AN: So here is the next chapter. Enjoy!

disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Present "...Iruna-nee"

Flashback "...Iruna-nee"

POV: Fugaku

It was a surprise to see Iruna in the Hokage Tower. She was supposed to be in the academy at this time of the day, but when I saw the hitaiate around her head, it gave me my answer and that she had taken the genin exam. I am proud of her that she is already a genin at such a young age just like the Hatake genius, at the same time I am sad about this revelation. She is already a shinobi even though her rank is genin. She's already considered an adult.

When we entered the house everything was the same when we left. There was no dust even though Itachi and Iruna had stayed with Obito. I wouldn't have allowed him to be close with Iruna and Itachi if Mikoto wasn't fond of him.

"Mikoto" I said when I saw her headed to our room "Are you okay?"

"What do you mean by that?" she answered in a tired voice with her back to me "I'm exhausted. I don't want to talk about it."

I didn't pursue the conversation anymore. I know she is depressed about Irunas' state. Mikoto had told me about Iruna having a different glint in her eyes like she had intelligence not fit for her age. She was outgoing and energetic, but I have heard from her academy teacher that she kept to herself and read most of the time. She only had one friend in the academy. It was troubling to hear that she was like this. Yet, she was fine socializing with Shisui, Team Minato, and even Kushina-san.

By the time Itachi and Iruna came back to the house it was almost time for lunch. I stood in front of the main door to greet them, but I recalled we do not have any food in the house.

"Your mother is sleeping. Have you two eaten lunch yet?" I asked

"Not yet" Iruna answered and Itachi shook his head

I nodded to their answer and told them to follow me. I lead them out of the compound to the market area of the village. I stopped in front of a vegetable stall and looked at the two having confused looks on them. I told them how one would know if the vegetable or meat and fish were still fresh or good.

"Father will you be cooking for us?" She asked in a wondering voice

"Yes" I answered without hesitation. I didn't cook often like Mikoto did, but I had confidence in my cooking.

POV: Itachi

Me and Iruna-neesama stayed in the kitchen with father as he prepared lunch and we were seated by the dining table. Neesama was busy with writing in her notebook of Fuinjutsu. So far the seals she had made were mostly seal traps. One of them was her storage trap; it wasn't trapping someone within a different dimension that would require a large amount of chakra and a different type of seal. Her storage trap, one could use whatever they wanted like a net, kunais, shurikens, senbon or anything that could fit it had its limitations though only light weight objects can be used. Another of her seal traps is the pit fall trap. She had been testing it after she had made a working storage seal and explosive tag. This was during her time in the academy. She made craters in our backyard which made Mother angry, as for Father, he didn't have any complaints except having to fix the backyard too often as Iruna-neesama would ask of it from Father in part of their agreement. When she finally got the effect she wanted, Father had been the unlikely person to test it for her. That time we have gone to an empty training field reserved for shinobi, just meant we weren't supposed to be there.

"Iruna-nee, we shouldn't be here" I said as she set the seal on the ground and it melded into the background. She then stood back up and dusted her hands.

"Now, we wait for someone to activate the seal." She said

We walked further into the training ground and waited for someone to enter the training field. Iruna-nee was restless in waiting so to pass the time we decided to spar with each other. It was late in the afternoon and we were in another round of sparring when we both heard an explosion and a shout. Dust had covered the area the seal was placed and once it cleared there was a fairly large hole in ground, it was as large as the Katon: Gokakyu no jutsu. When we approached the hole, my eyes widened, it was Father and he didn't look pleased. He had his arms crossed, his sharingan was on and he was covered in dust. I was surprised just like my twin, but she was paling compared to me.

Her seal did work that time thanks to Kushina-san telling her the changes she had to made with her seal, but Iruna-neesamas' liking to Fuinjutsu sometimes gets her into trouble with the person caught in her seal. To Iruna-neesama though it was worth the trouble and as long as no one was hurt in the process. Mostly the second one applied to me since I always tag along with her when she tests her seals.

From the pit fall trap, the shock trap followed then the water burst trap. The shock trap as the name implies the person caught in it would be shocked to unconsciousness and as for the water burst, water comes out like a geyser and sometimes directed towards the target. The activation was the same as the pit fall trap it activates when someone walks within the traps range either the person used chakra or not. It didn't work with animals though nor when someone throws an object in its range. She had made sure of that one. The one to get caught in the seal though was pitiful especially when the traps were still in the experimental stages.

