Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters except those who are related to he dragons and the Rainforest country.

Okay so we have a few secrets revealed but not all of them… enjoy.

Chapter 3

"You're late."

Tsunade looked up at the door to her office where Kakashi came in followed by Sai, Naruto and Yamato. Takara looked over her shoulder at the male and her eyebrow rose in question. She turned back to Tsunade who had a strange smile on her face.

"This is Kakashi whom you obviously already know,"

"Yo…" The silver haired ninja continued up to the Hokage's desk and perched on the far end with his back to Takara.

"The blonde is Uzumaki Naruto and his team mate Sai and team leader Yamato."

Each bowed and she bowed awkwardly in response.

"I am Takara, daughter of Kita and Akihiko. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."

The Hokage looked at the three young lads and said, "I have asked you here mainly because for you three I have a special job in mind and I will brief you momentarily."

They looked at each other enquiringly and Naruto's blue eyes sparkled with curiosity a huge grin on his face.

"Now Kakashi I also have a special job for you to," her grin turning a little malicious.

Kakashi turned slightly to his right so he could see the Hokage with his only eye.

"Oh?" he asked inquisitively.

"Yes I want you to be Takara's guide for the duration for her stay and she will need help due to her arm as well."

Kakashi blinked his eye wide. He looked at the Hokage then to Takara then back again.

"You have got to be kidding me," he said in a tight voice, "I have to play babysitter to…to that!"

"Humph I don't need a babysitter," Takara said feeling a little put out by his reaction.

"Well tough luck the pair of you, you're stuck with each other for now."

Tsunade clasped her hands on the desk in a gesture of finality but in reality it was all she could do to stop herself from bursting out laughing.

The two adults glared at the Hokage then at each other then promptly turned their backs one another.

"I sense a certain amount of animosity," Yamato said his lips twitching sardonically.

"Okay, okay," Tsunade held her hands up to quell the younger ninja, "It's only temporary till Takara heals fully alright. Now Kakashi please help Takara get a room in the nearest hotel to the tower I want her nearby so I can easily contact her. I will also pay for it and then you can show her around."

Takara bit her lip shyly and leaned back in the chair as if drawing into herself, "No really you're being to generous Tsunade-sama, and please I do not wish to be a burden."

"No not at all."

"Too late for that," Kakashi mumbled receiving a punch in the back from Tsunade and he slipped off the edge of the desk cradling his back. "Ow."

Continuing as if he never said anything she smiled and said, "Really I do have an ulterior motive."

"Oh what's that?" Takara asked her curiosity peeked.

"That snake has in his possession one of our ninja," from behind her Takara could feel someone's chakra suddenly increase and she looked round at the blonde's stormy expression.

"Ah I see," she breathed turning back to the Hokage and nodded.

"If that is also the case then I would be more than willing to help as he too has someone I want back."

Naruto looked up questioningly and the girl smiled at him. She raised her fist and he knocked his own against hers in silent agreement of a new alliance, he grinned. "Thanks."

"Your welcome."

Kakashi sighed, "I really don't believe this."

"For the love of Gaea what's your problem know?" Takara asked in exasperation.

"Nothing."

"Get out the pair of you before I get angry," the Hokage quickly cut in pointing at the door.

The two ninja rose to leave and stopped by the door Kakashi gesturing for Takara to go first.

"No, no," she said grinning, "after you, after all Ladies first."

Kakashi growled softly to himself and walked through the door followed by Takara who was snickering to herself. As she closed the door she waved them a brief good bye before disappearing.

Naruto had been watching with quiet interest and thought it was quite amusing seeing the way his sensei was behaving. He had never seen Kakashi react that way to anyone and it seemed a little childish from his stand point. He knew that, that coming from him, was a bit rich but he had an excuse; he was still a kid really, well teenager. He could not see why Kakashi was so against the idea of being Takara's guide. Naruto thought Takara was very pretty even though she had a strange hair and eye colour but he had seen stranger things. She also had a very pleasant smile too, Naruto thought. From what he could tell his sensei was just making a fuss over nothing.

Tsunade snickered behind her hand trembling with laughter. Yamato shook his head in mild disgust.

"You did that deliberately, didn't you Tsunade-sama."

"Would I do that," she replied grinning from ear to ear.

"What's this special job Tsunade Obaa-chan, what is it?" Naruto asked eagerly his blue eyes alight with curiosity.

