The Unusual Uchiha

by makoto x chelia

Aspiring to be a great Ninja like his elder brother Shisui, Ryouta Uchiha embarks on a painful journey of discovery and to hone his skills in order to fight the darkness that plagues his clan and the world.

10. Chapter 10

Hello, and welcome to the next chapter!

Uranos; Thank you! Yeah, there's some shady things going on alright. And yeah, it is kinda scary, huh?

Linkonpark100; Haha, yeah definitely. I have a few funny moments for Sai as a girl.

Biscione; Actually, there's a few jokes that I have for female Sai. Yeah, there's a good plot point I have for Sai, a couple actually. But I can't say much about it right now, since it would spoil the plot somewhat.

HolyKnightX; Thanks! I'm glad that you like!

War sage; Thank you! Erm, he knows basic ones right now with Fireball being his 'main' one, but his arsenal will grow as the story goes on, especially when he witnesses certain techniques with his Sharingan. And cool!

HawkEye2001; Thank you. I can't say much about that right now, since it is a good point in the plot, and I wouldn't want to give much away right now. As for the Onee-san/Otouto thing, there's going to be a girl or two in the harem that will at first be something akin to that. As for Izumi, I have some ideas about her. Ah, thank you, I'm glad that you like the story!

Hellspam; Yeah, she's a fun character and she's going to be more explored as the story goes on. Hehe, yeah, I thought that she would be kinda opposite to Itachi in terms of personality, like the opposites attract kind of deal. Yeah, I believe that I can make it work. Haha, yeah that's going to be a funny part to write. I've actually got a good bit of comedy for that part of the story.

Harem Master123; Hehe, there's more of that to come in the future~ Izumi, right now can't say. But I can say that she does play a role within the plot, if that be she is dead or not, I wont say. But she will have some kind of contribution to the plot. Yeah, that's what I was thinking~ And there's some good funny moments too. Cool suggestions!

Anime PJ; Yeah, I like to mix up the dark and light to give the story some good points and make it so it isn't dark all of the time since there are going to be some dark moments in the story. Hehe, Izumi is pretty awesome alright~ You're paired whether you like it or not~ Hehe...Ino and Sakura are going to be in for a...frightful time alright.

Cloud4012; Yup, he's going to have some of her personality traits, which will shine as he grows older. He's going to have a good set of Jutsu thanks to the Sharingan.

ShadowUzumaki55; Yup, a good mix is the best in my eyes. Don't want it to be dark all of the time. Hmm, yeah it does seem like that for Itachi huh. Hehe when it boils down to it, Itachi knows that Ryou would take care of Satsuki no matter what happens...foreshadowing perhaps? Izumi, I have some big plans for her! Yeah, that's Satsuki alright. She's kind of like a tsundere, but not full on tsundere because she at least admits to herself that she likes him. Yeah, that's what I thought about female Sai, and I think it would be interesting.

Jeirin; I hope so! Yeah, he's having some nightmares because he was practically abused for all of his life, even if it is only mentally until he was physically assaulted. Ah, thanks. I'm glad that you like it.

Jugar38; Hehe, well I'm glad that you liked it, and hope ya had a good sleep lol. As always, thank you!

Guest 1; Ah, I'm glad that I was able to portray it that good!

Guest 2; I wont be doing the stupid fillers that the anime have sometimes, only the fillers that I think will fit good with the story and some good ones that I like hehe. I can imagine Shion being someone like that. Yeah, when canon starts, and even before that, it's going to be interesting. Well, there's going to be an accidental kiss, that will be unexpected.

Guest 3; Yeah, maybe that could be after the Tsunade arc. I kinda want Ryou apart of that arc, since I have some big plans for him, and certain characters, not just harem members. And don't worry, I have a good plan for Karin as well. She wont be some useless character like in the actual series (most of the time that is).

Ragna; Ah, okay. But why would I do that hehe?

Mr Beaver Buttington; Yeah, I know, I just haven't thought of any hehe. Hmmm, that's right~ He'll learn to harness that 'special power' soon~ Yeah, I am considering her~

Naroku; Yup, she certainly is. He's hard on himself, because he literally had to suffer around six years of mental abuse at the hands of someone that then tried to kill him. He's not always going to be like that, but it's a character flaw, like many characters have. It's all about progression of a character. Yeah, cool suggestions.

Neonlight01; Yeah! She's in it! Hmm, it's something similar to what you said, but a little more deeper as well. Yeah, more of them are to come in the future! Yeah, he's pretty open minded about numerous things, as long as it's for good causes. I guess Uchiha siblings think alike when it comes to love, huh? Izumi has some good plot ahead for her~ Yeah, I suppose it was, but been thinking about it for awhile. Cool suggestions!

AlphaOmega; Exactly, you can't really get over it because someone just died. It leaves mental scars that can't disappear instantly. Yeah, it's only nightmares. Yeah, Shisui does miss his mum alright. Hehe, that's right, they're jealous alright, although Itachi's is less so than Satsuki's. Ino and Sakura are going to go through an ordeal alright...hopefully they'll survive lol. Yeah, I like the ideas for the fic, it's a good ideas, and those are as well!

Guest 4; I wouldn't worry so much about it. Things like this have happened before, and will no doubt happen again in the future.

With those lovely reviews out of the way, it is time to start the next chapter!

---

The rivals of girls and boys!

"Itachi-kun, do you believe that what you said before to your Otou-sama was too hard?"

Izumi asked as they walked hand in hand through the village, some people commenting on the fact that they were so close with one another.

"From my perspective it had to be said. Yet, it also shouldn't of had to be said. It should've been implied that Otou-san wouldn't take actions like that against a child. But, if I allowed Shisui to say anything, he would've said too much, and might've jeopardized the future of the Clan. I love Shisui as my own Onii-sama, but sometimes he can be hotheaded when it comes to Ryou, and his love for the child."

Itachi calmly stated, knowing full well what Shisui is capable of, and what he could do to his father if he had the chance, and the will. But then he knew full well that Shisui wouldn't compromise their progress, even if he felt strongly about the cause. For now, he understood that Shisui wouldn't do anything, if Ryou asked, and Itachi was sure to have a little talk with Ryou regarding Shisui, as if anyone could convince Shisui of anything, then it would be Ryou. He would just have to leave out the details of the conversation, that pertained to things that Ryou shouldn't know about.

"Maybe...but, to be honest, I'm not sure on what happened." Izumi confessed, remembering this morning's events, before she had met up with Ryouta and Satsuki. "I mean, we were having a nice time together..."

"Izumi-san, don't say that so loudly."

Itachi stated sternly, making sure Izumi doesn't say anything about how he and she are together when they are alone.

"Sorry sorry. But it isn't like anything happened anyway even if I wanted too."

Izumi declared with a gloomy expression, wishing something else had happened, not what actually happened.

"True enough...I think. But for you to be in my..." Itachi quickly cut himself off, and changed the subject. "Anyway, you were asking about how it went between Otou-san and myself?"

Izumi gave a single nod, wanting to know more about the events of the day before this time of the day.

"That's right. You weren't very specific on the details. You only talked about what happened, in minuet details. I know that maybe I shouldn't ask much about it, considering neither Ryouta-kun or Shisui-san aren't my concern, but I feel for the family..."

"It's alright. I don't mind telling you. I suppose you have a right to know, since it was you who alerted me to the problem in the first place. If it wasn't for you, I don't know if we would know about it. Otou-sama is cunning and calculating. I'm just glad that he's out of the village right now."

"That's a saving mercy, isn't it?"

Izumi articulated her thoughts, speaking them with honesty, thinking about Fugaku and his ways which concerned even her at this point.

"That's right, it certainly is. Now lets talk...but not here."

Itachi looked around, seeing that this wasn't the best place for a talk, considering this was about the Uchiha, and there were many people around that would want to know more about their Clan.

Izumi noticed the same thing as Itachi, and scowled when she saw people had moved closer to them, trying to listen into their private conversation.

"I see, nothing can be private, can it? Yes, speaking here might not be the best. Say, why don't we go and have tea at our favourite place."

Izumi offered, thinking about the places she liked to go with Itachi.

"Our favourtie place, the tea shop?"

Itachi guessed, Izumi indicating with her neck that he was right.

"Exactly. Since we're on a da...eeh, out together right now, we should go to the tea shop, and have some good old fashioned tea." Izumi quickly covered up what she really wanted to say and smiled softly. "So, shall we go together, Itachi-kun?"

Izumi smiled reassuringly as Itachi grasped her hand even tighter, something that made her flush.

"Lets go."

With that, Itachi and Izumi rushed towards their tes shop, minding that they weren't being followed. It was more Itachi who was concerened with people following after them than Izumi, yet she still was concerned about that fact the people would nosy into their conversation, when that was between them, and not anyone else.

When making it to the tea shop, Izumi sat down and Itachi got the tea, and brought it back within minutes, making sure that they sat at an isolated part of the shop, something that had become their hideaway even within the middle of a busy shop.

People bustled around them, having tea and talking happily. Izumi admired that Konoha people were able to have a fun good life. Yet she also felt sad by the fact that sometimes she couldn't, due to being apart of the Uchiha Clan, which caused her to always be on her toes. She wished that she had some stability...and she does, with Itachi.

"Here, your favourite."

Itachi offered her a cup of tea, that was black.

"Aah, thank you very much Itachi-kun. You are always good to me."

Izumi accepted the cup with a graceful smile, as he sat down next to her.

"No, don't worry, it wasn't a big deal."

"Maybe not to you..." She muttered and then adopted a smile. "So Itachi-kun, gonna tell me what happened? You know you tell me anything, I wont say anything to anyone else."

"I know." He replied, staring at his cup of tea. "It's just sometimes, I have to keep things to myself, even when I don't want to." He said bitterly, remembering the coup, and how Izumi doesn't know about it, something he hoped she wouldn't find out about, at least until it is stopped. "Anyway, what I'm about to say can't get around...but I know you wouldn't spread it around anyway."

"Exactly, I wont say anything. Don't worry Itachi-kun, whatever you say is in the strictest confidence."

To get her point across, Izumi saluted towards Itachi with a playful smile on her face. Itachi sweat dropped, yet secretly found her antics to be a little cute, but he wouldn't ever admit that to her face.

"Alright Izumi-san. I'll tell you how it went down this morning..."

Itachi's mind was cast back to the events of this morning, as he recolated the events to Izumi who listened intently...

---

The Uchiha Compound was quiet in the morning. The time was just before six in the morning, a time most people would be asleep. But right now, a person wasn't able to sleep in the slightest. That person being Itachi Uchiha.

He was pacing his room, unsure of how to handle the situation when it concerned his father. Truthfully, he wasn't ever able to confide much in his father, and when he did, it was miniscule things that didn't matter.

"Should I..."

Itachi asked himself out loud, unable to come to an answer.

If he contfronted his father, then the coup might become a reality, and that's something he didn't want. However, there's also the fact that he didn't want Shisui and Ryou to suffer from the hands of his father, if he could so help it.

He was caught between a rock and a hard place. There was so many things that could go wrong if he did confront his father. However, things could also change if he did. He wanted positive changes, even if he couldn't stop the coup right now. If he could change the fact that his father wanted Ryouta dead, then that would be better than stopping the coup, for now.

"Itachi-kun~ Why don't you come into bed with me~?"

