A/N: OH MY KISHI! So many views, follows and favorites. Thank you very much for that my lovely/handsome readers. As for my one lovely reviewer, you know who you are, Thank you very much for your words of encouragement. So enough lagging on my part and on with the chapter and the bundle of characters that will appear!

Disclaimer(from here on out so that it's never ever mentioned again): I own nothing but my adorable OC, and now that I think about it her parents the entire Hachimitsu Clan and shop staff… Other than that, that is all!


Four: Decisions and Encounters that Tug at the Heart

After the whole school incident, my parents just became overbearingly strict for a while. Every now and then I'd get the 'control your emotions' lecture and the 'proper decorum' lecture. The one I hated though was the 'you should apologize' lecture. I admit that I was a bit rude to Momo-sensei. I was a little embarrassed. I shouldn't have let my temper over run my actions but personally I blamed it all on my child-like emotional range. Even if I am an adult on a mental level, I'm a child on the emotional and physical level. This was all a learning progress for me and I had to learn to better handle myself in emotional situations. What I didn't fully regret was the beating I gave to Anzai-tengu, she deserved it, the end. No matter how much my parents tried to get me to apologize for retaliating so barbarically, I didn't. I was in the right and no candy bribe would get me to change it. Consequently, all my candy privileges were taken for two weeks. It was dark times.

Mim relented when I informed her, through written form, my reasons for not apologizing to Anzai-tengu. I even added, for brownie points, that I needed to learn how to handle situations and interactions in which others that didn't know how to tap and sign. She took my bait, agreed and thankfully she backed off a bit. She promised to speak with Dad. Dad agreed full heartedly and decided to support my 'need to learn to handle situations on my own' idea. He got me a special trinket. It was a silver bracelet with 2 charms that served a purpose. The bell charm, Dad explained would jingle whenever I signed and it would serve to get another's attention when I wanted to communicate. The second charm was kanji for: Mute. That way if someone tried to talk with me or didn't understand why I didn't talk, I would simply show them the charm. I liked the gift and wore it on my left wrist, as it would constantly jingle on my right wrist whenever I would practice writing.

Pinkie, Sakura that is but I still refer to her as Pinkie, would often visit as Mim and her Mom coordinated lessons for us since we weren't in school anymore but still needed to take lessons to further our education and give us more occupational options in the future. Not that I was thinking that far ahead since deep down I really really hoped that this was all a dream and I would wake up before I became an adult again.

One day during lessons while Pinkie and I were copying characters and the adults left us alone, Pinkie really surprised me as she openly admitted that she wanted to become a Ninja.

'Why?' I signed slowly as Pinkie was still getting use to KSSL. Her tapping and signs were okay but if I got too excited and went fast, she'd struggle a bit.

"Well, I want to be strong enough to defend myself and next time… Next time I'll be able to protect you and everyone else."

'Ah~ Right in the feels.'

Pinkie really nailed that answer. I gave her thumbs up showing her my support in her reasoning. I was about to resume writing my characters when she popped the million-ryo question.

"What about you? Don't you want to be a Ninja and get strong? Ah, I mean, well even though you're smaller, you're already so strong and brave. Um, well I think you would be a good leader." She ranted shyly.

'We've just met a few weeks back and she has that much faith in me?'

That hit me like a ton of bricks but I kept my facial expression controlled, at least I hope I did. I gave her a small smile. I signaled that we should get back to work on our characters and she blushed and ducked her head to her work. She was so adorable, her long messy fringe and rosy cheeks… I began to question why she'd get picked on. I mean her forehead was large but no so exaggeratedly large. It was just the way her hair was styled.

'I should suggest her wearing a ribbon… Nah. That's for Ino to handle. That's how their friendship starts before the become rivals. I'm not messing with that… Stop thinking about the timeline.'

As I worked I furrowed my brow. Then that damn question began to stir so much I had repressed and pushed to the back of my mind.

At this point I was just going with the flow. I had no plan. Now I was faced with a serious dilemma but I completely shut it down. Civilian is the way to go. No one bothers with a civilian. A civilian has less power to change things especially in a Hidden Village. If there's one thing I knew for sure it was that if you gave me power, add in the fact that I possess valuable knowledge that I just shouldn't, the end result would be disastrous. I'd probably get cocky, try to change everything in canon only to fuck it all up and die in the process. I knew what was at stake here, I read time-travel fics and whenever someone messed with events, shit would hit the fan and major events would take a complete 720 degree spin making all knowledge of the future useless. So no, I was not going to openly change the timeline that was set. Who was I to mess with it? A no one that's what and I decided at that moment to leave it at that.

