Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I do own my original character, Yuki, though

Summary: Who is this friend of Naruto's? What's her connection to Gaara? And what's this? Sasuke's falling for her?

Prologue:

"Congradulations, Yuki, you passed"

Iruka-sensei said, smiling proudly, as he presented a forehead protector bearing the leaf village symbol to a young girl who looked no more than 9 years old.

The said girl stared down at her forehead protector, a symbol of her new gennin status. Her crystal cerulean eyes sparkled briefly with unknow emotion.

"I do not want it"

Yuki stated calmly, pressing the forehead protector into the hands of a shocked Iruka-sensei.

"Demo....why Yuki? You are one of the most talented shinobi I've taught in years!"

Iruka-sensei thought back to the final test, a buushin no jutsu as always. Every passing gennin had been able to make at least 2 buushins, but this small-looking girl had made 10 buushins in just one try.

"Why don't you want to pass?" Iruka-sensei asked, puzzled.

"He is the reason why"

Yuki's eyes drifted towards the window, where a lonely blonde boy sat on a crudely made swing, staring at all the other kids with their forehead protector on.

"Naruto-kun was not able to pass this year, and I do not want to be on any other team other than his" Yuki's tone sounded firm and determined.

Iruka-sensei inwardly sighed. Who would have thought that this year's number one rookie would refuse the status of gennin because of a loud and obnoxious blonde boy?! He was aware of their friendship inside the academy, but he hadn't though it would have this kind of effect. He is getting a headache.

"I wish to pass alongside Naruto-kun. My mind has been made up."

"Very well then. You will go back to the academy. Although I must say that it is a waste of talent."

"It doesn't matter."

Quickly forming a set of seals, Yuki disappeared from the test room.

"Naruto-kun"

cerulean blue eyes met crystal cerulean eyes.

Naruto's eyes flashed a bit of pain

"Ano...Yuki-chan, gomen nasai, I failed"

Naruto tried to sound at least semi-cheerful, hiding his pain of failure under chuckles, to lighten the mood of the atmosphere. But his throat was dry, and his voice came out hoarse and bitter.

"Naruto-kun, look closely"

"Eh?"

"See? no forehead protector" Yuki pointed to her forehead

"Eh? But how could you not pass, Yuki-chan?"

"Nevermind that, I am still here with you, and that is all that matters" Yuki smiled sweetly.

Naruto felt his stomach turnover. He had an idea of what happened. And he was glad that he had Yuki with him, his only true friend who won't abandon him no matter what.

"Yuki-chan?"

"Nani?"

"Arigatou"

Yuki patted Naruto's head.

"Naruto-kun?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you still remember that promise we made to each other, four years ago?"

Naruto grinned

"How could I not?"

errr...this might be a cliffhanger....haha a bit of clarification, Naruto is 9 years old in the prologue who is this Yuki? you will find out soon in the upcoming chapters

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