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Chapter 2

It turned out that Natsuki had 'landed' about five years after the Kyuubi attack, so almost all of the characters she knew and loved were only five or six. It was a little disheartening to know that all her friends were so little compared to her. But it did give her the opportunity to help them from an earlier age... if she decided to help them. Both the Sandaime and Natsuki couldn't really reach a decision on whether she should intervene at any time, tentatively concluding that they would decide given the situation at the time. He noted everything in a scroll which he secured for the next Hokage, Tsunade, so she knew what to do with Natsuki when her time came.

Of course, so as not to raise too much suspicion on Natsuki's part, for the first two weeks she had an ANBU chaperone, and to her annoyance; it was the 'wolf' ANBU, Hideki, the one who had manhandled her. He never apologised or even said a word, but Natsuki swore she could feel a glare come from him. She couldn't blame him though; he, an ANBU ninja was forced to watch a civilian.

She was watched at all times, when she was at 'home' (the small apartment that the Hokage had been kind enough to give her), at work (Natsuki worked at a book shop as an accountant, she was good with calculations), even when she went shopping. She dared not go exploring for her young friends, besides, what would she do? They were five years old. Natsuki thought she glimpsed a young Iruka once though, which made her a little happier. Who knew she would feel as lonely here in her dream world, as she had been in her past life.

Speaking of which, three questions had been constantly circling her mind since her arrival; How had she gotten there? Who had brought her here? And most importantly, why was she here?

None could apparently be answered very easily, although the Hokage had said he would look into the answer behind the first and second question at least.

It was her second to last day with Hideki and she couldn't have felt more relieved. Walking home after a late shopping trip with Hideki by her side she passed an alley only to hear a whimper. Snapping her head to the sound, she heard it again, a pain filled sound. Was someone hurt? Moving to investigate, she was stopped by a hand on her arm. Hideki was shaking his head at her, but Natsuki just scowled, ripped her arm from his hand, and made her way determined but cautiously to the alley. To her shock she saw a sight she would never forget.

Naruto.

But Naruto after what looked like a fairly brutal attack by the villagers. He was covered in cuts, scratches and bruises, and although none looked too serious, Natsuki couldn't help feel rage to those who had done this to Naruto, this little five year old. He looked so small to her, smaller than she knew five year olds should be, and her heart broke a little as she watched Naruto attempt to clean his wounds. As she approached him, his cerulean eyes looked at her, widening in fright, as he shuffled back a little and covered his face. Natsuki felt the need to tear apart the people who had done this to Naruto.

Walking slower to him, a reassuring smile on her face, she sat next to him, but far enough so he wouldn't feel threatened and cornered by her. After a little while, when he realised Natsuki wasn't attacking him, Naruto peeked carefully over his hands to see Natsuki patiently sat beside him.

Natsuki decided to start off with some introductions, "Hello, I'm Natsuki. Who are you?" she asked, although perfectly aware of who she was sat next to.

He didn't reply straight away, probably afraid she would hit him when she heard who he was. Smiling more when Natsuki saw a little courage burn in his eyes, she listened to his determined voice as he spoke, "My name is Uzumaki Naruto, dattebayo!" he said, as if daring Natsuki to say something back.

Pleased that the cruel villagers had not broken him, Natsuki reached into her shopping bag and retrieved the pack of tissues and bottle of water she had just bought. "Come here Naruto, let me have a look at you."

Nervously, he shuffled closer and held an arm to her. Gently holding his arm, Natsuki carefully washed most of the blood and dirt off his small arm, growing more and more furious at his attackers. Naruto was relaxing slowly, under both Natsuki's gentle touch and the understanding that she wasn't going to hurt him, eventually letting her clean his other arm, both his legs and his face.

"Naruto," Natsuki said when she had finished cleaning him up, "Do you want to come with me to my house? I have a first aid kit there, so I can help you a little more. I can whip you up something to eat too, if you don't mind my cooking, it's not the best in the world. You can even spend the night, it's getting a little late now. What do you say?" Natsuki knew she was rambling now, but she was growing nervous under Naruto's wide eyed stare.

"Really?" he said, surprise evident in his voice.

"Sure, do you need to go home or something?"

"NO!" he said suddenly, his small hand gripping Natsuki's suddenly, "B-But I have to go to the Ninja Academy tomorrow morning."

"Okay," she said, "I'll wash your clothes so you can wear them tomorrow if you don't mind, and I'll walk you there."

He just stared a little more at Natsuki in wonder, before the most adorable smile broke out on his face. Natsuki couldn't help smile back, as she stood and scooped Naruto into her arms to his surprise. Balancing him on one hip while she carried her bags in another, she smiled when she felt Naruto rest his head on her shoulder as she made her way home, all the way planning how to kill every single person that had hurt this precious person in her arms.

