Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. But I do own the OC Hitoshi Kashisha.

Author's note: Okay, a new concept will be introduced in this chapter. "Actions Scenes" will be narrated in third person, and they usually happen when a scene focuses on action instead of character interaction, Hitoshi is incapacitated (for ex. Knocked out or unconscious), or main focus is where the scene is that doesn't have Hitoshi in it (for ex. A discussion between the Sandaime and Kakashi).

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Chapter Three: Academy

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'Oh yeah, defiantly worse than high school.' I thought to myself as I took notes on Iruka's lecture on Konohana's political system. I turn my right to find Naruko already asleep, a line of drool coming from her mouth. I could barely hear her mutter something about ramen, 'She dreams of being Hokage and she can't stay awake for more than 5 seconds through a lecture, if I didn't agree to be her shikigami I would find this pretty funny.'

Naruko's behavior beside, having only spent three days in the Ninja Academy has already knock my joyful visions of being a kick-ass ninja down a few pegs, and by few I mean a lot. I can understand the practical lessons, the hand signs, the chakra theories, and yadda ,yadda, yadda, but the way the teachers presented it is just so damn slow. Not even my old history teacher from middle school made history this boring, and that's saying a lot.

However, the presentation of the material was not the main problem. The main problem is that I was at a disadvantage. In three days I learn quite a bit in the way things are run around the academy.

A good portion of the kids in the class I was in were from the big clans that make a majority of Konohana's military. Meaning that kids from the clans have a big advantage over students from civilian families. Advantages such as training and such.

Students from civilian families, however, are practically had to work harder in order to maintain even an average grade, or to keep up. That includes me and Naruko.

The faculty, while they praise the kids from the clans of Konohana, is not exactly friendly to both Naruko and me. Naruko because of her connection to the Kyuubi, and me for just being around Naruko. However in comparison, I have it easy in comparison to Naruko, probably because the faculty sees me as an 8-year old, not as Naruko's shikigami.

And since I pal around with Naruko, the teachers in the academy aren't exactly helpful when I need to ask a question. Thankfully, I'm smarter than I look, having kept my entire memory after the reincarnation process, which includes my high school education. I was able to pick up most of the material. That and thankfully one of the instructors, Iruka Umino, acts more professional and is actually pretty neutral to both Naruko and me.

Lastly, in one day I went from new kid to outcast. No doubt the adults are telling their kids to stay away from me. Personally, I don't care about my new title; I already experience death once, so not much will faze me for the time being. Still hating Naruko all because of a vague explanation is pretty damn stupid.

I gave a sigh, 'Dammit, its times like these that make we want to punch something.'

"Okay class," Iruka's words snap me out of my train of thought, "That concludes today's history lesson. Now please will you follow Mizuki and me to the training building where the class will engage in sparring fights."

That got my attention. 'Sparring? Sparring means matches, matches mean fighting; fighting means I can kick some ass as a stress relief. Thank you Iruka-sensei.' I nudged Naruko, causing her to wake up. "Why did you wake me up for Hitoshi?" Naruko asked groggily as she rubbed the gunk off her eyes. "Up and at 'em squirt, sparring matches." I answered as I pointed my thumb as the crowd of students that were leaving through the door. Naruko rolled her eyes, "Great."

I notice from the sarcastic tone of voice that either Naruko doesn't like to fight, or most likely can't fight that well. 'Got to make a note to teach Naruko some of my moves when I have some time.' I thought to myself as I follow the teachers to the sparring field.

XXXXX

The sparring field was pretty basic; it reminded me of a martial arts dojo. Inwardly, I grin a bit to myself, 'Its times like these that I'm glad I fought with my older brother several times.' I reminisce about those times before joining the rest of the class. Having some knowledge of fighting under my belt gave me a bit of an advantage over others. Though I have to remember that I'm in a different body, I needed to adapt myself to being 8-years old physically again.

"Okay runts," Mizuki, the co-teacher, spoke, "The matches would be straight up one-on-one taijutsu spars. Matches will be over when either a combatant is unable to fight, or when either Iruka or I say the match is over. You got that?"

"Hai sensei!"

"Okay, the first match would be between Shikamaru Nara and Hitoshi Kashisha. You two get your butts over here."

"On my way Mizuki-sensei." I got up and went over to the sparring ring. After getting inside the ring, I got into my prefer fighting stance and waited for my opponent.

And waited…

And waited…

And waited…

"Um," I got out of my stance, "am I missing something here?" I turn my head to find everyone else staring at a sleeping kid. "Shikamaru," Iruka shouted, "you have a match. Quit holding up the class."

