The sky is blue today.

Like a deep hue just like that time...

If I didn't fall into the depths...

I wonder what I would be doing now. If only I could be back there. Doesn't sound likely though.

Nonetheless I'm already here aren't I?

"REIKO!!"

Gah..so loud. Ow.

Who even is it.

Whitely red hair..

Wrinkles and pale...

Angry hazel eyes...

"Oh. Ojii-chan, what is it?"

He gazed at me intensely and sighed. Like a wise eagle's gaze. Meh, probably would've worked if I didn't know he's the type of guy to lose the glasses on his face.

Bam*

"OW!?"

He actually preceded by wamming me on the forehead. Oh, I get it. I said that out loud didn't I?

Doesn't hurt that much anyway. He's not one to do that.

I looked at him again. More likely slightly glaring unconsciously.

Translation:

'What the heck?'

His brow's twitching.

"Reiko, I heard you applied for academy again..."

I felt the air tense as he said that.

"Well yeah, I um...know I failed twice but ..."

I blurted out nervously. I couldn't say much too properly. Sour subject.

My name is Hachigatsu Reiko. I was reincarnated from you average modern day anime loving otaku into Naruto.

Hah...what now? Yeah even I thought that this was probably a sign to the path of greatness but...

Reality seems to hate me..

Basically let's give a short sob story..

Like the way she read them. She planned to take a shot at her chances as a ninja.

I mean reincarnated, right? There's gotta be something. So like the rest of them I tried accessing chakra. I failed then thought I'll figure out sooner or later.

I applied soon to the academy only to fail twice...

Why?

My chakra's defective. I'll probably never be able to use it. I was told I couldn't be a ninja.

Yeah, I guess just because you reincarnated you get perks.

Nope.

If they please, they could also give you a handicap.

Just like me...

I know it's foolish to try again despite that but...

I still kinda want to...ya know?

Yep, it's a depressingly sour subject to me.

Ojii-chan must have realized slightly what I was thinking. His eyes widened as he waved his hands quickly in the air.

"NO! I mean... I didn't mean it like that .. I just wanted to say you should really get ready. You're still in your pajamas..."

I nodded slowly as I gazed back at the sky. Sighing, I fisted my hand to myself tightly then released. I guess gazing at the sky helps me wash away some bad thoughts at times.

I was about to say something but Ojii-chan suddenly interrupted me.

"Reiko..I know what they said but if you want to try..go ahead. It doesn't matter how much talk about how you failed. Chakra's not exactly everything. I believe you could still become a good Shinobi. There are ninja who can't do ninjutsu too you know..."

One thing I got exchanged for chakra I guess would be Ojii-chan and my Oto-san too although he like the others don't believe I could ever be a shinobi. Despite how I am they're really supportive in their own ways.

But...Ojii-chan

I never understood what he saw in me to think that I could still be a shinobi somehow.

I'm not stupid, ya know?

I guess he's one of the reasons I still foolishly try.

Cause' when I look at those eyes..

They seem so sure of themselves. They give me hope even though this all seems pointless.

Oto-san is a civilian.

Ojii-chan is an Uzumaki that escaped the destruction of his village.

He was once a Shinobi but he got gravely injured after the Uzoshio's destruction.

At first I thought being part Uzumaki would probably give me the right sort of body to be a perfect ninja...

Turns out I took after my Oto-san..

Chakra would have been nice but..

I wouldn't exchange them for anything.

Even if you give me unlimited chakra.

I felt warm wrinkly skin pull me suddenly.

"Gah-"(Reiko)

"Hurry up! It's starting in a few hours. "(Ojii-chan)

I felt a tug on my face. I never really knew what he saw in me that I could still be a Shinobi never probably will understand. But...

This won't do. This is the last time I'm doing this. I can't rely on them forever. I need to be reasonable for my own sake as well.

By the time I came back from my thoughts, we were back home. I found it odd at first. The strong smell of oak and forest air. Our home was a small traditional type.

