Really sorry for the wait. AN at the bottom.


Harriett was once again locked away in her room beneath the stairs, hunger pains twisting in her belly, but unlike previous instances, she was not sad. Quite the opposite, in fact. She couldn't stop smiling as she thought about the events of the day prior.

After her new friend had run Dudley off, they began wondering aimlessly around the neighborhood. They lived in a suburb a few miles away from the nearest shopping center or park, so there wasn't much Harriett could actually show him. She was, however, happy to indulge in his request to get to know her better.

She found the format in which he chose to do so rather peculiar. Naruto had asked her what she liked, disliked, and any dreams for the future she may have had.

Harriett had immediately voiced her disdain for the Dursley's and just as quickly regretted doing so. She truly did dislike them, perhaps not as much as they did, she, but she wasn't certain if telling Naruto about her home life would be a good idea. This was mainly because she was unsure of how he would react.

Naruto had prodded her for answers and in her desperation to keep her new, and only, friend, she ultimately told him everything. From the name calling, Dudley's abuse, and her living situation within a room beneath the stairs meant for storage.

Harriett never intended on going so deep into her woes. However, once she began her emotions snowballed out of control and before she knew it; it was all laid out in the open.

Naruto's face lost all expression as she poured out her frustrations, though Harriett couldn't help but notice the way his fists were balled at his sides. His hands clenched so hard she could hear his fingers pop and witnessed as his knuckles lost their color.

Contrary to his scarcely restrained reaction, Naruto only listened and nodded to her words. When she was done, he said he would talk to his Godfather about it before moving along the conversation to much lighter topics.

Well, he tried, anyway.

Harriett didn't have much to offer when it came to what she liked. Of course, she had many interests, but they were things she would have liked to do or own rather than any actual positive aspects of her life. Ultimately, she decided to keep such thoughts to herself. She had already revealed to him much more than she rightly should have.

In the end Harriett told him that she liked to read. It was one of the few things the Dursley's would allow her to do so long as the books were from the school library and they didn't have to buy anything for her. It had the added benefit of keeping her quiet and out of the way when she wasn't needed. And it wasn't as if Dudley ever read, so beyond his typical bullying, she didn't have to worry about him taking her school issued books.

Naruto had mentioned his Godfather was something of an author himself, but immediately seemed regretful in doing so. He made her promise him she would never, under any circumstance, ever read any book she may encounter around their home. Or any his Godfather may offer her. He didn't go into any details as to why and Harriett didn't want to press her new friendship, so she easily agreed to heed his warning.

As for her dreams for the future; Harriett wanted a family. A real family. It was all she ever wanted.

Naruto had smiled at her. A smile Harriett was quickly taking a liking to. It was warm, bright, and it filled her with a sense of happiness knowing it was real, and that it was for her. Though she wished he wouldn't tease her so much! It wasn't by any means malicious, but he made her fluster with his response.

Saying a cute girl like her would one day grow into a beautiful woman capable of wooing anyone.

As if!

Boys were dumb, except for Naruto, and icky too. Except for Naruto. Harriett had no interest in them at the moment, despite having a vague idea of how families were made. She just wanted a place where she could belong.

Perhaps, Harriett thought, she had found that place now. Or at least a semblance of what she desired. She knew she was likely getting ahead of herself, but her situation didn't seem as grim with Naruto around.

He wasn't afraid of Dudley, or even her Aunt or Uncle, whom shouted at him upon their return. Harriett was surprised to find they weren't so frightening as she stood behind Naruto's unflinching form.

It was also a welcomed surprise to see an adult stand up for her as well. Vernon had been shouting at Naruto, threatening to take a belt to him until Jiraiya placed himself in front of the two and suddenly their differences in height became glaringly apparent. He was much taller than her uncle and much like his godson, Jiraiya made a scary face.

That was before Naruto offered him a small insight into how she was being treated. Harriett was almost certain a fight would have broken out between the two men had her aunt not intervened, begging her husband to calm down so they could leave.

On their way out Jiraiya had threatened to call on the authorities if they saw one hair on her head out of place on Monday. Fortunately, neither her Aunt nor her Uncle ever hit her beyond the occasional spankings when she was younger. They were quite content with allowing Dudley to do so under the guise of childhood rough housing.

She did receive an earful upon their return home. Harriett had to endure what felt like hours of shouts and threats of punishments to come until Vernon wore himself out and Petunia shouted herself hoarse. She had been locked in the cubbard since the day before, sent in without lunch or dinner. Despite this, she couldn't help but hang on one detail Naruto had revealed to her.

He would be going to school with her!

For what little of the term remained. Harriett was anticipating speaking to her new friend the following Monday at school. It was the only time she would be able to freely speak with him, she suspected. The Dursleys had strictly forbade her from seeing him. But that was at home. Even they couldn't control what she did at school.

Harriett idly flicked away what had to have been a spider crawling along her arm as she thought of the boy, wondering just what he was doing in that moment.


Naruto was laying in his new bed, in his new room, with his fingers interlaced behind his head. He was staring at the white ceiling above, his eyes lazily trailing the messy brush strokes which created a white streaked and dotted landscape, his mind conjuring up non-existing images and patterns.

The open window to his right allowed in the occasional pleasant breeze, along with the distant sounds of traffic, the happy chitter chatter of birds, and the occasional indistinct voice of the odd passerby. The early morning sun illuminated his room through the blind-less window, accentuating its vacancy in a soothing orange glow.

He was relaxed, but his mind was far from at ease. Try as he might, Naruto couldn't keep his thoughts from straying to the memory of his apartment's own ceiling, back in a world that seemed so far away now, and the images he would conjure from it.

There were a couple of swirls, a misshapen flower, and even a cat, or a dog, depending on how hard he squinted. There was even a water stain from a leak which somehow formed a perfect circle. A circle with two large clumps of dried paint lined up near perfectly to make a pair of eyes. There was also an indentation from when he would play ball with himself that served as a nose, and a paint streak which gave the face a little crooked grin.

He turned his head to the right, staring at the empty spot where his nightstand would have been. Atop the rickety old piece of furniture was a single picture of what was once the happiest day of his life. Now a dour and distant memory, deluded by time and a rapidly changing mindset.

The picture was of his team, the image forever encapsulating the state of Team Seven.

He was glaring at Sasuke, who seemed annoyed to share a space with them. But that was just the type of person he was, perpetually angry and with a high sense of self-worth. No matter how many times Naruto tried to befriend him, scorn was all he was given in return. It was a fruitless endeavor, he would later lament.

Sakura was standing between them all, happy as could be, obviously glad to be on the same team as her enamored. Seemingly oblivious to the amount of negativity surrounding her.

