Twelve years… it has been twelve years since the Kyuubi broke free and attacked Konoha before the Yondaime Hokage sacrificed himself to seal the beast and saved the village. The Kyuubi however was sealed inside a newborn girl who had only been born just an hour before hand and now lost both of her parents, but she still has her older brother.

These two where known as Ryouta and Hinako Uzumaki, both of which are the children of the Yondaime Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Kushina, as they were heading to Ichiraku's for a bowl of ramen to celebrate Hinako graduating from the academy becoming a full-fledged Genin.

Ryouta stood out to a lot of people in Konoha for many years inheriting the blond hair of his father was almost the spitting image of him for years. While Hinako had inherited her mother's red hair and wore it back in a pony-tail.

Hinako was messing around with her hitai-ate with a big smile on her face before speaking "Isn't it great nii-san? I am finally a full fledge kunoichi!" Hinako looked up at Ryouta with it being the happiest day in her life. Hinako's life had been a mixed bag with a lot of the villagers hating her and trying to abuse her whenever Ryouta wasn't around because she was the jinchūriki of the Kyuubi a fact that she herself was not aware of due to the Sandaime's orders to never discuss it.

Ryouta smiled and looked down at his sister as they approached Ichiraku's "Now don't get to excited Hinako-chan. Tomorrow starts a lot of hard work and training so no more slacking off." Ryouta opened the curtain at Ichiraku's letting Hinako in first before seeing some familiar faces at Ichiraku's.

The Uchiha brothers Itachi and Sasuke were already sitting at the bar enjoying some ramen when Ryouta and Hinako sitting down right next to them. Ryouta and Itachi were really close friends having spent a lot of time at the Uchiha compound after the deaths of his parents with Uchiha Mikoto watching over both a baby Hinako and himself as a favor to his mother, Kushina. "Hey Itachi-san, Sasuke-san are both of you here to celebrate as well?" Ryouta asked as Hinako ordered ramen for both of them right away wasting no time quite hungry from the graduation exam.

Itachi and Sasuke both looked up and over towards the Uzumaki siblings Sasuke being rather indifferent with Itachi smiling towards his friend replying, "I promised Sasuke a treat when he graduated from the academy." Itachi looked over at Hinako who already had her hitai-ate on her head before speaking again, "I see I should congratulate Hinako-chan for becoming a full fledge kunoichi."

Hinako looked up over to Itachi smiling at the praise she was getting before Sasuke opened his mouth, "It was just a fluke. It was supposed to be regular bunshin no jutsu, but this dobe managed to pull off kage bunshin."

Hinako became visibly upset at Sasuke dismissing her achievements and quickly mouthed off in anger. "Grow up Sasuke-teme! You're only mad because I outshined you with a kage bunshin during the exam." Hinako still grinding her teeth in anger as Sasuke became a bit angry at what Hinako had just called him.

Ryouta and Itachi both sighed as they put a hand on their younger siblings shoulders, "Hinako you're a genin now you have to keep yourself under control and not let every little thing someone says get to you. This is supposed to be one of the happiest days in your life don't ruin it over a petty argument, but I am proud that you used kage bunshin. You'll have to show me once we get back home." Ryouta said to his younger sister as she initially was upset with her brother scolding her, but smiled and nodded when he praised her for knowing kage bunshin. Immediately afterward their ramen bowls brought out and ready for them to start eating cheering both of them up.

Itachi with Sasuke however was a more stern and serious, "Sasuke there is absolutely no need to belittle anyone's accomplishments let alone a shinobi from your own village. You need to learn to appreciate your ally's abilities and work together with them. After all," Itachi looked over at Hinako then back to Sasuke, "you both might end up on the same team tomorrow."

Sasuke's foul mood only seemed to get worse from what his old brother said to him as he stood up from his seat out of frustration yelled, "If that dobe is on the same squad as me she'll only hold me back! That is all trash like her is good for!" Sasuke immediately afterwards stormed out of Ichiraku's leaving Itachi behind.

Itachi paid for both his and Sasuke's ramen standing up from his seat before looking over at Ryouta and Hinako, "I apologize for Sasuke's behavior Ryouta-san and Hinako-chan." Itachi said with a bow before heading right after Sasuke.

Hinako was back to fuming from Sasuke's outburst as she was speed eating her ramen a bit before speaking back up, "That teme really gets on my nerves. Who does he think he is talking down on me like that?"

Ryouta looked over at his little sister after eating some of his ramen before saying, "Hinako, please remember what Sasuke-san is going through. His clan was attacked a few years ago, and he lost not only his parents but a lot of his family was killed as well." Ryouta was rather somber about this topic since Fugaku and Mikoto who looked after them for a short time after their parent's deaths died during the attack which still lingers in the back of his mind.

"But Itachi-nii is still kind to us even after that. There is no excuse for Sasuke-san to be such a jerk about it." Hinako pouted not fully understanding what it was that Ryouta was trying to tell her.

Ryouta sighed before looking directly at Hinako, "Itachi-san is an experienced shinobi he is able to hide how he really feels better than most people. He may seem fine, but he needs time to recover from it as well." (Especially since we still have no idea who was behind the attack.) Ryouta added in his mind before smiling as he went back to eating before adding, "Now let's finish our meal Ji-chan wants to see us as soon as we're done here."

