DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto or any of Kishimoto-sama's characters. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. NOT A LOVE STORY!


A/N:

I forgot to mention I have 58 ½ chapters so far, and at the 50th-or-so chapter I changed the writing format…

You have a lot to read, my fans!


C H A P T E R - T W O

|Secrets of the Kyuubi|


Iruka looked around, a little surprised, a little overwhelmed, and maybe a little scared.

"That's… a lot of clones…" The pink haired girl, which I had learned was Sakura, stated. I stifled a laugh, remembering when Naruto told me during lunch that he was horrible at clones and transformation.

--Flashback--

"I've been training every day, and I'm terrible at those transformation jutsu!" Naruto exclaimed, pulling out his hair. "And clones—don't even ask!"

I eyed him sadly, wanting to help… Then, something popped into my head.

"Hey, I've got an idea…" I whispered, looking around the table. Since nobody other then us was there, I continued. "If we help each other, we can both pass." That got his attention; he looked me in my eye.

"Alright…" He said, "I'm listening…"

"If we both pitch in and transform into each other, we can fake it and take the other's exam." I explained quietly.

"But I just told you I can't do those jutsu!" Naruto exclaimed. "So I pass and you fail!"

"Yeah, I go before you…" I whispered, placing my hands behind my head. "I'll turn you into a fake Nina and vis versa. I'll mess up first, then claim I'm actually Nina—then transform into fake Nina; let's say I'll make the shirt backwards. Then Iruka-sensei will use you as an example on how I have something wrong with me…" He nodded.

"And then what?"

"Then, you claim you're a fake Nina and really Naruto. We turn into our real selves, and we pass!" I clapped happily.

"But what about the cone jutsu?" He pointed out. My enthusiasm dropped.

"Oh, yeah…" I sighed. "Forgot about that…"

"Well, how about when we change back, we make lots of clones to get them confused!" He suggested, snapping his fingers.

"Yeah, but you can't do the clone jutsu, you said so yourself…" I reminded him. Now his enthusiasm dropped.

"Oh, yeah…"

"Hey, I could just make clones that look like you!" I replied, jumping up.

"Yeah, that'd work fine!" He smiled, soon fading into a frown. "But what if they figure it out that I didn't make the clones?"

"Plan B!" I grinned, patting on his head. "You try."

--End of Flashback--

I smiled wider when Iruka started freaking out. Naruto and I high fived, seeing that we totally mixed up his day.

"Teacher!" Sakura's hand shot up. "Look, Naruto's clones aren't right!" I looked at her hard, staring holes into the back of her head.

"I hate to say…" Someone spoke up. "Sakura's right… They aren't the same..." I shifted my glare towards the voice to see Sasuke's Sharingon. "Plus… They're Nina's clones…"

I cursed under my breath, and elbowed Naruto. He tried to make a clone—but sadly, he failed. The class broke out laughing. He tried again, and again, and again. I helped with the last one and the class went silent.

"Naruto, you're such a loser; letting a girl help you cheat…" Sasuke put in.

"That's it!" Iruka exclaimed. "Naruto, Nina, detention."


After a harsh lecture about cheating from Iruka, we were told to stay another hour. I sat back in the chair, my feet on the desk, and my hands behind my head. Naruto, on the other hand, was practically beating him self up.

I watched the clock intently as Naruto muttered inaudible sentences to himself, and I probably didn't want to know what he was saying. The rhythm of the clock's ticking echoed in my head. I dilated my eyes, going in a trance.

The classroom door slid open, bringing me back to reality. Iruka stepped in—an undecided look settling across his features.

"You two helped each other greatly today," He started, his eyes flickering from Naruto to me. "But you still technically passed the test…"

My eyes brightened, like Naruto's, as we listened quietly. "And it has come to my attention…"

"That you are both fine ninja… You may need some help with jutsu, Naruto, but you will grasp it in the end. As long as Nina is there to help you, I think you'll be just fine."

"So what does that mean?" I inquired curiously, tilting my head to the side. "Did we pass?"

"Yes," He smiled, crinkling his nose where the scar he sported was. "But you will be placed on the same team no matter what."

Naruto's POV

"Really?!" I grinned, looking back to Nina, whose face mirrored mine.

"We passed," She squealed, hugging me tight as she jumped excitedly up and down. I laughed and bounced with her, just as happy as she.

'So this means…' I thought, 'I probably have to tell her… About Kyuubi…'


"Naruto!" She laughed, "Naruto, where are we going?!"

"Just wait, and keep your eyes closed!" I replied, dragging her behind me as I made my way up the Hokage Faces.

Why? Because it was the most secret place I could find. And it was a beautiful view at this time of day.

"Ah!" She yelled, stumbling as I tripped—too preoccupied with my thoughts to focus on my feet. "Careful!"

"Gomen!"

Finally, we'd made it—in one piece, luckily—to the top of the monument. I stood the fellow blonde so that she'd see the view of Konoha.

"Alright…" I murmured, crossing my fingers for good luck, "Open your eyes."

And she did as she was told.

Nina's POV

Opening my eyes, I gasped. I was looking out over Konoha, the sun just below the horizon—blending the sky into shades of pinks and oranges. The town beneath us was shaded with the colors, and it was so beautiful.

I turned around, facing a worried looking Naruto. His face was highlighted like the town behind me, causing me to glance at his whisker marks.

"Why did you bring me here?" I questioned, curious blue eyes looking deep into his worried ones.

"I have to tell you something… And it's pretty hard to talk about…" He bit his lip, breaking eye contact briefly. "You know about Kyuubi… Right?"

I tensed unconsciously, my mouth going dry as I nodded hesitantly. He took a deep breath, looking me in the eyes finally.

"When I was born… I was the sacrifice..." He managed to get out, bringing a sweaty hand up to his stomach; clenching his jacket there. "I have him sealed inside of me…"

I was frozen—paralyzed, if you will.

"The—The Kyuubi?" I stuttered, tears coming to my eyes. "In y—you?"

He nodded slowly, watching me carefully. "Are you scared?" I shook my head;

"No… I'm not… Scared, per se…" I hesitated, "I'm shocked… And I… I…"

I fell to my knees, tears falling as I sobbed. Naruto rushed to my aid, trying to calm me.

"K—Kyuubi killed my w—whole clan," I choked out, sucking in air in between sobs, "And my parents and I are th—the only ones le—left!"

I shook my head violently, climbing to my feet I backed away from Naruto.

"I need to go…" I wiped the tears away. "I don't fear you, Naruto—I just—"

I yelled out frustrated, spinning around and jumping off the cliff. Naruto shouted out at me as I fell, but I didn't do anything to respond.

The wind flew through my hair violently, and I just let myself drop. Newly shed tears blinded me, and I flipped over to face the ground.

I spun around rapidly, slowing after a moment, and I flipped once more a few seconds before I hit the ground.

I broke out running, going straight to the Hokage's office. I couldn't handle Naruto right now… It was too much…


A/N:

Forgive me—these beginning chapters are so short! At least I update pretty quick—right?