Safe and Sound

Ch. 7

War does not determine who is right...only who is left."

3

"My otouto has all of my respect. He went through everything with no one by his side but Shisui. I know very well that if I didn't have Hii-ojiisan I never would have made it very far. Itachi was always a true genius."

0/\0

The next few days were the same. I would be woken by Yui-chan, do morning practice with Hii-ojiisan then I was off to the Academy where we did basic training. At the end of the day Obito and I would walk back to the compound together, I loved that time of day. Obito had this personalty that just made me feel like everything was going to be alright. It was refreshing.

Once I got home I would begin training with either Kagami or Hii-ojiisan, both were harsh task masters and always ran me into the ground. I would then spend time with Hii-ojiisan talking about everything that happened that day.

I would then go to bed only to wake up and repeat the process.

And then the time finally came...Mother was free to come home... and that meant...Itachi-kun got to come home too!

I was in the middle of telling Hii-ojiisan about my day when Yui-chan came into the sitting room. "Master, Mistress, Mikoto-sama and the young one are home now." With that said she left to go finish dinner.

This was the best news all week! I had been eagerly waiting to see my precious Otouto again! So you can understand my outward happiness shining through in the form of me fidgeting in my spot and wringing my hands and lets not forget the grin on my face. Yes I must have looked so Un-Uchiha like. My father would have had such a stern frown on his face but Hii-ojiisan...

When glancing up at him I noticed he had a small smile on his face and his eyes were showing amusement. Even his voice was lighter, "Miyako I am giving you a 3 day break from afternoon practice. I still expect you for morning practice however. I will walk you home after dinner, I wish to meet your Otouto."

Eagerly I nodded my head excitedly and got back to telling about my day.

Dinner passed fast and next thing I knew we're walking down the dark streets. We must have been a sight to see walking down the streets, Elderly Hii-ojiisan walking tall with his hands tucked into his dark blue kimono, sharp eyes glaring at anyone who stared longer than a second. And then there's little five year old me. Walking back straight, head held proud and desperately trying to keep my Uchiha facade. After all... it was the first time he's walked me around the compound. It was hard to fight the grin, but inside I was dancing, skipping and over all doing everything girly.

It wasn't long till we got to my home I could see the lights on still. If my pace quickened Jiji didn't mention it, he just kept up with me.

Eagerly I opened the door calling out as I slipped off my sandals. "Tadaima!" As Jiji was slipping on his slippers I heard my mothers voice before she came around the corner from the kitchen. "Okaeri, Oh Miyako-chan I've missed you." She pulled me into a hug which I eagerly returned.

After a few minutes she released me and greeted Hii-ojiisan. "Hello Madara-sama thank you for taking care of Miyako-chan for us." She gave a bow to Jiji who only nodded. I waited for mother to lead us back to the dinning room and everyone sat down before pestering mother about where my Otouto was. "Kaa-san is Itachi-kun sleeping? Hii-ojiisan wanted to meet him." I quickly added in at the end.

She gave a small smile before answering,"Ah, He should be awake by now. It is time for his feeding. I will go get him." She stood from her seat and disappeared up the stairs. She returned in a few minutes with him bundled in her arms in a blue baby blanket. "Would you like to hold him while I make a bottle Miyako-chan?"

Eagerly I nodded my head and she deposited him gently into my lap with my arms holding him tight.

There staring back at me was the cutest baby ever. As we stared each other down I gently ran my hand not supporting his head over the tuft of black hair on his head. His eyes closed at the feeling and deep in my heart I could feel my love for this little boy grow. How adorable. I will protect him always. A gentle cough broke my thoughts and with brightly colored cheeks I looked up at Hii-ojiisan who had a small smile on his face. I could hear mother still working in the kitchen. So it had only been him witnessing my awe.

"Are you going to introduce me to your Otouto Miyako?" Embarrassed I nodded my head and looked back at a curious Itachi. "Hii-ojiisan this is my Otouto Itachi. Otouto this is our Hii-ojiisan."

Jiji leaned over to get a look at the baby nestled in my lap and for the first time ever I saw a deep sadness in his eyes shine through. When I was going to ask what had saddened him mother made her appearance and distracted me by asking if I wanted to feed Itachi which I eagerly agreed to.

After his feeding mother burped him and took him back to his room to sleep. While she was making sure he was sleeping father came home and when he saw that Hii-ojiisan was there he stiffly sat at the table across from him.

