Saturday Noon

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," the blond youth mumbled under a heavy sigh as he trudged along a shaded path of pine and trodden leaves. He had already been walking for almost half a mile and he was now barely approaching his destination, duffle bag in hand. The air was humid, making his clothing stick to him uncomfortably with each passing step.

I guess anything is better than where I was… Bright blue eyes scanned the green landscape that was Konoha Academy; it stretched around the tall and impressive brick buildings of the main campus and was inhabited by large oak trees that grew just at the edge of the fresh cut grass. They weren't kidding when they said that this school was hidden in the leaves. The smooth path soon split in two more directions just 50 yards from the main gate; he assumed that they led to the girls' and boys' dorms, but he could not see past the undergrove in either direction. Few students walked about the campus, only a handful in their uniforms which made him grateful for showing up on a day where he wouldn't stick out so much.

As he approached the open iron gates he couldn't help but feel a nagging sense of dread take over when he realized that there really was no going back beyond this point. Naruto Uzumaki had come here at the persistence of a kind man who supposedly worked at the school; a part of him knew that he should have been grateful for his kindness but he already felt out of place, as if he were stranded on a different planet. Who was I kidding for coming here? I can't do this... How was he supposed to blend in when he had no right to be there?

"Move." A cold demand came from behind him and he whirled around in surprise, hoping to sidestep out of their path.

"Sorr – OOWW!" Naruto yelped as the two boys collided and fell back from each other with grunts of pain. He groaned as a hand came over his forehead where the main impact practically head-butted him to the ground.

"What's your problem? Was it too difficult to step out of my way and not into it?" The other boy growled with an intense glare and Naruto immediately felt a surge of hostility.

"Have you ever thought of just walking around me and being less of a jerk about it?" He retorted defensively as he rubbed his forehead. He sat up slowly with a snarl, his anger was only provoked by the stranger's harsh words.

The boy's black hues remained heated with annoyance as he stood to wipe the dust from his uniform. He seemed more aggravated that his papers, bag, and a black case were now covered in dirt. Long choppy black hair fell in front of his pale face and Naruto could see some short spikes towards the back of his head. Every feature on his face, from his smoldering charcoal eyes, a well defined jaw line, to his visibly smooth ivory skin, was almost unbelievably perfect. Naruto took a brief moment to look him over once more, discerning whether or not the boy before him was, indeed, real. His eyes came back up to meet the fierce stare that instinctively made him flinch. His expression alone was malicious enough to make Naruto regret ever stepping into his way.

"What's with that look? Don't tell me you've forgotten how to speak." The other boy spoke first, his brows furrowing further into a more noticeable scowl.

"Shut up! What's with your persistence on trying to make me feel incompetent?"

"There's nothing wrong with feeling what you are."

"Excuse me?!" Naruto jumped to his feet, enraged,

"Oh? It seems as though I have overestimated your intelligence," The boy continued almost mechanically, "You're clumsy, incompetent, and deaf?"

"Okay you pretentious—"

"Saaaasuuuuke!"

The raven-haired boy, apparently Sasuke, rolled his eyes at the shrill sound, making his irritation much more noticeable than before. Naruto looked over his shoulder to see two girls running, or possibly racing, towards them. There was a blonde with a long ponytail flowing and a girl with pink hair that reached just past her shoulders. The blonde reached them first with a triumphant cheer almost knocking Sasuke over once again.

"I didn't think I would get to see you today Sasuke!" The girl squealed though he looked thoroughly aggravated.

"Yeah Sasuke, I thought you would be in class by now," the other girl added with a slight pant as she caught up. Her emerald hues eyed the two apprehensively, though she made no further move from the gate.

"I…"

DING DONG DING DONG!

Saved by the bell…

"Well, I was!" Sasuke finished with an exasperated shout while shaking the girl off and turning back to Naruto. "Now look what you've done!"

"Oh, what I've done, now? If you spent less time on being an asshole and more time on getting to class, you would have been there by now!" Naruto spat with detest, meeting the other's eyes with equal resentment.

"Hey! Don't talk to my Sasuke like that! You… I've never seen you before, actually," the girl paused while pointing her finger rather indignantly at him. She glanced at his duffle bag while putting her finger to her chin. "Are you new?"

"Wait, Naruto Uzumaki?" The pink haired girl spoke again. "Is that you? You aren't supposed to be here until tomorrow."

