Escaping the Past Chapter 2
Tittle: Escaping The Past. Chapter 2
Author: niri
Genre: Yaoi, AU
Characters/Pairing: NaruSasu, implied Kiba/Shino, Gaara/???, Shika/Temari.
Rating: PG for this Chapter. N-17 later.
Warning: I'll try to make it a little funny (but humor isn't my thing so beware). Yaoi.
Summary: Lunch period Naruto finds out a few interesting facts about his new friend. Both Naruto and Sasuke try to sort out their conflicting emotions, feelings.
Sasuke stared out the window of his third period Science class. He already knew most of the material so he didn’t have to listen to the teacher give a very snide welcome speech. Actually he didn’t want to look at the teacher period, cause even he had to admit the older man was pretty intimidating looking with dark long hair and unnaturally yellow eyes that where surrounded with dark purple eye shadow and eyeliner. Almost looks like a snake Sasuke thought as he looked at the teacher from behind his bangs and then when back to observing the grass grow outside the window of the class.
Also he didn’t really want to see the confused expressions some of the kids in the class kept throwing him every once in a while. He knew they where confused by his sudden attachment to the new blond kid - Naruto, but even he couldn’t explain that, so he opted for looking out the window and ignoring everyone. This, the other kids seemed to be able to deal with since it is how he had been acting for years.
Sasuke sighed once again at the strange feeling of not having the blond fidget excitingly in the seat next to him while asking a ton of questions about…well…everything. He answered as many as he could but still, how was he supposed to know whether or not their homeroom teacher Iruka-sensei had a pet ferret. Honestly how did the blond even come up with that question?
At that thought, Sasuke let a small smile appear on his face; thankfully it was out of the view of the other people in the class because he didn’t need another onslaught of weird looks just now. He would admit that Naruto was funny, even when he didn’t mean to be and…well….Naruto was hot. Plain and simple and Sasuke had no problem admitting that too….it was the other weird feeling he was getting that he didn’t want to admit to. He told himself for the nth time since the two had parted ways before third period that he did not like the blond idiot. Sure being around Naruto made him feel comfortable and relaxed and he generally enjoyed the company of the blond but that didn’t mean he liked him.
Honestly who am I kidding…I like him and I know it.
There really is no denying the facts even for Sasuke (and Sasuke could probably deny murder even when he was found standing over the victim with the knife in hand). He hadn’t talked that much even at home to his brother in months and definitely never in school. And now he was sitting here, missing the conversation with the blond
Nothing he could do about it anyway…for a number of reasons. First of all he was pretty sure Naruto was straight, even if he had a better then normal fashion sense. And second, even if Naruto was gay it was unlikely that he would like Sasuke.
Sure it was true that Sasuke had MANY admirers, mostly girls but probably some guys too. BUT, they where all attracted to the whole hard-to-get attitude or his good looks, none of them really knew Sasuke and that meant that none of them really liked him for him.
Sighing Sasuke lightly shock his head to stop himself from running through hundreds of scenarios where Naruto either liked him back or he told Naruto that he liked him and got rejected. Really, what was the point….Sasuke had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to predict anything when it came to the blond. Sasuke had been surprised enough times this morning by Naruto and didn’t even want to try to predict Naruto’s actions. Naruto seemed to talk and do everything without thinking…as far as he could tell and well Naruto mind must work in strange ways for Sasuke to be so utterly confused by it.
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On the other side of the building Naruto sat in his own third period class and also thought about the morning activities. Taping the pencil against his chin for a moment Naruto thought back to what happened in first and second period. Well he made his first…friend, because no matter how many times he insulted the raven, Sasuke was a friend. This had to mean that he was doing pretty good for his first day of high school. Sure he was late…but after meeting Sasuke who was now his ‘guide’ around school thanks to their deal, he relaxed began to realize that highs school was the same as middle school. Well maybe except the part that his middle school - filled with delinquents, druggies, and gang members - is about as different as you can get from this posh high school. But hey, kids are all kids. Here, the priorities where just different.
Remembering their deal, Naruto grinned and brought his pencil down to the bottom of the handout and started to draw. If anyone looked over it would just look like pointless doodles but Naruto was actually drawing hands wearing different cuffs as he planned what he would do to Sasuke’s uniform. He was pretty happy that Sasuke had taken Naruto’s hobby with only minimal teasing because no one else, not even his dad, knew about his obsession with clothes. And it wasn’t even just clothes…it was all kids of accessories, gloves, hats, boots etc…most that he bought from thrift stores and altered. He knew that he could probably dress a small army with his clothes. And probably dress them well.
He hadn’t told anyone in the past, since it never really came up, and he hadn’t planned on telling anyone now that he changed schools but it had kinda come out when Sasuke noticed his uniform. He had to take credit. Well either way, as long as Sasuke didn’t turn on him and spread some bizaro rumor about him, it was nice to have someone to talk to about it.
Maybe he’d let me dress him up after our deal as well. He’s good looking enough that I wouldn’t mind. Haha I doubt anyone would mind getting into his clothes.
Realizing what he was thinking Naruto shook his head….AGHH, stupid double meanings.
He tried to get his mind to stop visualizing Sasuke in some of the clothes he had at the back of his closet…especially those black leather pants. AGHHH…stupid brain and stupid clothes obsession. I must truly be deprived to think of Sasuke that way….need to get laid…and fast before my brain moves on to the mesh shirts because that will just be too much.
Naruto looked at the teacher in charge of his Media Studies class. She was loudly introducing herself as Miss Anko and seemed to totally skip over the usual safety procedure/ welcome to high school speech and go straight to the actual media. Naruto quickly decided that he liked her even if it was obvious that she had ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder) or some other mental disorder.
Maybe she’s just plain crazy.
