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This chapter is quite a jump in time, the first 10 chapters are being set in the past, the last one with the Uchiha massacre.

In case you haven't figured it out, this contains spoilers if you haven't been keeping up with the Naruto series.

Disclaimer: Don't own :)

Chapter 3: Courteous

We should treat others with respect and the way we would want to be treated...unless they're a target.

Naruto and I lived with a foster mom, who was a civilian. She was an older woman who lost her children in the war many years ago. She was kind to us and knew my mother fairly well.

Time moved so quickly…

I enrolled at the academy the winter before I turned six. I vowed to become a strong shinobi, as my parents were. I wanted to be strong for my parents and for Naruto.

I finally understood Itachi's attachment to Sasuke. After I saw him for the first time, Naruto became my special gift, my reason for living.

It was my first time truly loving somebody unconditionally.

Every morning I had the same routine. I would get ready, kiss Naruto good morning, grab an apple and my bag, and head out. I would walk with Itachi and Shisui to the academy every morning. Shisui was Itachi's best friend and was a genin for the village.

Even though we were in different levels of study, the three of us were together often.

Itachi was moving quickly through the academy classes. I would not let myself be beat by my childhood friend, so I worked harder. Many of the teachers said they saw my father's aptitude in me as well as a lot of my personality.

Looking back, I suppose they were thankful I didn't inherit my mother's temper.

Itachi graduated from the academy after a year in classes, at the age of seven. I had to admit even though I was very proud him, I was still envious. I knew I had to work harder to catch up.

It seemed like I was always trying to catch him, always just a bit too late.

The sound of metal hitting metal could be heard throughout the forest on the outskirts of the village where I was training with Itachi. I was breathing heavily while the Itachi looked cool and composed.

"Is that all you've got Ito-chan?" Itachi smirked.

I twirled my kunai in my hands and laughed, "You wish!"

He nodded, readied his guard and I sprinted toward him.

I felt hands grab me, and then everything went black.

I got a lesson on why Ojii-sama wanted Naruto to have my mother's clan name.

I woke up to the sound of chuckling.

"Namikaze, huh? She doesn't look much like the Yellow Flash."

I groggily opened my eyes and studied the three men. I did not recognize them. They wore no headbands and were dressed in strange clothes. They were much, much bigger than me and obviously trained shinobi.

"We're done carrying you, you'll have to walk the rest of the way,"

It was then I began to fear for my safety.

As I was walking in between the men, I began preparing for the worst.

I was Namikaze Kohana, the Fourth Hokage's legacy, and I allowed myself to be captured. Now Naruto would have to go on without me. I'd never see Kakashi-nii-san or Sasuke again…or Itachi…

I would never see my beautiful village again…

And nobody would know what happened to Namikaze Ito.

At the moment my eyes widened, remembering why I was given that nickname.

I carried my mother's red thread of fate.

I began tugging out strand of my hair and letting them fall to the forest floor, hoping that history would repeat itself and somebody, anybody, would follow my trail to me before we reached any borders.

I was yanked back and fell to the ground. I turned quickly and saw one of my captors' blood pooling on the forest floor.

The largest of the three men turned around, "What the-?"

A windmill shuriken came out of the trees and caught the largest man by surprise. My eyes widened when I saw Shisui attack the man's back.

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"

My attention was taken from Shisui to my right, where I saw Itachi fighting the last member of the group.

His attack missed and the man threw shuriken toward Itachi.

"Look out!" I yelled, struggling against my restraints.

Itachi retaliated with his kunai and moved forward quickly to begin a hand to hand physical battle. I was mesmerized by his speed and ability.

I turned when I felt the ropes around my wrists begin shifted, thankful that it was just Shusui helping me.

"Don't worry about me," I said, "Go help Itachi."

Shusui looked at me in confusion for a second and then nodded, racing off to help the younger boy.

Itachi was flung back, and landed harshly on the ground before Shusui could assist him.

The older Uchiha finished off the enemy and walked over to help Itachi up. The younger boy, however, did not accept Shusui's assistance, causing the latter to shrug and use his body flicker technique to appear behind me again.

My eyes widened at the sight of Itachi's face, as I recognized the red eyes of his Kekkei Genkai, the Sharingan. He looked at me, confused and then switched his bloodline trait off.

The Sharingan scared me, it was too powerful, too malicious, too…evil.

I felt the ropes dropping from my wrists. "How did you guys find me?"

"Itachi recognized your beautiful hair immediately," Shusui said, grinning. "There, let's get you back home, Ito-chan."

I stood and followed behind Shusui and in front of Itachi.

It was years later that Itachi admitted that he was terrified at the thought of losing me.

I was taken to the hospital immediately. I was admitted to a room for the night for observation by the medical-nin.

Moments after I was settled, my foster mother and Naruto came in.

Naruto sat on my bedside, "Onee-san, are you sick?"

I ruffled my three year old brother's hair, "No Naru-kun, I had a mishap at training today and their just going to keep me for one tonight, okay?"

"Can I stay with you onee-san?"

I laughed, "You should go home, Naruto-kun. I'll be there in the morning, promise."

"Come on, Naruto, let's go home," My foster mom said, smiling. "We will see you tomorrow, Ito-chan."

I waved goodbye to my family and laid back on the pillows. I cracked an eye open when I heard the door click open and shut.

Itachi wordlessly sat beside my bed and set his face on his folded hands.

"Itachi, thank you."

He smiled softly and stayed with me throughout the night.

Years later, in one of our few moments alone in peace, he said that was the moment he knew I was something special to him.

True to my promise, I was home the next morning. I chose to stay home from the academy and went through my father's scrolls. I finally found the jutsu I was looking for and began studying and learning from my father.

I would become strong, so I did not need protection from anybody anymore, dattebane.

A bit short, yes, sorry about that.

Next week there will not be an update because of exams.

Please review :)

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