"Mika... kiddo." Yugao started as they ate the local dango spot, where Anko had taken her many a times. They were celebrating Mika's victory over Neji as well as his mastery of the chakra control techniques she taught him. " I want you to try and make friends. You are skilled, and smart and awesome, but if you cannot make allies and friends it will really, really hurt you." She tried to not cringe, thinking of how Isolation destroyed her once good comrade Itachi... or even how it ruined Orochimaru from what the Hokage said.

She could never allow the boy to become a monster like them, not when he was clearly cut from the same skill clothe.

The boy frowned, looking at his tiny feet. "I know... I have never been good at making friends. That being said, I want to be Lee and Neji's friends. They work hard, like me. They get the need for it."

"Why don't you spar with Lee, and maybe offer to be his friend? He would likely be easier than Neji to befriend."

Mika barely dodged the senbon thrown at his cheek, eyes narrowing at the very smiley Anko Mitarashi. " Why?"

She chuckled. "You're in my spot, but since you're with Yugao I'll allow it. " She plopped next to the boy, ordering three plates of her favorite dango. "Who's the brat, Yugao?"

"My new apprentice." The Snake Using Jonin froze, making Yugao chuckle.

"Really, you're only seventeen, and you've already got an apprentice? Why?"

"You saw the kid, he dodged your senbon with only a monthish of training."

Anko smirked here. "A prodigy, huh, well slap my ass and call me Sally. How would you like to spar, little man?"

The boy, wisely, gulped. "I am not sure I would survive that... but maybe when I become a genin?"

She grabbed and shook his startled hand. "Call it a date." She plowed through three sticks of dango before saying. "If Yugoa's training you, you've got to be something special. She is picky, the strongest girl of our generation and by a lot. What did you do that got her attention?"

"Honestly, I have no idea."

Yugao, realizing the boy had no sense of self worth (with no idea of why) flicked his forehead. "You made your own training regime, an effective one at that, and managed to beast a skilled Hyuuga boy with only a month of training. Self training at that. I think you could have the same kind of potential as Itachi Uchiha."

Anko actually choked. "What?"

"I am not kidding, I knew Itachi well... Mika's speedy mastery and intelligence reminds of Itachi. Less power, but that is only due to a lesser bloodline... but give him the right training, and some time... hell, I think he could graduate in a few months."

With the intellect that drew in Orochimaru, Anko looked the boy over. " Huh... well, I cannot wait to see what he becomes... I expect that spar to be something special, kay Mika?"

The boy nodded. "Same." he frowned. "Would you like to be my friend, ma'am? Yugao was just saying I needed friends and you seem pretty cool."

She shrugged. "Why not?"

'I know you too well, Anko, you already feel protective over him... and you want him to succeed. I would nnot be surprised if you became invested in his growth as I have.'

"""

The Next Morning at the Academy

Mika, sitting where he always did with Lee at his side, realized that since the room was mostly empty... it was a perfect time to do as he was suggested to by Yugao sensei. " Lee... would you.. would you like to spar with me after class?"

The boy, stunned since Mika rarely spoke to anyone, nodded slowly. "I'd love to..."

"I have plans at four, but from three to three forty five we could spar for a bit. You are the hardest worker among our classmates. I would love to see how skilled you really are."

The boy beamed. "Consider it a deal!"

And Mika laughed. 'That was easier that I could have guessed.'

To his shock, to both of their shock, Neji coughed near them. "I would like to join you..." Mika frowned at him. "If you are good enough to best me after a month, I want to stay by you. You are going far, I want to be a part of that."

"Only if you agree to not mock Lee and stand up for him when people do."

Neji nodded. "Deal..."

It was here that Mika noticed that Neji seemed calmer, warmer as he stood by Mika. "What happened? You were so unhappy yesterday but now you seem happier."

"You proved that destiny is not all controlling, something I have never seen before... I am... grateful for that. I want to see more."

Mika smiled, though pained. "I used to think that, until my dad killed me." They both, the other genin, froze. "Coming back, surviving on sheer will... it taught me that anything is possible. I will never allow fate to own me... now... I think we are going to have a great time sparring, and who knows maybe it will become a constant in our lives?"

"""

The Hokage's Office

Yugoa's stomach wretched as she read Mika's files. 'Extreme abuse resulting in six broken bones, three concussions... and a near death experience when he wwas stabbed in the chest. If I was ever glad for the chakra scalpel allowing cut free surgeries...I am now.'She growled out, thinking of the boy's father. 'Maybe I should ask to have Mika execute him...'

The Hokage, blowing out smoke, sighed. "It is a shame that any one would treat their kin so. Now that you have seen his file, tell me, do you wish to still tutor and one day apprentice Mika?"

She nodded, without any doubt. "He is beyond worthy, of that I am sure."

"Good... good...the boy will go far with your aid. As you can see in his file, his academic scores as a civilian is actually why we allowed him to become a Ninja academy student. He demonstrated extreme intelligence long before he awakened his chakra. There were many scouting have him join Intelligence as it was. His mental faculities have always been high. His fathers were just as high, only his instability kept him from being chosen."

"As it says here... I will make sure to challenge Mika, I got the feeling he was already bored with the Academy's academics."

"I like to hear that. Who knows, maybe the boy will become the next Sanin, or more."

That made Yugao smile. "Who knows indeed, Lord Hokage."

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.