This way to the stars

AN:
I think I'd slap myself first beforehand... There's so much to squeeze in between chapters that I've realized only a total of three days (in the story) had passed since this fic began... that's pretty slow, if you think about it. I apologize if this is moving in a snail pace, but I'm trying to straighten out a few things first before going gung ho into the plot. If you have anything to say about this, please do tell me... I'll hear you out. ^_^

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
Official Voting starts today!! The voting process will last one week, to give chance to those who do not get to use the internet at a daily basis. (And for me to think of some major plotlines! :b)
Your choices are: a) SasukexNaruto b) GaaraxNaruto c) NejixNaruto
When you vote, please state clearly that you are going to vote! I wont accept those who say Sasuke/Gaara/NejixNaruto foreveeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrr!!!!
A friendly "Hi! I'm gonna vote! Sasuke/Gaara/NejixNaruto foreveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrr!!!!!!" Would do. ^_^
I haven't counted any votes casted before this chapter. (Sorry to those who already voted! Sniff!) All votes starting TODAY will be officially counted. So go vote! I'll be dutifully taking down your votes and will announce the winning pair at the end of the week so stay tuned!!
THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPPORT!!!!!!!!

Enough said... here's the next chapter...

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~~Life
"I hope you know...
The greatest adventure ever told
is the story of our lives."
-cookie


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Earlier that Morning...


Mornings were usually a good time of the day for Naruto. Not that getting up early was fun... it was just this time of the day when people were still drowsy enough to sufficiently ignore him, and therefore giving him a some precious time to do what he pleased. He always grabbed this chance to write a bit on his journal.

Kyuubi,
Yesterday was the first day of class. It could have been worse. Sakura hadn't ruined much for me yet, and I wish she'd just shut up and disappear. There's this guy- Kiba, and he's really cool. He's the first one to actually talk to me, and I promised him I'll be there for his next big prank. I think it was to some guy named Shino...
But there's also this really annoying guy, Gaara. I mean, what's his problem? He thinks he owns the school or something. He wanted me to move seats- ha! As if. I get enough shit from Sakura as it is. I wont take any more than what I'm forced to. I sure showed him! But Kiba looked really scared somehow... Hm, I wonder what Gaara did to make him look so scared? Tch, it must have been his eyebrows. Geez, did he burn them or something? Or does he just like shaving them off?

Naruto faintly heard Sakura calling out her goodbye, as the front door slammed close. He glanced at the clock and decided he should be going as well. He quickly scribbled in last few notes.

Oh, and then there's Neji. He's really nice. I wonder if I'd see him again today?

He quickly stuffed the shiny blue notebook into his bag and hurried out of his attic. Trying not to make too much noise, he scuttled towards the back door and let himself out. Ah, it was a nice warm day. Naruto took a deep breath and cracked a wide grin, tightening his grip on his bag. Look out world... Uzumaki Naruto is coming!

He walked down the busy streets, not hiding for once. It felt sooo good to just walk normally and freely... He always had to keep his head down before... especially when walking around crowded places. On lucky days, he only got verbal assaults. Those he could deal with. Sometimes though, he'd get a rotten fruit thrown his way and an occasional bad egg. Naruto winced. Those were like mini stink bombs since the stench clung to his clothes for the whole day.

Naruto had always wondered why the villagers hated him so much. It was no use asking the Haruno's since they hated him more than all the villagers put together- and also since they'd just beat him up for asking such questions... So Naruto never really understood why people scowled at him or frowned at him so hatefully. He supposed it was something his parents did... Mrs. Haruno said his mother was a prostitute who sold herself to disgusting people... He never believed her.

But why think of such depressing thoughts? Here, Naruto was more unknown. Here, no one knew who he was, or too busy to even care. And that was relatively a good thing, right? Right.

"Oh no..."

Naruto scratched his head, blinking around the unfamiliar streets. Did he take a wrong turn somewhere? He could have sworn he saw that peach building twice already...

"Great. I'm lost?"

