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Blue eyes stared at the headband, something she had always wanted...something she had always dream of but felt so far away. The metal of the forehead protecter shined in the light of the hospital room, the blue cloth was dark, stain with bots of blood. Her Sensei’s blood, the one he spilled to protect her from the traitorous teacher and his Pokemon. Naruko Uzumaki sighs and lays down, grimacing in pain from the wound on her side. While Mizuki hadn’t been fully prepar to face off a hoard of clones, his Persian was a bit more prepare. She was still defeated thanks Iruka-Sensei’s Exploud was able knock it out with a Mega Punch. But it was the burning sensation that she was feeling from the long scratch on her side. “A rule was made when you were born. Stating that no one is allowed to tell you that the Kyuubi is sealed within you. That you are the Kyuubi,” Naruko sighs, curling up in her bed. The words that Mizuki had told her had been repeating over and over in her head. The Old man...the Third Hokage had explained it to her that he kept it secret from her to protect her. It made Naruko want to scream at him. Scream at him that it did not protect her, just made her confuse on why everyone hated her. She knew it hadn’t been because of her pranks, she had started those when the glares and hatred had become too much, thinking that if they wanted to glare at her she would give them a real reason to glare at her. Not just for walking past them. She squeezes the headband tighter, gripping it so tightly her knuckles were turning white. “Naruko is one of my excellent students. She may not be the hardest worker, and she’s clumsy. But she knows what its like to feel pain in your heart, a demonic Pokemon would never know that...she is Naruko Uzumaki, of the Hidden Leaf Village. Nothing more and nothing less,” Naruko opens her eyes and sits up, her blue eyes shining in determination. She runs her hand through her blonde hair and taking a deep breath, “No more playing around,” she whispers, looking down at the forehead protector once more, “I got...I got to take this seriously...I got to prove that Iruka-Sensei’s words are right...and anyway...with me being a ninja means I’ll be getting a Pokemon now...I can’t just worry about myself anymore,” It was one of the few lessons she had paid attention to in class. Each Hidden Village is partner up to a legendary. Konohamaru had the honor of being bless by Xerenas because of their founder Hashirama was a good friend to them, and even after his death, she still blesses the village, by giving each new shinobi their first Pokemon. While of course they can go out and get other Pokemon to join their team, it was a tradition to get their first starter from Xerneas. Something Kiba had complain for years since he wants a one of the Inuzuka Canine Pokemon. It was so important, that Konoha throws a huge festival for it. Naruko takes a deep breath, before slipping out of her bed. Pushing her sandles on, she wraps the forehead protector tightly around her head before grabbing her jacket. Taking a step out of her aparment, and making sure to lock the door behind her, she pulls the jacket onto her before heading on. She ignores the glares that were aimed at her, the harsh whispers that many people pertend that she couldn’t. Naruko had other things to worry about than the hatred aim at her because she had a Demonic Pokemon seal within her. With the festival in five days, to give the new genin team to get their licenses and to meet their teammates who they will work with under a Jonin, she needed time to prepared. She could no longer fool around. The image of Iruka-Sensei, standing over her, with a giant shuriken stabbing into the flesh of his back flashed in her head. She could die...her teammates could die...her Starter, whoever they would be, would die because she was fooling around….being a Shinobi wasn’t about being a hero...it was about protecting your love ones. “That’s why I need to do research,” Naruko grimaces as stands outside the Shinobi Libary. Civillians weren’t allowed in, and even in the Academy she wasn’t allow fully in. Now as a Genin she could go through higher levels of it to learn. “But its better to start at the basic. I know the Henge Jutsu, which honestly is my best jutsu. The substitution jutsu I can do a bit better; I need to focus more...and now I have the Shadow Clone Jutsu!” Naruko couldn’t help the grin forming on her face, knowing she had learned an advance version of the jutsu that had been giving her problems for the last seven years. But Naruko shakes her head, “I still can go over the basics...I always ignore Iruka-Sensei’s lectures on Chakara… honestly I ignored a lot of his lectures...that was a mistake…” With a deep breath, she pushed the door of the library open, grimacing as the libarian looks up and glares at her. “What are you doing here, monster,” Naruko held herself high, even though she wanted to retreat out of here and just hide away in her little aparment, “I thought you were arrested or something. And what are you doing with that forehead protector! You’re going to be in trouble now, stealing it,” “I didn’t steal it,” Naruko remarked, “Iruka-Sensei gave it to me, I passed,” she kept silent on how exactly she passed, “And if you don’t belive me you can ask the Third Hokage! Anyway I;m not here to argue with you...I'm just here for some scrolls to read…” “Oh no you don’t!” the librarian snap, “I don’t want you in here, sullying this place! You make everyone uncomfortable, and you would just destroy the scrolls! Get out!” Naruko frowns, and her shoulders slump. Normally the blonde pig haired girl would argue, but...she was too exhausted to argue. She goes to turn around when a cough interrupted them. Turning her head, Naruko turns to see an older woman stepping out from between the shelves. Naruko recognized her as one of the old man’s friends, with her gray hair pulled back in a twin bun that was locked with a hair pin. She was wearing a simple long kimono, closed by an obi with an jacket and a sash over it. Her eyes were barely open, all but squinting but Naruko could see that she was glaring at the librarian, “Denying access to the scrolls for any Shinobi, even a genin is illegal. Will I have to tell Lord Hokage about this?” “Lady Koharu,” the librarian sputters, eyes wide, “I...no...it's just...you know…” “I suggest you be silent before your throat is sliced open,” Lady Koharu barks, and the libarian looks down. Turning her head, Naruko watches as the older woman gestures her this way, “Come along dear,” blinking Naruko quickly came over, “I’m sorry you have to deal with that. Hiruzen should be much harder on them in my option. Especially when they are breaking the law,” “Hiruzen?” Naruko frowns but the woman chuckles. “Ah yes, I’m not surprise that you don’t know his name. Hiruzen is the Third Hokage. The one you call Old Man,” she frowns when Naruko sullenly nods her head, “Ah...I guess you are upset with him...for not telling you about your burden…” “I’m not mad about that,” Naruko admitted, “I mean I am...I’m just mad that everyone seem to know but me. All my life I just wanted to know the cause of their hatred. Why did it lead me into being kicked out of the orphange at the age of five, to even before that when I was kept away from the other children. I even asked him why they hated me and he told me he didn’t know! He lied to me,” and that what hurt the most to Naruko...he had lied to her and now she was wondering if he lied about anything else...like about her parents. Lady Koharu sighs, “The plan was to tell you when you became a genin, I and along with another told him it was a bad idea, but he wanted you to live a normal life as much as possible. And no one was suppose to know about your burden...while the Fourth Hokage, may his soul rest in peace as much as it can, had wanted you to be a hero, Hiruzen was not blind to the fact that the village will point all their anger and hatred onto you for what the Kyuubi did. It was decide that your burden will be kept secret like your predecessors,” Naruko blinks, “You mean...there were others? Others that had...the Kyuubi in them?” she whispers, eye wide. Lady Koharu stares at her, before she walked over to one of the shelves. She pulls out a scroll, before laying it on the table. When she unrolls it, Naruko stares with wide eyes at the swirl that was sketch onto the parchment, the same one on the back of her jacket. “The Uzumaki Clan, your clan has a long and deep history tied into Konoha, even though they were not from here,” at this