NARUTO: Sekai Ni Hi O Tsuketa

by Fired Feathers of a Pheonix

Fourteen years after the end of the Fourth Great war, two rivals from the Land of the Leaf engage in a series of battles of fate and strength to outwit one another, unknowing that the world around them is falling apart. All the while, a mysterious shadow looms, bent on bringing down the Land of the Leaf, once and for all. -POST MANGA, Possible Spoilers, T-Rating for a Time, OCs-

2. Chapter 1

NARUTO: Sekai Ni Hi O Tsuketa
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor any of it's characters.

A/N: Welcome back! I changed some things last chapter near the end, I basically cut out a scene. But otherwise nothing changed.

OoOoOoOoO

Chapter One
"New Life"

OoOoOoOoO

KONOHAGAKURE, FIRE COUNTRY
PRESENT DAY
UCHIHA HOUSEHOLD

The house was roaring with life; and Hikaru could tell before even stepping inside. The lights were on, all of them, and music was humming from within. Hikaru walked up the steps and up to the door. He could hear laughter and giggling from inside. He chuckled after hearing a familiar, boastful laugh. Of course the Hokage would be here. Lady Hinata was probably here, too, and Kakashi-sama…

Hikaru pushed the sliding door open and smiled at the sight of so many shoes. They were all shoved off to the side in a pile, only a couple of pairs nicely pressed together. He saw Sarada's shoes pushed apart from the others, probably so she could find them easily in the morning. Akira's, Aito's, and Kaito's shoes must be somewhere from within that pile.

And then, he saw, a large pair of men's standard shinobi footwear, worn and covered in dirt. Unfamiliar shoes.

He took a deep breath and slid his own shoes off, tossing them into the pile. It was almost seven o'clock. After seeing Takeshi for the first time in… shit, a year, he had wandered for a while, thinking. He had to beat Takeshi and end this whole… thing. But what did Takeshi mean when he said he had 'bigger and better things to do?' It didn't sit well in Hikaru's stomach.

Sakura would be furious with him for being late.

"I'm home," he called, knowing he wouldn't be heard amid all of the laughter and children running and playing in the house. He started toward the kitchen in his bare feet, sliding off his blue jacket and tossing it over the coat rack. Naruto's Hokage cape hung there, along with the scarf he always wore.

Hikaru slipped down the hall and poked his head into the kitchen, which seemed to be the room bursting with life. Immediately he locked eyes with Naruto's bright blue eyes.

"AH! There's my favorite nephew, dattebayo!"

"You're late, Hikaru," Sakura snapped from where she and Lady Hinata were at the table, both working on what looked like riceballs. Naruto sat with them, a little girl with his blonde hair and his wife's vacant eyes sitting on his knee. Four-year old Uzumaki Reiko was sucking on a tomato skin, looking quite content where she was with her father. Five year old Himawari was sitting in the living room, chatting and playing dolls with Akira, who seemed just as interested. And the eldest of the Uzumaki children, Boruto, sat on the couch in the living room, looking bored out of his mind. Sarada was seated on the opposite end of the couch, looking equally as bored. Aito and Kaito were… somewhere, probably in the backyard.

And on the other side of Naruto, Sasuke lifted his eyes, meeting Hikaru's.

Hikaru shrugged, stepping in, immediately staring at the ceiling. "Sorry. Training ran late and I had to walk Hanako home. Hey."

Sasuke nodded, "Hey." It looked like he wanted to stand up and hug his son, but Hikaru was refusing to make direct eye contact with him.

Lady Hinata smiled, as if ignoring (or just being oblivious) to the tense air, "Hello, Hikaru. Want to come help us make rice balls for dinner?"

"Um…" Hikaru started, unsure.

Naruto waved him over, "Come on, Hikaru! Haven't seen you in a while!"

The eldest Uchiha child cracked a smile, nodding. It wouldn't be bad, right? His uncle Naruto was here, nothing could go too wrong. "Uh, yeah, alright…" He took a seat next to Naruto and across from Lady Hinata, smiling at Reiko. "Hey, Rei. Wanna come see cousin Hikaru?"

"Unn," Reiko whined, hanging onto Naruto and pouting. Hikaru pouted, too, feeling immensely awkward because of his father, and now shunned by the four-year old.

"Sorry about her," Naruto laughed. "She's been going through a phase where she doesn't like being separated from me. Can't help that, though! I mean, I am pretty awesome. Right, Rei-chan?" He nuzzled her cheek with his own and the little girl squealed out a giggle. The smiles around the tables grew from the small girl.

Sakura scoffed, "You're her father. Of course she's clingy. All children are clingy toward a parent at some point – it doesn't mean you're 'awesome.'"

"You have something against me today or somethin', Sakura-chan?" Naruto pouted.

"What do you mean by that?" Sakura wondered.

"First I can't hug Sasuke, and this now, and before you wouldn't let me bring any ramen for dinner, dattebayo!"

"You have ramen every night, basically! Change it up a little!"

"Sakura-chan-!"

"We're having a nice, home cooked dinner, Naruto-kun," Lady Hinata spoke quietly, smiling as she packed a riceball together in the shape of a triangle. Hikaru stood to wash his hands in the sink to help them out with that; it seemed they had quite a few to make with all of the kids in the house. "We can have Ichiraku for tomorrow, okay?"

Naruto pouted, "Ah, I guess, tebayo…" Reiko pat Naruto's knee. "Hn? What is it, Rei-chan?" Reiko leaned up and whispered something into his ear, and the taller man nodded. "Ah, alright. Hold on, little girl needs to use the bathroom." He set Reiko to the floor and held her hand, beginning to walk toward the hallway.

"Can't she go on her own?" Sasuke wondered, startling Hikaru because the man had been so quiet.

Hinata smiled. "She can at home, but when we're anywhere else she won't go into a bathroom alone. It might be that she just doesn't like to be away from us, we're not very sure. Boruto and Himawari are more like Naruto-kun; they like to be more independent in what they do. Reiko… she's a lot like me," Hinata chuckled nervously. "She doesn't have that confidence like Naruto-kun does…"

Sakura snorted. "If only one of our kids were like that. They all got your pride, Sasuke, and if I try to help them or baby them, they'll just get angry."

Sasuke shrugged with a smirk, looking over his son, who would still not look him in the eye. "They got your pride, too, Sakura."

"My pride isn't as bad as yours," she noted.

Sasuke only snorted at that, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with her.

Hikaru sat back down, having washed his hands, and dug out a handful of rice from the bowl. "In our defense," Hikaru started, directing his voice at Sakura. "You baby us too much. You still cut the crusts off of my sandwiches even though I've told you a million times that I like the crust now."

The pink-haired woman groaned, "Oh, my god, that's not a thing, Hikaru. The other four don't like the crust, and if I'm making five lunches, I just fall into a rhythm and forget!" Hinata giggled at that.

"I'm going to be a Chuunin, mom, sooner or later, I can make my own lunches," Hikaru grinned, packing meat and vegetables into the rice ball.

"Oh, a Chuunin?" Sakura countered, smirking. "Since when are you even going up for the exams?"

"Next week," he merely replied.

The table went quiet, between the four of them. All three adults stared at Hikaru, Sakura's eyes wide in shock. "W-wait, what?" She stammered, and Sasuke only watched his son in mild shock, although you would never be able to read that from his passive facial expression. "Who gave you permission? You're too young for a test like that!"

"I'm twelve," Hikaru deadpanned, focusing on the food in his hands. The rice stuck to his skin and wouldn't pack right. "You were that old when you took the exam. And Sensei said we've been getting stronger, and that if we were all okay with going-"

"Absolutely out of the question." Oh, no, the 'mom' voice.

