Disclaimer: Naruto doesn't belong to me. I'm just borrowing her wonderful characters for awhile! Yay me!

Warnings: This story will be shounen ai/ yaoi. Pairings undecided as of yet, but suggestions are welcomed. If you are unable to read stories with this kind of content for whatever reasons, please don'tCan't say I didn't warn you, so don't bitch to me about your offended sensibilities.

If You Ever Did Believe

Part One: A change of scenery.

The shock of cold water hit Naruto like a hammer as it closed around him. He broke the surface and gulped in a lungful of air before he began his morning laps of the pool.

It was early on a Monday morning, and the pools were completely deserted, save for the few sleepy looking staff trudging around opening the place up. Naruto was always the first one here, rain or shine. Every morning he would swim twenty-five laps of the pool before heading for school. As soon as school finished on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays, he had swim squad training.

He had always loved the water, and swimming was something that he was obsessive about. At his old school he had been on the school squad and had done rather well for himself, all things considered. He had swum laps every morning and turned up to the afternoon training as well, always punctual and never failing to show up.

Things were different now. He was attending the school, which was rivals with his old one. Things ran differently here and after three weeks, he was only just beginning to settle in. With starting his new classes and getting into the new swim squad, things had been hectic. He had never felt so alone or uncertain as he did when he had begun here.

But things were getting better now.

Genma, his guardian of five years now had been the one to decide he needed to change schools. At first, Naruto had protested fiercely, but now he was beginning to see the sense in his guardian's decision. He was beginning to like the place. The pace was relaxed and easygoing, and the people were nice. Some of the teachers were a bit…odd, but he found them amusing and nice, nonetheless.

The only downfall was that Genma had insisted that he started seeing the school councilor once every week. There was nothing Naruto could do to change his mind, so he had reluctantly agreed to give it a go. He had glimpsed the councilor around the place, but had never actually spoken to him. His first session was after school today.

Naruto hit the wall and turned, beginning on his sixth lap. He had settled into a familiar rhythm now. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe. Stroke, stroke, stroke, breathe.

Maybe this addiction of his to swimming was a bad thing. It felt wrong if he didn't swim at least once a day. Swimming was the time when he could think, and sort out problems while he exercised. And he always felt better afterwards, no matter how bad his mood had been when he started.

He liked the facilities here. There was a small indoor café, and a gym opposite that. Down some stairs were the change rooms, and then through a door beyond that was an indoor fifty meter pool. In addition to this was an outdoor pool as well as a little paddling pool for the kiddies. This was a public swimming pool, so Naruto knew in the afternoons it would be crowded. That was why he swam early in the mornings, to avoid the crowds. It wasn't that he didn't like people. More that he didn't like to feel crowded when he was alone. Sometimes, the way his mind worked scared himself.

This afternoon, in addition to his counseling session, he had the first squad training of the new season. The schools sport instructor, an oddly scary woman named Tsunade had interviewed him last week and agreed to give him s trial this afternoon. He hadn't met any of the students on the school's swimming team as of yet, and he wasn't really that bothered about it. Having friends wasn't something that bothered him normally. Sure, he'd had a few, but they were people he hung out with. They'd had no real connections or common interests. He hadn't made any new friends at his new school yet, and he knew that Genma was worried about that (even if he wouldn't admit it) but he wasn't all that keen either. Naruto preferred to keep to himself, and get on with what he was supposed to be doing.

He was an average student, never being the smartest nor the dumbest in his classes. He never really studied, yet he always managed to pass somehow.

In the afternoons, he would normally hang out with Genma and his friends when they weren't on duty. Genma was a detective, and Naruto liked to hang out with his foster parent. He was easy going, and kind and they got along well.

Genma was his only real attachment to the real world. He often commented on Naruto's daydreaming. Although many would accredit this to his somewhat painful past, it was really just his personality.

So he didn't make friends that easily. And maybe he was a bit of a loner. That didn't mean there was anything wrong with him did it? He didn't think so.

Naruto had lost his parents a while ago, and though sometimes it was painful to think about, he couldn't really remember them all that well these days. He wasn't as screwed up as the social services made him out to be.

Naruto touched the wall for the last time and pulled off his goggles, pushing hair from his forehead as he did so. Maybe it was time for another haircut? Oh well, he'd worry about that later. Now, he needed to get moving. Genma would fry his ass if he was late again. He had promised not to be tardy this week. It wasn't worth the price. Genma had threatened to ground him if he was, and this weekend he was going to the sea side with Genma and his mates. He die before he missed that.

Naruto swam to the edge of the pool and climbed out, water cascading off him as he did so. He grabbed his towel and headed towards the change rooms to shower and dress before the short walk to school.

The hallways were crowded as the last bell of the day rang. Students were laughing, chatting and yelling as they left the school grounds. Naruto however, had an appointment to get to. He was the only one walking against the crowds, but no one seemed to notice.

A few minutes later and all the noise had faded away. Naruto glanced at the scrap of paper in his hand. Yep, this was the right building.

Sighing, he hitched his satchel higher and entered, wondering what was going to happen to him. Would he be subjected to the usual psychiatrist's bullshit and end up spilling his tragic life story to a complete stranger? He snorted. Unlikely. He wasn't one to fall for that kind of crap. He preferred honest, sincere people who meant what they said and who were actually interested in the lives of other. Not those superficial, materialistic people who only did things for money. Undoubtedly, this councilor would be one of those.

