A/N: Sorry this chapter took longer then usual. Classes started up and October is a busy mouth on count of family birthdays. Hope you enjoy.

"Why?"

I shrugged my shoulders after I placed the bag down on the floor.

"It's been an Hour!" Makoto complained, dropping off her own load.

"It hasn't been that long."

I know that Makoto wasn't expecting this when I asked if she wanted to go to the park with me, but I needed to do this. If I keep doing these good deeds by myself, I run the risk of people think It is because i'm good. I need them to think that the Uchiha clan is good.

We will still go to the park, but I want to set up a pavlovian conditioning where whenever they help a civilian out, they get a treat. Makoto just has the misfortune of being my first participant.

But I can't let her know any of that.

"We have only gone a block. You made us stop five times!"

Okay, so maybe this isn't working out like I hoped. I suppose this was enough for the first day.

"Sorry about that. But doesn't it make you feel better helping others?" I asked with a hopeful smile.

Makoto pursed her lips and looked like she was going to complain even more, when the Mother we were helping come in with her own load of groceries and the baby was was on her back.

"Thank you two so much for the help. I don't know what I would have done if you didn't show up. Probably would have broken something again..."

"It was no trouble. Makoto-nee is already in the academy, and ninjas always help people!" I said, though my smile was directed at Makoto.

That was the whole point of d-ranks after all. To show how the ninjas are helping the general populous and to humanize them. In a way, what I was trying to do was very similar. However, while genins are being payed to do d-ranks, I'm going in for 'free'.

"Still, thank you. You know what? I'll tell my husband to get you two some free candy next time you go into our store. Hows that sound for me taking up so much of your time?"

"You're going to give us free candy?" Makoto asked in amazement.

I was planing on doing the rewarding myself, but this works too.

"Of course. It's the least I can do. You two are like the sage himself with how you arrived."

"It was really no problem." I said before waving good bye as we left the small house.

"Is it always like this?" Makoto said, looking deep in thought as we started walking to the park once more.

"More often than not. Most people don't like to feel indebted to another, but it's not always in the form of candy." I told her, taking in the nice spring weather.

I honestly didn't mind helping strangers. It was something familiar to me, so much so that I assume it was something that I use to do. Doesn't really matter now, since I have to do this, but I does make it easier.

More so than my plan to befriend the major clans. Or my own clan. I am just not someone who can do all the socializing that I really need to. Yet this isn't really something I can get lazy on. I still need to formally meet the Aburame clan. Kiba was friends with Shino, but I have yet to meet him. I still have a year before I start classes, but that is also the year I'll be 7 and turn 8.

My ambiguous deadline.

"Chiyome-chan?!"

I turned around to see Hinata running after me with a smile on her face.

"Hey Hina-chan!" I said with a wave, waiting for her to catch up.

Behind her was Neji who was walking next to his father who was holding Hanabi's hand. It wasn't too odd to see Hizashi take Hinata and Neji outside of the clan ground instead of another branch member, but more often than not Hikari would be there too. Especially if Hanabi is coming along.

"H-hello Makoto-san." Hinata said when she noticed I was with my cousin, and I almost laughed at how quickly she changed from an energetic little girl to a prim and proper clan member.

"Good morning Hinata-san. Are you going to the park too?" Makoto said before also noticing the rest of Hinata's group.

She didn't look to happy.

"Yes. Oji-san wanted to take us outside." Hinata explained, also giving Makoto a weary look.

"Good afternoon Chiyome-san and Makoto-chan." Hizashi said as we came over, lacking the usual upturn of his lip that was the Hyuga's version of a smile.

If that wasn't odd enough, then Neji was also giving Makoto a stare down. Neji wasn't the most social person, but he isn't one glare at people for no reason. And it wasn't like this was their first time meeting either.

"Argh, as if I didn't see him enough during class." Makoto said under her breath, but I don't think it fooled anyone.

"Ah, so the girl you have been complaining about is Makoto-chan." Hizashi said with a half smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

Just what is up with him? Hopefully just taxes and not something more serious. Like a war. That would be pretty bad, and while I can't remember any wars happening besides the fourth shinobi war near the end of the show, who knows just how the butterfly effect would work. Maybe my interactions were enough of a wing flap to cause a hourican known as war.

I really hope it's just taxes.

"You tallied on your dad?" Makoto asked with a raised brow and a smug look, dragging me out of my thoughts.

"Wait, you two are in the same class?"

"Yes. Makoto-san is just upset that I am currently top of the class, and has been acting like a child about it." Neji said, though he looked borde

"I'm not the one acting like a child Hyuga-kun!" Makoto yelled back, pointing her finger at him.

"Whoa, just what happened? You have only been in class for a few months." I said, stepping between the two, Hinata right at my side as back up.

"You want to know what Neji-kun did in order to cheat-"

"I did not cheat!" Neji interrupted, looking a little angry now.

"Ya! Neji-nii doesn't cheat!" Little Hanabi piped in, still holding onto Hizashi's hand.

"Makoto, you do realize you're not even done with your first year right? You can still get first place. There's no reason to get mad at Neji for doing what you want to do. Besides, you could try helping each other instead of tearing him down." I mediated, looking at my cousin with a hopeful glaze.

"It would be wise to get long. More often than not the rookie of the year will be paired with the top Kunoichi. The academy isn't just about learning about the physical side to being a ninja, you also need to form strong bonds with your future teammates." Hizashi told the two, but they just looked in horror.

"What?! I don't want to be on a team with him!"

