NARUTO  

I disliked it already.

It was ridiculously green. I knew that Konoha had a lot of forests, but I never expected this many.

My twin sister, Sakura, was asleep, her head on my shoulder and her arm tucked in mine. We’d always had a close relationship—but maybe that was typical of twins. Her breathing was shallow but steady, and I gently squeezed her hand, putting my arm around her shoulders.

I looked out the car window again, staring at the passing landscape. I knew that Sakura would like it, no matter how much I didn’t. I preferred the urban landscape of our old home, but I knew she would appreciate all the trees around the city of Konoha.

I sighed. I thought it was senseless to switch schools during the third quarter, but our parents had “urgent business” that required them to move immediately. They were always being relocated by their company. Sakura and I were used to it by now, but it was getting old. However, our parents promised that we would not be moving again until we finished high school.

Which would be here at Konoha public high.

That was a little less than three years away—I was a sophomore right now. I guess it was better than moving again once I had made friends here, but I wasn’t too fond of the town already. This situation could go either way for me.

Sakura stirred. I looked down at her. “Awake, sleepyhead?” I asked her quietly.

She nodded drowsily. “Are we there yet?”

“Yeah, but it’ll take a little longer to get to the house,” I answered. “Right, Iruka?”

“Yes,” said our driver, Iruka.

Sakura sighed. “In that case,” she said, and snuggled up against me again. “I’m going back to sleep. You’re warm, Naruto.”

“You’re too warm, Sis,” I complained, though I didn’t really mind.

“Just roll down the window, idiot…” she said before drifting off to sleep. I could feel her settle against me as she snoozed.

I commenced looking out the window. Tomorrow, we’d be starting at Konoha High. I thought that starting tomorrow was dumb too, seeing as how today was Thursday. But Sakura could look at it logically: it gave us a day to get used to the school, then a weekend to explore the town. I guess that made sense.

Knowing Sakura, she would make friends right away. She was charismatic, smart, and made friends easily. She would probably find a boyfriend in no time, too.

 That brought me back to something that she’d said. “Naruto, you’re almost sixteen and you’ve shown no interest in girls. Here’s your chance to start fresh! Get a girlfriend—I shouldn’t be the only girl in your life.” 

“Maybe I’d prefer that,” I said under my breath. I couldn’t really think of girls romantically. If they weren’t friends, they were nothing—not romantic interests of any sort. Girls terrified me. They expect so much of guys, think that everyone has to be able to read their minds and emotions, and go through moods like sticks of gum-- way too fast.

“Here we are,” said Iruka, pulling into a driveway. I stared at the house. It was gorgeous, with a spacious lawn, a fountain, and a large balcony in the front.

“Wow, Mom and Dad really scored with this one…” I said, opening the car door. I pulled my sister onto my back, her arms draping over my shoulders and her head against my neck. Stepping out into the warm spring air, I stared at the house. The sun was hitting it just right, and it looked beautiful.

“Wow,” murmured Sakura’s voice. She must’ve woken up.

“Seriously,” I agreed. “Let’s go inside. Mom and Dad went ahead and set everything up ahead of time.”

I carried her on my back into the house, setting her down gently. Everything was really nice: the leather furniture, the oriental rugs, the marble tables and wrought iron chairs…

“It’s very stylish,” Sakura observed. “I like it.”

“Yeah. It’s not half bad,” I agreed. “Not half bad at all.”

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

“Naruto, that’s not flying with me.”

“Oooh, but I’m so sick,” I moaned, pulling the covers up to my face.

Sakura glared at me. “Naruto. Uzumaki. You. Are. Going. To. Be. Late!”

I sighed. “Pleeeeeeeease, Sakura? Just for today? Please let me skip today…I don’t wanna go to school…”

“How old are you? Ten? Get up, Naruto!” Sakura grabbed my ankles and yanked. I flew from the bed and hit the floor, yelping.

“Sakura!” I cried. “You’re so mean to me but I’m so good to you!”

“You should be thanking me! I’m saving your butt here,” she almost growled.

I glared at my sister, pouting. She was dressed wonderfully, I noticed: a simple green tunic over a pair of light colored jeans.

“Narutooooooooo,” she said, and I could hear the severe annoyance creeping into her voice. I knew one thing for sure: I could not mess with my sister in the morning. She became the demon lord when she woke up.

