Kitsune no Tsuki – Arc 1: Ch 01-03

Serenity looked back over her shoulder just as she reached the threshold of a stone portal archway. The keystone at the top was marked intricately with the different symbols representing all the worlds of Sol, one of which glowed white to indicate the destination. Within the arch an active portal glowed blue and green, light and mist swirling within the edges of the stone archway. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks, but she held them back. “I will return!” she whispered with determination then turned back and stepped through the activated portal. The promise of meeting her twin for the first time was the only thing that kept her from turning to race back into the palace halls. Entering right after her were four young girls, two Lunar Guardians, and a young woman bearing the mark of the Leaf quickly following. No sooner had they passed through the arched gateway and swirling mists then the lights dimmed, and the portal went dormant leaving no trace of the lights that had filled the arch only moments before.

Just as the eight figures vanished from the hidden inner courtyard of the Moon Kingdom palace there was a thundering crash that shook the walls and made the leaves of the all the plants within tremble in motion. A squad of armored figures burst into the courtyard and surveyed the area but saw nothing but a deserted garden with stone archways covered in trailing vines and blossoms.

“This sector is cleared, keep searching. The Princess is to be taken alive.” The leader of the squad ordered, and the armored figures quickly filed back out the way they had come.

Twelve years earlier…

“Are you certain there is no way to take him to his family, or even contact them?” Sarutobi, the recently re-instated Sandaime Hokage of Konoha, asked.

“I wish it were not so, but Queen Selenity dared not risk any further contact with the Shadows creeping closer. She risked much even allowing Minato-sama to come with Rin-san at the time of their birth. We will be fortunate still if our travel back to Konoha with him remains undiscovered. There is no way for me to return to the Moon Kingdom or even contact them. These measures were taken for both the children’s safety.” the tall and lanky man with long almost wavy dark hair replied from the other side of the Hokage’s desk.

Sarutobi sighed and looked away from the man named Konshu who bore the gold crescent mark of the Moon, turning to study the portrait of his successor. The Fourth Hokage of Konoha, Namikaze Minato, lost in the recent attack of the Kyuubi. He gazed once more upon the sleeping infant now left with no family to look after him.

“The law I established will only do so much to protect him from the villager’s misguided anger. Are you certain you cannot take full guardianship?”

“I cannot. It would only cause further suspicion. I will guard and watch him as closely as I am able, but he must not learn who I am or who he truly is until he is able to protect himself. Too many in the shinobi and elemental countries saw the beginnings of Minato’s relationship with Selenity. For any of them to learn of a lunar guardian raising the boy would be too much.” Konshu replied.

“Uzumaki,” Sarutobi said softly. Konshu gave him a questioning look. “That is the family name he will bear until he is able to carry the heritage of his parents.”

.:o:.

Over the next several years Uzumaki Naruto grew up mostly alone, feeling the scorn of the village but never understanding why. Yet it was not all darkness and shadow for the bright-eyed blonde boy. Whenever things seemed to be about the worst, one of three people he came to trust and depend on would always seem to appear. These three took the time to cheer the child up and help right some of the wrongs being wrought when so many others simply turned away.

The first instance had been while Naruto was still living in the village orphanage. After a particularly bad run-in with the orphanage Mistress and some of the other children in residence there, Naruto had fled to the nearby park and hid there to cry out his frustrations alone. However, he did not remain alone long as a dark gray, nearly charcoal-colored cat wearing a bandana around its ears and over its forehead appeared and curled up with the child, keeping him warm and letting the young boy cry into his fur. The two remained there for several hours, Naruto eventually crying himself to sleep, until Sarutobi arrived.

The cat looked up at Sarutobi with intelligent blue eyes and then spoke. “If he stays there any longer, they will break his spirit, Hokage-sama.”

Sarutobi’s sad expression did not change as he bent down to pick up the sleeping child. Konshu leaped onto the old man’s shoulder keeping his own watch over the boy still.

“Then we will have to move him out. Would you be willing to take up the role as a landlord, Konshu-san?”

“I would do that and more for him, you know that by now. You have tried to find a place for him but none have been willing so we will have to make one. He needs a shelter from this village’s bitterness so that he may grow into who he is and not what they would turn him into.

From that night on Naruto never returned to the orphanage, but in fact moved into a small apartment complex owned by a man whom Naruto noticed did not look at him like so many others did. Instead, the man often asked the boy for stories of his day-to-day adventures, and so Naruto came to know his second and third friend after the old man Hokage. The first being his new landlord who insisted he be called Konshu rather than jii-san and the dark colored cat that often appeared when he was alone and just needed a silent but comforting friend.

The days went by turning into weeks, months and then years as Naruto grew, dodging the hated remarks and learning to ignore the icy glares. Eventually Naruto learned to pay back some of the nastier tricks played on him and soon a full-blown prankster was born much to the amusement of his landlord. This in turn led to his landlord offering a trade after the first ‘attack’ Naruto made on him. He would teach Naruto what he could and even help him get needed supplies as long as he was not made the target of any of the child’s pranks. It was in this manner that Naruto learned to accept whatever lessons his landlord offered since no one else, including some of his academy teachers, were willing. If the knowledge he gained from the landlord was unusual (after all no other aspiring genin hopeful seemed to know about the stories in the stars), Naruto didn’t mind as he found the stories Konshu-san told him very interesting. Soon Naruto was in his last year of the academy, this being the best year by far, as his teacher actually seemed to care if Naruto learned or not. It was with Iruka’s help through a series of unique events that he was able to earn his leaf forehead protector and a place in his genin team. No one, not even his sometimes teacher-guardian and landlord, expected how much more the blonde-haired boy’s life would soon change.

.:o:.

“What’s going on out here?!” Morino Ibiki grumbled as he entered the main foyer leading to the Hokage’s office and found a group of cloaked figures, most of them the size of children, being held by the current guard detail.

“Ibiki-san, this woman claims to be a Konoha shinobi returning from a long-term mission, but her papers don’t match the seal checks and she refused to reveal the identities of herself and those in her party. I’m not sure how they got past the outer gate check.” one of the guards answered him. Ibiki frowned and stepped forward extending a hand for the paperwork which the guard hurriedly handed over. He quickly scanned the documents, his eyes resting on the authoritive seal that should have marked them official. Outwardly, he gave no physical reaction to what he saw; his mind, however, raced at the subtle addition to the Yondaime Hokage’s personal seal that marked the paper. Could this woman really have been on an extended mission for at least twelve years?

“Wait here.” He ordered gruffly then headed for the Hokage’s office with the papers in hand and knocked soundly on the door, waiting for a response from within before opening the door.

“Kakashi, give Team Seven some recovery time after collecting your mission pay and return to me for a more detailed report. Team Seven under Hatake Kakashi, dismissed.” the Hokage ordered. Ibiki stood aside a moment to let the genin team and jounin pass, closing the door behind them before stepping forward to address the Hokage.

“Yes Ibiki-san, what is it?” Sarutobi asked not rising from his desk and lifting one hand to rub his left temple.

“You need to check the seals on these papers, sir. At first glance they appear to be a poor forgery, but something struck me as odd about it.” Ibiki answered, handing over the papers once he was within range.

The Hokage accepted them, his eye’s immediately widening as he scanned them over. “It can’t be… How many are with the shinobi presenting these, Ibiki?”

“I counted six hooded figures, sir; there may also be two feline pets with them. Five of the figures were of a height and bulk that resembled children.”

