First cannon chapter along with some fluff. This "feel" trip is intense! I can't believe this story already has almost 30 followers (this is a big number for me, idk about you). Thanks everybody ^_^

TheBeauty: Hon hon hon, jou should soon vind out (like my french accent? lol)

TheDarkCrimsonBlood: Awe thanks! I don't know what to say ^_^ haha. And you're welcome, I almost had the story finished tbh until Quizilla shut down ;-;

PrincessAnime08: With open arms! :D

Naruko-ナルコ-

Chapter 7

Homecoming

Naruko almost wanted to cry at what she was seeing. The giant red wall that over stood out in the distance seemed too surreal. Her home, friends, brother, everything she had been yearning for years was suddenly within her reach. She looked like a statue from Jiraiya's perspective. She didn't budge or move a muscle. Naruko was afraid that if she took a step closer everything would disappear.

I'm...home? Naruko still couldn't believe it.

"Well?" chuckled Jiraiya "You wanted to know where we were going. Here it is."

"So we're just visiting?"

"Well no," he began "I have a book signing I have to attend soon so I won't be going in with you." When she heard that she couldn't help but smile. Even though the sage was a perv, he had a big heart. He had accompanied her, knowing he would be late.

"Will you be coming back?" she asked. As happy as she was, Naruko felt sad that she would be parting ways with her sensei. He had become family to her during their travels.

"I didn't expect you to miss me so soon," he said while ruffling her blonde hair.

"Just be careful okay?" she laughed as she slapped his hand away from her hair "If you get caught for peeping I won't be there to bail you out."

"Yeah, yeah." he brushed it off, ignoring the passive-aggressive mini lecture "Anyways before you get going. I need you to stop by the Hokage's office." Reaching into his pocket he hands Naruko a scroll.

"Whats this?" she asks while stuffing the red scroll into her weapon pouch.

"Its a report. Just show the old man this and it'll save you the time from telling him your life story."

"Thank you so much sensei," the sage never ceased to amaze her.

"Well, I better get going. I can't keep my fans waiting." Before he turned his back, he was attacked with a hug. Though his student had grown, she was still just a midget compared to him.

Where did the time go? No longer was he looking at a child. The young lady who stood in front of him was now a full fledged ninja.

"See you soon Jiraiya-sensei."

Naruko then turned her back and made her way into the village. It hadn't changed one bit. The crowds, the buildings, everything was still more-or-less the same. There was even graffiti on the Hokage Monument, and it looked recent too.

Yep, its still the same. It made Naruko feel as if she traveled back in time. She almost even got side-tracked when she caught a whiff of Ichiraku Ramen. Her mouth started to water a bit just from thinking about it. Till this day, no ramen bowl had been able to top Ichiraku Ramen. Naruko made a mental note to stop by later for a bowl.

"Hey! There he is!"

"Huh?" turning around, Naruko was nearly jumped by a Leaf ninja. Dodging the sudden ambush, she became curious as to why the ninja had mistaken her as a 'he'. Her hair was pretty long (and tied up into two pony tails), she thought it would've been obvious that she was a girl.

"You've crossed the line this time Naruto!" he shouted.

She wasn't surprised. Naruto was still up to his jokes as usual "I'm sorry. You have the wrong person."

"Oh please you really think transforming into a girl is going to work? Who else wears that ridiculous orange jacket?" Naruko blinked, she didn't think her clothes looked stupid. Maybe she wore too much orange with her shorts? She didn't think that was the case "You're not getting away this time," he told her while tying her hands together.

"But-"

"Move!" he shouted. She decided that it would be best if she just followed the ninja's orders. If she cut the ropes and ran, it would only confirm his suspicions of her being Naruto more (which was not true). So without a struggle, she followed the ninja straight to the Hokage's office.

"Here he is Lord Hokage! The troublemaker!"

"I'm really sorry, but I'm not Naruto."

"Lies! We have several witnesses stating that they saw you at the Hokage Monument!" Naruko looked at the Hokage, who had been smoking his pipe. Carefully his eyes traced up and down Naruko, he wanted to make sure his eyes weren't fooling him. And they weren't. The adolescent who stood in front of him was not the village idiot, but instead someone from the past.

"Tachimaru, this is not Naruto." The Hokage sighed as smoke blew out of his mouth.

"What?! Lord Hokage you must be mistaken. Just look at him! Blonde hair, round face, orange jacket how can you say this is not Naruto?" Tachimaru had a point. The Hokage found is oddly amusing that the fraternal twins had dressed similar even though they haven't seen each other in years.

