Chapter 3

Rejection and Acceptance

Life is hard. Without God, there is no way to overcome the trials which adorned the past life. Dad had cancer. Both grandmothers were lost within a week of each other a few years later. Every girl confessed to giving a firm rejection. Positioned as a leader amongst leaders for the growth of underclassmen both spiritually and practically, failure was the natural occurrence. No one truly held any respect, while my pride prevented me from reaching out my hand to ask for help. Instead of teens growing in positive communities, they were filled with parties and drugs from the desires to fit in and drowning the sorrows they couldn't contain. Not to mention, the first time speaking publicly about reaching near suicide in middle school to the point of planning out the day and time where; stories were shared and authenticity was fostered. Yet, the middle schoolers were left out this singular time for the weekly speaker. Although brimming with passion for sharing with them in particular. I said and did nothing. A few days later a young boy committed suicide. Then there was the rejection above all rejections post-graduation with a girl who I had liked for the better part of a decade, breaking the inner world's foundation for several seasons. Yet God stood through it all alongside me, pushing to share the hope filled in my heart. Whether the tragedies I've experienced are considered true tragedies is unknown, but without God I know I could not cope with the difficulty of this life.

Upon dying, despite longing for heaven, there was still the boyish wish instilled since birth to go on a grand adventure and be the hero of a tale. Whether, a dream upon dying or God granting the final prayer, I was now Kiba Inuzuka and future of the Inuzuka clan. As Kiba, more tragedy would occur, yet in this world a chance to become a hero like Naruto, the tragedy drenched hero who inspired many days in childhood. Thanks to Christ, a longtime yearning may be achieved. Even if no one knows, cares, or believes.

But the tragedy of this world remains. Whether a symbol of hope or merely being allowed to live out fantasies, Kiba Inuzuka has a purpose. I have a purpose. The lingering smell of death and decay persist in the half-woken state, clouding up the air to choke the nose of any hound not use to it.

Honestly, taking a life may be impossible. Ideals of adventuring and heroism remain, but there is also the precious value of life in all living beings. The pain of loss; would a ninja like Kiba be expected to enact executions for the sake of his loved ones while causing the heartbreak of others?

"It's ok, Haru", Anzu's voice said. "This one time is fine." A cold splash drowned the dream world, thrusting into reality. "Master, Kiba, it is good that you are awake", Anzu said. Haru shrieked slightly. Timid as always. "Lady Tsume has left for work already."

Haru and Anzu both stared at the ground, downcast in defeat.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know how to explain it to you", Anzu said. "There has been a massacre of the Uchiha clan."

No hesitation in the face of tragedy- in the face of death.

Hounds have a sixth sense, understanding the thoughts and feelings of their masters. Despite not being his master, a large ninken waited at the door with a deep stare longing to head for the heart of the smell wafting the brooding air. His name was Isogashi; he was an always observing ninken with wolfish features.

Isogashi gave a head nod.

Xxx

Tracking a bloodbath on such a scale as the Uchiha massacre is the beginning tracker's field day. Following the blood soaked air and stained walls painted a graphic scene for anyone approaching. Yet, no beginner would ever know how to navigate through it. Arriving at the scene would be easy, but forging a path to the enemy through the spilled blood of dozens, and possibly hundreds, of people is nigh impossible for a beginner. Concentrating on a specific scent with hundreds of other's is like a painting who has been covered with immeasurable different shades of the same color, which each stroke being its own unique shade, and then being tasked to track the source of a single individual stroke which may not even be found amidst the others. The compound was like this. Strokes of blood stained walls covered the houses, with mixtures too intertwined to really tell the difference in people. The wafted scent lingering in a cloud above the village was a fusion of all Uchiha, like a soup with too many ingredients to grasp and articulate an accurate discourse relating to its flavor. Yet, a tracker like Tsume is asked to perform these tasks with ease. She truly is formidable. Finding Itachi in this mess would be impossible.

The aura filled the surrounding homes and businesses surrounding the Uchiha. No shops were open. All the doors and windows were shut, but with onlookers through cracks in curtains and peepholes. Everyone was curious, but no one dared to enter outside in the circumstances.