Later at the Hokage's Office

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Sandaime Hokage, was sitting at his desk looking through the reports on the new genin that graduated from the academy seeing a few names of children from prominent clans. Two names stood out to the Hokage however and those were the names of Uzumaki Hinako and Uchiha Sasuke. Hiruzen looked at both of their results from the test not entirely sure on who to team them up with for their squads. Just as Hiruzen was thinking about it a knock is heard on his office door, "They must be here already." Hiruzen thought while stacking the reports into a neat pile before saying, "Come in."

The door opened showing Ryouta and Hinako walking in both with smiles on their faces with Hiruzen smiling at the sight of the hitai-ate on Hinako's forehead, "Ji-chan! Look I finally became a full fledge kunoichi!" Hinako shouted in excited as she ran in with Ryouta silently right behind her before they both sat down in the chairs in the office.

Hiruzen chuckled at Hinako's excitement and joy as he had a soft spot for both of the siblings seeing them practically like grandchildren. "Congratulations Hinako-chan I was just looking through the reports from the academy." Hiruzen said "How did you manage to learn kage bunshin? It surprised the instructors during the exam."

Ryouta also looked over at Hinako since he was wondering the same exact thing ever since he found out back at Ichiraku's with Hinako just smiling before stating, "It was simple I saw Nii-san practicing it, and asked him about the jutsu after that whenever I was home by myself I would practice it since it is a lot more useful than a regular bunshin. Not to mention that Nii-san left a scroll with it out in the open back home."

Hiruzen glared over at Ryouta for foolishly leaving high-level jutsu scrolls laying around where anyone could find them while Ryouta tried to cover with an innocent looking smile with his eyes closed.

Hiruzen chuckled once again at the brief explanation Hinako gave him about how she learned kage bunshin before giving a rather unpleasant look to Ryouta, "Ryouta-chan you're a jonin I expected you to be more careful when it came to scrolls containing info on high level jutsus."

Ryouta stood up looking rather apologetic before bowing and saying "Hai, Ji-chan I'll make sure everything is put away and secured next time." Ryouta then sat back down in silence for Hiruzen to continue.

"It's time I get to the main reason I called these two here now that Danzo is making his move." Hiruzen thought to himself as he looked over at Hinako before asking, "Hinako-chan, you are familiar with what happened in Konoha twelve years ago right?"

Ryouta looked shocked at what Hiruzen just asked Hinako figuring out exactly what he was going to tell her as Hinako with a somber look on her face answered, "Hai Ji-chan, that was when the Kyuubi attacked the village and… and mom and dad died shortly after I was born." Hinako was upset about saying that last bit as Ryouta looked rather sad remember the exact day.

Hiruzen nodded in agreement to everything Hinako said before speaking, "Yes, that is correct. There is one important detail you are not aware of Hinako-chan. Twelve years ago when your father and mother sacrificed themselves to save the village from the Kyuubi they did not kill it."

Ryouta stood up right before Hiruzen could continue interrupting, "Ji-chan is now really the right time for this?" Hinako looked back and forth between both Ryouta and Hiruzen confused about what they were talking about.

Hiruzen looked a bit annoyed at Ryouta's outburst, but was understanding about why he did, "Yes now is the time Ryouta-chan." Hiruzen said before getting back on track, "As I was saying the Kyuubi wasn't killed twelve years ago, but it was sealed inside you, Hinako-chan."

Hinako was shocked and stunned with the news that was just dropped on her. The Kyuubi, the terrible demon fox that attacked the village and killed dozens of people was sealed inside her as a final act from her parents to save the village. "Mom and Dad put the Kyuubi inside me…" Hinako looked up at Hiruzen and then over at Ryouta who looked worried about her before looking down at herself, "The thing that caused Mom and Dad to die is in me." Hinako said out loud before looking over at Ryouta and asking, "Nii-san did you know the entire time?"

Ryouta took a deep breath and was about to speak before Hiruzen spoke up instead, "He knew from the beginning, but I made an order that no one would speak of it without my permission. Don't blame him Hinako-chan."

Ryouta smiled before putting his hand on top of Hinako's head and tried to cheer her up, "I know this must be a lot to take in at once Hinako-chan, but think of it as a final gift from Mother and Father. I'm positive they sealed it inside you because they knew you would eventually learn how to use its chakra." Ryouta wishing he could have given this news to Hinako himself hoped what he said would cheer her up.

Hinako after listening to both Hiruzen and Ryouta began to return to her normal self, and looked at Ryouta smiling and nodded, "I will Nii-san, and I'll make sure I'll make both of them proud." Hinako said to Ryouta before looking at Hiruzen and bowing before saying, "Thank you Ji-chan for telling me the truth."

Hiruzen smiled as Hinako cheered up before saying, "I always planned on telling you Hinako-chan. Now go on and enjoy the rest of your day." Hiruzen then looked over at Ryouta before adding, "Ryouta-chan, there will be a Jonin meeting tonight I expect you to be there."

