I am on a fucking roll with this story, you guys know that right? The last couple days have just been super empty. I have literally done nothing but eat and try to read through a headache or twelve. I can't tell if it's because I'm sitting right in front of a window or what, but I don't care. Let's get this started eh?

Disclaimer: I own nothing, not even this computer. It belongs to my Uni's Library and most likely the Government.

Training, especially for someone as young as I was, is hard at even the most 'basic' levels. And Kushina's idea of basic? Doing fifteen laps around a five mile training ground at a jogging pace, starting at six am and ending at eight. Kami forbid you not be finished by then, because that was her being lenient. Even if I was used to going much longer than that on a bad day while traveling with Tou-san, that was at a civilian walking pace. She wanted me at Genin pace. Uh, HELLL NOO. Kishimoto Misaki does not do running. Not even after a year and a half of this shit.

"I'M NOT A GENIN, YOU CRAZY WOMAN WITH SNAKES FOR HAIR!" I shouted as said fellow red head threw pointed rocks at me as I try (and failed) to dodge. Kushina just grinned maniacally and launched the stones harder.

"Dear…. What are you doing to poor Misa-chan now?" I nearly squealed in excitement and relief as Minato's voice rang through the clearing. I took my salvation as it came and ran to hide behind the tall blonde, and thus the rest of Team Minato as Kushina was momentarily distracted.

I clung to Obito's shoulders like a fungus and pulled Kakashi by the mop he called hair and used them both as a shield. The cheerful Uchiha just laughed and stuck his arms behind his back, piggybacking me. Kakashi growled at me and tugged his head out of my grasp. I stuck out my filthy barefoot and tried to rub his sparkly new Jounin jacket with it. I had lost my shoes somewhere around two hours ago, wasn't the first time. I had always hated shoes anyway, confining little bastards. People wondered why I loved geta so much. He dodged, glaring. Rin sighed and shook her head at out antics.

I'd been staying with Minato and Kushina for almost two years at this point. That fateful Kannabi Bridge Mission would be happening within the next few months. Then soon after that, Rin would kill herself via an unwilling Kakashi because some bastards had sealed a ticking time bomb known as the Sanbi into her. He'd be shattered. Team Minato would officially dissolve. Minato would become Hokage, Kakashi will try to drown his sorrows in missions, the moron, and Kushina will get pregnant with the child meant to save the world. Then she and Minato will die and Naruto will be an orphan… I wasn't looking forward to process. I had grown close to the group over the last two years, especially Obito and Kushina.

It hadn't taken me very long to become rather close to Obito, not gonna lie. We took to each other like fish to water, or if you quoted Kakashi, 'poison to the bloodstream.' Such a cheerful fellow, Kakashi. But I did have to agree with him. While I had never been particularly interested in pranking, I had always found amusement as the audience (and sometimes the distraction), as long it was harmless. Itching powder mixed in with some talcum? Count me in. Drawing on someone's face with a marker while they sleep? I'll be there giving you some inspiration. I like good, old-fashioned, harmless fun. You have to be able to have a sense of humor when dealing with kids. Yes, I know I'm physically younger then Obito and he's seen a lot more shit then I have. But I can see it in his eyes, the pressure he's under by everyone to awake his sharingan. So if I can distract him for at least a little while and keep everyone on their toes, I'll do it.

Kushina had filled a role in my life I hadn't known I'd needed filled in the first place, in either of my lives. I had been without a real mother, not even a mother-figure, for so long it was almost surreal to have one like Kushina. Oh, my Father Before had a few girlfriends, but they weren't really mothers. I was a naturally independent person, I'd always thought so, having been raised an only child and pulling myself out of my own damn troubles. Kushina didn't push or pull me in anyway, except in training, which I appreciated. I had never even considered Kana as my mother, unless you count the technicality of it. People Before had always told me that I was a very motherly woman, with my almost obsessive way of protecting and cherishing them. 'Natural Instinct,' the social workers I had worked with regularly with had often said. And I had never once denied it. Why would I? I was proud of it, and still am.

