It felt like forever before I was finally let out. I was so excited that I had hardly slept the night before, opting instead to roll around in my bed restlessly until I finally just said screw it and got dressed. I was half tempted to mess with my chakra sense again, just to pass the time, but decided against it. The last thing I wanted was to prolong my stay here any longer than necessary, so I sat there patiently. It was around nine o'clock that morning when Mom and Rin showed up to get me, the sight of them getting me to grin excitedly.

Mom must have known the reason behind said grin because she let out a tired exhale at the sight of me. She helped me pack away my two days' worth of clothing before taking my right hand in her left, Rin already occupying the other, and walking us down to the check out.

Our house was situated inside one of the Leaf's outer lying districts, nearly on the completely opposite side of the village from the hospital, so the walk back was a long one. It wasn't a quiet one however, as seemingly only a minute after leaving Mom bopped me in the back of the head, earning a surprised yelp from me and a giggle out of Rin.

"It's always a Mother's worst fear to have to take her child to the hospital. However I thought if I ever did have to, it would be for a broken bone or something simple like that, not severe chakra depletion!" she followed this by giving me an accusing stare, making me shrink back a little, before she averted her gaze with a shake of her head.

"Do you even know what chakra is?" she asked with a lightly chiding tone.

From what I remembered, chakra was the combination of spiritual and physical energies. There was also latent chakra which could be found in the environment around you known as nature chakra, though if used recklessly it could turn you into a stone frog, however the hell that worked. That and of course chakra was also what allowed people to perform various forms of super ninja magical bullshit. In the end I chose to respond with "Sorta."

Mom then proceeded to tell me, and Rin by proxy, exactly everything that I already knew, explaining the spiritual and physical energies, its use, the chakra pathway system, etc. I had begun to tune her out, becoming bored of her impromptu Wikipedia entry almost immediately, until a hard poke to the cheek brought me back to reality.

"Huh?" I asked lamely, causing her to sigh before repeating herself.

"I was wondering if you wanted to know the results of what the doctor found out." She said with patience, waving the folder she had gotten from the receptionist in front of me to emphasize the question.

I froze before resuming my pace beside her. "They tested on me? Didn't they just give me my chakra back?"

"Yes," said Mom "but to do that they needed to know things like your average amount of chakra and things like that. So they ran a few tests on you."

Feeling something grab a hold of my sleeve I turned to see a fear filled Rin gripping it with both hands. "Mama did those people mess with Otouto? Did they make him weird?!" she asked, dread in her voice.

I was momentarily annoyed by her choice of wording, as after she found out that she was born a few seconds before me she insisted that I'm her little brother, but my annoyance quickly faded away as I saw her shaky little hands on my shirt. It was just like Rin to get so worked up over something small like this.

Mom laughed, "No Rin-chan, they didn't make him weird. They just did their job that's all." She followed this up by rubbing a now relieved Rin on the head comfortingly before rotating back toward me again.

"So, what do you want to do, Ryota-chan?"

Eh, why not. "I wanna know." I answered, curious about the results. She made a show of opening the folder and clearing her throat before actually reading.

"The patient is, upon outer inspection, a perfectly healthy boy with no notable deformities. However when excluding his physical health, he is quite simply not normal. This statement is made in relation to the nature of his chakra, as despite his lineage his spiritual energy is nearly at the same capacity as his physical energy. It's almost as if his spiritual chakra is aged several years while his physical is not. It is this oddity I suspect that leads to the rather abnormal amount of chakra he has."

I'm glad that Mom still had her sight obscured by the folder, because if she had looked up right then she would have seen me standing there with wide eyes and with a face as white a sheet. I had a pretty solid guess as to why my spiritual chakra was as it was, what with the nearly twenty-five year old soul currently housed within my body. I had thought that my reincarnation hadn't left any noticeable side effects, but I guess that assumption was wrong. I tried to recollect myself before she was finished reading, managing a barely passable job just as she finished.

"That would explain why it took them so long to refill your chakra to full. It's true that most kids don't have your amount until their older." She said to me, totally unaware of my poker face.

