Hello again.
Thank you to all those who have been following the story, reviewed and favorite it. And also to those that have not done so but are still waiting to read more of Unexpected situations. Hopefully, you'll all like this new chapter. Please excuse any grammatical and punctuation errors.
With any further ado:
The first thing he heard as soon as he left the locker room where he had been busy changing into his work attire, consisting of black dress pants, black apron and a white long sleeve button up shirt which he folded back as he entered the opened space area was; "you haven't eaten yet have you, Naruto?"
Turning towards the owner of the voice with a sheepish smile on his face, he saw his boss by the bar eating breakfast along with her daughter right beside her. "a-haha… I didn't have time when I woke up today so I decided to skip it."
"What are you saying!? You know you can eat here. How many times has mother told you by now?" Shion chided.
Naruto, feeling a bit uncomfortable to intrude, eventually gave in and made his way to the ladies busy eating their food. Nonetheless, once close enough he got hit upside the head by Shion for –according to her– being stupid. Following Shion statement, Miroku insisted. "Come, please join us. There is still time before we open." Having said that his growling stomach chose that exact moment to make its opinion known, causing the three to erupt in amused chuckles.
After eating his serving, Naruto helped out opening the shop mentally preparing himself for the long day ahead. Weekends were usually full of customers: people spending the day with friends, others enjoying their time shopping until stopping at the shop needing the much needed break –going by the shopping bags they carried on their person, couples on a date, and the occasional customer who carried with them a book to pass the time reading in the warm and relaxing atmosphere the café shop provided while eating their meal.
As the blonde served a group of teenage girls sitting in the outdoor sitting area smiling his signature smile that left them feeling warm inside –not that the blonde took note of it –he left with the girls written orders on hand making his way to the designated part of the bar counter where orders were usually dropped off.
As always, the blue-eyed blonde along with the other workers made sure to keep an eye on Shion throughout the day whenever she had to serve patrons that appear they could be trouble.
Placing the written orders on the small window by the counter where the kitchen was seen, he then took the recently cooked lunch meal the chef mentioned was for table five and proceeded to make his way to the designated table; placing the plates and drinks in front of the customer. Going back to where he came from, he grabbed the orders of the teenage girls he had previously served; placing the plates full of their chosen menu in front of them in the proper order.
The rest of the morning was spent precisely the same: greeting customers, asking them what they would like, placing their orders, delivering them, and walking back and forth from the counter to different tables and so on. When the number of people had dwindled down quite a bit after lunch, giving the chance for two of the three servers to eat their lunch, Naruto and Shion took their breaks in the break room used for employees only located in the back.
Sitting down on a seat across from Shion, they began eating their lunch. After a little time had passed in relative silence he was in the process of biting into his sandwich when he heard the mildly annoyed voice belonging to his pale blonde friend. "You seem to be catching quite a lot of attention recently."
Swallowing his food, "what do you mean?" He asked, looking at his friend waiting for an answer.
"Don't tell me you haven't noticed the look some of the girls you were serving were giving you?" she asked.
The blonde, confused, just shook his head 'no' as a response while continuing to eat his lunch. Hearing a resign sigh coming from the girl across from him, he glanced her way even more perplexed by her reaction. "You can be really clueless sometimes, Naruto. Obviously, they were interested in you. Some even come just so that they can see you and talk to you." Watching the surprised, turned dubious expression crossing the blonde's face, she waited for him to speak.
And it was true. As the changing of seasons past, the blonde's looks change with it, becoming more handsome each passing day and attracting quite a bit of female attention; she being one of them. Of course, it wasn't just his looks that she was attracted to; it was his personality and the pureness inside him that she liked most about him. It was almost like he glowed.
"Shion, I think you're exaggerating." The blonde for his part was more interested in the food in front of him –he was to the point of starving– than the conversation they were having. It wasn't like it was a big deal to him. He knew he was considered to some degree attractive, but didn't really pay too much attention to that sort of thing. At least if it wasn't from the person he had a crush on.
He had been crushing on Sakura –his best friend next to Sasuke– ever since he met her quite a few years back. And although he knew she wasn't interested in him that way, having an unrequited love for Sasuke, he still couldn't help his feelings towards her. However, as time pass she was beginning to have such a precious part in his life –more significant than a mere crush, that he almost didn't want their relationship to change. If she ended up with Sasuke then Naruto would be happy for them both though that didn't mean he would stop being protective of her regardless.
"I'm not." Letting the conversation drop because she knew he didn't really believe her nor was he interested from the looks of it, they continued chattering about lighter topics until lunch break was over and they had to go back to work.
As the flow of customers kept coming and going, the time to close up shop eventually arrived. The blonde made his way to the train station taking the last train to his apartment as always. The train had not been packed like yesterday, and for that the blonde was thankful. Consider it a plus when he found an empty seat.
As he exited the train he maintained his senses on alert for any stranger following him on his way home just in case until finally reaching home. Locking his apartment, Naruto decided to eat his dinner he'd brought from the shop first before taking a bath.
And as he was done relaxing a bit in the tub, the youth eventually got up and got ready for bed; laying down he felled asleep right away not waking up until the next morning.
The next day he repeated the same routine as every weekend: wake up, get ready for work, take the train, work his ass off until closing time, take a bath, do some homework while falling asleep in the middle of it, then wake up for another day of school.
It was the beginning of another week and after attending the assembly like every Monday morning, classes progress the same way. Standing up from his seat after being called, Naruto read out the line he was supposed to read from the book his friend had lend him –he had left his at home. It was a class the youth was reasonably good at; English.
Needless to say, when the blonde had first arrived at the school, he'd been perplexed. Many students and teachers alike, both in his class and walking down the hallways had unique features which at first had him thinking Ero-sennin had sent him to a school of full of delinquents or something under the guise of all the luxury and money the school portrayed.
Some individuals were decent looking while others not so much giving the impression they'd been in the middle of a bloodied battle. Everyone was unique there was no doubt; some with unique hair colors and length, some sporting markings on their skins, scars visible to the naked eye, others with unique tattoos on their faces or other parts of their body for which identified belonging to a certain distinguished family.
Understandingly thus, Naruto had been scared to even socialize with what appear to be freaks at first but as was his outgoing nature, he eventually got used to seeing them and got to know a lot of his classmates as well as others from other classes. Immediately then after, it hadn't taken long to befriend them which to this date he considered as his precocious loved ones. It was actually a pretty cool school. Out of the ordinary, but still pretty cool.
On the other hand, Naruto had been horrible at everything the school taught from the basics: literature, Japanese, English, math, science, and history, to music, art, and other subjects which Naruto hated, but no more than etiquette. Not that he was an academic student to begin with, but arriving at this school he realized students were given more subjects to learn than any normal school. What he had been good at, however, was sports.
Iruka had been the first out of the teachers that seemed to genuinely care about him and his studies. He had spent a great deal with the blonde especially during lunch and non-school hours to teach him some of the subjects and noticed that it wasn't that the blonde was mentally retarded or stupid as some believed but that he simply learned differently from others. He just needed someone to explain the material differently sometimes in an oversimplified way, patiently and in a creative way, and the blonde would be quick to get it.
"Very good Uzumaki-kun," his English teacher praised, "you may sit."
/~~~~~~~~~
As the morning progressed in much the same way, the class taught before lunch eventually came about. However, after more than ten minutes had passed, the class, inevitably, began to get agitated but more so confused wondering what their teacher was doing to be so late. After waiting another few minutes, the door to the classroom opened, in walking Iruka-sensei.
Everyone looked at each other confused before someone out spoke what some had been thinking; "Ano, Iruka-sensei, we don't have homeroom right now."
Another inquired, "why is Kurenai-sensei so late?"
Naruto asked next, mildly interested, "are you going to be teaching this class for today?" As he said that the others kept wondering, whispering between themselves.