“I’m up, I’m up!” I cried, saving myself from a black eye.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

The first class Sakura and I had was like any other when we went to a new school—we were bombarded with questions.

“You’re twins?! You look so different!”

“Yeah,” I said, putting my hand behind my neck. “Um, we’re fraternal. But I suppose you guessed that…”

“Sakura, you’re so cute—can I have your number?”

“Um, I think I’d like to get used to things before I start going out or anything,” said Sakura awkwardly, smiling.

“Naruto, what’s your schedule?”

“Uh, first period math, second history, third Spanish, fourth gym, fifth chemistry, sixth literature and seventh art,” I said.

“And your schedule, Sakura?”

“Um, first period math, second art, third health, fourth biology, fifth history, sixth Spanish, and seventh literature,” Sakura replied, looking at her schedule.

And on and on like that. I was exhausted within the first ten minutes.

Finally, class started. I wasn’t too far behind, but I did have to learn a few formulas. Sakura, naturally, was easily recognized as the top student.

I stared at all the students in my class. I had learned the names of a few already. The guy in front of me was Lee, an enthusiastic sort of guy who wore a green tee shirt and a pair of black shorts. He had a black bowl cut and bushy eyebrows. I caught him staring at my sister.

The very first desk was occupied by a quiet sort of guy named Neji who kept his hair long. It was a dark shade of brown, and he had it loose and flowing. He was wearing a beige colored polo and some jeans that I wanted to buy, having seen them in my favorite store two weeks ago.

Behind him was his girlfriend Tenten. She wore a simple white shirt that had a flower up on the high collar and gauchos for pants. Her brown hair was tied up in two buns on top of her head. She was absentmindedly tapping her pencil on her lip, staring up at the white board and leaning forward in her seat.

A few seats away was Ino. With long blond hair the fell over her right eye, she had the look of the good-girl-with-an-attitude. She was tall and skinny like a model and dressed like one too—a silk top that was the color of grapes and a pair of skinny black jeans.

Two seats behind her was Shikamaru, the laziest person I’d ever seen in my life. He had brown hair he kept in a ponytail and a scowl on his face. He was leaning his chair back as far as it could go without him falling over. He wore a dark green jacket over a black tee-shirt and black shorts.

Shikamaru’s girlfriend was Temari. She had that cool sophistication and beauty that made you back away from her. With sandy colored hair that she kept in pigtails and evergreen colored eyes, you would think she was cute. Not the case—her eyes flashed dangerously and her hair was not…cute. She wore a black shirt and skinny jeans with a red belt. She was sitting in a rather cocky and confident position, with one leg drawn up and her hand against the side of her face.

 Kiba and Hinata were different. They sat next to each other in the back of the room. Kiba was muscular and sort of rugged, with messy brown hair and brown eyes the same color. He wore a plain black tee and some jean shorts complete with Air Jordans. He had a smirk on his face that clearly said, I’m bored but I’ve got a hot girlfriend to keep me company! Aren’t you jealous? 

Hinata was a cripplingly shy sort of girl who had long black hair, fair skin, and pale colored eyes. She wore a lavender sundress and a pair of sandals. She was nervously twirling a strand of hair around her finger. She looked a lot like Neji, and after a moment I put it together that they were related.

There was also Choji, a chubby boy who was actually eating chips in class. He had brown hair and wore a simple ensemble: white tee shirt and shorts.

Next to him, however, was Sai. Sai was pale and had dark hair, wearing a gray tee shirt and plaid shorts. He had a sort of smile on his face that made you instantly suspicious, but everyone treated him like a close friend, so I wasn’t too worried.

At long last, first period was over. I said goodbye to my sister, who was headed to art, and went to my next class, history.

Shikamaru caught up to me and said, “We have history together, so Temari and I will walk you to class. It’s on the other side of the building, so you’ll probably get lost the first couple days. And,” he added, looking over his shoulder, “Lee’s got art next, and he’ll be courteous enough to show your sister there.”

“Thanks,” I said, honestly grateful. “I really owe you guys one.”

“It’s no problem,” said Temari, giving me a smile I didn’t think I’d see on a face as cool and aloof as hers. “It’s probably kind of intimidating to go to a new school at nearly the end of the year, right? Naruto, you and your sister are welcome into our clique. You’ve met most of us…all that’s left is for you to meet Sasuke.”

“Sasuke?” I asked. “Who’s he?”

