Chapter 1-Enter: Ren Kuroko

****Ren's POV****

"Naruto what are you doing?" I ask my blonde friend when he suddenly stops on our way to the academy as I turn my head to look at him. I then watch as he walks over to a few paint buckets with a mischievous smile before picking them up and exclaiming "I have an idea." "And that is?" I ask so he says "I'm going to paint the great stone faces." I sigh and say "Naruto, we really should be going to class since tomorrow is the graduation exam and we didn't pass last time. Or the time before that." "It'll be fine. We're going to pass this time, believe it!" He exclaims before running off and leaving me. Shaking my head I continue on to the academy knowing that Naruto wouldn't change his mind so no use in trying to change it. Once in class I glanced around for an empty desk but unfortunately there were none so I decide to sit next to Hinata; she seemed to be the only one other than Naruto, Iruka-Sensei, and my mother to not ignore my existence or seem to hate me for just being alive or forget it. Not that I mind being ignored or forgotten, that Iruka-Sensei's acknowledgement is exclusively to get me to do something for class or to scold me for failing something, and that my mother died when I was five. "O-oh, hello Ren. Where's N-Naruto?" She questions, noticing me, so I sigh out a "He's doing another prank." Causing her to stutter out an "O-oh, O-okay." As she turns her attention to the front of the class and towards Iruka-Sensei so I lean forward, causing some of my brown hair to fall in front of my face, and set my chin on my arms, which were crossed on the desk, and half-listen to Iruka-Sensei as he starts the lesson figuring that I didn't have to listen to our last lesson before the exam tomorrow.

A few minutes go by before Iruka-Sensei disappears to help catch Naruto who had ended up running by the window, probably in his escape from getting caught. "I'm at the end of my rope Naruto. You failed the graduation test last time, and the time before that. Tomorrow you've got another chance and you're messing up again!" Iruka-Sensei yells coming back with a tied up Naruto. But Naruto only humps and looks away from him. Iruka-Sensei gets mad and says "Fine, because you missed it Naruto, everyone will review the transformation jutsu." Causing a collective groan from the class as I just sigh. I must have missed it too but he didn't need to know that. Lining up Sakura goes first and successfully transforms into Iruka-Sensei who says "You transformed into me. Good." Causing Sakura to poof back and start saying, giddy, "Yes! I did it! Yes! Sasuke did you see that?" and me to think Hinata and I are the only sane females in this class. Though she does like Naruto like that. I guess I'm the weird one. as I stand in the line next to her. "Next, Sasuke Uchiha." Iruka-Sensei says cutting her off so she heads back to her seat. Sasuke then steps forward and transforms into Iruka-Sensei without a word causing Iruka-Sensei to look up from his clipboard and say "Uh, good." Sasuke then poofs back and walks back to his seat without looking at anyone but causing most of the girls, except me and Hinata, to squeal when he passed them. "Next, Naruto Uzumaki." Iruka-Sensei says then causing Hinata to look at Naruto and blush, her silent encouragement to her crush obvious on her face. "This is a total waste of time, Naruto." Shikamaru tells Naruto and Ino adds "We always pay for your screw ups." "Like I care." Naruto says at the same time as I think Like he cares. Naruto then steps forward and says "Transform." I manage to stop myself from laughing when I realized he did his "sexy-jutsu" instead while Iruka-Sensei falls back with a nose bleed. Naruto poofs back and laughs at him and says "Got ya'! That's my sexy-jutsu." "Cut the stupid tricks! This is your last warning!" Iruka-Sensei yells at him with his face beet red with embarrassment. Luckily Naruto goes and sits in the seat next to mine and Hinata's without another word so Iruka-Sensei calms down before saying "Next, Shikamaru Nara." Shikamaru successfully transforms into Iruka-Sensei after he sighs stepping forward. "Good, next Ino Yamanaka." Iruka-Sensei says as Shikamaru heads back to his seat she steps forward, transforms into Iruka-Sensei, and when he says good she says "Of course." winking at Sasuke. "Next, Ren Kuroko." Iruka-Sensei says as Ino goes back to her seat so I step forward and transform into him. "Okay next, Hinata Hyuga." I poof back into myself and slowly return to my seat and get back into my relaxed position. Next was Choji Akimichi, then Kida Inuzuka, then Shino Aburame, and then the students that I haven't bothered to remember their names.

