A/N: Not dead! Very much alive. Sort of.

Disclaimer: Does it look like own Naruto? *motions to atrocious writing* No, of course I don't.

I bit my lip and looked up at the thick oak doors leading to the Hokage's office. The doors were a little worn out, but the beautiful floral carvings made up for any imperfections. Besides, it had that antique-y vibe to it, very calming...if you ignore the two scary-ass looking ninjas standing guard on either side of the door.

I nervously reached up and tugged at the bottom strands of my hair. My face puckered up in disgust. Jesus Christ, I need a shower! I let go of the greasy strands and stuffed my hands in the pockets of my new pants my nurse had kindly given to me, courtesy of Konoha. Along with some new sandals and a t-shirt with the Leaf's insignia. Ya know, considering my original outfit looked like it'd been mauled by a bear. The Hokage couldn't have me wandering around in scraps. Bad for the village's rep.

I reached up and grabbed hold of the backpack holding all my stuff. Maybe I could gather up some money and get my old clothes fixed? Might it be cheaper than buying a whole new outfit? I don't know how much ninja clothes cost here, but I'm guessing it's a lot since everyone wears the same thing all the time. That or I could suture the thing together. It wouldn't be the first time I had to sew my clothes back up. Although it did make me stand out like a sore thumb, medical stitches weren't the same as regular stitching.

I was brought out of my musings by an over-energetic shout coming from behind the closed doors. I jumped in surprise, stumbling into a vase. The plant wobbled violently before tipping over. Luckily, one of the guards reacted quickly and righted it before disaster could strike. The ninja shot me a scathing glare and went back to his post.

I gulped and shakily walked over the wall, sliding down to a crouch. My eyes wandered over to the door, ignoring the scary nins. What the hell was going on back there? I've been waiting out for, like, an hour!? For what? I have no clue. Stupid Hokage and his creepy ANBU. As soon as I was cleared by the doctors (and by ANBU themselves. Can't have a potentional unverified threat walking around freely. Luckily, there was an Uzumaki Zaku, chuunin of Uzu, in the Senju's old files.) an ANBU had shown up out of the blue and dumped me here. The whole ordeal had done nothing to soothe my nerves, my future still uncertain. Would I be able to stay? Do I even want to stay?

Well, my original plan was just to stay under the radar and well out the Naruto's cast path, but I went and screwed that up. And before I even entered foot inside Konoha. I sighed out loud. If they let me, maybe I'd stick around. There wasn't much more I could still mess up, right? Right? Hehehe

But still, in a few minutes (or hours? Lord knows.) I'd be face to face with the God of Shinobi. And it wouldn't be like last time when I had had an IV pumping copious amounts of painkillers in my system. Plus, it wasn't me talking last time, it was my weird Uzumaki-host thing filtering through me. It just wasn't me talking...but at the same it was me talking. Gah! This is all so confusing!

With a groan, I dropped my head down on my knees. Man, all this identity crisis stuff was making my head hurt. I don't know what's happening to me and stress of not-knowing, not to mention being thrown into a different dimension where killing people was the norm, is really weighing me down.

What happened with Kakashi and the Hokage was just a fluke. My fried brain just took all those weird flashbacks and emotions and winged it. I don't think I had it in me to whip out another theatrical performance like that again. It was too raw, confusing, and...and just too real to try and replicate it. I pressed my forehead harder against my knees and closed my eyes. I just need to calm down, is all. Breathing in and out a few times worked to ease my anxiety.

I lifted my head and blinked at the change in light. You know what? I feel a lot better. Pfft, and people doubted the whole count-your-breaths technique. Losers. But yeah, maybe I can do this! I stood up quickly, my sudden movement causing the guards to reach for their weapons. I squeaked in response. The guards smirked and resumed their stationary stance, deciding I was not a threat

I pouted. Man, wasn't my fault these dudes were built like refrigerators. That, and I'm really jumpy. Like the microwave regularly gives me heart-attacks. I'd bet my firstborn son that their biceps are larger than my head. Like, what on earth do guys eat? Raw meat? Babies?

I shook my head and stepped up to the door. The guards shot each other a wary look but allowed me to raise my fist and knock a few times. I can do this! It would probably be only for a moment, just an informal little meeting to tell me that all is good. Or he was luring me into a false sense of security and really this was an elaborate-

The guards to my immediate left coughed awkwardly. I blinked. With a blush, I realized I was practically freaking out in the middle of the hallway. Ignoring the faint chakra signatures of the hidden ANBU, I shakily reached up and knocked on the door again. Albeit, slower and less like I was pounding for my life. Maybe he wouldn't hear it, in his old age, I could leave and say I came, like, I tried and all-

"Come in, Zaku-san."

I visibly deflated and trudged my way into the room. Who was I trying to fool? For Pete's sake, he probably heard me trip on the stairs on the way and my little meltdown.