"Take a closer look," he tells the ninja, using his wooden pipe to point at Naruko.

Scanning the girl again, the ninja is stunned. He was in denial, for a second he wondered is he was caught in a genjutsu.

"I'm really sorry for my brother's actions," Naruko says.

"Then, who is this girl?"

"I'm sure you remember Naruto having a sister. This is her, Naruko Uzumaki."

The ninja Tachimaru gasped "What...No way."

"Now then, I believe you have someone to find?" The Hokage said, referring to the other twin.

"Yes Lord Hokage!" Tachimaru blushed in embarrassment, within seconds he disappeared to continue the chase for a certain knuckle-headed boy.

"Its been quite awhile," the Hokage said with a smile.

"Yeah," Naruko nodded "Too long."

"I see unlike your brother you've grown a lot," he chuckled lightly. If he was talking to Naruto, the Hokage was sure that the boy would have been throwing a tantrum.

"Hes still the same I see," Naruko smiled, as she walked up the the Hokage's desk "Jiraiya-sensei wanted me to give this to you."

"Jiraiya-sensei?" he was amused at the surname. It appeared that she had been doing a lot during her time away "You ran into him?"

"He rescued me from Itachi." She could never repay the Toad Sage for his kindness. Her life was in debt to him.

"How interesting..." The Hokage spoke, while opening the scroll. His eyes scanned through the message his former student had sent him.

"I see..." The Hokage murmured once he finished reading "This is quite the tale."

"Yes..." Naruko was a bit relieved she wouldn't have to explain everything that had happened the past five years. It wasn't exactly something she liked talking about, but she knew she owed it to the few who worried about her.

"Since your already here, I assume you wish to become a shinobi?" Naruko nodded as the Hokage continued "Well then, perfect timing. The Academy is actually having their graduation exam tomorrow." With Naruto still roaming around somewhere, a handful of teachers from the academy have been distracted. The Hokage figured that worst-case scenario the exam would get pushed back another day. He'd hate for that to happen because of one kid.

"So I have to start out as a genin huh," Naruko figured as much. Despite her skills being at a jonin level she was going to have to work her way up to the top.

The Hokage nodded "I'll inform Iruka that you will be attending his class for the remainder of it."

"Thank you Lord Hokage," she said while bowing to him out of respect.

"Naruto I'm at the end of my rope," Iruka sighed "You failed the Graduation test last time and the time before that. Tomorrow you have another chance." It had taken him hours to find the boy. And now that he was behind in his lesson plans he couldn't afford anymore distractions.

It only made things worse when Naruto cocked his head to the side and said "Hmph!" Even when he was caught and tied up he still had the energy to cause trouble.

Iruka finally lost his temper "Fine! Since you missed it Naruto! Everyone will review the Transformation Jutsu!" The class immediately moaned in annoyance. Iruka was determined to get Naruto to listen, even if it killed him. While on the other side of the door, a certain blonde's heart was pounding.

It was just like the first day of school all over again. Only this time Naruko wasn't the timid, shy monster anymore. Though she wasn't an adult yet, she was by far not a child anymore. Still, she was incredibly nervous.

Here goes nothing! Without even realizing what had happened, Naruko slammed open the door on accident. Causing it to break this time.

Oh no... Naruko became pre-occupied with the door that she hadn't of realized all the attend she had attracted. If her new temporary sensei was anything like Hana-sensei he would have her head.

"I'm sorry," she laughed nervously. Immediately the man with the chunin jacket (who Naruko quickly figured was Iruka) glared daggers at her.

"Naruto!" he shouted "Cut the stupid tricks! This is your last warning!"

"What'd I do now?!" shouted a confused knuckle already already apologized earlier for using the Sexy Jutsu.

"No, please! Its not what it looks like," again she had been mistaken for her brother. Naruko was quickly deciding that maybe it was time for a wardrobe change. Iruka walked up to her and was about to slam her head onto the floor. Luckily Naruko dodged it and found herself standing right smack in front of the whole class. She then realized everyone's stares of confusing and curiosity.

Everyones gotten bigger...Naruko's eyes zoomed around the classroom, quickly glancing at everyone she remembered. Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, Ino, Hinata, Naruto. They were all here, in the same classroom. Then, her eyes drifted towards the last person she thought she'd ever see again. Her best friend.

Hes alive!

