Hi, this is my first attempt at writing here in fanfiction, not English native speaker so if I do have some grammar or punctuation mistakes, hope you could tell me so I can improve and change. I will try to maintain the characters as close to the original, the thing is that some things in the plot must change. I decided to insert at the end an OC as main character because I was very attracted to one idea regarding the secret jutsus.

I hope someone out there likes it or at least it serves to entertain. If not, well everyone has a right to think differently. This chapter will be in my OC perspective, the others would probably be different, you have to wait for her description in the next chapter to come.

Oh, I almost forgot, Naruto obviously is not mine, it is the masterpiece of Kishimoto, no copyright intended so let me be.

Chapter 1. Welcome

Soft. Something warm surrounded me in the darkness, it take me a while to realize that my eyes were closed. I felt too tired to blink, breathing was a painful task, few sounds could be heard. The wind was cold, it made me shiver but also it reminded me of how hungry I was. It smelled delicious so I tried to stand but a shock of nausea made me cry.

"No, no wait. Don't move"

Terrified I opened my eyes just to close them again in pain. "Why do everything hurt?" Trying again, I blinked a couple of times until I could see clearly. The first thing to catch my eye was a tanned boy close to me. His eyes were so bright it made me think of the sunset, a black mask covered part of his mouth, and his shimmering silver hair was a mess. Dressed in a black shirt that seemed too huge for him and a tattoo partially exposed in his left shoulder. I couldn't watch if clearly because all of the sudden his hand was in my cheek.

"Glad you came back, or my efforts would have been meaningless"

His voice was a bit low, he seemed exhausted and I couldn't move. Even if he looked harmless I couldn't relax. "Do I know him? Why can't I recognize his voice? Where am I?" my head throbbed the more I thought about it. A cold fabric touched my forehead, even if I tried to resist my tears started to flow and I shivering uncontrollably.

"Sorry… please, hang on" his voice was tender and soft but I couldn't care at the moment.

"S-Stop…" He just came closer and subdued me easily with one hand. I was too tired to fight, to angry with this strange boy and so helpless. My mind was a mess of thoughts I couldn't tame so I cried silently until he pulled himself away from me.

"You cry too much for my liking" He cocked his head to one side and frowned. I moved my head to avoid his eyes. "What is wrong?"

Not sure if asking was a good idea, I turned to face him completely, slowly at first, until he lend me a hand. I stiffened, he noticed, silence engulfed us for what it seem an hour.

"Ca-Can you… remember?" He asked calmly, suspiciously almost.

"Remember, what?" I couldn't help it, Whether from pain or confusion… I began to panic just a bit, Holding the bed sheet, trying to search for something in my memory. "Maybe if I start with simple things..."

"Wait, just breathe or else we will..." The sound of the door cut off my concentration, a men with black spiky hair, black eyes and two scars in his left side, one above his eye and the other in his cheek entered just then. His clothes were strange to me, a green pine vest with a red circle in spiral. I tensed a bit when he came next to us, too close to my confort. Just noticing he carried a food tray next to me.

"Sorry, the time is up. You have to go now."

"But she can't..." The boy was interrupted.

"She is waiting for you outside" His smooth voice was calm, placing a hand in the boy and a tiny smile for both of us. The boy was scowling now, looking me with those golden eyes, I wasn't sure if he was mad at me or him but I kind of wanted him to stay. As soon as he disappeared the man turned his attention to me.

"Does your body still hurts?" I just nodded, eyeing the food discreetly.

"It is for you, but let me help you" He didn't give me time to refuse, as I felt his hands surround me. Now in a better position I took the first plate carefully and tasted it. "So warm and tasty… This soup is like heaven" My stomach rumbled so loud, the man started to laugh.

"Take your time " Honestly I was delighted to have something to eat, it made me wonder how much time I was… sleeping? He took a book out of his vest, his posture and calm voice made me think that maybe he was a good person.

"Sir, where I am?" I inquired, cocking my head in a puzzled way.

"In the hospital of our village" He started writing something, but I was happy that he was answering me. "I am Shikaku Nara, hope you feel better now"

"Was I sick?"

"Indeed, you were in a bad condition, your friends were worried"

"Friends?" I countered with curiosity.

He nodded solemnly "The young boy and the woman, we found you in the forest and brought you here. Do you remember anything of what happened?"

I had just finished eating, my eyes dropped sadly, trying to avoid his eyes. "If only I knew..."

"What is the last thing you remember?"

I glanced nervously around the room, now that I noticed it really looked comfortable,I take my time to think of it, he was so polite and gentle, the feeling made me grasp something.

"A dark place, shouts and lot of trees… someone with a white mask, a boy I think, then..." I touched my forearm searching for something, frowning because nothing more came to my thoughts.

"It's fine, don't push yourself young lady."

"Am.. Nara-san. Do I have a home?" I inquired curiously as I stared outside the wide window.

"It depends, would you like to meet our Hokage-sama?" I tilted my head, not a clue of who he was talking. "Hokage-sama is a gentle man, I think you would like him. He is outside, the truth is he wants to meet you… are you alright with that?"

Trusting in him I nodded, he smiled, soon an old man with an odd triangular hat and a comfortable smile in his face entered, it made me relax just a bit.

"Thank you Shikaku-san, that is all for now"

As soon as he said goodbye I clutched the covers a bit, feeling a bit nervous.

"Hi, Hokage-sama?" I replied a bit unsure.

"Nice to meet you, Kaoru-chan." Again, I tilted my head. He laughed softly.

"You are smaller than I thought." Frowning I pouted a bit offended.

"Sorry, it's just someone described you a bit different"

"Who?"

"A fellow ninja described you to be a brave and strong girl. Your friends were ambushed by rogue shinobis on your way, fortunately one team come to your aid in time. One was very impressed with you"

I was so engrossed in his words that I drew a bit closer to him, so I could hear more, he smiled and touched my head.

"Why?"

"In few words, even if little you helped everyone at the end. Because of that we brought you here to treat all of you."

"How are they?" I asked a bit worried, blinking a few times feeling a bit tired.

"Much better, the truth is they were waiting for you to wake up. Don't worry, you can see them later. I wanted to ask you something first"

"What is it?" stretching out a hand to touch his hat.

"Do you want to go or stay here?" he straightened far from my reach.

"... if...if I stay, then what?" Truth is, I was curious of where I was, I wanted to explore as soon as I could feel my legs again.

"Then, all of you will have a home here, judging by your age you can start in the ninja academy, make some friends and learn. Does it sound nice?"

"...But if they don't want to?" It made me wonder if the boy and the lady will leave, they seem to know me, or at least the boy.

"They let you choose… so what you say?" the old man inquired.

Rubbing my eyes, I felt sleepy and tired, "Thank you, Hokage-sama"

"Sarutobi is fine. Why don't you sleep then meet your friends later?" He was very gentle and covered me while I yawned, it felt kind of familiar this moment I couldn't remember why.

"Welcome to Konohagakure, Kaoru" His voice was soft, and it made me kind of happy. The last thing I see was him leaving and a masked white person in the door.