"Actually I've been meaning to ask you something Ryota-chan." Mom stated as we turned a corner, coming to a stop at some random flower shop that looked vaguely familiar to me. Mom had told me at the checkout that we needed to stop here on the way home, not telling me the reason. "You always asked to be trained, but you never told us why. Why do you want training so bad?"

The stretch of silence that followed her question made a worried frown appear on her lips. "Ryota-chan?"

I shuffled my feet awkwardly, looking down. I didn't want to say it out loud. How was I supposed to even begin explain that I wanted to protect them from the future? Why would a kid even worry about something like that at my age? On top of which it was embarrassing. But not saying anything would just worry her and Dad, something I wanted to avoid with a ten foot pole if I could.

Deciding to bite the preverbal bullet I quietly stated, "I wanted to protect my family." Accidently interrupting her right as she was about to speak again. I kept my head down, refusing to look at her when my face was such a deep red, and awaited the incoming barrage of questions.

"Do you remember the picture frame we have hanging in the living room? The one right next to the door?"

I looked up with no small amount of confusion at the unexpected question. What did that have to do with anything? The question was apparently rhetorical as she continued on without waiting for an answer.

"Do you know what it says?" she asked while bending down to pluck four flowers from one of the shops many potted gardens. I as a matter a fact didn't, because while my speech had improved tremendously, reading and writing still gave me trouble. I glanced at Rin who gave me a look that said she was just as lost as I was.

Mom said, "We Protect the Pack." After she paid the cashier for the plants she walked closer to the both of us before handing us each an identical flower. I examined mine closer. A camellia?

"That's the golden rule of our family. We protect each other, not matter what." She said to the two of us as she took our hands back in hers as we continued our way back home.

"So, because of that I've decided that I'm going to train you as well."

I nearly tripped over myself as I gave her a double take. She must have thought my flounder was amusing because the smile that had been on her face since handing us the flowers grew wider. "If you want to get stronger to protect us, then it's my job to support you as best as I can, however I can."

I made to respond to her but stopped at the appearance of a determined looking Rin, standing defiantly in front of us. "I want to train too! That way I can protect Papa, Mama, and Otouto too!" she emphasized her point by crossing her arms and staring at Mom.

I had been looking at Mom's face to see her reaction, but was shocked to see what looked like liquid glistening in her eyes. But as fast as it had been there it was gone, making me think I had just imagined it.

"Well, I wouldn't be much of a parent if I ignored one of my children. I'll help you too, Rin-chan." It might have still been my imagination but for a second she sounded a little thick.

My thoughts were halted by an unexpected shouting that came from way to close to my ear before a hand wrapped itself around my free one, pulling me away from Mom.

"Come on Otouto!" Rin yelled as she forcibly made me run just to keep up with her. "I'm going to ask Papa to help me too! So we can protect each other together!"

"Ok, ok but can you slow it down? I need this arm for stuff!" I exclaimed as she continued her sprint forward, grinning ear to ear the whole way like a Cheshire cat. I looked back, wondering if we should leave Mom just standing there, before realizing that I should probably concentrate on running as I nearly fell and ate dirt.

Unknown to Ryota and Rin, Haru finally let her tears fall when they were out of sight. "They really are our family, Atama. They really, really are." She said in a whispering voice, speaking to no one as she brought her hand up to dry her face.

Dad was waiting for us in the backyard when we made it home. It took a minute for Rin explain her plans to him, but when she finished he laughed briefly before agreeing, saying that it was only fair. After I put up my clothes, and very carefully laying my flower on my dresser, I rushed back outside, not wanting to delay the lesson I'd been so eagerly awaiting. Upon my return Dad made Rin and I follow him to the training posts before motioning for us to sit down.

"Before we get the show on the road I have a few thing I need to tell you two." He said as he squatted down into a cross legged position in front of us. "It has to do with your training, and our family so please listen ok?" At Rin and I's nods he pressed on.

"What I'm planning to teach is a clan style of fighting called Yabanken. However it's not ours, as it belongs to another family." He held his hand up in perfect time with the opening of Rin and I's mouths. "Before you ask, I didn't steal it, there's nothing wrong with me teaching it to you. See, it was given to me. By my own family."

