SasuSaku Month 2015
Day 11- Graduate
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Title: The Best Student of the Class
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Summary: it’s the day of their graduation from the academy and Sakura needs to tell Sasuke something really important.
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The biggest day of their lives had finally arrived. After long and hard years spent learning the basics and the theory of things they would probably never use; those young and talented kids were about to officially become ninjas. They would be ready to fight, help people and face the hardest missions of their lives, at last. They wouldn’t be just kids anymore. From that day on, they would be the newest generation of genin of Konoha. The last day of their childhood had just ended and the first day of their future was about to start. A future full of adventures, drama and, of course, love.
For most of the boys and girls who had just graduated, the graduation day was a day of celebration and of freedom. It was the day when they would finally break free from those classrooms and from the care of their sensei so they could finally face the world by themselves. It was a day of maturing, indeed. But, for a certain pink haired girl, it was also a day of departure. A day when she would say goodbye to all of her friends and a day when the class would be reunited for the last time. It was the last day she would spend by his side. And that was enough to break that delicate heart of hers.
Sakura knew that her chances of being in the same team as the almighty Uchiha Sasuke were almost zero. It wasn’t a surprise to anyone when his name was announced as the one who had graduated with the best grades and the best general scores. Ever since the beginning of it all, Sasuke had showed everyone how talented and skillful he was. The Uchiha was a genius, indeed. Whoever was designed to the same team as him, would certainly have to be good enough in order not to slow him down. And, for Iruka had explained them that the teams were formed based on their abilities, the Haruno girl was certain that she had no chances of walking side by side with him. Sakura was already conformed with the inevitable separation and, because of that, the pinkette was ready to declare her hidden love for him. It would be her last chance before they parted ways forever and, for being who she is, Sakura wouldn’t let that chance pass. She was ready to let him know about her feelings.
The whole academy patio was covered in confetti and the good luck band was slowly being recoiled by some of the academy teachers. Everyone was still gathered around talking with their friends and families but her eyes just couldn’t find his in the middle of those people. He wasn’t in the classroom and he wasn’t at his usual places either. Where could that boy be, she thought. Had he gone home so early? And the whole goodbye ceremony? Sakura certainly didn’t know what had made him leave so soon but, if there was one thing she knew, was that he wouldn’t simply walk away from her life like that. He deserved to be congratulated and he also needed to hear a proper goodbye. He needed to know about her feelings and she was not going to give up so easily. Even if she had no idea of where he had gone, she would find him and tell him all he needed to hear from her. It would be her final test. And she was going to pass it. Her sensei would make sure she did.
“ Sakura!”
When she was about to leave to go aimlessly after the raven haired boy, the one who had instructed her for the past few years called her attention. Iruka had an envelope in his hands and a proud smile in his lips. Ever since Naruto had been approved, the academy sensei wouldn’t stop smiling with a huge proud of his precious student, who would certainly ask him for ramen later. The blonde boy was certainly a one of a kind boy. But Sakura was also a one of a kind girl and, for knowing her for so long, the teacher knew how determined she could be, specially when it came to Uchiha Sasuke.
Out of all of his students, Iruka recognized that Sakura had a huge potential inside of her. She had graduated as the best female student of her class and in the general ranking she was bravely holding the second position. She was a really smart girl and her tests, sometimes, would be even better than the Uchiha’s. The only thing she lacked was a little confidence in her practice skills. Perhaps if she had focused on them instead of falling in love, she could be almost in the same level as the sharingan holder. But that wouldn’t be the case anymore. She had fallen in love and that love was already an important part of her life. It was thanks to that love that she was such a sweet girl. And, because his eyes could see the importance of that feeling for her, Iruka decided to give her a little hand as the last thing he could do for her as her teacher. He was going to help her. He was going to help Sasuke. And, for already knowing what the near future held for all of his students, he was going to help the future team 7.
“ Iruka-sensei? What happened?”
“ oh, it’s nothing serious, don’t worry. I was just wondering if you could help me with a little something.”
Her lips twitched and she knew she had to say no in order to go after the Uchiha. But the one standing in front of her was not only her superior but also her dear sensei. She couldn’t simply say no to him. Perhaps, If it was something fast…
“ s-sure. What is it?”
