Authors note/ summary:

4 years of drama, angst, romance, humor, and mystery with our favorite Konoha (and Suna) characters

High school is hard, but it's way harder when you have the traumatic background of a Kishimoto character. Not to mention there have been murders dating back several decades that have yet to be solved.

Friendship, love, trauma, and murder abound at Konoha Preparatory School. KPA is home to some of the wealthiest high schoolers in the country, but it's history is also shrouded with tragedy and mystery. Throughout their four years of high school, all of our Konoha favorites will be faced with both normal and very abnormal teen experiences.

SasuSaku, NaruHina, ShikaIno, NejiTen

This is an AU. I try to keep our main characters close to the original, but they will occasionally stray. I'm open to feedback if you think I could portray something better.

Rating: M for language, mature, possibly triggering themes (I will try to make note of potential triggers before chapters. Call me out if I don't). Non-explicit sexual content. I'd equate this to an R-rated move- not XXX.

The Konoha Tribune, June 10, 2 years prior

Horror has shaken Konoha in the wake of a devastating loss of life at the Leaf County Department of Law Enforcement.

An initial call was placed at 10:27 am yesterday to report black smoke appearing from the law enforcement building. The Konoha Fire Department responded rapidly and was on the scene by 10:30 am. The building was reportedly consumed by flames upon arrival despite their quick response.

The fire captain first arrived on the scene, Anko Mitarashi, immediately notified the battalion of a probable mass casualty event.

In a statement by District Fire Chief Hirutzen Sarutobi, the captain's immediate concern was that there were no evacuees despite a full parking lot of vehicles on site. Firefighters also reported low-lying flames and multiple potential ignition sites indicative of a possible arson fire.

The flames required over 45 minutes to extinguish completely, Sarutobi reported, and the death toll continues to rise as first responders search what remains of the department's free-standing building.

Currently, 13 individuals have been found deceased, with 4 still missing. Foul play is suspected at this time, and outside authorities have taken over the investigation due to the many fatalities at Leaf County's own police station.

August 25th, Present

Jiraiya could not figure out where on God's green Earth the Dustbuster had gone. He wasn't typically the fastidious type, but this was disgusting. Naruto had just moved to boarding school with most of his belongings, and their absence revealed years' worth of hidden trash. With his desk chair no longer there to obscure the mess underneath his desk, Jiraiya was forced to do something about the build-up of potato chip crumbs, Gatorade bottle caps, and even some dried-up ramen noodles. Teenage boys were disgusting in more ways than one.

Jiraiya had moved Naruto into his dorm at KPA, Konoha Preparatory Academy, that morning, so it was too late to scold him and demand he clean it up himself. He had rarely been that kind of parent anyway.

Naruto had been an infant when he had come to live with Jiraiya.

When Naruto's parents, Minato and Kushina Namikaze, had asked him to be Naruto's Godfather fourteen years ago, he had been flattered. Still, he considered it more of a formality than a real responsibility. He was honored and accepted the role with a grin, never realizing something would actually happen. It wasn't even a year after they asked that they died. That's when Jiraiya actually questioned their sanity. Had they been out of their Goddamned minds??? Who the fuck would want him to raise their child?

Jiraiya had been a shameless bachelor at the time. He worked nine months out of the year as a dean at KPA's high school and then traveled wherever the hell he wanted with any money he had left over for the remaining three months.

His lascivious lifestyle hadn't exactly been appropriate for parenthood. He smoked cigars, spent too much money on whiskey, brought women home, and capitalized on some of his best nights by taking a little creative freedom (okay, a lot) and publishing them. His books hadn't made him rich, but they gave him consistent royalties to pay for rent while he traveled. He had big plans to go to Jamaica before Naruto's parents passed, but then he was stuck-the-fuck-at-home-mon.

When Minato and Kushina died, he was both grief-stricken and terrified. It was the first time he realized the commitment he had made.

Naruto looked just like his handsome devil of a father. He had a head of untameable blond hair and bright blue eyes. His temperament had always been his mother's, though— wild, loud, and in need of constant attention.

