Naruto was now eight after that night she met Hinata Hyuga, her father found her at the hyuga Mansion with Hinata's father. Fortunately for the both of them neither were in trouble but Minato did say she should stay away from Hinata because he was going to be an heir to a very powerful clan so he was expected to do great things as a ninja.

They were better off apart.

It was like that with anyone who was going to the ninja academy, Naruto was going to a civilian school she mostly kept to herself, because most kids avoided her, when her eyes met theirs all she could see was fear. Naruto didn't understand why until she met the very thing they were afraid of.

Kurama was a nine-tailed spirit with an overly large chakra. When they first met, Naruto was dreaming that she was in front of a large cage with a seal over it. A large hand came out and picked her up. Naruto screamed as she closed her eyes.

She imagined that she would wake up only to open her eyes to see large red ones on the face of a for. As the fox growled Naruto could feel his breath on her brushing back her hair. Her voice trembled as she grasped his finger with both of her tiny hands.

"Are you going to eat me?" the fox growled as he put her down onto the water.

"I can't! But if could I would, you're trapping me in this prison!" Naruto looked down as she frowned, her eyebrows furrowed.

"I'm sorry, but I Can't do anything about that, I wish I could, but I feel trapped myself" Kurama looked down at the tiny blonde girl feeling oddly connected to her. He knew what she went through her eyes.

She was just as Isolated as he was, they were both beings who wished to be freed and do whatever they wanted without someone stopping them.

Naruto looked up at the big Fox and smiled shyly.

"What's your name?" Kurama's eyes softened as he spoke.