I looked over to Pinkie who was super concentrated in her work. I sort of felt bad for knowing what lay ahead of her.

'Now is not the time to be sympathetic. I can't and won't make exceptions. I won't change the timeline's course.'

After the lessons were over. Dad and I walked Sakura home. As we walked through the streets I felt something extremely warm, it felt kind of like the sun and I looked to where it came from there was a small group of children playing. I felt the sun like energy coming from around the group but it wasn't in the group. My eyes trailed over the rambunctious group that was playing ninja when a mop of messy yellow hair in the alley got my attention. I stopped walking and through the mass of children, I spotted the saddest pair of blue eyes I had ever laid eyes on.

'What is today? Guilt Trip Day?'

"Hachiko? You alright?" Dad asked a little ways ahead. I turned and looked at him he seemed to notice to where I was gazing and I noticed his usually soft gaze hardened and there was this rage behind Dad's eyes.

'Just watching the group of children play ninja.' I quickly lied to diffuse Dad's anger that was clearly aimed at little Naruto. Dad's face slowly changed and he nodded.

"I see. Come, let's get Sakura-chan home." I nodded and quickly moved to walk beside Dad and Pinkie. Dad's hand draped over my shoulder and I saw that glare he sent behind his shoulder. I knew it was directed at Naruto and I felt like as if I made things worse for Naruto just because I had stared at him. After we got Pinkie to her home, Dad and I headed back to the shop. On the way back I kept a look out for Naruto. Not so that I could peek at him but so that I could distract Dad enough so that he wouldn't notice the boy and glare at him openly. I was relived when we got to the shop without crossing Naruto on our way home.

"Boss, Hachiko-chan! Welcome back." Soujiro greeted us as he tended to a customer. I waved and headed to my spot by the shop window where my chair and reading book was waiting for me.

"I'm going to go make us some Dango for dessert after dinner. Promise you'll stay put here with Soujiro?" Dad asked and I nodded and I opened my book. After I heard Dad leave, I didn't really read. I instead stared at the pages of the book and lost myself in thought.

'Dad hates Naruto. Is it because of the whole Kyuubi chakra thing? Maybe I could help Naruto-chan. I could be his friend. Technically, I'm not changing the timeline because I wouldn't be his best friend… That place is reserved for Uchiha Sasuke. I could however make his childhood bearable! I should ask to go to the park with Sakura tomorrow, take some Honey Drops and to share with him!'

I smiled at my plan and looked up only to blush. Hatake Kakashi was looking at me with an amused eye.

'Reading something good? Or planning something good?' He signed. I smiled and tried to curb my blush.

'Something like that. Here to buy?' I asked and he nodded.

"Hatake-san. Back again." I turned to find Mim behind the counter helping Soujiro. Afternoons were always like this, busy with clients.

"Hai. I came to get some of your Mint tablets. They do wonders for my ninken summons and they've also gotten fond of your Honey Drops." While Mim tended to Hatake Kakashi, I got lost in my thoughts again.

'He's going to have long heavy road ahead of him too. Gah! Stop sympathizing!'

I quickly shook my head and slapped my cheeks.

"Hachiko? You okay?" I was getting tired of that question today. I looked at Mim and Hatake Kakashi and blushed.

'I'm clearly making a fool out of myself!'

'Yeah. I can't focus on my book.' I signed and Mim laughed. Hatake Kakashi crinkled his eye and signed 'Goodbye'. I looked at Mim who was smiling like a maniac at me.

'You have a crush on Hatake Kakashi ne?' Mim signed. I froze in my seat and felt like slamming my head on something.

'I won't tell. Promise' Mim signed and I blushed again for the 3rd time that day.

-Next Day-

'Plan in motion!'

The Parents, well Sakura's parents, since I was spending time at her house this time, let us go to the park, alone! Yosh! I had my sweets in a pouch on my white obi. Pinkie's Dad dropped us off at the park and promised to return in an hour.

"What do you want to play?" Pinkie asked, I pointed at the empty swings. She nodded and we headed to the swing set. This was part of my plan too. Swings give height which five a better view of those in the park, plus no one would know I was looking for someone, that someone being Naruto.

I was able to swing by myself but Pinkie had some trouble, so I had to show her how to move her legs for momentum. She got it after a while and she looked genuinely happy to be able to swing high. I smiled at her and kept my eyes out scoping the park. I was about to give up when a mop of blonde got my attention. He was hiding behind some bushes!

'Damn I need to get off the swing ASAP!'

