WARNING DOUBLE UPDATE! THIS IS THE SECOND CHAPTER POSTED THIS WEEK.


Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?
Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the flowers gone?
Young girls have picked them everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?

Where have all the flowers gone, Peter, Paul & Mary

Chapter 17: Sharp Mind

I stretched, finally at ease in my rusty old body. I felt a strange satisfaction in hearing my shoulders creak. I saw Ino-San cringe at that sound. We had spent nearly an hour to make her understand how to make her chakra particles vibrate. She seemed surprised that I didn't possess a good chakra control: she thought it was a very precise operation. It had been so natural to me that I hadn't paid attention.

"I might be the first Yamanaka with Katon abilities!" she said.

She looked so happy! Her joy was communicative. I gave her a small smile. I was ready to get bashed about the lack of natural of that expression. But the blonde threw herself at me. I almost lost my balance. I drew back a few paces, her arms locked around my neck.

"You finally smiled for real!" she beamed at me.

"Too close! Too close!" I complained.

"Oh! Sorry."

She let me go and put her hands behind her back with a sheepish smile.

"I forgot you weren't tactile. It's just so natural to do that, you know?"

I could admit that. I wasn't the hugging type. Truth be said, I rarely had that kind of affectionate gesture towards my relatives. I think the closest think I did was poking Tenten in her ribs and ruffing Sasuke's hair. But Ino-San… no Ino, we had been the closest ever after all. So Ino hugging me was strange. But it wasn't disagreeable. Maybe I could come to enjoy it.

"I get what you mean." I said. "I'm afraid it might be awkward, you know?"

"Shut up and come here, you giant alga!" she mocked right before hugging me again.

She squeezed me, and the pressure around my chest tightened. I wasn't sure what I should do with my arms though, so I clumsily close the embrace around the younger girl. Her head rested on my shoulder, her long blond hair caressing my skin. It was a very embarrassing display. Especially when all my teammates just opened the door to the veranda we had just finished training. I felt myself growing red by the minute, under the cheeky smiles of my friends. I turned my head away. Ino-San tightened her grip, and I was about sure it was on purpose.

"Could you just leave? There are girls cuddling here." She said.

"You could also let me go…" I suggested gauchely.

"Hum… no. It is too fun teasing you Senpai." She said.

Tenten was gripping Lee-San's shoulder hard, biting her lower lip not to laugh too hard. Neji-San was staring; I couldn't know what was going through that head of his. Not that I wanted to know how a Hyuuga thought. Apart from him, the shy heir and the optometrist, I was quite sure there were any decent people in this clan. I didn't even know if I could count Neji-San in being someone decent given all his annoying speeches about fate. If he only suggested that exchanging my body with Ino was fated…

"Do you think you could let me go now?" I asked.

"Depends." She said. "Do you mind if we grab a bite?"

"And I suppose I'd be the one to pay?" I sighed.

She nodded eagerly. Her blue eyes were shining with mirth. I turned my head away again. Tenten snickered even louder, and so did Lee-San.

"Stop making fun of me!" I yelled.

Even Neji-San was chuckling now. I glowered before pushing the girl away. This was enough fun for now. Not counting the hormones doing anything they wanted now that I was back inside my own body. Tch. Annoying.

In the end we went to the Yakiniku Q and everyone paid for its meal. Especially since we added other kohai in the mix, and that one of them was Uzumaki Naruto and the other Akimichi Chôji and that there was no way I could assume such expenses. I think Sasuke was happy as well. During the meal Sakura-San was unfortunately squeezed between Lee-San and Naruto-Kun who were both saying they loved her. She was sending desperate glances towards her friends, which meant Shikamaru-San, Ino-San and curiously myself. Sasuke and Neji-San were sending each other death glares, the first on my right, the other in front of me. Tenten and Ino were apparently giggling about that situation, and I couldn't understand at all.

When I was assured that everyone was home, and received other thanks from Tenten's parents (I'd have to make an appointment with them to see how things were running), I decided I needed some time alone. I hadn't had any moment of tranquillity while in Ino's body, and I had a report to tell the Hokage. So I silently crawled to his office, amazed that I could still sense a bit of the chakra around me. Apart from people cloaking their signature, it'd be harder to attack me by surprise.

I felt a flare of energy as I was about to enter the administrative building. Hatake Kakashi. I changed my path and went to him. I stopped near a tree. I didn't bother looking above me.

"You look lovely tonight." He said from behind me.

