Ch 6

Note: about this fan fiction, warning, there will be a lot of OCs appearing around Naruto's travels, if you want a fan fic that deals with only the original characters then, this is not a fan fic for you. This fanfic mostly deals with Naruto's journey with some special anime guests appearing and interactions with non-main characters but eventually, the Konoha ninjas will become part of the main story line...eventually.

Ok also, fortunately (or unfortunately), Naruto Reborn: Sasuke Uchiha won the polls, so I will spend most of my time I do have to work on that particular fic after this update.

Well, not much action in this chapter, still, hope you enjoy it

'When I watched the sand, I knew it was a beautiful weapon, deadly and, able to form into any shape or size with the will of the user. It was the way she used it, I couldn't help myself but stare and think that maybe this technique will connect us together, her sands and my iron…Haibara, the demon host of Shukaku, I dedicate my iron sands to you...'

"Are you sure it's human?!"

"Of course, it has to be a human body, just look at it, what did the scroll say?"

"I don't know, ask the Naruto reading the scroll on this doll."

"Well all I have is the schematics," there was a scraping noise, "help me get this open, it's supposed to be the tube that holds the senbons."

"What's this wire in the back for?"

"I dunno, let me check the schematics…"

One of Naruto's eyes twitched at the conversations as he turned around from his spot in the kitchen table. He spotted several of his clones, each one pondering on how the doll, which now sat in the corner of the room next to his bed, worked. One Naruto was on the bed, reading a scroll for that doll while another had a scroll containing detailed outlines to the doll.

It surprised Naruto when he had opened the large tome, in the beginning of the page there was a seal containing that doll that he had suspected was a puppet that most puppet users use. There was something written on the bottom of the seal though.

'Unforgivable'

It was weird, the further he read from the text, the more information he had obtained from the past Kazekage. The Kazekage was slowly becoming suspicious of his apprentice, he was sure the apprentice was going to kill him and Naruto guessed that was what happened back in the cavern he had gotten into.

Now as he continued to read from the text, he found something on the iron sand technique.

'My apprentice has been trying to copy my technique without having a blood limit as I do, even as impossible as it seems, he is close to figuring out an alternative. I only fear what would happen if he did figure it out, what would he do with that knowledge?'

Naruto had to ponder as he read on the description of the sand technique and this lady that the Kazekage keeps speaking of, Haibara. Like how the text had said, she must have been the demon host before Gaara, sometime during the Sandaime Kazekage's time and by the looks of it; it seems as if the great sand leader had fallen in love with the past demon host.

Naruto flipped the page before tilting his head curiously, he found another seal, and below he read the text.

'I've manage to steal the notes of my apprentice for the alternative iron sand technique. He may be furious with me but I will not allow him to learn it, not until I fully trust him.'

Naruto soon activated the seal and with a puff of smoke, another book appeared, this one had papers sticking out as Naruto caught the tome and summoned another clone. He directed the clone to read and take notes on it so he would read it later.

He turned back to the giant text book, it was interesting reading on the travels of the third Kazekage, and Naruto learned a few things about the landscapes back in the Sandaime's time before the war started. He skimmed through a few pages until something perked his interest.

'The metal properties, theories of metal and its powers,' Naruto read the text watching as an arrow drew from the page to the side. He had to tilt it slightly to read it straight, 'Craftsman's village?' He wasn't too sure about it as he decided to read up on this himself.

"Naruto"

The said person turned around, watching as the clone of himself, the one reading the scroll on the doll over there took a seat next to him and placed the scroll on top of the table.

"We managed to find several things about the doll. It was made by someone called Sasori with the help of someone named Chiyo?"

Naruto nodded, "I think Sasori was the apprentice, but who is Chiyo?"

The clone shook his head, "I'm not sure but the Sandaime seems to be shocked as well that Sasori was able to convince this Chiyo to help. Anyways," the clone took out a sheet of paper, giving it to Naruto who looked at it curiously, "In that list are deployable weapons that the puppet can use, and also, it contains the ingredients to the antidote and to the poison listed in the scroll."

"I don't want to be equipping the doll yet, I mean, I don't even know how to use a puppet, and the poison well," Naruto seemed uncomfortable; "I don't think I want to make it, at least, not now."

"I know," the clone smirked, "just letting you know."

"So, what else have you figured out about the puppet?" Naruto asked while placing the list of items away.

"This type of puppet is a human puppet, or a puppet made by a dead human body."

At that they both shuttered at the statement.

"One of the clones discovered writings behind one of the arms, it says, 'a new body for you Chiyo' but we are unsure what that means," the clone scratched his head in thought, "well the technique it seemed that this Sasori and Chiyo were working on was a technique that brought a puppet to life, but the technique wasn't written on the scroll."

"Bringing a puppet to life, that seems impossible," Naruto spoke out in surprise with the clone nodding, "what about his doll, who was the human?"

The clone didn't know as he shook his head, "what we do know is that it appears to be a grown female woman, we had one clone fix her up but it appears that a few of her human essentials are still freshly done."

"W-what?" Naruto twitched, unsure what he should feel about that.

The clone pointed at the doll as they watched as the clones had opened up a few levers and gadgets in the puppet.

"She has red long hair, her body is just a hollow human body with wood that outlines the interior, there is black paint surrounding the eyes, we aren't sure what that signifies, and her eyes themselves seemed to have dried, it is hard and it looks real but we aren't sure if it is a real eye or some unknown material. Oh, one more thing, with this human body it seems that she could possibly use chakra," the clone rolled the scroll out before pointing at a symbol, "in the schematics, there was a device attached to the supposedly heart of the doll, we aren't sure what it does but it has something to do with the mind and spirit as the kanji perceives it to be."

"A kanji for mind and spirit, the doll with words 'a new body for you Chiyo,' and a technique that supposedly brings a puppet to life," Naruto spoke to himself but the clone was nodding his head as well, "what could this mean?"

They couldn't think of an answer as Naruto directed the clone to see if he had missed anything.

With the clone going back to the bed to study the scroll, Naruto briefly glanced at his other clone sitting in the table who was furiously scribbling down on a paper while taking a look on the alternative metal sand technique text. It seems things were getting exciting on that table and Naruto was equally getting excited as well before he flipped back to the 'Craft man's village' section he was in.

'Objects sometimes contain power, depending on the type of object; this power can be infused into metal. Most rocks and minerals can be broken down through melting without losing its power but items such as diamonds, pearls, and substances of the likes, they can only store energy, making it useless if it is melted down but there are those rocks that contain power, even if they are shattered, that still have energy with the release of chakra into them. Those rocks can be destroyed through melting but not through shattering and combine that into a sword or a halberd or any weapon, then you would get something extraordinary…'

There was more to the page but Naruto had to take a break, through the next set of pages, Naruto could skim through and find techniques for combining seals to a sword or melting which properties of metal to make a sturdier ones or, one that interested him the most, making weapons that could control elements or focus the power of energy hidden in stones. It was all blacksmithing and Naruto had no skill in that, which made him wonder when he should start learning about it.

His hand pulled the small bag laying on top of the table before he opened it and took out a tiny pouch. His fingers slipped inside before pulling out a small green gemstone of some kind, the stone he had received from Kyuubi the other night.

"I wonder what this is." Naruto stared at the green stone for a full minute until he remembered what the text said. He concentrated his will into the stone until he felt something twitch in his chakra. The stone glowed brightly, surprising Naruto as the clones in the room stopped what they were doing and watched their master.

Soon, green wisps of energy filled Naruto who stood disbelievingly at the outcome. He concentrated as the energy seeped into his body until he lifted his hand up and with his chakra; he created a bright greenish blue ball of energy, spinning rapidly in place, the rasengan.

"I feel, powerful," Naruto smiled wide, along with the other clones before Naruto cancelled the technique and stared at the stone again, whatever this stone was it gave off energy.

Naruto placed the stone inside the small pouch again before summoning another clone. He activated the seals in his arms, making all his research notes collected appear on top of the table.

"Reseal them together into one scroll, when I return, I'll place a blood seal into it," Naruto directed as the clone nodded and Naruto left to get his cloak.

"If you're going out, I need you to get something."

Naruto turned to the side, spotting the clone he had made to read up on the alternative iron sand technique.

The clone stood up before heading towards Naruto, "I need you to get earrings."

That earned blank stares from all the clones around them as one actually let out a snicker.

"Earrings, seriously?"

"Yes, yes, nothing too girlish, just short metallic earrings and if possible, have them be made out of pure silver…or gold, whatever the case as long as it can conduct lightning."

One of Naruto's eyes twitched before he headed towards the table with the iron sand text on top with the clone following, "ok, explain."

The clone nodded before going into detail, "the apprentice's theory is to use the elemental combination of lightning and earth to form a magnetic field. The earrings will be a focus so you can easily direct the magnetic field to your advantage; we need the earrings to control the levels of electricity with this technique."

The clone pointed at the technique on the text as Naruto read, 'lightning stasis technique'

"That technique combined with the earth element to surround the metal around the earrings, you will be able to focus a similar magnetic control like the Sandaime was able to do."

"I see," Naruto nodded, understanding the elemental manipulation of earth and lightning, a very unlikely combo, needed for the technique to work.

"There is a downfall to the technique though; the magnetic field loses its pull when spread out too far."

Naruto tilted his head curiously before asking, "how far?"

"The technique should be the strongest when it is closer to your body; the magnetic pull tightens the metal making it almost indestructible but farther out, it loses this indestructibility. The apprentice writes that it should be at least twenty to twenty five feet until it loses its pull."

Naruto frowned at the distance, that was alright but still, it was a bit short, "alright, earrings, specifically silver ones," he sighed, that sounded a bit expensive especially since its silver and he didn't even want to think of the cost for gold, "is that all?"

"Well it would help if you get some iron sand…small shredded pieces of iron."

Naruto nodded, "alright then," he noticed the look he was receiving from the clone on his bed before he addressed him, "and I am not buying weapons for the puppet yet, not until we get more info."

The clone nodded, maybe a bit disappointed as Naruto soon departed from the apartment, out to check what the village was doing…

…Suna Hospital…

The room was white with men and woman frantically shuffling around for the man that rested on the bed. He was received late last night by a boy and in critical condition, but to everyone's surprise and shock, it was their leader, the Kazekage.

They needed this information to lie low but the Suna council had already been informed and guards were set up around the room with doctors and nurses working around the clock to save their leader.

Groggy, his body pained, but he forced his eyes to slowly open. He let out a grunt which caught the attention of the nearby doctor.

"My Lord," the man dressed in white spoke out concerned before signaling the others around the room. They all stood near the pained leader.

"S-set me up"

The Kazekage struggled to sit as the medical ninja shook his head, "I'm sorry my Lord but that is ill advisable, you need to rest."

