[UPDATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 2017]

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Tempest

- Prologue -

In Which There Are a Few Changes to the Agenda

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Konoha Academy sat nestled amongst the trees.

One might think they were looking at a forest, rather than a school, if they were to stumble upon the campus. The tree line surrounding the school was thick, the trees tall and old and almost more of a security measure than an aesthetical choice. The sounds of students, aged anywhere from six to eighteen, mingled with the rustle of wind blowing through the leaves and the calls of birds, providing a very peaceful setting. The school was fairly isolated, a twenty-minute bus ride away from the city of Konoha, and fully stocked and supplied with all amenities and needs students could ever need to live on campus. It was practically a small town. Quiet, secluded, and safe.

"It's not fair!"

Well, usually quiet.

The largest building by far in Konoha Academy was Senju Hall, where a majority of the classes took place. Not far from the massive, sprawling building with two large wings dedicated to the brothers who founded the academy, and several branching rooms and lecture halls, was the Admissions and Administrative Office, where a particular blond haired student was deciding to make his voice known.

Had any other students been passing through, they would have instantly recognized the voice of one Uzumaki Naruto. And then immediately wondered what he'd done this time.

On the top floor of the three-story building was the Headmistress' office, which overlooked the courtyard of the campus. Just outside the office was a brown-haired secretary downing the last of her aspirins as she desperately wished for the new academic year to start and end all at once so she could go on vacation once more, inwardly wondering what it would take to make the walls Naruto-proof because this migraine would never end so long as he was around.

"Why does Sai get to go and I don't?" Naruto cried, looking like he was about ready to melt onto the floor considering how far his shoulders were slumping as he moped. "I'm just as good a candidate for the exchange as him, 'ttebayo!"

Headmistress Senju Tsunade growled to herself, pinching the bridge of her nose as she slammed down a manila folder, annoyed eyes narrowed at the stubborn boy when she looked up.

"Shut your mouth and stop whining Uzumaki. You should have put in a formal complaint and request for admittance months ago during the break if you wanted to be a part of the exchange so bad – not barge into my office literally two days before the send-off and start throwing a fit."

Naruto pouted and seemed to sag even more, his voice a high whine.

"But Baachan!"

"Shut it!"

The other three in the office stood silently and watched the two blondes with varying expressions. The aforementioned Shimura Sai wore a perfect mask of calm and collectiveness, standing at attention just to the left of Naruto with his arms crossed behind his back. Next to him, Haruno Sakura, the only female student present, sighed to herself in annoyance with just a hint of fondness as she resisted the urge to rock on her heels. At the opposite end of Naruto in the line of teenagers stood Nara Shikamaru, who could easily be mistaken for daydreaming or simply ignoring everyone else as he gazed out the window behind Tsunade, expression bored.

Naruto made a pained sound and looked about ready to start complaining again when the busty Headmistress sat up and pinned him with a glare, just daring him to talk back.

"Shimura, Haruno, and Nara have been selected for the exchange because they are the most level headed and intelligent students in this school – ranking at the Top Three in their year. You, on the other hand, did not qualify because there is no doubt in my mind that you would tarnish our good name, ruin the whole point of the exchange by starting some meaningless fight," He looked like he was going to argue here, but her gaze narrowed a fraction more and his mouth snapped shut, "and, knowing my luck, you'd probably make something explode before the end of the first week. You, Uzumaki Naruto, are not going! Do I make myself clear?"

Naruto pouted, but seemed to have finally gotten the message, and all seemed well until his eyes teared up and he opened his mouth, the pen in Tsunade's grip snapping in half at his continued whining.

"But Baaachaaan! I promise I'll behave! I'll be the model student, 'ttebayo! I'll be just as boring and emotionless as Sai. Pleeeaaase?"

"No means no, Naruto!"

"Baaachaaan!"

Shikamaru sighed to himself and turned his attention back to the commotion of the room. This was ridiculous. And such a drag. He didn't even want to be part of this troublesome exchange - why on Earth hadn't they bothered to ask him before picking him? He'd much rather just stay at Konoha and sleep through his classes like he always did, with no worries about upholding Konoha Academy's reputation as an esteemed delegate. Cross Academy was too far away for his tastes and he had a routine here.

He supposed there was no other choice.

Shikamaru scratched his chin before he raised his hand nonchalantly and waited for the irritated Tsunade to notice. Her gaze darted to him moments later and she seemed to sigh in relief – finally, someone reasonable.