Although, it was the stair's fault I even face-planted in the first place! Curse me and my short legs! Out of all the things that could have remained the same it had to be my short height.

My eyes widened and my anxiety meter went off the charts. "

"What is he doing here? I thought I was just going to talk to the guy and be done with."

My body stilled when I spotted Naruto standing bored out his mind in front of Hiruzen's desk. I looked at the old man and saw a curious expression on his face as he observed my reaction.

Drat, my shock must be practically palpable to the old fart. I gave a long, drawn-out sigh. My dream of living the life of a hermit on the outskirts of the village were out of the picture. Lord knows what was gonna happen from here on out.

I came to a stop beside the shorter Uzumaki. I glanced down. Man, the kid was really tiny up close. For such an exuberant character whose personality could fill a whole room, it had never occurred to me just how...small Naruto was. I mean he was just a child, after all, but still. It was kind of sobering.

"Good m-morning, Hokage-sama, Naruto-san." I greeted politely, bowing low to the two ninjas.

"Good morning, Zaku-san." Hiruzen said kindly. I stood back up, wincing slightly. My chest still kinda hurt. Naruto looked at me strangely, probably wondering the same thing I was.

Turns out I was right.

"What's she doing here, jiji?" Naruto asked bluntly. "I thought you wanted to talk to me about something important?" The elderly man simply inhaled and exhaled through his pipe. My nose wrinkled. I was used to the smell of tobacco, having spent my childhood in the rougher parts of the city, but the smell always bothered me. The smell was too bitter and the stuff had a nasty way of sticking to my clothes no matter how many times I washed them.

Naruto's eyes eventually strayed from my face and onto my shiny, yet beat up forehead protector that was proudly keeping my hair at bay. His blue eyes widened and he looked back at my face and then to the same swirl-shaped emblem attached to his jumpsuit.

"What the-? What's up with your forehead protector?" He asked, crossing his arms and squinting up at me suspiciously. "Why's it got that weird swirly thing on it? Are your trying to copy me or something?" I shifted nervously. What could I tell the kid? That this was just a coincidence? That the symbol on his jacket sleeve and the one on my headband meant completely nothing? Or that I'm, maybe, his long-lost cousin who just popped out of nowhere after having been missing for who knows how many decades?

We both looked back to third Hokage as he spoke, "That's the reason why I summoned you two to my office, Naruto-kun, Zaku-san." A sad smile settled on his wrinkled features. He turned to me. I gulped nervously. Oh shit. Here it comes.

"I don't believe you've properly introduced yourself, Zaku-san." He said calmly. My eyes widened at the implications of such a simple statement. Was the Third really going to spill the beans right now!? Why me?!

I blanched. Oh crap, this was going to screw up the timeline, so badly. Whatever I managed to change before was going to pale in comparison to the shit storm that was about explode in here. I looked at the aging man, searching for answers, for a reason. Why? Why me? Why now, of all times? I can't just say my name and not expect Naruto not to ask questions. The boy was an orphan. He'd probably spent his whole wondering and searching for answers: where had he come from? Who were his parents? Did they not want him? Who was he? Questions that I'm not really inclined to answer for fear of ruining everything.

On the other hand, the knowledge would relieve him of that cruel burden. This was something I knew all too well, being an orphan myself. Not knowing was like having a piece of you missing. A black hole that no matter how many friends and connection you made could never be filled. Revealing the truth about his heritage would put his mind to ease. I know it had calmed me down when I'd found. Mother was a hooker who'd swallowed the wrong pill and dad was some unknown john. Unlike me, Naruto's parents hadn't abandoned him. They had sacrificed their lives for him and for the village.

I stood up straighter. Naruto deserved the truth. How I had wished the blonde had found out sooner in the manga and not years later when going up against the Kyuubi By revealing who I was, and by extension who Naruto's parents were, I would be assuming a vital role in his life. I know I would have latched onto anyone even remotley related to my family. Naruto would be no exception.

Here goes nothing.

"Oh! How rude of me, haha." I laughed nervously. Oh god, I was really doing this. "My name is Zaku. Uzumaki Zaku." I bowed low, averting my eyes. I couldn't bear to look at the boy's face. I was a sucker when it came to kids and I don't think I could control the floodgates.

I know. I'm a crybaby. So what? It's not like nobody knows!

Naruto was speechless, his brain working fervently to process every word.

I righted my back and spoke again, "I am the last known surviving member of the Uzumaki Clan," okay that was a lie, Pein and Karin were out there somewhere but nobody knew that but me, "Until, now, that is, Uzumaki Naruto." I took a chance and looked at the blonde. I cursed inwardly as I watched the various emotions flit across his whiskered face. Disbelief, anger, sorrow, joy, and finally hope. I cleared my throat, willing the sudden frog to go away.

A silent moment passed between us as we looked into each other's eyes for what felt like the first time. A whimper, unbidden, escaped my clogged throat.

