Inspiration in Dark

Naruto goes to Loki Art School. His emotionless art needs heart. He'll find inspiration in the loneliest darkness. AU NaruSasu? SasuNaru? "No! No not again! Not again! Make it stop!"

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Chapter 1 - Emotionless Art

A thin paint brush was carefully picked up, dipped in the paint, and then drawn steadily across the canvass. The artist continued painting in the same fluid motion for hours. Lines became shapes, shapes became objects, colors became scenes.

Footsteps came up behind them and a man with brown hair and a scare across his nose walked up. He smiled at the picture as the artist set their utensils down and sighed. Iruka put his hand on the young boy's shoulder.

"Naruto, it's amazing." he said in his usual soft voice.

Naruto looked at him for a moment to see if the teacher was lying, then turned to his painting again. It was a picture of a lake at sunrise, instead of sunset. He'd perfectly mixed the colors, perfectly laid it all out. So why was he unsatisfied?

"You...don't like it, do you?" Iruka knew.

Naruto had been at Loki Art School for 2 years. It was the beginning of his 3rd year, and in all that time...Naruto had taken the school by surprise. He'd become the top art student in no time at all, a little over average in his academic classes, and a great soccer player. Naruto wasn't on the team, but he was really talented. Also...

Naruto never spoke. Not once in 2 years. It baffled everyone. Also, Naruto was never satisfied with his work, always feeling something was missing. Iruka had taken to looking deeply at the blonde's paintings and trying to find what was missing. After 2 years, he'd found what.

"Naruto..." he began. "There's an art competition coming up soon."

Said boy's head snapped up. Iruka knew he liked looking at other's work. He smiled lightly.

"It's a community art contest, and will include art from the students chosen from 3 high schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 elementary schools. Home schooled and non-schooled children are allowed to enter too if they truly wish." he continued. "Each school is supposed to look at all the art entered in the contest from their school and chose the 3 to 6 best to participate."

Now Naruto looked really interested, and wary. He knew Iruka was getting at something. He wasn't stupid after all.

"This school is entering, but we're not on the listing of the schools...because we're an art school. Only one student is allowed to enter from this school...And I, being the main art instructor, am supposed to chose who it is..."

Oh, now Naruto knew what he wanted. The blonde began shaking his head in protest. Iruka sighed.

"I know you don't want to enter any contest. But you're really talented. When they asked me, I already knew you were the one." Iruka insisted. "This is your chance to find what's missing in your art." he emphasized.

Naruto froze in his protest and just stared at his teacher. What was missing?

"Naruto. You've been here for 2 years already. Starting your 3rd. And still...your art has no heart." he explained.

Naruto blinked and looked at his painting.

"Tell me Naruto...what feeling does your art give off?" Iruka asked. Naruto's eyes furrowed. "That's right. The scene is peaceful enough, and can make the viewer calm. But there is no emotion to it, not really."

Naruto sighed softly and looked down at his hands in his lap. His blue eyes traveled over to the art supplies next to him, and he seemed really sad. Iruka smiled and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Go for a walk. It may help give you inspiration for your contest painting. If you really don't like your painting when the contest gets here, you...don't have to enter." the brunette gave in. Naruto nodded. "Take your art supplies." he called when Naruto was at the door.

The blonde didn't even pause as he grabbed a small box and a sketch book on his way out the door. Iruka smiled lightly and hoped Naruto would find what inspiration he needed to truly complete his work.

And? Bad first chapter? I know...It sucks...