Author's Note: I've had a few comments about dropping plot points (the library, mindscape training, etc.) and I'd like to address that. As you might have noticed, each of these chapters is around 10k words long. It's practically impossible for me to include everything she does on a daily basis without the chapters becoming 40k+. Not to mention that constantly reading about the same rote training tasks would become boring for you. Also, I've gotten comments about her having too many sensei; as a Kyuubi jinchuuriki, Mirai has lots and lots of people interested in her, which prompts them to want to help her. Kakashi has that familial connect through his sensei that drives him. Tonbo, Anko, and the others the Hokage will be pulling in are helping because they're told to do so by the Hokage, who wants Mirai to fulfill her potential as a shinobi and jinchuuriki. The desk chunin (Saisu) has warmed up to Mirai and found a fond spot for her, which pushed his genin teammates to also want to help her. As for Itachi and Shisui, she reminds them of themselves as child prodigies. That tied with the friendship she's developed with both pushes them. So I'm sorry if her numerous sensei come across as unbelievable because I've put thought into it. As for Kokage disappearing, he made it clear he can't help her until she better overcomes her chakra sensitivity.

Please read and review!

I give you the tenth installment of Samsaric.

Chapter Nine - Igneous

[Igneous—adj. 1: of, relating to, or characteristic of fire 2: as in geology, produced under conditions involving intense heat, as rocks of volcanic origin or rocks crystallized from molten magma]

"Konichiwa, students. My name is Umino Iruka and I'll be replacing Bekko-san." The man smiled kindly at us, though I couldn't help but notice the way he fidgeted with the folder in his hands. Nervous? I couldn't say I blamed him. He looked only sixteen? Seventeen? This was who Hiruzen must have meant when he talking about the person he hadn't meant to make an independent sensei yet. Which would explain— "This is Hisayoshi Mizuki, my assistant who will be helping me in this class. You'll refer to us as Iruka-sensei and Mizuki-sensei respectively."

The white-haired man next to him just smiled, hands folded behind his back. I leaned forward a little, trying to listen to his chakra. But it was impossible for me to focus with the noise of all the students in the room.

A hand shot into the air. "Iruka-sensei!"

Iruka glanced towards the student and hesitated for a moment, as if trying to remember something. But then his expression softened into a smile again. "Hai, Ino?"

"What happened to Bekko-sensei?" she asked, bouncing in her chair. "Is he sick?"

"He's been moved to a different class, that's all."

Ino's hand shot up again. "Iruka-sensei!"

"Hai, Ino?"

"Why was he moved to a different class? Did he not like us?"

Iruka hesitated and his gaze flicked to me for a moment. Then he shook his head. "It's a long story. Perhaps it would be better to focus on our lesson now. Let's continue yesterday's steps in unlocking chakra." He looked down at his notes and cleared his throat before looking up. "Mirai?" His gaze met mine. It was a little distant and wary, but it didn't have any of the loathing Bekko's had had. "I was informed that you could review and practice what you studied with Mitarashi-san, as you have already unlocked your chakra. So go ahead and do that."

I blinked and then felt a grin touch my face. "Arigato, Iruka-sensei."

Finally. A flesh bag that won't get in our way.

Be nice, Kyuubi. I dug in my bag and came up with my fuuinjutsu scroll. It was relatively easy to tune Iruka out as he lectured and focus instead on my seals. With Anko's help, I was confident that I'd be able to trust myself to test one of my storage seals soon.

"Mirai."

I looked up at my name being called to find Iruka glanced towards me. As I straightened, I asked, "Yes?"

"We're about to head outside for some physical training. Now would be a good time to pack your things away. Once we're outside, Mizuki-sensei will lead you in learning the basics of the Academy stance."

Rustling filled the room as everyone packed their things away. Naruto bounced up to his feet with a laugh. "C'mon, Rai! You're so slow!"

"Remind me to work on your patience," I said, letting Naruto and Sasuke past me before climbing to my feet. The class shuffled after Mizuki as he led the way outside but I slowed my pace so that I was last in the group just as Iruka followed behind. "Iruka-sensei?"

He glanced down at me and attempted an odd sort of smile. "Yes, Mirai?"

"I'm working with Uchiha Itachi to help create my own taijutsu stance and style. Would it be possible for me to practice that instead and get pointers on it?" I folded my hands behind my back.

He considered it for a moment, gaze flicking across the students almost as if he was taking a mental tally in the time it took him to answer. Then he nodded. "That would work. Stay at the back of the group so you don't distract or confuse the others. I'll stop by when I can to help."

"Arigato, Sensei!" I hurried up to take my spot behind everyone else. As Iruka put everyone in even rows and began speaking, I settled into my stance.

Something didn't feel quite right. I glanced down and adjusted to make sure my knees were properly over my feet. After adjusting, I made sure my elbows were angled right. Then I relaxed from my stance. I lost myself in the rhythm of entering my stance, adjusting my stance, relaxing, and repeating.

"Let me see."

I jumped and looked up to find Iruka in front of me. He had that same vaguely concerned look on his face, but was waiting expectantly. I entered my stance again, a bit slower than before to make sure I got everything right. Iruka murmured something to himself and circled me. Then he tapped between my shoulder blades. "Don't round out your back. It will just tire you faster and cause those muscles to be sore."

I pulled my shoulder blades back to straighten myself out. "Okay. Thank you."

"It looks like Kiba is having trouble. I'll be back." He hurried away.

A surprisingly useful creature.

He seems nice. I don't think he particularly likes me, but I don't think he exactly dislikes me either.

That's how the next hour went—I would practice my stance, with Iruka coming over occasionally to correct something, give tips, or answer questions. And finally—

"Lunch!"