"There is no way that's going to happen."

"See Makoto? Maybe it's a good thing you're not top of your class." I said, looking to Hinata.

I wanted the day to be a simple outing. Not to play referee between my cousin and one of my best friend's cousin.

Hinata gave a shrug, but gave a smile. Like she thought this was funny or something.

"Or I could just be rookie of the year AND top kunoichi. That way they can't do that team set up!" Makoto said with a full on grin.

"I'm not going to let my grade drop just because I don't want to be on a team with you." Neji said, and Makoto dropped her smile.

"I don't need you to do that. I'm just going to become better than you. Come on Chiyo-chan." Makoto said as she pulled on my hand.

"Wait, aren't we going to the same park?" I asked, causing Makoto to stop.

"Right. Hinata-san, Hinabi-chan, you may play with us. It will be a girls only game." Makoto announced with her hands on her hips.

"YA! Let's play Nee-chan!" Hanabi yelled as she exchange her uncle's hand for Hinata's.

"I'm planning on meeting with Shika and Choji tomorrow, you're welcome to come Neji-chan." I told the boy before he could feel too left out.

It wasn't like he normally played with us since the only girls Neji seemed to like were Hinata and I, but it's the thought that counts. Besides, Neji enjoys playing Shogi with Shikamaru and I.

"We'll need the sandbox for our game." Makoto said, and our game started.

It was a kanji practice game that Makoto modified so that if the fairy (Hanabi) catches you before you can write your word you "die". More rules got added as time went on, and after a while Hinata and I were the only ones still doodling in the sand.

Makoto found some of her school friends on the playground, and promptly left us. Hinabi was asleep on Hizashi's lap, who looked to be reading a mission scroll with a frown heavy on his face. I was once again reminded on how odd the scene looked.

"Hey Hinata, where's your Ka-chan?" I asked, still looking at Hizashi.

He flinched. It was settel, and the only reason I noticed was because Hanabi moved. But I did see it.

"Oh, Kaa-chan got hurt last week, so she is in the hospitable." Hinata said in a matter of fact tone.

I couldn't help but frown. Medicine in this world is an odd thing. The science is somewhere between the 1900 and 2000, but with chakra they are able to heal things much more quickly. The fact that Hikari who is the wife of a hean head is still in the hospital isn't a good sign. Either the wound required surgery or was something that can't be solved with pure chakra.

"How did she get hurt?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

"Kaa-chan was really sleepy and fell asleep standing up. Tou-san was worried and took her to the hospital without us, but when we arrived Kaa-chan was already up from her nap and told us she was fine."

"And she has been in the hospital since then?"

"Yes but Tou-san said we can't visit today. That's why Jii-san took us outside." Hinata said, sounding a little worried now.

I can't remember anything about Hikari from the show. That could be because she wasn't important enough to the plot, or she died before Naruto graduated. I want to tell Hinata that everything will be alright, but I had a bad feeling.

"If you ever need to talk, I have two ears." I told Hinata insead, who giggled.

"I know." She said with a bright smile that I instantly returned even though I wasn't feeling very happy at the moment.

I'm sure it will end up alright.

Maybe.

Itachi stood completely still, listening for a sign. He resisted the urge to use his sharingan in the darkness. Not only could his eye give away his position, but Itachi was getting low on chakra. Not dangerously so, but enough that he needed to ration it.

There was movement on his left, and Itachi sprung into action. A quick slash from his kunai was all that was needed before the clone fell into rock.

"Time's up. Everyone back to the clearing." An androgynous voice rang out throughout the woods.

Itachi was the first one back, but soon others came. All were still wearing their masks, for even if they do not pass, no one can know their identities. Seals were in the mask to disguise their voice, but Itachi wondered why they didn't cover their hair as well. One of the hopefuls had bright blue hair that was pulled into a high ponytail, something that could give you away along with your height.

Itachi was the shortest one, probably because he was the youngest. Not that it matter much how old everyone was.

"If I don't call your name, you are dismissed must leave at once. Komo, Tora, Karasu, and Kōmori."

At once the other six left, and Itachi was left with only three others.

"Congratulations on making it to ANBU. I have you new teams and captains all set up for your first mission."

Itachi forced any tiredness away, know that this might be the most important moment of his life. The file Itachi was give to only had the team name and leader on it. Ro, and Inu-shushō.

A/N: Sorry for any mistakes that I've missed. I only did a quick look over (plus the spellchecker).

I felt like so many people followed this story since my last update. I don't know if that's true or not, but still. Thank you. And the review! There was so many and some really long one! I tried to PM though who asked questions or gave me their theories, but I am sorry if I missed yours. My email is a mess right now. I do want to thank Spicyrash, LadyScatty, DannyPhantom619, CallmeCrazylol, pfft (guest. and I do have a Plot, and I am a human person thank you for noticing), Girlinlovewithbooks, serus black antihumannature, Luna Latanya, Fading Feathers (thanks again for the super long review!), lizyeh2000, BlackDove WhiteDove (thanks again for the muti-reviews!), xenocanaan, I-R-Stormzz, Innieminnie, thanzintay.2000, flowerangel502, and libraryrockerr! You all are awesome sauce!

And since so many people asked, I will tell all of you that Naruto will be in the next chapter. Sorry for the long wait, I love that kid but I thought that it would be hard for Chiyome to find him even if she was looking (more on that next chapter). But currently the title of chapter 11 is Countdown begins because Chiyome will be 7 and starting classes at the academy.

Thank you all for reading. I hope you have a good night/day!