Disclaimer- I DO NOT own anything concerning Naruto, as well as songs that may appear later in the story. But aside from that, the other characters presented within my story are of my creation. Hope you enjoy :)!

NEW BEGINNINGS

Chapter 2

"Hey…Are you alright? A strange voice faded into Kristi's consciousness.

Kristi's eyes slowly unfastened from its latch. Gradually, her eyelids fluttered trying to grasp the distorted figure that hovered above her. Placing her hands on the soft cushion below her, she raised her upper body only to be subjected to harsh intervals of pounding in her head.

"Ouch! She moaned, holding her head as if to stop the harsh throbbing.

"Slowly, just take it easy and I'm sure it will stop…eventually", the stranger spoke reassuringly.

"Who are you? Kristi questioned; her vision now transparent upon the figure that stood before her.

"My name is Moto Satoshi," he responded; placing his hand out signaling for the child to get up. "What are you doing out here? It isn't a place for a child to be lurking about," he stated.

Kristi accepted his offer, gripping at his firm hands which felt like sandpaper, rough and unfinished under hers. Mounted on her feet, Kristi took a step back to take in the man that had helped her. Her eyes widen in disbelief at the man fixed in front of her. She stared at him open mouthed. Her brain formulated no thoughts other than to register that she was shocked. She closed her mouth, and then looked at her toes before glancing back up to catch his eye.

"I think I'll go now," was all she could say.

"Hey! Wait a minute. You could at least say thanks you know, little girl", he exclaimed.

Stopping in her tracks, Kristi turned on her heels facing the man with an irritated expression.

"I am not a little kid. I am 16 years old. Are you blind? She sneered.

"Ha, is either that or your brain cells haven't kicked in yet", he retorted.

Bewildered, Kristi Slowly looked at her hands, feet and her body in fullness. A shriek echoed through the forest, startling the wildlife which had resided in it. It must be a dream, it has to be a dream she thought to herself. There was only one way to make sure, her small hands flew its way to her face, colliding with such force that it left an imprint. It was real, all real she thought.

Looking back at the man, she could finally grasp the entirety of the situation she was in. Yes she realized it as clear as day; his attire and the familiarity of the headband which lay gracefully around his head, covering the silver mane which hung charmingly around his round face. Smart gray eyes, set concealed within their sockets; watched cautiously over her.

His clothing she recalled, a green flak jacket. Having three scroll pouches on each side of his chest, a neck guard, extra padding over the shoulders (which was fastened on by steel buttons), and a zipper down the middle. The Uzushiogakure symbol was integrated onto the back of the jacket, symbolizing the ties between the two villages.

"So you're from the Hidden Leaf Village", Kristi uttered; her face still in shock.

"Yes", he replied; hands folded over the other against his lean frame.

"Hmm…" Kristi exhaled.

"Look…I don't have time to waste, so if there is anything else please speak up", he breathed.

"Hmm…" Kristi's face was emotionless; unaware of what had been said.

"Well then, I will be on my way", he sighed; walking pass Kristi only to feel a gentle thug of his hand.

"Wait…Take me with you", she begged. Squeezing unto his hand as the other gripped at her attire; showing the anxiety which had overcame her.

His eyes lay still on the fragile child, it showed a kind gentle concern; which Kristi was accustomed to by her grandfather. Kneeling at her level, he placed his hand on her shoulders and instead of flinching away, Kristi was soothed by it. He left his hand there and spoke with such a soft voice that Kristi felt his words calming her down.

"Ok…I will take you with me. I'm sure the hokage can help with your situation. That's if 'HE' is not bu-

"HE! Kristi blurted; interrupting the man before he could finish.

OH MY GOD! She screamed internally. What if I get to meet Naruto as the hokage, she thought; not paying attention to the man in front of her. No but wait, there are seven hokage's from what she could remember and out of all of them Tsunade was the only female hokage; so Tsunade would be eliminated as one of the 'HE'. That only left the First Hokage (Hashirama Senju), the Second Hokage (Tobirama Senju), the Third Hokage (Hiruzen Sarutobi), the Fourth Hokage (Minato Namikaze), the Sixth and Seventh Hokage (Kakashi Hatake and Naruto Uzumaki). Who would I meet, her thoughts rambled on. Satoshi gaped at the girl, who was in deep thought; her face changing from confusion, excitement, and then to exhaustion. Using her hands to ruffle the scarlet locks on her head, she swiftly looked at the man's face, her eyebrows arched.

