Title: With Eyes Wide Open

Summary: Blinded by the past how could one ever see what was in front of them now. If ill-conceived prejudice was ever put away, what would you see standing in front of you? A boy bound by his own past, or a man doomed by his impending future. Au. Slight Ooc.

Genre: Friendship/romance

Rated: T

Pairings: Unsure at the moment

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto does.

Chapter One

Naruto slumped up against the side of the brick wall as he favored his left side with his right arm and grimaced in pain.

"What did we tell you about walking on this side of the school," a tall dark haired boy asked with a sneer.

Naruto glanced up at the teen as blue eyes met black before a small smile spread across his face.

The teen growled in irritation as he threw a hard punch into the blond's abdomen earning him a satisfactory grunt of pain as the air rushed out of Naruto's lungs.

Naruto panted as he opened up his eyes and wiped away the trail of blood with his thumb that was starting to ooze out of his mouth. The two stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity before the dark haired teen smirked and left. Naruto watched the group of boys leave with a blank expression on his face. "Assholes," he muttered as he picked himself up off the ground with a wince. "That is definitely going to hurt in the morning."

To say that Naruto was used to this kind of treatment was a bit of an understatement. As a sophomore at Konaha High, he was accustomed to it. Most new students upon first glance wondered 'why?', and his reply to them was always the same, "people here only see what they want to see."

The answer would always confuse most new students at first, but as the weeks wore on it became just as normal to them as it was for everyone else. Naruto would always take such things in stride, though. As far as he was concerned high school wasn't forever, and this place would be soon forgotten as the years past. So why should he let it bother him. 'Yes, why should it,' Naruto thought as he rushed towards his next class.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Sakura sighed as she stared at the big clock that was hanging above Kakashi Sensei's chalkboard. Time always seemed to mock her in this class. She wondered if that was just because it was the class before lunch. 'Come on already, I'm hungry,' she mentally whined before she glanced over at her best friend, Ino Yamanaka.

Ino Yamanaka, probably one of the prettiest and most popular of all the girls at Konaha High, was staring longingly at their teacher with a dreamy expression on her face.

Sakura rolled her eyes as she mentally sighed. She knew what they were going to be talking about at the lunch table today. After all, Ino had a nasty habit of falling in love with a new man each week. At first she had eyes for only Sasuke until she met his equally hot older brother, Itachi, and from there the crushes just started to accumulate.

Sakura frowned as she got a good luck at their eccentric teacher and tried to understand what Ino was seeing. I mean, sure, he was hot in that mysterious kind of way, but when you came down to it he was kind of a pervert as well as dry in the humor department. Sakura shivered. 'I hope that crush passes quickly,' she thought in disgust just as the bell rang.

"Alright, class is dismissed. I will see you guys tomorrow, and don't forget that we have a test on Chapter Seven," Kakashi stated as he put down his chalk and started to close his books.

The class groaned in protest as the students started to put away their things and shuffle out of the classroom.

Sakura stood up and walked over towards Ino's desk. "Ready for lunch?"

Ino glanced up at Sakura as a huge dreamy smile spread across her face. "Isn't he the most gorgeous man you have ever seen?"

Sakura repressed the urge to smirk as she glanced over at their masked teacher. "Hmmm, I don't know considering we have never seen his face."

Ino pouted. "O poo, your no fun, Sakura," she said as she linked arms with her best friend and headed towards the cafeteria.

Sakura giggled. "Hey, there's Hinata and Tenten."

Ino squinted as she searched for them throughout the crowd. "Hey, you're right, Tenten, Hinata, over here," she screamed as she waved her arm over her head.

Tenten and Hinata turned around and smiled as they caught sight of their two other best friends.

"So you will never guess who I like this week," Ino exclaimed as she picked up a cafeteria tray and got in line.

Tenten rolled her eyes. "I give up, who?"

Ino blushed. "His name is Kakashi Hatake, the smexiest man at Konaha High."