Naruko blinks, “They came from Uzushiogakure,” “The Village Hidden by Whirling Tides,” Naruko whispers and Lady Koharu nodded her head. “Though they were from a different village, the Uzumaki and Senju ad close ties to each other, ecen marrying each other, such as Hashirama-Sama and Mito Uzumaki,” Naruko’s eyes widen at this, and Lady Koharu smiles, “Yes...Mito Uzumaki was the first jinchurki of the Kyuubi, she sealed it within her when Madara use it along side Yvetal to attack Hashirama-Sama,” “Yvetal...isn’t that a legendary? Like Xerneas?” Lady Koharu nods her head, “Its not spoken a lot but Madara Uchiha was also a founder of Konoha. He left early because he belived that with Hashirama was chosen to be the Hokage, that the Uchiha Clan will be dominated by the Senju,” she shakes her head sadly, “But Mito-Sama was able to help Hashirama-Sama by sealing the Kyuubi into her, becoming its first Jinchurki and starting the pratice of such in the other Hidden Villages,” Naruko was once more staring at the older woman, she wish that she could react better, “You mean...there are others...like me?” “There are nine Bijuu, nine Pokemon with so much Chakara in them that it turned them into monsters. The Kyuubi inside of you is the strongest, while the others were given to the other new hidden villages in the Saikuru Region to stablize the balance of power between them. When Mito-Sama grew too old to hold the Kyuubi in her anymore, her grandaughter…” Lady Koharu stares at her, making Naruko fidget, “Your mother, Kushina became the second Jinchurki of the Kyuubi,” “My...my mother?” Naruko whispers, swallowing as her mouth felt dry, “So...so he knew? The Old man knew this whole time and he never…” “Both your parents were very high up in the ranks of the shinobi,” Lady Koharu explains quietly, gently grabbing Naruko’s arm and guiding her to sit down in the chair. Naruko didn’t even know that her legs had been shaking, “And because of that both of them were famous, good in Konoha but outside the village it was more of an infamous fame. If people knew that they had a child after their death, they would come to kill you for revenge. It was decided that you would be told about them when you become Chunin,” Naruko looks up, a frown forming on her face, “Then why are you telling me this now. Won’t you get into trouble with the old man?” “Probably, but I will deal with it later…” Lady Koharu shrugs, “And if he gets truly mad I’ll just stick a paper bomb under his shirt like I did when we were genin,” a small smile grew on her face as Naruko giggles, “And I’m only telling you about your mother...I do agree with the fact that you need to grow stronger before you know about him. But I will tell you this that they loved you so much, more than anything in the world. They would risk the Kyuubi breaking out to have you, as female Jinchurki’s seals weaken when they go into labor,” “Is...is that what happen? Did the Kyuubi break out of mom…” Naruko looks down, her hands squeezing tightly on her knees, “Because of me?” “No…” a hand gently places itself on her shoulder, squeezing it comfortly, “We don’t know much...but someone found out about it and attacked. They were the one to pull the Kyuubi out of your mother and had it attacked the village once more. They are still unknown, but both your parents were force to fight both this unknow Shinobi and the Kyuubi, which led them and their Pokemon to their death,” Lady Koharu becomes silent, watching as Naruko sniffles, wiping her eyes as tears stream down her face, “The Fourth Hokage was then force to seal the Kyuubi into you, as only a Uzumaki can handle it..and you were the only Uzumaki left as Uzushiogakure was destroyed a few months after Kushina-Sama was chosen,” Naruko curled in on herself, feeling her eyes burned and her body tremble. She felt so exhausted, her mind throbbing with all this information, “Why...why are you telling me this,” she croaks out, a hiccup escaping from her. She blinks when the scroll, once more rolled up was place into her hand. She looks up to see the old woman looking at her calmly, “Because I see now that you are taking the Path of a Shinobi seriously. You have realized that this is not a game...that you can die, and that others, those you care for can die. I believe now, that you have mature a little, to know what responsibility you hold. But I also can see now you can bring great pride into your Clan,” Naruko blinks, her eyes shining with tears, “You are an Uzumaki...you have so much potenial and I’m sadden that you been held back so long due to people’s anger and hatred...its time to stop holding back...its time for us to remember the alliance we have with the Uzumaki...with Uzushiogakure. Why we wear the Uzumaki Swirl on our backs with pride and remberance,” she slowly stood up, and patted Naruko on the head, “I hope the scrolls helps you Young One...along with these,” Naruko squeaks as a Mismaguis suddenly appears, setting down three other scrolls onto the table, “I wish you well in your training,” and with that, Lady Koharu turned on her heel and left, followed by the Mismaguis floating behind her. Rubbing her eyes, Naruko stood up and scoop up the scrolls. Once more her heart thumped against her chest as she walked out as well. Head high as the librarian glared at her but ketp her mouth shut. Her whole body burn with determination, to keep her love ones such as Iruka-Sensei safe...to help the Pokemon she will have on her team grow strong, and to make her mother...and her Clan, even dead proud of her.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Koharu,” Hiruzen remarked, starring at his old teammate. The woman look at him without a hint of shame or guilt, “I could have you thrown in jail for breaking the law,”
“What law?” Koharu snorted, “if you mean the law that kept people from talking about the Kyuubi then there would be more than Mizuki in prison now. You would had been harsher on them with how they treated that girl, selling her spoiled food, and even over priced them. They toe the line of your paw, never mentioning the Kyuubi but making sure their children will hate them,” Koharu sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose, “the child is a ticking time bomb Hiruzen… if throwing her knowledge of her Clan and Kushina will keep her loyal to the village then by Arceus I will do so,”
Hiruzen takes a puff of his pipe, a part of him still wanting to scold her. But the look that his old partner, Enma, his Infernape was giving him, he knew he had lost. “You just told her about the Uzumaki Clan and her mother?”
“Yes, I did explain that she will be told of her father when she makes Chunin. The child seems to be very serious about being a shinobi now. I did not see any wrong with giving her a gentle push,” Hiruzen stares at her, but before he can rebut her she contuines, “You know I have always sided with you Hiruzen, but I must agree with Danzo on this. You have gotten soft and have forgotten that this is a Shinobi Village. If the civillans complain about how you are running things then they can leave…” she eyes him coldly, “Tobimaru-Sensei would be ashamed on how you have ruled this village during your second term…” and without another word, she left the office, leaving Hiruzen alone in the silence.
“Infer,” sighing, Hirzune turns to Enma, the Infernape looking at him with such disapiment, that Hirzune knew that his starter agreed with what Koharu was telling. Closing his eyes, he leans into his chair, biting onto his pipe. He pulls out two scrolls, one for each of his students that were still loyal to Konoha. Koharu was right, he had gotten soft on how he ran the village, and it was time for him to do something about it. “Maybe I did, the Uchiha Clan wouldn’t…” he shakes his head, pushing away the thoughts that were building up in his head, though the guilt and shame still remained. Jiraiya needed to return, while he knows that Kakashi will be a good teacher, he will be still hurting from losing the only family he had left, and being around Naruko for so long will make the Jonin hesitate to train her. If the Council wasn’t forcing him to keep this team because of Sasuke, in hope that when the boy does activate his his Sharingan the boy will have someone nearby to train him, Kakashi would just send them back to the Academy after their first fail. No...Kakashi is a good teacher, but he will mostly focus on Sasuke and Sakura, as the girl will be easier for him to train with no connections to any of his former teammates. So it will be a good idea to have Jiraiya to return, to start training Naruko personally earlier than plan.
