Here's chapter 6: Resolution

Warning: This chapter has more mentions of torture and child abuse. Which should be mostly done after this chapter as a major point in the story - well from her family anyway. Orochimaru exists after all. Although the effects from her family are never completely out of sight, as such things stay in a mind long after.

We're also finally approaching the academy days. So ninja time soonish.

Hope you enjoy.

As usual I do not own, make money off, or in any way have a right to the characters of Naruto or its world. I'm just a lowly fanfiction writer.

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Soon enough my fifth birthday approached, it was almost time for me to join the Academy. My excitement is tempered by the fact my Father has decided to throw a lavish bash for my birthday.

Considering the clan hates me, and that I recently have had a pretty bad experience with the elders. This is not my idea of fun. Then he makes it worse. Because of course he does.

He invites Kushina-sensei and Namikaze Minato to my birthday!

My doomed birthday party arrives on a cool windy day. I stand outside the gates to our clan compound, dressed in an exquisite pale purple kimono, my hair pinned up in two buns, decorative pins holding it in place, two braids hanging down my back, held together by golden clips. I feel like a dress up doll again. I want nothing more than to rip it off and put on more comfortable Shinobi gear.

I sigh as I let the wind caress my face, peering down the street, enjoying the air despite everything. The Hashirama trees that dotted Konoha's streets covered everything in autumn colors. Making the usually green village come even more alive.

My lips quirk into a small smile as I see Kushina-sensei come down the street, radiant smile in place as she walks hand in hand with Minato. Wearing a tasteful and less ostentatious kimono than myself, in a navy color. Minato looks quite dashing in his own kimono, rocking the pale orange look. No guesses allowed for who picked that one out.

"Thank you for coming, sensei, Minato-san." I say formally, bowing to the couple as they get within a few feet of me.

"I think we've known each other long enough that you can just call me Minato, Inohana-chan." Minato says with a small smile.

I smile at him, before eying sensei, who's holding her hands to her mouth, eyes glittering, shuffling her feet like she needs to pee. "What's wrong with Kushina-sensei?" I ask him warily. A hand already reaching up to protect my hair. It took two hours to get it like this. I am not doing it again.

Minato coughs, trying to hide a small chuckle, giving sensei a small nudge. Kushina-sensei lets out a small squeal. "You're scaring the birthday girl, Kushina." He says with fond exasperation.

"You're so CUTE! Dattebane!" Kushina-sensei squeals, high pitched, her hands making grabbing motions in front of her, "I want to just pick you up and smush you!" She grins at me, eyes big and sparkly, "You look just like a little princess, Dattebane!"

Minato holds her back by the arm, an amused smile on his face as Kushina-sensei almost - despite the occasion, does what she threatens.

"Please no smushing, sensei." I sigh, giving her a small smile to let her know I appreciate how hyped up she is about me. I grimace and turn towards the gates. "We should probably go inside." I say, reluctance obvious.

"We could always go to Ichiraku's instead, Dattebane." Kushina-sensei offers immediately. Making an aborted motion to ruffle my hair, pouting when she realizes she can't.

I give her a half smile, appreciative of her offer. "Thanks, sensei. The birthday girl can't be missing from her own party, however."

"It will be interesting to meet your family." Minato says carefully. And I eye him, taking in the focused mind behind those blue eyes.

"Yeah. Interesting is the word." I mumble, stepping through the gate. My guests fall in beside me. Kushina-sensei takes my right, intertwining her hand with mine. Minato takes my left, his calm steady presence helping me settle my nerves somewhat.

Inside the compound it's like a festival. The clan sigil and clan colors are everywhere. Purple garlands hanging all over, purple painted paper lanterns bathing everything in a muted glow. Children run around excited with the splendor and activities around the compound. The adults all seem markedly less happy. I keep my head down as I walk, not wanting to see the stares and sneers. Not after the things I have done for my Father. I feel I deserve their hate now.

Kushina-sensei squeezes my hand gently. "Head up, Ino-chan. Don't let a bunch of bullies get you down, Dattebane." She coaxes me gently.

I shake my head, my braids swinging behind me, making a tinkling noise with all the ornaments I have in my hair. "I deserve it." I say, softly. Almost going unheard in the bustle of the clan.

"No, you don't." Minato says firmly. "In no shape or form." Kushina-sensei makes an agreeing noise in her throat. Squeezing my hand harder in support.

