oOXOo

"IT'S GOING DOWN FOR REAL"

OoxoO

"Onee-chan! Onee-chan!"

I turned, smiling down at Naruto. He ran up to me, Sasuke following close behind. "Oi, dobe! I was going to ask her!"

Naruto turned, sticking out his tongue. "As if she would ever go with you, teme!"

I blinked. "What are you guys bitching about?"

Sasuke blushed, looking up at me with those big, onyx eyes. "S-Seika-chan! / Onee-chan!" Sasuke and Naruto glared at each other. I sighed, putting my hands on my hips. "Geez… Just tell me already."

Sasuke pushed Naruto out of the way. "W-would you go to the Spring festival with me?!"

"Ehh? Nee-chan, go to the festival with me and not teme!"

"I asked her first!"

"She likes me more!"

"As if!"

"I live with her!"

"I'm cuter than you!"

"WHY YOU-!"

"BOTH OF YOU SHUT IT, YOU'RE GIVING ME A HEADACHE." I pressed my palm to my forehead, trying to clear my head. "When is this Spring festival thing anyways?"

"Next Monday, March 10th. It's a festival for the welcoming of Springtime." Sasuke answered, feeling all proud and stuff. Naruto glared at him.

Wait… Next Monday? I smiled. "Hey, it's on the same day as my birthday." I said in thought. Both boys looked at me, wide eyed.

"Y-you're birthday is coming up?"

"How old are you?"

I shrugged. "I lost count after seven. But I think… ten?"

"Only ten?!" Sasuke exclaimed. "Onii-chan is thirteen!"

Naruto grinned, grabbing my arm and leaning his body weight on me. "Onee-chan is so cool! She's ten and can totally kick Itachi's ass!"

I cringed. "Naruto… please don't yell that out loud in public…" People around us were staring, sending dirty glares at me for insulting their precious Uchiha prodigy.

Naruto turned, staring at me in confusion. "But… It's totally true, right Onee-chan?"

I couldn't just… admit that Itachi was better than me! My pride was stacked too high.

I rubbed the back of my neck. "We're both pretty good. Itachi is better than me at genjutsu and ninjutsu, but I bet we're close in taijutsu."

If I took these weights off, that is. The beautiful weights on my ankles that were increasing as I got faster. They were pretty heavy by now.

Sasuke's eyes lit up to me. "S-so… you're saying Itachi-nii is better than you." Ahhh my poor pride.

I sighed. "Yeah, yeah, rub it in…" I grumbled, turning my back on the two. "I'm gonna get some ramen for lunch, anyone wanna join?"

Naruto's eyes sparkled and I swear I could see stars around him. "R-RAMEN?!"

Sasuke scowled. "Dobe! You're too loud!"

"Shut up, teme!"

"Loser!"

"Duckass!"

I snorted, doubling over and leaning on my knees for support. Naruto grinned as Sasuke's cheeks burned with frustration. I remember the first time I called him duckass, Naruto laughed til he cried.

Sasuke frowned. "I-it's not funny!" He protested. I rolled my eyes, giggles escaping my lips. "You're right," I said, leaning forwards til I was an inch from his face. Sasuke's cheeks exploded with red, looking at me with those shocked, black eyes. I tilted my head, leaning til I was next to his ear.

"It's hilarious." I snickered, pulling away and taking off towards the ramen shop.

"S-SEIKA!"

"ONEE-CHAN!"

I laughed the whole way there.

oOo

"So Kaida-chan,"

"Hm?"

I shot a one-eyed glance at Tora, whose cheeks were as red as his hair. "The Spring festival is coming up…"

I sighed, him too? "Uh… huh…"

"And… I was wondering if…"

"Uh...huh…"

"You wanted to go-"

"KAIDA!"

Tora was knocked off of his feet, replaced by a very familiar looking Hyuuga male. Nakumaru stood in front of me, his eyes wide and lavender. I had met him while I was in the hospital and… befriended him in a way. He and Itachi were the main competitors for the 'race to get Kaida on our side'.

"Kaida-chan," He took my hands in his, staring into my eyes. I blinked twice.

"Would you go to the Spring festival with-" "OI NAKUMARU-TEME!" Tora growled, kicking Nakumaru away from me. I watched as Tora grabbed him by the collar, glaring into his eyes. At first, I thought they were going to kiss. But then lightning crackled between their eyes.

