CHAPTER 2: TO PROTECT HER

Narumi stood there in shock at what the older boy had just said. Why in the world would he call her that? Something about this didn't seem right as she stared at him, confusion all across her face. Suddenly another masked figure landed next to the boy as he began to talk to him.

"Fox, what are you doing! Why do you have your mask of…" Weasel stopped talking as he finally noticed the girl in front of him, and more importantly who she looked like. She had many features similar to Naruto and this scared him a little, even if he would show it. Weasel looked at Naruto, who was still staring at the girl.

"Is that?" Weasel began to say until he noticed multiple chakra signatures approaching them. Looking around he saw what looked like Anbu, however they weren't any he recognized and their masks all looked the same.

Naruto had noticed the masked ninjas around them as he looked at them, all seemingly waiting for him to make a move. Suddenly Naruto and Weasel heard a scream as they both looked to see Narumi being taken by one of the masked men, her struggling in his grasp.

Naruto immediately sprang into action as his tanto sliced the man's head from his body, it falling to the ground as the other masked ninja began to attack.

Naruto grabbed Narumi, holding her close to him and covering her head so she couldn't see what was about to happen as he made a one handed sign, several clones appearing around the field as they cut down all that got too close to them. Weasel fought any that came towards him as he realized they just didn't seem to stop coming.

"Fox, we need to get out of here!" He yelled out as he began to run. Naruto nodded as all his clones came to the center of the clearing and all made the tiger seal. "Shadow Cloud Escape!" All the clones yelled out as a large cloud suddenly erupted around the forest, the Root ninja unable to see or even sense their surroundings. Naruto grabbed Narumi and leapt into the forest as he and Weasel made their way to the village.

Narumi didn't know what was going on but knew these men weren't with Root as they were attacked by the members. Deciding she would trust them for now she held onto the blond haired boy as he leapt through the trees. She suddenly sneezed as she finally felt the cold air around her set in.

Naruto looked down to her as he realized she probably has a cold from being in almost nothing but a rag while it rained. Picking up the pace, both entered the village and made their way into the Hokage's office. Once they were allowed in Naruto and Itachi entered, Naruto having put his mask back on as to not be yelled at, again.

Hiruzen smiled at his two best Anbu before noticing a small sick girl in Naruto's arms, immediately curious at what they had gone through on their mission.

"Weasel, Fox, what happened? Why do you have that girl?" He asked, his voice stern and not wanting anything but an answer to his questions.

"I'll explain everything sir but first she needs dry clothes and towels. She has been in the rain since I found her and she's already got a cold." Fox said as he looked to his leader. Hiruzen looked at the girl and noticed her shivering. Nodding, he signaled for another Anbu to do as Fox wished. As they waited for them to get what he asked for, Weasel explained how their mission had gone up until they found the girl, him wanting Fox to explain that part while watching him hold on to Narumi while trying his best to warm her up.

Finally the Anbu had arrived with clean clothes and a few warm towels as Naruto looked to his leader.

"May I get her changed before we talk sir?" Hiruzen seemed surprised by this request but then he noticed Naruto's tone and realized this was very important to him. Nodding to him, he watched as Naruto took the clothes and towel before taking the girl away to be changed, not seeming to want anyone near her.

As Naruto entered a restroom he set the items down before putting Narumi on the ground, taking off his mask to look more closely at her. Naruto noticed that she had multiple bruises across the skin he could see, noting how she also seemed to be a little on the thin side for his liking. Looking at her shiver he decided to speak up.

"Are you ok?" Narumi nodded as she looked at him, a little bit of fear could be seen in her eyes. "It's okay. I won't hurt you and I won't let anyone else ever hurt you again. I promise. Now we need to get you into something warm so you don't get anymore sick alright." Narumi nodded as he helped her change out of her now soaked nightgown. Grabbing one of the towels, Naruto dried her off as best he could, Narumi allowing him to do so.

"Why did you call me that?" She asked while he dried her off. Naruto took a moment to understand what she had asked before finally deciding to answer. "I'll explain later, but for now we need to get you warm and dry ok." Narumi nodded as he helped her put on some pink pajamas. Grabbing the still warm towels, Naruto covered Narumi in the makeshift blankets, much to her liking. Naruto picked Narumi up once again as he grabbed the wet clothes and then noticed Narumi cuddled up to him, her eyes beginning to become heavy as the night's events finally began to catch up to her. Naruto held on to her tightly as he walked to the Hokage's office, hearing her yawn right before he entered but seeing that she didn't seem comfortable anymore and seemed scared now.

