Disclaimer:… Dude really? Fine… PakiNoor owns Nothing NADA Nil.

The Naruto world belongs to Kishimoto Sama and the story is for The Last Guardian challenge, which belongs to The General Electric.

I do however own my OCs, including Katana. About the name, I'm really tired of "Naruko" and "Naruka", so I decided to give it a twist of my own.

….

Chapter two: His sister's keeper

Eleven years ago

Blue eyes screwed in concentration as the chubby child lifted brought itself to it's knees. Pale pink lips parted as the infant placed its palms on the floor and tried to stand. Blue orbs widened in surprise as the baby found itself suddenly upright, standing on its own with no support.

"Good job Imuto…now lets not over do it eh?"

The baby blinked once in surprise then looking up, smiled, tried to run to her brother and… landed on her bottom once again. Naruto winced. Shit he cursed as the baby's shock gave way to confusion, hurt and the inevitable tears. Shit. Ka-chan was resting after a mission and he did not want to wake her. Not only because he didn't want to disturb her rest, but because Tou-san had promised bodily harm if the lady of the house woke before he, her wonderful husband deemed it right. Which was why his former students and a certain clan heir had taken it upon themselves to guard their Otuto from as much harm as possible by guarding the (beloved wonderful, thoughslightlycrankywhenwoken) Kushina hime while she slept. Which meant that they were silently bearing witness to him as he proved what a wonderful guardian he was , yet again.

"Talking to yourself again Otuto?"

Naruto winced. Rin was the nicest of his 'siblings' but as he made his way to his infant sister, he really wished she hadn't chosen that moment to speak up.

"Don't, Rin-nee, I'll get her."

"I don't think she'd like that." He could've groaned. Itachi-nee was enjoying this, the bastard. Finally pulling out of his slouch, he turned to the front porch where (you gotta be shitting me) team Minato and the Uchiha heir were standing, ANBU masks at their hips, smirks plastered to their faces. He growled.

"What? You think she'll prefer the dirt?"

Obito nee grinned, if possible, even wider.

"I think she'd prefer to take those last few steps before you pick her, foolish cousin."

Naruto blinked, the retort dying on his lips, before he spun around to see the baby on it's bottom no more than two feet away. Wait, what? I could've sworn she was beside the pond. That's over three feet away! How?

His confusion cleared as the baby once more pushed herself to her feet then took a tiny step forward. Naruto blinked and made to go to her, but something in that determined, scrunched up little face made him stop. Another step, then another, a third, then a fourth, before the baby plopped to the ground once more. But this time, instead of the shock and tears, he could've sworn he saw something close to annoyance wash over her features as she scrunched up her face, brought herself to her hands and knees, looked up at her brother, then looked down and pushed herself upright once more.

Well, shit. Naruto heard quiet chuckling behind him, but honestly, he didn't care. A huge grin swept over his face as he realized that all that effort, that struggle was for him . She was walking to him . Behind him, his father's murmured "What's going on?" and his mother's "Ssh!" alerted him to their presence. If Otou-san was here, it meant that the annual clan meeting was over and that meant Fugaku Ji and Mikoto-Baa (not to mention the other clan heads) were there too. But that didn't seem to matter to either one of the Namikaze siblings. Squatting down, he raised his arms a little, enough to say "hey, I'm here" without wounding her pride.

Itachi smirked at the display and the single "Aww-Thwak-Hey!" from where Obito stood between Rin and Kakashi . Little Katana was her brother in miniature, a little red haired Naruto. And he had known she wouldn't back down from showing off to her "Anini". Glancing at his the baby in his mother's arms, he smiled again. Sasuke had done the same for him after all.

The baby girl was oblivious to her audience, it seemed. She was tiring, but was determined to reach her "Anini". Another step, then another, a third, then a fourth, then as if afraid of falling another time, a hurried fifth and sixth before teetering to a stop mere inches away from his hands. Confused, she looked at his hands, then at him, before raising her arms slightly. Did he want to pick her up now? She wouldn't like it, she wanted to try some more…But he was sitting there, so…

"Ani. Anineee…!"

Naruto chuckled.

"It's ok, Imuto, come on, just a little more."

She was too young to understand his words, but the soft smile that had settled on his lips was enough for the little baby apparently, as she looked down, took one step, then another, then with a final burst of energy, gave a little jump of sorts before landing against his chest, her Aniki's arms locking around her. Obito gave a whoop of approval as the others applauded and Naruto grinned with pride as he hugged his Imuto momentarily, before lifting her up and turning to the crowd on the porch. His mother was beaming and talking animatedly with the other women and as he carried the giggling baby over, he heard their conversation.

