When best friends Alison McKay and Michelle Prince found a small piece of paper bearing a promise of the greatest Naruto experience of their lives, they were unwittingly sucked into the world they had only ever watched and read about. Now, hearts will be stirred, Bonds will be formed, blood will be spilt, and worlds will collides fantasy and reality fuse inextricably into one.

Disclaimer: Obviously, as this is a fanfic, I don't own Naruto. Anything found in this story that does not exist in the real Naruto plot line though, including the characters Alison and Michelle, I claim as my own.

This is a comedy/drama/romance story I've been meaning to write for a long time. Any pairings will be decided as the story progresses, though suggestions are welcome. Also, before I begin, I realize that there are some of you out there who may not like my writing style, or the angle I'm taking with this story. As much as I'd like constructive criticism, please do not simply review to say how much you hated it. It's common courtesy.

Thank you agian for everyone who reviews this story! I'm putting a new twist on this chapter. Hope you like it!

Note toAngelsWind-I actually used hands seals that apeared in the story and zodiac. The only one I wasn't sure of was the rabbit, but, eh, it can be their special thing I guess. Thanks for keeping me on my toes though!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 6- By any Other Name

True wisdom is the realization

that in reality

we know nothing.

"Hey Atsuko?"

"What?"

"I was just thinking, I need a nickname."

The comment had come out of nowhere. Michelle raised an eyebrow at her friend, trying not to focus on the searing pain in her legs. They'd been searching the forest for what seemed like ages now, and the sun marked halfway to noon. Michelle wanted to smack her friend for seeming so totally unaffected by the hours of walking, but didn't think she would be able to raise her arm.

"Why on earth do you need a nickname?"

She sighed. Alison smiled impishly, stretching her arms over her head.

"Well, you know, if I'm going to be a really great ninja, I need a nickname!"

"Why on earth would you think that?"

"Because all the cool ninjas have nicknames!"

She started counting off names on her fingers.

"Lee-san is the beautiful Green Beast of Konoha, Kakashi-sensei is the Copy Ninja, Gaara-san is–"

"Okay okay, I get the point."

Michelle interrupted, waving her hand absently to shut her up.

"Pick a nickname then."

"But that's the thing..."

Riku started, staring up at the dappled light filtering though the trees. Her hand strayed to the puppy on her shoulder, and she scratched him behind his soft ears thoughtfully.

"What can my nickname be? I'm totally pulling a blank on ideas."

"Well"

Michelle suggested.

"You were bubbles back in drama club. Why don't you play with that?"

The redhead frowned, shaking her head.

"No, it's not...not special enough..."

"Well, then why not, just call yourself Alison? It'll sound foreign enough to everyone here."

"No..."

The walked in silence for a moment, each trying to some up with an idea. Suddenly, Michelle perked up, smiling.

"I know!"

She cried, and Alison could almost see a lightbulb above her head light up.

"A bunch of your ninjutsu involves crystal, and you use panther-style kung-fu. Hence, I dub thee, The Crystal Panther of Konoha! Mwhahaha!"

Alison smiled, nodding her head vigorously.

"Yep! That's the one! That's my new alias! Not sure if I'll ever use it though..."

Michelle shrugged, looking very pleased with herself.

"Eh, there might be an epic battle or something coming up where you have to do a monologue. Just keep it in reserve."

Just as the pair were falling back into a lulling silence, The blonde puppy perched on Alison's shoulder woke up from his doze, sniffing the air intently. His owner looked over at him, patting him on the head for reassurance.

"Hm? What is it Naruto-kun?

The little dog yipped once, leaping to the ground and darting off into the distance. Both girls gasped in surprise.

"Naruto-kun!"

They cried simultaneously, running after him. Only after she started running did Michelle realize just how much her legs really did hurt. After about half a minute, she began to fall behind, panting heavily. Alison didn't seem to notice as her friend slipped farther and farther back.

"Wait! W-wait... Riku!"

Michelle called breathlessly, slowing to a stop and leaning against her knees. Her friend didn't hear her, and kept on running after the puppy, calling for him to come back. When at least the burning in her chest subsided, Michelle kicked at the ground and started muttering curses on puppies and evil redheads. She sighed, wondering if she would be better off to head back and wait for Alison in their apartment when...

she heard the faint sound of branches rustling above her. With reflexes she didn't know she had, Michelle quickly drew one of the fans from her calf, holding it at the ready.

