Author's Note: So I get to share some of my personal interpretations of specific clan cultures in this chapter and I'm really excited to see what you guys think! I've always felt that there's a lot of the Naruto world that was left unexplored in the show that leaves plenty of room for exploration and it's really let my imagination run wild with my own personal worldbuilding!

Fun Fact: Mirai's alternate identity Hitomi (introduced in the last chapter) is based off of Uzumaki Hitomi, an OC from my first OC fanfic ever which will never see the light of day. In that, Hitomi is the descendant of a survivor of Uzushiogakure and an orphan, found by Konoha jonin while she was living as a street rat in another country. In that story, she was six years younger than Naruto (so younger than even Konohamaru) and best friends with an OC Yamanaka (who was loosely based on genin!Obito) and another OC that was a rescued experiment of Orochimaru's (loosely based on a combination of Sai and Tenzo). While that fanfic will never see daylight, elements of its plot are finding their way into other fics.

Chapter Fourteen - Chiaroscuro

[chiaroscuro—noun 1: the distribution of light and shade in a picture 2: Painting. the use of deep variations in and subtle gradations of light and shade, especially to enhance the delineation of character and for general dramatic effect 3: a woodcut print in which the colors are produced by the use of different blocks with different colors 4: a sketch in light and shade]

I didn't sleep. I spent the night huddled on my bed, coin clutched to my chest with Chisai curled into my collarbone and Kurama rumbling stories in my head. When morning came, Chisai coaxed me into taking a shower with a few careful words. Then a frustrated reminder from Kurama made me school myself into my normal expression as I went about making food and waking Naruto.

We were in the middle of breakfast—and in the middle of Naruto recounting a dream from the night before—when a knock on the door interrupted us. He blinked and then grinned. "Is someone coming over?"

"Not that I know of. Hold on." I hopped down from the chair and paced over to the door. The chakra beyond it was tightly reined in, controlled. I frowned and unlocked the door, edging it open. "Can I help you?"

"Uzumaki Mirai?" the man asked. His hands were folded behind his back and he was looking down at me with familiar pale features, framed by black hair. A glanced at his Uchiha police uniform confirmed his heritage. When I nodded, he cleared his throat. "I'm to escort you to meet with the Hokage and the Police Force Chief at the Tower."

Anxiety tightened in my chest at that, chanting all the ways the plan could have gone wrong, and I forced myself not to let it show. "Oh, well, we're just finishing breakfast, so—"

"Now."

I frowned and glanced back. "Naruto—"

"I know how to get to school," he pointed out.

I sighed and offered him a smile. "Course you do. Give me a moment, Uchiha-san." Leaving the door open for him—though he just stood in the doorway—I moved to grab my bag and toe on my shoes. After pressing a kiss to Naruto's forehead and extracting a promise from him that he would be safe and go straight to the Academy, I followed the officer out the door. "Do you know what this is about?" I asked, locking the door behind me.

"I'm not allowed to share any information about ongoing investigations."

"Investigations?" I frowned up at him. "What happened?"

"I'm not allowed to share any information about ongoing investigations."

"Right." Frowning, I shoved my hands in my pockets and glanced around as we walked. "Um, so, you know my name. What's yours?"

"Not necessary."

"Not— Right. Okay, then." I did my best to steady my heartbeat.

You don't know that anything went wrong. In the case of a death or missing person, everyone who was in recent contact with the victim is spoken to.

Right. Okay. Everything's fine. Everything's fine.

I followed the officer into the building and up the stairs. He nodded to the secretary and then knocked at the office door. Without preamble, he pushed the door open and stepped back. I glanced at him and he motioned me forward. I stepped inside and he pulled the door closed.

"Hiruzen," I greeted, frowning. "Fugaku-sensei. Is . . . something wrong?"

Hiruzen smiled gently and motioned to the couch. "Perhaps it would be better if you sat for this."

"I'd like to stand, thank you." I cut my gaze to Fugaku, but his expression was stony. Unreadable. "Well?"

"Fugaku-san," Hiruzen murmured. "Would you like to explain?"

"Of course, Hokage-sama." He kept his gaze straight ahead, hands behind his back. "This morning, a hitai-ate was found on the bank of Naka River. The headband was bloody and damage and brought immediately to the police force. We identified the hitai-ate as the one belonging to Uchiha Shisui. An attempt to locate him ended in a search of his house and the discovery of a note left behind. We believe that he disappeared sometime between eleven last night and five this morning. Given the speed of the river's currents, a body that entered the stream last night could already be miles away. We will continue to search for a body, but between the note and the hitai-ate, the police force has concluded that Uchiha Shisui is dead by suicide."

"I— Dead?" My voice broke a bit as I said the word, and part of that was from the fear that he really could be dead. I hadn't contacted him yet. I had no way of knowing. But no body? That had to be a good sign, right?

"Uzumaki-san, I need to know at what time Uchiha Shisui left your apartment."

"Um . . . ." I took a shaky breath. "I— Um, I think around eight to nine? Somewhere in there? I— He left a few minutes after Genma. Genma can probably tell you when he— Are you sure he's— He wouldn't—" I bit down on my lip.

Don't oversell it.

"He was gonna help me more with my bo staff today," I managed. "I— What do you need me to tell you?"

"Mirai," Fugaku said, voice suddenly softening in a way I'd never heard from him before. "I'm not here to question you."

At that, I finally turned to face him fully. He was looking down at me, a concerned frown marring his expression. "You're . . . not? Then why am I here?"

Hiruzen sighed and slid a thin stack of stapled papers across the desk. "You're here because you, Mirai-chan, are the sole beneficiary of Uchiha Shisui's will."

