Once upon a time, in a little village hidden in the forest... A great evil swept upon the land, a fox in demon form. Many died from it's anger, but it was quickly sealed by the leader of the village, known as the Hokage. He died as a sacrifice, but contained the demon inside a baby born only a few minutes before.
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The old Hokage was forced to take his old position. This was unfortunate, as he had gained a lot of weight since retirement, and was in fact...fat. But he had his loyal family and was sure that they together would be able to lead the village. It was especially fortunate that his daughter and her foreign husband had a child...that would be similar in age to the boy with the spirit inside. Though both were medical ninja, he felt sure that the girl's mixed backgrounds would breed a fighting spirit, and it would be so much easier to keep an eye on the boy! She was definitely sure to be headstrong, what with a mother and not the mention...Anana like her's.
'Amazons...really,' he mused, amused at the private family joke.
Her name was Nekoi Ayami, and after her came more, more children than any other family in the village. Hikarinohi, Hikarinotsu, and Taiki. Three girls, one boy and all unique ninja abilities. The Hokage could not be prouder.
"What do you think, honey?" he said to his wife. "It's your blood in these children!"
"Oh please." she said.
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Soon it was time for little Ayami to be off to the academy. Her mother stood in the doorway, bravely organizing her daughter for her first day.
"Eeeee! She's all grown up and so beautiful and smart!" Attacked by her mother, Ayami went limp like a well loved cat.
"Hi Okachan."
Her papa came over and patted her on the head. He didn't say much, and when he did, he usually got the moment wrong. And then he got in trouble. So he stayed quiet. Ayami hugged her mother even tighter but then, "I have to go to school now Okachan." One last hug goodbye, and little Ayami was on her way, down the road to her first day. She knew the way from the many times she had snuck there, looking at her future. She was so happy, and only one thing could make her happier...
She hid behind a wall as he came down the street, and she hoped in his relaxed mood he would not notice her. He was smiling underneath that mask of his, the imprint of a smile through the cloth. She looked reverently...Kakashi.
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She met him when she was only three years old. He had only just become a jounin three years ago. She was visiting her grandfather, a privilege allowed to her because of her good behavior and quiet nature. Kakashi was receiving a mission and as usual she peeked out from behind the Hokage. It was like at first sight. His eyes weren't covered at this time which was all the better to view the look in them as a smile crept on to his face. Infatuation was complete.
He may have been 13 years older than her, but beauty was beauty and she was certainly intelligent to see it at any age. Her breathe caught as he walked past. He probably didn't understand, but she had a plan...oh yes, to be executed this very afternoon!
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"Good morning class! My name is Yume Sensei!" The first years had a female teacher, a kind but strict woman, perfect for keeping six-year olds in line. "Today, you will learn nothing about shinobi techniques, but instead about one another. This is important for these people are the ones you will grow and learn with your entire lives."
Ayami was sitting neatly, with her long hair trailing behind her little seat. She was sitting next to a girl with little buns on her head, hair darker than her own by several shades, but still brown. She had already inspected the other girls in the class, a pink haired crybaby, a snobby blonde, and a shy dark haired girl. No need to inspect the boys, she already had found her one true love.
"Now class, turn to the person next to you and introduce yourself. Then turn to the other side and introduce yourself to that person."
Ayami was about to turn to the girl sitting next to her, when felt a tap on her other side. She turned to look, and a boy with messy dark hair and large dark eyes was smiling at her. He had twin strips of red painted down his cheeks, and looked more than a little wolfish.
"My name is Inuzuka Kiba! I like dogs!"
Ayami gracefully inclined her head, eyes closed. "Pleased to meet you. I am Nekoi Ayami."
"All right, Mi-chan! Wanna eat with me at lunch?"
"Surely, but right now I must introduce myself to the other person next to me." She turned to the girl next to her and gave an apologetic smile.
"My name is Tenten."
"What a cute name." she said smiling. Tenten smiled back. "You may join us later, if you like." She nodded, and Ayami was satisfied. This girl was similar to her, nice but not so shy as to never speak. She would make the most trustworthy friend.
