"Mikoto Hikawa, the time is now." Kaori said. "You must do your duty as a Miko. This plague, this yurei, will consume all of Konoha. Unless you preform the ritual."

"Yes, Mother." Mikoto said. "But remember, I am Mikoto Uchiha now. I do this to protect my clan."

"I do not care what your motives are, Mikoto." Kaori said. "Just do as I say."

"Ashes to Ashes

Spirit to Spirit

Take her Soul

Banish this Evil."

Kaori incanted the spell swirling the dark water that contained the yurei into a goblet.

"By the authority of the miko's soul, I purify you!"

Mikoto drank the dark liquid.

A dark voice gripped her throat. "Due to your insolence I grant you three curses. The Curse of Hatred borne by the son. The Curse of Subjugation borne by the daughter. And the Curse of Death borne by the Uchiha."

Xxx

Sasuke Uchiha woke with a start. That nightmare again, about his mother and grandmother. He didn't understand, as his mother looked younger than she had been all the years he'd known her, so it must have been before he was born.

Today was the Academy Graduation Day.

Sasuke went and sat at his seat next to Kuri. She looked over at him.

Another nightmare? Kuri said.

Nothing to worry about, Sis. Sasuke replied.

You haven't been sleeping well, Kuri said gently.

"Hey Hey Hey!" Naruto ran over. "Why are you monopolizing Kuri all to yourself ttebayo?"

"What the hell are you talking about dobe?" Sasuke said.

Naruto sat on the table in front of Sasuke. "I'm Kuri's favorite person obviously."

"Calm down brother." Rei smirked mischievously, lightly pushing Naruto so he liplocked with Sasuke.

There was a sharp intake of breath and an angry growl from the Sasuke fangirls.

Kuri burst out laughing. "Way to go Reiko, that's the funniest thing I've seen all morning."

They were interrupted by Iruka, and Naruto took his seat on the other side of Kuri.

"Today I will be announcing the new teams." Iruka said.

So you wanna know what team I'll be on? Kuri grinned.

Are there no surprises left in this world? Sasuke responded.

Kuri was laughing. Silly brother. You know I can never see my own future.

"Team 7. Uchiha Sasuke. Uzumaki Reiko..."

Naruto was glaring at him. Reiko was grinning and Sasuke caught Naruto's glare and smirked. Take that! He had finally gotten ahead!

"Uchiha Kurisuta. Uzumaki Naruto. This will be our first ever four man cell including the Ninja Miko."

Sasuke looked over at his sister and Naruto. Of course, his victory had to be tainted.

Naruto was happy. "Kuri! We're on the same team!"

Kuri grinned. "Yeah!"

Xxx

Sasuke and Kuri walked to get their lunches.

"Brother lets have lunch together ok?" She said.

Sasuke was confused. Why would she bother saying that out loud. Unless...

Sister what are you planning? Sasuke said.

Just let Naruto take you out. He's going to jump you. Allow it. There's something I want from him. Kuri said.

Alright but you owe me. I want ten onigiri when we get home. Sasuke retorted, and then Kuri was gone, already in the courtyard.

Naruto indeed attacked him, and Sasuke allowed himself to get tied up. Not much time passed, and Reiko entered the room.

"You seem to have gotten yourself into a bind." Reiko laughed a little.

"Mmph Mmph!" Sasuke responded.

"Sorry!" Reiko released him. "So the two of you planned this."

"How did you know?" Sasuke said.

"It isn't that hard to watch the two of you corner Naruto, if you know what you are looking for." Reiko said. "But a word of advice. You should never corner a fox; we have a tendency to show our teeth."

Sasuke soon saw what she meant. Naruto was kissing his sister.

He stormed down into the courtyard, but the two were already gone.

"I warned you." Reiko said.

Sasuke sat on the parkbench, not sure what Naruto and his sister were up to, and not wanting to know. After a moment he realized he was hungry. Another moment, he realized that he had never spent a meal without her, and he didn't want to.

He looked at Reiko. For a while he considered her. She was a pretty girl, honestly, and she didn't fawn over him like the others. If he asked her she wouldn't make a big deal about it, and it might actually be tolerable.

"Reiko..." Sasuke began.

"No, I won't go out with you." Reiko said, astonishing Sasuke.

"What?! Why?" Sasuke said.

Reiko laughed, then shrugged. "Cuz I'm not gonna be a way for you to get under Naruto's skin. You frickin jerk."

Sasuke was stunned. She read him like a book; that was indeed part of her appeal. The idea that Naruto would be annoyed if he dated her did cause him enjoyment.

"Look," Sasuke tried again. "Yes that was part of it. But most of the reason I asked you was...I just...I don't want to eat alone!"

Reiko took a step back; it was her turn to be astonished.

"Well in that case," Rei said. "Allow me to accompany you!"