Welcome to chapter 1! This story is a little different from what I normally do. First of all, it was inspired by Dreaming of Sunshine by The Silver Queen. This story deals with reincarnation and the idea of making a difference in the Naruto world. This story does not take place in the DOS universe. This story contains my own original characters that I hope you come to love. The first chapter jumps around quite a bit and I'm not totally satisfied with it. It slows down when you hit chapter two, so hang in there! Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated as it helps me build the confidence to continue posting. So let me know what you think! Enjoy!

It has been a long time since I have been at peace like this…which is cause for concern. My life, since graduating from high school, has been filled with hectic schedules, difficult college courses, and a lot of emotional trauma. There is always this tension in my shoulders no matter what I accomplish…so this warm, happy feeling is really kind of freaking me out. Normally the dark would scare me, but I'm not alone….though this other person is making it pretty cramped in here. So we should probably move…I mean, that only makes sense. No sooner than I think the thoughts we're moving…pushed along almost forcefully. When my companion is gone, I'm still warm…but I also feel a little empty. Who is this person? Lights hit my eyes and I squeeze them shut as I scream. Why is it so cold! Wait a minute…Why are people clapping. Someone wraps me in a blanket and I'm laid in a woman's arms. Wait a minute. Was I just born?

"Sasuke….and Minako." The woman, my mother apparently, says lovingly. I'll have to figure out what's going on later…for now I think that I can handle this. "Fugaku…look at them."

"Yes." The man says and then a boy comes into my line of sight. He seems shocked as he holds out a finger to me. I take it.

"Mother…what is my sister's name?" He asks, not breaking the eye contact with me. It's almost as if he's under a spell.

"Minako. And your brother is Sasuke." She says and he smiles. "What do you think?" He wiggles his finger in my hand. That tickles, so I smile…not really able to force sound from my chest.

"They're…perfect. Aren't they?" He asks, looking to Mother who smiles warmly. I catch a glimpse of the man though…I can only assume that he is my father.

"Minako will probably be a good deal weaker than you and your brother." He says and that really upsets me.

"Then I will help her become strong." My brother says and I'm able to make a happy sound. "After all…Auntie says that is what a big brother is supposed to do."

"You will be a fine big brother, Itachi." Mother says and I coo again. I agree…he's doing a great job so far. This doesn't make much sense, but if Mother and Itachi are this great then it can't be so bad.

As I grow what I remember becomes dimmer and dimmer…and what I remember is very disconcerting. So I know that writing it down is the best that I can do. At the tender age of seven years old, I am in a hurry to learn as much as I can. What I have remembered and learned about myself is that I am somehow existing in a world that I never thought really existed. My name is Minako Uchiha…twin sister to Sasuke Uchiha…the shinobi who vowed to avenge the massacre of his family. There are a few problems with this realization. First of all, I do not know who did it. Second…I know that there is something coming in about ten years that is going to give me a run for my money if I don't hurry up and learn some useful techniques. The confines of my seven year old body, however, are very frustrating.

"Breathe out, Minako." Father says and I nod once before I restart my kata. "There is a time for silence, while you are learning is not it."

"Yes, Father. I'm sorry." I say as I finish. "Father, may I ask a question?" I look up at him.

"Yes, what is it?" He asks and I observe him. He is obviously annoyed…but he is always annoyed. Probably being the chief of the police force…but I can't help but feel like it is Sasuke and I's fault.

"Why am I receiving this supplemental lesson? I thought that I was doing well in my taijutsu training." I say and he regards me for a moment.

"Minako, you have exceeded my expectations and for that I am pleased with you. However, as my daughter you will be required to marry at a relatively young age and so you will most likely not be a kunoichi for very long. So what you do from now until then is the most experience you will probably have. Someday you will benefit from this training in helping your own children learn the Uchiha techniques." He says and I have mixed feelings. He's proud, but he's not going to let me use my abilities.

"Isn't it counterintuitive to the safety of the village and the people in the Land of Fire to restrict someone who could possibly be their best bet for survival? If I can assist my brothers, then shouldn't my place be alongside them?" I ask and I don't even see his hand coming towards my face. The echo of the slap is loud in the stunned silence. I look up at him and he looks just as shocked as I am. I speak out from time to time, but I've never challenged him like that. I know my place…enough.

"Go. And get those ideas out of your head." He says and I walk away with my shoulders squared and my head held high. I see Itachi when I exit the dojo and I keep my calm composure until I reach him. He holds me as I quietly cry and I can tell that he is angry.

"Itachi?" I ask as he lets go of me and he turns my head at the chin so that he can look at my cheek. My lip is also split.

"Come along." He says and I nod, following behind my brother. We leave the house without telling Mother which makes me uncomfortable. "Would you like to ride on my back?"

"Sure!" I say happily and he crouches so that I can climb on. Everyone smiles at us as we pass them.

"What do you say to learning a new technique today? You're old enough and you're more than ready for it." Itachi asks and I feel my eyes widen.

"Really!? Is it the one that Father has been trying to teach Sasuke?" I ask and he smiles a little, nodding. "Of course I want to learn it!" But if I'm not going to be allowed to…"

"Minako, never doubt yourself. I would be honored to fight along a strong kunoichi such as yourself." He says and my cheeks heat up. "If you keep working hard like you have, you'll be just as strong as Tsunade someday."

"You really think so?" My voice is a whisper. "Me? As strong as…" I shake my head. "That's impossible."

"Nothing is impossible if you believe in your cause. And even if you doubt yourself, I believe in you, Minako." He says and I hear the truth behind his words. "Trying to contain your spirit is like trying to stop the wind from blowing. Father is in the wrong to try and stop you." As much as I agree with him, it is uncomfortable to hear him talking like this. I've sensed the rift growing between Itachi and Father for a while now. I spot Shikamaru Nara walking with his father and I hold onto my brother a little tighter. Their family always seems so relaxed…I wish that we could be that way. Shikamaru is looking at me.

