5
Tala turned six and continued separating her time evenly with the two Uchiha and Naruto. She had long since decided, there was no real reason she should stay away from any of the three boys. 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 with silver gravity-defying hair, his face half-covered by the same type of mask Tala herself wears. The Anbu keeping him busier than ever before left Shisui and Tala alone during training. Itachi had found out that the night the Nine-tails had attacked, the clan had in fact lost people. Just like he had nearly lost his mother from a falling beam in the house. A few women who had been expecting children of their own had lost their lives.
Shisui had found nearly identical results in the village archives. Quite a few pregnant women had either died or their bodies were never recovered. A few of them were actually ninja who were placed on maternity leave for their pregnancy. True to their clan, the archives held nothing about the Uchiha who had died that night. Meaning the clan kept the casualty numbers from the village. Probably to keep up face and not let known their decrease in power. With this information, Shisui ran his own tests. Beginning with chakra slips so they could figure out her chakra nature.
When she had proven to be fire nature, to him it only solidified his initial thoughts. Even though Itachi had explained that fire nature wasn't uncommon. Shisui watched her affinity to fire closely. Her ability to catch on to the Jutsu he was teaching her. If he hadn't known Itachi previously, he would have been left astounded. Like him, she caught on faster than kids should have as it also showed that for a six-year-old she has well-tuned her chakra and her training has advanced her levels considerably. Genin should not have the chakra for fire Jutsu. So far only a handful of Uchiha has even mastered fire Jutsu before genin level and his clan was known for their affinity to fire. It is why their clan crest is the fan because they tame the flames.
With her vamped-up training regime under the guidance of Shisui, Tala's playtimes with Naruto began to become fewer. Shisui and her, when he was not on missions, would train from the early morning hours until it was time for her to leave for home. With their time alone together Tala began opening up more with him. She openly told him herself that she was adopted and dove deeper into the subject than she had with Naruto. She explained to him that her family never had to tell her she was adopted because she could remember. That when an Anbu named Kakashi had found her at the orphanage she was trying to save an infant her own age. Just with his name Shisui knew who she was talking about, so she didn't need to explain he had the Sharingan himself. Kakashi the copy ninja, was notorious in not only the hidden leaf but in the other nations as well. Because of his Sharingan. Shisui's clan wasn't at all happy about someone other than an Uchiha using their Kekkei Genkai, so when Kakashi had been given the title for the eye that was placed in his left eye during the last shinobi war. The clan had seethed with their resentment.
She had explained what Kakashi had seen when she was attempting her rescue and that is what surprised him. At one and a half months she was already not only moving around like a toddler but also using chakra. His heart ached when he had learned that it was Kakashi who she had first called big brother. She had grown to love him in the months she stayed with him, only for him to give her to a family. She felt betrayed and it broke her heart, a pain she admits to still feeling. He could not really blame her. She relied on him, and trusted him. She loved him like family. She had learned at a young age what it meant to have a broken heart. Even if she did claim she understood because he was fourteen at the time. She should not have expected him to keep her with him and take care of her since he was still a child himself. Pain was still pain.
When Tala turned seven, she joined the ninja academy cutting her time with Shisui down. When her report cards came in, he was the first she would show. Giving him a peace sign as a smile would wrinkle her mask. She did not have to tell him what her plans seemed to be. Unlike Itachi, she was purposefully causing mishaps in her grades after having heard that the teaching council had unanimously voted to graduate Itachi before the end of his first year in the academy. She wanted to be around the kids in her class to watch them. Observe them. Itachi's little brother had taken a liking to her, and would often interrupt Itachi and Shisui's conversations to tell them about the girl in his class contending against him for the top spot. Neither one of the boys had the heart to tell him that she was purposefully scoring lower on her exams and worksheets.
