He got his answer the next day at school. Joe had woken them at an ungodly hour, but that was alright because he was ungodly himself. Kicked out with hours to go till school started Naruto asked his new old friends what they usually did with their time.
"Wait," was Gaara's answer.
"What? No fun?"
"Fun?" Gaara sneered.
"Yeah, you know it's what you do when you're not being a stick in the mud. You have heard of it right?"
"I do not do fun."
Naruto shook his head. He didn't know why he was surprised. Gaara had never been the fun type but still, this was a new millennia. "Well, I'm sure we can come up with something between us." Spying a payphone, he remembered that he had forgotten to call Kyuubi. "You guys go on. I've got a call to make."
Annoying hyperactive loudmouth, Gaara thought. He didn't know why but he liked the incessantly happy blonde. Last night he had not been able to stop talking and had seemed to find their company incredibly amusing, bursting out with laughter at the littlest thing. Gaara let out a little smile. At least today will be different.
Ever since boy and demon had slit into two bodies they had been great friends. Kyuubi had learnt a lot about humans in his years with Naruto. The demon thought Naruto getting caught by the cops was hilariously funny, even more so when Naruto told him he had had nothing to do with the crime. He had been surprised about Gaara and Kankuro but said that if they had been reincarnated then there was good odds that every one else had been as well. Groups tented to stick together.
Kyuubi wasn't going to leave his penthouse to live in a dump but he had given Naruto express orders to keep him informed. He had missed the others too.
Or at least the entertainment they provided.
Hanging up Naruto jogged to catch up with Gaara and Kankuro. As he entered the school he nearly ran into someone coming out of one of the rooms. Skidding to a hold, arms wind milling to stay upright he looked into a face that invoked feelings of love, terror and vast amusement.
"Oi you little brat, watch where you're going." Tsunade's face showed a humour that took the sting out of her remark.
"Hey old hag, you're the one that nearly ran me over," Naruto yelled, unable to keep the grin off his face.
"Watch who you're calling old hag, punk."
"I am, that's the problem." Tsunade laughed.
"You're new aren't you?" She smirked.
"How could ya tell?"
"Because you don't seem to realise that you talking to the principal." This gave Naruto pause, before bursting out laughing.
"What's so funny?" The former Hokage asked, curiously. Naruto could only shake his head. This was going to be a great day.
Sasuke didn't hate school. He hated the annoying fan girls trying to get his attention, and he hated the people who thought that just because he ignored what they said he must think he was better than them. He just didn't like to be bothered with their trivialities. But he didn't hate school. The classes were semi-interesting and the teacher's weren't complete idiots. He and Neji spent their days avoiding rabid fan girls and practising martial arts. Today he walk to the school early to spend some time in the gym before class. Walking toward his locker he say principal Tsunade dragging a laughing blonde down the hall toward her office. The blonde did not seem familiar.
Turning down the hall he spotted Gaara and his brother Kankuro coming toward him. Kankuro walked up to Sasuke and asked him, "Have you seen an hyperactive blonde anywhere around here?" Surprised at being addressed, these two usually keep to themselves, he turned to his locker.
"If he is the blonde I just saw, he has a date with the principal."
The brothers gave each other a look before Gaara said, "Forget the little git." And walked off.
Enrolling in school wasn't that hard, choosing which class to take proving the most challenging part. His lack of identification caused a few raised eyebrows but it was shrugged off. Armed with his new schedule and some stationary, he left the office just in time for the first period. After stopping to ask directions, he got to class only a little late. His first class was English. Walking in, it was like a blast from the past. He knew he could expect to see some familiar faces but this was more than he ever dreamed. Sakura, Lee, Hinata, Ino and Chouji all looked up at him from their desks. Naruto's grin threatened to split his face.
Throughout the next few hours he spotted more and more faces from the past. Iruka was their History teacher and Jiraiya was the Sex-Ed. Teacher, (that put Naruto into a fit of coughs trying not to laugh. He was sure the other kid's thought he was weird,) and the other genin were wandering around as students. But he had yet to see one particular face he was looking forward to.
Sitting with Gaara and Kankuro at lunch he regaled the brothers with what a great day he had had, although they could not understand what had been so great about it. Watching and listening to the conversations being held by all the strange and familiar people around him he picked up on a burst of excitement in one corner of the cafeteria. Looking over to see what caused it he spotted the most familiar face yet. Surrounded by simpering girls vying for his attention, Sakura among them, was Sasuke, looking bored as usual. Some things just never change. Naruto couldn't help but laugh. As if he had heard the sound Sasuke turned and caught Naruto's eye. He grinned at the other boy before winking and turning back to Gaara.
Who was the new kid? It was the same blonde he had seen earlier that morning. He was sure they had never met so why did he feel as though they had? Why was that grin so familiar? Turning to Neji he asked, "Have you met the new kid yet?"
Neji looked irritated, "Yeah, we have a few classes together. He seems to be a real nut. Always laughing and goofing off."
"He's not so bad. He's kinda cute," One fan girl piped up.
"Who's that?" asked another.
"The new kid, Naruto" Naruto. Not a name he recognised and yet still so familiar. Leaving the table, amid cries of disappointment he walked over to the table where Gaara and Naruto were sitting. Gaara looked annoyed at the interruption and Naruto looked amused.
"You're new," he said.
"You're right," Naruto replied, his grin growing wider, "have a seat," he waved toward a chair. Sasuke blinked. Who did this kid think he was? He stayed standing. Naruto looked back at him with an amused expression on his face. Not knowing what to say, Sasuke turned and left the cafeteria.
The blonde's face was on his mind next period which was gym. Kakashi-sensei was teaching the class self defence. This was a waste of time for Sasuke who was a black-belt in Karate, but at least he could get some extra practise. Changing into his gear he waited in the gym. He was about half way through his warm up when the other student began to arrive.
When he arrived in the gym after lunch, he was still in deep thought about all the old faces he had seen. Everyone seemed the same, and yet there were differences. Sakura was still after Sasuke but she had other goals as well, Hinata was still shy but seemed to have a bit more confidence, Gaara was Gaara but he didn't have his demon. Kiba, Shino, Shikamaru, Ino, Neji and Chouji hadn't changed at all. As for Sasuke, well he had never understood what went on in that rooster head. In the gym the class was milling around, circling someone blocked from Naruto's view.
Wandering over he saw Sasuke, seemingly oblivious to the crowd, practicing kata. Naruto studied his movement's with trepidation. It was clear from his movements that he knew what he was doing. It was also clear that he had a reason for what he was doing. Sasuke was still obsessed. Could not even reincarnation get that infernal stick out of his arse?!