Prologue

Blood splattered all over the walls and a gash from my wrist to half past my elbow bleeding furiously. Darkness surrounds me on all corners of the small room, with only a small flame flickering like shining star in the darkness. A body covered in blood by my feet. On the other side of the room a person standing with a kunai in their hand. Blood dropping from its tip.

I awake to the sound of Iruka Sensei's voice as he walks into the room.

Iruka: Today class we will be doing the final exam for graduation.

?: Perfect now I can become Hokage and be admired by all.

The person who just interrupted was Naruto Uzumaki, a fellow class mate. Yes his dream was to be Hokage, the person most admired in the whole village. Most think it was a silly dream but something told me that if anyone here would make it would be him. Why I think that is another story which is unknown to myself as well. Oh yeah, by the way my name is Mai Mikazuki also known as Tukiko, but don't ever call me that.

Iruka: We will now start the Final Exam. If your name is called, come to the classroom next door.

If I remember correctly the only test we need to take is the replication….

Iruka: The subject will be the replication technique.

I look around the class to see everyone acting the same. Naruto looking troubled for this was his worst technique, Hinata Hyuuga, a very shy girl who, as always, is staring at Naruto, Sakura Haruno [girl with pink hair that wears a ribbon] and Ino Yamanaka [ a blonde] drooling over Sasuke Uchiha, a very troubled looking kid. I personally had no problem with this technique, mainly because I was taught/mastered it before I even came to this village. You see I came from The Village of The New Moon, but it's gone now. Everyone was killed including my clan. Who or what killed them is beyond me, but it's all in the past now.

Iruka: Mai Mikazuki.

Sigh; there was my cue to go into the next room for another test and of course I have to be first. As one of my classmate would say: How troublesome. I exit the class and go into the next room. Sitting at a table is Mizuki Sensei and Iruka Sensei with a bunch of Leaf Village head bands in front of them.

Mizuki: Why do we give her a test?

Iruka: Protocol. Now Mai please go ahead.

I made my hands into the replication jutsu sign and multiplied. Since my mind was who knows where, I did my best. Now most people would think so what, but you don't get it. Since I mastered this technique completely, not to mention I have a lot of chakra, I can make a lot at a time if I'm not careful. Next thing I know I'm surrounded by me.

Iruka: Three would have been fine.

Mizuki: It's ok Mai. We all know you have extraordinary power, what I don't get is why you waited this long to graduate.

I quickly get rid of clones and walk up to the table. Iruka sensei hands me my headband and I quickly leave the room. I decided it ok for me to ditch class while the rest of them finish, of course that was only my opinion. I managed to sneak out a window and make my way to the front of the academy. In reality that would be the worst place to ditch to but thanks to my natural quietness I tend to fade away. I sit on the rope swing tied to the branch of the tree. This was my favorite spot at this dumb school. There are so much good memories that flow from this swing and it fills me up with joy to see how happy this swing made others, but there are many bad memories and lonely feeling from this swing. They all belonged to Naruto Uzumaki. As much as I love the happy memories I pay more attention to the sad ones. Naruto's memories contain alienation, loneliness, and the longing for someone to care about him. I've tried to talk with him but something always gets in my way. I want to help him, more than anything.

After an hour, kids started to pore out of the school. I left my seat on the swing to go lean up against the wall so it seemed like I had just gotten out like the others. Soon parents started to gather around to congratulate their children for passing. After a while everyone seemed to be out of the school and everyone was celebrating. Everyone but Naruto Uzumaki who still had his goggles on. I took a step towards him only to be stopped by voices. The people had begun to whisper. Saying, horrible things.

Parent 1: Hey, that kid is the kid. He was the only one who failed

Parent 2: Hmph. Serves him right.

Parent 1: If he becomes a ninja, it's only going to cause trouble.

Parent 2: Because he's really a…

Parent 1: Hey, it's forbidden to say anything more than that.

