A/N: Like this story? Have an idea for Shinobu's future genin team? Vote on my profile for who you want Shinobu to replace on a team! Or vote for her own OC team! (lol commercial shpeel over) but seriously, if you want a say in what's going to happen. VOTE.


I would prefer Shino for obvious reasons. It doesn't mess with the plot too much, it gives her the chance to talk to Hinata (for future reasons) she's with a friend and she'll make it to the chunin exams final matches (maybe O.o) Someone voted for Sakura and I'd like to say I need her to be strong. The option is there and I can work around it but I'd prefer them to be a four team instead of a replacement just because that would totally mess up the plot line. Then again she'd have plenty of moments with her brother and her new friend.


Anyway, the decision in the end is up to you! I may end up making a really long A/N giving readers an idea of which replacement would take the story where. If you want this A/N either review and ask for it, or pm me if you'd rather it sent specifically to you instead of interupting the story. ANYWAY! ON WITH THE STORY!


Naruto POV

The ramen loving, whiskered boy made his way through the streets. He had been close friends with Shinobu ever since they trained together on her first day. The same day he realized that she was more similar to him than he thought. He promise to meet Shinobu at the ramen stall at noon since it was a weekend. They had no lessons.

"Hey, Naruto!" The Sasuke replica waved from outside the stall, wearing a very un-Sasuke-like smile.

"Hey, Shinobu! Sorry I'm late, I was just doing some cleaning!" He explained, grinning to himself more than her. He had started cleaning out his spare room in the house the Hokage had given him. He didn't want her out on the streets so when he found out about her living conditions he immediately started making his house girl friendly.. or even human friendly. He hadn't exactly cleaned in a while. Naruto grinned, he was planning on giving her the spare key and inviting her to stay today.

"Uh.. Naruto..? You there?" She asked, giggling as she waved her hand infront of his face.

"Hm? Ya sorry, c'mon." He grinned, pulling her into Ichiraku's before ordering two miso ramens.

"It's nice to see my two favourite customers are friends." Tseuchi chuckled.

"Uh.. why is that nice?" Shinobu asked, taking a small bite of her ramen while Naruto shoveled it into his mouth. He needed at least one good bowl before asking her. He was kind of afraid that she'd say no and he'd have no family again.. not that she'd been over yet but he had hoped. Not that he'd tell anyone he was scared.

"Because it means I get double the business!" He grinned while Shinobu rolled her eyes.

"Ok. Well business aside I need a favor.. or a brain. Either one will do." Shinobu giggled.

"What is it?" Ayame asked, just making her way out and catching the end of the conversation.

"Well.. other than you guys no one is letting me into their shops anymore. I need another outfit for training. I burnt my last one and one of the others is covered in holes." She explained sheepishly.

"Why wouldn't they let you in the story? That's not fair!" Naruto exclaimed, finishing his second bowl.

"Something along the lines of filth and demon's shouldn't be friends. I don't care what they say but I do need new equipment." She muttered.

"Why don't you use that genjutsu that Iruka sensei taught you? The one that makes you look more like Sasuke." Naruto asked, for once offering a great idea.

"Thanks! That's genius! I can't believe I never thought of that before actually ... heh." She grinned, a little embarrassed.

"No problem." He smiled before taking a big breath. "Uh.. Shinobu.. Can I ask you something?" He asked.

"Ya, sure. What?" Shinobu looked at him, curiousity gleaming in her beautiful onyx eyes.

"Well.. uhm.. I saw your.. uhm.. house. I was wondering if you wanted to come live with me!" He stammered, saying it a mile a minute to get it out.

"Seriously..?" She asked, trying not to show excitement incase he was joking or something.

"Am I going to be the hokage?" He asked with a small grin.

"Yes..?" She answered.

"Then there you go.. So.. is that your answer?" He asked, digging his shoe into the ground. She just bounced from her stool and hugged him.

"Thank you!" She grinned. They didn't notice their small audience of two but if they did they would have felt like puppies. Ayame and Tseuchi looked like they had just seen the cutest thing in the world. But, they didn't, instead they left money on the counter and made their way towards her ally. Shinobu wanted to get her stuff and show Naruto her home. When they got there she slowed down and explained the box that was sitting just outside the front door. She told him how she lived there when she was younger.

