Hey, this is my very first Naruto fan fiction. Or any fan fiction for that matter. XX; The whole gang are 15-16, and it's set in present day. They're in America since, regretfully, I don't know crap about schools in Japan. Heh..Yup. So…here's chapter 1? ; I will use some Japanese words, such as kun, san, baka, dobe, etc.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters. Like quite a few say, if I did own Naruto, Naruto and Sasuke's relationship would be muuuuch different. –wink-

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Chapter 1: What If

"Watch it, dobe."

An emotionless, deep voice accompanied with an insult. I didn't need to look up to see who it was. No matter how hard I try, I always happen to be behind schedule so I have to run everywhere to get to my classes on time. It doesn't help when I'm tripped for the fun of it, and like right now, I often find myself flat on my butt with some jerk hovering over me. This is a first for running into him, though. Literally. He's usually in class early.

A growl, and I immediately recognize it and tense up before I'm deafened. "NARUTO, APOLOGIZE TO SASUKE-KUN AND WATCH WHERE YOU'RE RUNNING, IDIOT!"

I look up to see what I already know is there. Sasuke, his face expressionless as usual except for a faint twitching in his left eye, probably caused by the two girls hanging off his arm. The one who yelled, Sakura, already had her hand bunched into a fist and I admit I was scared at the look on her face. The other girl, Ino, just stands there with a cool superior look on her face.

I stand up, picking up my backpack and slinging it back over my shoulder. "Sorry, Sasuke-teme," I say, not looking sorry one bit. Grinning now, I add, "You're usually in class by now. The bell's about to ring."

Sasuke is probably the most popular guy in school. Only for his good looks though, not his personality. He's usually followed by a pack of girls, clinging and drooling over his dark eyes and black hair that spikes up slightly in the back. He shows no interest in them, or anybody else for that matter, but it doesn't seem to get through their heads.

I wouldn't really call us friends, but it's not like we don't get along. We call each other names, we fight, but we're not doing it seriously half the time. I don't think he thinks the same way I do, but I'd be glad to be friends if he ever got that stick out of his ass. Enough time has passed to get over it.

Anyway, what do I get for my full-hearted apology and attempt at a conversation? "Hn," he grunts, and before Sakura can punch me he walks past, shouldering me out of the way. Because her other hand was clutched around his wrist, she was tugged along.

"Next time, stay out of Sasuke-kun's way, Naruto. Like you even deserve to look upon him," she hisses. Ino smirks over her shoulder as they follow their God. A lot of people here hate me, I'm not sure why. Sure, I guess I can be hyperactive. Only a little, though. And I pull pranks every chance I get, but I try to be friendly to everyone but all I get are glares and punches.

I do have a few friends, such as Neji, Lee, Shikamaru, and Kiba. Neji and Shikamaru don't talk much. Neji's more the silent, thinking, brooding type. Shikamaru is simply a lazy genius who enjoys sleeping. Lee can be loud, and scary. He's constantly crying because he's happy, and he's always hugging the Gym teacher, Gai-sensei. They even look alike. Kiba is talkative, and loves pranks as well. But he also acts before he thinks, often saying things or getting into fights. He's accompanied by a small white dog, Akamaru. I still don't know how he convinced old woman Tsunade to let it in the school.

--- (Sasuke POV) ---

"Watch it, dobe."

I was sent by Kakashi-sensei to deliver a note to the office, since he was too busy wrapped up in his perverted Icha Icha Paradise book to do it himself. Sakura, a girl with short pink hair and a big forehead and Ino, another girl with long blonde hair always pulled back in a high ponytail, leaving a strand on the left side of her face decided to come with me. By clinging themselves to my arm.

I don't get why all these girls are still going after me. They have been ever since they figured out cooties weren't real. It's not like I show any interest in them. I don't show any interest in anyone. Why? It's simple; I'm not interested. I prefer to keep to myself, I need no friends. I want no friends.

Anyway, I was simply turning a corner in the hall (I could feel my left eye starting to twitch) when a flying orange thing collided into me. I was just shoved back a few inches, while the orange thing or Naruto, fell on his butt. I watched as he grimaced at his feet, muttering "Itai itai" while I just glared at his spiky blonde head.

I toned Sakura out, who was yelling something at Naruto while her free hand curling into a tight fist. Naruto and I have known each other since we were small; I'm not sure he even remembers. He was an orphan even before I met him; no one's sure where his parents are. Everyone assumes they're dead.

That was back when I smiled and laughed. We were best friends. I remember, and I think I always will, the day we promised we'd be best friends forever. We were standing on a pier. Naruto was smiling a true smile, even though he's been suffering a great loss, but Naruto has always looked on the bright side of the things, he was optimistic. He still is. Our right hands reached for the other's, index and middle fingers sticking out. Our fingers hooked around each other's; our promise.

