yo.
XXX
Chapter 1: And They Meet
She opened her eyes weakly. Her head pounded painfully, and there was not a part of her body that didn't feel like it was on fire. Where am I? she thought to herself. The little girl's eyes flit around warily. She was in a white room, and a weird, medicinal smell hung in the air. The blonde wrinkled her nose in disgust. As if her headache didn't hurt enough already.
"You're awake," a voice stated gently. Naruto's head snapped quickly to the side and stared at an old man wearing a formal white and red robe. The stranger smiled kindly. "Good morning, little one." He looked like he had more to say, but was suddenly interrupted as a loud agonized shout burst from Naruto. Hard jabs of pain shot through her head.
The walls swayed dangerously, and Naruto's stomach threatened to spill out its contents.
The Third Hokage was shocked. "Naruto…?"
She spoke through clenched teeth. "Do I know you?"
The Hokage's shock ebbed quickly to worry. "It's okay, Naruto-chan. Do not be afraid. I won't hurt you; I'm a close friend of your father's."
"My father's?"
The Sandaime frowned. "Yes, your father. Namikaze Minato." He paused, hesitant, and then continued. "Little one, who was it that raised you up all these seven years? It was truly an amazing thing when Kakashi found you asleep in the training grounds just yesterday. Nobody had seen you come in; it was like you just appeared there. You've been gone for seven years." The Hokage's voice mirrored wonder.
"I don't remember," Naruto said bluntly.
"You—You don't remember?"
Naruto closed her eyes in resignation. "I don't know. My head hurts. And I can't think straight. I remember something…" She racked her brains. The dream she had just a while ago came up to mind. It was so vivid, and yet, she couldn't remember any of it. "There was a dark corridor and foxes," the little girl said lamely.
"Foxes?"
"Yes, foxes. Something about the past." She blinked dazedly. Her hold of her head tightened; it hurt so much! The Hokage's eyes softened, and he reached over to sweep aside some of her bangs that were close into poking her eye out. Naruto's response was something he had never expected.
She growled at him, and his hand shot back. Her eyes were beyond wild, and they burned feverishly. "Don't touch me!" Naruto snarled, and the Hokage could only stare. "Don't you dare! Where's Sasuke? He's still fighting! Tell him to get his ass out of the battle before he kills himself!" All of a sudden, her voice cracked, and she jumped back onto the bed again. "And that Kyuu-chan… Where the hell is he?" she whispered this time, and tears rolled down her cheeks. "I… I can't find him. He's not dead, is he?" Naruto let out a pitiful wail before falling into unconsciousness.
The Third Hokage stood there in alarm. It seems she has amnesia, he thought, astounded. The Sandaime sighed and slowly walked over, gently placing the bed covers on Naruto's small body. Out of the three things she said, he understood only one.
Sasuke.
XXX
"Hokage-sama, I believe I don't understand."
"Please, Fugaku-san, I'm asking for a while. Just enough to get her memories back," the Sandaime said. Suddenly, a young woman appeared in front of the door. She gasped as she saw the Hokage.
"Sarutobi-sama!" she said, bowing quickly. Sarutobi smiled at her.
"Ah, Mikoto-san. How very nice to see you again. I was just talking to your husband about… taking in a rather young girl."
Mikoto was surprised. "Taking in?"
"Yes, as in adopting. She has memory loss, and somehow, she remembers a member of the Uchiha Clan."
Fugaku was taken aback. "You didn't tell me that. Who is she?"
Sarutobi smiled. "I believe your Sasuke has played with her before."
Fugaku shook his head in disbelief. "Not possible. That boy doesn't play."
Mikoto suddenly gasped, her eyes wide. "No, it can't be… Hokage-sama, Naruto?"
"It is."
Fugaku was simply staggered this time. "The long lost child of the Yondaime was found? How? When? Where?"
Sarutobi inclined his head sadly. "I don't know. She doesn't remember anything. The poor girl has attacks, and she started screaming today in the hospital. Only thing that I understood was Sasuke. She spoke as if… as if she knew him."
Mikoto bit her lip. "That's hard to believe. I brought Sasuke over to the Yondaime's house only when Naruto-chan was eight months old. Sasuke was about to turn one. There's just no way…"
"Who are we to judge?" the Third Hokage said resignedly. He sipped some more tea. "I don't even know who raised up Naruto in these seven years. Or how she got into Konoha. But, does that mean that you...?"
Fugaku looked at his wife quickly. "Don't worry. We will." Mikoto's eyes sparkled, and her husband cracked a rare smile. "Mikoto's always wanted a daughter. This is the perfect chance to grant her wish."
"When will you bring Naruto-chan, Hokage-sama?" Mikoto asked, breathless with joy.
