Every kid has a bug period...I never grew out of mine.

~ E. O. Wilson ~

"Did you know that bees can see in ultraviolet light? It helps them find the nectar in plants, like, like a secret road map! Isn't that cool?"

"Mmm, imouto, whatever you say."

"Mou, Itachi~!" I whined, putting down the scroll I'd just been reading to shoot my eldest brother a glare, "you're meant to say 'sugoi~!' and then ask me why."

A scoff to my right drew my attention, and soon I was leveling a glare at my other brother. "That's not nice, Sasu-chan!"

"Stop bothering nii-san, Naori." Sasuke called, trying (and failing) to sound like our father. It was rather cute, even if this new habit of lecturing me was already getting old.

"I'm not bothering Itachi-nii! Cause nii-san loves us, so we're never a bother. Isn't that right?!" I called, turning to give my brother the most innocent of pouts.

With a sharp look Itachi let me know that he'd caught my blatant manipulation attempt. But the softening of his face and slight smile he tried to hide let me know that he didn't really care. It was true after all.

"Hn. It is fine otouto," then, to soften the sting of his taking my side, "come, I have some time, let us train."

Sasuke's face lit up with excitement and my heart warmed at the sight. It was growing so few and far between, what with father's increasing temper and the general sense of melancholy that cloaked the compound these days. It wasn't until he was halfway out the door that he seemed to realize I hadn't moved to follow.

"Naori? Aren't you coming?" I fought to hide my smile at the adorable sight of Sasuke's confusion. Like a tiny kitten seeing itself in the mirror for the first time. Still, I know how Sasuke gets when I laugh at him, so I swallow the urge and reply. "Nah, you go have fun with nii-san. I need to return this book, and then Shisui-nii promised to help me catch some cicadas!"

I couldn't help myself, and burst into laughter as, in sync, both of my brothers shot me looks of disgust. Well, Sasuke looked disgusted, Itachi looked mildly put-out, face carefully neutral but for the slightest twitch in his left eye. For Itachi, though, that was the equivalent of, "oh dear god, please take me now."

It's been seven years, seven years since I woke up to the unadulterated terror that was being reborn into the Uchiha clan, and in all that time my brothers' fear of bugs has never ceased to amuse me.

Only I could be reborn into one of the most OP clans in the world, and feel jealous that I'm not an Aburame.

But still...I ponder, looking longingly at a butterfly that's flitting about our garden...why are the Aburame the only people who can see the truth?

I look down at my scroll that is outlining the war tactics used by differing colonies of ants.

Bugs are freakin' cool.

Perhaps I should start from the beginning, or, err, a beginning.

My name is Uchiha Naori, that's not my first name, nor am I the first Uchiha Naori, but that's neither here nor there. What matters is that I am now Uchiha Naori, younger twin to Uchiha Sasuke, youngest sister of Uchiha Itachi, only daughter of Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto.

In other words, I am now Uchiha.

This wouldn't be a bad situation to most people, in fact, ask half the village and I'm sure they'd wish they could trade places with me. To be an Uchiha? To have access to the Sharingan? To be the daughter of a clan head? And, to be fair, had I their knowledge I'd have assumed the same.

Unfortunately, (or fortunately?) I had more knowledge. Future knowledge.

I know, but I promise, I'm not insane.

Actually, let me take that back, I may be insane-but I'm not wrong. It took me three years and some very stringent experiments, but I've managed to conclude that this is not an illusion, a genjutsu, a hallucination, or any other perception-bending concept. I truly had been reborn, into the Uchiha clan, prior to the massacre.

So, yeah, I wasn't happy.

Of course, it didn't really matter in the grand scheme of things. I was too young to affect the clan's view of the village, and too isolated to affect the village's view of the clan. Not that I didn't try, my near weekly excursions with either Shisui or Itachi were proof of how hard I tried. My affable personality and attempt to befriend every person I came across, another example.

