The Flower that Never Fades

by BoundlessMist

A martyr. A murderer. A mistake. Riku's (OC) taken on many roles in her short life - all for someone much greater than herself, at least in her eyes. And when Naruto smiles, when he looks at her with that trademark grin of his, she can't help but feel everything was worth it. He was worth it and much, much more. (Oc x ?)

1. Chapter 1: From the Beginning

-Chapter 1: From the Beginning-

I know this has been overdone, but I wrote about how my OC Riku Amarante impacts the Naruto canon characters. This is my first fanfic so criticism is welcomed. If you flame me then go ahead as long as you give me some pointers. Please review and read if you have the time.

Background Information: (Probably cliche, but) Riku is the last of the Amarante clan in Konoha, though there are defected sects scattered around the elemental nations.

The clan is known for its affinity with nature. Due to this, most members are able to have free range of an element through the usage of a chi system (runs spiritual energy around the body) that networks around the body like the chakra system. They are also known to possess an eye technique that was incorporated into the clan through cross clan mixing. (More will be revealed later but that's the core information.)

*Altered chapter (see announcement 2)*

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*Other notes:

"Speaking out loud"

'Riku's thoughts'

flashbacks

'flashback conversations' mainly for Ibiki's advice

*sound effects*

*sound effects*

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the other characters except my OC Riku Amarante.

Read and Review please. (^.^)

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(First person perspective - Riku)

"HAHA! None of you can do that, can you? But I can! I'm great!" Naruto shouts with cackling glee.

"Don't get too full of yourself now. You painted squiggles on stationary Hokages; it's not like they could fight back." I drawl into the transceiver.

*static* "Oh come on. Couldn't you at least let me have this? I'm the only one who has the guts to-"

"Oi you've gone too far Naruto!"

"Ah...looks like they don't want you to bask in your so called moment either." Hiding my growing smirk, I lower my black hat further down my eyes. "Still... they sound excited." I murmur. "And they haven't even gotten our little surprise."

*static* "Haha. I can't wait to see their faces! You got everything set right?"

I scoff, leaning further against the wall. "Obviously. Just lead them to me."

"On it!" *static*

Pushing myself off the wall, I move the ice shogi piece on the floor before shattering others. I didn't care for the mess. It wasn't my place. It's the owner's fault for leaving the window open in a village full of ninjas - if that isn't an invitation to break into the place, I don't know what is. 'Perfect example of why it's pointless to question how the village functions.' I thought bitterly, pushing less savory experiences aside. Closing my silver eyes, I readjust my hat over my dark blue hair before forming a shadow clone and henging it to look like Naruto.

"Naru, status?"

*static*

"Give me a break, Riku. I'm almost there. I don't see you running around with two chunin breathing down your back."

I scoff. "Because you need the exercise. I get enough running with my psychotic sensei." I deadpan. "And if you don't come in about 5 seconds, I'm tripping it with or without you next to me."

"Nani?! That wasn't the plan!"

I shrug, despite knowing he can't see my reply. "Ah... then run faster." I drawl before I see Naruto coming in the distance. 'He's gotten faster.' I muse before deadpanning. 'And... he's heading straight for it... the baka...' Shaking my head, I activate the smoke bomb I attached to Naruto's foot before the whole fiasco started.

"Eh? Where'd he go?!"

"Damn it. Do you see him?"

Jumping into the fray, I narrow my eyes at the dense fog. "Naru, speak." I murmur into the receiver.

"Oi I'm not a dog!"

'Bingo.' Rushing at his voice, I grab the squirming blonde before tossing him over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Ignoring his pained groan, I send a nod to my henged clone before jumping back through the window and lowering Naru to the ground.

"Oi what the-!"

Clamping my hand over his mouth, I pull us flush against the wall, eyeing the fake Naruto's overzealous goading and escape. Sticking out his tongue, the fake leaps between the trip wires before rushing to the training areas.

"This kid-!"

The chunin doesn't finish as he and his partner trip the wire - releasing the paint buckets and drenching them in glue, feathers, and bird feed.

"Again?!" They cry in frustration as they continue their trek after the fake.

I let out a low whistle, watching in amusement as several birds - enticed by the perspective of a free meal - viciously attack the fleeing chunin. "And here I thought you had girlish screams... I think they got you beat Naru." I drawl.