“Speak of the devil,” said Temari, her eyes narrowing and a grin growing across her face. “It’s the bastard himself.”

I looked to where her eyes were staring. I was instantly stunned.

He stood there, staring at us. He was obviously very proud and confident of himself, and his pale face had a bit of a smirk on it. His dark eyes were like pools of black paint. He was tall and dark, wearing a pair of black jeans and a blue shirt. His hair was black as night, and he grinned at us in almost a dark way as we neared.

“Hey. Temari, Shikamaru,” he said as the two neared. His eyes gave me a once-over. “Who’s this?”

“Naruto Uzumaki, a new student,” said Temari, going up to Sasuke and shoving a book into his hands. “Here’s your textbook back—thanks for letting me borrow it.”

Sasuke nodded, then turned to Shikamaru. “We’re at your place tonight, right? After the festival?”

Shikamaru nodded. “Thanks for blowing the secret.” He turned to me. “You and your sister can come with us tonight. There’s a big festival in the town. We were going to surprise you or your first day officially here, but Sasuke blew it.”

“I-It’s okay,” I said quickly. “We’d love to come. Thanks for inviting us. I’ll text Sakura in a minute to let her know…”

But suddenly Sasuke was right up in my face, examining me. I blinked, then stiffened, surprised at the sudden intrusion of space. He smelled kind of nice…like no cologne I’d ever smelled. It was kind of…cool.

“Sorry about this, but you look like quite the moron,” said Sasuke, leaning back again, now frowning. “I’m gonna guess that your sister got the brains, right?”

I was stunned. “Um…what?”

“Oh, and she probably got the looks too, right?” Sasuke said blatantly.

“Jeez, Sasuke, way to be friendly!” chided Temari, grabbing Sasuke’s shoulder. She looked at me. “Sorry, he’s really…blunt. And rude.”

“I can tell,” I said, miffed. “Thanks, it’s nice to meet you too.”

Sasuke gave me a smile that said, “I don’t like you.” But he simply said to me, “See you in class…dobe.”

I scowled, angry. Who was he to talk to me like that? He didn’t even know me.

I decided that I really, really didn’t like this guy.

SAKURA 

I sat down next to my brother at lunch later on. We were sitting with some classmates of ours which we had been making friends with: Shikamaru, Temari, Neji, Tenten, Choji, Ino, Sai, Kiba, Hinata, Lee, and another guy named Sasuke whom I hadn’t spoken to yet. I noticed that every so often, my brother would look over and glare at this guy.

“Hey, Sis,” said Naruto as I sat. “How’s the first day going?”

“Fine, I suppose,” I answered. “A little disorienting.”

“So, Sakura,” said Temari, popping a grape into her mouth. “We’re all going to a festival tonight and then heading over to Shikamaru’s place. You wanna come?”

“Sure, sounds fun,” I said. “What time?”

“Four-thirty,” said Tenten. “It’s gonna be a blast—the whole town goes every year. Of course, we all started hanging out about three, four years ago, so it only became a tradition for the gang a little while ago, but we’ve been going since we were little.”

Neji nodded, then took some of the food off her lunch tray, popping it in his mouth. She rolled her eyes but grinned at him, also snatching a carrot.

“Sakura,” said Ino, leaning forward with her hands on her face, “have you been to literature class yet?”

Instantly, all the girls at our table turned their heads eagerly and the guys, save Naruto, rolled their eyes and sighed.

“Here we go again,” said Shikamaru. “I really don’t get you guys…”

Confused, I shook my head. “No. I have it later…”

The girls all looked at each other and grinned, giggling almost mischievously.

“W-What?” I asked. “What’s so funny?”

“Just you wait until you meet Arisaka-sensei,” sighed Hinata in her quiet voice.

“Yeah, he’s so dreamy,” said Ino, earning a round of guffaws from the other girls.

“Who says dreamy any more?” cried Temari, putting a hand over her eyes and leaning back in her chair. “Gawd, Ino, can you get any dorkier?”

“Arisaka-sensei?” I asked, confused. “Who?”

The girls suddenly jerked their heads toward the door. I heard murmurs all throughout the lunch room.

I turned my head and at the doorway to the cafeteria there was a young man, maybe about twenty-two or twenty-three. He had dark curls of hair that hung down on his face a little, a tall, lean frame, and dark gray eyes. Calming, mysterious, but the gentlest eyes I’d ever seen.