The Hokage smirked, "I want you to keep an eye on those two and make regular reports to me and warn me if any fights break out."

"Nani?" Naruto stared at the Hokage and scowled, "Why should we do that?"

"Purely for my curiosity," she replied with a shrug.

"Is that all you want us to do?" Yamato asked confusion evident on his usually emotionless face.

"Yes pretty much," she looked at the paper work on her desk and scowled. "Now off you go I've got work to do."

The other three looked at each other and shrugged. Naruto felt extremely disappointed. He thought he would get something really cool to do but spying on these two was a lame idea. When they got outside the door Yamato looked down at his two younger team mates.

"Right the way we will do this is in shifts Morning, afternoon and evening. Sai shall have the morning, Naruto the afternoon and me the evening."

"Why do you get the evening?" Naruto asked scowling at his team leader.

Yamato looked away with his hands on his hips, "because I said so."

Naruto sighed and shook his head. This was so lame he thought again and they left the tower and as it was still the afternoon Yamato appointed Naruto to make his first shift. Much to the displeasure of Naruto but he went anyway mainly because his own curiosity had peaked that and he could do with a good laugh.

Sasuke walked in to the dungeon where most of Orochimaru's slaves were kept for his sick little experiments. All the cells were full and over crowded and the people looked at Sasuke with unmasked hatred as he past. He ignored them and approached Kabuto who was looking into one of the cells with grave interest.

Inside the dark cell sat a huge man with broad shoulders and blood red hair which seemed to reflect the light making it appear to glow. His moustache was long and thin resembling a Chinese monk and his hair was long drawn into a ponytail by a leather thong. The man sat there cross legged dressed in a simple red kimono which was open at the front showing his muscular chest. He was as still and silent as a stone statue hardly moving.

Kabuto looked at the young Uchiha with a slight frustrated look on his face.

"Has he said anything?" Sasuke asked the annoyed medic Nin.

Kabuto shook his head.

"I've been here for a while and he's down nothing except from his fingers twitching every now and then."

"Twitching?"

"Yes, over a period of an hour or so a finger would just twitch and he'd be still again."

"Hn."

The young Uchiha stared at the man when all of a sudden a finger jerked and with his Sharingan he swore he saw a flicker of chakra that covered the man like a bubble.

"What is it Sasuke-kun?" Kabuto asked when the young man's eyes widened in surprise.

Sasuke looked at Kabuto with narrowed eyes.

"Go in there and try to touch him." Sasuke ordered.

Kabuto visibly started and glared at the Uchiha who gave him an emotionless stare back. A little creeped out Kabuto unlocked the cell door and entered approaching the huge man a little apprehensively. He stretched out his hand and jolted as an electrical surge raced up his arm singing his fingers. He exclaimed in pain and looked at his fingers which healed almost instantaneously. He glared at the Uchiha who spun on his heel and left to make his report to Orochimaru smirking lightly as he went.

Kabuto looked at the mammoth of a man and frowned shaking his head going to lock the cell again. Behind his back a small smile flickered across the man's lips before returning to the stony cast of before.

Takara followed the silent Kakashi all the way to Hotel to book a room and back out into the village. He led her along streets and avenues leaving Takara perplexed as to where they were. After what seemed an eternity she finally grew annoyed. She hated the silence and when they stopped she sort to break it.

"Giving me the silent treatment are ya?" she asked trying to get him to say something.

He just looked at her his eye narrowed suspiciously.

"What?!"

He looked away and sighed.

"Why a heavy sigh Kaka-Chan."

She could see his shoulders tense at the use of the nick name and he shook his head.

"Come on say something," she nearly shouted scowling at the man in frustration.

"Why? you would just twist everything I say into an insult."

"I don't," she said defensively.

"Yes you do," he replied in a quiet voice and she could sense something akin to annoyance.

She suddenly looked at her feet with an expression that was a mix of sadness and guilt.

"I'm sorry if it sounded that way," she replied quietly fiddling with her sling.

Kakashi's eyebrow flicked up in question. There was something in her tone of voice that seemed familiar to him some how. Then all of a sudden a gurgling caught his attention and he looked up at an alley entrance.

"Naruto you can come out now."

The sheepish young man walked out scratching the back of his neck. He regarded his sensei nervously silently berating himself over and over again for his clumsiness. He approached the women and the tall ninja then stopped realising for the first time how tall the woman was. She must only be an inch shorter than the tall ninja and for Naruto to see a woman that tall was almost scary, even though he was only slightly smaller than his sensei now. Her hair was shoulder length and had a spiky quality to it with a fringe that fell either side of her face to frame her almond eyes.

