This fic is dedicated to my dear friend, who has encouraged/reviewed/hearkened and so much more when I needed it! Misskonoha, truly you are my ff-dot-net sister from another mister. Praying I do your imagination justice, I will handle your thrilling plot with extra care :) This is my thank you for everything dear friend.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, please read on.
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Short, pale-pink hair swayed and bounced as five-year old Sakura skipped through the busy market-place. Several civilians and ninja alike filtered through, buying groceries and supplies as needed.
Though, she was immune to their presence.
Apple-green eyes shone with the ever childlike wonder and fascination as she watched the debris sprout off the earth with the pounding of her tiny feet as she skipped along. Every so often, she would be too consumed with the activity and would bodily bash against her mothers hip. Mebuki Haruno would turn towards the toddler with the raise of her cherry-colored brow in disapproval and Sakura would smile sheepishly, apologize, and claim it wouldn't happen again.
Of course, it did happen again, half a minute later to be precise.
The petite rosette tensed up like a statue, awaiting the fiery temper of her mother to pour-out at her incompetence, though she surprised her with no reaction. Either Mebuki had chosen to disregard the brash rear-end, or had decided against publicly scolding her. Either way, Sakura was too excited to ponder the fact. Hopping forward once - twice, she grinned as the thought to leap forward with both feet at the same time formed. Being wise as to to step out of her mothers path, her eyes remained downcast as she skipped as fast as her teetering feet would take her. Soon enough - believing she had gained enough speed, the toddler bent her knee's as low as they would go and pushed off the heels of her feet, jumping forward.
But, the anticipation bubbling in her small belly was short lived as she unanticipatedly collided against the light-pole.
Her head thumped hard against the lower stone-edge and she was tossed onto her back from the force. Squeezing her eyes shut at the pain manifesting internally, her bottom lip quivered as crying seemed appropriate at the moment.
"Ah," the pole grunted in discomfort.
Wait, since when do poles talk..?
Squinting her eyes open, Sakura rolled off her back and onto her side, astonished to find a little boy glaring daggers at her.
He was sprwaled in a similar manner, with one hand bent at the elbow, supporting him against the ground and the other rubbing at his sore head. She felt warmth rise on her face and knew it was because of shame.
"Oh my gosh! ...I - I didn't mean to-"
"But you did," The boy with the long lashes asserted in an icy tone, silencing her altogether.
Woah...
His voice was sort of, nice...
All she could do was stare at the peculiar boy in confusion and well, intrigue.
He seemed different somehow, from the other children her age.
There was an evident confidence and maturity about him...
Was he her age?
...How old was he?
But amidst all her thoughts and questions, she couldn't help but think he was sort of, well... beautiful..
Choppy ebony locks framed his pale, round face in a boyish manner. A frown adorned his lips, and his black-eyes were seemingly studying her as much as she was him.
Just, who was this boy..?
"Sasuke son, I know I raised you better than that, help your little friend up."
Sasuke, his name was Sasuke.
The rosette would be sure to remember it.
His eyes narrowed up at whom Sakura assumed was his mother due to her words and their very distinct and similar features.
She was a very pretty woman, Sakura thought.
"She is not my friend," the young boy corrected, pushing off the ashen ground to a stand and dusting off his dark pants,"Her hair is pink, and she's too clumsy for my association," he stated matter-of-factly.
How rude.
Sakura couldn't help but notice his features tighten with disdain every time he looked at her.
The rosette had to wonder, Why..?
And why was he talking to her like that..?
Like she wasn't still sitting on the ground on the brink of tears?
The older woman raised a single dark brow at him,"That is enough young man, Or I may have to cancel your target practice with Izuna today," she shifted on her feet, and lightly folded her arms, watching him with expectancy.
Unfocused and on the verge of crying, the rosette was caught off guard by the abrupt hand that flashed into her line of sight. Little Sakura looked up to find Sasuke's hand out-stretched towards her, his face turned to the side, and eyes closed.
Her mothers voice rang in her head at the display,'You can always tell when hospitality is genuine, you can see their heart in their actions, in their smile... Otherwise, kindly refuse their notions, because; why accept help or service when the person doing it doesn't want to..?"
