Bored. So very extremely bored. I was laying face down on the couch, smothering my face in the cushions. I had no friends, so I never had anything to do. Marion called for me from the kitchen. "Seiko, come here, eh!"

Hurriedly I sprung from the couch and dashed for the kitchen. "What's up?"

"We need food, man."

I stared at her blankly. "Uh, okay...yeah, that's kinda how people work, we need food."

"Smartass, here's a list. Go pick up my stuff so I can feed you. You're so tiny."

"Not entirely," I smirked, pointing to my breasts.

"That's my girl! I digress, but you know what I'm thinking?"

Sarcastically I responded, "Oh, let me tap into my psychic powers and find out."

"Shhh. Shut uuup. I was thinking, you need a boyfriend."

I cringed. "People around here don't even like me."

She shrugged. "Screw the people around here then. Outside the Uchiha village there must be other boys that have hit on you, right?"

"I don't know...what? Honestly, I don't!"

"You know who I think you'd be cute with," she asked with a sly smirk. "Itachi. Good kid."

I laughed out loud, just at the sheer audacity of her to mention him of all people. "That's funny, Marion. Real funny. We're like fire and ice."

"That's the thing about it. He's a handsome young man, strong,wise beyond his years, full of promise. And, he's incredibly empathetic. He'd treat you like a princess."

I feigned wretching. "Geez, Marion, maybe you should go put the moves on him since you like him so much."

"Shut the hell up and get my damn food. Bye."

I snickered and walked out the house with the list of groceries, feeling ever so insecure. Everywhere I went in the Uchiha district I got strange stares. Some people even looked bemused or scared. My mouth, which I could almost never control, did nothing to build my reputation and stop the looks. I had permanent bitch face when I lived there for a very long time. I was so unhappy. Until this day. I went to a little shop, and the moment I set foot onto the premises the storekeeper narrowed his eyes at me in disdain. I remember only rolling my eyes, not wanting a fight. I peeked at the list Marion gave to me, and began collecting all the groceries. Of course liquor was on the list. She knew I couldn't buy that and most likely did that to deliberately irritate me or something. I just wanted to get out of there. The tension was thick enough in the air to cut through. I placed everything, which wasn't much besides fish, rice, and veggies, on the counter. "Good afternoon sir," I offered cordially.

No reply. Just a stink eye. Honestly, I wanted to laugh. He bagged everything and waved me off with an "ugh."

I left and it was round 2 of dirty stares and people whispering epithets in my regard. As I headed back home I walked past a little girl holding hands with her father. They were very cute, and she seemed so innocent. She looked over at me and I smiled at her. She was so distracted staring at me that she dropped her toy. "Oopsie!"

"Oh, don't worry! I've got it," I offered, bending down to pick up her toy.

Her father grimaced and snatched it away. "Well look at that, Ai. Your favorite toy needs to be burned. This girl doesn't belong here, she's trash. Now that she's touched it your toy is trash too."

"She's trash, daddy?"

"Yes," he hissed, eyes latching onto mine. "TRASH."

He threw the toy at me with no warning, and because I was so startled I dropped my grocery bag, all the food tumbling out. I balled my fists and shouted at him, seething. "You're the piece of trash! How dare you! What, because I'm not one of you?"

"Exactly! You're not an Uchiha, or of a clan that's anywhere near our caliber. You come from trash, so that's what you are. You don't belong anywhere. You're scum!"

"WELL I'M STILL A FUCKING PERSON! You can't just treat me like that you dog of a man! Screw you and your kid!"

I threw the toy right back and the two scurried off. Pieces of shit, how dare they, I cursed silently. I bent down and started picking up the groceries. This is not fair. I always get treated like this, and now he goes and corrupts his little daughter so she can grow up hating me too? I hate life so bad right now-

Suddenly a hand caught my own, stopping me from picking up the rest of the food. I looked up and was greeted with kind, dark eyes. It was ironic. It was fate. The same boy who's name was just spoken of by Marion was suddenly face to face with me. My very first time actually seeing the boy that everyone spoke so highly of. He smiled at me. "Hello, Seiko. Had an accident?"

Bitter, I replied, "Yeah, being born."

His hand still holding mine he lifted me off the ground. "Please. Don't say that... I'm Itachi. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Seiko. I've heard so much about you-"

"Oh, great..."

"From Marion."

I flushed, speechless. My heart fluttered and I was absolutely ecstatic. I couldn't suppress my smile. "She talks about me? And to you?" The dark haired boy nodded. Curious, I pressed him for info. "Oh. What does she say?"

His facial expression warped from kind to earnest. "That you're worth far too much to be treated like that. She's right."

That choked me up. I chastised myself inside for having the urge to cry. I've never been told that I was worth anything. Itachi's words then were so poignant I could not manage a response. Not even a thank you. He wore a light smile, probably amused at how tongue tied I was. His hand reached out for mine, where I was holding the list. When our fingers brushed I inhaled sharply. Just that simple touch stirred something inside of me- a feeling that even today I could not place a name on. He read the piece of paper. "Shall I get these for you? These are no good," he referred to the food I previously bought, soiled.

"Um...I...you don't have to. I can just go back and get more money from Marion then come back."

"But that's a hassle. I'll get them for you. Come on, Seiko."

I hugged myself protectively feeling very self conscious as we walked. Someone like me being beside Itachi Uchiha was not something anyone around there wanted to see. Nobody even tried to hide their bewilderment. I was shocked at the lack of common courtesy. I swore the Uchiha were better than that and would at least have enough manners to not stare at us in such a fashion. "Itachi, please tell me that you notice all the stares."

