The glowing heat of the forge made Naruto sweat as she pounded away at a metal bar. It was being bent so that it was like a hook. It was the middle of the night, and the young blacksmith was still energized. She was diligent in in her work, her art coming together masterfully.

While forging items with one arm was hard work, Naruto had gotten to the point where it came with ease.

That should be good, she thought, holding the hook up and inspecting it. It was still blackened but the tip was hammered down to a point and the curve had a certain flare to it. At the end opposite the tip was a hole, a loop to put rope through. All that was left to do was polish it and set the equipment she used back to where it was.

Today Naruto felt particularly proud of her forge. Not because it was something new, but rather she got the materials without stealing. It was all her own merit, except the forge, she still needed one of her own.

Before she started polishing she pulled a bag out with three similar hooks and set it down on the table. Then she moved over to a thick wheel with what looked like sand paper covering it. At her foot was a pedal, when pushed the wheel would spin, repeat over and over and it got up to a suitable speed for her need. She placed the metal hook onto it and watched as the black soot disappeared and made way for a smooth dull metal color.

The blonde beamed as she turned it in her hands, now it needed a coat to remove any luster it might have. Instead of continuing, she placed the hook with the others. It was getting late, she was tired, and the blacksmith who owned this forge usually came over really early with his son.

Their names were Chinatsu and Chihiro. Naruto found those out when listening in on their conversations while they were working.

Fishing her bag into her hand she dashed over to the window. The equipment she used was neatly in place behind her, as she quietly closed the window. Softly, she breathed out a yawn and took as many alleys as possible to get to her home. The dark used to scare her, when she wondered if something would jump out. Now, after many nights going out to the blacksmith's forge she could safely say they gave her comfort for the protection they gave. The dark hid her from the sight of many hostile villagers, drunk and looking to cause trouble this late at night.

The next day the blonde blacksmith woke up early to get all of the grime and soot off her. It was hard to get out, and her skin was always red after all the scrubbing she did. At least she went to school knowing she was clean.

Locking her apartment, she met up with Shino at their usual spot, a road that leads straight to the academy. Coincidentally it was equally close to both of their houses.

Naruto greeted Shino cheerfully, "Hello Shino, you ready for school today!?"

Shino nodded to her and replied, "Yes, I am ready for school. By your greeting I can assume you're ready as well?"

"Yup, sure am."

"Good. Here, my mom made lunch for you again," Shino handed her a box wrapped in pink cloth. Naruto gave it a smell, Shino's mom always made the best food and the smell was what always got her to eat that, over ramen.

"It smells great, like always. Your mom is the best, tell her I said thank you for me, please."

"Actually, you should thank her yourself. She wanted me to invite you over today, so what do you say?"

Naruto rather liked the new teacher. He remained impartial, even if he did tend to glare at her every so often. Her grades had taken a noticeable leap since he started here, and that was not her own doing. She always tried her best, yes, but before she never seemed to be able to get past a certain point in class. That was when she realized how harsh her old teachers were on her.

He would yell when necessary, and give praise where praise was deserved. He was a little more hands on, that might have just been them being third years though.

Iruka himself was apprehensive about having the Jinchuriki in his class, but the third Hokage had given him a few lectures that helped him clear his mind. He thought about those lectures and really gave the advice a try. Occasionally though, he had a bad day, and he let his mood affect his actions. That usually resulted in him glaring at the Nine tailed fox jinchuriki, later he did not regret it though.

The scarred teacher knew the Aburame clan and what they taught their kids. It was logic, and while still a kid Shino was raised by this line of thought. So by logic it made sense he would befriend someone who didn't mind about his bugs. But one thing Iruka did not understand was why his parents continued to let him hang around that child. Did they not know, or did they just not care?

He didn't plan on asking.

Naruto saw Iruka staring off into space at his desk, and looked down to her completed work. Should she turn it in first? She looked around and saw others still writing, and she did not feel comfortable drawing their attention to her for turning it in first. They have been rather rude about it in the past.

