Konoha's Princess: Chapter 1
Summary: After the Kyubi incident, Sarutobi kept FemNaruto close to him at all times. Keeping her in the shadows. Training and grooming her to take on the responsibilities left behind from her parents. Danger is fast approaching and lurking. How does this change everything?
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Minato hacked up blood as he cradled his sleeping daughter in his weak arms. Looking to the destruction around him till his sadden blue orbs landed on the lifeless body of his first and only love, Kushina Uzumaki. He felt hot tears brush against his dirtied cheeks and forced his gaze to the bundle of life in his arms. Shuddering a heavy breath. "Forgive me, Naruto-chan. Not even an hour old and I've already become such a terrible father to you." His tears stained her whiskered cheeks as he felt his body grow cold by the second. He didn't have much time left before the Shinigami took him to his pits. "Please…take care of Naruto-chan. I'm not as naïve as to believe that the village will accept Naruto-chan as a hero. As my dying wish…protect her, raise her, love her in my place…I beg of you…" Minato coughed weakly as he never broke eye contact from his beautiful daughter.
Sarutobi saddened at watching the new father's life wither away and knelt before his predecessor. "Minato-kun…" following the blond man's gaze to the newborn baby and was surprised to see her eyes wide opened staring straight at her father as if she knew they wouldn't meet again. He whispered gently. "She has your eyes, Minato-kun."
"P-please…" Minato begged as the tears wouldn't stop. "…I love you, Naruto-chan. I love you so much. I wish to see you grow. To see you smile with your mother. To see you become a wonderful woman. I wish to be with you and Kushina, Naruto-chan. Please, if you find it in your heart to forgive this silly Kage…I believe in you, Naruto-chan…"
Jiraiya landed behind his student and held back his burning tears. "Minato-kun…we will protect her and love her, just as you and Kushina-chan would." Walking slowly over to Minato to peer at the newborn daughter of the Yondaime. No doubt in his mind that she would be quite the looker when she was older. "We will be there for her, Minato-kun. You did your best."
Minato cried harshly as he grieved his wife. He wouldn't be able to rest in peace with her. While she would be in heaven, he would spend eternity in the Shinigami's belly. "Naruto-chan…" he whispered his last breath before the God of Death took his soul.
Sarutobi quickly took the crying baby into his arms and rocked them back and forth. "Even as young as you are, you feel the death of your parents, Naruto-chan."
"Sarutobi-sensei…" Jiraiya called. "Naruto-chan…she was supposed to be a boy…" he explained.
"This changes things. It would be too dangerous to leave Naruto-chan in the orphanage." Sarutobi knew what happened to little girls that had no family, no one to care for them and it wasn't pretty. "But the council won't stand for the Sarutobi clan having the Kyubi jinchuriki. It will leave an unbalance of power."
"I would be more than honoured to take her in my hands, Sarutobi-sensei…but, with Orochimaru and the Kyubi's attack, I'll be busy rebuilding the village network and making sure no spies infiltrate Konoha." Jiraiya voiced as strongly as he could as he laid his eternally resting student with his wife. They looked so peaceful, despite their wounds. "Kakashi is too young to take care of her. Just a kid himself. An ANBU kid to boot."
"And with the death of his sensei…" Sarutobi sighed and nodded as he could sense people drawing in. "You heard what Minato wants for Naruto-chan, Jiraiya…"
Before Sarutobi could voice his ideas, another, softer, voice spoke up. "I can care for her, since I highly doubt you two goats know a thing about raising a girl."
The two men turned in surprised with Sarutobi muttering. "Tsunade…"
The blonde woman frowned and refused to look towards the deceased husband and wife. Only looking to the bundle in her sensei's arms. "Believe it or not…but about a week ago, Kami came to me and spoke of a child that has been touched by the Shinigami and hatred. She requested that I…partake in the child's growth. I was traveling just a few miles from Konoha, when I felt it. The hatred and without knowing it, I was already within Konoha's wall heading straight towards the source. Then that's when I felt death of such a great power…I'm guess that Kushina taught Minato the Death Reaper's summoning seal. It wasn't hard to put two and two together for me to know that this is the child Kami wants for me to…partake in its life…"
The two males could tell that Tsunade still couldn't believe what has happened to her, but Sarutobi and Jiraiya could believe. Sarutobi always kept his mind open to the world. It was filled with mysteries and unexplainable occurrences. Jiraiya wouldn't question Tsunade's story, for when he learnt about the child of prophecy from an old toad, it would've sound like a hoax.
