LIFE IN AN ALL BOYS SCHOOL
Written by: Mattel
Beta-ed by: Iceheart
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. :D (but I do own Neji!.. Haha. I wish)
Author's Notes: Wow! I'm surprised that I was so inspired lately that I've written a whole new chapter again. I do hope I'll be able to maintain this pace and finish this fiction. Don't worry, I'm still getting there.
I would like to thank my beta-reader, Iceheart, who helped me tons and inspired me through my darkest times…. (I think this is getting quite melodramatic and somewhat like a funeral) Anyway, the point is, I absolutely wuv Iceheart-chan from the bottom of my bottomless heart and stomach. I'm sorry I took you away from your BL games! Eheheh.. I'm so jealous!
I also wuv Downright-eViL! Thank you so much for the support and encouragement! I couldn't burden you any further so here it is, all new and shiny chapter!
Now… Dozou!
'What in the world was I thinking?', Neji asked himself after he uttered the invitation. He didn't even know the boy! Well…... in fact...he just met him yesterday! He looked towards the blonde who was currently sitting cross-legged beside him in the midfield and was listening to their uber lively professor drone on about soccer rules and soccer etiquettes. 'Uzumaki can be good company if you get over the mindless chatter.'
'But he's a guy! What would everyone think?', Neji's conscience interjected.
Neji suddenly had an urge to roll his eyes. How could his conscience think about THAT already? It's not like he's aiming to have a relationship with this Uzumaki guy. He absolutely does not have any urges to do so whatsoever. But it wouldn't hurt if he becomes a bit friendly all of a sudden.
'Besides, almost everyone in this school knows what happened to me and to…', Neji shook his head, as if trying to clear the bad memories away.
'Being friendly and being Neji is two different things! One doesn't compliment the other. They couldn't even be used in a single sentence! Neji Hyuuga is not friendly, even with what happened last year. You were definitely not, in any way or form, friendly to him! Therefore, this new development is something BIG.' Neji's stubborn conscience pressed, trying to instill some sense to its host.
Neji was about to retort something to his abominable conscience, when he felt Naruto nudge him a bit to gain his attention.
"Geez, Neji. If your mind's not flying somewhere else, you would have noticed that Gai-sensei just dismissed us. Did you hear a word that he said? You had this dazed look all through-out the lecture. You should probably know that next meeting, which of course would be next week, we are to report in complete soccer uniform! I'm so excited. Soccer is a great way to relieve stress, don't you think?", Naruto chattered as he jumped off topic after topic.
Neji got up off the ground listening half-heartedly to what's Naruto's saying, he brushed the seat of his pants and turned to Naruto cutting him off completely with his endless and somewhat senseless prattling, "Do you want to see the cafeteria?" Neji asked.
"Do I want to... WHAT?"
After being cut off by Neji, Naruto thought that he would be telling him more about the supposed to be Acquaintance Party which's this coming Friday and his ulterior motives in asking him, blah blah, blah. But instead, 'He asked me whether I want to see the cafeteria?', Naruto thought incredulously, 'and here I was thinking he's such a decent guy…. Well, he IS, but.. damn... why do I feel so disappointed that he didn't follow up on that topic?
"Oh, sure Neji, I'm just so thrilled" Naruto said sarcastically, "I'm sure it's an adrenaline-enriched pleasure to know the location of the cafeteria".
Neji threw him a dirty look but continued walking away from Naruto and out of the field. Naruto, being new, didn't have a choice but to follow him.
Having a great view of Neji's rear, he silently wondered, 'Why are you being so nice, when I get the feeling from everyone that you're not?' (1)
'Stupid Hyuuga.'
'Stupid Nakashima.' (A.N: That's Gaara's made-up last name)
'Stupid Uchiha. Wait, scratch that, Uchihas aren't stupid, just…. Itachi.'
'And the most stupid of them all, that USORATONKACHI!'
Sasuke fumed as he left the field leaving Neji and Naruto conversing about who knows what. Well, actually, he knows a bit of what they might be talking about since he 'accidentally' heard Hyuuga inviting that…usoratonkachi... to the party! He couldn't believe himself when that dobe accepted that stupid Hyuuga as a date.
