Wow sorry about the late update. It's been a crazy week! And I didn't get two chapters in, but I'm hoping things will settle down enough for me to do it later. Also, I've finally made it! We are now officially in high school and the plot will be heating up! Thanks to everybody for reading, and I still don't own anything Naruto.

Chapter 7- Why Does High School Have to Be Complicated?

Nothing much went on in the days following the events at the Hole. Mostly Nanami hung out in her room going down the stairs only to watch TV or cook for the boys. Naruto was just as lethargic as if the mere thought of school starting up was tiring him out.

Sunday night Nanami set out what she was going to wear the next day and packed up her supplies in her tote. After she was satisfied that all of the necessary preparations were made, Nanami let her nerves take over. This would be her first time to actually attend a public high school. When she lived in Kumo, she was homeschooled by her foster parents. It wasn't that bad, but she really did get tired of not being able to play sports or go to dances. Plus, she actually would have real friends other than her foster siblings.

Nanami woke up an hour earlier than her alarm and realized she was not going to be able to go back to sleep. She went ahead and hopped in the shower wondering why she woke up so early. She knew that she had been anxious, but there had been something in her dream that had awoken her. She just couldn't remember what it was now.

Nanami started getting ready by putting her hair up in its usual way, and then putting on the clothes she put out the night before which included black Capri, a blue fitted shirt and a white jeans jacket over that. School didn't start until eight and it was only seven now. She went ahead and made breakfast for her and the other two. Apparently, Jiraiya worked part-time at the school so he should be getting up pretty soon too.

For the most part it was pretty quiet as Nanami fried eggs and bacon. She desperately wished she could remember her dream so she knew what upset her so bad. Nanami heard a big flop from upstairs and knew Naruto was awake. She could also hear the shuffling of feet from Jiraiya's room. Within the next couple of minutes both of the boys rushed into the kitchen taking their usual spots at the table.

"So what do have for us today?" Jiraiya asked eagerly.

"Nothing special, just eggs, bacon, and toast if you want it."

"Sounds good to me!" Naruto yelled excitedly.

Nanami dished out the food and took her own spot at the table.

"Are you excited about today?" Jiraiya asked

"No!" Naruto answered immediately

"I guess I'm more nervous." Nanami admitted.

"That explains why you're up so early. Probably had a pretty sleepless night, right?" Jiraiya asked.

Nanami nodded her head and thought about telling him that it was because of her dream. However, she quickly dismissed the idea since she didn't even remember what it was about anyways.

"How much longer do you need to get ready, Naruto?" Nanami asked her younger brother.

"I don't know. Just going to throw on a T-shirt and shorts, then brush my teeth." He shrugged.

"A T-shirt and shorts on the first day of school?"

"Yeah. It's also the first day of practice so that way I won't have to change."

"You're supposed to look nice on the first day."

"I've never heard of that."

"Can't you at least put on some jeans?"

"What's the point?"

"To look halfway decent!"

"Alright you two, knock it off." Jiraiya intervened. "Naruto listen to your sister."

"What? You always take her side!" Naruto complained.

"That's because I'm usually always right."

"It's because you're always picky."

"What was that?"

I said-"

"ENOUGH!" Jiraiya yelled. "Geez, you two fight worse than an old married couple. Naruto, hurry up so your sister isn't waiting for you all day."

Naruto looked like he was going to say something else, but one look from Jiraiya and he hustled into action. Jiraiya went back to his room to finish getting ready, and Nanami cleared the table. As she took the plates over the sink she noticed the huge pile of dishes. She was going to have to clean them, again for the umpteenth time since she had been there. When everyone gets home tonight, Nanami is going to sit them down to divvy up chores. She was tired of being the only one who cared about how this house looked all of the time.

Finally, Naruto was ready with ten minutes til eight. Nanami just knew that they were going to be late for the first day of school.

"Hurry, Naruto! I don't want to be late!" Nanami complained from inside Little Red.

Naruto took his precious time sauntering up to the jeep. Probably pay back for making him wear jeans, and he even took the effort to put on a black vest over his orange T-shirt.

"It's just down the street. Quit getting in a twit."

Nanami knew that he was right, so she took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. Then, as soon as he closed the door she flew down the street.

Nanami pulled into the school parking lot with two minutes to spare. All of the other kids were inside already, and Naruto was also making his way inside.

"Well I guess I'll see ya." He told her as he headed off towards the building probably with a pretty good idea of where his classes were.

"Wait! Where am I supposed to go?"

"I dunno, the office?"

Nanami knew he was going to be no help whatsoever so she let him go on to his class. She decided she would try the office which, luckily, was right next to the front door. A younger woman than Nanami expected was seated behind the secretary's desk. She wore a plain blue dress with black heels. Her dark hair was cropped right below her ears.

"Hello, my name is Shizune, can I help you?" She asked.

"Um, I hope so. My name is Nanami Uzumaki and I was going to pick up my class schedule."

"Yes, of course. The counselor, Mr. Umino has it. His room is two doors down on the right."

"Okay, thank you." Nanami replied gratefully.

"Not a problem, I hope you have a great year at Konoha High."

Nanami thanked her once more and then followed her instructions to the counselor's office. She found it no problem, and he was more than happy to point her out to her first class which was math. Apparently, he and Naruto were very close since he constantly asked her questions about her brother the whole way to the classroom. She answered them to the best of her ability and made a mental note to ask Naruto how he was on such good terms with the counselor.

