"Am I in trouble?" Gabrella looked about nervously. Her father had called her to his study and when she'd entered she'd found herself surrounded by five other Uchihas. Not just any Uchihas, she recognized them as the clan elders. They held a great deal of sway within the clan. She was more than a little relieved to see her father was smiling.
"Far from it my daughter. The elders have come here to confirm my decision." He looked at her with an unmistakable pride. "With Sasuke's tragic loss it has been decided that you my daughter, are the clan heir. Upon my stepping down you will be the clan head of the Uchiha!"
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That had been last night, this morning she was heading out. She shook her head and a part of her wondered if it had really happened. She was clan heir. She held the same title that her two genius cousins had once held. Her, the failure, the one who got booted by two teams, and been given up on by her whole clan. Now suddenly she was the golden child and the hope for the future. "If I'm the hope for the future we are so screwed." She muttered to herself. Her dream had been to earn her father's and her clan's respect, which she had done. Leading the clan? That thought had never crossed her mind. Everyone had seen Itachi, and later, Sasuke as geniuses worthy of leading the clan. Well one genius was a missing nin and the other was a pile pf scraps that they had buried three days ago. At the moment the clan was fresh out of geniuses so she would have to do. Walking through the Uchiha compound everyone greeted her by name and wished her a good morning. As soon as she stepped outside the compound gate though the smiles and good wishes came to an abrupt halt. She took a quick look over her shoulder at the wall and was relieved to see it was a blank white. Yesterday morning, 'murderers' had been spray painted there. The graffiti had been covered up quick, but the message was clear. The Uchiha clan had fallen from grace.
As she walked down the street people either recognized her or noticed the clan symbol on the back of her jacket. They glared at her and muttered. A couple old women actually spat in her direction. She shook her head. Life could be truly bizarre. A few months ago these people would have looked at her with respect because she was an Uchiha. A few months ago her father and her clan refused to recognize her. Now her family adored her and the public loathed her. But then they loathed all the Uchihas at the moment.
That of course was due to the tragic events of five days ago. But strangely enough what had upset people and turned them against her clan was not the assassination attempt on Naruto. Oddly enough the normal citizenry had let that pass as almost unimportant. She didn't understand how people could feel that way yet they did. She thought part of that was because Naruto was the Kyuubi jinchuuriki but also partly because he was a clan heir. Somehow one clan heir wanting to kill another didn't seem to bother the public much. It was Sakura's fate that had angered the common citizenry. Haruno was a relatively new family and had no connection to any of the clans. To the citizens Sakura had been one of them, an ordinary person (even though she was kunoichi.) It was also generally known that she had been Sasuke's girlfriend for years and been devoted to him. The fact that Sasuke could be cold blooded enough to murder her led people to wonder if there wasn't something wrong with the entire clan.
Father had gone to the Hokage and asked that the details of what had happened be kept quiet. According to her father the Hokage had taken an almost child like pleasure in refusing his request and informing him that everything would be made public. Gabrella was sure that at least part of that had been simple payback for Naruto being forced to leave. If Naruto had to suffer for what had happened she was going to make damn sure the Uchiha suffered as well. That was how it looked to her dad and she had to admit it looked that way to her too. She let out a sigh. Or maybe it was simply that they had already used up too many favors keeping everything Itachi did a secret for so long. The Uchiha clan had thrived on secrecy and look what it had gotten them.
The problem with her clan wasn't her only worry. After what had happened she had requested some time off. Kushina had agreed. But this morning she'd received instructions to meet her team at the park. Her father had told her that Naruto had left the village on an extended training mission with the Sannin Jiraiya. A chance to train with Jiraiya while seeing the world was something most ninja would trade ten years of their lives for. It hardly seemed like a punishment. Yet it had been, Tsunade had been forced to it to avoid something more drastic. She had to face her sensei knowing her cousin was responsible not only for an attempt on her son's life but also for his current status. Gabrella thought the world of her sensei and didn't want anyone else to be her teacher and role model. But she was very worried as to what her sensei would think.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Hello Hokage-sama." Hinata bowed.