Two shinobi stood in the Uchiha compound's grassy courtyard. One of the houses blocked their view of possible listeners.

"I hear the young Uchiha couldn't move from shock."

"Itachi slaughtered everyone. Anyone of that age would be terrified."

"They found him kneeling amongst the corpses. I can't imagine losing everyone."

Isogashi pulled. He wanted to leave. Across the way a few feet was a child, chest sliced open. The boy looked around the same as the academy's current first years, with the common Uchiha characteristics. Itachi showed no mercy in order to protect the people he loved.

Murdering a child was impossible. He was free of his family's crime. Can murdering someone thinking they will turn evil later and give into the curse of hatred defend the death of a currently innocent child? The child could have lived to become a powerful shinobi defending the village, innocent ramen shop owner, or the destroyer of nations because his bloodline gives him the opportunity.

The weight of the world rested on the shoulders of Itachi with this decision. Later this same weight transfers to Naruto. They are two of the shapers of the shinobi world.

Isogashi barked. He had begun running his way to the Academy. A large notice was left on the front door. The class was canceled for the day.

Xxx

The Inuzuka clan gathered once more, at the behest of all the leaders. Their room of deliberation was different than all the others. Underground from the living room, it was very simple to design and slightly chilly. The underground must have been large enough to encompass half the house in the area. No ornate rugs or wolf designs on the walls. A simple room with a large table for the clan families to gather, capable of holding everyone with ease.

All the family heads, Tsume, Gaku, Shiro, Jirou, Masaru, Kaori, and Hisoka. All of their families sat beside their leaders. Mischievous and angry auras spilled out the presence of everyone attending. Gaku's face was covered in dread with the slight sense of excitement and opportunity.

"The arranged marriage between Kiba and the young Uchiha girl is off", Gaku said. Separated as soon as the day had come to be promised. A future wife was already dead, and nothing could have been done to stop her from becoming one of Itachi's victims.

What was her name? Did she love her dad? What did she think of Itachi and Sasuke? Her life has been snuffed out, along with all good she may have brought. Without knowing her a single day, a slight sense of hope that she would be a good person filled the soul.

"Itachi has dealt us a serious blow to our clan's power", Masaru said. "We must find a new way to attain it."

"What do you suggest?" Hisoka asked. The woman's crazy peaked with emphasis as if making an accusation.

"Why are we focused on regaining power? The Uchiha have been killed. Shouldn't our focus be on avenging them?"

"Who gave you permission to speak?" Kaori asked.

"I'm the clan heir. Do I have to ask for permission to speak?"

"Excellent point, Kiba", Gaku said. "We must decide upon a new heir. We need a true Alpha."

"What?!" Tsume shouted.

"Your son's marriage has been canceled", Masaru stated coldly. "He provides no value to the clan's heir."

"That's bullshit, and you know it", Hisoka said. "He managed to tame Isogashi. The ninken respect him." Although considered nothing but crazy, Hisoka isn't one to put up with political jargon. "The hounds must decide if Kiba is worthy." Perhaps not.

Most of the ninken were outside resting, but four stayed with their masters for the meeting. Since Kuromaru could speak the common language, it defeated the purpose. The other three ninken rose up, each with a different look. The first was Jirou's, named Spud, a ninken resembling a black English Lab. The second was Masaru's Isogashi. The third was Hisoka's own ninken, Garu, who resembled a mastiff. All three of them set before the group.

"Excellent idea, Hisoka", Gaku said. "If you can understand these dogs, then you're worthy."

"He's an Inuzuka", Tsume said. "Hearing any of these dogs bark is like hearing everyday language." Gaku shook his head in disagreement.

Spud barked. He was happy, sounding slightly spoiled as if asking for food. The type of bark when a dog has a routine of being fed or given treats while currently being forced off schedule. A simple, single command bark with the joy of being a dog but holding expectations.

Isogashi howled. It was a short, low voiced howl. Curious about the circumstances, but annoyed as if it was pointless.

Garu whimpered. Briefly repeated whimpers for several seconds, high pitched which entailed very specific demands. Knowing the little bits about Hisoka, he likely wanted to fight.

