KHS Chapter 1

KHS - Chapter 1: The new girl

I opened my locker to get my books for the next hour, when Ino and Tenten walked up to me. “Hey, Hinata!” “Hey you guys.” “Are you going with us to the mall after school?” Tenten asked. I searched for my history books, while thinking about her question. I could go with them, for just a few hours at least. I had something else at seven, but was it a good idea? I also had homework and I knew I wouldn’t be able to make it then.

I put my history book in my back and closed my locker. “I don’t know. I have homework to do…” “You can do that in the evening,” Ino said. “Well actually…”

I felt two arms that embraced me. “Hey, babe,” my boyfriend said and kissed me on my cheek. “Humph, troublesome. Do you really have to kiss her every time you see her, Naruto.”  “You’re just jealous you don’t have a girlfriend, Shikamaru,” Naruto grinned still holding me. “I have to say it’s cute, he shows his affection for her. Guys should do that more,” Ino said. “Please, don’t let Lee hear that, Ino,” Tenten said.

I started to laugh, knowing what she was talking about. Lee, Tenten’s boyfriend, does the weirdest things to show his affection for her. Last time he had started singing in the school cafeteria, Tenten didn’t dare to show her face at school for three days.

“It’s not funny, Hinata!” Tenten said angrily with a blush on her face. “I remember last time Lee did that. Actually I have a picture of it, wanna see Tenten,” Naruto grinned. Before Tenten could answer, he picked out a photograph. I grinned when I saw it, I just couldn’t help myself. Tenten just stared at the picture, getting ashamed again. She turned her head away, “he is insane.” “He’s your boyfriend,” Ino smirked and grabbed the picture out of Naruto’s hand, “you should place this on the internet.”

“What! No way!” Tenten shouted. Naruto let me go and put an I-pretend-to-be-innocent look on his face. “I have done that already, but the video was more popular.” I saw Tenten wanted the floor to open up and swallow her. “Where’s Lee anyway?” I asked. “Soccer training,” Tenten mumbled depressed. “Huh, we have history?” I said confused. “He got permission to train more so the team can win the championship,” Tenten explained. “No fair!” Naruto shouted, “We want to win the championship as well! But do I get permission to skip classes for training?! NO!”

I giggled in my hand. “Naruto, Lee has better grades then you have,” I smiled at him. Naruto stared at me and then looked away. “Humph, who’s side are you on?” We all laughed, and then the bell rang. “Let’s go to class,” I said and grabbed Naruto’s hand. I glanced at him smiling, he smiled back, already forgotten why he was angry.

I was happy he had confessed to me three months ago, during the concert we all went to. He had gently picked my hand and guided me somewhere away from the others. He had said ‘I love’ in my ear, because the music was so loud. I had blushed unable to say a word. He had smiled and kissed me.

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I let Hinata go when we entered the classroom. She walked to her table and I walked to mine. After putting the way to heavy book on my table, together with my notebook, I laid my head on the book and stared at the back of Hinata, a few seats in front of me. Ten minutes we had to wait before the teacher entered the room.

“Sorry, I had to correct your test from last week,” he said and placed a pile on papers on his desk. I got a bad feeling about it. I had hardly had time to learn for that stupid test, since I had basketball training all the time. I turned my head to the left. That damn Sasuke had put us through a week of tough training that we hardly had free time. He probably forgot not everybody is as good as he is. Not that I would have learned when I had more free time.

“Over all you did great. I was really pleased with the results.” I looked up at Kakashi-sensei. Did this mean I did well too?! “Except for one, Naruto I want to see you after class.” I let my head fall down, not again. It’s the fifth test I failed at in a short period. Dad’s gonna do something to me.

When I looked up again, I saw Hinata’s empathized face staring at me. I grinned at her with a don’t-worry-about-it look.

We got our tests back and to my surprise it wasn’t as bad as I thought. I had 45%, what was higher then my biology and math, what had been both below the 30%. “I want you all to look what you’ve done wrong, try to remember it so you won’t do it wrong the next time. This test only counts for 20%, so those who had lower marks,” Kakashi looked at me, “still have a change to upgrade their mark.” I sweat dropped, grinning uncomfortably.

