Title: Rebirth Among the Leaves

Chapter 2: Roots and Bonds

A/N: Do you think a college guy in debt can own anything? Let alone, franchises. Well except the debt of course.

Ivy adjusted to life in the strange village, Konoha, over the following weeks. She quickly realized her predicament was unique, even in this world where people did unusual things, like breathing fire and walking on water. But while others could wield their chakra to perform incredible jutsu, Ivy had a power that stemmed from her very essence—a bond with plants that none of the shinobi could understand.

But as welcoming as Konoha's nature was, the villagers were another story.

One evening, as Ivy sat under a tree near the outskirts, she watched her green fingers brush through the grass. She thought back to Gotham, a life and city that felt like a dream now. Her memories of her sacrifice faded more each day, replaced by new ones in this unfamiliar place.

"Hey, Greenie!" A voice interrupted her thoughts, and she tensed. A few older kids, about twelve, were standing in a semi-circle around her. They wore smug, mocking smiles. Ivy knew the look; she'd seen it before, back when people feared her green skin and the powers it signified.

"What are you doing out here, freak?" sneered one of the boys. "Practicing your creepy plant stuff?"

"Leave me alone," Ivy said coldly, standing up. Vines and blades of grass quivered at her feet, reacting to her pulse of annoyance.

"Oh, looks like she's mad!" the boy taunted, laughing as he nudged his friend.

But before they could advance any closer, an orange blur dashed out of the bushes and planted itself between Ivy and the bullies.

"Hey, back off!" Naruto yelled, his small fists clenched as he glared at the older boys. "If you mess with her, you mess with me!"

Ivy's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected anyone to defend her, least of all Naruto. Sure, he was one of the only people she tolerated, but she didn't think he'd take a stand like this for her.

"Oh yeah?" one of the bullies said, chuckling. "What're you gonna do, little fox freak?"

Naruto bristled, but his scowl only seemed to make the older kids laugh harder. Ivy's hands clenched into fists as she felt the pull of the plants around her, their natural instincts flaring in response to her anger.

"Stop laughing," she said softly, a twinge of authority in her voice.

The grass grew sharper beneath their feet, roots twisting up to trip one of the bullies. The boy stumbled, looking down at the vines that seemed to have come alive. His face paled as he looked back up at Ivy, who was glaring with piercing green eyes that glowed faintly in the dusk.

"H-Hey, that's not normal! She's some kind of monster!" the boy stammered, backing away with his friends.

"That's right," Ivy replied, taking a step forward. "So leave before I really get angry."

The boys hesitated only a moment longer before turning and bolting down the path, their footsteps loud as they ran away from her and Naruto.

When they were finally out of sight, Naruto turned around, a proud grin on his face. "See? They're all bark and no bite!"

Ivy felt a strange warmth spread through her chest. She hadn't asked for his help, but he'd defended her without hesitation. Still, she wasn't about to admit how grateful she felt.

"Tch, I didn't need your help, idiot," she muttered, folding her arms over her chest and looking away.

Naruto laughed, unfazed. "Sure, but it was more fun with both of us! We make a good team, don't you think?"

She wanted to say something snarky, but her lips twitched, almost forming a smile. "I guess… you're not totally useless," she mumbled.

As they walked back toward the village, Naruto kept up a steady stream of chatter, talking about the ramen shop he wanted to take her to and the pranks he had planned for the next day. Ivy found herself half-listening, her thoughts drifting. She was so used to being alone, relying on no one but herself. But here was Naruto, always in her space, always trying to make her laugh.

"Why do you… keep coming around me?" she asked suddenly, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Naruto paused, scratching his head. "Well, why not? You're cool and you're strong, and… well, you're like me, you know?"

She looked at him, eyebrows raised.

"I mean," he continued, "everyone's always calling me a monster or ignoring me because I'm different. They say I'm annoying or that I don't belong, but… I don't care. And if you're like me, then you shouldn't care either."

Ivy glanced away, the familiar bitterness gnawing at her. It was easier for him to say. She'd lived through rejection after rejection, and though he was optimistic now, she knew the pain he was talking about all too well.

"I don't need anyone to like me," she murmured. "I have the plants, and that's enough."

Naruto nodded, a serious look in his eyes. "Yeah, plants are awesome. But people aren't all bad, you know? Maybe one day, they'll see how awesome you are too."

Ivy felt a strange pang in her chest. His naive optimism was so… pure. She didn't want to believe him, but there was a small part of her that couldn't help hoping he was right.

Over the next few weeks, Ivy settled into life in Konoha. She and Naruto became inseparable, much to her annoyance. He dragged her around the village, introduced her to ramen, and even insisted on training with her. Though she would scoff and roll her eyes, she found herself strangely enjoying their time together. He was persistent, stubborn, and full of energy—a force of nature in his own right.

Then, one afternoon, as they were sparring in a quiet part of the forest, Naruto stopped, panting, and plopped down on the grass beside her.

"Hey, Ivy," he said, looking up at the sky. "What do you wanna do when we're grown up?"

She glanced at him, surprised by the question. "What do you mean?"

"You know, like… what's your dream?"

Ivy thought about it, letting her hand rest on a nearby branch. Her dreams had always been shaped by her need to protect and preserve nature. But here, in this new life, she wondered if that was still her purpose.

"I guess… I just want a place where I belong," she admitted softly. "A place where I'm not seen as a monster."

Naruto's face softened, and he sat up, giving her a rare, serious look. "Well, when I become Hokage, I'll make sure that happens. You'll always have a place here, Ivy. No one'll ever call you a monster again, I swear it."

Ivy felt her heart skip. She looked away, crossing her arms over her chest. "Idiot," she muttered. But despite her words, a small, genuine smile tugged at her lips.

Maybe, just maybe, she'd finally found a friend she could trust.

To be continued? Well it is continued: Ch3 is here.