Tsunade gave the girl a warm smile. "Hello Hinata, how are you doing?"
"I am fine, I am still a bit sad about Naruto-kun being gone but I will manage."
Tsunade nodded, she missed him too. The village would be a much duller and more boring place without him in it. "Well Hinata now that Naruto has become Jiraiya's apprentice I've been thinking it's about time I make your status as my apprentice official. I want to start giving you some much more intensive training. You'll also be helping me with some of the teaching of my classes. Hopefully by the time Naruto returns you'll be the top medic nin in the village.
Hinata smiled at that. That was exactly what she wanted. She wanted to be strong enough to be able to help and protect Naruto when he needed her. There was just one problem with that though. "Hokage-sama I would like to become a powerful medic nin like you. However, when will I have time to go on missions with Kiba?"
Tsunade smiled. "Oh you don't need to worry about Kiba."
XXXXXXXXXX
"You want me to be your apprentice?" Kiba asked in surprise.
Kakashi smiled beneath the mask. "That's right. Naruto is out of the village and Hinata will be spending much more time studying with the Hokage. Team seven will be inactive for the time being." Kakashi shrugged. "With you and Hinata being Chunin and with Naruto being Jonin you would have gone on fewer and fewer missions as a team anyway. Now since you and I will be working together as a two man squad we'll be going out on some A and B ranks between intensive training sessions. I'll try to make sure the missions we get will be especially challenging."
Kiba's grin was from ear to ear. "Sounds good!"
Kakashi nodded. "I'll warn you though I am going to give you a lot of training between missions. Unfortunately I can't teach you my one and only original jutsu, it's simply too dangerous for anyone without a sharingan. But I know over a thousand jutsus and I can think of plenty that you can learn and will be a big help to you. Also, since you'll be my apprentice I'll let you sign my dog summoning contract."
"Cool! I've always wanted to do that!" On top of his head Akamaru began to whine. "Oh, don't be that way Akamaru. Of course these nin dogs aren't replacing you! You're always going to be my partner. Think of them as your back up, you know like Kakashi is mine."
Kakashi sweat dropped. "You think I'm your back up?"
XXXXXXXXXX
Gabrella met her team at their usual meeting place, in the park by the pond. She was very relieved to see them both smile at her. Haku immediately approached. "Gabrella how have you been?"
She grinned. "I'm just fine Haku."
He came to a halt a couple of feet in front of her and just sort of froze. He smiled at her a bit shyly and held his arms stiffly to the side. "I am very happy to see you."
Her cheeks darkened a bit. Standing there in front of her Haku looked a bit awkward, something he never was in combat or in training. He still isn't used to physical affection. Stepping forward she put her arms around him and rested her head on his chest. His arms remained at his side. "I'm happy to see you too. You know if you want to hug me I promise you I won't break."
He hesitated a bit but finally put his arms around her. She thought it felt wonderful.
Smiling Kushina gave them a moment before finally speaking. "How are you feeling Gabrella?"
Pulling away from Haku she looked to her sensei. "Kushina sensei, I am fine."
"You look nervous." Kushina quirked an eyebrow. "You're not worried that I'm upset with you for the things Sasuke did are you?"
Gabrella studied the ground at her feet. "Well…" She flinched when she felt Kushina's hand on her shoulder.
"Do you really think so little of me?" Kushina asked quietly. "Do you really think I would take out my anger on you?"
Gabrella lifted her eyes to meet Kushina's "If you did I really wouldn't blame you. Not after what happened."
"Did you know what Sasuke was planning to do?"
"Of course not! If I had I would have reported him to the ANBU!"
"Then why should I blame you for his actions?" Kushina gave her a warm and reassuring smile. "You're my student Gabrella, as long as I am your sensei I'll watch out for you and do my best for you."
Gabrella let out a relieved breath. "Thank you sensei."
Kushina nodded. "Now come on I want to get a few hours of training in before we head to the Tower." Kushina chuckled. "With the Chunin exams coming up in a couple of months the Hokage is finally assigning us a third member."
