>>Chapter 1: Fun at School

~Naruto POV~

I run my hand up the inside of Gaara’s leg. My friend moans theatrically and pulls me closer to him, Gaara has always been good at acting his face is like a mask; it never shows anything unless he wants it too. I, however, am terrible at drama and I have to lower my head to suck on Gaara’s neck to hide my laughter. When I have my face under control I sneak a peek over Gaara’s shoulder at my other friends. I see the normal reaction: Ino and Tenten are staring unashamedly at our antics mouths slightly open and heads to the side and Kiba is bright red in the face and attempting to distract himself by staring intensely at Ino’s boobs!

Kiba’s latest strategy is too much for me and I double over with laughter, leaning on Gaara who gives a small smile; even Gaara enjoys our little games with Kiba! Ino and Tenten love it, of course, because they get to see real live yaoi! Apparently Kiba is the only one uncomfortable with it, but that’s what makes it fun!

“Naruto!” Gaara scolds, though he’s still smiling slightly, “You always start bloody laughing!”

“Well sorry if not all of us are emotionless!”

“I’m not emotionless!” He hits me lightly.

“Yeah I know you’re EEEEEEMO!” That earns me a harder hit, but it’s true so I’m not taking it back.

It’s lunchtime and we’re all sitting at our usual bench round the side of the art rooms. Everyone knows this is our bench, but just in case, we covered it in graffiti (a lot of it was Gaara’s doing ‘cause he’s the artist of our group)!

“I wish you guys wouldn’t do that!” Moans Kiba, “You know the whole school thinks you’re a couple!”

“Why should we give a shit what everyone else thinks?!” I really couldn’t care less, they’re all assholes anyway!

“Whatever! But the last girlfriend I had kept asking me for details on you two!”

“Kiba! Seriously man is there a girl in this school you haven’t dated?” Asks Ino reproachfully.

“Yeah! You two,”

“Thanks!” Says Tenten.

“And Sakura,”

“Yeah it doesn’t look like you’ll get a chance there! Since she has Neji now she obviously doesn’t need us losers!” Puts in Ino.

“And a whole load of that prissy lot.”

“So everyone who doesn’t follow Hyuuga?”

“Not everyone! Jeez you make me out like I have a different girl every week.”

“Pretty much!” Snorts Gaara.

“You can’t really judge you frigid gay!”

Gaara glares at Kiba and pulls a black marker from inside one of his arm-warmers (he always keeps it there) and next second there is a very offensive sketch being added to the bench.

“Okay enough!” I search for a change of subject, “Anyone know what I got next?”

“English.” Says Tenten.

Great! Wish I hadn’t asked now! I groan and lie flat out along the table top.

“Oi!” Shouts Tenten pulling her book out from underneath me.

Ino sighs and strokes my hair, she’s nice like that! “Don’t worry babe, just keep your head down and do as your told.”

“It doesn’t help; the guy really hates me! It‘s not my fault I suck at English!”

“I know he’s hard on you but Ebisu-sensei is a good teacher so just try and listen.”

I nod along but doubt her words. Ino’s fine; Ebisu’s always nice to the girls, the pervert! I let Tenten rest her book on my belly as she reads.

Whilst I may not get along with a lot of the teachers (with the exception of Iruka my adopted dad) I do quite like our school. It has all the typical high school cliques, the populars, the school council, the real geeks, the drama club and then there’s those who don’t fit in anywhere, that’s us. Most of us choose to be our own group, like Gaara for example: he’s great at drama and the drama club has asked him to join countless times, but he always turns them down, and Ino; she could easily be a popular, so could Kiba. It’s okay for them but people like me and Tenten didn’t have a choice! The drama club may not care if Gaara’s gay but the rest of the school does and they hate me for it! Well fuck them! I don’t need to be classed as ‘popular’, personally I think I have the best group of friends a guy could ask for! Tenten didn’t have much of a choice either, the people who remember when she joined our junior school made sure of that. She used to live on the streets until Ino’s parent’s took her in. She’s pretty smart now and well-mannered when need be but back then she was pretty rough; nearly didn’t make it to high school when she pulled a knife on some girl from the year above who, in my opinion, was asking for it!

But the best thing about our school is the dress code; it’s really lax. You got to wear some form of black bottoms, white shirt and black jacket but we can wear it anyway and with anything we want! Like me, I wear an orange t-shirt and my shirt open, I actually look pretty scruffy, ’cause I have rips all over my black jeans and the left leg is open up to my knee on the inside, but no one really cares!

