Fun Fact: In the original draft, Shisui was never even supposed to be a character. He wasn't supposed to be involved at all. When I scrapped that draft and started over, Shisui became so integral to the plot that I'm not sure how I managed without him before.

Chapter Twelve - Propinquity

[propinquity—noun 1: nearness in place; proximity 2: affinity of nature; similarity 3: nearness in time]

"I heard you turned down the Hokage's offer for an early graduation."

I glanced across the table at Naruto, who suddenly found his empty plate very interesting. Then I looked back at Shikaku and shrugged. "It didn't interest me. I'm in no rush to graduate. Besides, I want to be on a team. And if I graduated now, I'd either be a solo apprentice or with genin twice my age. And the chances of teamwork going over well with them is slim."

"Well, I think it's great that she's staying at the Academy," Yoshino said, filling Naruto's plate with more food without prompting. "Maybe she can actually get Maru to put some effort into his work. Oh! You could even tutor him!"

"Kaachan," Shikamaru whined. "I'm doing fine."

I grinned. "Oh, I'd be more than happy to! I'm sure Naruto and Sasuke would like to get involved." I glanced at Shikamaru. "What do you think, Maru? Think any of the others would want to study with us?"

"I hate you."

"Maru, be nice," Yoshino reprimanded. "And I think a study group is a great idea, Mirai-chan. The Nara lands are always open to you and your friends if you need a place to practice. And of course, Shikaku and I are always willing to help out."

Shikaku looked up from his food. "I am?"

"Yes. You are. Any more, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto shook his head furiously. "No, thanks. Five plates is good."

"Okay. I'm glad you liked it!" Yoshino got to her feet and started gathering plates.

I scrambled up. "Let me help—"

"No," she said sternly, staring me down. She didn't move until I sank back down into my seat. Then she nodded. "You're a guest. Shikaku, help me clean up."

He grumbled and stood, leaning over to take my plate. I murmured my thanks and glanced to the side at Shikamaru. "So, study buddy."

"No," he groaned. "Please. I understand the material just fine. It just takes so much work to do the homework and the tests."

"Right. The bane of a Nara's existence: work."

"C'mon, Shikamaru!" Naruto said, grinning. "It'll be fun. I bet Choji will wanna do it too."

He eyed both of us. "You're both terrible, terrible friends."

"That's not true and you know it. I'll play some shogi with you to make up for it."

He stared at me for a long time. Then he nodded. "Okay. Let's do it."

I slipped out a scroll and unrolled it before coming to the right seal. I unsealed the shogi board and tucked the scroll away again. As Shikamaru and I started setting it up, Naruto pressed up against my side to watch.

We were ten minutes into the game when Yoshino and Shikaku returned. Yoshino asked Naruto if he wanted to see the deer and escorted him outside, all the while cooing over how cute he was. Shikaku loomed over the remaining two of us, studying our movements. Then he murmured, "Shikamaru, you have a more than worthy opponent."

"I've been playing weekly with Hiruzen for almost a year," I said, capturing another one of Shikamaru's pieces.

"She's beaten him," Shikamaru added, blocking my next planned moved. "Several times."

"Well, it's because he sees our little meetings as an opportunity to talk." I set up a trap. "I see them as an opportunity to win."

He made his move and Shikaku huffed out a mild laugh. "You sound like the Yondaime."

I nodded and moved another pawn, misdirecting Shikamaru's attention. "People have told me that I take after my father."

Shikamaru stilled and glanced up at me for a second, taking in that information. But he didn't comment on it, making a move and falling for my trap. Shikaku saw it also, because he sighed in disappointment. I moved my golden general. "Tsumi."

"What?" Shikamaru sat up ramrod straight and raked his gaze across the board.

I smiled. "You let yourself get distracted. Don't worry too much, it happens to the best of us." I started gathering up the pieces.

Shikaku reached out and picked up one of the pieces. "I'd like a game," he said easily.

I glanced up at him and then began setting the board back up. "Okay."

He sat down across from me and propped his elbow up on the table, leaning his head into his hand. "Good luck," he murmured.

"It's logic, not luck."

"I, I think it's a great idea, Mirai-chan," Hinata said, flushing a deep shade of red due to all the attention on her.

I beamed. "Great!" I glanced across them all. "It's settled, then. Saturdays, we'll all meet in front of the Academy after classes and head somewhere to study. Sound good?"

I was met with a chorus of agreement of various levels of enthusiasm. I nodded in satisfaction. "Great. I have to head off to my lessons now, but I'll see everyone in the morning. Nato, I'll pick you up from Sasuke's when I'm done." I gave Hinata and Choji tight hugs, managed to peck a kiss on both Naruto and Sasuke's foreheads, elbowed Shikamaru, and waved to Shino. Then I took off for the training ground.

Fugaku was waiting for me when I got there, sitting seiza in the grass with his eyes closed.

"Go ahead and take a seat, Uzumaki. We'll be working on your chakra shields today. Am I safe in assuming you've already done some work with your shields on your own? Your chakra isn't quite as loud as it normally is."

"I have. And Shisui helped me a little bit too." I sat down in front of him and rested my hands on my thighs. "It's odd to get used to."

"As are most things. But eventually, this will be like second nature to you. I want you to focus on your shield. Try to completely hide your chakra from me."

I nodded and closed my eyes. I focused on the barriers between my chakra and the world around me. I could feel the slightest strain on my tenketsu from the unfamiliar action, but I pushed through it and focused.

"Good. Hold on to that," Fugaku said. "You've brought your visible chakra levels down to about the extent of a high end genin. A definite improvement. I want you to hold that shield during our entire lesson today."

I looked at him, half-focusing on my barriers. As always during our sessions, his sharingan was on. "Hai, Fugaku-sensei. I'll do my best."

"Excellent. Let's take a walk." He rose to his feet and turned. I scrambled up and rushed to fall into step beside him. He glanced down at me. "What do you know of bukijutsu, Uzumaki?"

