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“I’m Naruto Uzumaki, the new Banchou of the school! Challenge me if you disagree!!!”
–
There was silence. Not out of amazement or admiration. Nor out of fear. There was silence because everyone in the class was in shock that the new transfer student was such an idiot.
The teacher of the class, Kakashi-sensei, was asleep with his feet up on his desk. Kakashi-sensei was known for being laissez-faire, but even so, the new kid had no way of knowing that and sure as hell didn’t care even if he wasn’t. He only woke up after the aforementioned idiot finished scrawling his name on the blackboard like an insane person, taking up the entire x and y axis of the board and using up 3 separate chalk pieces in the process.
Kakashi-sensei stood up, ushering Naruto away from the front of the class. He politely clapped and wished everyone to get along with him before turning to face the blackboard and freezing. There were a few snickers as the students watched Kakashi-sensei pick up the chalk eraser before deciding this would be a later problem.
Naruto took his place at the back next to an emo looking boy who was staring out the window. Naruto’s eyes wandered around the class, probably scoping for “challengers.” The emo boy was not the only one refusing to make eye contact with him.
–
It was the end of the first week of school. The chalk writing still remained and Naruto Uzumaki had already fought multiple students from different grades– and won against each and every one of them. Despite that, he still would get pretty beat up by the stronger challengers. Right when people thought it was over for Naruto, he would get back up as if it didn’t bother him at all. And every time, he would be smiling.
He sat at his desk, beaming with a bandaid on his nose and an already torn uniform. It was getting no easier to make eye contact with his classmates, but he did catch the quiet girl with dark long hair staring at him. He tried talking to her once but she just ended up making a high-pitched noise before running away.
Besides that, the emo boy was still staring out the window, even during lessons, to the point where Naruto figured he had never even gotten a good look at the front of his face. Just from his back he looked pretty sickly and frail, so Naruto doubted he would be much of a challenge anyway.
-
A few weeks later, Naruto was finally able to make eye contact with more than one classmate. No one seemed to exactly “warm up” to Naruto, but sort of accepted him as a chaotic force that would do what it wanted and could not be stopped. There was no use trying to reject that truth. Everyone still thought he was an idiot, but now knew he was a harmless and somewhat endearing idiot.
Kakashi-sensei finally decided to make the chalk situation someone else’s problem, delegating the task to the class president– Sakura Haruno.
“What?! It’s literally his name. Naruto did it. I can’t even reach that high on the blackboard! He should clean it!”
“But as a class president, should you not be able to guide your fellow students to a better learning experience? I must admit this has been a great obstacle to my ability to teach properly.”
“That’s literally your job! You get paid for this!”
“Much appreciated. This will reflect kindly on your university applications.” Kakashi closed his eyes and made a prayer motion with his hands before swiftly leaving the room.
“Hey! Don’t just–” She sighed and onwards transferred all her rage onto Banchou of Hidden Leaf Highschool, Naruto Uzumaki.
So yes, Naruto was able to make eye contact with Sakura now and actually hold conversations every now and then. But of course that eye contact was full of distaste and those conversations consisted of 50% complaints and 50% insults directed towards him.
–
As the semester went on, the name “Naruto Uzumaki” became impossible to avoid. Banchou from offending schools started to challenge Naruto. He even got stopped on his way home or out on weekends when he wasn’t in his school uniform. Though that was partly due to his unique look– spiky blonde hair with a long headband placed below his bangs. He never went anywhere without it.
Still, every time he was challenged, Naruto Uzumaki won. His uniform was gradually falling apart and his bruises grew in number more than they could heal, but he was always the last one standing.
“Ha ha! Another win… that makes 48… 49 now?” Naruto wiped the dirt off his clothes.
“That’s nothing! Y-you are nothing compared to that Sasuke Uchiha freak!” The third year pointed in an accusatory manner before limping away as fast as one could.
“Wait! Uchi…ha? Why does that sound familiar…”
–
“Sasuke Uchiha.”
“Mmn.” The response came from right next to Naruto’s seat.
The next day during roll call, Naruto realized why the name was familiar.
Mr. Spikey Frail Emo Boy Whose Face I’ve Never Seen? The strongest kid in the school was next to me this whole time? No freaking way! There’s not a single scratch on him?!
Sasuke could feel the idiotically charged stare become even stronger that day forward without knowing the reason why.
–
Sasuke Uchiha was getting tired of the constant gaze directed to him. It had only been a few days but this unwanted force was following him around– even during lunch when he went as far as possible from all other human beings. He was becoming rightfully paranoid but remained steadfast like a fortress, refusing to give the force what it wanted–attention.
On the 7th day, Sasuke Uchiha the fortress relented. It was a choice he would soon come to regret. “What.”
Sasuke turned… to face me?
