Dear Journal,

Diary sounds too childish and since I'm now officially in my first year of high school I should probably switch it to journal. I could hardly sleep last night... I I'm very nervous for the first day of school, more nervous than Hinata, which is worrisome. I never thought I would be attending Konoha Academy, but here I am dressed in my school uniform waiting to leave. Wish me luck!

Sakura

I shut my journal softly and set it on my night stand with a deep drawn out sigh. I have no idea why I'm so nervous! It's not like it was last year, prepping myself with speeches and making sure I looked my best so that maybe Sasuke would look my way. I smile a satisfactory smile to myself, it all paid off in the end. Sasuke had finally noticed me and now we would be celebrating our one year anniversary in two months. The thought of Ino crying in the school bathroom brings a chuckle to my lips. Poor Ino pig lost, CHA!

Standing I take my class schedule and go examine my appearance in my floor length mirror. The standard issued black, red, and gray plaid mini skirt comes about two thirds of the way up my thighs, leaving a not so conservative 6 inches of skin showing between it and my thigh high black stockings. The white issued button up blouse I found out this morning was see through so underneath it I put on a camisole. The finishing touch is my neck tie, the same plaid as my skirt. I have to say that the high school uniform is much more flattering than the disgusting yellow one I was forced to wear last year. I actually look good in this one, CHA!

Nodding in approval I grab my black knitted sweater and head down the hall to the kitchen where I find my mother fixing breakfast for my father and me.

"Good morning daddy." I chime before kissing him on the cheek. It's a morning ritual that is just his and mine, something special.

"Good morning Sakura, ready for your first day at the academy?" My father asks sipping on his usual morning tea.

I smile in response. "I think I can handle whatever is thrown my way. I'm still nervous about it though."

My father smiled at me. "Of course you can, after all you are our daughter. And besides you're a bright young woman, you will do fine."

I smile back at him, thankful that he always knows what to say to make me feel better. I sit and serve myself some hot miso soup, fresh fish, and a mug of tea. I make sure to take as much time as I can eating my meal, I hate eating fast and rushing out the door in the morning. I feel bad not taking the time to eat the food my mother took the time to prepare.

"Thank you mother for the breakfast." I say standing and taking my dirty dishes to the sink.

"You're welcome sweet heart. You better hurry if you're going to be on time." She smiles at me warmly.

Is it really that time? I look at the clock and groan. Late on my first day, great. I quickly kiss my mother on the cheek and then my father before I fly down the hall to our front entrance. Slipping on my black loafers and snagging my shoulder bag I exit into the warm morning air. I pull my class schedule from my shirt breast pocket and glance it over again.

7:30-7:50 Homeroom [Miss. Mitarashi]

8:00-8:50 Algebra I [Mr. Sarutobi]

9:00-9:50 Literary Analysis and Composition I [Mr. Jiraiya]

10:00-10:50 French I [Mrs. Akitaka]

11:00-11:30 Homeroom [Miss. Mitarashi]

11:30-12:15 --------LUNCH--------

12:15-12:30 Homeroom [Miss. Mitarashi]

12:30-1:20 World History [Mr. Umino]

1:30-2:20 Physical Science [Mrs. Sasaki]

2:30-3:20 Dance [Miss. Yuuhi]

3:30-4:20 P.E. [Mr. Guy]

I sigh, at least I know for sure I will be with Hinata in dance. As for the rest I really hope that I'm with others from my old junior high school, even Naruto would be better than nobody. I stuff my schedule back into my pocket and start up my brisk walk towards Konoha Academy where I will be spending the next four years of my life.

I sit in the back seat of the family sedan as my father drives me to school. First day as a high school student and I'm totally stoked! I practically couldn't sleep last night I was vibrating with excitement. I wonder if Sasuke is as excited as I am? Probably not, he's never very emotional about anything. At least not after his parents died in that car crash. A shiver runs through my body and I shake it off.

I couldn't imagine not having my parents around. I'd be so lonely, hurting all the time. I look out the window and watch the cars and trees go by. I wish I could have walked to school, but my dad insisted that he drive me. After all he is a math teacher at Konoha Academy, secretly I think he didn't think I could find my way on my own.

A pink head of hair catches my eye in the crowd of academy students and I know that it's Sakura. A warm smile spreads slowly across my face. For years I have been in love with her, and for years her eyes have only been for Sasuke, my best friend. What stings the most is that she's with him now, and it's killing me.

My father pulls into the school parking lot and slowly makes his way to the back of the school, seeking out the teacher parking. We glide into a spot marked Mr. Namikaze and the car turns off.

"Well Naruto how are you feeling now that you are finally here?" My father asks looking over at me from the driver's side with his normal warm smile on his face.

I turn to face him. "I'm ready, believe it!" I say with a bright goofy grin.

My father laughs a hearty laugh and ruffles my unruly golden spikes of hair. "Always on the go Naruto. Let's get going."

I'm sure he's expecting another smile but instead I frown at him. "I'm not a kid anymore!" I scold trying to push his hand away. It was okay when I was younger but I'm in high school now and wasn't a little kid anymore.

My father chuckles at my outburst unfazed. "No, you are not a child anymore Naruto." He says squeezing my shoulder. "That better?"

I nod and grab my shoulder bag from next to my feet and heave myself out of the car. An insane itch attack comes over me from the movement, causing me to claw at my neck in irritation. This ridiculous uniform itches like hell, I really hate neck ties.

