Rated M for sexual themes, actions of suicide, violence, cursing, and other safety reasons.

Disclaimer: Naruto and Co. belong to Masashi Kishimoto-sensei. Everyone else is fair game.

Thanks for the review(s): Racheeele, FarFromTheSun, Queen Mo-Freakin, Animeisheaven, lillyWolt, MeiaAdey12, and Rainbow-Kitty-chu

Plot bunnies, ahoy~

Unbeta'd: All mistakes are my own and I will fix them when you or I catch them :)

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The Invitation

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I almost died.

I had felt Death's cold skeletal hands wrap around my soul. I felt his eagerness to have me once again in his clutches. To take me back to Hell, Oblivion, Purgatory or wherever he takes the damned. I didn't want to die. Not again. Not now! I had barely lived. Dear God, I hadn't even had sex yet!

Yet I was falling. Falling once again into his hands because of my own foolishness. When will I learn?

Then, I had stopped. He stopped it. Itachi Uchiha had saved my poor excuse of a self, and damn it all, I wanted to kiss him for it.

"Are you okay?"

Okay? What was okay? What was the meaning of okay now-a-days?

I had almost died, and right now, the only thing I can think about is how dark Itachi's eyes were. Pitch black like the night sky, but there was a lightness to them. Bright and kind - like twinkling stars that had yet been covered by the shadows of the world. The shape of his eyes were wide and large for his child-like face. His iconic tear-troughs were nonexistent at this point in his age, but maybe the stress of the ninja life had made those more pronounce. I hope I could do something about that. From his eyes I followed down to the curve of his small nose to the divot of his upper lip and then the thin line of his pale lips.

We had reached the ground sometime ago, and I had yet to let go of him. I clung to Itachi like a frightened cat - my nails digging themselves into his shoulders. His hands were placed upon my hips trying to gently push me away, but the action only shot lust into my libido. He was touching me! A volition of his own free will.

I wanted him.

I wanted to stake claim here and now. Tattoo my name across his heart. Bath his scent in my own. Intertwine our souls in a unbreakable contract. This. Boy. Was. Mine.

He was saying something. His pouty lips were moving up and down forming indistinguishable words and his eyes were beginning to narrow with concern. I was lost. So full was I with love that I was drowning in it. The world could have fallen apart in that exact moment and I wouldn't have even batted an eye. I eased my grip on his shoulders as my scrambled thoughts now closed in on one singular persistent idea. I raised my hands and placed them on either side of his face. Itachi had stiffened but I paid him no heed. That idea was now like a nail hammering its way to the front my mind.

I pulled him close and leaned in - placing my lips over his own.

Soft. Came my first thought. Like pillows. They were smooth but a bit dry. It was simple. Just the press of lips together in a chaste kiss, but I swear, fireworks had exploded behind my eyelids. My stomach rolled like the ocean in a storm. My heart grew wings and soared. I wanted more - so much more. I wanted...just a small taste.

Then reality hit. HE'S FIVE NAGI! THIS IS BORDERLINING PEDOPHILIA!

I pulled back and released Itachi's face. He scrambled away the moment of release. His hands covered his mouth, his eyes were wide with shock and his face went fully red in embarrassment. Later on I would assuredly recollect this picture and categorize it as a success. I don't think anyone had turned Itachi Uchiha beet red before. Right now though, I was dealing with my own wave of embarrassment.

Idiot! I scolded myself while wishing a wall to appear so I could hit my head against it repeatedly. Have some decency would you?! Decency had tore itself up and flung itself out the window along with any sanity I had. Control your lust woman! He's a child for goodness sake!

"I-ah." I began to speak, but my tongue tied with embarrassment. "Umm s-sorry." Itachi stared at me unblinkingly. His expression had cooled, but his cheeks were still a bright pink and he had yet to remove his hands. After a moment of extreme awkwardness, the Uchiha boy nodded his head in slow acceptance. He then backed away, eyes still wide and cloudy, before he turned around to walk away.

I panicked. "Wait!" I want to say more. I want him to stay. Don't leave.

Itachi froze in mid step and turned his head slowly around. His gaze was wary.

I fidgeted at my spot, waves of uncertainty rolling down my body. "T-thank you." I looked at him noticing he had lowered his hands. "My name is Nagi. Nagi Teijo."

He hesitated, eyes shifting away nervously. "Uchiha, Itachi."

I smiled and folded my fingers together behind my back. "Thank you for saving me, Itachi Uchiha."

Again, a cute pink blush grew across his cheeks. "Itachi."

"Huh?" I blinked owlishly. He had spoken in a whisper.

"Just...Itachi."

My eyes went wide in surprise before my smile turned into a full blown grin. "Alright." I rocked back and forth onto my toes - fidgeting. "Do you want to play?"