Hinata glanced between the three nervously. It wasn't her place to speak, after all, no matter what she thought…

"Mom!" Hikaru argued. "That's not fair! I'm ready-"

"Hikaru," Sasuke started, his voice level.

Hikaru whipped his head to look at his father, meeting eyes for the first time. He lost his temper, suddenly, and shouted, "You're not in this! You have to be a full-time parent to have a say in this!"

You could have heard a pin drop. The children in the house had gone quiet. The Uchiha twins now stood by Himawari and Akira, staring at the scene. Boruto and Sarada were also staring from their place on the couch. Hikaru froze. He hadn't meant to make a scene in front of his siblings…

He grit his teeth and looked down at his hands that had slammed against the surface of the table. Guilt was building in his throat, humility burning in his chest. He snapped his eyes shut, as if that would make what he said go away.

"Hikaru, let's go talk," Sasuke spoke. "Everyone else enjoy the party. Including you, Sakura." The head of the Uchiha family stood, taking Hikaru by the shoulder. Knowing he had done enough to cause a scene, Hikaru let himself be led away by his father.

The door closed behind them.

OoOoOoOoO

KONOHAGAKURE, FIRE COUNTRY
PRESENT DAY
UCHIHA SHRINE

If there was anything Hikaru knew, it was that he knew little about his father. When he was younger, Sasuke used to be around often, used to put him down to sleep in a home Hikaru couldn't remember. They used to play often together, and Hikaru loved him very, very much. And then, around the time Sarada was born Sasuke just… stopping coming around as often. He went on more missions, had many other things to do...

He grew apart from Sasuke. Many other people had many million things to say about Sasuke – both good and bad – but as he grew up he realized just how much a stranger his own father was to him. He hated thinking like that, he really did, because Sasuke did love him and he did love his father; that was all that really matter in the end, right?

They were sitting on the porch on the other side of the house, overlooking their koi pond. The boards squeaked under Hikaru's weight as they sat. The house was built nearly fifty years ago, and was left alone for a long time. His father had grown up in this house; this house had survived a massacre.

Sasuke hadn't said anything yet; Hikaru gripped his knees and stared long and hard at the orange koi that swam beneath the surface. The irrigation bamboo slapped against the rock beneath, dropped its contents, and raised again.

"I'm sorry," Hikaru muttered, sighing. "I shouldn't have yelled like that. I was just…"

Sasuke cut him off, "You don't need to apologize. I think you're ready for that exam. From what I've been told, you've been excelling in all of your missions and your training. You've become a fine shinobi."

The eldest Uchiha child blushed at the compliment. His father really thought that? "Oh, thank you."

Sasuke did not tear his eyes away from the wall across from them, Uchiha fans painted across it at intervals. The same symbol was on the back of Hikaru's jacket. Sasuke nodded once, mutely, and reached into the coat he wore. "I should have given you this back when you had become a Genin, but I forgot it. Here," he said.

A gift was a fine way to ignore the real problem here, but Hikaru nodded and took the gift, nonetheless. It was a black box, a thin rectangle. Hikaru slipped the box open, in curiosity. A thin black cord and three marble rings stared back at him, all three black as night. He hesitantly picked up the necklace. "Um, thank you?" he wondered. It was old, faded.

"It was my brother's; your uncle Itachi's," Sasuke explained, his eyes closed. "I don't know where he got it, but he wore it for years. It was a keepsake of his…" Sasuke sounded unsure. Hikaru didn't really know anything about his uncle, either. His picture was in the family room with candles in a small memorial. He always looked so nice with the smile in the picture. Hikaru knew that he made many, many sacrifices in his lifetime so that his dad would be happy. He never really knew what, though.

"Oh," Hikaru said, looking it over.

"You look a lot like him. You act like him, too."

"Oh…" How was he supposed to react to that?

Sasuke sighed, leaning forward on his elbows. "I'm sorry," he muttered, and Hikaru had the urge to laugh because the word 'PRIDE' could have been well-written on Sasuke's forehead. "I'm not good at… this." He gestured to Hikaru. "I wish I could be around more often…" He sighed and turned to Hikaru, his one visible black eye boring into his child. "My brother was very important to me, and you are too. All of you kids are… I'm sorry all I can give you is his old necklace, but…"

Hikaru shook his head, smiling and putting on the necklace. He had overreacted. His dad really cared… "No, dad, it's perfect. I'm sorry… I shouldn't have yelled. You have a lot to do for the village, and… I get that."

Sasuke stared at his son for a long moment, his black eye trained on Hikaru. He sighed and sat back. "So, the Chuunin Exams?"

Hikaru grinned, "Yeah. But don't worry. I promise I'll come back just fine, and in a Chuunin vest."

Sasuke scoffed. "Oh, I'm sure you will."

Hikaru sat back against the post behind him, facing his father. When he was younger, he used to sit in his father's lap and they would blow bubbles or light sparklers over the pond. Sasuke never said much, but Hikaru would babble toddler talk for hours on end, giggling at the bubbles and pulling at Sasuke's hair. Hikaru felt warmed by the memory, somehow. His father had been there, and he would continue to be there. Not always, but…

"I'll convince Sakura into letting you go," Sasuke suddenly said.

Hikaru bit his nail, "Huh? Oh, yeah, what was up with her? She's usually pretty cool with things that I do…"

Sasuke shrugged mutely. And then, "Her experiences the first time she took the exam are nothing good. Our experiences, actually, I should say…" He narrowed his eyes in thought. "She's just placing you in the circumstances we had been in, and her thought process isn't friendly. Sakura will come around."

The genin nodded. "Alright, I guess… thanks, dad."

"Hn," Sasuke hummed. Hikaru sighed and closed his eyes, leaning back. The cool marble necklace stung his collarbone.

OoOoOoOoO

Hikaru lie in bed that night, eyes closed as if he were asleep, his ears trying to pick up on any sounds. Lady Hinata had left hours ago, along with Boruto, Himawari, and little Reiko, who had fallen asleep long before they left. Naruto had stayed to reminisce with his parents, apparently. With the children asleep, the adults were downstairs, probably drinking. Hikaru was dying to go downstairs and be a part of their talks. He wanted to hear what his father had been doing for so long, why his missions seemed to get longer and longer as the years went by.

The boy finally huffed and opened his eyes. He couldn't hear a damn thing from up here. And the three downstairs were Sanin… They would be able to detect his movements immediately. Hell, they probably already knew his eyes were open. They probably knew he wasn't asleep! He huffed and turned onto his side. Four faces stared at him on the nightstand.

His sensei, ever bored and calculating, stood behind his three students, smiling lazily. That day he hadn't worn his flak jacket, instead a long-sleeved black shirt with the fire symbol on his left shoulder.

Yasashi, standing in between his two teammates, grinning ear to ear, and hands folded behind his back. He'd been so happy that day. He'd kept screaming, "I HAVE A TEAM, I HAVE A TEAM!" like some kind of maniac. He was probably happy to be taught by the man who was practically his father, too.

Hanako's dark eyes stared at the camera, a small smile on her cheeks, but not one that quite reached her eyes. She never liked pictures. She felt awkward taking them. Kiiromaru was cradled in her arms, smiling with his tongue out, staring at anywhere but the camera.

Then, there was him. His hair was a little longer now than it was a year ago. He wasn't smiling in the picture. He didn't know Hanako, nor Yasashi, nor Shikamaru at the time. He'd graduated a year early, and had felt… out of place without the people he had been raised alongside. He wished he had smiled in that picture, just for the hell of it, because he should have smiled. Hanako and Yasashi – and his sensei, too! – were family to him, and at the time he hadn't cared about them.

He sure as hell cared about them now. Almost as much as he cared about his siblings.

