DISCLAIMER: I own nothing from the Naruto universe but I do have an imagination of my own. I got some inspiration from the story ARVUM, but have expanded on it. I desperately tried to get permission to continue that story, etc., but received no response, sadly.

Thinking

Emphasis

Biju, etc. speaking

Today's the big day!

Finally, the genin exams. At last, I'll be a kunoichi of the Leaf again. Naruto took a deep breath, staring at her reflection in the mirror of her room at the Nara residence. She had come a long way since she first came back from that hospital room, years ago - and she was much stronger and smarter now than she'd been the first time she'd gone through this test. Yes, she was ready.

Having spent part of the morning doing her katas and warming up in general, she now checked her appearance. An orange fitted battle-kimono top over reinforced mesh that went down past her elbows, with tight black shorts with more mesh that trailed to just below her knees is her new uniform. She accessorized with black in her fingerless gloves, slightly-heeled kunoichi sandals, a thigh-high accessory pouch, and obi. On the inside of her obi were compartments for paper scrolls and more.

There was no way in hell she was wearing that orange jumpsuit again for many reasons. For one, Shikamaru's mom, Yoshino-san, wouldn't allow it! She treated her as her own daughter and loved dolling her up, which really wasn't Naruto's style. Naruto had to agree, however, that the clothing she bought for her and the tips she gave her for kunoichi fashion and more through the years had certainly made a huge difference in how she would be perceived now. Secondly, she had worn that orange jumpsuit because it had been a gift from the Hokage - one of the very few people who ever bought her gifts in the past. Now things were different, and she would be forever grateful that the Naras took her in. Another reason that she had to wear that atrocity is that she had found copies of it in the clearance section of a discount ninja outfitter store - the only one that would even allow her in, during her first time around. It had been the only outfit she could afford.

Funny, that… Since she confronted the Hokage about her heritage and more, she gained access to her parents' fortunes. She gave the Naras access to her bank accounts but knew that they rarely used it. Still, they were housing, feeding, teaching, and loving her like their own. She'd never forget being responsible for making her orphan's stipend last a full month, though, so she tried to be frugal. It was weird having plenty of money now.

At least Yoshino lets me wear orange. It was a compromise the two had made, and there had been many of them over the years. Whether it was about her diet: her ramen intake had been severely limited; her hair: which still took after her father's in all ways, but was now down to the small of her back; learning to put on makeup, or being allowed out in the village - Naruto had definitely learned the art of negotiation by dealing with the Nara Matriarch. Even she would say (internally only - because Yoshino-san could be SCARY) that the woman was troublesome.

"I look good, right?" Of course, the fuzzbutt doesn't answer. "Thanks a lot, Kurama."

I can't believe how nervous I am. Focus on the test! I'll do fine. Just get away from the mirror...

Naruto's palms were sweaty. She had already checked her supplies three times and knew she had everything she needed. The problem was, how were all of her old friends going to react to her? She saw Choji often enough, and wow - that guy had a nice family. She hadn't seen anyone else in her class since all those years ago, though, and she missed them. Would they ever see her the same way?

She made the mistake of looking up and seeing the mirror again and groaned. It was her curves that… It's not like her curvy body bothered her, in fact, she was proud of how she looked. "Did you just snort, Kurama?" She was more worried about how people would react to the way she looked now. She certainly wasn't hiding her figure beneath a monstrosity of an overly-large jumpsuit, and for some reason, her "assets" had developed even more than she remembered, and earlier. Actually, I know for a fact that I didn't wear this cup size when I was 17 before! Is it because I've lived maybe 30+ years altogether?

She blamed the fox, of course. After all, if it was something even a little embarrassing, she had either run straight into it herself, or Kurama was enjoying taunting her. Bastard fox would do anything he could to make things like this worse, too! However, as Shikamaru was a good deal taller and more muscular than he had been when they graduated from the Academy during their first lifetimes, she really wondered what had changed. Of course, both of them were taking their lives so much more seriously - eating better, training nearly constantly, and more - that could have accounted for some of it. But was Naruto taller? She might not be able to remember her precise height before - but she was still so short compared with Shikamaru and Choji… how was that fair?!