Itachi turned around fully, but shook his head. "I have training. I'm sorry."

"Aww." I pouted, crossing my arms. "Please? It'll be fun, I promise."

Itachi held his hands out and backed away. "Sorry. I can't."

He's leaving.

"Wait!" I yelled again, once again panicked. I dug into my back pocket and pulled out another envelope. Identical to the one had I given Kakashi. "Here!" I held it out to him. Itachi looked at it with suspicion. Like I was handing him poison.

"My birthday is tomorrow." I told him, urging him to take the invitation. "I want you to come."

"I-."

"Take it." I commanded with a raised brow. "It's in the afternoon. I promise you'll have fun."

Again with the suspicious stare. I sighed and placed the non-envelope holding hand onto my hip.

"I'll cry." I warned him causing him to stiffen. "Tears, snot - it'll be gross. I'm not a pretty crier, but I will do it. I will cry and cry and it will be your fault~. Cause you stood a girl up on her birthday."

Itachi shifted uneasily glancing at me then away. He then reached out and grabbed the invitation. Did I just...successfully blackmail a Uchiha? Inwardly, I gave a maniacal laugh in glee.

I was probably scaring my poor boy. I couldn't stop smiling like a crazy loon.

"I'll see you tomorrow then." I said cheerily.

Itachi gave me one last suspicious look before nodding and walking away. I waved goodbye, which he ignored, but I was too giddy to care.

"Itachi freaking Uchiha is coming to my birthday party." I stated in awe when the boy was out of ear shot. I held my face in shock. "Itachi freaking Uchiha talked to me and is coming to my birthday party!" I screamed and jumped in joy.

Jump.

"I'M!"

Jump.

"GONNA!"

Jump. Wiggle.

"MARRY!"

Jump. Twist.

"THAT!"

Jump. Fist pump.

"MAN!"

Jump. Laugh.

"SO!"

Jump. Twist.

"HARD!"

Jump.

"NAGI!"

Jump. Ungraceful flail.

"Uncle!" I screamed in fright as I fell to the ground onto my bottom. "W-what's wrong?" Ren's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. His beautiful face was red in anger and his lips were twisted into a scowl. Uncle looked scary and pissed. If life were an anime, Uncle would have the famous tick marks with the flames of hell rising from his back.

"What's wrong?" Uncle repeated mockingly. "What's wrong is you kissing an Uchiha brat, you brat! I should take you home and scrub your mouth out with soap!"

"You saw that!" I squeaked in fright arms raised in self defense. The hypothetical flames of hell rose even higher causing me to yelp.

"I should skin that boy alive!"

I promptly turned around and began crawling away in fear. Before I could get a good foot away, something wrapped around my left ankle and pulled me upward.

"And you little flightless chick-a-dee." Uncle growled, steam seemingly exiting his mouth. "What should I do with you?"

"First, put me down." I cried as both my hands flew upward. I was dangling upside down in the air cause of Uncle's hold. He held me high up so my face was only inches away from his. With both hands now clenched on either side of my orange checkered skirt, I did my best to preserve my dignity.

"You disobeyed me." Uncle hissed as he grasped my face - squishing my cheeks together. "You went off on your own."

"No I-!"

"You got into a fight."

"I di-ah wait wha-?"

"You fell from a tree."

"Wait! Uncle-!"

"You kissed a boy!"

"Uncle! My head! I'm getting dizzy!" I cried as tears began to welded up. Tucking the ends of my skirt between my closed knees, I grasped Uncle's hand and pulled. "Stop! Please."

Uncle was silent, I couldn't tell his expression because my vision had gone blurry with tears, but the silence left the air tense. He let go of my face and placed his hand underneath an armpit. His grip tightened around it before he released my ankle with his other hand. My body swung down and fear clawed its way up my throat, but it was short lived. Uncle now held me up with his hands gripped around my rib cage.

Fat tears were now flowing from my eyes like rivers. Terror and anxiety warred inside my chest. I was trembling and gasping in air.

"W-w-why di-didn't you s-s-save me?" I hiccuped and choked. "I-I-I-I was s-s-so sc-scared!" Uncle hesitated for only a moment before he pulled me into an embrace. He wrapped his arms around my waist and curled a hand into my orange hair.

"Shh. Shhh. It's alright. It's alright."

I clung to him. My arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. I buried my face into his shoulder staining his kimono with snot and tears.

"I was scared. I-I-I was scared, U-U-Uncle."

He let me cry until the tears ran dry whispering comforting nothings into my ear. Then when I was done and numb with emotions, he held me even tighter.

"I'm here. I'm here and I'll always be here."