“ you see… Sasuke-kun left in such a rush that he ended up forgetting his genin certificate… I was about to go and find him on my own but… Naruto is bugging me to take him to Ichiraku… So, if it’s not a huge bother for you, could you please give it to him?” He said, handling her the envelope. A huge smile forming in her lips. Her sensei was, certainly, the best.
“ of course!” She grabbed it, hugging it tight. “ I will do it right now!”
“ good. I saw him walking towards the center a while ago… If you run, I think you might catch up to him.”
“ okay! Thank you so much, Iruka-sensei!”
“ you’re welcome, Sakura… Congratulations for becoming a genin. Try not forgetting about me, okay?”
“ I’ll never forget you, I promise! Bye!”
With her body full of energy, the pinkette left a nostalgic man behind as she ran towards the love of her life. She already knew the direction he had chosen and she even had an excuse to start a conversation without sounding like a stalker or anything like those obsessed fangirls of his. Things were, indeed, flowing perfectly for her and that was certainly making her heart beat a lot faster in excitement. Sakura was ready to confess her love for him and she was feeling as confident as ever at that time. It was as if she could see the good winds blowing her towards him and at each breath her feet would be making the distance between them a lot shorter. She was going to make it. She was going to make it. She was not going to make it.
Standing in front of her stunning emerald eyes was the one and only Uchiha Sasuke. With that raven hair of his and those dark orbs of his, the boy who held her heart was peacefully walking towards his so precious destination as if it was just another day as many others. He seemed to be calm as the sound of his steps kept the same frequency as he followed his path. The majestic Uchiha crest was giving its back to her as it coldly left behind a crying girl. A girl with long black hair that Sakura knew from the academy. A girl holding a heart shaped letter in her hands and a miserable expression in her face. Apparently, the pinkette wasn’t the only one who had thought about confessing on that day. Someone else had been faster and was probably showing Sakura what would happen if she really didn’t give up on her initial plan. She was showing the Haruno girl what his answer would be. She was showing how hurt she would be if she decided to confess. Perhaps the pinkette had arrived in a terrible time.
With her emeralds widened in fear, Sakura didn’t even blink when the other girl ran away crying from that place. She probably would never forget that and that day would forever be stained with a failure in her memories. She would always remember that day as the one day she got rejected by the Uchiha. And if there was one thing Sakura didn’t want, was being rejected that soon. Her heart would never heal back if she lost him and lost her love for him in the same day. Maybe she should keep her words locked in order to save her love. And that was what she was going to do.
Running away from there did cross the punkette’s mind but, since she had a mission and since she knew he had already noticed her presence, being a coward wouldn’t be the best of her choices. In fact, it would only make Sasuke think that her only reason for being there was because of her undying need of confessing her love to him. It would make him see her as just another girl. And that wasn’t definitely what she wanted.
The pinkette took a deep breath, shook the bad thoughts away and, finally, started to run towards him. If confessing was no longer an option, congratulating him was a need.
“ Sasuke-kun!”
“ …” He turned, not saying anything as he waited for her to be standing just some inches away from him. They weren’t close enough for a hug but she was certainly close enough for him to feel her scent. A floral one that filled his nostrils and reminded him of all the times she passed by his side in the academy. Sasuke would miss that scent, for sure.
“ What is it, Sakura?”
“ well… First of all… Congratulations for being the first of our class… You deserve it.” She said, smiling and blushing a little. The Uchiha had that effect of her every time.
“ Hn.”
“ …. Also… Iruka-sensei asked me to give you this.”
The hand that was holding the envelope was lifted towards the boy and his dark pearls curiously drifted to it. Sasuke had no idea of what was that thing or why, out of all of the students, she had been the one chosen to give it to him. In his mind, it felt almost like a preparation for something and, for sure, it felt welcoming. She was welcoming. At least with him.
Once the boy took his right hand from out of his pocket, his fingers softly went towards the envelope and, accidentally, brushed her own warm ones in the process. Sakura couldn’t help but blushing at that but, as soon as the paper wasn’t in her hands any longer, the girl made sure to hide them in her back and turn away in order to hide that embarrassed side of hers from him. Even if he thought it was cute, there was no way he would ever tell her, right?