"Lift me up now," he ordered in a firmer voice as the others flinched at the command.

One of the guards went to their leader's side and helped the medical ninja set their leader up.

He had winced in pain but he felt that he was alright; he didn't, or shouldn't appear weak in front of his people, "have the council informed that we are in red alert with Sound village. Everything in this hospital about me should be kept an A ranked secret; we have a traitor and a fake among us."

The guard nodded before heading out of the room to fulfill the order. The Kazekage turned to the medical nin, "how much longer until I leave this place."

"Let's see my Lord," the medical doctor in charge signaled to one of the nurses who got the idea and took a chart from the table before giving it to the doctor.

The medical doctor read through the reports in his mind before speaking, "we worked on you ever since you have arrived, there was poison in your blood which we removed, we have already stopped the internal bleedings, and restored your damage cells, but you still need to rest."

"How many days" the Kazekage spoke again in a strict voice making the doctor flinch.

"Five to six days of resting to say the least, Lord Kazekage."

It seemed their leader was dissatisfied and they could tell with the frown on his face, "you have two more days until I leave, understood?"

"But sir…"

"No, I will not let this crime go unpunished!" their leader had practically shouted, scaring those in the room, "two days, understood."

"Y-yes sir."

The Kazekage closed his eyes again, remembering that battle, and who it was…the snake sannin.

A blonde boy appeared in his mind, the boy who had saved his life. He snapped his eyes open before speaking, "who brought me here?"

The inhabitants stared at each other for a moment, unsure how to answer it until one of the nurses walked forward with her hand up, "Lord Kazekage, I remember it was a blonde boy, around the academy's age. He was the one who brought you to us," she thought back about last night, "he just appeared out of nowhere and said that you were on the verge of dying," she bowed briefly, "my Lord that is all I know."

"Is he a ninja?"

The nurse nodded, "I believe so, because while we were helping you, we noticed he had healed you a little. We know he used a healing technique because most of your wounds were already closed up which can only be done with a cell rejuvenating technique, but still, the boy seems to be a beginner."

"I see," the Kazekage dismissed them all before resting on his bed again, 'I owe this boy my life,' he stared up at the ceiling while he laid down on his bed to rest. He would find the boy since it went against his honor if he didn't reward whoever had saved his life…

…Scene Change…

The village was filled with decorations, most of them autumn colors mixed with the sandy brown settings which gave it an even more arid look. Naruto had observed the busy villagers and ninjas, each of them happily helping each other for tonight, and if he concentrated on the smell, he could already find the fresh smell of food being prepared.

But as good as all this seems, even as it brought a brief sensation of happiness to the blonde, something disturbed him. It was the man he had found in the desert late last night, if he remembered correctly, his wounds, and the settings all pointed to a battle, but he never did find out who this man was, especially since it would attract a few unwanted attention to him, like questions of, 'how did you happen across this man in the desert… where no one would normally go… late at night…. alone…and stuff like that… as if it wouldn't raise anymore suspicions.

Naruto had a look of concentration on his face as his body moved automatically through the bustling village, his mind continued to ponder on this mysterious incident.

'First possibility, bandits'

But they looked like ninjas, they could never be beaten by regular bandits, plus with three ninjas, there would surely be dead bandit bodies: first idea, scratched.

'Second possibility, a ninja attack, possibly, an enemy ninja of the village'

It is possible, a lot of ninja villages hold grudges against each other, attacking some ninjas out of a grudge was not unheard of.

'Third possibility,' this one made Naruto wince, it was something he didn't want to think of, 'Gaara.'

He shook his head, pausing in his steps as he scratched at his head in irritation, 'no, the attacks looked to be made by a blade. The cuts were smooth, not rugged,' rugged, like he expected Gaara's attacks would be if it was made out of sand.

That left the second possibility open, but more questions arose, like who would do it, and why so close to this ninja village unless those three had caught these ninjas doing something that threatened this village…

Naruto pondered for just a little moment until he felt a tap on his shoulder. His thoughts were shaken as he gazed down on someone he wasn't sure he had met before.

She was about his height, maybe a little shorter with dark orange hair and soft creamy skin. She wore the nomadic clothing styles that he was used to seeing the villagers wear but the higher than standard built on her told him that she was a ninja and not a regular village girl, yet still, Naruto wondered if he had seen her before.

"Can I help you?" He asked while watching as she didn't even look at him.

Her head was turned to the sides with her eyes taking quick glances at him, like she was nervous of some sort.

"N-Nejiri-senpai (I don't know how to translate senpai) said that Mr. Naruto i-isn't going to the festival tonight w-with anyone."

She stumbled when she talked, nervous to the core as a favorable rose colored blush appeared on her cheek while she attempted a glance at the blonde only to turn away again.

A vein seemed to suddenly throb on Naruto's forehead as he closed his eyes and formed a fist, "that damned Nejiri," he whispered before opening his eyes again, "does he really think that me going alone is bad…"

"I-if Mr. Naruto w-would like, u-um, I-I," Naruto watched her gulp before he sighed and placed on a calming smile.

When his hand touched her shoulder, her cheeks seemed to flare with her body stiffening.

"I don't know what rumors that idiot is spreading about me but I am fine for tonight," her shoulder slouched as Naruto had to wonder about her, "who are you anyways?"

"O-oh, um-m," she seemed even more nervous, "my name is Kimi, it's nice to finally meet you."

She bowed her head; it was so formal that Naruto had to blush out of embarrassment since there were people watching all around them in this public place.

He grabbed her hand, surprising the girl as he led her forward, "geez don't be so formal," he briefly turned back and glanced at her as she nodded in embarrassment. Naruto shook his head before asking, "So, how do you know me?"

The blonde released her hand and expected her to continue following him. He didn't face her, which helped the girl Kimi who regained her bearings and stared at the back of his head as they walked.

"A lot of the people talk about you in the academy," it seemed the girl Kimi was out of her stuttering nervousness, "and a lot of people saw your match with an older student, with rumors that you had also beaten his friends."

'Interesting rumors,' Naruto briefly glanced at her before falling in step beside her, "well Kimi, I am always up for making new friends but what was that about," he pointed back behind him as she got the hint with a fresh new blush appearing on her cheeks.

"O-oh um," she was embarrassed and Naruto could tell. She avoided his eyes like the plague, something that Naruto had to find patience in since she was taking long to answer.

"Nejiri-senpai said that Mr. Naruto was going to be alone for the festival tonight," she shook her head before bowing her head once again, "s-so, I t-thought maybe I c-could go w-with Mr. Naruto tonight so he won't be alone...if he wants."

Her face was flushing when she had stopped walking and continued bowing her head again so formal in the crowd, he had to stop and stare at her as well. There was one thing he couldn't figure out, something about why this girl was asking to go with him to the festival even though he knew they would probably see each other there anyways.

"But you don't know anything about me," Naruto said as he took her hand again and signaled her to stand up. She continued to blush furiously with her eyes glancing away from the blonde; he released her hand, "why would you want to go with me?"

"Well," she was smiling with her hands covering the side of her mouth and her eyes darting back and forth, to Naruto and back to the ground.

'What is wrong with her?' Naruto twitched as he felt unsure what to think of this new comer.

He watched as she calmly sucked in the air around her before turning around. She placed her hands behind her back with her left hand rubbing her right arm, while she nervously smudged the ground she was stepping on with her sandals.

"Mr. Naruto is already an inspiration in the academy," she glanced at him, watching a surprise expression appear on Naruto's face, "you don't go to the ninja academy and yet everyone is sure you don't belong to any village. There are so many rumors about you Naruto, all of them inspiring, it shows every student what a ninja needs to be."

A new blush of embarrassment had grown on Naruto's cheeks for he hadn't known any of this. Have the rumors really circulated this much and what kind of rumors were they?

"You are very brave Mr. Naruto," she turned around again as Naruto got a glimpse of her facial expression. It was bright, her eyes were dark brown that stared at him with some sort of shining intensity, something he still couldn't understand, "hearing that Mr. Naruto, who has already done a lot for all of us, is going alone to the festival doesn't sound fair, so I thought, w-well," she blushed again before turning away, leaving Naruto to only smile in gratitude before shaking his head.

"Thank you, Kimi," he spoke to her, watching as a bright smile appeared on her face when he had said her name, "maybe I'll see you tonight then, alright?"

She seemed a little put out but never the less, she continued to smile at him as she nodded. Naruto remembered that he still needed to find certain items so he had to ask, "Hey, you think you can give me directions to the nearest black smith?"

Her head nodded again, maybe glad to be of help as Naruto had to grin.

In this village, he was already making a name for himself; he just didn't know it…

…Suna Hopsital…

The settings of the hospital were too bright and yet dull. How could he find rest here, he never did find comfort in hospitals, and yet with what has been going on, how could he waste time here, rotting away happily in such a dread full room.

"Hospitals are a sad thing, white in pureness but filled with the injured and death," the Kazekage twitched his eyes, still unable to fall asleep as he rubbed his aggravated old face, "why does this irritate me so."

He didn't receive a respond, not even from the guard that sat nearby outside the curtains to his room before he noticed some people had entered. He saw two shadow figures behind the curtains, talking to his guard. He recognized the voices before sitting up against his bed while the curtains opened and they entered.

"Lord Kazekage," they both spoke in unison, bowing in respect before continuing.

It was the girl who spoke while the dark hooded boy watched.

"Are you alright, sir?"

The Kazekage waved it off before staring at the two people in front of him, both of them blood related to him, and both of them his children.

"Temari, Kankurou, I have a mission for you."

They straightened up with their hands falling to their sides as they waited for the order. Whatever emotion they had, the Kazekage couldn't tell, but it didn't matter as he spoke.

"I need you to find someone for me."

He knew they had gotten the wrong idea when he saw his eldest son smirk and shook in anticipation. There was nothing sad at how he raised his kids; they were born to be efficient, to be the elites of this village. He made sure he was kept up to date with their training, especially by the jounin he had assigned to them. He remembered reading the reports about Temari and Kankurou, how his daughter Temari was the most critical thinker and much more mature one. His eldest son on the other hand, he has his talents, strong, advanced, but then he remembered the reports saying that he may be a bit over confident and lacking a few things that his sister Temari has in terms of observations and otherwise.

"Really Kankurou, you think I would entrust you to find my attackers?" the leader of the sand narrowed his eyes at the boy, watching as the boy flinched and turned away.

Temari scowled at her brother for a brief moment before asking, "My Lord, what is this mission?"

"My mission for you is very simple; I need you to find the person who saved my life."

The task surprised the both of them, being sent on such a mission, it felt as if it was a waste of their time, but it was from the Kazekage, it was from their father.

