True Self, New Self

Here is chapter two!


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True Self, New Self.


Chapter 16: Reunions at the Academy.

The distinctive pull of my chakra when I perform a jutsu woke me up. It takes me a while to process what happened, but when I do I can help but smile. So Neji finally used the scroll I gave him, I can only hope that it works, until I receive news from Suna. I rub my eyes, trying to force sleep out of them while I look for the clock. I still have to get used to this house and where things are located. We stayed until late last night cleaning the house, and we would still be at it if Yuki and I didn't make some Kage Bunshins to help us cleaning. Thanks to that we did things quicker, but ended up very tired. After seeing everyone out, I just made it to my parents room and collapsed over the bed. Yuki must be in the room next to mines, still sleeping.

It is five o'clock and I can hear Konoha starting to go into it's daily routine. Some people are waking up, while others are already up and getting things ready for the day. Most of the noise comes from the market area, shops there open early in the morning. It is time for the shift of the border patrols, and train time for genins teams. Classes at the Academy don't start until two hours, but the students and the teachers are starting to get up and ready, so they won't be late.

It is time for me to get up as well, so I stand up and go to take a shower at the adjoining bathroom. It is a nice one, not overly big, bit it isn't a small one either. It has a nice big shower and a big tub as well. But today I don't feel like soaking in the tub, so I'll take a quick shower and go to the small dojo to practice my katas and stretch my muscles.

I practice for an hour before Yuki came to tell me that breakfast was ready. I follow him to the dinner room to be greeted by an omelet and a glass with orange juice. It is as tasty as usual, I'm still wondering who taught him how to cook... because he couldn't fry an egg before we arrived to Suna, perhaps it was Temari? Anyway, I'm certainly not complaining.

"Naruto-niichan?"

"Yes Yuki?"

"I was wondering... there is a ninja academy in Konoha, right?"

"Hai."

"And you graduated from it, right?"

"Yeees..." I say raising an eyebrow, I wondering where is this getting at.

"And most twelve year old humans are at the Academy, right?"

'Oh, so that was it!'

"You want to go to the academy with the other kids right?"

"Can I oniichan? I really, really want to become a ninja like you!"

"Well, you already have the skills of a ninja..."

"But I want to be a ninja of Konoha!"

"I know, I know! I was just kidding. Of course you can go to the Academy, as a matter of fact, you're just in time to enter. Hinata-san told me that there's a class that will begin today. For some reasons it started late, so why don't you go get ready and I'll drop you off at the Academy on my way to Tsunade-baachan's office."

"Great! I will be right back!"

'Really this kit... I don't have a clue what could his teacher teach him that he doesn't already know...'

' ' I bet that he will break the record of the kid that graduated faster. ' '

'That will be Itachi I think... he was a freaking genius, but with that kind of childhood even Hinata would go into a killing rampage. Really, what I saw in his mind was just sick. I wonder what would people think of their beloved Uchiha clan if they knew the truth.'

' ' I completly agree with you kit, that was something I don't want to witness again in my life, and that is saying something. ' '

'Why do you keep calling me a kit?'

' ' Because you are one. ' '

'Excuse me, Yuki is a kit. He may be older than me, but he acts more like a kit than I do.'

' ' Whatever. ' '

"I'm ready to go oniichan!" I turn around just before being tackled by a... yellow blur?

"What happened to your hair Yuki!" I say looking straight into his, thankfully, still silver eyes.

"Huh? My hair?"

"Yes your hair, ten minutes ago it was silver, and now it is blond!"

"Well, we're brothers right? Most brothers have the same hair color, so I thought: I will use a genjutsu to turn my hair blond so me and oniichan look more like brothers!. Or you rather dye yours silver?"

"No, I like my hair just like it is, thank you very much. You know what? Forget that I asked, lets go or you will be late."

"Yay! I wonder who will be my sensei!"

"That will make two of us..."