Itachi's little brother would often openly voice his annoyance about the girl's mask and about how Iruka Sensei was not making her take it off. He did inform them that on the first day of school she was scolded for wearing a tanto to class and had it taken from her until the end of the school day. He told them all about the boy in class, that was constantly getting into trouble and yelling in class. Disrupting the teachers and how lame his shuriken Jutsu was. With the way, Sasuke was continually searching Itachi out, the two boys were beginning to wonder how long they will be able to continue hiding the third person joining them in training.
With the process of elimination, they have weeded out her family ties down to three different lineages. That was still going on the assumption that her family was even a part of the village, to begin with. To Itachi's dislike, they have not been able to cross off the probability that she is in fact an Uchiha. Mostly because of her physical traits, her chakra nature, and the fact her eyes continue to track their movements. As if she has been on the verge of unlocking the Sharingan but never quite crossing the threshold. Shisui was still trying to figure out how to push her to that point with how controlled she is with her emotions. Over the last three years, Tala has developed trust for both of the older boys she is around. She would not believe that one or the other would put the other in danger.
Since Tala was yelled at about her Tanto she began leaving it in the academy office at the beginning of the day so she could grab it once classes were over. In school, she has been the object of discussion and harassment. For both her friendship with Naruto and her position in the class both academically and physically. She was given the assigned seat right next to the Uchiha in their year. Naruto thought her silence whenever they were close enough to talk like during outdoor training, was because either Sasuke would say something to hurt her feelings or that she just does not like the kid just like him. So, he would often try to cheer her up when he wasn't busy getting yelled at. Tala could not figure out how to tell him that she was quiet because she was busy analyzing the kids in their class. Learning things about them just from watching their reactions and way of speaking. So, she let him think what he wanted. It was easier that way.
Whenever her mother did not inform her to head straight home after school, Tala would meet up with Itachi and Shisui. To train and burn off built-up energy from relaxing all day at school. Today though the boys took her to a different training ground consisting of three wooden posts. Mostly because Itachi's little brother has been continuously interrupting the two of them since school had started. Something about wanting Itachi to help him train mostly. But for reasons, Tala was not quite understanding he was refusing to do so. He would let Sasuke watch his solo training but never let him join in. She could understand that he did not want Sasuke to take up the life of a ninja. Because he fears about what it would do to his kind-hearted and innocent brother. But since he has chosen his path, Tala would think that Itachi would want to help protect him by training him. It also confused her that Itachi was training with her three years ago and even allowed her to join Shisui and him in training. He has been furthering her growth when in her opinion he should be focusing on doing the same for his little brother.
Tala was setting on top of one of three posts in the training grounds with her arms crossed watching the two of them use their Sharingan against each other. Thoughts about how she had learned from listening to the two boys talking, that the very Uchiha in her class that has the assigned seat next to her is in fact Itachi's little brother, were threatening to consume her attention. This time the boys were not exactly holding back much in their sparring. So today was a good day to calculate and observe them closely. Learn their movements when they are against each other and decipher counterattacks that should take place if they were not used in the first place. The longer she spends with these two, Tala herself could see that they were treating her like she treats them. Not just like family but also the more she trusts them the more they are open around her as well. Anymore they would speak openly to each other not caring she was there to pick up their conversations.
It was in times like these she learned that they have been trying to figure out her lineage. To learn what she could be capable of so that they can focus her training in that direction. Before that conversation, she had never actually seen a reason why she would want to know who her biological family either are or were. Shisui seemed overjoyed that he had run across one of the rare times he could teach her something that did not exactly involve ninja tactics. He explained to her that different clans like the Uchiha have different strengths and weaknesses. The Uchiha have the Kekkei Genkai called the Sharingan and they excel at fire Jutsu, taijutsu, and even genjutsu. The Hyuga clan has the Byakugan and excels in a type of taijutsu known as the gentle fist. Which they use in conjunction with their Kekkei Genkai. The Nara clan is known for their shadow Jutsu and the fact their lands are most known for the medicinal herbs and ingredients the village uses. She had let him continue naming off different clans and their Jutsu, their strengths even. By the time he was done he had gone overboard with his explanation and had more than convinced her as to why her lineage could be a necessary knowledge to have.