Students filed out of the class as the final bell of the day rang. Naruto was in shock. He was under the impression that this outcome was impossible. Surely after Day 2 any normal person would’ve said something about it. That was part of the reason why Naruto refused to stop.
“Why do you keep following me. And staring.” Sasuke was clearly annoyed but his voice remained level as if he hadn’t just been stalked for an entire week.
“I… Haven’t. Been. Doing that. Nope.”
“You’re more of an idiot than I thought if you think I would believe that.”
“Hey– ok. Ok yeah I was following you.”
“...Why?” Sasuke was clearly annoyed now if he wasn’t before.
“I heard you’re strong. You can take on multiple guys at once, but your clothes have no dirt on them and your skin has no scars. You don’t look like me at all… And I’m wondering why you haven’t challenged me. Day one you must’ve heard me make my claim on being the top Banchou of the school district–”
“There’s no way anyone in the class missed that. You’re loud. Very loud. And since when was it the entire district? You’re getting too ambitious.” He clicked his tongue and got up from his desk, grabbing his bag.
“Hey don’t avoid my question, why won’t you fight me?!” Naruto slammed his hands on Sasuke’s desk as if that would stop him from simply taking a step to the side and walking past him.
“I don’t want to fight you. Why should I?”
“So we can see who’s stronger!” Gathering his own items, he tried to keep up with the power walking gothic shape.
“Please don’t follow me home.” Sasuke stared straight ahead, speed increasing.
Naruto jogged backwards in Sasuke’s line of sight. “Ok then! Why don’t you want to fight me?”
“And I said why should I.”
“Becau–” Naruto tripped and fell backwards, bumping into one of his classmates, Kiba. By the time he apologized and helped clean up the dog food from off the floor, it was too late. Sasuke’s figure was nowhere to be seen.
“Fight me, Naruto Uzumaki! I only purchase the finest of kibbles for my Akamaru. And now they’re on the damn floor because of you!” Kiba grabbed his collar and grinded his teeth at Naruto. Akamaru’s head popped out of Kiba’s bag but Naruto wasn’t looking at either Kiba or the small dog that was definitely breaking school rules just by being there.
“Not today, I’ll pay you back.” Kiba let him go out of confusion. That was the first time Naruto refused a fight.
–
Apparently, Naruto took Sasuke’s refusal as a go ahead to bother him straight up instead of just watching and following from afar. He would pop up behind corridors and behind bushes with a “Please fight me?” here and a “Why not?” there. The answer to both of those queries was a resounding “No.”
After a few days, Naruto dropped the surprise act and refused to be farther than 5 feet away from him. They would seem like the bestest of friends if not for the fact that Sasuke clearly wanted nothing to do with him. Naruto was like an unwanted and overly excited puppy. Except he was the opposite of endearing to Sasuke.
Naruto came up behind Sasuke once, placing his arm over the other boy’s shoulder. “How about we make plans for after school today?”
Sasuke shoved him away almost immediately. “I’m not going to fight you. Give it up already, you’re being annoying. Go fight one of the other 50 guys in line asking after you.”
Sasuke continued walking without looking back. He was more angry than usual this time.
But… I wanted to fight you…
–
Naruto came to the realization that he was fighting less and less people. He got so distracted by Sasuke that he shoved everything else out of his mind. He wanted to see Sasuke’s moves. He wanted to learn more about Sasuke. Why wouldn’t he accept his challenge if he was as strong as everyone said he was? Fighting wasn’t as fun anymore when he could only think about the unknown that was Sasuke Uchiha.
These days, Naruto stopped smiling after winning a fight.
What was wrong with him?
–
For the past two weeks, Sasuke was able to eat lunch in peace. No unwanted presence detected whatsoever. Even the seating arrangement in class got rearranged so that Naruto was at the front, therefore unable to turn back just to stare at Sasuke like before.
He almost forgot what it was like to not have Naruto Uzumaki constantly in his life.
–
Sasuke Uchiha was walking home when he heard some students walking the opposite way, towards the school, say the name “Uzumaki.”
They were wearing the uniform of a neighbouring school. When Sasuke listened in, his eyes widened in shock. He made out the words “ten third years” and “revenge” amongst other things. It didn’t seem like these students were making their way over just to bear witness to a fair one-on-one fight.
Sasuke stood in place.
–
“Hey I’ll gladly take you on all one by one but don’t you think ten versus one is a bit unfair.”
“Who cares what’s fair! You made us look like fools! So now we’re getting revenge.” The biggest of them cracked their knuckles. These guys were all Banchou of nearby schools… and It seemed like their hate for Naruto united them.
“I won fair against all of you! If you’re mad then just get stronger and challenge me again.” Naruto shifted his stance as they started to surround him.
“Doesn’t sound as satisfying as this will be.” Another of them chuckled before putting up his fists and running towards the cornered boy.