Father though wasn't pitiful in this case. He was unlucky to be the first one to experience the effect of the trap Neesama made. When Father was caught in the shock trap it was night time, and Neesama was still in the backyard throwing rocks at the ground. Father had unknowingly walked into the range of Neesamas' trap and he had gone to sleep ahead of us. Mother had been hysterical when she found Father unconscious and Iruna-neesama was trying to carry him on her back. Neesama got an ear full for testing the trap on Father which she defended as an accident. Father had stayed in the hospital for two days because of the trap. The water burst followed, it was in the morning and Neesama had just finished her morning training with Father. Neesama had gone off to take a bath and I think she had forgotten this trap since it didn't activate. We only heard a gush of water and a shout in the backyard. All we found though was the ground was wet and Father as well as he stood on top of the wall around the house. Father seems to have an unlikely timing of walking into the range of Iruna-neesamas' faulty traps, that are now working properly.

POV: Fugaku

Judging from Itachis' face he doesn't like the taste of the meal I made for lunch. I knew it would taste bitter, but the meal I made would be good for their health. They don't get to eat a balanced meal when me and Mikoto aren't in the village. I could see Iruna had heard what Itachi had muttered under his breath so I wouldn't hear, but it was easy to read his lips. Iruna then had a nostalgic look in her eyes as she ate the meal I made, and then a tear fell from her left eye.

"Does it taste too bitter?" I asked in a flat voice

"No" she answered a joyful tone in her voice "It taste just fine, Father."

I could only show a smirk at her answer. I stretched my hand to wipe the tear that had escaped her eye, but I stopped midway and opted to rest my hand on her head. Not once have I seen our daughter shed a tear or cry about anything. I was harsh with her training, but she didn't let her bruises stop her and she didn't complain about them. She is too mature for a child. There would be a day that she will explode. I know she is keeping her emotions in check, never really showing her true self within the compound. I am their Father; sometimes I would have some of our clansmen watch them discretely when we, their parents, weren't around or have Shisui do that for us since he often plays with them. I worry though about the promise Mikoto had mentioned before. The promise Iruna made with Itachi. Would she willingly take Itachis' burden for her own? If she would my only question is why? Could she not just help her twin by being there for him when he needed her instead of taking his burden away and making it hers? I fear that Itachi would be taking a heavy burden in the future if that was the case.

"Father" Iruna then said getting my attention "You're not eating."

"I'm not that hungry" I answered, but my stomach betrayed me as our children heard the sound of a growl.

It was silent for a few seconds before Iruna smiled and Itachi coughed into his hand hiding his laugh.

"Your stomach says otherwise, Father" Iruna said still in her giddy self.

The two then left the house in search of Obito, for what is their business as long as they are safe. I was then on my way to our bedroom to get some rest when I hear someone knock. Mikoto was still sleeping and though my fatigue was already catching up with me I answered the door to find Minato there.

"Fugaku, can I ask you a favor?" he said showing his teeth in a smile.

POV: Iruna

It was near dinner time when we returned. We were only able to find Rin-san in the hospital. She often goes there to help out and learn about medical ninjutsu. We asked her of Obito-niis' location but she didn't know either since Minato-san had given them two days off.

Upon entering Father stood in the same position and pose he was in when we came back for lunch.

"We're you able to find him?" he asked

Him? He must mean Obito-nii. I haven't heard Father say Obito-niis' name. Does he also dislike him just like the elders?

"No" I answered "Is Mother still sleeping?"

"She was awake a while ago to make dinner."

"Okay" I thought Father was going to make dinner.

"Did you want me to make dinner?" Father asked. Was I easy to read?

"I assumed Mother was tired from travelling and you would make dinner as well." I answered

It's strange for Father to suddenly say that like he would volunteer to make dinner. Would Father really make dinner or lunch or even breakfast if we asked him? It's not likely to happen. Father wasn't one to show this side of his. The side were familiar is the Uchiha clan head. He often had a stern look on him and he uses a flat voice. He seldom laughs or smiles, only a smirk here and there.