When the bell at the end lesson finally rang, I put my books in my bag, but remained seated. Hinata walked to me, looking worried. She kissed me on my cheek and whispered a quick ‘good luck’ in my ear. “Thank you,” I mumbled back. I watched her, while she left the room. Kakashi closed the door.

“Naruto, you know that if you continue like this, you have to this year over.” I looked away grumpy and nodded. “You knew about this test three weeks before it took place, how come you still managed to get such a mark.” “It’s not that bad, I’ve had worse,” I mumbled. Kakashi sighed and looked annoyed at me. “I heard about that, you failed at biology, math, science, physics and now history. But you surprise me to have good mark for English, Japanese and well sports of course.”

I grinned, “You forgot informatics.” Kakashi turned red and I knew why. I had shot a picture from him drooling all over his favourite book, while hiding in the toilet. I had used it for my website, just like the picture of Lee and several video’s. It was a complete hit. “Ahm, yes, that one too,” Kakashi tried to sound serious again.

“Anyway, we as teachers are worried about you,” he went on. I leaned back staring at the ceiling. “Really?” I said uninterested. “Yes, and that’s why we want to give you a change to upgrade your marks.” I turned my face to him, looking confused. “How?” I asked. “We have a new student and we want you to show her around. You will do some projects with her about the subjects you failed at. By doing so, we know how much she knows, she knows how we handle at this school and you can upgrade your grades.” I stared at him for several moments. “Her?” I repeated then. “Yes, so tell me, do you agree?”

I looked away, thinking it over. Dad would explode if I told him I failed a test again, but if I tell him I as able to upgrade marks… “I’m in,” I said. “Good, now follow me.”

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“Are you worried?” Tenten asked me. “Of course I am,” I sighed, “it’s the fifth test he failed on.” “Hinata, don’t be,” Ino said and I looked up confused. “I mean, it’s Naruto after all. He always managed to surprise us.” I grinned, knowing Ino was right.

“Oi, teme, how many times do I have to tell. NO DOGS IN SCHOOL!” someone shouted. “O, shut up. I have permission from the principal!” Kiba and Shino walked up to us and I smiled at my childhood friends. Akamaru sat down, swiping his tail happily. “Hey guys, have you heard about the new girl?” Kiba asked. “No, who?” Tenten asked. “Which class is she going to be in?” Ino asked. Kiba shrugged his shoulders, “don’t know, I only know there’s a new girl and that she’s our age.”

Then the door opened and we all turned. I saw Naruto followed by Kakashi-sensei. “Anou, sensei, where are we actually going to?” he asked. “The principle.” “What! To that old hag, I don’t like her!” Kakashi slammed on his shoulder, “Don’t talk about her like that, or you’ll be in even more trouble.” Naruto sighed and walked further.

I got a bad feeling about this. “That sounds serious,” Kiba said following them with his face. “Heard he flunked a lot of tests, including biology,” Shino said. I did a step back. Biology was Shino’s favourite subject, and he was probably pretty angry Naruto got only 15% for that test. If you mess with biology, you mess with Shino. But Kiba was right, this sounded serious, I wanted to know what was going on. “Guys, I think I’m not joining you,” I said to Ino and Tenten. They got a questioned look, not understanding what I was talking about. “The mall, remember?” “O, right. We understand,” Ino said.

I nodded thankfully to them and walked to the library. It was close to the principal’s room, I would see him when he leaves.

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Feeling very depressed I sat down in a chair. Kakashi-sensei left. I had to wait until I was allowed to go see Tsunade and used that time to get emotionally prepared for it. Tsunade was a friend of dad, one of the reasons I don’t like her, but it was also the reason I wasn’t kicked of school. Shizune, Tsunade assistant, entered the room. “Here again, Naruto?” she asked, smiling gently. “Yeah,” I sighed and leaned back.

I got here very often, to often according to some. Reason for that is I like pulling pranks. Last week I glued all the sport shoes of the first years on the ceiling. I had hidden myself in a locker and taken pictures of a frustrated Gai-sensei, also the coach of the soccer team. Of course I placed the pics of my little prank on my website, what the reason was how they found out it was me.