"I suppose tomorrow. I'll see you then." The Sandaime then stood up, smiled gratefully at the couple, and left.
XXX
"Hello there."
Naruto opened her eyes and glanced sideways. She winced; the pain in her head was still very present. The little girl had to blink a bit to adjust her blurry eyesight. A silver-haired man was crouched at the window, one hand raised in greeting. He had a mask that covered the lower half of his face, and his headband concealed his left eye.
"And you are..." she asked tiredly.
"Hatake Kakashi. You may refer to me as Kakashi-sensei."
The little blond tried to sit up. "S-sensei?" Kakashi smiled and, with exaggerated slowness as to not scare Naruto, walked to the edge of her bed.
"Naruto," he said, "it would be most wise to lie back down. Your body won't be able to take it."
Naruto frowned, but did what she was told. "How come everyone knows my name?"
Kakashi's right eye became an upside-down U. "It's to be expected, little one. Look." He stood up and walked over to some portraits on the wall. The ninja tapped the last one. "Do you know who this is?"
Squinting, Naruto studied the photo for a few minutes. The man had sunshine-colored hair, and his eyes were a startling shade of bright blue. Although the man's face was serious and composed, there seemed an impish side hidden behind that serene mask.
"He looks just like me," she then said.
The silver-haired man laughed. "Maa, I think it's you who looks just like him. He's your father."
Naruto frowned. "Who is he?"
"He was the Fourth Hokage."
"And what is a Hokage?"
"That would be me." Kakashi and Naruto looked at the newcomer. It was Sarutobi. When the Third Hokage saw Naruto staring at him in surprise, he smiled. "What is a Hokage? Why, it's the leader of Konoha. Your father was a mighty Hokage. He saved this entire village." The Sandaime then sighed. "He ended up giving his life for it."
The little blond was feeling a bit queasy. "But... what about me?"
Kakashi looked at Naruto gently, trying not the give in to the urge to comfort her and pet her tousled hair. "You were kidnapped a short while after Minato-sensei's death. He still had enemies, and they wanted to kill you, I suppose. They succeeded in killing your mother. But I see that you've survived. You have no idea how thrilled everyone will be when they hear that you've come back."
"Oh." There was a dreadful silence, and Kakashi looked at Naruto's face. It was tired and sad, and her eyes looked dead.
Sarutobi cleared his throat, breaking the quiet. "Ah, yes. I told Kakashi here earlier, you shall be staying at the Uchiha estate for the time being," the Sandaime said.
Naruto blinked out of her stupor. "Uchiha?" Something about that name…
"Yes, Uchiha. To be honest, the one called Uchiha Sasuke?" He checked her expression to see if she would recognize that name.
"I don't know him," Naruto said.
The Sandaime fought to hide his disappointment. "No matter. You shall get to know him and his family later on. And you'll be sent to the Ninja Academy. That's like school here in Konoha."
Naruto shrugged. "I know how to fight."
Kakashi spoke up, his eyes concentrated on the small blonde. "Really? How do you know that? Who taught you?"
The little girl shook her head. "I don't know. I just do."
"Interesting," the Third Hokage said, "I'll tell Iruka about this information, but you'll still have to go attend. It's law."
Naruto nodded seriously. "I understand."
Sarutobi took out a pipe and lit it. "Very well. Kakashi and I here will leave. Rest up, Naruto-chan."
The blonde scowled fiercely at her bedcovers as her headache intensified. "I apologize," she said firmly, "but I don't like that nickname. Please don't call me that."
The Sandaime blinked, and then composed himself. "Of course. I shall remember that." He then beckoned for Kakashi to follow him out the door. The silver-haired ninja caught the last sentence that Sarutobi muttered miserably to himself.
"Oh, Naruto… What happened to you?"
XXX
She twitched uncomfortably. Her wide wide eyes took in the big door, the open courtyard. Everything was just so… spacey. Yet, she felt like she had been here before. Every pole, door, window that she saw… why was it so familiar? And this scent… The little blond breathed it in. What was the feeling of comfort and fear that shot through her? Naruto shuddered. She didn't know whether she should feel happy or afraid.
"Naruto, are you all right?" the Third Hokage asked worriedly, "If you don't want to do this, we can postpone it."
Naruto shook her head stubbornly. "Don't worry about me, gramps. I'll be fine." The Third Hokage looked like he wanted to say something more – especially about his nickname – but he just shook his head and sighed.
"Hokage-sama?" came a cautious feminine voice, and the Hokage straightened up.
"Ah, yes. It's me with Naruto," he said, smiling. The main door slid open, and a woman with long black hair stepped out. She bowed to the Hokage, and her onyx eyes rested on the girl standing next to the old man.
