I'm not sure if people know what a melonpan is, but it can also be known as Melon buns or Melon bread, are sweet bakery products from Japan (from Wikipedia). They don't taste like melons (though recently companies have started adding the flavor to them) but they look like one (thus the name). When you look at it from the top, it kinda looks like this: (#) I used to eat it almost every week when I was a kid :D

It's gonna be mentioned once, and it's not important in this chapter, but I didn't want to confuse anyone so... yeah.

Also,

In Japan, test, homework, etc. answers are marked with circles when right or ticks when wrong.

AND,

Sempai means senior (not as in 'old' senior but as like a person who's older and you look up to―usually in school). The opposite is Kouhai, which is junior.

AND FINALLY (this is rather important out of the vocab list here),

Kamaboko in English is fish cake. Naruto (the food) is an artistic version of it. I'm using it 'cause when it sounds kinda funny (I'm not a normal Japanese, sorry).

And I think most of you know, but Kakashi means scarecrow. It was used as a joke (I laughed so much―anything can make me laugh) when Naruto tried to explain about his teachers to Amaru in the second Naruto Shippuden movie.

Dialogue (since I haven't posted this up before):

"Normal talking."

"Whispering."

"Loudly/harshly talking."

Thinking.

"Most of you have probably found out, but we'll be having a new student from now on. She's the same age as Kakashi, and I expect you all to treat her well."

The class simply chorused in unison, "Hai, Sensei!" before promptly going back into their own excited conversation with their friends. New students were rather rare seeing as it is the time of war―no parent want their child to run into the battlefield and return dead with their dog tags. Not only that, but foreigners of all ages weren't really welcomed, and would be closely watched. 'Was it a girl or a boy?' and 'the same age as Kakashi!' was what their thoughts consisted of.

The students immediately stopped chattering at the distinct knock of the door―Kakashi found it unnecessary to hit his knuckles on the wood more than once. They watched on, some even gulping as the tension became thick in the air with anticipation.

They faltered in their seats and bumped their chin to the table when Kakashi entered first. "Sensei, I brought her in." It's a girl! The students sighed in relief; they wouldn't be able to stand another Kakashi.

The boys sat back in surprise as the girls squealed in joy at the young, four year old blonde. "I'm Namikaze Naruto!" Naruto grinned brightly, "Nice to meet 'cha!"

The students cheerfully greeted back, before they eagerly raised their hands. The male teacher sighed as the boys shouted their questions impatiently. "One at a time! And Kippei! Raise your hand!"

"Naruto-chan, where're you from?"

"What's it like travelling around while there's danger everywhere?"

The chuunin grumbled at being ignored, before gazing down at the newly youngest girl of the class. "Well, Naruto, you'll be sitting next to Kakashi at the back by the window. Kakashi, be sure to help her with anything she'll need, alright?"

"Hai, Sensei." The boy replied obediently, much to Naruto's surprise. Kakashi didn't bother giving her a glance, "Come on."

They were seated at the very back corner next to the windows, and when Naruto received her schedule, she shot a nasty glare at her training partner. The writing test wasn't until the last period! She had plenty of time to study during the class breaks and lunch. Naruto read what the test was going to cover, and sighed in relief. Half of them were what Sakura had shoved into her brains. The other half she wasn't so sure, but Kakashi-sensei had brushed up on it―with a little revision, it wouldn't be a problem.

The first class had brushed up on team formation, seeing as the Graduation Exams were coming up. Then it shifted to survival tactics. Naruto yawned, bored―She knew all of that already. As the teacher's words flew over her head, she stared at the Hokage Monument, or more precisely, the vacant spot for the fourth addition. Sighing, she pretended to take notes onto her book. Eventually, her scribbles turned into doodles.

Her drawings evolved into a story; a snake had stolen a baby hawk from it's nest, and fattened it up for himself to eat. Deeming the now grown bird good enough, he tried to devour it. However, the bird had not only gotten big, but dangerous as well. The hawk had easily turned the tables and ate the predator-turned-prey.

"What the heck is that?"

