Me: Work on this or I will skin you.

Also me: geez man, but what about Pinwheels or Ice breaker-

Me: Screw those two stories, they only have one chapter anyway. This is your legacy.

Also me: uhhhhhh…..

Warning; longer chapter than usual, some feels, and well, Sasuke.

Edited 1/19/20- Fixed some spelling errors.

"Live your life so you'll have no regrets. No matter how hard, no matter how sad, if something is precious to you, protect it with both arms." -Masashi Kishimoto

I wrung out the cloth above a wooden bowl, then wiped and polished the gravestones. Once I had finished cleaning them, I swept any leaves and weeds away, dusting off the marble surface. I finished my weekly job by bringing the bowl back to the house and gathering the bouquet of flowers that Ino helped me pick out every weekend off the kitchen counter.

Walking back to the gravestones, I set down the fresh flowers; anemone, aster, blue iris. Taking a seat in a traditional seiza position in front of them, I bowed my head and smiled sadly at the names engraved on the marble. "Good morning Okaa-san, Otou-sama. I finally completely mastered the fireball jutsu- without hand signs as well. I plan on trying to make new techniques from it too, I hope you're proud."

"I haven't seen Nii-san for a few years, but I'm sure he's doing fine, I just worry too much I guess. Oka- Kaa-chan, I'm going to take the test to graduate the academy tomorrow- Tou-sama, I'm confident I'll pass without a doubt as you've always said. Naruto-chan is still dead-last, even though I've taken time out of my day to help him personally." I rolled my eyes, a small, fond smile on my lips. "He and Shikamaru are my best friends, you remember him right? I lost count how many times I've kidnapped him or disturbed his precious sleep." I laughed softly, gently plucking one of the Iris from the bouquet, brushing my fingers against its petals. A breeze lifted my hair gracefully, free from its usual low ponytail today.

"Even though you're not here, even after what your mistakes and anger resulted in- I still love you. I love Itachi-nii. I… I really wish you were here with me, but I know you wouldn't like it if I pulled a Kabuto." I stood slowly, staring at the small flower in my hands. Chuckling, I slipped it into my hair, above my ear, smiling warmly at the cold gravestones. "I'll make you proud, you don't have to worry about me." I closed my eyes, sighing deeply, "I'll always treasure our time together, as a family. I don't regret any of it. I love you." Sending one last look over my shoulder, I turned and headed towards the academy, grabbing my bag by the compound gates on my way out.

It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, birds were singing, and the people of Konoha were already up and about for the day. The walk to the academy was as per usual, except that after today I wouldn't be going there anymore as a mere student. I smiled at that and slipped by the gates and through the main entrance. Pushing open the door to the classroom, I popped a piece of gum into my mouth, raising my hand in greeting to Iruka. He sat at his desk and smiled, "You're not late today." I returned his optimism with my own, "Yep." I replied, popping the 'p'. Sauntering over to my desk, I yawned and took my seat, letting my face fall onto my arms. I had just started dozing when the door to the classroom slammed open, making me snap my head up at the sudden 'bang'. "Iruka-san, Naruto is painting the stone faces on the Hokage mountain!" the chunin panted, out of breath.

Iruka sighed and stood, following the frantic chunin, a scowl making its way onto his face. Once he left I started cackling, and Shikamaru sent me a look. "What'd you convince him to paint?" Grinning widely, I gazed out the window and spotted said boy jumping down from the mountain and booking it, two shinobi hot on his trail. "I only helped him get the paint and suggested a lovely addition to his artwork. He did everything else himself." Shikamaru followed my gaze, deadpanning at the place where Tobirama's face was. It was now painted to resemble me, my expression and smirk very smug. Below that was written; 'I'm the sexiest in this village.' In various places around it were a few more messages, but the only other I could make out said, 'Bow to me peasants' which was a nice touch on Naruto's part.

It didn't take long for Iruka to catch and drag a pouting naruto into the classroom, making me chuckle at the ropes holding the jinchuriki hostage. Iruka placed his hands on his hips, meeting the boy's eyes impatiently. "I'm at the end of my rope, Naruto. You failed the graduation test last time and the time before that. Tomorrow you've got another chance and you're messing up again."

