'Normal thought…'

"Bijuu speech…"

'Kurama communicating with Naru inside her mind…'

'Kurama's thought's…'

"Normal speech…"

Jutsu name

Chapter 2- Reunited! Almost like in the old days.

The door opened as a certain lazy Nara as well as Temari stepped inside the Hokage office.

"Hello." Shikamaru greeted lazily, one of his hands resting in his pocket.

"Oh! Shikamaru! Temari! Look who's here! It's-" Sakura shouted cheerily, but just before she could finish what she wanted to say, there was a loud exclaim of 'Shika!' and a loud thud.

"Oww! What the hell….?" Shikamaru asked in annoyance as he was suddenly tackled to the ground by the hug of a very enthusiastic and cheerful blonde kunoichi… He blinked before he realized it. "Wait, is that you, Naru?!" He asked with an actual happy smile and petted her head.

Naru giggled amused as she let go off him and jumped up while doing a lazy salute. "Here to report from the training, dear brother~" She teased him amused with a foxy smile.

Temari just looked at her in surprise. 'She surely grew up.' She thought impressed.

Shikamaru snorted as he got back to his feet. "Geez… You're already so troublesome. How many did you knock out on your way here?" He asked amused.

Naruko raised an eyebrow at that. "What do you mean?" She asked obliviously.

The Nara looked at her with a deadpan expression. "You got to be kidding me…." He mumbled and looked to Jiraiya, who just shook his head.

"She's a lost cause. It's a tragedy." He said in solemnly grim voice that made Tsunade snort and Naru pout.

"Can you stop talking about me like I am not here, please?" The blonde kitsune huffed at them before suddenly smiling very foxily. "Wait…. Does that mean you're going to be our opponent, Shika?~" She started to giggle almost evily.

Shikamaru sweat dropped and took an actual step back. "Nope. No. I have no idea what you're talking about. I would rather jump off a cliff than fight against you." He said while sweating nervously.

Naru pouted. "Aww…. What a pity. That would have been fun." She huffed and crossed her arms sulkily.

Jiraiya chuckled nervously at that as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Hehehehehe… Yeah…." 'I'm just glad I don't have to train her anymore….. This was pure hell… I can't even count how often she punched me through a wall…'

Tsunade shook her head in fond amusement. "You will meet your opponent soon enough…. But first… Step up, Uzumaki Naruko." She said seriously.

Naruko blinked but stepped forward with a calm expression, wondering what was going on.

"For your services as Tokubetsu Chunin for our village, I now officially announce you as Chunin. Serve your village right and use your wisdom." The Godaime said solemnly before giving her goddaughter a small smile. "Here is your Chunin vest." She said as she laid the clothing piece down on the table.

Naru's eyes lit up. "I'm officially Chunin now?! Yatta! Finally! It was killing me to keep this secret!" She shouted excitedly.

Shikamaru smirked. "Congrats Naru."

Sakura just seemed surprised but smiled. 'And here I was thinking that I for once was better in something than her…' She couldn't help but think in slight jealousy and sighed.

"Now, then Naru. Take your Chunin Vest." Tsunade said more softly and shoved the vest towards her.

Naruko stopped cheering and blinked, studying the vest seriously. "Eww, no thank you. I don't want it."

Tsunade frowned at that. "What the hell? Why not?!" She shouted at her, making Shizune flinch.

"The color doesn't go well with my orange. So, just give it to someone else or something." She replied, waving dismissively with her hand while Kurama laughed loudly in their mindscape.

Literally everyone in the office sweat dropped at her antics.

Tsunade sighed fondly and rubbed her temples before taking the Chunin vest back with a smile. "Alright then, suits yourself."

"Yep." Naru replied with a cheerful smile before remembering something as she stepped towards the desk. "Oh, right. There is someone who wants to talk with you." She said and smiled foxily at Tsunade's confused expression and Jiraiya's dismay before suddenly swiping extremely fast through a row of handsigns, some looking even unfamiliar to the Hokage. "Hidden Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" She shouted loudly and with a puff of smoke, a two tailed orange Kurama in the size of a normal fox appeared on the desk with a bored expression.

"Yo! The name's Kurama, it's not a pleasure to meet you." He said lazily with a grumble as his tails swished and let some paperwork fly off the table.

Everyone's mouth dropped to the ground as they gaped at the two tailed kitsune, only being able to connect one fox to the one known as Uzumaki Naruko.

"T-That is…. H-How even…." Tsunade stuttered out as she stared at the miniature Bijuu in front of her.

Kurama just rolled his eyes. "What? Never seen a two-tailed fox before?" He sassed at her while wiping some more paperwork off the desk with a mischevious grin before suddenly yelping when Naru hit the back of his head.