"What did they say Kiba?" Gaku asked.

"Spud is hungry, Isogashi is annoyed, and I think Garu wants to fight me."

"That's good, but what did they say?" Gaku asked.

Tsume's face was pale, unable to look anything but the Isogashi. Hana had closed her eyes. Kuromaru nodded his head as if expecting to completely understand the dogs as everyone does with him. The dogs' desires were obvious. To not understand their feelings would be akin to not even being an Inuzuka, but their exact words as plain as the common tongue are impossible to understand. One day, it is expected to understand all these dogs perfectly. Formulating precise diction and syntax choice from the dogs was not only bordering the impossible but completely idiotic.

"I don't know. I just know how they feel. Doesn't that make sense?"

"Yes, but that is far short of the standards of a clan head", Masaru said. "I'm not even a shinobi, but I can hear them."

"It's decided then", Hisoka said. "We will pick a new clan head." Stripped of power before anything could even be done with it.

Hisoka was playing the same game but made herself out to be an ally to help encourage compliance. Political bullshit and the clan jargon of nobles. All the people here seem to only care about themselves.

"What about my son?" Gaku said. Most of the clan nodded in interest. Selfish behavior was obvious, and everyone played along. "Rokami, come here." Standing before the clan was a previously unnoticed boy, close in age to me. He had Gaku's brown hair but his mother's features with a cute boyish face. His eyes were a deep shade of green like the ruddy, lightly freckled mother behind him. "What did the dogs say?"

"They said, 'I'm hungry', 'why can't you leave me out of this', and 'bite me'," Rokami declared. The clan clapped.

"His latent abilities are unparalleled", Gaku said. "He will be the prodigy of this generation. An alpha male among alpha males." He clearly knows nothing of Naruto or Sasuke's capabilities. An Inuzuka being stronger than the jinchuriki son of the fourth hokage and the last of the Uchiha sounds ridiculous.

"You are all missing the point", Tsume said. "We can't avoid having a main family clan head for multiple consecutive generations."

"I'm very sorry, Tsume", Gaku said. "You're absolutely right." Gaku took a sip of tea. "Perhaps Tsume's family doesn't deserve to be the main branch anymore."

Everyone whispered to their neighbor around them, like a teacher announcing a pop quiz worth ten percent of their grade. As the noise continued, it grew into loud yelling about abhorrent disrespect of Gaku's to the failure of the main branch in decades.

"Please everyone, calm down", Gaku said smugly.

"There are many formal actions to hand over my nobility as leader of the main branch", Tsume said. "The most important is consent."

"Without your consent, the disrespect you show the rest of the clan will surely be the death of the main branch", Gaku jested. "But you are the main branch. Surely, you are the strongest. A competition might be the best course of action?"

With a single phrase, one of the longest arguments between the seven clan heads erupted into a tsunami pounding its way onto a town without storm peace. Fallacies where all over the arguments. Personal attacks were the most frequent, especially with Tsume challenging the effectiveness of a war veteran missing multiple limbs at teaching his son combat or imparting the proper genes into making a fine warrior. Gaku challenged Tsume's legitimacy as a woman. Hisoka and Kaori were both up in arms about his blatant sexism but agreed by declaring Tsume to be a mere housewife in a shinobi's headband. Masaru promised to pay off the Inuzuka debts, but every family head refused to be in debt to him. Jirou declared he was worthy to be the heir since he was young and close to his prime, but shut down readily by everyone, save Shiro.

"Will you children stop arguing?" Shiro asked. After hours of argumentative deliberation, the childish name calling reminiscent of the Academy seemed to finally stop. "We should determine the clan head as we always have. The strongest of us will fight."

Gaku smirked.

"What do you propose?" Masaru questioned.

"A tournament of strength", Shiro suggested. "Each family head will select an heir to participate."

"Rokami must be allowed to be a ninja before then", Gaku demanded.

"Of course, he must", Shiro said. "Kiba too, along with all possible female heirs."

"If only I was twenty years younger", Tsume joked. Joke all she wants, Tsume probably would have kicked everyone's ass.

"Women cannot be the clan head", Masaru said.