I turned around to face him, but he was already gone. My hands immediately guarded up. I moved my head an inch to the right, avoiding his hand. The masked man leaned on me. I felt tense. I hadn't been embarrassed by male presences for a week, and puberty was taking back her rights on my body. I did not dare looking away from his face.

"Good evening, Kakashi-San. You're annoying as ever." I replied.

"I guess I am. How are you fairing?"

"What information did you get me about Yamashiro Aoba-San?"

"Direct as always, just as I wanted to be sociable."

"You are not that kind of person, Kakashi-San. And I have no time to loose in fake politeness."

"Just as I was thinking you had probably learned a lot from the Yamanaka clan…"

I freed myself from him. He didn't move from his spot. Even in the darkness I could guess the mocking curve of his lips under his mask.

"If you're not ready to give me the information you've agreed to look for me, then I'll be on my way." I said before nodding a goodbye and walking away.

"I heard something fairly interesting today, about you meeting with a higher up in the forest. I was just wondering about what we had talked in the hospital."

"Can this discussion wait? I was on my way to the Hokage before you distracted me." I said.

"Were you?"

His voice hinted the he didn't believe me.

"Is that the way you're watching me, Kakashi-San?"

"Indeed it is."

"And am I considered as a… how did Danzô put it… a dangerous element to you?"

I stopped in my tracks, still not facing him. I clenched my fists, waiting for his answers.

"I worked with your cousin Itachi, I know I have to expect anything from an Uchiha genius."

"So I'm a genius now?"

"You're just hiding it well, even from you. That's why you're considered as a troublesome girl."

"That's why you almost immediately accepted to train me when Gai-Sensei asked you."

"Are we asking questions about me?"

"Why not? You said you've worked with my cousin. The same cousin Danzô claimed to have trained. There are easy connections that can be made there."

Kakashi-San had been transplanted an eye during the war. The archives from our clan showed the disagreement of our Elders about this medical operation, but they hadn't been able to get past the Yondaime Hokage. And now, a man who could ignore the Sandaime's orders and take my cousin for a ride also had a Sharingan of his own. I felt the sight flutter of different chakra in Kakashi-San's eye. It was a less familiar feeling than the one in Danzô's eye, but I could link this signature to my clan as well.

"What kind of connections?"

"Knowledge is power, Kakashi-San. Speaking of which, I know where my allegiances lay. I don't know about yours. You claimed you'd be watching me because of who my Brother's was. You seem to distrust me because of my ties to my older cousin. Both of them were powerful ninjas working for peace. You tried to pry answers from me using strength and fear. Why should I trust you more than I should trust Danzô?"

A heavy silence fell after my tirade. My chakra was thickening as my annoyance grew. I forced myself to remain calm.

"As I was saying before, I'm on my way to the Hokage. Feel free to tag along."

"I think I'll escort you myself there, girl. I don't like the tone you're using, nor what your words imply. I have always been loyal to the Hokage. Can the same thing be said about you?"

His strong arm snake around me, and I felt a sharp blade brushing against my throat.

"You're resorting to threaten a Genin again when you can't make your point? That's very mature of you, Kakashi-San. You know I thought you were getting nicer the other day when you acted against that Sharingan-eyed crow. The way you were protecting me was almost sweet of you."

"I made an old promise to a man of peace before."

"There seem to be lot of promises made about me lately." I muttered to myself. "And even more questions for me to ask it seems."

"Is it me or you're only going to tease me with partial answers until I take the truth out of you?"

"Oh for that one you can ask Jiraya-Sama. I'm sure he would be more than willing to tell you all his secrets."

I smiled, fully knowing that even with all his will, Kakashi-San would never try or succeed in extract information from Jiraya-Sama. I was about sure the old man would say I was nuts if he asked about me, though.

"As I was saying before I was brutally interrogated by you, I have to see the Hokage. Feel free to tag along if you still wish to abuse your position to make me talk."

The grip shifted as he only took my arm into one of his strong hands and started running. I followed unwillingly, managing to match the speed he was using. Without my training weights this was nothing. Wasn't I getting better? I wouldn't know. A few seconds later I found myself in the round office, before an old man smoking his pipe.

"Well, well, if it isn't Yanagi-San and Kakashi-Kun. What happy occasion brings the two of you here?"

"A sharp kunai it would seem." I sarcastically said.

Kakashi-San's face remained blanked. The wrinkled man smiled at the situation.

"Come-on Kakashi-Kun. I know you're deeply concerned with the girl, but you should give her some space, right?"

