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"The target has moved! Follow it!"

Three blurs jumped from tree to tree following one brown blur running away from them. The brown blur stopped and went inside a bush, making the trio of a blur surround it silently. Through the wireless communicator, the boy who wore dark red shirt asked, "Should I go in and get it?"

A boy wearing a blue turtle neck shirt shook his head even though the former couldn't see him. "No, not yet. We have to wait for Ren's order. Ren?" He called out. The last person cleared his throat and said, "What's your distance to the target?"

"About three meters above."

"I'm five meters away."

"Hmm... Shusuke-san, you will go in and intercept the target. If unsuccessful, Kanata-san and I will block every exit and confused it with clones if needed be. Then, you will once again attempt to catch it. Kanata-san, please make two clones."

The Uchiha boy felt his heart skip a beat before making two clones as silent as he could.

"In three... two... one... go!"

Shusuke jumped down and tried to catch their target. He did but was short lived when their target managed to slip through his hands. Three Kanata and Three Ren surrounded it. Their target held fearful eyes and Shusuke took this chance to finally grab it and secure its limbs so it can no longer hurt anyone, specifically, him.

"Does it have a red ribbon on its right ear for validation?" Ren asked through the communicators as he dismissed his clones. "Yup, it has a red ribbon." The Nohara sighed and said, "Capture Pet Tora Mission is a success." Frankly, I didn't think this would be our third mission for the day. Didn't the protagonist do this mission after a few weeks of being a genin? Maybe sensei is more of a slave driver than I thought.

This morning would be their fifth day being a Genin and Ren was disappointed when he realized they wouldn't be doing anything exciting at all but he doesn't mind. Like he said, helping comes naturally to him so he doesn't mind doing D-Ranks but it's still boring, to be honest.

Kakashi-oyaji said it gets better if he's patient so he's trying to be patient. Eita-sensei was waiting for them at the missions desk since he trusted them to capture Tora without his help (though, he just really likes paperwork, which horrifies the Hokage. Who likes doing paperwork?!).

Ren gathered the cat in his arms. He didn't know when or how but Shusuke and Kanata silently made him the leader of their team when Eita-sensei isn't around. He didn't know how the two Uchiha's decided this between them but they could have at least let him in on it.

Then again, he didn't think Shusuke is leader material because he tends to be short-tempered when angered and Kanata wouldn't give shxt about Shusuke's orders if he's leader and vice versa. "Man, isn't there a more exciting mission than this? We're like, just doing chores!"

Ren chuckled as Shusuke continued complaining. They reached the mission desk not long after and called for their sensei. They entered the Hokage's office and inside were the Hokage and Madam Shijimi, Tora's owner.

He found himself tightening his hold around Tora when Madam Shijimi saw the cat in his arms. Even he has a soft spot for cats (no, not just soft spots. He basically stops walking just to hold the cat. Stray or not.) and felt sorry for this cat he was holding.

"Ah, Team Twelve, I'm surprised you've managed to catch him this fast."

"Haha! It's because we're awesome!"

Ren softly nudged his boisterous teammate and shook his head. "We're in the presence of the Hokage, Shusuke-san. It's unsightly to act like that." He reprimanded the older boy. Shusuke pouted. Eita-sensei gestures for him to give Tora to the Madam.

With hesitant steps, he approached the woman while his gaze stayed on Tora. The poor cat was giving him a pleading look. He gave her a sorry smile. Come on, Ren. This is a mission. You have to give this poor kitty back.

Once he handed her to the woman, he hurried back to his team and hide behind Kanata. Ack! I want to take her back! He trembled slightly as he tried to keep in the urge to scoop Tora back in his arms. Both Uchiha sighed while Eita cooed at him.

What's so cute about him when he's trying not to steal the cat!?

The Yuki bowed and left the office after the woman gave her thanks. "Alright, all of you are free for the rest of the day. Let's meet agai— Ack!" He never finished what he was saying as tripped on air. His three students sighed. Having their sensei trip on nothing has become a daily occurrence.

Once Eita returned back to the mission desk, the trio walked out of the Hokage building. "So, what do you guys wanna do? I didn't think sensei will let us off earlier." Shusuke asked. Kanata and Ren thought about it when the latter suddenly remembered he has an appointment with a certain trio.

It's Saturday so they must be at home. "Ah, sorry, I have to meet someone." The pair of Uchiha's stopped walking and stared at Ren, who was giving them a confused expression.

Shusuke; Ooooh~ he's only five and he already has a girlfriend?! I gotta know who it is!

Kanata; M-Meet someone? Like, his girlfr— Gah! R-Ren would never have a girlfriend at this age, right?! Dammit, I feel like I'm some kind of lov— stop thinking, Kanata.

"Can we come?"

