Shades Of Grey

Chapter1

Naruto stared at the back of the other boy’s head. He stifled a growl as he listened to the other flawlessly answer the teacher’s question. Asuma-san nodded his approval when the boy was done answering and explained to the class how he had come to his conclusion. Sakura was drooling over the Boy. Naruto let out a low growl as he watched the girl he loved fawn over the boy he hated. The black-haired boy ignored her, as he did with all other girls. Naruto’s patience with the boy was tested every day. He slid his focus to Asuma-san and tried to pay attention. Physics was never his strong subject, so he desperately needed to pay attention. He could not afford a grade lower than the one he currently held. Naruto sighed at his empty paper for the day. He had again missed his chance at notes. Asuma-san assigned homework, with only ten minutes remaining in class. Naruto plastered on his signature grin and turned to Sakura.

"Ne, Sakura-chan! Can I see your notes? You know, to compare and all?"

"Baka. You always ask me for my notes. Well, not today. I need to finish this work; I have plans this afternoon," she hissed.

Naruto’s face fell. He looked around the classroom for someone else to ask. He stubbornly refused to ask his rival. He saw Sai sitting a few desks down, and decided that his notes would do. He slipped out of his seat and crept over to Sai.

"Ne, Sai. Can I see your notes for class?"

"Didn’t take any today, Naru-kun? Ha, ok but just this once," he laughed, handing over his papers.

"Thanks!"

Naruto slipped back into his seat and copied the papers quickly before the bell rang, dismissing the class. Naruto slid the papers back to Sai discretely as he headed to his math class. He flashed Sai a smile and set out the door. Feeling proud of himself, he entered math with a grin. He waved to Jiraiya-san and took his seat.

"Not today, Uzumaki. New seating chart day," Jiraiya said.

Naruto groaned and stood up, walking to a corner no one had yet decided to stand in. The Boy walked into the classroom, Sakura and Ino following him, trying to tell him about their day so far. Naruto glared at him. No one bothered Naruto, as no one liked him. The Boy took a place on the wall opposite Naruto, and waited to be told where he could sit for the next six weeks. The bell rang, signaling the start of class. Jiraiya-san began seating students immediately. Naruto saw the few he called friends get scattered across the room. Jiraiya-san knew that if he was going to get any lessons done, he had to separate certain students. When Hinata was placed next to Kiba, and all of Naruto’s other friends were surrounded by others, his good mood totally disappeared. He sighed, momentary depression settling on his face.

"Uzumaki, sit here."

"Hai!"

Naruto trotted over happily and took his seat. Finally, he had snagged a seat in the back. Jiraiya-san had been given a classroom with tables that sat two, versus regular desks.

"Uchiha, you’re here."

Naruto’s jaw dropped. He started to stand and protest, but found a strong hand on his shoulder before he could. He glared up at Jiraiya-san. Sasuke took his seat next to Naruto, not even glancing towards the fox-faced blonde. Naruto growled low in his throat, but settled himself into his seat. Jiraiya-san finished seating his students, and then started his class. Naruto shot glares in Sasuke’s direction while Jiraiya-san gathered his things to start the lesson. Naruto made sure he took notes. He was determined to beat Sasuke. It seemed like the longest hour of Naruto’s life. When the bell dismissed him to lunch, he stretched happily, and then gathered his books and papers. He was seated with a bowl of hot ramen within fifteen minutes. Kiba dropped into the chair beside him.

"Sucks to be you Naruto. Having to sit next to Uchiha. Ouch," he teased.

"Whatever. Doesn’t bother me," Naruto answered through his noodles.

"Sure it doesn’t, Naru-chan," Sai laughed.

"Why are you always changing our names," Kiba scowled.

"Why not?" Sai asked, oblivious to the annoyance.

"Never mind…."

Naruto watched Sasuke take his seat alone. Naruto knew he would be joined shortly by Sakura and Ino. He masked his anger as he watched the two girls swoon over the black-haired boy. In his heart, Naruto knew he stood no chance with any girl at the school. He was taking classes at Konoha Academy by mistake. His scores in ninjutsu had secured him a place. He had rented an apartment several miles from the school, and worked after school to pay his rent. Naruto was the opposite of all the rich kids in the school. He knew some lived alone, like him, but they were provided for by parents. However, he never let his spirits fall too low. He had to prove that he belonged there somehow. He finished his ramen, and focused on his friends. Rock Lee had joined the table and was spouting off something about Gai-sensei’s teachings. Kiba was mocking the upperclassman behind his back, making Sai laugh uncontrollably and confusing the bushy-browed teen.

"Naru-chan! Did you get Friday night off for my party?" Sai asked excitedly.

"Huh? Oh, that’s right! Not sure. I’ll know tonight, though," he grinned.