That night Natsuki managed to make some rice with meat and vegetables for Naruto and herself, not the most appetising, but filling nonetheless, and something she knew she was capable of making. Naruto had to her amusement made faces while eating the vegetables, but did so anyway at her request, smiling more brightly when she produced some sweet dangos for a treat. After he had then had his instructed bath and dressed in one of Natsuki's t-shirts and shorts (they were still too big, but they covered him) he sat patiently on the bed while Natsuki treated every wound of his, however small.

By the time she had returned from putting the first aid kit back in the bathroom and Naruto's clothes to wash, Naruto had fallen asleep on the bed. Smiling at the little boy, she pulled the blanket over him and gave a small kiss on his blonde head, before pulling up a chair to the bed. She wouldn't be comfy in the morning, but she'd be damned if she let Naruto wake up alone in a strange place. Resting her head on the bed, she closed her eyes, waiting for sleep to wash over her.

A shaking on her shoulder brought Natsuki out of her peaceful slumber. Opening her eyes, she saw to her surprise that it was Hideki. What was he waking her up for? Unless!-

Whirling her head to look at Naruto, she breathed a little easier when she saw he was still sound asleep. "You should wake him up if you want to get him to the Academy on time." Was all Hideki said, before vanishing in a puff of smoke.

Looking at the alarm on my bedside table, Natsuki groaned at the 5:30 am that was blinking at her. The sun was barely peeking out into the sky, but she stood from the chair and stretched, popping her joints in her slightly off-putting habit. Gently shaking Naruto awake, she instructed him to go get ready in the bathroom, handing him a spare toothbrush of hers and a facecloth. Once she had seen the drowsy Naruto to the bathroom, Natsuki set out his now clean-from-blood clothes on the bed, and set about making a packed lunch and breakfast for them both. She thought some eggs on toast would do.

When the toast was ready and the eggs nearly done, Naruto came stumbling to the kitchen, Natsuki guessed that he followed his nose. After putting the packed lunches in her bag and one more flip of the eggs, she slid the eggs onto two slices of toast and plonked it in front of a seat with a glass of milk. Doing the same on two more plates, she sat to eat when she noticed Naruto wasn't sat with her.

"Seat Naruto, eat up before the eggs get cold." She said patting the seat next to her. A grin flashed upon Naruto's face as he hoisted himself onto the seat and devoured his plate. Looking to the third plate at the table Natsuki called out, "Hideki! Come eat something, I know you haven't eaten yet."

Two puffs of smoke later and an empty plate and glass lay beside Natsuki and Naruto. "You're welcome I guess."

Piling the dishes into the sink, Natsuki told Naruto to wait ten minutes while she got ready. She only had to brush her teeth, wash her face and put on some day clothes, as she wasn't the type to put make-up on. It felt too strange on her face for her to bear it. A quick brush of her hair and she was scooping Naruto into one arm as she grabbed her bag in the other and made her way out of the apartment, laughing slightly from the look of surprise on Naruto's face.

"Ok Naruto," Natsuki said, "You tell me which way to go."

So Naruto sat on her hip, pointing the way while Natsuki memorized the route in her head. He pointed out everything along the way, getting excited at having someone to talk to. Natsuki listened to every word, and soon found that they were at the Academy sooner than expected. Naruto looked a little sad and worried when he saw all the other children being dropped off by their parents also, pushing a little away from Natsuki.

"You should go now, before they see you." He said, "I don't want Natsuki-chan to get hurt."

"Why would I get hurt?"

"'Cos you're here with me."

Frowning a little, Natsuki strode more forcefully to the Academy, Naruto quietly protesting in her arms as they began to attract attention from those around them. Placing Naruto gently on the ground, she pulled out the lunch she packed for him.

"It's only a sandwich, it's all I could make, I hope it's okay for you." Natsuki said, holding it out to Naruto. Naruto took it from her, smiling, seeming to have forgotten his previous fears from before. Natsuki then gave him a card, "This is my address and the place where I work. If you ever want to see me just follow the instructions on this."

"Arigatou gozaimasu Natsuki-chan!"

"Not at all Naruto, do you want to join me for some ramen after school?"

"HAI!"

Smiling at him, Natsuki planted a small kiss on his forehead, ignoring the not so subtle gasps from behind her; before she stood up, "Work hard in school, okay? Become the best ninja ever!"

"YEAH! I'll see you after school?"

"Of course, seeya later Naruto."

Natsuki watched Naruto hurry off indoors, frowning a little at the wide berth the other students left around him. Again she saw a young Iruka, ushering the students inside quicker under supervision of an older teacher. Smiling at the sight, she turned around when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Do you know who that thing was?" the woman said, looking at her.

Scowling at this woman, and the small crowd behind her oh-so-subtly eavesdropping for the answer also, "I know who Naruto is, yes, why? Shall I introduce you to him?" Natsuki said with an angry smirk.

"No." The woman sniffed, before turning and going on her way. Glaring at the crowd as it dispersed, Natsuki turned back only to come face to face with the Hokage.

"Natsuki-san, let's go talk in my office for a while."

Puzzled, Natsuki nodded her head and followed the Hokage, wondering what he wanted to talk about.