Author's Note: Alright people, here's Noriko's first day in class, not much is actually going to happen there except the first tie between her and Hinata who will eventually become one of her closest friends. For the most part, all the kids are too wary or unsure to approach her as most of the clique leaders -so too speak- aren't looking to socialize with her until they have a better idea about her after all that they've heard from their parents. The clan heirs are a bit less wary, but more curious.

A little preface though in regards to Noriko's behavior with Kurama in this chapter as well before we get fully underway. While it will quite likely seems that the peace between them has grown far too quickly, remember, it's been six years since she struck her deal with him. As her primary aid in accomplishing anything and her best sounding board for testing ideas, Noriko has been forced to work and talk with Kurama to a large degree, especially during her first several years in the orphanage where she had next to no other humans to interact with.

She's shown her commitment to their deal over the years, and Kurama respects that. While she hasn't performed any epic battles like Naruto had, Noriko has still endured six years of hate and loathing at the hands of Konoha with the full understanding that she doesn't deserve it. The fact that she's kept going, even after being raped, is something that Kurama respects, even if it's grudgingly.

Lastly, in regards to Noriko's appearance, I wanted her to be a bit more unique in regards to looks compared to the usual that shows up when an author gives Naruto/Naruko a different appearance, hence the purple eyes and spiky red hair along with the slightly darker skin. The changes I've given her and will be giving her will become more and more pronounced as she matures until the most important bits have settled around the time she hits about fifteen or sixteen, they'll be most apparent when the descriptions of pre and post time skip get compared.

Now that that's out of the way, I hope you all enjoy the chapter, please leave any comments you might have in a review, I really appreciate the criticism.

[MC First Person POV]

My discharge from the hospital came several hours later in the day. Thanks to the fact that I was now awake, it seemed like my regeneration kicked it up a notch or two and finished off the last of my injuries. There wouldn't be any outwards marks left from the incident other than the change to my voice, but that wasn't a scar that people could stare at in morbid curiosity for which I would be eternally grateful.

It was an hour after seven when Neko showed up with a small bag of new clothes which she proffered to me to wear for the rest of the evening.

It wasn't a jumpsuit, thank kami, but a set of gray shorts and a black t-shirt with the Konoha lead on it on red on the back. Satisfied, I dressed myself in the fresh clothes -savoring the feel of new, clean clothing for the first time in years- before took Neko's hand as I asked, "Neko-san, could we get some ramen please?

The ANBU seemed about to turn me down before my stomach gave a surprisingly loud rumble that left me blushing a bit before Yugao nodded slowly.

"Awesome, Ichiraku's then! Let's go!" I replied cheerfully. It was forced true, but not entirely, and I was certainly happy to be going to see Teuchi and Ayame -two of the only people in the village not to hate me, and as Naruto would likely say, my first two previous people. I loved the both of them like family, it was impossible not to for the kindness they showed me when I was on the streets. For how they would give me a free bowl or two when I needed it, and just talk with me when I was around.

It was wonderful in a way few things could compare to.

Those thoughts drifted away as Neko executed a shushin and took me from the hospital to stop just outside Ichiraku's stand.

Grinning as I was handed a small fold of money, I gave a nod to my ANBU watcher and headed up to the shop, before climbing onto a stool as I noticed Neko disappear into the shadows as I called out, "Ne Teuchi-oji-san, could I get a Miso ramen please?"

"Noriko-chan! Good to see you, Ayane-chan and I were worried when you didn't show up on your birthday," the aged ramen chef replied as he brought out a bowl of ramen.

I hid my wince at that reminder of what had happened and kept a grin on my face as I replied, "Sorry about that, I got caught up in some stuff. The good news is I'm now going to the academy, so I'm gonna be a ninja!"

The old man laughed and I could hear Ayame chuckling back in the kitchen as I rubbed the back of my head in faux embarrassment.

"Still it's good to hear that you're doing well, Noriko-chan," Ayame said as she brought out a second bowl to replace my now finished meal, leaning over to ruffle my hair briefly before heading back to tend the cooking.

"Thank you Ayame-neechan!" I called in return, grinning as I got back to work eating. After four subsequent bowls, I gave a burp that made me blush a bit in embarrassment before I moved to pay for my food, only for Teuchi to wave it off.

"You couldn't make it on your birthday, Noriko-chan, so this meal is on the house," he said warmly.

I almost frowned at being denied the ability to pay for the food I had eaten, but I managed to keep a smile in my face as I took the gift for what it was and enthusiastically nodded my thanks before hopping from my stool and heading back outside where Neko materialized from the shadows to offer me her hand.

