Previously on "Finding My Way":

"The tracking seal has been placed Hokage-sama."

"There's an influx of foreign chakra surrounding Uchiha-chan's heart."

"It could cause her heart to give out."

"You Uchiha never seem to get a break..."

Now [Chapter 6: Like Her Father]

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~silence~

The Hokage rose a brow at the jōnin, smile hidden behind his folded hands. Kakashi sweatdropped, rubbing the back of his neck almost sheepishly.

Yasuko was beet red, face buried in her tiger's neck. You could almost see steam coming up from her.

The Hokage only watched the proceedings with amused eyes.

"Ma ma~ Yasuko-chan, you don't need to be so embarrassed. It's quite normal for children your age." Kakashi tried to comfort the blushing child. Key word being tried.

Yasuko whined. "D-Did it ever happen to you, Kakashi-oji?" She whimpered.

Kakashi paused, trying to come up with an answer. He obviously didn't think fast enough when Yasuko whined again and snuggled further into Ru's neck, wishing that the ground would just swallow her up already.

Kakashi's head dropped in defeat.

After releasing Yasuko from the genjutsu, the Hokage and Kakashi left her to wake on her own, leading her to sleep for three hours, waking up around two in the afternoon. Unfortunately, It seems that the major change in environment, stress, and homesicknesses caused a series of nightmares that had major effects on the child, leading to a little 'accident' in her sleep.

After waking, Yasuko had been given a change of clothes and proceeded to bury herself in Ru's fur coat.

Which leads us to where we are now.

"Now now, Yasuko. With everything that has happened, it's quite understandable, especially for your age." The Hokage soothed.

"If it makes you feel better, Haruka went through the same thing on her first mission outside the village." Kakashi shrugged.

Yasuko paused, pulling away from Ru, staring at Kakashi with teary eyes. "Mama?" She sniffed.

Kakashi nodded. "She was two years older than you too."

Biting her lip, Yasuko released her grip around Ru's neck, wiping away her tears. The Hokage smiled while Kakashi rubbed her head soothingly. "Feel better, Yasuko-chan?" The jōnin eye smiled.

Sniffing once more, Yasuko nodded, standing beside her pseudo-uncle as they faced the Hokage.

Seeing the situation has settled, the Hokage cleared his throat, sorting through the paperwork on his desk. "Now Yasuko, we still have a written test and ninjutsu test left for you to do before we can give you your place in the Academy." At this a man entered the office, bowing to the Hokage.

Yasuko's eyebrows furrowed, not familiar with the man as he had no distinguishable clan characteristics. His hair was in a spiky ponytail, quite similar to a certain nii-san she had met, but she could tell the man was no Nara by his posture alone. Besides the hair, the only distinct feature the man had, was a scar running across his nose.

"This is Umino Iruka, one of the Academy's sensei."

Yasuko bowed in greeting to the man, while the chūnin smiled at the polite girl.

"Iruka, this is Uchiha Yasuko, a new resident of Konoha. She is the one you'll be testing today."

Iruka blinked, eyes widening. "U-Uchiha?"

The Hokage nodded. "Currently Yasuko's clan name is a secret, known only to the ANBU, clan heads, and several high ranking jōnin. Please keep this in mind, Iruka, as this is for Yasuko's safety."

Iruka's shoulders stiffened and nodded in understanding. "Of course Hokage-sama." Turning to the Uchiha, he smiled gently, motioning her to follow him. "Come along Uchiha-chan. We will return once you finish your test."

Waving, Yasuko followed after the Academy teacher, Ru on her heels.

"Ano, Umino-sensei?"

Iruka hummed glancing back at the white tiger curiously. "You can call me Iruka-sensei, Uchiha-chan."

Yasuko's eyes brightened, smiling shyly. "It's nice to meet you, Iruka-sensei. You can call me Yasuko! This is my friend Ru-kun!"

Iruka chuckled, nodding at the girl and her tiger. "The pleasure is mine, Yasuko, Ru."

Entering one of the rooms of the tower, Iruka placed a small folder on a table, along with a pencil and eraser. The duo took a seat on opposite sides of the table, while Ru moved to stand guard by the door.

"Now Yasuko, this test has a compilation of questions taught in all subjects at the academy and should take around two hours to complete. If you have questions don't be afraid to ask me alright?" Receiving a nod, Iruka smiled. "Whenever you are ready you may begin."

"Hai, Iruka-sensei." Taking a seat she riffled through the papers before starting.

Nodding in approval, Iruka took out his own work of papers that he needed to grade.

Time Skip

"E-eh? Y-you're done already?"

Yasuko nodded, smiling shyly as she handed her papers to the shocked teacher.

Iruka gaped at the 8-year-old, looking between her and the test she had just finished. It's only been a little more than an hour and with a quick look through, he could see that every question had indeed been answered.

'T-that's impossible! The test covered all the subjects that the graduating class is taking. History, mathematics, even Konoha's basic ninja codes! She shouldn't have all this information as a new resident of the village! Just who is this child?'

