Uzumaki Naruto woke up the next morning from a strange dream about foxes having a conversation in a forest. He shook himself out of his reverie. Today was the day! Whose team would he be on? And what team would get he honor of adding a fourth member, the Ninja Miko, to their ranks?
Naruto couldn't wait to find out. He pulled on his clothes, looking over and realizing that his sister had already headed out. He knew he wasn't late, however, because Reiko always made a stop off at the Konoha Community Gardens.
Naruto ran down the road and met Kuri at the Academy steps.
"You excited? Everyone wants you on their team ttebayo!" Naruto said.
"Yeah well they don't even know me. They just think I'm strong because of what happened to Sakura." Kuri said. "That's not a good way to start a team. Hopefully you'll be on my team Naruto. You know the truth."
Naruto blushed. "Aw you're just saying that ttebayo. Wouldn't you rather be on a team with Sasuke? He is your brother. Even Reiko would be—"
He paused as Kuri's finger was on his lips.
"I want to get to know you. A person who can accept an aberration like me is to be commended." Kuri fluttered inside the Academy leaving Naruto with a sad smile on his face.
"Why do you say things like that?" Naruto said, almost to himself. "You...someone like you...how could you be...an 'aberration?' What does that make me?"
Xxx
"Today I will be announcing the new teams." Iruka said. "Team 8. Inuzuka Kiba. Hyuga Mana. Aburame Shino."
Naruto watched the pale Mana look at her teammates appraisingly. "Not bad." She sipped something from a flask and leaned back.
"Team 11. Nara Shikamaru. Yamanaka Ino. Akimichi Choji."
The three grinned and looked happy.
"Team 13. Ofuda Kiana. Hyūga Hinata. Haruno Sakura."
The three, especially Hinata, looked nervous at this prospect. Sakura looked positively outraged that she wasn't with Sasuke. Kiana, however, was celebrating.
"All girls! Awesome!" She shouted.
"Team 7. Uchiha Sasuke. Uzumaki Reiko..."
Naruto turned and glared. No way! His sister on the same team as that jerk! And he's be sure to make a move! Reiko was grinning and Sasuke caught Naruto's glare and smirked. He was such an asshole.
"Uchiha Kurisuta. Uzumaki Naruto. This will be our first ever four man cell including the Ninja Miko."
Naruto's mood instantly improved. "Kuri! We're on the same team!"
Kuri grinned. "Yeah!"
Xxx
"Brother lets have lunch together ok?" Kuri said, dashing Naruto's hopes at lunch with her.
Kuri went down to the courtyard while Sasuke was getting his lunch.
Naruto decided something had to be done. He ambushed Sasuke and tied him up, taking his form. He then headed down to the courtyard and sat next to Kuri.
"Hey Kuri!" Naruto said.
"Brother!" She said, addressing him as Sasuke. "I got some tomatoes and onigiri! You can trade with me for those chips I know you've been saving."
"I...I um...forgot them." Naruto said.
"Aw but we always trade lunches! You ok brother?" Kuri said.
Naruto was, as usual, surprised by how spunky Kuri was now that she had started talking. She'd really come out of her shell.
"Hey sis..." Naruto said. "About Uzumaki Naruto..."
"What about him?" Kuri said, mouth full of rice.
"What do you think of him?" Naruto said.
Kuri swallowed, then pretended to think, then burst out laughing. "Aw, brother, you know how I feel about him! I'm absolutely in love with Naruto Uzumaki!"
It was all Naruto could do to keep the jutsu solid when she said that. And to avoid blushing.
"Y-You are?" Naruto said.
"Yeah but I know you don't like him brother." Kuri said. "But I'm glad he's on our team. I can't wait to show him my miko skills!"
"Uh...y-yeah." Naruto said, still in shock.
"Hey...where's your lunch?" Kuri said, noticing that he hadn't brought it. "Go on up and get it."
She then leaned in as if to give him a kiss on the cheek, and then...kissed him right on the lips! Naruto was so shocked, his jutsu came undone!
"Ha! Caught ya!" Kuri grinned.
"H-How long did you know?" Naruto said sheepishly.
"The moment you spoke." Kuri said. "There is no need for words between me and Brother."
Naruto sighed. Back to square one. If she confessed her love while only pretending, then she was probably just tricking him or worse, making fun of him, right? Well...one way to find out!
"Kuri? Will you go on a date with me?" Naruto asked. "To get ramen?"
"Sure Naruto. I've never had ramen before though. What does it taste like?" Kuri said.
"NEVER HAD RAMEN?" Naruto yelled.