*Chomp*

My brow twitches when I feel saliva bleeding through my black glove. Grimacing, I send Naruto a cool gaze before breaking my hold – sending him stumbling forward. "Naru... what do you think you're doing?"

Wheezing, Naruto coughs out, "Couldn't ... breathe... how do I... know... you're Riku?"

I mentally sweat drop at the question while keeping up a mask of indifference, "Who else would I be? After all the trouble I went to get you away from those chunin, to think you would doubt me." I shake my head in fake hurt before shrugging. "Ahh well... I suppose I could tie you up and toss you back out if you want?" I suggest with a smirk.

Sweat trails down the side of his neck as he rubs the back of his head awkwardly, "Ehh heh.. guess you really are Riku.. no one else is that sadistic except that psycho-sensei you had for a bit.. What was her name.. Anki..Ako.. bah.. it wasn't important." He waves off before a frown enters his face. "...Hey... is it really ok for you to be joining me in my pranks?" At my quirked brow, he elaborates, "I mean, won't you get in trouble with psycho-sensei? And you're supposed to be one of the top students... and I'm the dead last. I-" I flick him in the forehead. "Ow! What was that for?" He rubs his forehead.

"Does it look like I care? Class rankings and all that administrative crap - I could care less." I lower my hand and shove my hands into my pockets. "As for psycho-sensei, she considers it... creative training as long as she's off limits - if anything it gives her more blackmail material." I muse before moving two shogi pieces and shattering all but one. 'We still have some time left...'

At Naruto's downcast look, I release a tired sigh. "I'm not leaving you alone ba~ka. We've been friends for a while now. Nothing you say or do changes that. Isn't that what we promised each other?"

{~}

~Flashback~

(Third person perspective)

Naruto sits on the swing near the Academy as he watches the other kids go to their parents. Envy churns inside him as he watches the parents shower their children in praise and affection. As his gaze lingers on one pair for too long, the parents take notice, morphing their faces into scowls and glares. "Demon," "Monster," and the like are sent to him in harsh whispers. Their hatred - the village's hatred - for him is obvious. 'What did I do wrong..?' he thought. As the whispers escalate, he feels his eyes burning with unshed tears, but he can't, won't let them see his tears; it only gives them some sick satisfaction.

His mind drifts to the girl who first offered him friendship. It's been several months since their last meeting. He wasn't allowed in the clan compound anymore - something about it being on lock down, but she would always sneak out to play - always wait by the swing outside the Academy with a bright smile on her face. He remembers her dark blue hair, her kind silver eyes, her infectious smile. Naruto frowns. 'But her name... I never got her name... she promised she would tell me... I promised...' He trails off in thought as he recalls the rumors of Orochimaru killing off the Amarante clan - her clan.

'She can't be dead... she promised... I promised...' He repeats, despite knowing the truth, and yet he continues to wait for her every day on the very same swing. Deep in thought, Naruto fails to notice the soft footsteps approaching him.

"Eh? Still by yourself?" the rough voice asks.

Naruto looks up to see a boy with his right eye bandaged before trailing his eyes further down to see bandages peeking under the jacket sleeves. He stills when he notices the vacant look in the boy's pale eye, finding it eerily blank like the those of some of the ninja he sees wandering the village. Shrugging the thought away, Naruto takes in the boy's overall appearance, finding nothing impressive. He wore a simple black hooded jacket and tan shorts with a hat covering most of his choppy blue hair. Even with such a bland appearance, he can't fit the boy with a name. Sure, there were times where he skipped class, but he should have noticed the boy somewhere. He looked the same age as him. Realizing his lack of response, Naruto looks off to the side as he purses his lips.

"I don't see how it's any of your business. Besides, isn't it obvious?"

The boy stares at him blankly. "Ah... can't really see clearly so had to ask." He shrugs. "Things look ... weird with just one eye."

A pang of guilt appears in Naruto's chest, but he makes no move to apologize, opting to look off to the side.

"Oi. Are you moping?"

"What?"

"You're pouting." The boy deadpans. "You're jutting out your bottom lip. Lame."

A tick mark appears on Naruto's face. "How would you know? You said you're basically blind. Besides, if you could actually see me, you wouldn't even be here." Naruto points his finger between the boy's eyes. The boy blinks blankly before pushing the hand away or rather, attempts to. He keeps swiping at the empty air before finally pushing away Naruto's hand.

