I only own the Tsutoni clan characters; all of the Naruto characters that may be mentioned in the story do not belong to me or will ever be mine :)

The Life of Bri Tsutoni

~Tsutoni Clan Engagement Ceremony

"She doesn't even know what the hell is going on, or the importance of this ceremony. I don't understand why this can't wait until she is old enough to appreciate her clan," mumbled Lady Tsunade.

She always mumbled around me. It must be because she had already dealt with this four other times with my brothers that disappeared before I even made an appearance into the world.

"It is tradition and you must realize at this point how crucial this it to follow through," my father preached, "hopefully this arranged marriage pairing ceremony will bring the village and the Uchiha's closer and guarantee that another generation of my clan thrives. She and I are all that is left since my clan started to dwindle away even when we were children ourselves. Please take this seriously; I know you are growing tired of this considering it is the fifth time."

"I suppose she does look lovely in that lavender kimono. To think that she will one day partake in missions and fight in battles with the ability of you legendary Tsutoni is unnerving. Perhaps this marriage she's forced into on her sixteenth birthday will release her from those duties," my mother sighed.

I honestly had no knowledge of what my parents were saying or what they were preparing me for at the time. There are only so many critical thinking skills a two year old can have after all. However, I knew that I was different; that I was special. The elites of the village surrounded an elevated platform and each patted my little blonde head as I walked hand-in-hand with my father to the platform's steps.

This engagement ceremony the Tsutoni had planned for every two year old child of our clan is known throughout the land of Konoha since its purpose was primarily to select matches that will create stronger generations. As I reached the top of the platform, I was greeted by a boy at least two years older than I. His eyes were blacker than the coals Papa used to make BBQ, but they were much kinder than those of his clan that stood behind him. BBQ? I'm starving and I hope this doesn't take too much longer. Luckily, the silence was broken as the boy in front of me spoke up.

"I'm Uchiha Shisui, princess. Your face reminds me of the sun," the boy spoke.

I never really appreciated that compliment until that day.*

I did not meet the boy again until it was my time to attend the Ninja Academy at five years of age. The three years prior to attending seemed to take a lifetime. Not only did my mother's temper flare up more often than not, but my father also appeared to be irritable and even weak. I was very relieved when it became time for me to get away from it all.

There were many unpleasant occurrences in the shinobi world that forced many students my age quickly through school. It took me five years to graduate, whereas Shisui only attended two. Since many things happened those five years at the Academy, I will skip the majority of it and only provide the most important memories of those years.

The first highlight of my academy days began on my first day of attendance. Shisui met me at the gate of my home. This happened to be the first time I had actually seen him since that ceremonial day. If it was not for his kind black eyes, I do not think I would have even remembered his face.

On the way to class, he gave me a few tips about what I should and should not do in class. Apparently, I was going to have quite a few issues with sitting still and being quiet. It's not like I had to act like a princess in my own home, but I soon learned that all the students had to act like obedient royals. At least, that is was Shisui made it out to be like. Yikes.

Once we reached the main door to the school, he smiled down at me and explained that this was going to be his last year and that he didn't need to be seen with a "frail little girl" and poofed away into smoke. I may have been young, but I knew what he meant.

The jerk was only a few years older; who did he think he was? I did not do a single thing he instructed just to spite him and my bad behavior forced me to overcome the challenge of cleaning the chalkboard after class.

I was a little disappointed when I didn't see his black eyed smile when I left the building. Instead of heading home like my father instructed, I decided to head to the Uchiha section on the outskirts of town. I needed ask the Uchiha why he didn't bother to take me home and why he felt the need to tease me.

I didn't even get half way there when I became distracted by a boy that was a little older or possibly the same age as Shisui. The unfamiliar kid had gray hair which was even more untamed than mine. He was trying to purchase medicine, but the cashier would not sell it due to him not having enough money.

I walked my tiny five year old self up to that old hag and said, "who do you think you are withholding medicine from someone in need! Healing a life is much more important and is worth much more than your lousy money!"

That should show her. The gray haired boy looked at me as if I had lost my way on the path of righteousness.

As the old lady was about to say something explicitly rude back, my father's hand appeared on my shoulder as he paid for the herbs that the boy needed. He joked with the cashier to ease my drama induced scene and then turned to the gray haired boy. It never took him long to find me starting trouble.

"Please, let me take this to Sakumo-sama. He is an old friend and I need to discuss something important with him," Pap said kindly.

I finally looked at the boy's face and noticed that his eyes were not only sleepy looking and dull, but that half of his face was hiding. What a weirdo. He simply nodded and led the way to his home. Great, now I was stuck tagging along with the most boring looking kid that was even more disgruntled to have me follow him than the other boy I had originally sought for. This one wouldn't even acknowledge me after I helped him out!

My journey to find Shisui to tell him off for making fun of me earlier was going down the drain and now that my father was supervising me, I was stuck. We finally reached the boy's home and I was led into the den with the silver haired ninja. Once I got adjusted in a comfortable position, my dad left me and walked to the back room to discuss whatever was so dang important with the boy's father.

