We grew up together. Takuto, Kouta, and I.
In an orphanage. Our parents, whoever they were, didn't survive the Kyuubi attack. We did.
xxxxx
Tenten also grew up with us, briefly, but we barely knew her before she got adopted.
She was lucky. We weren't.
A bit of resentment built up before I let it go.
At least I have Takuto and Kouta.
xxxxx
Takuto and Kouta are twins. Identical in every way. Until Takuto decided to grow his hair long and keep it braided. It reaches below his neck. Kouta just keeps his hair cut short. Messy. He doesn't bother styling it or doing anything with it.
"It's just hair," Kouta would say, "Something like physical appearance doesn't even matter. What matters is surviving. Let's live."
I could remember Takuto disagreeing, "Physical appearance matters. Clients would care how we present ourselves. People judge-
And Kouta rudely interrupting, "Yeah, yeah. As long as we complete the mission while living through another day, that's all that matters to me."
Takuto would respond by making an exasperated noise, rolling his eyes, and then letting it go.
I wouldn't involve myself in their conflict situations. I preferred keeping to myself. I didn't much enjoy conflict, really. And I knew that when they argued or were exasperated with each other, they would just as easily get over it. Kouta, especially. It was like he was high above us, in the sky, looking down, and seeing everything as very, very small. Takuto sometimes took a bit longer to get over things, but he eventually did too. His love for his brother would eventually win over any other negative emotion.
xxxxx
"What beautiful eyes," a woman said, kneeling in front of Kouta.
"He has the same eyes as me," muttered Kouta, gesturing towards his brother.
"No. No." the man with the woman said while shaking his head, "Darling. We are only here to adopt one. Not two."
Kouta glared.
"And spirit." the woman smiled, "Ah. I like this boy."
They left to talk to the matron but we could hear everything said.
"...I'm sorry, we don't usually separate twins."
"But..."
"Kouta specifically stated that he doesn't want to be separated from his twin. I am very sorry."
I saw the expression on Takuto's face. It was surprise and relief. I felt relief as well.
Isn't it terrible that I felt happy that the couple left without Kouta? Kouta could have had received a home, a family, but I had much rather he stay with me. I felt selfish.
Kouta didn't say much about the incident. He acted as if nothing happened and we went back to play. That was when we were seven.
xxxxx
"I can't wait until we can get our own apartment," Kouta admitted.
"Me too," I confessed.
"Not until we graduate," said Takuto, "Just a little bit longer."
"That boy in orange is allowed his own apartment. For a very long time now," I said.
"Who?" asked Kouta, curiosity filled his voice. He didn't bother noticing much.
"That boy who plays pranks a lot. Remember? He got his own apartment ages ago." said Takuto, matter-of-factly, "Apparently, the Hokage granted him permission."
"I wonder why we are told to stay away from him."
"Who cares?" Kouta said, losing interest in the topic.
Takuto shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know either.
Strangely, the thought didn't leave my mind.
xxxxx
I bumped into that boy. The boy who was on my mind.
"GAH!" he exclaimed as we both fell. (I had just bought ice cream. It was now on the ground.) And then just as quickly, he grabbed me and hid us behind a wall.
"What-
His hand covered my mouth. And I considered biting.
"NARUUUUTO!" loud voices were heard as people stampeded through the streets.
I waited. And then I shoved him away.
"Sorry!" he apologized. "Ah-you're Shiki... in the class across from mine. I'm sorry!"
I glared. How did he even know my name!? But that wasn't important right now. There was something much, much more important. My glare intensified.
"Sorry!" he said again, holding both his palms up. A non-threatening gesture to say he meant no harm.
"My ice cream," I said pointedly, crossing my arms.
He looked confused.
"Obviously, you are going to replace it." I demanded. Did he think apologizing was enough? My ice cream was ruined!
He still looked confused.
"Aren't you?" I snarled, my mood lowering.
"Ah-o-okay, Shiki-chan."
I'm not sure why he is calling my name so familiarly but I just wanted my ice cream replaced. Immediately.
xxxxx
"Why did the matron scold you?" Takuto asked.
"She was with Naruto," Kouta responded for me. Likely, he realized I wasn't in the mood to talk.
