"My name... is Orochimaru."
Akira's eyes widened and fear gripped her insides. She had come across that name several times during the Academy, mostly in passing, but she definitely knew who this was. The speed, the dexterity, the jutsu—it was all consistent with the identity he was claiming, but how could she know for sure? Akira wasn't well-placed to judge power of this level. Maybe he wasn't as powerful as the person she thought he was. And why was he fighting against his own village? Nothing in the historical records she'd read could back this up.
Anger surged within Akira as this Orochimaru pulled out the scroll that was once attached to her back. She tapped her back to make sure it was really gone and, upon confirmation, the enemy smirked.
"But as to what I want... that will have to wait until we meet again," Orochimaru said. The scroll he was holding suddenly began to burn, bursting into bright teal flames. "Which won't happen until you finish this test with the best score of all."
"The scroll!" Sakura gasped.
"First, you'll have to defeat the Hidden Sound ninja who serve me."
"I have no idea what you're talking about, but why don't you just finish and beat it! If we meet again it'll be too soon!"
"Oh, the Uchiha and I will meet again," Orochimaru said.
Akira's eyebrows furrowed. Something about this stranger was somehow familiar and it was putting her on edge, pulling her concentration away from the immediate danger. Akira didn't have the time nor the energy to withdraw as Orochimaru's neck elongated and his fangs pierced hers and Sasuke's necks. Pain seared through Akira's neck better than a branding iron. Her mind conceded to the torment, unable to bring a thought to completion. As the burning spread to the rest of her body, the pain increased in waves, small lulls giving false hope of an end. Each peak robbed Akira of her ability to speak or scream, sending her crashing to her knees. It was as though her blood had become acid, intent on destroying her from the inside out. Without meaning to, Akira's body curled into something fetal, leaving her weak to attacks, all the while the pain radiated throughout her entire body.
"Sasuke! Akira!" Sakura shouted. "You! What have you done to them!?"
"I just gave them a little parting gift," Orochimaru said. "Very soon, Sasuke will seek me out, he'll desire my power. Akira won't hesitate to follow her brother—he's everything to her. In the meantime, I enjoyed the demonstration of the powers you already possess."
Then, Orochimaru began slipping into the tree, disappearing from sight little by little until the only thing left of him was the reverberating sound of his malicious laughter, and even that faded eventually, just like Akira's surroundings.
The birds were chirping, the sun was blazing—a beautiful day in Konoha. The cherry blossoms were in bloom, the jasmine flowers' scent filled the air, and the bright purple lavender pleased the eyes. The streets were bustling with people, short and tall, old and young. The smells coming from food shops wafted through town, melding with jasmine, and the sound of music coming from street performers reached everyone's ears.
"Itachi... I can walk, you know," a young Akira whined.
She was being carried on an older boy's back as he walked down a quieter street. He had onyx eyes and hair that was brought back in a low ponytail, though the high collar of his shirt obscured it. He was tall and, like most Uchiha, easy on the eyes.
"Don't push yourself," Itachi said.
"Okay..."
Akira sighed and looked up. She gasped a little.
"What's wrong?" Itachi asked, looking back at his little sister.
"That's the building where Father works, right?" Akira said, looking at a grand building. The Uchiha family crest was placed above the front entrance and below it, in Japanese characters, was written 'Konoha Military Police Force'.
"Uh-huh. It's the building for the Leaf Police Force."
"I was wondering... Why is the Uchiha crest part of the police insignia?"
"Well, what do you know? You finally noticed."
"Of course I did, Itachi!" Akira whined, playfully smacking her brother's back.
"Right," Itachi chuckled. "Let me see if I can explain it for you... It was the Uchiha's earliest ancestors who established the police in the village. So, when they created the symbol for the organisation, they used the family crest."
Itachi paused in front of the building.
"Since a long time ago, the Uchiha have always ensured the peace here. The crest is a testament to our clan's pride, a way of life centuries old. Over the years, the Uchiha clan has grown smaller. But even now, nearly all of us are a part of the Force and work to uphold the peace in this village." Itachi looked back at Akira and continued walking. "Which is good because only the most exceptional shinobi can weed out the criminals hiding among their brethren."
