Author's Notes: Oh faithful watchers, I humbly apologize for my delay for this chapter. I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive this aimless writer for his tardiness, even if said tardiness is a result of writer's block and real life continuing to be a pain.

Disclaimer: I don't know own Naruko, just the OC.

XXXXX

Blue…green…white…black…countless colors move before me.

Swirling colors, ribbons dancing as if to silent music, weaving to and fro in intricate patterns. Sometimes a splotch of color will bend and warp into various shapes and forms. The sight is both a splendor to the eyes and to the spirit. It is beautiful; it is inspiring, and yet something about it is also a little sad.

I raise a hand as if to reach out to it. A lone white wisps play around the limb, close but not touching it.

Why is these things dance with no direction, no flow, and no destination. Relying solely on instinct or the whims of others. Boundless energy with no purpose other than to be, with no purpose to fulfill, is it really satisfied with just that?

Do these colors have nothing to lead them?

Bringing my arm closer I observe the swirling of the single white ribbon around my arm. "Do you…desire guidance?" The speed of various ribbons increase, I smile, "Then I will guide you." I look up to the chaotic dance in front of me, "I will guide all of you!"

With my right arm in front of me, I trace the air like a conductor and his baton controlling his band. By my command the colors obey, rushing in the direction of my hand as if to keep up. I see some of the colors start to slow and stop entirely, coming together to become shapes. I marvel a bit at the development but continue to command the colors. "Is that what you wish?" I ask to the chaotic mess all around me. My left arm raises, "Then I will give you purpose!" I degree, my arms than shift to my left, and the mess follows, eager to fulfill its role I give it.

Yes, dance for me, give me yourselves and I will find you purpose. I continue conducting the energies to their destinations, my arms acting as their guides. The dance continues in earnest, I lead and they follow, bringing order to their chaotic nature. Gradually, their energies slowly wane and die out. Colors slow and combine, becoming shapes, later gaining depth and form, scenery I paint with the resources all around me.

Time passes, the dance is reaching its resolution as more colors gradually fade into the environment. Little by little, the numbers dwindle as each bit of color finds its destination. My own arms also slow down to a stop; I know that it's almost done.

I smile at the fruits of my labor. A grassy field with a midnight sky, trees and various floras stand still in appreciative silence. Pillars of white marble stick up from the ground and stand up in various angles, a strange arrangement yet somehow necessary. Wanting to see more, I look at the night sky; look up to see the number of twinkling stars shining bright against the inky darkness and the lone moon illuminating bright in the sea of black. Surprisingly I see circular platforms of white float overhead, all with their own ecosystem of plant life, an impossible sight, yet still it exists. A scene of both beauty and fantasy, and I created it with my own two hands.

Satisfaction fills my heart and settles my mind. "Perfect, hm?" I bring up my right arm, the lone white ribbon still glides near my skin. I chuckle, "Whoops, almost perfect anyway." I raise the limb to the night sky, "Go on."

The stream of white flies off and ascends into the sky, eventually becoming just one of the many stars of the scenery.

"There." I smile as I lay on the grass, "Now it's perfect." I feel my eye lids grow heavy and then close.

X Chapter Two: Trouble X

Too bright.

I clench my eyes as sunlight starts invading behind my eyelids. Ugh I hate mornings, why must it always be so hard to get up. I sigh in defeat, all right sun I get it, you win, happy now? Grumbling, I get up from bed and felt something pulling on my left arm. I smile a bit, clingy isn't she? Looking to my left I see Naruko holding onto my arm, still sound asleep.

Yeah sleeping arrangements are awkward at best right now, when I realized last night that the girl didn't have any spare beds or sleeping bags I was half tempted to just sleeping on the table until Naruko offers up sleeping next to her. That was an awkward experience; I may be a kid physically, but chronologically I'm just a few days pass eighteen, it just felt wrong for me to sleep with a little girl. To maintain my dignity I had to politely decline the offer. I was firm in my decision, until she starts tearing up.

I swear females have some sort of mystic power of males the moment they start crying. Damn, just seeing that face of her all hurt and stuff made me feel like a total ass. There are also those comments from her like "You should sleep on something soft" or "I think that family is suppose to sleep together" and then there's the mother of all wham lines "I'm afraid to sleep alone". If that wasn't enough, she was holding a pillow close to her like a stuff animal. How was I supposed to resist that? Curse my big brother nature.

Well no use gripping, I might as well start the day now that I'm half-awake. Slipping my arm free from the girl's grip, I than stumble my way to the bathroom with my personal care kit in hand, a quick shower will probably wake me up. After a shower, a quick breakfast might help matters too…

Entering the bathroom and locking the door behind me I check myself in the mirror. A boy with brown hair and eyes who looks to be about eight or nine looks back at me with a slight frown on his face. I raise a hand and place it on my cheek; the boy in the mirror does the same. I narrow my eyes, so does he.

Well this is the new me then huh? I chuckle. This is surreal, seeing myself like this because of just chance. I hold up both hands in front of my face, both of them are smaller, like the rest of me. A few days and I still need to get use to being like this. Wait; didn't Kyuubi say something that this body is much tougher now?

I enter the shower and turn the water on to warm and start cleaning myself. If that's the case that does explain how I was able to outrun that lynch mob for a short while and how I was able to hold back that farmer guy's attack with just a stick. Could this be because of Kyuubi's chakra? I lather up some shampoo and start washing my hair. She did said that abnormalities were possible, her chakra was used in using my corpse for this body so probably there may have been some after effects, it's actually pretty good that all I got was a reduction in age along with a little bit of a power boost, I hate to see what would be the worst case scenario for me.

I rinse the soap from my hair and then turn the water off. Taking a towel from the rack I dry myself before reaching out to the clean clothes sitting on the bathroom sink and start dressing myself. So if that's the case, does that mean I can also use chakra as well? From Naruko's little lecture, along with pulling that all-nighter studying her books, chakra is suppose to be some sort of inner energy that every living being in this world possess, down to the cells. An energy that is consisted of physical energy of the body, and spiritual energy that is brought by experience. Once mixed, it can be channeled through the body by the means of some sort of chakra circulation system to any of those…what was it called… tenketsu points and manipulated to the ninja's desire.

I grimace a bit as I finish putting on my shirt. Yeah, that's got to be the most BS thing I've ever heard of so far. Physical and mental energies, really? This is all new to me, not like stuff like that is commonplace back home. I swear scientist of all fields will have a field day discussing chakra if they ever see it firsthand. There are also Naruko's stories how ninjas are capable of leaping great distances and being able to harness the elements like blowing out fire and controlling earth itself, and that's only tip of the iceberg! I swear this is the kind of stuff that bends the laws of conversation of energy and matter backwards and then into a pretzel twist and I'm training to be someone like that, this is insane.

Well, crazy logic or not, I'm stuck in this world, I might as well roll with it. Who knows, on the slim chance that this world might not be so bad this shikigami business might not have been a stupid decision after all.

Fresh, clean, and feeling rejuvenated, I open the bathroom door after changing into some clean clothes. "Well, today's a-!"

"I'M LATE!"

A blur of yellow rushes past and something forces me out of the bathroom.

*SLAM!*

"Yikes!" I yelp having the door shut on my behind. Geez that stings! What just blindside me just now?

"SHOOT! SHOOT! SHOOT! I'M LATE! I'M LATE! I'M LAAAAAAAAAAAAATE!" Naruko's frantic voice from the other side, along with the sounds that I guess of her trying to clean herself in five seconds flat or something.

I sigh; yeah this is defiantly a good start. Well since its morning already might as well make some breakfast, perhaps some scramble eggs would be good…

"ARGH, SOAP IN MY EYE!"

XXXXX

"Here you go." I say as I set the plate of scramble eggs and bacon on the table in front of Naruko who is busy putting her hair into pigtails. I can already see her eyes shining in anticipation at the meal.