Either way her hyper behavior lead to a very entertaining search for the disk she left somewhere on her desk, or more like on her corner of the room because there was not only a desk but at least two shelves, a couple drawers and what looked like hampers filled with not only clothes but other odds and ends. The whole corner of the room was covered in junk and looked well lived in. At this point Naruto wouldn’t be surprised if there was a sleeping bag somewhere around there.
Not thinking about what he was doing he leaned in on the person sitting beside him and stated his opinion, “Probably has a sleeping bag stuffed somewhere in there.”
“And a rice cooker too.”
The easy going reply had startled Naruto into realizing what he was doing. He hadn’t even noticed he said that out loud until he heard the reply from the parka wearing boy beside him.
Either way the reply made him grin like an idiot. Not only because it was funny but also because this meant that he got another person to talk to.
“Definitely,” Naruto agreed, “By the way I’m Uzumaki Naruto.”
“I’m Inuzuka Kiba”
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Naruto followed Kiba to lunch. They had automatically become friends and talked the whole class through about everything from what they thought about the teachers, to food, to pranks they pulled. And as they walked into the lunch room both laughing at some joke that probably wasn’t even that funny, it seemed like they had known each other their whole lives.
At least it seemed that way until Kiba steered them to a table at the back of the room. The table was filled with people, none of whom knew Naruto. And with just a glance Naruto was the new kid once more.
More introductions….agh, might as well get it over with and move on to the awkward sitting in silence bit Naruto thought as they stopped at the end of the table.
Naruto opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Kiba, “Okay, guys this is Naruto. The miracle kid from this morning that I mentioned to some of you. He’s a pretty cool guy so he’s going to be sitting with us.”
Miracle kid?
“What?...Miracle?” Naruto was definetly confused now.
Not even bothering to explain Kiba started to introduce the other people sitting at the table.
“That’s Nara Shikamaru” Pointing to the guy with the bushy ponytail slouched in his chair. Even before talking to him Naruto could tall this guy was lazy.
“Aburame Shino” The guy whose face was covered by a pain of dark glasses and a higher then normal collar. Okay, kinda creppy with the face covering but otherwise this guy seemed pretty okay too.
“Hyuga Hinata” A shy looking girl who had her face hidden by her dark blue almost black bangs. She looked up at Naruto slightly as her name was said and blushed.
“Akimichi Choji” A messy haired redhead guy wearing a bandana and eating a bag of chips. Naruto looked at the chips for a moment and noticed that this guy was also a bit chuddy but not fat….actually he hadn’t noticed anyone at this school look fat…probably some weird rich kid thing.
“On the other side is Haruno Sakura.” A pink haired wearing a dark red shirt. Naruto looked again….definitely pink hair. I like that…must take guts to have hair like that.
“And Yamanaka Ino” A purple clad girl with blond hair pulled up in a high ponytail that came down to her mid-back. “You can sit down next to her.” Kiba instructed and Naruto slid into the seat, noticing that Ino smelled like flowers.
Kiba sat in his other side and at the end of the introduction everyone got oddly quiet.
Remembering what was said earlier Naruto tried questioning again, “You said something about a miracle.” He reminded Kiba.
“Yup, you’re the miracle kid, You made Uchiha talk.” Kiba stated this plainly, leaving no room for objections but lots of room for questions.
“Why is that a miracle?”
It was a simple question really but it was met with a whole variety of answers from all over the table, mostly from the two girls on his left though.
Naruto tried to understand what all of them where saying but after getting the most obvious details, he lost patience. Using his best serious tone he growled out, “Shut UP!!!” and everyone did.
Okay so maybe I was a little too forceful…and I just met them too. Damn
“Um, sorry but I just couldn’t listen to all of you at once. So far I got that Sasuke is anti-social and doesn’t usually talk. Anything else?” This also was a very simple statement and question but unlike last time he just got blank states for a moment until Kiba reluctantly answered.
Kiba scratched his head, “No, that’s about it…BUT you don’t seem to realize the level of anti-socialism Sasuke possesses. I’ve known him for 3 years, all through middle school and I think he must have said 5 words to me at the most, no exaggeration.”
“Maybe he just didn’t like you.” Naruto supplied in a bored tone, obviously not convinced.
This time it was Sakura who intervened. “Not just Kiba, but everyone, especially girls. I think he must have said three words to me in my life and I knew him since elementary school! And I…umm, WE never even saw him talk normally to other people either so it isn’t just us.”
Okay, at this Naruto got a bit worried but still he couldn’t believe it fully because… well…Sasuke talked normally to him this morning right?
“Ummm….maybe he’s over it?”
This time it was Shikamaru. “Yeah, cause he just decided that after all those years of ignoring the world he was going to be normal and make friends?” That was a bit heavy on the sarcasm but it seemed to get the point across to Naruto at least.
“So….he talked to me….but not to other people…okay…” Naruto was very confused now but then who wouldn’t be.
Naruto knew that this revelation had to hold some deeper meaning but…he really didn’t want to think about the fact that his first friend here was actually some sort of non-talking legacy. Sure, Naruto liked being acknowledged and respected, it was what he lived for, but he didn’t want attention that was given because he got lucky, or because of coincidence or just because of something that he did not control. And this was quickly getting more and more out of control.
Too much drama for my first day.
“So troublesome” Shikamaru didn’t even bother to hide his boredom at the whole conversation and yawned.
Yeah I agree.
Thinking this Naruto quickly put the information he gained into a little box and tossed into the back of his brain to think about later. For now he needed to leave the table because unlike Shikamaru who got bored of the topic already the others, especially Sakura and Ino where not at least bored and Naruto knew that given the chance he would be barricaded with a hundreds questions. Deciding to spare himself, Naruto grabbed his lunch and backpack and stood up quickly.
“I have to go now to….do homework” he knew that sounded incredibly fake…and no one would believe him but he really wanted to get out of there.
Naruto bolted from the table and out the side door leading to the quad and was gone from sight within seconds. Leaving quite a few people staring after him with semi confused, semi astonished expressions. (Not Shikamaru cause he’s too smart and not Shino because he doesn’t show emotion.)
