Academy Days

A/N: If you want more info on Michiru Uchiha, please check out the connected story called Love you, Flame!

"So, you're starting school today, Sasuke-kun?" asked a ten-year-old Haruka as she walked with Mikoto, Sasuke, and Itachi to the Academy.

Haruka had changed her outfit as she grew. She wore a black long-sleeved shirt that had her clan symbol on the back. On her elbows she wore guards. For pants, she wore tight dark blue shorts that stopped mid-thigh. Her ninja tools on her right leg and black ninja shoes. Her dark brown hair had gotten longer and was now on a little past her butt.

"Yup!" said a five-year-old Sasuke, happily. "I'm gonna be a shinobi like Itachi-nii and Haruka-nee!"

"But I'm not a shinobi yet," giggled Haruka.

"That's because you said that we only need one great Uchiha at a time!" declared Sasuke, making the other three laugh.

"That's right!" said Haruka as she grinned.

"Anyway, looks like we're here!" said Mikoto with a smile.

"Why didn't Oto-san come?" asked Sasuke out of the blue. The three other Uchihas looked at each other.

"He is a very busy man, Sasuke, but I know he wished he could be here," replied Mikoto with a soft smile. Though no one but Haruka noticed Itachi's clenched fist.

Haruka put her hand on Itachi's and smiled, shocking him. He then gave her a light smile back.

"Look, Sasuke-kun! There's a girl there from our clan. She looks like she might be your age. Why don't you go and talk to her, so you have a friend," said Haruka as she noticed a little girl with the Uchiha clan symbol on her shirt.

The girl had on a long-sleeved blue, high collared shirt with the clan symbol on the back. She also wore black shorts that stopped at her knees and blue ninja sandals. She had long dark blackish-blue hair up in a ponytail and the Uchiha dark eyes.

"I don't need a friend!" declared Sasuke.

"I had a friend when I started," said Itachi as he tapped Sasuke's forehead. Sasuke's eye widened.

"Really?"

"Yup! It was me!" said Haruka with a smile. Sasuke looked excited.

"Does that mean she'll be my best friend too!" asked Sasuke with excitement. 'I want a best friend like Itachi-nii! I want her to be cool like Haruka-nee!'

"Only if you want her too," said Itachi with a smile. Sasuke gave a huge grin and ran to the girl. Though he stopped right before he went to her and turned to his family and waved.

"Cute!" said Mikoto and Haruka together as they watched Sasuke shyly speak to the other girl.

"Do you know who she is, Oka-san?" asked Itachi.

"I believe she's a girl in the clan orphanage, but I don't know her name," replied Mikoto.

"Well, I'm sure Sasuke will tell you guys all about her later," laughed Haruka as she turned to walk away. "I'll see you later."

"Have a great day, Haruka-chan," said Mikoto.

"I hope to see you later, Haruka," said Itachi with a light smile.

"Itachi, fangirls," said Hana as she walked by Itachi with her ninken. Itachi somewhat paled and turned to see many girls giggling at him.

Hana wore a white jacket, mesh long sleeved underneath it, and dark blue pants that cuffed around her ankle. She also wore the normal blue ninja shoes. Her brown hair was in a low ponytail, like always. Her clan markings on her face.

"Bye, Oka-san," said Itachi quickly as he then disappeared. Causing her to laugh.

"Poor Itachi," said Hana with a shake of her head as she walked toward Haruka.

"Yup, so does your brother start today?" asked Haruka to her friend as they walked to their classroom since only first years were required to stay and listen to the speech.

"Yup," said Hana as the two made it to their class room.

'Hana Inuzuka, the older sister of Kiba Inuzuka. In all honesty, it's funny how we became friend. Izumi was being a bitch to me when Itachi was talking to a teacher and Hana decided to defend me. Though it was more like we just gave Izumi and her friends shit,' thought Haruka.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Hana as the two girls sat at their seats.

"How we became friends," answered Haruka.

"Ah, yes! The faithful day!" laughed Hana.

"Hello, ladies!" said a voice. The two turned to see Natsu Ryuu.

Natsu came from a civilian family. He had spiky blond hair and green eyes. He wore a pale green shirt and dark blue ninja pants and shoes. He had started to hang out with the girls not long after Itachi had graduated. Though, it can be noted that he and Itachi don't get along all that well.

"Sup," said the two girls as he sat next to them. Haruka sat in the middle while Natsu sat to her left and Hana to her right.