"I wonder why we aren't allowed near him," pondered Takuto, passing me one of the scrolls he was reading.
"Does it really matter?" asked Kouta, as he stretched out on the couch lazily.
"I guess not. It's just weird," said Takuto. I looked at the scroll and started reading. Takuto returned to focusing on his scroll too.
xxxxx
I passed!
I passed!
I passed!
I'm so happy.
Even Takuto and Kouta passed.
I hope we're on the same team.
I was so filled with happiness that I didn't really notice anything much.
But somehow, I eventually noticed orange.
Naruto was sitting, forlorn, on a swing all by himself.
Without a headband.
My happiness simmered a little as I felt a bit of sadness for him.
Without thinking, I approached him.
He looked up at me, surprised. His eyes were so open, so full of expression-it was really weird.
"You'll pass eventually." I stated, calmly. And his blue eyes widened.
"T-thanks Shiki-chan," he said, unsure. He looked less sad though, perhaps, even a little happy. What a strange boy.
I nodded and left.
It doesn't matter anymore. The matron had scolded me last time but I wouldn't be seeing her again. I've graduated. This means I am now officially an adult and... I can finally move out!
xxxxx
"What? Who says I'm living with you two!?" I snapped.
"Who else would you live with?" Kouta cut in.
"Myself." I said, as if it was obvious.
"You're living with us. I already chose a place." Kouta stated, like his decision was final. How infuriating!
"What!?" Who did he think he was!?
Takuto pretended to look upset, "You don't want to live with us?"
I backtracked. Although, I knew he was pretending, perhaps, there was a possibility he actually did feel hurt. "Ah... well, okay but "I" get to pick my room first." My tone of voice allowing no argument.
"Of course, Shiki." smiled Takuto.
xxxxx
"You three... are young." said our jounin instructor. Nara Seiji. "Ten years old?"
"So?" Kouta said, his tone impatient.
"I would like to keep you three in the village for safety." Nara Seiji decided aloud, "We will be doing a lot of training and D-rank missions."
None of us replied.
xxxxx
"Your picture looks nicer than mine," Takuto murmured, examining my Konoha Ninja Identification Card.
In the picture, it showed that I have long, black hair and dark, brown eyes. I was wearing a small smile and my headband was simply on my head.
"Yours is alright. I really like your eyes," I said, "I wonder if you and Kouta have a bloodline limit."
Takuto shrugged, returning my card to me as I continued to examine his.
"Purple eyes are nice." I said. Both Kouta and Takuto have black hair and purple eyes.
Kouta merely yawned. "I'm heading to bed."
xxxxx
"Shiki-chan?"
It was Naruto. What a surprise. I was at the river practicing my water walking.
"Hi!" I waved.
He came closer. "Wow! You are floating on water."
"You'll learn this eventually," I told him, "It's a chakra control technique."
"A what?" he asked, confused. What was the academy teaching him? Nevertheless, I explained it to him.
"Oh. Can you teach me?" he asked.
"Sure." I said, "But you're going to have to buy me ice cream."
He laughed, "Okay!"
xxxxx
SPLASH!
He fell in the water.
I glared. I was dry before but not anymore.
Naruto quickly apologized, "Sorry!"
"You're buying me ice cream after this and tomorrow too," I demanded.
"Eh heh, okay, okay, Shiki-chan."
"Also you're practicing over there!" I snapped, pointing to a bit of distance away from me.
He agreed good-naturedly.
xxxxx
"How come I'm so bad at this?" He murmured, sad.
I looked at him but said nothing.
"I really don't know, Shiki-chan!"
"You have a lot of chakra," I told him. He really did. I had already stopped practicing long ago but he was still going at it.
"So I'm never going to get this down?!" He complained.
I stared. "Just practice. You'll manage it eventually."
"What scroll are you reading?" he asked me, curiously.
"It's a medical technique."
"Can you teach me?" He pleaded.
"No. It requires chakra control. Very precise chakra control," I said.
He groaned, but continued practicing his chakra control.
xxxxx
Nara Seiji, our jounin instructor looked troubled.
"Is something wrong?" probed Takuto.
"Yes. I have been assigned on a mission. It will take approximately two months, perhaps less. Temporarily, Hatake Kakashi will be your instructor."
