The legendary Kunoichis.
This is a Naruto fanfic, and is those owned by Kishimoto and whoever is in charge of making the Naruto anime's and games.
The first half of this chapter Is heavily inspired by the fanfic The Tail of Uzumaki Natsumi, so I recommend checking that story out. I am also being not the best at English so expect a few grammar mistakes here and there, or quick updates. However, I think I did pretty good job for chapter, will try to continue this story, and answer any review I get in the next. Without further delay let's get the show on the road.
In Naruko 8-years of life she was always hated, despised, and at best was disliked by the villagers. She was born and grew up in the villages just like everyone else, but for some strange reason she was treated like a monster. The only people she knew that cared for her could be counted on one hand. The Third Hokage, one of the people that cared for her, had advised her to be a ninja above any other career since he knew about her troubles. Although Naruko didn't need much convincing as she wanted to be the hokage way before that. She doesn't just want to be considered as kage, but one of the best long after her passing. More importantly, by becoming Hokage, she would get all the acknowledgement she ever wanted from the villagers. Just getting the respect she always dreamed of would have been more than enough in her eyes.
However, she knew from day one it was going to be harder to accomplish then most, the moment her teachers started to play hot potato with the kid whenever they learned she was going to be in their class. Regardless of what she did Naruko would always find herself being transferred to a different class, or the class itself getting a new teacher every couple of days. In retaliation for being the opposite of a favorite student constantly she decided to prank them. That was good enough in this little girl's eyes. It was not until the newest teacher in the Academy named Umino Iruka was assigned to her class things began to change. Despite being pranked as well, he had chosen not to take action and simply told Naruko to return to her seat and clean up her mess. By not getting told to stand outside for punishment or something similar, she felt she was once again being ignored. It took a little while for Naruto to notice, but she eventually realized Iruka was the only teacher that actually attempted to be fair to her, even when it comes to his punishments. In this little girls eyes he jumped up to the top five people in the whole world in her book. So you can imagine how happy Naruko was when Iruka stayed as her homeroom teacher for the rest of this kid's Academy days.
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However, this is where the story really gets good in Naruko's opinion.
On a seemingly average winter day after class, Naruko was surprised when someone called her name just outside the Academy. Turning to look and see just who it was, she noticed a girl just a little taller than Naruko herself running towards her, like she was on a mission. Naruko tended blank on stuff she deemed unimportant, such as the names most her classmates, so she did not recognize the girl that approached her. Although she probably should have at least given her a nickname, when Naruko saw the unique color of her eyes. A light lavender isn't something you see every day especially when this particular classmate has no pupils.
"Is there something you want?" Naruko asked. She might not know who this girl was, but the fact she wasn't the one starting the conversation put a little smile on her face.
"I... I want to thank you for saving me that day!" the girl bowed deeply towards her, with a little red decorating her cheeks.
"I saved you?" Naruko did not recall saving any... Oh! Now she remembered! She had stopped three bullies from picking on somebody just a few days ago. Naruko believed she failed since she had been knocked out, and awoken with all four kids gone. By extension pushing that incident to the back of her mind as one more defeat for the dead last of the class. "You're that girl!"
"Yes!" the girl piped up with a shy but happy smile. "Um... I'm Hyuga Hinata. We're in the same class. It's a pleasure to meet you!" Hinata introduced herself in a formal manner and bowed again, despite some signs of nervousness evident in her words.
"I'm Uzumaki Naruko! The girl destined to become a great hokage! Nice to meet you too!" The blonde returned with a confident, but informal reply that anyone but the girl herself could identify as rude. Although, considering her living conditions it was a miracle it came out as polite as it did. Before either of the girls can make the next move a stomach growl decide too butt in.
"Ah, here!" she almost shoved her bag towards Naruko. "You can have my lunch, if you don't mind..."
"Are you sure?" a huge smile broke out on her face. When Hinata nodded, Naruko gained one of the widest grins the young Hyuga have ever seen. With a thank you that came from the bottom of Naruko's hart they settled down near the tree with the swing and opened her lunch box. Naruko took a bite, then another, then another, and continue to do so with greater speed after each bite.
"You must be really hungry..." Hinata commented, a little put off by the way she was eating.
Naruko then start speaking with grains of rice around her face. "Not really. I can hold on for until I can get to my usual place where I have dinner. It's just that your food is really delicious!"
"Thank you very much... though I'm not the one who made it..." a delighted blush appeared on Hinata's face.
