So it's been a while. That happens. It will happen again as I have a month long trip overseas in a few weeks. It may take a while, but you'll get your chapters.

Thanks to Ray the Red, Callian31, Radiant Celestial Aura, JigokuShoujosRevenge, an0n, Countenance, and Jiilljanedave for reviews! Special thanks to TangoDeltaBravo for their awesome reviews! Hehe I love it when you guys give your theories.

And now:

In Which there is Chaos

"Come at me Inuzuka, and I will cut you."

"Hah! You can't even hurt that rabbit ya stupid blueberry! Like ya could lay a hand on me!"

Children scream in the background in a cacophony of noise. I'm pretty sure I can see our campfire growing to dangerous proportions out of the corner of my eye; probably due to the fact a couple kids with pyromaniac tendencies keep throwing more forest brush into it.

The newly promoted chunin assistant who had been left behind to watch us had long since been taken out. He lay on the ground, bound to the nines. I'm pretty sure he is crying too – it's hard to tell since Ino blindfolded him. She is now putting him through a surprisingly brutal (emotionally) interrogation, some girls from her posse flanking her.

Naruto and Sasuke could be heard even above the general commotion, tussling on the ground while screeching and pulling hair. It is the harshest cat fight I have ever witnessed.

Bedlam reigns and it is sorta beautiful, in a mildly frightening way.

None of that matters right now though – all that matters was little Usagi-chan in my arms and this stupid mutt in my face.

Well I suppose I should recap: it all started with this stupid survival camp.

Now, I like nature about half as much as the next guy. I enjoy its beauty and everything, photographing it was one of my favorite things a life ago, but I hate camping. I think I forgot that little fact between this life and the last.

The smell of nature filters into my nose and I gag. While I typically enjoy the sharp fresh smell of the vivid green growth that surrounds Konoha, the fact I'll be sleeping in it for two days sours the experience. I clench the soft dirt under my fingers and whip in into the air.

"Pfff," I sputter as it rained down on me. Not exactly my most thought out action. It doesn't really matter anyway since some little idiots decided to have a dirt slinging fight on the way here, which I was right in the middle of.

We are about an hour out of Konoha proper towards the southeast. It is an area still monitored enough that we are in relative safety, while being far enough away that we were unlikely to encounter anyone else. Considering a trained ninja can traverse this span of distance in fifteen minutes, compared to the hour a gaggle of eight year olds take, it might as well be considered part of the city perimeters.

So after an unpleasant walk Iruka, with a couple assistants accompanying him, indicates the clearing we will be setting up camp in. He has everyone going through the motions of setting up tents, collecting firewood, and setting up "traps" (that couldn't catch a squirrel, nonetheless an enemy nin) around the perimeter. The kids had taken pretty well to it overall, considering it was most of our first times out of Konohagakure proper. Truly, enthusiasm is at an all time high.

"Ah, Miki-kun, please get off the ground and stop throwing dirt on yourself," I hear Iruka's hesitant voice from somewhere above me.

I squint my eyes open and flinch as the sun peaking from between the trees flashes into my eyes. Eugh, the sun it burns us. Seriously though, this sun sensitivity is the worst.

Along with various other traits I toted along from my last life, piss poor vision has also decided to make a victory lap. Well, I don't think my vision is deteriorating at as fast a rate as last time, so hopefully my eyesight won't be quite as bad. I couldn't see a damn thing without my glasses by my late teens – even colors blurred together, nonetheless shapes.

I figured they'd have some procedure to fix poor vision, considering there were very few ninja with glasses and chakra is basically miracle juice. However, when I first was ruminating on the problem when I noticed some vague blurriness a bit after I turned seven (if I hadn't been looking out for it, I would never have noticed – didn't when I was actually a kid until my teacher pointed out I kept squinting at the board and my mom took me to the eye doctor), I remembered something that disproved my theory.

