When Parents See Past The Fox
Nothing very exciting happened on our first day. We were assigned to our class, went over the rules, had lunch, checked our supplies and went home. I suspected that it would be awhile before we started learning jutsu.
The second day we settled down to learn. The teacher would talk, we'd listen and that's how it went until we had taijutsu practice. (All that consisted of was exercise. Running, push-ups, etc.) I kept a reasonable pace while running but still managed to come out on top. Iruka congratulated me and I caught a few envious looks from boys and girls alike. (Hey! It wasn't my fault I'd started training really young!)
It wasn't until we'd been in the academy for two months that we began learning proper taijutsu. I'd learned most of it from Kakashi but I went along with it. I refused to be labeled a genius. Around a month after we'd begun learning taijutsu, we began sparing. Iruka was going to pair me up with a girl until all the boys protested loudly, saying they wanted to fight me. (I distinctly heard Shikamaru call me a "Troublesome girl.")
I had tried to hold back but everyone was very well aware that I was stronger than them. I had more stamina and I did everything with an ease that came from practice. The boys didn't like that I was stronger than them and no amount of holding back helped. I would beat another girl easily.
Iruka, I'd noticed, was not yet overly fond of Naruto. Whenever Naruto was near his chakra was cold and unwelcoming but slowly it was starting to warm. It would take time but soon Iruka would see Naruto as Naruto and not as the nine-tailed fox.
Of course he just had to pair me up with Naruto. (Why, Kami, why?)
I stood opposite the blonde boy and slipped into the taijutsu stance Kakashi had taught me. I noticed that Naruto's stance was sloppy and silently berated those who had failed to teach him. He had more openings that was safe and if I attacked, killing him would be simple. I contained a frown, dropping my stance and approaching him.
"Your stance has too many openings Sunshine," I said. "In a real fight, that stance would get you killed. Now, keep your arm like this, your legs should be balanced like this…and there we go."
I stepped back and looked him over. It was as good as it was going to get for now. I returned to my place and resumed my stance. Iruka, looking rather surprised and feeling befuddled, told us to start. Naruto rushed forward with a cry and swung his fist sloppily. I stepped aside and stuck my leg out, tripping him. I placed my foot lightly on his back.
"Leiko wins," Iruka announced.
I stepped back and held my hand out. Naruto sat up, glaring at me.
"Don't be a sore loser Sunshine," I mumbled. "You should learn from this and improve."
Surprise flickered in his eyes and chakra. He took my hand hesitantly and allowed me to help him up. "Come to training ground three sometime and I'll help you out," I offered.
"Really?!"
I smirked. "Someone has to. It you don't learn proper taijutsu you'll get yourself killed Sunshine."
That was how our training sessions began. Every day we'd meet up at training ground three and I'd try to teach him how to improve his taijutsu. It was difficult because rushing into battle seemed to be ingrained in his DNA. He didn't stop to think about anything, just rushed in. I tried to tell him that if he didn't think sometimes and kept doing the same thing he'd get himself killed but he wouldn't listen. Since telling him things didn't seem to make an impression in his brain, I decided to just keep beating him the same way.
It took a few days but he figured it out and began changing up his strategy. From there, it was easier to impress a lesson in his brain.
That was pretty much how the routine went for a year or so. I'd train with Naruto most of the time, helping him improve. We'd go to the academy, be partnered up to spar, and slowly the times I won became a little more infrequent. He still wasn't the best at taijutsu and I doubted that he ever would be but he'd improved. (Except when provoked…)
The first difference in our little schedule came when Kaa-san decided to stop by for a surprise visit. About two months ago when she'd learned that I was helping out a boy, she'd had her small 'oh my Kami, my baby's growing up so fast!' moment and proceeded to pester me for any and all details, disregarding that fact that I was seven. (I understand Shikamaru's opinion that women are troublesome now. I really do.)
I'd been focused on helping Naruto, not really paying attention to our surroundings. (Stupidity! Sheer stupidity!) I didn't notice her chakra signature until she squealed.
"Oh Leiko, sweetheart, it's so cute!"