But of course when they mean father, it must have still meant the same as the Leader of Suna, because other than the fact they had special training, it would surely be the day when they would actually act like a family.

"Um," Kankurou was the first to respond but the look on the Kazekage's eyes forced him to be quiet.

"He should be around the academy's age, and from what I have gathered, he should be at least as tall as you both, and his hair is almost like your hair Temari, it is blonde but brighter," The Kazekage paused for a moment, trying to replay the image he saw that night, "this mission is suited for you for more of the obvious reasons," he dismissed them with his hands, "now go."

"Yes, Lord Kazekage," they chorused with a bow before leaving the room.

They were silent a few steps of the way until they left the room, Kankurou spoke.

"A mission like this," he sighed out in annoyance, "really now."

Anyone could see he was disappointed with the mission and Temari couldn't blame him, especially since they were mostly trained for battle.

But there was one thing that stuck out to Temari, when their father had mentioned that the boy was around the academy's age with supposedly bright blonde hair. The information said that he was around the academy's age and it wasn't confirmed if the boy did attend the academy, and if this mysterious boy was able to carry the Kazekage all the way to the hospital, then it wasn't a normal boy from the village.

Just that information, blonde hair, chakra user, doesn't seem to attend the academy, and not really an enemy ninja, she was sure of, it pointed to one person in which Temari had to smirk before shaking her head.

"Eh, Temari?" her brother stared at her curiously, "what are you thinking of?"

She glanced at him with her mind already taking a guess at who it could be, but still, they would check other sources just in case. She spoke, "brother, check the academy for anyone matching the description, I'll meet up with you after I gather more information from the hospital."

Kankurou nodded his head with an un-too excitable look, "still, this is a waste of my time though."

She watched as her brother started leaving as a frown appeared on her face, she still couldn't help but say it.

"He is still our father, remember that brother."

The puppeteer paused in his steps, his body stiffened as he glanced her way, "yeah," he frowned as well before walking away, "I know sis" he waved a back handed wave before finally leaving Temari to handle the hospital side.

She frowned again, her eyes closing for a brief second before she started walking off, 'and Gaara is still our brother,' she thought the last part in her head before heading to the nearest nurse to get some answers…

…Scene Change…

Naruto had departed from the kind girl Kimi with directions to the black smith. It was interesting though, on his way towards the black smith, he was asked out to the festival by a few more people, something he was finding annoyed of. Anyways, he now appeared inside the black smith but when he had entered, it seemed empty; nothing was on sale or out on display which could mean that this place was closed down for today but he did manage to find the smith before he had asked for a certain item.

"You want iron cut in tiny pieces?" the smith had spoken, confused at that kind of order.

"Yeah," Naruto nodded, "it has to be very small that it blends together and looks just like a pile of black sand."

"Black sand?"

The smith was an old bald headed man who still seemed sprite enough to work, he was giant like most black smiths usually were and Naruto suspected that the baldness came from being around the forge of fire too long…

'Maybe I should re-think this whole forging thing…' the blonde thought while rubbing his hair in a concerned manner.

"Black sand huh," the smith asked again with a facial expression that was surprised at the order, "I haven't had an order like that in years."

The large man stared down at the boy, his gaze penetrating as he remembered the order, 'the iron sands, it couldn't be.'

"And what is this for, exactly?"

Naruto laughed awkwardly before coming up with something, "um…for… decorations," he nodded, "yeah, I need it to complete a project of mine."

The smith's shoulders seemed to relax before he let out a deep chuckle, "of course, a project," he laughed before waving it off, "sure I do have some scraps of iron I collect after I make a few weapons. It's used for melting, anyways, how much you need?"

"Two jars full."

"T-two jars!?" the smith appeared surprised at that amount, wondering what kind of project it could be, "why do you need so much?"

Naruto smiled again, "just a precaution."

The giant of a man laughed again, "alright, alright," he started heading towards the back of his shop but stopped at the doorway, "I'll give it to you for free."

The blonde couldn't believe his luck at the generosity of the man, he had to ask, "Really, but why?"

A regrettable look appeared on the man's face as he stared up in the ceiling, "you just reminded me of someone really powerful. Now at these times, youngsters like you have forgotten about the legends, but when you have lived around their time, you would know why they would be called legends."

"Legends?" Naruto questioned curiously as the smith waved it of before heading towards the back. It seemed he wouldn't be getting anymore answers but he was still thankful he wouldn't have to pay for it, but then the next item was going to be tough…where would he get silver or gold earrings?

The light behind him widened, casting his shadow ahead of him before dimming once again. It signaled that someone had walked inside the shop in which Naruto soon turned around to glance at the new figure.

He blinked his eyes for a minute, along with the girl as they stared at each other.

"Oh, Naruto?"

She seemed differently dressed, especially with that dark red bandana covering her whole hair while the sleeveless shirt and short brown pants seemed just the right size. He was familiar with her since she was one of Mikoshi's friends in which he had befriended as well.

"Nari," Naruto greeted, watching as she smiled and walked right up to him, "you don't usually wear bandanas," he pointed out which earned a little smirk from the girl.

"I just don't wear it much but today is different, I have a lot of stuff to do for tonight," she gave a curious look his way, "what are you doing here?"

Before he could explain, the large smith's man appeared from behind the counter, carrying two large jars in each hand which were filled with black sandy material.

"Here yah go boy," he placed the jars on the table, emitting a large thumb from the wooden counter, "now carrying it home, meh, that might be tough on you."

It earned a shrug from the blonde who calmly slipped his hand behind his waste into a pouch, took out a scroll before he laid it open on the table. There was a symbol on it as Naruto concentrated and soon made the two jars disappear in a puff of smoke.

The large man only shook his head before chuckling, "so you are a ninja, thought so," he finally noticed the girl before speaking, "oh, your order should be here," he went underneath the counter in search for something as Nari stared at Naruto for a moment.

"Wow Naruto, you think you can teach me that?" she asked with hopeful eyes as Naruto appeared surprised at the question.

"They didn't teach you it at the academy yet?"

She shook her head, "we'll be learning it next year and I think Nejiri's class is learning it now, but still, that is a very useful move."

The smith soon placed the order on top of the counter; it appeared to be a metal basket holding several few large ornaments made out of metal. Naruto watched curiously as Nari soon paid for the items and made an attempt to move them.

"Be careful now, those can be a bit heavy."

She nodded before lifting it slightly off the counter. It took a few moments until Naruto finally decided to help out by grabbing the handle as well.

"I'll help you bring it home," was his reply as the girl offered a grateful smile before they both left the shop.

It felt weird for both of them since they didn't really talk much, maybe just a hello, how was your day, and normal stuff like that but he didn't remember being able to talk to her as much as he did with Nejiri, Matsuri, or…Mikoshi

"We don't talk much now, do we?"

Naruto was taken off of his thoughts as he saw the awkward look on Nari's light-ish brown face.

And it seemed to Naruto that he wasn't the only one who noticed about their talking habits.

"Say Nari, can you tell me the rumors you've heard about me in the academy…"

Naruto turned away when he asked but Nari was staring at him in surprise before she had a wide smile on her face.

With her head shaking, she seemed almost giddy, "well it was only a matter of time until you heard them."

He faced her, wondering what those rumors could be. She stared the path ahead, her facial expression still joyful as she continued speaking.

"I am sure you already know that rumors would spread about your fight against Komaza, especially since a lot of people witnessed it," she glanced at him, watching as he continued to stare at her but nodded in affirmation, "well, it seems that there was more to the story. We were told that you saved a girl's life from Gaara that day, just appearing like how a hero would before facing an enemy head on, and not only that, we also heard how you took out Komaza's goons, all by yourself," she smiled again before facing Naruto, "now that is something that people cannot ignore, especially dealing with Gaara."

Naruto felt uncomfortable with that info; he wondered how they knew about that, the only ones who would know were…

"By now I am guessing you know who started these rumors," she giggled as she saw Naruto sigh in irritation with his cheeks slightly puffed, as if holding back his tongue from saying something.

"Those guys…" he said instead in a slightly lower voice.

She nodded, "Matsuri and Nejiri have been spreading it but the goons you faced confirmed it, but there is one rumor that bugs me," she had to stare at Naruto before asking; "Did you really fight Gaara?"

His facial expression turned passive, deciding how he should answer it as he continued to walk, with her leading, but she just continued to watch him, waiting for an answer.

"You did, didn't you?"

"Y-yeah," Naruto responded, not really wanting to talk about it.

She seemed even more excited, "amazing," she said before pointing forward, "My house should be at the center between those two buildings.

His gaze reached into the buildings, watching how they were all connected sand buildings, but he could tell that some of them had more than two floors. They may have been connected but they were built up, so the space would be above and not on ground floor.

"You know the rumors don't stop there right?" she spoke again, catching a surprised expression from Naruto who could only look at her in an enquiring manner which allowed her to continue, "there are stories about how you got to this village, how you became a body guard for a caravan from vegetable country and how you had saved many lives in a bandit attack."

"Um," Naruto was now embarrassed and shocked that that kind of rumors would spread around the academy, but now he had to wonder is, how did that rumor in particular circulate.

"It was from and confirmed by the people from vegetable country Naruto, a few had gone asking about you and they brought back this story," she smiled with her eyes staring at Naruto with something akin to amazement, "so can you really blame some of the other academy students for admiring you, I mean, you are still young, the academy age and you already experienced such a thing, it is remarkable to think about it really," she finished before turning to stare at their path again.

Now the blonde was getting an idea at how much popular he was becoming, and he would ponder if this was going to get him noticed by a few unwanted people.

It was only a few more steps when they would make it to her home; Naruto opened his mouth to speak.

"Nari, do you know where I can get some earrings," the blonde said with a blush of embarrassment forming in his cheeks.

He watched as the girl blinked once as if acknowledging the question before her mouth quirked upwards and she cracked a smile, "excuse me?"

The tone of her question told Naruto that she was trying not to laugh.

"Nothing too feminine, I need silver or gold earrings, short and not hugely looped…"

This time, she let out a little laugh before answering, "so you want a new look, is that it? I never figured you would want earrings though…" she looked thoughtful which allowed Naruto some time to straighten his face.

"Well there is that one…"

He watched her lips quirk with her eyes watching him unsure, "I can provide you with pure silver ones."

"Really?" the blonde replied in surprise.

"Yeah," she nodded as they arrived at her home and she started opening the door to let him in "I'll show you."

They entered inside with Naruto holding onto the metal basket he was helping her bring in.

"I'm home," Nari spoke out as a voice replied.

"Welcome back."

There were stairs to the left of the doorway, leading upstairs while a hallway extended to the right. The hallway seemed to stretch to another part of the room, maybe the kitchen or something similar as Naruto thought he smelled something cooking.

