Chapter 10. Resolve.

I stared blankly at the piece of paper in my hand for a good couple of minutes; not hearing a word of what Akira-sensei was saying. This was it, we were going to do it. Once I got Shisui to sign the permit and filled out the registration in my hands, I would be officially enrolled in that year's chunin exams. Unlike my team mates, I had to make sure the person in charge of my household signed a permit. This was due to my early graduation, and the fact that I was, at least, two years younger than the rest of the participants.

I looked up to my team mates in a daze, and then back to Sansei. Was he insane? Did he really think two twelve year olds and a ten year old could become chunin? To me, an airhead, a kid with a bad attitude and an Uchiha without the Sharingan, were definitely not promotion material. Chunin lead teams into battle; they made critical decision and were in charge of the safety of their team. At the age of ten, I wasn't sure I could bear having the blood of my comrades in my hands.

But I couldn't hide in the safety of a genin team either.

Being a kunoichi had been my dream ever since I could remember, and the thought of backing down now didn't sit well with me. I had also promised myself not to be a burden to my brother, and staying a genin would be like breaking that promise. I looked down at the registration in my hands once again and sighed. I knew what I had to do; it wasn't about being a good shinobi anymore, clan pride be damned. Someone had to have Shisui's back, and being a genin wouldn't cut it.

Taka and Hotaka didn't seem too bothered by the implications of becoming a chunin, and as I watched them listen to Akira-sensei with bright, excited faces I realized. They needed me too. The day when we would lose someone dear grew closer with each mission, yes; but when it happened I had to be there for them. Not only my team, but also Itachi, Sasuke and Naruto needed me as well. They were all pursuing or going to pursue a shinobi career, and they would need me to support them, to fight those battles they couldn't.

It wasn't about wanting to become stronger anymore, it was about having to; because if I didn't protect what was precious to me, nobody would.

"Akane-chan, are you listening?" asked Akira-sensei with a sigh.

All three members of my team were now looking at me, expecting an answer. They were looking at me intently, like they never thought they'd get to see me lot in thought. Generally, that was Taka-kun's job, so the fact that the one spacing out was me, was something new to them apparently.

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry sensei, please continue." I apologized, feeling my face heat up a bit.

The jonin continued to explain the terms under which we could enter the chunin exams. The fact that a three man team was compulsory to enroll, helped solidify my decision. I couldn't refuse to participate and deny my team the opportunity. So with that in mind, and the awareness that to be stronger meant to be able to protect others, the decision was made for me. And there was no going back from it.

…

"It's been a while…" I whispered as I let my friend in. "Haven't really seen you much since last time. How's your new team mate doing?"

Itachi took his sandals off swiftly and put them aside before stepping onto the wooden floor. It had been a while since I'd had to attempt to pick up the broken pieces his last mission had left behind. After that day, I'd expected to see less of him; I was sure once Fugaku-sama found out about his Sharingan, he'd have him train even harder than he had up until that point. That added to team practice and missions left little room for other things, so I could understand his absence. But now there he was, knocking on my door at five am ready for morning training; just as he had done so long ago.

"We are doing a quite decent job, thanks for asking." He answered as we both made our way to my back yard. "I heard you were hurt during training, I'm sorry I didn't come to visit, It's been…"

"Rough, I know." I finished for him and shot him a sympathetic smile. "But you are here now, that's what matters most. So stop the pouting and let's get started! I want to see what you can do with those eyes of yours."

Let it be said I got my butt handed to me, as per usual. But I couldn't help but have a good time. It seemed like so long ago I'd last seen my friend, and to be able to train and banter as we used to, raised my spirits exponentially. But I could tell there was something different. Itachi had tried his best to hide something from me, but even if I couldn't pinpoint what exactly, I knew something was wrong.

"Tell me." I said, panting as I whipped the sweat off my forehead.

My friend froze in his place and did nothing but look at me in the eyes as he deliberated whether to tell me or not.

"It's nothing you should concern yourself with, Akane." He tried to dodge.

"If it's something that has you this worried, I want to know what I can do to help you. That's what friends are for, you know?" I tried to reason with him.

"You'll find out soon enough, and when the time comes, you'll have to decide for yourself if you can and want to help." He answered cryptically and letting out a sigh. "For now, put it out of your mind. Please."

I nodded and gave him a little smile. He wanted me to make my own decision on the matter when the time came; I could respect that. And even if my curiosity was threatening to kill me, I said nothing else. I wouldn't be able to get anything out of him, not when his mind was set; so I turned to the veranda, in an attempt to pour myself some tea. But before I could take a step, I was met with Itachi's torso. He had grown a lot in the time I hadn't seen him, and by now he was almost half a head taller than me.

