Natsumi stepped out of the bathroom and looked around the apartment and she towel-dried her hair.

"Naruto?" She stopped and saw him standing in front of her mirror as he examined his reflection and blinked. "What do you think you're doing?"

He jumped then relaxed and turned back to the mirror, turning his head at all angles. "What does it look like? I'm getting ready for our Official Ninja pictures."

Natsumi rolled her eyes and sat on the edge of her bed to begin wrapping bandages around her right thigh. "I see..." She looked him over and tilted her head to the side. "Don't you think you'll get in trouble for looking like that?"

He chuckled and turned to her with his hands on his hips. "Hey, I've worked hard to Graduate... I should be able to look however I want in my pictures."

Natsumi shrugged and finished wrapping, then strapped on her kunai sheath, and stood to attach her two packs to the back of her waistband.

"Well, if that's what you want to do, go ahead. Who am I to tell you what do you?" She shrugged on her jacket and zipped it up halfway before it became stuck at her bust and was unable to pull it any further. Finally, she completely unzipped it and frowned. "Stupid thing... I can't even zip it up anymore."

Natsumi took her coin purse out of her nightstand drawer and counted the money inside, muttering to herself. "Looks like I'll have to buy a new one today. Who knew that becoming a woman would ever be a problem?"

Naruto blushed and turned away from her. "Would you stop talking about those things around me?!"

Natsumi rolled her eyes and pocked the coin purse. "If you don't like it, just ignore it." She peered at her reflection behind Naruto. "Well, I'm off, then."

"Huh?" He crossed his arm and watched her walk away. "But you just came back."

"Well, that was because of my morning training. I had to shower and have breakfast." She stuck her hand into her pocket. "It's been a few days and I want to try to find Sena and Kiri and thank them for helping Iruka-sensei before. I was thinking of maybe giving them each a ramen coupon that I've been saving up."

"But... what about the pictures?"

Natsumi smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be there! I just want to make a quick stop, first."

"O-Okay." He pressed his lips together and his focus returned to the mirror. "Bye."

"See you later, Naruto." She shut the door behind her and her brother stuck out his bottom lip.

"Training, training, training. That's all she ever does anymore. And now she has friends. What about her brother, hm?"

Natsumi left the building and looked up at the sky, shielding her eyes from the sun as she smiled at two birds that flitted overhead, singing to each other. Then she retrieved a slip of paper from her pocket that Kiri had given her only the day before, reading the address again at the bottom of the note.

"Hmmm... I think it's this way." Walking quickly, she found the street and turned down it, looking at the large houses as she went. "This area is where a lot of the wealthy people live... Kiri must be rich."

She stopped in front of a large manor and looked between the note and the numbers on the mailbox. "Well, this looks right."

She approached the door and raised her hand, knocking three times gently. There was a pause and the door opened, an older teenage boy peering at her with a stern expression. He looked her over and crossed his arms.

"Who are you?"

"Uh..." Natsumi blinked, then scratched her cheek. "I-I'm Natsumi. I'm looking for Kiri? I might have the wrong house."

He scoffed and leaned his shoulder against the doorframe, his long white-blonde hair falling over one of his blue eyes and draping on his shoulder.

"Yeah, she's my aunt." He rolled his eyes. "What're you need her for?"

Oh, that's right. She remembered. She did say something about having an adopted brother and sister. I didn't know they all lived together.

"Um..." She met his eyes and felt her cheeks warm. He's cute!

"She helped me out with something a few days ago and I came to return the favor by treating her to lunch or something."

The seventeen-year-old leaned forward, bringing his face close to her. His stern look was replaced with a smirk and he tilted her chin up with his thumb.

"Hey, you're pretty cute." He met her eyes and her face turned hot as he winked. "I'll tell you where she went if you give me a kiss."

A kiss? The heat spread to her ears and she stammered. "U-Um... I... uh..."

He chuckled and leaned closer until the tips of their noses almost touched. "I'm Yuuta. It was Natsumi, right? You're really cute."

"U-Um..." She stuttered, unable to think clearly.

