Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor any of the characters, beside the main OC. All credit for creating this amazing series goes to Mr. Kishimoto

EDITED: 26th January 2013

BECOMING FRIENDS

October, 18th 211 – early morning

Akimi woke up with a scream. She was sweating. "Great. Just great." she panted, moving her hair from her forehead. She saw on the bedside table a clock, realizing it was 5.35 in the morning. She was glad she has slept so long, all things considered. "I should have expected this."

The door opened violently. "Are you all right, Akimi-chan?" Naruto entered in the room, wearing quite funny pajamas. They were a pale blue, with frogs all over. He had a hat with a pom-pom as well.

'Why didn't I put a privacy seal around the bed? I was exhausted, that's why.' "It was just a nightmare, Naruto-san, don't worry. I'm very sorry I woke you up, especially after you gave up your bed for me."

The girl insisted she could use the couch, after all it was almost two weeks since she had slept at all – and her brief naps were on solid ground in the forest – so the couch would be more than fine. Thus she learned that Naruto, even though he mostly behaved like an idiot, was a true gentleman at heart. So she had indeed used his bed.

"It's fine. I wasn't sleeping... I... I've lots on my mind."

Akimi sat up on the bed. "Care to talk about it? I doubt I will be able to go back to sleep. After all, I slept for more than ten hours." After they reached Naruto's house, the girl had immediately gone to sleep, too tired to even eat again. Kaera was curled near her, on the pillows, and was looking at her with worried eyes.

Naruto sat at the end of the bed. "I keep seeing that man's face when I close my eyes. I keep telling myself that I could have done it differently. I could have aimed at his shoulder or leg, I didn't have to... to kill him. But I did. I'm a murderer."

"You aren't." Akimi said. "You are a very bright, kind person, Naruto-san. It's all right to feel guilty, but you should not let the guilt eat you."

"That's the thing, Akimi-chan, since I can remember I wanted to be a shinobi. But if I have all these problems killing one single person, how can I...? I suppose I always thought that being a ninja was all about having cool jutsu and going around saving the day."

"You saved me though." Akimi smiled, moving to sit near him. "And being a ninja doesn't mean you are simply and only a killer. There is more to it. It all depends on how you see the job. You are right, maybe you didn't have to kill him. But you reacted on instinct didn't' you?"

"I did." Naruto bitterly laughed. "Mizuki-sensei would be surprised. My aim usually sucks."

Akimi giggled a little. "Crisis situations bring out our best. That's why what my grandfather used to say."

"He sounded like a wise man. How long ago did he...?"

"Sixteen days." Akimi said, with a pained voice. "That was what I was dreaming about."

Naruto put ha hand on her shoulder, tentatively. "I'm very sorry, Akimi-chan."

"Don't be. It's not your fault. But I appreciate your sympathy."

"Do you think... do you think those men had a family? Someone who now is mourning them?"

"That's something you – and I as well – will be wondering about for life. We have no means to know. The easy way would be to think that they were ruthless men, greedy, who became bandits because they were cruel. But who knows? Maybe they lost their job and they were forced to steal to help their family. But usually thugs like that are not nice people and if they have family, it's only because they raped some woman during one of their raids."

"But we can't possibly know, right." Naruto sighed. "How do you do it? You killed five of them! I mean, I'm not saying you are a cold or unfeeling person but I..."

"I learned how to cope, Naruto-san." Akimi lowered her head. Her voice faltered. "I saw my parents die before my eyes when I was five. My grandfather was my everything. He and I wandered along all Hi no Kuni and also a little of Kawa no Kuni. It was there, in a small village in the Lands of Rivers, that I made my first kill. I was nine." she stopped. "We were about to leave. The village had a strange air around it. It was dark. The people looked weary. My Grandfather didn't like it. Then they arrived. More than four dozens of bandits. They were greedy monsters. They had already sacked most of the crops of the villagers, but they wanted more... Gramps didn't hesitate. He attacked them. 'It is my duty to protect those who are weaker than us. If not, power will corrupt me.' He always said."

"He was able to stand up to more than forty people?"

