Chapter: Two. :D

Author: parodee.

Type: Slash.

Rating: Mature - coarse language, older youth content, boy on boy.

Characters: Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, and some others will appear here and there.

Time frame: They're all seventeen. Cliché, cliché, I know.

Disclaimer: Uzumaki Naruto and co. are copyright to Masashi Kishimoto.

Author's note: Aw, you guys, thanks for not running away from the yaoi-to-come:D

Chapter Two.

"You've got to be kidding me!"

Sasuke winced as the shrill voice cut through Iruka's explanation, but he couldn't resist a smirk. Any complaint that Naruto made made him quite cheerful. He had nothing against the blonde's life going awry.

"Now Naruto," Iruka said sternly, a frown sliding over his lips. "Please save your – comments – until after I am finished…"

Naruto fell silent, but he scowled nonetheless.

Satisfied, the teacher continued,

"I repeat, it will be team work, and you will remain in these three-person teams until the end of the year, for all team works."

The class mumbled for a bit, but no one said anything out loud.

"As for projects and assignments that must be done in groups larger than three, you are allowed to choose your team mates. However," the word laden with concern, "if I, or any of the other teachers find that you are taking advantage of this, we will be setting down punishments."

There was more mumbling from the class.

"Do not take for granted that you have a cozy seat here. Indeed, I am highly surprised that none of your other teachers have impressed this upon you. It has been close to a month since the beginning of your first year at this highly sought after Academy of Arts."

Iruka warmed up, his voice taking on a fond tone as he expanded on the history of their school.

"It was formed approximately one hundred thirty four years ago, when our founder…"

Sasuke didn't bother to listen to the rest of his teacher's words. He knew the history of the school by heart, and there was no point in hearing it again.

He reflected thoughtfully over Iruka's opening words, and shook his head slightly, placing his chin pensively on his laced fingers. A three-man team… that's two people too many, he thought, a little frustrated.

Sasuke wasn't too bothered by the thought of being in teams. It was the actual concept of having to work in a team that irritated him.

He had been the star pupil of his former school, hadn't he? He was Uchiha Sasuke, that "oh so fly", dark haired, darker eyed, sexy boy that all the girls (and some boys) lusted after. He had a natural talent for the Arts, whether it was writing – acting – illustrating – he was the best.

Already, his other teachers had acknowledged his skill, even though it had hardly been a month.

Sasuke, I find it hard to believe that so young an age can hold so vast a talent…

It's a little scary; but you have an incredible grasp on these concepts.

My boy, you are the most brilliant thing since sliced bread.

Who uses the term "sliced bread" anymore?

"… Haruno Sakura, and last but not least, Uchiha Sasuke."

Sasuke glanced up sharply at the sound of his own name, and he felt a quick flash of irritation at himself for drifting off.

"What?" he said blankly, but his question was drowned out by Naruto's loud exclamation of "FUCK" and Sakura's high, excited, "YES".

Iruka glanced up over the top of his clipboard idly, and raised his eyebrow at Naruto.

"Surely, Naruto, a little politeness will not kill you," he said testily, "I am asking you to work with him – not marry him. Surely, surely, even your short temper can manage that."

The class broke into laughter, and Sasuke's eyes widened in disbelief.

He, the mighty Uchiha Sasuke, was put in a group with Uzumaki Naruto? The sheer, indescribable HORROR of it all – how dare they? Sasuke dragged his stumped stare from Iruka to the back of Naruto's head… only to find the brat staring back. His eyes instantly hardened into a coal-black, expressionless glare.

"Don't think I like this any more than you do," he hissed.

"Class dismissed!" Iruka said loudly, before Naruto could form an equally angry reply.

Amidst the general noise of packing up, no one but Sakura noticed the tension between the two boys. Laughing gaily (in an attempt to cut the invisible cord of hatred between them), she slung her backpack over her shoulder and piped up good naturedly,

"Sasuke-kun, Naruto, let's go have lunch together!"

Naruto tore his incensed glare away from Sasuke and began shoving his binders unceremoniously into his bag.

"Sure, Sakura-chan!" he chirped, his face a-glow with happiness.

Sasuke continued to silently regard the blonde – it was almost amazing how easily the boy shifted from emotion to emotion. Naruto would make quite the excellent actor, if only his attention span weren't so short, and if only he were less blatantly obnoxious.

"Sasuke-kun?"

Sakura's hesitant voice broke him out of his thoughts. He spared her a quick glance.

"Lunch?" she reminded him gently, blinking her large green eyes.

He nodded, and hefted his backpack, quietly leaving the room with Naruto and Sakura. On their way out, they each bid Iruka a good day, and the teacher nodded in acknowledgement.

Approximately fifteen minutes later, the trio had seated themselves down on the grass by the courtyard, each sitting a few feet from the other, and each with their separate thoughts.

Sasuke took a bite out of his sandwich, hardly tasting the BLT. Disappointed and annoyed though he was, at the thought of being put in a group with Naruto, he was quite determined to make this work.

After all, this was just a bump in the road; he reasoned with himself - for in the real world, there would be plenty of times where he'd have to work with someone he wouldn't like.

He smirked idly to himself; this was a challenge, almost, and he'd prove to come out first. He wouldn't be the one to crack first.

Naruto gave his lasagna a sullen stab of the fork. Why oh why had he been put in a team with Sasuke? He knew, without a doubt, that they wouldn't be able to work properly together.

They'd get distracted, definitely, and though Naruto got distracted quite easily without the presence of his worst enemy, he still knew his priorities to be in his future career. As silly and clumsy as he may be, Naruto was serious when it came to it, and he was serious about the Arts.

He shook his head a bit, and put a forkful of his food in his mouth, enjoying the taste. He would make this relationship work! He'd be happy and cheerful, because Sakura didn't deserve to be weighed down by their rivalry.

Feeling much happier, Naruto grinned at his two new… friends.

"Sakura-chan, Pretty Bo – er, Sasuke, I mean," he corrected himself, "What's our project on?" He grinned cutely and shifted on his knees. "I wasn't listening."

Sakura tilted her head curiously at the boy; Naruto was a little ball of sunshine and flowers, but he was so very annoying. She glanced quickly at Sasuke; now that is a pure blush inducing, hormone stirring, Walking-Orgasm, with a capital W and O.

She resisted from giggling; she knew of Naruto and Sasuke's open hostility; it wasn't exactly a secret between the two boys. Regardless, she would play peacekeeper, and she would make Iruka-sensei proud.

Smiling back at Naruto, she proceeded to explain the project once more, and Sasuke interrupted at intervals to expand on whatever Sakura had accidentally left out.

And from the window of an empty classroom, Iruka stood watching them fondly.

They were the three most promising students of their year.

It would prove to be an interesting thing, to have grouped them together.

He smiled, and returned to his desk.

/end.

I know that things are moving a little slowly, but hey, it's just the first two chapters. (: Things will pick up soon enough. Review please?