Disclaimer: OH! If only. If only...

Note: Hey guys! This is my first fanfiction, and it just so happens to be about one of the greatest animes of all time! I've only had the priveledge of seeing up to episode 152, but I don't think that it will directly effect my fiction. If you haven't already noticed, this is a High School fic. Now, I know that there have recently been a lot of High School fics on Naruto, but I'm hoping mine will fit in with the rest. I love you all...

Pairings: SasuNaru...so far that's the only definite one, but I'm thinking about having more later on.

Summary: An english project during their freshman year brings an unlikely group of people together.

Follow You

Chapter I: Lights and Sounds

/Hello you/How was the rest/You made it through/But never the less/I got you, out on a wire/You be love and I'll be a liar/Tell it all and fill up the air/But make it loud 'cause nobody's there/Nobody's there /Nobody's there (yeah)/Stop, turn, take a look around/At all the lights and sounds/Let 'em bring you in/Slow, burn, let it all fade out/And pull the curtain down/I Wonder where you've been/Make it new but stay in the lines/Just let go/But keep it inside/Smile big, for everyone/Even when you know what they've done/They gave you the end but not where to start/Not how to build, how to tear it apart/So tell it all and fill up the air/But make it loud 'cause nobody's there/Nobody's there/Stop, turn, take a look around/At all the lights and sounds/Let 'em bring you in/Slow, burn, let it all fade out/And pull the curtain down/I wonder where you've been/ --Yellow Card

POV: Sasuke Uchiha

Location: Uchiha Mansion

I wake to the appalling sound of static blasting in my right ear. I don't exactly know what to think of the abrupt interruption of my not-so-pleasant dream, but I'm sure if the insipid noise does not quit soon, I will be forced to throw punches. It's not an unfamiliar sound; I hear it almost every day, but never this early. I can tell, even through my tightly shut lids, that the sun has not yet risen. That fact urging my own opinion that no one should wake up before the sun. Why must every thing in this village start so fucking early? I swear, as soon as I'm old enough, I'm putting in a complaint with the Hokage.

With that thought only furthering my insistence to fall helplessly into the clutches of my unconscious mind again, I roll over and attempt to block out anything but the sound of the fan blowing cool air through my open window. What was it I was dreaming about again? Oh, screw it; I've completely lost all ability to think with all the noise. That is only worsened by the sound of someone banging on my door. My eyes finally jerk open when I feel my bed sink with the weight of another person. There's only two possibilities of who that person could be, and I take my chances on betting it's my mother. I'm proven right when I turn my head just slightly to look into big black eyes on a face framed by soft, dark-brown hair.

She's got a pleasant smile waiting for me, and she reaches over to flick the switch of my broken alarm clock. This hasn't been the first morning throwing various limbs at the insufferable object has crossed my mind. It has been screaming static at me for almost six months. I really should buckle down and get a new one, but that one would only end up the same way.

"Ne, Sasuke, are you going to sleep forever?" She asks, turning back to me with an inquisitive look spreading across her features. "You do realize this is the first day of school, right? Wouldn't want you to be late."

I roll my eyes so far back in my head I fear the headache that will certainly accompany my bad mood soon. I hate mornings, I hate them I tell you. However, I know that I can't beg my way out of this one; it is my first day of school. Therefore, I just push myself up on my elbows and nod to answer both her questions. It's not as if I have any time to really argue anyway.

I close my eyes the moment she reaches down and places a kiss atop my head. She's been doing this since I was young, and it always gets me to smile slightly. She leaves me then, stirring in my bed to wake myself fully. I deem it impossible after a few moments of stretching my extremely tired limbs. The cracking of my joints could be heard all over Konoha, I'm sure, but I feel much better after everything has been properly pulled and prodded. I eventually swing my legs over the side of my futon and stand on my exceptionally cold hardwood floor. I have to refrain from letting out a surprised yelp when my bare feet hit it, and hobble over to my dresser, all the while, stifling a huge yawn.

I take my new school clothes from my dresser and try my best to not freeze to death on my way to the bathroom. Of course, that proves useless, as someone is already inside and has locked the door. I know exactly who it is; the presence of my mother in my room only moments before doing nothing but confirm my suspicions that it could only be one person.

I pound on the door with the side of my fist. The noise is undoubtedly louder inside the bathroom than standing out here. I can here the shuffling of hands and feet from behind the door, and I know I'm being ignored.

"ITACHI, OPEN UP!" I scream as I bang on the door again, making sure my strength is in it enough to threaten breaking the damn thing down. I still don't receive and answer, but even he has to give in sometime. I know I can be annoying when I want to be, "ANIKI!"

My resistance is being tried as, once again, I find myself having to stop a shocked gasp when the door is opened with my fist still in contact with it. I catch myself on the doorframe, and keep from falling onto my older brother. I look up curiously at him, finding the ever-insistent indifference gracing his face. I manage a small smirk, a trademark of my own.