"You don't know what I've done." I say, shaking my head. Eyes on the ground. It's as close I've ever come to admitting something is wrong. I'm finding it harder and harder to rationalize my actions. Especially in my clan compound. The land where I've killed… where I've tortured!

Kushina-sensei pulls me to a halt, turning me around, squatting down, uncaring for how undignified it looks in her kimono. "Whatever you've done, no matter what. It's not your fault. You're 5!" She says seriously. Violet eyes piercing through mine, not a hint of a joking attitude.

"You can talk to us, if you need to." Minato says softly. Kushina-sensei staring searchingly into my eyes. I hate myself for the quick flash of disappointment I see in her eyes when I shake my head quickly.

"We should head inside. The dinner will start soon." I say, putting on a fake smile, "My father is expecting you."

"I'm surprised he invited us, considering your clan's apprehension regarding ninja." Minato notes.

"So am I." I mutter. My clan didn't make much sense in that respect. As far as I could tell, when I had actually looked into what the hell was up with the clan. We rarely hired ninja. Just a once in a while kind of deal, throwing money at them to keep them happy with us kind of missions. Yet somehow our caravans or holdings never got raided by bandits or mercenaries. Something was definitely fishy somewhere, considering my father, I was betting on illegal dealings.

We enter the main building, as I lead them through richly decorated hallways to the main dining room. Large enough to hold much of the clan.

My father is already seated at the head table. Normally it's a lavish table seating twenty, made from mokuton back in the day of the first as a gift from the first Hokage. Today, there is a small round table, with seating for four. I almost pause my steps as I see my father sitting there with a small smile, waiting for his dinner guests and the birthday girl. This will be a lot more uncomfortable than I had imagined. I had thought I'd at least have a dozen plus clan members to keep conversation away from anything too distasteful.

What is my father thinking? None of this is matching my alterations. He should be supporting my career with money and anything I ask, not get further involved on his own. I think furiously, biting my lip. Nothing good could come from this. Not with Kushina-sensei and Minato already suspicious, I hadn't helped with my almost breakdown.

With the hall filling slowly around us, all the tables placed to make ours the centerpiece of the room, my father stands up, wearing a dark purple kimono, his eyes intent on us. "There is my prodigious daughter. And she has such powerful guests! Welcome to the Tsubuki, Namikaze-san, Uzumaki-san."

"We're all friends here, you can call us Minato and Kushina." Minato says, eyes cold, belaying his friendly words. I move to sit down next to my father only to have Kushina-sensei slide into the chair just ahead of me, Minato taking the chair opposite hers. Leaving me the spot furthest from my father, opposite him.

My father grins, but it doesn't reach his eyes, glasses glinting in the light from the paper lanterns. "Then of course, you may call me Ichimaru." He offers, almost mockingly.

"A pleasure." Kushina-sensei murmurs, her violet eyes are hard, and I can see her hands become fists under the table from where I'm sitting. This is not going to end well. I think despondently.

Please someone, any deity, please let me just get through today! I beg internally.

"I must confess, when I penned a mission to train my daughter. I hadn't expected the result. You've done excellent work, Kushina." My father says looking at me with his sick sort of pride. "Why, she's become quite….Ruthless, I'd say." His grin borders on insane as he stares down Kushina-sensei.

"She is an excellent student, Dattebane!" Kushina-sensei agrees with some anger sparking in her eyes. "I wouldn't call her ruthless, she's a sweet and caring girl."

My father laughs like he's heard a good joke. Slapping his knee, shaking his head slowly as it peeters down to a chuckle. "I guess ninja can't see everything then." He mocks. "And here I thought killers recognized their kind?" He finishes viciously. And I freeze in my chair.

My head is faced down on my empty plate, my mind panicked. What is he doing? The dinner hasn't even started yet and he's pushing to have me executed!

"We certainly do. Ichimaru." Minato says coldly. Eyes intent on my father. "We recognize and deal with those kinds of people on a daily basis."

"Father! Maybe it's time to start dinner?" I blurt out, desperately wishing for this conversation to go away! Did I mess up his mind somehow? I haven't even touched it after I got my greenhouse set up, what is happening!? I think, feeling close to having a panic attack.

"Of course! My birthday girl gets what she wants after all." He stands up, the hall is mostly filled by now. "We are here to celebrate my heir and daughter for reaching the age of five years old. And embarking on the journey to become a proud kunoichi of Konoha!" His grin becomes a tad unhinged as he raises a glass. "Let her kill a thousand enemies before she dies! Let's eat!" He calls out cheerfully. Abruptly sitting back down cackling quietly to himself.

