I do not own Naruto
Chapter 1
A young girl leaned against one of the many trees that Konoha possessed as she read through the scroll in her hands, the one that she had just stolen. Using nothing but the shine of the moon to do so, Naruko had seen a jutsu that caught her eye.
Shadow clone
The girl had always struggled with the clone jutsu, so in Naruko's mind it only made sense to her that she would attempt to rectify her greatest weakness. Reading through the technique a few times the short blonde child felt a burning determination to learn this jutsu and so began practising it. Fortunately for Naruko it only had one hand sign and considering that she wasn't very good with hand signs this was fortunate for her.
"Shadow clone jutsu," Naruko shouted aloud as she attempted the jutsu. Unfortunately for her the clone that was created wasn't quite right, its size and proportions were wrong and it looked ill before dispelling, the chakra put into it not stable enough to be a shadow clone.
Naruko cursed before trying again, only to get similar results. This continued for five minutes before Naruko felt herself quickly running out of patience.
"AHHHHH," she yelled out in defiance at the fact that she couldn't do it. I'll become a genin no matter what!
Naruko was now leaning against the same tree she had done when she had been reading through the scroll and was exhausted. It had been hours since Naruko had begun to practise the shadow clone jutsu and she had finally gotten it down. Her bright blonde hair now looked dull with dirt in it as it showed obvious signs of her determination to learn the jutsu. Her orange jacket and trousers were just as dirty as her hair was and Naruko had a red flushed face as she panted for air. She couldn't remember the last time that she had been this tired but despite this a grin threatened to split her face in half.
Naruko had managed to learn a technique from the scroll that she stole. Finally I can become a ninja and before I know it I'll be Hokage dattebayo. What was this scroll anyway? What was it called again? Was it the scroll of sealing?
The blonde walked over to the scroll to take another look at it. She'd only learned one jutsu from it but despite this it was already the strongest one in her arsenal.
"I wonder if I can learn anymore awesome jutsu dattebayo."
Picking up the scroll carelessly, Naruko accidentally dropped the scroll, allowing it to unravel all the way.
"Damn me and my clumsiness," Naruko sighed under her breath. Going towards where the end of the scroll was so that she could wrap it back up Naruko noticed a strange kanji at the end of the scroll.
時間
"What did this mean again," Naruko pondered aloud. The girl had never been great with reading and so it often took her a while to figure out what the kanji was.
I'm fairly sure that means time right. What a strange sign.
Leaning down to pick up the scroll, Naruko was surprised when the kanji suddenly began to draw upon her chakra. Naruko gasped as visible chakra began being extracted from the blonde at a fast rate.
"AH! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?"
Naruko had never felt so much chakra leave her body so fast and she was beginning to feel slight fatigue. This continued for a few more minutes as the kanji on the scroll began to lift off of the paper and make its way towards Naruko's left hand which was where all of the chakra was flowing out. Slowly the kanji moved its way up Naruko's left arm and the girl could feel it burning her arm the entire way there.
Eventually once on her upper arm the kanji began to burn its way into her skin.
"AHHHHHHHHH"
The cry could likely be heard throughout the entire village as Naruko felt herself practically being branded with a mark except it went further than just her skin. The kanji burned its way all the way to the bone and into her chakra network.
Finally it was done and Naruko panted heavily, tears still present in her eyes. She was still clutching her arm and whilst she could still feel the mark on her arm it was more like an ache then the immense pain she had felt just moments ago.
What was that?
Taking a look at the scroll she saw that the kanji was no longer there. Below it however was a description of what it was, or at least Naruko hoped it was.
This Kanji for time is cursed; any who touch it have their chakra completely absorbed by it to the point of death. This has been sealed away to prevent that from happening. Should you touch this kanji to escape its affects you must immediately disrupt your chakra and then break away from the sign.
Naruko stared at the words with a frown on her face. That's it. It doesn't tell me what it does, it doesn't tell me why it's on me now, it tells me absolutely nothing.