Shusuke and Kanata looked at each other in bewilderment. Ren looked at them and shrugged his shoulders. "Sure." He didn't know why those two kept acting weird but he did know that they were curious. The perks of being able to tell what they're feeling. Though, that was the only thing he could tell.

The walk to the Nara Compound was silent. There were guard duarding the entrance and he merely gave them a smile and a wave and let him entered. "Hey, do you visit here frequently?" Shusuke asked him. "Yeah." Ren went straight to the main house. I think Shikanai-san is babysitting Shikamaru-san right now.

He knocked on the door and it opened to reveal Shikanai with disheveled hair. "Oh, it's you. And those guys must be your teammates, huh?" It was a rhetorical question but he nodded anyways. "Hello, Shikanai-san. The one on your right is Uchiha Shusuke-san and on your left is Uchiha Kanata-san. Shusuke-san, Kanata-san, this is Shikanai-san, my friend."

Shusuke; Oh man, they're just friends?! I thought they're gonna go on a date after this or something and I was gonna stalk them.

Kanata; Phew, so they're just friends. Hmm... I wonder who else is Ren's friends? Wait, why am even relieved that they're just friends? Why did I even get worked up when I thought they were something else? Gah, something's wrong with my head.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Nara Shikanai." She yawned after introducing herself. He let the trio in, the two Uchiha's a bit uncomfortable. "Sorry but I can't be a proper host right now. Shikamaru is being a brat." They wondered who was this Shikamaru but decided against it.

They were led to a Shogi Room, and in front of one shogi board is a boy a bit taller than Ren but looked to be the same age as their little teammate. "Hurry~ nee-chan~"

"Hai, hai, I always lose anyway."

The Nara heir looked at her and saw three more people behind her. "Who're they, nee-chan?" Shikanai sighed as she sat down across from the heir while Team Twelve sat in a horizontal line in front of them. "That's Shusuke-san, Kanata-san and my former classmate that I told you about, Nohara Ren."

Shikamaru stared at them from head to toe, making the two Uchihas a bit uncomfortable under his analyzing gaze. What is with five year olds being scary?! They both thought as Shikamaru closed his eyes and returned his attention back to the Shogi board.

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Shikanai, when she first saw her friend's teammates, was wary. There had been a lot of rumors surrounding the Uchiha the last few years and two of Ren's teammates belong to that clan. Really, she didn't want to be prejudice but she can't help it.

While she was playing against Shikamaru, she made sure to keep a discreet eye on the trio. Come on, that Kanata-san keeps stealing glances at Ren. It's so obvious. Does he hate Ren or something? But they seem to get along well. Hmm... don't tell me that he's... interested in him?

Shikanai sent a glare at his direction, where only Kanata could see it. The Uchiha looked bewildered as she glared at him. He's older than Ren by seven freaking years. Almost a decade. Right now, Shikanai is more wary of this Uchiha Kanata because the way he steal glances at Ren makes him look obsessed at her friend.

And she's not having that. Nuh uh, she's okay with whoever Ren ends up with in the future but he's only five years old now.

Shikanai is wary of Kanata, not because he was an Uchiha but because he looks obsessed with Ren.

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Kanata was confused as to why this girl, Nara Shikanai, suddenly glared at him from the corner of her eyes while in the middle of a game. From the looks of it, he was the only one who saw her glower because Ren and Shusuke were oblivious to it.

He didn't even do anything to her. What made her dislike him so much all of a sudden. With these thoughts in mind, he took another glance at Ren. Gah, he looks so adorable. I wish I had a camera but that's too expensive. Maybe I can ask Okaa-san to take a picture of us? What shampoo does he even use? His hair is so shiny.

So yes, his obsession had leveled up and he kept these thoughts to himself. He would never, NEVER, tell these to anyone.

He'll take it to his grave if he has to.

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"Shikanai-san, where are Chomi-san and Inoue-san?"

"They're training in their clan jutsu."

"Then, if they are, aren't you supposed to be training, too?"

"... I do whatever I want with my time, brat."

"But then, you'll be left behind, won't you?"

"... what do you want?"

"Let's spar."

While the two we're talking, Shusuke, Kanata and Shikamaru stood on the sidelines, wondering what they were supposed to do. The Nara heir only sighed. "Go on, nee-chan. I'm just gonna go to sleep anyway." The young Nara yawned and lazily waved his hand as he left the shogi room.

"Man, what a drag that kid is. Let's go to the yard." Shikanai lead the way. As the two did the sign of confrontation, Shusuke and Kanata sat on the sidelines.

Shikanai analyzed her opponent but she didn't need to. She knew every single thing about Ren's style and vice versa. They were just waiting for the other to attack first. However, she knew Ren's patience is only so much and watched as he charged at her.

She effortlessly blocked every single of his weak attack. What's the point of attacking me when he knows he can't punch hard? She caught his wrist and pulled him down, pinning him. But as his face hit the dirt ground, he was enveloped in a cloud of smoke and was replaced by a log.