That is until Shino placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked at him and he repositioned his glasses, his way of assurance. She smiled and nodded back, and they both got up to turn in their papers. Iruka snapped out of his thoughts as two papers were placed on his desk. He looked and the two students of his thoughts were turning around to go back to their seats. Looking at their work, he noticed they got it done and almost all of their answers are right.

He hummed and started grading them.

Shino, she loved calling him her friend, had invited her over to his home after school. She was nervous what his parents would think, but her real worries stemmed in the fact she has never been over to another person's house before. What should she wear? How does she act? Those question's answers will evade her for the time being.

When the bell rang, the orange wearing student went and grabbed her bag with Shino. With their bags on their backs Shino asked, "You ready?"

Naruto's heart sped up a beat, but she nodded with a smile and replied, "Yeah, let's go!"

With Shino leading the way the duo walked and talked all the way to Shino's house. They had to enter a gate first, and the one thing that stood out to Naruto are the other houses in the area. They are large and well kept, and the people each dressed pretty similar to Shino. Weird.

Shino, being the little gentlemen, opened the door for her. She walked in and looked around in wonder at the neat and well kept home.

"I'm home!" Shino called out behind her, making her pause.

Naruto blushed and stammered out, "I-I-I'm here too! Naruto Uzumaki! Thank you for the lunch!"

Shino raised an eyebrow as he sat down on the ledge to take off his shoes. Naruto, silently sat down next to him, trying to hide her deepening blush in vain.

"Welcome back Shino, oh, and your friend is here, great," a lovely female voice called from down the hallway, which was then followed by steps.

Two men of average height stood in an alley, speaking in hushed whispers. As the sun set over head the alley got darker, and the only feature that stood out was their eyes. Glowing red orbs that occasionally looked around for eavesdroppers.

"I don't know what's taking so long, we should start the plan as soon as possible, ruling over konoha should be our birthright," a deep voice said. It belonged to a younger man, more hasty with his words and actions. "It wouldn't be too hard, we are the Uchiha!" The other man placed a hand over his mouth.

"Keep it down. Remember, this is supposed to be a secret," his voice was older, more experienced but perhaps held more arrogance than the other man's voice.

A trash can being knocked over made them turn their heads. They spotted movement, then they heard the grunt and thud of someone falling over. The younger Uchiha growled and pulled out a knife, a kitchen knife to be exact. The older Uchiha did nothing as he flashed toward the interloper.

Blood was splashed over the alley, and a breathy wheeze was heard as someone died.

"Let's leave. Burn those clothes as fast as you can and remember not to mention a word of this to anyone," in the next instant both left via shunshin.

Naruto looked up to find a beautiful woman standing there. She has nice silky black hair and her eyes are obscured by shaded glasses.

The women noticed her stare and smiled. She introduced herself, "My name is Lisa Aburame. You're the friend Shino has told me all about, it's nice to meet you." Here, Lisa gave a slight bow. Naruto stood hastily and returned the bow, albeit a much more angled bow.

"Well, you look like you could use some cleaning up. I'll show you to the bath, Shino, why don't you go help your father make dinner? After dinner you two can play as much as you like."

"Hey, I don't look that bad do I?" Naruto pouted. She thought she cleaned up great this morning.

"I have to agree with Naruto, mother," Shino seconded, he stood from the ledge and face his mother.

"Well then, I'll have to introduce you to brushing your hair," Lisa rose an eyebrow and smirked. She leaned down and grabbed the blonde childs hand and started pulling her down the hall.

Shino looked on as the two disappeared around a corner. He shrugged and made his way to the kitchen, where he saw his father stirring something in a pan.

"Welcome home Shino, I trust you had a good day at the academy?" Shibi Aburame said. "Was your friend able to come over?"

"Mom took her to get cleaned up. I am here to help with dinner," Shino pushed up his glasses and grabbed a stool from under the sink.

Lisa had Naruto sit in front of her while she pulled a brush through thick and tangled hair. Naruto was very verbal with her pain, her hair felt like it was getting ripped out at points.

