5

Akari turned six and began separating her time evenly with the two Legendary Uchiha and Sasuke. As despite her intrusion against that man tension was building in the Uchiha clan to the point that Shisui had turned to the Hokage and realized Itachi's thoughts that the clan wasn't going to back down or easily smooth out relations with the village. Itachi was made Anbu and had been placed beneath an Anbu captain that caught his attention. A man merely two years older than Itachi himself with silver gravity-defying hair, his face half-covered, was a man he had once heard his clan speak about. The very one an Uchiha had cared enough for in the last war to give his eye to. Itachi though he was very young at the time can still remember how his clan had deliberated on what to do about Kakashi Hatake. In the end, they had decided to respect the young Uchiha's dying wish and allowed the silver-hared ninja to keep the Sharingan. The Anbu keeping him busier than ever before left Shisui and Akari alone during training.

In this time, Shisui began running tests on Akari. He wanted to see her true abilities when not being clouded by Itachi himself. Try as he might to get a clear grasp of the girl, his best friend continuously stepped in each and every time. Only proving to remind Shisui that Akari respects Itachi enough that she follows his every word. Much as Itachi does with Shisui. So during this time, he wanted to get a grasp on her true chakra nature by using chakra slips, rather than jutsu she had somehow come up with on her own or jutsu she copied off of them.

She was fire nature as he had expected. Though this told him very little of what she is capable, of it did show him how much she has truly trained even without his and Itachi's help. Her other natures were already balancing out with her chakra nature. Though still weaker they had already steadily gained ground to still be considered strong. After some time of evaluating her, Shisui was able to gain some insight to her true abilities and what she is lacking. So he began revolving her training around that. With her vamped-up training regime under the guidance of Shisui, Akari's play times with Sasuke began to become fewer as she would seemingly spend most of her time in the library without him. Shisui and her, when he was not on missions, would train from the early morning hours until it was time for her to go home.

With their time alone together, Akari began opening up a bit more with him. As she had openly told him that she now wishes to protect him as well as Itachi and her desire to be as strong as they are so they could truly be a team when she graduates. Her planning to graduate from the academy early just as Itachi had didn't surprise him in the least. To her, she wanted to be with the only people she actually cares about, and to do so she couldn't stay in the academy. He couldn't argue, for her reasons were sound. These days, Uchiha are usually placed on the same teams. However, Itachi is an anbu, meaning until he is released from his position he would not be able to join them. Akari listened to everything Shisui was telling her and his reasons for his thoughts. Just as he believes it to be necessary for her to stay in the academy and not show them her true abilities. Explaining his reasons as to people fear what they do not understand as well that they are keeping her abilities from their clan. Basically, if she graduates or shows too much promise their clan will try to use her to achieve their goals. Something Itachi and Shisui both do not wish to happen.

When Akari turned seven, she joined the ninja academy as planned. Shisui and Itachi had been out on missions for a few days so she had not seen them before school as she had hoped. She could tell, however, that the two of them have been keeping something from her. They had begun whispering and suddenly stopping their discussions the moment she joined them after backtracking from the library as usual. That morning Sasuke and her ran to the academy side by side. He has been rather upset and it didn't miss her gaze. Akari knew he had gone to his dad the night before to remind him of the ceremony that will symbolize their transition into the academy. There was nothing she could tell him, she knew there is another clan meeting this afternoon that Fugaku couldn't miss. He has other obligations but she could still understand that Sasuke would be upset. He is Fugaku's son and parents were supposed to be at the ceremony to show their support. Yet, to Akari that was simply an emotional response, she just couldn't share.

They ran all the way to the academy without slowing too often. Akari knows full well the difference between her abilities and Sasuke's. Still, at times like this, it does make those differences more apparent. When they got to the academy though, they stood side by side watching the kids Akari has seen around town during the times that she would go to the 'library.' mingling. "They know each other." Sasuke puffs out his cheeks as he speaks, his onyx eyes bouncing over the kids. "Yes, they've played together since they were little." She agrees with him causing him to groan. "I don't know no one here." He pouts drawing her gaze to him from the corner of her eyes. "You know me." She points out causing him to perk up. "Oh right, yeah we know each other." Sasuke reminds himself rather quietly.