"...Are you going to continue?" Kouta asked, knowing there were things left unsaid.
Nara Seiji sighed. "It does not do to speak ill of a comrade."
We stared at him.
"You will meet him tomorrow at this training ground." He stated, "You will only be doing D-ranked missions in the village until I return."
"Hai, Seiji-sensei." We responded.
xxxxx
"He's always late," grumbled Takuto, "How unprofessional."
"I hope Seiji-sensei gets back soon," I admitted. "Kakashi-sensei doesn't even teach us anything."
"Probably he just sucks at teaching," muttered Kouta, his voice discontent.
Takuto and I laughed. Apparently, even Kouta didn't want Kakashi-sensei as our teacher!
But really, I hope Seiji-sensei gets back soon.
xxxxx
"What's it like being trained by Hatake Kakashi?" asked Tenten, curiously.
We were practicing weapon throwing together. Tenten is likely going to graduate this year.
"Awful," I admitted, embarrassed.
"What? Why?" Tenten looked confused.
"He obviously cares about Konoha and from his reputation, I know he is clearly very strong... but he's just really awful at teaching."
Tenten laughed.
xxxxx
"Who's that?" I asked. His hair was tied up like a pineapple.
"He looks a bit like Seiji-sensei." Takuto remarked.
"My new shogi partner because you two refuse to play me," said Kouta. "I saw him staring at a shogi board by himself so I dragged him here."
"Shikamaru. Nara Shikamaru." said the boy, upon realizing Kouta wasn't going to really introduce him. "It was a finished game with my dad."
"Oh. You must be related to Seiji-sensei." Takuto said, examining Shikamaru's resemblance to Seiji-sensei.
"He's my uncle." said Shikamaru, and then directed a question to Kouta, "Where's this?"
"My house." Kouta said simply as they started playing shogi in the living room.
xxxxx
"I can't believe you refuse to try Ichiraku Ramen! It is the best!" Naruto harped, sprouting nonsense about unhealthy ramen.
I ignored him.
"Shiki-chan! Pleaseeeeeeeee," he whined, like a child. "It's reaaaally good!"
I rolled my eyes. "Alright, I'll try it."
"YATTA!" cheered Naruto.
The ramen was okay. I could see why Naruto liked it so much. The chef and his daughter were very friendly and seemed very fond of Naruto.
xxxxx
We waited three weeks to see if Kakashi-sensei would actually teach us anything. He didn't.
"Look. We'll train and complete missions by ourselves until Seiji-sensei returns," Takuto stated clearly.
"What? Now, now, I am your instructor-
"What good does that title do? You don't teach anything." muttered Kouta, irritated.
"You're a strong ninja, Kakashi-sensei, but you're not good at teaching... at all." I admitted.
"Waiting for you to show up takes up a lot of time that could be better spent perusing the ninja library or completing an extra mission," stated Takuto.
"Well, if you wanted to learn something, you could've just asked!" defended Kakashi.
Calm Takuto wasn't calm at all right now, "Every time any of us asked you for training, you simply say, "Maybe later" and return to reading your perverted book. You may be a very strong ninja but you are terrible at teaching."
"Sensei, perhaps, maybe you can go watch what other genin instructors do to learn from them or something." I suggested.
Kakashi sweat dropped.
xxxxx
"Report."
"Hai, Hokage-sama," stated Kakashi as he reported.
It was a very long report.
"The girl is not a danger then?"
"No, Hokage-sama. Shiki seems to bear no ill intent towards Naruto. She teaches him stuff and they hang out together but that's about it. They seem to be friends."
"Good, good." murmured the Sandaime. He was glad he wouldn't have to kill the girl.
xxxxx
"You have a garden?" I asked, surprised.
"Yeah!" said Naruto proudly, sitting up straighter. His expression turned oddly shy as he asked uncertainly, "...Want me to show you?"
"Sure!" I agreed happily. I was learning more about the different types of plants and their uses. It would be nice to see his garden. I wonder what types of plants Naruto grows.
xxxxx
"You... are very good." complimented Shikamaru. They have been playing shogi for a while.
"I know." Kouta said, sounding very arrogant.
Takuto smacked him, "Saying a simple "Thank you" would sound much better."
