Author's Note: Could anyone please tell me the japanese word for little sister? Thanks.
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They were sitting down to dinner. She did not have much of an appetite. She couldn't help but notice that her son was in fine spirits. Despite having been ambushed and infected with that evil he seemed to be in a better mood than she could remember in a long time. Her brother in law was also in a fine spirits. So far as he was concerned what had happened was nothing but a blessing. Even Gabrella seemed happier than she had been for some time. She and her father had cotton into an acrimonious fight over her remaining with Kushina as sensei. Gabrella was absolutely adamant that she remain with her current team. Not only did she seem to greatly admire Kushina but Mikoto got the sense there was something going on with her teammate as well. Despite their disagreement over her squad Gabrella and her father seemed to be drawing a bit closer. Now that his daughter had finally achieved sharingan he seemed convinced things would work out. Whenever he spoke of her to others it was with words of praise and joy. Since the battle and her activation Gabrella had become much more confident and happier.
"You know I still can't believe you finally activated your sharingan." Sasuke teased.
In response she closed her eyes and revealed it. She had shown it to him before of course, but she didn't mind. "Well you had best believe it. And I am getting stronger; Kushina is teaching me how to use the blade. She says with my sharingan and the way I work at it I should be a first level blade master by the time the next Chunin exams roll around."
Riyuki frowned a bit as he always did when he heard his daughter praising that woman. But he wasn't looking to spoil the good mood. "The next exams are being held in Mist. Does she say anything about letting you compete? You would need a third member for your squad."
Gabrella nodded. "She says that if Haku and I continue to progress she will definitely nominate us for the exams. She also says she will see about a finding us a third member sometime soon."
"Well I have no doubt that you will be Chunin this time around." Riyuki said confidently.
"You know honey if you like I could give you some additional training." She stopped eating and stared at him. "Something wrong?"
"You haven't called me, 'honey' in a very long time dad." Gabrella said quietly. "You haven't wanted to help me train for awhile too."
"I know," her father spoke a bit sadly. He took a very deep breath. "I am sorry for not having more faith in you my daughter. I should have. But my heart is bursting with pride in you! You make me very proud and I would like to help you as much as I can."
A slow smile blossomed on her face. She had never, ever expected to hear him say that. She didn't think he knew the words, 'I am sorry.' But hearing that and hearing him say he was proud of her made her happy. There were still issues between them, but she did love
him and wanted him tom be proud of her. "I would like that daddy."
Riyuki grinned. "Good! And do you mind if I call you honey or are you too old for that?"
She laughed a bit. It felt so good to have his approval. "No dad, you can call me that."
"Good thing he's going to help you." Sasuke teased. "If you want to even stay near me you'll need all the help you can get."
"Hey, me and Haku will definitely make Chunin at the next exams!"
Riyuki laughed and applauded. "That's my girl!"
Mikoto looked at the end of the table where a quiet seven year old was eating. "Are you enjoying your meal Meiju?"
The boy looked up nervously. "Oh yes! It is very good! Thank you Mikoto." With the boy's blonde hair and green eyes he easily stood out in the Uchiha compound. He was clearly afraid of offending and trying to find his place.
"Sasuke," Mikoto asked. "Why don't you show Meiju around the village tomorrow?"
Sasuke shook his head. "I have training with my squad tomorrow."
"You could do it before that." Mikoto smiled hopefully. "Maybe the two of you can get to know each other."
"I'd really rather not waste the time." Mikoto frowned at her son and Meiju looked down nervously.
"Ah, why don't I show him around?" Gabrella offered. She turned to him with a playful grin. "I can introduce you to my team and get you some ice cream. How does that sound?"
The boy looked hp at her hopefully. "That sounds like fun, thank you."
Mikoto nodded. "Sasuke, I would like a word in private with you right now." She got up from the table and left the dining room.
With a dramatic sigh Sasuke pushed back from the table and stood as well. "Excuse me."
Meiju looked unhappy as the boy left. "I hope I did not cause any trouble."
Gabrella shook her head. "Don't worry it has nothing to do with you."
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"Did you enjoy you dinner Alysa-chan?" Kushina asked with a gentle smile.
The little girl nodded. "Yes, thank you, it was very good Kushina-san."
Kushina shook her head slightly. "You will probably be staying here for a very long time. While you are here I would like you to consider yourself to be a part of this family. Of course, since I know you have a family in Suna I cannot actually adopt you. But I would like to treat you as my daughter, and I would like it very much if you would call me mother."
The girl looked up at Kushina and very slowly smiled. "I would like that… mother."
