Mr. Emerson sighed, rubbing his brow slowly before looking up at the blonde before him. On his desk was a small plaque with his name etched and painted on it, and on his wall a diploma, in the corner a plant. It was very unoriginal, very boring. The blond found himself wanting desperately to turn the office upside down. It was ridiculous how inartistic the place was, and it made him kind of sick.

Mr. Emerson was a balding man, with a permanent frown on his face. The principle of Konoha High School, KHS, the home of the Fox, the lamest mascot ever. There had been countless people trying to change the mascot for years now, but it was never any different. The school's staff was uptight and ridiculous, and boring. Hypocritical, too. None of the student's wanted them to take out the cookie dough from the lunch menu, but they did it anyway, didn't they?

"Deidara, this is the third time this year. I don't know what I can do anymore. I'm aiming for expulsion." Mr Emerson bellowed, mostly unintentionally. He had a naturally deep voice and a wide girth, which sometimes made it difficult for him to get out of his office. The door was too thin. He looked gargantuan in the small office chair.

"With all due respect, George-"

"You'll call me Mr. Emerson, Deidara. We are not friends."

Deidara nodded. "With all due respect, Mr. Emerson." He grinned wickedly, tossing his hands in the air as he spoke. "It was art! Purely art! I was expressing myself to the best of my ability, like you guys mentioned thousands of times."

"Deidara, you know very well that… this isn't what we mean. We want you to express yourself in a safe manner. Putting exploding paint-balls in the girl's locker room isn't exactly in the well-being of others!" Mr. Emerson said, somehow sounding tough despite the fact that he looked ridiculous in the suit that barley fit him. Deidara raised an eyebrow, but he got the point. "I'll be forced to call your mother, Deidara."

That alone was enough to make Deidara start begging for mercy, if not for the fact that Mr. Emerson began to add;

"You will be suspended for the rest of the week. When you come back, I will request a conference with your mother so we can figure out what to do about this."

Deidara left the office feeling rather disgruntled. He swept a strand of long blond hair from his bright blue eyes and glared at his uniform black shoes, shoved his hands in his pressed pants pockets. The teachers had no control over the boy, they hadn't since he was in fourth grade. The shy, short blond haired boy who stared at all of the people he knew from the corner of the room changed over the summer, and when he came back to fifth grade he was the party boy, the class clown, the one that knew how to get in-and out-of trouble. Everyone knew it, everyone had since he started doing what he was doing.

Deidara sat down in one of the lightly cushioned office chairs that were decently comfortable, compared to the regular plastic ones found in the class rooms and the cafeteria. He feared the wrath of his mother beyond all else.

"Suspended?"

Deidara looked up, surprised to find the one person that stayed beside him no matter how annoying he was. Ok, so maybe Deidara happened to cling to him but, still, he never pushed him away. Well, he didn't push him away too often. He was accepted when with him.

"Yeah," Deidara grinned up at him, his smile extremely crooked. The red head raised a delicate eyebrow and sighed, sat down next to him. Deidara wondered how the boy managed to get in here, then again, almost every female, on staff and off, had a crush on him. He probably simply charmed his was past the secretary's office and into the waiting room. And, along with his wonderful lady-friends that he often passed off for imbeciles, the male teachers liked him for his inspiring grades and impossible-to-hit pitches on the base ball field, as well as his incredible lob's when playing tennis. He was the star of the school, loved by all woman, hated by all nerds, only because they were so jealous. It was crazy, of course. Sasori wasn't the type to pay attention to that kind of thing, either.

It was especially strange since he had decided to jump away from his amazing talents of hitting endless home-runs just this year. He had always been talented with art, but now he really seemed to be getting into it. Deidara was not as stupid as to think he had done it, but he liked to pretend that he did, even if it was not true.

"Idiot," Sasori mumbled, looked out the window.

Deidara glared at the red-head, but he wasn't really paying attention to his blond companion.