He sighed again as he reached the door that said "councilors Office" in clear black letters. There was no way he could get out of it, he knew. Genma was tricky like that.

He raised his hand and knocked.

After a moments silence he still hadn't got any reply. He knocked again. Still no answer. So maybe there was a way to get out of this.

"Are you Uzamaki Naruto?" A voice asked from behind him.

Unsuspecting, Naruto turned around and blinked in surprise at the youngish looking man who stood there.

"Uh, yeah?"

The man flashed a warm smile at him, as he juggled a hug cup of coffee and a pile of paper and folders.

"Sorry I'm late. My names Umino Iruka." The man introduced himself as he unlocked the door and ushered him in.

Naruto stood there took in the unfamiliar surroundings as Iruka unloaded his burden onto the desk.. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with books. Two potted green plants stood either side of the shaded window and a cluttered desk had two uncomfortable looking chairs. A sofa and an old arm chair stood before the window and Naruto could see photo frames sitting on the man's desk.

"You're the councilor?" he asked doubtfully after a moment.

The man smiled warmly as his.

"I don't look it do I? But yes, I am. Why don't you have a seat?"

Reluctantly, Naruto sat opposite the man and fidgeted slightly as he waited for the man to get ready.

"You live with Genma, right?" the man asked.

Naruto was surprised by the man's open smile, and something in him was telling him that this man was a good person; likable and trustworthy. He wasn't yet sure if he wanted to let down his guard just yet though, but he decided to go along with the man's questions.

"Yeah. I do. You know him?"

"We're old friends. In fact, he called me and asked if I would talk to you."

"He did?"

"No doubt we would have talked eventually. I usually talk to all new students, to see how they're settling in and all that. But he seemed to want me to talk to you sooner. Any idea why?"

"Not a clue." He answered, somewhat truthfully. The man seemed to be working on something, shuffling through some papers and sorting out files. Obviously he was trying to get some sort of order to his crowded desk. After a few minutes of the sound of rustling paper, the man seemed to have sorted things out. He held up a file to show Naruto.

"Know what this is?"

Naruto eyed it warily. "I'm guessing it's some sort of file on me."

"You'd be correct. Every student who ever goes to school has a similar file, documenting everything about that particular student. Personal details, school reports, grades, anything that has to do with your education is contained in this file."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because," Iruka put the file down. "I don't want to know what other people have to say about you. I don't want to know what type of person they say you are. I want to know about you. Screw what they say."

Naruto found that he liked this man. There was something about him that he made him likable. Maybe it was because he was so open and easy to get along with, he didn't know. Hell, he didn't even know the man and he already liked him. That had to mean something.

"Mr Umino.."

"Iruka. Call me Iruka. Everyone does."

"Er, right. Iruka, I don't know why Genma wants me to see you every week. Is it really necessary?"

"It's not compulsory, no. But Genma seems to think there's a reason for it, so maybe for now we should go along with his wishes." The man winked at him and smiled, and Naruto returned the smile, unable to stop himself.

"He seems to be worried about you."

"What did he tell you about me?"

"He said you spend a lot of time alone. And that you don't seem to socialize a lot, even at school."

Naruto shrugged, not knowing how to respond.

"Have you made any friends here yet?"

"Not really no."

"Why? Are you uncomfortable or have you just not found anyone you'd like to be around yet?"

"There's a few people I talk to."

"Acquaintances, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"You've met Tsunade haven't you?"

Naruto blinked at the sudden change of subject. And after a moment found his voice again.

"Yeah. Last week."

Iruka grinned at him.

"Scary huh? She tells me she's giving you a trial this afternoon. Nervous?"

"Not really. It's just swimming."

"Genma says you swim a lot. My secret hobby is writing. I love to write. And draw actually. When I was back in school, I used to belong to the art club. Dorky huh?"

"Anyway, I think we'll keep today's session short. Kind of just an introduction. How about you see how this week goes, and if you feel like talking again next week, you come and see me and we'll arrange a time. No pressure."

And there wasn't. He could see that, and more importantly, he could feel it, which was a tremendous relief. Naruto wasn't sure if he would come back next week yet, but even if he did, he could see that it wouldn't be as torturous as he'd been imagining it to be. In fact, Iruka seemed to be a lot like Genma, which comforting.

He stood up and was surprised when Iruka held out a hand. He shook it firmly.

"It was nice meeting you, Naruto. Maybe you'll feel more like talking next time, huh?"

Naruto gave him a smile. "Maybe."

With that, he left. No fuss, and no stress. It was as simple as that. In fact, Naruto felt strangely…a bit calmer than he had before. Despite him telling Iruka that he wasn't nervous about this afternoon, he actually was, a little. He'd always been on the swim team, and he loved to compete in the school competitions. He didn't know what he'd do if he didn't get on it. Well, he'd just have to show that creepy woman that he was good enough for her team. That's all there was to it.

Yeah right. As if it would be that easy…

Yay! Hello there, peoples! I honestly don't know what inspired me to write this. I think I felt a bit constricted by writing for my other stories, and I needed to do something a little different. This is it! Written off the top of my head, with no previous planning. Scray!

But anyways, I know, it's another school based fic, you groan. But bear with me, because I hope it'll be a little different to most others out there. I am also taking requests for pairings right now, because i'm not sure who i want to pair up and with. Shounen ai pairings will be the main, but i'm willing to accept het pairings on the side as well. Please help!

Anyways, thanks for reading. Now, if you would be so kind as to review, I promise to love you forever. Now, hop to it!...Pwease?