Disclaimer: I own nothing connecting to the Naruto Franchise
One More Time
Chapter 2: Wave
Bright blue eyes stared silently forward just waiting in the dark room. Messy short and spikey blonde hair fell artfully around the young girl's face. Her clothes were loose and black with only bits of burnt orange as a design.
Naruto eyed the door as it opened and the Hokage slipped into the room and turned on the light. His dark eyes immediately fell to the pre genin. Several hours before Naruto had been given her first mission and the young girl had been the one to even bring it up.
Mizuki sensei was a problem the blonde could not have left alone. Kabuto was already an unnecessary spy but there was little she could dig up on him to use against him. So, Naruto had aimed her focus on Mizuki who had begun purposefully sabotaging her. Had her grades and abilities been what they were the first time around no one would have taken Naruto's word about the sabotage.
This time though her grades and performance in class had been kept in the middle of the lane. She neither was noticeable from being top or bottom of the class and that had been her and Shikamaru's aim. The hokage had been well informed on her grades and her 'studious' personality.
The last several years they both had buckled down and worked their asses off to get to a place where they could manage most of their old skills once lost. Naruto's chakra control was immensely better this time around and the blonde had conducted her outward appearance differently.
She was still a prankster, don't get her wrong. I mean you can't argue against art, and natural talent. Though she moved through the village unaffected by the stares and comments aimed her way every so often. Naruto this time was goal oriented and her bluster had been all but used up during the war in her last life. She held an air of almost determined maturity. That alone had made even most of the villagers see the little blonde in a different light, less…hostile as one would say.
Naruto had to adjust to the changes already made, one being that despite her best efforts many of the Uchiha were rapidly dying when sent out on missions. Recently from what many had heard Itachi's arranged fiancée had died in a mission and threw the clan into chaos. It would now take several years for a new prospect to even be thought to be chosen. Fugaku was far too focused on finding and eliminating the source that was killing off his clansmen. Mikoto the matriarch of the clan had to run it in his stead and was also to busy to entertain the thought. Well that's what Naruto had heard through rumors in the village.
The blonde figured it had to be Obito and Mandara doing their best to help their future goals. Though Shisui and Itachi still lived, both prominent and powerful figures in the village. The clan itself drew back from sending out their less experienced kin on the harsher missions and the hokage agreed till they could neutralize whoever was targeting the Uchiha clan.
Though Itachi and Shisui would still be sent out on missions as both boys were part of anbu and few knew of their true identity behind the masks. The older boy's no longer would be bound to the village on the anbu guard watching over her as she was going to be a shinobi soon and their duties would no longer exist. It seemed unfair that they would go from overseeing her security to now facing off dangerous foes across the elemental nations.
It was thanks to them though that the sabotage had been figured out but with it Naruto also 'accidently' found out what creature she housed. Mizuki was then unknowingly watched over intensely by the anbu presiding over her care when it had been discovered. It was also her own fault for snooping on the jerk wad of a teacher as well. She focused more of her stealthy pranks on the guy, thus she and her anbu guard kept a good watch on the man outside of class. They happened to hear several of his plans and found he had a link to Orochimaru just from that alone. Though the blonde had to pretend to know nothing of the snake summoner.
The blonde however was the one to bring it up to the hokage right as evidence of the instructors misdeeds when concerning her grades. She said it probably had to do with a strange hatred he harbored for her. She let some of her skills on emotional sensing slip stating that she could feel he didn't like her. Though Naruto only kept her words vague about the topic.
That led to Naruto offering an opportunity and presenting a chance for her to take on her first mission. Hiruzen had been reluctant but the blonde had insisted that it was necessary for them to figure out why Mizuki was targeting her. It worried Hiruzen more that the man had ties to Orochimaru and was aiming any attention on the pre teen.
So, for Mizuki's knowledge Naruto had failed her round of the exams but Iruka and several instructors had already passed her hours prior to their staged exam. Naruto was loyal and had offered a plan that left no one at risk.
So here she sat smiling softly at her aged hokage and Hiruzen looked to Naruto with his own calculating gaze. He had thought he knew intimately of the girl's intelligence and knowledge and she was already placed into a team but, there seemed to be more his charge had been hiding.
Other than her gender she still kept under wraps Naruto seemed to have truly learned the art of a shinobi. To know the true girl you would have to see underneath the underneath and now he too had to discover the Naruto who hid behind bright smiles and pranks.
"He wants me to collect the forbidden scroll of seals Jiji. Told me it was extra credit and I could pass the exam so long as I learned from the scroll before I was caught." Amusement colored the bright blue gaze and the third made his way to his seat settling down watching the child before him.
"I'm guessing you took a peek of it anyways." He spoke up gesturing to the large scroll sitting on his desk now and the blonde only smiled innocently his way.
"My chakra reserves are large enough for me to easily take on some of the danger when using the chakra heavy skills." She shrugged but scratched her whiskered cheek. "Besides, you took a long time and it was easy to find and slip it past the traps and child worthy seals protecting it." Her soft chuckle afterward proved Naruto wasn't remorseful.
