Kasai no Onii – Ahn, the pairing. We'll see how that goes, ne? I already know who it's gonna be, do you? ;)

Thomas Drovin – Thanks for the compliments and your faithful review, as always! I'm glad you're enjoying it so far.

Himeno Kazehito – Everything is going smoothly but how long will her luck last out? Thanks for the review, my dear reader! :D

treavellergirl – Didn't I wrote it like you wrote it? I'm kinda confused? Yeah, Orochimaru would use every opportunity he could, he's an opportunist. :p


So not happening!

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By Angelbloodlover

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~ Some people succeed because they are destined to,

Others succeed because they are determined to.

Unknown

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Chapter 8: Who Is It? – Part II

In a wide clearing in the Village Hidden in the Leaves or otherwise known as Konoha were two figures curled up against each other, one sleeping and the other one waking up.

I yawned as I stretched on my bed, which was made by transforming my clones into a bed, pillows and a fluffy blanket. I didn't know why shinobi's never thought about clones in that way and took all of their camping stuff with them in a large bag. This idea was much better and it meant less baggage to carry around. A smile appeared on my face when I thought about yesterday and Hiruzen's shocked expression.

When Hiashi, Hizashi, little Hinata and the captured Kumo-nin disappeared to their respective place, the Hyuuga compound and the T&I department, I appeared inside his office, a sleeping Naruto on my back. Hiruzen blinked his eyes when he met my eyes. "Keiko?"

"Hai, Hokage-sama." I bowed in respect, smiling softly.

He raised an eye brow, amusement flickering in his black orbs, "You knew of this?"

I nodded curtly, "Hai. Like I said I want to help Konoha in any means necessary. Tell me Hokage-sama, what would have happened if I didn't intervene?"

"Hiashi would have killed the Kumo-nin and tension between Kumo and Konoha would raise again. The only way to defuse the situation would be…" he trailed off his eyes widening.

I nodded grimly, "By sacrificing Hiashi life. An eye for an eye. A life for a life. But unfortunately the Hyuuga clan won't accept this outrageous act and instead sent Hizashi…dead."

"You seem very knowledgeable about the clans in Konoha." I didn't miss the slight suspicion in his eyes.

Carefully putting Naruto on the soft couch, I looked the Hokage in the eyes, "Orochimaru was a Konoha-nin. It's not very difficult to know trivial things like that."

"And the Sharingan thing? Because as far as my knowledge goes you don't possess the Sharingan nor are you a Uchiha. Or are you hiding something, Uzumaki Keiko?" He wasn't asking, he was demanding answers.

I sighed softly, "Hokage-sama," and looked at the pale moon high on the sky through Hiruzen's large window, "What I'm about to tell you is very important."

Said old man nodded in compliance, leaning forward on his desk, "I'm all ears."

"I want the Uchiha's to go outside the compound, I want them to interact with the other clans. I want a Konoha where everyone loves each other. What I just did was a push in the right direction. This way the Hyuuga will think a Uchiha girl did it while the Uchiha's are confused about which girl it did. In the meantime the other clans will start demanding answers about this mysterious Uchiha girl who saved the Uchiha."

"That's…very noble of you."

I tilted my head to the side, "But you don't agree with my decision?"

He shook his head, "No, I mean, that's very dangerous. If the Uchiha's found out…"

"They won't. I'm doing this for the greater good and I hope you can help me with this, Hokage-sama. The Uchiha's are feeling oppressed and the end result won't be pretty."

Hiruzen rubbed his chin, thinking, "You're very intelligent if you noticed the small tensions in and out the Uchiha compound, Keiko, someone like you is welcome in Konoha's ranks."

I smiled softly, "Thanks you, Hokage-sama. I won't let you down."

"I'm starting to believe you, Uzumaki Keiko."

Looking down, I smiled at Naruto's serene expression on his face. His cheeks were getting rounder and chubbier, his body was starting to look healthier and his eyes were shining with much more emotions since that day I had met him in that park.

…Just like I had promised you, Naruto-kun.

This was my fourth day together and every single night we came here to sleep under the stars. Time seemed to pass in a click when you were having fun and I was dreading the day that I had to leave him behind. My eyes widened when I saw a white snake slithering towards me, hissing venomously at me, the purple slits locked with my black ones. This meant only one thing. When my summon will come to you you'll have to start with the mission, Orochimaru's voice whispered in my ears. That was when it hit me. Three days left. A heavy lump was in my chest, making me feel painfully aware of my mission and I became depressed.