"I know a lot of the theory behind it, but I don't have much experience with weapons beyond shuriken and kunai, and what Shisui's taught me with a staff and a tanto."

"Ah. Bukijutsu is often an underused skill. Shinobi might specialize in one kind of weapon, but the ability to use and be proficient in any weapon you get your hands on is an invaluable skill. You should look into it."

I nodded, focusing too much on my chakra shields to carry the conversation. Then I paused in my tracks, studying the odd feathering on the edges of my chakra. Then I looked up to find that Fugaku had paused several steps ahead and was watching me.

"Is there a problem, Uzumaki?"

I didn't answer, turning my head in the direction I knew the Village was. I could feel it, but I had mentioned that to Fugaku before. It would be simple enough for him to add that. So I focused on that feathering feeling again.

"This is a genjutsu."

"Is it? What makes you say that?"

"There's . . . nothing wrong with it visually. Or otherwise. But . . . I can feel your chakra affecting mine."

Some indecipherable flickered across his face. "I see. Very well, then."

I focused my chakra and pulsed it gently. Nothing happened. I pulsed it again, strong this time. The illusion shattered and I found myself still sitting seiza. I released a breath.

"Better," he murmured. "It only took you three minutes. I must admit, I didn't realize you'd be able to feel my chakra touching yours."

"I am a sensor," I pointed out. "Could that be part of it?"

"Perhaps." He got to his feet and cleared his throat. "That's all for today, then. Keep working on your chakra shields."

I scrambled up. "That's it? Um, okay." I bowed my head. "Thank you, Fugaku-sensei."

He hummed in response, face tilted up. "I believe you have a message." And then he shunshined away.

I looked up to find a hawk circling overhead. It dove down and I held out my arm. Which I regretted a moment later when its talons dug into my flesh. Keeping a whimper inside, I removed the scroll tied to the hawk's leg with a ribbon. It spread its wings and took off, leaving my arm scratched and bleeding. I shook out my hands, feeling the wounds already healing as Kurama leaked more of his chakra into my body than he normally gave.

Thank you.

I just got a grunt in response.

I unrolled the scroll. The message inside was short and succinct.

Uzumaki-chan,

I got your message and I am impressed with your improvement. I agree with your assessment that you have overcome your hypersensitivity enough to attempt further lessons with fuuton jutsu. Find me at your leisure.

Yanagikage Kokage

I grinned and tucked the scroll away in my pocket. Sounds like we need to visit the Jonin Station again. What do you think?

Fine.

Aw, so grumpy.

I started back off for the Village, mission set in my mind. When I approached the gate, I grinned at the shinobi stationed there. "Ohayo, neighbors," I greeted.

"Mirai-chan," Kotetsu said, leaning forward on his desk. "Any chance we could get more of your homemade ramen sometime soon? I wouldn't complain if you, you know, made too much for just you and Naruto to eat."

I laughed. "The day I make so much ramen that Naruto can't eat it is definitely not in the near future. But I'll see what I can do."

Izumo smiled, a touch more restrained than his companion. "Thanks. What are you up to?"

"I just finished a training session with Fugaku-sensei and I'm off to find Yanagikage-sensei."

"You—" Izumo's eyes widened. "You've been training with Fugaku? No way."

I blinked. "Um, yeah. He's been helping me detect genjutsu and dispel them. Is that a surprise?"

"A little." Izumo cleared his throat. "Um, last I heard, Kokage was headed towards the Jonin Station."

"Great! Thanks!" I jogged off in that direction. When I got there, the Station was full and bustling. I pushed through the crowd, trying to find the familiar spiky hair. He was at the far wall, brewing coffee while talking to several other shinobi.

He saw me as I approached and managed a slight smile. "Uzumaki. I assume you got my message?"

"I did. When's a good time?"

He looked at the coffee he was making and sighed. "I'll leave this for someone else, then. We can go now."

"Oh." I blinked. "I can wait."

He eyed me for a moment. And then he nodded. "Okay." He picked up the pot and poured himself a mug. "Would you like any?"

I shook my head. "I have plenty of energy, thanks."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure giving her coffee would be a mistake," a familiar voice said right as a hand dropped on to my shoulder.

I looked up and grinned. "Hi, Genma."

He smiled down at me and tapped my nose. "Hey, Pumpkin. What are you up to?"

"Yanagikage-sensei is going to finish teaching me Daitoppa."

His expression fell a touch but then he smiled again. "Look at you and how smart you are. I heard you finished your lessons with Tonbo."

I managed a nod. "Yep. My sensing skills are better than ever. I'm working with Fugaku-sensei now. It took me just three minutes to find and dispel his genjutsu today!"

"Just—" Genma eyed me oddly. "That . . . is actually really impressive. Holy sh— Wow. Um. I mean, Fugaku isn't exactly low level with it comes to genjutsu."

"We think it's because I'm such a good sensor, but we're not sure. I could, um, I could feel his chakra messing with mine even though I couldn't find anything wrong with the genjutsu itself. Though I still need to figure out how to dispel it without alerting everyone within three miles."

"Practice will help. Not just with that specifically, but also using your chakra in other instances. You've been working on shields, too?"

"Yep."

"I can tell. Good job."

Kokage finished his coffee and set the cup down in the sink with a sigh. "Alright, let's go."

"Okay!" I gave Genma a wave and followed Kokage up the stairs. "Thanks for taking the time."

"Of course. Part of being a Konoha shinobi is helping fellow Konoha shinobi, or future Konoha shinobi. It's a part of the Will of Fire." Once we were outside, he reached down and grabbed my shoulder. "Let's go." He activated a shunshin, and then several consecutive ones until we came to a stop at the Village gates. He let me go. "Take a breather."

I took a moment to catch my breath, but it was pretty easy. His shunshin weren't quite as overwhelming as Shisui's. I nodded. "I'm good."

"Good." He grabbed my shoulder again and activated several more shunshin until we stopped at the training ground. "Alright. Show me the hand signs again."

I nodded. Tiger, ox, dog, rabbit, snake.

