A/N: Well here is chapter three. I am trying to do a once a week kind of thing. I have a couple chapters done already so if you're really enjoying let me know and I'll try to slip another chapter during the week. Well this chapter is slowly progressing the story. I kept the simple outline of the show about the whole Genin Exams and stuff. This in no way follows Canon. So I am only using some parts for reference. Itachi I am pretty sure is ooc. But you'll see the reason as to why the guys act the way they do later. After the bell test it turns which I tweaked it more to my liking. Bell test is next chapter.

Well Enjoy! =]

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO, KISHIMOTO DOES- *SIGHS*

Chapter three: Is this a joke?

Naruko

Kyuubi had to blow this all out of proportion. He was over protective. Obsessive and clearly had clouded judgment.

I figured he was already starting. His alias as the nine-tailed demon gave him away. I believed Kyuubi was stronger than father. He wouldn't keep something as simple as a nickname away from me. In a way I felt hurt. I was sure he would leave.

Kyuubi felt he needed to be in charge of everything. He felt he took my father's place due to his absence. He believed he was my father. He wasn't and what Kyuubi did was wrong. I wondered why he hated Itachi so much. He never mentioned it to me. Never told me why his hate was so great for Itachi.

It wasn't something new though. It started about a year ago when Itachi took me to Grandma's and Kyuubi happened to be there. I didn't know if they knew each other from somewhere. It was logical they were the same age. Possibly went to academy together. Though I knew Itachi was a genius and graduated the academy early on. I still wondered about Kyuubi.

He just bared his teeth at me and told me to stay away from the Uchiha. That was one thing I couldn't do though. I couldn't stay away from Itachi. He was my best friend. He is the only person who knows me besides my family and they don't understand me. Itachi he does.

"Naru? Can I speak with you?" Kyuubi said as he walked in my room. I was mad at him and he knew this. I tried to pretend I was sleeping. He knew me better. "Don't ignore me." He said a little stronger, but didn't want to wake anyone.

I turned so I was looking at the ceiling. He lay next to me and started looking too.

"I am sorry, but you know I do it for your good." He said.

"Ubi, it's not that easy. He's my best friend. He is my only friend besides you." I answered as I clutched my pillow.

Kyuubi was rough on the exterior but had a soft heart for me. I was according to him the only person who understood him.

Kyuubi sighed before he answered. "You'll just get hurt." He managed to say and I turned to look at him. I was confused. Why would I get hurt?

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

He mused. "Naru, are you really that shallow? Or do you have a compassionate heart?" he said with a smile.

"I don't follow."

"He likes you Naru." Kyuubi said calmly. "I don't want you to get hurt because of the age difference. It's almost five years." Kyuubi said. I sighed. Itachi did start acting weird when I started changing. Everything was fine when I was a flat breasted stick.

Now in the last year breast came, hips, the roundness in my face is starting to change. It's the change of childhood into adolescence. I looked older for my age.

"I know." I admitted. "He has been weird. I tried ignoring the signs. I have a feeling I might feel something if I continue to let him influence me." I sighed.

I was afraid of falling for Itachi Uchiha most wanted teenager in Konoha.

"Your dense you know that." Kyuubi retorted.

"Says the guy who hates anything with a pulse," I said with a smile.

"I don't hate you. I hate everyone else, but I don't hate you." He answered honestly.

"Nice to hear," I said with a smile. "You know I really missed you. You were away too long. I thought you were really going to leave." I said as I felt my chest constrict.

"I was going too." Kyuubi answered. "Jiraiya forced me to come back. Your father has me on a bracelet so I can't leave the village." He said with anger on his tone.

"He's your father too."

"He isn't the same with Naruto and me." Kyuubi countered.

"You don't understand him." I said.

"You always defend him." Kyuubi's voice rose.

"He has a good reason."

"Name one, he abandoned you too. You're just too selfless to realize it." Kyuubi said as he walked out my room.

