When Naruto had woken up she snuggled into the warmth she carried in her arms, the warmth seemed to snuggle back into her. Slowly her long bond lashes open revealing tired blue eyes that move slightly down to blink to get the sleeplessness away.
Her heart started to beat rapidly as the fox in her arms opened its dark brown eyes, she hugged the fox emitting a happy squeal l to release from her throat.
"Oh, you're so cute! Where did you come from?" the fox pureed and swished its tail around as she scratched behind his ear.
"It must have come in through the window, the foxes are always close to a Kyubbi holder, it's probably why it's so kind to you"
Naruto nodded as she folded her duvet and placed her pillows on top of it with her favorite stuffed animals. She liked the attic, no annoying brother to tell her to turn off her book light, and no pesky parents to bother her.
It was cold at first but she was used to it, and her knees didn't hurt when she fell on them. Naruto put the fox down as she walked down the stairs with the fox happily following her. She came into the bathroom as she did her little routine. The fox yipped happily.
"You want some food? what do foxes usually eat?" Naruto ran down the stairs as fast as her little feet could take her and into the kitchen, where she found her father looking at the newspaper, and Emiko making breakfast.
Naruto picked the fox in her arms and showed it to her father. "Dad!, can I keep it, pretty please!" She begged while the fox licked her face, Minato looked up from the paper and frowned.
"Dad? What happened to Papa? You're still my little girl aren't you Naru?" Naruto made a look towards her father that said 'Are you serious', walking towards her father she placed the fox on the table.
"Dad I'm getting older now I shouldn't be calling you Papa anymore, But can I keep him? I swear I'll take care of him" Minato looked at his daughter, his eyes softening as Emiko shrugged her shoulders while nodding yes.
"Fine but you cannot bring him outside the house unless you hide it, the people in the village are still so sensitive about foxes, I wouldn't want anything to happen to you or him okay?" Naruto nodded happily as she placed kisses against her father's face.
"Thanks, papa, Emiko, could you please cut some fish up? I want to feed him" Emiko smiled and placed the raw fish onto a plate and placed it on the floor. Naruto said thank you and Emiko couldn't help but feel a happy rush.
"You're very welcome ruto-chan, but you can't place the fox on the table. It's bad manners" the tiny blonde pouted but put her pet onto the ground, her blue eyes watching as the fox ate.
Emiko looked at Naruto and felt her heart swell. It took so long for her and Minato to fall in love and have a good relationship with their son Tadashi, but it was even harder trying to have a relationship with Naruto. She knew Kushina's daughter would be stubborn but the girl would just not budge, she refused to eat her cooking and refused to listen to her.
It was not till recently that things changed and Emiko couldn't help but feel happier with their family growing she was waiting for the day Naruto would call her mom. Emiko hummed softly as her light blue hair swished behind her while she cooked.
"Naruto, can you please explain to me why you slept in the attic and moved all the blankets and toys in the attic? You know you're not supposed to be up there without my permission." Minato scolded Naruto who pouted her blonde hair in a mess because she slept funny.
Naruto looks away avoiding her father's gaze "I'm sorry, Dad, but I had to move my stuff up there. You see, there's a good reason Dattebayo" Minato tries his hardest to not laugh as he smooths down his daughter's hair.
Instead, he focuses on his daughter's serious gaze as he raises an eyebrow "Alright, I'm listening. Explain yourself."
Naruto takes a deep breath and looks up at her father with wide blue eyes "We're going to have two more siblings! I wanted to make room for them, so I moved my things to the attic."
Minato's expression softens as he processes the surprising news. He sighs, a mixture of frustration and understanding. "Naruto, you should have asked me before moving to the attic. It's not safe up there for you."
"Dad I want my room, and I like the attic and now that I have Kai I want to stay up there, I promise I'll keep it clean" Minato's stern expression turns into a gentle smile as he sees the sincerity in his daughter's eyes.
Minato sighs as he looks at Naruto "I understand, sweetheart. And I appreciate your eagerness to help. But we need to prioritize your safety. But instead of the attic, you can move to one of the rooms upstairs" Naruto nodded with a smile as she hugged Minato.
"DadI have been thinking about gardening lately. I want to try my hand at it too." Minato looks taken aback but he smiles
"That's great my dear, Tsunade tells me you have also taken an interest in making medicine out of herbs?, is that something you enjoy?"