Sasuke definitely didn't seem genuine... He looked like he was gonna be sick.
"I don't have all day..."He muttered in impatience just within her ear-shot, making sure his mother didn't hear.
An unfamiliar emotion sprung forth - one Sakura would later recognize as pride - and she was brushing his hand away, wobbling to a stand before she could fathom it. His eyes appeared slightly widened at her brash actions but she no longer cared.
Beautiful or not, this boy was mean.
"I really am sorry I bumped into you... but your a - your an insolent rhino!"
Whole-hearted laughter filtered the air at once, surprising both the riled-up children.
"Sakura!" Mebuki gasped, coming to stand behind the little rosette with her grocery bags in tow,"We don't talk to people like that! I take my eyes off you for a second and you cause a commotion!" Her blue eyes shifted to the chuckling figure standing beside the boy and Mebuki's hand shot up to her mouth,"Oh my - Lady Mikoto, I am so very sorry for the trouble-"
Mikoto Uchiha raised her hand, attempting to control the relentless laughter she had given away to,"Please don't Mebuki, they're children, these things happen," she smiled warmly,"Such a charming young girl, using such big words at such a young age."
Mebuki smiled modestly,"Yes, most children would pluck their own eyes out before they're forced to read a book but I cant seem to get my Sakura to put one down."
"Ah, sounds like my eldest Itachi, she will grow to be a very sharp and intelligent young lady," Mikoto said before her eyes shifted to the brooding young boy beside her,"And I cant seem to get Sasuke here to stay off the training grounds for an hour..."
"Oh, training before he is six? He will be a true force to be reckoned with on the battlefield," Mebuki chimed, though slightly saddened by that fact, she hid it well.
Mikoto beamed, grasping her sons shoulder with pride,"Yes, just as long as he makes it home for dinner,"both women laughed and the children grew evidently restless to leave.
"But, I would love for these two to shake hands in appropriate pardoning before we depart,"Sasuke's mother finally said, urging her son forward with a soft push.
"Absolutely... Go on now child,"The Haruno woman lightly pushed an uncooperative, antsy Sakura and was soon forced to propel her forward. The little rosette gasped, nearly tripping over her feet a second time. She got her bearings, standing up straight to find Sasuke before her, his face completely void of emotion. Neither said a word, and neither blinked.
The ebony haired woman huffed out an amused sigh, before taking on a serious tone,"Sasuke Uchiha, I will not repeat myself."
An Uchiha..?
Sasuke and the pretty woman, were Uchiha's?
Sakura's green eyes were widened animatedly, as the little boy before her brought his hand out in truce for the second time.
She'd never actually met an Uchiha before... And only then, did she wonder why that was.
"I'm sorry..." Sasuke uttered lowly, his eyes shifting towards his mother to find her satisfied and walking towards the older Haruno woman. Black eyes blinked back to meet emerald and narrowed in restrained anger,"I'm sorry for being at the wrong place, at the wrong time... And for pointing out the obvious," He nodded towards her vibrant hair-color.
Sakura gasped in disbelief.
The nerve of this boy!
Mikoto and Mebuki were now too busy chatting away about their academy years to pay any notice to them.
The little rosette knew she was on her own.
Grasping his suspended hand, a small smirk tugged at her mouth,"I forgive you..."
His brows dipped in frustration,"I wasn't actually apologizing, your the one that needs to for the mountain on my head."
Her eyes narrowed,"You said the words, you apologized - and the only thing I'm sorry for is not giving you a bloody nose!"
Sasuke grit his teeth, his hand squeezing hers tightly,"I was apologizing to myself, for running into such a loser!"
"Do you have any friends with that attitude? ...It was an accident!"
"That's unacceptable, and you call yourself a ninja?"
"Ototo."
Both children dispersed in alarm at the unexpected arrival and assertively deep voice.
"Aniki... I - I've been looking for you."
Sakura stood in a stupor, completely shell-shocked at the transformation of Sasuke at the presence of his... older brother..? The difference in his tone of voice, the softening of his features, and even his posture had all come into alignment. She tried not to glare at the boy in rage. Clearly he was more than capable of showing respect, just not towards her... Sakura's curious gaze then shifted towards his older brother to find him watching her. The rosette in-admissibly flinched, unprepared for the unadulterated attention from the regal looking boy. Sasuke's older brother... His attributes were similar to Sasuke's, but shadowed because his back was to the sun. Clothed in murky ebony, his hair was long like a - a girls, his skin was white as snow... And his eyes, they were different...