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It was time for lunch now and afterwards recess. Ayami found Tenten and they sat under the shade of a giant oak tree. Fortunately or unfortunately, Kiba found them as well. He sat down right next to Tenten and starting eating like a dog. Tenten looked a little green, but Ayami laughed good-naturedly, thinking maybe this is what her brother to be would be like. Her mother was pregnant again, and this time all the signs said it would be a boy. Ayami found that refreshing. Not that little sisters were bad, but still a little brother was a new experience. She and Tenten talked about their families and lives, and Kiba just kept right on plowing. Soon it was time for recess, and Ayami neatly packed her things away and ran to the playground, Tenten's hand in hers. But when they got there, trouble had already begun.
"Hey weirdo! Stay out of our game!" said a boy with unpleasant yet forgettable features.
"Yeah!" said yet another, with the same kind of face. "Stay out!"
The blonde looked at them in a sour determined way. Then all of sudden he rushed at them, full of energy. Well half a dozen children versus one will always have the same result, shinobi or not. The blonde was left twitching on the ground, curled in pain. Ayami rushed to him, kneeling beside him and feeling his head and face.
"What is WRONG WITH YOU!" she screamed, anger all over her face.
The boys looked haughtily at her and one stepped forward, but his slightly smarter friend said, "No. She's the granddaughter of the Hokage. You know how much trouble we'd be in?" His friend sniffed and stepped back. Ayami just dragged the blondy to the wall and sat him up.
"Why did you do this?" she hissed. The boys remained silent. "If it's because he's different, then you should know that that only makes him better than you! To be different is a gift!" Now everyone was staring. "Maybe you do know that. Maybe that's why you hurt him. Well if being the same as everyone else is bad, being jealous is worse. It sucks energy out of you faster than anything...it will suck you dry," said the precocious girl. The boys just scuffed their feet and walked away. But their victim was waking up now.
"Wha...wha?"
"Are you okay? I'm Ayami and..."
"I'M GONNA KILL THOSE GUYS!"
He started struggling but fell onto the wall again. Ayami patted his head. He grumpily said, "Uzumaki Naruto..." She smiled at him, and he smiled slowly back.
She inclined her head, "Want me to play with you?"
He shook his head, "No, that's okay. Maybe later." He got up and walked away, and she watched him sadly. Tenten came up, and Ayami looking sideways a little, left with her.
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Ayami was sad on her way home, but thought of her mission and cheered up a little. She ran quickly home to eat and tell about her day, and then execute her plan. "Okachan! I'm home."
She was swept up, and kissed. "Hello darling! How was your day?"
Ayami was red from excitement. "Okay! I met a new friend, but there was this boy that all the other boys were being mean to and his name is Naruto..." Her mother got a funny look on her face, a sad look. Ayami was not old enough to understand pity.
"Well," she said. "You could invite him over sometime, don't you think?" Ayami's eyes glistened, the idea making her feel so much the better. "Now hurry," said her mother. "I'm sure you're very hungry." Ayami dashed into the kitchen.
"Okachan! May I take a walk after I'm done?" Ayami shouted from the table.
"Yes, dear!"
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She was perfectly in place, ready to strike. She had climbed above the tree that Kakashi always read that book under. She didn't have any idea what it was about, though she had tried desperately to find out, in order to understand her love. But the only thing she knew was that sometimes her father sometimes picked it up playfully at market and her mother would smack his hand. She clearly didn't want him reading it, so she didn't think she was allowed to either. She leaned down looking interestedly at the top of her love's perfect head. He was so cute, especially when he smiled and...
"What are you doing up here, neeeeee?"
The shock of actually hearing love speak to her...made her fall out of the tree and... in to the arms of the quick Kakashi. But Ayami was quick too. As she fell, she pulled on the fabric of both his masks and...
Kissed him right on the mouth.
'Ah! I'm kissing him! It worked! I'M KISSING HIM!'
Kakashi fell to the ground still kissing the devious girl and finally managed to pull her off him. He looked at her intently, as he pulled up his mask. "That was an accident, right?" She refused to answer, or rather seemed incapable, her eyes were aglow, cheeks red. "Hmm. That was very naughty of you."
She didn't look repentful.
