Hello people!

So I know this is super late and stuff and I apologize a million times

It has been one very hectic week

And I know that does really make up for the shortness of this chapter, but here is it!

It has been about a week since the Third Hokage's death. While the whole village has been worried about the next Hokage, my clan, particularly my family, has also been worrying about Sasuke, as we're his guardians. During his examination, we were informed that Orochimaru planted a Curse Mark on Sasuke, limiting his Chakra use. This has seemed to be quite problematic Everytime I visit him, we always lead back to the same conversation.

"I need to get stronger," he says every time. I stare at him as he sits in bed, his expression always twisted up into a sneer. What a strange child.

"Why?" I ask.

"There are too many people that are stronger than me, if I am going to avenge my clan then I need to get stronger, I need to be able to kill Itachi." I tense slightly at the mention of his name and the word "kill". Ugh, get ahold of yourself!

"You know, your place in the world isn't completely based on strength and power."

"You don't understand! My place in the world is to use my power to avenge my clan!" I shake my head. This kid is too obsessed with that topic…

I lightly clench his bed sheets. "Just promise me, you won't do something too irrational. Please?"

He doesn't answer, just glares at his own hands, like it's their fault. "I won't promise anything." He cracks his knuckles with a subtle, crazed gleam in his eyes. What happened to the boy I knew? And then he grins sneakily. "But I never said anything about trying, 'nee-san'."

I blink in surprise and smile. "Thank you, Sasuke." He never calls me that anymore.

"SASUKE-KUN!" Two annoying girls barge in, holding stacks of chocolate and flowers. Isn't that more appropriate to give to a female instead of Sasuke here? I am knocked off my chair, landing on my bum. "Oh my God! Are you alright?! How's your wounds?"

"Hn," is all he says and then sinks back into the bed, turning away from the two. At the blunt action, I give a small giggle. And how does this make girls swoon?

"How about you two let him rest? He's not exactly up for a conversation…"

"Awww…..…" He isn't some kind of attraction that you can visit...

"Yeah, besides I need to talk to him alone." Huh? Whoa! At the window, Kakashi sits at the edge of the window sill, book in hand. "This includes you, Mizuki."

The two girls pout and say in sickly sweet voices, "We hope you get better soon, Sasuke-kuuuun!" and follow me out, leaving Kakashi and Sasuke for another independent talk. God, I'm so happy I didn't act like them when I was their age.

As I walk out the hospital, I go into deep thought. What on earth will happen… Will Sasuke not be able to continue as a ninja? That will absolutely crush him. but that will also stop his desire to kill Itachi, right? Or it will make it worse. Ugh, boys are so confusing.

"Oi, MIZUKI-CHAN!"

I look up at the person that called my name. The village's number one knuckleheaded ninja (according to everyone) is sitting at Ichiraku's ramen stand, scarfing down bowl after bowl of ramen. "Yes, Naruto-kun…?"

"I got news! Me and the pervy sage are going to find one of the Third's pupils! She's suppose to be the greatest medic in the land!"

"Oh, really now...?" I reply, not really caring, with too much stuff on my mind. Naruto did not seem to notice my tone and continued to ramble on.

"Yeah! And after that, he's going to train me how to use a special jutsu!"

"Oi, Naruto! Don't go telling everybody, you might not even master the jutsu." An old man with long, spiky white hair and red markings on his face approaches us, the word Oil written on his forehead protector. So this is the famous Toad Sage, huh? He adds, "Especially random people on the street."

Naruto pouts. "Mizuki-chan isn't a random person!"

Jiraiya turns to me. "And who are you, young lady?" He eyes me strangely, particularly focusing on my chest, I feel a vein rising, ready to burst. If the man looks at me like that for another minute..!

I cooly reply, "I don't answer to perverts."

Naruto starts to giggle. "Oooooh, Ero-Sannin got told off. Hahahahaha!"

"Hey, Naruto, no need to rub it in…" The Sannin looks like his ego just broke down.

I clear my throat loudly. "Is there something you needed, Sannin-sama?"

The old man, nervously glances at me, taking a few paces back. "I-I came for Naruto. We're going now!" Before Naruto can protest, Jiraiya grabs Naruto by the collar and takes off in a dash to the gate, Naruto yelling that he didn't finish his ramen yet. Seems like he got my message. Well then, I guess I should go home. There's not much else I can do here…

The next day

Kakashi turns up in the hospital today, with his Sharingan eye in grave condition. Luckily the medics were able to give him treatment, but he would have to stay in the hospital for many days. As I enter the room, someone else besides the sensei is there. Sasuke. The two seem to be in deep conversation, but that doesn't last long as Sasuke then bolts out the room, with an expression I know too well. "Kakashi-sensei! What happened?!"

"...Itachi…" He murmurs in response. I facepalm myself. Now Sasuke's running straight towards him, huh? Totally the best thing ever to happen right now… How the heck is he even alive?

"Damn it!" I race after him. I run faster as I go, like a madman. "SASUKE!"

BAM!

Okay very short I know, I promise to make it up in the next chapter

I just need to clear my head a bit and I'll be back on track, so...

Bye-bye!~Grai