2 years after - Konohagakure in the dead of night ...Naruto aged 9

Mindscape

"I'm pretty sure I'm not dying...so why the hell am I back here?" Naru asked, looking around the sewer-like area. It was exactly as she remembered except for an odd noise coming from the direction where the Kyuubi lay. "What is that?" She walked a bit closer and her findings surprised her, "A child?!" She picked up her pace and settled into a light run, "How could a kid be here?"

"Mama?" A small girl with dark red hair and thin white yukata turned to look at her as she entered. Her eyes were puffy from crying and she was still sniffling miserably.

"Sorry, but I'm not your mum." Naru sent the child a warm smile, "But can you tell me how you got here? Actually maybe it would be better if you came over here." She made a coaxing motion, trying to get the kid out of harm's way, more specifically on to her side of the bars.

"No! Mama said to wait here!" The girl was fairly determined despite the fact she had been crying so much.

"But you can't stay there, it's dangerous!" Naru exclaimed.

"Why?" Now she looked around the cage seemed empty to the blonde, but she guessed the fox could be lurking anywhere within its shadows.

"There's a monster in there." She answered, "Now come here."

"Monster!?" The child was paralyzed by the realization, "I don't want to get eaten!" She started bawling sending Naru into a flustered state.

"Shhh! Just wait a second and I'll get you out." Against her better judgement she ran up to the cage but a strange force seemed to prevent her from slipping in the wide gaps.

"What the hell is this?!" She figured if the fox could swipe at her then obviously she would be able to enter his domain but apparently it was wrong.

"Iyah! I don't want to die!" The kid was doing a good job screaming her lungs out but Naru couldn't help but wonder where the fox demon was.

"Maybe..." She looked up at the seal tagged onto the centre most bar, "Is that stopping me?"

"MAMA!"

"Just give me a sec kid!" If it was the seal stopping her then there was no way to save the kid unless she took it off. Then again wouldn't that be freeing the fox? "Hey kid," She paused and stared straight at the crying figure, "How did you get in there?"

"I dunno..." She sniffled. The more Naru thought about it the stranger the situation seemed. After all, they were either in her stomach, or mind, or the seal, but whichever one it happened to be...wouldn't that be accessible to only the fox and herself? "Ah...you figured it out..." The child's voice changed to something more guttural as it stood to face the kunoichi. Red eyes clashing with blue.

"Kyuubi!" Naru growled, "That was low."

"If it means my freedom, I am not below using a child's body." He answered simply enough. "Maybe this would have been better?" The child's form shifted into that of a beautiful woman with a slender yet very feminine frame, the yukata now hanging loosely off her shoulders. Crimson hair lengthened, falling in soft waves and pooling on the ground, also framing a deceptively kind face. To the blonde, the bloody colour of the fox's eyes seemed wrong on the woman. "My dear, Naru-chan." Even his voice had become softer, more mellow and...loving.

"I admit you make a pretty convincing woman." Naru acknowledged, "But I'm not going to be letting you out anytime soon, sorry Kyuubi."

"Not even for me?" The woman continued, "Your Oka-san?"

"Oka-san? What are you talking about? You're definitely the fox, don't try to fool me." The blonde replied.

"...So that's it," The fox responded, picking up on the girl's thoughts, "You still do not know, do you? Who your parents are and what they look like."

"I don't," She admitted, "But I'll find out soon enough and until then, I can wait. By the way stop changing your voice, it's weird." The fox stayed silent, debating his next action.

"Also," She began, "Do you know why I'm here? Am I dying again?"

"No, I brought you here this time." The fox confessed. He had watched her carefully for two years. It passed as quick as a blink of an eye for an immortal demon like him, but for humans there was an awful lot that could happen. He watched on grudgingly, searching for the moment she slipped but as she progressed so did his thoughts. When she had her first kill a few months back the fox had finally made his choice.

"Huh, why?" Naru thought he seemed strangely placated compare to the last two times and found it easier to uphold a civil conversation. "I'm telling you again that I definitely won't be touching that seal."

"That is...fine." He said reluctantly, "In fact, I would like to make a deal with you."