Iruka hid his panic behind a smile, carefully placing all the papers in its folder and rose from his seat. "Let's go to the Hokage and show him, shall we?"

Yasuko grinned, skipping as she followed after the chūnin.

"Hokage-sama, this is Umino Iruka along with Yasuko."

"Come in."

Bowing at the waist, Iruka watched with wary eyes as Yasuko skipped up to the Hokage's, bowing with a bright smile.

"Yasuko, Kakashi will be taking you to a training ground where he will test your taijutsu skills." The child nodded, bounding to her guardian. Bringing the child into his arms, Kakashi nodded to his superior, and with a glance at Yasuko's white tiger, jumped out the window, a white blur following right after.

"Iruka, report."

At the training grounds

"Yasuko-chan, can you tell me your experience in taijutsu?" Kakashi asked as the two lazed in the shade of a tree in the training grounds.

Yasuko bit her lip but nodded. "Since I'm still growing Papa didn't put me through training that could negatively affect my body in the future. We mainly focused on agility and flexibility. He also taught me the basic Academy style for taijutsu and some techniques that Mama used in her own taijutsu."

Kakashi hummed. "Quite smart of Itachi. Your slight build puts you at a disadvantage against stronger and larger opponents, so agility would be your best bet. Haruka was quite the same." Yasuko nodded brightly.

Kakashi groaned as he stretched, moving to his feet. "Well for your physical test, we'll be doing basic target practice with shuriken and kunai. After we'll have a small spar to see how adept you are in taijutsu. Hokage-sama ordered us to return after for a small ninjutsu test once we're done." Kakashi droned lazily. "Ready Yasuko?"

Yasuko nodded determinedly, moving towards the available targets in the training ground. Standing a safe distance away, Kakashi rose a brow at the tiger that laid curled around his feet before shrugging.

"Ten shuriken and ten kunai, Yasuko-chan. Centre of any of the targets. Start!"

Back in the Hokage's office

The Hokage frowned as he leaned forward on his folded palms. "This is worrying. The results of her test prove that we have a leak of information and we are unsure of how far this leak has gone. Our major worry is with the basic village codes. Although they aren't very effective, they still give some trouble to those without knowledge of the codes."

"Hokage-sama, just who is that girl? I understand she's an Uchiha, but for a new resident to know all this..." Iruka trailed off.

The Hokage sighed, turning in his chair as he took out his pipe.

"She is Uchiha Haruka and Itachi's daughter. A captured ward of the Akatsuki."

Iruka's eyes widened. "I-Itachi?! The Akatsuki?!"

Hiruzen puffed, nodding solemnly. "Her knowledge must have come from Itachi. Our best case scenario is that Itachi had only taught Yasuko..."

"Worse case is he leaked more than just the basic ninja codes... the boy had been in ANBU Hokage-sama." Iruka noted grimly.

The Hokage closed his eyes with a sigh and nodded. "I'll be sending a notice to the intelligence unit. Their top priority is to re-code all B-S Rank information and create several new coding systems. The basic codes taught at the Academy will remain the same. Once the new systems are completed, they'll be taught to ANBU and the T&I. Eventually, the ninja forces will have to learn these new systems. It's better to be safe and sorry than have my whole village compromised."

Sensing a chakra signature pulse in a familiar code before disappearing, the Hokage sighed. "Yasuko's parents are an S-Rank secret, understand, Iruka."

The academy teacher gulped and the rise of KI in the room and nodded, bowing. "Of course, Hokage-sama."

A knock interrupted the tense silence of the room before the door opened revealing a rather ruffled Yasuko followed by her usual white striped stalker. Kakashi's entrance, however, caused a bit of confusion. The man's uniform was ripped in several places as if he was clawed and he seemed to be favouring his right leg at the moment.

"Kakashi, report."

The silver-haired man slouched, glancing every now and then at Ru. "Yasuko-chan's taijutsu is on par with the graduating class. She favours agility and flexibility in her personal fighting style. Her precision with weapons is 9/10 and has vast knowledge and skill of kenjutsu. Due to her young age, she had not been put through strenuous training exercises that could stunt her growth or affect her negatively in the future." Kakashi winced as he shifted in his place.

"And how did you get into this predicament?" The Hokage rose a brow, motioning towards his current state.

Kakashi closed his eyes, sighing. "Ru." Was all he said.

Seeing as he won't be getting anything, the Hokage turned to the young Uchiha, who was fidgeting in her place beside Kakashi.

Smiling sheepishly, Yasuko glanced at her tiger friend before addressing the Hokage. "Ano... at the end of our spar... Kakashi-oji had pinned me down, and I guess Ru-kun didn't seem to like that. So... Ru-kun ended up tackling Kakashi-oji and scratched and bit him before he could get away." Yasuko bowed her head, wincing as she glanced at the jōnin. "I'm really sorry Kakashi-oji. I'll make sure Ru-kun won't do it again."

Though he was still in a bit of pain, Kakashi waved his hand. "Ma ma~ It's okay Yasuko-chan. Ru's just protective of you. As long as he doesn't end up attacking anyone else in the village, everything should be fine."