Sai planned parties every month. His parents were a part of the few whom had bought a house near the academy for their child to live in. His parents did not like him, and he had been shunned by them his entire life. He had become socially challenged because of it, giving people weird nick names in attempts at friends. Kiba and Lee had taken it upon themselves to teach him proper manners, and had taught him to throw parties. That part had stuck with Sai, and though he was improving, he still clung to the weird names.

"I want it to be bigger than last weekend, you guys. Tell everyone. I mean everyone!"

Kiba groaned. Sai always said the same thing. He was not sure there was any student left who did not know about the monthly parties. Most students were too focused to attend, preferring to actually do their homework on the weekends. Naruto found comfort in the fact that Sasuke Uchiha fell into that category. He decided to invite Sakura if his boss cleared him for Friday night. Lunch was over much too quickly, but Naruto looked forward to getting to work. His day always passed quickly after lunch ended. Naruto found himself bouncing into the bookstore at four sharp. He waved to Iruka-san and slipped his work shirt on over his black tee. He started restocking shelves, humming an upbeat tune.

"Naruto. I’ve cleared you for Friday, but would you mind picking up Saturday morning? Yume called in."

"Sure. Thanks a million, Iruka-san!"

Iruka kept a watchful eye on the hyper boy as the night crept up on them. He employed few people at his bookshop, thus allowing him to pay Naruto enough to get by on. Iruka was a retired ninja. He had been approached by the Hokage of Konoha when Naruto had appeared in everyone’s lives. Upon request, Iruka had found the boy an apartment near his own home and given him a job at the shop. Naruto had proven himself worthwhile, and had quickly made his way into Iruka’s heart - like a son he did not quite have yet. He had taken up guardianship of the boy and had never since regretted his decisions when it came to Naruto. When the night was over, Iruka locked up and walked home with the boy. At first it had been to protect him, but Naruto had since become a man in his own rights, and, now, walking with him was a force of habit.

"So then, Jiraiya-san just sat him next to me! As if school isn’t bad enough," Naruto frowned.

Iruka chuckled. The boy always gave him an account of his school days. He ruffled Naruto’s already messy hair.

"How about a quick bowl of ramen before I send you home."

Naruto’s blue eyes lit up and he took off at a run towards the ramen shop between work and home. Turning as he ran, he waved to Iruka.

"Hurry up, old man!"

Iruka stuck his hands in his pockets and chuckled again, before picking up his pace.


~Friday~


Naruto sighed as he entered the school building. He had not seen Sakura alone the day before and had not yet asked her to go with him that evening. Sai had teased him before running off to his own class. Sitting down in first period history, Naruto leaned back in his chair, balancing in two legs. He watched Sakura enter the class, talking to Hinata. Naruto dropped his chair to the ground. Hinata would not laugh if Sakura turned him down, he just knew it!

"Hey, Sakura-chan!" he waved, walking up to her.

"Hey Naruto," she sighed.

"H-hi Naruto-k-kun," Hinata stuttered.

"Morning, Hinata-chan. Ne, Sakura-chan, Sai is throwing a party tonight. Would you come with me?"

"No way! Why would I go with you, baka!"

Naruto’s face fell. He turned to leave, but had another idea. He put on a smile and turned back to the girls.

"Well, come anyways! Even if its not with me. You too, Hinata-chan! A lot of people are going to be there, it’ll be fun."

"I’ll think about it," Sakura sighed.

"S-sounds great. I-I’ll try to g-get there, N-Naruto-kun," Hinata smiled.

"Great! See you girls tonight," Naruto winked.

Sitting down a few moments later, he was convinced he would see them there. He did not notice Sasuke enter the room and take his seat. Sakura was on him the moment he sat down.

"Sasuke-kun! I just heard about a great party tonight. You should come. Everyone is going to be there!" she smiled.

"No thanks," he muttered, avoiding looking at her.

"You have to, Sasuke-kun. Be there, please!"

The bell rang and Sakura took her seat, not waiting for an answer. Pein began his lecture immediately. Naruto focused completely, taking more notes than usual. When he answered Pein’s question correctly, he earned a compliment. He left the class excited. He could feel it would be a great day. As the final class of the day crept up on the students, no one seemed quite as focused. Mizuki gave up on the writing assignment, letting his last class of the day take it home for the weekend. Sakura was on Sasuke again, this time determined to get a ‘yes.’

"Naruto’s going to be there; you know he’ll be all over me if you aren’t there," she whined.

Sasuke raised at eyebrow at her, his eyes cold as usual. Sakura repressed a shudder.

"And why would I want to be in the same area as that dobe? I’m around him too much as it is," he snapped.

Sakura pouted, hoping the cute face would finally affect him. He looked away, disgusted.

"Itachi is coming home for the weekend. I’ll think about it. He’s almost as bad as the dobe."

Sakura squealed and returned to her things, ready to get home and change for the party. She made Hinata promise to go home with her before the bell rang. She knew the other girl had a crush on Naruto, and she was hoping the blond would notice and ask Hinata on a date. She told Hinata that she would help her catch Naruto’s attention for sure.