"Really?" Gabrella sounded very interested. "Who is it?"
"I have no idea, we'll all find out together."
XXXXXXXXXX
The flower shop's door opened and the little bell on it jingled merrily. Ino looked up from the fashion magazine she was reading. "Welcome to the Yamanaka flower shop!" Ino called out in an upbeat voice.
"Hello Ino." A girl approached the counter.
"Oh, hello Hinata-chan, it's good to see you. What brings you here?"
From around her neck she pulled out a gold chain. Hanging on the chain was a diamond ring. "I wanted to come show you this. It's the engagement ring that the Yondaime gave to Kushina. Naruto gave this to me the day before he left. The two of us are betrothed."
Ino nodded dully as she looked at the beautiful ring. "I'd heard. Congratulations, I know you will both be very happy." She managed a feeble smile.
"Arigato." She put the chain back underneath her shirt. "Ino, the reason I've come here is to try and put the past behind us and see if we can be friends. Now that Naruto has made his choice."
Ino chuckled ruefully. "Naruto-kun made his choice before I ever met him; it was always you Hinata-chan. I was just too stubborn to admit it." She came out from behind the counter and gave Hinata a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. "Honestly Hinata-chan, congratulations, I am happy for both of you."
"Thank you Ino. I also want you to know I am very sorry about Sakura. I know the two of you were close."
Ino slowly nodded. "We weren't as close as we used to be, but I still can't believe she's gone." She gave Hinata a miserable look. "That day at the academy when she threw that blood on you. I was watching as Sasuke just stood back while Naruto screamed at her. I knew from then on that he was a bastard and that he'd end up hurting her. I tried to warn her but she wouldn't listen. I knew Sasuke would end up hurting her, but I never once thought…"
"I know," Hinata said sympathetically. "Would you like to get some lunch with me?"
Ino nodded gratefully. She really hadn't had a best friend since she and Sakura had drifted apart. She hoped that the two of them might become close. "I'd like that, let me just see if mom can cover the shop."
XXXXXXXXXX
They stood before the Hokage in her office. They were all curious to find out who the final member of the team would be. Kushina had a strong suspicion. She had gone over the personnel files of all the top Genin who were available. Shino seemed the best fit. He had an excellent record with many recommendations from his sensei Kurenai. He was battle tested and experienced. He had familiarity working with a sharingan user. And following the tragedy he was the sole remaining member of his squad. He seemed like a perfect fit.
Tsuande smiled at all of them before focusing on her old friend. "Well Kushina I have to say you've done an amazing job with your team."
She smiled with a justifiable pride. "Thank you Hokage-sama, I am very proud of both of them."
Tsunade nodded. "Well you certainly have a right to be. Given that they both came to you with such unusual circumstances it's amazing how you've turned them into an effective team. That's a very rare gift that few senseis have." She looked at a file on her desk. "Now as you all know the next Chunin selection examination is coming up and you'll need a third member to compete. I have given a lot of thought of just who might fit and I think I have the perfect candidate." She pressed her intercom button. "Shizune please send her in."
Her? Kushina was surprised by that for two reasons. To begin with since there were always fewer female ninjas than there were male it was almost unheard of for a squad to have a majority of females on it. Also she had reviewed the files of all the leading Genin candidates. There had been no kunoichi among them.
The door to the office opened and in she came, the Hokage's selection. The girl looked to be about Gabrella's age. She wore a plain tan shirt and khaki pants with a cap on her head. Long and uncombed red hair spilled out from underneath the cap with some of it covering the front of her face. Her eyes scanned the office and quickly locked onto Kushina. "So I guess you're gonna be my f#&kin' sensei, huh?"
Kushina heard gasps from both her students and an annoyed grunt from Tsuande. "What did you just say to me?" She was too shocked to even be angry.
The red head sent her an annoyed look. "I said, 'are you my f#&kin' new sensei' what are you f#&king deaf?"
Kushina just stared at the foul mouthed kunoichi for a moment before turning to glare at the Hokage. "Do you hate me?"
