Author's note: Do any of you think I'll getta car for my birthday next week? No… I don't think so either, but I'm a dreamer, so let the dreamer dream! My dream car would be a rebuilt Chevrolet Chevelle, preferably a '69 with red leather seats and a black paint job (or maybe white with black flames like Itachi's Amaterasu) I love classic cars and this is my favorite, I also like El Camino's and GTO's. (My mom thinks I'm crazy for liking old cars, just to point out!) Maybe I am, I dunno? ^_^ But I'm not getting one, and I realize that, so yeah I'll shut up. Enjoy the story!

Chapter's song: "Face down" by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (I know this song is about a girl being abused by her boyfriend, but it kinda works for Iva and Akina's relationship too, from Benjiro's perspective maybe. So it will have to do as this chapter's song.)

Chapter 10
Morning glory

Two years later
Green eyes gazed at a picture of her squad, on the tabletop of the dresser, as she was getting ready for the day. She broke from her peaceful trance when— "AKINA!" Iva shouted from downstairs.

Said girl looked to her watch apathetic, to then go back to her thoughts, staring at the time a bit too long. Wow, not even seven and she's already being a pain in my ass.

Akina made her way down the stairs to face Iva at the kitchen table. "You called, aunt Iva?"

Said woman slid a piece of paper across the table to Akina. "I need you to pick some things up."

The green-eyed girl glanced at the list reading down it and ignoring Akanah bolting in the room, and out again. "I'm heading out now mom!"

Iva turned her whole attention away from Akina— the emerald-eyed kunoichi stuffing the list in her pocket and slipping out the door unnoticed. "Bye sweetie…" Iva mewed, before she'd turn her head back to where Akina stood. "Now where was— huh… where'd she go?" Iva chewed on her bottom lip. "That pain in my ass is starting to be more like her father everyday… and it's not even seven o'clock!"

Akina ran to the bridge where she was meeting her squad this morning. She skidded to her stop, in front of Yutaka— the medical chief glancing to the only kunoichi of Squad five, her being also the first to arrive.

"Morning, Master Yutaka."

Yutaka smiled, she seemed to be in a lighthearted mood? "Good morning, Akina."

She stood up straight, looking around to not see, neither of her Uchiha comrades? "So what's this all about?"

He'd raise his index finger to gesture and declare, "An occasion… I'll tell you when the others get here."

Akina glanced to her back and then turned to her side, smirking to the Uchiha coming their way. "Well, start telling… because here they come."

Shisui nudged his elbow to Itachi, smirking like the know it all he was. "So ya going to blush or say good morning to your girlfriend?"

Itachi kept his calm demeanor, averting his onyx eyes out the corners, correcting, "I don't blush… and she's not my girlfriend."

Shisui nodded placatingly, when they were coming up on the others, but spitefully getting in, "Yeah, but you want her to be."

The Uchiha heir sent a death stare to Shisui as Akina leaned into the conversation, questioning, "Want who to be what now?"

Itachi closed his eyes and looked away from the girl coldly. "It's nothing."

Akina glanced to Shisui, wondering if he would tell her what was up with mister moody? Yet Shisui would just change the subject, with a teasingly flirtatious tone. "Good morning, Akina… master."

The slightly younger Uchiha glared slightly annoyed to his "brother" once again. Shisui would then change the subject once again, as he caught Itachi's glower. "So what are we doing?"

"An occasion?" Akina said sarcastically with a calm closing of her eyes. And a clasping of her fingers behind her back freely.

Shisui and Itachi looked with question, turning their attention towards Yutaka. "Not any occasion, but the chunin exams. I'm proud to announce that I think it's time to progress in your ninja studies. And so, that's why I've recommended you for the chunin exams."

"Bout time… so whatta we do?" Shisui scoffed, becoming anxious.

Yutaka pulled out three forms from his pouch, passing them out to the genin for them to scan over. "All you have to do is fill out those forms and show up tomorrow at room 201. Four-o'clock sharp, if you want to participate. You can all decide as individuals, but to give you my opinion, in these last three years you all have improved splendidly and I think your all ready. Well, think that's about it. And by the way, come by tomorrow morning. I want to teach you three a new jutsu." POOF! Yutaka then disappeared unannounced, Akina lifting her eyes from the document, to only glance to Shisui strolling away. "Well, I'm off as well."

