ANOTHER CHAPTER!

WOOT!

Only because I love you guys so much.

Plus, it's the longest one so far...

Given, it's only an extra 1000 or so but still... :)

ONWARDS!

The following months were what I imagined hell to be like. Don't get me wrong, Sakumo was incredible – and I may or may not have a minor case of hero worship – but Kakashi…

The sadistic little jerk 'suggested' to his father to help me with my taijutsu since I solidified my teachings through movement and I had an aptitude for it.

Those were painful days.

He enjoyed every one of the spars he dominated, I'm sure.

But regardless, I learnt quickly. The mixture of my adult maturity and child's ability to learn were extremely helpful and once I learnt how to infuse my muscles with chakra to ward off fatigue and gain speed I grew by leaps and bounds.

My parents teaching became a mantra; control and refine.

Kushina had deemed me far enough along in my knowledge of the basics that she even taught me a beginners offensive barrier seal. It was pre-prepared in a small scroll I kept tucked into my shirt. All I had to do was whip it out in a certain situation and the entire area was spread with the sealing array that either blocked or hindered an enemy within range for three seconds. Not long, but if you were skilled enough even three seconds was too long.

I made sure to make a bunch of them, proud of my calligraphy skills that even Kushina was impressed with.

I gloated for most of the day until Kakashi literally made me eat dirt in one of our 'friendly spars.'

I'd advanced further along with my echolocation jutsu so that I could keep it up for most of the day without feeling too much of a drain and had gotten used to the outlines of objects and people so I could make out vague faces.

I teased Kakashi about his gravity defying hair more than once, which of course resulted in him exacting revenge through a physical beating. I didn't mind so much since it got me riled up and taught me how to think on my feet. I wasn't sure if it was a left-over imprint from Tia or my Uzumaki blood that made me reach boiling point so quickly.

Probably a bit of both.

I'd heard more than one whisper around the market district about how Kushina was turning 'such a sweet, innocent girl' into a mini clone.

Needless to say I beamed with pride.

Given, I couldn't even land a blow on Kakashi during our spars, but not from want of trying. Our fights were full of one sided barbs I threw at him and body flips he performed flawlessly on me.

I lost.

A lot.

My birthday came and went, and so did Kakashi's eighth birthday. It was only during one of my lessons with Kushina that I found out I'd already turned six. She was mortified that she missed it so she zipped out to buy me something.

She came back with a pair of goggle-like sunglasses.

Oh, the irony.

I wasn't sure whether to be insulted – you have pretty eyes, Akani-chan but they're so weird – or ecstatic – so these will help keep them hidden. After all, a ninja's greatest weapon is deception.

Deception. There was that word again. I still had so much to learn, it seemed.

I haven't taken them off since I got them, and noticed how people treated me differently. They treated me like any other 'normal' child instead of a glass china doll. I revelled in the independence and gave Kushina a large hug which she freaked out over until awkwardly giving me a pat on the head. It was one of the best days since my parents passed and I thanked her for it.

And then the day I dreaded came.

The Academy.

Sakumo was off on a mission so Kakashi had to 'escort' me to the front gates. I think he deliberately guided me down the roads with the most potholes.

Hey, I said I'd come far with my echolocation. I didn't say it was perfect.

I arrived at the Academy covered in a fine layer of dust from tripping over more than one curb, much to the young chunin's delight. I vowed to exact revenge as soon as possible. The area in front of me was a mass of blue, some larger than others; most belonged to children of my age group.

Kakashi left without a word and I sighed, unwilling to cross the threshold, so to speak because once I did…

It all became real. Given, I'd felt pain and happiness, but that was different somehow. It was like taking that one little step forward, through the gate and into the Academy grounds, I'd signed my life away.

I was Akani, but Tia was a part of me too. This was both of our second chances, even if she wasn't with me anymore. We shared the same soul, and that connection wasn't something you could easily forget, nor the imprinted memories that came with it.

I found myself missing her, even though I'd only spoken to her in limbo.