'Who would want to date that white-eyed freak!', Sasuke shook his head, trying to clear his jealous thoughts, 'Wait, I'm NOT jealous. I'm just feeling... bad… about the new kid being stuck with that prick, Hyuuga.'
Sasuke inwardly sighed. He couldn't fool even himself. Because deep inside, he know that he has some, if not a tiny bit of, attraction towards the new boy ever since their fortunate (or unfortunate) meeting earlier. Damn it to hell, if he couldn't get him, well... he WILL get him.
Suddenly, Sasuke had a sudden revelation. No one knows which way Naruto swings yet..… there's just one way to make sure.
Besides, if Neji Hyuuga insists on getting in the way, he'll just have to make sure he doesn't… right?
"This Montessori is of very high caliber Uzumaki. Never, ever let your mind forget that bit. You would also notice that the dormitories are interconnected with the lecture rooms itself and if in case you're wondering of the reason, it's because this building is a former monastery only made to be a school. That's why specific floors and buildings are for students' personal rooms, while the others are for the subjects," Neji started lecturing as they trace their way towards the school cafeteria. Naruto just wished they could get there faster. He couldn't take any more of Neji's monotonous lectures.
"This school is, as you know already, very famous because of its talented students and very rigorous and strict curriculum. Also, one way to attribute to the school's illustrious reputation is their benefactors, you may not have heard it yet, Uzumaki, but the reason behind the Uchiha's stubbornness to not follow some rules is because their family is one of the biggest and most generous of the school's benefactors."
'Along with our family, but Naruto doesn't need to know that.'
Neji continued, almost sounding like a telephone operator due to his lifeless intonation. Naruto stifled a yawn out of grudging respect to Neji. What could he do? He respects that dull yet beautiful guy. He suddenly had an urge to smack his head unto something hard and, preferably, something coarse too.
Naruto prayed that they finally make it to the long-awaited cafeteria. The urge to see a cafeteria has never been this stimulating.
Unfortunately, it seems that the cafeteria's located some miles away and maybe tucked underground too because Neji hasn't stopped his boring lecture, "Oh, and starting next week, there would be nuns and priests patrolling the hallways of the dormitories. They would make sure that the 'lights-out' policy at 11:00PM is followed."
Neji paused.
Naruto sighed in relief. 'Maybe... he's finally finished talking! Still, this was the longest time I've heard him say something!
Then, Naruto saw Neji open his mouth. He tried to groan inwardly, but it came out of his mouth before he could stop it. He suddenly saw Neji pause.
"What is it? Are you hurt or something?", Neji asked dutifully.
Naruto couldn't help the blush that was threatening to stain his cheeks ,'Kuso! There's nothing better in getting caught red-handed again!
"Umm…. No… I'm fine. You're fine. We're fine. It's fine," Naruto blabbered while sporting heated cheeks. 'I'm never going to live this down. I'm lucky if he doesn't suddenly say, 'Hey Uzumaki, don't go gay on me'. Damn hormones.' Naruto cursed himself.
Neji looked at him curiously, then as if dismissing a thought he shook his head. This had Naruto mesmerized again because of the fluttering of his long silky dark hair. 'What I wouldn't do to run my hands on those smooth and silky locks. I'd bet he's got tons of shampoos and conditioners lining up his bathtub just to maintain that tangle-free hair. It's just not normal!'
"I'd also like to inform you—"
'It's not like you're doing anything besides that as of the moment', Naruto thought.
"—that every month, we're conducting different contests, and for the next month it would be anything about painted arts, and judging from earlier, I think you'd be interested."
Naruto's ear suddenly snapped in attention. 'This is a new development! Neji's actually talking about something with sense!'
"Are there any restrictions with the medium that's to be used?" Naruto inquired which made Neji smirk.
'So… he's the artistic type after all.'
Neji quirked as eyebrow and seemed to be reviewing some facts, "None as I know of."
At that Naruto let out a great whoop of joy, "Thanks Neji! well, thanks for the tour and everything, I think I'll go to my room right now…and just.. think of something!"
At that, Naruto ran back the way he came from and left Neji staring at him incredulously.
'That moron. Doesn't he know that his room is in the other direction?'
10 minutes later….
"Ano sa.. ano sa… COULD ANYONE TELL ME WHERE THE HELL AM I!" Naruto bellowed at the deserted hallway.