"He was good." Akimi sadly smiled. "At the end, when only few of them remained, I saw one of them sneak up on him. Probably gramps would have been able to stop him but I didn't think about it. The only thing I saw was someone trying to hurt my only family, my precious grandfather. I saw red. I hit the man square in the chest with twelve shuriken. I still can picture the expression of utter shock on the man's face. I remember his scream. The smell of blood. His wounds... it's like it's all burned in my memory. I threw up right after and wasn't able to sleep for almost two weeks. I barely ate. Gramps was very worried about me."

"This is what you meant when you told me not to let guilt eat me. How did you cope, Akimi-chan?"

"Gramps slowly made me understand that death is part of life. There always comes a moment in the life when you are forced to choose between your life or the life of your loved one and your enemy's life. As long as one understands that killing is a last resort and doesn't do it lightly... as long as you feel guilty and don't feel pleasure in killing... as long as this happens, then you are not a murderer. Senseless killing is a sin. Killing in defense and in the line of duty is a fact."

"I don't really like it, you know."

"That's the point, Naruto-san. You have to keep disliking it, but you also have to accept it." Akimi smiled sadly. "And also finding an outlet, a distraction helps. A hobby would be excellent. I, for one, read a lot. What about you, Naruto-san, have you got any hobbies?"

"Pranking."

"You prank your friends?" Akimi asked, interested.

"I prank everyone. And I don't think I really have friends. I have buddies at the Academy, but..."

"It's fine, Naruto-san." Akimi smiled. "But I think you probably should restrain yourself from laying too much mayhem on this village. How about another hobby? Art, music, cooking, gardening...? None of these appeals to you?"

"I've never tried. Maybe we could do it together." Naruto throw a punch in the air, exited. "So we can have a hobby together. A way to spend time together."

"Naruto." Akimi dropped the honorific. "I'm your friend. I think in time we can become the best of friends. We'll spend a lot of time together – hobby or not." she reassured him.

"That's great." Naruto smiled at her. "You know, I don't feel tired at all."

"Me either. Do you have something to eat?"

"Instant ramen... maybe some milk."

"I see." Akimi giggled. "Maybe you should look into cooking. I can teach you a little. I always cooked for gramps. For now, instant ramen will do."

"I'll go prepare it. What about Kaera-chan?"

"She eats meat. I doubt you have some, so I'll buy it for her tomorrow. I have to restock my supplies anyway."

Ten minutes later the two children were eating ramen in the small kitchen of the house. Akimi was very appalled the boy ate only ramen. "I mean really: no meat, no vegetables?"

"What do you mean, Akimi-chan? There are dozens of different flavors of ramen, dattebayo."

"Having a differentiate and balanced diet is the quickest way to have a strong and sane body. A strong and sane body is fundamental for a shinobi." she explained. "Maybe you should try to balance ramen out with something else."

Naruto looked at her strangely. "But ramen is divine food."

Akimi tilted her head. "Maybe eating ramen is your coping way."

Naruto was taken aback from this. Could it be? After all Teuchi-san and Ayame-chan were few of the people who treated him fairly and kindly. Maybe he had come to think of ramen as a conform food because of this and it slowly became his obsession. That, and it was very tasty.

"How bad did you have it, Naruto-kun?" asked Akimi then, her voice serious and yet sweet.

Naruto gaped. Did she just call him Naruto-kun? Only the Hokage did, and he always called children with the affectionate suffix. But Akimi doing it... it felt warm. She was using it because she cared for him. Because she was his friend. "How can you tell?"

"Your eyes share the same amount of pain as mine. You hide it with your happy ways. I respect you a lot for that. It has been a long time since I felt carefree. I haven't such strength. The strength to smile. But in the end, you still suffer."

"And you hide the pain with your coldness, don't you, Akimi-chan?"

"Yes. In this way we are opposite. Maybe we can learn from each other." Akimi sighed. "Since gramps died I feel lost. I'm lost. Of course, I had more pressing things to think about, like escaping those thugs and reaching Konoha. But now, it's all coming crashing down."

"I'll make you smile again, Akimi-chan." Naruto explained. "It's a promise. And I never back down on my word, dattebayo!"

"Your determination is astonishing. You'll go far, Naruto-kun. What drives you?"

Naruto felt he could trust Akimi. That he could show her his true self. They had connected when he saved her. He lowered his head and spoke in a small voice. "I'm an orphan. My parents were shinobi and they died fighting the Kyūbi. At least according to oji-san. In the orphanage they always said they abandoned me. That they wouldn't want someone as useless as me."

