Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters.


An Angel to Guide Me

Chapter One

If one were to describe Izumi Uchiha it would be sociable, over the top with happiness, respectful. A happy-go-lucky smile plastered across her young face, her optimism in seeing the good in the worst was cheerful.

As a child should be.

But this isn't that kind of story. Life is not always the sunshine and rainbows as promised in one's childhood. And for Izumi, it was simply that.

A lie.

A dream.

Yet when Izumi Uchiha opened her eyes, she found herself in unfamiliar white bedsheets. An uneasy feeling of dread swelled as the young thirteen-year-old girl felt herself panicking. Blood rushed to her head, sweat pooled down her pale features. Her feet swung off the bed and she found herself sitting upright towards the window.

The cold chill of the night seeped into the hospital room. Her fine eyes reflected back at her within the darkness outside. Sullen eyes as if she hadn't slept within the past week. Her petite frame looked even thinner than she was used to. Her face was sunken and pale, like that of a ghost.

By the time one Hiruzen Sarutobi rushed to the hospital room, Izumi still hadn't moved from her spot as if left in a hypnotic trance. The aged Hokage felt his heart drop upon seeing the Uchiha girl by the window.

Dazed.

Lost.

With all the courage he could muster, he took a pronounced step into the room. He gave a quick unimpressed look to the medics scampering around like ants before they quickly got the message and left the room in a hurry.

Once the door shut with a click, Hiruzen limped on over, pulling out a stool to sit.

"Izumi Uchiha," he forced out a reassuring smile.

Izumi peered up into his eyes upon her name being called. The childlike light that children had was missing. Instead, the dark well of the void stared back into Hiruzen. It scared him.

At first, nothing was said as the two took the time to embrace the uneasy silence. When the old Hokage was wondering if the girl would ever speak again, a quiet voice sounded back politely.

"Lord Third."

Izumi's voice was frail like she hadn't used it in years. It was lifeless, something which the veteran ninja picked up almost instantly. Hiruzen lost his grim smile, taking off his hat. His hands wandered into his robe in hopes for his smoking pipe, only for him to realize he had left it behind in his office. He grimaced.

"How are you feeling?" he began defeatedly.

A few seconds passed again as the girl gathered her thoughts. "Fine… no that's—"

She grasped at her head tightly as her mind recalled the events that took place last night. It started with a scream, and chaos soon ensured as the unknown assailant prowled, silencing screams. Itachi had appeared before her, soaked head to toe in blood before he convinced her to come with him somewhere safe. And like the naive child that she was, she had full-heartedly followed him away from the compound. Before she could react, his eyes gazed into hers, before turning into the Sharingan. Izumi hadn't moved when it morphed further into something she had never seen before.

The Mangekyo Sharingan.

She was sure that was it. And he had used it on…

"I-I… don't know," Izumi shook her thoughts away. "I honestly don't know Lord Third."

"What can you tell me about the events of last night? Do you remember anything that could—"

Hiruzen halted. Izumi looked away, the painful memories haunted her eyes.

"Forgive me," Hiruzen said. "It was heartless of me to have asked after waking up."

"You don't have to be sorry Lord Third. It is your duty. I'm just… maybe at a later time? I would like to be left alone for the time being."

"Of course. Thank you for your time."

The Hokage rose from his seat. He gave a quick look over Izumi's small frame as if about to ask another question; before shaking his head. The girl was already coming to terms with what happened. He shouldn't interfere in such delicate matters.

"Rest well," was all he said before he quietly left the room.

The door slid shut and the room was washed in drowning silence. Izumi flopped back down onto the bed, the eventual weight of her situation collapsed on her small shoulders. She stared up at the blank ceiling, tears in eyes as she grew lost in thought.

It was only far into the mockingly peaceful night that Izumi felt the full weight of what happened. She curled herself up into a ball and cried herself to sleep.


When Izumi was allowed to visit the Uchiha compound, she immediately leaped at the opportunity. Cooped up in that one room was beginning to affect the young girl mentally, and she needed time outside.

Despite her trembling legs, Izumi enjoyed the feel of her muscles being active again. A few stretches here and there, and she was ready to go. The problem though was not her. No, it was the gossiping crowds on the way there that really unnerved her. The young girl had never realized how painfully awkward it was to be stared at like a circus attraction. They murmured and whispered amongst themselves like a murder of crows.

"It's her… the one that you know who let live."