I reached for the papers. "I'm the—" I stopped short, and this time I didn't have to fake my surprise. "I'm the what?"

"You are the sole beneficiary. You have inherited all of Uchiha Shisui's possessions."

Well, he didn't exactly let us in on that little factoid, now, did he?

I picked up the papers and looked across them. Shisui's will. "Since . . . when?"

"As of five months ago. He's left you his belongings, his finances, and his house. The Uchiha Clan has agreed to allow the property to be left to you as a show of goodwill, from their clan to yours."

"Oh." I flicked through the pages. "He— Oh. Okay."

"Mirai-chan," Hiruzen said softly. "I've spoken with Iruka. You won't be attending any classes for the next week, and you won't have any extra training lessons, in order to let you properly grieve."

"I don't need that." I frowned. What I needed was my lessons. To train. Shisui was okay. He had to be okay. "I'm fine."

Fugaku sighed and a heavy hand pressed down on my shoulder. "It's for the best," he murmured. "Come with me, Mirai. Mikoto will make tea. Let us help."

"I—"

"Mirai. Please."

I swallowed thickly and stared down at the papers, flipping through them. When I reached the end, I stared at Shisui's signature.

He was okay, he was okay, he was okay.

"Okay," I mumbled. "Okay, I'll go with you." I fumbled with the papers and tucked them away into my bag. "Where, where's Itachi?"

"He's being questioned at the station," Fugaku murmured, guiding me gently towards the door. His hand was light, as if he was touching something fragile.

"The station?" I asked, voice rising in pitch. That couldn't be right, could it? They couldn't suspect that Itachi had been there, could they? They weren't suspicious of him being responsible. They couldn't be.

"Shh," Fugaku said soothingly, misinterpreting my anxiety. "He won't be too long, I can promise you that." He opened the door and followed me outside. "I know this is hard."

"Shinobi lose people all the time," I pointed out before I could stop myself.

He frowned down at me. "You . . . are not a shinobi. Not yet. And even shinobi grieve."

"Of course. I didn't—" I cut myself off before I could say anything to give myself away. Instead, I shoved my shaking hands in my pockets and ducked my head down, resigning myself to following him to the Uchiha Compound.

The Compound. The Compound where I wouldn't be able to feel Shisui's chakra. He was okay, he was okay, he was okay. He had to be. But he wouldn't be there.

Breathe, brat.

His words made me realize I was holding my breath. I let it out and my lungs burned in my chest. I reached up towards the coin under my shirt. Shisui would be far enough away by now. He had to be. I could check in. I had to know—

I snatched my hand down. I couldn't. Not with Fugaku right there. So instead, I curled my hands into fists until I felt my nails cut into my palms. And I kept my head down so that I couldn't see the Uchiha we were passing.

"Shoes," Fugaku said, stepping inside and leaving his shoes by the door. I followed suit. Down the hallway, he slid open the door to the tea room.

Mikoto looked up from where she was pouring the tea. "Mirai-chan." In a blink, she was in front of me with her hands framing my face. "Mirai-chan," she whispered. "How are you feeling?" She worriedly studied my expression and her thumbs pressed gentle circles against my jaw.

"I'm okay." I reached up to close my hands around hers. "I promise."

She smiled somewhat sadly. "Alright, alright." She motioned me forward. "Take a seat. I'll pour your tea."

"Arigato," I murmured, sitting seiza at the low table. "You don't have to do this, you know."

Mikoto made a displeased sound. "My dear, Shisui was of our clan, but we aren't blind. You were of his family. This is the least you deserve and it's the least we can give you." She set a cup of tea in front of me.

"Thank you." I took a sip. "When . . . is the funeral? Can you do one without a body?"

"You don't have to worry about that," Fugaku assured me

"I don't mind."

"Believe me, I know."

"Mirai-chan."

I paused mid-seal sketch and looked up from my notebook. Then I managed a smile and set the notebook aside. "Tachi. Sit with me." I patted the spot on the porch beside me.

Itachi watched me for a long moment. Then he nodded and sat beside me. When I leaned against him, he tensed. I didn't move. Itachi cautiously drew an arm around me. "I'm sorry," he said softly.

"Don't," I said firmly. "Don't apologize." I couldn't let him do that. Not when so much of this was my plan. My fault far more than it was his.

"I believe I should."

"I don't want to hear it. Don't make me listen to apologies." I reached over and took his hand. My hands were rough, but his were far more callused and worn with experience. I traced a thin, white scar across the back of his hand. "Did they rake you over the coals at the station?"

"Of course. They don't know any other way." He turned his hand over and I began considering the scars across his palm. "How are you feeling?"

"Did you know Shisui made me his will's sole beneficiary?"

He paused and I could practically taste the surprise in the air. "I . . . did not."

"As of five months ago. He never told me."

"That . . . is interesting. He never mentioned such a change to me either."

"Huh." I laced my fingers with his. "How are you, Tachi-chan?"

"Fine."

"Sure." I leaned my head against his shoulder. "Your father said they'll wait a couple days for a body before the funeral. I suppose . . . I should start going through his things, though." I straightened and sealed my notebook away. "I think I'll head to his house."

"Would you like company?"

I stood and glanced back at him. "Not now, I think. Maybe some other time. I'll be back later to pick the boys up from the Academy. Will you walk with me then?"

"Of course."

I smiled. And then I shunshined away. It took several shunshin before I found myself standing in front of his—my—house. I dug the key out of my pocket and unlocked the door.

The house was empty.

The house was wrong.