Jiraiya had begged his longtime friend Tsunade to come to help him, but she hadn't exactly been a picture of domesticity herself. She had trouble figuring out what to do with a baby even after she went through a year of her pediatrics residency.

They had both known the Namikazes from KPA. Jiraiya had started KPA in 1961 as a Kindergartener when the school had only allowed boys. Tsunade's grandfather, Hashirama Senju, had been the Headmaster, so Tsunade had played on the school campus as a little girl. It wasn't until middle school that the academy became coed. Excellent timing, in Jiraiya's opinion. Tsunade started the first year they had allowed girls, and they became fast frenemies. Jiraiya had always been taken by strong-headed, feisty females. They dated briefly in high school, but it didn't last long. He had pissed her off one too many times. It wasn't until recently that he had begun to win her back.

Jiraiya left Konoha for college. He needed to have his own wild experiences, and he wanted to get away from his hometown. It wasn't until his thirties that he was driven back to Konoha. Mr. Hashirama had given him a job teaching creative writing classes and made him the upper school football coach. Minato had been one of his first students, and he quickly learned he was stupid smart, popular, and incredible at football. Jiraiya had instantly taken a liking to him and had become somewhat of a mentor, he liked to think. He had known Kushina at KPA as well (everyone had) Lyand had known her to be spirited and involved in almost every aspect of the school. She was on SGA, prom committee, and spirit club. She went to every KPA sports event she could fit into her jam-packed schedule and managed to sweet-talk her way into just about every teacher's good graces. If they didn't love her, they hadn't met her.

Jiraiya had heard through the grapevine after they graduated college that the two had gotten married. He found out himself when the young couple returned to Konoha, and both applied to work at the school. Jiraiya gave up his position as football coach so that Minato would take over. He had been a better player, and Jiraiya didn't like that summer practices shortened his break. Kushina began working in administration, and Minato taught high school math. They were pillars of the school community, even after high school. Jiraiya and Minato had become close, and when Kushina became pregnant, he was thrilled for the couple. Jiraiya had never wanted kids but to each their own.

When Naruto was born, they were the most picturesque little family of three Jiraiya had ever seen. They loved being parents, and it broke his heart when they died and he took that role from them.

They would have gotten a kick out of their son. He had constantly kept Jiraiya on his toes with pranks and the most fucking outrageous questions.

After 14 years, Naruto felt like Jiraiya's own son, so he was reasonably nostalgic when he brought his kid to his boarding school dorm at the same school Jiraiya had attended and met his parents. He was also reasonably relieved to have some peace and fucking quiet.

Jiraiya's house was within walking distance of KPA, and he knew he was fortunate to be closer to the school than most of the student's parents. Students came from all over the country to attend Konoha's rigorous boarding school. It was known for preparing students for elite colleges and universities. It was also known for creating some of the snobbiest teens in the country. How the hell he'd been peer pressured into buying a 14-year-old an Apple Watch and Mac book for "educational purposes," he'd never know.

Jiraiya hadn't wanted Naruto to only be exposed to the wealthy side of Konoha. He sent Naruto to Leaf County Public Schools until middle school. That was the typical age prepubescent dorks like Naruto would start getting their heads dunked in the toilets, so Jiraiya knew better than to keep him there any longer.

Only high schoolers were allowed to board at KPA, so Naruto had attended the day school for the past two years. Packing up his things and leaving him in a dorm room was a first for Jiraiya. A first that made him a little morose.

Feeling sentimental, Jiraiya decided to forget about the potato chip crumbs for now and give Tsunade a call. She never said no if a bottle of wine was involved.

Tsunade looked into her glass of Zinfandel and swirled it with a bored gaze as she waited for Jiraiya to come back into his living room. She swore the man was slow just to annoy her, but she was trying to be nice tonight. He was emotional about Naruto moving out. Tsunade wanted to be sympathetic, but she thought his angst was kind of dramatic, considering he worked on the campus five days a week.

He walked back into the room, balancing his own high-ball glass of whiskey, a bowl of hummus, and a plastic bag of baby carrots. He tore through the plastic and offered one to Tsunade as he sat down.