"Hai, it's interesting, I also made a friend, his name is Ino and his family owns a flower shop I would like to go there to get more seeds"
"The Yamanaka boy, Naruto, I thought I told you that you shouldn't speak with the heirs of the shinobi clans, they're just putting ideas of being shinobi in your head. We both know you can't. I don't want you to raise your hopes." Naruto opens her mouth to speak but she finds herself not wanting to as she has the urge to cry.
"I-I know but I; 'm friends with Sasuke. What does it make any difference that I'm friends with Ino?" Though initially hesitant, Minato decides to allow the interaction to continue. He recognizes the importance of his daughter forming friendships, something he rarely witnessed due to her secluded upbringing.
"I will allow this friendship, you can also befriend any shinobi but you have to keep in mind what we talked about, I'm only saying this once more, do not ever bring up becoming a shinobi again"
Naruto nods silently while eating her breakfast, Tadashi comes down and that's when Naruto starts to talk again. Still, she was upset and nobody seemed to notice except for the Kai, her fox she just named, and Kurama who was doing his best to comfort her.
After breakfast, they were supposed to meet with the Uchiha to talk about the adoption that was taking place. And Naruto was waiting for Rin to come and help her change. It was usually like Rin would come over and take care of Naruto while walking her to school.
But Naruto assumed she wasn't coming because she and Obtio were getting married soon, so she had to learn how to change herself until Emiko came in with a pink sundress, a pink sundress.
Naruto never wore pink before but she hated hot pink so she grumbled when she was forced into a dress she hated but she backed away when Emiko tried to put a bow on her.
"No bow! I'm not a princess, I like my goggles" Emiko frowned as she brushed Naruto's short blonde hair.
"But you're my precious little princess and you look so cute with a bow." Naruto backed away when Emiko tried to place the bow on her head. She ran under her legs and down the stairs into the kitchen.
"Dadd! Emiko is trying to make me wear a bow!" Naruto hugged her father's legs as he laughed while picking her up and placing her on his hip. Minato kissed her cheek, causing the little blonde to push her hands on his face.
"Dadd! Tell her no, I don't want to"
"But you would look so pretty" Naruto shakes her head while her lips stay in a pout, Minato can't help but kiss her chubby whiskered cheeks.
Minato put Naruto down as he held her small hand in his own, Emiko beside him with their son Tadashi. They began their walk towards the Uchiha compound.
The Hokage Minato was doing everything in his power to stop the Uchiha. from making a coup, and how he did that was officially taking Danzo off as a member of the council along with Ko and Homura.
They may have been here for the longest and had the second great Hokage as a teacher, but they were great people who could be his council. That's why he was pushing for Tsunade to be in the village, if she were here to be in the council, he knew she would make great decisions just like he knew Jiraiya would.
But he was pushing his luck with that one. Minato was already training Obito to become the Hokage in a couple of years. Then he can become a council member.
As soon as they walked into the Uchiha compound you could see the Excitement and curiosity sparkled in Naruto's eyes. She always liked the Uchiha mostly because she loved spending time with Mikoto and Rin, but she also loved how beautiful the compound was.
As soon as They got to the Main Uchiha house, the two families met in the Main household. Naruto smiled as she bowed towards the two Uchiha before running into Mikoto's awaiting arms.
"Ohayo Mi-chan, fu-kun, I love how beautiful the compound looks" Mikoto smiled happily as she hugged Naruto, her favorite niece and you could tell she was Fagaku's too by the way he let the small blonde hug him.
Sasuke grumbled but didn't complain just like his father, "Don't you look pretty Naru-chan!, I'm surprised you're wearing the color pink" Naruto looked away and crossed her arms with her chin raised in the air.
Mikoto looked at Emiko who looked flustered. "We had a problem this morning, Naruto here would just not let me put a bow on her hair" Fugaku looked at Naruto who refused to meet his gaze until he patted her head.
"Now Naruto, you should always show respect to your elders even if you don't like it" Naruto nodded and let Emiko place the bow on her head, while she pouted the whole time.
"See don't you look pretty" Emiko praised her before kissing her chubby cheek, Naruto frowned even more but she knew better than to make a scene, and Emiko took advantage of that.
Getting tired of the kisses Naruto pushed Emiko away while wiping her cheek from the red kiss marks left by Emiko's lipstick.
"No more kisses!" giving her a hand Fugaku did something that neither Sasuke nor Tadashi was used to and smiled at the kids, "Sasuke you and Tadashi can go train in the back, and take Naruto with you" Sasuke nodded and the two Namikaze followed closely behind him.