She saw a little blond child, squirming uncomfortably in the white hospital gown. Her big blue eyes were sad. Naruto-chan…Mikoto felt tears brim on the edges of her eyes, and she stepped forward. "Naruto, welcome."
The blondie looked up sharply. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mikoto-san."
Mikoto shook her head. "No, honey. Please don't call me that. Hokage-sama told me about your rule to never call you 'Naruto-chan' so please don't call me Mikoto-san."
Naruto thought for a while. "Mikoto-neesan," she then decided, and Mikoto, dismayed, realized that it was the most Naruto would say.
"All right. That works too," Mikoto smiled at the little blond. Naruto just blinked, eyes still distant. Mikoto then turned to the Sandaime. "Would you like to come in?" The Sandaime shook his head.
"It's okay. I must be going." He turned to Naruto. "Be a good little girl," he said gently.
"Of course, sir," was Naruto's bitter response.
XXX
She awoke panting and sweating. Naruto sat up hurriedly, and she found out that her cheeks were wet with tears. Her bedcovers were mussed and tangled, her pillow on the ground. It was apparent that she had a nightmare, but how come she couldn't remember it? Naruto thought hard. Blood. There was tons of blood. And a red-haired man… Who was he? All of a sudden, a flashing image of a big sword shot across Naruto's mind. She bit back a frightened gasp and ducked into her covers. The petrified girl shivered in the dark of her sheets before she managed to calm down.
It's just a dream, she thought sternly to herself. Naruto peeped out of her covers and slowly stepped off the bed and looked around.
Her room was very tall and wide. A beautiful desk was in one corner of the room, and Naruto saw that it had her name carved on it. She walked over and touched it hesitantly. It gleamed brightly, and Naruto realized the desk was new. Was it just for… her? A closet was to her left, and when Naruto opened it, only her hospital dress hung there. Then…
The little girl looked down. She was wearing a white t-shirt with a weird fan-shaped picture imprinted on the front. It smelled nice and so recognizable… like vanilla and pine trees…
Naruto shook her head, clearing away the pounding that suddenly appeared in her head. She also noticed that she was wearing rather baggy, black shorts. Oh, she thought to herself with some surprise, They're boy clothing. Naruto then decided that she rather liked the male attire much better.
The little youngster trotted over to the big door and slid it quietly. She walked into the hall, eyes scanning everything. Gorgeous paintings hung on the wall, and Naruto felt like she was in a museum. And the place was so clean. The small child frowned. She needed some fresh air. Where was the garden? Unexpectedly, on their own accord, her feet started to walk towards a door to her left. Naruto blinked, but she didn't do anything. Closing her eyes, she let her body take over her mind. Open, close. Open, close. Open, close. There were so many doors!
But then, just when she was getting ready to open her eyes and see where she was, she felt the solid earth under her feet.
Naruto opened her eyes and smiled a little smile for the first time in days. A gentle breeze rushed by, and the little girl sighed contentedly. Naruto bent down to pick up a flower that fell from the sakura tree.
"Naruto." It was a firm voice, and Naruto's head snapped around. A man was walking around a corner, and it seemed like he just saw her. The little blond immediately went still and her eyes became distant and vacant.
"Good morning, Uchiha-san," Naruto said abruptly.
"Morning," he answered, and stood in front of her. "I see that you are the one Hokage-sama was talking about."
"I am," Naruto replied, matching the man's tautness.
"Welcome to my family."
"Thank you, sir."
There was an awkward silence, and Naruto decided that she rather like this man. He wasn't too prying, and his coldness had somewhat of a nice effect on her. She resumed in looking at her sakura petal. The man cleared his throat to catch her attention, and she focused her azure eyes on his stern face.
"Did you meet my two sons yet?" he asked stiffly.
"No, Uchiha-san," Naruto said. "I slept for a long time," she then added after some thought.
"I see." Pause. "You shall be going to the Ninja Academy today."
"Yes, Uchiha-san."
Silence.
"Go to Mikoto. She'll give you breakfast and your bento."
"Yes, Uchiha-san." Naruto obediently took off to the kitchen. Noiselessly sliding the door open, Naruto saw that Mikoto was making the school lunchbox, the woman's hands chopping vegetables speedily. The small child watched, not wanting to make her presence known. Then Mikoto turned and saw Naruto. Her hands dropped the knife and flitted to her chest.
"Oh Kami-sama! Naruto! I didn't… You gave me quite a scare," Mikoto breathed out. Her face then softened, and she wiped her fingers on her white apron. "You need something, honey?"
"My apologies, Mikoto-neesan. I need a bento box. I'm going to Academy today." Naruto's voice was polite and but firm, unlike Mikoto's warm and tender voice.
