A/N: I know what you're thinking (that being something along the lines of 'WTF OMG why are you starting another fic?'), and my answer is the same as when I started Requiem of the Fallen. Like a lot of other authors, while writing my ficlets plot bunnies pop up occasionally, which is the case you see here. Unfortunately, this particular plot bunny made me write out a whole family tree PLUS this fic to satisfy my curiosity. Now, that's not to say I've given up writing my other two Naruto ficlets, but until I can get this concept out of my system updates to the other two will have to come later.

Changes from Canon:

~Uchiha Massacre never happened

~Graduation age for the Academy is 16, not 12

~A few other things that you'll just have to read to find out what they are

Anyways, here's the key and disclaimer:

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any other anime/manga that I draw inspiration from.

Key:

"This be talking."

'This be thinking'

"Bijuu/Higher Being speech"

'Bijuu/Higher Being thought'

Jutsus will be Italicized and Underlined

Flashbacks are in Italics only

**This chapter is currently Un-Beta'd**

Note: Just a little intro/explanation about this fanfic, one of the things that always bugged me about the Naruto Manga/Anime was the existence of the Clan Restoration Act (correct me if I'm wrong?), and yet the Namikaze 'clan' only had Minato and Kushina as a pair. Whether this was because they all died out, Minato was an orphan, or whatever, this is basically the case in every ficlet that has the MinaKushi pairing, whether it be the main one or otherwise. Well this is where this fic draws its basis from, but first a little relevant background information. In canon Hyuuga Hizashi and Hiashi were brothers, with the latter being born first, and subsequently being put in the main branch of the Hyuuga Clan. This relation stays the same here, but the change happens on Hiashi's wife's side of the family (Henceforth Hiashi's wife will be referred to as Hitomi). In this ficlet Hitomi has a sister (Naomi), who is/was married to Minato (in addition to Kushina being his wife), hence the application of the C.R.A.

As for the generation after Minatos (Naruto's canon generation), Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji all still exist, and Minato/Kushina's daughter (Natsuki) is still the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki. But this story's heroine (Female Naruto) is none of the above.

Story Start:

Sunday, 11:00, Konohagakure no Sato; Hyuuga Clan Compound, Private Training Grounds

It was a bright sunny morning, and, if one were to listen carefully from outside the Hyuuga Clan Compound walls, it would have sounded like a battle royale was taking place in the Hyuuga's private training grounds. However, while there was a spar going on, it was a far cry from what it sounded like. In fact, there were only two people going at it; Neji and Naru Hyuuga, both established prodigies at the Gentle Fist style of hand-to-hand combat, though Naru was a year younger than Neji.

Currently, Naru was on the defensive, making full use of her feminine flexibility to weave in between her opponent's attacks like a fish swimming through water. Twisting her torso to avoid a right-handed palm thrust, she bent backwards so all four of her hands and feet were on the ground, seamlessly dodging the followup high sweep-kick from Neji. Then, in a highly acrobatic display she pushed off the ground, performing a handspring whilst simultaneously managing to clock her sparring partner in the chin with the tip of her left foot.

Perspiration glistened on her forehead as she arched through the air, her battle sandals kicking up a small amount of dust as she landed in a crouch. Hastily drawing some shuriken from the holster on her right thigh, she let them fly, forming hand seals immediately after the final shuriken had left her hand.

"Kage Shuriken no Jutsu!" She called out, multiplying the few shuriken she had thrown into a wall of razor-sharp steel.

Of course, since she was facing Neji, Naru had no doubt that he would block her technique with Kaiten; in fact she was planning on him doing just that. But before she could charge in and go on the offensive, the sound of clapping reached her ears.

Standing off on the sidelines was none other than Hyuuga Hiashi, the Hyuuga Clan Head, Neji's uncle and Naru's adoptive father.

"That's enough for now, you two." Hiashi called out while walking towards the two young combatants, still clapping. "Though I must say, that was a very impressive spar. Although Naru, had your foot not connected with Neji's chin, your flank would have been left open while in the air. A small mistake, but an important one nonetheless. I won't tell you not to do that maneuver again, as it's good to branch out in your techniques, but next time you should focus on drawing some kunai or shuriken while in the air, rather than after landing."

