Chapter 3: Siblings Stay Together

And Just like that, three years passed. Nothing major happened in all honesty, besides the fact that I'm basically watching the Konoha 12 grow up.

Both me and Sasuke are in the Academy now, different years of course. I met Lee already, and of course with his upbeat attitude, he quickly made a friend out of me. Tenten is basically the type of person that's either a friend or acquaintance of everyone in the class, however she never stuck to a certain group of friends. Neji still has a Fate Complex. I kinda thought Hizashi still being alive would change that, but I guess not. Seems I'll just have to wait till Naruto uppercuts him. But I do have to say that he isn't as much of a douche, he was generally friendly and would make conversation easily if the subject interested him. If it didn't, well, he'd be a douche and ignore you.

Speaking of Naruto, now that Sasuke's in the academy, I can watch the other main players interact. I was quickly introduced to Naruto when I saw him and Sasuke arguing. Shisui-nii saw him too when picking me up from the Academy and defused the small argument right away. As a result, Naruto took a liking to Shisui... which I can see. Shisui is a lot more calmer than Naruto, but as far as other personality traits, they are a bit similar.

Naruto and Sasuke's friendship bond began developing earlier here, while in the other time line, all the had was an unspoken rivalry in the beginning. Now that Naruto had a legitimate friend, the others in their year slowly began gravitating toward him. Seeing someone like Sasuke with someone like Naruto apparently attracts attention. Whenever they were hanging out, they'd ask if I wanted to go with, which I sometimes agreed and sometimes denied.

However, sometimes when I did agree, I could always sense and sometimes catch a glimpse of the small, dark blue haired, white eyed figure of overwhelming shyness that is Hinata Hyuga. Neji would sometimes give her the encouragement to actually talk to us, so she wasn't as shy as she was last time. That's another change in Neji, he doesn't have the hatred toward the main branch of the Hyuga clan. In fact, when it comes to Hinata, he almost seems brotherly.

Choji, Shikamaru, Ino, Sakura, Kiba and Akamaru, and Shino eventually came around to hanging with us. Lee would randomly pop up out of no-friggin-where and join in too. It's amazing to me in all honesty. The main thing Naruto needed in order to be somewhat accepted as far as the academy kids went, was just one friend. I guess small differences can make big changes. However, I wonder... does it work vice versa?

"Nini-nee! I'm I wanna go play!" Screamed the little tidal wave of energy that is Ushio. She instead of Niji, she calls me Nini but I'm okay with that. "Can we go see Hanabi-san?"

"In a bit Ushio, I need to finish this assignment for school." This thing for the Academy was getting on my nerves. It's so basic but it's so time consuming, 100 questions on chakra theory and chakra control, along with hand signs... it's just tedious.

It was at that moment that my big brother, best timing ever, walked through the door with Itachi, Sasuke, and Naruto in his wake. "I'm home! With people!"

"Good, take Ushio to visit Hanabi, she's been annoying me for the last hour." Hanabi, yes Hanabi Hyuga, is the same age as Ushio. Sometimes Hinata and Neji brought her along to our various gathering spots.

"Why can't you do it?" Asked Sasuke.

"Because, unlike you two, I'm actually doing homework."

Sasuke sighed and Naruto dramatically began to dry heave at the sound of the word "Homework". "Homework is dumb! We learn everything in class all day, why do we need to do more after school?!"

"So the teachers can make sure you practice at home, Naruto-kun." Itachi responded before picking up Ushio who was reaching up for him. I'm not sure how it happened, but those two were really attached. I guess Itachi is just good with the children... except Sasuke.

I placed my pencil down, deciding it what I had would be good enough for now... maybe. Letting out a sigh, I stood up from the couch and moved my bangs from my face. My hair had grown only a little bit, it recently started barely touching my shoulders, and my bangs were in my eyes. They were annoying, but I won't them yet. "Alright. What are you two doing here, I thought you had things to do."

