As I had suspected, Itachi was deemed advanced enough to graduate the academy after only four months there. It was very rare for a child to do so, and at six years old he was already part of a team and completing missions. I worried about him occasionally when I knew his team were off doing a slightly more taxing mission, but for the most part I saw no reason to be concerned as I knew Itachi was more than capable to keep himself safe.
Izumi worried far more than I did, and it seemed that she chose to use me as a distraction, making good on her vow to surpass me in skill in order to catch up with Itachi. For the most part I played along with the somewhat childish antics, thinking it was healthy for a young person to have aspirations, and I found Izumi's vibrant personality somewhat refreshing compared to my own more docile nature.
Believing it would be an insult to Izumi to not give it my all, I answered her every challenge to the best of my ability, meaning that she was yet to defeat me. I knew that she found life in the Uchiha compound rather difficult at times as she was only part Uchiha on her mother's side and was therefore teased by other children, however she always held her own. One time I had come across her crying quietly with a bloodied nose, sniffing and hunching over as I'd approached. I'd noticed the blood but did not necessarily think that she had been hurt, so I had simply tapped her shoulder and passed her a clean handkerchief in order for her to catch the blood. Izumi was taken aback, probably not expecting any kindness from anyone, but before she could make any kind of response I had drifted away again.
As time passed things gradually began to improve. From the moment he could walk Sasuke was soon chasing after both Itachi and I, a much more cheerful child than either of us had ever been, and he seemed to especially idolise his older brother, Itachi. The next two years were full of hard work for the both of us, and by the time Itachi was eight, I was twelve and just about to turn thirteen, graduating from the academy with a final perfect score across the board, flooring all of my teachers as I was then placed onto a team.
Coincidentally, I was placed on Team Two with Itachi, who had just lost one of his old team members and the other had voluntarily retired as a ninja, leaving two spaces open. With two Uchiha on the same team, I could not help but think it was partly the Hokage's way of keeping an eye on the both of us at the same time. Our team leader, Yuki Minazuki, made it very clear that he did not like either of us, but for the most part we simply tolerated him out of respect for his station. Itachi seemed happy to have me on his team, immediately coming to my side and taking my hand.
"We're on the same team now Miyuki, so I'll be sure to watch your back for you. I'll protect you wherever we go." His sentiments were sweet so I gave a soft smile and placed a hand on his head, rubbing his hair and pushing a little back from his face.
"I know." Viewing Itachi as one of the few people I had left who was as close as family, we were always by one another's side, and after two years, the both of us entered the Chunin exams together and passed, ascending to the next rank. With my ability to predict things even mere moments before they occurred, I became known as the ninja with the fastest reaction time ever on record, even within the Uchiha.
Although I still did not fully understand my abilities, I was steadily beginning to learn more about them. With my Mangekyo Sharingan, things began to become a little clearer than before. I came to realise that I did not literally 'see the future', as it were, I simply entered a different time-space dimension through my Sharingan which, now fully formed, was much more powerful than before. In my own time-space dimension, reality would continue to play forwards, giving me a sequence of events which I could watch, observe and even play over as I began to grow more adept at using my ability. It was something like a specialised Kamui, but these details I kept to myself.
These visions could happen a thousand times over within my own time-space dimension but take up less than a second in the real world, giving me ample time to foresee danger, escape it, or learn how to effectively defeat my opponent quickly. The only drawback was that it demanded a huge portion of my chakra reserves and I limited the use of my Mangekyo Sharingan to no more than once per mission if it was necessary.
"Yuki! Yuki onee-chan, will you help me train today?" Sasuke's small, light voice drew my eyes towards him from where I had been sitting by the lake, seeing him standing as a small four year old boy, grinning towards me. "Big brother says he's too busy, so will you do it?"
"Hm." Nodding my head, I got up and dusted off the grass from my clothes. I wore the traditional Uchiha clothing, however my collar was much smaller and not so wide, and one of my sleeves of my kimono was completely cut off at the shoulder whilst the other came down to my wrist like a large, charcoal grey kimono sleeve with an obi wrapped around my waist and the red and white fan upon my back. "What would you like to practice?" I questioned Sasuke as he came running down to me excitedly, launching himself forwards so that he jumped directly into my torso and I had to quickly catch him in order to stop him from falling.
"I want to practice throwing! Big brother always says that he'll train with me next time, but he's always busy." Pouting a little impetuously, I couldn't help but be amused by Sasuke's expression, easily holding him off the ground with him balanced on my arms.
"Yes he is. Perhaps Itachi does not want to spend time training, when he could be having fun playing games with you." I suggested thoughtfully, knowing both Itachi and Sasuke very well. "Next time, ask if he'll play with you, Sasuke."
"I hadn't thought of that." His child like voice hummed in thought before he grinned at me again. "But I'll practice with you first!" Nodding my head in agreement, I set Sasuke down then walked with him back to the house in order to practice there until Mikoto called us inside for dinner. Just as we sat down to the table, Itachi returned and immediately Sasuke was beaming up at his brother adoringly. "Big brother!" He made to get up and rush over to Itachi but his mother told him to sit down and wait patiently.
I lifted my head and watched a little distantly as Itachi came inside, noticing how tired he looked yet hid it from everyone else behind a smile. "Sorry I'm late everyone. Sasuke, you shouldn't stand up like that at the table, it's rude. Come sit down with me and we'll eat."
"Okay!" Sasuke excitedly rushed over to his brother and sat down upon the floor cushions, settling himself neatly so that both he and Itachi were opposite me and Mikoto sat at one end of the table, meaning I had a good view of the three of them from where I was sitting at the far end, opposite Sasuke. For a moment I simply watched the three of them and briefly, I felt a pang of sadness as I came to realise that although I was a part of this family, I was still an outsider. They all melded so well together, yet their habits and similarities were so different to mine.