It was a simple gesture, and even if it was made for the sake of doing her job, the mere physical contact made me just feel better as we vanished with a shushin to then appear outside my apartment.

Nodding my thanks as she handed me a key to my new home, I took out the money I had been given for ramen and offered it back to her as I softly said thank you.

It was to my surprise that she simply shook her head and gestured for me to keep it. I did grimace this time and I sighed as well before nodding and heading into my apartment, taking care to lock the door behind me. So I could hopefully have some peace. I briefly looked over the main room, which was the same as it had been for Naruto, only cleaner, before heading straight to the bathroom to do my business before I went to the bedroom, crawled beneath my covers, and promptly passed out, my mind still whirling despite my physical tiredness.

I needed answers, and that meant speaking to the Kyuubi.

Opening my eyes slowly with an effort to keep my breathing even, I walked deeper into the sewer, the cold, murky water splashing around my feet with each step. The dank hall was always a bit unwelcoming, but this time it was even more so. The pipes along the sealing were leaking far more often than before as I grimaced before rounding a corner to see the gate ahead of me. I kept up my approach until I was a few yards from the gate as I looked up to where I knew the Kyuubi would be when he revealed himself.

"Kyuubi, I need to ask you some questions," I called out, my lips twisted as my now husky voice echoed through the air. Apparently I wasn't even safe from the changes in my mind. Further thoughts were waylaid as the fox's eyes opened to look down at me from where I had known they'd be.

"You've come with questions. Ask them and I shall answer as best as I can," the Kyuubi replied.

"Thank you," I replied softly, "My first question is about my voice. I wasn't aware that a wound could leave permanent damage to my body with the regeneration favor I have as well as your youki."

The fox was quiet -and dare I say almost nervous- as it shuffled slightly before replying.

"Normally that would be true. However at this point in time the seal has not opened enough for there to be a constant flow of my youki in your body to perform such healing," it began, "During the attack, the seal opened slightly in response to the life or death situation, allowing me to flood your body with youki. The amount I could provide was limited unfortunately, and thus I was faced with a choice."

I grimaced, a sinking feeling my gut at the idea that the Kyuubi had changed something without my knowledge or consent.

"My choice was whether to completely heal the damage from this attack or to improve your body to ensure that should something like this happen again, you would be capable of reacting in time. If your mind will freeze in fear, then I must strengthen your instincts. To do so, I directed the last of my youki which was in your system away from the minor wounds in your body and instead used it to modify your chakra coils. Though the change is small right now, a portion of your coils now produce your own youki which will slowly convert the rest of your system to do the same. From that point the youki will begin changing your body and eventually you will become a hanyou."

Instantly my eyes widened in surprise and my stomach told me it was dropping out through my shoes as mild horror filled me.

"C-Could you repeat that last part please?" I asked hesitantly, desperate for confirmation or denial of what I had heard.

"I said that you will become a hanyou, gaki. A kitsune hanyou specifically."

"I thought so..." I muttered to myself, looking away from the fox's eyes and towards the bottom of the gate as I ran my hands through my hair and gripped it hard, pulling hard at my scalp as I practically screamed my reply.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!"

There was an instant of stunned silence on my part before the Kyuubi growled as I began to rant it.

"Seriously?! Where on God's green earth did you get the idea that turning me into a fucking furry would be alright?!" I demanded, stomping angrily on the floor.

The Kyuubi bared its fangs at me and growled a reply as it said, "Be quiet brat. You were on the verge of dying, and there is a significant chance that something this could happen again. You made a deal with me for my help and I will uphold it, even if you do not approve of the method."

"You're making me into a monster, you fuzzy fucking asshole! I happen to like being human!" I snarled back, my own lips pulled back in a snarl from my fury with the Kyuubi.

"I AM MAKING YOU INTO MY HEIR!" The Kyuubi roared back, cutting off any reply I might have continued to give, it's base, rumbling growl shaking the sewer, "I am giving you the greatest honor that I possibly can, you ungrateful child, do not spit upon my kindness!"

My eyes had widened to an almost painful degree at the fox's reply before I clenched them shut hard, attempting to focus myself and marshal my temper into a manageable state.

"Whatever," I finally grumbled, "We'll discuss this later. I need to go get ready for class."

Cracking my eyes open, I looked up at the somewhat dingy ceiling of my apartment for several moments before sighing heavily.

'Seriously...what the fuck was that fox thinking deciding all on its own to make me into a hanyou...'

'I was thinking that I wouldn't tolerate you dying and taking me with you,' the unwelcome voice replied, only making me grit my teeth in frustration.

