What's in a Heart of a Doll?
AO3 Link
Chapter 1/?
Rating: T-M
Chapter Word Count: 4.5k
Reader: GN pronouns + Afab
(Planned romances will be very slow burned since this is a rewrite + fix-it fic)
Summary: What is a human's purpose when they are created? Do they just know how to navigate through life as they are?
It's hard... Learning these things for the first time. However, with some guidance, maybe even you can learn how to be... Human.
Your teacher said that these three might just be a good influence on you. Let's hope he's right.
A/N: This is my first time writing for Naruto and technically my first time officially getting into and participating in the fandom since i avoided it as a kid, which is funny cus i always had a bit of a crush on sasuke and suddenly the crush hit me again recently (plus other crushes) but 10x harder so now im here and made way too much lore for this 😭
just a heads up
- for the most part, a lot of the dialogue is 1 for 1 on the characters, the first couple chaps, i was kinda having a rough time trying to write till i got the swing of things later - this is basically a fix-it rewrite so the pacing may be ass - the reader may act a bit mary sue ish at times (because they are basically my in universe sona but written with a reader perspective 💀) - aaaand the characters may be a pretty ooc since im not used to writing for them/i have not written in a while
“Squad 7: Naruto Uzumaki. Sakura Haruno. Sasuke Uchiha. And…” In the midst of Sakura cheering and Naruto groaning, there was a fourth name that the class did not recognize catching the group’s attention.
“Iruka-Sensei, who’s that last name you said?? I don’t think there’s anyone in class with that name.” Naruto peeped up.
“The teacher your group has been assigned to has a student of his own due to certain… personal circumstances. They are about your age. So, your group will be the exception to the rule of threes.” The crew gave each other a confused glance before Sasuke and Naruto went back to glaring at each other.
It was time for you to meet your other team members.
You had been a student already that was under Kakashi’s supervision due to certain circumstances and he had finally decided that you would be joining the group that he is tasked with this year. You held Raksa close to your chest, your plush companion.
“Today, you will be meeting with your new teammates. Make sure to get along with them,” You gave him a little nod as the two of you stop in front of a classroom, the door is slightly ajar. There seems to be a chalkboard eraser at the top of the door, Kakashi obviously seemed to notice it.
“I’ll go in first.” Just as expected, Kakashi was hit with the dusty eraser, although it only made his hair appear dustier considering it was already the same color as his hair.
A boyish, boisterous laugh came from the classroom the moment Kakashi activated the trap along side a polite, feminine voice.
“I got him, I got him, did ya see that!”
“I’m so sorry Sensei, I tried to stop him, but Naruto went off on his own…”
Once Kakashi fully entered the classroom, you peeked your head inside with Raksa. The other three had took note of you just behind Kakashi. There was a blond, short boy with spiky hair who was most likely the loud one who did the prank. There was a slightly taller girl with long pink hair who was the one who apologized. And sitting off to the side, was a quiet black hair boy in blue who only observed the scene in front of him with a scowl.
“Hm… How should I say this on my first impressions of you all?” Kakashi put a finger to his chin, making a thinking pose.
“Well, I hate you all.” The blunt way of speaking made the three of them frown.
All of you then gathered to the rooftop, you were going to stand by Kakashi’s side like you usually do but he had told you to sit with the group in front of him.
“Let’s see. First off, let me have you guys introduce yourselves,” Kakashi then spared a glance at you before continuing. “As you can see, you have a new classmate that will be meeting you for the first time alongside myself.”
“What should should we say?”
“Your likes, dislikes, future dreams. Things like that.”
“Hey! How about you tell us about you first!” The blond one says with an abrasive way of speaking.
“Me? My name is Kakashi Hakate,” He points to himself. “I don’t feel like telling you my likes and dislikes,” The pink and blond ones give him a confused look. “I’ve never really thought about my future dream. As for my hobbies… I have many that are only for adults.” The pink girl gives the others an annoyed look.