"Don't worry. I'll keep you safe. And I know no one in that room would do anything to hurt you." He said in a comforting manner. While Narumi didn't like what was happening she trusted this

boy for some strange reason despite only just meeting him. As the two entered Hiruzen looked at the girl and noticed how similar both looked as surprise came across his face and now a name he hadn't heard in a long time came to his mind.

Naruto stood in front of his leader as he waited for him to speak.

"Fox, please explain what happened after you stopped on your way back." Hiruzen looked to Naruto who had handed the wet clothes and towels to another Anbu before he set Narumi on the ground, keeping her close to him. Narumi looked up to Naruto as she grabbed his hand for comfort, surprising everyone in the room. Naruto looked down to Narumi and gave her a smile before squeezing her hand gently as he looked up to his leader and nodded to him.

"Well sir, I stopped due to feeling a chakra signature close to our location. While at first I thought it could have been a lone merchant camping for the night due to its size I slowly realized it was too big for any normal person to have and then I noticed something else." Hiruzen cocked an eyebrow at that last part as he waited for Naruto to continue.

"I noticed that it seemed familiar to mine and I knew I had to investigate. Once I got close I saw this girl being attacked by a wolf and decided to act. I killed the wolf before looking to make sure she was OK. Unfortunately she ran and I had to follow her to a clearing where I took my mask off to show I wasn't an enemy. After that Weasel had caught up with me and then we were attacked by masked ninja in Anbu gear. We fended them off until I used my Shadow Cloud Escape jutsu to get us a clean getaway were we came back to the village."

Hiruzen looked at the girl for a moment, now noting many of the things Naruto had noted when he had changed her out of her nightgown. "Is this true?" He asked her as she went to hide behind Naruto but nodded to answer him. Hiruzen realized he might have scared the girl as he gave her his warm grandfatherly smile that he would usually give to academy students when he came to see their progress. "It's alright little one. I won't hurt you and I'm sorry if I scared you. This kind of thing just usually doesn't happen often. Though with Fox here strange things have occurred." Hiruzen looked at Naruto who gave him an annoyed look. Narumi giggled at this as she came out from behind Naruto, leaning against his leg as she began to feel her sleepiness return. Naruto noticed this as he picked her up into his arms, Narumi's head fell onto his shoulder as her eyes closed.

All waited a few moments as they heard her breathing steady and Hiruzen gave a smile to her before looking back to Naruto and Itachi. "You said her chakra was familiar to yours. You don't mean she's her, do you?" He asked in a lower voice as to not wake the girl.

"Yes sir, I do. I think she might be Narumi." Naruto said, holding back his excitement.

The room fell silent as this information sinked in. "But how is that even possible, she should be dead." Hiruzen said as he noticed Naruto flinching at that comment. "Don't get me wrong Fox, the similarities are uncanny. And even I can sense that her chakra is very similar to yours. But

we knew she was gone when we came to your parents' location. I'm just wondering how she is suddenly here. And why now?" Hiruzen stroked his beard while he thought of how this was even possible.

"Sir, may I make a suggestion." Weasel's voice came out from the silence. Hiruzen nodded to him as he let him continue. "Why don't we do a DNA test for her. We can find out for certain who she is."

Hiruzen was a little shocked at this suggestion but realized it was a very logical way to find out who this girl was. Pushing the button to his intercom, Hiruzen had his secretary get a doctor to come take a blood sample for Narumi. Once the doctor got the sample Hiruzen had one of his Anbu go and make sure this sample wasn't tampered with in any way and that once the results were finished to take it straight to him. The Anbu nodded as they left with the doctor. Hiruzen looked back to the three in front of him as he spoke up once more. "The results will take a few days to come in, so in the meantime you should watch her until we can find out exactly who she is. I will send an Anbu squad to watch for anyone who may try to take her back. Whoever these people are, they want her for reasons I cannot begin to know just yet." Naruto held Narumi a little bit tighter once he heard that. Hiruzen looked to one of his best Anbu to show this much fear and decided to try to levitate his worry. "You won't have to worry about any of that though. If she's sick then she'll need to be taken care of so keep her comfortable while she's with you. I trust you can do that then?" Naruto nodded as Hiruzen dismissed both of them, both Anbu leaving in a swirl of leaves. Getting up from his seat, Hiruzen looked out to his village as he wondered what this could lead to.

XXX

Both boys entered into their home as Mikoto and Sasuke noticed them come in, soaked from the downpour outside. Sasuke was about to run up to hug his older brothers before Mikoto stopped him by grabbing his shoulder, noticing the small girl in Naruto's arms. Looking to him for an answer, Naruto gestured for her to follow him as he went to his room. Mikoto followed behind him as Itachi sat with Sasuke, knowing Naruto should explain instead of him.