I always found that scent irritating. The scents of old oak mixed with a subtle smokey burnt one.

After a month here I learned it was incense...

I felt a deep anchor pull down on my mood. Ah, it's today too...huh

At first I tried to get him to stop. I really couldn't stand the smell.

That was the first time I saw him angry.

Turns out, he lights incense only in a particular time of the year...

It was...

The day Uzoshio got destroyed.

He lights an incense for them. He told me it was his way of honoring fallen comrades and... family.

I could be insensitive sometimes I'll say. I should have realized that when he put the incense sticks near a big rock. But when I saw his face when he said that.

His eyes...

They were so...

Empty. Like an abyss. I knew how it felt to be drowning in an abyss. I felt horrible. The horror of nothingness and darkness with your concious mind and memories weighing you down. The regrets of not being to change what you did...

Ending what you see as your world as all of what you understand fades.

In the end I guess I could live with the smell. I never brought it up again.

I should go by flowers later...hmm.

All of a sudden I felt a something bam at my face. It wasn't hard rather slightly soft. But still, seriously?

I grabbed it out of my face quickly and...

Okay, maybe furiously.

"Ojii-chan!?"(Reiko)

He shrugged pulling out a few of this and that from the cupboards.

"Wasn't me."(Ojii-chan)

I realized it. I gazed at the man who is likely the culprit. A dull black in contrast to Ojii-chan's fading red. Also, dark brown eyes in a deadpan.

Oh, Oto-san.

"Reiko, why are'nt you ready yet? I thought you were hours ago...ugh, go change."(Oto-san)

I gazed again at the thing he threw at my face.

A dark green kimono with short sleeves and just below my knees length.

Hm..will do.

Not one of the stiff fabrics. No stuffy turtle neck sort of thing. Not long sleeved. I hate those. No ugly colors.

Yes, indeed will do.

I nodded to myself bemusedly. He's getting better at figuring which ones he'll actually get me to wear.

"It's amazing. I won't look like a roll of sushi or a two year olds drawings."(Reiko)

"Hey! Don't say that. Plus, I found that on a good sale yesterday."(Oto-san)

"I could hardly believe it really. Your sense of taste at times is certainly well horren-... otherworldly*smiles*."(Reiko)

Believe it or not you've never seen the handmade invitation cards he's made. Or the so called art he made with his 'sense of taste' in his dimsum shop.

He says it'd attract costumers but I'm was even closer to thinking he did that to ward off evil spirits. He did take them off when his sales dropped after putting them there.

Don't even imagine some clothes he'd pick out. Might Gai would have been proud.

"Why you!? I do know some sense of this and that. I'm no expert but-"(Oto-san)

"It is rather bad. No scratch that, I wonder sometimes where you got the idea. Ah, perhaps a visionary from the future.."(Ojii-chan)

"Well, yes. They were practical. It's just clothes any-"(Oto-san)

Suddenly, a wooden knock on the traditional Japanese doors were heard.

All of us became engulfed in awkward silence.

"What are you two staring at? Nevermind, I'll go get it."(Ojii-chan)

The old man said sighing as he stood up to answer the door.

Following that I gazed at my father with a thought.

"I still think you're sense of taste honestly really sucks"(Reiko)

I said with a dry look.

His faced turned an expression of feigned slightly red and playful fake scowl.

"You're simply a picky brat!"(oto-san)

Yeah, even he knows. He doesn't really bother changing. I guess his taste is his taste even if other's don't agree with him. He's a stubborn man but he means well. I love him for it.

"Heh, I simply take after Ojii-chan~"(Reiko)

I say with a cheeky smile as I left to my room to get ready.

'Not really...'

A silent thought in my mind protested but I ignored it.

I entered my room and looked at the big wooden mirror straightening out the green kimono against my body.

In the mirror I saw a little girl with spiky long red hair and tan skin. Her eyes a sharp yet doe like earthy brown.

