Chapter 1: Oil and Water

"You won't be able to graduate." Tsunade repeats.

His stomach tightens, her gaze is hard and stern.

No amount of joking or lighthearted jests can get him out of this.

Not that he won't try though!

"Come on Granny, surely there's something I can do to bring my grades up. An extra credit assignment, after school project to add some points to one of my other assignments; anything!" Naruto asserts.

Because the last thing he needs is to be stuck here another year. Amongst the hateful stares, mocking jokes, and whispers behind his back, it's a surprise he hasn't dropped out already.

Tsunade straightens up, flipping through the piles of paperwork that covered just Naruto's file alone. Teachers dreaded him, his laziness and constant interruptions to class sent him to detention on a daily basis it seemed or worse, suspensions when his mood was fouler.

Today is no different.

With grades mainly in the C to D category, it was time for a true intervention this year.

"It's your senior year now Naruto. It's up to you to decide truly if you want to make a change. Looking over your grades over the past years, it seems like science has been your worse subject. Now I remember how much you 'enjoyed' your last tutor so much to the point he quit on you, so I've planned out another option for you." Tsunade explained.

Naruto leaned forward in his seat eagerly, cerulean eyes gleaming.

"Well, tell me already!"

He hopes this time it's something actually interesting, something that will really for once get him wanting to come to school…

"The chemistry club is short one member this year since their president Neji graduated last year. They could really use an extra member to help take them to the regional Chemistry Olympiads again…" She trailed off.

And Naruto instantly snorted, shifting back in his seat.

Surrounded by the most prestigious, smartest, athletic, all-around perfect students of the school? That was the best idea she had?

It was those 'elite' that ignored him the most.

"Granny, are you trying to make them fail before they even go? I would only bring the 'team' down." Naruto retorted.

Amber eyes brighten, shaking her head. "On the contrary Naruto, the competition isn't held until the end of the year. They'll train you and test you along the way; consider it learning from your fellow peers in a different way then you're used to."

Naruto restrained the urge to roll his eyes.

"Yeah? And if I don't want to spend my time around a bunch of science fanatics?"

Tsunade cracked her knuckles then and he gulped.

"Oh, I'm sorry; did you think you I was giving you an option?"

-X-

The 300s are considered the science wing of the high school.

Naruto sighs, burying his hands deeper into the pockets of his scruffy jeans, slowing his pace down considerably.

Outside he can see clouds drifting by in a sea of blue, it's the perfect weather to be enjoying instead of stuck amongst these endless halls of Konoha's red and white school colors.

KSO, or Konoha Science Olympiad seemed to get lost among the hundreds of clubs the school had to offer, but he knew from small talk here and there that the club had won national and regional championships over the past couple of years.

'Guess that streak is going to broken now.'

"Let's see, 300, 301, 302, 303, alright room 304." He mumbled to himself, following the directions Tsunade had given him.

"The club meets every Wednesday after school from 4 to 6 pm. I expect you to attend every meeting and write updates on how your progress is going. Kakashi is the main coordinator for the club so he'll know if your half-assing it or not in the work you do or if you even show up. Consider this your final chance." Her words repeated like a warning.

The hall smells of disinfectants, smoke, and other mixtures he couldn't name.

Did they really want him of all people around such things?

He peered through the small window of the classroom, searching for any familiar faces among the club. Tsunade had assigned him to chemistry, but he knew there were also physics, biology, and earth science divisions as well.

At the front of the room near the board he saw familiar coral pink hair, Sasuke's girlfriend; Sakura. It made sense she was here, she was practically head of or at least a member of every club the school had at to offer at some point or another.

His eyes wandered towards the back, even with his face down he could tell by the tied up spiky brown hair it was Shikamaru.

'I guess even lazy people have to join something if they want to look good for colleges…'

Insects were scattered around the desk beside him, making the seat appear black. Goosebumps prickled his skin as he tried to get a good look at the guy's face, only to find it obscured by dark shades and his jacket.

Maybe he should just turn around.