But I was also aware enough (prepared enough) to realize that it probably didn't matter. I'd like to think Itachi-nii loved me just as much as Sasuke, I'd like to think that when shit inevitably hit the fan, I'd be given a fighting chance, I'd like to think I'd get to out pace my old record of twenty-three years.

I'd like to, but, I'm a realist. And realistically Itachi had only managed to barter for one life before. And out of the two of us, I'm the person most likely to discover the truth about the Massacre. (At least from his perspective.) So it's not really a stretch to assume my days were numbered.

And maybe that should scare me but, it didn't? Or, it did, at first. When I was three years old and had first put one and one together. But it's been four years since then, and I've long-since moved on in my stages of grief. I'm on acceptance now, I'd like to think.

If I live, great, I have a lot of questions about the science of this world.

If I die, well, it can't be helped?

Weird, perhaps, but that's how I've decided to live my life, as if everyday could be my last. And that's how I've lived the last 4 years of my life. Not hiding my abilities, or my interests, not curbing my sarcasm or my wit. Being nothing more or less than, myself.

I probably made a really weird picture to the rest of the world seeing as I was labelled a genius like Itachi-nii but refused to even enter the academy until Sasuke did. (Flat out told my parents I'd purposely fail out if they forced me.) It seemed almost incomprehensible to the people I'd meet, that someone could have such talent yet lack the drive, the "will of fire" as they call it, to do much.

I suppose I was lucky in that I was born (reborn?) a girl in a still relatively sexist clan. So a lot of the pressure was displaced simply because their expectations of me were displaced. While Sasuke was expected to join the Military Police by 16, I was expected to be married by then. A thought that would probably grate more if I honestly thought it would ever come to pass.

Still, an unintended side-effect of their sexism was the absolutely hilarious reactions I would get when pursuing my hobbies.

Such as going Cicada hunting with Shisui, or reading up on all the interesting facts on insects I could find. Oh! There was also that one time I chucked dry ice into the lack and startled half the compound with the 'explosion' that went off. It was hilarious.

Good times.

So, yeah, that's me? I'm not much, I don't think, certainly no hero who is setting off to "fix" everything. But I'm me, I'm Uchiha Naori, and I think that'll just have to be enough.

Fun fact, I hate school.

I love learning, but I hate school.

Bet you thought I'd put off attending the academy due to some chivalrous feelings towards Sasuke, or some well-grounded fear of Danzo. Well, nope. Just hated school, and wanted to put off the hell for as long as possible.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end, as Itachi-nii rejoiced in reminding me.

"But I don't want to gooooo!" I whined, from my place under Itachi's arm. (Yes I was causing a scene, no, I didn't care.) "School's so booooring!"

"Ne, how would you know, imouto?' He intoned, voice soft, "You've never attended."

"Urk." A baleful look, "everyone knows school is boring Itachi-nii. It's school."

"Hmm, and you, otouto?" Itachi questioned, turning to his side where Sasuke was hiding. Trying desperately to fade in the background as we walked through the village. It's like I'm embarrassing the kid, or something.

"Me, Itachi-nii?" Gah, stupid Uchiha-cuteness, you're gonna be the death of me, little Sasu-chan.

"Hmm, are you as terrified of school as Naori-chan?"-

"Hey!"

-"or are you more excited?"

Of course, asking Uchiha Sasuke if he was scared of something, was just begging for an explosion. And sure enough Sasuke was quick to launch into a denial that lasted us the rest of the walk to school. Which, come to think of it, was probably Itachi's intention.

Sneaky nii-san, distracting me from my plans to distract him.

But pretty soon we were being ushered into lines so that the Hokage could address us, then being ushered into packs so our teacher could address us, then being ushered into classrooms so our day could begin. All in all, a lot of ushering, happened.

And, of course, school turned out to be just as boring as I expected. With basic language and math lessons given first. Followed by a short P.E. stint, which was nothing compared to the daily exercises the clan put us through, lunch, and then chakra theory.

Which, in theory, sounds cool. But since no one could answer the questions I had;

"Is chakra energy, sensei? Does it work on wavelengths? Is that why it can change color? But it flows like a fluid through our channels, right? Is it more like a stream of particles, then? Oh! Do chakra pathways follow fluid dynamics? Is chakra just a fluid?"

