"Okay. You should know the rules by now, but I'll go over them once more just in case. This fight is strictly taijutsu. No weapons, or other abilities allowed. Your aim is to pin your opponent, nothing more." Sensei gave us a stern look, then held his arm out. "Okay... start!"

He brought his arm down, and Sakura ran at me, glancing in Sasuke's direction every so often. I dodged her first hits with ease, ducking, jumping, sliding. She was fast, but not fast enough, and barely paying attention.

I grabbed her forearm in a grip that Inoichi-sensei had showed me, and flipped her into the ground with a harsh thwack. I grimaced guiltily as she cried out in pain, and I could see Iruka going to stop us, but being stopped by Mizuki as Sakura picked herself up and glared at me. She lunged at me again, and this time, was paying attention. She landed a few hits, and then threw a high kick, which I ducked to dodge.

"I saw what you did." she hissed as we danced to the music of battle, "How dare you hug my Sasuke-kun?!"

We exchanged hits for a while, until eventually, one of us was down. Me.

"Winner: Sakura Haruno!" I laughed a little breathlessly, picking myself up, then shook Sakura's hand.

"Well done, Sakura-san." I bowed. "Thank you for not holding back."

She just huffed and walked away, with a smug look. I bit my lip; that had sort of hurt, but I guess I'd have to get used to it.

* * *

"You so could of won that match, Sachi-chan!" Kiba said as we were walking home, throwing his hands up in irritation. "She left herself wide open! After that high-kick, you should have hit her while she was regaining her balance!"

I smiled at the pavement, my hair falling in my eyes. "I guess I just don't have a shinobi's keen senses yet." I mumbled, then looking at the sky.

"That's wrong." Kiba muttered, "You did see it. You're just too nice."

I shrugged, and laughed. "Maybe you're right. But either way, I still gain experience! And I am thankful to Sakura-san for that."

We walked in silence for a little while, and I smiled absently as three children of about three or four ran past, laughing, as an older woman rushed to keep up with them. This village was so.. cosy, so warm. It seemed as though everything here was happy. I just wish I could have shared it with Mother and Father... Mother would have loved the Dango shop here, and Father would have admired the trees in the forest, saying they were perfect for building this, that, and the other.

"Kiba-kun..?" Kiba looked over at me, a curious look on his face. I almost giggled; he did look a picture with Akamaru perched on his head like that. "What are your parents like?"

He looked confused about my question, and frowned a bit, but then turned his gaze ahead and smiled. "My mom's crazy. She's obsessive, and scary... but I guess she's a good mom. I always have good food, 'course she never cooks it, because she's always out." he grinned, "Plus, she gave me Akamaru!"

I giggled as Akamaru barked, then watched him carefully. "What about your Father?"

His smile disappeared, and I instantly regretted asking. "He left two years ago. Haven't heard since."

I panicked, "Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"It's okay. I say, who needs him? If he's the kind of man that would leave his wife alone with two kids, then we're better off without him." he grinned, though not as full as before, and I smiled.

"I admire your bravery, Kiba-kun." I decided to change the subject. "So you have a sibling?"

Kiba nodded. "Yeah, my onee-chan Hana. She's Genin at the moment, but is training to be a vet-nin!" the look of pride faded, and he looked at me in curiosity. "What about you? I heard you're living with Ino."

"I have no siblings, and my parents are dead." now it was Kiba's turn to look guilty. He started to apologise, but I cut him off. "Don't worry about it. It was almost a year ago now, I can barely remember it."

Of course, that was a lie, but it seemed to appease Kiba some.

I suddenly felt the urge to tell him everything. This boy, that I had only just met. But I couldn't. It would weigh down on his soul too much. And that look of pity that he would no doubt give me... I can't stand it.

* * *

As I sat in my seat in the classroom, awaiting Kiba, I was not oblivious to the glares I was recieving from a certain crowd. Ino had yet to arrive also; she had been late up, and would be hopefully arriving soon, for her sake. If not, she would be late.