“Send them in immediately and see to it I am not disturbed save for emergency until I state otherwise.”

“Of course, sir.”

.:o:.

Meanwhile, the passing of Team seven in the foyer was not exactly quiet.

“A week off? What are we supposed to do with that much time off!” Naruto grumbled his hands resting on the back of his head.

“You could train dobe.” Sasuke replied with a smirk.

Naruto growled and was about to make a retort when he froze in mid step staring at the cloaked figures still waiting in the foyer. He could feel it… that feeling from his dreams…the presence he felt was so familiar he could swear he’d known and missed it his whole life.

“Naruto you idiot!” Sakura growled and smacked the back of his head knocking him out of his stupor. “It’s rude to stare!” she chastised and kept nudging him along and away from those in the foyer. Not noticing how closely one of the shorter cloaked figures watched their passing nor noting how her sensei paused and momentarily studied the group before also following his team out of the foyer and on towards payroll.

The taller of the figures reached a handout to rest on the shortest figure’s shoulder breaking the figures focus from the departed team. Before any words could be spoken, Ibiki reappeared from the Hokage’s office.

“You are to go in to see the Hokage immediately.” He told them and gestured them through the doorway and closed it tightly behind them. The guards looked at Ibiki waiting for an explanation.

“Hokage-sama is not to be disturbed for any reason bar emergency until he himself has stated otherwise.” Ibiki ordered and then parted off to his own office ignoring the somewhat confused expressions on the guards he left behind.

.:o:.

Six cloaked figures slipped quietly into the office the tallest of the group leading the way towards the Hokage’s desk. He observed silently at how they behaved with each other, four of the shorter figures flanked themselves around the fifth in a guard formation, their nervousness and tenseness apparent.

“Hokage-sama,” the leader of the group greeted bowing but did not reveal her identity yet save for that she was a woman from her voice. From the seal Ibiki had shown him he had thought he’d be prepared for the next words she spoke, “Where is Minato-sensei?”

He shook his head slowly. “I’m sorry Rin-san. Minato died just over twelve years ago saving the village.”

His words caused loud gasps from several of the group, the figure in the center of the group recoiled physically the hood of her cloak falling back to reveal silvery blonde hair and bright blue eyes wide in shock. “Dead?” She breathed her voice so soft and yet it immediately reminded him of Queen Selenity whom he had met those many years ago during the trade and peace conferences that Konoha had hosted for the ruling families of Earth and Moon.

Sarutobi, smiled sadly. By now all the others had let hoods fall away to reveal the entire group was in fact made up of young girls and one young woman as well as two felines who had appeared from two of the other girls’ arms as they turned to support the girl, he could only assume was the Princess Serenity, heiress of the Moon and daughter of Queen Selenity and Namikaze Minato.

Rin let the girls comfort their ward and turned to the Sandaime Hokage. “What happened Hokage-sama, where is Serenity’s twin?”

“He’s alive… that was him. The boy that passed us before we came in… wasn’t it?” Serenity asked softly, a warm and determined light shining in her eyes.

The Hokage nodded briefly, “Please, take seats all of you, and I will tell you what occurred here the very night Minato returned from the Moon.” Once they were settled, he began the sad tale knowing it had to be told before he could in turn ask them why they were now here after so many years of no contact.

.:o:.

Naruto let out a deep sigh as he seated himself on the ground above the Hokage monument, more specifically above the face of the Yondaime. He stared out over the village, but unlike usual, the sight of it didn’t calm his spinning thoughts much. He had expected to have his mind troubled with thoughts of his most recent mission to the country of wave and all the events that had taken place there. Yet that is not what he found to be most on his mind, rather it was the group of cloaked figures he had seen at the central tower waiting to be admitted to the Hokage, in particular the one that he knew had been staring back at him. The girl’s presence had called out to him as soon as he had stepped out of the Hokage’s office and become aware of it. He hadn’t pinpointed it to the cloaked figure till he had nearly passed her by. Her… he knew it had to have been her, even if she had been concealed by the cloak. The girl that he had been sharing dreams with off and on his whole life, dreams he had never told anyone about. He held them much too close to his heart to risk someone mocking them or worse thinking there was something wrong and trying to prevent the dreams all together.

No, the dreams were important, special, his only way of talking to his best friend. He couldn’t remember exactly when the dreams had first started but he did remember that the last time he had met her in his dreams, she had been worried. Could something have happened to the beautiful place he was sure she called home, the place he always seemed to travel to when he dreamed of her? It was the only reason he could think of that would suddenly bring her to Konoha… to his home.

Usagi… the name she had given him as hers though he knew she had other names. This was her personal name, her name among friends and family. Then he remembered what had happened on his mission… would she understand what had happened? She’d always seemed to understand him before, and always knew when he tried to hide that he was sad… just as he could always tell when she was upset as well. But this was different… he hadn’t talked to her since his graduation since he had learned of the Kyuubi. Suddenly he was very afraid…

.:o:.

Kakashi strolled up the hall into the foyer just before the Hokage’s office nonchalantly passing by the two guards as he approached the doors leading into the Hokage’s office.

“Hatake-san, I’m sorry but the Hokage left strict order that he was not to be disturbed save for an emergency. You will have to wait.” The one to his right spoke moving to stop the silvery haired man from proceeding.

Kakashi just turned to him and smiled through his mask at the guard, “And who said I didn’t have an emergency to report?” Before the guard could reply he had opened the door and slipped inside closing it behind him. He turned to face the occupants of the room, the Hokage staring at him with an arched eyebrow. “You did say to come back later for a more detailed report.”

“Kakashi you idiot,” a woman’s voice muttered at him. Kakashi’s single visible eye shifted immediately to the only other adult in the room, noting how quickly four of the girls had resumed a guard formation around the fifth.

“Rin…” Kakashi answered, his words barely above a whisper.

“Well, are you going to greet an old team mate properly your scarecrow, not to mention the daughter of our sensei.” The woman replied. The girls immediately relaxed their positions but still seemed unwilling to move away from the fifth they were obviously protecting.

Kakashi stood visibly stunned, “Minato-sensei had a daughter?” With that realization his gaze returned to the five girls as he studied them carefully. Closest to him was a girl with raven black hair falling down to her hips. Her violet eyes met him steadily telling him she would accept him for now because her companion had, but that didn’t mean she trusted him. A bit ahead of her and closer to the Hokage was a girl with hair bobbed just above her shoulder in an unusual shade of dark blue with eyes just a few shades lighter. She smiled at him before his gaze moved on. Straight across from the blue was a blonde, this one immediately held his attention though he noted right away that her hair which fell down to her hips was several shades lighter than that of his sensei’s. A good portion of it was held back with a vibrant red bow, cornflower blue eyes met his steadily and then she winked at him. She was a possibility, but he chose to continue his study before speaking as the last of the girls in the guard formation and second closest to him after the raven haired one was a tall brunette, her chocolate locks tied up in a ponytail secured by a tie ornamented with two green orbs on it. The orbs matched the green of the girl’s eyes almost perfectly. This one smirked at him and he moved his gaze onto the fifth and felt his chest tighten slightly, as his sensei’s eyes meet his, there was no doubt of it and the girl’s hairstyle was an exact replica of that of Queen Selenity.

