AN: Here is the last chapter for this year! Enjoy guys! Thank you for all the support guys! I love you. Cheers to the good of this year and for the next! I wish a hopeful and fruitful year of 2017 to you guys! Until the next update! ~burst-enna

POV: Iruna

We didn't take to the roofs when the four anbu on both of my sides and behind me lead me back to the hospital. We came across three from the Uchiha Police Force, the look of disdain on me as they caught sight of me. It didn't make sense why their glares had been filled with malice. What happened? Did I do something to earn their anger? I don't even know what I could have done wrong.

When I entered the hospital, there were two or three civilians by the waiting area. I couldn't hear them, but there were whispers coming from them as I walked away and lead to my room. I was told to stay there and not to ask questions. I sat on the bed looking around the room, just white blank walls with only one window where an anbu stood by, another door maybe leading to the bathroom, and a bedside table next to the bed.

It didn't take long before the doors of the room by then opened and Sen-san, Itachis' instructor for medical ninjutsu entered. I met her eyes. There was relief in her eyes, but there was also sadness in them. I didn't understand where the sadness came from. I wanted to ask her about Itachi, Sasuke and Mother, but the anbu told me not to ask questions. I sat there obediently following Sen-sans' instructions as she healed me and placed bandages on my arms.

"There done. Don't worry about them, just worry about yourself." Sen-san said after she was done giving my shoulder a squeeze before she left.

I was left there with the company of an anbu standing guard by the door, the window, one hidden and one other outside the door. There was nothing I can do just sit on the bed with nothing to do, there wasn't even a clock to tell me the time, but there was the window. It was a slow wait, or was it really?

I was roused out of my dreamless sleep then I didn't realize I fell asleep. A female medic checked on me, just the usual medical procedures. I was told to eat the food of tray on the bedside table before leaving. The food didn't taste great like Mothers' cooking, but I couldn't really complain can I?

The second time the door opened that day Minato-san entered wearing his Hokage cloak. I was hoping to see Kushina-sensei following behind him, but he was the only one who entered and the door remained closed.

"Hello, Iruna-chan" Minato-san greeted me as he took the seat near my bed.

"Mi—Hokage-sama" I said. I didn't know why I was in a hospital room with four anbu guarding me, but I know there's a reason for it.

"Iruna-chan, do you know why you're here in the hospital?"

"I..." I swallowed. I tried to think on the why, but… "The redirection seal?" I asked.

"No. It's not about the seal." He said smiling sadly.

"Then, why am I here?" I asked frowning. I couldn't think of the reason I was in the hospital or even have the anbu on me.

"Iruna-chan can you tell me what happened before you blacked out then?"

"I remember Kushina-sensei holding down the Kyuubi with the chains that kept the Kyuubi sealed in her, but the Sandaime was there he…he used the Shiki Fuujin. I was there to…"

I woke up with a start as I heard my name being called. I opened my eyes to see Minato-san above me. I slowly pushed myself up to a sitting position to find we were in the outskirts of the village. What surprised me though was the Kyuubi was right there a distance away held down by the chains coming from Kushina-senseis' back. The Sandaime was even there.

"Minato-san?" I was lost. How did that happen? Was it today that the Kyuubi escapes from Kushina-sensei who did Madara even manage to manipulate?

"Iruna-chan, I need your help when to activate the seal."

"But…what—" I looked around and saw Father on the ground facing towards me his eyes were closed. What? Why is Father here? Why—is he dead?

"Iruna, we don't have time." Minato-san told me and I forced my eyes away from Father. "Kushina…" He looked away with a painful look on him.

I turned to Kushina-sensei, she wasn't looking in our direction but her eyes were at an altar. On top of it was a bundle, Naruto. So, this was it. I wanted to know what happened, everything, but it wasn't the right time to ask. It was more important to seal away Kurama.

I got up to my feet as the Sandaime I saw started the handseals for the Shiki Fuujin. When he was done and glanced over his back I knew then that the Shinigami was there. I activated my sharingan, and some feet away from me stood Minato-san.

