Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Third Chapter

A Chance at a Pretentious Pedestal

Naruto's eyes twitched in annoyance at the spectacle in front of him.

Before the two siblings knew it, July had turned into August. After August, September came. The biggest complaint that Naruto had was that he and Sakura weren't able to use their vacation to the fullest- again, Naruto's words, not Sakura's. They didn't even do any exciting outdoor activity, for goodness' sake!

Itachi had even extended an invitation to a college beach party which they had declined. Knowing Naruto's nature, he had also told Naruto that Sasuke would be going too. That meant a lot of hot girls in bikinis and a chance to use Sasuke as bait! But remembering what Sakura told to him about the invitation, Naruto pouted to himself.

"Eh, you want to go to that party, onii-san? It's too hot and I don't want to get a tan," Sakura complained to him while relaxing on her white tiger patterned bed, holding up a manga that she managed to make him buy for her.

She continued on, "Besides, it's a college beach party. There's going to be alcohol and a lot of hormones there." At this, she scrunched up her round chubby face and cringed at the thought. "It doesn't suit my image. Let's just play a new game," she drawled the words lazily and started to sleep peacefully, never knowing of the regret that pooled in Naruto's belly.

Thus, Naruto's regretful summer vacation came to an end, and with it, it brought the first day of the first term and the entrance ceremony.

The entrance ceremony was the opportunity to see the student who got the highest mark on the entrance exam since he or she was to make an appearance to the whole batch and lead them throughout the whole ceremony. In addition, he or she was also tasked with the customary inspirational and motivational speech to be delivered to the first year students before school officially began. What was it about exactly? New beginnings, the new school year, blah, blah, blah…

Basically, it was a formality that Naruto really didn't care about. But for the rest of the students, it was different. It was the best time to see the best student of their batch and their biggest chance to spread rumors about that student based on what she or he would show today. In the case of his best friend, Sasuke it was also the best time to remind people of his intellectual superiority over his obnoxious peers. After all, the Uchiha family had a reputation to uphold- including in the field of academics.

In the stead of their parents, Itachi was dressed for the occasion and donned brown leather dress shoes, a crisp white button-down long sleeved polo with a red silk necktie, and black blazer. He attracted the attention of the students, teachers, and parents with his flashy red sports car, good looks, and impeccable style.

He was like a local celebrity everywhere, Naruto thought to himself in amazement with stars in his eyes. At that moment, he secretly swore to himself that he would definitely achieve that kind of charisma once grew up to be an adult.

Itachi was currently pining the flower on his otouto's school uniform. At their far right, a group of mothers were cooing over the sight while their husbands nodded approvingly. With them, female students and teachers flocked together and drooled over the siblings' hotness. "Aniki," Sasuke growled out of embarrassment, his neck pink. "You don't have to do this."

"I'm pretty sure this constitutes as part of an older brother's responsibilities, Sasuke," Itachi mockingly raised a brow, further teasing Sasuke.

Sasuke resigned himself to his older brother's attention and distracted himself with Naruto. Speaking of which, he was pretty sure he saw Naruto walking into the gates of the school with his pink haired sibling in tow when the two had arrived. Where was she now? The absence of their pink- haired friend piqued his curiosity so he decided to ask Naruto about it.

"Where's Sakura, Naruto?"

Naruto shrugged uncaringly, causing crinkles to form on his untucked white long sleeved polo shirt which was part of the standard school uniform for males. "I don't know. She was suddenly called by the teachers," he explained, playing with his red necktie.

"Speaking of teachers," Itachi slowly drawled out as he fiddled and fixed Sasuke's uniform. He was checking the length of Sasuke's brown slacks, making sure that Sasuke's polo was securely tucked in, and inspecting the cleanliness of Sasuke's new black leather school shoes. Talk about meticulous. He continued, "Has any of the teachers told you who's going to give the speech as the first year representative?"

Sasuke scoffed at his aniki's obvious question while slapping his older brother's hands away from him. Those hands were about to style his hair which was fine the way it already was, in his opinion. "Isn't it obvious, nii-san? It's me. I didn't find anyone else smarter here." Itachi just laughed at Sasuke's careless and pig-headed presumption. "Sasuke-chan, life is full of surprises," Itachi scolded him in a mother's tone, reprimanding him for his arrogance. Itachi poked his forehead for good measure.

Taking this as his cue to enter the jam-packed auditorium, Itachi waved and told Naruto and Sasuke to find their seats. Ushered in by the teachers, Sasuke kept badgering Naruto about Sakura.

To be honest, Sasuke was confused at Naruto's lack of anxiety and worry at his sister's sudden disappearance. Wasn't he supposed to take care of her in the way a big brother should be doing? Sasuke may not have any experience in looking out for girl, but he strongly felt that the way that Naruto was going on about it was definitely wrong!

"Are you sure she's inside the school? Maybe you left her! She might have gotten lost. Aren't you supposed to look out for her?" Sasuke's questions bled into one another, tangled by slight panic. What the hell was wrong with this dobe? He had a sister to be responsible for! Sasuke ferociously lectured his friend inside his head.