"I forfeit sensei. Sparring is too troublesome anyway." The sleeping kid drawn out in a yawn.

I was immediately peeve, "Lame." "Winner by default, Hitoshi Kashisha." Mizuki's words pass over my head as I went back to my spot next to Naruko. I could catch some snickers and giggling from everyone around me. "Cheer up Hitoshi," Naruko spoke to me, "I'm sure you'll kick his butt anyway." "Probably." I muttered back as I turn my attention back to the other spars.

As a whole, the fights I seen from my fight onward was pretty damn boring. Figures as much since all the combatants are a bunch of kids, probably with little training. I went back to thinking about all the times me and my older brother fought over a number of things, like who gets the remote to who gets the last piece of pie. We punch, kick, grapple, and throw one another till either one of us become victorious, or mom catches us. 'Man, less than a week and I already feel homesick. I wonder how my folks are doing without me.'

"Winner, Sasuke Uchiha!" Iruka's words snap me out of my daydreaming. I turn my attention to the ring to see one kid with black hair standing while his opponent look pretty beat up. I can't help but wince at the current state of the kid, 'Damn, look like he was outmatched.' The poor kid was taken to the nurse's office. 'Damn miss it, I wonder how he got beat so…'

"AIEEEEEEEEEE!"

"SASUKE-KUN!"

"YOU'RE SO STRONG!"

"WE LOVE YOU SASUKE-KUN!"

The loud female shrieks next to me made me cover my ears in pain, 'What the hell was that unholy…' I turn to the source, 'Ah, crap.'

A bunch of girls were cheering their annoying heads off for this Sasuke guy pretty close to me. Their annoying screeches were making my ears bleed a bit, 'And I thought that one vampire book drove in the crazies.' Then everything became silent, even the fan girls were quiet. I felt a presence to the left of me; I turn my head to find that Sasuke guy looking down at me with some sort of condemning look, like he was judging me. 'What's this guy's problem?' I thought to myself before saying, "Uh, you need anything or something?"

He turns away, "Just as I thought, another weak loser."

I was immediately offended, having an 8-year old call me a weakling, I'm 18 dammit! 'At least chronic logically speaking.' I noted to myself. I immediately found my head force forward by someone's hand.

"HITOSHI CAN KICK YOU BUTT ANY DAY OF THE WEEK JERKFACE!" Naruko's voice rang in my ear. "Naruko now's not the time or place for you to stand up for me." I calmly said to the blond. Naruko turn to me, "You're just going to let that guy insult you like that?" I shrugged, "I've been through worse than being insulted." 'Like getting killed in a bank heist for example.' "Especially if it's coming from some punk kid."

Almost everybody immediately gasp; I turn to Sasuke to find him seething. "What do you call me?" he demanded. "A kid," I said matter of fact, "You know, a child, someone who's about ages 6-12. This means everyone in here beside Iruka and Mizuki-sensei." I heard several snickers from around me, Naruko included, Sasuke and his fan club, however, were giving me the evil eye. "You should me show me respect loser." Sasuke said in a cocky tone of voice. "You insult me right off the bat, and then you tell me to respect you, why should I?" I return, putting my hands behind my head. "Because I'm an Uchiha, which alone should be more than enough for you to praise me." He answers.

I thought to myself for a moment, 'Uchiha, how come I know that name before? Something about that name seems…off. It's just something about that clan name irks me, yet I don't know why. It might be the side effects of the Kyuubi's chakra during the resurrection process. Best to keep that knowledge to myself.' "Never heard of them, but if their all as rude as you I wouldn't be surprise."

Everything went quiet once again, and it was that awkward silence too, the kind that means that I either said something I wasn't suppose too, or that I said I didn't know that was supposed to be common knowledge.

Hell, even Naruko was giving me a puzzle look. 'Yeah, defiantly the latter.'

"That's enough stalling," Iruka's words got the class' attention; "we still need to finish up the remaining matchups before the school day is over. Understand?"

"Hai Iruka-sensei."

Things quiet down after that. Matches were called one after another, some with victors, others with a draw. Naruko was paired up with one of Sasuke's fan girls; the match didn't last long and ended with Naruko's victory. During the match, I notice that Naruko's fighting style isn't bad, it's downright awful. Poor form, lack of any structure attacks, the only reason Naruko won is that her opponent is even worse, most likely focusing on her "crush" then actual ninja training. Even though she won, Naruko herself seem pretty bum out, most likely because she was against a fan girl. Lack of any real challenge.

