A/N: Well technically, it is already next year. Perfectly timed (technically correct) time skip! Huzzah! Sooo I got a new router. So far it's been working okay. And the car's in the shop getting the locks changed. Just a little announcement for everyone: It's going to be one hell a few months for me in school. Imma try to write in my free time but for now I'm gonna have to focus on my studies first (Cause totally struggling right now hngggg!). Hopefully I get to update this for everyone soon! Laters!
OH! And I'd like to thank everyone for their continued support! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! (from the bottom of my heart)
*DISCLAIMER APPLIES*
BEFORE THE WORST
Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder
Part I
Did you get my text? Don't expect me to msg you on your phone so much k? Texting you is waaaaay expensive. I checked with my service provider. This'll have to do then. ^_^ Miss youuuu already! – Love, Sakura
Tch. I hardly think 14 counts as elderly, blockhead.
First day of school today. Missing you so so so much! Hope you make lots of new friends at your school. – Love, Sakura
Dude! You won't believe it! Ino forced me to join this street dancing club this year. You know what else? We had our first meeting today and I actually fucking liked it! Come back so I can school your ass! – The Great Kiba
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NARUTO! We sent you something through the mail. Hope you like it! – from everyone
Happy Birthday, Naruto. I'll give you a call later at 7pm our time. Don't forget, idiot.
Happy Halloween! – from everyone PS: I TP – ed your house, blondie! Guess cleaning up your place will be your first chore when you get here huh! Well, that's whatcha get for being down at Iwa! Ha! – Kiba the Awesome
We asked Kiba to clean the mess he made at your place – Love, Sakura
Sasuke and Sakura beat me up. Bunch of kill joys. Your place is toilet paper free now btw. – The Amazing Kiba
We're having a Christmas Party at Sakura's home. Wish you were here to celebrate with us. – Sincerely, Hinata
Sasuke drank a lot of eggnog. He thought it was non-alcoholic. He was so cute! He was red the whole night! Merry Christmas, Naruto! Come home already. – Love, Sakura (and Ino! Chuu~)
Chouji and Ino are fine. Don't email me so much. It's too troublesome to answer back. - Shikamaru
Hey Naruto! I'm good! Chouji lost a bit of weight. Shikamaru is still lazy as ever. So Sakura was telling me about this red-head friend of yours. Is he cute? ;D – Kisses, Ino
Happy New Year! Get back here soon! We all miss you! Especially Sasuke! Sasuke doesn't like to say it but he's missing the hell out of you! Don't worry about Sasuke not messaging you as much. He'll always be your best friend. He's probably just going through some teenage angst– Love, Sakura
We're throwing Sakura a surprise party. Send us a video of you greeting her or something! We're making her a little gift :3 – Hugs, Ino
Whoa! Your hair has gotten LONG! Thanks for the greet, Naruto. Sasuke didn't come to my party by the way Something about having to be at his family's company or something? Must've been muuuuy importante. Talk to him, will you? He's getting more and more antisocial. We're worried about him. I'm worried about him. – Love, Sakura
What are you talking about, moron? I am not antisocial. I've just been getting busier lately. Also, what's this about a red-haired weirdo being your close friend?
Yo! It's been a year! Where are you?! Why aren't you here yet?! – Getting impatient, Sakura
Stop calling me old. I'm fifteen years old for God's sake. I'm just a few months older than you.
School is starting soon! If you don't hurry back you're gonna miss first day of high school with us! Oh and guess what! Ino, Kiba and I are auditioning for Leaf Twist! Kiba! Ikr! – Love, Sakura
So it's been more than a year. Don't tell me you're actually staying there for another year. First day of class tomorrow. Where are you, stupid?
Those were only some of the emails Naruto had gotten from his friends – her favourite being the ones Sasuke sent to her. There had been a decrease in the number of Sasuke's emails as months passed which made the messages even more special in her eyes (even if all of his emails were a just a bunch of crap nonchalant words). A year was a pretty long while. A lot could happen in a year - an example would be Kiba's sudden interest with outdoing her in dancing (Tch! He could try!). Naruto had significantly improved in her dancing abilities. She was quick to learn choreography and, apparently, she was just very good at dancing. In only a year's time, she had become so good at her craft that even the thought of auditions didn't faze her one bit. In fact she was actually pretty excited because she was due for an indefinite audition very soon.