That freaky deaky silver haired kid that was Orochimaru's underling wore glasses, didn't he? Kabu-something? Whatever-his-face was a super good ninja, too. On top of that, wasn't he a freaking med-nin? Like, an almost Tsunade-level deal? He sure as shit understood how to mess with genetics, so I'm guessing he could clear up some nearsightedness. Maybe he thought the glasses made him look cool or something?

Well I don't know what the deal was in Alpha universe, but looking into it in Beta, there are no eye procedures for ninja. Even the glasses selling shops are civilian exclusive! This confused the hell outta me, but I came to a couple conclusions:

a) Chakra tends to eliminate physiological maladies in one's genetics, especially if someone has a lot of it. This seems plausible, especially considering that people from Clans, even if not shinobi themselves, always seem to be in peak condition health wise. While it's possible to catch certain strains of colds, bodies overall didn't seem to really break down overmuch in old age. Elders from Clans didn't seem to have arthritis or failing eyesight. Look at old man Hokage – he could duke it out when he was what, eighties? Almost eighties? Like I said before, Chakra is pretty crazy.

b) Ninja are paranoid and secretive shits who refuse to show any weakness. There are barely any ninja therapists besides a couple Yamanaka who drive themselves crazy trying to convince people why they're necessary. Besides the mandatory psych evals, there is no one to talk to about your issues beyond trusted comrades. Even then, there's an ingrained prejudice against showing weakness. Like, PTSD isn't even a thing here. Maybe if I could get a hold of a Yamanaka Psychology text they'd have a concept similar to it, but it's not widely acknowledged. Even basic things like depression, anxiety, or mental issues are not openly discussed or diagnosed. Like? These people kill other people for a living on a ridiculously high stressed job and can't admit to having any notable emotional or mental responses to it? Is there any wonder that there are so many crazies? I honestly can't even blame someone for breaking to pieces in this kind of society.

The only honor among murderers is strength, it appears.

Well, it's honestly probably a combination between my two theories. Either way, this helps me jack shit, so I decide to take my sight into my own hands unless I want to be half blind the rest of this life.

So I talk to my friendly neighborhood Evil Science Bro during one of our we-don't-really-do-much sessions. I ask him about using chakra to fix eyesight. After about five minutes of ignoring me and a nicely executed sneer of derision, he informs me that shinobi with good chakra control can use their chakra to enhance their vision for a short period of time. When I ask why not long term, he tells me that the eyes are rather delicate, and one wrong spike of chakra could get you either blind or with two explodey balls in your head. Most people don't have the precise chakra control necessary to maintain an enhancement on such an intricate organ.

Then, of course, I have to wonder exactly what the chakra does. Like, do I get a film of chakra over my eyes that acts like contact lenses to even out my vision? Nearsightedness itself is caused by the eyeball being too long, making light focus incorrectly. Does the chakra somehow shorten the eye? Refocus the light? How can people do these things with chakra without knowing the biology of what they're doing?

It honestly makes me wonder; half the time it seems that chakra is all about intention. The only people who seem to actually know the methodology behind what they're doing are med-nin, who must study medicine and biology before they can even start medical ninjutsu training. Why don't people have to know anything besides hand signs and a jutsu name to be able to spout a ball of fire from their gullet?

Does chakra break the laws of nature, or is it a part of the natural order?

Is it magic where all you need is some sort of focus and intention, or a science that requires precision?

Well

I don't have a damned clue.

So, I resolve to go ahead and try to fix my own vision. I study an anatomy book with a section on eyes (including diagrams!) at the library beforehand just in case. I then direct my chakra to my eyes. I start with a trickle then steadily ramp it up until I could see perfectly. I have one scare where I thought I rendered myself blind. It turns out I burst some blood vessels and the blood blocks my vision. It also looked like I was crying blood and I made some of the younger kids at the orphanage cry.