I'm not the only one in the room eyeing him warily, wondering if he's finally completely lost it.

Servers start bringing the food out, as a low murmur rises in the hall. No one is comfortable with that toast or my father's behavior. Both Kushina-sensei and Minato are glaring at my father. This is confirming every fear they have, if I survive the night they're never going to leave me alone about this.

"Oh? Isn't that enough for a Shinobi toast? You preach killing your enemies, do you not?" Father says with a dark look, as our table is served. The fare is exquisite, yet no one touches it. The atmosphere at the table is practically arctic.

"Not at children's birthday parties." Kushina-sensei grits out, violet eyes flashing with anger.

Father rests a cheek on his palm as leans forward on the table looking at her with a leer. "Yet, you're teaching her to join a war within the year. To kill, torture, rape, shouldn't you be consistent?" He bites out viciously.

"Do you have an issue with ninja, Ichimaru?" Minato interjects a spark of true anger flashing in his eyes. Kushina-sensei looks one breath away from breathing fire. She also looks guilty.

I reach over and put a hand on her knee under the table. Trying to tell her that I don't think she's like that. Unfortunately my attempts at comforting her only seems to make her angrier at my father. Her cheeks flushing red, the bottom of her hair has started waving in the air slightly.

"Yes, I suppose I do." Father says nastily, eyes sliding over to Minato. "All that power. And you're preaching camaraderie, peace and love!" He scoffs.

"Konoha was built on that premise." Minato fires back, "It's how we've survived two wars. It's how we'll survive this one." I can see the passion in him even as he delivers it so coldly to my father. The future Hokage…I could definitely see it.

Father chuckles, "On the other hand. Senju Hashirama could have ripped the other villages apart single handedly." He smirks at the two Jounin, "And we wouldn't have had three wars." He mocks them, for their inability to prevent the next war, or for not winning properly, I'm not sure which, "Uchiha Madara should have become Hokage. Then children wouldn't be fighting in wars, because our enemies would be dead!"

"Then why did you want your daughter to become a ninja?" Minato fires back sharply. Sending Kushina-sensei a warning look, making her clack her teeth shut as she had no doubt been about to say something unwise.

My father looks at me with a cruel glint in his eyes. " want is not really the word I'd use. Right, darling?" He leers at my frozen form. He couldn't be referencing… it's not possible…He can't know?

He picks up his glass, swirling the liquid around, eyeing me with dark pleasure. "More like I had my eyes opened and saw a tool that could be used to leverage quite a lot."

I stiffen, in anger or shock I'm not sure. Having it put so bluntly hurts even when I've always known. He's using me, he hasn't undone my mental adjustments, he can't have, he's adapted. And is now using me for something. He couldn't stop me becoming a ninja as that's what I forced him to accept. So now he's found a way to use it. Use me. Who would my father ally with…?

"She. Is not. A tool, Dattebane!" Kushina growls out, "No, Minato," She hisses, as Minato tries to caution her. "He needs to hear this! Inohana-chan is an amazing, lovable, intelligent, hardworking and adorable little girl! She is not your tool!" By the end of the speech she is standing, shouting at my father, the whole hall watching in shocked silence.

I stare down at my plate, trying to fight back tears. Kushina-sensei standing up for me, makes me feel amazing, yet it's also making me feel so much worse about what kind of person I am. The kind my father knows, but she doesn't see. Out of everyone at this table, my father is the only one right about me…

"Are you that passionate everywhere?" My father leers at her. And my head flies up staring at him in disbelief. Does he have a death wish? Minato seems to think the same, his eyes narrowing and he seems to be preparing to jump in if Kushina-sensei tries to murder my father.

"When it comes to your daughter? Then hell yeah! Dattebane!" She snarls. Hands planted on the table, hair starting to fly up behind her.

My father just smirks, licking his lips hungrily, leaning forward on the table as well, getting into sensei's face, only those at our table hear his whisper. "Mm, I'm very passionate about my daughter too."

I immediately jump over and grab Kushina-sensei's arm and pull with all I can, Minato arriving at Kushina-sensei's other side to hold onto her and whisper furiously in her ear. She looks apocalyptic, like she'd rip his throat out with her teeth. Did he really have to say it that way!? Why is he pissing them off on purpose!? What is he actually fucking doing!? I scream internally, desperately holding onto sensei before she gets a murder charge.

"I think this dinner might be finished." Minato says sternly, eyes hard as he stares down my father.