"What do you want?" He asks blankly. He leans his tattooed shoulder against the doorframe, my thumb caught between the wall and his flesh. I try to pull away, but he's determined to keep me there. My smirk turns to a glare quickly.

"I want in the bathroom," I explain firmly and finally pull my thumb from its prison, "and you had the door locked. What are you doing in there?"

"Things." Is all he says, but he doesn't protest when I follow him into the bathroom now. I shut the door behind us and he goes to the mirror, where I presume he was before answering the door. I watch as he deftly jumps up on the counter and places his bare feet in the sink. I quirk a brow at his odd behavior, but dismiss it as him 'just being Itachi'. His back is leaned against the white tiled walls, and he's sitting on the towel he probably used after his shower this morning.

"I don't understand you sometimes." I say when he pulls the brush from his nail polish out of the bottle and starts on a fresh coat for his toes. I'm usually not this talkative, in fact, I'm never this talkative, but Itachi has always had this affect on me socially. I set my stuff on the floor and move to pull the shower curtain back. The sight of blood on the floor takes me aback. I turn back to my older brother and frown. "What happened?"

He looks up from his nails with a hint of curiosity, one that only I would be able to catch, and shrugs passively. "I cut myself shaving." He says and goes back to his grooming. I narrow my eye in suspicion, but the proof of his words are in the tiny nicks on his shins, the only part of his legs I can see now. I shrug in defeat, much like the way he had just done.

The water is freezing when I turn it on. I let it warm and clean the tub for a moment while I shed my flannel pants and kick them to the side. I don't normally wear more than that to bed, unless it's winter. Konoha can get frigid in the last few months of the year. Of course, the nights are just about as bad.

The water is comforting to my stiff muscles when I finally step under the showerhead. I take no time in washing both my hair and my body, but I let myself stay beneath the constant beat of the water for a while. I'm only vaguely aware of Itachi, who is still painting his nails. I think he's moved on to his hands. He has been painting them for a good few years now, ever since he started high school and got with Kisame's gang. I don't know if I've seen his real fingernails in almost three years.

"We're leaving in fifteen minutes." I'm pulled from my thoughts by my brother's voice. I turn off the water almost instantly after hearing the news, and open the shower curtain to grab my towel. I wrap it absent-mindedly around my waist and step out of the tub. Itachi is binding his long hair at the nape of his neck with a rubber band, the lines gracing his cheeks even more visible without the distraction of his glossy black locks.

He walks from the room as I dry and change. The jeans, still stiff from lack of use, hug my dangerously protruding hipbones, and they're probably dangerously too low. My top, a simple black t-shirt, clings to my abdomen. Both articles of clothing would never fit most of my male friends; Itachi isn't the only one in the family who's built like our mother. The black arm guards I don were actually his at one time. I run my fingers through the back of my hair, spreading a little gel on the shorter layers to keep them from falling later on today. I would need to get them trimmed soon.

I walk from the bathroom; feeling much less tired than before, and skip down the stairs to grab my sandals. My parents are sitting at the kitchen table eating breakfast when I enter the room; Itachi is sitting on the counter eating what looks like a dango. I raise my brow at his choice in his morning meal, but I receive no explanation. Nor had I expected one. I help myself to some eggs and miso soup, steering clear of the dumplings on my brother's plate beside him. I can't imagine the stomachache I would have if I ate something like that this early in the morning.

I contemplate sitting on the counter next to Itachi, but I know my parents wouldn't go for that. What they saw fit to let Itachi do, they would undoubtedly punish me severely for. Instead, I take my place on the ground next to my mother. She rubs my back affectionately and I share a small smile with her. I'm grateful for her here, if not anyone else. I can come to her for almost all of my questions or concerns.

"Did you here about you're son's latest accomplishment, Fugaku?" She ask suddenly. I look to Itachi who doesn't seem to notice Mother is talking about him. I know what she's about to say, I was there when we received the news. He didn't care then either.

"What was that?" Father says in a deep voice of recognition. A voice I never hear sounded in my own direction. I focus on my food, waiting on the inevitable praise for Itachi. I bite my lip in anticipation.

"We received a letter yesterday, from the ANBU," Mother goes on to explain, "He's been granted early acceptance to the academy. They want him to come train over the summer, after he's finished his junior year, of course."

"Of course." Itachi repeats with a snort. If I didn't know better, I could swear to see a hint of sadness in his down-turned eyes. Sadness, and maybe just a little bit of regret. But what did Itachi have to regret? What was better than being accepted into the ANBU's academy early and training with the guards themselves at such a young age? I know as well as anyone that people don't normally start at the academy until they're well out of high school, and Itachi is only a Junior at Konoha High.

