"Now remember what we talked about, Ren. Don't give us away, and simply sing the song if you ever need us." I say lowly, as Ren zipped up his sweater. He simply nodded in my direction, a look of determination shining in his eyes. Ruffling his hair, I turn away from him and make my way towards my room, preparing to transform myself. I could have done it in the living room, but I want to be the first one to see my appearance when I change. 

Walking into my room, I close the door softly behind me before walking up to the full-length mirror on the other side of the room. I look at my image for a split moment before simply closing my eyes and picturing the appearance that would best describe what I would have looked like at the age of seven. (Minus the dirty, blood-stained clothes I wore at the time.)

Without much effort, the transformation was complete. Opening my eyes, I smiled at how cute I actually looked. Can I just go back to look seven? This look could get missions done so quickly. Laughing at the thought, I scrutinized the way I looked a little further.  

First thing I made sure was that I had binding on. Although I'm in the body of a seven-year-old, having no binding on makes me feel insecure and weird. My shirt consisted of the same black sleeveless ANBU shirt that fit tightly to my skin. Next was the crimson red Kimono shirt that hung off my shoulders loosely while the sleeves hung a couple inches past my hands.  Hikaru's tattoo still shone from my shoulder, the ink not disappearing considering the fact I had the original tattoo by this age. 

The ends of the Kimono shirt were tucked into black tight fitted pants, while a tan coloured sash wrapped around my middle, keeping the Kimono top in place. Simple black ninja shoes adorned my feet and my weapons pouch in its regular place while my Kunai holster sat on my right leg. 

My face remained scarless, as did my other shoulder. No harsh Kanji scars were engraved on my back, and the overall amount of scars diminished drastically. My hair, however, was still just as long and hung in long pigtails. 

Overall, I very much liked the way I looked. Cute, but deadly. Just the way I liked it. Smirking at myself in the mirror, I step away from it and make sure I had all my weapons before departing out of my room. 

The moment I walked out, I stood still in shock, the sight before me making me squeal inwardly. There stook Hikaru, a slight blush on his face as he looked towards the ground in annoyance, his hands fidgeting behind him. 

"I'm starting to regret this." He said stubbornly, his cheeks puffed out as he pouted. Making his look all the more adorable. Hikaru still hadn't looked up to see my new look, so I took the opportunity to look over his. 

His hair was noticeably shorter, however, the red strands still sticking out from every which end in a shaggy mess. 

He wore the same standard black sleeveless ANBU shirt, however, since he was but a child, it didn't outline the muscles he usually would have because all his muscles have turned soft. Baggy White pants were held up by a blood red sash that wrapped around his middle. The sash tied in a knot on his side, the ends hanging limply on his side. 

Red earrings hung from his ears, and red makeup ringed his eyes. Black cloth wrapped his forearms, covering all the way up to the middle of his hand where the cloth thinned out, a string attaching it each of his middle fingers. The same black cloth wrapped around his lower legs to his ankles, being held up my golden string. 

Simple sandals adorned his feet. To finish off his rather complicated look, A rather large white overcoat with red trimming covered the shoulders. However, due to the sheer size of the overcoat, it hung limply off of one of his shoulders.

He looked like a little gypsy. 

I giggle and poke one of his scarlet red cheeks. "What's with the interact look, Hikaruuuuuu," I say teasingly, causing his cheeks to turn even redder. 

"My uncle Shaheen had a thing with dressing us up like this, it was the only thing I could remem-" His eyes look up towards me, his sentence cutting off as he took in my new appearance. 

If possible, his cheeks seemed to brighten, even more, the shade now almost the carbon copy of his hair. 

"You-You look so adorable!" He exclaims, his hands coming out to squish my cheeks rather harshly. A smirk adorned his face as he did so, even when his face was still the same scarlet colour. 

Giggles escape me, as I tried to push him away. However, in this form, I was smaller than usual, therefore meaning that Hikaru could simply put his hand on my forehead, push me away, and I wouldn't be able to do a single thing. Not unless of course I used my own strength, but that took the fun away from things. 

Hikaru finally let go of me with a chuckle when Ren's urgent calls were heard from downstairs. " 

"Let's go before he loses his voice from all that yelling." 

I laugh and shake my head, moving away from him and heading downstairs first. Although, when I reached the bottom, the sight before me shocked me to the very core. Standing before me in his regular clothing was Ren, however, his features were changed. 

His once midnight black hair was not a crystal white, while his vibrant green eyes were a sharp violet. Hikaru stepped up beside me, a chuckle vibrating through his body when he noticed my reaction. 

