Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, only the Gushikans.

Chapter 9~ Psychopath

The next day I still went to school and had to deal with all the questions surrounding me and my mission. In the words of Shikamaru, "It was such a drag".

Everyone seemed to have their own take on what happened to me, even if that's not what happened.

Thankfully my friends all respected my privacy and didn't try to freak me out with- "Takara, you smell like blood." Kiba said scrunching up his nose.

I groaned and banged my head on my desk.

"Ah Takara, are you feeling ok?" Choji asked, startled I was banging my head on the table, repeatedly now.

"I'm fine." I groaned. "I'm just really tired of talking about my mission. I've already told everyone and their mother what happened to me. And yes Kiba, I do smell like blood. After all, the stupid fluid never washes out completely!"

Ok so maybe I was getting really annoyed with everyone.

Iruka finally walked into the room and started to write down the lesson. I sighed in relief, happy I don't have to think about what happened anymore, and began to take notes on... fatal points on the human body.

Oh the irony.

During the lunch break I was swarmed again by the students.

"Takara did you kill anyone?"

"Takara, are all those bandages gonna have cool scars under them?"

"Takara, was it fun to watch the fight?"

My stomach stirred and I wasn't hungry anymore. I was still disturbed by my own lack of empathy. I really am a stone-faced, not caring Gushikan.

I mostly drifted through the school that day, trying to ignore all the questions. When it was finally over I began to walk home alone.

As I walked slowly down the street I decided that I really didn't want to sit in my empty house and ponder the meaning of life. I mean, I am still eight.

Instead I walked to the training ground. Not the one near my house, but the one with the KIA stone.

I know my dad can't help me with how I feel, he'd probably laugh it off and be proud.

My mom can't help me either. She, with all that love and compassion she has, would think I'm a monster.

So I stood there reading the names of the fallen. I managed to find my grandparents names, Koyuki and Tekeshi. And, farther down the line of names I found my great grandfather Takeshi.

My dads real mentor.

I don't really know that much about him except like my dad, no one really liked him. But, they all respected him. They had to, he was a real fearsome man.

Apparently when my grandpa was born, in a true Gushikan fashion my great grandfather told everyone he refused to name him and told the midwife to do it.

As long as it started with a T of course.

The poor midwife was put on the spot so quickly she mispronounced my great grandfathers name and then so afraid of his wrath just played it off as the baby's name.

That's why they are Takeshi and Tekeshi.

Actually, my father respected Takeshi so much he offhandedly remarked to my mom he sure liked the Tak part of his name, when they found out they were pregnant.

Of course my father technically had no real say in my name as a tradition. My mom realized what a huge role Takeshi played in my dads life and had no problem fitting in the Tak part.

It was already in the name she liked, Takara.

Back in reality I stared at the stone.

My family was never religious, my dad always said that we should never rely on an invisibility deity to save us or our family. But at that moment I felt a very strong urge to pray for the answer to my problem.

Maybe my ancestors went through the same thing.

I heard the sound of the stones crunching underfoot and didn't need to turn around to know someone was behind me. 'Probably Naruto'.

But it wasn't.

"Ah the young Gushikan, I'm surprised to see you here." I knew that voice.

I turned around to face the Hokage. He was in full uniform and stepped beside me. He clasped his hands together in prayer and was silent.

I myself jammed my hands in my pockets and waited silently for him to finish. When he did he turned to me and smiled.

"Why are you here? Praying for your grandparents? I thought I remembered them passing before you were born."

"Oh they did, all my relatives except mom and dad of course. Although I guess I was here seeking guidance. Guidance for something I don't think my parents would understand."

The Hokage raised an eye brow and turned his gaze to the stone.

"I may not be your family but perhaps I can be of assistance. I have know the Gushikans my entire life. And, I know your father and mother especially well."

I glanced at him. I was really tired of making excuses. Maybe another perspective would be good.

"Alright, I appreciate that very much so, Hokage-Sama." I bowed at him which he ignored.

"Well, umm, first, am I right to assume you read my dads report?" I asked meekly.

He nodded.

"Well then you're aware I saw my first killing?"

He nodded again. "Child if this is about feeling sorry for the enemy or feeling sick because of watching it then that's completely normal. That eventually fades with time."

I shook my head quickly. "No, no, not that. Actually the opposite."

He gave me a puzzled look.

"You see, the entire time, I was not scared. I felt completely calm and relaxed. Even when my life was threatened, for the most part. Then after watching the men die and being covered in their blood. I felt nothing. I was not sad or happy, I just felt oddly, fine."

