❝ From a tiny spark may burst a mighty flame. ❞ ~ Fugaku Uchiha.
The above words meant so much to Hana. Not just because they were uttered by her late father, Fugaku Uchiha.. but because she yearned for that tiny spark. She yearned to know that that tiny spark would soon burst into a mighty flame. Flashback to when Hana was six years old, just days before the clan's massacre, she had been sitting on the steps of their home. She sighed heavily, staring down into her lap at the crumpled-up paper bird. "I'm such a failure. I can't even make a paper bird..." she mumbled to herself. Unknowns to her, her father was standing behind her, a small smile plastered upon his lips.
"Hana" he said gently, causing her to jump slightly. He chuckled loudly, fixing his shirt before sitting beside her. Hana couldn't help but feel like she disappointed her father, especially when it came to being a ninja. "I can't even make a paper bird, papa" she sighed sadly, bringing her knees up under her chin. He didn't say anything for a moment. As if he was thinking of what to say – or how to word something. "I don't think you're a failure, Hana" he said lowly, his eyes transfixed on the sky.
"You don't, papa?" she asked, lifting her head slightly. "No" he replied simply, then his eyes snapped to his youngest child, one of his pride and joy's "I think you're a wonderful little girl, who has so much potential". Hana grinned widely, though her grin soon turned to a frown "but papa, why can't I do anything right?". He laughed a little, ruffling her raven hair, a signature feature of the Uchiha clan "because, my sweet little daughter, you are not trying hard enough". Hana's frown deepened, but she nodded nonetheless "I guess I'll try harder". "If you're really struggling, why don't you ask Sasuke to teach you some things?" her father questioned "you two get along so well".
"You see, Papa" Hana began, stretching out her small legs "Sasuke has his own issues to worry about. He doesn't need my issues, too". Her father raised both eyebrows "Sasuke would love to help you, angel. You just have to learn to ask him". Hana thought about it for a second. Of course, her older brother would want to help her, but what about Itachi? He was older; therefore, he knew more, and he had a little more time, she presumed. "I'll ask him" she concluded, though she wouldn't. He smiled gently, and was about to stand up when Hana cleared her throat.
"Papa, how did you and mama meet?" she asked him, looking up at him with her innocent, grey eyes. How could he resist telling her? He chuckled, getting comfortable on the step, before he proceeded in telling her. "Well, we knew each other growing up. A part of me always knew your mama was the one for me. My father and your mama's father were very close. So, when we grew into adults we fell madly in love, and we got married and had three, lovely babies". Hana tilted her head to the side "and how are babies made?". Fugaku almost choked on air, shaking his head rapidly "that's something for when you're older, sweetheart".
Hana didn't press him on, thinking it was something bad, and she didn't like bad things. She simply nodded, then sighed "papa, how come I don't have a boyfriend?". Fugaku laughed even louder than before, almost startling his youngest child. He pinched her nose gently before replying with "you're too young". "But when I'm older, how will I know they are the one?". He looked up at the sky, a stern look on his face "from a tiny spark may burst a mighty flame". Hana raised her left eyebrow, confused by what he meant "what do you mean, papa?". "Perhaps, you will understand someday, and I hope you do, Hana".
At that moment, Mikoto, her mother, came outside. "In now, you two" she smiled warmly "dinner is ready, and it's freezing out here. Hana, you'll catch a cold!'. Hana stood immediately, not wanting to catch a cold and rushed inside to see her two, older brothers sitting at the kitchen table. "Sasuke, Itachi!" she grinned, rushing over and sitting in beside Sasuke. He ruffled his sister's hair, smiling widely at her. Oh, how he adored her. There was never any competition between the pair, as she was only just a little over a year younger than him. He didn't even remember her birth.
All throughout that dinner, Hana couldn't help but ponder on what her father meant. In fear of growing insane, she decided to let the universe make her understand when the time was right. When she was supposed to understand it, she would. She knew that for certain. Hana knew that someday she would fall in love; but she didn't know who, and she didn't know why, and she didn't know how. Though one faithful day, she would find out, and trust me when I say this; it is not who she expected.