"Minako, what'd you do to your face?" He asks, taking the time to tease me unlike he is with anyone else and I stick my tongue out at him, forgetting my split lip.

"A training accident!" I say defensively. Itachi and Shikamaru's father seem amused at our exchange. Shikamaru reaches into his pocket.

"You've probably got stuff, but here's something that should help your lip heal faster." He says, holding out the small jar lazily.

"It is much appreciated, thank you." Itachi says as he accepts it from him. Why is he helping me?

"Yes….thank you." I say, hoping that the confusion isn't in my tone. "But this doesn't change the fact that the next time we play ninja I will defeat you with one hand tied behind my back!"

"Yeah, yeah. Don't be so troublesome." He waves me off before he turns back to his father. My eye twitches. Itachi chuckles and we continue on our way.

"Dare I say that my little sister has a crush?" Itachi asks and I nearly fall off of his back at that outrageous assumption.

"No way!" I exclaim and I can hear another voice saying it at the same time as me. What? "He's just a frustrating boy in my class. He could be very successful, but he doesn't because all he wants to do is nap. Any other time he can't be bothered, but he always seems to make the time to bother me."

"Hmm…it sounds like he may have a crush on you then." He says in a teasing tone. I glower at him lightly.

"You're being mean, Itachi. Why on earth would someone go and do something stupid like that?" I ask and he laughs. We're walking in a forested area now...well he's walking. "Where are we going?"

"We're going to a place that not many people know about…I like to come here when I need to think." He says and I smile…he's sharing something with me. He stops in front of a decent sized pond before he lets me down. He crouches in front of me and begins applying the salve to my lip. He smiles when he's finished. "Today I am going to be teaching you the great fireball technique."

"Itachi…" I say, taking a wary step back. "Iruka-sensei says that if someone my age uses too much chakra, we could really hurt ourselves."

"Yes, someone your age could use too much chakra and the consequences could be bad. However, the Uchiha are special because naturally we have more chakra than average shinobi. Do you know why?" He asks, standing up.

"Is it because of the Sharingan?" I ask and he smiles. He has got to be kidding…there's no way that I could do something like this. "Okay…so I have more chakra than a normal person. But isn't it still dangerous for me?"

"Father is teaching Sasuke, so I see no reason why you shouldn't be just as successful as he is." He says and that lights my proverbial fire. I have been progressing faster than Sasuke has for the past two years which is something that Father has not let my twin brother forget. I constantly stick my neck out to take the negative attention away from him and for what? "Are you ready?"

"Yes." I say and he nods gravely. I will prove my father wrong and I will make a difference somehow. Maybe if I know this technique I can stop whoever is plotting to kill our family.

"Very good. The seals that are used in this technique are tiger, ram, monkey, boar, horse, and then tiger again. I will demonstrate once and then you will show me what you can do." He says and I nod again. He steps to the edge of the pond and makes the seals, slower than he normally would, and he holds half of the tiger seal to his mouth as he breaths a very large fireball. I pull my hair into a ponytail at the nape of my neck, determination settling into my expression as I step up to the edge of the pond as well. I work through the seals carefully before I hold the half tiger to my lips and blow. To my complete surprise, the fire ball comes from within me with ease. I look up at my brother when I finish and he looks proud.

"Was that a group hallucination just now? Or did that really happen?" I ask and he chuckles.

"It happened. I'm very proud of you Minako…though I never doubted that you could do it. You're very advanced for your age." He says and I laugh.

"I'm nothing like you, but I guess I do alright. I have to if I want to succeed." I say and he smiles.

"And never let anyone, not even Father, tell you that you can't." He says and I smile brightly at him. "Now don't do that too often, because you are still so young…but practicing every once in a while is a good idea."

"I'll do my very best, Itachi." I say and his fond smile grows. There's a strange look in his eyes though.

"I know that you will. Why don't we go home now? Mother will want you to help her with dinner." He says and I nod. He lifts me onto his back before he begins walking again. "You know that I will always do my best to protect you, right?"

"I never doubt you…you're my big brother." I say, resting my chin on his shoulder. "You help Sasuke and I grow stronger any chance that you get."

"Yes….I just need you to know that no matter how far away I may be, I am always proud to be your older brother and I will protect you. You have my solemn word." He says and I frown.

"Itachi…what's going on?" I ask and he chuckles. "Are you thinking about running away because Father is a jerk? Because if you do…will you take me with you? Take over my ninja training and show me the world…"

"Don't be silly, Minako." He says and I frown. "Is that what you day dream about?" He asks and I feel embarrassed. "I'm hardly qualified to train you…you're exactly where you need to be right now. Trust in your sensei."

"Okay." I say with a nod. He still hasn't addressed whether or not he plans on running away. I guess I'll drop it. "I love you, Itachi."

"And I love you." He says and I tighten my arms in a hug. "You and Sasuke are what inspires me to keep fighting and to come home…so that I can share my experiences with you and I can take comfort in knowing that the village will be in your capable hands someday."

"Now you're the one who is being silly." I say and he chuckles. "But if it came down to it…and our backs were against the wall, I would do anything to make sure that my comrades could make it home…even if that meant putting my life on the line. Whether you're my comrade or if it's Shikamaru."

"I know you would….but it's very curious that you brought that Nara boy up again…" He says and I huff. "I'm teasing you, Minako…after all isn't that what normal older brothers do?"

"Yeah, but you're anything BUT normal." I say, sticking my tongue out at him. He laughs.

"All jokes aside…you'll never have to die for me because I will protect you at all costs." He says and I let it go. He's gotten like this with me before. I just hug him again. He must have had a tough mission. I know that sometimes it's hard for shinobi to deal with things.

"Sasuke?" I whisper as I walk into his room he sits up in bed before he throws the covers back. I climb in with him and we lay back down. "I'm worried about Father and Itachi."

