Children of Sorrowful Fate

AN:Naruto and the characters from that series, not mine. Hitori and Taran, mine.

Interlude

Taran,

We arrived in Konoha yesterday and I think it's just plain too wet. I mean it's nice seeing a lot of trees and plants and stuff, but ugh, there's a funny smell here. Uncle Neji says that it's rain, but it still smells kinda funny to me. Nice though, but it smells a lot different from the rain in the desert.

Aside from it being wet, there's a lot of interesting people here. I had no idea Daddy had so many friends and they all seemed happy to see me and Uncle Neji. Though it was really funny to see his old teammates because there was a boy (Lian) with them that was a year younger than me.

The look on Uncle's Neji face was PRICELESS. I never seen him look like that! And then Uncle Lee started talking about the blossoming of love or something like that and Uncle Neji turned a really interesting shade of green.

I swear! Auntie Tenten was hiding her face in her hands too, and SHE was a really neat shade of red.

I started school today (writing during lunch break, so stop giving me that look!) and so far I've met a couple of neat people. You would probably like some of them, there's this boy Shiro who talks to bugs! It's really cool! I sit next to him in class and he's super smart, though no where near as super smart as you are. And there was this other boy named Chozo that eats a super lot, but he was really neat and gave me some of his dad's cooking. And if I can get Chi to carry bento boxes I'll send you some of it.

Though there was this really mean girl, Megami that picks on them. I got into some trouble because she was starting in on Chozo, calling him fat and stuff, which was really mean, especially when he isn't, and he started to cry.

So I punched her in the nose.

I had to go to Iruka's office for that, and then Uncle Neji got called. And here's the absolutely WORST thing. Megami's my cousin, she's Aunt Hanabi's daughter and she's in Lian's class. And I'm willing to bet anything that she tortures him too.

Iruka was really nice to me though. I think he was really close with Daddy too, but he didn't say. And oddly enough, I didn't get in that much trouble with Uncle Neji. But I think I know why we were in Suna if all the Hyuga are like Megami.

Speaking of the Hyuga, one looked at my chakra lines yesterday and told Uncle Neji that nothing was blocking them, I just had to really, really work on control because the seal I have is super strong and keeps all my chakra in.

So he has me on a series of training exercises that all seem really stupid, but Uncle Neji says it'll help me become a really strong shinobi, so I'll suffer through it.

I really miss you Taran. Can't Uncle Gaara let you come visit or something?

Lots of Love,

Hitori


"Alright Hitori," Iruka looked over the preteen girl that had her messy black and orange hair tied back in a ponytail and a crow perched on her shoulder, "You passed the written and combat part of the exam, now all that is left is the jutsu portion."

She grinned, "Hit me with your best shot!"

"Demonstrate a bunshin." he folded his hands.

She smiled, and putting her hands in the familiar seal, created about five perfect copies. "How was that?"

Iruka smiled, and reached into his pouch, "I've been saving this for a long time," he said quietly, as he placed the headband on his table, "Your dad left this with me after you were born."

The girl gently picked it up, "This was Daddy's?" at the slight nod in confirmation, tears came to her eyes and she embraced him, "Thank you so much!"

"Keep up the good work," he smiled gently, "He would have been very proud of you."

She nodded and left the room, running back to the class.

"Hitori!" a heavy set boy of twelve called her as she came back into the classroom, "Did you pass?"

Hitori grinned and held up her headband, "Was there any doubt Chozo?" she said happily, "Now we have to wait on Shiro to get his." she plopped down in her chair and her crow flew to her shoulder, she got out a scroll and began writing, "Taran's going to be so happy to hear I passed!"

"It would be nice if he actually visited sometime," Chozo took out a bag of chips, "All we ever hear about him is how great he is. Wouldn't it be great if he came to the graduation party tonight?"

"He can't," she sighed, "Uncle Gaara has had him on some sort of training mission for a long while now. No one in Suna even knows exactly where he is, just somewhere in the desert." she thumped her crow's beak, "I have no idea how Chi finds him though."

Her heavyset friend shrugged and munched on his chip, "Hey, why'd you do that to your hair?"

She grinned, "Iruka said that Daddy always wore orange, so I figured it was a lucky color. But I didn't like any of the clothes that were orange, so I just streaked my hair. I was worried Uncle Neji would have a fit, but he seemed really calm about the whole thing." she turned her attention to her scroll, "I forgot to tell Taran about that too!"


"Alright, on squad seven," Iruka paused a moment, "The jonin instructor is Sarutobi Konohamaru, and the members are Abrurame Shiro, Akimichi Chozo, and Uzumaki Hitori." he smiled at his students, "Alright, that's it. Your jonin will come and pick you up after lunch."

Hitori smiled happily and finished tying the scroll she had been working on to Chi's leg. "Don't get caught by anyone," she warned, "You can't be getting Taran into trouble."

He squawked in response and then flew away.


Hitori,

You really need to not send Chi anymore now that you're a gennin. You might actually need him on your missions. Though you're right, he has been the only one who's been able to find me in this place.

And I passed the test last year, so I really don't need any encouragement, though thank you for the offer.

Orange? You streaked your hair with orange? What in the name of all that is holy possessed you to do that? Yes I understand that it was the color your father wore, and based on the memories Shukaku showed me... he didn't really look all that great in it.

Though I suppose orange streaks look better than an orange jumpsuit. Please tell me your taste in clothing is better than your parents. In fact, let your Uncle Neji pick out what you wear.

Not much is happening on my end. When I get back to Suna I'll be joining my team for the first time. Students of Uncle Kankuro, so I wouldn't be surprised if they were puppets themselves.

The mission I've been on has been pretty uneventful as well, but I have enjoyed the solitude. I've heard that the chuunin exams are going to be held in Konoha in a year from Aunt Temari, so I hope that your team is ready to take them by then.

Until then, be safe. And for once, actually listen to your instructors. Stick your tongue back in, it doesn't look right on a girl. Same with crossing your eyes, stop that.

Taran