See? I started the next chapter right afterwards! As soon as this chapter is up, so will the eighth… well, maybe like five seconds later… oh, and this story's timeline doesn't really match the really Naruto story's timeline. You'll see… I think.

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The boy stood at the front of the room now. He bowed before speaking again.

"My name is Sasuke. It's nice to meet you."

His night-black hair shone under the fluorescent lights in the classroom, causing shadows to swallow his eyes. His mouth was curled in a friendly smile, but the shadows twisted it into a smirk.

His clothes were as black as his hair. Tightly stretched over his body, they defined every muscle beneath them.

The class was mystified. The boy's voice was low and seductive, a dangerous combination when paired with his captivating aura.

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Naruto was tempted to scream.

What was going on? Did that guy say Uchiha?

He'd only heard that name once— from Itachi. Who was this…?

'Kyuu?' he asked quietly in his mind.

'…Yes?' the voice replied reluctantly.

'Kyuu, you know who this is, don't you?'

'Kit, I meant to tell you… if it ever came up.'

Naruto watched the classroom swirl out of view. Kyuu's bedroom replaced it. She sat on the bed, watching him hesitantly.

Naruto spoke out loud now that he was alone with Kyuu.

"What happen to no more secrets, huh?"

"Uh… surprise?"

Naruto glared at Kyuu. He wasn't in the mood for jokes.

"Ok, ok. Don't be mad. I'll tell you."

She smiled and patted the spot next to her. Naruto sat down, but she knew he was still mad… or at least in shock.

"Itachi… is a murderer. He killed everyone back in his village about two years after you were born. The only body no one could find was Itachi's younger brother. Everyone thought he was dead. I thought he was dead; that is… until now."

Naruto took deep breaths. He couldn't let this overwhelm him; otherwise, he'd never be able to fight Itachi.

"So, this Sasuke guy really is an Uchiha? He's… Itachi's brother?"

Kyuu looked up. Something about Naruto's tone scared her for a second. She responded carefully.

"Naruto, we don't even know if he was aware of what Itachi did to you."

"Yeah, but…" Naruto paused. This was too crazy. Why was this guy showing up now? Things were finally looking up. This wasn't fair!

A sudden pressure swelled in Naruto. He was angry.

Kyuu reached out to stop him, but Naruto was quicker. He dissolved into the air, leaving Kyuu's outstretched arm to grasp for nothing.

"Don't do it, Kit! We aren't even sure about the facts!" she yelled into the air.

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Neji looked over at Naruto for the fifth time since Sasuke had arrived.

Something was wrong. As soon as the boy had said his name, Naruto completely froze. He didn't blink. He didn't move… Neji swore he wasn't even breathing.

He waved his hand in from of Naruto's eyes. The boy didn't react.

"Nothing…"

"Is there a problem, Mr. Hyuuga?"

Neji looked up. He'd spoken out loud…

"Yes… there is," he said slowly. "Naruto isn't feeling good. I'm going to take him to the nurse."

"Very well… if you insist on being…" the teacher's voice dropped as he spoke. He mumbled the last words.

"Sorry, I didn't catch that."

The teacher smirked and turned back to the student at the front of the room.

"Sorry for the interruption, Mr. Uchiha. Go on."

Neji ignored the new student and moved closer to Naruto. He wanted to try one more time.

"Naruto?" he asked, tapping him on the shoulder.

For a moment, Naruto continued to sit in his frozen space of time. And then he was standing, nearly knocking Neji down in his sudden liveliness.

"Hey, you all right?"

Momentarily confused by the unfamiliar face, Naruto felt his anger disperse. He could only stutter through his thoughts.

"That guy- I think… I'm pretty sure he knows Itach—"

Naruto suddenly swayed as he spoke.

What was he talking about?

Everything seemed to dance around him and he began to feel entirely too dizzy. A weak signal went off somewhere in his head, warning him of the approaching floor.

Somewhere far away, Kyuu was calling out to him. Neji called out to him, too… Why were they so far away? And why were they yelling so much? Didn't they know he was trying to sleep?