"As we speak though one of my former shadows disguised as me is off most likely already escorting Mizuki sensei to T&I by now." Naruto's soft blue gaze stared out the window watching the sun slowly begin it rise.
"Then you know where you have to be soon." Hiruzen spoke watching his former charge smile sadly at him almost as if accepting some dark truth. He almost asked her why she looked so…nervous.
Though the young girl had disappeared in a tuff of smoke making the third realize it had been a shadow clone this entire time.
"Naruto, always doing things no one would expect." Hiruzen sighed before he tried to find a new place to put the forbidden scroll. Somewhere Naruto could not find it this time.
Maybe he should send her after more things to check their village security.
~OMT~
Naruto sat quietly next to Shikamaru who was doing his best to seem nonchalant. She was talking about having met Konohamaru the after having dropped off her shinobi id tag to the hokage. Just like the first time she had been gleeful to hand over a painted up demon version of her self, Hiruzen had not been amused the first time nor was he amused this time.
Shikamaru was listening Naruto was pretty sure of that at least. Though when he nearly falling asleep, Naruto began to doubt that. The blonde was sure it had to do with the fact that he hasn't been allowed to be lazy for the last five years or so. Eight if you counted their previous life that is.
The two of them had sat calm and collected as kids filtered in rowdy and practically smug for most of them. Naruto spotted Ino and Sakura both fighting for the seat next to Sasuke and was happy to miss her and Sasuke's kiss this time around. Though she briefly recognized Kakashi's chakra signature on the far wall observing the class for a while before it disappeared.
This was the start of it all, the beginning of the end but this time things would turn out differently no matter what. Her tummy tenant coursed power though her as if agreeing with her internal dialogue.
Iruka arrived and everyone settled, he observed Naruto a moment giving the pre teen a subtle nod before beginning to call out the teams.
Naruto only listened to ensure it was all the same needing it to be the same because it meant major events might stay on course.
"Team seven Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, your sensei will be Kakashi Hatake." Sakura cheered yelling at Ino and rubbing it in the glaring girls face. Sasuke sighed and only glanced back to the blonde of their team who had remained silent throughout the moment.
Naruto had always been an enigma to Sasuke. The blonde was pretty quiet and observant despite hiding behind that mask of a happy idiot most of the time.
The called out the rest of the teams and everything had remained pretty much the same.
Choji had been happy to have Shikamaru on his team and apologized for Naruto having to be on a team with an even bigger fangirl than Ino.
The Uzumaki shrugged and smiled gently at the chubby pre teen.
"I'm sure it will be fine." Choji smiled back and set off to go gather his lunch. It left Naruto and Shikamaru alone in the far back corner. They boy observed everyone even being wary of shino and his bugs before settling down and speaking.
"We won't see much of one another until the exams probably. Make sure to watch your back as I won't be there to save your ass." Naruto spoke smug earning a snort from her drowsy partner in crime.
"Fine, you have to promise to cause as minimal damage as you can this time around." He stuck out his tongue at her teasing the blonde and making her scoff in mock offence.
It wasn't long before teams were collected group by group and when Shikamaru walked out waving the blonde goodbye Naruto settled down into her chair and pulled out a book about advanced sealing arts.
It was one of the few books she had read over several times, she always got new ideas when reading through it. A few hours in Naruto could finally sense Kakashi just observing them from outside the window. Hmm he must have observed them a bit before he had decided to enter the classroom from the door.
Sighing softly she tucked away her book opened the window and threw a chalkboard eraser at him. Sadly hitting him dead on.
"Oi sensei, Shikaku san said if I ever find you creeping on me to hurt you. Said you don't learn your lesson if you are hurt by it." Naruto was observing her nails appearing bored ignoring the sputtering coming from her shocked teammates behind her.
Kakashi appeared on the windowsill eyeing the short haired blonde who he used to watch over as a child.
"My first impression of you guys is you aren't what you seem. Meet me on the roof for introductions." He was gone in a swirl of wind and leaves making Naruto huff.
The blonde ignored her teammates and easily walked up the side of the building to the roof. She needed to establish something here, something for them to both grasp onto quickly.
In her past they had seen her as deadlast and that impression lasted throughout their lives. This time she would appear to be a hidden prodigy. Something to bruise Sasuke's ego and to bring Sakura and her idolization back to earth.
Naruto slipped over the banister shocking Kakashi a moment before settling down silently and pulling out her previous book awaiting her teammates. It took several minutes the entire time Kakashi had been outright staring down the blonde who easily ignored him.
Kakashi told them to introduce themselves, Sakura asking Kakashi to do so first but like the last time the shinobi didn't offer much information aside from his name.
Sakura's introduction was the same as the last time right down to her claiming she hated Naruto.
Though the blonde was confused because she had definitely left the pink haired girl alone this time, maybe she had offended her just by being on the same team as her precious Sasuke.
Naruto only snorted at Sakura's statement though.
Sasuke's introduction was different but it focused on him wanting to surpass his brother and to make his clan proud.