The blonde began to roll the scroll back up, by the time she finished she heard a yell from a familiar voice.
"UZUMAKI NARUKO YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR THIS TIME," a man with a scar across his nose shouted. He had brown eyes and long brown hair, held back by hit shinobi headband.
"Heh heh you found me Iruka-sensei," the Uzumaki giggled happily.
After hearing this Iruka had a puzzled expression. Looking at the blonde in front of him he saw that she was completely exhausted, clothes nearly ruined and still panting for breath. It appeared to the brunet man that she hadn't stolen the scroll of sealing as just a prank but had actually been learning from it.
"I managed to figure out how to do the shadow clone jutsu," Naruko grinned. "Now I can pass the academy and become a ninja right sensei."
"What are you talking about," the academy instructor responded.
"Well Mizuki-sensei did say that if I learn a jutsu from this scroll then I pass the make-up test although I'm surprised you're here and not Mizuki-sensei," Naruko said as she scratched the back of her head.
"That's something I'm wondering as well," a man said from behind Iruka. He had light hair and in the light of the moon it looked to be as white as what shined upon it.
"Mizuki-sensei I managed to learn a jutsu," Naruko smiled.
"Mizuki what are you doing here," Iruka stuttered slightly.
"That's what I should be asking you. I gave Naruko the make-up test. Now Naruko, please hand me the scroll and I'll give you a shinobi headband."
Naruko walked forward with the scroll in hand, not for one minute questioning her sensei.
"Wait Naruko don't do it," Iruka panicked.
The blonde child froze in place at what her other sensei said. She was unsure which one she should follow.
"What are you doing Iruka? Do you not want Naruko to pass," Mizuki said, supressing a smile.
Naruko turned towards Iruka expectantly, awaiting a response.
"Wha-what? Of course I want Naruko to pass but its impossible since she failed the test in the academy."
"So you finally show your true colours," Mizuki sneered at Iruka. "You would go so far to sabotage Naruko to the point where you would decline her passing the academy despite her performing excellently on the make-up test. And here I was defending you to Naruko earlier. It seems you fooled us both."
"Sen-sei," Naruko looked towards Iruka in disbelief. "Why do you want to stop me becoming a ninja?"
Iruka had never felt more confused in his life. He'd pieced together that Mizuki manipulated Naruko to steal the scroll of sealing but he couldn't for the life of him understand what this make-up test.
"Come on Naruko, give me the scroll," Mizuki said and he couldn't stop the snide smile that spread across his face as the girl walked towards him.
"Wait Naruko, Mizuki has tricked you. There's no such thing as a make-up test."
"Iruka you would seriously go this far to stop her becoming a ninja. Even lie in front of her," Mizuki said and Iruka didn't mistake the mirth in his voice.
"Iruka sensei you know how much I want to be a ninja. You know more than anyone else so why are you trying to stop me. I don't understand Iruka-sensei, why?"
"Don't worry Naruko; I won't let this injustice slide by. Just give me the scroll and I'll protect you from Iruka-sensei. I promise you Naruko, you can trust me," Mizuki continued to urge the blonde.
"Naruko don't listen to him he's lying!" Iruka could see the confusion in Naruko's face and he could also see her siding with Mizuki. The academy instructor didn't hold it against Naruko, Mizuki was currently manipulating Naruko expertly. In the academy Mizuki had always been nice to everyone, so much so that some saw him as a pushover. Despite this it had made Iruka's colleague popular amongst his students. Iruka had always been the voice of reason and he was stern but fair with the students.
Looking back on the day that had passed in Naruko's eyes Iruka must have been the one trying to hold her back. After she failed to produce clones Iruka had failed her, even when Mizuki suggested they let her pass as she performed well enough in the other areas to pass. After failing her, Iruka must have been seen in pretty low regard by Naruko at least for the majority of that day. Furthermore Mizuki had offered Naruko her greatest desire in return for doing something for him. It was very well done by Mizuki and Iruka watched as his deception was about to pay off with Mizuki escaping the leaf village with one of the most powerful scrolls that the leaf village possessed.