Happily, I manage it in the end, even if I don't know exactly what I'm affecting. My eyes get tired after a while, so I don't maintain the flow when I'm sleeping or if I don't really need to, like if I'm reading or walking somewhere. Like I said, my vision isn't that bad yet anyway. It also isn't much of a bother to maintain. Gotta use my freakishly good control for something.

It is a constant, if minor, drain while I use it. If I end up being a pint sized killer, I'll have to take that into consideration in the field. Another side effect is also sun sensitivity. My eyes have grown sensitive to the sun over this past year, even when I'm not maintaining my chakra lens.

I should get some sunglasses.

"…Miki-kun?"

Ah, yes. Iruka-sensei. He is staring at me rather awkwardly. He's probably been waiting for me to respond for a while. Better say something back. Assuage the poor man's fears that I've finally gone off the deep end.

"Why is a raven like a writing desk?"

Nailed it.

"Er, ah," the tanned man looks lost for words. He stares at me a bit longer until it seems to pain him. He looks around frantically until he spies something out of my line of sight.

"Ah, it appears Hinata-chan could use a bit of help! You like Hinata-chan, right, Miki-kun?" The last question comes out a bit desperately.

For shame, Iruka-sensei! Using the fact I tolerate the not-quite-Hyuga-Heiress more than other children to your advantage. Scoundrel! Rabble-rouser! Ninja!

I gotta admit; I am a bit proud. Instead of just being vaguely distressed, Iruka is now being vaguely distressed and taking action! They grow so fast.

I languidly slip to my feet, flexing my toes in the loamy ground. I stretch my arms and proclaim, "I cannot ignore a poor soul in need. I shall endeavor to aid the fair maiden at once!"

Ignoring the physically older man's reaction, I make my way across the camp ground towards Hinata. She appears to have heard her name and is already looking in my direction. She certainly does not need my help putting up her nearly-finished tent. She also looks somewhat unsure, but not wholly unwelcoming. Which is more than I can say for most people.

"Hello Miki-san," she greets quietly, yet firmly. The girl is a bit of an anomaly in our class. Strong people tend to be loud and exhibitionist. The Hyuga girl is more the strong, but silent type. She doesn't even have the creepy vibe going on like Shino.

"Hinata-chan, my dear lady! I am here to aid you in your quest for shelter," I inform her, willfully ignoring that she only needs to hammer down two more pegs to secure the tarp over the tent.

She merely smiles at me, "Thank you, Miki-san. If you would please secure that tarp strap I would be most thankful."

This girl.

I do as she asks as she does the other one. I allow her to use the provided hammer and instead use the end of a blunted kunai. I only have a small slice from almost stabbing through my leg and am rather proud.

After we're done we put our backpacks into the tent. It will most likely only be us two for the night. People think I'm crazy, and while Hinata is kind, she is also quiet and intense for the average eight year old. The other girls will probably overcrowd themselves in the other girl tents to stay together. Considering I share my room in the orphanage with four other brats, I am more than happy for the extra space.

I soon hear Iruka hailing us to come to the center of the camp so he can discuss our next activity. Most of the group are rather excited (Shino, Shikamaru, and I are notable exceptions) and he announces that we are going to prepare for dinner. Cheers arise from the children, always excited to eat.

This is where everything goes wrong.

"I will be taking Aiko-chan back to her house," Iruka indicates a vaguely familiar distressed looking girl standing next to him. She sniffles and looks overall rather pathetic.

He continues, "Kirihito-san will go and collect fish and water from a nearby river. Homura-san will be staying behind to monitor you. He will also be walking you through this exercise. Ask him if you require any assistance."

"Wait what are we doing?" Naruto calls out.

"Naruto! I just said Homura-san will explain to you! Listen once and a while, you knuckle-head!" Iruka exclaims back, thoroughly annoyed.

