disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor any of the name's/things you will no doubt recognize in this chapter and story. A lot characters you will see belong to Kishimoto

Chapter Two

A New Friend

Naruto was four almost five when she made her first real friend her age. She was at the park around noon when a group of older kids decided to start harassing her by calling her names. One of the bullies had even threw a rock that almost hit her. Keyword being almost. She was grabbed roughly and found herself being thrown to the ground. A bigger body covering her up. Naruto heard a young female voice call out as she started to try and squirm around.

"What the heck do you idiots think you're doing"

The yell was followed by a number of footsteps and kids screaming. Naruto was finally allowed to get up when all the screaming ended.

"Who the fu-" Naruto started saying before being interrupted by a young girl who suddenly popped up in her line of view.

"Hi my names Kaya Namiashi, I just turned five...Are you okay, my older cousin was the one who pushed you down" Naruto looked at the girl for a few seconds. The girl had dark black hair with a fridge, she was dressed in a green jacket and a pair of white shorts.

"Yeah, those idiots didn't touch me or anything... my names Naruto Uzumaki by the way" she replied as she spotted the adult that had saved her. Her eyes immediately went to the weal-like scar on his face, running across the bridge of his nose and down across the left side of his face. Naruto eyes moved away from the scar and to the mans piercing dark eyes.

"That's a relief Naruto,...why don't you and my cousin play together" the male spoke up surprising Naruto greatly. She stared at the adult questioningly but before she could voice her questions Kaya had grabbed her by the hand and forced her to run off with her towards the roundabout.

As Naruto ran with Kaya she noticed that there were a few kids already there, and by the looks of it all of them were older then her and Kaya who started to squealed excitedly.

"I didn't know you were gonna be here big brother Yaso, big sister Aiya...oh look I found a new friend! Her name is Naruto Uzumaki! Elder cousin Raidō, Asa-chan and me saved her from some really mean kids!" Kaya yelled out as both girls arrived.

Kaya quickly jumped onto the roundabout while Naruto just stood there still a little stunned at the events unfolding. Seeing that Naruto hadn't jumped up to the roundabout right away one of the older boys spoke up as he walked over to the little redhead.

"Hey Naru" Naruto turnt her head at sound at the very recognizable voice and saw to her great surprise and happiness that it was someone she was greatly familiar with.

"Big brother Akio! Why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the ramen stand helping your dad?" Asked Naruto as the now named Akio picked the small girl up and placed her on the roundabout.

"Today's one of those rare days where we're closed pretty girl" the nine year old brunette replied. Akio smiled as he saw his favorite customer mouth form in the shape of a O. He continued to speak "You gotta hold on to these bars as tight as you can Naru, or else you risk flying off them and seriously hurting yourself." The small redhead nodded showing that she understood.

"You do the same thing Kaya! I don't need aunt Kikiyo mad at me...seriously she's scary when she's mad" said Yaso as he, Akio and and Aiya started to push the structure causing it to start spinning around and around.

Naruto spent the next few hours having fun with Kaya and the others. Around five thirty Kayas older cousin came around and called the kids over. Yaso and Aiya greeted the elder Namiashi with hugs.

"Hello big brother" the the two said at the same time. As they were doing that Kaya turned to Naruto and asked with a wide smile on her face.

"Hey do you wanna come eat dinner with us? My momma making noodles,rice and vegetables with some meat"

"if it's okay with your cousin and mom...most people want their kids to stay away from me.." Naruto replied as she looked down not meeting Kayas eyes.

Seeing this Akio started to growl, shocking the heck out of most of those that surrounded him. The nine year old looked Raidō square in the eye and asked

"Namiashi-sama may Naruto and I both come over for dinner tonight"

Raidō looked at the boy while replying in a friendly voice "Of course you both can." Naruto looked up at the adult in shock. Akio grabbed ahold of her hand and gave it a quick squeeze as Raidō started to led the group of kids out of the park.

Naruto put the hood of her orange hoodie up so that people wouldn't recognize her as she walked with the group. The last thing she ever wanted to do was cause trouble for her new friend. Not once did Akio let go of her hand as they travel through Konoha to the Namiashi family district which was on the east side of the village. When they finally got there Naruto noticed a ton of people walking around. Raidō led them to large house that was on the west side of the district.