"Did I forget to mention that the kid has been changing his looks to look more like us." 

Hikaru says simply before turning to the boy who was now around the same height as himself. Although I should have felt happy with these findings, I found myself feeling rather angry towards the situation. 

"How often do you use this disguise?" My voice was short and clipped, both of the boys soon turning to look at me when they noticed my rather sour mood. 

"Um-everyday?" replies Hikaru rather nervously. Shaking my head, I walk towards Ren with slight disappointment. 

"After today, I no longer want you to use it. You are yourself, and no one else. How are you going to make long-lasting friends when you don't show them the real you? After today, you are to look yourself, and explain to everyone within your class that this version of you is not the real you-" 

Ren looks towards the ground sadly as I speak, his once joyful and determined look taking on a rather grim one. Sighing lowly to myself, I look at him with a small smile. "However, I do realize why you did it, and it warms my heart." 

Ren looked up from the ground, his eyes shining with warmth, a small smile playing across his lips. 

"Okay, Mom." 

"Good, now let's get going." 

*                   *                    *                    *                    *                   *                  *     

          One would think that those who join a ninja academy would have some semblance of respect and yearning to learn, some type of ambition to do the best they could in any way shape or form. 

This was not the case for this particular class of seven-year-olds. This class resembled one from a regular citizen school, and it was not a sight that sat well with me. 

When I had first entered the classroom, I had portrayed myself as the person I used to be, body language and personality reverting back to the time in which I was with my mother. Hikaru had followed my lead with this, a permanent scowl taking over his features, arms crossed in rebellious defiance. 

So not much different then what he was but a few years ago. 

However, as time passed, and the current sensei continued to have troubles reining in the class, my persona was getting considerably harder to keep consistent. All I want to do is teach these kids a lesson, regardless of the fact if they're seven or not. 

Hikaru had it easy. Since he walked in with a rather displeased look to begin with, he could visibly show his distaste and anger towards the class without any suspicions. Honestly, if I had one word to describe this class it would be this. 

Disappointing. 

"Class? Can I have your attention please?" Pleads the Sensei for about the millionth time, her eyes shining with desperation and uneasiness. 

She was a Chunin for Jashin's sake. Why isn't she acting like one?! 

Not a single student turned and paid the Woman any mind, save for Ren of course. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that the only reason he was listening to her was because Hikaru and I were present. 

"Class?" The Sensei's blue eyes glimmered with helplessness, sadness and obvious exhaustion. It was clear that this was a regular occurrence with this class. Heck, the poor lady seemed as if she was about ready to cry at any moment. 

Gritting my teeth, I clench my jaw in concealed rage. Hikaru seemed to sense it. "Shizukana, don't do anything too rash." 

I scoff and look at him with what would appear to be an innocent and scared look, however, my voice was laced with venom; the words coming out harsh and angry. 

"They'll soon learn to listen." 

Hikaru simply sighs and nods his head in their direction. "Get on with it them. This is getting rather annoying." 

"With pleasure," I say with a sickly sweet smile in his direction. 

Without a second thought, a puff of smoke appeared to my right, the students so preoccupied that no one really noticed the existence of someone abruptly appearing. My single shadow clone took on the appearance of my regular fifteen-year-old self, ANBU armour and all.  Sharing the same thought process as myself, I didn't have to put in any real effort as the clone moved by herself. 

"OI! LISTEN UP YOU SNOT-NOSED BRATS!" Snarls the clone, her face twisting into an ugly expression as the rage I began to feel inside became visible on the clone. 

The class seemed to freeze almost instantly as if being frozen by a jutsu. They turned their heads towards the front, their eyes connecting with my clones with a rather large amount of hesitancy. The clone began to give off a rather dangerous aura, one that dared the children to disobey. 

"You all have three seconds to sit your asses down in your seat before I come over there and deal with you all myself!" She yells, her voice portraying the sheer amount of rage that was hidden within me. One that I am continuing to struggle with. 

Sensing that she meant business, they all sat down without so much as a peep. Even the ones that through nasty looks in our direction listened and sat down. However, there was one particular boy that thought himself brave by standing in the middle of the room and looking towards us with defiance. 

"And If I don't? You aren't allowed to hurt us, my father is-" The clone charged, and within seconds has the boy in a seat. Taking out a Kunai, she stabs it into the table, right in front of the pathetic boy. The boy's face paled dramatically, sweat brimming his brow as he looked from the blade back towards the clone.