Iruka stood in the middle of the room looking over the class. "Settle down everyone. To answer your question; no, I am not going to be your teacher. As for what I am doing here... Listen up everyone, Kurenai-sensei will not be coming for a while due to maternity leave. Taking her place will be..." Turning his face towards the door, containing his annoyance, Iruka addressed the figure standing on the other end of the closed-door unseen from everyone. "...please come in."
Opening the door to the classroom, the mentioned figure stepped inside the room, making their way to Iruka as the brown-haired sensei turned back to the class addressing them next. "Everyone, this person here will be your instructor for the next couple of months. I want you to be nice to him." Then turning to the newcomer; "now, why don't you introduce yourself?"
With a small nod the aforementioned figure began; "Hello everyone, my name is Hatake Kakashi but you can just call me Kakashi. As Iruka-sensei said, I will be your new literature instructor starting today. I hope we can all get along nicely." As the new instructor, now known as Hatake Kakashi introduced himself, his voice was nothing short of a lazy drawl.
Meanwhile, as he was busy introducing himself, everyone else merely observed the other intently, not knowing what to make of their new instructor. His aura, the way in which he presented himself as he walked, stood and spoke was, if anything; laid back, disinterested, aloof, and bored just to name a few. It was as if the man had no motivation to be there. Surprisingly, the latter looked to be young even with his spiky silver hair which slanted towards the left seeming to fit his aloof appearance.
As for his attire, the man wore black dress pants accompanied by black dress shoes, and a white long-sleeve, button-up shirt which gave a glimpsed of a lean physique and well-developed muscles underneath it. Complementing the look was the naturally don dark color mask covering most of his face and left eye giving the older man an air of elegance in a weird sort of way. Some would consider him handsome, no doubt, even with most of his face covered.
Scanning the room with covert analytical glimmer, grey orb rested upon a gawking golden-haired youth pointing at him. Mildly surprised, Kakashi eye-smiled. "Yo," he raised a hand as greeting towards the teen as his other hand rested inside his pants pocket.
As for the aforementioned youth, he hadn't seen this one coming. How could he? The last person he expected to come walking through the door was the fucker who had scared the living shit out of him Friday night thinking he was a robber and/or rapist. Now, here he was in front of the classroom introducing himself to everyone as if he didn't want to be there any more than they did.
Initially, he concededly failed to recall only for a split second who the other was, after all, that night he'd been tired beyond belief and after the next day at the train he'd completely discarded any memories of the man thinking he wouldn't see him again; albeit, the man had seemed familiar until it suddenly dawned on him.
Standing from his seat he pointed a finger at him mouthing 'y-yo-you...' finally getting his sentence out past his lips thanks to a slap at his back from Sai, Naruto cried out; "you're that creep from the train!"
"Maa, Maa. I'm hurt you would call me such a thing." Kakashi, bringing the hand he'd greeted the blonde with to his chest, replied in what was obviously a feign offended voice going by the amusement almost palpable in his tone and reflecting in his visible eye.
Iruka, watching the exchange along with the class, had an unreadable look on his face. Addressing the newcomer; "Have you already met Naruto, Kakashi-san?"
Taking his attention away from the blonde, Kakashi regarded the brunette. "Hm? Oh yeah," he affirmed uninterestingly, "I met him on the train. He was on the verge of falling and helped him before he collided with the ground."
Studying the other, Iruka eventually smiled content with the honest response and certain it was Naruto's rude way of speaking that was misleading. Iruka then turned towards the class. "Now then everyone, I'll leave you to your studies." Before leaving, however, he addressed his favorite troublemaker; "and Naruto. Behave"
Once Iruka left, Kakashi quietly regarded the blonde who remained standing. 'There's no doubt... it's him' "Naruto was it? Please take your seat."
Breaking the momentary eye contact, Kakashi went on to address the rest of the class. Beginning his lecture, the silver-haired sensei went on to explain the various books they would be studying before finally onto a literature work they would be reading commencing that instant.
As the number of students left the classroom, Naruto walking beside Kiba exclaimed. "He's a demon!"
"I know what you mean... How can he be so cruel!? Damn it, that's too much homework." Kiba whined. A depressed aura hanging over their heads as they made their way towards the cafeteria. Sakura followed by Hinata, Shino, and Sasuke walked up behind them hearing their complaints. "Stop being dramatic guys. It's just a few chapters we've got to read."
"No Sakura-chan, it's not just a few chapters. It's five!"
Kiba, continuing from where the blonde left off, added. "That's right! Kurenai-sensei didn't assign that much work when she was here."
"Also I scanned through the pages while that creep of a sensei was assigning us the homework and each chapter is long! And I don't mean ten or fifteen pages long, I mean over fifty!" Naruto, facing Kiba, gripped his shoulders tightly shaking him violently, "...how the hell am I supposed to read that boring book without falling asleep!"
"Naruto! Stop it! You're making me dizzy." The brunette shouted causing his friend to let go. Once free, Kiba wrapped his arm around Naruto's shoulders; "...but I know how you feel, I feel exactly the same way. Reading all that crap is going to take away my time with Akamaru! That is if I don't fall asleep reading after the first few pages."
Completely forgetting the others with them, both looked each other in the eye –crystalline blue orbs clashed with sharp dark ones –before nodding at the same time uttering two simple yet weighted words; "we're screwed"
Sakura, having enough of their whining came behind them hitting them both upside the head. "Will you two stop it! It's not that bad. At least we don't have to write an essay about it. Now come on, let's go get lunch."
"Sakura-chaannn" Naruto whined. Sasuke, walking next to the blonde's other side not occupied by Kiba, just gave him a sideways glance followed by a simple, "hm".
"Shut up, bastard" Naruto snapped. After a minute of silence between the two, the blonde said in a more subdue manner; "Nee Sasuke, you'll help me if I don't get all my homework done by tomorrow right?"
The raven turned his face slightly facing the blonde as they kept walking, entering the cafeteria. Allowing a resign sigh escape his lips while breaking the staring contest they had started, Sasuke eventually muttered; "Don't I always?... You might as well spend the night over. You don't have work today anyway, right?"
"No, I don't. Thanks, Sasuke. You're the best." Naruto replied more enthusiastic this time, giving the raven his best-winning smile wherein receiving a sigh in return.
After lunch, the group of friends made their way towards PE class. Entering the males' locker room, the guys proceeded to strip off their school uniforms and into their gym clothes. Having already stripped himself of the famous formal school white jacket, Naruto was in the process of taking off his black short-sleeve, button-up shirt when he heard Kiba starting up a conversation around them.
"So what do you think Guy-sensei will have us do today?"
Guy was considered by many an odd one especially his appearance: black shiny bowl style haircut, with very bushy brows, wearing overall green spandex and orange strip warmers completed his style. And while he was a nice person full of optimism and confidence, calling himself 'Konoha's Green Beast' –who kept to his promises despite the personal investment it may require, he was also an extremist. Not only did he like to push himself physically, over the limit, but he pushed his students as well. Going on and on about the power of youth. Making his class run a number of laps around the school, not to mention over a hundred push-ups in a limited amount of time besides other things. One time he had tried to convince his students to do laps with only their hands for which everyone refused except for his mini look alike; Lee.
"What a drag. Whatever it is I hope it's not running twenty laps around the whole school like last time" Shikamaru added in his typical manner. His features laced with the ever-present boredom mixed with irritation. 'If only I could get out of this. How troublesome'. It was such a good day for cloud watching. Sigh.
"I would have to agree with you there," Shino added.
Shino, as it stood, always appeared calm and collected which also reflected in his manner of speaking as well. However, he was known to be sensitive to sunlight always wearing a long jacket at gym class even when it was extremely hot outside. But he always seemed fine while doing his exercises. He was average in sports, instead preferring to spend his time with bugs than playing sports and doing strenuous physical labor.