I could hear Naruto over everyone else as he squealed and dashed inside first to get his food. I laughed and started after the rest of the class. I had just reached the doors when Naruto barreled into me. He grinned from his spot sitting on my legs and hoisted my bag aloft. "I got our food!"

"That's great, Nato. Can I have my legs back?"

He laughed loudly and climbed off of me. "Sasuke! I'll race ya!" Then he took off towards the tree.

"Do you need help?"

I looked up to find Shino in front of me, offering me his good hand. "That would be great." I gripped his hand and pulled myself up. "Glad to see you're back."

He nodded once. "Taijutsu stances were a little difficult."

"I can imagine." I glanced towards the tree where Shikamaru, Choji, Sasuke, and Naruto had already dug into their food. "Do you want to eat with us?"

Shino took a moment to consider it, tilting his head up to study the sky in such a way that the blue reflected off his sunglasses. "I suppose. On one condition."

"Oh?"

"Hai. On the behalf of the Aburame Clan, my father—as clan head—and I—as clan heir—would like to invite you to dinner Friday."

"Me . . . and Naruto?" I asked hesitantly, not sure how far the invitation extended.

Shino's lips quirked in an odd way. "I hardly imagine that he would enjoy or even be able to suffer through such a thing. I thought I was being prudent and kind in my lack of inclusion. But if you think he would enjoy it . . . ." He drifted off.

"Oh, no, it's fine." I made sure to smile widely to show my sincerity. "Of course, then. That sounds great."

"In that case, I would quite enjoy having lunch with your group." With that, he turned and started for the tree.

What about the Uchiha? You were going to speak to him Friday night.

I followed after Shino with a frown. I could push it to Saturday.

You keep delaying this.

I know. I sighed and sat down, taking my bento from my bag. Tonight. He's coming back from his mission. I need to talk to him.

"Is Naruto coming with us again, Mirai?" Itachi asked curiously.

I hesitated and nodded, folding my hands behind my back. "Actually, I have a bit more of an . . . extensive request."

"Oh?" He arched an eyebrow. "How so?"

"Could Naruto stay the night? I have something I need to take care of and I don't want to have to be worrying about him."

Itachi glanced towards where Naruto and Sasuke were chasing each other around the Academy yard. Then he nodded. "My parents are both on a mission, so the decision is left to me. His things?"

"I'll drop them off." I cleared my throat. "Can you tell me where Shisui lives?"

"Shisui?"

"Hai."

He sighed. "I suppose. He's supposed to get back from his mission around seven, though he'll have to debrief with the Hokage. Two streets east from mine. 207."

"Thank you!" I hugged Itachi tightly and released him before he could respond. "I'll see you later, Nato!" I yelled, waving to him. He barely waved back before Sasuke tackled him with a triumphant shriek. I laughed and then jogged away.

Dinner was simple—I reheated some leftovers from the day before—and I packed up Naruto's things. By the time I made it to the training ground, I still had a good quarter hour until Tonbo was supposed to be there. So I set my bags aside and settled down to meditate.

Uzumaki.

What do you want, Kyuubi? I'm trying to meditate.

What are you going to do if the Uchiha doesn't take it well?

I took a long moment to think over that, making sure to keep my breathing even and steady and moving my chakra counterclockwise in my abdomen.

Uzumaki?

I don't know. I think . . . . It'll be fine. I know Shisui. It'll be fine.

And if it isn't?

We'll burn that bridge when we get to it.

That's a terrible—

I opened my eyes and looked up at the source of chilly energy. "Tobitake-sensei," I greeted.

"Impressive," he mused. He motioned me forward and I scrambled to my feet, obeying. "Very well. Let's begin." He opened a drawstring bag and withdrew a handful of pebbles.

"Sleep . . . over?" Naruto asked, blinking. "Really? Without you?"

"Yep." I tugged him to me and ruffled his hair. "You'll be just fine, Nato. You and Sasuke will have a lot of fun and I'll be here to walk with you to the Academy in the morning. Okay?"

He thought about it. "Okay, dattebayo." He tucked his head against my shoulder. "I love you."

I kissed the top of his head. "I love you too. Now go have fun." I pressed the bag of his things into his arms and watched him run off. With a glance in Itachi's direction, I turned and left the house. "Two streets east," I murmured, glancing towards the sun and then heading off. I tucked my thumbs into the straps of my backpack. When I came out on the last street, I began to repeat to myself, "207, 207, 207."

I stopped in front of the house and nodded. Then I slipped my backpack off my shoulders and prepared to settle in to wait.

"Mirai? Do you need something?"

I jumped and dropped my bag. It was caught a moment before it hit the ground and I looked up. A grin cracked my face. "Shisui!"

He cocked an eyebrow and pressed my bag back into my arms. "You sound surprised to see me here. This is my house."

"Oh, well, I know that. That's why I'm here."

He stared at me for a long moment, the exhaustion on his face clear and I just felt worse for choosing today to do it. Then his eyes widened. "Oh!" He dug in his pocket and pulled out a small purse. "There." He leaned forward and tucked it into my backpack.

"Oh." I titled my head to the side. "Thanks. But that's not what I'm here for. I need to talk to you, actually. It's, um . . . ." I glanced to the side and swallowed nervously. "Important."

He was staring again. And then he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Picking at his shirt—which was stiff with dried blood—he said, "You can come in. But you're gonna have to wait until I take a shower. And I'll need to eat because I'm starving." He waved to me and then slid open his door.

I skipped in past him. As I toed off my shoes, I mumbled, "Sorry about bothering you after your mission. I've just been putting this off."

"Uh-huh," he said absently. Then he yawned. "It's fine." He waved a hand in the general direction of the living room. "Make yourself comfortable." Then he stumbled off down the hall.

