Hello to you, beautiful people!

I realise that I make many grammar or other errors. Again, English is my second language. Whoops :P If someone wants to beta-read, I would be very very honoured. If not, that's alright. I will continue this anyway. And with joy :D

If you have any questions or notes, or if you just enjoy the story please review.

! I will definitely change CANON along the way, not that much in the end, but a good bit, just so u know what u signed up for :P

! And there will be some time-skips in this and the coming chapters!

My question of the day: Is the plural of Hokage just Hokage if u write it in English? ^_^'

Review replies: THANK you to BluebirdSayGoodbye for advising me on spacing out the paragraphs more! :D

Enjoy!

Of Green and Youthful Beasts

Aina didn't know where her name came from. In fact, she only knew her name at all, because her father had told it to the occasional nice old lady or genin-team who she was dumped on, when her father was on a (hopefully better paying, and 'youthful') D-rank Mission himself. Her brother Gai was eight years old and had recently (after taking the entrance-exam three times) started visiting the 'most youthful ninja academy there is', as their father always put it. It wasn't that Aina didn't know her name before. She was simply 'Ai-chan', as called by Gai, or 'sweetie', 'youthful flower' and 'most youthful daughter of mine' by her father.

She didn't exactly know who her mother was, but she knew that she was beautiful and kind, as her father had told her over and over when she had asked. They had a little shrine dedicated to her in their little house near the most visited bathhouse in Konoha's southernmost district. It was a simple two story home, squeezed in between a dango-shop and a small teahouse. Compared to the few other houses being used purely for living, their house looked run down and modest, but well loved. There was a traditional looking bathroom with a wooden bathtub, and a bigger room serving as kitchen, living-space and storage space for Dai's ninja-gear. Upstairs had two simply furnished rooms, one for their father and one housing two child-size futons and a low traditional desk.

Currently Aina was sitting on one of those futons, struggling to grasp the concept of chakra. She had secretly snagged one of Dai's scrolls on beginner's chakra manipulation. Her father had left the house in the early morning hours, accompanied by Gai. They had adopted the habit of squeezing in an additional hour of taijutsu-training, before Dai had to leave for a D-rank mission, or a simple delivery job. Gai would be at the academy for another 4 hours, and the old lady living above the teahouse next door, who was supposed to keep watch on Aina, had fallen asleep by drinking said beverage and reading an 'amazing' magazine about the most handsome and hunted nuke-nins out there. That was something that did not (yet) fall into Aina's area of interests.

This was one of her rare chances of figuring out this chakra-stuff, without hearing tens of thousands of 'youthful' encouragements from her brother and father, who both did not possess the affinity for any type of chakra-intensive exercise. Taijutsu-intensive exercises were a different story, of course. She was desperate to succeed at chakra control. Her five years of living this new life had shown her that she was lacking any type of prowess at taijutsu, which in her father's and brother's mind was just a lack of training. This led to sore muscles, occasional tears and a very frustrated Maito Dai. Gai, who was constantly trying to encourage his 'youthful Ai-chan' was apparently starting to loose motivation aswell. Their loving encouragements had gotten less and less as of late. At first, Aina had enjoyed her new peace and quiet. But she had soon come to miss her father and brother's nagging attention. That was why, on this particular morning, Aina re-read the same paragraph of instructions three times. The urge to succeed at chakra-control had never been this great.

Meditate to expand your pool. Reflect on the warm feeling in you abdomen, and try to gently grasp it. After many tries you will be able to slowly pull it to your hand. DO NOT do this quickly if you are a beginner, or you will experience superficial chakra-burns near your affected tenketsu-points.

She read it again. And again, and again. There must have been something that she had missed. She had followed those instructions ten times over. It had taken her about ten tries to find that pool of chakra while meditating. She was able to grasp it to the best of her abilities, but she was never able to pull any of it in any direction. She had realised that her pool of warm and fuzzy energy expanded bit by bit after every meditation. It wasn't a significant amount, but it was enough for her to not loose motivation. At least at first.

With a frustrated growl, Aina walked over to one of the two windows their bedroom had, and opened it. She let the wind caress her face.

I don't even wanna be a ninja. Why am I doing this. I don't have a death-wish.

She raised her gaze to the sky. In the far off distance she could make out the upper halves of Konoha's three famous stone-faces. Of course her father had told her about the Hokage, and about how the Senju, Uchiha, Aburame, Akimichi and Hyūga had first founded the village. Aina was a fan of history and storys in general, taking great joy in small details and mostly unknown facts. But other than her father, she had no reliable source of information. Their old neighbour and those genin-teams didn't think it was appropriate to tell a five year old girl about the legendary and deadly fight between Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara. Or about the second shinobi-war, which ended 10 years ago.

