Chapter Twelve - Age 12/Year 12 [Part One]

It's the final year, and all things considered, we've come a very long way. As a sort of "test" Iruka and Mizuki have the class run around all of Konoha.

"First place gets five-hundred Ryo!" Mizuki announced, "So try your hardest!"

Many stared in awe and a number of wide eyes graced my class. Five hundred wasn't a petty sum, at least for kids. The value of money is really weird in this universe, as somethings cost a lot more than others when they really shouldn't.

Weapons were dirt cheap, but the more impressive commodities could cost an arm and a leg. Still, five hundred Ryo would be close to one-hundred dollars. Again, quite the sum for people your age. my clan's pretty well off, even with the insanity from a few years back, so my allowance isn't so bad. I mostly spend it on nick knacks here and there and on Yue's little home. The rest I saved up.

"That's a lot of money!" Naruko whispers by my side or tries to. "I could buy so much stuff with that!"

Quiet and Naruko usually don't go together. Which is a paradox since she's probably the best when it comes to stealth in your entire class. Seriously.

Maybe it has to do with the fact that she doesn't wear that orange jumpsuit anymore? My mother was quick to peel that off her as if it were a tick. Of course, Naruko screamed murder, but thankfully, the issue was solved rather easilly. Now, she'd alternate between that crazy get-up and normal clothing.

Right now, my best friend wore a simple white T-shirt with a short, blue skirt. It was as plain as one could be, but she really liked that look.

"You can just blend into the crowd, you know?"

And on that note, Naruko had no preference for clothing options.

"Eh, skirts are cool cause you get lots of air on hot days!"

They quickly became another weapon in her attempts to get a rise out of me. Once more, I have to say that children could be infuriating at times. The more I told them to stop, the more they pestered me.

"Pants are nice if you don't want things getting on your legs."

Those were her words. Indeed, Naruko was the only girl in our class that cared not for lady-like things. That often caused friction between her and the other girls; Aside from Hinata.

"What'd you buy if you won?" I turn and ask Naruko as Iruka begins to explain the rules?

"Huh?" she blinks and gives me a confused look. "Oh, um, I don't really know," Naruko says with a shrug. "What do people buy when they have a lot of money?"

...

"Things they like," I answered as a sigh leaves my lip. "Maybe you could buy Ramen?"

Sometimes, I forget how little Naruko has in the way of money. Of course, she wouldn't know what to buy.

Her eyes light up.

"Oh! I could buy you some cool clothes!" she answers with a snicker. "Cause your sense of style is really bad!"

My brow furrows in slight frustration.

"What's wrong with my style?"

Naruko rolls her eyes and points at my shirt.

"Black and blue? That's so boring!" she says and gently pats my shoulder. "I think orange and green would look great on you!"

I visibly gag at her suggestion. In return, Naruko bursts out into laughter.

The best of friends indeed...

Anyways, what's my strategy for the race? why give if every I have from the start!

Even I can find a competitive spirt when going against young children. Truth be told, some of my classmates were fast. Hinata came to mind and so did Naruko. The former was very dexterous; each movement was practiced and refined. The later just had so much energy she blitzed through everything without question.

Then, there was Kiba.

"I'm going to kick your ass in this race!" he suddenly shouted, barging up to Naruko with a mighty grin on his face. "Not literally, but you get the point!"

My best friend returned the gesture by sprouting a grin of her own.

"No way!" she proudly announced, pressing both of her hands onto her hip. "You're too slow!"

Slow isn't something I'd call Kiba. When it came to pure agility, he might be the fastest one in the class. His skill left much to be desired, though.

"We'll see about that!" the young Inazuka claimed. "There's no way I'll lose to you!"

This bickering kept going back and forth between the two. Since when had they become so close, I wondered? Maybe it was because I never really took him all that seriously?

He'd always be challenging me, but I'd end up winning in the end. With each loss, he grew a tad bit more cunning in his tactics, but I was just better when it came to that sort of stuff. What he had on me was superior physical strength- something Naruko had as well.