"What, you're not even going to put them on a plate—we have to eat them out of the plastic bag?" Tsunade raised an amused eyebrow.

"Heh, I spent four hours hauling Naruto's shit to his dorm this morning, so I'm doing the least amount of work possible for the rest of the night."

"Wow," Tsunade grinned, "you really know how to woo a woman."

"Thank God there are no other decent-looking men in this town. You're out of options."

Tsunade snorted, "So you got him all moved in?"

"Him and the obscene amount of ramen he insisted on bringing." Jiraiya leaned both arms on the back of his chair and took a slow sip from his glass.

"Did you see Kakashi and Sasuke?" Tsunade leaned forward to grab a carrot.

"Yep. They moved in at the same time. I still can't believe those kids chose to room together. They are going to kill each other." Jiraiya chuckled, thinking back to the disaster when Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha had previously lived together.

Everyone knew the Uchihas, even before the fire. They were the face of the Konoha Police force and active members of the community. Before moving to KPA, Naruto had gone to Leaf Elementary School with Sasuke. The boys became friendlier with age but maintained a rivalry Jiraiya couldn't quite explain the origins of.

When the fire occurred, it hadn't occurred to Jiraiya that he could be of any help. It was Tsunade who suggested he temporarily foster the boy. Jiraiya was already in the foster care system after his long adoption process with Naruto. He was also familiar with raising 12-year-old boys. Even so, It wasn't until Jiraiya realized the pleading look on Tsunade's face that he contacted social services. Tsunade rarely showed a glimpse of vulnerability in her middle age (unless it was concealed by anger), so he had been surprised when she had been so empathetic toward a boy she barely knew. It wasn't until he saw the deep pain in her eyes that he understood she knew all too well what it was like to lose everyone she loved.

Jiraiya fostered Sasuke for six months, hoping the boys might develop a less antagonistic connection given they went to the same school, and both knew what it was like to lose their parents. But no. Instead, they fought like cats and dogs. Naruto was constantly whining, and Sasuke was bitter and closed off. Jiraiya had been thrilled when Kakashi had asked to be a more permanent guardian for Sasuke.

It wasn't long before the boys stopped seeing much of each other. Naruto went to middle school at KPA, and Sasuke continued at Leaf County schools.

It wasn't until this year that Kakashi was able to pull enough strings for Sasuke to come to KPA. Sasuke had some inheritance money, but Kakashi had wanted Sasuke to have that after he turned 18. Instead, Kakashi applied for several of KPAs scholarships. Given the horrible circumstances and his impeccable transcript, they agreed to provide the financial assistance he needed for high school at KPA.

Jiraiya suspected Kakashi's persistence had to do with his own experience at KPA. Kakashi once told him that it wasn't until he went to boarding school that he felt somewhat normal after losing his own parents. Kids didn't go home at the end of the day to have dinner with their families. Instead, they became each other's families. Kakashi had said that the only times he would consistently get pangs of depression and loss were when his friends would go home for the holidays, and he'd stay at KPA alone.

Jiraiya knew KPA would likely help Naruto and Sasuke in the same way. He had been shocked when they had chosen to room together. Perhaps, they had formed more of a bond during those six months than Jiraiya had realized.

"How did Sasuke seem?" Tsunade asked. She hadn't seen him much since he had stopped living with Jiraiya.

"He still exudes teen angst if that's what you're asking." Jiraiya chuckled, "He had that grungy look going on. He's definitely a lady killer."

"Ah yeah, I could see it. He's got that dark, mysterious, 'bad boy' vibe." Tsunade mused. They fell into a thoughtful silence. It was a few moments before Tsunade chuckled and spoke again, "Yuh know, I'm always kind of surprised I never dated a 'bad boy."

"What?!" Jiraiya faked an outraged tone, "You don't think I was a bad boy in high school?"

Tsunade rolled her eyes, "you were an obnoxious jock." She gently kicked his shin with her toe.

Jiraiya laughed, "You loved it."

Tsunade grinned and looked at his eyes, crinkled at the edges.

