Year of the Fox

Author's notes:
Omg, I started writing this chapter and for some reason I only managed to write half a page until Friday morning when I woke up at 4 and couldn't get back tosleep because I couldn't stop thinking about this fic! O.o
Of course, I wound up just staring at it forever and didn't actually finish it until today. And gah, the chapter totally sucks. Also, I seem to be repeating myself alot. Gomen.
-_-;;
Just think of it as a filler chapter... *sigh*

Oh guys! I find myself to have trouble filling the 'months'. If anyone has any ideas for things I can have Naruto and the group doing to make time pass until we get to the yaoi, just stuff them into a review, and I'll be super-grateful! ^__^

Yosh, you can start reading now.
(Homg! Is anyone else as excited about the latest manga chapter as I am??! O.O)

04.06: Did some editing. Changed a sentence or to. No biggie.
13.06: Some more edits...Minor ones. Chapter 6 will be up soon! Gomen! x_x
26.06: This chapter has now been beta'd.

Shigatsu

Sasuke cursed under his breath.
It was raining, he was wet and cold and....Why hadn't he accepted the damn invite?!
Sure, Sakura and Ino were annoying, and that was more than enough reason to stay away from the whole group, but...
Then there was him.
Sasuke had known it was him, from the second when his eyes fell on the blonde in the class room that day.
There was no doubt in his mind that the blonde was the same one who'd practically kept him alive all those years ago.
And here he was, ignoring him, insulting him and rejecting him.
Of course, he couldn't be sure that the other boy remembered, but Sasuke saw no reason as to why he wouldn't. Except from maybe all the years that had passed.
His thoughts were disrupted by a creak in the floorboards. He shuddered.
With the wind moaning outside, not much was needed for the wood in the old walls and the tired floor to moan. And it made Sasuke wish he lived somewhere else every time.

The creeping discomfort forced him to get out of the house. He went out into the garden, which despite hosting horrid memories as well, was slightly less suffocating than the house.
And as soon as he relaxed, the gnawing annoyance started up again.
It was possible that Naruto didn't remember him, sure, but it was just as possible that he did and how did Sasuke intend to find out if he didn't get closer to him? Or even talk to him?
It'd been a week since he told off the girls in the library (not that it had caused them to back off for long), and for each day that passed he cursed himself more for not accepting their invitation.