"Would you please step aside?"
The soft-spoken voice made me jump and I whirled around, pressing myself against the fence to let the young boy pass. He was around my age, perhaps a year older. I took note of his chakra, only to frown a little as I sensed it writhing. He stopped next to me, barely turning his head in my direction.

"Would you kindly stop flaring your chakra? You are making my kikaichu act in a rather uncouth manner."

I blinked. Aburame. He was so… formal. I offered him a bright grin. "Sorry! I kinda need to flare my chakra though."
"It is quite… potent," he said.

I blinked again, curious. "Really? Huh… Cool." I thrust my arm towards him. "Name's Akani. What's yours?"
Through my echolocation it seemed he was staring at my hand in something akin to disbelief. I hastily wiped it on my pant leg before holding it out again. "Sorry. I fell over a few times on the way here."

He gingerly took my hand and my smile brightened. Maybe the Academy wouldn't be so bad after all. "So, what's your name?"

"Muta Aburame," he offered.

"Nice to meet ya! Your clan uses the bugs, right?" I asked, recognising the name from one of the book Kushina read to me.

"Hai." He seemed indifferent, but his chakra was quivering slightly. He was calm, but nervous. He hid it extremely well, though.

"That's so cool! They live inside you, right? You use them to fight? Can you feel them? Does it feel weird? Are you okay?"
My questions seemed to floor him, especially the last one but he regained his refined air quickly. "My kikaichu live in perfect symbiosis within my body and my clan uses techniques that require their cooperation and unique talents. I have gotten used to their movements sometime ago and yes, I am fine."
I nodded sagely. "Of course, of course." I paused. "What's 'symbiosis' mean?"
He began to explain – in no minor detail – how the kikaichu live inside of their host's body and feed on their chakra and I was lost in learning something new.

I didn't even realise we were inside of the classroom until Muta moved to take a seat at the back. I made to follow him, only to trip over a foot and face plant into the floor. I lifted my head to glare at the wobbling mass of blue, a small sphere of chakra that could only come from a civilian family. Still, clan or no clan didn't matter on the battlefield.

"Ouch," I said venomously.

The boy snickered harder. "How can you expect to be a good ninja if you can't even watch where you're going?" His band of merry friends around him joined in on the laughter.

Oh, the irony!

Once again I was thankful for my sunglasses. I stood gracefully and tugged my shirt back into some semblance of order, brow furrowed. I'd heard about these… bullies. Often they tried to belittle others to make themselves feel good.

He was obviously an arrogant one, picking on one of the youngest kids in class because it made him feel stronger.

I stuck my nose up at him. "I don't have to be a good ninja. I just have to be good enough to beat you."
The entire class was silent now, watching the scene with amusement or interest.

The boy scoffed. "Please. Run home little girl. Go play ninja elsewhere."
I gave him a cold smile and his chakra froze a little in shock. I said nothing, instead continuing on my way towards Muta and took the seat beside him. I ignored the whispered 'ews' from the girls. Seriously? They wanted to be kunoichi?

The bug thing must freak a few people out since the row he was in and the desks before him were completely empty. It made me want to pull out my hair in frustration. People were obviously idiots.

In my book, it didn't matter what you looked like or what tools you used, it was the skill you had and what you did with said skill that made you a good person or not.

Muta was pretty cool, ergo I sat with him.

I gave him a nod. "Sup?"

"Hello," he greeted calmly.

His chakra said otherwise. He was obviously in shock. It was so minute I would have missed it before I was experimented on. I could say that much now. I was emotionally detached from the experience. I didn't think it was healthy but for the moment it was working, so I went with that.

"I apologise for asking again, but please refrain from flaring your chakra," he murmured.

I blinked, not that he could see it. My mouth formed an 'O' in realisation. "Oh, sorry it's just… I have to flare it if I want to see."
"Pardon?"

Well, at least he asked nicely. I slid my glasses down my nose so he could see my milky eyes. "I'm blind. I use a chakra echolocation jutsu so I'm spatially aware so that's probably what your little friends are picking up on." I slid my glasses back into the rightful position. "I'll try and tone it down, though. Unless… you want me to… sit somewhere else?"
I couldn't help but fidget as he was silent, until, "No. That is fine. My kikaichu enjoy the taste of your chakra. As I said, it is quite potent. They will refrain from devouring it, though."
I sagged with relief. He hadn't sent me away. "Thanks. Tell your kikaichu I said thanks too!"
"I will."