"No! Bad Kyuubi! For once have some respect!" Naruko scolded him with narrowed blue eyes that were twinkling dangerously.

Kurama just huffed and mumbled out some curses. "Sorry…." He finally grumbled with a sulking expression.

Tsunade just shook her head in surprise and tried to regain her composure. "Well… I certainly did not expect that." She said with a slight bit of amusement. "Do I even want to know how this is possible?" She looked from Naru back to Jiraiya.

Naruko grumbled softly at that and glared at her godfather. "I had to swallow a toad."

Jiraiya just chuckled nervously. "AHAHAHAHHA! No you really don't want to know."

"Well, whatever." Kurama grumbled as he sat up straight and glared at Tsunade with his red eyes. "You know, I hate you Senju's… Well, actually… I hate all of you damn mortals…. But for the sake of my kit, I will try to get along with you and be in service of the fucking Leaf village." He said solemnly before his tail twitched angrily as he looked back to his kit. "There, satisfied, kit?!"

Naruko smiled happily and picked him up. "Yes, little furball~" She giggled out as she lifted him up over her head like a toddler and rubbed her nose against his.

"I really want to scratch out your eyes right now…." The Nine-Tailed Bijuu grumbled at him.

Tsunade just started to laugh loudly. "Ah. You never know what you should expect with you around, Naru." She said utterly amused and shook her head with a chuckle. "But let's get to business now. Your opponent is waiting outside, Naru." A small almost soft smile graced her features when she said that and a twinkle entered her eyes as she wanted to see Naru's reaction very badly.

"Uh! Who is it?!" The blonde kitsune shouted excited as she let Kurama settle down on her shoulders before she rushed to the window Tsunade pointed to and opened it as quick as possible. "Who is it?! Who is it?!" She shouted out excitedly and her eyes widened when she spotted a familiar masked ninja with gravity defying silver hair.

Kakashi looked at her very softly and eye smiled as a soft smile spread across his masked features. "Naru…. It's so nice to see you again. You grew up quite well." He said in an actual happy voice.

Naruko looked at him with wide blue eyes before just immediately tackling him in a hug. "Kashi~ I missed you so much!~" She shouted happily as the Hatake yelped when he was thrown back from the impact and they started to slide down the roof.

In the last moment, Kakashi grabbed onto some roof tiles with his fingers almost desperately before sighing in relief when he could stop them from literally rolling off the roof.

Kurama just rolled his eyes as he had somehow ended up sitting on the masked ninja's head. "Stop being ridiculous, kit." He huffed at her fondly.

"Shut up, Kurama!" Naru pouted at him while just snuggling closer to Kakashi as she ignored her Bijuu friend.

Kakashi chuckled softly and petted her head as a faint blush covered his masked cheeks.

Kurama just sighed at that before remembering something and he started to cackle evilly. "Ooooh! I know something that would be of great interest for you, masked brat!" He suddenly spoke up as he jumped down from his head, his red eyes twinkling mischievously as his tails swished slowly. "Something that involves the kit~" He purred out before cackling again.

Kakashi blinked at that and raised his eyebrows curiously. "What is it?" He couldn't help but ask.

That was when Naru realized what he wanted to say and her eyes widened as she tackled Kurama with a panicked outcry. "AHH! YOU PROMISED ME NOT TO SAY THAT, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!" She shouted at him in panic as she blushed heavily.

Kurama just yelped before racing away from his Jinchuuriki with a chuckle. "Bahahahaha! Calm down! Calm down! Geez, I won't tell!" He laughed out before growing silent and gulping as soon as she had caught him by his tail. "Uhh…. I'm sorry….?" He apologized quickly as he saw the angry and flustered expression of his kit.

Naruko just glared at him before letting him disappear with a puff of smoke. "And that was enough fresh air for you today…" She huffed out with a pout.

Kakashi just sweat dropped at that and shook his head amused, still wondering what this was about.

Tsunade just smirked and raised an eyebrow curiously at Jiraiya who just chuckled and smiled knowingly.

"Nah, I can't tell you what this was about. If I do, I'm dead meat. I will get literally smashed through a couple of walls before she probably will attempt to drown me. She did that the first time I mentioned this after she told me…. So yeah. Nope. I prefer to live." The Sannin just sweat dropped and rubbed the back of his neck.

Naruko just got quickly over whatever made her this panicked and flustered as she remembered something. "Oh yeah… I have a present for you, Kashi." She smiled gently as searched around in her pocket.

Sakura smiled softly as she watched them and Tsunade stepped next to her with a fond smile.

"That sight is quite nostalgic. The brat surely grew up a bit more but still remains the same stubborn kitsune we know."

"Here you go~ I'm sure you like it~" Naru said cheerily as she handed her sensei something.