"Of course, you're guests, you can leave anytime." He leans back in his chair, " My daughter stays of course." He smiles victoriously.

I've never seen Minato look at someone with as much dislike as he is right now. Why is my father antagonizing them on purpose!?

I almost want to beg. My eyes finding sensei's, I almost say it, please don't leave me here. But I bite my lip. My father is my problem to deal with. He's obviously antagonizing them for a reason. It's better they leave.

"You should go, thank you for coming." I whisper sadly. Kushina-sensei looks close to tears as she whirls on Minato to argue. But he gives me an apologetic look, and grabs her arm and shunshin's them both out of there.

"Such interesting people." My father says mildly. Starting to cut his meat, going back to dinner like nothing's happened.

I sit down, not touching my meal. Just wondering what is happening. And what I need to do to ensure my father never does something like it again. And how on earth I'm supposed to reassure Kushina-sensei that I'm fine at home.

"You should eat, growing girls need their vegetables." He says cheerfully. The noise in the hall goes back to normal levels as the clan members all focus on their food, no doubt all discussing what just happened. I wince as I see my grandmother, an eye patch over an empty eye socket, staring at us with a harsh frown.

"Why did you do that?" I ask, looking up at him with teary eyes. "It's like you want them to retaliate!"

He chews on a piece of meat slowly, taking his time to answer me. Eventually he leans forward a bit, looking me into the eyes. His eyes are cold and cruel, filled with delight. "I wanted to see them sit and squirm and realize they can't touch me!" He chuckles softly, "For all their vaunted power. They can't touch me! Because they're loyal to the Hokage, because they're loyal to the village? Bah, weakness!"

"Just for that, you make a show in front of everyone?" I bite out, my hands are shaking under the table.

"And what did they see, girl? They saw two of the most powerful ninja in the village. Saw them hate me, saw them rage at me. Saw them love my daughter. And saw them leave you behind, and not lay a finger on me!" He hisses out viciously. "You think there will be any more difficulty for me in this clan? I just achieved what you couldn't with the elders!"

I squirm at that being brought up. Although they had fear put into them, it didn't completely solve the issue behind it. Now, they could see that even Konoha wouldn't step in. Now they'd fall in line. They'd have no choice. They could try and have me killed for sure, but now they would think, my father could do whatever he wants to them and Konoha won't help. And killing me could just as likely, in their mind, just mean he makes another clan member a ninja in my place. They'll cut their losses. Fall in line. If Konoha's top Jounin won't even help the clan heiress, which they obviously care about. Why would the other clan members count on assistance in the future? They won't, is the answer.

"You just earned the complete hatred of my teacher!" I try, stubbornly, I didn't even know how I'd deal with this situation tomorrow.

"So? She can't do anything about it. I have connections now that I would have never thought about." Father is relaxed now, leaning back in his chair, smug about a job well done. "I never planned to make you a ninja. But it opened connections that has changed everything." He practically savors the last word.

"Like what?" I ask warily. My hands are still shaking. I've faced death before and been less afraid. My father is becoming more and more unpredictable and he has almost total control over my life based on Konoha clan laws.

He gives me a patronizing look, "Tools don't get the full picture. Your job is to get sharp, and ready to be wielded."

My nails cut into my palms, "I am not a tool!" I say shakily.

"Then why can I wield you like one with ease?" He laughs cruelly. A sadistic smirk on his face. It's almost like he's calling me out. Try me! His face seems to be saying.

With a spike of fear and irritation I try to reach into his brain with a chakra string again, done with this insanity, he needs to stop. And my attempt completely fails, being blocked somehow. My father laughs harder, tears springing from his eyes as he slaps the table, looking at me with cruel mirth dancing in his eyes.

I run from the table, his laughter ringing in my ear, I run and run and run. I tear my kimono off as I enter my greenhouse. Rip everything out of my hair, slink into my office space, tears running down my face. I hide in the corner, rocking back and forth on the floor. I don't know what was happening anymore. But I wanted out. I was too weak to be a powerful kunoichi.

I couldn't deal.

My father was once again in power over me, this time, I had no way to get out of it. What on earth has happened!?

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The next day, my fear still has a hold of me. When I'm summoned to my father's office, I barely manage to move my feet.

In just shy of a year, I've managed to lose my control. And worst of all. I have no idea at all how my father has managed to find a way to protect his chakra pathways. It shouldn't be possible. Not to the extent as to completely blocking my chakra entering his brain. If Shinobi could do this, then Genjutsu would never work. So how can my civilian father have something like this?