They were severe, and calculating in manner and Sakura felt the hairs stand on the back of her neck.
He seemed to have materialized out of nowhere.
"It has come to my understanding that neither of you can formulate a proper apology over something quite trivial..."
How did he know that when he wasn't even present during the ordeal..?
She gulped, and the words were tumbling out of her mouth,"I - I'm sorry I bumped into you, it wont happen again..." The rosette began back-tracking towards her mother, not taking her eyes off the mysterious boys for a second. But on the fourth step back, she came into contact with a warm body. Sakura froze, her neck arching back to find the older Uchiha boy standing behind her, disappointment on his brow.
Her eyes flew towards Sasuke to find him standing where she had left him... but how did this man move so fast, even while she was watching him. Fear began to grip her and she felt the beginnings of tremors taking hold of her frame.
A strong hand on her shoulder had Sakura flinching, and she squeezed her eyes shut as she was shifted to face Sasuke's nii-san.
Tensing up, she waited for the scolding she knew was coming... But he said nothing.
And so she waited some more... Yet, the only sound she was met with were of the shuffling shoppers and ruffling hot wind at her ear.
Wondering if he had left her altogether, Sakura peaked an eye open to find him very much present. He had come to her eye-level and seemed to be slightly amused with her. She gulped again but kept her eyes open, though warily.
After a moment his features changed, into something she couldn't quite understand and he leaned a little closer - his tenor quiet,"My name is Itachi... There is no need to fear me, Sakura... And you should not apologize out of fear either."
Itachi...
She nodded solemnly, feeling herself relax at his words.
He seemed different, somehow.
His eyes were almost tender when they looked at her, and she felt warmth spread throughout her small chest.
She could feel his heart through his words and actions... He was being nice, genuine.
Gently, Itachi's right hand reached for her chin and she didn't cower away.
"Reaped quite a bump there," He uttered, examining her soil-smudged features he tilted her head from one side to the other. Standing so close - Sakura couldn't help but notice the way his thick lashes touched the top of his pale cheek-bones every-time he blinked, or the honed structure of his eyes... She sighed aloud, he was beautiful, too.
Further amused by the admiring expression on the little nymphs face, the older Uchiha heir smirked. Such honesty, such innocence. Itachi appreciated the mirroring light within the little rosettes gaze.
Truly, it was a sight for sore eyes.
His sharp gaze then shifted to his neglected, little brother,"Sasuke," he beckoned with the subtle jerk of his head and the younger Uchiha came forward, his features hard as stone. Itachi examined Sasuke's face in the same manner, before withdrawing his hands, resting them on his bent knee's.
After a somewhat tense moment of silence Itachi spoke in a captivating mien.
"What I am about to tell you both is not taught or even understood by many..."
Both toddlers nodded in anticipation for what the older Uchiha had to say.
"Strength and truth are more important than the armor on your back, and sword at your hip," Itachi began with a distant expression, and Sasuke's features became awe-struck as it always did when his Nii-san spoke in proverbs,"But, mercy, and compassion... and love," He paused, closely-watching the two children before him,"Are the greatest force in the world..."
Sakura gasped,"Really?"
"Tch, no way..." Sasuke puffed out in disappointment.
Itachi's mouth quirked up into a faint smile at the completely different answers from the toddlers. One would never say these two were brought up within the same village - and that was in no regards to their differences in physical features.
This little girl, she would believe anything one told her... but Sasuke - he had already been exposed to the harsh reality of the shinobi world.
The Uchiha were mighty, fierce, and prideful...
But apart from their knowledge and understanding, the Uchiha were tools.
Aside from being a witness, Itachi had lived through the manipulation and corrupt conduct of his elders - getting the brunt of the impact quite really. There was much he had wished he hadn't seen, much he wished he could've prevented but this very moment with his Ototo, this dispute that could either establish the inferiority Sasuke held towards civilians, or alter his distorting perception - it was an opportunity Itachi had been waiting for.