"Thanks for the meal!" The blond girl cheers before grabbing her fork and knife and begin helping herself to my cooking. She takes a bite and shivers a bit "Ahhhhh, it's so good!"

I chuckle before sitting down at the table and helping myself to my own cooking, "Thanks, though it's nothing much really." I take a bite out of the bacon, "But you better start hurrying, didn't you say that you were late for this ninja academy thing?"

Naruko's eyes shot wide open, "Oh you're right!" She starts gobbling the rest of the food in a rush.

I only shake my head and close my eyes, "Naruko-chan you should start getting ready earlier you know?"

"I *snarf* know *munch* that." She returns, cheeks still having a bit of food in them. She swallows and her cheeks start blushing, "Plus, it was comfortable sleeping next to you I kind of lost track of time."

That doesn't make me feel better, that doesn't make me feel any better at all! Great now I feel weird for last night. Naruko may have been alone for so long, but…

I look back to the blonde to see her setting her hands on her cheeks, "You were so warm too, and looked so peaceful sleeping."

I suppress the urge to gag. Okay, this is pushing it. "Naruko," I force a happy tone, "Shouldn't be heading to the academy now?"

Her eyes shot wide open, "Shoot you're right!" She jumps off her chair and heads to the front door, grabbing her bag on her way, "Thanks for making breakfast." She opens the door, "See you later!"

"Wait!" I shout. The girl freezes halfway through the door; I relax a bit, "How about I walk with you?"

Naruko bites her lip, "I don't know, are you sure, Hokage-jiji said that you won't be entering the Academy til later. You really don't have to."

I finish the last bite of eggs. "But I want too, Naruko-chan. Please?" I beg, putting up my hands in some sort of "prayer" pose and smile, "It won't be much, I just really want to check some things out that's all."

"Weeeeeelllllll okay," she relents, "but please stay out of trouble. I'm pretty sure you won't last long by yourself."

Okay, that's below the belt, "Oi, I'm not that weak."

"Hitoshi," The girl deadpans, "You were exhausted when we went to the apartment."

I glance away from Naruko, "It's not my fault that you live on the top floor." I mutter. I sneak a peek to find the girl still giving me a look that screams "You're not helping your case." I shrug, "It's nothing big, I just want to see if there's a library nearby."

The blonde raises an eyebrow, "You still want to study?"

"Beats sitting around here and doing nothing all day until you come back." I reply.

Naruko giggles, "You got me there, okay then just stay next to me."

I get up from the table, "Right behind you." I make my way to the door and put on those weird shoes/sandals hybrids old man Hokage game me. "Well then Naruko-chan, lead the way."

The girl nods, her pigtails bouncing a bit, "Okay." We leave through the front door, locks it, and presents the key in my face, "I only have one key for this place so I'll be giving you this so you can go back home later on."

"Got'cha." I reply before accepting the key and putting it back in my pocket. "Say Naruko-chan?"

"Yeah?" She answers as we make our way down the stairs.

"What is the academy like anyway?" I ask. To be honest, going to a building where people train you to become child soldiers or assassins is already raising enough warning signs with me already. Wonder how the US government would react to this? Oh crap, what will my mom think of this? I don't know if she would hug me for find me alive and well despite being a kid, or give me her demon face and a harsh lecture for agreeing to become a ninja? A chill runs up my spine at the mere thought of my mom angry.

"The academy?" Naruko's voice brings me out of my thoughts. "Well it's pretty tough, but sometimes fun." She pouts a bit, "Even though those lectures get pretty boring."

One of my eyebrow twitches. Last time I check training to be a killer and fun is usually not to be found in the same sentence. "Okay, you got to be more specific, what is it that you do over there?"

The blonde furrows her brow, "I see." Her eyes go wide, "Well it's like this; most of the time it's usually just lectures involving things like politics, history, and stuff like basic knowledge. And then there's the practical stuff like sparring, weapon training, physical exercises, and for girls there's flower arrangement to help us disguise ourselves as civilian girls."

Flower arrangement? "Wait what do you mean for girls?"

She shrugs as she puts her arms behind her back, "Well kunoichi are better suited for tricking people because some believe girls are weaker. Boys classes usually involve more exercises or acting like farm workers or something, I can't remember."

"So that's how it is." I mutter. Seems like the politics over here is more male oriented around here, must be more traditional around here or something. "And you're all right with that Naruko-chan?"

Naruko's eyes narrow a bit, "Well I don't like being look down upon just because I'm a girl, but I don't mind the whole flower arrangement classes." She smiles a bit, "I really flowers to be honest, and they're really pretty."

"So that's the academy?" I ask, suppressing a moan. Great, straight out of high school only to end in some sort of strange academy for ninjas. I don't know whether to laugh or cry right now for my circumstance. Wait, I'm smaller now, crying it is then. Huh? I look to find Naruko huddling up next to me, "You okay?"

She shivers a bit, "I'm fine."

Her shaky voice says otherwise. Sneaking glances, I see people giving out angry looks right at me, or at…

I rest a hand on her head, "Don't worry Naruko-chan, I'm here for you." She only nods in response and gets even closer to me. I take her left hand into my right and hold it tight, "Just lead the way and everything will be fine."

She nods again, "Okay." She walks a head a bit, but still keeps holding on tight to my hand like a safety line. She has regain a bit of confidence, but not that much.

How badly did these people mistreat you Naruko-chan?

XXXXX

Up within the rooftops a lone ANBU is observing the small blonde girl and brunet boy walking together. Well the dog-mask ANBU's definition of "observe" would be more along the lines of "paying more attention to reading the current volume of Icha-Icha for the umpteenth time and making sure that the girl is force into another fiasco".

Reading into his favorite paragraph, the ANBU suppress the urge to giggle, 'Oh Nori-chan you playful minx you, I wonder what you intend to do next?'

"YOSH, IF IT'S NOT MY ETERNAL RIVAL KAKASHI!" A loud and, to Kakashi's ire, oh so familiar voice of Maito Gai rings out from nearby. It only takes for the ANBU to blink beneath his mask for a speeding green blur to settle right next to him, revealing an adult man with horrendous bowl-cut, thick eyebrows, orange leg warmers, and to top off Gai's insane choice for a uniform; an green jumpsuit. The only things normal about the man's attire is the green flak vest that most Konoha ninja wear upon reaching chuunin rank and the Konohagakure hitai-ite, though he wears his like a belt.

"Oh Gai you're here." Kakashi says in a nonchalant tone of voice, his focus still on the orange book in his hand, "Didn't quite sense you until now."

"Curse you Kakashi!" the bowl-cut man shouts pointing an accusing finger at his rival, "Curse you and that hip attitude of yours! I swear someday I will beat that cool attitude of yours if it's that last thing
I do! If not I will do 500 laps around Konohagakure backwards on my hands!" The last part Gai exclaims to all the high heavens along with a burning look in the eyes.

"Please don't." The silver-hair ninja returns, bookmarking the page he was on before closing his book, "To be honest I didn't expect to hear from you so soon. Last time I check you were sent on some sort of high-grade escort mission across the country. I was pretty sure you won't be back until later this week knowing you."

"Never underestimate a man who soul burns with the flames of youth!" The green beast says jovially before giving the ANBU a thumbs-up and a smile so bright an audible "ping" can be heard, "For nothing, not even enemy nin, traps, rain, snow, storms, or even death itself will wear me down!"

Kakashi merely shrugs, "If you say so." He soon looks away from his associate and looks down on the village streets.

Gai notices the focus look in his friend's eyes and also turns his attention. Following the gaze, the jounin could see a familiar head of blonde hair tied up in a side tail. He smiles a bit; he knows why his eternal rival is here instead of his usual haunt of the memorial stone. "Ensuring your sensei's legacy."

"Something like that, and also to prevent an attack like the one a few nights ago." Kakashi replies in a neutral tone, the words made Gai's own eyes widen a bit.