As the adults engaged in serious discussions, Sasuke led them to the backyard where Naruto was forced to sit and watch as Tadashi and Sasuke sparred.
Naruto watched with unabashed enthusiasm as each strike and parry echoed across the courtyard, drawing the attention of the onlookers. And by onlookers, she meant Shisui and Itachi.
Shisui leaned down and sat by her, Itachi did the same "Oh hey Naru Chan aren't you looking pretty today"
Naruto pouted as she muttered thank you under her breath, Itachi smiled at her before taking off her bow, and Naruto raised her eyebrow.
"Naruto, why don't you try throwing one of the Kuni, I promise we won't tell your father" Naruto's eyes widened as she jumped off the porch.
"Wait really? I can!" Itachi nodded with a smile and she giggled happily while hugging the older boy, and it seemed as though it caused Sasuke and Tadashi to walk over.
"Ni-san what's going on?" Itachi was about to answer till Shisui beat him to it.
"Naruto's going to have a go at throwing kuni's at the targets" Tadashi and Sasuke looked surprised before bursting into laughter.
"Nii-san she's wearing a dress, and not just any dress, a pink puffy princess dress," Sasuke says while looking at the dress, Naruto clenches her hands.
"Only because I had to Dattebayo!" Tadashi put his hands on Naruto's cheeks before squashing them.
"Hey Don't be like that, Naruto is capable of being a Ninja even in a dress, most Kunoichi can be very deceiving," Shisui said while smiling at Naruto who smiled back as she felt pride until her brother ruined it.
"Well it doesn't matter anyway, dad says that Naru can't be a ninja," Tadashi says as he pats her cheeks, laughing when Naruto tries to hit him.
"Naru just go sit down and watch us like the rest of the girls do at school" Naruto looked down and stayed quiet as she continued to look at them as Shisui and Itachi directed Tadashi and Sasuke.
As the morning sun bathed the courtyard in its golden light, Naruto couldn't help but feel a sense of need to get away, unable to bear the inequality any longer, Naruto took a deep breath and got up her pink sundress moving with her steps.
"Where are you going, Naruto?" Itachi asks and Naruto says a simple reply that seems to satisfy the older Uchiha.
"Restroom" Naruto walked towards the meeting room as she mustered the courage to approach her Father and Emiko.
Knock, Knock, Knock
"Dad it's me, sorry for interrupting. I was wondering if I could walk around in the Uchiha's compound" she said before the door could slide open.
"That's fine, would you like one of the boys to accompany you?" Naruto says no and leaves not telling Itachi or Shisui where she is going, Naruto doesn't want to be around them.
Lost in her thoughts, she unconsciously wandered towards a secluded glade, where the sound of a babbling brook and the whispering breeze provided a soothing backdrop. She walked down the dock to the Uchiha's lake and sat down by the water's edge, letting the tranquility wash away her frustrations.
She was only eight yet she knew so much, As she sat there, Naruto realized that her anger stemmed. She yearned for the chance to prove herself as a warrior, to showcase her strength, agility, and bravery.
But even though she knew that she couldn't, even if she were trained by herself she wouldn't get a willing teacher without them talking to her father about it.
As she stared at the water below her feet, drop by drop into the water then thounes were falling into the lake, as she looked up she released the morning sunny sky that was now gray filled with dark clouds looming over the sunlight emitting the world to be darker than it should be.
She should have gotten out of the rain, but for some reason, she couldn't. Naruto stared down at her reflection.
Naruto gets up and walks on the dock, the wood is slightly wet but she doesn't worry as she focuses on the herbs before her, Naruto smiles as she goes to pick different herbs she grabbed as her tiny arms would allow her.
And she ran as fast as she could, in the rain Naruto found herself in front of the herbiest shop that was in the Uchiha compound. She knocked on the door while holding the herbs she found.
All the houses and shops were closed and Naruto waited her heart stopped as the door opened revealing a woman with short black hair.
Naruto blushes as she raises her hands "I got herbs" Her brown eyes soften as she looks down at the Hokage's daughter.
She crouched down and opened her arms and Naruto walked towards her, she didn't feel any bad energy from this woman she could feel what most people's intentions were. Kurama said it was because she could sense their chakra.
This woman she just met was drying her hair with a towel so she wouldn't 'get a cold' was what she said, and Naruto let her because for some reason she felt connected with her. After drying her hair the woman covered her with a blanket, her pink dress still drenching from the rain.