'Just...just shut up for now Kyuubi, I need to think on my own,' I replied, exasperation coloring my tone as I untangled myself from my sheets and headed to the bathroom to get cleaned up.

As I shuffled into the room I stripped down before I climbed into the shower and got what was my first real shower in years, something that was absolutely delightful in my opinion. Had I had the chance I probably would have stayed there all day, but the sunlight beginning to stream in from the window up on the wall told me I had been there long enough.

Once I was rinsed clean, I climbed out, tugging a fluffy orange towel from atop the toilet before drying my hair and wrapping the towel around my chest, not that I had anything to hide with it though. At the sink, I brushed my teeth and looked up into the mirror for several minutes, drinking in what was my first real opportunity to see what I actually looked like.

Sure there had been puddles and store windows, but neither in the orphanage nor on the streets had I ever gotten the chance to actually look at myself in a proper mirror. I had known my hair was red. I had known it was spiky. I had known that my eyes were purple. I had known I had three whisker marks on each cheek.

I had been aware of all of this, But I hadn't ever had the chance to see myself clearly in a mirror and have the time to just drink it all in and I did so now, looking at how I was different from Naruto and similar to my parents in this life.

My hair was still spiky like my father's only instead of the yellow of Naruto's and Minato's -or even a flat fire engine red like Kushina's- my hair was a hundred different shades of red. There were bright, vivid strands that I would almost have called orange to the deep, solid crimson the color of fresh blood and every shade in between. Turning my head side to side, I watched as the spikes of my hair swayed and shimmered like a fire, absentmindedly noting the need for a haircut if I could find someone who would do it without screwing me over.

My eyes were clear, deep, and bright like my father's but they were purple like my mother's, a lovely amethyst that shone with my excitement when I couldn't stop a grin from nearly splitting my face. My face's overall shape was almost exactly like the Yondaime, with the same jawline, cheekbones, nose, and eyes. Turning my head I frowned a bit as I noted the whisker marks in detail before I raised a hand to gently trace the dark lines. I shivered slightly as I ran my fingers from the smooth skin of my cheek to the marks, noting the change of texture that I encountered. There was what felt like a supremely fine layer of fuzz along each of the marks that actually felt quite nice beneath my fingers. Examining my whisker marks also brought one more detail up, one that I had seen so often I over looked it initially; my skin color itself. While Naruto himself had been tanned more than most people, my own skin was a few shades darker than his was. That was one change I just couldn't explain so I gave up on thinking too much about it with a shrug.

Sighing one last time as I ended my examination, I straightened and finished the last bit of drying before I stepped back into my bedroom and got dressed for the day, pulling on an orange t-shirt with a red Uzumaki swirl on the back and plain black shorts that had been provided for me before went to the kitchen where I made and ate a quick breakfast before snagging a pair of snack bars and a bento that Weasel had left for me sometime during the night -that I suspected might be Mikoto's handiwork- as I headed out the door to where Neko was waiting with an impassive mask.

"I'm ready to go," I chirped with false cheer, giving the ANBU I knew to be Uzuki Yugao a grin.

The woman nodded mutely in reply before taking my hand as we vanished in a shushin.

Taking a trio of calming breaths, I looked up at my mute protector who nodded to me, somehow managing to convey what felt like an encouraging smile from behind her mask.

I grinned back as my nerves settled before I listened as the teacher began to introduce me, looks like I had six years of playing the fool ahead of me if I wanted to keep things as close to canon as I could.

"Alright everyone, please welcome Uzumaki Noriko to the class," the teacher said, prompting me to step through the doorway and approach the desk at the front of the room before turning to face the expectant eyes of the class I would be joining.

By kami I had done this in my last life and yet it was still absolutely nerve wracking!

"My name is Uzumaki Noriko!" I began cheerfully, uncaring of the surprise my husky voice caused in the students, "I like ramen, reading, drawing, and having fun. I don't like bullies, stupid people, and waiting for food to cook!"

There were more than few looks of curiosity and surprise among the other students and several of them were more than a little wary, no doubt that they had been warned about me by their parents.

"Alright Uzumaki-san, take a seat at the back desk with Hinata-san," my teacher said. Smiling I made my way to the back as directed and slipped a seat beside the shy Hyuuga heiress and gave her a warm, genuine smile as I offered my hand to her saying, "It's nice to meet you Hinata-san, I hope we can get along well together."