Crying-girl starts crying more and he hurries to soothe her. He attempts to calm her down by telling her that she will be home soon, but when he goes to pick her up she angrily exclaims that she doesn't need to "be held like a baby!" and runs off. The young man in turns sighs tiredly and goes after her.

Kirihito, a stocky black haired young man, snickers at Iruka's plight before teasingly elbowing his brown haired compatriot and exclaiming, "Have fun with the kids!" He thusly poofs into nonexistence and we are left staring at the lone Homura-san.

The gangly young man, likely around seventeen at most and most likely a career genin, gulps slightly, freckles in stark contrast to his paling skin. I can feel multiple eyes following the sweat dripping from his temple, like sharks smelling blood. Hoho, someone should tell this poor boy not to show weakness in front of a bunch of kids taught to exploit it. Hell, subs from my last life knew not to show weakness in front of a bunch of non-lethal kids. As much as we are taught to respect authority, we equally enjoy flaunting it.

I smile, "We're gonna tear you apart if you let us."

Ah, I am such a Good Samaritan.

The boy's eyes widen, now trained nervously on me. His Adam's apple (what is that called here, considering that particular creation story ain't around?) bobs. Now, why does he look scared of me? I'm the one that warned him. No sense, that one.

Ino steps in, bopping me on the head and smiling her sweet, angelic, and totally fake smile, "Don't mind Miki-chan – she's totally nuts sometimes! What are we supposed to do, Homura-senpai?"

The boy seems to somewhat collect himself at this, clearing his throat and his voice only breaks once, "You all are going to help prepare dinner by catching wildlife around here. There are mostly squirrels and rabbits, with the occasional fox. If you have good enough aim, you could also take down some birds."

His explanation is followed by an explosion of sound. Many girls squeal in disgust at the thought of killing animals. A lot of the boys are taunting each other over how many they would catch, Kiba being one of the loudest. The Clan kids look self assured at the task before them. Likely they have done something like it before. Because having five year olds gut animals is a sure way to maintain a sound mind.

"Hah, like you could catch more animals than me! There's no way they're getting past my traps!" Naruto yells at Kiba, a cocky look on his face.

For once, his cockiness is not unfounded. Like Alpha Naruto, this Naruto has a penchant for pranking, and is killer at traps. Pun somewhat intended.

I've seen him catch a chunin in a wire trap he set up around town, stringing the poor chump up by his leg and subsequently plastering him in orange. Alpha and Beta Naruto both seem to be a genius in trapping. I never understood why Alpha didn't capitalize on his. Maybe this one will?

The red haired brat catches my gaze and squints aggressively, "Watchu lookin at?"

I squint back, "The face of a failed messiah figure."

The boy's face scrunches up in confusion before he scowls and stomps away, ignoring the calls of Homura to not stray too far. I watch him go and frown to myself. I am so not bitter that this Naruto doesn't resemble the sunshine one from my first childhood. Not at all. I just said that to confuse him. Yeah.

"You really should not antagonize Uzumaki-san that way, Miki-san," a feminine voice chimes in from besides me.

I turn to see pearly lavender eyes looking calmly at me. Man, I'm pretty sure this girl is the only one in this universe that can get me to feel a bit of guilt. Even then, there's not much. I don't really feel too much nowadays.

"I have no clue what you're talking about," I tell her loftily. Beyond her shoulder I catch the eye of one annoying Nara. He raises an eyebrow and gives me a look. I can't tell you what kind of look it was, but I did not like it. I stick my tongue out and make the ugliest face possible at him before turning around, missing the stern look the girl next to me shoots at him.

I stomp towards the woods, passing by a clutch of girls swarming Sasuke and pleading him to catch their dinner for them. Poor boy looks thoroughly put out and annoyed. Unfortunately every syllable he makes is followed by a bought of squealing. No wonder Uchihas only deal in monosyllabic grunts. The mini Uchiha looks in my direction and makes a pleading face. Okay, pleading is a bit of an exaggeration. He wasn't glaring at me, which is basically the same thing. I give him my most sympathetic look possible, followed by cupping my hands in a heart shape to show him my love and support.