“Like the sea after a storm,” I said thoughtfully.

“What was that?” asked Ino.

I went red. “Oh, I was just thinking that his eyes are like the sea after a storm. After the storm has passed, I mean.”

“That’s so poetic,” said Hinata.

“Ah, it’s not mine, it’s from a movie, I think,” I said hastily. “I wish I was that creative, ha ha ha!”

“Oh look,” said Temari, a half-smirk, half-scowl on her face. “It’s the groupies.”

“Oh, I adore those girls,” sneered Ino. “Honestly…”

“Hmm?” I questioned, turning to look. A group of girls had flocked to Arisaka-sensei. They were so scantily clad that they could’ve made a thug blush.

“Holy crap,” said Naruto, looking them over with a sweep of his clear blue eyes. “Do you have no dress code here? They dress like freaking prostitutes!”

“Ridiculous as it seems, they dress that way to get Sensei’s attention,” said Tenten. Neji had draped his arm around her shoulder and she was leaning into him, relaxing.

“Ah, I see!” I said, snapping. “His fan club!”

“Bingo,” said Kiba.

“Ding ding ding!” said Shikamaru. “Hot for teacher, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, I can tell,” I said, bemused. “What exactly is the, erm, purpose of this fan club?”

Choji told me, “It’s pretty simple: they’re there to make sure no girl gets too close to Sensei.”

“I get it!” I exclaimed. “Wow, that’s ridiculous.”

“They’ve been around since, what, the beginning of this year?” mused Lee. “They’re crazy defensive, too—they torment and ostracize any girl who gets even a little bit of special attention from Sensei.”

My eyes went wide. “Really? That’s awful. And Sensei just puts up with this?”

“He just grins and bears it. Sensei’s a great guy, but he has one weakness: he can’t say no,” explained Temari. “He’s such a pushover. I mean, if someone asked him if he’d marry her, he’d say yes just so he wouldn’t hurt her feelings.”

“Eh?! Then why on earth hasn’t someone taken advantage of this?!” I cried.

Sai was the one who answered bluntly. “Because the Arisaka fan club would make their life a living hell.”

I blinked. “They’re that harsh?” I said, surprised.

Sasuke spoke to me for the first time. “See that girl over there?” he asked, pointing subtly to a rather normal looking girl with long dark hair and glasses, wearing a pink polo and jeans. “That’s Karin. Her family is good friends with Sensei’s family, so she and Sensei got along well. Innocent, friendly relationship.”

At this point, everyone sighed, shaking their heads.

“Poor, poor Karin,” continued Sasuke. “Those girls tore her apart. They bullied her, and bullied everyone else into ignoring Karin. They couldn’t stand that she was treated better than they were. I mean, the two were like siblings, but because of that, the fan club were pure evil to her.”

I shuddered. “Girls can be vicious, can’t we?”

Naruto said dryly, “Yet another reason I will never date a girl…”

“Ha! You and Sasuke both,” said Ino.

“Yeah, the raven can’t stand girls. Other than us, of course—but we’re just his friends,” explained Temari, who was retying a ponytail. “Ain’t that right, Sasuke?”

“Damn straight,” Sasuke answered. He looked at Naruto and smirked. “Kind of surprising, actually. That we have something in common, that is.”

Naruto almost snarled. “And here I thought you were quite the playboy.”

There was practically a crackle of electricity as the two boys glared at each other. I sighed. Trust my brother to start picking fights his first day here.

♥          ♥          ♥          ♥          ♥          ♥          ♥          ♥          ♥          ♥          ♥

By the time seventh period rolled around, I was kind of nervous. The last thing I wanted was to be noticed in any way by this teacher, and naturally as the new student I would receive smiles and get called on more than the other students.

I walked into the classroom almost apprehensively. I looked around to see if I knew anyone.

“Sakura—you’re in my class?” said a surprised voice behind me. I turned around to see Tenten standing there, books in her arms.

I could’ve hugged her. “Thank goodness you’re in my class—I’m so scared of the fan club!”

“You lucked out,” said Tenten. “There aren’t any fan club girls in seventh period, believe it or not. This is the only period, though. The rest have at least one fan clubber in here.”

“Okay, guys, take a seat,” said an old man coming in. He had longish white hair and wore a red argyle sweater vest over a green shirt, khakis, and a pair of loafers.