"Tadaima" the group of cousins shouted as they switched out their shoes. Seeing this Akio and Naruto did the same.

"Okaeri" a feminine voice shouted in reply. The group heard the sound of footsteps coming closer before a young looking woman appeared. Naruto noticed that unlike her new friend the young woman had light brown hair and her eyes were blue instead of black like Kaya.

"Mama I brought two friends with me! Is it okay if Naruto and Akio stay for dinner?"

"Of course sweetheart. You guys are just in time actually I just got done plating everything. Go wash up then we can all eat together...ah Raidō-kun little Akari came by a little bit ago she looked real upset—"

That was all Naruto heard as Kaya dragged her towards the nearest bathroom which they preceded to use one at a time before heading towards the dining area.

The young woman who Naruto learned was the Kikiyo that Yaso was referring to earlier, Raidō and two others were already seated at the table.

One of the unknown persons was a young woman who had dark blonde hair and light brown pupil-less eyes. Naruto noticed how both she and the young girl next to her had forehead protectors on. Unlike her older counterpart the cloth of the younger girls forehead protector was red.

'Whoa their ninja like Itama is' she thought as she felt someone poking her.

"Eh Naruto come sit next to me!" said Kaya as she lead her new friend over to two empty seats that already had plates of food and drinks in front of them. Both seats were also in front of the two Naruto was just observing.

"Itadakimasu" said the group as they started to eat.

The group ate in silence for a few minutes before Kaya broke it with a question.

"Hey Big sister Akari did you just get back from a mission?" Naruto followed her friend line of sight and noticed she was looking at the girl in front of Naruto.

Said girl looked up from her food and replied

"Yes I did Kaya and before you ask yes I did beat people up" Both Kaya and Naruto gasped "Did you kill anyone" both girls asked at the same time. Akari took a sip of her drink before replying "Yes, me and my team were escorting someone and bandits attacked us"

"Were you able to get some good stuff off the bandits" this question came from Naruto who thought of the times Itama would come with small presents for her like rings and stuff that he got off the people he killed.

Akari looked towards Naruto as she nodded her head yes. "I got a neat sword out of it...I guess you can say it's a family heirloom so to speak"

"Ohh can we see can we see" Kaya responded eyes wide and pleading.

"Not at the table" Kikiyo interjected causing Kaya to pout. The rest of dinner passed in comfortable silence with the occasional comment and conversations. Soon enough everyone was done and the table was cleared off.

"Big brother Raidō I wish to speak to you about something" Akari said to the older ninja as she walked over to him.

A knock sounded before Naruto or Kaya could inquire more about the sword. Everyone looked over and saw a Ninja in a jaguar mask.

"Excuse me lady Namiashi but Narutos caretaker wishes for her to return home"

"Aw but i wanted to show her my room." Kaya complained as Naruto was lead away with the ANBU.

"Maybe next time sweetheart" said Kikiyo as she comforted her daughter.

When they got out of the district the ANBU picked Naruto up and started to roof hop with her.

They made it to her home in no time. Naruto bid the ANBU goodbye as she entered her apartment where she saw Itama already fast asleep on top of their bed still in his Ninja uniform. The four year old went to her dresser and grabbed a change of clothes. After she picked her sleepwear out she went to the bathroom and turned the water on in her shower and started stripping down to her birthday suit. As she stepped into the water and started washing herself she thought of the days events. She was happy she had a actual friend. The best part was that the mother of her new friend didn't seem to mind having Naruto around which was awesome.

After washing her hair and body she rinsed off and stepped out of the shower after turning the water off. Quickly drying herself off with a big fluffy towel she got dressed and started to brush her teeth after she was done with that she exited her bathroom after turning the lights off and making sure everything was okay around the rest of the apartment the young girl finally made it to her bedroom that she shared with Itama and climbed into bed and slide underneath the covers stopping only to give her caretaker a quick hug and kiss on the cheek.

Naruto last thought before sleep overtook her was

'I hope me and Kaya can stay friends forever'

End of chapter two. i already have the story mapped out in my mind. It's just a matter of writing it down. Remember this story will be heavy with OCs in upcoming chapters. Kaya however is not a OC per say. she appears in a flashback where Choji and Naruto are sparring. shes a nameless background character...and yes i genderbent Ayame. And yes I edited it after posting...I have a bad habit of doing that multiple times.

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