Disclaimer:. I think you already know what I'm going to say.

Warning: Uhhh. Language and gambling.

Beta: Kalanfina94

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I stared blankly at the corpse-like body of Sasuke. Although his chest moved up and down to show he was breathing, there was no other sign of life from him. My legs were curled up, my knees tucked in and I rested my chin atop them. Even my hoodie couldn't seem to provide much comfort for me at the moment.

The door to the room slid open, but I paid it no attention. Most likely another nurse—

"It's been three days."

Or perhaps not.

I blinked slowly, tearing my gaze away from Sasuke and towards Kakashi, who was eyeing me carefully.

"And?" I asked softly.

"Enough moping," he said flatly. "Naruto and Jiraiya will bring back Tsunade and he will be cured. Jiraiya sent back the letter and he tells me Naruto is most anxious to find her now."

A small wave of relief fell over me and I gave a small smile. "That's wonderful."

Kakashi nodded slowly. "It is. Now enough moping. We're training. Now."

I blinked up in surprise, both at the commanding tone in his voice and at the abruptness. "In what?"

"Two things," Kakashi said, holding up a single finger. "Well, three technically. One, we will be working on your jutsu. Two, we will begin —or well, you will begin— the study of Fūinjutsu. Naruto wanted Jiraiya to pass on that reminder to you, and three, once a week, you will continue your clan training with Inoichi."

I gave a small nod. "... Alright. Where do we begin?"

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I sat across from Papa, sipping on the juice Momma had given me after our training lesson. Ino and her team were currently out on a C-Ranked mission that caused temporary leave of the village, leaving the house unnaturally quiet without her.

"So," Papa said, "how's training with Kakashi going?"

I winced, unknowingly clutching my bandaged arm. "Annoying. Creating a stabilizer to keep the chakra at the temperature I want is much easier said than done."

Papa nodded sympathetically. "I actually meant the sealing training."

"Oh... headache inducing. I get the theory behind it and such, but it's just... tiring. I'm sure it'll click one day and become much easier, but for the moment, it kind of seems impossible."

Papa chuckled, though only for a moment before his face and tone became more somber. "You shouldn't have to master it in the first place."

My hand crept up to my neck where the Curse Mark was. Memories flashed through my head —Falling to the ground—Sasuke in need—Panic—Hysteria—A black hole—

I paused at that last memory. While it was true that I had not reflected much on that time —mostly because I truly did not want to— I could not deny something strange had happened. I looked up at Papa and hesitated.

"Papa," I began, feeling suddenly unsure, "is it possible for me to have... more than one ability?"

"What do you mean?" Papa asked.

I hesitated again before I described the strange memory.

Papa frowned, listening intently. When I was done, his frown had deepened. "We've already discussed this, kitten. One with your. ability always develops a second one. In normal cases, it doesn't manifest until late teens, but. Well, I suppose you've simply uncovered your final ability to your. special kekkei genkai."

"Normal cases? So then. why did mine manifest now? Am—Am I really so different from the clan? What exactly. why exactly did it manifest in such a way?" I inquired.

Papa gave a small smile. "In theory, human capabilities are only limited to our imagination and desperation, but that's only in theory. It can be rumored that kekkei genkais were created, not because it was a mishap in genes, but because it was a necessity. They say that you only see a shinobi's true potential with his own life on the line."

"A morbid theory," I muttered.

"This is a morbid world," Papa said.

No truer words have been spoken before.

"I suspect your ability—this—black hole—which you will be the first in our clan to use— manifested itself because you needed it the most at that moment. That's only a guess, as none of this can be proven. I'm not sure how to assist you in training with this hole, but I can discuss it with the Elders and I'm sure we can think of something."

I nodded at his words, accepting them. "So then. I remember. when you first told me of my first ability, you mentioned a second one manifesting, but that it would fade away with time?"

"Correct. On average you will keep it for a few years, and when it reaches its highest potential, it will begin to rapidly decline in both power and use until it is gone completely."

"Why is that?"

Papa gave a small shrug. "Our main theory is that it's because our brains were not suited to hold the first unique ability. That it holds two completely separate abilities that it was not genetically designed to, more than likely places a strain on it. It's why you receive a headache every time you use the first of your abilities, your brain —despite the mutation— was not made to use such power."

"I wasn't in pain when I used the. hole."

"You were in a state of panic. I doubt you would have noticed."

I nodded at his words, but I couldn't quite agree with them.

No. No. I did not feel pain when I used the black hole. What I felt. What I felt was something my gut told me was much worse.

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Slowly but surely, a routine took its place in the course of little over a month. In the mornings until lunch, I would train with Kakashi, specifically on my new jutsu and worked on stabilizing it. Apparently, the reason it was a whip and not a sword was the same reason it exploded within seconds of its creation, and why I couldn't control the temperature very well. It needed something to help stabilize itself and lock the two elements together perfectly and completely dominate its foreign structure and intentions. Which really was even harder than it already seemed to be. I couldn't tell you the number of times I would lose usage of one of my arms for the remainder of the day.