Mikoto's kindhearted face cleared, and she brightened. "That's right! You'll be going to the Academy today. Aren't you excited?" Mikoto resumed back to chopping the veggies when something else flickered to her mind. "That reminds me! Naruto, honey, can you go check on Sasuke for me? You guys still haven't met, huh? That idiotic boy really worked himself out yesterday, training till ten. Heavens, I almost fainted when I saw his condition. See if he can go to school today, alright, Naruto?"
Naruto nodded seriously and trotted into the kitchen to the door across the room. Before she walked through the door though, she saw Mikoto looking at her in bafflement. "Mikoto-neesan…?" she asked.
Mikoto shook her head, snapping out of her daze. "Oh, nothing, sweetie. I was just… just wondering how you knew Sasuke's bedroom was that way." Her eyes burned with curiosity, but out of politeness Mikoto didn't pry.
The little child shrugged, answering Mikoto's unasked question. "I just do." Naruto then walked out the kitchen.
XXX
Uchiha… Sasuke.
Nartuo grimaced, biting her lip. She was standing next to his bed, looking at his tired and battered face. He was so familiar, and Naruto felt something burn in her chest, like…
She couldn't tell. Was she happy or sad to see this person?
The little blonde shook her head angrily. What was she thinking? This was a total stranger! Naruto reached a hand out and tenderly shook Sasuke's shoulders, making sure that she wouldn't hurt him in the process. The boy groaned softly, but didn't wake up. Naruto scowled. This was harder than she thought. The child looked around, eyes searching. Anything that could help her…? She sighed. No matter. Bending down, Naruto gazed at the sleeping boy, opened her mouth, and—
"Oi!"
Sasuke's eyes snapped open like he was stung, and he literally jumped to the furthest corner of the room. "Wha… What are you?"
Naruto gazed at him with impassive eyes. "I came to wake you up. Mikoto-neesan wants to know if you can go to school today."
Sasuke, now that his mind cleared a little, calmed down. His body became less tense, and his face became near expressionless. Sasuke's onyx eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Who are you? Why are you in my house and wearing my clothes?"
"I'm living here for the time being. Hokage's orders," Naruto replied. "I won't bother you. But can you go to school today?"
Sasuke seemed to finally notice his beat-up body for the first time. "Ow," he muttered and cringed as he gingerly touched his head. Naruto's eyes softened. She walked over to him and gently eased him back on the bed. Sasuke's onyx eyes looked taken aback and he was about to make a protest when Naruto cut him to it.
"You can't go like this. Now I understand Mikoto-neesan's concern," Naruto said firmly. Then her voice became gentler. "I had a similar headache just the other day. If you don't rest now, it's never gonna get better. So, sleep."
Sasuke glared at her and tried to sit up. "Shut up, dobe. I can—Ouch!" Naruto had whacked him on his forehead, and the raven-haired boy fell back on the bed, clutching his aching head. Naruto's lip twitched as if she were suppressing a smile.
"Dobe?" she repeated. "If I'm a dobe, you can be a teme. Sasuke-teme, no is no."
Sasuke blinked, and he fiercely scowled back at her. "I have to go. I have to. I need to beat my brother no matter what happens."
Naruto tilted her head sideways. "Brother? Why?" the little blonde asked curiously.
"None of your business, dobe," Sasuke snapped.
Naruto's cold mask was placed over her face again. She stood up stiffly. "I'll be going now. Rest and d—"
"I need to!" Sasuke didn't mean for it to sound so immature, but the shout still came out that way. "I need to! I can't miss one day of school. I can't. And you won't be the boss of me." The boy struggled to upright himself, and wobbly, he detached himself from his bed.
Something came over Naruto. She didn't know what it was. But this warm feeling… It was one that sang of comfort and joy, and it washed over her. Seeing Sasuke like that, determined, sour, rude…
I lost him forever, and I couldn't even say goodbye. So whatever you do, don't lose him.
Sasuke's eyes widened in surprise as he felt someone support his weak body. He glanced at the frowning Naruto's face. She saw him staring at her, and the little blond gave a little childlike snort. "Don't think every time you throw a tantrum like that, I'll let you your way. Just this one time, agreed? And you cannot participate in any physical activities." Suddenly, to the great astonishment of both of them, a startling, foxy grin appeared on Naruto's face. "You owe me a big favor, teme."
Sasuke had to swallow his amazement. He looked away, scowling. "Hn. Whatever, dobe. Hurry up, or we'll be late."
"Yeah, yeah, Sasuke-sama," came Naruto's witty response.
Mikoto thought she was having eye problems when she saw Sasuke – being supported by Naruto – shakily stumble into the kitchen. The woman's eyes narrowed, and she looked long and hard at Naruto. Although the small blonde's face was pokerfaced and composed, Mikoto knew that the little girl had some kind of expression on her face before entering the kitchen.
"Mother?" Sasuke said. "We need our bento boxes."
