Shin Genin Monogatari

by Gaara-no-Jo

There's a new generation of ninja in Konoha, each with their own talents, some new, some classic. But with a new generation comes new challenges and battles. But someone has left a legacy from an old enemy that challenges the new genin. Prequel LoSaW

1. Chapter 1

This is the Shin Genin Monogatari, formerly called "The New Genin". Seriously, they mean the same thing, I just think this one sounds cooler. I changed the plot and I actually planned this one out fairly far rather than doing my usual, "This is a cool idea, let me write and see if I can get away with it." A lot of stuff is the same again but it's just presented better, I think. I'll be able to get through the story line at better pace. If you're an old reader, your comments and critiques are appreciated. If you're a new reader, please enjoy and also comment.

"The New Genin" will be up for a week before I begin to take it down. (I save all the reviews, so I remember to give props and remember all the cool people that comment.) So save it if you like it or ask me to send you the file via mail. Thanks again!

- GnJ

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Chapter 1: Arrival! A New Beginning in Konoha!

The sky was filled with large puffy white clouds that occasionally cast shadows over the buildings as they past by. Naruto, Hokage of Konoha, watched one such shadow roll by as he looked out of the window of his office. Sasuke and Neji were standing before him with solemn faces. Inside, the young leader wished for something to distract him from the serious situation now facing him.

Conveniently, there was a knock on the door. Hinata walked in and smiled apologetically. "Naruto-kun… I'm sorry to interrupt but…"

"Ah, it's okay, Hinata-chan! What is it?" He said cheerily. The woman walked in and stepped to the side of the door. Sabakuno Aiki entered looking amazed at all he saw, followed by Kankurou. The little boy's wide eyes turned to the Hokage and his two friends and he quickly smiled and waved. "No way? Aiki?"

The boy had nearly grown a foot since the last time that Naruto had seen him nearly three years ago. Now eight years old, his wild shaggy hair seemed longer and it was tied in a ponytail at the base of his neck. It was long enough that it fell between his shoulder blades. He still wore his distinctive white sash and had the black rimmed eyes, however, his multitude of bracelets around his wrists, the anklets that fell around the top of his sandals, and the shining golden collar around his neck reminded Naruto of the dark secret behind the boy's kind green eyes.

"Hokage-sama, thank you for letting me stay in Konoha even though I can't control my powers yet."

"Not at all! To be honest, I'm glad we set up the exchange program just so we could get you. But you'll have to work extra hard, Aiki-kun." The boy nodded. "Hey! Hinata-chan, where's the brats?"

Hinata chuckled. "Since they are Uzumaki children, I'd assume that they're over there," She said pointing to a large pillow in a chair and a scroll lying against it. "You can't full my eyes, Tora, Awaji." The two items poofed and transformed into the two bashful children.

"Heh, Momma is pretty smart," Awaji remarked brightly.

Aiki looked at the boy before him. He looked a lot like Naruto only with black hair and the characteristic Hyuuga eyes. He was taller than the already short Aiki and wore a tan jacket with dark blue sleeves and blue pants. There was a large yellow spiral on the back of the jacket and a small stylized flame on each arm. Tora had blackish purple hair pulled into two long ponytails. All of the Uzumaki children had Naruto's whisker marks making them all look like foxes when they smiled mischievously. She wore a grey jumpsuit with pink trim and a hood. At her side was a small mass of charms and keychains, the most obvious was a plush three-tailed fox with a gold ball in its mouth.

"Hey, I think I remember you guys!" Aiki exclaimed. "It's me! Ochi!" The two stared at him blankly not remembering. The sand child thought for a second then got an idea. With a puff he transformed into a small wolf cub.

"OH!" they exclaimed in unison and rushed over. Aiki released the transformation and grinned. Tora blushed slightly in spite of herself.

"Naruto-sama," Neji began respectfully, "Let's continue this conversation another day."

Sasuke nodded. "We should return to work anyway."

The expression on the Hokage's face became a little more solemn but he agreed. "Soon, though. I want to settle this once and for all."

"You may not be able to, Hokage-sama," Neji replied.

Kankurou rubbed the back of his head for a second confused by the sudden seriousness. He knew he wasn't involved but still felt awkward. Finally, he knelt down beside his nephew. "Hey, I have to go. I don't think I can handle Temari's nagging after such a long trip. Heh, by the time she realizes I've gone, I'll be half way to Suna."