"Hmph!" Naruto turned his head to the side, and I almost missed the smug look he sent my way as if saying; 'can you do better?'. I returned his smirk with a grin that showed too many teeth. We'll see whos the 'true' artist soon enough. 'Don't get cocky.' I mouthed, winking. Iruka pointed dramatically at Naruto, gaining his attention again. "Fine! Because you missed it Naruto, everyone will review the transformation jutsu!" The class 'awed' and lined up in front of the classroom, some sending dirty looks the blonde's way. I begrudgingly stood behind Sakura, yawning again. "Way too early for this shit." Shikamaru placed a hand on my shoulder, "Now you know how I feel." He smirked at the half-hearted glare I sent his way, making me roll my eyes.

Sakura was up first, and smiled confidently, "Alright, Sakura here! Let's do it. Transform!" A cloud of smoke engulfed her and cleared to reveal a perfect copy of Iruka, the real one nodded in satisfaction. "Transformed into me. Good." With a poof she changed back, fist-pumping the air, "Yes I did it!" She turned to me with shining eyes, "Did you see that Sasuke? I've really gotten better at this ninja stuff." We fist-bumped and I cracked a smirk-grin, "Yep." Iruka then turned his attention on me, "Sasuke-kun, you're up next." My face still held the same expression as placed my hands on my hips and transformed. A cloud of smoke obscured my vision for a moment before it cleared like Sakura's. Except there was a major difference between our transformations.

I crossed my arms while my gaze turned smug, a perfect replica of a (prime) Madara stared back at Iruka. "Is this acceptable?" My voice was smooth and velvety, and Iruka shot me a look. Naruto snickered and I transformed back when Iruka replied, "Uh, good. Next Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto had his hands in his pockets and frowned when Ino let out an annoyed sigh and shot a glare at him. "We always pay for your screw-ups" Shikamaru sighed and mumbled, "This is a total drag." Naruto stepped up and stuck out his tongue at Ino, "Like I care." He shrunk back and apologized profusely when Sakura held up a fist. Hinata smiled softly and gave Naruto a thumbs up, "You c-can do it Naruto-kun."

Hinata had grown more confident over the years, but still stutters occasionally, especially when talking to Naruto; but she's more like her Shippuden self now. That's something I'm really happy about, and now I can rest easy knowing my Waifu is self-assured. Naruto clapped his hand together in a sign, concentrating. I activated my Sharingan and saw the chakra moving wildly around him before he called out, "Transform!"

The clouds of smoke cleared enough to reveal Naruko, who smirked seductively and sent a wink Iruka's way; then fidgeted with her hands nervously and bit her lip. "I-Iruka-sensei." Iruka flies back into the blackboard- like the first time Naruto used his most powerful jutsu on him. Blood poured from his nose and he lept up, livid, while Naruto dropped the henge and cackled madly. I joined his laughter, neither of us stopping when Iruka yelled, "Cut the stupid tricks! This is your last warning!"

We both scrubbed at the paint on the Hokage mountain, peeved that Iruka didn't let us off the hook. I didn't even paint it this time! Well, I technically assisted in some of it… still. I pouted at Iruka, thinking about attempting to put him in a new genjutsu I cooked up and book it- but I couldn't leave Naru-chan alone! "This sucks." my blonde companion complained, and Iruka shot an annoyed look down at him. "You're not going home until you've cleaned off every single drop of paint."

"So what. It's not like there's anyone waiting at home for me," he replied sullenly before I smacked him on the back of the head. "What am I, a roach?"

"You know what I mean."

"Then move in with me or something dobe. I've got plenty of space, and well, I'm never gonna open up the district to the public." Naruto's lips parted to say something but Iruka cut in, "Naruto?" he frowned, "What do ya want now sensei?"

"Well, I was just thinking. Maybe after you've cleaned this all up, I can take you out for some ramen. The good stuff. What do ya think?" I raised my hand, "Am I included in this deal?" Iruka nodded and I grinned, Naruto's mirroring mine. "Haa, now that's some serious motivation! I'll have this clean in no time dattebayo!" I nodded in agreement, then gave a sad look towards Tobirama's head. "Are you sure we have to clean that one too?"

"Yes."