"Hey, who's out there? Don't be chicken! Show yourself!"

"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you."

Michelle recognized the smooth and mildly irritated voice even before she saw Sasuke drop from the tree and land in front of her. She sighed in relief, slipping her fan back into it's holster.

"For god sake Sasuke-kun, you scared me half to death!"

She eyed him suspiciously for a long moment before barking at him.

"Hey! Why were you spying on me anyway!"

"I wasn't."

He replied simply, slipping his hands into his pockets. Michelle growled. That expression. It reminded her so much of the jerks back at her highschool who cut classto smoke behind the soccer field. It was that weird look in his eyes...that look that made it seem as if he was perpetually mocking her. It was soo...irritating!

"My cell and I were training nearby."

Sasuke continued, nodding off to the side in what Michelle assumed was the direction he had come from.

"We heard voices, so Kakashi-sensei sent me to find out who it was."

"Well, alright, now you know it was me, so can I go now?"

Without waiting for an answer she turned on her heal and set off in the direction she had seen Riku take. She couldn't stand his freaky eyes any longer.

"Why are you out here alone?"

Michelle glanced back over her shoulder in surprise, wondering when and why he had developed an interest in who she traveled with. She turned to face him, folding her arms across her chest.

"Well, Riku and I were out training here for a while, and she got bored because she kept beating me in sparring, so we went for a walk to find someone she could train with. Then for no real reason Naruto-kun...well, our puppy that is...well, he ran off into the forest. Riku and I were chasing him, but I fell behind and she didn't hear me yelling at her and...oh darn it! She is so mean!"

She stomped her foot, making an irritated squeaky huffing sound. Her azure colored eyes glinted upward sharply as she heard soft, bemocking laughter. They narrowed dangerously in Sasuke's direction.

"And just what are you laughing at?"

He smirked.

"Absolutely nothing."

Michelle growled, feeling her face turn red. Now she knew that he was making fun of her.

"Oh you think you're such hot stuff! Why don't you just leave me alone?"

He looked at her evenly for a long moment. Michelle flinched. She felt as if shewas being examined like a lab specimine. That creepy stare...

"I just wanted to figure it out."

He said at last. Michelle just stared at him for a few seconds, confused.

"Whata-wha? Figure what out."

Sasuke's eyes suddenly turned very icy and narrowed.

"How someone as pathetic as you became a shinobi."

"Say WHAT?"

Michelle cried in rage, hurt, insulted and confused at the same time. This was mostly because she really wasn't so sure that he was wrong. She'd never really found out how good she was, short of that one spar with Alison. Still, he had no right to say that! Her instinctive pride prevented her from agreeing, and she clenched her fists.

"I'm as good a shinobi as anyone out there Goth-boy! How DARE you just drop out of a tree and start insulting me! You wanna see just how good I am? Fine, you and me, RIGHT NOW!"

The raven haired boy scoffed at her, turning and starting to walk away into the forest. 'Why that stupid, high on himself, no good...' he wasn't this mean to the other ninja in the series!Was she really that pathetic?Michelle bristled, drawing one of her fans and pointing it at him.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going Uchiha! Get back here and FIGHT ME!"

"You're just like Naruto."

He said coldly. He paused in mid-stride, barely glancing over his shoulder at her.

"You're an irritating weirdo who thinks she's way better than she really is."

"Don't you drag Naruto into this! I admit I might be a little bit impulsive, but you don't even KNOW me! What right have you got to judge my abilities!"

She screamed, though internally she was wondering just how it was that she had managed to challenge Uchiha Sasuke to a fight- and was stupid enough not to back out of it. Still, her tongue just kept wagging.

"You are such a...such a ...a..."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alright! End of chapter 6! As the twist, I'm going to let you guys vote on what happens next!

A)They fight.(Include who you want to win in you're vote)

B)They argue a bit longer before going off to meet up with team 7.

C)Michelle tries her hand at psychiatry in a gushy heat-to-heart scene about their pasts.

D)They start fighting, but someone comes in a breaks it up.(Include who does so in you're vote)

E)Michelle yells at him a bit longer, runs off, gets attacked by a bear, and is rescued. (Include who saves her in you're vote.)

Have you're say! Thanks for reading ,and I'm looking forward to you're responses!