"A-Ah, i-it's ni-nice to m-meet you, U-Uzumaki-san," the shy girl stuttered, inwardly making me cringe though I kept up my grin as she hesitantly shook my hand before turning my attention back to the teacher and almost frowned.

For all that he had kept it from his voice while directing me about, he couldn't keep the disgust and suspicion from his eyes which made me sigh internally. Great, just great.

I needed to play the idiot still and I had somehow forgotten that nearly every single adult in the village despised my existence. Well, it was time to see how things progressed.

Good news, it turns out that the ninja world is absolutely fascinating.

Bad news, being taught about it at the level of six year olds is absolutely mind numbingly boring!

For fuck's sake, couldn't the teacher make some effort to keep the class interested? I was well aware that my mental age of thirty-one was no doubt part of why it was so hard to take this seriously, but by all that is good on God's green earth, Kyo-sensei could seriously make an effort to not be so dry as he taught.

It was like listening to a dissertation paper being read aloud back in college for all the emotion the man showed as he lectured. Already I could tell I wasn't the only one suffering, Kiba had fallen asleep in his seat, Shikamaru was napping with his head down, and I was fairly sure that Shino might have fallen asleep behind those sunglasses and the massive jacket he wore! Even Hinata who was diligently taking notes seemed to be struggling if her sagging posture was anything to go by.

It was just torture as I kept up my cheerful facade, making notes when I learned something new but otherwise doodling in my notebook as I paid a tiny amount of attention to our teacher.

-RRRRRRIIIIIINNNNNNGGGG-

Oh thank The Lord!

I wanted to cry with relief when the lunch bell echoed through the building, only instead I settled for a sigh of relief as I stood and stretched before grabbing my bento and turning to look at Hinata who was cautiously putting her stuff away before pulling out her own bento.

"Ne, Hinata-san, want to eat together outside?" I asked with a friendly grin as the timid girl literally squeaked in surprise before looking at me.

You know I think she forgot I was there.

"A-Ano...I-If you d-don't mind I-I w-would like t-that," she replied shyly, not meeting my eyes as my expression softened a bit.

"Alright, let's head outside then, there's a tree by the entrance that looked like a nice spot." I offered before leading the way outside after a jerky nod from Hinata.

The tree in question was the one with the swing hanging from a branch that Naruto had sat in so often while he watched parents pick up their children. It left an almost melancholy feeling in my heart for a moment or two, but I banished it as I sat down against the trunk of the tree and patted the ground beside me as I gestured for Hinata to sit.

Once she had, I let a peaceful silence settle over the both of us as we are our meals before I finally broke it as I spoke up asking, "Ne, Hinata-san, do you think you could tell me about yourself?"

A-Ah I d-don't t-think it would r-really b-be something you'd f-find interesting," the timid girl replied softly.

"Oh come on, Hinata-san, I bet you know and do all sorts of cool things. There's no way you could be boring," I encouraged with a wide, vibrant smile, actually enjoying my school day for the first time.

"I-If y-you're s-sure then..." She trailed off.

"I am. Tell me about yourself Hinata-san, and then I'll tell you about myself."

"O-Okay, well..." She began as she started to talk about herself.

I listened in rapt attention, barely noticing as I munched away at my bento as I listened to Hinata talk about herself. About life in the Hyuuga clan. About what she enjoyed doing and what she cared about.

It was...nice.

There truly was something to be said about the innocence of a child, and listening to one as innocent as Hinata was something else entirely. Though she was shy about giving them, her opinions were honest and surprisingly level headed for a child her age, unspoiled by preconceptions and bias. It was refreshing to listen and speak to her, after all this was my first chance to actually talk to someone in a real conversation other than Jiji or the Kyuubi in six years!

How could I not enjoy it?!

Returning back to my apartment was as simple as accepting Inu's -Kakashi's- hand at the end of the day to be brought back by shushin. It really was a fairly good way to travel I considered as I sat down tiredly at my kitchen table, resting my face in my hands as I sighed to myself.

'How the fuck did that little orange wearing brat manage to keep his mask up so easily?' I thought tiredly, only to jerk suddenly as I got a response.

'He likely grew into his mask Noriko,' the Kyuubi replied, strangely solemn, 'You're having to complete dawn it after a single day. Your mask is without a doubt far more exhausting.'

'Right...' I replied absently minded lay as I mulled over the events of the last few days of my life, shuddering internally as the perfectly preserved memories of my sixth birthday played through my mind before I let out a resigned sigh. I suppose I would have to eventually...

'Hey Kyuubi...' I called softly into my mind, receiving silence for a few seconds before getting back a curt a response.

'What is it?'