Naruto jumped and turned to see Kakashi staring at her notebook, an eye twitching. Self-conscious, she drew it closer and casually draped an arm over the desk so it would block the book from his sight. "What is what?" She whispered back, feigning confusion.

"Your drawings are pathetic. Why are you drawing sticks and stones anyway?"

"They're not―" She looked down before scowling at him. "What's wrong with drawing... sticks and stones?"

He eyed her suspiciously, before focusing back on his notes. "I thought you were actually writing, but looks like I'm wrong."

"Wha―I already know all that! There's no point in using effort to try and remember stuff I already understand!"

Kakashi seemed taken aback for a moment, before scoffing and ignoring her. The nerve!

She glared, and stomped his foot.

"Ow!"

The class and teacher jumped in surprise, and widened their eyes when they realized that it was Kakashi who suddenly jumped up and shouted. "Kakashi? Are you alright?" The chuunin asked worriedly, ignoring the snickering male students.

Naruto smirked in satisfaction at the small blush peeking out of the boy's face as he shook his head. "N-No, I'm fine, Sensei. I'm sorry for the interruption," he said, before sitting back down quietly.
"Well, if you say so..."
Kakashi's pencil scratched harshly against the thin lined paper of his notebook. Naruto watched, highly amused, before she blinked when he all but shoved his book to her.

'I'm going to kill you. Toasted, fried, or boiled?'

A smile was on her lips despite the content of the message, and Naruto wrote back.

'Is that so? And hey, you have a sense of (dark) humor! I'm surprised' she paused, before adding a little cute heart. She knew it served its purpose when Kakashi's knuckles turned white. Oh, he was so fun to annoy. She slowly passed his book to him, fully expecting him to snatch it.

And snatch, he did. Too bad he didn't notice that the page he pulled on was slightly torn.

The paper ripped loud and clear, and Kakashi caught the class' attention yet again. The book had already been thrown in front of him before they looked back, so it seemed as if Kakashi had simply torn a page from his book in rage. Though that was true, it wasn't all of what had happened. One student from the front, Naruto recognized as Kippei from earilier in the morning, piped up. "Anger issues much, Hatake?"

The class errupted in laughter, but Naruto couldn't find what was so funny, even if she tried to see from another classmate's point of view. She turned to see Kakashi's reaction, but his hair had shielded his eyes, and, though she couldn't see them, she knew he was hurt. She bit her lower lip and clenched her shorts in guilt. Naruto looked around, and noticed that two girls, one definitely a Hyuuga, and a boy wasn't laughing; in fact, they seemed to think the same as her. What was so hilarious that the class had a kick about was something they couldn't get. The teacher's efforts in calming the class weren't helping at all.

Naruto growled, before abruptly standing up. She slammed her tiny fists on the desk, and caught the class' attention immediately, snapping them out of their laughter and giggling. "What's so funny?" She gritted her teeth when Kippei merely raised a brow. "I was the one who stole his book out of boredom. Shouldn't I be the one you're laughing at?"

"What the―we're just having fun..." Kippei grumbled, backed up by his friends' agreement. The girls seemed to have finally gotten out of their amusement; Kakashi was only four, even if he was very talented. Maybe they went too far...?

"I don't see how this is 'fun'." Naruto frowned, "Are you really older than me? Because even in my eyes, this isn't the slightest bit funny."

Kakashi looked up at her in surprise, but she paid him no heed. Instead, she looked down at the boy she noticed earlier as he spoke. "I agree. It's immature." He said monotonously, and even from first glance she knew he wasn't much of a talker. She blinked in surprise before she sat back down.

"Sensei," Naruto called, and she might as well put her feet on the table. "Can we start class now? I don't think my parents would like it very much if we waste time like this."

"A-Ah, right. Well class, get your textbooks out and turn to page thirty-four―"

The blonde sighed, before resuming back to staring out the window.

Naruto sighed, eating her melonpan peacefully as she stared out the window. Earlier when their morning break had just begun, she had been bombarded by her new classmates. She even remembered what they said―it had been that loud and squeal-ish.

