Naruto Is a Girl?

Intro: The Wild Child

The small blond ran through the pitch black woods. "Where'd he go!" Someone shouted angrily. "Lets get that demon and make him pay!" Another voice raged. The shouts grew louder as the angry mob closed in on the small child. Naruto knew it was inevitable, the villagers had been leaving him alone for to long, but the taunting grew quieter, tenser. The glares silent more intense. They had finally given into the lustful rage. The eight year old child tried to hide in a hollowed out tree. Cowering and protecting the blond scalp. The little kitsune quivered in fear as feet crunched dry leaves on the forest floor. It was quiet, to quiet, why had they stopped yelling and screaming? Naruto could see feet crunching dry ground. Snapping twigs crunching dirt. Then the feet turned to leave. A small gasp escaped the container of the Kyuubi. The feet stopped in their tracks. Hands wormed their way into the hair and tears splattered the ground, 'What did I do this time!' Always this unspoken thought right before the next, 'What will they do to me this time? WHY!' Inside these were screams outside muffled whines.

A large hand shot in and took hold of a small thin leg dragging the crying child out to display. Dirty shorts a ragged shirt, stolen off a clothes line. Held upside down the loose shirt fell revealing the starving frame. Ribs prominent, belly slightly distended from malnutrition, seriously how could the villagers call this puny weak little child a monster and a demon. The child begged and stole, he was a nuisance to the community that cared not to take him in, but he was in no way a threat to the village.

"Here!" The man shouted and displayed his trophy. Naruto did not even bother to struggle better to go limp the beatings just lasted longer when the little fox struggled, "Here is our plague! Here is the reason for the brutal heat this summer, and the drought. Our crops are shriveled we have little to spare. Yet this worthless demon steals from us. He begs for food and clothes. He endangers our children with his presence. He has taken the rain away!" The excitement grew with each proclamation. The crowd was whipped into a frenzy of blood lust.

"Burn the bastard!" A man screamed through a frothy mouth.

"Yes! Make a sacrifice out of him then the rain will come!" A panicked looking woman screeched.

Naruto's eyes grew, 'There gonna burn me!' The kitsune regained his will to fight. Arms flailed wildly. Flesh made rough contact with bark as the screaming figure was lashed to a tree in the depths of the forest. Kindling and dry branches were arranged at under dangling feet. Soon it was lit. The crowd stood mesmerized as the flames grew more quickly then expected. Heat and smoke rose to choke, painful flames licked at tiny naked feet. Screams of pain and fear broke the spellbound mob as they realized their mistake. The fire was spreading through the dry forest debris. The cruel adults fled the woods leaving a shrieking child to roast…

Chapter 1: Bonding with the Vessel

Not far from the forest a young chuunin had been training in quiet peace when the angry shouts began.

"Damn!" Iruka shouted into the air, "That demon kid is in trouble again. Damn those idiots. I don't like the kyuubi anymore then they do, but give us all a break and just leave him alone, or actually finish what you start!" it was true the man held no love for Naruto the holder of the demon that had taken his parents, but really as he thought about it did the child get a choice in being the prison of a living terror? 'Supposed I should go tell the Hokage, then check on the boy, no need to risk the fury of a mindless mob,' Those thoughts left when he heard the blood curdling screams of the child, "They really are going to kill him this time." Sudden guilt clamped painfully on his heart. The brunette bounded toward the screams. Suddenly, like a stampede, civilian villagers ran past in all directions.

Iruka looked ahead worried that they finally brought down the wrath of the Kyuubi. He almost thought so as orange flames licked at the base of the trees. There strapped to a large hollow tree was the Kyuubi vessel. The child struggled hopelessly against the bindings, little feet immersed in fire. Iruka acted without thought. He pulled his kunai out, and lunged toward the blond. He cut the child loose, not escaping the flames either. He grabbed the child and ran out of the forest. Only noticing the flames eating his sleeve in time to prevent a third degree burn. Naruto was very badly burnt, and now shivering violently. Iruka still holding the kunai in his hand. This did not go unnoticed by the victimized child, "Kill me." It wasn't a question or a request it was a command. Iruka looked into the deep blue eyes ringed by dark circles of exhaustion. Iruka had always harbored an unfounded hatred toward the child. He would never act on his urge to snuff the life out, it would have tarnished the memory of his parents who died protecting the village and those who live within. He no longer had a desire to harm this child, 'He didn't kill my parents. He never hurt anyone, he's been uncared for for eight years. Since that monster was put into his body, people hate him.'

"Kill me, don't make me beg, I want to die," Solemn sapphire eyes pleaded, "I wanna die." viscus tears slid out of very dehydrated eyes.

