Ibiki's daughter

26: My End or Survival?

Jolin's POV

A year has passed since I had moved into the Uchiha family.

Not too much has changed; Sasuke and I graduated about two months ago from the Academy. Sasuke was put in a Genin team called Team Seven, and I was basically the second housewife under Fugaku's roof. Mikoto and I do the chores, since Mikoto isn't called out on missions as often as her husband or sons, but many times, she takes me to different villages to pay visits to many of her friends, me heavily guarded while traveling, of course. Mikoto is like my mother now, since I've never met my own.

Nonetheless, Itachi and Shisui passed the ANBU exams with flying colors and are busier than before, but that doesn't mean Sasuke and I can't enjoy wrestling in the forests with them every now and then. Itachi and Shisui have become much like my older brothers. They don't stare anymore, and treat me like Sasuke.

Sasuke is like my twin. We understand each other and rarely fight. We are (somewhat) partners in crime, although we don't get into trouble on purpose. No, that's Naruto's job. Sasuke befriended him since they were put on the same team. Sometimes, the three of us would go out to get tea and sweet and spicy dango. Or maybe we go out to get dango just to make Itachi (who works in the watchtowers) jealous. Little secret: Shisui told us that Itachi loves dango, so if Sasuke wanted revenge on his brother for backing out in some promise he made with him, all he had to do was bring Naruto and me along with him to the dango shop and watch us eat all that sweet dango.

Fugaku wasn't as close to me as the rest of his family is, however, he did pay attention to my needs. Last winter, Mikoto was sick, so I did all the house chores instead of going to the academy. Then when nightfall came, I had forgotten to give myself an extra blanket. I lied freezing in my bedroom, barely sleeping from the cold. It wasn't until around 1:00 in the morning did Fugaku bring in a hot blanket he had warmed up for me. I was forever grateful for his kind actions.

My own father visited whenever he could, sending me letters. In each of his letters, he had taped a single jeweled bead to the the front, so I removed the bead and kept it on a long piece of yarn. Soon, I had a necklace of jewel beads. I was always happy that he tried to make sure I wouldn't be lonely.

The biggest change of all was my "murderous" side. All those therapy sessions worked. I no longer felt the insecure feeling of unknowing when I would strike. I was now in control of myself and was free from my shackles and chains!

Oh how wrong I was.

I had never been so wrong and naïve at the glorious belief.

The day I was finally alone...... 

I was walking by the lake, taking my sweet time. Mikoto didn't need me until later and Sasuke was on a mission with his team. I was glad I could no longer sense the "secret" guards in the shadows. I had my time and privacy back to myself.

I sat down on the grassy slope, taking out the old album I still kept with me.

The one of Class E.

I smiled as I slowly flipped through the pages, each one giving me a gentle flash of memories and happiness.

I miss them.

One time, Mr. Karasuma had given me several pictures of the entire Class E graduating from the old classroom with Koro Sensei. They were all in high school now. Koro Sensei didn't teach anymore.

As I continued looking through the book, I reached the last page. I flipped the last page, thinking it was going to be another picture of Class E all together, however, I was completely wrong.