Naruto blinked owlishly and huffed softly before looking away from her team. "I like a few things here and there. Never really felt like wasting effort to dislike much other than judgmental bastards. I only have a goal of keeping my comrades safe, to ensure our village holds fast to a safe and bright future." The blonde shrugged and steadily kept her gaze away from the piercing gazes.
The blonde tuned out for a bit observing her team in silence as they found out about the second test. Her test she would face for a third time in her life.
The bell test and the fond memories she had of it swirled in her mind a moment before Kakashi dismissed them.
"I would suggest not eating breakfast you'll just throw it up." With that he was gone and
"Yeah right, I'm sure you're going to be fucking hours late again ya damn scarecrow." Naruto stood rolling her eyes mumbling loud enough for her teammates to hear. "Yoshino would kill me if I skipped breakfast."
With that Naruto was gone heading home to prepare for the next day.
~OMT~
Naruto sat silently in the field both Sasuke and Sakura eyeing the Uzumaki in shock. She had taken only several minutes to immobilize their sensei and handing over the bells despite her teams insistence on Naruto taking the bells as she had earned it. Sasuke's quick attack method was proven useless and Sakura had so far only cheered the boy on. Naruto had observed and assessed the situation then used that information to face off the famed shinobi. Though it was in a msart way with very little effort put forth.
Kakashi sighed hand to his nose trying to stop the blood from soaking his mask.
He was never going to live this down, his team won and passed all because his sensei's son had created a damn jutsu that would ruin any pervert.
A sexy jutsu and the kid even modeled this one after one of the main love interests from icha icha paradise, throwing in a few cheesy one liners while he was at it.. The kid only observed him reading that book moments before and had the forethought to adjust a battleplan based off of distraction. It was efficient, wasted little chakra and so damn quick witted.
How had Naruto been unnoticed till now.
"You all pass." Kakashi spoke happy now that the blood flow stopped and eyed the surprised genin. Or rather two surprised genin and one quietly observing genin. The blonde seems to have figured out the test as well and Kakashi truly wondered how no one had noticed the kid and his skill.
Though something felt off, strange as one would say but Kakashi could not really pinpoint the problem. He dismissed his team and was intent and focused on learning more about the three under his care.
Fist though he had to gather his bruised ego and make his way to report in on his team.
~OMT~
Naruto was silent in her duties when doing D ranks again. Most were done quickly thanks to Naruto's clones but Kakashi still barely taught them anything. So the blonde had taken to offering up some chakra control exercises with her 'new' team.
It kept Sasuke civil with the blonde and Sakura also seemed more mellow around the time traveler. Kakashi though watch Naruto like a hawk after she took initiative in helping to train her team.
It took a few weeks of D ranks for Naruto to remember about her mission in wave. This time though Sakura had been the one to throw a fit for team seven to obtain their fated mission to the land of waves.
It seemed like most events the universe would work to ensure certain instances continued to cross the blondes path.
Naruto didn't want to watch Haku die again though but wasn't sure what to do to avoid the event. Though it wasn't difficult to figure out several possible plans to keep history from replaying that tragic fate again.
It would help keep them from being brought back from the dead and used against them though. Tazuna was just like she remembered, drunk, depressed, and dangerously getting kids involved in his villages dangerous politics.
It was only several hours later that team seven was on the road again tasked with taking the old man home.
Sakura set off to question their client a moment while Naruto kept her awareness up but casually so. She remembered to just keep an eye out for a puddle of water but anything could change and Naruto didn't want to die because she made a rookie mistake.
"Why didn't you just have ninja from your village escort you?" Sakura asked but Naruto answered first.
"The land of waves has no shinobi villages. The elemental nations are mostly covered by civilian run towns and villages. We were probably the old man's only option when going for help." Kakashi was quiet but agreed with Naruto assessment.
He noticed when she zeroed in on a puddle but the blonde was almost casual about her supposed unaware reaction to the strange rain puddle in a place where there had been no rain for days.
Kakashi wanted to observe how his students would react in this situation and who these men were after. There were several options to be honest and he needed to know.
Two shinobi jumped out of the puddle after they passed it targeting Kakashi who substituted himself with a log so he could watch over his team. The shinobi's aim was very obviously aimed toward the bridgebuilder Tazuna.
Naruto and Sasuke both spurred into action with Naruto making several clones to cover their client and a screaming Sakura. The original charged forward like a blur and Kakashi jolted realizing once Sasuke had trapped the demon brothers claws she forced each brothers clawed weapon into one another's throat.
Sasuke was horrified and Sakura's screams reached a new level. Tazuna was looking aghast at the blonde who turned her head toward Kakashi's location.
"Sensei, I find it a bit rude that you decided to hide away and let us handle the danger." Her blue eyes narrowed and Kakashi came forward realizing Naruto could sense him, fairly accurately.
Even before they had been assigned to his team her gaze always wound up aimed his way. A lightbulb went off and Kakashi realized she probably knew he was Inu one of her former anbu guards.
"Good job Naruto, that was a quick clean kill." Kakashi wasn't sure what to do but Naruto had not seemed bothered by her first kill. In fact she was handling this like a seasoned shinobi brushing off the incident easily.
