Here is the next chapter. The first two chapter were a set up, and now we are starting to get into the meat of the story.

Chapter 2: It is All About Connections

It was time.

"Are you ready Chiyome?" Kaa-chan asked as I finished eating my breakfast.

"Yes!"

Placing my bowl into the sink and running over to the entry to put my shoes on, I heard my mom laugh.

"We're just going shopping. I don't know why you're so excited."

"Ya, but we're going outside of the clan ground!" I told her.

It was important for my plan after all. The first step I need to take in order to try and avoid the Uchiha Massacre.

"Oh? And it has nothing to do with you wanting to see Itachi doing 'ninja chores' as you put it last night?"

"Maybe a little." But can you blame me? The idea of my genius of a brother having to do d-ranks like any other Genin is too good.

I even got my camera that Kaa-chan gave me for my third birthday around my neck.

"You do know you will have to do d-rank like your brother when you first become a ninja right?" Kaa-chan reminded me and it took all of my effort not to roll my eyes at her.

"I know. That's why I got this!" I explained, holding up my Polaroid looking camera. "Then if Ni-chan tries to make fun of me I can bring out a friendly reminder of his starting days."

Also maybe I could use it as blackmail if my first plan doesn't work. 'Itachi, you can't murder everyone in the clan. I have photos of you cleaning up Inuzuka nin-dog poop.'

Ok, so maybe I just wanted them for myself. I can't spend all my time training and planning. So taking annoying pictures like my old grandma did will be my free time.

"What did I do to get two genius?" My mom said as she grabbed my hair in order to get it under control.

Ah, yes. Three years old and already i'm being called the next Itachi. or Kakashi, or Orochimaru depending on who you ask.

It was completely my fault. I took no care in trying to dumb down my intelligence. I figure that ninja were paranoid and I wasn't ready to lie for my whole life. I already have enough secrets that will never see the light of day, I didn't want more.

And maybe I wanted to be known as a genius that I had to work so hard to get in my past.

"There. Now we can leave."

I reached back to see what my mom did with my hair, only to groan at the two high pigtails that I could easily feel with the turn of my head.

"Really Kaa-chan? I look like a baby with my hair like this." I told her, counting the days until I can cut my hair shorter.

Long spiky hair was even more of a pain then long curly hair.

"That's because you are my baby."

Then I was up on Kaa-chan's hip and out the door before I knew it.

It was the end of summer, and was hot. There was even Cicada like bugs that were called Semi making noise that had me frowning. I am fine with most bugs, just not ants or Cicada.

"What's that?" I asked as we passed the gates to the compound, pointing over to the masked ninja talking to the guards.

Oh, I was pretty sure they were the super ninjas, ABUU or something? They were the stereotypical ninja, which is why it was odd to be able to see them in broad daylight.

"That's Lion-San. She is a ninja like Otou-San and I."

"But Otou-san doesn't wear a mask when he is on duty" I pointed out, because there was no way I was going to drop this.

I've been trying my best to be able to sense Chakra, but so far my range is the size of my bedroom. Yet I was close enough to tell that this Lion-San's Chakra was even harder to locate than usual.

It was like every time I tried to pin it down it changed, yet when I try agian it was still there. It felt like I was trying to touch a rainbow. Or a cloud.

"There is lots of different ninjas. You know Otou-San and I are Jounin level and Itachi is a Genin, and in between is chunin. But there are also special Jounin and ANBU."

"ANBU? Is that what Lion-San is?" I asked, looking back in time to see her disappear. Or use a body flicker as is so common to see around the compound.

"Why would you say that?"

"Special Jounins are known for their knowledge in a certain area. Why would they need to cover their face and their name?" I answered, well use to my mother's method to promote critical thinking.

I like playing along and try to figure out how to reach the answer I knew with only the information I should know. It will be good practice for later when I have paranoids ninja as my associates instead of just family.

"That is true. The names of all the Jounins and special Jounin is common knowledge for us."

Us being ninjas.

Wait if is is commonplace knowledge then why did none of team seven know of Kakashi?

"Now, I know you just want to figure out where Itachi is - if you don't know already - but we need to get dinner first."

"I'll be good!" I lied through my teeth. But it's not like I was doing it to be mean or anything.

"I know you will. Just be sure to stay close to me. Don't want you getting lost now." Kaa-chan said as she put me down.