His gaze shifted from the picture to his headband, which sat nicely folded on his nightstand. And next to that… his uncle's necklace.

Now propped on his elbows, Hikaru lifted the delicate necklace into his hands, staring at the thin cord. It would need a new one soon, no doubt, since he would be wearing it on missions. It was for good luck to wear this, an heirloom of the family. His uncle… He wondered what Itachi was like? A saint? That's how he had always been described, but there were so many things about him Hikaru didn't know.

This necklace represented his uncle and all the things Hikaru had heard about him: someone resourceful, smart, caring, proud, selfless… Could Hikaru really be all of those things? It was certainly expected of him as the next head of the family; he had to bring light to the Uchiha, even if it took the rest of his life to prove. No one cared about what they were now… back then, the Uchiha had done wrong, but Hikaru would make it right.

He gripped the necklace and nodded to himself. He had been named for a reason. Hikaru… it meant 'light.'

He set the necklace down and tried to get some sleep.

To no avail, of course.

OoOoOoOoO

Finally, Hikaru could take no more, and crept quietly out of the room. He remembered his training, concealed his chakra, and left through the window, his feet softly pressing against the dirt. He slowly crept around the house, staying low to the ground. He knelt beneath the kitchen window, trying to listen. The window was closed, but thin. Muffled noises came from within. He concentrated, trying to make words, until he could vaguely make it out.

"Do you think?" His mother's voice questioned.

A soft hum, or maybe a word of conformation. "There's no doubt. He is still alive."

"Leave it to him to get out of that war alive," came a grumble; Naruto.

"We all knew this was coming," another voice spoke evenly. Hikaru recognized Kakashi's voice. He had arrived about twenty minutes after Hikaru and Sasuke rejoined the party earlier. "He's gotten stronger. He's crawled out of whatever pit he has been in, and I doubt he's going to live like that forever."

"So what action do we take?" Sakura wondered. "Do you think he would still be after you, Sasuke?"

"He wouldn't be that stupid, right?" Naruto offered, and Hikaru's eyes widened when he saw Naruto lean against the sink, which was right below the window on the other side. The boy froze. One move and Naruto would know.

"No," he heard Sasuke murmur. Hikaru felt stiff, but listened intently. "He knows he can't defeat me. He'll try, I'm sure… but… There are more vessels for him, now." He seemed reluctant to say it, hurt. His father also sounded regretful, or angry? Hikaru wasn't sure.

Sakura's voice was cold. "If he even tries anything, I'll rip that snake's tongue out."

Naruto nodded in agreement, face serious. "I won't let anything happen to you or your kids."

Or the kids? What did that mean? What did this… snake want from them? What did he want from Sasuke? What did his father mean by 'vessel?'

"I'm perfectly able to protect my children on my own, Naruto," Sakura interjected. "I just… Hikaru said he's taking the Chuunin Exams." Naruto's eyes flickered to Hikaru and the young Uchiha flinched. Naruto regarded him, but didn't give him away. Did he know Hikaru was listening? "He'll have to leave the village for that."

"He'll have Shikamaru with him," Naruto supplied, sounding helpful. "Shikamaru is trusted, and he's killed an immortal man before. He could do it again."

Sakura sighed. "That doesn't matter. Shikamaru isn't…" A pause. "Maybe we should have this conversation another time."

Hikaru immediately retracted from his place under the window, dashing back as quietly as he could around the house. He'd been caught, he was sure. His mother's tone was all too-knowing. He nearly swore jumping back up into his window, fumbling on the window sill and falling face first into his mattress. He quickly shoved himself up and dove under the covers, slamming his face against the pillow.

Shit. The window.

He clambered up and grasped the window, fast, slamming it back down and diving back under the covers. He screwed his eyes shut, heart pounding in his ears. The blanket was clenched in his fist. This felt like the time he had tried to sneak out when he was little, and his mother had nearly caught him. He remembered not actually ever trying to sneak out after that…

His door creaked and cracked open. Hikaru relaxed his body, keeping still under the covers. "Hikaru?" his mother wondered, whispering. And then a moment later, after her quiet pondering, the door shut. Hikaru opened his eyes and turned to lie on his back. He felt like a child who had been caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Idiot, idiot…

The boy closed his eyes.

OoOoOoOoO

SUNAGAKURE, WIND COUNTRY
PRESENT DAY
CITY STREETS

"K-Kago-sempai, it's too late for this! Where are we going?"

The girl's voice is whispered, hushed. The city streets are alive at this time at night, or rather, the red light district is. It's almost two in the morning, and the moon is high in the sky. Two girls head towards the village gates, and the walls that keep Sunagakure safe, and hidden.

Sabaku no Kago – daughter to the Godaime Kazekage, Sabaku no Gaara – had the wrist of a local girl, with dark chocolate hair pulled in a long ponytail. She had black eyes and long bangs that covered them, and she was not remarkable in the slightest. She was not a ninja; she had too many medical issues as a child to be admitted into the academy, and even now, she was not physically well. Her name was Ryoko.

Kago was beautiful, in comparison to the other girl. She had her father's red hair and his spindrift eyes, one earring on her lobe. She had both ears pierced once, but the left one had fallen out and the hole had closed up before she had realized it. Kago was not a girl to pay attention to detail, unless it pertained to her beautiful 'masterpieces.' Her hair was long and thrown back into a long ponytail that drifted behind her like a kite or a banner. She wore a jumper that accentuated her curves (she was thirteen but busty already). Two belts crisscrossed at the waist, holding her many weapons and poisons and scrolls.

Kago grinned back at Ryoko. "Somewhere cool, you'll see!"

"But-"

"Ah, shut up and come on!"

She led Ryoko around buildings and corners, until they were reaching the corners of town, the less populated areas. Ryoko was more than a little concerned… but Kago had never really let her down before, so…

They stopped suddenly, and Kago whirled around, grinning. She took Ryoko and pushed her, so that there was a door behind her and Kago in front of her. No escape. "Ryoko," she started, taking the other girl's wrists in both hands.

"K-Kago-sempai?" Ryoko blurted, her face a rising pink color.

"Remember when I told you, that I had something important to tell you?" Kago asked, going from holding Ryoko's wrists to her hands. "Well, I wanted to tell you now. It's pretty important," she grinned, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "My brother and I were talking, you see, and…" Kago's cheeks turned pink.

This made Ryoko turn red. No, no… Giroro couldn't have told Kago about Ryoko's feelings! Those were private! It was no secret she had a crush on Kago, her senior, her sempai… but everyone BUT Kago knew! And it was supposed to stay that way! She confided in Giroro, Kago's twin, thinking he would just listen and hear her out… but she didn't want him to tell Kago! She gulped, her hands shaking in Kago's. This was a pretty romantic setting… surely, Kago was going to confess? Maybe they would be together… No, no, don't get your hopes up. It would be so amazing though, if Kago-sempai….

"I… I know it's something you've wanted for a while, yeah? God, I don't know why I'm so nervous. It's not even that hard to say. I just know you look up to me and stuff and I want you to be happy, Ryoko." Kago grinned, her perfect white teeth shining.

OH, my gosh, it's a confession! Kago-sempai! Ryoko felt like rushing forward and kissing Kago hard on the mouth. She refrained. "T-thank you, sempai," she stammered.

Kago chuckled. "Don't thank me yet. Just, Ryoko, I want to know this is something you really want…"

She didn't even have to think about it. "Y-yes, of course it's something I want, Kago-sempai! I really admire you, and I look up to you, and you're…" She blushed and looked down at her feet. "This is something I want, yes…"

The other girl's face grew warm, her green eyes shining. "Good. Then…" she leaned forward, and Ryoko leaned forward, too…

Only for Kago to open the door right behind Ryoko, and she spun the weak girl around. "Welcome to your new workspace!"

