WOW! It has been a long 5 years since I have posted anything on here. I don't really know what to say other than life can be a wild ride. I literally have not written anything in 5 long years. I actually found this completed story while I was packing to move and decided to get back into writing. I know a lot of you are waiting for Sonfic Chronicles and Moving On and Returning.

The truth is... I cannot seem to find the manuscripts for either of those stories. I will probably be able to finish Songfic Chronicles but I'm not sure about MOaR. I am truly sorry for taking so long to come back to this wonderful creative platform. I'm going to do my absolute best to post this story in its completion since I have it now. I am also working on original fiction, which I will place in my profile.

As for this story, since I have the completed manuscript, I will aim for at least one chapter a week. I do hope you enjoy this, as it was written around the same time as MOaR and Songfic Chronicles. Also, please give constructive criticism. I really appreciate it, especially since I have been away for so long.

This story is an AU, slice-of-life kind of fic. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters, nor do I claim any profit from this story.

Chapter 1: The Project

"See you after school mom!" A 17-year-old Sakura Haruno yelled from the driver's side of her red Infinity Q30, her father beside her, as she backed out of the driveway.

"See you this evening, dear!" Her father, Suichi Haruno, called to his wife.

"Bye you two! Love you both!" The mother and wife of the family, Haruka Haruno, called back from the front door, her left hand holding a dish towel, a powder pink apron around her waist.

"Love you too!" The pair responded right before Sakura sped down her Konoha Estates street towards the Fire Country Highway, heading to her father's office.

The veteran district attorney turned to his daughter.

"So, are you ready for this summer Sakura?" He asked.

Yeah, dad! I can't believe it's almost graduation! I can't wait until May! I'm so excited!" She responded joyfully before returning a question.

"Any interesting cases lately?"

"Not really, just a couple of cold cases that are being very difficult."

"And I guess you can't say much else, can you?" She replied, smirking.

"That's right. But you'll find out soon, my future law student."

"Dad! I haven't decided yet!" She groaned, laughing at the same time.

"I know, Blossom. So, anything else interesting going on?"

"Nah. Just some final project for Multicultural Studies, an investigating cultures thing. We must spend a month with someone who isn't of the same background. I was assigned to be an interviewer. So, I have to spend a month with the person who I'm interviewing and their family."

"Sounds interesting. Who's your partner for this project?"

"We find out today. I hope it's someone I know."

"I can guarantee not, Blossom. It would be pointless if it was."

"I know, Dad. I just don't want a total slacker or a loser."

"Sa-ku-ra." Suichi growled softly.

"I know, I know. Don't judge a book by its cover." Sakura huffed.

"That's right. At least try to be open-minded please."

"Alright, I'll try. Happy?" She sighed, pulling up to the Konoha Law Firm.

"Very. See you at home, Blossom." He replied, giving her a kiss on the cheek before getting out of the car.

"See you later, Dad." Sakura called before zipping down the highway, heading for Konoha High School.

As she was driving, a Blue Mustang pulled out of the Vining's of Konoha, one of the two high income areas in the city, the other being Konoha Estates. Located in the middle of the city, it also doubled as the business district of Konoha.

The driver, 18-year-old Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, was also on his way to school. But before he made it there, he took a sharp left, choosing to travel down a suburban street to pick up his best friend, Kiba.

Sure enough, Naruto spotted the 17-year old Inuzuka waiting for him on the steps of his apartment complex.

"What's up dude!" Naruto called, giving Kiba a high five.

"You know, same old, same old. We had another litter at the zoo." Kiba replied as they took off down the road.

"Really? How many and of what?"

"Six wolf pups, four tiger cubs, three lion cubs, and two giant panda cubs. It was a LONG night!"

"No joke?"

"No joke."

"Man, I wish I had your job!"

Kiba looked at him like he had grown a second head.

"You what?! You, dancer, model, aspiring singer and fashion designer, son of the creator of Whirlpool Fashions and a World Class dancer, wants to muck out enclosures and deliver animal babies for a living?"

"Being rich isn't all it's cracked up to be. Dad is rarely at home anymore. That's why whenever he has a spare moment, we're all together. Sometimes, I wish we were still in Spain. It was so simple back then."

"Wait… so you mean to tell me that you wish you weren't rich?!"

"I didn't say that, dude. It's nice being rich, but I could do without all the craziness."

"There's craziness everywhere you go, man, rich or poor."

"I hear that!"

The ride became comfortably silent until Kiba started again.

"How's Gaara doing?"

"Alright I guess. He's getting better. But I just know that orphanage isn't treating him right. He still seems so depressed, like no one wants him. He has new bruises on top of the old ones that were just starting to heal. If only I could get him out of there!" Naruto frowned, gripping the steering wheel.

"Well, at least he has you as a mentor, right? That's gotta help a little."

"Not really. I was fortunate to get him as a mentee. Everyone before me failed in mentoring him, so they thought he was a lost cause. They never expected me to get this far with him."

"So, what is your secret, Mr. Genius?"

"There isn't one. Just some patience and actual caring attention is all it took."

"And no one thought of that before? Really?"

"I know. But enough of the sad stuff! You ready for this final project? I'm assigned as an interviewee."

"Aw man! I am too! I wanted to do your interview."

"For as long as you've known me Kib? Don't think so, bro. Besides, Iruka-sensei is picking the partners. I hope I get Sakura-chan."

Kiba made a puking sound at that statement.

"What?"

"You still like her? You've had a crush on pinkie since 9th grade!"

"So?"

"So, there are other fish in the sea, dude."

"And this is coming from the guy who has been in a stable relationship for how many years?"

"Six."

"Yeah, six"

"Ok, ok. You got me. I just don't want you getting your feelings hurt, my man."