"I'm sure your father would understand after I explain to him the sheer disrespect you like to show your sensei? If he does, in fact, have a problem with the methods in which I conduct things, he can take it up with me. After all, I'm rather certain I outrank him anyways." Snarls the clone, her red eyes flashing dangerously. 

I find myself secretly smiling to myself as the clone makes her way towards the front. From his seat, Ren looked at me with a deadpan, his face portraying the message that said.

Did you have too?

While Hikaru beside me smirked and shook his head in my direction. As the clone took her stand beside me, she brought her hands behind her band and stood with legs shoulder-width apart. She glowered at the class. 

"Now.-" Her voice came off as deadly and cold, leaving no room for argument whatsoever.  She nods in our direction. 

"You have two new students today. Kids? Please introduce yourself." 

Hikaru took a step forward immediately. He raises a finger and points towards himself, his eyes shining with false childishness and determination.  

"The names Hikaru!" Whispers began instantly, the children gossiping as to why the red-head did not possess a last name. I take a step forward, sensing that it was my turn to speak. Sticking to the script I had laid out for myself, I kept my head towards the ground in fake shyness. 

"M-My names S-Shizukana Sairen." I stutter, my voice coming out as soft and mellow. Giving off the aura of complete submission and the look of a timid little girl. Snorts and small chuckles echo throughout the room, and I felt my gut twist with anger once more. 

"Enough talking!" Yells the clone. The class went quiet instantly, their eyes trained towards the front obediently. 

The clone addresses the class one more time. "Now that we are finished with that, I have but one more thing to say. If I come back to this room, and hear from your Sensei that you have been disrespectful and disobedient, then there will be hell to pay. You are all here to become a ninja, so damn well act like you're the future soldiers of this village. Not a bunch of snot-nosed civilian brats." 

With that being said, I make the clone turn and head for the classroom door, but before she fully left, I make her turn and send one last look to the nameless Sensei that stood at the front of the class in shock. 

"And you.-" The Female Sensei turned and looked towards the clone with wide eyes filled with anticipation. 

"You're a Chunin, not to mention one of the few within this building that is in charge of the well being of future Shinobi. Act like i. Being timid isn't going to get you anywhere, these kids will walk all over you." 

Then with that, the clone slams the door shut. With her out of view, I release the jutsu and turn towards the Sensei. "S-Shall we find our s-seats Sensei?" 

The room was quiet as the Female turned and looked at me, a different light shining in her eyes as she looked at me with a rather stern face. 

"Of course. Please find your seats so we can begin our lesson." 

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I watched with concealed humour as the poor students within this class struggled to throw a kunai at the target. to be fair, they were only seven-year-olds, so I wasn't expecting much from them. However, it was highly amusing to watch them huff in frustration and glower at their kunai as if glaring at it would make their aim better. 

After all, it made it even more humorous when one pictures themselves in the exact situation, remembering the feeling of anger as something refuses to go the way you want it too. Hikaru stood by my side, a small smile playing across his lips as he too, watch the children practice their kunai throwing. 

There were, however, a few in the class that were fairly good with their kunai throwing. About four boys from the class, and two girls. One of the boys being Ren, his aim still needing work, but still far better than some of the kids within the class. Those who did well earned envious looks and snorts of anger from those few who were jealous. 

Still, they all still had time to improve-

"Hey! Why are you just standing there smiling like that!? Think you're better than us?" 

An annoying voice interrupts my train of thought, a boy with blonde hair and green eyes looking at us in anger, his lip pulled up in an ugly sneer. 

"W-What?" I stutter out. 

"You heard me miss stutter! Why aren't you practicing!?" By this point, his yelling had grabbed the attention of the rest of the class. The Sensei, whose name I learned to be Miyako looked at me cautiously. I looked her in the eye and gave her a subtle nod, in which she returned. 

Hikaru took a step in front of me, his body blocking me from view. "Leave her alone." 

The boy scoffs. "Like you're any better! Acting all superior as you smile down at all of us! If you're so great, then show us!" 

Hikaru turned to look back at me with a small smirk on his face, his eyes glinting with nostalgia and familiarity. 

It would seem as if Hikaru is familiar with this type of personality. Please tell me he wasn't like this when he was younger. 

"What do you think about this Shizukana? Think we should show this punk how it's done?" Mocks Hikaru, his voice filled with arrogance and amusement. I, myself had to refrain from smiling and breaking my facade. 

