Standing in the remains of the previous battle, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked down at the body of his successor and his wife. Poor Minato and Kushina had been gored by the Kyubi while protecting their children. They lay there, faces permanently settled in an agonized expression.
Hiruzen let out a sad sigh, having been quite fond of the young couple. He had no idea how he was going to tell the village that the 4th Hokage, their leader, had died.
The sound of crying snapped the elderly man out of his thoughts, and he turned to look at the twins laying side by side. They had similar markings on their stomachs, and he suddenly understood how the Kyubi vanished. Each child had one half of the demon's chakra within them.
This also meant he would have to become Hokage once again, meaning several more years of countless paperwork and stress. He would do it for the sake of his village, but that didn't mean he had to like it.
Hiruzen once again looks at the crying twins, Naruto and Aiko. They had quieted, snuggling into each other for warmth in the chilled night. The blonde and red of their hair mingled, creating a fiery pattern. He gently lifted them into his arms, smiling at the children. They were so small, easily held by the old man. Hiruzen Sarutobi swore then and there to always be there for the offspring on Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
~5 Years Past~
Aiko stands alone in the market place, having saved up some money and wanting to buy some fruit. She didn't get to eat fruit very often, having to buy cheap ramen usually, so she was always excited to get some. Her twin didn't like it, and actually preferred the cheap ramen to anything fresh.
Aiko walked to the local fruit stand, her 5 year old legs making the journey a long one. She expertly ignored the hatefilled glares and insults sent her way. She was used to them, but she wanted to know why the village hated her so much. The only people that were kind to her were Naruto, the 3rd Hokage, and the kind old woman who ran the fruit stand, Enid.
Aiko approached the stand, gazing at the colorful, delicious items lining the cart with drool appearing at the corner of her mouth. She grabbed two apples and one star fruit, paying Enid. Said woman had been smiling kindly down at Aiko. She cared for her, thinking the girl reminded her of her late daughter.
"Will that be all, dear?," Enid asked kindly, taking the money and handing the girl her fruit.
"Yes, granny Enid," Aiko responded, flashing a rare smile at the elderly woman. "Thank you."
"Anytime deary," Enid said, watching as Aiko ran off to find her brother.
Speaking of, Naruto was currently laying in the ground near his swing, having been beat up while helping a young girl from some bullies. He had multiple bruises on his face and torso, a result of the beating her took. Aiko, spotting him, ran forwards.
"Naruto!"
She crouched next to her unconscious brother, gently shaking him. A groan sounded from the young boy's lips and he opened clouded blue eyes.
"Wha..?" He asked, sitting up. He blinked a few times before the memories of his beating came crashing back on him, and he looked at his sister. Tears began filling his eyes, and he buried himself within her open and waiting arms.
"Why, sis? Why do they hate us so much?! We did nothing, and they treat us like monsters!," Naruto sobbed into his sisters shoulder, clutching tightly at her shirt. Aiko, having done this before, rubbed his back soothingly.
"I don't know why they hate us so much, Naruto. I wish I did, but I don't, and there's nothing we can do about it," Aiko said, tears pricking the corner of her eyes.
She lifted her brother to his feet, turning to walk back to their small home. She made a vow that day, to become stronger, and show the village that she wasn't a monster. She would gain their respect, even if it killed her.
"They don't understand you, kit."
Aiko jumped, looking around for the owner of the voice. "Wha?" A deep chuckle sounded throughout her mind.
"I said, they don't understand you. That's the issue with humans, they hold petty hatred for things they can't begin to understand, " that same voice said.
"Who's talking to me?" Aiko whispered, quietly as to not let Naruto hear. She stopped walking, assuring Naruto that she just had something to do. After he left, she walked to a secluded area.
"Ok, who's in my head?"
Silence. That's all she got. Aiko let out a frustrated groan, punching a tree, and causing pieces to fly. She narrowed her eyes, punching again and again, watching as little splinters flew into the air.
"Is this what ninjas do? This is so cool!" Aiko shouted out, bouncing around. Chuckling sounded from behind her, and she turned to see a man with long black hair. He looked to be around 13 years old, towering over the redhead. His eyes were a nice onyx color, matching his hair. He had a kind smile.