After a nod, we started weaving the hand signs for the redirection seal me, Kushina-sensei and Minato-san created. Black ink webbed out from beneath our hands and it formed the seal.

Achieving chuunin rank, I asked Minato-san about the Shiki Fuujin, but was not allowed information of the forbidden jutsu. Then I saw Itachi working on a medic-nin technique. I remembered Rin explaining to me about the scroll they used for practicing those techniques. I asked Kushina-sensei about them and to be taught about those seals in detail. The idea of redirecting chakra came to mind.

From there I worked on a seal to try and redirect chakra elsewhere, I had in mind the Shiki Fuujin still in my head. It was a powerful sealing technique, and you'd be going against the shinigami for what the user was trying to seal away with him into the Shinigami. I had doubts with it. Would it even work? It was still something. I had to work on it.

I withheld it at first, but there was doubt. I wasn't proficient in the field of fuinjutsu yet, and really the shinigami was able to seal Minato-san and the Yang Kurama inside it. Still I had to try, and I needed help. I told Kushina-sensei and Minato-san about the seal I was making. I also revealed to them more of that day or night, but not on who would be the user of the Shiki Fuujin.

It was a gamble, but Minato-san agreed with my idea and Kushina-sensei although she was reluctant, agreed to help me. Why wouldn't she? We would be going against or playing tug of war with the Shinigami. It would scare you.

Yet, when we finished the seal, Kushina-sensei had pulled me to a corner.

"Iruna-chan, why did you think of the redirection seal?"

"I can't tell you." I replied.

She didn't force me to tell her.

"Alright, but I am telling you these. For someone I had taken in for only a couple or so years. You're a great apprentice. You've made seals that just surprise me. This idea you have is one that surprises me the most, but the reason for it. It's the same with the seal you made to save Minatos' team right?"

"Yes." I said flushing lowering my head.

She lifted my chin up then. "Come on, don't be embarrassed. That has always been your reason for making seals. So you can use them to protect others." She pulled me into a hug by then. "I'm glad that I have you as my apprentice." Then she pushed me away from her a wide smile on her. "When Naruto comes out I'm introducing you as his godmother and Kakashi will be his godfather."

With a heavy heart I pushed myself to stand. I looked over to where Kushina-sensei was on the ground her eyes were no longer at Naruto but on me. It was only a second but something flashed in her eyes before a determined look was on her. I then turned my attention to Minato-san, in the background Kurama was roaring when I met his gaze I nodded then. Minato-san by then turned to the Sandaime.

The Yang part of Kurama was pulled out. I activated the seal by then, no, there was no need for my chakra for this. The seal was already reinforced with Kushina-senseis' and Minato-sans' chakra, my work was to direct the chakra to Minatos' point. The troubling part is if the Shinigami will allow for its prey to be pulled elsewhere.

I focused on sending the raw chakra of half of Kurama to Minato-san, but even I felt it was futile. I was playing a tug of war with the Shinigami, was it a wise choice to seal it into Minato-sensei instead of someone else? The Shinigamis' pull was stronger, I'm only an eight year old, and to out power this being is useless. I felt my hold failing, and my chakra was being drained. I was seeing black spots in my vision then when there was a sudden burst of chakra from where I knew Kushina-sensei is before I heard a shout followed by surging chakra before I fell to darkness.

"Before that?"

"Before?" I thought on it. "I was with Kaka-nii and Obito-nii, we were out late sparring and Obito-nii decided that we should cook something for dinner. I went with them, and left the house a bit later than I thought. On the way back to the house, I caught up with father. We were headed back to the house…" It came to me then that night.

It was late in the evening, and I saw Father just feet away from me. I jogged after Father so we can enter the compound together.

"Why aren't you at the house yet?" Father asked me.

"I was with Obito-nii and Kaka-nii. We decided to make dinner together and eat it at Obito-niis' house."