"Bittersweet victory, Naru?" I ask the blonde when she sat down next to me. Naruko pouted, "If you mean a weak victory then yeah. I mean how can I become Hokage if all I pair up with are fan girls?" She then gave a big sigh, "That really bites you know?" I nodded my head, "Yeah, I guess. Hey Naruko, after the day is done I'll spar with you." Naruko's eyes lit up, "Really?" I nodded, and I was soon caught in a back-breaking hug. "Providing of course, that you don't break my spine first." I grunted through clench teeth. Naruko let me go and rubbed the back of her head apologetically, "Sorry."

"Winner, Kiba Inuzuka!" Mizuki's words broke our conversation. I turn my attention to ring to find a feral looking boy with a triumphant grin on his face, his opponent look pretty beat up though not as bad as the one who was with Sasuke. "Hey sensei," the Kiba guy said to Mizuki, "my match was way too short, and I barely feel winded, can I fight another round?" "Sorry squirt no can do." Mizuki answer, "Everyone has fought once, this isn't a tournament you know?" "Come on sensei," Kiba whined, "Give a dog a bone. Isn't there anybody who can fight me?"

"I'm game." I said.

X Entering Action Mode X

Everyone turn their attention to Hitoshi as he stood up, "I haven't fought, so I'm ready."

Iruka shook his head, "I'm sorry Hitoshi, but Kib-"

"I'm up for it." The Inuzuka said with a smile. Iruka look at the boy, "Are you sure, I mean, you already fought, you can still be tired."

Kiba gave a toothy grin, "You kidding, my opponent went down in no time flat. I barely feel a thing."

Mizuki put a hand on Iruka's shoulder, "Ah, let the two duke it out Iruka. You heard them, Hitoshi wants to fight, and so does Kiba." 'Not to mention I want to see the Kyuubi-loving brat get the crap beat out of him. Twerp actually wants to fight a kid who comes from a clan who specializes in taijutsu.'

Iruka look hesitate for second before coming to conclusion, "All right, the final match will be Hitoshi Kashisha versus Kiba Inuzuka."

"Kick his butt Hitoshi!" Naruko cheered for her brother-figure as Hitoshi went up to the ring.

Kiba grin a bit as he got into his prefer fighting stance, "So you're the guy that everyone is talking about, you don't look so tough." Hitoshi gave a shrug, "Everyone has an opinion." Kiba got into his prefer fighting stance, "Rumors or not, I'll show you who's top dog around here." Hitoshi gave a small snort before getting into his own prefer stance, "Whatever helps the puppy sleep at night." Kiba's face turn puzzled for a bit, "Why are you talking about Akamaru?"

The class fell silent at Kiba's inability to figure out he's just been insulted. Naruko broke the silence, "He's calling you a puppy mutt-face!"

Kiba immediately got ticked off, "Think you can get away for calling me a puppy?!" Hitoshi's mouth curled into a sly grin, "I already did."

Aggravated Kiba immediately charged before Iruka could even begin the match. "You'd pick the wrong guy to mess with!" Kiba roared before launching a punch aimed at Hitoshi's smug look.

Only for too caught off guard while Hitoshi sidestep the attack and stuck a foot out in front of Kiba's path. Causing the Inuzuka to trip and land on the training mat with a loud *thud*. Hitoshi, along with some of the class, actually wince by the sound of the impact. Hitoshi gave a low whistle, "Normally, I'll ask if that hurt, but I can already tell that looks painful." He then took a few steps back to get some distance from his opponent. "What's the matter," Hitoshi taunted as he got a good enough distance, "Weren't you're going to show me who's top dog around here, was I wrong?" Kiba picked himself off the mat, "You only got lucky that time," He immediately whirled around and charged once again, "THIS TIME I'M SERIOUS!"

Kiba unleash a volley of punches aimed at Hitoshi, the latter mostly dodging, but occasionally slapping away any of the strikes. While Kiba's face was fierce, Hitoshi's face was fitting his namesake; it was calm and relax, not showing any fatigue or hostility.

The class itself was silent at the display on the sparring mat. Kiba Inuzuka, who was the top of the class in terms of taijutsu, wasn't able to land a solid blow to the some stranger who came out of nowhere. Iruka-sensei himself was actually impressed at Hitoshi's ability to keep on toes against the Inuzuka. As for Naruko…

"WOOHOO, COME ON HITOSHI, SHOW THAT MUTT WHO'S THE BOSS!"