"Ne, Iruka-sensei..." Naruto was sitting at Iruka's kitchen table, having dinner. It was a Tuesday afternoon, and the teen had hitched a ride home with him, and ended up staying for dinner.
"Yes Naruto?"
"Tell me about the Uchiha Massacre..."
It came like a lightning bolt out of the clear sky.
"What now?" the teacher coughed.
"The Uchiha Massacre, you know about it right?"
"Who doesn't..?" Iruka thought.
"Sadly, yes."
"Tell me." the blonde teen demanded.
"Why do you want to know? Is it Sasuke?"
"What else?"
The teacher rubbed his temple. "Naruto..I don't..."
"It's just so I can understand him better." Naruto said. He wasn't so sure that was the truth, but he said it anyway. "The whole town is talking about it, but I don't really know what happened...?"
"You wouldn't know...would you?" Iruka's heart stung slightly. Most of the kids Naruto's age, had heard the story from their parents. But since Naruto didn't have any, he'd just picked up on things he'd heard in the village.
Finally, he decided that it would be for the best to tell the teen the truth, rather than having him believe any of the obscurities that had been added to the story over the years.
"Alright...I'll tell you."
Naruto rested his elbows on the table, and listened eagerly.
"As you probably know, the Uchiha family was also known as the Uchiha clan, possibly because they kept to themselves, although they had some important influences on our town. Still, they were of the distant kind, and kept mostly to themselves. In the early years of Konoha, it was the Uchiha family who established the police force. Because of this they gained a lot of respect among the people here. They continued to keep to themselves, but offered their help when it was needed. Back when you were born, there weren't many Uchihas involved with the police force anymore, but they still remained among the high society, and many of them had important positions in various businesses. They truly were a prestigious family, whose name was well known throughout the country, as well as in the high circuits of business life.
With time they also made it big with their own company; the Uchiha Corporation. It had reached it's peak, becoming a multi-million dollar corporation, when tragedy struck."
Naruto listened carefully, azure eyes remaining focused on his teacher's face as the man spoke.
"The police have always been very secretive about this, so few details are known. Most of the things people in town talk about are just made up, you realize that right?"
Naruto nodded.
"What is known though," Iruka continued. "Is that one night someone must have broken into the estate. Whoever it was...must have had a grudge towards the family, or maybe even that person was someone who was just trying to rob them, and accidentally killed someone, then panicked. I don't believe that much myself, but the possibilities are endless really... most likely it was all planned though, by someone who wanted them out of the picture. The police wondered for some time if the Uchihas had some connection to the yakuza, and that they might've gotten themselves in trouble; it certainly did look like that kind of crime. But to this day they still haven't been able to find evidence for that theory. Whatever the reason was though, it was horrible. The crime took place at night, and they were all murdered in their homes. Every single one of them, except from-"
"Sasuke." Naruto finished, staring down at his plate. "Why was he left alive?"
"He wasn't at home that night. He didn't come back until after it was all over. Poor kid, he was the one who found them."
Naruto's body tensed. That must've been horrible. He could still remember things he'd experienced as a child, so vividly. He could still see white sheets, covering up dead bodies. He'd passed them when they'd carried him out of the house. And he still remembered the body on the stretcher, the one where the white sheet had slid off, revealing a limp arm. He remembered seeing the wristwatch, and realizing that it was his father's body.
That had been bad enough, even though his father was a monster.
But coming home, and finding your whole family.... he clenched his fists. It truly must've be horrible.
"From what I gather," Iruka said. "Sasuke was supposed to sleep over at a friend's house, but he'd forgotten something, and came back to get it. When he found them...no one knows how long he was in there before he ran out in the street, screaming..."
The teacher's brow furrowed. "He was almost hysterical, and at first no one could understand what was wrong with him. He'd always seemed like a very calm child. One of the neighbors took care of him, while another went back to the estate...and then called the police." he stopped. Although he hadn't been very old himself when this happened, he still heard the wailing of the police cars, and the voices that cried out in surprise and shock as the news spread.
He'd lived on the other side of town, so he hadn't been there to see as they carried out the bodies. But he'd seen it on TV afterwards, and he remembered seeing Sasuke on the screen, the child's face grimed with tears, fear written all over it.
He regarded Naruto, who sat in silence, taking in what he'd just heard.
"So...that's what really happened..."
Iruka nodded. He sighed. "I shouldn't have told you that...you've got enough on your mind already."
Naruto shook his head. "No, I'm glad you told me. I never knew he was the first to see...no wonder he..." he interrupted himself; "But, when I overheard you and Kakashi-sensei the other night, you mentioned a brother? Sasuke has a brother? Where was he?"
The questions were many, and came faster than the teacher could think.
"Oh, Itachi..." Iruka smiled, but it was a sad smile. "When Itachi started to grow up, the Uchihas seemed to get closer to the rest of Konoha. He was the eldest son of Uchiha Fugaku, the president of the corporation, and he absolutely lived up to that name... they labeled him a genius. And there's not much I can say to argue with that... Itachi was also very polite, and helpful although he was never really friendly with anyone. But through him, we all felt a little closer to the entire family. One of the things I remember most about Itachi was how close he seemed to be with Sasuke. He would always bring him everywhere. When the two of them were together, it certainly was eye-catching." he smiled again. "But on the night of the tragedy..."
"Kakashi-sensei said his body was never found."
"It wasn't." Iruka shook his head, "It was reported by witnesses that Itachi was at home earlier that night, but he wasn't among the dead. He was reported as missing, and they searched for him, but he was never found... whoever did it, probably got him too, and got rid of the body."
Naruto didn't say anything for a while.
"How can someone kill an entire family?" he finally asked.
"I don't know Naruto."

