Massacre and Origins

- A few weeks before the 8th Anniversary of the Kyuubi attack -

I had been busy these last four years. Some of it had been spending time with my 'precious people' as I now called them. Ichiraku's, Yuugao, Jiji, and to a lesser extent Kurenai - Kakashi hasn't done much aside from making sure I'm okay, and while I understand why, he doesn't yet qualify. The rest of the time though, I was spending honing skills I would need.

My Taijutsu was now in a state of refinement. I had mastered most of every scroll I had. And while I know the styles, I prefer the evasion type, unless I augment myself with a weapon. I had spent many hours with my clones running through kata's to build muscle memory, after making sure I had the correct form down or each one. Then I moved on to Kenjutsu. That was interesting to say the least. I had tried the longer swords, but they didn't fit me well.

My flexibility allowing me unrestrained movement, and while a kunai or knife might be okay, I enjoyed learning with Kodachi. I had found that my mother's weapon scroll had contained several Uzumaki weapons. Benihime - her sword - while beautiful didn't quite fit me. Especially in a child sized body. But there were twin kodachi among the few swords. There wasn't a name engraved on them, but rather the Uzumaki Emblem on the hilt of each one.

Using Yuugao as my instructor was perfect for this. She would point out each flow in a stance and movement until I got it down - the kage bunshins would then replicate the motions. I wasn't anywhere near mastery yet of either taijutsu or kenjutsu, but I was definitely ahead of the class.

It also helps that my clothes are weighted, and my body has a blood seal to increase resistance of motions on my body. I doubt anything would really stunt my growth, even weights, not with this body.

I actually figured out I was slowly absorbing Natural Energy from around me without realizing it - this meant I actually didn't require food or water to live, not that I wouldn't get hungry or thirst, just that I didn't actually need it. And I now had actual results from these little extras. It seems that having a body that heals multiple times faster than a normal body does has more advantages than I thought.

I could increase my resistance seal level once every few days, rather than every few weeks or months. Of course, it started slowing down as well after I had increased it to around decent chuunin levels. I was still gaining, but I think my body has to age properly to allow for more. My healing could only do so much with what it has to work with apparently. I actually didn't feel the weight of my condensed kimono at all anymore though - it was really heavy in the beginning - even if I'm still making it heavier.

My Ninjutsu really didn't expand much. I was taught the beginnings of elemental manipulation, and had clones going through it. I wasn't given any jutsu though, just the basics to get me started. So I had taken to refining my control of the elements. Just to see what I could do. I was capable with wind, water, and earth. I figured that would be what I had considering my nature abilities, but it was still nice to truly know what my main affinity was - Wind and equal amounts on my two subs. I had started to work out my own exercises for the three of them until they deigned me ready to start actual techniques. Yuugao had actually tried to teach me genjutsu once - needless to say, I had more talent at flying than that - though she did teach me to release it.

The only thing I had going for me now though was the Rasengan. I had finally obtained the ability to use it with a single hand, and expanded to using it in both hands. It was actually painful, and clones were amazing at getting this down, but I could do a double rasengan without help from clones. Next I just needed to learn to throw them, and add elemental manipulation into the mix.

Then there was my fuuinjutsu. I would now consider myself a Seals Mistress. I had actually gotten through half of the Uzumaki Scrolls and other materials. Using several Kage-Bunshin at once to go through each bit thoroughly to understand the concepts was perfect. Even if I do get a slight headache for a moment when I release them for the day.

According to the Uzumaki system, I am a level seven right now. Apparently Jiraiya would be around a six or seven as well. I could break apart and understand the advanced seals see, and even come up with some of my own at this point. The thing I did first was to do is figure out my father's formula for Hiraishin.

That scroll with his kunai helped a little, and the few notes jiji had added that he could find were tremendously nice, but there is much more to it than that - I had no doubt I would figure it out eventually though. And a few mere weeks ago, I had. He truly was genius though, Hiraishin compares to a few examples of Uzumaki seals.