"As you wish, sir."

Immediately after I was released, I put a knee on the ground.

"I'm here for my report sir." I said.

"I had guessed so much. Please stand up and continue."

I did as I was ordered, before eying Kakashi-San.

"Is he allowed to stay?"

"I trust him, Yanagi-San. I can order him to leave, if that is your wish."

"He can stay. What I'm going to tell you might interest him. And if that can keep him off my case, the better it is."

I cleared up my throat before continuing. The Sandaime's hand touched a seal near his desk. Chakra hummed around us and we found ourselves enclosed into a giant chakra bubble.

"As ordered, I followed my body while in Ino-San's body. The man who was supposed to offer me a deal didn't show up before the end of the week. He claimed to be Shimura Danzô. He approached the target while she was seemingly isolated. He had two bodyguards with a matching uniform with him, two ninjas. I didn't get to see them clearly as I was trying to hide myself. Danzô clearly stated he was the one who made the arrangements for me to attend the next Chuunin exam and change teams. As planned, I also sensed a strange chakra in him from the Uchiha clan, probably an eye transplant. The only medical operation of that kind had been done on Hatake Kakashi and backed by the Yondaime Hokage. No other operation was authorized by my clan. Though I couldn't date it, it was most likely done after the death of my clansmen. In that fashion the Uchiha clan wishes for an investigation to be opened on that matter. I think I'm done here, sir."

"Good job, Yanagi-San. However, there was another concern of mine about this whole affair."

"Can I speak freely sir?"

"You may, Yanagi-San."

"You wanted to be assured of my loyalties, sir. Even though you said I resembled my brothers and my cousin, you thought I might not be loyal to you. I know you are hiding things from me, but I'll give you an honest answer. Somehow you knew about Danzô's transplant, because you knew I would never have sided with him after knowing this. You even ensured I wouldn't be manipulated by making me acquire sensing abilities. Well played sir, but it's a blatant use of myself as a tool. You should be pleased, then, I have no wish to side with Danzô. And about me being a dangerous element, as the man put it, and as Kakashi-San here was concerned with, know that I am loyal to Konoha. The spirit of fire burns within me, as you could say."

I felt Kakashi-San relaxing behind me. The Sandaime's smile widened.

"I seem to recall a girl with a sharp mind telling the head of the village wasn't the village itself."

I grinned back at him.

"This girl still thinks the same. You have grossly manoeuvred to make me side against your enemies. That makes me a bit chilly about siding with you. I have nothing personal against you, and as far as I am concerned, we are both working to bring peace and honour to Konoha. For the time being I am still thinking of you as a trustful leader. Time will tell where I will side in the future."

There was a pregnant pause while he eyed me for a long time. I saw him blow a few rounds of smoke before he decided to reply. Behind me Kakashi-San was still as calm as he had been after my report. I couldn't tell if my answer had pleased him or not. In the end I didn't know if it had that much importance. If no side pleased me, I could always make my own side. After all, the Uchiha clan owned a third of this village, and numerous properties outside.

"Will the opening of the investigation as an A-Rank hidden mission will be sufficient to ensure your loyalties to my government long enough, Yanagi-San?" he asked.

I chuckled.

"I'm the one who will be paying for this investigation." I said. "Plus, all the paperwork will help you back up all the other investigation you could wish to start against Danzô. I know you're using me again, Hokage-Sama. Don't take me for a fool."

"I wouldn't." he said.

"Then tell me, why is it so important to send me to the Chuunin exam in Mist? If, as Danzô and a few other people put it, I had the abilities to be promoted even before graduating the Academy, why didn't he chose another date? I believe there was an exam last June. Coming from a man like Danzô who had been able to order things even you couldn't undo, such things weren't impossible."

"Fine, I'll have another hidden mission about that. Paid by the Hokage Tower if you wish to."

"Add a joined investigation between the Uchiha and the Yamanaka clan about my therapist, Yamanaka Inokane, who was apparently ordered by Danzô to counsel both Sasuke and I, and finally only me because Sasuke didn't want any form of therapy done on him."

"Is the head of the Yamanaka clan aware of this demand?"

"I think he'll agree. In the end I think you might find the words for him."

"Is there anything else I can do to ensure you won't turn your back on me?" the Sandaime mused.

"If we're still having this political play, I'd like to know what you have one about Jiraya-Sama's pictures. I want the original and the negatives given to me as soon as possible. You had had a week, and I know the man stayed near the village during that time."