Tenten wears her baggy old black jeans which are full of pockets and she cut the sleeves off her shirt. Ino’s outfit always brightens up my day, literally; she wears those really short shorts with a different brightly coloured pair of tights everyday! Seriously, there’s like pink, green, fluorescent yellow, leopard skin, my favourite are the orange ones! I like Ino’s style she wears all that big plastic jewellery, Sakura used to wear that stuff too (before she abdicated).

Kiba likes the casual style like me but Gaara really tests the limits! He chopped the arms off his shirt too, only he didn’t do it neatly like Tenten, the left arm comes down to his elbow but the right is non-existent, he pinned a net sleeve to his right arm that comes all the way down to hook over his thumb! Then he adds the tightest pair of black jeans he could find and his ever-present red and black chequered arm-warmers.

What’s really cool about our school uniform (if you can call it that) is that we were each given a patch with the Konoha High School logo on it, but we weren’t told were we had to put it! So of course we all put it somewhere different! I honestly can’t sew but I can use superglue so I glued it to the first place I thought of, which happened to be the inner side of my left shoe, which works out pretty well because what with the big rip up my leg it’s actually more visible then I intended at the time.

The prissy school council lot, (now including Sakura) all wear their patches proudly on their chests but we, ‘The Misfits’, decided to be more interesting. Gaara used yet more safety pins to attach it to one of his scar-hiding-arm-warmers, Ino sewed it to the back of her shorts so if anyone asks to see it she can wave her bum in their face (I mean it‘s not like she‘s got anything to be ashamed of in that area), Kiba got Ino to sew his to the corner of his shirt and Tenten wears hers on the back of one of the fingerless gloves she‘s always wearing. We like to test the rules; it’s more fun that way!

The bells rings and I groan dramatically refusing to get up so Ino has to drag me to English. The rest of the day goes pretty quick. Same old, same old; get picked on by Ebisu-sensei (not my fault he can’t take a joke), get a particularly good case of the ‘Neji Evils’, you know; the ones he reserves especially for me, and then at the end of the day I couldn’t get to my locker ‘cause Gaara’s big sister, Temari, and her latest boyfriend, Sai, were making out in front of it. By the time I finally get home I am too tired to go out so I text Ino to let her know I won’t be meeting them down at the skate park like I usually do and instead slump on the sofa and grab the remote control.

I am still flicking through the channels when the door is pushed open and a pile of papers edge their way into the room. I get up and take half the pile to drop them on the kitchen table, as I do so the tanned face of Umino Iruka is revealed.

“Hi Naruto, good day?” My guardian asks.

I smile brightly despite my exhausted state. “A normal day of,” I mimicked Ebisu’s snotty voice, “‘mediocre work’.”

“Wind him up again did we?” Iruka attempts a stern look but I know him too well; Iruka doesn’t like Ebisu anymore than I do, he just has to be civil because they’re colleges.

“Who me?” I give him puppy dog eyes and Iruka sighs.

“Tsk, Naruto, you got to start taking life seriously, being mature. You’re nearly 16!”

I don’t know how many times he’s used that one against me recently but it’s getting old. I mean so what if I’m nearly 16? That’s means fuck all! I’m still technically a kid, not allowed a car, not allowed to drink *cough* and besides I’m not really THAT immature, I just like to have a bit of fun in life! What’s wrong with that?

“Yeah, yeah okay Iruka, I’ll do my best.” I say just to shut him up.

There’s nothing on the TV and I have no desire to be lectured by Iruka so I drag my tired ass down the hall to my bedroom. I love my room. When we first moved here Iruka said I could paint it whatever colour I wanted, I think he regretted it when I chose orange! And it’s not dark, burnt orange either, it’s bright, vivid, REAL orange! I flop down on my big fluffy (orange) beanbag and reach over to turn on my lava lamp, it lights the room up with an orangey glow. I swear if I ever grow out of orange I will be totally fucked! But I don’t think that’ll ever happen so it’s okay!

After some of Iruka’s brilliant cooking I head back to my bed and bury under the orange and black spotty covers. I don’t know why I’m so exhausted, it’s not like I worked hard today or anything! As I watch the orange lava bubble inside the rocket shape lamp my thoughts drift back to my friends, they always do, my friends mean everything to me and I’d never want them to get hurt!

I think about hugging Gaara, teasing Kiba and getting a small smile from Sakura today. We still get along, me and her, we probably always will, it’s just there’s a distance there now that wasn’t before. It’s a shame because we used to be really good friends, I was even closer to her than I am to Ino, (but not as close as Gaara). When I noticed how she didn’t laugh along with us or how she sometimes hung out with Neji, Hinata, Shikamaru and Shino after council meetings it was already too late. You know that saying: ‘When you think you’re losing somebody, they’re already lost.’? Well that was exactly the case with Sakura. But I guess she’s happy now and remember when I said I didn’t want my friends getting hurt? Well the same goes for Sakura now! She’s got a good thing going with Neji and I want her to be happy! With that thought in my head I allow slept to take me.