"You're a pretty girl, nee...Mi-Hime? What if I was less of a gentleman? I would steal you away, and never take you back to your Okachan and Otochan, would I? You should learn to be careful with boys. You're only going to get prettier…" A large percent of these words were not registered by Ayami's brain. In fact, after the words 'pretty girl' it was all over.
'He thinks I'm pretty! PRETTY! PRETTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTY! He's my boyfriend, he's my boyfriendboyfriendboyfriendboyfriend!'
Kakashi could see his words were having little effect and in fact, he had the distinct impression...he was making things worse. So he picked her up and started to carry her home.
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The Hokage himself answered the door. "So, it looks like you've had a little run-in Kakashi! When shall I announce the wedding?" he said laughing.
Kakashi laughed himself, "I think I'm a little old for this one, ne? Other younger boys deserve a chance."
The Hokage laughed his deep belly laugh. "Kisssing is about the only thing you can do with her right now anyway! You'll have to wait until she's about three times her current age to marry her! But you wait Kakashi, maybe you'll live to brag about this!"
Ayami did not want to leave his arms, and this was understandable, considering how hard she had worked to get there.
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The days flew by, a lovely spring turning into a golden summer and into a beautiful fall. Kiba didn't eat lunch with her anymore, realizing that at this age he was supposed to be eating with boys. Also Naruto had opened up a little. His visits to her home were always special, her family worked very hard to make him feel welcome. So while he stared at her grandfather in a strange way, it wasn't bad...just strange and it was easily ignored. The boys at school had gone from taunting to ignoring, and while Ayami would have preferred the isolation she could tell Naruto didn't. She tried hard to make him happy, but one friend in a sea of avoidance did not help much.
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The village of course, being the size that it was, had heard all about Kakashi's run in with the Hokage's grandchild. He was teased without mercy, but he didn't seem to care too much and always smiled at her now. Her heart fluttered each time, and she discussed these things endlessly with her grandmother and the older women of the village at tea ceremonies. She told them about the other's girl's obsession with a boy named Sasuke, but they all agreed with her that she had chosen a much better man. In fact, they visibly fanned themselves more whenever the subject of Kakashi came up. They laughed as they said, "Oh Mi-chan! The luckiest girl in the village! Kakashi her first kiss!" It was just something to talk about as usual, but still very fun for these women. Sometimes it was difficult to see the shinobi that they had once been, for they gossiped just like all the other old women. Her grandmother was the only one who had not been a shinobi. It was said that was because the Hokage was so great, that for him to find a female shinobi that he admired and loved would have been impossible, so he married a girl with the greatest house skills in all the land instead. Then they say her kindness tempered his fighting spirit and that's what caused their only child to become a medical ninja. Now the village looked to the grandchildren, to see what would happen in this new generation.
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Ayami sat at lunch with Tenten as usual under the fall foliage. She was contemplating her encounter and talking about it with Tenten. Tenten had admitted to liking no one so far, but sometimes Ayami caught her peeking at the boys, as if trying to decide. 'This is so wonderful! School is wonderful! I have a best friend! It's my favorite season...and I KISSED KAKASHI.'
"Um, Mi-chan? How did you know he was handsome? His face is always covered."
"...can't you just...tell?"
It seemed she would never get over it.
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Classes were going well, Ayami being interested in everything they had to learn. The seals of the shinobi, rather like the ninja alphabet. Which by the way, they were learning as well.
"Ma, mi, mu, me, mo! Now everyone copy these!" Little scratchings could be heard, as the students obediently followed their teacher's lead. Naruto looked a little confused, but Kiba was totally asleep next to Ayami.
"Ne, Kiba-kun..." she said while poking him, "You haven't learned this yet...you can't sleep through it!" He rolled over a bit, but eventually starting waking up and working. 'It's like this almost everyday...He never pays attention, but still maintains his grades. I hate that...' But then he sleepily thanked her. Ayami smiled. Perhaps he was not so bad after all.
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Until one day.