'What's with this guy... he really is blind... isn't he?' Naruto thought with a sweat drop.

"I can still see you. I just have bad depth perception with one eye. Besides, you're not much different from everyone else. Maybe a bit louder... and angry... and lonely." The boy trails off as Naruto sends him a glare.

"Hey, I-"

The boy cuts him off. "Oi, want to be my friend?"

Naruto gawks.'What's with him... he's so... weird! But... does he really mean that...? Will I no longer be alone?' Swallowing the lump in his throat, he replies, "W-why... why w-would you want to be my friend?" Replaying his words, Naruto internally curses the unwanted stutters.

The boy quirks a brow. "Why wouldn't I?" The boy challenges as he crosses his arms.

"Don't your parents tell you I'm some kind of monster to avoid?" Naruto replies, allowing the bitterness to fully surface. 'Heh... what was I thinking... he's going to be the same as everyone else.'

The boy shrugs. "Not really. Dead people can't say much." Naruto's eyes widen in shock as he glances at the boy looking off to the side. Despite the nonchalant tone, Naruto can still hear the bitterness in the boy's voice. "Even if they didn't kick the bucket with the rest of my clan, they're not stupid enough to pass judgment on a rumor. You prove who you are with your actions. That simple."

Naruto blinks in surprise before realization slams him in the face. 'Clan massacre... then that means he's from the Amarante clan. He... he's alone, just like me. But that girl... if he lived then she could be alive too! She has to be!'

Swallowing the sudden lump in his throat, he asks, "Are, are you from the Amarante clan? Do you know a girl with the same hair and eye color as you? Is she alive?"

'She can't just be gone... there has to be a chance... there has to!' Naruto hopes.

'He's seriously stuck on one girl despite knowing the clan's dead in Konoha? What, is he hoping she somehow defected before the massacre?' He internally scoffs. 'If only... maybe then...' He stops himself, shaking the thought away before muttering, "That's pretty vague." He scratches the back of his head with a grimace. "But lucky for you not many people in our clan have blue hair."

"Is she alive or not?!"

The boy shifts uncomfortably, slightly unsettled by the desperation leaking into Naruto's eyes. "Gomen ne... but that girl died that day."

A heaviness settles in Naruto chest as he screws his eyes shut. 'So even her... I-I never fulfilled our promise... I didn't even get your name...'

The boy glances back at Naruto. "But I know she is looking after you...I knew her... she really cared for you." Naruto nods numbly, still taking in the confirmation of her death. "She really did care for you." Not getting a response, the boy steps closer to Naruto. "No one can be alone forever... so that's why I want a friend too. I'm not her, but I promise I will protect you and support you no matter what." The boy holds out his hand to Naruto as a small smile appears on his lips.

Naruto's eyes widen as he sees the image of a girl holding out the same hand towards him momentarily eclipse the boy's figure.

Shocked, Naruto shakily reaches over and takes the boy's hand. He softly murmurs something but the young boy catches it.

"Eh... you're a shy one huh. Name's Riku - just Riku. No honorifics."

"Heh, the name's Uzumaki Naruto." A grin forms on his face as he tightens his hold on the hand. "And I'll protect you too. Believe it."

~End Flashback~

{~}

A fond smile creeps along Naruto's face as he says, "Heh. Of course not, Riku. But I didn't expect you to become so emotionless like Sasuke."

"Ah...I take that as an offense. Don't think Sasuke would be so kind as to help you escape those chunin." I reply with a tiny shrug before erasing all signs of emotion on my face. "Besides I have to keep my emotions in check Naruto... you know what would happen if I don't..." I mumble before pushing off the wall. "C'mon. It won't be long before Iruka-sensei's here. If you-"

"Like I care about some stupid punishment!"

I don't respond, waiting for him to continue.

His voice softens. "Ne... Riku, that's not what I meant... I mean," he licks his lips, "I know you have to go through a lot to make sure you don't slip up again, but I did promise that I'll stop you whenever it happens again. Besides, I thought those sensei took care of most of the kinks."

I snort.

'Kinks' was a very optimistic word choice. I wouldn't consider the uncontrollable urge to maul anyone that infuriated me or harmed Naruto a kink. Sure, I've undergone training to control my emotions to ensure something like that wouldn't happen again, but even so, something told me the so called 'kink' wasn't exactly a simple thing to remove, if removing it was even possible to begin with. For as long as I can remember (which isn't much), I've always had these 'temper tantrums' – as Ibiki would call them – and even with training, the urge is still present.