Naruto stood his ground as best as he could, but there was only so much one person could dodge from ten separate directions. After the first blow hit him, the second was not soon after. He was starting to get tired.
Naruto skidded back after one blow, putting all his force in one knee. He squinted up at the biggest challenger. The sun was starting to go down. Naruto could only hold them back for so long. “That’s the best you can do?”
That didn’t make the other boy happy. He roared as he decked Naruto right in his already bruising face. He was knocked off his feet and landed straight on his back with a groan. His breathing was heavy. Naruto could take a lot of pain but he was still only human.
Naruto looked up as the one who knocked him down was winding up his leg for another blow. He blinked for only a moment but the shadow above him was gone.
He was confused but couldn’t bring himself to move to get a better look. He lost consciousness briefly to the sound of fighting and screaming. Before he knew it, everything went silent.
Naruto opened his eyes as he felt another presence casting a shadow over him. It was Sasuke Uchiha– looking as annoyed as ever. But this time the annoyance wasn’t directed at him. There was concern deep down in that expression. Naruto could tell, after all he was the one who saw Sasuke’s annoyed expressions the most. He offered his hand to Naruto.
Naruto was beaming up at him. He was smiling harder than Sasuke had ever seen before.
“Idiot…”
Naruto took Sasuke’s hand.
–
Naruto put his arm around Sasuke’s shoulder. He expected Sasuke to move away again like last time, but instead he let it happen. Sasuke was actually really kind. He wouldn’t push away an injured classmate.
They walked past all the broken Banchou and shocked bystanders like nothing serious had just happened. Sasuke kept a pace that Naruto could keep up with.
“Wait!” Naruto stopped, looking Sasuke up and down.
“What?” Sasuke cocked an eyebrow.
“You aren’t hurt? After beating up ten guys? Well maybe your hair is more of a mess…“ Naruto inspected him.
Sasuke turned away slightly, adjusting his hair. He was used to the staring at this point but this was a bit much. “Yeah, and?”
“That’s not possible! I didn’t see a thing!” Naruto was more alive than someone who just got beaten up by ten guys should be.
“Well it happened and it’s not happening again.”
“Not fair! Fight me now! Let me see!”
“You’re literally broken in every possible way right now, I’m not going to fight you.” Sasuke crossed his arms.
“Damn… What about tomorrow?” Naruto said as if it wasn’t insane to do so.
“If you don’t shut up maybe I’ll actually have to reconsider.” He started walking and Naruto limped quickly after him.
“Ok, ok sorry. And thank you. For saving me.” Naruto said as Sasuke slowed his pace and offered his shoulder again.
There was a beat before Sasuke replied. “...Thank you too.”
“Huh? For what?” Naruto’s eyes widened.
Sasuke cast his gaze away. “At first I was a target for being alone. After a while, those idiots would start to come fight me because of some stupid rumours. That all stopped when you transferred and put a target on your own back.”
“HUH?! I had no idea… Now I feel bad for asking all the time…” Naruto let out an awkward tired laugh.
“Well you’re still an idiot who only thinks about fighting. The only difference between them and you is that they never asked before swinging at me. ” His eyes glanced Naruto’s way.
“...and sorry. I think they may have shifted their rage from me to you.” Sasuke continued.
“Ah, so that’s why you helped me even though I was super annoying! You felt bad! Y’know, you’re actually really nice Sasuke.” Naruto grinned at him.
“Glad you’re at least self aware.” Sasuke smiled for what seemed like the first time.
“Wait, does that mean you’re Banchou now?”
Sasuke almost punched him.
–
It was the end of the term. Naruto was alone in class getting his bag, which he forgot when he ran after Sasuke in the pursuit of walking home together. Sasuke said he would wait at the gate for him. Naruto didn’t even have to worry about that being an excuse for an escape attempt. They had been willingly spending more time together ever since the big fight.
He stared at the desk near the window as if Sasuke would be there. At that moment, Naruto Uzumaki had an epiphany.
“Do I… Like Sasuke?”
Behind him, the door creaked. It was Sakura Haruno. The class president was planning to clean up the room before the term’s end. She wasn’t planning on interrupting Naruto’s moment.
“Huh? You just realized?” Sakura squinted in disbelief.
“What?! Did you hear– wait what do you mean?” He flustered.
She picked up the broom, resting her hands on it in a confronting manner. “I mean, you followed him around like a puppy every day. You stared at him constantly during class ever since you transferred here. Both of you literally have no friends and spend all your time together now. Ino and I thought you guys were dating already at this point.”
“Wh- Wait no I… I did… Do those things.” Naruto's face was contorted– he was not used to having to think this hard.
Sakura looked out the window. “Don’t you have someone waiting for you?”
Naruto gasped. “See ya Sakura!”
She laughed as he scrambled to leave the room.