"Yuuta!" A man's sharp voice came from the foyer and he gripped his son's shoulder and pulled him back. "I've told you before to knock off that attitude. Women are not playthings."

Yuuta scoffed and shoved his hands into his pocket. "Whatever, old man. Why mom even married you, I'll never know."

He raised his hand to wave at Natsumi and winked again. "To be continued, my red-haired princess." Then, he disappeared inside the house and the man stepped onto the front step with Natsumi.

"I apologize for his behavior." He spoke quietly and adjusted his glasses, pushing them higher on his nose. His short, smooth hair was a medium brown and his eyes were a thoughtful brown. "My son seems to consider himself a gift to all the women of the world. He's very narcissistic."

He looked Natsumi up and down. "You must be Natsumi. Kiri has been speaking a great deal about you and your trial. It appears as if you've impressed her."

"I-I have?"

The man nodded. "I am Fumio Takahashi. You're looking for my sister-in-law?"

Natsumi nodded. "Yes, sir. Do you know where she went?"

"I do." There was a long paused before he answered. "She went to Sena Itou's. Would you like the address?"

"Yes, please."

Sato relayed the address and pushed up his glasses again. "I expect that she'll be there all day, so you don't need to worry about missing her."

"Thank you very much." Natsumi bowed her head respectfully and turned, walking down the path and repeated the directions in her head.

Finally, she reached the place. It was a small house surrounded by a large flower garden with blooms as tall at Natsumi herself.

It's beautiful! She turned in a circle to admire the flowers and then approached the door and raised her hand to knock when she heard Kiri's loud groan coming from the backyard.

Natsumi moved to peer behind the side of the house and saw Sena and Kiri lounging on a pair of reclined chairs at a garden table, already sipping on a cup of sake and loudly talking.

"Can you believe he said that?" Kiri scoffed and gulped down the contents of the small cup. "I mean, what did I even do wrong this time?"

"K-Kiri..." Sena laughed quietly and reached over to take the bottle from her, only to have Kiri hold it out of her reach. "I don't think this is the right time to be drinking. It's really early."

"Shaddup, you!" Kiri laughed, reaching over to poke her nose. "You're supposed to be comforting me in my time of need."

Sena rolled her eyes and sipped her tea. "You call it a time of need and I call it a taste of your own medicine. It was you who left halfway through dinner. Not many men like to be dumped like that."

Kiri took a long drink out of the bottle and exhaled slowly.

"Well, it's not my fault that he wasn't relationship material. The guy was really clingy and kept talking about his mom all evening. I-" She spotted Natsumi from across the yard and raised her arm above her head and waved.

"Hey! It's you!" She giggled and hiccuped.

Sena turned and her eyes lit up and she set down her cup to wrap Natsumi in a hug. "Hi!" She let her go and led her over to a spare chair and made her a cup of tea. "It's good to see you again."

Natsumi watched Kiri lay on her arms, still mumbling to herself.

"As you can see," Sena smiled slightly. "Kiri had a date last night, and it didn't go very well." She rested an elbow on the table and held a hand up to her mouth to whisper. "Kiri is a bit of a day-drinker when she's upset. I've been trying to get her to quit for years, but it's hopeless."

"I can still hear you." Kiri lifted her head up, glaring at Sena and raising her middle finger. "It's not my fault that I end up getting asked out by losers. There's gotta be someone out there for me."

Sena sighed and sipped her tea, setting the cup down. "Arisa found a nice guy for you, remember? A few years ago? You blew the date."

Kiri raised her finger again and laid her head down on her arms again. "I chalk it up on the bad luck."

"Bad luck?" Natsumi drank her tea and turned to Sena.

She nodded. "Arisa- that's the matchmaker- says that it's bad luck if you peek at the special outfit that she chooses for you before your date."

Natsumi looked to Kiri, who set the bottle down and sighed heavily as she pouted.

"And, I peek every time. I just can't help it."

"And I keep telling you," Sena sighed. "There's no such thing as bad luck!" She shook her head. "Honestly, Kiri, you're a grown woman! You shouldn't believe in stuff like that. Just admit that you blew the date and move on."