"Hai Tou-san..." Naru said with a sigh as she accepted one of the two towels he handed to them.

"So what's the score now?" Hiashi asked, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly as he smiled. Glancing sidelong at Neji for a moment while they trudged back towards the interior of the compound, she turned back to the Hyuuga clan head.

"We're tied now; 27 wins to 27 wins and 54 ties I think."

"It's 28 to 28 actually, though you're correct about the ties..." Neji said, a small smile popping onto his face as Naru stuck out her tongue at him playfully. Hiashi merely shook his head at their antics.

"Well, regardless of what the scores are, I'm happy with both of your growth. Neji, Hizashi wanted you for something; you'll have to ask him what that something is, though, as he didn't bother to tell me." Neji nodded, handing his towel back to the Hyuuga clan head before heading off towards the branch family side of the compound.

"Now as for you, Naru, why don't you go cool off and take a shower? I'm sure Hitomi and the branch family members will have lunch ready by the time you get cleaned up."

"Hai Hiashi..."

15 minutes later...

Naru sighed, closing her eyes as she let the shower water caress her scalp and backside. A small smile played across her face as she ran her hands through her golden blonde hair, arching her back to make sure each and every strand got properly wet. Once satisfied with her hair's state of being, she opened her pupil-less, cerulean Byakugan eyes, grabbing her personal bottle of shampoo from where it lay at the side of the shower stall. Humming tunelessly to herself, she let her thoughts drift as she lathered the shampoo into her hair.

Hinata had caught her before she started her shower, letting her know that Hiashi had invited guests over for lunch. Somehow Naru couldn't help but sigh once more, letting the cascading water rinse away what soap still covered her lithe body. Having guests over for a meal wasn't a bad thing in itself, but, knowing her father, it was bound to be someone important. Now, while Naru wasn't exactly a fan of formal gatherings, she wasn't about to blow this occasion off. It was merely...troublesome, as her classmate Nara Shikamaru would say.

Shivering slightly as she stepped out of the shower stall and onto the cool bathroom floor, Naru proceeded to bind her perky C-cup breasts in place with medical tape. While not exactly a standard procedure when combined with her formal kimono, she found that it was better than the alternative; it was preferable to have the tape then to have her nipples stiffen in slight arousal every time the fabric of her kimono brushed against them. Some girls might have liked the feeling, but she found it distracting when trying to hold a conversation.

Anyways, once she had slipped into her orange flowered kimono, she tied it closed with a matching orange sash about her waist. Giving herself a once-over to make sure her clothing was presentable, she paused in front of the ornate mirror hanging above the sink in order to place her shoulder-length blonde locks into a neat bun. Completing the ensemble with two chopsticks between her scalp and the rest of her hair, she sighed slightly. Next on her list of things to do was cosmetics; a touch of eye shadow to the corners of her eyes, and a light smattering of lipstick across her pink lips. Normally she'd skip the cosmetics entirely, opting to leave her hair down as well, but with guests coming over for lunch she had to look her best.

Typically lunch was a serve yourself kind of affair at the Hyuuga clan compound, so it was with some apprehension that Naru slipped on her outdoor sandals, before sliding open the traditional paper door and stepping out onto the central patio. To her surprise, however, the 'guests' Hiashi had invited were none other than the main family of the Uchiha clan; namely the patriarch Fugaku, his wife Mikoto, and their two sons Itachi and Sasuke. Now, unlike the elders of the Hyuuga clan, who were ingrained in the old ways, Naru held no animosity towards any of the Uchiha family. Sure, she enjoyed a friendly rivalry with Sasuke in the academy, but there was no hostility between her specifically and the Uchihas. Granted, this was because of the way she was raised, but that is another story entirely.

Also seated at various intervals around the circular table in the center of the patio were Hiashi, Hitomi, Hinata and Hanabi, each wearing splendid outfits that accentuated their eyes and hairstyles. Seeing as she was the last one to arrive, Naru bowed and apologized for her lateness during a lull in the conversations going around before taking the open seat in between Itachi and Sasuke.

"Now that everyone is here, I'd like to propose a toast." Hiashi said after a few more minutes of light banter. "To peace and prosperity!"