"Wow! Dad is the coolest!" Akira giggled. She then thrust her fist forward, face determined. "When I grow up, I'm gonna be just like dad! I'm gonna keep the peace in the village! But I'm gonna be way cooler than Dad! You just watch me, Itachi!"
"You'll never be cooler than Dad, Akira," Itachi laughed.
"Will to! I'll even be cooler than you!" Akira giggled. "Tomorrow's my entrance ceremony to the Academy! It's the first step to my dream, Itachi!"
"That's right, it is."
Akira smiled brightly and clung to her brother as he kept walking to the Uchiha compound. Soon, the pale grey stone pathway appeared beneath Itachi's feet and the elegant Japanese gardens came into view. Ahead was a large wooden fence, broken up by a tall archway, the Uchiha crest above it on a lavender background. Standing at the entrance was Fugaku Uchiha, Akira's father. He had shoulder-length brown hair and onyx eyes that everyone seemed to have inherited except for Akira. He wore the standard black pants and shirt with the police force crest, with a khaki flak jacket over it. As usual, he didn't look quite impressed. A few moments later, Sasuke's head popped out from behind him.
"You're late, Itachi," Fugaku said sternly. "What have you been doing?"
"Father!" Akira said happily.
"I need to talk to you," the man continued, ignoring his daughter. "Let's go."
Akira sighed as Fugaku turned away. Itachi put Akira down, ruffled her hair and followed their father. The girl walked over to Sasuke and grabbed his hand, dragging him along with her to their home's family room. It was spacious and simple, with tatami mats lining the floors and elegant decorations adorning the walls. The three Uchiha children sat in a line in front of Fugaku on the floor, who was sitting cross-legged on a small mat.
"That's my boy," he chuckled, looking at Itachi. "For you to have come this far only six months after becoming Chūnin... About tomorrow's special mission—I've decided to go along with you."
Akira's face saddened. Tomorrow was her acceptance ceremony into the Academy and, as usual, her father wasn't going to be there to celebrate anything she'd accomplished.
"If you complete tomorrow's mission, Itachi, your entrance into Anbu Black Ops is all but assured."
When Itachi said nothing, Fukagu glared at him, his Sharingan awakening. Akira stared at it—the Kekkei Genkai of her clan that had earned her father the title of 'Wicked Eye Fugaku'.
"Do you understand?" Fugaku insisted.
"You don't have to worry about me out there," Itachi said, finally. "And more importantly..."
Itachi glanced at Akira and Sasuke. Both of them blushed, a little embarrassed. Sasuke was the one to speak up.
"Father, you see, tomorrow afternoon is—"
"This mission tomorrow. It's not just about you," Fugaku interrupted, ignoring his youngest son. "Your performance will reflect on our entire clan."
Akira and Sasuke both frowned, saddened, and looked down at their knees. Nothing was ever as important as Itachi.
"Actually, I'm going to pass on tomorrow's mission," Itachi said.
"What are you talking about!?" Fugaku said, outraged. "That's insanity! You know how important this is! You'll do no such thing!"
"I have to. Tomorrow is Akira and Sasuke's entrance ceremony."
Akira and Sasuke both looked up at their brother. Akira then looked at her father. He seemed to have forgotten that piece of information.
"Our family has to attend," Itachi said, smiling. "It's customary at the Academy. You received a notice... remember?"
Fugaku clenched his jaw and stood up.
"All right, I get it. I'll be at the Academy tomorrow."
He then walked past Itachi, Sasuke and Akira, exiting the room. All three Uchiha siblings followed him out onto the porch. Itachi turned around to look at Akira.
"Be sure to ice your left leg," he said simply.
"I will," Akira said softly, frowning a little.