Three more days and then I would have to go back to the snake.

Three more fucking days.

Three. More. Days.

Don't freak out. Everything will be alright. Fuck that! I was screwed!

I started to hyperventilate, my eyes watering although I was fighting against them. Who was I trying to reassure? Me? Pfft! I was just postponing the problem. I had to go back. I couldn't escape that monster. I had to finish this mission.

…Or Orochimaru would become even worse than before, not that he wasn't. But imagine him becoming way more evil than he already was.

A shudder escaped my mouth and Naruto started to wake up, his eyes fluttering open. In that instant I forgot about Orochimaru and felt happy.

Irrevocably and unconditionally happy.

I don't know how or why, only that Naruto's presence made me feel safe and loved.

"Good morning Naruto-kun, did you slept well?" I asked him softly, my fingers weaving through his soft bangs as he yawned cutely, nodding with sparkling ocean-blue eyes. "That's good to hear. Now, let's get up, the game is not finished." Yet.

What would happen once game was finished?

"Hai, onee-chan!" Naruto chirped happily, rolling off the bed and on the ground in a crouched stance. Never thought about it, but damn he has animal instincts. Could it be that Kurama…? I shook my head as I dispelled my make-shift bed, leaving a small trail of smoke behind, making Naruto look up in awe.

"Sugoi! Onee-chan, I still can't believe that you're a ninja!"

I chuckled softly, ruffling his tousled hair, making him pout in annoyance. "Well, frankly I didn't want to become a kunoichi, a female ninja," I added quickly, seeing his confused stare. "But the circumstances were slightly different than usual.." All the painful and traumatizing memories played like a video in front of me. The suffering of the cruel things I had witnessed, the pitiful crying… I wasn't sure that my sanity was still normal what with everything I had to do to achieve Orochimaru's approval but I was fearing the worst for my mental condition.

"Onee-chan! You're doing it again!" Naruto yelled loudly, shaking me with his chubby hands.

I frowned in confusion, "Huh? Do what?"

"That! When you talk about ninja stuff your eyes glaze over and your fingers tremble."

"…Um, that's because I'm exciting about being a kunoichi." I lied with a fake smile on my face.

Wrong answer.

"No, you're not. Don't lie to me, Keiko-onee-chan. Don't you trust me?" He whispered quietly, his pained eyes looking down.

"Yes, I do trust you but I can't tell you, Naruto-kun-" Naruto interrupted me loudly, making me wince at how angry he sounded, "No, you don't! You're like them! You don't love me!" And he turned around, running away with tears in his eyes as his sobbing was getting louder. Am I that obvious to read?

"NARUTO!" I screamed as loud as I could, running after him. His words pierced right through my heart. Why did he have to be so special for me? Why was he important for my life? Because he was Naruto, that's why. There is no other person like him in the whole universe.

"Keiko-onee-chan, how did you become a ninja? " A bewildered Naruto asked, eyes wide with awe.

I couldn't hide the fact that I'm a kunoichi from him, even if I wanted to. "I'm training to become stronger and protect my precious people."

Here it comes… "Can you teach me too?" He looked at me with his big blue eyes, making him look so cute and irresistible.

"…Fine, but don't except any flashy jutsu's." I warned him, flinching as he looked down, knuckles turning white.

"…"

"You're still too small and your chakra coils aren't fully matured. It's very dangerous for you." I crouched down, looking him right in the eyes. "But don't worry, onee-chan will protect you with her life." I promised him with determined eyes.

His breath hitched in his throat and he looked up at me, pleading to me that it wasn't a lie. "…Do you mean that, onee-chan?"

"Of course I do!" I answered quickly, making him grin widely.

His aura changed from uncertain to happy. Wow, bi-polar much?

"Onee-chan, when I grow up it'll be my turn to protect you with my life." He spoke seriously, his eyes never wavering with that dead set firmness that would change many people's heart.

I smiled knowingly, eyes filled with understanding, "I know you will and I'm counting on that, Naruto-kun."

"Fuck! Why did I have to so blunt… Shit! Shit!" Thankfully, I was far faster and I appeared in front of him, a grim expression on my face. My breath hitched in my throat when I saw how horrible he looked.

All my fault…

"Naruto, please, list-" "NO! GO AWAY!" He cried out as he lashed at me, his eyes flickered from the beautiful warm blue to red slits. Was he that unstable? This was not good. I'm so screwed.

Shitshitshit.