Tenten and Hinata's eyes widened. "Wait, you mean Kakashi Sensei, our math teacher?"

Ino nodded as she bounced slightly on her heels.

Tenten and Hinata glanced over at Sakura who simply shrugged as if to say 'what can you do'.

"What will it be today ladies," Teuchi asked with a warm smile.

"A small salad for all of us," Ino ordered.

Teuchi chuckled. "A salad again, you girls sure don't go outside of the box now, do ya."

Sakura giggled. "It's because we are all on a diet for the upcoming beauty and beau pageant."

Teuchi smiled as he nodded his head in understanding. "Well, I guess I can understand that. Here are your salads, ladies," he said pleasantly.

"Thank you," Hinata said with a smile as she followed her three best friends to a table.

As the girls sat down a group of boys made their way across the cafeteria towards their table. "Well well, if it isn't the prettiest girls in all of the school," Kiba said as he took his seat next to Hinata and draped his arm over her shoulder.

Neji glared at him as he took his place next to Tenten. "Kiba, get your mangy paws off of my cousin."

Kiba frowned as he pulled his arm away from Hinata and started to sourly pick at his food. "You're such a hard ass, Neji."

Neji glared at him for a moment before he turned his attention towards his tray.

"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered as he took his seat next to Ino.

Chouji frowned as he sat down next to Shikamaru and glanced over the girl's trays. "Hey, that's no fair you guys. There won't be any leftovers for me if all you order is salads."

Ino smiled at him sheepishly. "Sorry, Chouji, we forgot today. We will definitely make sure to get extra food for you tomorrow."

Chouji considered that for a moment before he happily started diving into his food.

Ino smiled at him pleasantly. "So Chouji, are you ready for the big football game this Friday?"

Chouji smiled at her with a mouth full of food. "You bet, Ino. Iwa High isn't going to know what hit them."

Ino grinned really big as she touched his arm. "I hope so. It won't be fun to cheer at this game if we get beat by our rivals."

"Now that is not very youthful of you, Ino," Rock Lee said as he walked up to the table and sat down with his plate of food.

Ino giggled. "Sorry, Lee, are you excited about playing this Friday too?"

Lee grinned really big as he held his fist into the air. "The powers of youth will burn quite brightly this Friday," he cheered. "If I don't make at least seven touch downs this Friday, then I shall run five hundred laps around the football field until I pass out."

Everyone at the table sweat dropped.

"Um has anyone seen Shino," Kiba asked as he glanced around the room.

"I'm right here," Shino muttered in annoyance.

"Whoa," Kiba yelled as he jumped three feet in the air. "When did you get here?"

Shino's brows furrowed giving off the impression that he was mad. "What are you talking about, Kiba? I have been here the whole time."

Kiba's eyes squinted in confusion. "You have?"

"…"

Hinata glanced at Shino and then Kiba nervously. "Kiba, I think you have hurt Shino's feelings."

Kiba's eyes widened. "I did? How?"

Sakura shook her head. "I swear, Kiba, you can be as dense as Naruto sometimes."

Kiba scowled.

Ino leaned in towards Sakura. "Speaking of the loser," she whispered.

Everyone at the table turned their attention towards the door where a bedraggled looking Naruto had entered. The blond glanced around the room in confusion for a moment before grabbing a tray and heading towards the cafeteria line.

Ino shook her head in a pitying kind of way. "A mess like always," she muttered.

Sakura snickered.

Hinata stared at him for a moment with a sad look on her face before she returned to the conversation at hand.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Hey, Naruto, how have you been today," Teuchi asked with a warm smile as he placed a bowl of ramen down on top of the counter for Naruto to take.

Naruto glanced over the contents of the bowl appreciatively. "I can't complain," he replied with a grin.

Teuchi nodded his head. "So you haven't ran into any trouble today have you?"

Naruto's face clouded over for a moment before he started to chuckle. "Nah."

Teuchi took in his appearance, apparently unconvinced with Naruto's response. "Well, if you say so."