It was after dinner and Father herded us to get ready to sleep. I had Itachi go ahead of me to our room, as I went back to the kitchen to find Father drinking tea.

"Iruna, did you need something?" Father said as he set the cup he held on the table.

"Father could you stop going easy on me during training?" I said

"Why?"

"I want to get stronger"

"And you will"

"So will you stop going easy on me?"

"No"

"But I'm already a genin"

"But you are only four Iruna"

"I know but if I'm placed with my team I can't be burden to them."

"That is the reason you are placed in a team"

"But they can't always help me."

"I do not think you will be able to handle the full force of my blows."

"I can avoid them."

"How?"

"With the help of the sharingan"

"But not fast enough and it is not wise to be dependent on our dojutsu too much."

"I know that" I said remembering how I almost lost my eyesight

"You have yet to master the sharingan."

"Then help me increase my speed!" I whined

"You don't have that much stamina and endurance yet"

"Isn't that what training is for?"

We stared at each other for a while. This is the first time, we were debating my training.

Father shook his head "Why are you in a hurry Iruna?"

"I am not" I answered

"Yes, you are" Father pressed

"I am not" I clenched my hands

"Uchiha Iruna, you may say you are not, but I can tell that you are." Father then took another sip of tea and continued "If you can give me a valid reason why I shouldn't hold back then I may consider it."

That ended my debate about my morning trainings' with Father. I lost. I couldn't think of a good reason right away. I know I'm already becoming dependent on the sharingan but I didn't want to be the weak link. I'm not strong yet.

POV: Obito

And I'm not late! I arrived earlier than the rest of my teammates. Take that Kakashi! Now you won't be able to tell me off because I'm late. Rin and Minato-sensei will even be impressed because I'm here early for once! While I stood waiting for them to arrive, I caught sight of green pass by my eyesight then in its wake a cloud of dust followed. How fast could that person run that I couldn't even see him? I had to give the person some credit, I always see this person running around town a lot of times while I was on my way for team meetings.

After a while I then see Iruna jogging. Was she with the person running that passed by just now?

"Morning Iruna" I waved as she got closer

"Ah! Obito-nii!" she called and ran towards me "Where are the rest of your team mates?" she said looking around the area for them.

"I'm the first one to arrive" I answered smiling.

"Obito?" I heard someone say from my left, and it was Rin! She's early too! Maybe I can spend some time with her before Kakashi arrives.

"Your early for once" The person I wanted to goad at was already here. I had to internally groan there goes my time alone with Rin.

"Good morning, Rin-san, Kaka-nii." She answered smiling sweetly at them.

"What are you doing here Iruna-chan?" Rin asked.

"Just jogging around Konoha"

"How many rounds did you make?"

"Three"

"Shouldn't you be in the academy for Team assignment?" I asked, her graduation was the other day and you get two days off before going back for team assignment.

"I don't have one."

"You weren't assigned a team?" Rin said surprised "Why not?"

"It's not surprising that she doesn't have a team. The number of graduates was already accounted for and some of them would either have a team or placed in an already existing team. Some become spares in case one of the members of a three unit cell either die or get seriously injured." Kakashi explained making me want to hit him, did he really have to say that to Iruna-chan? He just said it like she's just an extra!

Rin then had a frown on her face; obviously she didn't like Kakashis' explanation. Iruna just like Kakashi had a stoic face on her. Was she sad because she didn't have a team like how we were formed? Then she wouldn't be able to experience the true genin test.

"Kakashi!" I shouted and pulled him by the front of his shirt "You didn't have to say that!"

"It's alright, Obito-nii." Iruna said taking me by surprise

"What?" I said confused and loosened my hold on Kakashi.

"What Kaka-nii said is true. I just had uncanny luck to graduate and not be placed in a team."

"But you won't be able to take on missions if you don't have a team!"

"I know" she answered smiling

"Iruna" a voice I knew too well said "Why aren't you in the academy for team placement?"

"I don't have a team." she answered the clan head in a flat voice "Are you on patrol Father?"

"No" he replied "I am to meet Minatos' Team."

Our Team? What did he want with us? Iruna glanced at us before she returned her attention to her Father.

"I will be taking my leave, Father." She said together with a small bow and was returned by Fugaku. She then turned to bow at us face void of any expression, an opposite of how she acted with us before her Father arrived.

