Art and Artifice

Art and Artifice
chapter 6

"It's not that big of a deal you know?"

"Of course it's a big deal!" Naruto frowned at Haku. "She was supposed to just send the pictures to some faceless bigwigs that I never have to think about..ever. Nobody said anything about exposing myself to this entire school full of nasty, judgmental teenagers!" Haku smirked slowly

"Oh? So what happened to 'maybe their all redeemable'?"

"Well they haven't been redeemed 'yet' have they?" the blond pouted.

"Look, even if Ino does enter the pictures in the show, what does it matter? The show is at the very end of the year, there wouldn't be time enough for it to have much of any affect on your high school career. Personally, I think it would be very interesting to see everyone's reactions." An oddly evil sort of expression crossed Haku's face. He noticed Naruto staring, wide eyed in mock fear and rubbed his hands together, cackling madly.

"You need to get some help," Naruto deadpanned

"Wow it really 'is' getting bad. He's completely humorless!" was Haku's response. Finally Naruto cracked a smile. "Ah there we are!"exclaimed Haku. "Come on, aren't you at least a little bit curious?"

"Well I guess it could be kind of entertaining. I just have a slight fear of drama, but maybe you're right, it shouldn't really pose too much of a problem so close to graduation day."

"Yeah, this place has given you a lot of grief and now we're going to be leaving it behind forever. You've gone with the flow for three years, so you should go out with a bang! You deserve to throw caution to the wind for once."

"I suppose I could look at it as a jump start to my new life right?"

"Right on, Kyuubi! Nothing will be quite the same anymore. Things are finally going to change for the better. We've got to celebrate! Let loose and be free! You should show up at that art show in nothing but a pair of assless leather chaps!"

"Haku!!" The two stared at each other for a moment, one dumbfounded and the other grinning from ear to ear. Then suddenly the dam burst and both were laughing hysterically. For long minutes, they had to lean on each other for support as they laughed hard enough to hurt. Finally they pulled away, heaving for air and Naruto wiped the tears of mirth from his face.

"God I needed that!" he puffed "Thanks Haku."

"Don't mention it. You know, come to think of it, the Art Show isn't too far away now. We should probably get to thinking about our own entries. If you want to do something new for it then you'll have to get started on it soon."

"I don't have any idea of what I want to do yet. I'll have to go on the search for inspiration. I can't believe it's so near already."

"Maybe our trip to the University will get the creative juices flowing," Haku suggested.

"Oh! I had almost forgotten about it! Ino was distracting me." Haku raised a brow.

"Was she now?"

"Stop that! You know what I meant."

"Well I can't be sure can I?" he teased his blond friend. "I mean 'I' wouldn't touch her but you're technically bi, right?" Naruto stuck out his tongue.

"I may think that both genders are attractive in their own way but that doesn't mean I'd jump on anyone that happened to walk by! Anyway weren't we talking about the tour tomorrow?"

"Yeah I've gotten you a bus ticket to get there but you'll have to buy yourself one for the way back. We have to be at the station by nine o'clock. It's two and a half hours in a car but the bus takes three hours. That should put us in Konoha by noon. The tour starts at one. We should have plenty of time."

"Right then. Nine o'clock."

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Two boys stepped nervously onto the campus of the Konoha University of Fine Arts. The University that they were hoping desperately to attend one day soon. Joining all the other nameless people who were milling about the main front entrance, they looked about in awe. The school was far from being a new establishment but the building's facade had been modernized. The design was clean had a certain simplicity without being boring. The bottom three feet of the wall was smooth, deep pinkish-brown marble. Above that, a subtle pattern had been created from granite and stucco in similar warm tones. Contrasting color was brought to the look with some very unique stained glass windows in the big double doors and the sidelights. The University logo, a stylized leaf with a spiral in the center was etched in granite above the entrance and the line of the roof was curved rather than straight. The lawns were nicely landscaped with some Japanese Maples lining the front by the road and a few cherry trees growing here and there. There were also some interesting sculptures that were nothing like the stodgy old lions and things that graced the grounds of the average, older university. Naruto and Haku were most impressed.

"So what are we supposed to do now?" asked Naruto "Do we go in or just wait here?"

"This entrance is the designated meeting place. I guess these other people are here for the tour as well." Naruto hopped up onto the steps and tried to peak in through the stained glass. Of course this didn't work so well and he reached out to test the handle. At that precise moment the door swung open, unbalancing the poor blond. A hand reached out to steady him but when Naruto looked up to apologize, he saw....Uchiha? Instantly he jerked away pulling his arm harshly from the man's grasp and stumbling back against Haku. Dark eyes looked sharply at the hooded boy, curious about his odd reaction. Then the man cleared his throat.

"Hello my name is Itachi. I assume you are all here for the tour. I will be your guide today." The voice was deep and rich, Naruto noticed. He didn't 'sound' like Sasuke at all and now that he took more time to look, he noticed that this person was taller, older and there were some differences about the face also. He felt a little bit silly.

"But can you blame me?" he thought to himself. "Even now the resemblance is obvious."