A sleepy Izumi spoke slightly seductively as she lifted her body, revealing her long hair all down, giving her an alluring look. She was clad in nothing but pink panties and one of Itachi's shirts. If one looked close enough at her chest, it would be painfully obvious that she wasn't wearing a bra.

Itachi glanced to the side, seeing Izumi in such a state, and wore a stoic face, visibly unhinged by the girls attempts to get him into bed, yet inside he was mulling over the fact that he could see her chest and wondered if he should comment, or just allow himself to see such a sight, deciding to not stare, yet not comment on it either.

"I-Izumi-san." Itachi surprisingly stuttered, face palming mentally when hearing himself. "Izumi-san, you know I can't get into bed with you right now."

Although he said that, he couldn't admit that he was slightly tempted by the fact that a beautiful girl was in his bed, Izumi at that. Most would question why she was in his bed, but he knew that it was innocent, at least on his part.

"Why? You didn't sleep in here last night, when I said that you could. It's fine if you want to sleep in my bed...technically your bed. You didn't have to sleep on that futon. There's a big old soft comfy bed right here. I mean, Satsuki-chan and Ryouta-kun share a bed, what would be the difference if we slept together...on the bed I mean."

Izumi quickly added, and to make her point known, she patted the bed and raised her arm, so the shirt lifted up slightly. While she didn't mind showing innocent parts of her body, if she exposed anything indecent, then she was sure she was going to die.

Itachi appeared unfazed by the girls attempts to lure him into bed, yet inside he was nervous. He didn't want to admit it, but the way the still nights sky light bounced on her hair, making it glimmer and the way her eyes sparkled, despite nearly no light hitting them, made Itachi feel warm within his chest.

"I slept on the floor, to keep my sanity. God knows what would've happened if I slept in that bed last night."

Itachi literally was sweating bullets when he said that, unable to think properly when Izumi was sat on the bed like she was, alluring to him at least.

"Who knows, what could've happened, Itachi-kun." Izumi smirked, but then saw the conflicted look on his face. "Itachi-kun? What's going on? You suddenly have a serious face."

Itachi hung his head low, trying to collect his thoughts.

"To be honest, there's something going on, and I don't know if I should talk about it or not."

Izumi wore a concerned face as she patted the bed.

"Come here, and tell me all about it. I'll even massage your shoulders for you~"

Trying to lighten the mood, she giggled softly at her own words, something that Itachi appreciated immensely.

"Alright, thanks Izumi-san."

Izumi waved her hand, as Itachi sat down. She got behind him, and placed her hands on his shoulders, moving them slowly, comfortingly, and softly giving Itachi a sense of euphoria to overcome him.

"There there sweetie. Tell me what's wrong, maybe I can help?"

Itachi mentally chuckled, wishing that she could.

"Help...impossible, no disrespect. It's something to do with Otou-sama. I need to talk with him about Shisui and Ryou, and make sure that he doesn't do anything. But, I do not wish to cause a rift between the two of us, more than we have anyway."

Izumi lowered her head, knowing full well what Itachi meant, even if he had no clue that she knew about it.

"Don't worry, I don't take offence. It must be hard, since you're stuck in the middle of it all. On one hand, you have to worry about your own family, since family is important. But there's also Shisui-san and Ryouta-kun to worry about. They are just as important to you, am I right?"

"That's exactly it. I can't have Otou-sama hurting Ryou, and in turn Shisui trying something. But I don't want my words to cause a problem between Shisui and Otou-sama. Right now, it has only been an opinion. If I make a move, it might be the wrong one. Izumi-san, I don't know what I should be doing."

He confessed to Izumi who put on an understanding face.

"I see...you sure have it rough. But you can't beat yourself over for something that hasn't happened. It's true, if you speak out, something might happen. But isn't that the whole point of it all anyway?"

"What do you mean?"

Itachi curiously questioned, loving the feeling of his shoulders being rubbed by Izumi.

"I mean, if you don't say anything, something might happen anyway. So, if you keep quiet, something could happen to Ryouta-kun and Shisui-san. But if you speak up, it might change, and it might not. It could make it worse. But you never know until you speak what you want to speak. That's the whole point in decision making. If you want to change things, then speak to Fugaku-sama. If you want the possibility of Fugaku-sama doing something to those boys anyway, then don't say anything. Either way, Fugaku-sama has made his intentions known, so it is likely that he is going to do something. If you don't speak, Ryouta-kun and Shisui-san might suffer regardless of your thoughts on the matter. But if you do speak, you could change the course of everything. Nothing is set in stone after all. We all have choices, and those choices affect what happens around us, good or bad. You never know what's going to happen, if you stress about it. And God knows you keep enough stress in your life. Letting some of that out is healthy for you. If you don't, it is going to kill you in the end."

Izumi's words of wisdom hit Itachi like truck. He never expected Izumi to come out with something so powerful, so wise that it would make Itachi stumble on his thoughts, unable to think coherently.

"Izumi-san, how the in the hell did you become so..."

"It's because I care about you, Itachi-kun." Izumi enunciated her words to Itachi, appearing to the left side of his head. "You go and do what's right, to you. It might not be right for others, but if it is for you, and you believe in it with your whole heart, then you're going to go far, I promise. Whatever you decide, I will support your decisions, like I have done always."

"You're kind, Izumi-san. I don't deserve the kindness you give to me."

Izumi shook her head, refusing what Itachi had said to her.

"That's wrong. I've said it before, everyone deserves happiness, and you're no exception. Maybe you wont find happiness with me, and I am okay with that. If I can help you with difficult times like these, then I am happy."

Izumi spoke the truth, having her eyes solely on the boy she loves.

Itachi met her gaze, and smiled softly, surprising the girl immensely, seeing that this was a genuine smile, not a fake one.

"Izumi-san...I think that talking with Otou-sama might be for the best."

"Then it probably is. Go and talk with him, tell him what's bothering you, and hopefully you can come to a solution where it doesn't end in bloodshed. God knows that it happens enough in this world."

Izumi wore a sad expression, remembering what has happened to her personally, and the recent events as well.

Itachi nodded, agreeing with her words.

"You're right, Izumi-san. I seriously have underestimated your abilities, haven't I?"

She playfully punched his arm, and hugged him from behind, her developing assets pushing against his back, something that didn't go amiss with the young Uchiha who was finding it hard to not say anything, as he could feel her breasts, practically since the shirt was so thin and if he was right, then the sensation of her nipples danced on his unclothed back.

"Ya damn right Itachi-kun. I'm not some weak little girl from the Academy anymore. I'm a Shinobi of the Uchiha Clan, and Konoha as well. I might not be as tough as you, but don't you worry about me. I can roll with the best of them."

"Haha, I dont doubt that. I certainly know I wouldn't want to meet you on the battlefield."

He joked as Izumi snorted with a childlike grin on her face.

"You got that right. I will destroy you on the battlefield." With a playful smile on her face, Izumi stood up and stood in front of Itachi, pointing towards the door. "Now you go and do what you need to do while I make sure you have a good meal ready for when the talking has been finished."

"R...Right, I will try my best."

Getting reassurance from Izumi, Itachi stood up and slipped on a shirt before leaving the room.

Traversing the house, he made his way to the living room within seconds, noting how his father would usually be there at this time in the morning, as if it was a ceremony for the middle aged male.

Itachi walked into the living room, and saw that his father was sat down quietly at the table, having a drink of tea in his hand. Seeing this as the perfect time to have a conversation, Itachi walked in while bowing his head.

"Otou-sama, may I please have a moment of your time?"

Fugaku looked up from his cup, and cocked his head to the side in a wondering gaze.

"Itachi? What's this about?"

Fugaku carefully questioned, keeping his gaze on his son.

"I think that you know, Otou-sama. Please, I need to discuss it with you, immediately."

Sensing the tone, Fugaku had no choice but to comply with what his son said, offering him a seat down directly in front of him. Taking the opportunity, Itachi sat down straight away, bowing his head as he did.

"Itachi, what is it that you wish to discuss? Has something happened within the Anbu?"

Itachi shook his head, and put a hand to his forehead.

"No, it isn't anything to do with the Anbu. Otou-sama, I need to ask about something that happened...not that long ago."

"Hmmm? What are you trying to say?"

Fugaku found it strange that Itachi has suddenly come to him like this, speaking with a tone that he usually doesn't use with his father. He could only wonder if something was going on, perhaps to do with the coup.

"Otou-sama...I'm going to be frank. I know about how you've been threatening Ryou subtly."

Fugaku blinked at the information that his son gave him, slightly mad by the fact that his son found out something that he didn't want him to know.

"How could you possibly know? Did that child say anything about it?"

Fugaku angrily asked, his fingers tightening around the cup. It was so tight that the cup was cracking from the pressure. If Itachi found out, then Fugaku was screwed, because if Ryouta told Itachi, then Shisui would know, and he knows that Shisui is stronger than he is. The thought of Shisui turning against him set a fear in the elder Uchiha's mind, something he didn't wish to experience.

"Ryou didn't say anything about it, you made certain of that, didn't you?"

Itachi semi lied, already having a suspicion that Fugaku has indeed threatened Ryou when he or anyone wasn't around, but wasn't sure so he used this lie to draw out the truth best he could.

"Even if I have, why does it concern you?"

Fugaku didnt deny it, something that worried Itachi, raising his eyebrows wonderingly.

"Otou-sama, don't you see how wrong you're being right now? He's simply a child, you can't threaten a child. And an Uchiha no less. He's apart of this Clan, a Clan that stands by their members, isn't that right?"

"You aren't wrong." Fugaku replied calmly, edging his way towards Itachi in a cold stare. "However, I don't consider him apart of the Uchiha's. I've made my intentions known Itachi, and you have a feeling, don't you? I, in fact hate that child, and I do wish that he would die."

Admitting it so causally, Itachi's eyes widened slightly at the revelation that he would admit it so carefree as he did.

"Otou-sama, you can't be serious. If you make a move on the child, Shisui would step in, you realize that? He wont hold back either, and we both know that he could wipe out this entire Clan if he was serious."

Fugaku lowered his head, nodding slightly.

"I acknowledge that. I understand that Shisui wouldn't allow me to touch him and I have come to the realization that he could take us all out, if he so desired."

"Then I need to make it clear that...Otou-sama, please allow Ryou and Shisui to live normally."

It was eerie silent when Itachi said that.

It was so silent that a pen being dropped would've caused ripples of sound to pierce through eardrums like a battering ram.

But for the two people present, the silence was something that was near unbearable to take. Itachi though kept his usual disposition and Fugaku's mind was going a mile a minute, slightly angry that Itachi had said something like that.

"Itachi, what did you say?"

Fugaku practically demanded from the boy that was sat in front of him. The idea that anyone dare speak back to him was something unheard of, especially if that person was his own son, Itachi.

"I said, please allow Ryou and Shisui to live normally without any worry from you."

Itachi stated again, his eyes narrowing in slight anger that he had to repeat himself, when he knew that Fugaku had heard him in the first place.

"I already said that I wouldn't do anything, because there isn't away for me to touch Ryouta Uchiha while Shisui is around. I am not like that foolish man who tried his move. I realize the actions of my choices, and their consequences."

Fugaku sent Itachi a daring smirk, hoping that he didn't know the details of the meeting he had with the other Uchiha.