Naruto smiled in relief before he thanked him again and went to go find a place to eat.

Naruto glanced around the cafeteria before finally giving up and deciding to go eat outside. As he was walking towards the door a random foot kicked its way onto his path causing him to trip and fall onto the floor.

The cafeteria busted out into a series of laughing, howls, and cackles as Naruto glanced up to stare into the eyes of the same teen who had bullied him this morning.

"What did I tell you about walking on this side of the school, freak," the dark haired teen warned as he glanced at him in a way that one might glance at something dead.

Naruto smirked as he stood up and dusted himself off.

The teen scowled. "Hey idiot, are you even listening to me?"

Naruto continued to ignore him as he finished cleaning himself off.

Incensed, the teen slammed his hands down upon the table and stood up to challenge the blond. "Man, are you deaf or something? I SAID Do. Not. Walk. On. This. Side. Of. The. School. Period."

"Ya, I heard you. Doesn't mean I am going to listen," Naruto retorted as he kept his expression neutral.

"What was that," the teen asked as he grabbed Naruto by his shirt and threw him into the wall.

"Hey, there will be none of that in my cafeteria," Teuchi growled as he stepped in between the two boys. "Now behave before I report you to the principal."

The teen glared at Teuchi for a moment before shrugging and releasing his hold on Naruto. "Man, whatever," he said before he looked at Naruto with a smirk. "Guess you got saved again, loser."

Teuchi made shooing motions with his hand before he turned around to regard Naruto with a worried look. "Are you ok?"

Naruto smiled, though it never reached his eyes. "Ya, I'm fine. Thanks." With that said Naruto grabbed the remainder of his things and left.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

When Naruto left the cafeteria Ino turned around in excitement. "O wow, did you see that? Tobio was so scary just then."

Sakura nodded her head excitedly. "Tobio, has always hated Naruto, though. Remember that time in middle school when he pushed Naruto into Sasuke and they accidently kissed."

Ino started laughing. "O gawd, how could I forget. Tobio was even more pissed at Naruto the next day because Sasuke found him and scared him shitless."

"Why does everyone at this school hate him so much," Chouji asked.

Ino pursed her lips thoughtfully. "What are you talking about, Chouji? You remember what happened all those years ago don't you?"

Chouji's eyes widened as he glanced back at the door that Naruto had left through. "You mean THAT?"

Ino nodded.

Chouji whistled. "Dang, I had forgotten all about that too."

Sakura scoffed. "And even if he hadn't done that, he would still be a loser. I mean look at him he is a complete mess all the time, he is not cute at all, he is stupid, can't defend himself worth anything, and has no ties to society whatsoever, plus he is super annoying."

"Agreed," Ino said as she took a sip of her water.

"Um, are we going to look for dresses tonight for the pageant," Hinata asked in an attempt to change the subject.

Ino clapped her hands together in excitement. "Of course, we are. Fashion IS very important to a girl, after all."

Sakura smiled. "So are we meeting at the usual place?"

Ino bobbed her head up and down in excitement. "Of course, and then after we have secured the perfect dress, we can then secure the perfect date."

Kiba grinned really big as he leaned in towards Hinata. "I can be your perfect date."

"Kiba," Neji growled.

"Ok Ok, geez lighten up," Kiba whined.

Hinata smiled apologetically at Kiba before finishing off what was left of her salad.

"So it's agreed then. Five at our usual boutique," Ino declared with satisfaction in her eyes.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Hinata, this color is gorgeous on you," Ino gushed as she dragged her friend out of the dressing room and into a brightly lit room full of mirrors.

Hinata blushed as she stared at her full length reflection in the dress. "A-are you sure? It seems a little…"

"Perfect, I know," Ino squealed.

Hinata glanced hesitantly at her reflection again before turning around to look for Sakura's and Tenten's opinion.

Tenten smiled. "I think it looks great on you."

"I agree, Hinata, you look amazing," Sakura said.