Tsunade...the reason why he wanted her back was for many things. Mostly so she can train Naruko into being the Senju Head. Since Tsunade has no children (and never wanted any, having had her tubes tied after a long talk with her fiancé) Naruko was the official Heiress of the Senju Clan as she was Hashirama’s great-great granddaughter. Not only that, Naruko was also the Heiress of the Uzumaki Clan due to Mito-Hime. While Tsunade and Naruko were the last Senju, Hiruzen knew that there might be some Uzumakis out there and once they know there are two Uzumakis from the royal bloodline living in Konoha, they'll be coming to the village in hoards. And he doubts that word won’t spread once the Chunnin exams happen, for he knew that Kakashi will throw them in it in hopes of getting them off his hands early.
He sighs, taking a deep breath of his pipe before he begins to write his messages. He hopes that bribing Tsunade with Naruko and complete control over the hospital will sway her. And he also hope that she wouldn’t try to punch his face in.
Iruka grimaces as he slowly sits up from his bed, the knocking on the door that had woke him up continuing to do so. Habiki, his Exploud grumbles, glaring at the door, wanting nothing more to open it up and Boomburst whoever was behind the door before slamming it shut. But the smile Iruka gave him, held him back, though he still glared at it.
Chuckling, Iruka open the door, blinking at the sight of Naruko, who...had a leaf stuck to her face. No it wasn’t just one leaf but a couple, “Naruko? What are you doing...and why do you have so many leaves stuck to your face,”
“I’m trying the Leaf Concentration Practice!” Naruko all but yips, before she yelps when the leaves began to unstick from her face, “You said that it helps with Chakra Control right? So I’m focusing on more than one leaf!”
Iruka smiles, amusement dancing in his eyes, “Well I’m glad that your practicing… are you alright?” he asked, concern tinted in his voice, “Since you’re here I figure there must be a reason,”
Naruko’s face blushes, and she fidgets, “I...I was hoping you can help me Iruka-Sensei...after what happen the other night…” she looks down in shame, the leaves falling off her face, “I realize that being a shinobi isn’t about being a hero who rescues princess or anything like that. Its about protecting your love ones, even if it means that you could die,” she looks up blue eyes shining in determination, “So I’m trying to be serious about it, but I don’t know where to begin!” Iruka smiles softly as she waves her arms around, “I’m not good at this studying stuff and that old lady who is friends with the old man gave me some scrolls, mostly about the Uzumaki Clan,” at this Iruka blinks, his eyes widening, “But its hard to figure out where to begin. And I was never good at any of the studying stuff,” Iruka smiles, and feels pride burning in him, “Well Naruko, I’m glad you're taking this seriously. But unfortunately, there’s nothing much I can teach you besides what you know,” Naruko looked at him in confusion, “The only reason your classified as dead last is because your grades in history and science are so bad. You did well in math-“
“Had to learn how to budget with the Orphan Allowance,” Naruko remarked and Iruka had to nod in understanding, he remembers having to be better in math to learn to budget the money he was given from the same allowance after his parents' death.
“But you did extremely well in learning how to wield kunais and shurikens, and while you had a bit of a problem with using the basic three Justus, you work hard to become an almost expert in them,” Iruka praised, making Naruko blush, “though it still surprises me that you can do the Shadow Clone so well but you can’t use the regular clone jutsu,”
“Oh I can explain that Iruka-Sensei!” Naruko smiles, “it’s because I have too much Chakra! It’s kinda a thing for those who are part of the Uzumaki Clan! We’re known for possessing strong life forces and chakra and being really skilled in fuinjutsu!” Iruka blinks at this, startled at the information, “and that’s what I’ve been learning! It’s so amazing Iruka-Sensei and so easy for me to understand! I’m already making seals to be able to storage things so no more backpacks for me,” Iruka chuckles seeing the stars in Naruko’s eyes, even Habiki was chuckling, making a whistling sound out of his pipes. But then Iruka blinks, seeing the large tear in Naruko’s jacket, where Mizuki’s Persian had cut into it, “and I hope I can better I want to make explosion tags soon!”
“Naruko?” The whiskered cheek girl blinks, halting to a stop, “why are you still wearing that jacket?”
Naruko looks down at her jacket, and her cheeks grow red, “uh… it’s because it’s my only one? Don’t worry about it Iruka-Sensei! I plan on sewing it tonight! I was just so focus on my Clan scrolls that I-“
“Naruko… do you only have that to wear?”
Naruko bites at her lips and fidgets in her blue sandals, sandals that Iruka is just noticing are so worn down that they are only being held together by tape. “Naruko,”
“I don’t have enough money Iruka-Sensei… I barely have enough to buy food that isn’t ramen…” Naruko softly admitted, “all the stores I go to overprice me…”
Iruka felt a flash of anger at the village, and himself. He was Naruko’s teacher, the closet thing she had to a trusted adult and he never even notice. Frowning, he grabs his chunin vest and slips it on, while Habiki hands over his trainer belt. “Iruka-Sensei?”
“I’m taking you to a place where you can not only get more than one pair of clothes but you can also get fresh food at a fair price like anyone else,” Naruko blinks at him, but yelps as he grabs her wrist, pulling her out of the Shinobi Complex, Habiki following behind them. Naruko didn’t expect this at all when she went to Iruka-Sensei’s apartment. She had only come by to ask him for some help on some of the things she had skip out on in class. Though it did make her feel better knowing officially that she didn’t do too bad. At least when it mattered. But now, here she was, being led by Iruka-Sensei to a section of Konoha that she never been in, never been allowed in. For Lumiose Square has only allowed Shinobi access into its streets.
Lumiose Square was amazing, in Naruko’s opinion as her mouth drops at the sight. All sorts of Shinobi ranging from genin to jonin to even the masked Anbu were walking about with their Pokémon beside them. Naruko has been around Pokémon her whole life, while Shinobi were the one who embrace their life beside Pokemon, training and even giving up their own lives for their partner, civillains too can have Pokemon of their own. Naruko’s first memories of the orphange while fuzzy were strong with images of Nono’s Kangaskhan being the one to take care of her. She remembers watching Charcadet and Torkoal helping Teuchi and Ayame making ramen. But...Naruko has never seen this many Pokemon before, not in one place.
There was a woman hurrying down the streets, with long purple hair, quickly stuffing scrolls into her bag while a Liepard follows after her. A blacksmith was showing off some weapons that were recently sharpen and polished, hawking anyone that walked by his shop while a Lombre was dancing about, trying to draw people’s attention. Two women were softly talking to each other, one holding out some dango for the Seviper wrapped around her to munch on.
Not long, Iruka-Sensei brought her to what he called a boutique, where a older woman stared her up and down, tsking at the state of her clothes. Lady Akari shooed Iruka-Sensei away, to be measured for bras and underwear. Naruko was quietly scolded by the older woman for wearing undergarments that were quite honestly getting too small for her, leaving red lines from it digging into her skin. Afterwords, she had many clothing that she was told would suit her and for her needs as an active shinobi and told to try them on, sometimes getting a shake of a dead before being push back into the dressing room.
By the time they were done, Iruka-Sensei was not onlly buying her new shinobi attire but also clothes that she can wear when was just relaxing. No matter how many times Naruko tried to argue that she can buy it Iruka-Sensei would just pat her on the head and tell her its a gift for not only graduating but also saving his life. Knowing how stubborn her Academy Sensei was, Naruko decied to stop arguing and look herself over. Over the standard kusari gusoku that all shinobi should wear Naruko found herself wearing a black turtleneck tank top with no sleeves and black shorts that reached to her knees. The best part was that they had pockets! Lady Akari called them cargo shorts, and they were baggy at the end, allowing more movement for her legs. The best part of the outfit in Naruko’s opion, was the jacket. It was orange, because of course she had to get something orange. It was a bit darker than her jumpsuit but it was still orange! And it was fluffy, white fur sewn in the collar, reminding Naruko of Kiba’s jacket just without the hood.