“In the end, we only know his name…”
The blond one then perks up after realizing something and looks right at you.
“Hey, hey, you’ve been his student a while. Can you tell us about Kakashi-Sensei?” You tilt your head a bit at his question.
“Like what? Sensei technically said all that wanted to.”
“But, we don’t even know anything else! He didn’t even say what kind of ‘hobbies’ that were adults only! Like, is there anything embarrassing about him you know at least?”
“Oi, you don’t need to know that-”
Your mind flashes back to just earlier today in fact, the reason why the two of you were late in the first place.
“He burnt 5 eggs just earlier today before giving up and buying a boxed lunch-” The blond one had busted out laughing, the pink one was trying her best (and failing) to hold back an impolite laugh, and the black hair one turned away but you can see the slight shake in his shoulders.
“Okay, okay, okay. Next is you guys, starting with you.” Kakashi coughed as he pointed at the blond one to introduce himself.
The blond one’s name was Naruto Uzumaki, he appears to be extremely ambitious and craves attention from others with a strong interest towards ramen.
The pink girl’s name was Sakura Haruno, she was a bit confusing to you, with her looking at the black hair one when talking about her likes, hobbies, and future dream then saying that she disliked Naruto who made a face of despair at her words.
Finally, The black haired one was Sasuke Uchiha, he said he dislikes many things while not liking anything in particular. However, there’s two things driving him. Restoring his clan and killing a specific person.
You look at Kakashi who just has a glint of dread behind his stoic face.
… Will this kind of team be sustainable?
It was your turn to introduce yourself, you start with your name then you introduce your bear companion in your arms.
“And this is Raksa. I do not have any particular likes or dislikes, and my hobbies; I create dolls,” You brought Raksa closer to your chest. “As for a future dream, I just wish to become the Ninja I was created to be.” The others look at you with a confused expression.
“Created to be?”
You just nod, confusing the crew more at your simple answer.
Kakashi lets out a small cough to grab everyone’s attention.
“Okay! Everyone is distinctive and interesting. We’ll have a mission tomorrow!”
“What kind of a mission?” Naruto peeped up excitedly, almost jumping from anticipation.
“A survival exercise.”
Kakashi-Sensei had said that this was a very important mission where of the 28 graduates, only 9 will be recognized as junior ninjas. The remaining 18 students will be sent back to the academy, the test has a failure rate of 66%. Kakashi also said to skip breakfast, or else you all would throw up during the test.
And that is how the four of you ended up waiting at five in the morning at the training grounds waiting for your Sensei.
He’s late.
Everyone at this point had decided to sit down, waiting for him. While waiting, it seems you had caught the eye of the most hyperactive one of your crew.
“Hey, so. Why’s that I’ve never seen you at the academy before? Most teams’re in threes, so it’s weird that we’re a four person team. What makes you so special that you were already his student?” Naruto seems to have said out loud what the other two were thinking.
“I’ve been under Kakashi’s care ever since my…” You correct yourself before you could say the wording Kakashi told you not to use. “My … Parent passed, Kakashi-Sensei was a particularly close friend of my… Sibling.” The words of relations are robotic and awkward under your tongue, but the others looked at you pity and a sort of personal understanding nonetheless.
“Hi everyone, good morning!”
“YOU’RE LATE!!!” Naruto and Sakura yelled simultaneously.
“Well, a black cat crossed my path, you see-” You took note of his fanny pack looking more full than how it normally is.
“Did you buy another perverse book before coming here?” Kakashi cleared his throat, unable to deny your accusation which only caused your teammates to narrow their eyes at him.
“Ahem! Well,” He doesn’t answer your question before he goes to the timer on the nearby stump to set the time, setting it for 12:00.
“Today’s assignment is to take these bells away from me by noon,” Kakashi takes out 3 bells that are tied together at the point he is holding. He then states that those who are unable to steal the bells from him in that allotted time frame will not eat lunch and be tied to a post.
That explains why he told everyone to not eat breakfast.
“Ready… Start!”