"How do you get your hair like that? It's spiky at the front, but like, so silky at the back!"

"Did you meet any awesome ninjas outside of Konoha? What are they like?"

The girls had been cooing about how 'cute and adorable' she is unlike a certain someone and that she should let them 'totally give her a totally lovely makeover', while the boys had been pressuring her with questions of what it's like going around the world and such.

"You're interesting." Naruto looked up from her snack at the boy's voice and lifted her head from her palm. She looked up to see three kids, the ones who didn't laugh. She glanced at the clock; it was break time already. She then set her eyes on the boy again, taking in his appearance. He had choppy, short brown hair and black, lazy eyes, and fairly light skin. He wore a green, hooded short-sleeved jacket and black shorts. Her gaze shifted to the other two girls.

The Hyuuga was from the main branch judging by her clear forehead, and her eyes contained a lavender tint much like Hinata's, Naruto noted thoughtfully, and had jet black, silky hair reaching her mid-back with a fringe. Her pale skin contrasted sharply with her black shirt and navy blue, knee length shorts. The other seemed to be from a civilian family, and had short, almost orange hair. Her amber eyes were bright and friendly, but held some depth to them. She wore a light blue, hooded, unzipped jacket, and under it a soft pink with white shorts.

Smiling, Naruto asked, "How so?"

"Earlier. When you stood up for him," he pointedly stared at Kakashi, who ignored them and slept.

The orange-haired girl grinned, "Hello, Naruto-chan! I'm Mika! He's Genma, and she's Shizuka! Shizuka and I are seven, and Genma's six."

Shizuka nodded once in a greeting. "You have an interesting name, too."

"I'm named after a book's hero." She grinned, "Tale of a Gutsy Ninja." Her eyes stayed on Genma for a moment, before realizing that he's Shiranui Genma, the last proctor for the final round of her first Chuunin Exam. His hair style―which looked pretty cool." she had to admit―was completely different from his future one.

"I've never heard of it, but I'll be sure to look around. Who's the author?"

"Jiraiya. The book's a little hard to read though―I had my old teacher simplify the whole book for me."

Mika giggled, draping an arm around the other girl. "Shizuka's a major bookworm, so she'll probably be able to read it" she joked, before pouting. "She even ditched me for books once. I honestly don't see what she sees in those things. Obviously, manga's a whole lot better to read."

Genma rolled his eyes as Shizuka elbowed the now laughing girl. Naruto watched the three, feeling something familiar from them. It reminds me of... she blinked before smiling, feeling utterly nostalgic...the time with Sasuke and Sakura. Mika reminded her of herself, Shizuka as Sakura, Genma as Sasuke. Ah, I'll get homesick if I keep this train of thought going... "Say, are you three best friends?"

"Hm?" Mika blinked, lowering her arms from their guarded position in front of her face. "Yeah, we're childhood friends. Though, Shizuka and Genma were friends since... forever, I think. Their mothers are best friends."

"Really? Cool." Kakashi got up from his seat, making it screech loudly against the floor. Naruto looked up, "Kakashi?"

"I can't sleep with you guys around." He said without looking back at her, and walked down the room. When the door shut behind him, the students grumbled irritably.

"What's with him?"

"God, can't he get up and leave without making a sound?"

"Such a brat."

Naruto frowned, before forcing a small laugh as she turned back to the three. "I'll go look for him. Sorry about that." She got up and rushed out, leaving her bread behind.

Genma raised a brow, "What's she apologizing about?" Mika pouted.

"I wanted to talk to her more. And what's with that? It's not even her fault but she's saying sorry for Kakashi!"

"Maybe they're close?" Shizuka suggested, before going back to her desk. Mika looked back once more at the door, her face perplexed, and followed the other girl.

Genma hummed, before staring down at Naruto's notebook.

"... Why sticks and stones?"

Naruto had looked all over the building for him, until she saw the boy outside from the window, casually sitting against a tree and eating an apple. He was facing downwards though, reading a book so she couldn't see the lower half of his face. Scowling, she got out and ran to him, her lips curling further downwards when he quickly put up his mask. Naruto plopped down next to him, a little too close for his comfort seeing as he was trying to push her off.