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The animal hospital was located a couple blocks from my house in the outer city of Konoha. Teijo's Animal Palace wasn't a highly known place for animal care. Most animals around the city were under the supervision of clans who had their own ways of providing for the needs of their animals. The Inuzukas' and their dogs, the Aburames' and their insects, the Uchihas' and their cats, the Naras' and their deer. Civilians with money or privilege often went to the clans for veterinarian needs or even medical. Most of Miroku's customer base were poor civilians with house pets or farmers with farm animals. Still, business wasn't exactly booming. People in this world did not feel the need to spend every dime and penny on their precious "Coco-Puff". If they weren't useful for ninja or other resources - they were expendable. A notion that irritated me to no end.

"Why are we going to Miroku's work?" I asked lazily as I nuzzled deeper into Ren's neck. He smelled like grass, wood, and home - it was comforting.

"We are meeting your father." He replied adjusting his grip on my person. "He is closing early today and wanted to walk home together."

"He did?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. "What for?"

"For your birthday."

Instantly I brightened. "Really? For me?"

"Yes."

I grinned and wiggled out of Ren's grasp. "Faster Uncle! The faster we get there the faster we get to go home!" So I'm eager to start celebrating a day of me. Sue me.

"Keh, what happened to not wanting to go home?"

"That was hours ago." I whined tugging on his hand. "Plea-!" I stopped talking and paled as I felt Uncle's hand twitch and tighten around my own.

"Hours ago was it, Nagi?" Uncle repeated, words oozing with sarcasm. "And where exactly was your location in those hours of free time?"

I laughed nervously, averting my eyes, while tugging my hand loose. Busted. "Right by your side, Uncle. Never left."

"Hmm, for some reason I just don't believe you." Ren stated tersely gold eyes narrowing dangerously into slits. "You didn't cause any problems did you chick-a-dee?"

"Me?" I gasped feigning hurt as I held a hand to my chest. "Never! I can't believe you would suggest such a terrible thing."

Uncle rolled his eyes and walked past me. "Hmm, I'm still going to have to tell your parents."

"What?! Noooo~!" I whined running after him. "Please, don't Uncle! I won't do it again. I promise."

"Ah ha! So you did do something?"

Shit! Damn, he is good!

"Uncle!" I groaned miserably as I clutched onto the back of his yukata. "Dooon't~!"

He ignored me, continuing to walk nonchalantly down the road with a small smile on his face. Fine. If he wants to play, lets play.

I stopped walking and crossed my arms. "If you tell my parents about this, I'll tell them that you fell asleep while watching me." I warned with an evil smirk, brow elegantly raised.

Uncle froze mid step. He turned his head around slowly, some-what like how some people do in horror films, eyes narrowed and scowl plastered on his beautiful face. "You little devil."

"Is that a deal?" I snickered, holding out my hand.

Uncle lowered his gaze to glare at my palm before raising them again to meet my amused expression. The corners of his lips twitched upward before he jerked his head to the side. "Come on chick-a-dee, let's go get your father."

If possible, my shit-eating grin became even wider. I sprinted past Uncle buzzing with energy and anticipation. I kept running (thank god for youth) until I reached the Palace.

I paused at the single green door to the hospital and I turned around to see Ren standing just a few feet behind me shuffling his feet.

"You coming in Uncle?" I called back, brows raised in question.

"Go ahead." He waved, expression wary. "I'll wait out here." He then backed away, scratching his head with a look of reluctance.

Okay, weird? I shrugged my shoulders, but don't question Uncle's odd behavior. "Alrighty then." I pulled the door open and was greeted by the strong smell of animals mixed with antiseptic.

"Oh, little Nagi!" Exclaimed a nurse in surprise as she stood up from behind a blue metal desk.

"Hello, Suuya." I bowed my head in greeting. "Is Miroku in?" Teijo's Animal Palace was in a one story building tucked between a four story apartment building and a bookstore. The lobby could be considered in the dining room with a desk in the middle and chairs scattered around the walls. The walls had pictures of different kinds of animals hung up: A cat and dog lounging together underneath a tree, a cow eating grass, a mare and her colt in a field of yellow, a colorful bird with it's head tucked underneath it's wing as it slept on branch, and etc. It was a homey enough place for a hospital even with the stench of ammonia and dog.

"Still not going to call him father, eh Nagi?" she chuckled brown eyes twinkling in amusement. Suuya had been Miroku's nurse for nearly five years as I had been told. She was dressed in a nurses' outfit except instead of pink it was lima green with the skirt stopping at her knees. Her brown hair was put in its usual bun with her white visor over her forehead. "He is going to pout." I gave her a deadpan look causing her to go into a fit of giggles again.