Itachi watched, folding his form to place in his pouch. "Where you going?"

Shisui turned just to glance over his shoulder, a determination gleaming in his eye. "To go get master… can't be letting my medical jutsu get rusty for these exams. You two should the same, do some training of your own." POOF.

Akina stayed quiet, lowering her head with her eyes closing. "Hmph… he amazes me at times."

She didn't realize she said it out loud, until Itachi gave his own reply. "Yeah… but he wouldn't be Shisui if he didn't." Akina turned straight around as she left Itachi's side "Where you going?"

The kunoichi was slightly taken back by Itachi's constant questioning today. Since when is he so warm? Akina glanced slightly back to the boy, her ceasing to give an answer. Finally turning away coldly to Itachi's question. "I'll meet you by the dumpling shop at one. And try to drag Shisui away from master, if ya can."

Itachi lowered his gaze with a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips. Watching to see Akina blow into rose petals. Since when is she so warm?

Mochizuki Manor
Akina ran through her houses gate, to the backyard of her home, catching her breath. "Benjiro… Benjiro! I have great news—"

"Oh… and what news might that be?" Iva mew asking, sipping away her sake on the porch. Akina turned around, not noticing her aunt at first. Benjiro came beside Akina, from the tree swing— and then to only have Akanah drive the screen door open fast! "Mother! You won't believe it… I'm participating in the chunin exams! Eek!" The girl with died bobbed red hair, and Mochizuki onyx eyes, began jumping up and down, clapping her hands. Her pink and brown kimono, worn the traditional Mochizuki woman way, of having the sleeves fall off her shoulders— the ruffles of her mini-kimono fluffing up, when she'd jump. Iva stand, calming and holding her daughter down by her shoulders, the mother smiling to Akina's disgust. "That's great, I'm so proud."

Meanwhile Akina and Benjiro stayed expressionless. Akina just watching apathetic and Benjiro with his arms crossed, to then lean his head down to Akina's short height, when she'd tug on his shirt. The ten-year-old girl whispered in Benjiro's ear as a smile then graced his face. He'd lean back up, a spiteful smirk playing on lips. "Well, mother, you're going to be double proud now… because Akina will also be participating too."

Iva turned and looked at Akina, a blank stare that then turned into her deep jealously, but she'd just put on an act, placing her fingers together. "Wonderful… and to make this even better, I was going to wait till Leiko told you… but I guess I'll tell you now. Squad four will also be participating."

"Wonderful… now if you would, I have groceries to get." Akina said with a movement of her head to the side, mocking Iva. The young girl then turned away, to exit back through the garden gate. Akanah broke the heavy mood. "Oh this is so great! I'm so excited!" The bubbly redhead would then run into the house, knowing to get away before her brother and mother went at it, again.

Benjiro looked at his mother with a cocky smirk, Iva noticing this to become furious. "Oh! Wipe that smirk off your face, before I do it for ya!" Iva went inside with a slam of screen, and Benjiro going after Akina.

"Hey, green-eyed girl… wait up."

Akina kept walking, Benjiro finally catching up, coming by her side. "What is it, Benjiro?"

"I want to talk to you."

"I don't really have time. I've got to get the groceries, and then I've got to meet Itachi and Shisui over at the dumpling shop—"

"Don't worry, I'll get the groceries. Just spare me a moment." Akina nodded, stopping in the middle of the street to face her cousin. "Do you remember the conversation we had after you came back from that mission in the Land of Grass?"

Akina stayed quiet, as she gave a soft nod. "About the black roses."

"You know that the black rose kekkei genkai only comes every twelve years. Which makes it rare. Being rare… and black roses meaning death, it scares people and if the clan found out. They would treat you as if you had the plague and Iva would jump at the chance to have you banished from the clan… just as black roses have been banished before. If that ever happened; this clan would go to pot because you weren't here to save it—"

Green eyes abruptly closed, cutting her cousin off. "I've heard this before, Benjiro. You don't have to tiptoe around the matter."