"No," The man heard his voice escaped against it's will. Part of him really wanted to end things. Partly out of anger at the demon inside, partly out of pity for the hurt child. The kunai seemed to gain weight. He fought the need to press the point to his fragile neck. "It hurts. I wish I was never born," the kunai fell. Iruka needed help. The child needed medical attention, and the forest would be consumed before daybreak if he didn't act.

Iruka still clutching the small body ran to the Hokage tower. He was announced hurriedly as he told the ANBU of the fire. Iruka and Naruto were ushered into the Hokage's office.

"Umino-san," the third Hokge stood up, "Is that Naruto?"

"Yes, Sandaime Hokage-sama,"Iruka sighed heavily, "They burned him, the forest is being consumed as we speak."

"Those FOOLS!" The chuunin was surprised at his outrage, "The truly intended to kill her."

"Her, Hokage-sama?"

"Yes Iruka-san, her," Sandaime gestured to the child who he only now noticed was passed out.

"Naruto is a girl? I always thought she was a boy."

"Well it is hard enough protecting a defenseless boy, think of the horrors she might experience once people discover her secret," Iruka nodded, there were plenty of dangerous men who might prey on young female flesh, demon or not, of course they might prey on young male flesh also.

"S-she needs medical attention," Iruka holds her out.

"Iruka, you are the only citizen of Konohagakure that has ever shown this much care for the child. May I ask why?"

"Uh-the demon killed them, not him, er' her," Iruka said lamely hoping the Hokage would finally take the little warm figure from him.

"Who, who was killed?"

Iruka knew that he knew, "My parents."

"Did you know the Kyuubi killed her parents too?" Iruka had never realized, but who would willingly sacrifice their child.

"Naruto?" The child tried to shift in his arms and let out a yelp of pain.

"They won't treat her at the hospital," The Hokage frowned, "Too many are frightened."

"I-I'll do it then I have a first aid kit at home," Iruka was angry, the Hokage should be doing more to help the child, "I'm going to keep her she has no where else to go."

Iruka left unceremoniously poofing out of the office.

"You take care of her Iruka-san. You two need each other," The Hokage had a small smile creeping up on his face.

At his apartment the man cautiously undressed the child and ran a cool bath for her. She was so small. She looked closer to five then the eight years she must be. There on her naval were the black markings of the seal that trapped the Kyuubi inside.

His eyes lingered over the charred flesh. He cringed at her bare feet, "That must hurt little Naru-san." He lowered the girl into the tub to cool the injuries. Suddenly she shrieked and began to flail in surprise, "Shh, I'm not gonna harm you. I promise. We need to get your wounds cleaned so we can dress them, then how about some food, Huh?" The man was surprised at the warm feeling he got seeing her calm at his assurances.

"Where am I?" The child looked around with the natural curiosity that thankfully had not been extinguished by years of neglect and abuse.

"Were at my house, Naru-chan," Iruka did his best to smile, it felt forced, but he gained a tentative smile in return.

"Oh, what's your name and why you call me Naru-chan, My name is Naruto," that last part was squeaked out. Iruka found it to be precious and was surprised. The girl seemed less harmed then she had been. He washed her hair which was a bit shaggy. He needed to find her something decent to wear he settled on an old shirt for the time being then they would find something better in the morning. Iruka noticed that the girl had no old scars and was surprised. He knew she had been beaten, he and other shinobi would usually have to disperse the crowds, never really helping the child. She, he remembered on previous occasions being bloodied and bruised, but no scars? Even the burns on her legs looked better; though that may because she was no longer coated in the thick film of dirt. He felt the shame and guilt suddenly biting and clawing at his insides again, 'My parents would have helped her.'

"My name is Iruka, Naruto, I called you Naru-chan cause it's cute. It is OK if I call you that?" The girl grinned and nodded.

"C-can I call you Iruka-nii? She blushed, "Iruka-nii-chan?"

"You may call me Iruka-nii," He ruffled the still dripping hair, "Lets get you dry and fix up your legs OK?" She nodded and reached up, suddenly it hit him how inappropriate this might look. He should not pick up a nude child, much less a girl, "Wait here Naru-chan." he went and got a fluffy white towel he dried her off then wrapped her up like a little infant. He lifted her up and the child snuggled him already drifting off again. He no longer thought of the demon on the inside. Only the little girl. She was so full of pain, but so ready to accept any form of love. Perhaps the Hokage is right about her identity, but now He was there to protect her. He was now her Nii-chan.

