Full Title: The Road of Life - The Tale of Team Kushina

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and all of its characters.

I woke up to a familiar red corridor, though its usual calm atmosphere was replaced with a thick, brooding one. I could not fathom what could trigger such a change. I stuck my hand out to the wall beside me, trying to regain my balance as I stood up. It was wet, and warm, not unlike the sensation of blood on your hand. A feeling I know all too well, considering my line of job. I checked my person, feeling the usual black hooded coat I had gotten so familiar with, but no equipment, nor even my eyepatch. I had never needed those things, going to this place.

I looked forward, seeing nothing but pitch black corridors. I looked behind me, and was greeted by the same sight. I took a few steps forward; wary of how the change of atmosphere made the place I would always call a safe-haven so uncomfortably dreary.

"Shisui!" I called out. My voice echoed throughout the corridor. No answer greeted me. I trudged forward, a grim expression on my face.

"Shisui!" I called out again. As I took more steps forward, I could feel something sloshing against my legs. Looking down, I saw water; murky, dark water. "Where are you, Shisui!"

The place felt like a labyrinth. The usual sensation of something pulling me was gone. I had no guide, no feeling of connection. I could not feel Shisui. I quickened my pace, panic surging through me. It seemed like an eternity when I finally came upon the end of a corridor, which opened to a bigger room. I expected to see a familiar sight, telling me that everything was okay; pulling me back from the depths like a sailor would to an anchor. But there wasn't.

Shisui was gone.

"Mori Tora!"

I looked over the dining table at my mom, my eyes drooping from sleep. It was half past six in the morning, and I felt like I just wanted to crawl back into bed. "What is it, mom?" I asked.

My mom's cheeks puffed, as she usually would when she was annoyed. "Were you listening to a word I said?" she asked.

I tilted my head. "I guess not," I shrugged. Letting out a sigh, mom put her breakfast down for a second before looking at me right in the eye.

"Let me guess. You've been reading through the night, haven't you?"

I did not grace her question with an answer, which seemed to be just as much of an answer for my mom. Five years old, and my mom already had me figured out like a book in that short amount of time.

"And judging by your sour mood, you had another dream, didn't you?" she asked. Once again, she was spot on. "Still not able to remember anything about it?"

I shook my head. "Everything blurs away whenever I wake up," I answered. "You think that means something?"

She shrugged. "People dream. It's not exactly rare for them not to remember about it either. But it's affecting you."

"I'm sure it'll pass," I replied. I honestly hoped it would. Waking up so suddenly in the cold morning isn't fun. "Anyway, what were you telling me again?"

My mom's face brightened as she pulled her brown hair into a high ponytail. "Looks like Mikoto Uchiha coming to our bakery yesterday boosted its popularity quite a bit," she exclaimed. She looked so excited. While I was happy for her, I just couldn't muster up the same amount of excitement, and it wasn't just because I was sleepy.

"That's good," I answered with a small smile. "She said nice things, didn't she?"

My mom puffed her cheeks in an almost childlike manner. "Oh, I sure hope she would! Wouldn't that be great?" she asked.

"It would," I said. An endorsement from quite the public figure from such a prestigious clan would mean a lot. We weren't exactly making a lot on our ends, and while we've had a few part-timers over the last months, they were just that. Part timers. I even had my fair share of hours in the bakery.

Our house and bakery was just outside the Uchiha Compound. A few steps and a hop or two, and we'd be right at their gates. I've seen a few of their clan members milling about. They seemed so dreary, especially with their high collars. Not that I couldn't say the same to myself with how reserved I am with people around my age.

After a fulfilling breakfast and more stories from my mom, I excused myself from the table and headed to the bathroom. A quick shower and a change of clothes would be a good start for the day. Navigating the halls of our small house, I opened the door to the bathroom and closed it behind me. Picking up a small stool from the corner of the room, I put it beneath the sink and climbed on top of it. Curse my age.

Taking in myself in the mirror, I came face to face with the visage I had been seeing in the mirror for a few years now. Straight mop of brown hair framed my head. It was a bit messy, and a few bangs strayed over my forehead. My eyes were a dark green, and one thing mom noted was that I was pretty tall for a five year old. It had been a little over six months since my birthday. Six years old was just a few months away now.

I took out my toothbrush and put some paste on it. As I did my morning ritual before a shower, my mind strayed to my existence in this world. It had been five years since I was born here, and there was this undeniable feeling that it wasn't the first time I had been born. Or the feeling that some of the things I've seen here are familiar.

Mori Akemi, my mother, was an enthusiastic bundle of joy, and raised me on her own. She had always dreamed of having a bakery of her own, and the fact that she managed just that made her so happy. I never asked about my lack of a father, but the old photos of them together, and the shinobi vest he was wearing told me enough, especially as the Third Ninja World War was still going on.

My maturity had surprised a lot of strangers. Mom just brushed it off as my quirk, but the fact remained that I was mature beyond my years. There were some things I'm familiar with; some knowledge that I was sure came from somewhere. One does not just remember trigonometry calculations from birth.

But while those knowledges remained, the memories dispersed. I did not know who I was, or where I came from. It sucked, but I supposed that's how a clean slate works. Though, having all this knowledge as a cheat sheet was a bit nice, too.

Spitting out the remains of toothpaste from my mouth, I took a quick shower and put on a plain dark T-shirt and a pair of pants. Mom probably wanted me to look after the counter again for the day. As long as I got to read my book, I was fine with that.