The silence was heavy in the air, it was almost suffocating.
Naruto noticed that his skin was sporting goose bumps, he rubbed his arm, trying to think of something else.
It was Iruka who broke the silence;
"What did you mean when you said you wanted to understand Sasuke better?"
"He's always so...strange." Naruto replied. "I mean, I knew that he was the survivor and all that. But..." he paused. In a way he wasn't sure what he meant himself. Sasuke was cold and distant, and not someone you could just walk up to and strike up a conversation. Certainly not one about his family.
He wondered if he should tell Iruka that Sasuke was the person from his dreams, but decided against it. Even if it would clear up his interest in the other boy.
He felt though, that he should talk to Sasuke first.

"Sasuke is always alone." he said. "I know what that feels like. I thought that maybe if I could understand why he keeps to himself like this, maybe it would be easier to make contact with him. That is what you and Kakashi-sensei wanted right? For us to integrate him?"
Iruka smiled. "You're a good kid, Naruto." he ruffled his blonde hair as he stood. "You want some dessert? Ice cream?"
"Sure!" Naruto grinned.

Iruka was relieved when he placed the bowls of ice cream on the table.
He understood that Naruto wanted to know, but he hurt whenever he thought about it.
No kid should have to go through what Sasuke had experienced, or what Naruto and Gaara had both had to live through.
For now though, it seemed Naruto was satisfied with the answers he'd received.

The teacher sat down, feeling relaxed that Naruto was done with his questions.
He reached for his spoon, chuckling as he watched the teen devouring his ice cream in gulps at a time.
"You're gonna give yourself a brain freeze..."
Right on cue, the teen touched his hand to his head, "Ooww...ow..ow."
Iruka laughed.
"So," Naruto said, hand still on his head. "You and Kakashi-sensei, huh?"
Iruka choked on his ice cream, coughed and stuttered; "Wh-what!?"
Naruto smirked. Then the smirk turned into a wide, evil grin.
"I can tell."
Iruka scowled, coughed again and said; "You, are one rude brat. You know that?!"


There hadn't been many answers to get out of Iruka after that.
Naruto had tried to make the teacher admit they had a relationship, but Iruka had refused, calling it 'childish imagination' and 'intolerable insolence'.
Naruto knew better though.
He grinned to himself.
His phone rang.
He reached into his pocket and got out the cell.
He'd gotten it for his birthday last year, from Iruka.
Flustered he'd stared down at the box. He'd been speechless. Of course he'd been thrilled too, but mostly he'd been shocked that the teacher was willing to get him a phone, and pay the bill for it as well.

Flipping the phone open, he pressed it to his ear.
"Yeah?"
"Where the hell are you?!"
"Gaara?"
"Did you forget it's our turn to cook?"
"Oops..."
"Oops my ass. Where are you?"
"I was eating with Iruka-sensei...where are you?"
"Convenience store. I had to go there since you're a billion years late."
"Sorry, look, I'll meet you there."
"We'll meet on the way," came the answer. "I'm almost done."
Naruto nodded, fully aware of the fact that Gaara couldn't see it.
"Start walking towards the store then."
Before Gaara hung up Naruto thought he heard him say something about 'chores' and 'idiot'.

He walked down the road, along the fence of a kindergarten, his gaze wandered to the trees that were planted on the inside, to help keep the noise from the street out.
Next month the sakura would bloom. And then it wasn't too long until Golden Week.
At this time of year the teachers gave out exams like mad, so he really looked forward to one week's vacation. He grinned.

The grin was washed away from his face though, when he saw a slight crowd on the other side of the street.
In the center of the crowd he could spot a boy.
He could have guessed from the excited chatter and nosy questions who it was, and with that hair, there was just no way to be mistaken.
The boy was Sasuke.
Of course the people around him were mostly gossipy housewives, and the occasional teenage girl, ogling him. There were also some children, pointing, asking their moms; "Is that him mommy?"
Naruto found himself getting annoyed.
What was wrong with people in this town?
Was it really that hard to leave other people alone?
After what he'd just learned, he couldn't understand how people could be so inconsiderate.
Why would they surround him and rip open all his scars like this?

