A/N: hello readers, this is a collaboration with KyraReid, FireOkami, and thewoodlandfox. please enjoy.

Asami stood in the training field, staring at the forehead protector iin her hands. Hours previously had been her graduation from the academy, a toned down ceremony. There was nothing to celebrate when going to war. Konoha was getting desperate. Their main forces had been decimated and their reserved strained. There was no one left to send into the fray except children. They were made to graduate early and become cannon fodder. She had been handed the piece of metal and cloth told to meet her teammates at a certain time.

Enough time to get to know each other before they were sent to the killing fields. Even if she herself survived, undoubtedly many she knew would not. Asami waited, caught between a blank mind and buzzing thoughts. It was not until she felt approaching signatures that she snapped out of it. They were unfamiliar but non hostile. She guessed them to be her new teammates.

The first one was easily recognizable and unsurprising. Toma had been a classmate of hers, loud and brash, and their team placement had been announced at the same time. But the second one, Morino Ibiki, surprised her. Asami had seen the older genin around the village a few times but last she knew he was out fighting. Their sensei was a man she had never met before.

"Ah you must Asami?" The man in question smiled at her.

The girl nodded. "Yes sir."

"Excellent. Then, why don't why all introduce ourselves? I'll go first."

He sat on the ground, motioning for the others to follow suit. They complied with varying degrees of hesitancy and exchanged looks. There really was not much reason to be sitting on the ground.

"Right. My name Aoto, but you may call me Aoto-sensei, I like training and reading. My hopes and dreams are to make sure my genin survive this war. Ibiki, why don't you go next."

"Morino Ibiki. I like meat. My goal is to protect and serve my village." Aoto nodded before motioning to Toma. His introduction was much louder.

"I'm Asano Toma and don't forget it! I like training and kicking butt! My goal is to bring my family honor!"

Asami was leaning away from her loud teammate, if only slightly. Then it was her turn.

"Aihara Asami. I like reading and plants. My goal is to protect my little brother."

Aoto nodded his head in approval. "Alright, this is where we will meet for training while we are in the village. For today why don't we spar, just to see where everyone is at." The jonin stood and the others followed his lead.

"The three of you will fight me, one at a time."

"Alright! Me first! Prepare to go down sensei!" Toma got into a stance, Aoto giving him a smile.

"Oh? I like the excitement. Very well, begin."

Ibiki and Asami shared a look before backing towards the edge of the clearing. Asami shook her head as Toma squared off against their sensei. It was like the academy all over again.

He started a frontal assault, raining blows down, trying to find an opening in their sensei's defense. When it looked like that was not working, Toma switched tactics, bringing out kunai. Again his hits were evaded, though Aoto remained unarmed through it. At least he was putting some thought into it, Asami thought. In the academy he rushed his opponents straightforwardly. Though it was clear that Toma was getting frustrated with the lack of impact. His attacks became more reckless, leaving himself open for retaliation. When Toma was sent flying back onto his rear, Asami was far from surprised.

Ibiki snorted before stepping up next. His fight against their sensei was short, but he lasted longer than Toma, giving Asami a chance to analyze their fighting style. Ibiki was faster than Toma and had a better strategy. But Ibiki looked like he was more of a support fighter. Their sensei was far faster and stronger. Asami had no doubt that he could be absolutely lethal if he tried.

It was only a few minutes later that Ibiki was thrown back too. Aoto looked at Asami and the girl sighed. The outcome would be no different for her and she had no interest in getting thrown into the dirt. Nonetheless she stepped up and prepared for her fate. It was just as painful as she was expecting as moments later she was staring up at the sky, wind knocked from her lungs.

Aoto stood shaking his head, though Asami could not tell if it was in disappointment, exasperation or amusement. Most likely some sort of combination. Asami slowly rolled to her feet as Aoto began talking.

"Well, for fresh genin, it's not terrible. For fighting in a war, you will die." All three genin had their eyes on him. They knew that.

"My job is to make sure you have the skills to survive. We don't have long so we will start now. You're all still young, your chakra is still growing. Ninjutsu right now won't make much of a difference other than to tire you out quicker. Many of your opponents will be bigger and stronger than you. I'm going to teach you how to use that against them."

The three of them gathered around their sensei as he began to instruct them.

Asami trudged her way home, sore after training. Aoto, for seeming laid back, had really put them through the wringer. Reaching the door she pulled it open and stepped inside, calling out tiredly.

"I'm home." Asami was slipping her shoes off when the pattering of little feet had her looking up. Satoshi, Asami's younger brother stood there.

"Welcome back."

At three years old, he was the only one who understood her. The only one who understood what it was like, living a life that was not yours.