Uchiha Toshiko woke up on a dusty floor.

The first thing she did was access her chakra and sit there for a few moments just circulating her chakra around the body, enjoy the feel of it being pure and unadulterated.

The second thing she did was to repeat exactly what she had done in the last loop to get Danzo arrested. It had worked and if it ain't broke.....

The third thing she did was track down Uchiha Itachi to a training ground, and creepily observe him training while hiding in a tree. He was alive, breathing, training. Not dead. His heart was still beating, chakra still flowing.

"What are you doing here, Toshiko-san?" Toshiko was proud of herself for not jumping a foot in air as Uchiha Itachi spoke from the tree behind her. There was another Itachi (probably a clone) practicing kunai throwing on the ground.

"Observing you." Toshiko answered, unashamedly. What was the point, she was already caught.

"Why are you observing me?" Itachi asked unperturbed.

"You know what? I haven't got a clue." It was true enough. He might have been her first kill in a fit of evil chakra induced madness, but she had been training a ninja during most of all her lives. Killing was almost a norm. Why was it making her so uncomfortable?

A frown formed over Itachi's chibi face. "Were you really going to be kidnapped by ANBU?"

"Yup." She even was kidnapped by them at one point.

"I don't think ANBU are stupid enough to loudly talk about there plans in hearing range of their target."

That was a good point. "Maybe they were fake ANBU." They definitely were, but they were better than the regular ANBU, not stupider.

She wondered why her made up story full of holes was taken seriously by Fugaku and others. Maybe because it contained information she had no plausible way of knowing otherwise?

Chibi Itachi's face lit up with comprehension. "That is why Outo-san is so worried. Someone is impersonating village security and committing crimes in their guise."

Toshiko nodded. "It is a worrying matter."

She went home late in the evening, wondering how the hell did she ended up discussing village security with her nemesis for four hours.

The next day, Toshiko was leaving the clan compound to buy groceries when Itachi insistent on accompanying her, and offered condolences for her grandmother's death. Somehow, she didn't find it in herself to rebuff him.

This continued in a similar vein and a month later, Toshiko was pulling weeds in her garden, helped by the Uchiha heir, listening to how cute Sasuke was and how weird other kids at the academy were.

Somehow she had become Uchiha Itachi's friend.

"What about Izumi-san? She is in your class, isn't she?" Toshiko hated throwing the other girl under the bus, but this was getting beyond weird. Besides, Izumi had a mountain-sized crush on Itachi. She would probably thank Toshiko for her intervention.

"She acts weird around me too." Itachi sighed. "Only you and Shisui-san act normal with me."

Since Toshiko had collectively lived more than fifty years and Shisui was a genius was veteran, how they acted probably wasn't what would be considered 'normal'. Toshiko decided not to mention that.

"Well, you know how kids are." She shrugged.

Itachi stared at her. "You are a year younger than them."

Toshiko shrugged again.

Her bizzare friendship with Itachi came with a side package of acquaintance with Uchiha Shisui, who was the most annoying individual she had ever met.

"Wow, Itachi-kun. You really move fast, don't you? Just six years old and already have a cute girlfriend." He gushed the first time he saw her and Itachi training together.

Itachi sighed. "Toshiko-san is not my girlfriend. We are friends."

"But you didn't deny she is cute." Shisui sing-songed.

Itachi opened his mouth to reply, but Toshiko beat him to it. "What's there to deny? I'm very cute." She really was. Bud black eyes, chubby cheeks, pale skin- she really had won the genetic lottery.

Shisui turned to her looking as if Christmas had come early. "What about Itachi, then? Do you think he's cute?"

Toshiko looked at Itachi to actually see him blushing. He was pretty cute. Too bad he wouldn't stay that way.

"He's fine." She answered, nonchalantly.

"Would you agree to marry him then?" The annoying nuisance asked.

Toshiko glared at him. "Of course not." She wanted to say 'even if he was the last person in world', but didn't want to hurt the kids feelings. She didn't know what might set him off.

"Why not?" Shisui frowned

"Because I'm five. I like to keep my options open."

After that, Shisui had also become a persistent presence in her along with Itachi, only he was more annoying. Over the years, both of them sort of grew on her, like a fungus. She didn't have any other friends this time around. She was put in a different class than Shinki and Katsu, when she started the academy, because she didn't hold back much in the placement tests. There were three former Root recruits in her class, and they were already sort of adopted by the Yamanaka in the class.

