"I am always saying "Glad to've met you" to somebody I'm not at all glad I met. If you want to stay alive, you have to say that stuff, though."

― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

"The world was my oyster but I used the wrong fork."

― Oscar Wilde

My hands hurt from the tattoos as I walked to the Academy. The streets were full of parents and children. Walking, they all stared at me and my wolves. I changed my top, so I had a black muscle shirt on which showed my tattoos. The ANBU tattoo could be seen on my neck, the shirt being a little lower in the back.

"Do these people not see tattoos very often? I am a shinobi, they should be used to it." I was getting a little irked from all the stares as we entered the gates of the Academy.

"Yes, but there aren't very many young shinobi with an ANBU tattoo. Other than that you seem like a rebellious teen with the mask and tattoos," Soubi said, analyzing the villager's glares. I smelled the air and found Naruto talking with the boys from yesterday. Walking over to them, I bumped into someone.

"Watch where you're walking punk," I said to a kid my age. He wore a navy blue shirt with a high collar, white shorts and white arm warmers. He was pale skinned with the darkest black hair. I miss my black hair, I thought, not taking the scowl off my face.

"I could say the same for you." Kid was cheeky I had to give him that. We stared at each other for a long time, before I felt like showing him up. My wolves had made their way to Naruto and were not at my side. I grinned at the boy before teleporting off to join my wolves.

"Hey, Morrigan, what happened?" Naruto asked, taking notice of my scowl.

"Some punk kid crashed into me," I replied, putting my hands behind my head. I nodded to Kiba, Shikamaru and Choji, who in turn all smiled lightly at me.

"Which kid?" Naruto asked, looking ready to pound on someone.

"Black hair, pale-ass skin, navy top, and white pants." All the other boys froze and Naruto looked livid. What did he have a beef with that kid or something?

"Stupid Sasuke. Bumping into people, thinking he is so much better than the rest of us." Naruto's rant got increasingly more rage filled as it went on. I waved at him, my tattooed arm being fully exposed to the other boys.

"He isn't worth it Naruto. Besides if I wanted to kick his ass I would have. Though taking on Academy students could barely be called fun." The three boys looked amazed at my arms, and I grinned at them.

"Whatever," Naruto replied deflating quickly.

"So, how you boys doing today? Anything fucking interesting happen in class?" I asked the three boys, actually trying to make an effort to start a conversation with people.

"Naw, the same old, same old. We have our test at the end of the month, so we are really only doing review." Kiba spoke first, while Shikamaru slouched and yawned and Choji ate his chips.

"It's so troublesome." Is everything troublesome to Shikamaru?

"Well, I hope you all pass. Anyway Naruto we gotta go get furniture then I should start helping you train. Kami knows you'll need it."

"You know he's the worst in the class?" Choji asked before we had a chance to leave.

"No, I just knew he sucked. Worst in the class is really bad. Well I guess we should start training right after we get the furniture. Just kill me now, really." The boys looked confused with my last statement, but I muttered 'joke' and they shrugged. I walked out of the Academy with the wolves following. Naruto caught up with me on the street.

"You're really going to start my training today Morrigan?" Naruto asked jumping up and down while walking next to me.

"No Naruto I'm lying. You're going to have to work on your own." I said this in a sarcastic voice but Naruto didn't get it. He was going to start having a meltdown. "I'm kidding. Yes, we are going to train today."

We walked to the furniture store on the other side of town. All the while Naruto was yammering about a bunch of stuff. I didn't really pay any attention to him, only nodding and making grunts of approval when there was silence. I was too busy thinking about earlier today. To say I was in a depressed stupor would be the beginning of it. I could feel myself sinking into myself. If I don't stop now, I would lose myself.

"Hey Morrigan. Morrigan! MORRIGAN!" I snapped out of my stupor when Naruto yelled at me. We were in front of the furniture store.

"Sorry," I quietly told Naruto. He looked concerned, and went to ask me what was going on. "Naruto. If I ever do that again and you can't wake me up, go into my stuff. In one of my scrolls is a bone brush, you'll know it when you find it. Write 'help' with it on any paper. Okay? Don't freak out, but do this if I ever don't wake up."

"What's wrong with you Morrigan?" he asked confused and a concerned look on his face. I had to tell him everything, he was my backup. He was the only one I trusted. But I wasn't ready to tell him everything right now. With time I might learn to trust him more completely.