"Tch… Tora-baka. I was in the middle of something."

"I WAS FIRST, BASTARD."

I sighed, turning my back on them and walking off with my hands in my pockets. Seriously, what was up with these guys and the Spring festival?

oOo

"Itachi-nii!"

Itachi turned, staring down at his brother, who was running up to him. Sasuke panted slightly, but his eyes brightened when he saw his brother. "Nii-chan, I need help…" He said, his cheeks turning a nice, rosy pink. Itachi smiled, putting a hand on Sasuke's head.

"What is it, Sasuke?"

Sasuke blushed. "W-well… I wanted to ask Seika-chan to.. The Spring festival. Mum told me that I should invite a girl I liked… so…"

Itachi flinched at the name. And the fact that his brother liked someone like Kaida.

"I see…" He said slowly.

Sasuke shook his head. "I...I don't really have much of a chance… I heard Nakumaru-san and Tora-san were going to ask her to the festival too…" He said, slightly disappointed.

Itachi's hand twitched.

"Do you… like her, Sasuke?"

Sasuke nodded his small head. "Mhm… She's so cool and she doesn't stalk me like those other girls do… plus, she's really cute… I think it might just be a crush though.." The smaller Uchiha blushed, smiling at the thought of the white haired girl.

Itachi envied how Sasuke could just say his feelings out loud.

"I see…" He said.

"Nii-chan? Are you okay?"

"...Yes."

"Then why did you throw that shuriken into the tree?"

Itachi flinched. He had thrown something unintentionally?

He turned, looking at the shuriken, perfectly aligned in the middle of a strong, tree trunk. Oh. So he did.

"Just… practicing…"

"Oh. Okay. I'm going to ask Okaa-san for help. Bye, Nii-chan!" Sasuke chirped, hugging his brother before running off towards the estate.

Itachi stood there for a moment, taking a deep breath. He thought about Kaida, in a beautiful kimono, standing next to Tora. He clenched his fists, biting the inside of his cheek to calm himself down.

He could almost imagine it. Tora, with his hand around Kaida's waist, looking deep into those beautiful, blue eyes of hers, leaning in very…. Slowly…

Itachi groaned, covering his face in frustration. "This is… so stressful."

oOo

"ONE PUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNCCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH ONEEEEEE-CCCHHHHANNNNNNNNN!"

A white blur laughed maniacally, chasing a small, blonde haired boy on the training ground.

"ONEEEE-CHANNNN I'M SORRY! FORGIVE MEEEEEE!"

"BITCH, NOT WITHOUT PUNCHING THE HELL OUTTA YOU FOR STEALING MY DANGO!"

"SASUKE-TEME MADE ME DO ITTTTT!"

"I'LL KILL HIM TOO!"

"AHHHHH!"

Kakashi watched from the side, sipping his tea while leaning against a wall. He sighed. This was the girl he was supposed to protect? She was awfully… loud.

Eventually, she caught up to Naruto and tackled him to the ground. They both laughed like children, rolling on the ground while making snarky comments about the other.

Kakashi had to admit, he did not expect the dragon vessel to act like this.

The silver-haired ninja frowned. When Itachi had told him Kaida had no memories of her time in Orochimaru's dungeon, he didn't know what to think. He hadn't met Kaida before hand, but from what he had been told, she seemed to be a capable kunoichi. Her time in Orochimaru's dungeon would have changed that, if she could remember it.

He watched as a group of girls began to approach her. They exchanged a few words. Then Kaida stood up, in front of Naruto. She said some things that made the girls seem taken back. They began to yell at her, but she just stood her ground. Then… she brought out a kunai. Kakashi's eye widened. Was she going to kill them?

The girls began to back away, obviously beginning to fear her. The leader waved her hand in the air before turning and walking away. The other's sent a couple heated glares at her before following their leader.

Kakashi got up from his spot, beginning to walk over towards them.

xXx

I finally managed to tackle Naruto to the ground. We laughed, panting on our backs and staring at the sky.

"Haha… I gotchu… bitch…" I wheezed out. Naruto laughed beside me. "Yeah… Totally."

It was silent for a few moments, I shut my eyes in content.