I had even been taught how to hide myself, chakra and presence - stealth - something that Naruto had managed well. I finally felt competent. I had a bit of skill in me. And it was coming time for the infamous Uchiha Massacre to happen. I could feel the tension in the Uchiha around the village. Their emotions giving them away to me. I even had little insect clones - the transformation technique is amazing if you have the chakra to pump into such concentrated clones - running around keeping tabs on every Uchiha.

So I kept a few clones hidden and close to the Nakara river - slipping past people in little fox forms. I knew Shisui would attempt to kill himself there. I just let them mask their presence and wait. And eventually the day came, a clone felt his presence, and immediately create another that dispelled to let me know.

I instantly created a reason to escape the classroom - bathroom break - and headed off towards the river. Using a henge as soon as I left the room so as to get there unhindered. Another clone had apparently pulled him from the river, and was bandaging a passed out Shisui. But it didn't look good.

I arrived, unhenged, and immediately took in the scene. His presence was fading. I could tell, both through normal senses, and my enhanced emotional and natural senses. I had to attempt something! The only thing I had going for me was my chakra, its tendency to move life. So I went down next to him, and immediately pushed some of my chakra into his wounds. Taking over for my clone who - using the Uzumaki Seal Method - created a privacy and isolation barrier. No need to get interrupted in whatever I tried.

I pressed more chakra into the wounds, especially through the hand over his eyes. My hope was his body would grow back the needed tissues to survive. And it was working, albeit slowly. His presence was stabilizing - most likely due to my natural aura, along with what I was attempting. I couldn't pour too much of my chakra in at a time, or his body would reject it, resulting in worse injuries. So I just kept up a tiny stream of my overly abundant chakra supply.

After a few minutes, I could feel his body stable, his wounds healed. I didn't understand how the sage's gift to Naruto of Yang could heal a body so quickly. Then again, I didn't know that I could do this at all. Perhaps it was also understanding of the forces used that allowed Naruto to do it so well and quickly. Though that begs the question of if I could actually use the sage's Yang manipulations as Naruto had.

I just leaned back waiting for Shisui to awaken from in his weakened state. Thinking about what I could do for the Uchiha I thought worthy of life. I was a little troubled that it was at my whim that one might survive. I had no doubt Itachi would move for killing attacks. Most likely to the heart or throat.

I couldn't really stop the attack, no matter what I did. And I couldn't exactly remove any random Uchiha. The only one I could actually move out of the situation myself would be Mikoto, due to her relation with my mother, and Sasuke, as a classmate with the thought of training. I would have to be there in order to heal any injured, but with kill shots I would need to be there in person, something which I couldn't do.

My patient opened his eyes with a groan. He immediately looked over at me and blinked. He propped himself up, and shook his head, probably a bit lightheaded. And another groan. Blood loss would have some after effects.

He looked at me again, with me looking back, taking in my features. Probably recognized me, since his sharingan immediately spun to life. Mangekyo version. And I blinked owlishly. Finally he sighed, only to freeze. He reached up to his face in disbelief and spun back to me again. I tilted my head at that. He did nothing, just stared. So I decided to break the ice.

"Hello." He stared for a few seconds more, then shook his head once again. Sharingan fading. "My name is Naruna, what's yours?"

He just looked at me oddly, but replied anyways, "Shisui. Did you save me?" I nodded, and he continued, "Did you heal me?" Another nod. And he laughed a bit. "Thank you, but how did you restore my eyes? Where did you get the sharingan?"

My reply was short and simple, yet left his mouth agape, "I regrew them."

"You... what..? I see. Thank you." I just nodded again. "Now, what was a cutie like you doing down here? I thought you would be in class with Sasuke." He knew I was in his class?

"I like nature. I was out here looking exploring when I saw you falling. I caught you, and found you grievously injured. Though, now that I know your name, I think I know what is going on." He just looked dumbed at that, and I giggled. "I can sense emotions, I can sense what's going on around me. I can tell the Uchiha are planning something, and that the village is going to remove the threat. I don't mean to brag, but I can figure things out for myself, even with little interaction."