"It happens to me sometimes. Okay? It's just how I am, and this is normal." I smiled a reassuring smile that he didn't seem to buy into but once he turned into the store it fell off my face. I have to keep my emotions in control. If I get too flustered or depressed I run the risk of letting my demon out or falling into my darkness. I have to stay positive. Following Naruto into the furniture shop, I noticed the shop keeper glared at Naruto.

"Hi. I am looking to furnish our new home. I have a few ideas of what I want, but am open to some suggestions." I glared at the lady who immediately placed a friendly smile on her face. She didn't like Naruto but wasn't going to sacrifice a sale.

"Yes, of course. We have a book with selections. Right this way miss." She led me to a desk with a book. Naruto and the wolves walked around the store.

"Don't break anything. Take this as part of your training Naruto. Mind your tails wolves. Okay, boys?" I asked them sitting down and opening the book.

"Got it Morrigan. I'll be really, really stealthy." Just then a clang was heard and I turned to see the woman glaring at Naruto.

"I'll pay for the stuff he breaks." I turned the charm on the woman and pulled my wallet out. She just looked at me with a wary look.

We spent about an hour in the store. Thankfully Naruto didn't break anything other than the first vase. The vase was only slightly dented, being that it was metal. For the house we got four beds, all with a wood bed frames. For the kitchen we got a cherry wood table with eight matching chairs with leaves carved into them. We got a gray couch and love seat for the living room with a cherry wood coffee table. For my bedroom I got a black bookcase with matching six drawer dresser. For Naruto's room I got a small white desk with matching four drawer dresser. The other two rooms got plain light wood dressers both with four drawers. We also got a couple of rugs a dark blue color to throw around the living room and entryway. The kitchen was stocked since the old man said it had everything, since he didn't need them when he got married.

"We should have everything in by Saturday. Will you need someone to help you move everything over?" the woman asked taking the paperwork and the deposit.

"No, I have some friends who will help me. Thank you." The movers cost too much money, besides I was thinking about forcing Kitty cat and Kakashi. They injured me really badly, the least they could do is help me move.

"Well then. I thank you for your service and plan to see you on Saturday at eight o'clock." The woman smiled at me and glared slightly at Naruto. Calling the wolves and Naruto to my side, we headed to the woods where I first met the boy. It took some convincing that we shouldn't head to dinner but should go later when we were done training, but I did convince the blond boy. When we got to the clearing, I thought of throwing exercises he should do.

"Since you were working on throwing shuriken last time, maybe we should stick with that. Or maybe we should have you train with kunai, since you seem like the type who barrels into things first and asks questions later." I thought whether Naruto should work on shuriken or kunai, while he bounced up and down eagerly. "Okay, I guess that we should train with kunai, because the likelihood that it will be on the test is high."

"Kunai it is then. I am gonna be the best ninja ever! Believe it!" I sighed.

"This kid really doesn't have many people who pay attention to him. I hope he gets a little quieter after a while." Naruto took out a couple of kunai and waited patiently for instructions.

"I don't think so." The wolves said in unison, wanting to return into me. I allowed them to, and pulled a kunai from my pouch.

"Okay," I walked to a tree and marked a spot on it, and teleporting to Naruto's side I continued, "try to hit that."

"Right." Naruto three three kunai, all of which didn't hit the tree that was twenty feet away. Naruto's enthusiasm quickly deflated. I felt bad for him, but kept up the stern Sensei act I had going.

"Alright try it again," I said handing him the one kunai in my hand. Naruto looked at the target once again and this time concentrated. He threw the kunai and hit it exactly where I had marked.

"I hit it! Yahoo!" Naruto screamed into the sky. He went to pick up all the kunai and came back to try again. I stood there waiting for him to try again. He threw all four once he concentrated and only one of them hit the target. The others were strewn through different trees, not coming close.

"I got another one!" I looked at the kunai in the tree, teleporting to it. The kunai in the tree had an explosive tag around the hilt. The one in the tree is my kunai, not one of his. Naruto had come over and collected the wayward kunai and walked back. I teleported to his side, coming up with an experiment.

"Naruto throw only two of those and this one." Naruto took my kunai from me, and threw all three. Again the only one that hit was mine. "Naruto give me that last kunai."