I got the impression he thought I was weird, but that's okay. I liked weird.

Our sensei strolled in, barking at the class to settle down. His chakra was tense, and I could tell he didn't want to be here, but he stayed regardless. His name was Akio-sensei and he was a veteran of the Second Shinobi War and retired jonin.

He was a rather blunt man and didn't hesitate to throw the chalkboard eraser at a child's head. So far only one of them ducked fast enough to avoid damaged brain cells.

One of them wasn't my bully.

I couldn't help the snort of laughter that escaped and the boy turned to attempt to make me spontaneously combust with his eyes. Good thing I was blind so completely missed it. Apparently it ticked him off more.

The first two hours was filled with theory of chakra – which I already knew – and the applications of said energy – again, which I already knew.

I was more excited to be outside when Akio-sensei called for physical and stamina training.

My hopes plummeted when I realised I was one of the more hyperactive children with boundless energy. My life force as an Uzumaki had its perks, which was stamina.

Lots of stamina.

I overlapped the others in my class twice before Akio-sensei called for us to stop. We then took turns punching and kicking a training log each. By that stage I was frustrated because I'd spent so long training with Sakumo and Kakashi that this slower pace was grating on my nerves. I unconsciously pushed chakra into my fist and the bark exploded off the log, coating me in bits of wood.

I could only blink dumbly at what had happened. Akio-sensei called a time out and ordered the others to do some stretches, pulling me aside. I vaguely wondered if the Hokage had spoken to him too, to keep an eye on me.

"Akani-chan, what did you just do to the training log?" Just like always, his voice was gravelly and emotionless.

I shrugged helplessly. "I got frustrated and punched it. I think I channelled chakra into my fist though."

Akio-sensei simply hummed and told me to warm down, leaving me confused. I wasn't in trouble, was I? Because that was the last thing I needed.

During the course of the day I avoided my bully – Kasai, I'd found his name was – and sat with Muta during lunch making amiable conversation. Before I knew it, it was home time.

And I certainly wasn't expecting the company that greeted me.

Kakashi was incredibly rigid and ignored me, while the ANBU behind him was the picture of calm. I approached them, more than a little wary. "A-ano, Kakashi-san?" I wouldn't embarrass him in front of his comrades by calling him 'Kashi-chan.' That was only in private.

"Hokage-sama needs to see you," Kakashi replied, dull, emotionless. He flickered out of view before I could ask anything else and suddenly the ANBU's hand was firmly on my shoulder and the world was spinning.

The ground disappeared from beneath me and suddenly it was there again, leaving me a little off balance and more than a little dizzy. I slapped a hand over my mouth to keep my lunch from coming up. "Please," I gasped, "Don't do that again."

I wouldn't have been surprised if I was green.

I flared my chakra and stiffened, noting I was in the presence of the Hokage. My echolocation confirmed that I was in his office and another flare of chakra told me we were now alone, a silencing seal firmly in place.

"Akani-chan," the Sandaime greeted me.

I fidgeted a little, nervous. "Hokage-sama," I replied respectfully.

"I'll cut right to the chase then, shall I?"
I sagged a little, shaking. "P-please."
"This morning I received a mission report from an infiltration squad sent out along Fire-Grass border to intercept a certain scroll containing information on Iwa's scout patrols."
I nodded. "Okay. Forgive me, Hokage-but what-"

"The mission was abandoned by the squad leader when it was deemed too dangerous. They were attacked by a contingent of Iwa shinobi and although it was a requirement to finish the mission, the leader chose to save his comrades instead."
I paled. "Oh, Kami."
"The leader was Hatake Sakumo."
"Oh, sweet Kami," I breathed. Now Kakashi's stiffness made sense. As a shinobi, you were taught that the mission came first and he lived by that rule. To know that his father who he admired so much went against the rules must be confusing and frustrating for him. "Is… what… how…" I didn't really know what to say.