Little Naruto thought she must be dreaming, but all her dreams scared her because of glowing eyes that watched, and gleaming teeth that flashed and waited for her to let her guard down. ...But not now, she was allowed to have a Nii-chan. She was allowed to call someone chan, and she was someone's chan. She was Iruka's. He became her whole world in that instant.

Iruka shuffled through his drawers and found a tee shirt for Naru to sleep in. She swam in it. He decided to pin the neck up because it threatened to slip right off her slim frame, "You Hungry?" Naruto nodded eagerly.

"Ha, good, but I warn you I only have ramen in the house right now. That OK with you?" Again another eager nod.

Iruka lead the waif to his kitchen she scrambled up into one of his chairs. The chair and table dwarfed her her head barely reaching over the table. Again he thought, 'she's so small. Should she be so tiny?'

He began to worry over her welfare again, but pushed the thoughts aside. "Nothing some food can't cure," he muttered as he set a kettle on the stove. He took out two cups of ramen, he really needed to get to the grocery store. He wondered if he could afford to keep the girl, 'Worry about that tomorrow.'

He heard the kettle whistle. The girl gave a small shriek and slid from the chair. Iruka looked under the table there she was cowering, "It's OK it's just the kettle it makes that noise when the water is ready."

"Yeah I know a man made one whistle once, then poured it on my hands and my head." She blinked back tears. Iruka's heart went out to her. He sat in front of her and held out his hands. She crawled into his lap and cried. He patted her head, and lifted her up. Cradling her in his arm he prepared the instant ramen with his free hand. He rocked her until she was calm. He felt at peace for the first time since he lost his family, but it was far to soon to say anything to Naru-chan, no need to get her hopes up only to dash them.

He placed her in the chair and handed her cup over along with the chopsticks, on which she hopelessly gave up after three failed attempts to gather her noodles with the sticks. She settled for tipping her cup and drinking the hot liquid then slurping noodles. She made a nice mess on the table, but Iruka didn't mind he watched her antics with amusement. Only a few hours before he didn't care; she could have died and he would have not given the child a second thought. This realization made him shiver. Nobody cares, and many wished for her death. He was willing to bet most of them could not be alone in a room five minutes with her and not find her simply adorable. She finished her noodles of with a final slurp and gave a satisfied sigh. He finished his ramen.

"OK Naru-chan. I'm going to fix up the couch for you to sleep on," He got up and left her there as he went to his room and gathered a spare blanket and pillow. He turned to find the little blond standing right in front of him she looked a little frightened. He turned her around and scooted her toward the living room, "I can leave the bathroom light on if you're scared." he received a timid nod. He threw the pillow up on to the couch. She climbed up and laid like a very obedient child and waited to be tucked in. She really never remembered being tucked in before. She had been on the street almost from the day she was weaned from bottles, it seemed. Some how she survived. People left food when no one was looking. Clothes they no longer wanted, but as she had gotten older the 'offerings' grew smaller, by the age of eight she was reduced to stealing and living off the roots and grubs in the forest. Yes she ate insects, she hated it but her stomach was always grateful for what little nutrition she gave it.

The sofa was soft and warm. The kind man brought the blanket up to her chest she curled into the back of the sofa and drifted off. The man turned off the lights, all except the bathroom of course. He turned in.

...Naruto was running in the forest the angry mob was carrying torches and lighting fires as they went. She had been cornered. They approached her. As the got close they saw red flames dancing about her, but these flames weren't hot to her. Large slitted eyes looked over the croud, a tongue lapped and razor sharp teeth before it swallowed up the crown of screaming villagers.

'It's good to see you finally my kit,' the thing yawned, 'I've been sleeping for too long. Eight years is a long time, I haven't been asleep the whole time, but most of it really.'

"Who are you?" Naruto was so scared the thing ate hundreds of those angry villagers and it was staring her down daring her to run.

'I'm the reason everybody hates you,' The oily voice answered snickering at the girl.

"Oh," Naruto really didn't know what to think.

'Why don't you let me out we could have some fun,' The Kyuubi promised her...

"No!" Naruto yelled. The thing closed in on her. It's prominent snout pressed into her belly. She felt the seering breath enveloped her body. This time she screamed, "Nooooo!"

Iruak was awakened from a dead sleep by screaming, "Naru-chan?" he ran to her. She was still screaming, but her eyes were now open. He shook her, "Naru! Wake up. It was only a dream." She finally realized where she was she clung to Iruka's neck and cried into his shoulder.

She slowed to quiet sobs, "C-can I sleep with you?" The man blushed thinking he had better not do such a thing, but one look at the terror in her eyes replaced all negative thoughts with one, 'Naru-chan needs me.'