"...Ne… Onee-chan…"

"Hm?"

"Why… did you befriend me? Everyone hates me for being a… jinchuriki.."

The thought struck me. How did Naruto know he was a jinchuriki? He didn't until much later in the timeline.

"Because they are more of a monster than you will ever be," I answered, reaching up and grabbing his hand. He stared at me, examining my face.

"You are not the jinchuriki you hold in your body. So how can anyone blame you for something you didn't do? It's like… blaming a puppet for something the puppeteer did. It's not your fault." I promised, squeezing his hand. He squeezed back.

"...A...Arigato… Kaida-chan…" He whispered. I smiled, feeling content with the world.

"By the way, how did you find out you were a jinchuriki?"

"Eh? Oh… Some guy told me. I don't know his name though. It was around the time I met you."

I frowned. That didn't happen in the storyline…

"What did he look like?"

"Tall. Blue hair. Super tan."

I bit my lip. No one I knew from the anime had that description.

"Onee-chan?"

"Yeah?"

"You never told me what you we-" "Well if it isn't the blonde LOSER and the white haired WHORE."

I shifted my eyes, looking at a group of five or six girls. The one in front I knew was Ami. The bully of Sakura's. But there, standing behind Ami, was Sakura. She was smirking down towards me, her green eyes casting victory down onto Naruto and I. I narrowed my eyes.

"So, I see you made some friends, Sakura-chan, I'm happy for you." I said, smoothly.

Sakura's gaze faltered, but returned full-swing in a second. "Shut up, whore. I saw you all over Sasuke-kun and told my new friends. We aren't happy."

I shrugged. "I couldn't help myself," I mocked, "He's just so dreamy and cool!" Naruto snickered, knowing I was being sarcastic. I would never fangirl like them.

However, they took it seriously. Ami stepped forwards. "You bitch! Stay away from Sasuke-kun!"

I sighed. "This is why I hate fangirls." I got up, standing in front of Naruto and looking down to Ami with the worst glare I could manage. She flinched.

"All of you are wasting you time," I said with a shrug. "Sasuke is my friend and there's no way I would ever give him up. Besides, he would never like any of you. He hates fangirls. And though you may look nice on the outside, you all are terribly ugly on the inside."

The girls glowered, some looked like they wanted to fight. So before they could, I took out a real kunai, spinning it on the tip of my finger. "Try it. I see the way you look at me and Naruto. If you take so much of a step towards either of us, I'll blind you with one slash."

Ami faltered, stepping back. The other girls did too, even Sakura. She looked at me, fear spinning in her eyes. I smiled at her. "Ya know, Sakura, I hope you're happy with these girl's. I wish you the best." I said, sincerely. Sakura scowled, obviously not convinced I would ever want what's good for her.

I smiled at the rest of them. "Now, get out of my face before I send you home in doggy bags."

They all shuddered. Ami was the first to turn around, motioning the others to do the same. So off they went, one by one.

I sighed, looking down at Naruto and patting his head. "I hate fangirls." I sighed. He nodded in agreement.

"Yo."

I turned, looking up at the marvelous Kakashi Hatake in all of his sexy glory. I've always had a soft spot for him. I whistled, looking him up and down. "Damn sir, you have a nice bod."

Naruto choked on his own spit. Kakashi only blinked.

"I…. did not expect that."

"Good. I'll keep you on your toes."

He sighed. "You're strange."

I gaped. "AGAIN?!" I leaned on Naruto. "Why do people keep calling me strange?"

Naruto deadpanned. "You're REALLY asking that question? REALLY?"

"Okay, okay, I get it."

Kakashi cleared his throat. "So… anyways. I'll be protecting you for a while. Just watching your back and such. Just in case. The Hokage thought it would be a good idea, seeing that you're-" "Ah. I get it." I interrupted him, "You can stay with us if you'd like. There's more than enough room. I just cleaned the other bedroom and we have a mighty fine couch."

Kakashi put a hand up. "There's no need."

I pouted. "Butttttt how else will I be able to molest you?"

Naruto began to choke again. "O-Onee-chan?!"

I snorted, patting him on the back. "Kidding… kidding… it's not rape if he enjoys it."

Naruto blushed bright red. "W-wha...what?" He sputtered, turning to Kakashi. "Y-You… you child molester!"