He was quiet and seemed to be mulling it over in his head until he finally patted my head. "You know, Gushikans have a history of being the strongest of the strong, physically and mentally. No one passes them. So I was always curious how Gushikans felt in certain situations. Like the one you were in. Now I see that strength is literally forced into you at a young age."

He pulled out his pipe and lit it.

"Perhaps your not giving your father enough credit. He was a child once too. I think you should fess up to him your fears. He will appreciate it and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by his response." He took a long drag from his pipe then patted my head.

"Go home."

Then he walked away.

When I arrived home dad was actually already there.

He was sitting on the couch reading a book. Something he rarely does. I sat my bag down and jumped over the back of the couch and sat next to him.

He mumbled a hello and then flipped a page in his book. "How was your day?" He grumbled, eyes not leaving his book.

"Oh it was fine. We had an anatomy lesson today and everyone wouldn't leave me alone. Everyone had a question and opinion on our trip." He grunted a "Same here." He gently shut his book and stretched.

"Everyone had an opinion of whether it was a good idea to bring a young kid on a mission or not." He shrugged before standing up.

"What do you want for dinner? I could try to make something." I stand up quickly and waved him off.

"Nah it's okay, I'll make dinner, your not very good at it." He sighed and nodded.

"I know."

We walked to the kitchen and began to look through the fridge.

"So um, dad?" He glanced at me and hum. "So uh, what was your first mission?" He paused, deep in thought and then started.

"I was younger than you, it was a different time after all. I was around seven, and I was with Takeshi. At that time the third shinobi war had not hit full swing, in fact it was still years before the war would kick off but there were numerous boundaries skirmishes, so we knew we were already in danger. It was a simple delivery mission, but it went south quickly when we found out a crime organization had murdered our client and found out our rendezvous point.

I was kidnapped like you. But at that time, I already was up to one sword style. My grandfather carried Yin and Yang at that point so I used a simple looking long bladed gray sword. It has been passed down too, you'll be getting it when you're older. It's name is... Balance I believe. As in the balance of Yin and Yang. Anyway, my kidnapper turned his back to me, I was only a kid to him. So I thrust Balance... Actually I thrust balance into where I thought his kidney was. Like you did."

Dad paused to smile at me and ruffle my hair muttering "Like father, like daughter" and then he continued.

"Anyway me and Takeshi fought through eight enemy ninja and made it home. I killed two people that day. My first time actually."

I was stunned quiet for a moment.

"So uh, was that your first time seeing a dead body?"

He glanced at me suspiciously.

"No, my first real dead bodies were my parents. I didn't watch it happen though, they just came home dead. Obviously I was devastated and was forced into an orphanage for a whole two days until my grandfather was given custody over me."

He paused and he set a hand on my shoulder.

"What is this about Takara?"

I flushed embarrassed and tried to play it off.

"It's nothing! Just curious!" He hummed again and continued.

"My first time seeing a fresh corpse was during my first mission though." He glanced at me and then grabbed me by the waist and sat me on the counter. Then he took a step back and crossed his arms.

"When I saw that first corpse, the one I had killed, I felt nothing. I was not angry or sad or happy. All I thought was I needed to find my grandfather so that we could go home together. So that I was not alone again. I've never had empathy for those I've killed or watched be killed. It sounds horrible but your mother understands and I hope you do too. I don't want you to think I'm a cold blooded killer."

I shook my head and for the first time ever I felt like crying.

"No, no I understand! I thought I was a freak! A psychopath even for not feeling empathy towards the men you killed. But now I realize... It's normal? At least for this family."

He nodded. "Yes our family has always been like this. To be honest even I was scared of myself when I realized I didn't feel anything. I suspect that's why you have been acting strange."

I nodded again. "Yes, I was just so afraid there was something wrong with me mentally..."

He chuckled. "Well I wouldn't say theres nothing wrong with us. It's definitely strange we don't feel anything, and that's not normal reaction. But, at least you can say you're not alone. I feel that way and so has our entire family. It's just in the genes." He shrugged.

I felt like an enormous weight has been lifted off me. I'm normal! (Kinda)

"Our family genes gives us many advantages and disadvantages. For example, we have lighting fast reflexes. Do you remember picking up Yang when you fell to the ground?"

"No, I don't, it was just suddenly in my hand."

"You were able to assess the situation and make the decision to pick up Yang subconsciously. I was in danger so you prepared yourself for the worse. It's one of the greatest skills for a ninja to have. On the other hand, consciously you were able to understand what I was telling you with eyes alone and you could think calmly and correctly even while in mortal danger. You were also prepared to take the life of the ninja in front of you. And you would have if it wasn't a clone. That is a skill a young ninja will always need.