Benjiro looked confused, yet knowing, to be scared of his knowledge. "What are you talking about?" Akina slowly opened her emerald eyes to glance up at Benjiro, saying nothing. "You've been reading deeper into this… the clan's secret meeting place. I guess I can't say anymore then this," Benjiro took a breath, preparing his words. "Akina… I just want you to be safe and stay that way. Just crawl before you run, don't get arrogant. If you reveal you have that power during these chunin exams. Your safety could be in danger."

She'd glance at her watch and then turn away coldly. "I've gotta go. And Benjiro…"

Said man raised his head, to Akina looking over her shoulder. "Thanks." Benjiro smiled, he knew her cold exterior had a warm heart underneath the shield of ice.

"Anytime… now get out of here."

Akina ran back to Benjiro, as he'd imply, "Huh?" She'd whip out a grocery list from her kimono, handing it to her cousin.

"Here's the grocery list."

Benjiro took it with an un-amused look, pouting almost. "Thanks?"

Akina gave a hidden giggle, running off again, to only mock him. "Anytime."

Akina stopped her steady running pace as she glimpsed down a beaten path. One she had taken before, pulling out her watch once again and popping it open. Since Benjiro's taking care of the groceries… I've got an hour until I meet the boys. She brought her glance back to the beaten path, to put her watch away, continuing down the street with a curious step. "What to do?" Akina asked herself somewhat devilishly as she stealthily made her way.

The young kunoichi headed through a garden of roses, as she came upon a shrine. She crept open the doors to head straight to the back wall. There stood a huge wooden wardrobe that Akina would open, having the doors creak. It was empty— but Akina then pulled the floor up and out of the old wardrobe. Taking a lighter out of her pouch, to step into the wardrobe, which revealed a dark stairway that Akina would light, descending into the darkness.

Akina came to a bolted trunk that she'd trifle with the lock, until it came undone. When she lifted the lid and pulled out a scroll. The old scroll had flytraps designed along the edges, making Akina look up at the wall in front of her, where writing was carved into it.

-Sign your name in blood to access the Mochizuki clan summoning. But be worn black rose wielders… if you give them your pain you will be sentenced to surrender half of your soul.

The black rose gave a gulp, swallowing her slight fear and regret, as she'd bite her thumb and sign her name swiftly in blood across the paper. The scroll leaped from Akina's hand, wrapped itself back up and magically re-entered the trunk.

Akina left the dark hidden chamber, to leave the shrine as well. To then re-bite her thumb to then slam her hand to the ground, ready to test what she had signed. "Summoning jutsu."

Three flytraps appeared at Akina's feet once the white smoke cleared. The two flytraps on each side went from the ground to wrap around both of Akina's arms. To then whisper in her ear. "We serve you milady and anytime you need us… just call." The one on Akina's right arm, with the lighter pink tongue, spoke her name first. "I am Dokueki" POOF! Once she left in smoke; the flytrap on Akina's left arm, with the dark pink tongue stated her name before leaving. "And I Doku." POOF!

Akina turned her attention to the flytrap that remained at her feet. He had a red tongue, she would see after her questioning. "Who are you?"

"I am Ibara. Son of Lady Kinsei and brother of Doku and Dokueki."

"Where's this Kinsei then?"

"You'll have to give a little more chakra to summon her. She is Lady Kinsei after all. So will this be all or how can I serve you?" He'd ask as he curled around Akina's ankle, not phasing or scaring Akina as he intended to.

"What's the warning for black roses mean?"

"Means what it means. Now you should use a little more chakra next time to summon my mother to become our new master… I'll be looking forward to serving you, Lady Akina. Now you should be getting along, don't want to be late." POOF!

Akina then rummaged quickly for her watch in her kimono. "Huh… Itachi and Shisui?" She then started running, putting her watch away as she traveled back down the beaten path she came.

Dumpling shop
Akina waved to the boys as they leaned against the shop outside, waiting for her. "Hey, sorry I'm late guys." Akina implied when she stopped and caught her breath.

"Where've ya been, Akina?" Shisui asked with his arms folded and his expression pouty, as always.

