To Kiyana Va Sala : Currently I'm taking Japanese as my language class. O'Genki desu ka is used when you haven't seen a person for a while. Like for a few days. And it translates to : "How are you?" Also o' is used to symbolize respect, so if you're meeting an unfamiliar person it's polite to say o'genki. While Daijoubu is translated as alright, in health sense. And Daijoubu desu ka translates to: "Are you alright?" Or " Are you feeling ok?" But I'm not sure is the o in daijoubu is stressed, but it's the usual way I spell it. And I really appreciate your review and commenting on my Japanese.
To ErikKoekkoek: I know I used Daijoubu desu ka a lot, but I think you got what the redundant usage is for. I'm still trying to work out Naruto's and Sakura'a abilities, but I can't see why they can't be as powerful as a jounin. Itachi and Kakashi, even Neji are above Genin levels before they were even 12. And there is an explanation for why they are taking on higher ranked missions before becoming a Genin. But I will take your advice and try to not make the two insanely strong.
To the others: Thank you so much! I'm really happy I got that much reviews and I hope this fic would be a success. I'll try to tone down the Japanese usage for someone's request. Seems a lot of people are commenting on some stuff, remember all would be revealed in time.
Note: I'm basing a lot of the Uchiha clan information, and police force out of what I can find from the manga. I'll try to keep it as close to the manga as possible. Also if you guys are interested in the current status of my fics, check out my bio. I update it regularly to include how much of the next chapter is done. Along with chapter title and a summary.
Disclaimer: You know….
Last Chapter: Sakura smiled a bit and followed him off to the section of the village for the Uchiha clan.
Ch 2: How everything is
They quickly made their way to the Uchiha compound, waving occasionally to members of the Uchiha clan. They entered through the wooden gates and hanging from the ceiling of the gate were black fabrics with the Uchiha's fan. Everyone inside was busy doing whatever he or she was. But the most notable were the ninja police force of Konoha. Even though they wore the usual Jounin vest they had on their upper shirt sleeves the Police Force symbol, consisting of a four-pointed black star and the Uchiha fan in the middle. Few of the police waved at them and greeted them with nods. Sakura did the same not feeling boisterous at the moment.
But Naruto was, he shouted "Konnichiwa!" to everyone, even the people who didn't wave. But it seemed the compound was used to it seeing that all who passed just smiled slightly.
After walking further down the street and approaching Itachi's home, they spotted a white eyed Anbu talking with an Uchiha, there also was another teen with violet eyes. And at that moment the trio spotted them too, All three of them grinned but the Hyuuga waved them over.
"Konnichiwa, Naruto-kun, Sakura-chan." The Hyuuga greeted.
"Yo!" Naruto shouted grinning like an idiot.
Sakura ignored the bouncing blonde. "Tai-kun it's been a while. How have you guys been?" She looked at the trio.
"Nothing really, but Kyou's thinking of joining the police force though." Tai inclined his head towards his violet eyed friend.
"Really?" Naruto questioned loudly, now jumping up and down excitedly.
"Yea, but just thinking." Kyou replied.
"Sakura-chan, whatcha feed Naruto?" The Uchiha finally spoke. He looked at Naruto, who was still bouncing, amusedly. The passer bys were beginning to stare.
"Only three specially prepared bowls of ramen by me, Setsuna-kun." Sakura smiled evilly at the trio. The three sweat dropped as they saw Naruto bouncing higher and shouting how great Sakura's ramen was.
"If you keep drugging him like this he'll be wasted in a day." Sestuna commented as Naruto now pumping his fists while bouncing.
"Yea, Saku-chan you're drugging him." Tai jokingly said. Kyou just grinned.
"Why I'm insulted," Sakura mockingly dramatic. She moved her hand to cover her heart. "Why would I ever want to drug my best friend in the world?"
"We're not your best friends?" Kyou inquired pouting.
"You're dispensable." Sakura spoke airily waving her hand like shooing a fly.
"Glad to know we're that valuable to you." Sestuna said sarcastically.
"Ano sa ano sa, You're my best friends too!" Naruto yelled waving his arms in the air.
"Saku-chan, seriously what have you been feeding him?" Tai asked cocking an eyebrow.
"Ramen, with extra msg." Sakura replied smiling.
Kyou raised his eyebrows. "MSG's suppose to make you sleepy."
"Yea, I know. But it seems it has a reverse affect on him though." Sakura jabbed her thumb and blonde. Naruto had stopped bouncing, but his head was inclined to his side, an expression that clearly said 'huh?' written all over.