"I don't wanna." Kiri mumbled and closed her eyes.

"Why do you use a match-maker when you have Kotetsu?" Natsumi looked at Kiri, who jumped and blushed deeply.

"K-Kotetsu?" Kiri shook her head quickly, bright red.

Sena laughed and crossed her arms. "Kiri, you told her about Kotetsu?"

"I-I didn't!" Kiri pursed her lips and turned away. "The little squirt figured it out."

Natsumi giggled and finished her tea. "If you like him, just say so. You don't need to sulk about it."

"T-That's..." Kiri frowned. "It's complicated."

"Natsumi has a point, you know." Sena held up a finger and nodded. "You've only had a raging crush for him since you were five. Almost twenty years later and you're still making excuses for not doing anything about it. It's sad."

"You guys are terrible."

"But right." Sena passed Kiri a cup of tea. "You need to drink this and get the alcohol out of your system."

Natsumi slowly smiled, an idea forming. "If... Kiri won't do anything, why don't we go find Kotetsu and drag him to her?" Natsumi laughed and Kiri blushed again. "We could solve this whole mess right now."

"W-What?" Kiri stood up and gaped at her. "You can't do that!"

Sena grinned nodded in approval. "Oh, I like how you think, Natsumi. I know what he's doing today, too! Let's go ambush him!"

Kiri paled and waved her hands. "No, don't! I'm not so pathetic that I need you guys to set me up with anyone."

"Apparently you do." Sena turned to Natsumi and giggled. "So, are you ready to go?"

"I-" Natsumi's eyes widened. "Sorry, maybe another time. I actually have to be somewhere very soon, but I'd love to hang out more later, if I'm allowed to come back over."

"Of course, you are!" Sena hugged her quickly. "I'll even make something special for dinner, so let me know beforehand so I can get the ingredients we need."

"I'd like that!" Natsumi nodded. "Oh, I brought these for you." She pulled out the ramen coupons and handed them each one.

"What's this?" Kiri turned it over and looked at Natsumi.

"It's for my favorite restaurant. I'll take you guys there sometime as a thank you for helping Naruto and I before."

Natsumi blinked and their eyes sparkled and they hugged her tightly.

"Oh, you're so sweet!" Kiri rubbed her cheeks to hers. "You're like the little sister I never had!"

"Hey," Sena looked at her sideways. "I thought I was the sis-"

"Shhh..." Kiri patted her head. "Natsumi can be my sister, too."

Natsumi wriggled out of their grasp and giggled. "Sorry, I really have to go. I'll come back tomorrow I promise!"

The photographer gritted his teeth and leaned against the camera with a sneer at Naruto.

"Hey, you! Are you sure you want to look like that?" He motioned to Naruto, who waved his arms in frustration.

"Yes, of course! C'mon! Hurry, hurry!"

The man let out a hot breath and rubbed his bald head, then ducked his head under the drape.

"Fine. But don't regret it later." He grumbled and Naruto sat still as he prepared the camera. "Say cheese!"

Naruto struck a pose as he clicked the button and Natsumi giggled from where she stood behind the photographer.

"Yup. That's a keeper." She covered her mouth, nearly snorting as she looked at Naruto's expression and his face paint. At least no one can ever try to tell me that my brother doesn't have any personality.

Naruto and Natsumi sat in the Hokage's office at the Academy, seated on hard wooden chairs in the center of the room. Seated at a table several meters away was the Hokage himself and a quiet man she didn't recognize. They each had a small stack of papers in front of them and were looking over the Uzumaki twin's files.

The Hokage held up Naruto's paper and stared at the eccentric portrait of the boy there and his eyes turned to Naruto, who grin and rubbed the back of his head and chuckled. Hiruzen's focus returned to the paper as he let out a quiet breath and tendrils of smoke swirled around him.

"I couldn't decide how to look." Naruto started to ramble as the two men remained quiet. "It took me three hours to decide. But, as you can see." He lowered his arm and rested it against the back of the chair. "It's more of a work of art. Doesn't it look great?"