His face turned serious at that. Continuing on, "there has been someone popping in and out randomly. Like he's teleporting. And he was near the person that was at the top of this cliff several times. If I had to guess, I think they plan on removing the other Uchiha's, though I still can't be too sure of this myself. But it didn't feel like he was the one that attacked you, and you don't feel like you'd help out on whatever the rest of the Uchiha are planning."

I kept fidgeting during all this, eyes moving in odd directions, my body reacting against my will. He really didn't look like he believed my explanation on how I knew this... These childish reactions are costing me, I knew it would, but I really didn't want to be outed here. But I guess someone would have to catch it, and I was never really good at lying anyways. But under intense scrutiny I just couldn't hold it together...

"And the truth?" I just sighed, I knew he would ask.

"I know what's going to happen, how, and in what way. I kind of know a bit of what's in the future..." I watched as he blinked in disbelief. Yet he could tell I wasn't lying this time. There were no tells, and he had his mangekyo activated.

"You should be dead, someone will order the massacre of the entire clan rather than only those involved - probably the man who attacked you earlier - Itachi and a masked man dispatch the entirety of the Uchiha, and Itachi turns into a public traitor to save the face of the Uchiha and to spy on an secret organization."

Shisui was squeezing his hands tightly, looking like he was fighting himself. "It can't really be stopped now. There's only a few days until the attack, but the man helping Itachi is too powerful to do anything against. The only thing I can think of to stop him is sealing him. And I don't have the time or knowledge to create a successful time/space barrier for him yet." He looked defeated at this, but I still had a plan.

"I have been observing the entirety of the Uchiha clan for a few months now. I hadn't exactly known when the attack would happen, so I wanted to be prepared. I am going to attempt to save those that wouldn't be affected by the slaughter. My most reliable options right now are Mikoto, and two infants - one a few months old, the other a little under two years old. The rest are either too arrogant, or blinded by the clan itself, and would turn on the village, or part of the coup itself.

You were the only other in the clan that has shown he could live with their downfall. Plus, if my theory about the order is correct, then we may be able to do a little good with your survival, in the end. But you do need to lay low until then, or you'll just end up killed."

"...While frustrating, I agree. If this masked person is stronger than Itachi, then there really isn't much chance of stopping this."

"But, if I want any chance of saving those I can, and plan to, I also want to learn one skill from you." He raised an eyebrow at this. "Shunshin" And he laughed. It was what he was known for after all. His reply had caught me off guard though.

"Of course my little fiery fox."

I blinked, and growled with a blush, ears folding backwards, "don't say that! dattebane!" I wasn't his! I couldn't exactly deny the rest though...

He just laughed at me though. But at least I had a teacher! And so I left him a clone to teach, and headed home. I knew if it wasn't my original body coming home, kaa-chan would notice. Luckily my clones had massive amounts of chakra and could multiply themselves plenty. I should get the skill down in a few hours. And they would get him supplies to survive in that barrier until we have opportunity on our side.

In the end I decided I didn't want to be there during the massacre. At all. If I am found out by the masked man, I don't know what might happen. But I couldn't exactly whisk the two children away. But I could hide them the instant I felt the massacre starting. So I waited, with a few little flies hovering around Itachi, waiting for the day he gets his order, the day of the massacre.

The fly in Itachi's hair popped the moment Danzo gave the order. An order with the Hokage's signature. Something I don't believe he would write, only about a quarter of the clan knows about the coup, and only half would agree. But I knew I couldn't save much of anyone without repercussions.

So I sent a clone in henge to deliver a message to Mikoto. The contents written in similar writing to my mother's, and contents something she couldn't pass up. She would have to follow my clone if she wanted to know more. So I led her into my private training grounds - it was the only place I could be sure others wouldn't find her. I walked through my trap, safe only with chakra signature. And it sprung. A double layered barrier, a stasis, and isolation. Nobody could detect her chakra here.