I broke my chopsticks while Naruto dived into his bowl, slurping up his ramen hungrily. "Naruto?" Iruka asked from Naruto's other side, breaking his own chopsticks. "Hmm?" Naruto questioned through the mouthfuls of ramen, while I ate mine at a more leisurely pace, enjoying the spices and flavor. It really was the best ramen in existence, or at least the elemental nations. "Why would you do that to the Hokage faces? I mean, you know who the Hokage are don't you?"

-slurp-"Course I do."-slurp-"Everybody knows. They were the greatest shinobi of their time, right? The best of the ninja champs. And the fourth Hokage is the one who saved the village from the nine-tails fox. He was the most amazing."

"Then why did you-"

"Because I'm going to be greater than any of them. Me, Naruto, the next Hokage." He pointed his chopsticks at Iruka. "A ninja legend!('With Sasuke as my right-hand man of course.' I smirked smugly at that.) Then everyone will have to stop disrespecting me and look up to me! Dattebayo! Uh…by the way, I kinda wanna ask a little favor sensei."

"You want another bowl?"

Naruto scratched his head sheepishly, "Um um. Well…I wanna try on your headband. Come on, please."

"Uh…oh this?" He touched his headband, "No way. You can only wear the leaf headband when you've finally graduate from the academy and become a ninja. You've gotta pass the test tomorrow."

"That is so uncool!"

"Haha. Hey, is that why you took off your goggles?"

"Uuhhh…I want another bowl!" Iruka begins to laugh warmly while I cracked a smile, "Same here. Also, Iruka-sensei?"

"Yes, Sasuke?"

"Graduating doesn't mean I'll stop in my artistic endeavors." My grin turned evil, making Iruka gulp nervously.

This was it, graduating day, and the fir- well, the second day of the canon storyline. Yesterday went pretty similar from what I remember, the only added variable being Naruto's not as overbearing and spiteful, and myself messing around of course. I went through my morning routine, paying a short trip to my parent's graves to tell them to wish me luck, then headed to the academy.

There was a lot of excited chatter, and everyone was antsy about graduating and becoming an official ninja. The ignorant and naive ones would be weeded out, while the ones who proved themselves would begin their career full of death, pain, and suffering. I felt goosebumps running down my arms and shivered in anticipation- how exciting. It's not all bad though; sometimes people gain power just to protect people and not slaughter hundreds for the kick of it. Iruka clapped his hands to gain everyone's attention, waiting for the room to finish shushing itself before he spoke. "We will now start the final exam. When your name is called proceed to the testing room. The final test will be on the clone jutsu."

One by one, students were called in; those who left either left with forehead protectors or disappointment. Eventually, my name was called, and I stood and strolled into the testing room, eyeing the table lined with headbands with the symbol for Konoha. Iruka tested me on basic history, math, etc. It was really just a review, with 'perform the clone jutsu' tacked on at the end. A part of me wondered if Mizuki arranged that so Naruto would have the most trouble… Probably. Who knows what goes on in the minds of Oro-chan's dumbass lackeys.

For the last test, I stood in front of Mizuki and Iruka, who gave a nod to continue. I clasped my hands together in a single hand sign, easily producing two copies on either side of me. I turned to the one on my left, who shrugged and finger gunned me, before I dispelled it, along with the one on my right. I passed- duh, and was handed a shiny new forehead protector. "Excellent as always Sasuke-san. Be sure to tell Ino-san to come in next." Mizuki smiled his fake smile(it was so obvious. How has no one caught onto this guy yet?) and congratulated me. I took a moment to tie it around my forehead like the original Sasuke and smiled disarmingly at the traitor. "Why thank you. Have a nice day Mizuki-sensei, I'll be sure to get her."

I can't wait to stomp this man when he reveals his true colors.

Making my way out the door, I smirked at my group of friends, flashing a peace sign. "Wow you're a real ninja now Sasuke, I never doubted you!" Sakura exclaimed. "Thanks, I'm sure you're gonna pass too," I said with an eye-smile. She blushed, then nodded rapidly, "Y-yeah."