I had been raised with the knowledge that my own mother hadn't wanted me from the moment I was given up at birth at the local hospital. I had grown up an outcast, the orphans wanting very little to do with me. My natural timidness and placating nature was a hindrance. It allowed others to push me around as they sought fit and trample down any protests I might have voiced. My innate clumsiness shooed away any potential friends. No one wanted to be associated with the kid that still drank from a sippy cup because she couldn't, for the life of her, drink from a cup without spilling it.

I felt inferior throughout my childhood, teenage years, and early adulthood till the day I died. Because of that feeling of inferiority, I strived to be helpful in any way I could. Whether it be doing other's chores, volunteering at school, and eventually starting a career in nursing. I was always striving to prove myself wrong; that I wasn't the weak, little girl everyone thought I was; that I could useful, important, even. Anything to fill the endless void of loneliness that made up my entire life.

So when Naruto looked up at me with those adorable eyes so like my own, filled with hope and an uncharacteristic vulnerability, I completely broke down.

Like gross sobs and dribbling snot. The whole she'bang.

Holy Cheezits, I probably looked like a giant emotional baby, but at the moment I couldn't bring myself to care. Not when my favorite anime character, who had gotten me through the toughest times of my life, was standing there- utterly exposed and vulnerable. Naruto had always been up and ready on my dingy laptop after I'd exhausted myself trying to get into other children's good graces without result or after a particularly arduous day at the hospital. He was always there for me when I needed him. With his goofy grin, endless fillers, and ridiculous, drawn-out battle scenes.

Now, as I reached out and grabbed the boy who had looked so big, but was really quite small, I could finally do something- I could there for him just like he'd unknowingly been there for me all those years. My tears rolled down and seeped into the boy's sun-kissed hair. I held him tighter when I heard him sniffle, his arms snaking around my waist hesitantly like he didn't know whether it was okay to do so. My ribs cried out in protest as Naruto's thin frame practically melted into my chest. I grimaced but held on even tighter, tucking the boy's head securely under my chin. I guess we'd get to those questions later, then.

After a few more minutes of us just clinging to each other like a pair of koalas, Hiruzen decided to intervene, relieving me from Naruto's vice-like hold.

"Here is the key to your apartment and some money to get you started." He stood up and handed me a single key and a small envelope. "I took the liberty of setting up an apartment for you while you were recuperating in the hospital." He smiled. "I hope you don't mind, but I saw it fit to give Naruto a neighbor. It's nothing fancy, far from it actually, but the place does get rather lonely."The Sandaime shot me a meaningful look and I simply nodded. Naruto shuffled nervously next to me. I pretended not to notice him wiping his face or how my shirt clung to my skin with how damp it was.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama." I bowed again, my ponytail reaching the ground.

Hiruzen nodded and turned to the whiskered boy beside me. "Naruto-kun, why don't you show Zaku-san around Konoha before taking-" He stopped and looked me. I blinked. Why was he looking at me like that? I quickly wiped my puffy eyes and discreetly checked for any loose boogers. The veteran shinobi smirked, "-her home, Naruto-kun."

I blinked again. "Does…does he know I'm not…a girl?" I thought.

My face darkened, "Great, now the kid is going to think I'm a chick, which I still am...sort of! But still what way to destroy a girl-turned-boy's self-worth, ya old geezer." I pouted outwardly, causing the Hokage to chuckle. Naruto quickly latched onto my hand, hesitance flickering in his eyes, as he pulled me forward. Almost as if I'd pull out of grip at any moment.

My heart broke for the millionth time that day.

"Yatta! I've got tons of stuff to show you, Zaku-chan!" He turned and waved ecstatically at the content kage. "See ya, old man!"

I barely managed a bow of my head before Naruto hauled me out of the Hokage's office and then away from the tower. Naruto stopped once we were outside and I marveled at the busy street around us. There were people everywhere! Kids played in the streets with a beat-up ball, vendors were busy announcing their wares, a few shinobi strolled around lazily, and a cute couple strolled past us in a lovey-dovey state.

A women bustled past me with an armful of groceries, nearly knocking me over. She turned to apologize, but when her eyes trailed downwards to see who was accompanying me the apology caught in her throat. She left hastily without another word. I frowned. Naruto simply brought his hands up behind his head and plastered on a smile. One that I saw through all too easily. I'd donned the same mask too many times to not recognize it.

"I'm starving! Let's got get some food!" He spun around and walked forward. I hurried to follow. "How about ramen? I love ramen! I don't know what kind of ramen you've eaten but Ichiraku's ramen is the best, 'ttebayo!" He grinned up at me. I nodded indulgingly. Naruto seemed to mellow out, his voice softer and less...loud. "You're going to love it here. K-Konoha, I mean." I brought down his hands and swung them idly at his sides. "It's not always the best, even I can say that, but it's home, ya know?" He looked up at me thoughtfully. I considered his words. Home. Mine was long gone. I wasn't ever going to go back. A part of me was stricken with idea that I'd never see my home-world again. The few friends and accomplishments I'd made meant nothing now. I even missed my little devil cat. But maybe this could be my home now too? Not right away, of course, but maybe with time I'd be able to call this world my home.

