"Uzumaki Naruto, please report to the principals office."
"Oi, what trouble did you put yourself into again? Fought with another person?" Genma asked at the second announcement. His fist exchange with Sasuke didn't go unnoticed by the board of directors of KSA but since Sasuke owned up to causing the fight, Naruto was let off punishment while Sasuke had his fair share of in-school suspension.
"I didn't dattebayo!" Naruto defended himself. Why was his baabaa calling him during classes anyway? Not that he was complaining, he got to skip class legally after all. The blond excused himself and went to Tsunade's office.
When he saw Ibiki in the office though, the vulpine boy instantly knew that things were about to get really serious. "Take a seat, Naruto-kun." The stern man spoke, making the blond gulp unwittingly. Tsunade was tense, he noticed, and that did not help him to calm down at all. Did they find who hired the assassin to kill his parents?
The confusion was all over Naruto's face as he walked across the big office to sit across Tsunade and beside Ibiki. "What is it? Your faces are scaring me dattebayo." The boy mumbled nervously.
"Ah, there is not need to worry Naruto-kun." Tsunade looked like she would stomp on Ibiki's foot for his statement if not for the desk separating them. The man ignored her glare and continued talking to Naruto instead. "However, what you were called in here for is very important and I want you to think over it deeply before giving me an answer."
Naruto's hunch had been correct about what he was called in for being a serious matter. He could only do well to hide his trembling hands as Ibiki explained what his plan to lure out the assassin hire was. Afterwards he was dismissed to think about it, which was why he was looking like a condemned lover in the dance room.
The boy was not even aware of how forlorn he looked, bent over in a stretch position and frozen on the spot. He was brought into reality by the feeling of a cold finger pressing into his forehead, the person's long nails scratching him a tidbit. When he looked up, it was Gaara.
"I would have shot you in the head from this distance and you wouldn't have reacted." The redhead's raspy voice sent chills down Naruto's spine. Knowing Gaara, he could have actually done what he said were the situation any different. "What got you looking like you saw how you were born?"
Gaara sat next to him while he got out of his stretch position. He had been in that pose for so long that his leg had pins and needles. Naruto just hummed, shaking his head to dismiss the shorter one's question. His response was met with a blank Gaara-esque stare that had him caving in.
"Fine." Naruto mumbled as he crossed his legs Indian style. "You know my parents' assassin?" He asked. Naruto had told Gaara about the truth behind his parents' deaths so he nodded. "Apparently they can't dig any dirt on him because he's so good at covering up his trails. The only way to get him is to lure him out...and I am the bait."
Naruto dipped his head till it was touching the floor in front of his legs– must be good to be flexible– releasing a pained groan that Gaara realized was just a reaction to the news than being an actual pained groan.
"You're scared." The redhead noted.
Naruto turned his head to look at him as if to say 'no shit, Sherlock' but then his features softened when Gaara stared back with his blank face, expecting an answer. His friend was so weird but, "yes." He admitted. "I am freaking scared."
"I'd say it's okay to be scared but I don't know how fear feels." Gaara's attempt at consolation had Naruto glaring at him. Sometimes the blond believed that his redhead friend had this medical condition where one had no emotion because that was what Gaara struck him as minus his terrible anger issues.
"I still get nightmares from that night and now I'm told that the source of my trauma would most likely come after me when he finds out that I have regained my memories. Oh forget about how the whole plan could just fail and I be killed like my parents, I am not scared." Naruto mumbled sarcastically.
Gaara's reaction was still the same blank look he always wore. Naruto's eye began to twitch in budding annoyance but then the green eyed one spoke. "You want to clear your name, find out why your parents were murdered, don't you?"
"Of course I do!" Naruto huffed. There had to be a reason why his parents were targeted and he wanted so much to know. Surely whoever hired Mizuki did not do it on a whim?
"Then what's worth risking is worth doing. And besides, you would not get hurt because of this plan." Gaara stated as if he was reciting the multiplication table.
