Well, I'm surprised that I even posted a story after so long. Sorry to all of my Beyblade readers that this isn't a Beyblade fic but I do hope you like it all the same. I'm not new to the Naruto universe and I just had an itching to write one. I'm not sure how this will turn out. I'll let you readers decide if I should continue on with this.
This is my first Naruto fic, but I'm not gonna ask you to be kind. I like criticism, helps me to become a better writer. This is also an AU and most likely yaoi which is also a first for me.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except my own character.
Chapter One: Changes
Morning sunlight filtered through orange curtains, giving the white walls of the room an orange tint. However, for the occupant in the room, the slightly shielded lights weren't able to pull him out of the sleeping abyss. Unfortunately for the slumbering occupant, there was a more effective and louder way to wake him up. A searching hand made its way to the bedside table to shut off the offending piece of technology also known as an alarm clock. Once finished with its task, the hand rested on top of the clock for a moment longer before his second wake up call came from his bedroom doorway.
"Naruto, you better get up or else you'll be late for your first day of school," a male voice who was in his late thirties called out.
Slowly but surely the occupant of the bed sat up and stretched, rubbing his slowly focusing eyes to look at the figure at his doorway. "Ohayo otou-san," Naruto greeted his father in a sleepy voice.
"Ohayo Naruto. Now get ready for school or you'll be late," his father reprimanded sternly but with amusement coloring his voice.
Naruto sat there for a second longer before getting out of bed and get ready for the day. It was his final year in high school and he briefly wondered what it would hold for him. One thing he was definitely looking forward to was the art class he wanted to take ever since he entered high school. Although the instructor was a rather old woman, if was a class he was willing to take as a stepping stone for his career as an artist. He had inherited his passion for art from his father, Uzumaki Arashi, who was an artist himself. Although he didn't make much money, it was enough to live off of and they wouldn't have it any other way.
Once he finished with his morning routine of cleaning himself up, Naruto went downstairs to greet his father once more and eat breakfast. If anyone didn't know the two, one would think they were twins. Both father and son sported the same looks of sun-kissed blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes. The key difference would be their height and build. Where as Arashi was taller and of medium build, Naruto had a slim, effeminate build that he no doubt inherited from his deceased mother. Another trait that Naruto received from his mother, which Arashi time and time again reminded his son, were his big eyes. They were wide and expressive, displaying his emotions for all to see.
"Ready for the new school year?" Arashi asked his only son as he set a plate of food in front of Naruto and himself. They said an, "Itadakimasu" before beginning to eat.
"Ah, I can't wait for the advanced art class that I signed up for. The only downside is that the instructor is kind of boring and does the same things for each school year so I kind of already know what to expect," Naruto replied to his father after swallowing a mouthful.
"Sanshou obaa-san right?" Arashi said with a grin. "I remember when I had her as my art teacher. Back then, she was a tough teacher to crack. She was very specific about all of our assignments but it is true that she never makes up any thing new for each school year."
"Do you think I'll learn anything new?" Naruto asked, excitement dimming. He had already learned everything his father could teach him. The prospect of learning the same things over didn't appeal to him very much.
"You never know, maybe you will. Expect the unexpected," Arashi assured to his pouting son. He smiled and ruffled the blonde's locks affectionately before picking up empty plates and bringing them to the kitchen. "You better get going or you'll really be late."
"Hai, ittekimasu!" Naruto bade as he left the house.
"Itterasshai!"
Naruto swiftly got on his bike and took off toward his school. He greeted the early risers and shop keepers cheerfully and smiled widely when the greetings were returned. So far the day for the new semester was starting off nicely. He was able to make it to school with time to spare so he took his time in locking up his bike.
"Oi! Naruto!"
The blonde turned in the direction where the voice had called for him and smiled. A group of males were making their way toward him with the same black uniform that he was wearing. "Ohayo."
"Ready to start the new semester?"
"Ah, as ready as I'll ever be. What about you guys?" Naruto responded, getting his bag and headed inside with his friends. They were an odd bunch. Inuzuka Kiba was a loud and brash kind of person and was annoying sometimes but was fun to be with. Nara Shikamaru was a lazy person that always wants to sleep but he's the smartest of the group. Akimichi Chouji is the biggest of them and always found eating but has a big heart. Aburame Shino is the silent member of the group, always observing and only talks when necessary. The last person was Hyourin Haku and the blonde's best friend. He's rather effeminate like Naruto but could pull off being female easily with his feminine looks and long hair. They were an odd group but they had been friends for the longest time. There were two others but had graduated the previous year.