"To peace and prosperity! Kanpai!"

After clinking glasses with her two neighbors Naru took a hearty swig of milk (A/N: Hanabi/Naru/Sasuke/Hinata haven't graduated the academy yet, so no sake just yet), before serving herself a medium-sized plate full of food. Since this wasn't exactly a special occasion (other than being a friendly get-together), almost all of the various foodstuffs were supposed to be served cold, with only the roasted meats and vegetables being served hot. Still, it was a hearty affair, what with the platters of various hot and cold foods being placed on a multi-tiered platform in the center of the circular table. Said platform was also capable of being spun, so everyone could pick and choose what foods they wanted without having to get up from where they were seated.

As was her nature at these kinds of gatherings, Naru didn't speak much during the meal, instead opting to quietly eat and listen as her neighbors and those across from her wove tales of adventures they'd had and so forth. Of course, she'd reply if spoken to directly, but otherwise she was content to merely bask in the presence of her friends and family.

Everyone was about finished with their respective meals when Fugaku turned to Hiashi and whispered something in his ear. Naru wasn't close enough to hear what the Uchiha Patriarch was saying, but it became apparent soon after, as Fugaku stood up after getting a confirming nod from the Hyuuga clan head. The onyx-eyed man waited until he had everyone's undivided attention before speaking, his deep voice carrying easily across the patio.

"Sorry for interrupting whatever conversations you all had going, but I'd just like to take the time to say thank you to Hiashi and his family for making this get-together possible."

His opening words were met with a torrent of applause.

"Now I know our families have had their differences in the past..." Everyone else nodded, conceding his point. "...But it's gatherings like these that help bring us closer together, if not as family then at least as friends."

Fugaku paused in his speech, looking over both families to give the illusion that he was meeting everyone's eyes.

"I won't bore you all with the finer details of why I think this is so, as that would be needless rambling. However, there may come a time when some or all of us head off to war, be it against Kumo, Iwa, or even our ally Suna. It is during such times that we must put aside our differences and work together. So it is with great pleasure that I say these gatherings are progress in the right direction."

Here he leaned down to converse a little bit with Hiashi and Hitomi, before standing back up with a wide grin plastered on his face.

"...And it seems we're on for next Sunday for dinner, this time at the Uchiha compound!"

This time, everyone cheered.

Sunday 21:30, Konohagakure no Sato; Hyuuga Clan Compound, Naru's Bedroom

Naru hastily covered up a yawn, a tired smile gracing her face as she trudged upstairs, slipping out of her kimono and into some sleepwear once she reached her bedroom. The merrymaking with the Uchihas had lasted almost all the way until dinner time, so there was little doubt in her mind that she would sleep soundly tonight. Still, she had her graduation exam at the Academy tomorrow, so it wouldn't do to be lacking in the sleep department, hence the reason she was heading to bed at merely nine-thirty.

As she was crawling under the covers, however, she couldn't help but feel that life was about to get a whole lot more interesting, if the conversation she'd had earlier with Itachi was anything to go by...

Flashback no Jutsu

All nine of them had finished up their respective meals and were now mingling with their peers, discussing commonplace topics such as the weather and so forth. Naru and Hinata had opted to clear away the dirty platters and plates from the table, laughing and chatting quietly with each other while they worked. Normally such a task would be delegated and left to the Branch family members, but Naru and Hinata had grown up learning to take care of themselves, since most likely one or more of Hiashi's daughters would be married off into another clan for political reasons. While neither one of the girls liked the idea of such a marriage happening, there wasn't anything they could really do about it, such was the world they had been born into.

Anyways, after completing the mundane task of cleaning the dirty dishes, both girls trooped into the foyer where the Hyuuga's guests were being entertained. Here they split up; Hinata walked over to where her parents were engaged in a discussion with Fugaku and Mikoto, while Naru wandered over to where Itachi and Sasuke were playing a friendly game of shogi. The blonde-haired Hyuuga watched in contemplative silence as the two Uchiha boys thought over each move they made, at least until Itachi broached the silence with a question in her direction.

"I don't suppose I could trouble you for a game after we're finished here?"