Angered he crossed the street.
"Hey! Excuse me!" he shouted, before even thinking.
"What do you want?"
"I want you to start minding your own business for once! It's not always all about satisfying your curiosity!"
"And everything isn't always about you, Uzumaki!"
"Really?" Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Because the way you talk, you'd almost think it was!"
Agitated murmurs went through the crowd.
Some started to walk away, others joined in on letting Naruto know how little his opinion was needed. Sasuke said nothing.
He had his arms crossed over his chest, and just watched the argument.
"I think we're entitled to know how Sasuke-kun is doing."
"Yeah? Well have you asked him?" Naruto demanded.
"We're allowed to ask questions!"
"We're entitled to know what's going on!"
"No." Sasuke finally opened his mouth. "You're not. So would you all just leave me alone?"
Naruto stared at him.
The raven still had his arms crossed, and his eyes closed. He opened them, dark black orbs glaring at the people around him.

After that the crowd disbanded, people heading back to their respective destinations.
Naruto remained.
He could hear them talking to one another as they left.
"Can you believe that Uzumaki kid? Always interfering!"
"I know! But there's no wonder Sasuke asked us to leave, he must still be struggling, the poor child."
"He must be lonely..."
"And without anyone properly raising him, no wonder he's acting so hostile!"

"Tch," Naruto bit his lip. "Can you believe these people?"
"I don't need your help dobe."
There it was again.
Like so many times this week.
"What?"
"I said," Sasuke snarled. "I don't need your help!"
"I was just... I know how they are..."
"And you don't think I do? You don't think I know all about how they relish when others suffer?" Sasuke snorted.
"Well excuse me...." Naruto looked for a proper insult. "...Sasuke-teme!"
The raven lifted an eyebrow.
"I didn't say you didn't know. I just wanted to help you out a bit...I've been through the same."
"No, you haven't."
"The stares? The rumors? The people? Yes, I have." Naruto continued stubbornly. He wasn't sure this was going anywhere. Neither was he sure he had intended for it to go somewhere, unless his sub consciousness was trying to make him find out if Sasuke still remembered.
"I don't care. So get lost."
Naruto's lip twitched in annoyance.
Sasuke's eyes darkened. "I said get lost."
Naruto didn't budge from where he stood on the sidewalk.
"What are you? Deaf?" Sasuke stepped closer. "Just get lost and leave me the fuck alone!"
No sooner had he uttered the words, practically yelling them in Naruto's face, a voice came from behind him.
"I'd advise you to do the same."
Naruto's eyes widened when he looked at Gaara, the red holding a plastic bag in one hand, and something black in the other.
He made a swift movement with his hand. There was a swish-like sound, and then something metallic twinkled in the sunlight. It seemed to have come out from the black object.
Naruto realized that the thing Gaara was holding was a switch-blade knife.
"Gaara!" Naruto shrilled.
"I've had it with all these people, always getting on your case." Gaara's voice was threatening, low.
Sasuke stared at the knife. But his face remained the same.
"I told you before, you need to deal with them. Give them a scare."
"Gaara, stop it."
The red stepped closer. A smirk played on his lips. "I'm only gonna cut him a little, so he'll learn to leave you alone."
"Gaara! Listen!" Naruto's voice was hard. "I was the one who started this! Sasuke didn't do anything."
Gaara took a step back, his expression now confused. "Sasuke?"
"Yes." Naruto nodded. "Now, stop acting silly, and put that thing down before you hurt someone."
Gaara did as told, still perplexed.
Sasuke was still just staring at them. "Who's this?" he asked. "Your body guard?"
"Lay off." Naruto hissed.
"Depending on other people as always. You really are a loser," Sasuke turned on his heel. "See you tomorrow, usuratonkachi."
"I'm warning you Uchiha..." Gaara snarled in his throat.
"That's enough Gaara." Naruto grabbed Gaara's arms, holding him in place.
"Hn," Sasuke snorted, heading for the store, "Freaks."
Naruto glared at his back, but said nothing.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Naruto exclaimed, still holding Gaara's arms firmly.
"I told you." the other replied.
"And I've told you that I don't need you to defend me. And you don't have to resort to pointless violence! What did you intend to do? Kill him?!"
"I was only gonna scare him."
"Still!" Naruto's blue eyes dug into Gaara's. "Where did you get this thing anyways?"
"Does it matter?"
"No, cos I'm taking it away from you." he forcefully took the knife from Gaara's hand. "I thought you'd gotten better..."
"I am better!" Gaara growled. "But they still treat you like crap, and I hate it!"
Naruto's look softened. He let go of his friend. "I know...but jeez Gaara! If you continue to do these things they might send you to juvi!"
Gaara looked away.
"I'm glad you're willing to stand up for me, you know I am. But this is just the wrong way of doing it."
"Sorry," Came the quiet reply.
"It's alright, you didn't hurt anyone. Just don't try to defend me again. Are we clear?"
Gaara didn't say anything, but turned, starting to head back.