Dad had scolded me for that. He was yelling at me for an hour or so, saying I as son of the director of Konoha transport BV, should behave better. I don’t really care about what he says; school is boring without pulling pranks.

The door opened and I looked up. Tsunade looked at me. “Naruto, I heard about it, come in.” She said that with a way to serious look. I gulped and stood up. With my hands in my pockets I entered the principal’s room. I saw a pink haired girl sitting in a chair, staring at me with her green eyes. Tsunade signed me to sit down next to the girl. “Naruto, this is Haruno Sakura, you will guide her around and learn her about our school.” I nodded and looked at her. “Nice to meet you,” I said. “Miss Haruno, this boy will guide you for two weeks. You will do some project after school, to get known the place better. Also we then can get to know you better.” “Hai,” Sakura said with a smile.

“W-wait, you said after school?” “Yes, you thought it was during lessons?” Tsunade said. “What about my basketball practice?!” I shouted frustrated. “I will talk to Sasuke about it, don’t worry.” I stared at her. Basketball was together with informatics something I really liked to do. My own frustration faded away when I was doing those. “You both may leave, I see you tonight, Naruto.” I stared at her for a moment and then knew what she was talking about. “No I have something else tonight,” I said. Tsunade looked at me, I didn’t like that look, but remained quiet.

Together with the new girl, I left. Depressed I walked through the hallway. “Anou, Naruto?” I stopped and turned around. “Would you show me around now, so I know where to go tomorrow?” “Sure, how’s your schedule?” Sakura got a paper out her bag and showed it to me. “Heh, you’re in my class. Don’t worry, just follow me tomorrow, but I’ll show you around,” I smiled. “Thanks,” Sakura said.

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”Let’s see…we start at the cafeteria.” I looked up from my homework when I heard Naruto’s voice. Quickly I dumped everything in my bag and stood up. Then I ran to the hallway and stood frozen for a moment. He was walking with a pink haired girl I didn’t know. Who was she? Why was she with him?

Wait Hinata, don’t jump to conclusions, it’s nothing. He walks together with girls more often. After all he is one of the best in the basketball team, so he had a lot of fan girls. They were all shooting angry glares at me since I got his girlfriend.

“Naruto!” I said and did a few steps towards him. He didn’t turn, just kept on walking with this unfamiliar girl and I stopped walking. Staring at his back as I heard the girl laughing about something he said. Had he… not heard?

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“See you tomorrow in class, Sakura,” I said. Sakura nodded and got on her bike. “Thanks for showing me around,” she said. I smiled as she left. When she was gone I walked to my home, while getting out my cell phone to call Hinata. She didn’t answer. I wondered why. Maybe she was in the mall with Ino and Tenten, like I heard earlier. That must be it, or else she would have answered her phone.

I opened the front door. “I’m home!” I shouted and took of my shoes. I dumped them and together with my bag in a corner and walked to the living room. “Hey dad,” I said and walked on to the kitchen. “How was school?” I sighed, “Do you really have to ask that every day?” Dad grinned what meant a yes. “Boring, happy now?” I picked an instant ramen out of the fridge. “Naruto, put that back, we will eat within a few hours.” “Huh, since when am I not allowed to eat ramen when I get back from school?” “Since we have visitors tonight.” “I know my principle is coming, but I have a date tonight. So I won’t be there.” “I’m sorry about your date, but you’re not going.” “Wh-what! But I told you days ago. No way I’m gonna miss that date!”  “Naruto, you heard me, put that ramen back and use your time useful.”

“What’s that suppose to mean,” I said angrily while I put the ramen back. “Tsunade called me, I heard you flunked a test again.” I stared at the food inside the fridge for a while, then I closed it. “Then you have also heard I am doing some projects together with the new girl,” I growled. “Yes, I did,” he said and turned to his laptop again. I knew the conversation was over and walked to the door to go upstairs.

“Naruto.” I stopped, but didn’t turn. “Just do your best, okay. I know you can do it as long as you do your best.” But I heard he was disappointed in me. Without saying a word back I left the living room.