I bit my lower lip as I rubbed my temples and replied, 'I need to say that I'm sorry about this morning.'

'...'

'I over reacted and didn't consider things from your side before I got angry with you.'

'And you really think that's something you need to apologize for?' The fox asked incredulously before snorting in contempt, 'An argument like that is hardly worth an apology. And even then I hardly expected you to appreciate my gift. This was a matter of survival, I really don't care if you liked it or not, brat.'

I sighed again before I replied.

'That doesn't make it right whether I liked it or not. You've given me something extraordinary, no matter how much I didn't want it. You made me your heir for fuck's sake! My rejection of what you did wasn't just me spitting on your help, it was a personal insult against you, rejecting probably the greatest gift you could give someone as a bijuu! My dislike of your actions doesn't make my behavior any better.'

There was silence for several moments before the chuffing laughter of the fox practically rattled my brain as the Kyuubi snorted and replied, 'You're worried about my feelings? I couldn't give a damn if you appreciated it or not, the simple fact is that I won't lose to that bastard Uchiha and I'll do whatever I have to in order to see that accomplished! Even if it means going against your will as I still complied with our agreement. I'm helping you, even if you don't get a choice in it.'

I couldn't stop the growl that made its way from my throat as I frowned, 'Well fuck you too you bastard fox! I'm trying to be civil! I'm trying to at least be grateful that you would make me your heir! Now could you pull your fuzzy orange head out of your fuzzy orange ass and accept it! Being arrogant won't help either of us here! We've sworn to cooperate so let's fucking cooperate! Neither of us like the situation, so let's get the fuck over it then and improve it! If being a decent human being and treating you and your actions with respect is necessary than so fucking be it!'

Laughter roared in my head as I dropped my face from my hands and smacked my forehead against the table in return as I listened for some reply besides peels of laughter from the fucking fox.

'Six years. Six long years I've known you brat and for once I think you might have given me your honest opinion rather than a reasoned solution.' The Kyuubi replied humorously, 'Perhaps there's hope for you yet. You always look at things and search for an advantage you can seize, acting according to what will help you the best rather than what you want to do. It seems that putting on Naruto's mask might have made you finally your own one.'

I felt my cheeks burn slightly as that certainly was not a compliment. Still I grimaced as I put all my effort into seeming bored as I asked, 'Can we get back on topic now?'

'Of course, of course, gaki...'

'Would you stop patronizing me?'

'Why? Antagonizing you is by far the most entertains thing I have to do behind this accursed seal,' the Kyuubi hissed, a sudden venom filling its voice.

'BECAUSE IM TRYING TO APOLOGIZE DAMN IT! I'M TRYING TO SAY I'M SORRY FOR BASICALLY TELLING YOU THAT MAKING ME YOUR ONLY HEIR WASNT GOID ENOUGH FOR ME!' I mentally screamed at the fox, huffing for breath as my own mental state began to bleed over and affect my physical state with an increased heart rate and breathing as if I had actually shouted.

There was silence though for several moments until I had finally calmed my breathing and steadied my heart rate at which point the fox spoke up to ask the obvious.

'You feel better now?'

'...Yeah, I've needed to do that for a while now...'

A derisive snort was the reply before it spoke again.

'Good, it was getting fucking annoying having to deal with your overly cautious attitude in here. I expect you to do things, even if it's asking me for help beyond what I give to uphold our oath. That means you need to think for yourself consider your options as more than just 'what will give me power. Honestly you should learn from the blonde idiot, your personality behind the mask was becoming far too much like that brooding duck-ass.'

I couldn't help laughing at that for several moments before slipping back into chuckles and finally quiet snickers as I took the mental image of the Kyuubi calling Sasuke 'duck-ass, to his face and saved them in my memories. Once all was quiet for several minutes as I rested just a bit before I spoke again.

'Thank you Kyuubi...For making me your heir...and for putting up with me.'

A small huff was the reply before the Kyuubi spoke again, this time with a calm, neutral, almost friendly tone.

"You're welcome kit...and it's Kurama, not Kyuubi. You already knew my name so just use it damn it.'

I couldn't stop a smile that pulled my lips up as I felt the tension in my body ease a little as I replied to him.

'Will do...Kurama-tou-san.'

There was silence on the other end of the conversation. Beautiful, incredulous, dumb-struck silence as I broke out into snickers again before ending the conversation and getting up to get some dinner.

Author's Note: And there's chapter three! I hope you all enjoyed it and I encourage you you ask any questions and leave any thoughts you have about the story in a review. I'll see you all soon enough with the next chapter, so...

Ja ne!