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Waves of nervousness rippled through my body as I made my way to the Academy through the bustling and busy mud streets of the village. At the Academy I'd be trained to use my chakra. I guess. I mean, I really have no idea how this will work. I sighed and adjusted my arm at my side. The mud cast that the healer had made for me was annoying, chafing at my skin around it's edges. I can't wait to take it off. The bandages around my broken chest and stomach weren't as bad, nor the ones crawling all the way to the shoulder of my other arm. They were actually quite comfortable.

Gyunyu sniffled at the ground lazily as we meandered our way over to the gates of the Academy. I stood before them a minute, trying to calm my nerves. Gyunyu growled in complaint, nudging the backs of my legs gently to push me forward. "I'm going, I'm going," I muttered, rubbing the top of his head and shuffling through the open gates. It was really big. Bigger than it looked just passing by it on my way to the paint shop. I selfconsciously tightened my stomach, causing the broken ribs to shoot pain up my chest. "Let's go, Gyunyu," I whispered. It's ok. They're nice in there. Sasuke's in there. You're only staying for the last class of the day. You are not this much of a socially awkward person to bail out of this.

So, with gritted teeth, I forced myself to shuffle across the dusty earth path to the menacingly industrial-grey doors. Take the handle, my brain whispered at me.

I did so.

Turn it.

I did so. Reluctantly

Now. Peer inside.

I did... cringing the whole time. But the suuuuuper long hallway was empty of anyone. Whew. I opened the door just enough to allow myself and Gyunyu inside. "Don't make any sound," I whispered as we walked down the hallways, peering through the small windows of the doors to classrooms. The lights were off, only the sunlight from both ends of the school pouring through the doors. Eerie silence had me freezing with every grunt Gyunyu made as he lumbered on beside me. He'd grown very much since a few days ago, when Sasuke gave him to me. The black snout spread over his face until around his jaws and ears, where they faded into a wonderful deep brown colour. He was also a lot stronger. I had Sasuke come help me take care of him, or gave the bear to him for a day or two when he was rowdy, because his strength was too much for me with my broken bones.

"Hello!"

AH! I whipped around to see a boy, my age maybe, dressed in some loose brown pants, a fishnet top, and a greenish jacket that came just past his chest. His spiky black hair was pulled into a tight ponytail on his head, and his eyes were completely black, a bored look lacing his whole face as he stood in front of one of the doors which he held open. "You must be the person Sasuke's been talking about. You passed the classroom. We're going to start in a few minutes."

My sudden movement had caused my broken ribs to move, and now pain ripped through me. I tried to calm my breathing as I made my way back to the guy still holding the door. I guess it's for me, I thought, taking hold of it and turning to Gyunyu. He was still down the hall, staring distrustfully at the student. "It's fine Gyunyu," I managed to get out, waving him over with my hand.

He walked slowly, warily over to stand beside me. I blushed and stared down at him the whole time, embarrassed that the guy had seen me daze off and totally miss the classroom. "My name's Shikamaru Nara. Nice to meet you."

I nodded and accepted his hand to shake it, but didn't look at him. "Well, you can sit with me, I guess, if not Sasuke. Sakura and Ino are sitting there as well, because it's the best place to admire Sasuke, apparently."

I smiled at the thought of Sasuke getting all this attention, and walked into the classroom after Shikamaru. The high ceiling allowed the booths of desks to raise up the walls, so that the back could still see and hear the sensei. Right now there was none, however, just the students clumped here and there talking among themselves. A lot of them. The nervousness immediately returned, and I stood there in shock shuffling my feet and fiddling with my bandages. Oh. My gosh. There are so many people. Hyperventilation skills were just about to kick on, before somehow Sasuke was standing in front of me instead of Shikamaru, who was now glaring at the black haired student as he took his seat.

"I'm glad you found your way here safely," he said, not breaking eye contact. All I could do was nod. Whew. Someone I know. I can do this. "Why don't you talk with these people here, make a friend maybe?" He pointed to a pink haired girl in all red, and a girl with a blue dress and beautiful blonde hair. OH NO. PEOPLE I DON'T KNOW. I CAN'T DO THIS. "They aren't the best people to be friends with..." he muttered, looking away from me for a second to glare at the two girls who appeared to be arguing with each other. "But they'll do for you."

"Ahm- ah..." I struggled to get the words out. Sasuke was staring apathetically at me the whole time. "Um, sure, I'll sit with them," I managed. Just because you said so. Not because I normally would, because normally I wouldn't even be still standing. So I let him lead me over to the booth and slide me in. My brain shut down right about then. Only images of the pink haired girl smiling. Sakura, I think. And then Ino, the blonde haired girl. Shaking hands with me. Smiling, talking, laughing, black, and next thing I know I'm talking comfortably with them. I can feel Sasuke's eyes on me the whole time from the back of the classroom. And then Sakura invites me to lunch this weekend, and Ino says she'll have to ask me about how I got the cast and broken ribs.

I never knew making friends was this easy.

After the class, I realized that this would be so much fun. Learning here at the Academy. Everyone was really nice and welcoming, and I enjoyed the lesson, and the sensei taught well. All of this I thought about on the way back to the little house of mine, down the street from Sasuke's. The sun was setting somewhere behind the trees behind us as we walked through the emptying mud streets.

"Sasuke," I said, after contemplating even breaking the silence at all. He looked down at me as we walked. "Thank you... for making me go to the Academy today." I felt the blush heating my face, and glared at the ground, focusing on how much longer his strides were than mine. How he was slowing down for me. "I didn't think I would fit in, but everyone is very accepting. I made friends today, and I have you to thank for it." I squeezed my eyes shut. Do it! Fast before you rethink it! So I quickly leaned up on my toes to peck his cheek. It was like an electric shock, cold and pale skin on my lips through his dry black hair that tickled my nose. But in a second it was over and I had continued walking. Staring back at the ground, I realized his feet weren't there. I stopped and turned around to find him standing on the spot where I'd kissed him. He looked shocked.

Oops.

The blush was so strong now, and I was so completely embarrassed that I turned back around, not looking at him. I would totally be running back home right now, I thought, if my arm and ribs weren't broken. I'm such an idiot, such an idiot, ughhhhhhhhhh...

I heard him walk almost silently towards me. Then his shadow and feet were beside mine. I didn't dare look up. I. Am going. To DIE. His arms wrapped around my shoulders, and I didn't move. He's going to strangle me. It's what I deserve. I had it coming. I'm so stupid.

But instead I felt cold, cold lips on my own forehead, lingering for much longer than mine had upon his skin. It sent cold shivers down my spine, but was so very soothing at the same time. Then they were gone. His arms still held me gently.

"No problem."