A figure appeared, walking out of the one of the door way from the hallway. It was a tall slender woman, not too old but not young either. She had a soft smile that fit her tanned skin with her long brown curly hair falling to her sides. She smiled before her expression changed to one of brief surprise then to a knowing smirk.

"Oh, and who is this handsome young man," she stepped forward, wiping her hand on her apron that she wore before appearing before Naruto. She crouched briefly so she could take a good look at his face.

Naruto nodded with respect, "nice to meet you. My name is Naruto and I was just assisting Nari with her task."

The woman that Naruto had suspected was Nari's mother smiled even more before nodding and straightening up again, "nice to meet you too Naruto. You seem nice and very well mannered," she turned to her daughter with a brow raised, "little Nari never told me she had a boy friend."

"M-mother!" Nari blushed furiously, waving her arms around in front of her mom, "he's just a friend, how could you say that!?"Her mother continued to giggle as she watched her daughter rant.

Naruto had to chuckle as well as he watched the interaction, she was just being a mother but deep down inside, a part of him was jealous, he was always jealous when he watched other children return to their mothers, someone who would always worry for their child, to tease them, to take care of them, to make them feel loved. No, he had to stop thinking those thoughts, less he became emotional.

"Naruto?"

The blonde boy blinked before watching as the two ladies stared at him. He chuckled before staring at them in embarrassment, "I'm sorry, my mind was just distracted," he laughed humorously, earning a smile from the two ladies.

"Well, seems like you're beauty has bewitched him my dear, hohoho" Nari's mother had joked again, covering her mouth with her hand as her daughter started complaining once more.

"Anyways," she paid no mind to her daughter, "could you take that upstairs and place it on the table with the pot of flowers please," she instructed with a smile as Nari sighed and signaled Naruto to follow after her.

Naruto nodded, "yes ma'am, I will," with a brief bow, he started after Nari, up the stairs, leaving the woman to watch with a smile.

Following quietly behind Nari, he heard a few muttered curses which amused him before he followed her instructions and placed the metal basket on the table close to the stairs.

"Follow me and I'll show you the earrings," Nari instructed as she led the way forward.

The second floor of this house was spacey. There was a room door several steps in front of the stairs, a brief space afterwards towards the right with a table in the middle and then connecting to the sides, their where two more doors, each one closed and Naruto suspected one was Nari's room.

She led him to the room at the end before opening, and leaving the door opened for Naruto to walk inside.

The door was left open as Naruto examined the room. Comfy, not too small, and surprisingly, no dolls, or anything really girly as he suspected would be in a girl like Nari's room. It was brown walls, with a regular sleeping bed, drawers, one large cabinet, and a desk. He watched as the girl went to her desk before opening one drawer.

"My father gave me these as a gift but," she brought out a small box, those tiny boxes that usually stored small jewelry in them, "well here take a look for yourself."

She handed it to Naruto who opened it. He saw the perfect type of earrings, small short looped earrings. Not those long looped ones that most of the woman he's seen wore, but those that adventurers were used too. He wondered what was wrong with them, they were fine.

"They are too boyish for me to wear," he turned to her, watching as she smiled in humor, "it's a nice gift, but my father doesn't know about a girl's style."

"These are perfect Nari."

She nodded, "I can pierce them for you if you want, but you know I won't give these out for free," a sly smile was implanted on her face as she poked his chest with her right index finger, "I need something in return."

"Alright then," Naruto had a sly smile of his own as he leaned close, watching as it took the girl by surprise, "name it…"

…Scene Change…

"The puppet has circular shoulders, allowing free movement," It was a Naruto clone holding up a clipboard while check marking a few things, "the material seems sturdier."

"Maybe because it's dry human skin, ever think about that," one of the clones remarked from the side, earning a snicker from the rest of the clones who were observing the doll.

The clone with the clipboard scowled before writing something down again.

"How much time do we have anyways," a clone asked from behind the doll as a few others stopped to think.

"Well, aside from the clones researching the scroll over there and organizing the studies," the main clone sitting on top of the bed scratched his head before counting off, "the clones in charge of the puppet should have at least two more hours before our chakra supply runs out."

"That sucks," there was a clone behind the puppet, the one who had spoken out, "we still don't have a clue about this puppet's capabilities."

"I know," the one on top of the bed replied before placing the scroll he had down on the sheet, "still, we aren't puppeteers, so how can we even use the puppet?"

They all voiced their agreement as the puppet now sat in the corner with most of the compartments open. The clone with the clipboard stopped in front of the doll, staring at the open chest.

"What's this?" he spoke before taking a glance at his clipboard again then peeking inside the chest compartment.

"What is it, you find something?" the clones watched with interest as the clone placed a hand inside the interior wall of the opened chest.

"Yeah actually, there's some kind of symbol, other than the heart, but I am not sure what it does," the clone's hand gently released a little chakra to the seal as the main clone seemed to be unsure.

"I don't remember reading on it," he placed his hand out to the clone, "careful, we don't know what it does."

"Relax," the clone responded with a feral smirk, "what's the worst that can happen."

The chakra activated the symbol to the sides. Green light shined through the interior, moving through the puppet, encompassing the clone who had activated it before the clone had disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Each of the clones backed away and watched as the puppet's open compartments closed, the hands moved, the eyes rolled, and the mouth clattered, closing and opening, as if it was speaking while the head started to spin with the red hair spreading out wildly.

None of them wanted to approach until they were sure it was over…

…Scene Change…

Naruto walked out of Nari's home with the new silver earrings dangling on his earlobes but instead of being satisfied, something was troubling him.

"It's nothing much, all you have to do is, be my date to the festival"

Sure he said yes but the next problem he would have to resolve is finding something to wear to this festival. He did note that it was an important thing to dress formal, even though it was a one night thing; still, finding formal wear was hard especially since he had a budget.

He made a sudden stop as an image, a scene in his mind played out, allowing Naruto to witness something he wasn't sure what. He saw his home, the puppet, the actions, and then the light. Was this a prediction? Why did he see these images?

He could only stand there, pondering on whether this image he just received was a fake or not. Did this mean one of his shadow clones was destroyed, and if so, how did this information return to him, he never noticed this before but then again, he never did use the shadow clone technique much because it was too draining …so he wouldn't know all the perks to a shadow clone now, would he?

Rather than brushing this off, he decided he needed to return home as he scanned for a secluded place for his escape. He quickly made his way towards one of the alleys between two large buildings, calmly looking around at the passer byes before deeming it ok to use the technique.

With just his will, he activated the thunder god technique which allowed him to appear in his home from the tiny seal implanted on his ceiling. Once he arrived, he was surprised to find all his clones crowded around the kitchen area, each one trying to get a view of what exactly, Naruto wasn't sure off.

"What's going on?" he questioned as he arrived behind one of his clones.

The clones turned to him, each one had an excited look on their faces as Naruto had no clue what was going on. He heard a noise from the kitchen, with several voices; one in particular was unfamiliar to him.

"Why are there so many of you?"

It was a feminine voice, surprising Naruto who wondered why there was someone in his home.

"We are, how should I say it?" it was one of his clones talking in the kitchen, "we are just copies of the master, a shadow clone if you know what that is."

"Ok really, who is that," the real Naruto started pushing his way through the crowd of clones, "where is the puppet, and why did you let this person in the…"

He couldn't finish his words once he saw who, or what it was standing in the kitchen. Each clone's smile widened once the master finally got a view of what exactly this was.

What he could describe as a woman, stood there in the kitchen. She was taller than the clone next to her, tall as an adult, and she was wearing one of his bigger cloaks, which covered the upper half of her body. Her dark ring eyes didn't really seem surprised, nor did her expression seem to be changing. Her skin looked smooth and the words' wooden porcelain' came to his mind, she was what he could describe as not completely human looking, but something else. She was the puppet; he remembered the descriptions as he saw her hands move at her sides, her head tilting back a little while her red hair actually seemed to be alive, as if it was a real woman's hair.

"This can't be real," Naruto was shocked, he thought he had seen everything once he met Kyuubi but as he saw her lift one of her wooden fingers and pointed at him, he knew there were more things in this world he needed to explore.

"Human sir," her voice was enquiring, curious, and quite soft, "you are dressed differently. Why?"

No response, as if his mind was still processing the fact that a lifeless puppet now stood, alive, in his kitchen. The clone next to her answered.

"He is the original, the one who created us."

"Oh," she nodded before heading towards the real Naruto who could only watch her with a stunned face, "then I guess, it is you I have to thank for awakening me."

Naruto shook his head before focusing on what was going on, "why are you in the kitchen?" that was all he could think of in the moment, sure there were thousands of questions he wanted to ask, but this was all he could say at this exact moment in time.

"She was just curious about where she was," a clone spoke out from behind Naruto.

"But how is this possible?"

"Could the seal have activated somehow, but what was the cause."

"Wait guys, quiet for a minute," Naruto started speaking as more clones started to chat amiably.

"What's her name?"

"Does she remember her past?"

More questions kept flowing through the kitchen that the real Naruto started to get a headache. The clones around him, they were asking questions that he would have wondered, each of those clones were forming thoughts, trying to figure out questions, and forming ideas that he himself would have thought…which would mean, the shadow clone technique was no ordinary technique if he really thought about it.

"You know what."

Naruto turned to his sides, spotting one of his clones who had a look of melancholy, they stared at each other.

"What is it?" Naruto asked as the clone remained sullen as if he wasn't sure he should say it.

The master concentrated on the clone before something spoke in his mind, not like someone literarily speaking in his mind, more like thoughts floating into him, as if he knew what the clone was thinking.

'She almost looks like our mother'

This was where Naruto turned back to the puppet again, watching as it continued to stare at his clones with an unchanging look. He knew the puppet couldn't make an emotion appear on her face, she lacked the facial muscles but with the idea the clone had thought up, he did notice a few features that reminded him of his mother. Especially the long red hair, it was a dead give away, but Naruto knew that this was not his mother; she was just a puppet that did remind him of her.

"Ok that's it," Naruto heard more of his clones argue as he decided it was time to get rid of them. He cancelled each of his clones, watching as each one disappeared in a puff of smoke, with the noises disappearing as well.

The puppet flinched which told Naruto that she was surprised. He tried to step forward but something hit him, his head became overwhelmingly heavy with more thoughts, ideas, and knowledge then he knew. The room continued to spin in his mind, his head and body continued to wobble around as the puppet almost seemed to look concerned before…Naruto blacked out.

It was only a few more minutes later that Naruto had awoken. He was surprised to find himself lying on top of his bed as he placed his hand on his forehead and rubbed the small headache.

"What happened?" Naruto asked as he continued rubbing with his eyes closed.

"You passed out so I carried you to your bed."