"His brother was one thing… but who is she? Could he have made a mistake?"

"Of course not! This is the Itachi Uchiha we're talking about here!"

As soon as the name was mentioned, Izumi swiveled away from the looks, hands flying to her ears.

"Is something the matter young miss?" the nurse escorting her asked cautiously.

Yes.

"No, it's nothing," Izumi shook her head, biting down on her lip. She knew if she said otherwise, they would have to cancel the trip; then it was more days in that lonely hospital bed. "I'm fine… just please, let's go."

The nurse nodded.

Izumi Uchiha didn't know what she was expecting, but her heart dropped upon arriving in front of the silent Uchiha compound. The barrier tape barring the compound gates mocked her and for a second she was sure she went to the wrong place. Her home had never been this silent. It was missing the lively cluster of people going about their day.

The police force would be enjoying their break by the ponds, children would play in the courtyards. The merchants; vendors in the street outside the homes.

"T-This is…"

A breeze ushered in, cutting off the girl. Dust picked up off the ground, a cluster of leaves rustled on by. An ambient haunted silence filled the air and Izumi doesn't realize her feet were moving on their own, slipping past the tape. The nurse cried out, but Izumi soon found herself running, her sandals clacking loudly on the stone pavements. Her heart pounded, her lungs gasped as she forgot how to breathe.

The community Koi pond is devoid of batty elders. The playground with laughing children. The dango stand that had been under the mango tree.

She came to a screeching stop in front of a particular home. A wisp of fog escaped from Izumi's lips, her eyes were wide open as she took in the humble cottage before her. The wooden gate had been torn and thrown aside. The front door had been kicked in, beckoning her inwards into the darkness.

It called to her.

And she listened.

The aged wooden floor creaked under her foot just as she had remembered. The warm fireplace wasn't lit, bookshelves of collected photos and books scattered across the living room floor. The kitchen…

Izumi's knees grew heavy and she nearly fell upon seeing the residues of blood stains on the wooden floor.

"M-mom?" she choked, her hand flying to her mouth.

The young girl didn't know when the first tear fell, but she fell to her knees. The nurse was already by her side to comfort her, firing away questions demanding to know if she was alright.

But Izumi didn't pay attention to any of that. Her heart wavered and fell with a single strike as the realization truly started to take its toll on her.

She was alone.


Her doctor had literally banned her from going back to the compound once she got back to the hospital. They berated the nurse that went with her. Izumi didn't care and was more focused on the chuunin messenger in front of her, sheepish giving her a sheet of paper.

"I uh," he said, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "I'm sorry for your loss."

"… Thank you."

"Yeah, I can't even begin to imagine… you know… oh right!" the chuunin exclaimed, remembering something. He pointed at the note given to Izumi. "That's the address of your current residence while we… go through the Uchiha compound. Just head on over to the landlord and ask her for a set of keys. All of the Uchiha belongings will be gathered and taken in at the Hokage tower, so once you're available, come find your stuff and we'll get you all sorted. If you have any questions—"

"I don't have any."

The churning blinked, before clearing his throat. He muttered some good wishes and once more Izumi was left alone in silence.

When she was discharged, it didn't take long to find the place, and the owner of the apartments was kind enough. Taking the stairs, she found the small humble apartment that was to be her new home.

She threw off her sandals at the foyer and quietly shuffled inside. It was nothing fancy; a kitchen and a dining room out in the open. A thin hallway led to what Izumi assumed was the bedroom and the bathroom.

But what really sold her was the balcony past the dining room. The view was something she had never seen before back at the compound. Most buildings at the Uchiha compound had been single or double story following the traditional houses of the Warring Era. She walked up to the glass door, pressing her hand onto the glass as she stared outside. In the back of her mind, she wondered if her father had lived in a similar place before, before mentally scolding herself.

No… this was not the time to think about that. Izumi needed to sit down and close her eyes from earlier today… not to mention…

Her ears perked up as a set of light footsteps walked down the hallway. Izumi turned around to see a young boy starring back at her, surprised evident on his face.

For a second, her heart dropped. The dark haunting eyes, and the feminine beautiful face. While Itachi's features had been pretty, the boy here was more adorable like a puppy.

Sasuke Uchiha, Izumi thought, when the light bulb went off in her head. She wasn't alone.

"Who are you?" Sasuke piped up cautiously. He seemed wary, his stance defensive as his childlike surprise slowly turned into an emotionless mask.

