Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

A/N: This fic is NOT slash, if I can help it at least.

Chapter 2

He was staring into space for maybe hours, doing nothing; but trying to analyze himself to fix the wrongness he knew he had, when his ninja instincts alerted him about the quite, small footsteps coming towards him –or par; but Itachi doubted it. His foots had carried him this abandoned place without his will and for someone from town being here willingly was a far possibility. So, it was highly likely that someone was on his way of searching –and finding, unfortunately- for him. Itachi didn't like this, not even a bit: not because he thought he wasn't a child who needs attention;
but for people to interfere his special time he let himself to have. Therefore, he was ready to pull a kunai from his bag and throw it to the impertinent person who had followed him to there; but stopped himself when he saw that it was only a small child who was coming towards the park –not Itachi. He was limping albeit a bit and the clothes on him were both torn and dirty. Itachi's eyes narrowed when he realized that the kid was Uzumaki Naruto, the jinchūriki who hosts Kyuubi.

Honestly, Itachi didn't know much about the kitsune; but he knew the boy was an orphan and hated by all of the villagers. For something he had no control over; but hated nonetheless. For Itachi, he didn't feel anything towards the boy; however as someone who is as pacifist as he was, he hasn't approved the hatred that had no grounds. However, he also couldn't blame that people: most of the villagers had lost their beloved ones cause of Kyuubi, including the Uchiha Clan that buried five precious ninja of theirs after the attack. Hence, Itachi was as neutral as he was capable of for the boy and not even once had made a comment about him. However it was hard to keep his neutral façade while the said boy walked towards the park, in thin clothes that couldn't keep him from shivering and with hid wounded knees. It was clear that he was in pain, although the kid has been trying his best not to lose his cool. Itachi suspected that the moment kid lost the strained, small smile on his face, he would start to cry and no one would be able to stop him till he drowned in his own tears. Itachi couldn't help; but frowned and averted his eyes from the boy who still hasn't realized him sitting there.

He felt the boy stopping in his steps and lingering just a few feet away from Itachi. Itachi could've been aware of his existence right before him; bud had no intention of acknowledging the boy. Maybe when he realized that the park was occupied, the child would just go back and leave Itachi alone to his so enjoyable brooding. The boy hesitated a lot and even seemed like he was turning away and going, nevertheless who knows what he thought; but after a few small steps, he sat on the other swing, without even a bit noise. Itachi thought he would make a good ninja, provided they let him.

They've sat like that, without making a sound or movement. Itachi could've heard –or rather felt- the kid's shivering whenever a cold wind come and gone; yet the boy stayed as silent as a statue. Maybe he was used to the cold, Itachi thought. This wouldn't surprise him, for all he knew the boy was homeless and has been using this park as a shelter. Not that he cared; Uzumaki Naruto could've gone and got himself killed for all Itachi cared. This was exactly what Itachi thought; until the boy chose to end the silence between them Itachi actually quite liked and shatter Itachi's mind –and heart, that damned organ- with his mumbled question.

"Did you also escape from them?"

Itachi turned his head sharply to see the boy sitting on the swing and wrapping his slim arms around the chains, looking so small even for that old plaything. He didn't have that sad smile on his stained faze; but was looking at Itachi with curious blue eyes Itachi hated just then and there. Stated quite simply, for being able to see through the mask Itachi put on.

"From whom?" he spoke with an absolute venom in his voice, not caring the fearful looks in boy's eyes or how alone and helpless he looked when he visibly flinched and drew away from Itachi while still on the swing. Nor did he care for the vibration of his small and wounded hands. However he realized and saw the boy's debating with himself, probably between escaping from Itachi and crying with fear. That's why Itachi was taken aback when the boy suddenly opened his chapped lips and spoke with a small; but strong voice. This made Itachi recalls the ants that are able to carry things that are tenfold heavier then themselves.

"From the villagers…" the boy said. "Did they also hurt you?"

Itachi wondered if the boy has learnt the word 'also' lately. Like, he was using it to memorize how to use it or simply to show off. He couldn't have been using it because he thought Itachi and him were alike, right? "Did they hurt you?" he asked, before being able to stop himself.

After the question, the boy who hadn't taken his eyes off of Itachi even when he was clearly afraid of him, averted his eyes from the black orbs for the first time and kept his sapphire eyes on an unformed rock in the park. Itachi could see that he was unconsciously trying to hide the scratches and scars on his bare arms and tightening his skinny, pants clad legs.

"Not really" boy murmured.

Itachi knew that this was a big, big lie. But who was he to interfere? It wasn't like it was his job to take care of the boy or being concerned of the villagers' violence. He was just a ninja who did what he has been told and as far as knew, no one had ordered him to look after the said boy. Not that someone would actually order something like that, Itachi wasn't aware of someone who is concerned of the young jinchūriki's well-being. Not even the Hokage himself who had announced to the town the identity of jinchūriki and caused this hatred towards the boy. Itachi would like to declare the truth behind this hatred to the boy, so the puzzled boy would finally understand the reason of the hatred that has been directed towards him ever since the day he was born. Of course he wouldn't be happy and maybe he would be broken; but at least he wouldn't be have to live with an uncertainness and insecurity, with the thought of himself being someone who doesn't deserve anything good, without offered even a simple reason. It must have been hurt, Itachi thought, for a lonely child to be isolated from every kind of goodness. Left to suffer alone.

"Are you hungry?"

Busy in his mind, the boy's question caught Itachi out of guard; however before he said something not so elegant the boy had pulled something out of his pants' pocket. At the first sight, Itachi wasn't able to figure out what they were; but when he really focused he saw that in boy's hands a few takoyaki was present.

"Ah, sorry…" the boy murmured again, with a tense smile on his face. It was easy to see that he was trying to make Itachi forget about the previous subject. "They are a bit dirty, because I was afraid that the shop owner would see me…and…"

"Did you steal them?" Frankly, Itachi had no idea whether to be surprised or angry: this was the first time he saw a theft case in the town, even if it was only takoyaki to be stolen and this has left him surprised. However, he knew that he was also angry to see the boy steal and show off so easily. He also knew that someone had to teach the boy that theft was a crime that has been banned quite severely and was absolutely against to morality. Itachi simply couldn't believe that he was the one who would teach them to a child he only met few minutes ago. Yet, he knew that he couldn't complain about it or be angry to the child whose big blue eyes staring at Itachi unbelievably. Probably no one had cared about the child not even to the degree of simply teaching him a few mundane things.

"I didn't steal." When the boy's voice fetched him from his own mind and thoughts for the second time that day, Itachi realized that he had serious problems with focusing. Then, he heard the intensive voice of the child again. "I am not a thief, you know."

"No, I don't know." Itachi stated matter of factly; however the moment the words left his lips, he regretted them. Because he knew that the child wasn't a thief. That painfully tightened face wasn't a thief's face nor the eyes, now full with tears that will never be poured weren't the eyes of a thief. No, Uzumaki Naruto wasn't a thief, Itachi knew. Because the only thief who occupied that park was Itachi himself who had stolen the hope of a lonely child. The hope of for once having someone to talk without being the target of hateful words.

"I better leave, sir. Have a good day."

Itachi watched as Uzumaki Naruto got up and left the now really abandoned park, still limping and more strained than ever.