"Agreed", Gaku said. "It is unprecedented by tradition."

"Enough with your childish gripes", Shiro said. "Before, no woman led the clan for no woman was an alpha. Stop resorting to pointless arguments. The alphas will lead. If your son is weak, he is unfit to lead. If a young girl is an alpha, she will lead."

"Each clan must submit their choice", Shiro said. "When the last become a shinobi, the competition shall be decided." Gaku placed Rokami forward instantly. The rest talked amongst them.

Tsume bit her thumbnail tenderly, only staring back and forth between Hana and I. An awful game of, "which child do you have more faith in." Hana is the known quantity, along with being a genin already. Far more time to prepare. At worst, Rokami is a natural prodigy. Under these circumstances, having the ninja with far greater battle experience is a wise choice. In addition, Tsume wants to be the clan head herself. Hana understands that frustration with her.

"Are you ready yet?" Shiro asked impatiently. "My joints hurt."

"Yes", Jirou said. "I put forth my daughter Hatsu." A wild brown-haired girl, as stereotypical as any Inuzuka woman, likely still in the academy. Shiro nodded, expecting the decision with ease since she was his only child.

"I put forward my only begotten son Akira", Masaru stated. "He is near the others' ages." The boy stood fairly tall, with brown hair and calculating eyes.

"I'm putting forward my eldest daughter Koko", Koari stated. "She only has two years left before graduating." The girl stood straight, with raven hair and dark eyes. In an odd light, she appeared a slightly taller twin of Haru.

"I'm putting forward Midori", Hisoka said. The girl stood slouched over slightly, with red hair and a demanding face. "She's graduating this next year." The other two adoptive girls appeared slightly shocked but pleased at her choice.

"Hana", Tsume said. "I choose Hana."

The night infested crickets chirped through the walls, singing their silence shattering loneliness into the lower room. The choice is heartbreaking. Gaku and Masaru both came to near laughter at the pathetic retconning of the alpha choice, while Hisoka and Kaori both audibly giggled at their tiny success of overthrowing hundreds of years of patriarchy. The main branch was defeated in their eyes. The system was destroyed.

"How can you not select the right heir?" Jirou asked. "How can you not pick your son?"

"I wish to stop the rule of men-"

"You're projecting your regrets and inability onto your daughter", Jirou stated. "He's befriended the jinchuriki! Do you think he's unwilling to make his future daughters the clan head?"

"You don't understand!" Tsume roared. She was standing now, feat cemented into the floor. "None of you men understand how we are treated. If women are given power merely because a man says it, another man can take it away." Tugging on her sleeve brought her attention.

"Mom, you don't need to defend yourself. They won't understand."

"What won't we understand, brat?" Gaku said. His lips curled on the final word as if each moment of excessive emphasis brought another victory to his son and failure to his enemies.

"You won't understand how you've hurt her. None of you care. You won't understand until you realize you've been broken."

"I've lost limbs", Gaku said. "Please tell me how you've been broken and I have not."

"Everyone is broken and lost. Scars trampling over their heart. But when people deny the truth, they reject having genuine relationships."

"Being lectured about the world by a child", Gaku said placing his tea down. "You know nothing, Kiba Inuzuka." Calm. No need to talk more. Getting angry only leads to worsened relationships. There will be a time and a place. "Now, on to the next subject".

"I haven't picked my heir, yet", Shiro said. All the clan heads laughing.

"You have no one left, old man", Kaori said slurping his drink. The cracked wood rattled beneath the old man's gentle laughter.

"I never required them to be in our own family", Shiro said. "I'm a family head, so I should pick too."

"Fine, pick your champion, Shiro", Gaku demanded.

"Thank you, clan head", Shiro said. "I pick the broken child. He will be my champion." Gaku rolled his eyes. "Is that fine young man?" Certainly, the elder is joking. But he is sitting with a gently stern face, showing no remorse nor insinuation of jests. The opportunity to lead the Inuzuka clan, is that wise or feasible? Inuzukass are wild and fierce like the beasts they fight with. For once, it is critical to perceiving the consequences of the decision, yet it must be made quickly without time to analyze. Before, accepting Tsume's request was done forcefully. Now, every fiber is screaming in terror with the choices laid out. To be a ninja requires violation of the beliefs held so dear, yet to deny the shinobi life is to run away from the dreams of youth.