"I know, bro. But don't worry about it. I'll be fine." Naruto said, turning into the school parking lot.

Parking the car, both teens made their way to their classes.

On the outside, Konoha High looked like any other high school. But once you set foot inside the walls, you realized the major separations in economic status, namely the rich and everyone else.

Naruto had taken it upon himself in the 10th grade to meet some new people, make some new friends, and distance himself from the shallow world known as the Rich Kid Society.

He began sitting with those of the middle and lower wealth statuses at lunch times and in his classes. Even though his rich counterparts hated him for it, he quickly became well-liked by everyone else.

By the time he knew it, 6th period had rolled around, the last of the day, Multicultural Studies, his favourite. Why?

His beloved pink-haired Sakura-chan was there.

However, this affection was not returned. In fact, she carried the strongest hate for the blue-eyed blond. She was praying that he wasn't her partner.

As the students filed into the classroom, they noticed that the seats, that once sat as groups of four, had now been paired. Naruto quickly found a seat next to Kiba.

Iruka soon walked in, carrying a stack of envelopes.

"Good afternoon everyone. Today is the day you have all been waiting for, your final project assignments. Everyone remembers the instructions, right?"

"Hai." The class answered in a monotonous chorus, belying their eager anticipation.

"Then let us begin. Each person will receive an envelope. Then they shall sit with this person for the rest of the year so that they can get the most of the experience and are able to give the most accurate presentation." He began, while passing out the envelopes.

"Remember, this is due the day before graduation and is worth 50% of your grade."

Kiba received his first. Upon opening it, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Well? Who'd you get?" Naruto asked curiously.

"Hinata."

"That's great, man! You don't get to spend a lot of time with her as it is, so this is perfect for you!"

"I know right! A whole month with my girl with no interruptions." Kiba dreamily sighed while Naruto received his envelope.

"You're welcome Naruto." Iruka whispered so that only Naruto and Kiba could hear.

Both boys were confused until Naruto opened his envelope.

His face reddened as a smile crept across it.

"Well then?" Kiba urged.

Naruto found that his voice would not work, so he just handed the card to Kiba, whose mouth dropped.

"Dude! That is UNREAL! This is your chance. Make it count, man!" He raved, only to be cut short by an anger-filled shriek.

"Now Sakura, you can take the partner or you can take a zero. Your choice." Iruka stated firmly.

"I'll take the partner." She ground out, furious.

"Who'd you get?" asked Temari.

"Who do you think?"

"No!"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Yes really."

"You got the deserter?"

"YES! I got Naruto Uzumaki AKA 'The Deserter'! I can't believe this!"

"Damn, that sucks!" Kankuro chimed in, with Sasuke nodding in agreement.

Hinata was off in her own little world after she got her envelope. She got her boyfriend Kiba. Things couldn't be better.

"Alright everyone, I got special permission for you all to leave early so that our interviewers can pack and our interviewees can take you to their houses. Have fun!"

With that, Iruka walked out, the student following suit.

"Well, later 'Kura. Good luck with that." Sasuke said, following Temari and Kankuro out.

"Yeah." Sakura replied, heaving a sigh.

"Well, might as well get this over with." She muttered to herself, walking over to Naruto.

Kiba was long gone, attaching himself to Hinata's shoulders.

Naruto was the last one left when Sakura approached him.

"Alright traitor, let's get this over with."

A frown appeared on Naruto's visage. They were NOT gonna start this way.

"My name is Naruto and I expect you to use it, Sakura-chan." He stated, leaving no room for argument.

"Fine then, if you want me to call you Naruto, then stop calling me Sakura-chan. It's annoying. Deal?"

"Fair enough."

"Good. Now, I have to drop my car off at my father's office. He the DA of Konoha you know." Sakura bragged, causing Naruto to roll his eyes. Why did he like her again?

"Then you can take me to my glorious palace so I can get my clothes for the month. Then we can go to your place, wherever that is." She finished, her nose in the air.

"Ay la princesa malcriada esa. (Oh this spoiled princess)" Naruto muttered under his breath.

"What was that?!"

"Nothing Sakura. Can we go now? I'll be late for work at this pace."

"I suppose."

A few moments later, they pulled up at Sakura's house. Sakura had to admit, the Mustang was a pretty sweet car. Not as nice as her Infinity, but good.

She was relieved when she found her butler instead of her mother at home.

"Hi Li."

"Hello Miss Sakura. I assume this is your project partner?"

"Yeah, it is. I'll be right back." She replied, darting upstairs, leaving an unimpressed Li and a confused Naruto.

"So sorry for the rudeness, what is name young man?" Li asked kindly.

"Naruto Uzumaki. Pleased to meet you."

"Likewise. I presume that Miss Sakura will be staying with you for the month?"

"Yessir."

"Then please, do us all a favour and teach her some humility. Everyone knows she is desperately lacking it."

Naruto chuckled.

"I can try."

"Thank you Master Naruto."

"Please Li, call me Naruto. I am not worthy of the Master title yet."

"As you wish. Now I must excuse myself and see to this evening's dinner. Adieu."

"Have a good evening Li."

"Likewise to you, Naruto."

As Li disappeared around the corner, a thud caught Naruto's attention.

"¡Dios de mi vida! How much stuff do you need?!" He exclaimed when he saw her three huge suitcases.

"One is for my clothes, one is for my bath things, and one is my accessories."

"You're only going for a month, Sakura."

"So?" Sakura said, causing Naruto to sigh deeply.

"Nothing, let's just go."

I hope you enjoy this story. Let me know what other types of stories you would like to see from me, fanfiction or original. Please remember to leave a review. Until next week. Bye everyone.