I laughed. "Kouta always wins. That's why neither Takuto nor I want to play him. "
Kouta just smirked.
"I just won though," smiled Shikamaru as he placed his last move on the shogi board.
The smirk left Kouta's face. "...Rematch?"
"Sure." said the lazy Shikamaru boy.
xxxxx
"I am Yamanaka Iku." said the man, "Nara Seiji's mission will take longer than expected."
Silence.
"We will take a week to gauge your skill level and then we'll be doing C-rank missions."
"Hai, Iku-sensei." We responded.
Takuto, Kouta and I ended up learning a lot and improving our skills under Yamanaka Iku.
xxxxx
"I am unable to use chakra," admitted Lee.
"..."
"But even so, I WILL become a ninja!" proclaimed Lee passionately.
"Do your best." said Takuto.
"A man named Gai-sensei has started training me in taijutsu!" stated Lee.
"That's great, Lee." Takuto smiled, "Want to spar?"
"Yosh!"
He and Lee had gotten along well in the orphanage. Despite moving out, Takuto made sure to still keep in touch once in a while.
xxxxx
Months passed.
"When will Seiji-sensei return?" Takuto asked.
"Unfortunately, his mission is very high-profile so it will likely be quite a while." stated Yamanaka Iku. "We are going to do some B-rank missions now."
"Hai, Iku-sensei."
xxxxx
"I still can't do the bunshin technique," complained Naruto.
"You have a lot of chakra," I reminded him. "You can try making a lot of clones at the same time, learning a higher level cloning technique requiring more chakra, or more importantly, improving your chakra control."
Naruto seemed to consider what I said before he continued, "...I can't seem to get the water walking trick down."
"You've improved a lot," I told him.
"Really!?" Naruto seemed embarrassed, "Thanks Shiki-chan! But I can't stand on it non-stop like you or your brothers can!"
"The twins aren't my brothers," I told him, "And I cannot stand on water non-stop, there is a limit to my chakra but you seem to have nearly unlimited chakra."
"What!? But you live with them!"
"We grew up together," I told him, "And Kouta can be quite bossy."
"Eh... bossier than you!?"
I glared at him.
"Eh heh, of course I was kidding, Shiki-chan!"
"You're buying me another ice cream. Right now."
Naruto laughed, "Hai, hai, Shiki-chan."
xxxxx
"You killed them too early," reprimanded Iku-sensei. "Remember to leave at least one alive next time for interrogation."
"Hai, Iku-sensei."
"I will be teaching you how to properly gather information."
"Hai, Iku-sensei."
xxxxx
"You three will be learning medical techniques from Watanabe Riku, a highly skilled medic nin." said Iku-sensei, "Every weekend morning, be at Konoha hospital."
"Hai, Iku-sensei."
xxxxx
"Good. Well done."
"Thank you, Iku-sensei."
xxxxx
Takuto and Lee had just finished sparring in a forest.
"You're getting a lot better." said Takuto, panting, "Your stamina... it is very, very good."
"Thanks Takuto!" said Lee, very happy. He didn't seem half as tired as Takuto.
Takuto groaned inside, he definitely needed to train more if Lee could tire him out like this.
Thankfully, he hasn't lost yet. Kouta would never let him live it down-to lose to an academy student even if it was one trained by a well-known Taijutsu specialist.
Lee was really good though. He'd definitely graduate this year.
xxxxx
"I will not be entering you in the upcoming Chunnin Exams. Perhaps, the next one. Any questions?"
"Why?" asked Kouta, "We are more than ready."
"It is held in Iwa. You will likely be killed before the exam even starts."
Takuto gulped. "Good thing we aren't entering then!"
And that was that.
xxxxx
"You three are actually very good... perhaps, you'd like to switch to becoming medical-ninja full-time?" asked Watanabe Riku. "I've rarely seen such perfect chakra control... It is more likely in girls, although still very, very rare. But both you boys having perfect chakra control as well? That is extremely, extremely rare."
"I refuse." Kouta said.
"No thank you," I said, "But I wouldn't mind helping out on other days as well."
"I will think about it, Riku-sensei." said Takuto, politely.
Riku sighed. "Well, at least I get you for the weekends!"