Such despicable people, and they weren't the only ones. I turn around to resume to make my way toward Naruto, but as soon as I turn my head he was gone. All that is left is an empty swing. I pivot my way past a family and make my way toward road. In my attempt to escape the crowd I accidently bang shoulder with someone. Normally I would have bowed and apologized but I was in a hurry. I glance the person's way only to discover it was Sasuke Uchiha. He was standing there waiting for an apology but like I said, no time. So I just continued my way, but as I walked the whispers started up again.

Parent 3: Did you see that? The outsider just ran into Sasuke Uchiha.

Parent 4: And she isn't even apologizing, ungrateful brat.

They slowly began to fade away the further I got. I was thinking of apologizing to Sasuke later but I don't think that would benefit anyone, especially me.

I made my way into the Hokage's building and let myself up into his office. Normally people would be stopped from doing this but I worked for him. I sorted stuff for him and cleaned a bit, kind of like an assistant. The reason for doing this is simply to pay for my living needs. You see when I was brought to this village by an Anbu member I had nothing. So the Hokage gave me somewhere to live and a monthly allowance to survive, but I had to work for him in exchange. And so started the many years of labor for the 3rd Hokage began.

3rd: You're late.

Mai: Sorry, I got stuck in the crowd.

3rd: I see, why did you wait this long to graduate? I hear the Anbu is ready for you to -

Mai: What do you need me to do today?

3rd: Sort out those three stacks right there. Put them into alphabetical order from A-Z. Then from right to left make them go Z-A ,A-Z, Z-A. File the 1st stack in Drawer Ab-13, 2nd in Drawer C-5, and the last in Za-16.

Mai: Got it.

It was always like this. First he'd ask me why I didn't graduate early, and although he didn't mention it, why don't I join the Anbu. When I refused to answer those questions he gives me a series of demand expecting me to mess up. I never made a single mistake when it came to these tasks, simply because my mind was trained for theses commands since when I was born. I began to sort the files accordingly starting with the first stack. It was mainly B-ranked missions. The 2nd one was composed of A-rank missions and last was the S-ranked missions. I worked fast but careful. It would take someone hours to do this normally but the trick is if you just sort the 1st and 3rd file Z-A in the beginning and file them away first the last stack would be the easiest to finish and file. Now you have to time yourself carefully since if you finish too fast the Hokage will know you skipped and bicker about how you didn't follow his exact instructions. Well, normally I would take my time to fool him but the sky was beginning to darken and I needed to finish fast, so I did.

3rd: You're done fast. You follow all my instructions

Mai: Nope. Goodnight.

3rd: Wait, Mai. There is an issue with what team you're supposed to be assigned to.

Mai: I see, and what would that be?

3rd: Your assigned to team 8, but it might change at any given time.

Mai: Is that all?

3rd: No. You need to stop holding yourself back and…

Mai: Goodnight Hokage-Sama.

I walked out of his office and began to sprint down the dirt roads that lead into the forest.

I climb into a tree a few feet from an old house and settled in on a branch high up. I leaned my back against the trunk and looked up into the sky. There was a light breeze that carried the scent of dirt and leaves. It was all so calming and refreshing. It let me escape the city and forget everything. It was a quarter moon tonight and it just had a white luminance that brought out the texture on the surface even more. It felt like the moon was so close but yet so far from my grasp. I cock my head to the right. There was a rustle in the bushes just a second ago.

As if on cue, Naruto Uzumaki appears out from behind a bush with a large scroll. He plopped down onto the grass and set the scroll onto the ground beside him. He didn't seem to notice me, more like completely oblivious to my presence. He picked up the scroll again and began to open it. He looked really concentrated as he read the writings. He set it down once again but he left it open this time. He rose from the ground and positioned himself for a jutsu. It was the replication jutsu but something was different from its usual technique. It was like he was trying to do an actual clone.

Mai: What is that scroll?