As soon as the boy started to open the envelope, Sakura felt as if she was intruding in his personal business. There was nothing for her to do there anymore and she knew he would probably be asking himself for how long she was just gonna stand there. She thought he considered her a bother and didn’t see a point in sharing anything with her. She thought he saw her just as another girl. But the pinkette was wrong. Really wrong.
“ Hn, it’s just stating that I was the first… Nothing much.”
“ oh… Wait! Of course it is, Sasuke-kun!” She said, pouting and looking closely at him.
“ uh?” His eyes widened as he saw her shocking reaction.
“ you worked hard to be the first. You’ve studied and you’ve trained more than all of us! You deserve to have your first place recognized! Or else we wouldn’t have a rank…”
“…. Hn.” He nodded. “ maybe you’re right…”
“ yes I am! Hn, we are all proud of you for being such an amazing genin. I’m sure you’ll also succeed in most of your missions with your team.”
“ when you say it like that…”
“ and anyone who gets to be in your team will be really lucky. You will certainly be… An amazing ninja.”
Her all-so-thrilled expression soon melted into a soft one and he couldn’t help but noticing that weak smile of hers. It was clear that something bad had passed in her thoughts for such a sudden change of spirit and, somehow, the Uchiha felt like doing something to help her. Even after all those years he still couldn’t forget about the first time he saw that bright smile of hers and, ever since then, protecting it has become a mission that not even he knew he had accepted. But he had and he was gonna complete it successfully. Be sure of that.
“ Sakura… What’s wrong?”
“ uh? Wrong? N-Nothing… Why?”
“ you seemed… Down, I don’t know… Does it have anything to do with the graduation or the teams?”
Those eyes of his were really her biggest weakness. They could easily make her say anything he wanted to know and still make her happy for having done so. It was true that she had become sad after saying so many things about how amazing it would be to have him as a teammate. It made her imagine all kinds of missions and all kinds of stories and it also made her imagine how it would be if she was the said teammate. And such possibility made her incredibly happy… It made her happy to know that she would still be by his side and that they would live all kinds of adventures together. It would mean they wouldn’t have to grow apart and that was certainly a reason for her to be happy. But then she remembered that she was who she was and he was who he was. She was a weak girl and he a genius. She was annoying and he was the first of the class. She was in love with him and he was an Uchiha. They didn’t belong together, she knew. However, he didn’t agree with that.
“ n-no… It’s just that…” She sighed. “ it’s just that… I’m gonna miss you… all… I’m gonna miss our class and, most of all, I’m gonna miss being in the same class as you, Sasuke-kun.” She smiled sadly and she certainly didn’t care about sounding a little too fluffy with him. “ I’m gonna miss our brief talks and I’m gonna miss seeing you in action. As I’ve said, you’re amazing and… Seeing you was amazing. But after tomorrow I doubt I can stay in the same team as you.”
“… Don’t doubt yourself.”
“ what?”
“ Sakura…” He looked deep into her eyes. “ you were the best girl of our class and you’re just after me in the rank. Your genjutsu abilities are the most improved in our class and your tests marks were higher than mines sometimes… I’m not trying to promote myself but… I’m sure you have enough abilities to be in my team… I would like you to, actually… You are the one person I would choose for sure to be with… in the missions. I would trust you my life.”
Her emeralds widened and a blush quickly covered her face. Her ears just couldn’t believe in what they had just heard and her heart was quickly beating faster than ever. The Uchiha certainly didn’t consider her just as another girl and she didn’t pass unseen in his eyes through all of those years they spent together. He had taken note of her. He had taken note of her abilities and he wanted her by his side. Even if she ended up not confessing her love to him, her graduation day had, certainly, turned into one of the happiest days of her short life. The first day of her future had, indeed, been a success.
“ thank you, Sasuke-kun… I hope we can be in the same team tomorrow.”
“ Hn, me too, Sakura…”
“ well… I guess I should be going then… Congratulations once again.”
“ thanks… Oh, Sakura… Just remember that… Even if we don’t end up together tomorrow, it doesn’t mean you won’t ever see me again. We will still be… Friends.”