As soon as Naruto got outside into the fresh air of the fairly large quad area that was used mostly for lunch, he felt instantly better. Being away from the crazy harpies (Sakura and Ino) and Kiba who where obsessed with the miracle of Sasuke talking also helped his mood.
Honestly a part of his brain reasoned, Did you need to run out, they seemed like nice people and all they wanted to know about was some guy you met this morning and hung out for a couple of hours with.
Reasoning like this made Naruto feel guilty as depriving them of what they wanted to know but he didn’t know why Sasuke talked to him and even if he did….Naruto realized that even if he did he still wouldn’t tell.
Crap, I’m getting too attached, the bastard probably already forgot about me and here I am saving his ass from harpies.
But even as he thought this he began to realize just how attached he was getting. Already his brain kept repeating to him that Sasuke was his friend, probably the first friend that he had in a long time since his previous friends didn’t really count because…they never really knew him as just himself.
Naruto continued to debate in his head as he walked down the path that went towards the shade of the trees. Okay so I consider Sasuke my first friend in a long time and don’t want to talk about his stupid problems not because of denial but because I believe that rumors are horrible. And in was true that he hated rumors, being the target of enough of them in his life. He truly didn’t need them spreading now, not about him or his…friend.
Naruto continued to sort out his thoughts and ….FELL. Hard. On the grass beside a rather large oak tree. Tripping over a backpack. That belonged to….
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Sasuke sat outside, under one of the trees in the quad area and watched in amusement as the blond dobe walked towards him. Sasuke could tell that Naruto was lost in thought and for a moment hoped that it was about him. Realizing his train of thought he scoffed at himself for even thinking in such a ridiculous manner.
Naruto came closer and Sasuke wondered for a moment if he will be noticed but realized that no he would not as Naruto passed within a one meter distance from him with no reaction. Sasuke allowed himself to feel disappointed for only a moment before turning away.
And then the dobe FELL. Hard on his face right beside Sasuke. Apparently tripping over something. A backpack. That belonged to Uchiha Sasuke.
Sasuke almost laughed at the sudden twist of fate that just when he thought Naruto would pass him he fell right into his lap. Well, almost into his lap.
And then he did laugh at the dazed expression on Naruto’s face as he tried to make sense of what happened.
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Naruto looked up and quickly refocused his eyes when he heard the laughter. And was surprised to find that instead of some kid laughing at his stupidity for tripping, it was Sasuke…..laughing at his stupidity for tripping. But somehow Naruto found that he didn’t mind if it was the raven-haired boy who laughed. Actually it sounded nice, in comparison to the usual even voice or to the curt insults and glares they’ve traded in the morning. And now Naruto couldn’t help but laugh too.
To anyone passing by they would have looked like a pair of lunatics. Naruto looked odd enough sprawled across the grass, partway over the backpack and anyone that knew Sasuke would just think that the Uchiha finally snapped.
Sasuke caught himself laughing after a minute or so and just watched the blond boy continue to laugh for another good five minutes until his voice stopped working and he was just gasping air in an imitation of a laugh. When Naruto finally stopped laughing and looked up, Sasuke noticed that Naruto’s face was a little flushed and eyes watering from all the laughter, and couldn’t still a smile.
The smile only managed to catch Naruto of balance for a moment because he was getting more used to the ravens quick mood swings and the way the expressionless mask could disappear in an instant and be replaced with a smile or a growl…or a laugh.
Chuckling softly Naruto shifted on the grass, getting his feet untangled from the backpack and shuffling over so he was sitting in front of Sasuke who was leaning against the tree. “Hey,” He simply said in acknowledgment, while grinning
Sasuke replied easily, “Hello”
“Funny I should meet you here.” Naruto relied in mock politeness.
“By funny, I assume you mean the part where you fell over my backpack.” Sasuke taunted back.
“Teme, so that was your backpack?"
“Hn.” Sasuke confirmed.
"Why didn't you warn me?” Naruto demanded but didn't get a reply.
Turning away a little Naruto took a deep breath though he wasn’t as mad as he pretended, actually he found the whole situation more funny then maddening, but he wanted to confirm what he found out earlier and now he had a chance.
“Maybe it’s true what they say about you. You certainly don’t seem like a talkative person, actually from what I hear; you don’t really talk at all.”
Sasuke’s face snapped up at that comment even if he knew he was being bated into talking about why he didn’t talk much (at all) he really didn’t want Naruto to think that he was anti-social…even though he was. Agh…why did the blonde have to go and find that out. Now he won’t leave me alone until he knows my life story, and then he’ll probably just try to fix me.
Naruto hurryingly continues as soon as he saw Sasuke’s expression change to a mildly anxious one, reminding him of…well, himself just a couple years ago. “I don’t really care about why you don’t talk to the other kids. But I do want to know why you decided to talk to me.”
Now this certainly threw Sasuke off. Here was a person who wasn’t trying to force the truth or even a well planned lie out of him so that they can fell like they know him or trying to help him socialize so that they could think of him as a friend. Here was a person who just accepted that he didn’t talk and didn’t push. Okay so maybe he wouldn’t have to go to ignoring and avoiding the blond like he thought (though he wouldn’t admit to be thinking of wanting to do this instead of confrontation - his pride wouldn’t allow him to admit that).
“Umm….I….ahm.” And surprisingly for the first time in a long time when he wanted to talk, to explain, or maybe to at least say something, he was left speechless.
Naruto noticed the hesitation there and decided to spare the other boy by changing the topic, “Umm, do you usually eat lunch out here?”
“Yes.” Sasuke simply answered, relieved at the change of topic.
“And then what do you do?”
“Stay here until next period.”
“Really, but lunch is more then an hour long! Don’t you get bored?” Naruto almost wined. “Don’t tell me you’re one of the kids that do homework when they have free time.”
