& The Reason Is You.

ONE.

"You're the daughter of The God of Shinobi."

"You're the daughter of The God of Shinobi. You have a name to represent, Akira. You have standards to meet, expectations to withhold. There isn't time to slack off."

Those words were drilled in my head from the day I could walk. If my older brother, Asuma, wasn't helping me train, I was training by myself or sometimes with Itachi. My father, The God of Shinobi, the 3rd Great Hokage of Konohagakure, in the Land of Fire, was my father. I don't have any want to be the 5th Hokage. I don't want that kind of responsibility on my hands. Besides, my old-man is alive and kickin'! So he should sit his old ass down and keep on doin' what he's doin'! Ha! Well, I guess I should start my story somewhere. I just don't exactly know where...

s.i.x.y.e.a.r.s.o.l.d.

I was breathing heavily when one of the ANBU showed up to the Hokage's personal training ground. Mastering chakra control at 6 years-old is quite exhausting. I've been trying to walk-up these damn trees all morning.

"Miss Akira. Your presence has been requested in your father's office."

I turned and looked at the ANBU and recognized his dog mask and great hair sticking out in a lazy side direction. He's the usual one my father sends for me. Kakashi Hatake.

"And i'm to escort you there to make sure you accidentally "forget where it is."

I could practically see his smirk through his mask.

"Of course Mr. Dog ANBU. I would greatly appreciate it. Konoha is just so terribly big. I'd hate to get lost again." I tried to put on the most innocent look I could muster, but I'm sure the ANBU could sense sarcasm drip from my sentence. Especially since I learned this excuse from him.

I chuckled a bit and picked up my scarf and my over shirt and looked up at him, signaling I was ready.

He turned around and led the way through my father's forest while I trailed behind. Not that I didn't know my way, but I was still a little worn out.

"Do you know what my father wants?" I asked the ANBU.

"I'm not exactly sure, but I think it has something to do with the Ninja Academy." He answered honestly.

I nodded in response and continued to follow him. My mind started to wonder, was father finally going to let me enroll? I tried to make him enroll me last year, but he wouldn't. He said I was too young. After my mother's death, I felt an overwhelming responsibility to protect those around me. If I could've protected my mother from that ANBU imposter before she was killed, she'd still be here... But she sent me away before the masked man could catch me. He wasn't interested in me. He wanted Lady Kushina's son, Naruto...

"Kira?"

No response.

"Kira?"

No response.

"AKIRA!" My father shouted at me.

"Sorry dad! I was thinking of food!"

That's when I finally noticed all the others in the room. Besides my brother, about half a dozen ANBU were there... snickering. I stuck my tongue out at them all.

"We'll go get dinner after the graduation, Kira. I must attend, seeing as I am the Hokage. I wanted you to join."

My face lit up with excitement. My father's taking me to the Ninja Academy Graduation! Does that mean he'll sign me up for the classes next year? I sure hope so. I'm tired of being "secretly guarded" by ANBU. I know they're there, lurking in the shadows, keeping an eye on me. Making sure I don't get kidnapped and whatnot. What? I'm the Hokage's daughter. It's possible.

Anyways...

My father and I were walking down the main road to the Ninja Academy. All the citizens were bowing respectfully our way. My father was just puffing away at the cigarettes. I'd have to remember to shower extra long later...

We arrived at the Academy and my brother and I sat on the opposite side of the room with some parents that were early. I recognized a couple of people and smiled at Mr. & Mrs. Uchiha and decided to sit next them.

"Ahhh, Lady Kira. It's lovely to see you. How have you been?" Fugaku Uchiha asked me.

"I've been great, sir. I've been training my hardest so Father will enroll me in the Academy." I replied, with my biggest smile.

"That's good to hear," he looked over at his wife, "Mikoto and I are here to see Itachi graduate." He said. The look on his face... A look of pure Uchiha pride was shown on Fugaku's face. Mikoto looked almost identicle. Almost. She's always looked at me the same... Sorrowful. Afterall, she was one of the last people to see my mother the night... she was killed.

The graduation ceremony was quick. I watched in interest. That would be me one day. I studied the techniques that were being shown by each student. One by one, they all passed. I looked around and seen all the parents watch in anticipation. They were slightly nervous. What if their child failed? They'd be humiliated.

"Uchiha, Itachi." My father announced.

I looked up at Mikoto and Fugaku. Neither of them looked anxious or nervous. They just looked ahead and stared. I wondered if they were under a sort of gengutsu or something. I guessed not, they just knew Itachi would pass. His exam was the fastest of everyone's. I heard whispers around me. He was on in the Academy for a year. A year! That's amazing. It usually takes three years to pass the Academy... Extraordinary. I stared at Itachi in pure amazement. He glanced back at his parents and his mother smiled at them and then mouthed "good job." His eyes wandered next to her, where I sat. He stared at me for some time. I wasn't sure if I should smile or something, so I just looked away, embarrassed.

After the last graduate, everyone walked outside to meet their children. I said goodbye to Mikoto and Fugaku and went to search for my father. I found him in one of the classrooms while all the graduates were exiting the room.

I walked into the room and my father noticed me.

"Akira, are ready to go? I'm sure you're hungry."

I wanted to tell him yes, I mean I was starving, but there was one thing much more important on my mind.

"Yes, dad. But I have a question..."

He looked down at me, knowing exactly what I was going to ask.

"You would like me to enroll you in the next class, wouldn't you?"

I nodded, eagerly. I was ready. I knew it.

He chuckled at my persistence. With a puff from his pipe, he said, "Akira Kushina Sarutobi. I enrolled you three weeks ago when your brother told me your ambition. You want to become a strong kunoichi, so you can protect the ones you care about. Yes?"

I didn't know what to say back. Of course that was it. I wanted to become strong like my big brother. Like Tsunadae and Jiraiya. Like my dad... and even Itachi Uchiha. I wanted to graduate the Academy in as little time as possible, so I too, could be one known for graduating as fast as Itachi did.

"Dad-"

"Hush Little One. You start class in one month. So you better train hard. You have a name to represent, Akira. You have standards to meet, expectations to withhold. There isn't time to slack off. I want you to graduate just as fast as that Uchiha. Can you do that."

"Yes Father, of course. I won't let you down."

Author's Note:

Hello! This is my first attempt at a fan-fiction. I've read fan-fiction for about... 7-8 years now? Back when quizilla was the shit. Ha. Well. Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. I'm not going to do Akira's whole childhood, day-by-day. More like flashbacks at important ages. Important memories and whatnot. Well, thanks for reading! Don't be shy, reviews are welcome!

Title Credit: Hoobastank

Chapter Title Credit: Me(:

P.S. I don't own anything involved withing Naruto. I never said I did and I never will. Although, I do own Akira Kushina Sarutobi, so i'd appreciate it of you don't steal her. Kthanksbye.