So this is a new fic and I've got a lot of ideas floating around on where it will go. It's obviously in a High School AU setting but I'll try to avoid the clichés that are inherent in High School AUs. The rating may be subject to change (for sexytiems of course) ;)

NOTE as of 03/02/2012: The first part of the story is the product of my early-teen mind, so the earlier chapters are actually quite bad! The tone of the story only matures later on, so with that said, continue reading at your own risk.

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Whispers from the auditorium slowly died down as the girls stood there speechless, blankly staring at their Headmistress. A few moments of silence had passed before Sakura spoke up.

"I'm sorry, Tsunade-sama, but what?"

The voluptuous woman crossed her arms and met the eyes of her all female students.

"You heard me," she said clearly, narrowing her light brown eyes. "From now on Kunoichi Preparatory Academy will be a co-ed school, merging with Hashirama Senju School for Boys."

Crickets.

"Are we all clear?"

Seconds later all hell broke loose.

Forget Me Not
1. Say What Now?

Seventeen year old Haruno Sakura had her life story all planned out. She would graduate from high school at the top of her class as the student council president, and after her lifelong career in medicine would begin. Her future would come in stages; university then medical school then internships then residency...step by predictable step. She supposed that the predictability of her future would add to the monotony of her life, but she didn't mind. Because if anything, Haruno Sakura hated change.

Which is why she hated this day.

It started normally enough. The birds were chirping, the trees were swaying with the late summer wind and the girls were chatting in the hallway, as per usual.

At that time, Sakura was still in bed. It was about fifteen minutes before the annual back to school assembly, but the pink haired girl was still deep in sleep.

This would definitely not do, thought her roommate Ino as she stood by Sakura's bedside and examined the sleeping girl. Sakura's limbs were sprawled on the surface of the bed and the blanket was rumpled and gathered at her waist. Her characterizing pink hair was spread messily across her pillow and it caught the stripes of sunlight radiating from behind the blinds. She was even slightly drooling. The image would have normally made her laugh, but Ino settled on narrowing her baby blue eyes in contemplation. Hesitating for only a second, she reached for a nearby pillow, took aim at Sakura's face, and watched amusedly as her friend inelegantly snorted awake.

"Eh, wha...?" Sakura muttered incoherently. "Ino?" she asked, still slightly disoriented. It took a couple of seconds for consciousness and clarity to take over. "What the hell was that for!"

"We're late," Ino said. "Actually, you're late. I ran into Shizune-sensei on the way to the assembly. She was freaking out because she couldn't find you anywhere so she told me to look for you. Well it turns out that you're here. Sleeping."

Sakura's eyes widened as she jolted upright. She jerkily turned her head to look at the digital clock on her bedside.

8:43.

Nope, not possible. She blinked hard.

8:44.

"Shit!" Sakura yelled as she pushed her duvet off as if it had caught fire. She quickly ran to the washroom and accidentally slammed the door in her haste. On the other side of the wall Ino heard the tap running.

Their room was a chaotic mess. Most girls had just settled in their new dorms because summer vacation had ended days ago. As a result, Sakura and Ino didn't get a chance to unpack their suitcases yet, so their floor was a mess of clothes yet to be hanged while their tabletops were cluttered with make-up and hair supplies.

"Ino!" Sakura called out from the bathroom while brushing her teeth. "Khan you ghet my unifohm rhedy?"

"Sure," the blonde replied, laughing inwardly at how Sakura sounded. She headed to their closet and began picking out her friend's uniform items—blouse, tie, kilt, and blazer—with no particular rush. She set them down on Sakura's bed and soon enough the pink haired girl emerged from the bathroom.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Sakura muttered agitatedly as she grabbed her clothes and hurriedly buttoned her blouse.

As the student council president it was customary for Sakura to deliver the welcoming speech to the enrolling sixth graders in the back to school assembly. Sakura was never going to hear the end of it from Shizune; she was supposed to be at the auditorium already to help the older woman prepare for everything. Tsunade made them responsible for organizing the assembly after all.

"I never knew I needed to," Ino replied. Sakura glared mutinously and continued to put on her clothes. "Besides, there was this announcement. It said to come to come down to the auditorium immediately, so naturally I went. I don't know what it was all about...some crap about the future of our school. It was weird."