Somehow, I don't think he enjoys the gesture as much as he should have. That twitching eye and redness didn't look quite healthy. I should mention to one of his fangirls that poor Sasu-chan looks a bit peaky. Hell, he might even die, the poor dear, if someone doesn't give him the love and attention he needs.

Hehehehe…

I am about to stroll into the woods in a much better mood, only to be interrupted by a small weight pouncing on me. I look down to see Akamaru panting at me with his paws stretched out on my legs. He kneads my legs, claws scratching me and tongue lolling cutely from his mouth. My heart simultaneously melts and twists. I absolutely love dogs. In fact, I had one right about his size long ago…

"Hello there Akamaru," I scratch behind his ears, causing him to yip happily. Little punk knows I'm a sucker for a cute face.

"Oi, Akamaru, get away from her or you'll catch crazy!" Kiba yells as he runs up to us, snatching his puppy up and baring his teeth at me.

I attempt to contort my face into a pout, "It's not my fault Maru-chan here likes me better, Pretty Kitty."

Kiba growls, face red, "Don't call me that you weirdo! And Akamaru doesn't like you better! He likes me best! You're just a crazy girl who can't do anything. I bet you can't even catch a rabbit!"

While an eight-year-old yelling and frothing at the mouth at me normally wouldn't move me, I feel a bit insulted at the jab at my competency. The audacity! Why I outta…

Nope. There they go. The fucks that I give – they have all flown away. Alas.

I gaze at him dispassionately, "No matter how the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it."

The boy gives a little scream/yowl, throws his hands up in the air (jostling poor Akamaru in the process) and stomps into the woods. He quickly disappears into the vegetation, and I am left alone. Most people have left the clearing by now. I give a low hum and start my own way forward, in a different direction than my dog-like classmate.

Cool shadows immediately envelop me as I trudge through the brush. I run my hand across a tree and wrinkle my nose at the scratchy texture. I'm so used to the smooth trunks of Hashirama trees that normal ones are a bit odd. Normal trees aren't nearly as big as the chakra infused ones. Hashirama trees are scattered around the entire fire country as camouflage for where our village hides, but in much less quantity. Normal trees can't really compete with them, and have the habit of dying if they are in a Hashirama tree dense area.

I kick my way through bushes until I make it to a relatively clear path. Maybe a deer path? I kick my feet and amble forward.

So, I'm supposed to be catching squirrels or rabbits. I can totally do that. I'm pretty quiet when I want to be, so they won't hear me coming. I also have a sharp kunai for the occasion. My aim is awful, so I won't be able to nail it long distance. I'll have sneak up behind it and catch it with my snake like reflexes. Then, it'll just be a slash, and the small furry creature will be history. Just a cooling body leaking blood, its innocent existence extinguished. Yeah, easy…

I blink and realize that I have stopped walking. I huff to myself and shake my head. I can't let this kind of thing get to be. Hell, I've died before. I may have never been able to kill an animal my last life, but I'm different from that girl. I'm a self diagnosed sociopath, ain't I? What do I care about some little old rabbit?

I care. I care a lot.

Hours later, I stare wide eyed down at the bunny in my arms. It wiggles a bit, legs lightly hitting my stomach, but it stopped struggling too much a while ago. Its brown fur shows a ripple of glistening red wrapped around it in a circle. It must have gotten caught in a wire trap then gotten out. That's not too surprising, considering most of us don't know how to set up a decent trap for shit.

It has dark and light brown dappled fur. Interestingly, it has a patch of white vaguely in the shape of a crescent moon curled around its right eye. It's the only white on it, besides its little cotton tail. My dinner wiggles its pink little nose and looks around with big black eyes.

I couldn't harm the damn thing if you were holding a knife to my throat.

