Hey, lets go to the caf tonight.

You mean like on a date?

Youre so funny sometimes. Anyway, I have big news! I figured out who I want to go to the dance with!

Really. I didnt know that you were planning to go to the dance with a date. I thought wed justhang out together there.

Come on! Im not going to give up a teenage dream to hang out with a party pooper like you! Besides, youre the hottest guy in school. Everyone says so. You could go out with any girl you wanted.

But I wanted to just hang out.

Oh, stop whining. Ill go with Raidou, and youll go with whichever lucky girl you pick. Well all hang out together. Thatll be much more fun.

Raidou? Youre going to ditch me for my other best friend??

Sorry! But you cant get in the way of first love!

--

Tsunade stared out the window blankly. It had been two weeks since she had first arrived at Konoha High, with no plans and no preparation whatsoever. Somehow, with Shizune and Jiraiyas help, shed managed to keep the school running. And yet, tensions were running high in the town, more so than in ages. From what she had been able to piece together, the real nastiness had begun at last years Chunin playoff. All the local schools participated in the annual sports competition, a way for the kids to see each others strength and for the schools to learn to cooperate a bit. But last year, Oto High had somehow manipulated Suna into working with them on an under-the-table alliance that had resulted in a lot of harm toward Konoha, and when Konoha had fought back, Suna had received the brunt of the damage. Suna had blamed Konoha and Oto, after finding their principal dead just outside Oto, and all three schools had developed a mutual hatred toward each other that was far greater than tensions before the Chunin playoff. Akatsuki Tsunade didnt know where exactly they fit in, but they were a tiny school in a tiny neighborhood that had somehow managed to stick out and earn the ire of all the other schools. Most people were under the impression that they were the most dangerous bunch.

Where do we go from here? Tsunade wondered glumly. How can we possibly make this all right?

We cant. Jiraiya offered her a cup of tea and sat down beside her. Someones going to get hurt, regardless of what you do. Maybe itll be Oto, maybe Sunabut not everyone. Your job is to make sure that were left to pick up the pieces.

Tsunade wrinkled her nose. Dont you have anything stronger than tea? Jiraiya gave her a look, the same one hed been giving her since the first time hed had to drag her out of a drunken brawl. Fine. Butso many of our students have been getting hurt lately. First there was Rock Lee, then Akimichi Chouji, then Izumo, and then that Sai boyschools barely begun and already these rivalries are going strong.

Jiraiya leaned back on his chair. Tsunade, do you think that schools the only time when these kids see each other? They spent the whole summer stepping on each others toes. Its no surprise that theyre still ready to kill each other.

And yet Tsunade mused. There was that time that Kurenai told me about, when, for a short time, Konoha and Suna sat down and played Shogi together. Theres still hope, even if its just a tiny spark.

Jiraiya was silent for a while. Perhaps. But when I look at the studentswell, one particular student, I wonder if he could do what our greatest principal was able to do fifteen years ago.

Naruto. Tsunade smiled. Hes so much like his father, and at the same time, such an idiot. But theres that earnestness in everything he does that endears him to everyone. Could he make a difference?

I dont know. Jiraiya considered. And even Minato fell eventually to that Kyuubi gang. But if theres anyone who can bring peace to the town like Minato did, Id put my bets on Naruto.

Tsunade smirked. So would I.

Jiraiya thought about Tsunades gambling skills. On second thought

--

Lee. Sakura took his hand. Do you want to walk home with me? For real, she added quickly, seeing his face.

Why? Lee asked, bewildered.

Sakura shrugged. You deserve it, she said simply. She was glad that he had gotten over his crush on her. Now he was just a caring, devoted friend. And I like walking with you.

Yes! Lee grinned. Ive got to go tell Gai! Wait right here! Ill be right back! Well meet up at the side gate!

She watched him go, smiling inwardly.

Ino raised an eyebrow. Are you into Lee or something these days? she asked from her locker.

Sakura shook her head. Dont be silly. Hes just been helping me out with something for a while now, and I appreciate it.

Something Sasuke-related? Ino asked shrewdly.

Sakura almost slammed her locker on her hand. Wh-why would you say that?

Ino shrugged. I think its weird that you and Lee walk home together one day, and the next he gets beat up by some Oto kids. He doesnt mess with the other neighborhoods. So why would he be near Oto? Because he was helping out a friend. You. And who in Oto would you want to see except

Sakura grinned. Ino, I apologize for calling you an airhead daily.

Im not an airhead when it comes to relationships, Ino huffed. She turned. Come on, Shika! You can walk me home!

Except yours, Sakura thought to herself, shaking her head.

She headed toward the side gate and froze.

Someone was waiting there.

She ran to him wonderingly. Sasuke!

He looked at her without smiling. Sasuke didnt smile, not around anyone but Naruto, anyway. You didnt come back again.

After what they did to Lee Sakuras voice trailed off. But you came here! Why-?

I was worried. Sasuke said tonelessly. Is Naruto taking care of you?

She nodded, giggling a little as she remembered. He thought he went on a date with Hinata last week, and kept coming over to me to apologize. I think I finally managed to convince him that I wasnt interested.

And now I know why. The voice was quieter, more serious than she had heard Naruto ever before. He stood with Lee behind Sakura, his expression a mix of rage and sorrow. Sasuke, you idiot! Whyd you leave?

Sasuke turned to look at Naruto emotionlessly. Oh. You.

You! Thats all you can say? Naruto was back to his old self. You just run off like that to OtoOto, of all places, and you have nothing to say for yourself? Do you know how worried Sakura was? he demanded, outraged.

Naruto, Sakura began, but Sasuke put a hand on her shoulder to stop her.

I have nothing to say to you, loser. He smirked. Sakura, can I walk you home?

While Naruto bellowed threats at Sasuke, Sakura turned to Lee. I

He smiled and gave her a thumbs-up. Well walk together a different day! The love of youth waits for no one!

She squeezed his hand. Thank you, Lee.

Then Sasuke began to walk away, and she hurried to keep up. I thought you were walking me home? she demanded, breathless.

He didnt turn. I am.

Then slow down! He did so obediently, Sasuke, is Naruto going to be alright?

Sasuke shrugged. He seemed okay before. Regular Naruto.

And as she thought about it, she realized that he was right.