Second Chances

Chapter 13

Staring down the Kumo ninja as Kushina took on Bulk, Naruto growled, mentally begging Kurama for his chakra, because there was no way that she'd be able to take on three Jōnin without it. Her body just wasn't ready for the torture they'd put her through. Judging from Kushina's current skill level, the red head would only be able to handle the one Jōnin, which was currently what she was doing, Bulk giving her no chance to check upon her two Genin team-mates.

"Okay, we'll take the Uchiha," Red, because that was the colour of his hair, decided, walking forwards so casually it was like he was going to pick up a coffee. They were underestimating them... Well, her. Obito was frozen in fear in the face of his first fight, just like Sasuke had been. Before the feeling of helplessness could overwhelm her, something else took its place, chakra flooding into her system so quickly she didn't even have enough time to separate the malice from the surge of energy.

'It'll have to do kit, you'll need to manually separate them again since I got all of my original chakra back.'
Right now though, Naruto didn't care, because this should easily be enough to defend Obito, hell, she wasn't even into the one tailed state yet. Letting her now red eyes slide over to look at the Jōnin that'd not only stopped in his tracks, but fallen into a very defensive stance, Naruto offered up a feral grin.

"You wanna say that again?" She hissed, inspecting her long nails before falling down onto all fours, allowing Kyubi to force more chakra into her system. The sharp pain covered her skin as more chakra began to form, twirling into a single tail and her ponytails whipping up, surrounded by chakra and taking on the appearance of two long ears. Bulk, having seen exactly what was happening, began barking orders at his team to do everything possible to bring the Jinchūriki in, they could always use her for leverage. However, Naruto was more interested in Obito, turning back to the raven haired boy and smirking.

"Now watch closely Obito," she began, waggling her finger at him and still smiling as the boy stared ludicrously at her, "this is how a real ninja fights."

From behind his orange goggles, Obito's world was tinted the same colour. However, it wasn't enough to block out the very obvious red cloak that'd surrounded his team-mates body, the way her appendages became more fox like as they grew claws. When she smiled at him, Obito could see elongated fangs, the whiskers on her face had become more defined and she now had twin ears made from hair in a fox like shape.

"Now watch closely Obito," he could only watch in shock as she waggled a finger at him, slowly turning to look at the group of Kumo ninja that were now a hell of a lot more weary to approach him.

"This, is how a real ninja fights."
And suddenly the air was filled with more killer intent that he'd ever felt in his life. He'd thought that Fugaku was a master at giving it off, but Naruto made him look like a Genin, maybe even an academy student. Hell, who was he kidding?
Fugaku was still in pre-school compared to Naruto. He felt sick at the feel of the air, and sick he was, clutching at his stomach and looking up weakly. He screamed in shock, because bulk had managed to get past Kushina and was now aiming for the pressure point on his neck, ready to take off with him at the first change he was given. Then a glowing red claw grabbed the Kumo ninja, pulling his back viciously and throwing him at the rest of the ninja's. Obito winced at the sheer pain that the man cried out with; Naruto's chakra was most certainly not pleasant. Naruto herself seemed to be the only one that didn't have a problem with it, inspecting her nails like they group were no challenge at all. Kushina landed beside Obito, her plum coloured eyes following the blonde girls every move.

"We'll leave this to Naruto, I'm sure she can handle it..." Kushina rested a hand on his shoulder, lifting up the boy's chin before her eyes widened slightly.

"Obito, you're eyes!"
He instantly reached for a kunai, checking his reflection. And staring back at him, were two red eyes, each with a single comma hidden behind his eye-wear.

"No way," he breathed, turning back to the fight and watching as Naruto's hazardous chakra laced through the air. She'd crouched low to the ground, chakra coiled up almost as much as her limbs. And the second the Kumo ninja's had recovered, she shot forwards.

She'd forgotten how nice it felt to run at full speed, and free she could feel when using Kurama's chakra. And it was even better now that she knew he wouldn't hurt those precious to her. He needed a host because he couldn't be controlled by Tobi whilst he was sealed. Yet, when they worked together, they could take him down with some training. So they had a secure partnership... For now. The Kumo ninja tried an electric attack -right in front of Obito's Sharingan, thus allowing the Uchiha to instantly copy the technique- and Naruto gracefully dodged the jutsu.

