Just Another Day In Konoha

Disclaimer: Still, Naruto is not mine. Nope.


Chapter 1 - And the Day Begins


In the vast and bustling city that was Konoha, an endless stream of chatter supplied the latest bit of news. Entertainment news, that is. A single name could be heard like the reciting of a mantra from every mouth. Some would say it was, well...


"This is creepy as hell!" commented a rather perturbed blue-eyed blond. Taking great care not to trip on the curb as he crossed a teeming street of businessmen, Uzumaki Naruto tugged nervously at the sleeve of his best friend's jacket. Ever since stepping outside his apartment complex, all he'd been hearing was the same thing, and he hoped his shaggy-haired companion could shed some light on the mystery.


With a feral grin of delight, Inuzuka Kiba leaned close to his friend, who, being distracted by the trafficking herds of workers, didn't notice the devious gesture, and faintly whispered, "We're coming for you, U-zu-ma-ki Na-ru--“, before yelping at the sharp pain on his head. "What the hell was that for, Naruto!?"


Pinning the brown-haired teen with a stubborn glare, Naruto huffed faintly, barely masking the brief glance around. "You fleabag, you know I'm paranoid to begin with." growled the blond, as he quickly adjusted the bright orange hooded-sweatshirt to curb his agitation.


Hissing as nailed fingers gently probed the sensitive skin on his scalp; Kiba narrowed his eyes at the idiot blond, whimpering at the slight tinge of pain that shot from the growing whelp. "Geez, you don't have to be an ass, Naruto. I don't know what the whole conspiracy is about..."


The pair continued their journey in silence, crossing what to anyone else would have appeared a maze of streets, alleyways, and sidewalks, until finally reaching the destined bus stop. Naruto, being completely lost in thought and trying to tune out the soft murmurings, didn't notice his schoolmates' arrival until an accusing voice rang out between two rivaling girls.


"Ino, is that my scarf?" challenged a pink-haired teen, her evergreen eyes filled with to-be annoyance if the answer was 'yes.' She wore a cream-colored uniform, as was school regulations, with the traditional Konoha High School 'leaf' emblem on the front lapels.


The addressed girl, also adorned in the same Konoha uniform, though far different in physical appearance with platinum-blond hair and light blue eyes, tapped her chin in momentary thought. "Well, Sakura, I recall we had a bet last week... and the prize was one item of clothing from the others closet... and since you lost..." Ino's cool voice trailed off with that thought, much to a bristling Sakura's irritation.


That's when a particularly reckless Kiba decided to step between the girls' potential quarrel, and beaming a wolfish grin, held up his hands between the two. "Now, now, ladies, not on the first day back, hmm?"


At a deadly glare shot from Sakura, the messy-haired teen backed off, much resembling a puppy when suddenly reprimanded for doing something wrong. Shoving his hands into either pocket, Kiba sulked beside Naruto, who for once was being somewhat quiet. "I need to get new friends..." mumbled the pouting teen, idly fingering a pair of dog tags hidden within the fabric of his right pocket.


Luckily enough for everyone gathered, an olive green bus pulled up beside the crowd of students, silencing Sakura's retort for the moment. The clear doors retreated to either side of their framing and, one by one, the moping students climbed aboard and claimed seats.


Sakura and Ino sat together, tossing playful banter and annoying childhood nicknames around like in elementary school. While the petty competition drew out just a seat in front, Kiba jostled Naruto with his elbow to wake the blond teen from his uncharacteristic stupor of silence. It just wasn't natural for Naruto. "Hey, what's the matter?"


"Huh? Oh... I was just thinking." he replied flatly, taking his first good look around. Shikamaru and Chouji sat across the isle, and he waved at the pair, receiving a half-hearted wave in return. Most of the older students sat in the back, he noted, turning his attention to the two girls a seat up.


Suddenly frowning, Naruto leaned his elbows across the top of the black seats, hearing the same name that'd been buzzing everywhere on the streets. "Of course I've heard of him, forehead girl. He's just the hottes--"; Ino stopped speaking when Naruto leaned between the two from behind.


"Hey, I've been hearing stuff about whoever that is all morning... what's going on?" he questioned, looking from Ino to Sakura. Spending a few added seconds on Sakura, who he'd had a crush on since middle school, before offering a wide grin.


The two looked offended at the question, immediately shoving a magazine article into the blonde's face. "He's only the sexiest guy in existence." they recited in unison.


Naruto looked at the article picture with distain before moving to the text. "Number one bachelor... recently snagged by Sound Music Industries for his indisputably sinful voice and prodigal talents with the violin... he's also delved into the world of modeling, which is good news for all you fan girls... So, as you all can plainly see, Uchiha Sasuke has earned the title of Number One Bachelor."


Naruto read the article aloud and blinked, handing the magazine back to Ino. "He doesn't seem that great." He commented, earning a whelp from Sakura. Before digging himself into a deeper hole with his dream-girl, Naruto huffed and turned back to look out the tinted windows, lowly whispering in contempt, "Uchiha Sasuke."


~*~


"That's great, Sasuke-kun, just hold that pose."


The familiar clicking of a camera sounded somewhere to his left, and he struggled to keep his eyes closed. No matter how many photo shoots he modeled in, he never quite felt comfortable being leered at by those perverted photographers. And they were perverted most of the time, though a few actually had an air of professionalism about them that was somewhat relaxing.


"Sasuke, just part your lips a bit -- yeah, just like that."


Unfortunately, this one did not.


Barely restraining the cold scowl that almost broke loose, Sasuke parted his lips so they were only slightly not touching. It was already an hour into the photo session and he was becoming a bit agitated, though he hid it like a pro.


Still, only one more inappropriate comment and he was out of there. Lying half-naked on a bed, eyes closed, and mouth -- if even slightly -- open, was already way too vulnerable.


"Alright, Sasuke, now just moan a bit."


The first thing that flashed through Sasuke's mind was 'What the hell?!', and his open, widened eyes clearly conveyed the shock. He certainly wasn't expecting that.


Chuckling only a short distance away, the photographer waved his hand, smirking fondly at the bewilderment stamped across Sasuke's face. "Relax, I was only kidding. We're done." As though to pacify his frowning model, the photographer opened his empty hands to show he had no camera, and shrugged weakly.


Sasuke immediately slid off the bed, mumbling several choice words under his breath, and stretched his right arm. The muscles were a bit chilled, not to mention sore, from holding it above his head at an awkward angle throughout the session. He rolled his shoulders, unknowingly giving several attendants a rather pleasant show.


The photographer hadn't missed the lovely display either, and grinned predatorily. "Hey, Sasuke," he called, waving his hand to indicate the digital screen in front of which he sat, "come here and see the fruits of your labor."


He really didn’t want to see the 'fruits of his labor.' More than ready to just leave, but a little weary of what the results of ignoring his photographer might be, Sasuke trudged over in the only remaining item of clothing he wore.


Displayed on the screen when he arrived were several small frames of his earlier poses, while a large image of his 'bed sprawled' position claimed the center. It was a good picture, he admitted, silently glancing at the photographer with an arched brow. The scene was of what him, lying rather provocatively on a queen-sized bed lined with burgundy silk sheets. Against the darker hue, his pale skin turned nearly ethereal in appearance. His boxers were a pure black and stuck out wonderfully, though he'd never willingly admit it.


"Hn," Sasuke grunted deep in his throat, nodding to confirm his meaning. "It's fine."


With that said he walked into the dressing rooms to clothe himself and generally just leave the vicinity. Unfortunately, he didn't quite make it out quick enough to avoid the, "Mmm... fine is definitely an understatement." comment that slipped from the photographer's lips.