"Huh? Oh yes, I know. But Sasuke, you can't go to school like that! Honey, you can barely walk."
"Mikoto-neesan," Naruto cut in, "Sasuke was just telling me that the teacher has an important lesson to teach today. No absences shall be tolerated."
Mikoto blinked. "But, sweetie…" Something seemed to stop Mikoto from finishing her sentence, and the woman sighed. "Alright. Sasuke, don't hurt yourself. And Naruto, please see to it that he doesn't hurt himself. Please."
"Of course. I understand, Mikoto-neesan."
"And Sasuke? You promise?"
"I understand, Mother."
XXX
Naruto caught him looking at her for the fifth time. "Yes?" she at last asked.
Sasuke scowled. "Nothing."
"Why are you looking at me for then?"
The raven-haired boy seemed to blush, and he quickly mumbled something that Naruto didn't catch. She rolled her eyes.
"What? Spill it."
Another mumble.
"Teme…" Naruto growled.
"Thankyouforconvincingmymom," he speedily replied, and then his face turned a deep crimson. The little blonde could only blink. Then his words registered in her clouded mind, and she let out a tinkling laugh. It was Sasuke's turn to stare in wonder. But it didn't last long.
"Goodness. Here you are, looking like your dog died or something, and it turns out that it was just a 'thank you,'" Naruto laughed, teasing the boy. "Jeez. Do you have a big ego or what?"
"Shut up, usuratonkachi," Sasuke snapped. "I shouldn't have said it."
"Well, you should've. You're most welcome, teme."
"Hn."
There was a comfortable silence, and Naruto looked at the view surrounding her. Green grass and beautiful flowers sprouted everywhere. Birds were flying here and there from tall pine trees, chirping happily away to one another. "Konoha's a pretty place, ne?" Naruto murmured peacefully.
"Hn." Sasuke itched to ask Naruto about her past and the reason why she was staying at his house, but he checked himself. It was already bad enough that he had to be seen leaning on this puny girl, so there was absolutely no reason why he should become interested in her situation.
"Oi, teme," Naruto said, interrupting Sasuke's thoughts.
He glowered at her. "What?"
"How do you think…" Her voice trailed off. "How do you think I'm supposed to act?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean,' Naruto replied sassily. "Don't play stupid with me."
"Huh?" He blinked. "Well, act like yourself."
Naruto shot him an amused glance. "That's right. I didn't tell you, huh?"
"Tell me what?" Sasuke demanded, pissed.
The blonde's lip curled into a bitter sneer. Sasuke mentally recoiled away, dumbfounded at this show of emotion. "That I have amnesia." The information whirled around in Sasuke's head, and he managed to connect the pieces together.
"Wait, so you're new here? When did you arrive?" he questioned, dazed.
Naruto shrugged. "Bout three days ago." Her eyes focused in on Sasuke. "I ask you again, how am I supposed to act? Tell me this. How do the girls in your class act?"
Sasuke's inner mind theater went something like, "Sasukaaaaaaaaaaaay! Sasuke-kuuuuun! Don't you like my haircut? Oh, oh, oh, do you like my new dress? Will you go out with me? Please? Pretty please? I want to be your first kiss!"
The raven-haired child grimaced, turning quite pale at the thought of Naruto becoming like this. Finally he finds a girl that didn't swoon at the sight of him, no way is he letting her convert to the dark side.
"Er, just be tomboyish," Sasuke said from the top of his head. "You can be girly if you want, just not too girly," he added with a wince as an afterthought. Naruto glanced at him, confused at the conflicting emotions that flickered across his face. But she shrugged it off.
"Okay." Naruto then stopped. "Oh, we're here." Naruto lightly removed her arm around Sasuke's waist and took a step back. "There, can you stand properly?"
Sasuke blinked in bewilderment, and Naruto let out a mocking laugh. "I'm not blind, teme. I know it would kill your reputation if you were seen walking into school with a little girl helping you stand. So, now that I'm beginning to hear the laughter and shouting of other kids, I suppose it is time to look a bit… separate, if you catch my drift." Naruto saw Sasuke's face, and she sighed. "It's a deduction, teme. I did not read your mind."
The raven-haired boy colored. "Shut it, usuratonkachi. Whatever. Just go."
Naruto curtsied. "See you later." And she ran off.
He stared after her, eyes wide in bafflement.
XXX
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto. Please take good care of me." She did a little bow, and Sasuke knew that his face had shock etched on it. There was no way this little adorable girl was the rude, sassy kid that he saw this morning. There was absolutely no way.
