I do not own Naruto or any of its related characters. That honor belongs to Kishimoto Masashi…lucky dog…XD

Chp. 1: School Daze…err…Days

"THERE HE IS, GET HIM!"

Naruto skidded around the corner, just barely avoiding colliding with other students in the hall, and bolted down the hallway as fast as he could. He looked behind him and begged his legs to carry him faster. His stomach dropped as he saw that he was being followed by no less than five of the Konoha High football offensive line. "CUT IT OUT, I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!"

This was a lie, and a very bad one, a fact that Naruto Uzumaki was painfully aware of. But it wasn't his fault! It all started back in the gym…

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Naruto's ears caught the yelp of a terrified freshman. He always knew when it was a freshman, they seemed to have these high, squeaky voices that would make you want to puncture your eardrums to stop hearing it. He looked behind and sighed, already knowing what was going on.

The football team…the biggest group of muscle heads, jerks, athletes, and morons to ever set foot inside an educational institution. Naruto didn't want to get involved and end up on the receiving end of their aggression, but his inner sense of justice kept him from shutting up and staying out of the way.

Just before one of the bigger guys was able to sock the kid out cold, Naruto ran up behind him and tapped his shoulder. He turned around just in time to catch Naruto's fist…with his face. The defensive guard was laid out faster than anyone could think. The team turned their heated glares to Naruto, who nearly wet himself upon meeting said glares. He scratched the back of his head and smiled, "Well, uhhh…SEE YA!" Naruto bolted from the gym, the players hot on his heels.

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And so Naruto found himself, once more, running from what he was sure would be excruciating pain and suffering as he rounded the corner once again, barely managing to eke out an "Oh!" before he collided with another student head on.

Naruto landed on his back, and let out a strangled "OOF!" as the student landed on top of him. His eyes opened slowly in blurred confusion and pain. "Owww…I'm sorry about that…I was just…"

"I-it's o-okay….I was k-kind of spacey too…"

Naruto's eyes opened fully, and he felt his tongue tangle into a knot in his mouth. His crystal blue eyes stared directly into the pale, lavender, pupil-less eyes of the girl currently laid out on top of him. A fierce blush entered both their faces, the rest of the world around them seemingly gone for the time being.

"Whoah…she's…really pretty…" Naruto thought to himself. Her smooth, dark indigo hair fell to about her shoulders, and framed her fair, pale face perfectly. But it was those eyes…those lavender eyes. Naruto caught himself staring and coughed nervously, helping the girl back up to her feet.

"I'm really sorry about that, Miss…" The girl shook her head and said, "It's no problem, I-I…I…" She was impressed, to say the least. She had never remembered seeing a more handsome face. And those weird marks on his face…they looked almost like whiskers. They only seemed to add to the whole mysterious quality about him. His spiky blonde hair fell messily atop his head, spiking out wildly, almost like porcupine quills. And his eyes…they shone with a deep sapphire light, as if there was a fire inside his body.

"I'VE GOT YOU NOW, UZUMAKI!"

"Damn it…"

The players appeared at that moment and the biggest one of the group grabbed Naruto by his collar. The girl ran up to the guy, even though he was easily twice her size, and stammered, "L-let him go! D-don't hurt him!" The team merely laughed and man holding Naruto said, "Lookie here, fellas…Uzumaki's got himself a little girlfriend…say, you're actually kinda cute…maybe later, once I'm done pounding this punk, you and I could…"

Just then, a cool but stern voice called out, "It would be in your best interests to keep your filthy thoughts and hands away from my cousin, Hiroshi." The player looked to the side and his face paled to the color of paper. There stood none other than Neji Hyuuga, the captain of the Konoha High football team. "N-N-Neji-senpai! This girl is…"

"My cousin, yes she is. Wait…Naruto? Is that you Naruto?" The blonde turned his head around and grinned widely. "Yep, it's me Neji-san. Looks like your team is pretty unpredictable…damn loose cannons they are!"

"Naruto…who did you lay out this time?"

"Ummm…the guy who wears number 33."

"Takuyo? Again? That's the third time this week, dude! You nearly gave him a concussion last time!"

"HE DESERVED IT, HE TRIED TO BREAK MY LEGS!"

Neji walked right on up to Hiroshi and said, "Drop Uzumaki and leave my cousin alone punk, or I'll have you doing laps till you lose function of your legs, PERMANENTLY." Hiroshi dropped Naruto and ran off with his team, thoroughly terrified of Neji.

"You alright, you little dobe?"

"Yeah…nothing's hurt…just my pride…"

Neji turned to the girl and said, "I apologize for my team's behavior. They're not the sharpest tools in the shed I'm afraid…how's your first day been?" The girl frowned and said, "Terrible…I'm l-lost and I can't find anything, I've b-been late to all my classes so far…."

Naruto looked to her and said, "Wait, you're new? Wouldn't you have a student guide to show you around then?" The girl looked back to the packet she was holding and indeed, he was right. But as she read her guide's name, she found herself blushing and quite incapable of speech. Naruto peeked over her shoulder and saw the name…more specifically, his name.

"Hey, that's me! I guess I'm your guide, huh? Well then, Naruto Uzumaki's the name, believe it! And…you are?" When she didn't speak Neji did for her, "Naruto, this is my cousin, Hinata Hyuuga. She is a junior, like you, and she'll be spending the rest of her high school career here in Konoha."

Neji pulled Naruto aside and said quietly, "Naruto…be gentle with my cousin. She's very shy and awkward around new people. So if I hear about you getting her into any of your usual messes, you'll have me to deal with, got it?"

"Loud and clear, officer."

Neji smirked and said, "Don't worry Hinata, Naruto is a good guy, if not a little goofy at times. You two take care, I'll see you after school Hinata." Neji disappeared into the crowd, now thinning out as they went to class. "So your name's Hinata, eh? That's actually a really pretty name…" She blushed furiously again and it took all her willpower not to faint into his arms right there. "C'mon, I'll show the ropes of Konoha High!" Naruto took her arm and gently guided her by his side as they disappeared into the science wing…