The house stood silent.
Rain pelted onto the roof from the outside.
One figure laid on top of another.
They were dead.
But not from outside harm.
No, they committed suicide.
Hagami stood above her parents at the age of five, silent tears rolling down her face. Thunder cracked from above, causing her to flinch slightly but didn't make her shift her eyes. A dark power surged through her eyes, she knew the Sharingan was blazing already. She could feel the mass amounts of despair and depression flowing through her veins already. A light rain showered the wooden floor near the door that she neglected to close.
"W-Why'd you do this? Okaasan? Otousan?" Hagami whimpered out in a raspy voice. Even at the age of five, Hagami knew why they committed suicide. Time after time after they returned home from a mission, it was evident they were nearing the ends of their ropes. Everything contributed to their last decision: the stress, the distrust between the Clan and Konohagakure, the growing disturbances within Konohagakure, etc. Finally, Hagami's parents had enough, taking their lives as a last resort to escape. This left Hagami without any idea what to do or how to proceed forward.
---
The next day, Hagami remained silent when she walked past anyone. People engaged in conversations, or tried to at least, but they didn't make it past a nod. A "hello" was nonexistent from her. Dressed the signature Uchiha shirt with the turtle neck also concealed a bit of her face, concealing the pain that others thought she was ignorant of. Her parents, Aki and Fuyu, both have told her that concealing the emotions was the strongest asset a shinobi could have; but others are portraying her as ignorant of her parents' death. And when she got to the Academy, it didn't get better. In fact, it got worse, especially with the students who were in the upper classes.
"Don't you care for them? They committed suicide and you don't seem to care!"
"But, I-I do-"
"Look at her. I bet she's happy her parents are gone. The Uchiha think they can do whatever they want anyways."
"I don't think that-"
"Maybe she's going to try to be the best in the class and brag about not having controlling parents."
"I'm not like that-"
"Ooo, look at her. Trying to cover up the fact that she's the reason her parents committed suicide."
"Yeah, I bet that's what. She's happy now they're gone but just putting up a façade. We should know by now the Uchiha are just a backstabbing Clan that only think about their pride and what not."
"They're no better than the rest of us. They also have creepy eyes! Who wants eyes that look like they're bleeding all the time?!"
Hagami didn't retort to any of them. Instead, she stayed silent as they wanted. Fighting back wouldn't be wise, especially against the upperclassman of the Academy. She walked into the classroom ignoring the rest of the insults before time was called and sat down at the window where she was designated at the beginning of the year. She was grateful that she was in the Academy, though it was her first year. But that didn't seem to matter, at least not to all of the Sensei and even the Hokage. Despite receiving the rude comment about her receiving the highest scores, they were right that she got high marks and this could boost her up to Chūnin quicker than most students.
They day at the Academy dragged on for a long time. The kids weren't much better like when she first entered. They were constantly poking at her, irritating her though she didn't lose her composure. So by the end of class, she left quickly and used a technique thought only to be used by some Chūnin or mostly Jōnin. It was the Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Jutsu) which was thought to be only performed by higher ranking ninja. But no, Fuyu - Hagami's father - had taught her before he passed on.
Hagami was nearing her house when a single Uchiha walked up to her. At first she didn't notice the Uchiha, having kept her eyes on the dirt path. It was only when the person laid a hand on her shoulder, she snapped out of the small daze she was in.
"Gomenasai (Sorry)." She apologized quietly. Her voice was quiet but soft. "What do you need?" She asked.
"Nothing." He responded. He had unkempt hair but it was somewhat retained behind his hitai-ate. From the looks of him, he was the same age as Hagami, maybe a month older. "I heard what happened." He murmured, his voice actually filled with emotion and different from those who mocked her today.
"Ah." Hagami replied in a simple way.
"Are you going to...be okay?" He asked.
"Hai." Hagami replied. "What's your name?" She asked having not caught it, or heard it.
"Uchiha Shisui. Your's?" He asked in a polite way. They began walking toward Hagami's house again.
"Uchiha Hagami." She said, shooting him a small smile. When she reached her house, Shisui bid her a goodbye and asked if he'd see her tomorrow. Hagami replied with a maybe but not before giving him a small smile. He gave her a little hope that she'd make it to the next day, looking forward to something other than the insults the other villagers threw at her.