Sakura furrowed her brows in confusion as she slipped on her shoes. "Future of our school? It's a back to school assembly."

"I don't get it either," Ino admitted. "In fact, no one does. I talked to some girls and nobody had a clue what Tsunade-sama was talking about. It's supposed to be really important though."

"Whatever." Sakura shook her head and discarded the thought. "Let's go. The doors are going to close on us at this rate."

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The Kunoichi Preparatory Academy had a long standing reputation as one of the best high schools in Konoha. Known commonly as KPA, the school was famous for its academics, affluence and driven students. The foliage bordering the campus added to the scholarly atmosphere, and any girl would've thought herself lucky to attend KPA.

At least, that's what Sakura always thought.

Now she wasn't too sure. The auditorium was in chaos—girls were loudly voicing their opposition, questions were yelled instead of asked and it seemed that every female in the auditorium had something to say. The students definitely weren't acting as the poised, sophisticated young women that their school made them out to be.

Everybody expected a simple back to school assembly. Prior to Tsunade's announcement, nothing was out of the ordinary. The girls were calm and attentive as Shizune talked about school policies and rules. For about half an hour she reviewed the Student Handbook that nobody ever read, covering things like uniform policy, cafeteria hours, and curfew. When it was time for Sakura to deliver her welcoming speech, she was called to the podium.

Sakura would admit that it was slightly nerve-wracking to speak in front of an entire school, but KPA's student population was abnormally small for a campus that big. The amount of girls enrolling each year was steadily decreasing and there were many classrooms not being used. In fact, one of the dorm buildings was completely vacant. They still kept it in good condition of course, even if was rather useless.

Most girls didn't mind the small population because they were used to it. In fact, some believed that it made the school community closer since everybody seemed to know everyone else.

With that said, everyone also knew that the school's dwindling population was a pressing problem. What was less common knowledge however, was that Hashirama Senju School for Boys would be the solution.

The mere mention of the all-boys school was enough to make some girls flinch. Hashirama Senju was as notorious as KPA was prestigious. Whenever there were fights, pranks or plain rowdiness, the response would always be, "Oh is it those Hashirama Senju boys again?" or "Damn those Hashirama Senju boys!" Much fist shaking would ensue.

It mainly had to do with the fact that the Headmaster of the school was Jiraiya, so parties and porn weren't prohibited or even hidden. Rules were slack at best and non-existent at worst.

It made sense that KPA would take students from Hashirama Senju. There were way too many boys clustered in that one school and they were overpopulated to the point that the school building just couldn't contain everyone anymore. Maybe that was the reason for the lack of order in the school. But still...

"Hashirama Senju? Please, at least some other school!" one girl exclaimed.

"Those guys are pigs!" another yelled.

"Tsunade-sama, what's going on?"

At the stage, the Headmistress rubbed her temples in agitation.

"Where will they even stay?"

"What about curfew?"

"At least give us some decent boys!"

Her students were complete brats, Tsunade mused. The rising volume of overlapping voices was starting to reverberate through the blond woman's skull, and she groaned in pain and annoyance.

"That's enough!" she yelled authoritatively as her amber eyes narrowed dangerously at the audience.

Sakura flinched inwardly as Tsunade's voice echoed through the room. The ferocity of the older woman's glare was felt even at the back of the auditorium where she and Ino sat. Soon enough all protests died down but the confusion remained.

Tsunade cleared her throat. The auditorium was completely silent and she had every girl's attention.

"Now ladies," she began, "as you may know, this school has excess space that is not used by the students or faculty. Our campus was meant to accommodate 3000 students, but there are currently only 800 students. With much thought to the matter I have met up with Jiraiya and we have reached our decision. It is final."

The audience began to whisper again and Tsunade continued.

"To suit the boys, our name will be changed from Kunoichi Preparatory Academy to Konoha Preparatory Academy. As you can imagine, the addition to the student body will change many things.