The little boy raised his eyebrow dubiously. "No you won't, but don't worry, I'll cover for you." He winked and held up his fist. Kankurou punched the fist lightly with his own and stood up. "Neji, Sasuke, let's leave together." The two nodded and left.

"I had better go too. Uncle Shikamaru and Auntie Temari are probably waiting," Aiki said. Naruto nodded and tousled his hair. He turned to Awaji and Tora. "See you in school!" He dashed towards an open window and jumped out. The three shocked Uzumakis ran over to the window and stuck their heads out. Just as Aiki was about to hit a roof below him he created a cushion of air with his tails and landed lightly before jumping down the road below and taking off down the busy street.

"Whoa…" Awaji breathed. "Cool."

There was a knock on the door of the Nara household. Shikamaru answered, his face looking discontent which was his usual expression. "Hn?"

Aiki looked up and grinned. Shikamaru looked as though someone splashed him with cold water. He leaned back slightly to check a calendar hanging by the door. "You weren't supposed to be here until tomorrow!"

"Nuh uh. You circled the wrong day, it only takes three days to get here from Suna," Aiki corrected, peering at the calendar himself.

"Nn- FUMIIIII!" Shikamaru shouted to his daughter upstairs.

"WHAT!" came an irritated voice.

Shikamaru's eyebrows knitted together as he frowned. "Don't take that tone with me! You circled the wrong day! Aiki's here!"

"What?" There was the sound of heavy footsteps and she appeared at the top of the steps frowning down at her father. "I didn't circle it! You circled it!"

"No, I told you to circle-Whatever, it doesn't matter. Is Aiki's room ready?"

Fumi yawned as she descended, finally lacing her fingers behind her head. "Yeah. Hey, Aiki, sorry dad is senile. It's really troublesome to have to remind him of stuff all the time. I guess that's what happens to out of date jounin."

Shikamaru dashed across the room with surprising agility. Fumi yelped and tried to escape up the stairs but her shadow was fixed. "Senile, huh? Out of date? Could an out of date, senile jounin do this?" He made her do stupid poses while Aiki watched from the couch, amused.

"Ah, stop it! I'm telling mom!" Fumi shouted as she posed like Gai-sensei.

"Tell her. I don't care."

"MOM!"

Temari heard the cry for help from outside in the garden. She was wrestling with a doe that was trying to eat her carrots. "Shoo, you underfed camel. WHAT!" She snapped. "I. Am…." She grunted as she struggled to push the doe back. "BUSY!"

"DAD IS MAKING ME DO STUPID STUFF!"

"Honestly…" Temari relented and counted her carrots done for. She walked over to a basinet that was resting in the shade of her fan. Her tiny son, only three years of age, was sleeping soundly. "I hope you're the quiet one…" She picked him up and went inside. "WHAT!" She barked as she walked in to see her daughter scowling, finger up each nostril. "Shikamaru, stop that."

Her husband released the jutsu and put his hands in his pockets. "She called me senile," he half pouted. Fumi resisted calling him a whole host of other things she wished to call him and sat down in a dining room chair. She crossed her arms on the table and put her head down to be silently bitter. Temari rolled her eyes at the two of them and put the baby down in his rocker.

"Is that a baby, Aunt Temari?" Aiki questioned.

"Yes, this is little Shikatsuno. He's like his father, lazy and-" She stopped and looked at the boy on her couch. He grinned hard and waved. "AIKI!" She ran over and showered him with hugs and kisses. "You're here early. Where's Kankurou?"

"He left."

She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. A vein was visible on her brow. "He left?" She repeated. "Without saying good-bye or anything?"

"He said he'll be long gone in case you decide to hunt him down," the little boy assured remembering his promise to his uncle.

Shikamaru smiled. "Ah, he's catching on to you, wife. No use in being a nag anymore."

Fumi rose from her seat and laced her fingers behind her head. "Mmm, smell that hypocrisy, eh, old man?" Shikamaru shot her a look and they stared each other down for a brief moment.

"I better go," Aiki said with a chuckle. "It looks like there's going to be a fight soon."

"Where are you going?" Temari asked, refusing to encourage her family by giving them attention.

The boy thought for a moment. "Konoha's big, right? I need to explore so I don't get lost when school starts. I'll be back soon," he reassured her after catching her worried expression.