Shisui and Itachi turned to me, knowing that I meant them. "Well we do, but..." Shisui looked at Itachi with a look of accusation. "Itachi broke a promise to train Sasuke again, so as revenge, Sasuke won't stop following us around."

That wasn't surprising. "And, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto shrugged with a grin. "I just started tagging along."

Once again, not surprising. "So I'm guessing that you guys what me to take them off your hands so you can go do whatever you want."

"Actually." This time Itachi was the first to reply. "I've been assigned another mission despite just returning, and Shisui does have important things to do."

And that's what got my brain running. Danzo and his ROOT agents attack Shisui while he's alone, while Itachi was on his way home from a mission. I would say, it could be another mission that Itachi was sent on where the bastard War Hawk attacks my brother, and not this one. However, Sasuke already turned eight two months ago. The Maasacre happened when he was eight. Not only that, but Shisui and Itachi have been on every mission they had together since May. This is the first mission since May that they'll be separated.

Aw crap. It's coming. I know it is. I'm freaking out...

Ok, ok. Calm down Nijiko, calm down.

"I-I see." I finally said.

"Niji-chan, if it's a problem then I could just take them-"

"No, no. It's fine." I waved my hands a bit more frantically than necessary.

Mom chose to walk in the house through the door at that moment. "Or, I can supervise their training while Nijiko goes with you Shisui."

"Mom? I didn't sense you-"

"Rule number one of being a sensory ninja, Niji-chan. Always have your senses on guard until it's natural that you can detect someone without really trying. Always be aware. I've been standing outside for about the last minute."

Crap, she got me there. "Yea, yea whatever. Anyway, if you're willing to deal with them," at that point, I'd temporarily turned my attention to Naruto and Sasuke who'd went into our backyard and started sparring. Then I turned to Ushio who was trying her best to sucker Itachi into taking her to the Hyuga compound. "then be my guest. Let's go Shisui-nii!"

With a spring in my step, I grabbed Shisui's arm and proceeded to drag him out of the house. Itachi put Ushio down (much to her disappointment) and walked out with us after saying goodbye to my mother. We began trolling into the shopping district of Konoha, which was basically the main road from the main gate to the Hokage mansion. Shisui bought me a few basic storage seals for me to practice using. He agreed to teach me the small amount of Fuinjutsu that he knows, so he's having me practice using and creating storage seals.

I have to tell you that I did not think Fuinjustu would be so freaking difficult. Like, I understand that Fuinjustu is very intricate and involves a lot of hypothesizing, analyzing, testing, and a crap ton of paper. However, never in my life did I ever think there were so many freaking components. Like, WOW. So many processes in one storage seal. Make sure your calligraphy is on point (which I've gotten extraordinarily better at), know the precise strokes and what the strokes represent when it contributes to the seal's function as a whole, and how much chakra is needed for it to work correctly in conjunction with the rest of the seal. But the part that got me was the layers. There are multiple layers in seals?!

WHAT?!

In all honesty, I told Shisui that I'll continue to learn about fuinjutsu, as much as I can. Everything about it if i need to (which I'm pretty sure I will seeing that I'm in an era where sealing something whether it be animate or inanimate could be the difference between life and death), but I can't guarantee that I'd ever use it. Or even practice for that matter.

We went to Ichiraku's (thankfully not with Naruto this time, because we'd usually have to pool all our money to help pay for him) and had a small lunch. Itachi separated from us afterwards so he could head off on his mission.

"Shisui-nii." After Itachi left, I figured it would be time to get on with whatever he wanted to say. There was a seriousness in his eyes this entire time, even when he arrived at the house earlier. And mom obviously wanted him to spend some time with me. "Do you have anything you want to tell me?"

He let out a sigh. He stayed quiet for the next few minutes until we arrived at a community playground, the same one the me, Naruto, Sasuke and the others usually went to. We sat on the swing sets and started swing, the air was peaceful and the sun was already gone behind the horizon, but some of its light was still present.

