HiiiiiiiiizZz everyone!!!

It's been SO LONG since I've written anything, but now I'm back and ready to let my imagination go wild 

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any character in this fanfic 

Chapter 1:

"Ow, Mom! Where are we going?" a little pink-haired girl asked as her mother pulled her roughly, forcing her to jog.

"Not now, Sakura. Just hurry. I don't want that wretched thing to lay eyes on us.

The innocent five year old wondered at her mother's reactions. She didn't understand. She craned her neck, while hoping her mother wouldn't catch her, to get a glimpse of the little blonde boy whose sight so offended the woman. She thought he'd be about her age, but his crying made him look a bit younger. She then decided that she was thinking too much and dinner was only a few feet away.

"Come on, guys! Pass the ball!" a number of seven-year-old kids were shouting at the same time. Sakura, usually preferring her male friends, was very excited at that moment. If that kid passed her the ball, she would undoubtedly score and be the cause of her team's winning. She wanted that glory badly. Her smile widened when she saw the boy turn towards her, staring in her direction. She waited, ready, but he just stood there, doing nothing, with the strangest expression on his face, almost like terror. And then she realized that most of her friends were also staring at her, some with annoyance, some with downright horror.

"What?" she was usually brave, but something told her this was serious.

A voice from somewhere behind her made her jump.

"Can-can I play? With you?" she gasped when she saw it was the blonde boy from a couple of years ago. She remembered him clearly for some reason. She was very surprised she hadn't realized that she hadn't seen him once since that day. He wasn't the only blonde in the village, but she knew.

She was about to reply when two things happened at the same time. Her mother's face appeared in her mind, scolding and angry, warning her that this boy was very dangerous, and she was not allowed to even go near him, yet alone speak to him. The other thing was a boy's shouting.

"Get out of here!"

She wheeled in anger. She had never expected on of her friends to be so cruel.

It didn't stop there.

"Come on, leave us alone!" he repeated, and he kicked the ball hard, aiming at the blonde. He missed, but the reaction on the target's face couldn't have looked more hurt if the ball had hit him.

"Hey jerk, stop it," she yelled. She was never considered a sweet caring girl, but this was too much. She turned back to the sad eyes.

"I'm sorry, we're not allowed to speak to you." It was true, she thought. She was innocent, and she had no idea that her words were the most painful he had heard yet. It showed on his face.

"I understand." He half smiled. He just looked at her as if pleading her for the reason, but then just turned and walked away.

She looked after him, pity starting to invade her emotions.

"Mom, not too hard!" Sakura whined. Her mother was combing her hair, getting her ready for one of the most important events in her life, exactly three days after the ball incident.

Her first day at the academy.

"Now honey, make me proud." Her mother pecked her on the cheek.

"Bye Mom!" and she rushed out, excitement flooding her singing voice.

When she reached the academy, she saw to her disappointment that she was far from the first to arrive. About a dozen had won the race of which all of Konoha were contestants , and all but her were oblivious to. She craned her neck in every direction trying to find a good seat, for she had promised herself she would make her mother proud. She sighed sadly when she saw that no seat closer than one in the fourth row was available. She sat down, her eyes roaming the sea of heads before her, looking for someone in particular. That someone was nowhere to be found. She supposed it was ok, she just hoped he hand't fallen into trouble, especially trouble involving the town's kids.

She sat herself gracefully in her disappointing seat, very aware of the staring she was receiving from both boys and girls. She knew, smart as she was, that she was exceptionally pretty, a fact she was used to hearing from everybody she met.

Her green eyes continued searching, ignoring some of the braver boys who were trying to score her interest.

"Excuse me, is the seat next to you free?"

She turned her head to the right, not believing the arrogance some boys had. She was about to make him sorry except that her eyes went just a little wide staring at the very handsome boy expecting her answer.

"Yes."

His black hair, standing up at the back of his head shined, matching the color of his eyes. She admitted he was cute, and yes he made her a little flustered, but she convinced herself that she wasn't a bonehead to judge by appearances alone. She felt proud to be able to think that way despite her young age, feeling closer to adulthood, the stage for which she craved.

The mysterious but not-that-handsome boy sat in silence, no bothering to engage Sakura in conversation, or anyone else in that matter. It struck her as a little blow to her ego. Now she wasn't an obnoxious pretty girl, but her beauty was something she was sure of. And here was this boy acting like he didn't even realize she existed.

"Hmph!" and she turned her head the other side, realizing only then that she had been staring at him. But she wasn't sorry, for that head-turn made her see a flash of orange run into the class almost crashing into an innocent student chatting with a new-made friend. She watched as his eyes swept the class as if looking for someone, except his eyes held a certain look that revealed he did not expect a cheery welcome or a waving hand. Sure enough, an eerie silence suddenly ringed, travelling like a huge wave, first hitting the back rows and then quickly spreading until not even breathing sounds could be heard.

So much for a nice first day, Naruto thought glumly.

He smiled nonetheless, and walked to take a seat two rows from the very last. The kid next to him gave him a disgusted look and changed his seat.

Her anger soared at once. She was about to do something about it when the unfriendly boy next to her spoke.

"Idiot."

She turned to him in surprise.

"I know! What is up with those jerks?" she exclaimed.

"I meant Blondie."

Her eyes widened.

"Why did he come when he knew this was what would happen?"

Her mouth fell open.

"You jerk." And with that she stood up and walked away. Well, not that far, as she stopped just when she reached Mr. Orange.

"Can I sit here, please?" she asked politely, smiling just slightly.

It was evident that he recognized her from the way his mouth opened.

"Of course." He said, smiling lopsidedly.

"I'm Sakura." She introduced.

"I'm Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto." He said enthusiastically.

She was just starting to think of something to talk about when their sensei arrived, signaling the start of homeroom.

Hope you enjoyed 

Please R & R