"I heard that there are new members on this year's staff," Haku informed thoughtfully.
"Really? Who?" Naruto asked, interested in this piece of gossip. There hadn't been any new staff members since he came to this school.
"Don't know, but we'll probably hear about it in homeroom," Haku replied with a shrug.
"I heard that there was a new student transferring here. I think he's in you guys' homeroom," Kiba said pointedly at Naruto and Haku. "He seems to be good looking if the squealing girls from your class is any indication." They stopped outside of said classroom, 3-B, where most of the squealing was coming from. The room was practically overflowing with the female population, most not even in that class. The group of males sweat dropped at the sight.
"Che, how troublesome," Shikamaru muttered but everyone within the group heard and had to agree.
"Well, good luck to you two," Kiba said and they went to their own classes.
Naruto and Haku glanced at each other as if asking how they were going to get through. Luckily their homeroom teacher was coming down the hall toward them. Umino Iruka was a kind hearted man and was polite to everyone. However, when he gets mad, he'll dish out the most severe of punishments.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Naruto-kun, Haku-kun," Iruka greeted with a smile to his two students.
"Ohayo Iruka-sensei," they replied back. They weren't able to say anything more when they heard a crash within the classroom they were supposed to enter. The trio gave each other uneasy looks.
"Looks like news of a new student travels fast," Iruka commented with an exasperated sigh.
"It does when Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura are the ones spreading it, especially if said new student is male and good looking," Haku mused, mirth twinkling in his eyes.
"So it seems. Good thing I asked her to come solve the problem," Iruka said with a slightly nervous air.
"Her? You don't mean—" Naruto cut off when he felt a presence behind him.
"Ah, he meant me," a female voice said quietly into the blonde's ear. Naruto nearly jumped out of his skin at that. He turned around to face the person who he knew from just the voice alone.
"Anko-san, arigato for helping me," Iruka said with a sheepish bow.
"Don't worry about it. I love making threats in the morning. Helps my day go much better," Anko responded with a rather evil look in her eyes. Mitarashi Anko was the girls' gym teacher and practically a sadist. Although she was pretty cool and outgoing, she loved to torture people. Some of the students wondered if the school hired her from an asylum of some kind.
"Time to do what I love best," Anko said before heading toward classroom 3-B. The two students and teacher sweatdropped when they heard Anko start yelling threats to the females about a grueling workout in gym later on in the day and such. Needless to say it was very effective because the next minute, a horde of girls stormed out of the room and went to their respective class. When the large female group left, Anko followed with a very satisfied smirk on her face. She just gave a nod to the trio and sauntered off to do whatever she does.
"Well boys, shall we get inside?" Iruka suggested and gestured for the two students to enter. Both of them went in and was mildly surprised that the classroom was in perfect order. Iruka gave a sigh of relief and walked to the front while Naruto and Haku went to two empty desks near the window. "Sa minna-san, in your seats. Ohayo gozaimasu."
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Umino-sensei," was the immediate response of the class as they settled in their seats.
"Welcome to the new school semester of your final year in high school," Iruka began and had to stop when the cheers erupted from his students. When the noise settled down, he continued. "There are a few changes for this year. First of all, we have a new student joining us." At this, the girls squealed in delight. The next second, the door slid open and in came the new transfer student.
The boy was rather tall and had dark raven hair with bangs framing his face and the back sticking out rather strategically. His hair was a stark contrast against his unusually pale but smooth skin that made his dark onyx eyes stand out. He stood before the class in the mandatory black uniform with a blank expression on his face.
"Minna-san, this is Uchiha Sasuke. Please make him feel welcomed," Iruka introduced the silent dark haired teen to the class. "Please take a seat wherever you want." Sasuke nodded and glanced around. Most of the girls were shoving other people aside to make room for the raven haired teen. He ignored all of their attempts and saw an empty seat beside a blonde, blue-eyed male sitting by the window. He made his way to the available seat and sat down. He glanced at the very effeminate boy, whom at first glance he thought was a girl, sitting in front of the blonde before Iruka called for attention once again.
