Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto... sadly. It belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. I do own this idea and story. The idea was also inspired after I read Speakby, Laurie Halse Anderson.
Summary: AU. Sakura Centric. An unseen girl. An unheard voice. Total invisibility. An Outcast. Will she be noticed this year... or not? And by who?
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Speak: The Unheard Voice
Chapter 1
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They're only a few meters away from me. I glance over them through my eyelashes. Why even stare? They wanted this...they all did. Its morning and they're sitting right there. Laughing and giggling. Messing around right in front of me. I wonder if I stay here when we finally stop at the school...
Will the bus driver notice that I haven't left my seat? Will he drive away? Would someone notice? No. No. No. No one will notice. No will care. No will say I haven't left. If I wasn't here...no one will care or notice I was here before. For all they care I'm just a small useless cell in this world.
Last month, before school started, I had spent all my time watching re-runs of anime shows. On the TV and computer. I didn't leave the house much. I didn't go to mall, the lake, or the pool. Or even wait by the phone, to make sure a friend would call. Ha! A friend? As if that was possible now. I began losing those kinds of people along time ago... I enter my second year of high school at Konoha High, home of the Red Hawks with the wrong hair, cloths, and attitude. To top it all off, I have no one to sit with at lunch. I have no one to sit with on the bus. That's what a back pack is for, to take the seat next to you on the bus. So, no one has to be force to sit with you.
I am an outcast.
The kids in front of me...were I guess my ex-friends. They casted me aside along time ago. I spent weeks or months crying because they threw me away like I was a piece of tissue paper that used and done. Like nothing mattered if I wasn't there by their side. Doing what friends do.
I doubt that they even know my name anymore. If they did, I would be surprised as hell. Now that I look back on it, I shouldn't have cried over them. They weren't even friends from the beginning. They would ditch me when they found someone better to talk with. They would only talk to me when there was no one else in the room. Though sometimes...I wonder if the other two were friends...it doesn't matter anyways. We aren't friends anymore. They found better people to hang out with. I, for one, have no one to be with.
Everyone at my school was in a group of friends. I call them clans. Why? Because High School is like the food chain with different animal clans. It is and has always been a jungle. The clans were: JV Jocks, Country Clubbers, Idiot Savants, Cheerleaders, Human Waste, Jocks in General, Future Fasctis of Japan (AKA: F.F.J.) Punk Rockers, Suffering Artists, the Marthas, Thespias, Goths, Emos, Shredders, Cool Asians, "very active" Band Kids, Nerds, Freaks, and Outcasts. Those who's names are tilted are considered cool, or popular. JV, Jocks, Country Clubbers, Jocks in general, and of course Cheerleaders, have always been popular. They rule the school. Their on the top of the food chain. Right after them, is the Marthas, the F.F.J. and Cool Asians. Those who are third are: Punk Rockers, Shredders, "very active" Band Kids, Goths, and Emos. Then fourth: Nerds and Freaks. Finally the last of the last, Outcast. Yea, I'm right there. Never will be on the top or even fourth for that matter.
I once was in a Normal Clan. Though, my Normal Clan was third or second in the food chain we broke up and then the only Normal Clan was no more and aren't even in the food chain anymore. There was Tenten, was on the bus with the Jocks comparing scares; that she got from a sport summer camp. I see her flirting with Neji Huyga at the same time. Hinata Huyga was sitting with the suffering artist and thespias. She was cool enough to sit with both clans. Ino Yamanaka, my ex-best friend was sitting with the Cheerleaders. She was just as popular as Tenten was now. Hinata had stayed were she was before, even if her cousin, Neji, was one of the most popular guys at the school. I went down. I don't even have a good enough status to eat or even sit with the other outcast on the bus or at lunch, for that matter.
I finally look up and so does Ino. Our eyes meet for a faction of a second. She's wearing a white skirt that is shows that she has legs. I'm wearing white shorts though. It looks like I don't have legs. Ino's wearing a purple tang-top. It really does show she has a B-cup. I'm wearing a fuzzy dark green sweater; It makes me look flat.
She's wearing black flats with nice black bows on them. I look at my feet for a second. Sneakers. My old Nike's from last year. Mom promised I'd get new ones later on this year, but I doubt that she'll remember. I look back to Ino.
She smirks and mouths silently "I hate you." She turns her back on me; to laugh and joke with her friends. I bit my lip. Its over, and I turn to the window and look outside. Tree. Tree. Tree. Tree. We pass by another tree and another. Time passes and were still passing trees; until we reach the school.