Who… is helping him?

I straighten my back as I enter the office. Trying to portray some strength I don't feel I have.

My father grins at me from behind his desk. "Sweet little girl, come to see her daddy?" He mocks.

"You called for me, father?" I say, proud that at least my voice is steady.

He stands up, I quickly avert my eyes as he's not wearing bottoms. I hear a frightened yelp, and glancing over I see a blonde girl that is being dragged up from beneath the desk. Her face pressed down into it. Frightened eyes looking at me.

I vaguely recognize her as one of the servants from last night's birthday dinner.

"I am actually quite proud, you know." My father says with a cruel smirk. The servant shivering bent over the desk. Tears gathering in her eyes.

"Is that so?" I curse my weakness as my voice can't help but showcase my trepidation.

My father hums, "Yes, to ruthlessly take control of and use me for your own ends. Absolutely exquisite work, darling." Slowly he takes out one of his favorite knives from a desk drawer. Almost as thin and sharp as a scalpel. Ever so slowly he drags it down the girls back, blunt side down… This time.

Both me and the terrified girl shiver in unison. This is why I did it, more than my wish to become a ninja! This is why I did it. To not be the one under his knife or worse.

"Nothing to say, sweetie?" He mocks, "Not proud of your accomplishment?" He sniffs, "Not that you did that good of a job, not even a year you lasted."

"H-how?" I manage to get out weakly.

"Oh, this isn't about answers, this is about punishment!" He cackles. Leering down at his terrified plaything. I wince, looking away again.

"So let's see if you're still ruthless enough…" He almost whispers, eyes shining cruelly. As he lays the scalpel like knife down softly on the woman. Eyes on me, as he holds it there.

"Your choice darling… She takes all your punishment for you, with your help." He chuckles at her terrified crying, the girl too scared to speak, just sobbing.

Both my father and the terrified woman look into my eyes. "Or I do it to you in her stead, and you take your rightful punishment. Which is it, daughter?"

I stare at where he's holding the knife.

I make my decision.

There really only is one choice.

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Later that night.

Kushina has been looking for her apprentice for hours. Enraged, heartbroken, terrified. She had almost broken Minato's arm over removing her from Inohana's birthday party yesterday and leaving her there with… With that man!

Minato had been forced to restrain her to prevent her from forcing her way back and kidnapping her apprentice. Laws be damned. She wasn't leaving her with that man!

A whole day later and she's finally free, Minato being forced to go see the Hokage, his Kage bunshins left to watch her, not strong enough to handle her when she is at her most determined. She'd slaughtered her way out of her home, and rushed straight for the clan compound.

Only to find out her girl hasn't been seen inside its walls since early that morning.

She's checked everywhere, and she can't find her! Minato hasn't come back either to hunt her down, so the Baka probably got sent on a mission again. Just when she could have used his teleportation trick to go everywhere in the village and find her cute apprentice!

She pauses for a moment as she pushes past the Uchiha compound, almost going in and asking Mikoto to help. Shaking her head and continuing on. It would take too much time to pry Mikoto loose from the stuck up Uchiha.

It's as she's following along the Nakai river, heading towards one of the far flung training grounds they had used together a couple times, that she hears the crying.

There!

She flies down from the trees, landing right in front of Inohana. Staying between her and the drop into the river, she is definitely too close for Kushina's liking. "Inohana-chan!" She says softly.

Kushina can't hold back a gasp as Inohana looks up at her. Her face is pale as a ghost, tear tracks prominent together with puffy red eyes, showing she's been crying for hours! Wracking sobs still shaking her tiny body as she sits there, her eyes dull and staring ahead unseeing.

There… There is blood mixed in the dirt under her. What's happened? There's blood all over her hands too! "Inohana-chan, what did he do? How can I help?" She asks frantically. Squatting so she's able to look her in the eyes. Not caring about the blood as she holds her tiny hands in her own. Kami, they're so cold. Poor girl.

"Please, Inohana-chan, talk to me!" She begs, pulling the girl close, letting her hair fall over her face, knowing how the girl secretly loves her hair and its scent.

"K-kushina S-se-sensei?" The tiny girl sniffles, and oh kami she is ice cold, how long has she been out here!?

"That's right it's sensei, you're safe, I got you, he can't hurt you with me, Ino-chan." Kushina says soothingly. Holding back her rage.