He finally got her to the classroom and she noticed through the window that the teacher had already started lecturing.

"Oh no. I am late aren't I?" She asked Mr. Umino.

"Just by a few minutes. But don't worry. Most teachers cut the new students a break. I'm just sorry you're schedule starts you off with Ms. Mitarashi's math class. It can be pretty tough."

"That's alright. I'm usually pretty good at math."

"That's good, you'll probably be just fine. I'll introduce you to the class, and then maybe you can get some of the other students to point out your next classes to you."

"Okay thank you."

Mr. Umino opened the door causing everyone to peer up at Nanami. She tried her hardest not to blush in front of everyone, but she really hated having everyone's eyes on her.

"Sorry to interrupt Anko, but this is Nanami Uzumaki. She's new to Konoha and supposed to be in this class." Mr. Umino said kindly.

"Iruka! Do you always have to interrupt during the middle of my lectures?" The teacher yelled addressing Mr. Umino.

Nanami gulped when her eyes turned to her. Maybe Mr. Umino meant that having Ms. Mitarashi first thing would be tough, rather than having math at that time.

"Uzumaki, huh? Well find a seat. I think I see one next to Gaara." Ms. Mitarashi pointed out.

Nanami turned her gaze over to the red-headed boy wearing the maroon turtleneck and black fedora as he regarded her with a look of indifference. Nanami made her way over to his table while trying not to focus on the eyes and whispers as she passed. His table was in the middle of the room and when Nanami finally found her seat, Ms. Mitarashi had already resumed her speech.

"Hi, I'm Nanami." She offered the boy.

"So I heard." He whispered in a low voice.

Nanami didn't know what to say at that point. She kind of expected him to offer his name, or say nice to meet you. She averted her gaze back to the front trying to see if she could spot Tenten, Neji, or Lee.

"What's your relation with Naruto?" Gaara asked her.

"What?" She asked not expecting him to say anything again.

He sighed almost as if it would hurt him to have to repeat himself.

"Naruto Uzumaki. How do you know him?" He tried again.

"Oh, he's my brother." She explained. He frowned at this.

"Naruto doesn't have any siblings."

"Yeah, well, it's complicated. How do you know Naruto?"

"It's complicated." He waved off in the same manner she had earlier.

She stared intently at Gaara. He didn't look like someone who would hang out with Naruto, but then again her brother had some very different friends. He noticed her gaze.

"Can I help you with something?" He asked in an irritated tone.

"I'm just trying to figure out how a junior like you would know my brother."

"I'm not a junior."

Nanami was surprised by this.

"This is a junior math class, right?" She asked afraid she was in the wrong room even though Mr. Umino had shown her the way personally.

"Yes, but I'm only a sophomore."

"Really? How did you get in an upper level class?" Nanami asked genuinely interested.

"I tested out of the other class." He answered simply.

Nanami interest was starting to peak. Gaara was handsome and smart even though he was indifferent and slightly cold.

"Ahem. I realize that you're new, but perhaps you would rather pay attention to my fascinating lecture on logarithms instead of socializing with your new deskmate." Ms. Mitarashi addressed Nanami.

Nanami noticed Gaara sit up straighter as if trying to make up for being in trouble.

"Yes, ma'am" Nanami answered also turning to face the front.

She heard some snickering from the other students. Nanami felt herself blushing now, not realizing that her innocent conversation had been so distracting. Every once in awhile she could feel Gaara's eyes slide over to her, but he never gave her his full attention. She was actually pretty surprised that Ms. Mitarashi had started lessons on the first day, but she copied down notes as fast as she could anyways. Finally, the bell rang.

"Alright, no homework tonight my lovelies. However, tomorrow we start getting serious." Ms. Mitarashi gave as final words. Almost as if an hour of logs was the easiest thing in the world. Maybe this would be a tough class after all.

Gaara had already gathered up his things in his khaki messenger bag, and was headed out the doorway before Nanami even closed her book.

"Hey, hold on a sec!" She hollered at him.

He slowed down and turned around giving her an incredulous look. Nanami was suddenly intimidated.

"Um, I was wondering if you could show me to my next class?" She asked in a pleading tone.

For a second she was worried that he would try to blow her off like Sai did to her in the woods. If he was real since she still didn't have that one figured out yet.

"Fine. What do you have?"

Excited to get some help Nanami quickly whipped out her schedule. She had Algebra first hour, Computers second hour, History third hour, Art fourth hour, lunch, Chemistry fifth hour, English sixth hour, and Athletics seventh hour. Nanami noticed her electives for the first time. Obviously, Jiraiya had never seen her draw if he put her in art.

"Looks like I have computers next." Nanami informed him.

"It's down that hall on the left side, room 210." He pointed out.

"Thanks." She told his retreating form.

For whatever reason she didn't want to leave it at that.

"You know we red-heads should stick together." She hollered teasingly at him.

She started feeling very self-conscious as a couple of kids passing by stared at her. Gaara himself even hesitated, but he didn't turn back around to face her. Nanami realized that was probably the lamest thing she could have possibly said, and she slowly retreated toward her next class wondering if she had a new friend or an enemy.

Okay in case you haven't guessed it yet, Gaara is the second player in Nanami's love life. It probably wasn't overly obvious, but they did just meet. Tell me what you think so far!