The year had ended, and they now had Iruka as a teacher. They were reviewing the Transformation Jutsu, a Jutsu that most had mastered because it had been one of the first jutsu taught to them. Naruto was up and having trouble. As usual the class started laughing, and Kiba revived complaining. Then he saw Naruto messing up and began laughing along with the rest of the class. Even Tenten was reduced to helpless giggles. Ayami did not laugh, did not smile. Everyone had trouble once in a while, why did they have to pick on Naruto? She glared a little at Tenten, who hide her smile shamefully. Then she glared at Kiba. He saw her look of concentrated hate. He stopped, but still smiled. "What's wrong?" she whispered through the noise, "Realized the cruelty of your actions?"
"No..." he said, "But I need someone to wake me up during important lessons, ne?" She turned her head away, frowning. She had no reply, and the laughter of the room drown out her thoughts until...
"It doesn't matter! Someday I'll be Hokage, and you'll all respect me!"
Well, well well. That's explains why he stared so strangely at her grandfather.
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"Okachan! Okachan!"
"What, darling?" she said, slightly exasperated. Her baby brother, Taiki had been born awhile ago, but her mother was older now, and with three other children, she had become a little exhausted. Even ninja mommies have their limits. "Guess what Okachan? You know how Naruto always stares so at Dede?"
"Yeeeeeeees?"
"Well, he wants to be Hokage! Just like Dede!"
Her mother looked thoughtful at this. "Well, that's wonderful dear. Everyone should have a dream. It gives them motive to live and work." Ayami looked puzzled at this. She had already fulfilled her dream. I mean, after kissing Kakashi...what else was there? Well, maybe marriage, but...
"Don't you have a dream, my little Mi-chan?"
"I...I don't know."
"That's okay...your only nine, after all. Give it time."
"Yes...Okachan."
She was a little disturbed after this, and wandered outside. She kept wandering until she was deep in the forest, not really thinking where she was going. She sat down, looking dazed. 'A dream? A hope? I have none. What does this mean? What am I going to do?' She started going crazy, pulling her hair and clothes. She finally tired herself enough for her to lie on the ground, quietly drifting off to sleep.
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She was being licked. She had never been licked. Maybe it was one of Tsu-chan's tricks...no longer a baby and still bald... 'AHHH!' This was no human tongue, it was rough! "Wha...?" It was a large dog, bigger than her, and bigger than it's companion.
"Eh, Mi-chan! Guess I'm the one doing the waking up now!" Kiba smiled with his teeth very exposed, and very canine like.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, polite.
"Walking the family dog."
"Shouldn't you have your own by now? I mean, you are apart of the Inuzuka clan."
He sat down, making a thump as he landed. "Nah, but soon!"
Ayami nodded, and then sunk into silence, resting her chin just below her knees. She started to lose focus of where she was once more, but then...
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, really. Well, nothing you can help with."
"Really? Try me."
"No!"
"Look like I'm getting to you. Been trying to do that for a while now." He smiled, "I bet it's what Naruto said, today isn't it?" She looked away, trying to hide the red in her cheeks, trying to hide the fact that he was right. "Hey, you look like me now. That red on your cheeks." She turned to him, redder than ever. "Maybe you should have been apart of my clan...it suits you." Then he got up, turning his face away. "You know...I have a question then. How come...how come you always defend Naruto?
She looked at him now. "Well, you know my...grandmother, right?" He looked interested. "She's not a...a shinobi. And she's foreign. When my grandfather married her...there was this big uproar." She stood up now too. "The other women were constantly cruel to her, asking why such a man married such a woman. They taunted her about her lack of ability, and her trouble with their language but I think in reality...they were jealous."
"I've heard..."
"Because she was the most beautiful, and the most skilled at homemaking. As they got older, and also needed to learn to do such things for their children and family, they came to her with a different attitude...asking for help. She helped them, but never taught anyone everything she knew...except my mother." He looked blank now. "I guess that's kinda weird...sorry." He turned away.
"See you in class."
She felt better later, after passing Kakashi in the street, having him smile at her, then turn into a residential building. Oh yes, she now knew where Kakashi lived.
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The years passed, and Ayami forget about having a dream. She was content with good grades, and doing the best that she could. After a few more ambushes Kakashi also passed out of favor, and it was yet another thing the village teased him for. They claimed it must have been due to aging. One certainly couldn't keep the attention of young ladies forever now, could they? Though Ayami blushed sometimes when she walked by, she must have been more discreet about it, or people assumed she was just embarrassed of her behavior as a child. Ayami did not care much, and soon lost interest in boys, even to the point where she became slightly disgusted with romantic interests. However she continued to be kind to Naruto. Although she also blushed whenever he used the Sexy Jutsu. Its long hair bore a distinct resemblance to her own light brown locks.