I don't know about my team mates, but my eyes trailed after the brat as she continued with her jog. That had been the first time I saw her act as an Uchiha would. Is she also like that at their home or only if her Father is present?

"You are under Namikaze Minato, correct?" Fugaku said making me turn my attention to him.

"Yes" the three of us answered in unison.

"Your sensei has been given a week long mission the other day and won't be around to watch over you."

"Eh?!" I shouted earning three disapproving looks "but if we don't get missions. I won't have money for my food!"

I then hear Kakashi huff "Do you even try to save money for emergency purposes?"

"Hey! Unlike you I have two kids often staying at my place. Why don't you try volunteering to babysit them, huh?"

"You are already doing great with babysitting them. YOU are better suited for that job."

"Why you!" I growled and was about to pounce at Kakashi but Rin stopped me.

"Stop it!" She glared at us hands on her hips.

"Are you two done with your bickering?" A deep voice said making me remember that the clan head was with us.

I have to wonder though what the Uchiha clan head was doing here. Sensei could have just told us that he was given a mission before leaving.

POV: Iruna

And here I am again to meet the Hokage as instructed by the sensei at team placements and as the Sandaime had told me. The other day I was here it made me wonder if there was something major that happened. Jiraiya shows up then those two coming into the office.

Two characters, I mean, two persons I detested in this world if I didn't count Madara; Orochimaru and Shimura Danzo. What are they doing here and why is Danzo not in jail?! Did the Sandaime pardon him? Was this mummy still a member of the council? Did he already have sharingan eyes underneath those bandages on his arms? Was he the one who had someone watch me? As for Orochimaru was he already doing those inhuman experiments? I know the Sandaime cares for this snake and mummy, but how can he look away when their doing something terrible!

The Hokage then called my attention as he noticed I was staring at them. I had hoped that Danzo had been taken care of when I had killed the rookie Ne shinobi a year or two years ago.

"Iruna, I'm sorry since you just came in. Can you come back another day?"

"When would you want me to come back?"

"A day after tomorrow"

"Of course, Hokage-sama" I answered mimicking how Father talked.

When I had turned to leave I felt a cold shiver go down my spine. I could only speculate what that mummy and snake are thinking. If Ne is still around and hiding then I can only assume the one following me is one of Danzos' cronies, probably to make me become a part of Ne or to take the power that our cursed eyes can give.

I hope there won't be any more interruptions or I would think that fate is somehow messing with me. Better get this over with; having no team I do wonder if I'll be placed in a team after a couple of years. I don't mind that. I could just train under Father. I still need a reason, so he won't go easy on me.

Entering the office I smelled smoke in the air and find the Sandaime relaxing as he smoked his pipe.

"Ah, Iruna-chan! Glad to see you after the interruption the other day." He greeted

"Did you need me for something?"

"That isn't what you want to ask me is it young Iruna?"

I shrugged and said "Why do I not have a team?"

He smiled at my inquiry "Because I have already planed your career as a shinobi."

What?! I stared at him, he already made a plan for my, MY shinobi career? Don't I get a say in this!?

"What do you mean Hokage-sama?" I asked controlling my voice so as not to disrespect him, only he frowned at my reaction, he must have wanted me to shout my protest.

"Now, now, Iruna-chan, I know you are angry to hear that I already planned out your career, but it is in my best interest for one such as yourself to specialize in this particular field."

"You want me to become a Tokubetsu Jonin?" I said indignantly. I did want to attain the rank Jonin, but not as a Tokubetsu Jonin!

"No" he replied only confusing me.

I was about to ask the field he wanted me to specialize in, but someone then threw the door open behind me.

"This is taking too long" Kushina-san loudly announced

The Hokage sighed before he said "Kushina, wait a bit longer."

"I do not want to wait anymore." Kushina-san replied "Time's a wasting, dattebane!"

There! There! Her verbal tick, she finally said it! This is the first time I hear her say it.

"First, let me explain it to her."

"Your only dilly dallying" Kushina-san countered

Another sigh escaped the Hokage "Fine, you explain it to Iruna."

"Oh, yeah!" She pumped her hand up in the air in her excitement then she looked at me with a glint in her eyes.

Before I could even say anything, she grabbed me by the wrist, pulled me out of the office and dragged me to a nearby training ground.