She was ecstatic about Hitoshi's match, she never expected her new adopted brother to be this good, and best of all he was going to spar with her. Hitoshi was proving himself the greatest brother she'd ever had, considering he's the only brother (or family member) she has.

Hitoshi, however, was silent. His focus completely on his opponent. 'Dammit, he's good. Strong, fast, it's taking everything I got to be on the defensive, need to find a way to get him to lose his balance."

Kiba was feeling himself losing steam while his fight with Hitoshi, 'Where did this guy come from, and how can he be so good?' A sharp feeling in his chest made him widen his eyes, 'Shoot, I'm running low and this guy doesn't even look winded.' Kiba readied his right arm, 'Need to put everything into this next punch.' "TAKE THIS!"

Kiba, with the remaining energy he got, fired a fierce right straight at Hitoshi, Hitoshi's eyes widen before…

*POW!*

Everyone, including Naruko, grew silent as Kiba's punch struck Hitoshi's torso. The force so great that Hitoshi was bending forward a bit, his eyes were overshadow by his bangs, but his face remained blank. Hitoshi's hands were grabbing Kiba's right arm as if to prevent the attack, but by the look of things it was too late. Kiba put on a triumphant grin, "I'll admit something you're good, but I win." Hitoshi was silent, not even his mouth was moving. Kiba grinned more, "Got nothing to say?"

Hitoshi's head tilted up to face Kiba, his eyes still overshadowed by his hair. His expression on his face was neutral for a second before a grin formed.

"Got you."

Kiba wasn't able to respond before Hitoshi suddenly turn the opposite direction and pulled on Kiba's right arm with both hands still gripping him. Refusing to let go, Hitoshi threw Kiba over head and slam him into the ground. Kiba struck the ground with a loud bang. Kiba tried getting up but found himself unable to move.

Mizuki was silent,

Iruka was silent,

The class was silent,

Even Naruko was silent.

Iruka got out of his shock and remembered that it was sparring match so…

"Winner; Hitoshi Kashisha!"

X Action Ceased X

I immediately let my grip on Kiba's arm go, before staggering backward a bit. Having to dodge this guy's punches, though not entirely exhausting, was more than enough to test my new body's limits. I wince as a sharp pain pierce my stomach, 'Bastard hits hard too. I'll be feeling this for a while that's for sure.'

I look over to Kiba's status, and decided to at least help him and get him some medical help or something. I went up next to him, his face was still shock over what just happen, I held out a hand, "Need a hand in getting up?" "Uh yeah sure." The kid said as he reaches for my hand. I pulled till I was able to get the lug up on his feet. I shook his hand that was still in mine, "I'll be honest, you're good, and I mean good. I'll still be feeling that last one for it. Ow." I rubbed my stomach to sooth it down a bit. "Thanks?" Kiba return, as if still in disbelief that I was barely able to win.

I saw Iruka approach me, "Impressive match, both of you." He turns to me, "Hitoshi, you might need to go to the nurse's office to see if that last move didn't leave any lasting damage." I shook my head, "Nah, its cool. It'll heal own its own. Just means I have to find a way to counterattack without having to take one first, right?" I chuckled a bit.

Iruka shrugged, "I hope you know what you're doing." He then turns to class, "All right class, that concludes sparring, now will you please Mizuki and I back to class so we can finish up today's lesson."

All he got was silence, the class, except Naruko who was running towards me, was whispering among themselves. 'This could spell trouble.' I thought to myself before Naruko glomped me.

"Hitoshi you were amazing! I haven't seen anyone dodge Kiba's moves, let alone beat him." The blonde said as she continues to hug me. "Uh, I'm right here you know." Kiba said a few feet next to us. "Oh, you're still here mutt-face?" Naruko asked innocently, that pissed dog-boy off. "Don't call me that dobe!" Kiba barked. "Make me flea-bag!" Naruko shouted, and soon the two were arguing their heads off. I took a deep breath, 'And here I am stuck in the middle.' I then notice that almost everybody left the sparring room. Thinking fast I smack both Naruko's and Kiba's heads together. "Hey what was that for?" they both yelled at me. "You do realize that everyone already left the room already." I deadpanned. The two double take to the last kid leaving the room, and went back to me, "Why didn't you say anything sooner?" I smacked them both over the head, "Let's go already." I lead the way with Kiba and Naruko behind me; I could even feel those two glare daggers at the other, 'Give it a rest already.'