He cradled her and placed her in his bed with out a second thought. They both drifted into sleep, but tomorrow he was going to see about getting a futon for her, 'But how to pay for said futon?' Money after all does not grow on trees and a chuunin teacher was not paid what the ninja who went out on missions made.

Naruto woke surprisingly warm and comfy. She opened her eyes when she smelled ramen. Iruka really only had ramen in his house. He and Naru sat down to eat only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.

Iruka got up and walked to the door. When he opened it there was a messenger waiting, "Hokage wants to see you and that thing in his office," the man glared past the scarred face of Iruka to the tiny demon vessel still sitting at the table, patiently awaiting her Iruka-niichan to come back so they could eat together. She heard the man and her shoulders slumped, 'I got my Nii-chan in trouble.'

"Naruto and I will be there," Iruka slammed the door in the messenger's face and went to his ramen. He stopped then he heard the soft crying of a child who once again hid under his kitchen table. Iruka took his place on the floor from last night and held out his hands. Naruto looked sadly and shook her head, "Naruto ignore what that man said you are a person, not a thing." She shook her head again, "Not that, your in trouble cause you took me in and fed me. The villagers'll hurt ya' now!" She squeaked out again she was precious and heart breaking. She held her tiny hands to her mouth in worry. Iruka slid forward and snagged her arms bringing her to him. "No, I'm not in trouble. Besides I'm a shinobi I can take care of myself, and you too," he smiled nodded.

"Can I be a ninja?" Naruto asked hopefully.

"If you want, but you have to work really hard," Iruka promised, "Now lets eat."

They finished, then Iruka forced Naruto to sit still while he brushed her hair it looked much better, it was longer then it looked though it still stuck out a bit it seemed to do that naturally. Iruka dug through his keep sakes and found a few old clothes that were his when he was little they were still to big on her, but it would have to do, until he got her some decent clothing. He decided to tie her hair in pigtails, if it weren't for the three whisker scars on each cheek no body would recognize her. He checked her bandages, she seemed to be a fast healer, the swelling was down and the angry red skin and the black scabs had been replaced by tender pink flesh. Iruka wondered if it had anything to do with the Kyuubi. He and Naru left for the Hokages. The were escorted in.

"Iruka-san, Naruto-san, it is good that you came," the Hokage looked seriously, but not sternly at the two," The Kage rummaged through his draws until he found what he was looking for, "Ah-ha, Naruto-san, would you like a lolly pop? You can take it and wait in the hallway please. The girl snatched the candy, not with out whispering a thank you. She quickly discarded the wrapper in the waist bin and left the office. Iruka turned nervously. "She will be fine the guards won't let harm befall her. She cleans up well, with out the dirt and grim there is no hiding her sex. She will be a very lovely young lady if she grows up well." Iruka nodded, Sandaime continued, "I believe you were planning to ask me permission to do something?"

"Huh? Sandaime Hokage-samma?"

"Were you not interested in her welfare? She needs a guardian, she roams the streets she is in constant danger and needs protection and love."

"What? Hokage-sama?"

"Weren't you wanting to take over guardianship of the girl?" Iruka nodded with out even thinking.

"Seemed the fates have already decided this," he smiled, "To bad I can't afford to care of her. I really don't see how on my salary..."

"Would you believe that she has an allowance? It was to be entrusted to her guardian, and doled out monthly, she has not been able to claim any of that money since she left the orphanage she had been kept in. Now as her guardian you would receive a monthly stipend to care for her, plus a house, rent free, it belonged to her family. Iruka's eyes shined.

"Thank you so very much Hokage-sama!" he jumped up, "So I get to keep Naru-chan!" he was jumping around like a little kid on Christmas morning.

"You can come back in Naruto," the Hokage called. She entered still working on the sucker.

Iruka picked her up and hugged her, "Naru-chan, would you like to stay with me from now on?"

"Iruka-nii? Can I?" Naruto looked hopefully at her Nii-chan. Then turned to the Hokage to check and see if it was just a cruel joke. She took his serous face as a comforting sign. Iruka signed papers becoming Naruto's legal guardian, essentially he was her father, but she would always call him Nii-chan."

The Hokage handed over the monthly stipend along with a gift of more money to help buy new furniture, clothes and stock up their new pantry. Iruka and Naruto set off to the market to shop.

"First things first young lady, new clothes!" Naruto blushed as the man lead her away from the Hokage tower to the shopping district. Iruka was pleasantly surprised that no one harassed the girl, most didn't even notice her, a few even stopped and talked to the two of them pleasantly, not noticing her whiskers.

Iruka found a young ladies apparel store, he lead the little girl in.

The clerk greeted them, "How may I help you today?"