"What makes you believe that the plan would go that smooth?" Naruto asked in mild irritation but what Gaara said next stunned him into silence.
"Because it's you."
"...wha..."
"In case you don't know, you have the tenacity of a cockroach so you won't be dying any time soon. You would capture the assassin and find out who hired him and why. Your name would be cleared and everyone would see that you're not the monster they make you out to be. They would learn to call you by your name and not what the internet makes you out to be."
Whoa...
This was the longest Gaara had ever spoken for in the few months they've gotten to understand each other. Gaara knew this was the longest he had spoken for in his sixteen years of living. His mouth hurt but it was worth it because the light had returned to Naruto's eyes.
The blond outstretched his legs, giving a smug grin while rubbing his nose with his index finger like he always did when he was feeling self confident. "Hehe. I really needed to hear that. Thanks Gaara, you're the bestest best friend in the world!"
And he full on glomped Gaara which had the redhead shivering because he could never get used to physical contact. Naruto was pushed away but he didn't mind it, he just started laughing instead.
It was risky but Naruto decided that he was going to hold the press conference and reveal that he had regained his memory and knew who murdered his parents. Other than Mizuki's very possible backlash, netizens were something he also dreaded. He knew that the populace would not believe the news but he was not aiming to please people.
Ibiki and Tsunade asked him repeatedly if he was sure about his decision. Naruto was so sure. Like his incredibly wise friend said, what's worth risking is worth doing.
Xxx melody xxX
Strange things were happening in Konoha School of Arts.
Very strange things.
Recuperative class B; grade 10 was quiet!
Izumo-sensei had to go outside to check the class tag to confirm that he walked into the right class. He was still in a daze as he walked back in, I mean, Kiba was QUIET! What on earth was going on?!
A class prior to Izumo-sensei's class which was homeroom, the demon in form of a man called Iruka-sensei had dropped a bomb that would forever affect class D for Dumb. Despite their recently improving grades (which took a turn for the worse during that particular midterm they allowed their victory to get into their heads), their total specs were not enough to allow them to actually participate in the Summer competitions.
That was the worst! Hyping them up for the most glamorous contest in highschool history only to bust their dreams and preparations because their grades were poor?! Cruel. So cruel.
Omoi full on burst into tears.
Naruto was miffed by the news. No! He had to show himself to the world as a great, even greater than his father; the only way he could do that was through this competition!
The only set of people unaffected were those that weren't participating in the SC but even then their classmates' bad moods rubbed off them so the class was dull. Metaphorical dark blue clouds of glum hovered above their heads, each with a down look except Shikamaru who could not be bothered and Gaara who was just apathetic as usual.
Tenten was already forced to take a break from practicing because of her spontaneous unexplained injuries but hearing that she would not have a chance to participate in the SC because of her grade was disheartening.
Fortunately for them, all they needed to do in order to be able to participate was to surprise, surprise, do well in the upcoming promotional exams. That meant more study though. The prospect of studying added grey clouds to the dark blue ones floating above their heads.
"OKAY!" Naruto startled everyone except Gaara that is by yelling and slamming his hand on his desk. The blond stood up, the speed causing his chair to fall back. School was over but nobody was rushing home unlike before –madness! "We can't not participate in the SC, I know I can't!" The vulpine boy exclaimed.
"What do you suggest we do then, second to the last place?" Karui sneered which got the Uzumaki heating up in embarrassment. That didn't stop him from saying what he felt though.
"I hate to admit it but the only ones that can help us are our classmates from class A." Naruto started but Matsuri got the drill and took the words from his mouth.
"So you're suggesting that we hold a study session weeks prior to the exam." It was not a question even though it sounded like one.
"Uh huh. I dunno about you guys but being alone with Sasuke is annoying when he teaches me dattebayo. I think being around others would help." Everyone seemed to agree with Naruto's speech because some of them were absentmindedly nodding to his words.
"That might work for us. And besides they have an experience advantage over us since they had been in KSA longer than most of us. They would know how promotional exams are set." Tamaki wisely added.