"Naruko you know how the village has always looked at you. You want to know why, don't you," Mizuki said with a grin as he looked at the change in demeanour of Iruka. "Do you want answers, Naruko?"
He surely doesn't mean that Iruka worried.
"Do you, do you know sensei," Naruko looked up at Mizuki, hope gleaming in her eyes at finally understanding what she had done to her village. "Please tell me sensei."
"Mizuki stop it!"
"Naruko there is a single law that the Hokage passed that everyone knows except for you," Mizuki began. "You were born on October 10th which was the day of the Kyubi attack."
"Mizuki stop!"
"Please sensei, just tell me," Naruko pleaded. She needed to know why, why it was that she was an outcast in her own village.
"The truth is that the Kyubi cannot be killed, none of the tailed beasts can. The only way to defeat a tailed beast is to seal it away into a host, someone who can hold back the Kyubi. You were the child that the Yondaime chose Naruko. Because of the actions of another you were hated in your own village."
"So, so I'm a monster," Naruko gasped for air as she spoke, she was so shocked she couldn't breathe.
"No Naruko, however people like Iruka and the villagers and Iruka see you as nothing more than the nine tails. I know better, I know that you're nothing more than an unfortunate child that the yondaime chose to protect the village."
"You mean you don't hate me sensei," Naruko asked in an uncharacteristically quiet voice.
"Far from it Naruko-chan, I envy you. You possess a great power that can even dwarf the greatest of ninja. I believe that you'll be able to become one of the most powerful ninja of all time and I wish to see you accomplish this. Its people like Iruka who fear your potential that try to hold you back."
"Iruka-sensei why, why do you hate me," Naruko asked as tears streamed down her face.
"Naruko-chan the nine tails killed Iruka's parents you see. Iruka hates what you represent and can't separate you and the Kyubi. Now Naruko-chan, give me the scroll."
Iruka stood in silence, the chunin had never felt quite so much rage as he did this very moment. He loved Naruko as though she was his younger sister and he was able to admit to himself that she was his favourite student, even though she often caused trouble. Seeing Mizuki manipulate her had him seething.
"Hai," Naruko managed to let out as she passed the scroll to Mizuki. He grasped it strongly and a great smile spread across his face.
"Stand behind me Naruko-chan, I'll protect you from Iruka."
Naruko did as instructed and his behind her sensei. He was the only person who had ever been honest with her and treated her nicely without holding secrets. The blonde felt that she could trust no one but him. Looking towards Iruka Naruko could see so much hate in his eyes that she couldn't understand how she had never seen it before. The killing intent coming from Iruka was more than Naruko had ever felt.
Mizuki stepped forward in front of Naruko, feigning protection for her. "Don't worry Naruko, I'm going to protect you and then we will leave to Orochimaru. He is a benevolent man who will show you the love that you have never felt in this village."
All of a sudden Iruka charged forward with a kunai in both hands and caught Mizuki off guard slight at the speed he was moving at. It was enough to stun him before Iruka ripped the scroll of sealing away from his grasp and threw it to Naruko.
"Naruko is my most precious student, the one I cherish above all others. I can't just sit here and watch you use her for your own personal gain," Iruka shouted at Mizuki.
Naruko felt more confused than she ever had, Iruka had just acknowledged her.
"You see her for the power she possesses, the Kyubi. However I know that Uzumaki Naruko is far more than that. She is her own identity and is a precious comrade to the leaf. I will protect her even if I die."
"Why protect her Iruka, the nine tails killed your parents, she killed your parents!"
"As I said she and the nine tails aren't the same. You clearly don't think so."
Both clashed and were forced back from the strength of the attack the other gave. Iruka had a kunai lodged into his left should whilst Mizuki had a deep gash on the right side of his face.
"Give me the scroll Naruko," Mizuki yelled.
"Naruko whatever you do don't give it to him," Iruka said more calmly.
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO"
"Then just run and hide. The Hokage can catch up to you lately and explain everything. I'm sure that would help, would it not."
