Naoko's Story

A/N: I'm sorry about the last chapter. it was midnight when i uploaded it and didn't realize i had uploaded two chapters instead of one.
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Three – age 15
I smiled as I watched Shino dress for the celebration dinner we were having that night. Both of us had graduated from the Academy today and our parents were throwing us a party. Everyone was invited to this party and Shino wanted to try and be friends with his new team mates.
“Do you need my help, Shi?” I smiled when he jumped. “Wait here I’ll be back in a second.”
I left him to run back to my room. I found what I was looking for, and ran back to find him curled up on his bed in defeat.
“Here try these on. I know they’re mine but still it’s better than your kimono or an overcoat.” I said as I sat next to him. “Come on Hinata and Kiba will be here and you haven’t even started dressing yet.”
Shino sighed as he sat up to face me. “Why should I even bother? No one ever likes the bug kid.”
“Well let’s show them the real Shino... the way you are here.” I said as Minato toddled in dressed in tiny hakama and gi. “Hello sweetling, did Baachan dress you?”
Minato nodded as he looked over at Shino. “Shi?”
Shino smiled as he went to pick up his nephew. “You look very grown up Minato.”
Minato hugged him before licking Shino’s cheek. “Shi!”
A maid ran in only to sigh in frustration. “Master Naruto, Master Shino, why aren’t you dressed yet?”
I smiled as I took Minato from Shino. “I’m not going to the party, no one will want me there.”
“Well I’m not going if Naruto’s not going. It isn’t fair that I have to go if he doesn’t.” Shino said sharply.
“You are both going, Naruto go get dressed.” Shibi said as he leant against the door. “We’ve invited all of your classmates so you’re both required.”
“WHAT?!” We both yelled, startling Minato.
“Yes so get ready now, both of you.” Shibi said as he patted my head. “You have ten minutes before your mother is coming to check on you.”
I sighed as I walked back to my own room. “So I wonder what they’ve set out for me... do you know Min?”
~*~*~*~
I hate parties at the best of times. And this one sucked even more than usual. Shibi had invited everyone and I was more isolated than normal. Haruno Sakura and Yamanaka Ino were fawning over the Uchiha as usual.
I smiled as I watched Inuzuka Kiba’s antics, he was so much like his older sister it was refreshing.
I was leaning against a wall with my eyes shut, waiting for my chance to escape, when someone walked over to me.
“I’m so glad you’re safe, Na’to-chan.”
My eyes flew open and I blinked as Saya came into focus. “Hyuga-dono. I am glad you are safe as well... Min, you are meant to be asleep in bed.” I smiled as I picked him up. “Come on, I’ll take you back to bed now.”
~*~*~*~
I absolutely loathed my team mates, the Uchiha thought he was better than the rest of us and Sakura idolized him. And then there was our sensei... Hatake Kakashi... he is an outright idiot. He is constantly late and is always reading porn.
Like now, when he was supposed to be training us...
“Naruto, why aren’t you trying to get a bell?”
I blinked as Kakashi brought me back to Earth. He was standing in front of me dangling two silver bells. “Because this is boring, I’d rather starve than play your game.”
He grinned at me as he waved his bells. “Didn’t you listen earlier? Whoever doesn’t get a bell will be kicked out of the Academy and never become a shinobi.”
I sighed as I stood. “I guess I’d better try then. Be prepared.” I could sense Sasuke and Sakura watching.
I ran at him kunai drawn, and he grinned as I tripped over but I knew I had already won. I stumbled past him and landed in the bushes. I quickly darted up the nearest tree and just sat there waiting for him to notice.
I watched as both Sasuke and Sakura tried to capture a bell each from Kakashi. I soon became bored with there antics so I looked through my booty. When I had ‘tripped’ I had robbed Kakashi and had gotten his book, a shuriken, three kunai, two scrolls and his ANBU mask. The scrolls were simply summoning lists, so I started reading his book to pass the time. It was kinda interesting and it did make the time go faster.
A timer went off, startling me from the book I had stolen.
“Time‘s up. Please come back now.” Kakashi called as I marked the page with a leaf before tucking the book down my jacket.
I was the last to arrive. “So now what? Do we starve or are you feeling generous?” I asked as I sat near the middle stump.