Finally, there was their sensei, Kakashi, who appeared to be sheepish and at a loss as he palmed both of his and Sasuke's heads. An attitude he would maintain throughout their short time together. The man was hardly what Naruto would consider a teacher.

Naruto chose not to focus on the negative aspects of team seven, and there were many. He'd done so already, over and over again. Instead, he chose to think about one of the reasons he tolerated Sasuke's animosity and Kakashi's indifference; the only girl on the team.

Thinking about his teammate with pink hair, beautiful jade green eyes, and a larger than normal forehead, only saddened him. Naruto missed Sakura above all else, even though he realized she would have likely never returned his affection.

Now, all he wanted to do was just see her one more time.

As optimistic as he liked to believe he was, life had turned him into something of a realist. Jiraiya called it pessimism, but Naruto didn't know of any other way to view the world. Being so far from his own did little to help.

Naruto released a ragged breath as he recalled the series of events leading to their departure from the Elemental Nations.

For as far back as his memory allowed, he was ostracized and alone. Life as an orphan had not been easy, but that much was to be expected of anyone unfortunate enough to enter the world without family. His situation, however, was worsened by the very people that were supposed to protect him in place of his parents.

Konohagakure's orphanage was primarily staffed by women of faith and yet, they always seemed to forget their beliefs when in regards to him. They would often yell at him for the smallest of transgressions. This ranged from his inability to learn at the same rate as the other children, to something as insignificant as simply laughing for what they perceived to be too loud. Or laughing at all.

Their punishment for breaking any of their spontaneous rules varied. Most times they would spank him for far longer than they rightly should a misbehaving child, and with much more force yet. He could only be so lucky. Those who truly despised him aimed for the face and not always did they use their hands. When they were feeling particularly horrid, they would starve him for days in correlation with their capital punishment.

Naruto still cringed at the memories of their abuse. Yet, as painful as their punishments were, the isolation was somehow worse.

The caretakers would also keep him from playing with the other children, and likewise, they would greatly discourage or punish any of the other children for so much as speaking to him. On the other hand, his being bullied was undeterred and, at times, encouraged.

His living nightmare at the orphanage continued until he was seven years old, at which point the head Matron decided to literally throw him out into the cold and muddy streets late in the month of a particularly frigid November for Fire Country. Naruto never discovered exactly what it was that he did, or rather, did not do to cause the woman to throw a child out into the streets.

To date, Naruto could only speculate that it had to do with the beast he had sealed into him at birth. A truth he would not discover until much later in life.

Following his abrupt eviction, he was left to wonder the streets, surviving off of the scraps of others, rarely did he ever find kindness. That was until he had wondered into the trash of a delicious smelling food stand with large white flaps.

The Ichiraku's had always been kind to him. Ichiraku Teuchi and his beautiful daughter, Ayame; she was the one to find him. She had been taking out the garbage when she discovered him scouring through theirs in search of anything edible. Instead of running him off, as many others tended to do, the girl immediately ushered him inside.

They fed him, offering him a pleasant night's sleep in a warm bed, after an even warmer shower, and his first ever encounter with human decency. They had taken him to meet the Hokage the very next day, once he told them how he had found himself out in the street, alone and afraid.

The number of people Naruto loved were few, so little they could be counted on a single hand. The small family of two would forever have a special place in his heart.

Naruto's memories of the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, on the other hand, were bitter-sweet.

The old man had greeted him with a warmth and kindness he didn't believe possible until the very recent meeting with the Ichiraku's. After taking the day to make his acquaintance, the Sandaime arranged for him a single bedroom apartment with a weekly allowance. He enrolled him into the academy shortly after.

The Sandaime, or old man, as he had affectionately taken to calling him, was the one who had gifted him the orange tracksuit he wore for far longer than he rightly should have, along with the goggles now in Konohamaru's possession. He would even take him out to eat once a year on his birthday, where he would gift him other small things.

He still had Gamma-chan, his toad wallet from his tenth birthday.

Unfortunately, for as kind as the Sandaime Hokage proved to be, he had also lied to him for the time that he knew him, up until his unfortunate and untimely death.

Naruto recalled his feeling particularly lonely on the days leading up to his birthdays. Not only would the villager's aggression ramp up in the month of October, but he was reminded of what he never forgot. He had no family.

Or so he believed at the time.

This feeling would persist, even in the old man's company. The Sandaime would take him to a place of his choosing, within reason of course, and Naruto would always choose to go to the park before their day ended with a trip to the Ichiraku's food stand. It was only in the Hokage's presence that he was allowed to play undeterred.

But as he grew, he did little playing. Naruto would often sit and watch as other children played and laughed happily along with their loved ones. Watching with envy as fathers pushed their daughters on the swings and mothers comforted their sons when they fell, kissing away their pain.

It was in those moments Naruto would fruitlessly ask the old man if he knew whom his parents were, and if they loved him. He figured if anyone knew about his parents, it would be the Hokage.

His answers were always the same. That he did not know who his parents were. That he was merely discovered alone the night the Kyuubi attacked, likely left orphaned by the beast as many had been on that fateful night. Though the old man always seemed certain that whomever they were, they must have surely loved him.

It was better than being the unwanted bastard son of a disgraced shinobi and a common street whore, as he was accustomed to hearing from just about everyone else he'd asked. At the time, Naruto believed the old man's lie more because he wanted to. He couldn't stomach the thought that his parents would simply abandon him.

Naruto felt a conflicting sense of relief once he discovered that was not the case. Finally, the Sandaime revealed to him the truth. Unfortunately, it was in death, and in the form of a letter to be given to him upon his unexpected passing. His original intention was to reveal the truth behind his origins when he turned sixteen, or when he thought he was ready.

Naruto resented that notion.

Naruto knew of the Kyuubi, revealed to him by the traitorous Mizuki. An arguably more dangerous secret he was able to keep; and yet another lie of the Sandaime's. When asked not only why he was alone, but why he was seemingly despised by a majority of the village's populace; his response was yet again ignorance.

The truth of the matter was that the people of Konohagakure hated him because twelve years prior, the Kyuubi somehow escaped his mother, most likely due to the stress of giving birth. His father then sealed it into the only person he could trust; his own son, at the cost of his life.

He was not the son of a disgraced Shinobi, but rather the esteemed Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato. His hero from childhood and one of his main inspirations for wanting to become Hokage himself. Everyone loved his father, not knowing they were spiting his very son.

According to the Sandaime, his mother was a beautiful and powerful kunoichi, Uzumaki Kushina. One of the few survivors of a once great clan, the Uzumaki, and the previous host for the Kyuubi. He shared more with his mother than just her name.

