home—which means I should probably tell her I'll be back later than usual tonight.}

"I'm not going out like that again tonight, but I am probably training with a few classmates, so I'll probably be out for a few hours after class."

Sakura finishes washing her face, and walks over to hug her mother.

{I kinda wish I didn't live with my parents: It would make so much of my life so much easier—especially now I have you here.}

Sable hugs Sakura warmly and sends steady affection. {Understandable. We can look into something like that at some point. I think in some sense I am a pocket dimension, so if all else fails we can figure out how to let you go in there, if it's safe, and if we figure out a way to explain it to anyone who'd notice. Don't lose touch with a good parent, though, and your mom seems pretty solid as moms go. You don't have to keep living with them, but good parents aren't exactly common.}

Yeah, and Sakura's parents are good parents—she just wishes she had more space from them.

Sable's idea is appealing, but it's probably too dangerous for them to actually use.

Yeah, they don't want attention. Alas. They can look into it around whatever the normal age people tend to move out in Konoha.

For now, though, breakfast? What're they having?

{Good question!}
Sakura releases her mother from her hug.

"I should eat before class: What's for breakfast?"

"Thanks for letting me know this time, darling."

Right, it is getting close to when Sakura should leave for class.

"Omelette, this morning!" Mebuki smiles.

Omelettes! Yum! She likes egg dishes a lot. Oh, huh, wonder if they make 'em differently here in Konoha than they did back in her world.

Based on the memories she's getting from Sable, she's pretty sure they do.

"Yum!"

Sakura skips over to the main room.

As they walk into the room, Sakura immediately notices the delicious smell of the food.

On the table are several steaming bowls of rice, two plates of tightly-rolled tamagoyaki (one somewhat fuller than the other), and two bowls of soup, as well as a jug and several cups of water. The tamagoyaki slices are arranged in a gentle arc across the plates, with finely chopped green onions sprinkled atop.

Her father isn't at the table—presumably he's already out guarding the gate—but she can see his dishes are still at the table, waiting to be collected and cleaned.

Sakura sits at the table and digs into her breakfast. The tamagoyaki are lightly sweet, with a warm umami note from the dashi mixed in, and are fluffy and soft and still piping hot.

"Mmmh! Thanks mom, this is amazing!"

Ooooooh this is delicious. Sable's never had this kind of omelette before. Reminds it a bit of omelettes in a country from its old world called Japan, honestly.

It's just gonna be a font of yummy happy feelings all meal.

Though that certainly won't stop it from nudging Sakura to eat all of the tamagoyaki on her plate, all of the soup, and at least two bowls of rice.

"You're very welcome dear."

"Now be sure to eat quickly, so you aren't late for class!"

"Yes, mom!" she says—partially aiming the response toward Sable, along with a bit of friendly internal sarcasm.

She tries her best to eat her full portion, but doesn't manage to finish the last of her soup or the second bowl of rice before she has to stop, excusing herself with a quick "Gotta go!"

{Sorry—I know I need to eat more, but I think that's the most I'll manage right now.}

It giggles internally at the tease.

{No worries, sweetie. Work in progress.} Accompanying that is a warm mental image of a kiss to the top of her head, with as much sensory detail as Sable can bake into it. {Off we go to find Naruto!}

And off they go! Sakura heads to class in record time, excited to meet Hinata and optimistic for her meeting with Naruto.

The academy building is huge, and would be imposing if Sakura was seeing it for the first time. Instead, its grand visage just spurs on her excitement.

It's not long now until exams—which she's sure to pass—and then she'll be a real ninja.

It's about normal-to-large size for schools from her world, but still. Very cool. {Where are you planning to discuss things with him?}

{He's in my morning class, but I want to talk to him before that, so I guess I'll wait in the hall and pull him aside when he gets there.}

Naruto is late often enough that he probably won't mind being held up, and Sakura is punctual enough that she can probably get away with a simple excuse.

Reasonable. It glimmers a bit with excitement and nerves. This is the first person other than its host who will be told. Here they go!

Kami, wow, yeah, it is.

Sakura hurries to her classroom, then waits, resting against the wall.

Several classmates pass her as she waits, some giving her confused looks, but most simply ignoring her.

It's not too long before Sakura notices a figure in a distinctive orange jumpsuit coming down the hall, and she quickly approaches the boy as he walks closer.

"Hi Naruto!" she says, "Can I talk to you for a bit?"