"How do you know my name?"

"You've GOT to be kidding me!" The other girl let out a child-like snort.

"Shut up Ino!"

"You're the one Kakashi wants Sakura to fetch?" She giggled, though the laughter seemed to serve a more sardonic purpose than actual amusement.

A familiar name! Finally! "Yes! Pleeease, just get me far away from here!" He pleaded with a rub of his temple. Three people. He had met three people and he was already seconds away from punching two of them. He wasn't going to last.

"The sooner the better," Sasuke spat before turning back down the path towards the boys' dorm, earning an annoyed scoff.

"What did you do to upset my Sasuke?" Ino scolded angrily, "Why are you getting in his way—"

"Ino!" Sakura interjected sharply, sounding just as fed up as he was. "If you could please refrain from harassing the new student I would like us to be on our way."

The girl pursed her lips together which she made to seem like a difficult task. He caught her pale glare of daggers before she turned on her heels and retreated as well. I feel welcome here already...

"That's Ino."

"I've gathered. Is she always a heinous bitch?"

"No cussing!" She snapped as her hand came in quick contact with the back of his head.

"Really? Is everyone at this school a total ass?!" He finally shouted with a swift kick to his duffle bag out of frustration.

Sakura sighed with a patronizing shake of her head. "Look, I'm sorry that Ino was being—"

"I'm not talking about her," he grumbled as he swung his bag over his shoulder. The image of Sasuke looking at him like he was scum was enough to make him start seeing red.

"Oh... You mean Sasuke," She stumbled over her words awkwardly as she fidgeted with her thumbs. "It'd be best if you stayed away from him."

"Why should I care? That pompous asshole doesn't scare me!" He exclaimed, taken aback at the suggesting of hiding from him.

"It's not that," she continued as she shifted her weight between her feet. "If you don't want a bunch of girls just like Ino on your case, it would be best to pretend Sasuke doesn't exist, okay?"

He couldn't come up with a retort on the spot so he stood in the uncomfortable silence. Maybe I shouldn't try to get on her bad side. "Fine," he huffed childishly. "So, where is Kakashi?"

"He's actually busy with class right now," She explained with an apologetic wave of her hand. "You arrived earlier than expected. I'll be taking you to Iruka instead."

"Right," he sighed, his head sinking slightly. It would have been nice to see one familiar face today, especially since his first impression of the school wasn't exactly the highlight of his day

He followed her to the large main building and through the maze of corridors and stairs within before arriving at the faculty office. There's no hope for me. I'm already lost.

"Iruka will take it from here," Sakura said with a gesture towards the door. "Good luck, Naruto."

He let another small sigh pass his lips before sliding the door open enough to fit through. Only one man sat at a desk on the other side of the room with a stack of papers in front of him. He looked to Naruto with a confused expression before the realization suddenly hit him.

"Oh! You must be Naruto! It's so good to see you a day early!" The tall man exclaimed from across the room. He had long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail and a light scar that ran over his nose. His smile was warm and welcoming, something new Naruto had yet to experience since his arrival.

"Well, I was just too excited to wait," Naruto tried to match the man's enthusiasm... And failed.

"You don't seem so thrilled," he pointed out with a small smile.

"My first moments, so far, have yet to impress me," he stated before adding, "at all." His mind went back to the dark haired youth he encountered earlier, and he couldn't keep himself from rolling his eyes.

Iruka frowned, seeming sincerely remorseful. "I assure you, your stay here will be much more pleasant."

"Let's hope so," the boy replied, still not feeling so sure.

"Well, the reason you're here to see me is because I'm in charge of all living arrangements here!" he announced rather eagerly.

"Umm," Naruto wondered with embarrassment, not knowing how to react to the man's fervor, "Do I get my own dorm room, by chance?" He was not looking forward to meeting anyone else at the moment.

"Unfortunately," Iruka began with a much weaker smile, "You will have to room with someone else since you've joined late in the semester. Second-years don't typically get to choose."

"I see," he mumbled. It was just one disappointment after another.

"Don't get your spirits down just yet!"

"In order to do that I would first need spirit," he retorted quietly.

The teacher sighed with a shake of his head. "I see. Kakashi will be very displeased to hear of this."

"Don't!" The blond blurted out. "Don't tell him... I'll be fine." The last thing he wanted was for that man to feel as though his efforts were wasted. "So... Where's my room?"