They were almost home when the red finally said something.
"That Uchiha Sasuke is a real asshole."
Naruto looked up at the sky. It was getting cloudy.
He sighed. "I guess..."
Gaara looked over at him briefly, curiously.

At school the next day, things were like always.
The projects were all handed in, so class was back to it's usual boring self.
They'd started out the day with a math test of doom, which Naruto was sure he'd fail.
Sakura and Ino bickered about some random stuff, and the rest of the group watched them in slight boredom, while they had lunch.
From time to time Sai would pass him, and serve one of his nasty little comments, but it was barely noticed by Naruto.
What the blonde did notice though, was that whenever he glanced over at Sasuke, or even in his direction, the raven would glare at him.

The next day was the same.
And the day after.
And throughout the week.
If he said something to him, Sasuke would inevitably say something insulting in return. Not flat out mean like the others, but he'd add one of his little nick names, or say something in a very provocative way.

And Naruto being Naruto, would quickly respond in a loud, annoyed way.
With his usual bullies, he'd hardly spare them a glance, but Sasuke was starting to really piss him off. Like if they were in the cafeteria, and someone tripped him.
Sasuke would definitely be there to comment; "Be careful there, dobe."
And it would have his blood boiling.
"Out of my way Sasuke-bastard!"

"I don't see why you are so hostile towards Sasuke," Sakura said, sitting down next to Naruto.
"Hmm...let's see...maybe because he's A TOTAL JERK!" he made sure to yell the last part over his shoulder, so Sasuke could hear him.
The raven smirked.
"That's right! I meant you! BASTARD!"
There, he had done it.
By yelling like that, across the cafeteria, Naruto knew that he'd made the war official. Now everyone would know that he, Uzumaki Naruto had picked a fight with the great Uchiha Sasuke, whom they had all become so fond of.
And...now he doubted there was a chance in hell he and Sasuke would ever get to talk about their shared past. If there had been one there at all that was.
"Well," Sakura said. "I think you're being unreasonable. Shouldn't you of all people know how it feels to be left out?"
"If you ask me," Chouji offered his opinion, "It's more like he's chosen to be a loner."
"Yeah, it's not like there's not enough offers around." Kiba added.
"It's simple, he's just a bastard," Shikamaru mumbled.
"You're just like all the other guys." Ino came back to the table with her tray, "He gets all the girls, and you are just jealous."
"What does it matter? He doesn't want the girls!"
"But because of him, they don't want you! That's why you're all so negative."
"Excuse me?!"
"Oh, sorry Shika. With your attitude, they wouldn't want you anyway."
The brunette pretended to laugh, but allowed himself to give into temptation, throwing a cherry-stone at the blonde girl.