The Hokage cleared his throat, “Take a seat Kakashi and may I introduce to you to Serenity, daughter of Namikaze Minato and Queen Selenity of the White Moon. Rin has just returned from a long-term posting there to be a representative of Konoha in her father’s place. I should probably also inform you that your student Uzumaki Naruto, is in fact Serenity’s twin.”

Had Kakashi not been wearing a mask, the completely shocked expression would have been even more evident in a wide-open mouth stare, but as he was, he was saved some of his pride has he was brought out of his shock by a chuckling Rin.

“Nice fish face Kakashi.” She commented before then gesturing to the rest of the girls. “The other four here are Serenity’s Inner Court and Guardians, princesses in their own right as well. The blonde closest to me is Minako of Venus, behind her is Makoto of Jupiter, to her right is Rei of Mars and in front of Rei is Ami of Mercury. If you hadn’t gathered, Serenity is the one in the center.”

Kakashi glanced the girls over as they were introduced matching names to faces and noting similarities between the girls and the women who must have been their mothers who served the Queen when she was here on Earth. His gaze settled longest on Serenity who looked rather nervous under his scrutiny, but the girls all bore signs of fatigue as well. After a moment he finally spoke, “You have your father’s eyes Serenity.”

The girl smiled at him, “Usagi, please. All my family and friends call me Usagi. Rin-neesan has told us much about you Kakashi-san.” The girl then turned toward the Hokage, “Hokage-sama, when will I get to see my brother?”

The Hokage pondered for a moment, from his brief interview with team seven just before the girls had arrived it had been evident that their recent mission has impacted them all deeply and such a shock of information as meeting his sister would cause could be even more strain on the boy. He turned to Kakashi, “Is he stable enough after the mission to take the shock this sudden wealth of information would give him Kakashi?”

Kakashi didn’t miss the sudden worried look on the silver blonde haired girls face at the Hokage’s statement. “I believe so Hokage-sama, though he may be hard to track down at this particular moment. I had a clone shadowing him, but the clone lost him at least an hour ago.”

The Hokage frowned in concern.

“I will find him.” Serenity stated standing quickly and before anyone, even her senshi, could stop her she vanished in a silver flash that left a few downy white feathers softly falling to the ground behind her.

The raven-haired girl that Rin had named Rei groaned. “That meatball head…”

Kakashi and the Hokage both stared at the space the blonde-haired girl had occupied only moments before. It was Rin who broke the silence.

“Just like Minato-sensei, but without seals. Though, she does need to either know where she is going or have someone to focus in on. We had quite a few discussions with her about when and whom she could use that ability around when she first uncovered it.”

“Hiraishin….” The Third Hokage whispered. To think that Minato’s daughter had unlocked the secret to the Yondaime’s most recognized technique. “I will have to speak to her about that ability. It could bring great danger to her here.”

Kakashi bent down to pick up one of the feathers and blinked as it vanished as soon as he touched it, the others quickly fading away as well. “Should I go after her?”

It was Minako who spoke up in response first, “Probably not the best idea. She will want to be alone when she first meets him and well, she probably went straight to him. If you can’t find him, you won’t find her either.”

Rin sighed. “Minako is right. That wasn’t a jutsu but rather a natural ability of hers. None of us will be able to follow her when she takes off like that. Don’t worry though, she will find her twin and come back with him, I’m sure.”

Kakashi was skeptic but shrugged, Rin knew the girl while he did not, and he had been serious about Naruto being difficult to find.

.:o:.

She had known it was him as soon as she saw him coming out of the Hokage’s office. Knew he had recognized her despite being hidden under a cloak. She had noted his energy signature and the surge of connection in the bond they shared from being so close in person for the first time in over twelve years. It was that bond that she used when she flashed out of the Hokage’s office and reappeared just a few feet behind him. She noticed him tensing immediately, but before she said anything to him directly, she saw the village stretched out before them.

“It’s beautiful Naruto. This is the monument view you told me about, isn’t it?” She asked as she slowly sat down beside him.

Naruto nodded slowly turning to watch her, a puzzled expression crossing his face as he took in her appearance with the hood of her cloak down. “Usa-chan, your hair?”

She smiled taking her gaze off the village to meet his. “It started to shift as soon as we arrived on Earth and has been daily turning more gold. I wonder if your hair would turn silver on the Moon…though we may never get that chance.” Her expression turned more serious, and sadness filled her eyes.

“Usa-chan… what happened?” He asked, he’d never seen her look like this before.

“We were attacked. We knew that there was an enemy planning something…but they had already infiltrated even the royal guard. The Queen’s they…they and the Senshi; they made me leave with Rin-neesan and the girls when it was obvious that the fighting was reaching the inner palace. I don’t even know if mom was fighting them or if she too was escaping, but I heard the guards say something about the Queen’s study and a disaster…” her words trailed off as the tears began to slip down her cheeks. Naruto raised a hand to rest on her shoulder in comfort and Usagi immediately turned to face him. “I will go back. No matter what happened to Mom, I’m not going to let them win. I will make sure that my home… my Kingdom is free from them!” She stated with such confidence that Naruto could only nod and grin.

“I’ll help you Usagi! You know I will!!”

Usagi nodded and raised a sleeve to wipe away her tears. “Just like how I promised to help you however I could to become Hokage.”

Naruto grinned and turned back to the view of the village. “Yeah”

Usagi turned with him and then with a small smirk, “After all that’s what family is for, and if I can’t help my twin then I will never be able to help an entire Kingdom.”

Naruto turned back to her gaping, “Twin?!?”

Usagi grinned. “What, do you not want me for a sister?”

“No, I mean of course I do! But… how?” Naruto answered quickly.

“It wasn’t until after our last dream meeting that mom and Rin-neesan told me the story. They said that I was old enough now to understand why it had been kept secret. Our mother, Queen Selenity of the White Moon- “

“Wait, you’re saying my mother is Queen Selenity!” Naruto interrupted a bit skeptic.

“She’s my mother to.” Usagi replied sticking her tongue out at him, then continued. “Anyways, she met our father while visiting Earth for trade and treaty meetings with the ruling family of Earth. Konoha was providing the security and the Fire daimyo the ‘neutral’ territory since the governments of the Elemental countries are run differently then all those that answer directly to the Earth royal family. Mom said that there was just something about Dad that caught her attention and drew her to him. Lady Venus simply called it love at first sight. Unfortunately, there were shadows of an enemy movement building and such a close relationship between the White Moon Queen and the Yondaime Hokage would have made Konoha and easy target to get at the White Moon. Konoha’s shinobi’s while strong, would not be able to face that type of attention without great loss.

“Did you say the Yondaime Hokage?” Naruto asked eyes wide, the number of shocks he was receiving were beginning to add up.

“That’s right.” Usagi replied, “He was also Rin-neesan’s sensei, which is why he chose her to be his representative on the Moon so I would be able to learn of my father’s heritage even while living on the Moon. Needless to say, our parents’ relationship was kept very secret and when we were born, we were almost immediately separated. I was kept with our mother, particularly since the rule of the Moon always passes from mother to daughter. You were sent with our father to grow up in Konoha as his legacy. In this way our parents would always have a piece of each other even when apart. Enemies, however, were beginning to suspect that there was some tie between Konoha and the White Moon. This led to a full isolation of Earth from the White Moon as soon as Namikaze Minato returned to Earth with you and a lunar guardian assigned to you much as Rin-neesan was assigned to me. There would be no more contact between the Earth and the Moon until it was deemed safe by the Silver Alliance.

“Silver Alliance… what’s that?” Naruto asked trying to grasp everything she was saying.