Another voice spoke. It was closer to Naruto than his own heartbeat.

He'd heard it before. It was smooth, soothing, seductive… and scary.

"I can't have you telling the world, can I? We'll have to fix that later."

Just before Naruto hit the floor, he heard the voice let out a low, quiet laugh. Naruto knew that voice… from somewhere, but he was unconscious on the ground before he could remember whoever it belonged to.

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"Good morning. My name is Kakashi Hatake. Mrs. Mitarashi is on maternity leave, so I'll be your teacher for the rest of the year."

A series of whoops and cheers filled the air for a moment before Kakashi called for attention from the class. "Now, as I call your name, please stand and recite you name and something you'd like me to know about you."

Instantly, someone's hand shot up. Without waiting to be called on, the young girl asked, "Why do we have to say our name if you're gonna call on us?"

"First, because it my job, I'm going to correct you on saying "gonna" instead of "going to." I personally don't care, but you know how the rules are. Second, please raise your hand and wait to be called on. And third, I want to know if I pronounce your name right… or if you prefer to go by another name."

Kakashi walked to the back of the room to a large desk. He pulled a folded paper out of his pocket.

"Before I begin, may I have the whole class's participation in what I'm about to ask?'

Everyone turned to look at him.

"Would the back row move back about another five feet, and the other rows follow?"

Desks scraped the floor as the kids moved their desks. After the noise died down, the girl from before raised her hand.

"Yes, miss…" Kakashi spoke.

"Sakura. My name is Sakura Haruno."

"Well, Miss Haruno, what is your question?"

"Why did we have to move our desks back?"

Kakashi turned to the rest of the class before asking, "Does Miss Haruno usually ask so many questions even though if she'd only wait a moment, she'd know the answer?"

A few boys snickered in the back of the room but a few others nodded their heads and answered, "Yes."

"You'll see," he chuckled.

He began to push his desk towards the front of the room, but the desk screeched like nails on a chalkboard.

Kakashi winced and put his hands under the desk. With a small grunt, he lifted it up and carried it to the front of the room, pushing the chair along with his foot.

After arranging all of his things, he sat down and faced the class.

Everyone was gaping at Kakashi.

"How did you do that?

"Hmm? Do what?"

"You- you picked up the desk!" someone exclaimed.

"What'd you think it was, glued to the floor? You just put your hands under the desk and lift. Simple."

Kakashi unfolded the paper and pulled out a pencil.

"Shino Aburame…"

A boy with short brown hair stood up in the back of the room.

"Here."

"Something you want me to know, please?"

"…I prefer biology more than any other subject."

Kakashi looked up just in time to see the boy sit.

"Mr. Aburame, why are you wearing sunglasses inside?"

"They're prescription glasses."

"…hmm," he said, returning his attention to the list. "Choji Akimishi…"

"I'm here. Choji's fine with me. Something about me you should know… I don't like being held up from lunch."

"Hmm," Kakashi responded again. "Sakura Haruno…"

"Present! My name's Sakura Haruno. Something about you should know is that my goal in life is to meet the perfect guy and live happily ever after!"

"Hinata Hyuuga…"

"H-here. Um… something you should know about me is… I… I like to cook.

"Kiba Inuzuka…"

"Here. Name's Kiba. And… I'm a dog person."

"Shikamaru Nara…"

No one answered.

"Is Shikamaru not here today?"

The class turned to face the back of the room where Shikamaru's seat was… occupied.

"Yo, Shika! You awake back there?" Kiba shouted across the room.

The boy didn't move.

"SHIKA?"

The boy twitched before gradually raising his head.

"Huh?"

"God, I swear sometimes...wake up, man! The teacher's callin' your name."

Shikamaru mumbled something under his breath about clouds and troublesome people before answering.

"Here. My name's Shikamaru, but I answer to Shika. If I don't answer you right away… I'm probably not paying attention."

"Hmm," Kakashi replied again. He went on with the list until everyone had been called.

After he'd finished roll call, Kakashi walked over to the door. Swinging in open, he said, "Let's begin class, shall we?"

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On to chapter eight, eh? Good luck. =)