A smile slowly grew bigger in her pink lips again and she nodded with all the certainty in the world. For some reason she was having an incredible good feeling about the team selection and she wouldn’t simply rely on his words. She was going to deserve her place in his team. She wasn’t going to be just his friend. For the moment, she was to be his teammate. But, someday, she would be his wife. You could bet on that.
“ well… I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, Uchiha Sasuke-kun… Good luck with your team.”
as a kunoichi she’s been playing the role of reaper. strapped around her thigh is a bag filled with sharp tools that all, at one point, have been dirtied and crusted with blood. her soft palms have grown calloused from the training and memorization of how she’ll twist and shift the cool steel in her grip. four kunais all finding a space in between her fingers, starting against her forefinger, in between it and the middle, in between it and the ring one and in between it and the pinky all set and ready to embed into her target with nothing but a flick of her wrist.
she’s learned the fastest way to undo and tie up chakra strings so that they’ll fasten around her target, tie them up and deplete them of any chance of escape. and if she has to, if the chance forces her to, she knows how to make it so she can discreetly pull and tighten around the enemy’s body until it bites and cuts through the skin and into the flesh.
as a kunoichi, she has fast reflex and faster comebacks. the ability to bend back until she can touch the ground and do a back flip. the ability for her to twist on air, land a punch or land a kick. taijutsu skills refined so they’re better than basic and still having the opportunity to get so much better.
sakura thinks:
now, with all this she’s learned, she stands on the fine line dividing life and death. she now she waits for the chance to pass judgement; will this one live, will this one die?
she can twist and sink and jump and run, throwing kicks and punches and kunais and shuriken. she can imbed her tantō into her enemy, render him immobile. or maybe he gets the better of her so she’s on the ground--she can swipe it across that weak spot just above the heel of his feet. make him scream, sink to his knees and beg her to let him live.
and she’ll turn around, pressing a healing hand to her wounds as she hurries to the side of her comrade, fix what’s broken, seal what’s open.
sakura thinks:
she’s learned all this within the village. here, is where she’s planted a seed, where it’s grown, where the roots are so deep within konoha’s soil, growing just as she is, as her abilities and her strength and her will has. here, is where the will of fire that she’s inherited grows heavier, flames hot, large and licking all her insides with courage.
in konoha, is where she’s gotten strong. where she’s practiced and practiced. tried and failed once and twice and thrice until she’s made it happen.
in konoha, is where she’s become better than the girl that graduated from the academy. the girl that cried on the sidelines. the girl that was forced to cut her hair, bested and brutally beat by a group of three. the girl that needed to be protected.
in konoha...
sakura thinks:
he had to leave and find corruption. power that’s been warped and twisted into something malevolent. he had to abandon is home and everything he had once believed in--tried to hide it but it was there, it’d always been there, she knows it.
he had to leave when the chance to grow strong was right here. with her. with naruto. with kakashi-sensei. with team seven. with them.
Kakashi watches his new team with something akin to nostalgia, he can’t help but remember his own. Idiots he calls them, he doesn’t like them they remind him too much of his own team and he can almost see them doing the same mistakes, going down the same roads, tripping with the same stones.
He can’t help as he sees Obito in the blonde loudmouth, in his pranks, his laidback attitude, but most of all his determination.
He can’t help but see Rin in those cotton candy locks and those too green eyes, maybe it’s the hope that shines there, the too bright smile or maybe it’s just the way those love struck eyes turn to where they shouldn’t.
But maybe more disturbing is how he can see himself in that analytical gaze, how he can almost see the walls that surround him refusing to let anyone in.
Yes, they’ll make the same mistakes.
And he’s afraid to just watch as history repeats itself.
“What I like…I mean the one I like…” And she sways her arms in front of her and it’s painful to watch.
Then he turns to her and his eyes regard her for only a second but that’s enough. He turns his stuck up gaze to the other side an almost invisible blush on his cheeks. Like they’re so below him and he’s so immune to a little warmth.
Kakashi knows exactly where it’s going.
He smiles from beneath his mask as he pretends. He turns a blind eye to her ever loving gestures to his almost too subtle way of looking at her.
Graduate
Summary: Where Sasuke doesn’t know the concept of ‘open mouth, insert foot’.