On the way back to class, I notice the almost everyone was whispering among themselves and occasionally glancing at me for a second. With my limited knowledge of the human mind I thought of two solutions, A. Their talking about the match, or most likely B. Their talking about me. I especially notice Sasuke's fan girls huddled together and one of them was giving me an analyzing look. My eye twitch, 'Oh, crap dammit, this is spelling trouble.'

I went back a bit, coming in between Kiba's and Naruko's glaring battle. "Hey Kiba was it," I face the Inuzuka, "Mind if I talk with Naruko for a bit." Kiba turn to me, and with a final annoyed glare at Naruko said "Fine" before joining the rest of the class.

"Hey, what's the big deal, I was winning." Naruko whined. "Not now squirt." I return, "Look I need your help, call me paranoid but I'm pretty sure everybody is going to have their questions for me as soon as the day is done, and I am not feeling talkative right now." "What are you talking about, everybody saw you beat the top taijutsu user in the class, of course everyone wants to talk to you about that." Naruko said. I nodded, "Sure, sure, but the way I'm seeing everybody wants to know everything about me, and I'm pretty sure that 'they' want to know." I pointed to the fan girls. Naruko's face darkened a bit, "Oh I see what you're talking about, the two co-presidents have a thing for gossip and juicy info. They'll practically tear you apart for anything good." I pale a bit, me versus a group of fan girls will not end in my favor, "Thanks for that vision, so do you know a way out of this?" Naruko smile a bit, "Well, I have something that I only use for emergencies, but this counts as an emergency to me." I was almost tested to ask why she was making anything like that, but I digress, "So you'll help." Naruko pull out a wide grin, "Like I'll let anyone of those fan girls mess with my new brother. Just give me signal and cover your eyes, after that start running." I nodded my head.

The rest of the school day went by pretty fast, too fast for my taste. I could literally feel my classmates bore holes through my being as info to find any details about me. I occasionally stole a glance towards them before looking back, it felt like being in front of a crowd at a spelling bee competition and you have no idea how to spell the word given to you.

The guys in the class looked like they were ready to pound me for information.

The girls, especially the fan girls, look like they were ready to sink their claws for anything good.

Sasuke look like he wants to start a fight.

Kiba however was stuck in a glaring match with Naruko again.

I banged my head on the table, 'This place is even worse than highs school that's for sure.'

X Entering Action Mode X

Time was moving at a snail's pace during the last few minutes for Hitoshi. He could feel it. The glares all aiming at him, a single glance was all that is needed to confirm his suspicions. With one look, he saw everyone's attention was aimed at him and that made him comfortable. If he was at his original age and body he could handle these runts no problem, but being stuck in a kid's body sure had its disadvantages. All he did right now was just looking out the window, praying that Naruko's plan will work.

The male half of the class were waiting, waiting for the class to end so they could get Hitoshi…to teach them how he was able to pull out all those dodges and tell where he got so good. In their eyes, Hitoshi may be a danger due to what the adults say about him, but anyone who can piss Sasuke and his fan girls off is okay in their book. The only ones who didn't want to harass Hitoshi was Shikamaru, thinking it was too troublesome, Kiba, already distracted by his staring contest with Naruko, and finally Sasuke, who wishes to fight Hitoshi for information rather than ask.

The female half however, were quite livid, though considering that most females in the class are members of the Sasuke Uchiha fan club, the exceptions being a few others who actually want to focus on becoming kunoichi. This…bumpkin from nowhere suddenly shows up and mocks their idol right in front of his face and with no shame whatsoever. Even claiming that his clan was not amazing enough for even him to notice before insulting them is like spitting on the image of their samurai in shining armor. Hitoshi has declared himself Sasuke's enemy, and that made him their enemy as well.

Sasuke himself was angry, Hitoshi saying he doesn't know about the powerful Uchiha clan, and then insulting it was a damaging blow to his pride. But what really got him steaming was because Hitoshi was actually able to beat Kiba Inuzuka, something even he himself wasn't able to do. When he and Kiba fought it always ends in a stalemate, but somehow Hitoshi pops up and beat the mutt in their first match. It also showed that Hitoshi was stronger and faster than his commoner appearance suggested. 'How can that loser be stronger than me,' the brooding boy thought as he glare at Hitoshi's back, 'This fool comes from some backwater hole in the dirt and he thinks he can get away with insulting my clan and upstaging me. I'll show this fool the strength of an Uchiha.'

Hitoshi, though outwardly calm, was mentally sweating bullets; his rapid rapping of his fingers on the desk was proof enough of his growing sense of dread. He turns to the clock, thirty seconds left.