I let the momentum of the swing lessen and then I readied myself to jump. As I jumped I heard Pinkie call out my name. I expertly landed on my two feet and I grinned happily. I turned to Pinkie who smiled after getting over her shock. She then too attempted to jump only for her to miscalculate and land on her knee. Her eyes were welling up with tears. I sighed and looked up at the sky.

'Why am I such a good friend?'

I quickly helped her up and led her to the closest bench near the bush where Naruto was hiding and I hoped he was still there. I looked at Sakura's knee. It was red but it was just a scrape. No blood. Being the ever-good friend, I took out my handkerchief and quickly signed.

'Wait here. Need water.' She nodded and wiped a stray tear. I reached a small water fountain and wet my handkerchief and wrung out the extra water. I turned only to bump into a boy, several years older than I. He had raven hair, black hair tied back in a low ponytail and grey pants.

"Sorry." He apologized as I signed my apology only to receive a strange gaze. I didn't stay long but I did appreciate that he was nice to apologize, but he seemed familiar. I found Pinkie who was trying to hold in her tears. I reached her and cleaned her knee.

"Thanks Hachi." I nodded and finished getting most of the dirt off her knee. She didn't hiss meaning it didn't sting so it wasn't that serious.

'Want to rest here or rest in the grass?' I asked and Pinkie seemed to struggle to understand. Sometimes I forgot her signing wasn't at my level.

"She asked if you'd like to rest in the grass." We both looked at the newcomer. It was that boy from earlier.

"Um, You know how to sign?" Pinkie asked the boy curiously.

"Yes. It's the standard Konoha Shinobi Sign Language." I perked up and nodded. Pinkie looked at me and then at the guy and she blushed.

'So little Pinkie Haruno she also think's he's cute... Wait a minute. No freaking way.'

"I am Uchiha Itachi. I don't suppose you've met my little brother around the park, have you? I am supposed to take him back home." He asked and elaborated. Several different feelings surfaced all at once. Admiration, sadness and some anger, not aimed at Uchiha Itachi but at those that forced him to take up a role that just wasn't him.

'Oh dear Kami! Why! Must avoid showing the feels.'

"Um. No." Sakura replied and I shook my head. He looked rather contemplative.

'I don't feel a bit guilty that I know his fate. I don't feel guilty. I don't. I-'

"Are you alright?" I snapped out of my mantra and felt my face flush red at the proximity of Uchiha Itachi's face to mine.

"Hachi, you were frowning? You sure you're not hurt from that jump are you?" Pinkie asked. This was a time when I felt like talking, at least to say: Shut up Pinkie!

"Jump?" Sakura only further went on to explain my jump from the swings at 'high' altitude for a small child.

'Kami save me from further embarrassment.'

"Nii-san!" I looked up to the sky while Uchiha Itachi and Pinkie looked at the newcomer.

'Thank you Kami!'

I looked over at the little adorable boy, who was to my utter dismay taller than I, try and tackle his big brother. Seeing them so carefree being siblings tugged at my heartstrings.

'Kami Damn it! I knew there was a price for asking for a save! This is the last time I ask for anything!'

"Nii-san, who are they?" Little Uchiha Sasuke asked. Pinkie simply stared at little Sasuke. Damn she got it hard. Her blush was full on. I decided to intervene.

'I am Hachimitsu Hachiko, my pink haired friend is Haruno Sakura.' I signed. Little Sasuke looked at me with a confused face.

"What does that mean?" Sasuke questioned. I smiled and Itachi began to translate.

"So she doesn't talk?" Sasuke asked Itachi who didn't know what to say.

'I am mute.' Itachi nodded and relayed what I had signed.

"Eh. Sorry." Little Uchiha said and blushed a bit. Meanwhile Pinkie was still tongue-tied.

"Well we must get going. It was nice to meet you both." Itachi was very polite and bowed. I bowed back and waved goodbye. Sakura seemed to keep her gaze on little Sasuke's back.

I grinned a little and then the guilt just piled on as I stared at the two brothers and at Pinkie's blushing face aimed at the youngest Uchiha.

'This is going to be a long and painful journey for all of us isn't it?' I wondered.

Sakura's father picked us up and he noticed his daughter's lasting blush but didn't question it. I on the other hand relayed to him how we had met the Uchiha boys and that I taught Sakura how to use the swing. When I got home I retold my adventures to my parents. I left out my mission to befriend Naruto as it had failed but I wouldn't give up. I had my mind made up about befriending him and I was going to follow through even if I had to fight the world to accomplish it.