Sasuke was in disbelief. He assumed it was another one of Naruto's stupid jokes, but he found himself wrong quickly. Theres no way a dope like Naruto could pull off the clone jutsu. Let alone that, then a transformation jutsu.

"I..." Naruko began, she was at a loss for words "I'm Naruko Uzumaki." Sasuke's confusion was then resolved. It was really her. She'd escaped, but more importantly she was alive. And she was back.

Shikamaru and Choji looked as though they were seeing a ghost. Kiba's mouth dropped to the desk. Ino was frozen still. Hinata covered her mouth with her hands in shock. Naruto became teary-eyed as he slowly trembled up to his long lost relative.

"I-is it...really you?" he asked. As hard as he was trying not to show emotions, his voice was shaky. Naruko nodded her head and smiled. Within seconds, she found herself trapped in a bear hug.

"I'm home brother," Naruko whispered as her brother buried his head on her shoulder.

Slowly, Iruka came walking up to the two with a more calm expression "I'm so sorry. If I had known I wouldn't have-"

"Its okay," Naruko interrupted "I should have asked for a note from the Hokage."

"Did he send you here?" Iruka asked.

"Yeah," she told him "He said he would inform you as soon as he could."

"I see," Iruka then smiled "Well then, welcome Naruko." The chunin was amazed. He knew Naruto had a relative but he never imagined her to be so calm and collected, unlike her brother who was the complete opposite.

Naruko looked at her brother who was still latched onto her "Naruto stop, you're going to make me cry." Naruto quickly wiped off his tears (so nobody could see him cry) and started talking like there was no tomorrow.

"I can't believe it. I...I never thought I'd see you again. Where'd you go? Who took you? You...you're not going to leave again right?"

"No, of course not. I'm here to stay this time," Naruko chuckled "Sorry it took me so long to get back."

"I...I'm so glad your okay," Naruto said as he started to calm down "I missed you so much."

What an idiot, Sasuke thought to himself. Now that Naruko is back he starts to care about her? Sasuke could remember all the times Naruto chose to ditch her for Shikamaru and the guys. And every time, it was he that was there for her, not Naruto. He couldn't look at Naruto without getting angry.

"Well, I suppose now would be an appropriate time to end class." Iruka began "Everyone make sure to get a good nights rest for tomorrow alright?"

"Here, let me help you." Naruto said, taking the huge backpack Naruko had carried off her back. She was so eager to get to the academy earlier she didn't even bother stopping home to unpack "Whoa! Whats in here? Its heavy!"

"Sorry, I should've let you known sooner." Naruko laughed. She then glanced at Sasuke who was staring at them "Sasuke?" she felt weird saying his name. It almost sounded foreign to her. Without a word, the Uchiha got up and left along with the majority of class.

"Eh? Ah who needs that jerk anyway!" Naruto laughed. Naruko felt a bit sad, it was almost like he treated he like a stranger.

That is him right? Naruko was so sure of it. There was no mistaken it.

"Hes not the same guy you knew," Naruko turned her head and saw Shikamaru, along with Choji and Kiba walk up to her and Naruto.

"I see..." Naruko knew she shouldn't have been surprised. But it still shocked her, he had gotten more colder since...what happened.

His eyes...They weren't as welcoming as before.

"What are we standing around here for? Lets celebrate!" Choji threw his arms up in the air, causing chips to fly out of his bag.

"You're just saying that because you're hungry," Kiba sighed.

"Yeah so?" at least he was honest "Plus Naruko is back so it makes more scene to go out to eat!"

"Thank you guys, but can we do this later?" Naruko asked, she wanted to go unpack and settle down. Plus, she needed to talk to Sasuke.

"Nope! Besides you haven't been to Ichiraku Ramen in years! Just wait until the old man sees you!" Naruto shouted.

"Who said anything about you picking were we eat? Shouldn't we let Naruko pick?" Shikamaru stated.

"Uhh..." Naruko began. She did say she wanted to go to Ichiraku ramen earlier "Ichiraku is perfect! Besides, I could go for a nice bowl of ramen."

"Yeah! Believe it!" Naruto chanted "See I told you, Ichiraku ramen is where its at!"

Guess I'll have to wait till later then, As much as she missed the Uchiha he was going to have to wait. She was getting ramen, and that was something she simply couldn't pass up.

"Phew!" Naruko sighed, while patting her stomach "I really missed this,"

"Consider it on the house tonight!" Teuchi grinned. He was really happy to have one of his favorite customers back.