She got several pairs of this outfit, along with a nice pair of shoes that weren’t being held together by tape. Carrying it in bags, they headed to a blacksmith, and while the owner gave her a hard look, he shrugs before giving her sharpen kunais and shurikans, not blunted, not scratch...all new, and placed safely in her new shurikan holster that had the same mass shrinking that Pokeballs had, making it not even bulge. She tied it just above her right knee.
Afterwards, Iruka-Sensei had to drag her to a hair cutter. During the...testing of her new kunais, Naruko had somehow (she didn’t know how) cut her hair ties, revealing how shaggy and unkept her long blonde hair was. The ladies at the hair cutter were agast on the state it was in, giving it a good wash and cut. Now instead of reaching her hips, and going everywhere, it now reached her mid back. And instead of putting it in pigtails, Naruko can now place it in just a ponytail, and Iruka-Sensei kept smiling as she swishes her head about, being amazed at how light it was.
Having so many bags in hand, from clothes, to hair supplies. Iruka-Sensei decied to stop at Naruko’s apartment to drop them off before continuing shopping for fresh groceries. That plan went down the drain when Iruka-Sensei stared in horror at the place Naruko called home, “You live in the akasen district?!”
Naruko frowns, “Yeah? And you better not say anything bad about them! They were the ones to teach me about what it means to be a girl!” she ignores Iruka-Sensei’s stutters, holding her bags tightly, “They are very nice to me! And I won’t have anyone saying anything bad about them! Not even you Iruka-Sensei!”
“I’m not going to” Iruka-Sensei gently said, looking at Naruko with sorrowed filled brown eyes, “I just...this isn’t a place where children should live in...you may be an adult in the eyes of the village now, but ...from what I know you were given this aparment when you were five?”
Naruko nodded her head, opening the door to her apartment and ignoring the scratches on the lock. Obviously, someone trying to get in... again, “Yeah...after Nono disappeared, the new Matron...she hated me even more than Nono...first thing she did was throw me out and burn all my stuff. I lived in the woods for weeks before the old man found me. This place was the only place that would...allow someone like me in...though I know the old geezer grumbled about it,” she places her bags on the ground, and sighs at the sight of the letter that was on her table. Picking it up and opening it, Naruko grimaces.
Iruka-Sensei notices the grimaces, and walks over to her, “Naruko?”
“The old geezer found out that I graduated. Now that I’m an official shinobi, I’m no longer a part of the Orphanage Allowance, and such have to pay my own bills and rent...though,” she frowns a bit, “I thought it was already paid for this month,” she whispers in confusion.
Iruka-Sensei stared at her, before he narrows his eyes, “Naruko, gather anything you hold dear and pack it up,” Naruko blinks at him, startled at the order, “I have enough room in my apartment, you can share with me,”
“Iruka-Sensei!”
“This man is trying to cheat you out of your money, Naruko,” he takes the letter, glaring at it in disgust, “And he will keep doing it until you have no money left and he can kick you out. At least sharing an aparment with me, you won’t have that fear of being kicked to the streets,” Naruko stares at Iruka-Sensei before nodding her head, and quickly turning around to quickly grab any stuff that was important.
All while ignoring how Iruka-Sensei was muttering curse under his breath.
The Saikura Region was founded after the destruction of the other regions. When the leader of Team Flare, known to all as Lysandre fired the ultimate weapon, powered by the might of Yvetal, it consumed everything. Leaving nothing in its wake, destorying all life in its path.
All that remained, were ashes, and the ruins of the great region. Very few people survived, but those who did fell into conflict with each other. The ground stained with blood of them and Pokemon, until a woman, with pale skin came along. Kaguya was her name, and with her she brought light to this world. But humans can not, and never will remain in peace, for humans enjoy conflict. And thus Kaguya was attack and her light were stole.
But the power of the light was too much for humans, and this they split apart, becoming the sun and the moon. The light, now a husk and in rage for what happen to Kaguya and its power displayed extreme violence. Desperate, the light began to steal light from other beings, becoming known to all as the Pillager of Light. It became too much, rampaging throughtout the lands until a being known as the Sage of Six Paths. Him and his nine Pokemon defeated the pillager….but at a cost.
These nine Pokemon, were said to be cursed, their bodies force to absorbed the power the Pillager had stolen. These nine Pokemon became the Bijuu, nine titanic l
i
ving form of light...living forms
of
what is known today as Chakra.
Ichibi, Nibi, Sanbi, Yonbi, Gobi, Rokubi, Nanabi, Hachibi and the Kyuubi. These nine Pokemon becoming known as the Bijuu Pokemon, and at the beginning their sacrifice were worship by humans. Temples were created in their honor, families sacrificing their own lives to protect them….but soon they too were betrayed by them. Humans began to fear the Bijuu for their power, some seeing them nothing but as mindless beasts only worthy of fear and disdain. Humans and Pokemon both have sought them out, due to the traitor Mito Uzumaki…
“Naruko,” the blond hair girl looks up from the old scroll, written by Chikao Uzumaki, to stare at Iruka-Sensei, “I got the couch all set up for you. Later on, I’ll get the guest room set up for you, but until then this is fine,”
“You don’t have to do that Iruka-Sensei,” Naruko reminded him, setting down the scroll. “I’m fine with sleeping on the couch! Seriosuly!” but Iruka-Sensei and Habiki stare at her and her protests died down in her throat, “Ok Ok! I’ll stop! Believe it!”
“That’s what I thought,” he smiles, ruffling hair her, even though it was damp from the shower she took. Naruko yelps, and pulls her head away, making Iruka laugh, “Now you should get some sleep, tomorrow is your team assignment, and you don’t want to fall asleep during that,”
“No way!” Naruko yelps, rolling up her scroll as quickly and gently as she could, “I don’t want to give my new sensei a bad first impression! What if they hate me already, I don’t want to give them any more reason to hate me than they already do!”
“They won’t hate you,” Iruka-Sensei gently said, “I know Lord Third wouldn’t give you a Sensei that will hate you for something that you have no control over,” he smiles as he watches her scramble onto the couch, her blue eyes wide in how soft the blanket was, “Anyway...what were you reading there Naruko?”
“Oh…” Naruko bites at her lip, looking down, “It...it was about the Kyuubi...or well it and its siblings, I guess?” she fidgets, waiting for the anger, but Iruka-Sensei only stared at her on curiosity, “They use to be Pokemon...regular Pokemon that belong to this guy...no one knows his name but he’s called the Sage of Six Paths! And he fought against this thing called the Pillager of Light and when he defeated it, his Pokemon were force to take its chakara becoming the Bijju! My family...they use to guard the Kyuubi...worship it even,” she quietly admitted, “But then...this guy Madara Uchiha...he took the Kyubbi from its temple and that’s why Mito Uzumaki was force to seal it in her...and why she stayed in Konoha and married the First Hokage! Not only because she loved him, but because many in our Clan believed she betrayed them all for not freeing the Kyuubi and then helping the First seal up the other Bijuu and giving it to the other Hidden Villages,” she then frowns more, picking at a nail, before she looks up as Hotaru, Iruka-Sensei’s Flareon jump onto the couch, “I...i feel sorry for the Kyuubi...does that make me bad, Iruka-Sensei?”