Natsumi rolled her eyes and smiled as she looked at him from the corner of her eye. Naruto definitely is a knucklehead... but that's one of the things I love most about having him as a brother. There's never a dull moment.

"Take it again." The Hokage finally spoke with his pipe still between his lips, setting down the paper in front of him.

Naruto's eyes widened and he leaned forward in the chair. "What?!" He protested loudly.

The Hokage closed his eyes and removed the pipe from his mouth. "Take it again." He repeated calmly.

Naruto screwed up his face and gripped the seat of the chair with both hands as he complained. "Stop saying that!"

Natsumi laughed under her breath, turning to Naruto and whispering. "N-Naruto... it's probably best to just do as he says."

"No way!" Naruto snorted and narrowed his eyes, then stared at the Hokage without blinking. For a long time, the two of them stared intensely at one another, until Naruto gritted his teeth and brought his hands together to form the Ram hand seal.

"Transform!" Naruto's body was hidden by a cloud of smoke and when it dissipated, the nude, female version of him stood in his place. He leaned forward to emphasize the breasts and winked, blowing a kiss at the Hokage. "Oh please, Lord Hokage..."

The Hokage blinked slowly, then his eyes widened and his mouth gaped open. A trail of blood came from his nostril and he fell back in his chair, his face twitching. "Aah!"

Natsumi's mouth opened in shock as she watched the Hokage fall back and she covered her mouth quickly to hold back a snort of surprise. It works even on the Hokage... I guess Kiri was right... all men are perverts deep down.

Naruto transformed back into himself, his expression pale. "Uh..."

The Hokage blinked and the other man helped him up off of the floor. He adjusted in his chair and took out a handkerchief, wiping his nose gingerly as he cleared his throat quietly.

"Erm... the Sexy Jutsu... That's quite a devious technique." He closed his eyes as he spoke so he wouldn't meet Naruto's eyes.

Naruto sat back down, laughed quietly to himself and scratched his head.

Hiruzen opened his eyes, looking at the boy, and lowered his hand. "By the way, Naruto, where's your headband?"

Naruto rubbed his goggles with a serious expression.

"I won't wear it until the orientation. It might get scratched."

"Well, that's fine." The Hokage spoke, inserting his pipe back between his lips. "but the Ninja Registration form is a very important document held in high regard by our village." He looked down at the page again, holding it up to examine Naruto's face paint. "Why do you want to look like this?"

"Because!" Naruto answered loudly and leaned forward in his seat to complain. "Anyway, how should I know about all that stuff?"

Hiruzen furrowed his brows and stared at Naruto. Natsumi turned her eyes to the door that was opened just a crack, but saw nothing.

That's strange... I thought I heard something...

Naruto and the Hokage's attentions both shifted to the door as well as it suddenly was pulled open and an eight-year-old kid stepped into the room, holding a shuriken in his hand as he glared at the Hokage.

"Old Man! Get ready to fight!"

The twins' eyes widened as the boy charged the Hokage, though the Hokage's expression never changed.

"I am going to be the Fifth Hokage!" The boy shouted as he held up the shuriken. He stepped on his long scarf, tripping and falling face-first onto the hardwood floor as they stared in disbelief.

The boy clutched his head and covered his face, curling up into a ball. "Ouch..."

Hiruzen let out a small sigh and tilted the front of his bamboo Kage hat down, eyeing the child on the floor. "Hmph... if it's not one thing, it's another..."

As the boy began to get up off the ground, another ran through the doorway- a man wearing strange, dark, round glasses and his forehead protector as a bandana. He stared in shock at the boy.

"Darn! Is this a trap?" The boy sat up and glared again as he looked around the room.

"Are you okay, Honorable Grandson?" The man gaped at the boy and adjusted his glasses. "May I just inform you that there aren't any traps here..."

Naruto blinked at the boy, his eye almost twitching. "What's with this runt?"

Natsumi pressed her lips together tightly and looked between the boy and the Hokage. Honorable grandson? Oh... Her eyes fell on the boy. I do remember something about Lord Third having a grandchild now.