"Okay. I got another one in. I am doing so well." Naruto handed the kunai to me and I weighted it. Something was different about this kunai. Holding it in my hand I realized it was disproportionate and the hilt was too short.

"How many kunai do you have Naruto?" I asked him feeling my anger begin to well up.

"I only have three. I don't have enough money to buy anymore and the academy gives out free ones sometimes. I figured that when I passed the test, I would get a bunch more." Naruto was still so excited that he could hit the target.

"You shouldn't work with stupid Academy kunai Naruto. They're dull and shit. I'll trade with you and I'll sharpen those. I don't usually use kunai anyway." I gave Naruto some kunai, pulling them out of a scroll I carried in my pouch. He first didn't want them, but when I told him these were sharp like a real shinobi he took them.

"Okay, now hit the target." I had picked up his defective kunai and put them in my pouch. He threw all five in rapid succession and they all hit the target. Naruto began jumping up and down. I told him he should move back ten feet and throw again. Meanwhile climbed up on a tree and watched the trees.

He got increasingly better when I figured we should move on to other skills. I was too tired for taijutsu and my hands still hurt from re-tattooing them. Maybe we should try some chakra exercises, but those wouldn't be on the test. Oh, maybe we should do something basic like clone jutsu.

"Naruto how's your clone jutsu?" I asked, yelling down from the tree.

"Uhhh," Naruto chuckled a little, "it's, uhhh, not so good."

"Oi then, let's see it." I jumped out of the tree and waited for Naruto to do the handsigns. His chakra swirled and there was the familiar poof of smoke. I was let down when I saw a white clay-like Naruto on its back.

"Okay. We have to work on that. Like a lot. When is the test?" I asked trying to convince myself to be hopeful about him passing.

"It's in two weeks." I sighed. I would get a mission next week and I don't know if that's enough time to train him.

"Alright try again and again until you get it right." Naruto proceeded to make clone after clone after clone. They were all mal-formed and the night was already upon us. I looked at the moon and suspected it was around ten already. Was he even going to collapse from chakra exhaustion?

"Morrigan I'm hungry. Can we stop now?" Naruto whined, panting heavily. I was sitting on the grass with my back against a tree. I wanted to have him completely worn out, suspecting it was his chakra control which lacked. I could always smell that he had more chakra than even some Jounin.

"Not until you make a perfect one." Naruto sighed and tried again. I suppose we have been sighing a lot lately. I watched Naruto sway as he tried again after his last failed attempt. This time he created one. It was a perfect clone.

"Hey, I think I did-" Naruto never got to finish. The swaying got even worse and he fell to the ground passed out.

"Man why did he have to pass out here? Couldn't he have waited until we got back to the apartment?" I asked the wolves, slightly angry at his fatigue.

"You pushed him way too hard. You always forget that he is a child and can die rather easily."

"I know. I know." I walked over to Naruto and felt for his chakra. He had a lot of chakra left, but it didn't feel like how he normally does. This chakra is too dark and was all-consuming rage. I could feel Naruto's warm chakra, barely trickling. He would be fine, but won't be able to go to classes tomorrow. Might as well, I wanted to talk to that instructor. Lifting Naruto to his feet, I teleported to the apartment. I took off his outer jacket and laid him in the bed. He began to snore and I ruffled his spikey hair.

Not feeling tired enough to sleep, I got out my bone brush and some paper. I looked in a scroll for some ink and began to write to everyone back home. I told Akane how I found another Uzumaki, and that he was an orphan. Promising to take care of Naruto, I asked her if she might know whose kid he was. If Naruto had any relatives, I would gladly take him to them. I told Antonio how I got a house and was planning on putting up all the posters he got me in my room. I also told him to buy a t-shirt for me if he went to any concerts without me.

I knew Lily would worry about my health, so I wrote her about the darkness. I told her that should anyone receive a help in writing not mine, it would be Naruto. Telling her he was my fail-safe should I fall into the despair and not come out, I suggested when this happen for Boss to come and get me. I told Arash that I hadn't had time to play my violin while I was here, but I yearned for it each day. Telling him that when he got a chance to send me sheet music through the brush.

It was around two when I finally went to bed, checking on Naruto one more time. Naruto was fine and I suspected he would wake up tomorrow morning. I let the wolves out and curled up in my nest of blankets, with them next to me.