---
"Lord Hokage," Hagami bowed her head but refused to take a knee. She was a child, not an adult yet so she figured that she'd be fine this way. Besides, Minato was a lenient Hokage unless situations were dire. "Lord Fugaku." She added quietly when she saw the Head of the Uchiha Clan. She still didn't take a knee for him, she was a child.
"Uchiha Hagami, right?" Minato asked and saw Hagami nod. "Under advisory of Lord Fugaku, we have agreed that it'd be better if you're with a family. I know what happened to your family not too long ago and it'll take time to recover but we both believe that it'd be better if you're placed in a family, at least until you're old enough. I'm sure you're acquainted with-"
"No, I'm not acquainted with any of the Uchiha in my Clan." Hagami cut Minato off boldly. "I stayed with my parents, Fuyu and Aki, and refused to become tangled in with any of the Clan's quarrels." She caught a glimpse of Minato's eyes widening as well as Fugaku's.
"You're that child aren't you. I remember Fuyu, he taught you early on so you could enter the Academy earlier didn't he?" Fugaku asked quickly. He avoided Minato's gaze on him and then turned back to Hagami.
Come to think of it, I have seem that girl in the Academy from time to time but I never thought any of her being a student. Minato thought. She seems far too young for the Academy. I guess Fuyu pulled some strings with Fugaku to get her in.
"Hai." Hagami responded quietly.
"If you don't mind me asking. How old are you Hagami-san?" Minato asked next.
"Five. Six in four days." Hagami turned her head to Minato when she answered.
"How far are you in the Academy?" Minato continued with the questions.
"I can take the Graduation Test in four days too." She answered. "If I pass the Graduation Exam, I'd be graduating on my birthday."
Fugaku and Minato turned to each other. Their eyes carried a silent conversation between the two and further and explanation. When they turned back to Hagami, she was left to ponder what they were thinking. There was a small silence that continually grew until Minato started talking,
"Hagami, I'd like you to perform the highest ranked jutsu you can for me right here." Minato requested and Fugaku folded his arms across his chest.
"By all means, if you want me to perform my highest ranked jutsu, I wish to perform that outside. Not in a closed area." Hagami countered politely. Both Minato and Fugaku looked at each other again, but this time in a surprised manner due to her manners. It was rare to see a five year old with them to Hagami's degree.
Minato sighed quietly but only because he had to push himself out of his chair. Fugaku walked over to Hagami and placed a hand on her shoulder, preparing for something Hagami would be oblivious to if Minato didn't explain,
"I'm going to use my Hiraishin no Jutsu (Flying Raijin Jutsu) to take us to an open area. All you have to do is hold my hand." Minato explained quickly and held out his hand. Hagami took it quickly, Minato's hand (seemingly) swallowing her own as they teleported away from the Office. Reappearing, Minato had landed the three of them at Third Training Ground where he tested his own students such as Kakashi, Obito, and Rin.
"Hagami-san, what jutsu do you intend on using if it takes this much space?" Fugaku asked as he and the Hokage found a place to stand that'd most likely be out of the way. Hagami didn't answer Fugaku's question though and merely proceeded to the jutsu itself. They'd understand quickly why she didn't want to be in the Office to perform this jutsu.
"Katon, Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Style, Fireball Jutsu)!" She weaved the hand signs seamlessly and the fireball was of Chūnin size or possible Jōnin. Fugaku and Minato both felt the heat from the impressive jutsu from the five year old in front of them. It had an impressive endurance too, for Hagami's tiny frame and body. When it died down, Hagami turned to see both of the surprised faces of the Hokage and Head of the Uchiha Clan.
"How much has Fuyu-san taught you?" Fugaku inquired curiously.
"Many different jutsu. Most of them are Fire Style because that's my primary nature. Others include some in the Lightning Style and Water Style. But that's all he managed to teach me until he...passed." Hagami tilted her head down to avoid showing Fugaku and tears, as well as the Hokage. But the whimpers that came from her made it evident that she was starting to cry. Soon after she started, she brought a hand up to her eyes and began wiping them clear of tears but fresh ones started to fall. She heard footsteps approach her too and then felt either Minato or Fugaku's arms wrap around her.
"Don't worry Hagami. It takes time to recover from the wounds you just received." It was Fugaku who had his arms around her in a fatherly manner. They felt similar to Fuyu's way of hugging her, with one arm around her back and one behind her head. This reminded her of Fuyu even more which lead to more tears falling down her cheeks.