Even if it had been probably well around six years since I reincarnated here, I'm still not entirely used to seeing myself in the mirror.

If I think about my former appearance I wouldnt recognize myself.

The past me and now look nothing alike.

"It's really so odd...-EEEEK!!

Thud*

Whilst looking the mirror I took a step back to get a cleared view of the kimono but unknowing I stumbled on a box I didn't notice was behind me.

I embarrassingly fell straight to my butt with a yelp of pain.

"Reiko, are you alright over there!!!?"

I heard oto-san probably yell from the kitchen.

I took my bearings while sitting up on the floor still feeling a slight sear in my butt.

I was fine except for the ache on my rear..

Although I honestly felt embarrassed even more so as I heard the two old men chuckling...No wait, three?

The slight pink turned a full on red.

WE HAd A GUEST OVER!?

"Reiko! What's taking you so long your breakfast just might turn into cold miso and rotten fish."

I heard oto-san yell.

"Alright, already!!"(Reiko)

I replied scurrying to get the green kimono I dropped when I fell. I fumbled quickly with the ties and fabric as I rushed downstairs.

Clack*

I heard the door shut as I looked at the kitchen as oto-san and Ojii-chan who just came in sat on the cushions near the short table.

I gazed at them. Something felt out of place nonetheless noticing me stare the old man gestured me to take a seat near the table.

I obliged as I gave him a questioning look but being answered with silence without even a gaze I slowly grabbed my chopsticks and began eating my fill.

As soon as his expression softened probably thinking I had given up asking. I gave the subtle strike..

"So, we had a guest over?"(Reiko)

His hand holding the chopsticks stiffened.

" Yes and well-"(Ojii-chan)

"I don't we should talk about this to her.(Oto-san)

The brown headed middle aged man interrupted the red headed elder.

"It's going to happen. She should know. She'll ended up asking where I am anyway-"(Ojii-chan)

"SHE'S A LITTLE GIRL!-...WAIT DON'T TELL ME YOU'RE ACTUALLY CONSIDERING WHAT THE HOKAGE-"(Oto-san)

All of a sudden the air turned a familiar sharp frigid cold.

I gazed at Ojii-chan's subtle blood shot glare.

At most despite being in a ninja world, all three of us lived as a normal family.

But it was moments like this that reminds that...

Retired...

Crippled...

Old he maybe...

Unlike Oto-san and me..

Ojii-chan was still a shinobi...

The old man's killing intent flooded the room. I watched as he sat frigidly still yet that simple gaze was suffocating even if it wasn't aimed at me.

I wasn't in pain but my spine shivered like prey at the gaze of it's predator.

Even if I tried to speak my lips only quivered slightly..

In the fright I lost my sense of the hold of my chopsticks on my hand making it fall as I loose the light grip.

The air then lightened as Ojii-chan'eyes widened at the realization as he then gazed at me his somber eyes worried.

"I-I'm fine.. I'll get another pair of chopsticks.."(Reiko)

I managed to blurt out against the chill and starting to stand up to scurry to the cabinets.

The old man then jestured

noticing that my chopsticks didn't actually fell to the floor and was fortunately on my lap I had no choice but to sit back down.

I stood silent nervously eating my food rapidly.

I heard a sigh beside me.

"I apologize. Old habit, though I really shouldn't have.. Nevermind please just eat quickly. You still have an entrance exam to go to-"(Ojii-chan)

Bang*

Shatter-shatter*

"ARE YOU INSANE!? YOU'RE STILL CONSIDERING THAT!?"(Oto-san)

The younger brunnette man shouted furiously going so far to harshly throw the fragile porcelain bowl.

"ENOUGH OF THAT!! YOU NEED TO CALM DOWN!!! "(Ojii-chan)

"PERHAPS THAT'S TRUE BUT YOU CAN'T PUT HER IN THE ACADEMY. YOU KNOW WHAT HE JUST SAID!!"(Oto-san)

I couldn't understand what was going on. What even happened? we were all so peaceful just a moment ago.