Kakashi's POV

I wonder what could be so important that would prevent me from being allowed into the conversation. I am stuck babysitting this little princess when I should be out training and mastering the jutsu I have been working so timelessly on. Besides, this girl has to be insane. Surely she did not belong to THE Lord Tsutoni.

No. She was not quiet, reserved, or respectful and I could feel the anticipation and desire to get up and move ooze from her. The more I looked at her, the more bizarre she appeared. Her hair was just a mess of blonde that needed to be brushed; her eye color didn't even match one another for God's sake!

I suppose you could think of her as pretty if you disregarded those traits. Not that it was easy to do since those are the first things you noticed about her. I would prefer Rin's patient eyes than this girl's bright and shining ones. I can only imagine how she behaves at the academy.

What am I thinking? It's not like I'm really concerned about how this fool of a child acts. I have got to get out of here before the hyperactive bomb of a girl distracts me anymore.

Bri's POV

How rude. That was the second time someone poofed away from me. I wonder if people do this to my mother and that's why she's in a bad mood all the time. Instead of letting it bother me further, I decided to take advantage of the lack of eyes to watch me and snoop about. I crept towards the door where our fathers were located.

"Sakumo-sama, I know you have been burdened lately, but this should bring you hope. I had a dream that my daughter will marry your son. She is engaged to an Uchiha whom she will devote her entire heart and soul to, but I know for certain that Kakashi is in her future too," my father stated boldly.

I remember my mother telling me stories of the dreams that every possessed Tsutoni would have that always foretold the future. This was surely one of them.

That was when I walked away. How could I possibly devote my time to someone that doesn't even want to be around me and what is this engagement that my dad spoke of? Madness. I'm engaged! So that was probably what was happening that day I turned two.

I hardly remember anything about that day. But still, I was engaged? Or rather, I am engaged? I'm pretty positive that this is not normal. I am only five...right? And I was going to be placed into a marriage with Shisui? Is that why he met me at the gate earlier today? I am way too young to even know what was really going on or why I may get married twice in my lifetime according to my dad. I pushed the ideas of such from my mind. The days I would marry were far, far away.

Shisui walked me to class every morning that first year even though he claimed to be embarrassed to do so. Apparently, I was a pretty good shinobi after all even though he chided me about my lack of care. I also developed a friendship with a girl my age too. Her name is Kurenai and she was amazing at scaring people away with these red eyed glares.

It was hysterical getting into trouble with her. Many of the girls enjoyed teasing me about my two toned eyes, but all I needed was Kurenai by my side and all joking silenced. The next five years continued in that fashion and Kurenai became my partner in crime to and from school once Shisui become unable to do so.

After Shisui graduated my first year of school, he quickly became a Chunin and by my final year he was already an impressive shinobi who was renowned for possessing the most dangerous genjutsu of not just his clan but of the very essence of genjutsu in general.

So, the kid turned out to be impressive. His big, bad skills couldn't even affect me. That little fact irritated him to no end. The next five years continued quickly as I slowly matured into an impressive little kunoichi. Even the Uchiha's I would visit weekly to form the future family bond I would have, appeared fascinated with my few talents.

~Bri's Graduation Day

"I can't believe my name alone can send shivers down our enemies, but the genjutsu that causes it can't even touch you. To think my little princess is the only person other than her own father that could stand against my clan," Shisui joked.

His little princess? Why did he have to say that? All the ten year old girls my age were pretty much the same: fashion, makeup, and boys. Naturally, I was not any different so his suggestion of belonging to him set fire to my face. He just had to be talking this way on the most important day for an academy student.

"I don't have time for this! I'm almost late for the graduation exam!" I sputtered and ran off to the exam room.

I ran into Kurenai on my way. She smiled and told me that I will do great and will meet me outside when I'm finished. I entered the room and started to mentally prepare myself on what to expect. I won't get into the specific details of my exam, but rest assured that I managed to pass them with flying colors. Flying colors that erupted from the bomb I threw at the giant turtle that peeked in on me as I completed the written part of the exam.

I swear there was a human being under its shell! It had to be stopped! Anyway, I passed even with that temporary turtle setback and was enjoying my graduation ceremony a day later. It was announced that my scores were the highest in my class and was even comparable to that of the previous Uchiha Shisui several years before.

Hell yeah; eat that Mister "I cannot be seen with a frail little girl." Cheers erupted from the surrounding friends and family of all those present as the graduation ceremony came to an end. I waved goodbye to Shisui whom I caught smiling when I was handed my papers as my father led the way home.

"I know your mother not sharing this day with us is disappointing, but please do not take it personally. You see, she thinks that if she were to be here that you would disappear like your brothers before you."

"It's really okay. I didn't expect her to grace us with her ever-so-lovely presence," I responded happily.

Little did I know at the time, that the night would be one of the worst ones of my life. Neither did I know that the night wouldn't be the only one that would haunt me.

*"That day" is a new addition I have added after editing to allude to a future date. This will occur when she is 17 just as an FYI ;)