Naru merely nodded, smiling slightly as Sasuke groaned when he lost a piece to Itachi's superior strategies. When the two boys finished their game Naru took Sasuke's place, the younger boy walking off, presumably to pester his parents about some matter or another. While Itachi rearranged the pieces back into their starting positions the young Hyuuga took the time to study her opponent. She'd been around Sasuke often enough, as they were in the same Academy class, but Itachi was something of a mystery to her. She knew he was what many considered to be a prodigy of unparalleled genius in the ninja arts, but that was about it when it came to what she knew about him.

Itachi, meanwhile, studied the young Hyuuga girl in front of him out of the corner of his eye. Like her, he knew little about his shogi opponent, only that she was the daughter of Namikaze Minato and Hyuuga Naomi, the latter of whom had died during the Kyuubi attack sixteen years ago. As for why she was raised by the Hyuugas and not her blood father, well...he had a hunch that Minato was extremely busy with his duties as Hokage, not to mention having to train Natsuki to use the Kyuubi's chakra. As far as Itachi could tell, things had happened the way they had to prevent Naru from becoming neglected by Minato and Kushina.

"So...do you want the first move, or should I...?" He asked after all the pieces were in their respective places on the board.

"Ano...why don't you start."

And so their game began. While they played they chatted about various subjects, ranging from their respective hobbies, to favorite foods, to the ninja arts. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on one's perspective, the two were about evenly matched in their shogi prowess, so the game was taking far longer than Itachi's match against Sasuke. In fact, it was taking long enough that they'd managed to draw an audience; almost everyone who remained in the foyer was watching their match, mostly because Itachi and Naru had been sitting in the same positions for over half an hour.

Like all good things, however, their battle of the minds had to come to an end, when Naru used a pincer attack to force Itachi into forfeiting. Chuckling slightly, the elder Uchiha stood up, offering a hand to his opponent, who gratefully accepted the help in rising to her feet.

"That was a very, very good match; it's not often I can find someone that can beat me in shogi. Well, someone who's not a Nara, at least." He said wryly, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly as he smiled. Naru merely shook her head, returning his smile.

"Well I'm glad I gave you a challenge. After all, it's not often I get to face someone around my skill level in this household."

"Oh? What about Hiashi? Surely he has the experience necessary to give you a good match?" Itachi asked.

"Sadly, Tou-san is too busy most of the time. Hyuuga clan matters and all that." Naru said with a frown.

"Well that's a shame; you've got a bright mind on your shoulders. Perhaps we can play again next Sunday?"

"I'd like that, actually. Though I can only hope that graduating from the Academy doesn't throw a wrench in our plans, what with missions and whatever."

This time it was Itachi's turn to shake his head.

"That won't be a problem; you'll most likely be doing training exercises for the first week after getting your Jonin instructor, so he or she can gauge your team's respective skill levels." He paused for a moment, tilting his head to the side in thought. "...Actually, I take that back. You could do some D-rank missions in the first week, but only in the later days. Unless you wind up with a really good squad, I would say you'd start doing missions approximately four days into being a newly minted team, five at the latest. And since you need at least twenty D-ranks completed to do a C-rank..."

"Right, I won't be leaving the village on a mission anytime soon."

"Exactly."

Flashback no Jutsu Kai

Unfortunately, remembering said conversation filled Naru with excitement over what would come on the morrow, enough so that she had some trouble falling asleep. Just thinking about passing her genin exams made her giddy, although she wasn't looking forward to the horrors of D-rank missons in the slightest. Still, with perseverance and time she knew she was capable of being a splendid ninja.

It was with that thought in the forefront of her mind that she finally managed to drift off to sleep, a large smile plastered on her face...

A/N: There you have it, the first chapter of my new plot bunny inspired naruto fanfic. Whether you love it or hate it, if you could follow the three R's of writing (READ/RAVE/REVIEW), that would make me one happy author. While I admit that not much happened this chapter, if you look closely you can see the seeds of a potential romance budding, though only time will tell if said romance will bear fruit.

Anyways, next up in my quest to continue writing is chapter two of this new fic, which will contain the genin exams, followed by chapter three of Requiem of the Fallen, both of which are about a quarter of the way completed as of 5/29/12. After that, well, we'll just have to see how things play out.

Here's to the plot bunnies,

-ZGS