I let my kunai drop from my shaking hand and groan. Bunny wiggles around a bit more and seems to look at me expectantly. I mean, I don't really need meat today. I'll eat some berries and nuts. It's not like I haven't gone days without eating much.

I went to set the rabbit down before fear strikes my heart. What if another kid stumbles onto rabbit while it was hopping innocently in the woods? Those little mongrels would strike him/her down and feast on his/her bones!

I give a fearful look at the animal before hefting him/her further in my arms. Well, I'll just wait until this little exercise it over. I decided not to hurt the rabbit, so no one else will either. Nodding to myself, I let myself start walking aimlessly forward.

I look down at the animal in my arms and muse aloud, "Eh, I might as well give you a name while we're together. Hm what should I name you little usagi-chan?"

I stare down at his/her face, again noticing the crescent moon around his/her eye. I gasp excitedly, startling my companion and causing him/her (I should probably check), to squirm.

"Usagi-chan! Perfect! The most magical of magical girls," I give an awkward spin and attempt to pose with a rabbit in my arms, one arm extending out, "In the name of the moon, I shall punish you!"

"…Is that so?"

Shikamaru looks duly unimpressed with my finger pointed right at his chest. Choji stands next to him, munching on a bag of chips he unsurprisingly sneaked on the trip. I frown and retract my arm, holding the newly dubbed Usagi-chan to my chest. I eye Choji. That one would do anything for his food.

I should really stop ignoring my chakra sense.

Shikamaru stares at my new friend, "That rabbit looks pretty alive."

"No shit, Sherlock," I glance at the supposed genius, "I don't see you guys toting around any dead animals."

"Troublesome," the boys sighs, "It's way too much work to try to catch some animals. They don't expect all of us to catch one anyway. There's enough competent people and show offs in our class that they'll have enough for us all. Plus the fish that Kirihito guy is catching."

Choji breaks in, "I also collected some nuts that grow around here. They're a kind that is really tasty when roasted."

I grunt back. A wave of sound rushes over me, and I notice that I had unconsciously been walking with them. I realize in mild alarm that we are back at a camp of hungry savages and I have defenseless little Usagi-chan in my arms. The sun is almost set and dusk steals along the camp. Tents are scattered about and a campfire roars in the middle. Most of the students along with the single teenager are gathered around the fire. I glare at the shadow demon out of the corner of my eye and notice a smirk edging his lips.

One day, I am going to throttle the little-

"What took you guys so long!" an obnoxious voice shouts.

Naruto is looking at us from a bit into camp, the fire further in backlighting him and casting shadows across his face. He looks thoroughly grumpy with twigs in his hair. Kiba is next to him grinning widely. He taunts, "Naruto-baka is just mad that he doesn't got nuthin after all his big talk."

"Shut it, dog breath!" the red head scowls back.

Kiba looks over at us with a smirk, "Oi, Shikamaru, Choji, you didn't catch anything either? You're so lazy! Akamaru and I caught three squirrels and a rabbit!" the boy puffs up in pride and turns his feral eyes to me, "Hey, you managed to catch something! But why is your rabbit still alive? Man, you manage to screw everything up!"

I bare my teeth at the wild haired kid opposite me. I notice Naruto giving me a weird look and glare at him for good measure. "In fact, you heathens-"

"Ah, welcome back you three! It looks like you caught a rabbit! But, ah, it's still alive? Would you like me to kill it for you?" Homura smiles kindly.

Time freezes.

Homura appears much calmer than before, although he's struggling to maintain the campfire at a reasonable height. Something he's hard pressed to do with kids enthusiastically feeding it. He also looks much more in control than earlier today. He appears to be leading half the class in how to gut and skin animals.

I see that Sasuke is one of the ones gutting rabbits. There is blood on his porcelain hands and I feel something uncomfortable stir in me. Uchiha and blood.