Already dressed and in the process of putting his gym shoes on, Chouji decided to add his two senses as well; "I really hope he doesn't make us do something strenuous again, but I guess I would be hoping for too much." Sigh.
"It would help if you didn't eat so much to the point of becoming so fa-" knowing what Sai was about to blurt out the rest of the guys waited with bated breaths for the outburst when Kiba along with Naruto jump right in to cover Sai's mouth just in time.
"Don't say it!" they whispered harshly at the innocent looking pale youth. The other's sighed in relief when Chouji hadn't noticed the almost slip up.
Continuing from where they left off as if nothing happened, "yea, that was torture. I couldn't even stand up by the end of it." Naruto added to the conversation after taking his hand away from the socially inept raven's lips. Next to him, he heard Sasuke's agreement which sounded like, "Hm."
"Well, maybe you wouldn't have collapsed and almost died after completing the last round if you hadn't competed with Sasuke to see who was faster." Kiba reminded both Naruto and Sasuke. As always, they had wanted to best the other which then resulted in Lee wanting in on the fun. Save to say Lee had won that raise; Sasuke coming in second followed closely by the blonde just centimeters away.
"That's right! As Guy-sensei always says; we can do anything we set our minds to with the power of youth burning strongly inside each of us! Let us prevail today as well!" Enthusiasm leaked out of Lee's every pore. As he stood looking just like Guy from head to toe, left arm raised into a fist, his other resting by his side; "Now let us make our way to Guy-sensei!"
As the guys exited the locker room in full gym attire they sighed in unison at hearing Lee's thrilling excitement. Coming to a stop once outside, they saw Guy talking excitedly with someone hidden from their view. Curiosity peeking, they wondered between themselves what could possibly be wrong with their hot-blooded gym teacher.
"Who could that be with Guy-sensei?" Lee was the first to ask.
Tenten, coming next to him asked; "what are you guys looking at?" She, along with the other girls –already changed into their gym clothes –walked towards the guys gathering around looking at some point in particular.
Sai, pointing in a specific direction, answered for them. "Guy-sensei".
Tenten and the girls turned to where Sai was pointing at and observed what had grabbed the guys' attention. Their sights landed upon Guy-sensei talking –if it could even be considered talking –animatedly with someone else.
"Hey, what's bushier brow sensei doing?" Naruto wondered as they all saw Guy bringing a hand forward, moving in it in a rhythmical sort of way, stopping, then continuing again.
"Who knows" Kiba answered, follow by Shikamaru; "Seems like rock-paper-scissors to me."
"I think it would be best we head over th-" Shino started before being interrupted mid-sentence, by Lee's loud shouting.
"Guy-sensei!" He started running towards the aforementioned man before Guy exclaimed in defeat. As the others got closer following Lee, they heard Guy's loud exclamation: "…-al rival! I should now walk around the school using my hands while blind fol-…Oh, Lee! And all my youthful students! Come, come" he motioned them closer, "let me introduce you to my eternal rival! Kakashi!"
Said man simply held a hand up, palm opened, followed by his two-letter word greeting "Yo".
Lee, excited to hear more from his idol, "Guy-sensei we have already met the youthful Kakashi-sensei from earlier. But sensei, could you tell me more about this 'eternal rival' you were speaking of just a moment ago?"
Guy, posing his good guy pose proudly, bright winning smile in place, and right thump up, exclaimed; "of course! Well, you see Lee, ever since I met the young, hip and cool Kakashi many years back at this same school, we have competed against each other to out better the other and see who was better. And ever since, he has been my eternal rival."
"Reminds me of two people I know," Sakura whispered glancing at Sasuke and Naruto. The others nodded except for the two said teens.
Guy continued, not having heard her; "If you want I will tell you more about it later. For now, I have to walk around the school with only my hands for I have lost today's contest. Worry not for I will be back before you know it." He finished loudly ending it with his good guy pose.
Lee admiring his sensei even more, shouted an enthusiastic "Hai Guy-sensei!" Stars could even be seen in his big round eyes.
As for Kakashi, he looked like he was used to Guy's antics. Turning to said man before he took off, the silver-haired sensei then addressed him. "Oi Guy, aren't you forgetting something?" He glanced meaningfully at the crowd of students waiting for their PE teacher to give them the rundown of what they would be doing for class.
"I'll leave them in your capable hands, my friend." With that said, he took off as promised; walking with his hands only.
Everyone stood dumbfounded trying to comprehend what had just happened. Then, shifting their gaze to the silver-haired new sensei as they heard him let out a defeated sigh passed covered lips, they watched him momentarily close a suspiciously looking orange book that had escaped the teens' eyes until then.
"Maa... You can all just go on and do whatever you want. I'll just be here reading," with that said Kakashi leaned back against the tree Guy and he had been occupying, catching up on 'good old' days.
Shooing them away, he raised his favorite orange book and began reading under the shade the tree provided. Before he had the chance to read a full sentence, he'd sensed someone else's presence. Having a clue as to who it was, Kakashi looked up from his book and regarded the mildly angered deep blue eyes.
"Is there something you need?"
Once crystalline eyes had landed on the book the older nonchalantly held in one hand, Naruto became irritated knowing exactly what kind of book it was and who its author was for that matter. "How can you read that crap so openly? Aren't you ashamed? You're a teacher for goodness sake!"
Kakashi for his part raised a seemingly bored silver brow. "You ask how I can read it, well, with my eye of course. I do know how to read you know. I would've thought you knew that by now seeing, that yes, I am a teacher, and one responsible for your class."
'He really is such an irritating, sarcastic ass' the blonde mused more annoyed by the second. How could one have a decent conversation with the man without him being a smart ass? It didn't help recalling that time at the train.
Trying not to let the other get to him –albeit the annoyed twitch on his left brow spoke volumes, Naruto narrowed his eyes. "You know what I meant." Pointing at the offending object in his hand, "that perverted shit shouldn't be read in school where there are hundreds of students walking the halls and the school grounds. Are you really a teacher, you pervert!?"
Kakashi, for some reason, got a kick out of the infuriated youth and in a seemingly innocent, pleasant voice, "Ohh, and tell me, how would you know what kind of material contains in this book...hmm, Naruto?" His eye had a glint of mild amusement in them as well as something else the blonde couldn't quite name.
What was it? Sadness? Nostalgia? Sorrow?... He honestly didn't know, and taken aback, Naruto figured he had imagined it as it was suddenly gone as fast as it had appeared. What he was sure of, however, was that the man seemed to find it diverting messing with the blonde.
Naruto looked away, lost in a memory, a pout gracing his full pink lips. Coming back to the present, he grumbled mostly to himself which the other heard nonetheless. "It's not as if I enjoyed it." Turning back to the older male, pout still in place, "anyway, you look just like a creepy, perverted, old man with that thing in hand. Not that the mask helps, mind you."
Kakashi couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him. The youth just filled him with such entertainment. "I'm hurt..." the merry chuckle didn't help his case however, of appearing hurt.
"Oi Naruto!" Kiba's loud voice interrupted whatever else Kakashi was about to say.
Naruto, turning to face the owner of the voice saw Kiba in the distance, waving for him to join him. Next to him, the guys from his class as well others from a different one, stood waiting. "...What are you doing?! We're getting ready to play soccer! Get your ass over here! Class-B is joining us today!"
"...go on" Glancing back at the man hearing his voice, Naruto nodded, then promptly took off towards his friends.
Bringing his book up towards his face, Kakashi observed the blonde from atop the pages, watching as the youth wrapped an arm around a stoic red-haired youth once he reached them. In the distance, he heard the blonde shouting what he assumed to be the redhead's name.
"Gaara! I'm so happy to see you!"
