"Has anyone ever told you, Itachi, that flattery will get you nowhere with a female?" I questioned when I took a big whiff of the sweet, but bitter smelling red rose. "What is it that you want?" Itachi grimaced before allowing a bright red blush take over his features.
"I don't want anything, I was passing by the Yamanaka Flower Shop and thought that maybe... maybe you would want flowers or something."
I stuck the rose back into the bouquet of mismatching flowers; daffodils, lilies, red roses, white roses, and daisies. The sent they emitted was outstanding and delicious. It was tempting to let my saliva run out of my mouth and drip down my chin."Oh, well thank you. They're beautiful." That was the first time I had ever seen Itachi smile so big. So pure and genuine.
It was like I watched his chest puff out in pride.
I giggled slightly at the boastful Itachi and took a seat on the soft grass to watch him begin his daily training activated his Sharingan and stole a quick glance at me, the blush still remaining on his cheeks. "Do you, uh, want to train with me?"
"I don't know, I haven't held a weapon in many years." A kunai was held slack in Itachi's hand ever since he gave me the flowers.
"It's okay, I can teach you." My body felt hesitant. My mind also. The last time I ever handled a kunai was when the Warring States was still going on, and only then because I needed some kind of protection."I... Fine." I sat the bouquet of roses on the ground and pulled myself up.
"Come here, get beside me." I walked over to Itachi's right side and stood there, looking straight ahead at the six targets set up in front of us. I felt him go behind me slightly and put the kunai in my right hand. He grabbed another from his pouch for a demonstration. "It all depends on how you're attacking your opponent. For defense, you'll want to hold it this way.." He trailed off his sentence to show me how he positioned his kunai; the dagger side lining up with the side of his arm. "Keep your arm at an angle in either the front of your chest or your face, and don't let the sharp side touch your arm, there would be a chance of it cutting you. Widen your stance where your feet are shoulder length apart from each other. It'll come naturally to you once your body gets used to the positions." He grabbed two more kunai from his pouch and handed me another. "If you're defending yourself it's best to have two weapons for double the protection, whether it be say, I don't know, a sword or, like this, another kunai. Keep your arm bent lower into the groin or stomach area held either with the blade following your arm or normally facing forward."
I followed his orders and stood still, waiting for his evaluation."Don't stand so stiff, it'll be harder for you to block oncoming dangers when you can hardly move your body. Keep your torso bent forward in a more ready-to-spring stance and keep your body loose." After a bit of readjusting, Itachi nodded his head in approval with a small smile. "Great, now on to throwing." He got into the same position, except with his left leg slightly behind him. He flipped the hold on his kunai until the blade was facing forward. "All you need to do now is aim and throw with the strength you think it needs." He swiftly threw the kunai and it hit in the middle of the red dot. "You try."
With a steady stance, I flipped my own kunai forward and threw it. I watched as it soared through the air before landing pitifully a foot from the target. "Uh.." I mumbled quietly. Embarrassment lingered on my face, and I cursed myself once again for not training adequately like I should've in the past.
"It's alright, try again."
I blew out a stream of air and took the same stance as Itachi did, re-positioning my left leg behind me for leverage. I tossed the kunai in my left hand to my right and held it close to my eyes, trying to coordinate my arm with the target. After a couple more seconds, I finally threw it and listened to the lightly distinct thwack of the weapon connecting with the wood of the target. I grinned in excitement but soon frowned when I saw where it was placed. At the very bottom it was barely sticking to the wood and fell down to the ground once it lost it's balance.
"Well, it's better than the last time. Maybe the third time will be the charm." Itachi handed me another kunai, and following what I did before, I aimed a bit higher in hopes of a better chance of it actually embedding itself in the wood. It flew through the air before striking the second ring, but fell after a few seconds from not having the correct amount of force while being launched.
"This is a bunch of bullshit!" I seethed out in frustration. I seen Itachi holding out another to me with an indifferent look on his face. Growling, I threw the blasted thing with all my force and watched it sink deeply into the first ring, right beside of the big red dot. "Finally!" I huffed out when I wrapped my arms around myself. Laughter could be heard softly, obviously trying to be contained, before beginning to get louder until it echoed in the morning air.
"I'm s-sorry. That was just really enjoyable to w-watch." Itachi laughed out, bending over his knees with his hands on his thighs.
"Well, I'm glad you find my fails funny." After a couple seconds I began to laugh also, tears gently gathering at the edges of my eyes. It was nice seeing him act like a normal child; enjoying the small things around him. Once we finished, I sat back down on the ground and stared up at the black haired prodigy.
"You know what, Itachi?"
"What?" He questioned back while waking over to the target to gather up his missing kunai.
"I'm really proud of you, not only are you a splendid shinobi, but a splendid person as well. I wish there was more of you out there."
"But there is, you just have to look into the right places. Something that you're probably not doing." Itachi's red eyes stared the targets down before he threw all the kunai at once. Every single one hitting directly in the middle.
;
Itachi was deep into his training, going as far as moving away from me to make sure none of his fire jutsu got anywhere close to harming my body. While patiently waiting for him to finish, I turned the page of the romance book I was reading and fanned the rough smell of burning leaves from my nose. I was so engrossed into the novel that I didn't notice Itachi approaching me after a couple hours, sweat running down his face and a slight tear in the black shirt he was wearing.
I heard him take a seat beside me, and smelt the sweaty aroma that practically hit me in the face. Choosing to ignore it, but crinkling my nose up a bit in disgust, I turned to the last page of the book and enjoyed the wonderful ending that took place. A few minutes later, we found ourselves looking at the sinking sun, an orange glow radiating out through the landscape.
