Uchiha Mana

CHAPTER 5

“Mana, behave yourself while I’m gone, and don’t give Tsubasa-san any trouble.”

“I know, Oniisan.” Mana sighed.

After Team 7’s D rank mission, they were given a C rank mission -- since the Hokage gave in to Naruto’s demands of a “challenging” mission -- and it was to escort a bridge-builder named, Tazuna, to the Land of the Mist, and guard him as he accomplished it. Since it was his first time leaving Mana alone for a long time, Sasuke was making sure that she was prepared.

“Don’t worry, Sasuke-kun, we’ll take care of Mana-chan.” Ayumu said.

“I know, arigatou, Ayumu-san.” Sasuke said, bowing.

“Stop worrying already, it’s not like its the first time you left Mana-chan in our care.” Hikaru smirked at his way.

“I’m just making sure that Mana will be alright since I won’t be back for a few months.” Sasuke glared at the girl.

“You forget, Sasuke, I was the one who took care of Mana-chan when she had a high-fever, while you pace around in the living room!” Hikaru had her hands on her waist.

Sasuke’s glare at the girl did not falter. He wanted to --

“Oniisan, stop worrying.” Mana said, slightly blushing in embarrassment. “I’ll be fine.”

Sasuke sighed and knelt down to Mana’s height, he kissed her forehead and patted her head.

“I’ll be leaving now, see you around.”

As Team 7 left the gates of the village, Sasuke took a second glance at the Mana, who was waving goodbye at him.

“Bye, Oniisan! Good luck!” Mana called out.

Sasuke smiled, but then sighed. He needed to get back as soon as possible.

“Don’t worry, Sasuke-kun, Mana-chan is in good hands.” Sakura said.

“And leaving her with the Tsubasas is the best decision, so there’s no need to worry about anything.” Kakashi said.

Well, I need to worry about keeping you all safe…

~*~

Mana listened carefully and took note of everything that Iruka taught in the class. Though the lessons that he was teaching were redundant since she already knew them, Mana still made a great effort to listen -- besides, this was going to be in the exams.

“Now, the Five Great Shinobi Countries. At the Northwest is the Land of Earth, at Northeast is the Land of Lightning, in the East is the Land of Water, at the Southwest is the Land of Wind, and at the very center is the Land of Fire… the countries are named after the dominant chakra nature of each areas. These superpowers are the major players in the politics and trade between the shinobi nations. They are the powerful of all nations, and each has an extremely powerful shinobi in the village.” Iruka turned to his class. “Can you tell what are these powerful shinobi villages?”

For a moment, Mana remembered that exact question her father asked her when she was little. She didn’t know the answer at first, so he left her to think what it was. So, Mana dedicated her time to learn about the Five Great Shinobi Countries and memorized each village there was, and could point each at the map.

“Iwagakure.” Mana spoke, catching all of her classmates’ and Iruka’s attention. “The Land of Earth.”

“That’s right…” Iruka smiled. “Any more?”

“Kumogakure, the Land of Lightning; Kirigakure, the Land of Water; Sunagakure, the Land of Wind; and Konohagakure, the Land of Fire… these are the only villages to have a Kage as the village leader -- the strongest shinobi there is.” Mana continued.

“It seems, Mana is the only one reading her books….” Iruka sighed. “Before I end the class, I have a little assignment for you.” Groans were heard from the students. “I want you all to read about the Five Kages of each village, and get ready for a test next week as well. Alright, you’re dismissed.”

While her classmates left the classroom, Mana could hear some muttering and whispering things about her being a “know-it-all” and a “teacher’s pet”, as much as she wanted to speak up, she knew that it was best to just keep quiet. She couldn’t help but notice that one of her classmates have been staring at her since she spoke in class, turning to see who it was, she saw a young boy with brown hair, who wore a long blue scarf and goggles over her head. She knew who it was…

Sarutobi Konohamaru, the Third Hokage’s grandson…

When Konohamaru saw that he was caught staring, he blushed and turned away. He ran away, following after his friends.

~*~

Sasuke and Naruto were racing to the top of the tree. Both were beaten up by the constant falls and failure to reach the top by concentrating their chakra to their feet to stick on the tree trunk. And when the two boys reached their limits, they were dragged back by Sakura to bridge builder’s home and were served a meal. But even in dinner, both Naruto and Sasuke were still in their little competition.

“More please!” Sasuke and Naruto demanded.

“Slow down or you’ll get sick!” Sakura scolded.

And on cue, both boys threw up.

“I TOLD YOU!”

Finally listening to Sakura -- and their stomach -- Sasuke and Naruto slowed down with their eating and relaxed -- well, Naruto did.

“You’re worrying again.” Kakashi told Sasuke.

Sasuke looked away from his Sensei.

“You wouldn’t understand…” he muttered.

~*~

A month have passed since Sasuke and the others left for their mission, and Mana was starting to miss her brother’s presence. She would ask Ayumu or Hikaru, everytime she would be picked up after the Academy to go to the village gates to wait for them. The two women would gladly do so, but each passing minute of watching Mana look at the open road made them look at the girl with sorrow. So, to end her sadness, they would always ask her to come home after waiting a good thirty minutes at the gates and promised that Sasuke would return, eventually.

~*~

“You i***t!” Sasuke grunted.

Just before he fell, Naruto caught his body. Sasuke’s state was not good, his chakra was low, and his body was stabbed by needles everywhere that Naruto was sure have hit very important organs.

“Sasuke, wake up!” Naruto yelled.

Sasuke didn’t respond.

Not yet…

“You i***t, wake up! Oi! Mana-chan is waiting for you back home! You can’t just leave her! Sasuke!”

Mana…

Sasuke didn’t know how, but sitting beside him was Mana, she was smiling sadly at him.

Mana?! What are you doing here?

Mana placed her hand on his.

“Oniisan, when you get back, let’s play hide and seek!”

~*~

Five weeks have passed, and Mana have made it her routine to go to the village gates every morning before she went to the Academy, and before she goes back to the Tsubasa home. On this occasion, it was Hikaru who stood with her.

“Don’t worry, Mana-chan, I’m sure Sasuke will be back tomorrow.” Hikaru said. “Let’s go back home.”

“You said that the last time…” Mana said in a whisper, but the girl still heard it.

Hikaru ignored Mana’s comment and took her hand.

“Ikuzu…”

But before she and Hikaru were to leave, Mana heard the singing voice of Naruto from the road.

“That bastard made it back.” Hikaru muttered under her breath.

Mana got out of Hikaur’s hold and ran towards the team. She ignored Hikaru’s call after her, and ran to her brother.

“Oniisan!” She jumped at him.

“Mana!” Sasuke gasped in pain.

“I missed you!” Mana buried her face at his clothes.

“Mana, you’re hurting me.” Sasuke said.

“Gomen!” She jumped off him. She noticed the bandages that were wrapped around her brother -- at the neck and arms -- and a patch at his cheek. “Oniisan, what happened?!”

“I’ll be the one to explain.” Kakashi chuckled, while scratching the back of his head.

When Team 7 came through the gates, Sasuke was greeted by Hikaru’s glare.

“Baka! You made Mana-chan worried!” Hikaru stomped up to Sasuke. “And what the hell happened to you?!”

“It’s a long story…” Sasuke rolled his eyes.

“Baka!” Hikaru grabbed him by his shirt’s collar. Sasuke expected a slap at the head -- knowing the girl’s temper -- but instead, he was brought to a hug. “You made us all worried, you stupid i***t!”

Mana smiled at her brother’s blushing face as Hikaru hugged him. It was clear as day that the two cared for one another.