"All right, another change this year is the new staff," Iruka announced, and at this everyone perked up. "Sanshou-san, the art teacher, has now unfortunately retired. Fortunately we have a new teacher to fill in her place. Konoha High is honored to have Haraguchi Kumiko, famously known artist, to be filling in her art teaching position."
As the teacher expected, gasps and loud murmurs broke out throughout the classroom as the students took in this new bit of information. Naruto was shocked still, disbelief evident on his features. It hadn't processed completely yet that he would be learning from an insanely famous artist. Haku turned in his seat to face his best friend, excitement running through his veins. He lightly shook Naruto out of his daze.
"Naruto, did you get that? Haraguchi Kumiko is going to be our art teacher," Haku chattered excitedly. Before Naruto could say anything, Iruka brought attention back to him.
"I know you are all excited about that be please remember that she is a teacher here now and I expect you to show her the utmost respect," Iruka reprimanded. He knew that he didn't need to worry though; his brief meeting with the artist told him that she was one tough cookie. "I should also mention that she will be the music teacher as well so those of you who signed up for one or the other or both will have the opportunity to be taught under her. The school board believed that it would be a nice experience for all of you."
The rest of the morning went by in a blur for the blonde, as he couldn't wait to get to his art class, which was at the end of the day. Him and Haku met up with their friends at their usual spot at lunch, which was the roof. When the two got there, everyone else were already present and eating their lunch. When Naruto and Haku approached them, their friends greeted them.
"So what do you think about this new art and music teacher? Naruto, I bet you're stoked," Kiba teased with a grin toward the blonde haired teen. While Naruto and Haku signed up for the advance art class, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Chouji went with the basic art class. Although he wasn't much of a talker, Shino could carry a tune and was an excellent musician, often playing the piano for the school's choir and doing the music composition for the school plays.
"Ah, I can't wait for the end of the day now. I hope I learn a lot from her," Naruto replied, anxiousness in his voice. They were about to talk some more when the door that led to the roof opened and revealed someone that Naruto and Haku recognized. Being the ever-polite one, Haku spoke to him first.
"Uchiha-san, what brings you here?" Haku questioned politely as all eyes were on the new student.
"This was the only spot I could think of that would be quiet. I didn't expect anyone else to be here," Sasuke responded blandly. He was about to turn to leave when Haku stopped him again.
"Why don't you stay here then? I'm sure even you need a break from all those fan girls," Haku suggested in a teasing manner. Sasuke seemed to think about the offer and decided that staying here was definitely better than going anywhere else. He gracefully sat down in between Haku and Naruto and glanced around the group.
"So you're the new guy, huh? We've heard about you from the female populace, mostly about how good looking you are and how they wanted to date you. I'm Inuzuka Kiba, class 3-C. Nice to meet you," Kiba introduced himself with a grin, showing his canines.
"Hyourin Haku and Uzumaki Naruto. We're in the same class as you," Haku introduced, gesturing toward himself and the blonde. He decided to continue on with everyone else. "Akimichi Chouji and Nara Shikamaru of class 3-A and Aburame Shino of class 3-C."
"Uchiha Sasuke, class 3-B," Sasuke greeted to everyone with a nod, except for Shikamaru who looked to be asleep.
"So what made you come here for your last year in high school? Must suck though," Kiba asked, genuinely curious of the answer.
"Business moved. I tried to convince them to let me stay and finish but they wouldn't hear any of it so here I am," Sasuke replied with an indifferent shrug.
"Well, welcome to Konoha High, the school where nothing very interesting happens," Kiba said nonchalantly.
"Kiba, there are some things that happen here. Like the festival and school play," Haku countered although very weakly.
"It's the same thing every year. The festival and school play are organized by the theatre and art teachers," Kiba responded hotly, waving off Haku's reasoning.
"But this year there is a new art teacher. Maybe she'll change things," Chouji put in his two cents in.
"That's right! I almost forgot. Shino, have you had your music class yet?" Kiba asked, suddenly remembering about the change in staff.
"I have it after lunch," Shino responded simply.