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Mama’s rage was a low simmering sort of fury. She would let it fester and rot, slam pots and pans in the kitchen, dole out reproachful looks like it was a very successful business.
Papa’s shame was a sad thing to behold. He would wince when he’d hear the doors slam, stare out the window pitifully, wallow in a perpetually present frown and be even more of a frightful bore than usual.
Her parents did, once in a while, indulge in…domestic abuse—where domestic referred to the house they’d inhabit and abuse was the unbidden destruction Mama’s fist would impose on it.
That was how Sarada figured that Papa had made a mess again—for it was usually Papa who did the messing up; more often than not with his unfortunate way with words. Who else told their wife that if it was a choice between kissing her and dying, insert lengthy pause, with a completely straight face? Her Papa, that’s who.
And as she saw him huddled on the couch looking plaintive and harrowed with his shoulders slumped—the very picture of a tragic figure, Sarada finally took pity on him. She sat down next to him and leaned into his side, made herself comfortable when he put his arm around her shoulder.
“So,” she started, and Papa gave her a disparaging look.
She smirked at him and said, “You’ve officially graduated from pathetic to an epic fail.”
“Sarada,” Papa said, eyes like a lost puppy, “Please.”
He looked appropriately contrite, thought Sarada. Just then Mama appeared in the doorway. “Dinner’s ready, darling,” she bit out, menacingly.
Papa made a frantic face at her that screamed help me.
Sarada sighed, smiled and hugged Papa close. “You’re going to have to fix this one all on your own, Papa.”
She felt him deflate in her embrace, and hugged him tighter.
Title: Unexpected meeting
Author: Ella / ff.net’s xElla8D / youtube’s xHawtAMV
Summary: Day 11: Gradute - in which adult Sakura meets young Sasuke.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Naruto.
Prompt: Graduate
Rating: K
Comments: I’ve always wanted time travel stuff.
Link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11349882/11/Daily-spices
By the way, it is still the 11th here in Romania so please don’t hold it against me - since I didn’t see the chapter I submitted yesterday being posted D:
Sakura proudly put on her new jacket and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She had grown up quite a bit since her teammates had left. Naruto was training, and Sasuke, well she didn’t like to think that Sasuke was gone. She didn’t like to remember that while she had essentially graduated from her genin status, her teammates were off doing something else and she had little to no contact with them.
It was easier for Sakura to accept Naruto’s absence, he was certain to return. Even though she couldn’t contact him, he sent the occasional postcard to her. It was much harder for her to accept Sasuke’s absence. She had no postcards from him or any other form of contact. While she was graduating, he was off with an enemy of the village trying to reach his goals that only sent him further into darkness.
Sakura looked into the mirror, going back to reality instead of focusing on the lost memories that she would never have with her teammates. She looked in the mirror and studied herself. She was truly proud of all that she had accomplished and was happy with all that she had done while her teammates were away. However, while anyone else would see her reflection in the mirror and see her strength, she only noticed the absence of two other reflections that she wanted beside her.
Sakura’s mind wandered back to thoughts of actually missing Naruto’s annoying voice and actions, but her heart focused her mind back to the one boy that she was less sure that she would see again. The pang in her heart was Sakura’s reminder that as she moved on as a chuunin, her heart was stuck with the same emotions that she hadn’t been able to move past since Sasuke left.
It was bittersweet, this academy graduation. She had accomplished something, and starting tomorrow she’d be a fully fledged shinobi, but at the same time she was losing something. Tomorrow she’d be a genin, but despite gaining the hitai-ate, she’d be losing something precious. For the past several years she had been able to see him every day, been able to sit next to him in class, been able to bask in his presence. ‘Tomorrow,’ Sakura knew, ‘they’ll assign three-man squads, and the teams will go their separate ways.’
Unless Sakura was placed on the same team as the Uchiha she wouldn’t be able to spend as much time with him as she had these past few years. She was excited to start this new chapter in her life, but couldn’t help but feel sadness at the thought of no longer being able to enjoy Sasuke-kun’s presence every day. The boy didn’t talk much, and ignored everyone for the most part, but just being near him was... She always felt so at peace when near the raven haired boy. It was like nothing bad could happen to her when he was around.