Myself, I was stuck in school. But that was fine. I could directly move him to safety. So when we were released, using the Sealless Uzumaki method, I touched his back as we were talking, and placed a delayed stasis seal combined with the Hiraishin seal on him. I flashed a red color and disappeared back to near where Mikoto was. I summoned him and activated the seal on Sasuke at the same time. He crumpled in front of me, unknown to him what even happened.

I sat down, and stretched my senses from there. The two children would be watched. I could only remove them from the situation the instant I felt the two start their attack. They wouldn't be able to sense my usage of Hiraishin, and the children's parents wouldn't know how to search for them. They would be dead before they got around to leaving. So I enacted my plan - the moment I felt Itachi's presence pop into existence with another, my bug clones pressed the seals onto the two children I could save, and summoned them to me.

Immediately, I placed an isolation barrier over each body around me. Mikoto's stasis will wear off first. She will see what has happened. And hopefully take in the two infants I am leaving here. And sasuke will have avoided Itachi's mind rape - that's really the softest way of putting it too...

As soon as I felt the last chakra death through my sage senses, I could immediately feel the confusion in Itachi. But I knew he couldn't stick around. And he knew that too. I felt them disappear, and immediately set my next course of action into play. Creating a quick clone to dispel my orders, then teleporting to Shisui's spot, startling him with my red flash, I let him know where the others were, and that they would be that way until sometime tomorrow afternoon.

Then, I felt it. I flashed away before I could feel the full effects, straight to a hidden clearing in my training ground. A place I set up for my own safety, able to stay hidden. I felt the memories of my clones stabbing the eyes out of the deceased Uchiha. They had been hidden nearby the district, surrounding it, henged as bugs and birds, suppressing their presence to the absolute limit, waiting.

With my orders, they moved in, destroying the eyes of every Uchiha there. Danzo wouldn't get a supply of sharingan if I could help it - Shisui's eye was already too much. And with the massacre, he wouldn't be able to touch Shisui - there would be too much attention. So long as Shisui stays silent about certain things, I doubt Danzo would risk it. And he could look after Sasuke in Itachi's place... Maybe even remove a bit of the arrogance from him too.

The kid, while he was quiet and nice, had the Uchiha arrogance grafted into his head from his father. I could tell Itachi was trying to remove it, but it had stayed. Every thing he did in class, whenever he did better than others, screamed 'of course, I am Uchiha' with his smirk. Oh, yes. I believe Shisui would be a good influence. His mother would probably temper his personality too, without his father around. Then the two children his mother is sure to take in. He would have to help raise them, take care of them. Having a bit of responsibility will help as well.

Thinking about all this had really helped ignore the memories of removing the sharingan from the dead. They closed their eyes each time, but the sounds and feelings still transferred. It was sickening, no matter how much I tried to ignore. Finally I felt the last clone pop. And I couldn't help but shiver through it all. I needed to get home though, I had already taken too long, and Yuugao would get suspicious.

So I flashed to my room, and curled up under my blanket, hoping to fall asleep and put the disgusting feelings behind me. She must have felt me there, since I felt a hand on my shivering head a moment later. I hadn't even undressed, but I was shivering in her bed - she could see the obvious and pet me to sleep. Her comforting hands putting me into a purr.

The next few days of school went by without incident. Sasuke hadn't shown up yet. I was sitting in the middle chair of the table he sat at though. I figured it would be better to have a silent friend after such an incident rather than a girl trying to get his attention. They were starting to show symptoms of fangirl-itis already, though it wasn't that prominent. And Sasuke was already using the 'hn' method of dealing with them. And next to me was my first friend, Hinata. We were chatting away when I finally saw him walk through the door.