"They didn't walk you back?"

"No. Father, I'm a chuunin already. I can handle myself."

"Iruna, I need you to hold onto something for me."

"At home?"

"No, now." Father said stopping in his step and I followed. I turned to him as he pulled out a scroll from his pouch and handed it to me.

"What is it?" I asked meeting Fathers' red gaze before everything turned black.

A grimace was on Minato-san then, and I didn't like it. I had my suspicions on Father about being controlled by Zetsu, but after Minato-san told me that Father had reported to him before coming to the hospital or that from watching Father there was nothing off.

"Minato-san, do you know what the scroll Father gave me?"

There was a hard look on Minato-san as he spoke up. "No, but I can tell you what its purpose was. Iruna, there were witnesses that saw you that night at the middle of the village. They saw you holding the scroll and activating it. You brought the Kyuubi into the village."

I gasped and stared at Minato-san, I brought the Kyuubi into the village. I—red—sharingan—Father used the sharingan on me! There was a genjutsu like that? To control me like a puppet? This is my fault. I let my guard down. I had been suspicious of Father and I dropped it when nothing was different about him. It was to deceive me. Father or Zetsu must have realized it.

"Everyone in the village knows."

I looked down at the white sheets, his words ringing in my head. Everyone knows. They know. Mother knows. Itachi knows. The whole of Konoha, the civilians, the shinobi, the shinobi clans and the Uchiha clan too. It felt like a cold bucket of ice filled water was poured on me.

"What does that mean for me as a shinobi, Minato-san?" I asked my voice was almost a whisper.

"You're still a shinobi with me as the Hokage."

"What about the Uchiha clan?

"I'm sorry to tell you this Iruna, but you're not the heiress anymore. Itachi has been announced the heir last week while you were still in a coma also—"

So, Itachi replaced me, but… Itachi is just starting the academy and he's—is he still going to continue being a medic-nin? The elders might force him to take a different path. I wouldn't want that for Itachi, forced by someone of their wish, and doing it all the same because of having no choice. I'm failing in protecting Itachi from our own clan and there's Sasuke to consider—

"—they've ex-communicated you from the Uchiha clan."

"What?" I snapped my head up to meet Minato-sans' gaze.

"You're no longer an Uchiha, Iruna."

I felt paralyzed. "They—they can do that?" I asked breathlessly.

"It was within your clan, Iruna even I can't do anything about it."

What does that mean? I won't be allowed to speak to Itachi or Sasuke or even Mother or generally any Uchiha? Do I have to sneak about or have someone act as a messenger for me? If they kicked me out of the clan, I won't be able to wear our clan symbol, not that that matters, but—

"Are they—would they—take my eyes?" I asked.

"I managed to convince them not to do so, that is if you still remain as a shinobi."

"How long have I been in here?"

"Two months, after the Kyuubi was taken care off. I was unconscious for a week. Jiraiya-sensei took over for me for a while, but he couldn't stop the elders from making him announce that you were the one who brought the Kyuubi on Konoha."

"Father?"

"Fugaku is dead."

"Did you kill him Minato-san?"

Minato-san didn't reply to my question. "A lot has died that day, Iruna, even your sensei."

Your love and wife. I thought staring at him.

"Get some rest, Iruna." He said rising to his feet and leaving the room, and to my thoughts.

I managed to save Minato-san, that's something, right? But I lost my sensei. I swallowed the lump in my throat. It was becoming harder to keep the tears at bay as I thought of Kushina-sensei. Two years, I've spent under her, two years of scolding, seal testing, training and going on missions. She was strict, I knew that, but she also looked out for me.

"You're not going to push your body over the limit! You're still growing! You are going to march back to your house and sleep! I will damn know if you did sleep or not!" Kushina-sensei shouted at me a promise on her face.

I often stayed up late doing seals, and that irked her the most. She looked ready to knock me out then just so I would sleep and that was the first that I was forced to sleep. Mother didn't force me, only Kushina-sensei.