The older boy is looking at us smilingly, obviously trying to be a kind and supportive leader. His notice brings the attention of the rest of my classmates. Their eyes reflect the fire's light and seem to glow, as if in the depths of the night I was shining a light on a swamp full of alligators.

I know what I must do, if it comes to it.

"No, I'm good," I say airily.

The physically older boy's smile turns slightly awkward, "Ah, if you're sure. I can show you how to cleanly cut-"

"That won't be necessary. Usagi-chan is fine as he/she is. Alive," I cut him off.

Shikamaru snorts, "He/she?"

"You should respect that not everyone is bound by your gender norms, Nuisance-chan."

"Whadya mean you're not gonna kill it, Miki? We're supposed to be having it for dinner!" Kiba suddenly shouts, looming closer to me.

"I can do whatever I want," I primly inform him.

"Actually he's right, er, Miki-chan. I know it's sometimes hard at first, but I can help you," Homera attempts to comfort as he walks closer to us.

I look him in the eyes, and I see that there will be no compromise with this man. Very well.

I point dramatically at him, stopping him in his step, "And where is Iruka-sensei, huh?"

He looks thoroughly nonplussed by this non-sequitur. Noob. "Um, what do you mean, Miki-chan? Remember Iruka-san went to-"

"Yes! Iruka-sensei, chunin, left hours ago to return home one of our classmates. Yet! He has not returned from a job that should take an hour at most. Our attentive, never-slack-off, Iruka-sensei?"

I have caught the attention of the rest of the class and they draw closer, forming a loose semi-circle around the brunette. The sun has nearly disappeared from behind the tree tops, casting darkness across our camp. There is only the hint of a wedge of the moon in the sky, and the cloudy sky obscures most of the stars. With the singular light of the campfire at their back, my classmates cast dark shadows towards us, Homura falling directly in their path. Blood drips from some of their arms, the red catching the light of the fire.

He seems a bit nervous again.

"Er, Ah-"

I don't let him speak, "On top of this, your compatriot has not yet returned from his trip. Two hours to get some fish and water? That seems a bit farfetched."

The shadows loom closer.

Homera is sweating now, "No, you see, Kirihito, he-"

"What do we really know about you, Homera-san? We just met you today; know only that you are a career genin that volunteered to help with the annual academy survival trip. An event widely dreaded to be picked to help with. On top of that, instead of volunteering to take back little Aiko-chan, you let Iruka-sensei leave. You are left alone with us. You are left alone with a bunch of eight year olds only two years into training. A class of kids not yet ninja. A class full of Clan Heirs."

Tense silence hovers over our camp. One wrong move and something will snap.

Homera makes a wrong move.

He jerks, one of his hands going down in a way that could be construed as going for a weapon pouch.

A war cry rings out and I'm not sure who the first to lunge was. Suddenly a mass of small dark shapes leap on top of Homera. His startled cry is drowned out by the yells of two dozen children. Naruto whoops, never one to miss assaulting an authority figure, and joins the fray. I see the glint of ninja wire wrapped around his fingers. Kiba howls, eyes feral, and also runs into the swirling mass with Akamaru at his heels.

See, Clan kids are always cautioned to be wary of kidnappings. There is always someone who wants to steal the secrets of their bloodlines. The children are always the easiest targets and most at risk. This ingrained fact on top of being outside the village for the first time? Along with having a virtual stranger as the only adult around? The tension was already there, I just needed to exploit it. Even the non-Clan kids, like me, will hop into a fight if there's a threat of this nature. In this situation we are disposable, and that much more likely to be killed.

Lil Homera, veteran genin he may be, is both thrown off his guard, reluctant to fight children, and has to deal with twenty odd ninja-in-training. Add on top the fact that if he actually injures an Heir that he might be killed for real, well, it's better to not fight back.

I hug Usagi-chan to my chest and am satisfied in my rabbit's safety. I hear a snort from beside me.