That was the end of our conversation. It started good and now he was mad at me again. I knew father had a good reason. I just couldn't think one up for him. Maybe Kyuubi was right.

Morning came and my eyes burned. I didn't get much sleep. Today was school and we would be classified in teams. This would be interesting.

I went to the bathroom. I looked a mess. The sleep deprivation was evident on my face. It was times like this I wished I was more like Naruto. No matter what he went through he would still get a night's good sleep. It was easy to be carefree. I didn't have that privilege.

I got myself ready and went to the kitchen, Mom cooking as usual before she left for work. Kyuubi as usual sitting on the couch eating, Naruto not even awake yet. I sighed. This was my family.

"Are you going to eat baby?" mama asked and I shook my head no as I grabbed the carton of orange juice. "Juice for breakfast again?" she asked and I nodded. "Kyuubi, can you wake up Naruto?" Mom asked.

He took one more bite of what he was eating and went to wake up sleeping beauty.

All I heard was screaming. Mostly from Naruto and a sinister laugh from Kyuubi, some things never change.

Kyuubi came down with a triumphant smile, Naruto with tears. I felt bad for Naruto. He being the youngest got picked on the most.

As always we were late because of Naruto's need to eat a lavish breakfast.

When we arrived all the seats were taken. Naruto sat next to the Haruno girl, I knew he liked her. The only open seat was next to broody. I was in shock since I was sure one of his fan girls would have sat next to him.

I sat down and he didn't turn to look at me. Not that I didn't mind. Minimal interaction was best. After what happened yesterday I wasn't sure I was ready to talk. Not that I would talk to him any way I'll just kick his ass for thinking he could defeat me. All that smack he talked.

Iruka-sensei walked in. He was late which was unusual for him. He was never late. He had a smile on as he held some papers on his hand.

"Okay guys I will first off like to congratulate you on becoming Genin." He said with a smile. "Now is where you will become paired off in groups of three." He started. He took the first sheet and started from group one. When he reached group seven is where I paid attention.

"Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno." The girls held their breath in hopes to get paired with Sasuke the supposed heart-throb. The pink haired girl squealed. "Ah Naruko Uzumaki," I blinked.

"Excuse me?" I asked. The girls were jealous. I didn't want to be on a team with either of these. "There has to be a mistake." I said.

"No this team was actually picked out especially by the Hokage." Iruka-sensei said.

I was fuming. I grabbed my bag and got out of my seat.

"Where are you going?" Iruka questioned.

"To give the Hokage a piece of my mind." I said through clenched teeth, everyone gasped. No one dared question the Hokage for his judgment. No one had the Hokage as a father.

I went to the Hokage tower not bothering to knock on my father's door or anything. No one could restrict my entrance. It was permitted by order of the Hokage, plus I rarely came. So I guess father did it as a way of communication.

I opened the door and father was doing paper work.

"I need to talk to you." I said as I balled my fist.

"Can it wait, I am busy." He said as he continued to look at the papers.

"No it can't. You're always busy!" I said raising my voice an octave.

"Fine," He said as he stopped. "I'll answer your request so you won't say I ignore you." He said as he looked up at me.

I closed the door as I my anger was raising. He noticed and tried to play the concerned card. I wasn't sure if it was genuine or just a mask.

"Why?" I asked him. He looked at me puzzled.

"Why what?" he asked.

"Why did you put me in the group with the kids of higher rank? It's like you're setting me up." I said trying to control my anger. "Are you trying to use us as a secret weapon once we reach where you want us?"

"No why would you think that?" he asked concerned. "I thought you would like being on a team where people would understand you, that have talent like you." He said.

"I don't need a boost! I like working for what I have! I don't need you giving it to me on a silver platter!" my voice raised once again.

"Calm down Naruko." He offered peace by raising his hands.

"Is it really for me? Or is it for you? Kyuubi was right." I said as I stormed out his office. I didn't let him finish talking.