"Oi! You ready, Naruto? Let's go," drawled her lazy in-all-but-blood Aniki.

Naruto grabbed her bento, sucked in a deep breath, and headed out of the compound to the Academy, walking alongside Shikamaru, henged.

"You know, it's been years since you've been out and looked like yourself, Naru. I think you'd be just fine as you are. You don't have to do this," he said, gesturing a hand at her henged form. He knew how much Naruto was wary of the glares and harsh words that some in the village used to hurl at her, but she needed to buck up and face the reality that was the village.

His companion nodded her head as they met up with Choji and continued onward. Choji gave her a look that all but said, "Chicken!" but Naruto was so nervous today that she didn't care for once. "You'll be fine, Naru-chan," the Akimichi said kindly, patting her on the shoulder. "There's really nothing to worry about."

Choji went ahead and walked into the classroom, believing that his friends were right behind him. Naruto got to the door and stopped, feeling sick. "Naruto?" asked Shikamaru in a quiet voice. "C'mon, troublesome woman. You've got to get this over with, and we're already late."

Naruto bit her lips and looked into the classroom. Crap: Iruka-sensei's out. She followed behind Shikamaru, standing in his shadow.

"Oi, Nara, who's the hot babe?"

Kiba, you fucking dog. Naruto knew she was blushing like a tomato. If she were even 1% more like her mother, she'd go up and sock the Inuzuka in the face, but she couldn't move. Looking at the floor like the embarrassed idiot she felt like, she heard her brother-figure speak.

"Troublesome. Seriously, Kiba, you don't remember Naruto-chan?" Shikamaru's hand grasped hers and pulled her forwards. Naruto glanced up and did her best to smile.

"NARUTO-CHAN?" yelled way too many girly voices, and a couple of deeper ones, too. Naruto grimaced: I'd forgotten how Sakura and Ino were so loud! Naruto looked up and gave a tiny wave.

"That baka? You can't be serious! Naruto was that loser dropout that…" Ino began.

"Ino-chan! Naru-chan didn't drop out. She had an injury that made her have to leave school, and since then she's been training and," Shikamaru began.

"Well it's not fair that she's here today," Sakura said haughtily. "I mean, give me a break! We've all been working and here every day. Where has she even been? I mean… why does some clanless orphan get to come in on the very last day, take the exam and graduate - if she even can?"

Naruto looked up, shocked, because man: that was just petty and vicious. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised - Sakura wasn't exactly nice to me until after I came back from my training trip, and even then… She realized she was shaking a bit and Shikamaru was telling off the pink-haired girl for the horrible thing she said. She couldn't even hear properly. Get it together, Naruto. Shikamaru grabbed her hand and pulled her up the steps to the top row of desks. On the way there she saw something - or someone - who shook her to her core.

Sasuke. Wait. He has the Sharingan already? The boy was looking at her coldly, and with his dojutsu activated.

"Oi, uh, sorry about that Naruto! You know: just joking around," Kiba laughed, red-faced, as she sat down in the back row between Shikamaru and Choji. Akamaru yipped at her happily. She smiled up at them gratefully, trying not to pay attention to the girls who were muttering nastily about her throughout the classroom.

It's Hinata-chan! "Oh, hi Hinata-chan!" Naruto brightly waved at the lavender-eyed girl. Hinata's eyes went from misty to nearly bugging out of her head. Did I do something wrong? She felt herself blush - man, she couldn't get a break today.

"Where do you get off calling the Hyuuga heiress 'chan,' loser?"

Who even said that? Sakura? Ino? Naruto felt her eyes well up. Hinata was her friend!