"An attack," The man shakes his head in disgust, "How can people be so unyouthful to just a child?" He then looks back at Kakashi, "So how bad was it?"

"Naruko suffer several cuts that would have been life threatening if it weren't for her 'guest'." The ANBU states in a blunt voice, "She should thank her lucky stars if it weren't for Hitoshi."

"Hitoshi?" Gai asks. Kakashi points a finger back at Naruko, looking back the man in green can see the Jinchuuriki holding a hand to a boy with brown hair. He can see the youth's eyes darting about as if putting on a brave face for the scowling people on either side of him. "You mean the boy close to her?"

The ANBU nods, "That's the one. Officially we know the kid is an orphan since he can remember, he was just close by to find Naruko when she collapsed according to her story."

"Yes officially." Gai mutters. For all his eccentricities and random moments of enthusiasm, he is still a ninja and can tell when something is up, "So he's a unique case?"

"Medical officials' reports that the boy is a bit of an abnormality in terms of his chakra and mental defenses, something that no normal kid should possess. Plus the Hokage can tell that Hitoshi's claims as an orphan is false." The silver-hair ninja answers, "The only thing we can confirm is he was truthful in wanting to live with Naruko and looking out for her, kind of like a family member or something. He even agreed to sign up for the Academy, he plans on becoming an iryo-nin."

Gai's eyes widen before he gives another of his trademark grins, "YOSH! WITH A SPIRIT AS YOUTHFUL AS HIS, HE WILL MAKE A GREAT NINJA!"

"Hate to burst your bubble, but I think he's doing it for practical reasons rather for honor or glory."

The jovial man's mood deflates, "Huh?"

Kakashi puts away his book and begins focusing his full attention back at the streets, "I had a talk with Hitoshi earlier and I actually joked a bit that his decision was along the lines of being a bit of a hero, you know how he responded?" Gai shakes his head no, "He actually scolded me a bit about that. He mostly wants to become an iyro-nin because well there's always going to be a need for doctors. He finished off saying that ninjas are assassins, not playing heroes." He scratches his head a bit, "That kind of threw me for a loop for a second there."

The green man's face turns solemn, "It appears that things have grown more complicated for Naruko my eternal rival."

"Appears so." Kakashi returns, "But for now we just have to wait and see what happens."

The two men soon turn silent as they watch life continue on.

XXXXX

"Well, here's the academy." Naruko says as she gestures to the building before me. "This is where I go to learn to become a kunoichi." She gives me a radiant smile, "Well what do you think?"

I stare at the sight. The building itself is huge, about three stories high with white walls and windows position in a uniform manner, it even has trees all around the perimeter. This building looks more like any other building or perhaps a school than what I imagine a place to train child soldiers. Honestly, I'm expecting some sort of military outpost or something. With obstacle courses, firing ranges, bunkers, anything and everything military, at least the way my older brother Shin explaining where he was going for basic training. This, this is surprisingly pretty tame. "This…is nice, I guess." I mutter. "All there's missing is a drill sergeant yelling at you."

"Drill sergeant? What's that?"

I clear my throat, "Uh nothing, just thinking of something else." I look towards the blonde to see the curious look on her face, "Say, now that we're here shouldn't you get to class or something?"

Her eyes shoot out wide to the size of dinner plates, "Darn you're right!" She does a 180 and runs past through various other kids, "Thanks for walking me Hitoshi-kun, I'll see you later!"

"OI! WHAT ABOUT THE LIBRARY?" I shout out.

"GO DOWN THE ROAD TO YOUR LEFT, YOU CAN'T MISS IT!" She returns before disappearing through the academy's front doors.

I let out a groan. Yeah like that is going to help me. Hm? I look around to find people staring at me. "Uhhhh," I force a smile in front of everyone and wave my hands in front of me, "Excuse me." I turn away from the academy and start walking towards the direction Naruko describe to me.

Okay that was awkward; I really should try to avoid brining up too much attention to myself. I take a small breath before relaxing. Nearly blown my cover for a second there with the whole drill sergeant bit back there. I really, REALLY, need to keep up this façade of being an 8 or 9 something orphan name Kanshisha Hitoshi. At least mom's maiden name Kanshisha and my own middle name Hitoshi is a good enough alias for these people. Having some basic understanding of Japanese helps too.

I look up to the road ahead of me; I am walking alongside stores and shops with people wearing kimonos, those weird ninja uniforms, and perhaps something along the lines of shirts and pants. Kinda gives an old world charm, if only this is my new reality.

Despite things going peacefully for now, it doesn't change the fact I'm in a separate world and need to learn more about its mechanics. I only hope that the library has at least some useful knowledge on chakra, some of that stuff I learn from cramming a few nights ago just wouldn't stick. At the very least they have some language books, I may have a basic understanding of Japanese, but kanji is still a pain in the ass to read. I just hope I would find something good. I look around the buildings on both sides of me. Now Naruko did say that I wouldn't miss…

I stop. Oh…I can tell why I can't miss the library.

The building itself is big, even bigger with my diminutive size; I'm guessing about three stories, and in a cylindrical shape with the circumference the size of several of the buildings surrounding it as far as I can tell. Pretty unusual choices of design for a library, but all things considering I better just shut up and deal with it. A library is just a library right.

I make my way to front door and open it. I smile upon seeing the desks, tables, and aisles upon aisles of shelves lined with books that are usually found in any library. I wonder if the technology around here has advance enough to have computers. "This place doesn't seem too-"

"SHHHHHH!"

"Erk!" I choke out. Ah crap and a half that was spooky! What just snuck up on me? I look to my right to find a figure looming over me, "Uhhhhhhh…."

"Shhhhhh!" The being repeats again, "No talking in the library."

I rub my eyes and take another look at the person next to me to see an elderly woman with graying hair looking at me with a sharp look behind square-rim glasses. I grimace a bit, "Oh, sorry, my bad."

The woman merely huffs, "Children these days are always so loud and brash. Thinking that they can do anything they want." She looks down at me even further, "And where are your parents, they must be are worried half to death about you."

…ouch…just low…just below the belt kind of low… I look down to avoid her face. "I'm an orphan ma'am. Don't have anyone to look after except myself." Shit, a few days in this world and I'm already feeling homesick.

"Really?" I look back up to see the librarian's facing softening a bit, but still with a judging look. "Then what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at school right now?"

"Actually, I'll be joining that academy for ninja place in a few days." I answer, "I just came here to see if there are any books that might help me prepare."

One of the librarian's eyebrows rose, "So, another ninja eh?" Her eyes narrow, "Let me guess, you want to know where the jutsus scrolls are?"

"Wait what?"

The librarian turns away with a wave of her hand, "I know how you up starters are, running up to front desk yapping your lips at me demanding where the most powerful jutsu scrolls are well you're out of luck." She turns back to face me again, "This is the library, a sanctum of knowledge, knowledge that will not be use for mass murder or whatever wicked actions you emotionless tools do." She then whips an arm and points at the entrance, "If you're disappointed, I kindly ask you to leave and don't bother me."

Dramatic, isn't she? I fight back the urge to shake my head in disbelief, I just remain neutral instead, "Look, I just want to find some books on chakra and history and that's it." The librarian's expression turns into shock, maybe I should add more, "Perhaps some books on medicine and the human body as well, since I'm planning on becoming an iryo-nin or whatever combat medics around here are called." I shrug and then begin walking deeper into the library, "If I strung a cord with you I'm sorry, I'll just find the books by myself." Now if I was a book on some sort of internal energy source constructed from mind and body where would I be?

"If you're looking for books on chakra you're going in the wrong direction."

I stop, "Oh sorry." I turn towards the librarian, "So where are they anyway?"

One of the librarian's eyebrows rises again, "They're in the floor below us, you can get there by taking the stairway to your left."

I smile, "Thanks." I proceed towards the stairs.