"Still that was great, my top compliments to the chef! Thanks for the food, Hinata-chan! You're the first friend who offered to share food with me!" Naruko thanked her.
"Friend...?" she mumbled.
"Yeah! Now that I think about it, you're my very first friend my age, so that makes you my best friend! What do you say, Hinata-chan, want to be buddies?"
"Yes, of course! We're friends now, Naruko-san," Hinata said happily while nodding in agreement.
"Not like that!" Naruko frowned. "Best friends don't call each other '-san'. Try again," she teased the shy girl with her trademark foxy smile.
"S-Sorry, Naruko-chan!" Hinata gave a shy but very bright smile. This time, Naruko really did whoop in joy and hugged her new best friend that time, and in response the young Hyuga face exploded into crimson with the physical contact. She quickly got over most of her blush and returned the hug she felt was so desperately over due to her new blonde friend. Hinata had been watching Naruko for several days and she knew how hard and painful her life had been up till now. In return, she had been drawing strength from her. Because if this one girl could handle such pain and still strive for greatness with a good heart, surely she can muster up some confidence and strive to be better too. Just seeing Naruko gave Hinata hope that she can live up to her family's expectation. However, for now on the two new best friends had each other backs throughout, the parallels life had sent them.
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The next day in class, Naruko was quickly scanning the seats for Hinata and rushed to the vacant chair next to her as if it was going to disappear the moment she hesitated. When our blonde knucklehead arrived she gave an energetic morning greeting to her new best friend. Their classmates that were present before the two friends sat down snapped their heads to their direction, shock and curiosity written on their faces. How in the world did the loudest student and the quietest student suddenly get so close to each other? Since the start of the School year over a month ago, they had never had one conversation with each other, to their knowledge. The words "How on earth did those two become friends" appeared in their minds simultaneously? Hinata's face turned bright red when she saw everyone's attention was on the two of them but nonetheless returned a with a warm and friendly "good morning" to Naruko. A smile broke out automatically on her face when Naruko face brightened up like the sun.
Many students saw this like a simple fluke, a onetime thing at best. However, they were all greatly mistaken. One week past they were still staying together. Two weeks past and Naruko and Hinata we're making sure there was a empty space for their BFF. When three weeks past and the class noticed they were keeping it up and started to talk to each other like the new their actions thoroughly, everyone realized it was going to be a normal thing from now on, and accepted it.
The most observant to this occurrence among the classroom was their teacher Iruka himself. As he was starting to think Naruko would never find herself a true friend. Sure she did take part in group activities and even played in a few activities, but the students always seem to drift away after a little while thanks to their parents' recommendations, and he knew exactly why that was. However, Hinata appears to be staying for the long-haul, despite what her clan said. Iruka know's this fact because he has been told by many of the clan that Hinata should be kept away from Naruko uzumaki at all cost, to the point the only reason why they are keeping her in the same class was thanks to all the number of future clan heads sitting in the same room. Although, despite this he was going to keep the fact that Naruko and Hinata are
thick as thieves a secret for the two girls' sake. Simply because of the fact it was good for the two of them.
Naruko needed a friend and Hinata wasn't too far off. However, their good behavior was what really set the deal within his eyes along with a few other faculty members. Ever since Hinata started to hang out with Naruko has been pulling less pranks end staying on school grounds. The reduced number of water buckets hanging around The door frame, and the time the teachers spent looking for the young blonde during her ramen runs that was now being transferred to other activity was proof of it. Hinata also improved thanks to Naruko's self-assurance rubbing off on her. If you stick around that foxy girl long enough you'll be forced to evolve to have some kind of good back bone. Sure compared to the rest of the class she is a mouse, but the fact she was raising her hands more often, and not trying to be invisible in the back of the room all the time was proof she is slowly becoming more courageous. Heck, it might have just been his imagination but he could've sworn he saw Hinata caring around twice as many books and Naruko was trying to learn from them.
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A few weeks have passed for the two inseparable friends. They were next to each other during class, they were always teaming up wall playing games, and they were even Sharing food with each other. Hinata subsequently has also been bring a unusually large lunchboxes for a kid her age for a couple weeks, but one look during lunch always answered anyone's question why. Hinata has been Sharing her food with Naruko of course. However, today was different as Naruko had also brought a furnace filled with ramen, and breaking all the rules of logic to anyone who knows her gave it all to Hinata.
"Naruko-Chan are you sure?" Hinata questioned her blonde companion. "Yay I am sure, you have been giving me food on a regular basis for almost 3 weeks. Tasty and nutritious food at that. Something that my body has been trying to tell me to get of more have ever since I could remember. So that's why I want to do something special for you, Hinata. That's why I have been taking lessons from chuchi on how to make Ramen, so you can have homemade food for me for once".
