Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters. However, I do own the few (or many, depends how you look at it) OCs.

Ooh, there's also a slight crossover here. From Yakitate! Japan, but you don't have to have seen it to understand. I'll explain everything.

A/N: I go by the British curriculum, so in Primary school it's P1-6, and then in Secondary school Yr7-13, before university.

School Life - Chapter 1

The little pink-haired girl gazed at the giant gates before her, clutching her mother's hand tightly. Together they slowly walked into the campus. She noticed the rather large number of trees placed around the small playground. There were already quite a few other children there, although it was still early, with their mothers or fathers.

Her mother led her towards one of her good friends, whose mother was also a friend of the family. The short-haired blonde waved at her, and she waved back shyly. She was a quiet girl by nature, only speaking up when it was really necessary. Sweet and kind, she was an honest and obedient child.

Her friend, Yamanaka Ino, however, was the complete opposite. She always spoke her mind and could be quite loud at times. So the two were a good pair, Ino made up for Sakura's quietness, and Sakura made up for Ino's carelessness (at times).

Both girls looked neat and tidy in their new uniforms. In their new navy pinafores and ironed blouses, they both felt very grown up.

Even so, they were both quite frightened at the prospect of going to 'big school'. Their mothers simply smiled when they were told their worries, and said that wasn't it more appropriate for 'big girls' to go to a 'big school'?

And so, as she was led by her mother to notice board at the edge of the playground, she smiled bravely and tried to remind herself that now she was a big girl, and could take care of herself without her mother.

She watched carefully as her mother located the name 'Haruno Sakura' on one of the lists of names posted.

"Aren't you lucky, Saku-chan? You're with Ino-chan. At least you have a friend with you!"

Sakura (as we now know her as) nodded mutely, her face blank. Ino came over with her mother and patted her on the shoulder comfortingly, before they both followed their mothers into the school building.

On the other side of the playground sat two boys. One had spiky blonde hair and bright blue eyes, while the other had dark blue (?) hair with dark, dark eyes. They both stayed silent, surveying the scene before them. No one had the time to bring them to the school, they had both walked together from the orphanage on the other side of town to the school.

Although you couldn't really call them friends, one could say that they most certainly were close companions. They had known each other for a long time, when they met at the orphanage. They were both the same age as Sakura and Ino.

The blonde was quite loud and rowdy, although he'd stay quiet if it was necessary. His name was Uzumaki Naruto. He'd never met his parents before, so he was always trying to get people's attention.

The blue haired boy was named Uchiha Sasuke. A year ago, when he was five, his entire family was murdered. His older brother disappeared, and it is unknown whether or not he is still alive or not. Sasuke grew up to be quite a moody, quiet boy. He refused to be nice to people, and lived in his own world.

After a while, the two boys got up and headed in the same direction as the two girls had. Although it was early, it seemed a better idea to stay in the classroom and meet their new classmates.

At the school gates, a large black car arrived, and four people climbed out. The head of the Hyuuga family led the procession into the school, where the lively sounds of playing children hushed as the line of people entered the campus.

Second in the line was the wife of the head, holding her daughter's hand. This was the Hyuuga heiress, Hyuuga Hinata. A shy and timid little girl, she stuttered a lot. It wasn't so bad as to be called a real problem in need of medical attention, but her parents still didn't like it. It made her look weak. She was also in P1.

After the girl came one more person, the least important one. A year older than Hinata, he was a quiet and dignified little boy. He came top of his year last term, and he planned to do it again. His name was Hyuuga Neji, the cousin of Hinata. His father was killed three years ago, and since then he had always strived to be the best.

The head led them to the notice board. After consulting the papers for a moment, he headed into the building.

While they had been looking at the lists, another group came. They entered without anyone noticing them, and they were silent as they came. A girl with two small pigtails held her brother's hand tightly. Behind them came their father, carrying their little sister.

The surname of this family was Umino. The father, Umino Iruka, was a professor at the Konoha University. He was the father of three children: Umino Tenten (the girl with pigtails), Umino Tsuyoshi (the brother), and Umino Yumi (the little sister).

Their mother's location was unknown (more information on this later).

Tenten was six, and was the same age as Neji. Tsuyoshi was two years older than Tenten, and was eight. He also studied at the same school. Yumi was the youngest, at the age of three.

Not much is known about their personalities, but we might find out some more later.

All of them were exceptionally bright. Tsuyoshi was top student of his year for two years in a row. Tenten had above average grades, and played many sports. Er, Yumi's kindergarten preschool said she was really smart because she could already read some books (really easy ones) and colour perfectly in the lines.

Well, we don't know about Yumi yet. Maybe she'll be like her older siblings. Maybe not. But one thing is for sure - she can bake. Really well.

As time went by, more and more students arrived at the campus. Every child was excited as they headed toward the classrooms, waving goodbye to the sobbing mothers.

Oh dear, they seem a bit emotional today.

Well, you can be sure that as the bell rang that day, something was going to happen this year. Something special. Something they've never seen before.

Yes, this was going to be a good year at Konoha Primary School.

Hmm, I wonder what's going to happen? It might take some time to update, but I'll do my best, because I want my chapters a little longer.

Did you like it? I'd really like to hear about your comments and criticisms (as long as they're backed up with evidence and not simply flames) in a review. So, please review! The better the reviews, the better the writing gets.

Please tell me about any mistakes I made, I don't like proof-reading very much. Hee.

Thanks for reading chapter one.

7nmelz