A/N: Hey look. An update that didn't take a full year.

This is another OC heavy chapter, so for anyone who needs the reminder:

Makoto is one of Shisui's first cousins and is Neji's age. She is friends with Tenten and a Nara named Sayuri.

Misaki is an Uchiha elder and was the old lady who hung out with Itachi during the nine tail attack back in chapter 2.

Souma is Chiyome's first cousin who she trained with back in chapter 9.

Hanae is Makoto's youngest sister who is Hanabi's age and started school last chapter.

Three days later I sat outside in a new black dress since I outgrew the one I wore to Hinata's mom's three years ago. The funeral was very different since Shisui's body was already cremated, and there was a huge point of carving his name into the rock.

Itachi wasn't home yet.

It didn't feel like Shisui was dead. It felt like he was going to show up any moment and annoy the hell out of me in an attempt to make me laugh. The fact he was just killed during a mission like any other seemed impossible. It didn't help that we were paying our respects to a box filled with ash with a picture of Shisui smiling rather than a body.

Maybe Shisui had to fake his death. That would make sense why it was a private cremation where Shisui's legal guardians weren't even allow to watch. It was to keep Danzo off their plans.

Or maybe Danzo got Shisui killed where he couldn't get any help. Where he couldn't run off to give Itachi one of his eye and kill himself trying to keep the peace.

I'm not sure which is better. The idea that Shisui got killed by some random, or that the events leading up to the massacre are happening now. Years after it did in canon.

I really hope he faked his death, but I don't think he would ever willing leave the village.

"Chiyome, you can go up and say a few words now if you want," Mikoto told me, touching me lightly on the back in an attempt to comfort me.

I stood up and walked over to the box before I even thought about if I wanted to say anything. What was there to say? Shisui was either dead and this was just nothing but his burn bones, or he's hiding somewhere far away from this village.

"Shisui-nii was always taking time to hang out with me, it was like having a second older brother…"

If the massacre was about to happen, is there anything I can do to stop it or is it too late now?

"H-He always tried finding a way to make people laugh, and was super strong. I-" Whatever else I was going to say got stuck in my throat as the tears I was trying to hold back came forth.

Mikoto whisked me away and by the time I got my emotions back under control, we were sitting under a tree a little bit away from the funeral. It was only now that we were away from it, that I noticed how many people their were. Of course most of the class was there, but I noticed a lot of other clan members there as well. Not leaders there to pay their respect, but likely Shisui's old team mates or friends.

Somewhere in the back of my head I noticed that was a good thing. That there was a good change I was overreacting. That relations were good enough that the massacre wouldn't happen and Shisui just died on a mission like countless other ninja before him. Shit happens. Sometimes people die.

"Are you feeling better?"

I nodded as I burried my head into Mikoto's side, covering my view of the funeral.

"It's just hard for me to believe he's really dead," I muttered to my mom.

The hand rubbing my back paused, before I felt it move to my shoulder and squeeze me into a hug.

"You were right about Shisui-kun being strong, but even the strongest ninja can be killed. We are all human Chiyome."

And that's the issue. Trying to predict how other humans will reach to situations. Maybe I just need to continue doing what I have been in cause this was just random bad luck. But if it's not…

Maybe I need to switch my goal. It might be too late to save everyone, but if I could get my cousins to hang out with their friends outside of the clan for the next few weeks then maybe they can survive. Have Itachi go around killing outside of the clan ground would be impossible. And I doubt Danzo would care that much about some kids still in the academy.

It's still too early for me to give up.

"Uchiha-kun, Hyuga-kun, you're up."

Makoto jumped to her feet as she walked over to the ring. Neji was looking as annoying as ever, as he stood across from her. The graduation test was only a few months away and Makoto needed to be top ranking in taijutsu to get the rookie of the year spot. And all she need was a few more wins from the Hyuga.

For a moment Makoto wished she had the wooden sword she's been practicing with since mid-rang combat is the best way to deal with a Hyuga. But like usual, academy spare were really boring and they weren't allowed weapons. So Makoto rushed into close combat and jumped over Hyuga to deliver a kick to his back. Which, he just rolled out of the way and her foot only clipped his back.

Makoto landed on one foot and had to hop over the leg that Neji kicked her way. She managed to dodge most of Neji's punches, something she forced herself to get better at since one hit was all Neji needed to win most days. But Neji wasn't perfect, and often got too worked up in trying to hit her that he forgets to block, which is how Makoto was able to finally land a kick right in the gut that sent him flying.

"YES! SUCK ON THAT HYUGA!" Makoto screamed once it became clear she sent him flying out of the rink too.

"Uchiha, Hyuga, please keep it cilvil." Sensei said, but Makoto hardly paid attention.

She sat next to Tenten who high five her, and kicked Sayuri awake.

"Huh? Why'cha do that?"

"I won. I'm now rank 1 in the whole class."

"Good for you," Sayuri said before falling back asleep.

Makoto shook her head before turning to Tenten who was just smiling at her.

"Okay, what's with that look?"

"Sorry, I just… it's nice seeing you so happy considering what happened with your cousin."

That reminder made Makoto's smile fall.

"It's that idiot's fault for being weak enough to be killed. Once I'm a ninja I'll make sure i'm strong enough to survive anything, and make sure my teammates survive too."

"Even if you teammate is Hyuga-san?" Tenten asked with a sly look.

"Ew. I guess. Maybe a little blooded, but alive. Hinata-san and his dad would be sad if he died."

"You're really nice when you try Mako-chan."

"… Not sure the backhanded compliments work as well with you as with Sayuri."