And wake up all too soon to the sound of Iruka’s voice yelling at me that if I don’t get up now I’ll be late. I groan and reluctantly throw off warm bed covers. I trudge to the kitchen rubbing the sleep from my eyes to find a grinning Iruka holding a large chocolate cake. My eyes widen in shock. I completely forgot; today’s my birthday!

>>Chapter 2: Enter: Uchiha

~Sasuke POV~


I pull on my long black coat and throw my satchel over my shoulder before jumping into my brothers car. I am silent as Itachi reminds me, once again, that he wants me to make friends with ‘the right people’. I have no intention of doing so. The main reason for my silence is that when I find myself some interesting friends he won’t be able to say anything ‘cause I never agreed to be the perfect student, at least not this time!

We park the car and make our way to head office, getting many stares along the way I might add. But there’s nothing unusual about that! I couple of men at the office greet us and launch into an explanation of the school. I’m not really listening, I’m watching, watching their behaviour. From the moment they introduce themselves as Kotetsu and Izumo I conclude that they are more than just friends, if you catch my drift. They hand us timetables and maps and Itachi tells me he’ll meet me in the car park after school.

As I walk down the corridor, alone, I receive numerous stares and whispers of ‘New Kid’ reach my ears. I take in my surroundings, plastic floors, scruffy wall displays, nothing I haven’t seen before. This school even seems to have the same cliques as all the rest; geeks, sport stars, Barbie girls, Goths. I wonder which I’ll be this time; I’ve attended a lot of schools, (Itachi keeps moving us around) and at each school I’ve tried a new group. I’ve been an emo (that was depressing), drama club member (I wear a lot of black anyway so it wasn‘t so hard), a geek (learnt some useful hacking tips), I was even the star of the schools track team once! But by far my most boring position ever was at my last school where I was on the student council. Seriously, I do not want to spend my lunchtimes discussing the schools litter problem! I vow that this time I’ll find an interesting group to hang around with!

When I finally find my room, (that map was virtually useless) I’m running kind of late. I knock on the door and wait patiently. Normally people would be nervous right now, but I’m not. I have been the new kid so many times it’s just routine now. Besides I always seem pretty popular, just like Itachi, guess we’re gifted that way.

I hear a call of, “Come in.” and push the door open.

The classroom is tiered with fixed in desks and benches. A tanned man with a scar across his nose is sitting at his desk in front of the blackboard. He turns to me as I walk over to him.

“Ah yes of course the new student.” He smiles at me at me before standing and turning to address the class.


~Naruto POV~


Iruka-sensei cleared his throat. “Right class, listen up, we have a new student with us today… Sorry what was the name?”

“Uchiha Sasuke.”

My head shot up at the deep voice to find the most gorgeous boy I have ever laid eyes on standing at the front of the class like he owns the place. He has bluish black hair, pale perfect skin and seems to give off an air of cool confidence. His hair is spiked up at the back and his collar is up in a way that just seems to suit him. I can’t help but stare along with everyone else; this guy is going to be popular! My heart sinks as I realise that that means I won’t be getting to know him.

“Right Sasuke, you can go sit next to Neji.” Says Iruka.

Man I hate that Hyuuga! He looks so smug right now! I glare at Iruka who doesn’t seem to notice; how could he condemn the Uchiha to Neji?! Doesn’t me being his sort of son get me just a little bit of special treatment? Now that would have been the best birthday present ever; to have the hot new kid entrusted into my capable hands! I didn’t mean it like that! Although… okay I just thought of an even better birthday present!

I watch Sasuke for most of the lesson, the way the sun makes his hair glint with shades of blue, the way he leans his elbows on the table and link his slender fingers together. How he’s sewn his school patch on the back of his collar and how-

A poke from Gaara interrupts my thoughts and turn to glare at him. He passes me a note:

‘You’re drooling.’

I stick my tongue out childishly at him and scribble back.

‘Not my fault he’s sex on legs!’

Gaara looks the Uchiha over appreciatively.

‘Agreed.’

‘Back off he’s MINE!’

‘No he’s not. He popular.’

I don’t reply. Gaara’s right.

>>Chapter 3: I’m Naruto!