And just like that, everyone, including yourself, had gone in different locations to hide and observe Kakashi-Sensei.
…
Is what would have been said if it weren’t for Naruto standing out in the open while you all had dispersed to your hiding spots. Kakashi then says he is going to teach the first shinobi battle jutsu, taijutsu. The tall man then takes out an all too familiar book from his fanny pack.
‘Make Out Paradise’ Written on the cover.
Just as you suspected.
“They were right! You were late because you got a stupid perverted book!”
“Let’s get back to the topic at hand!” Kakashi’s eye twitched.
The two of them clashed-
…
One sidedly, clashed.
Naruto would swing, only for Kakashi to dodge with ease with just a simple side step all while reading that perverse book of his. In the end, Naruto just started beating himself up after Kakashi used a substitution jutsu to dodge Naruto’s shadow clones and finally getting stuck in a rope trap. Just as Kakashi was scolding Naruto, the tall man was then “hit” with a bunch of shurikens and kunais.
Poof!
The ‘body’ had been replaced with a large log, judging by the trajectory of the throws, Sasuke had most likely revealed where he was hiding. You heard the shuffling of the nearby trees and bushes, Sakura and Sasuke must have ran. Since Kakashi will be busy with those two, you decided to help Naruto out of his predicament. He had already gotten himself stuck in a second rope trap the moment you looked away.
Twirling a bit, you threw Raksa up into the air, activating the doll to expand and get much taller, the doll’s feet hit the ground with a firm ‘thud’. You open the zipper on their back, taking out a few smaller dolls which you throw towards Naruto’s direction. And without a verbal command, they already know what to do.
“Wh- WHAT’S WITH THESE THINGS?” Naruto flailed around a bit more as he saw the dolls crawl towards his immobilized form, trying to get away from them. He calmed down a bit once he realized that they were cutting off the rope that connected him to the tree, unceremoniously letting him fall to the ground face first with a ‘thunk’!
“You coulda been a bit more gentle abou- WOAH, WHERE’RE YOU TAKING ME!?” The dolls then picked him up, with his feet still hogtied, and scuttled towards the forest.
Meanwhile, you had heard a loud shriek that sounded like Sakura from deeper in the forest. You sent Raksa to go get her while you followed Sasuke’s direction and watch his match with Kakashi, hidden in a treetop. Watching Sasuke from afar, he seemed to show much more promise than the other two combat wise at the moment. Kakashi seems to have to use his full attention for him than he did with the others.
But, just like the others, Sasuke had failed.
The boy was now entrapped in the dirt with only his head peeking out with Kakashi walking away, most likely going to check in on the other two now.
After the coast was clear, you jumped down from the treeline and headed towards the trapped Sasuke who was surprised to see you. He must have had his full focus on Kakashi and somehow didn’t notice you were nearby.
“… It’s you.” You didn’t answer him, you simply raised a hand upwards, focusing a bit of chakra into it, and stabbed downwards, reaching for his arm to pull him out of the dirt.
And just on time, the two of you could hear Naruto’s complaining and flailing along side Raksa’s steps who was now carrying a fainted Sakura.
The four of you have now all regrouped.
“Hey! What’s the big idea, anyways?! You tryin’ to pick a fight while I’m stuck like this?! Well, are ya?!”
That boy was so loud.
Loud enough for Sakura to wake up.
“What in the world happened…? Sasuke?!” The girl bolted upright, flailing out of Raksa’s grasp to cry and cling onto Sasuke who only tried to push her away from the sudden close proximity.
“Would you let go of me?! Don’t hug me!”
Seeing the three of them together, yelling and being loud like this, there was only one thing that had come out of your mouth at the sight.
“You all are quite stupid, aren’t you?”
“What was that?!” The three of them all angrily yell at your accusation. You knelt down to cut the rope tying Naruto’s ankles together, who jumped up from where he was laying.
“How dare you call Sasuke stupid!” Sakura was quick to defend Sasuke before thinking about herself.