“You...feel sorry?” Iruka-Sensei blinks, before he sat down at the end of the couch, “Can you explain your reasoning,”
Naruko frowns, swallowing, “Well...I mean...Kyuubi lost its trainer...was probably force to watch them die while it stayed alive for years...watch as everything it knew changed while it stayed the same...watch as humanity slowly praised it for its sacrifice of its mortality to slowly hate it and fear it. To then being forced to become a weapon because one of the Teme’s ancestor,”
“Naruko,” the girl chuckles, softly as the light scolding, petting Hotaru on the head.
“Sorry Iruka-Sensei...jinchuriki...that is what I’m known as,” Naruko frowns, “A human sacrifice...the old man said that the Fourth Hokage wanted me to be seen as a hero...but all they see is it...all of Konohagakure sees me is a monster...something that will atacked them” Naruko pulls Hotaru to her chest, frowning, “Me and the Kyuubi...we’re the same...I can’t help but feel sorry for it…” she softly admitted, pushing her face into Hotaru’s fluff.
But then she looked up when she felt a hand on her head, Iruka-Sensei smiling at her, “You have a big heart Naruko…. don’t ever change ok?” sniffing Naruko nods her head, and not even fighting as Iruka-Sensei gently pushes her down, pulling the cover up. “Get some rest ok...you're going to need it,”
Nodding her head, Naruko curls up, yawning as she hugs Hotaru tightly, even as the Flareon wiggles a bit, before settling down. Smiling, she slowly shuts her eyes, known of them noticing the potted plant, with its dead leaves that look like it would fall off at any moment...before to slowly rise up. The yellowness fading away to reveal a bight green.
All the while, Naruko closes her eyes, allowing the darkness to surround her, before she snaps her eyes open as she felt water reach her ankles.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
A black eye stares at the names engrave in the stone, even though the sun was slowly setting down. He knew he had to leave soon, Kurenai would not like it if he was even more later than usual. But he couldn’t pull his gaze away. Minato Namikaze. Obito Uchiha. Rin Nohara. Kushina Uzumaki. All names he knew and held close to his heart. All four causing said heart to pulse in pain. He closes his eyes; shoulders tense before he nodded his head. With a flicker, he disappears, until he finds himself appearing besides a man with with short black spiky hair and a cigarette in his mouth. The man puffs out a smoke, lightly glaring at him, “About time you showed up Kakashi,” “Ah but you know me Asuma,” he smiles, or at least many think so as he closes his one visible eye, “got lost on the path of life, I got distracted by what I thought was a Mew under a truck!” The others groan in annoyance at his excuse, but the Third Hokage coughs, drawing their attention, “now that everyone is here, we may begin. As you all know, with the recent graduation from the academy, it means we must get on with the true final test before Lady Xerneas comes for the Hi no Ishi Festival,” he gives them all a stern look, “and thus we must choose which Genin will go to which Jonin. Are there any requests?” Kakashi looks as Asuma takes a step forward, scratching the back of his head, “I was hoping you will allow me to take the next Ino-Shika-Chō,” he stated, not really surprising anyone with his request. The Nara, Yamanaka and Akimichi Clans had only joined Konoha because of their loyalty to the Sarutobi Clan, it was a tradition that the heirs would be train by a Sarutobi when they became genin. “I may not know Ino that much, but I’m close to both Shikamaru and Choji, I should be able to shape them up,” he grumbles, “hopefully also kick Ino’s ass into gear,” Lord Third hums, before he nodded his head in agreement, “permission granted, I know you shall teach them well Asuma,” At this, Asuma gave a small smile at his father, head bowing a bit before he took a step back. Kurenai who gave Asuma a joyful smile then stepped forward, “Lord Third, I request the Genin Hinata Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame. I believe with their set of skills they will be great for tracking and locating,” the genjutsu mistress blinks as Lord Third hums, leaning into his chair, “sir?” “Before I grant you permission, I wish to hear what if there are any more requests,” Kakashi sighs as Lord Third’s eyes flicker towards him and he steps forward. “I request that Sasuke Uchiha, Naruko Uzumaki and Sakura Hanuro be put under my guidance,” he recited with a bored drawl in his voice, “I believe that with Naruko, she would benefit from Sakura’s intelligence and Sasuke’s proficiency in ninjutsu. While Sakura I believe would benefit from those two with their more battle-drive. And Sasuke would benefit from having to be forced to work together,” “You mean besides his sister,” Lord Third hums while Kakashi nods his head. Sasuke and Reina Uchiha, the last two loyal Uchihas in Konoha. Both children had come home to the aftermaths, seeing their eldest brother standing over their corpses of their parents, stain with their blood and the blood of their clan members. Both children were traumatize by this event and have push everyone away but each other. He understood Lord Third’s reasoning on wanting the twins to be on different teams, to force them to open up to others, but Kakashi knew this would have some backlash. “I agree with your reasoning for Sauske and Naruko…” Lord Third gives a a gentle smile, “ Naruko seems to be able to push Sasuke’s buttons enough to get him a reaction other than…” “Broody?” Asuma remarks dryly, making Kurenai shake her head, slapping his arm, “What? I’m right, aren’t I?” “But” Lord Third continues, interrupting his son and Kurenai before the two could start an argument, “Having Sakura on the team...I think that will hinder them,” Kakashi blinks at that, tilting his head, “Sakura is a known…fan girl of Sasuke. And has a bad habit of hitting people who annoyed her, Naruko being the main victim of her fists,” he shuffles through some papers on his desk, “Between the rivalry of Sasuke and Naruko, she would side with Sasuke, even if he was wrong and fight against Naruko, and she been noted to have a mean streak, known to mock Naruko for her orphan status. A team with these three will just…” he shakes his head again, “These three will just try and kill each,” he turns to Kurenai, “That is why I’m suggesting that instead of Hinata you take Sakura under your wing alongside Kiba and Shino. From what her instructors at the academy report she didn’t take the physical lessons of the academy seriously, but she has high marks in the written portion and while her chakra reserves are small, she has great chakra control. She, like many other kunoichi in training from civilian families are more focus on getting their happy ever after with Sasuke. I’m hoping that with your guidance she can be train into a proper kunochi, one who may even become well suited in genjutsu such as yourself,” Kurenai frowns at this but nodded her head. Kakashi knew how much the woman wanted Hinata on her first genin team, but both understood the Hokage’s reasoning, “Kakashi,” he turns his gaze towards Lord Third, “You will get Sasuke and Naruko,” as he had promise all those years ago when he forced Kakashi out of Anbu, “But you shall take young Hinata. While the Uchihas and Hyugas have been known to not work together, with Naruko on the team, it should stabilize. Hinata and Naruko are in fact good friends, and Sasuke will do well being paired up with two girls who have no interest in him,” Both Kakashi and Kurenai turn to each other, Kurenai’s red eyes glairing, all but warning him to not hurt the child. He sighs, pulling out his book and flipping it open. Kurenai huffs angrily, but nods her head, turning towards Lord Third, “Very well Lord Hokage, I agree with your reasonings,” “Very well then. Team Seven shall be Sasuke Uchiha, Naruko Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga while Team Eight shall be Kiba Inuzuka, Sakura Haunro and Shino Aburame,” he takes another puff of his pipe, “And since Team Nine is still under Gai, Team Ten shall be Ino Yamamaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi,” he looks at the gather Jonin, “Any more requests?” “I do sir,” Kakashi’s one visible eye widen as the Jonin steps out of the crowd. The man before him had short brown hair tied in a short spiky ponytail, and the familiar black eyes that most people in the Land Of Fire had. He wore the standard Jonin uniform just as Kakashi and Asuma. He eyes the Hokage, “I wish for Reina Uchiha, Hibachi Izumo and Tobio Shirakumo to be placed under my command,” His black eyes then narrow, “and I wish for complete control. If I say they are not ready for the Chunin Exams, then they are not ready. I don’t want any outside force going over my command. We saw the consequences of that,” Sighing, Lord Third puffs his pipe, looking down, “Very well. Naruko blinks, looking around at the darkness she found herself being surround with. Water was up to her ankles, her feet submerged in the murky water. Looking up, she saw pipes running along the ceiling, though there were cracks, allowing light to peak through. “Where am I?” She mutters, crossing her arms over her chest, “I was just at Iruka-Sensei’s apartment,” she looks down, seeing that she was still wearing the simple white t-shirt with black pants that she wore to sleep. But her thoughts were broken off as she heard a growl, coming deeper down the dark tunnels. Very familiar to her, as she had heard them all her life. Naruko had always thought they were her imagination or that she was hearing things. But now that she knew, Naruko shakes her head and begins walking down the soaked floor. The farther she went, the louder the growls became, sounding more like roars. Her arms began to shake as the dark pressure became stronger and stronger, making it almost hard to breathe. But she kept going, until she reach a large chamber where iron gates stood before her. A simple piece of paper kept it shut, but a dark sort of aura, bright red was think behind those bars. “So… my jailer decided to grace me with her presence,” stepping into the light, was a large Ninetails. Though instead of the golden-white fur this one’s fur was a luxurious red orange though the fur around its red eyes were black, matching the black that painted the tips of its long nine tails. It had a small mane of thicker fur around its neck and a long, fluffy crest atop its head. “Why don’t you come a bit closer,” he growls. Naruko swallows, “The Kyuubi,” she whispers before she shakes her head, looking up at him...he sounded like a him, his voice was so raspy, “And if I do...you’re not going to try and kill me?” A low chuckle erupted from his throat, “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you aren’t completely dumb,” Naruko pouts up at him, “Let me guess you are here for some of my chakara?” Naruko frowns but shakes her head, “Uh...no?” she frantically kept on when she heard another growl, “I just went to sleep and I woke up here!” she stares up at the Ninetails, biting at her lip, “I’m Naruko Uzumaki! Its nice to meet you!” The Kyubbi scoffs, “I know your name brat. I’ve been in you since you were born,” “Yeah...I know...but since we’re stuck together I thought I should introduce myself. That way we can get to know each other and get along, ya know?” The Kyuubi growls at her, the malice from him getting thicker, “And what? You think we will become friends, and I will allow you free access to my powers?” he grins, looking down at her with contempt in his red eyes, “You are dumber than I thought,” “But I don’t want your power,” Naruko stated, trying to keep her head up and look at him in the eyes. To not look down at him, “I recently learn a bit about my clan and how we were kinda like your attendants? The one given the task to take care of you by the Sage of Six Paths,” “Get….out,” Naruko blinks, and then she chokes. The pressure all around her began to crush her, making it hard for her to breathe. Scratch that, she couldn’t breathe, her hand going to her throat as she tries to wheeze in as hard as she could. “GET OUT!” the kyuubi roars, sending her flying backwards. Naruko shoots up, gasping for breath, one hand clutching the blanket tightly while the other went to her thrat. Her shoulders shook, blue eyes wide as she looks around. No longer was she in the sewer...she was back in Irukua-Sensei’s aparment, on his couch. “Flare?” Naruko looks down, to see Hotaru looking at her curiously. Sighing, Naruko began to scratch behind the Flareon’s ear. “I’m alright,” she whispers, her other hand going to her stomach. Naruko frowns though, thinking of the Kyubbi. “If you listen deeper to him...you can hear the loneliness in his voice...he’s angry at the world that for sure...but deep down..” she then grins, “I don’t know if you can hear me Ninetails...but don’t think you throwing me out is going to stop me from being your friend, ya know!”Naruko follows Iruka-Sensei into the classroom, soon to be her former classroom. After she had got the sleep out of her eyes, the scared Chunin had woken up and made her breakfast. She pulls at her new jacket, before making sure her headband was still on her forehead, having replace her goggles with them. When she stepped in, many turn their eyes towards her, some filled with loathing, but a few were looking at her in surprise. “Hey Naruko,” Shikamaru, the heir to the Nara Clan called out, “You know this is for those who graduated,” Naruko fought back the urge to flinch, but Iruka-Sensei patted her back, “Its alright Shikamaru. It had been discovered that Naruko’s test had been sabotaged and she was asked to do it again the other day. She passed,” Shikamaru frowns at this before he shrugs, “Troublesome,” he leans his body against the desk, placing his head onto his arms. Shikamaru was wearing a short sleeved gray jacket with green edges at the sleeves over kusari gusoku. He had some new accessories, one being a pair of silver hoop earrings she had always seen his father wear and his forehead protector was wrapped around his left arm. He stares up at Naruko with his typical bored expression, “At least you got rid of that monstrosity you always wore,” Naruko rolls her eyes, but her gaze fell upon another girl with blonde hair, though hers was paler than Naruko’s bright yellow. “Sensei!” Ino called us, “Does this have anything to do with what my dad been talking about the last few days? With Mizuki-Sensei?” the girl had light green eyes, and her hair was tied in a high ponytail though it still reached her hips. She was wearing a purple outfit consisting of a high collared blouse and matching apron skirt, her forehead protector wrapped around her waist as a belt. She had bandages wrapped around her stomach and legs, with white arm warmers. Iruka-Sensei sighs, “Ino please do not spill village secrets you overhear from your father,” the girl’s face flush, “But yes, it was discovered that Mizuki was a traitor and he is being deal with accordingly,” Silence filled the room, some of her classmates looking at each other nervously. But Naruko ignored it, heading over to where Shikamaru was and sat down, pulling out a scroll. “The nine Clans that were chosen are still well known to this day. The Kotaro Clan guarded Ichibi, the Nii Clan watched over Nibi, the Karatachi Clam protected Sanbi. While the Hono Clan was the overseers of Yonbi and Gobi was praised by the Kemuri Clan. Rokubi was watched over Ro Clan as the Akitsu Clan took care of Nanabi. Finally the Inazuma Clan had guardianship over Hachibi as the Uzumaki Clan praised the Kyuubi. These Clans were to be said the students of the Sage of Six Paths and his youngest son.
Many of these Clans were not happy with the Shodai Hokage coming along to seal their Bijuu away, for ‘peace’ as he spoke it. Many believe that turning them into weapons were wrong, even if many believe the Bijuu to be demons, monsters. Others though were more please with the plan, such as the Kotaro Clan, the Ro Clan and the Akitsu Clan. They sided with the Shodai Hokage, and with their help, they were each able to trap not only their Bijuu but also the others who disagreed. To soothe things over, an agreement between the wardens and the villages were form. A jinchuriki must be someone from the Clan.
