Uchiha Mana

CHAPTER 4

The following morning, Mana woke at the sound of Sasuke moving around. She got out of bed to see her brother, she saw him with his bag on his back, headed to the door.

“Oniisan?” She said.

Sasuke turned to his sister and saw her standing by her open door, her eyes were half-open, it was clear that she was still sleepy.

“Did I wake you, Mana?” Sasuke asked.

Mana nodded and yawned. Sasuke sighed and ushered his sister back to her bed, he tucked her in once again and placed a kiss on her forehead.

“I have training with Kakashi-sensei today, I’ll be back soon.” Sasuke said.

Mana nodded. “Good luck in training, Oniisan.”

“I will.” Sasuke said.

~*~

Just as Mana woke, she did her normal routine and went to one of the free training grounds to train. She have been trying to create the Fireball jutsu, but each time she tried, she could only create a small flame, which would piss her off. After another failed attempt, Mana fell on the ground, tired and sweaty.

“I’ll never be as good as Oniisan.” Mana sighed.

A shadow loomed over Mana’s face. She opened her eyes when she noticed the sudden darkness and saw a girl grinning just above her face. Her eyes widened at the sight of the girl and grinned.

“Hikaru-Neesan!” Mana wrapped her arms around the girl’s neck and brought her to a hug.

“Ohayo, Mana-chan!” Hikaru chuckled. “I haven’t seen you in a while, huh.”

“Hai, I missed you!”

When Hikaru was able to get free from Mana’s embrace, the girl sat beside the young Uchiha. Hikaru was the only friend that Mana had, she was the daughter of Tsubasa Ayumu; she was a girl with long brown hair that she always styled to a ponytail, and have green eyes, she wore some kind of altered white kimono that was sleeveless and only reached above her knees, knee-high sandals, and she wore her Konoha headband on her forehead.

“I see that you’re training really hard.” Hikaru said.

“I am.”

“And?” Hikaru asked.

“I’m never going to be as good as Sasuke-Niisan – OW!”

Hikaru pinched Mana at her cheek. After she released the girl from her pinch, Mana rubbed her abused cheek.

“Hikaru-Neesan.” Mana pouted.

“You’ll never be as good as Sasuke because you are way better than arrogant bastard.” Hikaru said. “Alright?!”

Arrogant bastard? Mana thought.

“Mana-chan,” Hikaru began. “You don’t always have to make Sasuke your guide to be a great shinobi – be your own great shinobi.” Hikaru poked Mana at the chest. “Be the strongest Kunoichi there is!”

“Hai!” Mana grinned.

“Now… I saw your problem earlier, and I think I just have the solution…”

“Really?!”

~*~

Mana ran through the streets in search for her brother. After hours of training with Hikaru, she finally did the jutsu flawlessly, and she was excited to show her brother her progress. While looking through the busy streets, she heard the voice of Uzumaki Naruto.

“Kakashi-sensei, you should be the one to treat us!” Naruto said.

“And why should I?” Kakashi questioned.

Mana ran towards the team and accidentally bumped into Naruto.

“Gomen, Mana-chan!” Naruto said.

She ignored Naruto’s apology and went to her brother, who she spotted was walking a few paces back from his teammates.

“Oniisan!” She called.

“Mana!” Sasuke gasped, quite surprised to see her. He placed a hand on her slightly burned cheeks and sighed. “You’re overdoing your training again --”

“Oniisan, I did it!” Mana said. “I’ve mastered the jutsu you taught me!”

~*~

Leading Sasuke and his teammates -- who insisted of coming along -- to the training field. Mana was greeted once again by Hikaru, who stood there waiting.

“So you finally found them.” Hikaru said.

“What are you doing here?” Sasuke questioned her.

“Looking after Mana-chan, unlike you.” Hikaru teased.

“I had training.” Sasuke glared at the girl.

Hikaru smirked, knowing that she have once again pissed him off.

“Oniisan, Hikaru-Neesan!” Mana called.

Sasuke and Hikaru turned and saw her standing at the edge of the lake, her eyes determined to show them her hard work. Once she was sure that she had her brother’s attention, Mana faced the water and took a deep breath. She made the hand seals and remembered what Hikaru taught her… Take a deep breath and …

KATON GOUKAKYUU NO JUTSU!

Before their eyes, a huge fireball came out of Uchiha Mana, an eight-year-old, who has just started her days at the Academy. Mana turned to her brother and saw his shocked expression, but that soon turned to a smile -- which he rarely shows to anyone. Sasuke went down to his sister’s side and placed his hand on her head.

“Well done, Mana.” Sasuke said.

Grinning, Mana wiped away the sweat that was on her forehead and puffed out her chest.

“Oniisan, this is just the beginning.” Mana said.

Sasuke nodded.

“Ikuzu, let’s celebrate Mana-chan’s hardwork!” Naruto called out.

“Stop ruining the moment!” Sakura hit Naruto at the head.

“Was that necessary, Sakura-chan?” Naruto rubbed his abused head.

As Team 7 left to Ichiraku, Hikaru stood behind and watched as Sasuke and Mana followed after them.

“Oi, Sasuke!” Hikaru called out.

“What?” Sasuke turned back to her with an annoyed look at his face.

“You’re welcome!” Hikaru said, grinning.

“Baka, I didn’t even say thank you.” Sasuke muttered.

Mana grinned.

“Arigatou, Hikaru-neesan!”