"A deal? No offence but why should I trust you?" She asked sceptically. The Kyuubi strode up to the bars in his female form.

"We foxes are cunning, intelligent and wise," The red-haired woman answered, "You will never fool a fox, but they will seduce you, lure you and entrap you within their snare." The form shimmered and the girl was faced with a rather formidable man. The slender body filled out, becoming more defined and masculine, even growing a couple heads taller. The silky crimson hair became unruly, spiking out like a mane while the face became more chiselled losing the feminine softness. His complexion also darkened, contrasting to the woman's previous creaminess. The most startling feature though, was definitely the nine furry tails which swayed behind him and the furry new appendages a top his head. "But above all, we Kitsunes keep our words. Not that much different to your own nindo."

"My nindo? Of course you'd know." The girl muttered under her breath, even though it was heard clearly in the end, "But how can I trust those words?"

"Truthfully? You cannot." He stared her straight in the eyes, "But why not consider it?"

"Well, I guess it can't hurt if you're just talking," She shrugged and conceded, "Go ahead. What are you offering and what do you want from me?"

"I will offer you power," He answered, "Enhanced senses, knowledge, any jutsu you wish for, limitless chakra reserves. Everything I have."

"And in return?" She wondered what he could want so badly from her.

"Blood, the blood of a disillusioned fool," The man the fox masqueraded as let out a feral snarl, "The pathetic coward of a human who dared to control me with his cursed eyes."

"And you'll give me your... everything if I can kill one man?" Naru asked in disbelief, "You must really hate him."

"Hate? I loathe him." The fox clarified as if it wasn't already obvious, "I am offering you all I have because that is what it will take to defeat him. As much as I hate to admit it, he is powerful."

"Who do you want me to kill?" She wondered.

"A human far past his time. I ask the life of Madara, Uchiha Madara."

"Madara? Isn't he dead." She questioned. Naru remembered at least that much of Iruka's lessons.

"Far from it." The fox gave a growl of annoyance.

"That actually a pretty good deal," She confessed, "But how do you know I'll uphold my end of the deal?"

"I have observed you. As I said before, I understand your nindo, you would not betray or do perform any other corrupt act." She was slightly touched that he trusted her to that extent.

"And how am I supposed to find him. The Elemental nations are huge and he could be anywhere."

"He will come to you." The Kyuubi replied, "You, who is my jailor, holds an essential component for his eventual plan, that is myself. If he wants to obtain me he will have to kill you first."

"What!? Tell me that first next time!" She didn't want some homicidal maniac after her, "And what's his master plan anyway?"

"I think it was world domination," He held his chin in a thoughtful and very human manner, "More specifically the enslavement of every living being in the world to his will."

"...I think you should have mentioned that earlier as well." The girl mumbled. "Stupid zombies and their stupid, evil ambitions."

"But the most troublesome thing is the fact that he can accomplish it," The man continued, "When it comes to him it is not an empty dream but a possible reality.Therefore you should kill him, for both of our sakes."

"I guess I can't argue with that." Naru acknowledged.

"And I will do everything in my power to help you." He promised, "Though if you do find yourself on the losing side, I recommend killing yourself before he can get to you."

"What?! Why?" She never liked to entertain the thought of suicide.

"Because then you are guaranteed a comparatively painless death, and the fool loses an essential element. If you die, I will die as well." He explained, "Of course after a while I would be reborn into the world but hopefully by then the fool's time would be over."

"Well, if he's going to come after me anyway, and I'll have to stop his plan of world domination, I guess it wouldn't be too bad to make a deal with you." She surmised.

"Good choice...kit."

3 years after - Team selection day...Naruto aged 12

"Mornin' Inu-sensei." The blonde shifted out of her meditative state, opening her eyes just in time to see a lazy silver haired jounin jumped down from the trees.

"Yo." He greeted with a wave before pulling out an orange covered book, "I told you countless times already to call me Kakashi-sensei, Naru-chan."

"And I told you countless times to stop reading that trash." The girl retorted, pointing a kunai at the novel.