"Nijiko-chan."

He used my full name. "Yes?"

"You're a very smart girl, you have been since the I found out you were able to speak."

Back on his birthday, when I met and could actually remember him for the first time.

"You're perceptive, observant, you're a great listener and you see everything that goes on usually. Not only that but you're a sensory type." This whole time, Shisui wouldn't look at me.

At first I thought it was weird... praising me for no reason wasn't something he did despite the fact he's a very encouraging older brother. But, then he said sensory type. That's a shinobi skill. "You say it like you're praising me, but you're tone suggests otherwise." Ah, great. I know where this is going.

That was when he turned to face me. "Exactly like that."

Here we go.

"Those are only a few characteristics about you that would make you an incredible shinobi. You seem to be in such a rush to become a genin so quickly, and yet-" he stopped swinging. "You refused the offer to graduate early."

Why did I know he was going there. It was true. A month ago, the principal and vice-principal recognized my performance in the academy. My grades were average, nothing special... at least I tried to keep it like that, but they apparently saw through that façade somehow. However, my physical prowess and chakra control stood out a lot. When it comes to that, Neji and I are neck and neck for top spot in the class.

This time it was my turn to let out a sigh. "Yes, I did."

"Why? I can't think of a reason for you to not say yes, so tell me."

"You're my brother, but you don't need to know everything about me and my intentions ya know. I have my reasons for declining." Hm.. the way I worded that didn't make the tone of this conversation any better.

"Yes I am your older brother, we are siblings and we're supposed to tell each other everything. In no way am I pushing you to graduate early, but your actions are contrasting your wishes. Wishes that are clearly within your reach."

He wasn't wrong. I've been working hard to be strong enough to actually make a difference in this world. I won't deny that it's because of how much I've been progressing that I stick out a bit like a sore thumb. The chakra control part was just naturally easy for me, but I've always been the exact opposite of athletic in my old life. So here, it's actually been difficult to get up to standard, I just never really showed that I was struggling so much. I swear I did more exercise here in one year than I did in five years of my old life.

Now, I could easily keep up with a genin's pace. I mean, so can Sasuke and Naruto now, but that's something new for me. Plus, I've cleared the tree walking exercise. I'm a little shaky on the water walking exercise but I can perform it none-the-less... just don't make too many waves just yet.

"I get that. Yes I'm excited about becoming a ninja, but I won't become a genin yet."

He started getting annoyed, and so did I. "Why not?"

"I have my reasons."

"Nijiko, why not?!"

"If you want a reason, then it's because I don't want to be ahead of my friends."

"You can't base all your decisions in life off of them, they won't be there every time you have something important to consider."

Alright, now I'm beginning to get annoyed. "Why does it matter?"

"We're supposed to be able to tell each other anything. You're old enough to know the financial situation Shiroka-san and Issei-san are in. Hell, I remember you being the one to say you want to help out as soon as possible. So let me ask one more time, because I'm not buying that 'I don't want to leave my friends' answer, Nijiko."

At this point were starring each other down. I can see it, there's something more he wants. He's upset for a more specific reason, and considering what's that Itachi is gone, I'm pretty positive that I know what. From what he said, Itachi said he'd be back in two weeks exactly, he was only on an escort mission. If I were to return to the academy and tell them that I changed my mind about the offer, that'd be ample time for them to either place me on a genin team or under an apprenticeship.

What am I getting at? I'll be too busy to be around as often. Something tells me that he knows Danzo is going to act soon, he just doesn't know when. He doesn't want me caught up in it. I have two reasons for not graduating early. To keep up with the Konoha 12, and so I'd be around for Danzo's attack on Shisui.

He doesn't just want to know why I declined. "Lies." He actually is trying to change my mind about the offer.

"What?"

"You're lying, I can see it in your eyes. Plus, at the beginning of this conversation, you said you weren't trying to change my mind. However it seems to me that you're dead set on it." The eyes are the windows to the soul. I always live by that. However... it's different here.