No one picked on her when Sasuke-kun was near, and even when she made mistakes during practice his precise movements gave her silent encouragement. Sakura gained confidence in his presence because she wanted him to notice her, to recognize her strengths, and to not begrudge her weaknesses. Tomorrow she could lose his presence. Would she return to that crying scared and ashamed little girl without his daily reminder of what she wanted to be? No one picked on her when he was around, but what was going to stop her new teammates from doing so without him near?
Sakura was a favorite source of amusement for others; she would often find herself the victim of harsh words when there were no authority figures around, and for some reason or another the young Uchiha had been seen in the same manner as the academy teachers – someone not to misbehave around. The chances of finding herself on a team with at least one of her bullies were high. It was scary knowing that she’d no longer have a refuge from harsh words. She would no longer be able to just sit down next to him and know that the only comments directed towards her would be kind ones.
It was sad knowing that she wouldn’t be able to just be around him for the sake of feeling his presence surrounding her with warmth. When she felt discouraged she wouldn’t be able to offer herself comfort with the sight of him nearby. She wouldn’t be able to study the almost indiscernible changes of expression on his face. Sakura would miss the small moment of pride he always exhibited after mastering a technique or jutsu. It was scary knowing that another girl might bear witness to these things instead of her...
~!@#$%^&*()_+
It was bittersweet, this academy graduation. He was closer to his goals than he had ever been, but at the same time... His onyx eyes caught a flash of pink in the crowd. He was officially a shinobi; it was time to leave the days of being a child behind him. Tomorrow he’d be assigned to a genin team, and would begin performing missions.
He’d have less time to train now that he would begin working as a shinobi, and what training he did do wouldn’t be the same. There would no longer be days spent in a courtyard surrounded by his peers as they practiced and learned new techniques. There would no longer be soft emerald eyes watching him in silent admiration and adoration. There would not be a seat next to him filled by cheerful smiles and quiet intelligence. There would no longer be an opportunity to keep that smile on her face, to keep the children wishing that smile gone away with a mere glare in their direction.
Half of him wished nothing more than to keep moving forward towards his goals – his revenge; the other half wished that their peaceful academy days could last forever.
They count down the bittersweet moments before they must say goodbye.
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Sasuke felt the comfort of Sakura’s head resting on his shoulder. He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply through his nostrils, and held his breath in. The smell of her—warm honey and fiery cinnamon—cemented all their memories together into his mind.
“I don’t want to leave,” Sakura muttered. Her hand reached for Sasuke’s, and she brushed the curves of his knuckles with her thumb. A lone tear fell onto the crease of his elbow. She was crying.
Sasuke didn’t know how he should reply. Of course he didn’t want her to leave him—he was happy with her, happier than he’d ever been in his life! And now, in less than five days, his happiness would be wrenched away from him in what he considered a double-edged twist of fate. Sasuke was glad Sakura would be getting the finest education an intelligentsia like her could ever wish for.
Except that it was halfway around the globe.
He responded, “I’ll still love you.”
Sakura stopped breathing for a second; she raised her head to look at him, observing whether his confession held any truth or if they were just pretty words to ease her insecurities.
“You really mean that?” Sakura asked. She removed her head from her boyfriend’s shoulder and sat up straight. Her hand clenched his harder. “Because Sasuke-kun, it’s not funny if you’re just saying this to make me feel better.”
Sasuke angled his body to the right. His left hand found the side of her face, wet with streaming tears. There were too many to brush away, so he bent forward and kissed them dry. This only made her cry harder.
“I mean it,” he said. His voice was hoarse—Sasuke feared he would soon cry himself. “Sakura, I love you. And as much as I want you to be by my side, we both know that if you stay…you won’t allow yourself to flourish as much as you can. And I’m not going to hold you back.”
Sakura began to sob wildly, burying her face into Sasuke’s chest. Her back heaved with grief; her hands clutched at the fabric of his wet shirt. Sasuke placed his arms around her and brought her close—it took all of his own willpower not to let down his guard and cry in front of her, too.
“Then promise me,” she choked. Her hands clamped into fists. “Promise we’ll be together until the end.”
Sasuke can’t do a lot of things. He can’t bring himself to make her stay, but he can at least make their last moments together damn good ones.