"NAAAAANNNIIII?" Kakashi exclaimed loudly with wide eyes. "Y-You got me… T-Th-This is…" He said with shivering hands before practically ripping the newest Ichia Ichia book out of her hands.

"Yep. This is the first new title of the Make-Out paradise series in three years. It even is signed by the author, isn't that great?" She said happily and giggled amused as Kakashi immediately started to swipe through the pages, looking like he was holding the holy grail in his hands. "I actually think that stuff is boring because it makes absolutely no sense to me, but you really like it so I thought it would be a good present."

Jiraiya just huffed sulkily at her comment about his book being boring, however his sulking came to a sudden stop when he heard someone crack her knuckles. He gulped as he broke out in a cold sweat

Tsunade glared at him angrily. "You made our goddaughter read this perverted shit?! WHAT THE FUCK?!" She shouted at him and Jiraiya screamed as he dodged a stool being thrown his way.

"A-Actually…. I didn't made her read it, it was her own decision to try and help me write it-" That was when he was shut up by the whole desk hitting him right in the face.

"I don't care, you stupid pervert! I will hit you again for that!" The Godaime Homage shouted again at the passed out Sannin in fury. She then huffed and turned back around to the Hatake. "Alright! That was enough fun for now, Kakashi!"

"Right." Kakashi replied as he stood up and closed the book, packing it away as he gave Naru a sincere eye smile. "Thanks Naru." He thanked her with a soft voice, a voice with which he only seemed to talk to the blonde kitsune.

Naruko smiled happily her blue eyes twinkling gently. "Don't mention it, Kashi." She said cheerily before her smile suddenly turned foxy. "So…. You will be mine and Sakura's opponent, sensei?~ Oh, we are going to have so much fun~" She giggled evilly as her eyes twinkle mischievously.

Kakashi just sweat dropped. "I regret my decision so much right now…" He mumbled under his breath and just hoped to kami he wouldn't die today. But little did he know what would happen soon.

Tsunade nodded seriously as both Naru and Kakashi climbed into the Hokage office.

"Naru, Sakura… I want to see what you can do against Kakashi and determine if your status and rank was rightfully given to you." The Godaime said seriously. "Also Sakura, show me that you weren't just wasting your time training under me."

"Hai." Sakura said seriously.

Naruko blinked before smiling. "Ooh. Wait… You were training under Tsuna-baa, Sakura?!" She asked her excited and grabbed onto her shoulders gently with a happy smile. "Yaas! Let's smash Kashi through some walls together!" She cheered happily.

Kakashi sweat dropped. "I will just act like I haven't heard that right now…. For my own sanity…" He muttered under his breath before sighing softly and fondly. "Well then…. Shall we get right to it?" He asked more seriously in his usual lazy voice. "That's what I'd like to say at least. But since you just came back, you must be tired Naru. I'll give you a short rest."

Naru blinked and then pouted at that. "EEEEH?! But I'm not tired at all~ I want to fight you already~" She whined out softly.

"Let's meet up at the Third Training Grounds later. See ya!" The Hatake said a bit too quickly before he disappeared with a puff of smoke.

"Buzzkill!" Naruko huffed out as she crossed her arms sulkily.

"Why was he in such a hurry?" Shizune said in surprise.

Naru froze at that and her eyes widened. Kurama cackled in her head. 'Bahahahaha! I told ya it was a mistake to give him the book right away!' He laughed out, way too amused.

"I have a pretty good idea." Tsunade said and looked amused to Naru who clenched her fist with a pout.

Shikamaru sighed. "He's going to read his new book." He deadpanned.

Sakura sighed. "Yeah, no doubt about it."

Jiraiya just nodded with a satisfied smile as he got up from behind the desk and dusted himself off. 'Yes, yes. That is the obvious reaction after getting an unreleased copy of one of my books.'

Naru growled at that and glared with a pout at the Sannin. "I blame you for this! Stupid Ero-jiji!" She huffed at him.

"Oh, shut it, brat!" Jiraiya snapped back at her with a pout. "Go visit your other friends or something in the meantime and give me a break."

Naruko rolled her eyes. "Sure, sure. I forgot you are already so old that you can't handle anything anymore." She sassed at him with a deadpan expression making Shika snort at his sister figure.

"It's good to have you back." He just said with a smile.

A few moments later…

Sakura, Naruko, Temari and Shikamaru walked through Konoha's busy streets, some people still stunned to the blonde kitsune and turning around to her from time to time.

"So, let's speak about our strategy to beat Kakashi-sensei. This is a great opportunity." Sakura said to her teammate with a smile.