"Students will be expected at their rooms by specific times. Elementary students are expected back at 10 PM and high school students are expected at midnight." Everybody groaned. "Your living arrangements may also change a little. We have one full dormitory not being used, so that will be fully occupied by the Hashirama Senju boys from sixth to eighth grade. The east dorm will house girls also from sixth to eighth grade. However, the north dorm will be shared between males and females." Ino and Sakura shared a glace, as that was where they were living. "Your roommates will not change though you may have to switch rooms, since each floor has to have the same number of girls and boys.

"Boys sports teams and other extracurricular clubs will be added to the school in order suit the interests the new students. Your parents have been notified of this change and they approve, having decided that this merging is beneficial to KPA."

Tsunade paused from her speech to take a look at the audience. The girls reacted very differently to the news. Some were excited while others were apprehensive, though most of the students were still digesting the information.

"That's all for now," she resumed. "Any personal questions or concerns can be directed to the office or guidance room. Classes are cancelled for the week since the boys will be settling in."

That information seemed to placate the teenagers, and Tsunade inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. With that she nonchalantly left the stage, leaving the girls in stunned silence.

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Meanwhile at Hashirama Senju School for Boys, students were getting ready to move into the all-girls school down the block. In one particular dorm, a blond was playing with a basketball while his dark-haired roommate was busy stuffing his few belongings into a duffel bag.

The dark-haired boy turned to his friend. "Naruto, go pack up. We're leaving in two hours," he said.

"Eh? Oh yeah! We're going to a girl's school, we're going a girl's school," Naruto said in a sing-song manner, putting down the basketball he was tossing absently. The bus was already waiting outside and some guys already loaded all their suitcases. The blond didn't even start packing yet, though that didn't surprise his long-time best friend. "Sasuke, aren't you exited?"

"No, dobe," Sasuke said, sighing and stuffing the last of his clothes into his navy duffel bag. "Why would I be?"

"We're talking about girls here, Sasuke. Girls! And tons of 'em. You know what? I bet they'll all go after this hunk right here," Naruto pointed to himself and puffed out his chest, "since they've been without some good testosterone for a while."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "I think that they'd rather lick sandpaper," he said flatly.

Naruto pouted childishly. "Nuh-uh! Just watch Sasuke, I'll score tons of girls. They'd be clinging to Naruto-sama all day long."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. He didn't know why Naruto got so excited about transferring schools or getting a girlfriend. To him, girls were all pretty annoying with their whiny 'Sasuke-kuns' and hearts in their eyes or whatnot. Their legs were nice, but that was pretty much it for Sasuke.

Sasuke zipped his duffel bag and slung it across his shoulders. He walked toward the doorway, ready to leave the room. "I'll be at the cafeteria. Jiraiya asked to meet everyone there."

"Hey, wait. I still need to pack! Bastard, come back!"

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"Ugh, I can't believe this," Ino groaned while trudging her bags up the stairs. "Seriously, why couldn't they just let one floor have more girls? Jeez," she said, blowing a lock of hair out of her view.

Two days after Tsunade broke the news, boys started settling in. The campus became quite lively. A whole registration process was happening and the girls acutely felt the change to their school's atmosphere.

It was especially busy in the north dorm where Ino and Sakura recently settled in. Some girls had to change rooms so there would be an exact number of sixteen people per gender for each floor. To their inconvenience, Ino and Sakura were one of those girls.

"Ino, you're just walking up two floors," Sakura pointed out as she carried her own stuff with ease. The green eyed girl managed to stuff all her possessions in one suitcase.

"And that too! Couldn't they have installed elevators? My bags are freaking heavy!"

Ino was carrying a compact bag on the bend of her right elbow, while her hand was carrying a duffel bag. Her left arm was hauling a large suitcase up the steps.

"That's because you brought so much stuff," Sakura replied, "you know, one full bag just for makeup isn't necessary."

Ino turned around and shot her a look. "Sakura, what am I without my makeup? Have you seen me in the morning?"

The pink haired girl cringed and decided not to say anything, just to play it safe.

"Whatever. At least some of the boys are hot." Ino said while climbing up a few more steps. "I saw this one guy, he was really cute. Tan, tall, buff…all that."

"Ino, these boys are from Hashirama Senju. How courteous do you think they'll be?" Sakura asked.