"Who are you?" Aiko asked, tilting her head curiously.
"My name is Itachi Uchiha. I couldn't help but see you punch that tree. You seem to be pretty strong. Tell me, what is your name."
"My name is Aiko Uzumaki, Mister." She said, smiling up at him.
"Would you like someone to train you? I see potential within you to become a great ninja. The way you punched that tree for example. You're so young to have damaged a tree like that." Itachi said, bending down to her height.
"But, you don't know me... Why would you train someone you don't know?" Aiko asked, narrowing her eyes at Itachi. He seemed kind enough, but she had met backstabbing people who seemed to be kind before. For all she knew, he was just trying to fool her.
"I see the spirit within your eyes. You have heart, and a dream. I've seen you around, Aiko Uzumaki. I see you do whatever you can to protect your brother. You'd fight for him, die for him. Not a lot of children have such spirit. I simply wish to see how much fight you truly contain." He said wisely. "Do you accept my offer?"
Aiko blinked, pondering the idea. Have Itachi Uchiha train her? It didn't sound like a bad idea... She would get stronger, and able to protect her brother better. Maybe even be able to defend herself from the hateful people of the village. In the end, she nodded, looking up with big eyes at Itachi.
"Yes, mister, I accept your offer." She said, smiling at him.
"Good. I'll be here at 12:30 tomorrow. I hope you show up." He said, flashing one last kind smile before leaving. Aiko raced home to tell her brother.
~6 Years Past~
Aiko opened her eyes, jumping up from her bed, getting dressed, and leaving her and Naruto's apartment. It was early, only 6:45, but she had to leave before her brother woke up. Today was a special day.. October 10th. Yes, it was the twin's birthday. They were turning 6 years old. She had been saving up some money the past month so she could buy her brother a gift.
As she walked to the marketplace, she thought about her training with Itachi. He had been training her for around 4 months, and she had already mastered the transformation jutsu. She could also do some taijutsu as well. He said she had natural talent when it came to being a shinobi. That always made her smile.
She was shocked back into reality when she bumped into a person and was sent onto her butt. She looked up, seeing an angry man above her.
"Hey, watch where your going, freak!" He yelled, walking off. She looked around, seeing that more people had gathered, and were throwing insults her way. There was a downside to her birthday, it being the day the Kyubi attacked. She didn't know she had half the Kyubi sealed within her, but people were even more cruel on that day.
As she shakily stood up, the villagers pushed her back down, yelling and causing an even bigger crowd. Aiko felt tears pricking the corner of her eyes as the yelling grew louder and louder. The villagers were throwing worse insults than ever, and she felt her self control breaking.
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry.. She thought, shaking her head. Aiko never cried in front of others, because that just fueled her their fire. She hugged her knees to her chest, trying to ignore them. Unable to stop them, tears began to flow freely from her eyes.
"Shh, it's alright, kit." Said the voice she heard four months ago. Aiko blinked, befor burying her face into her knees.
'Who are you? I've heard you before, but I don't know who you are..' Aiko thought, trembling. A deep chuckle sounded.
"No need to be afraid, kit. It is not your time to know who I am. But, you'll find out soon enough."
"Stop that! She's a child!" A voice said, knocking Aiko back into reality. She looked up, wiping her tears, in time to see Itachi pushing the villagers away from her. He lifted the small child into his arms, jumping away. When he felt he got far enough away, he stopped and set a shaking Aiko down.
She looked up. "Why did you help me?"
"Because. You have become my student, and it seemed as if no one else was going to. Does that happen often?"
Aiko nodded sadly, standing. After all, she still had to buy Naruto a gift. "Can you go with me to the Market? I don't want to go by myself.."
Itachi chuckled quietly. "Yea, sure. Happy birthday, by the way."
"Thanks, Itachi-sensei." Aiko said, shyly grabbing his hand and walking back to the market with him. Itachi had no problem walking with her. In fact, she had become like a little sister to him. She pushed herself hard, and did whatever she could to protect those close to her, even if she disregarded herself.