“Eh? I thought Arisaka-sensei was the literature teacher,” I said.

“Jiraya-sensei is, actually,” explained Tenten. “But Arisaka-sensei is the assistant teacher. He’s only twenty-two.”

“Oh…” I said, “I didn’t realize.”

“Come sit by me,” said Tenten, grabbing my sleeve and pulling me over to the back corner of the room, by the window. “The window seat’s the best—it’s really pretty.”

“Yeah,” I said, looking out at the leafy landscape. “I really like Konoha.”

“Good—Naruto said you’re staying until graduation.”

“Yeah, actually.”

“Okay,” said Jiraya-sensei, “please pull out your Midsummer Night’s Dream copies and open to page 35. I’ll need someone to play Helena, Demitrius, Oberon, and Puck—hold up.”

I looked up from my book to find he was staring at me. “Ah, yes. You must be Sakura Uzumaki, correct?”

“Yes,” I said. “That’s me.”

“Yes, I had your brother last class. Great boy—good actor too. Nice to have you, and welcome to Konoha. Now, why don’t you say the lines of Helena?” the kindly sensei asked, smiling at me.

I just nodded. How could I refuse?

I glanced over Helena’s lines.

I paled.

I whipped my head around to look at Tenten. “I-Is this girl really that desperate?!” I said in a frantic whisper.

Tenten nodded. “That girl has no sense of self-worth.”

“Okay, I need a Puck, an Oberon, and a Demetrius, please! Volunteers or victims, class?” asked Jiraya-sensei. He looked around. Seeing no volunteers, he went with victims.

“Congratulations, Momoshiro, you are now Oberon. Ah, yes, Haku—thank you, you are now Puck. And as for Demetrius—”

“Sorry I’m late,” said a voice, and Arisaka-sensei walked in.

I felt my eyes draw near to him entirely on their own. I could see now why the fan club was so very obsessed with him—even the way he walked reflected a grace and gentle demeanor. He glanced around and gave me a smile, recognizing that I was not a student he knew.

That smile sent shivers up and down my spine for some unknown reason. They weren’t unpleasant, but something about it made me feel angry. It could of very well been because I didn’t want to feel so elated when I saw that smile.

I tried to make it less appealing—it didn’t work. Frustrated with myself for being attracted to that stupid smile, I looked away.  

“Kenshin, why don’t you play Demetrius?” asked Jiraya-sensei. “You do have that nice voice.”

“Are you sure you don’t want a student to?” asked Arisaka-sensei.

“Go right ahead—I rather like hearing you recite. The young lady playing Helena is in the green back there. Sakura Uzumaki is her name, and she is a new student here.”

“Welcome to Konoha,” said Arisaka-sensei, giving me that infuriating smile. I couldn’t stand it! How could that smile send my heart fluttering?! I hated it—feeling so insecure all of the sudden.

“Take it from the top. That’s you, Oberon,” said Jiraya-sensei.

Momoshiro, who was playing Oberon, began to read. “Well, go thy way…”

I read along in the book, stumbling over the Shakespearean English a few times. I liked Shakespeare, but it could get difficult sometimes. I preferred his sonnets to his plays.

Finally, it was Arisaka-sensei’s turn. He began.

 “I love thee not, therefore pursue me not.
    Where is Lysander and fair Hermia?
    The one I'll slay, the other slayeth me.
    Thou told'st me they were stolen unto this wood;
    And here am I, and wode within this wood,
    Because I cannot meet my Hermia.
    Hence, get thee gone, and follow me no more.” 

Argh. Shoot. This sucked big time—here came Helena’s lines. Taking a deep breath, I recited the desperate pleas of this girl with the unrequited love: 

“You draw me, you hard-hearted adamant;
    But yet you draw not iron, for my heart
    Is true as steel: leave you your power to draw,
    And I shall have no power to follow you.” 

Ah, I was so glad that the fan club was not there. How horrifying that would be if they caught me professing love to Arisaka-sensei, play or not. 

Tenten was hiding a smirk behind her hand. 

By the time I’d finished reciting the lines of Helena, my face was beet red. I could’ve run out of the classroom right then and there. How many times had I told him that I loved him? I knew it was a play, but I was paranoid. 

I looked up and glared at the Demetrius I’d just told to please ravish me. 

Arisaka-sensei just smiled. 

How I hated that man.