"It's Kurama"

~~~

That's when a beautiful friendship came upon, of course Naruto didn't tell her father or anyone she didn't want them to take her only friend.

Naruto just came out of class, and she was running towards the Hokage tower. She could feel the excitement as she skipped joyfully into her father's office. Minato sat behind his ornate desk, engrossed in Hokage duties. Naruto tugged at his sleeve, her gorgeous blue eyes filled with hope and excitement.

"Papa, can I become a shinobi?" she asked, her voice tinged with anticipation.

Minato looked down at his daughter, his brow furrowing with concern. "Oh, my sweet princess," he sighed, "being a shinobi is a dangerous path, filled with battles and risks. It is not a suitable role for a princess like you."

Naruto's face fell, her eyes filling with disappointment and frustration. "But Papa, I want to be brave and protect our village, just like Rin-Nichan!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with determination.

Minato smiled gently and thought for a moment. "My dear Naru, being the Hokage daughter, carries its responsibilities. You have the power to bring joy and harmony to our people in different ways. There are many noble heirs to different villages who might want to meet you."

Naruto's anger started to bubble up. "What am I supposed to do then, Papa? If I can't become a shinobi, how can I be useful? And I don't want to meet different heirs" she asked, her voice laced with frustration.

Minato pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up with an idea. "You can learn to cook with your mother Emiko so when you're older you can create delicious feasts for our people. Food has a way of bringing people together and spreading joy."

Naruto scrunched her nose, not entirely convinced. "Papa no and she's not my mom and cooking it's not as exciting as being a shinobi" she mumbled.

Minato chuckled softly. "Well, Naru you can find hobbies with your friends at school, try doing that you might like, and remember what we talked about, stop asking to be a Shinobi" His voice got serious at the end, and she knew that it was the end.

Naruto walked out of her father's office feeling more down, she was glad that Rin wasn't there to see her sadness. Rin was always taking care of her, but she wanted to be alone. Naruto pulled up her orange hoodie as she walked down the street, her short blonde hair being covered by her hoodie. She felt like crying, but she held it in as she walked inside the bookstore.

She looked around as she got lost in her thoughts till, she heard Kurama's booming voice in her head.

"You know Kit you can try looking for herbs in the woods, I can help you look for ones that can be used as herbs and medicines and even some that can be used for poison."

Naruto's eyes widened "That sounds interesting, Okay let's do this' ' She mentally pumped her fist in the air. She heard Kurama chuckle and couldn't help but smile.

Naruto went around the store and grabbed a few notebooks and new pens and pencils. She wanted to try her best and draw the herbs Kurama was helping her find. When she put all of her items on the counter the women working smiled at her.

"Would you like a basket to carry these?" Naruto nodded with a smile. The good thing about the Nine-Tails attack that happened was that most people didn't know she was the Hokage's daughter.

She usually hid her face when she was in the shopping district, so usually, they were kind to her. Naruto paid her and grabbed a brown basket with a pink ribbon on top. Naruto walked towards the woods.

With her basket in hand, she listened silently to Kurama as he led her to a river with all different kinds of herbs and flowers that could help her make medicine and

All different kinds of poisons.

It did make Naruto a bit sad that she was all alone, but she forced herself out of it as she began to draw the patterns of different herbs she could use and which ones she should avoid.

It was a good help that she had Kurama so she wouldn't accidentally eat the wrong one. she also learned that her chicken-scared handwriting wasn't good enough, so she started to write in cursive and that worked for her and Kurama.

Naruto decided her favorite flower would be the Iris flower because the colors reminded her of a certain person...Hinata but that wasn't the point the Iris flower had good medical use it can be used to help with wounds. If we were to make it into a cream it could help to not get wounds infected.

And she also liked the meaning Kurama told her about. Kurama explains to Naruto that This flower symbolizes faith, wisdom, loving friendships, hope, valor, compliments, and promises of love. Kurama explains that Naruto reminds him of the flower because of how kind she is.

she couldn't help but smile at that. Naruto grasped more flowers and herbs in her basket, she walked back towards the village that was more in the countryside less towards the city side of the village.

She didn't have to pull her hoodie up when she was over there because most of the people there were kind and didn't experience the nine-tails accident like the others did and it helped that nobody knew of her status as the village's Hokage daughter.

Naruto walked with a big smile as she waved to a couple of people she knew because she always visited her favorite person. She opened her list shop as she smiled at the two women.

"Ohayo Baa-Chan, Shizune-nii!'' Both women smiled before Tsunade lightly bopped her head for calling her old.

Shizune started laughing "Ohayo? It's nearly mid-day Naruto, are you losing your head away?" Naruto laughed and shook her head as she took some medical herbs out of her bag but kept some for herself.

"no but I was wondering if you could show me how to make medicine out of these herbs?" t sundae raised an eyebrow before checking the herbs, she nodded seeing all the herbs.

"I can but why/? Is your father giving you trouble about becoming a shinobi?" Naruto let out a sigh as her lips formed a pout. Both Tsunade and Shizune wanted to squish her chubby cheeks.

"Hai!, he keeps saying that I shouldn't be allowed to be a shinobi because I'm. Princess but I'm not. A princess! She said while pouting her little arms crossed as her eyebrows were furrowed.

"That brings back memories back," Shizune looked at her before pulling out a chair as she picked Naruto up and placed her on the chair. "Did you eat?" Her stomach growled and Naruto blushed as her tummy answered for her.

Shizune laughed as she placed Onigiri Kim's chin rice balls on her, please Naruto smiled as she gobbled two before putting the rest in her bag.

"Doesn't Emiko make your lunch?" Naruto looked away as she advised Tsunade's gaze. Tsunade looked down at her godchild, with a sad look in her eye.

If it wasn't for Minato begging her to come to the village to be the main medic, she wouldn't be there but what made her stay was that she and Jiraiya were made godparents of Naruto and Tadashi.

Naruto was so sweet and cute that she couldn't help but be reminded of her little brother Nawaki before he died, and it wasn't just that it was that she saw Naruto as her daughter and the little blonde just looked up to her and Shizune she couldn't help but stay in the village that took so much from her.

"Naruto you should at least eat the food she makes, you can't just go hating her forever, she is your stepmother" Naruto lowered her head on the counter while pouting.

"But I like yours way better," Naruto said in a childish way that Tsunade felt her heart met not just her but Shizune as well.

Tsunade picked her up and set Naruto down as she rolled up her tiny sleeves. "Let me teach you how to make the herbal medicine and then I'll talk to your father about your school lunch."

Naruto smiled and hugged Tsunade's legs "Hai! Arigato Baachan"

~~~

Hinata stood in front of Neji's, both of their Byakugan activated, faced off in the center of the dojo, their family members lining the walls as eager spectators. The air crackled with anticipation as the two Hyuga's bowed to each other, their hands in the style of gentle fists at the ready.