"But Aiki… your condition…" Shikamaru and Fumi paused there battle to look at him. Gaara had briefed them completely on the situation. As his caretakers, they had to take the utmost in precautions. If the boy lost control in Konoha, even Naruto would not be able to prevent the tremendous backlash.

"…" The boy looked down. "Hinata-sama checked me over. She said I was fine."

Temari opened her mouth to speak but Fumi ran over to him and grabbed his hand, dragging him out the door. "Well, we aren't hanging around a place where we aren't wanted. Bye!" She shut the door behind them.

"Fumi?" Aiki looked up at her smiling face. "Why did you-"

"I'm not afraid of you or your demon. If Hinata checked you out then you're fine by me," she answered sternly. She stopped and held up a finger to wag. "Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something because of that stupid mother of yours. No matter what, I'll back you up- we're family." Aiki smiled in earnest. "Now get out of here. It'll be embarrassing if my enemies find me babysitting." She gave him a little shove with her foot from behind and winked. "Later!" She disappeared.

Aiki walked the streets trying to take in as much as he could. The smells enticed him but he hadn't carried any money with him. Soon his stomach was complaining every other minute. He stopped in the middle of the street he was walking along and crouched down hugging his stomach. He whimpered slightly. "Maybe I should go back…"

When he stopped to look around he peaked underneath a familiar porch through some gates. He looked up and instantly recognized the red and white fan symbol on the house. He shrank to his puppy form and sniffed up to the gate to investigate, briefly forgetting his hunger. He could hear noises but the front yard was empty of people.

Cautiously, he proceeded on, nose to the ground. He walked around back and yelped as a kunai landed right in front of him. He jumped back and henge'd into his child form in shock. Eight pairs of eyes were on him- six belonged to the Uchiha boys. The others were Sasuke and Sakura.

"Hey, Aiki!" Sasuke raised his hand in a slight wave.

A boy about Aiki's age walked up and pulled the kunai out of the ground and bowed. "Sorry, that was mine." Aiki gulped and scuttled backwards. He was still shy around new people, especially those his age. His experiences in Suna told him that in a short span of time they would learn to fear then hate him.

Sasuke noted his discomfort and walked to the edge of the back porch his, feet bare. He had already taken off his uniform and was in a simple blue yukata. Saskuke crouched down, resting his arms on his knees. "We were just training with Sasuga. School's starting soon, you know. Would you like to join us?"

The half-oni looked down ashamed. "I can't. You… What if I…y'know? You'll be mad with me." Aiki avoided using any of his abilities besides changing his form, which was still at some times involuntary.Temari's concern's echoed in him.

A gentle hand rested on his head. He looked up into Sakura's blue eyes and melted. She was behind him smiling serenely. Aiki was never one to resist a pretty face. "It's okay. We wouldn't get mad at you. Besides, if it gets to bad, Sasuke and I will stop it." She eased him up from the ground and dusted off his bottom. Aiki let himself be lead over to the center of the famous Uchiha Six.

Sasuke stood up and crossed his arms, assuming an authoritative role. "Okay, boys, introduce your selves."

The oldest boy had pink hair with black tips, tied into a ponytail. His eyes were closed but he wore a placid and kind smile. "I am Uchiha Mirai. Fifteen."

The second had completely black hair cut very short. He looked bored. "Shobu. Thirteen." he responded shortly.

The third looked exactly like him but had fiercer expression. "Katsu. The same."

The fourth Aiki mistook for a girl at first but his shirt was unbuttoned and he carried himself in a very ungirl manner. "Kuro. Fourteen."

The fifth, about Mokumaru's age, looked more like Sakura with long pink hair that fell around his shoulders. He grinned. "Name's Ogi. A solid twelve," he said with a short bow.

The sixth and final boy looked very much like Sasuke only his hair had a reddish tint and his hair was kept out of his face with two clips at his temples. He wore a short sleeved red and white shirt with the Uchiha family crest on the back and black shorts. "S-Sasuga. I'm eight." He bowed.

Aiki toed the ground. "My name is Sabakuno Aiki…"

Ogi turned his head to look at Sasuke. "Sabaku…no… Like the Kazekage?" Sasuke nodded. "Wow, you're the Kazekage's kid? That's cool. Can you squish people with sand?" Aiki shook his head no. The pink-haired boy looked disappointed.