Sasori was used to this by now. It had happened way too many times. He was the good boy, always had been. Not like he cared, he just found it too easy to fail any of his classes. He studied, sure, but he had time for a life. Mostly, the life that was forced on him by Deidara who often wanted to go out and stare at the female's who lingered around the city center. Which was actually where the blond, bomb eccentric boy worked.

It was just him and Deidara against the world, ever since they had met. Well, besides the rest of the loosely connected gang of people. They were all connected by the fact that they sat together at lunch. Neither Sasori nor Deidara cared much for it, but it was simply the only other people in school they knew, so they hung around them.

Sasori was the most… detached. He never found much of a point in having friends. The other eight people of their group, which they secretly called Akatsuki for no apparent reason, were much more reliable. The ten held parties, and went out to vandalize sometimes. Sasori didn't bother to be a part of that sort of thing. He found it was beneath him.

Deidara was the most recent person to join the group. He didn't really seem like he wanted to, but when Itachi (he scowled at the name) fetched him, after Pein had seen him all alone in the lunch room when he transfered to KHS from the other high school across town, he went through 'initiation' and became a part of their 'family.' Deidara fit into the pack, like it was made for him. He had finally felt like he found a city that he belonged in.

That was pretty much how they met. Deidara had attached himself to Sasori the moment he met him, and that was it. He had been cocky and rude at first, but after a bit of Sasori showing he either didn't care, or would hint at death threats with the murderous intent he could send with only his eyes, they fit into a routine that suited both of them.

It was a simple story, but it made sense, and that was pretty much all that mattered.

Sasori glanced over at Deidara. He knew that the blond didn't want to be kicked out, but he was too defiant to say such things. The boy really was an idiot, wasn't he?

Sasori sat down next to Deidara and leaned back in his chair, crossed his legs. He wouldn't wait for Deidara to stop pouting, but his patience might allow him a couple moments of sitting next to the blond boy.

If anything, people would believe that to be Sasori's only flaw. He was not a patient boy, never had been. Ever since he was a child, ever since his parents died and he was left to the grandmother he desperately hated, Sasori had been impatient. He had never tried to change this fact, and honestly didn't care what other people said about it. However, it made him just annoying enough for most people to stay away.

Deidara sighed and stood up several moments later, just as the bell rang. He had good timing. He said it was mostly because of his talents, those of which only included sculpting and bombing his tests. Sasori fallowed swiftly, and together they walked to their next class.

Katsusaki Mo glared at the school, her worst enemy. Moving, again, as they usually did. Konoha High was nothing special. It was packed to the brim, gigantic, but it was the same as every other. She didn't even want to be here.

Her mother had insisted that it was a good thing; that her moving into this weird place was a fantastic opportunity and she should enjoy it as much as possible. Katsusaki Mo had just glowered out her window grumpily and ignored her at that point. She didn't want to care; she never did.

But she loved her mother, despite the constant moving the last two years. The woman, who went by the name Takara, had insisted that this was the place. They had found a nice home, a real house this time instead of the usual apartment building, and with an interesting sun-room type building that looked like a piece of scrap in the back yard. Well, it wasn't amazing. Definitely a fixer-up-er. But after living in the house—which was nice, despite the fact that the area around the house looked bad—for a couple days, the two-mother and daughter-realized that it wasn't half bad. Though that didn't necessarily make it half good, either.

Katsusaki Mo had decided that this was the sign that they would be staying in Konoha. The house was the one thing saying that it was not temporary. That Takara had found a place that she liked, and that they would finally be able to live there for more than a few months.

"I love you, Mo."

Katsusaki put her hand on the handle of the door and opened it, escaping the confines of the car. She turned around, grabbing her backpack, and looked up at her mom. She was a beautiful woman, could have been a model, with exotic tan skin and dark green eyes, and black, slightly curly hair that fell down her back in gentle waves. She smiled a sparkly, sorry smile. She was on her way to drop off her younger brother, then to her first job interview; there would be several more that week.