Throughout the sparring session, Hinata's movements became more fluid, and his strikes became more accurate. Despite Neji's valiant efforts, the momentum had shifted. There was no wavering in Hinata's determination and focus.

squared off in the center of the dojo, their fists gleaming in the light. The family members watched with bated breath as the two boys engaged in a fierce exchange.

Hinata's strikes were relentless, each blow delivered with precision and power. Neji defended herself with equal ferocity, the sound of their clashes reverberating through the room. The tension in the air was palpable as the match intensified.

As the spar raged on, Hinata's determination and raw aggression began to overpower Neji. Each strike from Hinata seemed to wear down his cousin's defenses, driving him backward across the polished wooden floor.

The room fell silent as Hinata stood victorious, his chest heaving with exertion. The family members looked on, a mix of astonishment and pride on their faces. Despite the brutal nature of the match, they recognized the unwavering spirit and skill displayed by both Hyuga's.

Hinata extended a hand to Neji, pulling him up with a mixture of triumph and empathy in his eyes. Their family members applauded, acknowledging the intense display of skill and resilience, it was true that Neji wasn't supposed to serve Hinata, but she chose to despite Hinata being soft and kind. Neji couldn't help but admire her little cousin.

Hinata and Neji exchanged a respectful nod, their bond strengthened by the exhilarating contest. The pride in Hinata's eyes was evident as he bowled to his cousin, the victory a testament to his dedication and hard work.

It was also admired that Hinata was fighting for the branch members to get an equal status, so they don't have to receive the Caged Bird Seal, and the reason was that he didn't want his little sister to face the same pain as his elder cousin did.

Hinata loves both of them dearly and he will fight his way for them to not have the caged bird seal. He knew this was the Hyuga Clan's way of protecting their revered Byakugan, along with ensuring that the branch members served their solemn duty as protectors of the main house.

But it was wrong, and everyone knew that the elders of the clan used this to control the branch members and Hinata despised them for it. Lately, Hiashi has seen Hinata as a suitable candidate to lead the clan. Hinata has been training to become a master of the Byakugan.

Hinata was still going to the Ninja academy, and Naruto wasn't allowed to, his Lilacs eyes looking down at the scarf he held on for so long.

Hinata, you did great out there" His father says while looking down at him, he was about to bowl only to feel little hands grasp at his legs. Hinata's eyes softened as he picked up his sister with a smile, he placed a kiss on her cheek.

Looking down at her, his eyes were full of concern and sadness "Father I would like to pursue a queer in being a ninja" Hiashi looked at his son calling a maid over to pick two years old.

Hanabi, it was a six-year age gap but Hinata was so close to his sister.