First off. Her hair. It was combed into two spiky pigtails, and they hung down to her shoulders. Her hair, though never dull looking, was now radiant. It was a dazzling sunshine color. Then there was the matter of her eyes. They were sparkled with laughter and life, and they were huge on her round, childish face. The smile that graced her face… It matched her perfectly. She was a picture of pure innocence. Sasuke did mental comparison. Home Naruto against School Naruto. Wow. Two species.
Sasuke could already see the hearts in every boy's eyes. He frowned.
The teacher, meanwhile, cleared his throat, trying to hide his joy in seeing the Yondaime's child for the first time. "Naruto, is it? Well, it is nice to meet you. I am Iruka; you may call me Iruka-sensei. Please tell us a little bit more about yourself."
An open grin shot through Naruto's tanned face. "My pleasure, sensei. Let's see… My parents died in a war from a long time ago, and since they knew Hokage-sama, he brought me to Konoha after their death. So, I shall be in Konoha for a rather long time. I'm living currently in Uchiha Sasuke's household. It's a wonderful experience to be here."
People started whispering loudly and fast.
"The Uchiha Sasuke?"
"No way! That's why she's wearing those clothes."
"She's wearing Sasuke-kun's clothes? The nerve!"
"I'm so jealous! I want to live in Sasuke-kun's house!"
Sasuke, as usual, ignored the mutterings of his classmates. But he made the mistake of looking to the front of the class and making eye contact with her. She swiftly gave him a grin and mouthed something like the word "ego." He glowered daggers at her, but she took no notice and hid a snort.
"Class!" Iruka roared, banging his fist on the blackboard behind him. "Silence! Is this the courtesy you show to our new classmate?" He turned back to Naruto. "Excuse me, little Naruto. May I ask, can you sit next to Haruno Sakura over there? Sakura, please wave your hand." A pink haired girl raised her hand in the air. Naruto grinned cheerfully.
"Of course, sensei."
XXX
"Ohmigod. Ohmigod. Ohmigod." It was lunch break, and Naruto found herself surrounded by a bunch of girls. They ogled at her in admiration. The lead girl with really short, light-yellow hair stood over her desk, gushing. "Ohimigod! You're living in Sasuke-kun's house?"
Naruto sweatdropped. "Y-yeah."
"Oh!" the girl realized. "I'm sorry. I'm Ino. Nice to meet you." She turned to the rest. "This is Aniko, Yumi, and Momo. I assume you know Sakura already?" Naruto nodded quickly. Ino smiled. "So, tell me, how is it?"
"How is what?"
Momo – a girl with long chestnut hair – sighed in exasperation. "Sasuke-kun's house! Duh!"
"Oh… Um, big?" Naruto answered weakly. The blonde could only gawk as she saw the four of them – Sakura the only one shyly keeping to herself – making big fuss over this information. Silently, Naruto sneaked off, and to her great relief, they didn't notice.
The child wandered around the schoolyard, breathing in the tranquility of the grounds. It was nice. The forest was nearby, and if Naruto was feeling too cramped, well, she found a wonderful refuge from all her troubles now.
"Hey, it's the new kid. Yo!" someone said. Naruto turned around. A boy with weird, red triangle markings sat in the shade with a small white dog perched on his head. He was surrounded by three other boys. "Why don't you come sit down?" Naruto hastily thought it over. Them or Ino and her group…
Yeah, them.
"Hey," Naruto replied, smiling cheerfully at the boy and sitting down next to their little group. "Thanks. I was looking for a place."
The boy smirked at her. "Whatta bout the classroom? I thought you were eating there? You had quite a crowd gathered around your desk."
Naruto winced. "Er…"
He let out a bark of laughter. "I know. She's like that. I'm Kiba. This is Akamaru." The dog let out a yap, and then Kiba turned to the rest of the group. "Shikamaru. Chouji. Shino."
Chouji was too busy eating, and Shino looked like he had never heard the word "socializing" before. Shikamaru was the only one who answered: "How troublesome."
Kiba looked at Naruto apologetically. "Do you still wanna eat with us?"
"Are you kidding me?" Naruto asked indignantly. She had already gotten out her lunch from the bento box. "No doubt in my mind!"
Kiba smiled a wolfish smile. "I like you, Naruto!"
Her eyes twinkled as she replied. "Who wouldn't? Itadakimasu!"
XXX
The bell rang for after school, and students dashed out of the classroom. Naruto sighed. Who would've known that school was this boring? They did nothing but review the textbook, and Naruto, for no apparent reason, already knew this material already. God, why was Sasuke so intent in coming here? She shuddered just thinking about coming here every, single, blasted day.
"What with that face?" Naruto looked up in surprise. Kiba and Shikamaru stood next to her desk and Akamaru barked worriedly. "Cheer up, Naru-chan!"
Naruto sulked. "Don't call me that."
"Why? It fits you perfectly," Kiba answered, smirking.