He watched and then nodded, stepping aside. "Alright. Try it using your mouth. Once you have that down, we'll move on to expelling it through the tenketsu in your hands."

"Alright." I went through the signs again, this time slowly and focusing on the build up of chakra in my throat. Molding it into wind chakra, that familiar feeling of winter air. Then I finished the sighs and brought my hands up to my mouth, blowing out a breath. But then that breath expanded and wind rushed between my lips, rushing out in front of me. The gust of wind blew across the training ground, bending the grass and then shaking the leaves from the trees it hit.

When it finished, I coughed and touched my dry lips. I worked my jaw and my lips cracked. "Ow," I mumbled.

"You'll want to pick up some lip balm. Chapped lips are a common problem with wind users. That was a good attempt, but wouldn't do any real harm in a fight. Here." He took my shoulder and turned me to face a tree about five feet away. "Hit that with as hard of a jutsu as you can."

"Got it," I rasped. I went through the seals again, gathered a large amount of my chakra, and activated the jutsu.

The wind slammed into the tree and it groaned under the assault. With a loud crack, the tree uprooted and crashed to the ground. I lowered my hands and stepped back, chest heaving. "Whoa," I mumbled.

"That was good," Kokage said, nodding. "Do you want to try it through your hands, now?"

"Already?"

"I don't see why not. It's safer to do it while I'm here, anyway. Aim for that tree again."

"Got it." Seals, chakra, jutsu. I thrust out my hands.

And nothing happened.

"Ow." I shook out my hands. "That hurt."

"You need to make sure you open your tenketsu, otherwise you end up with chakra buildup that can stress your coils there."

"Right. Got it." I shook out my hands again and started over. This time, when I thrust out my hands I focused on opening my tenketsu, like when I did the chakra light. The wind slammed into the fallen tree, sending dirt and leaves flying. My feet slid a bit against the ground as the jutsu gave me plenty of pushback. I dug in my heels.

When the jutsu ended, I let my hands drop and I stared at the splintered, fallen tree. "I . . . like this jutsu."

Kokage nodded. "Your chakra nature is strong. Once you master this jutsu, you'll have a strong skill base to learn other fuuton jutsu." He waved at the training ground. "Go ahead and keep practicing." Then he disappeared in a shunshin.

I spend another hour on the jutsu before heading back into the Village. On my way to the Uchiha Compound, I stopped by a store and bought some lip balm. I finished applying it and tucked it away in my pocket as I entered the Compound. A familiar heat played at the edge of my senses and I stopped looking towards the source. Then I grinned. "Hey, Shisui!"

He looked up and grinned. "Hey, Taichou. Hungry?" He glanced at the people in the stall. "Make that two bean buns, please." He set a couple more ryo on the counter. He took the two steaming buns passed to him and said, "Arigato, Teyaki." Then he passed one of the buns to me.

"Thanks. I'm headed to pick Naruto up. You want to walk with me?"

"I don't have anything better to do." He fell into step beside me. "You look tired."

"I was training. Learned daitoppa." I bit into the bun.

"Really? Sweet. I can start dropping nature jutsu on you now, then?"

"Sure. I'm fuuton natured, but I'd definitely like to branch out." Another bite. "This is really good."

"Of course it is. How's your shunshin coming along?"

"It's . . . okay." I shrugged. "I'm working on it. Also, my seals are improving." I straightened. "Oh, okay. So, I've arranged a study group with some of my classmates and this Saturday we'll all be heading to the Nara Compound after the Academy to study together. I thought it'd be pretty cool if you could drop by and help out some. Maybe help me kick Shikamaru's ass in gear."

"I'll think about it. I have a mission in the morning, so I'm not sure when I'll be back."

"Alright." I polished off my bean bun. "So . . . just to confirm. Once I get it figured out, you're not opposed to me inking a seal directly on your skin?"

He winced. "I'm not exactly . . . comfortable with the idea. But yeah, I'd let you do it."

"Sit, sit, sit! I have some cookies that I'll bring out," Yoshino urged us all, waving at us until we all sat down in the grass. "Great! Go ahead and get started. I'll be right back." She disappeared into the house.

I pulled out a scroll and easily unsealed all my textbooks for the Academy. "Alright, so is there anything anyone was having trouble with?"

"Um . . . ." Choji glanced around nervously. "I need some help with history. I just keep getting everything mixed up. I mean, on the last test I said that the Tsuchikage was the one that fought Madara at the Valley of the End."

"Ooh." Tenten sucked in a breath. "Yeah, okay. We can help out." She dug in her bag and pulled out her history textbook. The others did the same and I picked mine up from my stack. "Let's start back with the Warring Clans."

"Cookies!" Yoshino announced, setting down the piled high tray in the middle of our circle.

I selected a cookie and then sat back, flipping through my book. "Alright, then."

We'd made it up to the founding of Konoha when we were interrupted. I was in the middle of quizzing Choji when a familiar energy played at my senses. I trailed off in the middle of my sentence and straightened.

"Rai?"

"Hold on," I murmured. I turned this way and that, trying to find the source of chakra.

"Boo!"

My friends shrieked in surprise, tumbling back, and I just smiled. "Hey, Shisui." But my smile quickly turned to concern. "You're injured."

He waved a hand. "Well, you said it'd be nice if I could stop by and help out and I just finished my debrief with the Hokage."

"You should be going to the hospital."

He shrugged. "I happen to know that you're plenty good at stitching people up."

I leveled a glare at him and he just grinned. I sighed and snapped my book shut, tossing it aside. "Fine. Sit down." I dug out the med scroll in my pocket. "Shisui said he could come and help out if there was anything you guys wanted to know." I unsealed the supplies and pulled on a pair of gloves. "Where are you hurt?"

"Got stabbed by a kunai in my left shoulder."

"Right. Shirt off." I picked up the bottle of saline solution and shook it, also picking up a bowl. "Packed or stitches?"

"Stitches."

"Got it."