None too soon for their liking the bell rings signaling the start of the academy day and two chuunin step outside calling for the kids to follow them. In a not-so-controlled line, they filed their way through the academy doors and down the halls until they reached a room. One chuunin stood outside the door watching the kids as they walked into the room and instructing them to find a seat. Akari decided to move toward the back however, Sasuke had caught her arm and pulled her into the center row with him. Wanting to not be at the front but yet not far enough that hearing the Sensei would be difficult. By the time every kid found a seat and was successfully sitting down one of the chuunin had left leaving one standing next to a podium.

Akari knew and recognized his black hair that is pulled back into a spikey ponytail so his head would resemble a pineapple. On his tanned face, there is a light scar that stretches from cheekbone to cheekbone. The chuunin is wearing the usual ninja attire of a green flack jacket and navy blue long-sleeve shirt with matching pants and sandals. "Class, being your first day here I say we should get to know each other. I am Iruka Umino and I am your Sensei. Now when I call your names stand up and introduce yourselves to the class. There is no need to come down here in front of everyone but be sure that you stand so the rest of the class can see you. And feel free to tell us as much about yourself as you like." The teacher at the front of the class explained gently. Akari watches him smile up to the class as if he had no care in the world even with the kids barely containing their chatter. He is a kind and gentle soul who cares for the nurturing of others as if they were his own family. She silently reminds herself as she folds her hands on the desk in front of her. He can be strict to get students to listen to him and push them to reach their true potential. Even knowing this Akari was having a difficult time understanding why they would have to introduce themselves, for the simple fact that most of them will have years to learn about each other.

Still, Akari sat there listening to the names being called and watching each student stand to introduce themselves. The ones she was most interested in were the ones she felt she knew would graduate to become genin. Yet, she listened to them all for just in case more would pass than within the story she had researched. "Akari Uchiha." As her name was called she bit back a sigh and stood, allowing her gaze to drift over the room as she takes in the eyes upon her. "I am Akari Uchiha." She states simply before sitting back down next to Sasuke, who seems to be having a difficult time keeping himself from laughing as he holds his mouth with both hands to muffle what escapes him. She did manage to catch a "That's Akari for you." in mid-giggle from him. "Akari tell us something about yourself. What is it that you like? Or maybe something that you hate?" Iruka pushes causing her to press her lips into a thin line before she stands back up. "I hate talking." She states for him simply but that seemed to be the icing on the cake for Sasuke as he belted out an echoing laugh ever before she set back down. "Well... thank you for your introduction, Akari." Iruka responds gently as if he wasn't certain whether she had meant any and all talking or if she simply hates to talk.

The rest of the day at school was rather mundane. All of their classes were only informing them as to what they will learn throughout the years so that the kids could prepare themselves. Akari however, did get to go to the school library and check out the books that were not only needed for their first year but she was able to further delve into subjects they had deemed advanced. During Itachi's time in the academy, he had only brought home the books that were meant for the first year. She wanted to see if there was any information within the other books that she hasn't already learned from her two best friends or from the times she did actually go to the library. Shisui and Itachi have stressed to her that she needs to hold back so she wouldn't graduate as Itachi had. She needed to remain under the radar of the clan. Akari can agree with their reasonings but, she also didn't wish to stunt her growth.

After their introductory classes, they were to have the entrance ceremony that Sasuke was dreading, which would conclude their first day. As they all lined up in front of the Third Hokage on the Academy's front lawn, Akari glanced around Sasuke and let her eyes skim the parents standing on the grass until her eyes found who she was looking for. Standing there with his long black hair pulled back in a loose ponytail and his bangs framing his stressed etched face. A blue high-collared t-shirt and light grey pants were placed next to his unkempt raven black hair, onyx eyes, dark green high-collared t-shirt, and darker grey pants. Sporting a goofy grin on his face as the light of the setting sun reflects off of his dark irises. Externally, she was simply peering at them though internally she felt like her heart was heavy and steadily growing as if it was going to explode from a foreign emotion. Just seeing them there now, she could see what their hushed private conversations had been about. They had been planning this. Sasuke's elbow in her ribs pulls her gaze away from her best friends, alerting her that her name had just been called.