~Sasuke POV~


I hate guys like Neji. They’re just like my ‘friends’ from my old school. I mean I’ve been here, what? Five minutes? And he’s already trying to enrol me on the freaking school council! Itachi would want me to join, hang out with the perfect kids again, but he can forget it. He hangs out with the worst kind of people, more than once our moving has been due to his ‘friends’ so he can’t really lecture me, not that that stops him! Don’t get me wrong, I love my brother, really I do but sometimes he just really pisses me off. He’s so patronising, trying to dictate my life for me. I’ve always been clever, a straight A student in every school, and same goes for him. The difference is whilst I’m expected to hang out with the posh kids he goes around in gangs getting into goodness knows what shit. I always wondered why his rough, class skipping friends ever hung around with him, then I figured it was because being clever comes in handy; he knows more than just algebra, he has skills, useful ones that aren’t strictly legal. But then he goes trying to wrap me in bubble wrap and make me live a perfect life, but you know what? A perfect life is really boring. I want excitement, fun, something different!

I can feel someone staring at me but I don’t look around; I’m the new kid of course they’ll stare.

We have maths before lunch and again the feeling that someone is watching me is getting on my nerves it takes all my control not to turn around and look them in the face. Instead I concentrate on surviving the posh voice of Neji, who for some reason is sitting next to me again. I tell him, politely of course, that I have no interest whatsoever of being on the school council but him and his pink-haired girlfriend still try to drag me to eat with them at lunch.

When I finally shake them off I go off in search of a nice peaceful table. I am well aware that my choice of table today will decide my fate in this school and choose one hidden away around the corner where some girl with her brown hair in buns is apparently asleep on her book. She looks okay (not prissy anyway) so I silently sit down and pull out my lunch.

I’m not there long before I hear laughter and I turn to see who’s coming. Four people round the corner their laughter stops as they see me.

“Oi! That’s our table!” Shouts a brown haired boy with triangle marks on his cheeks.

“Shut it.” Growls a short red haired boy flicking a look at the blonde boy who has just hit his other friend on the head. The brown haired boy scowls as he rubs his head and the four walk over to where I sit.

“Hey Sasuke!” Says the blond boy with a huge grin. “I’m Naruto, by the way, Uzumaki Naruto! And this is Yamanaka Ino,” he puts an arm around the blond girl beside him as she eyes me up, “Subaku no Gaara,” He points at the strangely dressed red head, “and this grumpy guts is Inuzuka Kiba, but you can call him dog-breath.”

“Just you try it!” The brown haired boy growls at me.

“Oh yeah and sleepy over there is Tenten!”

I glance at the sleeping girl as Kiba throws himself down beside her. “Good job guarding the table Tenten!” He says hitting her on the head. She jumps up immediately, making a grab for something in her back pocket. “Knife not there Tenten?” Kiba asks smugly as she gives up searching for something that’s obviously not there and slumps back down giving Kiba a quick punch.

My eyes widen at the mention of a knife. “Why would you carry a knife?” I ask.

It’s Naruto that answers me as he settles himself next to me. “She’s a street rat.” He says casually.

Tenten scowls. “I prefer the term homeless.”

I have to ask. “Homeless? Where do they send letters from school? A cardboard box?”

This earns me a bigger scowl. Ino gives a short laugh from where she‘s now seated on my other side. “She’s not homeless anymore; she lives with me.”

“Who the hell are you and how long have you been sitting there anyway?” Asks Tenten.

“Uchiha Sasuke, and not long.”

“So Sasuke, what’s the story?” I raise an eyebrow. “Why the hell are you sitting with us losers when you could be off with the most popular people in the school?”

“Popularity’s overrated.”

“Haha, my kind of guy!” Says Naruto happily giving me a slap on the back.

“Hey have you got a brother by any chance?” asks Ino suddenly.

I nod wondering where this is going.

“Yeah I think I saw him. Total hottie! Guess you take after him!” ‘Wow she’s straight forward!’ Is all that’s running through my brain right now. I wonder if I should say something but Naruto erases the need.

“What’s his name?”

“Itachi.”

“What year?”

“Year 13.”

“Ah, sixth former!”

“Tell him to watch out for my sister.” Mutters Gaara.

“Why?”

Naruto answers for him. “Hehe, Temari is boy-mad!”

“Yeh; boy-on-boy mad!” Adds Gaara with a snigger.

Naruto lets out a howl of laughter swinging his arm around Gaara’s shoulder. Did he mean what I think he did?

At my old school gay way seriously taboo but judging by the admin office here I’m guessing they don’t mind so much. I’ve had doubts about my sexuality for a long time but I’ve always kept quiet. Itachi would flip out if he thought I was gay and, believe me, Itachi can be really scary!

“So Naruto, what do you want to do tonight?” Asks Ino.

“I don’t know… ramen?

“What?! Naruto it’s you 16th birthday you got to do something special! Like get pissed or something!” Exclaims Kiba.

“I can get pissed at your Halloween party and anyway ramen is special! I’ll have an extra egg!”