But then, one day, I came home from my karate lesson. I was seven then. I walk through the front door, slipping the white duffel bag from my shoulder and onto the floor. "Mom? Dad? Itachi?" I called out. No answer.

Unnerved, I checked out the kitchen and dining room. Nothing. But when I walked into the living room, I was greeting by a sight that I would never forget for the rest of my life.

Dad was slumped halfway off the couch, mom slumped over his legs. Both of their mouths were open, eyes wide in shock, their throats slashed, blood everywhere. The television was still on, which somehow made the sight even more horrifying.

In the next room, I heard the door that I had left open close. Is the killer still here? I spun around, and I did come face-to-face with the killer. He had the same eyes as mine; dark, the same as his hair. His hair was longer than mine, pulled back into a loose ponytail that suited him, his face emotionless as if nothing was wrong, yet he held a long sword that came from my father's collection, dripping with my parents' blood. My older brother, Itachi.

"W-why?" I stuttered out. I could feel every part of me shaking, I don't know out of anger, hate, or horror. Probably all three.

"To…test my limits," he answered. What the hell kind of answer was that? Itachi has always been an over-achiever, often leaving me in his shadow to try to live up to. Without thinking, I lunged at him and immediately received a devastating blow to the gut. I could taste blood in my mouth, and before I blacked out, I was left with a feeling of intense revenge that would stay with me until the day that I myself, and no one else, would kill him.

After that day, I became the cold, brooding, top of the class person I am today. I didn't need, or want, anyone. I didn't need, or want anything except revenge. And that's all that mattered. Not Naruto. Just revenge.

I became aware of my surroundings again after Naruto commented on how I was usually in class by now. "Hn," I replied, feeling something tug at my heart. Something unwanted, unneeded. I shoved past him, affectively stopping Sakura from punching him as she was clinging to my wrist with her other hand.

--- (Naruto POV) ---

Shikamaru, Kiba, Neji, Lee, and I all sit in a booth at Pizza Hut. Akamaru sat on Kiba's head, asleep. I was telling them about my day, every so often stopping to take a chunk off of my cheese pizza.

"I mean, we used to be friends. It was eight years ago, I wish he'd get over it! It was horrible, but he didn't have to throw his life away for revenge. I don't get why I'm saying this though, he's lost," I say, about Sasuke. My friends knew about our childhood, and well…everyone knew about Itachi.

I look up to see Shikamaru snoozing on the table, his face on his pizza plate, smearing sauce all over his cheek. Lee is crying, which wasn't an odd sight. "You're absolutely right, Naruto-kun! He is wasting his precious youth!" At the word youth, he jumps up from the booth with a clang! and pumps his fist into the air. Everyone gives us weird looks, including Gaara and his brother and sister, Temari and Kankurou.

Kiba grabs Lee's forest-green shirt with a hissed, "Sit down before they kick us out!" Shikamaru has woken up and was rubbing his eyes, smearing the sauce more on his face. Neji just stares intently out the window, most likely hoping people would somehow think he was with them against his will.

Ignoring Lee, I flash them a bright smile. "I just wish he'd let me in again, to help him. That we were still best friends."

Shikamaru leans back against the booth, arms folded behind his head. "Sasuke's just…" he trails off, his eyes closing. Lee, Neji, Kiba and I stare at him, knowing what's going to happen. "So troublesome," he finishes his sentence finally and nods off again.

"Well, Orochimaru-sensei loaded us with a bunch of homework, so I'm going to head home," I say. Everyone says bye, while Shikamaru manages a weak grunt. I laugh and stand up, walking towards the door. Temari manages to trip me when I pass their booth, and I shoot the trio a dirty glare. This was a mistake, since Gaara looks like he'd love to rip my head off now. I hurry out of Pizza Hut.

"I'm home!" I call out. My house was of a moderate size, and it was comfortable to live in. Even though he's not related to me by blood, I've lived with Iruka as long as I can remember. I don't even remember my parents.

I pause as I hear shuffling and a muffled "Itai!" from his room. Iruka sticks his head out the door, but I can tell he's only wearing boxers. "Welcome home, Naruto! How was school?" This was a dumb thing to ask, since he's one of my teachers. I can see a faint blush working its way on his face.

I rub my temple with my fingers, trying to push the dirty thoughts out of my mind. "I'll leave you and Kakashi-sensei alone." Before I disappear into my room, I glimpse a masked man with silver oddly-cut hair on Iruka's bed.

Not bothering to undress, I throw myself onto my bed and sigh. It seems like everyone hates me, even my used-to-be-best-friend Sasuke. I don't really blame them, the way I act sometimes. But it's who I am, and it's who I'll probably ever be. I wish they could just see that and accept it, and accept me as well.

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Well that's the end of the first chapter. I'd love it if I got a few reviews, what author wouldn't love that? XD I'm hoping none of the characters are ooc, but this is my first fan fic and I'm sure I'll mess up a lot on this. Thanks for reading!