Chapter Six

Sorry for the late update... Going through hard times as my oldest sister died just the other day...

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...'...

"So why do I have to do it?" I try not to scowl at the question and instead put on a fake smile while turning to the perm haired girl once again who gives me a glare. "Don't you have your friends to practice with?"

"They're busy." Shifting into a fighting stance, I motion for her to do so as well. Mairu sighs but lowers her hands and begins with one of katas used for starting. "I just want to test something out."

She's the first one to throw a punch and I quickly dodge it, getting in closer to her but she takes a step back before her left leg reaches up to knock me down. I move to the side, eyes watching her hands as they loosen out and Mairu puts herself into another kata with her palms outstretched with her feet slightly spaced.

I wasn't really good with Taijutsu, it was one of my weaknesses, so when she began to move quickly trying to swipe at me I couldn't keep the frown from appearing on my face. Mairu could see it and a smug look comes to her face as she dodges a weak punch courtesy of me.

"Let me guess, Taijutsu isn't your thing, is it?" I don't answer and it seems she wasn't waiting for one as she continues. "Too bad as it is my-"

I don't let her continue and instead quickly remove a piece of paper from my pocket of my short kimono, pulsing some chakra into it while slapping it on her. She furrows her brows in confusion before they widen as she tries to remove the paper.

"G-get this off of me-" A small explosion is heard and red powder fills the air. Taking the advantage, I move in and with a round house kick, bring her down where I promptly saddle her with a folded fist to her face, awaiting her next move. She is still coughing from the powder and I await the powder to quickly settle so that she can see.

"Y-you tricked me!" I can't help but roll my eyes. Getting up from off of her, I reach to give her a hand but the girl just pushes it away and gets to her feet, her face slightly red from all the coughing she had done. "T-that wasn't fair! It was a Taijutsu match!"

"I never said anything about a Taijutsu match, you just assumed it was because of my lack of weapons." I say, removing the goggles from my face. I had been wearing them throughout the fight so that when I actually used the powder, it wouldn't get into my eyes. It may be ordinary powder, but I was just testing how convenient they were against the bomb. Seems I should try it out with some pepper powder too...

"That's why you wore that ridiculous goggles, wasn't it?!" She points at the pair of clear goggles in my hands. "That's why it didn't affect you!"

"Wow, you really are smart, Mairu-chan." It didn't take my cousin long to just stomp away, clearly angry at what I had did. I really didn't see why it made her angry, we were just having a spar...

Sighing, I push the goggles on back and make them slip down around my neck. I was sweaty and the hits that Mairu had landed on my small form hurt.

"I should go take a bath..."


After my bath, I felt better yet the pain from the little spar hadn't yet gone away. This leaves me groaning in the living room, where Kushina had just appeared in. At first, she just ignored the the loud groans but a little after five minutes, she had snapped.

"What's wrong with you?" She wasn't yet irritated, so I guess I had not annoyed her with my constant groaning so instead I decide to answer her question.

"I had a spar with Mairu-chan." The sound of the girl's name has Kushina scowling slightly. She didn't really get along with the young Senju seeing as she usually stopped her pranks in the compound, leaving Kushina to always just prank her. It had been awhile since she had pulled a prank though...

"Who won?"

"Me of course." Seeing her questioning look, I elaborate. "I blasted her with some red powder and knocked her down."

At first, Kushina was silent before the quiet living room is filled with her loud laughing. I feel a grin coming to my face at the sound. She always had that way of making you laugh along with her whenever she did. It was gift that I wished that I had. It would be useful for when I pull a joke that no one got.

"T-that... That's hilarious when I picture it, dattebane!" She settles down a little before a gleam comes to her eyes. "You think you could make more of those bombs, Shimi-chan?"

"What did you have in mind?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"Bombing up Konohagakure."

"Hm... Let's do it." I didn't enjoy pranks as much as the red head, but I didn't have anything to do so...

After collecting a few of the ready made bombs from my room, I follow after the now grinning Kushina.

It didn't take too long for us to be causing so much trouble in the village that three Chuunin officers were now chasing after us. They were especially angry due to our latest trick of using the bombs to color their hair. All three now sported green hair, which must hav confused the persons who stepped out of the way to let the three young men continue running.