Ryouta and Hinako started heading over towards the door with Ryouta turning around before leaving bowing while saying, "Hai, Ji-chan I'll be there."

Later that night

"I'm heading out to the meeting Hinako make sure you get to sleep early." Ryouta called out as he left the house in his Jonin uniform, and began to walk in the direction of the Hokage's office. Konoha at night is quiet as most people preferred to stay in their houses with only shinobi on duty being active.

However as Ryouta was on route to the Hokage Mansion when an older man with one eye covered in bandages and an arm in a sling in his black robe, Ryouta instantly recognized the man as Shimura Danzo. Ryouta was instantly on guard as Danzo casually approached him, "Uzumaki Ryouta." Danzo called out to him before stopping in his tracks.

"Shimura Danzo," Ryouta replied knowing exactly where this conversation was going, "What honor did I earn for the Shinobi of Darkness to see me on such an average night?"

Danzo keeping his same emotionless expression on his face before he began to speak, "I want to remind you it isn't too late to hand it over to me. If you did when I first asked it would have mastered the Kyuubi's chakra, and the strongest shinobi in the village."

Ryouta clenched his firsts in anger after hearing Danzo refer to his sister as it. "I have told you before that I will never hand Hinako over to you. Now I have somewhere to be right now."

"Why must you be so stubborn about protecting the fox?" Danzo called out to Ryouta as he walked past him.

Ryouta stopped in his tracks with his anger reaching a boiling point before turning around to face Danzo and in as angry tone said, "She is not the fox! She is my little sister, and I promise you Danzo if you or your puppets in Root try to even touch her I'll make you wish you retired years ago old man! Don't forget that because an Uzumaki never goes back on their word!" Ryouta then turned around and continued on his way taking deep breaths trying to calm himself down.

Danzo having not moved was annoyed at the blatant disrespect and threat just given to him before walking away thinking, "I will get that weapon no matter what it takes."

At the Hokage's Office

Ryouta opened the door to the office for the meeting after knocking only to be surprised by the sight he saw. There was only three other people in the office waiting for him The Sandaime Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, Uchiha Itachi, and the violet haired kunoichi Mitarashi Anko.

"Oh so it was Blondie we were waiting on?" Anko immediately said the moment she saw Ryouta walk in.

Ryouta just sighed at the nickname Anko gave him a while ago while walking over near the desk before saying, "Sorry Anko-san I got a bit held up on the way over here."

Anko instantly smiled before saying, "Oh it's only Anko-san not Anko-senpai Blondie?" Anko then laughed a little bit as Ryouta just sighed and grinned a bit.

"Now settle down you two." Hiruzen spoke looking to get things on track, "Now that all three of you are here we can get down to business."

Ryouta looking at Hiruzen a bit surprised with only three people counting himself here spoke up, "I'm sorry Hokage-sama, but I thought this was going to be a Jonin meeting."

Hiruzen looked over at Ryouta before clarifying, "Ryouta I said this was a Jonin meeting because the mission I'm assign to you three is top secret and must never be spoken of outside this room." Hiruzen looked around at Ryouta, Anko, and Itachi who all nodded in agreement before continuing, "Now then I'm sure you all have heard word about Otogakure, a new shinobi village that has just been established. I am sending the three of you on a scouting mission to it to confirm some information I have acquired."

Itachi was the first to speak up after Hiruzen finished his sentence, "Hokage-sama if we are just scouting out the village why is this mission top secret?"

"Yeah this doesn't seem like such a big deal at all." Anko added on wondering why she would even be assigned for such a mission since it was out of her normal tasks.

Hiruzen calmly stood up before continuing, "The reason why this mission must be kept secret is because the information I have received says that Otogakure is possibly being led by Orochimaru."

The name Orochimaru alerted the three jonin in the room with Anko getting visibly mad, and clenching her fists before speaking, "That teme has finally come out in the open?" Anko was now very interested in this mission wanting to get her hands on Orochimaru for years.

Ryouta looking over at Anko before looking back at Hiruzen, "Hokage-sama if I might ask, where did this information came from?"

"This info came from one of Jiraiya-san's reports." Hiruzen replied before continuing, "If this info came from anyone else I would be more skeptical of it, but Jiraiya-san's reports haven't been wrong yet which is why I need the three of you to confirm if it really is Orochimaru or not. You three are the only ones I can trust with this mission."

Itachi looking a bit conflicted began to speak up, "Hokage-sama since his crimes were found out I always suspected that Orochimaru might have been behind the attack on my clan. If possible I wish to look for any evidence."

"Itachi, if you find any evidence that will link Orochimaru to the attack on the Uchiha clan please bring it to me right when you get back. Now then do all three of you accept this mission?" Hiruzen asked.

In unison the three jonin replied, "Hai, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen smiled before speaking, "Good, now go home and rest Tomorrow morning is when this mission will start."

Author's Notes: Hey everyone thank you for reading the first chapter of my first fanfic. I have a few things planned out for this in the long run as the differences between the manga and this should be pretty obvious.

If you enjoyed it please let me know and if you have any criticism please leave a review and let me know I am open to any and all ways to improve.