"I've lived a long life of me or them, I don't like it but it's not something you can foolishly avoid or trick yourself into never doing." Naruto shrugged but refused to look down at the bodies of the two men she had killed and it eased Kakashi to know she didn't like the thought of killing but would do what was necessary.
"Sakura shut up. If you hadn't realized what profession you were in then I'd kindly ask you to learn it." Naruto glowered at her pink haired teammate before Sasuke recovered and clapped the blondes back.
"Thank you for having my back." It was simple and a very guy way of saying things that went unsaid.
The blonde nodded before releasing the clones and eyeing their client.
"Now Tazuna san, I think you should inform us on why those big bad men were after us. I find it unkind I just had to have my first kill on a mission that was just supposed to be an easy escort." Naruto's blue gaze had gone cold and Tazuna now had an angry Kakashi on his tail to spill the information.
It took nothing but a small growl from team sevens sensei for Tazuna to spill everything he knew.
Naruto had heard it all before but this time she focused on her teammates reaction to it all. Sakura was pale, scared and fearful. Sasuke had a grim determination as if he wanted to prove himself and when his eyes flicked to the blonde it seemed he still held some competitiveness toward the Uzumaki.
Naruto wasn't sure if that was going to become a healthy rivalry or not. It had been years since she had faced someone like him and the last time it had not gone so well. She really didn't want him to think it was a good idea to kill all foes and felt she might need to justify her actions at some point later on.
She sure as hell was not killing Haku and maybe not Zabuza either. Though with Kakashi being much more active as a sensei this time around she was sure he would ask her to explain herself soon.
Er himself soon. It always amazed her that she was surrounded by such smart people and none of them ever figured out she was a woman the first time around until she returned from her training trip.
Jiraiya figured it out quicker that anyone, that damn pervert and his senses put two and two together when she started growing into the face and body of her sexy jutsu.
From that horrified realization he became an overprotective pervert. Only spied on bathhouses when the blonde was far away from them and glaring down any idiot who had the gall to look her way.
It was amusing in a way and also pretty stupid but it was a fond memory she was eager to face once more in the future.
Refocusing on the conversation at hand the blonde realized everyone had turned their attention to her.
"Well Naruto, what do you think. Should we continue the mission." Kakashi wondered why his student had been thinking so hard about the question.
"I mean yeah, we took on the mission and if we abandon and the client dies other villages will argue saying clients die under our guard. It would fuck up the reputation of the leaf and honestly we don't need that right now in this political climate. Besides if it get's too dangerous then we can send word back to the leaf that we need extra hands, and it could be easily disguised as a follow up report." The blonde froze realizing she had fallen back into a thought process she had as hokage.
Sasuke and Sakura's shocked expressions concluded that yes, she did overexplain.
Kakashi was looking down at her with a glint in his gaze and the blonde refused to meet it. She met Tazuna's gaze and frowned a moment.
"It's not right to try and manipulate kids by the way. Lucky for us we aren't regular kids, we are shinobi and are taught and trained to see through deception. I will help you but know it wasn't because of you trying to trick me into it. I morally can't stand people like this Gato guy, you are lucky it was this team as well." Naruto ignored the expressions of her team.
"Kakashi sensei is a former elite shinobi and has the field experience to watch over and cover us if need be. Sasuke is from a strong respected clan who trains their kids from the second they walk. Sakura is smart and works pretty well with genjutsu and a good observer of surroundings. If it was one of the normal civilian heavy teams you would have probably killed three kids who had nothing to do with your problem but have the bad luck to be put on your mission." Naruto scowled and Tazuna looked stricken but nodded in understanding.
"The village would have worked something out with you about payment had you come clean about your situation in the first place as well." With that Naruto huffed and looked away to realize the demon brothers bodies were gone, it seemed Kakashi worked fast.
Soon the team was regrouped and walking more alert in the direction of Tazuna's village. He suddenly glance back at the small blonde and gathered his own courage to ask.
"What about you?" Naruto looked to the old bridgebuilder confusion in her gaze. "You talked about your amazing team but you neglected to speak about yourself." He eyed the supposed boy and wondered other than a mature attitude, and a willingness to kill he wasn't sure what he offered.
"Hadn't you heard while you were in the village Tazuna. I'm the leaf villages monster." Her normally bright blue eyes were shades darker like a flicker of red before slipping back to blue. Her team reacted shocked to how Naruto referred to themselves and Kakashi flinched realizing something.
Naruto somehow knew he carried the nine tailed bijuu. That explained so much.
~OMT~
Several hours later Naruto easily slammed down a seal and a dome rose up to protect their client. Kakashi gaped at her and even Zabuza who had only just appeared too seemed shocked.
They had just crossed over the land by boat and Kakashi had been impressed at the blondes ability to water walk. Though Naruto had known how to do many chakra control exercises as she had taught Sasuke and Sakura how to tree walk by then.
Now it seemed they would be soon learning water walking from her as well. Kakashi found that her helping to teach her teammates made them bond in a way he had never expected.
Though soon after being dropped off they came face to face with Zabuza the demon of the mist and the blonde was not going to have them be worried about the client. She looked back to Tazuna with a ice glint in her gaze.