"I have a question," Hinata said shyly, flushing as the attention was drawn to her. "How did you decide if you were a close combat or a ranged shinobi?"

As Shisui settled into answering their questions, I focused on cleaning out his wound. It was a smooth enough cut that stitching it together wasn't too difficult. I finished the sutures and bandaged it over with plastic and tape to keep it from getting wet. I stripped off the gloves and packed everything up, sealing it away. "Don't pull those stitches," I warned.

He glanced at me, finishing up his answer, and grinned. "Well, I know that if I did, you'd just yell at me before fixing them, so really there's nothing for me to worry about."

I narrowed my gaze at him. "Careful, kiddo."

"Ooh, watch it."

"Maru, dinner!" Yoshino called.

Shikamaru groaned and hauled himself to his feet. "This was actually helpful. Thanks, Mirai. I'll see everyone Monday." Then he vanished into the house. The others said their own goodbyes and moved off. I handed Shisui his shirt and he pulled it back on.

"Hinata-chan, I'll walk you home." I glanced at Shisui. "Take Naruto with you?"

"Got it. C'mon, kid! Sasu-chan! Let's go!" He grabbed both of them and shunshined away.

I sealed away all my books and tucked the scroll into my pocket. Then I slipped my arm through Hinata's. "How's your training with Hanabi been?"

"Um . . . it's been okay," she said quietly as we began to walk. "Hanabi is really good."

"Well, everyone improves at different rates."

"You just say that because you learn so quickly," she mumbled.

"I don't, really," I admitted. "I just work overtime. Probably more than I should. How's the garden?"

She lit up. "It's great. The new plants took root really well." She started walking faster, pulling me towards the Hyuuga Compound as it appeared down the street. "You should see!" She nodded to the guards and then pulled me inside.

"Whoa." I stopped short. "Wow, Hinata, this is amazing. I didn't realize they would bloom so quickly."

"It's a side effect of the chakra infused—"

"Hinata."

She stopped short, looking towards the main house at the man standing there. She straightened and released me. "Hai, Tousama?"

"I'd like to speak with you." Hiashi's gaze flicked to me. "Uzumaki-san."

"Hiashi-dono," I greeted, bowing my head.

He waved a hand. "Feel free to explore our gardens. I need to speak with my daughter." He turned and entered the building. Hinata threw me a glance and then scrambled after him.

I blinked. "Oh. Okay." With a shrug, I moved to look at the freshly blooming flowers. These are pretty.

Kurama just gave me an unhappy huff in response.

"You're around here a lot."

I looked up at the speaker and just raised an eyebrow. "Is that a bad thing?"

"Yes."

A smile cracked my face. "Aw, don't be like that, Gargoyle. You love me." I motioned to him and kept strolling through the garden.

Neji grunted in response and fell into step beside me. After a couple minutes, he muttered, "You're . . . tolerable."

"Oh, well. That's nice to know." I shoved my hands in my pockets and considered the options before me. Then I decided. "We need to talk."

"What about?" he asked.

"Tell me about fate."

He stopped short and I stopped a few steps ahead, turning to face him. He narrowed his gaze at me. "Why?" he asked stiffly.

"Because I want to hear what you think about things. All too often people share their own opinions without listening to what other people think. So . . . ." I waved absently at him. "Talk."

It took him a moment to respond, eying me carefully as if to see if I was serious or if I was just waiting to laugh at him the moment he spoke. "Fate is . . . inevitable. Inescapable. Our lives, our destinies, have already be set. We each have an end that we're bound for, an end we can't avoid." He paused momentarily, licking his dry lips and regaining his bearings. "When I was young, four years of age, Hinata-sama was stolen from her bed."

I didn't enjoy the way he twisted my friend's name, but I had told him I would listen.

"Her father killed the would-be kidnapper, a Kumo diplomat. The Raikage asked for Hiashi-sama's head. Instead," —I pretended not to notice the way his voice hitched— "fate decided that it was my father's destiny to die for the Main House, just like it is the fate of every other branch member to sacrifice ourselves for their line. Just because we were born on the wrong side of a family. So they took my father back to Kumo for him to face his death." He took a deep breath, recollecting his usual stoic façade. "Like other branch members, and like my father, it's my fate to serve the Main House until the end of my days."

His fingers brushed over the bandages around his forehead before his hand jerked away like it had been burned. "It was my fate to be sealed to protect my . . . clan. It was fate for my father to die. Anything and everything that has ever happened . . . . fate. Our paths are laid out from the beginning. I was fated to be burdened with a seal, just as you were fated not to be." His brows drew together a bit when he saw the hint of a smirk around my lips at those words. "I was fated to serve the Main House, bound to them, just as you were fated to live your own life free of a cage."

The first flaw I saw clearly in his words was that he was assuming I wasn't bound, that I wasn't caged by something as well. Of course, he was still a child. Most seven-year-olds still thought themselves to be the center of the universe, though perhaps not in such a depressing way as Neji did. However, I bit my comments back and he continued.

"Everything has already been decided. It can't be fought against. However, I will also perform the duty fate has given to me. I will serve the Main House as a branch member, I will live for Konoha, and most likely die for it. Because just like fate, duty is inevitable. Our lives . . . are not our own."

With that, Neji looked at me expectantly. Obviously he was waiting for me to make one of my usual snarky comments, or for me to scoff at his beliefs. I pondered exactly how to respond for a bit before nodding. "I see."

He blinked. "I'm . . . sorry? You agree?"

At that, I threw him a sharp look. "No, I don't agree. But I won't say it's entirely stupid. You've obviously thought about this, and demeaning it with such a shallow opinion would be cruel, let alone wrong from a purely objective standpoint." I was aware my vocabulary had risen far above the point of a usual six-year-old, but I wasn't worried. Neji's own linguistic skills were high as well, due to his upbringing in a clan and the fact that was, well, Neji. "However, I don't agree. My reasons, however, aren't as well thought out or even as reasonable as yours. Mostly, I would have to say I disagree simply because I'm stubborn."

"Because you're . . . stubborn," he repeated flatly.