“As a matter of fact I am.” Sasuke again stated calmly and pulled a science notebook from his plain black backpack , since it was the only class he had homework in thanks to their weird-as-hell sadistic teacher, and flipped to a clean page.
“Hgn, Fine.” Naruto tried to reply just as calmly but failed as a grin worked its way onto his face. He reached for his own bag and pulled out a tattered notebook. Lazily flipping the pages toward the back of the notebook, Naruto also looked for a clean page. Sasuke had just enough time to catch glimpses, that left him curious, of odd drawings, doodles, and a lot of pictures of what he assumed where clothes.
Finally settling on a relatively clean page that only had some unfinished hand sketches drawn in the top right corner Naruto tilted the book up so that it rested on his now raised knees in a position that kept Sasuke from seeing the page and pulled out a pencil from the front pocket of his orange bag. Twirling his pencil in his hand once Naruto glanced up at Sasuke who seemed fixated on the blonde’s knees where the top of the notebook poked out, and started to draw.
He drew the standard design for the uniform and then began to make small adjustments here and there. Smiling to himself as he noticed that Sasuke seemed to fidget, though really Sasuke’s fidget was so calculated and unnoticeable that Naruto was surprised at himself for picking it up. Ha! Guess the bastard is not as unreadable as he seems.
They continued in this matter for the remainder of the lunch period, Naruto drawing and redrawing different designs of the uniform and Sasuke doing his homework while fidgeting and trying not to look like he’s fidgeting.
Five minutes before the period ended Sasuke gave up pretending not to notice Naruto drawing and closed his notebook. He carefully placed it back into his backpack and turned once again focusing his gaze on Naruto mess of spiky blond hair.
“Dobe, what’s that?” Sasuke tried to make his question as inconspicuous and natural sounding as possible, hoping that he would be spared the embarrassment of admitting that he was interested.
No such luck though,” What’s what?” Naruto’s grin widened as he faked ignorance to the dark-haired boys question.
“Hn, nothing dobe.” Sasuke refused to be tempted and manipulated so easily suppressed his own curiosity and stood up. “We should go.”
“Eh??...W-wait..” Naruto also scrambled to his feat as he realized that he lost to the raven. “Aghh….fine…you wanted to see this. Right?”
Sasuke continued to calmly walk down the path, refusing to give in and snatch the notebook from the blond. Instead he opted for calmly answering, “Yes.”
“It’s the designs for your uniform, remember the deal we made. I was going to show them to you anyway, no need to be so impatient.” Naruto stated to Sasuke’s back as he followed the raven down the path, still a bit disgruntled for being outwitted in their verbal battle.
Hearing Naruto’s explanation had however snapped the raven out of his composed mood and he spun around and snatched the book from Naruto’s grip. This at first had shocked Naruto but the shock gave away to a broad grin that split his face as he realized just how curious Sasuke was about his drawings.
Snickering behind Sasuke’s back he continued to follow the raven up the path towards the far building where the two would be having last period together. One of twice snatching glances over Sasuke’s shoulder to see which drawings Sasuke was looking at and to judge Sasuke’s reaction.
Really I should be nervous, this is the first time anyone had looked though that notebook but…it’s Sasuke. I donno how to explain it even to myself but something about him just makes me feel calm, like I could be myself and would never have to worry about his opinion. While at the same time his opinion is also something that seems really important.
Within minutes they where already at the entrance of the building where their class would be held and Sasuke still hadn’t said anything. He just continued to flip back and forth through the notebook as they walked in, up the stairs and into the classroom at the end of the 2nd floor hallway. Moving to the back of the class like always.
Sasuke finally paused and flipped the page a final time as if coming to a conclusion. Without looking back he informed the blond that was impatiently fidgeting behind him while burning a hole in his back with his stare, “I like this one,” and handed the opened notebook back.
The sheet that Sasuke had opened to showed one of the modified uniforms that Naruto had been working on that day. The collar was also a bit more open then normal and came around the lower part of the shoulders leaving more of the neck and shirt underneath exposed. the cuffs where made to extend all the way to the elbow and where secured with black bands that seemed to almost blend in with the other material of the jacket and where generally unnoticeable. The side of the jacket also had small cuts added. The pants where made to sit low on the hips and cuffs where added at the bottom. Also some accessories where added. The tie for one was a totally unorthodox shape, being much thinner then usual and had a few chains hanging of it while the belt for the pants was changed fully, now had an interesting detailed belt buckle in the shape of a fan and a series or chains filled with small trinkets handing on the hip. And the more Naruto looked at the outfit the more the outfit seemed to fit Sasuke. Heh, guess I should have expected him to choose this one over the one with the orange ordainments.
Finally falling out of his daze Naruto looked around the half filled classroom they had just entered, his eyes scanning over the other students already there.
Wait. He turned his head back trying to deny what his eyes where telling him but once again spotting the bright red hair. He stepped forward and the red haired boy turned his face, his emerald eyes made larger by the dark eyeliner surrounding them focused on Naruto’s rigid form. The dark red outline the tattoo on his forehead blazed from underneath his messy bangs. Reminding Naruto of the ironic symbol of Love that was written there.
“I never expected to see you here, Naruto, the fox.”
Naruto froze, how could they have found me, I never told anyone I was moving or going to this school. HOW??
And why did they have to send him? Why Gaara of the Desert???
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A/N: Cliffhanger!!! Sorry but I couldn't resist. And this way I now have at least another week of not feeling guilty for taking too long to stage Naruto's and Gaara's encounter perfectly. Thats what the next chapy will be about with some flashbacks and details of the story revealed.
EDIT: Made a change to the uniform description, now the part about the collar actually makes sense. Before it seemed like a odd mix of japanese and english uniform mixed into one. Guh. When I reread it I figured out that the description was impossible so..... I changed it.
EDIT2: I kept rereading the 'Naruto of the fox' bit at the end and it kept sounding more ridiculous each time so I changed it to 'Naruto, the fox'. Hope thats better.