"Well, let's continuing practicing. Sasuga, why don't you and Aiki fight?" The young boy nodded. The others went to sit on the porch and watch. Sasuga bowed to Aiki and fell back into a fight stance. The Sand child looked uncertain and bit his nail. "Alright… GO!"

Sasuga flipped back. When his hands touched the ground he grabbed a kunai that had been previously imbedded in the earth. He spun and flung the sharp object at Aiki, who closed his eyes tightly and raised a wall of earth. The intake of breath made him open an eye. The point of the weapon was imbedded in the shield and pointing at his shoulder. He instantly dissipated the wall. Sasuga looked at him with morbid disbelief. Even the skeptical twins were surprised. All the attention made Aiki transform and skuttle under the porch.

"I knew this was a bad idea," he squeaked. Ogi flipped his head down to look at Aiki.

He grinned madly, his blue eyes sparkling. "You kidding? That's it, you're fighting me next!" He reached under and grabbed Aiki by the scruff of his neck and dragged him out. "Sasuga is still a kid; this will be his first year too. So he's still got learning to do. I'm not going to be that easy." He held Aiki up. "Let's go." He threw the puppy into the air and jumped up to kick him. Aiki instantly transformed and went over the kick, the two landing simultaneously a few yards apart.

Ogi performed a series of seals and held his index finger up to his mouth. "Katon! Gokakyuu no jutsu!" Taking a deep breath he exhaled a cone of fire. Aiki gasped and raised his earth shield again, closing his eyes. A kick to the back of his head sent him through the dirt all and across the field. Ogi had distracted him and come around from behind. Aiki got to his feet and barely missed getting stomped.

The young Uchiha was a ruthless taijutsu based ninja and surprisingly strong. Aiki looked back at Sasuke guiltily but he couldn't discern anything from his expression. He dodged a series of punches and kicks from Ogi that drove him backwards. Finally one of Ogi's punches missed. He looked down too late. Aiki had transformed and was beneath him. He tried to kick the dog at his feet but in his four-legged form Aiki became more maneuverable and quick. Finally, Aiki was able to get behind his opponent and bit him in bottom. The boy squealed and tried desperately to pull the puppy off but Aiki was determined to keep his grip tight.

"Ah, that's enough," Sasuke called out. Aiki let go and fell to the ground in human form. Ogi rubbed his backside, with a tear in his eye. The two approached the porch.

"That hurt. You bit me really hard."

Aiki frowned. "Sorry…"

"S'okay. It hurts worst when Dad gives me spankings," he grinned guiltily.

"What's spanking?" Aiki inquired.

"What? You've never got a spanking? How come?"

Sasuke rested his chin in his fist looking wryly at his son. "Because some kids are always well behaved. Ogi again looked the guilty party. "Aiki, you're getting strong but don't be so scared of being powerful… If you hesitate, you'll never win."

"Winning not everything," Sakura added. Sasuke looked at her and shrugged. "Aiki, before school starts next week, drop by. I'll make your lunch box."

Aiki tilted his head. "Aunt Temari can make it, can't she?"

Sasuke made a puking motion that made his sons snicker and laugh. Sakura admonished him with a rough tug of his collar. "She's pretty busy with the baby and the deer. So, I volunteered."

"Oh… All right then!" the half-demon yawned. "I like lunch boxes. I…." He yawned again and blinked.

"Ah, tired all ready? You can take a nap here if you want," Sasuke offered.

Aiki shook his head with a smile. "I've still got a lot of Konoha to see and I promised to get back home before night." He turned to Sasuga and bowed. "See you in class?" There was a nervous feeling in his stomach as he tried to assess the boy's expression. Sasuga simply nodded. Slightly dismayed, the boy transformed a final time and ran off. The cop motioned for his sons to resume training.

The air was alive with birds and bugs that flitted from bloom to bloom. The liveliness of the spring quickly rejuvenated the new villager and soon to be ninja. Shopkeepers swept the deepening carpet of pink and white blossoms from their doorsteps but the tree persistently reapplied the petals. Aiki would run and watch the tiny petals dance in his wake. Never did he see such beautiful colors in Sunagakure. Even the air seemed different; crisp and lightly perfumed.

He stopped in front of a flower shop and his eyes went wide. The different colors and shapes of the blooms and dazzled him. He ran up to a bucket of flowers and stuck his nose in. Pollen itched his nose causing him to sneeze violently. He shook his head clear and moved on to another bucket. Everything smelled so good, he thought. A butterfly flitted by his eyes. He gave a short laugh and started to chase it. The dancing blue and white bug thoroughly entranced him to the point that he didn't notice the man in front of him.