What, you think I don't want to change their fate? I'm a physically disabled eight year old civilian with nothing more than a little, according to everyone and their mother, self-defense training. I'm lucky that my arm survived the stabbing at all, according to the medics at the hospital, let alone being able to lift it as high as I can. Yes, I am surrounded by some of the strongest people in the Five Nations, if not now, then certainly about twenty years from now. But I am not one of those people, will never be one of them. I can't be there for Obito's death. Nor for Rin's. I won't be there Kushina and Minato's either. Not because I don't want to, but I couldn't. If I was there, Obito would kill me, like he would Kushina's guards and midwives. If I was dead, who would take care of Naruto?

Because that's what my plan is. When Minato and Kushina begin to plan who their unborn son's potential guardians would be, I would weasel my way onto that list. Jiraiya wouldn't know the first thing about caring for a child, let alone a newborn, Kakashi would be far too unstable at that point, and the Sandaime would refuse Mikoto and Fugaku custody because of the 'suspected Uchiha Involvement' with the Kyuubi attack, even if they weren't actually there. I wasn't fair, but it made a little sense. Mikoto was Kushina's best friend, of course she'd be on the list. She was a great mother.

I know, it's not the most solid plan in the world. I know that a ten year old, which is what I'll be by the time the Kyuubi attacks, supposedly shouldn't be able to take care of a newborn either. Good thing we've already established I'm not exactly average huh?

Speaking of motherliness, Itachi is about three now and already getting stress lines. I had never been a huge fan of Itachi Before, but I hadn't hated him. I never could see what so many of his fans thought of him, he wasn't that attractive. Then again, I had my eyes locked on Iruka and Orochimaru, believe or not. But I don't think I've ever outright despised any of the characters, people in this world. Okay, I take that back. I do hate Danzo, but who doesn't? Anyway, I don't dislike Itachi, I sympathize with him. He did what he thought was necessary, fucked up or not. I have absolutely no hope of stopping the massacre, I accepted that a while ago. And while I know he's one day going to be one of the most powerful shinobi in the world, that doesn't mean I can't smother him in affection.

Oh, he hates it and it's the best thing ever. Mikoto has to bribe the poor tot with dango for him to come anywhere near the house, and even then she has to drag him. He was a year old when we met and already speaking (mostly) full sentences, the little shit. I held him like some kind of twisted teddy bear for the first two hours, but alas, I was too strong for him to escape. Despite his near constant struggling and cries for assistance. Nowadays, I just give him noogies and kiss his cheeks with loud, popping 'SMACK's. Buhaha. Behold the evil eight year old.

So Team Minato just returned from the Kannabi Bridge mission. One member short.

I knew it would happen, knew Obito was still alive, but I still cried. He'd never be the same again, because Madara would get to him, brainwash him. Obito was like my older brother, and he was out there hurting. And I hated it. Hated how I couldn't do anything. How I couldn't just up and leave the village to go and bring him, hug him and say everything was okay, that he wouldn't hurt anymore. But I couldn't do that. I wouldn't survive more than a few miles. I was needed here. Not now, but soon.

It rained on the day of his Memorial Service. I wore a simple black yukata and wore my hair down. It had grown longer in the two years since I came to Konoha. I'd have to cut it again.

In Konoha, you're not supposed to cry at funerals. For the first time in my second life, I embraced the fact I looked like a mourning eight year old girl. And cried. As I watched Minato, as his sensei, and the Sandaime carve Obito's name into the memorial stone. As we all placed flowers and lit incense to ward off evil spirits and appease good ones. Even as Rin wordlessly handed me the late birthday present Obito had planned to give me once they returned from their mission. Always late, even for birthdays….. It was a necklace with simple pendant, emblazoned with the kanji for 'Luck'. It was simple, but pretty.

'Just like you Misa-chan!' said the note. I tried to ignore how a supposedly dead boy had just called an eight year old simple. I even rolled my eyes through my tears and clutched the damned thing to my heart.

Kakashi didn't come. And I never took the necklace off I could help it. It became a sort of worry stone, getting me through stressful situations, while also making it an obvious tell for when I was lying or even nervous.