Neji trudged the remaining steps towards the cafeteria, feeling somewhat down, which strangely just started when the blonde left him.
'I cannot even begin to fathom on how deep his naivety really is.'
Neji's lips quirked a little as he remembered some of the foolish antics the boy made. He hasn't met anyone who's as expressive as Naruto. He could easily read him like an open book.
Suddenly, a dark figure appeared at the end of the corridor, just before the cafeteria. Neji walked up to the figure and stopped in front of the person.
"Itachi." Neji acknowledged rigidly.
Itachi smirked at the biting coldness the pale eyed boy emitted, "It isn't like you at all to be friendly with that new boy, Neji"
"And it's none of your business, Itachi." Neji countered.
Before Neji could even react as to what happened, he's found himself trapped between a hard, stone wall and a very hard yet warm body.
"Get away from me." Neji said through gritted teeth as he felt Itachi softly nudging his crotch with his knee. Suddenly out of nowhere, a hot and wet trail of 'something' traced his neck up to his ear.
"Don't tell me if it's none of my business. Because you are my business, Neji. I can see what's attracting you to Naruto. I can really see it for myself." Itachi whispered to Neji while tracing the outer shell of his ear with the tip of his tongue.
At the mention of Naruto's name, Neji summoned all his strength and pushed Itachi off him, "I was your business before. Forget it, Itachi. What's happened happened. It's over. You've said it yourself. Now, leave Naruto alone or you'll be facing up against me, Itachi".
Itachi chuckled softly as he smoothen his own rumpled clothes, "Oh, it was definitely over. Don't mistake me for seducing you again—" Neji flinched at that, "—because I don't. All I want now is that new boy. He emits an unnatural amount of innocence, don't you think?"
Neji's almost opalescent eyes turned a shade grayer, "Stay away from Naruto, Itachi!"
At that, Neji left him. Itachi continued looking at him with amusement-filled eyes, 'You weren't like this before Neji. Why the change of heart?'
If Naruto wasn't a boy, he would be crying right at this moment. He just couldn't get to the right hall. He doesn't even know where he is right now!
'I'm so screwed! I shouldn't left Neji's side. I would have been safer there rather than being lost here surrounded by identical walls…. With no one left within screaming distance…'
"Naruto…"
Naruto literally jumped at the sudden sound, he whirled around and found himself face to face with none other than his new, panda-eyed friend.
"Gaara!" Naruto uttered, controlling himself not to jump his friend because of his feelings of tremendous relief.
"What are you doing here?"
Suddenly feeling like the most stupid boy in school, Naruto grinned sheepishly, "I.. uh.. I am lost. I went ahead of Neji to get to my room, but I guess I took a number of wrong turns and also took a couple of stairs… I really don't know where I am".
"Ah. You're on the fifth floor of the West Building, my room's just right at that corner—" Gaara pointed to a door right at the corner, "—anyway, where is your room?"
A look of comprehension dawned Naruto's face, "Oh. I guess, I just skipped 2 stairs. I'm in room 301. Thank you so much, Gaara!"
As Gaara nodded and turned to leave, Naruto suddenly stopped him, "Wait!.. I was just wondering, would you like to join the contest for next month? Neji told me, it's a choose-what-you-want-for-medium thing,"
Gaara paused, "Are you going to join?"
Naruto looked at Gaara incredulously, "Of course! This is the moment I've been waiting for! This is the only thing I enjoy doing! This is the only chance I got for everyone to acknowledge that I'm not some dumb blonde."
Gaara almost smiled at the boy's lively countenance, "Sure. I'll join. What are you planning on making then?"
"I'm really not sure, but I have a little bit of idea of what I want to do. Anyway, why don't we go together at the Friday's party? So, we can also talk more about it?" he asked almost hopefully.
Gaara's face appeared to be confused, "Friday? party?"
Naruto sweat-dropped. For a boy like him, to be informed by a new guy like him, he sure is dense to his surroundings! "On Friday, there will be some kind of party for new kids like me….. and Neji has already invited me to go with him. He must be feeling like I'm his responsibility or something. Anyway, would you like to go together?"
"Ah.. I'll pass." Gaara said.
Naruto felt down, "Okay…well, see you around, Gaara"
As Naruto turned to leave, he heard Gaara speak out, "This Saturday?"