Aina had heard about the war and the Legendary Sannin, even if it was just through excited genin talking amongst each other, while half-heartedly trying to entertain Aina's older than five year old mind. Aina was by no means a genius. True, she had her occasional moments of brilliance, but that was only due to her past experiences in life. Her intelligence in regard to other people's emotions was great. But her own emotions and though-process was a riddle for her. How her very old mind even worked with her brand-new five year old brain was a medical mystery in itself. What wasn't a mystery to her however, was that being a ninja harboured more danger, than any other job this village had to offer.

I should stop trying. Maybe dad will understand me, if I tell him I want to work at the hot-springs. Or a tea-shop. Or even better, the library. Just anything that doesn't involve myself dying young.

When Dai thought about his daughter, the first thing he saw in his mind were her eyes. Her beautiful ice-blue eyes, which she had undoubtedly inherited from her dear mother. Her black, straight and very shiny hair (courtesy of Dai's genes) was a beautiful and contrast to her eyes, which was a rare combination for the Land of Fire. Dai himself was born in Konohagakure, but his parents had both come from Takigakure, in the Land of Waterfalls. Dai had never been to Takigakure. There were no D-rank missions to take him there, and he had no ambition to visit a place that his beloved father had called a 'cold and damp place, with a great lack of youthful spirits'. Konoha's 'will of fire'-philosophy had convinced his parents that Konoha was the place to be, after the first shinobi-war. It was the perfect place for them to live their dream of a peaceful life, and for their son to become the first shinobi in their family.

Dai's upbringing definitely had a big impact on how he raised his two children. His firstborn Gai had inherited his natural affinity for taijutsu, but even so, Dai had drilled his and his late parent's beliefs of 'hard work over talent' into the boy's head. Since he joined the academy, Gai had not been able to successfully access his chakra. It had not been a surprise for Dai, but it still hurt that he wasn't able to help his son with his chakra. But Dai's encouragement for Gai never wavered and never ended. Gai's other grades were average, except for taijutsu, of course.

His daughter was a different story altogether. She had no ambition for workouts and taijutsu in general. She often faked her excitement for new workouts, and Dai saw right through her. He had heard every single annoyed huff and exasperated look sent his and Gai's way. He would have to stop his louder encouragements, as they seemed to only have to opposite of his intended effect on her. He wasn't sorry. He wanted his daughter to be able to defend herself and their village, come what may. There was no question about it. But he wondered... If Aina's talents weren't centred around taijutsu, they must be centred around something else. He had tried helping her with unlocking her chakra when she turned five, but only seemed to hinder her process, as his way of thinking seemed to be quiet different from his daughter's.

Dai remembered that one day he had just returned from a well-paying D-rank mission, excited to see his daughter, but had found her sitting on her futon, mumbling about chakra-control, meditation and the tenketsu-points that everyone had spread throughout their body. He was mesmerised by how deeply focused his little girl was. Her eyes held understanding and a sharpness, that Dai had failed to notice up to that point in her life. Sure, she had always been cunning and rather intelligent for her age. But seeing her scanning one of his scrolls with adult ease, had made him unimaginably proud of his youthful flower.

He knew, that even without the natural prowess in taijutsu, his daughter would be a force to be reckoned with. Her intelligent eyes would examine every hurdle and every enemy, and she would conquer every challenge with utmost grace, like the beautiful flower that she was. His Aina, his late wife would have been proud. Kami did it hurt to think about her. To think about her eyes, and the way that sunlight would reflect on her long brown hair. Suddenly Dai was even more happy, about his discovery. That look that Aina's eyes held was so different from her mother's. His wife's gaze had been soft, even when angered. But Aina's eyes... He now knew they held something else. They would't remind him of his dear wife's eyes anymore. They would make him think about his daughter's youthful future. If you could see her, Aina. If you could see what they both will become. I will make sure to tell you everything when I join you at last.

Aina did love her 'new' family. They were weird, but if she was really honest with herself, just not that aesthetically pleasing when it came to clothing. Both her father and her brother had a weird affinity for green and orange, when choosing their clothes. Two colours that Aina didn't have any love for. Green was okay, she guessed, but combine it with orange, and there you have it. It was a colour-combination that she had avoided at all costs, when Dai bought new clothes for her. It was her luck, that orange wasn't a particularly liked colour for many dresses, kimono or yukata. That was why her clothes were mostly green, Konoha-blue or grey. She didn't mind. A pair of trousers would have been nice though. Dai never failed to mention the fact that his daughter was the 'prettiest young flower' in the whole Land of Fire. Yes, she did love her new family. But fact was, that she was way more intellectually inclined. You know, when it came to pure brain-work and facts.

Gosh, her mind itched to find the library. She just had to gain access to that mountain of knowledge as soon as she could.