****Time Skip****

At the end of the day Naruto goes to go but Iruka-Sensei grabs Naruto's back collar and says "Oh, no you don't Naruto. You're going to clean up the great stone faces before you can go home." "Oh man!" Naruto groans looking at me hoping that I would help him as Hinata said a quiet "Bye Ren. N-Naruto." and she and the other students left who ignored both me and Naruto like normal. I shrug which causes him to beam but his face falls when I just follow him and Iruka-Sensei as Iruka-Sensei drags him out of the room. "I told you not to." I say, in my 'I told you so' tone, when Naruto goes to start complaining again which causes him to shut his mouth and pout accepting his fate. However he stated to complain again after a few minutes of cleaning even though I was, sort of, helping him. "You're not going home till you've cleaned off every single drop of paint." Iruka-Sensei states hearing Naruto complain, which causes Naruto to stop cleaning and look up at Iruka-Sensei and state "So what. It's not like there is anyone waiting at home for us." Before going back to cleaning. A few moments of silence goes by before Iruka-Sensei says "Ren, Naruto…" trailing off so Naruto and I look at him. "What do you want now Sensei?" Naruto asks annoyed but gets excited when Iruka-Sensei scratches his chin and says "Well…I was just thinking…maybe after you two clean this up, I could take you guys out for some ramen. The good stuff. What do you think?" "Huh?! Now that's some serious motivation! I'll have this clean in no time!" Naruto exclaims before working faster. I quickly join Iruka-Sensei on top of the great stone faces before Naruto could knock me off the platform or spill the bucket of water on me by going too fast. That was not something that would happen to me…today.

****Time Skip****

It was already dark by the time Naruto finished so it wasn't surprising that we were the only customers at the Ichiraku noodle shop. As Naruto and I start eating Iruka-Sensei asks "Naruto…Why would you do that to the Hokage faces? I mean you know who the Hokage are, don't you?" "Course I do!" Naruto exclaims before finishing his ramen and adding "Everybody knows. They were the greatest shinobi of their time right? The best of the best, undefeated ninja champs. And the Fourth Hokage's the one who saved the village from the nine-tailed fox. He was the most amazing." "Then why did you-" Iruka-Sensei starts to ask but Naruto cuts him off by saying "Because Ren and I are going to be greater than any of them. Us! Naruto, the next Hokage, and Ren, my right hand! Ninja legends! Then everyone will have to stop disrespecting us and look up to us! Believe it!" I smile slightly at Naruto's common declaration of our future before I look at him in question when he adds "By the way Sensei, I kind of wanna ask a little favor." "You want another bowl?" Iruka-Sensei asks but Naruto shakes his head and says "No. I wanna try on your headband. Come on, please?" causing me to have to stifle my laugh with my hand realizing that's why he had taken off his goggles before we started eating. "Don't laugh at me Ren!" Naruto yells at me as Iruka-Sensei adjusts his headband saying "Oh this? No way. You can only wear the leaf headband when you finally graduate from the academy and become a ninja. You've got to pass the test tomorrow." Which causes Naruto to yell "That is so uncool!" Iruka-Sensei laughs asking "Hey is that why you took off your goggles?" I nod as Naruto yells "EH?! I want another bowl!" which just causes Iruka-Sensei and I to laugh more.

After Naruto finished his second bowl we say bye to Iruka-Sensei and head home. I live in the apartment next to Naruto which was the main reason for us becoming friends in the first place. "You didn't have to laugh at me." He wines as we walk side by side so I look at him with my 'but it was funny' look causing him to get depressed muttering "I know." I jump a little when he suddenly shouts "We'll definitely pass this time! That'll show him!" before quickly apologizing to me "I'm sorry Ren I didn't mean to suddenly shout like that." "I know." I mutter looking away from him, embarrassed that I'm still not used to his sudden outbursts and still get startled by them most of the time. "You're so cute when you're like that. Like a real girl." He says moving his head so his face was in front of mine with his stupid grin plastered on his face causing me to yell "I'm not cute!" feeling my face burn with embarrassment. "Sure you're not." He says in a teasing tone causing me to get depressed so he pats my back saying "If the others saw this side of you I'm sure they wouldn't ignore you, forget you, or think that you were a boy." "I'm fine being ignored and don't care if I'm viewed as a boy or forgotten." I say and start walking a little faster causing him to laugh a little at me and catch up to me saying "I know but I'm not fine with you being ignored or forgotten. You're practically my sister after all." I grumble and he seems happy about it before he changes the subject and starts talking about ramen and how there is a new kind of instant ramen that he just bought.