"Sorry Sensei I didn't mean to look like I was following you," he lied quickly, "I was on my way to get some ramen when I saw you guys." He chuckled apprehensively and Kakashi gave him a withering look.

"Ramen?" Takara mused thoughtfully, "What's that?"

Naruto's eyes widened in disbelief and his mouth gaped at the impossibility of her words.

"You don't know what Ramen is?" he asked her and she shook her head looking a little worried by the young boys reaction.

"It's only the single most excellent invention in culinary history!" Naruto crowed and he reached forward grabbing the wrist of her free arm and began to drag her down the street. Naruto turned back to her and grinned mischievously his bright blue eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Despite being complete strangers he seemed so open and friendly that Takara could not help but feel a little touched. As he led her down the street in the bright afternoon sun she could not help but feel something familiar about the boy. She looked up and for first time noticed the faces carved into the vast cliff looking over the village. One she knew and had only met recently, the Godaime Tsunade. There were three other faces, but she had no idea who they were, then there was the youngest face on the cliff side forever to look over the village with his stony visage; last known to her as Arashi, the guy with the funny yellow hair.

She looked over her shoulder at Kakashi who was also looking up at the cliff his single eye unreadable but they briefly met each others gazes and he looked down at his feet, shoulders slightly slumped.

She needed not have asked what that meant and she felt sad and regretful that she would never meet the man again.

"Looks like he made Hokage," she whispered and Naruto looked at her noticing what she was looking at then grinned.

"Yeah, one day my face will be up there," he said his grin if possible grew wider.

"Really?" she asked curiously.

"Yeah I'm gonna be the next Hokage!"

"Why's that?" she pressed intrigued.

"Because I want everyone to look up to me, to recognise me for whom I am," he replied his voice reverberating with evident passion. His eyes were bright with the prospects and his fist clenched with determination. Takara could not help but giggle which received a scowl from the boy, she then smiled sweetly.

"With that attitude Naruto-kun, I wouldn't be surprised if you met that goal," she said truthfully and Naruto responded by dragging her faster towards their destination.

They stopped outside of a bar type stall with three pieces of fabric that hung down to make the stall a little more private. A paper lantern that hung to the side said 'Ichiraku Ramen bar'. Takara cocked an eyebrow and sniffed the smells coming from the stall and it made her feel a little nauseous.

"This is one of favourite places in all of Konoha," Naruto said entering parting the fabric a ways and greeted the owner heartily.

Kakashi pulled back the fabric to let her through and she hesitated. Peering into the lit bar she jittered like a timid creature unsure of the new environment. With a sigh Kakashi grabbed her shoulder and gently guided then forced her onto a stall on his students right before taking the stool on Naruto's left.

Takara glared at Jounin but he ignored her by talking with the owner his single eye smiling. A bowl suddenly appeared in front of her and she blinked not really sure what she was looking at. It was thinner than the meal she had in the hospital; vegetables and those stringy things floated around in it.

"I hope you don't mind but I ordered for you," Naruto said snapping a pair of chopsticks apart for her and handed them over. Awkwardly she took them fiddling uncertainly. Naruto gave her a weird look and she smiled uncertainly.

"I…er…haven't used these before."

"Nani?" he leaned forward, "sorry are you right handed?"

She smiled at the boy. "Actually I'm ambidextrous."

"What does that mean?" the boy asked confused.

"I can use both my hands with equal strength."

Naruto seemed intrigued by this and wanted to ask further but she cut him off.

"Er, Naruto-kun could you show me?"

Naruto snickered behind his hand but obliged by animatedly showing the precise art of the chopstick. She quickly picked up the method but actually picking things up was the difficult part. She tired and tried again resorting to growling at her bowl with ill effect. Naruto laughed which received a scowl but determined to conquer this 'Ramen' she delved on.

She managed it after Naruto's sixth bowl and as she ate the noodles as the other two called them, she shuddered. To her this was revolting and it tasted so sickly she was surprised she did not gag or spit the food out back into he bowl.

"This is the best isn't it," Naruto said receiving another bowl.

"Mmmm Very nice," Takara's voice was less than enthusiastic but out of politeness she slowly ate the food whilst her stomach protested quite loudly.