“First of all, no one got near the bells... well Naruto did but that was only by accident... where are the bells?”
I smiled at his comical expression. “Did you lose something, Kakashi-sensei?”
Sakura gave me a weird look as Kakashi turned to me. “What do you mean Naruto?”
I opened my pack and returned his belongings, except his book I wanted to finish it first. “A shinobi must be able to see what’s underneath the underneath.”
Sakura’s jaw dropped as she realized when I had gotten the items. “But how did you get those things in that time? It was just seconds.”
I stood and looked at her. “It was too easy. I have to go sensei.” I didn’t even wait for his nod before I walked off. I could hear the chaos behind me as they tried to work out how I had done my trick.
I walked towards the Aburame’s district whistling softly. /I wonder why I have to return home early today. Kikai, do you know?/
*No because the other kikai wouldn’t tell us. Maybe it’s just more training.*
/Maybe./ I looked up as I walked through the gate of my current home. I smiled at the staff as I walked up the path. I actually liked it here, no one treated me like dirt while I was inside the compound walls.
“You are wanted in the main library, Master Naruto. You have guests.”
I smiled as I walked in to the library. “I’m sorry I was late, ma’am. I was being tested... Arian?” I gasped as I saw her sitting on a cushion on the floor. “What happened? are the others alright?”
Arian simply smiled up at me. “It is good to see you again... even if you look different. Please sit, I have a favour to ask of your family.”
I sat across from her and watched as she coughed. “What is this favour? I will do all that I can to help you.”
Arian smiled and opened her coat, revealing a tiny baby resting in a sling across her chest. “She is the last of our clan, I was hoping you could take her in and raise her for me. I don’t think I will be able to care for her much longer... and I don’t want her to be killed because I couldn’t protect her.”
I glanced over at mother as I rose to my knees. She nodded minutely as she gestured for one of the maids to come over. “Of course we can take her in, Arian. What is her name?”
“Tsukinya. Her name is Tsukinya. Thank you so much, Naoko.” Arian said as I softly touched the child’s cheek. “You are truly a great kunoichi.”
~*~*~*~
We completed several lame missions before I lost it and yelled at the Third like I used to. But it got results. We were given a ‘C’ rank mission – we were to escort an annoying older man to Wave Country. We did so and when we finally reached Wave Country Kakashi decided that we lacked chakra control.
“What do you mean? We can use jutsu can’t we?” Sasuke snapped as he glared at me and Kakashi.
“How are we supposed to get better control over our chakra?” Sakura said as we watched him. “Sensei??”
“Like this...” Kakashi smirked as he slowly walked over to the nearest tree and walked up its trunk. “You should concentrate your chakra at the soles of your feet and then climb the tree.”
Sakura yelped as three kunai suddenly landed at our feet.
“Use those to mark your progress.” Kakashi smiled as he returned to the ground. “You may begin now.”
I waited to see how Sasuke did and smirked as his foot sank into his tree’s trunk. We glanced up when we heard Sakura’s giggle. She had made it to the top first go.
“So it seems that the one with the most chakra control... is Sakura.” Kakashi said with a smile. “Now what about you two? Can you out do her?”
Sasuke snarled and ran up the tree and ended up losing control about halfway up the trunk. He marked his spot before landing on the ground once again. “There happy?”
“Naruto? What about you?” Kakashi asked as they all watched me. “How high can you climb... and I’ll be watching so do it properly.”
I shrugged and concentrated my chakra then simply walked up the tree until I couldn’t go any higher. “Is that enough for you?” I said as I planted the kunai in the highest branch before jumping from the tree.
“WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?! AND WHERE THE FUCK IS NARUTO?!” Sakura screamed as she grabbed me and Sasuke held a kunai to my throat. “What could you want with Naruto that you would impersonate him?”
I shrugged out off her grasp, ignoring the kunai and Sasuke as I walked away. “Believe me when I say I am Uzumaki Naruto, I just know how to climb trees like that.”
I quickly ran back to the village as they stood confounded behind me.
~*~*~*~
I smiled as I helped Tazuna build the bridge, it was good work to use my own muscles instead of chakra. “Thank you for allowing me to help you. I think I would have lost my mind otherwise.”