SAKURA

You would be alarmed as well if the boy selling cotton candy to you knew everything about you.

"Cotton candy is the best thing in the world," Ino said, putting some in her mouth. "MMMMMM!"

"You're like a little kid," I laughed. I handed two dollars to the boy behind the booth and took my fluffy treat. "Thanks."

We started walking away, but the boy grabbed my arm. "Um...Sakura...I really like you. Will you go out with me?" he asked, blushing beet red. He had sandy blond hair, glasses, and a pointed, angular face like a weasel's.

I almost dropped my cotton candy. "Uh...?!"

"Oh, please..." Ino muttered, rolling her eyes.

"I'm really, really sorry...but I don't even know you," I said apologetically. "Who are you, exactly?"

"Just ignore him, Sakura," said Ino dryly. "That's Ryu Takashi. Creep. Look, Ryu," she said to him, "you don't know a thing about her--"

 "I do! You're Sakura Haruno, age sixteen," he said quickly.

"Who doesn't know that? She's got celebrity status from being new," began Ino, but Ryu cut her off.

"You're five foot nine, one hundred and ten pounds, your shoe size is eight, and your bust waist and hip size is 38, 24, 35."

I actually did drop my cotton candy at the point. "Uh...!"

"You hate math but are really good at it. You're secretly a history buff. You like guys who can play any instrument except guitar. You like European metal and foreign films. You don't like romantic comedies, though. Your favorite food is steak, and you hate tofu and things that are too salty. When you go out to eat, you often ask the waiter to make your food 'as hot as humanly possible.' You once shocked yourself when you put a wire into a socket. You like sweets but won't eat candy or coconut, because you're allergic to coconut. You never watch a movie without a snack, and you do your homework as soon as you get home. You like to read, but you don't have a favorite book. Your favorite song is 'She Is My Sin' by Nightwish, but you hate the song 'Moon River' because you think it's stupid. You like the movie 'Bella' and any movie that can make you cry. You're secretly afraid of dark, cramped spaces and strangers. You're interested in becoming a doctor and your lifelong dream is to cook the perfect batch of cookies!"

I stared, stunned.

"...Holy crap," I finally said. "Are you stalking me?"

"We're leaving. Now," said Ino fiercely, yanking on my arm. "Let's go, Sakura."

"H-How did he know all that?!" I demanded, terrified.

"He's a freak. He can get anything he wants because his family is powerful."

"That's really weir--" I slammed into someone unexpectedly.

"I-I'm sorry," I began, to look into the face of Kenshin Arisaka.

ACK.

"Ah, Sakura, Ino. Hello," said Sensei with that smile that made me cringe.

"Hey, Sensei," said Ino.

"Sakura, are you okay?" asked Sensei, looking at me curiously.

"I-I was," I said bitterly. "Now I'm a bit freaked."

Why am I telling him? I wondered vaguely.

"Can I guess? Yoiu ran into Ryu, right?" he said, running a hand through his hair. "You've got that look about you. That 'Holy crap' look."

I almost laughed, but didn't. "Yup."

Sensei exhaled. Then he turned to Ino. "Can I borrow her?"

Ino blinked. "...Sure?"

"Great," said Sensei. He grabbed my hand.

"Huh?" I cried. "Uh, Sensei--!"

"Come on, I want you to see something," he said, grinning and taking me to the Ferris Wheel.

Stunned, I followed him in and waited. Finally, the ride started and we rose into the air. We stopped, lingering at the top.

"Look," said Sensei, pointing out the window.

I gasped.

Outside, there was the beautiful stretch of Konoha, and just outside, and ocean I'd never even noticed. The setting sun reflected fiery red off of it, the moving water contorting it.

"...Beautiful! It's beautiful, Sensei!" I breathed.

"I thought you might like it. Think of it as...as my apology."

I turned to look at him, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"I embarrassed you today, didn't I? Having to read as Demetrius."

I looked away, turning pink. "It's okay."

He sighed. "And I was certain we would get along so well, then Jiraiya screwed it up. Sorry."

"It's okay," I repeated. "Honestly." I smiled at him. "Th...Thank you."

"I hope we can be friends," he said, sticking out his hand.

I paused. "Sure." We shook on it.

SAKURA 

I didn't realize that on Monday when I volunteered to take folders to the science lab what exactly I was getting into.