He was the son of the revered Fourth Hokage, with a powerful bloodline coursing through him, inherited from his mother. He was meant for greatness, the Sandaime Hokage claimed as much in his letter. In that same letter he asked for his forgiveness for failing in allowing him to realize that greatness.

It was hard for him to deny the old man his forgiveness. For all his lies, all of his misgivings, he was one of the few people who treated him with true kindness. Naruto was angry at the Sandaime Hokage, but he would always love and miss Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Regrettably, he wasn't even able to attend his funeral. Though he was still very much angry with the old man at the time, he wanted to offer his final respects and goodbyes to the man who was very much like a Grandfather to him.

Following the Sandaime's death as a result of the failed invasion by Orochimaru, Jiraiya had practically kidnapped him from the village, taking him in search of a replacement Hokage. One that wasn't a war-hawk like Shimura Danzo.

He never met the man but Jiraiya had and warned about his dangerous ambitions of securing Konoha's position as the world's foremost superpower through war and conquest. The man was likely to exploit his position as Hokage to force him into servitude.

Naruto, having been lied to and effectively controlled his entire life, had no intention of being made a living weapon. He would protect his village with his life, but not at the sake of his freedom. He would no longer allow others to dictate his life.

At the time, Jiraiya was not aware of his newly acquired knowledge of his parents, which included the fact that he knew they had chosen him to be his Godfather. Asuma, the very Sandaime's son, had been the one to deliver the letter whilst he was still recovering from his fight with Gaara, his fellow human sacrifice.

Naruto was waiting to see if the man owned up to his failed responsibility.

He did not, at least not when it counted.

Learning one of his father's most famous and powerful techniques was all that had Naruto holding back the bitter words resting impatiently on the tip of his tongue. That, and he had another secret to keep from the man. While Jiraiya taught him the Rasengan during the day, he studied the art of sealing by night.

Along with the truth, the old man had left him a box containing some of his parent's possessions. Among it a book of seals. An unfinished and quite possibly, unintentional gift from his mother. A work in progress never to be finished, a journal of sorts filled with seals and even some of her own techniques. As evident by the notes she scribbled throughout the pages mentioning his name, his mother fully intended on being there with him throughout his life. Teaching him the ways of her family, his family, and their secret methods.

Unfortunately, life had other intentions for him.

Naruto had barely managed to purchase a beginner's guide to seal making before their sudden departure. Seals required their own unique set of skills. To begin, he needed to learn certain calligraphy methods, along with the pseudo alphabet pertaining seals. Many of his mother's instructions assumed basic knowledge, of which he did not have.

He took to it far better than he ever expected. Naruto was somewhat ashamed to admit that academics were never truly his strong suit. He may have failed the Genin test three years in a row because of his inability to create a clone, but it wasn't as if his academic scores did him any favors.

Yet, somehow learning the alphabet required to create seals was easy. His mother's instructions, while a bit messy and unclear at times, were also easy enough to follow.

In the single week they spent traveling, looking for one Senju Tsunade, the other third of the three Sages, Naruto had learned basic comprehension of seal making. At which point he was able to craft basic storage seals and explosives.

He avoided delving too far into the explosives aspect as to not draw Jiraiya's unwanted attention. Storage seals on the other hand, was a skill which Naruto found particularly useful when he began discovering his money was going missing from Gamma-chan with increasing frequency.

The culprit was easily revealed. Jiraiya was silently angry at him, as apparent by his grumpy demeanor in the days following his creation of the storage seal within the lining of his tracksuit. He would often grumble to himself as they departed the small villages they would stay in, going on about selfish brats and expensive women.

Naruto's knowledge in seals also aided him in his most ambitious project yet. The other, more terrifying, half of his father's legacy.

The Flying Thunder God technique.

While not necessarily the name he would have chosen, the technique earned his father the moniker of the Yellow Flash. Coined after the brief flashes of yellow the enemy would see before they met their demise. The very same technique which helped turn the tides of the Third Shinobi World War.

Naruto had, in his possession, a tri-pronged kunai. It wasn't just any throwing blade, however; it was one of his father's teleportation markers. The teleportation seal appeared simple enough on the surface, four simple seals drawn vertically on the handle, easily replicated.

Yet, it was only half of the equation.

His mother had helped his father master the technique created by the great Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama. She had proudly stated so in her book, alongside the knowledge of the other half of the seal which needed to be applied to one's hand in order to achieve the actual act of teleportation. Unfortunately, his mother did not seem to have the foresight to actually write the seal down. Naruto was sure she had her reasons, but otherwise there was no further hints as to what the corresponding seal was.

Naruto was often tempted to ask Jiraiya for help, as the man was something of an expert on seals. Or so he claimed. He did manage to break whatever disruptive seal Orochimaru had placed on him during the exams; however, Naruto suspected his godfather wouldn't allow him to continue studying his father's technique. As complex and useful as seals could be, his mother warned of their many dangers in her book.

Despite this, Naruto persisted. Seeing as how Jiraiya refused to tell him the truth on his own, he only saw it fair to keep his own secrets.

He should have known better.

Their trip was semi-successful. Convincing Tsunade to return to the village had not been easy. The woman was quite stubborn. Going as far as to disrespect the old man and what he stood for as the village's leader. In that same breath, she trotted all over his own waning dream.

While Naruto was still sore from the Sandaime's deception, he was not willing to allow her to disrespect his memory. They had argued, escalating to an actual fight, before a single flick from her index finger sent him sailing. He retaliated with an imperfect form of the Rasengan.

Tsunade preceded to crater the earth beneath him, throwing his technique off trajectory, dissipating harmlessly into the earth.

It was then Naruto learned that the woman was known for more than her title as the Slug Sage, and her beauty. His Godfather had described her in a more perverted light, somehow failing to mention her overwhelming strength above the size of her bust.

Jiraiya had intervened before they could further fight. Not that there was much he could do against a Sage, but he wasn't known for thinking things out in those days.

Tsunade proposed a bet.

Jiraiya would later tell him that his old teammate was known for being a legendary sucker. After voicing his disgust at what he perceived to be unnecessary information, the man giggled, wrote something down in his notebook, before finally clarifying himself. Tsunade was a gambling woman, terrible with her luck. She lived a nomadic lifestyle not only to escape her ghosts, but debt collectors as well.

In his angered state of mind, Naruto agreed to wager his dream in exchange for her return. Tsunade didn't believe he could master the Rasengan within a week's timeframe. After countless days of hard work, he was finally able to manifest the technique, thus winning their bet.