At this Rin did manage to speak up. "But aren't we your family?" she asked quizzically, head tilted slightly. Dad smiled at this, saying "Yes, you both are. But I used to have a different family. One that taught me a lot."

"What happened to them?" I questioned when I saw my chance to interject.

He grimaced a bit, as if recalling something unpleasant. "I did something I wasn't supposed to. I broke a rule. So they decided they didn't want me anymore."

We both quieted down after that, sensing the change in mood.

"What I needed to tell you is this. If you both choose to be trained by me, what I teach you won't be finished. My old family uses something that we don't have to fight the way they do. So if I teach you, I want you both to know that the style won't be complete."

His Did I still want to be trained if it was half assed? If I was never able to reach the styles full potential? I considered it for all of two seconds before the answer was clear in my mind. Of course I did. Moving an inch is still better than not moving at all. It appeared that Rin got to the same conclusion that I did because we both ended up talking at the same time.

"We still want to learn!" we cried in unison, visibly stumping Dad. He recouped himself quickly though, smirking to himself before standing.

"Well then, if that's the case then let's get started!"

"Yosh!" we said, still in sync, as we got up to follow him to a more spacious area of the yard.

Once there Dad clapped his hands together. "Ok, so I've decided that we'll be training every other week day, with weekends as break. Your mother can have the days that we skip. That shouldn't be too bad, as knowing her I don't think she'll be teaching you guys anything to rough."

It still seemed like a pretty intense schedule, but oh well. It is what a asked for. Goodbye sleeping in in the morning.

"I'll first run you both through the style's beginner forms. I don't expect either of you to get this stuff down from the get go. In fact I think it'll take you awhile. But after you get that down we'll move on. Now, watch me."

We gave him our rapt attention as he slid down into a crouch, reminiscent to the one I saw him do years ago.

"This is the first kata of Yabanken in which every other attack starts from. You try."

We both crouched low, hands held like a claw with our right hand facing down and our left facing behind us. Our posture could only be written as clumsy compared to his but he seemed pleased with us.

"There you go! Now, on to the next step..."

Dad had us out there for what seemed like days, which in actuality was closer to only about three hours. After we got some semblance of the style's starting step we had moved on to basic movements, like charges and blocks. This wasn't too terrible at first, with the moves he had us doing not being that horribly exerting. Keywords there being at first as Dad then made us repeat those moves over, and over, and over again until we were reduced to sweating masses of child panting on the ground.

At some point during this Mom had made it back home and chose to watch us from the deck, making encouraging comments here and there.

It took Rin and I awhile before we had enough energy to move around again, having to lean against each other for support. I guess when you're not used to exercising, exercising can just so happen to be a bitch. It made me slightly envious of Dad as leaned against a post. Looking like he had just went out for a mild jog. Though for how tired I was I couldn't say that I was unhappy. It was moving me onward toward my goal, and on top of that I got to spend time with my family while doing so. I had been worried when Rin wanted to train too, both because unlike me she was normal, and also because I was a tad over protective. But as the session had gone on I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Maybe by getting her to train early on, something she probably hadn't done in canon, I could increase her chances later in life.

After we were in reasonable conditions again we followed Dad as he sauntered his way over to Mom, planting a giant kiss on her that lasted entirely too long to be comfortable once he reached her. My eyebrow twitched involuntarily.

After they were done being traumatizing Dad took the two other flowers that she had bought earlier, handling them delicately before addressing us. "You both did great today. You might just get it done faster than I thought at this rate." He said with an obviously affectionate tone while shaking us lightly by the shoulders, and even though I nearly keeled over from said shaking I couldn't help the swell of pride that rose in my chest. It doesn't matter how old you are, when a parent felt proud of you it just felt good.

Mom said, "You two better get some rest for tomorrow, because then it my turn. And I grade harsher than your Father does." This made Dad grab his chest in fake anguish.

"Are you saying that I, your sweet and lovable husband, am a bad t-"

"Yes." Mom deadpanned, interrupting Dad before he could even finish. If I looked hard enough I think I could make out a dark cloud floating over him as he hung his head his head in defeat.