"I am too…but it'll be okay." He says, hugging me. "No matter what, we're a family and I'll always do my best to make sure that we're okay."

"Me too." I say and he smiles. "You're getting so much stronger every single day. I'm proud of you. I know it's not as great as Father being proud of you because I'm only a girl…but…"

"Minako…if no one else in the world but you is proud of me….I think I can be okay with that." He says and that brings tears to my eyes. "You're my sister, you're not just a girl."

"I love you, Sasuke." I say and he smiles before he kisses my forehead. Something he's picked up from Itachi, no doubt.

"I love you too, Mina. Now get some sleep. We've got a busy day at school tomorrow." He says and I nod before I close my eyes.

As Sasuke and I walk into class I notice all of the girls looking at him and I feel annoyed. Why do they have to be weird about him? We move over to our usual seats and sit down.

"Mina….I never asked, but what happened to your cheek and your lip?" Sasuke asks and I smile.

"I was training with Father and I was too slow. It was an accident. You don't need to worry about it." I say, promoting soothing feelings. He looks skeptical. "I was with Itachi afterwards and we ran into Shikamaru. He gave me a salve that's helped with my lip." Distract. Distract. Come on, take the bait. Be the protective brother you want to be. There's the scowl….and he's standing up. "Where are you going?" I follow him as he walks over to where Shikamaru and Choji are sitting.

"Shikamaru." He says and the boy lifts his head. "Thanks for helping Minako." Shikamaru's eyes shift to me before he shrugs.

"No problem. What kind of guy would I be if I let a girl stay hurt?" He asks and I feel my eye twitch.

"Alright." Sasuke says and then he drags me away. I raise an eyebrow at him. "I can't let other people take care of my sister."

"I'm not juuuust your sister, Sasuke. I'm a pretty likable person when I'm not being sassy." I say and he snickers. "Mother says that Father says I'm exasperating."

"He's got that right." He says dryly and I stick my tongue out at him. "After school I've got something that I need to do…do you want me to walk you home first?"

"Nope, I can handle myself." I say and he sticks his tongue out at me. I laugh. "Do whatever you need to do, Sasuke. I really am okay."

"As long as you're sure." He says and then we turn our attention to the front of the class where Iruka-sensei has called the class to order.

As I exit the dojo I roll my shoulders...even though I'm exhausted, I still feel good. Though I feel like something is wrong. I hear a weird sound…almost like water splashing against a wall, but it's not water. It's too thick. We're being attacked. This is it. I run back to the dojo and grab a couple of kunai from their place on the shelf before I head back down the hall, trying to pull in my chakra so that whoever it is doesn't sense me. Think like a bug…small and unnoticeable.

"Minako." My cousin, Takada, says as he walks up and crouches in front of me. "I am going to help you get out of here. Once you are out, run and get the Hokage." He hauls me onto his back. "Do not look around. Tuck your head and close your eyes."

"Is Sasuke okay?" My voice is a whisper. I'm terrified. I was supposed to be able to stop this. I'm nowhere near ready to stop this.

"Sasuke isn't here." He says and that's a relief. "Now be absolutely silent. Okay?" I nod before I tuck my head. He moves noiselessly through the house and pauses briefly before we're outside. We're moving towards the exit to the compound when I hear the sound of a kunai flying. Takada deflects it. "Okay. This is how it's going to go." Determination. "I'll hold him off as long as I can. Run as fast as your legs can carry you, Minako." I nod, sliding off of his back. I see bodies around us…they're all dead. "Be brave." Around him I see Itachi…standing with his tanto drawn. Is he the one who has done this? But he's supposed to protect our family… I turn and run, but my bare feet slip in a puddle of blood and I fall. I'm covered, but I get up and start running. I push my legs as fast as they can carry me. I'm not going to be able to sustain this. Then the Nara compound comes into view. Another big clan. Mr. Nara is an important person. I run to the front door of the main house and I knock. After a minute I knock again. Shikamaru's father answers the door, looking tired but as he takes in my appearance his eyes are alert.

"They're dead. They're all dead." I say, trying to keep my composure. What I said wasn't helpful at all. "S-sasuke's not home. But I saw Itachi…h-he…it was him." Tears are starting to fall now. "Takada told me to get the Hokage, but I can't run anymore. So…I came here."

"You did the right thing." He says and I nod deftly. "My wife Yoshino is going to help you get cleaned up now. You are safe here."

"Okay." I say and then he brings me inside. Yoshino looks shocked as she takes in my appearance and she immediately goes into mother mode and she leads me away to a bathroom where she runs a bath. "Thank you for taking me in right now." My voice is shaking.

"Think nothing of it." She says warmly. "I'm going to help you out of these clothes now, and I'll have something for you to wear when you are all cleaned up. Alright?"

"Yes ma'am." I say, allowing her to help me. Once those clothes are taken away I get into the bath. She leaves to get clothes for me. I scrub my skin until it's red…but an acceptable red. My hair is clean too. So I get out and let the water out before I dry myself with the towel and wrap it around my body. I sit on the edge of the tub and wait. Yoshino knocks. "Come in." The door opens and she comes back in with clothes.

"We'll brush your hair and then we'll have a cup of tea together." She says and I nod, accepting the clothes from her. "Just leave the towel and I'll take care of everything." I nod again and she leaves to let me get dressed. I do as I'm told and open the door she's just walking back up. "Follow me."

"Yes ma'am." I say softly before I follow her. She leads the way to her room where she gestures for me to sit in the chair in front of a vanity. She begins to gently brush my hair.

"You have very good manners, Minako." She says kindly and I try to muster a smile, but I can't. I'm shaking. "And you're a brave girl."

"I don't feel very brave." I say and for a moment I see tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry for…" She stops me.

"Don't be sorry." She says and I nod. She finishes brushing my hair. "Now, let's have a cup of tea together."