Once we get to our apartments we say our silent 'see you tomorrow' with a nod of our head before going into our own apartments. And once inside I take a shower and change into my pajamas, which are just an oversized t-shirt and sweat pants and not much different than what I normally wear, before setting my alarm and laying down. I stare at the ceiling as for a few minutes before rolling on my side and going to sleep.

****Time Skip****

Instead of the alarm clock it was Naruto who woke me up by dragging me by my feet out of bed and yelling "Ren! Come on! The graduation test is today!" Honestly I don't know why I even bother to set the thing since Naruto does this every day. Though getting physically dragged out was new. "Don't just drag me out of bed." I grumble sitting up and rubbing my eyes from my spot on the floor only for him to pull me to my feet saying "Come on Ren. We don't want to be late." "I want to be late." I mutter causing him to sigh out "You're such a kid" and start trying to fix my hair, knowing I wouldn't. I mean, who cared what you looked like when it's your ability to not die that's important. "You're one to talk." I say causing him to roll his eyes saying "Just come on." Though he was older than me by a few weeks so I was technically younger than him.

****Time Skip****

I yawn from my spot next to Naruto as Iruka-Sensei comes in and says "We will now start the final exam. When your name is called, proceed to the testing room. The final test will be on…the Clone Jutsu." Naruto freaks out silently at this as it's his worst technique and I wonder what will happen since it's my worst technique too. Testing then starts and the number of students in the classroom dwindle as they are called. I'm last to get called so I walk into the testing room and stand in front of Iruka and Mizuki-Sensei. "Try to make three clones, Ren." Iruka-Sensei states looking at me hopeful so I nod and make the hand sign saying "Clone jutsu." A cloud of smoke appears revealing a solid clone appear next to me making the hand sign as well and a sad and diluted looking clone sprawled out on the floor like a broken doll. Honestly, I had no idea how I could fail but succeed at the same time and from the look on Iruka-Sensei's face I'd say he thought the same thing. "You failed!" Iruka-Sensei yells annoyed causing Mizuki-Sensei to say "Iruka-Sensei, she's off but her moves weren't bad and she did replicate. This is her third try so you know she really wants to become a ninja. We could cut her a break and pass her. Her mother was gifted medical-nin but struggled with other Justus after all." "Mizuki-Sensei…like I said with Naruto, the other students created at least three effective replications. But Ren could only create two with only one of them being effective. I can't pass her. Her mother would want her to be truly ready to pass. So, I'm sorry Ren but you do fail." Iruka-Sensei says so I nod giving him a small smile telling him I understood before heading outside to join Naruto.

He looks up at me as he sat on the swing mumbling "Looks like you're going on without me." "I sort of failed too." I say and rub the back of my neck adding "Honestly I don't know how I can create both a good clone and a bad one all at the same time." "At least you can make a good one." He says so I shrug muttering "It's still not enough to pass." "Don't worry Ren. I'll be Hokage one day and you'll be my right hand." He says giving me a small smile trying to comfort me even though we were both feeling depressed about not passing this time. I return it until both of ours fade when the adults begin speaking "There you see him?" "It's that boy." "I heard him and that Kuroko kid were the only ones who failed." "Humph, it serves them right." "Just imagine what would happen if they became a Ninja. I mean he's the boy who-" "Shh! We're not allowed to talk about that."

We each give each other a sad look, neither of us knowing exactly why we were always treated like dirt. Apparently no one was allowed to talk about it. Even my mother, when she was still alive, never told us why and would just change the subject. It was then that Mizuki-Sensei appears on the wall next to us and questions "Come with me for a bit?"

****Time Skip****

"Iruka-Sensei's tough but he's not against you two." Mizuki-Sensei says as the three of us watch the sun set causing Naruto to question "Then why? Why only us?" "He wants you two to be strong with all his heart. But that will never happen if he goes easy on you two. He's like you two you know? No parents, no family." Mizuki-Sensei says so I sigh "But this time we really wanted to graduate." Mizuki-Sensei chuckles then as he says "Then I guess I have to tell you two. It's a secret but I'm gonna let you two in on it."