He looked down at Sasuke, his features straight and tenor inquiring,"What drives ninja to fight, to kill, Sasuke?"
The young Uchiha didn't hesitate,"That's what they are trained to do... No emotions on the field, no mercy, no hesitations!"
His expression neither changed nor did his gaze, though the elder Uchiha shook his head in regret.
"Hmph, I'm going to have to monitor your next encounter with that fool Izuna." The abrupt notion of Itachi's hand shooting out, and gripping the back of Sasuke's neck, had the two toddlers reeling out in startle. Itachi's features were cool and smooth, contradicting his actions and Sakura waited in absolute suspense for what he would say or do next.
There was something brewing within the older Uchiha's dark gaze.
"Why do I fight Sasuke..?"
Shaking off his stupor, the little boy exhaled a heavy breath, and closing his eyes, his brows bunched up in what appeared to be pain,"For Tou-san and Okaa-san... For me..."
For his family...
Sakura was beginning to feel like an intruder between the two brothers but couldn't bring herself to move. And somehow, she just knew Sasuke's nii-san wouldn't let her off that easy.
"Why?" Itachi questioned curtly.
"...To protect us... To protect Konoha."
Itachi held his brothers gaze, seemingly looking beyond the physical organ and deep within its recesses where his soul resided.
What was he thinking? ...and what did he see?
Though they weren't aware, both the toddlers shared the same thoughts.
But maybe their questions were misdirected, maybe they were too young and naieve to understand that the real question was... what did Itachi want them to see?
No later, he released Sasuke's neck, but didn't withdraw his hand. With his forefinger - Itachi poked the very center of his little brothers small forehead,"Yes, to protect those whom I love... And does that not also include Sakura, Ototo?"
At processing Itachi's words, the rosette suddenly felt her face flush once more, and averted her gaze timidly.
Sasuke's jaw clenched in emotion,"Well, she does live here so, I guess so," he kicked at the dirt, his eyes downcast.
"How do we treat our comrades?"
The younger Uchiha sighed, finally blinking his dark eyes up to meet Sakura's,"Defend them like our blood-brothers, or - uh, sisters in this case..."
"And when they fall?"
Sasuke cleared his throat, seemingly stalling,"Carry them on our backs, and never surrender."
When they fall...
The words echoed in her mind, and an emotion Sakura had never felt before overcame her... Elation.
Itachi nodded in esteem after a moment, ruffling his ototo's raven-locks, and getting a bashful smile out of the little boy.
Sakura couldn't help it, she giggled in delight,"Is that all really true, Itachi-san?"
Never had the desire to be a ninja been so overwhelming for the rosette... More than anything, she wanted that connection with her comrades.
And she would have it.
"Yes," Itachi affirmed, before pushing off his knee's to a stand.
Though he hadn't verbally or physically forced them like their mothers, she sensed what he was waiting for.
Sakura cleared her throat, preparing to apologize for real this time... For Itachi's sake.
"I really am sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, and one of us could've gotten really hurt..."
The younger Uchiha shook his head in mock incredulity,"Hn, finally somethings clicked up there..."Without needing to look he felt his older brothers hard gaze on him and forced the words out,"I'm sorry for uh - questioning your ability as a ninja, and I'm sure your hair color is genetic so it couldn't be helped."
She watched him peculiarly for a moment, unsure how to feel or what to think of the apology, but the notable growl of her belly had her face burning for the thousandth time.
Sakura shifted on her feet abashedly,"Well, okay then... I'm gonna go... Goodbye!"
She raced off to find her mother before either could say another word, not that she thought they would...
What a weird day...
She'd have to consider finding the strange dust she was so fascinated with outside of the market to avoid a repeat of the evening.
Just before she turned the corner to the next street over, she chanced a glance back to find neither boys in sight.
"Sakura dear, there you are. Come now, we have to go get dinner started..."
The rosette smiled, keeping up with her mothers quick pace,"Oh thank goodness, I'm starving..."
"Yes, I'm sure all that hopping about and arguing worked up quite the appetite,"Mebuki Haruno stated, a small frown on her features.