Misaki never thought she would outlive two of her grandchildren. Outliving your children was unfortunately common for ninja clans, but Misaki only had her eldest son died in combat. Her eldest daughter died during the kyubi attack, and left Shisui orphaned. Just like how when her eldest son died it left Obito orphaned and under her care. Now they were both dead, over a decade apart.

Misaki only had one daughter alive now, and her four kids, but the absent of Shisui in the clan was very apparent. Unlike Obitio, the clan loved Shisui. From the civilian shop keepers to the elders trying to figure out if they could make marriage arrangements for him, everyone loved the kid. It was like a dark rain cloud has passed over the grounds, and walking into the emergency clan meeting made it worst.

"Just want are you suggesting Souta. That Shisui was put on a suicide mission?"

"All I'm saying is that for the past three years, more of our clanmen have died on missions then in the past ten. Sure they have mostly been Genin and Chunin level, but how with Shisui I'm wondering if it's not something more."

Misaki looked over at Fugaku who frowned deeply at that. It didn't look like he was surprised by that claim.

"I've noticed that as well. However such a claim isn't something we can bring forth without some prove. And if our clanmen are being assigned more dangerous mission, we need to find out who and deal with them."

"But the missions have all been c-rank or higher, which need approval from the Hokage or a member of his council!"

"Which is why we need to take this seriously. This is not something we can explore ourself and we need to seek help from our allies outside of the clan," Fugaku said, and hell broke out.

Misaki listen to everyone act like children that think talking louder makes their argument better. It lasted over an hour, and only once Fugaku got the other elder to reluctantly agree did she speak up her mind.

"You do realize that if we find out that the Hokage or someone on his advisory team has been doing this, it could cause a cilvil war to break out in the village."

Consider the hush talked of breaking from the village years ago, it's surprising that the idea of a cilvil war shocked so many. But Misaki doesn't think relations been the Uchiha and the rest of the village has ever been this good. If it comes out that the Uchiha clan has been treaded this way, many people will be angry and want change.

"It may come to that."

Misaki nodded before standing up to leave.

It may indeed.

"What do you mean I'm not ready for a c-rank mission, I'm the strongest person on this team!" Souma demanded to know.

Yugao-sensei gave him a real unimpressed look.

"You're teamwork suck Souma-kun. You almost blow up Riku-kun during trap training and called Hoshiko-chan useless for knowing flower, which was the only reason you guy finished the mission to help out that flower shop. One person can only do so much in this village."

Souma crossed his arms and pouted.

"I bet if my teacher was a real ninja he would let me take a c-rank mission rather then these kiddy ones."

No sooner then he said that did Souma felt a chill go down his spine. He looked up to see Yugao-sensei smiling at him.

"How about we do this. If you can defeat me in a fight, I let you and the rest of the team take a c-rank. Hell, Riku-kun and Hoshiko-chan can even help you. But if you fail, then we will take a c-rank without you."

Souma narrowed his eyes. The test they had to do to get Yugao-sensei to accept them wasn't easy, but that was almost a year ago now. He's improved a lot since then, and Yugao was a girl. There was no way she was physically stronger then him.

"What are the rules?"

"To make it more fair I won't use any kenjutsu on you guys."

Yugao-sensei specially was Kenjutu. Without using swords, Souma should be able to defeat her. He was the strongest of his year, able to pin down anyone he fought.

"You're on."

Izumi was hanging out at the ANBU common areas getting use to all the different training rooms and emergency living spaces, when she spot Itachi. Officially, it was Karasu, but Shisui made enough jokes about 'Itachi' and 'Crows' that she put two and two together even before joining ANBU a month ago.

And now Shisui was dead.

That more then anything made Izumi run over to Itachi.

"Ita- I mean Karasu-san, you're back."

Itachi stoped before nodded his head and saying in a weary voice, "Tanuki-san. Nice to meet you."

"Are you free to talk right now?"

"I was summoned by Danzo-sama."

"But… you just got back. They can't been sending you off an another mission so soon," Izumi at least hoped that wasn't want they were doing.

Itachi wasn't even 16 yet. He really shouldn't be doing back to back missions like this. But when Itachi didn't say anything, Izumi realized that might very well be the case.

"Well, okay. I wish we had more time, but I don't want you hearing this off handed by someone else," Izumi said as a warning before just coming out with it, "Shisui was killed in action a few days ago."

"What?"

Izumi could feel the shock and horror in Itachi's chakra without even trying. She felt the same way when finding out. While Shisui wasn't as cool and effortless at Itachi, he was one of their strongest. Also Izumi liked hanging out with Shisui. It was like having an older annoying brother at times. But she knows that anyone can die. Life just wasn't fair.

"I'm sorry. I know you two were close. If you can, ask Danzo-sama for some personal time off. You deserve time to morn."

With a quick hug, Izumi left.

Hanae waved to Hanabi-chan the whole way as they walked out of the Hyuga clan and back home. For some reason Chiyome-nee wanted to spend the night, but they needed to ask Kaa-chan first. She even wanted ask Makoto-neesan, and Hanae knows Makoto-neesan doesn't want to have a sleep over with her rival's family.

"Do you think Rina would want to come?"

"Nuh-uh. She hasn't none homework all week and is doing it allll tonight."

"Ah, what about your little brother?"

Hanae made a face at that.

"I don't want him to come. A sleepover with you, me, Hanabi-chan and Hinata-chan sounds waaaay better."

Chiyome-nee nodded, grabbing Hanae's hand more tightly as they entered their home. It was then Hanae noticed how no one waved to them. The sun just went down. It was too early for even the old people to be sleeping.

"Hanae, listen to me. If I tell you to run, I want you to-" Chiyome-nee was cut off by the whooshing of a kunin flying in the air.