"Can you believe it! Just a little bit longer and we are out of here," said Natsu with a grin.

"Well, we still have some test to pass before we start thinking about that," replied Haruka with a laugh. 'Natsu is always so happy. He makes me think of Naruto.'

"Class, let's begin," said Sensei as he walked into class, causing the other children to run to their seats.

'This year, Shisui-nii will die. Even though I got my third tomoe for my Sharingan, I'm still not strong enough. I can't take on Danzo. I need to figure something out. Itachi and I both turn 11 this year, so that means two more years until the massacre. I have to figure this out, I don't have a choice,' thought Haruka as she looked forward.

~That Afternoon~

"Good job, Haruka," said Shisui as Haruka managed to hit all the targets.

"Thanks, Shisui-nii!" said Haruka with a grin.

'I have a cute little sister,' thought Shisui as he started to cry.

"I am not cute,' said Haruka out loud as she glared at Shisui. He just stopped crying and stared at her. The two locked eyes until Haruka turned and started running.

"Get back here!" yelled Shisui as he chased her.

"Never!" yelled Haruka as she jumped from tree to tree. 'Shisui loves the idea of being an older brother way to much. I never see him do this with Itachi!'

"Got you," said a male voice as they grabbed Haruka around the waist. She looked up to see Itachi, smiling at her.

"Wow! Nii-san! You caught her!" yelled an excited Sasuke, followed by the little girl they had seen at the Academy.

"Itachi! Good job," said Shisui as he stopped next to him.

"Not fair, Itachi!" said Haruka with a pout as Itachi jumped onto the ground in front of the children. He then let Haruka go as Shisui came to stand next to the two.

"Who is this? Sasuke's girlfriend?" asked Shisui as he noticed the little girl.

"She's not my girlfriend! Her name is Michiru and she's my friend!" said Sasuke as he puffed out his cheeks with a slight blush.

"Hello, my name is Michiru Uchiha. It's nice to meet you," said the girl with a smile.

"It's nice to meet you, Michiru-chan. My name is Haruka Uchiha, and this idiot is Shisui Uchiha," said Haruka with a smile.

"Hey!" said Shisui, causing Itachi to chuckle. Shisui then turned to him with a smirk. "You know, I asked you if Haruka was your girlfriend when I first met you. You stuttered."

"That's because you tried to attack me," said Itachi with a light blush. "If I remember correctly, you were yelling about how no one can corrupt your baby sister."

The other three laughed at Shisui's pink face.

"Anyway, why don't we practice some kunai throwing?" Haruka asked the younger children.

"Yeah!" they yelled out happily as Haruka gave them each some kunai to throw.

'What a cute girl. I know that there was no mention of Michiru in the managa or anime. So, could she be an anomaly, or just a passing thing?' thought Haruka as she watched Itachi and Shisui teach the children how to throw the kunai correctly.

"Shisui! Don't show them something they aren't ready for!" yelled Haruka as she went up to stop Shisui. The others laughed.

~A Few Months Later~

The five Uchihas celebrated birthdays as they came up and went about their lives.

Haruka, Sasuke, and Michiru went to the Academy. Sasuke and Michiru hung out and became best friends while Haruka stuck with Hana and Natsu, the three hoping to be on the same team when they graduate the following year.

Itachi joined Ambu and had less time to spend with the others, though Haruka had a way of pulling him and getting him to hang out with them.

Shisui was himself. He loved to help the others train and simply loved being called Shisui-nii.

Though, in October, everything changed for the children.

"What do you mean," said Ai with tears in her eyes.

"They found his body. He committed suicide," said Mikoto with tears in her eyes.

"Shisui. That's why Haruka's been in her room," said Ai with a whisper.

"Sasuke and Michiru were upset. I managed to calm them down and have them napping right now at the house," said Mikoto as she held her tea. "They think he was murdered and that Itachi did it. But I know he didn't!"

"Itachi loved Shisui like a brother, no way he would do something like that," said Ai.

~In Haruka's Room~

"Shisui," said Haruka as she held a pillow to her.

"He said he loved you. You were the best little sister in the world," said a voice. Haruka turned to see Itachi. She got up and ran to him, hugging him as she cried.

"Itachi," said Haruka as Itachi rested his head on hers.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save him," he said as he squeezed her. 'I promised him I would protect you and Michiru. I will do whatever it takes to keep that promise.'