The door closed loudly behind me. The coin sat chilled against my collarbone and I fumbled for it. It took longer than it should due to my shaking hands, but I managed to code out my message.

Are you okay?

And I waited. And waited. My knees shook and I lowered myself to the floor before I could fall. I was still waiting. My heart desperately beat a tattoo against my ribs. My lungs closed in on themselves. I'd been wrong, wrong, wrong. I should have done it differently. I shouldn't have made him do it.

A sob choked itself up my throat and I raised a shaky hand to my mouth. He wasn't answering; he should have been but he wasn't because he was dead, so dead, so very, very dead. They were going to find a body. They were going to find a body and they were going to bury it and there was going to be nothing I could do. Shisui was—

Hot chakra burned into my palm. Instinct screamed at me to drop the coin immediately, but I didn't. I didn't because I knew that chakra.

I'm okay.

Another sob escaped me. I closed my eyes tightly and felt the hot tears burn down my face. The coin burned again with his chakra.

Are you okay?

I forced a long breath and rubbed my eyes. Was I okay? Was I? I eyed the coin for a long moment before answering.

I'm okay.

At least . . . I would be.

My backpack was lighter, empty of several of the ink jars I carried with me that I'd used to create and reinforce security on the house. When I stumbled, I told myself that it was the change in weight even though I knew better. So I just paced myself and my balance carefully as I returned to the main house. Itachi was waiting for me.

I managed a smile. "Ready?"

He nodded and got up from the porch, turning towards the compound gates. I frowned at him. "Were you sitting there the entire time?"

"No," he said quickly. Too quickly. But before I could say anything else, he clamped a hand down on my shoulder and shunshined us away. A couple jumps landed us in front of the Academy. The students gathered by the gate jumped in surprise.

"Mirai," Shikamaru said, raising an eyebrow. "I wondered where you were today."

"Sorry about that," I murmured. "Something, um . . . came up."

Itachi cleared his throat. "Uchiha Shisui died last night and so Mirai-chan has received a week away from the Academy to account for a grieving period."

Shikamaru blinked. "Shisui-san is dead?"

"Wh-what?" Sasuke interrupted, voice shaky. "What are you talking about?"

"But we saw him yesterday!" Naruto protested loudly. "What do you mean?"

"He means that Shisui is . . . gone," I said around the lump in my throat. Because no, Shisui wasn't dead. But he was gone.

Naruto blinked, looking both confused and edging on devastated. Beside him, Sasuke was already starting to tear up. And then arms came around both of them. "Dinner," Choji announced with a seriousness I'd never seen on him before. "The sharing of meal is beneficial for the soul." He said the words as if he was reciting a mantra. "I'll talk to my Tousan. Come to the Akimichi Compound in two hours. All of you." He eyed Shikamaru, Sasuke, Shino, Naruto, and myself in turn. When we all nodded, he drew back and hefted his backpack over his shoulder. "Bye," he said simply. And then he headed away.

"I would like to express my condolences," Shino said, reaching out a hand and placing it on my shoulder. "You were friends."

Strangely enough, his attempt at comfort in the form of simply stating facts was actually quite helpful. My smile that time was a little less faked. "Thanks, Shino-kun. That means a lot." When he pulled his hand back, I held out my own to Naruto. "Let's go home. I'll see you at dinner Sasuke-kun, Maru." I tightened my hold on Naruto and shunshined away. Several more got us to our apartment.

Naruto followed me up the stairs. "Hey, Rai?"

"Hmm?" I glanced at him before I turned to unlock the door. "What is it?"

"What did Itachi mean? About Shisui?"

I paused. With a sighed, I gestured him ahead of me. "Sit. I'll tell you." I took a little while to make some tea and then joined him on the couch, pressing a cup into his hands. After taking a sip, I said, "Shisui died."

"Right." He frowned. "What does that mean?"

"Well, it means he's . . . gone. And not coming back." When I saw that he was still confused, I bit my lip. "His, uh, his mind left his body. And his body stopped working and his mind went away forever. He . . . died."

Naruto frowned. "Oh. Okay. Um . . . Rai?"

"Yes?"

"If . . . if someone dies, um, they leave their body, right? But where do they go? After they die?"

I thought about the Void roaring in the back of my mind and stared at my brother. "I . . . don't know."

The first thing Choji's parents did when we arrived was to drag the both of us into a tight hug. Chiki pushed me out at arm's length and smiled. "Oh, I've heard so much about you, dearie. Look at you! You're just a stick! Come on inside. We've got plenty of food to put some meat on those bones. You certainly need it. C'mon, Choza, let's get them inside with their friends." She put her hand on my shoulder and steered me up the stairs. Chiki pushed open the doors. "Our final guests have arrived!" she announced proudly to the entire clan inside.

I really didn't like the attention. Too many people were looking at me, tracking my every move. And even though I logically knew they didn't mean any harm—they were smiling and welcoming—it made my skin crawl. I shuffled towards where Shino and Shikamaru were sitting while Choza steered Naruto towards Choji and Sasuke. The two looked up and Shikamaru kicked out the empty chair between them.

"'bout time," Shikamaru muttered. "I was starting to starve."

"I'm still early," I pointed out, sinking into the seat. "You complain too much."

"Well, anything else takes too much energy."

I rolled my eyes but my retort was interrupted by Choza rising to his feet and lifting his empty plate in the air. The Akimichi around the long, stretched table did the same. Shikamaru and Shino did as well and I scrambled to follow.

"To our health and our hearts!" Choza boomed. "Let us indulge on fare and family! Tanoshii!"

"Tanoshii!" those around the table echoed.