"However this is mostly a library used by citizens and the occasional academy student, material relating to chakra is pretty limited."

I raise an eyebrow, "Really?" Dang, this is going to be a hassle.

The librarian nods, "Indeed, information is usually kept into a secure facility that only ninjas have access too, it was a system created to prevent secret information out of the wrong hands."

"I see." I mutter. That does make sense; the US government would never even consider presenting top secret information for anyone with a library card to pick it off the shelf. Augh I can feel another headache coming, "Well how am I going to understand chakra no-GAH!" I yelp at the sudden sharp sting of pain strikes the back of my head.

I look up to see the librarian with a small, even sly grin on her face, "Like everyone else in this world, you must learn it inch by inch. Honestly, children these days thinking they can know everything…"

"Do you really have to hit the back of my head though, geez that hurts." I whine.

The librarian scoffs, "It's the only way I know to have some sense knock right into you." Her smile widens. "Plus you were getting loud, this is the library and I enforce the "Silence is Golden" rule quite strictly around here, do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal." I whisper back, still rubbing out the throbbing pain in my head. Jeez, the librarians back home weren't as gung-ho about quiet than this one. I think I should get on those books now. "So can I please go out and get some books."

The librarian nods before turning away, "Just make sure you don't cause any disturbances."

"Right." I reply before making my way down the stairs. Okay Hitoshi, you've been through four years of private school and studied your ass off to get high marks, surely getting to know more about chakra wouldn't be that much of a problem.

XXXXX

"Uzumaki Naruko your turn."

The blonde girl sitting by herself flinches at the words. Already she could hear the hush jeering of some of her peers. She mentally tunes out the constant usage of the word "dobe", by this point in her life she has gotten use to her status around the academy. She's gotten use that the a majority of the teachers try to avoid her when she tries to ask anyone of them a question, she's gotten use to the various other kids making rude gestures to her and rarely try to sabotage her own hard work, she's gotten use that she's the dobe of the academy. She's gotten use to a lot of things around the academy really.

Her troubles at the academy pale in comparison at the still fresh memory of her recent near death experience, if she could endure the thought that people wanted her dead she could defiantly withstand being taunted by her peers.

She gets up from sitting on the ground and dusts herself off. "Okay Iruka-sensei." Without another word she proceeds on over to aiming range, she stops at the edge, reaches into her tool pouch to bring out three training shuriken, and prepares to aim.

"Shouldn't you be closer dobe?" A student shouts out, laughter soon erupts amongst the others.

"Enough!" The chuunin instructor shouts at his students, earning their silence, before turning his attention back to his blonde charge, "You may proceed."

Naruko nods and throws the first metal star immediately. The small projectile flies towards the bull side until halfway through when it starts descending until it finally embeds itself in the ground several feet away from the mark. The girl's face turns into shock at the sight. 'I missed.' She thinks to herself, trying her best to ignore the building snickers coming nearby. She fights back the tears and takes out her second shuriken, 'Please hit!' She winds up her arm and throws the metal star, only for it to fly off course the moment it left her hand spiral off course into a path away from the bull side.

The sight of her mistake makes Naruko falls to her knees in defeat, 'I missed…again.' Her tears start watering up, her mask of indifference starts to crack letting a torrent of misery that she's been bottling up inside, she could hear the taunting loud and clear on her end.

"Oh look its Naruko no nakimushi!" One student jeers.

Another brings her arms to her face and starts doing a mock crying act, "Oh boo-hoo."

"I SAID THAT IS ENOUGH!" The chuunin instructor with the ponytail and scar across his face roars out, shocking the class into silence. He turns to his silver hair partner, "Mizuki can you please handle them while I handle Naruko?"

Mizuki gives a slight nod, "Got-cha, Iruka." He then shrugs and proceeds in a nonchalant manner toward the class. Personally he actually enjoyed the show, but he had to at least show a little professionalism to save face.

Iruka could only shake his head before kneeling down besides the blonde girl, "Look, if this is tough for you, you can stop now if you wish." He places a hand on her shoulder, "Uzumaki-san, are you listening?"

The girl ignores his words. "One day…" she mumbles, "One day people will be nice to me, just one day…" She wipes her tears with her arm and stares at her pinky, "Just like…"

A boy of about her age with brown hair and a warm smiles pinky swears with her, "I promise to look out for you as best as I can."

The fleeting memory brightens up the girl's mood. She gives a small smile, "…him."

"Uzumaki-san, are you okay?" Iruka words take the little girl back to where she is, "I said you can stop now if you wish."

"Oh." Naruko picks herself from the ground and slaps her cheeks, "Sorry, just lost focus for a second there." Standing back up she assumes her prefer aiming stance, "I'm ready to take the shot."

The chuunin only raises and eyebrow, "I see." He also stands up straight, "You may proceed."

The girl nods, "Okay." With shuriken in hand she concentrates on her target, 'Come on Naruko make this last one count.' Already she could hear even more words to throw her off.

"Dobe!"

"You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn!"

"Stop putting on a brave face nakimushi!"

She ignores them, 'Focus Naruko, breathe it,' she takes a deep breath, 'breathe out.' Clearing her mind of all distractions she rears back her throwing arm and then whips it out, throwing the star with all her might. The projectile launches straight toward the target in and small arc, descending just about half way between Naruko and the bull's eye.

*Thunk!*

Everyone soon goes silent. Naruko herself could only stare at the sight. On the target the metal throwing star embeds itself somewhere to just around the middle-range of the mark.

"Nice shot." Iruka speaks out as he starts writing on his clipboard, "However you still missed two out of three times so I suggest that you still practice okay? Now then can you please pick up your shuriken so the next person can have their turn?"

The girl could only nod in response before going into the training field and picking up you ordinance, leaving the star in the target for last. As she pulls the weapon free from the wood she inspects the little notch it left in the middle red ring for a bit before making her way back to the rest of the class who only watches her in silence. She allows herself a small smile for her personal achievement. 'Yeah, one day…'

XXXXX

Nothing…

I close the book in my hands, set it down, and pick up the next one. I skim through the pages.

I bite back the urge to curse. Nothing concrete in this one too. I shut the book, a loud clap echoes from within the walls. I return the tome back to its place on the shelf.

Why…

Looking through the shelf containing books meant for more advance students and pick a book from it's shelf, the eighth one this hour.

Why is there next to no information on what chakra is?

Let's see…chakra is the combination…blah, blah, blah, through the proper hand signs yeah physical and mental abilities are combine for the desire effect, oh come on I read that forty times already come on give me some history of chakra already! Come on…come on…come ooooooooon…I slam the book. Damn this one is useless as well.

I sigh before returning the book and I make my way back to the table I have all to myself. Sprawled all over it is the multitude of notes I've been writing ever since I've started. At least there paper and a pencil nearby, I should have brought a notebook with me. Still even with all the facts I'm still no close on what kind of energy chakra is.

Setting myself down on the table I take time getting my notes in order. So far I've got the basics down at least, handsigns, the academy jutsus of henge, bunshin, and kawarimi, chakra control basics, but for all this information. For all the books that this library possesses, there is just no explanation on the mechanics of how chakra itself works.

Chakra is energy, which is all the textbooks say. There's no mention how the body produces it, how the chakra reserves can be change to have more or if it's set, if chakra has any long term effects on either the body or mind, or even how it can be able to create something out of nothing! These upon themselves is maddening to me, chakra is like this world's black box or something.

The only thing bugging me more than what is chakra is its history and origin. How did this planet come across this energy, did it just happen or did was it developed somehow. Out of all the books, there's simply no tidbit, record, or even a mention on how chakra came to be. I sigh; the theory that these people have no idea on what forces their dealing with is infuriating to say the least. It's like giving a child weapons of mass destruction and tell him to go out and have fun…wait that's video games, bad comparison.