Aiki stumbled backwards. He looked up at a tall, round man. His long reddish-brown hair reminded Aiki of some kind of animal pelt. His eyes were small and he had two swirls on his cheeks. Initially, Aiki didn't know what to make of him but before he could run away, the man knelt down and smiled broadly.

"Hey! You must be Shikamaru's nephew. He was right, all of those bracelets and piercings are hard to miss." He noted that the boy was looking at him like a frightened deer. "You don't know me, I guess. But I helped protect Sand from the Twin-Tailed Wolf demon. Glad to finally get to meet you." He put his large hand on Aiki's head and thoroughly mussed the already erratic locks. He cringed slightly under the weight of his hand but still smiled at the kind gesture.

"It's nice to meet you, too. Um, are these your flowers?"

Chouji looked at the watering can in his hand. "Oh no, I'm just helping the wife. Want to help? If I get this done, I can finally have lunch." His stomach made a loud noise that sounded like Akamaru's growling. Aiki giggled until his own stomach began complaining. He had ignored his hunger pains for long enough. "Hehe, you too, eh. Shall we get to work?" Aiki nodded enthusiastically. Chouji handed him a water can and tied on an apron. They began to douse the plants, weaving back and forth until every plant outside was glistening proudly waiting to be sold. They finished not a minute too soon for Chouji, as his stomach grumbled again. The big man sighed.

"Wow, done already? Oh, you had help." A woman with short blonde hair and a long spiky lock falling across her face stood at the door of the shop holding a tray. She put it down on a small table with an umbrella as colorful as the flowers in her shop. "Eat up, Chouji. Lunch just like I promised."

He sat down and pulled apart his chopsticks. "Here I go!" With that he began shoveling food in his mouth as if any second it would disappear-it was a ninja village after all. Just as he was about to finish, he heard growling again. Only this time the growling was coming from Aiki's stomach. He looked down and blushed. "Mmm, wants some of my food?" They looked into his bowl- it was nearly cleaned out. "Oh, uh…"

Aiki waved his hands. "No no, I should be heading home anyway…" Ino dangled a bag of chips in his face unexpectedly. He looked up into her smiling face and grinned dumbly.

"Here, snack on these until you get home. Shikamaru will complain if I just let you go off starving." Aiki took the bag and bowed. "Take care, okay?

Chouji seemed contemplative until he realized what was happening. "Ino! That's my last bag of-" She shot him a wicked look that dared him to continue. He gave a dismayed sighed but motioned for Aiki run along.

Munching on the chips, the small ninja strolled along deciding to cut through the park. Some of the kids were playing tag and couples were strolling under the trees and whispering to each other. He noted a path marked by two stone lanterns, now decorated with flowers. Curiously, Aiki took the detour and walked down the path. It was unremarkable until the end where a large ancient cherry tree stood in an isolated area with a sacred Shinto ward around its trunk.

He walked up to it and rubbed his hand along the cool wood. It was still in bud like an old man taking his time to get where he was going. Aiki sat down under the tree and looked up at it. It was surrounded and protected by a thin bamboo grove and a red fence. He heard something behind him and transformed into a puppy, scamperede behind the tree. He was glad that he did.

A towering girl stood before him and the tree. She sat down in front of the tree, reached behind her back and pulled out a pad and pencil; she seemed to glare at it. Aiki began to shake with fear not sure what to do. She looked like she could eat him thought he had rosy pink cheeks. Her hair was blonde with two locks of hair crossing her face and the rest was pulled back into a small topknot. The sound of pencil scrapping on paper broke the tense silence that Aiki felt. Her hand was a blur as she drew. Aiki thought it was kind of funny at first since her hands looked big enough to easily snap the thin instrument in half.

After sometime, she paused and scrutinized the paper. She ripped it off the pad and tossed it, starting over. When she finished the next one, she again studied it and threw it aside. She repeated it several times until there was a small pile all around her. Finally, she stood up and put her hands on her hips, glaring intensely at the tree. As she approached it, Aiki shrank back behind the tree to further hide him self. She put her hands on the trunk just as Aiki had done. He peeked around the trunk to see her staring intently into the upper branches. He looked up and saw nothing but the gnarled branches of an old sakura tree. He decided that now was the best time to escape. Quietly, he attempted to pad away to the safety of the park. As he reached the pile of papers, curiosity claimed him and he looked down. He was shocked at how skillfully she had drawn the old cherry tree. He looked at each piece of paper. It seemed as though they were all fantastic renditions but why had she thrown them aside?