Jiji didn't speak to him till mother came back to the table. I knew father wasn't going to like me having three days off. So I simply kept quiet. "I will be giving Miyako a three day break. In that time she will still come to her morning lessons before leaving for the Academy. What she does for the rest of the day is up to her." He said it all in such a firm no nonsense voice that one would not be able to object. Well not any sane normal person. I honestly think my father has a desire to piss off Great-grandfather at every chance he can. So he voiced his denial.

"No, I gave her a stipulation when she joined the Academy. She must graduate in one year. She will continue to train every day till this happens." His voice was harsh.

Hii-ojiisan's eyes hardened even more as he gave father the death glare that only he has mastered and when he spoke next his voice was soft and deadly.

"Fugaku, you put me in charge of her training personally and if I say she can have a break she will. As for the 'stipulation'...You have nothing to worry about. She will pass the Genin test in one year. Do not question me again." With that said he stood to his full height. Inside I felt a swell of pride that Hii-ojiisan thinks I could do this. It made me so happy.

"Miyako, see me to the door." "Hai."

I happily followed him to the front hall. He didn't speak till I had closed the front door. "I will see you tomorrow morning. As for what you do after the Academy...Why don't you spend time with your friends? Sleep well Miyako." With that said he patted me on the head and was on his way.

My Hii-ojiisan is kickass!

With a slight giggle I ran back inside. Father and mother were talking in hushed voices in the dinning room still so I headed upstairs. On my way to my bedroom I passed Itachi's room. Stepping inside I looked into his crib to see him fast asleep. Smiling I whispered, "Goodnight otouto, may your dreams forever be sweet."

I then left his room to mine. It was not decorated like my room at Hii-ojiisan's. My room at home only had a bed, closet full of clothes courtesy of mother and one bedside table with a lone picture on it. The picture was of my fourth birthday with Jiji, Yui-chan and Suzu-chan. I had a duplicate of it in my room back at Jiji's place.

With thoughts of what to do in my free time I headed to bed happy and excited for the next day. Maybe I will help Obito with his Grand Fireball...oh we could even get Dango afterward! That sounds like fun...

~.~.~.~.~.~.

The next morning I was woken by mother who was always up bright and early. I got dressed in my normal clothes* with the only change being a different colored kimono top. It was a light purple with the only decorations on it little pink flower petals going up the sleeves from the bottom to about half way up, and of course on my back the Uchiha clan symbol. I tied it closed with a dark blue obi. With a quick brush through my shoulder length hair I was ready to go. My hair is starting to look as unruly as Hii-ojiisan's

I headed downstairs and found mother in the kitchen preparing breakfast so I went to wait in the dining room. There I found baby Itachi in a baby bassinet.

Peering inside I found him wide awake just staring at the mobile mother had attached to the top. I stuck my hand inside and he grabbed my finger to gum on. With a giggle I started to talk to him. "Ne, Tachi-kun try not to give Okaa-san a hard time today okay? And when I get home I'll definitely play with you!"

In response he only drooled more on my finger. My smile threatened to border on Un-Uchiha when mother came in. "Oh, Miyako-chan I didn't hear you come down. Come eat your breakfast you don't want to be late for your morning training." I pulled my hand away from Itachi only to receive the cutest pout ever. Aw, even pouting like that he's so adorable!

I ate my breakfast while mother fed Itachi. With a quick goodbye to mother and otouto I was out the door heading to Jiji's compound for morning training.

~.~.~.~

I let myself into the compound and made my way to the back training grounds. Jiji was already waiting for me. I started my morning warm ups which consisted of stretches, laps around the grounds shuriken and kunai throwing and kata's. While I was practicing my chakra control by circulating it to different parts of my body Jiji decided to talk to me. "Miyako, I have a jutsu I want you to try. With your high reserves you should be able to do it."

I quickly jumped up eagerness written all over my face. Jiji was a firm believer of toning the body and mind first before learning Jutsu's. So for him to give me one now means he thinks I can handle it.

"This jutsu is high ranked because of the amount of chakra it takes. Its called the Kage Bunshin, there isn't many signs so watch my hands and copy it, do not use it with chakra just yet." After he mentioned the name of the jutsu I got even more excited.

Once he was satisfied I had memorized the handseals he demonstrated the jutsu, and suddenly there was two Jiji's! I didn't know he could still do Jutsu's! He's like ancient. Oh gosh I just called Jiji old. At least it was in my head. If he noticed the astonishment on my face or not he didn't say anything. He just continued speaking.

"For your first try only make one, I don't want you to wear yourself out." He warned as the other Jiji disappeared with a Poof!

Concentrating on my chakra I went through the handseals and...Poof!