I leaned forward a little bit but I still didn't recognize it. Whatever it was, it contained jutsus for higher ranked ninja and Naruto wasn't supposed to have it. The question is how did he get it? I had to look through his memories. Now it was completely against my policy to forcibly look through another's memories in order to gain knowledge but something told me that I need to know just what he was doing. I clear my mind and slowly let his memories flow into me.

I found myself at the academy by the swing. Naruto was sitting there with the same lonely look he had this afternoon. Mizuki walks through my specter and faces Naruto. Naruto looks up at him and Mizuki begins to speak.

The memory begins to fade and I found myself back on the tree. Naruto was still practicing the clone jutsu. He plopped down once again and that's when Iruka sensei appeared. He towered over Naruto with an angry look on his face. I was too far to hear what they were saying but it seemed like Naruto was explaining what he was doing. Then in the tree above Naruto, Mizuki appeared with two large shuriken on his back. Kunai and other weapons flew at Naruto and Iruka. Iruka reacted quickly, pushing Naruto away and taking the hit himself. He was forced back against the house wall with a kunai deep in his leg. I jumped from the tree wary of how I should land in order to remain unseen. I move a couple of feet forward till they are in earshot.

Mizuki: Naruto, hand over the scroll.

Naruto: Hey… What's going on here?

Naruto look scared and worried as he looks from Mizuki to Iruka. Iruka pulls out the kunai from him leg and throws it aside.

Iruka: Naruto don't let him get the scroll no matter what. That's a dangerous scroll that has forbidden techniques. Mizuki used you so he can get a hold of it.

Naruto was on his feet now with anger all over his face. He was guarded now as he face Mizuki.

Mizuki: Naruto, Iruka is afraid of you possessing that.

Naruto: What?

Iruka: What are you saying Mizuki?! Don't believe him Naruto!

Mizuki: I'll tell you the truth

Iruka: Don't!

Mizuki: A rule was created after that incident that occurred 12 years ago.

Naruto: A rule?

Mizuki: It's a rule that only you, Naruto, cannot find out about.

Naruto: Only me? What's the rule?

Iruka: Stop Mizuki!

Iruka look desperate now, but Naruto look intrigued.

Mizuki: It's a rule not to say Naruto is a monster fox.

Naruto: What?

Naruto's eyes became wide and filled with fear. I wanted to do something but it was time he found out.

Mizuki: In other words, you are the nine-tailed demon fox who killed Iruka's parents and destroyed our village.

Iruka: Stop!

Mizuki: You have been deceived by the village people this whole time. Didn't you think it was weird for everyone to hate you so much?

Naruto: Damn it….

Naruto, with tears in his eyes, was in some sort of stance with chakra spinning around him and he screamed.

Mizuki: No one's ever going to recognize you! Even Iruka hates you!

Iruka hobbled over in pain from his injury. That's it Mizuki has gone too far, its my turn to step in. Mizuki take a shuriken from his back and spins it.

Mizuki: Die, Naruto!

He throws it. I prepare myself from the leap but Iruka's voice stops me.

Iruka: Naruto duck!

Next thing I know Iruka is hunched over Naruto with the shuriken deep in his back. Blood comes from his mouth and lands on Naruto's cheek as he looks up to his injured sensei.

Naruto: W-Why?

Iruka: Because you are the same as me. After my parent died, no one complimented or recognized me. Being the bad student I was, I screwed up a lot during class… Because I wanted everyone's attention. I couldn't get anyone's attention when I was a good student… So I acted like an idiot.

Memories flowed through me as Iruka spoke. His pain flowed into me. Tear began to fill his eyes till they spilled out tumbling down his cheeks.

Iruka: It was tough. Right, Naruto? You were lonely right? It was tough right? I'm sorry Naruto. You didn't have to feel that way if I was more aware.

Mizuki: Don't make me laugh! Iruka has hated you ever since you killed his parents! He just wants to get the scroll back.