"What would I have to lie abo-"

I wouldn't let him finish. "If we're supposed to be able to tell each other anything, then why haven't you spoken to me, nor even mom about Danzo Shimura?"

He froze.

The people in this world... they hide too much. A lot more than the world I was in.

"You told me that I was perceptive and observant. What made you think the issue with Danzo Shimura was the one thing I didn't know? Or maybe you knew there was a possibility that I knew, you just hoped that I didn't. But you couldn't be sure, so here you are now trying to get me to accept something that I don't want so I won't be involved with your problems." My voice was getting a bit shaky. It's not that I'm observant, or maybe I am. But I knew all of this only because of my knowledge of the timeline.

That's the thing. Civilians are just like everyone in my previous life. Easy to read. However, so far in the eyes of any shinobi I know... I can't see a thing. They know not to show anyone anything. I've been passing off a lot of slip ups in information for the past three years with the same answer. "I can see it in your eyes." In reality, It's just my foreknowledge... in a shinobi's eyes, I can't see a thing. And if I do, it's something very bad.. and that scares me. I can't tell him that though, no matter how much I feel like I need to right now.

"Niji-chan, I-"

I cut him off again. "You weren't going to say anything and risk dying. That's not something I can let you do. Siblings stay together no matter what, so I will get involved if I need to."

We sat there silent. My breathing was hitched but I wouldn't let a tear spill or even well up in my eyes. Shisui then stood up and in one quick motion, he went in for a hug. I wasn't expecting it but I quickly returned the gesture and I wouldn't let go.

"I just don't want you to get hurt, Niji-chan."

"And how do you think I feel, dumbass?"

After about 10 more seconds of silence, he let go of each other and Shisui took a deep breath. "Danzo will be trying something soon, and I know for a fact that he has an eye on you."

Hold up.. wait a minute. ME?! ME?! Oh my god, why me? He can go keel over in a hole somewhere for all I care.

"So just, be careful for me. Please."

I stood up from the swing chair I was still sitting in and nodded. "I promise." Shisui looked contempt, at least for now, with that answer. I'm pretty sure he's still worried about me interfering with something. And he should be right anyway.

"Shisui-kun? Nijiko-chan?"

That voice actually made the both of us jump. That's actually a bad thing... a Jounin and Genin-to-be being caught off guard while discussing information revolving around Danzo Shimura. Not the best thing.

Shisui turned to the passerby to see a familiar face. She was wearing standard Konoha uniform along with the Chunin flak jacket. Long brown hair adorned her head and went down to her mid back. She, just like Shisui and I, had dark eyes and fair, if not on a paler side, skin. Directly underneath her right eye was a distinguishing mole.

A smile went across my face as I began walking toward the girl. "Evening, Izumi-chan!"

"Just returned from a mission?" Shisui asked, following me before coming to a stop near me.

Itachi's self-proclaimed (but obviously is his) girlfriend nodded. "I knew he had a mission coming up, and I was hoping to catch him. However, I've already heard that I just missed him."

"Yah, he left about an hour ago." Speaking of time, I didn't realize how late it was.. or at least how dark it had gotten. The park lights were already on, and stars were beginning to show slightly.

"Anyway, I think I should get Nijiko home, I have to take Sasuke and Naruto back also." Shisui began walking off with Izumi and I following, making conversation and a bit of light gossip. Whenever Izumi was near me, she'd be the first to say something about my hair. Despite the sun being brighter, the moonlight shining on my hair apparently made the rainbow of colors in my hair look more vibrant, while in the sunlight it's noticeably more dull.

It made me think though. Does Izumi know what's going on this time around? Why did Itachi never tell her? I've no doubt that she would have sided with him and Shisui.

Maybe Itachi is thinking the same thing that Shisui is.. to not get anyone else involved. I wonder, now that Shisui knows that I know about Danzo, does he suspect me to know about the Uchiha coup d' etat. In all honesty, I sort of hope he knows. Man, this is so stressing. Right now I just want to scream out that I know a possible future... but of course that's not going to end well.