"…is obvious she'd take after you all Kushina-hime'. Coming from a family of gifted shinobi, it's no wonder she's so talented!"

"…determined, so focused!"

"…must be so proud Hokage Sama!"

"We are, Haruno Sama. Proud…and grateful. Very much so." His father's quiet voice was calm and level as always, but Naruto could sense the barely concealed pride and happiness. A few more minutes were spent at the porch before Kushina practically shoved them all towards the dining room. Not physically of course, the Hokage's wife was above that, but with a few well placed words and phrases, she easily maneuvered her guests towards the dining halls under the servants care. Naruto and Minato stayed where they were. After all, they knew the beauty's intentions. And they were proven right, when, after shutting the door on a surprised Hiashi's face, she spun around and practically leapt towards her children.

"Oh my beautiful, clever girl! Well done darling! Isn't she just clever Tou-san? Isn't she clever Aniki? Yes she is, yes she – Naruto!" Kushina laughed "Let go!"

"I'm not holding her Kaa-chan!" the boy yelped "It's her! She won't let go!"

"Of course she will! She loves her mommy! Come now my little- Minato! What's so funny?"

Mother and son turned to their chuckling Hokage. The oldest Namikaze continued to grin as he walked over to his family, calmly lifted a finger for silence, then pointed at the center of attention.

"I don't-oh!"

Kushina stilled as a soft snore brought their attention to the youngest Namikaze. Naruto watched his previously irritated mother melt and break into smiles at the discovery that their little princess was fast asleep, oblivious to the fact that her brother had almost lost both his arms to their frantic mother.

"Oh well, tuck her in then Naruto kun! But help her change first ok? I'll take care of the guests then."

And with a kiss to each of her men and a tiny one to her daughter, the queen of the house swept in the door, leaving her men sighing in relief.

"Women…" Naruto murmured, in awe of the Kamis who had created this weapon of mass destruction and it's … soft, sweet smelling, gentle disguise. His father laughed.

"Wait till you're older. This is nothing." Naruto shivered and scowled at his chuckling father before retorting:

"Yeah? What about Katana? She's gonna be a handful too."

Both father and son stilled as the full implication of those words sunk in. Katana, older, more demanding, more beautiful…Katana, wanting to be a shinobi… Katana, on her first date

Both men groaned. It was hard enough now, taking care of their women, how would they manage then? Minato sighed,

"Kakashi, Itachi, Obito…" and as an after thought "…Shisui."

"Hai, Hokage Sama." Four of Konoha's finest ANBU operatives appeared from their hiding spot somewhere in the branches above, and for the first time in his life, Naruto silently blessed the cranky elders for insisting on the constant presence of an ANBU surveillance team. With these three around, he and Otou-san might, just might be able to keep the already headstrong princess safe for a little longer.

"Remember boys," the Hokage murmured "constant vigilance."

"Don't worry Minato," came Hiashi's voice from the door and as he turned to the approaching clan heads, Naruto barely suppressed a moan of relief. These clan heads could argue all day, every day on the tiniest of matters, but there were a few things they all agreed on:

Konoha was the finest of the ninja villages

The council of elders really had to go

Namikaze Kushina was a force to be reckoned with, and her teacakes could be (and frequently were) used as poisonous projectiles, and

Namikaze Katana must be protected. No matter what the cost.

Fugaku picked up where Hiashi had left off

"Nothing will harm our little Hime."

And while he could not bring himself to fully trust the Uchiha's leader, he smiled back his thanks, because he knew that the clan heads would never let anything harm his Imuto…be it a poisoned kunai, or a stupid boyfriend. She was just too important, too dear to them all. Even the council of elders (with the exception of Danzo of course) would smile at her antics. She was special. And not just because of the secret she had, sealed away inside. Speaking of which…

"Itachi-ni, I don't think she's gonna let go that easily. Help me will ya?"

The boy's eyes narrowed, but he and Shisui followed none the less as the Namikaze heir bowed to the clan heads and stepped in the door.

"Brat."

"…Shisui-ni."

"Are you gonna explain why we're helping you put the munchkin to bed?"

Naruto grinned and glanced over his shoulder.

"Aww, Shisui-ni, don't you wanna spend some time with your favourite lil' cousin?"

"Of course. I just don't see why her brother has to be there too."