"-OTO-SAMA YOU'LL JUST GET KILLED OUT THERE!!"(Oto-san)

Killed? What they talking about?

Ojii-chan stood up angrily all of a sudden the force causing the carefully arranged food amess.

Only my bowl remaining. Trying to silence the noise I slowly tried to grab my bowl but in furious rage one of the men flipped over the light little table taking away what's left of my ruined breakfast.

That was the last strike. I couldn't stand it anymore.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!? WHAT DO YOU MEAN KILLED!?"(Reiko)

I screamed angrily at the top of my lungs.

The atmosphere silenced as both then gazed at me.

"Reiko, eat you breakfast. Let adults talk-"(Oto-san)

Oto-san tried to scold to shut me up but then stopped as the old man jestured to the flipped table and ruined food causing him to sit down with a sigh.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have flipped the table. I'll get you something else-"(Oto-san)

"Excuse me, I think I forgot something inside. If it's not too much trouble-"(???)

Unexpectedly an unknown elderly voice interrupted Oto-san.

A somber air consumed the room.

Ojii-chan and Oto-san's expression strained but the older then shook his head and obliged to the voice.

"You can come in."(Ojii-chan)

The shoji door then slid open to reveal an elderly white robed man.

I gazed at his messy fading brown hair and old warty skin.

I had never seen him before. But Ojii-chan and him seem to know each other.

Ojii-chan's gaze seemed friendly but as I looked closer instead of that it seemed more of utter respect rather then the jovial eyes to an old friend.

"I think I left something. I don't mean to bother you but have you seen my hat?"(???)

The mysterious old man then said as walked in slowly.

"It's not a problem, Hokage-sama. Having you here is always an honor. I think I've seen it. Tetsuo-kun mind helping the hokage?"(Ojii-chan)

Ojii-chan said to my Oto-san, Tetsuo.

It was then the confused subtle atmosphere cracked.

THE HOKAGE!?

THAT HAIR...

THAT OLD FACE...

HIRUZEN SARUTOBI!?

"Yes, Hokage-sama please come with me."(Oto-san)

"Ah, yes. I apologize at my age I can't help but forget a thing or two. Oh um-"(Hokage)

As Oto-san tried to lead the elderly man to the living room. Our old guest at the moment seem to have noticed the mess.

"Did something happen?"(Hokage)

All of us were silent.

How embarrassing...

I heard then as the faded crimson old man fake coughed beside me.

"It's nothing Hokage-sama. We were just cleaning up."(Ojii-chan)

I looked at both incredulously as they gazed at each other. It was only just awkward silence. But somewhere I could see a faint static in Ojii-chan's polite smile(likely fake) as both still had a met gazed.

Before I could even blink the hokage left the kitchen as my father signalled him to come in the next room.

They probably had some conversation with their eyes or what it seems. It really felt irritating being the only one confused around here.

"Sorry about me and your Oto-san earlier. Neither of us wanted to scare you or ruin breakfast. Let's just say we got off on the wrong foot while we were chatting."(Ojii-chan)

I pouted at his subtle apology.

"Now that both of them are out of the way. I think it's the time to tell you."( Ojii-chan)

Then suddenly the atmosphere was turned somber once again.

"What did Oto-san mean when he said you'll get killed?"(Reiko)

Now that we are at it, I couldn't help but ask.

The old man gave me slight bitter smile with a sigh.

" Talks with the other ninja villages aren't going so well. Among shinobi a war seems unavoidable."(Ojii-chan)

I felt a shiver down my spine.

A shinobi war?

Now that I think of it I never bothered to find out what exact Naruto period I'm currently in.

The Hiruzen from earlier's hair still had some brown. He seems slightly younger than the one in the anime.

But that only tells me so much...