The others sighed mushroom clouds. But continued to ignore the hyper blonde.
"What are you doin here? I thought Hokage-sama banned you from high ranked missions." Sestuna asked the pink haired kunoichi.
"Technically yea. But Itachi-nii-san wanted us to meet him at his house."
"What for?" Tai asked. His white eyes glancing at Naruto.
"Don't know. But I'm hopping it's something. It's still three days before the genin exams, so we're stuck with nothing. Hokage-jiji is cutting off all our missions, even the ones we were planned for." Sakura said shrugging.
"Yea, I heard that they're assigning Hunter-nins and some Chuunins to those." Sestuna commented.
"It sucks. I was really looking forward to that infiltration mission." Sakura sighed.
"Me too." Naruto finally said. It seemed that his extra energy finally died down to an extent that he could actually say sensible things.
"Well you two should be happy that Hokage-sama even allows you to go on missions and you're still not technically shinobi yet." Tai said.
"I know, I know. But he's still stingy for banning us." Naruto scrunched up his face in annoyance.
"Hey, and you guys didn't have to go to the academy either." Setsuna interjected.
"Doesn't mean we haven't been trained." Sakura retorted.
"We know. But if you want I can try and get you guys a C ranked mission in the mean time." Kyou offered.
"That'll be great Kyou! Thanks!" Naruto replied happily grinning.
"No problem. Hey," Kyou turned to look at Setsuna and Tai. "We better head to the tower now." They nodded in agreement. Kyou turned to look at the soon to be genins. "I'll find you if I get anything. See ya." And with that the three jumped and disappeared.
"C'mon we need to go." Naruto said tugging at Sakura's wrist. She blinked then nodded and the two began to resume their walk towards Itachi's home.
They passed by more buildings and shops all sporting the Uchiha fan.
'Don't these people ever get sick of that fan? I mean it's good to show some clan pride, but this is ridicules.' Sakura thought exasperatedly glancing from side to side and seeing the Uchiha fans. She was rudely awakened from her thoughts by a sharp tug on her wrist. Out of reflex Sakura jerked her arm out of the hold and elbowed the person. Naruto unfortunately wasn't paying attention to Sakura when he turned around, so he got elbowed on the back near his right shoulder.
"What was that for?" Naruto shouted jumping away from his attacker.
"That's what you get for butting in! Never do that to a girl!" Sakura retorted. Both glared at each other, daring the other to make the first move.
"Quit it," A voice came beside from beside them. They had already reached Itachi's home and the speaker was none other than Itachi.
"Konnichiwa," chorused the two in perfect unison, all matters forgotten. Itachi only nodded and moved aside so the two could pass through.
They entered the house and took off their blue sandals before stepping onto the raised platform. This was their usual routine. Whenever they came, Naruto would do something perfectly ordinary, but it would earn him a bruise from Sakura. When Itachi or his mother would answer the door, they would stop the glaring contest. Then come in, take off their sandals, and finally do to the study room.
The study room was somewhat empty. The only things occupying the room were lined against the walls. Shoji screens leading to the yard lined made up one of the walls. Currently one of the screens were pulled back, showing a small patch of the garden. A steady stream of water filled a shortened bamboo shoot, forcing it to tilt and dispensing the water back into the pond.
Sakura and Naruto walked into the room, their steps creeping on the tatami mats. They took a seat on their usual spots and waited for Itachi to sit too. He did after a few seconds and a moment of silence passed over them.
"So Itachi-nii-san, why did you call us here?" Sakura asked deciding to finally break the silence.
It took a few more moments before Itachi answered. "As you already know Hokage-sama has reassigned all of your missions to other shinobi."
"Why do you want to remind us of that? We already know." Naruto interjected pouting and slumping his shoulders.
"I and few other Anbu have been reassigned the infiltration mission." Itachi stated, his face still passive.
"Anbu? From the mission description it shouldn't be that hard. When we got it, it was only B ranked." Sakura said her brows furrowed in confusion.
"The client changed the details a day after the mission was reassigned. He also changed the targets."
"But, why are you telling us this? It's not our mission anymore." Sakura asked, looking at the Anbu in suspicion.
"Yea, you usually get straight to the point." Naruto piped up, staring wide-eyed at Itachi.
"I'll be gone for probably a week, so I'll miss your graduation."
"Hey, we know it's something more than that. Tell us!" Naruto's voice began to rise.
The atmosphere of the room seemed to shift. Mounting impatience was obvious in Naruto. Sakura was too; it wasn't like Itachi to beat around the bush. He'll always get straight to the point, and always blunt. The only times he spared anyone of his brutal honesty was when the situation demands it and that was usually something extremely dangerous. And she knew that him missing their graduation didn't even have to do with anything at all.