I groan at the rising intense pain building up in my head, pretty much my cue to call it a day. Perhaps I can find more about chakra's origins if I ask one of the teachers when I get to the academy. I gather all my notes into a neat pile and got off the chair I've been sitting on.

*Growl*

Uhhhhhh, yeah I should defiantly call it quits for today. I look down to my stomach; a wave of hunger is now making itself known. A quick glance to a nearby clock reveals that it's almost noon. Wow didn't think that much time has passed; I should go home and get some lunch.

With notes in hand I climb up the stairs, finding the librarian behind the front disk with book in hand. I got up to the desk, "Thanks for letting my use the books, they were pretty informative."

The elder woman flips a page, "I see, so I take it that you're leaving."

I nod, "Yep, thanks for everything." I bow to her and then start making my way to the exit.

"Boy."

I stop and turn around, "Yes?"

The librarian merely raises and eyebrow, "I know that it may sound strange, but may I ask who you are?"

"Uh me?" I point to myself, "I'm Hitoshi, Kanshisha Hitoshi."

The librarian tilts her head, "Hitoshi, interesting name, and you say that you're an orphan. Then shouldn't you be at an orphanage playing with other kids your age instead of staying here amongst books?"

"Actually I'm staying with someone." I answer.

The librarian's eyes widen, "Oh really, who?"

I scratch my cheek, "A girl name Naruko, she's really nice if a bit ditzy."

"Wait, Naruko, as in Uzumaki Naruko?"

Urk, forgot Naruko's bad reputation, come on Hitoshi salvage this, "Why Naruko-chan is nice!" I say in a childish tone, "What is it with people around here and her?"

This time it's the librarian is shell-shock, "Uh, nothing, it's just that," she clears her throat and regains her posture, "That girl has a reputation of being a troublemaker that's all."

Yeah right. Still, I need to set myself as naïve to the truth concerning Naruko, "That doesn't sound like Naru-chan at all, she hasn't done anything wrong. I think people around here are wrong about her." I finish the remark with a huff. Never expect to act like this again.

"I see." The librarian's expression turns to the bored look from earlier and she goes back into reading her book. "Well then it was nice meeting you Kanshisha-san."

I smile, "Thank you uh, I also forgot to ask who you are."

"Me?" The librarian's lips curve into a grin, "I am the librarian, that's all you need to know."

Well didn't expect that coming, well no matter I've got all my notes so that's a day well spent. "Okay then Librarian-san, I hope we meet again." I turn around again and left through the front doors.

XXXXX

The librarian could only pay the boy's departure half mind, being more focus on the familiar presence nearby, "Don't you have some more important matters to attend too then linger around here?"

Within the shadows of a bookcase Kakashi walks out with an eye-smile, "What, a ninja can't enjoy literary works like anyone else?"

"If said literary works involve that trash in your hands then yes." The woman retorts, eyes glaring at the orange book in the ANBU's hands. "So may I please ask why you are stalking some boy?"

The gray hair man merely sighs, "Please don't put it like that, makes me feel like a deviant."

"So claims a man with the capability and experience of slaughtering many in cold blood and steel." The librarian adds, her tone venomous.

The ninja's eyes darken a bit before going neutral, "Well you got me there." He flips a page of his book, much to the chagrin of the librarian, "Still if you wish to know what I'm doing here is two things. One; The boy you've been talking too is someone of interest to the Hokage and requires a bit of observation."

The elderly woman's eyes narrow. She knew how the system works, a person of interest usually falls under two categories in her book, either A. A sick experiment or B. A target. With Hitoshi's claim of living with the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki he is most likely the latter. "This is why I hate you ninjas so much, and the other reason why you're here?"

Kakashi merely shrugs, "I wasn't the one who made the system, and the second reason I'm here, well I seem to have lost track of Gai, have you seen him by any chance?"

The man's words make the librarian's face go sheet white, "Don't tell me that lunatic-?"

"YOSH!" A loud voice booms from within the library's walls, "AT LAST THE LATEST VOLUME IS HERE! TRULY THIS IS THE MOST YOUTHFUL DAY SO FAR!"

Question answer, the librarian could only fall back into her chair and raise a hand to her forehead. Already she could the various voices of other people trying to quiet the situation down…and failing…horribly. "Can you at least tell me why Hitoshi is being watched?"

"He's different." Kakashi answers, "However why he's different is yet to be seen."

Removing her hand from her head the librarian could only turn her eyes to the man, "I really hate you ninjas, you know."

Kakashi's only visible eye curls up into one of his eyes smiles, "Well you're not the only one. Now then," he closes up his book and makes his way down a nearby flight of stairs, "I'm going to see what has gotten Gai so excited about."

The woman could only shake her head, "Fine, just don't make any trouble, I don't care anymore." Seeing the young man walk off the she looks up towards the ceiling, 'What is so special about a little boy that even the Hokage himself deems a target?' She groans, 'Damn, why must I always be burden with this crap.'

XXXXX

FREAKIN'…HATE…STAIRS!

I grit my teeth at the building numbness in my legs as I reach the top of the damn set of stairs of the building where Naruko's place lies on top. Of among all the locations of the world, this girl gets the one that is what seven, eight stories up, and I don't know how long she's been living here but apparently long enough to not be bother by walking up and down this crap! What was old man Hokage thinking, giving a little girl this place?

Reaching to the front door, I whip out the key Naruko gave me and open it. The welcoming sight of a clean apartment is enough to bring a smile to my face. I strode right in, closing the door behind me and make my way to the kitchen, setting my notes on the counter upon entering. With stomach hungry for sustenance I open the fridge and take stock. Let's see there's still some of the fried rice from last night, milk that's close to its expiration date, a few red apples, eggs, and…

My eyes widen a bit at the sight of something wrap in an orange cloth. Oh shoot I remember now; that's the bento I made for Naruko when I was done cooking breakfast. Damn, forgot about it when we left, I was so focus on the library that it slipped my mind. It's almost noon too, so I'm guess that it might be getting close to lunch time down at the academy.

*Grooooooo!*

I open the fridge and take out one of the apples. At least this will hold me for the trip to give Naruko her lunch, I'll eat later when I get back. I take a bite, the taste sweet, before devouring the fruit all the way down to the core.

Well let's get this over with, an apple won't last long. I put the bento into my backpack and sling it over my shoulder.

I open the door; the stairs mock me with their presence.

I wonder if the Hokage has to go through the same crap.

XXXXX

Within the silence of the Hokage office, the elderly Hiruzen Sarutobi gives a short sneeze.

"Are you unwell?" One of the hidden ANBU guards asks while still maintaining the genjutsu to make herself invisible.

The Hokage shakes his head, "Nothing to serious, must be some dust around here or something. Carry on with your duties."

"By your word." The kunoichi returns before resuming her vigilant guard.

Sarutobi scratches his nose a bit, 'Someone must be talking about me, yet how come I can't help but feel slightly insulted?' Not feeling another sneeze coming, the Sandaime relaxes a bit before going back to the paperwork in front of him.

XXXXX

Reaching the gates in front of the academy I smile despite the slight groans of stress my legs are giving me. I don't know how long it took me to get here but seeing other kids out in the front of the building messing around is a sign that its lunch time then chances are that it didn't take me that long. The only thing left to do now is just get inside and go to the front desk so they can point me to where Naruko's classroom is.

"Hey runt with the bag!"

Yeah just that, just get in, drop off the package, and leave. Nothing more, nothing less. No detours, no distractions, no nothing.

"I'm talking to you! What are ya deaf?"

Just keep walking, just play the part of unassuming kid, ignore the fact that everyone around me is backing away. Focus, eyes forward, back straight, don't try to bring attention to yourself.

My backpack jerks and I find myself unable to take another step forward. Damn iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.

"You've got some nerve ignoring your betters, twerp." An older boy's voice comes from behind me. Being turn over, I come face to face a gruff looking kid who looks about older than me by a few years, and with a pretty nasty scowl on his face. "Well," he grabs me by the front of my shirt, "Who do you think you are?"