****Time Skip****

After taking the scroll Naruto and I head to the area Mizuki-Sensei told us about. Sitting down and opening it Naruto says "Let's see…the first one is…Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu? Eh?! Not this again! It's my worst Jutsu!" "Mine too." I sigh out causing both of us to look at each other with the look of 'oh well' before we being practicing. Attempt after attempt go by until we finally get it right and we both can make a bunch of solid clones. We smile, look at each other, and high-five before we collapse to the ground in exhaustion causing them to poof away. We're only able to rest for a minute or two before footsteps approach causing us to look up at an angry Iruka-Sensei. "It's all over." He says leaning over us before chuckling sort of tired causing the two of us to scratch the back of our heads laughing as we stand up. "Huh?" He questions so Naruto says "Caught us already. Not bad. You're quick sensei. We only had time to learn one technique." Before exclaiming "Listen, Iruka-Sensei! Ren and I are gonna show you this amazing Jutsu! And you're going to let us graduate, then everything will be okay! That's the way it works right? Anyone who learns a Jutsu from this scroll passes!" Iruka-Sensei looks at us shocked and asks "Huh? Where'd you get that idea?" so I say "Mizuki-Sensei, told us about it." Causing Naruto to exclaim "Believe it! He told us where to find the scroll and this place…" trailing off noticing Iruka-Sensei's horrified face. Suddenly Iruka-Sensei yells "Look out!" and pushes us away.

Iruka-Sensei then gets hit by the Kunai aimed at Naruto and I as Mizuki says "I see you found our little hide away." My eyes go wide as I look at Mizuki, who had two giant shuriken on his back, as Iruka-Sensei says "So that's how it is…I should have known." Suddenly Mizuki orders "Naruto, give me the scroll now." "Don't." I say grabbing Naruto's hand causing Mizuki to glare at me as Naruto asks "Wait a minute…What's going on here?" "Naruto! Ren! Don't let Mizuki get the scroll! It contains forbidden jutsu that can put this village in grave danger! Mizuki used you to get the scroll for himself! For his own power!" Iruka-Sensei yells pulling the kunai out of his thigh causing Mizuki to say "Naruto, Ren, Iruka is just trying to scare you 'cause he doesn't want you two to have the scroll." "Huh?" Naruto asks causing Iruka-Sensei to yell "Stop lying Mizuki! Don't let him trick you two!" Mizuki laughs and says "Oh I'll tell you who's really lying." Causing Iruka-Sensei to shout "No Mizuki!" but Mizuki continues saying "They've been lying to you two your whole lives, Naruto, Ren. Since the decrees 12 years ago." "What decrees?" Naruto and I question at the same time causing Mizuki to smirk as he says "Everyone knows except you two. Iruka is trying to hide it from you even now. He'd do anything to shut me up." "What is this decree? Why does everyone else know about it?" Naruto asks as we look at each other scared. "Don't tell them! It's forbidden!" Iruka-Sensei shouts but Mizuki looks at us evilly and says "The decrees are no one can tell you the nine tailed fox is inside you! Naruto. Or tell you that your father was the S-rank criminal known as the Devil's Messenger! Ren!" Naruto asks "Huh?" while I question "What?" with I'm sure identical shocked looks so Mizuki continues saying "The fox spirit that killed Iruka's parents and destroyed our village has taken over your body! You are the nine tailed fox Naruto! While Ren is the daughter of one of the most feared criminals who has killed millions for the fun of it! Her eyes prove it!" I'm breathing heavy as Naruto completely freezes while Iruka-Sensei pleads "Stop it!"

Instead of stopping Mizuki continues saying "They've all been sneaking around, hiding things from you two your whole lives. Didn't you think it was strange how they treated you? Like dirt! Like they hated you for just being alive!" "No! No! No! No!" Naruto shouts as I shake my head and feel tears start to well in my eyes not wanting to hear any more while Mizuki says "That's why you two will never be accepted in this village! Even your beloved sensei hate your guts!" He then starts spinning the large shuriken before yelling "Die Naruto and Ren!" and throws the shuriken. Naruto quickly turns and pulls me with him to escape but we're still exhausted from training and end up just falling to the ground. "Naruto! Ren! Get down!" Iruka-Sensei orders causing Naruto to pull me into his chest as we brace for the impact that never came. We look and notice Iruka-Sensei shielded us shocking Mizuki and us. "Huh?...W-Why?" Naruto and I asks then, so Iruka-Sensei says "Because we are the same. When I lost my parents, no one seemed to care. They didn't have time for me, they just forgot I was there. My grades dropped. I became the class clown. I just wanted them to see me and to know my name. My school work wasn't good enough to keep their attention, so I did crazy things. And then I had to pay for it. It was hard. I know that's how you feel, Naruto, Ren. You feel lonely and it hurts inside. And I could have been there for you more. I let you down…I'm sorry. No one should have to suffer that much. No one should be alone like that." Mizuki then laughs and yells "Don't make me laugh! Iruka always hated you, he was orphaned because the nine tailed fox killed his parents. And that beast is now inside you. He'd say anything to get the scroll from you." I grab Naruto's hand again and we take off into the forest as Iruka-Sensei yells "Naruto! Ren!"

