I don't know how much time passed, as I slept, cradled in this man's arms, but I do know, that when I woke, he was gone.

I shot straight up, the covers flying from around me.

"Dai?" I called, my eyes flickering details of the small, but cozy room, before flying to a door in the far corner. Then, confusion clouded over me, who was Dai?

It opened, and a familiar cinnamon eyed boy emerged, those same eyes sliding to me wit an expression . . . of pity? Why?

"Izumi," he said softly, and I was suddenly jerked back, into my memories.

Kaa-san, Otou-san, Haruki, I remembered. Tears streamed down my face, as I turned over, pulling the hand-made quilt over my shoulder, muffling my sobs with the pillow.

I felt a hand on my shoulder.

More footsteps.

"Izumi?" then a voice. "I'm Haruna Akiyama, Ren's mother. We took you in, and I know you are grieving, but my husband and I need to talk to you." her voice was soft, but not as soft as Kaa-san's.

I rolled over, sitting up.

"Thank you, Akiyama-san." I said numbly, wiping the tears away. "For taking me in."

She was tall, slim, had the same gingery-brown hair as Ren, but green eyes, and a creamy complexion, whereas the taller man standing behind her had Ren's skin tone, but blue eyes, and dark hair.

"I'm Hayate Akiyama, Ren's father." the man introduced himself, and kneeled down next to the small cot. "The Hokage wants to know if you want to stay with us, or be placed in the orphanage."

His eyes clearly spoke,here.

I tipped my head, feeling the dried tears stretch my skin.

My gaze slid to Ren, and he smiled gently.

"I'll . . . stay here, please." I said, wondering what I was going to do.

Haruki, Mother, Father, my death-list. And with that, I felt a steel cage grow around my heart, the door slamming shut with a shudder, and I trembled, before mentally adding a lock- and a key.

Taking a deep breath, I steadied my hands. My beige tunic flowed around my black legging clad thighs, as I walked towards the Academy.

Today was the first day, and Ren, Katsu and Aiko walked by my side, my wall of strength.

I had been practicing, ever since my family had been slaughtered, and I had improved with the kunai and shuriken, almost so I could nail the target nine times out of ten.

In fact, I had several strapped to the inside of my leg, and in other places that could be easily reached if attack at any point in time.

We pushed into the building, and I felt my eyes go wide.

He was here.

Shikamaru Nara, my favorite character, was sitting in front of me, yawning.

Taking a deep breath, I swept past the rest of them, my eyes picking out Naruto, Sakura, Ino, Shika, Shino, Choji, Kiba and Hinata.

I strategically choose a spot next to Naruto, and ignored the boy, until he nudged me.

"Hey! Who are you?" he asked, grinning.
I smiled. The goal was to befriend anyone who'd have a major effect in future. This was going to be a long term.

"I'm Izumi. Who are you?" I asked.

"Naruto Uzumaki, believe it!"

I grinned. "I do believe it, who'd want to lie about their name?"

" 'Zumi?" Katsu spoke, standing in the aisle.

I looked at the blue-haired boy, "Hm?"

He shuffled his feet, looking faintly awkward. "Can I sit by you?"

Naruto, silent until now, glared at him.

"Hands off, purple! She's mine!"

I felt my eye start to twitch. Not a good sign.

"I found her first!"

"So what? She sat by me!"

"And?!"

"So she's mine!"

I stood, my chair flying back and hitting the desk behind me.

"I BELONG TO NO-ONE!" I yelled, slamming my hands down and glaring daggers at both boys.

Call it my inner feminist, but even in my old life, I couldn't stand 'belonging' to someone, or being 'claimed'.

I turned a steely glare to Naruto, then balled my hand into a fist and promtly punched him in the jaw, following that up with a open-handed slap to Katsu's cheek. "If you want to live and have children," I said, stressing children, "You will never claim me again. I am no-one's. I am free."

The whole class room had gone silent, but someone was clapping by the door.

My gaze shot to the doorway, and my fists clenched, my gaze narrowed as my eyes searched for whoever I'd have to beat up this time.

Sasuke Uchiha stood by the door, smirking. "Now, I might just want to claim you," he said, leaning against the door frame.

I felt anger bubbling in the pit of my stomach, and I pushed past a dazed and twitching Naruto, and Katsu, who was clutching his cheek, a grinning Ren and the shocked stares of several others.

I put a sweet smile on, and walked up to the raven haired boy.

"Sasuke Uchiha," I said, my smile growing. "It's a pleasure, to-" and this was the part where I maybe-no, I did- kicked him in the groin. "To kick you," I finished, still smiling.

His features froze, and a strangled choking noise left his throat, as he toppled to the ground.

I strode back to my chair, righting it and sitting down.

Ino, Sakura and several others rushed to the boy's side, but he was already sitting up, glaring at me. Waving them off, he stood, trembling.

"You won't get away with this," he said, pointing at me.

I smiled back, cheerfully. "And if you come after me, your clan won't get the chance to be resurrected." I snarled, the smile sliding off my face being replaced with fury.

Naruto, who'd stood, blanched, his eyes rolling up in his head, and he slumped to the ground in a faint.

I looked down at him, then rest a cheek in my palm, sighing.

Sasuke limped to his seat, glaring at me. I waved, wiggling my fingers.

Then, my second favorite character walked in.

Iruka Umino.

Okay, friends, I'm going to be leaving Tuesday, the fourteenth, for a camping trip in the high mountains, so zero wifi. Sorry. Anyway, drop me a review, I love 'em, plus I've only gotten two. I want more. Please?