"Stop smiling. You shouldn't be so happy that you're leaving Iwa." Gaara internally pouted as he watched his closest (and only) friend packing her things. The boy was presently sitting atop of Naruto's bed as the girl eagerly attempted to organize the insides of her luggage.
"Oh shut it, Gaara. You'll be leaving Iwa soon anyways." There was a light teasing aura about Naruto as she stared up at her friend at the corner of her eye. Currently, she was on her bedroom floor packing all her clothes.
Sabaku Gaara and Uzumaki Naruto had met a little over a year ago. They had been in the same homeroom class and, apparently, Gaara was a new student at that time as well. Well, actually not really. He was really studying at Iwa because of an exchange program in his original school. Naruto, learning that Gaara was somewhat on the same boat, immediately attempted to befriend the red-head. Safe to say that that was probably the most difficult thing Naruto had done so far. Gaara was , in all essence, a recluse. All his responses to Naruto's advances were either terrifying glares or a growl. The boy, however, was not immune to the blonde's charms. A little near-death incident had Naruto earning a place in Gaara's heart. Let's just say that Naruto just so happened to be close by when Gaara had been ganged up on by a bunch vengeful high school students. The two had been close ever since.
"Not for another month." Gaara chose that opportunity to take a quick look at Naruto's email inbox.
"You'll be fine! Besides, I'll keep in touch." At some point during this part of the conversation, Naruto stopped bothering to neatly fold her clothes. She was now just shoving her garments into her suitcase like how proper lady shouldn't.
"Looks to me like Sasuke's fairly jealous of some red-haired weirdo. For some strange reason, I can't help but feel offended." It was significantly hilarious every time Gaara attempted to make a joke. He said his one liners with such a stoic straight face that one can't help but laugh even if some of his jokes weren't that funny. Naruto clutched her stomach as she was wracked with a bout of amusement. Oh, she'd definitely miss Gaara. As soon as she'd calmed down, she gestured for her companion to give her her laptop. Gaara obediently complied and silently passed the device.
"Don't mind Sasuke. He's always been some kind of a jerk. If you ever come visit, I'll introduce you to him. You two are pretty much alike. You and Sasuke have the evil death glare look down pat." Sounds of her swiftly typing on her keyboard caught Gaara's ears.
"That's an awful idea. We won't get along." Gaara chose to ignore Naruto's implication about him being a jerk. Not like he could deny it. He really was kind of a jerk himself anyways.
"...Yeaaah. You probably won't. I actually just want to see who wins in a stare down between the two of you. I could make big bucks getting bets." The girl continued to type out sentences quite a bit more before Gaara became curious. "Who?" A one word question was all it took for Naruto to understand what her guest was referring to. She finished what she was doing first and answered. "I wrote to Sakura. Told her I was leaving today. I asked her not to tell anyone too. I want my big comeback to be a surprise." Naruto closed her laptop and stood up from her place on the floor.
"Visit me at Suna in the future. You're welcome to stay at my house." It looked like the onset of separation anxiety had begun for the red-headed teen. He was already asking Naruto to visit him and she hadn't even said goodbye yet.
"Sure. Sounds like a plan." She beamed at the boy.
Gaara offered her a small smile of his own. He was about to carry on their conversation when a voice cut in. "Naruto! Are you done packing? We're leaving in thirty minutes!" Jiraiya's muffled scream was coming from outside her room.
Naruto rolled her eyes in slight aggravation. "I don't understand why he needs to scream so loud. It's a tiny-ass flat. Screaming is so freakin' pointless." Naruto, the loudest and most boisterous chick in the world, was one to talk.
The look of momentary mirth on Naruto's face was quickly replaced with one of anxiety. She began to gnaw at her lower lip simultaneously with her twiddling her thumbs. This caught the Sabaku boy's attention immediately.
"What's wrong?" He stood up and placed himself in front of the suddenly uneasy blonde.
"It's been a while since I saw Sasuke. What if things aren't the way they used to be?" After she voiced the concern, she snorted as she waved her hand in a dismissive manner. "Ignore me. I was just being weird." Naruto flashed another smile at Gaara's direction. In the one year he knew her, he knew better than to not take notice of Naruto's smiles; especially when this one was so clearly faked.