"Wake me up at dawn, and I'll go talk to the teacher about Naruto's kunai."

"Of course, and you'll have to get some food on the way home. Naruto doesn't have anything but bad milk, remember." Soubi said this mentally and yawned.

"Yep. I'll stop by that diner Kakashi took me. I have to find him too. He has to help us move in." I closed my eyes and let sleep consume me. I dreamt of the darkness, and that I was falling into it. I kept falling and falling, until I suddenly was hit in the leg. The hitting kept up and I was confused. Waking up, I felt Soubi nudging my leg.

"I'm up, I'm up." I yawned and began to get up. Soubi woke me up at the crack of dawn, just as I asked. I went to the shower to get ready for the day. Dressing, I put on a purple skirt that had two slits down the sides, but this one went to my ankles. Under the slits, I had black shorts that went just above the knee. Finding a black muscle shirt, I wrapped myself and put my hitai-ate on my right arm. Looking at myself in the mirror, I took off my mask I had previously put on.

I touched the scar. It would never look anywhere near normal. The skin was raised slightly having been burned to a close. The skin at my eye and ear were slightly stretched. In some ways the scar seemed to make my eyes pop, making me seem pretty. But with this scar, I would never be pretty. It was a sign that I wasn't normal. I was a monster and monsters are never beautiful. Smiling sadly at my reflection, I replaced the mask on my face and went to check Naruto. He was still asleep.

"Watch him for me. If he wants to leave, don't let him. I'll be back in an hour tops," I told Soubi.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of him," Soubi answered trying to go back to sleep. I looked to Arawn and he nodded, returning into me. I quickly switched him to weapon form and put him on my holster. Turning, I teleported to the front door of the Academy and walked in the door. Looking for Naruto's classroom, which he had mentioned to me once, I took in the building.

I had never been to a school of any kind, so this was a real experience for me. I finally found the room and walked in. It was too early for students, but an instructor sat at the desk grading papers. I walked up to the man. He had his brown hair in a ponytail and was wearing standard shinobi dress with a flak jacket. Approaching him, I noticed a scar which ran across his nose and brown eyes. He noticed me right away and sat up straighter.

"How can I help you?" he asked. I noticed he had the tone of a teacher: caring, but strict at the same time.

"I need to talk to Naruto Uzumaki's instructor please." I chose to go the polite route and I smiled at him gently.

"I am him. Iruka Umino. And who might you be."

"I'm not really the issue here. The issue Umino-san is that these kunai shouldn't be given to children." I laid down the kunai on the desk with a loud thud. Now that I knew who I should focus my anger on, I let some of it out. Screw that polite tone I had earlier. That was before I knew who to get angry at.

"I am sorry but to become a shinobi, one must train with ninja weapons. If you have a problem with Naruto learning to throw weapons, then you should keep it to yourself. As far as I know, you don't know the boy." Iruka was getting angry with me. He seemed protective of Naruto and I was happy someone was looking out for him.

"My issue really isn't with weapons or Naruto becoming a shinobi. I am in fact training him at this time. Naruto is also living with me, so his safety and education is definitely my concern. What I do have a problem with is that these fucking kunai are mal-formed. They are off-balance and should have never made it into the hands of any shinobi. Now I know that the makers didn't let these be sold to the Academy, but what I can't see is that the instructors, yourself included, gave them all to Naruto. He had not one out of three, but all three were bad. Now chances are slim, wouldn't you say Umino-san." I was starting to yell after the whole fucking kunai bit. Iruka looked quite flabbergasted and was gaping like a fish.

"I had no idea-" Iruka began.

"Well as his teacher I really hope you had no idea. Because if I had any indication that you gave him these because you hate him like the rest of this fucking village, you wouldn't be sitting there right now. If you don't like him, keep it to yourself. He is just a kid and doesn't deserve any of this." I was breathing heavily and took a large breath. I made my tone go back to formalities saying, "Well, now that I have brought this to your attention, I hope you are aware of what goes on in your class more often."

"I really had no idea. If this happened and I knew about it, I would have fixed it immediately." Iruka seemed completely clueless to what happened to Naruto. I felt my rage die down, and I nodded to Iruka.

"I am glad to hear that. I bid you good day, Umino-san."