I blocked his weak punches and kicks as he let out all his frustrations on me. "Why does no one love me?!"

Another kick. Blocked with my arms.

"Why does no one acknowledge me?"

Punch to the left. Kick to the abdomen.

"Why am I hated so much?"

His breathing got ragged, eyes blurring as his body was shaking.

"…What did I do to receive so much hate?"

Before he fell on the ground, I picked him up, cradling him close to my heart. "I don't hate you and I never will. I acknowledge you. I love you. You're Uzumaki Naruto, the little ball of sunshine of Konohagakure, Village Hidden in the Leaves. You're my precious person and I'll do everything to protect you, Naruto-kun." That's a promise of a lifetime.

I inhaled deeply and continued, feeling that my words were getting an impact on him, "And anyone who thinks otherwise is stupid and blind because Naruto you're so special. You saved me from the darkness and now I'll save you from that same darkness that threatened to cover me."

"…"

"I know you think-" "…I believe you, onee-chan. It's just that…" He clutched my –now– dirty kimono and cried.

Cried for the unfairness of this situation he was put in.

Cried for all the pain and struggles in his life.

Cried his frustrations and sorrow out.

And I soothed him, assuring him that I loved him no matter what.

-:-

After the emotional outburst of Naruto, we stayed in the clearing, hugging each other and enjoying each other's company.

Sniffing, Naruto looked at me, his eyes red and puffy from the crying, "Onee-chan, gomen…"

I smiled lazily, winking at him, "You're forgiven, my little sunshine." I untangled myself from him, got up and stretched my hand out, "Ready to continue?"

He took my hand with a shy smile, his smaller hands feeling so soft unlike my calloused fighting hands. "Hai."

We took the long path, wanting to relish in each other's comfort and enjoy the sweet silence that reigned over us.

So peaceful and oh so addictive.

"Onee-chan, why do you need to find these persons?" He asked curiously, a serene smile on his face.

I sighed softly, contemplating on how much I could tell him. "They have something I want." Which was true… in a sick perverse way.

His eyes brightened and his pace fastened, pulling me faster. "Then we need to find them quick so you can train start training me."

"H-hey! Wait up!" I stumbled behind him, glaring playfully at him. "Meanie!" I stuck out my tongue to my utter shock.

It seemed Naruto was shocked too because he gaped at me, "Onee-chan.. You stuck out your tongue!"

"I did not." I sputtered out, cheeks red in embarrassment. Dear Kami… I was really acting like a six-year old child…

He laughed loudly, running away when I tried to catch him, "Come here you brat!"

"Catch me if you can!"

I used a small Genjutsu to hide my body from prying eyes, grinning widely when Naruto looked behind him, confusion starring his face as he searched me out but found no one. "Onee-chan?" Naruto called out, eyes darting from left to right.

My grin widened when I slipped behind him, arms stretching out and ready to jump on him. "Got you, little rascal!"

Naruto shrieked in surprise when I started tickling him, making him plead for mercy which I didn't gave him. "O-nee-ch-an! Stop!"

I giggled in joy and shook my head, "Nu-uh. You deserve it for making fun of me."

"Onee-ch-an!"

When tears of laughter glinted in his eyes, I retreated, smiling widely at him and felt strangely so playful. In my previous life I used to be a playful optimistic and a socially adapted adolescent but ever since I appeared in this war-torn world where hate was emerging as the champion my personality changed to a more introvert pessimistic person. It was a shame really because I loved being that person, I loved being my old self. But I had to change now because I was now Keiko. Everything and everyone changes, that's the way of life.

I yelped when Naruto took his revenge for granted, tickling me merciless, a foxy grin on his face.

"N-Narut-o-o!" I screamed out, laughing loudly. Then…

My ears perked up the moment I picked up some sounds heading this way, though it was hard to concentrate when Naruto's laughter was disturbing my hearing sense. "Na-aruto-kun, s-stop it!" Fortunately for me, I was stronger and thus restrained his hands as he pouted childishly at his loss.

"Fine." He huffed out his red cheeks, a smile still evident on his face.

I giggled, ruffling his hair playfully, making him slap my hand away with an outraged cry of "Hey!" as he tried to glare which failed miserably. That was when the voices were getting louder.

"Tachi-kun is something wrong?"

I stood up fluently, pushing Naruto behind me as I was faced with none other than Uchiha Shisui along with Uchiha Itachi. Wow, how much luck can someone have? I wondered inwardly, cheering for my awesome luck that I seemed to have picked up. Or Naruto was the lucky charm. Looking around it seemed that we were in some kind of training ground. ...Weird, how did we even get here?