Ryoko blinked. "H-huh?"

Kago pushed her into the building – and then turned on a light. The dark room suddenly became a greenhouse, with empty shelves lined all around. There were many pots in the corner of the room, as well as bags of fertilizer. Ryoko blinked. "…Huh?"

"Isn't it great?!" Kago beamed. "It's got water hooked up to it and everything! Of course it's limited, we're in Suna, after all… but here's your own greenhouse! Giroro was telling me that you were feeling a little useless and left behind. You know, since we're all going to the Chuunin exams and you can't because. You know. You're not a ninja. And then he was saying how you wanted to help me, and us… so I thought of this! You love plants, a lot, I know…" Kago blushed and scratched the back of her head. "I had my dad pull some strings. So you can have your own greenhouse. This way you can make my poisons and antidotes for me, and for the others, too! And you can help out the hospitals with making medicine, that way… you know, you won't be left behind. Oh! And this, too!"

Kago sprinted over to the side of the room where all of the supplies were. She picked up a whole stack of books. "These are some guides to herbs and stuff you can make with them. There are two books on poisons and antidotes, and we have all of the seeds here for you to start growing!" She dropped the books against the ground. "That way the greenhouse can protect your plants! I know you grow some at home, but they die pretty quickly, yeah? And… huh? Ryoko? You okay?"

Ryoko was numb. She felt like she got hit with a stupid rock. Of course Kago-sempai wasn't confessing…. Idiot, idiot, idiot! She sighed… it was still really nice of Kago, though, to go and do all of this, just for her. She cracked a warm, genuine smile. "Kago-sempai… this is wonderful. Thank you… I promise to be of use to all of you!"

Kago grinned. "That's what I like to hear, Ryoko!" She slapped a hand on Ryoko's shoulder. "You're an amazing friend! This is the least I can do for you."

No, Kago-sempai, you've done enough. You've made me so happy… "T-thank you," she stammered again, pulling at the hem of her shirt.

Kago leaned forward and pulled the shorter girl into a hug.

"And don't worry. We'll all come back safe, I promise."

Ryoko nodded furiously into Kago's shoulder.

Sempai is hugging me!

OoOoOoOoO

KONOHAGAKURE, FIRE COUNTRY
TRAINING GROUNDS
FOLLOWING MORNING

"Sensei had his baby last night?!"

He was late to training today, much later than he should have been. He slept in, and halfway to the grounds he realized he wasn't wearing the necklace his father had given him.

So he ran the whole way back, and then ran the whole way to the grounds. Upon arriving, only Hanako was present, which was strange because he was so late. But then she explained that Yasashi and Shikamaru were both at the hospital right now. Upon asking why, well…

"No, she's probably having it now," Hanako replied. "They told me to come, too, but I figured that someone should wait for you and tell you."

Hikaru sighed and ran a hand back through his hair. "Well, at least I'm not late, then."

"That you are not."

The Uchiha eldest snickered and sighed, and Hanako pushed herself away from the tree, beginning to walk towards the village, probably to the hospital. She snapped her fingers and Kiiromaru followed, and Hikaru matched her pace. "So, what do you think the baby's going to be?"

"Boy," she said, resolutely. "Temari and I talked a week or so ago, and she said she feels like it'll be a boy."

"How can you feel something like that?"

"Woman's intuition."

"That's not an answer," he retorted.

She shrugged. "If listening to your gut feeling is an answer, then so is that."

Hikaru puffed his cheeks out. On their second C-Rank, they had a choice. Deal with one enemy then and another later, or retreat. Yasashi said they should retreat, said he had a 'gut feeling' that fighting that man was not a good idea. Hikaru said otherwise, that they could take down the enemy's numbers… and ended up in this hospital after a gruesome fight. Since then, Hanako was very trusting of Yasashi's 'gut feelings.'

"We still dwindled their numbers," Hikaru spat.

"No, sensei dwindled their numbers, after saving our lives. YOUR life, to be precise."

"Whatever…"

It was quite a walk to the hospital, but not dreadfully long. It was filled with Hanako and Hikaru's mindless chatter, and bickering. Once they reached the hospital they walked up to the third floor, where all of the newborns were delivered. It wasn't hard to know where Temari's room was; they could hear her screaming at Shikamaru to "get the fuck away or I'll rip your throat out and shove it up your-" and then Hikaru blocked out the last word because for the love of Kages…

Akimichi Chouji, Yuhi Kurenai, Yasashi, and the two elder Nara children, Shikadai and Amari, sat in the waiting room. Shikadai was about Boruto and Sarada's age, about seven years old. He was a copy of his father, in personality and demeanor, save for his mother's eyes and pride he acquired from her. He was looking rather bored as his little sister held two dolls in her hand, making them chat happily to one another. Amari was a different child, all her own. She was very unlike both her parents in the manner that she was casually optimistic about everything, and ignorant of the world around her. She looked very much as an active portrayal of Temari, except her eye color was dark in color, and her nose and cheeks were his. Her smile, though, that was Temari's. She was commonly seen in little dresses and had her hair up in pigtails. She smiled upon seeing Kiiromaru.

"Kiiro!" She grinned, jumping up from the uncomfortable sofa cushions and padding over, where Hanako set the pup down with a motherly smile. Kiiromaru yipped happily.

Yasashi stood, grinning, "Hey! You finally made it. Momma number 2 is delivering right now!"

Hikaru smiled, waving at Chouji, who smiled with a large nod. Kurenai gave him a polite smile and turned back to the book in her lap. She was a wonderful, lovely woman, even at her time and age. There were wrinkles at her eyes and there were gray hairs mixed in with her black ringlets from years of raising a child. She had officially resigned from being a kunoichi when Yasashi was a toddler. She said she could not bear if he were to lose another parent to the shinobi world. He would need his mother, she said resolutely, so she stayed in the village, safe under the Hokage's reign.

They both sat, and Hanako spoke, "We heard from all the way down the hall. Things are going alright, yeah?"

Chouji nodded, "Mm! Ino is in there with them helping deliver. With her in there, there's nothing to worry about."

Kurenai flipped a page of her book, "There seems that there wasn't anything to worry about on the way here, and this is her third child. They both know what to do." Hikaru and Hanako nodded – of course, they knew everything would be alright.

Shikadai let out a puff of air, "It's boring here. When are we allowed to go?"

"We gotta stay for our little sibling!" Amari interjected, holding Kiiromaru in her arms. Even though he was a relatively small dog (at the very least, small enough to sit on Hanako's shoulder comfortably), he was still much too big in the little girl's arms. "Now I'm not gonna be the little one!"

Chouji laughed, ruffling the girl's head with his large hand. "That's right! Now you'll have to be a responsible girl and take care of your little brother or sister!"

Amari grinned, "I can do it!"

Shikadai sighed dramatically and threw his head back, muttering something about how he was wishing that he were at school. For once.

Hikaru sat back against his chair, sighing inaudibly. He wasn't expecting for sensei to have his baby today. It seemed like Temari would never have the child, but now there would be another Nara child. He wondered what being a parent felt like. He wondered how Shikamaru felt about his children. He wondered how his father felt about his children. And he wondered how a parent would feel if… a snake were trying to take them…

Yasashi suddenly sat at Hikaru's side. "Hey, hey, so I decided!"

The eldest Uchiha blinked. "…Huh?"

"About the Chuunin Exam! I decided!"

"Oh, right!" He said, sitting up. "So what did you decide?"

