Naruto had fought with all his might to protect Tsunade. And she in turn had saved him. The young man hadn't even been aware just how close to death's door he had come.

It was the next day that he opened his eyes. The sun was brightly shining through the window. He realized he'd probably been out for almost an entire day. Seconds after waking three faces invaded his field of vision. The pervert Hermit, the old hag and Shizune. All three of them were showing clear concern on their faces.

For now Naruto ignored their concern and pushed up to a sitting position. He looked around him through half closed eyes as he swayed slightly from left to right. Shizune held out her hands, ready to support him if he were to fall. It was at this point that the blonde realized that his body didn't feel quite normal. Like some of the parts of his body were missing.

"Huh? What happened?" He asked in a soft voice. Softer than he had intended.

"Orochimaru managed to poison you." Jiraya replied.

"How are you feeling? Are you having trouble breathing? Are you in any pain?" Tsunada asked.

He was groggy enough not to even care why these questions were being asked. He just answered. "No. My body feels a bit odd, it's like everything is a bit off. But it doesn't hurt."

"That's good." Tsunade said. She seemed relieved, but not as relieved as Naruto would have hoped.

"Is there something wrong with me?" He asked as he reached to his throat, wondering what was wrong with his voice. "Are you playing a prank on me?"

"I wish this was just a prank." Jiraya said with a sigh.

Tsunade shot Jiraya a glare and then turned back to Naruto, gently placing her hands on his shoulders. "Everything is going to be fine. Your life isn't in any danger. And though I haven't found a way to fight Orochimaru's poison yet, I am sure I can undo the effects."

"Fight the poison?" Naruto asked. "What poison? What effects?" Now he was starting to panic.

"Relax Naruto, I'll tell you if you calm down." Tsunade tried.

"There is something wrong with me and I don't even know what it is! How do you expect me to calm down, you old hag?" Naruto screeched back at her.

The female Senin's grip on Naruto's shoulders tightened and a vein popped on her forehead. "Shizune. Show Naruto the mirror." She said in a low voice.

"But Tsunade… you said." Shizune objected.

"Just do it." Tsunade repeated.

The mirror was already in the room, but it was positioned so that it was facing one of the walls. Naruto hadn't really thought twice about it before but now he was really starting to freak out. There was clearly something very wrong with him. He stared at the mirror as Shizune turned it around, preparing himself for the worst.

'I've turned into some sort of abomination. A monster that isn't fit to be seen out on the streets.' He grit his teeth as finally his reflection was revealed.

His skin wasn't blue, green or purple. He hadn't grown any tentacles or additional limbs. He had one nose, one mouth, two eyes. On first glance everything looked normal. He sighed lowering his gaze as he felt the tension leave his body. "Don't freak me out like that." Naruto complained.

"Perhaps you should take a closer look." Tsunade proposed.

He arched an eyebrow and gave Tsunade a puzzled look before he did as she suggested. This time he inspected his reflection thoroughly. He noticed first that his facial features had softened. Neither his nose nor his jaw line were as distinctive as they had been before. It was only when he inspected the rest of his body that he noticed what had happened. Wider hips, a thin waist and breasts. Nothing like Tsunade's, but breasts all the same.

"I'm a-a-a gi-girl?" Naruto asked. "What? But how?"

Tsunade smiled at first, but her smile soon faded. "The poison Orochimaru injected you with must be what caused the change." She explained.

"Can you change me back?" Naruto asked in a panic.

"I'm already working on a cure. I'm certain there is a way to turn you back I just haven't found it yet." Tsunade explained.

"When we get to Konoha she'll figure something out. If there is a way to turn you back, Tsunade will find it." Jiraya added.

Naruto looked down at his or her chest, still a little confused. Sure she had used his ninjitsu to appear as a girl in the past, but actually physically being one was a little different. Still. The change wasn't permanent and Tsunade would probably find a way to change her back in no time at all. It didn't take long for her mind to seek out the benefits of his situations.

"So. Once you turn me back I should be normal again, right?" Naruto asked.

Tsunade nodded her head. "I'm all but certain that once I find a cure that turning you back to normal should come with little to no risks."

A grin appeared on Naruto's face. "That's fine then."

The three adults were dumb-founded. They had not expected her to take the news so well.

Naruto turned to the three. "Let's head back home! Back to Konoha."

Naruto was already plotting to use this situation to her advantage. She could fool Kakashi, Sasuke and all the others. Though… there was Sakura to consider. Naruto did not want to meet the girl of his dreams while he himself was actually a she. 'It'll work out. I'll just pull a few pranks on those guys. Maybe get a glance at Kakashi's face and then I'll get Tsunade to cure me before anyone figures out what's going on. This is going to be fun.'