“What happened to make you feel like that?” Tazuna asked softly as we ate lunch. “You looked like you were ready to kill someone.”
“They discovered something that I didn’t want anyone to know.” I said softly. “Kakashi said he was going to watch to make sure I was actually trying to do his task. So I did it correctly and they accused me of being a spy.”
Tazuna sighed as he looked at the blond sitting before him. “I thought I recognized you. How are Hana, Saya, Matsuda and Shibi-sensei? “
“So you do remember me... please don’t let the others know about my former rank.”
“Former?!?”
“The village decided that I was a risk and wanted me killed but Hiruzen-sama managed to get a compromise out of them.” I sighed as I looked up at the sky. “I was stripped of my rank and sent back to the Academy to start over. That was three years ago.”
Tazuna sighed as he stood back up. “Alright then, we’d better get back to work before anything else happens.”
~*~*~*~
Kakashi glared at me over dinner, as Sakura and Sasuke ignored me. I finished dinner quietly and walked out of the room. Tazuna sighed as he watched me leave. I felt their eyes boring into my back as I shut the door.
/I’m so sorry, you guys but I can’t tell you about any of this because I promised Hiruzen-sama I wouldn’t.../
*It’s ok, Na’to, you don’t have to tell them if they bother you we will protect you somehow.*
I smiled as I heard the response from my kikai. /I hope it doesn’t come to that... I do actually care about them... strangely enough./
//That’s because you care about the entire village that condemns you for what you did as a child.// Kyubi said softly. //How much longer will this jutsu last? I want to be able to become your partner once again...//
/I don’t know... I know I’m nowhere near Papa’s level, so it may wear of soon... but I’ll have to redo it again, Kyubi. I’m sorry, you know the promise I made to Hiruzen./ I sighed as I sat in the window and stared out at the ocean and the bridge. /It’s only until I reach maturity remember and that won’t be long.../
I looked up as someone knocked on my door. “Come in, Kakashi-sensei.”
“What’s going on, Naruto?” Kakashi asked as he walked over to stand next to me. “When did you get that degree of control over your chakra?”
I sighed and stood. “I have something to return to you.”
He blinked as I returned his ‘Icha Icha Paradise’ book. “It was interesting, do you have any others I could borrow?” I asked trying to distract him.
“When did you get this?” He asked as he stared at the book in my hands. “I have it in my bag... what the hell?”
“When we were at the training grounds, it was one of the things I stole. I’m sorry I took so long to read it... but at least I am now returning it...” I said softly as I turned back to the view. “I’ll see you in the morning, Kakashi-sensei.”
“One moment Naruto, when did you learn to control your chakra like that? Because I know I haven’t taught you that.” Kakashi asked as I flinched. “Just tell me who has been helping you train...”
I shook my head ad I climbed out of the window. “I’m sorry sensei but I have to be alone now. Please don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
~*~*~*~
The mission ended well and we returned to our regular lives back in Konohagakure. Which meant I was able to return to Eran-sensei’s training. Eran-sensei was a weapon smith and he had accepted me as his student years ago... and he knew the truth about my gender.
You see the jutsu I use is one that my father created when he was bored as a young man. It changes my body to that of a boy and locks it in that form until the jutsu itself burns out. It can’t be undone by the caster except through death, and if I died I didn’t have to worry about the consequences of my life. My father cast on me to begin with just before he died and it lasted nine years, but wore off during that mission, resulting in the birth of my son, Minato. When he was born I remembered everything from my childhood. I can’t lock my memories away like he could.
“Hey where are you going brat?”
I looked up as someone grabbed my arm. “Uh home?”
“The Hokage wants to see you... immediately.”
I nodded as I allowed him to lead me to the Hokage Tower and my fate. I stared out the window as Hiruzen yelled at me for losing my temper and showing off in Wave Country. I completely lost track of the conversation as I saw the special messenger bird that was only used to announce the beginning of the Chunin Exam.
“Naruto!” I jumped as Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly yelled my name. “Did you hear a word that I just said?”
I blinked at him owlishly and he sighed. “I’m sorry Hokage-sama.”