"Oh, Ino, it's your turn, by the way." Ino grinned, "See you soon" and waved her fingers before disappearing into the testing room. Naruto fidgeted nervously in his seat, making me frown and take my own next to him. He grinned, though it seemed a bit forced. I put my hand on his shoulder, and smiled reassuringly at him, "I'm sure you'll pass. After all, we're gonna be ninjas together right?"

His fake grin faltered, then dropped into a small smile, "Thanks Sasuke." and like I flipped a switch, he was brimming with energy and beamed at me, "If I don't graduate, I can't become Hokage after all!" I nodded sagely, "Yep, because if you don't, then I'm going to be Hokage before you." I teased, making him glare at me half-heartedly. He turned his nose up, crossing his arms, "As if! I'll never let you beat me to the Hokage title dattebayo!"

I smirked, "Perhaps."

Naruto sat mournfully on the iconic swing, disappointment clear in his eyes. I looked around at all the happy families- parents congratulating their children, or telling them there's always next year. 'I really wish Itachi was here.' Resolving to smother my brother the next time I saw him, I made my way over to the depressed jinchuriki. My eyes narrowed at a couple of girls who were whispering about him, and clearly knew he could still hear them. I discreetly cast a genjutsu to make them feel insects crawling up their legs when we made eye contact briefly. Smirking when they started shrieking and swatting at nothingness, hoping to hit whatever they felt land on them, I Leaned against the tree and glanced sideways at Naruto; who looked up at me with those misty eyes of his.

"I'm going to head home... I'll meet at Ichiraku's later tonight… probably." when he didn't say anything, I frowned, "You're always amazing at defying logic, so I'm certain that you'll become a ninja… somehow. Maybe talk to Mizuki-sensei, cause' I overheard that he might have a way for you to pass- dunno if it's true. Anyways, see you later." he looked thoughtful at that, but I turned and shunshined away before he could reply. Hopping around on the rooftops, I made my way to a training ground near the forest he might come to if he gets the scroll.

I hoped and prayed that Mizuki came to him with the proposition- cutting off that thought, I decided to practice throwing and maybe try my hand at mediating until the time came.

I was startled out of my meditation when an alarm rang through the village and I quickly left without a trace to hunt down my blonde friend. It didn't take long, and I dropped down into the clearing he was in, making him yelp in surprise. "Teme! Oh- uh, you were right dattebayo! Mizuki-sensei said all I had to do was learn a jutsu from this scroll. I'm still unsure of which though…" I walked over and sat next to him and nodded, unrolling the scroll further until I found my prize. "Why don't you try 'Shadow clone jutsu'? I'll just look at the others just in case." He whined, throwing his hands in the air, "not another clone jutsu!"

I patted his shoulder, "Shadow clone jutsu requires a lot of chakra to perform- something of which you have plenty of. So, in theory, this should be way easier to learn than the normal clone jutsu for you." He adopted a thoughtful expression, before a determined look formed on his face, and nodded once. "I'm gonna master this in no time…" He mumbled, reading over his part of the scroll. I activated my Sharingan and scanned the scroll, my eyes landing on two techniques in particular.

'Eight Trigrams Sealing Style', and 'Edo Tensei.'

My Sharingan seared those techniques into my memory; the hand seals, application, etc… The Sharingan is useful as fuck. Reaching the end of the scroll, I paused and noted storage seals on the wooden handle. Curiosity got the better of me and I applied my chakra to unseal it; smoke and a popping sound indicating it worked. In my hand were two small vials of blood and a clump of hair that looked like it was added last minute. DNA? But whos?

One of the vials barely had any left, and the other was fairly full.

Shrugging, I slipped them into my pocket and stored them in my own storage scroll, rolling the scroll of seals back up so Naruto could have it to himself. Despite now knowing how to perform the reaper death seal(I skimmed over pretty much the whole scroll before I found the jutsu I came for), something about that jutsu… terrifies me. It makes my blood run cold and makes me feel the truest fear I've ever experienced in this life. Not that I would use that jutsu anyway, but this experience just takes it from 'Nah I wanna live fam', to 'I gotta burn all evidence of that sealing dawg.'

"Alright!" Naruto exclaimed, breaking me out of my existential feeling of ghost terror? Second-hand terror? "Shadow clone Jutsu!" Naruto slapped his hands together in that iconic sign, and five copies of himself popped into existence. He grinned from ear to ear, letting out a whoop and dispelling the clones. "I did it dattebayo! I'm gonna pass for sure."