"...Well then, it's team selection day." Her sensei announced, moving onto another topic.

"I know, I heard it from Jiji yesterday." Naru stood and dusted her clothes off. All she had on was a pair of black shorts, an orange tank, and a pair of plated, fingerless gloves she nearly never took off, the rest of her clothes having been put to the side while she warmed up. Naru walked up to the small pile of her belongings and picked up her weapon pouch, strapping it onto her thigh, before slipping on a black sleeveless hoodie. "What time do we need to get there?" She asked, tying her headband around her forehead.

"Hmm," He bent down and picked up an orange tanto wrapped with a chain, handing it to the girl who threaded it through her belt, "We have about two hours till the other jounins begin to arrive. So that means roughly five hours." He replied accounting for his lateness.

"And I absolutely have to go this time?" Naru questioned. She had long gotten over the excitement of possibly having teammates when she had seen how weak some of them were and how high Kakashi had raised his standards. But they continued to test them out, as per Sarutobi's conditions. "Can't I go train with Gai-san and his team today or something?" Kakashi's visible eye twitched at the mention of his 'youthful' rival.

"No, not this time," He sighed, "It looks like you'll actually be getting team mates."

"Are they that good?" Naru asked raising a brow in interest.

"Well, there's a lot of potential." He began, pulling out an info sheet, "Haruno Sakura, excellent chakra control but small reserves. Scored a full marks on the written exam, and passed as an average on the practical. Her Ninjutsu was good, but her taijutsu was below standard and her weapon accuracy isn't anything special either. Seems to have a slight obsession with your next teammate" Kakashi listed out the information, "Sasuke Uchiha,"

"Uchiha..." Naru echoed.

"The 'last' Uchiha and rookie of the year," Kakashi used the term last rather loosely, "He did slightly above average on the written exam and high to near perfect on the practical, high average on taijutsu and weapon accuracy and perfect on the basic academy jutsu. Slightly arrogant personality and bent on revenge and the restoration of his clan." Naru clenched her fist, bringing her attention down to her hands. The sight of the gloves which protected her hands and most part of her arms calmed her down significantly.

"I wonder where he got them." Kakashi thought aloud, glancing at the gloves, "It's amazing those have lasted a full year in our trade. Must have been expensive, though he probably had a lot of money to spare."

"He told me he picked it up from the Land of Iron." Kakashi let out a whistle of appreciation.

"And the weasel lives up to his name, sneaking into a no-ninja territory." They both spent a moment to reminisce in the memory of their comrade.

"Well if that's all we have for today I think I'll stop by the ramen stand and then head to the Academy." She pulled out a fat, frog shaped wallet, "Gama-chan is looking particularly happy these past few days."

"Iruka-sensei!" Naru called, running up to her old teacher with a rather large metal box. He sighed at the sight of it but it was really just another part of the prodigal girl.

"Ah, Naru-chan, I was expecting you." The friendly brunet said with a smile. "I have a good feeling this time around, plus they'll be the same age as you."

"Kakashi said that the next two are probably going to stay." She passed on, "You both have high hopes."

"I believe in all my students." Iruka answered thoughtfully. She smiled fondly up at the man in response. "Right, this is the room." He stated, pointing at the classroom one down from last year's. "You know the drill-"

"Stay quiet and don't interrupt." Naru finished dutifully. He shot her and the box a final look before opening the door, making way for the girl to enter first. "Thanks." She walked into the lively room, filled with upcoming ninja and possible future comrades, taking the time to look around and observe.

"Alright, quiet down." Iruka called over the noise. He was proud that the class seemed to listen quicker than usual, probably eager to hear of the team placements.

"Sensei! Who's that?" An Inuzuka asked loudly. He had a rather cute white pup dozing quietly on his head.

"Class, this is Uzumaki Naruto." Iruka introduced, "She's a fellow shinobi who will be here to observe."

"Nice to meet you." Naru greeted with a wave, smiling up at a particular Hyuga. She went over to sit by the side of the room while Iruka got down to business.