While, Toshiko managed in not skipping any years, she was still the top student in her year. There was just no point in trying to pass as unremarkable when you regularly sparred with the person you wish to hide your skills from. Itachi was a bit jealous that she had a fully matured Sharingan (it had activated during one of their more intense spars), while he hadn't even activated his. Jealously didn't last when he activated it seeing his teammate died in front of him.

Itachi had always been a distant figure to Toshiko in all her lives. But actually getting to know him was quite an experience. He was a true genius, a once in a generation kind. Even with Toshiko having more than fifty years of experience over him, she was sure that Itachi was more skilled in the shinobi arts. He even got his Sharingan to three tomoe in one year while it had taken Toshiko three deaths to get to that point.

His nature, however, was quite gentle and polite. He was never arrogant about his skills. His modesty, however, never turned to self depreciation. The way he talked about his brother, Toshiko knew he was entirely devoted. His genuine anguish at his teammates death was also something that threw her off. As time passed, Toshiko couldn't quite understand how this kid could massacre his own clan for no reason. Even if he went mad, there had to be some kind of sign in his behaviour that could point towards the tendency.

Toshiko knew Itachi wasn't pretending either. Sure, some things were hard to swallow, like his favourite word being peace and his dream of ending the era of wars in the elemental nations, but the day he showed her his favourite spot in Konoha, over the Hokage mountain, overlooking the the entire village, his pride and love for Konoha was evident in his eyes.

Something must have changed drastically to lead him to such violence. But what?

Itachi joined the ANBU when he was eleven. It was supposed to be a secret, but Fugaku apparently didn't get the memo and basically announced it to the clan. Itachi was starting to look stressed out and Toshiko was getting worried.

"It's obvious that something is bothering you. Why do you continue to insist that you're fine?" She cornered him one day, after weeks of failed attempts.

"Because I am fine, Toshiko-chan. It's nothing to worry about." Itachi answered, his voice dripping with sincerity. Toshiko might have believed him, if she wasn't aware of extraordinary lying skills.

"That's bullshit. I thought we were friends. How am I supposed to help you if you don't even trust me enough to tell me what's wrong?" She knew it was a low blow as Itachi regarded their friendship with high esteem. But, she would do anything to prevent this sweet, caring version of Itachi into a mass murdering psychopath.

She could see Itachi struggle with himself mentally, before relenting. "You have to promise to keep this to yourself." He insisted.

"I promise." Toshiko was quick to agree.

Itachi sighed, suddenly looking much older than eleven. "The clan is planning a coup."

What.

"A what?" This couldn't be happening. "Are they stupid or suicidal?"

"Otou-san wished for me to spy on the village for the clan." He continued.

Suddenly, as if a veil had been lifted, pieces began to fit together in Toshiko's mind.

"But you wouldn't do that." She muttered.

"I'm reporting to Hokage-sama and his council." Itachi confirmed.

"What are they planning to do about it? Genocide?" Her voice reached a hysterical pitch.

"You don't have to worry about it. Shisui has a plan, in case nothing else works." Itachi tried to reassure her. "I can't tell you the details, but I'm sure it won't fail.

Toshiko nodded distractedly, before leaving.

Obviously the plan worked. That was the reason there was no massacre in the last loop. The other times, Danzo might have had something to do with Shisui's death, making him unable to form this mysterious plan.

Toshiko knew why the clan would be desperate enough for this suicidal move. After the Kyuubi attack, the Uchiha had been basically quarantined away on the outskirts of the village. They were ostracized by civilians due to rumours of their involvement with the attack. Promotions were unjustly denied, and genin rarely passed their jonin-sensei's test, forcing them to work with the Uchiha military police, leading to less bonds with other Konoha ninja.

Uchiha were one of the founding clans of Konoha. Being reduced to outcasts in their own village obviously didn't sit well with them. That didn't mean that Toshiko was fine with her clan essentially signing her death warrant along with dozens of other children.

Shisui's plan, whatever it was, apparently worked, because the night of the massacre came and without any incident, except for Toshiko staying awake all night.

A week later she passed the graduation exams with good scores, hopeful to be placed in a good team. Returning home, Toshiko decided to treat Shisui to dinner (Itachi being out on a mission), celebrating her graduation. She went towards Yakiniku Q (her favourite restaurant), intensity to buy grilled pork. Her plans, however, were derailed due to a commotion in front of the restaurant. There grown men were beating the stuff out of a seven year old kid as the cloud watched.

At that moment, Toshiko saw red. She was well aware of the identity of the Kyuubi jinchuriki. Based on previous meetings, she thought he was unnecessary loud and annoying. But that didn't give anyone the right to hit the kid, especially with this kind of brutality.