"Hai. You're wrong in thinking you're the only one here with chains, Neji-kun," I said, tilting my head and watching the way he frowned at both the lack of my usual nickname for him and the honorific. "I'm bound in a way much too similar to yours, truthfully. But even if fate is real, I have no intention of being its bitch. I'll fight and scream and claw my way out of this world's preconceived notions and destinies right up to the day I die. I don't believe in predestination, nor do I believe that we lack free will."

Then my face drew into a frown and I turned to study the bush I was standing next to. "Besides, there are some flaws in the basic logic of your beliefs. If fate was real, then why would anyone both doing anything? Why not just sit around and waste away while fate takes care of the rest? Why do you assume you know what fate is? How do you know it's not your fate to surpass the rest of your clan, how do you know that it's not your fate to change it?"

He drew himself up. "You speak of—"

I held up a hand, still not looking at him. "I let you speak, please allow me to do the same. Fate, I believe, it something people put on themselves. They disillusion themselves, limit themselves with their own beliefs. They allow it to define and control them, just as you have let your clan's seal do to you. Fate is an obstacle, not a finish line." I finally straightened to look at him. "There's only one fate we can't avoid, and that's the fact that someday, somehow, we all will die. But I think it's up to us to decide what we do in the meantime."

Neji frowned thoughtfully mulling over my words. Then he shook his head. "You're wrong."

"Maybe. But you are too."

"You can't know that—"

"You made assumptions." I tilted my head to the side. "Assumptions are always dangerous."

"I didn't assume anything."

"You did. You assumed I don't have a seal."

His gaze flicked obviously to my bare forehead. "You don't," he ground out.

"I do." I motioned to him and sat down. It wouldn't necessarily fully hide us, but would at least obscure us from most people. After a moment, Neji sat down as well. I lifted my shirt to show my bare abdomen and then lifted my hand. I called up a chakra light and the ink across my stomach swirled into being. I watched as confusion settled in Neji's pale eyes. After a moment, I pulled my shirt back down and ended the light.

He kept staring and then he seemed to come back to himself. He raised his gaze to meet mine. "What?" he rasped hoarsely.

"Just so you know, what I'm about to tell you is an S-rank secret. You can't go spreading it around, got it?"

He nodded wordlessly.

"Good. Alright, so, October 10th. The night I was born. That's the same night the Kyuubi attacked. And let me tell you something, Gargoyle. You can't just kill a bijuu. And the Yondaime? He was a seal master, after all. And the Uzumaki Clan was known for their powerful chakra, meaning that we have chakra coils strong and resilient enough to contain a bijuu, even as a weak newborn." I could see understanding dawning on him. "You want to talk about cages? I have a literal cage in my mind with a demon sitting in it."

Rude to talk about me like I'm not here.

I grinned. "He's grumpy, most of the time. Crabby. But that puts limits on me. I mean, most of the Village hates me." I shrugged. "Fate would say I'm just their scapegoat. That I'm just a cage to keep the Kyuubi from eating up Konoha. But I'll repeat what I said before: I'm gonna make fate my bitch."

He stared at me, brow marred by a frown.

I pushed myself to my feet. "Well, I'm going to leave you to think about that."

"Alright, Ichi, you're on henge. Ni, you're on seals on skin. And San," I said, turning to my final clone, "you get general fuuinjutsu studies. Just like we've been doing."

The three of them nodded, though San gave me a playful salute, and I took a deep breath. From the other room, I heart Naruto call, "Rai! You coming? We're gonna be late!"

"I'll be right there!" I patted my kunai pouches to make sure I had everything. Then I slipped carefully out of the room and threw Naruto a grin. I followed him outside and locked the door. "Alright, let's go, Nato. Race you?"

He pouted at me. "You always win."

"Not . . . not always," I said, wrinkling my nose.

"But you do. You always win and—" He cut himself off, turning and racing down the stairs.

"Hey!" I ran after him. When I got to the ground floor, Naruto was already a ways ahead. I focused and ran through hand seals. "Shunshin," I muttered, focusing. I snapped forward and came to a stumbling stop. It took me a half second to start running again and I glanced back, grinning. "You're falling behind, Nato!"

"No fair!"

"I'll see you there!" I took to the rooftops, going ahead but not so far that I couldn't hear his chakra anymore. When I reached the Academy, I jumped down into the yard and just waited.

"Kami, you are insane."

"Good morning, Maru. You're as happy as always." I grinned down at where he was on the ground. "Sleeping already?"

"Nap time is all the time," he grumbled.

"Shikamaru!" Naruto yelled, tumbling through the gate and into the Nara.

Shikamaru grunted and shoved Naruto off of him. "Aw, c'mon, man. Seriously?"

"Let's go, lazy bones," I said, leaning down and grabbing his arm. I hauled him to his feet. "We've got a class to get to." I pushed him ahead of us into the building. "Speed up. Come on."

Shikamaru groaned and immediately ducked away from me to go to his seat the moment we were in the classroom. I moved to follow, when Iruka cleared his throat. "Mirai? A moment?"

I nodded and motioned Naruto ahead. Then I stepped up to his desk. "Yes, Iruka-sensei?"

"I know that you don't want to move up to another year or graduate early, but I'm also aware that you're easily bored by the information in the class. So, as long as you don't distract your classmates, I believe I have a solution."

I straightened. "Of course."

He opened a drawer in his desk and retrieved a thick folder. "In here are some things that genin would study; jutsu, trap setting, and so on. You can study them in class but don't try any of the jutsu in class. When you're ready to attempt a jutsu, let me know between lessons and Mizuki-sensei or I will accompany you outside or to the Academy gym to practice. Understood?"

I nodded furiously, taking the folder. "Hai. Thank you, Iruka-sensei." Clutching the file to my chest, I rushed to my seat. As Iruka called the class to order and attention, I opened the folder and unsealed my notebook and pen. The top page was about chakra threads, but had a note written in by Iruka saying that I wouldn't be able to use them until I had sharpened my chakra control. There were several wind techniques, even a couple low level water and earth techniques, as well as several other jutsu. The creator's name one of them caught my eye: Jiraiya.