Chatter immediately filled the room and people moved to fill up their plates. After just a moment of hesitation, I leaned forward with my plate and started filling it from the trays of food in the middle of the table. Something bumped against my elbow and I looked back.

"Really?"

Shikamaru shrugged, still waving his plate at me. "C'mon. Do me a favor."

With a sigh, I put my plate down and took his. Once it was full, I set it down in front of him. "There. Happy?"

He pouted at it. "Why did you get me so many onions?"

"Oh, I'm sorry." I reached over and pulled his plate closer to myself. "I'll eat it all then."

"Hey, no."

"She will," Shino said. "So I suggest that if you want your dinner, you eat it now and quickly."

Shikamaru whined and straightened, digging into his food. After a moment, he looked up and squinted at me. "Hey, Mirai."

I held up a finger and polished off a cheese bun. Then I looked up. "Yes?"

"Tousan said to let us know if you start to go Dark."

"Likewise," Shino echoed. "I do think it would be a good thing to inform us of."

I blinked. "Um . . . Dark?"

"Tousan's seen it happen before. It's a shinobi thing and I mean you're close enough." Shikamaru shrugged and gulped at his drink. "Sometimes if someone loses a comrade, they go Dark. Crazy. Sometimes nuke-nin happen that way, but mostly it's just like your brain breaks and you don't work anymore. Um . . . like a broken toaster or something."

"A toaster," Shino intoned. "As always, your choice of analogy is astounding, Nara."

"I try." Shikamaru elbowed me. "Well?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'll tell you."

The water's gone cold.

I blinked back to the present and stared at the dish I was scrubbing. It had cracked, half the plate lying in the sink while the other half trembled in my hand. "Oh. Thanks." I shut the water off and stared down at the broken pieces. My hands were shaking.

I know he's okay, but it still feels so wrong.

You should be pleased everything went according to plan.

Success doesn't eliminate humanity.

I suppose that's why I don't quite understand. He paused. You can check in with the Uchiha again.

Right, right. That's a good idea. I turned and stepped down the stool to sit on it, my back against the cabinets. I reached up and pulled out my coin. My hands still shook and despite the knowing, I could feel the humanity itching at my eyes. I blinked back tears, but didn't quite contain all of them. Sniffling, I coded out my message.

Are you okay?

Just like last time, the wait stretched. And stretched. I shuddered and tucked the coin back under my shirt.

Relax. I could feel him pulling his chakra away from mine. I can't stand you when you're like this.

The coin burned against my chest. I'm okay.

I clapped a hand over my mouth to muffle my sob, trying to stay quiet so I wouldn't wake Naruto. I bit down fiercely on my lip, but it couldn't stop my crying.

The coin burned again. I'm okay.

I forced out a breath and wished that we had figured out a code that would let me thank him. But I couldn't communicate my gratitude, so instead I sobbed over the coin as it continued to burn with his chakra.

For the love of— Breathe. You have a guest.

I took in a shaky breath and looked up at the click of the door. I felt the brush of chakra against my own and the door opened. Sniffling, I rubbed my eyes. "Nu-nii?"

The door closed loudly and Kakashi stared at me, his expression hidden. And then he pulled down his mask and off his hitai-ate and his entire expression crumpled. "Pup," he rasped. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

I scratched my tears away and pushed myself to my feet. Shisui had long since stopped repeating his message, but I could still feel his lingering chakra against my skin. I pressed a hand against my shirt to make sure the coin was still hidden and then stepped forward. "Hey, you don't have to apologize, you know." I rubbed my nose and sniffled. "Don't apologize for something that's not your fault."

"Right." He reached over and set his hitai-ate on the counter. Then he lowered himself to his knees and opened his arms. "C'mere."

I blinked. And then I stumbled forward and curled my fists into his shirt. "Thanks," I mumbled, already feeing the tears returning. "I think I needed this."

"I've got you," he murmured, wrapping his arms tightly enough to ground me. "Do you wanna talk to me?"

I shook my head furiously and buried myself against his chest. "No. No really. Just . . . stay?"

"Yeah. Of course." His arms kept me still as he shifted to lean against the wall. "Whatever you need." He settled me somewhat awkwardly in his lap and I leaned against his chest. "You called me 'Nu-nii," Kakashi mused. "You haven't called me that for a long time."

"Oh." I blinked and then reached up for his hand. I took it in mine and started working at peeling off his glove. "Sorry."

"No, it's . . . fine." He shook me off and took off his glove before dropping his hand in mine again. "I think I kinda missed it. It's just not—"

"Okay for me to use in public. Yeah." I sniffled and shook my head to clear away the lingering blurriness from my tears. "I know." I splayed my hand across his palm, measuring just how much larger his hands were than mine. "It was . . . hard trying to explain it to Naruto. I'm still not quite sure he gets it."

"I can imagine it's difficult for him to understand. You . . . understand it fine?"

"I know what dying means," I said, looking up at him flatly. "And I know what suicide means, though that part wasn't shared with Naruto. Or really any of my Academy classmates."

"But . . . it was with you?" He frowned. "Did they tell you specifically? Why—"

"You don't know?" I interrupted, blinking. "Hold on." I scrambled up from his lap and fumbled through my backpack. Then I came up with the will and thrust it at him. "Look."

Still frowning, Kakashi took the papers and held them off to the side while opening his arms to me again. Once I had resettled, he took the time to look the pages over. After a bit of quiet reading, he softly said, "Oh."

Oh, indeed, Kurama said, chuckling.

"Did you know about this?" he asked curiously, starting to comb his fingers through my hair.