"Kushina-san, what are we doing here?" I asked and looked at her. She was in her shinobi gear the only thing missing is her vest and hitaite.

"That's sensei to you Iruna-chan" she said with a wide smile on her "Let's start."

"Start, what?" I said,

Taking a step back and at a blink Kushina-san had punched me in the gut and sent me flying back a few feet away. I got on all fours as I tried to get my bearings and before I could get back on my feet. A shadow cast over me and got bigger as I stared at it dumbly, before it registered in my mind. I rolled away from my position to see Kushina-san bring her sword down into the ground. What is this, an assessment?! I would have gotten impaled if I hadn't moved away. I was then on my feet as Kushina-san rose from her kneeling position and pulled out her sword from the ground. She turned to me and had a sadistic smile on her; I shivered at the sight of her smile and decided to activate my sharingan. I inwardly groaned as I recalled her nickname in the bingo book, this is going to be hell.

POV: Obito

Our team was given a C-rank mission, we had to deliver food and weapon supplies to those patrolling the border. Me, Rin and Kakashi were present the only one missing is our sensei. He had a substitute take his place as team leader. I, for one was not happy with this arrangement, to think that we would have Fugaku as our jonin leader for this mission! Minato-sensei can be serious when needed, but Fugaku-san is always serious.

Our journey was uneventful. When we arrived at the border and Fugaku-san handed the supplies to the shinobi stationed there. They offered for us to stay for the night as it was closing to night time, but Fugaku-san had declined and opted to go back seeing as there was still light. As the night settled in, he had us stop and set-up camp while he surveyed the area we were in.

We ate dinner in silence, either because we were all tired or because Fugaku-san was the one with us and not Minato-sensei. The atmosphere felt a little tense.

"Obito" I heard the Uchiha clan head say "Have you awaken your sharingan?"

I glanced at my two team mates as they also looked at me "No, Fugaku-san." I answered unnerved that he was asking me this.

He nodded to my answer "Once you awaken your sharingan you are to tell me." I looked at him with wide eyes as he continued "if I am not available then tell my wife, Mikoto or to our children, Iruna or Itachi."

"What for?" came from my mouth

"In repayment for watching over our children I will train you how to use the sharingan."

I was shocked. I had always been the outcast of the clan. This was the first time I was acknowledged, not just anyone but the clan head. I felt tears start to form at the edge of my eyes, but with the clan head present I blinked the tears away and swallowed.

When it came for us to get some rest, I had volunteered to take first watch. I looked up at the area above us showing the night sky. I can't wait to get my sharingan.

POV: Iruna

When I came to, I thought I would see the white ceiling of a hospital room but was instead looking at a wooden ceiling. The ceiling we had in our bedroom. When I turned my head to my right Father was there and he was in his shinobi gear with his arms crossed and eyes closed.

"Father" I said getting his attention, looking at me I saw his eyes soften. "Why am I in our room?"

"You passed out during your training session with your sensei."

"Ah" I nodded remembering how that went…

I met up with Kushina-san, er, sensei for our first training session. The time she indirectly told me I was to be her apprentice; she was gauging my strengths and weaknesses by forcing me to defend myself from her. She had me take off my wrist bands so she could add another seal on it. It only took her seconds before she handed them back to me, she only told me it wouldn't disrupt the storage seal and she didn't tell me the effects of the seal she placed. She made me do the tiger, snake and ox hand seal in that order and say water. I had no clue what she made me do, then we started off with taijutsu. I noticed when I was about to avoid an incoming punch to my face that I had difficulty moving. My sight wasn't affected even my muscles, there wasn't even anything too heavy on me to slow me down like this. Once my senseis' punch came in contact with my face, I saw stars in my eyes as a stepped back from the force of the punch. I could only block the punches and kicks she made wondering why I felt slow. When my eyes landed on my wrist bands, the seals she placed on my wrist band! And with that thought I was sent flying not to meet the ground but water. As I swam up to the surface, I noticed my speed as I swam is the same while I was getting beat up a while ago.

Breaking the surface and standing on top of the water. I saw Kushina-san, -sensei was smiling at me, an all too wide smile.

"Ready to get your butt kicked?" she asked taunting me

"The seals you placed on my wrist bands, what do you call them?"