Gaara was sitting at the kitchen table when Naruto came home.
Shizune was sitting on the chair next to him, that meant they probably had 'class'. The blonde decided not to interrupt, and headed up to their room.
He was supposed to be doing his homework for history class, but it wasn't very tempting. Besides, his mind was too preoccupied with things.
He turned on the CD player, and let his thoughts drift while he sat with his eyes closed, feet on the desk.
After several minutes, he opened his eyes.
They fell on the small box that stood on the desk.
He'd eaten the chocolate the day he'd received it, but he didn't want to throw away the box. He still had the card too. And he still wondered who'd given it to him.

The day after he'd received it he'd almost managed to convince himself it was from Sasuke.
But there was just no way.
Firstly, Sasuke couldn't even have known that Naruto attended that school at the time when he received the chocolate. And he didn't seem like the type who gave valentine gifts.
Certainly not to guys.

And now, there was absolutely no chance.
He'd had some slim hopes that his little arguments with Sasuke could bring them closer together. Maybe they could turn it into a friendly thing, like the way Sakura and Ino interacted with each other.
But with Sasuke's hostility, and his own short-temperedness... the way it looked now there wouldn't be much reminiscing.
He realized that.
He had wanted to understand why Sasuke was so cold.
Now he knew, and he wanted to share his thoughts, to make Sasuke feel that he could relate to someone without being worried about being drowned in questions. He'd wanted to find a way to bring up the past, and maybe awaken the friendship from the past.
But Sasuke wanted no help.
An outreached hand would be slapped away.
And now, everything seemed to be ruined.
Naruto gave a deep sigh, closing his eyes.
"Damn it Sasuke..." he mumbled.

"Studying hard?"
Naruto winced, his eyes opening wide. As he looked into aquamarine eyes he nearly tipped backwards.
Gaara sat on the bed.
"What about him?"
"Who?"
"Sasuke."
"What about Sasuke?"
"You said his name."
"Oh," Naruto shifted on the chair. "He's being an impossible jerk."
"Tell me something I don't know. He's starting to sound like another Sai, the way he's acting."
"He's not like Sai!" Naruto burst out, a bit too quickly, "I mean...he's...Sai is worse. Sasuke is just...he's..." he wanted to say 'He's not like this.' But he still wasn't sure about sharing the past. Not even with Gaara.
"If you ask me, someone should give them both a real lesson."
Naruto sent him a sharp look.
It worried him when Gaara said things like that. Especially now.

He hadn't told anyone about the day Gaara had threatened Sasuke, although he knew he should. He'd promised that if his friend ever lost his temper, or showed signs of his violent self, he'd have to let them know.
But he didn't want to. For Gaara's sake, and for his own.
They might take him away, or medicate him.
Naruto couldn't stand the thought. What would he do without the moody red?
He stood.
"Wanna go grab some ramen?"
"I thought you were studying?"
"I'll do it later. Come on, it's my treat."
"Alright," Gaara stood and followed him down the stairs.
"But don't kill anyone." Naruto joked.
"Haha. Moron." Gaara said flatly.

The week after, things were different again.
Although the spiteful glares between him and the Uchiha were still exchanged, they weren't insulting each other.
Maybe because they weren't talking at all.

With Sakura and Ino searching out Sasuke where ever they went, Naruto found himself to be stuck in a glare-match several times a day.
But it remained at that. Just glaring.
He noticed that whenever Kakashi looked over at them during recess, he'd smile and nod.
The teacher probably thought that they were great friends by now.
He frowned inwardly, and joined Kiba in the computer room instead.
Dark eyes followed him as he walked down the hallway.
In the distance he heard the two girls squeal and giggle, he shook his head.
"I can't believe those two really think Sasuke finds that charming."
"Try letting them know that." Kiba laughed. "You'll be preaching to deaf ears!"