"That all?" She teased, flicking her tail at the group.
They instantly separated, scattering like ants as their anthill was destroyed. She didn't want to kill them, oh no, just give them a healthy dose of fear, let Kurama implant false memories in each of them so that they wouldn't know what she looked like, and then just send them on their way. However, she needed to knock them out before that. Which was providing difficult whilst they were still able to run around like headless chickens. Thrusting one clawed hand under the earth, Naruto watched with sick satisfaction as the five digits of chakra began to run around under the earth, seeking out their targets. As one managed to capture Red, Bulky ordered the rest of them into the trees, desperate to get away, and hopefully pass on the information to their village. Knocking out Red with a powerful burst of chakra, Naruto turned her attention back to the other two, letting a growl tear through her throat and laughing when one of them actually cried out in fear.

"Naruto, you can't kill them!" Kushina's reminder was something she already knew, but she played on it, acting like she wanted nothing more than to tear them all limb from limb.
There were a few more jutsus tried by Kumo ninja, Naruto easily picking them off one by one, only having to really protect her two team-mates. She let their jutsus hit her, just to make a show of brushing them off like they were nothing. However, her body was tiring, and when she finally pinned bulky down to knock him out, Naruto let the chakra disperse and dropped onto the grass, panting and whining about how much her limbs hurt.

"Kushina-chan, will you bring them to me? I only need to touch their foreheads to implant a false memory." The false memory of them coming across a human sized Kyubi and only just managing to escape with their lives. The red-head woman obeyed, setting up the unconscious bodies like props as Naruto preformed her jutsu. Obito was stood off to the side by now, Sharingan having faded back into his coal eyes and leaving the dark haired boy weary of the girl before him. True it was the same Naruto as ever, she'd always been like this, she'd told him everything...
So why couldn't he go over and see if she was okay?

"Obito?"
He froze, eyes focused on Naruto as she sat up and smiled sadly.

"Are you scared?"
He knew he shouldn't be, but he was. She knew he was. Yet her blue eyes were so wide, so accepting and all but begging him to say no, to tell her that he still saw her the same as always.

"Yeah, a little," Obito murmured, unable to lie to the face of his best friend, "but I'll get over it. After all, you just saved my life, right?"

The journey back was a quiet one, with Naruto piggybacked by Kushina or Obito for most of the way. Obito had been almost deathly silent, rarely talking aside from when Naruto asked about his Sharingan. Then, he'd gone on a little rant about how awesome it was to have activated his kekkei genkai, before he'd remember why he'd done so. And then he would become silent once again, leaving Naruto with no one to really talk to. Kushina was clearly still reflecting that when Naruto had broke out into the Jinchūriki cloak, it could have been her. Resting her chin upon the woman's shoulder, Naruto frowned, biting her lip and trying not the cry. Because the two people she currently trusted most, were both giving her the cold shoulder, neither really talking. Kurama had been quiet in the back of her mind, not saying a lot of anything, instead sulking. Or as close to sulking as the proud demon fox could get. Konoha's gates were rapidly coming into view, and Naruto clung tighter to Kushina as she sped up, Obito happily joining in the little race to the open doors. And, what a stroke of luck, the remaining members of Team Minato seemed to be returning from a mission.

"Hey, Minato!" Kushina bellowed, snickering when the blonds neck snapped around so fast it was a wonder it didn't break.
From her position atop Kushina's back, Naruto felt herself freeze as both Obito and Kushina expertly placed their masks upon their faces once more, all the while doing their best not to acknowledge her.

"Naruto?"
However, Minato wasn't in on the act. Stumbling down from the red-heads back and coughing up half the red hairs she'd swallowed, Naruto ran a hand through her hair and grinned at her 'brother'.

"I'm okay nii-san, just a little worn is all. But I don't think Kumo and Konoha are going to be on friendly terms now."
Minato nodded, biting his lip before gesturing for her to come over. Cautiously, Naruto approached, only for Minato to ruffle her hair then discreetly push her over towards Kakashi and Rin.

"Come on Obito, you're just in time for team training! You can go drop your things off at home then meet up at the training grounds."