“Well I have spoken to Shibi and he has agreed to relinquish you to me. You are going to join another clan in the village and hopefully behave better.” Hiruzen sighed rubbing his face. “As you are fifteen now I thought I could ask your opinion of which clan you wish to live with now?”
“What go you mean? Which clans want me?” I asked confused yet again.
“The Inuzuka, Hyuga and Akimichi clans all want to adopt you.” Hiruzen said as there was a knock on his door. “Come in.”
I looked up as Hana, Saya and Matsuda walked in with grins on their faces. “We’ve come up with an idea, Hokage-sama.” Saya said as she bowed to Hiruzen. “We have all decided to adopt her.”
“That is impossible, how were you going to arrange it if I agreed?” Hiruzen asked curiously.
“Hana and I have moved into Saya’s apartment and there is a spare room for Naoko. This way we can all care for her the way she needs to be cared for.” Matsuda smiled as he looked down at me. “We will even keep her out of sight until she has finished the jutsu to return her to her other form.”
Hiruzen smiled at the shocked expression on my face and nodded as Hana hugged me. “Just try and not kill her through love while you are waiting. And please remember that she is a genin so she can’t go on any missions with you.”
Saya nodded as she bowed to the Hokage. “We know all of that so can we take Naoko home with us?”
“Yes you can Saya. But she is to be on her best behavior. Do you hear me Naruto?” Hiruzen asked as he glared at me.
I nodded a little bewildered as I was led away.
~*~*~*~
I stared at the room they had given me. It was enormous and pale blue, and all my belongings were already there put away. It was the perfect room and I didn’t know what I had done to deserve it.
“Na’to are you ok?” Hana said as she stood in the doorway. “Do you remember the promise I made you when we first met?”
“Sort of, actually no... sorry Hana.” I said as I sat on my bed. She joined me and held out her hand. “Come on we have to go and join the others.”
“Why? Where are they?” I asked as Hana pulled me to my feet. “Hana?
She pulled me from the apartment ignoring my protests and questions. I gave up and let her take me into the centre of town and to the BBQ restaurant that the Akimichi family owned. I blinked as she opened the door and I saw all the people waiting for us. I froze and Aburame Shibi smiled as Shino came over to tug me into the room.
“What’s going on?”
“Did you really think we would forget your birthday? If so you have another thing coming, Naruto.” Shibi said as he smiled at me. “We would have had this party at home but Saya arranged this for you.”
I turned to stare at Saya in shock. “Thank you Saya... but why would you go to the trouble? I didn’t ask you to arrange a party for me, I would have understood.” I whispered as she smiled at me. “This was too much trouble for you to go...”
“It was no trouble to arrange this, Na’to. We all wanted to celebrate your birthday.”
I smiled as she walked me over to the main table and sat me at the head of the table. I looked around and took in the faces of the people here to help me celebrate my 16 birthday. Saya had invited almost everyone I knew to the party. Sitting around the table was Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuga Hinata and Aburame Shino, with their sensei Yuuhi Kurenei. Akimichi Choji, Nara Shikamaru and Yamanaka Ino were sitting with their sensei Sarutobi Asuma. Even Hyuga Neji, Rock Lee and Maito Tenten sat with their sensei Maito Gai. There also was various people from the Hyuga, Akimichi, Inuzuka and Aburame clans. The only people missing were my own team mates and sensei. Even Umino Iruka, Kamizuki Izumo and Hagane Kotetsu came to be there for me. But that was ok I was used to this happening now.
“Happy birthday, little Na’to.” Hana said as she gave me a rather large present. “I hope you enjoy your gift.”
I opened it to find a Inuzuka jacket sitting inside the box. I went to pull it out when a tiny black puppy stuck its head out to look at me. “Hana... there’s a puppy in my present...”
“The puppy is your present as well as the jacket... it will recognize you from the jacket’s scent to begin with and I will help you train her...” Hana said with a soft smile. “Do you like her?”
I nodded slowly smiling as the puppy licked my cheek. “What’s her name?”
“Ah... Mayu already named her...” Hana said softly.
“Her name’s ‘Neko’ isn’t it.” I smiled as the puppy barked happily. “I thought so... you do look like a ‘Neko’ don’t you little one. Thank you Hana, I love her and now I know why Mayu stole my shirt.”