Finally we also don't get attached to things easily, which may be why we can kill so easily. On the other hand it's very hard to have personal relationships. Your mother worked on me for eight years before I could propose, even then it took an extra push from Kota too."

He laughed quietly.

"At least I don't have to worry about you getting married."

"What?"

"Nothing nothing, don't pay attention to your silly dad."

The rest on the month went by quickly, and I was in a much better mood, I think everyone could tell. Even the Hokage smiled at me as we walked past each other on the street!

But mom was late, by one day then two, and then a week.

Dad didn't act much different, at least he tried but I could tell he was worried. He'd sit and stare at her pictures or read her favorite books. I even caught him sitting by the gates late at night... When I went to go sit by the gates. We were scared. It was getting hard to eat and drink when we were so worried about mom. We spent more time doing therapy treatments and training instead. As she got later and later I could tell people started to act differently to me.

My friends were really happy go lucky and tried to get me to go out and eat BBQ more and tried to keep my mind off it.

My kinda sorta friends stopped talking to me, they didn't want to make it worse or be too involved.

And then there were the people who didn't know us or like us.

"I bet she got tired in being in such a stone family"

"I heard she got into a fight with her husband!"

"She has a side man in the Land of Waves! I'm sure!"

My dad and I ignored it, but it started to hurt him. He could deal with it at first and ignore it. Now he just leaves the room when it's brought up.

Another month passes. She was two months late.

And then dad left. He didn't just disappear. The night before he explained that if mom was a whole two months late then something bad happened. So he had to go find her. I begged him to let me come but he flat out refused.

I wasn't technically old enough to be by myself but... I had no where else to go. And dad would never ask anyone to watch me. So we ignored the rules and I was left all by myself.

When dad disappeared the rumors got worse. Like I drove my parents away. It was a sad time for me. But as a Gushikan it was my duty to stay strong. I still went out with friends, I never missed school, and I didn't stop training. I even walked to the hospital before and after school for my therapy session with my donor, all by myself.

It was not a secret my dad was gone, so I got invited out to a lot of dinners in which others would pay for. People praised me for being independent.

It was kinda fun!

Not really.

A kid shouldn't be alone. Not an eight year old. I stopped sleeping in my bed and slept in my parents bed. I'd go through their drawers and books in depression.

In true Gushikan fashion I basically stopped eating unless I was with others, I mostly trained.

My Aunt Anko stopped by occasionally but she was booked with missions. Plus dad didn't like Anko "rotting my brain" so I tried to do dad proud, not stay with her all the time, but that was a whole different issue.

Besides... despite Anko being my moms sister... She... Wasn't... actually her sister. They were both orphans, and they both had plum hair, soooo they just kind of became sisters.

I'm sure theres more to it but mom doesn't like to acknowledge the fact they aren't biological.

Therefore Anko has no real right to me.

I waited a month, and then two.

I burst into the Hokages office. "I demand someone finds my parents!" I yelled. The ninja guards are startled that a kid just burst in so I took a chance and ran to his desk and bow. "Please! My moms been missing four months! And my dad been missing two months! I haven't heard anything! I just need my mommy and daddy back!" I bite my lip and fight the tears. I was beginning to break down. I couldn't last any longer without my mom and dad. I lost ten pounds and I couldn't sleep.

The Hokage seemed unfazed but set his pipe down. "Takara, I'm very surprised. I thought you'd crack sooner. But I'm proud you were able to keep up face for so long. For your family." He stood from his chair and began to walk out the door. "Follow me." He said calmly.

So I did.

We walked down the street in silence. The citizens bowed to the Hokage but avoided us. Eventually we arrived at the hospital. He signed a paper and then took me to the secure section where the operate on Anbu or high officials.

Behind the the glass was-

"Mom! Dad!" I yelled, I put my hands on the glass windows. They were both asleep in hospital beds. I turned to the Hokage. "How long have they been there? What's their status?!" I was frantic.

"Don't worry. They arrived yesterday and are both fine. They are chakra deprived, and dehydrated, but they will be released tomorrow." After the relief passed I felt the rage build up but I kept it suppressed.

"Why didn't anyone tell me they were back?"

"It was their choice. They didn't want you to know they're not invincible."

I scoffed, "That's stupid. I don't care about that."

He shrugged. "None the less, go home. Wash up. Eat a hot meal. Your parents are coming home."