Bus driver: "Come on! Let's go! Hurry up! I don't have all day!"
Everyone gets out of their seats. I grab my bag and wait for everyone who sat behind me walk away first. Then the two boys, who I don't know which clan they come from, walk pass me. Their the last of the people who sat behind me. I wait but they stop.
Boy with black hair (who looks like Jock: Sauske Uchiha) but isn't him: "You going to go girl?"
I bit my tongue. No one has really spoke to me, besides the school authority and my parents. This was the first in years. Then his friend speaks. He has brown messy hair and red triangles on his check.
Boy with brown hair: "Cat got your tongue, girl?"
What do I say? They're questioning me. What do I say? I don't say anything that's why. I nodded. I grab my bag and walk away from the two with no other words to explain myself. The bus driver raises his brow at me but shakes his head and looks at the other two boys through his mirror. I leave the bus, before I can here what the bus driver tell them.
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Everyone is called to the auditorium. Our principal, Tusnade, give out her classic speeches of welcoming us back to another wonderful year here at Konoha High School. Its the first day for the second years. We get the school all to ourselves for today. Well, we have the scrubs, first years, with us today. Tomorrow the third years are coming and then the fourth years last. Then on the fourth day of school everyone is in the school. All of the years and the teachers of course.
I think Tusnade has been drinking again. Yea, our principal has a drinking problem. How do I know this? Because she's acting crazy again on the stage. She's make a fool of herself but she doesn't know that. Her assistant, Shizune, is trying to calm her down. Tusnade, is an awesome principal, though I think drinking is illegal on campus...well for students anyways. Does that count for the adults too? I'll check on that later.
More students from last year pile in the auditorium. Finding a seat...with a friend more importantly. I'm sitting in the back again. Their are two open seats beside me. My bag is at my feet. There is a rule in the auditorium. Don't put any of your belongings in the chairs. Put them at your feet please. As if anyone listens to that rule. I do...I can't afforded a detention.
I see the two boys from the bus earlier. The look for their friends I'm assuming. Then I hear, loud mouth Naruto Uzumaki yell.
Naruto: "Sai! Kiba! Over here!"
Then the two boys turn and smirk. Naruto is right in front of me. So, I get a clear volume of him screaming. Naruto was in the Jocks and Shredders clan. He could surf into either clan. So what clan was those two in? Shredders? or Jocks?-Wait! Why do I care? Doesn't matter. It's not like they are going to sit with me or even be my friends. I really doubt someone will be this year.
Then he shows up. With Ino and Ino's new best friend, Karin, in his arms. More like his arms wrapped around them. Both girls giggle with each other. I now take out my book, Twilight, out of my back pack. I'm re-reading it for the five hundredth time. I saw the movie last week by myself. Mom thought I went with some friends. I only nodded when she asked. Like I want her to know I have no friends; I'm an outcast. Naruto screams again. For Sauske this time. Yahoo! Time to cover my ears.
Naruto: "TEME!"
Teme, as in bastard. Like the school would care if he cussed. He may be stupid and loud. Though he's a hell of a sports boy. He plays everything you can think of. Just like his best friend/rival, Sauske Uchiha. I don't like either of them. Their to much for me. I think they're just another excuse for girls to go all 'gah!' in class and lunch and 24/7.
Sauske lets go of the two girls. Not even giving them a second look and makes his way to his idiot of a friend. Sai and Kiba are already seated by Naruto. I go through my bag. Why do I need to watch Mr. Hot-shot make his way to his friends? I found it! My iPod. I put the head phones in my ears and hit play. I try my best to keep it high enough to not hear the boys in front of me, but low enough to still hear Tusnade make her speech. I turn the pages of my book. I land on a random page and begin to read.
I like books. They're anything but real. My life is real. If I had a choice to pick real life or book life... I would pick book life. Why? Because being in another life would be better than being were I am right now. Twilight... is one of my favorites. No not because of Edward Cullen or Jacob Black or Mike Newton. Its a favorite because its not just a drama or a thriller. It has vampires and werewolves. The best types of creatures of the night.
Then I hear a thump. I look up from my book and look to were the sound came from. Sauske Uchiha is sitting next to me?! You got to be kidding me right? The chicken-ass bastard is seating next to me? Oh...just wow...I don't even like his kind and he is sitting next to me...wow. So, I ignore his presence and look over to were he is sitting and look toward the door. More students pile in. Then, I see him. Haku...he talks to me from time to time. Well, more like he talks and I nod my head. He smiles when he sees me. He come this way? What? No way! What is wrong with today? False alarm. Kin... a girl with long black hair pulls him toward were their friends are. He smiles at me once more and I nod before he turns to were Kin directs him. I then go back to my book. Before, I could begin to read Sauske Uchiha speaks.