EDIT3 : Now its Beta'd
Author: niri
Genre: Yaoi, AU
Characters/Pairing: NaruSasu, implied Kiba/Shino, Gaara/???, Shika/Temari.
Rating: PG for this Chapter. N-17 later.
Warning: I'll try to make it a little funny (but humor isn't my thing so beware). Yaoi.
Summary: Lunch period Naruto finds out a few interesting facts about his new friend. Both Naruto and Sasuke try to sort out their conflicting emotions, feelings.
Sasuke stared out the window of his third period Science class. He already knew most of the material so he didn’t have to listen to the teacher give a very snide welcome speech. Actually he didn’t want to look at the teacher period, cause even he had to admit the older man was pretty intimidating looking with dark long hair and unnaturally yellow eyes that where surrounded with dark purple eye shadow and eyeliner. Almost looks like a snake Sasuke thought as he looked at the teacher from behind his bangs and then when back to observing the grass grow outside the window of the class.
Also he didn’t really want to see the confused expressions some of the kids in the class kept throwing him every once in a while. He knew they where confused by his sudden attachment to the new blond kid - Naruto, but even he couldn’t explain that, so he opted for looking out the window and ignoring everyone. This, the other kids seemed to be able to deal with since it is how he had been acting for years.
Sasuke sighed once again at the strange feeling of not having the blond fidget excitingly in the seat next to him while asking a ton of questions about…well…everything. He answered as many as he could but still, how was he supposed to know whether or not their homeroom teacher Iruka-sensei had a pet ferret. Honestly how did the blond even come up with that question?
At that thought, Sasuke let a small smile appear on his face; thankfully it was out of the view of the other people in the class because he didn’t need another onslaught of weird looks just now. He would admit that Naruto was funny, even when he didn’t mean to be and…well….Naruto was hot. Plain and simple and Sasuke had no problem admitting that too….it was the other weird feeling he was getting that he didn’t want to admit to. He told himself for the nth time since the two had parted ways before third period that he did not like the blond idiot. Sure being around Naruto made him feel comfortable and relaxed and he generally enjoyed the company of the blond but that didn’t mean he liked him.
Honestly who am I kidding…I like him and I know it.
There really is no denying the facts even for Sasuke (and Sasuke could probably deny murder even when he was found standing over the victim with the knife in hand). He hadn’t talked that much even at home to his brother in months and definitely never in school. And now he was sitting here, missing the conversation with the blond
Nothing he could do about it anyway…for a number of reasons. First of all he was pretty sure Naruto was straight, even if he had a better then normal fashion sense. And second, even if Naruto was gay it was unlikely that he would like Sasuke.
Sure it was true that Sasuke had MANY admirers, mostly girls but probably some guys too. BUT, they where all attracted to the whole hard-to-get attitude or his good looks, none of them really knew Sasuke and that meant that none of them really liked him for him.
Sighing Sasuke lightly shock his head to stop himself from running through hundreds of scenarios where Naruto either liked him back or he told Naruto that he liked him and got rejected. Really, what was the point….Sasuke had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to predict anything when it came to the blond. Sasuke had been surprised enough times this morning by Naruto and didn’t even want to try to predict Naruto’s actions. Naruto seemed to talk and do everything without thinking…as far as he could tell and well Naruto mind must work in strange ways for Sasuke to be so utterly confused by it.
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On the other side of the building Naruto sat in his own third period class and also thought about the morning activities. Taping the pencil against his chin for a moment Naruto thought back to what happened in first and second period. Well he made his first…friend, because no matter how many times he insulted the raven, Sasuke was a friend. This had to mean that he was doing pretty good for his first day of high school. Sure he was late…but after meeting Sasuke who was now his ‘guide’ around school thanks to their deal, he relaxed began to realize that highs school was the same as middle school. Well maybe except the part that his middle school - filled with delinquents, druggies, and gang members - is about as different as you can get from this posh high school. But hey, kids are all kids. Here, the priorities where just different.
Remembering their deal, Naruto grinned and brought his pencil down to the bottom of the handout and started to draw. If anyone looked over it would just look like pointless doodles but Naruto was actually drawing hands wearing different cuffs as he planned what he would do to Sasuke’s uniform. He was pretty happy that Sasuke had taken Naruto’s hobby with only minimal teasing because no one else, not even his dad, knew about his obsession with clothes. And it wasn’t even just clothes…it was all kids of accessories, gloves, hats, boots etc…most that he bought from thrift stores and altered. He knew that he could probably dress a small army with his clothes. And probably dress them well.
He hadn’t told anyone in the past, since it never really came up, and he hadn’t planned on telling anyone now that he changed schools but it had kinda come out when Sasuke noticed his uniform. He had to take credit. Well either way, as long as Sasuke didn’t turn on him and spread some bizaro rumor about him, it was nice to have someone to talk to about it.
Maybe he’d let me dress him up after our deal as well. He’s good looking enough that I wouldn’t mind. Haha I doubt anyone would mind getting into his clothes.
Realizing what he was thinking Naruto shook his head….AGHH, stupid double meanings.
He tried to get his mind to stop visualizing Sasuke in some of the clothes he had at the back of his closet…especially those black leather pants. AGHHH…stupid brain and stupid clothes obsession. I must truly be deprived to think of Sasuke that way….need to get laid…and fast before my brain moves on to the mesh shirts because that will just be too much.
Naruto looked at the teacher in charge of his Media Studies class. She was loudly introducing herself as Miss Anko and seemed to totally skip over the usual safety procedure/ welcome to high school speech and go straight to the actual media. Naruto quickly decided that he liked her even if it was obvious that she had ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyper Disorder) or some other mental disorder.
Maybe she’s just plain crazy.
Either way her hyper behavior lead to a very entertaining search for the disk she left somewhere on her desk, or more like on her corner of the room because there was not only a desk but at least two shelves, a couple drawers and what looked like hampers filled with not only clothes but other odds and ends. The whole corner of the room was covered in junk and looked well lived in. At this point Naruto wouldn’t be surprised if there was a sleeping bag somewhere around there.