I lost my shit then.

oOo

"Onee-chan? Are you ready yet?"

"Gimmie a sec….. Done!"

I tied the sash of my royal blue kimono up, smoothing the silky fabric down. I made sure there were no flower designs on mine. Instead, there was a white dragon design stitched into the silk. The kimono was on sale, but it was pretty nice quality.

I had tied up my hair like Mikoto had shown me, using a blue flower hair pin to keep it up. I copied the eyeliner she had put on me, doing fancy wings at the corners and blending some smokey eyeshadow. I quickly put rose lip gloss on, before slipping on my sandals and rushing downstairs where Naruto was waiting for me.

"W-Wow! Onee-chan, you're a knockout!" He exclaimed. I blushed, smiling sheepishly at him.

Naruto wore a golden robe with a blue sash. Bright, floral designs were stitched into the fabric. He looked pretty handsome himself.

"Thanks, Naru-kun. You look nice too. Ready to go?"

He grinned, putting his hand on the door knob when all of a sudden,

KNOCK KNOCK

"Eh?" I blinked, opening the door.

Sasuke stood there, panting. He wore a dark blue robe with the Uchiha symbol on the back. He had his hair watered back and cute wooden sandals on his feet. Looking at him now, I forgot that we were all only 9-10 years old.

"Hey, Sasu-kun." I greeted. Naruto glared down at him. "Teme." He scowled.

Sasuke glared back at Naruto, but beamed at me. "S-Seika-chan! I wanted to go to the festival with you!"

"Too late, teme! She's already going with me!"

"Shut up, dobe!"

I sighed, grabbing both of their arms. "Fighting over me. How sweet."

Both of them blushed, looking away. I took both of their hands. "Let's just go. I don't wanna celebrate my tenth birthday with you two bitching all night."

"Oh!" Sasuke let go of my hand before shoving something into my arm. "H-Happy birthday, Seika-chan!"

I blinked. It was a small, dark blue wrapped box with a white bow. I smiled, turning around and running back into my apartment. I set it on the living room table before rushing back out.

"Y-you're… not going to open it?"

I shook my head. "I'll open it later. If I open it now, I won't have something to look forward to when I get back. Arigato, Sasuke-kun." I said, patting his head.

Sasuke beamed, happy with his accomplishment of pleasing me. Naruto frowned. "I-I forgot…" He mumbled. I nudged him. "It's okay. I forgot too."

"How do you forget your own birthday?"

"Dunno. Just kinda slipped my mind."

"You're so strange."

"NUUUU NOT AGAIN!"

oOo

The festival was beautiful, with shining lights streamed up over the stalls above the road. There was music, children running around, people going to the yummy food stalls and looking at festival goodies.

"Oooo they have fresh dango!" I squealed, pulling both boys over to the stall with me. The vendor smiled down to us.

"One pack of dango, please!" I chirped, handing him the money. He took it and handed me my dango.

"Dango, dango, dango!~" I sang, biting into one and letting the sweet, chewy goodness flood my mouth.

"You're so obsessed with dango, Seika-chan." Sasuke noted. I grinned. "It's my second favorite food, other than tempura. Tempura is like… the god of food and dango is Jesus."

"What's Jesus?"

"Nevermind."

"K-Kaida-chan!"

I turned, watching as Tora came rushing up to me. He wore a crimson robe with a black sash. Some of his smooth skin showed behind the robe neckline, making me whistle. "Tora-kun. Nice to see you again."

Sasuke tugged on my sleeve. "Why did he call you Kaida?"

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Cause that's her real name, duh."

Sasuke's eyes widened. "R-really?! Why didn't you tell me!"

I looked at him, shrugging. "Seika is my legal name in Konoha. Kaida was the name I was given at my birth. So in a way, they're both my name."

Sasuke frowned. "...I'll call you.. Kaida…" He said. I shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Tora put a hand on my head. He was a good couple feet taller than me. I frowned. Why was I so short?

"Hey Kaida-chan, how are you?"

I shrugged. "Okay, I guess. How are you, Tora-kun?"

"I'm better, now that I'm with you." He said, with a dazzling smile. I gushed, putting my hands over my heart.

"Oh you!~ Such a charmer." I grinned. He laughed nervously. "Hehe… well… Can't help it when there's such a pretty girl in front of me."