Naruto shook his head, quickly dismissing the thought. Uzumaki Naruto did not get lost! He sighed impatiently, shifting his book bag to another shoulder. Maybe this WAS the right street... Bugger.

"I wish for a north star." Naruto loudly said to himself, raising an eyebrow to the mockingly bright cloudless sky. "So that it could guide me to where I need to be."

And he found one.

"NEJI!!!"

The pony tailed boy raised his head, narrowing his eyes to see who had called him. Naruto waved enthusiastically, grinning. He quickly went over to where the Hyuuga was standing, about to cross the street.

"Naruto." Neji greeted, a small smile making its way to his pale face. "Good morning."

"Yeah, good morning." Naruto quickly hoisted up his bag. Damn strap kept falling off his shoulder... "Thanks again for dropping me off that day. How was your class?"

"Ordinary."

"Ordinary?" Naruto repeated, snorting a bit. "Oh come on, you can do better than that. Were the girls pretty? Did you have an annoying classmate that wont shut up? Were there any bastards there?" God knows I have. Naruto added to himself.

Neji was amused. "Bastards huh? There's definitely a lot of them around."

"You tell me." Naruto agreed. "Like in my class, there's this guy, he's such a total ass. It wouldn't hurt to be a little more polite now, would it?"

"No, it wouldn't." Neji signaled for Naruto to follow him as they crossed the street together. Neji gently pulled Naruto by the hand when the blonde nearly crashed into the garbage can as he was animatedly waving his arms while stressing a point, focused too much on the Hyuuga to look at where he was going.

"...he wanted me outta my seat!" Naruto continued, not noticing his near crash. "So I gave him a piece of my mind and told him flatly- hell no. Go find your own seat. So he did! And I-"

Naruto paused and blinked at Neji's amused grin. "What?"

The Hyuuga shook his head. "You amuse me."

"Of course I do." Naruto said as a matter of factly.

This time Neji laughed. Naruto was pleased. Neji's face broke from his usual calm mask, his eyes crinkling faintly in mirth as his slow, hesitant smile took over to transform the beautiful porcelain face to life. He was beautiful. Naruto told him so.

"Am I?" Neji lightly wondered.

"Yeah, you're even prettier than the girls!" Naruto grinned. "Aww, is Neji blushing?!"

"I," Neji pointed serenely to himself. "...do not blush."

They rounded the corner, and entered a more familiar looking street. Naruto brightened when he saw the Ramen stand he land marked in his head. 'Ichiraku's' The sign declared in bold, red, block letters. Naruto planned to eat there in the near future. He'd bring Kiba and maybe perhaps Neji too. He was excited at the prospect of eating out somewhere with friends.

"How about you?" Neji continued, glancing at the blonde. "How was your first day in class?"

"It was fine." Naruto shrugged. "No visual catastrophe's." At least, not much.

"I'm glad."

The school came to view. Naruto eyed a poster proclaiming something he could not understand.

"Neji, what's that?" he pointed to several more of these posters stuck around the school walls.

"That's about the Club Fair." Neji explained, reminding himself again that Naruto was a transferee. "Konoha has a total of thirty clubs you can join. Club Fair is a day allotted for students to sign up for their respective clubs. Each club is supposed to have some sort of exhibit, and usually, an audition."

"An audition?" Naruto's shoulder's drooped a bit. He had been so excited at the thought of joining a club, but auditions??

"It's usually nothing big." Neji shrugged. "Of course, it depends on what kind of club your joining. If it's a sports club, naturally, you have to try out. If its drama, you have to show some acting skills to actually get to join... stuff like that."

"Oh." Naruto frowned. "What club are you in, Neji?"

Neji shrugged. "Well, I don't need one."

"What? Why not??"

Neji smiled mysteriously. "I just don't."

Naruto pouted. "You're a spoil sport, that's what you are."

They entered the school campus, and almost immediately, Naruto noticed the pairs of eyes glued to them once again.

"Neji..." Naruto tugged at the taller boy's sleeve. "Why are they staring at us?"

