Do you know the feeling you get when you're nervous? The fluttering in your stomach and the shaking of your hands. I know what is out there. I prepared for this day. Everything was built, I learned medical ninjutsu, I mastered a few water jutsu as well. I knew it was coming when I turned ten last week. Beside me a fully grown tigress stood. "You'll be fine Rei-sama!" The others stayed behind to watch her home.

Here I am, staring at the open field that separates Kurama's forest (As he made me promise to call it even this half technically isn't his) and the outside world outside. My first step is going into the village from all those years ago. It's a stepping stone I have to overcome. So, putting on my homemade tiger mask and black hooded cloak, I begin my walk with Kialera at my side.

My hair is a unique feature and my eyes would stand out just as much. The garments will hide my identity from most. I wear a long pale lilac battle shirt much like the Uchiha minute the high collar, black leggings that end above my knees underneath, and my feet are left bare. My left arm is entirely wrapped in bandages and the bandages on my right stopped at my ankle and knee. A wide sash was wrapped around my waist like my obi. Inside a tailored slit was my sealing fan which contains my katana, kunai I gathered by using Saigo as a scavenger, and a med kit I created for rescues.

I was all ready to set forth my plans.

Reaching the town's entrance, I stared at the vaguely familiar streets. Money is a priority for now. But where did Kikyo get her missions from anyway? Walking around, I started noticing less civilians and more shinobi in a certain area. I walk closer and see what looked like a quest board from Fairy Tail. So they apparently have this set up huh? From what I can tell, there are only minor missions. Over to the right though was a booth that appeared to be some kind of outpost. I sit back and watch as a group of men walk up to the desk. Stamped pearly on their backs was the familiar emblem of the Uchiha.

One of them turned his head, a boy that couldn't be more than nine years old. He was wearing battle armor like the rest of them. Are they sending this kid to fight? He stared right at me with a solemn expression. He is definitely scared. I walk forward, sending chakra to my vocal cords in order to deepen my voice. He flinched and the men standing near slide out a kunai into their hands. With a calm posture despite my nerves, I stop and hold out my hand. "Good luck Shinobi-san." The boy hesitantly takes it and murmurs a thank you. I leave after that and smile.

He will be my first target. Small pocket money can wait. I haven't been living off of hunted meat for nothing. Kialera falls into step beside me after I pass the alley she hid in. "Rei-sama? You are not going to get money today?"

"No. I have a feeling I will be needed elsewhere today."

I waited until they left to join the forces gathered outside, suppressing my chakra into a tight ball inside my chest. Behind them I followed at a safe distance until they walked until a clearing. Hiding behind in a tree, I watch Tajima step forward to meet another group. They had white hair and red dots where their eyebrows should be… Shit… It's the ruthless Kaguya clan. Now I'm really worried for this kid. Looking at how his calm composure, no one would think this kid was frightened. I know he is because any child forced to die in a battle will be.

Kialera nudged me to bring me out of my thoughts. "Hey Rei-sama… Do we wait?" I take out my fan and sigh. "I'm not ready to fight people quite yet." The battle was brutal. The scent of blood and burning flesh filled my nose and nearly made me throw up. I manage to get through the whole event and continue watching the boy. Right when I felt like he would be fine on his own, a bone comes out of the ground and impaled him through the abdomen. "Rei-"

"I'm on it!" I dart from my hiding place and scoop up the boy and jump back into the tree line. I look up to see Tajima looking left and right frantically. "Yatoka!" So that's what the kids name is. My palms glowing green, I place it over the wound. It punctured his lung. I take a take a nearby corpse and transform it into the boy before giving the order. "Kialera, reverse summon me. This kid can't be treated here."

Damn it, this is a lot more stressful than I thought it would be. How does Tsunade and Sakura do it? All this blood was gut wrenching. Feeling the wooden floor beneath my feet instead of dirt, I drag Yatoka onto a table. I place my hands against his wound and quickly activate the mystical palm. Blood was flooding his lungs. I have to get it out and keep it away as I work on stitching the muscle together.