Rin died not too long after that. This time, there was enough left for a funeral. I cried at this funeral too, but not as much as at Obito's. Rin and I hadn't been very close. We had gotten along just fine, and she was a sweet girl, but we'd never clicked. I had talked to Kakashi more than I had Rin, and all I did was tease him. Kakashi didn't attend her funeral either. I wanted to run and give him a hug, tell him how it wasn't his fault. Because it wasn't. No one's but Madara's, the bastard. I wanted to ease his pain just a little bit, make him realize that he still had precious people. People who loved him. But I didn't. Because I knew. He would lose them too. Not me, if I had any say in the matter, but we weren't close. I still teased Kakashi, if he ever came around the house and sometimes, he'd give a smirk or even a small smile. But that happened less and less. He was taking more dangerous missions, trying to distract himself from his grief.

"Trying to get himself killed, more like." I muttered loudly when Kushina and Minato had finally pinned him down and dragged him back to the house for an intervention. Minato had already been inducted as Hokage for a month at this point. I had turned nine last week and hadn't bothered with growing my hair out again. Not when I'd just have to cut it so soon. It was now in a sensible half-do, with an almost non-existent ponytail. I had moved on from my hakama and almost always wore some kind of training gi. I still walked around the village barefoot as much as possible, my clothes dusty from the loose dirt I kicked up as I ran around the village, my father's tool belt still around my waist, wearing a permanent mallet sized bruise into my thigh. I only ever took it off for training or when I went to sleep. Fugaku-san said I looked like some kind of homeless ruffian looking for work, terrorizing the village looking how I did. But he always said it like he was more amused then anything, especially when I clocked assorted bullies with a random tool across the head.

I had started 'volunteering' at local businesses I knew would be either neutral or even respectful of Naruto after the Kyuubi attack, because I was almost positive Naruto and I wouldn't be allowed access to either the house or his trust account after his parents died. I volunteered to water the plants at the Yamanaka shop, began to act as an administrator and handler at the Inuzuka veterinary clinic, and even a 'taster' at Ichiraku's. But, I found myself most welcome at one of the Akimichi bakeries near the Hokage Tower. I had been fond of baking and cooking in general Before, despite my notoriously short attention span. So for now, I would act as a busgirl, going around cleaning up tables and filling water glasses, and recommending certain items. I was securing my reputation as a hard worker before I even needed too.

Kushina looked at me in reproach. "Misaki! Why would you say such a thing?" Minato didn't even look surprised, like he'd just been waiting for the other shoe to fall.

I scowled and stuck my finger in Kakashi's face. Not an attractive look, let me tell you. "Because it's true Kushina-san! He's going to work himself to death and you know it!"

"How about you mind your own business gaki!?" exploded Kakashi, swatting my hand out of his face, hard. I clutched my wrist in pain as he began to yell at me. "What I do on my missions is none of your concern! You're nothing more than a civilian brat who's far outstayed her welcome! You're a drain on Minato-sensei and Kushina-san's household, you stress her out so much she can't even get pregnant, she's so busy caring for you! Even as a civilian, you're useless! You couldn't be more crippled if the medics had just chopped off your arm to begin with!"

I was quiet for a moment as what he said began to sink in. Was I really mooching off their kindness? I hadn't thought so, I helped around the house, doing chores and assisting Kushina with cooking meals. But maybe… that wasn't enough? I knew I ate a lot, couldn't control my appetite, too large for someone my size and age. I didn't mean to. Couldn't help it. I hung my head in shame as Kakashi's tirade washed over me. I flinched as he mentioned my arm. It had begun to worsen as I aged, even with physical therapy to help it along. It was a good day if I could even bend my elbow with minimal pain. The medics didn't know what wrong and soon enough I would have to have the nerves cut or numbed so it wouldn't hurt.