Kiba looked about to argue back when Tenten spoke up. “Shut it Kiba! It’s his choice! If you’re sure Naruto…?”

“Yes!”

“Okay, but it’s our treat, okay?”

“Brilliant! Thanks guys!” Says Naruto smiling happily.

“It’s your birthday?” I ask quietly.

“Yeah! You want to come?”

“Err…”

“Go on! It’ll be fun!”

“Okay.” Seems like I just found something to do tonight.

“Wicked! We’re going straight after school.”

“Right.” I’ll have to tell Itachi I’m not walking home with him.

I spend the rest of lunch happily observing group dynamics. One thing that’s immediately obvious is that Naruto is almost always the centre of attention. Also I’m wondering about Naruto’s sexuality, I mean, I think he might be gay, and with Gaara. They are on the floor right now, Gaara propped against the bench with Naruto’s head in his lap. Gaara is stroking his hair and gazing at him… lovingly, as they whisper together. An unexpected pang of jealousy flares up inside my chest and I glare at Gaara.

“What’s wrong Sasuke?” Asks Tenten.

“What?! Oh, err… nothing.”

Where did that come from? I look away from the two boys who just look so happy together, too happy.

>>Chapter 4: Happy Birthday

~Naruto POV~


I sit next to Sasuke in last lesson, history. Our teacher isn’t very attentive so we talk most of the time. I can’t believe how lucky I am! Today at lunch I was totally shocked, in a good way. In a very, very good way. I mean the hottest guy in the school, in my opinion (and Gaara agrees) just happens to sit at our bench. And after school he’s coming out with me and my friends for birthday ramen. Lady Luck loves me today, guess she feels bad for orphaning and alienating me.

It’s a good job we aren’t expected to do any work in history because I’m pretty sure my concentration would be even worse than usual. I swear I’m just so aware of how close Sasuke is sitting, I never notice it when I sit next to Gaara and it’s got to be about the same distance. But with Sasuke I’m constantly aware of his presence, get butterflies in my stomach when we make eye contact and jump every time his leg brushes mine!

When the bell goes we push our way through the usual mad rush for the exit. Outside we lean against the wall, side by side until the others show up. As a group we make our way towards the car park. Sasuke seems to be looking for someone and when we pass the old oak at the school entrance I immediately see who. A guy with pale skin and a long dark ponytail is leaning casually against the tree trunk, chin hidden in the high collar of his coat and dark eyes following us. He could only be Sasuke’s brother. Sasuke leads us over to him and I notice the only thing that mars his image of dark perfection are the dark bags under his eyes. I suddenly feel nervous; this close to him I can feel an aura of menace radiating from him.


~Sasuke POV~


I stand in front of Itachi trying to look more confident than I feel. I know that look; he doesn’t like them. He sweeps his eyes over my new friends taking in Naruto’s ripped jeans, Gaara’s unique attire and the strange places they’re all wearing their school patches. I give him a warning look.

“Hello nii-san.”

“Have you had a good first day, little brother?” I scowl, he knows I hate when he calls me that and I just heard Kiba snigger.

“Fine.” I answer shortly. “It’s Naruto’s birthday and he invited me to go with them for ramen, so I’ll see you later.”

“Hn. Make sure you’re not out too late.”

“Yes,” Then feeling daring, I add. “Mum!” I turn away, but not before I catch Itachi’s glare; I’m going to pay for that later. But right now I don’t care because Naruto is failing to smother a snigger.

I lead the others quickly away. I don’t know which way the ramen place is, so once out of site of Itachi I slow to fall into step beside Naruto. We walk along the main road into town and then up the high street all the way to the end. The hanging outside the shop reads: 'Ichiraku Ramen' and we push through them to sit on high stools at the counter. Ramen isn't usually my favourite food but I have to admit it smells good in here; my stomach begins to rumble as I sit between Ino and Naruto.

We order our ramen and when it comes it is as delicious as it smells. I would enjoy the meal more if it wasn't for Naruto's table manners; he's on his 3rd bowl and showing no signs of slowing down. It's hard not to stare; I don't think I've ever seen anyone eat with such… enthusiasm!

Pretty soon there’s a large stack of ramen bowls in front of Naruto and he’s sitting back patting his full stomach. Kiba starts to moan about the cost of feeding Naruto but he shuts up when Ino hits him hard on the head.

Naruto yawns widely a contented look on his face. “Mmm, having a belly full of ramen always makes me tired.”

Ino laughed lightly. “Well don’t go to sleep yet, you’ve still got your presents to unwrap!”

Naruto perked up at that. “Wicked! Come on, let’s see!” I suddenly realize I don’t have anything to give, but he won’t mind, right? I mean I didn’t exactly have much of an opportunity!