'Always the optimist...' I thought as I let Naruto's words finally register in my mind.

Releasing a small sigh before locking eyes with Naruto, I reply,"...Can't deny it's gotten better but I'm not perfect. My control slips..." I trail off before smiling softly, "but that's why I have you to knock some sense into me ne?" I slip out of his hold and pull him into a headlock. "My little ramen-loving-goofball-of-a-best friend." I coo, earning a strangled cry.

"Oh kami, that psycho-sensei's finally gotten to you." He gapes in horror. Snorting in amusement, I release him before pulling him to the window.

"Ah... if you say so." I mutter blandly before eyeing the door. "Now unless you want to get caught... ah too late." I trail off before sending Iruka-sensei a mock salute. "Yo~ Iruka-sensei. Gomen ne for not beating you to the classroom." I recite blandly.

*tickmark* "That's not what you're supposed to be apologizing for!" He shouts.

Naruto sends him a confused look. "Eh? Iruka-sensei, what are you doing here?"

*tickmark* "That's what I should be asking you two! What do you two think you're doing during class?"

Naruto and I exchange looks. "Feeding the birds." We answer simultaneously. It's at that moment the two feathered-and-bird-feed-covered chunin speed past the window with a horde of angry birds, filling the area with their girlish screams.

Awkward silence.

"You really should feed the birds around here Iruka-sensei." I advise sagely as Naruto gives him his trademark grin.

*eye twitch* Iruka-sensei gives us a deadpan look before shaking his head.

[~- Time skip -~]

"Why am I the only one tied up?!" Naruto cries, still struggling against the bonds.

"You're the only one who tried to run. " I deadpan as I watch Iruka-sensei dragging Naruto back to the classroom. Sighing, Naruto shoots me pleading looks, but I merely shake my head. "Doing anything more past Iruka-sensei catching us would have been pointless." I murmur, pulling my hat further down my eyes.

"Why would you say that?"

I glance up to see Iruka-sensei casting me a confused look. 'Must have have waited for me to catch up.' I cast a glance at Naruto to see him pouting from his spot on the floor. Shaking my head in mirth, I turn back to Iruka-sensei with a smirk. "Ah... exactly that. You weren't a target."

"Target?" He echoes.

I merely shake my head, refusing to elaborate. At my lack of response, Iruka-sensei pinches the bridge of his nose before sighing. "Either way, don't think you're getting off easy, Riku. This I expected from Naruto, but you too?"

I shrug. "It's not really a surprise. You already figured it out a while ago that I was helping him right? You just didn't have proof." I finish cheekily, earning an unamused glance before a nod. Waving off his look, I add, "Just give me the same punishment as Naru then. Same drill as always ne?"

"I guess wishing for one easy day with you two is impossible." He grumbles, but there isn't any malice in his voice. Looking closer, I see an upward twitch of his lips before it disappears back into a frown. I quirk a brow at the display but receive no response. Shaking my head at the thought, I slow my steps to match Naruto before sending him a nod. Catching the message, he sends me a troubled look, but I merely shake my head and offer him a smile. Shaking his head, he sends me his usual grin - only for it to look out of place seeing as he's bound by ropes. Chuckling softly, I shake my head before remembering the shadow clone I left in the classroom. With a quick hand sign, I dismiss him, seeing his memories flood into my head.

'Nothing new I suppose... girls fighting over Sasuke... Shika sleeping. Exactly how things should be.'

As we walk through the classroom door, Iruka-sensei roughly throws Naruto to the floor in front of the class and tells me to go to my seat. Raising a hand in acceptance, I make my way up the stairs to my desk near the window - two seats to the left of Sasuke and one to the right of Naruto. As I walk by, I tap Shikamaru's desk to let him know Iruka-sensei's back. Shika looks up with half-lidded eyes and nods before propping his chin on his arms. "You took longer." He mumbles. "Something troublesome happened."

I continue to my seat - not answering. He already knows. Slumping into my seat, I glance over to the window, seeing several parents waiting outside for their kids. Some notice my gaze and pull others closer before talking in what appears to be harsh whispers. I roll my eyes. 'It's like they don't have anything else to talk about.' I thought bitterly. 'Guess the incident is still too new for them to get bored of it.' I muse. 'Doesn't matter much... I don't need people who only look at me like some ticking time bomb. Shika and Naru are more than enough.' I let out a sigh. 'At least it got rid of some of the fangirls...' I thought before turning my attention back to the front of the class.