Dad, I don't know what to do.

"What are you mumbling to the ground about, boy?" Gaku asked. Smug as always. The man wants power for himself, and for his son. To his very core, he is selfish, as with all of humanity including myself, but the manner which he carries himself is that of a corrupted senator believing he has all cards in his hands. He tries to be sneaky in a group of his kin when he should place them first above all. But Tsume does as well to an extent. What gives anyone the right to be nobility or the main branch of a family, apart from the self-sacrifice in their souls?

"I am praying."

"Oh?" Gaku questioned. "Only children believe in fairy tales. The gods are no different. You are searching for which doesn't exist."

"Gaku, he's a child!" Gaku's wife yelled. But she was wrong, although right in comparison. The early twenties is a child to a man well into his forties or fifties.

In a world without the very faith which makes up the fabric of my inner being, I do not know what my purpose is. But there is the lingering sensation. The desire to be a hero. From this desire, it has two roots. From the flesh, there is the desire to be worshiped and recognized. Heroism, in this place, is centered entirely on selfishness. Yet, there is a place for good which recognizes the desire as well. The desire to protect those God has placed under me. Become a living sacrifice to pour out the soul and bless others. It may be a different world, where no one recognizes the faith which lays the foundation of my person, but the purpose remains the same. One's purpose doesn't change with any life after death but merely changes shape to be understood in a manner previously not understood. In a world without God or the authentic and loving communities driving life forward, he asks the same: seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with him. For my soul's duty is to give itself to help the broken and love God. Becoming a shinobi, a hero, a clan head, a kage, or even something greater is merely a means to fulfill the purpose of old.

"Shiro, I accept your request. I will be your champion."

"Thank you, young Kiba", Shiro said, taking in a final sip to his tea. "Perhaps there is hope yet. I've had enough of this for now. We will speak later as the time nears." For an elderly man, he walked nimbly. A strength was in his step from the years of service to Konoha. He walked to the stairs for the main hall with an ever present smile on his face, not from the events or circumstances. A hopeful grin was the gift of his gab, never wavering in the face of opposition, merely being turned off by a switch when there is need of it. Truly, something is odd about the man. Maybe something even dangerous or ominous, but he is kind.

"Now, to talk about arranged marriages", Gaku said. "With Kiba's over, we should start sending messages out for the next heir's spouse."

"Quit your bullshit", Kaori said. "You're not even trying to be subtle anymore."

"The spouse can't be set in stone", Tsume said. "We can discuss marriages when the heir is decided." For one of the rare times that evening, everyone agreed on an issue against Gaku.

"If the heir is a boy, we should discuss the options of creating a harem to increase the chances of producing males", Masaru stated. Which sounds like a crappy fan fiction that's fun at first, but has no legitimate reasoning to it. Wonderful to hear the powerful still think they can pass around women like objects in any world.

"No", Tsume, Hisoka, and Kaori growled in unison.

One by one, the clan members left until only Tsume remained. Even Hana sprinted towards her room with mom remaining down stairs. Tsume shook silently, like the quiet taps on a thin metal, where the outside appeared light but beneath a heavy storm took place. Her eyes were wet and cheeks were red. Although desire is noble, approaching a tearful mother is the single hardest task in the world.

"Would I really have to get a harem? I don't think I want one. I can barely handle you as my mom." Jokes are the only salvation.

"Sit down", Tsume commanded. If love is a body, obedience is the muscle.

"Yes, mom?"

"When did you change?"

Her words peered through the unusual murky waters of a child's soul. A fish used to feeding and living in a clean pond now forced to live in a dirt filled stream ever forcing forward, pushing it's away against the natural flow. Other fished passed her words, but she alone managed to swim upstream.

Tsume groaned.

"You try to grasp my feelings, are unable to understand our ninken, prayerful, and managed to befriend Naruto fully knowing who he is", Tsume said. Her words slowed. The soldier who lasted excessive combat where their hand was unable to shape anything but the holding of a sword, now finally managing to rest, pain with the realization home is far different than remembered. "My Kiba would never do any of those things. When did you change?" Caught. Finally caught.

