AN- Wow Chapter 10 and it only took many many years. I felt a little guilty for longing this fic out after seeing this little comic . /tumblr_mcdefvNhrN1qe9g4mo1_ especially since the other chapters have been finished for some time now.

Chapter 10

Winter was arriving quicker than usual being outside was out of the question for everyone besides Lee and Guy-sensei doing 50 laps around the school. The fiery passion of youth warmed their bodies and spirits. Kakashi was testing everyone strengths by pairing them up with people who they haven't fought against before. Hinata had held her own against Neji she was winded but proud of herself. Naruko fought Shino he came quite close to winning when a spider crawled from his sleeve and on to Naruko's face.

"Not bad, Sasuke and Lee hurry this one up so we can all go home."

"Yes Kakashi-sensei!" Lee yelled jumping on to the matt and taking stance.

"Alright go for it." Kakashi sat back down and took out his book and begun reading. The match against Sasuke and Lee lasted longer than what Kakashi had anticipated as Lee would not give up. When Lee was bested by Sasuke he did fifty one armed pushups and went to run an additional 100 laps around the school.

As everyone was leaving the gym Sasuke took this opportunity to call Naruko and take his brother's advice and apologize just to remove the awkwardness that was around the house plus he was a little suspicious that she may have been spitting in his food."Naruko wait. We need to talk about what I said."

"About me being a cheater because I beat you." Naruko said.

"How could I not think that after know what I know about you? It's always going to be in the back of my mind now are you using your powers or not."

"It's because you're an asshole you don't want to believe that you lost especially to me. It doesn't matter if I'm kitsune or not you would still look for an excuse. Fuck you."

"Whatever I knew apologising was a waste of time." Sasuke said starting to walk past Naruko.

"That was an apology?" Naruko growled, the words 'I'm sorry' didn't even leave his mouth. She held up her hand and shoved Sasuke down hard that he went skidding back on the polished hardwood floor. Sasuke looked up to see Naruko standing above him she was radiating a red orange glow around her. Her blonde hair swirled all around her, her ears and tail visible and the markings on her face became more prominent.

Naruko reached low and grabbed Sasuke by the throat choking him she lifted him off the floor and his feet kicked out and he pulled at Naruko's hand. He choked out for her to stop but she squeezed tighter.

"I could break your neck right now if I wanted to. This is how strong I am when I tap into my power but I rarely ever do. Last year when I beat you, if I had used my strength as you think I did your chest would have caved in when I kicked you." Naruko dropped Sasuke on the floor and he coughed and gasping for air he rubbed his neck and looked up. Naruko had returned to normal and her eyes were fading from red back to blue. She extended her hand to help him up he took it and then rubbed his to find blood where her clawed fingers dig into him.

"I'm sorry." Sasuke said even he couldn't believe he said that to her but it was sincere. She showed him her true power and he felt every bit of it. He had gained a lot of respect for her. "I'm sorry I thought you cheated, you obviously just got lucky."

"Teme!" Naruko punched Sasuke he easily blocked it they decided to stay a little longer and spar.

"Merry Christmas whatever you two are doing you should stop doing it before I'm traumatized." Naruko pushed open the door and took off her shoes.

"Naruko! Good to see you." Jiraiya said.

"Wow I thought you'd be drunk by now."

"We have all day to get drunk." Jiraiya replied. Naruko sat down and saw two presents under the tree with her name on it. Naruko opened the smallest one first it was a loyalty card for Icharaku's Ramen place from Tsunade. The other was from Jiraiya it was the latest issue of his book Jiraiya had given her a copy of each issue but she never read any of them. Who would want to read his perverted adventures besides Kakashi?

"Thanks for the present Tsunade."

"You deserve it. Masami tells me you've been working really hard." Tsunade ruffled her hair.

"Oh I got you something too." Naruko gave Tsunade a sparkly bag she smiled in return.

"You really didn't have to get me anything Naruko."

"Its fine it's something you need anyway."

Tsunade's face fell when she pulled out what was in the bag. "Extra strength anti-ageing face cream?" Tsunade breathed heavily and balled up her fist punching Naruko on the head. Jiraiya laughed.

"Oh Naruko you're so stupid. Ok let's get going." Jiraiya picked up the car keys and went outside Naruko soon followed scooping up some snow to put on her head and the Tsunade then followed they all got into the car to drive the local graveyard.

It was around this time of year many years ago when Naruko's parents died. In a village not too far from Konoha someone had found out about Kushina and Naruko's abilities an angry mob formed and chased them out of town. It had been snowing that night too so the road were very slippery. Minato lost control of the car and they drove off a cliff, Minato died instantly Kushina managed to shield Naruko from danger with her own body. Naruko turned into a fox and ran for days to Tsunade and Jiraiya's house. Naruko went to live with her father's side of the family for a short time but they hated her. Jiraiya and Tsunade thought it was best to take Naruko with them to Konoha.

They arrived at the graveyard and it was snowing again Naruko got out of the car first and walked around looking for her parents' headstone when she found it she fell to her knees touching it. The Namikazes were trying hard to get Minato buried in their family plot they would have succeeded if it wasn't for an old home video of Minato saying her wanted to be buried with Kushina.

"Hi mum hi dad. Sorry I haven't been to see you as much as I could but I've been busy I'm sure you've seen the crap I'm dealing with." Naruko placed the fresh flowers on their grave.

Tsunade and Jiraiya looked on from afar. "It seems like it was only a few days ago she showed up on at our house. I thought she would never stop crying." Jiraiya said.

"She's grown into a very strong woman, they would be proud."