“That’s the alliance of all the planets in our solar system ruled over all by the Guardianship of the White Moon. Earth is the only planet not officially part of the alliance as it is the youngest to develop life and civilization. All though the White Moon has been guarding Earth ever since its spirit first awoke.”

“Oh. Is that why your guard is made of princesses of the other planets?” He asked.

Usagi nodded.

“Wow…” and then he frowned. “But our father didn’t have me. He died the night we were born. The very night he brought me home to Konoha… He…” Naruto looked down and clenched his fists at his side.

Usagi rested one of her hands over his reassuringly. “He died protecting the village from the demon that threatened to destroy it. He died sealing it into you, believing that you had the strength to protect Konoha from it even though you were not even a full day old. He believed in you.” She said softly.

Naruto looked up to meet her gaze in obvious surprise that she knew the full story.

“Hokage-sama told us. I wish I had known sooner that you were my brother and what had happened. If I had been able to tell Rin-neesan and Mom… you wouldn’t have been left alone.”

“Usa… thanks. But… what if… what if I can’t keep the demon sealed. What if it breaks free? What if it takes control of me and uses me to hurt all I want to protect?!”

“You won’t let it. You are stronger than that fox ever will be.” She smiled brightly and he couldn’t help but smile in return. “We should go back to the Hokage, they’re waiting for us.”

“Can we wait here a bit first?” He asked, not quite ready to go face the Hokage after everything he’d just heard.

Usagi nodded hugging him briefly and then turned back to the view of the village spread out before them.

.:o:.

“Aren’t you worried about her?” Sarutobi asked. It had been twenty minutes at least since Serenity had what he could at best call teleport or flashed out of the room. Kakashi had just stepped out to send a messenger to find Konshu and bring him to the Central Tower.

Rin shook her head. “They already know each other Hokage-sama. Besides, unless Usagi wants to be found she won’t, especially with how she feels about finally meeting Naruto in person.”

“But how, they have not even been on the same planet since they were born-”

“Dreams Hokage-sama,” Rei interrupted. “They share a very special bond as twins, a bond that has brought their spirits together in dreams many times over the years. Although only Rin-sensei and her mother knew exactly who the boy she spoke of was until more recently.”

“They’ve met in dreams?” The Hokage questioned.

“I didn’t really believe it at first either Hokage-sama,” Rin explained. “But Queen Selenity was sure of it after listening to the stories Usagi told of her meetings. The two are already very close I believe.”

“I wonder why Naruto never told anyone…” Sarutobi pondered.

“It’s not a common thing. And considering some of the things Usagi told us that Naruto had to deal with, he may have been afraid that someone would try to prevent the dreams here.” Rei added.

“I see. Well, we can start to make arrangements for your placements here in Konoha in the meantime. Do any of the girls have shinobi training?” The Hokage asked. Rin smirked.

“Ami and Usagi should both be placed as genin apprentice medic-nin. Usagi in particular seems to have a special talent for it. Ami is incredibly adept at analysis and research. Minako, Makoto, and Rei would be best suited as a genin team placement until they can take the chuunin exam. Their abilities are suitable, though it will be a necessary handicap that they will not be using any of their senshi abilities. Any use of such planetary powers would like lead the enemy right to us.” Rin reported.

“Chuunin? Don’t you think you might be rushing it Rin-chan…” Kakashi prodded upon reentering the room. Rin’s eyes narrowed.

“These four girls were sworn in as inner court and guardians of Princess Serenity from age six. Not only have they had extensive battle training as growing sailor senshi, but they have also had basic shinobi training from me. This goes for Usagi as well. Her father wanted her to know her heritage from him. I have made sure of that.”

The Hokage knew better than to doubt her any further on the matter. “Very well, I will have Iruka set up an academy evaluation exam for formality’s sake. Now for housing arrangements-”

At that moment there was a knock at the office door as one of the guards spoke up, “Hokage-sama the apartment building landlord you sent for is here.”

“Send him in.” Sandaime replied.

The door opened and a tall lanky haired man slipped in the door closing it behind him quietly. His long dark charcoal hair was secured simply in a warrior’s tail and a bandana bearing no shinobi markings covered his head resting just above his eyebrows.

“Hokage-sama, you sent for me?”

“Konshu, don’t tell me you don’t recognize us?” spoke up the black feline that had up till now been sitting silently in Ami’s lap.

“L… Luna!”

The Hokage arched an eyebrow. “You know each other then?”

The black feline turned back towards the Hokage. “Of course, we know him, he is my brother. As he was assigned to Naruto, so I am to Serenity. My companion Artemis here is assigned to Minako who is the leader of the Inner court.”

“If you are here, where is the Princess?” Konshu asked, a frown creasing his lips.

“She has gone to retrieve her twin.” Kakashi chirped in.

“Alone?” Konshu replied, skeptic.

“Well, we couldn’t exactly stop her when she flashed out now could we?” muttered Minako, “Not fair of Usa-chan to leave us behind.”

No sooner had the Venusian princess spoken then there was a silvery gold flash that revealed the two in question.

Rei immediately jumped to her feet with her hands on her hips. “Usagi you Meatball Head! You know better than to take off on your own!”

Usagi just stuck her tongue out at the Martian girl.

“Hey! No one calls Usagi names, and she wasn’t alone!” Naruto spoke up in her defense.

“Can it Whiskers!” Rei snapped back.

Kakashi and Konshu snickered as Naruto stared at her flabbergasted, even the Hokage smiled at the scene.

“Rei-chan, she is here safe. You shouldn’t yell at Naruto-sama when you have just met.” Soft spoken Ami chastised trying to prevent one of the traditional bickering wars that often sprung up between Rei and Usagi.

Rei snorted but returned to her seat.

Usagi giggled. “Everyone, meet my twin Naruto. Naruto, the one who called you Whiskers is Rei, Ami is sitting next to her with Luna in her lap. Beside her is Rin-neesan. On Rei’s other side is Minako with Artemis, and next to her is Makoto.”

“Ne, ne, Makoto-chan is it true that you are a really good cook! Usa-chan said you made the best cookies ever. Do you know how to make ramen?”

“Slow down Naruto, you can expose them all to your obsession with ramen soon enough.” Konshu commented resting a hand on Naruto’s shoulder from behind.

“Konshu-san, what are you doing here?” Naruto asked suddenly nervous.

“I was summoned by Hokage-sama. Now won’t you introduce me to your twin?” He asked, smiling.

“Oh yeah… um… Usa-chan this is Konshu-san, the one I told you about.” Naruto stated.

Usagi turned to the taller man and grinned. “You are the cat that always cheered him up, aren’t you?”

Konshu nodded, glancing at Naruto nervously.

“What!?” Naruto exclaimed.

“Luna and Artemis have human forms, but almost never use them.” Usagi explained.

“So, you’re from the Moon?” Naruto asked Konshu who nodded in affirmative. Naruto’s expression hardened. “You knew. You knew who my father was all this time.”

Konshu’s expression sobered, “Yes Naruto. I have always known your father was Namikaze Minato.”

“Why! Why didn’t you tell me!?” The blonde genin demanded, anger tensing his muscles as he stared at Konshu, waiting for an answer.

“For your safety.” The Hokage answered before Konshu spoke causing Naruto to turn quickly to face the old man. Usagi came to his side, resting her hands on one of his arms.

“My safety?” Naruto demanded, not understanding.