"No. I didn't. Um . . . if you want any of it, I wouldn't mind."

He paused and looked down at my curiously. "Why would I . . . ?"

"Um." I bit my lip. "Just, you know, Shisui is— was. Shisui was the last of his family, so . . . all of Obito's stuff got left to me too."

"Oh." Kakashi dropped his gaze to the papers again, sharingan open. "No," he whispered. "That's okay." He reached back and strained for a moment to put the papers on the counter. Then he dropped his arms around me again. "How are you feeling?"

I leaned against his chest with a shrug. "If I'm being honest?" I asked, voice shaking. "I don't know."

Breathe, Kit. You're annoying when you panic.

I opened the door and blinked, unable to hide my surprise. "Um . . . shouldn't you two be at the Academy?"

"W-we came here on m-my lunch break. N-neji-niisan got special permission t-to accompany m-me t-to see you."

"Oh. Um." I stepped aside. "Come on in. Sorry if it's a bit of a mess. I'm sorting through the books right now. Turns out Shisui's dad was famous for dissecting techniques and he's got hundreds of books on jutsu theory alone. So, uh, you can move some of 'em off the couch and sit there. I'll, I'll make some tea." I closed the door after them and scrambled about the kitchen to make heat some water. "Good news, Gargoyle! There's sencha here!"

"Thank you for the hospitality," Neji murmured. "Although I feel expecting service from you defeats the purpose of our visit."

"Don't worry about it." I moved over to them and pressed the steaming cups of tea into their hands. "And just what is the purpose of your visit?"

"Oh!" Hinata flushed. "We, we made you chakra stones." She drew a box out of her bag. "Only, only two since we didn't have much time. But it's a com-common practice in our clan to, um, to give chakra stones to . . . um . . . ." She look to Neji.

"After the loss of a loved one, in our clan it is common practice to provide chakra stones in order to allow the grieving individual to be surrounded by the energy of those they love to compensate for the energy lost through death," Neji murmured. "I . . . do hope that stones from us will be acceptable."

"Oh. Wow." I reached out and took the box from Hinata. I could already feel the heat of chakra against my palms. "Thank you," I breathed. "This really means a lot. I, I thought that letting someone feel your charka was, well, personal."

Hinata's flush darkened a shade further. "It, it is. It's, well . . . usually reserved for, for family and, and c-close friends. Loved ones." She dropped her gaze. "Much like how we don't use our Byakugan outside battle and, and, and training scenarios unless a-around those we're close with."

"Oh," I said again. "Thank you both. So much." I lifted off the lid and stared down at the two smooth rocks inside. "They're incredible."

"Try not to drop them. Our clan uses hematite for our chakra stones and it could break if you drop it."

I looked up at her and beamed. "I'll keep them safe. And thank you again. It really is amazing hearing about all the incredible traditions other clans have."

Hinata blinked at my wording, sitting back in surprise with her tea forgotten in her hands. Neji frowned. "Mirai-san," he murmured. "I am sure that someday you will be able to uncover the traditions of your own clan."

I reached into the box and lifted up the stone that was echoing Hinata's chakra. "Maybe," I mumbled. "That would be nice." I cleared my throat and looked up. "Gargoyle, you should join us this Saturday for our study group."

"Aren't I too old for your group?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I shook my head. "Not at all. Tenten and Lee are in our group too. You would fit right in."

"M-mirai-chan," Hinata interrupted softly. "You're still planning to meet Saturday?"

I frowned. "Of course."

"Even after . . . ." She looked down at her tea. "Oh. Okay."

"Oh." I smiled and set the stone back down in the box. "I'll be fine, Hinata-chan. I just . . . need something to do. I'm already going a bit crazy since I'm not allowed at the Academy this week. I need this Saturday. It'll help."

"In that case," Neji said, "I will be there."

Are you okay?

I'm okay.

With the memory of Shisui's chakra burning against my collarbone, I stepped up to the door and knocked. Just a second later, it slid open. "Mirai-chan," Mikoto greeted with a soft smile. She bent and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Come in. We weren't expecting you, so I'm sorry that there's no tea ready."

"It's fine, really. I don't mind. I just came by to check on Itachi."

"Ah, well." She paused awkwardly in the doorway. "He's . . . not here. I believe he's at, well, the cliff. Over Naka River."

I blinked, though my heart was already clenching and I felt I knew exactly where she was talking about. "The . . . cliff?"

"Yes. It's . . . the police's best guess of where Shisui . . . ." She glanced to the side. "I'm sorry."

"Oh. Thank you. I'll look there." I offered up a weak smile and bowed before backing away. I set off between the houses in the direction of the Naka River. Eventually, I reached the bank and frowned down at the water that I could easily reach down and touch. Glancing to the left and to the right, I tried to figure out which direction the cliff was probably in. With a sigh, I turned to my left and started walking, slipping the coin out and tracing out the message again. Half of me wondered if Shisui was getting annoyed with my constant need for assurance. The other half of me knew I wouldn't be able to do anything at all without his chakra readily available to sooth my nerves.

Are you okay?

I closed my hand around the coin and smiled as I saw the cliff in the distance. I adjusted my path so I'd be able to walk up it. The coin burned.

I'm okay.

Then it burned again.

Are you okay?

I paused in my movement for a moment to response.

I'm okay.

Then I pressed the coin under my shirt and moved up to the edge of the cliff. "Your mom said I'd find you here."

Itachi didn't move, staring down at the waters below. "Did you know?"

"What?"

"That he was going to do that. Did you know?"

I frowned. "Did I— What kind of question is that?"