He looked at me quizzically. "I do, but I am trying not to pay attention to it. You should be used to it."

"Gee, thanks Itachi. That didn't sting."

He smirked at me. "Good, because nothing good comes of always worrying about what the next man perceives you as. Paying attention to those kind of things would only lead to unhappiness."

My jaw dropped. He didn't know the half of what I went through, but he didn't need to. He was so right, and he knew it. Upon first meeting him, he had already given me such insight. Marion said he was wise beyond his years... What an understatement. Once we reached the little shop I had just earlier come from, the owner gaped at the sight of us. He stammered and gasped and looked like a total fool. On the inside I was doing backflips and laughing sinisterly. Talk about vindication. Itachi was a lovely conversationalist, good with small talk. He made me giggle like a child. I never would have thought, considering what people said about him and his appearance, that he'd have such a refreshing sense of humor. He finished picking out fresh new groceries with me, and we set them on the counter. The owner acknowledged us with a nod, but kept his eyes off of us perhaps out of embarrassment. I noticed Itachi look at me through the corner of his eye, smirking. I pressed my lips together to hold in my goofy grin. He was so cute.

The ashamed shopkeeper nodded us a farewell after bagging my things. No "ugh" the second time around. I sure got used to that better treatment quickly. Itachi carried the bag, chivalrous as ever. Once we got far enough he chatted me up. "You know," he started. "I always wanted to meet you."

My eyes grew wide. "What? No kidding?"

He shook his head. "No kidding, in all seriousness. Marion is some character. A hard heart, and very closed. However, whenever she speaks of you she just lights up. I've never seen her as happy as when she talks about you. I wanted to meet the girl that had such an effect on someone. I can see why she feels that way about you."

My heart was beating faster and faster, and my face grew hotter. I've never been so embarrassed. "What does that mean?"

"You just-" he trailed off momentarily. "You remind me of a couple people that I care very much about. Very kind, resilient, strong, and fiery."

I giggled. "Fiery?"

Grinning at me Itachi nodded. "Oh yes, I saw how you reacted to that man, you little firecracker."

I laughed out loud, and he laughed with me. Oh my gosh, I could have kissed him right then and there. My first normal conversation with someone, and it's with Itachi Uchiha. Too soon we arrived to my house. I didn't even get the chance to ask who the two people were that he meant, but I would ask later on. He stood next to me on the porch, very closely I noted, as I unlocked the door.

"Well it's about damn ti...oh my. Okay. Well, well. Seiko, you brought along my favorite person in the world. Come in kids."

Marion was peeking her head through the doorway from a few feet away as she spoke. She looked like your regular nosey neighbor. "After you," Itachi offered. I walked in, him close behind.

"Itachi, you can leave the groceries on the island. What brings you here?" I rolled my eyes so hard they could have got stuck in the back of my head. She was speaking with such a facetious tone I wanted to hit her. It was embarrassing.

Coolly, he said, "I was just around. Seiko ran into some trouble and I found it appropriate in her situation to come to her aid."

Marion smirked, hands on her hips. "Of course. What am I to do with you, Seiko?"

"You're really not being funny, Marion."

"Whatever. Can I get you some water, Itachi?"

"No thank you. I should be on my way soon, for dinner."

"Aww, c'mon man, just hang with us for a minute. She likes you, it's obvious huh," she asked with a wink.

I was 100x more sure that I wanted to hit her then. I scurried over to Itachi, lightly shoving his shoulder. "It is late, actually. You should head home! Thanks for everything Itachi!"

Smiling knowingly he let me walk him to the door. "Thank you Marion, I will see you later. And you, Seiko? Will I be seeing you again soon?"

"You mean you want to?"

"It'd be a pleasure to..."

"Um, okay. Yeah, for sure. You can, anytime you want... See ya." I offered a shy smile after mindless stammering.

He pulled me in for a light, friendly hug. His arms around me felt amazing. He smelled so good, and I blushed hard. He left, sooner than I wanted. But that's because Marion...

"Marion Uchiha! You actually suck!" I ran up to her and pushed her angrily.

She laughed at me and shoved me back. She was so childish sometimes. "YOU actually suck. I tried to help you."

"By telling him I like him!?"

"Well you do! You're in loooove."

"You. Are. A. Bitch."

"Sure, but you're a girly teenager."

The word made me wretch. "GIRLY? ME?"

She smirked and jumped up on the island counter. She shrugged. "You were looking at him all, Oh Itachi please kiss me, don't stop hugging me! I almost died!" The more Marion teased the more I actually lightened up. She rarely ever spoke to me like she was my mom. She smiled at me. "I told you, didn't I?"

"Yeah, yeah," I mumbled.

"He's a great guy. And I can already tell that he likes you too."

"No way? Does he?" I flushed at the thought. I didn't think that would have been possible.

"Well isn't it obvious? There's so much chemistry between the two of you...Phew! I'm gonna have to give you the talk!"

I cringed. The talk. As much as I didn't want the talk, she was right about the chemistry between us. I thought I was crazy, and that it was just me and one sided as usual. But after she said that I was vindicated for my thoughts. "You called it, Marion. About everything. I hate when you're right."

"And I'm always right."

A/N: So hey guys... I should have said this in the beginning, but there are going to be references to another character in this story, Shani. She bares relation to Seiko here. The other character can be found in my fanfic Use Me Up, and no it's not a shameless plug to get more views on my stories. I just thought it would make it more interesting since I wrote both the characters to have some sort of relationship with Sasuke and Itachi. Their pasts all tie together and it's pretty cool. Wasn't how I planned to write it originally, but I hope it actually does make things more interesting to read about. That's all. *blows 1000 kisses*