Yuki grabs my hand as we walk out of the house. Ever since I came back, I never went to the academy, for some strange reason. Maybe it was because I didn't have the time, since I spent most of it with my friends. I wonder how things had changed there... Why I didn't ask Hinata if Iruka-sensei was still teaching at the academy? I wonder what in all seven hells I was thinking...

When we reach the academy, I go straight to the Principal's office to sign up Yuki for the class. He was lucky, because they only had one space left. He gave us a note for the sensei, explaining things.

"Umino Iruka... that's the name of my sensei! Do you know him oniichan?"

"As a matter of fact I do. He was my sensei at the academy too." I say plotting a way to let him know that I'm back.

"The one you pranked with your Oiroke no Jutsu?"

"Yes, the same one... wait a second, who told you that!"

"Jiraiya-sama did! Right before he taught me how to do it!"

"That fucking perverted hermit... he will hear from me the next time I see him... Hmmm... maybe it can be a good thing after all... Yuki?"

"Hai oniichan?"

"Can you do me a favor?"

"Anything!"

"Come here," I say, before whispering instructions on his ear,"Got it?"

"Hai!"

"This will be soo funny!"

Before I could get to imagine how my great plan will go any further, I'm standing right outside Iruka-sensei's classroom. I take a deep breath so I can take my responsible big brother self in place before I go any further. Satisfied with the stoic expression I know that I have, I knock the door before I open it.

"Forgive the interruption, Umino-sensei. I just wanted to deliver you a last minute student," I say pushing Yuki inside the classroom,"I will come get you when classes end. Good luck."

"Right! See ya later oniichan!"

I gave Iruka-sensei a single nod before closing the door behind me. I sigh and relax my stance a smirk fighting his way to my lips.

'I guess that Tsunade will have to wait.'

' ' Where went you usual mature self? ' '

'Don't give me that, you know that I'm mature, but I'm a kitsune as well, it is in my nature to play pranks. Even you, that had lived for millenniums, with all your wisdom, pried and manners, enjoy to play a prank on me once in a while and you know it. Don't get me started with all the things you had done! Besides, you say that I'm still a kit right? So stop bugging me.'

' ' Kami, I created a monster! ' '

I mentally laugh at Kyuubi's predicament. This is one of the few times I win a discussion with him, and he hates it when I do it.

"Kaji-kun, what are you doing here?"

"Ahhh Hinata-san! I just came to drop Yuki at his classroom. He wanted to go to the academy like the other kids at the village and I just couldn't tell him no."

"He's in Iruka-sensei's class right? Does he know that you're back?"

"Iie, but he will know soon." I say while grinning.

"I know that face, you're planning something right?"

"You will have to wait and see!" I say before transporting myself to the tree outside sensei's classroom, so I can see everything that goes on inside it. Well, for now everything that I have to do is sit back and wait until recess.

[Scenery change! While we wait for recess, lets see what is Tsunade doing, shall we? Tsunade's POV]

"That damn brat is late, I can't believe it!"

"Yo Tsunade! What's up? Why are you pacing a hole on the floor?"

"Jiraiya! Where is that damn student of yours? He is LATE!"

"Last time I saw him, he was entering the Academy with Yuki. Perhaps he's with Iruka? Anyway, what is so important that he had to be here on time?"

"I wanted to make him a check up, to see how the merge affected him medically speaking. To make sure he's out of danger."

"Tsunade, it has been three months since the merge and in this time, there was absolutely nothing wrong with him. If anything changed, was that he got better in every aspect. You're worrying to much."

"Maybe you're right. I just can't trust Kyuubi, even when Naruto says it is ok."

"Believe it or not, Kyuubi is not as bad as everyone thinks. He cares for Naruto like we do, and maybe even more, so don't worry. Speaking of other things, Naruto is going to take the Chuunin exam, right?"

"Hai."