A sharp hissing sound echoed in the room. Naruto raised his head in surprise, to see Akimi with clenched fists. Fists which were surrounded by... flames? He also noticed her eyes were golden. What on earth? "Akimi-chan...?"

"Sorry, sorry." the girl calmed down is a like a second. "The idiots who told you that have to hope I never meet them. Naruto-kun, I'm sure the Hokage would not lie to you. Your parents were certainly honorable people and you are not worthless."

Naruto nodded. 'She is scary when she is angry. Much scarier than Sakura-chan. A lot kinder as well. Not to self: never anger her.' "I was kicked out from the orphanage at five. I lived on the streets for about a week I think, then I met oji-san and he gave me this house and a monthly allowance. He also enrolled me in the academy. The teachers treated me even worse than the caretakers at the orphanage though. I had to learn how to read on my own and I swore I always did my best on the test, but I always scored low. So after a while I simply stopped caring. And I started ditching school as well"

Akimi frowned. "Didn't you tell this to Sarutobi-sama? I'm sure he would have helped you."

"I didn't want to bother him. He helped me so much already. He is the Hokage, he is busy. Besides I'm the only one who was treated unfairly, so... I just wish I knew why the hate me."

"They are all idiots. Really, that's even flattering for them. That is no way to treat a child. Gramps would have kicked their sorry asses into next week." she laughs a little, albeit bitterly. "So you failed the Graduation Exam?"

"Yeah. Two times. After the first I joined Iruka-sensei's class with all the kids of my age. Lots of clan heirs as well... He is a fair teacher, but I think he kind of hates my pranking ways. I tried again the exam this year. I almost did it, were it not for that damn..."

"Yeah?"

"Bunshin no Jutsu! I can't even make a clone, do you realize what a joke I am?"

"Where did the determined shinobi I've met today go?" Akimi said. "You are not a joke. I'm sure there is an explanation as why you can't do a clone. Besides, I promised to teach you, and I also tend to keep my word, you know."

"Really, you'll help me?" Naruto smiled. "You don't think I'm a hopeless dope?"

"You look very smart to me." Akimi shook her head. "You know, I simply think you got lost in your mask."

"Huh?" Naruto said. 'Way to show my smartness...'

"You were suffering so much, Naruto-kun, that you decided to mask it with a happy smile. You wear orange, you act you are a utter baka... but you are not. I can see it. You simply never felt secure enough to drop your mask."

"Ehi, orange is a beautiful color. It is my favorite, dattebayo. That's why I wear it. Can't you see its awesomeness? Don't insult the orange!"

"Never. It's a rather... unorthodox color for an aspiring shinobi, but it's very beautiful. It's very close to my own favorite – red. I think it matches your personality. You are so vivacious it's impossible not to notice you and orange really helps you there." Akimi replied. "Besides, I think you really wish to be acknowledged, do you not?"

Naruto gaped again. "How do you do it?"

"Gramps taught me to observe everything. A ninja is always aware of his surroundings. He who controls the battlefield, controls the battle." Akimi smiled. "Plus, it's useful to confuse your opponent."

"Are you always this philosophical?"

"Gramps always said that learning to be a ninja is not only learning tai, nin and gen jutsu. It's not simply throwing weapons around and learning how to mold chakra. It's much more. It's a way of life: a philosophy."

"Observing, uh?" Naruto asked. "What happened before? Your eyes were golden."

"It's my clan secret." Akimi answered. "I'll explain to you after I have a safe room set up in my house. I really wish to keep the information secret."

"Nobody is listening."

"We are in a ninja village, Naruto-kun."

"Is this why oji-san sent me away yesterday?"

"So you are indeed observing!" Akimi exclaimed. "See, I told you that you were smart."

Naruto laughed, ruffling his spiky hair in embarrassment. "I suppose you are right."

Hiruzen Sarutobi made his way towards Naruto's apartment. He didn't bother to knock, since he knew the boy wouldn't mind. He slowly opened the door, which gave way to the sitting room, and was mildly surprised to see the two young kids talking on the couch, since it was just barely past dawn. They seemed very at ease with each other. They were sat facing each other, Akimi had her legs crossed, and her cat was in her lap, while Naruto was basically lying on the couch, his legs finishing just at the side of the girl.