Who has green hair, anyway?

Kushina didn't help matters with her loud laughter and taunting, I could see where Naruto got that from. But it still was adorable. They didn't chase us for long as we had slipped through an alleyway and quickly scaled the wall before waiting fro them to pass us. They did and I had to keep my hand across Kushina's mouth to keep her from laughing to give away our cover.

"That was awesome, dattebane! Let's do it again!" I give her an exasperated look which she ignores as we make our way back to the Senju compound. The sun was already setting, which meant that Nawaki would be home and Minato would have finished his training with Taro. It seemed the man had wanted to help the blonde get good grades, not that Minato already has good grades, so that he could pass the graduation exam.

The thought of graduating and being a Genin has my stomach doing a back flip. I was excited and yet I was anxious. I wondered about what would happen, what else had I changed and who I was to be paired off with in a team.

"Let's visit Mito-obaasan." I suggest, the site of the Senju gate coming in focus just a way ahead of us. Kushina nods, showing that she agreed.

Most of the time grandmother was found in our company when we weren't in the academy. Kushina was close to her seeing as they were related and they usually talked about sealing and other things, which I usually just don't pay attention to. Grandmother thought since I was into bombs and such, I should at least learn a few fuinjutsu tricks with them.

I knew that bombs were a part of the sealing arts, but I haven't settled on the idea of learning anything other than bombs on the matter. Maybe grandmother was right. Maybe in time I would give in to the sealing arts and learn it.

Besides, Kushina was learning it also.


Minato did visit us the next day where we spent most of the time just lounging around the compound. Kushina had made dumplings and of course I ate the majority of them, leaving the two to argue over my big appetite.

We then later went to the play ground. Although we were old enough not to be going there, I still enjoyed swinging on the swings.

"Ne, Mina-chan remember when I met you here?" I ask the blonde as Kushina continued to push me back every time I cam back down. Minato wrinkles his nose slightly at the nickname but gives me a slight smile afterwards.

"Yes. You were playing on the swing set by yourself." He says, sitting on the swing next to me yet not making any move to push off from the ground. "Kushina-chan, Shimi-chan was actually a really silent girl before I talked to her that day."

"Really? I can't believe that." I look backwards to see the teasing smile on her face and I halfheartedly give her a glare which she sticks her tongue out at. "Shimi-chan actually being quiet for more then a few seconds has to be a dream!"

"I'll have you know I can stay quiet for a day!" Both laugh as I let out a huff, stopping the swing with my feet. Looking toward them, I watch as they start a conversation over the probability of me actually staying silent.

I couldn't believe these two were actually going to be the parents of the future savior of the world. If I didn't have my knowledge, I would have laughed at the idea. Kushina, who was known for impulsively starting fights with almost everyone, actually being the mother and Minato, who was shy around new people, being the father.

Actually when I think about it, they could be. It's just that they were young now.

"Kushina-chan, Minato-kun," They both look to me hearing their names being called and I give them a big grin. "We'll be friends forever, right?"

"Of course, Shimi-chan." Minato gives me a smile which I can't help but admit is too adorable for his own good.

"What kind of question is that, dattebane? We will and you'll be my secretary when I become Hokage!" Kushina gives me a huff, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Eh? I don't want to be a secretary. Let Minato become that."

"U-uh but I'm becoming Hokage."

"Ha! In your dreams, girly! I'm gonna become Hokage!"

And just like that, the two are once again at it. It was a usual banter between the two at which one would become Hokage. Everyone usually sighed and left them at it. I actually liked it, seeing them interact like that. It just showed that they weren't just a couple from the Anime, but actually two people.

It showed they had a history together before becoming married in the future.

I could feel the feeling creeping up on me at the thought of the future. About the two of them dying... I knew better than to think that the 'butterfly effect' would actually save them alone. I would have to take action. I would have to do something to save my two friends. Best friends.

Because I would rather die than to see the two of them lose their lives to such a fate

...'...