"Now then first of all I'd like to congratulate you all for passing the graduation exam. I'm proud of you all and every one of you preformed wonderfully," The teachers earnest words elicited small blushes and embarrassed smiles on his adorable students. There was a soft clatter to the side where Naru was opening the metal box and soon the aroma of food began to waft into the room.

"Uh, sensei..."

"Anyway," Iruka continued, "Today I'll be placing you into team of three-" He was interrupted by a noisy slurp but ignored it to the amazement of his students, "And you'll each be assigned a jounin as your teacher. It's as simple as that." A student diligently raised his hand, "What is it Chouji-kun?"

"Ah, are we allowed to eat noodles inside the classroom?" He wondered. Another loud slurp echoed throughout the room before Iruka could answer.

"Yes...But I'd ask that you don't distract the students!" He put on a demon face as he shouted, hitting the blonde observer with some rolled up paper.

"Ouch." She winced and rubbed the back of her head. "Iruka-sensei, you must be angry due to lack of ramen, here." She swiftly swirled a bundle of still hot noodles around her chopsticks before shoving then in the brunet's mouth in one smooth motion.

"Mmf?" He gave her an annoyed look but swallowed the delicious mouthful, "Please refrain from doing that next time." He said in a tone that showed he was all too used to the girl's quirks. "Back to the team placements, Team 1 will be..." Iruka's monotonous droning somehow made Naru insignificant to the students as they all listened carefully, "...Team 7 will be Sakura and Sasuke," The pink haired girl shot her rival a victorious look before sending shy glances at her new teammate who didn't look at all pleased, "Your jounin leader will he Hatake Kakashi and his apprentice will fill in the third spot in your team. Team 8 will be Hinata, Kiba and Shino with Kurenai Yuuhi as leader. Team 9 will be Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji and you'll be led by Asuma Sarutobi..." Iruka finished off his announcement and looked up from the sheet he was reading off. "Are there any questions?" Sakura raised her hand. "Yes, Sakura-chan?"

"Who is our team's third member?" She asked. Naru shot a look to Iruka that went unnoticed by most people except the more observant individuals, specifically a certain Nara.

"Ah, you'll meet her later." Iruka answered unsure. The last Uchiha took particular note of this, finding it strange for a team to have two girls.

"Is she strong?" Sasuke said speaking up for the first time since they had entered the classroom.

"Of course." Iruka replied rather proudly. "If that's everything, you can all go out for lunch but be back here at 1:00 to meet your jounins." Iruka left the room to continue his daily jobs leaving Naru alone with his student. At the moment she was in an intense staring contest with the Nara as he tried to decipher her. It was definitely surprising for the class to watch as the timid and shy Hyuga was first to start a conversation with the newcomer.

"Um, Naru-chan," She asked quietly, too soft for an eavesdroppers to hear, "What brings you here today?"

"Oh, Hinata-chan!" Naru greeted with a smile, "This is a normal thing for me. For the past four years I've always come to the academy during team selections. Just scouting out my fellow comrades I guess."

"For four years? Why?" The Hyuga asked surprised.

"Teammate searching. By the way you must be hungry," She rummaged around her pockets an unsealed an elegant looking bento, "Neji told me you forgot your lunch this morning so he asked me to pass this to you."

"Neji-niisan? Thank you." Hinata graciously accepted. She opened the box revealing an artfully made selection of food.

"You know, I bet Neji was the one to make that," Naru said with a cheeky smile, "On the same note have you seen him in an apron before, he'd make a good housewife." The blonde handed Hinata a photograph of a very feminine looking male in what was clearly a woman's apron.

"Neji-niisan!" Hinata giggled softly but mentally scolded herself for agreeing with her friends words.

"Oi, Hinata!" The Inuzuka from before called, "Is she your friend? Introduce us." He walked over to join them, followed by his future teammate.

"Of course." Hinata replied, "Kiba-kun, Shino-kun this is Uzumaki Naruto, Naru-chan, this is Inuzuka Kiba, his partner Akamaru and Aburame Shino."

"Nice to meet you two." Naru greeted, "I trust you'll make sure Hinata stays safe?"