"O-Only if it e-ends.... this argument." The blonde boy scoffs at us one more, a smirk crossing his face. "Then why don't we let poor stutter girl go first." 

Bad choice, My aim was even better than Hikaru's.  From within the crowd, I make eyes contact with Ren as Hikaru steps away from me. I send him a small wink, which causes a smile to fall across his lips. 

With hesitant motions, I step towards a target and reach into my weapons pouch, the crowd of kids parting to make room for me. As I reached a decent enough distance to look normal, I prepare to throw. 

"Hey, Shizukana!" I freeze mid-throw, my head turning back to look at Hikaru to see him smirking at me. 

"Why don't you show off a bit? Show them just how great you are." Laughter rang out throughout the group of kids. Half of them thinking that I was just bluffing and that I was going to fail on some epic proportions. 

Hikaru wants me to show off? Show off I will. 

Taking farther steps back, I stoop about 100 meters away from the target at this point. 

"What is she doing?" Whispers one of the girls in the class. I momentarily pause the facade as I straighten my spin and grab more kunai from my pouch, three for every hand. 

Pooling chakra into my lets, I look towards Hikaru for one final time before leaping into the air. With the altitude that I was in, my body flipped upside down, my eyes closed as I soared. At one point, I opened my eyes in the direction of the target and flung out each and every kunai. My eyes shone with determination as I turned my body back upright and landed back on the ground. Gasps sounded as the Kunai all met their marks. 

Dead in the Center. 

"What?!" 

"How did she?!" 

"She must have cheated somehow!" 

Walking away from where I stood, I make my way towards Hikaru. However, before I could fully make it towards him, a hand grabbed me by the collar and roughly tugged me back. 

"Oi Stutter freak! You trying to make me look like an idiot." Turning around swiftly, I appear behind the boy within a second, and with a single kick, I had him on his knees. Reaching out, I grab him by his arms and pull them towards me, my foot resting on his back so I could support myself. 

"Touch me again, and I'll make sure these arms are broken so severely, you'll never be able to become a ninja." I snarl softly, the tone of my voice seeming to ring a familiar sound in the boys' ears as his face paled drastically. 

"Y-You!-" 

"Me." 

Letting him go, I push him into the dirt, his blonde hair instantly becoming covered in dirt grass and leaves. 

"Alright, class! Time for recess!" 

The kids scattered without a second thought, each and every child looking at both Hikaru and I warily. More than likely piecing together that we weren't what we seemed to be. Finally reaching Hikaru's side, I let out an annoyed huff and turned to him with a look of annoyance. 

"I don't think I've hated children as much as I do now." 

Hikaru barks out a laugh earning a few looks, but he promptly ignored them all. "They're just arrogant seven-year-olds. Given them a year or two and they'll get better, I know they will." 

I look towards the smiling red-head with a teasing smirk. "speaking from experience are we?" 

"Shut up." 

This time it was my turn to let out a laugh, although I stay acutely aware of the eyes and ears trained towards us, so I kept the laugh down to a minimum. 

I go to speak again, but I was yet again interrupted as a familiar sound reached my ears. One that I told Ren to use, but one I hoped I wouldn't have to hear. I look towards Hikaru with a stoic look, both of us quieting as we allowed our ears to zone in on the sound.  

"The king and his men stole the queen from her bed.-" 

"What the hell are you singing! Shut the hell up!" The sound of a physical hit had my body reacting before I could stop myself. The sound of someone spitting was heard before the song continued. 

"And bound her in her bones. The sea be theirs and by the powers, where they will, they roam!" Rens usually sweet and excited voice seemed to take on a much deadlier one. 

This kid was taking up too much of our mannerisms.

When I reached the area of the singing, the sight before me caused my blood to boil. Hikaru arrived at my side not much later, his breath catching in his throat as he took it in. 

Ren was surrounded by almost everyone within his class, all of them looking towards him in contempt as they encircled him. 

"We don't like liars, Ren." 

Taking a step forward I prepare to go help him, but the movement seemed to have caught Ren's eye as his head whipped towards us. With a shake of his head, he mouths the words "No," Before continuing to sing. 

"Yo-Ho, all, hands, hoist the colours high!" Ren reaches into his weapons pouch and pulls out a kunai, the blade glinting in the sun. 

"Like you can take all of us on!" Snarled the blonde boy from earlier. 

"Heave, ho, thieves and beggars. Never shall we die!" Ren continued to back up at the crowd of students proceeded to creep towards him. 