I picked up my bag and went upstairs. There I dropped my bag on the floor and let myself fall down on my bed. Staring at the ceiling I wondered what mom would have said about flunking tests. She was a lawyer and a really good one too. I was proud of her, still am. For some reason my parents stopped their relationship, just after I was born. I never understood why and I still don’t. She did a lot to change my surname to Uzumaki, she had told me. She also said she hated my father, but never explained why. But then… then that day came. They discovered she had cancer and it was too late to help her. I was ten back then.

She told me I had to live with dad. I had protested, saying I would never live with him, because she hated him, but… she said she only said that and never believed in it. She still loved him.

I got up, staring at the floor. Why had mom broke up her relationship if she still loved dad? I didn’t understand.

Of course I hated my dad at the first time. Mom had brought me to him five days before she died at grandpa’s and grandma’s house, who have passed away now too. Dad and I had gone to the funeral and I had cried a lot. I was surprised when dad had picked me up in the end and carried me home, while crying as well. Since then I started to like him more.

Downstairs I heard the doorbell, what got me out of my thoughts. “Tsunade, Shizune, good to see you again.” “Hello Minato, how are you doing?” I heard Tsunade ask. “Very good actually.” “Where’s Naruto?” Shizune asked. “I have sent him upstairs to do his homework,” dad said. Then I heard him walking up the stairs. Quickly I grabbed my English book of the bookshelves and opened it. On the right to my surprise. I laid it in front of me and started reading.

The door of my room opened, I didn’t look up. “Naruto, Tsunade and Shizune are here… what are you doing?” he then asked. What are you d…. What the hell! “You told me to do my homework. I’m learning my English!” Dad stared at me. “What?!” “Well, I didn’t really expect you to do your homework.” Now I was the one who was staring. Dad smiled, “when you are finished come downstairs to join us. Glad you finally start getting serious about school.” “Yeah sure,” I said turning my head away, feeling guilty for putting up a play.

Dad closed the door and I stared at my English again. I sighed, got up, placed the book on my desk and got my cell phone. First call Hinata, to tell her I couldn’t come, then English again.

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I was walking in the mall, alone, searching for my friends. It was around half past five and I wondered if they were still here. Then I saw them, in front of a clothing shop and I walked to them. “Hey guys,” I said. I tried to sound happy, but it didn’t really work. “Hinata, and how’s Naruto. Did they kick him of school?” Ino asked. Why does Ino always has to be so direct, I thought depressed.

“Ino!” Tenten said and gave Ino a poke with her elbow. Tenten must have seen my depressed face, because she said, “let’s get something to drink.” “Uhm, okay,” Ino said. I just nodded. We walked to a cute restaurant and ordered drinks.

“Okay, spit it out, Hinata, you look depressed. Did something happen?” Tenten asked. “I don’t know… I think I’m just overreacting,” I mumbled. “Tell us,” Ino insisted, so I told them what happened. “What do you guys think?” I asked in the end. “Hmm, I don’t know, I think I first need to see them, before I can say something about it,” Ino said, thinking about it. “Maybe you are indeed overreacting, Hinata,” Tenten smiled, “Naruto loves you and only you.” “Then what about that new girl? Why was he with her? Normally Naruto doesn’t pay attention to new people,” Ino interrupted. Tenten was quiet and looked at the table top.

We received our drinks. I had an orange juice, Tenten a coke, and Ino a diet coke. “Hinata, your cell phone…” Tenten said. I put my glass down and got my cell phone. It was Naruto again. Should I answer? “What are you waiting for, Hinata, answer it,” Ino said. “It’s Naruto, what should I do?” “Talk to him.” I nodded. “Hinata here,” I said. “Hey, I called you earlier, why didn’t you pick up?” Naruto asked at the other side. “I-I couldn’t find my cell phone, I was to late,” I lied. “O…uhm, I have some bad news…” I hold my breath, what was he gonna say? “I’m sorry but I can’t come tonight. Uhm…something happened. I’m really sorry, I make it up to later, okay.” “Yeah okay, see…see you tomorrow at school.” I hung up before I gave him the change to say something else.

