The air was clear as water, and soft sweet scented swells swirled about the trees outside Konoha's busy streets. The day was warm but comfortable, uncommon during this season of summer. Somewhere, someone screamed, a scream of shock and wonder but not of fear. Itachi Uchiha was at the source before the sound could end.
"What is it, Sasuke?" Itachi's younger brother sat huddled atop a sun kissed rock beside a babbling brook. His eyes were two watery pools about to overflow. Itachi sat beside him a hand placed comfortingly on his shoulder.
"S-s-s-snake," Sasuke stuttered, "I-it tried to bite me Ni~san!"
"Did it hurt you?" Itachi asked gently. Sasuke had always had a fear of snakes ever since the day he found one in his bucket while playing at this same stream. That had been years ago, yet Itachi was only somewhat surprised that Sasuke still struggled against the tendrils of fear formed that day. Sasuke nodded his head: the motion brought Itachi out of his memory, his thoughts, and the innocence of those earlier days.
"Itachi, am I going to die?" Sasuke asked wide eyes. Itachi inspected the wound on his brother's bare ankle carefully. The bite mark didn't appear to be from a venomous snake, but he had to be certain.
"What did the snake look like?"
"I-it's right there!" Sasuke pointed shakily to Itachi's foot, where a black and tanned striped snake lay basking in his and the sun's warmth. Itachi's heart was pounding, but he steeled away his emotions behind a calm façade for Sasuke"s sake. Itachi's reflexes were lightning fast, and he had the snake in his hands in an instant. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"You'll be fine, Sasuke," Itachi set the snake down a few feet away, "it was just a Garter Snake." Itachi hoisted Sasuke onto his back. Sasuke smiled and Itachi could help but return the gesture. Sasuke's happiness was contagious. Itachi hoped this summer would last forever.