I wasn't surprised that Ino had overslept; she had been up half of the night ranting to me about the nerve of Sakura, crushing on her Sasuke. And then a bit longer, preaching about how amazing Sasuke was. I had somehow managed to fall asleep during the Sasuke-fans-forever preach, but still, I was dog-tired. Plus, I hadn't gotten properly ready this morning, and had skipped breakfast, and now I needed the loo really badly.

I edged out of my desk, and out of the classroom, and I heard whispers. Taunting things being called out at me, stinging like actual physical attacks. And then, just as I got to the door, something hit into my foot, making me trip and fall. I landed on my hands and knees, seeing Sakura out of the corner of my eye, then picked myself up and rushed to the bathroom. I locked myself in the cubicle, and leaned against the wall, biting my lip to stop the tears. It had been like this for a few days now, and was getting increasingly harder to ignore.

I wasn't weak... I refused to believe it to be so. I'm not a disappointment either!

But.. they said it with such certainty... and it stung worse than any knife. I wonder... would Mother be proud? Would Father? Or would they be ashamed? Would they shun me? I was a useless shinobi, too sensitive and kind. Too soft hearted.

'Do not be ashamed for that...'

I jumped, then whispered "Who's there?"

Silence answered me, and, wiping my tears away, I stood, leaving the lavatory, though deeply shaken. I went to the sink, and splashed cold water on my face, then dried off with a tissue and stuffed my hands in my pockets.

It hadn't been so bad at first, just glares and the odd whisper. But it was since that day...

I had heard people whispering, mumbling about something.

"Did you hear? The Uchiha clan was wiped out."

"Yeah, and he's the only one left."

The two boys had been looking at Sasuke. I just knew he could hear them, but he kept facing straight ahead, and I couldn't see his expression. But I could relate, and that was part of what made it seem so horrible to me. And yet, I was semi-relieved. Someone else knew my pain, my suffering. Knew what it was to lose all that was dear to you.

I hadn't done anything in class, but later on, when it was about seven pm and I went out to do some kunai training, I had ran into him at the training grounds. I had watched him from in the trees for a moment, then come out. "Hello, Sasuke-san."

His gaze had flickered to me for a moment, then back on his target as he pummelled it restlessly.

I stood and watched him for a moment, in a comfortable silence, then went to a different stump and started throwing kunai at it. I was pleased when most of them hit their mark, and by the time it was nine pm, which was my curfew, I was happy with my progress.

It seemed that Sasuke was about to leave also, as while I collected my kunai, he was packing away his things also. I bit my lip, then walked over to him.

"I... are you okay, Sasuke-san?" he looked down at me with cold eyes, and I held my hands behind my back. He just nodded stiffly, then turned away.

I don't know why I did it. It was a stupid thing to do, but... I hadn't known that the fangirls were watching.

I grabbed his wrist before he could walk away. He glared at me, "What are you-?!"

He cut off as I pulled him into a warm hug, then froze. It took a moment, but eventually he relaxed, and his head dropped against my shoulder. His fingers twisted in my shirt, and he hid his face in my neck. I felt the slight dampness of tears, but said nothing.

It wasn't right for children our age to have to bottle up our feelings like this. We were only seven.

But I could understand how he felt. Of course, he didn't know that, but... he just needed a hug.

I wasn't offended when he didn't speak to me the next morning in class. He gave me a meaningful look, but I didn't get the chance to speak to him, as that was when the abuse started from the other girls. They had seen me and Sasuke the night before, and were not happy.

I haven't spoken to anyone about their actions. I don't quite understand it, but this is something I want to suffer alone. I usually go by a more 'care and share' approach, but... I just, this once, don't want to run to someone else.

'It's best to share your problems with another, child...' there that voice was again! That velvety woman's voice. But who was she?