Yasashi smiled. He looked so unlike his mother with that knowing smirk of his, his lazy but passionate eyes. "I decided why the heck not. You know?" He was addressing Hanako, too, but the girl was talking lightly to Amari about being careful of the dog's tail, and to not pull it. Yasashi sighed, "I know Hanako might say no, but I wanted you to know I'm on your side. Besides, dude, like. Even if Hanako and I wouldn't go, you'd find a way to go on your own. Might as well have us by your side when you're, you know, dying." He chuckled.

Hikaru laughed and punched Yasashi in the arm. "Thanks."

"No problem. Nothing like having faith in your friend."

"You said I was going to die."

"No, I said we're going to die, together."

"Shut up," Hikaru punched Yasashi in the shoulder this time. The boy recoiled.

"Quit punching me," he whined.

The two laughed and not long after, the door opened to the delivery room. Automatically, as if it were rehearsed, Kurenai and Chouji stood, as Ino Yamanaka stepped out, sweat dripping from her brow. She closed the door behind her quietly, and sighed. A smile broke out on her cheeks.

"Little Shikatani is here and healthy."

OoOoOoOoO

KIRIGAKURE, WATER COUNTRY
NINE YEARS AGO
HEIWA STREET

Over seventy citizens and shinobi were killed, according to reports. The attack was unannounced and unexpected. Regimens had changed in the Kirigakure government, and power was being put in the right hands. Laws had been changed that from now on, the structure of the country would not thrive on bloodshed. That they needed to be more ethical in terms of the shinobi that they were raising, because for goodness sake, it was no way to live.

Many vehemently argued. They said it was wrong to change tradition. That they had been powerful for so long for a reason. Their shinobi were trained to kill, and to become a shinobi, you had to kill those close to you. It was a trial all shinobi faced, and in doing so, they eliminated emotions. Weakness. Love. Their shinobi were the best for that reason, and for that reason, they would do whatever it took to keep those traditions in line.

Terumi Mei, the Godaime Mizukage, would have none of this. She disposed these ideas, and when she gave up her hat to that do-good Choujuro, who agreed with her in every sense of the word 'peace,' they attacked.

The street looked to be paved of blood and bodies. A river of death. This street was once known as Heiwa, but now the street was made of flesh, and knives. Shinobi stood around, picking up bodies, trying to identify them, vomiting with grief, crying with disgust of the men who could have done this.

Terumi Mei stood, the end of her skirt splattered with blood. She had arrived too late, it seemed. This attack was not regimented, and the people who had done this would pay for it. They had just dug their graves, dammit… She sighed and turned away from the small school, where the swings and slides were red. Windows were shattered.

No one was left as innocent. The street Heiwa was now nothing but red.

Mei closed her eyes and stepped forward, stepping on a lump accidentally. She recoiled, and felt an immediate pain in her chest. She'd just stepped on a child.

She covered her mouth and looked away. The atrocities—

"Unnh… ow…"

Her green eyes snapped open. She whirled around, looking back at the child she'd just stepped on.

His eyes cracked open in pain, and bright hues of blue looked up at her. His body was red, covered in red, from under his fingernails and over his eyelashes, it was all red. But his eyes, they were so blue…

"Medic!" She shouted immediately, without a second thought. "Get a medic over here, now! There's a kid over here!"

One little boy survived the Red Street Massacre, and seventy-eight other citizens, did not.

OoOoOoOoO

KONOHAGAKURE, FIRE COUNTRY
PRESENT DAY
LEAF HOSPITAL

Sabaku no Temari was out of the room, being examined. She was always so cautious of childbirth since her own mother had died giving birth to her youngest brother, Gaara. This was Temari's third – and final – child, and she wanted to take extra precautions to make sure she would be around for the three. Shikamaru didn't argue; it didn't hurt to take a couple extra exams to make sure she would be okay.

Shikamaru was cradling the young Shikatani in his arms. Chouji had taken Shikadai and Amari back home; they had met their brother, but quite frankly, they had been there for hours. They were tired and hungry, so Chouji was nice enough to take them home and watch them for a while. Ino had gone back to work in a different wing of the hospital, and Kurenai went to work as well, leaving Shikamaru, and Team Shika alone with the newborn.

Yasashi grinned, sitting shoulder to shoulder with Shikamaru, head bent and looking down at Shikatani. "He's so cute, sensei!" He whispered. "I can't believe it. It's like another little brother!"

Shikamaru chuckled, pulling up Shikatani's blanket closer to his chin, keeping his son warm. "Yeah. He's something. Looks like you get another kid to watch on our date nights."

Yasashi pumped up his fist in victory. Hanako snorted from where she was, sitting at a small table. Hikaru was leaning against the wall, adjacent to Shikamaru.

"So," Hanako began. "Does this mean we're not taking the Chuunin Exams?"

Shikamaru blinked, and eyed Hanako, "Hn? I'm guessing your answer is no, then?"

Hikaru looked at Hanako in mild shock, but her shake of the head dismissed it. "No, I still haven't decided. But to make the Chuunin Exams in time, we would have to leave in six days. Surely you're not going to leave your newborn?"

Shikamaru sighed, leaning back with Shikatani in arms. "I talked to Temari about it. Kurenai is more than willing to stay at our home and help with the kids if you guys decide to go. I'm not very stoked about leaving Shikatani…" He smiled as the little one made a yawn that sounded more like a yip. "But, I know this is important. If you three say yes, then we'll go as planned."

Yasashi bit his lower lip, still hovering over Shikatani. He looked at his two teammates, almost timidly.

Hikaru crossed his arms. "Well. I'm still ready to go."

"I'll go if Hanako goes," Yasashi supplied, and then all eyes were on the Inuzuka girl.

For a moment, it almost looked like she was about to become angry (it wasn't a rare occurrence for her to get angry. Quite common, actually), but she suddenly closed her eyes and kneeled, picking up her young pup into her arms. She stood and sighed, and began to head out of the room. Just as they were ready to accept that Hanako was in no way going to endanger them on such a tough test-

"Alright," she finally said. "We'll go take the exam."

OoOoOoOoO

KIRIGAKURE, WATER COUNTRY
PRESENT DAY
UNION CENTER STRONGHOLD

Terumi Kiri was a young girl with much skill, and smiles to go around, for days on end. No matter what happened, no matter the awful situation, the little girl always found a reason to smile. She was the daughter of the previous Mizukage, Terumi Mei, and her father had never been mentioned to her. She had hair like her mother's that fell in crimson tangles, half pulled up into a topknot. Her eyes were like small green pools, which glittered when her cheeks lifted in that smile that could only belong to her.

"You're staaaaring," Kiri suddenly said, and Aoi blinked, coming back to reality. Kiri giggled and blew a straw wrapper into his face. It lamely crumpled against his cheek and waned down to the floor.

Aoi snickered and shook his head. He had black hair that was also pulled into a topknot – a hairstyle that had become popular among the Union – and his eyes were bluer than any clear sky, than any lapis lazuli stone. His skin was pale as if he'd never stepped into the sun once in his life. The weather was almost always cloudy in Kirigakure, though, so his skin wasn't uncommon.

"My apologies, Kiri-sama. I just cannot understand how you're in such a lovely mood." They'd lost a battle against the rebellion last night. It ended in twenty-two casualties on their side – it wasn't the worst of casualties, but it wasn't the best, either. He had come back late last night from battle. He was a Genin, but he was a strong Genin, and they needed every ninja they could get their hands on to win against the Rebellion.

His shoulder was bandaged and there was a shallow cut on his cheek. Nevertheless, Kiri was smiling. He was glad she hadn't been in that fight last night.

"Well, I mean, you came home okay aaaand. Well. I have a surprise secret, but I'm not supposed to tell you." She smiled, being cheeky.