Sweat drips down my face from the strain. Animals were easier and I never wounded them fatally before. They were always small abrasions. But this was a human that I refused to let die after I made him my target. He coughed up blood that had gotten in his throat from the initial attack, making me almost lose focus. Heal heal heal heal. That's all I have on my mind. When it was finally all stitched together from organ to muscle, vein, and skin, I slumped to the ground. "Kovu…How long was that?"

"A hour. You were at it for an hour." He answered, green eyes looking concerned at my red hands. Kovu had a wonderful black mane now that he's an adult. He was like a big brother to me ever since puberty hit him. He stopped acting childish and matured at a rapid rate. My gaze travels back to my charge. "We're not out of the woods yet. He'll run a fever for sure so I'm going to find some water to wash up and gather cold water. The summer heat dried up our pond this time around." I wipe my face of sweat and cringe when I felt some blood get on me.

With haste I grabbed a bucket and discard my heavy cloak. I hurried through the forest, searching for any water sources nearby. It isn't until I hear the familiar rushing sound coming from nearby? A river! I sighed in relief and ran to it, dunking the bucket of water into the stream before washing my hands clean of all the blood. Talk about a harsh wake up call. I go out of the forest and the kid I decide to watch over first gets himself nearly killed. After finishing up, I walk quickly t not spill the water.

Yatoka indeed got a fever like I suspected so I placed him in my room. After laying a cold rag on his head, I go downstairs to make some broth with blood regenerating medicine. Kill stepped into the room, narrowing her eyes. "You truly are serious about this…."

"Of course. I want to try and change things. Children fighting grown up battles is wrong." I huff and cross my arms. Kila has tried talking me out of my decision many times. She kept telling me that hiding in the forest and staying safe was better than throwing myself into danger. Of course I refused. Isolation may be a big cat thing but I as a human, do not like being closed off from society. Sure my existence might create a glitch in the system but as long as I don't run into cannon characters too often, it'll be fine.

Wait…Little boy... Tajima… Shit. I just rescued Madara's brother. For crying out loud, why didn't Kishimoto write about Madara's brothers like he did with Hashirama? Maybe Tajima just knows him and that's why he called out that way. Totally not the first child he loses… I try my best to convince myself as I walk into my room and switch out the rags. "I-Izuna. Mada-nii….." The boy groans and I let out a sigh. Yep, no mistaking it here. Drawing the blankets over the boy, I take the time to look closer.

His hair was shoulder length with soft spikey fringe protruding outwards from the top layer. I touch the strands and marvel at how soft it was. His hairstyle looked a lot like Gaiden Sasuke. By his body was already packing on some muscle and made him look older than nine. He didn't have chubby cheeks like I still have. Yatoka probably won't be waking up anytime soon so I think a visit to my favorite forest dweller was in order. After I change and bathe of course. Thank goodness for a hot spring being right beside the tree.

So here I sat, on top of Kurama's head, combing his fur. Why not? He deserves good hygiene just as much as anyone so why let all this silky soft fluff go to waste? "Why do I associate with you?" He rumbled out in my head. He always asks that question. I hum as if to think over my response. "I don't know Kura-kun, why I? Will it be the same answer I have given for the past six years?"

He huffed, making me rise and fall like his jaw. "What a horrendous nickname."

"And yet you still respond. Look, stop doubting my bond with you. I am with you because I do not fear you nor want to capture you. I am also with you because you do not wish to kill me which means you like that I have no fear." I gently pat him and slide down onto his nose to start combing there too.

We settle into a comfortable silence for about an hour before he opens one red eye. "Girl. You have been amongst other humans and blood. Have you started your work?"

"Don't call me girl. Use my name already. But yes you are correct. I saved a boy on the battlefield today. I never seen so much blood before and I nearly lost it while healing him. Thank Kami for my mother's medical knowledge." Kurama narrows his eye at that. Took me a moment before realization came. I haven't exactly told him about my other life before. He didn't pry and left it at that. He may be ornery but he is polite when the moment calls for it. "I'll tell you someday Kura-kun. Just not now."

He closes his eye and acceptance before moving on. "Who is the boy?"