He handed me a brown envelope. I didn't check the contents. I knew what was inside of it.

Was he still waiting for me to ask about other things? Well wasn't that a great occasion to tighten the links of the Uchiha clan with the government? There had been lots of issued in the past, especially after the Nidaime Hokage thought he could dupe our clan by giving us a role as the Police Force. We still had all the uniforms and the building, but now nothing had been officially done. I knew there was a lot of D-Rank to B-Rank missions done instead of this department. Giving back the independence to this department might be a good idea.

Plus, I could ask for loyal mercenary force to do some missions for the Uchiha clan, like checking the commercial network by the time I could go see all the business my clan owned myself.

I started to explain to the Hokage how I wanted to rehabilitate the Police Station, with me financing a lot of it, with having civilian making most of the paperwork and a test asked to the Genin Corpse and others for the Chuunin and Jounin for a more stable job. They would receive a monthly pay, with a fixed basis given their level, and a bonus for their results. I would have to be consulted for the main decisions though. In exchange there would be a new tax done on all the intern-security missions that wouldn't be done by the Police, and that is how the whole thing would be financed in the end.

As for the mercenaries, they would be granted a special status inside the Uchiha clan. That would attract some ninjas with a civilian background to me. After a short session with me and an interrogator from the Yamanaka clan (who I would pay with the clan's money), I'd be ensured of their loyalties and have them check my entire business regularly. I had thought of either hiring a team, or make regular C-Rank mission for the city (in this case they would only get recommendations in their ninja file). The last system was preferred by the Hokage, only because it offered him more work for their ninjas. Yet, I still wanted soldiers that would be loyal to my family and I only. But I supposed I would need a better fame for that matter.

I should also buy a little building with offices just to have all the administration of the clan being there. That way Tenten's parents work would be officialised, they would be able to get more people working with them, and I could guarantee the security of both the employee and the documents from my clan that way. That would also allow me to move my clan archives to a place I could legally access, without asking to enter the town archives and get authorizations each time I needed to consult something.

"Aren't you a lady with a head full of ideas?" the Hokage laughed.

I raised a brow at him.

"Am I not supposed to?" I mused.

The smell of tobacco was starting to fill the room. I was quite sure Father used the same brand. Akaringo, was it? I couldn't remember. The Hokage used it fresh, pressing the herbs inside his pipe with his thumb, grilling them, pressing them again to add a fresh layer before lighting it. I remember Father leaving yellow and red packages all over the house except near the shrine where the picture of Mother was. My eyes were tingling, but I managed to convince myself it was only because of the fumes. Not because I was thinking of Father.

Father was always in a good mood after a good smoke. He always stayed at home with me, him being the old man and me the toddler. Most of the time he would ignore me, not answering often to my tries to get his attention. I learned my first traps with him. I don't think he was pleased by how Itachi-Sama or Brother gave me some tricks, since it often resulted in me being hurt or breaking things inside the house. After my attempts, I would often be punished, left all alone in the dark cupboard by the time he finished cleaning my mess. He would go slowly, reluctantly. He would be smoking a cigarette or two. It would always calm him down.

Actually, I think he needed a lot of calm. Most of my memories of Father are him with a cigarette in his mouth. He was nicer to me after a good smoke.

"That is a good thing to have ideas. Especially with good ideas like yours..."

He let the sentence hanging. I frowned a bit. I guessed a pawn like me shouldn't be having ideas. I guessed a pawn like me shouldn't be seeing the Hokage like I did. I guessed a pawn like me shouldn't be able to impose her ideas to the Hokage. No wonder men like Shimura Danzô could lead their own actions with impunity.

"You don't like voicing my ideas." I said.

"Women aren't common in politics."

"They aren't common as ninjas in the first place. And when they start bearing children, they are no better than civilians. I was taught that soon enough, sir."

"Do I sense bitterness in your voice, my child?"

I cringed at that word. Danzô had called me that as well. Were they underestimating me? But I didn't miss the slight crispation of the corner of his eyes. Did he have a problem with my opinion in politics? Or with the disrespect I was showing him? I could almost feel the animosity from Kakashi-San behind me.

"My apologies, Yanagi-San. I guess you cannot be considered as a child with all the responsibilities you're holding as the regent of the Uchiha clan."

"The apologies are from me, Hokage-Sama. I'm taking too much liberties with the way I am taking to you." I said, dipping my head.

"Don't worry about that." He said, waving a dismissive hand. "Your point of view is refreshing. It reminds me of an old student of mine."

