Stand By Me

Chapter 1 – Konoha

There was nothing left to mourn for.

No more tears to shed. No more pleas and begging to return. To stay home. There was nothing left. Nothing, except the rain. The cold water that fell from the darkened skies seemed to enchant those who had begun to leave the funeral grounds, leaving behind an older teen with a younger teen girl in tow. The tombstones that they stood before had read, "KIA. Ubashi Okuta and Noboru. Loving parents and shinobi." After the long silence that lingered around the two, eventually, the teenage boy pulled along the girl, taking her away from the site.

The two arrived back at a large estate, filled with people dressed in black, seemingly from the funeral. "Lady Nabiki, Lord Jin." One elderly man came to greet the two, quickly putting an umbrella over their heads and escorting them to the main entrance. "We are deeply sorry for your loss. The deaths of the master and mistress will forever be with us." He said somberly, the young girl sniffling in response. "They knew what they were getting into when they entered in as special forces." The teen known as Jin as said lowly, his expression seemingly blank. "Soon, I too will be recruited into the forces." He said, looking down at his little sister. "Which means I can't watch over Nabi anymore."

A few eavesdropping servants had gasped, though many knew this would happen. The elderly man had looked at the boy before his eyes trailed to the small blue-haired girl who dared not to look up. Her eyes were glued to the floor as she held her brother's hand. "Will she stay here?" The man questioned, earning a shake from the teenager. "No. I'm sending her to Konoha. My parents had already prepared this in case of their deaths. Nabiki doesn't deserve this type of life." He explained, the three had arrived at his younger sister's room where a duffle bag of clothes were being prepared for her. "She doesn't deserve to live only to die for someone else."

Nabiki had finally arrived to Konohagakure, escorted by two jounins from said village. It was two days ago she had left her home, Omamori Village within the Land of Wind. Her farewells to her brother and household had seemed so distant as she had come to accept that she was no longer going to be living there. Konoha was her new home, and here, she would live a new life. One different than her clansmen. The three had entered the large village, passing through the enormous gates and being greeted by friendly folk. The sun shined brightly this day, seemingly lighting up the future that Nabiki would be living in. She looked around, eyeing the various shops and people that were there.

Eventually, she ended up at the Hokage tower, gulping as her stomach formed knots. "We'll take you to the Hokage." The jounin male had said as Nabiki nodded, following the two as they entered the large red building and went up a flight of stairs. One of them had knocked before entering. There, seating at the desk was an older man, his face shaded by his hat that read 'fire'. The man looked up from his paperwork, eyeing the young girl as he looked to the two men and nodded at them, a signal for their departure. Nabiki had turned quickly before the two left, saying, "T-Thank you!" The men nodded before leaving, closing the door behind them. The young ten-year old turned around, bowing to the Hokage in greeting. The older man chuckled, waving his hand. "No need for that, child. How was your trip here? I know Omamori Village is quite a journey." She nodded. "It was okay. It was my first time traveling that far though, but it was fun." She admitted, the man nodding his head with approval. "I'm sure it was. Well then. I'm glad to have you living here, Nabiki. I'm sorry to hear about your parents. I heard they were excellent shinobi and did your clan proud." He said sadly, though the girl shook her head. "It's okay. I didn't really see them a whole lot since they were always working…plus Jin said that they knew what they were getting into." Her voice, though coming from a young girl, seemed strange to see one so young already accepting death. She was no more than thirteen and yet she spoke as if she was well versed with death.

"I see. Well, I hope there comes a day where you won't ever have to use your family's skill. But, how about we talk about something a little more uplifting? Here's the map to your new home." Nabiki then stepped forward to receive the piece of paper, a small map that outlined the village area, where her new home would be and her current location. "It shouldn't take you long to get there. Oh! You'll need this too." He said, handing her a key. "There's some furniture set up for you there already. Groceries and everything else you will have to buy yourself. I also left some money for you in the room, from your brother, so please make good use of it." The old man smiled, the girl smiling back and nodded. "Thank you so much." She said, turning to take her leave. "Ah, Nabiki. Before you go there's something I wanted to ask of you, if you don't mind."

"Yes?" She said, turning herself slightly.

"There's a boy who lives in the same complex as you. I believe he's a few doors down. Same age as you, lost both of his parents as well. If you see him, would you mind keeping an eye on him? He's a little lonely and I'm sure he'll also help you around Konoha if you need it. His name is Uzumaki Naruto. He's the same age as you and just graduated the academy as well." Nabiki blinked, nodding her head slowly as she answered, "Sure. I could use some new friends in my new home, right?" She said lightly before taking her leave. When she opened the door, a man had stepped nearly into her, offering an apology quickly. "Sorry about that!" He said, and Nabiki shook her head. "No sorry. It's okay." Continuing on, the man entered the room, closing the door behind him.

"You wanted to see me, Lord Hokage?" He asked. The old man nodded, reaching to take a pipe that had been resting on his desk. "Yes Iruka. That girl you bumped into. She's the Ubashi child."

"That girl?"

"Yes. Her name is Nabiki and she's going to be heading to the academy tomorrow to find her new squad since she's graduated into a genin level back in the Land of Wind. I'll leave helping her in your care."