I was quiet for several moments as he stopped yelling. Suddenly, it felt as if my skin was on fire, anger burning through my blood, roaring in my ears. I was shaking, like a volcano about to erupt. I couldn't, wouldn't take anymore. "YOU THINK YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO'S STILL MOURNING KAKASHI!? THAT BURSTS INTO TEARS FOR NO REASON!? DO YOU REALLY THINK YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO MISSES THEM, OR BLAMES THEMSELVES!? I lost someone a member of my family, my brother to a fucking rockslide," I ignored Kushina's automatic order to watch my language, "and what? You think I don't care? I've done my mourning Hatake! I'VE LET GO! Unlike you! If you keep on like this, all you'll do is get yourself killed! And then what would their sacrifices be for, huh? Nothing! You would have done nothing!" He stared at me in shock, as if he hadn't expected me to react the way I had. It didn't last long, because he was back to glaring, opening his mouth for another shouting match.

Minato stood up and shouted, "THAT IS ENOUGH! Kakashi, Misaki-chan, stop this arguing right now!" He looked every bit the Hokage he was. "Kakashi, you stop this now, and think for several minutes over the words that you just said to Misaki. She is only worried about you. We all are. Misaki, you are not helping the situation!"

I didn't hear the rest of his scolding because I was already out the door. I stubbornly ignored the sound of ominous thunder in the background.

I didn't go home for a couple hours, too stubborn and prideful. I knew it too, realized it as I sat motionless on a bench in the rain. It wasn't cold, just a little uncomfortable. But, I needed it. It was almost like taking a cold shower after a hot day. It cooled me down, reduced my anger to a low simmer, instead of the rolling boil it had been. I steeled myself, and headed back home.

But Kakashi wasn't there. He had left already, several hours ago, for a mission, big surprise. I felt my anger bubble up again as Kushina began to fuss over my soaked clothes. I wanted to break something, preferably a certain masked nin's face. We didn't see each other much, after our fight. He always made sure to show up while I was out, either at the civilian Academy, or running around the village. And I was as much responsible for our growing distance. While I never outright avoided him, I also didn't actively search him out either. I guess we were both stupid.

Time passed. Mikoto became pregnant, Kushina following soon after. It was hard to tell who was glowing more, Minato and Fugaku, or their wives. I found great joy in teasing the both of them. If you asked me though, Itachi was glowing more than anyone combined. Fugaku had grown to be some sort of distant uncle to me, in that strange, Uchiha way of his. Mikoto was certainly the doting Aunt though.

My arm got worse afterall, like the medics thought. They couldn't stop the process , so they killed the nerves and I got an awesome sling out of the whole thing. I didn't mind too much, really. Near the end, I couldn't move my fingers without excruciating pain. It would make working harder after Naruto was born, but I would figure it out. I had to, I didn't have a choice. The Akimichi Bakery let me keep working as a busgirl, and it's not like watering plants and answering the phone was all that hard with one hand. At least it hadn't been my dominant hand. I did miss not being able to work with the dogs at the Inuzuka Clinic anymore though.

It wasn't long before it was July once more and I turned ten. Sasuke was born about three weeks later. Itachi was absolutely smitten with him. He carried him whenever he could, the silly thing. Sasuke was cute as a babe, and as a child, then as an adult as well. And I told the proud parents as such, how he'd be so handsome when he was grown. Either Mikoto ignored us or was just too blissful off of her epidural, it didn't matter to her if Fugaku and I bet how much Sasu-chan would look like Mikoto when was older. Fugaku wasn't the prettiest bastard, what can I say?

I did end up making my way onto the list, by the way. Apparently, Minato and Kushina had decided that years ago, sneaky sneaky. Kakashi was actually below me. I told him his risky behavior was gonna bite him in the ass. I didn't mention it to the expectant parents though. They already knew my thoughts on the matter.

The day Minato sent me to spend the day with the Uchiha family, with Kushina looking about ready to pop, I knew it was time. I knew it, even before the first wave of Kurama's malevolent chakra washed over Itachi and I. I knew before the alarm bells began to ring, calling all available shinobi. I even knew it before Sasuke had begun to cry wildly, like he was possesed. I helped Itachi secure baby Sasuke's, little Sasuke's limbs as he convulsed, his system being overloaded by the demonic chakra saturating the very air around us.

Itachi and I sat silently as the world crumbled around us.

So what'd you guys think?! Was Kakashi in character or do I suck at writing him? Remember this is before he really mellows out, so be kind to me!