"Yes, Nara. Speak."

He sighed again and crossed his arms behind his head, looking about ready to fall asleep.

"This is too troublesome. I formally resign from the exchange program and request Uzumaki Naruto to go in my stead."

"What?"

"You rock, Shika!" Naruto cheered as he instantly perked up and high-fived the bored Shikamaru, turning back to Tsunade with a wide, cheeky grin splitting his face.

Next to him, Sakura raised an eyebrow at Shikamaru as she clasped her hands behind her back. Honestly, she could care less about who was going and who wasn't; it's not like she'd be rooming with either of the other two. Sai's perfectly blank mask of no emotion slipped ever so slightly, but it was hard to tell whether he was upset or pleased with the current change of events. Naruto was one of his closest friends, after all. No matter how often the blond seemed about ready to physically fight the taller boy.

"So, how 'bout it Tsunade-baa? Can I go?"

Tsunade looked as if she was going to deny his request, so Sakura decided to step forward. Naruto was so going to owe her.

"Pardon me, Tsunade-sama, but I think you should let him go. It's a little too last minute to find another student who would be as enthusiastic about being a delegate as he is. And do you really want a moping Naruto here without myself or Sai to handle?"

The corner of Sai's mouth lifted ever so slightly and she could have sworn he let out a little chuckle.

Tsunade sat silently and thought to herself, fingers laced under her chin as she weighed her options. Sakura did have a point – there weren't too many students that she could think of off the top of her head that would be interested in spending the year at Cross Academy. And, while Naruto's grades were a mere step away from atrocious, he was one of the biggest athletic stars at Konoha Academy and had a knack for befriending even the most sour of people. Ideal student, no. But an ambassador for improving student relationships? Just maybe... So long as he didn't end up starting any fights. The four watched on and she finally huffed, pulling out her cellphone and grabbing a notepad and new pen.

It'd be a shame to break up Tenchi Bridge Trio.

"I'll call Chairman Cross and let him know about the change. You have two days to pack, get ready, and get written permission from your parents, Uzumaki. Everyone will meet at the front gate at 2 PM on Sunday, March 1st! If you're not there or if you do not have that written permission, I'll make do with just Haruno and Shimura and no amount of whining will get you to Cross Academy. Understood?"

Naruto punched a fist into the air as he cheered in victory, nearly jumping a full two feet off the ground. Shikamaru promptly disappeared, relieved that he wouldn't have to be a part of this troublesome trip, but sent the blond a lazy wave in farewell. Sakura, smiling bemusedly to herself, batted Naruto away affectionately when he suddenly hugged her and picked her up to spin her around as he shouted in joy.

"You're so awesome Sakura-chan - I could kiss you!"

Sai's eerily empty smile warmed just enough to be noticeable and Naruto slung an arm over his shoulder as the three turned to leave the Headmistress' office. Sakura was pulled into the friendly gesture and she let out a soft laugh, inwardly happy that Naruto would be joining her and Sai on their adventure to Cross Academy – no matter how much she tried to convince herself that she didn't really care.

There was no telling what laid ahead.

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notes: SOOO

new and improved tempest. by the time youre reading this, all of the other chapters should be updated and there should be a new one waiting for you at the end

anyways? sorry sasuke but i really don't like writing him anymore, nor can I stand writing sasusaku. Sai is sooooo much more enjoyable. had to change the tone of things since sai is nowhere near as much of a sourpuss as sauce, but I feel Good

besides sai taking sasuke's place, there shouldn't be any other big changes to the overall plot, but I hope this change is received well!

general note for any new readers / since its been so long: this fic is set a year before the canon events of the vampire knight time line. Sakura, Naruto, and Yuuki are 15, Sai and Zero and co. are 16, and Kaname and co. are 17.

considering that the start of vk canon takes place in like February and during yuuki's narration she says she's a first year, im guessing that the vk story starts at the end of her first year of high school (Im sure it was brought up at some point in the manga/anime, but)

so like. this is the start of that first year of hs, making sakura/sai/Naruto and yuuki/zero first years and technically by the end of their exchange year at cross academy, the start of the vk canon will begin

ill also be tweaking some details about cross academy. I cant remember if the manga ever mentioned a school board, but like hell chairman cross could run that entire school by himself.

all thats important to know is that canon vk events aren't gonna happen in this fic unless by some miracle I actually catch up with the story

thanks for reading!