I made sure to stay close without grabbing her hand. Trying to get away from a ninja wouldn't be easy, but the streets were busy and it should give me enough time to 'get lost'.

I didn't have to wait to long before some people got between the two of us and I turned around. It was a good thing I was a second child, because Kaa-chan shouldn't be too much of a worry as some of the other new parents that were around.

Though as I looked around, I noticed all of the young children were younger than three. There was no one close by who was my age.

That, complicated my plan, but I didn't spend all that time trying to memorize the map of Konoha for nothing. There was only the question of which Clan grounds I wanted to visit first.

"Chiyome?" Mikoto called, hoping that her little girl wouldn't be too far.

Who am I Kidding? Itachi did the exact same thing when he was three, why would Chiyome be any different.

Mikoto jumped onto the nearest roof, grocery bags still in hand. She wasn't that worried, since there was no war this time. Almost five years of peace, baring that night. Yet As Mikoto looked, she couldn't see any sight of her child.

"Do you need any help Uchiha-San?"

Mikoto turned slightly to see a Genin team come up to her. It must be strange seeing a ninja in their civilian clothes on the roof like this...

"kaa-chan?"

"Itachi? Oh Is this team 2 under Minazuki Yūki?" Mikoto asked with a polite smile even though she knew the answer.

"That is correct. We are even performing general patrols right now, so If you need any help..." The young man said as Itachi got over his shock at seeing his mom here.

"Kaa-chan, where is Chiyome?" He asked, and Mikoto questioned, not for the first time, why she got two very insightful children.

"That is why i'm here. We were shopping, but Chiyo-chan got separated in the crowd." Mikoto explained, already accepting that Itachi's team will soon be looking for her.

She would have looked for one if it took her much longer to find Chiyome. Konoha was a big village after all, and Chiyome is a very curious child.

"A Missing child. That does sound like something we should help with. Itachi? Do you know where your sister might have gone?" Yūki asked.

"This was her first time in the main village, Chiyome might have wanted to get a look at the academy building." Itachi figured, forcing himself to stay with his team and not just go looking for her by himself.

It was nice that Yūki-Sensei is letting them deal with this now.

"Which is a few streets away. How old is your sister Itachi-kun?" Shinko asked as they moved.

"Three." Itachi told his teammate as they gave a skeptical look.

"Well, this should be easy." Tenma commented with a smile.

How hard could It be to find a three year old?

"What are you doing?"

I turned around, to see one of the people I was looking for.

"I wanted to find a deer!" I said with a cute smile as I held up my camera.

The tiny Shikamaru looked at me in confusion while the boy next to him that could only be Choji continued eating.

"They ran away tho," Choji said food spraying though Shikamaru didn't seem like he cared.

"Not if you're quiet." I pointed out, keeping up my happy innocent child persona.

Choji nodded like that answered all him questions while Shikamaru just continued to stare. It was starting to freak me out a little, but he was three. This is the safest part of my plan.

"Shika can we see the deer too?" Choji asked his friend and I did a happy dance in my mind.

Choji is now my favorite character. Who else would be able to get the lazy Shikamaru to do anything?

"Fine."

Stage one in motion.

"Great! Is it just you two?" I asked since I couldn't remember if Ino was part of their friends group or not.

The two boys looked at each other before Shikamaru gave a shrug.

"It's just us who are here."

I nodded and waved the boys over. I didn't really come here to see the deers, but It could be fun. I just have to make sure we don't get into any real danger, but as I am part of a major clan - even with how low Uchiha is in popularity- even if it did happen I shouldn't be the one blamed.

"See? You can see footprints in the mud." I pointed out, noticing at Shikamaru got closer to take a look.

"It's deep." The black hair boy commented as he practically had his nose to the ground.

"Which means they were running, or really big."

"There's bits in the leaves!" Choji pointed out, also seeming to enjoy their tracking game.

"So the deer was eating before they got startled." I summarized before getting back up.

"And if we follow the path, we should find them."

"Cool." Choji said as he continued eating his bag of chips.

Which would make a lot of noise, but I don't want to get the child made at me. Not when we have just met.

"Did you know there are plants you can eat?" I said, shocking both boys by my seemly random change in topic.

"Really?"