Walking through the streets of Konoha, Naruto felt her heart tighten. Most shops had closed up, boards covering their windows, civilians instead handing out daily ration packs amongst the village occupants. All around her, everyone's face seemed that much gloomier, frowns marring the bottom half of their faces and leaving permanent grooves under their tired eyes. Even though the sun shone everyday, these people didn't look healthy. And they'd only been at war for a week. As she quickly found out, Orochimaru had been deployed -thank god- to the Iwa board, acting as the general at the base there. As much as she hated that man, she knew they couldn't win the war without his brutal, yet effective methods. And right now, winning was what Konoha needed.
Brushing her bangs back, Naruto sighed, quietly sneaking her way into the Hokage's office. The old man was sat behind his desk, pondering over some sheets of paper and frowning.

"Naruto," he murmured, acknowledging her entrance before sending her a questioning gaze when she didn't speak up right away.

"I need a place to stay Jiji, I can't get any training done when Minato is watching me like a hawk!" Slamming her hands down on the desk, Naruto ran a hand through her hair, the left pigtail having fallen loose five minutes previously.

"You want me to allow a ten year old child to live on her own?" "That's not a problem, you let me live on my own since I was six! Please please please?"
Rubbing at his worn skin, Sarutobi nodded his head, just knowing that he was going to be regretting this at some point in the future.

"Fine Naruto. Drop by at seven tonight and I'll give you the keys. But do not expect a miracle."
Grinning, the blonde bounced up and down on the spot, finally glad to see her plans were getting her somewhere. That was until there was a thump from behind the two; a ninja having just leapt in from the window. As the offender cleared his throat, Naruto felt herself freeze at the tone of the gruff voice.

"You wanted to see me sensei?"

Meanwhile, deep within the mountains of the Land of Lightning, one Raikage was storming around, scowling and glaring at the battered team before him.

"What do you mean you got this badly injured by a child? And none of you can remember what he looks like?"
The group winced, looking between one another in hopes of answers.
Mono -who was once upon a time dubbed bulk, not that he knew that- cleared his throat and shrugged.

"I don't know, we think the brat implanted false memories, all I can remember is some kind going ape-shit crazy and then there's just this image of a fox."
An hour later, several Genin teams were called into the office, one to clear the blood stains from the carpet, one to fix the broken window, and one to retrieve the Raikage's solid oak desk.

Too short, but I couldn't add any more. Sorry xx

Next chapter
You'll just have to wait and see ;)

Thanks for reviewing;

yyh-ygo-fma- Tsunade is such a slug, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. And Tsunade saw the forehead protectors and ran. Leaf=bad in her world. You can tell howmany views your story has by going to traffic stats on your profile, then legacy story stats. Hope that helps?

miku89- First off, thanks for reviewing! Secondly, I almost had a fit when I realized who you were. I've been reading 'Naruto what the heck are you doing' for a while now, and when I saw your username, I was like, I'm sure I know this person. And it's because you're the one that wrote that awesomeness I just mentioned. And to know you think my story is one of the best KakaFemNaru's you've read, well I was almost doing cartwheels, seriously. And there is no way this is better than your story, because how could I beat your awesomeness? Thank you so much for your kind words!
I'm glad you think I keep them in character, because I really worry about that all the time. And Itachi will most certainly be clinging to Naruto, without a doubt. I'm sorry about the errors; I read things through but I just pass over them, and I really hate waiting for a beta to sort through my chapters. I'll probably go back and fix the problems when I can notice them, it takes me a while to read a sentence correctly.

Kidan Yoshilda- It damn well is. That's the reason I let Kushina in on it, because there are too few around. I mean, as the nine-tails container, she should know when Naruto is running around with her little fox right? I just couldn't think of a reason to tell Minato. And I'm glad you like it.

Forbiden Light- Caught? Ha, Naruto doesn't do caught. And quick update is quick. =)

the. stories. live. on- I hope this was okay, Naruto kicked butt without a doubt.

Vaughn Tyler- Thank you

god of all- Thanks!

Fk306 animelover- Thanks, hope this was a quick enough update.

harlequin320- Yes, tsk tsk Tsunade. But Naruto will be getting her own back, eventually.

Read and review people?

Lot's of love,
Tsume