Once Mikoto entered Naruto's room she saw him put the girl into the covers on his bed as he rubbed her head, her smiling and snuggling into the warm bed covers. Naruto looked at Mikoto as he thought of exactly what to say.

"Who is that?" Mikoto asked, wondering who her sons had brought home.

Naruto sighed as he rubbed his head before he finally answered. "Take a closer look." Mikoto was a little confused at this but did as he wished. Looking closely at the girl she noticed her features and the resemblance was uncanny. Eyes widened, she looked at Naruto as only one person came to her mind. "It can't be. Is that?"

Naruto nodded as a smile came to his face. "We think it's her. We're getting a DNA test done right now. But honestly, I don't think we need one."

"But how? She's been gone for almost five years. How is she here now?"

"I don't know. We're going to ask her when we get the results. But until then, I'm hoping we can keep her here."

"Of course we can. If this is her then she has the right to stay here. I, I just can't believe she's here now." She looked at Narumi, everything still going through her brain.

"I know. But it's her, I just know it." Both suddenly hear Narumi cough as they looked to her, her eyes beginning to open.

Narumi began to stir from her sleep as she looked around the room, noticing the large bed she was laying in. She sneezed loudly as she rubbed her nose, feeling cold and noticing her throat felt very dry.

"You ok?" Narumi looked to the voice and saw Fox standing next to an older woman, both looking at her with concern on their faces.

"I don't feel good." She said with a frown. Naruto smiled as he came closer to her.

"Yeah, that happens when you get sick. You want some water?" Narumi nodded as Mikoto went to get a glass for her. After a minute Mikoto came back to the room with a small glass of water and handed it to Naruto. When he handed it to Narumi she seemed to hesitate for a moment before she chugged the glass down, much to the other's amusement. "Thank you. Can I have some more?" She asked, handing the glass back to Fox. He nodded as Mikoto went to get some more water.

"Hey Fox, where are we?" She asked, looking at him. Naruto looked at her with a small smile as he answered. "This is my home. And you can call me Naruto, Fox is my name when on missions." Narumi nodded as she looked at him. "Ok."

"Now I want to ask you some questions, is that ok?" He asked as he sat on the edge of his bed. Narumi nodded as she waited for him to begin.

"Well for starters, what's your name?" Narumi shifted in the covers as she tried to find the best way to answer his question.

"Um, I don't have one. My Papa said I didn't need one." She looked down as she said this, hating how her father treated her and now feeling a little scared that he may come and find her.

Naruto looked at her as he was now wondering who this papa could be. "Who's your papa?" He asked.

Narumi shook her head as she looked at Naruto. "I don't know his name, no one ever told me it while I was with him."

"What does he look like?" He asked, hoping a description of this man could help him narrow down who's ass he was about to kick.

Narumi took a moment to think of a good description for her father. "Well he has most of this side of his body covered in bandages and he has a wooden cane that he used to walk." She explained, pointing to her right side.

Naruto only knew one man with a description like that but decided to make sure this was the right man. "Does he have his right eye bandaged up too and always has a scowl on his face?" He asked, pointing to his left eye. Narumi was shocked to see that someone knew who her papa was as she nodded to his question. "Yeah he does. How did you know that?"

Naruto's anger began to build as he thought of Danzo. That man had his sister this whole time. That bastard would pay. Letting his anger die down and not letting Narumi see it he looked back to her with a small smile. "Let's just say I've met him before." Narumi looked at him with confusion but allowed this answer for now. "What did you call me before, Narumi?" She asked looking back at him.

Naruto nodded as he looked at her. "Yeah. Sorry you just reminded me of someone I used to know." He rubbed his head as he felt embarrassed, while he knew she had to be his sister she had no idea who he was and just calling her that would obviously confuse her.

"I like it." She said with a slight smile. Naruto was a little shocked to hear this as he stared at her. "You do?" She nodded as she looked away. "I can call you that if you want then."

Narumi looked at him with a smile. "Really, you'd be ok with that." Naruto chuckled at her asking such a question. "Yeah I don't mind." Naruto suddenly felt her hug him tightly around the waist, tears running down her face. "Thank you, I always wanted a name."

Naruto took a moment before hugging her back. "Of course." Taking a moment, Naruto let her go as he looked down at her. "OK, you need to get some sleep. If you need me just call and I'll be right there." He said as he laid her back in bed.

"What about that one lady?" She asked.

"You mean me?" Mikoto's voice came from the doorway as she entered the room. Handing the glass to Narumi she sat on the edge of the bed. Narumi nodded as she drank some more water, placing the cup on the nightstand next to her.