"Yeah, I guess I still kinda do."

Kakashi stared at his favorite book, but he had stopped reading several minutes ago. Instead of dancing over the words on the page, his eyes were glazed, deep in thought.

He had never overthought something so much in his life. Kakashi was the type of person who made fast decisions and was sure of them. He didn't waste time second-guessing himself—that is, until he became Sasuke's guardian a year and a half ago.

He had been disturbed to find that parenting had wrought his brain with insecurity and worry. Imposter syndrome invaded most of his thoughts. He wasn't truly Sasuke's parent, and he was barely a functional adult himself. How could he possibly make decisions for him?

Kakashi had thought sending Sasuke to KPA would ease some of the persistent feelings of loss that Sasuke no doubt felt for his family. Kakashi had figured boarding school was a comforting place for himself as an orphaned teen, so it may be for Sasuke as well. The problem was that Sasuke was not Kakashi, and KPA had naturally evolved since Kakashi had been there.

What if he felt abandoned? What if he needed a stable parent figure in his life visibly there every day?? Kakashi couldn't just ask him. The kid was a closed book. Ever since Kakashi had taken him in, he had had to get used to the subtle nature of Sasuke's outward emotions. God, was this how people felt around himself? He had been told he wasn't exactly Mr. Personable either.

He remembered the first day a year and a half ago when he showed Sasuke the room in Kakashi's small home that would be his bedroom and how blank his face had seemed. Kakashi had wanted to be comforting to the boy but hadn't known if Sasuke had wanted him to say anything.

He remembered how Sasuke looked out the window in the room Kakashi had just presented to him. It had seemed like he could feel Kakashi watching him, but he had stayed still, turned away. Kakashi had wondered if Sasuke had wanted to ask him something. There were dozens of unasked questions that Kakashi knew Sasuke needed to be answered, but he didn't want to overwhelm him.

"I knew your Cousin Obito quite well…" Kakashi started awkwardly, unsure how to give Sasuke some of the answers he likely needed. Kakashi had never been one for heart-to-hearts, and it was overwhelmingly clear that Sasuke wasn't either.

Sasuke's second cousin Obito had been lost in the police department fire that had killed Sasuke's parents. He wasn't sure how well the cousins had known each other. He had been older than Itachi but hadn't had his own children yet, so he likely didn't spend much time with the youngest Uchiha generation.

"I never saw you guys together," Sasuke stated expressionlessly. Kakashi nodded again and cleared his throat,

"We hadn't talked much since I left the force." Kakashi paused for a moment before continuing, "To say I regret that is an understatement."

"The force?" Sasuke looked back at Kakashi briefly before turning his eyes away.

"Yeah, I was a cop for 10 years," he shrugged, falling silent and waiting for some kind of acknowledgment on Sasuke's part. Kakashi wanted to explain to Sasuke why he had requested to be his guardian, but he sensed now wasn't the time. Sasuke's body was closed off, and his whole body was turned away from Kakashi toward the window. His facial expression was distant and held no glimmer of a reaction to what Kakashi had just shared. He decided to give the boy some space. He assumed they would have plenty of time to talk.

As it turned out, they did have time. Time wasn't the problem. The problem was that Kakashi had never had to deal with someone so infuriatingly similar to himself. How had people put up with him over the years? Kakashi didn't outright ignore the people around him like Sasuke. Still, he excelled at keeping people emotionally distant with an endless arsenal of sarcastic comments and conversational diversions.

In the year and a half that they lived together, the two coexisted peacefully, but they had never had those serious discussions Kakashi had known needed to occur. To top it off, Kakashi had dropped the kid off at school, leaving him with no actual knowledge of how Sasuke felt about it.

He frowned as he realized he had let his attention wander from his beloved novel again. He stood, stretching, and inwardly chuckled at the fact that the responsibilities of raising a child were the only thing that had ever distracted him so thoroughly from his blessed Icha Icha.

Thank you for reading the prologue! Future chapters will mainly be from the perspective of the younger characters, but I wanted to provide some context. Please like, follow, and review! Feedback is always helpful.