Naruko hummed thoughtfully. "Well, we could try to make up a battle strategy now, but I'm a better on-hand strategist. That means I can think of a great and mostly successful strategy in the heat of the moment, so trying to form a strategy now would only restrict our minds and cloud our instincts." She said calmly in a matter of fact voice, like this was completely obvious.

Sakura gaped at her and shook her head amused. "Geez. You're really smart, Naruko." She said softly and nodded. "Let's do it like this then."

Shikamaru in the background just snorted. "Troublesome-"

Naru spun around to him and just poked his chest with a small giggle. "Oh~ Don't be like this Shika~ I mean, we both know what's going on here~" She purred out foxily as she glanced from Temari back to him. "Are you two dating?~ Because you surely would make a great couple~" She teased him in amusement.

Shikamaru looked at her in surprise before tsking with a small blush at her teasing while Temari just seemed surprised. "It's not like this Naru."

Temari just huffed at that. "Cut out that joke. Why would I ever be with a guy like him?" She said in annoyance and looked at her seriously. "It's almost time for the Chunin Exams. I've just been going back and forth between Suna and Konoha for meetings concerning the exams." She explained.

"And although it's a pain, I've been put in charge of the Exams… I've just been told to act as a guide for the Suna messenger." Shikamaru said lazily.

Naruko smiled softly at that. "Chunin Exam, huh? That sure takes me back." She looked at the sky with a nostalgic smile.

'You old ass woma-'

'Finish this sentence and you're back in your old stinky sewer cage, Kurama.' She replied threateningly, what immediately shut her Bijuu up.

Shikamaru smiled softly. "Well, now that you're a Chunin as well, everyone from our class has become a Chunin. Oh, and Kankuro, Temari as well as Neji are already one grade above us, they are Jounin."

Naru's eyes widened at that and lit up. "Really?!" She shouted happily and smiled brightly, a smile that could really brighten ones day. "I'm so happy for everyone, dattebayo!" She shouted out cheerily and smiled with a soft giggle. "Oh, I really need to see Neji to congratulate him for making Jounin already! I'm sure he isn't as stuck up as he used to be! Ah, I can't wait to see everyone!" She rambled out happily in excitement, making Shikamaru smirk fondly and the girls smile.

Just then, Naruko realized one person she was really curious about to what happened to him. "Wait. What about Gaara? How is he doing?" She asked Temari and Shikamaru softly. "Has he still trouble with crazy little Shukaku? I could fix his seal and Kurama could give him another piece of his mind." She shrugged like that was nothing.

'Oh hell yeah! I would love to beat that raccoon bastard up another time!' The Nine Tailed Fox shouted in glee.

Temari looked at her in surprise. "You don't know? Gaara became the Kazekage."

Naru and Kurama both froze in their conversation and blue wide eyes stared at Temari stunned. "Gaara…..is the Kazekage?" She gaped at her before a wide happy smile curled the whisker marks on her cheeks. "Really! Ahh! THAT IS SO AMAZING! I'M SO PROUD!" She shouted happily, almost cheering loudly as she crashed Temari in a hug that almost threw the blonde haired kunoichi over. Temari just hugged her back in surprise.

Naruko then let go and smiled up to Temari with gentle blue eyes. "I'm sure he is more happy now, right? I'm glad. I was worrying about him on my training trip." She said softly. "We Jinchuuriki's just need to stick together, so tell him my congratulations once you see him. Oh, and give him a hug from me." She giggled softly as her gaze wandered to the Hokage monument.

Temari still looked at her in surprise before smiling. "Will be done." She said sincerely, knowing how much Gaara respects the blonde kitsune.

Naru looked at the face of the Yondaime with a soft expression before smiling more determined. "Yosh! Watch me do it, Gaara! I will become Hokage no matter what! Just you wait!" She said determined as her eyes twinkled with a small serious and calm smile that looked a lot like her father's determined smile.

Kurama nodded frantically in agreement. 'Damn straight! We won't be outrun by a mere fucking tanuki!" He huffed out, making Naru roll her eyes fondly at him.

Shikamaru smiled at that almost proudly. "Looks like you have become a bit less troublesome." He said softly as he ruffled her hair.

Sakura smiled gently. 'I guess…. She did mature a little bit.'

Naru smiled happily as the sunlight hit her hair and made it twinkle a beautiful honey golden color. 'Tou-san…. Kaa-san…. I promise. I will become the Hokage!'

Hey guys! So, that was Chapter 2 of Naruko's Journey! I really hope you enjoyed it and had fun reading it! UwU I apologize for the very long wait, but real life is keeping me on my feet at the moment. X'D I will of course continue writing new chapters, it will just take a while for me to do so. But nevertheless, I hope you will continue to look forward to future updates.

I wish you all a great day! :3 See you in the next chapter!

Hidden Kuchiyose no Jutsu = Hidden Summoning Technique