“Your father was famous among the Elemental countries Naruto. Though he had many friends and allies, he had just as many powerful enemies. By keeping your parentage hidden we kept them from hunting you before you were strong enough to defend yourself. It is why you carry the name Uzumaki and not Namikaze.”

Naruto hung his head in defeat. That he hated it was obvious, but he seemed to accept it. “When?”

The Hokage frowned, “I don’t understand what you are asking.”

“When can I use my father’s name?” Naruto restated.

“When you are ready to,” came the reply from behind him and Konshu knelt down so his gaze was level with Naruto’s as the boy turned back to face him again. “That day may come soon, or it may not come for many years. You will know, here in your heart Naruto, when it is time. Until that time, you will have to keep this precious secret hidden, just as your sister will.”

Naruto’s expression softened as he then turned to Usagi who held onto him offering his support, his eyes seeking an answer from her as well. She nodded.

“We will know Naruto. We will know when we can reclaim what is rightfully ours again.”

“Well then, it has been a very trying day for all of us, and we need to finish getting all of you settled in. Konshu-san, does your complex have enough space?” The Hokage asked changing the subject.

“It will be a little cozy, but I believe so.”

“Good. I will take care of all the necessary paperwork and send an escort for you when the exams to instate you are all prepared. Rin-san your rank will be reinstated as jounin, and we will put the girls in a genin squad under you. I will have to try and make some special arrangements for Ami and Usagi with the hospital staff. With that settled I’m sure Konshu and Naruto will be more than happy to show you the way so that you can rest, it has been a long day for all of us, I’m sure. Oh, and Usagi-san, please refrain from using that teleportation ability you demonstrated earlier. Rin-san can explain why.”

With that stated the group all stood and began to head towards the doorway, the girls and Rin concealing themselves once more under their cloaks.

“Naruto,” Kakashi spoke up the blonde pausing to look towards his sensei. “Use your week off to spend time with your sister and show them around Konoha.” And with that stated he too vanished.

Rin frowned at Kakashi’s fast exit then brought up the rear of the group as they all headed out after Naruto. Konshu stayed to the back of the group with her, Luna leaping to his shoulder to talk softly with them.

.:o:.

The trip through Konoha to Naruto’s apartment building was thankfully uneventful and the group all stopped just outside of the building as they took in its appearance. From the street it was plainly visible as a dump.

“This is where you both live?” Rin asked clearly shocked.

Naruto grinned. “Underneath the Underneath.”

Rin arched an eyebrow but refrained from any other comment, the girls following her lead.

Konshu smiled as well as he ushered them all into the building. Once the door was closed behind them, he spoke up. “The exterior appearance is a necessary disguise to provide Naruto with a safe home. If it did not resemble ‘a dump’ those who blamed Naruto for the attack and resent him for it would have vandalized the property regardless, as it is, the temptation to cause harm is reduced. There is also a very subtle genjutsu worked into the building to turn away those who do not live here or have ill will toward someone who does. It is in this manner that I have most served in protecting Naruto.”

Rin and the girls just nodded and took this information in stride. Naruto however seemed frozen in place not facing any of them. Usagi standing near him lifted her hand to his shoulder. “Naruto-kun?”

Her touch seemed to break him from his trance, and he turned and gave them all a bright smile. “I never thought about it, but he’s right about what people would do. I just always thought it was cool that on the inside it was nothing like the outside. Ne Konshu-san, which units are they going to be in?”

Konshu smiled, “I thought we would put your sister next door to you. There are two-bedroom units across the hall that should suit the other girls and a unit here on the first floor that I thought Rin-san might approve of. Luna has already informed me that she and Artemis will keep to their feline forms for the time being.”

No sooner had Konshu finished speaking then Naruto had grabbed his sister by the hand and started leading her up the stairs.

“Come on Usa, Let’s go check out your place!”

The other four girls looked back to Rin who simply shrugged. With no orders from their sensei the blonde-haired Venusian, Minako took lead.

“Well let’s go see our rooms then as well. We can’t let Usa have all the fun.”

The adults and guardians left behind smiled at the younger group and followed behind more sedately. By the time they had caught up it appeared that Naruto and Usagi had already done a survey of what would be her place and were busily conversing with the other girls over their rooms. It seemed it had even been determined who was rooming with who. Rin pulled out a scroll and crouching down to the floor activated it. In several small poofs additional scrolls appeared. The five girls quickly spilled out of the rooms to each grab one of the released scrolls. Before they could scatter once more Luna spoke up.

“Take a little time to settle your belongings. I know we don’t have much with us, but it will have to do for now. In twenty minutes, I want everyone to meet in the living room space in Usagi’s apartment. We have several things to deal with yet tonight.”

Konshu watched quietly from his seat against a wall in the living room area of Usagi’s apartment as the group began to settle in. From the types of belongings, he saw being removed from Usagi’s scroll, it was apparent that Rin had made sure they always had an emergency kit packed and yet it was also apparent that they had had little time to pack ‘extras. He also studied the girls themselves.

Usagi was no doubt Naruto’s sister. They shared the same bright blue eyes and from the looks of it her hair would match his in shade as well once it stopped shifting. He could even see some similarities in their mannerisms. Not large similarities but little things. She wore her hair in the traditional style of the white moon family with portions of it pulled up to crown her head with twin buns. From each bun a long streamer of hair fell flowing with her movements and miraculously not always getting in her way. He had half expected her to be in a gown under the cloak, but it seemed Rin-san had ingrained some lessons of practicality as she wore what would have likely passed as civilian garb on the moon.

Mizuno Ami, princess of Mercury, was the first of the other four girls to enter the living room. She smiled at him and nodded before taking a seat herself to await the others. He was briefly surprised when she produced a small blue compact of sorts from a hidden pocket and began typing on a key panel within. He smiled to himself realizing she had followed in her mother’s footsteps if this was any indication. Her hair was cut short compared to all the others as it fell in a styled bob just above her shoulders. Her eyes, while blue like Usagi and Naruto’s were several shades darker, and he could already tell a great deal of intelligence was hidden behind them.

Both Kino Makoto of Jupiter and Hino Rei of Mars entered together and sat down on either side of Ami. That Rei was a daughter of Mars was very clear to Konshu. Her raven black hair with dark violet highlights shining where the light highlighted it fell down to her hips and was a long-standing dominant trait in the Martian royal family. The fire sparking in her red-violet eyes also spoke volumes of her ties to the element and the planet that thrived off of it. Makoto was tall and steady, the nature of the forest and storm evident, and so Jupiter had marked its daughter in her wavy brown hair pulled up in a high ponytail and the emerald green of her eyes.

Aino Minako of Venus was the last of the girls to arrive and settle down and Konshu idly wondered how often she played the role of Usagi’s double or if she hadn’t in the past, she certainly could soon with how Usagi’s hair was darkening to a golden blonde. There was also a natural empathy about her and how she interacted with the others that was typical of those who called Venus home.

It didn’t take long once all four girls were settled for Luna to take control. “Artemis and I will be placing binding seals on your planetary powers.”

Her statement had an immediate impact as all five girls looked at each other nervously. Minako as the leader of Usagi’s guard spoke for them all. “Are you sure that is wise Luna? What if we get caught in a situation where without those abilities?” She didn’t need to finish her statement to impart its full meaning.