I didn't ask what he wanted. I'd always known Itachi was a bit averse to physical demonstrations of affection, so every time he did something like this, I didn't call him out on it. I myself found comfort in these little and rare acts of his, they made me feel complete, like I didn't need any more reassurance than that.

I felt Itachi kiss the crown of my head and I didn't dare move a muscle, afraid it would somehow break the peace that had set around us. All I could do was close my eyes and receive his gratitude, his affection with a smile on my face. It didn't last nearly as long as I could have hoped for, as most good things in life do.

In a flash Itachi was gone, and he sat a few feet away on the veranda pouring us both tea. I could do nothing but smile fondly when I say the little blush on his cheeks, and decided not to comment on it as I sat on the other side of the low table and enjoyed the fresh air of the morning. It lookel like it would be a glorious day.

….

"I heard your team will be on the chunin exams this year." Said a voice I hadn't heard in a while.

I kept throwing punch after punch at the straw dummy in front of me, trying to finidh my st before answering.

"Yeah, but if you're looking for ANBU recruits, my team is definitely not the place you should be looking." I said finally turning to face Kakashi. "You look awful by the way, are you eating properly?"

The silver haired shinobi chuckled humorlessly behind his blue mask. He was paler than I'd ever seen him, and even though his body was still a very well oiled killing machine, he looked like he was rapidly wasting away; and I didn't like it one bit. This was Obito-nii's best friend; I couldn't and wouldn't let him ruin himself. I wouldn't be able to face Obi-nii in the afterlife otherwise.

"Never mind my diet, what are you going to do about the exams?" he asked, leaning sideways on the practice dummy I'd just been beating up. My face must have given away my confusion because he then added: "Are you sure you'll be able to handle it? Being a chunin isn't something to be taken lightly…"

Oh. So that was it.

"It's not like I have a choice, I need to be someone my comrades and family can depend on, and being a genin isn't enough." I answered, resuming my beating up of the dummy.

"You do have a choice, the Uchiha clan already has-"

"I'm not doing this for the Clan, Kakashi-san. Not anymore at least. When I said I wanted to protect my family, I meant those who actually care for me and have earned a place in my heart." I said, never stopping my assault on the straw figure. "And you, you should eat properly. If you can't keep yourself healthy and in top form to protect the village, what kind of shinobi are you?"

The only survivor of the Hatake clan stayed silent, apparently taken aback by the lack of formality in my voice and tone. A ten year old was scolding him, Sharingan no Kakashi, one of the most feared shinobi outside Konoha. And he knew I was right, which I bet destabilized him even more.

"You should know better than to talk to your superiors like that, Uchiha-san." He finally responded.

"Oh, but I wasn't talking to Hatake Kakashi, jonin and ANBU op of Konohagakure no Sato. I was talking to my late cousin's best friend." I said never looking at him, knowing that he wouldn't want me to see his reaction to that statement. "I couldn't face him in the afterlife if I let you waste away like this, Kakashi-san. That, and I actually like you, you are a good man and an even better shinobi. Don't let your sorrow sink you like this."

Kakashi stayed the entire afternoon to help me train. We talked no further of Obito-nii or Kakashi's health and state of mind; instead, we put everything we got into our training. Or, I did at least; Kakashi didn't even break a sweat, which actually annoyed me to no end. We finished our training session spent, with chakra running low, and a mutual feeling of understanding. I made a decision that day that would add Kakashi's name to the list of people I valued most. I'd watch over him, the way Obi-nii couldn't anymore. I'd make sure he didn't lose his mind or his body to his job and grief.

Or at least, I would try.

My family name wasn't what made me an Uchiha, It was my love for those I valued most that did. Shisui, Itachi, Sasuke, Naruto, Taka, Hotaka and Kakashi were those people. Not the clan, nor anybody else. I would continue to be loyal to Konoha, but my loved ones would always be my first priority, the rest be damned. If I had to lose sight of what was best for me in the process of keeping them safe, then so be it. If I had to let go of all of my ties to Konoha and Fire Country to do it then I would without a second thought. If I had to become the monster children were afraid of to accomplish this, then I would gladly do so. Failing them was not an option. And with this in mind, I would make sure to pass the chunin exams and the jonin spar after that.

I would do anything, and as I realized this, for the first time in my life, I was scared of myself.