I smiled softly and let the boy lead me through the crowded streets. Which was a good thing. If I'd been on my own there was no doubt I would have gotten lost, or worse, trampled by the citizens of Konoha.

"Ichiraku's ramen is the best! You're going to love it. They have miso ramen, beef ramen, pork…" I ruffled the teen's spiky hair fondly as he rambled on about how great Teuchi's ramen is and how pretty and nice Ayame is to him. It was cute and reminded me of myself when I was younger. I didn't really have anyone to talk to back then, so when I did manage to snag someone's attention for longer than a minute I use to babble on and on about anything and everything until they told me to shutup .

I was so lost in my memories that I hadn't noticed Naruto stop till I rammed right into his back, sending the boy flying. I squeaked and yanked him back up the back of his orange jumper. Naruto gagged on his collar and staggered upright.

"Gah!" Naruto swiveled around. "Kakshi-sensei was right. Your a lot stronger than you look." He rubbed his neck with an irritated grimace.

I blushed, "Hehe, sorry 'bout that. I didn't notice you stopped walking until it was too late." I frowned to myself. "Hey…why did you stop walking?"

The boy's annoyed demeanor did a one-eighty and I was left in bewilderment as a suddenly nervous Naruto shifted in front me. I blinked. Wow. Talk about a mood shift.

"Zaku-chan? Can I ask you a question?" Ignoring the fact that he already asked me one I nodded in response. The blue-eyed boy fidgeted, looking away from my eyes. "I was wondering since, ya know, we have the same last name and all that, maybe, we're…" He mumbled something. I strained my ears.

"I'm sorry, Naruto, but I can't hear you." To my pleasant surprise, the boy's cheeks took on a pink hue as he finally looked up into my identical blue orbs. "…I was wondering if maybe, uh, we were um related?" The hesitance in his stance and voice made my eyes grow soft. A gentle smile spread across my mouth.

"Hm. It would seem so. Although it's probably distant seeing as I'm so much older."

Naruto's face broke out into an excited grin before morphing into a curious expression, "Uh, what do you mean? I don't get it. You don't look very old."

I nodded. That made sense. My body didn't look than I was when I died, but I had been under the seal's spell long enough for Uzu to erode.

"Meh, you're right, in a way. I don't look very old, but I was born before the Second Shinobi War." The Uzumaki had fallen sometime between the second and third war although going from what I knew about Kushina and some filler episodes I'd put it closer to the second war. Which meant my body's original owner had been born before then.

Naruto's eyes bugged out of his head. I found myself laughing as the genin sputtered incredulously, "But-! That was such-! Such a loooong time ago! You'd have to be ancient or something, 'ttebayo!"

I laughed again and ruffled his hair. "I guess so, hm?" I looked at him fondly. Naruto flailed his arms around, but eventually settled down when he noticed we were starting to attract unwanted attention. Naruto resumed his previous role as leader and led me through the busy streets.

"Naruto," I called. He turned around curiously as he walked through a shortcut.

"Yeah? What's up?"

"To answer the question you asked, yes, we're related. I some way or another."

Naruto seemed to still, his mouth opening and closing as he searched for his voice. I waited patently. He cleared his throat and spoke, his voice small, "Does...does that mean, um, th-that we're...family?" He whispered the last part so softly I barely heard it. I smiled gently. The little idiot was just too lovable, more so in person.

"Of course, Naruto-nii." I whispered, my throat closing. Naruto's eyes welled up with tears, his mouth a firm a line. I blinked back my own tears. I'd cried enough today already, thank you very much! "You can call us cousins, if you want to make it official."

Naruto nodded quickly. He started to say something but quickly backtracked. I tilted my head. Huh? The little dude never let anything keep him from saying what was on his mind.

"What is it, Naruto?"

The boy played with the hair on the back of his neck, avoiding my gaze. I righted my head but didn't back off.

"Can...can you," he cleared his throat forcefully and met my eyes, "not call me that?"

I blinked. "Call you what? Naruto? But it's your name." I giggled. "Unless you want me to call you fishcake?"

The blonde let the small joke pass and merely shook his head, "No, it's that." He seemed uncomfortable. "What you called before like right now and back at the hospital." At my blank look he elaborated. "...'Naruto-nii..."

Oh.

I winced. I vaguely remembering the words. It'd just slipped out.

"Sorry," I licked my lips and looked off to the side. "I-I can stop if it makes you un-"

"NO!" Naurto suddenly yelled, his voice echoing in the little clearing of grass. I blinked stupidly. The genin blushed and rubbed the back of neck." Er, what meant was, uh, can you call me that when uh," his face grew redder, "in p-private?"

I gave him an odd look, silently asking for more info becuase what?

