Okay, so here is Chapter Four! I hope you like it, half credit goes to MadHope, my amazing co-author :) Probably more than half credit goes to her, but anyways, on to the story! :) ^^

Shikamaru let out a yawn, ignoring the stares he got from other people as he stared up at his new school. The sun hung high in the sky, making him blink lazily. It was bigger than he had expected it to be, but by the looks the other students gave him, the company was going to be the same as he'd imagined. Sighing, he shifted his bag on his shoulder and started trudging across the yard towards Konoha High. As he walked he heard people whispering to each other, and obnoxious girls exclaiming things about boys, two in particular, it seemed. He heard the name 'Uzumaki' and 'Sasuke' constantly, though he wasn't surprised by hearing 'Sasuke'.

Everyone knew who that was. Cool, calm, and collected, Sasuke was easily the most- known guy in the town. He had even been popular in elementary without even trying. Normally he just shoved away his admirers and wandered of by himself. Shikamaru sighed again. How was anyone supposed to be able to survive when being compared to Sasuke Uchiha all the time? And who was this 'Naruto Uzumaki' guy everyone was talking about.

"He has the prettiest blue eyes in the world!" A girl claimed loudly somewhere to his left.

"Yeah, but what's with those weird scars?" The girl's friend asked. While he didn't care much about anything, Shikamaru couldn't help but feel a spark of interest. Why did this description sound familiar? Who was this guy? He pushed away these thoughts and made it to the courtyard, where a few people were hanging out, waiting for school to start. Just then someone bumped into his shoulder, hard, as if they got pushed. Shikamaru caught himself from falling and turned to meet bright, deep blue eyes and a shock of yellow hair.

"Oh, sorry about that," the guy said, grinning sheepishly and rubbing the back of his head.

"Hey Uzumaki, I'm not done with you!" The boy glanced behind him, worry and anger momentarily darkening his face. Then he turned back to Shikamaru and smiled a bit.

"Er, sorry, gotta go!" He then ran off, disappearing around a corner, about three guys that looked to be seniors chasing after him. Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck, trying to get the picture of those long, whisker- like scars on the boy's face out of his mind. Huh, he thought as he proceeded towards the school, So that's Uzumaki.

Hinata looked up at the large school nervously. She chewed on her bottom lip and glanced anxiously at the teens around her. The day was bright and sunny, and Hinata tried to push down her nerves so they didn't get the best of her, like they so often did. Finally she sighed and stepped forward, scurrying her way towards the field. She reached the courtyard out front before she heard it. The whispers and murmurs other kids were spitting out. Her face automatically flushed and she ducked her head, but as she listened closer, she realized they weren't talking about her.

"Did you see that guy—"

"Yeah I know, and all those seniors—"

"What was he thinking? It'll be a miracle if he's not dead before lunch!"

"I know! What did you say his name was again…?"

"I heard it was Uzumaki or something. No one really knows, apparently he just moved here."

"Well whatever his name is, he'd better watch his back…" Hinata frowned slightly. Uzumaki? Who was that, and why was he fighting anyone? Hinata didn't like when anyone fought, and especially a new kid like her being beaten up definitely wasn't right. And why did that name sound familiar? She shook her head, trying to forget about it. The chances were she was never going to meet him, so it didn't matter. Hopefully, though, he'd be safe… Hinata walked a little more, lost in thought about what her classes would be like and if she'd make any friends. Suddenly someone was shoved into her and she didn't have enough time to catch herself before crashing to the ground. Hinata groaned and sat up rubbing her head.

"Hey!" Hinata jumped and looked up. Everyone was staring at her, and she felt her face turn bright red. She turned her attention to the girl standing over her, an older girl with brown hair and thin glasses.

"Watch where you're going next time, fishy," she snapped. Hinata's face grew even warmer as the girl and her friends snickered. She opened her mouth to apologize, but nothing came out. Instead, Hinata gathered her things, stood, and ran off, forcing tears from her eyes. She continued running until she was somewhere near the back of the school, and plopped down by a group of bushes. Hinata sniffled and forced her tears back, holding her face in her hands. How embarrassing! It was just her first day, and already she had been knocked down and humiliated in front of everyone! Hinata shook her head and took a deep breath.

She just needed to calm down for a moment…

"Hey!" Hinata jumped a mile high and whipped her head around. No one was around her, and she frowned. She got on her hands and knees and crawled to the edge of the bushes, peeking out from behind them. There she saw four boys, three looking to be seniors and another looking like he was a freshman or sophomore. She realized none of them knew she was there, and the one who had spoken was talking to the younger looking boy, whose back was to her, so all that was visible was his bright yellow hair.