"Why are you making him take it? With all those scrolls, he can be promoted to Jounin immediately. It will be pointless for him to take it anyway, as soon as the examinators from other villages see his name, they will immediately approve him, everyone knows the brat, I took care of that."

"Even when what you say is true, and even when I don't know the real Naruto the same way you do, there is one thing that I'm sure of. Naruto will never accept a promotion just because he was recommended for it. I'm sure he will like to get it with his own efforts. That's why I'm letting him take the exam, even when, like you said, it is completly pointless."

"Well, that's truth. Even the merge happened because of his own efforts. In order for him to merge with Kyuubi, he had to be strong enough, both mentally and physically, or he wouldn't had survived it."

"I bet that he will get promoted to Jounin in no time anyway."

"Well that is a bet that the Legendary Losers will never lose!"

"Jiraiya..." I say before punching his lights out. That baka... he will never change!

[Well, it is recess time, so let's go back to the Academy! Yuki's POV]

I wait until all my classmates leaves the room to go outside for recess and I'm alone with Iruka-sensei. This is the first time I try oniichan's jutsu with other people! So, lets get oniichan's plan started.

"Iruka-sensei?"

"Yes Yuki?"

"You see... I have this new jutsu, and I was wondering if you could see it and tell me if it is good."

"Sure let me see it."

"Ok! Oiroke no Jutsu!" I say smiling, here is the part where a river of blood comes out of his nose! Huh? Why isn't it happening?

"Mmmmm... very impressive Yuki, the shape is well done. It is a great job, but perhaps you will like to let your hair lose instead than in a ponytail."

"Why it didn't work!"

"Some years ago one of my favorite students used it on me, after him, a boy named Konohamaru used it too and taught it to his friends. After all these years I grew immune to it. So who taught it to you? Konohamaru?"

"As a matter of fact Jiraiya did, without my permission. I told Yuki that I will teach it to him when he was older, but ero-sennin beated me to it." Came oniichan's voice right before he appeared in a swirl of leafs.

"Oniichan! It didn't work!"

"Don't worry Yuki-chan, if Konohamaru did what Iruka-sensei said, then I would be surprised if it actually worked."

"Naruto?"

"Long time no see Iruka-sensei."

[Back to Naruto's POV]

I can help but smile when I see Iruka's shocked face, he's opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish.

"Better be careful sensei, you can swallow a fly if you keep doing that" I say, my smile turning to a smirk.

"You're back... how?... when?!"

"Well, my training was over, so I came back not so long ago."

Iruka looks like he finally snapped out of his initial shock, because he moves forward and before I know it I'm trapped inside a death hug.

"Iruka-sensei... softer... please... can't... breath!"

"Naruto! Look at you, you have changed so much! You're so tall! And your hair is so long! What happened to your tan? Oh never mind let me look at you." He say finally letting me go. Yuki is giggling like mad somewhere behind him.

"What's so funny kit?"

"If he squeezed you any harder I bet that your tails and ears would pop out!" He said between giggles.

"Keep making fun of me and I'll throw Akamaru at you and we will see who's ears and tails pop out!"

"Ears? Tails?"

"It is a loong story sensei, and the recess is short. So I better show you, because explaining you will be longer. Besides, an image is more worthy than a thousand words," I say performing a quick privacy jutsu that I was taught in Kiri,"Ok, this is it." I say letting my beloved tails and ears show. They have such a nice golden color that reflects the light!

' ' Wow, you're turning into a narcissist. ' '

'I wonder just who taught me that...'

I turn my attention to Iruka, who is shocked speechless by the sight of not only one, but two kitsunes. I quickly hide my ears and tails and wait for Yuki to hide his before dropping the jutsu.

"Hmmm... sensei? Are you alright?" Yuki says while waving his hand before Iruka's face.

At that moment the door was opened and Hinata step in the classroom.

"Naruto-kun, what you did to Iruka-sensei?"

"Nothing!" She sighs and walk until she's standing by my side.

"You told him?"

"Hai!"