What truly astonished the old Kage, though, was that he didn't hear a noise coming from the couch, despise the fact that Naruto had his arm thrown in the air – and was probably shouting as usual. Akimi was giggling at his antics. 'She must have put a seal on the couch. She is indeed good.'

Akimi finally turned towards the door. He expected that. Hiruzen wasn't suppressing his chakra after all. The girl moved her hands in the "Kai" sign. "Sarutobi-sama." she greeted then, bowing her head. "Good morning."

"Oji-san!" Naruto was as usual very enthusiastic and he jumped down the couch to run towards him. "What are you doing here?"

Hiruzen chuckled at him. "I dropped by to leave you a message, because I thought I would find you sleeping." he explained. "But since you are awake, we might as well get moving. I want to show Akimi-chan what I think would be the perfect house for her. But first, are you and your familiar all right, child?"

"Yes, Sarutobi-sama. We only need rest, really." Akimi got up as well. "I thank you for your time."

"Come on, then. I'll treat you to breakfast afterwards." Hiruzen smiled. 'Good. Akimi has probably helped Naruto cope with his first kill. I think she had already lived that trauma a long time ago. And Naruto is already making her loosen up.'

Akimi loved the house right away. It was a fair sized two stores building, very traditional looking. It had a small garden for relaxing and a big patio. Nearby there was a small training ground. The whole structure was surrounded by a tall grey wall. Sarutobi told her he would buy the house for her and arrange for swiftly repairs. Akimi noted that they were near the river and asked if it would be possible to have a small waterfall and pond in the training grounds, with maybe a small river running along their perimeter. Sarutobi said it would not be a problem, since she had quite the amount of ryo.

The old Kage returned to his feared paperwork after eating breakfast with the two children (Akimi managed to convince Naruto not to have ramen, to his uttermost surprise).

"So what now?" Naruto asked, his hands in his pockets.

"You could show me around. I need to shop. Groceries and all." Akimi smiled. "And then you could point me to Umino-san, so I can ask him information about the Academy Syllabus."

"You are joining the Academy!" exclaimed Naruto, happily. "This is wonderful, Akimi-chan. What year are you going to be?"

"Yours, if I pass the necessary tests." Akimi smiled at him. "I thought we could ask Umino-san about your results as well."

Naruto's face darkened. "I'm not sure..."

"Don't worry about it too much, Naruto-kun, but if I see them, I'll be able to help you better. And you will be able to improve much better. Knowing one's weaknesses is the best path to true strength."

Naruto scratched his head. "It kind of makes sense. You know, you really should be a sensei."

"Nah." Akimi shook her head. "I don't really like to socialize that much. Well, now, why don't you show me around?"

Naruto nodded. "Let's jump on the roofs. I'm going to give you Konoha's tour! Uzumaki style, dattebayo."

"I wonder why they don't teach us Fūinjutsu at the Academy. It's really cool." Naruto said, opening the door of his apartment for Akimi. "I mean, thinking about all you bought – and it's all in your pockets!"

Akimi laughed. "It's probably the most complex ninja art. It's best taught one-on-one. Since the most common seals are the storage ones and explosives notes, that can easily be brought in ninja stores, and easy enough to learn anyway, they don't bother to normally teach it. But with proper training and imagination seals can be deadly."

"Can you teach me?"

She chuckled. "I had no doubts you would ask that. I'll do my best, Naruto-kun, but I'm far from being an expert – let alone to have mastered the Art." Akimi really liked the carefree spirit of Naruto and his seemingly endless warm energy. What she didn't like, were the glares of the people. 'Knowing Killing Intent would be nice, right now.'

"So, I'm sure Iruka-sensei is at the Academy right now, want to drop by?"

"Why not?" Akimi nodded. "But first let me give some food to Kaera. We can eat at Ichiraku for lunch and I'll cook you some dinner."

"No ramen?" Naruto pouted.

"Eh, at least give it a shot. I assure you I can cook edible food!"

"It's just that ramen..."

Akimi sighed. 'Well, looks like it will be difficult to introduce him to different types of food. Oh, my.' "All right. You can have your ramen, if you must. Now give me some time and I'll be ready."