Kushina-sensei showed me the ropes of Fuinjutsu. I tested seals with Kushina-sensei, and every success was a thrill. We celebrated the success of my seals at Ichiraku ramen or sometimes we would head to the market and she would cook a small feast at their place.

I recalled the congratulatory party for graduating from the academy. She insisted on redoing the party and had Obito-nii bring me to their place to celebrate. It was one of the happiest memories I have. I didn't expect to celebrate with Mother and Father out of the village. Somewhere inside me though I wanted to celebrate, and it seemed like Kushina-sensei wanted it for me. Maybe it was because there was no one with her to celebrate her graduation.

Kushina-senseis' cooking rivaled the cooking of Mother. Kushina-senseis' laugh sometimes made me want to laugh myself. Kushina-sensei had been there when I couldn't face Itachi or my own Mother.

Tears were already falling when I left the house. I went to senseis' house, and knocked. When the door opened I launched myself at the person that opened it. I felt betrayed. While I cried I felt a hand touch my arm, and I heard the soft gentle voice of my sensei. I never heard her voice that way, but it was so warm and understanding. I jumped right away to Kushina-sensei holding onto her like a lifeline.

Like then, tears fell from my eyes, at the edge of my eyes I could see the anbus' looking away or avoiding looking in my direction. They're supposed to watch me. It wasn't a time for them to sympathize.

Sympathize? Yeah, right, they didn't know what I was crying for. They probably think I'm crying for Father or that I was ousted by my—my former clan. If they could read minds, they would know that I wasn't. I feel bad that Father is dead and it was horrible that he was manipulated, but….

I was under Kushina-sensei for a short time, I knew that. Still there were times that I felt warm inside with her around more than I did with Mother or Father. There was still a distance when it came to Mother and Father, with Kushina-sensei, there were the boundaries as apprentice and sensei, but at times it didn't feel like it was there.

Kushina-sensei was bright and warm like the sun. She was loud, hot blooded, yet she was kind and cheery. I love and respect her. She showed me the ropes of sealing. She helped me even before I was under her. She showed her love by beatings and scoldings. A bit unorthodox really, but she's the lovely woman Minato-san fell in love with and married.

The red headed sensei that was easy to pick out from the crowd in the streets. The only one who had red hair in Konoha. Red like the thread that brought her and Minato-san together. That was theirs though her red hair being her red string of fate. My chance at meeting Minato-san then Kushina-sensei, I don't know the probability of it, but however it would have happened. I may have still gone and searched for a sensei and even if I have gone to Minato-san to teach me he may have pushed me towards Kushina-sensei.

ooo

I stayed in the room with nothing to do when I'm awake aside from going to the bathroom to do my business. My hair grew and was past my shoulder close to my elbow, and looking at it in the mirror some of the strands was brownish. I wanted to ask the medic-nins about it but I wasn't allowed to speak to them.

I knew if it was morning or night because of the window, and the time the medic-nins came to my room to check on me or hand me my meals. I really miss Mother's cooking or just good old home cooking. Hospital food tasted bland. I wish they at least gave me an apple or any freaking fruit.

A bit ridiculous to be complaining about fruit when I should be complaining about not being allowed to let out of the room, what was I a prisoner? Maybe I am one. After Minato-san came to my room, five days already passed and I found myself often turning towards the window wistfully. I wanted to feel the warmth of the sun, the blow of the wind and the grass under my feet at the training grounds. I feel caged. I didn't even have anyone to speak to. The anbus were to keep quiet and watch.

Sen-san didn't enter my room after that first visit, and the only ones to enter were other medic-nins that were pleasant enough. For all I know they may be one of the few to lose a loved one because of the Kyuubi, to which they blame me for. It had to be done didn't it? I should have asked something after they announced that piece of information to the village or that who was my captor.