“We’ve taken that into consideration Minako. The binding seal we’ll be using will really only prevent you from unconsciously or instinctively drawing on those abilities. If there comes a point where you have no choice but to use those abilities, you will each be able to break the seal with conscious effort. It will have the added effect of hiding your planetary sigils in a way that no one will be able to detect them. However, this will not affect the more personal or bloodline gifts you have.”

The girls nodded in acceptance though it would be an odd and even humbling experience for them as the powers of their planets had been an instinctive part of them from the day they were born.

“The sealing will most likely take a bit out of all of you, and you will likely need to sleep it off for the remainder of today and tonight. Rin will go out with Konshu and Naruto tomorrow to secure you all more suitable attire as well as other things we will need while here. Now, who will go first?”

“I will Luna.” Usagi spoke.

“Usa…” Rei whispered a bit concerned.

“It’s all right Rei, I can’t ask you four to do this first.”

“Very well, Usagi-chan lay down please.” Luna then directed as she and Artemis then moved in to stand on either side of her head and then each placed a paw on her brow framing her crescent moon mark in the process. Usagi closed her eyes and relaxed. It took only moments as Luna and Artemis’s own crescent marks flared brightly and then they were done and removed their paws backing away.

Usagi blinked and then sat up and the others gasped as her hair lost the rest of its silvery hue until it matched Naruto’s blonde shade almost perfectly. The golden crescent moon that had up till now graced her brow had also vanished from sight.

“How do you feel Usagi?” Rin asked a little surprised, from what Luna had said the girl should be out for the count.

“A little lightheaded, but otherwise fine.” Usagi responded.

“A convenient side effect of her human heritage in this because I would imagine.” Konshu commented.

“Makes sense.” Rin stated.

“All right then, next?” Luna asked getting the group back on task.

Minako immediately moved forward and laid down where Usagi had been moments before while her fellow blonde moved to sit next to her twin.

In moments Luna and Artemis repeated the same process they had used on Usagi. This time however when they moved away Minako did not move on her own though she breathed steadily and like Usagi’s crescent, the Venusian sigil no longer was visible on Minako’s brow… “That is more what we expected. Konshu, could you take her to her room please? Luna asked.

Konshu nodded and smoothly lifted the unconscious girl into his arms and carried her out.

Rei grimaced a moment but then moved into place as the process continued with the rest of the girls all being unconscious after the binding was performed and Konshu carrying each girl to their respective rooms afterwards.

When Konshu returned after taking the last of the girls to their rooms he paused in the entryway of the living room and smiled softly as he observed Naruto talking to his sister their voices soft enough that he couldn’t hear what they were talking about clearly. That little fact made it evident that he was confident in his relationship with her and that there was trust running deep for Naruto was never ‘quiet’ with people save for those he had no hidden worries about how they felt about him. A rather large yawn interrupted Usagi in a reply to him and Konshu chose that moment to interrupt.

“Naruto, come have dinner with me. Usagi-san will need her sleep as well even if she did manage to stay awake through the sealing. You will have plenty of time tomorrow and after that to talk with each other.”

“Konshu is right Usagi-chan.” Luna chimed in. “It has been a long day for all of us and tiring yourself out more will not help any of us in the next few days.”

Usagi stuck her tongue out at Luna in response, but another ill-timed yawn spoiled the effect.

Rin chuckled. “All right Usagi-chan, to bed with you before we have to have Konshu carry you there as well.”

Usagi sighed then leaned over to give Naruto a tight hug, “Night niisan,” not noticing the stunned look on his face as she then scooped up Luna and headed back to her bedroom. “Don’t forget to lock my door on the way out!” She called back as she vanished from view.

Konshu chuckled as well, “Come on Naruto, I’ll make ramen.” Naruto moved quickly at that and followed him out the door leaving Rin and Artemis to lock up on their way out.

The pair were silent as they traveled through the hall and stairwell to Konshu’s unit on the first floor and Konshu let that silence remain for the time being. There were many things he would like to talk to Naruto about in regard to the day’s events, but he knew form long experience that it was best to let Naruto broach the topics first.

It wasn’t until Naruto had finished setting the table and pulling out the different ingredients needed while Konshu began the actual preparation that he spoke. “Konshu-san… you’ve always known about the fox, right?”

“I was there with you at the sealing doing what I could to make it easier on you Naruto.” Konshu replied glancing at the boy from the corner of his eye where he now sat at his small table in the kitchen. “You know yourself that I have never held what you hold against you Naruto and how I feel about the villagers that do.”

“Yeah…but you know… I stopped caring so much about what all the villagers thought after I found you and Iruka-sensei and Hokage-jiisan. Now there’s Kakashi-sensei to, but today I was scared… terrified that when Usagi found out about it I would lose my closest friend of all. I’ve always been afraid of losing her in one way or another…that’s why I never told you or anyone else. Then today when I saw her… more like felt her there at the Hokage’s Tower… I was afraid she’d be like the villagers when she found out… but she wasn’t. She… she just accepted it just like that and it didn’t change how she acted with me one bit. Her friends… they just took it in stride to. She’s told me about them all in the past and none of them acted any differently to me then how she had described them. I never realized how much having her know and her reaction was weighing on me in my mind… ever since I first found out about the fox, I had been afraid of telling her.”

Konshu smiled and struggled to keep his own emotions in check after this outpouring from Naruto. He paused in his preparations and crouched down beside Naruto, so he was eye level.

“You will never find a truer friend than your sister Naruto. Like you she touches the hearts of those around her. Don’t give me that skeptic look.” Konshu chuckled at the expression on Naruto’s face. “I’ve been watching over you for many years and I’ve seen you touch the hearts around you even if they try to deny it and only show dislike on the outside. You’ve reached them more than you realize, and I know when the day comes you will be an incredible Hokage. The village has no idea just what a gift they’ve been given in you, a child of the moon.”

Naruto smiled softly, though it was apparent he wasn’t buying into everything Konshu had just told him it still helped ease his heart. “I hope your right Konshu-san, though if this village ever does anything to hurt Usagi-chan…” Naruto didn’t finish his sentence, but he didn’t have to. Konshu understood.

.:o:.

“Well, Iruka, how did the girls do?” Sandaime asked of the Academy teacher as he sat behind his dusk his pipe in hand.

“Overall, they did very well. The only areas all of them were a little weak in was recent history and current shinobi events, but that is to be expected from what you told me about them being secluded from the shinobi countries in the last twelve years. Save for in that area Ami aced the test and none of the other girls really pulled a below average. Usagi seemed to struggle a bit in the mathematics and shinobi ethics portions, but still within acceptable marks.” Iruka answered and handed the pamphlet of tests to the Hokage.

“Very good, I will let Rin-san know to go ahead with her plans for the genin examination then. Once that is completed then I will make the last arrangements necessary to place Usagi and Ami as apprentice medic-nin as Rin advised.”

Iruka nodded as this all agreed with earlier discussions, he had had with the Hokage. One question nagged at him though, “It’s true then that Usagi is a blood relation of Naruto’s?”

Sandaime smiled around his pipe. “It is.”

Iruka smiled. “I’m glad. I can already tell she means much to him and to have her identity prove false would hurt him deeply.”

“There is no fear of that Iruka. They are twins of that there is no doubt though they separated on the day they were born. I’m sorry I can shed no further light on their situation then that however.”

“I understand Hokage-sama. Where are they all now?”

“Shopping. Rin and her charges arrived here with scarcely more than what they were carrying and none of the girls had full shinobi gear prior. They are remedying that situation now with Naruto playing guide. Though I believe Rin had plans to contact an old friend about proctoring the genin examination.”