"Who are you?" I whispered again, but once more, nothing answered me.

"Hey, Sachi-chan, are you all right? You look like you've seen a ghost." Kiba sat down next to me, and I blinked. I smiled at him, shaking off the chill that ran up my spine.

"Oh! Ohayo, Kiba-kun."

The rest of the school day passed slowly, with those girls still tormenting me. By the time sensei dismissed us, I had a few cuts and bruises that I hid with my clothing, and stinging scrapes on my palms and knees from where I had fallen earlier.

I walked home with Ino, and went to the bathroom to wash my hands as Yamanaka-san spoke with her daughter. I winced as the soap stung my new cuts, then started up the stairs. I froze as I heard my name being mentioned.

"Ino, do you know what's going on with Sachiko?" that was Yamanaka-san. "She's been acting really strange lately."

"What do you mean, Okaa-chan?"

"She always used to come through and talk to me after school. Now she just goes straight to her room. Is... is she getting on okay?"

"Well... I think she gets picked on a little. I don't really see, they only do it while I'm not there." Ino sounded ashamed. "I think it's because she's friends with Sasuke."

"The Uchiha boy? But why would she..?"

"The other girls can be pretty vicious."

I continued up the stairs, biting my lip. I didn't want to hear any more.

'Need some help, child?'

I looked up, meeting glittering emerald eyes, set in the face of the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She had long, flowing midnight hair, that was partly pinned back with jewelled clips, seemed darker than the night sky itself, and skin that was paler than that of a corpse. Her body was slender, with curves in the right places, and dressed in a beautiful white silk kimono that was complimented by a translucent material draped around her shoulders and arms. The kimono billowed out from her waist to give her a look of graceful elegance, as though she was dancing, even in stillness. Her ruby lips were parted in a somewhat loving smile, and I found it comforting, familiar.

"Wh-who are you?" I asked quietly, stepping back a little and closing my bedroom door.

'I am you, child... I am your inner self.' she spoke with such a voice that made me feel as though I sat in a warm pool of crystal clear water, with roses and sweet pea flowers floating around me. Such kindness in her voice. 'But in some ways, I am not. I am inside of you, child...'

I frowned, confused. First she said she was me, then she was inside of me?

She smiled warmly, seeing my confusion. 'I am Izanami no Mikoto...' my eyes widened in shock, 'The Goddess of Creation.'

"W-why are you here?" I choked out. This was a lot to take in.

'I am always here... I always have been. I am part of you.'

I scowled, growing frustrated. "What does that mean?!"

Izanami no Mikoto laughed softly, and her hand reached out to ruffle my hair, then cup my chin.

'Explanations will come in due time, child... but as of now, I bear a warning.' her expression darkened, becoming grave. 'My counterpart is also withing you. As of now, she is resting. Izanagi no Mikoto took care of her. But on your tenth birthday, she will awaken, and I will be pulled into slumber. It would be wise for you to no longer be living with others by then.'

I just stared at her, very confused.

'Although in most ways, she and I are one and the same, we are seperate in consciousness. I will occasionally be able to supress her for you, but only for a while.' a look of urgency crossed her features. 'I'm running out of time.' she knelt down on level with me, and looked me straight in the eye. 'Do not let her take control of you. She will attempt to poison your mind, drag you down... do not allow her to succeed.'

Then, she leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on my forehead, leaving a tingling sensation behind. Her eyes held the look of motherly love, and it brought tears to my eyes, reminiscent of my own mother. 'Good luck, Sachi...'

Then she vanished, leaving nothing behind but a dusting of golden energy that faded into my palm, healing my cuts, and a warm feeling in my chest.

* * *

Woop woop! Chappie two is a GO!

If you don't know the story of Izanami no Mikoto, then you need to read up on your Japanese deities. I have changed it a little bit, but it's all for the sake of the story.

The picture on the side is her.

Hehe, listening to MCR right now :3

Well, hope ya liked!