I blink a few times before telling the short version of what happened. "An Uchiha. He didn't look much younger than me. When I was in town, I felt how much his hand trembled and decided to watch over him. I was hoping he would have lasted but lo and behold, he gets a bone into the abdomen. So now I have my first resident. It all happened so fast."

Speaking of Uchiha, I need to refill that bucket of water. Should I build a well in case the pond stays dry? It would be wise. "I need to go now. See ya next time Kura-kun."

"Hmph."

After grabbing the bucket from home, I trek all the way back to the river I found earlier. It was a shorter trip after knowing where I'm going. About twelve minutes for a walk. I was about to step out of the tree line when a voice caught my attention. Ducking behind the nearest tree, I slowly peak out. Standing on opposite sides of the river were two boys. The whole scene was oddly familiar for some reason. "Come on Madara. You managed to skip it yesterday." Yeah no…. I'm out of here. Yatoka will just have to deal with a Luke warm rag for a while. Getting up to leave, a second voice stopped me. "Oi! Who's there?!" Oh for Kami/Jashin/Christ's sake. Perhaps if I ignore them- whack. I fall over from something hitting my head. I guess that was a no then. Peachy.

"Madara, you can't be throwing stones at animals just because you can sense one nearby." The voice I knew to be Hashirama's was dangerously close. "Oh!... It's a person." Hands grip my arm to hoist me onto my feet. That's some strength for a kid. I rub my face with my sleeve and glare at the two boys when Madara came over. "A girl!" They shout in sync.

Really Hashirama? It takes you a look at my face even after helping me up to see my gender. "No, I'm just a really pretty boy." When the brunette nods in understanding I couldn't help but face palm. Madara snorts, whacking the Senju over the head. "That was sarcasm idiot. Know the difference." He turned his onyx eyes on me. "What is a girl doing unattended out here anyway?" oh yeah, gender roles. Almost forgot about that.

I huff and walk over to the river, filling the bucket and turn to give them my best serious face. "I needed water. The pond that is my usual source has dried up. As for the other part, I don't need an attendant of any kind. I take care of myself."

Both of them looked disbelieving. Hashirama pointed, which is rude, at me. "But you're not a-"

"Shinobi?" I finish, taking a step back to stand on the water. The reactions that got were rather hilarious. Madara choked and Hashirama did that instant depression thing. "I can't believe how insensitive I am… Anyone can be a ninja if theirs strong enough… I'm a horrible human being." What. The. Hell. This is really happening. He actually does that. You can just picture that dark purple aura of gloom hanging over his back. Blinking, I turn to Madara. "Does he do that often?"

He sighed, pinching his nose. "Unfortunately yes… So… what's your name?"

"My full name or just the first."

"…First is fine." He mumbles. I know without a doubt that a last name holds great importance for clans like them so it made sense that they would only want to know just my first. "Reika Hara. I don't have a clan so there isn't any need to hide it." I smile when he stares blankly at my face. "You?"

"Madara."

"Hashirama."

"Well then Madara-kun, Hashirama-kun. I must go now. You wouldn't mind if I come back right? I don't exactly have friends at home." Not human ones anyway. Yatoka is undecided.

The Senju boy grinned and gave me a thumbs up. "Sure! Join the group." Madara simply grunted a 'idiot' under his breath but of course it came out as the infamous "Hn" we all know and love. That's gotta be a genetic. Taking it as approval, I go on my way.

Welp. So much for not meeting the canon characters huh?

A/N Okay, so maybe not all of you guys know but if you do, yay! I have a deviantart called ElvenElana. I drew My version of Madara's three other brothers as well as multiple pictures of Reika and one of her home. Check it out if you want! My newest is her with the tiger mask. Hope you like.

Q: Watcha think of this story so far?

Review responses.

ILoveRebornNarutoKProject I love the hype XD

NightlyRowenTree Well I hope it's a good interesting. ^_^"

StorytellerD132 lovely ideas. Sunshine is a nice one I might use. Ama and Ara too.

TinkotheWolf definitely a porcupine ^^ thunder is more Kura-kun than anything.

DarkDust27 Oh it has happened ^^ bros fur life