“Ah, well very well then Hokage-sama. I have to continue preparations for the next session starting next week. If there is nothing else, you need me for?”

“You are excused Iruka, thank you again for the speedy preparation and evaluation on these exams.”

“No problem at all Hokage-sama.” And with that Iruka left the room to allow the Hokage to return to his paperwork and other meetings.

.:o:.

Rin let her mind drift in thought as she walked along the streets of Konoha. More specifically she let her mind drift back to childhood memories and her at one time best friend. She had never understood back then why they had drifted so far apart. By the time she had gone to the moon the pair of them had been guaranteed to pick full-fledged fights the minute they were in the same room. Looking back at it now, especially with what Sarutobi had told her after she had asked about her friend’s current status, she could see all to clearly what had happened. Mitarashi Anko, currently a special jounin and part of the interrogation division. Back then Anko had been the sole pupil of Orochimaru.

Anko had idolized Orochimaru as his student, he was one of the Sanin after all, one of three taught by Sandaime-sama himself. However, Orochimaru had hated Namikaze Minato for it had been Minato not Orochimaru that Sandaime had named as his successor. That Rin herself had been one of Minato’s students had made her just as hated in the snake sannin’s eyes. Orochimaru had thus taken a distinct dislike of the fact that his student was friends with one who was a student of Minato and that dislike had bled into Anko and unraveled their friendship.

At first it had just been both of them puppeting comments about the other’s sensei that they heard from their own. These comments lead to each of them defending their own sensei with unfailing loyalty until there was no kind words left between them. That Orochimaru had used and abused Anko saddened Rin greatly and she wished that she could have been here for her friend after Orochimaru abandoned her. However, it was not meant to be as she had been with Usagi, and she would not have abandoned that mission and would not abandon Usagi for anything. That didn’t mean that she couldn’t try to make things better between her and Anko now, and maybe her plan would help Anko as well.

Rin walked up the short path to the building complex that matched the address the Hokage had given her. Unlike the building in which Naruto and now she and the rest of the girls now resided this wasn’t a straightforward apartment complex. The building held what looked like four individual housing units on the front and back with two on each level. Each individual unit had its own entrance and from what she could tell there was no interior hallways with additional doors. She headed to the upstairs unit on the front right corner and then knocked on the door and waited. There was no noise from inside to tell her if her knock had been heard or not, so she knocked again a little more forcefully.

“All right already!” A voice shouted from inside. Rin smiled and waited. Soon enough she heard the turning of locks and the door pulled open to reveal a woman in her twenties with dark purple hair tied up in a spiky ponytail. She was dressed in an oversized t-shirt that hung off of one shoulder and a pair of shorts that looked like men’s boxers. The woman yawned at her and placed one hand on her hip and frowned at her. “What do you want?”

“Did I interrupt something Anko-chan?” Rin asked a soft smile gracing her lips.

Anko blinked and then started at her intensely. “Drop the henge. Whoever gave you that identity to use was a fool.”

“It’s not a henge Anko.” Rin answered softly and blinked fighting back the tears she felt building up.

“You were MIA the night of the Kyuubi attack and presumed dead. You can’t be who you appear to be…” Anko snapped back then her voice softened. “You weren’t here when the Kyuubi attacked were you…”

Rin shook her head no.

Anko gave her a weak smile and then stepped back and motioned for her to come in. “Welcome back Rin-chan, it’s been a long time.”

Rin smiled and entered, the two of them had much to talk about.

.:o:.

Naruto yawned from where he sat on a bench just outside a shinobi apparel and gear shop, the only one that he ever shopped at actually. Although that had much to do with the fact that none of the other shops would let him in their doors. If they did let him in, then they would overcharge him. They had been here for what felt like hours as the girls had dug through racks and piles of shinobi gear to find what suited them best.

Usagi had actually been the first and he liked her choice. It was a sleeveless Chinese cut dress top in black with navy blue accenting. It fit snug until a few inches below her waistline and from there it had slits on the sides running down the full length to where it hung a few inches above her ankles. Underneath went a pair of black slacks that were loose fit enough to allow plenty of movement but also not so loose as to get in the way. The next pieces to the ensemble were a pair of sleeves that were separate from the bodice that started at her upper arms and fell in a kimono sleeve cut to just past her wrists. The sleeves themselves were full of hidden little pockets that Usagi had told him were perfect for the types of things she’d need on hand as a medic nin. The final pieces had been standard shinobi style sandal boots and two lengths of black shinobi issue ribbon. He’d been somewhat surprised when she used the ribbon in her hair, starting each one at one of her buns and braiding the long tails that hung from each and finishing it buy looping each tail twice, so they hung on each side of her head at chin length. He had asked her why she did that and her smile had turned serious.

“Leaving it loose will only make it a target in a fight. It’s a lesson Rin-neesan grilled into all of us. If we were going to keep our hair long, then as shinobi we would also learn to bind it up so it would not work against us in a battle. This was my solution, and I can pin the braids in coils on the top of my head if I need to make it even more secure.” Then she had grinned at him, and her eyes sparked. “Plus, Rin-neesan promised to teach me how to turn my braids into a defense if we ever got the proper gear for it.”

Naruto had backed away a little at that suddenly recognizing the ‘scary girl’ vibe from his own sister that he often felt from his old classmates. He had quickly retreated outside after that noting that Ami had picked out something just like Usagi but in blue and white where Usagi’s was black and blue. The other three seemed to have found a style that suited them as well and had been finding identical sets in colors that suited each of them as he slipped out the door.

Naruto glanced up from his thoughts as Artemis appeared and leaped up on to the bench to sit beside him making sure in the process that the door was on the opposite side of Naruto as him.

“Something wrong?” Naruto asked the feline.

Artemis glanced around them a moment. “Minako found the nin companion section and I don’t want to know what she’d try to put on me.”

Naruto blinked and then chuckled. “It can’t be that bad.”

Artemis gave him a look that clearly stated, ‘you have no idea.’

Naruto shrugged and then stretched. He hoped the girls would be done soon. He wanted to take them to Ichiraku’s and introduce them to Teuchi and Ayame.

It was only a few minutes later when Usagi exited the shop with Luna perched on her shoulders. “Naruto! Let’s go!”

“Huh?” Naruto asked as she tugged on his hand to pull him up.

“Konshu-san said we could go on ahead to that ramen place you were talking about. He and the girls are going to stop by home to drop the stuff off and meet us there but since I was done already, he said we could go ahead, and Luna agreed.”

Naruto blinked and then his stomach growled. “Ramen time! Yeah!” And with that said he took off all but dragging Usagi behind him.

A little way down the street a small, figured standing just inside an alley watched them an expression of shock filling her lavender eyes.

.:o:.

Minako hummed to herself as she walked along with Makoto, Rei, Ami and Konshu to the ramen stand Naruto had been so excited about. She was glad that all of them were finally getting this chance to truly work at the skills Rin had been teaching them ever since they first became part of Usagi’s court. Not that she wished that the circumstances behind their coming hadn’t been better, at this point all they could do was live on, train and await the day that Usagi was ready to take back her home. That the day would come Minako had no doubts but in the meantime, she would take full advantage of the opportunities put in front of them.

It was then, just as they turned the corner and could see the ramen shop ahead that she sensed it. She bit her lip a moment trying to decide if she should act on it or ignore it, however then she spotted just who she was sensing the wave of emotions from. That decided it.