When the ceremony was over Itachi carried an exhausted Sasuke on his back as Shisui was lending Akari a hand with her books. The entire walk back to the house Shisui continued poking fun of her at the amount of reading she was planning to do, aided by periodic comments by Sasuke. The laughter only seemed to pick up when Sasuke reiterated for them what had happened in homeroom when Iruka Sensei had called Akari to introduce herself. After dropping Sasuke off at the house with Akari excusing herself to her room long enough to drop off her books, she left Sasuke to run into the kitchen to become distracted by Mikoto before she stepped out to talk to Itachi and Shisui. They took her into the trees in front of the compound so they would be less likely to be heard. Giving her a gift for joining the Academy seemed redundant to her but there was no way she was going to complain. They had pitched in and bought Akari her own pouch and holster along with the tools she needed to fill them. This meant, she no longer had to borrow their tools while training. It was also no longer against Fugaku's set rules since she has officially entered the Academy. What she liked most about her gift was the fact they had her name embroidered onto the pouch.

When her report cards came in, they were the first she would show ever before taking them to Mikoto and Fugaku. She was purposefully causing mishaps in her grades during academy classes and on tests, knowingly keeping herself second in the class just under Sasuke. Using his abilities as her set limitations, so she wouldn't score too high or too low. Which only pushed Sasuke's ego. For all he could see was he is better than she is in everything. Even bragged to Itachi and Shisui about it. They just couldn't tell him that she shouldn't be in the academy with her skills. With the way, Sasuke was continually searching them out, the three of them were beginning to wonder how long they will be able to hide their training and her skills. In school, she has been the object of discussion and harassment. For her position in the class academically, physically, and emotionally.

Sasuke had openly claimed that they were friends which explained to the other students why the two of them not only stood together before their first day but also sat next to each other in the room that day. Since then, she has remained just beneath him at the top of the class academically as Iruka Sensei had given her the assigned seat next to him as well. In every single class, the two Uchiha were together in some way. Either standing in front of or behind the other, even running next to each other for endurance training. The only class the two couldn't be at the other's side was Kunoichi training where Akari found out that they train the girls to know plants and different types of flowers. As if, they expect female ninja to walk around carrying different bouquets. It is in these classes that the girls would all but attack Akari, and the fact the Uchiha doesn't react only fueled their tempers.

One day Akari knew that Itachi and Shisui were out on missions so she decided that she would go to the library after school. Yet, when the final bell rings Sasuke latches onto her arm and pulls her over the desks in order to quickly make it to the door. Akari glances to him as they make it outside, silently curious as to what he has going on in his mind. "Let's train!" He chirps happily as they pass through the gates to the academy. Peering ahead of them she moves her attention to where they are going, as she silently wonders if at some point Sasuke had become a friend to her just like Itachi and Shisui.

When they reached the compound Sasuke's fatigue from the day left him completely as he suddenly laughs lightly while they run through the entryway. The first building in view had an old man and woman standing out front of it. Auntie, as she had been introduced years ago to her, was sweeping the ground uselessly like usual as Uncle was the one actually working. Sasuke suddenly grabs Akari's arm again and pulls her behind him as he continues to laugh excitedly. "You never train with me!" He chirps brightly nearly causing her to frown as she glances at him when she comes up beside him again. This action though happens to draw the eyes of the clansmen around the kids causing them to smile and chuckle in the children's wake. Once they get to the largest house equipped with a beautiful lawn and privacy wall, the familiar sound of the bamboo spout tapping against a rock in the small pond reaches her ears.

Akari thought they were going to train so she was curious as to why they had run all the way home. Even as Sasuke finally releases her and walks up to the front door she was still confused. He slides open the front door and steps into the entryway before pausing his movements. "Mom we're home!" He calls as he steps up to the edge of the entryway and looks to his right. "Oh, Sasuke! Welcome home!" She calls happily before she peers through the front door to Akari. "Akari! You came home today instead of going to the library?" She asks curiously. "Mom, we're going to train in the backyard." He informs her to answer her question before he turns back towards the front door. Mikoto's eyes openly widen at this before her smile actually brightens. "Okay, Hunny, you two have fun." She speaks up as Sasuke steps back outside and shuts the door behind him.

When he looks at Akari again this time he smirks. "Let's go." He informs her before walking onto the grass and making his way around the rather large house. His hands slip into the pockets of his white shorts as they walk in silence. At this point, Akari is used to the different sides of Sasuke showing. Even then she was still confused as to why he would act like a completely different kid from one moment to the next. This had her tilting her head until they finally come to a stop outback at the edge of the luscious green grass where their yard meets the trees. Akari unhooks the holster on her leg and retrieves a few shuriken. Once Sasuke's eyes fall on her weapons he smirks in realization as to what they were going to start with in their training. Handing him one, Akari then motions with a nod of her head towards the tree in front of them.