Naruto scowled as he reached for the handle. "You're mean, nii-san."

Shisui grinned as they stepped in the nursery. "And you're not good at being subtle."

Naruto placed his sister in the crib before turning around to scowl at his 'cousin'.

Shisui shook his head. "Now now, kid. Have I and Itachi taught you nothing? And I'm not talking about your lack of manners here."

Itachi nodded. "A ninja, no matter how skilled, will be at risk even if-"

"-his blade is sharp if his mind is dull." Naruto rolled his eyes. "What was I supposed to say? 'Hey, lets go check out the fox now'?"

"Point," Shisui nodded, "but they're not gonna fall for any excuse you make. The entire clan council knows the truth, and any doubt left in the villagers' minds was erased when the elders assigned four Sharingan users to her personal guard."

"…Can we please just…?"

Itachi looked at him once more then nodded, and Naruto felt relief as the Uchihas' eyes bled red, before they locked with his own blue, drew him in, then moved on to the red head lying in the crib.

"come to taunt me kit?"

Present Day

Naruto winced. The villagers had treated him like a hero for choosing to be his sister's guardian. The story of how the Hokage's eight year old son had sworn to protect his infant sister, the Kiyubi jinchuriki, while his father lay unconscious after his own victory against Uchiha Madara was a legend and the boy had been given much love and respect. So much, that Naruto was sure that if his "siblings" and "cousins" weren't there to keep him in check, he'd have been quite the pain in the ass.

But where Katana was concerned…

For the villagers, she was at worst the Kiyubi itself, and at best a container, a tool for the village to use where the Kage saw fit. The fact that afore mentioned Kage and his wife and revered son, (not to mention the clan heads and remaining San-nin) would have torn to shreds any who dared hint this was not lost on the villagers, but it could not stop the whispers…the stories…the gossip… Forever, he had been the hero, while she was at best, "Naruto Sama's sister" and at worst "Brat." Chunin at ten, Jonin at twelve, ANBU at thirteen. Yes, he had been their hero, a future Hokage, another example of their best, their finest.

Until that night.

"They're not..They're NOT…KAA-chan…TOU-SAN!"

In the shadows, Naruto closed his eyes as the boy screamed in terror. Itachi was still in the ward, recuperating from a "training accident", for which he was glad. Sasuke, he could handle, and Sakura and Katana too. But Itachi was one he could not face. Not yet.

"Sasu-sasuke don't. C'mon. We cant do anything. We have to get somebody!"

He smiled. Ah, little Sakura, always the logical one. With her chakra control and keen intellect, she was bound to turn out well. He had wanted to see how she would do as a shinobi, in fact he had submitted his name as Jonin instructor, requesting permission to train the three of them. They were bound to go so far…Oh well.

"How could – how could any one do this? Sasu- sasu- ke. Come on. Let's go get some one. We need to tell Aniki."

Naruto winced. Katana. This would be hard.

"Shut up!" Sasuke was near hysterical now. "Just SHUT. UP."

Naruto frowned as he felt the approaching chakra signals. They were still a mile away but, Kakashi and Rin would've heard the children's screams by now. He needed them here, Obito was still alive… but there was something he needed to do first.

With a sigh he stepped out of the shadows, and three, no, four children looked up. Despite their fear, hope leapt in their eyes and mentally Naruto scoffed at their innocence. Oh they would go far, but for now they were but children. Children, not shinobi…with innocence they needed to be rid off. Right. Now.

"Get up Sasuke, is that any way for an Uchiha to behave?"

The boy flinched at his tone, and the hope in his eyes dimmed somewhat. Naruto's eyes gleamed. Good.

"Ani-ki" Katana hiccupped "Mikoto baa…Fugaku jiji…they're- they're-"

Naruto cocked his head to one side and turned his eyes to the corpses. "Dead?" he finished. "Well whaddya know… they ARE dead. Good eye squirt!" The children grew a little closer at his feral grin, and he grinned all the more, baring his teeth as he stepped forward.

"Naruto ni… are you alright?" Hinata's question startled him a little. Was he ok? By now they had seen the blood on his uniform, dripping from his katana. They had seen the wild look in his eyes, his obvious indifference to the corpses lying around. They were unarmed, he was in full battle gear… and she was asking if he was ok? Then again, Hinata always had been…weirdly… attached…to him. Even more so then Katana.

"Oh Hina-chan" he laughed at her blush, and the children's' drooping spirits sank deeper. "I'm just fine…"