"Just ignore them, Naruto."

"It's because you're so pretty!" Naruto complained.

"Come on, I'll walk to your room."

Naruto took the offer and they went up the steps. As they neared the classroom, Naruto stifled a groan when he heard the familiar giddy squeals of Sakura. Neji raised an eyebrow.

"Someone you know?"

"Sadly." Naruto sighed, scratching his head.

If Sakura's squeals were any implications, then Naruto guessed she had just found her newest victim- er, infatuation.

"Thanks, Neji." Naruto flashed the boy a grin. "I'll be seeing you."

"Always a pleasure, Naruto." Neji bowed his head.

Naruto waited until Neji's firm form disappeared around the corner before facing the door. Taking a deep breath, he walked in.

"Cut it out Sakura-chan, give the guy a break!"


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RRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!

Ah, Lunch.

Naruto stretched loudly in his seat, working out a few cramps he had acquired along the way. It had been a long period... History was interesting but Naruto lost himself somewhere along the French Revolution. It's not as if he cared about who Napoleon screwed anyway.

"Oi, Naruto! Let's go grab some grub!" Kiba thumped him on the back, earning a mild glare from the blonde. Kiba ignored it.

"What are you going to get?"

"Ramen." Naruto immediately replied.

"Ramen??" Kiba scratched his head. "What are you on about? You cant eat Ramen for lunch."

"Why not?" Naruto said, grabbing his bag and standing up. Ramen for lunch seemed perfectly logical to him. They made their way down the busy hallway milling with students heading for the canteen.

"They don't even serve it here." Kiba pointed out.

"They don't?!"

"Nope. But they DO have meatloaf." The boy grinned.

"I'll pass." Naruto snorted.

They entered the crowded hall and tried to find a seat. Naruto grimaced as he was shoved aside by a bulky jock who was making his way for the line.

"Watch it!" the blonde yelled.

"Maybe if you get outta the way!" the jock snarled back, not even stopping.

Naruto muttered under his breath. How come people in Konoha were such asses?!

"Hey, look, there's Shikamaru." Kiba pointed at the pony-tailed boy who was lazily waving at them. "Come on."

Naruto shrugged and followed him, taking a seat across Shikamaru. Kiba paused for a moment to say hi and dump his bag onto an empty seat, before promptly moving away to grab a lunch tray.

"So..." Shikamaru took a bite of his sandwich. "You're Naruto, right?"

The blonde nodded. "And your Shikamaru."

The boy made a noncommittal sound. "That's me. You've got a lot of guts, kid- picking a fight with Gaara."

"He needs some good ass kicking." Naruto defended. Shikamaru shrugged.

"Maybe. But he's better off left alone."

Naruto snorted. Shikamaru ignored it. "You seem to have a knack in attracting big people. Gaara, then the Uchiha-" Naruto stifled a wince. "...and then there's the Hyuuga."

"Neji?"

Shikamaru spared him a glance. "So you're on name basis now?"

Naruto looked confused. "What's wrong with Neji?" As far as he was concerned, Neji's name did not belong to any of the previously mentioned ones.

"Nothing's wrong." Shikamaru waved an impatient hand. "It's just unusual that's all. The Hyuuga never really stuck around much. Especially with people."

"Neji's a good guy!" Naruto was quick to defend him.

"I never said he wasn't." Shikamaru calmly took a sip from a bottle. "It's just that people were wondering who the blonde from this morning who was seen walking with the SC president was. I figured it was you."

Naruto stared at him. "SC president?"

"You didn't know?"

"He's the Student Council PRESIDENT?!!" Naruto said disbelievingly.

Shikamaru shrugged. Naruto was miffed. How come Neji didn't tell him that? Wait- was that why Neji didn't need a club?? Scratch that, was that why people were staring??

"Maybe." Shikamaru replied, and Naruto started. Did he say that out loud? "Like I said, Hyuuga isn't much of a people-person. He never really socialized."

