Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Ranma 1/2, unfortunately. Yaoi, yuri and het. If you hate yaoi or yuri, avoid this like the plague.

"..."- Talking
'...'- Thinking
Kyubi talking to Konoko
Konoko talking to Kyubi
Chapter 1
In hindsight, being locked in this dual curse was a good thing. I mean, I was able to prove myself, something which I don't think I could have done had I still been male. I've avenged my clan using abilities that I wouldn't have known about (damned genetics is all I have to said about that.). I'm smarter than I would have been had the mask stayed on. I guess I'd better start from the beginning instead of ranting on and on and confusing you, ne?
…6 Years ago, Jousenkyo springs…
I, a 6 year old boy reluctantly followed the rest of my classmates. We came out of the forest we were tramping through into a training ground. The Jousenkyo springs. I had considered shoving a certain guy into one of the springs, but the Hokage was walking right behind me. Kinda screwed things up if you know what I mean.

"Pay attention!"

"Oww! What'd you do that for old man?" I held my head with both hands and the old man, Hokage-sama glared at me.

"I want you to pay attention! You never listen. I'll throw you in one of the springs. Why do I put up with you?" I just smiled; he knew why he put up with this, although I didn't. I turned my attention to the guide who was explaining about locked curses and dual curses. Boring! I've already learned about this, the old man made me. I dunno why though, said it was important for me to grow, whatever that means. I tuned out and looked around the site. Decaying bamboo sticks, half filled ponds. This place was in need of major renovations.

"…Jousenkyo springs is one of few places that acts as a link between dimensions. Ranma-sama, Ryoga-sama, Ukyo-sama and Xian Pu-sama take care of the area as well as train bringers of chaos or order. The students usually hear a voice singing…" At that moment, fate decided to play an awful prank on me. Absolutely despicable.

My class was moving on, following the guide like good little boys and girls. I wandered away, the guided tour was so boring. After a while, I looked around and blinked. This was…the restricted area of Jousenkyo, where those four people, Ranma, Ryoga, Ukyo and Xian Pu lived. Supposedly.

There was just one problem; I couldn't hear anything. It was like someone poured a thick liquid into my ears. The silence was driving me crazy, but when it began, I could hear it. Humming. Had there been any noise, I wouldn't have heard it. I clung to it, my lifeline. I followed it, not knowing that it would eventually lead me to my death and rebirth.

Ranma tuned to Xian Pu, who was humming and frowned. Xian Pu rarely hummed anymore: the world was balanced since the kyubi's defeat. So what was wrong this time?

That was when they met. The boy stumbled into the clearing where Ranma, Ryoga, Ukyo and Xian Pu sat. His blond hair was messed and his blue eyes showed confusion. Ranma was the first on his feet.

"Who are you?"

The blond glared at Ranma. "I could ask you the same thing." He was 6 years old or so, and Ranma and Ryoga could sense the insane amount of chi in the boy. Impossible for a human.

"I won't ask again. Answer or die."

The boy sweat-dropped. "Alright! Alright! Calm down. The name's Uzumaki Naruto."

"Aiya!"

Ranma turned to Xian Pu. "Shampoo, what is it?"

Xian Pu pointed a shaking finger to one of the formally empty craters. It had filled with a thick blue liquid. Xian Pu started to cry. Ukyo was by her side in a second. "Shampoo honey, what's wrong?"

Xian Pu hiccoughed. "Voices in Xian Pu's head say boy go in there. Say boy not survive if not strong. Say boy go in there and become strong. Say boy…" She broke off and began blubbering. Ranma and Ryoga sweat-dropped as Xian Pu cried. Ukyo comforted the Amazon.

"So your name's Naruto, right?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Shampoo said-"

"I know what she said. I can hear ya know."

"Yeah, whatever…Anyway…"

"I'm supposed to go in there, right? Well, it couldn't hurt."

Famous last words.

A tall, black haired man walked towards the Hokage, holding something, or someone in his arms. The thing he was holding moved, attempting to burrow into the man's body.

"Hokage-sama. It is…good to see you again."

The Hokage inclined his head. "It has been a while Ranma-sama."

The man, Ranma, sighed. "We have a problem, Hokage-sama."

"Oh?"

"Not 'we'; Ryoga, Ukyo Xian Pu and I. 'We'; the guardians of Jousenkyo springs, you and your village…"

…1 Week later, Konoha…
Sasuke wandered into the schoolyard, having gotten away from the horde of girls following him. He sighed as he fell back onto the ground against a weeping willow. His Aniki, Itachi always teased him about the girls that always chased him. The yard was nearly deserted, a few parents with their kids. He closed his eyes, enjoying the reprieve as long as it lasted. At least, until school started in half an hour.

"Na—Miss Konoko!"

"Yeah? A message from the old man?"

"The 'old man' is the Hokage, and yes."

Sasuke had followed the voices and was in time to see a girl his age scowl at a shinobi. "What does he want?"

"Your guardian, Tsu-"

"I know who my guardian is. What about her?"

The shinobi seemed irritated at being interrupted. "She's coming tomorrow. You're to meet her at the Hokage's."

The girl's scowl deepened. "I'm supposed to stay there all day tomorrow then?"

"Yes Miss Konoko."

The girl pouted. "That's not fair! Stupid old man…"

The shinobi crouched so that he was at eye level with the girl, Konoko. "I'll take you out to ramen if you behave tomorrow."

"Sugoi!" The girl jumped, arms hugging the shinobi's neck. "You're the best, Iruka-niisan!"

"I have to go to the academy. You'll be okay, right?"

"I'll be fine. And just call me Konoko and drop the Miss. I haven't changed that much."

"Alright."

"Ne, ne!"

"Yes?"

"Is it alright to talk to the other kids now niisan?"

Iruka smiled at the girl. "Yes…Konoko."

"Bye niisan!"

Iruka disappeared just as a teacher walked towards the girl. Sasuke sighed as he entered the building.

"Class, we have a new student with us today. Her name's Yohiro Konoko. Please make her feel welcome. Konoko, you may sit between Ino and Sakura."

It was the first time he noticed a girl before, and was actually interested in her. She hadn't whined about not being able to sit beside him. Her skin was ivory, her eyes a sky blue. Her hair seemed gold spun. It was long, pulled into two pigtails. Her eyes were wide as she greeted everyone. She bit her lip nervously before sitting between the two girls, as if the pair would bite her. Why would a girl neither Sakura nor Ino knew be afraid of them? How...intriguing.

M-chan: Yeah... I know I shouldn't have with The Lady Naruto and the movement still on my to do list...but I did...