"Good!" She immediately took the girl in a hug and began giving her kisses. "I always wanted to have a daughter!"
"Thanks mom." Naruto said.
Kushina chuckled as she let Alysa go. "You know what I mean dear."
"Sure mom." Naruto went you to Alysa and patted the top of her head. "Well I guess that would make you my little sister." The girl began to blush immediately.
"Hai."
Haku approached and also smiled at the little girl. "Please think of me as a friend and someone who will watch out for you."
"Arigato, Haku." She looked shyly at Naruto who was giving her one of his big smiles.
"Should I call you niisan?"
"I'd like that, little sister." Alysa's blush darkened just a bit.
"Naruto why don't you take her around the village tomorrow before you meet with your team?"
"Sure mom."
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"A doll?" He asked with a grin.
Temari sent him a dangerous look as she set the doll down in a chair in her new room. "And what is wrong with a girl having a doll?"
"Aren't you just a little old for dolls?" Shikamaru asked.
"Sandy isn't here as a toy. I brought her as a reminder of what little happiness I had growing up."
Shikamaru had a huge grin. "Your doll's name is Sandy?"
"Yes it is." She crossed her arms. "I suppose you never had a childhood toy?"
He shrugged. "I might have but I'll never admit to it."
"Whatever," she grumbled. "Now did you want to play shogi?"
He nodded. "Sure." They exited her room. "You know dinner was really good."
"You sound surprised."
"Well I am. I didn't think a scary girl like you would know how to boil water. Ow!" He rubbed the top of his head. "What was that for?"
"That was for assuming a woman can't be strong and still be able to be a good cook."
He continued to rub his head as he frowned at her. "You know you're starting to remind me of my mom."
She gave him a huge smile. "Thanks!" She hurried down the stairs.
"That wasn't a compliment." He muttered to himself.
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"What is it kaasan?"
Mikoto frowned at him. "Sasuke I want you to spend some time with Meiju."
"Why?" Sasuke asked.
"Because he will be here for a very long time and I would like for the two of you to become close." She gave him an encouraging smile. "Maybe he could become like a little brother to you."
But Sasuke shook his head. "No thanks! One brother is enough! Mother I'll be polite to him, I'll treat him like an honored guest. But I don't have time to waste pretending he's something that he's not."
"And what is so very important Sasuke that you have so little free time?"
"I need to get stronger! I need to increase my power! Afterall I'm still just a Genin. I need to put all my time in becoming more."
"You mean like Itachi?" She asked coldly.
"Mom, I'm nothing like him!"
"If that's true then let the Hokage have that curse seal suppressed."
"Mom…"
"Hear me out!" She demanded. Sasuke frowned but closed his mouth. "The man who gave this terrible thing to you possesses the sharingan. It is almost certain that he gained it through the murder of Uchiha Damas. To accept anything from him under any circumstances is an insult to Damas's memory. That seal on your neck son may give you more power but please consider the cost! You heard the Hokage say it would damage your mind over time! It's a poisonous infection that will only do you harm. Whatever power it gives you it is not worth the price."
"Power is worth any price." Sasuke said defiantly.
"I could imagine Itachi saying the same thing."
The look he gave her was clearly hurt. "Mom I'm not anything like Itachi!"
"I am no longer so sure son." Mikoto said quietly. "When I hear that hunger in your voice to gain power it makes me shudder a little. You are beginning to scare me son. You are walking the same path as your brother. He put gaining power ahead of everything else too."
"Kaasan you don't understand! I don't want power for selfish reasons! I only want it to protect this village!" And to kill my brother.
Mikoto shook her head. "The ends justify the means? Is that it?" Sasuke nodded. "Son those words have been used to justify horrors all throughout history. At every massacre I'm sure they've been said in one form or another. Sasuke the ends do not justify the means. Some things are simply wrong and should not be done regardless."
"Mom you're not a ninja! You don't understand it."
"No, I am not a ninja. But I have lived within a ninja clan for most if my life. Do not think me ignorant of the ways of the shinobi." She sighed. "Son I have decided to resign as clan head. Your uncle can have the position."
"What? But why? Don't you want to be clan head?"
"No. I tried to have the curse seal suppressed but Riyuki told me that if I insisted he would assemble the clan council to have me replaced. If I cannot even protect my own son then there is no point in my keeping the title."
"But being clan head will still give you a lot of power." Sasuke argued.
"Perhaps," she said sadly. "But for me it is no longer worth the price."