Hinata was left completely speechless, as a smile and blush started to form on her face. With a simple "thank you Naruko-Chan", she started eating it. Her only words about the flavor were "wow this is pretty good, especially for someone who only started learning how to cook Ramen". This time it was the uzumaki's turn to act bashful as she scratched the back of her head, "well I did have The best ramen chef in town as a teacher, and I wanted to make it pretty well before giving it to you. Besides I am probably the best ramen connoisseur in the leaf village, so I know a thing or two about what makes good noodles. Still compared to the food Harumi-San made today it's nothing really that special". This time it was Hinata's turn to blush as she admitted "actually I'm I'm the one who made it Naruko. I have been taking lessons from Harumi sensei and some of the other good cooks in my clan, so I could bring a smile to your face the same way they can with their meals".
In order to help alleviate the two red of their faces Hinata awkwardly try to change the conversations. "I really like your hair Naruko-Chan, it really shows how strong and pretty you are". Naruko's hair was indeed long, as even put into twin tails they easily reached halfway down her neck. It was also surprisingly well kept, as her clothing and apartment was a little overdue for a good cleaning.
This statement didn't really get rid of the awkwardness as Naruko was still blushing a little. Naruko quickly replace with "thanks, I tried to keep it long and well taken care of because it reminds me of my mom. This might sound strange but sometimes when I tried thinking really hard about what my parents look like I could always see vague image in my dreams of my mother. I couldn't make out any specific details, but I could definitely tell she had long red hair, was always looking out for me, and was deafly not someone you want to mess with. So I tried growing it out, but it kept on getting in the way, so I tied it in twin tails. It worked and it made me look pretty so I kept the look. It may not be the same hairstyle as her most of the time, but I have a feeling like it doesn't really matter when I'm angry".
Hinata was stunned by Naruko story. She couldn't help but reply with "I'm so sorry Naruko-Chan, I didn't mean to stir up bad memories. My own mother passed away a few years ago, so could relate a little. I would like to grow my hair long to emulate her and many other great members of the Hyuga clan". The blonde quickly said in response "you really don't have too apologize Hinata-Chan, it is nothing, we are best friends so telling you stuff like this isn't really a big deal. Although I am curious why you aren't able to grow it out"? The young Hyuga quickly got flustered and responded with, "I don't know what you're talking about". In response Naruko simply gave a look in her eyes that said, you aren't fooling anyone. Which resulted in the hair spilling the beans, "The Hyuga clan often use longhair to identify strength. It's a tradition that spans a few hundred years. It's one of the few signs of power that even the side branch member of the Hyuga clan could show if they are strong, or demonstrate great potential. Which I do not, to the point I wouldn't be surprised if my sister was declared next clan head, simply because I am as weak as a stuffed animal".
Naruko only had one response, "you are not weak! No one going to befriend the outcast, or showing kindness to someone so disliked can't be weak. As they have the courage and willingness to stand up for what is right, regardless of what others think of them for it".
Hinata meekly responded with, "but I", however she was quickly cut off by her friend who said "if you are insistent about being weak, I will be the judge of it with a quick sparring match. If I say you are strong after that you have to stop doubting your own power. If you are weak I will make sure you become the host powerful Hyuga your father has ever seen". With that said young twin tailed girl stood up and stretched out her hand for a handshake to seal the deal. Hinata couldn't help but feel emotions emerging inside of her as she was left with no choice in her mind, but to except with a smile.
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The two girls decided to have their match on top of a loan hill with the only thing around them being one simple Sakura tree. The two took their battle stances. Hinata took what looked to be a refined but shaky and basic gentle fist stance, meanwhile Naruko took a sloppy, but confident low level academy tai jutsu stance. However, the fights only began when a single bird flow overhead.
Naruko charged straight first at Hinata, but The girl with clear eyes simply re-directed and counterattack with grace and speed only gained through long hours of daily practice. However, Naruko quickly recovered, but compared to Hinata refined stance, and hand to hand combat skill, the Orange clad girl might as well try to catch fish with her bare hands. Because Hinata was expertly blocking, dodging, and even landing a few light hits. It stayed like this until Hinata tried going on the offense. Her palm strike might have been perfect in the eyes of the young Naruko, but she noticed Hinata pause for a brief moment before launching it, and saw she hesitated right before it landed. Naruko quickly responded by grabbing Hinata's arm to stop the attack and deliver a powerful blow that landed without question. Naruko was worried she put too much effort into the hit, but when Hinata got back into her stance the young blonde knew she was OK.