I bounced on my feet for a moment, glancing around at the plain house and blank walls. Then I tossed my backpack into the living room and paced into his kitchen. "Let's see what you have," I murmured, opening his pantry. After taking stock there, I went to his fridge and the his freezer. Satisfied, I cracked my knuckles and got to work.

It was about a half hour later when he interrupted me. "What are you doing?"

I didn't look up and instead finished dishing out the bowl of food. "You said you were starving." I slid the bowl across the table to him. "Eat up!"

"You didn't have to do this," he mumbled, though he pulled out a chair and hastily picked up the chopsticks. Shisui dug in with a vigor and the entire bowl was finished in just a couple minutes. He glanced up. "You didn't happen to make more . . . did you?"

I grinned. "As a matter of fact, I did." I grabbed the wok and brought it to the table. "You should be able to a get a couple more servings out of there."

He managed something that sounded vaguely like thanks and filled up his bowl again. Once he was halfway through, he looked up at me. "What was it you wanted to talk about?"

"How secure is your house? Is there any chance of . . . . I dunno, someone listening?"

He blinked and slowly lowered his chopsticks. "Well, there's always that. But I've got some pretty intense security measures." As a worried expression overcame his face, he squinted at me. "Are you in trouble, Mirai?"

"No. It's not like that." I focused in on a scratch in his table and began tracing it over and over again. "Can your sharingan . . . look inside my head? I heard something about it doing that and I want to show you something. Because it's hard to figure out how to say it."

He finally dropped his chopsticks. Groaning, he dug his hands into his hair. "Can I— Okay." He took a deep breath. "I can do that. But I just want to let you know that if I didn't already trust you, I'd think you were crazy, kiddo." He considered that. "Actually, I do think you're crazy."

"Yeah, I was expecting that." I scratched the back of my neck and grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."

He awkwardly half-rose to his feet and pulled his chair so he was closer to me. "Sit so you're sure you won't fall out of your chair. Then relax and look up at me."

Surprise shocked my lungs. "Oh. Okay." I straightened and did as he said.

Shisui blinked and suddenly his eyes were spinning red pinwheels. His familiar chakra warmed around my eyes.

I opened the eyes I had never closed and found myself standing in the empty hallway at ANBU headquarters. It was a familiar sight, one I saw every time I went into my mindscape. But this time Shisui was standing next to me, staring around in wonder. "Wow," he gasped.

"Never been in a mind before?" I asked curiously.

"I have," he said, shrugging. "But it's always been for someone being interrogated. It's not the same." He stared up at the mist above us and then reached up.

"Don't touch that," I said, voice getting sharp. When he pulled back and looked at me in surprise, I shrugged. "It's disorienting and might throw in some stuff I don't want to share."

"Uzumaki," the familiar voice rumbled, echoing down the hall from the glowing doorway.

Shisui jumped and then jerked me behind him as he whipped towards the voice. "What the hell?" he snapped out. "Is that—"

"Relax," I said, pulling away. "It's just Kyuubi. You want to meet him?" When Shisui started stuttering at that, I just grinned. "C'mon." I grabbed onto his shirt sleeve and started down the hallway. We made it just a few steps before he stopped short.

"Hold on," he said, eyes wide. "Are you telling me that you and the Kyuubi actually talk?"

"C'mon," I said, tugging on him. "Let me show you."

He stumbled reluctantly after me only to stop abruptly again the moment we made it to the doorway. I released him, smiling widely up at the bars. "Konichiwa, Kyuubi. Why don't you say hi to Shisui?"

Kurama hauled himself to his feet and huffed through the bars. He stared down at Shisui, who was frozen still with eyes wide in panic. "Greetings, Uchiha," he said, spitting out the name.

I elbowed Shisui. "Well? It's not nice to ignore him."

"Um . . . hi," Shisui squeaked out.

I giggled and even Kurama huffed a laugh. "It's been a long time since I've had someone fear me," he rumbled. "I've been stuck here with this one and all she ever does is get on my fucking nerves."

"Watch your language," I warned. "This isn't what I wanted to show you, Shisui." I pushed him out of the room. "Let's go. This way."

Once we were a few steps away, his shoulders sagged. "That— You— That was— Do you always lecture the Kyuubi no Kitsune on his language?" he asked incredulously, a little out of breath.

I shrugged. "Sometimes. Sometimes he calls me out on my language. We're both hypocrites. Here we are!" I pushed open the door.

He glanced oddly towards me and then stepped inside. He breathed in sharply and moved forward, brushing his fingers across the scrolls on the shelves. "Are these . . . ."

"Memories? Yep." I cleared my throat. "Tell me, Shisui. What do you believe about reincarnation?"

"Hmm?" he asked in response, still staring at the scrolls. And then what I said must have registered because he jerked around to stare at me. "Reincarnation?" he rasped. "That—" He hesitated and glanced aside. "Taichou, are you saying— You can't just spring questions on me like that, kid."

"Technically, I'm older than you," I said airily, crossing my arms. "So really the kid here is you. I died when I was sixteen, so that makes me, what, six years older than you?"

And then suddenly I was back in his kitchen and just a half second later I hit the ground. I caught myself and looked up to find Shisui pacing, breathing heavily and running his hands through his hair as he muttered to himself. "Shisui?" I asked cautiously, climbing to my feet.

"Mirai!" he said loudly, turning towards me. Then he groaned and dragged a hand down his face. "Kami dammit, this explains a lot. I— Dammit. Okay, okay. I can handle this." He started pacing again. "I can handle this. This is totally a normal thing, right? I can—"

"Shisui!"

"What?" he asked, blinking towards me.

I frowned. "You okay? Didn't mean to throw you like that."

"Um." He rubbed his forehead. "Yeah, I'm, yeah. Okay, you weren't done. Let's . . . ." He trailed off as he sat back down and cleared his throat.

I climbed back into my chair and faced him. "You good?"

