The Uchiha Incident: Chapter 8

Will To Live

If Taku wanted to be a strong ninja, she needed balance. She needed not only a sound mind, but a sound body as well. Balance was the key to power and if she was going to become strong, she needed to push herself in both ends. One cannot lag behind the other as the imbalance could impede her growth, something she found out early on.

Having been reborn in this world, she had always had an imbalance. Her body lagged far behind her developed mind. Mustering even the faintest of Chakra proved to be a laborious task, one she had to overcome by developing her body and what better way to do so than pushing her body to its very limit?

Taking her morning jog, Taku made her way up the long winding road leading up to Kumo. It was a cold morning down in the valley. The sun had yet to shine and the breeze was still cool from the night before, the perfect time for her daily exercise. Pushing herself to her limits, she ran uphill, braving the steep path leading back home.

In another life, this would have been an ungodly hour for her, but for her, this had been her routine for her entire life. Wake up, do her daily exercise, freshen up, all before going to school. Without the distraction of modern life, there wasn't much else she could do. Besides, it's not like she wasn't having fun doing all this.

"Taku!" Ami cried as she lagged behind her. "Help! My legs won't stop screaming!" With sweat pouring down her tiny frame and her breath ragged from exhaustion, she was a pathetic sight. Kiara wasn't looking hot herself.

"Oh god," Kiara wheezed as she trailed behind Taku, "I don't think I can last any longer." While keeping up with her, she was breathing heavily. Her usually vibrant red hair dimmed, almost like embers to a dying fire. "How much longer!" She coughed as she gazed up to her, begging for release.

"Just a few more miles more!" She shouted cheerfully, earning her cries of despair as she led her merry band. Truly, there was nothing better than sharing her suffering with others. Powering through her own pains, her lungs burning, legs leadened and her muscles burning with each step, she picked up her pace, eager to finish her morning. "Come on, the last one in Kumo is a rotten egg!"

It was a hard last mile, with Taku urging her friends to keep on going, but they'll push through. Soon enough, the The village would come to view. As they were greeted by the lazy wave of the guards, Taku jogged to a stop. They finally made it back.

Cracking open her water bottle, she drank greedily, downing as much of the life giving liquid before pouring the rest on her head to cool herself down. It was an exhausting run, but she never felt so alive. With her blood pumping and her heart still racing, she felt like she was on top of the world. Shaking her hair dry, she turned to her friends as a radiant smile stretched across her lips. "Now who's ready for some stretches?"

"You're insane," Kiara coughed as she glared up at her. With her hands on her knees and her legs shaking, she looked about ready to drop. Still the girl's pride refused to allow her that as she straightened up. "I swear you're just doing this to see us squirm."

"You'll thank me later," Taku chuckled as she tossed the girl a bottle. Oh don't get her wrong, she loved seeing them suffer, but this was for their own good. The future ahead of them would be one fraught with danger and if they were going to get through all of it intact, they needed to be strong.

Kiara opened her mouth to argue before a familiar cry had them turning. "Taku!" Ami wheezed as she stumbled past the concerned guards, half dead on her feet already, "Don't leave me. I promise I won't skip leg day anymore."

Shaking her head, Taku jogged up the girl. As she approached her, she quickly noticed how pale she was. "Damn it Ami," Taku hissed as she slipped the girl's arm over her shoulder and helped steady her. Immediately, the girl leaned on her, her feet giving out beneath her. "You could have taken it easier. You know we wouldn't leave you behind." It wasn't like they were in a hurry as well. They still had quite some time before classes start at seven.

"But I want to catch up," Ami wheezed as Kiara came over to help as well. Together, they dragged the girl over to a nearby bench. "You guys keep leaving me behind. I don't want to drag you guys behind." This girl Taku swore as she shook her head.

"Do you want to get yourself killed because this is the most roundabout way of doing so," Kiara scolded the girl as she hovered over here. "Typical civie." She cursed as she reached for her bag. Taku was about to scold her when the clan girl pulled out a gourd. "Here, drink this."

As Ami gave her a confused look, Kiara rolled her eyes. "It's my clan's special brew. We use this when we need a pick up." Unpopping the cork, she ordered, "Now open up and if you spill one drop, I swear I'll skin you alive."

Ami nodded hesitantly as she accepted Kiara's offered drink. "Ok, now nice and slow," Taku urged the girl as she took a sip before her face lit up. Grabbing the bottle, Kiara let out a yelp as the girl chugged it down.