"Who are you?" He asked suspiciously, eyes narrowed and trying to look scary, which was not working.

But chibi-Itachi sure was a cutie. And chibi-Shisui was absolutely adorable!

"It's not polite to demand someone's name when you didn't even introduce yourself." I always wanted to say Sasuke's line and seeing Itachi's eye brows twitch slightly and Shisui snicker quietly made me feel very satisfied.

"Don't mind him. My name is Uchiha Shisui and this is my baby cousin Uchiha Itachi." Shisui introduced himself properly, smiling warmly at me.

I returned the nice gesture, "Keiko, nice to meet you both." Nudging Naruto in his back I pushed him in front of me.

"Ehh.. my name is Uzumaki Naruto." He spoke shyly, shuffling his feet uncomfortably.

I smiled proudly, pulling him towards me, making him yelp in surprise, "Onee-chan!" Ignoring that statement, I looked at the somewhat shocked boys. "He is a bit shy with new people but I can assure you that Naruto-kun is sweet boy." Grinning, I waited for their shocks to subdue.

"…Hn."

Guess who that could be?

"I want to fight you, Uchiha Itachi." I spoke firmly, eyes never wandering from his onyx black eyes. Eyes like mine, I thought sadly.

Shisui's eyes bulged out, wandering from Itachi to me. "You're not going to fight her, right? Right?" He asked him incredulously.

Itachi didn't answer him, only taking a step forward, eyes never leaving me. "Itachi!" Shisui cried out helplessly, arms flailing desperately.

"Onee-chan, are you gonna," "Going." I corrected him without looking at him. "…going to fight that pretty boy."

Twitch. Twitch.

Giggles.

Snickers. Twitch.

"Heh. Pretty boy huh? Nice one, Naruto-kun. And yes I'll fight him."

Itachi's fingers were twitching uncontrollably and Shisui was standing there, looking at us, mouth agape. Poor boys… "Ready? Shisui-san can you be the referee?" I asked him with a small smile.

He nodded dumbly, "If you lose don't cry please."

I scoffed at him, feeling irritated at his words. "Crying will be the least I'll do. If I can't win then that means I'll have to become stronger, ne?" I pushed Naruto towards Shisui, "Naruto-kun, stay with Shisui-san until the fight is finished."

Naruto hesitantly walked towards Shisui who flashed him a wide grin, easing his worries. I nodded thankfully and looked back at Itachi, who was already waiting for me in his fighting stance. Shuffling my feet, I got ready in my stance, feeling very giddy at the prospect of fighting the prodigy Uchiha Itachi. This way I can judge how strong I am in comparison to a true genius. "I heard good things about you and they keep increasing."

"Hn."

I narrowed my eyes, mouth twitching upwards, "Why do you keep saying 'hn'? Does it even mean anything because frankly you don't sound very intelligible…"

Ah, the good old Uchiha glare, how I missed thou.

"…Uh, both participants ready? This will be a traditional shinobi spar. Please make the Seal of Confrontation." Shisui asked nervously, still not feeling well at the prospect of Itachi fighting a girl. "This will be a fight with Tai, Nin and Genjutsu." Seeing both of us nodding in acceptance made him sigh again.

Index and middle finger up. "Go!"

And the fighting started.

I propelled myself in the air, feeling awkward in the kimono but ignored it as I somersaulted behind him, chakra-enhanced punch aimed at his lower ribcage. Unfortunately, he dodged it and send a flurry of kicks and punches towards me which I evaded all. Thanks to Orochimaru's training I was advanced in Taijutsu…

Itachi jumped back as he circled around me, looking for a weak spot which I didn't gave him. "You're very good for someone of your age."

I smiled sadly, a flicker of surprise was seen in his eyes, "How old do you think I am, Itachi-san?"

"Around the eight." He replied in a monotone voice.

I laughed at that answer, suddenly feeling so tired with everything, so angry, "Actually, I'm six."

His eyes widened at that, which gave me the time to charge at him, fist ready to pound him into oblivion. Itachi was eight at this moment, already Genin for a year. So I had a good chance of winning against him because he trained since his sixth year. Two years' worth of training but the danger was that he already mastered his Sharingan, something I should watch out for.