"I see…and the squad she will be placed in?" He questioned. To this, the old man smiled to himself.

"I believe she'll be an excellent addition to Kakashi's team, what do you think?"

"Well, I wouldn't have much to really input there, but they already have 3 genin on the squad."

"I understand that, but you see, she's going to be helping out Naruto." The Hokage said, only to confuse the young jounin.

"How so?"

"You'll see. Oh. And, Iruka?"

"Yes, sir?"

The Hokage's eyes narrowed as he looked at the young jounin, warning him, "Please pass on to Kakashi that if any of you see Nabiki make any attempts to use her kekkei genkei, to stop her immediately." A nervous nod was Iruka's response as he questioned. "I will, but what will happen if she uses it?"

"If she uses her kekkei genkai, she will die."

"It should be around this corner…right?" Nabiki said to herself as she walked slowly. The sun had begun to settle behind her as he had journeyed to where her apartment would be. It seemed strange for her to begin living on her own at such a young age, but she was made sure that if she needed any help that the Lord Hokage would help her in any way he could, at least that's what her brother had explained. Not that she would need it though…now was the time she could finally be on her own and away from the usual 'waited on' feeling she had when she was back home in Omamori.

As she walked, there was a small alleyway area where she heard some yelling going on. Considering on pursuing the noise, she listened closely, hearing someone yell, "Why don't you guys get lost!?" Without another thought, Nabiki darted through the small alleyway and found herself walking in a small meadow. The carved path area she trotted through lead her to a group of three boys who seemed to be stare down a lone blonde. It was clear that they were putting some pressure on the boy, seemingly readying themselves to attack. All four of them had their leaf headbands. Taking in a deep breath, the dark blue haired girl yelled, "Leave him alone!"

Nabiki was quick to run, pushing through the three boys to stand between them and the blonde boy on the floor. "Eeeeh! Who're you!?" "Why you defending that monster?" The boys questioned her, though Nabiki didn't pay attention and glared at them. "Monster? The only monster here are you guys! Three against one isn't fair. So how about we make it a two against three?!" She huffed confidently at them. The boys scoffed at her, rolling her eyes until one of the boys perked up. "Forget it. Let's go guys." Agreeing to the notion, the three boys turned on their heel and walked away. Nabiki turned to the boy with a concerned expression, as she asked, "Are you okay? They didn't hurt you or anything?"

"…Aren't you going to yell at me too?" He questioned her. "And I'm fine…thanks." Nabiki raised a questionable brow as she shook her head. "Why would I?"

"Everyone else does when they see me. Don't you know? I have the nine tailed beast sealed inside me." He said lowly as he reached for his stomach, gripping on his orange jacket tightly. Nabiki gave him a curious look as she tilted her head to the side.

"I don't know anything about that, but it sounds familiar..." Nabiki looked at him confused, but shook her head. "Well. You don't seem like you're going lash at me and become some beast. You look normal, so I don't see the problem." Her confident tone seemed to brighten the blonde boy as he smiled a little bit. "Really?" "Yup! Seem like a normal boy to me." She said cheerily.

The blonde boy couldn't help but grinned big as he placed his hands behind his head. "Thank you for helping me though."

Nabiki smiled as she waved her hand. "You don't have to thank me. I was just doing what was right. Oh!" Seemingly to forget something, the girl shot her hand out, offering a handshake. "I'm Ubashi Nabiki. What's your name?" She asked. The boy looked at her as he let his arms down and shook her hand. "Uzumaki Naruto."

"Naru…to…wait. You're the one Lord Hokage mentioned!" She yelled, surprised by the introduction. "E-Eh?"

"I live in the same apartment place as you! I just moved here today." She explained. Naruto's eyes widened as she laughed. "That's cool! Where are you from?"

"Omamori Village." She answered. Seeing his puzzled look, she realized that he probably didn't know where her home village was located. Nabiki laughed, telling him, "It's in the Land of Wind. Pretty far from here, actually."

"Ehh…that's cool. I always wanted to go beyond the gates…hopefully now that I'm a genin, I get to go on cool missions!" He said proudly before he rubbed the back of his neck, rather sheepish.

"Well I mean, I just graduated yesterday…we're gonna find out which squad we're in." He said proudly as he eyed the girl. She was a little taller than he was and wore a light blue two piece tunic that was decorated in white and light green flowers. Around her waist was a brown belt with pouches with her headband tied on her side. "Hey, you're a shinobi too?!"

"Huh? Oh, yeah! I graduated a couple of weeks back, actually…but I didn't get a chance to be put on a squad or anything." Her expression shifted into a somber as she continued. "Congrats though on graduating!"

"Hehe..thanks. Well…how about I show you around then! Er, I'm sure you're tired from coming all the way here."

"No no. I'd love a tour. It's my first time here."

"Well…let me show you the first stop of the tour then! Ichiraku, here we come!"

Little did Nabiki know that her meeting with Naruto would be a fated one.

I don't even know why, but here's another thing I want to work on. Droppin' honorifics. This one has a TON of outlining done, but I'm not content with it :) we are our worst critics after all. Loosely will follow canon, but I don't remember every detail so...here WE GOOOO. I have the same beginnings I swear. I lack creativity. smfh.