Ok...I'm really really reeeeaaaaalllllyyy sorry for the long wait and can only say that I struggled with this not-a-filler chapter and didn't like it until now... T.T So I'm really sorry! But here it finally is though. But as a 'warning' before the warning, it might not seem very important but I plan it to be important... think links and such :D

Warning: Contains old memories, angsty traits and a on-the-brink-of-crying Naruko, you're now warned!

I sighted, and rubbed my right eye as I sat down on my bed. It was already three week into the month long preparation for the third and final part of the chunin exam. Naruto had gone off with Ero-Chichi, Kakashi had left to a mountain area outside the village with Sasuke, and I had taken on training Sakura. The purple-ish light shined into the windows of my little apartment, painting the pale walls pastel purple. I had gotten home from training Sakura just a few moments ago, and even though I didn't do anything, I was dead tired. I lay down, my upper back leaning against the wall. My eyes closed and I soon found my mind blank, only faded memories remained…

"Ichi!(1)" A young Uchiha turned around, and glared at the brunette who twirled long bangs around her fingers. "What?" His voice sounded sour, and his coal black eyes sent her cold glares. She giggled as she walked onto the training ground. "How's your training going?" He sighted, and turned his head to look at the trees behind him. It wasn't a single one that hadn't a kunai in the trunk. "Better." The brunette chuckled and threw her shoulder-length bangs behind her shoulder as she walked up to him, and rested her chin on his shoulder. The Uchiha tried in vain to shrug her off, much to her amusement.

"That's good Ichi, how big is the percent?" The boy sighted and got out a single kunai and looked it over. Seconds later, it crashed onto one of the many bulls' eyes in the training ground. "96, but still too bad." She sighted and turned the boy harshly. "Ichi, that's not something to be displeased about. Yes, it can get better, but if you continue to learn too much, too fast… you'll end up getting arrogant and selfish. You might even end up as the next Uchiha Madara. 'Cus power, floats right up to your head. It clouds your mind and makes you think and do things you would never do. But, if you use power for the right reasons… it can be the difference between thousands of deaths and a peaceful Konoha."

The young boy looked up at the girl; she smiled sweetly, and ruffled his hair. "And I believe that you can become important to the village, to our home. But only if your reasons for fighting is the right ones." He looked at her, and a thin layer of confusion smeared on his face. She let her hand fall on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squish. "What is the right reasons? Sensei?" She smiled silently and gently picked up the six-year-old in her arms. She jumped up on the highest tree nearby, and looked out on the village. "Protecting those dear to you, protecting your village and believe… and growing stronger for your comrades. Even if all of the ninja and villagers hate you, as long as you have a single friend in Konoha… grow stronger to protect that friend. I believe that those reasons are the right ones." The young Uchiha looked out on the village, his facial expression softening into what could be mistaken as a smile. "Then, I will become a shinobi worthy of Konoha." The brunette smiled softly and held the boy close.

OwO

He fell on the ground, bullets of sweat rolling down his body. She smiled as she took a deep breath and popped joint back into place. "You're improving rapidly, Ichi." He let a little rare smile out and touched his shoulder. "Thanks to you, sensei." She laughed and walked up to him and hunched down. "But you're like a sponge. Besides, it's fun to make sure at least some of my knowledge as a shinobi is passed on." He nodded understandingly, and ran a hand through his long hair. It had become undone during the spar, and hanging around his shoulders. "But… you shouldn't feel the need to leave something behind in case something happens to you yet, sensei…" She laughed and sat down on the grass, crossing her legs childishly. "I'm a bit different from other ninja of this village, Ichi. My work could kill me today, leaving nothing but a codename if I don't make an impression."

The boy sighted, his brows furrowing slightly. "You're an anbu?" She laughed, and a large grin grew on her face. "Yup, and I've been one for quite some time." He looked at her strangely, disbelieve dominated his features. "How?" The grin became a smirk, and she grabbed his shirt and pulled him inches away from her face. "I still win our spars don't I? And then I'm not even half serious. Besides… I had excellent senseis." She winked at him, then planted a dry kiss on the younger boy's exposed forehead. A heavy blush spread across his face and the brunette smiled softly as she let his shirt go. "W-w-w-why did y-you do t-t-that!?" She continued to smile, before she wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his.

