Naruto: Memory Keeper's Lullaby

NOTE: This story takes place in the very beginning of Naruto Shippuden series. Naruto has just returned from two and half year long training and this is where my story begins.

DISCLAIMER: Hahaha, you should all know that I don't own Naruto or any characters from the series;)

RATING: I rated this story "T" because in later chapters (probably one or two), it will be actually more like "M." But except those couple, the entire story would be more like "K." Since I wasn't sure about this, I just decided to rate it as "T"

While Konoha was celebrating its old friend's return, there was yet another surprise waiting for them. It was a great day. Way too great for guards to sit around and do nothing. It was a pure miracle that they didn't fall asleep yet. Even though they were elite ninjas, nice weather and no work was too much to bear. However, all that changed when one person walked in.

"Hm?" The guard stood up. He noticed the change in atmosphere. For good or bad, he could not tell. He glanced at the nin-dog, but it didn't seem to be alert. Nonetheless, he kept a watchful eye on the gate. Soon he could see someone approaching. But…. A girl? What was a girl doing? He couldn't even the face because she was wearing the pointed hat that looked like the one for Kage. However, it didn't have any symbol of Kage and it didn't have the cloth that was used to cover the side and the back of the head. He figured that the girl was definitely not Kage because she looked too young. She was around fourteen, or fifteen, but there was something about her that made her look older.

"Halt." The guard said. The girl stopped. As she did, the wind opened her cloak a bit. He could see that she was wearing some kind of kimono that seemed to be customized in modern taste. The girl was wearing what looked like a white kimono cover-up with red outline. The cover-up only came upto her breats, revealing tight, sleeveless, turtle-neck shirt underneath. He could also see black shorts just under the cover-up. The cover-up and shorts were short. (DUH) Maybe way too short. He couldn't help blushing when he saw her slim legs shown under shorts.

"Yes?" came the answer. He hurriedly raised his gaze to her stunning dark amber eyes. She had a very delicate face, but her strong features defied that she was a helpless woman. She is definitely a shinobi, the guard thought. The determination and strength in those eyes could only be found in those of shinobi. "As a visitor, you must identify yourself and the purpose of your visit." The girl tilted her head in confusion. That was when he noticed her bright reddish brown hair, tied by white ribbon. He had no clue how long it was since it was hidden in the cloak.

"That's strange. The last time I came here, you didn't check for names or purpose." He thought back when he heard this. True, Konoha didn't do this in the past. But that was about 3 years ago now. After the infamous chuunin-exam incident, Konoha was being more cautious toward the visitors. After hearing his explanation, the girl chuckled and removed her hat. "I'm just an old shinobi visiting her town," she said, revealing the headband of Konoha shinobi. "I just came to see the old hag."

"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune burst into the room without knocking. Frowning, Tsunade hurriedly hid her bottle with alcohol, but it was too late. "What!! Can't you see I'm working?" Tsunade made a lame excuse, fully knowing that Shizune already noticed. Shizune surpressed a sigh. This wasn't time for argument. It could wait. For now.

"There is a visitor. Apparently, she's only fourteen or fifteen. She has a Konoha shinobi headband, but no one ever remembers seeing her. If she truly is a Konoha shinobi, why doesn't anyone know her identity?" Tsunade frowned at what she was hearing. The girl could be a fraud after all. Gaining a headband from wounded or possibly dead ninja wasn't a hard job. Just because she had the headband, that didn't mean she could be trusted right away. Especially when no one remembered her.

"What's her name?" Shizune frantically went through the visitor log.

"Mizuho Rena." Tsunade frowned even deeper. She didn't remember anyone with surname Mizuho. "Uh, Tsunade-sama?" She raised her gaze to her assistant. "When the guard asked her purpose of the visit, she said…. Well…." Tsunade knew in an instant something was up. She pushed Shizune for an answer. She finally said, "Well, the girl said 'I just came to see the old hag.'"

A vein popped out of her forehead. There were only couple people who dared to call Princess Tsunade old hag. And even those people weren't allowed to call her like that easily. For someone that young calling Tsunade old hag was more like a suicide. (Unless you were Naruto, of course.) She stood up, almost knocking her bottle. "Show me where she is. I'm meeting her," said Tsunade, gritting her teeth.

While all these things were happening, the girl, or Mizuho Rena, was the calmest of all. She was sitting on the roof of one of the houses, closely being watched by the guards. She had taken off her hat and the cloak, revealing her full outfit. Not only kimono cover-up, and black tight outfit, she also had kimono-looking sleeves that only went upto middle of her upper arm. It seemed that they could be taken off if she wanted. She was also wearing gloves that started from the ring in the middle finger, and covering her entire palm. Her long reddish brown hair that nearly reached her hip was blowing freely with the wind. Looking ahead, she saw the old hag marching like a mad bulldog. Seeing this, she couldn't help chucking. Tsunade has always been hot-tempered. By calling Tsunade old hag, she didn't have to bother with the guards or paperworks or appointment to talk to the current Hokage of Konoha. It was a little rough plan, but it worked anyways. She gracefully hopped down in front of Tsunade and Shizune.

"You…" Tsunade stopped. The girl is indeed a shinobi, Tsunade concluded, watching the girl jump from the roof. Possibly from Konoha. But Tsunade didn't let her guard down. Noticing this, Rena raised her both hands in sign of peace.

"Look, you can see I'm unarmed. I left the belt that has all of my weapons to the guards. I wanted to talk to you immediately and I assumed that by calling you old hag, you will march here right away. That would save me a lot of time bickering with guards and Shizune to meet you. Sorry about my rudeness of calling you old hag, Princess Tsunade." Rena finished her speech with bowing her head down.

Tsunade couldn't say anything in response due to sudden turn of event. She was sure that the girl was an enemy; but since she was unarmed and now confessed the reason of calling her old hag, Tsunade wasn't so sure. But she wasn't going to let go of her suspicion too easily.

"You're only fourteen or fifteen. If you really lived in this village and got the headband from the academy, someone must remember you. Yet, I haven't seen anyone who remembers you, Mizaho Rena." Tsunade emphasized the name, implying that the girl could have made a false name. Knowing Tsunade's intention, Rena laughed heartily.

"Of course they don't remember me. I can't even remember when I was ever in academy." Tsunade and Shizune looked confused. Rena stopped laughing and said, "I could explain this right now, but I would rather talk in private. The information I'm about to give should never be handled lightly. Do you get what I mean?" Tsunade looked into the deep, dark amber eyes. A kid, a mere kid could not have this kind of look. Even shinobis. So much authority (like some kind of royalty) and determination could not come from a girl at her age. Tsunade just nodded and said,

"My office will suffice you?" The girl nodded. Tsunade turned around leading the way. This was going to be a bit more complicated than she thought.