"Man you must have been hungry," Naruto commented through mouthfuls of food. Takara merely nodded not trusting the reply that was playing on her tongue.

She suddenly shivered and paused. "Did the temperature just drop?" she asked and Kakashi looked up from the book he had been reading and gave her a strange look.

Naruto also paused and shrugged, "I don't know, probably."

"I think evening's drawing nearer," Takara said in the tone of an expert.

Kakashi peeled back the fabric behind him and peered at the sky. The sun had indeed begun to sink toward the skyline of the village.

"How could you tell?" he asked curiously.

"I'm sensitive to changes in temperature," she said, "and unlike the weather of the main land my home remains a pretty constant temperature."

Naruto's curiosity peeked suddenly, "oh and where are you from?"

Kakashi went back to his book seemingly uninterested but his ears twitched with interest.

Takara however stopped angrily telling herself off mentally for letting her guard slip, but then with a quick flicker of thought she surmised that she did not have to go into detail about her people just where she lived. Her mind then exploded with vivid images of her home. The wonders she had seen from the Great Volcano to the Tsunami no Ryu waterfall on the south eastern part of the Dragon's Spine.

"Well," she began carefully feeling a little nostalgic, "I live on an island called the rainforest country. As you could probably tell its covered in a dense rainforest full of life and every hue or colour you could ever think of (and that's not just the wildlife or flowers she thought) Ever since my ancestors found it we've lived there undisturbed by outsiders. Some venture to the outside just to gather news and such about what is happening in the world. It is both a peaceful yet a very dangerous place to live."

"How come other countries don't know about it?" Kakashi asked not looking up from his book.

"You try sailing through a wall of fog that stretches for least twenty miles and thick enough to walk on. That and the possibility of ripping open your hull on an invisible coral reef."

She grinned maliciously and her incisors, Naruto noted, looked sharper than Kiba's. Just then, for a flickering moment, he swore he saw the pupils of her eyes squish to cat like slits then back again. He gulped nervously as she turned back to the bowl of ramen.

"You mentioned it was dangerous," Kakashi said obviously intrigued.

"Well we have big cats that have enough power to take down the sturdiest ox, erm… forest boars the size of small cart and a vicious temperament; very unpredictable, snakes that can eat small children and can crush you in its coils in less than forty five seconds; that sort of dangerous."

"Do you live on the forest floor?" the silver haired ninja asked looking up and sounding a little surprised.

Takara laughed. "Good Gaea no, we live in either tree houses or in the tree's themselves."

"Awesome!" Naruto shouted, "That is so cool."

"Not really, it's still rather warm in the canopy considering heat rises," she looked at her bowl, "Naruto-kun do ya want the rest of this?"

She pushed the bowl towards him and he snatched it consuming it hungrily. Takara again felt a little nauseous as she watched. She had never seen a kid eat with such vigour. 'Well growing boy's need there energy,' she thought. She yawned widely suddenly feeling tired.

Kakashi heard the yawn and clapped the book shut.

"Looks like its time to go," he said rising from his seat.

"Ah but Kakashi-sensei," Naruto protested, "but I wanted to talk to Takara-chan some more."

"Afraid not Naruto I think you've warn her out," He said with a smile, "That and she has only come out of hospital earlier this afternoon and needs time to rest."

Naruto sighed, "Okay Kakashi-sensei."

Naruto pouted cutely and Takara, despite herself, giggled.

"Aww that is so cute," she squealed grabbing the poor blonde in a head lock with her free arm and crushed him against her breasts. A slow flush crept to Naruto's tanned cheeks.

Kakashi watched with a sigh shaking his head.

"Come on I'll take you back to the hotel."

Naruto looked to his sensei with his trademark foxy grin as she let go of him.

"Ah, you're just jealous Kakashi-sensei," both he and Takara chuckled as that single eye widened. Kakashi promptly turned and walked out.

"Ku, ku, ku I made Kakashi-sensei embarrassed," the blonde grinned.

"How can you tell," she asked, "he's always wearing that stupid mask."

"You may not be able to see his whole face but that one eye coupled with subtle body language… you can always tell," he replied with a smile.

She clapped him on the shoulder and gave him a responding grin. "Thanks for the advice, see ya tomorrow Naruto-kun.

He waved a good bye to her and she pulled the fabric aside to find Kakashi almost glaring at her. She glared right back then childishly stuck her tongue out at the man. The eye rolled skyward and Kakashi lead the way with Takara in tow.