Sauske: "Your Sakura right?"
Me:
Why speak to him? How does he know my name? I bit my tongue... for I shouldn't speak to this male. He's trouble and I know it. He may be a Jock and popular but anything I say will be used against me on a court of law... ha! Nah. Though it is true anything I say; he will use against me. So I shut my mouth and look at him once more, then I turn my attention to Twilight. I can't even read one word, in this book, inside this auditorium. I could just see him smirk.
Sauske: "So I'll take that as a yes?"
I keep quiet and keep my eyes on a page in the book. Don't speak. Don't speak. Don't speak. Don't speak... to him. I repeat to myself over and over again in my head. I will not speak.
Sauske: "Fine... I'll do the talking, then. Were are your friends?"
I shut my book. I put it inside my bag. and turn the volume in my iPod higher and then put it in the pocket of my shorts. I lean in my seat and close my eyes. I act like Uchiha isn't there. I bet he still has that smirk on his face.
Sauske: "So you don't have friends like everyone says. Right?"
Me:
I'm quiet and close my eyes harder. At the same time I'm biting my tongue. If I bit my lip he will see. Then he'll get his answer. I hate how these popular people choose to bother the people on the bottom of the food chain. It's so... ugh! I don't even want to say it. I don't even want to think of it. I just want to sit alone, but no! There aren't any seats available near Sauske's best friend Naruto so he choices to sit next to me because his best friend is right in front of me. He smirks again. Its like he knows every answer even though I don't reply.
Sauske: "Hm...that's another yes, I assume. Its sad that you have no one to be with or hang out with at school...isn't it Sakura Haruno?"
I open my eyes. I grab my bag and move to the empty seat on my right. This may not be far enough but I don't want to look for another row with an empty seat available. I look straight ahead and repeat in my head: He's not there. He's not there. Don't think about what he said. Don't think about what he said. I say this over and over. Sauske doesn't speak anymore. Why? Because Neji Huyga is in my old seat now speaking to him. The song My Happy Ending by Avril Lavigne comes to an end on my iPod. Just at the exact second Tusnade begins to speak. I turn off my iPod and pay attention to her.
THE FRIST TEN LIES THEY TELL YOU AT KONOHA HIGH
1. We are here to help you.
2. You will have enough time to get to
your class before the bell rings.
3. The dress code will be enforced.
4. No smoking is allowed on school campus.
5. Public Display of Affection (PDA) isn't allowed
on campus.
6. We expect more from you this year.
7. Guidance counselors are always available to
listen to you.
8. Your schedule was created with your needs
in mind.
9. Your locker combination is private, SHARE WITH
NO ONE!
10. These will be the year you will look back on,
with a smile.
They tell us to go to homeroom. So, I walk to homeroom. The first people that see me are: Shikamaru Nara and Sabaku no Gaara. They give me a questioned look. I think, they wonder if I'm new here. Pft! Yea I bet you everyone thinks that when I walk into the class room. Because no one knew me last year, well they knew me but they didn't really know me. So, I think I was forgotten over the summer... again.
I take the seat nearest to the door. I'd rather walk out of here with no one knowing I was here in the first place. Being noticed is to much trouble if you ask me. I was one of those girls that was noticed... in the end I became an outcast. See, look were I am now. I'm no where. I'm nothing and that's that. No... I'm not being negative about my life either. The bell rings and the kids in my homeroom run to their seats.
I look up to see the teacher's desk. He or she isn't there. Strange...usually the teachers are here on time. I look at the clock that's right above the white board. 8:50 AM. Teacher is already more than late, by now. Probably would get a detention if he was a student. Aw well. Means more time for the other kids to mess around.
I just sit there like an idiot. No one sits next to me. There for there is an empty seat next to me. I grab my bag that is on the floor and move it to the empty seat next to me. I told you, that's what a bag is for... to take the space of an empty area. I'm so smart. Though not that anyone will care, besides my parents and family. None of the kids will care...I don't need their approval...do I?
Before my question is answered. Our homeroom teacher enter the room. He has gray hair and a mask that covers his bottom half of his face. Can some one say robber? His left eye is covered with a head band. First impression of my Homeroom teacher: STRANGE/WEIRD...I think I like this guy. He seems like he had a hard time in High School too. But what am I to judge right? He clears his throat and speaks.