"Well that will explain why he is like that. Iruka-sensei, please snap out of it. Naruto-kun is still the same as always, a little more mature and with some unusual attributes, but he's still the same!"

"I'm sorry, I think I was out of it for a while there. So you merged with him huh? Well if what Hinata-san says is true, then I don't have a problem with it. I'm glad that you're back Naruto!"He says, hugging me again tightly.

"I'm glad to be back too. Well I better get going! I had a meeting with Tsunade-baachan three hours ago and the recess is almost over! I'll come pick you up later Yuki, be a good kit and listen to Iruka-sensei."

"Naruto-kun, would you like to go get some ramen later?"

"I will love to, but for now call me Kaji! Hinata-san, could you please explain things to Iruka-sensei?"

"I will."

"Great! Ja ne!" I say, transporting myself to Tsunade's office.

[At Tsunade's office.]

"You are LATE!"

"Owe... I know that I'm late neechan, but there was no need to hit me!" I say nursing my abused head.

"You were supposed to be here three hours ago!"

"I know, I know. But I went to the academy and saw Iruka-sensei, and you know I haven't seen him in five years!"

"Fine! Now get on that examination table so we can get this over with."

"Really Tsunade-neechan, I'm a kitsune now. How will you know if there is something wrong with my body if I'm not human?"

"Hmph, don't underestimate me brat, or Hokage's private library. I did some research and I know enough about kitsunes now to make an accurate check up. I stayed up all night studying, so shut up and let me do my work."

"Yes miss." I say submitting down, it is better not to contradict her when she's on this mood.

An hour later, Tsunade seems to be satisfied with the results of her examination and finally let me off the, too hard for my tastes, examination table.

"Well, it seems that everything is fine. There's nothing for you to worry about."

'You were the one fuzzing over it, not me.'

"That's good to know."

"Tell me, did some one already told you something about the chuunin exams?"

"Besides that my friends will be examinators, nothing. Actually I wanted to ask you where I should go this time. I don't think the first exam will be at the same place."

"The only thing you need to do is to present yourself in front of the Hokage mountain in fourteen days. Things will be explained there."

"That's all?"

"Yes, now go away. I'm a busy person and I have better things to do than to waste my time chatting with you."

"Yes miss!" I mock salute and disappear from her sight before she gets the chance of hitting me again.

[Top of the Hokage Mountain.]

'Now... what to do... academy's classes are no where near ended... Mmmm... well it doesn't matter.'

I'm sitting on top of the Hokage mountain, my legs swinging over the edge. It is always so nice up here, the fresh air, the silence and not to mention the great view of the village.

'I wonder how are things going at Suna. And the whole thing between Neji and Gaara. How could I not notice that he was on the village while I was there?'

' ' Maybe he came while Temari and Kankuro were training our ass off. You were so focused on their training,that you could have missed that Uchiha boy parading in a dress right in front of your eyes. ' '

The mental picture of Sasuke parading in a dress got me into a hysterical laughing fit.

'I think that is something that I will never miss, believe me Kyu, and something that will never happen too. Now that I remember, I did heard Temari talking to Gaara about a Konoha representative. Every time a representative from Konoha came, Gaara left early in the morning and spent the rest of the day in a good mood.'

' ' Like the racoon's good mood was so different from his usual one. The only way you could tell that was that he tension on his shoulders eased, but you had that effect on him too. ' '

'Quit it already Kyu, you know I don't like Gaara that way and he doesn't either, so stop trying to get us together because it is not going to happen. Returning to the topic, I thought it was a different representative every time, but it looks like it was the same one. Oh well, they will make a great couple, so I will do everything in my power to help them being together.'

' ' Maybe you will like to take that damn seal of White Eyes forehead? As a way to show your gratitude and your support. ' '

'Never thought about that before, but I will need to know more about it in order to take it off and don't screw everything in the process.'