Iruka Umino was a chūnin of Konoha, and a proud instructor at the Academy. He had no actual desire to become a jōnin, because he enjoyed teaching so very much. He had no real favorite student, even though in the past year he had come to like Uzumaki Naruto a lot. Sure, the kid was a prankster and not a model student, but he was a good kid. Iruka treated him to ramen from time to time. He was sorry Naruto hadn't passed the exam, for the second time, because he could see some potential in the kid. However, rules are rules. He hoped that the boy could get past this defeat and improve.

He was revising the files of the graduated, so that the Hokage could evaluate them to create balanced teams, when the door opened violently. He knew it could be only one person.

"Ohi, Iruka-sensei! What are you doing, dattebayo!?"

Iruka rubbed his forehead. 'As loud as always, aren't you, Naruto?'

"I think he is working, Naruto-kun." said an impassable voice from the doorframe.

Iruka looked at the girl with sincere curiosity. She moved almost like a seasoned kunoichi. He could see she was subtly observing the room and him. She smiled politely at him.

"Who is your friend, Naruto?" asked Iruka, surprised. 'He never mentioned her...'

"This is Akimi-chan, sensei." exclaimed Naruto. "She is my new friend! I met her yesterday while I was training and..."

"...I was looking for the entrance of the village, so Naruto-kun helped me." interrupted Akimi, coming into the room. "Katora Akimi, pleased to meet you, Umino-san."

"Likewise." Iruka nodded. 'She is wary and reserved. It's basically the opposite of Naruto.' "How can I help you?"

"Sarutobi-sama has allowed me to enroll in the Academy. He knew my grandfather and so he trusts I have some basics skills. I have requested to start at second year so I can be with students of my age. Sarutobi-sama said to ask you about the curriculum, so I'll be ready to be evaluated."

"I'll be right back, I have a copy of the required tests in the teacher's lounge. Something else?"

Naruto threw a fist in the air, in one of his typical gesture. "Can you get me the results of my exam, Iruka-sensei? I want to see what I did wrong, dattebayo!"

Iruka gaped. 'What? Is this really Naruto? That's... unexpected.' "Certainly. I'll be right back."

After the man left the room, Naruto smiled at Akimi. "See, I told you Iruka-sensei is cool."

"He seems to be a very intelligent shinobi, Naruto-kun." the girl replied.

"Why did you stop me from telling him how we met?"

"I'm sorry." Akimi said. "He is one of your favorite people, isn't he? I didn't want you to lie for me, but really I... I don't usually trust very easily."

"You seemed fine with the guards yesterday and with oji-san and with me..."

"I could not avoid explaining things to the guards. Grandfather told me I could trust Sarutobi-sama with my life. And you saved my life. That's an exception. Just give me some time. I'm sure I'll come to trust Umino-san as you do, Naruto-kun."

"You use way too many honorifics, Akimi-chan!" Naruto laughed. "It's so weird."

"You know, I could be thinking the same of you not using any honorifics." Akimi replied. "Did you think about that?"

Naruto stopped in his tracks. "Does it bother you?"

"Not really. That is the way you are. Does it bother that I do use them?"

"No." He thought for a second. "As long as you don't call me san ever again."

She giggled. "No, don't worry. You got me to call you Naruto-kun. It will be very difficult to make me stop now. Probably I'll do it only if you anger me."

Naruto took note of this. "Like as a warning, or as 'it's too late, now, I'm going to burn you to ashes'?"

Akimi laughed harder. "As a warning. I'll use –san when if I ever need to warn you that I'm going to burn you to ashes."

Naruto laughed with her. In that moment Iruka came back.

"Here we are, kids." he said. "Here is the Syllabus. The Konoha Library has an entire section with books on sale, Akimi, so you can find everything there. Naruto, I'm proud you want to learn from your mistakes, here is the report."

"Thank you, Iruka-sensei! You'll see I'll be Hokage in no time, dattebayo." Naruto exclaimed, taking the papers. "And now let's go have ramen, dattebayo!" and he run out from the room.

"I look forward to learning from you, Umino-san." Akimi said instead, bowing her head respectfully. "I better reach Naruto-kun, before he eats all the ramen at Ichiraku's." And she calmly left.

Iruka chuckled. "How very interesting. And now let's sort out these bloody reports!"

Akimi realized how true was her statement that eating ramen was Naruto's way of comfort, when she saw how Teuchi-san and Ayame-san treated the boy. The old chef treated him like a son. The waitress shot her an appraising look – really she was almost scared – behaving just like you expect a protective older sister to do.