Two hours into my duty, and only a handful of people came. Having the Uchiha Compound so close to us was like a double-edged sword. On one hand, they were a very prestigious clan, one of the founding members of Konoha, if history books rang true. On the other hand, I wasn't a stranger to the rumors about them. The Second Hokage had some beef with the clan, and it seemed that problem wasn't resolved, even now. While they were respected, they were also feared, which put our bakery in a tight spot, being so close to them.

I could hear my mom hard at work in the kitchen. She had always loved baking, and by extension, cooking. Even with meager ingredients, she could dish out some pretty good food. My eyes wandered back to my book; a small book about Konoha's history and its relations with the other Great Villages. It was the last copy available in the library, at least, the last readable copy.

I heard a chime from the bell above the door, signaling a customer coming in. "Welcome!" I greeted them, lacing my voice with as much sweet enthusiasm as possible, which probably isn't that much, to be honest. It was only a moment later when I realized who I was greeting.

Uchiha Mikoto stood there, a small smile on her face. She wasn't that tall, but I could feel an aura of authority coming out of her. "Good morning!" she greeted. "My, already hard at work, I see."

"Well, you could say that," I replied. "Anyway, what will be your choice, Uchiha-san?" I gestured to the variety of bread and pastries on display. Mom should be proud of her creations. They tasted and looked good. She even created more than a few recipes herself.

Mikoto looked around for a second before looking down behind her. "Interested in anything, Itachi?" she asked. It was then that I noticed the young boy standing behind Mikoto. He was probably only four years old, and yet I could feel a hint of maturity within his eyes.

"Itachi, is it?" I asked more to myself, but Mikoto answered it nonetheless.

"Yes, Itachi," Mikoto beamed, not unlike my mom's expression whenever she introduced me to other people. "My son is a bit quiet, but he's a nice boy."

Just at the right moment, mom came out with another batch of fresh bread. She almost dropped her tray when she caught sight of the Uchiha matriarch. "Oh, my!" she exclaimed. "You came back!" she cried out, almost in tears. Mikoto just chuckled mirthfully.

"Well, you did make some pretty good bread. Itachi here wanted to see where it was made. He especially likes the sweet ones," Mikoto chuckled.

After exchanging greetings, mom stumbled back to the kitchen. Mikoto and young Itachi took their time before presenting their chosen products to the counter. I noted the amount, wrote down the price and presented Mikoto with the bill. "Here it is," I said.

As she handed me the appropriate amount of money, I heard a small voice from Mikoto's hip. "Is that the History of Konoha and Her Relations?" Itachi asked about the book sitting innocently on the counter. I had forgotten that it was still there.

"Yes, it is," I said, a little unsure. "Why?"

Itachi looked to the side for a moment before setting his eyes back on the book. "The library had no copies of the book left to borrow," he said.

So he can read already, I thought. The thought of a four year old reading this level of writing was astounding. Of course, the same could be applied to me, but I had the advanced mental capacity to help me learn how to read faster. "Want to borrow it?" I asked Itachi.

Itachi's eyes widened and he looked to his mother, as if asking for permission. With a smile from her, Itachi turned back to me. "Can I?" he asked, hands folded in front of him. He was so polite, even to kids around his age.

"Well, I would say not to ruin it, but I get the feeling that you take care of your books," I said, picking up the book before handing it to Itachi. He cautiously accepted it; as if afraid I'd pull back and change my mind at the last second.

"Oh, he will. He always does," Mikoto said proudly, putting a hand on Itachi's head.

"When should I return it?" Itachi asked.

I shrugged. "Whenever you're finished with it, really. I'm not in a hurry."

"Thank you," Itachi beamed. It was almost unnoticeable, but one could catch the slightest of smiles on the boy's face. I put the paid products in a bag before handing it over to Mikoto.

"You know, you're not like most kids I've seen, even among my clan," Mikoto said as she took the bag. "You're perceptive for your age."

I blushed as I folded my hands behind my back; a habit I do whenever I'm embarrassed. "I get that a lot," I said.

"It's good to see Itachi reaching out for once, even if it's to borrow a book," Mikoto said. "Well now, I believe it's time we head back, Itachi."

"Yes, mother," Itachi replied.

"Oh, by the way," Mikoto turned back to me. "I didn't catch your name."

"It's Tora. Mori Tora, Uchiha-san."

"Well, then. See you later, Tora-kun. And thank you for the bread," Mikoto said as she headed out with Itachi, the small bell on top of the door chiming to mark their exit. Silence descended upon the room once more, but now I had no book to occupy me for the day. But I didn't mind that much.

I got the feeling that this interaction with Itachi wouldn't just be a one-time thing.

Yes, the awaited rewrite of "Stuck on the Road of Life" now titled simply as "The Road of Life". I know that I said that it'd be a while before a rewrite, but I guess I was just bored.

No, this won't be a ShisuixTora fanfic, at least not a romantic one. And unlike most OC-Insert, Tora won't remember anything of his previous life, only vague recollections. But don't worry, his presence will change the story quite a bit, just not in a way most expects. I just feel him not having a memory will provide a much more natural progression and reduce unnecessary thoughts on Tora's part. Making him think of ways to change stuffs is too much of a hassle for me.

Anyway, follow and favorite for more. You can put on a review or just PM me if you have any questions. Until then, see ya!