The feminine voice answered as Naruto remembered everything and not just what had happened a few minutes earlier but also things he had remembered assigning his clones. He remembered the plans to the puppet, events that had occurred before he had gone out of his home, the studies, and several other thoughts that he was sure he wasn't thinking of earlier; he needed to stop as he felt another headache rising.

He turned to the puppet, watching as her eyes were concentrating on an object on a table. She was a puppet, her arms, her body, it was a porcelain wooden brown, dark, and he could see all the pieces that connected her body together, it was just so unsightly, it was not every day that you see a puppet come to life…

"What are you doing?"

The puppet tilted her head with her eyes still staring down at the object which was a scroll as her wooden hands continued to write or draw something on it with one of his pencils.

"I do not know," she couldn't express herself but with her soft voice, Naruto could tell she was troubled, "I remember something, a specific symbol; I am just not sure what it is."

Naruto soon left the bed and stood next to her, watching as she finished what she was doing. He peered down at the symbol and recognized it as a type of storage seal.

"I don't know who I am, if you are wondering," she spoke in a voice that showed her frustration, "I've tried to remember, but I have only been getting bits and parts of it, parts of what I think are my memories," her wooden hands were shaking as she lifted them up to her face, "what am I, was I ever human, why was I created like this, I want to know."

Even though her expression remained the same, Naruto knew she was deeply troubled, Naruto knew she was human, once, and to be brought back to life in a body that couldn't express themselves at all, it must be hell for her.

"Maybe if you activated that seal, you might get some answers," Naruto offered as he gave her a friendly smile. He wanted to help her now, he was curious as well but he could feel her discomfort.

She nodded before she placed a hand on top of the seal. It glowed, and with a puff of smoke, several objects appeared on top of the table. The fact that she was able to activate the seal confirmed that she was able to use chakra, later on he would see what else she could do, but before that, they had to figure out who exactly was she in her past life.

There was a sowing box, something that really surprised Naruto because he hadn't expected that, then there were clothes, one for a village woman, and another was in a packet.

The doll stared at the objects for a moment, "there is something familiar about this," she spoke before standing up. She lifted the cloak off of her before placing on the village woman's outfit. The outfit was that of the arid sand village, a brown autumn colored tunic with the same colored turban and skirt.

These outfits made her look more human as she took the package and opened it. It surprised Naruto what it was, it was a robe that looked expensive. It was finely made and as Naruto felt the fabric, he knew this must have been worn by someone important.

"I was told by one of your clones that your name was Naruto?"

"Yes, it is."

She nodded, "please, stand on top of the stool please." She pointed at the stool next to the table near the bed.

Wanting to help her, Naruto nodded before taking off his cloak and standing on top of the stool.

The puppet approached the boy, and Naruto now found himself staring into her eyes because now as he stood on top of the stool, their heights matched. She placed the robe over him, Naruto helped by placing his hands through the arm holes and placing his head out through the head hole.

An amused smile arose from Naruto's face as he waved his arms around with the baggy sleeves waving in the air for emphasis that it was pretty baggy.

She seemed to have found this amusing as well before she opened her sowing box.

"Woah, are you sure you want to do that," he pointed at the robe then the sowing box, "you might ruin this?"

She shook her head, "I have a feeling that I know what I am doing, allow me this please."

Naruto nodded, "ok then, if it helps you remember, then I'll do what I can, "he smiled, and even though she couldn't make a smile on her own, he knew she appreciated it.

The puppet proceeded to work on the robe, first measuring Naruto's body, folding back a few sleeves, and taking notes of something with the way she would always move back to certain spots.

"So, you remember some things, but not everything?" Naruto started questioning to pass by the time.

She nodded as she had several pins in her wooden mouth, "I wish I could tell you what I can do, but really, I don't remember," when she replied, Naruto noted that her mouth hadn't moved at all.

"All I remember was sleeping," she moved her arms around Naruto's waste, folding back the excess cloth and pinning them together, "it felt good at some point, as if I have never slept in the longest time. It felt right if you can understand that, but still, I wanted to wake up, I just didn't know how," she glanced up at Naruto, nodding to him in thanks before continuing her work, "well, now at least I have you to thank for finally waking up."

"Yeah," Naruto stared straight ahead as they continued for a moment, it allowed him time to gather his thoughts; he felt sorry for the puppet, but with the way the puppet acted, he had to stop calling her just a puppet and start treating her more like a human, "listen," she stopped what she was doing and watched him, "from now on, we're in this together, I'll help you find your memories, it's a promise."

If she could smile she would have, "thank you," she said before continuing her work.

She tidied up whatever she was doing before instructing him to take off the robe, "alright, I should have it all down," she took the robe as Naruto stepped down from the stool and onto the floor.

"Give me a few minutes," she started walking off to another side of the room as Naruto nodded and sat on the bed.

"I think maybe I was a tailor," she said while fixing the robe as Naruto spotted her taking out a pair of scissors from the sowing box.

"Or maybe tailoring was just a hobby," Naruto supplied, earning an agreeing sound from the puppet, "say what do we call you."

She stopped and stared at him as Naruto explained.

"I don't want to call you puppet, so until we know your real name, I guess you need a new one."

"If you are looking for ideas then," she went back to her work, "I wouldn't have a clue."

"I know," Naruto responded as he found the puppet's scroll schematics on top of his bed. He opened it and started skimming through them. He also had to think about his shadow clones, like how exactly did the information flow through him. How is it that all these writings are familiar to him when only his clones read them? All this pointed to one thing, it pointed to why multiple shadow clone technique was forbidden. Sure he knew summoning that much clones causes stress on the body, but the information gathering side of the technique, that side of it made it an S class technique, something if anyone found out about it, would make it the best technique for information gathering.

He turned to the puppet, watching as she sat on the chair, now gently sowing a few cut pieces together. She sat so calmly, as if she was used to it that it brought peace to Naruto, and before he realized it, he caught himself from staring too long.

"I was thinking," Naruto spoke out as he turned away, maybe a bit embarrassed.

"Hmm, of what?" her voice called out to him, it was soft spoken, trusting, and lovely.

"Your name," he remembered what his clone had thought earlier, and why she was so familiar.

"Yes, have you decided on it?"

Naruto nodded, "can I call you…Kushina?"

She stopped her work and glanced at him. He looked away before rubbing his head in embarrassment, "well I mean, just until we find out your real name, that's all."

Her head tilted to the sides, thinking it over as she watched the blonde, "Kushina," she pronounced, "does this name mean something to you?"

"Um," Naruto was awkward as a feint blush appeared on his cheeks, "n-no, why do you think it does?"

"You're blushing and your voice was significantly higher that time, meaning, you're hiding something"

'Maybe she was an anbu as well,' Naruto thought to himself before sighing; he couldn't face her out of embarrassment but he did respond.

"She, was my mother"

The puppet saw that he wanted to continue so she waited, watching as Naruto seemed to be struggling.

"She died during labor with me, so, all I have is pictures and a few stories of her," he never talked to anyone about his mother before, and for some reason, it irritated him, "my dad hated when I asked about her, so maybe, maybe that's why we never became close, I don't know really," he grew silent before staring at the surface of his bed with his hands slightly clenched.

"Do I remind you of her?"

Naruto turned to face her with a soft smile on his face, he shook his head, "you look like her, that's all I can say. Before I unconditionally left my village, I had brought nothing but what I had in my body and the clothes on my back. If I were to pack to runaway, I would have packed a picture of my mother, so seeing you just made me remember her, that's all."

"Ok Naruto, I accept that name," she nodded to him, watching as the boy wiped at his eyes. They were tears, small ones but the newly named puppet, Kushina, didn't want to comment on it, "while I work, please, tell me more of this village of yours and how did you leave it?"

"Alright then," Naruto laid on his bed, staring at the ceiling as he thought of his adventures so far, "I'll tell you what happened to me so far, it's not really long but, it is still long enough."

She positioned herself while working on the robe as Naruto began explaining his story. He started from his village, the whole encounter, the situation he was in, and the position he had in the village. He later continued with his story so far, the whole encounter and awakening at vegetable country. All through the conversation, Kushina was listening, commenting, and applauding as well. Naruto found himself enjoying the conversation, even as the hour passed by, he couldn't help but open up to her, even blushing when she had applauded him and complemented him. It was a new feeling for him as he let himself drift into the stories, even explaining why he wanted to leave the village, how he had envied his uncle Jiraiya and his travels. He forgot about the trainings he could be doing and the knowledge he had access too, but instead, he concentrated on telling her the story, for what reasons, he wasn't sure of himself.

It was near evening when Naruto found himself finishing his story with Kushina sitting right beside him on the bed. He finished recounting several incidents that have happened in his stay in Sand village, while Kushina sat still in his bed, listening to these events.

"That is impressive so far, especially for your age," Kushina complimented which earned a blush from Naruto. She stood up from the bed with the robe in her arms that she had finished altering a few moments ago.

"Come now, try this on," she handed the robes to him.

He took it before nodding and trying it on. It slipped on him perfectly, her work didn't ruin the fabric, it went with it, and the alterations made it fit snugly. With the robes fitting so perfectly, he also wondered if Kushina really was a tailor before, when she was still human.

The robes made him remember something important in which he turned to the clock. It was the evening, and remembering what tonight was, he also remembered Nari.

"Oh crap," Naruto scratched at his hair. He wasn't late or anything, he just didn't want to leave Kushina alone, "the autumn festival, I forgot about it."

The puppet seemed to have perked up, "the autumn festival?"

Naruto turned back to her, "yes, do you remember anything?"

"I do," she peered thoughtful, only with the way her eyes didn't seem to be paying attention to him, "I know what it is actually."

"Then you should come with me, maybe you might remember something," Naruto suggested, a bit excited at the thought. But Kushina seemed against it as she raised a hand which stopped the energetic blonde.

"Sadly, no I can't Naruto," she rose to her full height, staring down at the well dressed blonde, "look at me, I know that I am no longer human, going out there will only cause trouble."

He didn't like it, even though he knew it was true, "but, maybe."

"No Naruto," her voice sounded motherly, stopping the boy as she placed her wooden hand on his shoulder, "please just go, have fun. I need some time to think to myself, ok?" she saw the hesitant look in the boy's eyes before adding in, "please Naruto," at the end.

Reluctantly, the boy nodded before getting ready. He took off the robe, grateful he had one, and placed it gently on the bed, he never noticed it before, but the stitching on the robe, they depicted the shape of the winds, flowing around with tiny sparkling jewels at some of the ends. It mixed the color of red and brown, reminding Naruto of an arid prince.

He quickly got ready, splashed water into his face, wiped, and changed into some fresh underclothing before placing on the robes again. Before he left though, he faced the puppet once more, he really didn't want to leave her alone, "we'll find a way, you will walk around this village again, openly."