"I always knew you had it in you, son. You're truly an Uchiha now. Not that I doubted you ever were." With my father's last words, his eyes leave his elder son and focus on me. I feel my face flush and look back down at my food. Mother's hand is on my back again, she too saw the disapproving look I received from Father.

Itachi is, what some say, a prodigy. He's intelligent and strong; those two traits mixed together would make any fine ninja. However, it takes something else to be recognized by the ANBU, something very few possess. He's special, I've been told that by too many people not to believe it, and I do believe it. There have been many instances that he's proven himself to me, and I'm sure there have been many more for someone other than me to witness.

I have never been as important as Itachi. My grades are the highest in the class, and I've had many praises of my own by my teachers, but it seems that I'm behind Itachi by a lot. I'm not another prodigy; I won't be accepted early to the ANBU academy. My parents and I will just have to live with me being, at best, above average. My teeth ground harder into my lip and I'm sure it's going to burst open soon. The pain is all but lost to me, as I'm too focused on not meeting my father's disappointed eyes. I know I've shamed him; he doesn't need to remind me everyday. I'm not so lucky it seems.

"And what have you been doing lately, Sasuke?" Father's voice is controlled, but I can hear something else. He's daring me to be defiant, he doesn't want any excuses. And I won't give him any.

"I've been focused on studying. School starts again today. I don't want to be behind." I explain quickly. He knows I was given a study list at the end of last year, but instead of finishing it early this summer, he had instantly placed me with a trainer. I have done nothing but train all summer. I had no time to study, and undoubtedly, it would be hard for me to catch up if I were to get behind. It's not that I didn't want to train; I just feel there are more important things than becoming a ninja, like finishing school. I think he pushes me like this to make me give up, but it's not going to happen.

I've put up my defenses against his slander, though it still hurts. I don't feel the tears coming anymore, not like when I was younger, but I still have to take some small measures to keep my temper in check. If any of the people at my school saw me now, they would no longer have any respect for me. Not that I deserve it anyway. I haven't done anything of importance to receive any of their respect. I sure can't get my father to respect me.

What I do receive from him is a dissatisfied snort, something I've grown quite accustomed to hearing. I should have lied, should have told him I hadn't given up training and never would. But the only thing worse than me not training would be to lie about it. If he ever found out about that, I would never live it down. Humiliation would soon turn public for me if that ever happened. I know he wants to say something else, I can feel his eyes boring into the top of my head, the only thing he can see. However, someone beats him to his words, and I'm thankful for the firm hand now resting on my shoulder.

"Let's go, Sasuke," Itachi says giving my shoulder a squeeze before he walks from the kitchen. "We'll be late if we don't hurry." He calls from down the hall, as he slips his feet into his sandals. I don't waste any time in catching up with him. I leave my mother with a kiss on her cheek, and my father with nothing.

If I don't get any respect, I won't give it to him either.

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POV: Sasuke Uchiha

Location: Konoha Village High School, Hallways

"Sasuke-kun!" I wince visibly at the shrill voice calling my name from down the hall. I don't have to look to know who is running in my direction, probably huffing her brains out from exertion to catch up to me. I really don't want to talk to her.

However, my desires are none too easily met today, it seems, as I'm practically clobbered to the ground. I stumble, but correct my footing just in time to miss a binder that had been left on the ground by someone's locker. And my own ass isn't the only one I save from an embarrassing tumble to the schools hard tile floor, and I look down to find my hand wrapped securely around the elbow of one Yamanaka Ino. I stare into her sky blue eyes for a time before raising an eyebrow in question.

"Hey, Sasuke-kun." My attention is diverted to another girl standing beside me. Haruno Sakura is smiling widely at me, but my brow just keeps creeping skyward. It will probably recede to my hairline soon.

I lift Ino to stand on her own, and she seems to have no trouble with it. The two of them are up to something. I've never seen them this calm around me. Usually, they're fighting to be the one to smell my hair first. This change in their--dare I say it--friendship is surprising, but I can't say that I mind not having them hang all over me. Or at least, not as much. Still, I'm not sure I like this Ino and Sakura much more than I liked them in Junior High. Hopefully, the few months of summer, and the prospect of finally being a high school student, had matured them. Hopefully.

"I'll see you after class, Sasuke." I nod to Itachi's words. As always, when he leaves me alone, my forehead is assaulted by his index finger. I stagger backward a few steps with the force, but smile slightly at the affection I'm receiving. Ino and Sakura watch as he walks down the hall. Despite his non-social personality, he has this hold on every girl in the school.

"Sasuke-kun," Sakura's voice comes with an eerie sweet tone to my ears when Itachi rounds the corner of the Language hallway. I turn back to the girls and once again wonder exactly what it is they want. Of course, if I were to ask them, they'd deny everything and explain that they just want to 'spend time with me'. They think I don't see the mischievous look in their eyes.