"With this mission, there is no guarantee that both of you won't become targets." Itachi's eyes seemed to harden. His expression didn't change however.
A feeling of dread came over the two. They knew what Itachi was implying with out saying.
"They infiltrated Konoha already haven't they?" Sakura whispered, her eyes giving away her horror.
"But why would that want us? The only other missions we had in that area was just an escort and then retrieval." Naruto whispered harshly. It seemed that both were trying to keep their voices as low as possible. Naruto's eyes darted to open shoji screen.
"And they were low classed missions too, both C ranked." Sakura continued, trying to suppress her nervousness. The last thing she wanted to do was give the enemy's a chance to take her out.
"That is classified for now. But Hokage-sama has assigned you a good sensei for your Genin team. He was already informed of your situation. The police force is already working to track down the infiltrators. Untill then don't train in secluded areas and make sure you don't give any chances for them to make the first move." Itachi continued to watch them. It was obvious to Itachi of their growing anxiety.
"What rank do you think?" Sakura asked glancing at Naruto then to Itachi.
"Hunter-nins." Itachi said without hesitation.
"Wha! But that's over kill!" Naruto shouted in surprise. Sakura shot him a glare. Naruto began to calm down, but his eyes were still darting to the open shoji screen. The two knew that this house was probably one of the safest places to be in, but they still couldn't help feeling nervous.
"Seriously Itachi-nii-san, we might be good, but not that good for them to send Hunter-nins after us. And why Hunter-nins? They're job is to track and kill missing nins, not other village's ninjas." Sakura spoke uncertainly. Her gaze never leaving Itachi's onyx eyes. She was never able to read emotions well, but Itachi was impossible. He was a master of hiding his feelings. Even though it was still unspoken, she and Naruto knew full well that there was still something more to this then what he said.
"I can't tell you anymore. But watch each other. And no matter what don't go near Nakano Shrine's Main Temple." Itachi's tone made it clear that it was the end of this conversation. Naruto and Sakura both shifted uneasily under his steely gaze. Both were still nervous, but they'll do what Itachi commanded. Even without him saying it, they would always watch each other's backs.
"When are you leaving?" Sakura asked, trying to clear the uneasiness from the room.
"Tomorrow."
"Then want to train with us?" Sakura asked, already knowing the answer. From all the years of knowing Itachi he had only trained with them three times, and those were dire situations that called for it. And even then he would show them basics, never anything advanced.
"No, I need to prepare for the mission." Itachi stated, finally breaking eye contact with both of them.
"Is that it?" Naruto asked, he finally stopped glancing at the open screen.
"Unn," Itachi stood up. "Do your best at the exams, Sasuke would be there."
"It's been a while since I last saw him, how's he doing?" Sakura asked politely.
"Well." Itachi said walking through the door leading the living room.
Sakura and Naruto followed. They continued till they were in the kitchen. All three took their seats.
"Konnichwa Uchiha-san." The soon to be genins chorused.
"Hai, hai, konnichiwa Sakura-chan, Naruto-kun." She greeted. "Are you two going to train today?" She asked smiling and turning back to her cooking.
"I guess not today. Why are you cooking now? There's still," Sakura turned to look at the clock on the other wall. "About three hours before dinner."
"I know, I'm making a mochi." –a small red bean paste filled bun- She said turning from her work and smiling at the guests. She began to work again. "Did Itachi tell you he'll be moving out?"
"Ehhh?" Naruto cried surprised. "You never told us!" He shouted pointing an accusing finger at the Sharigan user. Itachi on the other hand didn't respond at all.
"Are you still going to live in the compound?" Sakura asked, moving so she could see Itachi. She sat next to Naruto and Itachi sat on the other side of Naruto.
"Yes." Itachi replied curtly.
"You have to invite us when you move!" Naruto said loudly. Sakura grabbed his shirt and pulled him down.
"When?" Sakura asked looking between Itachi and his mother.
"After his mission." She replied. Itachi didn't say anything "Oh, I forgot to ask if you two wanted anything to drink." She turned her full attention to the two.
"Tea!" Naruto said in his usual happiness. "You're tea is the best!"
Uchiha-san giggled and began to prepare some tea for her guests. "Are you two going to stay?" She asked opening a cabinet and taking out a package of dried tea leaves.
"I am!" Naruto said, his arm shooting up, like a student trying to answer a teacher's question.