I need to find someone who I can trust to tell that I have information. I mean, of course I trust my mother and brother. At this point, Issei is warming into my heart ever so slowly. However, trust is not the only thing that is needed. I need someone who I can tell and who can help me make a difference when using this foreknowledge.

Basically, someone in power. And guess who the only person in power that can help me is... The great Sarutobi himself, and he's a little too close to Danzo for me. Then again, he'll be replaced by Tsunade in a few years.

"Hm.. could I trust Tsunade?" In all honesty, I would trust Tsunade with my life and protection, but not so much my head and secrets. However a certain wandering sage does grab my attention. In all honesty, once Jiraiya popped in my head, I felt a bit at ease. Sure he won't be here until the break period of the Chunin Exams, but now that I think about him, Jiraiya probably has more secrets than Madara himself, whether they were his or not.

Heh. I'm so proud, look at myself planning ahead... but I think I should tone that down a bit. Planning too far might have some bad consequences.

"Kaa-san! Stop! You're gonna make me fall in!" Still not very skilled at staying atop of water while there are disturbances, and my mother still seems to like using her chakra to create waves in the small lake I was standing on in one of the public training grounds. Me, Ushio and my mom were spending the day together. She said she could help me improve my water walking, but this was not what I had in mind. My mom has water aligned chakra and she's taking advantage of it and make the lake seem like an intermediate powered river rapids ride from Busch Gardens in Orlando, Florida.

My mom was laughing as Ushio was clapping trying to cheer me on. "Go go Nini-nee!"

"You won't get better if you don't push your limits, Niji-chan." My mother said as she increased the chakra going into the lake.

After that, I lasted about 20 seconds before the waves became too much from me and I dropped into the water. Mom stopped flowing chakra into the water and the lake began calming down. I swam back to the surface and quickly to the shore where my family, might I add laughing family, was.

"That was so mean." I stated, trying to shake the water out of my hair. "You know what, the sun's starting to set, Ushio said she wanted Dango, so how about we just go to the dango shop and go home."

Ushio began cheering for dango while my mom kept chuckling. "Alright, lets go then."

She grabbed Ushio's hand and began walking to the entrance of the training grounds. I followed suit, still trying to dry off even though there was no wind orbreeze to assist me. As we began to reach more populated streets, I began to think about just how busy Konoha is from dawn till dusk, and then some. This is a ninja village, there's always something going on. It was about 7:30, in the evening where the sun is obviously going down, but has only just touched the horizon. Even as we were passing the Uchiha district, who are relatively secluded within their compound, you can hear all the activity going on.

In all honesty, sans the frustration towards my training, it was really peaceful. I'm enjoying myself, these are the moments I lov-

My chakra senses were picking up something. It was close by, toward the forested area outside the Uchiha district. The spike in chakra signature feels familiar actually...

"Oh my.. Mom!" I called out. She stopped and looked back at me with Ushio and attempting to pull her along for dango.

"What is it?"

"I uh.. I want to practice some more on my own, I'll meet you back at home." I spun on my heel and ran in the direction of the training ground that we came, so she would believe that little lie I just told. Once I was out of sight, I dove into the woods and made a b-line for the chakra I sensed. When I sensed it, it felt distressed like something had hurt it. Now, I feel it moving in panic, it was fleeing. It then began to engage and flee at the same time.

By now, one would think they'd sense me coming because I'm also panicking right now and channeling my chakra through my muscles in an attempt to move faster. And I was moving faster. A bit too fast if I may say, I nearly slipped off a tree branch while jumping between them. Luckily I caught my self before I was able to get myself in a situation for someone to place me in one of those, "It was at this moment... that he realized... he fucked up" memes.

"Hold on..." My mind was one track now. I was moving at my top speed as if I was racing a leaf in the wind and, in a way, I was. "Just hold on.."