"Damn, and our art class is right after that and then the advanced class," Kiba scoffed, annoyed that he wouldn't be able to ask the silent boy about the new teacher.
"We'll just have to find out for ourselves," Naruto spoke up, the first time since Sasuke arrived. "Sasuke, what fine arts class are you taking?" he asked to the new addition to the group.
"The advanced class," Sasuke answered simply.
"Then you'll be with Haku and me," Naruto said with a smile.
"I bet that class will be like a breeze for you two. You guys have magic in your fingers when it comes to art," Kiba complimented to the two boys.
"Well, I had to work hard to get this far. Naruto is a natural," Haku praised his best friend even further, embarrassing the blonde.
"Naruto, your dad is an artist, isn't he?" Chouji asked to confirm it from he blonde.
"Ah, I learned everything I know from him," Naruto replied proudly. "Now that Haraguchi Kumiko is teaching here, I'm gonna get everything I can from her."
"Well, good luck to the three of you. With Sanshou obaa-san, we knew what she wanted but now you'll have to probably put your abilities to the test," Kiba said seriously. Then he broke out into a huge grin. "Ma, I'm sure you'll still pass with flying colors."
"We better get going. Lunch is almost over," Shino advised. Everyone got ready to go back to class with Shikamaru being woken up by Chouji and everyone picking up their own things. They all parted ways to their respective classes and anticipated the time when they would get to the class hour of their fine arts class.
"Naruto, you need to stop jittering," Haku reprimanded to the blonde beside him in their final class of the day. He held in his own anxiousness a lot better than the blonde. He averted his attention from the blonde when squeals erupted from several females of the class.
"Sasuke-kun! Come sit next to me!" a pink haired female exclaimed as the raven haired male entered the room. Haruno Sakura was one of the school's most popular females along with her best friend, the pale blonde haired, pale blue eyes Yamanaka Ino. They were also the ones who started any gossip going around school since Sakura worked in the office as a helper. Naturally she told Ino first about the new student and from there everyone else found out.
Haku let out a smirk when Sasuke bluntly refused and came over to him and Naruto without a second glance back. He sat in between the two best friends so as he wouldn't have to deal with any more girls vying for his attention. "Hard time, Sasuke?"
"Hn. They just can't get it through their thick layers of make-up and hair spray to their brains that I'm not interested. They're just being annoying," Sasuke said, irritation clearly on his face. Naruto and Haku smiled and shook their heads, pitying the poor boy. They would have started talking a bit more when they heard a question being asked by none other than Sakura.
"Ne, does any body know who this Haraguchi Kumiko is? What's so important about her that everyone's making a big deal about her?" Sakura asked to no one in particular.
Haku face faulted at her question, Sasuke had a twitch beginning in his left eye and Naruto nearly died at the pink haired girl's sheer stupidity. Everyone else besides Ino gave exasperated groans at the question asked.
"Hn, idiot," Sasuke muttered, but Naruto and Haku heard him a stifled their laughs.
"You're in an advanced art class and you don't even know who Haraguchi Kumiko is?" Naruto said aloud with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm here aren't I?" Sakura shot back hotly, obviously not liking to be humiliated.
"Mostly from sucking up to the teacher. We got here on talent alone," Haku sneered with disgust clear on his face at the two girls.
"Hmph! I bet I have more talent than anyone else here, including this new teacher," Sakura proclaimed boldly with an air of arrogance.
"I'll hold you to that then, Haruno-san."
Everyone averted his or her attention toward the new voice that entered the classroom. There stood a female with a clearly amused look on her face as she walked toward the desk in front of the room. She looked to be in her late twenties at most with black hair clipped up in a twist and long bangs framing her face. Her silver gray eyes scanned over every face within the room as if scrutinizing each person and sizing up their confidence.
"All right then. Anyone who has never drawn a line in his or her life is in the wrong class. The basic art class was last class period," the woman chided to the group. "Since no one has left yet, then I'm assuming all of you know the basics and have it ingrained into your minds. Good! Then let's get started. Welcome to advanced art. As all of you already know, I am the new instructor for the art and music classes, Haraguchi Kumiko. You may call me by either my first or last name, which ever you feel most comfortable with."
"Haraguchi-sensei, what will we be doing in this class?" Sakura asked sweetly, already buttering up to the new teacher.