The little blonde stood up slowly, thought for a while, and then took the face of an angel. She hurriedly replied before running off, "You're right. It does. Just like 'dog breath' fits you perfectly! I shall be going, my great Dog Breath-sama!" Kiba chased Naruto out the door, shouting at her. Shikamaru slowly followed, hands in his pockets.
"How troublesome. I wanted to go cloud watching…"
On the dirt road home…
"Dog Breath…" Kiba muttered. "Sheesh. My breath doesn't smell like dog…" Akamaru barked. "Sorry, Akamaru," the boy then hastily said. "No offense meant."
Naruto giggled. "Hurt pride, Kiba-kun?"
Kiba rolled his eyes. "I still think Naru-chan fits you perfectly."
Naruto glared. "You may only call me that when we are alone."
"Shikamaru doesn't count," Kiba debated.
"Shikamaru-kun doesn't count," Naruto affirmed, smiling cutely.
"How troublesome."
Suddenly, a wind blew overhead, and Naruto perked up. "Oh!" she said, wrinkling her nose. "I have to go. Dammit, I totally forgot!" She waved to the two boys. "Catch you later, Aka-chan,
Dog Breath, Pineapple-chan!"
Kiba looked at Shikamaru in exasperation. "I do not smell like dog breath!"
Shikamaru muttered to Kiba, "I'm the one who got called a 'pineapple' and you're complaining. Sheesh."
Kiba snickered. "It must be your ponytail."
"How troublesome," Shikamaru said.
XXX
In a day, she had already bonded with the class. The dobe has almost all the boys falling head over heels about her, Sasuke mused to himself, trudging drearily onwards. He cringed; the pain had gotten worse. But he couldn't stop thinking and wondering about her. That usuratonkachi and her past. Who was she? Why, was that figure in school all truly just an act? In his contemplation, Sasuke didn't see the root sticking up from the dirt, and he stumbled, falling towards the ground.
This is gonna hurt. A lot.
"Sasuke!" Lightning fast, Naruto grabbed his arms and pulled him upright. He gripped her hands for support and gave a hiss of agony as pain shot through his arms. Naruto looked at Sasuke worriedly with big, cerulean eyes. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Sasuke! I don't know what came over me, I just… I totally forgot… Are you all right? Sasuke? Answer, teme!" she questioned hurriedly.
Sasuke tried to hide the many feelings that he knew were showing too intensely in his eyes. He looked at the ground, the trees, the sky… anywhere except for those big, condemning orbs of blue. "Y-yeah, I'm fine. You can let go now, dobe."
"Oh!" She loosened her hold, and one arm was around his waist once more. "I'm so sorry, really. You sure you're all right? And what? You're looking at me strangely again."
Sasuke shook his head. "You utterly confuse me."
"What? What? I confuse you?" Naruto's sharp, breathless laughter echoed in the huge forest. "That's what you say when you scare the living hell outta me? I run here as fast as I could, and then you tell me I'm confusing. Why, thank you, teme."
Sasuke blushed. Dammit. He's been doing a lot of that lately. "That's not what I meant." He looked at Naruto, whose eyes were livid. She's bipolar… Naruto didn't respond but just began walking slowly, letting Sasuke hobble along with her. The raven-haired boy sighed. "My apologies," he muttered stiffly.
She let out a gust of air from her mouth, and her lips curled up into a wistful smile. "No, Sasuke, it is I who should be apologizing. I'm sorry. I just… I don't know. I guess it was like a déjà vu." Naruto bit her lip but she continued. "When I saw you falling and about to hurt yourself, it was like I was seeing a different you… One that I knew from before." The blonde sighed. She then said softly, "Sorry about confusing you."
Sasuke shook his head. "No, I told you, that's not what I meant."
Naruto frowned. "Then what did you mean?"
The raven-haired boy looked at her, wondering if it were safe to tell her. He answered slowly, calculating his words, "This morning you were going on about how you should act and all. So I can't tell if you're still acting or not. Because, I'm pretty sure you know, you're a totally different person than the one who left the house this morning."
Naruto blinked, and then let out a small laugh. To Sasuke's relief, this was a happy, joyful laugh. "Oh goodness. That's what you were confused about?" Naruto shot him a cocky grin, and her azure eyes shone brightly. "You know what? I think this is the real me. So if you don't like this..." The little girl stuck out her tongue at Sasuke playfully. "Too bad."
He looked more baffled than ever. "Huh?"
Naruto snorted. "I have amnesia, right? The only reason I acted the way I did before was because I didn't know how I should've acted." The child smiled cheerfully. "I like this better. It's nice, being able to talk to so many people and laughing along with them. Of course, I do have my bad side, but only you know about that." She winked at him.
Sasuke decided the best reply was to not reply at all. "Hn."