"Do not worry, you will be safe behind that, even from water and ground attacks. A friend of mine helped me create it." Naruto smiled and turned her focus back on the shinobi before her.
Immediately she brought out several shadow clones and had them transform into Kakashi and join him against the missing nin. The grateful look he threw at her was all she got until thick mist dared to roll into their field of vision.
Naruto didn't even let Zabuza talk about slicing through vital organs and just brust threw hand movements slamming chakra and power threw he. "Wind release: Great breakthrough!" wind churned through the area making the fog dissipate immediately. Zabuza stood stunned several feet from the blonde only for Kakashi to slash through him, and Zabuza then melted into water.
They fought for several minutes most of the hits bursting a shadow clone or a copied water clone made by Kakashi. Naruto and Sasuke plotted quietly while Sakura kept the surroundings in check.
In a blink Kakashi was trapped in a dome of water but a puff revealed it to be a shadow clone and Zabuza soon faced Kakashi who had revealed his eye hidden by his head band.
Sasuke gasped softly and Sakura looked confused but Naruto knew already. Knew who's eye that truly was and stiffened when it glanced her way for a moment.
Her Karuma had been placed behind a seal again and they agreed to wait out on removing it again. Karuma needed to regain his strength and Naruto did not need to be suspected of being controlled by the demon.
The fight was definitely one sided especially since Naruto kept sending out Kakashi copies to take any surprise blows aimed his way. Finally, Haku showed up immobilizing the missing nin but Naruto stood their ground.
"If you are a hunting nin then why not do you duty, I've never known one to take the body away." Naruto saw Haku stiffen and disappear before Kakashi eyed his blonde student.
"Something seems strange, I've grown up in the slums and I know high tier ninjas don't work for guys like Gato for a reason." He blue eyes met Kakashi who seemed to come to a moment of understanding.
He had to remember the environment Naruto grew up in and despite his harsh demeanor the kid was still oddly optimistic. Though him facing his first kill the way he did worried Kakashi a little.
The blonde freed their client and they trudged to Tazuna's home, Kakashi was a little sluggish but not overly strained. He was surprised to note Naruto was not drained either, in fact the blonde seemed the same as he always was. It confirmed his reserves had to run deep.
The arrived in the somber village and met Tazuna's family, calm collected and resistant coming from the youngest of the little family. Tsunami was thanking the team for bringing her father in law home safely but her son Inari only glared at them the entire time he observed the group.
Though team seven settle in without incident this time.
It was early the next morning Naruto had Sasuke and Sakura working on water walking while Tazuna settle some affairs before he made plans to go back to working on the bridge.
It was one free moment and the blonde was not going to waste it. Kakashi observed the group for a while until he finally confronted the blonde away from civilian ears but with her team.
"Why did you chose to kill the demon brothers but not the masked ninja with Zabuza? I saw you had a clear shot at his partner." Sasuke and Sakura nearly scrambled back to the land wanting all attention focused on this little chat.
The blonde frowned utterly confused but eyed her silver haired sensei.
"The guys with the claws were trying to kill us and I'm not skilled enough or strong enough to subdue an opponent twice my size. Let alone two of them. The masked guy just wanted to take his buddy away from us. I would defend us if he had intentions of coming for our lives. I don't like the thought of killing needlessly but I understand the necessity of it. Doesn't mean I have to go around stabbing strangers in the throat." The blonde huffed and moved out to the water to get away from her curious team.
"Naruto's kind of strange." Sakura spoke jolting the other two men in their team to silently agree.
"What kind of childhood did he have for him to be so collected about situations like this?" Sasuke turned to look at Kakashi who was watching the blonde practice a familiar kata while working on the water.
"Naruto was born on a day of great stress and strife. The day of the Kyuubi attacked, many adults in the village hate him just for being a reminder of that day. His own parents perished then and he became an orphan the same day he came into this world. With the reminder of what he represented people in the village scorned the boy. The orphanage kicked him out at the age of three and threw him in the forest where he survived on his own for a year. He was found but made to live in the slums of the village to be protected from the main populace of the village and their unjustified anger. So Naruto learned everything from books or by seeing it done and with no guardian it was the only thing to occupy him day after day." Kakashi spoke even and stoic despite guilt flashing across Sakura's face.
Sasuke seemed contemplative but left to follow after Naruto and continue working on water walking. Sakura a hesitant but an encouraging nod from Kakashi was all she needed to join her team.
Kakashi looked at the mystery that was Uzumaki Naruto and vowed he would figure the boy out.
~OMT~
It took a few day's and the blonde generally left protecting Zabuza to her team hanging back often to keep an eye on the old mans family. Kakashi agreed with her methods as the blonde said it would take a few more days to finish up seals meant for protecting the family while the shinobi were gone.
Kakashi had known the blonde was studying seals as the hokage had mentioned the genin had been studying seals since she was eight. Shikamaru Nara had apparently taken one look at her more creative traps and pranks and stuffed several books about seals and sealing arts into her arms for a month straight.