I nodded, thankful that I was able to read the Herbology book that Ka-chan has lying around. Some of the plants I recognized from my past, but that might not be score there. Still...

"This is called a honey suckle. The flower tastes like honey if you suck on it." I said, giving the boys one and myself.

Choji wasted no time in try, but Shikamaru was more cautious. I watched silently as he looked over the plant, before sniffing it.

"I read you can also use this for tea. It's the one you're mom likes Choji." Shikamaru said as he gave the flower to his friends.

"Oh, do you want to pick some more then?" I subjected as Choji nodded eagerly.

The three of us had a good handful each before I 'sensed' someone next to us. I could tell it was a ninja, since compared to civilians their chakra seemed more refined. If Civilians chakra was like a fog, Ninja's would be a cloud.

That is if they are not hiding it like the ANBU was earlier.

"Your mothers were getting worried." The ninja said, and I acted surprised.

"Tou-San." Shikamaru said, looking blushful as did Choji.

"Sorry, we forgot." Choji said before Shikaku's eyes turned to me.

"No harm done. However, I don't believe we have met."

"My name is Uchiha Chiyome! Nice to meet you Nara-San!" I said with a polite bow and child filled excitement.

"Uchiha? You wouldn't have by chance left your mother down in the market place."

"Ya, I wanted to see the deer!" I said, sad that I probably wouldn't be able to stay much longer.

Still, meeting two clan heirs in one day wasn't bad.

"Troublesome. We should get you back as well." Shikaku said with a sigh as he picked all three children up.

I didn't even have time to protest before there was a gush of wind that had me squinting my eyes.

"Found them."

We were no longer in the forest. Shikaku dropped off and the the two boys ran off. Or Choji ran while Shikamaru quickly walked. Two women who must be their mothers hugged them, and I realized I was at the head Nara house.

"Your mom is worried as well."

I turned back to Shiaku who was staring me down, and I smiled sheepishly as I rubbed my neck.

"Ya, I should get back to Ka-chan. But Can I come back later?"

Turn cuteness to max.

"Of course you can child. But you need to ask your mom first." The women who was hugging Shikamaru said before looking to her husban.

"And where is she?"

"There's a Genin team looking for her. I've already sent a message."

When did he have time to send a message? It's Only been a few minutes.

The women nodded, before turning to be with a bright smile.

"Well, why don't you stay here then? Your mom will be back soon."

"Ok. Thank you very much Nara-san" I said as I took the women's hand.

" Oh You can just call me Yoshino-chan. It's nice to finally meet you Chiyome-chan."

"You know my name!" I asked, looking up in wonder.

Though I shouldn't really be surprised. These are ninja's after all, they probably know all the children's in the major clans. At least the one who are being called 'proges'.

"I was on the same Genin team as your mom."

"Really?"

"I've been meaning to have you meet Shikamaru, but it seems you did that by yourself." Yoshino said with a smile.

"They're my friends!" I said because, hello three year old here.

"Ka-chan can she come eat lunch with us?" I heard Choji ask as we arrived over to where they were hanging out.

Looks like I interrupted their lunch. Oh well.

"Two new friends in two days? I think that's a new record my little butterfly." Choji's mom said as piles of food appeared out of a scroll.

"Imouto?" A familiar voice said.

"Nii-chan!" I yelled, jumping up generally happy to see my brother.

"How did she get over here? This is miles away from the town center!" A brown hair boy complained.

"Imouto, you can't leave without telling Oka-San." Itachi said as he pointed me in the freaking forehead.

"Ah, don't do that!" I complained as he picked me up.

Which a 7 year old carrying a three year old is just wrong. I'm like the size of his body and his legs weren't that long just yet.

"We can go back now. Thank you for watching her." Itachi said with a bow, I mentally rolling my eyes.

"It was no trouble. Tell your mom to come and visit some time."

"Ya, I still didn't get to see the deers Nii-chan!" I said as I nodded my head.

"You came here to see some deers?" The female on their team asked.

"Yep." I said with a wide grin.

Now I can mark Nara and Akimichi off my list.

Thank you lizyeh2000 for your review. And to Warlord of Chaos, hopefully from this chapter you can see Chiyome is going to take full advance of her situation to get strong. She doesn't want to die, or see her new family die, so in this world that means getting stronger.

Thank you to everyone who favorite or followed this story! I'm having a lot of fun writing this.