I stayed in the four walled white room bored only the anbus as company. They were the only ones present maybe it would be fine to try to entertain myself with them. I stared directly into the eye slits of their masks, some kept their eyes ahead avoiding my gaze, and there were those who returned my stare. I didn't know anyone behind those masks.

That though became boring too. I just did stretching exercises in the room or did my taijutsu stances along or kenjutsu to pass the time. Fuinjutsu was out of the question obviously, everyone knew I was under Kushina-sensei.

Every time I would go to sleep I would always have the same dream, that dream I had being in darkness and a crystal of orange chakra. The orange chakra was wild raw chakra, and seemed impossible to tame. It always burned me in the dream. Of course, I had no one to tell that to, the anbu were eternally silent. They were just there to watch me and nothing more. I can understand them being there because it was me who brought Kurama on the village, but was there more to it?

A week passed from when Minato-san came to visit me, I was in the middle of doing my stances for kenjutsu, even if I didn't have a sword with me. Practice makes perfect after all, not always applicable but it makes sense. There was a commotion outside, and I could hear them clearly.

"Let us in!" I heard the voice was Shisuis'.

"You are not authorized to enter."

"She's my cousin, and his sister! Why aren't we allowed to see her?!"

Itachi was right outside the door. I walked towards the door, but one of the anbu clasped their hand on my shoulder. I looked at the anbu, he squeezed my shoulder a bit strongly, and I got the picture. I wasn't allowed to speak to anyone or see anyone.

"Why are you even keeping her locked in the room?" Shisui growled from the other side of the door. "She—you're not even sure what really happened that night! She wouldn't do what all of you have been accusing her off!"

I'm glad that Shisui thinks that, but barking like that won't change the others thought of me. It was unfair that I was controlled, and that it may just be kept under wraps. I'm the scapegoat. At least it would keep their attention away from Naruto. I'm at least of some use while I was in a coma.

"Iruna!" He shouted.

Obito must have told them, was mother still teaching him about his sharingan?

"You better be awake for this!"

I am Shisui.

"You were kicked out of the clan. My dad was telling me that I wasn't allowed to speak to you anymore unless it was needed."

Yeah, I know. I don't need a reminder.

"I'm not going to listen to him. Those old geezers kicked you out, but you won't stop being an Uchiha because they did that. You're still my cousin. You're still Itachis' neesama and Sasukes' too. They say you're a monster—"

Monster? Why would they think that?

"—but your still the same Iruna we know. Itachi you say something too."

There was a pause, and I wondered what he would even say.

"Neesama"

I wonder if there will be a day you'll stop calling me that, Itachi. It won't be a surprise if Sasuke called me that too.

"I promise to look after Sasuke and Mother. I still plan to be a medic-nin, nothing will change that. You get injured too much. I would think you live here in the hospital."

Is Itachi, is he—

"No way! Itachi are you joking?!" I heard come from Shisui.

I swallowed as a tear escaped my eyes. Itachi joking? I wish I could see that, I can imagine that Shisui wouldn't believe it because Itachi was never one to joke. Is the world coming to an end?

"I'll do my best, Neesama." Itachi said.

"Itachi!" I shouted. I don't care if I'm not allowed to speak to anyone. I have to tell him. "Tell Mother, I'm sorry! I'm holding you to that promise, but please look after yourself too. I'm going to give you a good beating if you don't! What use are you if you're not taking care of yourself?!"

"I could say the same to you Neesama."

After that nothing followed, but silence. When the anbu released my shoulder, I took that as a sign that they left. I went back to my bed and lay down staring up at the ceiling lost in thought. I'm not an Uchiha anymore, but that doesn't really define me. I had been worried for Itachi and Sasuke, but I can't worry for them now can I? When I have no idea what will happen to me.

Whatever happens to me, my goal remains the same. I'll protect those I care for, and fuinjutsu will be my trump not my sharingan. I'll use it, but I won't rely on it. Now, if only Minato-san returns and tells me my sentence. I'm really coming to hate white walls.