As they were leaving, they heard her offhandedly saying, "But do remember! If you change your mind, let me know."
xxxxx
"I DID IT!" exclaimed Naruto, proudly. "LOOK. Shiki-chan! Look! ONE BUNSHIN!"
I did look. Amazing. He actually did it.
It was a lot of hard work, even I knew that. He spent a long, long time practicing chakra control techniques.
"Congratulations, Naruto." I told him.
"Maybe... maybe I'll graduate this year..." he said like he couldn't believe it.
"Maybe you will." I told him.
xxxxx
"Neji. You will fail this year's exam. Your job will be to protect the heiress." ordered Hiashi, "The High Council has agreed to ensure that you will be placed on Hinata's team next year if you fail this year's exam."
"Hai, Hiashi-sama." Neji responded. It was not as if he was able to respond any other way. He was basically a slave with the bird cage seal.
Neji made sure to be in his room before allowing himself to feel the anger and frustration.
His hands clenched. He was supposed to graduate this year. He would've been rookie of the year.
xxxxx
"I am their original sensei. Of course, you need to return them to me."
"They are pretty much chunnin in all but name. The next Chunnin Exam, they will likely all graduate."
"Iku. The next one isn't for quite a long while. You can return them now."
"Seiji. We're friends, aren't we?"
Seiji sighed. He didn't understand why his friend wouldn't give him back his genin but his long-term mission had really sucked. He didn't feel like arguing. Shikaku was right that some things were too troublesome. This was one of them.
"How about we both train them?"
"Very well."
xxxxx
"Seiji-sensei! You're back!" I cheered. I had missed him. Yamanaka Iku-sensei was a great teacher compared to Kakashi-sensei, but I had really missed Seiji-sensei.
"We missed you." said Takuto. "Even Kouta did."
Kouta kicked him.
Takuto laughed, "It's the truth."
"Well... the thing is, both Iku and I will be training you." said Nara Seiji. "Also, we will be teaching you how to infiltrate and assassinate."
"Eventually, we will start doing A-rank missions," said Yamanaka Iku. "Pay close attention from now on. Your lives will depend on it."
"Hai, sensei."
xxxxx
"You!"
Takuto halted. "Me?"
"Yes. I am Ino." the girl said. She had blonde hair and blue eyes. "My uncle Iku is your jounin sensei."
"Ah. You are a Yamanaka?" asked Takuto, a friendly smile on his face.
"Yes. Why is he still training you? Seiji-san is back. Iku-sensei is supposed to be training ME." she declared dramatically.
"...Is that so?" Takuto asked, "I think it might be because he wants us to pass the next Chunnin Exams for sure."
"What!? You are already going to be Chunnin?" asked Ino, surprised.
"Yes," Takuto responded, politely.
"How old are you?"
"I am turning 11 soon." said Takuto.
"You're the same age as me!" said Ino, astonished, "But I thought we can only graduate when we're 12!"
"No. You're allowed to request to take the exam early," said Takuto.
Ino was about to ask something else but then another Takuto appeared in front of her.
A clone!?
"You're slow." the other Takuto said. His body language, tone of voice, even hairstyle was completely different from the Takuto she had been talking to. It was as if he was a different person... but they looked the same!
"Kouta." said Takuto, sighing. "Anyways, this is Yamanaka Ino. Ino-san, this is my twin brother, Kouta."
Kouta looked from Takuto to Ino and back. Bluntly, he asked. "Your girlfriend?"
Ino blushed. Girlfriend!? Well... Takuto really was attractive... the Kouta guy was too... They did look the same... but Takuto was very polite... and he seemed very nice... But her heart was only for Sasuke-kun, wasn't it!? ...
"She's Iku-sensei's niece. She was simply asking about him." responded Takuto, "...the mission?"
"Shiki is already at the gates. Let's go." With a shunshin, Kouta was gone.
"Excuse us, Ino-san." Takuto said politely, before following his twin.
Ino was still in her own world.
xxxxx
Suspicious. That was the first thought in Kouta's mind the moment he met Kabuto. The more time he spent with him, the greater his suspicion grew.
"Hey Shiki."
Shiki looked at him, confused, "Hm?"
So Shiki didn't notice. Kabuto looked up from his clipboard briefly.