He flicked a pea off of his plate at her. Kiri giggled and tried to deflect it by waving her arms around wildly. It hit her dead center in the stomach. She scoffed and leaned forward on the table, propped by her elbows. "But seriously. I have a secret."

Aoi smiled and took a clump of udon noodles into his mouth, politely slurping them down. He gave her a puzzled stare, swallowed, and licked his lips. "Is this one of those secrets you're going to spill in ten seconds or less, or the kind that gives me a heart attack?"

"Maaaaaybe both?" She smiled.

Aoi smiled back. She had seen her own fair share of war, but at least, she was happy.

OoO

They were summoned to the Mizukage's office, walking side by side. Kiri seemed to know why they were being summoned (Aoi assumed it had to do with the 'secret'), but said nothing. Aoi didn't pry; he was her protector, her guardian, and he had no place to ask things she knew.

He remembered nothing before the age of six. The day of the Red Street Massacre was a blur, a crimson blur, but then the world came into focus, and he was in the arms of Kiri's mother, Terumi Mei. She took him in and cared for him, alongside her three-year old daughter Kiri. She trained Aoi how to be a shinobi, in the sole intent of him becoming the person who would take care of Kiri for the remainder of his days.

He lived up Mei's standards, and became a fine shinobi, worthy of being Terumi Kiri's protector.

He took his role seriously. Without Mei or Kiri, his life really would have no meaning. He was a blank slate, his parents had most likely dead in the Red Street Massacre. He had no name besides the one given to him by Mei. She had named him 'Aoi' because of the very color of his eyes. "In all of the bloodshed that occurred that day, all of the red I saw… a little blue miracle like you just somehow managed to make it out alive…" That's how Mei always told the story when Aoi and Kiri were young. It had been a long time since she had tucked him into bed. He was sixteen years old now, but he only had ten years of memories. Kiri was thirteen, now, much too old to be sung to sleep.

"Are you okay, Aoi?" Kiri suddenly asked, and Aoi was jolted from his thoughts.

"Huh?" he wondered, looking down at her. She was about a foot shorter than him.

"You've been acting like you got your brains kicked out of you since you got back. Did something happen last night… during the fight?" She held his wrist, worriedly. They stopped in the wall, steps away from the Rokudaime's office.

Something had happened. He wasn't about to tell her that, though. He couldn't bear it if she thought less of him. He would be alright, he was just… a little off. He knew he was trying to keep his mind off of it by thinking of other things. Thinking of Kiri made it easy to forget awful things, because she was such a wonderful person.

He didn't need for force a smile on that thought. "No, Kiri-sama, I'm fine. A little tired and worn from partaking in battle, but I am just well enough."

Her face fell into concern, her hand tightening around his wrist. Her palm was sweaty. "Take it easy tonight, then, okay? We have a big day tomorrow…"

Aoi blinked. "Tomorrow? What is tomorrow, pray tell?"

She smiled, "Well… we're taking the Chuunin Exams! I wasn't supposed to tell you, Choujuro-sama was supposed to, but… please, take it-"

"The Chuunin Exams? You'll be killed!"

"…Thanks for the unbridled support, there."

A short, angry breath left Aoi. He shook his head, "No, no, it's not you I'm worried about… At the last exam, over twelve Rebels had gone there-"

"Rebels aren't allowed to take the exam anymore because of that!" Kiri said, not exactly angry, but pushing. "They're technically not allied anymore with us, and that means they're not with the other villages. And I'll have you there with me. You know… we're a duo!" She grinned.

Aoi didn't smile back. He was more than a little worried. And they would be leaving tomorrow… He sighed, "A duo is fine and well, Kiri… but we'll need a third member if we're to compete. And we're the only ones experienced enough as Genin to take the exam right now. I-"

"I know," Kiri interjected, pressing fingers to Aoi's lips. "We have someone. Don't worry. And don't hurt yourself. Loosen up."

She pushed at Aoi's shoulders, and smiled once he let his shoulders relax, with a heaving sigh. They stared at each other for a long, pounding moment, before Aoi gave up and said,

"Alright. So who is this 'someone?'"

OoO

Aoi had never seen him before. He was average height, maybe a little shorter than Aoi, but he had more muscle than Aoi. He had hair like wildfire, not red, but a daring orange. Almost like a pumpkin. It spiked out in all directions, his hair held back by his headband that framed the sides of his face. His eyes were almost yellow, with a tint of auburn in them. His jaw was set, standing off to the side in the council room.

Aoi had never seen him before in his life. His headband bore the symbol of the Union, though, so it must be within well reason?

But Aoi knew everyone here. Which meant…

He was either a rebel, raised by rebels, or he had been captured by the rebels until just recently. In any scenario, Aoi did not trust him.

Kiri waved at him politely as the Rokudaime Chojuro stood, introducing them to their new teammate.

"This," he gestured, "is Jinta. I know you may n-not know him, but that's because he hasn't been… among us. He has been among the-"

"The Rebels," Aoi finished, his voice laced with disgust. Jinta raised a brow at him. "Why should we trust him, then?"

Chojuro blinked, having not expecting such a perfect soldier such as Aoi to speak disrespectfully. Kiri lightly elbowed Aoi in the ribs, and Chojuro continued.

"Well," he began. "Jinta came to us some years back. We rescued him, actually. He was wounded..." Chojuro turned to Jinta, as if he were unsure where to go from there.

Jinta stepped forward, a small smile coming to his lips. Aoi's lip curled in disgust. "Well," the flame-haired boy began. "After the Union saved me, I felt like I owed them. So… I started being a spy for them. I guess you could call it. I started feeding the Union information about the Rebels, and you know the sort. Um, I got found out though, by the Rebels, and they're uh, kind of looking for my head. So I came back here because I didn't want to lose my head!" He scratched his neck, almost as if he were really afraid someone might take it off.

Aoi might. He adjusted his bandolier and straightened, almost trying to size Jinta up.

Chojuro nodded. "Of course, we welcomed him in. And since you two needed someone to join your group in the Chuunin Exams, we decided he was the best fit. After all, Jinta was once among the Rebels, he knows their faces. He can pick out any threats that might try and come after Kiri."

Kiri shyly looked away, nodding. Aoi huffed, "I can care for Kiri-sama just as well. I don't need any help."

"I know, Aoi. And Terumi Mei-sama trusted you enough to take care of her, so I trust you just as much," Chojuro said, smiling, as if remembering a fond memory of Mei. He seemed to shake the memory away. "But, you will need a third member in order to participate in the Chuunin Exams. If you become Chuunin, you are only a step away from Jounin, and when you become a Jounin-"

"I can save this land," Kiri spoke, resolutely.

Chojuro smiled. "Yes. I know you may be uncomfortable with Jinta around, but, he is well trusted. We have never had a problem with him." Chojuro turned to Jinta. "And of course, if there is a problem, you have my permission to deal with him as you see fit."

Jinta nodded, in full agreement. It seemed too easy. Letting a Rebel travel with them? Aoi didn't trust him, not with an inch of his life. Or Kiri's… and he would not risk her life on some bloody rebel…

He would protect her. If she wished to take this risk, then fine, but he would not sleep or relax with someone like this in their midst. He hoped Chojuro-sama knew what he was talking about…

Jinta shot Aoi a reassuring smile, and it filled Aoi's gut with dread.

OoOoOoOoO

KONOHAGAKURE, FIRE COUNTRY
SIX DAYS LATER
VILLAGE GATES

There was a large group assembled at the village gates by the time Hikaru arrived. He had run late (saying goodbye to four siblings and an overprotective mother was trying, after all). He was supposed to meet his team at the usual spot, but they were long gone by the time he had arrived. He was now rushing to the village gates, out of breath, his jacket clenched in his hand, only wearing a black t-shirt and his white pants. His weapon pouches were lazily strewn in his belt loops. A kunai almost slipped out but he caught it, his eyes quickly searching the crowd for-

There!