In the afternoons to early evenings, I would study Fūinjutsu in the library. Kakashi was only there to make sure I stayed on focus and to help me muddle through some of it. Mind you, Kakashi wasn't much of a help as he never trained in sealing except the bare minimum of explosive tags and such, but his more alert and intelligent mind than my own seemed to better grasp and explain the problems to me than the scrolls ever did.

In the week day evenings, I would sit with Sasuke in the hospital, and Kakashi would run off and brood about Obito.

Sorry, mourn.

Weekend evenings, I would train with Papa and attempt to recreate the same black hole as I had made in the forest.

No such luck.

But I wasn't too concerned about it. I had enough on my plate, thank you very much.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

When Naruto returned, it was with a busty blonde who claimed to be Tsunade. Imagine my surprise one evening, after I finished eating dinner and nearly dozed off at Sasuke's side, when all of a sudden the door flew open and Naruto jumped inside.

He leaped across the room and threw his arms around me in a surprise hug. I could only blink in astonishment before my mind caught up with what was happening. My arms snaked around him and I hugged him tightly in return.

When he pulled back, I noticed the lady —Tsunade— standing at the door frame, looking amused.

"So you're Nao," was all she said.

Feeling a little shy, I felt my cheeks warm and I ducked my head.

"Yes," I mumbled.

"Aw, don't be shy for Tsunade-bāchan," Naruto said with an eye roll. "I'll make sure she doesn't bite you."

"She bites?" I asked incredulously before realizing what I said and flushing.

Tsunade, much to my relief, chuckled good naturedly and entered the room. "So this is the Uchiha?"

"That's him," Naruto confirmed.

"Mmm," Tsunade hummed, striding across the room and placing a hand over his forehead. Her hand flickered a pale green before she retracted it.

Sasuke's brow furrowed and his eyes slowly creaked open.

My eye widened significantly and I jumped from my spot to collide with Sasuke as he was sitting up. He let out a grunt and fell back down on the bed, almost sighing. I buried my nose against him and suddenly I could feel Naruto clamber atop us. I almost chuckled —it seemed forever since we had a group hug like this— but didn't.

Sasuke seemed to struggle a bit beneath us before he freed his arms and patted both of our backs.

"Welcome back, Sasuke-kun," I whispered.

"It's good to be back Nao," he replied.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

A month since Naruto returned and my jutsu had finally... well.

Instead of a whip, I get a katana with a floppy end and it exploded after a minute. Sometimes a little less, but on the bright side, I could still use it like a sword. just. for briefs periods of time. that's all.

Anyway, after a month, Sasuke was finally deemed acceptable to rejoin the team and we were all finally headed off on yet another mission that took us outside the village.

Well. It was a B-ranked mission, and from the location and such, we had to switch into different attire. No more comfort hoodie for me —it would have been far too hot.

Instead, I wore a short white t-shirt dress and light blue shorts underneath it. The dress had a hood on it and, in a way, reminded me of my hoodie. I wore the white gloves Kakashi gave me when we first began our training (he explained they were made of special material to minimize the damage done to me by my own chakra, but honestly I couldn't tell the difference. But it was the thought that counted). My hitai-ate was tied around my upper right arm and I was wearing my goggles over my eyes.

Why was I wearing my goggles over my eyes?

Because it was hot and bright.

We —Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke and I— were walking to where we were supposed to meet our charges in the middle of a desert. The goggles, bless Obito, were especially made to deflect the sun's rays and keep my eyes nice and cool. Or at least shaded.

I snuck a peek at Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto wore his usual colors of orange and blue. His orange jumpsuit traded out for cut off orange sweats —they ended above his knees- and a single orange vest. Underneath the vest was a blue shirt. He kept his kunai pouch on his right upper thigh, while mine was hidden underneath my dress on my own upper thigh.

Sasuke wore a breezy dark blue shirt/jacket —it was zippable up the front, but I doubt he was wearing anything underneath (seriously, way too hot)— with the Uchiha crest blazed upon the back. Black shorts accompanied the shirt, and his hands tucked into his pockets.

Kakashi, I had sympathetically noticed, wore nearly the exact same thing. The only difference being that his long sleeves were not shortened to his elbows and his pants fell above his ankles.

"It's hot," Naruto moaned, his feet dragging across the ground.

Too hot to bother nodding my head in agreement, I only grunted in affirmation. Sasuke mimicked my action with a grunt of his own. Kakashi remained quiet, but I had a feeling he wholeheartedly agreed with us.

"At least we're almost to the rendezvous point," I murmured, lifting my head up at the cloudless blue sky.

"Our client is a major VIP, right?" Naruto asked, still dragging his feet.

"That's what Tsunade-sama said," Kakashi answered.

"How much do you want to bet they're narcissistic assholes?" Sasuke grumbled, probably getting a little irritated from the heat.

"Not every VIP is an asshole like you," Naruto retorted. "I'll take that bet."