Naruto and I both froze as if paralyzed. I stepped back away from him and turned towards her, seeing that familiar twinkle and mischievous grin. (For Kami's sake, I'm seven woman! Slow down!) Then her eyes landed on Naruto and the gleam faded, her eyes widened, and her chakra screamed shock. I moved a little so I was standing in front of Naruto, focusing on her chakra to process any and all emotions.
Shock, confusion, wonder…and pride?
The smile came back full force and I was staggered when she came around and knelt so she was face to face with Naruto.
"So you're the little rascal who's been taking up my daughter's time," she said, smiling. "What's your name?"
"N-naruto," he said. I could sense his fear, could see it in his eyes. I stood beside him and squeezed his hand, ignoring the way Kaa-san's grin widened. (I was never going to hear the end of this.)
"Well, Naruto, how would you like to have dinner with us? I'm sure Kenta, Leiko's father, wouldn't mind."
I could feel a rare grin spreading across my cheeks. I started bouncing, letting out my inner seven-year old. "Oh you have to come! Kaa-san makes the best food and it'll be so much fun! And I can get Tou-san to help me teach you!"
It was extremely rare for me to show so much emotion. Naruto looked at me with wide eyes before a similar grin appeared. "Okay!"
Kaa-san stood, smiling. She took my hand and held the other out for Naruto. He took it hesitantly and when she smiled at him, happiness radiated from him like sunshine. I felt my heart swell with joy. I'd never asked them what they thought of Naruto, never even considered bringing it up. It would seem that they had no problems with him.
That, more than anything, brought my emotions to the front. I'd always worried that they would be like all the other villagers if I asked about him or told them that he was the one I was helping. To know that they wouldn't treat him like trash was a blessing.
"So Naruto, what do you like to eat?"
"Ramen!" he said happily. "Ramen is the best food ever!"
"Sunshine, ramen isn't that healthy," I said, amused. "How much of that stuff do you eat?"
His eyes dimmed for a mere second and the happiness became shadowed by sadness. "It's all I can afford," he said honestly.
"Well then, I guess you'll just have to eat with us from now on won't you?" Kaa-san said. "We can't have you eating unhealthy food if you plan to be a ninja!"
The villagers stared as we walked past, breaking out in whispers. Kaa-san held her head high, never backing down. She noticed the way Naruto walked a bit closer to her and squeezed his hand lightly, smiling when he relaxed. She caught my gaze and winked. I smirked.
Oh how I do love her dearly.
Tou-san was waiting outside as we approached. He didn't seem the least bit surprised to see Naruto. He smiled at us all, and when his gaze rested on me, I felt his pride just as I had with Kaa-san. He was proud that I'd chosen to befriend Naruto. I was proud that my parents weren't biased bigots too stupid to see that he wasn't the nine-tails.
"Hello dear," Kaa-san said. "This is Leiko's friend, Naruto."
(The emphasis on the word friend spoke volumes. I was definitely never going to hear the end of this.)
"Well Naruto, it's a pleasure to meet you," Tou-san said, smiling. "I'm Suzushima Kenta, Leiko's father."
"It's nice to meet you Suzushima-sama," Naruto mumbled, obviously extremely nervous.
Tou-san smirked. "Just call me Kenta-san. Suzushima-sama makes me feel old."
"But Tou-san," I protested. "You are old."
He smirked and ruffled my hair, much to my annoyance. "Ah, but Leiko-chan, you'll be old someday too."
"Not for a very long time," I said. "I plan on living a long life just like Hokage-sama!"
"Just like Hokage-sama, eh? You got a long ways to go then sweetheart," he said. "And I hope you do live that long."
I smiled albeit a little shakily. I knew that the life of a ninja was dangerous and living to be as old as the Hokage would definitely be difficult. And if I really planned on changing things, chances were I wouldn't live that long.
I could die at any time but I if I did, I planned on taking an Akatsuki member or two with me. That was the only way I was going down. (Either them or that bastard Danzo. I'd be perfectly happy with him too.)
"She has to!" Naruto said determinedly. "I can't be Hokage without Leiko!"