"Yes ma'am." I say hopping off of the chair and following her again. I freeze as I see Shikamaru…rubbing sleep from his eyes.

"Mom, what's going on? Why's Minako here?" He asks and my mouth falls open. How do I explain something like this?

"Something has happened and Minako will be here for a little while. Go back to bed." She says, a bit harsher than she's been with me and he stares at me. I feel the tears welling up in my eyes again.

"Can I stay up?" He asks, not taking his eyes off of me. She sighs. "Mom. I need to stay up."

"Okay." She says finally….her tone softer. The three of us move to their dining room. She has me sit down while she and Shikamaru move to the adjoined kitchen and make the tea. "We don't know exactly what has happened, but there has been a great loss of life in the Uchiha compound." She explains in a very hushed voice. She underestimates my hearing abilities. I hear a familiar voice then. I look up before I hop off of the chair and run. "Minako!" Yoshino is shocked I tear open the door and see my brother running down the road.

"Minako!" He screams, a sobbing mess. I run over and catch him as he falls. "They're all gone! Dead! Mother and Father!" He's hysterical.

"Sasuke." I say, my voice firm. "Sasuke, calm down. Right now." He's whimpering now. "We're okay…we're a family. You and I." I stroke his hair. "Come on." I pull him up with me as I stand and walk towards Yoshino who had ran after me. Shikamaru is standing at the door…confused. "We're going to be okay." I say, commanding my voice to be firm instead of shaky. "No matter what happens...I am your sister. I am alive and so are you." We're finally to Yoshino. "This is Shikamaru's mom…her name is Yoshino. Don't be rude, greet her."

"Hello Mrs. Nara." He obeys my orders, still clinging to me. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"Think nothing of it." She says again…seeming at a loss for what to say. "Come inside and the five of us will have tea."

"Yes ma'am." He says and I am again leading the two of us inside. We're in the dining room again. He sits down, but he's still shaking. I take a seat beside him and hold his hand. "How did you…"

"Takada protected me." I say and he nods. "Then I came here. I've been so worried about you."

"I'm sorry. I should have gone home with you after school…maybe I could have…" He starts and I shake my head. "Mina…"

"Sasuke." I say firmly. "A shinobi must face crisis with grace and composure. We will need to answer questions once things calm down a bit and so we need to remain calm. Can you do that for me?" He nods. "Good. Focus on what we have left. Each other." I bring his hand to my cheek. "See? I'm real. I'm alive."

"I'm scared." He says and I nod closing my hand around his again in a comforting motion.

"I'd be worried that you're crazy if you weren't." I say, adopting my usual way of joking to ease tension.

"Here we are." Yoshino says as she sets the tray down on the table. She gives the two of us tea before she and Shikamaru take theirs, sitting on the other side of the table across from us. Nobody knows what to say. We're all just quietly drinking our tea. After a while Shikaku returns, the Hokage is with him. "Lord Hokage, would you like a cup of tea?"

"No thank you." The man says and she nods, making Shikamaru stand up before she leads him from the room. "Sasuke and Minako."

"Lord Hokage." I say, bowing my head in respect. In that move I have established myself as the more stable of the two of us.

"We have a few questions to ask you if you are well enough to answer them." He says and I glance at Sasuke.

"We will answer any questions to the best of our ability, won't we Sasuke?" I look to my brother full on and he nods.

"Do you know who the attacker was?" The Hokage asks, wasting no time in jumping right in to the deep ones.

"Yes. As my cousin Takada was trying to help me escape from the compound, my older brother Itachi intercepted us." I say, my voice calm. "Takada seemed to identify him as the threat and so I can only assume…"

"Yes…it was Itachi." Sasuke says, his voice shaking. I squeeze his hand, offering him my strength.

"And you are sure?" He asks and we both nod. "You don't think that there is a chance that this individual was using a transformation?"

"No sir…if he had wanted to kill all of the Uchiha then he would not have left Sasuke and I alive. If he wanted me dead, I would be dead." I say and I see something in his ancient eyes. There's also something about Shikaku.

"I agree with Minako." Sasuke says softly, squeezing my hand almost painfully. Anger. "It was definitely our brother."

"Thank you. That is all that I needed to ask you for now. Shikaku has offered to let you stay here until more permanent arrangements can be made." He says and I nod.

"Thank you, Sir." I say, bowing my head in respect. I just have to keep it together until Sasuke is asleep. I can do this.

"I am sorry that the two of you have faced such a tragedy at such a young age. We will do all that we can." The Hokage says and I nod. "Good night." He leaves then. Yoshino comes back in.

"I have some pajamas that you can change into, Sasuke." She says and he doesn't respond. I gently elbow him.

"Thank you." He says, but I can tell that he's shutting down. I look at her and she smiles, looking very motherly. She must be able to read my meaning.

"Now we should get ready for bed. You'll be grumpy if you don't get some sleep." I say, still trying to ease the tension. I know that it's impossible to do that though. Shikaku leads Sasuke away.

"Come with me." Yoshino says and I nod, following behind her. She leads the way to a room.

"Sasuke won't be able to sleep alone…" I say and she nods her understanding. I say that he won't…but really it's more like I won't be able to.

As Sasuke and I enter the classroom, everyone acts normally…everyone knows of course…but thankfully nobody is saying anything. We move to our usual seats and get our notebooks out to take notes. We don't answer any questions…but we pay attention and finally after what seems like a million years, it is lunch time. Sasuke and I head outside with everyone else. I need to make sure that he stay social. Otherwise he'll end up bitter. I lead the way over to where Shikamaru and the others are.

"Hey boys, do you mind if we sit here today?" I ask and they look between each other before they shrug. I smile, sitting down on the ground next to Sasuke. I take out our bentos that I made this morning and give his to him. "So what did we miss while we were gone?"

"Not too much…it was mostly review." Choji says and I offer a bright smile to him. Thank you so much for not making a big deal.