By age ten Naruto had developed several privacy seals she had happily handed off to Shikaku, Shikamaru and the third. Naruto was a quiet prodigy as even as a child the kid knew better than to let other's know of their abilities.
It was smart and Kakashi had an inkling that idea came from Shikaku or Shikamaru themselves. Something like this kept Naruto from being used as a tool to the village and truly kept them from being found out about by spies.
Kakashi had a lot of faith in Naruto to help keep her team alive. He was a better version of Kakashi and Obito as the kid stuck to his values and nindo but had the skill to back it up.
It pained him a little to see it but it also soothed a still healing wound buried deep in his soul. So, he allowed Naruto the right to watch over Tazuna's family until he could complete his plans of protecting the man's family. It was smart and not something Kakashi had thought of and maybe not cared about but Naruto cared and that was that.
It was on a day that her team was watching over the bridgebuilder where Naruto met Haku who came upon the blonde who sat quietly as if awaiting him.
"Did you know once I encounter someone's chakra I can follow them everywhere." Haku froze in silent horror as the blonde smiled gently and stood but kept distance from the ice user. "Haku san it would seem you and Zabuza are very unwise in following Gato." Haku bristled slightly panicking as the strange kid knew who he was.
"Who are you? How do you know my name?" Haku was ready to fight but Naruto simply waved the ice user off.
"Let just say we've crossed paths before, though I'm entirely sure you would not recognize me. I'm Naruto Uzumaki by the way." Naruto ran her hand through her fluffy hair and shook her head looking to the older boy morosely.
"Gato is not a man who sticks to his word, in fact from my sources he plans to kill you and your master. As he has done to all the other high class ninja he has allowed in his band of thieves." The blonde shrugged unsure how to progress.
"Why should I believe you boy." Haku spoke though he too held the same worries and Naruto only quirked a blonde brow at him.
"You could say that I owe you one and don't want to see two good shinobi die because of a selfish man." Naruto turned to walk away and laughed softly before glancing at the still shocked Haku.
"I'm a girl by the way." The blonde laughed uproariously as if remembering a long forgotten joke. A joke that sometimes still hurt to remember.
~OMT~
It was only hours later that Naruto finished putting up seals around the house of Tazuna's family. Inari had followed the blonde around glaring after the supposed boy like an angry puppy.
Team seven returned and Naruto informed them of her progress and completion. Kakashi ruffled the blonde hair. "Good you can join us on guard duty tomorrow." They began their meal with the blonde talking about other tactics for their protection detail the next day.
Inari took that moment to parody his last rant he had in Naruto's last life. This time Naruto was calm and let the boy roar out his upset before looking the young boy in the eyes,
"What would that accomplish though. Running away, giving up and letting Gato win. You would live but under the control of a corrupt man. Like a butterfly in a cage slowly having it's wings torn off. That's why your grandfather is willing to fight even lose his life if it means you might live a life that is free from that." Naruto looked to Tazuna who looked grim but nodded in assent.
"I will live my life as a shinobi, and I will die as a shinobi. It could one day mean my death sure, but it is my life and choice to make. My comrades will going into every dangerous mission with or without me. I would rather be by their sides to watch their backs than safe at home hiding away like a coward crying for someone else to fix it to save me." Naruto stood thanked Tsunami and left the room to head to bed.
Her team sat in a bit if stunned silence and Inari was frozen until Kakashi spoke up. "Like you Naruto also grew up without a father. Actually, he has never known his parents and he has never really had friends until he decided to become a shinobi. The truth is he's had a rougher past than you. But I have never once seen him cry or complain. He's always trying his best to get people to acknowledge him. For that dream he'd risk his life at any time for his precious people he sees in such a dream. He's probably just sick and tired of crying when nothing will change from doing it." Kakashi gently ruffled Inari's hair and left to go check on his student who he found was sitting on the windowsill watching the night sky.
"How you holding up?" Kakashi asked leaning against the wall near the blonde.
Naruto snorted and looked back to Kakashi practically rolling his eyes. "I don't really take a lot of what people say to me to heart anymore. I just knew I could not have that kid believing that, it wouldn't be right for me to just walk away from." Naruto shrugged and moved over to lie down.
"I'm going to hang back in the morning though to make sure Inari doesn't run off into the woods or something and I'll meet up with you guys at the bridge afterwards." Kakashi smiled gently after the blonde and hummed his assent watching Naruto easily fall asleep.
The next morning Naruto had woken early seen his team off and went about double checking the seals on the home. It only took a little while longer until he hear screams coming from outside. Naruto moved downstairs and found Tsunami clutching Inari but pointing toward the door.
"Someone tried to break in and the door just made a buzzing noise then we heard screams." Naruto calmed the pair down and opened the door to show two of Gato's thugs. Naruto swiftly tied the men up and set about warning them to stay safe in the house before charging off toward the bridge. He found them in a peculiar standstill. Zabuza was fending off Kakashi but not outright trying to harm him whereas Haku had Sasuke trapped but was not actively hurting him.
Naruto sighed and jolted realizing he would have to play along a bit to ensure Sasuke developed his Sharingan.