~..~

I went back to the academy only to see the other teams had left. The room where my teammates were was still without our Jounin-Sensei.

"Why did you leave?" Sakura asked. I ignored her and took a seat. I wanted to know what my father was planning. "Did you really go talk to the Hokage?" She went on. I wasn't going to answer her.

"Shut up! You're annoying." I told her after she kept insisting. Broody agreed by adding a grunt.

A grey haired man walked in. He had a mask covering his mouth and the head band covering his left eye.

"I guess by looking at you guys I am going to hate you." He added.

"You're the one who is late." I said with my arms crossed. He looked at me and I am guessing he figured the resemblance. Not many could figure it out, but Kakashi Hatake was a pupil of my fathers. I knew this from the photo in dad's office.

"Well let's get going, to the roof." Kakashi-sensei said.

We went to the roof and we sat down. Sasuke, Sakura in the middle and I at the end. I wanted this to end. I was sure my dad planned this all, he was so self-centered. The village people saw him as a hero. He was no hero too me if he ignored his children. We were more screwed up than a happy family.

"I am Kakashi Hatake."He said.

"You what are your likes, dislikes, favorite thing, dreams, ambitions, Things around the sort so you can introduce yourself. " He pointed at Sakura.

"My name is Sakura Haruno."

"Let's see I like a certain boy." She blushed. I rolled my eyes typical fan girl. "I dislike weak boys." I rolled my eyes at the comment she made about my brother.

"Favorite thing, a certain someone." She blushed again. "Dreams to be with a certain someone, same goes for ambition." She blushed more. This girl was annoying the guy she was crushing on was a prude and weak. "That's pretty much it." She said with a small shrug.

"You." He pointed at Sasuke.

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha, They're a lot of things I hate, I don't like too many things, I don't have a dream, my ambition is to surpass a certain person and crush them." I couldn't help but look at him. I knew who he wanted to surpass, he wanted to surpass Itachi. He wasn't my problem though. I felt a squeeze in my heart, after the conversation last night with Kyuubi about Itachi. It was a tender topic.

"And you Blondie." Kakashi-sensei finally asked. I felt the vein on my forehead pop. I hated being called Blondie by someone not known. It related to dumb blonde, bimbo, Things of that sort.

"My name is Naruko Uzumaki." I started. It still felt weird not being able to use my real last name. "I am attracted to strength; I dislike a certain someone and being called fragile." I said as I thought of my father. I would prove him wrong about me being fragile. "My dream is to be the first lady Hokage, my ambition to prove a man wrong." I said as I clenched my fists. I was mad still about what my father wanted to do.

"Interesting, well training starts tomorrow." He said. "Survival test tomorrow. Don't eat breakfast you'll just throw it up." He added.

With that we were dismissed.

I was walking home but I knew someone was following me.

"Why are you following me?" I asked the spy.

"Eep!" a female voice said as she was caught. "How did you know?" she asked.

I didn't answer her. She stood there waiting and I continued to walk.

"I want you to answer some questions." She said.

"Sakura I don't care." I said as I went all speed to lose the annoying pink haired girl.

I lost her but I ran into someone.

"Watch where you're going dobe." A voice said full of darkness. I was guessing Sasuke was still sore from yesterday. Maybe not physically, but his ego had to be bruised.

I ignored him and just walked past like I didn't even bump into him. I heard him grunt and then felt his hand around my wrist.

"What is up with you and Itachi?" He asked and I couldn't help but put a smirk on my face. He was jealous.

"That's none of your business." I said as I tried to pull my hand out of his grip. I failed as he had a firm grip.

"If that's how it's going to be than after I defeat him. I'll come after you. It won't be easy like it was yesterday. I'll make it painless." He said with an unreadable expression.

This kid made me think. Who was he to threaten me?

"I don't take lightly to threats." I said as I managed to free my hand. "But it will be my pleasure to see if you can try." I said with a smirk. With that I left him to think on it.