"Thank goodness. It would stink if we had to do a lot of makeup homework." I say, still being bubbly.

"You know you don't have to do that crap, right?" Kiba says and I stick my tongue out at him. "You guys wanna play ninja with us after school?"

"Of course. I'd hate for you to think that I couldn't still kick your butt." I say and he looks indignant. I laugh, covering my mouth with my hand.

"Do you want somethin' to drink, Minako!?" Naruto asks, successfully scaring me. Sasuke glares at him. "Come on guys! Let's all go get something! But I've got Minako's!" He leads the charge. I push Sasuke in that direction. He goes without incident. Shikamaru stays.

"I know you don't want to talk about it right now." He says and I don't respond. "But I know that you're pushing your feelings back for his sake. So I just wanted to say…that if you ever do want to talk I'll listen. I don't have to say anything. I just know that…that night I'd never seen someone change their behavior as quickly as you did when Sasuke got there." I look at him.

"Thanks." I say…no one has really addressed that. "I'll keep that in mind." Part of me hates that he saw me so weak. "I'm sorry that you had to see that."

"Shut up." He says with a roll of his eyes. "You were in danger, I'm glad that my parents were able to make you safe." That throws a wrench into the works of me staying composed.

"We're pushing on walls that I'd rather keep up right now." I say and he looks a little shocked. "I appreciate everything your family has done…but right now I need to work on keeping my family together."

"Alright. Sorry." He says, backing off easily which I appreciate. I offer a small smile. We fall into a comfortable silence until everyone comes back. Sasuke is visibly relieved when he is back at my side. Naruto hands me my drink. "Thank you so much." I smile brightly.

"No problem!" He says with a big grin. I can do this…I just have to make sure that I keep Sasuke and I going and I have to keep him from leaving. That happened and I know that I can't stand to lose him too.

I pant as I stand across the training ring from Sasuke. At the ripe age of eleven, I am already more muscular than my fellow kunoichi classmates who are more concerned with their looks….except for Hinata. She would be a very tough adversary. Today the Hokage is observing our taijutsu training and of course no one will say anything, but he wanted to see the Uchiha twins up against one another. To compare us. Sasuke is clearly bigger than me which serves to be a problem. A problem which I am ready to overcome. I fall into a stance, my face set in stony concentration. He looks bored which makes me angry, but he runs at me none the less. I block his strike and grab his arm forcefully. I flip him over my shoulder and slam him into the ground as hard as I possibly can. That brings shock to his eyes. I bring my foot down and he rolls to the side, getting up and taking me seriously. I'm coming at him with my full strength. I will not be underestimated. He throws a punch and I turn my face to the side to avoid it. I drop and sweep his feet. I move quickly as he falls and I subdue him.

"Alright, we will call the match with a win for Minako. Great job, you two." Iruka-sensei says and I smile to my brother as I offer the seal of reconciliation. He meets me easily and I help him up. "Next up, I'd like to have Ino and Hinata."

"You really went hard today, huh?" Sasuke asks as he rubs his arm. I smile apologetically. "Since when can you throw me?"

"Since…a few minutes ago?" I ask with a slight laugh. "I don't know, I've been working really hard because I know that when we graduate I'll be facing guys a lot bigger than you or anyone else that I've fought before."

"I'm not sure whether I should be afraid of you or attracted to you." Kiba says and I laugh so hard I actually snort.

"I'd be afraid…because I come with an overprotective twin brother." I say, throwing an arm around Sasuke's shoulders. "Well that and everyone knows Shikamaru's secretly in love with me, so…"

"Don't be so annoying." Shikamaru says and I can feel the roll of his eyes. "Who is their right mind would do that?"

"I've heard that love makes you crazy." I say and Sasuke looks annoyed. "Oh come on, I'm joking." Hinata decimates Ino very shyly…it's super adorable.

"Very good, girls. Now Naruto and Junichi, you're up next." Iruka-sensei says and Junichi walks towards the ring, but there's no Naruto. "Naruto?" He looks around. "Alright, since you were the last two…is there anyone who would like to volunteer to spar with Junichi?"

"I'll do it, Iruka-sensei." I say as I raise my hand. He nods, jotting it down on his clipboard. I move to stand in the ring, across from Junichi. I smile.

"Iruka-sensei, I don't want to fight a girl." The boy says and my smile drops into a scowl. Sensei looks nervous at my change in disposition.

"Don't worry, by the end you'll feel like you're the girl who is fighting." I say and he blanches.

"Alright you two….begin." Sensei says and I'm immediately on him like white on rice. He's got the strength, but I've got the speed. I knock him down and aim a kick. He rolls away and there is a dent in the ground where he would have been. He gets a good hit in that makes me stumble. He takes advantage of that and tackles me. I bring my knees to my chest and kick him off.

"Come on, Spaghetti Arms! Hit me!" Junichi says and I can't help but laugh as I come back at him.

"Spaghetti Arms?" I ask, accidentally whipping him in the face with my hair when I draw back away from his punch. I go to punch with my right hand and he moves to block it, but I quickly switch and punch with my left. The force knocks him out of the ring. The girls in the class all cheer for me. "And I did that without focusing chakra into my muscles to enhance my strength. Before you make stupid, sexist comments why don't you think about the fact that there are kunoichi out there that could crush your head with their fingers?" I feel good when I walk back over to my brother.

"You could've gone easier on him, Mina." Sasuke says and I shrug. I look over and the Hokage looks very amused. "What's for dinner tonight?"

"I'm making something we've never had before. I'm pretty excited about it." I say with a bright smile. "We need to stop by the market on our way home."

"Okay." He says with a nod. I faintly hear a bunch of male voices talking about something cute. Sasuke looks annoyed.

"You know that when she talks about cooking that makes them antsy." Shikamaru says and I raise an eyebrow. "Oh man, you really didn't know about your fan club?"

"Why the heck would I have a fan club? You're the one who just said that no one in their right mind would be in love with me." I say and he smirks.