I strode forward and slumped into the chair in front of the Hokage's desk, my knees no longer willing to hold me upright. The Hokage steepled his fingers and assessed me, making me sweat even though the air was gradually becoming more chilly.

"His comrades did not take this action too well," the Sandaime continued. I closed my eyes and swallowed past the lump in my throat. I knew what was coming. "So tell me, Akani-chan, what else do you know?"
I sighed long and heard, if just to make a sound to drown out my rapid heartbeat. "I know a lot of things, Hokage-sama," I hedged.

"Such as?"

"The future I've seen is bleak and bad things will happen. I intend to change them."

"So your dreams are of a future?"
"Hai. Anything could change and I'd be lost but… Hokage-sama, I don't want anyone to get hurt."
"… Such a burden for one so young. Your life hasn't been the easiest."
I gave him a wry smile. "And you shouldn't blame yourself for that, Hokage-sama."

His chakra froze and I realised my mistake. "You know who took you?"
I slumped but nodded. "It's not your fault you couldn't finish him, Hokage-sama. You can't cut bonds like that so callously."
"Didn't stop my wayward student, I'm afraid," he admitted bitterly.

I bit my lip. "They're buried, but not gone. At least I don't think so. Hokage-sama, please, the future I've seen is terrible and beautiful but a lot of good people will die if I don't do something about it."
He was quiet for a long time, mulling over possibilities and questions to drill me with. "What is it like? This future you've seen?"
I smiled warmly, catching the older man off guard. "Pain and determination brings the five nations together under a ball of sunshine against a common enemy," I answered.

"And pray tell, who is this enemy?"

I considered telling him, but I couldn't guarantee he wouldn't go out and do something to counteract a certain event to suit his own agenda. "I apologise, Hokage-sama, but I can't say."
"Can't, or won't?"
"Both. A drop in the pond can create an unstable ripple, Hokage-sama. Certain things need to change, and certain things – bad things – have to happen. It's going to be difficult, but you'll have to trust me."
"I thought you didn't want anyone hurt?"
"I don't, but I trust that people are strong enough to endure the bad. Most of them have the Will of Fire, after all."
The Hokage cracked a small smile at my words. "Know that you have council with me, little one."
I nodded. I guessed as much, but it still didn't mean I would follow through. Maybe with the large scale things coming in the future, but not the small things I could change myself. "Hai, Hokage-sama."
"You're not in this alone."

I gave him a rueful smile, thinking of Tia and the people who'd become precious to me in such a short space of time. "I know."

And I did.

Maybe this wasn't such a screw up after all.

The Hokage was kind enough to have an ANBU escort me back to the Hatake residence where I hesitated at the front door. I could feel Sakumo's chakra signature in the kitchen and it was so dull and hopeless I almost cried. How could I change this? The words of one child wouldn't be able to make up for the scorn of hundreds, would it? Had Kakashi said anything about this? If he had, could I reverse what damage the man's son had caused?

My mind was a complete blank but I couldn't hesitate now. A good man was contemplating doing something awful and I'd gotten close to Sakumo these last few months.

He was a kind, humble man who people looked up to and that couldn't go to waste.

With a deep breath I opened the door and entered, plastering a large smile on my face. "Sakumo-sama! Are you here?"

I saw his chakra freeze and I dashed towards the kitchen just as he was gearing up to flicker away. "Don't you move!" I shouted. He ignored me and disappeared to his bedroom the moment I came around the corner. I could smell tears in the kitchen.

Anger burned in my veins because I suddenly knew. Sakumo was a strong man and would be able to take the scorn of others his age in his stride. Only one thing could make him break down like this.

"Kakashi," I snarled. "Sakumo-sama! Whatever people say, you'll always be my hero!"

And I'm going to drag your son back here to prove it to him, too, I mentally hissed.
I turned back around and sped from the house, my chakra burning and flaring as I dodged civilians and carts alike, my muscles burning from the activities of the day and my head pounding from stretching out my senses. I planned to keep Sakumo alive because he was a good man, but Kakashi – in one freaking afternoon – managed to ruin my good intentions. I wondered if he would even care if I told him what his father might do.

