A/N - Hey everyone! Sorry about not updating til now. Stupid teachers..they're all against me. I know they're plotting something against me...

Anyways, here are replies to your comments!

joecool4 - Yeah, I didn't mean to make it slow. I meant to add more, but I keep getting and losing ideas, so the speed and length of the story is going to differ throughout.

Caga - I'm glad you like it, and no, I will not hurry up. hehe. I'm kidding, I'll try to update as often as possible.

Again, Naruto is not mine.


Twisting Fate - The Village of Konoha

A quiet irritable growl left the young ninja's lips as he rested on his usual tree branch, far from the village walls. He lifted a hand up and ran his fingers through the black hair, moving back into its 'place'. He watched the world around and below him with black, emotionless eyes. How could I let Itachi take over my life? And that snake bastard? Damnit, I can't believe I was so stupid to be a puppet to both of them, Sasuke thought in anger. He huffed at his thoughts, picking at his arm warmers absent-mindedly.He feltthe cool, everning's wind blow around him,and shook his head in distraut. Ever since I thanked the dobe last month...he's been acting different. Mature? No...he's too childish to be mature...maybe...respectful? God, why do I even care? Its the dobe.. Sasuke's thoughts were interrupted by the sudden sound of crunching leaves below, causing him to stand and grab a kunai on reflex. Please...don't let it be any of those nagging girls...

Kiri sighed, walking mindlessly through the unknown forest. Beside her strode a medium-sized fox, its coat a glossy orange-red colour. It looked up at Kiri and yipped in concern and worry. Stopping, Kiri knelt down and stroked the soft fur on Kit's head.

"I know you're tired, Kit. I am too. But...we have to keep going, just a little longer. We've gotta be close to someone, right," she said in a weak-hopeful tone. She sighed in defeat when her stomach grumbled, making Kit whimper quietly and lick Kiri's hand. She smiled and stood back up. "A little farther, and if we don't find anything, we'll sleep, okay?" Kit let out a small yipped and they both started walking again, Kit's ears twitching with each noisy step. Kiri sighed and grabbed the strap of her backpack. I can't give in...I'm so tired...and weak...I feel like I'm about to collapse...but I can't. I have to find that damn Kyuubi...and-

"Who's out there! Show yourself," a loud, emotionless voice exclaimed. Kiri and Kit both jumped in shock, searching the woods for the source of the voice.

"I'm just a traveller trying to find the village of Konoha! I don't want to fight with anyone," Kiri yelled in reply, Kit growling suddenly. She reached down to pet Kit's head when a shadow jumped in front them, black eyes glaring at them coldly. Oh god...Is that Kyuubi? I'm not ready! Kiri cried in her mind, grabbing a kunai for defense. Kit growled even louder, baring his teeth at the stranger, who didn't flinch.

"I will help you to Konoha, only if you do as I say," the stranger replied. Kiri nodded silently, still holding the kunai tightly. "I want you to put your weapon back..." Kiri's mind fought the idea, unsure if he was trustable. Reluctantly, sheobeyed the man, placing her kunai back into her holster. "...I don't want any plans of attacking me, and stifle the fox." Kiri flinched with anger but sighed, kneeling down and stroking Kit's head.

"Kit, hush...we're not fighting with him. He's taking us to Konoha...he's not who we're looking for." Kit stopped growling after a few moments, standing in front of Kiri protectively, making the stranger shake his head.

"The fox won't be welcomed in the villager. They've been against foxes ever since-"

"Ever since Kyuubi, right?" The man nodded, showing no shock that she knew. "I understand, but Kit is not Kyuubi." He shook his head and turned around, walking off.

"Whatever...follow me." Kiri and Kit looked at each other, then gave a nod, following the stranger through the forest.

Kiri gasped as she gazed at the village from the gates, her eyes wide with excitement. Kit sat by her feet, sniffing the air, taking in its new surroundings.

"Wow! Its...its so beautiful," she exclaimed, seeing the colourful leaves still on its branches, swaying in the wind. She smiled happily and turned to Sasuke. "Thank you! Could you...show me where a food shop is?" Shrugging his shoulders, he pointed off to a direction, then jumped onto the rooftops, disappearing. Kiri and Kit walked in the direction pointed out, after several minutes, the villagers were stopping and pointing at them, some of them scowling. Gosh...do they do this to every visitor? Kit yipped happily, running ahead and to a meat market, smelling the wonderful, tantalizing food. Kiri walked up alongside the smiled warmly at the shopkeep, not noticing his angry glare. "I would like a package of beef, please."

"I refuse to sell anything to the likes of you. Get away from my store," the man exclaimed angrily. Kiri gasped, and glared back at the man.

"I just want to get food like any other person! Why do I get different treatment," Kiri yelled. The man glowered and got out from behind the counter, easily towering over Kiri.

"I'm telling you this last time. Get the hell away from my shop, and don't come back!" With his words, he kicked Kit hard in the hind leg, making him yelp loudly in pain, as well as snarl at the man. Kiri punched at him, but he grabbed her fist and threw his own punch, landing on her jaw squarely. She fell back and cried out, holding her bloody jaw in pain, Kit growling at the man from behind Kiri. "Get the hell out of our village! You're not wanted!"

"You are just another narrow-minded bastard! He's just a fox! We were trying to buy food! THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!" Kiri winced in pain, holding her jaw tighter when the man kicked her leg. She screamed loudly in pain, shuddering visibly as tears swelled in her eyes. Just as the man was about to attack again, a boy jumped between them, holding a kunai up to the man.

"Back off! I saw the whole thing, do you want me to go to the Hokage on you and cost you your life," the boy exclaimed angrily. The man glared at him, then turned, going back to his shop. The boy let out a sigh of relief, replacing his kunai and turning to Kiri and Kit. He smiled warmling, holding his hand out. "Here, let me help you up." Kiri looked at her saviour, realizing he was just a kid, maybe 16 years old. His blond hair was spiked up slightly, and his azure blue eyes were filled with comfort. She gave him a smile, and placed her hand into his. He pulled her up gently, making her wince in pain. "I'm sorry I didn't help any earlier...you should let me clean your wound. And feed you. You can stay with me." He smiled warmly at Kiri, making her smile more, trying to ignore the pain.

"Thank you..." she started saying, looking at the boy for his name. His smile grew when he realized what she meant.

"Uzumaki Naruto, future Hokage, at your services!" Kit yipped at Naruto, trying to get between him and Kiri, growling quietly. Kiri looked at him worriedly, seeing him limp from where he was kicked. Naruto chuckled and knelt down, reaching out to pet him.

"Kit doesn't like...strangers." Kiri watched as Naruto scratched under Kit's chin, who purred with happiness at the gentle touch, looking up at Naruto with brown eyes. "I guess he likes you. His name is Kit..." Naruto stood up and looked at Kiri. "And I'm Kiri...thank you.."

"Come on. Let's go to my house before your wound gets infected, okay?" Kiri nodded and blushed slightly, watching as Naruto lifted Kit into his arms and smiled at Kiri, leading her through the village, ignoring the glares they recieved.

He's really nice...and Kit doesn't mind him at all. That's exactly what this world needs...more caring people. More...love.


A/N - Yay, another chappie done. I hope you like it...and yes, Sasuke became good. Scary, ne? lol. Anyways, comment if you like. Ja ne!

Rini