Not thinking about what he was doing he leaned in on the person sitting beside him and stated his opinion, “Probably has a sleeping bag stuffed somewhere in there.”
“And a rice cooker too.”
The easy going reply had startled Naruto into realizing what he was doing. He hadn’t even noticed he said that out loud until he heard the reply from the parka wearing boy beside him.
Either way the reply made him grin like an idiot. Not only because it was funny but also because this meant that he got another person to talk to.
“Definitely,” Naruto agreed, “By the way I’m Uzumaki Naruto.”
“I’m Inuzuka Kiba”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Naruto followed Kiba to lunch. They had automatically become friends and talked the whole class through about everything from what they thought about the teachers, to food, to pranks they pulled. And as they walked into the lunch room both laughing at some joke that probably wasn’t even that funny, it seemed like they had known each other their whole lives.
At least it seemed that way until Kiba steered them to a table at the back of the room. The table was filled with people, none of whom knew Naruto. And with just a glance Naruto was the new kid once more.
More introductions….agh, might as well get it over with and move on to the awkward sitting in silence bit Naruto thought as they stopped at the end of the table.
Naruto opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Kiba, “Okay, guys this is Naruto. The miracle kid from this morning that I mentioned to some of you. He’s a pretty cool guy so he’s going to be sitting with us.”
Miracle kid?
“What?...Miracle?” Naruto was definetly confused now.
Not even bothering to explain Kiba started to introduce the other people sitting at the table.
“That’s Nara Shikamaru” Pointing to the guy with the bushy ponytail slouched in his chair. Even before talking to him Naruto could tall this guy was lazy.
“Aburame Shino” The guy whose face was covered by a pain of dark glasses and a higher then normal collar. Okay, kinda creppy with the face covering but otherwise this guy seemed pretty okay too.
“Hyuga Hinata” A shy looking girl who had her face hidden by her dark blue almost black bangs. She looked up at Naruto slightly as her name was said and blushed.
“Akimichi Choji” A messy haired redhead guy wearing a bandana and eating a bag of chips. Naruto looked at the chips for a moment and noticed that this guy was also a bit chuddy but not fat….actually he hadn’t noticed anyone at this school look fat…probably some weird rich kid thing.
“On the other side is Haruno Sakura.” A pink haired wearing a dark red shirt. Naruto looked again….definitely pink hair. I like that…must take guts to have hair like that.
“And Yamanaka Ino” A purple clad girl with blond hair pulled up in a high ponytail that came down to her mid-back. “You can sit down next to her.” Kiba instructed and Naruto slid into the seat, noticing that Ino smelled like flowers.
Kiba sat in his other side and at the end of the introduction everyone got oddly quiet.
Remembering what was said earlier Naruto tried questioning again, “You said something about a miracle.” He reminded Kiba.
“Yup, you’re the miracle kid, You made Uchiha talk.” Kiba stated this plainly, leaving no room for objections but lots of room for questions.
“Why is that a miracle?”
It was a simple question really but it was met with a whole variety of answers from all over the table, mostly from the two girls on his left though.
Naruto tried to understand what all of them where saying but after getting the most obvious details, he lost patience. Using his best serious tone he growled out, “Shut UP!!!” and everyone did.
Okay so maybe I was a little too forceful…and I just met them too. Damn
“Um, sorry but I just couldn’t listen to all of you at once. So far I got that Sasuke is anti-social and doesn’t usually talk. Anything else?” This also was a very simple statement and question but unlike last time he just got blank states for a moment until Kiba reluctantly answered.
Kiba scratched his head, “No, that’s about it…BUT you don’t seem to realize the level of anti-socialism Sasuke possesses. I’ve known him for 3 years, all through middle school and I think he must have said 5 words to me at the most, no exaggeration.”
“Maybe he just didn’t like you.” Naruto supplied in a bored tone, obviously not convinced.
This time it was Sakura who intervened. “Not just Kiba, but everyone, especially girls. I think he must have said three words to me in my life and I knew him since elementary school! And I…umm, WE never even saw him talk normally to other people either so it isn’t just us.”
Okay, at this Naruto got a bit worried but still he couldn’t believe it fully because… well…Sasuke talked normally to him this morning right?
“Ummm….maybe he’s over it?”
This time it was Shikamaru. “Yeah, cause he just decided that after all those years of ignoring the world he was going to be normal and make friends?” That was a bit heavy on the sarcasm but it seemed to get the point across to Naruto at least.
“So….he talked to me….but not to other people…okay…” Naruto was very confused now but then who wouldn’t be.
Naruto knew that this revelation had to hold some deeper meaning but…he really didn’t want to think about the fact that his first friend here was actually some sort of non-talking legacy. Sure, Naruto liked being acknowledged and respected, it was what he lived for, but he didn’t want attention that was given because he got lucky, or because of coincidence or just because of something that he did not control. And this was quickly getting more and more out of control.
Too much drama for my first day.
“So troublesome” Shikamaru didn’t even bother to hide his boredom at the whole conversation and yawned.
Yeah I agree.
Thinking this Naruto quickly put the information he gained into a little box and tossed into the back of his brain to think about later. For now he needed to leave the table because unlike Shikamaru who got bored of the topic already the others, especially Sakura and Ino where not at least bored and Naruto knew that given the chance he would be barricaded with a hundreds questions. Deciding to spare himself, Naruto grabbed his lunch and backpack and stood up quickly.
“I have to go now to….do homework” he knew that sounded incredibly fake…and no one would believe him but he really wanted to get out of there.
Naruto bolted from the table and out the side door leading to the quad and was gone from sight within seconds. Leaving quite a few people staring after him with semi confused, semi astonished expressions. (Not Shikamaru cause he’s too smart and not Shino because he doesn’t show emotion.)