"Wait. Who are you? You are young enough to be in the Academy, but I know you aren't a student here. If you passed early, I still would have recognized you. So, who are you?" Iruka asked. I had half the mind to teleport out of there, but knew he would freak. I had turned away, so my ANBU tattoo was facing him and began to walk away.

"I'm a shinobi here like you." Those were my only words as I walked out. Kids filled the halls, and I teleported out of the crowded place. I popped out in front of the diner Kakashi had taken me to and entered. The waitress asked if I wanted a table and I said I wanted take out. She took my order and I waited sitting on a stool. Looking around the restaurant, I saw a familiar hair of silver. Walking to the booth I sat down.

"Hey you want to help me and Naruto move in?" I asked Kakashi. He had the same breakfast as last time, and continued to read his porn book. I quickly took a piece of toast, while he lowered his book to answer.

"You and Naruto? I thought you were the one without the house?" he asked, eyeing the toast I was eating.

"Yah, well when we went house hunting Naruto liked this house a lot and wanted this bedroom in it so I asked him if he wanted to stay with me. He was overjoyed and said yes. So now I'm stuck with a roommate who I even asked to live with me. Of course I didn't really think before I blurted it out, but it happened." I shrugged and continued to eat the toast. Eyeing the jam, I went to get it only to be swatted away by Kakashi.

"Stop eating my food. Why did you ask him to live with you?" he asked resuming his reading.

"He had this look in his eyes and I thought maybe he would be happier there than at his apartment. The way people treat him, I would rather have him with me than alone. He must have had a terrible childhood."

"So you understand his pain?"

"Are you some type of therapist or something?"

"No. But your actions contradict what you tell me. You don't trust people, yet you allow Naruto to live with you. Even now, you talk to me very openly."

"Because I know I can kill you."

"You probably can't, that was an assessment and you used my comrade against me. Besides why do you trust Naruto?"

"I already told you I don't know. And I so can kill you. I didn't show everything either."

"So do you understand his pain?"

"I don't know if I know his pain fully, but I sympathize for him. The way the villagers treat him makes me so angry. Why?" I asked really no one, not really expecting Kakashi to know why. Kakashi was silent for a long time and I finished the toast. He sighed loudly and put his book down.

"When are you going to be moving?" he asked giving me an exasperated smile.

"Tomorrow at eight."

"Where?"

"The stuff is at the furniture store over in the shopping district. We got a house over near training ground near the shinobi who look blind. I don't know what family they are, but they're all dark haired and have white optical bloodlines. The house is in the woods north of there and west of ANBU."

"Okay, I'll help you with some of the stuff." That was easier than I expected.

"Is Kitty cat available to help too?"

"No, he's on a mission." Just then the waitress brought my food and I paid her with the last of my savings. I would need to take that mission next week to keep myself afloat.

"Alright then. See you tomorrow at eight then?" I asked picking up my stuff readying myself to teleport.

"Hn," he replied drinking some water. That wasn't a real yes, so I didn't trust him.

"Okay then. See you later bub." I teleported home and saw Naruto was still asleep. I was starting to get worried that he wasn't awake yet. Opening my food, I began to drool. We forgot to eat yesterday, so I was starving. Once the food hit Naruto's nose, he woke up and jumped out of bed. He must not get food made for him before he woke up. He does live alone. I pondered this while stuffing some egg into my mouth.

"Morrigan you are the best! I am soooo hungry." He grabbed his takeout foam and opened it up.

"You're welcome." I said, my mouth full of food. I was too hungry to care about manners right now.

Hi. I am super tired and just wanted to let you guys know, I'm starting school on the 20th of August, so updates will probably be between weeks. I update pretty fast, but won't be able to then. I'll have two jobs and school. Sorry about that. Remember to follow fave, review. Someone reviewed the other day, and even though it was kinda mean, I welcome honest feedback. But if you just tell me I suck, that isn't going to help me. Constructive criticism is crucial. (haha alliteration) Well goodnight loves yous alls.

So yah, ummmm I don't own Naruto (sigh) but I do kinda own the valley of shadows, village of death, the Okinawa clan, the Marusame clan, the Shinigami world between worlds, boss, Soubi the Okamiyasha and my fav Morrigan and my newest fav Arawn. I also kinda own the four new balancers.

(man is this owning stuff getting big. Do I really have to do this. Little sister say yes. Yes it is then)