[Chapter 12: Aftermath of the wave- ah! Owwie my sides hurt]

"Ne ne Nee-chan? Who do you think is better? Nii-San or Shisui?" Little Sasuke questioned me as we watched the said males chat.

"Hmmmm..." I furrow my brows and placed my thumb and index finger on my chin. "Shisui-kun of course!"

The adorable kid I call my brother pouted and let out a gasp. "Wh- Nii-San is obviously better!" He exclaimed, his fists up as if to intimidate me.

Giggling, I turn away from the talking partners and glanced at him. "You don't know that for sure, you foolish little brother!"

"Yeah but Nii-san's a prodigy!"

"So is Shisui-kun. He also has lots and lots of more experience so he has to be better!"

"You're being bias!"

"Do I need to remind ya that ya also being bias?"

"...Hn."

I let out a triumph hum and moved my small hand to ruffle his raven-colored hair. How come nobody uses crow-colored when describing black hair? "I win~"

"No!!!" He objected, face only showing frustration and determination. He then grabbed my hand, not harshly, but with enough force that told me that I shouldn't resist. "Let's go let them decide Nee-chan!"

I cover the lower part of my face with my hand as I giggle even more as he dragged me towards Nii and Shisui-kun. "Nii-san!" He called out, completely ignoring the other person literally sitting next to him.

"I'm here too." Shisui simply stated.

"Hi Shisui-kun!" I greeted him for Sasuke, smiling brightly at him as I felt the heat slightly increase in my cheeks. Even after all this time, I have an attraction to him and only a slight crush.

"At least you remember me!" He exclaimed, smiling brightly as mine as he held his arms opened. As soon as my younger twin let go of me, I walked forward and leaped towards his arms. I let out a few more giggles as he caught and swung me around. In the distance I hear Itachi just sigh at us. "How are ya, princess?"

I pout childishly as the spiky haired boy set me down, "I'm not a princess!" I complaint. It always felt wrong being called that: just because I was a female and born in the main family does not mean that I am royalty! Or does it?

"What is it Sasuke?" Itachi asked politely, glancing down to the said boy who was tugging on his sleeve.

"Ne Ne Nii-san, who's better: you or Shisui?"

"It's obviously Shisui-kun!"

"No it's not!"

Shisui chuckled at us with a wide grin, "Are you sure Sasuke? I do have the Sharingan. I'm also older."

"Nii-San also has the Sharingan," He retorted back with a childish pout, inching closer to the silent and slightly confused Itachi. "And age doesn't matter! He's still better!"

"But like I said, he's more experienced! That's more important ya foolish brother!" I replied back, now pouting myself as I latched onto the still grinning raven head's arm.

"No it's not!"

"Yeah it is!"

"No!

"Yes!"

"Uhh..." Itachi trailed off, not knowing what to do. Letting out a laugh, Shisui wrapped his free hand over Nii's shoulder and leaned closer.

"Well why don't we settle it?" He offered with another bright grin. Unconsciously, I felt my lips tug up into their own grin. At this point in time, I no longer had crushes on either Itachi or Shisui (thank god for that, incest is a big no no), but I could never not be happy when he's around. "We were gonna soar anyways."

"Shisui are you sure...?" The weasel questioned the spiky haired boy as both me and Sasuke looked up at him with stars in our eyes.

"Yeah! Relax Itachi, it'll be fun."

"Yay! We get to see Nii get his butt kicked!" I excitedly exclaimed, letting go of Shisui and clapping my hands together with glee.

"Shisui's the one's that's being kicked!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

And then we continued abusing until we moved into a more open area for their spar. Long story short, it was actually a draw. But, at that time, I couldn't help but wish that I could have done anything to keep it that way.

✌

"Me...an...!"

Who's that? Sakura?

"Megu...chan!"

Oh yeah! I almost died! As I gathered my thoughts together, I realised that I was on someone's lap, probably Sakura's. I fought the urge to scrunch my nose when a bunch of tears fell on me.

"Megumi-chan!" She continued to call out.

Yeah . I'm not gonna waste this opportunity to scare the shit out of them. I fight the strong urge to smile and laugh like a crazy bitch.

Very sneakily (you know, like a ninja), I slid one of my hands into one of my pockets that had my smoke pellets (so glad i brought these) and in an instant, I threw it to the ground.

Cue the awesome and dramatic music.

Immediately, I felt Sakura move back as my upper body landed hard onto the ground. Ouchie. Grinning like a mad man - oh wait I one - I raise my arms up dramatically and slightly cleared my voice to have a divine and god-like voice. I sit straight up as some of the smoke cleared away. (well I think I did, I still had my eyes closed)

"I " I shout at the top of my lungs. Sakura shrieked as I heard someone else sharply suck in air. Opening my eyes wide, I place my aching hands on my hips and glanced at the bloody and cold bridge. "So tell me, what mortal needs my protection?! Great ancestor, you just say the word and- urk!"