Izumi swallowed. She opened her mouth to speak, but her voice was caught in her throat. It felt dry. What should she say? Should she show her relief that someone else in the family survived?

"I'm Izumi Uchiha," she hoarsely whispered, a small feeling of hope in her chest.

Sasuke frowned, squinting at her face silently. "Are… Are you from the branch family?"

Izumi flinched.

"I'm an Uchiha."

"I don't know you."

Izumi raised her hands reassuringly. "Well, for the time being, we'll be sharing this apartment. We can get to know each other if you want."

"I still don't know you," Sasuke hissed, taking a step back widening the distance. "And I don't want to either."

He spun around, and sprinted down the hall, disappearing into one of the rooms with a loud slam.


Izumi spent the rest of the day organizing her thing in her new room. By the time she finished, night have fallen and she was feeling famished.

She had never felt so lonely eating dinner. The take-away containers were on the table, a single paper note left behind by the temporary Anbu guards that were watching over them.

Her mother would ask how her day had been, asking if she was alright, if she was injured, or how her team was. Izumi used to find it annoying, complaining that she was old enough to not have her mother's constant nagging.

But the dining table was too quiet.

There were the faint sounds of nightlife from beyond the balcony, and the chewing of her food became ever so noticeable.

"Why are you still here?"

Izumi nearly jumped out of her seat. Sasuke didn't look impressed, arms crossed and glaring heavily.

The girl cleared her throat, before smiling cheerfully. "Hey Sasuke. There's still food on the table. Have you eaten dinner yet?"

"Why are you still here?" Sasuke asked again, stressing his question. He wouldn't back down until he had an answer.

Izumi sighed heavily, putting down her cutlery. "I live here now Sasuke. They're still inspecting the compound, so we won't be going back for probably a couple of weeks or so."

"Well I don't want you here."

"Well, that's too bad. That's not your decision to make. Nor is it mine."

Sasuke reddened. His hands balled into fists by his side. "Get out of this house! I don't know you, so don't act as if you know me! I don't want you here, so just go away and leave me alone!"

Izumi's eyes narrowed. "Do you want to say that any louder?"

"What?"

"I was curious as to what you were going on about," Izumi growled, standing up from her seat to tower over the smaller boy. "You're being awfully rude to someone you just met, and seeing as we're in this situation. A sorry would be a nice start."

"I'm not apologizing to you."

"Well, like it or not, we're the only Uchiha's left. One way or another, we're going to have to live together. So before I get mad, I rather we be on good terms."

To his credit, Sasuke didn't lose his ground. He returned the glare with his own.

"You don't even look like an Uchiha. For all I know, you could be a liar."

Izumi's eyes grew cold. Her arm snaked out and grabbed the younger boy's ear. Sasuke yelled as Izumi pulled him towards her. He attempted to break the hold, smacking her with his small fists.

Finally, the younger Uchiha grabbed her arm, leaning forward to bite her wrist. Izumi hissed and withdrew her hand, watching as Sasuke shuffled back away from her.

"You brat," Izumi growled. "You bit me!"

"You attacked me first!"

"And I would do it again for your lack of manners!"

Sasuke ran behind the couch, and Izumi dived over to grab him. She barely missed him as he scuffled away towards his room.

"Come back here!" Izumi chased after him.

Sasuke slammed the door shut, and the lock clicked shut.

"Get out here right now!" Izumi yelled, pounding on the door. "You get out here right now or so help me, I'll break your door!"

"As if you—"

"I can and I will!" Izumi interrupted. She slammed her fist into the wooden door, enough to send cracks in its structure. "You are blind to your situation! Instead of being happy that someone in your family survived, you would rather be alone, and for what? Your pride?"

"I don't want to live with someone I don't even know!"

"Even if that is the case, I don't have a choice because I have no where to go! I literally have nothing!"

The younger boy doesn't say anything, so the girl continues. "You have no idea how much it hurt to find out that everyone died! I thought I was alone! But here you are, my only family left, and you're shutting me out for such a selfish reasons! Your mother would be ashamed!"

It was a low blow knowing how much of the clan had respected Mikoto. But Izumi wasn't feeling kind. Again, Sasuke didn't say anything. Izumi yelled in frustration, before storming back towards the dining room.

She glanced once at her half-eaten meal, before throwing the whole thing away. This whole situation made her lose her appetite.