I nodded wordless, putting my hand back up to the glass one last time and then turned to the Hokage and in an extremely uncharacteristic Gushikan way I hugged him tightly. After a moment he hugged me back. I pulled away quickly and turned running away.

The next day they picked me up from school together. They looked fine. Very healthy actually.

I may have ran into their arms causing a small scene but I think I'll be forgiven. I wasn't alone anymore.

When we got home my parents told me how my mom completed her mission rather quickly but then she traveled to her home village. The Land of Waves is not as horrible as it used to be but there is still some prejudice people. Apparently she recognized a man, one who pillaged her family home. When she confronted him, he was terrified of her, that she might take revenge, and caused a scene. She was put in jail for two months and when she was released she ran into an old acquaintance.

Another kekki genkai user, not in her clan though. The friend told her that after the night her house was attacked all the akumugan users disappeared. They could be out there but no one knows where. My mom was determined to find out what truly happened that night so she went around the couple towns surrounding her home town looking for family.

She had gone quite far when dad found her and brought her back to reality. Then they came home. To me.

"So how was Suna?" Mom asked while holding me in her arms. "It was fun! I made a some new friends!"

She smiled. "And the trip was uneventful I assume."

Me and dad tensed and glanced at each other.

"What? What happened?" Mom still smiled but her eyes narrowed. It's a good thing all my cuts and bruises healed already.

"We got hit by a sandstorm, but we we're fine and dad protected me!" She sighed. "Oh that's good.

Dad sighed too. "We we're also ambushed." Her face paled and she looked at me.

"I'm fine!"

She smiled, "I'm glad your ok." She turned to my dad. "She had a few cuts and bruises."

"Dad!"

He shrugged "I can't lie to your mom. She is too scary."

The next couple days I didn't leave my parents sides. I was so happy they were home. I couldn't help but hug them and squeeze them when I saw them. Family life was normal again, and I had never felt so calm and secure.

But then I heard the tail end of a conversation.

"We're too old."

"Are not! Tenchi I'm 32! Don't be rude you old man!"

"I'm only a few months older than you."

"Then hush up! It's happening and there's no stopping it!"

'Huh? What's going on with them?'

"I'm home!" I yelled. Mom quickly appeared in front of me looking serious. "Takara do you think I'm old?"

Oh god "No of course not! Your still super young and pretty! All my friends say that!" She blushed.

"Oh they do?" She looked incredibly pleased and flustered.

"Oh, they do?" My dad on the other hand, his face turned dark and you could practically hear the thunder in the background.

"Why do you ask?" I calmly question as I look my mom up and down.

She glanced at my dad and he shrugged uncaringly. She turned to me and her face cracked into a giant smile.

"I'm pregnant!"

'What?'

"You are? I'm going to have a little brother or sister?" She nodded "Yup! A new little Gushikan running around! I'm so happy!" She squeeled.

I was happy too but confused.

"Wait, when did...?" I guess my confusion was evident.

My dad cleared his throat. "When we found each other." I turned pink and internally gagged. I really could have lived my entire life without hearing that innocent answer.

"Just think Takara! Another little T running around."

Mom was flouncing around like a kid but dad was almost completely silent watching what was going on.

"Dad? What's wrong?" He shrugged. "A Gushikan has never had more than one child. I just hope I'm not breaking a rule or making our forefathers ashamed." My mom gently punched him. "You sir have already broken a lot of rules so don't give us that!"

I blinked. "Like what?"

"Oh where to start, like marrying an outsider."

"Technically I think that ones not broken. You weren't born here but you did grow up here."

"He's just making excuses, let's see, then there's you Takara."

"Me?" I asked confused

"You're a girl, our precious baby girl, but you know what? You're the first girl to be born in the Gushikan clan maybe ever! Even your dads summoning scroll passed down through multiple generations of Gushikans has no female names on it."

"I am? Woah."

"Not only that but if things go according to plan you'll be the first female head of the family! Ever!"

"I don't get how he broke the rules."

She shrugged and smiled.

"I always assumed it was an unspoken rule not to have girls."

"I don't think that's something they can control."

"How else do you explain five generations or more of only boys!" We just laughed together.

Dad sighed again. "This could be a problem. I hope it's a girl."

Authors Note:

Yo! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed. As always reviewing is not necessarily but I really enjoy reading them.

I have a new picture out on DeviantArt of Takara when she has to get her hair cut after Sasuke burned it coming out either today or tomorrow. I guess you could say it has some extra dialog that wasn't in the story but I thought was fun to put into the drawing. It's from chapters four and five. I go under the same name on DeviantArt if your interested.

Anyways, thank you very very much for reading and have a nice day.

~ToL