The fight repeated itself, but this time Naruko noticed Hinata was more hesitant with each one of her moves, resulting in the Uzumaki landing even more hits. With each successful attack on the Hyuga, Hinata began questioning every movement she made even more. Even when she landed a attack it had no force behind the blow. Naruko quickly capitalized on this fact by first taking A few hits, for landing two powerful punches of her own. Then Hinata recovered after taking a few steps back she tried to land an attack of her own, by Naruko easily avoided it by jumping up and grabbing a low hanging branch. Before Hinata can make a move to capitalize on Naruko's position, the foxy girl use both of her legs to kick Hinata on both shoulders, knocking the girl on her back and onto the hard ground.
Naruko in worry jumped down too see if she was OK. Hinata slowly got back up with a few bruises starting to form. Naruko after seeing this said with energy, "come on Hinata try to land one last attack, give it your all, I can take it". Hinata gave a war cry and rushed into range. Naruko tried to block, but Hinata easily bypassed all of her defenses to landed one powerful palm strike in the center of the blond's body. This attack was so powerful Naruko was sent rolling down the hill and only stopped when she reached the bottom, and was left in a daze. Hinata quickly rushed down the hill worried and scared she hurt her best friend, by accident. When she got down to look at her friend, Naruko started laughing, as she slowly got into a sitting position.
"Naruko are you all right", Hinata said in worry. The whiskered girl simply smiled and replied with, "I have taken worst hits like that on a semi-weekly basis. I could take 10 hits like that before thinking of calling it quits. Although the real question is are you all right Hinata, you took a few good hits yourself"? Hinata waves it off by saying "my father, cousin, and A few other people in my family have landed more powerful hits like that all the time during training sessions". This caused Naruko to frown, but it was quickly replaced with a smile when Naruko said, "I knew you were strong, and I think I know what's holding you back".
"You are questioning every move that you make. Everything from a basic stance to The slightest change in your pinky finger. On top of that you are holding back with every attack. I would know as many villagers and a few shinobi have ruthlessly attacked be without thinking twice of my wellbeing. Only stopping briefly to think of what it would mean to kill me or the little consequences injuring me are. I even seen the same thing occur when some of the teachers encourage my opponents to go crazy during sparring practice".
"Let me guess, you don't want to hurt anyone with your attacks"? Hinata shook her head slowly in a yes. Naruko quickly smiled and said "however, despite all of that you have shown more skill in combat then anyone I have seen in our age. The way you were protecting and countering my moves made me come to a simple realized. If you were to be more confident in battle and go all out, you Hinata Hyuga could easy go on a winning streak. You could take down anyone in our class in tiajutsu practice, go on a major winning streak against Kiba, and even dethrone Sasuke for the top tiajutsu score in class"
Naruko finally ended her speech in One last sentence, "if you play your cards right you might even become the number one Ninja in our grade, and leave me in the dust". Hinata mind was racing, she has never heard anyone who praised her, or hold so much faith in her before. However, despite all that there was one word that caught the Hyuga's attention she must address first, "I would never leave you in the dust Naruko-San".
Naruko could only laugh and say, "yeah right you have so much potential, wall I have practically nothing. I am the bottom of my class when it comes to both genjutsu, and academic work, and despite all my effort I am only getting average scores in everything else at best. If things keep I will only be dead last for the rest of this year and every year until we graduate. I might not even graduate with you. Besides your family will never let you stay friends with someone as heated did asked me, and once you reach your full potential you will not want to have me as a fr...". Before Naruko could finish Hinata slapped her too shock her friend out of it.
"Naruko-Chan you are one of the strongest people I know. Your faith in your friends is remarkable. If you can say my potential can reach The top of mountain, then yours can reach the moon. If you think I'm wrong, then I will do everything in my power to make you worthy of becoming hokage". Naruko at that moment knew what Hinata felt like during her speech to her earlier.
Hinata-I stand no chance at becoming clan head without you. You believe by yourself that you will remain at the bottom of the totem pole. Then let's work together to achieve our dreams
Naruko-I will build your confidence in class, and do the same during our sparring match.
Hinata- After school we will meet at the library to help you study, and during our sparring matches I will increase your skill.
Together- We will get up early to spend quality time together at school, and will continue this until we become number one! However, after all that and regardless of what happens we will remain friends.