Crimson Eyes

This is the first story which I have written in a while, so I'd appreciate some opinions! Inspired by my lovely Kelley-chan. I LOVE YOU TO DEATH KELLEY! Also to dear sharanganK, you've also inspired me to get back into writing with all your fics and drabbles! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH TOO!

Disclaimer: Mitarashi Anko, Uchiha Itachi, Uchiha Sasuke and Orochimaru are all characters created by Masashi Kishimoto. I don't own them (although I wish I did!)

Warning: There's a little profanity.. not much yet but yea... it's still there >>

First Encounter

Everyone just loved him. He was just so perfect in every way: his dark ebony hair, his deep dark eyes, and when he smiled it was like a precious gem. All the girls in the class loved him, the teachers loved him. He was the eldest son of the police chief in Konoha and a prodigy: Uchiha Itachi.

The Uchiha genius graduated from the Academy at the young age of 7 and gained Sharingan at the age of 8. He was the pride of the clan and the thief of many hearts. Including a young girl named Mitarashi Anko.

Sure, she was about 6 years older than he was, but it was still hard not to notice the young prodigy, especially when he became ANBU captain. Anko had co-operated with him on missions beforehand when he was first promoted to Chuunin, and her sensei seemed very interested in the Uchiha boy.

"Go befriend him Anko, it seems like he could use a friend," Orochimaru said to her with his usual sly smile just as she found out that she was assigned on a mission with Uchiha Itachi by Sandaime-sama to help a few or their own shinobi escape from being kept hostage.

Anko eyed him curiously for a moment then laughed sarcastically. "Why would I want to be friends with a brat for sensei?" she said haughtily, concealing her feelings inside a smirk.

"You feel something for that boy, do you not?" the pale man merely replied, his eyes dancing with enjoyment.

The young girl of 16 glared at him, just before she stormed off leaving her beloved sensei beside the Forest of Death.

What the hell does that bastard know anyway, Anko thought to herself as she angrily trudged around Konoha. He better not mean what I think he means. For fucks sake he's only a 10 year old brat!

Before she knew it, she had landed on the floor with a young dark haired boy in front of her.

"Hey, brat, watch where your going will ya?" she scowled as they both rose to their feet.

"Why don't YOU look where your going, obaa-san?" the child retorted, as he brushed the dirt off his dark blue shorts.

"What did you just call me?" Anko nearly screeched in anger, with her fists clutched up, shaking with excitement.

"O-baa-san," chirping each syllable with a menacing voice, enough to rival a cheetah.

"WHY YOU FUCKING LITTLE BRAT!" She screamed as she grabbed him by the collar and went in for a punch.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," he said with a smile on his face. As he dodged the punch successfully, his eyes bored in Anko's, turning a crimson red, with three other pupils rotating slowly at first.

Instantly, Anko dropped him to the ground, with her eyes as sharp as kunai, facing the Uchiha boy.

"Scared of a brat are we?" As he laughed, Anko gave him a kick straight to his stomach, catching him off guard for few seconds.

"Who would be scared of you, Uchiha Itachi," she replied in a sinister way, with her eyes narrowing further at the child.

"My my, your reputation proceeds you, Mitarashi Anko-san."

"Reputation?" she questioned, trying to control her anger. "What reputation in hell are you talking about?"

"Your pure insolence, that's what." Itachi smiled at her with a look of innocence as he turned around and walked away slowly.

"I look forward to working with you," the young Uchiha boy said with a hint of playfulness in his voice.

"I can't wait to strangle you," Anko muttered under her breath, as she walked to the nearest ho-ho stand to try and cheer herself up.

How can people like a brat like that?

That was a meeting she'd never forget.

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Mitarashi Anko was known to be the apprentice of the Snake Sannin of Konoha. She was loud, straightforward and often seen as rude. Even though she wasn't the most loved in Konohakagure, Itachi still envied her. No one had such high expectations of her; she didn't have a bunch of people ogling at her every time she walked past. Anko didn't have to hide behind a shadow.

Itachi did

She could be herself everyday, do whatever she wanted and be free. She had everything that Itachi wished for. If he acted like the way he did just now to anyone else, the word would go straight to his parents, in which then his father would be awaiting his return with a bamboo stick and a long lecture to follow.

Didn't anyone understand that he was sick of the attention? He didn't ask to be a prodigy, nor did he ask for everyone else to love him so much. All Itachi wanted was to be a normal kid, who could run around, be cheeky and have fun at his own expense

But from the moment he stepped into the Academy, he was denied all that, just because he excelled in everything that they offered him there.

He couldn't help being a genius, and it's not like he enjoyed it either

Why can't people see me for who I am and not for what I can do? Why can't I just be free like everyone else? I hate being seen as the "Uchiha Prodigy", no one recognizes me for the person I am. I'm just a child, so why can't they let me act like one? That's all I want… all that I really need.

Thoughts began to plague on the young Uchiha's mind. He hated dwelling on these feelings as well. So, to clear his mind, he headed to the woods where he usually practiced his shuriken throwing skills. Maybe throwing a bunch of things around would help him forget those useless thoughts.

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Metal colliding loudly against the wooden targets always seemed to sooth Itachi. The process did as well, aiming and then applying force which would send the object flying, whether it was kunai, shuriken or any other object; it always gave him satisfaction inside. Itachi came here daily, to free himself from the stress which everyone placed upon him. He trained until sunset, then would pack up and head home

Tonight was no exception, especially since he had to leave for that mission tomorrow.

So after he had collected all his shuriken, the Uchiha boy headed home, often gazing up in the sky as beautiful colours such as orange, pink and purple merged together in one work of art known as the sunset

Itachi loved it best when there was mainly purple in the sky for some strange reason. He thought it looked stunning.

Finally, he had reached home. He slid open the rice paper door and slipped out of his shoes

"I'm home!"

"Welcome back dear," his mother greeted as usual with her soft and warm smile.

"Nii-chan?" a small voice chirped from a distance.

Itachi walked over to his 4 year old brother and gave him a smile. "I'm home," he said to the young child with a smile on his face

"Welcome home nii-chan!" Sasuke said happily, wrapping his arms around Itachi's leg, smiling up at his big brother.

Itachi scooped down and picked up his little brother. They were almost splitting images of each other. If it weren't for the age difference, it would be most likely that they would be mistaken for twins

Sasuke wrapped his arms around Itachi's neck and gave him a tight hug.

"Did nii-chan have a good day?" the young one asked sincerely. Itachi just smiled back with gave him a light flick on the forehead

Instantly, Sasuke's grin turned upside down, transforming into a frown.

"That hurt nii-chan," Sasuke sulked

Itachi laughed softly and placed him back down on the floor.

"If you can't handle that dear brother, how are you ever going to become a great shinobi? We have to deal with more pain than that."

For a moment, it seemed as Sasuke went and contemplated on that last comment. Then with no warning, Sasuke gave an outburst.

"One day nii-chan, I'll be a great shinobi just like you! I'll master Sharingan and be the smartest in my class! I'll live up to the Uchiha name just as nii-chan did!"

No, Sasuke, you don't really want that, do you? Itachi thought as he gave a small forced smile to the beaming child. Trust me; you don't want a bunch of people falling over you. It's damn annoying. Even though everyone loves you, you're really just a loner, because you don't fit in with the rest because they see you as something better…

Before he became completely lost for his thoughts, Itachi headed up to his room.

"Call me when dinner's ready Okaa-san, I'm going to start packing for my mission tomorrow."

"Yes dear!" she replied, as Itachi climbed up the stairs.

I can't believe I have to spend a week, with her.