"Who is the hokage", she asked with anticipation.

"Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage", he stated proudly; still looking at the girl surprised. Everyone knew who the hokage of the leaf village was, how did she not know he thought. "Look we can stay here and chat all day, but I have to be on my way", he uttered; and with a quick movement, lifted the girl off of her feet and into his arms. "Now let's go", he told; sailing through the trees with refinement.

It wasn't long before they had reached the village. Kristi looked in amazement at the embodiment which had seized her eyes. Two large double gates stood firm at the entrance of Konoha and each door had a Japanese character on it. The first looked like a stylized "O" and the other looked like an "h".

"Wow…, she sighed under her breath; eyes filled with awe.

"Now let's go", and with a sudden thug, Kristi's feet began to move; gently Passing through the gates that invited them in.

The village seemed boisterous. Each building was distinctive, it made the place as eminent as a beloved grandmother's quilt, every patch unique and as eye catching as the one before. Kristi watched as people hurried to their different task. Those who laughed energetically, maybe because of a joke they found funny; Kristi thought to herself. Children ran along the paths, playing ninja-she speculated seeing the toy kunai knives they had been throwing around. Florists, bakers, and the different shop owners went along to their everyday routines. Aroma of fine cuisine's wafted through the air, but Kristi could already distinguish the one she knew most. Ramen…yes ramen, she thought; her belly grumbling instantaneously. Satoshi looked at her, eyebrows arched at the sound of her belly.

"We could stop by a shop to get something and eat", he suggested; looking back at her brightly flushed face.

"Sure…, she muttered in a low voice; her eyes still fixated on the road ahead.

"How about rice with grilled stea-

"Ramen", Kristi interrupted.

"Something healthier would be go-

"Ramen", Kristi persisted.

"NO, he snapped. "We are getting something healthier that is good for your body", he further exclaimed.

"We…are…going…to…get…something…healthier", Kristi mimicked sarcastically. "LOOK… she sneered facing the man; whose face was veiled in shock. "I WANT RAMEN! And what my belly wants is up for no discussion", she finalized before turning on her heels.

Quickly regaining his composure, he came to realize the quantity of eyes that gazed in his direction. Why me he thought, this little brat and her antics. He quickly trailed after her, leaving the astonished crowd in their thoughts.

"We're here", he sighed making his way into the establishment.

Kristi recognized the structure in front of her, Ramen Ichiraku, a small restaurant in Konohagakure, which severed ramen. It was also Naruto's and Iruka Umino's favorite place to eat. The owners were Teuchi and his daughter Ayame. Both of who considered Naruto their favorite customer and have never viewed him in a negative light; her thoughts were disrupted by a gentle shrug of her shoulders.

"Are you coming in or not", Satoshi asked.

"Oh…yes", she stated; making her way to the stole in front of her. It was empty she thought.

"So what would it be today? A welcoming voice asked from behind the counter. His back turned to Kristi.

"One ramen please", Satoshi replied.

"Aren't you going to have one as well? Kristi asked with a puzzled expression.

"No…I've already told you, I have business to take care of", He answered. "So order what you like, I'll see you later".

"Ok", she replied, watching as the man turned and made his way out of the shop. Kristi sighed, a little bit disappointed at his departure.

"Don't worry; I'll keep your company. Besides here is one of our famous dishes, so enjoy", the kind man offered.

Could he read minds? Kristi thought as she took the bowl filled with its captivating delicacies. It didn't take long for Kristi to slurp down all of its contents and onto the four extra fillings she ordered. He's probably going to fuss about this she thought; her mind lingering on Satoshi.

"AH…I'M STARVING! A recognizable voice came. "Hey old man, one ramen please", he stated; sitting beside Kristi with a broad smile across his face.

Kristi's eyes widen in surprise as the recognizable figure glanced at her with his rich blue eyes.

"Na..ru..to...