It was only through the use of a clone, but Naruto was lucky Tsunade did not take such technicalities into consideration. After he and Jiraiya had saved her from Orochimaru and his equally disturbing assistant, Kobuto, it was the least she could do.

They returned to the village to concerning revelations. In their absence, two members of the Akatsuki had infiltrated the village in search of him. The combined efforts of Kakashi, Gai, Asuma, and Kurenai ultimately caused the two to retreat. Not before revealing their intentions.

The Akatsuki were after all the tailed beasts.

Jiraiya admitted his knowledge of the criminal organization. Another piece of information Naruto felt he learned under the wrong circumstances. Given the gravity of the situation, he held onto his growing list of bitter words along with his own truths. If ever there was a time to reveal the knowledge of his parentage, that would have been it.

The Akatsuki were a dangerous organization comprised entirely of high ranking, mostly S-ranked, Shinobi dead set on capturing all nine Tailed Beasts. Naruto couldn't conceive of a more dangerous threat. Certainly, more dangerous than any old grudges his father and mother may have accumulated.

According to Jiraiya's information network, they were not set to begin collecting the Tailed Beasts for a couple of years yet. Konoha's weakened state may have emboldened them to begin doing so much earlier. The Village Hidden in the Leaves could not withstand another attack so soon.

They departed the village once again almost immediately.

They did so in the dead of night, after a long meeting with Tsunade. She had been sworn in as the Godaime Hokage mere hours after their arrival. Konoha was in desperate need of a leader, and as the village leader, she approved a training trip. Under Jiraiya's protection and guidance, he was to learn how to take control of the Kyuubi to combat the threat of the Akatsuki.

Naruto wasn't able to say his goodbyes to anyone.

They were a mere three months into their trip when everything went wrong.

They had been camping out near the Southern border of Fire Country, short of a hundred miles north of the Land of Tea. Just far enough from most of civilization to be able to summon the Kyuubi's chakra without drawing unnecessary attention to themselves.

The process was slow going. The beast was not very cooperative and controlling his rage whilst under his influence was very difficult. Chakra control was key and his wasn't very good. Kakashi had only taught him how to climb trees, requiring only the most basic of control.

Naruto was very busy in those few months. Between attempting to control of the Kyuubi's chakra and his own, he continued his studying of seals in an effort to complete the Flying Thunder God technique.

His main focus was on his training as a jinhuuriki. He wanted to get as powerful as he could, as quickly as he could. He wanted to return to his village as soon as possible. He never imagined how complicated to achieve that would be.

He scarcely managed to call upon a single tail's worth of its power before suddenly, and violently, the forest was leveled. Both of his arms had been broken along with many of his ribs as a result of the surprise attack. When the dust settled and the confusion cleared, he found himself witnessing his mentor fighting a man with orange hair, glowing purple eyes, and a black coat with red clouds.

The resulting battle between a Sage and a Rennigan wielder was harrowingly awe inspiring. For what little of it he was able to witness. As Jiraiya battled with Pein, he was surrounded by five other members of the Akatsuki, all similar in appearance to their leader in hair color and in optical bloodline.

Naruto would come to regret all the time he wasted trying for everyone's acceptance and attention instead of focusing on bettering himself. Having been drawing on the Kyuubi's chakra, his bones were quickly mended, and yet, he stood no chance against the might of a true shinobi. As a result, he was forced to surrender control to the beast in desperation, and the instinct to survive.

It was then that Naruto was finally able to meet his father, for the first time since his birth. After punching him in the stomach, Naruto gave him an angry, rant filled glimpse into his life as an orphan. He was admittedly vindicated to know his father shared in his anger knowing just how he had been treated.

It was not his intention, he claimed. The Sandaime was supposed to protect him, to make sure the village hailed him as a hero for the sacrifice that had been forced onto him. He was never meant to have been left alone for so long, abandoned by all of his father's friends.

Naruto believed him.

Their time together, unfortunately, was short. His father was with him only in spirit, a final failsafe should he lose control. There would be no second chances going forward, his father warned. He could not lose control again.

Before his departure, his father gave him the key to the Kyuubi's seal so he could reign in the beast should it attempt to escape again. He also showed him the other half of the formula needed to activate the Flying Thunder God technique, if a bit reluctant. He warned of its many dangers including possible chakra exhaustion and bad kunai placement; along stressing the importance of a properly made seal matrix.

The slightest mistake could cause unknown adverse effects. He was not to use it unless under Jiraiya's direct supervision, or absolutely necessary.

Finally, with a teary smile and a final hug, his father disappeared from his life once again.

Naruto wasn't given time to mourn. When he came to, he discovered Tsunade had saved him. Not in person; it was her necklace which somehow managed to restrain the Kyuubi long enough for his father to tighten the seal.

Her gift was unfortunately shattered beyond repair.

The surrounding landscape was heavily cratered and scorched from battle. All around him, in smoldering heaps, were the unmoving bodies of the Akatsuki members. Each appeared to have been either blown apart, or torn apart. The Kyuubi's might was not to be underestimated.

Only one man remained. The memory still unsettled Naruto. Seeing his mentor laying broken and defeated beneath the man with glowing Rennigan eyes. In his hands a single black rod positioned above Jiraiya's back; poised for the kill.

He acted out of panic, biting his thumb he drew a sloppy version of the teleportation seal on his hand and tossed the tri-pronged kunai in Jiraiya's direction. His intention was to grab his Godfather and escape.

What actually followed was a blur of motion and near immediate darkness. When next he'd awaken, he and Jiraiya were in a hospital, in a foreign place or world. They weren't entirely sure which. Only that the hospital they woke up in was located in Salem, Massachusetts, in the United States.

With an entirely new language imprinted into their minds. It made absolutely no sense. Neither he nor Jiraiya could begin to think of a reason as to how they were able to suddenly speak a new language. It shouldn't have been possible. In the meantime, they had little choice to accept it.

There were far more pressing concerns.

After everything was said and done, and they escaped the hospital and the many questions of both doctors and the police, Naruto decided to finally speak his own truths. He told him everything. Including the abuse he suffered as a child as a result of mass negligence from the Sandaime, Kakashi, and Jiraiya himself.

He had no rebuttal. While Jiraiya was not happy knowing he had kept his work on his father's technique a secret, he was even more regretful at being presented his shortcomings as his Godfather. Naruto forgave him, but he couldn't help but feel the rift already present between them seemed to grow further.

It was yet another problem he decided to put to the back of his mind, their main focus was on trying to find a way home. Wherever that may be.