Iruka thinking quickly, "My niece, Naru, is staying with me for a while, unfortunately she accidentally left her suitcase behind, I'm going to get her some new outfits since she only had her old play clothes.

"Ah, do you need assistance picking things out?" Iruka nodded swallowing his pride, he didn't even know her sizes. The lady offered her hand to Naruto she hesitated, then allowed herself to be lead away.

"You know you have very pretty eyes, Naru-chan." Iruka smiled his little Naru was being fussed over like a normal girl. They were gone for a while. He didn't even think about the seal being exposed to the woman until he heard the screaming. Iruka went to the dressing room and barged in to find the woman cowering in the corner and the half naked Naruto crying in the fetal position. Iruka found her shirt and dressed her, the woman screaming obscenities at the two.

"It's OK, we won't ever go back in there, ever." Naruto nodded into his chest as he hugged her protectivly, "Lets go get some ramen OK?" He looked into those sad moist pools of blue. Sorrow morphed into a mixture of sad and happy until happiness finally won out.

"I'm going to take you to Ichiraku's for lunch, if you like instant then this stuff will blow you away," Iruka grinned. She really seemed to like her ramen, he made a note to pick up more instant at the grocery store along with more nutritious foods and ingredients.

Naruto had never in her life eaten in a restaurant of any type, the smell drew her in. Iruka took a seat and patted next to him Naruto tackled the bar stool deftly and was soon beside her Iruka-nii.

"Hello Iruka who's your pretty friend?" The man behind the bar asked in a flirty tone, Iruka felt strangely irritated by his tone, his little Naru-chan didn't need grown men flirting with her. It was completely ridiculous, but Iruka remembered what the Hokage had hinted at so darkly about pretty girls and dirty old men.

"We'll each have a bowl of the beef ramen," Naruto was already drooling. The food was served up and Iruka took the opportunity to attempt to teach his ward how to properly use the chopsticks. She finally caught on after spilling all over Iruka's old shirt. After two more helpings of ramen for Naruto, Iruka began to worry she had eaten to much. He decided to pay and took her to another clothing shop. This time he stuck to the girl like glue. He let Naruto chose some clothes.

"You sure like orange don't you," Iruka teased.

"Orange is pretty!" She now wore a sun dress new shoes and socks. He even got some ninja gear for her since he would be taking her to the academy. She chose a pair of orange capris and an orange jacket a black tee shirt and shanobi sandals. Her colors seemed to consist of orange, deep blue and black. She gravitated toward more masculine clothing, though even in boys clothing she was very sweet looking. She smiled a wide smile. Iruka wandered if it didn't hurt her face when she grinned so big.

Iruka left her sitting on a bench when he went to the furniture store to browse, he wasn't going to buy anything until he looked inside their new house, but he wanted to know what was available, his apartment was furnished so he would be leaving the furniture there, just his and now Naruto's new futon, which he just bought. They would deliver it to his apartment later.

Naruto sat at the bench swinging her legs back and fourth. A pair of dark eyes spotted the orange clad maiden. He didn't know why but the urge to go push her was maddening. He restrained himself, because he knew better then to hit or push girls, his mom always told him to be nice to girls, plus girls are weak. Itachi told him he should never pick a fight with someone weaker then him. He thought that His brother must never pick fights with anyone cause he's the strongest shinobi in the village. Sasuke finally settled on glaring at the girl. She just got on his nerves. The was she tilting her head slightly to the side kicking her feet like she didn't have a care in the world. 'She looks, she looks lonely,' he was surprised at the thought. But he judged her posture rather then her actions. Her shoulders slouched, she was nervous to, she gripped the park bench with white knuckles. She was looking for someone. Uchiha Sasuke approached her from behind. He reached up to tap her shoulder, deciding to feel her hair instead. It was wild, but soft. She girl screeched and turned around. Before he knew what happened he had been punched square in the nose. He fell to the ground, glaring up, cupping his nose as blood poured through his fingers. She stared at him fearfully. He snarled, "Forget that she's no girl! girls can't hit like that!" His voice was shrill and grating. It angered Naruto for some reason.

Naruto was caught off guard, she surprised herself by forming words, "I...AM...TO...A...GIRL! And you're-you're a big dummy!" She Stuck out her tung and turned around in a huff. Sasuke stalked away, looking back every two seconds, "Stupid girl." He was off put. Most girls were all—well girly. 'She's different, and really pretty.' He caught himself thinking a stupid girl was pretty, "Yuck!" He looked back one last time he saw one of the teachers from the Academy, he knew because he had met the man, Umino Iruka, at Itachi's graduation.

"Well maybe I'll see her at school," he mumbled to himself as he ran home.