Naruto braided his hair in the mirror, enjoying how his ear tails caressed his face. Tying off the end of the long braid with ninja wire, he allowed the heavy hair to curl down his back until it hit the back of his knees. He was unused to the weight, but couldn't bring himself to even think of cutting it. Slipping on his slippers, he exited his clean apartment. He had found that since his change, he had begun to enjoy the more domestic aspects of life. He had picked up sewing as a hobby, and cleaned his home on a regular basis. His windowsill garden was overflowing with greenery, and he had several potted plants in his home too.

Making sure he locked the door behind him, he left his apartment. He had nothing to do today. He was waiting for Ibiki's review on his first mission to see if he would be accepted into ANBU and where he would be placed as far as teams or department.

So today he planned on making an appearance in his true form and establishing his existence. Obviously he could not go by the name Naruto in his body, so as he walked he wondered what he should call himself in this form.

Naru would be too obvious. Oturan would easily be figured out by anyone looking-his own name backwards. Anything relating back to Uzu, Inari or the life he once had could be equally as damning. He wanted something forgettable and common. In a shinobi village, too common was an issue as well. No one is a shinobi village was 100% normal or average.

A name, a name…how ridiculous that something so basic was so hard to choose. He wanted a name that began with N, making it easier for him to naturally respond to it. Noboru, for rise? No, too close to 'noodle'. Nori for rule? No, too close to food still. Naoki, for docile tree? Eh, too close to Doki. Nobu, for faith? He had little of that. N, N, N…and then like lightening, Naruto knew what he would call himself. A faint smirk curled the corner of his mouth in amusement of the irony.

With new purpose he headed to a shinobi bar. While it was still early, shinobi bars were open 24/7. Shinobis returned from missions at all times of the day and night, and more often than not, a strong drink was wanted to calm nerves, settle down, morn or celebrate. Civilians were not allowed in shinobi bars, unless they worked there or were married/related to a shinobi. A shinobi bar was a place to relax, to throw shuriken at fellow ninjas in jest and not fear someone getting in the way or not dodging; a place to talk about the bloodier parts of life without fear or shame; a place to let down masks without fear of losing face.

A perfect place to meet shinobi. A perfect place to start his legacy.

O0o0o0o0o0o

The Senbon was a worn down building in the red light district of Konoha. Its glass was foggy and dirty, the sign faded and shingles were missing from the roof. The door was off the bottom henge, causing it to squeak and drag when open. It was done in a western style, having chairs and tables on the inside and stools lined the bar. Various bottles were behind the bar and glasses lined the back counter. The bar could easily be looked into, and many shinobi who were paranoid from age could watch their drinks being made, making sure nothing was slipped into their beverage. A small grill stood off to the side for the few foods served, also easily watched and the backroom's doors were made of glass. The bathroom's doors were solid and new looking, lockable only from the inside with windows the led to the outside.

The floor was wooden and warped from age and liquids being spilt on it. Dents were visible in the walls and holes from weapons. Dart boards and posters for target practice lined to walls at random and a few were placed on the ceiling. In the far corners there were pools tables and a single pinball machine with a Hello Kitty theme sat beside the farthest pool table. The original name of the machine had been scratched out, and painted with the words "Anko's Bitch" instead.

The place smelt of sake and smoke. But it was surprisingly clean. The floor was not sticky, the tables were not greasy and the chairs were nicely cushioned, along with the few darkly lit booths the lined the walls.

As expected, there were already shinobi present. A group of ANBU were playing darts with senbon in the corner, one had a stark white bandage wrapped around his arm and blood had stained the fabric from the injury.

Several miscellaneous shinobis of various rankings were scattered throughout the bar. Naruto licked his lips, tasting the smoky air. Confidently he quietly made his way through the crowded bar, making his way to the stools. Taking a seat, he ordered a bottle of warm sake and pork dumplings. Watching with interest as the bartender began frying his food; he rested his head on his hand, causing his braid to swing with the movement.

He heard a light rustle of fabric and allowed his eyes to slide over to his left, looking at the person who casually took a seat next to him. It didn't surprise him. He was a new face and no doubt the man that sat next to him was someone who wanted to scope out the new person.