"They're NOT in their right minds." He says and I shake my head. I don't really think that there is one.

"Okay, class! You're dismissed for today! Great job with your matches." Iruka-sensei says and everyone starts to disperse. "Minako, can we speak to you for a moment?"

"Of course." I say and then I look to Sasuke. "I'll be right back." I walk over to the two men and bow respectfully to the Hokage. "Is everything alright, Sensei?"

"Yes…Lord Hokage and I were talking and we would like to offer you the chance to graduate early." He says and my heart drops into the pit of my stomach. "As your teacher, I feel like you are ready."

"Also you display an advanced comprehension of the techniques that you exhibited today." The Hokage says and I nod.

"I'm honored that you believe I am ready for such a thing…but I don't think that I'm ready for that kind of thing. Even accepting D-rank missions…I don't know anybody in that class and so I think that it would be a bad idea for me to be grouped with them." I say and the Hokage regards me quietly.

"And you are sure that this is what you want?" He asks me after a moment and I nod, folding my hands behind my back. "Then we will honor your wishes."

"Thank you." I say, bowing again. My anxiety levels creep back down to normal. "Am I dismissed?"

"Yes, and great work today." Iruka-sensei says and I smile before I jog back over to Sasuke who is standing with Shikamaru. I throw and arm around each of their shoulders and swing forward. They both stumble. I snicker.

"Sorry, I thought you guys were training to be ninja." I say as I let them go and keep walking.

"You're so annoying." Shikamaru groans and I look over my shoulder, smirking at him. "What?"

"If I'm so annoying, then why were you waiting for me?" I ask and Choji laughs, because I'm right.

"Don't be such a drag." He says, the vein in his forehead popping out. He shoves his hands into his pockets and the four of us start walking. "What was the deal with you whipping Junichi in the face with your hair?" I could say it was an accident…

"Speaking in very general terms, physically kunoichi are smaller than shinobi and so we must fine tune our skills as much as possible to give us the best chance of success. I have grown my hair long as a means of using it as a weapon in the instance where I have no kunai or shuriken." I say in a superior tone. "Not only is it good for a momentary distraction, I could strangle someone with it."

"That's a load of crap. You only grew your hair out because you said that you looked too much like me." Sasuke says and I glare at him. "Don't pretend to be so cool."

"I'll stop when you do." I say and Choji puts a hand over his mouth to try and contain his laughter. "But what I said is true. I could strangle someone with my hair." I pull it all over one shoulder and pet it.

"As much fun as this is, I've got to get home." Choji says and I smile and wave before he heads off towards his family's home. Shikamaru stays with us. This would be my dream team next year, but I know that Shikamaru will be put with Ino and Choji. Sasuke will be with Naruto and Sakura. I'm sad that I won't be able to be placed with anyone who I'm close with seeing as though they all have logical team compositions. With how broad my skill set is, there's no telling who they'll stick me with.

"What are you thinking about?" Sasuke asks, recognizing my internal monologue face. I smile.

"Annoying ways to wake you up tomorrow morning for our Friday training date." I say and he groans. I snicker.

I stand in the middle of the field in between my two teammates, Junichi Kurosaki and Izanagi Nakamura. Our task to decide whether or not we are worthy of being genin is to get the bells from our sensei…Kenta Miyamoto. Junichi and Izanagi are currently bickering…ready to fight each other. We've been here for about fifteen minutes now.

"Alright! Shut up the both of you and listen to me!" I shout and they fall silent. "We need to work together to get those bells and since you two idiots can't stop arguing long enough to see who should take the lead I'll do it!" Kenta-sensei chuckles from across the field. "Now let's move!"

"Yes ma'am!" They both exclaim together and we run at our sensei, with me in the middle. I quickly work through the seals and exhale a large fireball. Kenta-sensei backflips to avoid it. Junichi throws wave after wave of kunai while Izanagi quickly gets around behind him.

"Fire style! Phoenix flower jutsu!" I use Sasuke's trick of concealing shuriken in the fire balls. As Sensei blocks both my attacks and Junichi's, Izanagi grabs all of the bells. The three of us convene, ready to defend if that is an unspoken part of the test. Kenta-sensei looks at us, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

"Alright…I think I've got you figured out now." He says and Junichi and Izanagi stand up straight from their defensive stances. I stay in mine. "I'm not going to attack."

"A shinobi must see through deception. You're not the type to give up easily even if we are dumb kids straight out of the Academy." I say and my team mates fall back into their stances. The bells disappear in a puff of smoke. Sensei attacks. He comes straight for me. I prepare for the impact, but Junichi gets in there and engages him. I back flip away and nod to Izanagi who moves around the back. Let's try genjutsu. I stoop down to one knee and start working through the seals, focus. Sensei retreats a bit and looks around. He's seeing hundreds of us. I catch movement and go to draw my tanto, but I realize it's just another team with their sensei observing us. Kenta-sensei releases the genjutsu and comes for me again, but this time Izanagi intercepts. It is time for my tanto. I draw the weapon and rush forward to engage. "Junichi! Give me a lift!" He looks at me as I'm running at him and he cups his hands. I step into his hands and jump as he lifts me off. I bring my blade down right where Sensei's hand was before as he was about to hit Izanagi.

"I should have had that third cup of coffee this morning, I guess." He says and I smile. "But, you're going to have to work a little harder than that to get these bells."