"You'll….. Hate me…" The little girl says so quietly Kushina barely hears it. She has to fight to stop her own tears.

"Oh, I could never ever hate you!" Kushina swears, pulling Inohana back so she can look her right in the eyes. Which she is thankful, look more alive again.

"I've done… Things." Inohana cries, "You won't want me anymore!" She struggles in her grip. Desperately trying to get away.

Kushina grabs her tight, "I will never say that! You're mine! No matter what you've done! I don't blame you, sweetie." The girl breaks down into a crying fit again, this time it's healthy tears. Kushina let some of her own fall, wrapping around the tiny child that's burrowed into her heart so deep she can never be removed.

"I got you, now and forever, Ino-chan." She murmurs softly.

Minato and the Hokage could go hang. She was not going back there! She'd seal up her greenhouse so only she could access it, she'd dig her a damn tunnel in if she had to. But her girl was not going back there!

＊＊＊

Day before the academy entrance exam.

"Is this really necessary?" I grumble as I kick my feet uselessly in the air, sitting in a waiting room at Konoha's hospital.

"Every potential academy student have to go through a medical exam to see if they can even qualify as a student." Kushina-sensei says sternly. She has accompanied me as my sensei and pseudo guardian, and no doubt to ask lots of unnecessary questions of the medic nin if the way she had been probing me about my father lately was any sign. My last breakdown a few weeks ago had been pretty bad. I'm honestly surprised my father is still alive.

"We already know I can use chakra." I say with a frown, playing with my long hair between my fingers. "And we already know I'm skewed towards spiritual chakra."

Kushina-sensei gives me a dry look, "You guessed that, this will prove whether that's true." She leans back in the flimsy waiting room chair. "If I have to be here, you gotta be here too, Dattebane!"

I roll my eyes, "That's my point, sensei!" I point at her, "You don't actually have to be here!"

"I have some questions to ask, that's all." Kushina-sensei says stubbornly, eyes flinty.

"My father is not abusing me." I complain for probably the fiftieth time these last few months. Well… At the moment... I add in my head. Well… he's not doing anything to me, necessarily, for now… Okay, even in my head that sounds weak!

"Then you won't have any problems being checked out, Dattebane!" Kushina-sensei says smugly.

I do in fact have a problem with being checked out. And I'm pretty sure as Kushina-sensei isn't my actual guardian legally - for all that she's taken me in anyway, I'll be able to avoid some of the physical examinations.

I sigh as I smack my head back against the wall, "You would want to get the fuck out of here too, if you could feel chakra." I close my eyes, grimacing as the feeling of sick and in pain ninja permeates the air for me. My chakra sense picking up way too much in this enclosed building. The chakra is cloying and festering and it makes me feel sick.

"Don't curse, you're an adorable girl, act like it, Dattebane!" Kushina-sensei scolds me lightly. Before sighing and scooting closer, letting her chakra wash over me, chasing away all others with its massive presence, again making me feel like I'm being wrapped in a giant blanket. "Better?" She asks, a gentle look on her face as she plucks my hair out of my hands and smooths it down. "I should have realized, sorry, Inohana-chan."

"Not your fault, hospitals just suck." I mutter, feeling slightly ashamed at how often I'm forcing my sensei to literally baby me. I'm supposed to be better then that. In fact ever since I met Kushina-sensei I've been spending way too much time acting my body age instead of my mental one.

"I see you have already adapted the Shinobi outlook on hospitals." An elderly female voice interjects dryly.

We both jolt, and turn eerily at the same time to look guiltily at an elderly woman in hospital scrubs, her white hair done up in a bun. Her steely gray eyes inspecting me, before looking over Kushina-sensei. "Uzumaki, have you finally settled down? I haven't received a single trauma patient covered in paint with interesting items in their orifices or wrapped up naked in nettles for ages."

Kushina-sensei blushes slightly, bowing her head lightly. "Kanae-san, not in front of my student, Dattebane!"

I grin eagerly, "Yes, please in front of the student." I look at the elderly medic nin with wide begging eyes. "What else did she do?"

"That depends." Kanae says with a raised eyebrow, looking towards Kushina-sensei, "On if your sensei remembers she's supposed to update the seals in the recovery rooms on a monthly basis."

"I totally did that, Dattebane!" Kushina-sensei protests, looking assured of herself. Staring straight at the medic, "Ask Nonō-san, I did it in July for sure!"