The women chuckled, "Relax, you'll get used to it. Now, would you like pigtails, perhaps a ponytail? Or maybe you like braids?"

Naruto scrunched up her face in confusion, "I don't know. What're you talking about?"

Lisa hid her disbelief behind a genuine understanding smile, "Stand up, I'll show you in the mirror."

Naruto paid close attention as Shino's mom pulled her hair in different ways. All of them were cute, but only the ponytail made her feel comfortable.

"Alright, time for your bath. Lift your arms up."

Naruto stopped looking at herself in the mirror and nervously shifted her gaze to Lisa. She did not want this to happen, this was not happening. If she had to take a bath Lisa would surely find out her arm is missing. Naruto was about to speak but the Aburame woman started talking.

"Are you uncomfortable with me in the room? Is it because I'm a stranger, or is it because of that arm? Yes, I know about it, I could feel it when I dragged you in here." Lisa crossed her arms and leveled a stern gaze on her.

Naruto froze. How was that possible. When did- Of course, Naruto didn't notice because it wasn't for long, but Lisa had grabbed her right arm, her prosthetic arm when dragging her into the bathroom.

"I'm waiting."

Naruto lowered her gaze, trying to hide the sadness and tears in her eyes. She spoke, "I-I lost my arm...it was a while back. Please don't tell anyone! If you do I won't be able to become a ninja."

"Does anyone else know? Surely someone has to know, how else would you have gotten that arm? Tell me, now, and I might be able to convince the Hokage to be lenient with your punishment."

Naruto whimpered, but now that she was caught, she knew she would not be able to continue being a ninja. She choked back a sob and explained, hoping just a little, that her dream could still become true, "I lost my arm over a year ago, these- these men attacked me. They cut my arm off and- and- and-" Lisa watched as the small girl was cut off by her own sobs, and her gaze softened. It must have been pretty hard to talk about, and to have held back her emotions about it for so long? She could only imagine what it has done to her.

Lisa leaned forward and hugged the girl, "It's fine, shh, it's fine. You don't have to say anymore, let's just give you a bath and we can figure it out tomorrow."

As soon as Shino and Shibi got done setting the table, Naruto and Lisa walked in. Both had their hair up into different styles. Naruto's looked like a perfect ponytail, while Shibi's wife seemed to have a lopsided and loose braid.

Shibi could only smile at his wife teasingly. Shino sat down and gestured for his friend to sit down next to him. The two adults followed, and throughout dinner they asked various questions towards Naruto.

A squad of ninja who were playing around and going out to drink took an alley for a shortcut. What they saw had them canceling their plans and cutting off the area. The next thing they did was contact the Uchiha police force to investigate. Since it was nights lights were placed around the area to illuminate the murder victim.

Civilians who came to see what happened were in a buzz as they talked about this murder. And the ones before that. The tension in the village was rising as more and more people became afraid.

The Hokage sighed as the report came to him. He knew who did this, and he very well wanted to arrest them. The fact though, was that if he did, it would start a civil war, even if he had enough evidence to do it in the first place.

"Lord Hokage, excuse my interruption. I came to inform you that there is not much time left," a kneeling ninja said.

"Rise, Shisui. I know this, I just wish I could delay it forever. Perhaps in another world the Uchiha clan was not regarded with suspicion, and none of this would be happening," the Hokage took a long drag of his tobacco. He let out a white smoke sigh.

"I wish that too. But the Uchiha clan will not back down, and neither will I nor Itachi. We are too far into this to quit, both sides are."

"Dismissed, and inform Itachi a meeting will take place in three days."

So actual plot is introduced, yeah! Did you like, is there anything that absolutely needs to be changed or fixed?

Regarding the poll, only 6 people have voted. Here are the results:

4 say Insects

1 says Bird

1 says None

Anyway, I say fire! I say fire! I say thank you if you put my story on your favorite/follow list or if you reviewed. It really helps. And the poll, it'll only be up until chapter six, so vote now!