"Really?" Naruko smiled "Thank you Teuchi."

"You're the best!" Naruto shouted.

"Not for you, you're paying tonight kid," Teuchi points to Naruto "If I kept giving you free ramen I'd be out of business."

"What? Awe man!" Naruto crossed his arms.

"Can I get another Pork flavored ramen?" Choji ordered "With extra meat?"

"You got it!"

"Oh man, we're going to be here all night," complained Shikamaru "This is such a drag."

"What you worried about failing the graduation exam tomorrow?" Kiba snickered.

"No I'm not," Shikamaru told him.

"What is the graduation exam exactly?" Naruko decided to ask "I mean, whats on the test?"

"Wait, you seriously don't know?" Kiba was shocked "And you're taking it tomorrow?"

"Well if you guys can do it then it shouldn't be a problem," Naruko began to wonder how much of the test was hype.

"You sure sound confident," Kiba smirked.

"You make it sound like its hard Kiba," Shikamaru sighed "Anyway, all thats required for passing is to perform the clone jutsu."

Thats it? Naruko almost spoke.

"Oh okay," she said instead.

"Anyways, I'm sure you'll be fine. You seem like you know what your doing. Naruto on the other hand..." Everyone's head turned to the knuckle-headed blonde, who started shaking in his stool.

"Huh? What?! You think I'm going to fail?!"

"Well did you study?" Choji questioned him.

"Yeah..." he didn't sound too convincing though.

"If you want, I can help you tomorrow before the exam," Naruko offered.

"Really? You already know the clone jutsu?!" Naruto yelled "When did you become such a bookworm?"

"I thought you said you studied," Kiba told him.

"I did, just uh, not a lot..."

Naruko glanced at the clock besides her. It was already eight o clock already and hadn't even unpacked all of her things. And she didn't want to go to Sasuke's house too late.

"Well guys, I'm going to call it a night. I still have to unpack my stuff."

"Huh? You're leaving already?" Naruto quickly asked.

Naruko smiled at her twin "Don't worry. I'll see you at home."

"Well..."Naruto paused. He trusted what his sister said, but there was a part of him that was scared that she wouldn't come back.

If I had told her to stay home that night... Guilt pounded down on his stomach.

"See you later!"

Before Naruto could say anything, Naruko left.

I'll just have to unpack later, Naruko thought to herself. She had been carrying all of her stuff with her all day she almost felt like she was back on the road. Still, even if she had went back home she would just end up unpacking everything. And by the time she would have finished it would be too late to stop by the Uchiha Complex.

"..." After reaching the complex, Naruko felt a sort of empty feeling rush through her. A place that was once filled with life suddenly became a ghost town filled with cobwebs and dust. She could vividly remember all the bodies and blood from that day.

Sasuke's aunt used to live there...As Naruko walked by the empty, vacant houses the empty feeling grew stronger. Everyone is gone...

"Itachi why...why did you do this?" Naruko remembered Sasuke asking.

"To test my abilities."

It was such a vague answer that bothered Naruko deeply.

"I had a feeling you'd show up," Naruko looked up and saw Sasuke standing right outside his door.

"Hey," Naruko's smile quickly fell "Its been while huh..."

"Hn," Sasuke then walked over to the blonde facing her.

"Looks like you're still taller than me," Naruko chuckled lightly as her throat began to dry up. Sasuke just stared at her. She waited for him to say something. Even a "hn," would've been good enough.

Sasuke was at a loss for words. The little girl he used to train with had grown up. She wasn't weak anymore and could finally stand on her own two feet. He thought after a minuet the water works would've started...but it never came.

"...Guess you're not a crybaby anymore,"

Naruko laughed lightly that she waited minuets just to hear that "I never was a-"

Before she could finish Naruko found herself being embraced by the Uchiha. Immediately she noticed her reaction between the hugs she had gotten today. When she hugged Jiraiya she was happy yet sad. When she hugged Naruto she felt happy and calm. And now that shes hugging Sasuke shes happy and...nervous?

My hearts pounding fast...the blonde became slightly confused. She was nervous around her friend? No...that can't be right... As she wrapped her hands around the Uchiha's waist she remembered about Jiraiya's book she had read a few years ago, Make Out Paradise. The nervousness, the sudden heart poundings, it sounded a lot like the girl in the story.

No, I must be over-thinking. Naruko figured, it had been a long day after all with a lot of emotions. She just assumed she was getting tired. Yeah...thats probably it.