I stare at her, there's silence for a moment, the medic nin looking something in between aggravated and amused. Aggramused? "Sensei… It's September, remember I have the academy entrance exam tomorrow!" I point out.

"You're staying after this appointment and redoing the seals." Kanae-san, says primly, pointing at Kushina-sensei. Who laughs nervously but gives an agreeing nod.

I bite my lip, trying to keep from laughing. Kushina-sensei seems like a schoolgirl caught skipping class. "Heh, can I come along for the seal stuff, sensei?"

Kushina-sensei pouts, "Not if you're going to continue laughing at your poor sensei, Dattebane!"

"You can both figure that out afterwards. You." Kanae points at me, "Inside for your examination, I don't have all year." Which, rude. She was the one to start the whole conversation on pranks and then seals. I think, while getting up and doing as I'm told. Pissing off my medic nin seems like a bad idea.

Things did not improve from there. First of all, I don't know if it's just me or if it's all Shinobi. But if this is what medical chakra feels like, then I get why no one wants to stay here, even for life saving aid. Kanae-san's medical chakra invades my whole being, it feels foreign and like an invader is poking through my body looking for weaknesses. I promptly projectile vomit all over.

Kanae-san with the reflexes of a medic for decades avoids it easily, and she purses her lips thoughtfully as she steps around the puddle and lays a hand on my forehead, a green glow appearing seconds later, to which my response is to violently upchuck again. My chakra system reacts with clear hostility and its pulsing through my system hard.

Kushina-sensei hovers nearby, looking unsure of how to help, Kanae-san's calm demeanor perhaps the only reason why I wasn't once again crushed into an Uzumaki embrace. "What's wrong, Dattebane?"

"Well. It's quite interesting actually. I've only ever heard of cases like this." Kanae-san says, eyes roaming over me with interest. I blearily look up at her, not at all enthused about being interesting. My whole system feels like it was violated, it was a disgusting feeling.

"This girl has an insanely skewed balance of chakra." Kanae-san explains, lifting a hand towards me again, to which I scuttle back on the bed shaking my head wildly. Nu-uh, I'm not doing that again!

"We were pretty sure of that already, Dattebane. Like, that her spiritual chakra was high." Kushina-sensei says, looking as confused as I feel. Spiritual chakra being high should mean I'd be good at Iryo-jutsu, not this.

"That's why I said insane," Kanae-san says dryly. "A skewed chakra balance would be someone having a 60/40 percent balance between mental and physical. In some rare cases I've seen 65/35 and twice I've seen around 70/30."

I shivered in the loose hospital gown I have been given for my examination. It doesn't sound like good news. Fuck, it hadn't felt like good news. Kushina-sensei could read a room as well as me and looks to be dreading it.

I take the bull by the horns, taking a deep breath before asking, "And what is my score?" Staring at her with a blank face, already preparing myself for bad news.

"You, girl, have an impossible 90/10. I have never even heard of anyone close to your score." She shakes her head slowly, "Your mental energies are so entwined within your chakra system that any foreign chakra, including my healing chakra, is violently opposed."

"Healing doesn't work for her?" Kushina-sensei asks, biting her lip. Shooting me worried glances. I feel ice cold. This could be - she can not become a Shinobi, kind of news. The village wouldn't invest money to train someone who would need to heal from injuries the civilian way. Not with how often shinobi get injured.

"She can be healed, her system doesn't stop me from using it, it does however protest vigorously, she'll just be violently ill and probably have to be restrained or knocked out to do it." She shrugs, "It will also take longer due to the rejection having to be fought through."

That was better. Still not ideal. Definitely bad for the literal war that was coming. Not being able to be healed unless I'm being sent back to a base or hospital first, or knocked out, would limit my effectiveness. "Wait?" I say quickly, having a thought, "If I am rejecting foreign chakra, could I learn to use medical chakra on myself?"

Kanae-san crosses her arms and looks me over, pursing her lips, "It shouldn't be a problem, it's not the medical chakra itself you're having an issue with…" She trails off, looking deep in thought. Before nodding her head suddenly. "It's settled then, I'll see you here every Monday and Wednesday after the academy is let out."

"What?" I gape, astonished. "You're going to teach me Iryo-jutsu?"

Kanae-san laughs, a short ugly bark like laugh. "Me, definitely not. I have wet behind the ears brats to dump that kind of work on." She gives me a smile that is all teeth. "I'll have someone drop off the 30 or so textbooks you'll need to memorize before I let you anywhere near the mystical palm jutsu."