“What… was that about?” Tenten asked. “He rang off our date of tonight.” Tenten and Ino looked stunned at me. Then they shared some looks and I knew immediately they did no longer trust it. “Did he do that before?” Ino asked. I shook my head. “What exactly did he say?” she then asked. I repeated the sentences he had said. “He didn’t tell you why he couldn’t come.” I shook my head again. “This is serious,” Tenten stated. Ino nodded. I got scared.

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I stared at my cell phone. Hinata had hung up so quickly. I felt horrible for ringing off, but there was no way to win a fight with dad. I threw my phone on my bed and walked to my desk. I started with my English, after that I went on with science. I got confused of all the information that was given, but tried to answer the questions at the best I could. I didn’t want to disappoint dad again, so I had to do my best this time.

I let my pencil fall on the book, out of frustration when I read the next question. I had no idea what it was about. I shove the book to the side and started on something else, thinking I maybe would be able to understand it better if I just let it be for a while. Mom had taught me that. Next was biology. A lot of questions about plants. I read the text and it made me able to answer them. Then I looked in my dairy, what other subject did I have tomorrow.

I stared at the fifth line. Another test of biology! Didn’t we have one two weeks ago! The one were I got 15% for! I turned back to my book and sighed. Well, I said I didn’t want to disappoint dad again, let’s start with this.

I didn’t even think of going downstairs for dinner. The fact I missed my date with Hinata, made me less hungry. Time passed by, while I repeated the names of the parts of plants. I heard laughter coming from downstairs.

I laid my arms on my desk and my head on my arms. Closing my eyes, I repeated names over and over, making a picture of a plant a pointing at the parts in my thoughts.

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“Thanks for dinner, Minato. Come to my place in the nearby future,” Tsunade smiled. “I’d love to, but I don’t think Naruto would like it,” Minato smiled. They laughed. “How come he didn’t come downstairs,” Shizune asked. “Maybe because he wasn’t hungry or because he doesn’t like me,” Tsunade grinned. “I think he fell asleep or something. He faked me when I checked on him earlier, pretending to be doing his homework.” Minato smiled and stood up.

“I worry about him, if he doesn’t take this task he got seriously, he has to repeat the year,” Tsunade said. “I know,” Minato sighed and cleaned up the table. “Also all those pranks from him are getting really annoying. Last time he glued all the sport shoes of the first years on the ceiling.” Minato started grinning, “I heard about it.” “It’s not funny Minato!” Tsunade said. “Sorry,” Minato smiled, “does anybody wants some sake?” “Yeah, give me some,” Tsunade said.

Minato gave her some sake and looked at Shizune. “No better not, I have to take Tsunade home.” “Something else?” “Uhm… just a glass of mineral water.” “About those pranks,” Minato said, while he gave Shizune her mineral water and sat down, with a sake for himself, “I heard he never did that at primary school. Before… Kushina died.” He looked at the table top. “It might be something to take his sadness away,” he said. “Could be, but it’s been seven years now,” Tsunade said. “When one of your parents dies at such a young age… it’s not just something Tsunade.” “Yeah, yeah, I know. But still, Naruto has to get over it.”

Later that evening Minato closed the front door after Tsunade and Shizune left. Then he walked upstairs to see what Naruto was doing. He opened the door of his son’s room and saw him with his head lying on his desk. Minato sighed. Naruto had fallen asleep, just like he thought, most likely while reading a manga or so. He walked to his son and was amazed to see Naruto lying on his biology book.

Minato saw Naruto’s school dairy and grinned when he saw there was a test coming up. Minato saw notebooks from other subjects, he had done his homework. Sorry I doubted you, Naruto, he thought and went downstairs.

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I felt a hand on my shoulder and opened my eyes drowsily. I saw my father standing, with one arm behind his back. I got up, the pages of my book glued on my cheek. “What is it?” I asked sleepy. “I thought you might be hungry, you didn’t come downstairs for dinner.” He offered me a bowl of ramen. I stared at it for a moment and got it. “Thanks dad,” I smiled and started eating. He smiled back.

In the morning I waited for Sakura by the gate. She was on her bike again. “Good morning,” she said cheerful. “Morning,” I yawned. Last night dad had helped me with that biology test of today, so I hadn’t got much sleep. Sakura swung her bag over her shoulder and looked at her schedule. “We first have English,” she said. I nodded, “follow me.”