"Then, please be civil around him. Hasn't he been through enough with your actions, Otou-sama? It isn't a secret that you agreed with his Otou-sans actions, and I have witnessed how you've said it to his face. So, it wouldn't be out of the ordinary to leave them alone, would it? You've acknowledged that Shisui is stronger, and he wouldn't allow actions to be taken against Ryou, especially when they've happened before. He'll be extra vigilant."

The elder Uchiha knew that Itachi was speaking was the truth. He knew that while Shisui was around, there wouldn't be away for Fugaku to make a move on Ryouta, and he accepted that as reality.

"I understand Itachi. I...can't say that I can hold my feelings back, but right now, I have no intentions of hurting Ryouta Uchiha."

"You don't?"

Itachi was suspicious, especially when Fugaku had just stated that he wanted Ryouta to die. So to suddenly say that he doesn't want to hurt him, he doesn't have any intentions was something that Itachi didn't expect.

"Believe it or not, but most of the Clan share your feelings, most of all your Okaa-san. I have to be honest, and say that I have called a meeting to discuss this matter with the Uchiha, and they made it clear that they support Ryouta Uchiha over me in this matter. They want Ryouta to live, and to see what kind of potential this boy has within him, perhaps sharing his Okaa-sans unique abilities. If he happened to have those abilities with the Sharingan, he would be a force to be reckoned with."

"His Okaa-sans unique abilities? Are you saying that only she has them? Like the Uchiha have the Sharingan?"

Itachi never was knowledgeable when it came to Shisui's Okaa-san, and when asked by Shisui, he never really got a clear cut answer.

"Had then, Itachi. She had them. She's no longer here, so she can't have them." Fugaku bitterly spoke about the deceased woman. "Right now, I am unsure oif Shisui can use her unique abilities, and I am also unsure if Ryouta is able to use them either. If either of them could use it, then the Uchiha will raise in power again."

His father never answered if it was a unique technique to Ryouta, Shisui and their mother, and he wasn't sure if he should press the issue, not wanting this talk to be destroyed by his questions.

"If this is about power, is that the reason you don't want Ryou to die anymore? Or is it the reason that the Clan shared your feelings?"

"Like you said, I do not simply have the sway over them that I have for the coup. So, if I went against the Clan's ruling, they would turn on me, and the coup would be ruined. Something I've worked hard on, cannot be ruined for my own disdain for a child. That's why, I have decided to allow Ryouta to live in the Uchiha Compound, and bother him no more. I have even decided that Satsuki and Ryouta can have a romantic relationship, if they so desire to go down that route. I can't deny that she is doing better in the Academy thanks to Ryouta. So, if this is the price I have to pay for a better future, then so be it. One child is inconsequential to the bigger picture, Itachi. And if he develops the abilities, he can use them to protect the name Uchiha, and Satsuki as well. Perhaps even pass them onto Satsuki's and his child one day."

Itachi had conflicting feelings on the matter. His father just said everything that he wanted to hear, even admitting that the Clan was against him, something that Itachi knew but Fugaku didn't know that he knew. But after so long with the hate, to suddenly turn character wasn't like him at all. It wasn't like Fugaku to say that he doesn't care if Ryouta stays within the Uchiha Compound, and for him to say that Satsuki can have a romantic relationship with Ryouta. Even praising the fact that Satsuki is doing better in the Academy. Then there was the fact that he mentioned about Satsuki having a child with Ryouta, which must mean that Ryouta has some hidden ability that even Itachi was unaware of...or maybe his father was lying about it all. He wasn't sure.

All in all, it was way to suspicious for Itachi to believe. He couldn't believe that his father has just had this amazing change of heart.

"Otou-sama, can I really have your word that you wont touch Ryou and allow him to be happy?"

"I'll personally tell Shisui myself my thoughts on the matter and how we should proceed. The conversation wont be much more than I have discussed with you. Shisui is a reasonable man, and I can understand if he wont like me, yet as long as we tolerate one another, we can coexist as Uchiha's. Besides, Shisui is an asset to Uchiha, and if we lose that man, it will be a serious blow. He doesn't have to be loyal to me, but as long as he is loyal to Uchiha, that is enough for me. And if I have to be civil with that child for Shisui to remain loyal, then so be it."

He casually stated, which made Itachi blink with new surprise.

"If that's how you're going to play it, then I do not have an objection. Otou-sama, I really pray that you mean your words."

"I do, Itachi. Now please leave, I have some details to go over for my trip out of the village today. While I am away, you're to make sure that everything runs smoothly, and without complications."

"I see, then I am happy. And of course, I will personally see nothing happens during your absence."

After saying that, Itachi stood up and walked out of the room as his father got back to doing what he was doing befoe Itachi interrupted him.

As soon as he did, he noticed that his mother was standing to the right of the door, no doubt listened in on the conversation that had just occurred between the two of the men.

"Okaa-san..."

"Good morning Itachi, I hope you have a pleasant day."

After bowing her head, Mikoto took off down the corridor, but Itachi couldn't help but notice that his mother had a forlorn expression on her face.

---

"...And that's what happened...Izumi-san."

After Itachi finished explaining to Izumi, leaving out the parts with the coup, she could only nod her head, unsure of what to say. She couldn't know what to say, since she heard something that she wanted, yet at the same time didn't know how to feel about the change of heart.

She collected her thoughts a few minutes later, asking a question that kept repeating in her head over and over again.

"Itachi-kun, do you believe Fugaku-sama's words? Do you think that he'll give up on his hate for Ryouta-kun so easily?"

Itachi hummed, unsure of how to answer that but his best to give an answer to Izumi, hoping that it would be satisfactory.

"Honestly, I don't think so. But that could me being cynical. I do pray that there isn't going to be a repeat performance of what happened with Ryou."

Itachi lowered his head, and silently prayed that Fugaku was going to keep his word. Yet at the same time, he couldn't help but wonder why Fugaku has suddenly given up his...intent to hurt Ryou.

"Hehe, you're right. Peace is the best after all." Itachi nodded at Izumi's words as the girl herself bowed her head. "But, I can't help but be curious as to his ability of Ryouta-kun's Okaa-sama. I never really heard much about it before, but I heard that she was renowned for the abilities she possessed, but I don't know what those abilities entail. Sounds interesting to learn about though, doesn't it?"

Itachi gave a nod.

"You're right. But I don't have any information about it. I presume that only Shisui, and to an extent Otou-sama knows the truth about that woman's mysterious abilities. Maybe it was a...hmmm, no, never mind."

"Hmmm? What are you saying Itachi-kun?"

Izumi wondered quietly as she moved closed to him.

Noticing the closeness, Itachi quickly put on his stoic face, and remained stone faced.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it. Anyway, I have some things to do for the Hokage soon."

"Ah, I also have to help out around the Compound, cleaning the training areas, and all of that crap."

Itachi gave a slight inclination with his head, and continued drinking his tea with Izumi, enjoying her company immesenly, secretly happy that she chose to be around him, than anyone else.

---

Elsewhere...

It was a typical morning within the Yamanaka household. All was quiet, as everyone lay slumbering within their rooms. It was so quiet that even a mouse could be heard running around in the house, and it would sound like a hammer smashing its way through a brick building.

In fact, it wasn't just the Yamanaka's that were asleep. Most of the village weren't awake at this, at least the civilian side of the village, and as for the Shinobi, only the ones on active duty were the ones that were awake.

In a certain room in the Yamanaka's, two girls lay sleeping next to one another. One had striking pink hair, and the other was a blonde who had slightly longer hair than the pinkette girl.

These two little girls being Ino, and Sakura.

These little girls slept next to one another, their heads sharing the same pillow, and them sharing the same cover as well. But, one might wonder to exactly why Sakura was in Ino's bedroom, much less the same bed.

Although Sakura doesn't frequent the Yamanaka household often, at least at night and early morning times. For today's events, Ino thought it would be easier (and safer) that she sleeps at her house, so when Ryouta and Satsuki (to the ire of the girls who wanted to be alone with Ryouta) came around for them to start...training.

Both dreaded the training session. They didn't like the fact that they had to train to get closer to Ryouta, yet at the same time, they wanted to get closer to him. Even if they had to train with him, they had a feeling that they are going to get closer to Ryouta today, even if Satsuki tags along.

It was a feeling that helped them get through their darkest thoughts, something that was plaguing both of them. They also hoped that Ryouta would take it easy on them, since this would be their first time training to a level that they haven't trained too beforehand.

Right now however, they didn't have thoughts like that. In fact, they didn't have any thoughts at all, at least consciously. No, right now, both girls were asleep in the same bed, something they could do since they are best friends, and both of them are dreaming.

"Hmmmm...Ryou-kun...yeah...right there...that's good..."

Ino was dreaming, about Ryouta. She frequently had dreams about them together, but this dream was more 'normal' than her other dreams. This dream was Ino on a beach, sunbathing as Ryouta was behind her, applying lotion to her back. Even as a six year old, Ino liked the feeling of sunbathing, and liked the feeling of Ryouta rubbing lotion onto her body. Even if a dream right now, one day Ino hoped that it would be a reality.

"...Ryou...kun...I'm...your...Princess...

Sakura was also dreaming. However, unlike Ino's dream, Sakura's dream was slightly more tamed. In the dream Ryouta was taking Sakura on a date, and acting like the perfect gentleman (as far as a six year old was concerned), taking Sakura around the village while having their hands connected with one another's. And like with Ino, Sakura hoped that one day, she could turn the dream of her dating Ryouta into a reality, a reality that she really prayed would come true.

As the girls dreamed, they moved around on the bed. Occasionally, Ino would push Sakura, who'd push right back. Other times Sakura would take the covers, with Ino right there to grab them back.

Even while they are sleeping, they fought with one another. Usually, their fights were pretty petty. But recently, their fights had turned into something slightly more serious, something that neither girl really wished for.

Tap tap tap.

A light rapping on the window made a slight noise within the room, yet neither girl budged an inch, not hearing it, and continued their respective dreams, turning over slightly so they weren't facing one another.

"Sakura-san, Ino-san. It's time to wake up now~"

A gentle voice echoed from the window, barely reaching the inside of said room. The voice sighed softly, and tapped on the window again, but the girls didn't move inside, not even making an indication that they were awake.

A little sigh escaped the voice, as said voice tapped on the window again, this time slightly louder than before.

"Ino-san, Sakura-san. It's time to wake up and greet the day, okay? Please wake up, so we can get to training and other things."

Even though the voice said it kindly, neither girl again didn't budge an inch, preferring to sleep. To most, this would be slightly annoying, and irritating. Yet to the voice, it was merely something that he laughed at a little.

"Geez, I knew it was a mistake to come here. They aren't even awake. I mean, look at them. They knew that you were coming early in the morning, so I don't even know why they aren't awake. They're just stupid."

An irritated yet soft feminine voice came through the window as well, directed at the first voice who turned their head towards the second voice, and released a small breath.

"Well...they must not be used to being awake at this time. Remember Satsuki-chan, you used to be like this as well. Plus, you usually eat my shirt anyway when you and I sleep together. So I don't know why you're being slightly mean towards them. I didn't think you'd be like that Satsuki-chan."

The person now identified as Satsuki showed a slight pout, and turned her head downwards slowly, unable to come up with a way for her to not sound jealous, yet also sound right about the two girls inside of the room.