But then lavender eyes caught his and he blinked, looking away quickly. He had seen eyes like that before during his many scuffles with Neji.

She was a Hyuga.

'What was her name again? I know I've heard it before Hana or maybe it was Hina, no it was Hinata!'

"Are you going to just loiter outside the door or are you going to come in?" A voice asked breaking his thoughts, opening the door a crack as Naruto stood back.

Kakashi looked him over with a bored expression and Naruto scowled at being caught.

"Yeah, yeah I coming." He muttered.

He felt the heavy stare of hundreds of pairs of eyes on him, stopping their work just to turn.

"What's he doing here? Is he going to pull some prank again?" One girl asked.

The boy next to her shrugged, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Who knows? I wouldn't put it pass him though. I'm surprised he hasn't been expelled at this point; he doesn't care about school."

He ignores the growing tightness in his chest, sending the pair a glare that instantly shuts them up.

"Just take a seat anywhere, we don't officially start until 4 o clock hits." Kakashi mentioned behind him, pulling out his pocket book as he takes his seat again at the teacher's desk.

It's hard to understand him with that constant masks he keeps on, but Naruto nods his understanding.

He searches for lilac eyes again and finds the seat next to hers is empty.

Perfect.

He waits for her to stiffen, to instantly get up and move herself and her belongings to some other seat like time and time again, but instead she shifts towards him, curious.

"N-Naruto?" Hinata questions.

He cocked his head toward her. "Yeah?"

She twiddled with a strand of her hair, threading her next words carefully.

"Um, what are you doing here?"

Naruto chuckled, crossing his hands behind his back as he leaned in his chair. He could ask himself that very same question.

"I'm here to join this Science Olympics or whatever it is, I'll be in the chemistry section." He smiled charmingly.

Those eavesdropping nearby gasp in a mix of either shock or horror and he knows he hears a curse come from somebody.

"Do…do you know anything about chemistry?" Hinata ventures to ask.

The smile never leaves Naruto's face.

"Nope!"

-X-

"Are you sure you're okay with this Hinata? I can always assign you to somebody else if you want." Sakura asks again.

She's surprised when she vehemently shakes her head, cheeks a dark red at her raise of a brow.

"I'm sure Sakura, this is what I want." Hinata assures her.

It's the first club meeting of the year and they've been grouped into pairs to do a typical icebreakers task of getting to know each other and test their basic knowledge of science.

Naruto has no basic knowledge of science.

Jade eyes shift back to Naruto, currently doodling a design on the back of the paper she's passed out to everyone.

"It's Naruto though, I mean I know principal Tsunade said we had to accommodate him, but…" She cut herself off.

"You know I like him Sakura; I want to help him. He can be great asset to our team if people believed in him more and he was encouraged to stay focused." Hinata whispers back.

And at Sakura's amused grin, she knows she's opening herself for teasing amongst the girls later on.

"…Well, I guess this is the perfect opportunity then; huh?" She muses.

Hinata nods, she wasn't going to let this go to waste.

She returns back to her seat, Naruto now studying her carefully. Cobalt eyes move between Sakura and her before he frowns.

"What's wrong?" Hinata questions.

The scowl sets in further and her heartbeat quickens at his abrupt change in mood.

"…What were you and Sakura talking about?" He asks.

His tone is bitter, cold with distrust.

Doubt forms when people constantly talk behind your back.

"You." Hinata eventually answers honestly.

"She wanted to know if I was okay with having you as my partner for this team building assignment." She continued on.

Naruto grunted. Of course. 'I should've just gone home…'

"And its fine with me; if well you're okay with it that is! I want to work with you. We'll be working with Sakura, Shino, and Shikamaru as well and I want you to feel welcomed here, despite what people in the other groups may say."

The knots in his stomach loosen. She didn't want him to go?

"You're strange." He blurts out before he can think his words through.

Girls don't want to hang out with him. They want people with looks like Sasuke, brains like Neji or Shikamaru, or even at least muscles like Kiba.

"W-Why am I strange?" Hinata murmurs and he winces at the sadness in her voice.