Naruko found that to be the only action that she could take and she sprant off into the trees, trying to find a place to hide.
"DAMN YOU IRUKA! Get back here Kyubi brat!"
"Mizuki your fight is with me," Iruka said seriously. Without Naruko around Iruka could unleash everything to defeat Mizuki without worrying about hurting her.
Mizuki didn't pay attention however and just ran off after Naruko, Iruka hot on her tail.
Naruko was running on the ground when she spotted Iruka jump over her head.
"Give me the scroll Naruko. I promise you can trust me," Iruka said only for Naruko to jump up into him with a shoulder barge.
"How did you know I wasn't Iruka brat," Mizuki asked as his henge dissolved.
"Because I'm Iruka," Iruka stated as his henge of Naruko dissolved.
"I see, well I guess I can always kill you first. Afterwards I suppose I'll kill Naruko and take the scroll to Orochimaru. Maybe I'll let him experiment on her, the Kyubi would be a good thing to experiment on after all," Mizuki said with a cackle.
Iruka was tired and blood was leaving his body fairly quickly because of the kunai that had been stabbed into his shoulder.
"This is it Iruka," Mizuki stated as he charged forward. Suddenly Naruko appeared in front of him and kicked him away.
"If you lay a hand on Iruka sensei I'll kill you! No way are you getting away with this!"
"Stupid brat are you that in a hurry to meet your death."
"SHADOW CLONE JUTSU," Naruko yelled aloud and suddenly hundreds of shadow clones appeared.
Mizuki was stunned into silence, he didn't know that Naruko could use the shadow clone jutsu.
"How can you use this jutsu?" Mizuki asked although it fell upon death ears.
"Let's go," Naruko said to her over clones and they all charged forwards before attacking Mizuki.
He began dispelling them one by one and he managed to nearly hit the real Naruko but he hadn't expected it and so when he punched her Naruko caught onto his arm. This left him vulnerable to an attack and he was stabbed in five different places, one of them being a lethal attack to his neck.
As soon as the body of the traitor hit the floor, a river of red flowing from his wounds Naruko felt her clones disperse. Overwhelmed by everything that had happened the girl passed out.
As Iruka saw Naruko's body hit the floor he rushed over to her as quickly as he could. He checked her over and was thankful to find out that she simply had chakra exhaustion, the girl's body clearly unused to creating as many shadow clones as she just did.
"I'm proud of you Naruko, you've more than earned your headband," Iruka said but the girl couldn't hear him.
A few hours later Naruko was in a hospital bed and had multiple Anbu watching over her. Despite the fact that Naruko had broken the law it did act as a clear sign of the neglect that Naruko had been through to believe a traitor like Mizuki so readily. Besides, it was expected of ninja to follow the orders of their superiors as well as a student to listen to their sensei.
Iruka had spoken to the Hokage about it and they both understood what this could mean for Naruko. Knowing about the Kyubi wasn't something they anticipated. However it was reassuring to them that Naruko hadn't betrayed them in the end and the scroll of sealing was safe.
"How many shadow clones did you say she created," the Hokage asked. He was an old man who wore white robes with a white and red hat that signified his position of power. Sarutobi Hiruzen was a man known as the God of the shinobi due to his ability.
"Over 100 at least, more clones then I've ever seen," Iruka answered.
"She will truly be a great shinobi in the future. In fact I have no doubt," the Hokage said with a knowing smile.
Iruka was glad to see someone else accept her and he too felt that Naruko would be great in the future and in the academy senseis mind he had no doubt that she would make her dream a reality and become a Hokage.
What neither of these men knew was that the Kanji that had been scorched into Naruko's skin was glowing red. The Kanji read time.
Okay this is the first chapter please review and tell me what you thought of it. The idea for this story is that Naruko will have the uncontrollable ability to travel through time where she can learn from legendry shinobi from the past.
If there are any characters from the past that you really like then review and tell me about them and I'll see if they fit into the story.
Thanks.