As they walked down a dusty road in the slowly fading light Takara could not help but feel happy. Yeah the guy she was currently walking beside annoyed the hell out of her and she was sure she annoyed him too but shit happens as they say. A low rumbling sound made her ears twitch and she looked to her left. Coming towards them at incredible speed was a plume of dry dust rising skyward.

"Kaka-Chan," she tugged on his sleeve trying to get his attention.

"Yes."

"What in Gaea's entire world is that?" she asked pointing to the steadily approaching cloud.

"Oh dear."

She looked at him quizzically and to her surprise he grabbed her free arm, then proceeded at a fast pace away from the cloud. She looked over her shoulder and with her keen eye sight she could see a dark figure amongst the dust particles moving frantically in their direction.

"Erm Kaka-Chan why is it that the cloud appears to be following us?" she asked and Kakashi scowled.

"That would probably be because it is."

A flash rocketed past them and before Kakashi stood the strangest man Takara had ever seen. He was as tall as Kakashi but a lot more muscular with bowl cut hair do and thick bushy eyebrows. He struck a pose giving a thumbs up with his bright white teeth gleaming in the fading sunlight. Takara swore she could hear the far off sound of waves crashing and seagulls.

"Kakashi my eternal rival," he announced pointing an accusing finger at his fellow jounin. His eyes were drawn to the women peering at him from behind the tall ninja and immediately recognised her… sort off.

"And who is this astonishing women you have with you?"

Kakashi sighed, "This is Takara, the woman that you rescued and took to the hospital at the end of your last mission."

Gai blinked, "of course I remember! How could I forget a youthfully beautiful face?" He bowed extravagantly and Takara's face flushed gently. She was not used to hearing such praise from anyone. Kakashi ignored him looking decidedly bored.

"This, Takara, is Might Gai one of Konoha's jounins and master in taijutsu. Also he is the leader of the team that rescued you."

Takara looked at the man speculatively and bowed to Gai.

"Thank you Might Gai-san you did me a great service by my rescue. I am in your debt," she said politely.

These simple words had a profound effect on the man and looked like he was about to cry.

"Nay dear lady it is I who am honoured to serve such a wonderful women full of youth. I, the Great Energised Green Beast of Konoha will be in your debt for your beauty brings joy to me which I can never repay."

'Rather Extravagant,' Takara thought but she smiled winsomely and the man positively gushed. Kakashi by this time had returned to his book but looked out the corner of his eye as Takara smiled then to Gai who stood mesmerised by the young women. His gazed rested on the chuckling women her eyes seemed to sparkle like jewels. He suddenly found his face becoming rather warm and his gaze did not go unnoticed. Gai spotted this and grinned. Realising he had been caught Kakashi looked back to his book.

"Hah I know your weakness Kakashi and not only are we rivals in life we are now rivals in love!" Gai announced with fire springing to his eyes and his fist clenched dramatically.

"Oh brother." Kakashi shook his head feeling extremely embarrassed by Gai's behaviour and turned away. Takara had begun to protest but the fuelled man took no notice.

Just then a young teen appeared by Gai's side looking pleased with himself. The resemblance was startling from the dodgy hair cut to the green spandex body suit.

"Gai-sensei I have completed the challenge of one thousand six hundred push ups with three large rocks on my back!" he proclaimed.

Gai turned to him and grinned.

"Well done Lee," Gai said proudly, "May I introduce my favourite student Rock Lee, Lee this is Takara."

"It is an honour to meet you," the boy said with a friendly smile.

"Likewise."

"From now on I and Kakashi are not only rivals in life but in love as well. I shall battle for her affections and will beat Kakashi," getting more and more excited with the prospect.

Lee heartily agreed, "That is a noble effort Gai sensei and I will support you."

They both gave each other thumbs up striking their 'Good Guy' poses whilst Kakashi was steadily growing more bored by the moment. He wanted to get home as soon as possible; he had work to do.

"I'd ignore him Takara he usually spouts nonsense," Kakashi said turning to look behind him but he froze. The space Takara had been occupying was now empty with no trace she had ever been there. Kakashi looked around frantically feeling dread come over him.

"Where the hell did she go!" he turned to Gai and Lee looking dejected, "Tsunade-sama is going to kill me if I don't find her."

Gai grinned, "Then I shall be the one to find her." He giggled behind his hand a light blush covering his cheeks; Kakashi looked scared.