Kakashi barely caught the almost imperceptible nod from said redhead.
Continuing to watch them for a bit longer as the teens converse, not able to catch what they chatted about being a distance away and not particularly interested either way, Kakashi eventually moved his sight, scanning the open field making sure where all of his students were, and noting some were lazing about while laying on the grass chatting, others playing tennis, some volleyball, while the rest some other sport they seem to enjoy.
Just before he decidedly turned his attention back to his book, Kakashi glanced once more towards the blonde and his friends noting they had commence competing with the redhead identified as Gaara and his class. Taking his sight away from them, he went back to his favorite pass time; delving into the words of a passionate, intense, and very much erotic adult romance. Unknowingly, a small imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his covered lips.
The rest of the day was uneventful, what with attending other major classes the school required its students to attend once every week to better increase their knowledge of the world outside. Of course, that included expanding their world with the divine knowledge of music, art, cultures, etiquette, business and so on. After the morning and early afternoon of hard subjects given, it was a way to unwind a little and get lost in the music. Or, at least that was the case to some, while others no so much.
Finally done with classes and making his way to his after school club along with Sasuke, the blonde was ready to unwind the only way he knew how; sparing with a number of opponents. He always felt better after a sparring. And after two long hours of getting bruises and giving some in turn, the pair made their way to Sasuke's dorm after showering.
"Sasu~ke I'm hungry. Get me something to eat." Naruto whined throwing himself on the raven's bed right after dropping his school bag on the floor by the bed.
"Get off my bed, dobe! You're going to soil my sheets. And go get your own food" Sasuke hissed. Dropping his bag on the floor by the desk which reflected the room itself: organized and immaculate. The colors on the wall had been painted blue –apparently, the school even let students freely paint their own rooms. While the rest of the spacious room was decorated in simple colors except for the black furniture.
Walking to his dresser, Sasuke grabbed comfortable looking clothes for the two of them to wear. Throwing the ones meant for the blonde on said youth's head, he proceeded to change into his own pair of clothes.
"Sasuke~ stop being so mean!" Naruto whined obnoxiously. "Besides not only can't I go outside without the risk of being discovered but I don't have enough money to buy my own dinner. That food is expensive!" The blonde continued, pouting as he sat up from the bed watching Sasuke changing into his clothes looking as indifferent as ever.
Grabbing the clothes from the bed, he started to change into them as well. "You know, you need more color," Naruto said as an afterthought while taking a look at the dark sweatpants and grey t-shirt he was now wearing.
Casting the blonde a deadpan look; "right. And I suppose by color you mean that atrocious color you call orange, no? Thanks but no thanks" Sasuke retorted, preparing his eardrums as he watched the blonde's face contort into one of indignation followed by his explosive outrage: "What!? What do you mean atrocious! Orange is the best color that's ever existed!"
Letting a sigh escape his lips, "I mean exactly what I said; atrocious, horrendous, vile, monstrous, awful" raising a delicate brow, "...need I go on?"
Naruto brought a hand up to his heart while the other he used to point at the raven, "blasphemy!" the blonde cried out. "...Orange is the color of the gods!" snorting he added mockingly, "of course you wouldn't know about it. You are, after all, the brooding dark lord."
"Whatever dobe," Sasuke said giving up on the senseless discussion. "I'm going out to get us some dinner." He made his way towards the door leading to the hallway. "While you wait, why don't you start on the homework?" He suggested. Just before closing the door behind him however, Sasuke warned, "don't fall asleep."
Well, that was easier said than done, as the blonde threw himself face down on the white sheets of Sasuke's comfy bed, his eyes closing on their own accord.
It had been an enjoyable day for the most part. He'd gotten to spend gym with his other friends from Class-B playing soccer. It had been exceptionally fun and the match had come close to a draw by the end of it, but at the last minute, the blonde's class had scored a winning goal. To celebrate he had made Gaara promise to treat him to ramen the next time they had a chance.
Feeling sleep claim him as he recalled the day's events, Naruto let himself fall fast asleep. It wasn't until he felt something hit him on the back quite roughly that the blonde woke up with a start. Turning towards the source, he saw Sasuke standing by the bed a pillow from the couch in hand and attempting to hit him with it again. Sitting up, he raised his hands in surrender watching as the raven turned to grab the food and set it on the low table in the middle of the room.
Rubbing his eyes to rid himself of the sleep still clinging to him, Naruto made his way to the food, sitting down on the floor in front of Sasuke. Giving thanks for the food they begin eating the Italian pasta Sasuke had brought with him. It was no Ichiraku ramen but it was still delicious and the blonde made sure to eat his entire portion because who knew when Sasuke would treat him again.
After finishing, Naruto helped Sasuke tidy up before they began on their homework silently or as silently as the blonde could be. It wasn't until the raven had threatened him upon the first fifteen minutes of the blonde complaining that said blonde had finally shut up and quietly did his work. Another half hour had gone by when the youth interrupted the silence in the room, asking Sasuke for help with his math homework. The minutes went on like that until they had finished all their homework except the one assigned by their new sensei.
"We will take turns reading, so pay attention and don't fall asleep, understand dobe?" Sasuke warned.
"Hai, hai. I got it, I got it." Naruto said dismissing him with one hand while getting comfortable on the couch and opening the book to the first chapter.
"Why don't you go ahead and start then," the raven suggested. Nodding Naruto started; he read the first few pages until Sasuke took over.
And just like that, during the rest of the night, the two friends/rivals spend it going back and forth reading between the two until they finished all the assigned chapters with Sasuke doing his best to explain to Naruto whenever he didn't understand a word or what the author was trying to transmit.
Finally done they closed their books, got their school work packed inside their bags along with their books and school materials, and started getting ready for bed as it was past eleven o'clock.
While Sasuke was busy getting comfortable under the covers of his bed, he heard the blonde making a sound to get his attention. Not looking his way, Sasuke sighed before finally responding, "what is it dobe?"
"...Nee Sasuke, can I sleep in the bed with you?" Naruto asked uncertain.
"No, sleep on the couch." Sasuke refused.
"But your bed is so comfy, and soft, and it's definitely big enough for two, heck even three people could fit in your bed." Naruto insisted, not giving up.
"No"
"Tch, you're so mean" the blonde pouted.
"Hm. Need I remind you who bought you food, helped you with homework, lend you clothes, and is letting you sleep in my room when I have no need to do so?" He remarked laying on his side, eyes closed not looking at the blonde.
Hearing more whining, Sasuke sighed, relenting. The blonde could be so persistent sometimes and he did not have the patience or the energy to refute him. "Fine, whatever. Do whatever you want. I'm too tired to argue with you any more than this."
Smiling victoriously, Naruto walked around the side of the bed that wasn't occupied. Getting comfortable on his back, he let a satisfied and contented sigh leave his lips. Sasuke was so lucky to sleep like this every night; it was like sleeping on a cloud. His bed was better than his own bed at home which wasn't saying much since he had bought the cheapest one he could find which also meant the hardest.
"Thanks, Sasuke... you know, for everything." The blonde quietly uttered, a soft smile on his lips for which Sasuke, after a few seconds of silence responded with his favorite nonverbal response; "Hm." A soft, small smile also graced his lips knowing the blonde wouldn't see as he was turned away from him. "...Good night, dobe."
Chuckling, "good night bastard."
Non-surprisingly the duo, then after, fell into the world of sleep; sleeping soundly for the entirety of the night and only waking after Sasuke's alarm went off, rousing the two soundlessly sleeping figures on the bed from their dreams.
Bringing an arm up to silence the noise, Sasuke felt a weight on his legs. Turning to see what it was, he shook the blonde who'd fallen back to sleep. "Oi dobe, get your legs off me." Sasuke huskily hissed.