"Don't worry too much. Absence does make the heart grow fonder." He encouragingly put in his input. Absence also makes the heart forgetful, Gaara continued in his head. He thought it better judgement that he kept that information to himself. True that both statements were a bittersweet fact but Gaara doubted Sasuke would ever find it in his Uchiha heart to forget Naruto. Judging from Naruto's stories, Uchiha Sasuke was too fond of the blonde. The mere detail that Sasuke had put up with her all these years and had kept contact with her in her absence was proof enough.
Fortunately, Gaara's words hit home. Naruto released a sigh and visibly let herself relax."You always did know what to say." She gave her friend a tight embrace.
"Naruto! Let's get moving! I still have to weigh your bags!" Jiraiya called as he knocked on his goddaughter's bedroom door.
"Stop with the hugging. It's uncomfortable." Aah, Gaara. As cold and rigid as ever. On cue, Naruto let go as she released a small giggle. "Alright, alright, grumpy!" She zipped up her bag and unlocked its retractable handle. Gaara, deciding to help the girl out, took her second piece of luggage.
"Let's go. Konoha is waiting for you." Gaara mumbled as he went to open the door.
All Naruto could do was give a hundred watt smile to signify her utter joy. Just think, in a matter of eight hours, she'd get to see everyone again.
She'd get to see Sasuke again.
"Yippee kay yay, mofo!"
Yep. Loud, boisterous Naruto was coming back to Konoha.
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I'll be back in Konoha tomorrow. Don't tell anyone. I want it to be a surprise. See you soon, Sakura-chan! – Mega-ultra awesome Naruto PS: Do NOT tell Sasuke
Sakura had received the email yesterday night. If her calculation were correct, Naruto would be just in time for school. She actually made it to first day of high school. How awesome was that! Sakura giddily dressed in her standard complete uniform. All formal high school occasions required its students to come to school in their complete uniform. It consisted of a dainty plaid black and green skirt, the usual white button down long-sleeved top, around the collar was a silky onyx necktie with tasteful green thin stripes, and a velvety black sweater vest under a fetching dark green blazer. To complete the posh Konohagakure look, a school insignia patch was sewn on the left chest area of the blazer. On any other school day, some of the top garments could be removed for comfort. Because really, three layers of clothing was in no way comfortable.
Sakura gracefully (as graceful as an excitable person could get) put on her knee-high black socks. She fumbled and hopped around her room trying to speedily get herself dressed. Naruto was home! The blonde idiot was home and Sakura couldn't be happier! Once she managed to fit her school shoes, she hastily took her pretty sling bag and rushed down the stairs of her home.
"I'm off, mom! See you later!" Slam! Went her front door and off she raced down the street.
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"It's so nice to finally meet you, Ms. Uzumaki. Your godfather has been speaking with me about you. We're happy to have you back in Konohagakure." The High School Principal, Terumi Mei, welcomed the young teen. The woman was very beautiful; exceptionally so. Her shiny auburn hair reached until the beginning of her thigh. She had sparkling emerald eyes as Naruto observed from the woman's one visible eye, a shade a tinge darker than Sakura's. Her innovative fringe served to accentuate her plump pink lips. She was dressed professionally and yet her whole aura screamed seductive in waves.
It was all these reasons that Naruto wasn't surprised that Jiraiya had been talking to this woman.
Sigh...
Her godfather was a damn pervert.
"Just Naruto is fine. I'm happy to be back. I hope this old man over here has been telling you good things about me." Naruto flashed a glare at the corner of her eye at her guardian. As expected, the man was ogling the young principal.
"Oh, he has. As well as your godmother in fact. She came here last week to finalize your registration."
"Oh, cool. I'll have to thank her for that later." Aside from her friends, Naruto couldn't wait to see the look on Tsunade's face once the woman sees the changes she'd gone through.
Ms. Terumi nodded her head before standing up from her seat. "I should probably get you in your uniform now. Mr. Sennin, would you like a few refreshments before you take your leave?" The woman pressed a button on top of her desk. Not long after, the secretary entered the room.
"None for me, madam. Just being in your presence alone is enough to satisfy an old fart like me." Looks like Jiraiya had his A game on then. The flattery had the beautiful principal giggling. Cripes! Naruto did not want to hear this!