My party went on after for an hour, everyone was enjoying themselves and I almost felt like I deserved this... but that feeling wasn’t to last.
Sakura and Sasuke walked into the restaurant and stared at me. I looked down as I felt their anger.
“Hey how come we weren’t invited to this party?” Sakura asked to the room in general as she looked around and saw that everyone was there. “And why was Naruto invited?”
Inuzuka Mayu glared at Sakura as she saw me trying to hide. “You were invited you just didn’t show up. And it’s Naruto’s party so why shouldn’t he be here?” Mayu snapped as she pointed to the banner above our heads.
Sakura blinked as she read the words. “Today’s your birthday? Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Why would you care? I didn’t even tell them.” I snapped at her, pointing to the others of the rookies. “Hana, Saya and Matsuda told them.” I stood ready to leave when Inuzuka Mika saw me. “Mika-chan is there a problem?”
“You can’t leave yet you haven’t opened all of your presents yet!” She started to cry as Kiba blushed. “Tell her so Aniki!”
I smiled as Kiba growled. “Is that a clan rule, Kiba?” I sat back in my seat. “Well then Mika-chan can you bring me another present?”
Mika and Mayu brought me a brightly wrapped box. “This is from me and Mayu, not the clan.”
I smiled as I opened it to reveal a multitude of scrolls. “Thank you very much, I assume that these are extra special scrolls.” My smile widened as I opened the first scroll. “Thank you girls this is exactly what I wanted.”
Kiba sniggered as he saw what was on the scroll I held. “It is a rather good likeness isn’t it.”
I rolled it back up as I simply ignored Sakura and Sasuke. Everyone else took their clues from me and soon Sasuke was glaring at me like normal. I ended up with a rather varied array of presents, from weapons (Tenten) to stuffed animals (the various younger clan members), scrolls and books to clothes.
Then there was Inuzuka Maya’s gift, the clan mark of the Inuzuka clan. The red fang marks on my cheeks. She did the tattoo right then and there at the table. Every Inuzuka had to hug me after that and welcome me into their family. Akimichi Choza grinned at their antics and asked me to come around to their estate the next day so that I could be welcomed into their clan as well, and the Hyuga clan couldn’t let the Akimichi and Inuzuka clans show them up and I was to go to their estate the following day. I also received offers of lessons with all three clans.
After the chaos had calmed down, I noticed that Hiruzen had arrived with Kakashi in tow. Their reactions to my newly bandaged cheeks was amusing; Kakashi was confused while Hiruzen glared at Maya and Hana.
“Why am I not surprised that you people have marked Naruto yet again. I suppose that you will gain clan marks from the Akimichi and Hyuga in coming days... well I can’t actually stop them.” He sighed as he ruffled my hair. “Just remember that you have your own team to spend time with. Who is this?”
“This is Neko, Hana gave her to me.” I smiled as Hiruzen’s eyes flicked to the twins Mika and Mayu. “Yes they named her, but I like the name.”
“Why would anyone call their dog ‘Cat’? It’s a stupid name.” Sasuke sneered as he walked over to speak to Kakashi. “Did you want to see us about something?”
“No, Hokage-sama asked me to accompany him here... after asking me why I wasn’t celebrating with the others.” He shook his head as he looked around. “Why didn’t you tell anyone your birthday was coming up, Naruto?”
I sighed as I looked at him. “Because I didn’t want anyone to go to any trouble over an insignificant day.” I stood once again, this time I gathered some of my presents as Matsuda and Hana grabbed the rest. “Do you need to speak to me tonight, Kakashi-sensei?”
“No but I would like to meet you on the bridge first thing tomorrow morning. Can you make it there on time?” Kakashi said as he watched me stand there with the puppy sitting in my new jacket. “Will you be bringing that puppy with you?”
“He has to have Neko with him until she is comfortable and familiar with Naruto’s scent and voice.” Hana said as she walked past them with Saya and Matsuda following her. “You coming Na’to?”
I nodded and walked out of the restaurant after promising to visit the Akimichi clan when I was done with Kakashi in the morning.
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Well what do you think??? what's gonna happen next??? comment and you may find out faster