They immediately went into hiding, with every day leading to more shocking and disheartening discoveries. A map of the world revealed landscapes and continents neither recognized. There was no sign of the Elemental Nations anywhere, let alone any mentions of the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

The realization was jarring. The humans that inhabited the current world were near identical to that of theirs, physically, with the only real differences in their seeming lack of chakra. They more than made up for their physical shortcomings with horrifying weapons of war and similar, yet far more advanced forms of technology.

It just so happened they found themselves in the most technologically and militaristically advanced nation of them all; the United States.

Deciding they had attracted too much attention to themselves as it were, Jiraiya had managed to sneak them onto a cargo ship he learned was heading across the sea to Ireland, one of the closest English-speaking countries across the sea from America. Canada being too close for their comfort to the States.

They had been lying low since then, trying to make sense of the situation, but there was none to be found. Their only hope being the very technique which had likely gotten them to where they currently were, the Flying Thunder God technique.

Naruto heard the door open downstairs, signifying Jiraiya had arrived. He rolled off of the bed and made his way downstairs to speak with him. Thinking about their home had reignited his desire to return back to the Elemental Nations, a fire that never truly waned.

He found Jiraiya in the living room with his face buried in a magazine, a string of giggles coming from him. Naruto felt annoyed seeing the cover of the magazine; a scantily clad woman adorned it. He was supposed to be buying groceries for their dinner.

Naruto dropped himself into the sofa, allowing the momentum to carry his feet onto the coffee table with an audible slam.

"Old man, how are we supposed to get home if all you're doing is gawking at those magazines?" He asked with audible annoyance, unbelieving of the ridiculousness of his own question.

"How can I not, Naruto?" Jiraiya declared, seemingly nonplussed by being referred to by the name he despised. "They have so much material in this world! Did you know they even have entire stores dedicated to - "

"I don't want to know!" Naruto interrupted. "We need to get back home!"

Jiraiya closed the magazine, setting it down on his lap with great care. This only proved to further frustrate Naruto.

"We've been over this before, Naruto. We don't know where our world may be and we've already tried everything possible. For some reason, our connection to the toads has been severed, so that won't work, and the Flying Thunder God seal is currently out of my comprehension," he said.

Naruto was currently able to use his father's technique at will. Against Jiraiya's wishes, he reapplied the seal onto his hand before trying at it again. He was pleasantly surprised to see that it worked, though not in the way he was hoping. He was half expecting further complications but none presented themselves. The only negative drawback being the sheer amount of chakra the technique required, even for his reserves.

For all intents and purposes, he had learned how to use the Flying Thunder God.

That didn't mean he mastered it or even knew the inner most complexities of just how the technique actually worked. He could flash, or teleport, to a seal marker, but therein lay the problem. The only marker he had was the one he threw to save Jiraiya, and it had arrived to the new world with them.

Without knowing exactly where it had taken them, or just how to get back, there wasn't very much they could do. Their only hope was if they could somehow decipher the inner most workings of the seal to see what could be made of it.

"Damn it," Naruto sighed again and slumped in the sofa. "This is all my fault."

"Buck up kid," Jiraiya said with a smile, "you did what you thought you had to. We would have both probably died if you hadn't. Though I wish you would have told me sooner you were working on your old man's technique. He'd be proud of you, that much I can promise."

"That would mean so much more to me if you didn't have that magazine in your lap," Naruto muttered. He had not disclosed his meeting with his father within his mind. Jiraiya was under the impression that he had found the other half of the seal in the book his mother left behind.

"Damned brat," Jiraya huffed. "The thanks I get for trying to cheer you up."

"Okay, I get it," Naruto said, proceeding a sigh. "We have to be patient until we can find a way back, but do I really have to go to school here?"

He had enough schooling for a lifetime.

"For now, we have to lay low and try not to attract any more attention to ourselves than necessary. I mean, imagine what the neighbors would say if my Godson were to loiter around here all day, like some sort of delinquent?" Jiraiya questioned dramatically.

"Why a delinquent?" Naruto asked with a brow pitched in annoyance.

"That's beside the point. Don't you want to keep that girl safe from her family until we can figure a way to get her out of there?" Jiraiya asked.

"Guess so," Naruto relented, "but I don't see why that has anything to do with me going to school."

"It's all about maintaining appearances. We have to blend in, Naruto. Think about it like this; either we try to fit in, which means you going to school, or live our lives hiding in the woods, like a pair of savages," Jiraiya said.

"But that's what we were doing before," Naruto deadpanned.

"I also imagine you'd rather stick around to try to help your little friend," Jiraiya said, ignoring his words. "You can't very well do that if we have to move again."

"Yeah," Naruto admitted, his thoughts momentarily straying to the girl.

"That's what you get for getting attached, kid," Jiraiya chastised. "Didn't I specifically tell you not to get involved with anyone here in case we found a way back?"

"Yeah, I get it. I screwed up again," Naruto muttered.

This time, it was Jiraiya whom sighed.

"It's nothing like that, Naruto. Look, I'm just giving you a hard time. I know I said you shouldn't get attached but I would be more disappointed in you if you'd ignored that girl's troubles," he said.

"Well what can we do to help Harriett if we can't contact the authorities or do something ourselves?" Naruto asked with audible frustration.

"For now, not much," Jiraiya stated demurely. "Again, we can't risk bringing attention to ourselves, not with such advanced world governments, and not until I can further case out this world. There's no telling what would happen if anyone were to discover what we can do. For now, all we can do is hope my threat will hold against those people."

"I get it," Naruto sighed. "I do. I'll go to school if it means keeping an eye on Harriett, but I'd just rather focus on the seal and getting home."

"Just not without my supervision," Jiraiya reminded him.

"Yeah, yeah,"

Both fell silent for some time, each lost in their own thoughts.

"What if we just make them, ya'know, disappear?" Naruto asked.

The suddenness of the words momentarily confused Jiraiya.

"What?"

"Why don't we just make them disappear?" Naruto repeated himself. "The Dursleys, I mean. Then we'll take Harriett in and when we find a way home, leave it up to her to decide if she wants to come along."

"You're joking, right?" Jiraiya asked, looking stunned.

"I guess we would have to explain to her what we are, what we can do, I mean, and where we're from, but I'm sure she won't mind too much," Naruto said.

"That's not what I'm talking about!" Jiraiya almost shouted. "We can't just go around making people disappear, no matter how much we dislike them! What part of not bringing attention to ourselves did you not understand? They may be bad people but they certainly don't deserve to die!"

"Well, let's just agree to disagree."

"Absolutely not!"

"Okay, I may have been exaggerating," Naruto admitted with a roll of his eyes. "And I never said anything about killing them. We could just ship them to America in the same boat we came here in."

"No."