' ' I think that that Hinata child will be more than happy to help. After you remove it just paint another one on, so no one will know, unless they try to activate it. ' '

'I'll ask Hinata later. What time is it anyway? Kuso! Time flies when I talk to you Kyu, better transport me there because I won't make it on time if I run there.'

[In front of the Academy!]

Maybe I over did it with my entrance? As soon as I appeared at the academy in the usual swirl of leafs, the eyes of all the presents were on me. I really don't like to be the center of attention, at least not this kind of attention. I promptly ignore them and walk to where Yuki is, talking with a bunch of girls that surround him. The girls have fan girls written all over their faces, I wonder what is the kit doing.

"Hey Yuki!"

"Oniisan!" He says making his way out of the circle and hugging me.

"That's your older brother Yuki-kun?"

"He's sooo cool!"

"Is he a ninja?"

"Of course he is Mayura, don't you see his head band?"

"His name is Kaji right?"

"I heard Hinata-sensei talk about him with Iruka-sensei, they say he's really good!"

"Well I heard from my father that Hyuuga-sama recommend him for ANBU captain."

"Well, my mother works at the Hokage Tower and she said that him and Hokage-sama are old friends."

My eyes travel from one girl to another, how in all seven hells these girls get that kind of information? I scan the crowd for Iruka and when I spot him looking for me too and our eyes lock I mouth help! He nods and make his way to our spot.

"Okay girls, leave them alone. Your parents are looking for you and Kaji-san and I have a meeting and we can't talk with all of you over him, now can we?"

They finally stop talking and disperse, making me sigh in relief.

"Just how you got in that kind of mess Yuki-chan?"

"Well they kept following me around, and I decided to talk to them. Even when they can be really annoying, they are a great source of information, niichan!"

"Fan girls know everything believe me Kaji. If what you want is information about what happens in this village at all times, I recommend an alliance with them."

"Well, I never thought it that way. Maybe I'll do that."

"Besides, fan girls stalk to get information, if you give it to them freely, they will stop doing it and you will gain friends and lots of bento boxes! Right sensei?"

"Exactly."

'Seems like I found the bright side of having a fan club.'

"So, are we going to Ichikaru's or not?" I ask with a smile.

"Right after you."

I just found another way to stop getting lusty looks and stalkers, walking with Iruka-sensei. As soon as he noticed them he started giving them the glare of eternal doom and everyone backed away from us. Iruka is scary when angry, I knew that, but when he gets into Mother Hen mood... even I have the urge of inch my way away from him. I never want to be the target of one of those looks, because I think I will burst into flames and die if I was.

By the time we arrived too Ichikaru, half of Konoha was scared to dead and me and Yuki were sweat dropping and laughing nervously. I only ordered one bowl of miso ramen, to Iruka's surprise and relief of his wallet. Like I said before, ramen is not my favorite thing ever, and after twelve years of having it as your main food, it's obvious that a person can get bored of it. Actually, I prefer to eat things with tofu recently, Kyu says it is an after effect of the merge, and it will eventually pass.

After eating, we said our farewells and parted ways.

"So, you enjoyed your first day at the academy?"

"Yes, it was awesome! I made lot of friends!"

"That's good, anything interesting happened?"

"Well there was this one thing..."

"Tell me, what happened?"

"At lunch break came this man with silver hair and a mask to see Iruka-sensei..."

"That probably was Kakashi, but what was the interesting part?"

"Well I was on the roof and I heard this noises coming from the classroom and a funny smell too, I was the only one that noticed it of course."

"And... your point is?"

"That noises and smell, are the ones I usually notice at mating season coming from my parents room."

I tripped over my own foot and almost fall face first on the ground. I also noticed the funny smell but I shrugged it off when I couldn't identify it. So that was it!

"So Iruka-sensei and Kakashi-sensei... Thank you Yuki, now I have something to tease Iruka to the end of days!" I say chuckling evilly.

"This is baaaad..."

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Two down, one to go!