She waved a hand exaggeratedly through the air. "Okay, okay. He is in the back finishing up with a client, but - wait! Nagi, you can't go in there yet!" I ignored her as I darted off to the left. Down I went through the small stretch of hallway. There were only four doors: one was the kitchen/operating room, one was the bathroom, one was where they housed animal's that were left in their care, and the last one was the only examination room in the Palace. He had to to be in that room for the door was firmly shut.

"Hey, Miroku!" I yelled excitedly as I swung the door open wide. "It's time to go-ack!" Because I wasn't paying attention, I ran head first in and slammed right into a wall. A firm, but squishy sort of wall.

"Who is this?" Asked a voice that did not match the sound of Miroku. Stumbling backwards, I rubbed my aching head and eyed up at the tall wall that was clearly someone unknown. Off to the side, from the corner of my eye, I saw the sitting form of my honorable (which is questionable at best) patriarch.

Miroku Teijo was a scruffy-looking man. Face unshaven covered in stubble, droopy blue eyes that were emphasized by the small black circles underneath, unkempt brown hair that looked wind blown instead of brushed, and wearing a bland unappealing green kimono with a black obi. As usual, Miroku was the most unimpressive and boring looking man in the world.

"Ah, Nagi." Miroku stated rising slightly from his slouched position. "What are you doing here?"

"Miroku?" I mumbled, staring warily up at the stranger. "Who is this?" I moved around the tall man, a man who was currently glaring daggers at me with dark narrowed eyes.

"Nagi?" Again another voice. This one came from neither Miroku nor tall, dark, and intimidating.

There were only four beings in that room in that moment. One was myself, two was Miroku, three was death glare guy, and four was a large bird perched on top of the table. It was a hawk. A large brown, eyeing me up and down, hawk. My eyes went wide and my jaw dropped.

"Y-you talk?!" I squeaked stepping back with slightly raised arms in a defensive pose.

Now, reading about talking animals and seeing talking animals were two different things entirely. A being, an animal most would consider inferior, was staring me down me with an air of superiority. It's keen eyes examined my tiny body closely - evaluating, judging. It made me extremely uncomfortable. At it's obvious frown (a frown!) I knew I had failed some sort of test. So, I inched slowly closer to Miroku, taking in the small comfort of being near a familiar protective presence. Though to be honest, I felt sort of cheated. I wanted Pakkun to be my first experience with talking animals.

The hawk snorted. "What kind of uneducated brat are you raising, Master Miroku?"

If possible, my eyes widened even more. "Master?!"

Death glare guy turned around and bowed. A sign of obvious respect. "Thank you Master Teijo for seeing Fen on such a short notice."

"Maa maa, it's no problem." Miroku waved as he lounged back in his chair.

"I apologies for Fen's unreasonable behavior." He bowed even lower as Fen gave a very unlady-like snort. "She refuses to see any other doctor."

"Master Miroku has soft hands!" Fen squawked, yellow beak snapping, as her eyes glinted dangerously. "Others pluck and pull! It is no way to treat a lady." She huffed, puffing out her chest.

"I'm glad you think so highly of me Lady Fen." Miroku lowered his head and smiled. "Now you are under complete bed rest until that broken wing is healed, and even then a week of no strenuous activity. We have to let your wing heal completely before you can go soaring through the skies again."

Death glare guy nodded. "Under your orders, Master Teijo." And he held out his arm for Fen. The hawk hobbled over to him, her left wing being held up by a white cloth and bandages. She managed to climb onto his waiting hand without irritating her broken wing.

"Thanks again, Master." Fen thanked and bobbed her head.

Death glare guy turned around with Fen now on his shoulder, and marched out the door. His headband on his forehead glinting ominously in the light of the room. Woah, ninja. I thought in awe and slight glee.

"Miroku!" I shouted excitedly, smacking his knees. "Who was that? Was that a ninja? How do you know him? Why were you fixing his haw-gaaah?" A cloud of visible depression hung over Miroku's head as he slumped over his desk. Tears ran down his cheeks like little rivers.

"My own daughter!" He wailed, his arm raising to cover his eyes. "What did I do to deserve such a cute rebellious daughter? How many times have I told her to call me papa?!"

"Eh, Miro - !" The wailing only got louder causing me to sigh in defeat. Why are adults so difficult? "Papa? Are you going to answer any of my questions?"

The cold depressing atmosphere suddenly lifted as Miroku raised his head. His blue eyes twinkled as he swerved around in his wheeled chair to face me properly.

"That was Jun and Lady Fen. Yes, they are ninja. Yes, I know them." Miroku said as he motioned me closer. "And papa was just doing papa's job." His eyes brightened as I pouted.

I glared and stomped my feet childishly. "That's not what I meant and you know it! Papa doesn't take care of nin-animals."

His eyes softened and glazed over with certain type of warmth. "Jun and I are old friends. I've been tending to Lady Fen since she was only just a chick. Barely out of the egg." I scowled and crossed my arms. There was more to the story than what he was telling.