The young Uchiha raced forward and slipped through the crowd, skidding to a stop just as he nearly ran into his sensei's back. Shikamaru turned, his face annoyed. "About time you showed up. You've been so crazy about these exams and then you show up late."

"Yo!" Yasashi grinned as Hikaru blushed, murmuring an apology. He waved to Yasashi, then smiled at Hanako, who was holding Kiiromaru in her arms. She looked tired (it was almost six AM in the morning) and he wondered why (it was six AM, she must have been awake at three AM, at least, that's what Hikaru assumed. The girl was always early.) He smiled at her and she weakly smiled back, before training her eyes ahead.

"So, why were you late?" Yasashi wondered. He seemed to be the only one up and ready. Shikamaru-sensei was always a little edgy leaving the village; he would miss his children dearly. Hikaru had no idea why Hanako was foul, and he had no idea why Yasashi was so peppy. He was usually the one dragging his feet this early in the morning.

"I woke up a little late and then I had to say goodbye to my family. Akira made me," he fished into his pocket and pulled out a small charm, "this good luck talisman. She then begged to sleep in my room while I was gone," he snickered, short of breath still. He threw his jacket over his shoulders and tightened his weapon pouches around his belt, still panting. He pushed the charm back into his pocket. He nudged Hanako with his elbow. "You alright?"

"Yeah," she said, without blinking.

That wasn't a lie. At all.

Hikaru knew her better, though, and decided to step back and leave her alone.

Instead he decided to talk to Yasashi, who had apparently drank three cups of coffee. That's why he was so hyper, but it was only a matter of time that he came down from that caffeine high. Hikaru decided to enjoy it while he could. When Yasashi got tired, he would be the only optimism left in the group.

"What are we waiting for, anyway?" Hikaru huffed, his breath finally catching up with him.

"For Naruto," Shikamaru droned. "He's a troublesome fellow, but he's going to give us some kind of sendoff. There's a lot of politics involved with the Chuunin exams. We doing our best helps our village financially and socially. The place we're going to is a neutral country – The Land of Snow – and it's a huge hub for all of that cultural stuff. Place to make friends, and the like. Naruto's just going to remind us of conduct."

"Conduct?" Hanako wondered.

"Well. There are a lot of politicians who go to the Land of Snow, and a lot of important figures. Try not to punch any of them in the face, or make them mad by poking fun."

"Ah," Hikaru said.

"You hear that, Hika? No punching people. I know you like to, but," Yasashi was cut off when Hikaru punched his arm.

"Shut up, man."

Yasashi giggled in reply.

"HOOOOOOOOOH. IF IT ISN'T SHIKAMARU-SAN!"

Shikamaru blinked and turned to look over his shoulder, only to suddenly be pulled into a hug by a giant blob of green. Shikamaru stiffened and was released, stepping back. "Oh. Lee. Hey."

"And a grand good morning to you, Shikamaru! What brings you here to this joyous occasion?"

"Ah, well, I'm taking my students to the Chuu-"

"HOOOOOOOOOH! So it seems our fates have crossed, then, Shikamaru-san!" The man – Lee? – suddenly grinned and his teeth were so bright that Hikaru swore sparkles were coming off of them. The man was strange-looking, wearing bright green spandex with a bright red headband on tied around his waist. He was wearing… orange legwarmers. And his eyebrows were the size of seaweed. His eyes themselves were round, big, black, and framed with large lashes.

He looked out of place, even for a lively place like Konohagakure. This was the kind of man his mother warned Hikaru to stay away from.

Shikamaru did not seem the slightest bit phased. He must have known this one for some time now. "Hn? You got a team, Lee?"

"No!" Lee said defiantly, and then began to toss kicks up into the air. "I got three bright, young individuals with the POWER OF YOUTH and enough heart to change a nation! I got three young minds to craft and mold into brilliant disciples! I have three students who have THE POWER OF YOUTH ROARING WITHIN THEIR BURNING SOULS!" Hikaru blinked because holy shit it looked like there was legit fire in his eyes.

"Whoa, this guy is intense," Yasashi whispered over. Hikaru and Hanako could only nod numbly.

Shikamaru looked a little confused but apparently his confusion wasn't important enough. He seemed to ignore it. "Whatever floats your boat…. Er, these are my students. This is Hanako, Yasashi, and Hikaru." He pointed at the three respectively.

"Ahh!" Lee smiled, immediately ruffling Yasashi's and Hikaru's hair. "This is Sasuke-kun's son and Kurenai-sensei's son, right? They're so- so grown up!"

Shikamaru actually chuckled at that. "Oh, yeah, you haven't seen these guys since they were born, yeah? Guys, this is-"

"MY NAME IS ROCK LEE! I knew your father, Hikaru-kun, when we were your age! Ah, what youthful days! I defeated him the first ever time we met, and he was inspired by my taijutsu and created some of his own victories from watching me fight! And your mother, Yasashi-kun, I used to help her with groceries when she was carrying you!"

Yasashi blushed bashfully. (Anyone who was nice to his mom was fine in his books.) "Oh, really? Thanks, Lee-san!"

"Please! Call me Lee-sensei!"

"Ah, sure."

Hikaru blinked. His father –Uchiha Sasuke – was bested by… this guy? That had to be a joke… He looked to Hanako for support… only to see that she was trying not to laugh, coughing into her sleeve, her shoulders shaking. Hikaru rolled his eyes.

"So, when did you get students, Lee?" Shikamaru wondered, looking actually curious.

Lee grinned. "Some months back! Naruto-kun asked me personally if I was interested in taking on a team, so of course it was a tough decision, but then, I thought, it is time for me to pass on my youthful spirit to the next generation! So I accepted his offer!"

"Feel bad for them," Hikaru muttered over his shoulder to Hanako. If she had been drinking something, it would have come out of her nose.

Shikamaru scratched the back of his head. "Then they're participating in the exams? That's kind of early, don't you think?"

"It was a rather tough decision, but…. In the end, I decided, I would give them a chance! You see- oh! Here they are! WONDERFUL STUDENTS! ALIGN YOURSELF BEFORE YOUR SENSEI!"

Yasashi giggled and no one blamed him because, well, it was kind of ridiculous, and Hikaru immediately felt bad for his students, whoever they were.

Three students – two boys and one girl - emerged from the crowd, and suddenly, Hikaru only felt bad for two of them.

Hagane Kagura's eyes lit up when they passed over Hikaru's form, and Yamanaka Koushiro's big blue eyes did, too. Hikaru was amazed – they were here, too? And they were on a team with-

"These are my wonderful disciples! Koushiro-kun, Kagura-chan, and Takeshi-kun!"

"Hiya," Yasashi waved, and Hanako gave them a nod. Shikamaru opened his mouth to say something, but Kagura beat him to it.

"Hikaru-kun!" Kagura grinned, and dashed forward, slamming Hikaru into a bear hug. Hikaru laughed and hugged her back just as tightly.

"Kagura! It's good to see you! I didn't know you and Koushiro were taking the exams!"

The hug pulled apart and she sighed, a small smile on her face. "Yeah. Lee-sensei-"

Another body barreled them into another hug and Koushiro smiled, "Our trio is back!"

Hikaru laughed and so did Kagura, the three hugging. They pulled apart.

"You know him, Koushiro-kun, Kagura-chan?" Lee wondered, blinking.

Koushiro grinned. "Yep! We and Hikaru have been friends since we started the Academy! He graduated a year early so we haven't seen each other in a while. Well now this is exciting! We get to take the exams together!"