She shook her hand sheepishly, not telling, to Shisui's annoyance. Shisui then coughed, turning away. "Well, come on… I'm starving."

The three genin sit at a table in the dumpling shop. The waitress served their tea and a plate of manju. Shisui picking up his piece and inquiring, "So what's the plan?"

Akina kept her mouth shut, chewing, to then glance to Itachi, only to see— him get tackled from behind? "Hey Itachi!" Leiko grabbed said boy, latching onto him like a leech and pressing the side of his face into her fairly large breast. Itachi stayed calm, with slight annoyance showing as he could see Akina was amused to his dismay. "Long time no see, huh? Way, way too long." She flirted, to take a few steps back from the boy.

Itachi looked away, standing from his bench seat, a closing of his onyx eyes as he faced Leiko. "Well, I've been busy training… and actually, I was just on my way out to do some more—"

Leiko then pouted in a mewing whine, cutting him of. "Oh no… you've got to stay. Please—" She then latched onto Itachi's wrist tugging at him playfully as she was about to beg again— when Akina pulled Itachi by the bag of his Uchiha collar, away from Leiko's grasp.

To have Itachi stumble behind her, Akina swiftly stepping in front to stand face-to-face with Leiko, confronting the girl. "Hey, Leiko… congratulations by the way."

Leiko looked in ponder and distrust at the teasing Akina, the green-eyed bohemian was plotting something? "On what?"

Akina calmed herself down, forcing her smirk away from her lips. "About the chunin exams… you'll be entering with us, right?"

"I'm not sure… no one told me about it."

"Really, that's strange." Akina said to catch her aunt in a lie, then only turning away from Leiko to leave the shop. "Well, see you around." Itachi and Shisui followed Akina, leaving Leiko steaming mad!

Keiko came up beside Leiko, a wondering glance to her best friend and why she was mad? Leiko looked over at her friend, seeing her cautious staring, to make Leiko calm her temper. "Did your master talk about the chunin exams at all?"

The Uchiha girl with bobbed black hair and side bangs tucked her head sheepishly down into her Uchiha collar. "Well… um?" Keiko turned to a waitress as she then ignored Leiko. "Can I get a green tea please?"

Leiko knew she was now avoiding her question as she snapped and shouted, "Don't stall, answer me!"

Mochizuki manor
Akina sat on her bed, reading a book, while Akanah posed herself in front of the mirror. "Hey, isn't this awesome… we're going to become chunin!"

Green eyes didn't faze away from her book. "You've got to pass them first."

Akanah twisted herself back and forth on her heels, giggling to Akina's crude remark. "Oh right… silly me." She then began gawking in the mirror once again. "Well, you know I should really get in shape. Maybe I should start on a diet. Say… what are you making for dinner tonight?"

The green-eyed girl was becoming slightly annoyed, where would she have to go to read in peace? But if she didn't reply Akanah would keep bugging her. "Ramen."

"Oh no, that's too high in calories. What do you know how to make that's low in calories?"

Akina stayed focus on her book as she pushed away her annoyance, to keep hold on her composer. "Water."

Akanah waved her hand up and down, laughing off Akina's quick reply. The redhead leaving the room, with her last reply of, "Ha-ha? Even I can make water."

Once Akanah was gone, Akina spoke back to herself, flipping her page nonchalantly. "Yeah, but you couldn't make ice if your life depended on it." Akina finally got a peaceful moment as her reading was getting good— "AKINA!"

Said girl slammed her book closed, with one hand by the binder, plopping the book rudely on the bed to leave her shared room to go down stairs.

As she went down the closed staircase, to Iva's call— Akina took a slumped last step off the bottom step, to have Iva turn and confront, "Where's the Eki-Kyabe I asked you to buy?"

Akina had no clue, since Benjiro did the shopping, but she replied quickly, "They were out."

"Well, what do you expect me to do about my hangovers?" Iva asked snottily to growl at the apathetic ten-year old.

Iva then turned her back to Akina, the girl giving no answer, but then when Iva was pouring herself some sake. Akina would mumble her answer. "Stop drinking?"