Taiki even had grown up a little. He was previously taken with also becoming Hokage, but then all of a sudden, began following Naruto around. He was definitely taking to whatever Naruto was saying to him, working harder than ever in school. She didn't like to judge someone who really hadn't done something but...she didn't like that Ebisu-san.
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Soon graduation was at hand. She passed easily, due to her dedication to learning jutsu so completely. Naruto had seemed to have some trouble, but passed later. She understood it had something to do with a scroll and Iruka, but he seemed so much happier afterwards she didn't ask many questions. It was now time to be put into groups, and she crossed her fingers that Tenten, and someone else tolerable was in her group.
"Alright class! You have been divided into groups of three! These groups are not random, and are meant to bring the most advancement for all!" said Iruka. "Group 1!" and he proceeded. Tenten was not chosen, and the most annoying went first. Ayami had high hopes. Then...
"Group 5! Rock Lee! Hinata Hyuuga! Tenten!" Darn...
"Group 7...Uzumaki Naruto! Haruno Sakura! Uchiha Sasuke!"
'Poor Naruto...with that annoying girl, and that...'
"Nekoi Ayami! Kiba Inuzuka! Aburame Shino!"
'Darn...boys...'
"Class will now dismiss! Report here tomorrow at 8:00 to meet with your new teachers!"
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Tenten and Ayami were walking home together, quiet and most definitely a little sad. "Don't worry..." Tenten started, "We'll see plenty of each other! And if we become chuunin quickly, we could be sent on missions together!"
Ayami smiled, "Right! We should learn from these teams, and become strong! We can always still be friends!" They smiled at one another and then ran home, happy from their promise.
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Kiba had gotten a puppy a little while before, and it was barking happily as they waited for their teacher. It was awfully cute, but Ayami doubted that he let even so much as pet it. So cute, cute little tail wagging...
"Neeee, Mi-chan what are you doing?" Kiba was looking at her outstretched hand.
She drew her hand back quickly. "Ahh...ah...nothing!" He gave her a look that clearly said that he didn't think so. She looked away, but just then the door opened.
"Group 8! Kurenai Sensei is here for you!"
Shino hadn't said anything up until this point. As their new teacher spoke to them, Ayami thought 'What is with this silence! It's driving me nuts!' Kiba looked as if he agreed. He did speak when asked his name, but seem distracted underneath his dark glasses. But at least silence was better than smell...that Kiba smelled like his dog! He probably bathed as often. Kurenai Sensei looked as she agreed with that. "You will all report here tomorrow! And Kiba, you will take a bath before that time!"
"Whattttttt! I smell like Akamaru! The best smell in the whole world!" And the little dog yipped to that.
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The three were walking home, quiet, thinking of tomorrow. "What do you think we have to do tomorrow?" Kiba said to Shino. He adjusted his glasses and shrugged his shoulders. Ayami shook her head, wondering at all if this would be a pleasant experience. One smelly boy and one silent one. She was poked out of these thoughts once more by Kiba. "What do you think?"
"I think...we should just try to work together. Whatever it is." Shino actually nodded at this.
"That's right..." he said. Ayami smiled at that, "Well, at least as long as Kiba remembers to take a bath!" Then she burst out laughing, and Shino even started to chuckle. Kiba began protesting, which made them just laugh harder. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
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Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto
Notes for the Reader
• Ayami has no meaning, but is a name in Japanese.
• The Hokage and his family have been replaced by another. But a majority of the storyline is intact.
• All characters are kept in character as possible.
• Neji has been removed in order to make room for Ayami.
• Tenten's and Lee's ages have been changed.
• The name Anana and Dede mean 'Grandmother' and 'Grandfather' respectively. These are Turkish words.
• Taiki means 'Sunshine', Hikarinotsu means 'Light of the Moon' and Hikarinohi means 'Light of the Sun.' The Hikari names are based off of Turkish names, Ayla and Aysem.
• Please review!