Chapter 2

Naruto

"Uzumaki, you're grades are starting to decline drastically," Mr. Umino lectured to me, but I wasn't really paying attention.

After arriving in KSU, things seemed to go well. I became best friends with my two roommates, Shikamaru and Kiba, and most of our time was spent partying or playing. Aside from that though, academics were great except in Government. I never cared about politics to begin with.

"If you don't straighten up quickly, you're going to fail this semester." Now that part registered and he got my full attention. "What?" I asked wide eyed.

"What the hell do you think I've been saying for the last two hours?" He asked me, irritation written all over his face. I looked at him and apologized respectfully.

"Apologies can only get you so far Naruto and right now they cant get you anywhere." He told me and I sighed heavily. "Is there anything I can do?" I asked him.

"Well in all honesty, I'd recommend getting a tutor who can help you pass." He told me. I nodded and knew just the person to go to.

"No."

I stared at Shikamaru with a blank. Expression. "The hell do you mean no?!"

"I'm not your bitch, Naruto. And I know if you work with me, you'll be doing nothing except running your mouth." He said as he typed up an essay on his laptop. After a few seconds he had finally looked up at me and gave an apologetic expression. "Look bro, I understand you need help but I cant give it to you."

"Oh, okay…" I sighed defeated and fell onto my bed. I heard Shikamaru make an irritated sigh but didn't try to listen.

"Asshole, if you're hearing me, I can get a friend to tutor." He said and I sat back up. "I'm listening."

"Look for an Akiko Suzuki, and tell her that this is Shikamaru's debt settlement. Trust me, she'll understand."

I didn't know why, but I felt I had heard that name from somewhere, but couldn't remember where.

Akiko

"Honestly Akiko, is there ever a moment where your face is not glued to a book?" Mika asked with a sigh. I chuckled at my longtime roommate. "Mika, some of us actually worry about graduating on time." She smiled at me and shook her head.

A minute later we heard a rap on our door, and Mika stood, not bothering to get in pajamas and opened the door. "Hel-" I heard her say and she abruptly went silent.

"Well, helloo," I heard her say in a seducing tone and figured she was talking to a date of hers.

"May I see Akiko?" The guy asked and I felt my heart skip a beat as I recognized the voice.

No… way…

Mika looked at me with a pout. "You got a boy at the door who wants to see you." She said to me.

I stood and walked toward her and saw her mouth "wow" at me as she walked to her bed. As I got to the door, I saw who stood and my suspicions were spot on because a tall muscled young blonde stood at it with a charming smile as surprise gleamed in his eyes.

"You're Akiko? I knew I heard that name from somewhere! You're the girl I met my first day here." He chuckled.

"Yes… so what did you need?" I asked trying to hide the interest that was most likely in my eyes. "Well, you see I need a tutor for Government." He said in an embarrassed tone and expression. "My roommate Shikamaru said that I was the settlement for his debt and said you could tutor me?"

I felt my mind go blank. I managed to get Shikamaru with his right now girlfriend Temari, who was a good friend of mine. The two appeared not to like each other, when they had first met but it turned that wasn't the case. Shikamaru came to me for advice and I told him what Temari liked and it worked. I told him afterwards that he owed me one. But this wasn't what I meant, so I don't know if this was a blessing or a dreadful curse.

"Oh… you're having trouble?" I asked him and he nodded. "Can you… help?" He asked.

It was hard for me to focus on his eyes as I kept glancing at everything below the neck… "Y-yeah, I think I can."

His whole expression went glowing and he hugged me close. "You are the best Akiko!" He chuckled. I felt like I got smaller in his grip and managed to catch the scent of his body.

He actually smelled good, in a not so creepy way. After it seemed like I was going to pass out on the spot, he finally let go and I inhaled as much air as I could. "Sorry…" He apologized quickly scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"I-its okay…" I said absently. "We can meet up Saturday if that's okay." I asked him. "Sure, I don't mind it. See you on Saturday." He smiled and just like that was gone.

I shut the door and leaned against it slowly falling to the ground. "Wow…" I smiled.

"Wow is right," Mika said standing and kneeling next to me. "Who was that hottie and where'd you meet?" She asked with a wide grin.

"A guy I met at the beginning of the year."