She crawled into the house and smiled waving an arm over their surroundings once Naruto entered. How could anyone live like this.. all along in the middle of a dark ally with a couple of boards as a roof? He looked around with a sad smile, seeing her few belongings and her make shift bed. He was glad he made the decision to let her stay. She was gonna be his family now.. right?

Shinobu was walking around, picking up her clothes, her training weapons and her running shoes before looking at her old bed sheets that were too small for her now.

"Am I going to need these still..?" She whispered. He didn't know why but tears were forming in her eyes.. as if she was sad to leave.

"I have spare blankets.. but.. are you ok?" He asked, concerned.

"Ya.. just happy.. it's bittersweet.. I feel like this is my home.. I've been here for such a long time.. It's strange to leave and know I won't be coming back." She smiled.

"Well put it this way! It'll make one awesome hiding spot if we ever play the ninja hide and go seek in class!" He grinned.

"Ya.." She smiled, looking around for a minute before looking at him. "Come on.. let's go home."


Shinobu POV: About a week later

Shinobu had been staying for about a week now, her room had posters of taijutsu stances and she had random training materials and library books scattering her floor. She had originally kept it quite clean until she woke up Naruto for school the one day and saw how filthy his room was. Since then she just worried about the rest of the house. She wanted to earn her stay so she cleaned dishes and mopped floors and went grocery shopping. Shinobu still worked at the ramen shop so she still earned enough money to buy bulk cupped ramen, a food they quickly learned was a favourite for both of them.

At first when she entered the house she refused to eat unless she was buying it for herself because she felt intrusive enough. She was very happy to have a normal roof and refused to ask for any more. But Naruto soon convinced her it was her home too. That they were friends, a chosen family and that anything they got they could easily share. She had broken down crying at the time, but was very grateful to have someone she could call family who was considered family on both ends. Unlike Sasuke who was still clueless to his twin.

Shinobu was currently staring at her cieling, Naruto had offered to let her paint but she asked if she could just draw instead. She used to draw in the dirt to pass her time before, so now she drew on her walls and cieling. There were currently lists of hand seals on her cieling. She wasn't particularily good but you got the idea easy enough.

She sighed before getting up, Shinobu never wanted to get out of bed anymore, unlike her old bed, this one had a matress and was quite comfortable if you ignored the belts tied to the end of it. She had them there to keep her feet down when she did sit ups. Naruto had the same on his bed and she liked the idea.

She slowly made her way to the kitchen, wiping sleep out of her eyes. She wanted a shower before class but she knew the smell of ramen would wake Naruto up and she was hungry. She pulled out two cups and prepared them before sticking the first in the microwave. They had this little routine where she would put his to cook and then when he was done eating he would put hers in the microwave while she showered. Then she'd eat and wash the dishes while Naruto made sure they had everything for school. Sure the routine had flaws, like Naruto forgetting a lot of school related stuff, but it worked for the most part.

Once it was in cooking she made her way to the bathroom, smiling at her dark blue fluffy towel which Naruto gave her. He seemed to notice that she liked the colour blue. Her pillow, blankets, backpack, towel and floor rug were all dark shades of blue. His on the other hand consisted of bright orange, excluding his backpack which was standard green.

She enjoyed the feel of the warm water washing over her skin. It was refeshing and it woke her up. The first time she took a warm bath she squeaked and ran away to tell Naruto there was something wrong with it. She was so used to bathing in the lake she wasn't quite sure that warm water existed, but now that she was used to it, she loved it. It was also alot easier to bath with soap, the dirt came off easier and her skin quickly began taking it's natural pale tone instead of the light brown it had from dirt stains. She wasn't dirty, she just couldn't get the colour to go away; that and her hair was so much softer now. It shocked her. Who knew hair was supposed to be soft? She could barely stop playing with it now which looked odd in class because she was supposedly a boy.

So much had changed since she joined the academy that it floored her. She was now friends with Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba. They all hung out with her and Naruto. It was a little disfunctional considering Shika always slept, Choji was always eating and Kiba and Naruto were always fighting and argueing. She switched back and forth, she'd sleep and cloud gaze. She'd buy chips and share with Choji. She'd train with Naruto and Kiba and referee their battles so that it was fair. She loved it.

