Disclaimers: I'm only saying it once. I DON'T OWN NARUTO!
A/N: This is an AU of Naruto. I'm not explaining more here. Don't be lazy. Read the prologue.
Of Sand, Foxes, and Slugs
by ChibiNaruto-Kawaii
Prologue
12 long years ago, the Third Hokage entrusted a baby girl to Tsunade, one of his former students, and one of the Legendary Sannin. The child's name was Uzumaki Natsumi, the Yondaime Hokage's daughter, and his only legacy. The Fourth had sealed the feared demon, the Kyuubi no Kitsune into his daughter to save the ninja village he led, Konohagakure. He died in the sealing.
The Sandaime did not believe that the villagers would see the child as a hero as the Yondaime had wished. Even though Natsumi was only the demon's vessel, to the residents of Konoha, she was the embodiment of the demon that they hated and feared.
"Sarutobi-sensei, what the hell is this all about?" Tsunade asked as she stared at the small bundle that her former teacher was holding.
"Tsunade, I need you to take Natsumi and leave the village." He replied, looking worried.
"Why though?"
Sarutobi sighed. "It's not that simple. Too many things are happening, much too fast. First Orochimaru leaves, and then the Kyuubi attacks." He didn't see his student wince when he mentioned her now renegade teammate.
"All right, fine, but why me? I'm probably the worst person to raise a kid," the Sannin stalled, hoping for a way out.
"Take Shizune along, then. She could take care of Natsumi when you are... indisposed." the old man said with a grin at the mention of Tsunade's gambling habit (coughaddictioncough).
Tsunade sweatdropped. The old guy wasn't a Kage for nothing. "Okay, fine. I'm in."
"Thank you, Tsunade."
Tsunade took the small bundle from Sarutobi and started to walk out the door, but paused.
"Sensei... are you sure this is the right thing to do? I mean, Natsumi leaving the village?" she asked. When no response came, she shrugged and left.
Ten minutes later, the silence was broken by the Sandaime.
"No... I'm not..."
::Present Time::
A woman with almost platinum blonde pigtails and a purple diamond mark on her forehead sighed, and folded up the letter she had been reading. She got up and walked over to one of her traveling companions, a pure blond girl of about 12, with striking blue eyes who was sharpening a kunai knife.
"Natsumi?"
"Hai, 'kaasan?"
"Wake Shizune-chan up. We're leaving.
"Where are we going?"
The woman sighed. "Where we truly belong."
"Where's that?" the girl asked.
"Konoha."
A/N: Okay, that chapter could be better, but I like it. I hope everyone liked it too. Anyway, if I don't update in a while, blast me with "UPDATE NOW!!!!" type reviews. If there are any questions, ask. I won't bite. Too hard.
