Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, that is Masashi Kishimoto's privilage!

Summary: Modern Day Fic. 15 Year old Naruto is an orphan shunned by everyone, expelled from every school. He's now starting a new school, Konoha High, and it's his last chance. - I know, a stereotypical Highschool Fic, but, meh, don't like, don't read.

Warnings: Maybe future SasuNaru, but only light shonen-ai. So if you don't like that stuff, please steer clear, as I won't tollerate flames when I've pre-warned you! May be angsty in some places, but I'm trying to set the fic in lots of genres! Um, death. Certainly mentions of death and violence, heh...I think that's it!

A/N: Hey Minna! This is my first FanFic, let alone Naruto one, so please go easy on me! I don't have a beta, so please excuse any mistakes! I would like constructive criticism, as I do really wish to improve my writing!

Oh, and this fic is set in modern day times in the UK, so if you are confused by the school system, sorry! Now, I've bored you long enough! Please read, and I hope you enjoy!

This is How You Remind Me.

Chapter 1: - I Walk Alone

A small boy groggily woke up, an insistent beeping noise shattering any other possibilities. A series of cursed profanities escaped the blurry-eyed teen's mouth and he hit the source of the noise until the deafening bleeping subsided. A groan escaped his lips as he stared from the time to his calendar. Today would be the first day at his new school. This would be the…sixth school he had attended…and that was just the High Schools.

The boy wiped at his face with his hand, brushing the unruly blonde strands of hair from his bright blue eyes. He pulled back the covers and with a swift motion crossed the small bedroom to an even smaller bathroom. The walls were plain, the floors bare and the personal objects littering the walls, table and shelves were in short supply, but somehow, the place felt snug, homely even. As the boy padded into the bathroom, he shivered at the cold contact the tiles had with his bare feet. Eyes still half closed, he blindly reached for his toothbrush, starting the morning routine.

His mouth fully refreshed, he cupped his hands under the running tap, bracing himself. The ice-cold water met with the warm, tanned face and he hissed, fully awake now. Looking up into the mirror he scrunched his eyes up and clutched his head.

Great, another headache.

Rummaging inside the cabinet in the corner of the small room, he grabbed a box taking out two tablets. Grabbing a nearby glass, he filled it with water and downed it, along with the tablets. Looking at the box for a few more seconds, he clutched it tightly and took it back to the bedroom, zipping it safely away in his bag, decision made.

He looked at the clock, flashing its time and cursed.

How'd I manage to waste so much time?

Quickly jumping into some loose-fitting jeans, long-sleeved orange t-shirt accompanied by blue hoody and blue chucks, he grabbed his messenger bag, slinging it hurriedly over his shoulder. He sprinted out the door of his small apartment, locked it, and took off, running in the general direction of Konoha High.

Damn! Great first impression, Naruto!

-Flashback Type Thing-

Yes, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed, vertically challenged, 15 year old boy was named Uzumaki Naruto. He lived alone in a small apartment, because he had no family. Well, none that he knew of, anyway. His parents had died when he was young, around the age of 5. His mum had been a well-known and loved doctor, who'd saved countless lives; his father a fireman, also known for his sheer courage and lives he'd saved. All in all a well-respected family, a family who had high expectations for their son. Until the accident: a car crash. They'd been on a family outing, celebrating Naruto's first day of school when it happened. A lorry had appeared from nowhere, driving on the wrong side of the road. Naruto's dad had braked, but the roads were wet from a previous rainfall, and there was no embankment for him to drive up to get the car out the way. The last Naruto can remember of that day is his dad's sad smile and his mum's hand grasping his own.

He was the only survivor. The lorry driver and both his respected, admired…loved parents died instantly. Naruto had woken up in hospital 3 weeks later, disorientated. After he learned what had happened he coped with it the only way he could. He denied. He didn't, couldn't believe that a car crash would kill his parents.

However, the young boy's denial soon turned to belief as he waited and waited for one of them to come see him. Their face in a grin, saying it was all a joke; they'd only been kept at work. But it never happened.

After leaving the hospital, Naruto was put in a local orphanage; after all, he had no known family left. During his orphanage years, as the five year old grew up, his belief turned to acceptance, and only with this was he able to smile once again. However, he kept being transferred from one orphanage to another. He didn't know why at first. He was confused by all the hating glares, or fearful glances. That was, until his 8th birthday. Someone finally told him; explained what he didn't understand, why he didn't know the reasons behind the stares and the transfers. He couldn't remember much after that day. Every day was a routine.

At the age of 14 he was given the chance to leave the orphanage; no others would take him in. He was told about some money left to him by his parents in their will. With this he rented a local apartment. But just like before, he had to keep moving, as he was expelled – sooner or later - from all schools he attended. He did make friends, but they too became scared of him and that hurt the most.

This was his most recent apartment and school; he'd been here since the first few weeks of the summer and had set about getting a job, after all, his parent's money wouldn't last forever.

-End Of Flashback Thing-

Naruto came to an abrupt halt and gaped at the school in front of him. He didn't remember the journey; he was lost in his thoughts the whole way. Swallowing a nervous gulp, Naruto ran a cold hand through his wind-swept hair and hesitantly made his way inside the gates.

You can do this! You can stick it out here. No matter what, you can't – no – won't get expelled; it's your final chance to prove yourself!