"Like just bewteen the two of us. I-I want it to be special, ya know?" Naruto finiched insecurely, looking up at me warily.

He was not expecting what happened next. I squealed and gathered up the shorter boy in my arms.

"Aw, you're just too cute!" The boy managed to wriggle out of my embrace, his ears steaming comically. I winked, "Anything for you, Naruto-nii~."

The jinchuuriki's face colored more, if that was possible, and he swivled around, hastening his pace. I craned my neck and was happy to see a smile on the boy's red face. It was smaller than the ones he'd thrown around previously, but it was genuine. Not that mask he always wore.

I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face as we walked through a small field of flowers. I leaned down and plucked a small purple flower. With deft fingers I sneakily tucked into the shorter Uzumaki's hair behind his ear. I giggled.

"What?" Naruto asked, turning aroud briefly. I whistled innocently and scratched the back of his head.

"Ah, nothing! You're just so cute and-"

"Zaku-chan!" Naruto whined, turning a precious shade of red. Coupled with the flower it made for a very endearing image. I giggled again. Naruto rolled his eyes and grumpily muttered under his breath, shifting his grip on my wrist.

Thankfully we made it to stand in one piece without me bumping or tripping into anything else besides Naruto. And some random chicken, but that's besides the point! The poor guy's heels were probably raw by now. Oops.

Naruto pulled back the flap and I follow him inside the stand.

I mentally screamed in frustration as my eyes took in the three people already inside. My dream of becoming a recluse was fading farther and farther away with each passing moment I spent in this universe.

"What's up, Naruto? Long time no see." Kiba greeted with a toothy grin. Akamaru barked a greeting. I smiled when Hinata blushed and subtly hid behind her burly teammate.

Naruto sat down. "Hey guys! Just showing," he jerked a thumb back at me happily, "Zaku-chan around. This is your first time in Konoha, right?" He, along with Team Eight, turned around to face me. My breath caught in my throat as Kiba, Hinata, and Shino looked at me with unveiled curiosity. Well, Shino was still aloof as ever but I could feel it; the way his chakra reached out towards mine inquistively. Woah, that felt weird.

It looks like someone wanted to give me another heart attack today. I realized everybody was still waiting for me to answer and I quickly nodded, my red ponytail whipping around and smacking me right in the face.

"Ah! Stupid hair." I mumbled and swiped my hair to the side. I wasn't used to having this much hair yet. I'll probably get it cut later.

Naruto and Kiba snickered as I slumped into my seat in embarrassment. Why do these things always happen to me?

Naruto leaned over the counter and shouted into the kitchen, "Two large bowls of miso ramen, Teuchi-jiji!"

An older man whom I recognized as Teuchi popped his head out.

"Coming right up, Naruto!" He hollered back, going back inside to prepare the meals. Naruto rubbed the back of head sheepishly and turned to me.

"Hehe, I thought maybe you'd like to eat the same thing as me, ya know, since it's your first time."

I scratched my cheek and yawned, feeling drained from todays dose of stress.

"Nah, it's fine, Naruto-chan. You do what you think is best and I'll follow you." Something glimmered in his eyes but he looked away before I could discern the emotion. I shrugged. Probably the glint of a hungry, pubescent boy.

Kiba looked at me and offered a friendly smile. "First time in Konoha, huh? Must be pretty awesome!" I smiled back, already liking the kid more than I did before.

I shall repeat: SO AWESOME MEETING MY FAVORITE ANIME CHARACTERS! SQUEE!

"Yes, Konoha is very pretty," I said, beating my inner fangirl into submission. Kiba beamed with pride for his village. Hinata poked her head out from behind his shoulder and glanced in Naruto's direction before looking at me. I made sure to smile kindly and smothered the urge to glomp the girl. So cute. Out of the whole main cast she was always the most relatable character for me. Her insecurities and unjust treatment inside her home reminded me of myself when I was her age.

"P-please forgive me for a-asking but where are y-you from, ninja-san?" She stuttered. Her eyes looked up at the headband and the symbol shining proudly in the stand's low lighting. This seemed to pique Shino's interest and the boy turned his body towards the conversation slightly.

I blinked. Guess even with the byakugan off, the Hyuuga were incredibly observant.

"Me? Oh well I don't think you've heard of it." I scratched my head and looked down, grief tightening my throat. It truly was a terrible thing to have happened. Naruto wasn't just some show anymore, it's my reality now. The complete genocide of a clan and its whole village was an unspeakable horror. Something I still hadn't wrapped my mind around. However, even if I couldn't really process it, its effects were no laughing matter. Look at what happened to Sasuke and Itachi, for starters! Nothing like the eradication of all you know to drive you completely mad with grief.

"My village isn't around anymore, actually," I replied. "It was destroyed during the second war a really long time ago."

Everybody's eyes widened, but nobody's eyes could compare to Hinata's. They were like big, lavender moons on her face.