Naruto confused, dashed from under Iruka into the forest. Iruka reaches for Naruto as he disappears.

Iruka: Naruto!

Mizuki jumps down from the tree laughing. If I want to catch up with Naruto I would need to leave now but I must make sure Iruka is alright.

Mizuki: Naruto isn't the type who will change his mind! He is going to take revenge on the village with that scroll. You saw his eyes didn't you? It was the eye of a monster fox.

Iruka removes the shuriken from his back and begins to stand up.

Iruka: Naruto wouldn't do that!

He throws the shuriken and Mizuki doges easily with a smirk.

Mizuki: As long as I kill Naruto and get the scroll, I'm okay. I'll take care of you later!

He disappears and Iruka sensei tries to follow but I jump in front of him.

Iruka: Mai?! –urgh-

Mai: Iruka, don't move.

Iruka: What are you doing here?

Mai: No time. Just stay here!

I leave him and follow Mizuki while at the same time after Naruto. I run through the trees hopping from tree branch to tree branch trying gain more speed. I finally catch up after a few minutes only to see Iruka chasing after Naruto a few branches over to my right. Something wasn't right. They both were different somehow. Then it hit me that wasn't Iruka. Just as Naruto began to leap for a tackle I already was halfway through the air, slamming into Iruka. We crash down to the ground and roll. I get on top of him and Pound my fist into his face. There is a puff of smoke and Naruto turns into Iruka and Iruka turns into Mizuki

Iruka: Mai!

I turn my attention to Iruka Sensei.

Mai: Baka! I told you to stay there!

I made a mistake. Since Iruka caught my attention I turned my back on my enemy which Mizuki took advantage of. He threw me off sending me into a tree trunk. I hit with a loud thud of my skull cracking against the bark, then slid down to the grass. My body screamed in pain but I didn't let a sound escape.

Mizuki: Bitch! Don't get cocky since you were scouted by the Anbu.

Mai: That has nothing to do with me or you.

Mizuki: Be a good girl and just stay there.

Mai: Like hell I will.

Mizuki: Why try? That monster fox is just like me he is going to destroy the village.

Mai: You're wrong. Naruto is nothing like you, he will be a better man than you will ever hope to be!

His face became twisted with anger as he reached for his last shuriken.

Mizuki: You bitch! Die!

He throws it directly at me just as I had just gotten up again. I dodged it with ease but my heads spun. It caught my right arm slightly, barely catching the skin but ripped the bandage tied to it. The bandage spun off revealing the long scar from my past. Iruka and Mizuki stared with horror and bewilderment.

Mizuki: What the hell?!

Mai: This is nothing, don't let it bother you.

Iruka: Mai… what happened to you?

Suddenly from behind a tree, Naruto come rushing towards us, tackling Mizuki.

Mai: Naruto! Get out of here!

Naruto: NO!

Mizuki: What can this demon child do!

Naruto forms his hands to do the shadow clone jutsu. Chakra surrounded him and in seconds we were surrounded by Narutos. Iruka was astonished, as well as I. He learned to make this many clones a short amount of time. He must have been studying harder than I thought. They were upon Mizuki in seconds and I used that chance to escape. I wasn't needed here anymore, I could tell by Naruto's determination in his eyes. I jump to a tree branch a couple of feet above and from there backed up even further.

Next thing I knew it was dawn. Mizuki was knocked unconscious by the Narutos and Iruka Sensei was next to Naruto. They were talking but I was too far to hear anything. Then Naruto took off his goggles and closed his eyes and Iruka Sensei took of his forehead protector and placed it on Naruto's head. When Naruto opened his eyes Iruka was smiling at him. Naruto was astonished but the jumped into Iruka's arms.

I turn away from the scene for I had seen enough. I'm glad Naruto finally was recognized by somebody even if it wasn't me. I laid my back against the trunk and let my arm hand loose in the air. I stared up at the sun as it shone brightly. Bright like the future ahead of me, at least that is what I thought.