"I think so, yeah." He hesitated. "You're not throwing anything else like that at me . . . are you?"

I grinned guiltily. "You'll see."

"Kami," he muttered. "Let's do this." Then his eyes turned red.

We were in the hallway again and I could hear Kurama chuckling to himself. Shisui glanced towards the door as we passed and I shook my head. "He's laughing at you," I explained softly. "He thought you wouldn't handle the discovery very well."

"I think I'm doing reasonably well," Shisui defended. Then he marched ahead of me and pushed open a door. "Let's just get— Holy shit!" He stumbled away from the edge that fell into nothing.

I reached out and slammed the door shut. "Yeah, that's not memories."

"What the hell was that?" he squeaked out.

"That was the Void I was stuck in before being reincarnated. Not very pleasant, so I'd avoid that door at all costs." I took a few steps to the next door. "This is it." I opened it.

"Alright. I'm just gonna accept that I have no idea what the hell is going on." He shook his head and then stepped into the room. "What now?"

I threw out my hand widely to gesture to the entire room and then leaned onto my catalog shelves. "These are all my memories in this life. Took a bit to organize, but now I can find stuff if I want." Then I pushed myself up and paced over to the blank wall. With a snap of my fingers, a padlocked door appeared. Another snap of my fingers and the locks disappeared. "These are the memories from my old life." I pushed my way inside. It was dark at first, but then the lights came on with a groaning hum and I wondered what that was implying about my mental state.

"And . . . what am I doing here?"

I stepped over to my cataloging system. "Take a look and tell me what you think is out of place here."

He glanced towards me suspiciously and then stepped up towards the bookcases to study the catalog books there. Some were labeled School and Family Dinner and Birthdays. But then he came to one and stared. He reached up with a shaking hand and pulled out the book clearly labeled Naruto. "That doesn't make sense." He looked up, as if staring at me could give him an explanation. Then he looked down and opened the book, skimming his eyes over the titles of my memories. Then he grew very, very pale.

I stepped forward and glanced down at what he was staring at: The Uchiha Massacre. I glanced up at him. "As I see it, there's two possibilities: either the author of the story in my world could look from my dimension into this one and then record it or . . . him writing the story created this world. Either way, I died up and ended up in a piece of fiction from my old life."

He was still staring at the page. "What is this?" he whispered.

"This entire place was just a story. Then I was born into it and it wasn't just a story anymore." I sighed. "I know about the coup. And I know that's how it's going to end. And . . . I don't know any way to avoid it."

"But . . . ." He licked his lips and looked up at me. "Can I see it?"

I hesitated and then nodded. "Watch whatever you want," I said, feeling that vulnerability eating me up inside. "I want you to believe me."

"Okay," he rasped. Then he looked up and his eyes flashed. The rows and rows of scrolls moved forward across the shelves and came to a stop. Shisui stepped forward and began checking the tags before finding the right scroll.

"I'll be talking to Kyuubi," I murmured.

He just hummed in response.

I left the room in a hurry and returned to the ANBU jail. Kurama harrumphed when I entered the room but didn't open his eyes or rise from his sleeping position. "Kyuubi," I mumbled. "I think I screwed up. I think this is just gonna ruin everything. Either he's gonna think I'm insane or he's gonna turn me in to the Hokage."

"You worry too much," he muttered, shifting but not doing anything else. "It's annoying."

"Aw, that's sweet." I sat and leaned my back against the bars. I closed my eyes. "Tell me a story," I murmured.

"I'm not a library."

"I tote you around in my head all day and you've been around forever. You've had to have seen cool stuff. Give me something," I wheedled.

He sighed. "Fine. Once upon a time, or something stupid like that, I knew a dragon."

"She ate him whole and I never had to deal with that asshole again. The end."

I hummed, eyes closed and myself half drifting off. "Thanks," I yawned.

"Are you . . . getting a bedtime story from a demon?"

I jumped and looked up. "Shisui!" I scrambled to my feet. "Um, so, how—" I bit down on my lip and shifted from foot to foot.

He stared at me oddly for a long moment. Then he asked, "What was your name?"

I licked my lips. "Sophie Cooper. Um, family names were last."

"What did you look like?"

"Here, let me show you." I focused and felt myself change. It really was amazing what could be achieved in mindscapes.

Shisui watched me and then walked up to me. We were the same height now and he studied my old appearance—brown hair, brown eyes, sickly pale skin—with a kind of wonder. "You're telling the truth," he said.

It wasn't a question, but I answered it anyway. "I am."

His voice broke over his next few words. "I don't know what to do about my clan."

"I . . . don't think you can save them. Not without making things worse." I felt guilt settling in my stomach and oh, how I hated having to tell him this. "But I think you can save yourself."

"But the massacre—"

"You died before then." I released that hold over my physical appearance and shoved my hands in my pockets. "Danzo attacked you and stole your eye. So you gave your last eye to Itachi and then committed suicide in Naka River. You had a lot of reasoning for it, but I don't think I want that to happen."

"Oh. That's nice," he mumbled. "You know more about this than me, obviously. What exactly are you saying I should do? If I don't die then, won't I still die in the massacre?"

"Not if everyone already thinks you really are dead. You do everything the same except you don't actually die in the river." I cleared my throat. "And keep your eyes, preferably."

"Preferably," he agreed.

"Could you two dirtbags go away?" Kurama grumbled. "I'm trying to sleep."

I looked up and grinned. "Alright, we'll get out of your hair."

"Good. Oh, and Uchiha?"

Shisui swallowed. "Yeah?" he asked hesitantly.

"One wrong move against my host and you'll learn what the inside of my stomach looks like."

His eyes widened. "Er, right."