"A-Ano, N-Naruto-chan, it - it's n-nice to, ano, s-see you a-a-again," the heiress stated, brushing tears away from her eyes.

Naruto heard a whisper of "troublesome," next to her, and could only thank Choji for the chips he offered her. What the hell did I do? She tried to hand part of her small handful of them as a peace offering to Hinata, not understanding what was wrong or what else to do.

"Gross! What's wrong with you? If she wants chips the last thing she'd do is take them out of your hand!" a glaring Pinkett scoffed at her.

Was Sakura always this much of a bitch? "Gomen," Naruto began, but thankfully, Iruka-sensei walked in the door, followed by Mizuki. No way! How did I forget about that bastard?!

"Subpar genetics and intellect. Tch. Why not set me loose on the Pink Banshee? The mind-walker, too?"

"Baka fox! Where the hell have you been?" No answer. Well, at least he's paying attention somewhat. She realized that Mizuki was leaving, papers in hand.

"All right class, Mizuki-sensei will be right back with your tests: it looks like he didn't bring enough today. I'm sure you've all seen that Naruto-chan has rejoined us!" Iruka smiled at his little-sister figure. As the volume of the various bimbos in the room rose, Iruka used his infamous Big-Head jutsu to silence the girls. "THAT'S ENOUGH! For your information, Naruto-chan has completed all the work necessary, just like each of you has. She has my support, as well as the Hokage's. Now I would ask if any of you have further questions, BUT I DON'T REALLY CARE!"

I'm so lucky I have Iruka-sensei. Naruto felt better, until she realized she was being glared at by nearly all the kunoichi-hopefuls in the class. Things only got worse when she looked up as a test was being handed to her, compliments of a smiling Mizuke. He continued handing papers out and Iruka eventually got everyone started on the test.

"Genjutsu."

You have got to be kidding me. "Kai," she whispered, dispersing the illusion on her test. It was now radically easier than it had been moments ago. She looked up at the bastard who was trying to make sure she failed, who went from glaring at her to schooling his features. Being a sensor, though, she could feel the hate rolling off of the man. Iruka's a sensor, too. How can he not feel this?

"Not the same kind of sensor you are, kit. Not in the same class."

"Such a compliment, Kurama! Thank you!"

"Brat. You suck at so many things, I might as well give credit where it's due." Seeing his partner pout, the nine-tails rolled his eyes. "You know I'm kidding, idiot." When the young woman perked up he could only scoff. "I'm going to sleep."

"Wait! What should I do about that bastard Mizuki?"

"Just pass the test, then scout around." Kurama didn't really care.

Naruto knew every answer on the test. If it really was this easy before then she must have been an idiot! Following the written test, those who passed went on to jutsu testing. Eyes widened at her use of the kage-bunshin, which she had been taught by Shikamaru's father. In the end, she was given her hitae-ate, trimmed in black fabric, by a grinning Iruka-sensei as Mizuki looked like he was trying to swallow lemons. Finally, they were told that Monday was the day for team assignments. Everyone left from the written test had passed.

Shikamaru and Choji walked out on either side of Naruto as they went to sit underneath a tree to eat their lunches. They each opened their bentos, feeling excited. "We did it!" Choji excused himself for a moment and Shikamaru leaned over to whisper in her ear.

"Did you not remember that Hinata-chan has a crush on you?" Naruto's eyes became huge: she had forgotten! "Troublesome. Of course, she thought you were a guy - although that didn't end up mattering to her." He smirked.

"What does that mean?" Shikamaru offered her a deadpan stare to that. "I mean, I totally forgot about how she used to 'like me - like me' when she thought I was a boy. Ohhhhh… So that's why she's so upset?! And what do you mean about 'not mattering' to her? I know that! That's another reason for us to be such great friends!" Naruto whispered. Kurama rolled his eyes behind his closed eyelids.