She wanted to rethink her third life. To really work through it. She needed psychological texts, scrolls, and whatever she could find on the mind. And chakra. She was sure, that this force within her was affecting her development in some way. The way that her chakra-pool grew when she meditated. She knew, that expansion of her chakra-resources was normal, but to have it grow at that rate, was unheard of. At least as far as she knew. She had certain theories about physical and spiritual energy. If one could call them theories. She had read about how there were different ratios that could be used when mixing those energies for chakra. She had the distinct feeling, that her spiritual side of things was a bit out of whack, because of the whole rebirth thing. She didn't take it too seriously though. She had read about potentially exploding or burning thinks with wrongly balanced chakra, and she had neither imploded, or exploded up until now. So, nothing to worry about. At least for now.

Why am I even thinking about this stuff. I want to be, and will be a civilian for life. It's decided. But.. I guess it won't harm to.. just think about chakra, right? I could become a civilian researching chakra and... that doesn't sound right. Stop it Aina. Stop it. No need to worry about it. You are allowed to learn how to use chakra and not become a ninja, right? Dad seemed understanding when we talked about it yesterday evening. Sure, Gai had tears in his eyes, for a little moment there. Don't give in to his puppy-eyes. Don't. Just visit the civilian school and don't become a ninja. That would seriously suck. All that danger and excitement. Definitely not something for the faint-hearted, from what I've heard. You don't like seeing blood. Not even mentioning guts and all the other things you would have to see. Don't be ridiculous, Aina.

,,I want to be a ninja."

Dai almost threw-up the sixth dango he had eaten, at the same time as Gai spat most of his drink in his father's face. Aina's six-year-old high pitched, but serious voice hat pierced her relative's hearts, with what it had declared. The other customers in the little dango-shop next to the Maito-family's house (that gave them a neighbourhood discount on their sweets) turned their curious glances back to their own foods or company.

,,Come again?", Dai coughed, as he wiped his son's drink of his own face with a tissue. His daughter looked equally as surprised as her brother and father. Her eyes looked at the half-eaten mochi in her hands with new found interest. As if the sweet rice-cake with red-bean filling held some kind of explanation for her sudden outburst. Not taking her eyes off of her food, she mumbled: ,,I want to become a ninja... I guess."

Aina looked, for a lack of a better word, miffed. As if she was disappointing herself by saying that she wanted to go to the academy, like her older brother did. Her face grew red, as the smiles on her brother's and father's faces widened.

Gai was ecstatic. He had already given up all hope, which was nothing like him. This was the best birthday present he could have hoped for. Screw the scrolls on taijutsu and the scarf that his little sister and father had gotten him as a present for his ninth birthday. This was much better. His little sister would step into his footsteps and become a formidable and youthful ninja, just like their father. This was too good to be true. He would help her train, and he would see her succeed. Then and there he would make the most youthful oath to never let her train alone when he could help it. And of course she would look at him, like he was crazy. But he wouldn't mind. He would already be imagining all kinds of training-regimes and youthful exercises they could enjoy together.

Two weeks into January, after Gai's birthday on the first, it was Aina's birthday. Dai had long since realised, that his Ai-chan had a better sense of adult responsibility than her big brother. He felt that, with her now six years of age, he could leave her at home without anyone supervising her comings and goings. He trusted his little flower to not do anything too stupid. She knew she could always visit their elderly next door neighbour for advice or tea and cake. And if a real problem arose, the next message-nin station was just around the corner. They would immediately notify him, if something was wrong, and Aina came to them for help. This would definitely help him to save some money. Maybe he could even get one or two new books for his little girl, and some new practice-kunai for his son. He already imagined seeing excited smiles on their youthful faces.

Come to think of it, I could start Gai on his weight training. It's about time. Maybe I'll get some for Ai-chan aswell... She will have to work hard to keep up with her brother. Better help her get a head-start!

Aina knew when her father messed up a mission. His smile would be extra bright, but his eyes would hold a slight sadness. She knew that look to well. Which was why she nagged him to get some ice-cream with her. She knew that the ice-cream would make him more happy than it made her. But the sugar would definitely help her overall mood.

In those days, she was working hard to stick leaves on her skin using chakra. It was a common exercise used at the academy, but Aina felt that she needed to work on her control. Her problem with harnessing her chakra and moving it to all parts of her body, had been resolved. She had worked hard for it, even practicing while lying down in bed at night. Her control was nothing special, but it was there. Aina could even make her small hands glow a (slightly darker) blue with chakra (even without burning herself). But she couldn't properly regulate the amount of chakra that left her body. Most of the times she felt dizzy, or especially hungry after practicing. Ever since her chakra was easier to move for her, it sometimes overwhelmed her senses, as she didn't have a proper hold on it. She hadn't showed Dai and Gai, as she was dreading their 'youthful' reactions to her progress. No, she really wanted to do this by herself. This chakra thing was equally frustrating as it was exciting.

,,...what do you think?"