I picked up the page and scanned it. Toton Jutsu. As I read the description, I realized that it was basically an invisibility jutsu. And knowing Jiraiya and his reputation, he'd probably invented it for perverted purposes. But regardless of the reasons for its creation, it was an invaluable skill. I clicked my pen and started studying.

I made it through the theory behind the jutsu and through several pages about trap setting. Iruka, meanwhile, made it through history and math and to chakra theory. I flipped back to the jutsu to choose another one when my chakra sensing was suddenly overwhelmed.

"Does this look good?"

"I think so."

"Won't know until you try."

"Okay. Here goes. Fuuin!"

I tried to grab for my desk to steady myself, but I couldn't see and I couldn't feel my hands. I couldn't feel anything.

It took me a while to realize that yes, I was, in fact awake and that my eyes were, in fact, open. But that didn't explain why it was still pitch dark. My senses were hot, blinding, stinging. I shifted and hissed in pain.

"Mirai? Whoa, careful."

I flinched back from the loud voice.

"Sorry," the voice said, much softer now. It was familiar and I turned my head towards it. It took a moment to recognize it.

"Shisui?" I croaked. My voice was raw and my lips cracked when I moved them. "What . . . ."

"You're at your apartment. If you're freaking out because you can't see, don't worry. The lights are on. You're just blind."

I stiffened. "Wha—"

"Okay, yeah, sorry. Bad joke. You've got a blindfold on. You're not blind."

I groaned and relaxed into the pillow. "I hate you," I rasped.

"Sorry, sorry. Because of your chakra hypersensitivity, your eyes are probably really sensitive, so I blindfolded you."

"Oh. What . . . happened?"

"So, you're leaving kage bunshin to work all day while you're at the Academy, huh? Well, as far as we can tell, one of your kage bunshin tried a seal that exploded and dispelled your clones. And then your body tried to suddenly adjust to the influx of huge chakra, which wouldn't be an issue if, well . . . you weren't six. With a six-year-old's chakra coils. So when your system opened up to take in all that chakra, you just ended up spilling your chakra instead. Fun fact, your entire classroom is now soaked in Uzumaki chakra and will probably feel like it for a few weeks at least."

"Wow."

"Yep. So you drained all of your chakra in the middle of class and passed out. You've been unconscious for about an hour now. Hungry? I brought some bean buns."

I nodded, instantly regretting it when my neck twinged. "Yes, please." I began sorting through the memories my clones had left me with. Shisui took my hand and gave me a bun. As I ate, I flicked through my recall. Then I frowned. "My notes—"

"No one saw them. I'm the one that brought you here and I put them all away just in case anyone else showed up."

"Oh. Thanks.

"Just so you know, Kakashi's supposed to be coming back from a mission today. He's gonna be pissed with you."

I sighed. "That sounds about right. I'm not gonna stop with the kage bunshin, though. We need this seal."

"I know. Doesn't mean he won't be angry. He doesn't know the full story."

"And he won't."

Shisui was quiet for a long moment. "Never?"

I bit down on my lip. "Someday . . . . Maybe. I don't know." I finished off the bun and then ran my fingers through my hair, wincing when they caught on tangles. "Someday."

"Right. Here." The heat of his chakra moved and a hand touched my shoulder. "Sit up. Turn."

I did so.

"No, no. The other way."

"Wha— Fine." I turned by back to him and then felt a gentle tug on my hair. "What are you doing?"

"Brushing your hair. It's a rat's nest. Like Itachi on a bad day."

"Ouch. Thanks."

"Uh-huh. Now hold still." As he worked, he said, "So how far along is the henge seal?"

"It's hard to say, exactly. I've made some progress. Probably just two or three weeks out a most, I'd say. I'm feeling pretty confident."

"You know, when I'm . . . gone . . . ." He cleared his throat. "Would probably be better if I didn't come back for a few weeks at least. Less chance of getting caught."

I nodded. "Of course. Um . . . ." I took a deep breath. "I'd like a way to know that you're . . . that you're okay. Please."

He let go of my hair and I felt its weight settled against the back of my neck, braided. Then I felt a tug on the necklace around my neck. "Code, then. Activating all five seals on the coin at once is just a sign that I'm okay. Got it?"

"Right. Got it. Thanks."

"Good. And if you're asking if I'm okay, pulse all five sequentially."

"Okay."

"Great. Now, why don't you take a nap, Taichou? That'll help you heal up."

Shisui had just finished teaching the three of us daifugou when the door slammed open. I looked up and swore mentally.

Language.

Shut the hell up.

"You and I need to talk," the newcomer said.

I sighed and pushed myself to my feet. "Right." I turned and headed towards my bedroom. I let him in ahead of me and then stepped in, closing the door. "You're upset with me, aren't you?"

"I— No," he said, fumbling for words as he pulled down his mask and stripped off his hitai-ate. "Not upset. Just . . . worried. I— Sorry, Pup, I'm not upset with you."

"Sounds like you're upset with me," I said, crossing my arms. "I know. I should have been more careful. And I'll be more careful from now on. There's nothing for you to worry about."

"That won't stop me, you know." With a sigh, Kakashi crouched down in front of me. "I'll always worry about you."

"You shouldn't."

"I will." He groaned, sitting down on the floor. After a moment, I sat down in front of him. He glanced aside, absently rubbing his scarred eyes. "Um . . . . You know, I've never told you this, but you remind me of myself. And I just— I'm not sure that's a good thing. It's scary, more than anything."

I frowned, studying his tense posture and the way he wasn't quite looking at me. "Nu-nii," I mumbled. "I don't think it's a bad thing to be like you."

"That's because there's things you don't know. I just— Be careful. Please."