Hinata smiled. "Ok, you guys talked me into it."

"Yay," Ino squealed as she pulled Hinata into a big hug.

"Do we all have dresses now," Tenten asked as she glanced at her watch.

Ino pouted. "Yes, by why are you in such a rush to leave?"

"Come on, Ino, you know that I have to help my dad out at the shop on Tuesdays," Tenten said as she rolled her eyes.

Ino scrunched her nose up in disgust. "Sorry, I try to forget the fact that you work at a weapon's shop."

Tenten laughed as she lightly punched Ino in the arm. "You're so mean sometimes. I would rather work at a weapons shop than a flower one anyway."

Ino looked at Tenten in horror. "Why?"

Tenten smiled. "Weapons are a great way to meet strong boys."

Ino considered that for a moment. "True, most guys that walk into a flower shop are already taken," she said with a dramatic sigh.

"Alright, well I will see you guys tomorrow then," Tenten said as she ran out of the door with a wave.

"I have to go to. Father wants me home for dinner tonight," Hinata said as she finished paying for her dress.

"Ok bye, Hinata, see you tomorrow," Sakura said before looking at Ino.

Ino frowned. "Well, I guess it's just us then."

Sakura smiled as she shook her head. "Sorry, Ino, homework I'm afraid."

Ino pouted. "Well darn. Fine I guess I will see you tomorrow too, bye."

Sakura smiled at her again as she left the store.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"What do you mean by 'it's out of stock'," Naruto asked with a slight edge to his voice.

The store owner put his magazine down with a sigh. "I'm sorry, kid. We just ran out today."

Naruto glanced up at the ceiling and sighed. "Ok, fair enough, do you know when you will have more in stock?"

The store owner pursed his lips thoughtfully as he glanced over some papers. "According to this sheet, hmmmm, about two weeks from today."

"Fantastic," Naruto muttered. "Ok, well then, thanks for all of your help. Guess I will see you in two weeks."

"Uh huh," the store owner said as he picked his magazine back up and started reading its contents.

Naruto stepped out of the store with a long sigh before he glanced up at the darkening sky. "What time is it," he wondered as he glanced down at his watch. "Huh, I didn't realize I had been out so long."

Naruto shook his head as he threw his hoodie up and started briskly walking towards his house. As he was walking he spotted Sakura leaving a store and heading towards the opposite side of town. Naruto glanced at her with narrowed eyes but otherwise continued walking.

"Hey, did you see that girl," Naruto heard a guy whisper.

"Ya, she sure is pretty. I wonder if she wants to play," his friends said with a sick smile.

Naruto frowned as he slowed his pace slightly and glanced at the two guys with his peripheral vision. 'I have a bad feeling about those two,' he thought as he watched them start to follow Sakura down the street. He sighed as he stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and glared at the sky with clinched fists.

'WHY? Why me,' he thought with a groan before he turned around and started stalking after those two guys.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

"Hey baby, where are you going?"

Sakura's eyes widened slightly as he clutched her bags in front of her chest tightly and started to quicken her pace.

"Aw come on, girl, don't be that way. We just want to talk."

Sakura felt a hand clamp down upon her shoulder as she was forced to turn around. "W-what do you want?"

The two boys looked at each other with a smirk. "We just want to get to know you a little better."

Sakura looked at the two in disgust as she shrugged off his hand. "Get lost," she spat before turning on her heel and walking away.

Sakura gasped as she was grabbed and thrown up against the side of the wall. "It's considered rude to walk away when someone is talking to you," the boy warned as he leaned in towards her.

"Get off me," Sakura screamed as she tried to push the bigger boy away from her.

The other boy laughed as he grabbed her face and forced her to kiss him.

Sakura attempted to push him away as she struggled in his grip. "I said get off of me," she screamed.

"Hey, now there is no reason to scream," the boy said as he clamped his hand down over her mouth and leaned in close enough for her to feel his hot breath on her face.