A little broody, but it looked like he was doing fine. His brother did kill his clan after all, so of course he'll have a bit of a broody nature from now on, but I could already tell that it wouldn't be nearly as bad as it would have been. He glanced up at us, noting that we weren't his usual table-mates. He just shrugged it off though, probably thinking we'd be the same pesky girls as he usually gets.

We just ignored him though, much to his obvious relief. Though we did get some heated glares from the other girls, since we had taken the seats from them before they even got there. Most prominent from Sakura and Ino. That day had a small incident of attempted bullying. Something highly amusing to myself. During lunch, I was confronted on my way back into the room. A trio of civilian girls blocking my way.

I tilted my head, "can I help you?"

"Yea, stay away from Sasuke! Stupid dead-last animal." and she scoffed at me... animal? I may be dead last, but that's only because I keep falling asleep. I only listen to lectures that affect my life as a kunoichi. I already know science, math, and other technical studies. Iruka still hits me with chalk and erasers daily when he finally notices though. And the physical exercises outside are harder on me since I have seals restraining my body, with a weighted outfit. Of course I could only just keep up with others when I have so much on me.

I just decided to ignore them, and walk past. Of course, this was met with the obvious interaction of a bully physically attacking. Something which I just pivoted away from, Grabbing the extended wrist, and forcing her forward, with my foot extended slightly. The result was her nearly kissing the floor. I just shook my head and went to the classroom.

The glares from the girls for the rest of the day were even more heated, not that I cared. I just shrugged and talked to Hinata, ignoring the rest. They really weren't worth the time. I just continued sitting there from then on, ignoring Sasuke, but received the obvious thanks in his eyes that started showing. He had probably figured out why I was there. But the silent agreement to not talk to each other, me because of his arrogance, and him from my position as last place in class, continued.

It wasn't until a month later that I heard the news. Danzo's death, an assassination, it wasn't really something I was planning on, and had actually happened quite soon after the massacre. I could only guess that it was Shisui, and that Danzo had actually attempted to get rid of him after all, and had retaliated. I didn't know he was that strong, but I wasn't one to complain. It was something I had planned to do myself eventually. The man was twisted in his ideals.

During this time, I had started pranking. Something I found intense joy from. Iruka's projectiles got annoying, and the bully girls even more so, not that they actually caused me any harm or could even do anything. But their insults got more and more annoying. Talking behind my back, trying to get the few people around me to stay away from me. It was really annoying. So when they came back from the bathroom one day, crying and covered in sewage, it wasn't me.

Not even when they had their hair color sealed to random neon colors for a week, nor when they 'lost' their voices during that time. No that wasn't me. And when Iruka's chalk or eraser sped through the air at a high velocity, and it disappeared before waking me, that wasn't me either. Though the red flash that occurred where it disappeared from did make everyone blink. Though, dropping from the ceiling back onto Iruka's desk was even more confusing to them I think. I had heard he tested it out several times, much to the amusement of the class, and their relief.

Though, when he started walking up to hit me on the head instead, that got me really annoyed. That's when I really started. His chair would vibrate when he sat on it, something that scared him into jumping several feet in the air. Watching him walk through the door, only to have every color on his body inverted - something that I honestly couldn't help but fall off my chair laughing at - that seal was ingenious, and lasted a full day. Having him sprayed with slime and glitter - after an irritatingly boring day, and a nasty wake-up from a beautiful dream - had brightened that day considerably.

It was only after several months of these pranks that everyone finally caught on to who was doing them. I hadn't had enough sleep that night, instead having read through a record of the Uzumaki, and finally attempting to learn to control our clans Adamantine Chains jutsu. It was surprising how easily I picked that up, it wasn't even chains really, just a physical compression and extension of our chakra, and most would just naturally use chains as their medium. So after practicing all night, I had obviously wanted to sleep in class.

I had woken up to Iruka pulling my sensitive ear though, the ones that I had stopped hiding in class altogether. It HURT! And he wasn't going to get away from that. So, using the specialized version of the Uzumaki sealing method - using handsigns that with enough practice you don't need to form - I reached down and pressed my hand to the floor. Across the entire room, throughout the walls, the ceiling, everywhere, my specially designed prank seal, the one I had spent months figuring out, the one I was saving for a special occasion, that masterpiece spread out. And suddenly, weightlessness.