"Ah well I meant strange in a good way! You know, I mean it's not every day I run into someone that wants to actually spend time around me!" He chuckled, scratching his head.

Ugh, he sounded so stupid right now.

Hinata giggles, light and melodious and he breathes a sigh of relief.

His heartbeat feels noticeably louder in his ears every time he looks at her for the remainder of time. They go around discussing small things about themselves and their goals for the year. Most hope to attend college next fall, start working in a family business, or something or another that relates to the field of science.

He has no such goals though.

He has nothing he wants to share with these people really.

Kakashi asks if he'll return next Wednesday and he simply shrugs.

But he feels Hinata's stare on his back and grits his teeth at the smile Kakashi gives him beneath his mask.

Whether he likes it or not, he can feel his face getting hot.

-X-

'Went out for drinks with some new lady friends I met after work. Leftovers in the fridge! –Jiraiya'

Naruto crumpled up the note, tossing it into the bin.

Jiraiya went out with 'friends' on an almost daily basis. His code word for heading to a brothel or if he was actually telling the truth, an assignment to see if any new criminals were lurking about considering his job as a private investigator.

Though he was betting on the former.

"He won't be back until after midnight." Naruto guesses, checking the fridge for leftover ramen and some stir fry.

One of them will need to restock on groceries before the week is over.

He plops himself down in front of TV in the living room, flipping through channels. The nightly news drones on about recent events and business deals Konoha has had with neighboring nations or the weather forecast for the next 7 days.

When he awakes the following morning, Jiraiya is hovering over him, spiky white hair brushing against his face.

"Do you mind old man?" Naruto slurs out, turning over in his sheets only to be shaken awake again.

"Get up, it's already 7:30, your first period class started 10 minutes ago! Why didn't you turn on your alarm?" He snaps in a rush of questions.

Since when has he ever cared about being early?

Jiraiya moves to open his blinds, yellow and orange hues streaming into his room.

"Naruto, don't make me get the bucket of ice water again." Jiraiya mentions from above him.

He stirs a bit more hearing that, the last thing he needs is to be sleepy and cold.

Jiraiya trudges out of his room, though not before shooting him a look to get ready in the next 5 minutes. Luckily, he at least set out his clothes last night.

"Tsunade mentioned it to me." He brought up on the drive to school. The car smells of a mix of coffee and burnt toast they had haphazardly thrown together for breakfast.

Naruto slides down in his seat.

His godfather and the principal just had to be friends with each other.

Jiraiya swallows another bite of toast, his stare burning. "So, why didn't tell me you were in danger of failing?"

Pursing his lips, he swallowed the knot in his throat. He can tell, even with his lax tone of voice he's hurt that he kept something like this from him.

He avoids his stare, watching the buildings they pass light up with the start of a new work day.

"I…I didn't want you to worry." He stated after a while.

Jiraiya hummed thoughtfully, turning into another lane. "Are you mad at me?"

Naruto blinked, clearly puzzled by the question.

"I mean, for being gone all the time?" He clarifies.

"No." He instantly lies.

His voice cracks and he wishes he had walked instead of getting a ride from him.

"Where's Jiraiya?"

It's nearing 10 o clock, he doesn't see his car in the driveway, streetlights glowing against empty roads.

"Out again." His thoughts answer, gazing at strewn trash and dirty plates littered around the living room and kitchen.

There's the distinct smell of old perfume in the air, he brought one of them home…

He pushes piles out of the way, too lazy to care right now to clean up as he tiptoes around murky grime that stains the tiles below.

Homework awaits him upstairs along with letters from his teachers regarding his behavior. They want to see him for parent-teacher conferences, for referrals to other schools, anger-management classes, practically anything to get him away from them.

He burns them all before Jiraiya comes back.

"Naruto, you still listening? Take this chemistry club seriously, we both know you don't want to be held back if it's truly an opportunity for you to boost up your grades." Jiraiya gripes.

With a yawn, he nods; still avoiding his gaze.

The topic gets dropped for the rest of the ride.

-X-

"So, has the club been able to find a replacement for me?" Neji questioned.