The one time a jinchurki was not a descendant of its Warden happen when the Shirogane Clan stole the Ichibi from its first jinchuriki, Bunpuku Kotaro, extracting it from him and sealing it into their heiress, Akuma Shirogane. The seal was said to have been perfect, forged by the best seal masters in Sunagakure…. And yet once it was done she started to scream, sand and blood pouring out of her eyes, ears, nose and mouth… her arms being twisted. Her Pokémon went rabid, attacking everything and anything in sight before exploding, becoming nothing but puddles of guts, scatter limbs and blood. Reports were given, that before Ichibi was extracted from her and reseal into a tea kettle, Akuma was… laughing…. Just laughing as she chokes to death by blood and sand.
“Soooo,” Naruko jumps, quickly closing the scroll and looking over her shoulder to see Ino smirking, “why did you come with Iruka-Sensei, Naruko?” She leans in, “and I must say! You look so much better without that eyesore!” Naruko sputters a bit, rubbing the back of her neck, “Well.. I…I went to his complex yesterday to ask him for help, since knowing Mitzuki-Teme was sabotaging me… and well he noticed that my jacket was torn. I told him I was going to sew it up but he wouldn’t take that lying down so he took me to Lumiose Square. And afterwards when we were taking the stuff back to my place,” at this, Naruko’s face began to flush, “he found out I lived in the Akasen district,” “The akasen district,” a whistle was heard, forcing Naruko and Ino to look up, Shikamaru to crack an eye open as another boy walked over. He had messy and spiky brown hair, but none of them could see it as the hood of grey coat was pulled up. His own forehead protector was wrapped around his head, like Naruko, but it was a bit hidden by the black fur that line his hood, matching the fur on the end of his sleeves. He grins, showing sharp fangs, stretching the red fang markings on his cheek, “you lived there? No wonder you created that Jutsu of yours,” Naruko’s face burns brightly and she winces as Ino growls, “Can we please not talk about that Jutsu,” she mumbles, rubbing her finger against the wood of the desk. At the time she had been making it, Naruko had thought the Sexy Jutsu was a good idea, after seeing how some of her neighbors were able to make men do their whims by flashing some of their bare flesh at them. But after she used said Sexy Jutsu on someone she had felt… disgusted as someone had ogle the naked form of what she imagined what she would look like when she was older. She felt… gross… dirty at the lecherous gaze on her, barely hidden by mist and had decided there and then to never ever use it again.
Kiba then looks up and grimaces, covering his ears. Naruko quickly does the same as Sakura Haunro rushes in beside another fan girl that she had no knowledge of her name. “Yatta! I win!” Sakura grins, pumping her fist in the air while the other slump her shoulders. Sakura had pink hair that she wore back to keep out of her face using her forehead protector, reaching her mid back. She was wearing a red qipao dress with short sleeves and white circular designs on the front. Underneath she was wearing green biker shorts with her shuriken holster around her right thigh. Naruko blushes a bit, before she shakes her head. She had formerly had a crush on Sakura… but after getting hit in the head so many times any crush would die under that pressure. Though she still thinks Sakura is pretty. “Sasuke-Kun!” Sakura giggles running over to the boy a few seats down. She stand up to him, the other boy barley looking at her, “good morning! Mind if I sit next to you?” “If anyone is going to sit next to Sasuke it’s me!” Ino growls, storming up to Sakura, “I was here before you, forehead!” “Oh shut it pig! If you were then you would have already been sitting here,” Naruko sighs, standing up and getting uptop of the desk. Sasuke snaps his gaze towards her and blue eyes glared down at black eyes, “What do they see in you teme?” She growls under her breath. She would admit that he may be handsome, with how his black hair framed his face, his forehead protector tied around his forehead just as Naruko’s. And he did look good in his shinobi attire, a navy-blue short sleeve shirt with a high collar, that for sure had the Uchiha Clan symbol on it. White arm warmers were wrapped around his arms, matching his white shorts. “Eye thieves," Naruko blinks at the sound of the Kyuubi growling in her head. She was so confused that she didn’t sense Tobio knocking his arm into her backside. Both Naruko and Sasuke’s eyes widen as their lips pressed against each as Naruko falls forward. The whole classroom went silent, as Naruko and Sasuke stare each other, before the two pull back. Naruko grabs her neck coughing and sputtering, “gross! So gross!” “Naruko… I’m going to kill you!” Sasuke growls under his breath, wiping his lips with his arm while trying to hide the blush forming on his face. “Hey!” Naruko snaps, glaring at him as her hair unties and started to form nine like tails, something that made everyone take a step back, though Ino had to force Sakura back as the other look like she wanted to snap Naruko’s neck, “I’m the victim here too! It’s not like I wanted to fucking kiss you, ya know!” “Wait? Sasuke, did you finally lock lips with your crush? Man, why do I always miss the good stuff when I have to use the bathroom?” Sasuke’s eyes widen, his face officially red as his favorite fruit, “Reina! The dobe is not my crush! I would never in a million years!” The girl who stepped in laughs, smirking at Sasuke. She has brown hair which reach past her shoulders and the typical Uchiha black eyes. She was wearing a black turtleneck with grey pants that were tapped at the bottom. She wore her forehead protector around her head like her brother, and completing her look was a dark blue jacket with a darker outline. “Surrrrre she not,” she rolls her eyes but smiles, “at least your first kiss isn’t with any of your fan girls,” “Naruko!” The other girl turns her head to Sakura, who is looks could kill, the Uzumaki would be six feet, “you make me sick,”
“EXPPPPPLLLLLLLLOUUUUUUUUDDDDD!”
