Yukari Uchiha (English)

Chapter 1

POV Shisui

"Itachi, you're making great progress, but I think we should call it a day. It's already late, and you probably want to get home to your little brother, Sasuke. How old is he now?" I ask the young dark-haired boy in front of me.

"About two and a half months," the young Uchiha replies. "And you're right, Shisui, your little sister is probably waiting for you too."

As I make my way home, I remember that Mother is with Yukari at Kushina's and the Fourth Hokage Minato's house today, as they are also expecting a child, and it could happen at any time now.

I think Yukari will either already be asleep, tired from all the impressions, or keeping Aunt Kushina quite busy.

I was overjoyed when Mother and Father brought my little sister home nearly three years ago. I would do anything to protect her, and Itachi would do anything to protect Sasuke.

I think that's why we spend so much time together—because we think alike and understand each other.

As I walk, I recall the evenings when I told Yukari stories. Her smile when she finally fell asleep gives me a sense of peace.

Sometimes, I see Itachi calming Sasuke in a similar way. The responsibility we both feel for our siblings bonds us even more strongly.

Deep in thought, I suddenly find myself standing in front of our house. A cold shiver runs down my spine. Something isn't right. I can't say what it is, but I have a feeling that something will happen tonight. The night feels as if it's suffocating. The darkness is oppressive, and the air is heavy with hidden sorrow.

I carefully open the door and listen. The house is quiet, too quiet. The faint creaking of the floorboards under my feet feels like an ominous sign. I hope my fears are unfounded and that the night passes peacefully. But inside, the unease grows, and I know I must be ready for whatever may come.

I sit outside on the wooden floor and watch the night. The tension in the air makes it hard to breathe. Is this feeling just because it's the first time Yukari isn't home tonight?

Or am I just imagining the looming danger? Father, Mother, Minato, and Kushina are with her; she should be the safest there. But why am I so worried? My thoughts keep circling around my fears. I want to run and check if Yukari is okay.

I should take a bath first; today's training was quite exhausting. Itachi is getting better and better.

I go to the bathroom, and just as I'm about to turn on the water, I hear a deafening bang. My heart skips a beat. I jump up and immediately run out of the house. Once outside, I see almost nothing through a large cloud of smoke. My breathing is quick and shallow, my heart races.

I climb onto the rooftops to get as high as possible and am horrified when I spot a beast with nine tails in the distance. The sight of this gigantic fox leaves me paralyzed.

My body refuses to move, my thoughts race. I can't say how long I've been standing here.

Suddenly, Yukari comes to mind, and I realize that this fox must be near her. Yukari isn't here in the house; she's with Minato and Kushina.

Terror grips me, and I feel a deep, all-consuming pain in my chest. I have to get to her. Now. I start running.

I run as fast as I can, my legs feel heavy, but I force myself to keep going. Faster and faster. More and more frightened people rush toward me, their faces distorted with panic.

Amid the screams and chaos, boulders as large as houses fall from the sky. I dodge them, my eyes fixed on my goal.

I want to keep going, I have to get to Yukari. As I get deeper into the village, I see a huge boulder flying toward a group of screaming people. My heart skips again, time seems to stand still.

I gather chakra in my hands, feel the energy flowing through my body, and smash the boulder into a thousand pieces. The people beneath it are unharmed, but their terror reflects my own.

Once I see that everyone is safe, I run on. Tears of desperation and fear burn in my eyes. I must get to Yukari; please let her be okay.

With every step, the panic inside me grows. The darkness of the night, the screams of the people, the overwhelming presence of the Nine-Tails—all press in on me, but I can't give up. Yukari, hold on. I'm on my way."