At first nobody realized, until Iruka took a step away from me, and was suddenly floating. This seal counteracted the force of gravity with the exact same force in the opposite direction. Everything inside the walls would become weightless. So there Iruka was floating away from use in obvious confusion and me laughing myself off my chair.

"Wha-what!? what's happening!" was Iruka's confused yell.

Everyone looked around, some stood up only to find they would just keep going. And then it was chaos, some started laughing, others just looked on in awe, and me giggling uncontrollably floating through the air. It was then and there Iruka figured it out.

"Uzumaki Naruna! Detention for a week! Now fix this!"

'uh oh... mama's not going to like that' he had a devious smirk on his face, obvious pleasure at my pale one. I could tell it wasn't hatred flowing through his body though, rather pride and amusement, but he knew he had to punish me.

"Um, it fixes itself. After a while, the chakra runs out, but slowly. And gravity will reassert itself. You will slowly be drawn to the ground, and after a few moments, it will disappear. I-I can't reverse it directly." My explanation got an owlish blink and a sigh from the man.

"Okay class. I guess we have a free day. This is probably something you won't experience again, so have fun. Just be careful." He got a cheer from the class at this. They were obviously enjoying my seal.

"Naru-chan! What did you do? Just how?!" I turned to the voice of my best friend. And I giggled, something I had long grown used to.

"It's my clans specialty."

"The dobe has a clan?" I blinked at that. Ami, again. Her bullying never ceases, does it? "Hah! I don't believe it. Making up lies like that."

I turned to her with annoyance written across my face, my ears drawn back, and a growl in my voice.

"The Uzumaki are amazing! Dattebane!"

"Yea right! I bet you stole this, whatever it is, from someone. Whatever an Uzumaki is.. Hmph! Pretending you have a clan, it's pathetic." My growling got louder at that, and some of the class turned toward us. My anger evident throughout my body. My hair flying around in angry flaming tails, mimicking my actual twin golden tipped tails behind me.

"Don't insult my clan! I made this myself! Sealing - Fuuinjutsu - was - is what Uzumaki are known for! Our red hair, kenjutsu skills, enormous chakra reserves, and unparalleled fuuinjutsu knowledge - we were known for them all! We are the cousin clan to the Senju! Not only related to the Senju, but also the Uchiha, and the Hyuuga , we are all cousins! We were so powerful! So feared we were that our village was was destroyed in a combined assault from three of the major five nations - Iwa, Kumo, and Kiri. It took THREE nations to destroy the Uzumaki, and even then, they lost over ninety-percent of their invading forces! I! Will! Not! Let! You! Insult! My! Name!"

The whole class was wide-eyed, and looking at my angry visage, hair flaming around my figure. Though two were staring at me with astonishing intent - along with their open mouths. My childish emotions had gotten the best of me, and I knew it. It was my name now, and my family. It was my right, and I was a part of their legacy now. I may have been reincarnated into this body, but it was my body now, and I had long since come to this realization. They had no right to insult my background.

I just pushed myself off a floating desk towards where I created my seal. I pushed a bit of chakra into it to let it know to let us down. I just stalked off out the door when we were let down. I went and sad down on the swing. I wanted to be alone. Though, I never really got that chance, the people in the class, the two from the clans I had mentioned, had followed me.

"A-are you okay? Naru-chan...?" I just sighed, ears dropping and tails sagging.

"I'll be fine. I just thought I needed to cool off. Sorry Hina-chan."

"What did you mean we're all related?" I turned to the onyx eyed boy I hadn't noticed before. And blinked. Realizing what I had said, I paled. I hadn't meant to actually mention that. There would be questions about it. Questions I didn't want to answer. Though I guess I just don't have to say it all. Just the origins?