I struggle to keep from forcing myself free. If anything, this guy is painting himself as the traditional bully type of character; tough expression, threatening physical contact, and a mean look. Yep, this is defiantly one. Come on, I thought I was done dealing with those types of bastards around middle school. Still, I need to be civil about this; I don't want a mess to happen. I hold up my hands defensively and put on a smile, "I'm just a kid really. I was just going over because a friend of mine forgot her lunch back home and I just wanted to bring it to her."

The bully merely tilts his head, "Your friend huh?"

I nod, "Yep, so can you please let me go, I will really-" I find myself being raise a bit, "-appreciate it." I deadpan. Oh come on world, I already had one near death experience already, give me a break!

"Your friend?" The boy speaks the words with a hint of disgust, "You mean that freak that you were with this morning?"

I narrow my eyes a bit, "I'm afraid I don't know any freaks."

The punk's eyes widen, "What," his expression darkens more, "I mean that little freak with the blonde hair! What are you stupid or something?"

Why this little sonova…temper Hitoshi, temper. I tilt my head and pretend to be confuse, "Freak? But the only blonde that was with me is Naruko-chan, and I'm pretty sure she's not a freak." Gasps and murmurings come in an instant. Glancing to my left I see onlookers huddling nearby whispering to themselves, I shift my attention to the right, same thing. Well too late now to keep a low profile. "Look, I'm not here looking for trouble."

The guy pulls me in closer, just right up to face, "Well you got trouble for being with that."

I only narrow my eyes, "I see." I take a deep breath, "To be honest, I'm new to this village, so I have no idea what's your problem with Naruko. Yet you're threatening me all because I was near her this morning. Aren't you overreacting?"

Okay this is bad; this is really, really bad. I'm by myself, surrounded by older kids giving me a bad look, another is grabbing me by the shirt and looks like he's about to deck me. Oh damn it there's also the fact that this guy has already been in the ninja academy for a while now, so there's no telling what I'm up against. How the heck am I suppose to fight a ninja in training with this body? Argh, damn it Kyuubi why couldn't you just save more of my body instead of leaving me like this, why?

"Not if it means making this world a better place." The boy grunts out.

Well too late for negotiations. If things are going to get messy might as well get the first shot. "If that's the case." I answer with a wide smile, "I hope you weren't planning on having kids."

Without another word, I launch me leg forward, kicking the runt right into the crotch.

XXXXX

*THWACK!*

Reactions were instant amongst the growing crowd of spectators; One half (primarily the male half) unleash of volley of "Ooohs" and wince at the smaller boy's initial attack, the other half (being female) could only look on in confusion.

The bully's reaction is also instantaneous. With a strangle cry he loses his grip on Hitoshi's shirt before collapsing on the ground. Anger boiling over, he glares at the smaller boy, "You'll pay for that cheap shot."

In the now enclose circle of spectators, Hitoshi could only grimace a bit of the fight he gotten himself in. Already he can hear the constant chanting of "Fight, fight, fight" all around him. In front of him, the bully is already going into a fighting stance. 'Why me?' He thinks to himself as he takes off his backpack, 'I thought I won't run into trouble until later, shows me for being that optimistic.' He sighs; he can see the bully already rushing at him with a punch. 'At least those fighting lessons back home are going to be put into good use besides curving my anger issues.' Resign to his situation he merely turns to face his opponent with a stiff posture.

"EAT THIS!" The older boy roars before throwing a punch aim directly at the brunet's head.

Hitoshi reacts in an instant. His left hand shoots up to grab his attacker's wrist, and then his right reaches the bully's chest. With a tight grip with both hands, the brunet's right foot shoots forward across the ground, coming at the older boy's ankles with enough force to knock them off the ground. With opponent out of balance, and putting all the strength he could muster in his arms, Hitoshi lifts the bigger boy off the ground and throws.

The result was more than what Hitoshi intended. The bully soars through the air, arms and legs flailing around before landing face first into the dirt ground, around five feet away from where Hitoshi is standing. The spectators watch the development with wide eyes, they didn't expect it, the thug didn't expect, and more so, Hitoshi didn't expect it.

'Was that me?' The boy thinks to himself as he looks as his right hand in surprise, 'I wasn't able to throw anyone over my own height before.' He then clenches his hand, 'Well at least I know that I'm more than just a little faster.'

"What the hell was that?" Hitoshi turns around to see the bully pick himself off the ground, the latter's now cautious of the former, "How the hell were you able to do that?"

"Uhhhh," the boy could only scratch his head in embarrassment, "By eating my vegetables?"

The answer earns nothing but more hostility from the thug, "Don't mess with me!" He roars before charging in with more reckless abandon, with such speed he closes the distance between him and his target within a blink of an eye. Seeing the shock in Hitoshi's eyes the older boy brings both his hands together and swings them at his opponent's side.

The sudden burst of speed catches Hitoshi by surprise, 'Shit!' Instincts reacting, his body moves on its own, positioning itself with limbs close together to try to absorb the blow. Through his arms position in an "X" defense stance, Hitoshi could see the satisfied look on his attacker's face.

The attack connects, and Hitoshi finds himself struck back, his feet sliding across the rough from the momentum. He winces when the sensation of pain of his arms reaches his brain, 'GAH! Crap that stings!' Taking the few steps back to gain distance, Hitoshi resumes his prefer fighting stance, 'Well at least Kyuubi's claim that this new body would be a lot tougher than my old one is true. If I was 8 back then that should have either thrown me for a loop or knocked me out entirely. Ah crap and a half it feels like I was hit with a hammer.'

The bully himself could only look at the still standing boy with half lidded eyes, 'This runt, even an academy newbie would have called it quits after that. Yet he's still looks like he's ready to keep on fighting.' He opens his hand a bit before clenching it shut, 'Then I'll just show him what happens when people associate themselves with that. It's best that he learn that soon enough.'

Hitoshi narrows his eyes at the now serious expression of the other boy, 'Great, now he's fighting for real.' He could only give a bitter smile, 'Well might as well find out how good this body is.'

With no words spoken between them, the two charge forward.

XXXXX

'Blue, red, purple, yellow, and of course my favorite orange.' Naruko thinks to herself as she buries herself in her flower arrangement class. She plucks a nearby blue flower and sniffs at it, she enjoys the sweet smell of its petals, 'I wonder how Hitoshi is doing, I hope he's not too bored.' She imagines the sight, the brown hair boy falling asleep at a table, using a book as a makeshift pillow. The image brings a warm feeling in the blonde's face, 'He's not even in the academy and he's working so hard right now.' She plucks a white flower and marvels at its beauty, 'Maybe I should sneak a flower and give it to him, I'm sure that'll brighten up his day.'

"Hey there's a fight going on at the entrance!"

"Oh really?"

Naruko did her best to tune out the nearby conversation, focusing more on her flowers.

"Yeah, it's between some kid and Megz of the Disciplinary Committee!"

"No kidding?"

That statement got Naruko's attention. The Disciplinary Committee was a small group of kids of various grades that band together to "maintain order" at the academy. Mostly they just do it be jerks and bully others, however there's a few number of them that actually do have the strength to back it up, Megz of the third year members is one of them. She could only offer a small prayer to the poor soul who draws their ire.

"I'm telling the truth, and get this, the kid is probably about our age, and last time I heard he's still fighting!"

"Seriously, what kind of guy is he? He sounds really strong!"

"Well, I don't know his name, however I do know that he has brown hair and is wearing a gray shirt."

The two gossiping students yelp in surprise at as an orange blur rushes between them. A quick look reveals a wide-eye Naruko running out of the flower fields and into the Academy.

"What's got the dobe in a rush?"

"Who knows, maybe she wants to see."