"Yes?" I ask, and if I didn't maintain my air of arrogance like always, it would have sounded slightly apprehensive. I don't think I'll like what they have to say.

"Sasuke-kun, we were wonder if… well, if…" I've never heard Sakura nervous before.

"Do you know who Naruto-kun is?" Ino jumps in to save her friend before Sakura makes a fool of herself.

"The Uzumaki kid?" I ask, though I know perfectly well who Uzumaki Naruto is. We've gone to the same school, and have been in the same classes since we were kindergarteners.

"Yeah, him," Sakura says with more confidence now. "Well, we were just wondering if you knew who he was. He's sort of been giving us a little trouble lately."

I encourage her to elaborate with wave of my hand, though I don't really want to hear much more from her. The fact is, I have to keep up appearances, and the Haruno's are friends with my parents. It would be a bad idea to have a fall out with Sakura. I don't much like the girl, but she does have her times when she says something worth hearing. I think I know where this conversation is going, and I want to get it over with quickly.

"Well, lately…" She began again, "he's been bugging me about--well--going out with him. He's asked me out a billion times, this week alone. He just can't seem to take no for an answer, and I was wondering if you could help me."

"What do you want me to do?" I ask after a few moments of digesting her words. The smile that breaks across her face is enough to make me regret my words. I haven't even agreed to do anything for her and already she has it in her head that I'll do whatever she wants.

"It would be great if you could pretend to be my boyfriend for a few days," she explained hopefully, "you know, just until he backs off and then we can go our separate ways."

If she would let me go my separate way, she means. I know what she's really planning; she just wants to be able to say that she was Uchiha Sasuke-kun's girlfriend. What a way to go about it though. I give her merits for coming up with the plan. It would probably work on a number of the other people here. Of course, not many people would pass the chance to be Sakura's boyfriend. However, I want no part in it.

"No." I say simply and turn away from the two of them. They follow me down the hall, Ino shouting nonsensical questions and Sakura just calling my name. I do not stop, but they don't either. Eventually, we're walking at the same pace and I'm forced to listen to them again.

"Okay, just listen for a minute," Ino tries and grabs my arm to spin me around to look at them once more, "This guy is really weird, and he's really persistent. And you know about him right? Sakura doesn't want to get mixed up with someone like him. What would that do to her reputation? You don't want her to be the joke of the whole school, now do you? People would definitely disown her if she were to even consider liking him. Not to mention the fact that he could really hurt her, you know."

I can't believe it, but the two of them are starting to make sense. I've never seen Naruto hurt anyone, but there's no doubt that he could if he wanted. I've heard the rumors, and his appearance does nothing to hide the thing of which we are all suspicious. However, to avoid the Uzumaki would be a task tried in vain. No one can avoid Naruto. He makes himself known.

"And if you pretend to be my boyfriend for awhile, maybe he'll take the hint that I'm not interested. Until then, I'll have him as a shadow till he finds someone else to bug. Please, Sasuke-kun, it would only be for a week or so." Sakura looks hopeful now. Maybe too hopeful. I run my tongue along my canine tooth, something many people take for haughtiness, but really, I'm just thinking. I do this a lot, space off into my own thoughts and leave the people surrounding me dazed and confused by my behavior. I don't feel sorry for making the girls look to each other in apprehension now; I need to think this through.

I don't really know that Naruto would hurt Sakura for something as insignificant as one date. However, I don't know if I should believe my own thoughts on the blonde boy either. It's not as if we've talked recently. I haven't heard of him doing this to anyone else, so that can rule out him liking anyone but Sakura. But Sakura doesn't like anyone other than me, so it can still easily be a trick on her part. If it is a trick, the explanation I'm currently leaning toward, that means she's using Naruto to get to me. Gods, girls can be either really obvious, or really confusing. Unfortunately for me, these two are both at the same time.

"Why don't you get someone else to do it? Like Shino or Kiba?" I ask, coming to the conclusion that this will clear anything up. If she really is in trouble, one of them can handle it, but if it's a trick, this gets me out of it.

"Eww, dog boy!" Ino yells in disbelief. I don't really understand it myself, as she's shown plenty of admiration toward Kiba in the past. In fact, aside from Sakura and Shino, Kiba is the one of her closer friends in our little group. I look over it now though.

"And I don't think Shino would really go for it. He's not very social." Sakura pipes up.

Sakura has a point. I've never seen Shino with any girl except Hinata, and that's because he seems to have an undying need to protect her. Protect her from what, I have no idea. I cannot see him wanting to pretend to be anyone's boyfriend.

"Who's not very social?"

Speak of the devils. Kiba's voice rings out from a few paces behind Sakura and Ino, as he and Shino rounded the corner of the hall. I smirk. They have impeccable timing when it comes to getting me away from my fan club. Shino and I share a nod of recognition and Kiba slings his arms around the girls' shoulders. His coat must have been left in his locker, as the extra fur is absent from around his tattooed face. He leers at me with a knowing look.