"We'll talk about it when you're older, come on you need to focus more on your technique" Hinata nodded and held up his hands against his fathers as they began to fight.

~~~

Naruto smiled as she waved goodbye to Tsunade with her father's suggestions in mind, Naruto left and made her way to the local library. She was determined to learn about the magical properties of herbs and flowers and how they could be used to create potions and remedies.

As she entered the library, her eyes widened with wonder. Rows upon rows of books filled with knowledge and stories awaited her. Naruto picked one by one as she set many in her basket that was already filled. She paid for the books and left the library with books in her hand her basket on the side and her hoodie up.

Naruto continued to walk only to fall as she bumped into somebody, making all the books in her hands fall onto the ground as she fell. "Oh! I'm sorry I didn't mean to bump into you"

Naruto bowled her head despite her knees burning from the rough ground and picked up her books while dusting off the pages from the dirt. She picked up the books and placed them in her bag.

"Sakura apologizes, it was your fault for all of this!" Suddenly Naruto's eyes widened as the books on the floor were taken by two other hands. She looked up to meet two boys who seemed to be her age.

One with green eyes and bright pink hair and the other with blonde hair and blue eyes. "Hai Hai Sorry it was an accident" Naruto blushed as Sakura smiled at her she grabbed her books and placed them back in her bag.

"It's fine dattebayo!, thank you for helping me" Sakura nodded his head while Ino took a glimpse of the images inside the book and his eyes widened, he turned towards Naruto and helped her up.

"My family has these types of plants in our shop, you can get them there" Naruto's eyes widened as she grasped his hands, her eyes sparkling with the sun.

"Really? Can you show me Dattebayo? I want to plant my own '' Ino nodded, feeling pride fill him as he took her hand and walked with his family's shop too, feeling his ego getting bigger as Naruto complimented him, Sakura followed behind closely.

After Naruto buys the seeds, her foggy wallet empties from all she spent today, and she walks back home with her books in hand as the sun starts going down. Once Naruto opens the door to her home, she sees her father and his wife...and her brother.

"Tadaima" She mutters softly before taking off her shoes. She was about to speak when her father spoke first while holding her hand.

"Naruto Tsunade says you haven't been eating your school lunch, you need to start eating the food Emiko makes" Naruto stays quiet as she listens to her father lecture her once again. He held her hand to the dining table where she was seated next to Tadashi.

Tadashi and his mother Emiko were only similar in their hair color, besides that Tadashi had her father's looks and features but his hair was half blue and half blonde, but it spiked up like her father's hair, and Emiko had peach skin with blue hair with dark green eyes.

Her father's blue eyes were now on hers and she assumed he was done talking and all she did was say 'okay' and looked at the plate of food Emiko served them. As usual, she stayed quiet while eating while everyone else talked.

"How was school today, Tadashi?" Tadashi smiled as he explained all the great things he had to do while pushing the vegetables aside.

"Great! We got to throw kunai knives and other weapons at targets today! but Sasuke always has to be on top I'm second top so it's not as bad but I want to be first" Minato and Emiko smiled while Naruto stayed quiet while she and Kurama talked about seeds she brought at the yamaka's store.

"Ruto Chan, how was your day?" Emiko says while putting more vegetables on her plate, she looks down pushing the vegetables away and everything on the plate. Her father gave her a look and Emiko looked upset.

Naruto sighed before taking a bit out of her food. "It was fine today we talked about different careers" Minato's eyes softened as he realized he crushed his daughter's dreams once again, he cleared his throat and looked at her.

"We have a surprise we want to tell you" Emiko smiled and nodded, she got up and brought two bags, one for Naruto and one for Tadashi. "Alright you two open them" She had a camera at hand as she and Tadashi both looked at each other before smiling as they both opened the bags.

Tadashi's blue eyes widened as he took out new Ninja equipment as he took out a baby blue shirt with the word big brother while Naruto got a family heirloom that was a bracelet of foxes that dance around red rubies that were formed in leaves and a baby pink shirt that said big sister.

"Are we having a baby?" Emiko gently took Naruto's hand, "Ruto-chan, you know how close we are with the Uchiha's, right? Well, One of their clan members has lost their lives, and we've decided to adopt their child, Shiro, since they lost their parents."