Jiraiya looked to his goddaughter. "Touched by Death and Hatred. Shinigami and Kyubi." He looked to his teammate and warned. "If I catch you drinking or gambling around Naruto-chan, I won't hesitate to put you down, Tsunade."
Tsunade scoffed. "I may have questionable morals, but even I know when to draw the line around a baby, Pervert."
Sarutobi looked between the two corpses, Naruto that was tugging at his goatee, Jiraiya and Tsunade before speaking up. "Till the Kyubi attack matter is cleared, Tsunade, you are to care for Naruto-chan within Konoha's walls. No questions." He cut of the woman's voice with a stern look. "If you are to leave Konoha, you are not to take Naruto with you. After everything is settled, I will raise Naruto-chan the way Minato-kun wished for. I shall care for her where no one can harm her, not even Danzo, till Naruto-chan can carry herself well."
"Are you suggesting hiding Naruto from the village eyes, sensei?" Jiraiya questioned with a slight edge. He didn't want to keep Naruto in the shadows. There would be risks. Too many to list in his grieving state.
"As much as it pains me to say, but yes, I plan to raise Naruto-chan in the shadows…" a sly smirk made its way onto his face that made his two students stand higher in attention. They were facing the God of Shinobi right now. "But, who is to say the village won't know about Naruto Uzumaki? They just won't know Naruto Namikaze."
Tsunade and Jiraiya looked to each other before gazing to the baby girl that was still tugging on the God of Shinobi's goatee. She had no idea what she was in for. "Then, who is Naruto Uzumaki?" Tsunade asked and almost regretted it when Hiruzen looked like he went crazy.
"I shall explain my plan in my office. For now, Jiraiya, seal up Minato-kun and Kushina-chan and all their belongings. We don't want any scavengers around. Tsunade, take Naruto-chan to my office and seal yourself inside. Don't open my office door unless I say the word. I will take care of the after damage." Sarutobi ordered.
The two loyal Sannin bowed. "Yes, sensei."
Over Three Years Later:
"Hokage-sama! There is a kidnapping on the Hyuga heiress by a Kumo Nin." A red faced chunin came bursting into the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi puffed on his pipe peacefully before turning to face the Hyuga chunin. "I'm well aware, Hyuga-san. There is no need to raise the alarms." He held up his hand when the chunin's mouth opened to protest before pointing to a corner in his office. "You wouldn't want to wake up little Hinata-chan by pulling the bells now, would we? Hinata-chan is safe and sound and the Kumo-nin is dead. Go and inform Hiashi that his daughter is safe."
The chunin gaped in shock as the heiress seemed unharmed, but judging by the rope burns on her wrists and ankles, she was indeed taken. "Yes, Hokage-sama." Quickly leaving the building to tell the Head of the Clan the good news.
"You did a good job, Naru-chan." Sarutobi voiced gently as a small three year old blonde poked her head out from behind a plant. Her brilliant blue orbs beaming from over her face mask that Jiraiya had begged her to wear. She just looked to damn cute without it because of her birthmarks and Jiraiya was frantic that some pervert would touch her if she didn't wear it. Not that Jiraiya told her. He just said she would look like a kick-ass ninja princess with it. "Following the bad man that took Hinata-chan…but what you also did is terribly dangerous, Naru-chan." He scolded at the same time before kneeling before the young girl. "You are very, very lucky that Hiashi found you and Hinata-chan in time before anything bad happened."
Naruto looked down at her feet and held her hands behind her back. "Sorry Jiji. But that girl's chakra was not safe…all over the place. I just moved. I'm sorry…" she whispered. Never liking to disappoint her grandfather.
Sarutobi sighed and picked Naruto up. "As long as you know what was at fault and know not to do that again, then you are forgiven. Isn't that right, Hiashi?"
Hiashi stepped out of the shadows and picked up his sleeping daughter. "The Hyuga clan is in your debt…" Hiashi looked to the blonde girl in the Hokage's arms and raised a brow before his eyes narrowed. "Naruto-chan?" glaring at the Hokage angrily.
Sarutobi placed Naruto under a sleeping jutsu and faced Hiashi. "Before I explain my actions, I must thank you for also keeping Naruto-chan safe. I kept her a secret from the village for a good reason and if you look at Naruto-chan with your byakugan, you will understand exactly why."