I walked into my house to see no one home, Mom at work that's logical, Naruto getting Ramen that too logical. Kyuubi I wouldn't know, he is unpredictable and I couldn't read his paces. He might just have done it. He might've broke fathers bracelet and ran off.

I knew this was going to cause some trouble later on.

I didn't know it would change my life forever.

Sasuke

The whole house shook with the impact that I slammed the door. I was fuming. Who did she think she was?

Why was I stressing so much over this dumb blonde?

I never worried about girls. Ever. I always had my mind on one goal since my younger years. I would surpass Itachi.

Why did this girl come in my life and change things drastically in less than a day?

I wasn't so concerned with her when she showed up two weeks ago. It was until yesterday that my interest perked up to another degree. She was capable of making Itachi into a buffoon, without even trying she accomplished that.

She was strong. She made me eat my words easily. If she hadn't been pulled out of our spar I was sure I would've been putty under her foot. She was something, a force to be reckoned with. I acknowledged the fact.

I couldn't believe we were on the same team. I couldn't believe my team was with two girls, one annoying, and the other mysterious.

Naruko was mysterious. I knew close to nothing about her. She just showed up. She was like no other girl I knew. She wasn't automatically in love with me like most girls.

She had something going with Itachi. Maybe they were secret lovers and were plotting against me. I turned that idea down as just a conspiracy produced by my thoughts.

One thing I knew for sure was that Itachi acted weird around her. I knew he could easily be manipulated by her. Maybe that could work in my favor.

Another thing on my mind was the other teenager that showed up. The so called 'Nine-Tailed demon' was Naruko and Naruto's older sibling. To my idea Naruto didn't have any family. He was always alone. Now it turns out he has a twin sister and an older brother. This was odd.

I knew there was more to the story then was led on. They were a mystery all three. Itachi obviously had encountered the so called Kyuubi kid. The threat made by the kid was lethal. It rang of pure hate.

The blonde girl looked even more pissed during class when we were assigned groups. She went to talk to the Hokage; she was absolutely deranged to test the Hokage's decision. She had to have balls to object to the idea. I wondered why it would be such a horrible idea anyway. Not that I was happy with the outcome.

It was a little odd though. The top students were in a group. Well actually it made sense. It raised the chance of success amongst our ninja group. Though I wondered why that would be such a bad idea.

I had no idea on knowing what went on through the blonde's head. Not that I wanted to know. I couldn't understand why this would peak my curiosity.

There were so many questions, yet no answers.

"Sasuke?" a tender voice asked. The thoughts had left me so wrapped up I hadn't noticed my mother's presence.

"Huh?" I said as I snapped back into reality.

"Are you alright honey?" she asked concerned. I loved my mother. She was the only person to ever put me before Itachi. For that I was grateful and loved her for it.

"Yes fine." I answered quickly. "I'll be upstairs." I answered and darted off to my room.

..~~..~~..

Naruko

Today couldn't get any worse.

I couldn't get my father off my mind.

How is it possible for one person to not care? How can it only be about convenience?

It's so darn wrong. I covered my face with my arms. I couldn't stand it. I didn't want to know. How can someone be so selfish?

"AHH!" I screamed knowing very well no one would hear me.

I needed to see the only person who would make it disappear.

Itachi…

I soon found myself where we agreed to meet, by the lake.

I had gave Itachi a ring on the cell and he answered. He normally didn't use his cell phone. So I was sure it was going to be fruitless. To my surprise he answered and told me without a doubt he would meet up with me.

I sat under a tree with my knees to my chest and my arms wrapped around them. I only did this when I was desperately stressed. I hated to show emotion. Being a ninja emotion had to be eliminated. It was only moments like these that I had to do so. I never cried.

I didn't know why? I just couldn't cry. It was so hard for me to do so. I tried so hard thinking it would make my chest free, but they never came. I thought I was heartless, not being able to cry.