"Do you like ramen? I was already making some" Naruto nods" with a huge smile on her face as her large blue eyes practically sparkled.
"Hai! My favorite place to get ramen is Ichiraku Ramen, but I bet your ramen is going to be good too" She giggled and the woman smiled as she placed a bowl of seafood ramen on the counter.
"Itadakimasu" Naruto clamped her hands together before digging into her bowl.
The Uchiha patted the herbs with a paper towel and looked at Naruto with a soft smile "You know most people would keep these for themselves, Why didn't you?" she gave her a sly and the Blonde just looked up with a noodle hanging out before slurping it.
Naruto chewed and swollen as she looked at the woman before her "I came here as a guest, it would be wrong for me to keep such valuable herbs, I heard these can be used as medication"
"That's very noble of you Naruto-hime" Naruto blushed as she couldn't contain the smile she held.
"You know I'm the Hokage's daughter?" The woman looked surprised and nodded as she took a sip of her tea.
"Oh I'm surprised most people don't, Uchiha san" The woman raised her hand stopping Naruto as she looked at Naruto.
"Please, call me Kira" Naruto looked like she was in deep thought before nodding "Okay well call me Naru, I'm not a princess you know" Kira laughed as she nodded towards Naruto, her dark eyes on Naruto's soaked clothes.
"Wait here, I'll get you some clothes" Naruto smiled as she continued to eat her fill, not paying attention towards the ramen.
She comes back with shorts and a T-shirt and helps the little blonde change into them. Kira smiles lovingly as she continues to wrap Naruto in a blanket. Kira makes herself a bowl and sits down by Naruto.
"So why were you picking herbs in the rain?" Naruto stopped eating as she twirled her fingers together.
"Well I, um was looking around the compound while father talked to Fugaku san about adopting my new brother, but I saw the herbs and I wanted to ask you a question since you a Kira and all"
Kira raised an eyebrow "And what would the question be Naru?" Naruto nodded as she turned towards the pots that were filled with different plants and flowers. The little blonde helped herself by bringing a pot that had iris flowers.
She showed it to Kira with a smile as she raised it in the air, "I would like to know how to make a cream out of this, I know it would help with an open wound" Kira smiled as she picked the pot up, and than Naruto as she sat her on the stool.
"I'll show you but you can never tell anyone about my techniques" Naruto grinned while nodding as she raised her finger to zip over her lips while throwing the key away, it was such a cute gesture that Kira couldn't help but gently pinch Naruto's chubby cheeks.
"Let's start by gently plucking the Iris petals. We'll need a handful for the cream." Naruto and Kira work together, carefully preparing the petals.
"What's the next step?" Naruto asks as Kira helps roll up her sleeves.
"Now, we'll crush the petals to release their essence. Use a mortar and pestle for this. It's essential for the cream's effectiveness." Naruto watches Kira before following Kira's guidance, grinding the petals.
"That's so cool Dattebayo! What's next?" She says eagerly and Kira smiles.
"You're doing an Excellent job, Naruto. Now, let's mix the crushed petals with a neutral base. Here's some beeswax. We'll need a double boiler to melt it and blend it with the petals.
Naruto helps with the mixing, her eyes filled with curiosity. "I never thought making cream could be so intricate." Kira smiles.
"Nature has its wonders, and crafting herbal remedies is a beautiful way to connect with it. Now, let's add a touch of lavender oil for fragrance and extra healing properties." Naruto nods as she carefully adds the lavender oil, and together they continue the process.
They also make an unscented one so Naruto can have two, in the Uchiha clan Kira usually makes unscented cremas because it could be a dead giveaway away but she also makes scented ones for the women in the clan.
"Thank you so much for helping me through this. It means a lot, I don't get to do a lot at home..so this makes me happy." The Uchiha's eyes softened, it was well known in the Uchiha clan that the Hokage daughter wasn't allowed to be a ninja.
"My pleasure, Naru. It's wonderful to see someone eager to learn about herbal remedies. My son never wanted to learn so seeing you so young also makes me very happy" Kira says and Naruto smiles while hugging her.
Kira hugs her back until she feels present at her front door, and then a knock comes. Kira rubbed Naruto's chubby cheeks. "Your parents are here to pick you up, but feel free to return if you have more questions in the future."
Kira gives Naruto the vile that they just made Minato stand with Emiko who is holding her new brother, with Tadashi. She excitedly shows them the herbal cream she helped make.