"Congrats, Shi-nee!" I'm thrust into a bone crushing hug done by none other than Nawaki, my older brother. I could hear the chuckles as I quickly wrap my arms tightly around him and let him receive one that might just be a little more painful. But he doesn't complain and instead I relish in the once in blue moon public show of affection that Nawaki lets out.

He finally lets go and has a big grin on his face that makes my smile widen even more.

"Thanks, aniki!" You see, not too long ago I had passed the graduation exam and now I own a blue headband that was tied securely around my head. At the moment, we were situated in our compound where my other friends, that I'm not surprised, passed. We had decided to keep a little party for our graduation and invited almost everyone. Even Uncle Ryo made it, and for once he wasn't drunk!

Everyone was laughing and chatting while congratulating all of the graduates. Tsunade couldn't have made it home in time, neither Jiraiya or Orochimaru. Father... he had only ruffled my hair while giving me a quiet congrats before slipping away back to wherever he went. I didn't get to dwell too much to my father's detachment as everyone had arrived then, but thinking now, it had been going on ever since mother died.

"What's with the frowning, enjoy yourself, Shimenawa." I look up to see Mikoto had somehow appeared beside me and that Nawaki had disappeared in the small crowd of people in our home. The young Uchiha had grown out of her rather snappish behavior towards me -maybe because Minato clearly asked her to try and be friends with me- and was actually trying not to say too many insults. She truly was a nice and friendly girl under that snobbish attitude she exhibited.

"Just thinking over some stuff." I ignore her full use of my name and instead move to the sofa where I take a seat. Giving me a look, Mikoto sighs before taking a seat beside me.

"If this is about tomorrow, I'll hit you." At first, I'm confused by her statement until I remembered how anxious I had been when we were discussing who would be on which team. It seems, I was very nervous as the others were kind of worried as I was known not to worry about anything. But I couldn't help it if I thought that I might have changed something.

"No, no. It's nothing about that." Mikoto raises an eyebrow, but shrugs it off.

"What are you two sitting around for?" Huffs Kushina, who stood before us a blue headband also tied proudly around her head. "This really isn't a party if you don't mingle."

And like that, I was toed off to entertain my guests.

...'...

For as long as Minato has known Shimenawa Senju, one thing he knew for sure. Shimenawa was never nervous about anything. Not even when waiting on the scores for tests that might make her stay a grade behind, Shimenawa was always the one to bring up people spirits. Especially Kushina's, so it kind of confused him when the two showed up the following day prior to their small party, with Kushina towing in a sweaty Shimenawa.

"Is she alright?" Shimenawa didn't seem to even focus on him when Kushina put her right next to him before sliding in also, making Shimenawa end up in the middle. He waves a hand in front of her face to which she didn't respond to at all. "She's not focusing. Is hearing about us being split up really all that bad, Shimi-chan?"

Kushina was about to answer, when Shimenawa all but snapped at the precise moment.

"Of course it's bad! I doubt I'll be on the same team with you guys and the thought of not being on the same team with you..." The sight of tears threatening to be let loose has Minato sweating. How was he suppose to handle this?

"Don't worry, if you're not on my or Kushina-chan's team, you might be paired with..." His eyes swept across the room filled with the other graduates. There weren't many that Shimenawa really talked to, and those who she did were girls. Teams usually had only one girl on the team.

"I don't want to be put on a team with anybody else though." Her tears had somehow vanished -he really didn't know how that happened- and the dark haired girl now sported a pout.

"Stop acting so bratty, dattebane!" Kushina snaps, clearly annoyed with the girl's whining. Letting out a sigh, Kushina calms herself down seeing as she was attracting attention. "Whatever team you are one doesn't matter. We'll still be friends, right?"

"Y-yeah. Of course we will." Minato gives Shimenawa a smile but it falters seeing something unknown flash across her eyes. An emotion he couldn't quite decipher. It somehow looked wrong on her with how mature it seemed.

"Alright class, settle down." The sound of Arata Sensei's voice has the young blonde looking to the front where their teacher stood with a slight smile on his face. "First, I would like to congratulate you all on graduating on becoming Shinobi of our village. As you know, you are now Genin..."