Huh? Perplexed, she blinkt at her father, who was gesticulating wildly, waving his arms and his ice-cream cone around.

,,...what about it, Ai-chan?" He looked at her expectingly. She focused.

,,Sorry, what were you saying?", she said, miffed that he had pulled her out of her musings.

So cold!, Dai thought amused, as he looked into her icy-blue eyes.

,,I was asking you if you would like to help me pick up Gai from the academy today!", her father grinned. Aina mumbled a 'sure', as she finished off her ice-cream. She had seen the academy before, when Gai was enrolled. She had even listened to the Hokage's speech from atop of her father's shoulders.

It took them a twenty minute walk, crossing the big market (the middle of Konoha), two training-grounds including two rivers and the jonin-tower. That particular tower held the most of Aina's interests during that walk. You could see experienced ninja coming and going, mostly through the roof entrance, of course. Aina never ceased trying to follow those jonin with her eyes, but she never could. She guessed that that kind of vision had to be trained, or at least, supported by using chakra. She also never missed her father's glazed over gaze, when he saw that tower. She didn't know what he was thinking in those moments. She knew that his status as a genin was 'sad', as other people would put it. He was over 30, yet he was never able to achieve a big enough chakra pool to take on dangerous missions outside of the village. He just lacked the chakra. At least that was what he had told her when she had innocently asked.

It must be hard, Aina thought, to see all your peers surpass you. Come to think of it... It seems odd. Can you just 'lack' chakra? Is there a genetic limit to expanding your pool? It doesn't seem right. Aina was, once again, shaken from her thoughts, as Dai proudly proclaimed: ,,We're here!" He just stood there, his arms spread wide, his moustache dancing on his face while he laughed loudly.

Aina just smiled routinely and sweat-dropped. Her father never ceased to embarrass her. As if on cue, the bell rang, signalling the end of the last class. A mass of students rushed outside, some talking in groups, racing to the academy's training-ground, others making their way home, or being picked up by their parents. Then there was Gai who was rushing out, proclaiming youth above all else, then talking animately with his classmates. Aina could spot a girl with purple marks on her face, who was shyly laughing at something a shorter boy wearing a mask had said.

Why that mask? Whatever, she didn't really care.

Next to them stood a girl with read and rather mesmerising irises and dark, who was seemingly ranting about something or someone to the slightly darker skinned boy next to her. That boy she recognised as the Hokage's second born. She would sometimes see him on the roof of the hokage-tower, when their Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, held his new-year's-speach or some of the other speeches throughout the year. Aina remembered that she had seen him looking kind of pissed-off at Gai's academy enrollment ceremony. She also knew that Gai had two 'good friends' in his class, namely Sarutobi Asuma and Hatake Kakashi. So that silver-haired masked boy was likely the Hatake.

He seems rude, Aina though, when she saw him leaving his peers without saying goodbye, having a very neutral or even bored look in his eyes. Her own eyes followed him, as he crossed the academy's yard, coming directly towards them.

What a brat. Suddenly, Aina felt a gust of wind ruffle her hair. She blinked. Next to her father was a human-sized cloud which was quickly dissolving, revealing a shinobi with snow-white hair. Definetely his father, Aina mused, but then she suddenly froze. As if he had heard her thoughts, said man did a closed-eyed smile and waved at her with one hand. She felt her father stiffen slightly at her side and bow his head in a polite greeting.

,,Hatake-san, what a wonderful day to meet again."

Dai's voice was calm and warm. Looking for some mild comfort, Aina gave into her six-year-old reflexes and took one of her fathers hands. She made big eyes at the older Hatake, taking in his flawless appearance as well as his obvious jonin-status. That man practically screamed authority and experience. If Aina had given in to her more adult thoughts, she would have found Hatake Sakumo to be quite attractive. His kind eyes and good build would have lured her in. But, alas, she was currently six, and Aina had no intention of even considering such things.

She would like to stay in her childhood-bliss of unawareness, Thank you very much.

,,It's nice to see you again, Dai-san. How are you? And who is this little one?" Sakumo did his crinkle-eyed smile again, and Aina swore she felt her heart skip an inappropriate skip. Damn. She opted to hide behind one of Dai's legs, completely taking advantage of the 'scared little girl'-cliché. She saw Dai do a little double-take. He was definitely not used to seeing his self-determined daughter so shy.

,,Don't you want to introduce yourself to Hatake-san, little flower?", a confused Dai asked. Aina blushed. This was simply embarrassing. She mumbled something.

,,Huh? Didn't catch that. Could you repeat-", Hatake attempted to ask, but Aina beat him to it.

,,Aina! My name is Aina." She blushed even more, cursing all the kami she could think of. Her father just laughed, baffled that his daughters sometimes even icy demeanour had been so easily broken.