"But Neji's so nice!" Naruto objected, not really believing they were talking about the same person. "And I made him laugh... He told me all about Club fair."

"He did that?" Shikamaru lightly said, polishing off his snack. "Well, that's nice."

Obviously, the blonde did not know much if he didn't realize what a feat it must have been to get the Hyuuga to laugh. Shikamaru decided it wasn't worth it to upset the blonde by insisting otherwise.

"You're an interesting guy, Naruto. Try not to be too troublesome."

Naruto grinned at him. "Maybe I'm too much for you to handle."

Shikamaru ignored him.

"Good day, friends!" a loud voice sounded from behind him, followed by a muffled hello. Both heads turned around, and Naruto had to raise an eyebrow as a boy with an unusual bowl shaped hair cut bounded over with an enthusiastic wave of the hand. He was followed by another, who was busy munching over potato chips. Shikamaru nodded in acknowledgement, gesturing for them to sit.

"And who are you?" the first boy (with the weird hair and equally weird, thick eyebrows) looked curiously at Naruto, while taking a seat beside him.

"He's a new guy." Shikamaru replied boredly, stuffing his empty plastic into a bag. "Uzumaki Naruto."

"Hello, Uzumaki-kun!" the boy enthusiastically shook his hand. "My name is Rock Lee... how are you doing?"

Naruto grinned. "Call me Naruto."

Lee nodded, pointing to the guy behind him. "This is Chouji... He's always eating."

Chouji took time to wave amiably, before stuffing his face again. Naruto laughed. Interesting people.

"I'm BACK!!!" Kiba loudly said, plopping down his seat. "Oi, Lee! Chouji! When did you get here?"

"Just now." Lee replied. "So, Naruto, are you classmates with this mutt?"

"Unfortunately yes." Naruto rolled his eyes good-naturedly; laughing at the dark glare Kiba threw him.

"Ho ho!" Lee laughed loudly. "It seems you and Kiba get along quite well! Do you like pranks, Naruto?"

"Of course!" Naruto grinned. "I promised Kiba I'd help him play a prank on Shino."

Kiba laughed.

"I heard that." A dark haired boy wearing (Naruto rubbed his eyes) dark shades that was totally uncalled for indoor wear, suddenly appeared over the dog-boy's head, frowning at him.

Kiba cracked into a wide grin. "Shino! So glad you could join us! Naruto and I were just talking about this really good prank we were gonna do to you!"

"..." Shino silently took a seat

"That's Aburame Shino." Lee grinned at Naruto. "He doesn't talk much. Kiba's been trying to get him to react to his pranks for years! So far, he's never succeeded."

"Don't give up, that's my motto." Kiba loudly said. "Right, Naruto?"

"Absolutely." Naruto nodded, his eyes taking on a challenged glint.

"Troublesome." Shikamaru offhandedly murmured.

"Everything's troublesome for you." Kiba pointed out.

Naruto laughed along with the others. This was good- no, this was wonderful. He was eating and laughing with friends... Naruto looked around the friendly bunch of faces and felt an overwhelming happiness. He had friends.

A tap on his shoulder made him look up to meet a pair of familiar gray eyes. Naruto's face brightened when he recognized who it was.

"Neji!"

He didn't notice the silence that fell on the table.

"Hello, Naruto." The boy politely greeted.

"What are you doing here?"

Neji allowed a small flicker of amusement cross his face. "It's lunch time."

Naruto playfully punched him on the arm. "I know that. Did you want something?"

Neji shook his head. "No, I just came by to say hello. You aren't very hard to spot."

"It's my super power charm." Naruto seriously said.

Neji smiled. Naruto laughed. No one dared to breathe.

"Here. This is for you." Neji offered him a cold can of soda. "My treat."

Naruto grinned, happily accepting the can. "Thanks!"

Neji nodded, checking his watch. "I have to go now. Have a nice lunch, Naruto."

"Yeah, you too."

Naruto waited till Neji disappeared into the sea of people before turning back to answer the stares he was receiving. He blinked.