There was no one in the computer room.
A low buzz from the thirty or so computers was all that was heard.
Kiba seated himself at the first computer he saw, next to an open window. Naruto sat down next to him, watching as Kiba started up an online game.
"We're not supposed to use the school's computers for this," Kiba snickered. "But they play games in the teacher's lounge too. I've seen it."
"Asuma-sensei also smokes like a chimney, but you don't see the students walking around like advertises for lung-cancer," Naruto pointed out.
Kiba shook his head. "Don't be such a drag!"
The screen in front of him read 'Game Over', in red letters.
"This game sucks." Kiba said, typing in a new address. "Here, I'll show you something hilarious, it's bound to make your day better!"
"Who said I was having a bad day?"
"You sure don't look like a happy camper," the other pointed out. "But then again, I guess that's what five minutes with Uchiha does to everyone."
Absentmindedly Naruto nodded.
His eyes wandered to the screen. A colorful background was loading, and several thumbnails popped up.
"Happy tree friends?"
"Cute and cuddly animals who murder each other. It's advanced entertainment!" Kiba grinned. He clicked one of the thumbnails, and a episode called 'eye candy' started up.

Naruto had to admit, it was funny, although they both cringed in sympathy-pains for the little beaver on screen.
By the time they watched their third video, they were both laughing so loud it was echoing down the hall.

"Is this what the school's resources are being used for these days?"
Kiba and Naruto both stirred, and turned around.
But when they saw who it was, they immediately relaxed.
Kotetsu and Izumo were in the student council. They were responsible for keeping the students 'under control', meaning it was they who kept an eye out for rule breakers.
But every student at Konoha high knew that they were probably the worst goof-offs of all.
"Oh, it's just Tsunade's spies," Kiba said dryly.
"Spies?" Izumo chuckled.
"You two know better than to watch violent cartoons at school." Kotetsu started, but failed to finish his reprimand. "Oh! Click that one! Flippin' Burgers!"
Izumo eyed him, "We have a test in six minutes. Come on."
"But, I wanna watch this!"
The brunette grabbed him by the collar. "You're setting a bad example. Let's go. I'm not failing another test because of you."
"Oh come on," Kotetsu grinned, "You know you love me."
They disappeared through the door.
"I wonder if they are..." Kiba mumbled.
"Come on, we've got class too. And if Granny Tsunade catches us, we're dead."

The two boys made their way down the hall, towards the classroom.
Where Jiraiya awaited with a movie about the reproduction of flowers.
It was frightfully boring.

"Hey...I was in the faculty office earlier..." Kiba whispered.
"Hmmm?" Naruto opened a lazy eye.
"And I happened to see this form. There's a new art teacher starting here. And she's hot!"
"How do you know?"
"I saw her picture on the application, stupid. It was laying on the reception desk."
"Are you two paying attention?!" the white-haired man boomed.
"Not really." Naruto replied.
"I realize that we would all enjoy learning about human reproduction instead. That way we could watch some real interesting movies..." a very strange laugh escaped the teacher's throat.
"And I have the proper reading material as well."
"Those books of yours are forbidden for minors! Or did you forget you perverted old geezer!?" Naruto shrilled.
"If it's for learning purposes it's fine brat!" the man argued. "More importantly...What is this I hear about a hot new teacher?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes.
Not only were the students idiots, but the teachers were just as bad.
He listened with half an ear as the annoying shrill that was Naruto's voice continued to argue with the biology teacher.
Their idiotic discussion went on for more than fifteen minutes, while the movie rambled on on screen, without anyone really paying attention to it.

He was more annoyed than usual when class ended.
There was ten minutes of spare time between classes, but he didn't bother to leave his seat.
He stayed put, watching his classmates fussing about.

Somehow he wanted to rip his hair out.
"What the hell are you doing?!" he scolded himself.
It was true that he couldn't remember much from the time when he and Naruto had been close, but he was certain now that the blonde was the same one.
At the same time, he wasn't. Because this Naruto was loud, and annoying and...it didn't correspond with the person Sasuke had known.
Then again, if he didn't remember, chances were he was wrong. But last week, when Naruto had been there, standing up for him, Sasuke had found himself wondering what made this guy want to help everyone despite how he was treated.
And it pissed him off. Not only because he didn't need anyone's help, but because he was stupid enough to snap at him and chase him off.
"I couldn't have talked to him though. Not with that psycho around..." he reminded himself. And again he cursed his own rashness.
How did he plan on getting close enough to bring up the topic if all he did was act like all the others did? Did he really want to get close to him though?
He'd managed alone for years. Why would he need to dig up dirt from the past?