Sasuke held onto my arm tighter, glaring at Tora. "Back off! She's mine!" He said, defensively. Naruto grabbed my other arm. "Yeah! She's my Onee-chan!"

I cringed, slipping out of both of their grips. Tora began to tease them, making both of them argue back. Geezus. I really was a mary-sue at this point.

I sighed, escaping their holds and running off on my own. I loved both of them, but I just… didn't like being held every second.

"Can I assist you tonight?" I heard someone ask behind me. I turned. Nakumaru grinned at me, the look in his eyes made me sweatdrop.

"Er… uh…" I stuttered, trying to think of an excuse.

He opened his mouth, but I quickly opened mine.

"I have to pee."

Silence fell between both of us.

Quickly turned away, running off into the crowd.

oOo

I found a spot by the shrine on the staircase. The breeze was nice tonight, and it wasn't very hot. It was… the perfect night. The stars were shining and the moon beamed down on the pond besides the festival.

Something wrong, Kaida?

I sighed, hearing Kasai's smooth voice inside of my head.

"I dunno," I said out loud, "I kinda feel like… a mary sue. Or some likable little priss. It's not a bad feeling… I'm just not used to it."

I see, He said. You are unused to the feeling of being loved or adored.

I nodded. "Yeah… back when I was… well, me, people didn't like me very much. I was always outcasted and what-not. I didn't really care though. I had anime, my laptop, and the whole internet and ignore the world with." I lazily yawned, leaning on the stair above me.

Hm… Is this… possibly a reason why you want to stop the suffering of this world so much? As a repayment for helping you through… dark times?

"What do you mean, Kasai?"

Do not pretend with me, Kaida. I have seen your memories. Even the dark ones. The ones you hide away from even yourself.

I took a deep breath, shutting my eyes for a moment. Kasai trailed his ghostly fingers down my spine again, but now I found it almost comforting.

"...Yes." I finally breathed out.

He stopped moving his fingers.

"This… world has done so much for me. I feel like I should do something to repay it for helping me through so much. For letting me immerse myself in it and giving me something to invest myself emotionally with."

I smiled softly, looking up at the sky. "It's funny, I don't even know how I got here or if I even belong in this world. I've had this feeling that my old world didn't want me, so it kicked me out and brought me to this world. It's petty of me, I know, but… I can't help but feel like that."

"You're such an idiot."

I turned around, quickly. My eyes widening at the sight of the older Uchiha.

He wore a black robe with a red sash, the uchiha clan symbol stitched in the back like his younger brothers. His eyes gleamed into mine just for a moment.

I gaped. Had he heard all of that?

"Ita-" "Kaida."

I frowned. The way he looked at me… Was that pity in his eyes?

"Do not pity me, Itachi," I scowled. "You of all people know I hate to be pitied."

He nodded curtly, reaching down and taking my hand. I gasped, a bit shocked at his sudden movement. He pulled me up before pulling me into his embrace.

xXx

Kaida stayed frozen in itachi's arms for a moment, neither of them wanting to move from the other's warm embrace. Then, Kaida began to pull away.

Itachi's heart lurched. Was this too… out of character of him? He listened to her without making a sound. He heard about a small portion of her past and only wanted to know more. He wanted to take all of her burdens away like she had done for him.

But she wouldn't let him.

It was Kaida. She was willing to go through hell and back to protect any of them.

"You're such an idiot…" Itachi sighed again, "Stop trying to play the hero all the time. You have flaws too, remember?"

Kaida snorted, hiding her face into Itachi's robe. "Whatever… I'll stop playing the hero when someone else decides to step up."

"I guess I will then," He smirked. "Can't have you take all the glory, can I?"

Kaida scoffed. "Course you can. I deserve all the glory." She said, but not meaning a word of it.

Itachi made a move to slip away, but Kaida held on a bit tighter. "Wait." She said quietly.

"Just.. a bit longer." She almost whispered.

Itachi nodded, continuing to embrace her.

And there they stood,

Embracing each other,

Like children.

oOXOo

Chapter End.

AN: Here's some ItachixKaida fluff. This is not the definite ship yet. I'm looking into some other stuff.

WARNING: NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE GOING STRAIGHT INTO THE ANIME.

See ya then!