Shikamaru sometimes couldn't believe how dense Naruto could be. Normally when he'd give her "the stare," she'd realize that she had missed something obvious, but when it came to relationships? It was like her brain had taken some kind of jutsu, and just reverted back to stupid. Ever since their first time in the Academy, nearly every ninja in the village knew that the Hyuuga heiress was in love with the blonde, and never fell out of love with her, no matter what she saw Naruto's gender as. It was really nice, but the object of her affections just couldn't have been more obtuse about it if she tried - and it seemed like that was still true.

As Shikamaru began to explain in very simple terms what she'd missed, Choji sat back down and they greeted him, but all three looked up when a shadow came over them: Ino and Sakura - great.

"What do you two want? Didn't embarrass yourself enough in class?" Choji asked.

"CHOJI!"

The two girls were given flat looks by Ino's future male-teammates. Naruto just continued eating, looking down. What do they want from me?

"We saw you looking at Sasuke-kun, baka, and…" Ino began. Naruto stood and was gone.

"What the hell was that?!" she asked.

"Her sunshin. Seriously Ino-chan, how horrible can you be?" Shikamaru asked his teammate. The girl gaped at him. The young man got up and walked away angrily, followed by his best friend.

"I don't understand," Ino whispered.

"Maybe she's got them in her slimy hooks, Pig," Sakura sneered.

Ino shook her head. She knew Shikamaru and Choji better than that; she'd known them her whole life! She didn't really know Naruto, but… Had she been rude? Forehead certainly had - the whole orphan thing? Catty. She told her rival for Sasuke-kun's love to forget about it and walked back to the classroom. Naruto, however, was the one student who didn't return to class that afternoon.

"As if it wasn't enough to deal with them being bitches like that, I have to meet with Kakashi and the Hokage later," Naruto said in her mindscape.

"Just let me eat them, kit."

Naruto blew out a long breath. The way she was feeling right now? Yeah, if only Kurama could eat them. Meh, he hated the way humans tasted anyway, he'd said. All talk, that guy (she ignored the "OI!" that thundered in her head.) She set her alarm so that she'd have time to get to the Hokage Tower at the appointed time and laid down in her bed. Nuzzling into the foxes tails in her mindscape, she thanked him for his support - such as it was.

Naruto arrived at the Tower just a little early.

"Congratulations, Naru-chan," the Hokage exclaimed, looking up from his desk at her when she entered the room. "I've heard excellent things about your results today." He lit up his pipe with a jutsu by just snapping his fingers.

Crap! I was so upset earlier I forgot to check out Mizuki! "Arigatou, JiJi! We can get some ramen later to celebrate, ne? But something odd went on in the test today that I wanted to talk to you about..." When Hiruzen tilted his head at her she continued. "There was a genjutsu on my written test." The Hokage scowled. "I dispelled it, but then, when I looked up I noticed Mizuki glaring at me. It was just for a second, but…"

"Naruto-chan, did the papers get handed out randomly?"

"No. Mizuki handed them to each of us individually. And I don't like to make accusations, but I noticed that he also walked out with test papers at the beginning of class, then walked back in later - before handing the tests out. Iruka-sensei said something about him not having enough tests, but… it didn't feel right. Mizuki, I mean." Naruto had put on her best worried/don't-think-bad-of-me face.

"This is serious, Naru-chan." Not as serious as stealing the sacred scroll! "Naruto-chan, please excuse me for a moment. ANBU!"

Naruto waited outside the Hokage's office as the man ordered the ANBU to do whatever it was they would do to Mizuki… Hopefully, that's what was going on. "He has to be caught: he's a traitor."

"You could lie and say he offered you a second test like before…"

"No, I hope what I said was enough. Maybe I should leave a clone here for Mizuki, just in case?" Kurama shrugged.

Speak of the devil - er, traitor - and he shall appear: Naruto sensed Mizuki and henged before she saw him. She hid behind the door opposed to the closet that held the scroll. In broad daylight, the idiot tried to jimmie the door. Naruto pounced.