I frown as Iruka-sensei continues to chastise Naruto. I can't really blame him, seeing as our genin test is a day away and Naruto still hasn't mastered the replication technique. With pyscho-sensei's training schedule, I don't exactly have much time to teach Naruto the technique, or even the shadow clone one. That and my patience hasn't been the best for teaching, especially with the villager's comments constantly grating on my nerves. The only way to make some progress in his training is through pranks, but even with that, he can't create a perfect replacement unless he's ... well running from angry chunin. My dilemma in a nutshell.

"That's it Naruto! We're doing a review test on the transformation technique."

Moans and groans echo in the classroom before death glares zero in on Naruto. I send the class an unamused look. 'It's not going to kill them to get up, walk down, and perform the jutsu... well maybe Shika ...but he seems dead most of the time anyway...' I thought absently as I walk down the stairs to the front of the classroom.

As Iruka-sensei calls up the other students, I eye one of the wooden boards above the chalkboard from my spot between Naruto and Shikamaru. Shaking my head at the possibility, I glance over at Naruto, noticing the mischievous smirk creeping along his face. 'Ah... what are you up to now? You wouldn't be smiling like that if you weren't...' I blink. 'Wait, you're not-'

"Amarante Riku."

Pushing the thought aside, I step forward and execute the jutsu, transforming myself into Iruka-sensei. At the nod of approval, I dispel the technique as he marks me off on his clipboard and calls the next student.

"Haruno Sakura."

She confidently walks down the steps and performs the jutsu. Not a flaw in sight... except the lovesick expression on Iruka-sensei's face as he gazes lovingly at Sasuke in hopes that he would acknowledge him. It's an amusing sight to say the least. 'He'll return your feelings Sakura...when I drop dead out of the sky.'

"Uchiha Sasuke."

He calmly walks up and performs the henge. Nothing out of the ordinary was seen; he has the same dead eyes, but all the girls swoon over him regardless. Yup, nothing out of the ordinary.

"Uzumaki Naruto."

As Iruka-sensei asks him to transform, Naruto makes a slight alternation to the hand sign before a cloud of smoke appears. As it clears, a naked female version of himself with curves takes his place. Clouds sparsely covered his form – leaving little to no room for the imagination.

I deadpan. '... Him and his stupid hormones. Guess pulling pranks will be the only way to trick him into training...' I thought with a sigh as my shoulders slightly sag at the sight. 'Naruto will be Naruto... I guess.' I cast a glance at Iruka-sensei to see him twitching on the ground with a massive nosebleed.

*eye twitch* "...Male hormones." I sum up in disappointment.

"HAHA! How do you like that? I call it my-" *bonk* "Oi Riku what was that for?" Naruto whines as he looks up to me.

*eye twitch* A cruel smirk stretches across my face. "Ahh... nothing really. Say Naruto... where did you get this idea from hm?" I lean in closer, whispering into the shell of his ear, "You weren't doing anything indecent behind my back, ne? It's almost like you're asking me to punish you again."

Swallowing nervously, he plays with the collar of his jacket as I eye the beads of sweat trailing down in neck in amusement. 'Too easy.'

Paling, he mutters, "Oi Riku... I really think psycho-sensei is rubbing off on you..."

"Naruto, you idiot! Don't invent such indecent techniques!"

Sighing, I pull away and look off to the side. 'Well... you can't deny it was pretty effective against you, Iruka-sensei.' I thought before stuffing my hands into my pockets as I dully watch the scream fest between the two.

{~}

~At the monument~

"Damn it. Damn it..." Naruto chants as he scrubs the paint off the Hokage monument – putting more force between each set of words.

"You're not going home until you clean everything up, Naruto!" Iruka-sensei calls out to us from below.

I cast him a dull look. 'I'm here too...' Shaking my head, I toss the wet rag into the nearby bucket with a splash. 'Whatever. This is a waste of time.'

"I don't care! No one's waiting for me at home anyway." Naruto grumbles before glancing back at his work.

I send Naruto a glance before tipping my hat further over my eyes. 'You're not the only one...Naru.' Slipping silently behind him, I softly bump my knuckles on the back of his head. "Ba~ka. Since when have you forgotten about me?" I drawl.