I watched him, gnawing on my lip. Then I nodded. "I'll try. I know that won't stop you from worrying, but I'll try." I reached out and grabbed his wrist, pulling his hand away from his face. I couldn't encircle his whole wrist—given my childish hands and his grown ones—but it did the job and I gripped his hand with both of mine. "You know, Shisui's teaching us a game. Do you want to play? Nato would appreciate it. And Sasuke's fun."

He laughed weakly. "Yeah. Yeah, okay. I'll play." He pulled his mask back up.

"Great!" I climbed to my feet and opened the door. "Hey, deal Niisan in!" I announced, trailing back over to my spot next to Shisui. As he started passing out cards, I rubbed my forehead.

Shisui glanced at me, pausing for just a second. "Headache?"

"Um, yeah. Think it's just left over from my chakra exhaustion." I waved a hand. "Just finish up."

"Right. Got it." He finished dealing. "Sasuke, you're first."

As the game progressed, it just got harder and harder to focus with the overwhelming noise of four different competing chakra energies. I finally set down my cards and dropped my head into my hands.

"Pup?"

"Uh, sorry," I rasped. "Just sensitive and there's a lot of different chakra right now. Can't focus on just one." I looked up. "Sorry. Just keep playing without me."

Shisui glanced at me and then jerked his head. "C'mon. I'll help."

I huffed. "Right. Thanks." I scrambled to sit behind him and then leaned my back against his, closing my eyes. "Keep playing," I mumbled to everyone, waving a hand. I felt Shisui's hot chakra pressing up against mine and I relaxed at the familiar feeling.

"Huh," I heard Kakashi say. "You do that a lot?"

"Sometimes," Shisui murmured. "Helps her focus. I win this one."

"Wha— How— I demand another game," Kakashi said. "Re-deal."

"Right."

I shifted, leaning my head back and resting it against Shisui's shoulder. His chakra moved at that before burning comfortingly against mine again.

Bones ache when death creeps near.

I opened my eyes and stared upward at Kurama. "What are you talking about?"

"It's an old saying. Basically, I'm saying the time is close. Can't you feel it?"

I pressed my lips together and nodded. "Yeah," I rasped. "I feel it. Didn't realize what it was." I stepped between the bars and leaned back against one of them, looking up at him.

Kurama lowered himself down so was staring me in the eye. "We need that henge seal, or this whole plan? Up in smoke."

"I know that. I'm working on it."

"You need to work faster, Mirai. I hate your Uchiha, but having him alive is useful."

I huffed and smiled a little. "Yeah, I'd like him to stay alive too."

"So, how's it feel to be seven?" Shisui asked once Teuchi turned away to fill the order.

I grinned. "The same as it did last time." Then, realizing that might sound a bit weird to the others sitting with us, I rephrased. "I mean, it's a bit different than turning six, but not really."

"Insightful," Shikamaru muttered next to me, head resting on his arms. "Can you two just open presents already?"

"Hey, wait until we get to the training ground," Shisui said. "Impatient, much?"

"Yeah, yeah. The sooner we're there, the sooner I can take a nap."

"Well, it'll take a little bit for that much ramen to cook. So you're going to have to wait," I said. "Why don't you join Naruto, Sasuke, and Choji?"

Shikamaru shifted a bit so he could peer back at where the three were chasing each other in front of the ramen stand. "Yeah, no thanks. That looks like too much work."

"I knew about the stereotypes of the Nara work ethic, but you are one of exceptional laziness," Shino commented.

"Hmm, thanks," Shikamaru mumbled, closing his eyes. "'preciate it."

"By the way, thank you for organizing this," I said, turning to Shisui. "It means a lot to Naruto."

He raised an eyebrow.

I wrinkled my nose and stuck my tongue out at him. But then I laughed. "Alright, alright. It means a lot to me too."

"Good. The others are waiting for us at the training ground."

"Others?"

He grinned and then straightened as Teuchi started putting the boxes of take-away ramen in bags. He dug out his money. "Thank you, Teuchi-san."

"Of course. Anything for my favorite customers," the old man said, smiling down at me.

Shisui paid and picked up the bags. I hopped down from the chair to follow him. As he called everyone over, a small voice said, "Would you like help, Shisui-san?"

He glanced to the side. "I think I'm fine. Thank you, though, Hinata-chan."

She flushed at the attention and nodded, ducking her head. I stepped up to her and looped my arm through hers. "Ready, everyone?"

"Yeah!" Naruto yelled, grinning with his hair messed up and his face dirty from playing. "Let's go! Training Ground 1! I'll race you there, Teme!"

"I'll beat you!" Sasuke yelled, already taking off.

As we watched them run off, Hinata giggled. "They always have so much fun."

I glanced at her and grinned. "You don't want to race with them, Hinata-chan?"

"Oh, no, I'm okay," she said smiling a little. "I'd never beat them, anyway."

"You never know," I said, shrugging. "As a matter of fact . . . . Shisui? You mind getting the five of us there a little faster?"

He stopped short and eyed us all. "I've never taken that many people at once before."

I grinned. "Can't handle it?"

"Oh, watch it. Hold on to your stomachs and to each other, kiddos. It's gonna get a little bumpy." He reached out and grabbed my hand. I tightened my hold on Hinata, who grabbed Shikamaru, who grabbed Choji, who then carefully grabbed ahold of Shino. Shisui grinned and then the world bent around us for just a moment. And then we were at the Gates. The other four stumbled—Shikamaru even fell to his knees—but I just looked expectantly up at him. "What?" he asked. "I'm not going to put them through several of those, or an especially long on."

"Thanks," Choji gasped out. "Don't think I'd like another one of those."

I shrugged. "Okay, then. Well, let's stay ahead!" I took off at a fast walk. "C'mon, guys!"

Shisui easily fell into step with me and I could hear the others hurrying to follow. I glanced at him. "So, who all is waiting for us?"

"Wow, you're really not patient at all, are you? Listen, your Academy friends are mostly for Naruto, right? I just pulled in a few more people you're friends with. Considering, you know, your friends are usually older."

I raised an eyebrow. "Informative. Thank you."

"Uh-huh."