"What?"

Kiba's mouth was hanging open. Shino thoughtfully closed it.

"Naruto... you know Hyuuga-san?" Lee scratched his head in bewilderment. He saw Hyuuga smile! SMILE!!

"Yeah, Neji's a real nice guy." Naruto happily looked down at the soda in his hand. "I've never had soda before."

"What?" Chouji paused in his eating, staring at Naruto in amazement. "Never?!"

Naruto shrugged. "Never." He was never granted the privilege back in his old school.

"That's a sin." Chouji muttered. "Come on then, drink up!"

Naruto obliged, opening the can with a slight pop, listening to the liquid fizz inside. He took an experimental sip and his face cracked into wondering delight. Chouji nodded in satisfaction when Naruto gave a delighted whoop, declaring it was delicious.

"Dude..." Kiba croaked. "What is WITH you? First you piss Gaara, then you manage to get Uchiha on your case, and now you get nice and peachy with HYUUGA!"

Naruto decided to ignore the pointed look Shikamaru was giving him.

"Gaara can go to hell while Sasuke can go screw himself." Naruto airly said, taking another sip from his can. "As for Neji... well, what about Neji??"

"It's just- he's- what- AUUUGHH!!!"

"Very articulate, Kiba." Naruto dryly said.

"I saw Hyuuga SMILE!!" Lee dazedly said, absently snagging a fry off Kiba's plate. "He smiled..."

"It's a disturbing thought." Chouji agreed, also reaching out to grab a fry.

Kiba sharply tugged his plate away. My fries! Mine!

Naruto shrugged and took yet another sip. Orange Soda, he decided, was the best thing ever created by mankind. Well, next to ramen of course. Kiba and Chouji started arguing about French fries, while Lee managed to snag some more. Shikamaru made an annoyed sound when a fry landed on his head. He flicked it away.

"Troublesome."

Naruto was about to laugh at him when Kiba's plate overturned and ketchup splattered on his shirt. He closed his mouth, glaring at him.

"Kiba!"

Naruto joined the fight in a moment of confusion, as it soon turned into a full-fledged food war. Shino wisely stood up to move away as strawberry flavored gelatin started flying around.

Through this all, Naruto never noticed a dark pair of eyes glaring at him from afar.


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Review response!!!
I will never get tired of thanking you wonderful, wonderful dears! Poll is officially starting so get voting! I'm very interested in how this would turn out... ^_^ Please continue reviewing. It means the world to all authors.

liankitty: I'm glad you think so. ^_^
Reiko: Now there's food for thought!
tsuki: You're in luck... voting starts officially now! ^_^
Vox: Ooooh! Me too! next to basketball, i adore soccer! Did you watch the last Fifa world cup? It ruled!! ^_^ I'm so glad its almost starting again.. this 2007 i think... But although i do love it so much, I'm still not so familiar about the rules and all that stuff.. (stupid me!) so if i make any errors, please feel free to correct me! ^_^
dakara: Sleep is good.
Kirume: That's right! You DO know your anime!! ^_^ I'm glad you noticed it!
Kirume (again): Aww, Kiba's cute, isnt he? Official vote starts now! Go vote!! ^_^
TenshiKaitou: Yes, that's so Gaara, isnt it?
masako: *stares at the screen then falls of laughing*
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yks: I cannot agree with you more. Naruto is strong. I hope you dont interpret Naruto here as weak... The fact that he's still up and fighting for me, makes him strong already. I dont plan on making Naruto emotionally weak. But i hope you understand that Naruto's human too, and he has feelings... and at some point, he has to break. And at that point, someone has to be there to catch him. (I wonder who?? ^_^)
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Kativachan: No, that's not a song. (Or is it? i dont know.) But that's a quote from a friend of mine.
losthimagain: My school is weird. They scheduled our third finals right after the break. Usually, one takes finals before the break right? So yeah.. my minds empty and i'm struggling to kick back anything i've learned the past quarters... o.O
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otiak: I?