At that, Naruto glomped at Gaara, earning him a death glare only intensified by his kohl. "Ehehe… Righty-o—" Naruto slid off Gaara, "—see you this Saturday, in that free art room, Okay?"
"Aa."
Naruto then left and ran towards a corner going down the steps of the stairs twice at a time. He never felt this excited since…
'Since a while ago with Neji… I'm not attracted to him... am I?'
Shikamaru was not a nosy person. But he couldn't help but notice certain things around him. He noticed that Naruto genuinely didn't have a clue as to what's happening all around him. He also noticed that Neji's been softer to the boy than he would have been to someone else.
'I'm not saying that a person could not change because he can…. not just so sudden and without any ulterior motives.'
Shikamaru's been thinking about this over and over again, starting from the minute he saw Neji with this wide-eyed blonde following him this morning. He noticed, despite his effort not to, that Neji's eyes were somewhat softer. But maybe that's just a trick of light, or maybe he didn't get enough sleep last night due to his roommate's snoring.
'Sasuke's eyes weren't hard to decipher at all. They were filled with so much jealousy when he saw Naruto talking to Gaara this morning.'
He also noticed that Gaara, the Gaara (who's widely known not to associate with anyone, aside from kicking asses occasionally) was talking, or rather, being somewhat friendly towards Naruto and let the blonde do the talking for both of them.
Of course, Shikamaru could see what had attracted these guys. He's experiencing it after all, but not to that extent. He's just comfortable being Naruto's friend. He couldn't help but feel nice and fluffy with Naruto. That boy just oozes with purity and undiluted innocence that you'd be mistaking it with sheer stupidity.
'Besides, it would be troublesome to chase someone who's unknowingly chasing someone else too.'Also, Shikamaru couldn't help but sympathize with his friend, Rock Lee. He knew that Lee's secretly harboring deep feelings towards Neji. But he couldn't act on it because he was being intimidated with the thought of even speaking with a Hyuuga. He knows Lee's not thinking ill about Naruto and knows that it's not Naruto's fault that he made Neji seem interested in him. But he knows that his friend is hurting and is now burying himself further (if that's even possible) into his studies.
'No offense Lee, but I think Neji's just scared of your eyebrows.', Shikamaru thought with a smirk.
'Maa.. Life in an all boys' school sure is troublesome. It's like living in a "The Bold and the Beautiful" episode.'
Naruto finally found his room and slipped quickly inside. Thankfully, there were no further interruptions made on his way towards his room. Maybe it's because the whole school population's inside the cafeteria or somewhere on the school lawn, probably having a picnic or something.
'This is an all-boy's school.' He reminded himself as he flopped down his bed. 'Then again, this means all the more picnic sessions. All they need to do is just roll over the lawn and do some 'tumbling' and there we have it, the new couple of the century.'
He sighed inwardly. This day's been getting tougher and tougher. He prays that after the noon break, it wouldn't get any worse. He kept hoping that the males in this school would quickly get tired of him and stop pinching his butt every time he passed by. As Neji say, they're like that when encountering new.. errrrrmm.. meat.
He suddenly stopped and got out of his reverie. He proceeded to roll off his bed and pull some random box from a corner of his room.
'I knew it's in here somewhere….'
He then muttered a quiet "Aha!" as he unearthed a big wooden canvas, some paints and brushes. He set them aside and left it in the open, scattered across his floor.
'Now… the only problem would be who or what will be my muse.'
An unbidden thought crossed his mind as an image of Neji suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
'There would be no way in hell I could and would possibly draw him without him knowing. Now, if Neji's not available, I would just find someone who's exquisite and pleasant enough to paint.
Another image crossed his mind. This time, it's Sasuke.
"Nuh-uh. I'd sooner paint Neji than him. Besides, he'd probably laugh at me and tell me 'I didn't know you had a talent, dobe'" Naruto said mimicking the way Sasuke pronounced 'dobe'.
"If I hadn't seen it myself, I'd probably say you're out of your mind.. so what's this stuff? I didn't know you could paint, dobe. I knew you could draw but for you to know the Arts in an intimate way.. well, it's just... it's too hard to comprehend".
Naruto quickly turned around only to find his least-expected person leaning on his door, "How the hell did you get in here, bastard!"
"How about you lock the door next time, usuratonkachi." Sasuke told him.
