Dressed brightly as always, a slow smile was beginning to take form upon his tanned and whiskered face. Undead by Hollywood Undead was blaring into his ears. It was an extremely funny song, but also pretty serious. With his hands shoved into the pockets of his bright orange skinny jeans and his gangly frame covered by an equally orange large t-shirt, Naruto was quite a sight. He was on his way to Konoha University for his afternoon class of Art.
The art he was in was taught by the famous Deidara. He had a habit of blowing up artwork, good or bad.
At first, like many students, he had been intimidated by the eccentric blond man. After a few months though, he had gotten used to him, liked him even. Deidara understood his art. In ways only one man ever had before, Iruka, the man who had been like a father to him.

Unlike his outward appearance, his art was dark. He rarely used any colors, prefering the gray of pencil lead or the black of charcoal. Occasionally he would use black oil paints. Most of his work was in black, gray, and white though.
Deidara had commented to him in his second week of being in the class, "Your art reflects the world, yeah."
Naruto had looked up at the fellow blond, surprise etched into his features. Soon, he broke into his goofy grin and nodded enthusiastically at him. From then, they became rather good friends, even as teacher and student. Art was by far his favorite class because he didn't have to pretend in that class. His work reflected everything he couldn't or wouldn't say. It was plain, but it was expressive, if you knew what to look for.

As always, Sasuke and Neji were surrounded by a bunch of girls as the two "geniuses" glared calmly at each other. Naruto slipped around the girls easily, braced for the taunts he knew would come should either boy see him, or even, some of the harsher girls.
He heard it as he was near the edge of the cluster, a soft, whispered, "Fag."

He said nothing, didn't even look around, not acknowledging the remark, simply continuing down the hall to the art room. He would be early he knew, but it was better so he could set up without disturbance. He opened the door quietly, hearing a rustle of clothing, but he didn't look over, a blush heating his cheeks.
It was probably Deidara and Sasori. Sasori was the drama teacher, a master puppeteer.
He ignored them as he got out his things, hearing Sasori quietly leave only he and Deidara moments later.

His latest working was all gray and white. Simple sketch and shade. It showed the famous tree outside the university with it's lone wooden swing, empty, just barely swaying in the breeze. People could be seen in the background, but they were indistinct really, the swing taking up most of the foreground, drawing the eye.
The tree trunk and it's leaves and even the grass upon the ground were done in very fine, intricate detail. Even the shadow cast by the swing, which was very dark, and if you knew what to look for, you could make out vaguely human figures in the shading of the shadow. He did it carefully, the shadow was his current project of the whole thing. It was the last part.
He bent over his work, his nose almost touching the paper, the scent of lead filled his nostrils as he worked, his hand beginning to cramp as Deidara announced the end of the class, finished projects were due in two days by the end of class. If anyone wished, he could look them over before the end of class in the two days, and he could point out anything they could do better or tweak in some way to increase the over all effect.
He largely let them do as they pleased, any mediums were allowed, so long as it was something to do with the history of Konoha.

Hands turned grey from the lead, after putting his project away, he walked over to the large sink to an unused faucet and began the tedious task of washing his hands.
He was soon joined by the timid, Hinata Hyuga, cousin to Neji Hyuga.

She whispered a shaky, "H-hi Naruto."

To which he replied with his small smile and a "Hey Hinata."

She blushed and finished washing her paint brushes as he grabbed paper towels and stepped back out of her way.
Throwing away the paper towels, he turned his music back on, Sum 41 playing Some Say. He smiled a rueful smile as he walked. Nothing to do for the rest of the day. His course load wasn't bad. English, math, psychology, art, and philosophy. He wasn't sure about a major, probably art or graphic design of some sort. He knew some people had already declared their majors, in his year and in the year right above his. Neji Hyuga, Sasuke Uchiha, Hinata Hyuga, Rock Lee, and Kiba Inuzuka were among those who had already decided upon majors.
He and Kiba were pretty good friends, hanging out whenever Kiba's classes allowed him to. He was going to be a vet. Neji was going for physics. Sasuke too. Hinata was going to be a doctor. Lee was going to be a childrens psychologist. He envied his friend's drive. He was happy for them though, Hinata, Lee, Kiba. They'd always been nice to him. Kiba had even told him he didn't care if Naruto was gay.

"It's not like you hit on me or anything. Even if you did, I'd be no different."
Naruto had laughed when his friend said this and so did the brunette. Kiba was a great guy, he really was.

Lee himself, was bisexual, and he told Naruto he admired him for many reasons, his looks even weren't that bad. He'd winked as he'd said that, causing the blond to blush but he laughed as Lee did, slapping him on the back as he did so.

Neji and Sasuke hated him. Neji because he heard that he was gay, Sasuke..., well he wasn't sure why exactly. He just knew the raven haired boy harboured intense dislike for him. It's not like he hadn't eventually apologized for all the stupid pranks he used to pull. He had. He even meant it! Still, he didn't like him.

Hinata..., she was a lesbian. She had told him one day after he'd asked her to have ramen with him in their last year of high school. He had grinned and said that was great, he wanted her to be happy. She had blushed and poked at her food, clearly embarrassed, even moreso as once they were done eating he had stood and hugged her, lifting her from the ground with ease.

No one knew if he was gay or not, they just suspected. Hell, he wasn't sure himself. He thought he was, but he had never given it much thought. Sure he found guys attractive, like Sai, Shikamaru, Kakashi; even though he was kinda old. A few others had caught his attention too, Gaara, for instance. And Kabuto. That dude made being a nerd sexy as hell. He laughed aloud as he thought that, getting a couple weird looks from some of the underclassmen he didn't know. He didn't mind of course, he was used to weird looks. And worse.

His grin widened as he listened to Bullet by Hollywood Undead.
Arriving back at his small apartment, he fixed himself some ramen, gazing into space as he ate, not really thinking, just eating.
Today had been better. Definitely.