It was apparent his mentor no longer wanted to entertain the idea, so Naruto decided to drop it for the time being. He wasn't being serious anyway.

At least not entirely.

"Putting your bad jokes aside," Jiraiya continued. "You start classes Monday so you need to remember your cover story."

"Which is?" Naruto asked.

"Were you not listening when I told you yesterday?" Jiraiya asked irritably.

"No," Naruto admitted with a careless shrug.

He was too angry thinking about everything Harriett had told him about her family. He was also somewhat frustrated with his Godfather, who forbade him from intervening. Though Naruto understood his reasoning, it didn't do anything to quell the feeling of impotence burning within his chest knowing that he could, and at the same time, could not do anything to help her.

"Kids these days, no respect," Jiraiya muttered to himself with arms crossed. "Alright listen closely this time, brat. You were born in Niigata, Japan, orphaned before I adopted you when you were one. We moved to New York shortly after you turned three because of my job as a language teacher. We lived there until just recently before coming here when I got a job as an author. The company publishing my book is based out of London."

That was yet another oddity that physically made his head hurt whenever he thought about it. The land closest resembling their own, at least when in regards to the culture and language, was Japan. They could read and speak Japanese, but it felt as though it were a second language.

"You couldn't pick a more believable cover?" Naruto asked following a scoff.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean your books suck," Naruto stated pointedly. "I can't believe you thought they would be a hit here. This world's full of people like you, perverts who happen to know how to write."

"The local publications don't recognize talent when they see it, that's all," Jiraiya said defensively. "You'll see. One day my masterpiece will be published for this world to see and enjoy!"

"The lady at the last place you went to even called the authorities on you when you told her how you conducted your research," Naruto stated dryly. "That's why we had to leave Ireland."

"Well she shouldn't have asked what motivated me to write!"

"Face it, old man. You suck at writing."

"Words hurt too, Naruto," Jiraiya stated sadly, slumping in defeat.

Naruto didn't mean what he said, at least not entirely. Jiraiya, for reasons he would never understand, had him proofread the latest, unpublished installment in the Icha-Icha series. It was terrible, comprised of nothing more than pornography with little plot. A cheesy romantic adventure story, if he had to classify it. As were the others in the series.

After reading them and knowing just what they contained, it made Naruto wonder why Kakashi always chose to carry one around everywhere he went, and just why he thought it was acceptable to read it in front of him and his team.

That didn't mean his Godfather was untalented.

Personally, Naruto quite enjoyed Jiraiya's first book, The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi. Despite the odd choice in title, it quickly became his favorite piece of literature. Granted, it was the only book he read after his time at the academy, barring the Icha-Icha series.

The fact he shared a name with the protagonist was what had initially garnered his attention.

Naruto couldn't fathom how it didn't sell. Though it was the apparent work of a novice, it was leagues better than the adult literature that followed. He would have suggested it for publication but he felt a personal attachment to the book and its story. It was, after all, one of his father's own personal favorites.

As a small form of recompense for not being there for him, Jiraiya had given him the first printed copy of the book, complete with his signature, dedicated to his father and mother. It had no cover image and was well worn from use as it had once belonged to his parents. That alone made it invaluable to him.

There was more to the book than his family history. The more Naruto read it, the more he realized the tale also offered a glance into his mentor's mindset and life. The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi was a story filled with tragedy and loss, as well as perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.

All in the pursuit of world peace.

The parallels between the protagonist of the book and Jiraiya were hard to miss. His mentor had once let slip that his own dream for the future was of world peace through understanding, even though he conceded that it was highly unlikely.

The unrequited affections of the busty blonde love interest were also a dead giveaway.

The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi had quickly become one of his most prized possessions. It was for his eyes alone.

But he couldn't tell Jiraiya that. He didn't want to further inflate his ego.

"Whatever. I'm going to go see if Harriett's home," Naruto announced as he stood.

"Hoho!" Just like that, the life seemed to return to Jiraiya. "Off to see your little girlfriend I see."

"She's ten you creep." Naruto immediately replied without faltering. He made it to the front door when he heard something which gave him pause.

"And you're only twelve," he heard Jiraiya mutter to himself, almost sounding sad. "What did you let them do to him, sensei?"

Naruto decided to ignore his words.

The Dursleys never opened the door when he knocked. He heard a gasp from within but no one ever answered. It wasn't until the following Monday at school, when he next saw Harriett. Despite being two years older than the girl, he was placed only a year ahead of her in his studies, which were fortuitously similar to Konoha's own teachings. Only slightly more advanced.

They met at lunch.

"H-Hello," Harriett nervously greeted him.

Naruto glanced up from his tray and smiled at the short, shy girl.

"Hey!" He greeted her with genuine enthuse, "Go on, sit."

"Oh, well," Harriett appeared unsure of herself and seemed to grow embarrassed before the amassed crowd.

They were all children in his grade, some from his class and others not; all gathered at his table in an effort to get to know him. Naruto had initially tried to accommodate their curiosity, answering their shallow questions with his rehearsed answers. Though it soon became hard to do so as more people arrived and he found himself answering the same questions over again.

Naruto asked them kindly for some privacy. Some obliged, most did not. He tried his best to ignore them in hopes they would lose interest in him, but they proved to be annoyingly persistent. It seemed as though the more he tried ignored them, the more determined they became to talk to him.

Especially the girls, who were all insistent on hearing his accent and touching his birthmarks. At one point he would have loved the attention, now, he simply wanted to get through the day so he could get back to working on the seal.

"Look everyone, it's poor, poor, Potter!" One of said girls called out in a sing-song manner.

They all began to collectively laugh at her state of dress.

She was wearing a large brown sweater which hung loosely around her arms and neck. It appeared old and was stained in various places, with a couple of tears at the hem. Beneath that were a pair of loose beige trousers held up by what appeared to be a black string, with each leg bunched up at her feet, covering most of the shoes she wore the day before.

Harriett looked down in shame and quickly made to leave.

This angered Naruto greatly. Harriett had confided in him the fact that all of her clothes were hand-me-downs from her cousin and as a result, she was often ridiculed for it.

"Everyone leave," he slammed his fist on the table, startling everyone. "Now!"

He watched them scramble to get away from him, glaring at those few who dared to look back at him. As he chased a portly girl with his eyes, he met her gaze. All of the anger coursing through him immediately abandoned him at the sight of Harriett. His display seemed to have had the unintentional effect of frightening her as well.

She was staring at him with wide eyes filled with uncertainty.

"Sorry 'bout that," Naruto offered her his most sincere and apologetic smile and patted the seat at his side. "Come on, sit."

"Thanks," Harriett muttered before rounding the now empty round table and took the offered seat.