Turning around with wide eyes, he places a hand on his head in surprise before his trademark grin stretches across his face. "How could I? You're always there. Besides, you're cleaning up with me so of course you're not waiting for me at home."

I quirk a brow. "Naru...you just made it sound like I'm your wife..." I finish with a small grimace – causing a blush to form on his face.

"Eh? That's not what I meant. I-" Naruto flounders, jutting his arms this way and that as he grasps to some excuse. I snort as his obvious distress.

"Say Naruto, Riku." Iruka-sensei interrupts, causing us to glance up at him.

"Nani?" We both ask.

"If... you two finish cleaning then I'll treat you both to ramen. How does that sound?"

Naruto and I exchange knowing looks before Naruto ducks for cover as I bend the surrounding water in the air and towards the Hokage monument, washing off most of the remaining paint and earning startled cries from below. Popping out of his hiding place, Naruto lets out a cheer while I send Iruka-sensei an innocent look. He sends us a dry look before shaking his head and telling us to hurry up without terrorizing any more of the villagers. With a roll of our eyes, we finish wiping away the remaining paint before heading over to Ichiraku's to get ramen.

Downing the miso ramen with a quick thanks, I tune out most of Naruto's and Iruka-sensei's conversation, only catching snippets about tomorrow's genin exam and the Hokage monument. Once we finish, Naruto and I get up to leave, but Iruka-sensei tells Naruto to wait for a bit so he can talk to me. Naruto sends us a hesitant glance, but I wave off his worries. Nodding, he goes off to the side to talk to Ichiraku and Ayame.

Iruka-sensei and I exit the stand and walk a little ways off before he turns to me with a questioning look.

"Ne, Riku... about the prank you pulled today... you targeted the chunin who discriminated against Naruto, didn't you?"

"Ahh... not exactly." I shrug, earning myself a strained sigh.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he mutters, "Fair enough. I'll let that slide for now. What I really wanted to ask is if everything's ok?" At my confused look, he elaborates, "I know you're more mature than your peers. You were a prime candidate to skip and graduate early, but you turned that down and in light of recent events, I can see why. You don't want to give the villagers any more reason to target you or Naruto."

I nod. "I don't understand why the civilian council holds so much weight in the dealings of the village's ninja." Sighing, I add, "None of the villagers wanted Naruto or me to become ninja. They can't control me as easily because..." I wave my hand, gesturing to the Hokage office and his council. "... but Naruto... he's not untouchable. He's never been. I don't understand their hatred for him. It's groundless." I bite out. "They judge us like we're some kind of monster that should be locked away and I just gave them more proof when I lost it." I shake my head. "To answer your question, no I'm not ok. I won't be unless things change for him. I'm constantly on edge and every single time they look at him like he should be dead..." I trail off, reigning in my emotions. "I don't understand how this village functions. It's illogical." I finish.

"Fear - whether it's groundless or not - can do a lot of things to people. It's not something you can reason with." He places a hand on my shoulder. "I understand it's not fair... but know that not everyone sees you two like that. I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't see you two like that."

I stare at him blankly. "You shouldn't say that when you still have doubts." At his confused look, I add, "Something's stopping you - whatever it is is not my business." I cast a glance at Naruto laughing at something Ayame said. "He's not an idiot - not when it comes to emotions. He'll be able to tell."

Sighing, he pulls his hand away. "I can see Ibiki trained you well."

I shrug, stuffing my hands deeper into my pockets. "Ah... Iruka-sensei?"

"Yes?"

"Don't forget to see Naru as just Naru ne?" At his furrowed look, I give him a small smile. "Gomen ne~ I say things that don't always make sense."

Smiling, he rubs the top of my head, earning a disgruntled groan in response.

"I see. Now, it's getting late. You two better head home to get some rest. The exam's tomorrow."

"Ah..." Waving my hand, I pivot on my foot before heading over to Naruto so the two of us can go home.

"What took so long?" Naruto groans as we make our way back to our apartments. I shrug. Unimpressed at my lack of response, he starts prodding my side. "Ne ne what did you and Iruka-sensei talk about?"

"Ah... just checking up on me. Making sure the stupid rumors weren't getting on my nerves." I wave off. "Nothing bad."

He gazes up in thought. "Ooh. Guess he was just worried about you then?"