They all cried out, some falling to their knees, but all covering their ears with their hands. Once the loud booming sound stop, they turn to Iruka-Sensei who gave them a glare but patted Habiki on the head, the Exploud churning happily, “Now that we are all here, I would like you all to take a seat,” they quickly scramble to their seats, Reina slipping in to sit next to Sasuke much to Sakura’s and Ino’s disappointment though Sakura quickly takes the seat next to the female Uchiha. Ino huffing, returns to her seat behind Shikamaru and Naruko, who was once more sitting down placing her hair into a ponytail. Iruka-Sensei smiles, “As today, you all have become full fledged ninjas. However you are all still Genin. The touch parts are still to come,” he shakes his head as whispers rang out from the group of children, “Now you shall receive missions to help the village. So from here on out, we will create a three man team who will be place under the eyes of a jonin,” they all looked up at him, the whispers becoming excited, “Their duty will be to instruct and train you to be Shinobi Konoha will be proud of,” “So, a three-man team…I hope it’s not with anyone I dislike… or dislikes me,” Naruko bites at her lip but looks up as Ino giggles. “I wonder who is going to be paired up with Sasuke,” Naruko huffs rolling her eyes. “It’s not going to be you,” Shikamaru mutters with a yawn, “you are going to be paired up with Choji and I. Just like our fathers, and our grandparents before them and their parents before them. It’s been a tradition since the founding of the village,” “A girl can dream can she?” Ino complains making Shikamaru huff. “The groups have already determined so that the strength of the groups shall be balanced,” he glares as some kids complain, but makes them quiet with a small glare. They all listened quietly as he began calling out names in each team. Most of them Naruko didn’t know as she didn’t really hang out with the kids from the civilian families. Nothing against them, but their parents hated her. “Team Six: Reina Uchiha, Hibachi Izumo and Tobio Shirakumo you shall be under the guidance of Yuki Minazuki,” Reina’s shoulders slump and she slams her head into the desk while Tobio throws his arms in the air, “yes! I’m on the same team as the hot babe!” “Call me babe one time,” Reina hisses, glaring down at the boy sitting in front of her. Sasuke as well looked like he wanted to push a kunai into his head, though he was also shifting his glare to Iruka-Sensei as well. “And you will come to regret it,” A short sounded, and they turns to look at a boy wearing his forehead protector as a bandana, “Just try to not get in my way, princess,” Reina’s eye twitches, but before she can shout anything, Iruka-Sensei continues, “Next up, Team Seven: Naruko Uzumaki,” looking up, Naruko focuses more, “Hinata Hyuga,” blinking, Naruko turns to the girl in question. She didn’t know her much, not like the other Clan Heirs… but that’s because Hinata was shy. The girl dark blue hair styled in a bob-cut, her bangs cut to keep out of her white eyes. She was wearing a cream color hoodie-jacket with the fire symbol on the upper sleeves. She wore navy blue pants that reach just above her ankles and had her forehead protector wrapped around her neck. Naruko blinks a few, before giving her a kind smile and a small wave, but frowns when Hinata turns bright red. She didn’t have time to wonder why as Iruka-Sensei calls out their third teammate, “and Sasuke Uchiha, you shall be put under Kakashi Hakate’s watchful eye,” Once more the room was silent, “WHAT?!” Naruko stares in horror, her mouth drop. Sakura pushes herself from her desk, standing tall, “Iruka-Sensei! Why is Naruko on a team with Sasuke-Kun!” Sakura all but screeches, “I understand Hinata but Naruko is a poor example of us kunoichi! All she will do is drag Sasuke-Kun down! Shouldn’t the top kunoichi such as myself be on his team?” Iruka-Sensei sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Sakura, you're not the top Kunochi, you're the fourth,” Sakura pales while others break out in laughter, “Reina is the top Kunoichi and right behind her is Ino and Hinata. We didn’t put Reina and Sasuke on the same team as we try our best to keep siblings on separate teams so they can get use to not being on the same team,” while Reina huffs in annoyance, Sasuke glowers at Iruka-Sensei, “Ino was already slotted for a team long at the beginning of her years at the academy. So it was between you and Hinata to be place on the same team as Sasuke and Naruko,” “Why does Naruko have to be on the same team as Sasuke-Kun?” Sakura grits her teeth, her arms trembling in rage as she holds herself back from flogging the blond in question. “Because while they will deny it, Sasuke and Naruko push each other to do better. And besides Reina, Naruko is the only one Sasuke truly reacts to,” Naruko blinks at this and bites at her lips before her eyes widen. What Iruka-Sensei said was true… when others talk to him, Sasuke would just grunt at them and infinite them, when Reina talk to him he would whisper to her so quietly only she could hear.. when Naruko mess with him, he almost got as loud as she was. “Huh…. I never knew,” she shakes her head, turning her gaze to Iruka-Sensei. “So, the choice as the third member as I said was between you and Hinata, and Lord Hokage decided that it was best that it was Hinata. Because unlike her you are cruel to Naruko and that cruelness will make you a poor team at best. Every time Naruko tries to talk to her, you hit her. Every time she wants to work with you, you yell at her to go away and hit her. Every time she annoys you for something, you hit her,” Iruka-Sensei sighs, “Honestly Sakura, you are the only one who lays a hand for anything she does,” “Me?!” Sakura screeches, making them all wince, “what about her?! She always getting in the way when I’m doing something, and she enjoys seeing me suffering!” Naruko frowns, looking at Shikamaru who was giving Sakura a confuse look as well, “All she does is start fights with Sasuke-Kun. It’s possibly because she wasn’t raised right,” Naruko felt her insides dread, a pit forming in her stomach at Sakura’s cruel words. Everyone was staring at her, their eyes flickering to Naruko. Even Shikamaru was sitting up, his and Ino’s hands going to Naruko’s and giving them a gentle squeeze, “You know, because she doesn’t have any parents? She is always selfishly doing whatever she wants. My parents will get mad at me if I did anything like Naruko does. There are no parents to nag you if it’s just you alone. That’s why she’s always in trouble, because she acts so selfishly,” Iruka-Sensei was trembling, even Habiki was glaring at Sakura. But before either could say anything, Sasuke stood up, “Alone,” he mutters, softly but everyone can hear him, even Sakura who turns towards him with wide green eyes. “The loneliness. It’s something worse than getting scolded by parents and…” “S-Sasuke-Kun… what gotten into you,” Sakura whispered, her eyes wide. “You’re annoying,” Sasuke stated coldly with an icy glare. He nodded to Reina before he slip out of the aisle and walked over to where Naruko and Shikamaru was sitting. Naruko blinks as he sits next to her but doesn’t say anything. Sakura was frozen, her eyes wide at what Sasuke had told her but Iruka-Sensei coughs, “Sakura if that’s enough, can I continue now? Your team is next,” she flinches, but quickly takes her seat, Iruka-Sensei going back to his clipboard, “Team Eight: Sakura Haruno, Kina Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame, you are to be taught by Kurenai Yuhi,” “No not Dog Boy and Bug Boy!” Sakura wails, grasping her head and all but pulling at her pink hair. Kiba sitting beside Ino slams his head into his desk, “Please remind me to buy earplugs for not only me but my dog Pokémon…. Our poor ears,” Ino smiles sadly, patting him on the back. “Team Nine is still in circulation…. So, Team Ten: Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi, you are under the leadership of Asuma Sarutobi,” “Huh… at least you two got some good senseis,” Shikamaru and Kiba turn to her, “Asuma is the Old Man’s youngest son, he left the village seven years ago to join the Twelve Guardian Shinobi but return about three years ago. Kurenai is his sorta-sorta not girlfriend. But she is a Genjutsu Mistress, one of the best,” Kiba hums, “Genjutsu Mistress… maybe she won’t let Sakura laze around now… still this is going to suck,” he whispers. “That is all the teams,” Iruka-Sensei places his clipboard down, “if the afternoon I’ll shall introduce you to your Jonin Senseis. You’re all dismissed until then,” “Finally,” Kiba stands up, stretching out his arms over his head, “though I wish this was after the festival. I have a Rockruff in the kennel that has my name on him since he hatched!” He waves at them, “anyway I’m going to get some grub, see ya,” Naruko sighs, picking up her scroll, and turns her head to see Sasuke and Reina already walking out the door, Sakura now gotten over what Sasuke had say was running after them, calling Sasuke’s name, alongside the other fan girls, “I am… so glad I got over my crush on Sakura,” she sighs, and rubs her eyes, feeling them burn from slight tears that had wanted to stream down her face from Sakura’s cruel words. “N-naruko-Chan,” turning, Naruko blinks at Hinata, “do… do you…do you want to eat lunch together? Since we’re teammates?” Her face was burning, and she was trembling, Naruko wonder if she had to catch her before she falls down, “I was going to ask Sasuke but… but he left already,” Naruko blinks, but Shikamaru slightly pushes her foreword, “She would love to!” Naruko sputters, catching herself before she falls over and turns to Shikamaru but he was already heading out with a snickering Choji and a giggling Ino, “have fun,” Naruko huffs, blowing hair out of her face, “I was already going to say yes, Shikamaru! I didn’t need to be push!” She yells out to the other before she turns to Hinata who smiles shyly, “Let me just get my lunch from Iruka-Sensei and we can go eat,” when Hinata nodded her head, Naruko scratches at her cheek. Even if Sasuke being nice to her was a one time thing, at least she knew Hinata was definitely nice. She didn’t mind being on a team with the other girl.