He sighed and somehow his expression got even more tired. "I'm sorry. That's not fair of me." His gaze finally flicked to me and that was when I realized his sharingan was on. "Was there something you needed from me, Mirai-chan?"

"I just wanted to check up on you." I sat down and patted the spot next to me. "How are you doing?" I swung my legs over the edge.

Itachi slowly sat next to me and I watched the red die out from his eyes. "Fine."

"Hmm. Is it bad that I don't believe you?" I shifted closer and took his hand in mine. "If you don't want to tell me, that's fine though."

"They still haven't found a body."

I looked up at him but didn't say anything, waiting instead.

"I thought they would at least find a body. But now he won't even get an Uchiha funeral. Not a proper one. Not without a body."

I had to look out at the river instead of him. Because while the river reminded me of my nightmares of Shisui sinking beneath the surface, seeing the pure anguish on Itachi's face and knowing that I helped put it there was worse.

I kept my eyes closed and focused on the scent of the burning incense I was kneeling in front of, letting Fugaku's eulogy fall to the back of my mind. The coin was heavy against my chest but I couldn't dare use it to check up on Shisui. Not in the middle of his funeral. All I could do was listen and breathe.

When Fugaku called us to our feet, I copied the others and took my burning incense into my hands as I rose. As I followed the others up to the empty coffin and laid the incense inside, I wondered what Itachi had meant and how an Uchiha funeral was different with the body.

I didn't wish there was a body, though.

No body meant Shisui was safe.

After the last stick of incense was placed and the coffin closed, Fugaku stepped up to the Elders and bowed, holding out what looked almost like a shroud, blood red. The Elders took it and between them folded it again and again in the same direction until it was thin and long. We all watched in silence as they tied the cloth around the coffin. Then they moved out of the way and Fugaku began to intone something as the coffin was lowered into the ground.

Fugaku lifted a small, wooden box from where it had been sitting next to the incense burner in front of him. "As is tradition, home dirt will be the first scattered into the grave. However, as Shisui has no immediate blood left, this responsibility falls to the one he claimed as honorary next of kin. Uzumaki-san," Fugaku said, bowing and holding out the box. "If you would please do the honors."

I stared at him and really wished he hadn't blindsided me with this. Swallowing and painfully aware of the gazes on me, I moved forward. I bowed and took the box, stepping up to the grave. I traced my fingers across the delicate woodwork and then opened the old latch. The hinges gave a quiet whine. Unsure if I was doing it properly, I turned the box over and let the dirt inside fall over the coffin.

There was no uproar of displeasure, so I had to guess that I had done well enough. I stepped back and moved to return the box to Fugaku. He shook his head.

Everything of the Uchiha's is now yours, Kurama reminded me.

Right. Of course. I stared down at the box as I returned to my spot by my incense burner. Fugaku started speaking again as the grave was filled. When that was done, Fugaku turned and placed a wooden plank across the top of the grave. He made a few seals, touched his hands to the wood, and the plank started to burn.

And just like that, the crowd began to disperse and some of the Uchiha children busied themselves with collecting the burners.

Dumbly, I blinked around the emptying graveyard. Then I moved forward to the burning grave. I felt a person move to stand next to me and I mumbled, "Why is it on fire?"

"The Uchiha Clan is very proud of our strong katon nature. It's at the very core of our identity. A burning grave is a sign of acknowledgement that we've lost a true part of our clan. That we've lost a cause of pride."

I jumped and looked up. "Oh, I . . . I thought you were Itachi."

Fugaku simply shook his head. "The plank is supposed to be symbolic. However, there are times in the past where the clan has taken it as a true point of pride to not burn it. Others of Shisui's family have not always been as lucky as him."

"What?"

He pointed and I followed his line of sight to a grave a good ways away, topped by an unburned plank. Past that, several rows back, was another. There were more, but Fugaku was clearly pointing at those two.

"Obito?" I asked cautiously, hazarding a guess.

Fugaku inclined his head. "And his mother. I was not Clan Head at the time of her death. My father was not pleased that she introduced dirty blood into the clan."

"Dirty . . . blood?"

"Not of Uchiha and not of another respected clan." Fugaku dropped his gaze to me. "Did Shisui never tell you any of this?"

"We . . . didn't talk much about the clan." Which was a lie, of course. We talked about the clan, but certainly not these parts of it.

"Ah. Well. Obito was, of course, only his half-brother. Obito was born before their mother entered a relationship with Kagami. While Shisui was born within the confines of a clean blood marriage, his brother was born out of wedlock to a clanless, cowardly father. And for bringing that . . . shame to the clan, Akiko's plank was not burned."

"Oh." I tightened my grip on the box in my hands. "And . . . Obito? Was his not burned because of his . . . dirty blood?"

"Partially." He dropped a heavy hand to my shoulder. "But these discussions really must be saved for another time. For now, we should let Shisui's plank burn in acknowledgment, should we not?"

I stared into the fire and focused on the heat. "Of course."

"Really? You're skipping out on training with the group? I thought I'd never see the day." Shikamaru grinned lazily down at me from his spot several branches up.

"Yeah, well, if Tenten and Lee drag me into one more group hug to try to console me, I might just suffocate. Or stab them. Really, I don't like either of those choices."

"Huh. So all I have to do to get you to skip with me is sic those two on you?"

I leveled a glare at him. "Don't even think about it."

He held up his hands and adopted what he must have thought was an innocent expression. "Me? Never."

"Kami, I see now what Yoshino means about you being a terrible liar."

He looked stricken. "She said that?"

I nodded. "In the midst of telling the story about how you tried to get out of chores by hiding in the Nara Forest and then made up a story about being kidnapped by the deer when she finally found you."