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She'd had a good evening. Except for a few minutes when he had gone upstairs for something she had spent all her time with Shikamaru. He was lazy and annoying and had some stupid ideas about women; but she did like being with him. Returning to her room she immediately noted that Sandy had been moved. There on the chair Sandy had some company. A plush toy deer was sitting with her. Sandy's arms had been placed so that she seemed to be hugging the deer. She also noticed a piece of paper on the chair as well. Picking it up she read out what was written there.
"Cloud is very happy to have Sandy here." She put the paper down and laughed. Looking at the little deer she addressed him. "Well Cloud, Sandy is very happy to be here too."
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The next day Naruto was scheduled to meet his team at the bridge at 9, like usual. He intended to actually get there at about 10:30, again as usual. He expected Kakashi to show up at 11. That gave him most of the morning to show Alysa the village. As he walked around he showed her all the important sights; the tower, the academy, Ichiraku's, the market place, and other places he thought important or interesting. Wherever they went people greeted them with good cheer and with kindness. Alysa felt very welcome and safe in her new home. When she mentioned she was a little tired Naruto picked her up and put her on his shoulders.
"Eek!"
Naruto laughed. "You all right?"
"Uhm, yes niisan I am. You don't have to do this I can walk I'm only a little tired." Alysa sounded a little embarrassed.
"Don't worry I'm pretty strong and I don't mind." They walked along for a while.
"Niisan?"
"Yes?"
"Are you really the jinchuuriki with the Kyuubi?"
He chuckled. "I'm afraid I am. Why? Do you think someone would make up something like that?"
"Well, I saw Gaara in the village and I knew the stories about him. He was very scary."
"I met him. I can believe people were scared of him. People here used to be very scared of me too. Very angry as well."
"But you're nothing like Gaara was!" Alysa exclaimed. "You're so, so… nice! I always thought, everyone always thought, Gaara was the way he was because of the demon."
Naruto shook his head. "Actually the only ways Kyuubi affected me on a daily basis were the whisker marks you see on my cheeks and in how much chakra I had. I am the way I am because of my mom and because of the people who loved me growing up. I don't know Gaara's story but he was the way he was because of how he was treated growing up."
"But he was the Kazekage's son!" Alysa protested. "He lived in the largest mansion in Suna!"
"So? Little sister, it wasn't all the money and possessions I had that mattered to me growing up. For me my mother and her love meant everything. If I had grown up without her I'd have been miserable and lonely even living in a mansion."
Alysa nodded. "In that case I'm very glad mother was there for you."
He laughed. "Me too."
He brought her to the park. It was till early but there were some young children playing with parents and some older people. It was a beautiful morning. Naruto was having a good time showing his new little sister some of his favorite spots. Until he felt two chakra signatures, one very familiar. He quickly put Alysa down. She could see that his face was no longer cheerful.
"Is something wrong niisan?" She asked.
"Yes. Alyssa I want you to go the park entrance and wait for me there please."
"But why?" She sounded a bit hurt.
He tried to give her a smile. "I have to take care of something. Please just wait for me."
She slowly nodded. "All right niisan. Will you be long?"
"Yes, I think I might." He calmly watched her go and flipped his radio communicator to the send position. "You may as well come out now."
Two ninja with black robes with red clouds on them appeared. One he did not recognize. He had blue skin and a large bundle on his back. The other ninja he knew quite well.
"Who is the little one?" Itachi asked calmly.
"She is a hostage from Suna who has come to live with my family." Naruto stated.
"The two of you seem close." Itachi observed.
"Please leave her and the other civilians here out of this."
Itachi shrugged. "I have no objection to that. My business is with you only Naruto-kun."
"And what business is that Itachi-kun? Since we're in the park I presume you and your friend here have come to have a picnic by the lake."
The blue skinned ninja laughed. "Oh I like him! He's got guts! Almost makes me regret what we are about to do."
Naruto nodded and got himself ready. "So you're here to kill me."
"No," Itachi spoke. "We are here to capture you Naruto-kun. That is the highest order given to us by the Akatsuki."
"And who or what are the Akatsuki?"
"They are the elite criminal organization that we both serve." Itachi said.
"And why would a criminal organization want me alive? What are you going to do hold me for ransom?"
"No Naruto-kun, we intend to extract that power that we hold inside you."
The other ninja chuckled. "Which by the way will have the side effect of killing you."
"I see." Naruto calmly brought his hands together. "You know I can't let you have the Kyuubi's power."
"Of course." Itachi activated and readied his mangekyo sharingan.
"All right then. Let's go." Leaping back he began to cast his first jutsu.