Nevertheless, the two were very warm and friendly people. In fact, as soon as Ayame realized she had no intention to harm Naruto in any way, she immediately became gracious.

"So what can we get you?" Ayame asked.

"Three miso, two pork and one vegetable, dattebayo." exclaimed Naruto. "No, make that four miso."

Akimi looked at him, flabbergasted. 'What the hell? Where does he put all that food?' "And you, Akimi?"

"One vegetable and a chicken one, please. Some water to go with it."

"You got that, dad?" Ayame screamed.

"Coming right away! One miso and one vegetable!"

"So what do you think of Konoha, Akimi?"

"It's a very warm and welcoming place – mostly." Akimi frowned when thinking about the way most people treated Naruto. "I really like it here. It's a serene village. And a very beautiful one. I hate cities really, and small villages around Hi no Kuni aren't so... harmonious."

"So you and your grandfather didn't have a stable home?"

Akimi didn't answer immediately. "We did. But my family has always had the tradition of wandering, as a way to gain knowledge. Nevertheless, I think it will be a very beautiful experience to stay in one place. Well, at least until I don't graduate."

Ayame nodded.

"Don't you worry, Akimi-chan!" exclaimed instead Naruto. "You will enjoy yourself in Konoha like never before. I'll assure you, dattebayo. You'll have a blast."

"Just don't do anything too drastic, Naruto-kun." replied the girl.

He laughed in response. "Where would be the fun in that?"

That afternoon...

After lunch, Akimi basically forced Naruto to take her to the library. Then, they returned to his house. They were now on the roof of it, lying on an old blanket.

Akimi sighed. "Why do you want to become Hokage, Naruto-kun?"

"Because the Hokage it's the best ninja in the village. Everyone respects him! I'll surpass all of them. I'll become the greatest Hokage and everyone will see how awesome I am and will finally acknowledge me, dattebayo."

"I see." Akimi smiled. "It's a very difficult goal you have, Naruto-kun, but for some reason I'm inclined to believe you will do just fine."

"I'll become Hokage, dattebayo! And I never back down on my word."

"Yes." Akimi chuckled. "But it's going to be a great deal of work."

"I know, dattebayo. First thing I'll learn those awesome jutsu of yours – then I'll be a step closer to Hokage!"

"You know, power is not measured by the amount of jutsu you know. Mostly is the way you use them and why you fight that really matters." Akimi said. "That's why the weakest techniques are often the more useful."

"I just don't get it. I mean what good can a Bunshin do. High level enemies will be able to easy detect them anyway."

"You are right. But you should look at it more widely. Bunshin are excellent way to learn how to control chakra, for one. Besides, it's very useful against a great number of weaker opponents."

"Yea, I think I get it."

"Strategy is one of most important things for a ninja. Gramps always told me that planning is fundamental, as long as you don't let yourself be too bounded by your plan."

"Huh?"

"Look, you want to become Hokage, right? How do you plan to do it? You need to find yourself a series of intermediary goals. Say becoming genin, then chūnin and so on. Again, when gramps started to teach me, I was too young to effectively learn a taijutsu style. So he devised games to build up my strength and stamina, and then taught me some basic stances and katas."

"And the part about not being bounded?"

"You always need to expect the unexpected. If you trust too much in plans, then you will never be able to adapt. You need... flexibility."

"Wow, you really know your stuff, Akimi-chan."

"Not really. I have a good memory. I'm mostly telling you what gramps taught me."

Naruto got up, jumping a little. He really was hyperactive. "Can we start, Akimi-chan, can we start?"

"Yes, we will start. We will make a plan." Akimi said. "Now sit down, please. What about we go over your report?"

The boy nodded and she started browsing the small brown folder.

"Right, according to this report, you could have passed the exam if only you did a Bunshin. You are good at taijutsu, you suck at genjutsu, and you can do Kawarimi and Henge just fine. Academics is another sore spot, you seem to have good stamina. From what I have seen, you are very good at stealth and have quite the good aim. Moreover, you are smart, you simply lost yourself in your mask."

"I may be smart, Akimi-chan, but I really don't want to study books or stuff."

"Really, you should suck it up and do it nevertheless. Obviously, academics aren't your strong point, but, Naruto-kun, this is the precise reason you have to work on it."