XXXXX

At the Academy's entrance, the growing number of spectators gave a small shout of "Ooooohs" and "Awwwwws" as the watch the 2 combatants continue their duel in earnest. One fighter, Megz of the Disciplinary Committee grunts as assumes a defensive stance to block a fierce punch thrown by the smaller, he attempts to let his guard down to counterattack, only for another punch to force him back to the defensive. He grits his teeth at the building pain developing in his arms, 'This kid.' He looks back at the small boy before him, 'Who is he?'

The smaller boy himself could only fight back his legs' urge to give. Despite the growing numbness and waning stamina he keeps on throwing punches, 'Come on just a little moment.' Another punch, his knuckles scream in pain, 'Just get out of my way already!' A final push and the bully stagger back. Hitoshi's eyes widen, 'This is it!' He steps forward, brings both arms behind him, he catches a glimpse of his opponent bringing his hands together, he tries to pump as much strength into his arms in such a short amount of time.

He then launches both arms forward, striking the older boy straight into the chest. The impact makes the lifts the older off the ground, a sign the last attack could be the decisive blow. Hitoshi allow himself a small smile of satisfaction, 'Even with a smaller body, looks like I've still got…'

*POOF!*

Megz's form disappears in a large cloud of white smoke, quickly dissipating to reveal a cut log in its place. The recent turn of events makes Hitoshi's eyes to go wide, 'What the hell he turn into a log, wait I've read about this in the library, it's…' His back roars in pain before he could finish his observation. Something strong blindsides him in the back with enough force to lose his footing and fall to the ground. "Kawarimi no jutsu, why didn't I see it sooner." Picking his head off the ground a bit, Hitoshi turns to face the exhausted boy standing nearby.

Megz could wipe some dirt off his chin, "So you know about that jutsu huh?" He takes several deep breaths, "Well know this, that's what you get around here for being around that blonde hair freak. So welcome to Konohagakure." He gives the fallen boy a quick glare before turning around and walking away, satisfied with his victory.

Fight over, the group of spectators slowly starts dispersing, some of them happy from enjoying the show, others disappointed and wanting more, and a small number give silent pity for the beaten boy lying on the ground.

"What?" A weak voice comes out.

Megz eyes widen as he turns around to see Hitoshi gradually get back up. 'Damn that runt still can't take a hint can he?' A sharp sting from his ribs makes the older boy wince, 'Double damn, the runt did a number on me, I can't believe I let myself get beat up this bad.' Despite the urge to rest he still needs to put on a brave face, he would rather die than be beaten by this freak-lover! "Why what?" He barks to the barely standing boy.

"What is your problem with Naruko?" Hitoshi asks out in a neutral voice before straightening up.

"Problem?" Megz choke out, "She's a freak, that's my problem, hell, it's everyone's problem with her! Our parents don't like her and strictly told us she's nothing but bad news." All around the two, others begin to nod their approval at the statement. The older boy smiles at his growing support, "Now do you get it?"

Hitoshi only takes a few breaths, "No, no I don't get it at all." He ignores the gasps and still focuses on Megz, "I don't get why everyone dislikes her, I don't get how easily you guys go along with it without asking," he stomps his forward, "I don't get why I'm getting into a fight all because I was actually nice to her for crying out loud! What is your guys' problem?"

Everyone goes quiet.

All around, looks of confusion begin to develop on the faces of the crowd. Some actually consider the brun's words, an effect that one of the core's principles of ninja is "Look underneath the underneath" so within their minds, a seed of doubt begins to form.

Megz himself can't help but flinch a bit, his resolve shaken, "It's, it's just that-" He shakes his head before glaring the other boy down, "Who cares what you think, you're probably just messing with my head or something!" Body protesting he resumes his prefers fighting stance, "Once a freak, always a freak, and anyone who associates with that is a freak as well, that's what my dad says and that's what I will say myself."

"If that's case then you better call me a freak as well." Hitoshi growls before clenching his hands and preparing himself, "Because I'm not backing down, not to your old man, you, or anyone else."

"We'll see about that!" Megz roars before charging, a punch ready to be thrown.

Hitoshi braces for the attack, his mind racing on trying to think of a successful, 'Here it comes, come on Hitoshi think fast you just too…' His mind stops and his body rushes forward as well, closing the distance between he and Megz in a heartbeat.

The older boy's eyes widen, 'How?'

Megz doubles over when something slams into his stomach with great force. His eyes barely keep track as Hitoshi's arms retract and then raise high above and intertwine at the hand and come slamming down at his back, sending him crashing down in the earth. He could barely let out a groan before he feels himself getting turn over on his back and something grabs him by the shirt. Looking up he could see Hitoshi looking down at him with fist raise, his face blank. The bully could barely believe his eyes at what just happen, "How the…?"

Hitoshi's mouth moves, the single word quiet enough for only Megz to here, "Fall." His fist launches forward, aim directly at his target's head.

"HITOSHI!"

The blow stops, millimeters from the space between Megz's eyes. Wordlessly the crowd looks to the source of the voice.

At the academy's entrance, Naruko stands alone.

XXXXX

Wha…what's going on?

I look at the bully, my left is grabbing him by the shirt, my right is just about to him the guy. I don't feel anything, no pain, no exhaustion, no emotion…just nothing. It's just a fight, one side has to make the other fall. Why am I stopping, he started so I should end it right here and now…so why…why did I stop?

"Hitoshi!" The voice of my mistress…Naruko calls out.

I take a deep breath. That's right; I came here just to give Naruko her bento, not get into fights, even if the twit beneath me started it. Annoying self-righteous assholes. I let go of the boy and get up, immediately the crowd around me backs away. Again, self-righteous assholes. Silent, I walk on over to my bag and pick it up, I can already feel the stares and glares. I'm tired and I don't have time getting into squabbles where there are more important matters.

I walk over to I see Naruko at the academy's entrance, naturally my body protests in pain but I ignore it. Step after step, I make my way closer to the blonde until I'm right in front of her. I smile, "Hey Naruko-chan."

She looks at me, her face is blank but something about it is off, "Hitoshi-kun, what are you doing here?"

"Oh right." My grin falters a bit into a embarrass one, bringing my bag in front of me I open it and take out the bento, "I made it this morning but I forgot to give it to you as we left. So I thought I should give it to you so that you won't go hungry for lunch." I chuckle, "Just didn't expect that I would get into a fight, well, my bad."

The blonde merely blonds before taking the orange-wrap box, "Um, thank you."

Well I'm satisfied. "Well then," I turn around and wave her off, "I'll see you back to the house." I sling my backpack on and proceed on the long trek back to that apartment. I grimace; that means going up all those stairs again hungry and just out of a fight too, now I'm REALLY starting to hate these self righteous assholes. I swear if I kept my old body I won't…be…ta…king…this…..cr-

*THUD*

XXXXX

"Hm?"

I open my eyes, I see a figure in some sort of white robe looking down at me, a starry night sky is behind the person. I can't see the entirely of the figure's face, the hood of the robe engulfs the face in shadows all the way up to the mouth. The being only looks at me as in silence.

"Who are you?" I ask.

The figure's mouth moves, but no words can be heard.

I raise an eyebrow, "What, I can't hear you."

The figure's head tilts to the side a bit as if confuse, the mouth continue to move with the same silence.

I feel sleepy. "You know what, forget it." Closing my eyes, I let my mind fade away into sleep.

XXXXX

I wince at the signals of pain and exhaustion my body keeps on giving my brain the moment I wake up. Ugh, I feel like crap, what happen?

My eyes open, I see a tile ceiling above me that has some florescent lights attach to it, everything is bathe in an orange hue coming through the windows. Is it sunset already, how long was I out? I groan as I got up, finding myself on some bed. I place a hand on my head trying to clear up the cobwebs, "Ugh, what hit me?"

"Hitoshi?"

Huh, I turn to my left to find Naruko sitting nearby looking a bit tired for some odd reason, I can see that her eyes are slightly red, maybe she's been crying for a while. No doubt that she's been worried about me.