"Hmm...so..ry...asu...ke" the blonde mumbled, moving his legs from around Sasuke's own.
Now free, Sasuke got up from the bed, made his way towards his bathroom where he proceeded to shower after relieving himself and brushed his teeth. Moments later he exited the bathroom, towel wrapped around his waist while using a smaller one to dry his hair and made his way towards his sleeping friend, waking him.
Still dazed with sleep, Naruto yawned stretching his body to rid himself of the drowsiness. Getting up, the blonde caught a glimpse of the raven. Uttering a sleepy "good morning" he headed towards the bathroom, closed the door behind him, and started getting ready for another day of school.
After the door to the bathroom had closed, Sasuke proceeded getting dressed. Once donning his white school dress pants and black shirt which he left wide open, he searched for a pair of underwear Naruto could wear, leaving them inside the bathroom along with a fresh new towel. In that instant, Sasuke heard the shower turned off which he let the blonde know his toothbrush was right on top of the towel and underwear for him to use. That said he exited, leaving the blonde to his privacy. Outside he finished getting dressed and made sure he had everything he needed for school.
It was by that time, Naruto exited out of the bathroom wearing a towel around his waist and drying his hair. Instantly noticing Sasuke was all dressed and ready to go, Naruto quickly got himself dressed, leaving his school suit jacket for last as he finished toweling his wet blonde locks.
Once the two were ready to head out, they made their way towards the cafeteria all the while idly chattering.
"Ahh…I slept like a baby", crossing his arms behind his head, "not only did I get to sleep an hour more than usual but your bed was heavenly soft. I feel rejuvenated." Naruto had forgone butting up his suit jacket like always, leaving the first two buttons of his shirt open, and tie hanging low around his neck as was his style.
"I bet you did," Sasuke remarked dryly, giving him a sideways glance. "Well, I guess you've learned to sleep more soundly and not move around so much compared to before." He remembered the last club competition they had gone to participate. The club members had to spend an overnight at an inn where Sasuke had roomed with said youth. He had barely slept that night thanks to the blonde's loud snoring and hectic movements while sleeping.
Turning to his best friend, the blonde gave him a sheepish smile, "yeah, I guess you're right."
"Hm." As they finally entered the cafeteria the raven turned to the blonde, "go wait outside. I'll bring our breakfast."
Mesmerized, sparkly blue eyes stared at the raven youth before him. Wrapping an arm around Sasuke's shoulder, Naruto happily exclaimed, "Sasuke! You're the best!"
"Hm, take your hands off me if you don't want me changing my mind" he ordered.
"Hai hai, don't be so grumpy so early in the morning." Taking his arm around the other after receiving a glare in turn though without the usual force behind it, Naruto walked off while Sasuke made his way in the other direction.
As the blue-eyed youth made his way to the outside sitting area, he noticed Kiba was already sitting on one of the tables with Shino. Making his way towards them he heard a cat whistle coming from said dog lover as he got closer, then followed by a wolfish smirk: "Hey lover boy, I saw you with Sasuke just now. You two look very cozy just then. You don't have to hide your relationship you know. I could care less about your sexual inclinations." He joked.
Naruto, coming around Kiba, smacked him as hard as he could upside the head earning him a loud-pain-feel groan. "Oi! That fucking hurt, you shit head!"
Even after a week since the incident Kiba still made jokes about them. That is why, with a satisfied smirk gracing his lips, Naruto happily sat down. "You deserved it."
Following that comment, the bickering commenced with Naruto stopping mid-insult after spotting Sasuke coming their way with breakfast in hand. And as they ate, they idly chatted and joked some more before getting up to go to class.
The day progressed listening to lectures on subjects such as science, math, Japanese, and as the end of Business class came to a close for the day, a number of students mingled in the halls and classrooms as the ten-minute break that was given on each consecutive class was taken full advantage of.
"Arg...that was so boring!" the blonde complained. He and his companion had decided to get out of the stuffy room to get a snack from the bending machine, and were presently, in the hallway by the window, their backs to their classroom. They watch from the third floor out to the garden wishing they could be outside playing. It was a beautiful day to be outdoors after all.
"Tell me about it" Kiba and him were so alike in what they liked or didn't like sometimes. Not to mention they liked to pull pranks whenever they could; living life to the fullest with a sprinkle of excitement and fun. Granted, they had often gotten into trouble with the principal but had gotten away with a warning and sometimes with a light punishment.
Old man Sarutobi had a soft spot for the bundle of energy, not that he didn't have a soft spot for all his students but somehow the blonde was special. For some reason, he had gained the love and trust of the old man by being himself, including his foolishness. Whenever he was down and if Ji-ji, as he likes to call him, was around, he always tries to cheer him somehow. He was like everyone's gentle, big-hearted grandfather.
In addition, he knew of the blonde's circumstances and tried to help the best he could, all within his limits of course yet not always finding it easy for the blonde had a track record of mischiefs. Nevertheless, sometimes Sarutobi granted the blonde permission to stay at the dorms with one of his friends, that being Sasuke most of the time; something that was prohibited of all the residents staying in the dorms to bring people into their rooms. For one thing, the dorms were for those that had paid the full school tuition, and the ones living there could only have their assigned roommates in their dorms. No one else was to enter their dorms after curfew.
Overall, the dormitories were divided into good size houses; big enough for the students living there to have their own spacious rooms. Each 'house' was designed to accommodate four to five roommates, each of course with their own rooms. The only things they share were the living room space and the bathrooms.
In spite of that, provided the blonde behave, stood out of trouble, and was discreet not letting teachers and students alike find out about his presence at Sasuke's dorm, old man Hiruzen would look the other way. Likewise, given the fact that Sasuke didn't have a roommate –had chosen a slightly smaller room for a single person for the sole fact that he didn't want to room with anyone –it was easier to sneak into his room.
"I really hope next class goes by fast" Kiba then commented while eating his cookies.
"Not only that but hopefully we don't get assign too much homework. Better yet, if we don't get any homework." Naruto said wistfully.
Sensing a presence behind him, blue eyes turned towards the unknown figure, coming face to face with pale green eyes which had dark circles around them, short spiky red hair with a tattoo on the left side of his forehead. Offering a smile, Naruto greeted. "Hey, Gaara."
Said redhead nodded in Naruto's direction, standing next to him by the open window overlooking the trees. "Hello Naruto, Kiba" Gaara greeted. His tone deep yet calm.
Gaara had gained such a reputation that people knew not to mess with him for he could be vicious in a fight. He had been withdrawn and silent for those that didn't interest him. Often disregarding them and their feelings and threatening them when they became too annoying. Not knowing any better, he had learned from a young age to be like that because of his lifestyle and environment. Although he had changed from his early years after meeting Naruto when said youth had intervened in a fight barely defeating him; teaching him with few words the importance of friendships and bonds.
Both had later been sent to the hospital after the damage they'd inflicted on one another. After that memorable day, however, it was safe to say Naruto had become his closest friend since then.
It wasn't easy, hardly so –taking time, patience, commitment, and motivation but he had tried to change his relationships with those around him including his siblings and had come a long way all thanks to Naruto and his bright disposition of trusting and befriending anyone he came in contact with.
After a few years of hard work, Gaara had become the president of his father multimillionaire business at the young age of sixteen. Of course, he was expected to finish his schooling first and had people overlooking the business until he could work fulltime at his company, however, in his free time he made sure to learn his business making decisions along the way –after being approved by his supervisors –that he felt would bring prosperity not only to his business but the employees at the company and their families.
"Yo Gaara, how's it going?" Kiba greeted brightly.
"Good," he offered, feeling as the wind rustled his hair, "just needed a breath of fresh air."
"Tell me about it. We just had Business and its boring as hell. I don't how you do it." The blonde remarked sighing at the same time Kiba did and receiving a sideways glance from the redhead, a glint of hidden amusement in his intense pale green eyes.