Mikoto chuckled as she looked at the girl. "I'm Mikoto, if you need me you can just call my name. Narumi nodded as she began to go back to sleep. Once she did, Naruto sat in a chair in the corner of his room, making sure to watch her for as long as necessary. Mikoto left the room as she went to get Sasuke to bed. Naruto stayed in the chair watching Narumi and making sure on one would do anything to her.

Itachi suddenly appeared in the doorway as he looked to his brother. "You look tired. You should get some rest."

Naruto shook his head before he spoke. "I'm fine. I've been on less sleep before anyway."

Itachi shook his head before looking at Naruto. "I can watch her, get some rest."

Naruto wanted to argue but when he saw Itachi's face he noticed how worried he looked and decided to oblige. Getting up from his chair he made his way to the family room to sleep on the couch, trusting that Itachi could handle anything if necessary.

XXX

Narumi awoke in the large comfy bed as her eyes began to sting from the unbearable light that came from the window. Putting the covers over her head she tried to get some more sleep but just as she began to drift off she began to cough as her throat became dry. Peaking out of the covers she noticed the glass of water and went to grab it. Unfortunately, just as she grabbed it and brought it to her mouth she coughed once more and spilled the water on the covers.

Narumi started to worry, not for the fact she was wet, but due to the fact she messed up something that wasn't hers. She began to think about what Naruto or Mikoto would do once they noticed the mess. When she was with Root she would have been beaten for doing something so foolish and stupid. As she thought about her old home she heard footsteps coming from the hall and she began to try to hide her mess.

Naruto opened his door to see Narumi panicking as she tried to hide something from sight. That was when he noticed she was not only hiding a part of his comforter, but also that her pajama shirt was not on her and was missing. Naruto looked at her, his face showing pure confusion as he wondered what in the world she was doing and why her shirt was off.

"Um, what are you doing?" He asked, trying desperately to force down a laugh as Narumi looked embarrassingly at him.

"N-Nothing!" She said, knowing she was caught.

"OK, then where did your shirt go?" Naruto pointed to her as she grew beat red.

"Um, what shirt?" She said, trying to act dumb. Naruto only looked at her dumbfounded. "OK, what are you hiding?" He asked, walking up to her and looking at what she was hiding.

Narumi looked down, fear on her face, as she showed him the wet comforter and shirt. "I-I spilled some water on them when I tried to take a drink. I'm sorry, please don't punish me, I can clean it up." Closing her eyes she waited for him to yell. As she waited she heard him get closer before he put a hand on her shoulder. She flinched as she waited to be punished for doing something so stupid, but it never came. Opening her eyes she looked at him and saw how he wasn't mad. In fact he seemed almost sad.

Naruto looked at her for a moment as he noticed she thought he was going to be mad at her for doing that. While he was mad it wasn't towards her. No he was mad and Danzo and whatever he did to her to make her think an accident like this would be punished.

"Narumi, I'm not mad at you. It was an accident and you are sick right now. Honestly I expected this to happen at least once when I heard you cough the first time. So don't be scared." Narumi was shocked. How could he not be mad at her for doing that? Her mind raced until she saw him grab the shirt from her and look at it.

"You didn't spill too much water on this anyway so I don't know why you'd take it off. Not like it's going to be ruined or anything." He looked at her as she blushed in embarrassment. Putting the shirt back on he took the comforter of the bed and got another one for her, tucking her in once more. Naruto went to the door to leave before he heard Narumi speak up.

"N-Naruto." Naruto looked at her as she shifted in bed. "Don't leave." Naruto looked at her with concern as he turned to see what was wrong.

"I'm only going to get you breakfast. Once I'm done I'll come right back. Ok." He said in a calming voice. Narumi nodded as he left, coming back a minute later with a plate of eggs and toast. Narumi sat up as he handed her the plate and she began to dig in.

Once she finished she gave the plate to him where he placed it on the nightstand and then sat in the chair in the corner of the room. Narumi looked at him for a moment before she decided to speak up. "Can you read me a book?"

Naruto blinked for a few moments before shrugging and grabbing a book from Sasuke's room and putting his chair next to the bed. As he read the book Narumi began to drift off to sleep once more with a small smile. Naruto put the book down when he noticed she had fallen asleep and went to the blinds, blocking the sun for her as he sat in the chair. Naruto watched her as he thought about what she's been through and now wanting to punish those who did this to her. Pushing that down he looked at her sleeping soundly and smiled.

'I won't let anyone hurt you again. I promise.'

END CHAPTER

Author's Note: and it's over. Sorry for the shorter chapter but I wanted to get this out before I finished the other chapters I'm working on.

So yeah short Note this time but I will say that I'm pretty sure this story blew up faster than any of my other ones so thanks for that. Honestly kind of surprised me how quickly you guys went and liked this on so I guess y'all liked it.

Anyway thanks for that and review.

See yah.