I was still optimistic that I could save the White Fang.

I felt a shift at the edge of my range, towards a training field, and I automatically knew it was Kakashi. I changed direction and charged head long, uncaring of the stares I was garnering. Most people moved out of my way for their own safety, probably due to the murderous expression gracing my young features.

I burst into the clearing where Kakashi was practicing his kunai throwing. He didn't seem startled that I was there, but then again I wasn't exactly compressing my chakra. I slowed down to a furious fast walk and, uncaring of the sharpened kunai, got right up in his face.

He didn't back away.

"Good evening, Akani-chan," he greeted calmly. "You seem angry about something."
I jabbed him sharply in the chest. "Damn right I am. What did you say to Sakumo-sama?"
His demeanour changed instantly from apathetic to frosty and stiff. "I didn't say anything."
"Then you did something," I accused. "I've heard the rumours, Kakashi. What did you do?"
"Shinobi rule number six-"

The chakra laced punch connected to his face before either of us could react and my breathing was laboured in anger as I flexed my red knuckles. Kakashi lay sprawled on the ground in shock. I cracked my joints. "Get up."
He didn't. I advanced on him.

"Get up, Hatake, so I can beat you down again."
He rose slowly, deliberately and casually dusted himself off. "Maa, don't start something you won't be able to finish, Akani-chan."
"Oh, believe me, I want to," I growled before darting forward, my arm raised. To be honest, the first punch I landed was due to luck. Kakashi was a chunin for a reason, and I hadn't even graduated from the Academy yet but I'd sparred against him so I had an edge in that I kind of knew how he moved.

I dodged and kicked, punched and ducked but I was too slow to keep up with him. And he was holding back. That just served to piss me off more.

Kakashi spun around and delivered a roundhouse kick to my ribs and my breath left me in a rush as I was sent tumbling sideways. I hacked up something that tasted like copper and rose once more.

"Why?" he asked.

"Why what, jerk?"
"Why keep getting back up when you know you're outmatched?"

"Because I'm determined to kick the shit out of you!" I howled. "Because that's the only way to get something through that thick freaking skull of yours!" I dashed forwards again, only to have my face smashed into the dirt a moment later.

"Give up. I win," he stated.

I huffed out a laugh. "Really?"

"Yes." His voice was cold. Emotionless. In that moment he was the perfect shinobi.

"So, what?" I asked quietly. "You kill me?"
"What? No."

"But you'll kill your father?"
I felt him stiffen above me. "What are you talking about?"
I took advantage of his distraction and bucked, lacing my limbs with chakra as I swung my legs around to sweep him off his feet. He recovered with a back flip away from me. I sat up, spitting out a globule of blood.

"Don't act dumb. The only one capable of bringing Sakumo-sama to his knees would be you! His son. So I'll ask again, what did you do?"
"A shinobi must always put the mission first. A shinobi must detach himself from emotion to complete the mission." He read it word for word from the rulebook.

My scowl deepened. I knew he was a jerk when he was younger, but this was a far cry from the man I admired as someone who would never abandon a comrade.

"So you'd abandon a comrade if the mission required it?" I asked slowly.

"Yes."

"Would you abandon me, too, Kakashi?"

"… Yes."
I laughed, but it was cold and humourless. "Unbelievable," I murmured. "I'm afraid I don't see eye to eye with that. I told you once I'd take my precious people's place if I could and I would. I didn't think it would hurt this much to know one of them doesn't feel the same way but you know what? I'd still do it."
"A shinobi-"

"I've read the fucking rule book, jerk!" I roared, making him jump. "But I don't agree with most of them!"
"Then you don't deserve to be a ninja."
Cold. Emotionless. Brutal.

"I suppose not," I agreed, "But I don't have a choice."
No doubt he was puzzled by my words but I could care less. He was… Ugh, I couldn't believe that my extension of friendship meant so little to him. I thought I could jumpstart his mentality about comrades and never abandoning them, but I was wrong.

Obito was obviously one of a kind.

The silence was tense, until Kakashi decided to break it. "Congratulations on landing a hit."
I couldn't help it. I laughed.