Katsusaki couldn't help but smile back, though it was less lustrous and showed her sadness. She could see her mother become slightly unhappy and struggled to fake her happiness a bit better. She glanced to the back seat and could see her younger brother beginning to look slightly restless. He shot her a grin, however, and she gave him a peace sign before turning back to her mother.

"I love you, too, mom. Good luck," and then she closed the door, and turned to face her new school.

It was okay looking, but not amazing. The 'not amazing' part was made up of the kids. There obviously weren't rules on dying your hair or getting piercings. It was one of those schools that couldn't decide whether to be strict, or to allow its kids to represent their individuality.

Katsusaki took a deep breath and quickly began her way inside. The cool air conditioning blasted her in the face, sending her hair that she had struggled to make perfect that morning into disarray. She began her way towards the office, that of which she was easily directed to, thanks to sign's that seemed almost unnecessary, all the while struggling to push her hair back into the way she had it pointlessly. She entered, finding herself staring at an old, large woman sitting at the desk, chewing bubble gum and typing mechanically away at a computer. She bit her lip and walked up to the desk, waiting for the woman's attention. She didn't seem to be pulling her eyes from the computer anytime soon, so Katsusaki sighed.

"Uh, hello. I'm Outoyo, Katsusaki Mo, the new student." The woman didn't look up, simply picked up several pieces of paper that were next to her and slammed them down on the desk in front of her. Mo thanked her, not quite meaning it, and looked at the papers. A schedule, a list of rules, and some flyer about clubs and activities.

Katsusaki looked at her schedule, her first class starting at 7:40. The need to look at the clock was unnecessary; the bell rang a moment later, and she flinched. Well, she was definitely going to be late for her first class.

As she stepped out into the hallway the last person's foot disappeared behind a doorway. She sighed at the fact that her first impression was going to be horrible, but with a second look at her schedule she peered around for a map. There were none.

"This place already sucks," she grumbled to herself. Behind her the door opened again and two people exited the office. Mo blinked as she watched them walk down the hall, trying to decide whether or not she should ask for directions. Neither seemed to really notice her. She couldn't decide whether the blond was a boy or a girl. They were definitely wearing a boy's uniform, but their hair was just… so pretty.

She bit her lip, realizing she was losing her chance. Finally, just as they were about to turn the corner she gulped in a deep breath, waved her arm, and-

Promptly fell on her face.

Mo hit the floor with a hard slap, the sound of skin hitting against tile. She groaned and slowly sat up, clutching her head. She really hated how she managed to be the most clumsy person in the world at the worst possible moments. With a sigh she forced herself to her feet and turned to work her way slowly across the school. Maybe she wouldn't be in too much trouble for being late.

She was surprised, however, to find someone standing behind her. Another boy, one she didn't recognize was grinning at her happily. His teeth were bright, and he was dressed in all black, most of it pretty plain. The only extremely strange thing about him was the black gloves he wore, and the combat boots. He was almost goth, without the attitude and the make-up.

He was cute, too. His eyes dark, and his hair dark. His skin was slightly pale, but absolutely flawless. She felt slightly shorter beneath his tallness, as well. She had a feeling he would be a good catch for any girl.

"Oh, uh, hi," Mo greeted. The boy grinned and scooted closer, looking at her with an intense smile.

"Hi! Who are you?" He asked. Mo bit her lip.

"I'm Katsusaki. You can call me whatever variation of the name you'd like." She smiled just slightly, trying to suppress a blush and get him out of her personal bubble at the same time. "What's your name?"

"Tobi. Is Katsu-chan lost?" Katsusaki blushed slightly and nodded her head, cursing herself for her pink cheeks. "Then Tobi will help! Come on!" Tobi bounced down the hallways, making Mo cry out in surprise once he grabbed her wrist and dragged her along for the ride.

"W-wait! I didn't even tell you which class I'm going to yet!"

Obviously, Tobi hardly cared. He simply continued to drag Katsusaki down the hallways, a happy grin on his face and his eyes closed, elevated inside his head. She winced at his unexpectedly tight grip. He seemed so sweet; it was weird to have him almost bruising her wrist off.