Hikaru grinned, "Yeah." Takeshi was the last person he wanted to see, but in a way, he really was excited to take the exams against him. After years of their rivalry, of constantly trying to outdo the other, this was it.

He stepped back, "And these are my teammates, Hanako, Kiiromaru, and Yasashi." Kiiromaru yet out a loud yip and Hanako gently pat his head. "And this is my sensei, Shikamaru."

"N-nice to meet you!" Koushiro beamed, cheeks pink and eyes bright. Per usual. He hadn't changed much in the past year, and for that, Hikaru was grateful. Koushiro was one of his best friends and he had always hoped it would always be like that.

Kagura gave them a polite smile, looking Hanako up and down before she decided Hanako was no threat, and turned her attention to Hikaru. "It's been so long, Hikaru! How are you? And I can't believe you're-"

"OH!" Lee suddenly interjected. "That must mean you know Takeshi-kun as well, right?"

The Uchiha was faced with many decisions: he could address Takeshi and come off as polite and unnerved by his presence, or he could very well ignore Takeshi and dismiss his presence. He could say he never knew Takeshi at all and stand an uncomfortable silence. Or, he could lash out at Takeshi, start a fist fight, and ultimately get scolded.

The last one only sounded appealing because he would be able to smack that impassive look off of Takeshi's stupid face.

In the end he sighed and looked toward Takeshi, who was staring him down already. They looked at each other for a moment, staring intensely. This was it; this was the first time they had seen each other in over a year. Hikaru nearly forgot what Takeshi looked like – and did he get more piercings? He couldn't see his left ear from the angle, but there was four in the right ear, two on his brow, and the one on his lower lip. That was seven in total, from what Hikaru could see… It had been so long. For so long Hikaru hadn't really the time to think of old rivalries, but there he was. This was-

Hikaru's thought process was knocked off when Takeshi dismissed Hikaru with a vague roll of his eyes.

"Please, Wonder Boy, cut with the dramatics."

Hikaru's face flushed red and his jaw set. It's like Takeshi knew what he was thinking. Immediately he felt himself revert, like he had traveled back a year in time. "Fuck off, Takeshi."

"Hn," Takeshi hummed, looking away. Hikaru huffed and looked away, his blush setting when he realized his team was staring at him, expressions confused. Hikaru knew why – expletives were meant in a joking matter most of the time, and the other percentage of the time was when Hikaru was so mad he had nothing else left to say. The latter often happened in the stage of a fight.

Hanako, in particular, looked curious, and her eyes flashed in a sudden realization, that this was the reason Hikaru wanted to take these stupid exams to begin with. Her face molded into a scowl, and she snapped her head away so she wasn't looking at him.

Great.

"HOOOOH? Do I sense a rivalry in our midst?!" Lee exclaimed, looking positively thrilled. He stroke a dramatic pose, "Ah, I see! Young rivalry, what a wonderful thing to set passion into the soul! You boys are excellent successors to the passion of our days~!"

"I feel so bad for you two," Shikamaru suddenly blurted, his face impassive. Yasashi nodded.

Takeshi actually smirked though, nodding once at Lee. "Yeah. Wonder Boy and I are at a final standoff situation."

Hikaru opened his mouth; Lee spoke first. "AAAAAAH? HOOOH? OHHHHH? A final standoff, you say! Well, then, Shikamaru-san, it seems our team, and your team, are at a perpetual war! It seems that although friendship has prevailed in the past, this is the final standoff between two comrades, who were forever locked in battle. This, I say, is the time for you to shine, YOUTH!" Tears ran down his face and he pumped a fist in the air.

He went on like that, maybe, for a while, Hikaru didn't know. Yasashi started laughing and having a conversation with Kagura and Koushiro, and Shikamaru was groaning, shaking his head, saying how troublesome everything was.

Hikaru wouldn't know exactly, though, what Lee went on to say, because the next thing he knew, Takeshi was tapping his shoulder, murmuring, "Let's go talk for a minute, why don't we, Wonder Boy."

OoO

Naruto had not arrived yet. Hikaru assumed they had the time, so he followed Takeshi, close behind, his eyes set forward. He wasn't sure if anyone noticed that the two had left, but for the moment he supposed he didn't care. He had heard through a grapevine that Takeshi was taking the exams, and by extension, Kagura and Koushiro (although he hadn't an idea THAT was who their sensei turned out to be). He was worried for his friends, worried that Takeshi had coaxed their sensei into letting them take the exam so he could excel, putting the two weaker teammates into a bad situation…

Underneath those reasons, though, Hikaru just had this inane drive to compete against Takeshi. It was ingrained to him, tattooed into his ninja way that Takeshi was his rival. Not an enemy by any means, not someone he should kill, but someone he needed to beat in order to better himself. Takeshi was always an obstacle and in his mindset, he would continue on to be an obstacle.

Hanako could be mad that he endangered his own team just for this, but it was something he needed to accomplish.

A gnawing feeling hit him, because honestly, he shouldn't have dragged Hanako and Yasashi into this.

Takeshi stopped, and Hikaru fell to a short stop, just steps behind him. Takeshi leaned against one of the very millions of trees in Konohagakure, glancing up at Hikaru with his glacier eyes. "Didn't know you were taking this test, Wonder Boy."

His fingers twitched into a half-formed fist at the old nickname, but he pushed that thought away.

"Didn't know you were either," he lied.

Takeshi scoffed and for a moment it sounded like he knew that Hikaru knew all along, but on the other hand, maybe it sounded bitter. He didn't say anything after that, so Hikaru spoke up.

"So what now? Are we just going to ignore each other?" He crossed his arms, brow raised.

The boy sighed. He seemed to think something over, mumbled something under his breath, and then looked up at Hikaru. "Even if we did try to ignore each other, it wouldn't work. We would inevitably be faced against each other at some point, Wonder Boy. Knowing us."

Hikaru clicked his tongue. "Yeah. Knowing us. So, then?"

A small smirk crept to Takeshi's lips. "How about a wager, then?"

OoO

"Ever since the Great Fourth War, our nations have been closely knit as allies, and we have always come to the aid of a friend in need. Before the war our differences divided us, our leaders segregated us, and our lands have constantly fallen into war. But… In the war, I made many friends. I defeated many foes of our common enemy, and I faced many challenges.

"This era is one I strive to keep at peace. Our lands do not have to fight if our bonds keep us connected as friends! I believe that if we never give up on the notion of peace, and prosperity, then we will never see the day when our world is a battlefield!

"My master taught me many things of peace… heh… He never once stopped believing in humanity, in the ninja world, in us. In the next generation. I want to carry out his wishes, and so I entrust his wishes to you.

"The Chuunin Exams is our way to keep our world the way it was meant to be. I encourage you to win, but I do not encourage you to defeat your foes, but instead, help them stand again. I encourage you to make friends with those from a foreign land and a foreign view! And in that way, making friends, building bonds across nations, I believe that we can continue the peace we have had since the last Great War!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, claps of the people who had been scarred from the last war, who still carry the wounds, loud voices of the people who had never once had to see bloodshed on the massive scale. Cheers from the wise, cheers from the ignorant, but above that, from the people who strived to keep their world the way it was.

Their world was wonderful. Why would they ever change it?

Naruto Uzumaki grinned, his smile infectious among the people. "Seems you're all revved up and ready to go! In that case, why am I stopping you? Go on and get out there!"

The crowd roared.

A tall, gaunt figure leaned over Takeshi's shoulder, his nails like obsidian rapiers, hair white like snow.

"It's time to get out there, Takeshi."

His cold eyes burned.

OoOoOoOoO

A/N: That only took forever to finish. College is hard.