Her brother sounded so distant at that moment. Usually, he'd smile and do it for her. Not this time. And nothing was ever the same again. Itachi became more and more distant. He'd stopped training with Akira and Sasuke, retreated to god knows where for hours or even days on end. Eventually, Akira and Sasuke stopped going to him and trained together, developing techniques to use if they ever fought together. But every time Akira would see Itachi, she'd secretly hope he stopped being so distant and came back to her as if nothing happened. He never did. And if things weren't bad enough, Itachi began shunning even his parents, cutting Fugaku off from all his daily tasks and activities. Unfortunately for Akira, who didn't have a fire affinity like Itachi and Sasuke, her father moved on to her other brother, prizing him instead of Itachi and herself. That's when she met Kai, Kiba and Shikamaru, the only people who could cure her of her rejection and solitude. They trained together, laughed together, did everything together.
"Father only cares about you, Itachi," Akira had said one day as she and her brother were quietly sitting on the porch.
"You probably hate me, huh?" Itachi said. Akira didn't say anything. "It's all right. People often think ill of shinobi. It's only logical."
"That's not how I feel!" Akira said sternly. Itachi chuckled.
"Being the best isn't what it's all cracked up to be," he said. "When you have power, you become arrogant and isolated from the world, no matter how coveted and sought after you are in the beginning. For us, it's different because you and I are flesh and blood. I'm always going to be there for you, even if it's as an obstacle for you to overcome... even if you do hate me. That's what big brothers are for."
Akira stood up and firmly planted her feet, looking down at Itachi with a glare, hands placed steadily on her hips.
"I swear on my mother's life, today on this porch, with you as my witness, that I will become the strongest kunoichi I can be," Akira said, determined.
There'd always been a certain eloquence to Akira's speech, and it was always accentuated when she was angry, determined, or proud. She looked straight ahead of her, into the distance, making a pledge to the world.
"I will not become arrogant; I will remain modest and humble, without showing weakness. I will not become isolated; I will remain open and I will cherish my friends and all the people of Konoha for the rest of my life. I do not care how many people look up to me or look down upon me. I do not care how many wish they were me, or wish that I was gone. I do not care how many wish they had my power, or wish I had none. I will not let anything sway me from my path. My purpose is straight and true: I will become the greatest kunoichi I can be, and I will protect this village with all that I have, even at the cost of my life. There will be balance, and there will be peace. As the future head of the Konoha Military Police Force, I will be one of many noble and brave shinobi to bring that balance and peace to this village."
Akira looked back at her brother.
"You just watch me, Itachi."
Akira's eyelids suddenly snapped open, her pupils dilated, taking in the light. Everything was pale, tinted with bright white that was rising from her own body. Every single one of her thoughts was in high definition. Without a doubt, she'd been down and out for far too long. The sounds of battle in full swing reached Akira's ears, as did the pounding of her own heart. With a rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins, Akira's body moved of its own accord, rising alongside Sasuke's. An intense spiral of purple rose with him, and one of bright white with Akira. Flame-like markings began crawling onto her skin, glowing a bright orange. She felt them sear across her skin, a similar pain to the burning of her arms with Inazuma.
Akira could sense the fear in whoever was nearby. She took a step forward, the spiral of white chakra intensifying. Her Sharingan gaze rose from the ground and locked onto everyone around her. Her eyes flickered around for a moment until they spotted a beaten-up Shikamaru, holding up a passed out Ino. He looked terrified, and though Akira could see it, it didn't seem to register that the fear was caused mostly by her. All her mind could think of was him, his fear, his injuries.
"Shikamaru... Who did this to you?" Akira asked, her voice almost inhumanly low.
Shikamaru stared on, looking between her and Sasuke.
"Who was it?"
"Akira, you—"
"Don't worry about me," Akira interrupted. "In fact, I don't think I've ever felt better."
Akira stared down at her hands. While her arms were still scarred and singed from her last battle, she felt no pain from them. All she could feel now was the power of the white chakra surging through her.
"Who did this to you?"
Shikamaru's onyx eyes glanced briefly to his left, and Akira's gaze slowly followed. The three Sound ninjas that had caused a stir before the Chūnin Exams even started were standing there, fearing the white and purple rushes of chakra just as much as anyone else. They nearly shrunk under the intensity of her glare, but one of them dared to step forward.