"I'm sorry, but I didn't hear you. Could you repeat that?"

"Kushina-sensei" I said and she hummed, making me roll my eyes "What do you call the seals you placed on my wrist bands?"

"Doesn't have one" she answered "Have you figured out what it can do?"

"Somehow, but how does it make me feel like I'm swimming in water?"

"Can you make a guess?" she said smiling

"It's making an underwater environment around my body, like some kind of layer."

"Close but far my dear Uchiha apprentice. You are correct with the underwater environment, but the layer you mentioned can you think of what it could be?"

"Chakra?" She nodded to my answer "Water chakra?"

"No" her eyes sparkled "You don't have an affinity for that chakra. You can learn it but it would take you a while."

"Does the seal convert the chakra?"

"No, but you're getting somewhere" she smirked at me "Come on, let's continue your training."

My speed had been lowered so there was no use in avoiding, the only choice I had was to block and parry her strikes. Before I got knocked out and fell to the ground I caught sight of the sky and clouds. I think I found out what the chakra is.

"Iruna, you are not hurt anywhere?" Father asked

"No, but I do feel sore all over." I said laughing a bit, but Father held a stoic face making me stop.

"I'm going to speak to the Hokage about this."

"Wait, what?" I said alarm bells ringing in my head "Why?"

"I'm not letting you get hurt because of your training with your sensei." He said standing and was about to leave the room.

"No!" I shouted jumping up to my feet "Father, why are you doing this? I can understand if it's Mother because she opposed in me entering the academy early. How can I get stronger if I don't get hurt?"

"You're only a child" Father answered

"But I am a shinobi of Konohagakure!" I bit out

"A genin" he said coldly

"Yes, a mere genin for now" I answered with defiance

"Enough! I will talk to the Hokage and that is final!" Father shouted

Once I couldn't feel Fathers' chakra in the house, I went to my closet and pulled out an extra pair of my sandals, jumped out of the window and headed for the Hokage tower.

POV: Fugaku

I had to massage my temples after shouting at Iruna. The memory of her unconscious form during the attack resurfaced when I saw her in the Uzumakis' arms. She did not have any lethal injuries that time, but it made me realize that I could lose her when she becomes a shinobi and that may be closer now that she is a genin.

When I entered the Hokages' office it wasn't a surprise to see Iruna there.

"Iruna go home" I said

"No. I will not go back until you, Father, listen to what I have to say."

"There's nothing to discuss."

"Why won't you listen to me?!" she shrieked and stomped on her foot. "Why Father? You go easy on me ever since the attack, you don't increase my training, and now, you want to stop my apprenticeship with Kushina-san!"

Stop her apprenticeship?! That's not… I looked at Iruna, our child that I chose to be the heir and a daughter I love. She had her head down and she clenched her hands at her sides.

"I thought you were proud of me?" I heard her say quietly.

I could feel all eyes were on me, visible and not. Before I could say anything, Iruna jumped out of the window and ran off into the village. I was then about to follow suit, but the Hokage stopped me.

"Let her be for now." The Sandaime said "She is a child, Fugaku, but do you know why she wanted to be shinobi?"

"She wants to become stronger."

"And why would she want to become stronger?"

I stared at him and remembered the promise she made "She wants to protect her brother."

He nodded at my answer and added "Not only Itachi, but she wants to protect everything she holds dear, her parents included."

"But…" I started but stopped as he had his hand raised

"She knew that before she could protect someone else, she first had to protect herself and become stronger. How can someone protect someone else if they do not have the strength to help themselves?"

I agree with the Sandaime, but I am her Father. As a parent, I am worried for her and fear that that pesky shadow would make a move, the only question in my mind is when. I have to protect my family.

POV: Kakashi

It was late in the afternoon and judging from the sun it would be about two hours before it would set. I left my house to head to the market to buy my food supply for the week. On my way there though I noticed two chuunins, from the vest they wore, in an alley. Ignoring them I passed by but not without hearing one of them spat,

"It must be humiliating to have a genin as a father."

"Didn't even pass the chuunin exams he entered."

I stopped in my steps and turned to head into the alley, but someone had shouted above us,

"His father is better than the two of you!" and jumped down beside me.

AN: and Review! Thank you very much for your time!