"I'm not being mean, I'm just stating a fact. They aren't like us Ryou, we're Uchiha. We're Uchiha that can fight and fight and grow stronger. These girls don't take Ninja training seriously. Like I said before, the girls here are only wanting to come along because they want to usurp...I mean, they want to invade...ugh..." Satsuki put a hand on the newly identified Ryouta's shoulder, and sighed slightly. "I'm trying to say, they'll slow down your training. You don't want that to happen, do you? If they tag along, you wont be able to train as hard as you usually do."

Ryou gazed his chin with his fingers, pondering the thoughts Satsuki placed within his head.

"To be honest, it would be slightly sad that I can't do my usual routine. But then again, Shi-nii would be angry if I did anyway, so I have to take it easy. And you know that if I do, he'll find out, and I will be in trouble with him, and he might take away my favourite kunai set. Besides, I made a promise to Sakura-san and Ino-san. And when I promise something, I see it through to the end, just like Naruto-kun's Ninja way, at least slightly."

Satsuki gave a sigh in resignation, cocking her head to the side.

"If that's how you feel. But you still have to teach me the Fireball Technique now. Since you're better, you should be able to show me how to do it. And use the Sharingan as well, to see if I'm doing it right."

Satsuki practically demanded, not wanting to fall behind Ryou.

While she wouldn't admit it, she did feel slightly inferior, since he had something that she didn't have. But, she was also grateful that he was okay, and if he gained the Sharingan from that night and she didn't, she was okay with that.

"Okay okay." Ryouta submitted to Satsuki, and gently hugged her, to her frustrations, and secret happiness. "I'll try my best. But it isn't like I did it on my first try, or even third or fourth. It took me awhile, and pure luck as well to use it when I did. Don't worry, Satsuki-chan is talented, and knows what to do. All you have to do is practice and practice until you have it down."

Ryouta explained, as he looked back into the bedroom, seeing that the girls aren't awake yet.

"I told you, didn't I Ryou? Why don't we allow those...girls to sleep." She soothed gently, and hugged onto him, returning the hug that he gave her. "Come on, I will give you a good training match. I've been working on my Taijutsu when you were in your wheelchair. I'll make you beg for mercy after I'm done with you."

Realizing how suggestive that was, Satsuki blushed up a storm, and tried to take back her words. But before she could, Ryou moved within her vicinity, and giggled softly towards the young girl.

"Ah, is that a challenge Satsuki-chan?"

Ryou smirked, liking the idea of gaining a challenge from said girl, knowing full well that Satsuki is someone that could give him a challenge when push comes to shove, even if she doesn't have the Sharingan.

"You know that it is."

She smirked back, folding her arms confidently, having broken the hug to gain a advantage over Ryouta and to stop the intense feelings that are building up within the young girl.

"Then I will have to accept it..." He trailed off, then patted her head softly. "Another time perhaps, Satsuki-chan. Right now, we've got classmates to bond with. Don't you want to get to know your future classmates? They're going to be fellow comrades, you know?"

"Trust me, you wont want them as future comrades." Satsuki said with a slightly mocking tone. "Right now, they aren't much to look at, Ryou. I don't know why you insist on taking these girls with us."

Satsuki couldn't figure it out. To her, Ino and Sakura were useless fangirls, who were only above the others because they didn't display the 'typical' fangirl behaviour. Yet at the same time, she had been keeping her eye on the girls, and found out that while they stand out marginally above the others, Hinata, and of course herself, were above the girl.

"Because...Otou-san used to say that I wasn't much to look at either." He confessed, Satsuki biting her lip when his face turned downwards. "He also told me that I would always be a failure, and how I would fail to live and other things like that..."

"Yeah, but he was nuts. You can't believe the word of a madman, can you?"

Satsuki reassured, but deep within the boy, he did believe his father's words. He didn't want to allow those thoughts to creep in but after being told for years how useless and worthless he was, he began to believe it.

However, he also knew that he wasn't useless, as he was still alive, and his father wasn't.

"Maybe, I don't know to be honest. It's hard to forget what he did...hehe, maybe it's just me over thinking it."

"Yeah, that sounds like you." Satsuki admitted, slightly smiling. "You know, you have to let go of what you are feeling, negatively I mean. You won, you're alive. You shouldn't allow some idiot from beyond the grave to bother you."

Though she tried to cheer him up, it only made Ryou feel slightly worse for having the nightmares that he has. He tried his best not to think about him, and about what he said, in real life and dreams as well. But no matter what, he couldn't stop thinking about it, he hated the fact that the man who was his father, would do all of the appalling things.

"Perhaps...either way, we should wake up these girls inside here."

"Sure, but I still think that it would be a waste for them to come with us. I mean, I said it before, and will say it again, they aren't going to be able to keep up with us Ryou. They're going to slow us down."

Satsuki stated her honest opinion, and even though Ryouta thought that she was right to a degree, he didn't care much about things like that.

"No one is as good as someone else. Sure, sometimes talent is what that is, talent. You can be good at something, but someone with hard work and effort can surpass a genius, you know Satsuki-chan? Just look at Naruto-kun. He tries his hardest, and he says he's going to become Hokage, which I believe wholeheartedly. I don't know why, but I believe that he'll become Hokage someday. Hehe, maybe it is a premonition or something stupid like that~"

Ryou laughed as if it was a joke, but deep inside he believed what he was saying. Something about Naruto still made him feel like there was some kind of hidden potential in the blonde, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what that really was, and he didn't want to ask if there was something he was holding back, incase he was being rude.

Satsuki put a hand to her forehead, internally sighing.

"You know, you really are a bleeding heart when it comes to people like these girls. And Uzumaki as well." Satsuki noted, and smiled secretly. "And that's what's good about you, Ryou."

She added in her head, secretly happy at the fact that he was kind and gentle, a stark contrast to the usual people around the Uchiha Clan.

"Hehe, perhaps I am. But that's okay. I don't mind if I am a bleeding heart, I don't mind even if I am called a soft touch. Because, if I have to, I will fight...I will hurt someone if it is necessary."

"Hmmm, maybe you will. Maybe you wont. I don't know, I don't see you killing someone unnecessarily."

"I wouldn't kill anyone like that. Only when there's no other option. I believe. And so does Shi-nii. That people are worth saving, people are worth it if they have a light inside of them. That's why Shi-nii believed Otou-san would be saved, because there was a tiny light in him, but he chose to give up that light to the darkness, and turned all of his confusion to anger, and his anger to hate, which was directed at me...at least, Shi-nii said that was the case."

"That sounds like something Shisui-san would say. Now, about these girls..."

She trailed off, looking in the room, feeling worse about it. Knowing that they were peering into a window just made Satsuki feel like she was a peeping tom or something akin to that.

But Ryou didn't see the problem, or didn't care that he was, since the girls knew that he was coming today, so he wouldn't have anything to apologize for if they complained about it.

"Hmm, yeah. It's time to get the girls up, huh. Man, they sleep in. I mean, it's like nearly seven now, and they aren't awake. Isn't that a little weird Satsuki-chan?"

"Not everyone gets up dead early Ryou." Satsuki surprisingly defended the girls, remembering the times where she wasn't used to getting up early. "Either way, even I was awake at this time before you decided to wake me up earlier than usual. Now them up Ryou, so we don't waste this day."

"Okay Satsuki-chan! Leave this to me!"

Slowly smiling, he rapped on the window again, a little louder this time, hoping that would wake up the girls, or at least gain a reaction from them, which succeeded, in a sense, but not in the sense that Ryou would've liked.

"...Ngh...Sakura...stop it... "

Ino whined in her sleep as she threw her head against the pillow, attempting to stop the noise coming from the window, which she didn't know about, assuming that it was Sakura as her sleepy mind came to that conclusion naturally.

"...Ino-chan...not me...not now..."

Sakura reported sleepily, snuggling against the pillow, trying her best to ignore the noise coming from the window, again her unaware that was where the noise was coming from.

"Hmmmm, so, they aren't waking up from that. Satsuki-chan, I don't know what to do now. Do you have any ideas of what we should do Satsuki-chan?"

"I do, leave this to me. By the way, put this on your lips."

Before Ryou could ask what to put on his lips, Satsuki smothered a red paint that she carried around for reasons unknown over his lips, giving the impression that there was blood on his lips.

"S-Satsuki-chan! W-Whats with the paint!? Don't just smear it on my lips suddenly!"

"Just something to show the girls of being Ninja's, don't fret about it." She lied through her teeth, biting her lip so she wouldn't snicker. "Y-You know, Ninja's sometimes experience tragic and if they saw you like that, they might be reconsidering becoming Ninja's. After all, you only want strong, dedicated soon to be Ninja's to be Ninja's, don't you?"

While it was painfully obvious to most that Satsuki wanted to play a joke on the girls, Ryou took it seriously, his eyes blazing with such a determination and nodded very happily towards Satsuki.

"That's right Satsuki-chan! Everyone needs to know what it's like to be a Ninja! So, if this could help Sakura-san and Ino-san become better Ninja, then I am all for it! So, let us help these girls become stronger willed!"

Satsuki stifled a laugh, nodding happily towards Ryou.

"That's exactly it, Ryou. You are really going to be a instigator for these girls to improve themselves, you want that, right?"

Satsuki showed her ability to 'manipulate' Ryou to a certain extent. Even though she didn't like doing it, if it was for the sake of keeping 'her' Ryou to herself, then that's what she is going to do.

"That's right, Satsuki-chan. Lets do this Satsuki-chan!"

"Yeah...lets do it."

Smirking to herself, Satsuki withdrew a blunt kunai from Ryou's holster, and held it behind his head as Ryou himself put the paint in his mouth (minding to not swallow it) and knocked on the window very loudly, almost breaking the window.

"Ino-saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan~! Sakura-saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan~! Time to wake uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup~!"

After making such a loud shout that could've woken up anything nearby, and in fact did awake some of the neighbours, the young girls certainly stirred this time, both of their eyes opening slowly, revealing blue and green respectably for the young girls.

Ino sat up, and rubbed her eyes with an annoyed face on.

"Ugh...was that you Sakura? Could ya keep it down at this time? I'm really tired, I'm up now. Thanks a lot."

Ino complained and yawned while stretching her limbs outwards.

"That wasn't me." Sakura shot back, and arched her back as she slowly lifted her body upwards. "I don't know what that was Ino-chan...I thought that it was you, and was about to tell you to be quiet."

Ino lazily glanced at Sakura with a disapproval look on her face.

"I didn't do anything, don't accuse me of anything."

"I-I wasn't Ino-chan." Sakura denied the accusation and wiped her eyes softly. "So...if it wasn't you, and it wasn't me, who was it that made the noise then? Would it be your parents?"

"Nah, they wouldn't make such a loud noise." Ino whispered back, hoping that her parents didn't actually make the noise. "Oh God, today is the day that we're going to train with..."

"Yeah, we're going training with Ryou-kun today."

Sakura sighed, with a mix of happy and sad in her tone.

While she wanted to get better acquainted with Ryou, she also was dreading when they would have to run, jump and whatever else Ryou would be having them doing. She was hoping that he would be lenient and allow them to take lots and lots of breaks.

"Right right. Ryou-kun should be coming..."

She trailed off when she looked towards the window. As soon as she did, she saw Ryou peering into her window, and while she wanted to let out a gasp, she also liked the fact that he was looking, yet couldn't avoid the fact that he was outside of her window right now, looking inside.

"Ino-chan? What's wrong?"