"Sakura was talking about Shino. She needs help with a little problem she's having." I explain quickly. The two girls duck from underneath Kiba's arms. The Aburame comes to stand beside me.

"What is this problem," His voice is deeper than I remember it being from a month ago. We haven't seen each other in a while, I realize.

"Naruto's being an ass! He's trying to go out with Sakura and won't leave her alone." Ino exclaims in the same piercing screech she used when calling my name.

"So you're seeking Sasuke-kun's help?" Kiba asks. When the girls nod, he and Shino share a long look. Sometimes, I swear the two of them can communicate with their minds.

"We'll take care of it." Shino says firmly. I feel a tug on my sleeve and I turn to walk away with them. I can hear the loud sigh that escapes Sakura and Ino. So it was a trick, Naruto had nothing to do with this. Judging by how short Kiba--who can talk for hours--was with them, he had noticed it too. Shino undoubtedly had known the moment he saw them with me. The two of them are perceptive, I'll give them that.

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POV: Sasuke Uchiha

Location: Konoha Village High School, Iruka-sensei's Literature class

I sit in the back of all of my classes, and Iruka-sensei's is no different. Literature has actually been my favorite class for quite a while, and Iruka-sensei definitely knows what he's doing. I listen have-heartedly to his lecture on the rules of his class. The first day of school is always the same. Rules, rules, and more rules. As if they've changed over the past few months. If anything, the High School is more lenient than the Junior High. I chuckle at some of the jokes Iruka-sensei randomly spouts in his speech.

Shino is sitting beside me, with Kiba to his right. The two of them aren't as interested as I am in this class, but I can see Shino trying to concentrate. Kiba on the other hand is drawing idly on his paper. Judging by Kiba's behavior in classes before this, he won't give the teacher a hard time yet. But I can just see his mouth itching to open and make some crude comment.

We are all caught by surprise when the door to our class is thrown open and someone walks in From what I've gathered by other people, his name is Kotetsu-sensei and he teaches Chemistry and Biology. However, he's not alone.

By the collar of his shirt, Kotetsu drags a yelling Uzumaki Naruto into the class. The blond is kicking his feet at the harsh treatment and, by his words, he's been dragged all the way here. His blue collar is gripped tightly in Kotetsu's hand and it seems he's not going to get away easily. The class watches the event unfold in silence. It amazes me what will get these people to shut up.

"Is this one of yours?" Kotetsu-sensei forces Naruto ahead of him and pushes him in Iruka's direction. Iruka-sensei catches the loud boy much the same way Kotetsu had been holding him. Though Naruto visibly relaxes in Iruka's hold. It doesn't stop his glare toward the other teacher, however.

"Thanks Hagane-san. I'll take care of him from here." Iruka and Kotetsu share a nod and then the other teacher is gone. I wonder vaguely if this happens often. The two teachers seem to know each other pretty well.

"Take your seat Naruto." Iruka shoves Naruto in the direction of the desks. He ignores the boy's protests and Naruto is forced to find a seat after Iruka begins his lecture once more.

I've known Uzumaki Naruto for a long time. He and I used to hang out a lot. In fact, some would argue that he was once my best friend, that we were practically inseparable at one time. Of course, that all changed when we started Junior High and hung out with different crowds. I don't doubt that he now has people who are closer to him than I ever was. It's probably a good thing that we don't talk anymore, as we would only end up fighting. I wouldn't want to hurt him more than he already has been, and right now I don't think I could handle his personality at all. That is what had gotten between us three years ago, in fact. Our temperaments clash like hell. I would say the last time I held a civil conversation with him would have been when we were only twelve. Now that both of us are fifteen, and how evident it is that we really haven't changed, it wouldn't be a good idea to have us together again.

He makes it to the bench in front of Shino, Kiba and I, sitting next to Chouji and Shikamaru. I've seen them talking sometimes, so I imagine they are friends. As much as someone can be friends with Shikamaru, anyway. The pony-tailed boy is currently asleep with his head on the desk. I don't think I have even known him to stay awake through an entire class.

We're all pulled back to attention when Iruka-sensei claps his hands together. I look up instantly. Though mine wasn't one of the many voices that was resounding off the walls of the room, I wasn't really paying attention to anything other than the seething Naruto. Our teacher has a big grin waiting for us and I feel a bubble of unease bounce in my stomach.

"Now, on to more pressing matter," Iruka-sensei says proudly, "your homework."

A collection of disappointed groans is heard from the whole class, not including one of my own. However, I am a little confused by the news. Normally the first first few days are dedicated to getting to know the teacher and the rules of the class, maybe some examples or anecdotes of disastrous events in the class' past. I never had homework on the first day of school before. But Iruka-sensei seems more than serious about the matter, despite the wide smile on his face.