Iruka could not help but smile at the boy's attempt. "You passed the dorms on your way in correct? Come with me; I'll show you to your room."

Naruto managed a small nod as he trailed behind the man. They crossed the familiar sight of the campus that, under a different first impression, he would have thought to be breathtaking. As they veered left towards the dorms, he could feel his stomach begin to sink more with each dragging step. The tall dark brick structure was coming ever closer in his vision, and he felt his lips instinctively curve into a slight frown.

"Cheer up, Naruto," Iruka said as he looked back with a grin. "Give it some time; you'll be able to call this place home."

Doubtful... But he did respect this man's efforts to ease the discomfort. In a way, Iruka was being quite fatherly. It was something that he wasn't used to, but he could appreciate the kind words of encouragement.

The dorm was three stories tall and paled in comparison to the towering pine that surrounded them. As they entered through the heavy wooden double doors a strange warmth from within swept passed him. The entrance room was lavishly decorated with paintings and dark velvet drapes, drawn to the side of the arch windows. Two open rooms were at either side where Naruto could hear muffled conversations and laughter of other boys. A large red-wooden staircase stood directly ahead and led to the dorms above.

"Whoa," he mumbled, beside himself.

"It has it's rustic appeal. I can't say much has changed since I've been here," Iruka chuckled.

"Rustic must come at a damn good price."

"Is that you, sir?" a boy called out before emerging from the left room. He was just as tall as Naruto with long black hair and terrifyingly pale eyes. He was wearing the school uniform and stood proudly with a red band around his arm. The way he carried himself made it obvious that he some sort of prefect. "I didn't expect to see you until tomorrow."

"There's been a change of plans. It seems our new student decided to arrive early," Iruka replied as he scratched the back of his head. "Apparently he has had a rough day so far. This is Naruto Uzumaki. Naruto, this is Neji Hyuuga."

The boy bowed somewhat with a faint smile. "So, you're the boy who made Sasuke miss his class? You've made a powerful enemy already. I'm not surprised your day hasn't gone so well."

Iruka jumped slightly. "S-Sasuke, you said? You got in a fight with—"

"I didn't get into anything," Naruto growled, his mood quickly going sour.

"Right!" He exclaimed as he handed Neji a paper. "I just remembered that I have a meeting to go to. Neji, be sure to give Naruto a tour and show him to his room. Good luck!" With a short wave of farewell Iruka was on his merry way, albeit in an awkwardly rushed way.

What is with people wishing me luck? It's not like it helps.

Neji unfolded the paper and read through it for a moment. Naruto stood there stiffly as he awaited the Hyuuga's command. But he just stared at the paper, fixed on the details... before smiling.

A brow was raised questioningly and Neji finally looked up. "Let's get started shall we?" and with a beckon towards the two rooms at the sides of the entrance rooms, "the dining room is on the right, and the lounge is to the left."

"Gotcha," Naruto muttered with a halfhearted thumbs-up.

Neji shook his head. "You really haven't been having a good day, have you?"

"Is it painfully obvious?"

"Obvious, yes. Not yet painfully."

"Yet?" he asked with another raise of the brow, which only earned a quick shrug in reply.

"Alright, now we venture upstairs," he declared while completely ignoring the puzzled blond behind him. "Each floor has its own bathroom and each a small lounge as well," he explained while pointing to the second floor hallway, and they continued up.

"Where's my room?" Naruto inquired as they reached the 3rd floor.

"Room 309, that at the end of the next hallway. It has a different layout than the others," the dark haired boy explained as he lead him down another corridor. "Before you go," he began as they stopped before the door. "I just want to let you know that you can come to me if you need anything or have any grievances. I'm here to help you. So, tomorrow morning I'll be taking you on a tour. Be ready by 8:30."

"Well... Thanks?" Naruto stammered not knowing how to react to the forced amiable gesture.

Before anything else could be said the boy handed him the key and, in a strange act of spontaneity, darted back down the hallway.

Weird. Naruto looked down at the key and sighed lightly. Sadly, this is the closest thing I've ever had to a home. Without further hindrance he unlocked the door and pushed it open; the anticipation finally set in as his heart lurched into his throat while his stomach felt as if it sank to the floor. "You're kidding."

Cruel black eyes trailed from the textbooks at the desk before meeting an utterly mortified gaze of blue. Sasuke's eyes went wide with realization. "What..."

"NEJI!"