"Well, I can't fully understand your feelings as a boy. I know you're stronger than Gaku, and I know I'm-"

"How could I not notice my son change?!" Tsume cried out. "What happened?"

"I don't-"

"I've done nothing to help you grow", Tsume cried out. "You've changed without me." Tsume jumped forward, tears streaming down her cheeks and runny nose, into a hug tackle. "I'm sorry I've neglected you."

Tsume's touch held a refreshing tender warmth, like falling asleep on a cold night to wake up perfectly wrapped in a comforter with the new morning's heat kept outside while the past night's remaining chill seeped into the heavy cloth's protective layer. Her rough hands had a gentle caress, like a soldier who has adjusted to everyday life with those they fight to protect. The bosom was spongy, like the morning after a tear-filled night holding a soaked pillow performing its due diligence. Her cheeks were flushed red, embarrassed liked a mocked child's failings haunting her every day. The nose was sharp but small, like an emergency pocket knife of a soldier. Above all, there were coffee colored eyes filtering out the deep brown with the cleansing tears screaming the pain and joy of every moment she had ever lived, hoping to do better than those before her, recalling the times she was rejected by boys as a young woman but accepted by her former husband, rejected by the clan but accepted by her children, and rejected as powerful clan shinobi but accepted as a jonin from the third hokage to protect the joyous acceptance incurred at the hands of those who rejoiced in her company. All her scars opened into fresh wounds of vulnerability bleeding out for the sake of what is good.

"Even when I fail, I will always love you", Tsume said. "Even when you mess up, I will love you. Even if the heavens and earth fade away, I will love you. You are my son. No one else's." The world passes into darkness, in the light of being embraced. Her love was authentic as any other mother's, but her honesty and vulnerability were like jumping into a pool with unknowable depths. A slight push from behind almost ruined the moment.

Almost. It was Hana. She was hugging too with tear soaked cheeks. Nothing which she said was intelligible, but it was sincere.

Rejected by Gaku and possibly everyone else, but accepted by Tsume and Hana as their family. All three of us cried that night, but to call the sounds of the Inuzuka cries when it turns into non-understandable gibberish is less a cry and closer to howling and wailing of wolves at a full moon lit night.

Xxx

School restarted the soon, but not until the following week did Sasuke come back; moody, edgy, and slightly shallow at first like the cartoonishly biased stereotypes made him out to be. Like any human being, his angst eventually subsided behind a mask of despair no one else was allowed to see. Talking to him was difficult since he would physically remove himself from the scene whenever an attempt was given. If someone whispered to him in class, he would respond with quiet snide comments or ignore the person outright. The silence was the solution he entertained most often since it was the mask her whore. Not to let the pain he suffers be apparent to all, he locked it inside. Losing his family places the weight of the world on his shoulders, but a distance was created by him which made it hard to see him as anything but a lifelike copy of his characterization.

The class was difficult once more. Learning more about how chakra work and ninja tactics are easy since it is more school work for children. Relationships are hard. Naruto was a friend, but now Sasuke is at odds with everyone. The next day would be no different.

Iruka stood slouched over, with the pains of an old man.

"Takabe dropped out of the academy and moved outside the village", Iruka said. "It was sudden. He will be missed. But we have a new student as well new to the Hidden Leaf. Please introduce yourself."

A tan skinned girl with a tomboyish appearance walked in. She had neck-length mint colored hair with an orange clip and a bright smile like Naruto.

"My name is Fu", the girl said. "I hope we can be friends."

Chaos. The world is chaos and not canon. Never was this meant to happen. Fu is meant to stay in the Hidden Waterfall and die at the hands of the Akatsuki. To be fair, Gaku and the rest dealing with the Inuzuka hardly seem canon, nor was befriending Naruto. Can a small ripple cause the tear in the timeline? Entering this world caused a petite flash point; tiny little differences everywhere that will amount to monumental change.

"You can't change how someone treats you, but you can change you react", Iruka sighed. Naruto had played a prank. No one was laughing except Fu, who was on the ground from lack of breath.