"They were starting to annoy me anyway," Naruto said dismissively. "But you're welcome."

He hummed inquisitively when he noticed Harriett was staring down at her lunch. Her messy mop of hair overshadowing his view of her eyes and he immediately knew that she was either embarrassed or sad at her state of dress, or a possible combination of the two. A feeling he knew all too well.

"What's wrong?"

She appeared to be having a hard time speaking so he didn't press. As of late, Naruto was beginning to understand the need for privacy. Sometimes all he wanted was to be left alone with his thoughts, yet Jiraiya would persist in annoying him.

He did, however, place a hand next to her on the table, touching arms with Harriett slightly but nothing beyond that. A simple reminder that he was there when she was ready.

"You don't have to be my friend."

Naruto was chewing on his dry sandwich when suddenly she spoke, her words so low that he missed most of what she had said. He quickly finished chewing, almost choking in the process.

"What was that?" He asked with a cough.

"You should be friends with them," Harriett began timidly. "They're in your grade. You shouldn't push them away just to be my friend."

Naruto stared into her large, watery green eyes behind round and battered spectacles and was suddenly reminded of a girl he once met under similar circumstances. Though Harriett's forehead was of average size, her clothes were a distinguishing factor that caused her to be ostracized at school. Her home life was worse yet.

The poor girl couldn't seem to catch a break.

Harriett closed her eyes as he roused her hair.

"Hey now, I wanna be your friend," Naruto began softly and honestly. "I don't need, or even want a lot of friends. You're more than enough. So, don't get hung up on things that don't matter."

He found a kindred spirit in the girl sitting beside him. They were alike in many ways. His situation growing up was undoubtedly worse, yet suffering was just that; suffering. The intensity was irrelevant and entirely subjective. Harriett obviously suffered at the hands of her Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin. Everyone at school seemed to mock her.

There was no doubt about it. Harriett Potter lived a horrible life and Naruto was determined to make it a little easier in any way he could; in a way no one ever really bothered for him.

"Really?" Harriett asked tepidly and with desperate undertones.

"Really," Naruto reaffirmed. "Now no more tears."

Harriett seemed to realize that she was in fact crying and quickly made to dry her tears on her scratchy paper napkin.

"Sorry," she apologized with a sniffle.

"Don't worry about it. Just promise me you won't doubt yourself again. I can't be this sappy all the time. It'll ruin my image!" Naruto stated, taking a page from Jiraiya's theatrics, he crossed his arms and displayed an over exaggerated imitation of a hardened expression, complete with eyes narrowed to slits and pouted lips.

Harriett giggled slightly.

"What image?"

"I guess it's already too late then," Naruto muttered, deflating in faux sadness.

She giggled again.

"I still think you're brilliant!"

Naruto found her beaming smile infectious and found himself unable to maintain his ruse.

"Don't you forget it," he muttered. Though he was happy he was able to cheer her up.

"Naruto?"

Naruto hummed again, this time in acknowledgment.

"Erm, well, do you remember the questions you asked me yesterday?" Harriett asked.

Naruto tried his best to restrain his expression. He could not forget her anguish as she described her living conditions with the monsters that were her family. The very people meant to protect her turned out to be her very tormentors.

"I do," he said, sounding terser than he had intended.

"Will you tell me yours? What you like and don't like, I mean. I forgot to ask, sorry," Harriett apologized meekly.

Naruto felt his heart warm at her innocence and suddenly felt the urge to pinch her rosy cheeks. He only refrained from doing so because while he considered Harriett his friend, he suspected doing so would be an invasion of her personal space.

"Sure. Ask me anything," he said.

"Oh, well, what do you like?" Harriett asked first.

"I like to train-" Naruto had to stop himself. Jiraiya had specifically told him to avoid revealing himself and their abilities to anyone, including Harriett. As much as he wanted to tell her just who and even what he was, she wasn't likely to believe him. Not without proving himself and that would only attract unneeded and possibly dangerous attention. "Trains," he finished lamely. "I like trains."

This time Harriett hummed.

"Trains? Does that mean you've been on one?" She asked. "I've always wanted to ride a train."

In that moment, Naruto decided he would get his friend on a train somehow. He'd never ridden in one because as a shinobi, he never had a reason to.

Now he did.

"No, but I will one day, and you're coming with me!" He announced.

"I am?" Harriett questioned with wide eyes, "but the Dursleys, they would never allow that."

"I'll figure something out," Naruto said. "I promise."

Harriett looked down at her lap with a visible smile.

"Okay," she muttered shyly.

Once again, Naruto had to refrain from outright hugging the adorable girl.

"I also like my friends," he decided to continue less he act on his urges. "Well, friend, I guess. I've never actually had a friend. There was this one girl, Saku-"

Naruto mentally cursed himself again at the mention of the girl he had a crush on. He was once again close to revealing more than he should and thinking about Sakura only saddened him further. He still missed the girl very much.

He hoped she wouldn't forget him until he could return.

"Naruto?" Harriett said his name carefully. "Are you okay?"

Naruto blinked away the stinging of his eyes and tried to smile at the visibly concerned girl.

"Yes, sorry. It's just that, well you're kinda my first friend," he lied.

Though she was currently his only real friend. As much as he cared for Sakura, she had forgotten their friendship long ago. As of late, her focus was on their other teammate, Sasuke, a narcissist whose obsession with killing his own brother superseded his attempts at friendship. The others from his graduation class regarded him as little more than a joke.

"Really?" Harriett asked.

"Yeah," Naruto muttered weakly, feeling rather pathetic as he considered his previous behavior. Friendship, he now realized, was a two-way street and something that could not be forced. The entirety of his time on Team Seven proved as much.

"You're my first friend, too," Harriett admitted.

Naruto pulled himself from his pity to regard the younger girl at his side. Knowing what he did of her home life and her bullish cousin's behavior, it wasn't too surprising. Yet he couldn't help but wonder why no one else bothered to befriend her. She was kind despite her situation, adorable, and smarter than she gave herself credit for.

It was truly odd.

"Well I'm glad we're friends," Naruto declared. "I like my friends, remember?"

"Thanks, I like you too," Harriet said, offering him yet another shy but brilliant and dimpled smile.

Once again, Naruto was tempted to smother the girl with his affection. She was simply too precious.

"As for what I dislike, I guess I don't like bullies, perv-" Naruto paused, remembering Harriett was young. He didn't need Jiraiya's shortcomings corrupting her just yet. He got lucky the first time, he couldn't think of another word to finish his sentence. "Personal insults, and liars."

Close enough.

"I don't like liars either," Harriett added.