I noticed how all three of them were predominantly left handed, how they all leaned towards one another as they asked Itachi questions about his day, how Sasuke took deliberate pains to sit exactly like his brother. They were all one family, and sometimes I felt that I was nothing more than an intruder. These moments of melancholy struck me often, however as if he knew exactly what was going through my mind, Itachi would then reach out towards me in some way and look at me with such adoration that I could not help but feel warmed and brightened by his gaze.
"Miyuki-chan, you should eat before your food goes cold, or is it too hot to eat? Shall I cool it for you?" Getting up from his seat, Itachi came around the table and sat down beside me, picking up my utensils and gathered up some rice and blew on it gently before offering it to me. As Itachi held out the rice, Sasuke chimed in that I should eat plenty to stay strong and healthy, offering me some of his own food to supplement my already full portions.
Itachi encouraged me to eat and I found my mouth moving before I was even able to think of how to respond, simply staring with a surreal blankness which only started to come alive when Itachi reached out and took my hand, telling me that I shouldn't shut myself out from the family and to talk to them. "Yuki onee-chan, why do you always look so dopy? Is something wrong with your brain?" Sasuke demanded to know and Mikoto quickly scolded him for being so blunt before then turning a softer gaze towards me.
"Miyuki dear, you've been so distant lately. I know this time of year is hard for you, but you can always talk to me about anything. How about I tell that husband of mine that you are to take some time off from training and spend it with us instead? I think you need some proper time to relax and enjoy life. Those elders are pushing you far too hard." Itachi agreed with a nod of his head and gave my hand a squeeze as I slowly blinked, watching the three of them as the lively ambiance of the dinner table began to focus upon me.
"Yuki-chan, we should go somewhere tomorrow for fun. Since we do not have a mission, we should take the time to spend it together whilst we still can." Immediately Sasuke had leaped to his feet with his hands in the air, rice stuck to his face where he had shovelled the food in and excitedly yelled at the top of his lungs.
"I want to go! I want to go!"
"Alright, alright little brother, we'll all go." Itachi calmed him down and I tilted my head to the side, wondering why they were all so attentive to someone like me and how they noticed so easily the moment I had begun to feel sad. Still, as Itachi continued to hold my hand underneath the table, I could not help but think how warm his fingers were and how comforting it was to have that tender connection with someone. It was then that I realised just how much I loved these boys, how precious they were in my eyes as I beheld the two of them interacting with one another, smiling without any worldly cares.
I was four years and several months older than Itachi and ten years older than Sasuke, however I felt sometimes that Itachi was far more mature than any of us. He had a way of sheltering people to him without even needing to try, and he always seemed to do his best to watch over me, despite the fact it should be the other way around. I should be looking after him and Sasuke, protecting them, giving them comfort when they were upset and not be thinking so much of my own grief and sadness.
With a rush I suddenly stood up from the table with a clatter, knocking it in my sudden movement and all three of them fell silent in surprise, looking at me as I gripped onto the side of the table, took a deep breath then bowed to them. "Please wait here a moment." With a gasp I ran from the room, my mind having come up with an idea and a wish that I wanted nothing more than to share with these kind people who had taken me in.
Once in my room I pulled out the stored money reserves that had been saved from my previous home and carried it all back to the table, putting the heavy jar down then quickly bowed once more in front of Mikoto. "Miyuki dear, what are you doing? Is everything alright?" Mikoto started to rise, worried for me however I quickly began to explain myself.
"These are my savings. I wish to take a vacation with you, as a family. Please grant this selfish request." I could barely explain myself properly, having so many thoughts and feelings ricocheting inside my head that I was surprised any sense came from it at all. Mikoto was shocked, blinking at my savings whilst Sasuke leaned forwards and pointed.
"Wow! That's a lot of money!"
"Miyuki-chan, are you certain you wish to spend all of your funds on such a thing?" Itachi questioned me sensibly and I answered him by repeatedly nodding my head whilst still bowing.
"M-Miyuki dear, please stand up, there's no need to bow like that." Mikoto finally recovered herself, coming over to me and kneeling down so that she could take my arms and straighten my clothing which had become slightly rumpled in my haste. Her hands were soft and tender, being so kind and considerate that I could not help but be reminded of my own mother. "I think some time away is a perfect idea, Miyuki dear, but there is no need for you to spend all of your savings on such a thing. It shall be a family effort, so you do not have to worry at all." Tucking my hair behind my ear, Mikoto then kissed my cheek, leaving a warm imprint upon me skin and I felt my heart flutter at the lovingness which lingered in her pretty eyes. "I shall arrange everything, I promise."
"Yay! Vacation! We're going on vacation!" Sasuke yelled in excitement, making even more of a mess even as Itachi tried to get him to calm down, and it was only when he accidentally knocked his rice onto the floor did Mikoto titter her tongue and tell her youngest son off. As Itachi cleaned up the floor, I took a handkerchief and started to wipe at Sasuke's face, getting rid of the sticky mess he had made around his mouth as he pouted at having been scolded. Seeing his face like that made me somewhat sad, so I reached out and pinched his cheek gently, giving the soft puff of his skin a wiggle. "Hey! What gives?!" Sasuke immediately tried to fend me off so I let go, blinking at him before smiling.
He truly was an adorable child. My smile must have caught him off guard, however, as suddenly he was staring open mouthed up at me, before he too was grinning. I'll be better from now on, I shall do my very best to be the big sister that both Itachi and Sasuke deserve. I owed them that much, at least.