At some point, the two of them started sparing and a rivalry was born. Now, Kiba would constantly try to one-up Naruko as he had tried with me. The difference was that he'd actually win some.

"Alright, is everyone ready?" Iruka's voice drew my eye away from the bickering duo. The proud teacher looked around, pencil riding along his notebook's page. "Good, then let's start!"

A loud bang signalled the start of the race. Everyone dashed away, leaving that unprepared behind. I took a deep breath and readied my legs, allowing chakra to freely flow through them like I've been taught. Naruko and Kiba rushed past me, both sending amusing taunts my way.

"Take a good look at my back! You'll be seeing it a lot!" Kiba shouted.

"See you at the finish line!" Naruko said.

I rolled my eyes and steadied my gaze far ahead. Focus solely on my goal and put all things aside. My lip twitched up slightly and my muscles coiled like snakes.

Time to go.

I let go and pushed forward.

My feet turned into wings and I took to the skies.

Every step I take is measured and without wasted movement. I take to the rooftops and cut across the vast majority of the other participants. So long as I follow the path, it doesn't matter if I'm on the ground or not. Naruko and Kiba are the first to imitate my charge, but by then, it's already too late.

I swiftly take the lead and use everything available to keep it. This too is a lesson and I'll make sure everyone knows that as well.

Unfortunately, while I blast into first place, the actual run is very long. By the time I reach the third quarter, I feel my muscles burning.

"Don't think you've won!" Kiba somehow finds himself on your tail. Behind him are Naruko, Hinata, and another student I don't really know much about.

The three nip at my heels and put their all into overtaking me. The finish line is so close I can taste Iruka's cheap perfume!

Just a little more...

At the very last second, I realized that I need to breathe. A lung full of air weighs me down just enough for Kiba to overtake me. He grins and dashes forward.

"Smell ya late-"

Naruko smashes into my back and pushes me forward.

"I ain't losing that bet!" She grumbles, using me as a stepping stone to land on Kiba's shoulders. I watch in awe as she jumps off him and claims victory.

Just, wow.

Kiba stands, slack-jawed at the outcome.

"T-That's not fair!" He grumbles and kicks the ground.

Naruko turns, sweat dripping down her face like a waterfall. She grins.

"A ninja uses everything to their advantage, right, Sasuke?"

I blow a small chuckle and give her a thumbs up.

Kiba clicks his tongue, and it's at that point that Iruka shows himself.

"And we have our winner!" he shouts. "Congratulations!"

Naruko cheers and happily takes the money.

I might not have won, but the experience was definitely worthwhile. I learned to Be More Efficient in my running.

[Reward: +1 Agility Gained!]

===========

It took some time, but Sakura's sour outlook slowly began to change. She failed time and time again but never allowed despair to grab her once more.

By this point, I started to notice that she and Ino weren't getting along so well anymore. It didn't take a genius to realize what had happened. Though, since last year, fangirls had all since vanished. Classes really got difficult. Whatever energy they might have had to chase after me was diverted into studying.

Those that valued my attention more than their lessons soon found themselves falling. Watching Sakura struggle and slowly get better was... not pleasant. To help her and the other people in our class, I started a small study group. Obviously I wouldn't be able to do it every day, but that wasn't the plan.

If I needed to do everything for them, then what was the point, right? They had to show some initiative. Thus, I gathered up Sakura and asked anyone else that would like to join. A few familiar faces showed up, among them being Naruko and Hinata. Ino was nowhere to be seen, sadly.

My goal was simple- train their chakra control and see if I could have them casting the most simple of Genjutsu by the end of the year. The thing about Konoha's schooling system was that you didn't need to master everything they had available in order to pass.

What one needed to advance was the basic three and strong fundamentals. Even with all of this, the final hurdle was a test against a veteran ninja. Every Jutsu learned and skill developed was a chance to impress them; a tool to hone and practice.