I blinked to find myself back in Shisui's kitchen, staring at him. Then I grinned nervously and clapped my hands. "Well, I'm glad you don't hate me. Or think I'm crazy. Or, kami forbid, want to turn me over to the Hokage."

"Did it hurt?" he asked suddenly.

"Huh?"

"Did dying hurt?"

"Well, of course it did. Hurt like hell, and the afterward wasn't any better." I cocked my head at the way he frowned at that. "You're not gonna die, Shisui. You can't. I need your help."

He smiled weakly and got his feet, grabbing his bowl. "Right." He moved to the microwave to reheat his food. "And Sasuke?"

"He's Naruto's best friend. And I care about him. No matter what happens, he'll have our full love and support."

"Kami. And I thought my mission was bad," he muttered.

My heart wrench. "Sorry," I whispered. "I wish it didn't have to be this way, but I needed to tell someone and I needed it to be someone I could trust."

"Well, it's flattering that you came to me, at least." He took out the bowl and juggled it awkwardly as he returned to the table. "What's your plan, then? Lay it out for me."

"Oh!" I scrambled to my feet and over to the living room. I grabbed my bag and dug out a storage scroll as I headed back towards him. I dropped the scroll on the table. "I have some basics, but other things require more of a basis of resources and materials in order to finish. Most immediate would be you and the Massacre." I glanced across the storage seals before locating the right one. I charged my chakra and a notebook appeared. "Here." I slid it to him.

He opened it and then frowned, squinting. "Uh, what the hell is this?"

"Huh?" I leaned over and found him staring at my looping English. "Oh, er, right. My first language is English, so that's what I write in because no one else here knows it so they can't figure out what I'm saying."

"Ah." He glanced up at me. "Could I learn it?"

Hot air caught in my throat, choking itself around my next few words. "Really? You'd want that?"

He turned to the first blank page in the notebook. Then he dug in my backpack before coming up with a pen. As he pressed it into my hand, he said, "Teach me."

"He thinks you're gonna turn me in."

Shisui blinked, glancing down at me. "Who?" His eyes widened a little and he swallowed, glancing away as his voice dropped. "Him?"

I shrugged, ignoring Kurama's snickering in the back of my mind. "He doesn't trust easy. I don't either. Guess that's why we make a good pair."

"You're . . . in constant contact?"

"Mhmm," I murmured, tucking my thumbs under the straps of my backpack. "Since I was three." Then I changed the direction of our conversation the moment we started approaching the busier part of the Village. "How are you spending your day off?"

He groaned. "Thanks to you, I have a lot to look over. After your lesson with Anko, Itachi and I will take you to a training ground and work with you."

I looked up at him with a frown. "And you're sure that Itachi will want to do that?"

"I'll convince him."

I froze, stumbling a bit. "You're gonna tell him?" I squeaked out.

"No, of course not. But he'll listen to me."

"Oh, okay." I regained my pace and tilted my head back to stare upwards. "But who's gonna watch Nato?"

"He and Sasuke will come with us. They can play or do their homework while we train. And I have a few things to bring you that I think will help. How is your henge?"

"Coming along. I've gotten it a couple times but I need to practice more. Iruka-sensei lets me practice if we're going over something I already know, so I should have it soon."

"Figures that you'd get your sensei switching within a couple days. Kami, Mirai, why are you such a troublemaker?"

I just grinned up at him as we approached the Academy. "It's just who I am, kiddo." My grin only grew when he shot me sharp look for that term. I rose up on my toes so I could kinda manage to pat him condescendingly on the shoulder. "You'll understand when you're older."

"I can't believe you," he scoffed. "Go away and annoy your instructor instead. It's bad enough that I'm gonna have to deal with you later." And then he vanished in a flash of hot energy.

I pushed my way into the yard and then the school. When I reached the classroom, it was abuzz with energy. Choji saw me first and waved shyly. I kept my smile wide as I approached. "Konichiwa."

"Rai!" Naruto slammed into me. "Last night was awesome! Itachi let us build a fort in the living room and sleep there! And then Teme woke me up with a pillow fight! I won!"

"Did not!" Sasuke squeaked out. "I won!"

"Nu-uh! I did!"

"No way!"

"Of course I did!"

"I won!"

I sighed and then turned to Shikamaru and Choji behind us with a smile. "Konichiwa."

"Konichiwa, Mirai-chan," Choji greeted shyly. "Um, do you . . . have onigiri?"

My smile faded just a touch. "Not today. I'm sorry. But I do have melonpan." I opened my bag. "You like some."

"Yes, please. Shikamaru?"

The brunet looked up tiredly and shrugged. "As long as you promise we actually get to finish a game today."

"Deal." I set some melonpan in front of both him and Choji. "Eat up! You want any, Nato? Sasuke-kun?"

The two froze in the middle of their squabble, Sasuke's fist twisted in Naruto's shirt and Naruto gripping some of Sasuke's hair. Then they grinned and untangled themselves. "Sure!"

I passed them some melonpan before finally settling down in my chair. I had just finished up setting my book for notes when Iruka cleared his throat, standing at the front of the classroom. "Today will be your last day unlocking chakra. Let's begin."

I pulled up my legs so I could sit criss-cross and I rested my hands on my thighs, closing my eyes. Small pinch of chakra, hand signs, henge. Small pinch, hands signs, henge. Pinch, sign, henge. Pinch, sign, henge.

"Well, it didn't explode. That's good." Anko looked up and flicked her wrist. The dango skewer she'd been chewing on impaled itself in the ceiling alongside dozens of others.

I stared up at the skewers for just a second before looking back down at my seal. "Should I take it out, now?"

"Go for it."

"Okay." I touched the seal and charged chakra. The box of dango reappeared in a burst, splattering dough and cardboard everywhere.

