.12

"The power of one man doesn't amount to much. But, however little strength I'm capable of… I'll do everything humanly possible to protect the people I love, and in turn they'll protect the ones they love. It seems like the least we tiny humans can do for each other." ~Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood

….

He had never really understood her. Sure he knew more about her than most, and spent more time with her then anyone else. They were twins after all. But he didn't really understand her, at least he hadn't thought he did. Not until now.

She looked very peaceful while sleeping. This actually might be the most at ease he has ever seen her look. Sort of like a fallen angel or something.

He honestly never thought she would be capable of something like this. For as long as he had remembered that unless it came to him she had never been able to put self behind. Especially with how much she had hated them.

He had never been as dense as they believed him to be. Not when it came to her. He knew her better than himself sometimes. Knowing was however not the same as understanding.

She had always kept her distance from the others there age, had kept her distance from most everyone for that matter. His sister had never been as outgoing as him, she had never sought their attention or praise. Mitomi hadn't ever needed it.

He knew better.

The hurtful words, of monster, demon, and killer had always affected her deeper. Their distrustful looks, and sneers had never helped either.

He could see the damage it did. Watched helplessly as her eyes became cold as the distain settled in. She hated them, and he knew that the only reason she never acted on those feelings was because of him.

Naruto wasn't so much of an idiot that he would be able to ignore his sister's pain.

He wanted her to be happy.

And he had always known that it would be up to him to make sure she was.

He would never know that she felt the same way about him.

A hand landed on his head, ruffling the fluffy yellow hair and pulling him from his thoughts. "She's going to be fine." He smiled at his sensei and nodded his head.

"Yah I know, Mimi is awesome! Nothing keeps her down." And if to prove his point she began to stir, groaning as her eyes opened.

She turned to look at him, groaning again with the movement. He smiled at her.

"Welcome back." She grunted in response while moving to sit up.

"Ugh, why do I feel like I got hit by a merchant cart?" He wiggled a bit uncomfortably in his seat, was he supposed to tell her?

"You used a lot of its chakra." He whipped his head up to the new voice, there was a man sitting in the window giving his sister a disapproving look. She raised her brow at the man.

"Oh, is that all?" He watched as the man stared her down with an unamused look, this must be her teacher.

He had never met her teacher, there really had never been a need for it. But from how she had described him once this man kind of seemed like he would fit that description.

"You also thought it would be a good idea to try and take on Oorochimaru." Kakashi-sensei piped up from where he was standing behind the blonde.

He watched for her reaction and wanted to let out a yell of exasperation when all she did was shrug. Because what had she been thinking? Didn't she know what a danger that man was? What he had done to the teme?

"How is the Third?" The question wasn't asked to anyone of them particular but he bit his lip.

"Alive, for now." He watched as she nodded her head at the answer before her eyes turned to look into him. Naruto just blinked at her.

"What?" Eyes narrowed at him.

"Do not give me that. The sand genin?" His eyes widened, he knew what she was getting out.

"I let them go, they never wanted this." She nodded her head at his words a thoughtful look on her face.

"The Kazekage was there father, Oorochimaru killed him." His fist clenched around the fabric of his pants. It all boiled back down to that man.

"What happened in your fight with the sannin?" His sensei questioned after a moment of silence passed between them. He watched as she looked up to the ceiling, an almost confused expression across her face. Then she shrugged again.

"I am not sure, almost everything is after my fight with the sound infiltrator is." The silver haired jonin nodded his head.

"If you remember anything." He watched the exchange with a concerned look. She wasn't in trouble right?

"I will let you or shishou know, has T&I gotten anything out of him?" Kakashi-sensei shakes his head at her questions and she frowns.

"We should probably be going Naruto, Tomi-chan needs to rest. Her shishou will keep an eye on her." The other man nodded his head in confirmation.

He stood from the chair, and gave his sister a bright smile. "Don't you worry Mimi about anything, I'm going to get stronger so I can protect everyone. Believe it!" Including you, so you don't ever have to be like this again. Words he keeps to himself. She smiles back, it's faint, but genuine.

"Don't be so arrogant." She scolds him, he just continues to smile at her.

Maybe it was arrogance.

But he couldn't help it.

All he ever wanted was for his precious people to be safe. He wanted to protect them, all of them. No matter the cost.

He did not know if he had ever truly understood her before this, but looking at her now, he knew that he did. They had always wanted the same thing, to protect their important people. She just didn't have as many as him. Not yet at least.

But he was sure, whether she knew it or not, that one day she would.

So until then, he would continue to be there for her. She needed him, like he needed her. He loved his sister more than anything and he wanted her to be happy.

That much he was certain of.

That much he understood.

He knew it to be true.

XOXOX

Here is a short chapter for you guys! All in the perspective of Naruto. I hope I wrote him well enough. Please let me know how to improve writing the cannon characters, I don't want to write them too OOC.

Thank you so much for reading this!

You guys are awesome!

Please let me know what you guys think and what you would like to see!

I don't know how much farther I would have written without you all. So thank you so incredibly much for all the love you have given this story! Thank you for all the reviews, favorites, alerts, and follows. This wouldn't be possible without you!

As per usual I own nothing, I only claim Mitomi as my own!

I hope you all have a great day!

Sincerely, La'Rae