Kakashi was bored. Every day at the academy got more and more pointless. Sure, he understood his father when he had said that learning the basics was the most important step in becoming a ninja. But he had mastered those weeks ago. This was ridiculous. His 'friends' if he could call them that, couldn't do anything about his state. He wasn't interested in nonsense and friendly bickering, he wanted progress. He wanted to achieve what his father had achieved, and this whole academy thing was starting to really hold him back.

When he left the academy-grounds that day, he didn't expect to see his normally busy father waiting for him at the gate. He promptly quickened his steps, eager to speak to his father, who had apparently returned from his two week S-rank mission, (which was, of course, classified) without a scratch.

,,Aina, my name is Aina.", said a light and slightly panicked voice. Kakashi stopped walking when he reached his father.

,,Welcome back.", he said, ignoring Gai's father and apparent sister.

,,Thank you, Kakashi. Have you been well? Did you study hard?"

His father's voice took on that soft and caring sound, which Kakashi didn't like.

Of course I didn't study hard. You covered all of the academy topics with me, before I even went there. He just nodded stiffly, which made his father's smile a bit more mischievous. Sakumo knew that it made his son feel childish and embarrassed. But, well, there were always worse things a father could do be embarrassing. Maito Dai was the best example.

,,What youthful greetings for father and son! Feelings of long separation can only be overcome by eternal youthful energy! Isn't that right, Gai?"

Gai, who had jumped over to his father and sibling, nodded enthusiastically.

,,Yes! Thank is most youthful thinking! I will attempt to greet you with as much concern and care, father! If I don't succeed, I will do two-hundred push-ups!" His sister, Aina, sweat-dropped in synch with Kakashi and Sakumo.

At least there's one normal one around, Kakashi though exasperatedly.

,,Aina-chan, will you join your brother in his attempt?", Dai asked with energising fatherly authority, which was sadly lost on his youngest child.

,,Sure", Aina said with a deadpan, knowing there was no use in trying to turn down that suggestion. That would have only made it worse. ,,But Gai should go first."

Her father praised her idea, both of her green and orange clad boys went on greeting each other properly, being most youthful in the process. Sighing in relief, Aina's eyes wandered back to the Hatake men. Kakashi was scoffing and slightly turned away from the scene. Sakumo continued smiling at her. She did her best to act naturally.

,,So, Aina-chan, do you plan on taking the academy entrance exam?", he asked. Kakashi's attention was set on her now. Just keep your cool. Aina thought, while struggling to remain calm.

You should get used to talking to super cool ninja men with handsome faces. Oh shut up, brain.

,,Sure.", Aina said, using her most-beloved word of avoidance.

,,Very good!", Sakumo said, looking at her brother and father, wo were in their own world of 'youth'. ,,So you're planning on becoming a taijutsu-specialist as well?"

Sakumo had hit a nerve. She had no idea what kind of ninja she wanted to be.

,,Probably not. I guess I'll just become... a genin. I want to be a ninja, so I can.. research chakra.", Aina said, trying to put as much fake conviction into her voice, as she could.

,,That's stupid." The masked boy had spoken, crossing his arms in front of his chest. ,,If you are a ninja, you can't just spend all your time researching. You have to train hard to take missions and work to protect the village."

Sakumo sent his son a hard look. He hadn't raised his son to spread this kind of narrow-minded thinking. Kakashi didn't even flinch. He knew that he was right, to an extent at least. Aina looked at Kakashi with a newfound dislike.

Okay, so that's how it is.

As Aina and Kakashi were trading glares, Dai and Gai had finished their new and very youthful ritual of greeting, and had started to re-join the conversation. Aina had enough of that Hatake brat. He was so...pessimistic. He seemed to leave no room for childish hopes and dreams.

,,Oh, so what to you plan on becoming?", Aina tried to challenge the nine year old.

,,Isn't that obvious? I'll become chunin, then jonin and then Jonin-commander. It is the most difficult and important job, other than the Hokage of course. As the jonin-commander you have to be quick and smart. They have to have a great pool of knowledge in order to support their hokage, who has the burden of making decisions for the good of the village. I wouldn't want to become hokage. I hope that Lord Third continues living a long and healthy life.", Kakashi stated dryly.

Aina blinked. Someone else would have had her fuming with anger by now, but this Kakashi... She had hoped that he didn't have a plan, but hadn't expected a thoroughly though out plan. It seemed ambitious, but he seemed equally determined. This boy was definitely too smart for his own good. He should loosen up a bit. Aina decided to change her tactics. She let a genuine smile spread over her face.

,,I sincerely hope that you achieve your dream, Kakashi-san. It sounds like the most youthful goal a ninja of Konoha could have."

I cannot believe that I used this word with dad and Gai listening. This will have repercussions. And Aina was right, in the corner of her eye she saw her father and brother keeping their tears of pride at bay.