Let's go with this question then.

"What do you mean war?? Konoha?"(Reiko)

I heard him sigh.

"Iwa, Ame , Konoha who knows might even more if the other villages find opportunity to gain an upper hand. By the way things are going we're going to have a third great shinobi war."(Ojii-chan)

"Aside from that, what does Oto-san mean the you specifically would get killed. Why? even though you're shinobi you've been retired for ages?"(Reiko)

"Hah..."(Ojii-chan)

At that I gave him a confused worried face to which he replied gazing at me warmly with sad eyes.

"Listen here Reiko. You won't see me here for a bit. I don't know exactly know when but when I do I'd be gone for quite a bit (if I do get to return)."(Ojii-chan)

"What? Why?"(Reiko)

Ojii-chan at most never left the house. He was left a crippled man after his time as a shinobi so he often left going outside to Oto-san. Why is he saying this? Is he sick?

Please don't be what I'm thinking...

"That's because Hokage-sama asked of me a favor. Let's keep this a secret okay?"(Ojii-chan)

Despite what I felt I nodded nervously.

"You are not to tell anyone else of this. This Ojii-chan got a secret mission from the Hokage himself."(Ojii-chan)

The old man said in a feigned fantastical voice. I would've thought he was joking if I wasn't very good at reading his gaze.

Even just that was enough to tell me that despite how it seems he was telling the truth.

I stood silent as I looked straight in his eyes.

They tried to probe for the foolish childishness or at the very least pride just so just hoping I wouldn't ask anymore.

But deep in them he already knew there was none of that. My childishness was left behind long ago in another world. My pride and expectations were already shattered when I learned about my defective chakra and pointless hope to become a shinobi.

Maybe seeing how desperate they were. I should've gave in and stopped right there. But, I couldn't stand the blurry thought knowing that someday I could wake up to learn he was killed.

"What do you mean?"(Reiko)

"Well-"

"Why exactly would the Hokage need a crippled retired shinobi who could barely even run anymore?"(Reiko)

He's going to the battlefield isn't he? War..getting killed... mission?

After does words went together, it didn't take many pieces for the puzzle to clear.

My fist clenched tightly and trembled. For once, Oto-san actually seemed right here. Ojii-chan was being an idiot he was gonna get killed out there.

"Reiko-chan..."(Ojii-chan)

"I um don't mean of that sort but Oto-san's right. You could get killed. Can't the Hokage just ask someone else? Aren't you already retired, Ojii-chan?"(Reiko)

"Retired, crippled, blind even...a shinobi is still a shinobi when they are called to service. The Hokage might have done me a favor by letting me be for the past years but I still have a duty to act when I'm needed."( Ojii-chan)

"But even so why does it h-have you be you? There's plenty of younger more agile shinobi in Konoha!(Reiko)

I gritted out of my teeth. My chest felt heavy and burning as I tried to fight against the tides flowing from my eyes.

I tried to speak but all that came out were silent sobs. I couldn't help it. My head hurt. My old self would've been fine trying to keep my composure despite what I felt but this body was that of a child.

Bitter waterfalls fell from eyes unavoidably. Or was it simply that I've become more attached to these people more than I thought?

I felt a warm hand caress my face.

"Reiko-chan, no don't do that...look at me right here... It's just that I have certain skills that the Hokage needs. "(Ojii-chan)

The old man said as he caressed my face fondly. Nonetheless, I couldn't. I cannot just let this go knowing that he could get killed. I may not have known much about the injury that caused Ojii-chan to retire for a bit since he said it healed by the time I was concious enough but even then I knew he wasn't fit for battle.

I found him often walking normally but then suddenly falling painfully from sudden post-injury spasms. Even when walking if you look behind his steps were unnatural.

What's worse was that Ojii-chan was prone to seizures if his injury gets triggered too much.

In retrospect, even if neither had told me much about them even in the naked eye Ojii-chan has gone through a lot of crap as a shinobi. That and those injuries weren't run of the mill.