"So do you think any of them will realize that Aiko clearly was going to refuse to be carried, plus being distraught, would mean Iruka-sensei was probably going to take hours? She also was home sick, and would have refused to leave with a stranger. Kirihito-san obviously intended to leave Homera to deal with us himself. It is pretty impressive that the only straight out lie you told was that we knew that he volunteered for this," Shikamaru drawls out, eyes halfway closed and shoulders slouching. Next to him Choji never pauses eating.

"What, do ya want a cookie?" I mutter, keeping my eyes on the "fight".

I see kids start to settle down and witness the aftermath of my subtle manipulation. It appears Naruto put that wire to good use, as Homera is tied up so tight he couldn't hope to move a muscle without being cut. Everyone grows restless now that the initial surge is over. The threat is nullified, but now the question of what to do now comes.

I step in, "Eh, Ino-chan it looks like you're up now!"

The blonde looks at me, her blue eyes slightly confused at being called out. Then, her eyes firm as realization sets in. She nods firmly, crosses her arms, and takes charge. She looks at a (is he crying?) bewildered Homera in the eye, "I can't believe you tried to take advantage of our kindness like that, Homera-san! We were all really getting along, and you go and betray us!"

Agreeing yells drown out Homera's frantic disagreement and Ino continues, "My daddy is the best interrogator ever and he teaches me some things," she stops for a dramatic pause, "Things you won't enjoy Homera-san," if possible the boy pales further. Ino turns around to her surrounding classmates, "Don't worry everyone! I'll find out why he's here and what he did to Iruka-sensei and Kirihito-san! Ami-chan, Kaori-chan, stay with me. Hinata-san, could you stay too? Everyone else, clear out! I've got work to do."

Man, I do not envy Homera his position. I rile up the girl often enough, but I never earn such a determined look in her eye. I'm sure that look could break ninja harder than this gangly teenager.

Oh well, it's either Homera's mental wellbeing or Usagi-chan's life. What's a bit of trauma to an innocent life?

As kids begin to wander away from our bound captive, I see Hinata look confusedly at Ino as the blonde girl ushers her forward. Hinata takes one more look towards my direction, looking in parts hesitant, exasperated, and suspicious (what a look on a kid) before bowing to Ino's coaxing and turns her attention to whatever the girl is saying.

"Well then. Gentlemen," I excuse myself from Choji and the Bothersome One's presences and trek further into camp, confidently toting Usagi-chan. In all the hubbub, me having a live rabbit will seem like old news.

Well, almost no one cares anymore.

"Oi, Miki, why do ya still got that rabbit?"

And here I find myself staring down a savage beast. Ino and lackeys interrogating a teary eyed Homera (now that I think about it, where did Hinata go?). I'm still not quite sure of the exact reason why Naruto and Sasuke are fighting, but they don't really need one.

Kiba takes another step towards me, incisors gleaming.

"I swear Kitty Queen, I will-"

"What the fuck is going on here!"

All activity in the camp stops, all eyes going to the part livid part bewildered figure of Iruka-sensei. He stands there with Hinata at his side, eyes wide and mouth agape. His eyes take in the absolute chaos engulfing the camp until his eyes finally land on Homera. The freckled boy appears to be crying from relief.

Well, there was only one thing I could say to fill the silence of the campground.

"Language."

No rabbits were actually hurt in the making of this chapter. Only one genin was mildly abused.

This chapter was mostly to flesh out the characters a bit more. Next chapter I'll probably go into their ninja studies a bit and you can actually see how Miki fights. That being said, I don't want to linger in the academy days too much longer. Maybe four chapters to cover everything?

So what do you think of Beta universe and its "canon" characters? Hinata is making herself a bigger presence than anticipated, which is surprising for me. Who do you want to see more of? Feel bad for Iruka yet?

Also, are there any POVs you'd particularly like to see? Everything's a bit up in the air, so feel free to suggest anything. Hope you're all enjoying your summers!