"H-hey wait! Not so fast!" Kiara tried to warn the girl, but it was already too late. The girl already drank it all and was already vibrating with energy, that was until she started turning red. "Oh dear…." There was a short tense silence before Ami screamed.

"Oh god it burns!" Eyes watering and coughing, the girl pounded at her chest. "Water! I need water!"

"Kiara, what the hell!" Taku shouted as she pulled out her bottle and gave it to the girl. Immediately, the girl downed it like her life depended on it, but whatever it was that got her, water wasn't enough. What the hell did Kiara give her?

"It's not my fault she drank it all!" Kiara shouted back before turning to the girl. "Damn it Ami, can you listen for just one second!?"

Grabbing the bottle, Taku took a whiff and felt her nose burn at the familiar sweet earthy tones of a nutty concoction mixed with chilies. With her palm planting hard against her forehead, she grounded out, "Did you give her chocolate laced with chili powder?" Seeing the look of surprise on the girl's face, she took that as a yes.

"So you do know about my family's Xocolatl!" Kiara cheered, beaming with pride. "The ingredients are hard to come by, having to be imported from the southern islands of the Land of Water, but one sip is enough to invigorate a man!" Grimacing, she glared at the girl rubbing her tongue, "And then this dumbass drank it to the last drop."

Taku couldn't get angry at the girl. Kiara could have warned her a bit better, but it was the girls fault for downing the offered drink like a reckless dumbass. "Somebody get me some milk, stat!" She shouted, head whipping around looking for the nearest store. The things she does for her friends.

-x-x-x-

Surprisingly, the guards had some on hand. From their mutterings about the Takanashi's spicy concoction, she had a feeling this wasn't the first time. Still, it did work wonders as the girl was already back on her feeting and doing katas with Kiara. Seeing the two work together brought a smile on her face.

Letting the girls be, she attended to her cooking. Exercise was good and all, but it would be useless without good food. Taking a sip of the soup, she whispered, "Needs more fish sauce."

It was a surprise that she found unripe Papaya from the market, but it was a welcome one. Giving the simmering pot a splash, she gave it another taste before nodding in satisfaction. Now just a few more minutes to let the meat soften up.

Just as she tended to the rice, she heard Kiara let out a scream of frustration. "No, no, all wrong!" Kiara shouted as she stopped mid kata to correct the girl. "You're not punching right."

"How the hell am I not punching right!?" Ami shouted back, "And why should I listen to the girl that missed a kick!" Of course, the day isn't complete without the two arguing.

"It was one time and you know," Kiara shouted, "And you're just punching wrong!"

Seeing the frustration mount, Taku stepped in. "You're throwing with your shoulders again, not your hips."

"That's it!" Kiara cheered as Ami nodded, twisting her hips as she slowly did the kata. "I knew that punch was wrong. Good job in correcting it," She praised the girl, or at least as close as she could get from the girl. Hearing the two bicker more afterwards had Taku rolling her eyes. The two should just kiss.

Smelling the toasted scent of rice in the air, she hastily turned back to her pot, cursing as she attempted to save it. She hated not having modern day conveniences, but she just had to live with it she guess. Letting out a sigh of relief in finding the rice merely toasted rather than burnt, she hollered out, "Breakfast time!" It was time for them to feed.

Perking up, Taku immediately dropped her kata and bolted towards her. "Food!" The girl cried out happily as her eyes lit up with hunger. "Gimme!" Following close by, Kiara rolled her eyes. It was good to see that the girl no longer wanted to eat just to keep her current figure.

"Come on Ami," Taku replied with a smile as she grabbed a bowl and gave them a good healthy portion. Chicken thighs for the flavor and protein, unripe papaya for the added vegetables, ginger, garlic and onions to give it proper base, and fish sauce to taste; A nice hearty meal to go with rice.

Serving Kiara and giving herself a healthy portion, the three of them ate their breakfast meals together. While she ate at a sedated pace, Ami was devouring her plate like this was her last meal. "Slow down or you'd choke again!" Kiara hissed as she looked up from her bowl before letting out a tired groan at the dumb look in Ami's face while she chewed.