Miroku laughed and ruffled my hair. "My cute Nagi. So inquisitive and bright." He smiled, eyes twinkling. He leaned back and stroked his chin as if in thought. "Maa, maa maybe I'll tell you the story over dinner tonight?" His gazed looked down at me with mischief.

Instantly, my mood improved and my own blue eyes brightened. "Promise?"

"Promise." He repeated and pulled me into a hug.

I paused for a moment to let his warm touch spread over my body. Despite the smell of fur, sweat, and medicine that lingered on Miroku clothes. As I pressed my nose against his throat, I could smell the calming scent of home.

I raised my head so my chin could rest on his shoulder. "Are we going home now?"

Miroku hummed at the question as he wrapped an arm around my waist, and used the other one to push himself out his chair.

"In a few." he answered, propping me on his hip. "I've got to finish these last appointment notes."

"Nooo~ Miroku!" I whined tugging on his kimono. "Let's go now. Suuya can do it, can't she?"

"That's not very nice, Nagi." Miroku scolded, pinching my cheek. "It's unfair to Suuya if I skip out and leave all the work to her. And it's papa."

"But you're her boss."

"And?" He asked as if genuinely confused. He began cleaning up - picking up his scattered papers and placing them back into a manila folder.

"Isn't a boss supposed to tell others what to do?" I inquired with raised brows.

"Ah, well that's true." He agreed and smiled. "As her boss, I do instruct Suuya sometimes, but I never demand anything from her. I would never give her a task that I am unwilling to do myself." Miroku let me slide off his hip and helped me stand. He then knelt and placed his hands on either side of my shoulders. "A boss is there to make the hard decisions not make the decisions harder."

I blinked. That notion was not something I was used too. In my old life, in Tori's old life, a boss was someone who instructed you to do the dirty work. If they didn't want to do something and they knew you knew how to do it - that task would suddenly be yours to complete. If the task was not completed at the specifically appointed time there would be blood to pay. A boss was in other words was a tyrant in ways.

So I nodded my head slowly, feigning understanding. "Yes, Miro...papa."

He smiled broadly and wrapped his arms around me again. "Come, Nagi. Let's finish this quickly and go home."

I was silent for a moment, before I nodded. "Okay."

Miroku, despite his flaws, was a good man.

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Uncle Ren wasn't outside when Miroku and I exited the Palace forty minutes later. I ran out a couple steps ahead of him and looked around wildly.

"Where did that lazy Uncle run off too?" I mumbled placing my hands on my hips, pouting exaggeratedly. "He better not have run off."

Miroku came up behind me: one hand tucked underneath his obi and the other placed on top of my head. "Nah, he is around. I suspect he just doesn't want to be seen by Suuya."

"Why?" I questioned looking up at him with a raised brow.

"A minor disagreement." Miroku responded yet didn't. He was keeping something hidden, and if that mysterious glint he had in his eyes meant what I think it meant - it was definitely juicy. But I didn't push - today.

"Then how do you know he is around?"

Miroku raised his hand and tapped his head. "Chakra." And he turned and walked down the street. Pouting a bit, I followed after him silently. Miroku can sense him without even trying! I couldn't even sense an ant in an ant mound without the help of the string. We walked a little ways, past the miscellaneous stores selling miscellaneous items in the surrounding area, then towards a group trees in an open yard. It was just a bit of greenery in a place of wood and metal. Miroku walked up to one of the tallest trees and angled his head upwards. He didn't say anything, just continued to stare up into the tree tops with slightly narrowed eyes. Curious, I walked over next to him and grasped the side of his kimono and looked up.

In the trees, squatting on top of one of the highest branches was Ren. The wind was blowing causing Uncle's wild hair to fly and his yukata to be puffed out. Uncle was a picture of grace as he stood with one hand raised and the other tucked in his obi. On that raised arm was a bird: large and colorful. It wasn't a hawk like earlier. No this was different. It had a tail with long feathers almost like a peacock, but smoother and layered. On it's head was a small mohawk, dark beady eyes, and a curved black beak. It had an elegant neck that sloped down and a chest that was curved. It's feathers were a mixture of colors of red, blue, and yellow.

Surprisingly, I didn't recognize the type of bird it was.

The bird lowered it's head and nuzzled against Uncle's cheek, who in return smiled softly. He raised his other hand and caressed it's head fondly before jerking his arm up. The bird opened it's wings wide and jumped away from Uncle. It flapped once, twice then soared into the sky towards the evening sun.

I gasped in awe and tugged onto Miroku's kimono.