She nodded, "thanks Naruto, now go, and enjoy. They say that the autumn festival is that one time you can find that someone special, so go on, maybe you'll find that special person of your own."

A smile rose on Naruto's lips as he nodded, "alright, I will be back, goodbye Kushina."

"Have fun," she replied back as Naruto left the room.

She took a chair and placed it near the window before sitting on it. She lifted her hand up with her expression that could never change, "I feel nothing," she spoke out before disconnecting her hand, watching as she held the hand piece in her other. She connected it again before sighing out into the window; she couldn't remember anything about this body, not even a memory that could have helped her…but then, who was that man in her mind, that man with dark hair, a face that had her feeling woozy, and why did she have a longing to see this man again?

She sighed in distress, for she wouldn't know until she found her memories…

…Scene Change…

Naruto worried about Kushina as he made his way to Nari's house. He saw several villagers, most of them well dressed but he couldn't help but notice that most had to stop and stare at him, with a look that he couldn't describe. He did his best to smile back, a bit awkwardly, but still, he smiled before walking in a more evened pace, if that was possible.

Arriving, he waved at a few more villagers who were staring at him before knocking on the door. Soon, it opened to the face of Nari, but he had to stare in surprise as she opened the door fully.

She was wearing a pink kimono, nothing too fancy but still, something he wasn't use to seeing. Her hair was fixed up neatly, and tied in a ponytail that was shaped as a cherry. He noticed she also had some minor make up around her eyes and something on her lips that made it sparkle when lit by the light.

"Hey there," she greeted before her eyes looked him up and down, "wow Naruto, that robe looks expensive."

"Thanks,"

She then took his hand before trying to head out the door; her reaction was quick which made Naruto wonder why she wanted to leave so soon.

"Hold it"

It was Nari's mother who stopped them as Nari seemed nervous before they both turned to face the door way.

Her mother appeared, her eyes giving Nari a look before she turned to Naruto.

"Oh my," she blinked a few times, obviously surprised before she continued speaking, "that outfit, it looks so much like the late Kazekage's own."

That information surprised Naruto as he rubbed at his robe, "really?" he asked, curious about how this outfit reminded her of the Kazekage.

"Yes, even here," she crouched down as she placed a hand on one of his collars, "it has the Sand symbol embroidered into it," she faced it towards the light, watching as it glinted off the light, "wow, that is very fine material."

"Well," Naruto quickly stood back, already surprised to find out this information, "Nari and I have to get to the festival, wouldn't want to be late now."

"Of course," she nodded as if she remembered where she was at the moment, "but first," she took out something from behind her, an object that had Nari blushing and Naruto inwardly laughing, "I definitely need a picture of you two."

"Aw mom"

Naruto heard Nari whisper out beside him as he chuckled and nodded for the picture. It was only a few seconds they spent taking the photo before her mother explained she would be out there in a few more minutes. The blonde watched the interaction of mother and daughter before finally, they were free to leave.

The walk was eventful, they caught up, Nari chatted amiably with Naruto which showed that she was excited about tonight which led to Naruto asking who would be there.

"Everyone will, even your friends, Nejiri and that other girl."

"Matsuri?" Naruto raised a brow, supplying the name as the light tan skinned girl looked away.

"Yeah, her"

He chuckled watching her expression before he remembered one of her friends.

"How is Mikoshi?"

"Oh," Nari felt uncomfortable and Naruto could see the discomfort in her, "I haven't seen her much yesterday, she just disappeared, and also today. She hasn't tried to contact me or Kashike at all so I am not sure what she could be doing."

"Shouldn't you be worried?" Naruto asked, watching as Nari was still uncomfortable.

There was a look of hesitation, as if she wanted to say something to him, he just wasn't sure what it was and he didn't want to force her to say.

When the festival came near, they could already hear the music and the laughter, and if they looked harder, they could see light coming from the game booths that were set up. It was this time that Nari had decided to speak.

"Naruto, I think you should know something about Mikoshi."

Naruto turned to her, giving her his full attention as she continued to speak.

"She's my friend but, at least you need to know how it is she exactly feels about you in fact," Nari paused unsure what she should do. Inwardly, she knew her friend's feelings for this boy, but the days knowing him, she couldn't help but develop a few feelings for him too which made it awkward, "she…"

"Naruto!"

A voice interrupted them as a person came from behind, placing his hands on his shoulder. Naruto grinned as he spotted Nejiri.

"Nari?" a feminine voice addressed the girl who turned around and found her friend Kashike, dressed as well.

"You found a date for the festival, that's great," Nejiri patted his back, earning an annoyed look from Naruto who placed a hand on Nejiri's shoulder.

He gripped hard, watching as a brief sensation of pain passed through the sand boy's face.

"Yeah I did, and what's with all these rumors about me?"

"Oh come on, you're not mad at that, are you?"

Naruto narrowed his eyes before he felt a hand slipped beneath his arm. He turned to the side, watching as the girl he remembered was Kashike, another of Mikoshi's friend, smiled at him with a flirtatious look about her face.

"And so what about the rumors, I think they make you look very brave."

"Kashike," Nari argued as she walked over to Naruto's other side and placed her hand underneath his arm, "Naruto is my date, kindly let go please."

"Oh come on Nari, we could share right? Besides," she peered at Naruto again, "he looks really good tonight."

Naruto was a bit embarrassed as he started walking forward; at least hoping he could make it to the festival. He was relieved that the girls had let go, and started chatting with themselves, which he enjoyed since it showed that the two really were good friends.

Nejiri bumped Naruto in the sides before whispering into his ear, "and here I was worried no girl was going to like you."

A chuckle escaped his voice as Naruto rolled his eyes before replying.

"So who did you go with anyways?"

That seemed to shut him up as he sighed before replying, "I didn't get a chance to ask her, so I was hoping I'd bump into her tonight."

"You know, you still haven't told me who it was?"

Nejiri snickered, "if we see her tonight, I'll show you," he noticed something as he watched the blonde's ears, "did you get earrings?"

"Yeah well," Naruto rubbed at his head before laughing awkwardly, "just wanted to try a new look, that's all."

"Uh huh" was Nejiri's only response as they arrived at the booths.

All around them, there were smells of food, and the sounds of laughter. Games were everywhere, with lights, and music that came from the back. It was a festival, and everyone was happy.

"I wonder if Mikoshi is here?" Naruto questioned which earned a frown from the two girls.

"She wasn't home when I went to visit her," Kashike answered to the surprise of Naruto and Nari. She smiled though before continuing, "We'll probably see her tonight, her mom said she went to the festival."

"That's good to hear," Naruto was glad before he pointed at a booth and made his way towards it.

Kashike gently pulled her friend Nari to the side before whispering, "You like him, don't you?"

That earned a blush as Nari looked away, "I do but."

"So does Mikoshi, which makes this rather awkward don't you think?" her purpled hair friend replied as Nari nodded.

"Anyways, he's my date so let's try to enjoy ourselves," Nari responded before her friend pointed at the blonde who was talking to one of his friends, that girl who used to be afraid of weapons.

"Well, it seems like you and Mikoshi aren't the only ones who like him," Kashike joked, watching as Nari's cheeks puffed before she headed towards the two.

"The games are harder if they know you're a ninja," Matsuri pouted and spoke out a bit disappointed which earned a chuckle from Naruto.

He knew it would be harder; it was the same in Konoha, separate games for villagers and ninjas because the facts are that ninjas are trained with higher accuracy than the villagers.

"Oh and here," she took out something from the pouch attached to her brown kimono. It was a small keychain of a creature that seemed to be a cross bread of a raccoon and a dog, and if he didn't know better, he suspected it to be a Tanuki and she handed it over to him.

"I know I am not that close to, you know who, so, can you please give this to him for me?"

Naruto took the keychain before smiling wide; he knew Gaara would appreciate the gift.

"Yeah Matsuri, I definitely will," he replied before placing the key chain away.

Suddenly, he felt an arm wrapped against his own before the voice of Nari spoke out.

"Hey Naruto, let's get something to eat, I'm sure you're hungry."

"Yeah actually, I am," Naruto replied before turning to Matsuri and Nejiri, the boy who stood a little off the sides with a face that seemed to be searching for someone.

"Hey guys, you coming along?"

Matsuri felt a strange yet threatening sensation from somewhere, she just wasn't sure what it was, at first she thought it was from that girl Nari, but then again, the girl was giving her a friendly smile, so where did this feeling come from.

"Sure Naruto," Matsuri replied as the uncomfortable feeling suddenly shot through, actually scaring her a bit as she looked around again before turning to face the girl Nari who was holding on to one of Naruto's arms.

"This will be fun, the all of us," Nari had spoken in a sweet voice, so sweet that it really disturbed Matsuri for some odd reason…

The group of friends went to enjoy the night; Naruto had the most fun as he watched his friends chat, banter, and played the games. Tonight, he was finally able to relax, a night of no worries.

The blonde heard the excited chatter all around him; it started once one of the drums started playing a type of ceremonial beat, one that urged the body to flow in the music and dance.

"Did you hear? Someone was sent to the hospital, and I heard that this person was attacked."

Naruto perked his ears at the conversation he heard from somewhere in the crowd.

"I hear it was Gaara who attacked the person, and I also heard that this person was someone important that the council is trying to hide it."

The beating of his heart sped; it frightened Naruto as he heard the conversation. Of course the village was going to suspect Gaara first, and if things became worse, the council might try to cover up this incident, probably through assassination against Gaara once more. That was the worst case scenario, but still, he knew Gaara didn't do it, and he hoped those rumors didn't circulate.

"The dance is starting, come on!"

It was Kashike who spoke excitedly as the group followed with Nari grabbing hold of Naruto's arm. It distracted Naruto from the rumor as they made it to the clearing surrounded by crowds of people. There was a large bon fire in the center with tiny blazers surrounding the area. The night did well to make the area look a bit mystical, like a sort of bonding flames in the dark night.

"Mr. Naruto," a voice spoke from the side, a familiar voice as the blonde turned to see who it was.

She was dressed finely; the robe she wore had the picture of two dragons swirling around her robe with the colors of red, yellow, and orange, each one colored perfectly in place and outlined in a golden thread color that it worked well to bring out the deep orange color of her short hair.

"Kimi," he looked at her again before correcting himself, "I mean, Lady Kimi," Naruto smiled before formally leaning back and bowing towards her. He knew she must come from a rich family, or a clan of some sorts with an outfit like that, "it's good to see you tonight."

She blushed in the dark night filled with the light off the orange blazons of fire.

"Why thank you, Sir Naruto" she did a brief bow as well, a sort of greeting for a daimyo or Lord as her blush never left her cheeks.