Ino reached into her school bag on the floor and pulled out a neatly wrapped gift with a purple ribbon on the top. The neat wrapping was soon disposed of when she handed the package to Naruto. A wide grin spread across Naruto’s face as he held up a clear box, in which were visible, fluffy orange fairy lights.

“I thought they’d look good in your room.” I wonder what Naruto’s room must be like.

Ino smiled as Naruto as he jumped off his seat and runs around me to give her a big hug. “Thanks Ino, I love them!”

“Okay me next, it’s only small but Happy Birthday!” Say Tenten handing him a small package which turns out to be a pack of orange hair dye. What is it with this guy and orange?

“Thanks Tenten, it’s going to look so cool!” He says excitedly whilst hugging her. Then, as an afterthought, he adds, “Though I might need a hand with this; I’ve never dyed my hair before.”

“No worries, Ino said she could do it for you.” Ino nods her agreement.

“Brilliant! Who’s next?”

“Here you go mate!” Say Kiba shoving a large present under Naruto’s nose. His evil grin has me very curious about what his present is.

Tearing the wrapping off his present, Naruto’s grin suddenly drops. His face turns bright red and he stops pulling to paper off so I can’t see what the box says. He turns on Kiba and the other boy has about two seconds to run before Naruto leaps off his stool yelling, “WHAT THE HELL, MAN?”

The rest of us immediately gather around the present and Ino peals back some more of the paper. Ino and Tenten immediately burst out laughing; the content even gets a smirk from Gaara.

“That’s so Kiba!” Laughs Ino.

I raise an eyebrow at the writing on the box that reads: ‘Inflatable Girlfriend’. I don’t miss the joke, by now I’m pretty sure Naruto is gay.

When the two boys return Naruto is rather flushed and Kiba is nursing his head. Naruto quickly picks the half-wrapped gift up and pushes it under the counter, shooting suspicious looks at us.

“Here.” says Gaara holding out his gift.

“Thanks.” mutters Naruto, taking his seat next to me again. He pulls back the red wrapping paper and a black leather collar with silver studs falls onto the counter. “Nice.” He says immediately putting it on. I have to admit it looks good on him.

I suddenly feel bad about having nothing to give him. “Sorry I haven’t got anything to give you Naruto.”

He turns in my direction. “Don’t worry.” Then a mischievous glint washes over those bright blue eyes. “You can give me a kiss instead.”

I freeze and feel Gaara do the same behind me. I can feel the stares of the others all resting on me. “W-what?!”

“Only joking! You don’t have to worry about getting me anything, I only met you today!” Naruto smiles, but there’s something in his eyes that tells me that smile isn’t quite real.

“Oh… okay.”

I don’t know if I’m relieved or not, that was totally out of the blue and in my opinion a strange thing to joke about. Well at least I know he’s defiantly gay; no straight guy would joke about something like that! But what about Gaara, what is that situation; surely if he was going out with the guy he wouldn’t say something like that right in front of him and Gaara seemed pretty tense. In fact he seems pretty pissed, he’s glaring at his lap. Oh, scratch that, he’s glaring at me! What the hell? It’s not my fault Naruto made an inappropriate joke! I glare back at cold, green, heavily-lined eyes but Gaara doesn’t seem phased.

When we leave Ichiraku’s there’s much hugging and saying goodbye, I hang back a little. I can’t help but feel like I’ve intruded, they have all been friends for so long and they’ve invited me into their group without a second thought. I mean I’m always popular at new schools but there’s always a feeling like they only want me because of how I look or how clever I am. I’m glad this time I got to chose rather than just allowing myself to be dragged into the first clique that asked. It’ll take a little while to belong but it’ll be better than all the other schools. I just have a feeling that there’s something for me here with Naruto and the others.

Everyone goes in their own direction; Ino and Tenten to catch the bus to Ino’s uptown house, Kiba to take the subway to his house which is just outside the city and Gaara to walk to his downtown flat. The girls call goodbye, Kiba nods but Gaara completely ignores me as I turn to walk beside Naruto who is going the same way as me.


~Naruto POV~


I walk beside Sasuke still holding this damn inflatable doll because it wouldn’t fit in my school bag. He’s silent, but it doesn’t bother me; I have plenty of practice dealing with silent types from Gaara.

It was really fun this evening but I’m a little worried I upset Sasuke. I mean I only did it because I wanted to find out if he was gay, you know just in case I had any chance. I saw my chance and I took it. But it looks like it’s going to be a look but don’t touch situation. Sometimes I forget to think before I speak and I think this was probably one of those occasions when it might have been best to keep my mouth shut, but then I’m not known for my tactfulness.