The bluenette bowed her head. "I a-apologize, s-stranger-san! I-I-" I held up a hand to stop the poor girl before she exploded due to sheer embarrassment. I chuckled to ease the tension. It wasn't Hinata's fault, Uzu's destruction wasn't common knowledge. I only knew all this stuff because I'm a Naruto dweeb.

"Don't worry about it. All wounds heal with time."

Hinata slowly lifted her head. I smiled to reassure her that it was okay and that I wasn't going to smite her for the perceived 'insult'.

"If you guys really want to know I'm from the land of Whirlpools. Er, my memory is still kinda fuzzy so," I motioned to my head, "everything's kinda jumbled up in there, at the moment. I don't remember much about my homeland or myself, really." This was pretty much the same excuse I'd given to the Hokage and to the ANBU who'd been assigned to investigate my claims. After a few blood tests, head scan, and a light interrogation the docots concurred that I appeared to have a minor form of amensia due to emotional trauma or maybe I'd hit my head when I'd gotten trapped back at the ruins. Which could have been true had I not been some interdimesional, body-hopping reincarnated grad student.

Hinata was looking at me in sympathy and Naruto was crying silently in the background. I sweatdropped. Shino remained as cool as ever, but I could hear a faint chirping sound coming from what I believe to be his kikaichuu.

Kiba was the most unfazed, probably not having understood the magnitude of my situation or just used to rolling with the punches.

He whistled, "Woah. That was a long time ago."

Naruto was sniffled, uncharastically quiet and staring at my headband. I reached over over and ruffled his hair in reassurance much to the boy's complaint.

"Zaku-chan~!" He whined. "What gives- Yatta! Food's here!" I rolled my eyes at the boy's attention span as Teuchi came in with two large steaming bowls.

"Here's your ramen-" Teuchi stared at me in shock, setting down the bowls with a clatter. "K-Kushina?" The man stuttered in disbelief.

I blinked in confusion. What'd he just call me? Kushina? But isn't that like Naruto's mom-

oh.

Then realization dawned on me.

"Ahhhh, fudge balls! I totally forgot Naruto's mom used to worship this place. Gah, I forgot we look so alike!" Gotta do some damage control and quick!

"Er, no," I said awkwardly, "I think you have me mistaken for someone else."

"O-Oh, my apologies." His eyes lingered on me before he turned to Naruto who remained unawares. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your new freind, Naruto?"

Sly bastard.

The genin placed his arms behind his head and grinned. "This is Zaku-chan, dattebayo!" He wiped his nose, beaming happily. The pure joy radiating from him melted my heart.

I bowed my head slightly, "Uzumaki Zaku. Pleasure to meet you!" I chirped.

Naruto grinned, "She's pretty cool, huh?" I shrugged shyly.

Team Eight stared collectively at Naruto in shock. Teuchi simply made 'oh' sound and went back inside. Probably thinking something along the lines of, 'I'm too old for this shit.'

"Thanks for the food!" Naruto exclaimed. The boy turned his attention to his bowl without noticing his three classmate's bewilderment. Suddenly all four pairs of eyes turned to ogle at me. Naruto, like the oblivious idiot he is, began scarfing down his precious ramen like it was nobody's business, leaving me to fend off a sea of enlarged eyeballs. Even Shino was gawking.

Sweat slid down my face as I spoke, "Err, um, w-why are you all looking at me like that?" Sweat trickled down my neck. I so wasn't ready for this! Why'd Naruto have to go and spill beans right now? Not that I could blame him, though. I would have done the same if I'd just found out that there used to be a whole clan of me's. "You're making- um, just s-stop staring at me l-like that, 'ttebaru!" I exclaimed, shielding my face.

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

I blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice. The world was silent for a moment, the only sound being Naruto as he noisily inhaled his food.

"Hold on a mother-bleeping second…did I just say-"

"'Dattebaru?" Kiba said to himself, nose wrinkling up in confusion. Naruto looked up from his bowl and squinted at the other genin team.

"What's wrong? Why are you guys all staring at Zaku-chan like that?"

"No offense or anything, Naruto, but I thought you were an orphan." Kiba said, eyeing me closely. Akamaru leaned over and sniffed my hair.

Naruto shrugged his shoulders, "Yeah. I guess." He replied almost offhandedly, but I saw the way he glanced at me unsurely. I frowned. What was that? He'd seemed pretty happy when he found we related. Why would he say-

Hold on sec. I thought back on our earlier conversation and Naruto's reservation of me calling him '-niisan'. I gave the blonde an irritated look. Did the kid really think... that I...was he not saying anything becuase he thought I would be...ashamed of him? 'Cause of the nine-tails?

Oh hell no. Nu-uh. Not on my watch.

I sighed, breathing in deeply. I could hear my heart drumming in my ears. This is it. No going back. My heart gave a particualry loud thump. Kiba and Akamaruto perked up, eyeing me oddly.