Sakura, noticing the change in her friends facial features, decided to question her while keeping her eyes open, something that she found very hard due to the circumstances of her just waking up.

Ino didn't answer, continuing to stare out of the window, wondering if she should show a shocked face or not. Deciding that she wouldn't, she just kept her gaze on Ryouta, not noticing Satsuki right behind him with the kunai.

Deciding to follow her gaze, Sakura peered out of the window, seeing that Ryouta was standing there, on the window ledge outside that was just big enough for the two children.

"R-Ryou-kun!?" Sakura exclaimed, covering her body with covers. "Is this a dream, where he's going to whisk me away and we'll live together forever and ever?" Sakura wanted her thoughts to be true, as her hands tightened on the sheets, a flushed face appearing. "W-What are you doing here Ryou-kun!?"

Sakura finished, her eyes forever on the raven haired boy.

Ino couldn't speak, she couldn't even move. Even though her body was 'on display' for Ryou to see, she didn't really care, and even if she could move, she didn't really want to cover up. Though, Ryou didn't see anything that he shouldn't on her body, since her nightwear was pretty long, and covered a lot. But to kids like Ino, it was enough to appear 'sexy' even if she didn't really know how to be 'sexy', only going off best guesses that she could.

Ryou was about to open his mouth when Satsuki 'plunged' the kunai into the back of his head.

"Bleeeeeh!"

As soon as she 'did' Ryouta spat out 'blood' that covered the whole window, splattering everywhere.

Ino and Sakura turned a ghostly while as tears came from their eyes, seeing that there crush had just been 'killed' and only noticing Satsuki right behind him at the moment of his 'death' and then when seeing the 'blood' run down the window, their fears had been confirmed that Ryouta was indeed 'death'.

""AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!""

The two releases high pitched screams, being unable to keep them back. Both of their hands shook rapidly, their eyes glazing over with the sadness of witnessing their crushes 'death' by the hands of the 'tyrant' in their eyes Satsuki.

Sakura's body then convulsed at the idea of Ryouta 'dying', all of the times that they had 'spent together' and all of her fantasies flashing before her eyes. Not being able to take it anymore, she let out an "Noooooooooo!" then promptly fainted harshly on the bed, tears streaming down her face.

Inner Sakura stood behind the real Sakura, and shook her head in disappointment, her being able to tell that it was a joke, for some reason. How she saw it was a joke and the real Sakura didn't...was a big mystery, one wouldn't want to even think about.

Ryou also saw Inner Sakura showing herself, and his eyes unnoticeably widened at the strange creature in front of him.

"Okay seriously, that thing is weird. Maybe it has to be something apart of herself...a side she regresses perhaps? I dunno...but I get that feeling she holds this part of her back..."

As he thought about it, he couldn't think of anything else that was plausible, having already ruled out Genjutsu, and other method's of the Ninja arts.

Ino wasn't fairing any better than Sakura. In fact, it took everything within the girl to not faint from seeing the sight that she has just seen. It was fear striking, it was making her feel really frightened that Ryou was actually 'dead'. That thought scared her more than anything.

"Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! He's dead! He's really dead! He's gone! He's gone from this world! He's really disappeared from this world! I can't believe it that he's really dead! He's gone! I'll never see Ryou-kun again! I wont be able to kiss such a gorgeous guy ever! I'll forever be a girl without a boyfriend and then childless!" She rapidly got out, trying to go over to the window, but her legs wouldn't allow her to move, them shaking too much from witnessing his 'death'. "S-Satsuki! I-I'm going to kill you for killing Ryou-kun you harpy! You murderer! I wont s-stand for this for killing Ryou-kun you mean girl!"

Satsuki smirked at the challenge, waving a hand in front of her face as she pulled the kunai away from Ryou's head. He promptly fell out of view from Ino to keep up the charade, yet also felt slightly sad that it didn't go as he expected it to go.

"Kill me? If Ryou couldn't kill me, or see me coming, what makes you so sure that you can do anything to me? Do you really think you could take me on Yamanaka?" Sending a daring smirk at Ino, who cried and put a hand to her forehead, her consciousness slowly slipping away, Satsuki licked her lips to try and intimidate the young girl. "Seems to me that you're too scared to even move from your position. It's okay, I will make it quickly."

Satsuki shook the kunai softly from side to side ever so slightly, a menacing smile on her face, directed at Ino.

"...Wah..."

Upon hearing and seeing that, Ino promptly following Sakura's moves, and fainted onto the bed, her head banging with the pillow rather fiercely, her eyes glazed over with fear that she'll never see Ryouta ever again.

Realizing that they have fainted, Satsuki released the chuckle she had been holding back until now, trying her best to not fall from the window as a little pain from laughing too hard came from her stomach.

"Haha, that was awesome. Seeing them both go down like that was satisfying. It was amazing, I can't believe that they lasted as long as they did! Gotta give it them that they did better than expected haha!"

Satsuki was laughing, and as for Ryou, he was mixed on how to feel. While he found it slightly funny, he also couldn't help but feel slightly bad for the girls, seeing that he had just died.

"Satsuki-chan, you've got a twisted sense of humour."

"Haha...maybe, but that was awesome. You can't deny that when they fainted, it was funny seeing their scared faces. Especially when they screamed in unison, that was the best ever."

Ryou held back a small chuckle, having found it slightly amusing, but also felt slightly bad that he had apart of scaring the girls, even if it was in order to 'help' them as Satsuki had convinced him.

"Satsuki-chan, I thought for sure that they were going to come and tackle you to prove that a comrades death could rally them together and beat an opponent. I know that if something like that happened to my comrade, I would go mad about it and try to hurt the person who hurt my comrade, but they didn't. They fainted, and screamed. Didn't you also think the same as me Satsuki-chan?"

Satsuki froze for a few seconds as Ryou gave his genuine thoughts on the matter.

"Ah...well, of course. I didn't think that they would faint like that, but they did and that's how it is." She lied, and jumped from the window. "Come on Ryou, we've got training to do."

"But Ino-san and Sakura-san are..."

As he was about to explain, Satsuki sighed in resignation, and lowered her head so her hair covered her eyes.

"Right, lets wait for them."

After saying that, Ryou looked into the window again, seeing the unconscious bodies of Ino and Sakura and silently apologized for what happened to them because of him and Satsuki.

---

Meanwhile...

"Alright! If I can't do one hundred punches, I will do one hundred push ups! And if I can't do one hundred push ups, I will do one hundred sit ups!"

An energetic youth was standing within a certain training field, punching a log with his bare hands, which slowly became more and more injured as time went on as sweat dropped down his face.

This youth has black hair that is shaped in the form of a braid that ran down to the middle of his back. His clothes consisted of a loose fitting kimono top that has numerous words written over the kimono shirt. His pants also seem to have a similar appearance to the shirt, being that of kimono like, flaring out at the bottom. Perhaps the most prominent feature on this boy was the fact that his eyebrows resembled centipede's that seem to have a life of their own, and with big round black eyes, this boy had the appearance that some would call...strange.

He was certainly energetic, as he punched the log. But it was painfully obvious that his will power was slowly becoming more and more weaker as time went on. Fatigue was taking over the young boy, something that he instantly regretted.

Though it was early in the morning, that didn't bother the youth. Truthfully, he was always awake at this time in the morning, as he would always like to get ahead of the others, as much as he possibly could.

"I might not have Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, but I will succeed with pure Taijutsu!"

The boy exclaimed hyperactively, as he twirled around the log, punching it with more vigour, despite him becoming more and more tired. He refused to give up, since he had something to prove. He wanted to prove that Ninja's can excel with pure Taijutsu, as opposed to having Ninjutsu, and Genjutsu.

The boy continued his actions for several minutes, his number of punches increased more and more. The number of times he hit the log increased, yet his stamina also decreased with the time rolling by.

"Ninety seven..." The boy punched, breaking the wood slightly, yet also feeling the recoil of the wood on his hand, which hurt him a little, yet he shrugged it off as best he could. "Ninety eight..." Another punch hit the wood, a weaker, much weaker one than the others as his eyes turned slightly blurry. "N-Ninety n-nine..." As he was about to swing his fist, his body's fatigue caught up to him, and he collapsed onto the ground, his chest going up and down as a dejected look washed over his face. "D-Darn...I couldn't do it..."

The boy whimpered out, trying to catch his breath, the feeling of his hands hurting him was frustrating. It was really hard for this youth. since he didn't have access to Ninjutsu and Genjutsu, he had to rely on Taijutsu, and even that wasn't as good as he would hope that it was. But he didn't allow that to deter him. He was as happy as always with his situation, never looking back.

But he had to admit, recently he wasn't as happy as he usually would be. No, in fact he was quite...sad about something. Though he wouldn't admit it, he saw that someone trains just as hard as he does, or at least this person did until a certain accident happened that didn't allow him to move forward. He didn't see the person up close, therefore doesn't know what the person looks like, but later found out who that was.

"I have to challenge him, I have to prove that natural talent isn't anything over hard work."

The boy exclaimed outwardly as his hands tightened.

He wanted to prove that he was strong, and had to beat the best. And the best, besides a certain someone within his own year, was a boy that was a year below him, a year separated them, yet this boy was also known as number one within his year, and if rumours are to be believed, then could move up years.

Someone like that to this boy was to appealing to not fight against. But there was a problem...

"If only he wasn't in a wheelchair. That is a handicap, and I do not wish to fight someone who cannot move very well. It would be very underhanded of me. As soon as he is well, I will challenge him to a fight."

The boy wore a crestfallen face, his attitude becoming slightly down at the prospect of not being able to fight this individual. If rumours are to be believed, then the boy this boy wants to fight fought against a Jonin, and someone like that must be a very good challenge, and an obstacle for him to overcome. If he could do that, then he would prove that talent isn't everything, and he was just as good as the others when it came to being a Ninja.

However, he wasn't going to give up. As soon as the boy was up and about, he was going to challenge him to a fight. A friendly spar at best. Yet, he knew that if he wanted to become stronger, he would have to beat the best, and leave the rest in the dust, those who mocked that he wouldn't be able to become a Ninja. If beating a prodigy was the way to go, then this boy was going to do that.

"Okay! I'm all fired up with the flames of youth! It's time to do the best that I can!"

After resting, the boy was about to stand up again, however someone made their way to the training field, walking with a lazy expression in their eyes, twirling a kunai between their fingers.

"Alright Lee, I came here at stupid o'clock like you asked when it is a SATURDAY when I should be doing that thing called SLEEPING that normal people do. Now what do you want?"

The girl that appeared was in fact Tenten who yawned and asked with an irritated tone, at the fact that she was woken up and made to come out at this time, when it is supposed to be her day off from the Academy.

The newly identified Lee sprung up from the ground and faced Tenten who wore a lazed expression.

"Ah, good timing Tenten! You're youthfully energized as always!"

Lee expressed his joy at Tenten being present by waving his arms around hyperactively which only made Tenten sweatdrop quite noticeably.

"I'm also freaking elderly exhausted, now what is it that you wanted exactly? And why couldn't this way to a...lets say a more normal hour of the day? Seriously, there's such a thing as nine o'clock now, if you didn't know."

Tenten sweat dropped again when Lee rushed her and held her hands enthusiastically.

"Yes! That's the spirit Tenten!" Tenten sighed, Lee not seeing how she was speaking ironically. "Now Tenten! I need your skills to help me meet a certain person! You'll help me, right Tenten!?"

