Second part to this story. (: I hope you guys are as excited as I am!

Onwards. :D

oOo

I got dressed and made the long walk to school.

This time, I didn't take my orange jacket with me, but my orange sweater, instead. I figured I'd change it up a bit. I made my way inside the school without lending any interest to the people scowling me down. There would be none of that today, I had something to be determined about, I could hardly contain my excitement for the last class of the day.

The hours went by fairly quickly. Couldn't say I listened or did the work, but I got through it all in a more.. productive, way. The sketchbook Itachi had given me was nearly a quarter-filled, and a strong urge to show everything I'd drawn him rose in my throat. It stayed there, and I felt as though the butterflies in my stomach were to extract themselves through my neck at any second.

Suddenly, the bell that signalled 3rd period to end flooded the room, causing everyone to stampede out of the stifled room; not bothering to push in chairs, or notice the way the teacher was attempting to let everyone know that night's homework. I didn't care, either, so I followed behind, pushing my chair in beforehand.

It was lunch, and I found myself in the school's courtyard once again. I looked around, noticing the same thing as I had yesterday. People were talking, laughing, eating.. I looked at the way some girl was biting down on a blueberry muffin, and as if on cue, my stoamch gave out a longing rumble.

Man, I was hungry.

I dug my hands into my pockets, trying to feel for anything that might hold the shape of loose coins, but no such luck. Nothing but a an empty pack of gum. Disappointed and starving, I made my way towards the same bench from yesterday, which sat empty and abandoned as it always did.

I took a seat, took out my new sketchbook, and began to draw the outline of a toad. There was something about those warty creatures that fascinated me, and I remembered the one that sat at home waiting for me. I had named him Gamabunta, given he was quite large compared to any other toad I'd caught before. I smiled to myself, drawing through the plump body on the paper.

Before I could start the eyes, I noticed a shadow hovering above me. I figured it was someone just trying to bully me around, or say some rude comment about my hair or something. But to my surprise, I heard nothing. I refused to see who it was, nonetheless, and continued the drawing of the toad beneath my hand. Drawing was more important than having to deal with a reminder.

A reminder that I was nothing.

"You draw?"

The voice didn't sound resentful, angry, or accusing. I was a little tempted to look up at that point, but I decided that the toad was far more important. I used my finger to smudge the line underneath it's chubby neck.

"Yeah.."

"Hmph. Drawing's stupid."

There was a sudden frigidity on the muscles in my face, and I felt a bit of anger worming its way inside me. This time, I wouldn't let someone put me down that way. I remembered Itachi's words, and willed myself to look up, an offended expression deliberately showcasing on my face.

"You're stupid!" I accused, meeting eyes with the person that stood before me, "Besides-"

Something about this person seemed strangely familiar. I studied his face, taking in the color of his hair and skin. His hair was an inky black, and his skin was a familiar shade of white. I let my mouth close, and I stared blankly as he began to take a seat in front of me, offering me a stick of his gum. This took me by surprise. No one had ever initiated an approach like that with me before.

"Save it", he said, his voice seemed stable, as if he wasn't at all offended by my comment, but instead amused, "I hear it all the time."

I stared at him, narrowing my eyes to see if I wasn't imagining this as I reached out for the stick of gum. The gum was solid underneath my fingers, and I knew I wasn't dreaming. I popped it in my mouth, tasting a strong whirl of mint.

"Who are you, anyway?" the stranger asked, looking at me with a raised, nicely-shaped eyebrow. I took a second to look at his eyebrows, and the undeniable feeling of familiarity scratched at my senses again. I shrugged it off. I couldn't think of a reason why I felt that way. I hardly knew anyone, in the first place.

"I'm Naruto", I stated, giving the boy a broad smile. He was the first to have asked me my name since I came to that school. I thought of what it might feel like to finally have a friend, and a tingle of excitement ran up my spine, "What about you?"

"Sasuke", he said, looking down at the toad on my paper, "Why a frog?"