I laughed right in his face and it was disturbing at how maniacal it sounded. "That doesn't count. It won't count until I can face you like an equal and you'll honestly give me a good fight, Kashi-chan."
He twitched a little at the nickname, but accepted my words. Without anything left between us he left, leaving me feeling hollower than I thought I should be.

I sighed long and hard, slumping to the ground to rub my aching muscles. A twig snapped and I flared my chakra, wincing as I felt my stomach clench from how depleted it was. I didn't recognise who it was.

"Come out!" I called.

I heard a nervous laugh, followed by more rustling until the person – kid – was standing a few feet away from me. "Heh, heh, sorry about that. Didn't mean to spy on ya."
I eyed the boy skeptically. "A-huh."

"Why did you fight him?" he asked.

"Why haven't you introduced yourself?" I countered.

"Oh! R-right! Um, my name's Obito Uchiha!" I froze at the name, memories assaulting me but he seemed to take it a different way. "Oh, no, no! Don't worry! I'm a cool Uchiha! I'm not all cranky and whatever, honest!"
"O-okay." I grimaced at my stutter. I honestly hadn't even thought I'd run into Obito. At all. Konoha was huge and the possibility was incredibly small. It seemed Fate had other plans, though. "My name's Akani. What are you doing here, anyways?"
"Target practice, but I missed and was looking for my lost kunai when I heard someone shouting and… heh, I got… curious?"

My lips twitched. "I see."
The silence turned awkward. I rubbed my sore muscles and Obito picked at his nails.

"So," he drew out, "Why were you fighting that guy? He's like… a chunin or something."
My gaze darkened. "I fought him because he's a jerk that needs a stick pulled out of his ass."
Obito snorted out a laugh before slapping his hands over his mouth. "S-sorry!" he said when I gave him a strange look, "It's just that… if the girls in my grade overheard you… well…" He shuddered and I got the message. I'd be the victim of pulled hair and clawing.

Yeah, fangirls are not fun.

"Wait," I blinked, "You're still in the Academy?"
"Uh, yes?"
"And you're an Uchiha?"
Obito growled. "Yeah, yeah, I know. We're all supposed to be prodigies right? Well… I'm not!"

"No!" I shouted before I could stop myself. "I didn't mean it like that," I mumbled. "It's just… different. Fresh, I suppose."

"Huh… really?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Most of your clan needs the stick removed from their butts too," I said, thinking of how uptight and proper they were before clapping a hand over my mouth in horror. This guy would turn out to be one of the greatest villains in this world and I'd just insulted his clan! What the hell was wrong with me?!
Obito collapsed onto his back, literally rolling with laughter. "Oh, Kami, tha-that's… so true!"

I sagged with relief. Crisis averted. Despite my aching muscles, I rose to stand on shaky legs, dusting myself off as good as I could. "Well, I better get going. I'll see you around, Uchiha-san."
"O-oh, okay. B-bye."

I gave him a small smile and a wave before heading back towards the Hatake residence, scowling up at the sky as a sharp wind blew and thunder rumbled. I was still a fair walk until I reached the heart of the village and as much as being stuck in the rain was unappealing, I needed time to cool off. I hoped my parting words to Sakumo had at least given him something to think about, and Kakashi had gone home.

I prayed my meagre words were enough.

It turned out I was wrong. I wasn't enough, and my words to Kakashi weren't enough.

I stood in the rain and placed a flower on top of Sakumo's casket, returning to Kushina's side.

The funeral was much smaller than I thought it would be, just a handful of close comrades who remained indifferent or ignorant of the rumours about the White Fang.

My eyes were dry. I'd cried enough tears for Sakumo, and for the future I knew Kakashi would have.

I hadn't been able to change this.

And for the first time in this life, I felt true anger.

Because I hadn't been able to change a fucking thing.

Because I felt bad, and the plot bunnies were bouncing around I've posted another chappy for you guys :)

Enough useless facts about me, I want to learn more about my readers!

Who's your favourite Naruto character and why? What would you do if you met them in real life?

Me? Killer B because I think he's awesome and I'll probably try and challenge him to a rap battle which I'd lose horribly at :)