As he and Naruto took their seats, Naruto put his hands over ears, covering them. He loudly whisper-hissed at Sasuke, leaning closely to him and glared. "Why do you care anyway, teme? She's in the hands of the teachers. And she's supposed to look out for me, not the other way around." Along with the blonde's words, came his saliva.

Sasuke furiously wiped the blonde's slobber which landed in his skin and thankfully, not on his uniform with his dark blue handkerchief which was embroidered with his initials. Itachi gave it to him for his birthday.

Fortunately, a loud announcement was made over the school auditorium's sound system at that time which overshadowed the blonde's voice in terms of volume. At that moment, the lights in the auditorium were dimmed, and a sole spotlight beamed on the center of the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Haruno Sakura, the first year representative," a deep baritone voice boomed over the intercom system.

In unison, the audience- save for Naruto and Sasuke- stood up and clapped which resounded into a thunderous applause. The two boys looked at each other in shock on what just happened.

"She's the-" Sasuke choked in back of his throat, unbelievingly. Naruto just nodded mutely, stood up and clapped with the rest of the students. Once Sasuke got over his initial disbelief, he did the same just out of polite courtesy. Deep inside, his heart was drowning in jealousy and was begging Sasuke to explain how could he lose his chance to an unsuspecting girl. How annoying, he seethed inwardly.

This led Naruto to his current predicament. His little sister walked up to the stage, towards the center with the grace of a feline. There on the podium, she proudly smiled. Naruto bet his whole month's allowance that this kind of goddess treatment fanned the flames of her female pride since it was rare for a girl to get this kind of opportunity. However, her soft features and pink hair made her look like a fragile doll and made her stand out like a beacon amongst her peers- majority of which had monochromatic colored hair.

Sakura gracefully neared the microphone to her lips, her eyes twinkling in earnest as she started her speech.

"A pleasant morning to you all. I am Haruno Sakura, the first year representative. Today, I have been bestowed with the responsibility of leading you, my batch mates in this entrance ceremony. To an ordinary student such as myself, there is no greater honor than that." She bowed for effect, trying hard to not to laugh.

Naruto's right eye twitched again. Ordinary his ass; since childhood, Sakura's stellar academic performance had always been the talk of the town and the greatest source of her parent's pride. Achieving a hundred percent in all of her school tests, and high ranks in national tests, she was a natural genius with an affinity for an endless memory that rivaled Itachi and Sasuke. Not to mention, she had quite the large forehead. Perhaps this was her secret weapon. At this, Naruto snickered to himself while Sasuke gave him weird looks.

"How blessed are we to be in this school, to be present and alive to take advantage of an another year, another chance to expand our horizons, develop our skills, and make new friends," Sakura grinned at her fellow students.

Naruto inwardly gagged. Sakura rarely interacted with her friends outside of school. She was practically at hermit at home that lived off the internet. Define a paradox, people.

"I am but a lowly student, but this institution is giving us the privilege and the opportunity to expand ourselves. To work harder, socialize and learn from our fellow peers, in a chance to improve ourselves and achieve self-actualization. After we leave this school, we are a better, happier, more learned versions of ourselves, who have realized our potentials. Because at the end of the day, the institution will be able to produce well-rounded engineers, doctors, nurses- and so much more! In other words, they will help us become what we wish to be. The end goal will be made tangible – be productive persons, and citizens, who have achieved all of our untapped aspects of ourselves. Let's envision ourselves as productive, globally competitive citizens of the world- and make it a reality."

As his little sister continued with her admittedly nice speech, Naruto continued to make snide remarks in his head. How pompous could she get?

At the end of her speech, Sakura suddenly stopped in silence to grab the attention of her audience once more.

"Lastly but not least, I would like to thank my lovable onii-san who couldn't make it to this ceremony," she paused to wipe her crocodile tears with her pink handkerchief and continued. "But have inspired me to make this wonderful speech. Once again, I am Haruno Sakura, your first year representative. Thank you all for listening." She bowed to the audience, the epitome of respect and dignity.

All of the students clapped and cheered in admiration, showering and singing her praises. Parents and teachers her regarded her with new eyes, noting her mature disposition despite her young age. Furthermore, they acknowledged her ability to establish a comfortable rapport and considerable influence over her peers at such an early stage, enabling her to truly lead them.

When Sakura walked down the podium, she was given a bouquet of flowers. After which, she was immediately surrounded and bombarded by students who wished to know her better, teachers interested in her academic background, and parents who wanted their children to be affiliated with her. Sakura handled their attention with a cool and collected attitude-a steady act she had perfected due to years of experience.

Out of nowhere, a guy that sat on Naruto's right side leaned towards Naruto and Sasuke to converse with them. The stranger had short brown hair, a lean frame, and red triangles painted on the sides of his cheeks.

"She must have a horrible brother," he remarked.

A vein in Naruto's head exploded.