"Yeah, so where are we going to do this?" Kiba asked. "I don't think any of them class A folks are gonna like us being over too much."
"You're right. I would say my place but Iruka-sensei would not want to be disturbed." Naruto pouted at the thought. But wait a minute! Iruka would be formulating exam questions...if he could steal them...
"Naruto's up to something again." Choji said knowingly. After being on the receiving end of the blond's pranks more than twice he had come to know the face Naruto pulled anytime he was planning something mischievous.
The wide grin that stretched Naruto's lips only grew wider as he waved the chubby one off. There was no need to let anybody on this until he was successful.
"The local library sounds good, yeah?" Tenten threw in her two cents which only served to throw the others off the loop. When the hell did Tenten ever consider a LIBRARY a good choice?! Had she ever even been to one before?! Forget that, since when was she interested in studying?!
"We would most likely get kicked out before we get anything done. You guys are noisemakers." Shikamaru droned from his hunched over position on his seat. Although he received many glares what he said was correct so nobody harmed him.
"Use my house." Gaara suddenly spoke.
Everyone was looking at the redhead like he had grown five heads on his back. Gaara just...joined a class conversation?!
Strange things I tell you!
"Are you sure? We don't want to impose." Matsuri nervously said, choosing her words carefully so that she would not trigger the sand demon but Gaara just shook his head.
"The house's mostly empty save for my siblings. They could even help you guys with studying."
"What do you mean 'you guys'?!" Kiba yelled, offended. Just moments ago he was at the bottom of the class! Because he got eleventh position didn't mean he was king over class B! Okay he is technically king but that isn't the point here!
"Gaara-kun, that is a most splendid suggestion! Yosh! I agree to going to Gaara-kun's place for our youthful study!" Lee, the ever supportive classmate, agreed.
"Moh, got no choice so why not? I kinda want to see what your room looks like anyway." Tenten also agreed.
"Me too! I've never been to your house before dattebayo!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly.
'Oh no, everybody's going to the red devil's house! What if there are demons there?!' What if he fattens us up and locks us in a cage to eat us all one by one?! What if-!' Omoi's morbidly progressing thoughts were cut off by his twin voicing her approval.
"I agree!" Karui yelled and Omoi spluttered.
"What?! You want to go to his house?!"
"It'll be fun! And I want to expose some dirty secrets! I'd see if Gaara has a secret stash of porn mags under his bed or a skirt in his closet! Fufufufufu." Karui started giggling at the thought while the whole class sweat dropped while they prayed for the dark girl's safety if she ever tried poke nosing through the redhead's house.
"Everybody agrees to use Gaara's house, good! So who's going to tell class A about our plans?" Shikamaru's question was met with silence and averted gazes. The boy sighed. So nobody wanted to bell the cat huh? Oh well, good for him either way.
"Tenten should go because she's the class rep. She should discuss with the other class rep." Choji pointed out much to the girl's agony. She had survived coming early to school and leaving late but she could never survive talking to Neji again.
"That's right! It's so good to have a dependable class rep such as Tenten." Lee, the hype man everybody needed, well...hyped irrespective of the girl's bluing face. No! She didn't want to see Neji especially after what happened during her first and last visit to his house!
Unfortunately for her she was literally pushed to talk to Neji on their behalf. It was clear that the latter was trying to avoid her and the same went for her. Like she wanted to see his face again! His hot, flushed, flustered face-!
"NO!"
Tenten meant to scream internally but oh well. There was no way she was thinking about what happened that day! Damn Hanabi and her thirteen year old brain! Damn Hinata for playing along! Damn Neji for being so dumb! Damn Tenten for being dumber! No that sounded wrong. Damn Tenten for being so dumb, damn Neji for being dumber! There, that's better.
"What is it? I am a busy man as you can see." Neji interrupted her thoughts with his annoying voice. Tenten looked at his annoying (read: handsome) face but then she looked away in order not to contact ugliness from him. More like she got flustered from how close to her he was.