“You think you’re so special all because you were already Kakashi’s student before us! Why don’t you tell us how to take him down then?!” You stared at Naruto’s outburst with a blank stare which only frustrated him more.
“Is that head only good for yelling?” You said, getting up to place the smaller dolls back into Raksa.
“What did you say?!”
“Why did everyone separate?” You glanced back at the angry, blond boy.
“Well, we needed to get the bells from Kakashi so that we don’t go back to the academy! It’s not like all of us can succeed anyways since there’s only 3 bells on him!”
“And when did he say that?”
“Huh?”
“When did he ever say that each person needed a singular bell to succeed?”
“Well- Uh, It was implied! Like, cause there’s 4 of us and only 3 bells!”
“But, he never explicitly said that was the case,” You stepped closer to the crew, Sasuke and Sakura had already connected the dots.
“Why would we be assigned to a team, if they were just planning on separating us on the very first mission?” Naruto’s mind looked like it was working over time trying to put the pieces of what you said together.
Before it finally…
Clicked.
“HE WAS BAITING US?” Sasuke sighed and Sakura face palmed at Naruto’s late connection, though, they certainly weren’t any better considering they also fell for the bait.
“We need to work together,”
You bring out your chakra infused wire.
“We can bring him to the forest and have him get tangled up in this. Then we can get the bells.”
Naruto and Sasuke seem weary at the idea of having to work with each other, let alone together as a group for this, their pride standing in the way of this assignment.
The four of you found Kakashi in a nearby river in the forested area, reading his book like there was nothing else to do. You signal for Naruto to go out there.
“Hey Kakashi! You’re nothin’ but an old pervert aren’t you?!” Naruto taunted to get the tall man’s attention just before using his shadow clone jutsu to surround Kakashi.
“Don’t judge an adult for their tastes!”
And just like that, Kakashi was being herded to where the trap was laid. You and Sakura created the trap together and decided on Sasuke to activate the trap due to his faster reaction time.
Sasuke was focused, waiting for the millisecond Kakashi was in the vicinity of the trap.
The moment he saw the spiked, grey hair, Sasuke threw his kunai to the trap, making the chakra wire snap itself around him, causing him to fall to the ground.
“Well, would you look at that, you’re all finally getting it,” The 4 of you stand over Kakashi, the other three reveling in their success. Naruto and Sakura were loudly cheering as Sasuke had a smug smirk to himself. But, you knew your teacher. That would be too simple for him to fall for.
“It’s really too bad that you all got it too late.” And with a puff of smoke, Kakashi was no longer in the trap with just a log in his place.
“AH!! Where’d he go?! I was so sure we’d get him!” You heard the sound of a string moving. It seemed you, Sasuke, and Sakura all got the same idea and jumped out of the way, leaving Naruto confused just before getting trapped once again but this time by the wire you all had tried to use against Kakashi.
The sound of the alarm rang throughout the area, you all had regrouped near the meeting spot, dragging a tied up Naruto along the dirt.
The 4 of you sat near the wooden poles, the other three’s stomachs were growling loudly as Kakashi stood above you four.
“Uh oh, seems like everyone’s pretty hungry now, that’s too bad.” The group glared at Kakashi’s way of speaking. “Oh by the way, about this exercise. I’ve decided, I won’t send anyone back to the academy,” Naruto and Sakura excitedly cheered before Kakashi could finish, with Naruto wiggling while tied up and Sakura jumped up and down.
“Yes, yes, all of you… Are being dropped from the program permanently.” Kakashi’s words hit them like a rock, instantly causing them to stop in their place from shock.
“What?! You can’t just kick us all out like that! What about them?! They’ve been your student for so long that you’re just failing them with us?!”
“It’s because you don’t think like ninja. You all think like little brats.” Kakashi was goading them. And it worked.
Sasuke charged at Kakashi for being called a brat, only for him to get trapped underneath the teacher with swift speed.
“You let Sasuke go! Don’t you dare step on him like he’s just some bug!” Kakashi just stared at you all with an annoyed look in his eye.