Sakura squeezed her eyes shut as tears started to pour down her face. 'Somebody help me please,' she silently begged.

"She said get off," a low voice warned.

Sakura opened her eyes tentatively just as the two boys released their grip on her and turned around to face the hooded stranger.

"Who are you," Isao demanded as his friend Daichi stepped into his flank protectively.

Naruto shifted slightly into a more defensive stance. "My name doesn't matter."

Isao scowled. "Oh a wiseass, huh. Why don't you get lost and leave us to our business," he said as he grabbed Sakura and placed her possessively in front of him.

"Maybe you misunderstood me the first time, I said to leave her alone," Naruto growled.

Isao smirked as he motioned with his head for Daichi to take care of him.

Daichi smiled as he cracked his knuckles and walked towards Naruto challengingly.

Sakura's eyes widened as she watched Daichi run towards the hooded man and swing his fist towards his head.

Naruto intercepted the fist at the last second and yanked the surprised man towards him as he brought his knee into his gut. Daichi fell to his knees with a loud gasp as he tried to catch his breath.

Isao snarled in rage as he threw Sakura away from him and charged at the blond with his fist aimed and ready to strike.

Naruto pivoted his body slightly to the left and allowed the fist to whiz past his head. Isao stumbled as his fist met open air before he was grabbed from behind and thrown into the wall that was in front of him.

Naruto turned his head around just in time to see Daichi stand up and charge after Naruto again. Naruto blocked with his knee a kick that was aimed at his lower torso. Naruto then intercepted the next kick with his forearm before he grabbed Daichi's pants leg and pushed him hard, causing him to lose his footing and fall onto the ground.

Naruto exhaled slowly as he took two voluntary steps back, giving him a more wider berth to move around in just as Isao and Daichi recovered from their last hits.

Isao glanced at Daichi, who nodded, before he grabbed a switchblade out of his pocket and opened it with a loud 'chink'.

Sakura watched in terror and then in awe as her hooded rescuer parried and blocked all of their incoming attacks while adding a few hits of his own in. The next few minutes were all a blur as their fight hit it a huge climax and then faded into a humiliating finish. Sakura released a breath that she didn't even realize that she has been holding as Isao and Daichi back away from the fight with a scowl.

"Fine, you can have her then. This ain't worth it no more," Isao grumbled as he put his switchblade back into his pocket and then left with Daichi.

Naruto watched them leave as he wiped the sweat of his brow and exhaled slowly.

"Um thank you for saving me," Sakura said as she took two tentative steps forward.

Naruto stiffened as he kept his back towards her. "Uh, it was nothing," he replied uncomfortably.

Sakura bit her lip nervously. "Could you at least turn around so I can see your face and properly thank you?"

"No."

Sakura looked at him in confusion. "W-why not?"

Naruto sighed. "Because I said so that's why."

Sakura huffed as she grabbed his hood and forced it down.

Naruto's eyes widened as he heard her gasp in surprise.

"N-naruto?"

Naruto inwardly groaned as he walked away from her and then broke out into a brisk jog.

Sakura watched that familiar head of blond hair run away from her as she stood in the middle of the alleyway dumbfounded. 'What?'

=END=

Reviews are the best :D

A/N:

Ok so I know that High School Fics get a lot of hate simply because they are as far away from canon as you can get. I am aware that this might get some hate because of that, but I had this idea and I just had to see where it would go. SO please give this story a chance despite the fact that you might not like the idea of it being a 'school fic'.

Also I know there is some Oocness going on with a few of the characters. Once again I am aware of that but this IS an Ooc Au story so if you don't like it don't read.

I am thinking about making this a romance, but I am still undecided on the pairings at the moment so for now it will be mostly friendship and character development and I will just let the romance write itself out.

OK! So will all of that said, I am hoping that some of ya'll will stick around and just enjoy this story for what it is 'a story' and hopefully will fall in love with the idea as much as I did :D

Don't forget to leave a review and let me know what you think.