Then I grinned. "Race you there!" I said, the moment I saw the training ground vaguely in the distance. Then I focused and activated a shunshin. I landed roughly at the edge of the training ground, falling forward and catching myself with my hands. I turned over, grinning as I saw Shisui appear right next to me. "Too slow."

"Uh-huh," he said, rolling his eyes. "I brought food," he announced loudly, pulling me up by the arm.

I stumbled up and waved to the others as they arrived. Then I turned. "Oh. Hi!"

"It's about time people started showing up," Yuugao said. "We were getting bored here."

"Sorry. Shisui didn't think it was worth putting the others through multiple shunshin." I glanced back and waved as Naruto and Sasuke arrived. Then I skipped forward and threw my arms around Genma's neck. "Thank you all for coming," I said brightly, before sliding down to sit between Genma and Kakashi.

"Listen, all I know is that Shisui promised me food," Kotetsu said. "Sorry Izumo's not here. He's on mission."

"So is Hayate," Yuugao apologized. "But I still brought gifts from both of us."

"Thank you," I said, smiling. I took the take-out box Shisui handed to me.

"Kashi!" Naruto squealed, bouncing up. "We're old now!"

Kakashi just eye-smiled tiredly at him. "I noticed. I got you a gift." He pulled a scroll out of his kunai pouch and then unsealed two crudely wrapped gifts.

"You can open presents while you eat," Shisui said, pushing a take-out box into Naruto's hands. "Go ahead."

Naruto grinned and shoveled a bunch of ramen into his mouth. Cheeks bulging as he finished off the box, he lunged for the gift labeled with his name and tore it open. "Whoa! You got me new goggles! How cool!" He scrambled to take off his worn goggles and replace them. "My old ones were broken!"

I set down my food and chopsticks and reached for my gift. "Thanks, Niisan. You didn't really have to get us anything."

"Shh, Rai," Naruto hissed. "If you say that, he might not get us anything next year!"

I laughed, tearing open the wrapping. "Alright, alright, just—" I blinked, staring down at what I was holding. A . . . hitai-ate? It was worn, dented. The cloth singed. "What?" I asked, looking up at Kakashi.

He cleared his throat. "It was Sensei's," he murmured.

I stared at him for a moment before I realized just what that meant. "Oh." I looked down at it and nodded. "Thank you." I carefully folded the cloth around the metal and hid it safely away in my kunai pouch.

"My turn," Kotetsu announced loudly. "Open!" He practically threw the presents at us.

"Candy," Naruto squeaked. "Hinata-chan, do you want candy?" he asked, already opening the packages of sweets.

I sighed. "Don't eat too many," I warned, opening my own gift. "Ooh, kunai and shuriken. Thanks, Kotetsu."

"Open mine, now!" Sasuke said loudly.

"Sasuke," Itachi said carefully, sighing.

Sasuke smiled. "Sorry. Please open mine." He held out one to Naruto and, once my brother had taken it, another to me. "They're from me and Itachi. He helped."

"Whoa, Rai, look," Naruto said. "I'm gonna look super cool in this."

I opened my gift and looked at the clothes inside—mine a dark red opposed to Naruto's dark blue. Itachi cleared his throat. "They're traditional shinobi training uniforms. Not as common nowadays as they used to be, but still used often within our clan."

I smiled up at him, already reaching for the gifts Choji was holding out. "Thank you, Tachi-chan. Two gifts, Choji-kun?"

"Only one's from me," he said, scratching at his head. "Shikamaru didn't want to have to move to hand it to you."

"Ah. I appreciate the effort, Maru," I said, only half listening as Naruto opened his own gifts. I opened Choji's first and my jaw dropped. "Oh my— Choji, is this—"

"Recipes," he said, nodding. "Um, my Kaachan and Touchan helped me put it together." He watched nervously as I began flipping through the thin, hand written book. "Is it good?"

"Good? I love it! Thank you." I threw myself forward so I could hug him tightly and I pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I love it. Really!"

"Yeah, yeah, just open mine," Shikamaru mumbled.

"Okay, hold on a second there," I said, sitting back and reaching for the next gift. "Honestly, I'm surprised you even got me anything."

"Kaachan made me."

"Ah. That makes sense." I stripped away the wrapping paper and squinted. "Let me guess. She's the one that suggested a calligraphy set too, wasn't she? I can't imagine you actually thinking to get this."

I just got a shrug in response.

Yuugao turned from her discussion with Naruto and offered me a smile. "I'm sorry we didn't wrap it," she said, holding out a box. "But Hayate thought you'd like it anyway. And we'd both be more than happy to show you how to use it."

I took the box from her and opened it. "Whoa. These are really amazing sword care supplies. Arigato. I just have my tanto right now, but— Thank you."

"My gift is from the clan," Shino said calmly, holding out a scroll. Once I'd taken it, he said, "There are details inside, but all you need to know is that the clan has extended a formal training invitation, to be accepted at your discretion."

I gaped at him and heard Shisui whistle in surprise. "That's pretty impressive, Taichou. I think—"

"Rai, Rai! Look what Hinata-chan gave me!" Naruto yelled, waving a book in front of me. "I told her I like flowers and she got me a book about them!" Still chattering excitedly, he sat down and opened his newest gift.

I smiled and glanced at the Hyuuga. "Thank you."

"Of, of course," she mumbled, flushing. "Um, this is yours," she said, holding out a thin gift. "I hope you like it."

"I'm sure I will," I said, already opening it. It was light and I was almost afraid I would break it if I took the wrapping off too quickly. But once the paper was removed, I was left behind with a paper folding fan. I spread it out and smiled at the chrysanthemums painted across it. "See? I love it, Hinata-chan. Thank you." I folded it back up and gave her a smile.

"Hey, Pumpkin, don't forget about me."

I turned and grinned at Genma. "As if I could—" I blinked at the small case he was holding out and leaned forward to get a good look. "Senbon?" I asked, carefully taking the case.

"You asked me to teach you. A while ago." He crossed his arms. "So I'll teach you."