"Miroku! What type of bird is that?" I asked excitedly and glanced at him. "It's pret-." I bulked and allowed his kimono to fall from my finger tips. Miroku was scary. His usual laid back demeanor was gone. His expression was dark and tight. His eyes were narrowed and a sharp piercing blue. I had never seen him so pissed off before. Uncle didn't seem troubled by Miroku's death glare instead he seemed slightly exasperated. He sighed and brushed a hand lazily through his hair before jumping down gracefully from the tree branch.

"Uncle?" I mumbled stepping back away from the two - intimidated by the dark aura they were emitting.

Ren glanced at me before returning his gaze to my father. "Stop it, Miroku. You're upsetting the chicklete." I moved closer to Uncle who placed a hand on my shoulder.

Miroku's face softened and his gaze held less hostility, but the sharp accusation never left. "What was that about?"

"What was what?" Ren asked feigning ignorance. Uncle let go of my head and held out his hand. Glancing at Miroku, I hesitantly laid my hand in his. I had never seen Uncle and Ren fight before. Usually, it was Rose with one or both. This was new and unfamiliar territory.

As Uncle pulled me a long, I glanced over my shoulder to see Miroku's glare had hardened and he had recrossed his arms. He was being scary again. When he noticed my wide frightened gaze, his demeanor immediately back peddled. His body, which was poised like an arrow, slumped and his facial features softened. He walked quickly after us and took my free hand in his. Normally, I would be elated at being stuck between two men. Right now, at this moment, I wanted nothing more than to run home. Maybe hide underneath my mother's skirt. Damn these four year old impulses.

"I don't wanna know." Miroku stated suddenly, his thumb brushing against the back of my hand.

"It's nothing." Ren's hand curled tighter around mine. "Just a greeting."

"Hmm." Miroku hummed in acknowledgement but didn't say anything else.

So the two of them walked together in uncomfortable silence with me in the middle. I felt like a third wheel.

I sighed and hung my head. There goes my happy birthday beginning.

Man, I'm too young for this crap.

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Rose Teijo was a model mother: she cooked, she cleaned, she did laundry, went grocery shopping, knitted and even did a bit of gardening. She wore colorful dresses and skirts with blouses. She even had that classic motherly temperament: loving and smothering in one moment then more terrifying than the devil the second. Though this may have been biased.

Green eyes glowered, full of irritation and rage. They were like little lasers trained onto my two male companions.

"What did you do?" She growled accusingly, arms crossed and scowl perfectly in place.

"What do mean, honey?" Miroku asked, eyes wide and expression a confused innocence.

Rose's eyes twitched. "Why is she crying, Miroku? Ren?"

"Crying?" Miroku repeated back dumbly at the same time I yelled: "I'm not crying!" Though, if I was perfectly honest with myself, it came out more of like: "Hm'ma nut crayin'!"

I'm just...there is something in my eyes damn it! My mind meekly tried to explain. It had nothing to do with the fact I had just walked ten minutes between two men who had filled the air with enough killing intent to drown a fish. I could barely breathe, my senses were running in overdrive, and my muscles were so taut I was afraid I was going split apart.

I wouldn't be surprised if any ninja in the vicinity didn't come looking.

I was in Miroku's arms, currently latched onto his kimono like a cat. Tears and snot was running down my face, and despite my best efforts, willing myself to stop crying wasn't working. So I resorted to furiously rubbing my face and eyes with my sleeves.

Ren was a little off to the side: arms crossed, head angled so he wasn't looking directly at anybody, and expression sulky.

"Give her here." Rose demanded and held out her hands. "Now."

Looking like a kicked puppy, Miroku did as his wife asked. That's not to say I went without a fight.

"No~!" I yelled childishly, kicking angrily. "I want down!" I want to go to my room, fantasize about Itachi and Kakashi, and forget this moment ever happened.

"Stop squirming!" Rose growled as she propped me up on her hip and gave a light smack on my bum. "I'll let you eat a cookie if you do."

Damn, she knows my weakness. Instantly, I went lax in her arms and laid my head on shoulder - sniffling.

"I'll talk to you two later." She promised/threatened pointing at the two in the doorway. Miroku hung his head, a cloud of depression forming; while Ren just huffed scrunching up his nose.

Giving them a dark look that would put Sasuke Uchiha to shame, she turned around and marched into the kitchen. As I snuggled into her chest, I watched the two men. Miroku was the first to break his composure. As he straightened he raised a hand and slapped Ren's shoulder. Ren didn't flinch despite the obvious force used in the slap. Ren turned his head and looked warily at his brother. Miroku refused to look at him, instead he took off his sandals then veered left into his office. Ren followed suit without a word.

Okay, family unit acting super weird. Weirder than normal.

"Rose, what's wrong with Uncle and Miroku?" I asked, my voice muffled by her shoulder.

Again, she gave a light smack against my lower back. "It's mama and papa. And I don't know, what happened?" She began running soothing circles across my back.