“You just all think about yourselves, you don’t know what it means to be a Ninja. It’s all just a game to you all,” The group looked at him in surprise, as if it was so shocking he was pointing out how they only saw this as a way to show off. “You had to be explicitly told by them what this exercise was supposed to be. And even then, you all had decided to join together too late. A genin should have a natural feel for teamwork, but with most of you, it didn’t even cross your mind.” Kakashi then pointed at Sakura.
“You obsessed about Sasuke who was gone, but Naruto was right in front of you and you didn’t even lift a finger to help him!” Sakura looked down in guilt at Kakashi’s criticisms of her actions.
“Naruto, you do everything on your own. Everything.” Naruto looked down in regret.
Kakashi then looked at you, a disappointed expression in his eye. “You basically gave them the answers without working together naturally, you see this exercise as more of a puzzle than actual team work. You need to remember your teammates are not pieces of a puzzle, they are their own persons.” You didn’t expect that you would get scolded as well, you just told the others what they were missing, that should have been enough anyways, right? After all, the aim of the exercise is to simply take the bells away.
“And you, Sasuke,” Kakashi stepped down on Sasuke’s head further to make a point. “Thought the others were so far beneath you just labeled them as useless! Seems there’s only one of you with a head on their shoulders, and you all dragged them down because of your own arrogance!” Sasuke only scowled up at Kakashi from his position.
“Missions are supposed to be carried out in squads. There’s no doubt that a ninja needs remarkable individual skill. But, teamwork is considered much more important. Any wrong move from an individual could mean death. For example…” Kakashi reached for a kunai in his pocket and pointed it towards the trapped boy’s neck.
“‘Sakura! Kill Naruto, or else Sasuke dies!’” Sakura and Naruto looked at the scene in shock as they tensed up.
“… Is what could happen.”
Kakashi twirled the kunai around his finger before placing it back into his pocket, getting off of Sasuke and walked towards the nearby memorial stone. There were many names of ninjas from the village that were engraved on that stone.
The ninjas who were killed in action.
The air had gotten tense.
“This is a memorial stone, the names of my friends are also engraved here,” Kakashi spared a glance at you as he said that.
“I’ll give you all one more chance. However, the next time will be much harder. Those who want to take the challenge will be able to eat lunch, but, you cannot give Naruto any.”
“WHAT?!”
“You’ve gotten yourself in that trap, so you’re going to have to face the punishment.”
“BUT, I DIDN’T EVEN DO ANYTHING!”
“Them’s the breaks. Oh, and if anyone let’s him eat, then they will get immediately disqualified,” Sasuke glares at Kakashi as the other two looked at him in shock at his harsh tone. “I make the rules, got it?” And just like that, Kakashi walks off.
The three of you had opened your lunches and started to eat as Naruto tried to reassure himself that he would be fine not eating. That is, until a loud growl was heard from his stomach. Sasuke sighed before pushing his lunchbox towards Naruto, surprising Sakura.
As you watched Sasuke and Naruto, it clicked inside your head.
This was another test.
Maybe this time they can figure it out on their own. Shifting a bit, you also move your lunch box towards Naruto, surprising him.
“Hey, wait, you two! What if Kakashi comes?” Sakura looked around anxiously, trying to find any possible trace of the power hungry teacher.
Kakashi scolded you for simply telling them what to do before, so maybe you will let them try and figure it out on their own this time?
“It’s okay, he’s not here now. The four of us will get the bells together, properly this time.” Sakura looks down at her lunchbox before making her final decision and giving Naurto her lunch as well, the blond boy became teary eyed at Sakura’s action.
“Sakura… Thank you…”
“Don’t thank me, hurry up and eat!” Naruto shifted uncomfortably, he certainly would have eaten by now if it weren’t for the fact he is tied up at the moment. Realizing this, Sakura let out a frustrated groan and begrudgingly fed Naruto when Sasuke told her to hurry up before Kakashi comes by.
