Beep

Beep

Beep

What was that sound? Jiyuna scrunched her face in annoyance. Whatever it was, it was extremely annoying. She couldn't remember for her life when she fell asleep.

"Jiyuna!" Naruto screamed scooping the injured girl into his arms.

She shot up with a gasp as she remembered the boy. What she didn't expect was to see an elderly man sitting in a chair across from her. She felt her guard roar to life as her lips pulled back into a snarl.

She flinched back wanting to melt into the walls when he stood. She felt no hostility from the man, but, so had her family from the ninja that found them.

"Jiji is a really nice person. He gave me a home, and he's always there for me when I need someone. So I don't think ALL ninja are bad, ya know." Naruto said as he smiled at the picture of said person.

The words of her friend rang through her mind, and she pondered. If this man was so loved and trusted by Naruto, maybe just maybe she could trust him too.

So with a bit of reluctance she slowly relaxed, a look of apprehension clear on her face. With a deep breath she looked up to meet his face, and she felt her body subconsciously relax at the pure softness of his face. There was no malice, no hate, no suspicion, and there was no disgust.

"Naruto. He talks good of you, I try to trust you. I am Jiyuna Seishin, and I am from forest." She said stiffly. She grunted in surprise at the smile that spread across his face, a genuine smile.

"I've heard a lot about you from Naruto. This is my first time hearing your name, or that you live in the forest. Had I known that, I would've given you a place to stay much sooner." He said softly feeling his heart churn at the surprised look on her face. Had she never been treated kindly by others, other than Naruto?

"No it is ok. I have house in forest, it is home. I cannot leave it, please let me stay there." She asked, gulping down the pain that struck her pride. Just this once she had to be nice, if she wanted to able to see Naruto she had to be nice. Something about the old man before her made her feel she had to respect him.

"Ah, I see. Since it is near the village I will allow it. Under any other circumstance I would have you interrogated, but I don't believe that is necessary. Being that you have been around Naruto for the past year, and have made no attempts at his life or tried anything. I will trust him and put my trust in you." He said.

"Why would I do any of that?" She scoffed, she felt a bit offended but at the same time. She would do the same had anyone come into her territory with Naruto.

"Because Naruto is the host of the Kyuubi. The one your kind worshipped as your guardian," he said gauging her reaction,

"His name is Kurama, and we did not worship. We respect him, helped him and he protected my kind. I already knew he was host, it is not hard when villagers call him demon or monster. You would not know that would you, Naruto talks to me a lot about it. I would never kill him, or kidnap. My people always believed there is reason for everything, just as there is reason for death. I let hurt and anger control my life for years, until I met Naruto. He changed my view, but I still don't trust. I will try because he asked me to trust." She huffed not caring if how she spoke was disrespectful, or rude.

"I understand, I apologize for my misunderstanding. I would like to learn more of your people, my ancestors never knew about you. I would like to put in good words about your kind, not bad." He said to the girl.

she eyed him skeptically before sighing and agreeing with his request. After a small introduction, she agreed to be entered into the academy. Well she said no until he said she'd be in the class with Naruto. Why did giggle and smile when she said yes?

'Ah to be young and in love again.' Hiruzen thought, a knowing a smile stretching across his face. It would take awhile for either of them to understand what they felt for each other.

"ok then. Jiyuna Seishin, as Hokage of the village hidden in the leaves, I humbly welcome you to our village as a new resident." He said happily watching a small smile grow on her face.

'Maybe he not so bad.' She thought sheepishly.

"Naruto! For the last time, sit down the bell has not rung yet!" Iruka yelled, as a the blonde haired boy grit his teeth slumping in his chair. The kids around him giggled while a lavender eyed girl looked him sympathetically.

'How am I supposed to spend time talking to Jiyuna when the hospital visiting hours end before class is over!!' He spat in his mind, swallowing the lump in his throat as he thought of her.

Did she make it? Was she awake? How was he supposed to know if he was rarely ever able to see her!!

The students jumped when the door slid open forcefully as a jounin walked in. He nodded to Iruka handing him a slip of paper, "A new student? This late into the year? Graduation is next month." Iruka said slightly annoyed, and worried. Would the student be able to catch up with the others?

For the students however, well they burst into excited chatter. Some were hoping it's a girl, and that she would be cute. Others were hoping it's a boy, and if it was a girl they stayed away from Sasuke. Said boy couldn't care less about a new student.

"Who is it Iruka-sensei?" A student asked excitedly, after the jounin left.