"What good would they do anyway?"

Akimi chuckled. "They help improve your mental sharpness. In terms of raw strength, they also contribute to increase the spiritual energy of chakra."

"I still don't like it."

"I don't like physical training, but I still do it. Besides, you should try, you may like it."

"Yeah, but what about things like history, geography and such...? What good would they do in a fight?"

"None. But life is not only a fight, Naruto-kun. High level ninjas are often sent on diplomatic missions. There, a good knowledge of culture is very useful. You want to become Hokage, right? You know that Sandaime-sama is known as "The Professor" among other nicknames? Is this reason enough?"

Naruto snorted. "Probably."

"Damn you are stubborn. Right. Let's drop it for now. Next: try to do a Bunshin for me."

The boy grunted a little. He did the required seals. Slowly. Akimi noted this. 'We need to speed up our fingers velocity and dexterity. I'm not very quick myself, but he is slower than me.' Ram. Snake. Tiger. Naruto focused his chakra and said: "Bunshin no Jutsu."

A cloud of smoke enveloped the roof. Akimi coughed a little, waiting patiently for the smoke to clear. When he did, she noticed a couple of... well, Bunshins, on the ground. But they were grey and dead looking.

"Stupid jutsu!" spat Naruto.

"Oh, my." said instead Akimi. "It was as I thought. You have too much chakra, Naruto-kun."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I only sensed a level of chakra greater than yours two times: my grandfather and Sarutobi-sama. Not even the ANBU... you could say that the average Academy Student has a level of chakra of, say, a glass. Average genin, a bottle. Maybe more. But you have a bloody barrel!"

"Isn't this a good thing?"

"It is. You are basically a powerhouse! But you lack control." Akimi explained. "You need a very small amount of chakra to do a Bunshin. Going back to my metaphor, I would say – half a glass, if not less. But when you try to fill this small glass you simply pour too much chakra. And the result..." she pointed at the grey clones.

"Damn!"

"Damn?" Akimi laughed. "Knowing what the problem is, usually means you halfway there. We need to improve your control. And boom, you'll do Bunshin in no time."

"Is control so important, Akimi-chan?"

"Power and control are the two pillars of every jutsu, Naruto-kun. The more control you have, the easier it will be to do them. You may be a powerhouse, but if you waste too much chakra, you'll lose your advantage."

"I see."

"Well, what kind of control exercise do you know?"

"... Leaf balancing. But I suck at that – the leaf always is shot away from me."

Akimi nodded. "Again, the exercise has been created for normal Academy Students. We'll need to pass into more complex exercises. But I think it's best if we wait for my house to be ready. A private training ground will be good."

"Why?"

"Naruto-kun, deception is a ninja's greatest weapon." explained Akimi. "Gramps dressed like a normal, harmless old man. When his opponent was busy laughing at him, he struck. And trust me, he rarely needed a second shot."

Naruto grinned. "This is great. It's just like a great big prank."

Akimi nodded. "And it's just another example of why observation is so important for ninja. You always need to have an open mind, expect the unexpected and never, never underestimate an opponent." she explained. "I swear gramps beat these things into me. He always kicked my ass during spars." she said fondly.

Naruto seemed to notice her sadness. "Let's do something, Akimi-chan, I'm tired of talking!"

Akimi smiled. "What about a game, Naruto-kun?"

And so Uzumaki Naruto was subtly introduced to the joy of strategic games.

October, 26th 211

"No, absolutely no!" Naruto screamed.

"Come on. It's very useful training technique, I'm telling you."

"There is no way I'm sitting still for so long! Doing nothing!"

"Meditation is not doing nothing!" Akimi exclaimed, clashing her hand near the shogi table. "It's a very complex technique, that includes becoming aware of yourself and your surrounding and, in our case, of our chakra. Through meditation you can increase your spiritual energy in the same way your physical energy is increased by exercising. Another way of meditating is becoming more aware of your chakra, training to get in touch with it. That's your goal, if you become more familiar with how your chakra feel you will control it better."

"I'm not convinced, dattebayo."

Akimi remained silent. After all, she had convinced him to eat something besides ramen – and she was very proud of that accomplishment. She also managed to make him read with her a book about Konoha history. 'There is no way the Hokage can't not know about the history of his village, baka!' "Make your move, Naruto-kun." she merely stated.