Naruto slit her palm letting blood drip from her wound and created a clone from that sending it in to 'help' Sasuke. Naruto charged over to Sakura to get an idea of what was going on.
"They said they were here for you and Kakashi and Sasuke kinda lost it a little." Sakura laid it out bluntly and exasperated. "They didn't even say they would hurt you they just wanted to talk to the blonde kid, ask you some questions."
Naruto looked to Sakura and they shared a look of absolute annoyance. "So the mummy and mask boy didn't throw the first punch?" Sakura shook her head and Naruto smacked her face exasperated.
Sasuke's shout of 'Naruto!' broke the silence and it took a moment for the blood clone to 'die' and the blonde knew Sasuke had attained his Sharingan.
"Oi teme! Why the fuck are you screaming my name so loudly!" Everything froze a moment and both Zabuza and Haku pulled away from their fights to appear before the blonde.
Naruto stood protectively in front of Sakura and Kakashi and Sasuke were suddenly there.
"You were right about Gato kid, he's collected all his thugs and is planning to run them wild through the town. I hate owing people though." Zabuza stared meaningfully at Naruto who snorted and made his sensei ease down, Sasuke followed their lead.
"Don't mention it. Like seriously ever." Naruto glared right back pressing the meaning behind her word to Zabuza with her blue gaze. He gave a single nod and then Gato showed up ready to try and take on the Shinobi.
Though the villagers showed up soon afterward and Naruto tunneled clones after the Gato and his men as extra precaution. Zabuza easily killed him without injured this time and soon Naruto was practically dodging him and Haku and their questions.
Kakashi refused to help his student who had the audacity to talk to enemy nin without having back up. Sasuke and Sakura were still reeling about the information of Haku being a boy.
If only they knew the truth about Naruto then they would really feel stupid.
It took several days but Haku and Zabuza had decided to remain behind to protect the village they had once terrorized so they would have a place to hide out for a while.
The villagers took Naruto's word that they were trustworthy accepting them. The bridge was finished and to the blondes satisfaction they still named it the 'Great Naruto Bridge'.
They returned home soon after that and Kakashi made a decision right before they stepped into the village. Eyeing Naruto in particular he knew it might be a good opportunity.
After reporting in Kakashi set off to submit some paperwork.
Naruto tried to subtly leave but Sasuke and Sakura caught the blonde dragging the secret girl away for some team 'bonding' in other words interrogation. The blonde gave vague but truthful answers and in turn asked her own questions but the night drew near and Naruto saw her teammates off home before returning to her quiet apartment herself.
Shikamaru was sleeping on her couch in the dark and the blonde snorted. She told him to water her plants while she was gone. Guess he also decided to use it as a nap spot.
She showered and got changed before heading out forgoing her bed instead to cuddle next to Shikamaru. He drowsily tucked her tighter into his hold before they both easily fell asleep.
Several days passed and Naruto soon found herself staring down at a form for the chunin exams. She almost forgot about those, internally kicking herself the blonde listen to Kakashi not explain the exams before he ran off.
Naruto understood honestly, glancing at Sakura she knew he didn't want to influence Sakura and she herself didn't wish to do so. So with that she kept her mouth shut but was still corralled into team training for the day.
It seemed her team had much more faith in her this lifetime and Naruto would not squander the instances to help them. Today she was teaching them on ways to gather information from enemy shibobi without being caught.
Sasuke snorted as he had his Sharingan but Naruto had pointed out that his eyes changing color to show off his clan's most known skill. He frowned but concented to learning various methods just in case.
"Our village always emphasizes teamwork and looking underneath the underneath. Keep that in mind if you decide to face the upcoming exams. Always listen to what is said and really see what is going on around you." Naruto smiled amused at her team before they parted ways.
The blonde crossed paths with Itachi and despite him not having decimated his clan this time around Naruto still feared the older and deadly teenager. He was with another shinobi who look similar in coloring and Naruto recognized his chakra signature.
Itachi and Shisui aka crow and raven her former anbu guard. Though she wasn't supposed to know that.
"Hellow there Uzumaki san, my brother has spoken of you before. It is nice to finally meet you." Itachi was polite and Naruto smiled and inclined her head in greeting.
"Likewise, Uchiha san nice to meet the guy who Sasuke idolizes so are Itachi right because your friend doesn't seem serious enough to be the teme's 'awesome and powerful' big brother." Naruto was clearly amused and Shisui began laughing loudly.
"Oh, I like her, she's spunky." Naruto froze and glared at Shisui an unfriendly smile on her lips.
"I thought you had good eyes Uchiha can't you see I'm a boy." Shisui and Itachi both shared a look and looked at her angered expression.
"Of course Uzumaki san, a boy. My cousin Shisui was mistaken of course." Naruto nodded and wondered how these two had figured it out.
"How'd you know in the fist place." She spoke hushed keeping an eye out for anyone nearby but Itachi cleared his throat embarrassed.