"well they're in the class right now. This is a great opportunity to test your sensory skills!" He said happily, maybe a new student wasn't that bad.

The chance to get away from the boring lecture had everyone bustling around the classroom trying to find the mysterious person. Some checked under the desk, their seats, even ran and looked under Irukas podium.

Naruto grumped annoyed before begrudgingly looking around the classroom. He moped as he realized he wouldn't be seeing her, sluggishly moving around trying as well to find the new "student." He honestly didn't care who the new student was, he just wanted Jiyuna.

After a good hour of searching Iruka had everyone go back to their seats. He was impressed by this newcomers ability to mask their chakra, scent, and evade everyone.

"Ok, you can come out now!" He yelled, feeling a slight giddiness bubble in his stomach. New student, great talent. They could really push the others to higher lengths this last month.

Naruto slouched sighing loudly as the time for visitation ended. He pouted slightly as he pictured Jiyuna before him, he just wanted her to be ok. To smile at him, talk in her thick accent, hug him, and maybe kiss- He felt his heart race at his daydream shaking his head as he looked down.

arms crossed over the desk Jiyuna sat looking at him, a pretty smile stretched across her face. Huh, was he still daydreaming? He thought rubbing his eyes, and looking. She was still there.

"Hello Naruto, I hope I did not worry you too much." She giggled at his expression before standing and letting the others see her fully.

It was silent, and before anyone could say anything, "Jiyuna!" Naruto screamed jumping from his chair and wrapping his arms around her.

She was real! She wasn't cold like she was two weeks ago, she was warm. Jiyuna smiled before hugging the boy back, her tail wrapping around the boy. She was a little disgruntled that she had to hide her tail and ears but it was worth it.

"Oh, Naruto you know her?" Iruka asked.

Jiyuna tried to gently turn the boy to Iruka, but he wouldn't budge. She tried again and he grunted, again and he grunted. With a sigh and an amused smile she looked at Iruka,

"Yes, I have know Naruto for past year." She said, tilting her head at everyone's confused expressions.

"Jiyuna can't speak our language very well. It was much worse when I first met her, I hardly understood her at all. We've known each other for a year now." Naruto turned to Iruka with the explanation before turning and latching stubbornly back onto the girl.

"I see, then would you like to introduce yourself to the class?" Iruka asked a soft smile spreading across his face, now he understood why Naruto was so eager to leave his class. He was growing up.

"My name is Jiyuna Seishin. I live in forest, and Naruto is boy friend." She said. The class burst into murmurs at her introduction, and Naruto felt his face burst into red. A certain girl felt her heart clench painfully at the girls words.

"Whoa now, sorry. Jiyuna you can't tell people I'm your boyfriend." Naruto said feeling his insides twist themselves.

"Why not? You are boy, and friend." She stated feeling her chest tighten uncomfortably. Was he saying they weren't friends?

"Jiyu, a boyfriend is a muntxa si." (*mate)He said trying to calm the rapid fire of his heart. Three dots slowly appeared above Jiyuna before her face slowly started to turn a crimson red.

"A-A-A what! Noo I am sorry for uhm what is word?" She asked fanning her face, as she turned to Naruto finding it hard to meet his bright blue eyes.

"Misunderstanding?" He shrugged.

"Yes, I am sorry for misunderstanding. Naruto is best friend." She clarified, and both her and Naruto felt their chest tighten from the word, "Friend." However, a certain girl felt her heart soar with hope, and as much as she didn't like the way her mind thought. She really hoped they stayed friends, better yet, than they stopped being friends. She didn't like how they looked at each other, it made her heart churn painfully.

After clearing the misunderstanding the class was dismissed, although many stayed behind to bombard the new girl with questions.

"what's it like in the forest?"

"Why are you so dark?"

"do you have a boyfriend?"

"do you like anyone?"

Naruto felt himself bristle at the third question, before shaking his head in confusion. Why was he so annoyed that someone asked her if she had a boyfriend, it's just a question.

"uhm, forest is calm and peaceful. I am dark because I have higher melanin. No, I don't have uh boyfriend. Uhm I am not right age to find person to like." She said, a bit confused as to why they were already trying to find mates.

"Not old enough? How old are you so supposed to be then," a girl scoffed. Naruto unknowingly leaned in wanting to know the answer, of course it wasn't because he was going to wait until then to see if she liked him or anything. Nope nothing like that.

"I wait until 15 maybe older. I need to focus on finding other like me. I am uh, last survivor of my tribe." She said, slightly surprised at the lack of pain in her heart. Unbeknownst to her a certain raven haired male perked up at her confession.