As soon as Naruto got outside into the fresh air of the fairly large quad area that was used mostly for lunch, he felt instantly better. Being away from the crazy harpies (Sakura and Ino) and Kiba who where obsessed with the miracle of Sasuke talking also helped his mood.
Honestly a part of his brain reasoned, Did you need to run out, they seemed like nice people and all they wanted to know about was some guy you met this morning and hung out for a couple of hours with.
Reasoning like this made Naruto feel guilty as depriving them of what they wanted to know but he didn’t know why Sasuke talked to him and even if he did….Naruto realized that even if he did he still wouldn’t tell.
Crap, I’m getting too attached, the bastard probably already forgot about me and here I am saving his ass from harpies.
But even as he thought this he began to realize just how attached he was getting. Already his brain kept repeating to him that Sasuke was his friend, probably the first friend that he had in a long time since his previous friends didn’t really count because…they never really knew him as just himself.
Naruto continued to debate in his head as he walked down the path that went towards the shade of the trees. Okay so I consider Sasuke my first friend in a long time and don’t want to talk about his stupid problems not because of denial but because I believe that rumors are horrible. And in was true that he hated rumors, being the target of enough of them in his life. He truly didn’t need them spreading now, not about him or his…friend.
Naruto continued to sort out his thoughts and ….FELL. Hard. On the grass beside a rather large oak tree. Tripping over a backpack. That belonged to….
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Sasuke sat outside, under one of the trees in the quad area and watched in amusement as the blond dobe walked towards him. Sasuke could tell that Naruto was lost in thought and for a moment hoped that it was about him. Realizing his train of thought he scoffed at himself for even thinking in such a ridiculous manner.
Naruto came closer and Sasuke wondered for a moment if he will be noticed but realized that no he would not as Naruto passed within a one meter distance from him with no reaction. Sasuke allowed himself to feel disappointed for only a moment before turning away.
And then the dobe FELL. Hard on his face right beside Sasuke. Apparently tripping over something. A backpack. That belonged to Uchiha Sasuke.
Sasuke almost laughed at the sudden twist of fate that just when he thought Naruto would pass him he fell right into his lap. Well, almost into his lap.
And then he did laugh at the dazed expression on Naruto’s face as he tried to make sense of what happened.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Naruto looked up and quickly refocused his eyes when he heard the laughter. And was surprised to find that instead of some kid laughing at his stupidity for tripping, it was Sasuke…..laughing at his stupidity for tripping. But somehow Naruto found that he didn’t mind if it was the raven-haired boy who laughed. Actually it sounded nice, in comparison to the usual even voice or to the curt insults and glares they’ve traded in the morning. And now Naruto couldn’t help but laugh too.
To anyone passing by they would have looked like a pair of lunatics. Naruto looked odd enough sprawled across the grass, partway over the backpack and anyone that knew Sasuke would just think that the Uchiha finally snapped.
Sasuke caught himself laughing after a minute or so and just watched the blond boy continue to laugh for another good five minutes until his voice stopped working and he was just gasping air in an imitation of a laugh. When Naruto finally stopped laughing and looked up, Sasuke noticed that Naruto’s face was a little flushed and eyes watering from all the laughter, and couldn’t still a smile.
The smile only managed to catch Naruto of balance for a moment because he was getting more used to the ravens quick mood swings and the way the expressionless mask could disappear in an instant and be replaced with a smile or a growl…or a laugh.
Chuckling softly Naruto shifted on the grass, getting his feet untangled from the backpack and shuffling over so he was sitting in front of Sasuke who was leaning against the tree. “Hey,” He simply said in acknowledgment, while grinning
Sasuke replied easily, “Hello”
“Funny I should meet you here.” Naruto relied in mock politeness.
“By funny, I assume you mean the part where you fell over my backpack.” Sasuke taunted back.
“Teme, so that was your backpack?"
“Hn.” Sasuke confirmed.
"Why didn't you warn me?” Naruto demanded but didn't get a reply.
Turning away a little Naruto took a deep breath though he wasn’t as mad as he pretended, actually he found the whole situation more funny then maddening, but he wanted to confirm what he found out earlier and now he had a chance.
“Maybe it’s true what they say about you. You certainly don’t seem like a talkative person, actually from what I hear; you don’t really talk at all.”
Sasuke’s face snapped up at that comment even if he knew he was being bated into talking about why he didn’t talk much (at all) he really didn’t want Naruto to think that he was anti-social…even though he was. Agh…why did the blonde have to go and find that out. Now he won’t leave me alone until he knows my life story, and then he’ll probably just try to fix me.
Naruto hurryingly continues as soon as he saw Sasuke’s expression change to a mildly anxious one, reminding him of…well, himself just a couple years ago. “I don’t really care about why you don’t talk to the other kids. But I do want to know why you decided to talk to me.”
Now this certainly threw Sasuke off. Here was a person who wasn’t trying to force the truth or even a well planned lie out of him so that they can fell like they know him or trying to help him socialize so that they could think of him as a friend. Here was a person who just accepted that he didn’t talk and didn’t push. Okay so maybe he wouldn’t have to go to ignoring and avoiding the blond like he thought (though he wouldn’t admit to be thinking of wanting to do this instead of confrontation - his pride wouldn’t allow him to admit that).
“Umm….I….ahm.” And surprisingly for the first time in a long time when he wanted to talk, to explain, or maybe to at least say something, he was left speechless.
Naruto noticed the hesitation there and decided to spare the other boy by changing the topic, “Umm, do you usually eat lunch out here?”
“Yes.” Sasuke simply answered, relieved at the change of topic.
“And then what do you do?”
“Stay here until next period.”
“Really, but lunch is more then an hour long! Don’t you get bored?” Naruto almost wined. “Don’t tell me you’re one of the kids that do homework when they have free time.”
“As a matter of fact I am.” Sasuke again stated calmly and pulled a science notebook from his plain black backpack , since it was the only class he had homework in thanks to their weird-as-hell sadistic teacher, and flipped to a clean page.