Sighing, I looked down and started to explain, "The first person to have chakra, she had special eyes. She passed those eyes down to her children, but they were slightly different. One child, he had eyes with rings around them. He had the rinnegan. The other child, he had the byakugan." Hinata gasped a little, but stayed quiet as I continued, "The one who received the Rinnegan, he had two children as well.

The elder was considered a genius, he had special eyes, and spiritual energies. The younger child, he received his father's body and physical energies, and gained power through friendship. Indra was the elder son, Asura the younger. His father, the sage of the six paths." Both of them were obviously shocked if their hanging mouths were any indication. Hilarious really, a gaping Uchiha. I needed that little amusement.

"The sage, he went around spreading the ability to use chakra, or so the legend says. I believe he called it Ninshu. But when it came time to pass on, around the time he had created the Bijuu, he had to choose one of his sons to continue his teaching. Of course he chose the younger son, his ability to gather people, and make friends was invaluable. The elder son, he obviously didn't agree. And thus started the feud. The elder son, Indra, he was the first Uchiha."

I looked at him, directly into his eyes as I said the next part. "The younger son, he was the first Senju... of which the Uzumaki are descended from." Shocked silence. All that I was met with from him. Then a nod, and a 'hn.' Seriously, what is it with him and 'hn's!

Looking over to hinata, I could tell she finally understood. "Yes, we are all related. The first Hyuuga, Uchiha, and Senju - of which the Uzumaki are descended, are all cousins. All descended from the woman who gave birth to chakra."

They were both quiet for a while after this. Obvious wonderment and stunned silence. Then a giggle. Hinata started giggling, then outright laughing. It was odd. Sasuke and I were just looking at her oddly, until she finally stopped.

"S-sorry. It's just, there were so many in our clans saying that our eyes gave birth to the other. And would complain about the other clan saying so. I just couldn't help it, hehehe. Both clans were wrong." No stutters. Amazing. And I couldn't help but giggle too. Sasuke just 'hn'd obviously...

Sasuke turned to me, question on his mind, and I felt a bit of dread. "How do you know all this?" Suspicion in his voice.

I had to play it off though. And make it a believable lie. So I just sighed, looked down, and tried. "I received a scroll from my parents. It had some of the history of our clan. Special jutsu and knowledge. And knowledge my mother had written down herself for whatever reason. I found some of this knowledge insightful, to say the least."

The 'hn' and 'I see' I heard in response was comforting. The ringing of the bell let me know school was out. 'How long had we been here?' - "Well, I guess we'd better head home?"

A few more minutes of talking, and we split off. Today had been a bit emotional, and stressful. I hadn't explained the entirety of the story, or even the complete truth. A little twisted too, though not much.

Sasuke actually started talking to me a little after that. And lost some of his arrogance towards me and Hinata. I guess knowing your origins are similar helps. He was really starting to open up again. Not by much, but it was a start. It was also highly amusing watching all those girls jealousy and envy of us. They had stopped physically trying anything after that first small attempt, and their rumors had done nothing, since those that really cared, or would care, knew the truth of the matter.

Shikamaru, I just watched clouds with, never speaking, something I could tell he enjoyed, and since I never really talked, Chouji just ignored me mostly, though he was curious at first, and had shrugged it off. Hinata and Sasuke had no care for the other girls, and knew what they were trying to do. And Kiba, he had stayed away from me - obviously still had a crush, but had no idea how to talk to me without riling me up - so rumors just passed him by.

There were a few days when I would see Mikoto picking Sasuke up, that I saw her looking intently at me. Recognition meeting her eyes as to who I was. There was regret for multiple obvious reasons, suspicion for what I can only guess for my interference in the massacre, and some other unnamed emotions going through my senses. But she hadn't approached me - probably caution on her part, both for my sake and hers. I knew I couldn't approach her safely until I had graduated.

And that was how my school life went from then on. Keeping my dead-last position, enjoying my few friends, and slowly training myself up in private.