Naruto smirked at his small victory and moved one of his paws in an apparently stupid way. The boy had greatly improved in a mere week. Akimi had learned not to underestimate his strange strategies. 'He is a most surprising tactician!' "Really, I don't know how you do it."

"I'm sorry?"

"You are very good at disrupting my strategies. You will be a very dangerous opponent once you get enough experience. Very, very good at tactics."

"Aren't tactics and strategy the same thing?"

"In essence, yes. But strategy is a long term plan. Tactics a short one. You are basically very good at thinking on your feet, and in a very surprising way. But you still lack more strategic thinking. The games are making you improve, though."

"Really? You are the best teacher ever, Akimi-chan."

"Thank you. If so, don't you think it would be better to try mediation as well? After all, you told me how strategy will help you make better pranks."

"And meditation will allow me to be a better ninja?"

"Indeed."

"You just lulled me in a sense of false security, making me believe you dropped the matter and changing the topic completely while your goal was making me accept all along?"

"Indeed."

"You are a mean opponent in mind games, Akimi-chan."

"Don't worry, you'll be able to keep up with me in no time."

"Yeah, believe it, dattebayo!"

Akimi giggled and moved one of her pawns as well, when someone knocked at the door.

"Come on in!" exclaimed Naruto. "Ohi, oji-san, shouldn't you be dealing with your paperwork?"

Hiruzen sweat dropped. "Thank you for reminding me, Naruto-kun." he said. "But I took a break."

"Any reason you are honoring us with your presence, Sarutobi-sama?" asked Akimi, respectful as always.

"Actually, I've come to give you these." the old Kage threw at her a small, tingling object. Akimi caught it with ease, seeing they were keys.

"The house is ready?" she exclaimed, happily.

"You can move in as soon as you want."

Akimi jumped on her feet, in a rare show of excitement. "I'll go collect my things!" she exclaimed. She stopped though, noticing Naruto's expression had dropped. "'to-kun?" she asked. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing, 'mi-chan." he said. "Don't worry."

Hiruzen frowned as well.

"Ehi, I'm sure worrying is somewhere very high in the list of a friend's jobs." Akimi said. "So, start talking."

"It's stupid."

"I've lived with you for a week, I can handle stupid."

Hiruzen chuckled softly.

"That's the point. It felt so... good living with someone else. Almost like I wasn't alone anymore."

"Oh, Naruto-kun." Akimi said softly. She got near him and hugged him.

Hiruzen felt as if he was intruding in something very private. 'Minato, Kushina, they remind me of you two so much. Even though their personality is kind of switched.'

Akimi looked at the Hokage from the embrace. She tilted her head with a small grin. In time, those closer to her would learn it meant she just had an idea. "Is this house yours, Naruto-kun?" she asked.

The boy looked at the Hokage as well.

Hiruzen smiled. "I've rented this apartment for Naruto. The cost is actually deducted from his monthly allowance."

Akimi nodded. "And you are his guardian, right?"

"It is my job to take care of all orphans, yes. I usually delegate this task to the orphanage or to adoptive family, but until the day you become genins, yes, I'm the guardian of both of you."

Akimi grinned more widely. "Well, then, Sarutobi-sama, what if Naruto-kun comes to live with me in my house? There will be plenty of space, after all, and we can take care of each other."

Naruto looked flabbergasted. "Are you serious, Akimi-chan? I mean, I don't..."

"Shut up, baka. I still owe you, after all." she spat. "Well, Hokage-sama?"

The old leader looked at the two pleading faces of the children – three if you count the small cat Kaera which had come out from nowhere and started to purr at his feet. Hiruzen smiled. He couldn't have said no even if he wanted to.

"I think you should start packing as well, Naruto-kun. I'll tell your landlord you are leaving and from next month you will see a considerate increase to your allowance." Hiruzen smiled. "And now I really think I must go, before the paperwork becomes too much for me to handle."

"You should come to dinner, one of these days, Sarutobi-sama." Akimi said, with a bow. "I owe you a lot. And I promise you that there will be other food, beside ramen."

Hiruzen chuckled. "I may just hold you up to your offer. I'll let you know." he said. "I shall not keep you from your packing any longer, I'm sure both of you are eager to set in your new home."

"And to see the training grounds, dattebayo!"