Hiashi immediately activated his bloodline and sucked in his breath when he noticed the faint traces of red chakra in the blonde's system and just the sheer amount of chakra she carried. At least the same amount of chakra as a mid-level genin. "Minato…into his own daughter. She is the jinchuriki you told us about, is she not? Why would Minato seal the nine tails into his own daughter?! That's insane!" he barked at the elder leader before realising his mistake. "Forgive my temper, Lord Hokage. It's been a long night with this news on top." Deactivating his eyes. Seeing Minato's daughter reopened past wounds he thought healed.
Hiruzen waved him off. "No need, Hiashi, but you know as well as I do why Minato choose his own child to seal the Kyubi into. He couldn't ask any other parent to bear such a burden on their child. As Minato's best friend, I'm sure he would've told you that Naruto was supposed to be a boy…"
"Yet as a female, a jinchuriki female, it puts Naruto-chan in greater risk with no carers." Hiashi frowned and parted his lips.
"Don't even think about it, Hiashi. If I place Naruto-chan in your care, the power balance in Konoha will become unstable." Sarutobi watched as Hiashi frowned deepened. "Minato's daughter is safe with me, Hiashi. There is no need to fret as much. All I ask is that you keep her secret for now. For now, go home with Hinata-chan and we'll deal with Kumo in the morning."
Hiashi left without another word. If he suddenly showed interest in a random child, questions would be asked and pieces will be placed together. He couldn't endanger Minato and Kushina's child by being selfish by holding onto the last piece Konoha had of them.
Sarutobi closed his eyes and sighed heavily. "Only 3 years old and already giving me a heart attack, Naru-chan." Carrying the sleeping girl to the couch and laid her down. Kumo wouldn't take the death of one of their men on Konoha territory lying down and would definitely deny the claims of kidnapping the Hyuga heiress. They would demand compensation. Making his way to his desk, Sarutobi read over Hiashi's report on his missing daughter and Naruto. His little blonde had ripped up her orange jacket and used as markers for people to track her towards the kidnappers and Hinata. She had her father's smarts, that was for sure…but the way Naruto 'ambushed' the Kumo-nin had Kushina written all over it. A very elaborate prank trap that Sarutobi wondered what would happen if those strings, itching bombs and paint pellets were replaced with real weapons. He shuddered. "I'll need to start on Naru-chan's chakra control." He gazed over to the little blonde.
Tsunade had taken good care of Naruto for the first two years, before she was sent away with Shizune to wonder the nations under the guise of a grieving woman and niece as they searched for information on Orochimaru and any threats to Konoha. Jiraiya had raised Naruto for a year and had a blast with the blonde. Naruto had taken to Jiraiya easily and absolutely adored the toad Sannin. But he had to leave on a long-term mission about a month back and now it was up to him to raise Naruto. "I hope you don't mind my reasoning, Naru-chan."
Time Skip: Three Years later
Naruto back flipped away from silver slash of a tanto and raised her bo-staff just in time to avoid getting hit. She grunted at the pressure and pushed back before going on the offence. Keeping her senses sharp and quickly side flipped on one hand to get out of the way of the attacking clone from behind. Naruto tapped the bo-staff on the ground before swirling it around her body, gathering up a small gust of wind to power her attack and destroyed the clone. Her animalistic instincts kicking in and moved her head left slight to avoid a kunai, though her eyes widen in shock as an exploding tag was attached. It was too late, but Naruto didn't give up and spun her bo-staff as fast as she could.
'BOOM'
The explosion went off. Leaving the area in smoke, but the smoke was soon contained as the spinning of the bo-staff blew away the ashes. Naruto huffed heavily and fell to one knee as she stopped twirling the staff with the blue glow that acted as a barrier on the staff dimming down till it was no more. The blonde girl stiffened when she felt a sharp edge to her masked neck and sighed. "I forfeit." She said with the blade disappearing from her neck.
"Your reflexes have improved, Naruto, but you still lack focus in maintaining your senses and movements. You focus on one before switching focus. You still need to learn how to use both simultaneously." Her sparring partner voiced in a smooth and stoic tone.
Naruto stood up and looked to her teacher. She didn't understand why, but people would swoon over this boy and she still couldn't see it. Mostly girls though. She guessed that since he had silky black hair, flawless pale skin and pitch-black eyes that held mystery was attractive in a way. Yet Naruto couldn't help but see her teacher as a bit…girly. Especially with his long eyelashes and girly figure. "But I don't know how to do both at the same time, Itachi-sensei. I try, but…it feels wrong. When I focus on my senses, I just move, but when I try focusing on my movements…it just feels, not right. You follow?" she peered at the stoic 11 year old. Why her Jiji chose him, she still didn't understand.
Itachi hummed in thought before asking. "You do well in hand to hand combat. Perhaps it is your choice in weapon. Tell me, Naruto, how does it feel when you work with a bo-staff?"
