Prologue ======= ======= =======
One Year After the Kyuubi Incident, Hyūga Compound, Night ####### ####### #######
Throughout the matted room, the Hyūga council of elders in its totality sat in a rectangular formation, wearing their traditional white robes. They had been discussing clan matters and were in an uproar over the clan head's words.
"Lord Hiashi, you can't be serious? Sending your eldest daughter to the Academy like a regular student?"
"The Hyūga train our own, not the village! Why are you sending her away?"
"Isn't she your heir, destined to succeed the clan? Why let her be tainted by outside influence?"
"Silence! She is my child and this is my decision to make. I know the future of the clan is at stake, but you must trust my judgment. The truth of the matter is that the Hyūga are falling behind. Cultivating the Byakugan within our own walls is not enough." The whispers and muttering died down, and the eldest, Hiashi's aunt, spoke.
"You mean to do away with our sacred ways and traditions?"
"Indeed." Hiashi reasoned. "To survive is not only to endure, but to evolve. Our jutsu and techniques have been stagnant for far too long. The Uchiha…" most of the others shared his grimace as he spat venomously, "Look down on us. They believe that they are the absolute best in Konoha, now that the Senju and Sarutobi clans have dwindled and faded. That is the reason for why the Uchiha continue to overshadow us. Continuing the legacy of the Byakugan is not enough, we must adapt and take in new knowledge and techniques. I've received word recently that Uchiha Fugaku is planning on sending his genius son to the Academy. We can't let ourselves be outdone if we are to retain our influence in village affairs. That is why, the Hyūga will also be sending our own genius…"
Shinobi Academy, Soon Afterwards ####### ####### #######
The day was bright, but Hanabi couldn't help but notice that the expressions on the face of her clansmen were clouded. She would have thought that turning eight years old and then starting school less than a month later would have been a more happy occasion. Yet today her family was gloomy and stiff. Usually, it was customary for at least one parent to accompany their child to the entrance ceremony to the Academy. Not only had her father joined her, but her mother and uncle Hizashi as well.
"Hanabi."
"Yes father."
"If there is anyone here who will provide a challenge to you, it will be the Uchiha brat. Be wary of him."
"Understood." So pointless… Again with the clan rivalry. The Hyūga and their superiority complex never reacted well to the Uchiha's record of accomplishments and glory. To her, it seemed like the entire point of sending her to school would be to compete against an Uchiha, and show them how the Hyūga stacked up.
Hanabi, age eight, a brunette of long flowing hair, stood erect, chin up as she faced the first teacher at the Academy gate. She had never met many other children before, being confined to the Hyūga estate, and as such was mildly apprehensive about suddenly finding herself surrounded by others her age, but pride dictated that she remain stoic and unexpressive, not showing a hint of weakness. Such was her introspection that she missed the conversation that passed between her father and new instructor. He's probably just throwing out petty flattery, just like everyone else does before father.
It was time to part with her guardians, so she bowed politely and then marched off into the school courtyard. However, she quickly found herself alone, as she did not approach any of the clumps of children on her own. Idly she wondered why she hadn't spotted the Uchiha yet. Surely, according to her father's word, he would be arrogant, easily drawing attention to himself and being as loud and snotty as possible. Scanning the courtyard, she noticed another child in the same position not far away, closer to the courtyard wall, by the tree. Unlike her blinding white, flowing robes, reflecting the sun, his clothes were form-fitting combat fatigues of black color, absorbing the light. Her pupil-less lavender eyes locked with his black onyx orbs. Her lips twitched in amusement at how different this one seemed. Not only different from herself in color and poise, but from the others in behavior. He stood out from the other children by not bubbling with excitement. He blinked. Having noticed her smile, he tilted his head to the side, before looking away, towards the teacher who had come to call the students to their new classrooms. The teacher called their names individually, directing them to their randomly assigned seats. She didn't know what she expected, yet still felt let down when she was sent to a seat in the back row, away from the boy in black.
"Uchiha Itachi. Seat 14."
"Hai."
Huh? It was him the whole time? Well, he's not at all like how I expected. Better keep a closer eye on him from now on.