"Yo-Ho, all together, hoist the colours high!" I found myself singing along to the words as the first kid charges at Ren, Only for him to go scrambling back as Ren slashed at him with the Kunai. 

I crouch low to the ground and taking a kunai, I slash my hand and place it on the ground, ignoring the dirt that went into the open wound. 

"Summoning Jutsu: Nymiria the Sea Eagle." 

A sharp screech filled the area just as Ren finished the last sentence. 

"Heave-ho, Thieves and Beggars, NEVER SHALL WE DIE!" 

We charged without so much as a second thought, Nymiria reacting without having to be told an order. Swooping down on the kids, Nymiria picks two up and flings them away from Ren, lets out a screech that could cause ears to bleed. 

Running forward, Hikaru and I grab the first kids that we could, using our brute strength to fling them away. Our Chakra flared dangerously, Mist swirling around Hikaru as the anger from us became so noticeable you could almost taste it. 

With my Chakra flared, I pulled the moisture out of the air and thinning it out into sharp points. I shoot out the sharp point and poise them towards several of the kids' necks. 

They all froze in fear. 

At this point, my weak facade was gone and I looked down at them all with a snarl. Nymiria flew overhead, her angry shrieks getting louder, her bloodlust evident. 

"Nymiria, go hunting for now. I will call you back if I need too." She was gone without a second word. 

"You can't treat us like this!" 

I let the jutsu on myself drop, my form transforming back to its regular state. Hikaru soon followed suit. 

"I do believe that I can, child." They all looked at me in shock and fear, obviously not comprehending what was happening. Hikaru came to my side, his mist still swirling around as a deadly red colour threatened to take over his eyes. 

"Y-You, H-how!?" Stutter the blonde boy. 

"It's called a transformation jutsu, idiot." Snarls Hikaru. Taking away the fine point from the children's' necks, i glowered at them all, my face twisting into a look of rage. 

Hikaru and I began to circle them as if we were wolves and they were out prey. Ren simply stood off to the side, his face emotionless save for the small lift of his lips. 

"Never in my life have I seen such a pathetic group of children," I yell, grabbing the attention of those nearby.  

"We should very well tell the academy to kick you all out!" Snarls Hikaru, his body emitting more and more mist the more he became angry. 

I continued on with our little rant. "You all are selfish, disrespectful, disobedient, weak, and narrow-minded. Good Shinobi would have been able to tell that we were disguised. Good shinobi would think outside the box. Good shinobi would look after their teammates. Good Shinobi would never abandon one another simply for the sake of proving a point. Today, you all have shown me that you do not possess the qualities needed to become Ninja.-" 

I stop pacing around them, and instead allowed my chakra to emit even more so then it did before. "Who are you to-" 

"My name is Shizukana Sairen. Mother to Ren Sairen, representative of the Sairen clan, stand-in Hokage for Tsunade-Sama, and the descendant of Ketsueki. I am a jounin of the leaf, and therefore more then qualified to not only judge you but to decide if you are worthy enough. If you all are this horrible by the age of seven, then I don't want to see what happens when you get older." 

I point towards Hikaru, allowing him a turn to speak his mind. his voice was filled with even more venom, one that actually had me surprised. 

"The Names Hikaru. Father of Ren Sairen, summon of Shizukana Sairen, Jounin of the Leaf, and the guy who helped save Ren's life. I heard that each and every one of you have been picking on Ren for lying about us huh? Let me tell you this one thing."

Hikaru leans closer to the kids, his aura dangerous and deadly. 

"Ren doesn't lie." 

Regardless of the fact that these kids are still young..the sooner they learn that they aren't at the top of the food chain, or social hierarchy the better. It'll mean that their transition from the academy to ongoing missions in the field won't be quite as harsh. 

Looking towards Ren's direction, I motion him forward with a lazy hand and fix him with a rather stern look. Sighing, he nods simply and looks towards his classmates. 

The transformation that he had set upon himself slowly vanished, revealing his normal features to those who have been around him for the past few months. His green eyes shined brilliantly as he looked at each of his classmates individually. 

His classmates all fix him with rather shocked and curious looks, no doubt wondering what he was doing. 

"My names Ren Sairen, Son of Shizukana Sairen, and Hikaru of the Fallen. This is who I am, and you can either take me as I am, or you can leave me alone and never bother me again because know this-" 

ren's eyes turned deadly, a small sneer twisting across his face as he glowers at the people he was supposed to call comrades. 

"I can either be your greatest comrade, or your worst enemy. You can be the one to choose."