"Lee, take that street, I will take this street and Kakashi take that street," Gai ordered pointing to a joining streets, "We shall find the delightful Takara-chan and protect her from danger."

"Er, Gai I don't think she is in any trouble and I think she can take care of herself," Kakashi pointed out, "and she certainly not delightful; she's pain in the…"

"Let's go," Gai shouted running off in the other direction with Lee taking another leaving the single ninja muttering to him self. Turning on his heel he walked away in stately pace reading his book. A brief shadow flickered and he turned to scowl at the roof tops but ignored it continuing on his way.

Naruto finished his Ramen and bade Teuchi, the owner good bye. He breathed in the rapidly cooling air and grinned. Looking up he looked upon the faces of the Hokage's that had gone before leading up to Tsunade. He felt quite lucky that day for meeting with Takara-chan. She seemed quite nice yet a little mysterious. He hoped he could one day visit her home land as the thought of living in the trees of a vast rain forest appealed to him greatly. It was rather odd but he felt in away connected to Takara and the thought of a new friend was enough to make his foxy grin wider.

Suddenly inspired by a thought he ran towards the Hokage Monument, leapt and disappeared from sight. He reappeared on the Fourth Hokage's head landing lightly on his feet and turned to face the village. From on top of the Fourth's spiky hair he could see everything from the Hokage tower to the training grounds where he often went to train. From the high point a feeling of peace came over him. He sighed, settling to sit down and just stare at the village. He closed his eyes and felt the wind tousle his golden locks.

He sat there for a while just enjoying the tranquillity of the peaceful place. He started when he felt dirt fall on his head, his blue eyes shooting wide open. His hand went to his hair and brushed it off. Suddenly a small piece of rock hit him square on the back of the head and he yelped. His hand went up to the welt that had started to rise after the bump and looked up. He could not see anything but that did not mean that there was nothing there. He got up to see if he could get a better look, to see if there was anyone on top of the cliff but as he bent backward he drew dangerously close to the edge of the Fourth's forehead. He felt the edge with the back of his foot and in surprise looked down at the vast distance to the ground below him, he gulped. His heart beat pounded in his chest at the momentary shock, like he missed a step on a flight of stairs be accident.

A loud cracking sound came to his ears and he looked up his jaw dropped as a huge boulder collided with his chest completely winding him. He screamed as he felt his feet leave the surface of the stone and he began to fall. The air rushed past him as he fell faster towards the awaiting ground that rose to meet him. He shut his eyes tightly gathering his chakra when something hit him hard from the side. He felt a strong arm wrap itself around his waist and his eyes shot open again. He looked down to see the ground whizzing past him in a blur of smudged colour. He felt the arm and gasped as his hand ran over what seemed to be overlapping jewels that caught the sunlight.

A flap resounded compressing the air around him and he looked around to see a large bat like wing rigid as, what ever held him, glided. He watched it in fascination as it rose and fell with a single powerful thrust. He trembled, beads of sweat erupting over his skin as he turned his head slowly to stare in horror at the thing that held him.

Never had he seen such a creature. Its head was triangular and its eyes were set under heavy, menacing brows which were ridged with white, ivory spikes. Its large ears too had rows of spikes running the lobe and up to the tip of the ear. On top of its head was a mess of shoulder length hair that was tossed violently by the air currents. In the light of the setting sun the colours obscured the actual colour of the creature's lizard like scales but you could just about tell; they were violet. The eye turned to look at him in a piercing gaze and the corner of the wide mouth twitched into a strange smile, the lips peeling back to reveal sharp, pearl white teeth. He looked down at the creatures other arm and frowned. It was in a cast with a sling encircling its thick neck.

'What the,' he thought, 'Why is it wearing a cast. These stone like scales look almost impenetrable.'

The creature watched as a dawning realisation crept slowly over his tanned face and his blue eyes fixed on the face before him.

"Takara-chan?" he whispered hardly hearing his own voice over the roar of the wind.

"Ha- Took you long enough Kid," the creature said a deep rumbling chuckle escaped its scaly mouth. "Hang on!"

She banked to her left sharply swinging her head this way and that looking for somewhere safe to land. Naruto's arms instinctively encircled her neck holding tightly as she sped through the empty space. Event though it would mean certain death for him if Takara let go, but some how Naruto actually felt safe and found himself enjoying the flight as Takara's vast wings cut through the air like a hot knife through butter. His grin returned as he faced the wind feeling the element batter his face and tug at his skin. All of a sudden Takara sped up slightly and the wind caught the edges of his mouth making his cheeks billow out rather comically. Takara laughed as she pulled up sharply and back winged landing with a soft thud on a roof near the Hokage's tower.