When Toshiko entered the fray, it was over in seconds. She was a trained ninja, while the three men, though larger, were just civilians. Soon enough, she had all three of them on the ground, groaning in pain.

Babies. She barely even hit them.

"Wow, Nee-chan. You're so awesome." The blonde haired kid, shouted at her, tugging her sleeves. He gave her a beaming smile so bright that she had to glance sway. Before she could say anything though, two ANBU appeared in front of them.

"Uchiha-san, Uzumaki-san. The Hokage has summoned both of you to his office." One of them spoke in a monotonous voice, while the other, without waiting for their permission, grabbed them and performed a shunshin.

The next moment, Toshiko and Naruto were in the Hokage office, with the Sandaime, sitting behind his desk directly across them.

"Hokage-sama." Toshiko dipped into a bow, while Naruto shouted, "Jiji!"

"Naruto-kun, Toshiko-kun." The wisened old man began. "I've been told there was an incident in the market."

Seeing Naruto's expression drop, Toshiko decided to answer herself. "There were three adults assaulting Naruto-kun, Hokage-sama."

"Yeah, they were really mean, jiji. I didn't even do anything and they just came over and accused me of stealing and hit me. Then, nee-chan came and beat them all up. She was really cool." Naruto piped up.

The Hokage blew up smoke from his pipe. "I see. Toshiko-kun, are you aware that ninja aren't allowed to attack civilians?"

Toshiko opened her mouth, then closed it. She didn't know how to respond to that statement. It was true that there were harsh laws in Konoha to prevent ninjas from abusing their power, but surely this wasn't the case they could be applied to? They were beating up a child, for god's sake.

"Hey, old man! That's not fair. Toshiko-neechan didn't do anything wrong." The said child protested on Toshiko's behalf.

"Naruto, don't think you're out of the woods. Iruka told me you set up paint bombs in your classroom. Go to the academy and clean it up now, if you want to have a chance at graduation." The Hokage scolded. "Toshiko-kun, your punishment will be decided later. You are free to go. Do think about why you are going to be punished."

Toshiko nodded mechanically, before bidding the Hokage farewell and walking out of the room.

The incident, while insignificant in the grand scheme of things, opened Toshiko's eyes to the reality that she had been ignoring for quite a while. Konoha was not the place she had thought it to be. Konoha was not the 'good' ninja village. It sanctioned the genocidal of clans, including it's children, by a thirteen year old of the same clan. It allowed someone to be charged of murder and treason, and executed, only because it was convenient. It allowed a entire clan to be ostracized and a seven year old to be abused by the entire village, because people had to place the blame of the lives lost during Kyuubi attack somewhere, and the administration didn't want to take it.

Toshiko had lost her life, two times at Itachi's hand and another time at Kakashi's, simply because of the fact that if she lived, it would be inconvenient to the administration. She had lost her life to the Hokage's student and to his councillor. She would be blind to not notice a pattern there.

Toshiko had never met the Hokage before, but now she realised that she didn't want to give her loyalty to him.

Suddenly determined, Toshiko rushed to her house and started packing all that she could take, into a sealing scroll.

"Ah, Toshiko-chan, you're back. How'd it go?" She jumped a bit as Shisui entered the house, his eyes narrowing as he saw her packing. "Going somewhere?"

Toshiko tried to think up an excuse that didn't sound completely ridiculous and came up blank.

"Well?"

"I'm leaving." She bit out.

"Leaving? What do you mean?" Shisui asked, baffled.

"I don't want to be a Konoha shinobi."

A beat.

"Are you out of your mind? I know Itachi told you about the coup. Do you have any idea what your desertion could lead to?" She had never seen Shisui be this angry before.

"I'm a genin. What would it matter?"

Shisui shook his head. "It would. Uchiha clan is in pretty thin ice, right now. And don't even get me started on your sudden wish to become a missing nin."

"I don't want to become a missing nin. I just can't be loyal to the Sandaime." Toshiko countered, before all of a sudden her limbs were locked in position. "What are you doing?"

"It's for your own good." Shisui answered, his Sharingan spinning fast to form a unique patterned structure. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry."

Toshiko woke up bright and early the next morning, eager to start her first day as the kunoichi of Konoha.

She was a bit disappointed when placed in Genin Corps without even a chance at a Jonin Squad, as a punishment for her behaviour the previous evening, but she accepted it with grace. The Hokage was right to punish her for attacking Konoha civilians, and she was a loyal and hardworking kunoichi. She would do her best to serve Konoha no matter where she was placed.