A Few Weeks Later ####### ####### #######
The level of study material was too low to satisfy Itachi. Book after book, lesson after lesson. He absorbed them like a sponge in water. At least he wasn't the only one. His father hadn't bothered to tell him much about the Hyūga, but he instantly recognized her, from her eyes when they caught his own. So that's the Byakugan, he'd thought. Beautiful. That single thought had been his first and only reaction. This was unusual. He didn't care much for aesthetics, only utilitarian value. Yet he could still appreciate the occasional sight of wonder nature provided. But she was different. It wasn't just occasional, it was always. Every time he looked, it was pleasant. This made him slightly uncomfortable. He was used to be being in control, not being swayed by others. It didn't help that she would stare. He was sure she knew he noticed, but she'd do it anyways, unabashed. Eyes furrowed as if in concentration, face serious and drawn. Whenever he stood close enough to hear her breathe it was always the same.
"Jii~"
Her glare pierced at the back of his neck, and, as always, he did his best to ignore it, perhaps hoping that someday it would stop.
"Jii~"
They were standing in line, waiting for their turn to spar. They hadn't been paired against each other yet, but, according to the selection pattern Itachi noticed, that would end today.
"Hyūga Hanabi and Uchiha Itachi, please come forward."
"Hai." They called in unison.
Taking their positions, they made the duel sign with their right hands and proceeded straight into the spar. Using taijutsu only, the spar was a deadlock as both combatants defenses were too strong to let the other have a good opportunity to strike. Itachi was very strong and skilled in the Uchiha taijutsu forms, but Hanabi's Gentle Fist held him at bay. Both were lightning fast. After ten minutes of bruising each other's limbs, the instructor called time.
Itachi, pleased by Hanabi's strong showing, offered her his hand in reconciliation. After a brief moment of hesitation not noticed by the others present, she reached out her hand as well.
One Week Before Graduation, A Year Later ####### ####### #######
The dull thuds of metal piercing wood rang through the forest.
"Bull's-eye on all of them!" Hanabi reported with a smirk. Itachi wiped sweat off his brow and observed his handiwork. For Hanabi, his shuriken jutsu and kunai throwing was nothing less than remarkable for someone who didn't even have x-ray vision. Itachi steadied himself from his kneeling position back to standing, letting the pride and sense of accomplishment wash away, overtaken by thoughts of the future. This isn't enough anymore. I still need more to test myself. He turned his attention to his friend.
"I don't suppose you'd like to try next?"
"Ha!" She snatched the remaining kunai from Itachi's hands. "I don't know why you ask, knowing that it's not even a challenge."
She leapt into the air, flawlessly executing the spinning maneuvers, sending the kunai flying with deadly accuracy. Every single one of Itachi's kunais that had been lodged in the targets were knocked down. Physically, she'd improved much over the last year. The Hyūga art of Gentle Fist relied on speed and precision, not strength, so he had taught her to fill out her muscles a bit, and the result was some fairly spectacular acrobatic ability, plus greatly increased stamina. What will she be like in a few years? He tried to make an assessment, but when it came to visualizing what her physique would be like after puberty… He stopped himself and came back to reality. What am I thinking… A feeling of unfairness came upon him, and in a flash decision he decided to tease her back a bit for once.
"You missed the bull's-eye."
"Wasn't aiming for that and you know it!"
Itachi sighed playfully.
"You just had to knock mine out of the way… And I was planning on showing this to Shisui."
Hanabi stuck out her tongue.
"Bleh!"
Itachi cocked his eyebrow at that. Jealous?
Six Years Later, ####### ####### #######
Silent as a cat, Itachi slunk into the kitchen of his home, Anbu mask in hand. The sound of feminine chuckles made their way to his weary ears, and he looked up.
"Ah, Sasuke, welcome home." His mother smiled brightly.
"Would you like a bath or dinner first?" His friend offered in a sultry tone. All teasing of course. "I could smell the blood on you since you walked in the front door. Let me wash it off for you." She leered.
"Both of you go, Hanabi-chan, you're still sore from today's mission, right? I'm sure some hot water will help."
"It's not like it's even that much blood, mother… Hanabi just has a nose for it." Itachi interjected.
"We're not eating our family dinner with foreign men's guts on our clothes." His mother reminded him gently with her demonic smile. Mothers could be scary when they wanted.
"Understood. Bath it is."
After they stood up, but before they could leave, another presence entered the room.
"Nii-san!"
"Aww~ such a cute little brother!" Hanabi ruffled Sasuke's head like he was dog. Sasuke retreated, not liking his hair being disturbed.
"Hanabi-neechan, where are you taking nii-san?" Sasuke pouted, having waited all day to see Itachi.
"It's bath time."
"Then, I'm coming too!"
"Hai hai. You can tell us about how you're finding the Academy. It's your first year, right?"