"You getting tired already?" one of the boys, the boy who had spoken earlier, asked, and though they were to far away for her to see it, Hinata heard the smirk in his voice. The younger boy raised his head and there was silence for a moment. Then the other boy chuckled and shook his head.

"You just don't know when to quit, do you?" In a flash one of the other boys whipped out an arm and punched him in the stomach. Hinata gasped as the boy coughed and fell slightly to his knees, and Hinata saw something drip from his face to the ground. Oh no, what do I do? She thought, panicking. She didn't have a phone, and going back to get someone might be risky. What if they heard her? What if she was too late? Hinata swallowed down her nerves, trying to overcome the panic rising in her chest.

"You just don't know when to stay down, do you?" Hinata turned back to the scene before her and her eyes widened in amazement as she watched the yellow haired boy slowly lift himself up, though she could see his legs were shaking. The older boy laughed.

"Just stay down in the dirt like an orphan mutt should!" With that he stepped forward and kicked the other boy hard in the stomach. Hinata had to hold in a shriek as the boy let out a cry and crashed to the ground on his back. She felt tears prick her eyes, but held them back. Just then one of the older boys whispered something into the head boy's ear, who nodded.

"Looks like your life has been spared today, fishy," he teased, "See ya around." With that he kicked dirt in the boy's face and the three left. Hinata waited a few moments until she was sure they were gone before standing and running forward. She got to the boy's side and kneeled down, examining him carefully. His eyes were closed, and he seemed unconscious, but when she looked closer she could see his chest rising and falling steadily. Hinata sighed in relief before her eyes were drawn to his face. Besides his messy blond hair, his face was tan and sweet- looking, and long, delicate lashes spread from his closed eyelids, and his lips were full but chapped. But one thing ruined the picture of perfection; six long, thin, rugged scars, three lining each cheek, resembling whiskers on an animal. Hinata shook her head and reached out a small, hesitant hand.

"What happened to you?" she whispered. Her fingertips had just brushed over the small scars when suddenly a hand grabbed her wrist. Hinata jumped and her eyes shot back to meet those of a deep, brilliant blue staring back at her. It was silent for a moment, and Hinata just stared with her jaw dropped. Finally the boy let go of her wrist and proceeded to try and sit himself up. Hinata immediately snapped out back to her senses and placed a hesitant hand lightly on his shoulder.

"O-Oh, are y-you ok? I-I don't think y-you should b-be moving after w-what happened, y-you're hurt—" The boy turned his eyes to her, and Hinata was once again stunned into silence by the brilliant blue that seemed to penetrate her thoughts.

"How long have you been here?" he asked urgently, looking around before turning back to her, his eyes serious, "They didn't see you, did they?" Hinata snapped back to reality.

"O-Oh no, I w-wasn't here f-for very long, j-just a f-few minutes, and n-no, I was hiding, s-so they didn't see m-me…" The boy automatically relaxed, and to Hinata's surprise, he gave her a bright grin.

"That's good. Sorry you had to see that," he said rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, "But I'm glad they didn't find you." Hinata's eyes softened and she blushed.

"W-Well, that's ok…" she murmured, "I-It was kind of m-my fault being here… B-But, are you o-ok?" The boy nodded and Hinata carefully helped him sit up. She saw him wince in pain and clutch his stomach, and wished she had been able to do something to help him.

"Yeah, I'll be alright," he said, giving her another smile, "But uh, who are you? Have you lived here a long time? I don't really know anyone, so…" Hinata's eyebrows rose.

"Y-You're new?" she asked, and he nodded, "W-Well, so am I-I. I'm H-Hinata Hyuuga, n-nice to meet y-you…" He grinned.

"Nice to meet you too, Hinata," he said. She opened her mouth to respond but suddenly there was a shout behind her. They both turned and Hinata spotted her cousin Neji a few yards away, waving to get her attention. She raised a hand back and turned just when the boy stood. Hinata rose as the boy started to walk away and reached out.

"W-Wait!" she called, and he turned, making her blush, "W-What's your name?" The boy hesitated a moment before giving her a small smile.

"Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki." Hinata stood rooted to the spot in shock as he walked away. Naruto… Naruto Uzumaki…. Finally Neji caught up with her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Hinata, are you alright?" he asked concernedly, his brows furrowing. Hinata saw him glancing after where Naruto had disappeared and quickly spoke.

"E-Er yes, Neji, I-I'm fine," she said with a smile. Neji glanced at where Naruto had gone one more time before nodding and turning.

"Well let's go Hinata; you don't want to be late on your first day." Hinata nodded, not really listening. Mostly she was off in her thoughts, which were filled with cerulean eyes and the name Uzumaki.

Awwwww :) This story is making me soo interested, what about you? :) :D Stay tuned for the next chapter :) Again, pleaseeeee review ^^