"Anyway, I was going to say that you two should probably go eat dinner then head off bed. Your food is already ready for you in the kitchen." She sniffed the air rather loudly. "Also you should both take a bath."

The thought of soaking into a hot bath didn't sound too bad right now so I ambled my way to the back door, Rin falling in step behind me. But just as I made it, hand already in motion to open the door, I parked myself almost causing Rin to crash into me. Turning around I informed Rin that I'd be there in a jiffy before and running back toward our parents.

Both pivoted at the sound of my plodding footsteps heading their way. "What is it Ryota-chan?" inquired Mom as she bent to my eye level. Dad seemed mildly curious as well.

"Well," I said, hesitating temporarily. "I had another question I wanted to ask." At their combined head bob I pointed to my cheek. "Why do we have this purple marks on us?"

Mom faced Dad, the two having a silent battle over something. "Haru he's always been more mature than usual. He can know." Dad said finally. Mom raised herself up with a sigh, saying that Dad and I need to come inside soon, before making her way into the house.

After we were alone Dad made me jump as he hoisted me up out of now where, planting me firmly between his shoulder blades before heading for the tree line of the backyard. "Do you remember when I said I used to have another family?"

"Yeah"

"Well, that family is known throughout the village as the Inuzuka clan."

That…made a lot of since actually. Everything from Dad and I's appearance, to him teaching us Yabanken, to even his dead cat jokes fit together like parts to a puzzle. But from what I could remember about the Inuzuka, aside from their use of Ninken, was that they were extremely loyal. So what could Dad of done to break that loyalty? And on the previous note, where were his Ninken? Did the clan take them away or something?

"This is the mark they gave me after they kicked me out, for it's the tradition of the clan to mark those who break their cardinal rule." At his point his fingers had began to slowly trace his own tattoos. "But also as part of that tradition, my children had to inherit this mark as well. So the clan would know who they originated from." He peered over his shoulder at me guiltily. "I'm sorry."

I threaded my fingers through his hair in what I hoped was a reassuring manner. "It's alright, besides they look kind of cool." I said in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere. Thankfully it worked as I felt Dads guffaw reverberate through my entire body as he continued walking.

"That's true. Though I look better with them." He said in a teasing manner. I made sure he saw my pout, getting another laugh out of him.

I realized he had stopped moving at this point and looked around to see where we were. All around us were trees, forming a seemingly impenetrable wall around the small clearing we were occupying. But it wasn't the forestry that made me gasp as opposed to the two obvious graves resting at Dads feet. The graves had two headstones, both carved with a name I couldn't read without sounding it out. "Shiro…maru, and…Kiiro…maru?" I asked Dad questionably, unsure if what I said was correct.

Dad took me off his shoulders, carefully resting my feet on the ground before gazing at the graves again. "That's right. Their names were Shiromaru and Kiiromaru. They were my best friends." he spoke softly as he laid a white tulip, the flowers that mom had given him, in the middle of each mound of dirt.

Somewhere in the back of my mind I remembered that the Inuzuka commonly named their Ninken after a color. Replaying the two names in my head I came to a realization. Kiiro and Shiro meant yellow and white respectively in Japanese. I felt a cold weight settle in my gut. These graves...they belonged to Dad's partners.

The clan hadn't taken them from him, death had.

I stood by him while solemnly looking at the headstones. Without thinking about I reached to take his hand with mine. His grip was tight, And trembling. I squeezed harder. We stayed like that for a moment until Dad shifted himself, now facing toward home, noticeably calmer.

"Come on, let's go back." He said as he pulled me toward him by my hand. "Besides, you really do stink. You smell worse than your mom's casserole."

At my indignant squawk he placed me back onto his shoulders before heading back the way we came, smirk firmly in place.

A/N: So I had planned to get this chapter up yesterday but health related things came up which prevented me from doing so. I also kinda deleted the entire chapter by accident once then had to retype it. Wasn't fun. So I apologize for the delay, please accept my tears as payment T-T

Also bonus points to those that know what floriography is and what the two flowers shown this chapter mean! Or you can just Google it. That works too.

Don't be shy to point out mistakes when you see them and have a good day/night!

Ciao!