When Itachi returned from his mission a week later, Toshiko had already immersed herself in mission as a genin corp. They weren't terribly exciting, but we're ultimately to the benifit of Konoha, so she had no complaints.

"Weren't you at the top of your class?" Itachi interupted her as she told him about her latest mission, since hers wasn't as classified as his. Not that she would ever share classified information without proper approval.

"I did attack civilians though. Maybe the Hokage thought I wasn't to be trusted with more power." She shrugged. It wasn't up to her to question the Hokage's decision.

"You were protecting Naruto-kun." He protested. "Do you seriously think that placing you in Genin corps, and essentially ruining your career is appropriate punishment for protecting a little kid. Didn't you ask Hokage-sama to reconsider?"

"I'm a loyal kunoichi of Konoha. I'm supposed to follow my Hokage's orders, not question them." The line of questioning was making Toshiko uncomfortable. She turned to Itachi to tell him so, to find him observing her with his Sharingan.

"What's wrong?"

He turned of his Sharingan before answering, his voice carefully controlled. "Shisui had put you in a genjutsu."

Toshiko flared her chakra on instinct. "No, he hasn't. I haven't even seen him recently."

"Maybe we should go and see him now." The anger in his voice was a longer controlled. Toshiko didn't get a chance to answer as Itachi basically pulled her all the way to Shisui's house.

Shisui was quick to open his door. "Itachi, you're back. And Toshiko, good to see you too." He chuckled awkwardly. Okay, something was definitely wrong.

"May we enter?" Itachi asked politely.

Shisui let them in, looking nervous. He right to be wary, because as soon as they were in, Itachi threw a kunai at him which he barely dodged.

"Hey, that could have hit my eye." He protested.

"It wouldn't have been a loss." Itachi answered coldly. "Considering, that you have started using it on your friends now."

"I had to! She was going to become a missing nin."

"What?"

Toshiko cleared her throat. "Would either of you be kind enough to explained to me what exactly is going on?"

The boys shared a look and Shisui came forward. He activated his Sharingan which turned into a squared pattern. It reminded Toshiko if something, but she ignored it.

"This is my Mangekyou Sharingan. It is activated when you see someone you care about die, and blame yourself for their death. This one gives me the power of Kotoamatsukami, a near undetectable genjutsu which basically hypnotises the person I use it on." He explained.

"What does it have to do with me? Itachi said you.... Wait, did you use it on me?" That couldn't be true.

To her surprise, Shisui nodded guiltily. "I found you after your graduation exams, packing away all your stuff. You said you were leaving and didn't wish to give your loyalty to the Sandaime."

"That would set you off." Itachi was frowning.

"It did. I had no idea what happened...."

"But why would I say that?" Toshiko interupted Shisui. "I'm loyal to Konoha and the Hokage."

They exchanged another look. Toshiko was starting to get really annoyed at that.

"You aren't loyal to Konoha, Toshiko-chan. You think you are because of Shisui's genjutsu." Itachi explained.

"But that doesn't make sense. I can't think of any reason that would make me want to become a missing nin."

"That's just how the genjutsu works. It makes your mind work against you." It was Shisui who answered.

"It think this is a misunderstanding. You must have misunderstood what I was saying." She insisted.

"I don't think I did."

"Can you remove the genjutsu? That would clear things up. And free Toshiko from your brainwashing." Itachi spoke up.

Shisui nodded. "I can try. I haven't done it before, but I should be able to."

That didn't exactly fill her with confidence, but she persevered.

Shisui took Toshiko's chin in one hand and looked deep into her eyes. His eyes, though pretty at first glance, seemed a bit creepy when they stared into your soul. Itachi took her hand in his, and squeezed it a bit to provide reassurance.

The next moment, Toshiko was hit by excruciating pain, feeling as if her brain itself was liquifying. She felt something dripping from her nose and heard a shout of her name.

Itachi was standing in front of her plunging a sword into her chest. No, he was cutting of her head. Toshiko blinked, Itachi was there, holding her. She had probably fallen down. There was someone's hand on her head, probably Shisui's.

Toshiko blinked. She saw Itachi again, realising her from restraints, when she plunged a chakra scalpel into his heart. She had killed him.

Toshiko felt her eyes sting with pain.

"The Mangekyou?"

"Focus, Shisui!" Itachi snapped.

Toshiko blinked.

Everything was blurry. The last thing she saw was Itachi's three tomoe Sharingan turning into the shape of a shuriken.