The toddler reached for her mothers free hand, and pressed her face against it,"I'm sorry Okaa-san, I don't know what came over me... I didn't mean to embarrass you.."
Mebuki squeezed the little hands in her grasp,"I know dear, but the Uchiha's are different, they are to be respected and honored... Even if most are arrogant."
"But, why do we need to respect them if they're arrogant?"
The older rosette woman sighed,"They are an ancient and powerful clan - the military police force... Konoha's walls have almost never been breached because of their abilities for many generations. They come after the Hokage, and most would compare them to royalty."
Sakura heard the praising words coming out of her mothers mouth but she didn't miss the almost woeful tone to her voice... Should she fear the Uchiha? Sasuke was her age, yet he was so different.
"Oka-san, why was Sasuke so, reserved and boring? He's my age, but he didn't act like a child at all..."
A weighted sigh left Mebuki's lips,"Sweet child, there's so much you don't yet know... Since before the day they are born, Uchiha are bred to be warriors, they begin training at a very young age and so, they're innocence and youth are often times deprived of them..."
Sakura didn't like it, she didn't like it one bit.
Kicking a pebble with more force than necessary in her path, she felt an unwanted sadness form in her heart for the Uchiha children.
Born and bred to be warriors.
But then, if all Uchiha were arrogant warriors, what did that make Itachi?
He was downright scary without having to do much of anything but... She thought she saw a piece of his heart today...
She didn't know enough about the clan to make conclusions but her small mind was already aware, had already grasped it... Itachi was an entirely different breed, and he loved his brother very much.
"But Itachi's not like them, right Oka-san?"
Mebuki's steps faltered until she came to a slow stop at processing her daughters words.
Blue eyes widened with worry, and the words she spoke next came out in rattled uncertainty,"You met Itachi Uchiha today?"
Suddenly afraid at her mothers unusual reaction, Sakura managed a rigid nod.
The older Haruno woman dropped the bags in her hand and gripped either side of the little rosette's shoulders,"You listen to me Sakura, I don't want you near that side of the market-place again, do you understand me?"
"But - why? He was nice to me-"
Mebuki squeezed her shoulders in an urging manner,"That boy is dangerous! You don't know enough to understand, your too young, just heed my words-"
Sakura shook her head, growing frustrated with her mothers confusing behavior,"No Oka-san, he wasnt like that-"
"Not another word about it-"
"But he taught us about mercy and-"
"Mercy?!"Mebuki Haruno shouted, incredulity overcoming her sense,"He is a killing machine, he doesn't know the first thing about mercy!"
What..?
Green eyes expanded in disconcert.
Her heart, it was beating so fast.
The color eventually left Sakura's face completely,"No..!"
She pulled out of her mothers grasp and ran.
Running as fast as her feet would take her up the steep hill just before their home. It couldnt be true! Why would Itachi lie - why would he say those things if he was a monster?
Salty-wet tears spilled over, blurring her vision and she sobbed, ignoring her mothers distant yet near call.
'Sakura!"
No, her mother was wrong, Itachi wasn't like that...
He wasn't!
"Sakura hold on, please! I reacted wrongly - I was just afraid, please honey wait for me!"
At her mothers words, the toddler subconsciously slowed, but the watery vision had her stumbling forward to the ground. Further covering her flesh in dirt and bruises, Sakura attempted to push to a stand but was scooped up, before she could manage,"Ah, little girl your going to give me grey hair before I'm thirty years old!"
The petite rosette automatically wrapped her arms around her mothers neck and sniffled, her whole frame shuddering as she spoke," He - He kills be-because he-he loves his little br-brother... To protect him and-and Kono-Konoha!"
"Shhhhh, I know sweet heart, I shouldn't have said that... Come on, lets get dinner started over some mochi, and we'll discuss it okay?"
She buried her face in her mothers neck, the sweet and familiar perfume filled her senses and soothed her,"O-Okay."
Sakura agreed, but no matter what her mother told her, no matter what she forbid - Itachi had left an impression that would not be challenged.
And surely, it wouldn't be forgotten.
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I hope the difficulty in a friendship let alone a relationship between our OTP's reflected in this chapter... It's going to be a long journey, but I'm stoked for this fic!
Thank you for reading friends :)