Chapter 1

Itachi watched the girl who was distant cousin of his from his vantage point in the tree. She was only five but she was much like him. She was showing her father the Fire Ball technique that was well known throughout their clan. Itachi smiled as she performed the technique perfectly.

She wasn't like most in his clan, with her deep red hair instead of the traditional black and she smiled most unlike others, but she was no doubt and Uchiha through and through. She was a brilliant young girl who Itachi could see growing into a powerful and amazing kunoichi who would make the clan proud.

Itachi tensed when he felt someone watching him. He looked around and was shocked when he saw her staring right at him. She smiled brightly to him. He smiled in return. She definitely lived up to her name. She had a smile like a Flower. She left her father and ran up to the tree that Itachi was sitting in. She smiled bigger as she looked up to him.

"Hello cousin, Itachi-san!"

Itachi smiled in return as he looked down at her from the tree branch.

"Hello there, Hana."

Hana giggle when he said her name. She started climbing the tree.

"Did you see me, Itachi-san? Did you see me perform the Fire Ball technique?"

Itachi nodded as he helped her up to the branch he was sitting on.

"Yes I did. You were amazing as usual, little one."

Hana sat in front of him and twisted a strand of her long red hair. Her usual bright smile faded drastically.

"Father said that I wasn't as good as you when you first did it." she said with a shake-y voice as tears began to form in her eyes.

Itachi frowned and pulled Hana into his arms. He kissed her forehead gently as he rubbed her back soothingly.

"Don't you listen to him!" he said as he tried very hard to suppress the rage building up inside him.

He never could understand why this little girl affected him so much. Whenever she was in trouble he couldn't stand but try and help her. Whenever she was sad he did all he could to cheer her up. Whenever she was confused he would explain it to her so she could understand. Whenever she cried he did everything he could to comfort her. She was special to him for reasons he did not yet understand.

"You did it perfectly. In fact I think you did better than me my first time." he said with a smile as he wiped away a tear from her cheek.

Hana looked at him with her big onyx eyes and smiled shyly.

"Really? Do you really think so, Itachi-san?"

Itachi smiled and nodded as he tapped Hana's nose.

"Yes I do. In fact how about we go show my father and see what he thinks, alright?"

Hana giggled and nodded eagerly.

"Ok, Itachi-san!"

Itachi smiled and stood up with Hana still in his arms.

"Let's go then, my little treasure."

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