He saw the giant shadow fall across him. The blood in his veins turned ice cold as he fearfully turned his lupine head. The girl was staring down at him. She reached down and snatched him up while he was gripped in fear. He struggled in her grip when he realized that he was caputrued, briefly contemplating biting her. When she brought him up to her face, he took one look into her blue eyes and struggled more. She sat down cross-legged like she had done before the tree and sat him down in front of her.

"Don't move," she commanded in a surprisingly delicate voice. She again took out her pencil and paper and began sketching furiously. Aiki did as he was told and didn't dare move a muscle. When she had finished, she showed him a picture of himself looking like a slightly dorky confused puppy. He laughed in spite of himself, which sounded to the girl like a series of small barks. Aiki perked up his ears and let his tongue roll out as he barked loudly. "Oh, you want another?" He barked his pleasure. She drew him again. This time he looked delighted. She gave him a warm smile and scratched him under his chin and he pedaled his back leg instinctively and licked her fingers.

"My name is Uribo but everyone calls me 'Uri'. Would you like to be my friend?" Aiki pause to take in the information and barked gleefully. He jumped up and wagged his tails. She laughed and sat him in her lap. "Do you know this tree is older than Konoha? It's the God Sakura. Even when I was just a little kid, I would always come here. It has a lot of wisdom and energy. You just have to ask it kindly to help you. One day…I hope that I can capture that in my drawings… but…" she looked down at the scraps of paper, chewing on her lip. "It's not going so well, is it?"

Aiki took a drawing in his mouth, careful not to puncture or drool on it, and held it up to her. She took it from his mouth and examined it. Uri closed and eye and hmmm'd as she stroked her chin. "Not right…Definitely not right. But I can't tell what's missing…"

"Maybe you have to wait for it to bloom?" She looked down. Sitting before here was human Aiki, examining and different drawing.. She blinked several times in disbelief. "Sorry, I was kind of scared of you so I transformed into that puppy. But this is what I really look like."

"Oh…" She blushed. "I am scary, aren't I?"

He suddenly felt guilty. "Just at first, but you're the last thing from scary now that I talk to you! You're a really good artist… All I draw are stick figures." He picked up another picture and tried to examine both though to him they looked exactly the same and equally good. Uri took it from him and studied it too.

"Well… I guess I'm what you can call talented but really it's just a hobby. If you want," she paused to look at him. "I can teach you to draw?"

"Really! I want to draw a gourd!"

"A gourd? That's a funny thing to want to draw but-" She twirled the pencil in her fingers and winked. "I'll teach you in a snap. First, draw a big circle like this…and then… another circle like this…" The boy watched as she carefully drew the shape of a gourd. She handed the instruction over to him and pulled another pencil from her hip pouch. "You try…"

He stuck his tongue out the corner of his mouth and tried to duplicate the picture. He finished with an unnecessary flourish and nodded. His lines were shaky and he added a few details but it was very close. Uri looked it over.

"Good for a first try…Those markings are the same as the ones on your shirt," she said looking at the black markings on his short sand colored sleeves. "Do they mean something?"

"They're on my Dad's gourd," he explained. "I think they look cool."

Uri smiled. "So that explains why you like gourds so much… You're from another village, aren't you?"

Aiki looked surprised. "Yeah, how could you tell? Do I look different?"

"Not really, I've never seen you before. I have a photographic memory, so I know what every single person in Konoha looks like."

"Wow…" They sat together for a while. Aiki gathered up all of her work in a pile and he watched her draw, from memory, people in Konoha. He requested his family members, the Uzumaki family, Kiba and Akamaru. She got every single detail right. He half expected the two pictures of Fumi and Shikamaru to start arguing.

They heard several feet on the path behind them. A thin boy with reddish brown hair spiked backwards smiled wickedly when they came into view. He had the similar red swirls on his cheeks as Uri and Chouji but he definitely did not look as friendly as either. Behind him stood two boys, one with an eye patch and an afro, the other had small circle shades and a small rattail. Aiki recoiled and stood slightly behind Uri after she stood to face them.