Anko blinked. She dragged a finger across her face and licked the dango off. "Well, that was something. But this is why you have to figure out how to build a storage seal from scratch rather than just copying one." She rubbed her face clean with her sleeve.

I wrinkled my nose and grabbed a napkin, scrubbing the dango off. "What did I do wrong?"

"A storage seal is a door that opens both ways. You opened it fine going in. Check your balance for your exit."

I leaned over the seal and brushed off the ruptured cardboard. "I have to link an equalizer in with the entrance to make sure it's balanced. Right?"

"Right." Anko took the paper away and wadded it up. When she threw it, it bounced off the wall and into the trashcan. "Try again."

"Shouldn't we clean this up?"

"Meh, we'll wait until we're ready to leave. No point in cleaning up now if you make another mess."

"I'm going to get it right this time." I began drawing the seal out again.

"You better. That was a complete waste of good dango." She waved her hand to flag down our server for another order.

I adjusted the exit formula to include an equal link before pulling back. "Okay. It should work not."

"Should? Or will?" She sounded and looked uninterested, focused in on the dango on the plate in front of her as she tried to decide which one to eat next.

I straightened my shoulders. "Will."

"Good. Here you go." She passed me a book.

I took it and my eyes widened. "This is my bingo book. I can't—"

"Then you better hope you got the seal right."

"Right . . . ." I put the bingo book on the seal and my hands next to it. "Fuuin!"

The book disappeared safely. Anko waved her skewer at me before throwing it at the ceiling. "Take it out."

"Okay. Fuuin!"

The bingo book's reappearance was rather anticlimactic. I stared at it. It sat that. I stared at it. Anko took another piece of dango. I looked up at her. "I did it!"

"Good for you," she said, gathering together her multiple boxes of dango. "See you next Tuesday, Red." She vanished.

"Hey, wait!" I pulled a face and stared around at the mess of cardboard and dango.

Might as well get started.

I made it to the Compound about twenty minutes later. Itachi and Shisui were sitting on the front step, talking while they watched Naruto and Sasuke argued about who was doing the Academy stance better. "Hi," I greeted. I slung off my back and took out the box of dango. "Courtesy of my class with Anko," I told Itachi, holding it out to him.

He looked slightly impressed as he took it. "You listened."

"Well, you don't need to sound so shocked," I muttered, dropping my bag so it rested against my leg. "Where are we going?"

"Training Ground 37," Shisui said, getting to his feet and taking my bag. "We're going to shunshin the boys there. And we want to see how long it takes you to get there." He nodded to Itachi and they moved to the boys, interrupting their fight. "Ready, Naruto?" Shisui asked.

Naruto looked up. "Oh! Yeah."

"Good." Shisui put a hand on his shoulder and glanced towards me. "You know where 37 is?"

"Yeah, generally, but—"

"Great." He and Itachi vanished, Sasuke and Naruto with them.

"Well, okay," I huffed. At least he'd taken my backpack, so I didn't have that hindrance. I settled into a jog. "Not like there's a secret entrance," I muttered. "Or a key to get in. Nope, not concerned about that at all."

There's chakra tumblers that you have to move using a variation of your tree-walking exercise.

Sorry? You know about 37?

It was one of Mito's favorite training areas because of its seclusion.

So . . . you know where the secret entrance is?

Of course I do, dumbass.

Ooh, touchy! Grinning, I sped up. When I approached the gate, the guards looked up and waved to me. Kotetsu grinned. "Where you goin' in such a hurry, Mirai-chan?"

"Training!" I called easily, running back. I settled into a fast, steady pace. As I approached, I asked How do I get in?

There's a trapdoor hidden by a genjutsu. It messes with your sense of direction.

Visually based?

Hai. You'll have to disperse it.

Shit. Shisui did this on purpose.

There it is. Stop.

I slowed to a stop and frowned at the area in front of me. "Okay. Okay, okay, okay." I brought my hands into a seal. "Kai." A pulse of my chakra. I frowned and closed my eyes, listening to my chakra. There, at the edge, an energy twisting with my own that wasn't mine. I focused on that. "Kai!"

My chakra ached as the foreign energy unwound and dissipated. I opened my eyes to find an iron trapdoor in the ground in front of me, flat and plain except for a large handle. I knelt down and pressed my hand against the door. Energy sparked cold against my fingers. I get what you're talking about. I can feel it. I reached out with my chakra to grab the chakra that was teasing me. My hold slipped. I tried again. And again. And again. Then I managed to grab ahold.

I turned my hand and frowned as I felt a lot of resistant. With a grunt, I kept trying. The tumblers inside shifted. And then they settled with a click. I let out a sigh of relief and set down, wiping my forehead. "Well, that wasn't anywhere near as hard as I thought it would be."

It took a moment for me to drag myself to my feet. I gripped the handle and heaved. The door resisted and protested loudly. Then it fell completely open with a clank. I fumbled with the handle on the reverse side and pulled it with some difficulty as I started down the stairs. It slammed closed above me, leaving the only light I could see from the source far down below. I descended to the sound of the tumblers automatically locking themselves above me.

"Look who made it!" Shisui said, grinning the moment I reached the bottom step.

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "It . . . didn't take you anywhere near as long as I thought it should."

I smiled and shrugged before glancing around. "This place is really cool."

"You probably won't think that when we're done," Shisui said, selecting two weapons from the wall: a bo and hanbo. He tossed the hanbo to me. "Ready?"

I caught the staff and settled into a stance. "Really?"

Itachi looked unimpressed. "A little much, don't you think?"

Shisui shrugged. "Maybe. Hajime!"

"You're sure this is right?"

"You not trust me?" he scoffed, fixing my obi-jime. "How's that feel?"

I shifted, my zori tapping loudly as I moved so I could study myself in his mirror. I reached up and felt the tortoiseshell comb in my hair. "I can't believe you knew how to do my hair."