She had also been able to touch base with them further involving the topic Itachi had briefly mentioned three years ago about their clan. She learned that they are planning a coup and why. What has exactly been going on behind the scenes in the village. Shisui was more than ready for her input on the subject even though Itachi had already an idea of what she would say about it. What he did not expect was her pointing out that Shisui's practical need for her to be an Uchiha like them, was so that they would have at least one ally amongst their clan. Someone, that is stronger than a lot of clan members. She did agree that a coup was a really bad idea. Especially when she added it to the knowledge, she has gained over the last few years. Both involving the village and countries.
She again stated that the one in the village to trust was the Hokage and she lectured Itachi for his trust in the guy named Danzo. From everything, they told her, Danzo rubbed her the wrong way, but she explained it as him being the leader of what the two of them call root and as someone who has been vying for the title Hokage even with the third still in the seat. A guy like that would be military-based and would make his decisions as such. Shisui could not complain, he never liked Danzo to begin with so he was happy that she would agree with his views. But he had also explained that Danzo will only do what he feels is best for the leaf.
That evening after Shisui beat Itachi in their sparring, Tala walked with the two Uchiha. To a place with a deep ravine. Water falling over the top of the opposite side in waterfalls down to a large river below. Shisui sets down on one of the boulders as Tala stands near the cliff's edge watching the waterfall from the ridge. "So, I take it, it didn't go well." Shisui speaks up glancing towards Tala as if making certain she wasn't having one of her childish moments and getting too close to the edge." He then looks to Itachi once he was convinced, she was fine. "I'm sorry." Itachi answers him quietly. "I did everything I could but... the only thing I could accomplish was to delay the plan." He glances down a moment as he is talking before looking back to Shisui. "This is a coup by our entire clan. We always knew it wouldn't be easy to dissuade them. Their will to make this happen is stronger than we anticipated. That said, delaying the plan is a great result."
"How about you? You said you were going to try and find some allies." Itachi questions causing Shisui to look away from him, his gaze falling back on Tala who was now walking towards them with her hands in her pockets. "I'm afraid it's still not going well. For better or for worse. They're part of the Uchiha clan, so their bond is strong." As he speaks, he looks back toward Itachi who frowns at Shisui's words. "Oh, come on, don't give me that look."
Itachi's eyes widen as Shisui stands and steps up to him. "This is still you and me we're talking about, Itachi." Tala tilts her head. "Don't forget me. I may not be a part of the clan, but I will lend a hand where I am needed. Especially for my big brothers." She pipes up causing Shisui to chuckle. "Right, right." He places a hand on Itachi's shoulder with a smile as Tala stops next to them. "So, it'll be fine." Itachi then smiles just before Shisui pulls away from him. Half turning more towards Tala as he crosses his arms. "Anyway, you keep an eye out and work from the inside. I'll work on finding another away." Tala gives them a nod with a smile wrinkling her mask.
"Big brother!" A boy shouts drawing their attention to see Sasuke running in their direction waving his right arm above his head. "Big brother!" Shisui chuckles and glances down at Tala. "Seems we were found out." He smiles drawing her attention up to him. "If anything, it won't hurt to lie." She points out looking to Sasuke as he comes to an abrupt stop next to Itachi turning straight towards him. "There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you!" Tala steps behind Shisui causing him to chuckle drawing Sasuke's attention to him. "Oh, sorry." He speaks quietly. Shisui just raises his right hand with a grin. "Hi!" Sasuke's eyes widen briefly before he smiles brightly. "Shisui!"
"Sasuke. What are you doing out here?" Shisui questions as Sasuke runs up to him raising his hands in front of him like fists with his excitement. "Hey what were you talking about, anyway?" He then turns back towards Itachi nearly causing Tala to exhale a sigh of relief. "Come on, tell me, tell me!" Itachi's eyes widen briefly with Sasuke's sudden excitement and shock that he has not even noticed Tala before he smiles. "You're still too young to know about that." Sasuke puffs out his cheeks. "What's that about? Am I not a part of the group now?"