"Never mind." said Kouta.
"What?"
"It's nothing," he said. "Come. Our shifts are over."
He didn't particularly dislike hospital work; it just wasn't what interested him. He preferred playing shogi more than anything.
That Kabuto guy... really did make his senses paranoid however.
He knew not to talk about Kabuto anytime soon though... Lest his paranoia proves true somehow.
xxxxx
Time passed.
"Hey Shikamaru." Kouta said.
"Hm?" asked Shikamaru, looking up from the shogi board. It was his turn.
"There's this guy... at the hospital..."
Shikamaru blinked, but waited. Patiently.
"His name is Yakushi Kabuto... I work at the hospital every weekend... and I've been there for months..."
Shikamaru waited.
Kouta seemed unsure how to continue.
"Want me to discreetly ask my dad to check his files?" Shikamaru offered.
"Thanks." Kouta said. He seemed genuinely grateful.
"No problem. But what can you tell me about him?"
"He's skilled but he's hiding it. His chakra is even concealed to make it seem as if he has less. I carefully started following him but he disappears. Likely, he is stronger than me. A lot stronger."
"Ah." Shikamaru inwardly sighed. This was troublesome. It was well-known that Kouta was already way above chunnin level... All Kouta did in his spare time was train or play shogi anyways. At first, Shikamaru had thought Kouta was as lazy as him... but Kouta trained intensely every day. This was really troublesome.
"Hope it's nothing." After all, both his brother and Shiki were around Kabuto during the weekends as well. If Kabuto was a threat... Kouta saw red.
Shikamaru's words interrupted Kouta from his dark thoughts, "I'll let my dad know after this game."
"Alright."
Kouta realized he needed to get stronger.
xxxxx
"..."
"..."
"You passed, nephew." said Hiashi.
"..."
"The Hokage was there." Hiashi murmured. Of course, the Hokage likely wanted to ensure there wasn't any foul play in the demon container's exam. Especially since it was revealed that last year, there was.
"..."
Neji didn't say anything. He was surprised. Overjoyed inside but also fearful of his uncle's wrath and very, very confused. Were the Hyuuga elders going to punish him? He wasn't sure but he now had a headband. It was a surprise that the Hokage was there. It was a bigger surprise when the Hokage told him, "Do your very best. I will know."
Tomorrow... he would find out whose team he was on.
But today, he actually felt very, very thankful.
His hand tightened on the headband he thought he wasn't allowed to rightfully earn this year but fortunately did.
He was still in a cage, but he felt that maybe, just briefly, he had a taste of freedom.
And for the first time, he questioned fate.
xxxxx
"You passed!" congratulated Takuto.
"Thanks," said Lee. "Yosh! And tomorrow, I will find out whose team I'm on!"
"Don't you think it might be Gai-sensei's? You ARE already his student."
Lee froze. "Do you think so!? That would be wonderful! I hope so! To actually be on Gai-sensei's genin team..."
Takuto laughed. Then paused. His eyes on a certain someone, confused.
"Ah... Naruto-kun failed. He ... worked very hard." said Lee, "He improved by leaps and bounds... Everybody noticed but unfortunately..."
Takuto sighed. Shiki wouldn't like this.
xxxxx
"..."
"...What happened?" asked Shiki.
Naruto looked on the verge of tears. His eyes were watery.
"Let's... go to ..." Shiki wasn't sure where, but she ended up dragging him towards the river where she first taught him water walking. Not many people ever went to this area.
Shiki ended up holding Naruto as he bawled his eyes out.
xxxxx
"Is... everything alright?" Shiki asked after his tears had stopped. They were just both silent now. She didn't feel she was so good at comforting people. She wasn't sure what to do!
"..." Tears started falling from Naruto's eyes again.
She felt horrible for Naruto but she really wasn't sure what to do.
xxxxx
"Next year... I will pass next year for sure. Dattebayo." His blue eyes were like lightning.
"You'll pass. For sure." I said.
He sniffed and then used one of his arm sleeves to wipe away his tears.
"How about I treat you to some ramen?" I offered.
"T-thanks Shiki-chan." His voice wavered but it seemed the storm had passed.
He's going to be alright.
And next year... next year... he will pass for sure.
I believed it.