He continued to drag her down the hallways without a care in the world, Katsusaki Mo wincing every step of the way, trying to get words out and tell him what she needed to. There wasn't much convincing being done so far.

After much walking, and protesting that was gradually growing less recent, Tobi stopped and looked around.

"Tobi's here!" He shouted, grinning at Katsu. She rubbed her wrist and looked around. She had hardly any idea where 'here' was. Most of the class rooms around them were empty. She frowned and glanced through one of the small rectangular windows. A science class room, but it looked virtually abandoned.

"Um, Tobi?"

"Yes, Mo-chan?"

"My first class is English."

Tobi's face dropped. He looked akin to an abandon puppy and Katsu winced.

"But thank you for helping me find the science wing," she said quickly, trying to salvage what was left of his happiness. Tobi brightened within seconds.

"You're welcome, Mo-chan!" Tobi folded his hands behind his back and rocked on his heels, grinning. Katsu, however, was busy trying to find a way to fix the mess she was in. Her first class was coming close to being halfway over by now, and of course she had completely run down her chance of her English teacher thinking she was an okay kid. First impressions were always crap for her, she realized with annoyance.

"Ah, is there a map around here anywhere…?" She mumbled, spinning around in a circle once. She spotted one of the far wall and walked over to it while Tobi began spinning around and around in a circle, copying her movements. She traced her finger over to a little golden star placed on the map. Next to it someone had written "You are here" in Sharpie.

She glanced at her schedule and found her first class and struggled to memorize the path she would have to take to her first class.

"Alright, I think I figured it out. Come on, Tobi!" She called, rushing off down the hall. When she glanced back after she realized Tobi wasn't fallowing her, she realized with a sudden shock that he was gone. A second later she didn't care, mostly because she was extremely late at this point. She figured he must have run off to his own class, wherever that was.

She jogged down the hallway and turned several corner's before she got to the English wing. A small, relieved smile found her way onto her face and she searched the number's by the door's until she finally found her class. Without hesitation she pushed open the door to room A13.

She wished she would have hesitated.

Suddenly all eyes were on her, every single person in her class looking straight to where she stood in the doorway, unsuspecting and seemingly incredibly disrespectful. The teacher had stopped whatever he was saying as he stood in front of the class. He glared at Katsusaki Mo for a long, hard moment. She was almost sure she heard thunder clouds in the distance.

"And you are…?" He asked rudely. Mo felt annoyance rise to her face but pushed it down quickly. She couldn't be making faces at her teacher, whom she was sure was already pissed at her.

"I-I'm the new student. Ah, my name is Katsusaki Outoyo," she managed, her voice skipping along with her heart, that of which was slamming hard against her rib-cage.

Suddenly, the man closed his eye smoothly in what could only be recognized as pleasent. He turned fully to Katsusaki, his silvery grey tie swinging as he did so. His crazy white hair seemed to bounce, balanced delicately on top of his head. The weirdest thing about him was the fact that he was wearing a bandana to hide his mouth, and an eye-patch over his right eye. She couldn't help but stare for a moment before realizing it was rude.

Besides the pirate getup he was decently attractive. With a glance at the girl's sitting in all of the front desks she realized he must be some heartthrob at the school. The girl's had stronger glares than the boy's did.

"Oh! Miss Outoyo, welcome," he greeted in a surprisingly nice voice. "I am Mr. Hatake, and this is your new English class." He took a glance around the room before pointing Mo to a seat in the front. She sighed, and hoped desperate that she wasn't going to be picked on exponentially by everyone behind her.

She took her seat next to a brunette wearing a mask over his face. She wondered eerily what was with all of the masks. That was two people now, she realized. She snuck a glance out of the corner of her eye. He seemed normal, besides the fact that he had the most magnificent eyes she had ever seen. They were bright green, almost neon. Her eyes caught and she had to force herself to look away.

She sighed when the bell to end her first class of the day rang and everyone around her stood.

"Well," she muttered to herself, "One down, six to go."