Hastily she turned from an utterly confused Kakashi to his father. She clasped her hands together in the front and did a small, but formal bow. ,,Thank you for your kind words, Hatake-san. I hope we will meet again." With those words, Aina swiftly turned around and walked the road in southern direction, hurrying home. Dai and Gai, proclaiming that they had to keep up with 'Aina-chan's' youthful kindness, bowed deeply, bidding their goodbyes. Then they rushed to catch up to her. Sakumo's and Kakashi's eyes followed their fast retreat, until there were only dust clouds in the distance. Kakashi sighed. His father chuckled.

Morning training sucks dick, she thought, as she did her fifth set of pull-ups on a tree on training ground sixteen, which was the nearest to their home. Rarely did Aina's thoughts hold such bitterness. She didn't dare use those words with her family, or anyone around. But her inner voice's vocabulary had continuously worsened over the past few weeks. Dai had bought new training weights for both her and her brother. Gai was, of course, ecstatic. He couldn't wait to feel the burn of 'growing muscles and challenged limbs', as he put it. Aina, not so much.

She would have done anything, please, just anything, else to please her training-loving boys. But this... this is just painful. And painfully dull.

Their training regime had been upped, and Aina had started to fall behind. She had always been behind Gai and Dai, when training her taijutsu, but now she was starting to really fall behind. Races for example, in which she used to finish last, she didn't finish at all, having to give up somewhere along the way. Sure, the weights were doing their thing, they were getting lighter and lighter each day, as Aina's muscles adjusted and grew. But she and her father grudgingly realised, that Aina was in fact a girl, and that girl's bodys worked, if only slightly, different. She didn't really care about being a girl all that much, since she had been a girl and a boy in her two past lives. But this difference which made itself noticeable when she was about seven, really sucked.

Aina was sure, that she was way above average when it came to taijutsu basics for academy students. And she hadn't even joined said academy. That would have to wait one more year. Yet, she didn't really care about all of that, she just wanted to keep up with Gai. It was just natural. Gai and Dai were mostly her only constant social contacts, outside of some of their neighbours. Their family was tight-knit. As were their mottos and sayings. They had sneaked into Aina's brain, even if just unconsciously.

Her brother, father, and lastly Aina herself, had always pushed her to do her best. It just seemed that her best wasn't as good as she hat originally though. She didn't have as much stamina and strength as Gai. Her speed was the only thing that seemed to keep up with his. Her adult mind understood, taking the whole thing quite logically. But Aina's now seven-year-old instincts told her, that she was failing. Which was why she pushed herself even more when learning to use her chakra. But she didn't seem to make progress at all. She had read every single one of Dai's scrolls and books on chakra. But they only got her so far. Her control outside of her body was still miserable, so Aina had turned to meditating every morning and evening.

She would get it eventually. She was only seven after all. I shouldn't be this impatient. My body needs time to catch up to my mind. How weird that sounds. I should stop bullshitting myself. So not youthful. Aina mentally kicked herself. She did not just use that word. It never happened. Thankfully, nobody was here to hear it. She wouldn't have heard the end of it.

,,Tag! You're it!", Aina lightly hit Anko's arm, who looked at her with great annoyance.

,,We're not playing tag, we're playing ninja. If you're not up for it, go home.", Anko's voice had a harsh tone to it. But in Maito-family fashion, Aina just smiled kindly and took out one of her brothers old wooden kunai. Anko, who had just recently joined the academy, as she was a year older than Aina, was a friend of Gai's, wo had introduced them. As were Mizuki and Hayate. Mizuki was in his second year at the academy, and Hayate would hopefully join next year. Aina secretly hoped that they would end up in the same class. She liked the sickly looking kid. He was kind, but not overly so. He spoke his mind when needed and respected his friends and elders. He also had the odd habit of coughing in very regular intervals, and when he was annoyed.

Yes, Aina thought. She definitely liked him the most. Mizuki was as brash as Anko, overestimating his own power. And he wasn't good at losing. But kind nonetheless. Oh, what did Aina even know. They were all kids. There was always room for improvement. For teams they had decided girls against boys, which made Aina sigh dramatically.

Anko and her had worked out a plan to 'ambush' their friends (enemy ninjas) with wooden practice-kunai that were thrown from behind a bush, in order to take the secret scroll of 'epic power and destruction' from them. Said scroll was a simple bag of sweets from Anko's favourite shop, meaning that that day's stakes for playing ninja were very high. Which meant that the 'enemy ninjas' were VERY set on protecting their precious 'scroll'.

When Aina stepped through the door of their little home, scraped knees and a small scratch on her right cheek (accidentally caused by a raging Anko with low blood-sugar), she could smell dinner. Dai must have come home rather early that day. She took a moment to take of her shoes in their genkan and to step in front of her mother's little shrine. It held fresh yellow flowers and a small rice-cake offering. Aina looked at the picture standing in the middle. Out of habit, she reminisced about her day, recounting the tactical mistakes she had made while playing ninja with the others. She had drastically underestimated Hayate's strategical prowess, which had cost her and Anko their victory.