They stayed like that for a few minutes more enjoying the breeze that came thru the open window; "it feels so good." Both Kiba and Naruto said in unison.
"It does," Gaara agreed quietly. Nevertheless, after a few seconds of just staring out at the open view meanwhile sharing a companionable and peaceful silence between friends, Gaara decided to break the peaceful quiet; "I should be going back now."
Stretching his arms up in the air, Naruto swung one around the redhead's shoulders; "yeah, but don't forget you owe me ramen." Naruto reminded getting an amused nod from the redhead. "I guess we should go back too," he said addressing Kiba.
"But well, at least I got to see you again..." Letting go of Gaara, Naruto started towards his class, Kiba right beside him, "...see ya."
Gaara watched them leave, an almost imperceptible smile gracing his features before turning and making his way towards his own class before the bell rang.
After everyone had taken their seats the class sat waiting for their literature teacher. Minutes ticked by and they began asking amongst themselves what could possibly be holding back their sensei; it was passed the time class normally started.
"Maybe something happened to Kakashi-sensei" someone suggested.
"Did he get into an accident?" someone else asked.
"Who knows. I doubt it though. We would have known by now if that were the case... Maybe he got lost."
"What if he got in trouble and is with the principal?"
Another girl then wondered, "Why would he get in trouble?" for which the one who uttered the question shrugged his shoulders.
Correspondingly, suggestions were thrown into the mix becoming more and more serious. Naruto at one point left his seat and made his way to the window close to Shikamaru's desk. Deciding to take part in the discussion he voiced his own intelligent suggestion: "Or it could be, he's in the toilet with very bad diarrhea."
That got mix reactions. On one hand, the vast majority of the girls looked at him with disgust, while for the most part, some guys considered it; some even laughed their asses off like in the case of Kiba. Others like Shikamaru and Sasuke sat uninterested in the discussion altogether. Yet, after fifteen minutes had passed and still no signs of their sensei, Naruto suddenly brighten up coming up with an idea. With boredom almost taking over, his prankster side reared its ugly head wanting to teach his teacher a lesson on tardiness. It didn't matter what reasons the other had the fact was their sensei was still late... and, well, he wanted to have some fun.
Shikamaru, noticing the blonde's mischievous smile, knew he was up to something. "What a drag." If possible, Naruto's smile widened even more; looking like a wicked fox while glancing Shikamaru's way knowingly, having heard the lazy genius.
"Oi Kiba, come here. Help me out a bit." The mentioned teen made his way towards the blonde who'd strode to the front of the class. He knew his friend had something plan and he was all for it.
Sasuke watched the blonde as he had that look on his face. He'd known Naruto long enough to know he was up to something. Even though the blonde had calmed down some with his pranks and getting into trouble, all their friends by now knew of the blonde's true nature –a prankster at heart. And Kiba, similar to the blonde, loved having fun and so helped him in most of his pranks.
"Naruto! What are you doing!? You're going to get yourself in trouble!" Sakura berated though inside she was waiting to see what the blonde would pull. She was after all, tired of waiting. 'He deserves it anyway. What kind of teacher arrives late! Do it Naruto! Teach him a lesson!' Inner Sakura cheered.
"Relax Sakura-chan, I've got this" the blonde replied. Walking towards the door and placing the eraser he'd grabbed from the chalkboard on top of the door thus when it opened it would land directly on top of the person opening it.
Naruto, with the help of Kiba, filled the eraser with a lot of chalk dust and a sprinkle of irritating powder Kiba still had with him from one of their past mischiefs. Examining their work, he shrugged. It wasn't a big prank but it would do.
Walking back towards his desk just as Kiba did the same, Naruto sat giggling childishly imagining the scene playing out.
"Hm, dobe." Sasuke whispered next to him shaking his head in disapproval. Ignoring him, Naruto giggled some more remembering the amount of irritant –just like their sensei –powder he had placed on the eraser. It was enough to make the man itch for a while.
After a few more minutes the class suddenly grew quiet hearing the sound of the door slowly being opened. They watched as the figure completely walked in, and hold and behold falling on his head was the innocent looking eraser. They watched as the man started coughing all the while trying to dissipate the dust with his hand.
Taking a few more steps into the classroom, Kakashi tried opening his eye but found he couldn't. Clearing his face of the powder until finally succeeding some, Kakashi opened his single eye. Examining his students thru a red puffy, blurry eye he noted some were looking bored out of their minds, others not portraying interest at their surroundings, while the vast majority looked constipated trying to hold in their laughter.
"Maa, I suppose that was funny. Why don't you all laugh, come on." No one made a sound. Looking relatively unaffected given his state, there was, however, an undertone in his demeanor and voice that let them know not to provoke him. "Well, I can pretty much guess who's the perpetrator, but, why not let one of you tell me instead. Hm?" He suggested, scanning the room and seeing the frightened expressions on some of the faces. No one said anything still. They didn't even move.
"Well, that is quite admirable and commendable to want to protect your friends." Taking on a thoughtful expression he continued, "maa, I guess I can assign more homework. After all, it seems some of you have too much time on your hands."
Kakashi watched thru his pain as some almost caved in, not wanting to get punished as well. However, still, no one said anything. He had to give them credit; their loyalty was admirable.
As he continued to scrutinize the room, his gaze landed upon defiant deep-blue eyes, tinged with a glint of mischief. Not taking his gaze from him; "But I suppose I can let this one pass since I doubt it will happen again," he uttered, voice low.
Breaking the momentary eye-contact, Kakashi moved towards his desk, sat down and began his lecture all the while maintaining his visible eye closed from the pain and resisting the urge to scratch himself for most of the hour.
After what felt like an eternity to some, the bell signaling the end of class rang throughout the school. Silently, Kakashi watched as the students rose from their seats getting ready to leave. Just before a particular teen was almost out the door however, Kakashi called out to him from his desk.
Turning back to look at his sensei, Naruto suddenly came down from his happy mood. A feeling of dread overtook his insides although he did his best not to let it show otherwise. Looking towards his friends, he noted they had different expressions on their faces, the most prominent one being; worry. Waving them goodbye after telling them he would see them in a bit, he closed the door behind him once everyone left.
"Yes?" the blonde asked turning toward his sensei; not even a single emotion visible in his single eye.
Meanwhile, Kakashi kept his eye closed not even opening it as Naruto exchanged words with his friends. However, as the youth stood before him, Kakashi glanced at the youth, acknowledging him, only to closed it again before he tried again. His eye, still puffy, had become an irritating red.
Naruto wanted so much to laugh but he held it in, not sure if he was found out or not.
"Do you have something you wish to tell me, Naruto?" Kakashi asked evenly, noting how the teen tensed slightly; unconsciously. The older man's demeanor had not changed, rather, he still looked the epitome of aloof and disinterest as hours before, appearing as if nothing was wrong.
'He knows'
"Hm? No, nothing that I can think of..." Naruto said as evenly as possible trying to look innocent. "...well thinking about it; you seem in pain. You should probably go and wash your face." He tried as an afterthought.
Kakashi fixed the blonde with an intense stare making the blonde uncomfortable. However, after a minute of silently scrutinizing the other, he finally remarked; "Is that so? ...I see"
'No you don't' the blonde reflected amused even given the circumstances. "You may go now," Kakashi said, dismissing him.
Naruto blinked. That's it?... He was thoroughly confused, to say the least. The exchange had gone easier than he thought it would.
Nevertheless, not turning back to look behind him, Naruto decided not to hang around more than he had to especially if Kakashi-sensei decided to change his mind and actually punish him. He quickly walked out of the room and through the hallways until reaching the cafeteria where he paid for his lunch and made his way outside towards his friends.