"I would help my mother sometimes," he said absently, smacking my hand away. "Don't mess it up."

"And I look okay?"

"You look like someone who is ready for a formal dinner with a Clan Head and his elders. Which, incidentally, is exactly what you're supposed to look like." A grin twisted his expression. "Why? You nervous?"

"Well, I screw this up and then I've managed to piss off an entire clam."

He rolled his eyes. "You're a pessimist. You know that?"

"I'm not a pessimist. I'm a realist."

"Yeah, yeah, that sounds like an excuse to me. You ready? You're going to be late. And I can promise you that that would piss Shibi off plenty."

"Right, right. Let's go." I followed him, a little unsteady with my new, unfamiliar shoes. "Thanks for all the help."

He locked the door behind us. "No problem. If I just let you go in unprepared, you'd embarrass yourself and end up with an entire clan wanting your head separated from your body."

"I'm not sure it would be quite that bad," I protested.

"If you were just yourself? No, it'd be even worse than that." He shoved me with his elbow. "Walk a little faster or you won't make it."

"I'm wasting training time."

"It's not a waste. You're creating allies. There's more to being a shinobi that firepower."

"I know that," I muttered, tugging at my obi right up to the moment when he smacked my hand away.

"Stop that."

I pouted. "And I know it's not really a waste of time. But it feels like it."

"I don't care what it feels like. I care what it is and what it isn't. It is a great opportunity and it isn't a waste of time. Am I gonna have to go to the dinner with you to make sure you don't run out in the middle of it?"

"No. I'll be fine," I mumbled. "I just don't like it."

"You don't have to like it, Taichou." He stopped walking. "And this is where I leave you. You'll stop by for dinner tomorrow?"

I nodded. "Though I'll have to hurry out. Tobitake-sensei and I will be meeting since I had to cancel today." I took a deep breath and faced the gates to the Aburame compound. "Here goes nothing." I stepped forward and knocked solidly. When I glanced back over my shoulder, Shisui was gone. "Shit," I mumbled under my breath.

Behave yourself. The Aburame can be friendly, but only after they've accepted you. Be on your best behavior, and I know that's difficult for you.

Before I could respond, the gate opened and I found myself staring up at Shibi. "Uzumaki-san. Punctual." He paused and then turned. "Let me escort you. The others are already seated and simply waiting for us."

I followed him, glancing side to side at what seemed to be an empty compound for the most part. We went into a different building than the one I had visited before. And the moment we were inside I was left facing a long hall with a ornate dinner table. There were several people gathered around the table. The chair at the head of the table was empty, as was the spot to its left. Shino sat to the empty chair's right. He rose to his feet and bowed his head. "Konichiwa, Uzumaki-san. Thank you for joining us."

I bowed in returned. "It's my pleasure, Aburame-san." I glanced aside to find the elders watching me appraisingly. Shibi stood before his chair and motioned to me. I sat and Shino did the same. Several other Aburame stepped into the room and began filling cups of tea.

Shibi cleared his throat. "On the behalf of the Aburame clan, I would like to welcome you to this dinner, Uzumaki Mirai. We hope you enjoy your time here and that we can foster a lasting relationship between our clans." With that said, he somehow managed to make taking a seat an elegant action.

"Our clans?" the question slipped between my lips before I could stop it. I winced and bowed my head. "Pardon the interruption." Then I shifted to the side to let one of the servers fill my tea.

Shibi's lips quirked, or maybe that was just the way the light was shining. "Hai. As the eldest of the two last remaining known Uzumaki with a rightful claim to that heritage—as citizens of Konoha with verifiable heritage traceable back to the royal family of Uzushiogakure—the status of clan head would fall to you, would it not?"

I could feel more than hear the way Kurama began to pay more direct attention to the conversation and I swallowed thickly. "I'm not the eldest. Or rather, we don't know."

Shibi nodded in acknowledgment. "Perhaps. But no one would argue that Naruto-san is the oldest. Not even he himself. Would you not agree?"

"I . . . would agree that it's unlikely anyone would argue," I said reluctantly with a nod.

"Excellent. Then let this begin a long relationship between the Aburame Clan and the Uzumaki Clan." He lifted his teacup. "To allies."

I fumbled with my cup and barely lifted it in time, echoing, "To allies." My words fell just a touch behind everyone else's, but no one commented. Silence fell over the room as the servers returned, this time with dishes of food. I didn't touch mine, waiting. Once Shibi received his food and picked up his chopsticks, I finally touched my own. Shisui has spent over two hours prepping me on the etiquette of dinners like this, and I'd be damned if I screwed up on something as simple as eating order.

"Uzumaki-dono."

I looked up—the honorific surprising me—to find that it was one of the elders that had spoken. "Hai, Aburame-san?"

He bowed his head respectfully. "Aburame Manzo. How much do you know about the Uzumaki Clan?"

It was difficult to smile at that question, so I didn't. "Not as much as I wish I did. I do believe there's more of us out there. The elimination of an . . . entire line is difficult to believe."

Another elder cleared her throat. "Aburame Rumi," she introduced. "What do you know about the elimination of the Uzumaki?"

I frowned a little. I didn't remember much from the anime itself, but I had read the sparse information in some of the history books at the library. I took a deep breath. Then I spoke.

"How are your lessons with Anko?" He moved a silver general.

"Good." I took a long time to move my own piece, and when I did it was just a pawn. "And Tobitake-sensei has moved me on to shielding my chakra from others. Which is difficult since I have so much of it." I folded my hands together and looked up at him. "Speaking of that . . . ."

"Hmm? Is there something you would like to ask, Mirai-chan?" Hiruzen asked, drumming his fingers on his desk before making his next move.