Since she joined the academy, she was happy. She had friends, she had family, she had a home, she had a teacher, she had warm food, she had soap, she had love, she felt safe. She would do anything to protect this.

Shinobu quickly shook out her hair as she turned the tap off and towel dried before getting into her standard blue tank top and black capris. She almost wondered why she wore them since it looked like shorts and a t-shirt to everyone else at school anyway; but when she thought about it they were comfortable, especially when she was training with the genjutsu off.

Quickly hanging her towel she made her way out to the living room to eat and do the dishes. She saw Naruto waiting by the door, half asleep on the couch. She made her way over to him before flicking his nose and giggling at his shocked reaction.

"C'mon. I don't want to be late." She grinned. He scowled for a brief second before grinning and uttering a challenge and racing out the door.

"Hey! No fair! You had a head start!" She yelled after him, picking up her bag and chasing after the blond boy. They both ignored the rude looks they got from everyone around them and just grinned, enjoying the happiness of the moment. They'd never be alone again. They had family.


Naruto POV

Naruto couldn't help the grin, this wasn't one of those stupid grins he had when he was acknowledged and chased down for a prank. This was a grin of pure happiness. The joy of running along side your family. The wind rushing through his hair, the stares he didn't care about for once, the girl now looking like a boy running beside him. He wasn't alone.

When they finally got there Naruto burst through the classroom door while Shinobu quickly composed herself and walked in completely emotionless, they were the last ones there.

"Why are you guys late?" Iruka asked, his eyebrow twitching in annoyance.

"I slept in!" Naruto exclaimed. "Not my fault!"

"We're not late.. the bell is going to ring in one s-" She was interupted by the bell, as if it were there to prove her point. Naruto looked up at her. Damn lucky timing. He mentally rolled his eyes before making his way to his seat.

"Alright! Now as I was saying before. The girls will be going with Kimiko-sensei to learn flower arrangements. The boys will remain here to learn about different fighting styles. We'll be covering the styles for a couple days so the girls won't miss much." Iruka explained while the girls giggled in excitement. Shinobu rolled her eyes. Haha, she's probably thanking the heavens she's not going to that. Naruto thought, grinning as he caught her eye roll.

"Alright, if you're female, come with me!" A woman with long purple hair done up in a bun smiled before disappearing through the door followed by all the girls except for Shinobu.

"And that's why I'm happy I'm a guy." Kiba snorted as the last girl left.

"Don't be rude! Girls are very helpful on missions as well as normal civilian jobs." Iruka protested only to get laughs and scoffs in return. Shinobu had turned deadly quiet in the corner and Naruto was almost tempted to tell everyone to shut up if it weren't for the fact that they'd start calling him a girl.

"Girls can be strong too.." Shinobu muttered loud enough for everyone to hear and Naruto shot around to look at her. She's always quiet in class.

"Ya right! Like who?" One boy asked.

"Tsunade! One of the legendary sanin and the student of the hokage. She's a famous healer and she has enough strength to punch a building down." Shinobu recited from one of the books she read.

"Ya right! Like someone like that exists!" The boy retorted.

"Actually she does, and she's a famous shinobi known in all five hidden villages." Iruka grinned. He had expected something out of his only female student but not quite that.

"Oh.." He mumbled before keeping quiet.

"Anyway, I want everyone to go outside! We're going to learn some of the basics and then each person will either make up their own set of basic taijutsu stances and do a battle with them or use their clan's fighting style." Iruka shouted earning grumbling from most of the class as they got out of their seats and made their way downstairs.

"Not fair! Most people here have their own clan style or one they've already made up. Like the hyuuga style or how Shinobu dances as he fights. Ugh." Kiba grumbled to himself. Why can't we just fight normal? Our own style? I don't get it...

"It's so we can know more than one style of fighting incase a certain style doesn't work against a certain enemy." Shikamaru explained before yawning, noticing Naruto's look of confusion.

"Besides, just fight like the nin dogs do in your clan. They have their own stances in a way too don't they?" Shinobu asked grinning to herself when she saw the wheels in Kiba's head start to turn.