"Go away."

"You know, the word 'anti-social' should have a limit. Especially for four year olds like us." She commented, before turning to face him. "And it's much too early to form a wrinkle over here," She jabbed the crease between his frowning brows.

He turned his head away from her, clearly irritated. "You're annoying."

"And you're pessimistic."

Kakashi blinked, before stubbornly scowling. "Whatever."

"I meant that you're really negative."

"I knew that," he said, a little too quickly. Naruto laughed before ruffling his hair playfully. He shook his head and tried to slap her hand away, "I'm older than you, you know."

Naruto huffed, "Yeah, by a month and five days, right? My birthday's on the tenth of October, by the way." He raised a brow at her, and she shrugged, "Someone told me that yours is on the fifteenth of September, and I remember birthdays pretty well." Her lips curled into a smirk, eyes challenging him at her last statement, and Kakashi took the bait.

"You said it was the tenth of October, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did."

He got up, and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Easy."

"Of course, since it's really just two tens." Tenten. She remembered joking about that with the weapon mistress before―not mentioning the other importance of that date, of course. Standing up, she sighed, "Anyways, we have training after school, don't we?"

He glanced at her in annoyance, before walking away. "Yeah, taijutsu."

Naruto followed, maintaining a short distance between them. Observing the boy quietly, she folded her arms behind her head, a casual habit of hers whenever she walked, carefree. All this boy ever thinks about is training and his father. She hadn't seen him socialize or even talk with the other children. Finally, the blonde asked, "Say, Kakashi, why are you being so cold?" He ignored her, so she tried again. "Why is your attitude so different towards the adults and kids like us? Like the time when our class teacher said I had to sit with you? You hate me, don't you?"

He still didn't respond, so she finally reached for his shirt and tugged. Why was he doing this? Isn't he, a four year old, sad? She had cried and cried and cried when she was his age. He stopped, but didn't look back as she inquired further, "Why do you act like this when you know it makes you disliked so much? When you know that just by forcing a smile and being all polite would stop the... the loneliness?" Naruto bit her lip to stop herself from going too deep into the many emotions inside her. She took a shuddering breath, before finally saying, "I don't get it at all."

"I never asked you to. Stop sticking your nose in other people's business and mind your own. It's bad enough my dad has to train you too when he's busy with missions." He pulled himself away from her shaking hand effortlessly, "I don't get you. If you don't like my the way I am, just stop acting so familiar with me. Besides, what would you understand about me?"

"What―"

"And, I don't get what you're going on and on about. Lonely? I'm not alone. There's people around me, isn't there? Besides, having my father with me is enough."

Naruto sighed, restraining from pulling at her ponytails in frustration. Not only at him, but also at herself; why did she get so emotional? And...

"Of course he's too young to realize 'lonely' and 'alone' are two different things."

...With him this mad, I can't get him to help me, can I? Naruto pouted, knowing full well that the bell was signalling the start of lunch break. Well, it won't be that hard...

Going outside, she made a beeline for the stone bench she and Sakura had sat on after the team selections with a smile. Sitting down, the blonde quickly stacked her review sheets next to her and unpacked her lunchbox. Woah, so many side dishes! She chomped on a octopus-shaped sausage blissfully.

Savoring the taste, she read the pile of paper thoroughly. She had to understand everything and ace the test. That will give her parents something to be proud of, right? Especially since she had just entered the academy. Wait...

So is that how Kakashi felt as well? That he had to act like the perfect child in front of the adults to give his father something to be proud of other than his grades?

She chewed thoughtfully on her omellete, before his words struck her mind.

"Besides, having my father with me is enough."

What about his mother? This time, she did pull at her ponytails; why didn't she notice and ask? Though, if she did, he'd probably clam up―the way he said it sounded as if he didn't realize he was telling her at all.

"Argh, such a complicated four year old brat."

"Who is? And aren't you a four year old too?" Genma's voice caused her to snap her head towards him in alarm.

"Um―Slip of tongue. I'm sure you know who I'm talking about."