Twenty seconds, the guys were ready to get Hitoshi to share his secrets.

Fifth teen seconds, the girls were ready to sink their claws to Hitoshi's dirty little truths.

Ten seconds, Naruko and Kiba are still staring at each other.

Five seconds, Sasuke is ready to challenge Hitoshi to an after school fight.

Four…

Three…

Two…

One…

"Class dismiss-"

"NARUKO!" Hitoshi shouted. Naruko immediately got out of her staring contest and pulled out a small sphere out of her pocket. "COVER YOUR EYES!" She threw the sphere at the ground and it exploded into a flash of light upon impact.

Everyone covered their eyes at the sudden change, the sound of running faded at the doorway. When the light subsided and everyone regain their eyesight they found both Naruko and Hitoshi gone with a note in their place. It featured a chibi Naruko sticking her tongue out with the sentence, "Later suckers!" scrawled on it. "Don't let them escape." One of the girls said and soon most of the class was clamoring to get through the door way first.

"You'd actually brought flash bangs with you?!" Hitoshi asked Naruko as they both ran through the halls of the Ninja Academy. "Of course, who doesn't?" Naruko return matter of factly. The shikigami slammed the palm of his hand into his face, "Of course what was I thinking? So any idea till we get pursuers?"

"There they are!" a male voice shouted.

"Get him!" a female voice added.

"AH CRAP AND A HALF!" Hitoshi curse in English, causing Naruko to turn to her brother in confusion, "What's that, sort of weird code or something?" Hitoshi's running speed increase, "No time to talk, just go!" Naruko sped up to catch up to him.

Hitoshi made a sharp right at the end of the hall way but suddenly came to a halt when he saw a small group of Sasuke's fan girls nearby. One of them saw him and immediately pointed, "There he is." Hitoshi did a 180 and ran to the left hallway with Naruko right behind him, and a group of four girls a bit behind. Passing another hallway and Hitoshi heard, "There they are!" and "Get Hitoshi!" "What did I do deserve this kind of punishment?!" Hitoshi whined a bit. "Well you did beat Kiba in a fight." Naruko answered. "Not helping." Hitoshi said as he made a sharp right and headed down the stairs.

As for Hitoshi's pursuers, they lost track of him when he made a right.

"Where could he have gone?" One with platinum blond hair asked her group.

"I don't know." Another said.

"He's just too fast." A third one said.

"He needs to leave this place right," a girl with pink hair said, "Let's just hang around the entrance, that's the only way in and out of here. We got to tell the others."

All girls gave a swift nod before heading towards their destination.

As for the guys, the lost track of Hitoshi and Naruko sooner, but also came up with the conclusion that Hitoshi's target was the Academy entrance and headed there as well.

"Something am not right here." Hitoshi said to Naruko as they were heading towards the academy entrance. Naruko nodded, "Yeah, I know what you mean, it's way too quiet for my taste." They both slow to a stop and Naruko cautiously went ahead, "I'll check the entrance." Hitoshi gave a nod as Naruko searched ahead. She peered at the hallway's corner before immediately rushing back, a look of panic on her face, "Shoot, they're at the entrance." Hitoshi grabbed his head in disbelief, "You got to be kidding me. What am I suppose to do now?" Naruko thought to herself before an idea came to her, "Hitoshi I got an idea that's so crazy it's just might work." Hitoshi got out of his ramblings, "I'm listening." Naruko put up a foxish grin, "How good are you at henge right now?"

At the entrance, almost everyone was waiting at the Academy's entrance. Sasuke's fan girls look ready to claw someone, as if they weren't distracted by the object of their affection waiting across the entrance by them. The guys were ready to try to ask Hitoshi were he learned his skills. Sasuke look ready to beat the crap out of the guy for making a fool of him and his clan.

They soon caught sight of someone coming towards the entrance, only to be disappointed that it was only Naruko. Her head was tilted forward a bit, her eyes overshadowed by her blonde hair. However another figure also appeared a bit after Naruko, Hitoshi came running and turn to face the Academy entrance only for his face turn to shock at the crowd already there.

"There he is!" Were all the words Hitoshi needed before running away again. The crowd at the entrance immediately chase after their target, immediately ignoring Naruko as the pass her by. When the crowd was gone, Naruko look up, her eyes a copper color instead of their normal blue. In a puff of smoke, "Naruko" disappeared and in her place was Hitoshi, he grin a bit before leaving the academy.