"Could you please calm down with the loud voice?" Tenten pleaded, but Lee remained vigilant causing Tenten to roll her eyes. "I should've known he wouldn't stop because I asked." She sighed internally, and looked into his eyes with an uneven gaze. "So, Lee. Was there a reason as to why I was called at this time in the morning? I swear, I'm not doing this for nothing."

"Don't worry Tenten! Your efforts will be rewarded!"

That took Tenten completely off guard.

"My efforts...eeh, what's going on Lee?"

Tenten slightly woke up more as she became interested at the fact that he was going to reward her...but she hoped that the reward wasn't something stupid like a training session with him, as that wouldn't be something that she would want.

"Tenten! You know of Ryouta Uchiha-san huh!"

Tenten blinked, trying to take in what Lee had just said to her, unable to comprehend what he was saying. It wasn't the words themselves that she couldn't understand. It was more of how he said it, and how he suggested that she knew Ryouta, and in Tenten's mind, it sounded personal.

"A-Ah, I don't know much about him." She confessed, albiet had a sheepish face on as if she was hiding something. "Well, why do you want to know about him anyway? Is there something you want from him?"

"Yes! Tenten, I wish to beat him in a fight of Taijutsu!"

Tenten's eyes went wide slightly with the announcement of Lee's.

"W...Why do you want to do something like that? You do realize he has already been through enough, right? I'm not sure if he...or anyone sane...would be able to handle your level of extremeness."

"I want to be the strongest Tenten, and he's the strongest of the year below us! If I can beat him, then I am one step closer to being the strongest Konoha Ninja! So, please help me find him! He's always elusive!"

"Elusive...okay. If he says so...I just think he's cute." Tenten slapped herself in the head mentally, and put a finger to her lips. "Right, and if you fight him...rather, if he says no, you're going to back off, aren't you Lee?"

"Nope! I will force the issue!"

BANG!

"Baka!" Tenten scolded as Lee rubbed the spot where Tenten hit him with teary eyes. "You can't force people to fight if they don't want too! Not everyone is a muscle head like you!"

Tenten was livid with Lee. To her, he was taking it too far, yet again. While she understood how he wanted to improve, she also couldn't get the nagging feeling of someone trying to force someone else to fight, something that she was firmly against.

"Ow Tenten, your youthful hits are full of passion." Lee recoiled from Tenten as she raised her hand against him, and threw up his hands in defence. "Tenten! Please allow me to do this! I will make sure that you get a date with him!"

"A-A date!?" Tenten yelped and jumped back with a slight blush. "I don't want a date with him, or anyone! When have I ever said anything about that!? And what's with the confidence that you could accomplish something like that!? How would you even do it!? You've never met him, and you're confident that you could get me a date...n-not that I want such a thing anyway!"

She quickly added as she was fighting down a little blush.

Lee pushed his hand forward, his spirits being raised much more than they should be in someone so young.

"True men speak through their fists. And I will convey your affections to Uchiha-san while we fight the strongest battle of my life! No doubt our lives will be on the line with this battle Tenten!"

"He's delusional. What six and seven year old has life changing battles...oh, right. Ryouta-kun did." Tenten thought as she used his first name, despite never actually speaking in person, it being something of a nice way to speak or think about him. "No, you wont Lee. You're not going to do a battle to the death, and if you try, I will have to intervene, understand Lee?"

Tenten told, and threatened Lee, to make sure that he doesn't go overboard with his...way of handling situations.

"I get it Tenten! Only until we pass out from fighting!"

That reply only made Tenten feel worse about what was going to happen. At least in her head.

"I'm dealing with a moron that wants to fight a ex cripple..." Tenten was about to give up, when she thought about what Lee had said about the date. "It isn't like I want one or anything, but it wouldn't be so bad to see the strongest of his year fight Lee...it would prove to see if he is the man that I imagine that he is..." Tenten's mind wondered towards the way that Ryouta would perform against someone older, and to see if he did have skills that could fight against a Jonin or at least above his own years anyway. Either would be fine with Tenten. "I see...Lee, if you're going to fight Ryouta-kun, you're going to have to ask permission. Don't forget that he's just come out of his wheelchair, you can't just suddenly start being rough with someone like that."

"Yes Tenten! Your concern is certainly excellent! And I didn't realize he was out of the chair until you said it!" Lee pumped his arms upwards, his excitement growing by the second as Tenten face palmed, revealing something that wasn't necessary. "I understand Tenten! Lets find Uchiha-san and I will challenge him to a fight!"

Lee continued thrusting his fists upwards, very ecstatic at the fact that he was able to fight the so called prodigy and see if he lives up to reputation. If he did, then Lee was very excited, and if he didn't, at least he would be able to fight an Uchiha, who are known to produce strong Ninja, even if they aren't as talented as others from their clan.

"Right...I'm going to regret this, but right now, I believe he might be at Training Ground 33."

"Ooh! That's so informative! How did you know that Tenten!? Have you been following him by chance?"

For a surprise, Lee showed a slightly naughty face when suggesting Tenten follows Ryou around.

As for Tenten, she was visibly pissed that Lee suggested that she would do something like that. She wasn't going to be like that, even if she did have anything for the young Uchiha.

"That's just stupid Lee. Why would I do something like that? You're a moron. Now come on, before I lose the will to live..."

Tenten turned around, and walked away, knowing Lee would be following her. Yet, this also gave her the chance to talk with Ryouta, something she hasn't had the opportunity to do yet.

"I'm coming Tenten! Lets let the fires of passion lead us to your true love!"

"He isn't my true love!"

Tenten snapped at the laughing Lee, which only irritated her even more.

---

With Ryou and the girls...

"It wasn't funny Satsuki, you're just plain cruel. And my parents aren't happy about it."

Ino tapped her foot on the ground as they stood outside of a training field, looking off to Ryouta, and seeing his outfit, making herself feel weak in the knees at how...unexpectedly tight it is. Even at the tender age of six, style wasn't lost on the girl, and she really liked the style of Ryouta's clothing...for various reasons. Some which she didn't want to disclose to others.

"Yeah, you frightened us half to death. We could've died from heart attacks."

Sakura noted, her eyes dark and unforgiving for the raven haired girl, but at the same time, also noticed Ryouta's clothing, and stared towards him some of the time as well, noting something's similar to how Ino is noting the...nice changes in clothes to what he usually wears.

Said raven merely shook her head, and folded her arms.

"Sorry, but that's how it goes. If you wanna be Ninja's, that's what the outcome is going to be. It ain't my fault that you're like this now, is it? You're going to have to become stronger if you want Ryou's attention."

Fortunately for Satsuki, she was able to speak this freely since Ryou was currently doing warm up's away from the girls, trying to ready himself for the days training.

"Even then, you shouldn't of made Ryou-kun go along with your plan!"

Ino barked at Satsuki who showed an indifferent face.

"He wanted to show you life as a Shinobi and how death sometimes occurs. Don't blame me for your weak minded ways."

"We aren't weak minded!" Sakura broke into the conversation. "You're merely mean! That was cruel and unusual! What the heck is even wrong with you anyway!? Do you just want to keep girls away from Ryou-kun so you can have him all to yourself!?"

"That's exactly what I'm trying to do." Satsuki retorted quietly. "If Ryou happened to find you attractive, then I wouldn't say anything, openly at least, but the only reason you're here is because you want to get close to him, isn't that right?"

Ino and Sakura lightly bowed their head, their intentions having been found out.

"Even if it is, that's got nothing to do with you, Satsuki. And I mean, nothing."

Ino quickly replied, folding her arms across her chest.

Sakura also nodded to what Ino said, seeing nothing wrong with what they were doing whatsoever.

Satsuki though bowed her head, scowling the best she could.

"Don't you see that Ryou believes you're actually here for the reasons of training? You're here because you want to get to know him, while he only wants to train with 'comrades' from the classroom so he can become better acquainted with you all."

"So...isn't that the same thing as what we're trying to do?"

Sakura noted, seeing how similar the statements the onyx eyed girl made.

But to their surprise, Satsuki shook her head.

"It's entirely different. He wants to get to know you on a professional level. You want it as a personal level. Those two are different, and that's why your efforts today are futile, if you think he's going to see you in a romantic light after training with him."

Ino scowled upon hearing what Satsuki had to say, suspecting that there was something she was holding back from the two.

"Fine, you're saying that he only wants us to become...lets say comrades, right?"

"Yeah, so what?"

Satsuki furrowed her eyebrows in suspicion, knowing full well that this girl could become a threat to her.

"I'm just saying, you're showing a side that isn't attractive, Satsuki."

"What side?"

By now, Satsuki was wondering what in the hell Ino was talking about. In fact, Sakura also wondered what the hell she was talking about, not seeing that Ino was smirking towards the black haired girl.

"You're jealous of the fact that Sakura and I are getting closer to Ryou-kun, and you're jealous that he might actually like us back. I mean, why else would he offer us something like this? He hasn't offered any other girl in school this, so why would he offer us something like this, huh? If you think about it, he has to be at least interested in us to allow us to come along on a training session, and as this is a training session, it is usually private so secrets about how you fight and work don't get out. Yet he's fine with Sakura and I being here, us not even being apart of the Uchiha Clan. So, you've got to be asking yourself "What if Ino is right, what if Ryou actually does like these girls and wants to become closer to them?" Am I right Satsuki?"

The raven girl scowled at the blonde haired girl, but like Ino had said, she was also questioning the reason as to why Ryou was so insistent that they wait for these two, and why he would allow these girls to come along in the first place.

"Tch, trying to make me second guess myself isn't going to work in your favour. If I wanted, I could make Ryou mine anytime I wanted too. I just choose not to, so he can come to the conclusion naturally."

Ino raised her head, her eyes solely on the black haired girl.

"If that's the case, and you're letting him come to the conclusion naturally, then you wouldn't really mind us being here. Yet, you're talking like the very idea of us being here really gets under your skin."

"H-Hey Ino-chan, I don't think that you should provoke Satsuki-san."

Sakura advised, seeing how Satsuki was becoming slightly more angry, and knew what said girl could do to the two of them if she became serious, and wanted to have a fight with them.

"Nah, don't worry, she wont do anything." Ino whispered her reply, and looked towards the scowling raven. "So, you don't care that we are here, right? Since you're allowing Ryou-kun to become aware of his feelings on his own, as you said it yourself. Until he announces that he likes you, isn't he fair game?"

"Fair game implies you have a chance, Ino."

Satsuki seethed to the blonde who was taken back by what she had said.

"Are you saying that I don't?"

Ino retorted, Satsuki snorting at the very idea that Ino was in her league, when it came to Ryouta.

"Maybe to someone else. But when it comes to Ryou, only I know how to make him hug someone and how to be affectionate as well. Oh, did I tell you that we share a bed together, every night?"

Satsuki was semi lying when she said about sleeping together every night. Although it was true that they had slept together in the same bed, but it wasn't as near frequent as she was suggesting to the girls.

Naturally, the girls had open mouths at what the woman had just said, her eyes bulging at the new information.

"Y-You're kidding! You can't suddenly come out with something like that!"

Ino roared as Sakura looked slightly jealous of the fact that Satsuki shared a bed with Ryouta, something she wouldn't mind doing. Actually, as long as it was Ryouta, she wouldn't mind doing many things together, although some would be slightly inappropriate, and she wouldn't do them.

