Authors Note: This is a Naruto/Sasuke fanfiction. If you don't like it, don't read it. The inspiration for this came out of no where, and it seemed like it'd be a fun story to write. This is not a one-shot, but I don't know how often I'll be able to update. All reviews are deeply appreciated, and flames will be used to warm my hot chocolate.

Disclaimer: By definition, it is a statement disclaiming something, especially responsibility. This being said, I do not own Naruto. I have no money, so don't try to sue me.

Warning: This is, as stated before, a boy on boy story. Call it yaoi, shounenai, whatever, it will not change whether you like it. So I'm telling you now, if you don't like it, don't read. We all have our opinions, and I respect that, so please, respect mine. Now Enjoy!

If Everyone Cared
Chapter One: Hate Me

The annoyance known as an alarm clock flooded his senses, with it's unwanted, and overly generic bell choir he'd come to loathe. He swatted at random, until he finally found the off button, groaning as the effort forced him to become acquainted with the floor. 'What a great way to start a Monday morning.' He pushed himself off the floor, glaring at the alarm clock.

This is how most of his mornings had started since the move. He hadn't gotten used to the house, the neighborhood, the jobs, the school, or anything else he'd encountered. The house was opposite of his old apartment, less homely and way too big for his liking. He'd purchased it, only because of the fact it was within walking distance to the school, and his job. On top of that, it was the only thing for sale, and within his price range. The school was even worse. It started at the most unholy hour that it could think of! Who is up to learning at seven in the morning?! He was barely up to working at that hour! He'd been used to sleeping until at least nine, as his old school started at nine forty-five, and was right next to the apartment complex he inhabited.. He was losing precious sleep for an education and money, as his jobs also started at seven.

As he continued his morning routine, these thoughts bounced around his head, not unlike a ping-pong game. Which reminded him: He hated ping-pong. He sighed as he paused in the act of nibbling a piece of toast, to check off the list of things to do in the morning. Everything was complete, and he quickly jotted down a note to himself to make sure to clean the house today. His job had caused him to neglect that fact, but since today was the first day of school, he'd taken off of work, and now only worked part time.

He locked the door, before tucking his keys safely into his pocket, and headed towards the school. Konoha High had never had an appealing sound to him, and he was sure the people wouldn't be anymore pleasant than the name.

As he stepped foot on the campus, no one gave him strange looks, even dressed in bright orange pants, and black shirt. As a matter of fact, no one even noticed him, or looked at him. It was as if he didn't exist. That, however, didn't dim the grin that had spread across his face as he made his way toward the office. To the trained eye, though, it was easy to tell the boy wasn't actual happy.

He glided into the office with ease, stepping up to the desk. He gave the secretary a dazzling grin as he stated his purpose. "Uzumaki Naruto, new student. I need my schedule." His voice was polite but energetic, and slightly loud.

She returned a kind smile. "I do believe I have that around here. I'm Shizune, by the way." She then began searching her desk, which was meticulously clean. "Ah, here we are." she handed me a slip of paper, and a map. "I hope you enjoy it here."

Naruto nodded, though his mind laughed, 'Yeah, because school is enjoyable.' He kept his thoughts to himself as he exited and examined his map, and schedule. "Math first?" he whined. Already, he could tell, this year would be torture. He kept his smile in place, and his eyes guarded, no matter the effort as he continued to stare down the map while his feet led him forward. His motion proceeded backwards, however, when he ran into something. Or rather, someone.

He landed, sprawled across the floor, a voice calling to him.

"You should watch where you're going, or you might not like the consequences." The cold voice responded to being ran into. Naruto looked up, his sapphire eyes meeting coal black. Black hair framed a pretty face, but it was still easy to tell it was masculine, and not belonging to that of a female. He was well groomed, and had an aura, that seemed to push people away. He was completely emotionless, though a look of annoyance crossed his face when Naruto didn't move or respond. "Dobe, are you even listening?"

Naruto shook himself mentally as he stood back up, noticing this man was taller than him. "Yeah, I'm listening. Sorry I ran into you." It took a moment to realize that the boy had insulted him. "Hey, I'm not a dobe!"

"You must be blonder than you seem then." the boy retorted.

"Teme, what is your problem?!" he growled. He hadn't done anything wrong, and already this boy seemed to hate him. He didn't respond, and instead walked away.

"Loser." The blonde heard him mutter as he walked away. He didn't dignify it with an answer, and instead walked the opposite way, not noticing how empty the halls were. Naruto barely made it down the hall, before the late bell rang loudly, causing him to groan inwardly. Today was definitely not his day.

He glared as he made his way from his last class, but as quickly as the emotion came, it flitted from his face, and was replaced by a grin. The boy would not let school ruin his act. The day had been monotonous, filled with introductions, and awkward greeting from classmates who didn't know how to receive the orange clad boy, with whiskers marring his tan face. He'd only seen the stranger he'd ran into that earlier that day, twice more - once at lunch, and once in creative writing. He'd ignored him both times, as if Naruto didn't exist, and nothing had happened.