"Uhm. Where should I get my uniform?" Oh God. The last thing she wanted to see was her godfather flirting with her High school Principal. Yeesh.
"Oh, I'm sorry, dear. Chojuro will give you what you need. You may dress up in here while I escort your godfather around the campus." Seriously? Were they really going to 'get it on'? Ew! Ew! Mental image! Bad mental image!
It would seem that Naruto had been expressing her distaste on her facial expression because, not a second later, Jiraiya had lightly smacked the blonde upside the head. "There's no need to, Ms. Terumi. I will be leaving now. I just wanted to be a good guardian and accompany this little brat here to her first day of high school."
With a low inaudible voice, Naruto mumbled "Pft, good guardian, my ass." The comment earned her rough pinch on her cheeks. "Ow!"
"Isn't she just precious?"
The dynamics of the two had the principal fondly smiling at the both of them. It looked like the two were very close. That was good. Very good in fact. It was nice that Naruto had such caring people for guardians.
"Your uniform, miss." The secretary was back with her uniform. The clothing was neatly folded and looked prim.
"I will leave you to dress up, Naruto. Come along Mr. Sennin, Chojuro." The departure of all three individuals was signalled by the sound of the door being closed. As Naruto began to change, she couldn't help but be excited. She was officially enrolled back into Konohagakure. Just think, all of her friends were just outside of the admin room. The thought itself made her speed up in her undress.
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Sakura arrived the high school department just as the Ms. Terumi had waved off a vehicle goodbye. She noticed that all the other student coming into the school were looking at the woman. Sakura was no exception to gawking at their elegant-looking principal. The woman was just so pretty! It was a mystery why Ms. Mei was still single!
"Good morning, Ma'am. My name is Haruno Sakura and this'll be my first year in high school." Sakura, being the good young lady she was, bowed her head and introduced herself. Mei was immediately taken to the politeness of her student. "Very nice to meet you, Ms. Haruno. I am Ms. Terumi Mei, your Principal. I'm happy to have you in my department." The woman gestured for Sakura to enter the premises. "Come along inside then. General Assembly should be starting in a little bit more than half an hour. Don't you want to go see your friends?"
At the mention of the word 'friends', Sakura was reminded of a little special someone that had arrived today. She eagerly nodded as she went in step with the auburn-haired principal. Upon entering, Sakura couldn't help but be taken aback by the structure of the campus.
It was just...
Whoa.
"I know it can be a bit overwhelming but if you ever find yourself getting lost, there are student volunteers in the area to help you. Now, Ms, Haruno, I must return to my office. Will you be fine?"
"Yes. I'll be okay. Oh, and just Sakura is fine." Sakura breathlessly uttered. Mei giggled at her new student's reaction before leaving Sakura's presence. "Have fun, Sakura! I hope we have an awesome four years together!"
Yup. Sakura could already tell she was going to have an awesome four years here. She began to pace towards one of the student volunteers when...
"Sakura." It was his voice; the voice that had Sakura's heart beating twice as fast and sent shivers down her spine. She turned to look at the person who owned that melodious voice and there he was, dressed elegantly in his own set of school clothes. It was amazing how he could look good in literally anything he wore. The professional get up always did suit him. The men's uniform was not much different from the girls. Really, the only difference was there was a pair of black slacks in place of a female student's skirt. She surveyed the apple of her eye for a bit more before noticing that there was something new about him. The fringe that covered his forehead was definitely not there before and, if possible, just made him even more dashing.
"Hi Sasuke."She might have just gotten the breath knocked out of her. Seeing Sasuke never failed to do so. Boy, was she smitten with this one.
"Hn. Kakashi wanted to say hi but apparently he was late for a quick faculty meeting before assembly. Are we in the same classes?" Sasuke answered monotonously. That hopefully was about to change. Immediately, Sakura assumed an 'I-know-something-you-don't-know' demeanour and excitedly pulled Sasuke towards the direction of the student volunteer.
"Come on, Sasuke. The faster we get to class, the better! You'll be thanking me!"
Sakura approached the upperclassman that was assisting the freshies and asked where they should be going. Once the volunteer pointed the direction of the first year wing, Sakura resumed her pulling.