"Ahem." Tenten cleared faux bile from her throat as she took a much needed step back. "We the members of class D, I mean B, have a proposal for you, members of class A."
Neji arched a brow. "Which is?" He pressed.
"Tutor us on how KSA promotional exams are like weeks prior to our examination." Tenten declared. "We have everything planned, all we need is your approval as a class."
Neji stared at her for the longest time until... "Dummy. A proposal means that we would get something positive in return for doing that. What's positive in headaches and brain damage?"
Tenten could hardly resist the twitch in her eye. This!- was the exact REASON Neji could never be her boyfriend. Wait, why the hell was she even thinking it?! The girl counted backwards from 100 in a random language the reader thinks about first when reading this to ground herself.
She sighed. "Think about it. Our grades are falling which means that the specs allocated to you for our good performance is gone, bye bye! And I hear that social performance is a criteria you have to meet if you want to get into a renowned university like Allied Shinobi or Horseford. If you fail at tutoring us what does that say about your leadership skills?" Tenten let the question trail off.
"First of all, it is OXford not HORSEford. Second of all, what makes you think my classmates need extra specs to survive?"
"I'm sure Suigetsu does." Tenten quipped back.
"No."
"What?!"
"I refuse your proposal. Now scurry along, I'm busy." Neji turned to leave, causing irritation to flare up in Tenten. That arrogant, stupid son of a biscuit!- wait! A lightbulb visibly switched on above Tenten's head as a wicked idea came to her head.
Time to put Gai-sensei's dramatics into practice.
Putting on the most miserable face she could muster and even hitting herself in the torso to force out some tears, make it real, Tenten let out a loud yell. "ARE YOU LEAVING ME JUST BECAUSE I AM A RECUPERATIVE STUDENT?! WE HAVE BEEN DATING FOR THREE YEARS BEFORE I CAME HERE BUT YOU'RE LEAVING ME?! FOR A GUY NO LE-!"
Neji was upon her in seconds faster than she could blink. People were staring at them now, good. "Are you nuts?!" Neji hissed angrily. If word got out to his uncle he could as well say bye to his head. Oh this girl ruffled his feathers! She ruffled his feathers big time!
Tenten didn't even complain as she was dragged roughly away from curious, gossip-hungry eyes to a secluded stairway. She was roughly thrown pinned the wall with Neji blocking every escape path with his arms and body. She didn't want to escape though, she met his eyes defiantly.
"You... I don't know what to say to you, you, you..." Anger made him lose coherence for the moment.
"Just agree to the study session and tell your classmates about it, simple. Or I would tell Mr Hyuga I'm pregnant with your baby." Tenten threatened.
"I dare you to try me." Neji snarled.
"Trust me Neji, I never back down from a dare." Tenten shot back. There was a stare down for minutes until...
"Ugh fine! You're so obnoxious!" Neji conceded.
"Good! That wasn't so hard now was it?" Tenten wanted to go away but Neji's arms still kept her trapped. She pushed but he didn't budge. "You can let me go now Rapunzel." A look at Neji's face showed him to be smirking. This wasn't good.
"This position seems awfully familiar, now doesn't it?" The whispered words made Tenten turn a new shade of red man had never discovered before. Their position did look familiar. An eep escaped Tenten's mouth before she could stop it when Neji suddenly met his lips with hers.
It left as swift as it came but the electric rush that came with it didn't leave.
"That's your punishment for the stunt you pulled earlier," he leaned to whisper in her ear, hot breath tickling her. "You would only think about me from now on." And he left her to slide onto the floor with a thudding heart and angrily building thoughts.
"You would only think about me from now on."
The words echoed in Tenten's head. She was so flustered and so pissed!
"That's it! I'M TELLING MR HYUGA I'M PREGNANT WITH YOUR BABY!" She yelled into oblivion.
Sakura and Ino's arc is fast approaching! Just a little heads up: Sakura might come off as a bitch in later chapters but she needs to be that way for the story to grow. I have big plans for Ino. Really big plans.
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