"I'd like to learn kage bunshin, please. I've learned kawarimi and henge, leaving bunshin to learn next. I know that my chakra pool would make it near impossible. I was reading a biography of the Nidaime recently that mentioned his invention, kage bunshin, which creates solid clones that require more chakra. Presumably, that would be more achievable for me."

"I do see your point," he said, smiling faintly. "I'll consider it. That's not a small jutsu to learn, after all. Especially for a child your age. But if I decide to grant that request, I'll let you know."

"Arigato." I moved a lance. "Tsumi."

Hiruzen paused glancing across the board as if to check whether or not I was lying. Or had cheated, maybe. Then he nodded once. "Impressive, Mirai-chan. You've improved."

"I've been playing with Shikamaru-kun." I began packing up the pieces. "I haven't managed to beat him yet, though."

"Ah, well, the Nara are known for their uncanny skill at the game." Hiruzen sighed deeply and withdrew his pipe. As he lit it, he said, "Kakashi-kun knows kage bunshin. I'll speak with him. I look forward to playing another game with you next Sunday. Perhaps I will win that time."

I got to my feet and bowed my head. "Maybe." I shrugged and eyed him for a moment. "Thank you for your time, Hiruzen-dono." With that said and done, I left as quickly as I could without making it look like I was running away. I descended the stairs and purposely kept from looking towards where Yajirobee was sitting at his desk. When I pushed open the front door, I felt a warmth to my left. I glanced to the side. "You waiting for me?" I asked curiously.

Shisui glanced up from his book and blinked for a long moment. Then something clicked in his gaze. "Oh, yeah!" He shut the book with a snap. "You up for ramen? I'm up for ramen."

"Um, that's a dumb question." I let the door close behind me and tucked my right hand in my pocket. "I'm always up for ramen. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong."

I frowned and eyed him for a moment. Then I held out my left hand. "Okay. Take us there."

He grabbed my hand and his hot energy burned my senses as he shunshined us. It was longer than normal and I forgot how to breathe. When we stopped, I ripped my hands from his and bent forward, gasping. "You okay?" he murmured. "Sorry, I should've moved us in stages."

I waved a hand and gasped out, "N-no, it's fine! Just . . . just give me a sec." I pressed a hand against my chest and straightened, lungs burning. "I'm okay. Don't do that again."

Shisui looked vaguely amused. "Got it." Then he picked me up, ignoring my indignant squeak, and set me on one of the stools. He waved to Teuchi. "Salt for her. I'll take a pork."

Once Teuchi had moved away to fill the order, I glanced towards Shisui. "Well? Spill. What's going on?"

He tapped his fingers against the bar, not answering right away. Then he murmured, "Is there really no other way?"

I winced before I had even fully registered his question. "What would be the alternative? Trust me, I've gone through idea after idea and they're worse and just about every way possible."

"It's just . . . ."

"Shit? I know."

He barked out a laugh. "You really have to clean your mouth up, Taichou."

"So I've been told," I commented, straightening when Teuchi set a bowl in front of me. "Arigato. Where's Ayame?"

"She's out of the Village getting ingredients. Our shinobi escort this time included a rather loud man dressed all in green. And when I say loud . . . ."

"Ah. You got Gai," Shisui said, grinning and breaking apart his chopsticks.

I looked towards him sharply. "Maito Gai? I haven't met him yet." I slurped up a mouthful of ramen.

"There's a lot of people you haven't met yet," Shisui said, rolling his eyes. "Gai is hardly the only one."

"Well, we just have to fix that, don't we?"

"We? Don't you rope me into this."

"Too late. You're in this." With that, I practically inhaled the rest of my ramen and then hopped down from my seat. "Let's go! The Jonin Station is waiting for us!"

"Wha— Dammit, Taichou," he muttered, hunching over his bowl. He hurriedly slurped up the rest of his ramen and then slammed down his money on the counter. "Fine. Let's go." He clamped a hand on my shoulder.

The next thing I knew, I was kneeling on the ground and trying not to throw up. "Y-you promised," I gasped out.

"I did no such thing," he said innocently, strolling towards the station entrance. "You're falling behind."

Cursing, I scrambled shakily to my feet and dashed after him. Shisui was already starting down the stairs and, feeling vindictive, I tackled him. Shisui let out an actual squeal of alarm and then we tumbled downwards. The steps' sharp edges hit me harshly as I fell, but it was totally worth it. We reached the bottom and Shisui sprawled out, gasping. "Are you fucking serious?" he muttered.

Laughing, I dragged myself to my feet. "That's what you get for picking on me with your shunshin."

"What the hell is going on?"

I looked up to find several familiar faces and I focused in on the one that had spoken. "Ohayo, Genma! Shisui was being a jerk so I tackled him down the stairs."

"I can . . . see that. What's up, Pumpkin? You usually don't, um—"

"Act immature?" Anko asked, grinning. "You clearly haven't been there for our fuuinjutsu lessons."

Shisui shoved himself to his feet, rubbing his head. "See if I teach you anything ever again."

Grinning, I brought my hands up into a seal. Then another and another before muttering henge. In a puff of smoke, I stood taller and I smirked at him. "'See if I teach you anything ever again!'" I mocked loudly.

"I don't sound like that."

"I don't sound like that!" I let my voice go far higher than it should. Then I let the henge drop, laughing. "Where's your sense of humor?"

"My sense of humor is just fine," he muttered.

"Uh-huh, yeah, yeah." I shoved my hands in my pockets and glanced around the room. "Who's that?" I gestured with my head.

"That's Morino Ibiki. Trust me, you don't want—"

I was already walking towards him and I heard Shisui curse behind me before he rushed to catch up. I stopped by where Ibiki was hunched over a table, writing out on a scroll. I bowed my head. "Konichiwa, Morino-san. I'm Uzumaki Mirai."