"Stop pulling, Sakura. We're not even sure if we have the same homeroom! " The warning growl was taken to no heed by the pinkette.
"We do! Perks of being in the same MS Team! Let's go, Sasuke!"
Not long after Sakura and Sasuke exited the lobby, Naruto emerged from the admin office. Judging from the appreciative glances sent her way, she looked damned good in her uniform. But of course, Naruto had never received such attention in Konoha before. If she did, it was either because of scorn or disapproval. In an act to comfort herself, she began to clutch onto her right pigtail.
"It suits you. Long hair, I mean." She felt someone ruffle the few stray spikes atop her head. Unfortunately, no amount of combing could completely rid her of her naturally untamed locks. She looked behind and saw a very familiar face... well, hidden face she should clarify.
"I see we're still wearing the scarf huh? Ever think of changing your style, Kakashi?" She teased the silver-haired teacher.
"Meh, as long as I still get chicks with this get up, I should be fine with this look for the next couple of years." Kakashi smiled at the once so boyish blonde. There was a brief pause before Naruto caved. She gave the teacher a firm embrace which Kakashi, in turn, returned.
"We missed you, kid."
"Yeah. I missed everyone too."
Naruto broke contact and briefly wondered why Kakashi was outside the admin room. "Aren't you supposed to be inside? I overheard them saying something about a meeting before the assembly or something."
Kakashi simply shrugged as he checked his nails. "Nothing I haven't heard before. I just needed Mei to see me inside so she thinks I was there the whole time." Naruto sweatdropped at the admission. And this guy was supposed to be a teacher?
"You, however, have to get to your class soon." The teacher checked his wrist watch for added effect. "Assembly will be starting in twenty minutes."
"Yeah, yeah. Where should I head to?" The hustle and bustle of the students in the school did little to no help with Naruto figuring out the way to her homeroom class.
"Head down the left-most hall. First year wing should be straight ahead."
"K. See you later, Kakashi!" Naruto began to manoeuvre her way around the throngs of students. She was about halfway through the lobby when Kakashi decided to shout out to her. "Kid! The rumours were right though! Sasuke always did have a thing for long hair!"
. . .
That...
That fucking bastard!
Naruto turned beet red. "Shut up, old man! Sasuke isn't my type! I don't have bad taste in men!" She shook her fists at the evidently amused instructor. God, that was so embarrassing! Luckily none of the student paid attention to Kakashi's words. Everyone was too busy chatting it up with their own friends to notice anything else. Naruto quickly turned about face and dashed down the hall.
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"Seriously though! How lucky are we that we that we get homeroom class together? It's crazy!" Kiba loudly exclaimed. The students congregated just outside of their homeroom class after dropping of their things at their respective lockers.
"Too lucky. Why? Because the odds of us being in the same class are..."
"Guys! I have the biggest surprise for everyone!" Because, as the universe would dictate it, someone always had to cut off Shino's sentences. Sakura could no longer contain her excitement. Naruto should be passing this way soon!
"What's going on, Sakura?" Ino questioned as she took her place beside one slightly curious but still detached Uchiha.
Sakura looked past Sasuke and Ino and was pleased to see a set of familiar blond hair. The pink-haired teen couldn't stop the grand smile that was erupting from her face.
"Hey... is that?" Kiba quirked his head curiously to the side. Everyone else followed his line of sight save for Ino and Sasuke who had their backs turned away from the person down the hall.
"Looks like she's finally here. Took you long enough!" Sakura added and screamed at the fast approaching figure. The sound of a pair of heavy feet echoed down the hall. That signalled Ino to turn her head. Her pale blue eyes widened slightly just as the person halted her running. Sasuke, finally growing tired of everyone's deer in headlights look, decided to finally face back and see what all the fuss was about. Just as he turned his head, the person spoke.
"Jesus! How long a corridor does one wing need?!"
That was enough to fully get Sasuke's attention and quickly snap his head towards the person who was slightly bent forward and was currently out of breath. Her long wavy blond pigtails fell down the side of her head, obstructing Sasuke's view of her face. But really, he didn't need to see her face to know who this person was even if she had changed somewhat since the last time he saw her.
His blond-headed dork of a bestfriend, Uzumaki Naruto, was back.