It was actually rather boring.

"Chakra is the combination of spiritual and mental energy, Naori-chan. Chakra is chakra not a wave, or particle, or fluid. Now please, stop disrupting the class."

And so passed my first day, first week, first month, in boredom. It wasn't until 6 weeks in that anything interesting really happened. I'd taken to bringing supplementary reading to class (an old trick from a past life) and my book apparently caught the eye of one of the class bullies. Which was unfortunate, for him.

"Ewww," a voice called, snapping my attention from my book. "Is that talking about spiders?!"

"Hn."

"You're such a freak, Naori!" The kid taunted, "Freak! Fre~ak!" I just shrugged and went back to reading. It was too much effort to care. Of course, this only enraged the poor boy, who made the mistake of insulting something I wouldn't just ignore. "Why are you reading about stupid spiders, anyway? You should be ta-

-spiders aren't stupid." I glared.

"Huh?"

"I said Spiders aren't stupid." A snap and my book closed. "The jumping spider, for instance, is renowned for its problem-solving capabilities. It learns from it's mistakes. Something you seem entirely incapable of doing." I then began packing up my lunch, my appetite spoiled. "It's also worth noting that Spiders have an amazing grasp of spatial awareness," I took a step towards the kid (Tanaka?) and watched as he tripped over the leg my brother had casually stretched out. I nodded to him in thanks. "Something, again, you seem incapable of." With a swish of my hair I was gone, ready to spend the rest of my lunch break as far away from those brats as possible. Honestly? Calling spiders stupid, the nerve.

"I believe we should become better acquainted," a voice called from behind, causing me to jump and spin around, in surprise. "Why? Because you have shown a combined interest in arachnids and insects. As have I."

"Hn," I grunted taking in the tiny figure that was Aburame Shino. To most people he probably seemed incredibly stoic, with his shades and his jacket. But I'd always been a rather empathic person, and you don't exactly grow up in the Uchiha clan without learning to be perceptive (and learning how to read stoicism.) So it was clear to me that Shino was beyond nervous.

Which makes sense. If Tanaka's actions were anything to go by there aren't a lot of people who'd be okay with the whole 'living hive' thing. Poor kid, he's probably one of the most interesting people here.

Mind made up I allowed my expression to soften and watched as Shino slowly allowed himself to relax. A smile worked its way onto my face, "thank you, Aburame-san. I think I'd really like that. But rather than acquaintances," I stretched my hand out, "why not be my friend?"

Shino must have stared at my hand for a full minute before slowly reaching out, as if afraid it was all a joke, and gently shaking my hand. "Then you should call me Shino, why?" He murmured a blush painting his cheeks, "because that's what friends do."

"Hn!" I agreed, "only if you call me Naori, Shino-kun!"

"That is acceptable," at my emploring expression he mumbled, "Naori-chan."

"Great!" I clapped my hands, "now maybe you can tell me if your clan's had any luck recreating spider silk? I've been thinking that maybe someone could weave seals directly into a cloth if it were durable enough. And that would then allow for reusable explosive tags, and such!"

A long pause and then, "I cannot. Why? Until published all research projects may only be discussed amongst clan members."

"Hmm," I pondered, "that makes sense I suppose. Your research is one of your clans most effective weapons." Then, because my humor had always been a shade off for this country, "ne, how does your clan look on outsiders marrying in, Shino-kun?"

It was only after Shino froze that I realized he'd have no reason to assume I was joking.

"S-sorry!" I rushed to defend myself, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I just meant-"

"-no need to explain." Shino interrupted, "I believe my father would agree, why? You are a prominent member of a founding clan. An alliance would be most profitable."

"Wah?"

"I shall bring it up with my father tonight. I trust you shall do the same?"

"O-okay?"

"I believe Iruka-sensei shall be calling us in soon, why? Lunch period is drawing to an end. I look forward to hearing your parents response...Naori-chan."