“Hgn, Fine.” Naruto tried to reply just as calmly but failed as a grin worked its way onto his face. He reached for his own bag and pulled out a tattered notebook. Lazily flipping the pages toward the back of the notebook, Naruto also looked for a clean page. Sasuke had just enough time to catch glimpses, that left him curious, of odd drawings, doodles, and a lot of pictures of what he assumed where clothes.
Finally settling on a relatively clean page that only had some unfinished hand sketches drawn in the top right corner Naruto tilted the book up so that it rested on his now raised knees in a position that kept Sasuke from seeing the page and pulled out a pencil from the front pocket of his orange bag. Twirling his pencil in his hand once Naruto glanced up at Sasuke who seemed fixated on the blonde’s knees where the top of the notebook poked out, and started to draw.
He drew the standard design for the uniform and then began to make small adjustments here and there. Smiling to himself as he noticed that Sasuke seemed to fidget, though really Sasuke’s fidget was so calculated and unnoticeable that Naruto was surprised at himself for picking it up. Ha! Guess the bastard is not as unreadable as he seems.
They continued in this matter for the remainder of the lunch period, Naruto drawing and redrawing different designs of the uniform and Sasuke doing his homework while fidgeting and trying not to look like he’s fidgeting.
Five minutes before the period ended Sasuke gave up pretending not to notice Naruto drawing and closed his notebook. He carefully placed it back into his backpack and turned once again focusing his gaze on Naruto mess of spiky blond hair.
“Dobe, what’s that?” Sasuke tried to make his question as inconspicuous and natural sounding as possible, hoping that he would be spared the embarrassment of admitting that he was interested.
No such luck though,” What’s what?” Naruto’s grin widened as he faked ignorance to the dark-haired boys question.
“Hn, nothing dobe.” Sasuke refused to be tempted and manipulated so easily suppressed his own curiosity and stood up. “We should go.”
“Eh??...W-wait..” Naruto also scrambled to his feat as he realized that he lost to the raven. “Aghh….fine…you wanted to see this. Right?”
Sasuke continued to calmly walk down the path, refusing to give in and snatch the notebook from the blond. Instead he opted for calmly answering, “Yes.”
“It’s the designs for your uniform, remember the deal we made. I was going to show them to you anyway, no need to be so impatient.” Naruto stated to Sasuke’s back as he followed the raven down the path, still a bit disgruntled for being outwitted in their verbal battle.
Hearing Naruto’s explanation had however snapped the raven out of his composed mood and he spun around and snatched the book from Naruto’s grip. This at first had shocked Naruto but the shock gave away to a broad grin that split his face as he realized just how curious Sasuke was about his drawings.
Snickering behind Sasuke’s back he continued to follow the raven up the path towards the far building where the two would be having last period together. One of twice snatching glances over Sasuke’s shoulder to see which drawings Sasuke was looking at and to judge Sasuke’s reaction.
Really I should be nervous, this is the first time anyone had looked though that notebook but…it’s Sasuke. I donno how to explain it even to myself but something about him just makes me feel calm, like I could be myself and would never have to worry about his opinion. While at the same time his opinion is also something that seems really important.
Within minutes they where already at the entrance of the building where their class would be held and Sasuke still hadn’t said anything. He just continued to flip back and forth through the notebook as they walked in, up the stairs and into the classroom at the end of the 2nd floor hallway. Moving to the back of the class like always.
Sasuke finally paused and flipped the page a final time as if coming to a conclusion. Without looking back he informed the blond that was impatiently fidgeting behind him while burning a hole in his back with his stare, “I like this one,” and handed the opened notebook back.
The sheet that Sasuke had opened to showed one of the modified uniforms that Naruto had been working on that day. The collar was also a bit more open then normal and came around the lower part of the shoulders leaving more of the neck and shirt underneath exposed. the cuffs where made to extend all the way to the elbow and where secured with black bands that seemed to almost blend in with the other material of the jacket and where generally unnoticeable. The side of the jacket also had small cuts added. The pants where made to sit low on the hips and cuffs where added at the bottom. Also some accessories where added. The tie for one was a totally unorthodox shape, being much thinner then usual and had a few chains hanging of it while the belt for the pants was changed fully, now had an interesting detailed belt buckle in the shape of a fan and a series or chains filled with small trinkets handing on the hip. And the more Naruto looked at the outfit the more the outfit seemed to fit Sasuke. Heh, guess I should have expected him to choose this one over the one with the orange ordainments.
Finally falling out of his daze Naruto looked around the half filled classroom they had just entered, his eyes scanning over the other students already there.
Wait. He turned his head back trying to deny what his eyes where telling him but once again spotting the bright red hair. He stepped forward and the red haired boy turned his face, his emerald eyes made larger by the dark eyeliner surrounding them focused on Naruto’s rigid form. The dark red outline the tattoo on his forehead blazed from underneath his messy bangs. Reminding Naruto of the ironic symbol of Love that was written there.
“I never expected to see you here, Naruto, the fox.”
Naruto froze, how could they have found me, I never told anyone I was moving or going to this school. HOW??
And why did they have to send him? Why Gaara of the Desert???
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
A/N: Cliffhanger!!! Sorry but I couldn't resist. And this way I now have at least another week of not feeling guilty for taking too long to stage Naruto's and Gaara's encounter perfectly. Thats what the next chapy will be about with some flashbacks and details of the story revealed.
EDIT: Made a change to the uniform description, now the part about the collar actually makes sense. Before it seemed like a odd mix of japanese and english uniform mixed into one. Guh. When I reread it I figured out that the description was impossible so..... I changed it.
EDIT2: I kept rereading the 'Naruto of the fox' bit at the end and it kept sounding more ridiculous each time so I changed it to 'Naruto, the fox'. Hope thats better.
EDIT3 : Now its Beta'd