I nod before looking over at Naruto. "Ah... do you need me to buy some groceries tomorrow? They keep ripping you off right?"

Bringing his arms behind his head, he sends me a grin. "Nah, I still got a ton of ramen from the last time you went shopping. How come they don't rip you off?"

"Because I can actually henge into someone else." I deadpan before shaking my head. "Still, eating that much ramen can't be good for you."

He gawks. "How can you say that?! It's the food of the gods!"

I just smirk in response as we continue our usual banter back to our apartments. Yeah, everything is the same as always.

{~}

~Dream Sequence~

-Flashback-

I was five, six, maybe seven again? I don't really remember. I felt myself shaking - clutching tightly to the ANBU's uniform, noting how my hands were soaked with blood - my blood or was it someone else's? I don't remember. Blinking my eyes, I pressed my palm over my right eye, attempting to ease the throbbing. The ANBU's hand slowly pulled mine away before he tilted my chin up to stare at my mismatched eyes. His were mismatched too - a cold grey and crimson with three specks of black. My trembling slowly subsided into barely noticeable jolts as I matched his gaze. Breaking away, I willed the pale blue ring to disappear from my irises before he rubs his thumb under my right eye.

"Some of the veins ruptured in her eye." He murmured to someone nearby as I zeroed in on his crimson eye. I knew that doujutsu. Someone else, someone important had it, but I don't remember who. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I grasped his hand in mine before using my other to reach toward his crimson eye. Sighing, he conceded, lifting me up higher as I ran a shaky hand at the scar slashed through his eye.

"Your eyes do something similar."

I nodded, not trusting my voice at the moment.

It was unclear where I received my doujutsu - the faded ripple-like images on my iris. My clan's history wasn't the most clear-cut - too much inter-clan mixing. It was similar to the Sharingan in that it allows the user to predict taijutsu and ninjutsu moves to a point, but the Bikoume flutters images before its users, showing them a sped up video of the future actions of the victim. The speed of which these images appear only travel as quickly as the individual can process it - a rather crippling handicap if the user cannot review the images quick enough to react to his or her surroundings. No one really knew which lineage the doujutsu originated from, seeing as it appeared rather sporadically - skipping many generations while populating others.

With so many outlying genes in the gene pool of the clan, it wasn't surprising to see rather radical traits manifesting themselves as well, especially my so-called "kink." Deemed originally as a mutation of the Bikuome, this so-called state of animalistic prowess allowed its users to lose oneself in the battle, to succumb to the rawest emotions, to allow the user to kill despite all distractions, injuries, and interference other than death. This state accurately named the "berserker state" is the so-called kink that cannot be removed, cannot be fully controlled, for it is a defense mechanism rooted in the most primitive instincts of survival or that's what they say...

Even so... I found something to stop it - rather, someone that grounded me.

...

"Can you still see?" The silver-haired ANBU asked.

Blinking my eyes, I sent him a nod.

"She'll be fine. Her eyesight's not an issue." A glowing green hand covered my right eye. "I don't have much experience working with chi coils seeing as it's only an Amarante clan trait..." The medic nin pursed his lips. "...so I won't be able to do much. They're too interconnected with her chakra coils, so tampering with them without proper knowledge is not only foolish but dangerous." Lowering his hand, the medic nin rubs his chin. "Riku, can you activate the Bikoume for me again?"

I shake my head. "If I do, you'll die." I murmured.

...

I kept grabbing onto the ANBU's pants, not wanting him to disappear like everyone else. He sent me confused, hesitant glances before finally relenting and taking my hand as we made our way to the training grounds.

"You don't talk much," I muttered to him as I watched him read his orange book.

He only gave me deadpan looks before returning to his book.

It was always the same with him, with Kakashi. Train. Food. Train. Rest. Train. Mediate. Staring match. Repeat. No emotional contact. I hated it - hated how he kept me at arms reach as though I would turn on him.

...

"Kashi?"

He stilled before sending me a bewildered look. "W-what did you call me?"

"Kashi," I repeated, noticing his pained look in concern.

"D-don't call me that." He muttered with clenched fists.

"...Kaka?"

He tensed. "... That's not much better..."

"But I like it." I deadpan.

*sigh*

...

Weeks passed and I met Ibiki.

"So this is the one you want me to train?" He asked the Hokage - Oji-san.

"Yes... her mentality's very fragile at the moment. At this rate, it won't be long before something sets her off and her entire psyche falls prey to the berserker state."