"Good question. I haven't decided yet," Kumiko replied rather carelessly. She was able to keep a straight face when there was a chorus of "EH!" from her students. "How about we decide now? Everyone take out a piece of paper, tell me about yourselves and what you want to do in this class. If you don't have any paper, get one from your neighbor that has become your new best friend. If they don't have any paper, then grab a piece of sketch paper."
"Kumiko-sensei, what would you like to know about us?" Haku asked as he gave a sheet of paper to both Naruto and Sasuke.
"I guess your likes, dislikes, hobbies, dreams, and anything else you want to add. I'll give you a few minutes. Hand it to me when you're done," Kumiko informed to the class. Small talk was made throughout the room as the students started to do what their instructor asked of them.
"Sensei, what about you? Are you going to tell us about yourself?" Naruto asked innocently as he thought about what to write. Kumiko seemed to ponder the blonde's question for a moment and noticed that all eyes were on her. She let out a smile before replying.
"I guess that would be a fair trade. All right, my name is Haraguchi Kumiko, age 29. I'm usually bluntly honest so you'll soon find out about my likes and dislikes. Hobbies are of course painting, reading, composing lyrics and music, and going snowboarding when situation allows. I've already fulfilled my dream to travel around the world and become an artist, hence my occupation as an international artist," Kumiko answered without a second thought.
"Kumiko-sensei, where have you gone?" a random student asked.
"Hmm, I've been to every country that has a leader. For example, I went to England and did numerous portraits for the Royal Family and I even went to America and did one for their president," Kumiko said thoughtfully, thinking back to her travels.
"I bet doing paintings for the Royal Family was a great honor, ne Haraguchi-sensei," Ino commented, trying to get into their instructor's good graces.
"Well sure but the greatest honor was being able to do a portrait for the curator of the Louvre Museum," Kumiko said fondly. "I was honored even further when he put the portrait in the museum among priceless pieces of art done by the most famous of artisans."
"No other honor could be greater than that," Naruto said quietly in an awed voice.
"My sentiments exactly," Kumiko agreed with a warm smile. She looked up at the clock on the wall and noticed the time. "Time flies when you are not waiting for it. On your way out, place your papers on my desk. I suggest bringing an old t-shirt or apron because you'll be doing your first assignment tomorrow. Have a good day and I'll see you then."
All the students filed out of the classroom after the final bell of the school day rang. They were all chatting animatedly about their day, especially about the class they were released from.
Naruto and Haku turned toward the raven haired new student and held in their laughter when they caught the annoyed expression on the teen's face. He was currently being bombarded by two females, namely Sakura and Ino, and was being asked for dates and such. Sasuke shot the two a pleading look before it went back to being annoyed. Naruto and Haku shrugged before deciding to help the boy.
"Hey Sasuke! Let's go! You said you wanted to see my art studio after school didn't you?" Naruto called out to the teen.
"Ah, that's right. Excuse me ladies," Sasuke said not too politely and yanked his arms free from their grasps. He made his way over to them with a relieved and thankful look as they walked out of the building. "Owe you one."
"I'll hold you to that," Naruto said, clearly amused by the boy's predicament. They met up with the other guys outside and greetings were exchanged. "So you guys wanna seriously come over? My dad won't mind."
"What do you mean seriously?" Kiba asked, confusion showing. Naruto and Haku then took the opportunity to explain to the others what had transpired not too long ago. When finished, Kiba let out a laugh and patted Sasuke on the back. "I feel sorry for you, I really do. In any case, why not? Let's go. I got nothing better to."
"Besides your homework?" Haku joked with a grin.
"We can always do it once we get to Naruto's place. We all have most of the same classes anyway," Kiba waved off. The rest agreed and began to walk to the blonde's house while said blonde was dragging his bike along. "So what do you think about Kumiko-sensei?" Kiba asked, mostly directing it to Naruto. The blonde smiled brightly before replying.
"This is going to be an interesting year."
Well, let me know what you think and it's okay if you don't review. As long as there is someone reading even a bit of my work, that's satisfaction enough for me.
I know this says that it is Itachi x Naruto in the summary...he'll make an appearance in the next chapter I suppose.
Another time, another place
kurai hoshi