"Well you're in luck. An Uchiha never quits and I would never turn my back on my team mates." I say and something flashes in his eyes. I swing my blade in a wide arc and he jumps back, preparing to use a jutsu. "Don't let him finish!" Junichi rushes him, interrupting his seals. In a flash, Sensei is behind me, holding a kunai to my throat. I raise my eyebrows, not afraid even as the blade cuts my skin a little. Junichi and Izanagi are ready to panic. I make eye contact with the both of them and the fear disappears from their eyes and determination falls into place. "Plan forty-two!" They don't question it, but Junichi swiftly moves to us and grabs Sensei's arm. I jab with my elbow and duck away, but I don't move too far away. I strike, aiming for pressure points. Junichi gets knocked down, so I move over to defend him while he recovers. Izanagi is on his other side, being just as much of a nuisance as I am. At one point I take an elbow to the forehead, which honestly does make me dizzy. As I'm falling backwards I see the glint of the sun against the silver bells. I reach out and grab them. Black stars are dancing across my vision. I throw my weight and flip backwards, landing in a kneeling position. I form a hand seal for that extra focus of my chakra and move some to that point to dull the pain. I immediately feel better. Thank you medical ninjutsu training. Kenta-sensei then realizes that something is missing. I smirk, holding up the bells.

"Are we done, Sensei? Because honestly it's gotta be a little embarrassing for you." Izanagi says and I snicker.

"Alright, you got them fair and square." He says and I regard him for a moment before I nod. Izanagi and Junichi relax.

"Looks like you hardly have a job, Kenta." Someone calls from across the field. While they talk, I figure I can take a minute to recover. I sit down and rest my elbows on my knees, resting my head in my hands.

"Minako…you're bleeding." Izanagi says, sitting down beside me. "Ah…I don't have any medical supplies." I reach into the pouch on the right side at my lower back and remove the small medical kit. He opens it up and gets out one of the sanitary wipes to clean the wound.

"You okay?" Junichi asks as he crouches beside the two of us. It's amazing how much those two changed in that encounter.

"Yeah, I caught someone's elbow with my forehead." I say lightly. "It's okay, though. My brother does always say that I'm hard-headed." I hear him scream and my muscles tense to run to his aid, but then I remember that he is also with his sensei. Everything is okay.

"Sounds like Kakashi is giving them a hard time." Kenta-sensei says, looking over. I sigh as I stand up, feeling better already. I see Shikamaru…this must be his sensei. That's the Hokage's son. "He's never passed any of his students before, has he?" My blood runs like ice through my veins. What? But Sasuke has to be a genin…if he doesn't get stronger then he will most definitely leave to search out someone who will make him stronger.

"He hasn't, but it seems like there's a good crop of students this go around. Your brother's on that team, right?" The other sensei asks, looking at me.

"Indeed he is…though he has a history of not playing well with others." I say, and that only makes me more worried. He's probably trying to pass the test all on his own.

"Yeah, Minako's the only person Sasuke actually likes." Junichi says and I offer a fair enough look.

"I have a theory that it's a self-centered thing since I'm him only in girl form." I say and that gets some laughs. "Though last night before bed I held him in a headlock for like five minutes screaming at him not to be a dick." Junichi finds that really funny. "I would've held him longer but his strength outlasts mine unfortunately….well that and he's heavy."

"Sometimes I'm not sure if I believe you." Shikamaru says and I raise my eyebrows at him. "But then I remember that you ARE crazy."

"Now now, Shikamaru. Minako isn't crazy, she's scrappy." Ino says and I snicker. I can't even deny it. "And she's related to a genius, so she has good genes."

"That depends on your definition of genius. He can barely boil water without nearly destroying our apartment." I say dryly.

"I have an idea." Kenta-sensei says. "Let's see how well our genin can take orders, Asuma. I know you're heading an intelligence unit…but…"

"Alright, Kenta. I see what you're playing at." Asuma-sensei says, taking the challenge. "What do you three think?"

"I-I don't know, Sensei." Choji says and I smile, trying to be reassuring. I'd never hurt Choji. Though I would love to take a crack at Shikamaru.

"Bring it on! We'll totally destroy them!" Ino proclaims and my smile turns into a grin. I've always liked Ino aside from her strange obsession with my brother.

"That's the spirit!" Kenta-sensei says brightly. Shikamaru sighs, no doubt wishing that he'd skipped out when he could have. "Team Kenta! Take your places!"

"Hold on a second…I think we should make this interesting." A woman says as she walks up. Behind her are Kiba, Shino, and Hinata. "How about the twelve of us all spar?"

"Wait!? You mean we're going to go up against two other jonin!?" Kiba exclaims, eyes bugging out of his head.

"You scared, Kiba?" I ask in a patronizing tone. That ignites the fire in his eyes. I have a knack for doing that…

"My team is game." Kenta-sensei says. "These boys would follow Minako off of the ends of the Earth and it's not in the same pathetic way I've observed some of her other classmates acting."

"Prepare yourselves! We're going to kick your butts!" Ino exclaims, pointing. "Even you, Minako! I've been training super hard since the last time you and I sparred!"

"I'm looking forward to it!" I say brightly. I've always been one for encouraging my classmates.

"If everyone is set then…I guess we'll begin." Kurenai says and then somebody throws a smoke bomb. A three way battle between teams is always going to be a bit hectic. I see a shadow snaking across the ground.

"Watch it! Nara's using shadow possession!" I exclaim and my team immediately backs out of range.

"Good eyes, Minako." Kenta-sensei says and then he rolls his shoulders. "I'm going to leave you to lead the boys, alright? I'm going to face my old rival, Sarutobi." I nod. "Here we go!" And he's off. I observe the situation. Shikamaru is currently fending off Kiba. Shino is kicking Choji's butt and Ino and Hinata are locked in combat.

"If there's anything I've learned in life, it's to be annoying. So let's raise hell, boys." I say, popping my knuckles. Izanagi is the weakest of the three of us…. "Izanagi, you think you're fast enough to take Shino out before his beetles drain your chakra?"

"Yes." He says, determination filling his tone. "So what's our game plan, Fearless Leader?"

"Izanagi, you take Shino and Choji. Junichi, go take on Ino and Hinata. Watch out for her family's technique." I say and they nod. "Let's go!" I shout. Ino and Hinata are close to Kiba and Shikamaru. "Junichi! Give me a boost!" He stops, cupping his hands and I jump as he lifts me upwards. I kick Kiba square in the back and he slides across the ground and doesn't get back up. He's okay enough, though.