The moment the food was in Naruto’s mouth, a loud gust of air and dust had appeared revealing itself to be an incredibly mad Kakashi. All of you did your best to stand your ground from the sudden gust.
“You all defied the rules, so now you all know what’s coming…” Kakashi shifted his hands in a certain sequence, causing the clouds to darken and cry with thunder. “Do you have something to say?” Sakura covered her head in fear while Naruto’s legs were shaking.
“But… Bu- But, Sensei, you said it yourself!”
“We’re a squad, aren’t we?”
“Th-that’s right! The four of us are one!”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah!”
Everyone protectively stood up in front of Naruto, Kakashi quickly glanced at you with a knowing look before closely observing everyone’s determined faces.
“The four of you are one, eh?”
Kakashi’s stern face shifted to a smile from underneath his mask.
“You pass!” Those words surprise Naruto and Sakura while Sasuke is still tense, expecting a trick of some sort.
“We pass?? But, why?”
“Up until now, it was only dunces who meekly listen to my every word,” Kakashi straightened up. “A ninja must see through deception. In the world of the ninja, those who break rules and codes are branded as garbage… But. Those who don’t cherish their friends are worse than that.” Sakura and Naruto looked at Kakashi in awe.
“Group seven starts their mission tomorrow.” Sakura and Naruto excitedly cheered before most of you had walked away, just for Naruto to realize, he is still tied up.
The four of you had already walked away with Naruto yelling in the distance about his predicament.
“WHAT?! You’ve never had ramen before?!!?” Naruto yelled at the top of his 12 year old lungs. The boy’s eyes nearly fell out of his skull the moment you had said that, Sakura and Sasuke both seemed to be annoyed at Naruto’s loud mannerism but also intrigued by your statement.
“I’ve only ever had the food Raksa made.” You lift up Raksa to emphasize your point.
“That’s it, Kakashi-Sensei, we’re heading to Ichiraku right now and get them a large bowl, stat!”
“With whose money?”
“… Uh.” Naruto looked downwards with an expression that practically said, ‘I totally thought you were going to pay’.
“Just kidding. I suppose I can cover you all this once, it’ll be good first team bonding.” Naruto cheered as he started running towards the ramen stall before any of you guys. He certainly has energy to spare.
Arriving at the ramen stall, Naruto practically jumped onto the stool and ordered a bowl of ramen for himself and even ordered a bowl for you.
“This place has the best ramen ever! You’re gonna love it!” You sat next to Naruto’s left side while Sakura sat next to his right with Sasuke, already ordering their own bowls. The older man at the counter chuckled, familiar with Naruto’s antics.
“You finally got yourself a team, eh, Naruto?”
“Thats right! I’m one step closer to becoming the Hokage!” The older man laughs loudly at Naruto’s ambitious dreams before placing four steaming, large bowls in front of you all. You placed Raksa on the counter-top, who only hovered over your food. You glance at the other three who had already started eating their bowls. Naruto ate his food ferociously, Sakura ate her food with a sort of elegance, and Sasuke ate his food calmly.
Taking the chopsticks, you mimicked their actions, picking up some of the noodles and giving it a quick blow before eating it. Naruto watched you closely for your reaction.
“It’s warm.”
“Yeah…?” The boy waited in anticipation for your reaction, looking up at you with his large blue eyes.
Perhaps this was not a good time to tell everyone that you cannot taste food. Kakashi-Sensei has told you before that people do not like when they are told the food they like has no flavor or is made fun of.
“It is satisfactory.” Kakashi sighs at your robotic wording but Naruto is strangely satisfied with that answer and cheers.
You gave a bit of your noodles to Raksa, you obediently ate from your chopsticks, Naruto was so shocked at your companion being able to eat the food too.
The four of you eat together after this long day of getting a feel for one another.
Naruto was the loudest of all with Sakura making her own conversation as you and Sasuke ate in silence, all the while Kakashi was reading his book with you all as company.
It all felt… Like home.