His face flushed and he covered it with his hands. "I can't believe her," he mumbled. "That's terrible. I can't believe you actually sat through story time."

"She gave me plenty of good blackmail material," I said, shrugging. "There wasn't any harm."

"No harm for you. But my poor ego can't survive another hit like that." He groaned and let his head fall forward against the branch. "Kaachan says that I'm gonna be a bad shinobi if I can't figure out how to lie."

I shrugged. "You can practice, you know. Practice is good. It's how I became a good liar."

He squinted at me. "Huh. You are a good liar, aren't you? Makes a person wonder, you know?"

"Oh?" I crossed my arms and leaned back against the trunk. "Wonder what?"

"If you've ever lied to me."

I considered it for a moment and then shrugged. "I don't know. Probably. I lie to a lot of people."

"Naruto?"

I glanced out of the tree down at where Neji was correcting Naruto and Sasuke on their arm bars. "Yeah," I murmured. "He gets lied to a lot."

"Does he know you lie to him?"

"Maybe, but I doubt it. Like I said: I'm a good liar." I looked up at him. "You're awfully curious today."

"And you skipped all the stages of grief." He shrugged. "Maybe I have reason to be curious." With a grunt, he swung himself around so he was sitting up. "Do you think I have a reason to be curious?"

I stared at him for a moment, faintly smiling. "You're a Nara, Maru. Your clan always has a reason to be curious."

He groaned. "You're going to make this difficult, aren't you?" He shifted on the branch and jumped down to the one I was on. "You hiding something from me, Uzumaki?"

"I hide a lot of things, Nara." I reached out and shoved him with my foot to keep my personal space. "You'd have to be more specific."

"You're less careful around us than you are adults." He shrugged. "You slip up more. Just what you're slipping up about, I'm not sure. But . . . I'll figure it out."

"You can certainly try. Good luck to you."

"You probably should be scared," he pointed out, ignoring my personal bubble and using my legs as a backrest. "You're heard about a Nara Bloodhound, haven't you? We don't really let things go until we figure them out."

"Aw, thanks for being so concerned." I leaned forward so that I could pull on his ponytail. "But I'm always scared, Maru. So it looks like you're not doing too well about figuring things out thus far."

"Welcome back, Mirai," Iruka said quietly as he handed me my file for the day. There was a softness in his expression that hadn't been there before. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay," I assured him. "Thank you for allowing me a week away from school."

"Of course. Let me know if you need any more time away. Or if you feel at any point like you need to leave, let me know. You're free to use my office as a quiet spot." He smiled faintly. "There's tea."

"Thank you." I moved up the stairs and took my spot. Sasuke looked up and beamed at me. "Good morning, Ke-kun," I murmured, ruffling his hair. "How are you?"

"Good." He reached up and snatched at my hand. "Leave my hair alone!"

"You can beg all you want," Shikamaru grumbled. "She'll still mess with your hair. I've figured it's just easiest to give in."

"You really are a Nara," I cooed, leaning over and tugging out his ponytail. "So smart!"

He just groaned but didn't move as I started to braid his hair. I just tied it off when Iruka called class to order.

While the others in the room started fumbling for their books, I opened my folder and started studying the chakra theory papers Iruka had provided me with. I buried myself into the information, making notes and discussing my findings with Kurama. I was interrupted when something hit me on the head.

I looked up. "Uh . . . can I help you, Maru?"

He frowned, crossing his arms, and looking pointedly around the empty room. "It's lunch time. C'mon."

"Oh." I leaned back. Then I dug through my bag and came up with my bento box. "Actually, I think I'll eat inside today."

He stared at me. Then he sighed and dropped back into his chair, opening his bag. "Right. Okay."

"You don't have to stay with me, you know."

"I know."

After that, we ate in silence; at least, it was silence for Shikamaru. In my head, Kurama kept up a steady stream of commentary on the differences and similarities between human chakra and demon chakra.

The door opened and I glanced at the clock then to the newcomers. Ino and Sakura. I hadn't interacted with either of them yet, so I straightened in surprise when they approached. Shikamaru looked up. "Finish lunch early?"

Ino nodded. "We brought something." She drew her hands out from behind her back and thrust them at me. "Iruka-sensei said you weren't here because you lost someone. The white hyacinth mean we're praying for you. The marigold is for grief and these roses here are for mourning and—"

"Alright, she gets the idea," Shikamaru interrupted. "Just give her the flowers."

Ino huffed and shoved the bouquet into my arms. "And Sakura chose the ribbon."

I pulled the lacy blue ribbon through my fingers. "Thank you. To both of you." I smiled. "It's beautiful. Would you . . . like to sit with us? I have cookies to share."

"Sure!" Ino grinned and shoved Shikamaru over so she could sit down.

Sakura flushed. "Thanks, Mirai-chan," she mumbled, sitting down beside Ino.

"Ugh," Shikamaru groaned, pushing himself to his feet. He climbed over the desk, backpack in hand, and claimed the chair next to be. "There, that's better."

"You're so petty," I mused. "Cookie?" I handed some to the girls and then held one out to him.

"Sure." He took it and then leaned over my folder. "So . . . chakra poisoning?"

I blinked and looked down at my papers. "Oh, yeah. Iruka-sensei lets me study other things during class so I don't get bored."

"Bored," he echoed. "You're a nightmare, you know that? Just go ahead and graduate already."

"I don't want to."

"Why not?" Ino asked curiously. "I mean, you're the best student in our class. I bet you could beat out the students in other classes easy."