You and me both, buddy.

"You, you what?!" My father yelled, causing my eyes to widen in surprise. I don't think I've ever heard Uchiha Fugaku yell.

"I-I sort of m-maybe, proposed?" I shrunk in my seat at the dinner table, voice squeaking, "to the Aburame Clan heir?"

"Naori! Do you have any idea? Do you even know?!" He pinched his nose and exhaled sharply. "No, of course you don't. I just, I can't, Mikoto," he finally managed, "you explain."

"Naori-dear," my Mother began calmly, "you're a member of the Clan head's family. A direct representation of the clan. Any enemies you make become enemies of the clan, do you understand?"

"I think?" I mumbled confused, "but, Kaa-san, I didn't make any enemies?" At my brother's snort I rushed to explain, "well, not any important enemies. I told off a school bully, but that doesn't count, right?"

My parents just exchanged an exasperated look. "And what," my father began, voice carefully in check, "do you think the clans response will be, to your being slighted?"

"Slighted?" I tilted my head, confused.

My mother just shook her head in fond bemusement, "I know you don't care much for 'girly things' Naori-chan," she began, "but surely you must realize that a rejected proposal is a slight against you? Against the clan?"

"A-ano," I interrupted, fidgeting nervously, "Shino-kun a-accepted."

Three. Two. One.

"WHAT?!"

"M-my proposal," I muttered, "Shino-kun said he'd talk to his dad tonight."

"You don't think?"

"An alliance?

"With the Aburame?"

"...but why would-"

"A-ano," I interrupted the raid-fire back-and-forth between my parents, "h-how do I tell Shino-kun it was just a joke?"

My parent's just shot me an incredulous look.

It was at that moment that Itachi decided to walk through the door. And Sasuke, little tattle-tale that he is, ran off to inform him of my latest disaster.

"Nii-san! Guess what? Guess what?! Naori's getting married to Shino!"

"Am not!" I shot back, ignoring what ever silent conversation my parents were having.

"Are too!"

"Nuh-uh! It was just a joke! He's gonna tell his dad why I proposed, and then his dad'll just laugh and tell him it was a joke!"

"And why do you want to marry Shino-kun?" Itachi questioned bending down to my level.

"He said only clan members can know about their bug research. So I asked if I could join his clan."

"Nuh-uh!" Sasuke interrupted eager to see me properly embarrassed. "You asked if you could marry into his clan."

"It was a joke!" I shrieked, wailing my hands around.

Itachi just muttered, "only you imouto." Before poking my forehead in his obnoxious way.

Of course this was when my parents decided to tune into the real world and inform me, that, I was under no circumstance to ever inform Shino it was a joke.

I was also to come home immediately after school tomorrow and repeat everything I heard Shino say. And if he were to ask me for their response I was to say:

"We are more than willing to support our daughter's decisions."

Shino just gave me an unscrupulous look before responding. "This is good, why? Father has tentatively accepted the proposal, barring any outrageous terms from your clan."

"I want access to the Aburame research labs and library!" I shot out before thinking, "wait. No! I mean, your dad accepted? But, didn't he know it was a joke?" Screw my parents, Shino's my friend, and I don't lie to my friend if I can help it.

At my statement Shino's form seemed to relax. "Yes, father assumed. Yet he accepted. Why? It is rare to find an outsider so accepting of our nature. And there are currently no clan females within my age bracket."

"...and you're the heir."

"Correct. It is important to the security of the clan that I establish a...relationship, prior to my taking over."

"And I'd really get access to your clan labs, and library? To your research?" Shino just inclined his head.

"Hn," I called, sticking out my hand. "This time it's not a joke. Marry me, Aburame Shino."

I'll be dead in two years anyway.

Shino just reached out a shook my hand. "This is acceptable, Uchiha Naori. Why? I find our personalities and interests to be compatible."

And that was how, at the grand age of 7 I became engaged to Shino. That was also how I single handedly prevented the Uchiha Massacre. Not that I knew it at this point. But that's a story for another day.