Naruto shifted himself to fully face the person, not bothering to hide the fact he was looking at the man. He was of average height, with choppy, brown hair that reached just past his chin. His face was plain, with plain brown eyes and dark, thin eyebrows. His hitai-ate was worn like a bandana, covering the top part of his head. A senbon casually hung from his lips, clicking against his teeth. He had a lean body type that was typical of shinobi, and worn the standard jonin outfit.

Slowly blinking, Naruto allowed his eyes to wander back to the man's own, raising an eyebrow in question. Just as Naruto was about to open his mouth, his food was set in front of him. Muttering a low 'itadakimasu' Naruto reached for a pair of chopsticks and calmly snapped them open. Picking up the dumpling, he dipped it in the sauce provided as he bit into the soft outside of his treat. He faintly moaned at the wonderful taste. His sense of taste had been heightened, and he could taste each spice. Too into his meal to care, Naruto licked the chopstick for all flavoring left behind.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

When Genma had first seen the creature before him enter the bar, he had been curious. He had never seen this man before either in this bar or around town. He often worked in the mission room with Iruka, and so he knew nearly everyone who came through Konoha.

He was obviously a shinobi, which was evident by the way he moved. He was most likely ANBU, for the small group in the corner had briefly paused to look at him before continuing with their game.

Genma had sat next to the beautiful man, with the intent to find information on the stranger and perhaps figure out which ANBU he was. There was an ongoing betting pool for which ANBU was which and the betting pool in the mission room's lounge was always open. Genma wouldn't mind a few extra yen.

When the man turned to him and eyed him up, Genma had taken the opportunity to do the same. The man wore a rather girly outfit, and was feminine in appearance. He had pointed ears and slight fangs, a relative of the Inuzuka clan perhaps?

When he met the eyes of the strange man, he couldn't help but suppress a shiver. The man's eyes were a cold blue, like ice. They were cruel looking, set in his vulpine face. He waited as the man's mouth opened, only to be interrupted by the stranger's food.

As he watched the man eat, Genma felt his eyes widen.

'This man…must be sent from hell to temp me.' He thought as his pant tightened. The stranger moaned, molesting his chopsticks with his pink tongue. His mind blanked out, watching as the man finished the dish with a disappointed sigh. Genma feared the man was going to lick his plate with the way he was eyeing the remaining juices from the dumplings.

"Those were…yummy." The blue-eyed devil's smooth voice snapped Genma out of his stupor.

"Oh?" Genma asked, from lack of anything else to say.

"Mm. So, what brings you here?" The stranger asked, putting his chopstick down on the now empty plate. Genma let out a silent sigh of relief.

"Ah. I've never seen you around before, so I thought I'd introduce myself. My name's Shiranui Genma, Tokubetsu Jonin. You are?"

"Kaneko Nao(1), it's a…pleasure Shiranui-san" Nao inclined his head in greeting.

"Aa. Please, call me Genma, there's no need for formality between comrades."

"Very well Genma-san. Then please, call me Nao."

"Nao it is then. What brings you here?" Genma chose to ignore the '-san' attached to the end of his name.

"I'm new to town and thought I'd see the local haunts."

"New? You're a transfer from another village then?"

"In a way, I suppose I am. My village was destroyed and I came to Konoha for sanctuary. I was only just recently cleared." It was typical of villages to welcome new shinobi, but often they had to go through several ordeals in order to be 'released' into the general populace.

"Ah, welcome then." Genma fiddled with his senbon, thinking of new conversation topics.

"Thank you, Genma-san. Is there any other places you suggest me visiting?"

'Perfect.' "Aa. Are you busy tomorrow? Perhaps I could show you around?" Genma watched is fascination as Nao's lips curved into predator's smile.

"It's a date, Genma-san. Where would you like to meet?"

'Somehow', Genma thought to himself as he told Naruto where to meet him, 'somehow I see myself regretting this decision.'

O0o0o0o0o0

Nao meaning Dosile, Kaneko meaning gold child