The Next Day, Hyūga Compound####### ####### #######
This is no good. Hiashi shook his head in displeasure. Allowing her to have been on the same genin team as the Uchiha spawn was a mistake that allowed them to become unnecessarily familiar. Still, he kept his face composed, and held his tongue as his eldest daughter walked before him. Perhaps we gave her too long a leash. He dashed that thought. After all, that greater freedom of discretion had allowed her to explore her limits and grow to become one of the most powerful Hyūga in living memory. But at what cost. For this? I have to say something.
"Hanabi." Hiashi intoned severely.
Hanabi spun on her heels, a smile still ghosting her lips.
"Yes, lord father?"
"Your expected arrival home was almost 24 hours ago. Where were you?" His tone remained absolutely neutral.
"With the Uchihas." Hanabi instantly replied. Hiashi's knuckles tensed.
"You spent the night there."
"Yes I did."
"There have been rumors of certain… indiscretions on your part."
Hanabi's eyebrow twitched. Hiashi could tell she was annoyed but noted her self-control as she worded her reply evenly.
"Itachi is a perfect gentleman. Besides, isn't fourteen years old a bit young for those sort of indiscretions?" She huffed. "Furthermore, we are close friends. Wouldn't it be an indiscretion to not spend time with friends?"
The Uchiha are not friends.
"Tread carefully." Were his words as he swept to the side. "There is another clan meeting tonight. Be there."
"Yes father."
Two Years Later ####### ####### #######
Though their genin team had been dissolved long ago, they still took joint missions occasionally. After completing their assignment early as usual, Itachi and Hanabi found themselves with a day's worth of idle time before needing to return to Konoha. A perfect opportunity to take some down time at a local hot spring retreat. Being in shinobi gear would raise eyebrows though, so they quickly changed into civilian clothes before walking up to the large wooden building.
"Welcome!" Said the man at the front desk.
"My my~ looks like an awfully young couple!" An older lady chortled to herself as she walked up to them to take their bags and overclothes.
"A single private room, with a shared bath please." Itachi immediately announced his order, placing some ryo on the counter. Being shinobi, it only made sense to keep the prying eyes of civilians away, but lately, due to their rapidly maturing bodies, these kinds of arrangements had become prone to misinterpretations on the part of the clueless civilians. Taking a glance between Itachi and Hanabi, the young man at the counter blushed slightly and handed Itachi the key, gesturing for Itachi and his partner to follow the older woman down the adjoining hall.
.
Dressed in light cotton kimonos, Hanabi approached Itachi as they prepared to enter the bath.
"So, why did you drag me here?"
"I wanted to have a little talk. You've been a bit distant lately."
Hanabi sighed.
"It's the clan."
"Your father." Itachi specified. It wasn't a question.
"Yes. Sometimes I wonder what's happening to the Hyūga…"
Itachi placed a hand on her shoulder, guiding her towards the steaming water.
"One way or another, this will be resolved soon." Itachi offered her a comforting smile.
She disrobed and entered the water. Facing the the opposite direction, Itachi did the same, and stretched out.
"There is little in life better than relaxing the muscles after a mission, hm?" Hanabi replied with a light hum.
Itachi heard the water stir and felt an ebb of it lap at his back. Warm soft skin pressed against his shoulders. Her palms. So deadly in combat, but always gentle with him. Hanabi drew nearer until he could feel her breath on the back of his neck, tickling him slightly.
"I don't suppose you've ever heard of such a thing as personal space." He asked dryly.
Slipping her arms over his shoulders, she laid her hands on his chest from behind, drawing herself in further until her chest pressed up against his back firmly.
"Can't say that I have. Are you going to tell me about it?"
He took too long to respond, and after a minute of silence he merely replied,
"Perhaps not." After all, this was the way she was, and admittedly… he liked it.
####### ####### #######
Surveying the carnage, he felt numb, not even feeling the deadweight of the corpse slung over his shoulder. There was nothing left to say or think or do. She was gone, and left him empty. The dark skies grumbled, and a soft cold rain fell, matting his hair, washing away the blood from his hands and arms. Despite the freshwater cleansing him, there was more blood on his cheeks as tears of red iron began to flow. Other anbu had arrived on-scene, early responders. Their rushed and urgent words slid off him just as easily as the smooth droplets from above, their voices distant and muffled as if underwater. It was too late. There were no survivors.
.
For the first time in his life, Uchiha Itachi felt like an utter failure.
.
How? How could you...
End of Prologue ======= ======= =======
A/N:
I've taken some artistic license in regards to the age of characters that appear in the story. I find Kishimoto's timeframe doesn't make much sense, especially when there is, in my humble opinion, a disconnect between the reported age of the character and their physical appearance. :/