"What?" The boy looked at Naruto, shooting back a stern look.

The man in glasses blinked as he recognized Naruto. "I know this kid... he's that Nine-Tailed boy!" His mouth formed a hard line. "Hmph. He's a good-for-nothing scoundrel!"

The boy stood and approached Naruto, ignoring Natsumi as he thrust his finger at Naruto accusingly.

"You must have done this to me!" He exclaimed.

Naruto glowered and stood quickly, grabbing the boy by his scarf and clenching a fist. "You tripped all by yourself, stupid!"

"Hey! Let go of him!" The man in glasses shouted at Naruto, gritting his teeth. "He is the Honorable Grandson of the Third Hokage!"

Natsumi clenched her hands into balls and glared at the man. That's the same look and tone every other adult always gives Naruto.

"Watch yourself, Four-Eyes." Natsumi warned in a low voice.

"Natsumi!" The Hokage quickly looked at her and her lips pressed shut again, though she glared at the man again.

Don't you dare look down on my brother!

Naruto looked from Natsumi to the man slowly and then down at the boy he was holding several inches off the ground. The boy kept staring at Naruto intently, smirking as a tense silence filled the room.

"He stopped as soon as he learned who I am..." The boy watched Naruto's expression as he thought and lowered his fist. "Heh. He's just like my four-eyed teacher. He's just like everyone else!"

"What's the matter?" He shouted in Naruto's face. "Weren't you gonna hit me, huh? Can't do it 'cause I'm the Hokage's grandson, eh?"

Naruto's eyes narrowed and he got in the boy's face, matching his glare. "As if I care about that! Imbecile!" Drawing his arm back again, he brought his fist down on the top of the boy's head, which was protected by the helmet he wore.

The boy's eyes widened as he fell to the ground. "This guy..."

Natsumi's eyes grew and she shoved Naruto. "Hey! Was that really necessary?"

The Hokage laced his fingers together and rested his elbows on the table, bring his hands close to his face as he remained quiet, but the man in glasses gaped and held up his hands, stuttering.

"W-What?!"

"Good grief..." Hiruzen released a quiet breath and shut his eyes momentarily.

"Listen," Ebisu took Konohamaru aside to lecture him, resting on hand on his hip. "You are the Honorable Grandson of the Third Hokage." He raised a finger as he spoke. "Even though that scoundrel hit you, you must not associate with his kind. Nothing good will come of your tangling with him."

Konohamaru turned away from his sensei to stare at the floor.

The man closed his hand and touched it to his chest. "This is your distinguished teacher, Ebisu, and I am never wrong about these things!"

The boy continued to stare at the floor with his face scrunched in irritation.

"Don't you want to become the Fifth Hokage?" His teacher continued. "Then, allow me to teach you Ninjutsu so that your dream will become a reality." He smirked and pushed his glasses up. "That's right. Stick with me and you will gain a shortcut towards becoming the Fifth Hokage. Is that clear, Honorable Grandson?"

Ebisu blinked and looked around, realizing that his ward was gone, then brought his hands up to his head in panic.

"He's gone!"

"It seems he's gone after Naruto." The Hokage revealed in a level voice.

"What?! Oh no!" Ebisu turned to the Hokage with his mouth still hanging open. "This is terrible!" He quickly ran from the room, running down the hall. "Honorable Grandson!"

Hiruzen watched with furrowed brow as the Jonin left, chewing on his pipe. "How did he become like this?" He brought his hands up again, closed his eyes, and took a breath. "That was the twentieth sneak attack today... And now he's in the company of Naruto... I'm a bit worried. However, with Natsumi there, I'm sure she won't allow them to cause trouble." He let out a sigh. "I just hope he doesn't pick up any more foolishness."

Naruto and Natsumi walked down the street, Naruto with his hands in his pockets and Natsumi with hers at her side. After some time of walking in silence, Natsumi nudged her brother and smiled faintly.

"It's a shame that you've got to retake the picture, right?"