"Hatake Kakashi?"

"Who else?" Naruto sighed, before looking up at him hesitantly. "Hey... you wouldn't happen to know what happened to Kakashi's mom, would you?"

"Hmom? My parents talked about her once but I think she died a year ago."

"Oh..." She had expected that, but―"How?"

"I don't know―something to do with an illness. It seemed to have stretched on for a long time."

"I see..."

Genma raised a brow, "Why the sudden interest?"

"Eh, well―" Naruto 'accidentally' looked down at her notes, before panicking, hands slapped to her mouth, "Oh no, I forgot to study!"

He sighed at her obvious puppy eyes. "I got it, I'll help you."

She grinned triumphantly, before all but shoving a quarter of the stack to his chest. "These are the ones I don't understand, Sempai!"
"You do realize that I'm only two years older, and in the same class as you, right?"

"Yup, Sempai!"

"... Just call me Genma."
"Hai, Genma-sempai!"

"... Isn't that too long? Sempai's fine."

"Hai, Sempai!"

"... You're making me sound old."

A smile broke her determined face as she stared down at her paper in pure satisfaction. Naruto read every answer she had written word for word, checking for any flaws, and found none. Standing up, she heard clothes ruffling next to her and saw Kakashi stand up at the same time. I thought I would be first! Had he stayed sitting, she would have been the first to finish the test out of the whole class.

He glared.

She glared back.

A challenge sparked between them, and they were zipping down to the teacher's desk before they knew it.

Naruto tried to shove him off as he did the same, grinding their shoulders together as a result, test papers crumpled and clutched in their fists. They were close to the goal, and charged even faster, not paying any heed to the teacher's very amused face.

Slamming their papers down onto the desk, Naruto noticed that Kakashi's paper had slipped under hers.

Defeated, she all but dragged her feet up to get back to her desk. Slumping back in her chair, she glared harshly at him as he had his hands in his pockets and sat down. Sighing, she drew a scarecrow on her desk―not caring if it would get her in trouble―and below it drew fire. She filled the scarecrow black from bottom to top, and erased the fire gleefully.

I should get a voodoo doll―I never knew I had such a sadistic side!

Bored, she glanced up at the clock. Five more minutes... Ugh. She had been glad to get the seat next to the window originally, but now it felt like a curse. The only person she can talk to is Kakashi, and he wishes to have nothing to do with her. The person in front of her was too far, and the teacher will notice. She peeked at Kakashi's direction, and noticed that he was boredly watching the clock. Well, it's worth a shot...

But what should she talk about?

She didn't know why she even bothered to think on it. Of course it's training. An idea popped up in her head, and she grinned."Hey, Kakashi?" He ignored her, but she already expected him to. "You know, we've only run around and tried jumping a few times on water, right? How about a spar?" That caught his attention.

He turned his head, brows furrowed in confusion. "What?"

"I said, we've only―"

"I heard that! I meant," He took a deep breath as an attempt to suppress his irritation. "That's way too hard for someone like you."

"Oh? Heh, I'll train and master it!"

A brow twitched in annoyance, and Kakashi sighed, "You won't have time―we'll be training after school every day."

"Who said I'm going to train during the day?" Naruto smirked mischievously. "Don't you dare tell Hatake-sensei, Scarecrow."

"You'll die if you're training out on your own at midnight, Kamaboko."

Her brows jerking uncontrollably, before she quelled down her irritation at the nickname. Instead, she smiled goofily as she rested her head on her palm―at least the prick wasn't heartless. "If you're so worried, wanna join me? I can't really spar on my own, ya know."

"Are you joking? Who would want to go with you?"

"Ah, I see, you don't want to show me your uncool side, eh?"

"No!"

"Then... you're scared?"

"Wha―" Kakashi grit his teeth, practically seething. "Of course I'm not. Fine, I'll go."

"Great!" Naruto grinned, before blinking at the bell. "Oh, I'll tell you about it after training, 'kay? Don't even think about telling Sensei!"