"Now, now," he goes on to say, "I know what you're thinking 'Iruka-sensei, you're the most awful teacher I've ever had. Who's ever heard of homework on the first day?', but you guys will thank me after it's all said and done. This first project will be the basis of all the other work done in this class for the rest of the year. I expect you to pay attention. Shikamaru-kun, that means you too."

I'm surprised to find Shikamaru still fully awake and now lazily looking in Iruka-sensei's direction. He was never asleep at all. He gives a bored grunt as a response and Iruka-sensei continues.

"I'm sure you all have noticed this is a literature class. That means a world literature class. I'm not going to bore you with authors that are all from a certain area or time period. And because this isn't a specialized class, I want to know who you guys enjoy reading."

He walks to the chalk board behind him, chuunin jacket swishing with his movements. He writes our instructions on the board with quick and precise letters. He never struck me as someone to have neat handwriting, but there it was, in front of my face.

"This is a project I like to do at the beginning of the year, because it gives you time to learn about, not only your favorite author, but also someone else in the class. You will work in groups of two to four, and you have two weeks to finish it. Hopefully, you will come out of this more knowledgeable and with a new friend." I try not to notice the pointed look I receive at the end of his words. What is with everyone and their secret conversations today?

"I will be picking the groups, so their really is no point in looking around the room for your best friend. You're groups have been chosen based on your records from the Junior High. I hope you don't hate your partner too much, because there will be no switching. In the end you will have to present your information and if the groups are changed at that time, you will receive a zero for the assignment." He ends his explanation by taking a clipboard from his desk.

"Now, for the groups…" He looks down the list and back up to us, searching the crowd of students, "why don't you all come stand beside me for now. You can get into your seats after you've gotten your partners."

There is a loud clamor of all the students standing and walking to the front of the class. Iruka doesn't tower over us now. Not like he used to, when he was our elementary teacher. I remember him being so much taller than all of us. Now Shino and Kiba have a few inches on him, with me falling closely behind.

"God, I hope I'm with one of you." Kiba whispers for Shino and I to hear. We both nod our heads sincerely. I really do wish I am grouped with either of them. Maybe the three of us will get lucky and will be in a group of four. Who would be with us though?

I really hope it's not Ino or Sakura, I've had enough of them this morning to last me a lifetime. I can't get my hopes up that they'll leave me alone; we hang out with the same crowd. But Yondaime-sama, if you can hear me, I'd appreciate it if you could watch over me this one time and spare of the leeching women of our class. They're not the only ones I'd rather stay away from though. Shikamaru is too lazy and Chouji probably wouldn't work well with anyone other than Shika anyway. I don't even want to think of the disaster that would happen if Naruto and I were to work together.

"Alright, in the front bench I want, Yamanaka Ino….Aburame Shino….and…Akimichi Chouji," Iruka-sensei pointed to the bench in the front of the room. I look to Shino who just shrugs and follows Chouji and Ino to the indicated bench. Ino is undoubtedly fuming. Not only did she get stuck without me, but she doesn't have Sakura to talk to constantly now either. Iruka-sensei's voice comes again above the protests of some of the students behind him, "you three will now be team one, your first task is to choose a name for yourself."

"Okay, team one down. Team two….Hyuuga Hinata….Nara Shikamaru….Inuzuka Kiba….and Haruno Sakura, sit in the bench behind team one and get to work on a name." The four of them go to sit behind Ino, Shino and Chouji, taking the last bit of my hope with them. Kiba, Shino and I have been effectively split up for the next two weeks. I remember that Iruka-sensei said something about basing the groups off of our previous records. I wonder what has been said about the three of us. I know we're not overly loud, well, save Kiba sometimes, and we always get our work done; our parents would kill us if anything were turned in late and they found out. It must be a fluke.

I look around me. There are now five people with which I can be partnered. I beg silently that it's with one of the four that I don't know. I really don't want to be with Naruto. Said orange clad boy is currently sulking in the corner, still angry with Iruka-sensei for yelling at him I'm sure.

"Group three will be our smallest group with…Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto."

I can feel my eyes widen at the sound of my name with his. I swallow back a protest and instead glare at Iruka-sensei's back. I don't think anyone has explained my dislike for the blond, but someone really should, and now. I don't work well with anyone other than Shino and Kiba, and sometimes that's pushing it.

"Iruka-sensei, you can't be serious. Putting me with him is the worst idea you've ever had. I don't want to work with that asshole!" I'm saved my breath when Naruto yells to our sensei. Though I agree with him completely, I don't show my reluctance in front of the whole class, who has now considered staring at me is their favorite pastime.

"Naruto, I told you there is no switching. I have made my decision and you will abide by it. Now, take your seats, the both of you." He points to the bench behind the second group. I resist the urge to roll my eyes as I follow the blond idiot to our bench.