"And I don't want to. My friends are here. My study group is here. There's no point in graduating yet."

"Your . . . study group?" Sakura asked curiously.

I grinned. "You two should join us. You'd like it."

I set the flowers atop the ashy grave, coded out a message on my coin, and sat with my back against the headstone. I opened my fuuinjutsu notebook across my knees and returned to working on the seal Anko had given me. I got halfway through a new page of notes when the coin burned.

I'm okay.

I sighed and leaned my head down against my knees. Hey, Kurama?

"What is it?"

I opened my eyes and stared up at him for a long moment. "We've, uh . . . we've passed the point of no return, haven't we? There's no going back now."

"Thing have permanently changed, yes, if that's what you're asking about." He reached out with a paw and pressed against the bars. They didn't budge and he grumbled, pulling back. "This is what you wanted."

"Wanted is a strong word. There's a difference between want and . . . well, need." I sighed and stepped through the bars. "I dunno, I'm probably just overthinking things again."

"Perhaps."

I squinted up at him. "It doesn't sound you agree."

"I don't." He shifted, lowering himself to the ground. "But since you've rejected my many proposals to go rogue and simply kill those that stand in our way, I suppose that this is acceptable."

"I'm not just killing everyone," I said flatly. "Move over." I pushed at his shoulder and then sank to the ground, leaning into his fur. "Tell me a story."

"No."

"C'mon. Please?" I wheedled. "Just one little story."

"I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm not a library."

I pouted and pressed against him. "Fine, fine. I guess I'll just sing to pass the time."

He rumbled. "Once upon a time, there was a priest."

I grinned and settled in, closing my eyes. "Thanks, Ku."

"Mirai."

Iruka's voice cut into my studying and I looked up to find that he'd drawn the entire class's attention to me. "Yes, Iruka-sensei?"

"We're beginning to study the Academy Three and I was wondering if you would mind demonstrating your proficiency for your classmates. They might benefit from seeing a peer perform the jutsu." He stepped to the side and gestured to the spot beside him.

"Oh. Right. Of course." I closed my folder and got to my feet. "Which one would you like me to show?"

"Why don't we start with henge?" he asked, giving me an encouraging smile as I stopped beside him.

"Of course." I brought my hands up. "Dog, boar, ram. Henge." I focused and let the transformation take over.

"It's Iruka-sensei!" Naruto squealed loudly. "Sasuke, look! Rai is Iruka-sensei!"

I glanced to the side, adjusting to the unfamiliarity—though it was distantly familiar—of being on the same eye-line as an adult. "How'd I do?"

Iruka's eyes were a bit wide. "Ah, well, better than I expected, actually." He cleared his throat. "Now, why don't we try kawarimi?"

"Right." I dispelled the henge and glanced at Iruka again. "Tiger, boar, ox, dog, snake. Kawarimi."

A shift and bend in reality and then I was standing just slightly to the left. I heard a stumble and found Iruka hurriedly steadying himself. "Ah, I didn't— Impressive, Mirai-chan. Body switching with a live object is a more difficult version of the technique."

"Oh, sorry." I brought my hands up again. "I can switch with something else."

"Ah, that won't be necessary. You can now demonstrate the bunshin."

I paused. "I . . . can't, Iruka-sensei. I have to too much chakra to do a traditional bunshin, so I do kage bunshin which isn't exactly . . . ."

"Right. I'll demonstrate that one. Thank you for your assistance; you may return to your seat."

I moved back up the stairs, listening as he started saying the hand signs for a bunshin behind me. I pulled out my chair.

My coin burned.

Again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

I caught my breath, or at least I would have if I could breathe properly. I lost control of my legs and fell down into my chair. I was dimly aware of Shikamaru turning in front of me to give me a strange look, but my vision was too hazy and my ears were ringing.

The time has come.

"—tomorrow to begin hand sign patterns. You are dismissed!"

My hearing came back with a boom as the entire class moved as one, moving chairs and gathering books and chattering amongst themselves.

"Hey, Mirai?"

I forced myself to look up at where Shikamaru was leaning over the desk. I managed a smile. "Yes, Maru?"

"You okay?"

"Yes. Yeah. I'm fine." I cleared my throat and moved to pack away my things. "Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke paused in the middle of tackling Naruto, sending both of them crashing down to the ground. He rubbed his head and squinted up at me. "Yeah?"

"Would you like to sleep over tonight?" I asked, smiling down at him.

His eyes widened and sparkled. "Do you really think I could? That would be awesome! But . . . ." He faltered. "Kaachan likes to know sooner if I—"

"Don't worry about it. You can go back to the apartment with Nato and I'll go to your house to gather your things." I rose to my feet and slung my bag over my shoulders. "After all, your mother likes me, so I'll be able to convince her. Plus, it's easier for her to give in if you're already at our place, isn't it?"

"Huh . . . . Yeah, I guess so." He scrambled to his feet and snatched up his bag. "C'mon, Naruto! I can beat you there!" He raced out the door, Naruto close behind.

"Mirai," Shikamaru said again. "What is it?"

I glanced at him. "Dunno . . . . I guess I just don't feel so good. I think it'd be nice for Naruto to have someone around tonight so I can get to bed early."

Shikamaru frowned before finally conceding with a nod. "Right. Fine. Okay. I'll see you tomorrow. You still coming over to feed the deer, Choji?"

"Of course." Choji threw me a grin before following Shikamaru out the door.

I trailed after them outside and paused at the gate, watching as they headed off. I looked out in the direction of the Uchiha Compound and took a deep breath to steel myself. I headed off.

And that was how I found Uchiha Itachi preparing to kill his parents.