Suffice to say, it was hard. Teaching Chakra control was something your school's teachers had been trying to do for most of your class time. What made you think you'd do any better? Of course, they had to contend with an entire class. I quickly realized that there was no way I'd be able to do this by myself.

It sounds a bit selfish, but I focused the majority of my attention on my closes friends. Thankfully, Sakura bloomed under my tutelage and then I shirked a bit of the responsibility onto her. She learned a whole lot more by teaching than by being taught, that's for sure.

Eventually, I stopped going, but the study group didn't fall apart. It was what I was hoping for. Still, I'd dropped by at least once a week to help out whenever I could.

Overall, it was a great success!

==========

Both my father and Itachi were extremely hesitant to have me use my Mangekyo Sharingan once more.

"It's a very dangerous power that can leave you blind," Fugaku said with a stern expression. "You shouldn't be using it without a good reason."

"You shouldn't need to use it, brave little brother," Itachi nodded in agreement.

In short, they were worried. It touched my heart, but the truth was cruel.

"The future is a blank slate," I began. "If I find myself on a mission, lost and without any other means to defend myself, I'd rather know how to use the tools given to me."

It wasn't as simple as saying a few words, but I didn't give up with their first refusal. I'd drill into them how stupid it would be to not learn to at least get the basics down for my eyes.

Love made people do stupid things, but thankfully, they actually listened to my feedback.

Thus, my experimentation began.

The first thing I tried was summoning "Sasuke." Last time Naruto came out, and after several weeks of attempts, my counterpart also burst into life. He looked old, tired, and it seemed like he was just barely holding on to his own existence. For the few moments he was up, I commanded him to fire off a simple fire Jutsu, which he did.

Then came the explanation to my father and brother. I told them of the odd dreams I was having- that they never really stopped. This "other" you was from that dream.

Before I could continue explaining my theory, Itachi asked an interesting question.

"Can you only summon those you've dreamed of?"

I didn't have a concrete answer for him.

"Why don't you try and summon me?" He propositioned.

I had though my Mangekyo could only summon Sasuke or Naruto, but was that really the case? Was I just so focused on the two that I closed off other possible avenues?

...

I had to test it out. It would be an incredible folly to limit my powers just because of a misconception.

"Ok," I answered my brother and shut my eyes. "I'll try."

Itachi had been nothing but the best brother to me. The least I could do was try and summon him above any other person I might have possibly thought of.

Just like Naruto and Sasuke, I focused on what made Itachi, well, Itachi.

He was a great brother- someone who'd do anything to protect Sasuke. He gave everything he had to so, and while most of his decisions were questionable, at the end of the day, he truly cared for his little brother. He'd die for me.

Energy gathered in my eye, and just like before, I focused it, moulded it with my thoughts, and then used that energy to manifest my ideal image of Itachi.

My eyes shot open and light immediately began together in the space before you. What I expected to see was the old, sickly man who gave everything for Sasuke. Either that or the man who found peace in meeting his brother one last time.

Instead, the person that stood before me was neither of those things. He was Itachi, my brother- and the gentle smile on his face was no different than the one he always showed me.

"This one's much more tangible," Fugaku noted. "From far away, I doubt I'd notice much else aside from the glowing."

Indeed, this phantom held a solid form, well, a more solid form. He was still transparent, but at the same time, he wasn't breaking apart.

What was the difference, though? Why was Itachi so much more defined than the others?

My mind swirls for a hint of truth. Why is this Itachi so much more concrete than the others I've tried to summon? What makes him different? A number of ideas come to mind, all carrying uncertainty. There's absolutely nothing to back up my points, but without setting a course, how am I to find the true path?

I have a physical connection with Itachi- he's my brother. Perhaps because I know him so well he had a stronger manifestation? Yet, if that's true, then what makes Sasuke and Naruto different? I've seen their story. I've seen them grow up, struggle through hardships, and eventually become fathers.

