T& The Reason Is You.

TWO.

"I'll be able to protect the ones I love..."

s.e.v.e. .o.l.d.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Long black hair. Dark coal eyes. Tan skin. I was so... plain. Asuma has pointed out that I haven't been talking much lately... I don't really know why... I just don't have anything to say. I glanced at myself in the mirror one more time and sighed. I put on my normal outfit and walked down stairs. Brother was still asleep and Father must have left already. I opened out fridge and grabbed some extra rice balls we had left over and packed a lunch. Today was my last day at the Academy. Finally. One step closer to achieving my goal. I'll get a sensei and I can start training harder so I can become stronger. I'll be able to protect the ones I love...

"Sarutobi, Akira."

My father's voice rang out. I lifted my head and walked to the front of the room.

I showed my father and the three other proctors all the hands signs, I recited them as I went,

"Bird, Boar, Dog, Dragon, Ox, Tiger, Serpent, Rat, Horse, Monkey, Hare, Ram."

I made the sign for my Shadow Clone Jutsu: Ram, Snake, Tiger.

An exact replica of myself appeared next to me. I smiled and then released it.

Substitution Jutsu. Tiger, Boar, Ox, Snake.

Clone Jutsu. Tiger, Boar, Ox, Dog

Pearcing dragon fierce tiger. Tiger, Semi Tiger, Boar, Dog.

Dragon Flame. Rat, Horse, Dragon, Ox, Tiger.

I finished and bowed respectfully to all the proctors. When I lifted my head, I looked straight at my father and I seen the pride in his eyes. He smiled and held out my hitai-ate.

"Congratulations class. You are all now Gennin. Serve your village and protect your families."

That was my father's speech. Simple, yet effective.

All the children left the room and my brother walked in. He scooped me up in his arms and spun me in circles.

"Congratulations sis! You graduated the Academy! Welcome to the shinobi world!"

He put me down as I thanked him. Smiling at him I looked over at Father. He seemed to be in deep thought.

"Hey dad? You okay?"

My father just looked down at me and puffed his pipe some more. He started to walk out of the Academy and my brother and I just started at each other.

"Well whatever. Forget him. I'll take you out for your favorite, Yakiniku."

Dad and Asuma have argued alot lately... I don't think they know that I've realized. Asuma hasn't been seeing eye-to-eye with Father. He say's weird things like he wants to leave and go elsewhere... I hope he doesn't leave me. Father is rarely ever home as it is. How am I supposed to protect my brother if he leaves...? All these thoughts were swimming in my head. How am I supposed to get any sleep?

I woke up the next day and rushed to get ready. I wanted to meet my team and sensei as soon as possible. I hardly got any sleep because that was all I could think of besides Asuma wanting to leave. Father was gone, as expected and Brother got sent out on a mission late last night. So no one was there to wish me good luck on my first day... Oh well. I know what's expected of me.

I stepped outside my door and decided to take the roof tops to the Academy. That would be the easiest way. The people of Konoha were usually up early, training, shopping, etc.

I was jumping roof tops and right when I jumped to the next shorter one, I smashed into something. More like someone.

I shut my eyes and was bracing myself to hit the ground, except, it never came. When I opened my eyes, I was staring into a pair of deep onyx eyeballs. I blinked a couple of times and realized I was still being held. I looked down at his arms that were embraced around my small, 7 year-old frame. He must've realized it too and slowly put me back to my feet. Should I thank him? Of course you thank him, idiot. Him. Him being Itachi Uchiha. He's grown since the last time I seen him. I mean, I would hope so. That was a whole year ago.

My cheeks flushed, I could feel it. I bowed to him and said, "Thank you, Itachi-san."

"You're welcome, Akira-san, but please, call me Itachi. No formalities are needed."

I smiled up at him and said, "Well, in that case, Just call me Kira."

"I heard you're graduating today. Congratulations."

Itachi Uchiha just congratulated me. I flushed from embarrassment.

"Thank you, Itachi. I really must get going, or i'll be late meeting my new team and sensei. Thank you again!" I sprinted and jumped to the next building. I thought about looking back at him, one more time, but figured I shouldn't, wouldn't want run into someone again.

Before I could even walk into the Academy, my father was standing outside the door.

"Akira. I need to speak with you."

That's my father. 3rd hokage. Always serious.

"Okay father, but what about me team and my sensei?"

"You wont be on a team with any of your classmates that you graduated with. You're being placed under the supervision of Yoshihiro Takahashi. He's the sensei of Itachi Uchiha. I didn't see the need of you being held back by any of your classmates and Yoshihiro needed one more person on his team. So, two students that graduated at the top of the class have been placed under his care."

All his words seemed to be pushed together. Was that true? Top of my class? I wasn't aware of that.

"Itachi's been a gennin for a whole year, father. He's much more experienced than I. Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"With the supervision of Yoshihiro, you guys will be a great team. I have faith in you, Little One. Now, go. Training grounds 3 is where they're waiting."

Nothing more was said between father and I. There was nothing left to say. I turned the other way and decided to sprint to the training ground where my new Sensei and Itachi were waiting.