"I don't know either." I confessed moving my head so my forehead was now pressed against her throat and my mouth was free to move. "We left Mi-papa's work then went to find Uncle."

"And where was he?"

"In a tree with a pretty bird." I replied getting a bit starry eyed. The bird was extremely beautiful. Something out a fairy tale.

"Hmm." Rose hummed, but there was a flash of recognition that passed through her eyes. She walked into the kitchen then sat me down on a chair around an oak table. She then went over to the fridge where the cookie jar was placed on top. The height was meant to deter me from trying to get the sugary sweet treat, but I was an old soul stuck in a tiny body. I was full of nothing but time and energy. They still don't know I can get up there. I snickered.

When she handed me the cookie, I settled down into the chair and began eating. I watched silently as the orange haired woman began working on dinner once again. She was staring deeply into the pot as she stirred, as if all the answers would rise out from the steam.

"Rose?" I called out setting my half-eaten cookie down. "What's wrong with Miroku and Uncle? Why are they fighting?"

"Well, grown up's fight sometimes." She replied moving over to reach a knife. "Doesn't mean there is something wrong with them."

"I get that." I grumbled, slightly annoyed. I'm not a baby. "What are they fighting about?"

"Hmm, you don't have to worry about that sweetie." She turned around and gave me a smile. "It's nothing."

I crossed my arms and glowered. "This isn't a "wait till your older" kind of scenario is it?"

Rose laughed and began chopping up vegetables. "It's exactly that kind of scenario."

"Well, I feel inclined to tell you that I've been called a quite intelligent four year old today by a very reliable source." I told her smugly, and Rose looked over her shoulder with an amused expression. "Plus, if you add the years to my soul, I'm technically in my thirties. I'm practically a grandma - older than you!"

Rose turned around and waved the knife in the air. "You're not four, not yet. Not until 9:15 pm tomorrow." I slumped down and pouted. Rose smiled. "And you are very intelligent. Your papa and I are extremely proud of that, but there is no need for you to worry." She turned slightly away and sat the knife down before wiping her hands on her yellow apron. "Be a child for as long as you can, Nagi."

I frowned. "Uncle said the same thing." Exactly the same thing.

"It's good advice." She replied as she tightened the strings of her apron and caressed the sides of her green dress. "Now, do you wanna help mama with dinner?"

I thought about it for a moment before I shook my head. "No, I think I'll go to my room." Rose nodded and turned her attention back towards dinner.

"Alright, dinner will be done within a hour."

I slipped down from my seat, snatched my cookie, and turned around. I walked a little ways out of the kitchen and into the hallway. Before I ventured further, a question that had been plaguing me shoved its way to the forefront of my mind.

I turned back around, clasped my hands behind my back, and rocked on the soles of my feet.

"Rose?" I called out to her, nibbling on my bottom lip. "Have I-? Um, do we have a kekkei genkai?"

Crash! The bowl that Rose had been cradling in her hands fell. It was plastic, so it didn't shatter, but the vegetables she had placed in it were lost - tossed everywhere on the floor.

Her fiery green eyes immediately found my own. "How do you know those words?"

She didn't yell or demand, instead it was soft and careful. There was an authoritative tone that expected an answer.

I gulped suddenly feeling very small. "From...other kids?" That was a believable answer right?

"Why do you want to know?"

"Curiosity." About the sting.

Rose bent down slowly, eyes averted away from me. Her expression was unreadable. "No, Nagi. Our family has no kekkei genkai."

Okay, that's not convincing at all. I thought suspiciously. These adults were keeping something from me.

Without another word, I turned around sulky.

"Nagi?"

I froze and hesitated for only a moment before I looked over my shoulder to see Rose smiling warmly at me.

"It's mama." She told me and I blinked owlishly at her. "Call me mama."

My lips twitched into a almost smile, but I turned my head away.

I had a lot to think about.

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My room did not look like a room for an average four year old girl. Then again, I was not your average four year old girl. The walls were pink and I had stuffed animals on my bed, but that was the extent of the similarities. My dressers were covered in books in various sizes and thick scrolls. My walls were covered with pictures: of the village, of Earth, of the Hokages, and birds. I liked birds.

I never felt the need to hide my intelligence from my family and they never felt the need to stop me. They didn't ostracize me nor did they criticize me. They continued to encourage and love everything I do. They were proud of me and eager for me to find my place in the world. I was given everything I wanted, anything I needed, and yet they don't trust me with a simple truth.

It was frustrating, and to be honest, hurtful.

I fell back onto my bed in a huff. What were they keeping from me? When I had walked pasted Miroku's study, I stopped and peaked through the cracks. I couldn't see very well, only blurs and blobs, but I could hear someone pacing. I heard the frantic shuffling across the floor. I heard the sounds of harsh whispers and soft curses.