He met her eyes and pressed his lips together in an exaggerated pout. "Yeah, thanks for reminding me."

Natsumi slid her arm around his. "Well, in any case, I can ask the Hokage if he'll let us keep the original. That look was your masterpiece so maybe I'll frame it and hang it up on a wall."

He blinked and straightened, looking at her. "Huh? Really? You'd do that?"

She nodded quickly. "Of course! You worked really hard to get that look right, and you were proud of yourself. It'd be a shame to let it just get thrown away."

Naruto scratched his head and chuckled. "Yeah, you're right. You're the best, ya know?"

"I know." Natsumi grinned and gave his arm a squeeze. "So, what do you want to do for the rest of the day?"

"You mean, you're not going to ditch me for training today?" His eyes narrowed at her as he teased.

Natsumi felt her face pale slightly as she laughed. "I don't ever mean to ditch you, Naruto. And, I've already done my training for today this morning. Today's my easy day."

"Hmph." He turned his face away. "Maybe I'd know that if you let me train with you anymore."

Natsumi furrowed her brows and pursed her lips. "If you really want to train with me, you can join me tomorrow. But, you have to be up at dawn or I'll leave you behind."

"Do you mean it?"

Natsumi nodded. "Just don't sleep too late or I will leave you behind. I don't believe in wasting daylight."

He clenched his fist and pumped it into the air. "Yahoo! You're gonna see that it was a mistake leaving me out all this time. It'll be much better than training on your own and you'll see just how much better I am at a lot of things, but don't feel bad. I'll even teach you my special Jutsu so you can catch up."

Behind them, Konohamaru hid behind buildings as he watched them.

Naruto and Natsumi stopped walking, listening quietly. A small footstep made them both turn just in time to see Konohamaru cover himself with a sheet that was the same color as the streets.

"Hm?" Naruto stared at it for a while and his eyes fell on the feet that were completely visible. They shared a look, and then turned their attention back to the road ahead and continued forward.

Why is that kid following us? Natsumi heard the sheet shuffle as the footsteps resumed. What's he trying to do?

They stepped onto the sidewalk with their steps identical and Konohamaru matched their pace evenly in an attempt to disguise the sound.

I don't know what he's doing... but he's not doing too terribly. He should know not to follow people too closely, though.

Naruto stopped again, and Natsumi copied him, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. His eyes were narrowed and his face twitching in irritation. He quickly turned and pointed at Konohamaru, who lifted the sheet up over himself in an attempt to blend in with the fence behind me, but the slats were facing the wrong direction.

"Stop following us!" Naruto shouted and pointed directly at him. Natsumi smiled as the boys' hands and hair were visible over the stop of the sheet.

He's just as persistent as Naruto.

"What is it now?!" Naruto yelled again, then lowered his hand slowly as his eye twitched. "Your camouflage is pathetic."

Konohamaru remained quiet though his hands were shaking, making the sheet unsteady and wrinkled and he laughed from behind it, then lowered it finally.

"You've seen through my disguise..." He looked at Naruto with a smirk. "Your reputation is well-earned. I'll allow you to make me your apprentice."

Naruto's mouth hung open as he looked at the boy with a blank expression. "Eh?"

He wants Naruto to train him? Natsumi took a step toward them and looked between the boys. Maybe being a mentor will help Naruto mature more.

Konohamaru lowered his hand and then clenched them as his eyes burned with determination. "But you must first teach me that "Sexy Jutsu" technique you used to beat Grandpa Hokage."

Natsumi blinked. Or... not.

Naruto crossed his arms and closed his eyes. "You gotta be kidding." He muttered.

"I beg you to say yes, boss!"

Naruto opened his eyes. "Huh? Boss?"

Oh geez. He's done it.

"Boss! Boss! Boss!" The boy repeated pleadingly.

Naruto smirked slightly and rubbed his head. "I guess I have no choice."

Natsumi sighed deeply and facepalmed. I knew he wouldn't be able to resist that. Guess I'll have to supervise, them, now. She straightened, crossed her arms, and sighed again. It's like having two Narutos at once.