"Well, Kakashi, Naruto,I have a meeting with the Hokage, so I'll have to leave now." Sakumo looked concerned as he eyed the bruised and clearly exhausted children lying flat on their backs. "Are you sure you still want to train?"

"Hai, Sensei!" They said, almost out of breath.

He watched them suspicously for a second, but he really had to go. "Alright then, but make sure you go home when your at your limit, you hear?"

"Hai!"

Naruto sighed when he finally popped away with a puff of smoke and sat up, taking a gulp of air. "I thought he'd never leave!" Turning her head to Kakashi, she grinned lazily. "Well... how about we go on Friday since the next day will be a weekend? Training starts at the afternoon on Saturday doesn't it?"

He nodded, "Time?"

"Eleven o'clock. Don't oversleep."

"I won't." Kakashi stood up and patted off the soil and dust from his pants. "Is that all?"

"Yeah." Naruto sighed. Maybe training at such an hour would be too much for a four year old... "Are you sure you'll be fine?"

"Yes." He ground out, before leaving.

The Namikaze raised a brow. "Is he still mad about earlier?" She fell back, groaning. "Me and my big mouth."

"Oh, Naruto! Welcome back." Kushina was about to hug the girl, before noticing how much dirt was smudged over her face, limbs, and clothes. "My goodness, what did you do for training?"

"We were practicing taijutsu, but Kakashi was sorta venting his anger on me." Naruto grinned and scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "Though, I guess I was to blame for his bad day."

"But to rough you up this much? Anyways, hurry and take a shower―dinner's going to be finished soon, and your father and I have been waiting all day to hear how your first day at school was!"

After taking a heavenly shower, Naruto threw herself to the sofa and landed on Minato's lap, doing wonders to her aching feet. The man laughed as he petted her damp hair. "What are you, a cat?" He asked teasingly, tickling her sides.

"S-Stop―Dad! Gah!" Giggling, she rolled over and fell flat on her face. "Ow! That hurt!" She clutched her nose in pain. Minato barked in laughter, before pulling the girl back up on his lap and cradling her apologetically.

"Sorry, Naruto!" He chuckled, "How about we get some ice-cream after dinner?"

"Yup!"

"See, you're fine!"

Kushina's cheerful voice called them in for dinner. It was steak tonight.

"Well, if it isn't Kushina!"

Naruto blinked, her hand held in her mother's as she looked back. What a pretty lady... She frowned, but she looks so much like―

"Mikoto! How's it going?" The Uzumaki woman grinned and readjusted her grip on her shopping basket. "It's been quite a while since we were both on missions and all. Any changes between you and Fugaku-san?" Her brows wriggled suggestively.

The black haired lady laughed softly, "A little, but more importantly, I see you and Minato-san have gotten quite a lovely daughter!" She crouched, now eye level with Naruto. "Hello, I'm Uchiha Mikoto. You are...?"

The girl blinked. Uchiha? "Um―I'm Namikaze Naruto!" She grinned, hiding the numerous questions popping in her head. She can't be... can she? "Nice to meet you, Mikoto-neesan!"

"So sweet!" Mikoto smiled, before noticing her watch. "Oh dear, it's already so late! I'm sorry, but I have to go. Let's catch up soon, Kushina, and come visit some time with Naruto-chan!"

The mother and daughter waved back cheerfully, before Kushina noticed Naruto's inquiring stare. "Hm?"

She can't be Sasuke's mom. That nice person can't be. This'll prove it―"Who's 'Fugaku-san'?"

"Oh, he's―" Kushina nonchalantly dropped a bag of chips into the basket, "―the head of the Uchiha clan."

Wait, what?

"And Mikoto's his soon-to-be wife. Although it was arranged, they seem quite happy―Naruto? Are you okay? You're looking rather pale!"

Sorry for the late update (TT TT) my computer broke, so the chapter was deleted along with my notes for this story. I had to rewrite everything.

Thanks for the reviews, alerts, and faves! And I never would have expected that someone (I heard that replying to reviews individually or something is against the rules) would find this fic through one of my reviews. It's kinda embarrassing, but I'm glad they tried this out! Thank you!