They were keeping something from me.

I raised a hand and hovered it over my face. Was it the bird? Can it be connected to the string? I closed my eyes and concentrated.

Open

The world of solid color fell away and the webs of string formed in its place. Attachments? String of fate? I wondered as I studied them closer. I rose up and grasped the strings attached to my chest. No matter how much I pulled or even cut the strings with scissors - they would not break or fray. They were attached to me like an extra limb. I began stroking each string fondly, eyeing them like you would a precious diamond. One yellow, two reds. Uncle, Miroku, and Rose.

I did not understand the meaning of the colors yet. Red for blood? Yellow for love? Red for love? Yellow for connection?

So many colors. So many possibilities.

I experimented once, long ago. Secretly, I had opened my eyes to look at my three family members inconspicuously. I could see my strings clearly connected to them on their own chests. I could also see their strings connected to each other.

Uncle and Miroku - yellow.

Miroku and Rose - yellow.

Uncle and Rose - blue braided against purple.

I was stumped. What did that mean?

I sighed, and let the strings go. Their emotions were in turmoil at the moment, and was giving me a headache. Miroku was angry, Uncle was agitated and angry, Rose was annoyed and getting angry.

"Whatever." I grumbled, rolling my eyes. If they didn't want to tell me - fine. I had better things to do anyway.

Like Itachi, Kakashi. I leaned down and scanned around for their string. Itachi's was curled around my ankle just lazily floating there like a content cat. Not touching, not prodding - just waiting silently. Kakashi's, I noticed was around my throat wound like a choker. Unlike the Uchiha, the Anbu's string was laid tight across my skin searching and moving like a snake.

"Interesting." I mumbled and grasped the two silvery threads. Unlike the three colored ones, I could not feel their emotions. Maybe because we weren't connected yet.

Soon though. My thoughts whispered longingly. I pulled each piece of thread off of me and instead wound and tied them around my wrists - so I could keep them close.

I smiled and pulled my arms close to my chest. I want them. I want them to be mine.

Kakashi's string tugged.

My eyes fluttered and I stared down at it. I then followed it's length down and out the closed window.

Oh.

I stood up slowly and walked over. The sun was still on the horizon shining yellows, pinks, golds, and orange yet the dark was rolling in. The shadows were large and long in the light, covering places that normally could be seen in the daylight. Kakashi's string ran straight for one. A tree whose branches were large and wide - extended over the neighbors's roof like an umbrella.

I smiled. Close

The world became clear again. I reached up to open the window as wide as I could. I then crossed my arms and leaned out so my face felt the gentle breeze of the night's air.

So he found me. Tracked me down like a dog - a hound. My boy was good. I was a nobody and he found where I lived in only a matter of hours.

I was curious about what he thought of me. Did he think I was dangerous? Was I just an overly inquisitive kid in his eyes? Was I something more? Was I special? I thought he was special.

I thought he was damn delicious.

I grinned, staring pointedly into the direction of the tree. Should I let him know that I know where he is? Probably not.

It could cause problems later.

Yet I just couldn't help myself but too stare. My boy was only just a hop and a skip away from me. Watching me. Wanting to know me. Even if it was for the wrong reasons, I couldn't help but be giddy.

He probably wouldn't leave for hours. He would stay and he would watch until he found something useful.

He's not going to find anything. My mind whispered dreamily. I'm just a normal woman in love with an abnormal man.

I wished he would come out. I wished I could see his face, if only for a short time. I laid my head down upon my arms, sighing. What does a girl got to do to start a little conversation around here?

My eyes widened as a sudden wicked idea crossed my mind. I grinned cheekily as I lifted my head and opened my mouth. Uttering a single word in invitation.

"Woof!"

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I don't have too much to say. Writing this while watching Aliens. Sigourney Weaver is the shit~ Love the Alien and Predator franchise! So Nagi wants to play a game? Will she win? Or will she get burned? Does she even know what kind of game she is playing? I mean this is world of ninja not a dating app. Hmm, I guess we will see.

I'm trying not to make Nagi act so mature. I mean, she is four years old. Her body is young and her mind is young. Even though she has Tori's soul and Tori's memories - she is still just a little girl. A perverted little girl, but a little girl just the same. She will have mature tendencies (I mean don't we all), but she will act her age even though she won't admit it.

So what is the secret? What are the three older Teijo's hiding from our little heroine? What does it have to do with that bird? Well, I know, but you guys will have to keep reading to find out.

Please, review. I want to know if you like it or hate it. I'm curious if she will be considered Mary Sue material. I don't mind Mary Sue's so much. They're still an enjoyable read in my humble opinion.

So tell me: Do you like Mary Sue/Gary Stu?

Kait