Iruka had a point. Life changes in an uncontrollable way, but the only say a man holds is his response. No point in becoming anxious.

Xxx

After school time was a bit different with Fu at the Academy. Her happy go lucky attitude was infectious to the boys, especially Naruto. Not only was she the first girl to play ninja, she convinced everyone Naruto was a blessing to have. The work put into Naruto to help him through his struggles was practically pointless. Fu succeeded in minutes what took months.

"Let's all be friends", Fu said, covered head to toe in dirt. Worked like a charm for her.

Sasuke was another story. He sat on the grass overlooking Konoha's river after school. He refused to be included. When girl's bothered him, he would be cold. Somehow it would drive the young girls crazier. Once again, he set his gaze upon the water like a hawk patiently searching for a fish to near the surface.

"Hey, Sasuke." He turned to look but shifted back to the river. "How are you doing?"

"How do you think?" Sasuke said. Progress.

"Probably crappy. You want revenge, while everyone still acts like children." Sasuke gazed over from the corner of his eye. He took long excruciatingly awkward pauses. For a bad boy all the girl's liked, he would make horrible first impressions in any other circumstances.

"How would you know?" Sasuke scoffed.

"I wouldn't understand your pain. I know you feel alone and hurt though. Being betrayed by family is tough."

"I want to kill Itachi", Sasuke said. He crossed his fingers like a master manipulator contemplating plans for world domination.

"Want me to help you?" Sasuke fidgeted quickly but froze still like an ice-covered statue.

Sasuke spoke no response, but his eyes asked the childlike questions from the last grain innocence in his heart.

"I was the heir to my clan. After hearing several of their talks, it seems they all hate each other and want power for themselves, save a couple. When your family was killed, the next day they determined I was unfit to be their heir- which I might be. The current families all want to take over the minuscule nobility owned by the main branch. Not to mention, I was pledged to marry an Uchiha girl our age. I was a means to an end of power. Nothing more."

Sasuke continued to stare at the river before him, his gaze shifting in bits.

"What was her name?" Sasuke asked.

"I was told she was Fugaku's daughter." Sasuke nodded his head forward.

"No, you cannot help me", Sasuke said. "I have to do this alone."

"Like hell, I'll allow that", Naruto shouted from behind, arms crossed. Fu was beside him. "Let Kiba help you!"

"What?" Sasuke asked. Sasuke was standing, ready to leave, but Naruto ran towards him. Fu was an inspiration to Naruto. A hell of the last couple weeks for such a strong divergence.

"I don't know why Kiba can't help you, but it's stupid to say no!" Naruto shouted. "He thinks of others. He probably wants you as his friend." Naruto's face was nearly pressing against Sasuke's. Slightly homoerotic sight for two eight-year-old boys. "I want to be friends with you too! Let me help!"

Sasuke's pale demeanor turned into a rosy blush.

"An idiot like you can't help me", Sasuke said. As Naruto began to walk towards Academy once again, Sasuke followed without hesitation. Naruto raised an eyebrow, for not even Naruto could accept this as normal. "I'm not following you because I want to."

"It's ok if you want to be friends", Fu said. Her smile was brighter than Naruto's.

Sasuke stopped in his tracks.

"Naruto, promise me you'll help avenge my clan", Sasuke demanded.

"Sure", Naruto said.

"Promise like you mean it!" Sasuke shouted. Never before had anything left Sasuke's mouth sound sincerely vulnerable.

"I promise to help you, no matter what", Naruto said. "I won't go back on my word."

"You'll have to be strong", Sasuke declared. "Stronger than anyone else."

"I'll become the hokage then", Naruto said. "I've been thinking about it for a while now. I want the village to acknowledge me. I will become Hokage to be acknowledged by the village and help you."

Naruto stopped.

"What am I helping you with?" Naruto asked.

"I want to avenge and rebuild my clan", Sasuke said. "I need to kill my brother. Can you help with that?" Naruto smiled. The blue orbs for eyes he had were drunkenly shaking with fear, but his words only seemed excited.

"Sure", Naruto said. "I will become Hokage and help you avenge your family."