"Man…what a drag. You were the last person I wanted to face." Shikamaru says, hands in his pockets. I hear a scream and it's Sasuke's. Don't break your focus. "I'm not going to take advantage of that."

"How honorable." I say, attacking him. "That's not going to get you out of the fight, though."

"Of course not." He says dryly, blocking my punch. "I guess I'm really going to have to try with you."

"You're my best friend, I wouldn't forgive you if you went easy on me." I say and his cheeks briefly turn pink before he throws a punch that gets past my defenses. I taste blood. "Asshole, you split my lip."

"Didn't mean to. Maybe you're just too slow." He says and my eye twitches. I stop abruptly and change directions. He was still following me though. He runs into the tree and I throw a punch. The wood splinters where I punch…his face had been there a moment ago. "Hey, take it easy."

"When have I ever made things easy?" I ask with a smirk. I hear someone yell my name. Izanagi is in trouble. "Switch!" I immediately disengage. "Watch the shadows!" I advise as Izanagi runs past me to keep Shikamaru busy.

"Alright! And you watch out for the beetles!" He says and I nod. As Shino meets me I spin into a kick which he blocks with his forearm. A cloud of beetles flies out of his sleeve.

"Fire style! Great fireball jutsu!" I hold the half tiger seal to my lips and launch the fireball at them.

"Excellent form, Minako!" Kenta-sensei compliments from his own fight with the other two sensei. I glance around and see Ino and Hinata are down.

"Why don't you go help Sensei? He looks like he needs it." Junichi says, taking out a kunai.

"Good idea. Do not stop moving." I say and then I'm running over to help my sensei. "Two against one and a quarter?"

"Maybe One and a half." Kenta-sensei says and I feel a little embarrassed at the compliment. But I don't let that last for long. These two are serious. "You alright? You're bleeding." He asks as he fights.

"What's a little blood amongst friends?" I ask as I duck a kick from Kurenai-sensei. She steps back and works through some hand seals. I recognize it. I kick to disrupt her seals. She grabs my foot and throws me. I land on my feet, but still slide back. She goes to attack Kenta-sensei. "Sensei!" I quickly work through the seals and her body freezes. "Holy shit, I actually did it." I gasp, putting a hand over my mouth. Paralysis genjutsu. My chakra is quickly depleting. "Crap!" I release the paralysis genjutsu. I'm battling time now. Junichi is down. Shino is running at me. Time for brute force. I stop and plant my feet. He arrives and throws a punch, I duck and punch him as hard as I can in the stomach with chakra focused into my fist. He flies back and lands on the ground. He doesn't get up.

"Minako!" Izanagi shouts and I look around. A shadow is lashing out towards me. I dart away from it, but make a wide arc to assist Izanagi. "That was really cool what you just did! He's like a foot taller than you!"

"That's an exaggeration." I say dryly as I leap up into a tree briefly to give me some force as I launch myself towards Shikamaru. I tackle him and we slide across the ground. All the way over to the sensei who have ceased their own little spar. He's struggling and I'm fighting to keep him held down. "I told you not to shirk on your strength training. This is embarrassing."

"It won't happen again." He says, not giving up. That's a major way in which he is different with me. My knee slips from where I'm pinning his leg and that gives him the leverage he needs to flip me over. He's holding me down by the shoulders.

"Oh no! I won't lose to you!" I shout and then I do something I've never done before, I head butt him. I shove him off of me and quickly draw my tanto. He is subdued. Everyone is starting to get up now.

"A….technically honest victory for Team Kenta." Kurenai-sensei says, sounding extremely amused. "Tell me, Minako…are you a genjutsu type?"

"Well…I haven't exactly decided what I want to do yet." I say as I release Shikamaru. "I mean obviously down the road I'd probably be good at that…but I'm not sure."

"We have plenty of time, my pupil." Kenta-sensei says, patting me on the head. "One thing I am sure of…I'm going to teach you how to properly head butt someone."

"It's not something I ever planned on doing. I may have gotten a bit overzealous." I say lightly.

"I just can't believe I lasted through the whole thing." Izanagi says and I smile as I go over and throw an arm around his shoulders.

"You did good. It's not easy to play Distract the Nara." I say and he high fives me. Junichi walks over to us then. Everyone is back in their teams…discussing what went wrong. Ino is screaming at Choji and Shikamaru more than anything. I know that Shikamaru could lead them…he's really smart when he applies himself. The Nara are famous for their intellect.

"So what are you leaning towards, Minako?" Junichi asks and I look up at him and shrug. "There's this girl who's a year older than us…she works with weapons a lot. I could see you doing something like that, with your tanto and all."

"Nah, I use this ironically." I say as I draw it. "It was my brother's." This is the blade that took the lives of my parents…and of many Uchiha. "I figure if I ever run into him some day, if he's even still alive, it'd be funny to defeat him with it." I tuck it away. "But I don't anticipate that happening ever. Sasuke says that subconsciously I plan on specializing in being a bad ass…and who am I to argue?"

"Oh wow." Junichi says with a roll of his eyes. I laugh. "I can't imagine your brother saying something like that."

"Yeah, he's a pretty big asshole. However, he is at my mercy as he cannot cook for the life of him." I say with an evil little smile. "If he pisses me off I just make his food really really hot."

"Evil." Izanagi says as he shakes his head. "But I like it. You know, I think I can see the three of us becoming great friends."

"I think so too." I say with a smile. I'm a likable person…I can come off as a bit abrasive, but that's only because of my constant terror at the thought of what is coming. I hadn't been able to change anything about the Uchiha massacre….I'd been a helpless child who couldn't even run to get help. I could have saved Takada. It was after that night that I decided…never again would I be helpless. I am going to save lives.