"I did this."
"Very well," Akira said calmly. "Shikamaru, get your team to safety. That includes Ino's soul in that Hidden Sound girl."
Shikamaru didn't need to think twice. He ordered Ino to get her soul back into her own body and then all fled to the bushes nearby.
"Dosu, what's wrong? You're not getting cold feet are you?" the overconfident sound ninja said.
"No, Zaku, you don't know what you're doing!" Dosu yelled at his teammate.
"Watch this, I'll take care of all these runts in one fell swoop! Super Sonic Slicing Wave!"
Millions of sound waves then rushed over to Akira and Sasuke in an impressively powerful attack. It sliced even his own teammates and nearly deafened Shikamaru, Ino and Choji. Akira and Sasuke however, had moved even before the attack had reached them, placing themselves directly behind Zaku.
"Heh, looks like I blew them all away!"
"Not quite."
Before Zaku could even look behind him, Sasuke had punched him straight in the head, sending him towards his teammates in a limp heap. Sasuke didn't waste time in sending a fire-style move towards Zaku, who attempted to blow away the flames with sound waves. It worked, but Zaku hadn't anticipated the shuriken hidden inside the flames. While Zaku was distracted by the oncoming weapons, Akira took the opportunity to run at him, low to the ground. Dosu warned him from a distance, but it was too late. Akira had already grabbed both his arms and flipped over him, popping Zaku's arms out of their sockets. Akira's feet were on Zaku's back and she was holding herself up by pulling on his arms.
"You seem to be very proud of these arms of yours," she said maliciously. "You must be really... attached to them."
Without hesitation, Akira pulled hard on Zaku's arms. Apart from the screams, the only thing anyone heard was the sound of breaking bones. She dislocated his shoulders, elbows and wrists, then twisted his arms around to break them in several places. Akira dropped his arms, as if disgusted by them, and kicked Zaku aside like he was a broken ragdoll. Akira cracked her knuckles one finger at a time and turned towards everyone again, a vile smirk on her face. Dosu, being the only Sound ninja left conscious, backed away.
"Your turn, Brother, dear."
"My pleasure," Sasuke said darkly. "I hope you make things more interesting than your friend did. That looked too easy."
Sasuke began walking towards Dosu who was still paralysed with fear. However, much to everyone's surprise, Sakura ran forward and latched onto Sasuke, hugging him from behind. She pleaded for him to stop over and over again until the purple swirl of chakra around Sasuke began to die down and he relented. The orange flame-like markings faded to black then receded, and Sasuke collapsed moments later.
"Pathetic," Akira scoffed. "Guess I'll be the one to have all the fun."
"No!" Sakura yelled. "Akira, please stop! This isn't you! You never would have gone this far! Please, stop this!"
"Shut up! No one hurts someone that I care about and gets away with it!"
Akira turned back to Dosu.
"You reap what you sow, Dosu."
Akira started towards Dosu, but she sensed someone behind her, no doubt aiming to stop her. She stuck out her arm and spun, preparing to throw a vicious punch at whoever was approaching. But her hand stopped abruptly, only a few inches away from the target, as her eyes spotted Shikamaru.
"You're such a pain, Akira. Look at you, making me drag myself outta the bushes just to stop you," Shikamaru sighed.
"Don't stop me, Shikamaru."
"Just quit it, all right? It's enough—you've done enough. We're safe now."
"But, Dosu—"
"Is going to run off like a scaredy-cat," Shikamaru said quietly. He took a step forward and put a hand on Akira's shoulder. "Let's go home, okay? Let's get Kiba and Kai, eat some ramen, and fall asleep under our tree. Sound good?"
The searing pain all over Akira's body suddenly began to subside of its own accord. The spiralling white chakra slowly faded as well, and Akira's eyes returned to blue, leaving the Sharingan behind. A wave of fatigue suddenly washed over her. Akira's knees buckled and she toppled over onto Shikamaru who caught her with ease.
"Yeah," Akira whispered. "That sounds good."