Naruto was the hyperactive ninja in his youth. He worked harder than anyone else and never gave up on his ideal. What he wished for was approval, but what he wanted was friendship. It's why he sunk his claws into Sasuke and never let go. He'd never abandon his friends, even if others would call him a fool. He'd rather stay a fool than accept the way the world worked if it meant helping his friends.

Sasuke, on the other hand, was a boy that lost his clan, his family. Treachery and plans of old drowned him in despair. Through the years, he simmered in his hatred, only pushed to the limit and well beyond by his own blood; A misguided and dying brother. He fell and rancour consumed his every thought. It seethed in him, turning him against friend and village. Lost in the darkness, it took great lengths and sacrifices to bring him back. Yet, back he came. A bittersweet feeling of acceptance must have flowed through him at the end.

I never met them. There were an uncountable number of moments in their lives that I likely missed. Yet, even with that, I think I know a bit about the type of people they were.

Could it be that my Mangekyo Sharingan draws upon those very ideals to summon my imaginations to life? I'm unsure, but untill proven wrong, this is what I'll go with.

I shut my eyes, extinguishing Itachi's double.

"Trying another?" my father asks.

I nod.

"I think... I think i might have learned a bit more about my power from big brother," I answer and give Itachi a smile. "Thanks."

He nods silently, lip twitching upward like my own.

"I'm glad to have helped, little brother," he hums.

And with that, I focus once more. Chakra swirls in my eyes. I invasion Sasuke Uchiha. The Sasuke that could have been. And with that, I open my eyes.

The world bursts into dark blues and deep reds. I feel a huge amount of Chakra leave my body, yet, standing before me is a much more defined shade. Not quite as solid as Itachi's, but certainly more refined than the shambling spectre from before.

With a thought, I command it to step forward. It does just that.

"Let's see if it can fight," I chuckle, already feeling the drawing leech on my reserves growing. "Brother?"

Itachi nods and draws a Kunai. He charges my spectre and it acts without my input. A flurry of blows are exchanged, and for the few moments where the shade consumes your chakra, it is a match for Itachi. Perhaps not one for his full might, but still enough to push him back.

Unfortunately, at the point where its eyes blaze crimson and black flames begin to surge around it, the strain grows too strong. I fall to my knees, exhausted; the phantom, likewise, bursts into tiny motes of light.

"P-Progress," I gasp, chuckling between ragged breaths.

My father and brother are at my side in an instant.

"It's certainly a versatile ability," Fugaku says with an approving nod. "Being able to create shades stronger than yourself is a very potent ability."

Itachi nods.

"Those black flames also seem quite familiar," he mumbles and looks to Fugaku. "Don't you think so?"

Our father nods.

"A very powerful ability indeed."

I laugh.

All I need is to train it. God... I can't feel my legs...

Darkness consumes me.

But everything was ok. I had people to care for and comfort me.

[Reward: Mangekyo Sharingan - Image Gate Ability Upgraded!]

==========

Time slips through my fingers far swifter than I expected. I find myself spending more and more of it with my family, and before long, Saeko begins to grow up. She still sticks to our brother like glue, but now, she also follows me around.

Her intentions are a bit more malicious, and I think I know why.

As a joke, my brother told her he'd give her some training if she managed to sneak up and "tag" me. Being just a few years old, I can't understate how fast she was learning things. She could easilly understand people. Suffice to say, I found myself trying to evade her constant ambushes.

Sure, it's all fun and games when she jumps out with a toy kunai, but when she starts doing it while I'm taking a shit... well, it's a whole lot less cute then. And no- I didn't scream like a little girl the first time she tried!

That's not all, however. Itachi's little girlfriend is also making a lot more appearances at our house. Usually, she only stopped by every now and then, but we're basically seeing her every other day now. My mother never seems to stop talking to Fugaku about it. By the looks of things, she expects the two to marry each other in a few years.

"I might be a gramma!" she suddenly told me one day. The twisted smile on her face sent shivers down my spine.

What was it with mothers and wanting grandkids?