Which one? Tsunade-Sama was the idol of Tenten, so I knew quite a bit about her. I had met Jiraya-Sama twice, and none of these meetings had showed me the man under a favourable day. But the worst might be Orochimaru-Sama; the rumours about him were frightening. I couldn't say if I was flattered by any of the comparisons.

"Did you know it was thanks to Tsunade we now have the best healthcare service of all the hidden villages?"

"I thought she left because we were falling behind the technological progress of the civilians." I pointed out.

I hadn't been out of the village much, but I had seen and heard some shocking details. They were saying things about organising information in these big boxes full of electronic in a cryptic language full of zeros and ones. They were also talking about transporting lots of goods by using trains. It was a miracle of we had television or phones in Konoha. Everyone was communicating with letters and paper when there was apparently other means of communicating, faster than the radio. So I could perfectly understand why Tsunade-Sama left.

"You are young Yanagi-San. You do not understand the danger of these technology prowess you're speaking about. They bring other dangers we cannot foresee. But your speech brings me back to Tsunade: she too had to fight hard to be heard. She succeeded in the end, and brought lots of good things to Konoha. Such is why you shouldn't stop thinking. We are growing old in this game of chess that is politics. Perhaps you'll be the generation who'll see all of this change."

"There are people trying to stir things. Danzô seems to be one of them, seeing how he came after me way before you made your own move, Hokage-Sama."

"I thought it wouldn't have been wise to involve you so soon after all the losses you suffered. It's been four years now, yet you're only barely standing on your own two feet. Aren't I right?"

"Then why didn't you help me if you saw I was struggling?"

His eyes were suddenly shining with an expression I couldn't grasp at all. I saw Kakashi-San tensing behind me.

"Would you consider the actions of Danzô as an assistance to you?" he asked slowly. "You are aware I wouldn't have acted more different from him if I had wanted to reach you."

I shook my head. Of course not! Yamanaka Inomi, the Elder who was helping me now, had explained to me that some of the repairs and the damages had been done by the "help" of that retired doctor Yamanaka Inokane. The woman wasn't living under Inoichi-San's jurisdiction, Kami knows why; it seemed like an intern affair I shouldn't be overhearing. But in the end the therapist may have hurt me, she had also cured the issues related to my traumatism. I knew how badly Sasuke was attained because he had refused anyone looked inside his head (unless when he had been forced to or too weak to resist).

"Danzô must have been thinking he was helping me." I answered.

"I believe he did." The Hokage acknowledged.

"He also must have been thinking I would have accepted to side with him in the end. And since I believe neither Ino-San nor I said anything about the convincing argument you used to win me by your side, he might still be thinking that I'm likely to be tempted by his offer."

The Hokage pulled on his pipe again, a smile of approval tugging the corner of his lips. Maybe he liked the way my thoughts were leading. Maybe he could use that last fact to make me get information about Danzô from within his side.

"Which makes me think it was a great opportunity for you that I exchanged my body with a sensor."

"That sure was a help."

An even greater opportunity since the head of the clan, aka Ino's father had conveniently been given a mission at that moment. I managed not to show anything to the Hokage. I was starting to wonder if that inversion had been a real coincidence. Because how could anyone have known that Ino would have attacked me that day? We hadn't been in contact before, and we had only met while Tenten and I were on our way to the onsen, and so had been our kohai. Can such a meeting be arranged? That was doable, but what about the battle that went after? Now that I had been inside Ino's life for a week, I could say she wasn't too aggressive for a fangirl of Sasuke. She didn't try to jump him, and she didn't really used my body in that sense either. And now she had even a whole other opinion of my cousin.

Even though she had implied she wanted to possess my body for that purpose, now that I think of it. So how much can a desire be implanted in someone? Speaking of a clan that relied on mind Jutsu, that was something extremely easy. And their Head was away at the time it occurred…

I shall arrange a meeting with Yamanaka Inoichi as soon as possible. I kept my blank mask on. I wouldn't question the Hokage further. He was far seeing far too much things. The only thing that bugged me was the fact he had known I would switch with Ino.

"That was an intense experience I must say." I carefully said. "I got to meet lots of people."

And got a job inside the T&I department real soon as well. Really I should request a meeting with the Head of the Yamanaka clan even sooner. I should update my politic agenda as well. How many clans had views on me? Not to mention I was an unmarried young woman who might want to renew her clan.