I felt a lot of jutsu being released at a single target. However, in a split second, there was a huge spike of strange, powerful and overbearing chakra. It surrounded the target as the techniques came into contact with it, creating a huge explosion. It almost made me want to reconsider what I was getting myself into...

Almost.

I looked up ahead, I could almost see the clearing. There was something green flaring around, and I identified that as the sudden chakra surge. I knew what it was, and it didn't put me at ease because as quickly as it appeared, I could feel the power of it dropping and see the green fading to nothing.

"I'm almost there.." One of the attackers began rushing in to take his target while he was down.

"I'm here!" As reckless as I knew it was, nothing was going to hurt my brother while I was around. I jumped from the trees, still going faster than I've ever traveled in this life. My target, the person who was aiming to hurt my family.

"Nii-san!"

BAM!

A personal high jump kick, from me to this ROOT Agent's face.

Surprisingly to me, I put enough power into that to send the man flying to the other side of the clearing we were in. I quickly got over my momentary shock and ran to my older brother who was kneeling on the ground from exhaustion. He was covering his left eye and his right had a stream of blood below it. It still happened the same way I remembered it.

Shisui was preparing to use Kotoamatsukami, his Mangekyo Sharingan ability, on the Uchiha clan to stop their coup. That's when Danzo and his root agents interfered. Long story short, Danzo has Shisui's right eye now, and Shisui had just proved that the Susanoo can be used with only one eye. Not for long, obviously, but apparently it was possible.

"Shisui-nii! Are you ok?!"

He removed his hand from his left eye. It was red and was obviously under a lot of strain. He looked up at me, his Sharingan still active. "Ni.. Niji-chan." His breaths were heavy and uneven. "What are you- *cough* What are you doing here? Get away."

Jeez my brother is an idiot. I stood up and faced the rest of the ROOT agents, the one I kicked was just now rejoining them. "What the hell's a kid doing here?" One of them asked. It was a female's voice.

Face-kicked Agent sneered. He had a scratchy male voice which was obviously indicating he was upset with me. "At this point, I don't give a damn. I'll take care of her myself, that kick she got in won't go unpunished."

I could here Shisui try to stand up but fail. "Don't you dare touch her... Nijiko get out of here!"

"We've been through this already." I closed my eyes took a deep breath and slipped into the a stance that combined the Academy fighting style and the Uchiha taijutsu stance.

I can hear my heartbeat.

"I won't leave you."

I'm about to fight a battle I know I can't win but..

"Siblings stay together, no matter what."

I will promise, my brother will see tomorrow this time!

I open my eyes... and everything is more vivid. I can see the ROOT Agent running at me.

"You're about to learn the difference between being a shinobi and playing shinobi, kid!"

"Heh.." I'm smiling, and I'm surprised at the same time... the rush of battle is filling me for the first time. And for some reason, I love it.

Alright you guys, I'm not even going to blame it on work this time. How late I am is totally on me. Don't get me wrong, I literally start on new chapters the same day I release one, but I have no Idea what goes on with me after that.

HA, It's the third chapter and I already want to do something for you guys. Maybe next time I update, It'll be a double chapter update. Maybe I'll answer any question about the story and myself. That's fine, if you guys have anything to ask about the story, Nijiko or even me, it's okay to ask. I like answering questions. You can do so in the reviews if you wish.

On another note, ONCE AGAIN, I'm not sure if this chapter has a rushed speed to it, I feel like it does. But you know, like I said, even as we get into the Uchiha Massacre arc, I still don't really count it as a main arc to linger around with... even though a lot will happen this arc... heh.

Last thing before I go, I actually really want to hear what you guys think you'll see happen with Nijiko later on in the story. I also want to hear what you'd want to see happen. It's interesting to see your ideas and I'll probably take into consideration those ideas also... and don't worry, if I do I'll give you a shout out.

Anyway guys, I hope you enjoyed, I'll make the slow updates up to you. Read & Review please~ Cya!