"Young Sasuke was found on the road unconscious just outside the main compound," Hiruzen stated, taking out the smoking pipe from his mouth. His eyes sifted through the report on the table. "He had been in a similar comatose state like yourself, though when he woke up he had been screaming in terror. What his brother had put him through I haven't the faintest idea. But I dare not push at it till he is ready."

Izumi meekly nodded in response.

"As per your request," Hiruzen continued, slipping the pipe back into his mouth. He shuffled around some papers till he found the one he was looking for. "The official report states Sasuke had been there at the time of the incident. Tracing back from where he was found, it was probable that he witnessed his older brother kill his parents in front of him."

Izumi's throat felt dry. She shook her head of her thoughts and leaned forward in her chair. "I see."

"I'll employ someone to check up on his mental health often. He is the Uchiha clan heir and it is vital that he remains sound of mind."

Izumi sighed. "I suppose that's good to hear. But what about me? Am I free to continue with my genin team? Or will this person you're employing also be helping me in the meantime?"

Hiruzen grew quiet. His eyes hardened, as he slowly took the smoking pipe from his mouth. Licking his lips he tried to think of what to say.

"No, Inoichi won't be," he admitted, and Izumi let out a sigh of relief once again. She was fit for duty, the best news all day.

But Hiruzen didn't stop there. And Izumi's heart fell from his next words.

"Izumi Uchiha. I'm sorry to inform you, that as of yesterday you have officially been retired from the shinobi corps."

Silence. Izumi cleared her throat, her voice weak. "Lord Third. I don't think I heard you correctly. Retired?"

Hiruzen sighed. "A council was called yesterday about the situation. Albeit there are two Uchiha's left, you and Sasuke Uchiha, a majority vote was given to canceling your shinobi status so you can… be there to support Sasuke at any given time."

"But that makes no sense?" Izumi stated softly and in disbelief. "I can't raise him, I'm only twelve."

"And legally an adult ever since you graduated from the academy. But Sasuke is the clan heir and the last full-blooded—"

"I'm as much an Uchiha as Sasuke! I'm older. I-I… I even have the Sharingan! That has to count for something!"

"Being the last full-blooded Uchiha would pose a certain risk from other villages. What if another Kumo incident happens again?"

"I thought that was the role of Anbu!"

"And what of Sasuke's upbringing. Will the Anbu raise him as well?"

Izumi closed her mouth. Hiruzen sighed, nursing his temple as he waited for the girl to calm down a little.

"What he needs is someone to nurture and raise him that can relate to his situation. How many children are ever in his situation? Frankly speaking, you are the most ideal person to help raise him."

"Please, Lord Third," Izumi pleaded. "I can't… I can't raise him. I've been a genin for nearly two years, the chuunin exams are coming up and I know I'm ready! There must be another alternative because he doesn't even like me! I don't want to leave the shinobi corps! I want to represent my village!"

This was a lie, this had to be. They couldn't do this to her, not once she lost everything. The shinobi life was all she had left to fall back on, and if she did nothing, it would be taken from her now. She would literally have nothing left.

Hiruzen looked away, not able to look into the girl's eyes. "It has already been decided."

Izumi got off her seat and fell into a seiza, bringing her forehead to the ground. She remained there, in that groveling state. Begging. Sobbing. She didn't care if she was ridiculed.

"Please, Lord Third. You can't take this away from me, it's all I have left," she weakly sobbed.

"Please."


It had started to pour heavily. The absent Konoha headband felt too light to Izumi as she dragged herself through the rain. She was cold and shivering. She was drenched, weighing down on her even more than the weight of her current situation.

A cart rushed past her, the merchant was desperate to get out of the rain, splashing the Uchiha girl. She stood there for a few seconds trying to process what had happened before she continued on her way home.

Upon reaching the humble apartment, she stumbled into the foyer. Not bothering to kick off her sandals, she dragged her feet inside. In a wet heaping mess, she pressed against the closest wall she could find and slid down into a sobbing mess.

"Mom… Dad… I'm so sorry," she sniffled, holding her knees tightly to her chest. "I'm so sorry."

From the hallway, the small head of Sasuke Uchiha watched in silence. His face remained emotionless, just quietly watching. Then without further words, he turned and silently walked back to his room, leaving the young girl to slowly pick up her broken dreams.


A/N: Hey there. It's been a while, and I decided to give this story another go. I've written a couple of chapters worth and I hope to get one out every week till it's finished.