"I see..."

Staring up at his imposing figure, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. "Doesn't it still hurt - I mean your invisible scars - do they still hurt?"

The two adults stared at me in surprise before Ibiki smirks. "I see she'll be an interesting one."

...

Despite Oji-san's decrees, he was overruled by the old prunes of the council - passing my guardianship to Danzo who believed a highly regimented training structure was what I needed to ensure my complete control over my emotions, a training that Root specialized in. I hated it - hated how powerless I felt as everything became a downward spiral, a seemingly endless spiral with no signs of light. That was all I knew for several years before I found a single solace under Danzo's ever constant watch, only for my light to disappear, for he couldn't match my shadow and perished. And then, all hell broke loose.

...

It was the catalyst for Oji-san to regain custody, regardless of the outcries of the other prunes on his council.

Whatever happened that day... was muted and left in the dark.

But the damage had already been done.

...

Kaka wasn't the same after that. He disappeared soon after I came back, leaving no note, no explanation - nothing. Regardless, my training continued between Ibiki before one day, Anko - now psycho-sensei - gained some obscure interest in my emotionless state and whisked me away as per her whims. When she finally had the sense to return me to Ibiki, she announced herself has my new sensei, much to the shock of Oji-san and Ibiki. Apparently, she found emotionless crossdressers interesting students - go figure.

It was then my resentment toward Kaka-san grew.

...

More instances of the berserker state appeared.

More pain.

More anger.

More fear.

Nothing could snap me out of the cycle. I trapped myself in a seemingly endless loop that neither Anko or Ibiki could fully break.

...

Then I met him. The seemingly idiotic, hopeless, knuckle-headed blond goofball Uzumaki Naruto - my new light.

...

But even this new light could not match my shadow... it was fragile... ever flickering, constantly wishing to grow but being restrained, just like my past self.

So I vowed to grow stronger, stronger to protect this fragile light of mine, for it was what kept me sane - human.

...

"Riku, do you accept the proposal?"

I cast a glance at Danzo before returning my attention to Oji-san. "You ask as though I really have a choice," I muse before smiling slyly, " I accept, but on one condition."

...

"Very well. I will accept your decision, but you can't keep this charade forever..."

"It won't be a problem. I'll be strong enough then."

-End Flashback-

~End Dream Sequence~

{~}

As the memory comes to an abrupt halt, I wake up to the sun shinning in my eyes. With an annoyed huff, I pull the covers over my head before burrowing deeper in the warmth. It's been several years since that meeting. The deal's still intact, but eventually, like all games, that game will soon end. I peek out from under to covers to gaze up at the sky from my window, noticing two birds circling each other. Blurred images of a black-haired man and blue-haired woman overshadow the image of the birds, causing me to release a frustrated sigh.

"I still don't remember your faces - either one of yours." I murmur before glancing at the calendar. "It's almost that time again..." I trail off. 'Oka-san.. oto-san... I'll visit you two soon...' I promise, wrapping the blankets tighter around my body. The massacre not only took away my parents, but my memories as well - leaving me only with snippets of information, blurred images of past friends, words – promises even – spoken by faceless figures.

Shaking those thoughts away, I clamber out of bed and trudge over to the bathroom. Removing the last signs of sleep from my body, I splash my face with water before watching the water trail down my hair. Flicking my gaze to the mirror, I trace my hand against my reflection before stilling as I notice the reflection on the tiles behind me.

"You will submit!"

*crack*

Ice covers my hands.

"Your sole purpose is to be a tool for the good of the village."

*crack*

It grows thicker.

"Your own opinions are of no consequence. Who are you, everything you do, your sole being - belongs to the village.

*crack*

"Shut up!"

Ice surges up the walls, coating them in sheets upon sheets of ice.

"Just shut up..." I murmur softly.

Lifting my head, I gaze blankly at the ice encrusted room before shaking my head. "You'll never let me have my peace... will you, old prune?" I murmur as cracks spread through the ice. "You'll never let me have my peace..." I repeat as the remaining ice shatters and rains down. Casting one final look at the mirror, I trudge out with a sigh.

"I wonder..."

'When I reveal to you who I am, will you hate me... Naruto?'

---

AN: Sorry if that wasn't up to your expectations. Still working some things out and this is my first story. Thanks for taking the time to read and hope you review.

(Edited on 6/22/16)