He was broken out of his excitement when an irate Iruka jumped down in front of us, hands on his hips, and face twitching in annoyance. "It's all over. Heh heh heh heh he- wait, why are you here Sasuke?" I shrugged, replying, "I was in the area when I felt Naruto's chakra, so I came over here to help him pass." Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly, laughing nervously. "Huh?" was Iruka's eloquent reply, and Naruto continued, "Caught me already? Not bad. You're quick sensei. I only had time to learn one technique." Naruto grinned, and spread his arms wide, "Listen Iruka-sensei! I'm gonna show you this amazing jutsu and your gonna let me graduate then everything will be okay! That's the way it works right? Anyone who learns a jutsu from this scroll passes."

"Huh?! Where'd you get that idea?!" Iruka fumed and tapped his foot, reminding me of a mother scolding her child from stealing from a forbidden cookie jar. "Mizuki-sensei did." I replied, and Naruto started flailing his arms around, "Yeah! He told me where to find the scroll and this place…" Naruto's look of glee slowly fell when he saw Iruka's gobsmacked expression. Before he could reply, Iruka turns around quickly and pushes Naruto away from multiple kunai flying towards him. A couple hit him in his arms and legs, making me jump back. 'Shit I almost forgot, Jashin am I oblivious.'

"I see you found our little hideaway." Mizuki's smug, smarmy voice rung through the clearing. I shot an unimpressed look his way; he was trying to be cool while kneeling on a nearby branch. Mizuki caught sight of me and his eyes widened a fraction before he smirked and schooled his features. "Ah, Sasuke-kun, how unfortunate, now I'll have to get rid of you too." while Iruka began his dialogue and distracted Mizuki, I activated my Sharingan again and shunshined behind Mizuki, casting a minor genjutsu so he didn't realize anything was amiss.

I drew a kunai and went for his neck, barely able to create a shallow cut before the pain broke the genjutsu and he whipped around and kicked me, sending me flying back. Backflipping and landing on another branch, I shunshined back to Naruto and pulled him out of the way, holding up the kunai in a defensive position. Mizuki hissed in pain and grabbed at his neck with one of his hands, leveling a murderous glare my way. "Ah, the little Uchiha has claws." Naruto looked frantically between Iruka, Mizuki, and I, just realizing the gravity of this situation. "As a genin of the leaf, It's my duty to stop you; a traitor, and an annoying one at that." I sneered, shifting my feet into a more defensive stance.

Naruto's eyes widened, "M-Mizuki-sensei is a traitor?" I gave him a flat stare and gestured at the scene playing out before us. "I guess he is, I mean, I totally never saw that coming." I drawled, reflecting some shuriken the former-sensei-turned-traitor-chan threw at me and raised a brow.

Mizuki became impatient, taking out his huge ass shuriken, "Naruto! Give me the scroll now!" Iruka was breathing hard and threw some more kunai in his ex-friend's way. "Naruto! Don't let Mizuki get the scroll! It contains forbidden jutsu that can put this village in grave danger! Mizuki used you to get the scroll for himself for his own power!" Naruto gasped, and I rolled my eyes when Mizuki delivered his next line, "Naruto! Iruka is just trying to scare you cause he doesn't want you to have the scroll."

"Because he doesn't want a traitor like you to take it dumbass," I muttered under my breath, but I'm sure Naruto heard me. He looked at poor, wounded Iruka-sensei, "Stop lying Mizuki! Don't let him trick you Naruto!"

"Ha ha ha haha! Oh, I'll tell you who's really lying." Mizuki's smirk became twisted, and Iruka started to panic. "No Mizuki!"

"They've been lying to you your whole life Naruto. Since the decree twelve years ago." My eyes narrowed, wow, he really is a prick. Though, to be fair, not telling naruto he was a jinchuriki was a fault on the Hokage's part, then again, saying the boy is the fox is dumbassery at it's finest. The blonde scowled, "What decree?"

"Everyone knows except you. Iruka's trying to hide it from you even now. He'd do anything to shut me up!" I raised my free hand, "I don't know." I was dutifully ignored- ouch.