"I'm glad you admit I'm a VIP."

"That's only because I'm a VIP and anyone associated with me is automatically a VIP!"

"Idiot."

I gave a tired sigh. A few more minutes of walking, and we stopped, noticing a small dot in the distance moving towards us. The closer it came, the more I realized that it was our targets. It was a giant caravan —horse drawn and everything. It was a train of carriages, each packed with junk —I, I mean. materialistic items.

My eye widened in surprise and Naruto growled in annoyance, fishing through his pocket and handing Sasuke a small wad of money. Why the money wasn't in his frog purse, I couldn't say.

Kakashi noticed the exchange. "How does that prove they're assholes?"

"Excessive buying almost always means arrogance and arrogance does always mean assholes," Naruto explained. Sasuke gave a smirk.

"You can't argue that," I pointed out as the train drew closer.

As the train of carriages came by us, almost three-fourths of the way down (five entire minutes worth of horses at trotting pace pulling carriages) did the train stop. A single, elaborately decorated carriage stopped before us and its door swung open and an. obese man stepped out.

Or tried to. He struggled a bit, he only barely fitted through the door.

"What is all this stuff?" Naruto mumbled, not noticing the man.

"This is all the stuff I bought!" the man exclaimed happily. "There were so many things that I splurged on while traveling, and before I knew it, I had this much." The man moved to stand in front of us, warm chocolate brown eyes twinkling happily as he smiled. "I'm the prince of the Moon Country, Tsuki Michiru. And you are?"

"We came from the Leaf Village," Kakashi informed him. "I'm the captain, Hatake Kakashi. This is Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto gave a foxy grin at the man.

"Yamanaka Nao."

I felt my cheeks warm slightly, but I gave the seemingly-kind man a smile. He didn't seem like an arrogant person.

"And Uchiha Sasuke."

"Hn."

"We four will be escorting you until you return home," Kakashi said.

"I see. I'll be counting on you, then," Michiru said with yet another kind smile, though his smile became more curious as he stepped towards me. Bending slightly, he seemed to peer at me. "You're pretty cute! Are you really a shinobi, even though you're so cute?"

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged very not amused looks. My smile slipped from my face, becoming more of a grimace.

"She's young, but she's excellent," Kakashi said smoothly.

"Oh? It's nice to meet you," Michiru said, offering his hand.

My smile returned, deciding that he meant no harm. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. At first glance, I probably didn't look like much. I took his large hand and gave it a firm shake. "The pleasure is mine, sir."

He then held my hand, smiling a little less kindly and a little more creepily. Naruto and Sasuke bristled beside me and I gave Michiru a wide smile —like my sister taught me. Then I took the next lesson my sister taught me, and focused chakra into my hand to promptly crush his grip.

He let out not a single sound, but his face twisted up into a pained grimace and he struggled to get away. Only after I allowed himself to nearly break every bone in his hand did I release, still smiling.

Ino had the same problem on her second mission outside the village. She said if it was a charge, we had to smile and hurt them discreetly. She opted digging her nails in the skin during a handshake, but I opted to crush the bones.

Well, not really crush the bones. Then our mission wouldn't go over as smoothly, but.

"And she's quite capable," Kakashi added, seeming to smile mockingly at Michiru.

Beside me, Naruto did his best not to laugh, managing to smother his snickers. Sasuke only gave a taunting smirk at the man.

"I see," Michiru said, clutching his hand to his chest and wincing.

The amusement died down, however, when a suction-tipped arrow landed squarely on Naruto's leaf symbol on his hitai-ate. From the force and surprise, he fell back, but was only down for a second before jumping back up and pulling a kunai out and searching frantically for the source.

"You might have died from that now."

Our eyes came towards the source of the sound, falling on a boy who looked no older than me. He was putting away a small wooden bow as he stepped lightly from the carriage and approached us with a sort of regal arrogance.

"Papa, are you sure things will be all right with these guys?" he inquired, not looking at us. "Won't they be useless? Especially that guy."

Naruto bristled, preparing to open his mouth, but Sasuke promptly smacked him over the head. Naruto rounded on him, preparing to retaliate, but apparently the look Sasuke gave Naruto was enough to shut him up.

"This is my son, Hikaru," Michiru said, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "He's a little demon, forgive me."

"Nice to meet you, Hikaru-kun," Kakashi greeted.

I dipped my head, smiling at the boy, echoing Kakashi. "Nice to meet you, Hikaru-kun."

Hikaru's eyes landed on me for what seemed to be the first time. His face warmed, a blush forming across his cheeks and he promptly looked away from me.

"Well then, let's get going," Michiru said cheerily, already heading back to the carriage.

Hikaru shot me one last look, his cheeks still a little red, before he trotted after his father.

I nudged Naruto and Sasuke. Sasuke ruffled my hair before slowly trailing behind Kakashi as the carriage began to move again.

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Question: One place in the entire world you want to go. and who would you want to go with?