"When you were learning how to water walk you at that instance had neglected to double check your surroundings before disrobing." Naruto's brain froze and an embarrassed bright flush colored her cheeks. "We only saw your bindings for a moment but immediately averted our gaze to preserve your modesty apologies on the slip though. We did not realize it was a secret as it was an accident we crossed your path that day." Itachi was trying to cover up that they had been her anbu guard.
"Sure a couple of birds didn't twitter about it. Maybe I didn't fly away quickly enough to avoid them that day." Naruto kept her gaze on Itachi who gave her a look that spoke of him being impressed.
"Maybe your birds learned to fly around you better towards the end." This time Shisui spoke and Naruto grumbled and pouted under her breath.
"Well damn. Just keep it to yourselves and I won't care about it." She waved the teens off before charging past them ignoring their gazes that followed her.
"Please continue to watch over Sasuke for me Uzumaki san." Naruto waved in agreement but refused to look at Itachi as he called out to her.
"Until next time Naru Chan!" The blonde practically bolted as Shusui teased her and pouted all the way home.
Once through her door Naruto pulled out her form and filled it out. Kakashi was always so damn last minute, she only had a single day to prepare for the exam.
She prepacked her things and fell asleep only to wake up early the next day going through the village grabbing things she was going to need. She knew everything was going to go down soon and she would be damned if she wasn't prepared for it.
"Boss!" Naruto spun and caught Konohamaru who eagerly jumped into her arms.
"Konohamaru one day you will be too big to do that and I'll let you fall." She looked down to his grinning face deadpanned as he then introduced his two friends. Udon and Moegi. Naruto looked the kids over, Konohamaru was the same chubby face round eyes and tuff of hair. Plus a scarf so long he was still tripping over himself.
Udon was like she remembered glasses and in need of a hankercheif but still a shy boy. Moegi had her bright hair tied in a split but was still just as adorable as Naruto remembered.
They encountered Sakura where Konohamaru did his thing to piss off the pink haired girl. Naruto frowned running after the kid knowing exactly where this was going.
Naruto zipped forward grabbing the kid before he could crash into Kankuro and Temari. Naruto eyed the purple paint on the older boy and tucked Konohamaru behind her as Sakura arrived and watched everything go down.
"Nice makeup." Naruto smirked easily shoving her charged toward his friends and keeping the other nin's attention on her and not the kid who almost crashed into him. Kankuro was a bit of a hot head like Kiba and Naruto knew how to take a hit or avoid one.
Though when a blaze of wind and sand showed Gaara a very aware looking Gaara. His siblings still reacted a bit fearful of him but not like how they did the first time around.
Naruto jolted when Gaara grabbed her hand and used it as a way to press something into her palm. It did look like he was heavily flirting though shocking everyone around them. Though Sasuke was there in moments to separate the two.
Gaara moved back playing up the act while Naruto hid the note into her pocket. "It is lovely to meet one so much like me, especially one so pretty." Naruto scowled and definitely knew this was her Gaara. She didn't know what happened but it would seem in some way Gaara came back with her and Shikamaru. How…she had no fucking idea.
Sakura aimed questions at the siblings asking how and why they were in the village but Naruto interrupted. "They are here for the chunin exams Sakura. Other villages will send their genin to the selected location of the exams for participation. This year the leaf is hosting the exams." Naruto was automatic in her speech but she had questions of her own she wanted answered.
"I'm Gaara of the sand." He looked intently at Naruto ensuring she knew he was aware.
"Naruto Uzumaki." They nodded and Gaara soon led away his siblings who were furiously questioning him and glancing back at the blonde on occasion.
"Wow! Naruto got hit on by another guy." The blonde quirked an eyebrow confused and looked at Sakura who was blushing and twittering about what just happened.
Sasuke was being pouty about it all but Naruto scrambled away from them both reminding them to meet up before heading into the exams.
The blonde had found Shikamaru in the middle of talking to Ino or being talked at by Ino and kidnapped her friend.
Ino snickered as the blonde tornado tore off dragging behind a grumbling Nara toward his home and soon they both were looking over the note with Shikaku observing it.
'Naruto, I do not know how or why but I have become aware of our shared past after spotting you in the village. I do not understand but Shukaku says it was because you housed a piece of him when you traversed back into time. Know I am on your side and will be working on our problem from my end. -G'
Gaara kept things vague and Naruto was grateful, he would be in trouble should he let his intentions of helping her and her village ever be found out. Shukaku was his one tailed bijuu and none knew his true name but she and him.
"Well that will make this easier." Shikaku spoke earning a snort from his son.
"Great but there will still be an invasion just no rampaging bijuu. Dad has all the extra information you asked him for and the third had been informed that there might be an invasion but not when. We need wiggle room and to get through the exams like before." Shikamaru was burning the note while Naruto thought things over.
"Well we just have to move forward with our plans all this means is things will be easier for us to go through them." Shikamaru nodded before tugging the blonde alongside him.
"Fine but you are staying the night, get a clone to grab your things from your house and I'll double check your pack." Shikamaru led the pouting blonde down the hallway leaving behind his very amused father.
"I hope the chunin exams are prepared for the two of you." Shikaku snorted and set off to double over security detail for the exams.
Thank you for reading!