I knew I was different. I didn't know why or how?

I just was.

A few minutes waiting and Itachi showed up. He saw me and sat next to me wrapping his arms around me and pulling me to his chest.

"So what happened?" he asked concerned.

"So much… it's perplexing." I answered in a low voice. He nodded. I couldn't look at his face.

"Does it have to do with your brother?" he asked.

"That is just one of the things. I saw my dad today." I said as I brought my knees closer.

"Really? " He asked as he ran his fingers through my hair. It was soothing. "What exactly went on?" He continued to run his fingers through my hair.

"I think he wants to set me up." I answered truthfully. "I know he wants an Elite team. He put me on the team with the high ends, with both rookies of the year, your brother and the Haruno girl. I know he wants to train us so he can probably use us in a future." I said as I closed my eyes and pieced it together.

"Are you sure that's what it is?" Itachi asked and I pulled back and looked at his face.

"I am. He's never cared."

"You shouldn't say that without being sure. I am pretty sure he is looking to make you happy." Itachi countered. He was trying to reason with me. I wanted to believe his words, but closely Kyuubi's words came too.

"Name one, he abandoned you too. You're just too selfless to realize it."Kyuubi's words resounded in my head like a mantra.

"I can't listen. He abandoned his children; he pushed us to the side Itachi. Being Hokage means more than his children." I huffed as I felt my anger swelling.

"Naru calm down." He said as he raised his hands to lower my fists.

My chest was rising. My blood was boiling. I hated my father.

"No! I have always been treated like some porcelain doll. He started training me since I was four. He must want something from me. I might have been conceived only to be his pet. I refuse to be. He doesn't show interest in my other two brothers as he does me." I fumed.

"Naruko! Would you listen to yourself?" Itachi stood up now and held my shoulders. "He obviously protects you more because you're his only daughter. Did you ever start to think of that possibility before jumping the gun?" my eyes widened at the revelation. He has always used that excuse. That he is protecting us. Protecting us from what?

I slapped his arms of me. He looked at me with shocked eyes.

"You only defend him." I said lower. "He only uses you as a pawn too. Just think about that." I saw as Itachi swallowed. He knew he was my father's pawn.

"Naruko I know you're wrong. Your father is a good man. If he wasn't he wouldn't be the Hokage." was Itachi's answer.

"I might have been wrong about you." I added. He looked crushed.

"Naruko, you're still young to understand. Don't jump to conclusions. I will do anything for you. You know that." Itachi said as he gripped my chin. He forced me to look into his eyes. I wanted to look away so badly. But I felt glued in place. His eyes held so much admiration, tenderness, loyalty. I couldn't stand it.

"Don't do this…" I whispered. I felt my face burn. "Don't do it." I whispered again.

"Don't do what?" he asked.

"We'll only end up getting hurt." I said as I took his hand off my chin gently.

"Oh… I see… you know." He said. I nodded my head. "Then you know what I feel for you is sincere Naruko." He said in a low voice. "You know I never want to hurt you." He said a little louder.

"We'll just hurt each other." I let him know again. I knew if pursued, it would only lead to heart break on either end. I didn't want to risk that. I refused to risk that if possible.

"I am sorry Itachi." I said with a sincere look. "I don't want to lose you." I said as I started to walk away.

Kyuubi was right.

I guess I really can't trust anyone.

It was getting dark and I left Itachi standing there. I didn't want to lose him. I couldn't risk him or I getting hurt.

I could only walk away. That's all I could do.

Walk away…

Hides from pointy shiny projectiles. Okay to make things clear this is a Naruko/Sasuke fic. Okay in no way was I meant to bash Itachi or anything. I love Itachi personally and I do need him in the story as a key Character. Hello Sasuke is trying to surpass him so he would be great, reminds me of someone who was trying to surpass a certain Alien. Well hope this was okay, Seems filler-ish. Well development will start soon this I promise. =]

Love it or hate it?