I chuckled, scratching the back of my head as a way to ease the excitement, "It's a toad! It's my favorite animal."

"Dobe", he muttered, bringing his elbows to the table, "Toads are stupid."

I raised an offended eyebrow, "I take that as an insult, actually."

"Oh, really?" he challenged, giving me a grin that didn't look at all menacing or compromising, "Prove it."

I was on the verge of defending my point when a loud, blaring bell roared throughout the courtyard.

"Anyway, I'll see you later" I watched as he began to walk off, popping a stick of gum in his mouth as he went on.

I sat completely shocked, replaying what had just happened in my head. That had never happened to me before, and I heard myself giggle as I began to pack up my stuff. Something weird stopped me before I walked off. A smell. A particular smell.

I sniffed the area where Sasuke had been sitting, and caught a strong whiff of cologne. I closed my eyes, trying to recall where I had encountered the unique, elegant odor. Almost immediately, red, haunting eyes made their way into my mind. Red eyes with long, flowing lashes, and dark, unmistakable outlines underneath.

Itachi.

oOo

My next two periods went by in a flash.

The class of the day was finally about to start, and the undying ache to see Itachi seemed to have engorged inside my chest. I rushed through the halls, trying my best not to bump into anyone, and finally made my way inside the small classroom. I looked around and noticed I was the first to be there. Not even Itachi was there yet.

It seemed as though this was the only class he taught, and the only period; since he always arrived right when 6th period started. I figured it was because of the major budget cuts going on in schools lately. I took a seat, and watched as others starting making their way in. Less people had shown up compared to yesterday.

As if on cue to the clock on the wall, a tall, elegant figure made its way in as the clock ticked 2:00. I watched as he glided once again to the front of the room, greeting everyone a good afternoon, and tucking a few strands of hair behind his ear.

I couldn't take my eyes off him.

"Today will be a sharing experience", he began, taking his usual stride around the room, "Everyone will illustrate someone who inspires them", I watched intently as he stopped, taking a piece of paper out of a student's hand and crumbling it inside his palm, "and before the class ends, you will present what you've made."

A smile wormed its way to the muscles on my mouth, and I immediately took out my sketchpad. I was eager to do as he said. Eager to please, to be acknowledged.. by Him.

Before I began, I looked his way again, noticing he had made his way back to the front of the room. I took in the alluring sight, taking note of the tight turtleneck sweater he was wearing, sleeves pulled up and stained with white paint. He wore black jeans this time, hugging firmly at his long legs. I gazed upwards towards the unreasonably handsome face that beckoned to be stared at, and immediately felt a pool of blood snaking quickly into my face.

He was looking at me, too.

His red eyes were both piercing and enchanting, and it seemed as though with just one look, he could see right through me. My thoughts, my worries, my faults, my past, my rising devotion.. I felt as though he knew exactly how my future would play out, how my present would unfold; I felt as though with just one glance, he knew everything there was, and everything that there would be, about me.

My breath hitched, and I found myself completely unable to look away. He continued to look straight at me, pale hands resting behind him on the desk as everyone drew away at their paper. He must have noticed the embarrassment on my face and inability to stop staring at him, because he gave me a brief, (almost understanding), smile. I watched almost eagerly at the way the sides of his lips coiled ever so discretely, so kindly, as if he were smiling at someone dear to him.

Finally unable to maintain the dizzying situation, I looked down at my paper, secretly hoping he was still watching me. I knew then, that I was devoted to him. Devoted to his recognition, devoted dearly.

Recalling what the assignment was, I could think of only him. My inspiration stemmed from what he had told me yesterday.

If it wasn't for those words, I'd continue to be nothing aiming at nothing. I took a firm hold of my pencil and began tracing the outline to his face. It hardly gave him justice, but someday, I thought, it would look just like him. The way he drew, the way he made everything seem so real; one day, for him, I'd do it too.

I went back and forth on the hair and the shading. I worked without taking a break for the next hour until I was somewhat satisfied with the results. I looked down, a seemingly accurate impression of Itachi looking straight at me. I smiled, and heard him begin to address the class.