Naruto watched everyone and saw, much to his dismay, that almost everyone had their own style. They had already gone through an hour lecture and everyone was working on their fighting styles now. Shinobu was stretching in the corner, earning a couple of odd looks and groin grabs as she went into the splits. As if grabbing their groins were going to protect them. Kiba was on all fours practicing different spins and maneuvers. Shikamaru was trying to switch from defense to offense with as little movement as possible while Choji was trying to utilize his strength, thanks to Shikamaru's suggestions. Shino was attempting to use the bugs in his body to make him more light footed as he used normal style. The only ones not working on something were Sasuke and Naruto, and Naruto couldn't help but grin at this.

Unfortunately, this didn't help him at all when it came to his own style. They only had twenty minutes left and he had nothing. Finally pushing his pride aside he went over to Shinobu for help, who was one of the few not practicing anymore. Instead, she lay on her back, watching the clouds. A hobby she found she liked thanks to Shikamaru.

"Uhm.. Shinobu... could you help me out? I can't think of anything." He asked, looking a little embarrassed.

"Ya, sure! Hm.. let me see." She looked him over. Shinobu was known for being smart. A little book smart like Sakura and a little brain smart like Shika but she put the two together with experience to help her out.

"Well when we were fighting you had issues moving from attacking to defence. In fact, you ignored defence all together. You also had issues switching from movement to attacking. Try switching the normal stances so your legs are farther apart, this will help you switch stances easier. Then focus on power. Speed isn't really your thing, your body seems built for strength. Take the defence stances and combine them with offense stances. That way you'll still be attacking and you won't have to think about defending. After all, the best defence is a good offence." She grinned. "Or was it the best offense is a good defence.." She sighed.

"Thanks!" He grinned, it was definitely the right Idea to ask her. He made his way back to his area and went through all the stances he knew, adjusting them and soon finding that he was more balanced. She was right, it is easier to switch like this. He grinned. He had adjusted everything so that he could attack whenever he was attacked to avoid being hit. It wasn't the best, but it would work for now.

The matches flew by as if life had been set on fast forward and before he knew it he was fighting Shinobu, which was great and bad all at the same time. It was great because he knew he had a chance from all the practice with her. It was bad because they fought so often that they knew each others every movement.

"Let's see if your new stances give you the upper hand." She grinned, earning a matching grin. She may have been Sasuke's twin but her smile and the light in her eyes was identical to Naruto's. They really did seem like family if you looked close enough.

The two fought and Shinobu looked honestly surprised at his improvement. Every time she aimed to hit him he'd hit to block. Harming her more than she was getting to him. She started increasing her speed and managed to get a punch or two in here or there but it wasn't much. They were pretty even now. The only time she could say she was proud of herself during that fight was when she fell into a back bridge avoiding a punch and manage to kick him in the face as she did a simple walk over.

In the end Iruka had to stop the fight since it was taking too long and the girls were getting back. For the rest of lunch Naruto and Shinobu trained, honing their new styles. Or improving her style in Shinobu's case. Kiba came out and joined them and they trained with the three of them. Iruka gave them free time for the rest of the afternoon so they continued practicing everything from their styles to target training to see who could get who to laugh first. It was fun yet tiring.

Kiba had to leave when his mom came to get him but Naruto and Shinobu continued for hours, not worried about getting home since the only people who would worry were with them. By the time it was dark their muscles ached and they both were covered in grass stains and dirt marks. There were rips in their clothes and Shinobu's genjutsu dropped from pure exhaustion.

"Ready to go home?" Naruto asked with a small grin.

"Mhmm." A drowsy Shinobu agreed. You could tell that she was fighting to keep her eyes open and she barely had the strength to walk home. She ended up leaning on Naruto for most of it until he picked her up into a piggy back ride and she fell asleep. He walked her all the way home and tucked her into bed, smiling to himself before making his way to his bed, collapsing on it the moment he was close enough.

In a way, he felt horrible that she ever had to lose her family and live like that for so long. She was amazing.. she didn't deserve it. But another part of him was glad she did.. glad she endured it, because he had never been so happy as he was when she was here. She was his family and if she didn't stay strong then.. he would be alone. He couldn't even imagine being alone again now. He would do anything to protect her. She was, in every sense of the word, his family.


A/N: Song is fix you by coldplay. Awesome song, lots of emotion. I know the chapter isn't complete emotion but there is definitely snip its. I hope you guys are happy. When I noticed the there were 60 viewers for today alone I felt the need to update. So it's now THREE O'clock in the morning and I'm drooling on my keyboard. :P