“Ne Konshu-san, everyone I just realized I forgot something back at the apartment. I’ll go get it and be right back.”

The others all stopped and looked at her in confusion. Minako met Rei’s gaze levelly and then winked at her and blew her a kiss.

Rei sighed. “Come on, you know how she gets. Trust me Konshu-san for her this is normal.” Konshu seemed to study Minako intently a moment then nodded.

“Very well, try to stay out of trouble Minako.”

Minako just grinned and then turned and skipped off as the others continued on their way. She turned around the corner and continued around the block looking for a way to slip into the alleyway her target had also been lurking in. She sometimes wondered if her mother had felt these calls like she did. Was it part of her heritage or was it just a unique ability of her own? She had known that she was somewhat of an empath ever since she had first played matchmaker and mended the broken hearts of a few servants at the Moon Kingdom Palace when she was young. Those were the first emotions she had been able to feel and detect; love and heartbreak. As she got older, she began to be able to sense and recognize other emotions. She seemed particularly sensitive to those when there was something she could do to help those hurting. Love and heartbreak however, seemed to call to her the most.

Spotting the alley, she was looking for, she grinned and then moved quietly until she stood just behind the slightly shorter girl who was the source of the call she had felt. Now to figure out just who her heart is crying about, she thought to herself and carefully looked out of the alley in the same direction the girl was. What she spotted made her blink in a little surprise for the girl was watching Naruto and Usagi at the Ramen stand. The two blondes in question were chatting away as they ate and even if she hadn’t already known she would have been able to tell that the two blondes were close. So, this girl likes Naruto-kun… likes him enough that if he ever noticed it a real and true bond could form. Poor girl, she must think there is something between him and Usagi. Well, it is my duty as a daughter of Venus to clear up that misunderstanding and to try and help things along at least a little bit.

“You know; you could just go up and say hello. I’m sure he’d introduce you.”

The girl squeaked and whirled around to face her. Pale lavender eyes stared at her in wide eyed shock and a blush was quickly turning her cheeks rather pink. “I… I…

“Hi, I’m Minako, pleasure to meet you…”

The girl seemed to take a deep breath and gathered herself. “Hinata…It’s a pleasure to meet you Minako-san…”

“Wonderful! Now that introductions are made how about lunch.” Without waiting for a response Minako grabbed the girl’s hand and dragged her across the street and up to the Ramen stand with her.

“Naruto-kun! Look who I just met. I think she knows you!”

Hinata gasped and tried to pull away in almost a panic. Who did this girl think she was! She couldn’t just walk up to them like that! But by that point the blonde boy in question along with the girl who was sitting with him turned to look.

“Hinata! Long time no sees! Come join us for lunch!”

Hinata froze. “I… I…”

The blonde-haired girl sitting next to Naruto nudged him. Naruto turned to her rubbing his side with a frown and then rubbed the back of his head as the girl whispered something to him quickly. “I’m sorry Hinata…”

Hinata bowed quickly so she wouldn’t have to meet his gaze. “I…it’s all r… right, s…sorry to in…intrude. I’ll g…go now.”

“Don’t go! I want to introduce you!”

Hinata looked up surprised. He didn’t want her to leave.

“Hinata I’d like you to meet my best friend and my twin sister, Usagi.”

Hinata’s brain seemed to freeze at the words best friend as her heart clenched then the following words filtered through her panicking mind ‘twin sister.’ “Si…sister?

Naruto grinned. “Yeah! She just arrived in Konoha yesterday.”

Hinata took a deep breath as all the worry since she’d first seen them together at the shinobi apparel shop washed away.

“Aren’t you going to introduce the rest of us Whiskers?” A girl dressed in shinobi gear almost identical to that of the blonde girl Minako’s spoke up, though this girl had raven black hair tied back in a tight bind just below her shoulders with another two feet or so hanging in a tail from it.

“Don’t call me that!” Naruto shouted back. The raven-haired girl just smirked and then turned back to Hinata.

“I’m Rei, I see you’ve met our other blonde Minako.”

Hinata only nodded not recovered enough from her shock to do much more. Another girl also dressed very much like Minako and Rei but with chestnut brown hair pulled up in a ponytail came up to her from behind Rei. “I’m Makoto, nice to meet you Hinata, oh and don’t forget Ami, she’s the blue-haired one over there.” The girl told her and gestured to a girl dressed much like Usagi was and as Makoto had said with blue hair in a styled cut just above her shoulders.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Hinata-san, won’t you join us for lunch? Naruto-kun was telling us about Konoha. Perhaps you can tell us some as well?” Ami said a gentle smile across her lips.

“I… I …. w…would like that.” Hinata finally managed to respond a small smile gracing her face as she found herself pulled into the chatting group and slowly lost her nervousness as the girls coaxed her into conversations and teased Naruto almost mercilessly.

“Excuse me Usagi-san, but may I ask where you have been living up till now? I thought Naruto-kun’s parents died twelve years ago.” Hinata asked after a while, her curiosity at where this long-lost relative had come from, and a bit concerned why they showed up now. It wasn’t entirely polite, but she had watched Naruto struggle alone for a long time.

Naruto glanced at Usagi nervously as everyone quieted down and waited for her to answer Hinata’s question.

“With our mother and Rin-neesan in another country, our home was attacked not that long ago, and we were forced to flee. My mother had made Rin-neesan promise to bring us here to my father in the event that she was lost…” Usagi clenched her fists at her sides pausing here.

Hinata gasped softly.

“Usa…” Naruto whispered, but Usagi shook her head and then raised her head to face Hinata once more.

“I didn’t know that our father was already dead until we got here. If our mother had known, Naruto would not have been left here alone.”

“But why would they have separated you two to begin with…” Hinata asked.

“I don’t know all the specific details to share with you Hinata-san, but something prevented our parents from actually staying together when we were born. So, they split us up so that each of our parents would have at least one of us with them. I would carry my mother’s lineage while Naruto would carry our father’s.”

Hinata nodded in acceptance with that answer. “I’m sorry if my asking troubled you Usagi-san and I’m glad Naruto-kun finally has family here with him.”

Usagi met Naruto’s blue gaze with her own and turned back to Hinata with a grin. “Me to.”

“All right, as much as I hate to break this up, Usagi and the girls do need to get back to the Hokage tower for the results of your exam this morning.” Konshu spoke up and stood after paying the bill.

“You are going to be shinobi?” Hinata asked as she rose to her feet with the rest.

“Of course!” Minako chimed in brightly.

“Rin-san has trained the five of us so even though we didn’t attend the academy here we meet the genin requirements in skill and ability.” Ami explained.

“Although Usagi and Ami are going to aim for med-nin apprenticeships right away while Minako, Rei and myself hope to be approved as a squad.” Makoto explained.

“Med-nins, really? Hinata asked surprised.

“Yeah, I really like it and Rin-neesan said I had real potential in that area.” Usagi added.

“Not to interrupt you girls, but we do need to be heading back to the tower.” Konshu spoke up. “You should come visit the girls at our building sometime Hinata-san.”

Hinata smiled softly. “I would like that very much Konshu-san.”

“We’ll see you later then Hinata-san!” Usagi called out and waved as they started to head out the other girls also waving.

“Later Hinata-chan!” Naruto called back following after the group.

Hinata waved back to them and then turned to head off on her own way as she needed to meet her team soon as well.