New Beginnings
Leaves swirled around the path as thunder shook the trees. Brilliant streaks of lightning lit up the sky and revealed two struggling figures carrying boxes into the shelter of an old dorm hall. They were bowed against the wind and tentatively feeling their way on the slippery tiles to the one small door that led inside.
Iruka balanced two cardboard boxes, now soaked and flimsy from the rain, on his knee as he jiggled Naruto's key in the lock, venting his frustration in gasping breaths.
"Na-ru-to..." he voiced, "why..."- gasp- "does..." –gasp- "your" –big gasp- "doorlockautomaticallyeverytimeitshuts!?"
The question was quite unfair seeing that Naruto was unable to answer in his present state; he was about to drop his two boxes because a bed sheet had blown from the top of one and covered his head and face to the point where he couldn't see Iruka or the door. Finally hearing the click of the lock, he did the only thing possible and kicked blindly in front of him, knocking the door open, and falling through it. Iruka followed him through in a slightly more dignified manner, or as dignified as he could manage while looking like a drowned rat.
"Sensei..." Naruto whined, "why have I ended up scratched and on the floor both times I've been here so far..."
"You'll survive," he answered brusquely. "I, on the other hand, will not if I'm not back at work tomorrow, and it will take me hours to get to the airport through this storm. I practically had to beg Ebisu-san to cover for me today, so I can't make him do it again tomorrow."
Naruto made a face at the mention of Iruka's business colleague, but Iruka had never quite understood why the boy hated him so much.
"Well, Naruto...I guess we're just going to have to hurry up and move your stuff upstairs."
They both looked up at the winding staircases of gray cement. The steps seemed to ascend forever, despite what a small building the dorms were. Windows were periodically installed into the thick walls to let light into the now dark stairwell. Lightning flashed as they looked at Naruto's pile of belongings in front of them.
"What floor did you say your room was on again?"
"Fourth..." Naruto said gloomily.
Iruka glanced at the disheartened blonde, "Cheer up! It could always be worse!"
"...out of four floors." Naruto finished.
Iruka deadpanned.
Only an hour later, both student and teacher were standing outside room number 404, panting heavily with the exhaustion of the climb. It had not taken as long as both thought it would, due mostly to Naruto's limited personal items. He only had four cardboard boxes full of manga, notebooks, burned c.d.'s which Iruka was constantly telling him not to pirate, his sketchpads, and his most prized possession- the laptop. The only reason he had brought anything else was because Iruka insisted that he needed the necessities, such as a small refrigerator, microwave, and a pot to boil water for the box comprised entirely of instant ramen cups.
Iruka had dumped everything outside the door and told Naruto that he would have to move in by himself because Iruka had a plane to catch. Now they were both surveying the boxes in the dimly-light hallway.
"Well, there's everything. I'm so sorry, Naruto. I really wish I could help you move everything inside your room. Don't forget to clean every surface with the Lysol disinfectant spray before you put something on it! It's my fault that I didn't tell Sarutobi-san that I wouldn't be in for work tomorrow. If your roommate's not nice, then just remember you don't have to associate with him! Oh I wish I could at least stay to see your room."
"Iruka-sensei," Naruto grinned embarrassedly while rubbing the back of his head, "you said you're coming up to see me in two weeks anyway, so you'll be able to see my room then."
"Yes, yes, of course you're right. I just don't want you living in some mess before I get up here to sort everything out!"
"Maa maa, I'm fine by myself," he pouted.
Iruka ruffled the drying locks of hair fondly, and announced, "Well, I've got to get going, Naruto."
The two walked back downstairs in silence, except for the occasional roar of thunder from outside.
This parting, even though it was rushed, was still emotional for the two of them. They had become so close during the years, even though Naruto still acted like an independent kid who had no use for such a guardian. Similarly, Iruka yelled at Naruto about his health and bad habits and swore that he would be much less stressed with his disrespectful charge gone, but he too was already missing Naruto more than he thought possible.
Iruka gave one last affectionate hug to the unusually solemn boy, then walked down a winding road that led him out of sight and to the car park a fair distance in front of the building.
Naruto stood unmoving in the rain, silently watching the retreating figure's back before it disappeared behind the wind-whipped trees. Only then did he turn slowly to face his new home, the place where he would spend the next year of his life at least. He lifted his head up and drank in the rain droplets that fell so fast they stung his tongue with their contact.
"Finally," he thought, "this must be my first taste of freedom. I can start all over and have my life be different here. I don't have the reputation I did back in the village."
He then walked back under cover, with his step considerably lighter, and began the long climb up to his floor. Walking in his hallway once again, Naruto finally noticed the absence of other students. Sure, only the freshmen would be moving in today, but shouldn't there be others arriving?
"Right, the storm," he reminded himself aloud as he knocked on his door out of courteous habit, "I doubt anyone else will be in this building for days..."
But that thought was completely banished from his mind as the door swung open to reveal a stranger ("my roommate," he reminded himself) standing in front of him.
Recovering quickly from his shock, and realizing that the dark-haired guy in front of him hadn't even blinked or moved a muscle, Naruto stuck out his hand and announced, "Konnichiwa! I'm Uzumaki Naruto, your new roommate!"
The other boy accepted the hand, his face impassive, and looked Naruto over with piercing black eyes.
"Uchiha...Sasuke."
A lightning bolt flashed by their dorm-room window, and suddenly the building was plunged into complete darkness.
A/N: so how is it? Sorry if Naruto was a little OOC but he definitely has emotions and I think they would show in something as important as leaving Iruka for the first time. Reviews are greatly appreciated...