His thoughts were interrupted.
He looked at the person who'd spoken to him. "What do you want, Sai?" he grumbled.
"I was just gonna make a suggestion."
"Yeah?"
"I've seen you and Uzumaki going at it. I like your style."
"And? You wanna team up and torture him or something?" Sasuke didn't lift an eyebrow.
"Well...we need to show him where trash like him belongs."
"Get lost."
"Wha-?"
"Get lost."
"I get it. You're a loner, eh?" Sai shrugged. "Whatever."

The Uchiha scowled at the other raven when he left the classroom.
He was about to go back to his self-destructing thoughts, when a conversation caught his ear.

"We should all go out again this Friday!"
"Great idea Sakura!" It was Naruto. "I doubt Gaara will be coming though..."
"Too bad. I liked him."
"What do you guys wanna do?"
"Yakiniku!"
"Isn't that mandatory when our group goes out by now?" Ino laughed.
"There's a festival.... we could go there afterwards?" Hinata suggested.

Sasuke didn't think, but he stood.
His legs seemed to move on their own.

"I think it's supposed to rain though."
"Then we'll just go to the arcade or something." Kiba suggested.
"Or we could watch a movie at my place; my parents are out of town."
"I'm sure we'll figure it out. And we could always get together on Saturday too!"
"Or even Sunday!"

Sakura suddenly lit up in a smile. "Sasuke-kun!"
The others turned to the Uchiha, standing next to them.
He didn't say anything.
"What do you want?" Kiba grunted.
Naruto just stared.
"I was thinking," Sasuke said calmly, "That...if your offer is still standing."
He cursed himself. Why was this so hard?
He sounded like a moron.
He wasn't used to interacting with people, and certainly not people he'd rejected a billion times.
"Offer?" Ino's eyes were hopeful.
"To go with you," somehow he managed to hide his insecurity.
"Where?" Kiba asked suspiciously.
"Can I come with you on Friday?"

***TBC***


Lamest cliffhanger EVER! @__@
Reviews make me happy!

Replies:

Reno's_Lover: Thank you! Well...at least they're...talking. Somewhat. xD More bonding to come! (I soo wanted to write bondage there! Lawl!)

Hello: I'm so glad you like it! ^_^ Hope this one wasn't too sucky x_x Yeah, Gaara gets better, and then as you can see, worse... Poor baby.

Kinkou: Thanks! I'm trying to update once a week, but I'm waaay too good at procastinating x_x I kinda feel guilty for making Sai this way, and believe me, I'd strangle him too. But I still love him. Yeah, Naruto's waaay too nice. *huggles him*

Nusku: LOVE is such a wonderful word! I love you for loving it! Here's an update!!

Kaa-san: Thanks! LOOVE! *swoons* Look out for the next update too, onegai?? ^_^

Hisoka Kurosaki: TWO reviews! You really make me happy! (Yes. In PANTS xD) Here's the updates. And I guess this chappie answered your question.

Blue_Genjutsu: Thanks hun! Well, at least he tried right? I love Sasuke's bastardness. Although it can be damned hard to write x_x

Wildkit: Thanks!! ^___^ Here's more!

Momoiro_Usagi: aAaaah! I just love you and your inspiration skills! *squeeze* Gaara and Naruto are giving me cavities xD Hopefully this chappy helps make up for your family thing! o.O

Jess: Aaah! Your review is so enthusiastic and YOUTFUL! Lol. THANKS! ^___^ *blush* I love my Gaara too ;p He's complex, but also easy to write. H/c is love! We'll see. There might be a scene like that coming up...*secretive giggle* Thanks again! *BIG HUG BACK!*