Well, there are some words to give you a heart attack. I whipped my head around towards him, eyes wide. "What do you mean you need me Naruto? You can't just give up if I die!"
"I can too! I won't be Hokage if you aren't there too!"
"You baka! Why not?"
"Because—"
He stopped abruptly, his brow wrinkling as he thought. I gave him a curious look, feeling his confusion. I shrugged it off and turned to Kaa-san. "What are we eating tonight Kaa-san?"
"Oh I don't know…I was thinking we should let Naruto choose. He is our guest after all."
"Ichiraku's then?" I suggested. "That place has ramen!"
Kaa-san glanced at Naruto, seeing that he was thinking about something really hard. She smiled wryly. "I suppose that'd be best then. Shall we?"
Naruto snapped out of his strange reverie half way to Ichiraku's. I told him where we were going and he cheered, seemingly back to normal. His mood was cheerful but it felt forced. He was still thinking about something but trying to focus more on what was happening in the present.
Kaa-san and Tou-san obligingly paid for all the food Naruto wanted to eat, waving off his objections. They said it was their pleasure to treat a friend of mine and I smiled gratefully at them when he wasn't looking. I knew that this meant a lot to him.
After we'd all eaten and I'd introduced myself to Ayame and Teuchi-san, we headed home. Kaa-san had already asked Naruto to stay the night, again waving off any objections he had. Tou-san had placed a hand on his shoulder and bent to whisper something in his ear. Naruto had quieted before saying a quiet 'thank you' and meaning it completely.
I'd forced him to sleep in my bed while I took the floor but he'd refused. So I'd finally told him we'd either both take the floor or share the bed. We'd made a bed of blankets on the floor and when Kaa-san and Tou-san came to say goodnight, they'd been amused. Kaa-san had kissed both our foreheads and Tou-san had ruffled our hair. They'd stood in the door way and I'd looked up at them, seeing the love in their eyes and feeling it and joy from their chakra.
Once they'd cracked the door (I am afraid of the dark people.) I turned towards Naruto. He yawned widely.
"Hey Leiko?"
"Yeah Sunshine?"
"I'm really glad Iruka-sensei paired us up that day."
I chuckled softly. "Yeah, me too Naruto."
"Goodnight Lei-chan."
"Goodnight Sunshine."
From that day on Naruto stayed over several times a week. Tou-san helped me with his training although in class Naruto still acted like the dead last. I'd explained the team systems to him and we'd decided to be on the same team. (I'm so sorry Sakura.) I knew that I had to be at the top of the class academically but the problem was taijutsu. I began losing a few more fights there so I wasn't on top, aiming to be on the same team as Naruto. It was our goal for now.
As the time for the massacre came closer, I began to lose my focus in taijutsu training. I'd constantly be thinking about how to stop it, if I should, the consequences if I revealed how much I knew. There were so many things to consider, and I didn't even know how to go about changing things. What would happen if I managed to frame someone else instead of Itachi, allowing him to stay in the village? What would happen if I confronted the Hokage?
And if Danzo caught wind that I knew about the massacre?
I'd be a dead girl walking.
Me: Cue the dramatic music...how shall Leiko deal with the massacre? And will she get her memories back?
Leiko: Why haven't you given them back yet?!
Me: ^.^ I'm being evil. Besides, there are more things to come. You are going up against the gods, you know.
Leiko: I'm DOOMED.
Me: You're over dramatic. You'll be fine...I think...
Leiko: Oh great.
Me: Anyways, thanks to the following people for reviewing:
xSmittenKittenx
Amyethious
KafeiDetour
Chuu112
Leiko: People reviewed?
Me: Of course! So...I guess I'll see you in the next chapter! And thanks to all those who favorited and added it to your story alerts! I'm glad this story is doing good so far.
Leiko: See ya in the next chapter! Were I will hopefully get my memories back and find a way to stop the massacre!
Me: If Fate and Destiny allow it...
Will Leiko get her memories back? Will she risk her life to save the Uchiha's? Will Danzo see her as a threat?
Find out next time!