That Ojii-chan going into some mission on the battlefield ?

I really couldn't..

"Oi, I said look at me'ere ya'see! E'm talking to you!!"(Ojii-chan)

He said as he forcefully pulled me to face him not painfully but enough to force me to look.

"Eh? Ojii-chan?.."(Reiko)

I said incredulously. That was odd. He didn't usually speak like that. So it honestly felt like a horrendously done anime dub when that came out of his mouth.

"Oh um- sorry..-"(Ojii-chan)

"Hah! You slipped again Hachiko-kun!"(???)

The faded crimson old man apologized but was then interrupted by another bemused elderly voice.

I looked behind me to be greeted by the sight of our white robed guest now formally wearing his red and white hat with the characters for Hokage.

" Gah!-...Hey I don't slip as much as before! I'm not even a diplomat anymore.. nevermind sorry, Reiko-chan, an old habit of mine slipped out again."( Ojii-chan)

I watched confused at their silly yet short banter. Soon enough the Hokage left to be on his way.

Odd...at first I was mistaken and Ojii-chan had only simple formal utter respect for him. But their conversation earlier seemed as if they've known each other for a very long time.

I couldn't help but ask.

"You two seem to know each other, Ojii-chan?"(Reiko)

The old man gave me a slight melancholic yet happy smile as if he thought of fond memories.

"I suppose you could say that. It isn't particularly much but we do have some bit of history."(Ojii-chan)

He chuckled out.

"History?"(Reiko)

"Well, I knew him when he was younger and when I lived in Uzoshio. It was simply a formal relation between Uzumaki and Konoha's Hokage."(Ojii-chan)

His face then became somber again.

"Uzumaki...hmm it's been a while since I've even spoken that name...(Ojii-chan)

He said as looked at our earlier mess and began to clean up also gesturing me to help out.

Suddenly he stopped and stood still.

"I guess this is the best way to explain it then. I'm an Uzumaki, Reiko-chan. My clan pride's in never backing out from a fight. Being a coward and putting lives I could've saved at risk is one of the worst ways I could dishonor them."(Ojii-chan)

I looked at him with pursed lips. He was right I think I'm getting his point.

"Call it my silly pride if you must. But I'm a proud Uzumaki shinobi. Although most of the others have fallen along with Uzoshio that doesn't change. Even to my last breath I would never want to dishonor them even if it means my life."(Ojii-chan)

This...still sounds a bit stupid to me..maybe because I'm a civilian..

Maybe I could protest to that but his eyes told me better than that. It wasn't simply foolish pride bravado. His eyes were melancholic almost as if inside his head he reminisced on memories I could never comprehend... people I'll never know.

"Does it really have to be you? This sounds scary.."(Reiko)

"Let's just say... what's needed is something only I can do so yes."(Ojii-chan)

More so than that they look so determined. At that moment I realized...there was no stopping him.

I gave a sigh as I turned away to throw out the last of the mess.

"Reiko, let's go. Your father seems a bit tired today. We should head to the academy. I think let's just grab some dango on the way."(Ojii-chan)

The old man said back on with his bright smile.

Despite my lingering doubts, I gave him a strained smile in reply.

"Yup! Dango seems good!"(Reiko)

I said as I scurried out to the door with him.

I honestly don't know what comes next. It seems the peacefulness I've been granted has run out. Even so, I hope that even if can't become a shinobi I can stay with Ojii-chan and Oto-san. As long as they're here I think I can survive in this ruthless shinobi world.

...

Oh, how naive I was...

Life is never so easy for fools..

NEXT EPISODE:

I gazed at the paper I've been dreaming of my entire life but...

Oddly, it felt like a foreboding ominous sign...

I perhaps could've felt happy but it was too odd...

I looked again at the shinobi academy's reply after my entrance exam.

Somehow...

I passed but it doesn't feel right...