"You may stop now", he announced, standing from his desk, and walking towards the side of the room, "Sakura. You may go first."

I watched as a familiar pink made its way to the front of the room. I remembered her. It was the girl who insulted my shoes yesterday. I brought an elbow to the desk, watching halfheartedly at what she had to say and show.

"I'm Sakura Haruno", she began, clearing her throat and lifting her drawing for the class to see, "And the person who inspires me most is Sasuke."

She giggled, and I noticed the way Itachi seemed intrigued by her drawing. My interest was peaked, as well, since this Sasuke guy was the one who had approached me during lunch earlier. I wondered why she'd chosen him. I didn't recall anything particularly special about the guy..

"I drew Sasuke because he's smart, handsome, strong, charming.." she went on and on, and my interest began to disperse. Why was it that every girl in the room began to give out dreamy, euphoric sighs? "..cute, cool, romantic.."

A small, resonating chuckle was heard from the side of the room, "Sasuke? Romantic?"

I looked at the source, and it was Itachi. Did he know Sasuke, or something..?

Seeming as though she was finally done, Sakura sat back down, staring pensively at the drawing she had made as if it were to come to life at any moment. I gave out a sigh, wondering why everyone seemed so enticed by this 'Sasuke' as if he were some sort of teen idol, or something..

"Naruto", an elegant voice began, "Go on up."

I nervously stood up from my seat, taking the drawing I had made with me. What if he didn't like it..? What if it wasn't good enough?

I stood in front of the class, and noticed the way Itachi and everyone else was watching me. I decided I wouldn't act like a priss, and that I would go about it with pride and dignity.

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki!" I announced, lifting the sketchbook into the air, "And the person who inspires me most is Mr. Uchiha!"

I heard some people in the class compliment my drawing in hushed whispers, and I nearly died of joy. That had never happened before.. A surge of confidence rose in my throat, and it was one of the best feelings I had ever felt.

"Kiss-ass.." I heard the brunette guy from yesterday mutter, whom I later learned went by the name of Kiba.

I gave a broad smile to the class and continued, "Without him, I would have stopped drawing. He also gave me this sketchbook!"

I looked towards Itachi, and was greeted with a welcoming smile, "I'm honored, Naruto", I looked at him with bright eyes, like a dog would after being complimented on his trick, "You did very well."

Some students in the class clapped, and one of them said a 'good job Naruto' before I sat down in my seat. I felt unbelievably accomplished, and I had to pinch myself a few times while the rest of the presentations went by, just to make sure everything was real and happening.

When they were all finally over, the last bell of the day gave out a deafening blare. Nearly everyone in the classroom sprinted out as if their lives depended on it, not bothering to push in their chairs. I stood up and put on my backpack, watching as Itachi made his way to his desk.

"Naruto", he called out, motioning for me to approach him.

I smiled, happy to oblige and stood before him, holding unto the straps of my backpack.

"You have a radiance about you", he began, looking straight into my soul with those all-knowing eyes, "that I've never encountered before."

I flushed, holding back the ridiculous urge to smile until my face tore in half. I felt an orb of happiness form its way in my stomach, and I felt like I were to explode into a pile of mush at any second.

"I don't.. think I do.." I managed to let out, my voice shaky and unsure. I remembered the way people had treated me throughout my life. The feeling of being an outcast, and a disgrace to humanity.. I remembered how I had never had a friend.

"What kind of food do you like?"

I looked up, my eyes wide with both surrprise and curiosity, "Um well... I really, really like ramen-"

"I'll take you out for lunch tomorrow", he interrupted, leaning a bit closer to me, his eyes meeting my own, "My treat."

My heart exploded out of my chest, and I nearly fell over in shock.

My life expectancy was, no doubt, increased by at least 20 years.

oOo

Ohh, Naru-kun falling in love. (x He's such a sweetheart. Feedback, anyone? It urges me to update faster. Thanks so much for reading!