It doesn't really make sense, I could still sit by my friends and be in the same group with Naruto. Just because we're doing one project together does not mean we will become best friends again. I don't really know Naruto, but I've seen him almost every day of my life, and I know he has not changed. No one matures overnight. I know we haven't talked in a few years, but I can tell that he hasn't grown up at all.

"Alright, so if we're going to have to work together, let's get one thing straight…" Naruto started.

I cut him off, "I hate you. And if you think I will be working with you through this thing you're wrong. I will not see you, I will not hear you, I will not be around you. We'll do our separate projects and come together in the end."

"If only that's how this project works, Uchiha-san."

I look up to find Iruka-sensei smirking in my direction. A quick sweep across the room proves my theory that everyone else is looking at me too. If I was that kind of person, I would blush. Why won't these people leave me alone?

"You will be working with Naruto, Sasuke. I made out work schedules for all of you, and you will show up to every session." He's using the same tone of voice I was using a moment ago. I look down at my desk instead of meeting his eyes. I find myself doing that a lot, lately. Normally I just look down when Father is around.

"Now, where were we. Oh right, the names. Team three, have you chosen yours yet?" Iruka continues.

"Oh, oh, I know one," Naruto practically jumps from the bench in an attempt to raise his hand higher than everyone's head, "we're going to be the Ramen Hokages!"

I don't respond, though most would have long since pushed him down on his face. Iruka-sensei chuckles in what I think is more affection than disbelief. His eyes turn to my own and I nod only once in affirmation. I hear the giggles and whispers of the girls in the class. They're probably going on and on about our stupid name.

Before Iruka can go any further, the bell rings, signaling our next class. Group four is spared the embarrassment of pronouncing their own name until tomorrow. I rise from the bench in an almost automatic way, my shoulders tense and my legs feel stiff. For some reason I've become suddenly irritable. I don't know if it's just nervousness of the first day, or the prospect of having to work with my former best friend for two weeks on a project that, had I been left to my devices, could be something I actually enjoy. I don't work well with other people, they get in my way. And the emotional baggage that goes along with my and Naruto's past friendship cannot be good for the quality of our assignment.

I think it also had to do with the look in Iruka-sensei's eyes when he scolded me. No one gets that look of disappointment in their eyes unless I step out of line. I'm supposed to keep up appearances because I'm an Uchiha. Usually I don't misbehave either, the baka is just annoying sometimes. And he's only getting more annoying every time he makes some look at me as if they were my father. I get enough of that with one glare from him. Yet, if I keep up my temper, it'll get worse than just disappointment. I hate that things get to me more than they do anyone else in my family. I'm an Uchiha, I should be impassive to everything. It seems as though that's not the case with this Uchiha.

I walk behind everyone to the door. My next period is lunch, and the traffic is horrible this time of day, I'm sure. I sort of shuffle my feet as I wait for the mad rush to exit the classroom door, Naruto leading the way. He's yelling something about not wanting to be late for his ramen. Some thing's never change.

"Sasuke?"

I flip around to see Iruka-sensei leaning against his desk. His arms are crossed over his chest and he's in a bit of a slouch position, something I didn't think him really all that capable of. Out of curiosity I cock my head to the side and raise a brow.

"I wanted to know if I could have a word with you before you rush off to lunch." He explains seeing the apparent confusion on my face. I nod and sit down in the front bench. Now my legs feel more like jelly instead of wood. My stomach has a knot in it and I'm a little more nervous than usual.

I can't get into trouble my first day, Father would kill me. I've gotten detention before for stupid stuff like being late for a class, and I was grounded for a month.

"Sasuke, is there something bothering you?"

Iruka-sensei's question catches me off guard. Is there something bothering me? Of course there is something bothering me. I'm stuck for two weeks with someone I really don't want anything to do with, I disappointed my teacher on the first day of class, and the uncanny resemblance of my father's anger was staring me in the face just now.

"No, I'm fine." I say instead. My voice is measured and cool, as if I have no emotion at all. That's how it's got to be though, without emotion. I can't show any weakness here. The only time that I know I can let loose a little is when I'm with friends.

"Alright."

With the sound of his surrendering sigh in my ears, I leave a literature classroom faster than ever before.

---

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POV: Sasuke Uchiha

Location: Konoha Village High School, Cafeteria

I always wondered why they made the seats in a cafeteria so uncomfortable. I swear my ass is going to go numb at any moment. However, I disregard it as much as I can now, because I'm surrounded by people who--I'm sure--feel the same way. We can suffer together, but we can also suffer in silence about the topic.

"This is so different from the Junior High." I hear Ino's voice from across the table. She's talking to Sakura, who is sitting next to her. I look to the two girls I've gone to school with for years and analyze the both of them. I'll usually do this when no one is speaking directly to me.