She let go of the boy and he stumbled away trying to get his bearing as he swayed slightly on his feet. His foot caught on something protruding from between the slats of the roof and he leaned dangerously forward but a tail circled his waist and straightened then held him as he recovered.

Naruto looked at his friend staring wide eyed at the creature she was. She looked just like a human lizard except her hind legs were built like the hind legs of a cat or other four legged animal. Her arms were the same length of her hind legs making her look slightly out of proportion, that and her neck seemed a little longer than normal, thicker to support the triangular head. The vast wings were huge with spindly looking fingers with vein riddled membrane stretched between them. The tail which held him secure was long growing whip like at the end but nimble enough to be able to wrap round objects. Naruto looked down at her hands and the pristine white claws which looked sharp enough to tear a belly open with one swipe. 'Who needs Kunai when you got those,' he thought eyeing her nervously.

"What in the world are you?" he cried pointing accusingly at her.

"Shush!" she whispered ducking down trying not to be seen, "I can't let anyone else see me."

"Oh and why is that," Naruto scowled suddenly feeling angry that Takara would keep this cool secret from him.

"Its forbidden outside of my country to use this form so please, Please, Naruto-Kun keep it a secret," she pleaded, "My superiors would flay me if they found out I exposed my self."

"Okay that sounded wrong," Naruto said looking confused.

"You know what I mean," she replied her worry creasing her face, "Can I let go of you now?"

He nodded and stared in awe as her body began to glow a gentle violet colour. Her body seemed to melt and realign itself into the shape of a human again. She stared at him with a worried frown.

"Why didn't you tell me," he accused again.

"I'm forbidden."

"Huh, why is that?" he asked curiously.

"It's been that way since our ancestors."

Naruto was about to say something else when she hushed him.

"No more, let's go somewhere where we can speak in peace."

She leapt off the roof to the alley below and Naruto followed landing quietly beside her. They walked out into the main street as if nothing happened and approached a hotel. They went in and up to the room Takara had been given earlier; she waved to the owner who gave her a weird look when she saw Naruto with her. She ignored it and jumped the stairs a few at a time and walked down a corridor then unlocked the room. Once inside Naruto jumped on the bed sitting with his legs crossed waiting patiently. Takara went over to the window and threw it open letting the evening air fill the room with the sweet fragrance of a summers evening. She grabbed a nearby chair and flopped into it propping her legs up on to the corner of the bed just staring out the window.

Naruto sat there and sat there waiting for her to say something. He began to get annoyed when she spoke.

"You're lucky I don't know the Memory repression Jutsu."

"Huh?"

"Normally when IT happens your memory would have been repressed in order to keep the secret."

"So is it a Henge? Is it, is it? Because that is so cool…"

"It's not a Henge."

Naruto looked up to see her normally smiling face replaced with a serious scowl. Naruto felt surprised that she had such seriousness to her. He shivered as he felt the oppressive weight of her troubled thoughts as they hang in the air.

'Even she can be serious,' he thought.

"Then what is it?" he asked meekly. He was determined to get an answer but as he asked his question he was not sure he wanted the answer.

She sighed trying to weigh the options to her. She could lie but that would gain her nothing and as much as she wanted to tell him, if her superiors (let alone her father) found out that she just broke their most imposed rule and told him everything. She looked up into the face of the boy who stared at her with his bright blue eyes. He looked intent and wanted to listen. She knew he was trustworthy just looking at his honest face but the years of that one rule pounded into her brain fought with her, wrestling for dominance. She sighed and looked out the window again her mind made up. If her superiors did find out it did not matter anyway because the rest world would find out eventually she reasoned.

"Naruto-kun what I am about to tell you as been a secret amongst my people for the better part of four thousand years," she began slowly, "you are to tell no one! Not Kakashi, not your team mates, not even Tsunade-sama you understand."

Naruto looked startled by the sudden demand but after a second of thought he nodded.

"Alright, now listen close because I am not about to repeat anything."

Ha a cliff hanger, aren't I evil. Anyway a few more of those secrets will be revealed as well as the introduction of Peaches and Cream. Next chapter will be along soon as long as I can get on the computer ¬ ¬; (Sisters can be so annoying)

Please read and review!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!