The two finally left the academy grounds sighing in relief when no one else tried to ask more questions. Being extremely excited to be in Naruto's village she asked him to take her somewhere amazing, and of course he took her to his favorite restaurant of all time.

Ichiraku ramen.

"Well if it isn't my number one Customer! Oh, and a new customer as well. What can I get you two?" Teuchi grinned as at the two, and Naruto happily ordered two miso ramen. He almost forgot how adamant she was at not eating pork, and when she told him why he felt his stomach rumble unpleasantly.

'pigs are absolutely disgusting! They eat anything, even rotting animals that have maggots.'

He grimaced at the memory, he could never look at pork the same. His thoughts floated away when two heaping bowls of miso ramen were placed in front of them. He looked at Jiyuna as she broke her chopsticks, hesitantly bringing some noodles to her mouth. He felt himself shaking in excitement as she ate, "what do you think?" He asked excitedly, teuchis ear twitched slightly as he listened.

"It is what is word you use. Ah, disgusting." She snapped her finger. Naruto and teuchi froze like statues, gaping at the girl as she continued to eat.

"Little lady, why are you still eating if the food is not good?" Teuchi asked, his pride was hurt, but not all people are going to like his ramen.

Naruto still sat frozen in shock, "What do you mean. I don't think food is bad, I really like it, that is why I said disgusting... is that not right word? Naruto?" She turned to the statuesque boy who shook from his stupor, gosh she was so cute.

Wait.. what?

"I uh oh, you mean Delicious. Disgusting means the food is really really bad." Naruto fumbled with his words, as Teuchi and Ayame smiled at each other knowingly.

"oohhhh ok, I am sorry. I am still learning the language." She said sheepishly as she scratched her head.

Naruto watched her in his peripheral, noting how her nose scrunched when she found a green onion. How she kicked her feet in excitement when she found a stray tofu, and... was she always this pretty?

"Ta daaa!! Welcome to my humble aboodde!" Naruto exclaimed as he burst through his apartment door. He grimaced slightly, seeming to notice for the first time how dirty his apartment was.

"I see why you come to my house all the time." She giggled, but in a way she was kind of happy. Had his apartment looked clean then, he wouldn't be at her place. Said boy pouted in slight embarrassment, but he liked it when she laughed. Even if it was at his expense.

After a good few minutes of teasing Naruto she helped him begin to clean his apartment. He hated to admit it, but he was a bit ashamed at how bad he let his apartment get. Piles of trash, moldy food from the refrigerator, unwashed clothing, and dirty floors.

The night sky greeted the two breathless preteens as they hauled the last load of trash. They conversed intensely about the now grown forest cats, and of the new animals appearing in the forest. Slowly their conversation began to dive deeper and deeper, slowly becoming a conversation of pure madness. Some night walking civilians they passed held incredulous looks while others had to stop. Mulling over what they just heard. 'Why would they perform surgery on a grape? HOW do you perform surgery on a grape?'

The door burst open as the two stumbled in on wobbly knees. They felt their abdomens tighten painfully as they attempted to breathe, but doubled down clutching it in pain as laughter spilled from their lips.

Jiyuna stopped laughing to stare at the boy, eyes narrowed in concentration. Naruto looked up laugh slowly fading as he looked back at the girl, "Jiyu-Chan, what's wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?" He asked worriedly, they were just having fun right?

She leaned forward her to where her lips were beside the boys and, "It's free real estate." She whispered, it went quiet for a second before both crumpled into a heap of laughter and cries of pain.

"Jiyuna, what are you gonna do when you find someone like you?" Naruto asked as they lay on the roof. "I don't know. I guess, I have fear I will not find people like me. I am not so sad when I say I am last of my people, do you know why?" She asked, turning to look at him.

"Why?" Jiyuna smiled warmly at him, and Naruto felt something in him, "Because of you. I am no longer sad, you made me feel not so lost. You are, my hero." That was something he'd always wanted, to be wanted. He'd always had his own hero's he looked up to, and now. She had said he was HER hero.

He felt his lip quiver as he tried to reign in his emotions, "Oh Naruto. It is good to cry, come." She said pulling the boy into her arms, rocking them lightly as he silently cried. He felt so, happy, and warm. She felt like home.

Hey guys!

Tell me how you feel about this, good? Bad?

Also, you can find this story on Wattpad and I'm going to make my way to quotev as well. Both will have more art scenes I made myself. Hope you enjoy ;)