Dammit! His timing is impeccable. How hard has he been training? Just as she stood up, Ren appeared behind her and wrapped his thin arms around her neck with his legs around her waist. In his hand was a blunt kunai pointed at her throat.

Shikanai sighed. I should've known he'll come up with tricks. But for a five year old, Ren is amazing. "Alright, I give, I give. You make spars finish fast, don't you? Why is that?" The Nohara let go of her and jumped down while putting his kunai back in his pouch.

"Since I can't overpower an enemy or outlast him in a long fight, I gotta find a way to finish my fights fast. That way, I won't be beaten or taken down and I will still have the strength to heal my teammates. I've been working on it but I still can't take down Kanata-san or Shusuke-san."

Shikanai ruffled his curly hair and made it more messy. "I never want to fight you when you grow up, Ren. You'll make a scary opponent." The young boy beamed at him. "Thanks!" It was more to myself than him but meh. Now, before they go home...

"Can I talk to Kanata-san in private?" The mentioned Uchiha perked up from his seat while Ren tilted his head to the side. "I don't mind but you have to ask him, Shikanai-san." Oh, he doesn't have a choice, actually. Shikanai pulled Kanata by the wrist and dragged him to a secluded place where no one can bother them.

"Do you need something, Nara-san?"

"I'll be blunt with you. You're interested in Ren, aren't you?"

There was silence before Kanata's face exploded in redness. "Wh-Wha—?!"

"It's obvious." Kanata was about to defend himself when he found out he couldn't move. He peered down and saw a shadow attached to his own. "Now, I'll tell you this before you do anything..." Kanata gulped when he saw the dangerous glint in her eyes.

"We Nara's are usually lazy, you know? You don't want to see us motivated, when a Nara is motivated, we can destroy an entire platoon. Listen carefully, alright? If you ever make a move on Ren, you'll have us Naras, Akimichis and Yamanakas hunting you down. Okay?" Shikanai slowly raised her hand, making Kanata mimic her.

"And when we catch you..." Shikanai made a motion of slicing her throat with her thumb, making Kanata mimic her disturbing action. "... get it?" She deactivated her jutsu and yawned. "Well, that's if you make a move."

Kanata gulped and stared at her with fearful eyes.

Shikanai... is terrifying.

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The way home had been peaceful since his two teammate's home is on the other side of the village. He silently opened the door and went inside. It's been a tiring day and all Ren wants to do is take a long hot shower and sleep.

But then, he found Kakashi sleeping on the couch with his eyebrows furrowed. He stopped and approached his sleeping form.

"... -orry... Rin... -iled... you... -ito... -orry..."

Ren's heart clenched when he heard his father mumble those saddening words. This was his first time to see his oyaji be so vulnerable and sad. His tiny hand found its way in his father's silver hair and he started running his fingers through them.

Even though it defies gravity, Kakashi's hair is silky like his and it feels great against his fingers. After a few moments, Kakashi's face relaxed and he succumbed to his tiny fingers that were running through his hair. "It's okay, Kakashi-oyaji." Ren said.

"I'll never leave you." His father faced enough death of his loved one. Ren will make sure he won't experience something like this again. He'll make all the nightmares go away, even if it takes him years.

"I love you, oyaji."

"... -ove... you... too..."

Ren smiled and planted a kiss on his father's bare forehead.

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"A C-Rank?" Team Twelve asked their sensei in bewilderment.

"Yup! The client said he won't go unless there's a medic. Out of all the Genin teams, there are only two teams who has a medic. The other team besides us are away on their own C-Rank mission so we're given this one. It's simple, don't worry. All we have to do is to escort the client in the next town. She's just paranoid or something and wanted a medic."

"Hell yeah! A C-Rank!"

"You'll have to be thankful Ren is a medic, Shusuke."

"Don't be such a stuck up, masochist!" Shusuke suddenly scooped up their youngest teammate and planted several sloppy kisses on his face. "I'm so lucky to have you in our team, Ren!"

"Haha! An-Anyway, put me down Shusuke-san. I-I think I'm gonna thr— blegh." Shusuke stopped and stiffened when Ren vomitted on him. "I-I'm so-sorry!"

Kanata sweat dropped. This is gonna be a long trip... and put down Ren already!

Eita chuckled at his students but suddenly tripped on air even though he was just standing up. Kanata saw this and face palmed. Yup, this is gonna be a looooooong~ trip.

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A/n:

Topic: Nara-like Uzumaki

Yes, it's deleted because I'm frustrated how all the capitalized and italicized words are not in that format. I gotta fix it before I post it again. Sorry about that.

Topic: Pairings

I would like to know your thoughts about the pairings even though all romance will probably start in the future chapters. It will be a great help if you do so! If not, that's alright.

P.s. I've published Nara-like Uzumaki again.