I was rudely interrupted when a blur of blue and black tackled me, taking the air out of my dear lungs. Looking down with a grimace full of pain, Sasuke was actually clutching my sides tightly with his head above my shoulder. Despite the pain, I only winced hugged him back. "I guess I won't be burning Mr.D tonight." I commented softly. He quickly let go with pink cheeks; giggling at his antics, I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

I turned to the bubblegum haired girl. "Heya Sakura-chan!" With teary eyes, she muttered something along the lines of 'don't just say that after almost dying' but nethertheless hugged me.

"Naruto!" She called out to the said blond, who was on the other side with Kakashi, Zabuza and... Haku. I felt a small pang in my heart as energetic boy tensed. Sakura cupped her hands around her mouth as she yelled. "She's alright! Megumi-chan's alright!!!" When the boy turned around, I tugged my lips up into a smile and waved at him, assuring him that I was oki doki. Like the little sentimental sunshine he was, he teared up.

I sat back and watched as the familiar events happened before my very own eyes: thugs being dumbasses, Inari ex Machina, Unravel - Kakashi style, and then finally the death of moo moo pants. During it, I think back to my decisions; could I have done something to prevent this? Another pang in my chest appeared as I flinch as the sudden pain. I'm just a genin, there was nothing I could do, I guess...

So why does it

Standing behind the bridge two weeks later, I giggle at both Inari's and Naruto's teary eyed expressions. Nudging at my brooding yet bored younger twin, I mischievously whisper into his ear, "Doesn't this remind you whenever I didn't let ya-"

"Shut it." He hastily stated, pulling away from me with slightly pink cheeks. Hovering my hand over my mouth, I let out a few my giggles. Tsundere.

"Thanks to you, the bridge is now complete." Tazuna stated with hs family next to him.

"Thanks for everything." Kakashi simply responded back, posture relaxed with hands in his pockets. With all my injuries fully healed with no problems, we were all headed back to our home.

"Don't ya worry! We'll come visit!" Naruto added in as he fiddled with his backpack with the same teary- eyed expression.

"You... you better." Inari mumbled, sniffling. And we never did for the red of the series...I shuffled my feet anxiously. I know it's sad to go but, can we go already? I have a Hinata to cuddle!

"Inari, you're sad right?! It's alright to cry!"

"I'm not gonna cry! But you can cry if ya want!!!"

"Fine," Naruto finally stated, turning his body around. "Later."

And then he started bawling.

Laughing at him, I patted his back in comfort as we walked down the Naruto Bridge. He soon cheered up (as that is just who he is) and let out a shout with a fist up in the air. "Yay! Let's get home fast so Iruka-sensei can treat me ramen!!!" He shrieked with his signature grin. Going along, I also raised my fist with a 'yeah!' "I have to tell Konohamaru about this!"

Ignoring him, Sakura shuffled closer towards me and Sasuke- wel more towards Sasuke. "Sasuke, do you want to go to a date after this?" She shyly asked him, batting her eyelashes at the brooding raven haired male.

"No thanks." I snort at his blunt answer, feeling only a little sorry for her. To be honest, I actually felt that Sakura was the best girl choice for Sasuke: though she was a bit weak and useless right now, she became better in shippuden. Also, her intention was always purer than Karin's and even Ino's.

Sakura slouched in despair. "Don't worry Sakura-chan! I'll go with you!" The blond responded.

"Shut it Naruto!"

"Ya know," I started saying to my foolish little brother with a teasing smile. He slightly tensed when he saw it. "You'll need to go on dates if ya want to have babies."

He moved back flustered as I giggled. "...Hn." Was all he said. Still walking, I let out another giggle as I patted his head, the said boy glaring at me with annoyance but didn't stop me. He found out the first time he did that was... not very pleasant.

Stopping, I stared at him directly his eyes with a small smile, "You should really get to know her. She's not that bad."

And with that, we continued traveling until we were safely in the leaf village.

"Ne ne Megumi!"

"Yeah Naruto?"

"Who's Mr. D?"

"Ah." I giggle as my twin whips his head at me with wide and startled eyes. "He's the stuffed Dino that Sasu-" I almost lost my balance when Sasuke slapped a hand over my mouth, emmitibg killer intent as we both stopped walking.

"Not. " He growled little with a nasty glare. Immediately after, he backed away and removed his hand, staring it in utter disgust. "Nee-chan, did- did you just like my hand?!"