Naruto had been lied to for most of his life. There was nothing more he disliked. It pained him to know he had to lie to his new friend but it was for her safety.

Just like they had once told him.

The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"As for my dreams for the future," Naruto trailed off. At one point he wanted to become the Hokage. After having learned of his parentage and meeting his father, the yearning for his family returned full force. A sentiment which overwhelmed him in the days of his youth. He had been alone for so long that he grown accustomed to announcing his arrival to an empty home, hoping someday, somehow, someone would answer him.

It had become his reality.

Knowing his parents in fact loved him made a world of difference. Suddenly, the recognition of others seemed less appealing. Deep down he still wanted to be the Hokage, so that he could protect his village, but that goal was becoming less likely. The possibility of never returning home was very real, no matter how he hoped otherwise.

Family on the other hand, was still very much achievable. People he could trust and rely on. As much as he cared for Jiraiya, the man wasn't the best influence. And despite being his Godfather, he was still getting to know him.

Maybe one day.

"Are you okay?" Harriett asked.

I'm fine," Naruto said, glancing at her. "Why do you ask?"

"You looked sad," Harriett said with audible concern.

"Ah, no, I'm - I'm just a little tired," Naruto admitted. It was true enough. He had stayed up later than he had intended the previous night, his thoughts were of his home and just how everyone was holding up.

Or if anyone actually missed him. No matter how hard he tried to ignore the thought, it continued to pester him.

He liked to believe the Ichiraku's would miss him, and maybe Iruka. Tsunade seemed nice enough despite her brash and blunt attitude. Shizune as well. It would have been nice to have gotten to know them better.

"Oh, well, what's your dream?" Harriett asked.

Right, he'd yet to answer her.

"I guess I want a family too," Naruto said.

"You're off to a good start," Harriett said, smiling at him. "You've got Ji-ray-ya."

Her mispronunciation of his mentor's name made Naruto laugh aloud. Not at her, of course, and he wasn't even sure why he found it so funny. He simply did.

He noticed Harriett fluster, possibly realizing what she had done. Not wanting her to think he was laughing at her directly, Naruto threw an arm over her shoulder and pulled her into a sideways hug.

"I guess you're right. His name is Jiraiya, by the way, but I call him old man," he said.

"O-Oh. Sorry," Harriett apologized again.

"No, no. Don't worry about it, Harriett," Naruto said, letting loose a few more chuckles. "I'm not laughing at you. You see, I like thinking of new names to piss-, erm, pester the old man. I'm gonna try that one next."

"Why?" Harriett asked curiously.

"Because it's funny," Naruto answered easily.

"Oh."

It was clear the girl didn't understand and that in itself, was understandable. There was much she didn't know about relationships, and there was much he was still learning too. Up until very recently, neither of them really had much experience with the kindness of others. Naruto decided there was much they could offer each other.

Unfortunately, there were remaining obstacles keeping him from realizing a full friendship with Harriett. Her Aunt and Uncle, namely, along with the possibility that he would one day have to return back to his home.

Naruto blinked, unsure of the uneasy feeling the thought of home conjured just then. Usually anticipation stabbed at his heart, never uncertainty in his belly. It was yet another problem he decided he would deal with at a later time. There wasn't much time remaining in the lunch hour.

"Anyway," Naruto continued, losing his smile he released the girl. "What about you? Your aunt or uncle didn't do anything to you yesterday, did they?"

"No," Harriett answered far too quickly, averting her eyes.

"Harriett," Naruto pressed, hoping to sound stern yet understanding. He was unsure if he succeeded in doing so.

"They yelled at me," Harriett finally admitted. She was looking down at her untouched tray of food. "For a long time. They said I'm not allowed to talk to you."

Naruto once again felt his ire rising.

"They didn't hurt you, did they?" He asked.

"No!" Harriett immediately said, turning to face him. In doing so, a tuft of her hair slapped him lightly across his cheek. She looked mortified. "S-Sorry!"

Naruto closed his eyes, breathed in deeply, before releasing his anger in a long, drawn out exhale.

"You're not lying to me, are you?"

"No, no, of course not!"

"Good," Naruto felt genuine relief knowing Jiraiya's threat had been effective. He wasn't sure there was anything the old man could have done to stop him from hurting the Dursleys if he found out they had hurt Harriett.

"Are you mad at me?" Harriett asked timidly.

Naruto looked at her in confusion. No. He was certain there was nothing the girl could ever do to make him mad at her.

"Of course not. I just needed to know if they did something to you, other than shouting at you, I guess," Naruto palmed the back of his head and smiled regretfully at her. "Sorry if I made you think I was mad at you. I'm kinda bad at controlling my temper, ya'know?"

Harriett seemed immensely relieved.

"So, you aren't mad I hit you with my hair?"

The innocence of her question along with her large doe eyes proved too much for Naruto. He hardly registered it happened until she mentioned it, but seeing her so worried for what amounted to an accident. He could no longer contain himself.

"Nope!" Naruto gushed, pulling the girl into a tight hug, mindful of his strength he rested his cheek atop her head. "Never! I could never get mad at you!"

He felt her stiffen in his arms and saw her pale skin quickly turn red, and when Harriett looked up at him, her shy smile was blinding. The dimples on her cheeks made the perfect targets but thankfully he had enough restraint to avoid pinching them.

If there was any doubt before, it was gone now. Naruto knew he would protect his new friend by any means necessary. He wouldn't allow anyone, not even her own family, to hurt her.

That was his promise.


Again, i apologize for the long wait. A combination of life, work, and college shit slowed me down. Also, establishing Naruto was harder than I originally imagined. Honestly, I had initially breezed by his introduction into the world of Harry Potter. That was my fault.

I had to rewrite this chapter like three times before I decided on this. Even then I have to admit, I'm not too sure about it.

I wanted to establish Naruto's story without the use of constant flashbacks, as I don't particularly like them. If done right, flashbacks can work, but I don't think I could pull them off. I also didn't just want to assume everyone knew Naruto's story.

I know I haven't watched the anime in over four or five years.

Now as i'm sure some of you may have noticed, I've taken some creative liberty with the canon events of Naruto. This is because I wanted to show everyone why Naruto feels jaded as well as what led up to their departure. Trust me, he'll be no Sasuke, but neither will he be so blindly trusting of others. He will, however, still highly value friendship above all else.

Now, going forward this story will revolve around the world of Harry Potter. The Elemental Nations won't come back into play until much, much later in the story. The next chapter will begin to introduce the Wizarding World, and hopefully it won't take me nearly as long this time.

Finally, I wanted to thank everyone who reviewed, your kind words are what pushed me to continue past writer's block and my own doubts. Thanks again.