Itachi then takes a small step forward jabbing two fingers against Sasuke's forehead causing him to stumble back a bit. "I'm sorry Sasuke, maybe next time?" Sasuke looks up at his brother and covers his forehead with both of his hands. "You're always saying that big brother. Aww." He pouts causing Shisui to chuckle. "Hey, it's not fair. What a horrible brother leaving Sasuke out of everything like that." Shisui pouts as he walks forward to Sasuke keeping Tala blocked by his advancing figure.
He then places his hand on Sasuke's shoulder and gives him a wink. "All right, how about I tell you then." Sasuke's eyes widen as he looks up to Shisui. "Really?! You're the best Shisui!" Tala looks over to Itachi as Shisui pulls his arm over Sasuke's shoulder and tucks him in closer to him. Itachi's eyes were wide and blinking in a mix between disbelief and confusion. This moment gives Tala enough time to run towards the cliff and step down over the edge. Catching her hold on the rocky wall with her chakra so she is out of sight.
"You see, we were just talking about which of us is stronger, me or your brother." Shisui smirks causing Sasuke to grunt in surprise before Shisui looks over his shoulder as if he were looking at Itachi. Checking if Tala was still there or not. "I mean, I know I'm a lot stronger than he is, but he just won't accept the truth." Shisui whines before exhaling a sigh. He then looks back to Sasuke. "Well, Sasuke. You know the truth, don't you? That I'm a lot stronger than he is..."
"No, you're wrong!" Sasuke shouts causing Shisui's eyes to widen. "I mean, sure you're strong, but come on! My brother is still way stronger than you!" Sasuke yells at Shisui with a glare causing Shisui to pull away from the kid a bit. "Oh really? But I'm older than he is, so I only think it's natural to assume I'm..." Sasuke puffs out his cheeks watching him. "Age has nothing to do with being a ninja!" Shisui tries not to smile as Sasuke continues to react to his teasing. "But you know, I have the Sharingan!" He points to his right eye causing Sasuke to raise his hands into fists again and lean in a little closer. "Brother has the Sharingan too! So, my brother won't lose to you, Shisui!" Sasuke then looks over his shoulder toward Itachi. "Isn't that right, brother?" Itachi gives a startled grunt before looking away. Remembering just an hour ago Shisui beat him in their spar. This causes Shisui to chuckle. "Shisui... you..." Sasuke then turns and walks up to Itachi. "Right? brother! Go on! Tell him you're stronger than Shisui, right?"
"Well, that's..." Shisui watches them over his shoulder as he smiles. Tala looks towards the river watching the ever-flowing water with a tilt of her head. To her, Sasuke was acting a lot differently than he does at school. There he is quieter, more focused. Yet, when he is around Itachi, he lets the kid in him shine through. Kind of like she does with Shisui. "Hey, Tala." Shisui's voice speaks up over the sound of the waterfalls as she turns around to look up at him. He smiles at her as he closes his eyes. "Itachi and Sasuke left to go eat dinner. You should head home too."
"Big brother, I can see something is on your mind." She points out as she jumps up onto the ledge again, landing next to him. Her hands slip into her pockets as she closes her eyes a moment. "Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about Itachi and Sasuke. What a coup would do to their family." Tala nods and raises her gaze as she looks toward the trees. Sasuke's white shorts stick out like a sore thumb against the brown and green around him as he walks with Itachi. "Yeah, a coup will destroy everything we know and love. Not just in your clan." She sighs before looking toward him. "I'll see you tomorrow hopefully, big brother." She then smiles and steps up to him closing her eyes. "You know, the bond between Itachi and Sasuke. Reminds me a lot of us." She points out lightly before turning and running off, back towards the village.