Surprisingly, Uri however downcast her eyes and fiddled with the hem of her top in their presence. The wicked boy took a step closer. "Well, well… I knew you'd be here. Pigs like the wilderness after all." The lackeys laughed softly. Uri said nothing. "So…what do we have here?" He picked up the stack of pictures. "You drawing again, Uri-pig?"

She said nothing but instead bit her lip. Aiki stared at her in confused shock. She was easily twice the boy's size but she seemed the most afraid of him. The boy made a hissing noise and glared intensely at her. "I asked you a question. If you know anything, you'll answer me." Uri cowered slightly more and closed her eyes tightly. She shook her head no. "You know what pisses me off more than cowards? LYING PIGS!" Before Aiki new what had happened, Uri went skidding across the area. The boy's leg was still poised in a kick.

Uri coughed up a little blood and struggled to her hands and knees. She wiped her lip with the back of her hand and meekly looked back at her assailant. His face was an emotionless mask. The tension in the air between the two was obvious. The thug put his foot down on the ground. He looked at the pictures in his hand. "Trash…just like you. Katon!" The papers caught fire and fell from his hands idly.

"NO!" Aiki yelled. He ran to the save the drawing but the two sidekicks intercepted him. The afro'd one punched his open palm threateningly. The young boy, not even in the academy, clenched his teeth. He didn't want to fight.

"Don't hurt him!" Uri got to her feet and clenched her fist. "He's not involved, Chip!"

The leader turned to look at Aiki. "He's just a small fry, leave him alone." He agreed then added, "But if he gets in the way…I can't guarantee that Saaki and Yuuki will have mercy. They get pretty crazy with such small prey." The two chuckled with they cruel eyes glued on Aiki. Uri approached Chip and bowed her head. "So you're just going to stand there? You don't even fight back," he spat as if the words tasted bad in his mouth. Still she said nothing in her defense. "YOU MAKE ME SICK!" He punched her in the stomach then kicked her again as she doubled over in pain. She stumbled back and landed up against the God Sakura.

"URI!" Aiki clenched his fists and growled. Yellow chakra flowed out from him. "Don't you lay another hand on her or I'll kill you!" Saaki and Yuuki looked down at him but something about him made them stay their hands.

Chip turned his head. "You think you've go something? Show me." He put his hands in his pockets. "I'll give you a handicap. I won't even use my hands." Aiki growled and lunged forward. Before he could blink, he was kicked into the fence. He looked through the stars filling his vision; Chip hadn't even moved it seemed. The young half demon struggled to his feet once more.

He ran forward and caught a slight movement but before he had time react he was kicked up into the air. The blue sky greeted him briefly before being kicked across the opposite side of the opening into the opposite fence. The grove of bamboo both broke his fall but the shards of fallen stalks stabbed his sides. His rubbed his head which had gotten a quick whap from a bamboo pool. The world felt like it was swirling.

"Stop! Chip!" Uri got to her feet. She gritted her teeth and looked down. She held back. Aiki got to his feet. "No, don't get up! He'll just keep kicking you around until…"

The two tails behind him flicked dangerously and his wolfen ears pinned against his head. "I hate people like him… They're cruel for no reason and they like to see people suffer. Those are the kind of people I like to kill!" He clapped his hand together. The earth around him bent like a crater. "Chikyuu no Kyu!" A line of earth shot forward and split before encircling Chip's position. Walls of earth burst out to the ground and encapsulated the shocked bully.

The two lackeys fell down trying to get away. "He's nuts!" one exclaimed. Uri watched in amazement.

Aiki grinned, malice across his face as something feral inside him howled. "Are you afraid? In one move, I'll squash you like a bug," he threatened in an icy tone. No one moved, not even Uri. There was laughter from inside the earth cocoon.

It was small at first then grew louder. "I get it now… You're that brat from Sunagakure no Sato. The Kazekage's scummy brat." Aiki tensed. "So you think you can rip an attack off of your Dad and it'll be okay?" The boy didn't answer but made the walls close in tighter as a warning. "You can't kill me. Naruto will kick you out of the village. And everyone will hate the traitor you. You'll start another war." This made Aiki hesitate. In his rage he hadn't considered the gravity of his actions. However, if he could just scare his opponent, surely he'd reconsider his actions. He did not release the jutsu. A crack formed in one of the walls.