"Damn it, you're getting food all over your chin," Kiara muttered as she pulled out her handkerchief and wiped the girl's chin much to the blonde's protest, "Stop squirming already! Here, let me just…"

Unable to hold it any longer, Taku laughed. She laughed till tears fell from her eyes. She just couldn't help herself. Wiping the stray tear from her eyes, she found the two giving her bewildered looks. "What?" She asked, cheeks hurting from the dumb looks on their face.

"I couldn't help myself ok?" She explained as she tried fighting back her laughter, but it was a losing battle, "You two sound so much like an old couple." While they kept shouting at each other, Kiara still cared for the girl. Kiara really should just be honest with herself.

"We are not a couple." Kiara muttered while Ami blanched. Crossing her arms and turning away, she gave her a side eye, "But did you just laugh?"

"Yeah," Taku snorted, amused at the question, "So?" She wasn't sure what's so special about it. It's not like she hadn't laughed before. Her answer, however, only made the two brightened up even more.

"Oh god, she didn't start brooding when you pointed it out," Ami whispered in wide eyed wonder. Grinning from ear to ear, she cheered, "And she's actually smiling!"

"Come on guys, I'm not that bad," Taku rolled her eyes. They were getting far too dramatic here. "It's not like I haven't laughed before," She pointed out. It was like her laughter was a rare moment. She laughed… didn't she?

"Excluding the sparring days, you never laugh," Kiara pointed out, making Taku wince.

"Also, when you smile, you're usually planning on something terrible or painful," Ami pointed, "Most of the time, both!" Clutching her chest in mock pain, she gave them a pained look of betrayal. She wanted to be honest, but not this honest!

"You look so angry most of the time…" Kiara tilted her head as she gave her a curious look, "Now, you look happy?" Smiling, she nodded, "I like it!"

Feeling her ears burn, she covered her face, "Stop it!" It was embarrassing, but she couldn't help but smile even more. Feeling her face, she no longer found the all too familiar scowl she sported. She was…. Happy. Why was she so happy?

"This calls for a celebration!" Ami cheered as she raised her bowl of soup, "Here's to Taku's third laugh!"

"Wait, she had two more before this!?" Kiara shouted as she slammed her arms down on the ground. "How dare you get a laugh out of her before me!"

"I am her first friend after all," Ami replied, chin raised as she laughed at the fuming Kiara, "It's just natural that I beat you to the punch. In fact, I made her laugh this time as well!" Kiara immediately protested.

Watching them fight once more, she realized why. Surrounded by friends, her life was now peaceful. While the spectre of the future still lingered, it was lightened. She was now living her life and for the first time in a long while, she laughed once more. Not out of amusement, but of relief. She was alive.

-x-x-x-

Things eventually calmed down, letting the trio eat their meals in peace. With their breakfast finished and school in just an hour, they parted, eager to freshen up before school. "See you guys at school!" Taku waved at them as she walked back home.

Now alone in her thoughts, she felt her frown return once again. She was alive, but what about the others? Eyes closed, she could still hear her friend's laughter. She could see her uncle's smile as she cooked for them. She… she still had a family back in Konoha.

She was alive, but what about them? Fist clenched, she opened her eyes and hastened her pace. "Someday…" She swore, promising to herself. She was going to save her clan. She wasn't sure how or even if she could with how far away she was and how weak she still is, but she'd find a way.

As she got back to her apartment, she found a familiar face waiting for her. "Is it time already?" She asked, opening the door to her apartment and slipping inside.

"Ayup," Zed replied as he gave her a wry smile, "Time for your monthly check up." Taku had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. They might dress it up with pretty words, but both of them knew what it was; An interrogation. While they were looking for her well being, they still wanted to know more about her… and most importantly why she was here.

"At least they don't call it what it really is and they actually do give me check ups," She thought, appreciating the gesture at least. "And they're not pushy about it."

"You're excused from the homeroom so don't worry about missing class." Zed told her as he held the door. "Just holler when you're finished."

"Of course, Sensei," Taku nodded as she stopped and gave him a nod.

"Now isn't that hard?" Zed grinned, "Sensei, has a nice ring to it eh?"

"Don't push it Baka-sensei." Taku rolled her eyes as she grabbed the door and pulled it shut. finding her change of clothes. She didn't particularly like it, but it was necessary, she supposed. Best to just get this all over with and give them what they want; Holding some cards close of course.

A/N:

Training montage! Next up, an interlude with the Fourth Raikage's POV. Stay tuned~