The action between the two caught the attention of others around them. If a passerby did observe, it would seem like the two were related to a Lord or were the children of a daimyo.

"Um Naruto," Nari came in with a displeased look, watching the two, "how do you know Lady Kimatachi?"

He suspected 'Kimi' was a shorter alias for her real name but the title in front of her name meant she was someone pretty important. He then explained how he had met her in the morning, leaving out the awkward things before he asked how Nari knew the girl.

"I-I think I should explain, if I may," Kimi had spoken in a polite manner, bowing her head slightly for the interruption. Nari nodded before letting her continue.

She bowed again as she faced Naruto, something that looked like an apology before she spoke.

"My full name is Kimatachi Hana, I attend the ninja academy, and I am also the daughter of the Daimyo of Wind Country."

"The daughter of a Daimyo attending the Sand ninja academy," a surprised look crossed his face as he put two and two together, "you were born a chakra user?"

"Yes I was," embarrassingly, she nodded as Naruto s till seemed to have more questions.

"Guys, let's go sit," Matsuri interrupted as she pointed of to the side. As they looked around, it seemed like the ceremony was beginning, there were strangely dressed villagers appearing at the center.

"That's the opening," Nari said as they headed towards a spot to watch, "it's the basic, the dance shows the story of the nomads, how they wandered the desert, fought, and founded the sand village."

A flute played in the background, and with it came an enchanting melody that attracted the crowd's attention. It was a quiet sound, soft, and beautiful.

Naruto felt someone close to him before turning his head to spot Kimi once again. She smiled kindly at him as he returned the gesture before he remembered what she said earlier.

The others seemed distracted, so they didn't notice when he spoke.

"Hana is your first name?"

She nodded as her face flushed with embarrassment, "I don't like it, I prefer being called Kimi, it makes me sound more like a person."

"Yeah but then again," she met his stare, both of them watching each other, one with a smile while another still embarrassed as Naruto continued, "what's wrong with Hana, the beautiful flower," he grinned before rubbing at his nose, "I think it matches."

Turning away, her blush further increased as she shook her head to that comment, "y-you over exaggerate; it doesn't mean t-that."

"He he," Naruto chuckled as he shook his head and smiled, "I'll still call you Kimi though, but I'd like it if I called you Hana sometimes, if that is alright with you?"

"S-sure, I don't mind," she answered, her face brightened as they continued to watch the opening to the festival dance. She scooted herself, closer to the blonde with Naruto unaware of her actions until he felt someone pull him from behind.

"Naruto nooo," it was a whisper of shock mixed with defeat that took Naruto by surprise.

Naruto turned to the source, finding the jealous face of his friend Nejiri. The blonde was confused as to why his friend was put out. Nejiri's shoulders were slumped, his head tilted down as Naruto felt that his friend was trying to tell him something, so the blonde leaned closer as Nejiri whispered.

"You had a moment with Lady Kimatachi, a nickname, and first name basis, all I one day… I can't believe it…"

Confusion once again as Naruto tried to wonder what that meant, and why Nejiri would be bitter unless…Naruto figured it out as his eyes widened.

"This is the girl you like?" Naruto's voice was shocked along with his face as the sand student nodded his head and made a shushing sound to keep the conversation low.

"Yeah, but really, you oh come on," Nejiri scratched his hair in irritation as Naruto wasn't sure of what to do.

"Lady Kimatachi is very popular in the academy."

The voice came from behind Nejiri as both boys turned to look. It was Matsuri who joined the conversation with a smirk on her face. She leaned with the three, speaking in a whisper so that only they could hear.

"She is in the same class as me, a second year, but most of the third years," she eyed the dark haired sand student, ", and guys in my class, have a crush on her."

"Wow, I didn't know," Naruto answered, watching Nejiri again before asking, "She seems like a kind person, I wonder who she went with to the festival."

"Well," Matsuri waved her hands with an unsure gesture, "I heard she declined all the invitations, so probably no one."

"Hmm," Naruto rubbed at his chin as he thought for a moment while turning to watch Nejiri every now and then. Before he could respond, it seemed the ceremony was over as people from the crowd started going into the center. They were forming a ring, a ring where people danced around the large bonfire in a circle while he also spotted a few pairing up with their dates of some sort and dancing as well.

"Hey Naruto, come dance with me," Nari spoke immediately as Naruto seemed unsure.

"I'm sorry, I don't know how," he turned to Kimi, watching how a few guys had approached her. She seemed uncomfortable before the blonde took Nejiri by the shoulder, "excuse me for a moment," he apologized to Nari and the others before heading towards the orange haired girl.

"Lady Hana," he spoke while his hand kept firm on Nejiri's shoulder.

"Naruto, what are you doing," the sand student whispered as his blush rose once they came in contact with the young Lady Kimatachi.

Hana turned away from the crowd with a relieved look before approaching the two. The others around them seemed putout watching them before Naruto pushed Nejiri in the front.

"I'm sorry, I don't know how to dance, do you mind dancing with my friend here so I might learn a bit?"

"Oh, Nejiri senpai," she nodded to him before watching Naruto once more, "ok Naruto, I will," she smiled before taking the sand student's hand, making the boy blush even more, and pulling him into the surroundings.

Naruto smiled at that as he heard the drums beat, the flute play, and the crash of the bells. He turned back to Nari and the others before an apologetic look appeared on his face, "I really don't know how to dance, mind if I watch just for a minute?"

Nari, Kashike, and Matsuri looked at each other for a moment before shrugging.

"You will dance tonight, I am looking forward to it," Nari spoke while smiling all the while. The blonde nodded as he signaled them to have fun already.

Matsuri stayed for a bit before speaking to Naruto, "that was a kind thing you did for Nejiri."

They both watched the dance, spotting the awkward stance and movement coming from the boy. Nejiri seemed nervous while Kimi seemed confused, maybe at the boy's attitude before they spotted an amused smile, and a giggle that seemed to have made the boy even more nervous.

"See you there, alright?" she asked with Naruto replying with an affirmative response before she left to join the crowd.

The music played by the professionals was soothing, especially with the tiny flute, and the large bonfire, he truly felt like a sort of nomad. He clapped with the beat, watching as the dance was something like hopping around, which made him wonder if they made up the dance or not. They hopped on one leg, then switched, sliding to the front, it was pretty funny to watch.

It was a few more minutes with Naruto leaning against one of the buildings, his hands clapping with the beat of the drums until Nari had approached him again.

"Come dance with us," she urged him as Naruto shook his head.

"I'm sorry, I still don't know how," he scratched at the back of his head as Nari pouted before returning to the crowd.

She bumped into Kashike and Matsuri before whispering something into their ear. They soon approached Nejiri and Kimatachi before whispering to them as well before a smile and smirk appeared on their faces and they turned back to stare at Naruto who was unaware and still clapping to the beat.

The three girls, Matsuri, Kashike, and Nari, approached the blonde.

"Hey, what's….?" he fumbled with his speech as Nari and Kashike both grabbed a hand, pulling him forward while Matsuri pushed from behind his back

"You are going to learn to dance, whether you like it or not," Nari spoke out, laughing with the others along the way as they dragged the blonde to the crowd.

Naruto enjoyed it though; they were trying hard for his sake, so he should try hard for theirs. They dragged him to the spot Nejiri and Kimi where dancing before they all stood together. Nejiri started speaking, "it's nothing to it, once you got the beat and the dance steps, you make it up as you go."

A demonstration with his legs moving about in a manner that Naruto found was more than just hopping. His friend urged him to follow as Naruto did just that, moving to the sides, clapping his hands, and jumping slightly to the beat. The others saw this and started to laugh before smiling and following along. It was a grand time, all of them enjoying themselves, dancing around. Naruto got even braver, dancing around each of them, close enough that it caused Kimi to blush at the closeness, along with Nari and Kashike.

Simple, a lot simpler than what Naruto had thought as he felt he was doing it right. Soon, Nari stepped in front of him, causing him and the others around him to stop for a moment. She was blushing, and by the looks of it, she was embarrassed, but the particular thing was, her right hand was stretched out, as if awaiting something to happen.

"Let me teach you another type of dancing," she spoke out, causing Naruto to become interested.

"She's going to teach him that, now?" Nejiri whispered to Matsuri who seemed amused with the situation. The Sand boy turned to Kimi before frowning once he saw the sad look on her face.

"Place the back of your hand behind this one."

Naruto did just that, lifting his right hand and gently setting it to tap behind her hand. He followed her instructions, watching as she did a courteous bow before he did a bow himself. She gently guided him, her eyes never taking them off of Naruto before moving in a circle around each other, their hands never un- touching as well.

It was slower but he did a few hops in his steps, along with her, and to him, it felt comfortable, especially watching the way she enjoyed it, with her face blushing nonstop. As long as she was happy, as long as one of his friends was happy, he would be happy as well.

"Isn't that a dance for coup-"

Nejiri was cut off by a punch in his sides by Matsuri who pointed to Kimi. The sand boy turned to face her, watching as she seemed to be near tears before he bit his tongue, glanced back at Naruto and Nari in this intimate dance which the blonde clearly wasn't aware of before turning back to Kimi.

He stood in front of her, catching her attention before she wiped at her eyes.

"O-oh, Nejiri senpai," she wiped her eyes before smiling.

He bowed briefly, a surprising act as he outstretched his right hand out. He smiled the best he could, "he's having fun, like we all should, so please, dance with me."

His eyes were hopeful, watching as Kimi blinked in surprise before a slow and sure smile rose on her face.

"You're right," she gently tapped her back right hand to his own before following in step.

They both danced along with the beat, with the others following in, and just moving normally, trying to make the most of the night.

Naruto had found himself enjoying the night immensely, he had never heard of Konoha having a festival like this, it was new for him, something he would remember.

When the time passed, so did music as the crowd stopped and wondered what was going on.

"And now!"

A voice shouted off from the distance as everyone turned to stare near the bonfire.

"To present, this years, Autumn Queen!"

The crowd roared out, clapping as a puff of smoke appeared in the clearing, revealing a woman dressed in a most peculiar outfit. The coloring of her clothes matched the very sand she walked on, it was a type of robe that allowed free movement of the feet. The outfit clung on to her body, the woman, while she also wore a sort of mask that hid the upper portion of her face. Her hair was tied in several buns, stretching out and connected with two chopsticks, while the mask itself was white with a jewel outline. Only the bottom of her face was showing, her cheeks, mouth, lips.

She stuck out of the crowd as she approached one of the older persons of the village in which Naruto suspected was an older ninja.

"And let's not forget," there was another poof of smoke, a lighter one as a smaller figure appeared, "the Autumn Princess!"

She appeared like a younger replica of the autumn Queen, except her dark brown hair was loose and not tied. She was more hesitant with her steps, as if embarrassed before her head seemed to be looking around.