Tadashi looked up, his eyes filled with curiosity, "You mean baby Shiro will be my brother?"

Minato nodded, "That's right. And there's more. Your mom and I are going to have another baby, so you'll have a little brother or sister soon."

Naruto managed a smile, but her mind was swirling with mixed emotions. Emiko, trying to lighten the mood, chimed in, "Now, Naruto, Tadashi, with Shiro and your new sibling, you'll have two brothers to become great Shinobi. And you Ruto-chan can be the princess and let them watch over you."

The parents exchanged a glance, unaware of Naruto's hidden turmoil. Naruto forced a smile, "Wow, three brothers! That's like having my own Shinobi. I'll be the princess then!"

As the conversation continued, Naruto sat back, processing the changes in her family. Deep down, she felt a pang of sadness at the thought of all her siblings becoming shinobi while she couldn't. Yet, she kept her true feelings hidden, choosing to play the role of the excited princess for the sake of her father's happiness.

After dinner, Naruto sat in the living room where she was reading her new books while Tadashi sat while telling Naruto about all the existing things he had to do today. It wasn't like Naruto didn't enjoy hearing about the Ninja Academy; she enjoyed listening to it but as if at this moment she didn't feel like hearing it.

And she was the one who helped Tadashi with his homework, since she was going to a civilian school she had to deal with a much complex education because most of the jobs in the village weren't just being a ninja and she had to deal with those. Not to mention with Kurama she was pretty much top of her school with all that was going on.

Emiko enters the room with a gentle smile before she says softly "Alright, you two. It's time to wash up and get ready for bed"

Naruto reluctantly closes her book and looks up at her stepmother. "But I don't want to go to bed yet, can't I stay up a little longer?"

Emiko chuckles and walks over to where Naruto is sitting. "I understand that you want to stay up, Naruto, but it's important to get a good night's sleep. You need to rest you and Tadashi have school tomorrow"

Tadashi looks towards Naruto with a smile and joins the conversation. "Yeah, Naru We have a big day tomorrow. We're meeting up with Sasuke's family tomorrow!." he says in an excited voice.

Naruto pouts, clearly not convinced she closes her books and carries them with her basket in hand with Tadashi walking up the stairs with her.

Emiko walks with them and thinks for a moment, then smiles. "Alright, how about this? I'll tuck you in and make it extra special."

Naruto nods as she stays quiet while walking up the stairs. When Emiko and Tadashi first moved in, Naruto had to share her room till the house was built for them. Meaning they built more rooms and another story for the house.

Naruto and Tadashi went to the bathroom and brushed their teeth. Usually, it was Minato and Emiko but Naruto didn't want to see her father.

"You can always sleep in the attic Kit"

Kurama says and Naruto mentality nods eagerly, runs towards her and Tadashi's room, and she starts gathering her blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals. Tadashi watches his sister's actions with a perplexed expression.

"Naru? Why are you taking all your things? Where are you going?" Naruto doesn't say a word as she pats his head with her hand, before Naruto disappears up the stairs, her arms full of her beloved possessions.

Tadashi looked worried as he lay in his bed, he looked across the room to see Naruto's side empty except for her sheets that were on her bed and her actual bed even her book light was gone. Minato and Emiko came into the room a few minutes later only to see one child.

"Where's Naruto ?" Tadashi shrugged his shoulders as his mom placed a kiss on his forehead, Minato did the same while looking at his son.

"I think she went to one of the rooms upstairs, she didn't say where she was going papa" Minato nodded and looked towards Emiko who nodded as he made a signal he was going to look for their daughter.

When he had slept with Emiko days after his wife died he wasn't expecting to have a c]life or a child with her but it had happened. The only reason He found out about his son Tadashi was because Mikoto, his dead wife's best friend, had forced Emiko to tell him.

And she did, Minato tried his best to get to know his son and he did that's why he wasn't home as often as he should've been when Naruto was just a baby. He shouldn't have passed Naruto to Rin to raise.

Without finding her anywhere He walked up towards the attic to see a sign on the door with chicken-scorched writing that says 'STAY OUT' Minato let out a small sigh as he knocked on the door and didn't hear a sound.

He gently jigged the doorknob only to find it locked. He could always unlock the door easily but he didn't want to wake Naruto up. He could tell by the soft snoring that she was asleep.

~~~

I hope you guys had a good new year and have a great 2024, I hope you like this chapter