"Ichi-" She chuckled, and patted his shoulder. "I love you." The young Uchiha swallowed and his brows furrowed harshly. She grinned and gave him a bear hug before she got up and yawned. "I have a one month long mission tomorrow, so it'll take a while before I'll help you with training. But I'll try to come back in one piece for 'ya!" He sighted, but nodded with a soft smile none the less. "So, sayonara 'til then, Ichi!"

OwO

"Itachi…" Naruko's voice echoed in the bloody streets. Her eyes shined in the moon light as her black attire became one with the darkness. Itachi turned to her, his eyes decorated by his new Sharingan and tears. "Yes, Naruko?" She smiled sadly, and fell to the ground in a humble bow. "I'm so sorry for not being of more help… I truly wish this could have been solved differently…" The younger teen walked up to his sensei/adoptive-sister and hesitantly put his hand on her chin. He moved her head up and hunched down so their foreheads touched. "It couldn't be helped… besides, I'm finally almost a ninja worthy of protecting Konoha. And, these people were not my family, we only shared blood bonds. You and Sasuke however… you are a part of my family." Naruko bit back tears and nodded silently. "So, please promise me, as a comrade, taicho, and sister and as you, that you will continue to protect our village.(2)" He stood up, then his head snapped to where a scream came from. He sat down on a knee, and kissed her forehead. "I'll keep in touch, Nee-san.(3)" Naruko nodded and quickly broke out in sobs as Itachi shunshined away.

Naruko ran into the compound, her black clothes changed in favor for the anbu outfit. Loud sobs led her directly to Sasuke; there he lay in the street. "Are you ok, Uchiha-kun?" The boy rolled his head, and his coal black eyes glued onto Naruko. She felt cold shivers run down her spine as she saw those black orbs. He nodded weakly in response and Naruko effortlessly pulled the young boy up in her arms. "Let's take you to the hospital, Uchiha-kun."

I opened my eye and found my vision blurry with salty tears. Rubbing both of them roughly, I let out a shaky breath and rolled over in the bed. The blanket lay discarded on the floor, and sheets were as good as soaked in sweat. I pulled myself up from the pillows, and felt the shirt and pants were sticking like glue to my body. Rubbing my right eye gently, I sluggishly got up and walked over to my dresser. My fingers shook as I tried to get a firm grip on the handles on the drawers, only for my fingers to slip away from the cold metal. I sighted and slid down the wall until I sat on the floor. I could feel cold sweat run down my body, and closed my eye harshly.

The mere thought of Itachi made my heart cringe and ace. And adding that I hadn't seen him the last six years… kami, it killed me inside. But he had more or less kept in touch. But only via his summon. A hawk called Hikaze(4). But still… it'd been a while, the last time he came, was just before Team 7's first C-rank mission, the one turned B/A-rank after meeting Momochi Zabuza.

I sighted and ran hand roughly through my hair, feeling how damp it was. Looking outside, I sighted again, seeing that sunrise hadn't even started yet. Using the wall as support, I got up and walked over to the mirror above the nightstand. I smiles softly at it and placed my hand against it. "I can't wait to meet you again Ichi."

...so? Was it ok? Ehm, well I decided not to give to many pointers to what happened here but... it's not too har do figure out is it? Anuway, let's explain the little I have to

(1)- Yeah, 'Ichi' means one and if you take away 'ta' in 'Itachi' you get 'Ichi', so that's how I decidedwhat Naruko should call him..

(2)- As for the Taicho part of Itachi's little speach, yes, Naruko was his taicho before he became one himself :)

(3)- For those who don't know is, 'Nee-san' means sister, or older sister. So if you talk to you little sister you often call her 'Nee-chan'

(4)- Hikaze means (as litteral as possible) Fire wind. 'Hi' as in "火" which means fire and 'Kaze' as in "風" wich means fire... so yeah, though I haven't decided what animal the summon's gonna be just yet...

...so yeah, what do you guys want to happen next, it would be extremely helpful to get some pointers at this point for what's gonna happen during/after the invasion and what you guys think of what Sasuke will do about leaving or not, or the option of being stopped. And before someone writes 'Naruko needs to tell Naruto she's his sister' or 'Naruko and Kakashi need to become offical', I already have somewhat a plan about that, so it'll come... eventually. Also, I think I'm going to make Naruto leave pretty quickly after the 'Reatrive Sasuke arc' or what becomes of it, whatever, like in the manga, which I think will fit in with Naruko telling the big secrate to him...

Well, let's pray to Kami that I won't be as turtle with the next chapter!

Ja ne,

LittleMyOwO