"Here's your chance," Naruto whispered to Nejiri who shook his head. The blonde glanced at the boy, watching as a goofy smile was planted on his face.

"I already got to dance with someone I wanted too."

A chuckle escaped Naruto's throat as Nejiri glanced at him before placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks."

Naruto nodded before he turned back to the autumn princess, watching as she seemed to have found who she was looking for. She started heading towards her direction as Naruto got a closer look on her. She seemed around their age, and also seemed like an academy student because of the way she walked, a bit more precise, like a ninja.

Other boys from the academy approached her, but she turned them down by either walking pass them, or shaking her head and moving on. She moved closer to her target, heading closer, closer, towards, towards…

"Hey," Nejiri started to whisper to Naruto as the crowd stared at who she was approaching, "is she coming over here?"

"I don't know, maybe," Naruto tried to respond but he had to stop once she finally arrived, standing in front of him with her hand outstretched.

She was silent, only the awkward smile on her face showed her emotion as Naruto seemed to find something familiar to her.

"Holy, Naruto, she is waiting on you," Nejiri laughed before nudging him on the back, "don't keep her waiting, go."

Naruto caught himself from falling before smiling awkwardly as well and rubbing the back of his head. He took her hand, placing it at the palm of his hand and watching as she clasped down, holding his hand firmly and pulling him forward.

She started leading the way, to the autumn queen who also had her partner. Now, the autumn princess stopped him right next to the Queen before the royalties of autumn faced their partners. The music started once again, with the banging of the drums, the melody of the flute, and the chiming of the bells.

They lifted their right hand forward with Naruto recognizing the act before he followed like a mirror, copying her move but before that, he bowed respectively to her, watching as she smiled before offering a courteous bow as well.

They moved again, with the crowd watching; Naruto didn't know who she was, and as he danced in step, he tried to figure out why she had chosen him, and if he had seen her before. There was something familiar about her, and with the way she was staring at him through her mask, he had a feeling that he might have met her before. They continued to dance, a few more minutes to give these two mysterious girls time to enjoy their time of the year before Naruto felt that the autumn princess was starting to slow down, meaning, she was ending it.

He tried to smile politely when they were slowly coming to a stop.

"That was, nice, thank you," Naruto spoke but he had earned no reaction, only watching as she stayed quiet like a statue. He didn't know what else to do, were they supposed to walk away now, or what? He just couldn't figure it out.

"Um, well I-"

It was then she had moved forward, a swift action that surprised Naruto because before he realized it, her lips had planted firmly into his own. He didn't hear any music nor did he heard the crowd gasp in surprise, but he felt her arm that hugged his neck tightly, her hands that softly grasped his hair, and the blissful, soft, warm kiss that lasted with what felt like hours for him. It was something he wouldn't forget, it was his first kiss, and in a night like this, and his eyes closed, he felt numb to the world as he reopened his eyes and stared at her again when they released. He saw the dark crimson blush that filled her face, and he felt his face heat as well, then the sound of life came back and the roar of the crowd filled his ears.

There was laughing and applause as Naruto glanced around him before turning to the mysterious girl, only to find that she had disappeared.

"Wait, where did she," he looked around the crowd for her presence but couldn't find her but there was a prolonging smirk on his face as he wondered if he would see her again…

…Scene Change…

A masked girl disappeared from the crowd, appearing in an alley and leaning against the wall. Her chest was moving rapidly as her hand moved to her heart, feeling it beat heavily as her crimson face continued to show a smile of excitement. She stared up in the night air, her smile never leaving as she tried to calm herself and sway her beating heart…

...Naruto…

Naruto now leaned against the wall with a smirk on his face as he watched the crowd enjoy the night. He received compliments from a few he wasn't sure he knew but it didn't matter to him. He told his friends he would rest for a few minutes, so he moved to a spot, just to let the feelings of nostalgia last a few more minutes as he breathed in a few breaths.

He looked up at the sky, thinking on peaceful things before something caught his attention, it was a wisp of sand moving along the air, like a trail leading to a roof as Naruto suspected at, what it could mean, before it changed to, who could it be.

He looked around before disappearing in the back and hopping along the walls before arriving at the roof. His eyes scanned the place before he spotted a red haired boy, standing alone and staring up into the moon lit night.

"Gaara," he spoke softly, his voice friendly as he reached into his pouch and approached the boy.

The sand demon didn't turn to face him, nor did he say anything as Naruto fell two steps away from him and stood.

"Hey Gaara," he spoke before staring up at the dark skies as well, "it's a beautiful night, isn't it?"

The blonde's hand had something in it as he handed it over to the red haired boy. Sand collected, forming a small platform underneath Naruto's hand that soon dropped the object into it.

"It's a gift from Matsuri, she was thinking of you the whole night," he smiled softly, facing him, watching as the sand moved the small Tanuki key chain in front of Gaara who observed the object with an impassive face.

"Foolish," Gaara whispered, "all of them, they are all fools."

It was then he saw it, the crack in Gaara's face. His eyes had dulled, shiny in the light, staring away into the gift as Naruto approached and tried to place a hand on the boy's shoulder.

Sand shot out of Gaara's gourd, catching the boy's hand as Naruto froze and waited for what would come next.

"Don't touch me," he said in a dangerous voice, leaving Naruto to frown and retract his hand.

"One of these days Gaara, I promise you."

"Hmp," the sand retracted, and Naruto noted that it had taken the gift into the gourd before Gaara turned his back on Naruto and disappeared, just like that, without another word or noise.

Naruto sat down near the edge of the roof, his thoughts reflected back to Gaara as he felt himself growing angry. Inside, he struggled with himself; here he was out having fun while Gaara was here, lonely. He started to hate himself before he slapped his face with his own hand and stared into the sky.

"I am his friend, I will help him, it's a promise that I will fulfill," he spoke out with such determination that his fists were clenched at his sides.

"You're really doing it, aren't you?"

A voice asked from the darkness, making Naruto turn around and facing the mysterious new comer.

The moon revealed her, showing her sandy blonde hair that was tied up in four different directions, and the giant weapon behind her back that always seemed to be connected to her.

"Temari," Naruto greeted, sighing and sitting back down near the edge of the roof.

The female ninja walked up to him before sitting near the edge next to him.

"Why are you trying so hard, you know he'll kill you?"

"He didn't now, did he?" Naruto replied, chuckling as he glanced at her. He spotted a look before he turned away again.

"Enjoying the night?" he asked.

"Hn, I never liked these festivals," she crossed her arms as the music could be heard in the background.

"Why not, it's a chance for everyone to cut back and relax."

"Hah, not everyone can relax in one of these," she glanced at him with a scowl before turning away, "as you can clearly see from Gaara's point of view."

Naruto frowned but agreed with the girl, no one needed to explain further. The blonde was still bothered though, something about what he was told earlier.

"I was told, that the autumn festival was a night you might find that someone special."

She scoffed at that, the reaction was something that Naruto seemed to have expected as well before he stood up and let out a little chuckle.

"Well, I think that is an old saying and all."

Temari glanced up at him, wondering what he was doing. She spotted the robe, took it in fully, watching the designs that looked to be expensive as Naruto patted off the dirt.

"And well, what I want to say is that…"

If she didn't know any better, he seemed to be a bit nervous as she wondered what he was trying to say now.

"In these festivals, you dance with someone special," he lifted a hand out and offered it to her with a soft smile on his lips, "But I guess, you just have to settle with me."

She found humor in those words and she took his hands before raising a brow as they stood a little ways apart.

"What if I don't want to dance, I think it is all pointless."

The music stilled played from the distance as Naruto bowed briefly at her before outstretching his hand out in front of Temari, a gesture that had the girl surprised with an astonished blush.

"I am guessing you never danced with anyone before, so it's alright if you don't know how to do it."

One of her eyes twitched as she mirrored Naruto's moves and placed her back hand behind his outreached ones.

"I do know how, now let's get this over with," she rolled her eyes as Naruto chuckled before they moved to the beat, the both of them.

It was different to Naruto, Temari was a different dancer, more awkward, and more precise, as if she was distracted.

"So tell me Naruto," she started to slow down on her steps, "where where you last night?"

Naruto stumbled briefly before continuing, "what do you mean?"

"I need you to be truthful," she stopped dancing and stared at him with a serious expression, "where where you?"

"Why do you need to know?" he questioned back, already a part of him was wondering why she wanted to know since it really wasn't a cause for concern, unless that person he saved last night really was someone important like he had heard from the rumors.

"Naruto, a person was admitted to the hospital in serious condition last night, he-"Temari couldn't look him in the eyes, "he was someone important to me."

Naruto felt bad now as he bit his tongue and wondered if he should tell the truth, but with the past tense she used, he was already suspecting the person didn't make it.

"Is he, alright?"

She didn't answer as Naruto turned away before shaking his head, "I'm sorry Temari, I tried to save him, I really did, but, he was really hurt, there was nothing I could do," he turned to face her, watching as she stared at him with one of her eye brows raised and a hand leaning on her hip.

"Why couldn't you just say that before?"

"Wait, what?" Naruto realized he was tricked when he saw her smirk.

"He's fine Naruto, he was just looking for the person who had saved him," she started walking away now, "I was sent to find out who it was, and with the information I was given, there was only one person I would suspect like that," she watched him, catching the unsure look on his face.

"Relax," she giggled before placing a hand on his shoulder, "things are just going to be interesting for you now in this village."

"What do you mean by that?" He questioned, not really liking the tone of her voice.

All she did was laugh before forming a hand seal in place, "you'll see," she remarked before disappearing in a burst of sand.

Naruto sat down again, wondering if this was something he should be worried about or not but if he wanted to help Gaara, he would need to be careful from now on, and with what Temari had said, he really started to lean towards being worried…

…Scene Change…

Her whole body, sturdy, not really dead, but not really human either. The puppet to life, the shell with no memories, newly named Kushina, continued to stare out the window. Something was happening, her eyes were closed, and she was recalling a little piece of what she could find. There was nothing, but she could feel it, outside, she could feel a pulsing feeling. Unaware to her, little pieces of sand was forming; it was seeping through the window and flowing into her arm, sticking to it until there was enough that it formed something in her wooden hands. She opened her eyes before lifting up her hand, it became brighter, especially with the sand that was adding to this illusion, and it almost looked like human skin…

…End…

On the Next Adventures:

Naruto's training turns serious once the Kazekage comes into play. He starts to study the famous technique, making mistakes along the way that brings harm to his body, but it's nothing Naruto can't handle. But around the village, rumors circulate about this mysterious person sent to the hospital and most fingers point to a certain red haired sand demon container, making Naruto's job a lot harder, plus, news of Konoha finally reaches Naruto, how will he react to the news…