"You bet!" Kiba shouted eagerly, "We're a team now after all." Akamaru barked in agreement and Shino gave a small nod.

"Well, I think you should all have lunch together, team bonding and what not." Naru called with a smile.

"What about you?" Hinata asked.

"My ramen is calling and I'd like to pay it my full attention." The blonde answered with a serious look. She replaced her now empty bowl with a fresh one from the metal box.

"Ah." Hinata took her word for it as soon as the blonde's eyes seemed to glaze over with adoration. She and her teammates moved to sit together near the back, chatting quite happily.

"Well, I guess there won't be any major problems with Team 8." She mumbled to herself, taking a large bite of the noodles. "Damn, I waited too long and they're going soggy."

She quickened her pace, slurping down the second bowl within the minute.

"Geez, she could probably give even you a run for you money Chouji," She heard a girl comment. Naru looked up to see the trademark platinum blonde of Ino Yamanaka. She had visited the flower shop once or twice and caught sight of the busy girl but never interacted with her.

"Hey you," She turned her head to see Sasuke staring at her with Sakura standing faithfully behind him. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"

"Didn't you hear Iruka-sensei before?" Naru questioned, putting down her bowl, "I'm Uzumaki Naruto, today's observer. I guess you could say I'm taking over for Mizuki."

"Oh right!" Sakura realized, "Where is Mizuki-sensei?"

"I think at the moment he would be in the T.I. headquarters." She answered.

"Huh, why?" Ino asked. She was familiar with the place thanks to her dad and it was definitely not a place shinobi ever wanted to go. "Is he thinking of quitting and changing squads?"

"Nope," Naru gave a slightly feral grin, "He's probably being tortured for information right now."

"What?!" Sakura exclaimed louder than anyone else. "Why!?"

"Oi, calm down and stop shouting in my ear." Naru said with a wince, "It's simple really, yesterday he was found as a traitor when he attempted to steal the village's forbidden scroll." Most of the class was shocked by the revelation and she hoped Iruka wouldn't mind their new-found knowledge.

"How do you know all of this?" Shikamaru questioned, turning everyone's attention back to the girl.

"Who do you think apprehended him?" She asked back. "Anyway, I'd get back to your seats, lunch is just about over." They did as she advised, mostly to contemplate the information. The students waited patiently and one by one their jounin leaders came to pick them up until there were only two left.

"So, Naruto," Sakura began, "Did you graduate yesterday as well?"

"No, I became a ninja a few years back." She answered.

"When?" Sasuke asked. He didn't like the fact their sensei was late but joining the conversation would at least keep him entertained.

"About, five years ago." Naru pulled out the third and final bowl of ramen.

"Five years ago?" Sakura did the math in her head. The girl looked about her age so... "When you were seven?"

"Yep."

"What rank are you then?" The Uchiha asked, not liking the idea that he was in the presence of some sort of prodigy.

"Genin." The blonde answered simply.

"You stayed a genin for five years?" He questioned, maybe she wasn't such a genius then.

"It's not like it was by choice," She snapped, "I can't even take the chuunin exams since they require a team and field promotions are rare."

"You don't have a team?" Sakura repeated in disbelief, "Why?"

"Because my sensei set's his standards to high. Anyway, I'd sit tight if I were you. Kakashi probably won't come for a couple more hours." She packed up her lunch and walked towards the door, "I have prior engagements so I'll see you later." Even before she had stepped through the door she was gone in a swirl of leaves.

"So? What do you think?" Kakashi asked as his apprentice popped up beside him.

"The whole class was filled with heirs. And they all seemed competent enough for freshly minted graduates." She reported.

"And of your new teammates?" He probed.

"I don't like them," Naru said immediately, "But I don't particularly dislike them either."

"But you can see the potential can't you?" She nodded.

"Yeah, but they need work," She grimaced, pretending not to care as her teacher pulled out his porn, "A lot of work."

"And that's why they'll be on this team." He said with his patented eye-smile, "By the way I hope you understand if they pass we'll both be going back to D-ranks." Naru groaned in response, hitting her forehead on the nearby railing.