"Hey dickless, how did it go?" Sai was the first to ask having seen him coming their way followed by Chouji already on his fourth plate of meat; "Did Kakashi-sensei find out it was you?"
The blonde sat, sitting next to Sakura, and started eating his tuna sandwich. "It went better than I expected. It seems like he knows I was the one behind it, but he didn't say or do anything about it." He responded.
"What do you mean?" This time it was Sakura that asked looking concerned and confused at the same time.
Naruto went on to explain what had transpired in the classroom. After retelling them what happened, he shrugged and continued eating his lunch.
"Oi Naruto, are you sure that was it..." Kiba said worriedly. "Are you sure there wasn't more to it? Did he suspect me as well? You're not lying are you?" he insisted.
"Oi dog breath! Shut it! Why would I lie?" Naruto blurted annoyed.
"Well think about it, baka! Normally, you would have been either shouted at, punished, send to the principal's office, or something. Don't you think it's weird he just let you go off like that even knowing it was you who pulled the prank? Of course, I'm not saying I didn't take part in it, but the mastermind is you... So, he let you go like that, not even a warning!?"
"That's what I said didn't I?" Naruto countered irritably. Stupid Kiba and his rationalization! He knew his friend was right. He was starting to grow worriedly anxious though he tried to hide it.
"Be careful Naruto. Kiba's right, it's weird. We don't know Kakashi-sensei that well to know what he'll do" was Sakura's concerned voice.
"How troublesome" Shikamaru simply stated, going back to cloud watching having already finished eating his lunch.
Losing interest in the whole matter, Sasuke merely remarked with a simple; "Dobe."
'Shit! Instead of feeling encouraged, I feel doomed' the blonde thought depressed.
Changing into their gym clothes, the teens found themselves outside walking towards their expectant physical education teacher. Just barely getting a glimpse of silver hair walking away in the distance waving goodbye to their enthusiastic sensei, book in hand, Naruto thought nothing of it. Instead, he patiently listened as Guy-sensei announced what they would be doing for today. And as they got ready to do five laps around the school, Naruto forgot his worries and took off running.
Finishing his last lap, Naruto sat down on the ground, stretching, getting ready to do a hundred push-ups and the other exercises Guy had in store for them when suddenly noticing a shadow over him, he looked up seeing it was Guy. "Naruto-kun, what are you doing? You're supposed to run twenty-five laps around the school, didn't I tell you?" Guy asked, full of energy.
The blonde gaped utterly shocked until finally finding his voice again; "No, you forgot to mention that. And why the hell are you making me run more laps around the school!?" The blonde exclaimed flabbergasted. What the hell?
Guy, bringing a hand and placing it on top of the blonde's shoulder had a blinding smile pasted on his face. "You don't have to be shy, Naruto-kun. I will be more than happy to help you in your quest."
"What the hell are you talking about, Bushier Brow-sensei!?" the blonde asked confused and annoyed, slapping the man's hand away.
"It's alright" the latter eagerly continued not deter in the least. "Kakashi has informed me of your wish to build your stamina and become stronger and faster yet you were uncertain how to go about asking me. But..." he paused, striking his good guy pose, "...not to worry for I will help you achieve your youthful aspirations." Happy tears could be seen streaming down his face, "I'm so proud to have another student so eager to live their springtime of youth to the fullest." He exclaimed happily.
Naruto could do nothing but gape yet again as he listened to the man clad in green. Kakashi. It was Kakashi-sensei who planned this. 'Shi~t! I shouldn't have thought I would get out of it unharmed'
"N-no Bushier Brow-sensei…" he stuttered overcome with dread "…y-you're wrong. I think there's a misunderstanding."
"Nonsense! Now here, I had this especially prepared for you." Guy said, not listening to the blonde's protests taking it as him just being shy, and handing him a pair of orange leg warmers.
Taking them begrudgingly Naruto almost fell to the ground. Looking them over, he realized they were weights. 'I'm doomed'. The teen urgently tried to reason with the man, completely and utterly horrified by the turn of events. "Will you listen Bushier Brow-sensei! You're wrong. I never said that!" he insisted desperately trying to get the other to listen but to no avail.
"Now, now don't be shy" Guy encouraged brightly completely blind to the blonde's desperate look overtaking his features.
"I'm not being shy!" Naruto cried somehow irked by the other.
"Go on now, put them on" Guy motioned, ignoring him. "I'm so happy I could cry!" he blurted not long after more tears ran down his face.
Sighing in defeat, the blonde proceeded to put them on watching closely as Guy made his way towards Kiba. By Kiba's expression, he seemed to be given the same punishment as him but without the leg warmers. Catching the brunette's gaze they stare at each other. The same thought crossing through them; 'Fuck, we're screwed'
Sprinting, they began running their laps around the school. After the ninth lap, however, Naruto collapsed on the floor wheezing and puffing uncontrollably. Kiba had gone on ahead and was probably on the other side of the school. As the blonde got up attempting to keep going, he suddenly noticed a figure leaning against a tree a few feet away from him that he was sure wasn't there at the beginning.
The figure, looking up from his book, brought a hand up as greeting; "Yo! I see you're having fun" he pleasantly observed though his voice came out in his usual baritone voice; sounding less than animated.
Naruto narrowed his eyes into the iciest glare he could conjure in his state of near death and wobbled his way towards the infuriating man all the while cursing under his breath. "Fucking..." he wheezed with some difficulty pass dry lips "psychotic... huff... perverted... pant... teacher!" He coughed before forcing the words out. "Shit!... If it weren't...gasp ... for these fucking weights!" He rasped out.
"Ohh I'm sorry I couldn't hear that. What was that you were saying?" Kakashi drawl out. The boredom just seemingly pasted and oozing out of every pore in his body. He'd gotten rid of the powder on his face, eye, and clothes and now looked good as new. The slight puffiness around his eye was still present, however, it was getting better by the hour.
"You should probably continue running your laps. I don't think Guy will be happy if he saw you taking a break, not to mention if you aren't able to finish your laps around the school." He paused for added measures, "I can already see him crying from disappointment." Kakashi finished. A glint in his eye that the blonde recognized as payback.
"Shut up, asshole" Naruto got out between pants, sitting by the roots of the tree and resting against it.
"Maa, maa is that any way to talk to a teacher, Naruto?" Kakashi responded with a general level of amusement.
"You are no teacher" Naruto countered meanwhile trying to get his breathing under control.
Highly entertained now, Kakashi watched the blonde eyeing the half-empty bottle of water on the other hand not occupying the book. "What is it? Are you thirsty?"
The blonde nodded. Knowing he was at his limits, Naruto turned to the silver-haired sensei finally relenting. "Fine, you win. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done it and I won't do it again. I promise. Just please, go and talk to Bushier Brow-sensei. I can't do this anymore!"
"Hm? Sorry for what? Did you do something you weren't supposed to?" Kakashi innocently asked, nonchalantly turning a page from his Icha Icha book.
"You know what I'm talking about!"
"I'm not sure I do. Care to elaborate?"
"You know it was me who pulled the prank and that Kiba was my accomplice. Although I don't know how you figured that out and now you're punishing us for it" he affirmed, aggravated with the man. It was obvious Kakashi-sensei was toying with him.
After a minute of silence passed between them, Kakashi, sure that the blonde had learned his lesson pushed off from the tree. Now standing straight he glanced at the miserable youth and chuckled merrily. Before leaving, however, he threw him the bottle of water calling over his shoulder "wait for Kiba then go back to class."
Disappearing from the blonde's sight, Naruto hoped he'd gone to convince Guy-sensei. After a couple of minutes of waiting, Naruto finally saw Kiba in the distance. He called out to him after he was near enough "Kiba! Come on, let's go back."