"Ahhh, sorry. I have to go home…" Sakura drifted. It was always awkward for her to mention her family or house. Even though she didn't tell anyone, besides Itachi and Naruto, everyone else who knew her automatically registers that she doesn't have a good house life. But they don't press her for any more information.
Sakura's gaze fell, and a small sad smile graced her lips. She really couldn't tell anyone either. It wasn't horrible, like her mother is abusive. But it wasn't so good as a lot of other people's. Comparing herself to a lot of shinobis in the village she's happy that she even has a blood relative to even call family. But truthfully she didn't really have a home.
Something broke her out of her thoughts. Naruto placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed slightly in a comforting manner. Sakura looked up at him as he smiled at her. Not the usual grin that occupied his face, but a slightly painful smile. In his silent way he was sharing her pain. They knew each other for a long time and Naruto always understood, though he never had parents. But from that day he knew that friends could sometimes fill in that empty space where your parents should be.
"Eh," Uchiha-san stopped before pouring the hot water.
"Something wrong?" Naruto questioned. He withdrew him hand and turned his attention to her.
She didn't immediately reply. "Sakura-chan," she began. Sakura blinked at being addressed in that tone. "For the Genin exams, don't you need a family name and for the registration too…"
Sakura felt her heart skip a beat. She turned her gaze to the table, trying to sort out her frenzied thoughts.
"I… I don't know." Sakura finally responded. She looked to Itachi. He was looking at her too.
Uchiha-san's eyes softened. She turned around and poured the water into the cups. "You can use our name." she said softly.
"Eh? No, no, I can't It wouldn't feel right," Sakura said waving her hands in dismissal. "Thank you, but I can't."
Uchiha-san still didn't turn around. "I understand."
"Sakura-chan, you can use mine!" Naruto suggested after a moment of silence.
Sakura cocked an eyebrow. "Idiot." She said hitting him upside the head.
"Ow! What was that for?" Naruto shouted indignantly.
"Think about it, if I use Uzumaki they'll think I'm you're sister or something." Sakura scolded. "Any ideas Itachi-nii-san?" she asked looking over Naruto.
"Senpuu." –Whirlwind- Itachi said his face still calm. "It compliments well with Uzumaki." –Whirlpool-
Sakura and Naruto grinned. "Yea I'll use that. But I think I'll ask Haruno-san, if I can use our name first." Sakura said her voice dropping.
"Here," Uchiha-san said handing the three cups of green tea. Itachi sipped it glancing at the clock. Naruto and Sakura began a conversation with Itachi and Uchiha-san commenting here and there.
It was finally late afternoon an hour before sunset, Sakura stood up and bowed to Uchiha-san. "Thank you for the tea." She spoke in respect. And she began to make her way to the front door.
"Sakura-chan wait!" Uchiha-san said stopping her. "Here, just a snack." She said handing the pink haired girl a bento.
"Thank you for the food." Sakura said bowing again.
"Do you want someone to walk you home? I'm sure Naruto-kun and Itachi would be happy to." She suggested while Sakura put on her sandals.
"No thanks I can't by myself." The girl said smiling, but a voice in the back of her mind said not to. 'But it won't be right to tell Uchiha-san it. Don't wanna get others involved.' She thought closing the door behind her. 'There's still enough light and people. If I take the busiest streets then I'm fine.' Sakura began to walk.
The Uchiha compound was still buys and some of the police force was still present. Sakura relaxed a bit, knowing if anything happened there were some capable ninjas to help.
'First thing's first,' Sakura thought looking at her surroundings. She began to sense the chakras around the area. One thing she picked up through missions was to always scan the area for chakra signatures and to identify if they were hostile or not. The process was simple enough and ninjas usually learned it after becoming Chuunins, when the tasks actually called for it. Once during an A ranked mission a jounin commented that Sakura had a knack for scanning. Naruto and Sakura were only allowed to take part in A ranked missions if Itachi was present and agreed that they could handle it, the total A ranked missions so far was four. She was and is still proud that she was some what praised by a high ranked ninja.
Sakura scanned the area thoroughly making sure to pay extra attention to the ninjas. When she was finished she was already at the gate. She didn't hurry in case it might seem suspicious to the enemy and she didn't want to give away of her knowing that she knew about them. After passing through the gate she scanned the area again and continued doing so every five minutes. It was shinobi rule number 31, never let your guard down even when you're in safe territory.