,,Ai-chan, you're home!", Gai exclaimed, while putting three plates and utensils on their traditional styled table. He grinned, his teeth shining white, while he finished decking the table. Then Ania got a very youthful fist-bump from her brother.

,,Welcome back my flower!", Dai said, looking content, but tired. Aina could always spot, when her father and brother had had an emotional and deep conversation. She didn't pry, as she was well aware of Gai's academic problems. She had thought about trying to help him with his chakra control, but Aina knew he wouldn't want to accept her help in that matter.

,,Who won?", Gai asked excitedly.

,,Yate-kun and that Mizuki-guy.", Aina stated. Gai deflated, but quickly caught himself.

,,I am sure you will succeed next time! You just have to train and try even harder!"

,,Yeah, I will.", Aina said while yawning. ,,What's for dinner?"

,,Rice, and leftover miso soup. I'm sorry Aina, your special tofu and spinach stew will have to wait 'til next week.", Dai said, thinking to himself.

,,That's alright Dad.", Aina said, smiling her 'sunshine smile', as Dai had dubbed it. It was his favourite expression to see on her face. Their financial situation as a family had never been ideal. But now it was getting worse and worse, as Konoha's economy reacted to the growing political tensions between the nations. Some even said there was war coming. Dai didin't like thinking about that too much. He just hoped his children would stay safe and sound behind the village walls.

,,Again!", Gai shouted at the wooden training-post. He had started to sound like Dai, when training. Aina, who was sitting on the training-post next to the one Gai was beating with bandaged fists, smiled. It was almost painful to see Gai keeping up with Dai's newest training regime for him. But it also filled her with some weirdly misplaced pride. She was constantly struggling with her old mind. Sure, she mostly thought like the seven-year old that she was. But from time to time there would be those weird moments, where she felt like the one-hundred and one-year old being that she was.

Her mind was rather tired these days, while her body thrived and grew. Aina did seem to handle it much better this time around. Last time, everything inside her had just screamed 'WRONG'. This time, she felt more like she belonged, more like herself. She didn't hold onto all of her memories from those two past-lives. They seemed to merge and wither away on their own. It wasn't a shame. There had been nothing that Aina would have desperately held on to, whether it be people or experiences and places.

No, I am sure that I've never been this happy. I want to stay and watch everyone grow. And I want to live as long as I can.

,,I heard that your mother was a famous kunoichi?", Aina had turned to Hayate, who was currently munching on one of the onigiri that she had brought along. She and Hayate had developed the tradition of meeting every Wednesday, when there was sunshine, to talk, train or play at the riverside. Their favourite place by the river was situated just opposite the jounin-tower, on the other side of the stream.

,,Mpff, yesh she wash. Da-wd alwaysh talksh abouth he-rah when he shees a shinobi running awound.", Hayate said, while chewing his onigiri with cucumber and sesame seeds. Finally, he swallowed. ,,He's always saying that she was an elite shinobi who specialised in swordsmanship. Her katana is hanging on our wall above our little family shrine. My dad also said, that she was on the same team as the White Fang." Hayate's eyes had started to shine bright with pride and excitement. Their late mothers were something they had initially bonded over, as morbid as that thought was.

,,Huh? Is that an Inuzuka?", Aini asked confused.

,,No, the White Fang! 'You never heard of him?", he replied bemusedly.

,,Ah. No, doesn't ring a bell.", Aina laughed.

,,He is even more famous than the three Sannin! You must have heard of him! I saw him around the village once, white hair, tantō and everything!", Hayate exclaimed. That did somehow ring a bell, Aina thought.

,,I also heard that his son is expected to graduate the academy soon! Gai must know him, right? Anko told me that he always wears a weird mask over his face." While Hayate was speaking, Aina had smashed her flat hand against her face. Of course. Of course Hatake-san would hold such a title. And Kakashi's stuck-up-ness makes so much more sense now. I bet everyone's swarming him for info on his dad. She caught herself.

,,Right. I remember now. But why is he called the 'White Fang' what did he do that's so special, Yate-chan?" Said boy scratched his head and looked at her with his tired eyes. He didn't really like her calling him 'Yate-chan', but he also couldn't bring himself to tell her.

,,He's a war-hero, I guess. My tou-san says that he had some kind of special chakra and that Konoha's enemys fear him for it. He uses his tantō to... I don't know, fight with his special white chakra or something..." Aina peeked up. She would definitely find everything she could on the Hatake's 'special white chakra', whatever that meant. If she could only age faster and get that library pass. Ugh...