Naruto never noticed, however, that when he was daydreaming, and staring out the window in creative writing, that the boy had glanced over, and studied him. They didn't even know each others names, and they already had a bond of some sort form: a bond of curiosity and dislike. The raven haired teen had seen a look in Naruto's eyes, that Naruto himself didn't know had shown. The look had hinted at the boys mask, and now the boy with cold eyes wanted to discover what he was truly like. He would never say it allowed, but the blonde intrigued him.

Said raven was walking out of the building at the same time that Naruto stepped into the court yard. They had been exiting in opposite directions, and after everyone had already vacated the building, and the motion of the other caught there attention. Their eyes met for a brief second, before Naruto looked away, and started towards the main gate. The raven looked towards the gate and then to the student parking lot, before deciding to head to his shiny black Volvo.

He started the engine, which purred quietly, before pulling out and into the street. He glanced into the rear view, seeing the blonde walking alone. He sighed, reversing until he pulled beside him. He rolled down his window, and peered at the oblivious boy.

"Hey," he called to get the boys attention. His head snapped towards the driver. "Do you want a ride?"

The raven didn't know why he was offering the warmth of his car to a stranger, but for some reason he was. The blonde shook his head however. "I'll be fine, I'm only three blocks away from the school."

A drop of rain crashed to the blonde's nose, causing him to shudder. Then another, until it was nearly down-pouring. It only had taken a matter of seconds for the storm to come, and the blonde to become soaked. "Get in." the raven commanded, not taking no for an answer, now that it was raining, which would leave a certain blonde freezing.

Naruto didn't try to argue this time, as he was already shivering. He sprinted to the other side of the car, opening and closing the door quickly, sitting in the car, with his arms wrapped around himself. The raven turned the heat up, and Naruto shot him a grateful look.

"So, what's your name anyway?" the raven asked in a nonchalant way, though inside, he was truly curious.

"Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto." the blonde shuddered, still slightly cold. "What should I call you? I don't think it'd be polite to call you 'teme' when you're driving me home."

"Sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke." he responded, "And I'd appreciate if you didn't call me teme." he nodded.

The blonde chuckled. "I'll try not to, as long as you don't call me dobe."

"You're no fun." Sasuke rolled his eyes, letting some emotions leak out. Naruto would never know because it was his first day, but this was the first time Sasuke had acted like a normal human around anyone. Sasuke himself didn't know why, but the blonde made him feel like he could be himself.

The blonde laughed at that, "That's only cause you don't know me."

"Heh, maybe that will change?" Sasuke questioned. "And where am I going?" The blonde hadn't noticed that they weren't moving yet.

"Oh! We're going to Kina Road. I'll let you know once we turn onto it." he informed, "And yes, maybe that will change." then in an undertone that the blonde thought Sasuke couldn't hear, he added, "for the first time..."

Sasuke acted as if he didn't hear, but deep in his heart - which he does indeed have - he knew what that was like. He hadn't had a true friend, since his parents died when he was very young. He wondered what Naruto's story was.

"So, what do you do in your spare time?" Naruto asked awkwardly, the boys expression shy. Sasuke briefly wondered why, before he decided he should answer.

"Not much really. Mostly fool around on my guitar I guess." Sasuke's eyes widened slightly as a hand went to his mouth. "Forget you heard that." he mumbled through his fingers.

Naruto tilted his head, the kitsune confused. "Why?"

"You wouldn't understand, since you're new to the town." He mumbled again, replacing his hand on the steering wheel.

"Then make me understand." the blonde scowled.

"You wouldn't!" Sasuke snapped back.

"Shut up! How do you know what I would and wouldn't understand?!" Naruto shouted, turning a penetrating glare on the raven.

"Just shut up." Sasuke's voice was cold again.

"No, not until you explain." Naruto stubbornly crossed his arms.

"Drop it."

"No!"

Sasuke hit the brake, causing the blonde to jolt forward. "You want to know so damn badly?!" he finally lost his cool.

"Yes!" Naruto said, but was slightly more withdrawn then before. He didn't expect Sasuke to snap.

"Fine! No one knows me. I don't want anyone to know me, and here you are destroying that! I don't show emotions in front of people, and here you are pissing me off. What the hell kind of effect you have on me, I don't know, but its taking me from my comfort zone. How the fuck do you expect to understand that?!"

"Because I do the same thing, teme!" Naruto shouted back, immediately shutting Sasuke up. "You think you've got it so damn bad? At least people notice you! You have a fan club, you have people you could open up to, I never had any of that! My parents died when I was one, and no one wanted me. I was bounced between homes, orphanages, the streets, until last year. I've never had a friend in my life, and no one knows how I feel. You want to know how I can understand? That's how!"

The blonde's heavy breaths filled the silence, until he realized what he just said. "Shit." he mumbled under his breath.

"Naruto..." Sasuke said softly, but that blonde wouldn't look at him.

"Are you gonna hate me as well?" he said softly, all traces of his mask gone. He chanced a glance at Sasuke, who saw the pain and sorrow in his eyes.

"Of course not." Sasuke said automatically. "Naruto, I couldn't hate you if I tried. I could insult you all I want, but I would never be able to bring myself to mean them. Don't forget that. Ever."