Naruko, disguised as Hitoshi, grin her foxy grin as she led her pursuers away from the Academy entrance and more importantly away from her doppelganger. She made a sharp left and headed towards her destination: the girl's bathroom.

The girls watch with mouths agape as they say Hitoshi run into the girl's bathroom without hesitation. "That's absolutely sick!" One of them said. The guys, however, felt that Hitoshi went into the forbidden zone that no man has ever entered and lived to tell about it. A pink hair girl, Sakura Haruno, angered at Hitoshi's actions went up to the door and kicked it open, "All RIGHT YOU SICK JERK, WHERE ARE YOU!"

However, all they saw was Naruko just washing her hands. "What," the blonde said as she turns to the crowd, "Can't a girl just wash her hands without being interrupted?"Wait, you mean you're not Hitoshi?" Sakura pointed at the blonde girl. Naruko huffed, "Do I look like a guy to you?" Sakura still stupefy went over to Naruko and pinched her cheeks. "Hey that hurts!" the blonde girl said as she slap Sakura's hands away. "Geez, mistaking me for Hitoshi," Naruko said to herself before grumbling the rest as she went through the crowd at the bathroom door. She then immediately ran away before anyone figure out what just happen.

The crowd was in disbelief, if the Naruko they just encountered was the real Naruko that meant the one they pass at the Academy's entrance was…

"ARGH, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS!" Sakura roared as she grabbed her head in disbelief. Everyone else too felt a little embarrassed to be deceived so easily. That is a single thought cross all their minds…

Hitoshi and Naruko were able to do the Henge jutsu already.

Naruko was thought to be incredibly bad at the henge jutsu, and Hitoshi himself was only here for three days, how they both could be so good at it.

It dawn on the class that there is more to those two then they let on.

X Action Ceased X

I smile a bit too myself as I saw Naruko left the Academy completely okay. I got up from sitting on the ground near the academy gates, "I take it they bought it." "Hook, line, and sinker." Naruko answered back as we both decided to run before the class decides the catch up to us. "Thank goodness that those guys didn't check my eyes while I was disguised as you, or else I would've been in deep." I gave a short laugh at the memory of their looks of disappointment. "I'm surprise that you were able to pick the henge so fast, you still need work though." Naruko said as we headed down the street that lead to our apartment. I gave a sheepish grin, "That's true. I wonder how mad those guys are when they figured out that we gave them slip." "Really mad." Naruko stretch out her arms to emphasize the point.

We entered the apartment and immediately flopped down on the couch, the chase was physically exhausting to say the least, but to be honest it was…fun. I chuckled a bit at the thought. Here I am, a human turn shikigami with the appearance of an eight year old kid assign to protect Naruko Uzumaki. I look up at the ceiling and my smile left me, certain truths still plagued my mind.

'I'm no longer human, the Kyuubi told me about that.'

'Sooner or later, Naruko would learn the truth about her connection to the Kyuubi, and that in turn would mean learning the truth about me as well.'

'Would she take it well, phht, hell no. Would she take the fact that I'm her shikigami and already know the truth well, also no.'

'I'm also in a different world, which meant that I'll no longer see my family or friends again. All the memories I have of them would be the only connection I have left of my previous life.'

'I wonder what how it's going in my old world, I wonder how my family is taking the news of my death, probably not so much, but what about my body, is my current one just an artificial body or something?'

'It's times like these that make you feel one of the many consequences of your actions. Have I made the right choice, or did I make the wrong choice? I just don't know anymore, man I miss my old life so much already.'

"Hey Hitoshi, you're okay? You're crying." Naruko's words snap me out of my internal debate. Curious I reach up to my eyes and felt something wet. I pull my hand back to find my hand wet with tears. I turn to Naruko; she had a look of worry on her face. "Is there anything wrong? You look so sad about something." I wiped my face with my arm, "It's nothing, just some deep thinking brought some bad memories." "You want to talk about it?" my sister question, the look in her eyes were like…like…they were reaching deep into my soul or something. "Maybe some other time. It's…complicated." Naruko's face turn sad before she nodded her head, "I see." It sort of made me sick to watch Naruko so sad, "Hey, don't make that face, how about some ramen to cheer the mood around here a bit." Naruko put up a small smile, "Ah, Hitoshi, you know what makes me feel better already."

After a small dinner of cheap cup ramen, Naruko and I went to our respectable beds, which meant Naruko gets the bed, I get the couch. Today was quite something that's for sure. I set my head against the pillow, and pulled the blanket over me and was preparing to sleep.

"Hitoshi." Naruko's voice came from her room.