"By the way, I heard from Yamanaka Inomi that she worked alongside Father during the First and Second hidden wars. They must also have been working alongside you and the Nidaime, didn't they?"

The Hokage's eyes went misty. Father had the same look when he talked of the past as well. With the smell of the Akaringo tobacco fumes, I could almost picture Father ruffling my hair while telling me of one of his battles. My favourite had always been about Senjuu Tobirama's sacrifice. A fond smile grew on my lips, and I left it there.

"I'd like to hear some stories from you sometimes." I said after. "Maybe around a cup of tea?"

I had no doubts that the Hokage moved to get me on his side since Danzô announced he wanted me to enter the Chuunin Exams in Mist. When had that been? I couldn't guess. I didn't know how much had been arranged for me to get in the right tracks. But now that I was starting to pave my own way, he might think clever to keep me under a close watch.

I spared a glance to Kakashi-San behind me. What better dog could have he found than that man? I wondered how deep I could trust him. He had known both Brother and Itachi-Sama, and even though they had been pacifists, he had been reluctant to believe in me. Yet he said he promised to watch over me to someone. Could I consider him as my ally?

And what of the Hokage?

"I'd be delighted to, Yanagi-San. I expect an interesting conversation from a promising young kunoïchi such as yourself."

"Thank you Hokage-Sama."

"I guess it must be really late for you. I trust you should go back to your apartment. Soon you will be called for your last mission with Team 9."

I gulped hard.

"And who might be my new teammates?"

"Danzô's men I fear. Although his troops should have been disbanded a long time ago, it may be sometime useful to have a pair of hand to… let's say to clear the dirt away."

I clenched my fists not to tremble. I had to ask.

"What kind of dirt needs missions even more secret than the ANBU? The kind that involves my cousin Itachi-Sama?"

The Hokage visibly flinched.

"Where did you hear that?" he whispered in shock.

I decided to push my advantage and stepped forward.

"I have keen ears, Hokage-Sama. Isn't that why you made me watch the encounter with Danzô from afar? I heard nice things, guessed others… Now tell me what in what kind of missions I will partake if I am to accept his offer, albeit seemingly."

He sighed, and I felt like he had turned into steel.

"I cannot tell if your sharp mind is a blessing or a curse, Uchiha Yanagi." He finally uttered. "You truly are your father's daughter."

"Glad to know I have kept something from him."

"Like you he was very intelligent. It's a shame your branch of the family never became the leading one. I feel like our current situation would have been far more different if it had been the case."

"I guess you're right." I muttered, looking away.

What could I say to that? Fugaku-Sama and I shared the same great-grandfather in the person of Uchiha Madara. The man hadn't had much time for his second born, as I heard from the stories of the clan. He favoured his first born and made him into a warrior who would have survived through the wars. That trait was inherited by all that side of the family, even though Itachi-Sama was totally opposed to it and Sasuke too young to be impregnated. Yet, I remember our clan head as a frightening man. Even though Father was even more terrifying than him in his own way.

"I cannot say what I gained from Father." I said while noticing I had been unconsciously playing with the pendant Father had offered Mother. "He died while I was quite young. But it is true I learned a valuable thing from being Uchiha Kagami's daughter. It is how to strive and survive."

The Hokage was at a loss of words for a minute or two before he laughed slightly. Of course I would have learned that. Everyone had always wanted something from me because of who my Father was. But in the end there was only me left. Everything that had been Father had been carved out of me: Mother, my feelings, Father, my skills, Brother, the clan… Everything was gone. I only lived alone a sea of ashes, protecting the small plants I had managed to grow back from everything. If I had to stand alone, then I should reign where I were.

Yanagi, the weeping willow trying to reach the moon, the witches tree, the Queen in the ashes. I will be born anew. The only thing I missed were the answers Itachi-Sama detained. And when I'll have them…

"Then I shall watch you strive and survive from the new hardships that have come your way. Let's have another chat once you'll be wearing the Chuunin green jacket." He said.

"As my Hokage commands." I bowed to him.

I waited for him to deactivate the seal protecting the room before moving from my place. As I walked to Kakashi-San, I dared looking at him. His grey eye lazily looked back at me. He half-closed it, like a cat-like smile. I didn't like it. It made me think I was the mouse in this.

Yet I was no mouse, nor a frightened little girl. I was a warrior, or at least I trained to be. I was a witch-girl from the fire clan. Fire in my veins. Fire in my veins. Fire in my soul. Fire for the Queen of ashes.

And from ashes will the Uchiha clan be reborn.


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