I shoot a sideways glance at him. He’s got his hands in the pockets of his long coat and has his head bent so his black bangs fall over his eyes. As though he senses my gaze he lifts his eyes to mine. I open my mouth to say something but with those intense black eyes on me my mouth is suddenly devoid of moisture. I swallow, hard and try again.

“Sorry.” He raises a perfectly defined black eyebrow. “For putting you on the spot like that. You know I didn’t mean anything by it, right?”

He nods slightly looking away again, this time at the sky. It’s starting to get dark. “You’re gay, aren’t you?”

My eyes drift to the pavement. I’m not surprised he picked up on it, I’ve never bothered to hide it, but I hope Sasuke isn’t one of those people who hate me for it, I don’t think I could bare that. I nod to the pavement, then realising he can’t see me I say, “Yes.”

“Hmm…” I give into the urge to look back at those perfect features but they give nothing away. “Are you with Gaara?”

My eyes widen at the unusual question. I know people assume that but it wasn’t what I was expecting. “No, he’s my best friend, but not my partner.”

He nods slowly eyes still on the sky. I watch that impassive face, I’d love to know what he’s thinking right now but I know he wouldn’t tell even if I asked. Instead we walk in silence through the darkening city streets. It occurs to me that I probably stayed out too late; I told Iruka I was going out with the gang after school but I didn’t tell him what time I’d be back, I hope he’s not mad.

We reach Sasuke’s building first. It looks like one of the more expensive buildings. Mine and Iruka’s is pretty average, all we could really afford on Iruka’s salary. It gets me wondering just how Sasuke’s parents afford this place.

“Hey, Sasuke?” I ask as he rummages in a coat pocket for his keys.

“Hmm?” His dark eyes survey me under the porch light.

“What do your parents do for a living?”

Something flashes across his eyes, but it’s gone so quickly I wonder if I imagined it. “They’re dead.” He says without feeling.

“Oh… Sorry.” Shit this is awkward, why’d I have to ask that? “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“Hn.” Having located his key he turns away and I walk away.

I really wonder how he and his brother afford that apartment now but I don’t think I’ll be asking.


>>Chapter 5: ‘Our’ Bench

~Sasuke POV~

When I enter the crowded changing rooms, the lesson before lunch, I make a quick search, though the mass of half-naked boys, for Naruto and Co. It takes me a little while to locate Naruto, Kiba and Gaara because they are tucked away in a far corner. Naruto immediately jumps up, waving me over. It’s a relief to see he’s okay about yesterday. I know I was kind of cold but I just froze up when he mentioned my parents. It still hurts to suddenly be reminded of them like that, but it’s not Naruto’s fault. In this case ignorance is an excuse.

I pretend not to notice Gaara’s glares, when Naruto greets me, and grab my PE kit to get changed.

Curiosity persuades me to take a peek at my friends. Gaara is as I expected; pale, small and unbelievably skinny, something I didn’t expect though, are the unusual scars that mark his torso. Kiba is well-built and tanned and right now is nursing a new wound inflicted by Gaara because he tried to pull off the small boys arm-warmers, which Gaara apparently refuses to remove, even for PE.

I glance sideways at Naruto and my eyes are immediately drawn to the sun-like, spiral tattoo on his tanned stomach. I raise an eyebrow; he has a tattoo? That’s hot!

I slip out of my coat and have just pulled my shirt off when Naruto suddenly takes hold of my wrists. I jump a little at the contact.

“What?”

“That’s my question,” says Naruto, he’s got a hard look on his face that just doesn’t suit him. “What are these?”

I look down at his tanned fingers clasped around my pale wrists and realise what he means; my scars.

“You cut?” His voice draws Gaara’s attention and I pull my wrists away before the red-head can see.

“Calm down, dobe; they’re old. I don’t do that anymore, not that it’s any of your business.” I turn away and quickly pull my PE t-shirt over my head.

Naruto keeps shooting me weird looks as we stand in front of our masked sensei. I wish he’d just forget it, I have. I stopped doing ‘that’ years ago, a little after my parents died, to be exact. Itachi helped me through it, he’s always protected me, first from our father and then from myself.

Kakashi-sensei announces that there’s a football game coming up for our school team, the West Konoha Wizards against the East Konoha Eagles. That will be a good match; everyone knows the West and East Konoha schools a sworn enemies! But I won’t be attending; I didn’t tell anyone at East Konoha High that I was leaving, let alone that I was moving over the river to the west side of the Konoha City. I really don’t want to run into any of my old ‘friends’, but there’s one in particular: Sai.