Stupid ninja hearing. I swear, one of these days the damn thing is going to explode.

"Actually, Naruto never was an orphan. Not really." Team Eight gave me a puzzled look. I continued before they could ask, "Even if I had died during the invasion all those years ago he would've still had family, regardless." I said, trying to remember everything I could garner from the chopped up memories in my head. It was pretty cool, actually. Seeing the things that the original owner of my body had experienced. It was like collage of live images, each one telling a story. The most recent were ones were downright horrifying. I felt bile creep up my throat as the unbidden image of a small charred corpse filled my mind's eye.

Shino spoke for the first time, distracting me from the unpleasant memories, "What do you mean, Uzumaki-san?" I swallowed and took in a deep breath.

"What I'm trying to say is, and this is strictly confidential, like an S-ranked secret so don't go running your mouths." I said, giving everyone, even Teuchi (who was not so subtly eavesdropping), a stern look. "Naruto's last name wasn't just given to him. It's his birthright. Our clan never died, even if the village fell. There just so few of us scattered around that everyone forgotten about us."

I chanced a loo at Naruto. He had a thoughtful look, his body still for once. I blinked. He looks so much like Minato. It was actually kinda freaky how much of a mini-Minato clone Naruto was. At least physically because personality-wise he was a perfect mirrir image of his mother. I smiled to myself, thinking about the two. Naruto was such a perfect blend of the power couple.

"Does t-that mean there, um, is an Uzumaki clan?" Hinata asked.

I nodded my head, "Yup! Although I'm not about our status." I mean me and Naruto were here. Plus, Karin and Nagato were out there somewhere. Technically the Uzumaki clan was still up and kicking, but on the other hand everybody was pretty convinced the clan was extinct.

"Wait! How come we've never heard of this 'Uzumaki clan' before?" Kiba asked. The dark-haired boy leaned in closley, invading my personal bubble. I shrank back, not really used to confrontation. "How do we know you aren't lying and this is just another one of Naruto's stupid pranks?"

Hinata gasped. "Kiba-kun!" She looked absolutley scandalized at the blatant accusation of her crush.

My head felt fuzzy and my body felt weirdly dettached from the rest of me. It felt a lot that dark place I'd been in before receiving my second chance.

I saw Naruto's fist clench tightly around his chopsticks. His lip curled up in a snarl and he opened his mouth.

SNAP!

Whatever the boy was going to say was lost. The four genin looked down at the splintered remains of my chopsticks.

Akamaru whimpered. Anger, hot and pulsing, bubbled up my chest. I barely registered the dull roar in the mind over the pulsing of blood in my ears. I was angry, no scratch that, I was absolutley livid.

There was a reason the world had feared the Uzumaki. Still feared it, if it's continued persecution was anything to go by.

Shino's insects were buzzing so loudly the ramen stand was shaking. The stall owner wisely retreated. Hinata looked bewteen me and her teammates worriedly.

"S-Shino-kun? What's wrong-" I stood up, silencing the girl.

All was quiet, the noise of the marketplace quieting. No one dared to move.

My heartbeat and the rush of blood was all I heard. Akamaru retreated as far as he could in his master's hood.

I was scared. My body no longer felt like it was mine. There was something or...somone else...here...

My fists were clenched tightly at my sides. Flashes of strangers, no, comrades, friends, and family dropping lifelessly to ground struck me without mercy. Hot, saltly tears leaked down my whsikered cheeks. I could feel my rage spiking along with my chakra. I grit my teeth, trying and failing to repress the sudden surge of memories that threatened to break what little control I had.

"The little shit is going to pay for that!?" A voice screamed in mind. Akamaru whimpered again in fear as furious chakra began leaking out of my body in small waves. Shino's kikaichuu were casuing his body to practcally vibrate with their intensity.

You could almost hear them. Danger. Danger. Danger. DANGER. DANGER!

With a growl, I stuck my face right in front of the Inuzuka's. Now we were nose to nose. Kiba stayed put, his eyes wide in fear.

"Good. Be afraid, pup."

A snarl pulled back my lips, exposing my teeth.

"How dare you?" I hissed furiously. "I watched my entire village fall to the ground. My home, completely destroyed. My clan slaughter in front of me. Everyone I ever knew: neighbors, friends, family all picked off like flies. So, no, this isn't some prank." I spat the last word with distaste. It took a bit of effort to reel back my chakra.

"I only wished it was." I whispered and collasped back down on my seat. I drew in gasp of air, feeling coming back to body, my mind clearing away the fog that had settled there. My chakra retreated. I was left feeling exhausted.

I steadied my breaths and shakily grabbed a new pair of chopsticks. Naruto stared at me as I picked idly at my food. Everyone was quiet, too quiet.

I swallowed nervously. You could cut the tension with a spoon. Guilt creeped up on me. They were just kids. Kiba hadn't known what he was talking about. That was no excuse for whatever the hell just happened.