Yamanaka Ino, the loudest woman I know, wears purple almost everyday of her life. I take note of the violet tank top and skirt, she's sporting now. Her hair was cut over the summer, it now only reaches her chin, whereas she was very insistent about keeping her hair long last year. There's no doubt in my mind that she is wearing flip-flops. She has pretty eyes, of a sky blue color. All the guy friends I have say that it's her best feature. Looking at her now, I would have to agree with them.

Haruno Sakura, though just as annoying as Ino, is overall the prettier of the two. Her red hair is so light it almost looks pink and her green eyes radiate a glow that I really can't match with anyone else's. Her style is mostly the same as Ino's, but with a lot less purple. She seems to be fond of the color pink, as she's wearing nothing but that color.

Shino sits down beside me and Kiba takes the seat on the other side. Now that the two of them are here, I won't be reduced to staring at the girls for the remainder of our lunch period. I say a silent thank you to whoever granted me this one wish.

"What are we doing tonight?" Kiba pipes up after taking a bite of his oversized sandwich. I quirk an eyebrow at his choice in food, and knowing what I mean, he just shrugs it off. He prompts his question again with wave of his hand.

"I'm not sure I can do anything." Shino says quietly. I click my tongue in understanding. I don't know that my parents would really want me to go out so early into the week. Of course, that's never stopped me before. As long as I get Itachi to cover for me.

"There's got to be a party going on somewhere, it's the first day of school for Kyuubi's sake." Kankuro says from Kiba's right. Temari nods enthusiastically. It's true that a lot of people are having parties tonight, for the first day of school, but all of the parties I've heard are for seniors only. They want to celebrate their last year here without all of us underclassmen there to ruin it. Itachi could get in, easily, and I could too, because he's my brother. Yet, I don't want to go to some place and get drunk in silence with no one I know to share it with. I'm not much of a partier, but when I do go out, I get as drunk as I can. I go to a lot of the raves that my friends do, but I don't go for the excitement that they do. I usually just go to watch them make fools of themselves.

"We could throw our own." Sakura suggests hopefully. Ever the social butterfly now, I remember when kids used to make fun of her. She's grown to be very popular, as have the rest of us, I would guess.

"That's actually a really good idea." Tenten speaks from Neji's side. The last girl member of our group is currently wrapped in her boyfriend's arms, head tucked under Neji's chin. She looks up at him for approval and he smirks before kissing her on the forehead.

"One problem there," Gaara says matter-of-factly; his arm is slung over his stomach and he slouches with his eyes closed, "where."

"My house, of course!" Ino nearly topples over in her excitement. Though the rest of us aren't too keen to the idea of having a party in her flower-shop home. Temari and Tenten wince at the thought, feeling reluctant to say 'no'.

"We could see if the Mansion's available." Kiba looks to me in question. I don't even justify such a question with an answer. He knows I can't do anything at my house unless my father goes away on a mission. I just shake my head and he shrugs. "Worth a try." He comments.

"I think the Akatsuki Club opened last weekend." Neji says nonchalantly. I think the girls just got a bit scarier than normal.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY THAT BEFORE WE HAD THIS BIG DISCUSSION, JACKASS!" Ino screams. I chuckle at the response given to her. All Neji really has to do around the school is look in the general direction of someone he doesn't like, and they instantly back off. It was the same way when he was in Junior High with me.

"Alright, so we are definitely partying tonight!" Kiba said, dancing a little in his seat. He sticks his tongue out at my mocking smirk.

"You are coming, right, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura speaks directly to me. She hasn't said anything to me in particular since this morning.

"Yeah, I'll see if I can make it." I answer.

They all know I'll be there. I don't remember one time I've ever gotten caught sneaking out before. Stealth is one of the things I was praised for in training this summer. I've been sneaking out for years now.

The ten of us--our group having been together for a long time--stand in unison when the bell rings. Excitement radiating off us, or some of us. Though I'm excited about getting out of the house, and once again defying my father, my mood instantly changes when I spot a shock of blond across the room.

For a moment of unconscious thought, I stare into the sapphire eyes of Uzumaki Naruto. The blankness of his stare surprises me, as I've only seen such a look on an Uchiha. And it's there that I can see the loneliness he doesn't want anyone to know about.

Note: This first chapter may have been a little boring, but if you can't already tell, I can't write anything short. I was mainly just introducing characters here. I think you got to see the more popular group of the school through Sasuke's eyes, as that's the group he's part of. Next chapter will be through Naruto, and the other genin/chuunin of the anime will make a bigger appearance. I know that writing who's POV each exert was from was a little unnessacary, but in later chapters there will be POV changes in the middle. I just wrote them out for this chapter for consistency's sake. Well, I love reviews! Tell me what you think! I'll need encouragement for this fic, since it's my first.

See you soon, Jaiden