I aimed a punch towards his gut and since he was too late to evade he used his arms as a shield but what he didn't know was that my punch was chakra-enhanced, sending him flying towards a tree as he spat out blood on my kimono, making me grimace.

His eyes were by now red, ("Sharingan!") three tomoes in each eye as he struggled to get up. I ran at him with full speed, wanting to end this fight quickly since he acknowledged me as a strong fighter, something that made my stomach flip-flop. As I tried to punch and kick him, he evaded them all. Damn, he was like Speedy Gonzales.

"Come on, onee-chan!" Naruto cheered loudly, nervousness already vanishing away as the fighting got exciting by the minute.

Followed by Shisui's cry, "Itachi, don't lose from a girl!"

I ignored that sexist comment...

Jumping back, I forced my breathing to stay steady. Moving my hands rapidly, I breathed in deeply, chakra kneading in my throat as I spewed out a large fire ball towards Itachi, pumping it with chakra as it grew larger and larger. "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"

Itachi's eyes widened when he saw the approaching fire ball and using the Kawarimi no Jutsu he replaced himself with a block of wood. A block of wood that was crushed into dust. That could have been him…

Using the smoke of the fire I made my favourite jutsu, pumping more chakra in the clone than usual, Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, and ordered my clone to hide in the bushes. I rolled out of the way when I felt Itachi's chakra behind me, attempting to sneak a kick from behind me. Unconsciously, I moved my hands towards my kunai pouch… or where it used to be. Damn! Got no kunai or shuriken!'

I cursed quietly the moment Itachi send a volley of shuriken towards me, I tried evading most of them but scratches still were appearing all over my body. He was a superb fighter with excellent skills. "You're finished." Itachi's voice echoed around the clearing and my eyes widened when I saw a glint in the sun. Ninja wires!

I quickly used Kawarimi no Jutsu with my clone and hid in the bushes behind Itachi. I saw my clone cough up blood, her body battered beyond words; cuts, bruises, scratches and one nasty-looking cut in the shoulder where blood was oozing out. Itachi's eyes widened seeing how damaged my clone was and then- Poof!

The clone vanished with a grim smile as I appeared behind a bewildered Itachi, shuriken against his throat, ready to slash it open …if he were my enemy. "You're wrong. You're finished." I whispered darkly, making him shudder slightly when my hot breath tickled his ear.

"I surrender." Itachi spoke loudly so Shisui could hear him.

Two gasps were heard and when the smoke vanished completely they could see me standing over Itachi with a shuriken at his throat.

Grinning widely from the after-effects of the adrenaline still pumping through my veins, I dropped the shuriken and held out a hand to him, "That was a really good spar, Itachi-san."

"Hn." But he still took my hand, locking his fingers with mine, which was known as the Seal of Reconciliation, his lips twitching upwards. "I enjoyed the spar too, Keiko-san."

"Onee-chan, you were awesome! You jumped in the air, punching and kicking like a hero-" "Heroine." I corrected, making him cross his arms in annoyance. "Onee-chan!"

I giggled loudly, followed by Shisui's chuckles of amusement and Itachi smirking. "Shisui-onii-san, not you too!"

"Hn."

"Itachi-san! Grrr! Ack! Did you just flick my forehead?!" Naruto asked in confusion, rubbing his sore spot.

I ruffled Naruto's hair, "Now, now, Naruto-kun, no need to glare at Itachi-san like that."

He narrowed his eyes and looked me up and down. "Do you like Itachi-san?"

Shisui snickered when Itachi and I choked, both of us sporting a tomato-red colour on our cheeks. "Naruto! We hardly know each other besides we're children! We can't have relationships this young!" I exclaimed rather loudly, cheeks still flushed.

"Naruto-kun, I have no interest in Keiko whatsoever."

I glared at Itachi. The way he dismissed me like that made me rather angry and Shisui noticed it too.

"Tachi-kun, you really need to be careful how you speak. People might misunderstand you."

"I'm not misleading anyone, Shisui, I'm just stating the truth." Itachi countered back.

I felt like hitting that guy upside down but refrained from doing that childish act. This was no time to be getting on Itachi's bad side. I had a mission to complete. Now, how could I get their blood samples? Ahn, I think I've already got a solution for that problem.

I had to make good use of my last three days left. Starting with getting their attention. If I did that, I could change and influence their mind-sets. Inwardly, I sighed, praying that everything would go smoothly. Hopefully, my lucky charm would help me out for this one.

It seems that Naruto was filling up that hollow place in his heart with new people. A god start. A very good start indeed.