"They don't have to be courteous, Sakura." Ino joked, sticking her tongue out. "Bad boys have more fun!"

Sakura rolled her green eyes light-heartedly. They had reached Floor D, the new destination for their room. Sakura opened the door with her free hand and let Ino go through first before entering. While Ino lead the way and held their new keys, Sakura looked through the hallway and noted that it was no different from their old one, just two stories higher.

Ino handed Sakura the keys when they finally reached the room because her hands were full. Sakura turned the lock and the door opened with a click. She entered their room and Ino came in behind her while dumping all of her bags on the floor.

"Wow, that's a ton off my arms right there." Ino said while plopping stomach-down to her new bed. "Hey Sakura, look!" she said, pointing to the window. "We get a much better view up here."

Sakura looked outside and saw the trees behind their school swaying calmly. She walked towards the window and opened it to let the wind in.

"Ah, that's much better." Sakura said. She looked at Ino and then looked at the watch on her hand.

Her eyes widened as she realized what time it was. "Oh crap, I've got to be at a student council meeting in ten minutes," Sakura said while putting on her autumn jacket. "I'll be back in half an hour, and then we'll decorate this plain room, 'kay Pig?"

Ino stood up and narrowed her eyes. "Forehead Girl, don't call me a pig!" she exclaimed, crossing her arms.

Sakura laughed at their customary goodbye and hugged Ino as she made her way out of the door. "Bye Ino-pig!"

She arrived at the library for the meeting a short while after leaving the room. It was pretty close walking distance and Sakura managed to get there in time by jogging lightly. When she stepped into the library she was greeted by the sight of endless shelves and a long mahogany table. Sakura instantly noticed the males whom she assumed to be Hashirama Senju's student council sitting around the table and her curiosity was peaked. Soon enough she was greeted by a sophomore, Mei, whom she was on good terms with.

"Good morning kaichou,(1)" Mei greeted cheerfully. "We were just about to discuss how the student council should operate now that we have the Hashirama Senju boys here."

"Thanks, Mei-chan." Sakura said, taking her seat. "Hi everyone, I'm Haruno Sakura and I'm the student council president of KPA. So have we reached any solutions?" she asked.

A young-looking male who wore goggles and had a trail of snot leaking down his nose began speaking.

"Hello, Haruno-senpai," he began, "I'm Udon. So far we've decided that we should have two reps for the school. It would save us the trouble of a new election, and each president could be a representative." There were murmurs of agreement and confusion in the small group.

"Well what exactly do you mean by a representative, Udon-kun?" Sakura questioned.

"You will have the same tasks as president," he explained, wiping some snot away with his sleeve. "And you will still be referred to as a kachiou, but the duties will be split with you and our own president."

"I guess that makes sense, but where is your president, exactly?" Sakura asked. As the president, she usually sat at one end of the table. It only made sense that Hashirama Senju's president would sit on the other end, but that seat was conspicuously vacant.

"He should be here right now," Udon spoke, "but I don't see him anywh—"

"DATTEBAYO! Am I late?" a blond boy called out, breaking the doors open. All heads suddenly snapped in his direction.

Udon rubbed the back of his neck in a nervous gesture. "Uh, there he is."

"Eh? Who are you? Your hair is pretty!" he said, pointing to Sakura. She coughed awkwardly in response and managed a small smile.

"Um, thanks?" she said unsurely. "I'm Haruno Sakura," she said, holding out her hand.

The blonde broke into a sheepish smile and shook her hand with vigour. "So you're Sakura-chan? That's great! I'm Uzumaki Naruto and I'll be your partner in crime for this year!" he said, while giving her the thumbs up pose.

Sakura laughed lightly and at the childish antics of this mysterious boy. He acted like he had known her for years even though this was their first meeting. Naruto's friendliness made Sakura take an instant liking to him.

Tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear, the petite girl cleared her throat and smiled. "Hello Naruto-kun," she said. "I'll be glad to be your partner in crime for the year."

Naruto replied with a bigger grin. "Okay, Sakura-chan. Oh, you can call me Naruto, by the way. I don't like formalities."

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(1) Kaichou: means president. In this case, it's for the student council.