Naruto rolled his eyes, "How about you knock next time, stupid bastard?"
Sasuke just smirked at Naruto's name-calling. He walked towards Naruto and invited himself to settle down on Naruto's bed.
"Wow, great bed you have here," Sasuke commented, "Very sturdy springs too.. could take too much before actually breaking", he continued as he rock the bed in a very suggestive manner.
Naruto stopped the urge to pull out his own hair. He just couldn't get along with Sasuke. In everything he does… it's like he's insinuating something, "Listen here, Uchiha. Just get the hell out of my room and leave me alone. You're not wanted here. You hear? Not. Wanted."
Sasuke got on to his feet and walked towards Naruto, who was now placing his art materials away from the battlefield as far as possible. He wouldn't want to buy those materials again. They're too expensive!
Getting hold of Naruto's sleeve, Sasuke spun them around and pushed Naruto hard enough to get them landed on Naruto's very sturdy bed, all tangled and winded. Well.. Naruto's a bit breathless because of the impact and mostly, because of the sudden weight which landed on him, courtesy of course, of his favorite bastard.
"What the hell are you doing! Get off me!" Naruto struggled as he regained his breath, only to get himself pinned further into the mattress.
"I would 'get off' off you, if you'd let me?" Sasuke whispered seductively as he kissed Naruto's chin and proceeded to lick his adam's apple.
Naruto kneed Sasuke, right in the stomach, which had the brunette stumbling away from Naruto and prompted him to roll off from the bed, "Never you bastard. You might be pretty, but you ain't good enough!"
At that, he got hold of Sasuke's t-shirt and pushed (or rather pulled) him out of his room, "Stay away, bastard!"
Naruto slammed the door shut (and locked the door too!). He listened for a couple of seconds until he was satisfied that the bastard is not coming back.
"Bastard", he muttered and he let out a breath of relief.
Suddenly, the door of his bathroom slammed open, "Yo! Missed me?"
There stood Sasuke in all his pale glory (although he's still a bit paler than usual because of the knee-ing he got from Naruto), with his very infuriating smirk. He almost drove the blonde boy to the brink of insanity.
"Sasuke, you bastard!"
At that, Sasuke chuckled softly and quickly ran towards his own end of the bathroom. He went in his room and slammed the door shut. Naruto could only shake with unbidden anger and tried desperately to calm himself. Then, he heard Sasuke say across the closed door, "Lock your doors next time, dobe!"
At that, Naruto let out an animalistic scream, "Sasuke-TEME!"
…TSUZUKU…
To be Continued...
(1) Actually what I wanted him to say was, "Wowza Great Momma! What a great rack you got there!" Teheeheee.. :D
Unto my personal messages:
xXxYuUrAnxXx – You don't have to beg! It's here already! Mwah:D
K-chan xoxo – The plot bunnies have the tips of their ears out. :D hehe.
Barlee – Thank you lots for reminding me that I did put it on the 3rd chappie, I kind of forgot that aspect of the fic due to time and all. Hehe.. Thank you for reminding me about it! I absolutely love you to bits and pieces now! glompz
Dreamcast – I know! Neji's smile would be the next thing before heaven!
Debbiesupersaiyan – Here's more! Is it more enough for you:D
The Sisters of Chaos: W/D – Heheh... you think Gaara's awesome here? (rereads what she wrote) .. umm... isn't his appearance somewhat.. abrupt? Hehe.. don't worry though!
The-13th-To-Fall – Glad to know I could help! Confrontations? Aye:D
Blue Ice Wanderer – Is this soon enough:D
Minjin00 – I know! Naruto's super uke! Umm.. haven't you read that this will be a coughNejiNarucough fic:D
Lord Ma-koto – I'm sorry if I've shortened your name, but forgive me, it's too long! Besides, Lord Makoto sounds sexier. Heheh.. :D I won't stop my lord! We will never know if Itachi is indeed perverted in the series, but here, he is!
Momochi Zabuza – Of course! Jealousy is the key to ecstasy!
Staryday – I've never met someone who's as patient as you:D
PaigeFaerie – I cannot finish the story yet! The plot isn't half-way created! But I'll continue:D
ViolinistBAKA – you don't have to wait much longer! presents chappie Thank you for waiting impatiently! Eheheh. Just kidding! Mwah:3