Naruto studied his face, and saw that he was completely serious. A small, tentative smile spread across his face, and his eyes brightened slightly. "Thank you." his voice was softer, than the loud voice that he had before. Sasuke figured this was the real him, and not the mask. "And Sasuke?"

"Yeah, Naruto?"

"You don't have to pretend with me. I'll accept you for who you are. I may play fight with you, but no matter what, you will always be my friend. Unless you want me to go away, I'll always be here."

Sasuke, not good at showing emotions, hid his eyes from the blonde's view, and muttered, "Where do I go now?" having turned onto Kina Road.

"Oh." Naruto's cheeks were painted a slight pink. "I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable... And it'll be the third house after this cross street."

The ride progressed in silence, until he pulled up to a two bedroom house, painted an off white, which looked like it belonged in a time that had far past. "This is it?" Sasuke asked, curious.

"Yeah, would you like to come in? It's no problem, and I figure you might be hungry or something, and you did just drive me home. It is polite to do that, right?" Naruto said uncertainly.

"Sure." Sasuke smiled, noting the blonde's expression in amusement. After parking, and turning the ignition off, they both stepped out. As they walked towards the house Naruto whispered, "You should lock your car. I don't trust this neighborhood. Crime rates high."

Sasuke turned around and pressed the automatic lock, as Naruto unlocked his home. He held the door open as Sasuke entered his house, and glanced around curiously. "It's not much, really, but an empty home, but this is it." Naruto said as he set his books on a counter. "It needs to be cleaned, I know, but I've been so busy with work, that I haven't had the time." The blonde had already removed his shoes, and had started tidying up.

"Naruto, this is pretty damn clean already." Sasuke noted, but the boy before him shook his head.

"No it's not. It still needs to be cleaned more. ACHOO!" The blonde sneezed.

Sasuke gave Naruto a suspicious look. "You're not overworking yourself, are you?"

Naruto sneezed three times in a row before responding, "Of course not, Sasuke."

"Naruto, this house looks like it's inhabited by more than just you. Chill for a second and relax. There's a difference between clean and spotless. You're being a perfectionist."

"It's fine. I'm used to doing this." Naruto replied, before placing a hand on the wall to steady himself.

"Naruto, sit down." Sasuke demanded, worry leaking into his dark orbs.

"I'm fine, Sasuke." Naruto continued to insist.

Sasuke sighed, walking over to him, and placing his hand on his forehead, ignoring Naruto's protest. He quickly withdrew his hand. "Naruto, you're burning up!"

"I'm fine." He meekly protested. "Maybe you should leave. You probably have stuff you have to get done anyways..."

Sasuke sighed in slight defeat, "You are correct, but don't think this is over."

"I wouldn't dream of it." the kitsune rolled his eyes, sighing.

Sasuke nodded, before showing himself to the door. He looked over his shoulder and added as an afterthought, "Maybe you should take tomorrow off." And than he was gone.

"Don't count on it." Naruto said softly to himself. How could he let this boy get under his skin so easily, and let him see the emotions that lay under his mask. No one had ever been this close. No one! And yet, this raven haired boy with onyx eyes, whom he just met today, had so easily gotten him to open up and be himself - someone he had almost forgotten existed. On one hand, he liked the feeling of being free. Yet, on the other hand, the one he tended to favor more, it was a scary thought. For someone to be that close to him was almost like a taboo.

Sasuke had already returned to his house, but his thoughts weren't so different from a certain blonde we know and love. His resolve to never let anyone close had been broken, and by a boy he barely knew! Of course, he acknowledge the fact that the boy more than likely would have figured out anyway. He could tell by the way he talked that he was way smarter than he let on. However, this was no excuse to let the boy get close. If anyone at school ever found out... Well, he didn't really want to think about it.

At the end of the day, however, both boys came to terms with the fact that there was nothing they could do to change what had happened. If they were both being truthful to themselves, they would've seen that a friend is exactly what they wanted, and what they needed. It gave them the sliver of hope they needed to continue awaking in the morning and dragging themselves out of bed. And for now, that was enough.

Authors Note: So, there's the first chapter! Did it move too fast? Don't worry, things aren't all going to happen so quickly. Just wait until the next day at school! I'm sorry if Sasuke and Narutp seemed a little OOC. And please review. I do appreciate feedback, and constructive criticism. Flames, as stated before, will be used to warm my hot chocolate. And marshmallows.

Songs that fueled my writing: Pain by Jimmy Eats World, Outside by Staind, Hard Trance by Darude, Hate Me by Blue October, Misery Business by Paramore, Down with the Sickness by Disturbed, Riot by Three Days Grace, Land of Confusion by Disturbed, Technologic by Daft Punk, Fix You by Coldplay, Empty by Unloco, It's Always Raining Inside my Head by Staind, Afraid to be Alone Staind, My World by SR-71, Never Let You Down by Verve Pipe, If Everyone Cared by Nickelback, How I Disappear by My Chemical Romance, Getting Away with Murder by Papa Roach, The Truth about Heaven by Armor for Sleep. Not that you care.

Review!