His speech went on to clarify their status as fresh Shinobi who were known as Genin and that they would be split into teams of three who were lead by an elite Shinobi, who were Jounin. Minato knew that almost everyone in the room knew this already and their teacher was just taking a precaution by still reminding them.

"I will now announce the members of each team." Minato saw from the corner of his eye how Shimenawa tensed up, giving her a tap on the shoulder to reassure her, he refocuses on the names being called.

"Squad Four; Jun Tate, Mikoto Uchiha and Naoki Kurusawa." Looking around, Minato spots the young Uchiha girl who seems not really happy with her team. "Squad Five; Kizashi Haruno, Mebuki Kanata and Tomio Tate."

A loud yell has not only Minato looking around, but Shimenawa and Kushina too. A light blonde haired girl stood, with a look of disbelief on her face.

"Arata-sensei, why does Haruno have to be on my team?!" Her finger points to the back of her where a surprised Kizashi just stares at her finger that was only a few inches from his face.

"Kanata-chan, please take a seat." Arata Sensei lets out a sigh, Minato thought that the Chuunin knew he would be interrupted sometime in his speech. "The team placements are final. I do not have the authority to change them, so you will just have to get along with Haruno-kun. Please don't interrupt me again."

At his final words, everyone cowers at the dark look that always inhabits their teacher's face when he was angry with them. The whole class nods, even though his words were only meant for the young blonde.

"Alright, let's continue," Mebuki huffs, but retakes her seat while crossing her arms tightly across her chest. "Team Six; Eiji Sarutobi, Kushina Uzumaki and Goro Akane."

Looking over to the red head, he sees her give a determined nod to a young man that was a few seats behind. Shimenawa lets out a sigh, that has Minato turning his attention to her. The young Senju gives him a smile before she claps a hand on Kushina's shoulders with a wide grin. Kushina rolls her eyes but returns the big grin with one of her own.

"Team Seven; Minato Namikaze," At the sound of his name, Minato looks to the front where his teacher continues to read from his podium. "Kimi Sato and Kazuki Shimura."

He could feel it, the disappointment at not having either of his closer friends on his team. Yes, he knew both Kimi and Kazuki, they were both friendly and seemed nice, but...

Looking over to Shimenawa, who clutches her plain red kimono top between her hands with a slight pout to her lips, Minato frowns seeing that her attention wasn't toward him but instead to the front. From the way she was shaking her legs, he could see how anxious she was.

'But they're not my best friend...'

"Team Eight; Hizashi Hyūga, Shimenawa Senju and Hiashi Hyūga." Arata knew before he could move on, he would have a outburst from the young Senju, but he is surprised by taking a quick glance, that she was too shocked to move. He'd never seen Shimenawa so out of place before, like she was now. It was actually nice for a change to see her stumped. A teacher shouldn't feel that way, but he couldn't help the smug look. "Team Nine..."

...'...

Shimenawa couldn't listen anymore. She couldn't at all. She was genuinely surprised by this turn of events. She had really thought it would have been different due to her being here, but it seems that nothing has changed and she was relieved. She may not have known what team Minato or Kushina was on in canon, but at least she wasn't on either.

Her stomach squeezes at the thought but she ignores it and instead focuses on the two long haired young boys that sat in their usual seats to the front. Shimenawa really didn't expect to be on the same team as the Hyūga twins, but she guessed she couldn't really complain.

"Hey, are you okay?" Looking over to Kushina, she sees that the red head had leaned in to whisper to her. She could feel the concern coming off of the Uzumaki, and can't help but smile.

"I'm going to be fine." She looks over to Minato and nods reassuringly. "Really, guys. I'm going to be fine."

She really was going to be okay. All she had to do, was make sure she does what she has to do to become stronger so that she can help in the future.

So that she can rewrite at least this little part of the story.

...'...

I'm so sorry it took so long to come out and then it wasn't even long enough to compensate . Sowie guys... Either way what did you guys think? What about team placements?

You'll be meeting their sensei's in the next chapter along with some interaction ^_^

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So so? How was it? Any good?

Graduation next chapter :D Look forward to meet more characters too ::3

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