Dropping next to his partner in crime, Kiba tried catching his breath first. "W-wh... pant... what are y-you...tal-talking... about... more panting... "I hav-...en't fin..ished y-yet"
"What are you saying? You look like your dying. You probably can't even stand up. Anyway, I spoke with Kakashi-sensei and he said to go back to class." The blonde looked at his companion's appearance; he was just as dirty and bathed of sweat as he was.
"I-is...that...s-so"
Giving the brunette a few more minutes to catch his breath, Naruto stood up almost falling back on the ground in the process –his legs felt like jelly, and helped his friend who was having difficulty standing as well.
"He's a fucking demon!" Kiba complained for which the blonde agreed wholeheartedly.
Starting their way back to class leaning against each other for support, they were glad their sadistic new sensei had indeed spoken with the eccentric PE sensei for Guy welcomed them back with a sheepish smile on his face. Not even wanting to know what he'd talked about with the silver hair bastard the two lay on the ground for the rest of the class.
'I need a shower' went through both their minds.
After club activities were over, the blonde was found riding home not stopping for a minute. He wanted to go home and sleep the night away. Beyond exhausted but glad he'd finally reached home, his legs barely supported his weight as he made his trip up the stairs. Opening his door, the tired teen was in the process of taking off his shoes when he came to a sudden stop.
'What the...' There, near his shoes, a pair of sandals –that shouldn't be there –lay innocently staring at him. Having an idea who it belonged to because really, there was only one person who would enter uninvited, Naruto walked deeper inside his small apartment and sure enough, there his godfather was looking through his fridge.
He was happy to see the man yet at the same time his eccentric guardian could be such a handful, and he just didn't have the energy to spend on the man. "Ero-Sennin. What are you doing here?"
Said mentioned, tall man with waist-length, white spiky hair –stood from his bend position after hearing the other's voice. "Oi Naruto, why don't you have anything in the fridge. I'm hungry." He muttered a bit disgruntled looking over the blonde leaning against the opposite wall appearing good as dead.
Crossing his arms across his chest, a noticeable twitch present on his brow, he looked royally annoyed. This was the last thing he needed. "Is that the first thing you should say after not seeing your grandson for who knows how long?! If you're hungry then go and get something to eat. You have enough money as it is." Naruto paused, growing more irritated by the second as he watched the other sprawled on his bed, laying on his side while facing the blonde, his right leg bend; "When did you get here anyway?"
"Oi brat, you shouldn't talk to your seniors like that," the other reprimanded. Then, curious, "what happened to you?" he asked.
He sighed "long day," not wanting to get into details.
Deciding not to pry, Jiraya asked in his usual boisterous manner, a big grin adorning the lower half of his face; "well anyway, why don't you prepare something to eat, huh?"
"Answer the damn question, you perverted old man." The blonde cried out hearing a sigh leave the man's lips. The blonde vaguely heard the other mumbling about how school wasn't doing much to improve his vocabulary and attitude for which the youth smartly decided to ignore.
"I stopped by yesterday evening but you didn't come home." Then with a perverted leer, he continued, "...were you spending the night with a young beautiful girl? Has my hobbies finally rubbed off on you, hm?" he wiggled his eyebrows meaningfully letting out a mirthful laugh.
Moving away from the wall, Naruto made his way to the cupboards. Grabbing two cups of instant ramen, he boiled some water then waited for the three minutes it took for the noodles to warm. "Of course not pervert! I'm not you. I stayed the night at Sasuke's" he refuted, irked by the old hentai who still had the tendency to peek at women whenever he had the chance... Well, Naruto figured, if he had not gotten rid of such hobbies while he was young there's no way he was going to do it now that the years have piled.
"Oh I see, you swing that way. Well if that's what you prefer I suppose that's f-" he was interrupted by a wooden spoon landing squarely and painfully in the middle of his face. Massaging his face, Jiraya turned his gaze towards the riled up, angered looking blonde. Hiding his smirk, "that hurt you know! I'm just saying that it's okay if that's what you prefer, although I do prefer a woman's body, but hey, everyone has different tastes."
The blonde, if it was possible grew even redder in the face; smoke could almost be seen coming out of his ears. Nostrils flaring, "I am not into guys, Ero-Sennin! And if you don't shut up and stop trying to make things up I'll tell Tsunade-baachan you went into her room and peeked at her undergarments while she was in the shower bathing the last time we went to visit her!" he raged.
Jiraya, having enough fun messing with the youth, decided it would be smart to drop the topic of discussion. He knew his godson could be an evil little shit when he wanted to. And well, if he continued to mess with said evil little shit, he wouldn't put it past him to do what he threatened to do. He wanted to live a little longer instead of being plummeted to the ground by Tsunade until he was dead. Granted it'd almost happened many years ago when they were young... Grimacing just remembering, Jiraya decided once was enough, he didn't need another incident like that.
Naruto, having calmed down after a few minutes of silence, watched his godfather sulking in the corner. Walking towards the older man, he sat next to him. "Anyway, how long are you staying for?" the blonde asked, handing him a cup of ramen for which the other took reluctantly.
"Why? Do you want me gone so badly?" the other continued to sulk.
Sighing; "that's not what I meant and you know it. Whenever you come you always stay for a bit and then leave for an unlimited amount of time. It's been months, almost a year since the last time I saw you." Naruto said softly. By the end of his sentence he'd grown a little sad truly having missed his only family, and so, doing his best to hide it from the man beside him, he began eating.
Jiraya watched the youth from the corner of his eyes, allowing a small smile grace his lips. He ruffled the bright sunny locks tenderly; "Yeah. I'll be staying here for a little while, probably for two weeks."
Having stopped eating, Naruto turned wide surprised blue eyes at his white-haired guardian. That was the most his godfather had stayed. "That's new. Why so long? You rarely, if ever, stay that long?"
"I have some business I have to take care of before I leave," he supplied, cryptically. An unreadable look crossed his face for only an instant and then it was gone as fast as it had appeared.
Naruto thinking he'd imagined it didn't pay it another thought. Looking at the cup of ramen in his hands, he resumed eating along with his godfather.
After they'd finished eating, Naruto had gone to take a bath while Jiraya stayed in the room. The youth thinking that his godfather had already left and gone to a hotel was surprised to see him still in his apartment when he got out of the bathroom. "Oi Ero-Sennin, isn't it about time you leave?" he wondered.
Stopping what he was doing –which happened to be looking through the blonde's belongings for any naughty magazines –turned to the youth. "What do you mean?"
Pulling his pajama pants around his waist, Naruto replied evenly while drying his hair with a towel; "well you're staying at a hotel aren't you?"
"Of course not, I'm staying here with you" he stated as if it was obvious.
Displease with how everything was turning out, "and why is that? I don't have enough room for you to stay."
"So mean Naruto! Are you kicking your poor guardian out in the middle of the night? Is that what I've taught you?" He asked dramatically, feigning disappointment and sadness.
"Bullshit! Who's poor, huh? The only poor one here is me! You, on the other hand, have enough money to spend however you please! Yet, you take money from a young, poor, high school student to spend on alcohol and women whenever you're around! I'm telling you right now; don't even think about taking my money!" The blonde blurted annoyed, pointing a finger at his guardian. Really, he was too much. "And will you stop looking through my stuff!"
"Maa, minor details," Jiraya said, raising his hand dismissively. "Anyway, I'll be taking the bed."
The blonde was ready to kill the insufferable man. Though, sighing, he knew he lost. Besides, he was so tired from the days' events that he was ready to just fall on his feet. Getting the futon out from the closet, Naruto prepared his temporary bed, and as soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out like a light. Before he completely succumbed to sleep however, he whispered a sleepy "good night Ero-sennin" after, he knew nothing of the world around him.
Author's Note: The next chapter will probably take a bit longer to update, though I have already started on it. So hopefully it won't be long till next update but I make no promises :)