"Why not? It's the truth. You can ask him yourself."

"I'll do just that, Satsuki."

Ino smirked, sure of herself that she was right, and it was Satsuki that was in the wrong.

"Good luck with that Ino Yamanaka."

"Why did you say my full name then?"

Ino questioned, her eyebrows raising.

"It was meant to be menacing, that's all. Did you not feel slight fear then Ino Yamanaka?"

"Not really." Ino sweatdropped, trying to hold back a laugh. "It was more...funny than anything else. And that's funny, coming from you, who is like a stone wall when it doesn't concern Ryou-kun."

"That's because he's the only one that I can be bothered spending my time with."

Satsuki's cool reply left Ino seething, as Sakura merely pushed away from them and walked over to Ryouta who was still stretching.

As she made it to Ryouta, he faced her and beamed.

"Hello Sakura-san! Come to join me stretching?"

"Eeh, sure. Why not."

"Brilliant!"

With that, the pair stretched together, while Ino and Satsuki continued arguing with one another.

"Say Ryou-kun, do you always train this early?"

Sakura questioned while carefully watching his reactions.

"Hmmm, only on the weekends. It's a great way to stay in shape, and can make you stronger. Isn't that what you want Sakura-san?"

Sakura wore a sheepish face, tempted to shake her head, but stopped herself.

"E-Eh, yeah I guess. Actually, I'm on a diet right now so staying in shape like this isn't much of an issue."

Sakura declared proudly to the confusion to Ryou.

"Why are you on a diet?"

He couldn't understand, as Sakura wasn't overweight. If he was honest, she kinda looked underweight, only slightly.

"Because I want to keep in shape and keep myself thin! Why else would I be on one?"

She announced while pride was filling her eyes.

"You are in shape and thin though." Ryou pointed out, looking at her figure. "I don't get it, you don't need a diet. You're perfect just the way you are, Sakura-san. There's nothing about you that should change." That little statement which was completely innocent in Ryou's eyes, made Sakura blush, hearing how he thought she was perfect and how she shouldn't change. "Besides, being a Ninja means you burn off the food we eat anyway, so there's no reason to be on diet. If you follow my regime of training, you'll be feeling a lot more healthy than you would if you went on a diet that denies most foods, which I presume you do like this morning of skipping breakfast?"

Ryou concluded as he thought that neither Ino or Sakura ate anything despite him trying his best to convince them to eat something to make them feel good before training.

From his words, he gave Sakura something to think about, which she did intently.

"Being on a diet...is something that Ryou-kun is against? But I thought that boys liked it when girls...but Ryou-kun just said that he doesn't think girls...Ninja's shouldn't be on a diet...he thinks I'm perfect the way that I am..." Sakura's blush could only intensify by remembering how Ryou called her perfect, even if it wasn't in the way that she thought it was, it was enough for her. "So...you don't like girls that go on diets?"

She asked, wanting to deepen her relationship while Ino was busy with Satsuki.

"Not really, it means you'll be feeling weak as well. Ninja's need all the energy they can get, and food restores that energy...I think. So, if you deny yourself food, you're denying your chances at becoming stronger. And if you're worried about weight gain, then don't. I eat a lot of food every morning before coming out to train, but I'm not overweight, am I?"

"Well...that's true, yeah." Sakura admitted, seeing his slight built up body, and toppled with the clothes he decided to wear, she admired him as her blush intensified. "But...I'm not like you, Ryou-kun. I wouldn't be able to do the mental amounts of training you do..."

"Yes, maybe that's true right now." He casually admitted, causing Sakura to look down in self pity. However, Ryou then tapped her on the shoulder, gaining her attention. "It's not like I'm perfect either. It has taken me as long as I can remember to be able to do this amount of training I have planned. Don't worry, I plan to take it easy with everyone today. You wont be too exhausted, I promise."

Giving her a reassuring smile, Sakura couldn't help but become more bashful and attempted to hide her face away from him.

"You're kind...Ryou-kun. I was kind of worried that I wouldn't be able to keep up, and you wouldn't want to do this again with me."

Sakura admitted honestly, as Ryou waved his hand at her.

"Nah, don't worry about it Sakura-san. I don't expect you and Ino-san to become the best in the world after one session. It would be impossible for everyone to do it. Even Satsuki-chan had a tough time when we first started. Actually, even I did, since it was Shi-nii who taught me this, and he's like a stamina freak or something. Even now, after so long, I can't keep up with his level of training. So as they say, there's always someone better than you out there. But if you've gotten good friends, it doesn't matter that much."

That made Sakura smile even more, knowing that he isn't expecting things that would be impossible for her to do, and the fact that he wont mind if they can't do more than they can do physically. That's something Sakura liked about Ryouta. She liked the fact that he was kind, even to strangers like her, which they were, but she hoped to change that if she could

"So, that's it huh. You learned it from your Onii-sama?"

"Yup! Shi-nii is amazing! So no worries, I'll make sure that you wont die from the training!"

Sakura had mixed feelings about how he worded his sentence then. While she was glad she wasn't going to die, just how far was he going to push her? She didn't have the answers, and could only smile weakly, while they both continued to stretch, getting ready for the training.

Meanwhile, as that exchange was going on, Ino and Satsuki's debate intensified.

"No Ino, you moron. You wont ever be able to become Ryou's girlfriend. I've simply forbidden you for participating in anything that concerns that boy. He belongs solely to me."

"Hmph, you say that now, but when I lay on the charms, he'll be eating out of the palm of my hand."

Ino declared boldly, something that Satsuki frowned at furiously.

"If you think you can do something like that, then I would like to see you try. Next to me, you're nothing to him, just a mere classmate that doesn't know her place. After today's training, I doubt you'll want to do it again."

Satsuki stated with a grin on her face.

She knew that Ryou didn't know the meaning of restraint, to a degree. While he understood that people can't do certain things, he wasn't always the most observant person in the world, and might not be able to see Ino and Sakura struggling during the day.

"Hmph, even if it kills me, I am going to do this training, every single damn day if I have too. I am not going to lose to you, Satsuki. You might have a head start, but I wont be losing to someone like you. I'm freaking cuter than you for the love of God!"

"If that's what you think, but Ryou thinks I'm the cutest. And I can prove it as well."

"Prove it? Do it then, I would like to see how you 'prove it' to me. Isn't that right Sakura?"

Ino asked the space beside her, obviously not gaining an answer since Sakura wasn't there.

Ino looked to the side, to see why she didn't get an answer, only for her mouth to drop when seeing nothing was there.

"W-Where in the heck did she go!?" She roared like a tiger and looked around frantically, only for her eyes to shoot open when she saw Ryou behind Sakura, helping her bend over as much as she could while he supported her, but to Ino it looked like something completely different, and her face turned pale. "H-Holy shi...ugh, sugar! She's gotten to him!"

Satsuki raised her eyebrow, wondering what the hell she was talking about, until she faced that direction herself, but then she saw Ryou and Sakura in a 'certain' position and frowned.

"R-Ryou! W-What are you doing!?"

Ino and Satsuki both stamped their left foot, and was about to go over when Ryou and Sakura looked in their direction.

"Hmmm? What's wrong Satsuki-chan?"

"Y-You...f-finished?"

She questioned, unable to ask her real question and looked towards Sakura who gained a victory kind of face.

"Yeah, all ready Satsuki-chan!"

Ryouta and Sakura came back over, having finished their stretching's, and looked at all of the people present, taking in the appearance of Ino's and Sakura's again, lightly sighing to himself.

The girls in question were wearing dresses that came to just below the knee, restricting movements as fast as someone in shorts would be able to wear. Ino's dress looked to be made of silk, a rare find for a dress of a little girl which was a nice cream colour. While Sakura's looked to be made of cheaper, yet also stunning fabrics which was a lovely violet colour.

"They aren't going to be able to move well in those dresses." He deduced in his head, stroking his chin. "Perhaps they wanted to challenge themselves? Yeah...that's got to be it. Those girls are more clever than I thought they were. They want to put obstacles in their way so they can improve themselves. These girls are good, they want to become strong. I knew Satsuki-chan was only joking when she said these girls didn't take the training seriously. It's obvious that they want to improve the best they can! I admire their hard work and determination!"

Ryouta nodded to himself, pleased that the girls are taking training seriously, at least in his eyes.

"Ryou, we're ready now, are you?"

Satsuki questioned as she moved closer to him, slowly interlocking their fingers while looking directly at Ino and Sakura who both frowned deeply, unhappy that Satsuki could show such affection and they couldn't, since Ryou barely knows them and might find them insane if they do.

"Yeah, sure! I'm ready Satsuki-chan!"

He beamed, his fingers also interlocking with her fingers, since he was used to such things by now. Secretly, he actually liked the feeling of her hand in his hand, as it brought a strange, yet welcoming comfort for him.

The girls took notice of the interlocked fingers, and frowns formed on their faces.

"Ryou-kun...erm, is it true that you and Satsuki share a bed?"

Ino decided to ask, Sakura moving forward, and having a curious gaze.

"Well, yeah sure when I sleep over at hers, or her at mine. I mean, Satsuki-chan and I always cuddle in bed together! She's such a heavy sleeper, and clings to me during the night! I think that she's really cute when she's clinging to me! Sometimes it takes everything I have to not cuddle her tightly!"

Ino's and Sakura's faces dropped, as Satsuki's face lit up, although displeased on how he told them that she was a heavy sleeper, and she clinged to him while asleep during the night.

"S-So, Ryou-kun...what are we going to do exactly?"

Ino asked, her eyes not leaving the place where the hands are interlocked and the closeness they have, and trying to forget the fact that she just learned that they do in fact cuddle in bed, since Ryou didn't have a reason to lie.

"First, I think we should jog around this training field around seven times..."

---

"Aaha!" A voice announced its presence as Ryou was explaining, coming into view of the girls, and Ryou. "I've found you Ryouta Uchiha-san!"

The voice turned out to be Lee, who was flamboyantly waving his arms around.

Ryou and the girls turned towards Lee, and all raised their eyebrows.

""Ooh my God! His eyebrows are like fuzzy centipedes!""

Ino and Ryou spoke with wide eyes and their fists clenched tightly, then looked at one another and laughed to one another and then gave high fives as if they had accomplished something amazing, making Satsuki and Sakura sweatdrop at their antics.

"Who the hell are you?"

Satsuki questioned, unconsciously clinging to Ryou's hand who moved forward slightly at the new arrival. Sakura and Ino also moved behind Ryou, trying to come to him for protection from this new arrival.

"I'm the Leaf's future handsome Devil! My name is Rock Lee!" Lee declared happily as the others sweatdropped. "Now, please lead me to the one called Ryouta Uchiha-san lovely ladies!"

Everyone was taken back by it, all of them moving away from this 'freak' who wants Ryou. Ryou himself, was slightly confused that he didn't acknowledge his presence by saying something like 'fine gentleman' or something like that.

"Eeh, why do you want him?"

Ryou asked, trying to make it so that this 'psycho' wouldn't notice him.

Lee turned his gaze towards Ryou, and winked which made Ryou feel complicated.

"My fair maiden, that's something I can only speak to Ryouta Uchiha-san about! I am sorry for not allowing you to know, as such a maiden shouldn't have to worry about the quarrels of men! Could you perhaps tell me where he is please?"

The girls did a spit take when Ryou was referred to as a 'fair maiden' as Ryou just cocked his head to the side.