The blonde smirked. "By the way, what's this about Sasukaaay-kun and marriages and kisses and all?"
He grimaced. "So you met them."
"How can I not? They nearly suffocated me," Naruto replied bluntly. "And they even wrote me a note asking me if we were dating."
"..."
"Oh, and about your likes and dislikes."
"..."
"About your crushes and—"
"Can you not?"
Naruto smirked again. "Just pulling your leg. Though that is quite dangerous, seeing how bruised it is." The little girl sighed. "I'm so weird…"
Sasuke shrugged. "Can't argue against that."
Naruto ignored him. "You'd think amnesia sucks, but I'm beginning to think it's not as bad as it seems."
Sasuke's curiousity – curse it – got the better of him, and he spoke again. "Why not?"
"I did have parents, you know. But because of my amnesia, I don't have be all sad about them being dead. So maybe it is better." Naruto frowned. "Or not. I don't know. Oh." The little blonde gently stopped and took a step sideways, away from Sasuke. "There's a new person at the door. He smells like you, so I'm assuming it's your brother that you talked about this morning."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "How do you know? We haven't gone around the corner of the street yet. And how do you know how I smell?"
Naruto pointed to her nose and ears. "I have a heightened sense of smell and hearing." She smiled at Sasuke. "C'mon then. Introduce me to your brother."
"Hn," he muttered. But Naruto was correct. As they turned around the corner, there stood Itachi. Naruto glanced back at Sasuke, lips puckered in thought. "Tell me, how should I act?"
The boy shrugged. "Niisan won't care. Act however you want."
"Oh. All right then. Cheer me on!" She walked up to Itachi, letting Sasuke take the lead.
"Niisan," Sasuke said respectfully when they had walked up in front of the older Uchiha.
"Baby brother," Itachi replied impassively. His black eyes flickered to Naruto. "And you are the Yondaime's long lost child."
Naruto bowed. "Yes. That would be me."
Sasuke's inner mind: What the hell? Yondaime?
Itachi nodded. "I'm Uchiha Itachi. It's my pleasure."
The little blond smiled and ran forward to give the Uchiha a warm hug. "Nice to meet you, big brother!"
The two boys stared.
But Itachi gained his wits back faster than his brother. The teenager's hand came up and petted Naruto's head lightly. "You seem happy, Naruto-chan."
Naruto smiled cheerfully. "You act so different from Sasuke-teme! I can't believe you two are siblings!"
There was another moment of silence. But then Itachi let out a shaky laugh. It was barely audible, but the two children still caught it.
"Naruto-chan, you are the different one. I would love to see how our family household would start to change when you stay here longer." He placed Naruto gently on the ground and walked inside towards the house. He said over his shoulder, "Baby brother, please do not train yourself to death. Let Mother see to your wounds. Some of them aren't all that minor." And he was gone.
Sasuke whispered to Naruto – and a bit enviously too – "How the hell did you do that?"
Naruto tipped her head to one side. "What? Do what?"
"Make Brother laugh."
"Is that… strange?"
"I have never heard him laugh in that way for a few years now."
The blonde's mouth fell open in astonishment. "But… But I didn't do anything except to act like what you told me. And you seriously call that laughing?"
"Yeah, that was laughing, dobe. And what did I tell you to do?"
She scowled. "Well, a certain teme told me to act whatever. So I did." Sasuke opened his mouth to protest against this, but Naruto bursted out suddenly, "I smell cookies! Oh my goodness! Cookies? Let's go, Sasuke-teme!" And she dragged him off.
Later…
To say Mikoto was surprised would not have been true.
She had something similar to a heart attack, and wondered whether she should go see the eye doctor. After all, having eye problems in the Uchiha Clan (special trait: Sharingan eyes) was not a light matter. It was only when Itachi told her that it was Naruto standing there chatting happily away to Sasuke and not some strange child did Mikoto finally relax. Hokage-sama…
No, Mikoto was more than surprised.
XXX
The same nightmare. Blood. Blood. And more blood. The red-haired man had protected her at the last second, and he took the devastating blow of the large, slashing sword. His body had slumped on hers, and she quickly pushed the bloody carcass off of her, holding in a scream. Then…
Sasuke? It is... It has to be!
She ran towards the vanishing figure, but all of a sudden, a huge pit appeared beneath her feet. Her mouth opened to let out a bloodcurdling shriek, but no sound came out and Naruto fell down, down, down…
When she woke up, the little child decided that a walk around the neighborhood would be best. After all, the shivers of fright up her spine won't go away by themselves. Quickly putting on a jacket – most likely Sasuke's – she opened her window and disappeared into the night.
In the forest nearby, she met the vanishing figure of her dream. Except he was ten years younger and real.
"S-Sasuke-teme? What… What are you doing here?"
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