"-..Got this -sensei!"

...

...

...

Explosions. Pain. Snakes.

...

"Where do you guys even get these scrolls?" I ask Pakkun lightly, skimming the 'packs' newest donation to my steadily growing Fujitsu knowledge, 'Sealing: Scroll symbols and inventory systems'.

All of the pack surround where I am casually leaning against a tree on the edge of the Nam clan's land, each dog laying in different stages of sleep, I leisurely stroke each dog's head in an affectionate matter between sections of my reading.

After our sixth random meetings, always initiated by the pack (Pakkun), I have finally been permitted to learn each of the dogs names, Pakkun, Bull, Urushi, Shiba, Bisuke, Akino, Uhei, and Guruko, respectively. I have not been permitted to learn the name of their 'boss' though, it's up to me to figure it out.

Pakkun looks up at me with bearily eyes, "Boss' pack mother mostly, she doesn't mind up taking them because she assumes they're for Boss. She probably would still give them to us if we told her the truth, but it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Especially, since she's becoming pregnant, she's turned into a real demon."

Flashes of various mental snapshots of a pissed off Mikato-san ran through my mind. Each snapshot consist of the usually composed clan women fat, angry, and usually eating tomatoes… "I understand."

"We thought you would...you know you could easily join the Tactical: Sabotage Division once you graduate the academy? It would be a nice, safe job that would keep you off the front lines." Bull offers hesitantly, "You have a talent, and you won't die as quickly when we go back to war."

I sign, having recognized the easy opportunity myself months ago, "I can't, not now at least, I have to move to the front lines to protect Itachi. Maybe one day...if I survive long enough- I can go hide in the Sabotage Division."

"Is Itachi part of your pack?" Urushi askes, in a lazy sort of curiosity that reminds me of a Nara boy in my class.

"Yes...Itachi is part of my pack."

"Good," Akino yawns. "It's important to protect the pack, so you protect Itachi and we'll protect you."

"What about 'boss'?"

"We'll make him protect you. He needs someone to protect, just like you need someone to protect you, at least until your fangs grow in. His pact has been taken away slowly but you can help him rebuild it."

~~..~~..~~

"What do you mean you passed?!" I look at the Uchiha boy critically, not letting up my hard look even when Itachi turns an impressive red color. "I thought we talked about this, if you graduate too early you will die."

"I understand your concern," Itachi whispers softly, a hard edge within his voice. "If you aren't ready, you are welcome to stay at the academy and remain stagnant. While you are busy lazing around, I will be busy protecting the ones I care about. I have the Uchiha clan pride to think about."

Akino' s sleep filled voice briefly pops into my mind, 'It's important to protect the pack, so you protect tachi and we'll protect you'. Instead of calming me, all the reminder did was make my anger boil over. I shouldn't have to go to the front lines to protect my pack, don't I matter!

"Fuck you, Itachi." I hiss venomously, "Go sacrifice your life before your new brother gets the chance to know you. Just know, you'll never be able to go back and redo this decision. From this moment forward you are nothing but a weapon to this village."

742 draft kids left and Itachi is willing to through his life away!

~~..~~..~~

"Don't you think you were a little hard on Itachi?"

I don't even have to turn around to know it is Uchiha Shisui standing behind me, the curly haired boy is careful to not cross onto the Nam's clan land. The only living, because the other two were massacred in a war they didn't even want to fight in (!), shinobi (in training) with the right to be on the Nam's land is myself.

"No." I answer truthfully. "I just told him the truth. No matter what you, your clan, or he thinks, he is just a six year old boy. He will die because of this decision forced on him."

736 draft kids left.

~~..~~..~~

Months pass quickly, I turn eight, Itachi turns seven, and Mikato has a baby boy who is named Uchiha Sasuke.

I grow distant from the proud clan, so distant, that I only find out about Sasuke's birth because of the birth announcement that is run in the village's news paper.

Itachi is denied early graduation because the Fourth Hokage declaring that the village will not be sending children to their slaughter, now that the war is over. Itachi, while talented at the Shinobi arts, lacks the mental maturity (and quite frankly the psychological evaluation) to become a child ninja in times of peace.

I don't even try to hide the smug and knowing smile on my face.

~~..~~..~~

A warm buzzing that vibrates my whole chest forces me into consciousness, the silence that meets my tiered ears is the calm before the storm. At once the cool air that dances through my open window becomes too oppressive to breath, harsh scarlett tassels float through the air aggressively. Screams of agony replace the silence of the night air.

"We are under attack!"

"It's a demon!"