When I opened my eyes there was another me right beside me!

"Yatta!" I jumped up and down excitedly beside my clone who was watching me with an excited look. Happily I looked at Jiji to see a small barely there smile on his face. After that he began to tell me the benefits of the Kage Bunshin, I really liked the fact that I could now learn things at a faster pace. This is going to help a lot!

~.~.~

At the end of my morning training I surprised Hii-ojiisan by hugging him and then quickly bugging out of there to the Academy. So I missed his surprised look at my hug.

Arriving early I plopped down in my normal seat by Kakashi who I nodded to.

Soon the class was filling with kids and late once again was Obito who hurriedly apologized and ran to his seat beside me.

Soon it was lunch time and everyone was heading outside to eat. I waved Obito on to save our normal spot and bent to grab my bag. When I stood up there behind me was non other than Rin Noahara. She was twisting her fingers together nervously and wouldn't meet me eye to eye. "Is there something I can do for you Noahara-san?" Wow was that my voice all calm and cold? I didn't know I could be so Uchiha-like! Guess it is hereditary.

"Um, I w-was wondering...whydoyouhateme!" Towards the end her words ran together but I think I understood her but just to be sure... "Hn, could you repeat that?"

Her next try came out more calm but it was exactly what I heard the first time so I was right. Well time to fix this. "I do not hate you Noahara-san, I do not know you well enough to hate you." My voice was calm and completely devoid of emotion. I've never felt so Uchiha-like before in my entire life. Her wide brown eyes looked back at me in shock. "B-but...the first day..." She stuttered out. "I was simply informing you I was a better choice to give Obito-kun his papers. Since after all we are clan mates." Has nothing to do with the fact that Obito develops a great big crush on you and when you die tries to destroy the world. It's better if I stop that from ever happening.

Slowly the confusion left her eyes. "O-Oh, well...that makes sense I guess..."

With a nod I left her in the classroom and headed outside all the while beating the desire to invite her to our lunch with a great big stick. She's so hard to dislike but dammit I draw the line at being the one to ruin the world because Obito-kun gets a damn crush on a girl who never returns his damn feelings. Distantly I ignored the voice in my head saying I'm just jealous. In fact I beat the bitch with the same stick.

I found Obito in our normal spot out away from the other kids underneath a great big tree that on one side has a swing attached. Yep it's the Naruto tree. Well since Naruto isn't even born yet I guess it's mine and Obito's tree. And Kakashi's since he sits in the tree on a high branch to get away from the fan girls. Though I don't think Obito knows that else he'd have thrown a fit.

With a sigh I sat down next to Obito in front of the tree and pulled out the bento's, When I found out Obito can't cook to save his life I took it upon my self to make our own lunches. They were simple dishes but the first time I gave one to him he cried. Ever since then I always bring two.

I handed Obito his bento, "Thanks Miyako-chan!" He was always so happy to receive things. Pulling out of my thoughts I set about eating my very large bento. Because of my high chakra reserves I have had to eat a lot more food than normal children. Thus the reason my bento is very large.

Once we finished our food I decided to bring up my three day break.

"Ne, Obito-kun I have a three day break from training and Hii-ojiisan suggested I hang out with my friends. Would you like to hang out today? We could work on your Grand fireball and get Dango afterward!" Blurting that all out in one go I eagerly awaited his reply. With a great big smile on his face he replied, "Sure! But why did you get a three day break? I though your Tou-san wanted you to graduate in a year." Towards the end of his reply a sour look appeared on his face. I had told him all about my stipulation with my father and he hated it.

"Oh, My Kaa-san came home yesterday with my Otouto so Hii-ojiisan said I could take a break to spend time with him! He's really cute! You can come see him later." I said with a soft smile that he mirrored with his big one.

We spent the rest of the lunch break discussing all we should do the next three days. Obito suggested we go to the Sakura festival that I had forgot all about. Blushing I had agreed to go with him. And on the last day he asked that we hang out with all of our classmates. His excuse being that we would need to get to know them since we would all be ninja's together. I had tried a half assed argument knowing I wouldn't win because of his puppy dog eyes. Though I did get him to agree to turn it into a training exercise. We then had to go around and invite everyone. One rant later about youth later we got everyone to agree but Kakashi. Who was still hiding in the tree. So here we are 5 minutes till the end of lunch break with Obito screaming at the tree. With a sigh I pulled Obito back from the tree took a running start and began to climb to his branch. It was a little touch and go since I just started to learn this from Kagami-san. I slipped a bit but made it to his branch where I sat down beside him.