Well I at least need to show her that I'm all right. I smile, "Oh hey Naruko-cha…"

"You big dummy!" The girl interrupts before reaching to my face and grabbing me by the cheek and twisting.

Sharp pain comes instantly. "Owowowowowowow! Let go!" I beg for release. "Please let go Naruko-chan!"

"No!" The girl shouts out before twisting her hand, "This is for getting into that fight!"

"GAH!" I scream, "Okay I get it, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

Her eyes narrow, "You're really sorry?"

I nod my head and put on a praying gesture, "Yes I'm really, really, really sorry so please let go of my face Naruko-chan!"

"Fine." She releases her grip on my face. She soon looks down a bit, "I'm still mad at you though."

"Well to be honest, the guy I was fighting kind of threatened me when we met." I admit, trying to throw the blame and also not to incur her wraith again, "I tried talking him out of it but that was going nowhere, so I took the first shot so I can get the edge."

"Really?" She asks with a leer. Her hand starts twitching.

I gulp and held up my hands defensively, "I had no choice, the guy came at me with the intent to fight, I was just responding in self defense, I swear!" Please for the love of the good lord up high spare your shikigami's face Naruko-sama!

*Grroooooooooooooh*

Uhhhhhhhhh yeah. I glance down to my stomach as it rumbles. Dang, I forgot that I skipped lunch to bring Naruko that bento. The hunger pains hit me like a shot and I grimace, "Note to self; fighting on a hungry stomach, bad idea."

"Hey Hitoshi say "Ah" to me please."

Huh? Ah? That's an odd order. Well if you insist…I face Naruko, "Ahhh-gurk!" I find something force into my mouth that tastes good. I swallow, "Gah, what's was that?"

"Food." Naruko replies, holding up a pair of chopsticks in her right hand, I spot the bento I made her on her lap, already open and the food almost untouched except for a small bit of the rice missing. "Here," she takes the chopsticks and takes a chunk of the rice and presents it to me, "Open wide."

"Wait that's the bento I made for you." I say, "It's your lunch, you should be eating it."

"I already had lunch." Naruko returns, "So no use having something like this waste. Now ahhhh please." The rice morsel edges closer.

My shoulders sag, "Can I at least feed myself?"

"Hitoshi-kun." I flinch at Naruko's suddenly sweet tone and brilliant smile, "You're hurt and tired so please let me help you back on her feet pretty please." From the corner of my eye I can see her free hand twitching.

I can feel my face burning up a bit. This is embarrassing; I'm a grown man for crying out loud. Reluctantly I open my mouth, "Ahhhhh." More rice enters and I chew and swallow. My hunger lessens a bit, "Thanks." I swear if my older brother, hell if my entire family sees me like this they'll never let me live it down.

"You're welcome." Naruko returns before taking more bits of food and offering them to me.

I sigh before I relent to having the girl feed me. No use fussing about it now, not if there's more important to think about: like the fact that I barely fought off a guy who's already trained. He really got the drop of me with that kawarimi, and he's just an academy student. If he can run me ragged I hate to run against the real deal. Well, seems like I should regret joining the academy less now if it means I get to do crazy stuff like that; when in Rome, do as the Romans do they say.

I look at my hand; chakra is energy, an energy that requires direction, and purpose. So if protecting Naruko and living in this world means I have to study about this new energy then bring it. Even if it means fighting these guys on their terms.

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X OMAKE X

Warning: The following omakes are a byproduct of my bored little mind. So chances are they're going to be silly.

Omake One: Fine Literature

'Now if I was book on an spiritual energy force where would I be?' Hitoshi thinks to himself as makes his way through the many bookshelves of the library. 'You think that there would be a separate category for something like that. Huh what's this?' He stops as his eye catches something the sticks out like a green thumb.

A small orange book lying on top of some bigger books on its side.

'What's this?' The boy takes the book and checks outs the cover, the title automatically makes him narrow his eyes a bit, 'Icha-Icha Paradise? What the heck?' Looking around to find himself he opens the books and begins reading.

Ten pages in he slams the book shut and returns it to the shelves, face bright red.

Shell-shock, Hitoshi walks away like a clockwork soldier, his mind mentally screaming over the perverse work he just read. 'GAH! What possess me to read that crap? Ugh now I'm mentally scarred for life, I'll never look at a female the same way again! What kind of pathetic soul reads that junk, who's the one who authored it?'

Somewhere else in the library Kakashi sneezes, 'Hm, someone must be talking about me, now where did I leave that book; I know I left it somewhere in here?'

Also somewhere at a bustling town. A man fights back the urge the sneeze, such a small act would reveal his presence at the wall to the onsen he was observing. 'Hm, seems like some beautiful lady must be talking about me, I wonder what she looks like?' Shrugging off, Jiraiya turns his attention back to the various bathers, giggling at the sight, 'At this rate of research I'll have the next book done in no time! Jiraiya my good man you've hit the jackpot here. Hehehehehehe!'

Omake Two: An Old Man's Ire

Sarutobi scratches his nose a bit, 'Someone must be talking about me, yet how come I can't help but feel slightly insulted?' Not feeling another sneeze coming, the Sandaime relaxes a bit before going back to the paperwork in front of him.

Only to stop a few seconds later. A wave of slight killing intent can be felt by the hidden ANBU guards.

'Of course only one person I know can make me feel insulted like this.' The aging leader thinks back to his old friend and rival.

He could see it now, the crippled man greeting with a smile while tugging on his own hair, his own FULL head of hair. "How's that bald spot treating you eh ol' ape?" Danzo says with a thumbs up.

"YOU CAN'T BLAME A MAN FOR HIS GENETICS! NOT EVERYONE IS LUCKY LIKE YOU DAMN IT!" Sarutobi roars at the mental picture at his head. "AT LEAST I HAVE ALL MY LIMBS YOU BASTARD!"

The ANBU could only shake their heads as the old man goes back to work, mumbling in a dark tone about his own baldness.

Omake Three: Isaac Newton Would be Spinning in his Grave

"You know you really don't have to do this." Hitoshi says, slightly miffed over his current situation. "I don't want to be a burden."

Naruko only smiles, "It's all right, I'm a lot tougher than I look. So you don't worry about me."

The boy sighs, "Okay." He could only try to keep pace as was aiding him up the stairs leading to their apartment by taking one of his arms and throwing it over her shoulder and carrying him a bit. He would try to do himself but his fight left his body a little drain to make the entire trip by himself unaided. He grimaced a bit of letting himself get beat out of shape so quick. "It would be quicker if we can run up walls then take the stairs." He jokes.

"Well that's a pretty advance technique I doubt that we could do that anytime soon?" Naruko states matter of fact, earning a puzzled book from the boy.

"Wait what?" Hitoshi chokes out, "You mean that people can walk up walls?"

Naruko nods, her face confuse, "Well yeah, everyone knows that ninjas can walk up walls see?" She points to the wall of the building complex.

Turning his head, Hitoshi's eyes widen at the sight of a ninja walking straight up a walk with a bag of groceries in his arms, walking not it's not much of big deal.

The blonde gives a squeak of surprise when she feels Hitoshi collapse in her arms, "Eh, Hitoshi what's with you?"

"Everything I've known and learned is a lie now." The boy speaks to himself, not paying attention to the blonde helping him up, "Of course, the laws of physics meaning nothing now, yep that's right, with chakra anyone can replace himself with a log from God knows where." He continues to mumble to himself.

Naruko herself could only be peeved at the boy's behavior, "A weirdo defiantly." With a little grunt, she hefts the boy more before helping him up the stairs.

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Well I hope this chapter is enough to please you Second Go readers. If you like it, praise this work by leaving a review; if you hate it, well I'm not making you read this. If you wish to offer constructive criticism then you are more than welcome to give it, I will be willing to listen.

This is WanderingWriter79 signing off. Stay frosty my friends.