~Naruto POV~


I can’t believe Sasuke is a self-harmer, or used to be anyway! His parents are dead he lives with a sibling and he used to cut! This is starting to sound like someone else I know! Gaara’s mum died in childbirth and his dad’s as good as dead (he’s inside and not getting out anytime soon) then his older brother Kankuro followed his dad to prison so Gaara just lives with his big sister Temari and Gaara is a cutter, he can wear those arm-warmers all he wants, I know he is, I’ve seen the cuts before they’ve healed and I’ve been with him when he’s got it bad; it’s not pleasant.

But Sasuke’s scars were old, I saw that much. So he’s fine right? Wrong; to hurt himself he must have been in a pretty bad place at the time even if he’s not there now. Sasuke’s more complicated than he appears. I want to know him, be part of his life. If I can’t be ‘with’ him I’ll just have to settle for being around him.

“Okay today we’re going to be playing a nice game of volleyball.”

I hear a groan from behind me. “He only likes volleyball ‘cause he gets to watch girls, in stupidly small shorts, jump around, the pervert!” Tenten whispers.

“Hmm… I don’t think I really mind…” Replies Ino’s voice.

“What?! Why would you not mind?”

“It works two ways. Remember that time I sprained my ankle?”

“Of course; you made such a fuss Kakashi-sensei had to carry you to the nurse’s office!” I imagine Tenten rolling her eyes.

“Well I got swept up in his strong, masculine arms, didn’t I?” Ino voice is dreamy as she begins to reminisce about how hot Kakashi-sensei is.

I look closely at the silver-haired man, I can see what she means. From the gay guys perspective it’s not hard to see he is fit, and has a nice… eye. I can’t really judge on his face because I’ve never seen him without his mask, he’s weird that way.

“Right, team captains are Neji and Kiba, come and stand over here you two and pick wisely.”

Neji immediately chooses Sakura, of course, what does he have a ‘Perfect Boyfriend Handbook’ or something? Kiba chooses Ino and earns himself a lovely smile. Then Neji proves himself to be the perfect cousin by picking the shy Hinata, she’s rubbish at sports but I think she’s one of Kakashi’s favourite girls to watch (she’s well endowed). I start to get a little put out when Kiba picks Tenten next, maybe he’s punishing me for beating him up yesterday, which, by the way, was way too easy! Oh well it’s not like Neji would ever pick me, thank fuck!


~Sasuke POV~


With Tenten standing behind Naruto Neji turns his pale-eyed gaze to me, I don’t like the look on his face.

“Sasuke.” He calls, and I drag my feet over to stand beside Hinata, I think they must be related; they have the same pale eyes.

Kiba calls out Gaara’s name next and I realise Naruto is still available.

A soft voice suddenly issues from the pale girl beside me, she sounds like she was steeling herself to speak. “N-neji nii-san,” She stutters, “d-do you think it w-would b-be p-p-possible to h-have N-n-naruto-kun on our t-team, p-please?” Hn, seems I’m not the only one who noticed Naruto hasn’t been picked yet. I silently add my please to her request.

“Erm… no I don’t think so Hinata.” Neji refuses to look at her. Figures he wouldn’t like Naruto, the posh git!

Neji picks a strange guy with sunglasses instead; he’d rather have this guy than Naruto? He must really hate the dobe! Kiba finally picks Naruto who scowls at him and says something angry to the boy; I strain my ears and just about make out my name before Neji calls over a sleepy looking guy called Shikamaru. I look around Neji’s long-haired head to see who is unfortunate enough to be picked last. There’s a boy with a bad bowl cut and leg-warmers bouncing up and down on his toes. When Kiba calls his name, “Lee”, it comes out more like a groan than a name.

The game is actually pretty fun I hate my team and therefore refuse to work with them, losing them the game. I don’t care that I lost as well; it serves Neji right for picking me.

Once we’re changed we head for the bench around the side of the art rooms again. Apparently everyone avoids it because they know it’s ‘their’ bench, or I suppose I should say ‘our’ bench.

Naruto is lying on the tabletop with his head hanging off the edge and watching me where I sit on the grass. “Hey Sasuke,” says an upside-down Naruto, “You should add something to the bench; everyone else has!”

“Sure, you got a pen?”

“Hang on… Gaara? Can Sasuke borrow your marker?” when Gaara just glares Naruto sits up and looks at him with pleading blue eyes. “Aw, come on, pleeease Gaara?”

Gaara groans and pulls a thick black marker from inside an arm-warmer. He chucks it at me, none to gently I might add. I fight back the urge to smirk; Naruto’s got them all wrapped around his little finger!

I search for an empty space and find one on the seat. Pulling off the pen lid I draw the first thing that comes to mind: a heartagram.

“Heh, HIM? You and Gaara are so alike!” Chuckles Naruto earning glares from both Gaara and I.