"Pinkie promise?" Sasuke asked. Naruto walked over to him and stretched his mighty pinkie.

"Pinkie promise", Naruto said. A strange sight. Very strange. "Let's go play already!" Grabbing Sasuke, he yanked him along with Fu behind them. Things turned out too happy, but perhaps it's for the best, although Sasuke certainly seemed off.

Xxx

The entire clan was outside the manor's gates, quivering and cringing from the faint shouting from the house. Mom and Hana were nowhere to be found.

"Ah, Kiba", Gaku said nervously. "You might want to head inside." Far kinder attitude than the previous interactions. Whatever stick shoved up his butt has been removed, at least temporarily. Honestly, it was a tense situation to deal with. No one was their best self that day. He wants his son to be in the best circumstances he can give, as does everyone for their children. Perhaps it's too soon to judge what everyone is like.

Gaku was sweating anxiously. Whatever was happening scared him immensely.

Approaching the door, the shouting was getting louder.

"It's been two years!" Tsume shouted.

"I'm sorry sweety, I've been busy!"
"Bullshit!" The sounds of vases breaking followed.

"I said I was sorry!"

"And what did you bring to make it up to me?! A jinchuriki to ease off Kiba's pressures for befriending Naruto?! How could you ignore me while talking to other Inuzuka?!"

"I wasn't ignoring you per say."

"Kiba's not even the heir anymore! The family heads removed him! A competition is being held for the next heir!"

"I didn't hear that until I got here."

Here was the grand door with the shouting on the other side, slightly open. Thrusting the door open was Tsume talking a slim man in his late thirties, with nicely defined brown hair, two red fang tattoos, and formal appearance. Hana stood to the side biting her thumb, witnessing the events first hand.

"Kiba, help me!" The man hid behind me.

"Don't help your father, Kiba!" Tsume yelled. Her knuckle cracking echoed through the house. "He won't be running away this time."

"He's my dad?"

Tone shifts are powerful. The man slouched over in disgrace, while Tsume laughed maniacally.

"Yes, he's your dad", Tsume said. "Maybe Kiba would recognize his father if he was around."

"I've been serving the feudal lord of the land of fire!" Father said.

"No excuses, Miyu", Tsume said. At least he finally has a name.

"Leave now", Tsume said. Miyu stepped forward and grabbed both of Tsume's flailing arms.

"I know you don't want that", Miyu said. He kissed Tsume; it lasted for a few seconds with church tongue. She whimpered before the thin framed man. Definitely, this is the strangest sight of the day. "I'll be leaving in a couple days on a mission. Let's stay and catch up. Spend some time with kids."

Tsume looked weak and unsure. Hana was contorting his faces into smiles and frowns.

"No, not after last time", Tsume said. "Leave. You can't stay here. Cheat on someone else."

A ninja is one who endures the trials of life. No matter how difficult, how impossible, they must learn to endure and overcome. Perhaps some kill for the sake revenge like Sasuke, others murder for money like Zabuza or Kakuzu, while others seek to protect. I wish to be a protector. Protecting those who need it, no matter the cost. A hero's life is for self-sacrifice.

"Mom, please let Dad stay for a little a while."

Xxx

A/N: Chapter 3 is complete! Let me know what you liked and disliked. I appreciate all comments. If you can't tell, I'm a Christian. If you dislike reading the faith based thoughts, that's fine, but they will be a relevant part of the story. I haven't read any SI about a kid who must seriously contemplate his religious beliefs in a new world. I thought it would be interesting to keep as a theme, particularly in a chapter that starts off with the Uchiha massacre. If you dislike the faith stuff but enjoy the rest, don't worry, it won't be a focus all the time.

This chapter was very difficult for me to write since it was heavy dialogue. I feel like it's really bad, but I had to complete it sooner or later. I'll probably edit this a bit, and then go on to write Chapter 3 of my OC Senju story. If anyone has tips to better the dialogue, feel free to let me know. I would greatly appreciate it. Feel free to guess some of my future canon changes too and how the SI will react to them. I like to throw curveballs.

Have a great day guys! Sorry for the long author note. Please follow, favorite, and review if you enjoyed my story. :D