Yasuko nodded slowly, holding her friend back from Kakashi, who had frozen before he could ruffle Yasuko's hair like usual.

"Ru-kun, stop! It was a spar! Like with Papa and the others." She scolded her friend.

The tiger growled, glaring at Kakashi before nudging Yasuko farther away from the men. Yasuko sighed in exasperation but allowed the protective predator to do as he wished. She sent an apologetic look at the adults who only watched in amusement as Ru pushed her to sit and curl around her.

"Well Yasuko, it seems you passed the written and taijutsu portion of your test with flying colours." The Hokage's gaze was hidden beneath his hat as he continued, "For the ninjutsu portion, I'd like you to perform two jutsu that are taught in the Academy."

Yasuko nodded.

"The transformation jutsu and the cloning jutsu."

Iruka's eyes widened. "Eh? But Hokage-sama those jutsu-" The Hokage rose a hand, halting the academy teacher and rose a brow at the Uchiha.

"Whenever you're ready, Yasuko."

The little Uchiha nodded and closed her eyes, she began the hand signs for the transformation jutsu.

Dog -> Boar -> Ram ->

"Henge no Jutsu!" Smoke surrounded the child before revealing a near identical Hatake Kakashi.

Ru jumped away, growling at the transformed Yasuko before tilting his head as he caught Yasuko's scent. He prowled forward cautiously, sniffing at the Kakashi imitation. Releasing the jutsu, Yasuko giggled, grinning at her rather vexed friend.

Calming herself, Yasuko focused on her chakra as her hands formed the tiger seal.

"Bushin no Jutsu!"

Yasuko frowned when one of the three clones she made was rather dull in comparison to the others. With her training on medical ninjutsu, her control with her chakra had significantly improved. But with the vast amount of chakra she had, she still had some trouble controlling the amount of chakra used. Usually, she would use shadow clones, but with her father's limiters in mind, she thought it would be best to downplay her abilities for now.

The Hokage and Kakashi's eyes narrowed, while Iruka watched with shock.

"Seems we have another prodigy on our hands." The Hokage smiled as if amused.

Kakashi eye smiled, nodding, gazing at Yasuko intently as she allowed the clones to disperse. "Just like her father."

"Did I pass, Hokage-sama?" Yasuko asked.

The Hokage chuckled and nodded. "With flying colours, Yasuko. You'll be joining the graduating class."

Yasuko grinned and ruffled the top of Ru's head as he roared playfully at her.

"Did you hear that Ru-kun? We'll be doing the graduating class. I wonder if we will see Shika-nii there. Oh, wait," She turned to the Hokage, "Is Ru-kun allowed to come with me?"

"As long as he doesn't harm the other students or teachers and behaves, there shouldn't be a problem with Ru joining you in the Academy."

The child nodded and wrapped her arms around Ru's neck. "You better behave Ru-kun, we can't have you getting kicked out. I need my best friend with me." Ru gave Yasuko a I-don't-need-you-to-tell-me-this face, which made Yasuko laugh and the trio of adults to hide their amusement.

"Iruka, can you escort Yasuko. Show her where the Academy is and take her for a late lunch." The Hokage ordered.

The academy teacher nodded, holding his hand out for the Uchiha child. Yasuko grinned, bounding up to take the man's hand. Ru followed behind the pair. Looking over her shoulder, Yasuko waved smiling happily.

"Bye bye~"

The Hokage and Kakashi waved, smiling at the young girl.

Once the office doors closed, the Hokage sighed, chin resting on folded hands.

"You noticed as well, haven't you, Kakashi?"

The silver-haired man sighed, as he leaned back against the wall, staring out the window.

"You mean the way she was purposely holding herself back?" The man inquired.

Hiruzen nodded, looking over Yasuko's written test.

"She finished the test under an hour, however, she deliberately got some answers wrong, resulting in a total mark that would put her average if she had been the same age as the graduating class." The Hokage noted.

Kakashi nodded, recalling his own observations. "I purposely gave out openings during our spar and I noticed the way her eyes would flicker to them, but she never went to attack. Her chakra control is impeccable for her age and if you include the fact that she has chakra reserves only beaten by Uzumaki Naruto..."

Kakashi trailed off.

"Kakashi continue watching her. Report any findings and note any information she slips on the Akatsuki. You may be dismissed."

Kakashi nodded before transporting out.

The Hokage sighed, turning in his chair to gaze at the clouds.

"Uchiha Yasuko... will you bring honour to your name or follow the path of your clansmen?"

- - - - - - - - - -

Next time on "Finding My Way":

"I'M LATE!"

"She looks like Sasuke-kun!"

"Good luck, Yasuko."

"Another prodigy?"

[Chapter 7: The Academy]

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I know I promised an update on the weekend but this time my procrastinating is not to blame. There was a storm on Thursday and our wifi was cut until this morning, which really sucks so I only got wifi when I went to the mall or McDonalds. 

Expect the next update sometime in two weeks. 

Any questions just comment here. Follow, vote, add to your library, you do you. 

Lala, out.