Well… At least I like reading. I think optimistically. Of course the world couldn't let me have anything. Kanae-san drops another bomb on me casually.

"Although chakra control and a more spiritual alignment does help with Iryo-jutsu, there is a physical aspect to it. Don't expect to be cruising through this girl, with your alignment you'll struggle more then someone with shit control. I'm only wasting time putting you through learning this so you won't be totally useless if you get a scratch."

"You're all heart, Kanae-san." Kushina-sensei says with a tired sigh. Giving me a sympathetic look.

Kanae scoffs, "I'd tell it the same if I was dealing with a thirty year old. There is no sugar coating this. She'll have to work extremely hard to be able to reach a level where she can at least patch herself up on the field." Or she'll be useless, are the unsaid words we all think.

"She'll do it, I know she can, Dattebane!" Kushina-sensei says firmly.

And with that kind of belief in me, how can I do anything but my best.

"Wait, what about Genjutsu?" I ask, seeing a possible silver lining.

Kanae huffs annoyingly, like I was wasting her time. "I'm not a Genjutsu expert. You'll have to have it tested." At both of our wide eyed looks she rolls her eyes, " Hypothetically," She stresses the word hard, "She should be immune, her system's violent reaction would immediately flush any Genjutsu."

Note to self, test that, like immediately!

Kanae-san made it very clear after that, she was done with us, which bonus, Kushina-sensei never got around to ask any abuse/father related questions. Nor did I receive a detailed physical exam, other then ensuring my body was fit and able to take the training.

Still though, mental note for the future. Stay the fuck away from anyone with shiny green hands.

＊＊＊

Watching Kushina-sensei work really shows the difference between someone that is competent at seals. And someone that is a master. As I trail behind her we move through recovery rooms one by one in minutes at a time at most, Kushina-sensei slapping seals on walls using chakra alone, carelessly, without seeming to pay much attention, lost in thought. Chakra alighting on her fingertips and seals just manifesting in the air! Then she'll just touch the walls and a seal would be in place.

Kushina-sensei explains to me that the seals would prevent sensitive patients from feeling like I was, sensing the chakra of the sick and in pain, as that would hamper their recovery, or make them escape sooner. The seal had a secondary focus of sterilizing the air in the recovery room once every hour. I haven't even touched seals capable of having multiple effects, no doubt those would be way more difficult to make then anything I'd made so far. And Kushina-sensei was able to make them by chakra alone. If my eyes sparkle a little as I follow behind her like a little puppy no one can blame me. Kushina-sensei is incredible. I'll never be at her level in fuinjutsu, but seeing how effortlessly she could place them I certainly wish I could, the things I could do…

I barely even noticed the sickly feeling of the chakra around me anymore as I focus on sensei, my chakra sense narrowly focused on her chakra and what she is doing. My respect only grows, as after a dozen times or so of sensing her place the seals, I am able to feel it more clearly. She is literally splitting her chakra into five different flows, one into each finger, then twisting them together again into the shape of the seal in the air above her hand, each finger a different output. And I know her chakra control isn't that good, so how the fuck is she doing that?

I trail behind sensei as we enter yet another recovery room. Pausing behind her as she came to a sudden stop.

"Tsunade-sama, I'm sorry to disturb you, I'm just replacing the recovery seals." Kushina-sensei says softly, a sorrowful tinge to her voice.

I peek around her with wide eyes, because what? Tsunade should be long gone from Konoha!? And sure enough, sitting next to a sick bed with a patient in it was Tsunade of the Sannin. Her face greyer then I remember, eyes sad and defeated. And yep, wow, she really has boobs bigger than a man's head.

"Kushina-chan, I've told you, it's just Tsunade, we're practically family." Tsunade sighs, looking tired, her hospital scrubs wrinkled and well worn as she sits holding the hand of the patient.

I miss the response from Kushina-sensei as I google at the man in the bed. What the hell is going on? What world am I in? Was all my knowledge faulty? Because that was fucking Katō Dan alive and unconscious in that bed!

＊＊＊

Author's Notes:

So civvy family stuff not going to be a major focus for a bit. Although never completely out of the picture.

This isnt a nerf by the way. its just a handicap needing to be overcome because shes weird. this is why Mikoto had to use more chakra then Inohana even has to affect her with Genjutsu. she's basically immune unless someone is so much more powerful they can completely overpower her chakra.

Tsunade and Dan! How is that possible!? Well there was this and that and so on and such. Hope that explains everything.

Cheers

JollyHippopotamus