"Besides…you can only mimic the jutsu but your technique…" A fist punched through the wall. The fist open and drooped lazily, shaking as Chip chuckled at his own power. "Is full of holes." He burst out of the earth prison, crumbling it's walls, and emerged a little dusty. He smirked and flicked chips of stone and dirt from his shirt and arms. "But…I'll give you this victory. Even though you could never really win against me, you fought and that's where respect comes. But next time we meet…" He looked more severe, his smile gone and hardly a memory. "I won't go easy on you."

He walked off without a single word to his cowering companions, who upon realizing they were being left scrambled to follow, lest they be left with the tiny demon from Suna. Uri sank to her knees when they were gone. In front of her were her burnt pictures, still smoldering. She covered her face and wept softly. Aiki lowered his hands and shuffled over to her. Her tears fell on the blackened paper and broken pencils. His heart was heavy with sorrow for her. He knelt down and put his small hand on her shoulder. She quivered and hurriedly wiped her eyes with her hands.

"I'm sorry…I got you involved," she sobbed. Aiki didn't respond. He didn't know how. "Ever since we were little, he picks on me… I'm the biggest girl in Konoha so everyone's afraid of me… People call me names; they throw things at me, and make fun of me… And since Chip … Chip told everyone that if they became my friend he'd beat them up. So now, everyone's really scared of me." She wiped her shining blue eyes. "So…I started drawing and…it makes me so happy. To capture life in a brilliant moment, undisturbed was all I needed. I used to think that… if I could draw the God Sakura… the gods would make me pretty and small like a cherry blossom but now I just want it to make me strong. Still, I..I can't do it!" She broke down.

"Uri…"

"It's not fair! Why did I have to be born like this!" She stood up and rubbed her eyes. "Who cares? …Just… stay away from me! I don't ever want to see you again." Uri ran off leaving him and the God Sakura behind. Aiki watched her retreating back.

When the evening was beginning to push the day away, the defeated boy shuffled into the door as dinner was just being put on the table. Shikamaru was bouncing his son on his knee, thought he boy seemed unexcited. He smiled and turned to greet Aiki but noticed the expression on his face and stopped playing with the baby.

"Aiki, is something-"

The boy gave a violent shout and punched the wall, tears falling down his cheek. "I couldn't do a damn thing…"he said through gritted teeth. Temari entered the room quickly, followed by Fumi. "I couldn't do anything! Dad had a demon sealed in him and he could do almost anything. He could protect everyone and even now he's the Kazekage. Even Naruto-sama! So why is it that I'm half demon but I can't save anybody?"

Temari wiped her hands on her apron and approached him. "Aiki, what happened? What are you talking about?"

"CHIP! And…Uri… I was so scared of her at first because…I thought she was so strong but you know what. She's not! She's more afraid than I am. She's weaker than I am… But Chip, that bastard, he just kicked her around like she didn't mean anything! I tried to stop him but… I couldn't even land a blow."

Shikamaru gave a deep sigh and put the baby in his playpen. Shikatsuno immediately grabbed a toy square block and slipped it into its place on a board with shaped empty holes. "Don't get involved, Aiki. It's something that Uri and Chip need to figure out on their own. If we try and force it…it'll just get worse." He put his hands in his pockets and went to the table with a sigh. "Dinner's ready to so let's eat."

Fumi rubbed her arm. "If it means anything, Aiki… I know just how you feel. Uri used to be my friend…but… Chip- She won't even look at me anymore… I wish I could help her but she wants to protect all of us… Uri is the kindest girl in all of Konoha."

"Wow! You're huge!" A younger Fumi cried, standing over the crouching Uri. The big girl didn't say anything. "Don't look like that. I don't mean anything by it. I bet you're so big because your heart is big, too."

Uri looked up hopefully. "Do you think so?"

"Yeah, Uncle Chouji is really big and he's nice too. He's your dad right? That must be it then!" Uri smiled and stood up. "My name is Fumi."

"Uri…" She bowed meekly. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Wow, you're so girly!" Fumi blushed and rubbed the back of her head. "I'm kind of jealous!"

"Don't get involved, Aiki," Fumi repeated snapping out of her reverie. "It'll just hurt her more if you do." She sat down. The small demon half sighed and went to the stairs, his appetite replaced with a sick feeling in his stomach. Temari watched him silently but didn't try to stop him.

I'm going to get stronger, Aiki thought to himself as he pushed the door to his room open. And I'm going to defeat Chip!