Hinata slows down on her chewing considerably, stiffening at the simple inquiry.

It's rare for Neji to come home from university, having spent the past few weeks properly moving in and getting adjusted to his new schedule.

She had figured she wouldn't see him until the holiday break with all the projects, assignments, and clubs he planned to join.

"Hmm, not yet. You left big shoes to replace, but Sakura has been taking up the mantle just fine." Hinata related.

Though that was a half-truth. Dinner would be destroyed if she told him Naruto had become the new fifth member of the team.

The same Naruto who had busted his jaw when he told him he was worthless was now a part of the Olympiad team.

"Hinata's right, you were one of the best Konoha High had." Hiashi mused, wistfully grinning at memories that came to mind.

Her breathing tightened as she silently went back to eating. Surely his mind had drifted to the golden plaques and trophies aligning the main entrance hall of the school or the ones hanging up in Neji's old room.

Did she measure up in comparison?

"Hinata, I'm proud of you too. You and Neji were powerhouses back in your sophomore and junior years when you were teammates. I know senior year for you will be no different from those times." Hiashi pointed out and she weakly smiled in return.

Hiashi believed in all of them, Hanabi on her way to being leader of the middle school ChemClub with her science teacher's recommendation and his direction. His sternness pushed them to do better, to refuse to stand for second best, to always search for ways to improve…

Pretty soon she would crack.

"I'm surprised you guys haven't found a member yet, weren't there a lot of applicants trying to be on the team knowing Neji was graduating?" Hanabi inquired.

And Hinata shot her look to which she secretly smiled in return.

Hanabi was the only who knew Naruto was said new 'member'.

"It's a process to go through all the applicants, it can't just be anybody. A lot people like to apply simply because they know it will look good on their resume or applications when they interview with colleges or what not." Hinata replied.

Hiashi nodded his affirmative and thankfully the topic changed to plans for the weekend.

"Get to bed early Hinata, you know a well-rested mind leads to a prosperous tomorrow."

It was his favorite quote to say before they all went to bed.

Hanabi whispers to ask why she had refused to tell them the truth, hushing her to go on ahead without her.

Her stomach twists at she looks back at her father again, moonlight lighting his calm expression.

"Goodnight father, see you in the morning." She murmurs into his chest. He wraps her into a warm hug, squeezing her lightly in return with a gentle kiss to the forehead.

There are two sides to Hiashi: The overbearing side that a majority of the world saw, a cool and ruthless man when it came to down to business projects and their schoolwork.

But beneath all that is his overprotective side. The side he only lets his family see, relaxed and able to laugh a bit over a dinner as long as they avoided one topic…

Boys.

Because boys like Naruto weren't the type of guys Hiashi would ever like.

And perhaps the faster she got used to that, the better off her heart would be.

-X-

"I'm surprised you showed up again." Kakashi remarks.

Naruto just brushes past him, heading back to same empty desk he had used last week.

On the board, Sakura is already writing equations and words that look like another language.

Hinata sends him a small wave as other students file into their usual sections, the same whispers come back at seeing Naruto's return though he forces himself to tune them out.

"Did you study those notes I gave you? Over the definitions and the periodic table?" Hinata asks.

"Hmm, just a bit. I didn't understand all of it." He answered honestly enough.

She flips open her book to chapters 1 and 2, the basics of chemical reactions, matter, and energy. While Sakura drills them this session over timed tests, and common topics they had at nationals last year, Hinata is getting Naruto up to speed on things they learned months ago.

"Oi Hinata, I have a question." Naruto mentioned, stopping his note taking to briefly look back up at her.

He curls their hands together, smirking at her squeak of surprise.

"Do you get a positive or negative reaction out of being this close to me? The heat you give off suggests it's exothermic."

"W-What?!" She sputtered.

He chuckled as she tried to get them back on topic.

Perhaps he could get used to this.

-x-

Free flowing idea I had here after I saw the feedback I got writing that Club 81 one-shot. Let me know if you want to see more or have any thoughts on how I can improve!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow! :)