Finally Sakura rreached her house, she unlocked the door, stepped inside, closed the door, and took off her sandals. She knew that Haruno-san wouldn't be back till about an hour later with her guests. Till then Sakura needed to clean the kitchen, prepare snacks, and dust the living room. The living room was practically spotless only the table holding picure frames of all types and sizes, needed dusting. Sakura knew after her mother and guests arrived she had to stay in her room, not going out for any reason. Thankfully she had prepared someth8ing to eat, even if it was small.
She began cleaning the kitchen, it was simple enough scrub the counters, wash the dishes, and dust the corners. After cleaning she began to make snacks, she had already prepared a crème cake and bought some cookies. She arranged it on a tray and brought it to the living room. She set it on the coffee table and went to get the dusting cloth.
She took a dirty blue cotton cloth out of a bucket in the small storage room they used as a utility closet. She closed the door and walked back to the table. She took the picture frames off the table and onto the floor. She wiped the table, then began to wipe the frames. She replaced them inexactly the same positions as before knowing Haruno-san would get angry if they were misplaced.
Her eyes lingered on one particular picture. It was a picture of her former family. Her father with crimson hair stood next to her mother and arm around her and his daughter. Sakura in the picture was three years old with just as red hair as her father and green eyes like her mother. Sakura's face fell, a deep frown embedded itself on her face and she felt her heart twinge.
"Sakura," a sharp voice woke her up from her reverie. "Hurry up, they'll be here in a minute." Her mother said from the doorway. Sakura didn't look from the picture, the light reflected off the glass and showed a reflection of Haruno-san. "And dye your hair, its getting redder." She snapped as Sakura got up.
"Yes Haruno-san." She said softly not making eye contact ass he passed. She made her way up to her room silently, dropping off the dusting cloth in the utility room, and picking up her dinner from the kitchen.
Sakura closed the door behind her as she entered her room. It was neat and clean, but right now Sakura wanted to destroy it. Maybe it was some impulse of a neglected child, but she couldn't stand looking at the room. She hadn't turned on the lights while entering, preferring the remaining lights fill the room. She made her way to her balcony, opening the glass doors and stepping out to the twilight. The sun was setting and the sky was filled with other colors beside the usual blue. One thing Konoha was proud of was the sunset and sunrises. They say that you can't find any other place that has as great sunsets or sunrises, than Konoha. Sakura sat down on the floor, in the corner of the wall and the dusty red of the railing. She set her dinner down next to her, consisting of the bento Uchiha-san gave her, and a package of onigiri –rice balls-.
Sakura sat there enjoying the weather and the view, thinking back to her early childhood when everything was supposed to be what it was.
"Otou-san, if you were here would things be different? I know you you're watching over me, but why doesn't Okaa-san deny my existence? I really liked your hair, and I wish I can dye mine's back to it, but Okaa-san doesn't want me too. Heh, you always did say that I'll look like a real sakura, if I dye my hair pink. That's why I changed it to this color. But I really like red. Naruto is a great friend, so is Itachi. They take care of me, since no one else would. But I take care of them too. They're my true family. I wish you could meet them, but I'm sure you would've heard of the Uchiha prodigy. And Naruto, the kyuubi vessel. I know, we're not supposed to know and it was an accident of how we found out. But Naruto is really strong with or without Kyuubi. You should see the things he did. Though we aren't that strong, we're still training, but we're pretty good. When we're on missions with other shinobi, they say we have amazing teamwork, and our abilities compliment well with each other. I can't remember a time, it wasn't like that. Sometimes I think Naruto's way stronger than me, but when I tell him that, he always say he'll never be able to do any of those things without me there. But I doubt it. Naruto still wants to be Hokage, and I'll work my hardest to help him become it. And he says he'll do the same for me. But I'm not sure what I want to be. All I know is that I want to help other shinobi, that's all. Oh! And we're going to be official shinobi in three days! Though it'll only be genin, it's a start. Well anyways, I'm sure you have other things to do Otou-san, I'll talk to you later"
The wind blew all the while when Sakura was talking. And she knew her father had heard every word. She usually talk to her father like this. When her mother doesn't want to see her and she's in her room. She'll go to the balcony, sit in the same corner at twilight and begin to talk. Her father used to say, "When your lonely and I'm not here, talk to the wind at sunset. The wind will carry on your message to me." He would then pick up Sakura and set her on his lap, and they'll watch the sunset together. They would usually do this, just the two of them whenever he wasn't on a mission.
Sakura's lip quivered and a tear escaped her eyes. She hugged her knees and buried her head in them. She didn't cry however, she knew that crying would never resolve anything. Besides she didn't want to wind to give her tears to her father.
End of Ch: 2
Well this took me the entire week to write. I hope you enjoyed it. And please review!