"What is this decree? Why does everyone else know about it?" Naruto looked lost, confused, and nervous. Trying to ease whatever thoughts are swirling around in his head, I took a step back to stand next to him and put a hand on his shoulder, rolling my eyes when he stiffened but didn't say anything. Iruka was sweating bullets and looked as frantic as a mother hen who's nest was invaded by a hungry fox- oh wait, that analogy is kind of ironic-

"The decree is no one can tell you the nine-tail fox is inside you!"

He gapped like a fish, his eyes growing wide. 'I should probably put a stop to this soon…'

"The fox spirit that killed Iruka's parents and destroyed our village has taken over your body! You are the nine-tails fox!"

"STOOOP IT!" Iruka yelled.

"They've all been sneaking around hiding things from you your whole life. Didn't you think it was strange how-"

Rolling my eyes for the umpteenth time, I blew a sealess inferno towards Mizuki, startling him from his speech and making him yell in surprise. When the blaze died down, Mizuki was standing on the ground, covered in burn marks and bleeding heavily from his dominant arm. "Y-you little b-brat!" he hissed, grimacing in pain. "Wow, you know, for a chunin to be stomped so hard by a newly minted genin makes you pretty pathetic," I said in an apathetic monotone.

Turning to Naruto, I shook his shoulders, making his eyes snap up to meet mine. "Ok, so that was a pretty big revelation, and it was delivered by a douchebag, so, double ouch-" I shook his shoulders again for emphasis. "Just because we both now know that the Kyuubi is sealed inside of you, doesn't really change our friendship, does it? What if it was sealed inside of me? Would you suddenly hate me?" He shook his head, shock making him silent… strange. Thought he'd be more vocal, ah well. "And Iruka already knew, but he still cares about you. Think about all the times you've had ramen and joked, and shared your days with each other… how he looked out for you- of course, I'm much better at that but still- you get the point."

He seemed to process this, and then flashed me a determined smile, "Yeah, you're right Sasuke! Thanks for reminding me of what really matters." Returning his grin with a fond smile, I replied, "Friends got to help each other out, eh? Just like how you did for me."

Iruka slumped against the tree, weakened from blood loss, and having to pull out all the kunai and shuriken out of his legs and arms. "Alright loser! I'll teach you to mess with me and my friends dattebayo!" Naruto clasped his hands together, "Multi shadow clone jutsu!" Suddenly the whole clearing was filled with Naruto's advancing on an already wounded Mizuki. "W-wha?"

It was a complete smackdown from there, and it only took a few punches to knock Mizuki out, though Naruto bodyslammed him a few times just to be sure. I wiped my brow, exchanging a grin with Naruto, then looked up in surprise when I noticed the sun was rising. Had we really been out here that long? Guess it was the flashbacks and dialogue/monologue.

Iruka stood and motioned Naruto over, giving him a soft smile. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before Naruto. I just wanted you to have as normal a childhood you could- the Hokage wanted that too. We didn't want you to find out like this, in this situation. Forgive me, Naruto."

He laughed, crossing his arms, "It's ok Iruka-sensei! What Sasuke said was right; it shouldn't matter whether or not I have the big ole' dumb fox inside of me or not. We're still friends." Iruka gave him an eye-smile, then a look of realization dawned on his face. "Naruto, I have something to give you. Close your eyes."

Naruto complied, scrunching his eyes shut as I watched Iruka untie his headband and bestow it onto Naruto, taking a step back when he was done. "Alright, you can open your eyes now." his bright-blue eyes fluttered open, and he looked up at Iruka in surprise after he realized he gave him his headband. "You proved yourself a true shinobi of the leaf, you earned this Naruto." the jinchuriki teared up and threw himself at the man in a fierce hug. "I-Iruka-sensei." I looked on as Naruto cried his frustrations and relief out into Iruka's arms, a small smile present on my face.

I was oddly content.

"Even when I force myself to smile, it seems I'm the type of person who ends up being hated." -Sai

"There's only one thing that can heal the heart... Only one... It's love, Gaara." -Yashamaru

We hit a milestone- well, not really. But ten chapters! YAy!

Tune in next time for more... chapters.