****Naruto's POV****

Ren and I hide behind a tree and I ask her "Are you afraid of me now?" as she looks in the direction we came from. "No. Are you afraid of me now?" She questions, her voice weak, as her hand tightens its grip on mine and refuses to look at me. "Never." I tell her pulling her into a hug before we have to be quiet as one of them falls to the ground behind us. "How did you know, Naruto? How did you know…" Iruka-Sensei says but there is a poof and Mizuki says "that it was me and not Iruka?" And I hear another poof and Iruka-Sensei says "Because I'm Iruka." "You're a fool. Why are you protecting those freaks? One's the one who whipped out your family while the other's just a run of the mill monster, just like her father." Mizuki says causing Ren to stiffen in my arms before Iruka-Sensei says "I don't care what you say. You're not getting your hands on that scroll!" "As if you could stop me. Don't you get it? They're just like me." Mizuki says so Iruka-Sensei asks "How's that?" "They want the scroll for their own power and their own vengeance. That's how beasts are. They'll pour all their rage into the scroll and destroy everything." Mizuki says and Iruka-Sensei says "You're right…." Trailing off so I gasp and think 'So it's true. Iruka-Sensei never believed in us. He thinks we're some beasts….some kind of freaks!' I gasp again when Iruka-Sensei says "That is how beasts are. But that's not who Naruto and Ren are. They're nothing like that. They're one of a kind, they work hard and put their whole heart into it even if Ren doesn't show it. Sure Naruto messes up some times and Ren acts like she doesn't care and everyone jumps on them. But their suffering only makes them stronger. That's what separates them from being a beast. So you're wrong, Naruto's nothing like the nine tailed fox and Ren's nothing like her father. They are Naruto Uzumaki and Ren Kuroko of the Village Hidden in the Leaves!" I'm crying then and can feel Ren's own tears start to wet my shirt when Mizuki says "You really believe that dribble? Iruka, I was going to save you for later but I changed my mind. You're finished!" Ren and I then attack Mizuki stopping him from killing Iruka-Sensei. We come to a stop and Mizuki says "Not bad for little punks." So I threaten "If you ever lay a hand on our Sensei, I'll kill you!" as she nods in agreement while cracking her knuckles. "Such big words. I can completely destroy you with a single move!" Mizuki claims so I say "Take your best shot, fool. I'll give it back to you a thousand-fold!" "Let's see you try! Show me what you can do, freaks!" Mizuki yells then so I make the hand sign and yell "Shadow clone Jutsu!" while Ren does the same. Each of us making hundreds of solid clones. Mizuki starts freaking out as my clones start taunting him. He falls so one of my clones says "If you're not coming…." And one of Ren's finishes "…Then we're going to come after you." Before me, my clones, Ren, and her clones start beating Mizuki up causing him to scream.

****Ren's POV****

A few minutes later Mizuki is unconscious, black and blue, bleeding, and covered in injuries that are starting to swell. Naruto scratches the back of his head and say "Sorry I kind of got carried away. Are you okay, Iruka-Sensei?" As I look away. "Yeah." Iruka-Sensei replies before adding "Naruto, Ren come here a minute. I've got something I want to give you." We look at each other before going over while Iruka-Sensei says "Close your eyes." We do and I can feel something being put on my head before Naruto questions "Sensei, how much longer?" "Okay, you can open your eyes now." Iruka-Sensei says so we do and are faced with a smiling Iruka-Sensei who no longer has his headband on and who adds "Congratulations...you two graduate. And to celebrate I have a surprise…we're going out for ramen tonight!" We don't say anything as we look at each other seeing that each of us had a headband on causing Iruka-Sensei to question "Huh?" before Naruto tackles him yelling "Iruka-Sensei!" "That hurts!" Iruka-Sensei yells so I pull Naruto off him saying "He's hurt Naruto." "Oh yeah. I forgot." He says scratching the back of his neck again.