"Ne, Kakashi-kun if you come with I promise you a spar." He immediately perked up at that and began to weigh the pros and cons before nodding slowly. With a grin I slapped him on the back before jumping from the branch hardly hearing Obito's shout of worry. I softened my impact with chakra but used to much and ended up cracking the ground. Tch, still to much chakra. What a waste.

Obito was staring at me with wide eyes which I answered with a grin. We then headed inside for the rest of the lesson.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

At the end of the day Obito and I headed towards training grounds three to be away from the Clan. Once there we began our warm ups before getting down to the Grand Fireball.

"Okay! Show me first then hopefully I can help you through it!"

He ran through the signs before puffing up his small chest and...released smoke. With a thoughtful look I asked him to do it again and as he was building chakra I placed my hand lightly on him feeling out his chakra. Hm. There's the problem. He is doing everything else right its just that he hasn't enough chakra yet. Which isn't much of a problem since we are only five. This is an easy fix!

After he released his puff of smoke and looked back at me expectantly I told him the problem. "You don't have enough chakra yet! If you do the chakra exercises and build up your chakra you should be able to perform it! You have everything else right though!" He looked a little upset at first but then determination flashed in his eyes and he asked for more chakra training exercises. I eagerly told him all about the ones Jiji made me do everyday.

While he was working on his chakra exercises I worked on my own. I still used to much chakra for simple things and ended up wasting it.

When we were both exhausted more like me winded and Obito almost dead on his feet. We headed towards the Dango shop we liked. It was run by and old couple in the Uchiha district that were really nice. I admit I have a really bad sweet tooth. "Hey Miyako-chan how come you have a lot of chakra? I thought sensei said girls had less chakra than guys." It was a sensible question and one I admit I had wondered at as well. "Hm, I don't know I'll have to ask my Hii-ojiisan! He would know." While talking to Obito I missed the look Old lady Momo passed old man Kageru.

Once we were done with our Dango we headed back to my house so I could show Obito my cute adorable Otouto.

Eagerly I shoved the door open and threw off my sandals before slipping on slippers yelling out to mother loud enough for her to hear "Tadaima!" hearing her reply come from the sitting room I pulled Obito with me and found mother sitting at the couch going through mail. I made a bee line for the baby bassinet situated in the corner of the room. I vaguely remember making introductions to mother and Obito before eagerly looking into the bassinet. And there laying looking at the mobile was baby Itachi. I heard mother chuckle as I told Obito to hurry up and come here. When he was close enough to look in I spoke. "This is my Otouto Itachi, Itachi this is my friend Obito." Obito looked on in awe but for the wrong reason. "Wow...Miyako I've never seen you smile like that!" Distantly I heard the flash of mothers camera as she caught the moment on film. I couldn't be bothered much. After all this was Baby Itachi who wouldn't be smiling. After a few more laughs and one holding of Baby Itachi I told my mother that I would be attending the Sakura Festival with Obito-kun tomorrow night. I did not miss the glint in her eyes as she smiled big at me. As the time ticked by Obito said he had to get home to get an early start on the next day. I laughed knowing he would be late yet again in the morning and bid him goodbye.

Turning around I came face to well...knees of my mother who was smiling very big still. "Oh my little Miyako-chan you are growing up so fast. Well if you are going to your first Festival I guess we better go shopping for a proper Kimono. Well there is still enough time left in the day if we hurry lets go!" With a little dread building in my stomach mother put Itachi in a baby sling and out the door we went to the shopping district to pick out my Kimono.

After many try ons and one fussy Itachi later we found the one and headed home. Exhausted I ate my dinner quickly but primly before falling into bed eager for tomorrow. It was going to be fun I just know it.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Wooo! That took me far longer than I thought it would! I apologize profusely! I didn't know my new job would eat that much of my time! Sorry if its a little rushed but I wanted to get something out by Christmas! As for all the likes and favorites thank you so very much! As for the reviews I am so sorry for not getting back to you but I do appreciate every one of you guys taking the time to review! It makes me so happy and helps get me through the next chapter! I will try to get another chapter out soon! Thank you everyone and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

GrimmyGrimm666.

*Her main outfit so far is a Kimono top (She changes the top on occasion like here in this chapter.) that falls to her just above her knees and black pants that fall to her ankles and tied there by bandages. And blue ninja sandals. Her hair remains down and is starting to look like Madara's. Very unruly.

By the way! If anyone would like to do a cover art I would very much appreciate it! Right now its one I did of her as older around 12. .