H.R. Teacher: "My name is Kakashi Hatake. I will be your homeroom teacher for this year. I teacher Honor English, for all grades. You may not know me form last year but you will know me this year. Any questions?"
Hands fly up in the air. I think I already know what they're going to ask. I've seen all the teens in this class before and I know what they will ask. They are so predictable. Kakashi nods to one of the kids behind me.
Kakashi: "Ami, right? Okay what is it?"
Ami: "Kakashi-sensei, why do you have a mask on your face?"
Figures a bimbo cheerleader like her would ask that. I would love to look inside her head and see if there real isn't anything there. Ptf! Yea like that's going to happen. When they do an examination on her when she dies. Then the doctors will find out she did sleep with almost evey guy at school and had no brain. That will be the day I laugh so hard and be forced into emergency room from lack of oxygen.
Kakashi: "I have my reasons, Ami."
Ami: "...okay...?"
Ha! She doesn't even know what to say after that and she calls me the loser. Whatever. Kakashi picks other students after her. Answering every question with simple answers. It's like he has had these questions before...weiiiiird. Anyways, after answering ever question he begins to speak again.
Kakashi: "Now, I have all of your schedules right here."
He pats a stack of papers and then clears his throat, once again. What's with this guy and his throat? Is he sick? Does that explain why he has that mask? So he doesn't give out his germs? I shrug it off and look at him once more. Pretending to listen.
Kakashi: "I will call your name one by one. You come up here grab your schedule and a yellow envelope and take your seat. Then wait for further directions."
Kakashi begins to call names from his attendance sheat. A-Z, he calls everyone. I look to see who is in this class. Everyone in each part of the food chain is here. Wow! Isn't that nice? Though I'm hating that Sauske Uchiha, Naruto Uzumaki, and Kiba Inazuka are in my homeroom class. This is going to be a "fun" year. Yea right. My name is called and I get out of my seat and head toward Kakashi-sensei.
Kakashi: "Miss. Haruno. I'll be looking forward to seeing you in 3rd period Honor's later today."
Me:
What am I suppose to say? He shakes his head and hands me my schedule and a yellow envelope. I go back to my seat and make sure not to meet anyone gaze. Why even be stared at by them? or look at them for that matter? I have no idea.
I take my seat and more names are called. Kakashi makes another announcement saying that he will expect us all to be here tomorrow during homeroom time and he expects us not to be late or ditch homeroom. Then the bell rings.
Thank you Kami-sama. I open my bag and stuff the yellow envelope Kakashi-sensei gave me in my bag. I zip it up and swing my bag over my shoulder and grab the school map and my schedule. My first class is Trigonometry. Yes, I'm this smart to take third year math. I took advance class in math since Middle School. I even took summer class...hey I have nothing better to do right? I maybe smart but no one notices. I'm really am nothing of speciality.
It does take me time to get to class. I wander the halls till I bump into one of them. I'm beginning to think allot of boys are just bumping into me to much today... and in the morning too. Sadly, I bump into his chest and before I could fall back he catches me by the waist and pulls me up. I stand straight. Everything I'm caring is still in my hand and my bag is still on my shoulder.
Him: "Sorry."
Me:
Him: "I'm, Neji Huyga, by the way. And you are?"
Me:
I'm not going to speak to one of them. Today, honestly is it run into the outcast day? Really. This is to much. First, Sai & Kiba. Then, sorta Naruto & Sauske. Next, Gaara & Shikamaru. Finally, Neji?! What the hell is up with this? I have no idea. Do you? Hm...
Neji: "Sakura Haruno right?"
Me: -nods head-
Neji: -smirk- "Well Haruno-san sorry for bumping into you."
Me: -nods head-
Neji: "Mind if I escort you to your next class?"
Me:
I then bit my gum. It help me not speak or smile for that matter. It's been along time since a guy has offered me to walk me to class. Heck! I've never have been offered to be walked to class by a guy...yet I don't want to show my excitement. I move my head so my bangs are on half of my face.
Neji: "Is that a yes or a no?"
Me:
What am I suppose to do. I take a look at my schedule that's in my hand from the corner of my eye. My first period is with Ibiki Morino, Trigonometry; Room 107. I look up to the room that's practicallyright next to me. The exact classroom I'm looking for. I look to Mr. Hugya and shake my head telling him no thanks. I turn to the classroom door and open it with out hesitation.