This day ist special. I will not fail. I will show Kakashi. If I fail, I will run five-hundred laps around the academy training grounds. I will show them. Father will be proud of me, and Ai-chan will be proud of her big brother. Today, I will give the teachers a most youthful demonstration of my ninjutsu!

Gai heard laughter. He had his eyes squeezed shut, his hands forming the last sign of the basic E-rank clone jutsu. He had done everything right. Tiger - boar - ox - dog. He opened his eyes. There it was, his clone. It was lying on the ground, looking rather sickly and pale. Gai silently swore. He just hoped that his taijutsu scores would save his overall grade.

,,I'm sorry!", Gai cried, sitting on his father's shoulders. They were standing in between his classmates and their parents, in front of the academy's announcement-board. His name wasn't on the list.

,,I am sure it's there, you just have to look harder my son! Your tears must be clouding your vision!", Maito Dai's voice boomed with youthful certainty.

,,No. I'm sorry, dad! I am a disgrace to our family!" His father was speechless. Gai...

,,I cannot be a ninja.", his son said. It tore apart his heart.

,,Gai... didn't you promise yourself something? You HAVE to hold on to the promises you've made, especially to yourself!", Dai said, while taking his son off of his shoulders. At this point, Gai was openly sobbing.

,YES! YES YOU ARE RIGHT! I VOWED TO RUN FIVE-HUNDRED LAPS AROUND THE ACADEMY TRAINING GROUND. I WILL NOT LET YOU AND AI-CHAN DOWN. I WILL DO IT!"

Dai would never forget the day he saw his son running those five-hundred laps. Gai's face covered in tears and snot. But his expression was steady, his eyes determined, and Dai swore he had never seen a more youthful power in his life.

Aina had dinner ready. Dai had first been against her cooking for the whole family, but she had insisted. It gave her something to do in the mornings and evenings, and she simply enjoyed it. She wasn't that good yet, but she would learn. Today she had made sticky rice with green beans and a variety of vegetables she had been gifted by their elderly neighbour.

She was waiting for two hours for her boys to come home, until she gave up, took out her notebook and started drawing the various types of weapons she had come across in her fathers scrolls about ninja-weaponry.

What is taking them so long? Even if Gai failed his graduating-test, they should be back by now.

She must have fallen asleep, because the next think she knew, she heard the screeching of their door. Dai and Gai came stumbling inside. One having proud tears in his eyes, the other one scraped up and exhausted.

,,Welcome home. Dinner's ready.", Aina mumbled, while she tiredly took out their medi-kit from inside one of their cupboards. This made Gai break out in tears. The next second she was securely wrapped up in the thin but well-trained arms of her brother. Her brother, who was sobbing. ,,I AM SORRY, AI-CHAN! I DIDN'T PASS THIS TIME. BUT I SWEAR I WILL PASS NEXT TIME. I WILL TRAIN HARDER THAN EVER."

Aina's ears were ringing, but she smiled brightly and pulled away from Gai. ,,I know you will. And I know you will become the most dedicated ninja there is. After all, you have tou-san and me helping you train!" This had earned her a different set of arms that wrapped around her, and then spun her around like they had done when she was four. She giggled out of reflex and joy.

,,MY DARLING WIFE, I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH THE MOST KIND AND YOUTHFUL CHILDREN THERE ARE!", Dai laughed, while spinning his daughter around.

In the following late months of summer, Aina saw Gai train with more vigour and power, than ever before. She even forgave him that his training now included her, as she was pulled along on the ride. She wasn't nearly as good as him, but it seemed to keep him going even more, so she also stuck with it.

It must be hard to fail, while all your friends move along, Aina thought while failing to avoid most of Gai's basic taijutsu attacks. Of course he was pulling his punches for her.

She had seen her brothers friend graduate and proudly wear their brand-new Konoha headbands, namely Kakashi, Rin, Asuma and Kurenai. Anko and Mizuki, with whom she and Hayate had been playing ninja with outside of academy hours, had also graduated and joined their genin-teams. She had even heard from Hayate, that Anko had been directly snatched up by some Jonin to be an apprentice, as she had graduated very early, like Kakashi did. It was just her and Hayate now. Well, there was also this boy named Kotetsu, that they had met on the side of the river once-

,,We should head home.", Gai said. Aina stared at him in a confused way. Gai never suggested leaving early. Then it suddenly hit her, like one of Gai's punches.

Today was THE day. She had almost forgot, being to focused to evade Gai's nimble limbs which were seemingly flying through the air. Aina was seven, turning eight soon, which meant that she would be starting the academy today. Her heart skipped a nervous beat. She looked down at her clothes, which were covered in mud and leaves. And she bet that her waist-long black hair wasn't looking any better.

,,Yes, you're right. Let's head home, I need to get cleaned up."

She hadn't decided yet, what she wanted her life in this village to be. But things would soon be changing for her, whether she liked it or not.