I follow my father to the front of the school and wave goodbye as he ascends into the building. I'd follow him but I want to wait for Sasuke to get here. We have been best friends since we were little, it doesn't seem right going into the school without him.

Finally I spot his raven blue hair and wave. "Sasuke!" I call out frantically waving him over to where I am.

Sasuke slowly strolls over to me and without warning smacks me upside the head. "Ouch what was that for?!" I cringe massaging the ache on the back of my head.

"You idiot don't draw attention to us. We're first years you know. You don't want to get the crap beat out of you the first day do you?" He warns me with a raised eye brow.

I gulp. "No one would seriously do that would they?" I ask quietly my eyes big as we enter the building.

Sasuke shrugs. "I'd rather not find out."

The warm September air heats my body as I sprint through the small park that my mother, sister, and I live across from. The need to feel my lungs burn was so strong when I woke up that I threw my sweats and hoodie on and sped out of the house like a crazed dog.

The air carries the scent of soil, fresh mowed grass, and wood. My feet pound against the park pathway as The Offspring pounds in my earphones.

After running the path twice I decide that I should head back home for a quick shower and something to eat. My breathe come heavy making me smile and sprint home. I feel one hundred percent ready for the first day of school now.

I pass the kitchen where my sister Hana is making tea and some miso soup. Her cooking is the best, though I sure hope she knows that if Choji smells that when he gets here that he will want some.

I quickly shower and dress in my new school uniform. The black slacks and white button up shirt look good on me. I look more grown up, though Hana and my mother would say I still act childish. Sigh. It's not my fault that I want to live in the moment and that it helps fill the void that was left behind when my father died.

I try to secure my neck tie and fail miserably. Fuck it, this thing is over the top any way, why do we even have to wear a tie? I leave it draped around my neck and grab my duffle bag for soccer. I sure hope they have a first year team.

My sister looks as preppy as ever when I enter the kitchen. They must make the school uniform for people like her. I glance at her for a second. Black Mary Jane platform heels, black thigh high leggings, red plaid mini skirt, white button up (practically see through!) top, and the neck tie. Yep defiantly made for her.

"You're staring." Hana grumbles at me setting a tea pot on the table.

I glare at her. "Am not." I snorted, grabbing a mug from the cabinet and pouring some tea for myself. "Do all the girls have to wear that uniform?" I ask innocently.

Hana laughs her chime like laugh. "Looks like you're going to have a hard time concentrating. Tell me Kiba, how did you manage to get into such a good high school anyway?" She teases raising her eye brows at me and smirking as she hands me a bowl of soup.

I glare at her. "Fuck you, I'm a lot smarter than I look." I retort slurping down my soup and washing it down with the tea. "Hn that hit the spot, thanks." I say with a wolfish grin and take my dishes to the sink.

I see my sister look me up and down and a small smile plays across her face.

"What now?" I grumble annoyed as I picking up my duffle bag and swinging it over my shoulder.

She cocks her head to one side. "Look at you all grown up." She teases walking over to me and quickly tying my neck tie for me.

I gulp and avoid her gaze, I want to get out of here as fast as possible now, I know what's coming and I don't want to hear it. I nod curtly at her and make a v-line for the front door, bursting out of it and slamming it as I go. I hate when she looks at me like that. I hate that even though she lost a father too she looks at me with such pity.

I start to walk quickly down the road that leads to the school, my previously good mood replaced with a sour bitterness.

"Hey Kiba slow down!" I hear someone whine from somewhere behind me. I turn around to see a short plump boy and a taller skinny guy. I stick my hands into my pockets and watch as Choji and Shikamaru walk down the road in my direction.

I sigh and put on a fake smile, pretend to laugh. "Hey sorry guys, thought you weren't coming." I lie.

Choji opens a bag of potato chips and pops one in his mouth. "It's no problem Kiba." He mumbles though potato chip with a smile. "Shikamaru was late any way."

Shikamaru sighs and shoves his hands deeper into his pockets. Typical Shikamaru, too lazy to even have a retort.

We all start walking towards the hill that leads down to the school. I see Shikamaru eyeing me from the other side of Choji for a brief second before folding his hands behind his head. What's his problem?

As we reach the top of the hill we look down onto the grounds of Konoha Academy. The front and side grounds swarming with students and staff.

Shikamaru sighs deeply. "Our prison for the next four years. What a drag." He groans.

Choji and I laugh. "Hey it can't be that bad." I grin. "If all the girls are going to be wearing what Hana was wearing this morning then we will be well entertained." I tease elbowing Shikamaru in the ribs.

Shikamaru sighs. "Girls are such a pain." He grumbles as we make our way down the hill. I have to roll my eyes at him. He's got a point, most girls are a pain but that still doesn't mean that you can't look.

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(=' :') ~♥
(,(')(') Authors Note❀ So this is my first Fan Fiction. I hope that everyone likes it as much as I liked writing it. I decided upon Joe Inoue's Closer as the theme song for this book. (Or if you don't know it by name the 4th opening song for Shippuden.) It's the Japanese version (Because it sounds better that way) and I will add an extra part to the book with the translated lyrics (not to be confused with the English version) Thank you SO much for reading my work, you all are AWESOME! Vote, comment, follow or simply add to your library if you like, it means the world to me! Shout out to Megz for getting me HOOKED on Wattpad!