The middle-aged woman's spine would lock, turning slowly back around to try and scare the sarcastic girl with her stare. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear that. Would you like to repeat it?"

Akina closed her eyes nonchalantly, not being wavered by her aunt's attempt. "No not really."

Iva then grabbed the front of Akina's collar, having it with the serious snapped jokes. "Good! Then go get me my Eki-Kyabe." BANG! Akina was the thrown out the kitchen door to do a summersault, landing face down in the dirt.

She spit out the grit, into her palm, taking her dirty scraped hand, to wipe her undone ebony locks from her eyesight. When Akina heard Benjiro running to her side, from the garden gate, coming to kneel beside his baby cousin. "Hey you okay—"

Akina got up fast, wiping herself off when she brought herself to kneel on one knee. "I'm fine! It doesn't hurt."

Benjiro saddened his expression in his eyes, something akin to sympathy that Akina didn't want, treating her cousin coldly as she'd stand. He glanced sternly, to then watch her above him. "I still don't understand why you don't just leave?"

She'd stay quiet, and giving a cold glance that sent a look of telling, "you know" in the stare. Benjiro crossed his arms and nodded. "I know, I know. You wouldn't have a place to go, but you could, I could be your guardian and we'll get an apartment together."

"What?"

"Do it for me, my dear cousin."

"It's not just having no place to go… that's my father's house! I grew up there. It's my home… you expect me to just leave it? I can't runaway from my problems."

"You don't have to leave forever, just for now. Just till it's your home again… till it's safe for you. Please as a favor to me, as a favor to your father?"

Akina shook her head, she knew Benjiro had her, the young girl finally opening the emerald orbs. "Alright."

"Really?"

"What will the clan think though? That's are main concern. We can't bring attention to this matter. Showing the village that the Mochizuki is having problems will bring much controversy. And we can't really do much until the exams are over."

Benjiro gave a nod, pondering. "Don't worry. We'll just tell them we want some freedom. They'll understand that with our nature…" Akina agreed emotionless again, still watching her cousin with question to his hand gestures. "Now to figure out how to go about it?"

"Just leave that to me."

Benjiro smirked, knowing she had a devious idea. "What's the plan?"

"When she has her hangover." Akina slightly smirked, to have Benjiro smirk much wider and devilishly pleased. "You really are your father's daughter."

Next Morning
Benjiro walked into his mother's master bedroom— when morning sun came around is when he peeked his head in the door, entering slowly. "Mother?" He'd asked quietly to his slumped mother still in her bed?

"Whattt?" Iva moaned annoyed and whining to the sound of her son's voice.

"I want to tell you something important."

"Tell me already. Just speak quieter. They're starting to skimp on this Eki-Kyabe." She'd complain, as she shook the empty bottle, to throw the bottle violently to floor.

"Well, Akina and I want your blessing to move out?" Benjiro spat out fast, squinting his eyes and ready for the worst.

Iva raised her head, dazed and hysterical from her pillow. "Oh that's great. Getting you pain in the asses out would be just dandy." She then plopped her head back into her pillow as Benjiro backed out into the hallway, where Akina waited. "Thank you, mother." Benjiro added as he left, closing the door before she changed her mind.

Akina had Ibara wrap around her arm as he had filmed Iva and Benjiro's conversations. "Did you get that?" Akina asked, glancing down to the flytrap.

"Oh yeah." Ibara would hiss, chuckling.

Benjiro finally turned around to Akina— a shocked face stealing his once calm expression, when he seen Ibara in Akina's arms! "Demon!" He'd squeal, to then point scared and trembling with his eyes shot wide. "Where'd you find that thing?"

Akina slit her eyes in much vexation; she hated when people pointed. She kept her composer to then calmly explain, "Relax. He's part of a summoning contract I signed."

"Contract? I don't like were this is going."

The green-eyed girl continue, taking a breath, to scoff sassy and seriously, "Don't worry I read the small print."

"I hate it when you get like this, green-eyed girl."

"Stop worrying. He's a witness." Ibara then went POOF! "Just in case Iva tries and stops us. Now I got to go… I'll see you later." With that said, she'd leave her stressed cousin in the hall, her puffing into black rose petals.