"Kyuubi," whispered Haku, "What the heck was that? Why'd you freak out?"

"Are you kidding me?! He looks just like that Bastard Uchiha!" Suddenly Naruto noticed the feeling of eyes on him. Slowly he turned around to see their guide staring in surprise. "Ah heheh.. Wow I said that really loud didn't I?" he said sheepishly. "Sorry about that." He chanced a look at Itachi to find him smirking with amusement.

"So, you know my little brother? How interesting."

"Well...'know' might be a strong word."

"Yet you know him well enough to hate him. May I ask your name?" Haku shoved Naruto forward and pulled off his hood. Itachi's interest instantly doubled. He was extremely curious to know what exactly had happened between his brother and this stunning creature. He had never seen someone so...indescribable.

"Um, I'm Uzumaki Naruto." The way Itachi was looking him over so intensely was making the blond almost literally squirm.

"I must begin the tour now but I would be very interested in speaking with you later. I love to hear from people who think Sasuke's a bastard." Naruto smiled involuntarily at that and Itachi found himself further enchanted. What an absolutely brilliant smile!

Itachi went back to his duties, beginning with a speech about the history of the university. Somebody asked if he worked here and he explained that he was just a student. No professors had been available to join them today but he would be able to answer most any questions they may have.

"I think he likes you Kyuubi chan!" Haku whispered. Naruto blushed then blushed even more hotly as he realized he was blushing.

"H-He's probably just curious. I mean I did just practically shout out that his brother was a bastard..right?" He looked over at the tall, dark young man and saw those dark eye's glance back at him. Quickly, he averted his gaze.

"Uh huh," Haku smirked "Well I guess you'll find out later."

Thus began their expedition. The group began moving through a circuit that brought them to all of the major departments of the school. Naruto was enthralled by each department they discovered and he had lots of questions. Itachi explained a little bit about almost every fabrication process as he herded them through each department. They started out with drawing, painting and printmaking and moved on to another building for textiles jewelry, and ceramics. Sculpture had a whole building of it's own as it required so much room, with sections for casting and stone carving as well as a wood shop and a metal shop and other miscellaneous things. The schools own gallery was located in this building as well, likely so that students showing large sculptures wouldn't have to move them very far. The film and photography departments were in a building together with the art history department and the university library, which included a huge slide library and a film section as well. Itachi made sure to show the group the location of each department office and most importantly the main administration office.

Naruto asked lot's of questions about the course loads, the different possible majors and their requirements and commented about some combinations of processes he'd like to try. Normally he would never be so talkative with a group of strangers but he was just too excited to contain himself. He was too distracted to be shy at the moment and he spoke eagerly with several other people in the group, all of whom responded to his natural charisma, feeling relaxed and welcome in his presence. By the time the tour came to a close, the endearing blond had forged the tentative beginnings of several future friendships. The people he'd just met took their leave with warm farewells and wishes of good luck. Naruto smiled and waved happily, hoping he would in fact be accepted to this university and see some of them again.

Itachi watched the small blond boy as he interacted with the rest of the group. He'd never seen anything quite like it. He thoroughly enjoyed the enthusiasm the boy exuded and it seemed, he wasn't the only one. It was as if this one person's energy could affect everyone in his immediate vicinity. Itachi had led a couple of other tours but he'd never had such an upbeat and comfortable crowd. Naruto and his friend were the only ones left now. They were looking at the student work that was displayed in some cases on the wall. Itachi actually cracked a smile at the blond's expression. The boy was completely absorbed.

"So, do you feel ready now, to make your course selections?" Itachi asked.

"Oh, I want to do so many things! It all looks so interesting. I'm going to have to really think it over awhile longer. But actually I haven't even been accepted yet."

"Don't listen to him," Haku broke in. "He's definitely going to be accepted. He's ridiculously talented so it's just a matter of time.."

"Haku, you don't know that for sure!" Haku scoffed

"Of course I do. You should see his work. It's amazing."

"Really?" Itachi directed his question to Naruto and took in the adorable blush creeping over the oddly scarred cheeks with great amusement.

"Uh.. well, I..I don't.."

"So modest, " he teased subtly. "Perhaps you'd be willing to explain it to me over coffee. I would still like to hear your story about my little brother as well." Before Naruto could respond, Haku jumped in.

"Well I really should be going. Zabuza will be waiting for me. But Naruto could stay anyway. He could always catch the next bus."

"Eh? Haku?"

"See you tomorrow Kyuubi! Have fun!" With a wicked grin and a wink at his friend, Haku took off. Naruto gaped helplessly at his departing form.

"Shall we?" Naruto looked back to Itachi to find the taller man politely holding out his arm for him to take. He reached out hesitantly to take the arm, his cheeks burning. Itachi looked down at the blushing blond on his arm and smirked.


A/N; They've finally met! (squeal) How do ya like them apples! No really, how 'do' you like it? I'm glad you guys approved of the last chapter. I agonized (probably just paranoid) over whether the way it was written fit in stylistically with the rest of the story. I feel better now, but I know you were waiting for this meeting and I hope it lived up to your expectations.