Our biology teacher was Orochimaru-sensei. He's... ah... um... well, he's very enthusiastic about... um... biology. Particularly dissections. Like the rat dissection we were doing this quarter.

It didn't take me long to start smelling the perservatives from down the hallway in the science hallway. It was a strong scent that made my gag reflex get going and choked me.

My brother was in this class right now, I realized. I smiled. At least I'd get to see him. Knowing Naruto, he'd be going at that rat, not enthusiastically, but gallantly, and trying to do his best.

Ah, how wrong I was for hoping.

I entered the science lab. My brother, Sasuke, and Ino were the only ones in there-- the rest of the class had finished, and were in the other room, waiting for the bell to ring and finishing up their drawing of the digestive system. I cleared my throat, tugging gently on the corner of Orochimaru-sensei's lab coat. "Orochimaru-sensei, these folders are from Kurenai-sensei," I said, holding them out to him.

"Ah, yes," he said in his extremely serpentine voice. Sensei wasn't a bad guy, but he scared the crap out of me.

"Miss History," he said (all the teachers called Kurenai-sensei, the history teacher, "Miss History"), "took you long enough to get these to me--"

He was suddenly cut off by a very familiar voice.

"Shut up, will ya, teme?!"

I froze, paling. Oh, crap. I knew that voice.

Peeking cautiously around Orochimaru-sensei, almost afraid to look but knowing I couldn't avoid it, I took in the scene in front of me, blanching.

Naruto was holding a pair of fur-covered scissors at his lab partner, who I recognized as Sasuke Uchiha. The raven, however angry his partner was, was keeping a very cool face.

"Nngh...!" I groaned. Naruto, don't do anything stupid, I'm begging you...

"What's the probem, Uchiha? Uzumaki?" asked Orochimaru-sensei.

I caught the eye of Ino, who was sitting near me on my right. She gave me a wide-eyed look, questioning me as to what the problem was.

I shrugged helplessly. The color that had drained from my face was now rushing back as I flushed in embarrassment for my brother.

"Mature as always, aren't you, dobe?" asked Sasuke, flicking something off his leather jacket.

I flinched. Don't tease him.

"Shut up! You take back what you said!" demanded my brother, eyes fierce. "Take it back!"

"Why should I?" asked Sasuke, narrowing his dark eyes.

"I'll never forgive you," said Naruto, tears in his voice. I was stunned and scared. What could Sasuke have said to have made him so upset.

Without thinking, I cried out, "Naruto!" and ran over to him, wrapping my arms around him. "Hey, hey, calm down," I said soothingly, looking at his face. He was shaking with anger.

My heart stopped. Only one thing could've made him this angry.

But...how did Sasuke know about it? How had he seen it? I couldn't remember ever leaving it out in the open-- that would cause Naruto so much pain.

"Naruto, Naruto," I asked desperately, "did he ask about that?"

Naruto just nodded, his lips tight. I could tell that he was extremely upset. Turning to Sasuke, I pleaded quietly, "Please, Sasuke, I beg of you-- don't hurt my brother like this."

Something flickered in Sasuke's eyes. The expression on his face turned to one of sorrow. Then, he shocked me by saying, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry...both of you."

I swallowed. "I-It's okay. Just...just don't do it again. It's a...it's a topic that we're very sensitive about."

"I apologize," said Sasuke sincerely, his face sad. "I've...been cruel."

"Don't think any more of it," I said quietly. "Naruto? I'm going back to class now. Will...will you be all right?"

He nodded silently. I gave him a comforting smile, then whispered subtly, "There's no use protecting me from words. What's done is done, so stop worrying."

"I can't do that," he whispered back. "Your pain is my pain, Sis."

My throat closed up, but I did not cry. "I'll see you after school, Naruto," I said, walking away quickly.

But before I went, I looked over my shoulder. Naruto sat there, hurt, and Sasuke stared, helpless. Finally, the dark-haired raven took Naruto's paper and said, "...Naruto. You forgot to label the left and right lungs." He wrote something down on the paper. "Try to get on task, Naruto."

My brother, if he was as surprised as I was, didn't show it. He just said, "Thanks...Sasuke."

I smiled a little.

My brother's enemy had just acknowledged by his first name.

And my brother, in turn, had acknowledged him similarly. It was a big step for him, especially since Sasuke had asked about the one thing Naruto could never forgive himself for: the scar that stretched across my back.