"F-Fair maiden?" Ryou blinked with confusion, looking at the other girls. "You were talking to one of the other girls, right eeh...Lee-san?"

He could only guess that was the case. He didn't want to believe that Lee was actually speaking to him.

However, that dream was shattered when Lee gently, yet energetically, shook his head from side to side.

"Nope! I was speaking directly to you lovely maiden! If you take me to Ryouta Uchiha-san, I would ever be so grateful Ojou-sama! I know he's around here somewhere as Tenten lead me here! So please point me in his direction lovely Ojou-sama!"

"O-Ojou-sama?" Ryou frighteningly and slightly angrily said, not hearing about the Tenten part. "Look, I don't know who the hell you are, but I'm no Ojou-sama, nor am I a maiden. Now, go away Lee-san, you're quite offending."

Lee bowed his head respectfully, and apologetically.

"I'm sorry Ojou-sama, I didn't mean to offend you. I was merely taken back by your beauty."

"My...beauty!?" Ryou roared, and looked towards Satsuki who wore an indifferent face. "You're the reason he's calling me that! If you simply allowed me to cut my hair..."

"You're not cutting your hair, and that's the end of it." Satsuki attempted to end the subject, but Ryou didn't let it go, his eyes blazing with fury at being referred to as a girl. "Don't blame me, he's only jealous that you're handsome and he's...whatever the hell he is. I mean, what's with those eyebrows and matching eyes?"

Satsuki pointed out while wearing a harsh face.

Lee didn't mind about the eyebrow comments, being unfazed by it, and continued to grin at Ryou creepily who glared harshly for the comments he has made so far.

"So, you're not a lovely maiden then?"

"N-No!"

"But that cannot be! You must be an Angel sent from Heaven!"

Lee winked, making a love heart come out and go for Ryou who dodged it while shivering and began crying at the prospect of Lee actually liking him in that way, something even Ryou picked up on when he really doesn't much about this stuff.

"N-Noooooooo! S-Stay away from me you weirdooooooooooooooooo! Y-You can't have meeeeeeeeeeee! I belong to Satsuki-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!"

Ryou screeched and quivered under the burning gaze Lee was giving him, Satsuki taking what he said happily and hugged onto him, proud that he said her name, and that he belonged to her.

"Wow, you dodged it. But, can you dodge these sweetheart?"

Lee winked again, but went rapidly, multiple love hearts coming from his eyes.

"Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Stay away from meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I don't belong to yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooou!"

Ryou freaked out, grabbing his head, pulling at his hair while crying as rushed away while dodging the love hearts. The tears that leaked from his eyes were immensely powerful, staining the ground as he rushed all over the training field, attempting to escape those love hearts from Lee's eyes.

"Ryou! Dodge those things!"

Satsuki ordered from the side, unable to move due to the sickly feeling she was feeling when near Lee.

"Ryou-kun...don't let those things tough you!"

Ino shouted, trying to move but like Satsuki, she was in a similar situation.

"Ooh God...just what the heck are those things?! Some kind of Jutsu?!"

Sakura hoped that wasn't the case, but she was slightly curious as to what those hearts really were, and what they would do to Ryou if they got him.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! These things are like heat seekers! Keep them away from meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

Ducking, jumping and moving from left to right, Ryou was able to dodge the love hearts quite expertly, something that caught Lee by surprise, not seeing such speed since himself. Twirling a kunai in his hand, Ryou cut apart the hearts that followed him, them dispersing upon impact, something that relieved him, and excited Lee, since he just came across a really strong 'girl'.

"I did not expect you to be this nimble pure maiden. You truly are a strong girl."

Lee nodded to himself, happy that this 'maiden' was strong, something that he liked and his cheeks dusted red at the sight of the strong 'girl' that was in front of him.

"SHUT UP YOU MENTAL PATIENT! HAVE YOU EVER GOT YOUR HEAD EXAMINED!? I AM A BOY, NOT A GIRL! USE THAT HEAD AND SEE WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR STATEMENT!"

Lee looked taken back at Ryou's outburst, and looked towards the ground sadly.

"You didn't have to be so negative about my affections. You clearly are a beautiful girl, there's just no way that you're a boy. There's no need to be embarrassed about being a girl, don't worry I think girls are sweet creatures, just like you."

The boy breathed out dejectedly, slightly heart broken by the fact that this 'pure maiden' didn't return his affections but still managed to flash Ryou a 'dazzling' smile which made the young boy quake in place.

"YOU COME ONTO ME AGAIN, AND I'LL SERIOUSLY KILL YOU MYSELF!"

Ryou snapped at Lee as he looked even more sad, but to Ryou, he didn't want Lee to be interested in him that.

"I am sorry pure maiden. Maybe I should take you on a date to clear up this misunder-"

Before he could finish, something snapped with two girls, and that's when Ino and Sakura both shot forward, fists clenched tight.

""KEEP YOUR CREEPY BOY OBSESSION AWAY FROM OUR RYOU-KUN YOU MEGA PERVERTED DUMBASS! HE'S TAKING US ON A DATE NOT YOU MORON!""

BANG! BANG!

"Gwaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Caught off guard, Lee was punched by both Ino and Sakura and was blown into a tree, making it shake as both Ino and Sakura glared at Lee.

"Say anything like that again to my Ryou-kun, and you'll get such a smack centipede eyebrows you'll be seeing stars!"

Sakura growled out angrily at Lee who was still dizzy, while making her intentions with Ryou known, something lost on the boy as he was still hugging Satsuki, taking in her scent, which he found to be rather pleasant.

"L-Like she said, you speak like that again and send those hearts at my Ryou-kun, you'll be wishing for a breather from the beating we'll give!"

Ino boldly stated and folded her arms, announcing the same intentions that Sakura had with Ryou, only for her, and them the girls locked eyes, sparks going off between the two of them.

While that was happening, Ryou (who had walked back to Satsuki) and Satsuki both began to sweat nervously.

"Remind me to never make girls angry..."

Ryou asked Satsuki who shook her head.

"Don't worry, I don't think those two would do it to you...but me on another hand. They moved faster than I could see." Satsuki professed, and hugged Ryou tightly. "Don't worry about that moron, you don't look like a girl at all...the outfit you have on might be slightly misleading though. This is why I said to change."

"Yeah...guess so, but he's mean...idiot. He thinks I'm a girl...and he might love me Satsuki-chan...I don't want a boy after me...I instantly dislike him. Especially his eyebrows which scare me as they seem to have a mind of their own."

"Heh, you've gotten that right." Satsuki giggled, and held Ryou tighter. "I'm sure that idiot wont be making that mistake again. If he does, I'll make sure that it's carved into his memories that you're a handsome guy, not some girl."

"I guess, thanks...but Satsuki-chan, I really would prefer if you stayed near me, while he's around at least. I don't want him to come onto me again, as that's just plain creepy and it scared me. I'd much prefer if you became my girlfriend than having anything to do with a male in that sense, especially someone like Lee-san who was just...ugh, shudder to think with those hearts would've done to me if they caught me."

Satsuki smiled at the thought that Ryou basically admitted that he would choose Satsuki as a girlfriend when he could've said Sakura or Ino, but then frowned when she saw Lee stand up.

"Ugh, what does he want now? He was just decked, why doesn't he stay down on the ground?"

"Ya got me." Ryou casually moved forward, and looked at the slightly older boy. "Now, Lee-san. What is it that you wanted exactly? If it's just come to assault me with your words, then you can leave."

"No, that wasn't my intention." Lee stood up, and pointed towards Ryouta. "Now, you're Ryouta Uchiha my fair maide...eeh, manly guy!?"

Lee saved himself, fearful of Ino and Sakura's menacing glares towards him and figured out that Ryou really was a guy, not a girl like he just thought. But even that was hard to accept, since Ryou did look like a girl, sort of since he does have delicate features befitting that of a child, something that could easily be mistaken.

Ryou opened his mouth, and was about to reply when Tenten stepped out from behind a tree, and waved softly.

"Hehehe, seems you've all gotten acquainted."

Ryou looked towards Tenten, and smiled happily.

"Hey, you're that girl from that time in the classroom on my first day back! Uhh, Tenten-san, am I right?"

Satsuki, Sakura and Ino's eyes turned sharply towards this new arrival, and scowled at the new presence.

"Who is this girl?"

"Whats her problem, staring at him with a blushing face?"

"Does she think she's going to get Ryou?"

Sakura, Ino and Satsuki thought with annoyance towards the new girl on the scene.

Tenten though didn't notice or care about the gazes, and brushed a hand across her face, getting rid of the dark red that was staining her face.

"That's right, Ryouta-kun. I'm glad that you remembered me. Oh, by the way, nice outfit. Ya look super duper cute!" This time, Ryou didn't like being called 'cute' since what Lee had said was still fresh in his mind. Tenten picked up the subtle glare that the young boy was sending Lee, and frowned. "Let me guess, Lee said something he shouldn't have, and now you all want to kill him, right?"

[You got that right!]

Ryou, and the three girls answered her with rough voices that were laced with unforgivable tones, causing Tenten to sigh softly.

"I see. I knew this would happen." Tenten looked towards Lee, her frown still being evident. "What did I say about making people annoyed by saying the wrong thing!? That way, you're going to get yourself killed!"

"I'm sorry Tenten! But I had to find my opponent! And now I have." Lee faced Ryou, and put out his fist. "Now Ryouta Uchiha-san, I issue you a challenge!"

"A challenge?"

Ryou parroted, his eyes sharpening at the word and the girls behind him slowly wondering who the hell Lee really was, and why he wanted to issue a challenge towards Ryou at all.

Lee simply nodded, and brought up his other hand, both in forms of balls.

"Yes, I Rock Lee, challenge you, Ryouta Uchiha to a challenge! I wish to fight you to determine the victor! Please accept my proposal and prepare to face me in a fight until one of us becomes the victor!"

Ryou, Sakura, Ino and Satsuki blinked once at Lee's incredible announcement...

Then they blinked again...

A third time they blinked...

[EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!?]

At that, everyone besides Lee and Tenten released a howl and having their mouths wide open with awe being struck in their eyes, with Tenten smacking herself in the face with Lee's directness.

"Lee...you're such an idiot."

Tenten muttered under her breath as she secretly laughed when seeing all of them looking like deer's caught in headlights. Indeed, this was going to be the most interesting of days for the young boys and girls.

---

End chapter! Since most voted for fem Sai, that's how it's going to be, and since Sai is a gender neutral name (from what I remember at least), I will just keep the name Sai so sorry if you didn't want it but that's how it is.

Anyway, so, a little more Izumi and Itachi (consider it a side pairing hehe) with Itachi learning of Fugaku's 'intentions' if they are to be believed. Does he really just give up like that? Or does the wicked man have other ideas in store for the young Ryouta?

Anyway, after a little scare with the girls, they've made it to the training grounds, where Sakura and Ryou became a little closer, but before they could train (which will happen next chapter), Lee came into the picture, and has been introduced, and what an introduction! Lee challenging Ryou to a fight (after a little mishap). what's going to happen with the fight?

Well, that's until next time where Ryou unleashes some skills against a better match up than his father was!

Ryouta; Satsuki, Haku (fem), Karin, Sakura, Hanabi, Tsunade, Anko, Mikoto, Ino, Gaara (fem), Kurotsuchi, Samui, Fu, Sai (fem). (WIP).