Naruto blinked and weighed the piece of wood in her hands. "I like it. It's smooth and easy to use, Itachi-sensei…but I feel that it's not enough for my fighting style. I feel as if there needs to be more to my bo-staff." She frowned and rubbed her masked chin.
Itachi got the nagging feeling of a silver-haired ANBU doing the exact same action, but shooed that thought away as he addressed his first student. "Keep working with your staff, Naruto, and I will see what I can find to accommodate you." He checked the clock on the wall. It was already 4 in the afternoon and sighed. He genuinely enjoyed teaching Naruto twice a week in the indoor training grounds that the Hokage had granted him access to use as he sees fit. Now, he'd have to go home and out manoeuvre his father on where he had been. Teaching Naruto is a low B-rank mission. Itachi never question his leader on who Naruto was or why he was to teach her. Better yet, why he had never heard of Naruto Uzumaki before. Itachi glanced to his student and asked. "Naruto, what is your last name?"
Naruto looked to her sensei as she stressed to unwind from her spar with him. "Uzumaki. Jiji already told you, didn't he?"
"Is Uzumaki truly your name, Naruto?" Itachi further questioned the young talented blonde. The only Uzumaki he knew was a redheaded woman that was best-friends with his mother. She only gave him a mysterious smile as she reached for her mask. Itachi sucked in a breath. He would see her face. For the first time in a year, he was going to see her face!
Naruto reached the top of her mask, only to scratch her nose. "Are you really the son of Fugaku-teme, Itachi-sensei?"
Itachi just sighed before flicking her forehead. "Training is over. I'll see you next Wednesday, Naruto."
The blonde saluted with her disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
Itachi shook his head. Naruto truly was a mystery to him, but he liked the kid anyway. She was completely different to Sasuke and they were the same age too. If he had to contrast the two, Itachi would describe Naruto as the sun and Sasuke as the moon. They were just opposites.
Heading out of the training grounds, Itachi came face to face with Naruto hanging upside down on a tree branch. Itachi resisted the urge to chuckle and asked. "Yes, Naruto?"
Naruto leapt down of the branch and asked Itachi. "You have a little brother right?" Itachi nodded. "What's it like?" came her innocent question.
"What is what like, Naruto? You need to more specific with your questions?" The Uchiha heir asked.
"To have a sibling. I'm always asking Jiji for one, but he always sends me away looking like a tomato." Naruto explained before adding on. "I mean, I've only had Shizune-san to look up to, but she left 4 years ago with Baa-chan on a super-secret mission. Ero-sennin starts to panic when I ask him for a sibling and passes out…I mean, Hinata-chan has a little sister now." She peered up into Itachi's eyes and asked seriously. "What does it feel like to have a sibling, Itachi-sensei?"
Itachi couldn't help it but chuckle as he knelt before the blonde. Touching her shoulder as he answered her innocent question. "As amazing as it seems to you, Naruto, having a sibling is a tough job. Sharing the attention, losing the attention, constantly worrying for them, acting like you don't care to stay on top or perhaps the opposite for others, growing strong to protect them, never wanting to see them cry…" he tapped her nose with that and smirked when she sneezed. "It's a tough job, Naruto, but it surly is rewarding seeing them grow." Uncharacteristically, Itachi pinched and tugged at her masked cheeks. Chuckling as she whined in annoyance and tried to pry his hands off. "If you surly want a sibling Naruto then you are more than welcome to come to me as a little sister. I've always wanted to know what it was like having a little sister instead of little brother at times and I find that you and I have a lot in common." He smirked and released her cheeks.
Naruto huffed in annoyance and stomped her foot. "Fine, since you desperately want a little sister, I'll be that girl." Smirking at Itachi's floored expression. Well, as floored as it gets for an Uchiha. "That's a promise, you got it, Itachi-nii-chan." She held out her pinkie with a broad grin.
Itachi linked his pinkie with the blonde and allowed her the honour of a rare smile he only shared with his mother. "That's a promise, Naru-chan." He teased and chuckled when she gawked and tried to hit him. He only took off running and shook his head as she ran after him hurling kunai in her embarrassed rage. 'A little sister. Who would've thought the moment would appear like this, father?' Itachi mussed as he looked to the face of the Yondaime through the gaps in the tree lining. Smirking, Itachi ran and dodged his little sister's attempts of hunting him down.
Little did Itachi know that the Sandaime and Jiraiya were watching the two via crystal ball.
"Mikoto has told him."