Kiba looked down at the table looking like a scolded puppy. Shino was quiet. Hinata looked petrified. I grimaced. Man, I really need to work on reigning that in. This new temper of mine was gonna get me heaps of trouble. Looking at the young ninjas only made me feel worse. I had probably given them all a mental third-degree burn. Kiba, especially, poor guy looked like I had kicked Akamaru. But that angry pouty face was totally adorable.

I shook my head and smiled, turning to the three quiet genin.

"But don't sweat it, dog-san." I said, smiling wider at Kiba's annoyed expression. The mood lightened. Naruto chortled at the nickname and Hinata giggled shyly. I could have swore I heard a puff of air come from Shino.

"As I was saying earlier, when Uzu was attacked we managed to evacuate some of our clan members so Naruto never really was alone." I said, ruffling the kid's blonde hair. So soft! The four genin relaxed and turned back to their respective dishes. Akamaru warily poked his nose out.

I sighed in relief and slurped up some noodles. My eyes bugged out once the taste hit my tongue.

Before I could stop myself I was shouting, "PRAISE THE LOG! THIS STUFF IS FUCKING AWESOME, 'TTEBARU!"

Sure, I've had the microwavable Maru-chan and some mall ramen before but this stuff was incredible! The noodles were cooked to utter perfection, soft and chewy, and the broth was heavenly with a complimentary mix of spices. I've never tasted anything this yummy! Just like that the empty space in my heart was slowly being filled to the brim with lovely ramen. I could get used to this, maybe this second chance wasn't a complete bust.

Kiba guffawed at my reaction, slapping the counter and almost dropping his own bowl of ramen. I eyed the noodles with concern. My fingerd twitched towards the dish.

"Hahahaha! Yeah, she's Naruto's pack alright!" The dark-eyed boy snickered. Hinata giggled more confidently. Shino's shoulders sagged in relief as his insect finally settled.

Naruto grinned proudly, preening like a peacock.

"I knew you'd like it!" He said, finishing his fourth bowl. "Ramen is the best! Especially Ichiraku"s ramen."

Ayame came over and set down a fifth bowl at the boy's request.

I nodded fervently in agreement and immediately asked Ayame for two more bowls. Looks like we were going to be here for a while. The rest of Konoha could wait.

Kiba grinned ferally. He was happy that the mood had picked up.

"I guess ramen runs in the family, huh?"

I shrugged, mouth too busy to say anything. Honestly, I think it does run in the family. I reverently took my two bowls of ramen from Ayame. The girl shot me an amused look before heading off into the kitchen.

I turned to face Team Eight who were all in various stages of eating their first bowl. I blinked and realized we had never been properly introduced. Better later than never. Well, I'd known their names all along, but didn't need to know that. I'm reeeeeally trying to avoid Anko and Ibiki. Those two could send Freddy Krueger and the rest of the classic horror genre gang a run for their money.

"So what are your names, dog-san, puppy-san, bug-san, and moon-san?" I asked. Naruto snickered at the nicknames.

Kiba growled at him, but stuck out his chest proudly.

"I'm Kiba Inuzuka from the Inuzuka Clan. My clan specializes in working with ninken." He patted the white puppy's head. "This is my ninken, Akamaru!" Akamaru barked from his place atop Kiba's head. I nodded and bowed my head.

"Nice to meet you, Kiba-kun, Akamaru-kun." I said politely and looked at the two other members of Team Eight.

Hinata squirmed at the sudden attention and poked her index fingers together. "I'm Hinata Hyuuga, from the Hyuuga clan." She stood up and bowed formally. "It's a p-pleasure to meet y-you, Uzumaki-san." I smiled and bowed along with her.

"You can call me by my first name." I scratched my cheek in embarrassment. "Makes me feel weird. I'm not that old, ya know." I blinked. "Oh, wait. I am."

I looked down and laughed at the ex-heiress's puzzled expression.

"O-Okay," her expression became pinched, "Zaku-san...?"

"Ah, that's good." I smiled, feeling pleased. It was a little more formal than what I'd like but oh well.

Shino inclined his head in greeting, "Shino Aburame, heir to the Aburame Clan." He said. I nodded and the five of us ate in companionable slience (nothing like before, thank god.). Well, it was mostly slient, save for Naruto and Kiba getting into a heated argument about which one of them was the better ninja. Hinata's timid attempts at peacemaking were futile. Shino eventually snapped at the two when they'd tried to recruit Hinata in the arguemnt, asking her which one of the was the best. I thought the poor girl was going to faint.

After wolfing down another four bowls, choking on a fishcake, and having Hinata save my life by jyuukening the breath out of me, I was finally ready to head over to my new home.

"Bye, guys!" Naruto yelled, waving enthusiastically at his classmates and the two shop owners. I waved back, albeit not as energetic. I doubt anybody had more energy than Mr. Sunshine over here. Together we made the trek to Naruto's apartment complex.