"Yo." I said.

"You said you can't have friends or family that you know of, and that you've been on the road for as long as you can remember."

"That's true."

"But, that look in your eyes says something different. I can't explain it but somehow, I know you're holding something back."

My eyes widen a bit, "What brought that on."

"When I say you crying, you had such a sad look on your face, like you're remembering something or someone from you past. I don't want you to go through it alone."

I took a deep breath, "Naruko, I won't lie to you. I've seen a lot, and I mean a lot despite my age. That includes things that no person should see once in their entire lifetime. Like you I've been through my fair share of hardships as well, not like yours but still hardships none the less. I guess I have my own burdens to bear as well. I can tell you more but it's hard to say and difficult to explain."

Naruko was silent for a second, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up such memories."

I shrugged a bit, "It's cool. When the time is right, I'll tell you."

"And when is that?"

"In all honesty, I truly don't know."

It was silent for several minutes. I found myself crying again, memories can sure be a pain the ass sometimes.

"Hitoshi."

"Yeah."

"No matter what happens, no matter what everyone says about us, no matter what the future brings, we'll be together, right?"

I wiped my tears away, "Right, we're family, and family stick together through thick and thin."

"You're crying again, aren't you?"

I chuckle again, "You're good at reading people you know that?"

"Not that good to be honest, I just thought I heard you crying or something."

"Sorry," I slap my face a bit, "Need to pull it together."

"I see. Goodnight Hitoshi."

"Night Naruko."

I laid there on the couch, my mind spinning over the conversation Naruko and I just had, "Family…it can sometimes be a truly beautiful thing." I then fell asleep.

XXXXX

Oh god, the angst, THE ANGST. The ending scene aside I enjoyed writing this chapter, the actions scenes I need to keep working on but I'm getting there, I'm getting there. All I did for this chapter is setting up the cornerstone on how Hitoshi's relations with the other characters be, they relations will be flesh out in later chapters, either through flashbacks or something. Also, I gave some insight to Hitoshi life as Joseph was for a bit there, and that too will be flesh out in flashbacks. A main problem of stories involving people from one world being taken into the Naruto world is that their own lives are hardly explained in a sentence or two. I will be honest, Hitoshi's past as Joseph will play a part in terms of his character development and motivations as a shinobi.

Now for a big problem, I don't know Hitoshi's shikigami nature will be, I have so many good ideas, but their either unoriginal, or make Hitoshi too overpowered. So I decided to let you, the readers offer up your suggestions. Also if I find "DURR, YOU SHOULD GIVE HITOSHI THE SHARINGAN, HURK, HURK, HURK!" I will disown you, your family, and any pets you may own at the moment. That includes any bloodlines that already exist in the cannon Naruto world (filler episodes do not apply). Hitoshi is a shikigami, which means he's no longer human, so I want something different. Here's what I got planning for him:

Shikigami ideas:

Angel-Class: Focuses on Aerial Combat and light-attributed attacks (He is dead and his last name means "guardian")

Shield-Class: Focuses on physical attacks and defense (Repeat: "Guardian")

Crystal Sentry-Class: Summons 8 crystals that perform moves base on vocal commands. (Thought it was a good idea at the time)

Elemental-Class: Limited control over an element of your choosing (Don't ask where I thought this up)

Reaper-Class: One of the most radical changes, Involves dark-attributed attacks with a scythe. (He is dead in a sense, also if anyone suggest Hitoshi turn to Jashinism I will disown you, your family, and you know what I'm getting there.)

Mech-Class: Another radical change, Allows Hitoshi to transform into his "True Shikigami" form that is something similar to the mechs in the ZOE series, but at a cost of great chakra payment to even maintain Hitoshi's "True" form. Starts off slow, affecting only his arms, but builds up. (Don't ask)

Time-Class: Hitoshi is able to stop time for himself for a few seconds, at a cost of chakra and physical health (going from one place to another in a millisecond can really impact the body.)

Gunner-Glass: Semi-radical change, Hitoshi gets increased vision accuracy and can summon twin caster guns that fire bullets consisting of his Chakra.

Think you have a better suggestion, post a review and let me see, if your suggestions are better, that I can happily use them and I will give props to you. However, if you like one of my ideas then also post a review. Either way, tell me your feelings for Second Go. Compliments are welcome and unnecessary flamers I will just laugh at. So anyway this is WanderingWriter79 signing off.

P.S. Can you find what item I referenced that comes from this world in this story? First one to guess it right gets a shiny, non-existent cookie.