Most of the kids in this class room are Nerds, Freaks, or Outcast (like me). Populars or the in-crowed Clans aren't really found here often. Of course I know few of them that might be found in here. Though I doubt they know me...correction, I doubt anyone knows me. They might just know me as a girl from one of their classes. I take my seat in the middle of the classroom still close to the door though. I don't need much attention. If I sit in the back it really doesn't help the fact that I'm not noticed.
Trigonometry is easy. Well, I think it is. I took a few summer class in July. It was sorta confusing but I got the hang with it...I remember some kids that were there that summer. When I walked into the classroom I see only a few kids from my year two others who are probably first years. The whole class will be full tomorrow. That means...third years that are either mean or smart will be in this class. I just pray to Kami none of them are popular. I think Kami-sama will answer my prayers...then again...he might not hear me because I am an outcast. I'm lost in my trail of thought when I see Shikamaru and Neji walk in the classroom door. Great...
Just what I need. More of them. There kind makes me want to puck. The male kind of their clan is more worst then the female kind. Their female...all of the girls in their clan are air heads. I'm sorry but its true. I will not deny it but I know their clan well. Anything to save their reputation will boost their ego more. Just what this school needs more self centered brats. Don't you just love my school already? Ya right...The two boys take a seat in the back. Figures. I know if I sit in the back people of their clan would question my presence in their territory.
I look at the clock. I know I'm going to do this a lot to day. The first day of school is always boring... wait no... everyday is boring. Well, mostly everyday. I wonder what's for lunch today. Were am I going to eat? Will I make a phone call in the telephone booth...and eat my lunch there? Will I eat in the quad and have everyone pretend I'm not there...? In the lunch room and eat at a table by myself like some other outcast? Eat on one of the school stair cases? Or go to the bathroom and close a stall while I eat in silence? Or maybe I should go to the library and eat there?
Our librarian, Iruka, doesn't really care if I eat there... I think he understands my situation. He knows I'm one of the top students at our high school. Every time I come in he greats me with a hello, some small talk, and other things adults at this school do with me. They all know I don't speak much. When he's not in the library he teaches after school stuff...I think he manages two clubs I think. He does work in the PTA too. I sometimes wonder if he gets paid a lot...then again, he might not. How should I know...I never ask; I might one day though. The door then is open and her comes my Trigonometry teacher.
He looks like he's been in the military. Turns out he has. He tells us his story, his life story and such. This is what teachers do on the the first four days of school. They talk about the class, the rules, who they are, and everything. It does get boring... always does.
Ibiki Morino is his name. He wears a bandana for a reason... it had something to do with what happened in a military mission. No one questions after that. He tells us that he has a little brother that goes here... right! Idate Morino. His brother is the same age as me but not in the same clan... he's a cross with a Jock (runs track-n-field) and a Punk Rocker. I think he and Naruto Uzumaki are friends that argue alot... sorta the same relationship Naruto has with kiba Inazuka and Sai. I find out I tune Ibiki-sensei out. Soon, I notice Ibiki is in front of me, my desk at least.
Ibiki: "Haruno, Sakura am I correct?"
Me: -nods head-
Ibiki: "I have heard great things from your past math teachers."
Me: -shrug-
Ibiki: "I expect no more than an A- from you."
Me: -nods head-
Ibiki: "Do you speak?"
Me: -shrug-
Ibiki: "Is that a yes or a no?"
Me: -moves hand (showing him the sign that means: so and so)-
Ibiki: -chuckles- "Intresting. Well then..."
Ibiki walks away and moves to the next student. The one that is closes to me. I look over my shoulder I see Shikamaru Nara smirk at me and then looks ahead. What was with the smirk? Hm...I have a feeling that this year in Ibiki-sensei's class will be something. The thing is I don't know if it is going to be fun or a disaster...
Note to Self: Watch your back this year. Why? Because I have a feeling this year is...well going to be different.
Note Note to Self: I just don't know if things will get worse or better...we'll just have to wait and see.
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...to be continued...
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Me: There you have it everyone! My latest project:D I pray to GOD that people will like it... and review it! I worked so hard too! To those who read this chapter... please! Tell me:
1. Does it suck or is it good?
2. Should I continue or not?
3. Was it too long or to much detail?
4. Who should Sakura's love interest be?
5. Do u like Choclate Pocky or Strawberry Pocky?
All questions must be answered:D Yes and so must number 5. I need my feed back everyone... cuz if i don't I'll jump to conclusion this is a bad story... xD well anyways! R&R! FLAMERS ARE EXCEPTED! Thx 4 reading the story remember... Review, Review, Review...
Bye Bye 4 now.