"Dad, Emiko look what I learned to make today! A medicinal cream from Iris flowers." Minato smiled as relief filled him, once the rain had started he had hurried the contract to find Naruto, but seeing her here made him feel so much relief.
It was still raining and Kira offered them an umbrella. Minato takes it with a grateful nod. "That's amazing, Naruto. Thank you, Kira, for teaching our daughter, and also for taking her in." Kira nods and Emiko notices that Naruto is not wearing her dress or her bow.
"What happened to your clothes?, you looked so pretty" Naruto was going to answer, but Kira did instead.
"It was my pleasure Hokage sama. If you don't mind, I would like for Naruto to come after school and help me pick herbs from the grounds of the Uchiha compound. There are a lot of herbal remedies, and I wouldn't mind the help your daughter has picked some of the rare herbs that most can't find and it would be a big help"
Naruto's eyes widened as she tugged at her father's sleeve, her eyes pleading. "Oh, can I father? I like spending time with Kira-san, she made me yummy ramen and how to make medicine"
Minato nods as he gives in to his daughter's requests "Yes that should be fine, but you can't let your grades slip" Naruto nods again before hugging Kira, Minato thanks her again before they leave.
Their clothes were slightly damp but not soaked like Naruto's, they had hoods over their heads when they had come to pick the blonde up.
While they walked back into the village, they passed by the Hyuga's mansion, and Naruto tugged on her father's sleeve once more, while making her best puppy dog eyes.
"Papa, I must see Hinata. He's my friend, and I have something important to share with him."
Her father hesitated, concern etched across his face. "Naruto Hinata is the heir to his clan, their duties. What could be so urgent?"
With determination, she replied, "I know and I know he trains a lot. I've created a special cream that could help him heal faster. Please, let me give it to him."
Tadashi pouts as he flicks his sister's forehead, "Why didn't you make me one? I train hard as well!" Naruto pouts as she grabs the cream from her bag and gives it to him.
"Stop complaining, I made you one too!, can I papa?" Reluctantly, her father nodded, realizing the sincerity in her puppy dog eyes. "Very well, my dear. We'll seek an audience with Hinata."
--
Naruto raised on her toes as she knocked on the door, Minato smiled and held her back as the door opened revealing Hiashi who looked barely surprised, Minato gave a lopsided smile as Naruto bowled her head.
"Hyuga-san I was wondering if I could speak to Hinata?" Hiashi looked at her before replying.
"He just got done training, Hinata has a lot to do today I'm sure he is very tired-" Naruto stepped up with a smile.
"It would be quick, I promise." Hiashi sighed as he opened his door letting both blondes in, he asked one of the maids if they could take Naruto to Hinata's room.
arriving at Hinata's room she knocked on the door, as she waited, she moved back and forward on the heels of her feet.
the door opened and her large blue eyes met Hinata's Lilica ones. Suddenly she felt her heart go faster as she saw him smile.
"Hey" He nodded his head towards her in a greeting, he opened his door and Naruto let herself in as she sat next to him, Naruto saw his arms filled with bandages and her eyes widened as she touched his face.
Hinata winced but welcomed the touch as Naruto grabbed a jar filled with cream and opened it she applied the cream onto her fingers and then onto the cut on his face. She then rubbed it along his sore arms.
"Thank you Naru-chan" Naruto blushed but nodded as she wrapped his arms again. "How is it? I wasn't too rough, was I?"
"No you're perfect" Naruto blushed and Hinata's eyes were wide as his face bloomed in red as he began to stutter, "I meant the Bandages, you're good at this" she smiled as she let out a soft giggle.
Alone with Hinata, Naruto handed him a small jar filled with a soothing cream. "Hinata, this is a homemade medical cream. It aids in healing cuts and injuries without the risk of infection. I want to share this with you because I want you to use it"
Hinata, touched by her kindness, smiled gratefully. "You went through all this trouble for me? I'm truly honored, Naruto."
With a shy grin, Naruto explained, "It's a blend of herbs and remedies I learned how to make from the Iris flower, I made it unscented so when you go off to be a ninja you won't get caught and stuff. I hope it brings you comfort, Hinata."
He nodded, touched by her generosity. "Your kindness is more than enough, Naruto. I'll make sure to put this to good use. Thank you for your thoughtfulness." Naruto blushes but grins as she hugs him.
It was a great surprise when Hinata's father let Naruto see him, but she was glad because they could be friends now.
Even though she couldn't be a Ninja, Naruto can help Hinata with his duties.