"Want to go get something to eat? It's getting pretty late." He shook his head and closed his eyes.
"I just want to rest a bit." He sighed deeply in content. "I'm going to request for the ANBU forms and sign up. I think I'm ready." He mumbled after a bit of silence passed.
In return, I nodded slowly. "I think you are, too. You have been for awhile now." He started to pick up grass and throw them in front of his relaxed body.
"Honestly, you give me courage to want to do it. I mean, sure I've got skills, but wanting to protect you is the more important matter. ANBU can teach me stuff that being an ordinary shinobi can't."
"I feel honored you think that way, but, Itachi, protecting yourself and your family should be what matters the most right now in your life. Worry about friends at another time when it's actually needed." I threw my book softly at him and stood up. "C'mon. You need all the food you can eat, you've been training quite well today." I smiled as he took my hand while also grabbing the flowers he got me and the book I threw.
"I know, I know." He muttered when we began walking.
He took me to my apartment and waited patiently outside while I filled a vase up with water and stuck the flowers in one by one. Then, I changed my clothes and hurriedly met him, watching as he talked kindly to an older woman passing by.
"Sorry it took so long." I apologized immediately when the lady left.
"No worries."
"Anything you can think of that'll cause your taste buds to dance with desire?" I questioned when we reached the middle of the village.
"How about some rice balls?" He answered, bumping into me gently.
"Sure, whatever you want."
"Or we could just go to my home. Mother has been really wanting to meet you. Sasuke, too."
My steps faltered, as did my heart. A wave of anxiety washed upon my spine and I shuddered internally. Itachi wrapped his arm around my shoulders and brought me to his side.
"Don't be nervous, Sumiko, everything will be fine."
;
The Uchiha Compound was bucolic almost. Sakura trees were at every other place, blooming elegantly in the mid-spring atmosphere. It wouldn't be long until the pretty, pink flowers conflated. Already a soft aroma wafted through the air because of them. Once I walked passed a few of the houses that had the trees planted in there presence, I changed the direction of my sight, and took to looking more around me instead. A couple of the clansmen still roamed around in the dusk, stopping what they were doing to speak or wave to Itachi, some even bowing. In return, he would either nod or produce a small, fake smile. It was clear he didn't like the attention.
Soon, we reached the biggest house in the complex, in the middle, but still secluded by many plants and trees. Itachi was about to open the door when I quickly reached out and prevented his hand from touching anything.
"Are you positive I can be here?" You could hear the hesitation practically drip from my voice.
Itachi grunted before nodding."I can't find a reason why you cannot show yourself here, you've done nothing to the people of this clan, so stop feeling so apprehensive. Relax." He opened the door and stepped aside to let me walk in first. I swiftly walked by him and timidly waited for him to come in. Pitter patter of feet echoed throughout the house, and a small child with a large smile adorning his face ran past a doorway and into Itachi's legs. His head shifted and through mounds of black hair, round eyes peaked out to stare at me. I offered an awkward smile and wave, then watched as he let go of Itachi and moved behind his legs, attempting to hide his tiny body. "Sasuke, go and introduce yourself to our guest. Don't be rude."
At his older brother's command, he slowly came from behind the protection of his legs and stood before me. I dropped to my knees, which then caused Sasuke to back away slightly.
"Hello, Sasuke, I'm Sumiko Keiko. You sure are a cutie." Sasuke giggled with a small blush spreading across his adorable face.
"You're really pretty." I involuntarily laughed and sent him a big smile. We stood at the doorway for a bit, talking about how awesome and cool his big brother was, and pretty soon I was wrapped around his little finger. I brought him in for an embrace after awhile, and when he wrapped his arms around my neck, I stood up from the ground, and in return, his legs tried to wrap around my waist to keep his balance.
"Why, thank you." I said when Sasuke clenched a handful of my hair and commented how it was soft. His blush was as red as a tomato, so he hid his face into my neck. I smiled and looked at Itachi. His held a deep grin, too, then gestured for me to walk with him with a roll of his point finger. Assuming we were going to the kitchen to meet the rest of his family, I took a reassuring breath and followed along.
A beautiful woman, whom Sasuke looked exactly like, was walking to the kitchen table with some sort of bowl when she spotted Itachi and I. Sasuke wanted down, so I carefully sat him on his feet and watched as he ran to a seat at the table. Then I let my eyes wonder to look Itachi's mom and looked her over again. A glow seemingly came from her body; full of love for her children and a kindness I've never felt radiate off of someone in such a cruel world. It made me want to walk up and give her a hug and ask just how she could look and feel so...calm.
"Hi, I'm Mikoto. Who might you be?" Her voice was nice and sweet, a kind aura settled around her. I knew she actually knew who I was, but for the sake of not being rude, she asked. My tense body relaxed some and in an attempt to smile, a lopsided grin took over my features.
"Sumiko Keiko. You have a beautiful home." The decor was stunning.
Mikoto smiled and said, "Thank you." I nodded and inched closer to Itachi. "Itachi speaks very highly of you. I wouldn't be surprised if he's got a crush. Every night at dinner he talks about his time with you, I've never heard him speak of someone with such fondness before."
Itachi made a choked noise before he anxiously looked down at me."Mother.."
"Oh, hush. Look at that grin on her face. I probably just made her day. Besides," She walked closer to her son and pinched his cheek, "who wouldn't want to be crushed on by my handsome boy." Itachi grunted and turned his head away from me. A chuckle escaped my mouth at his amusing behavior and I grabbed his arm to bring him closer to me. I could see a blush taking over the back of his neck. I wrapped my arms around his sides and brought him in for a hug. He broke free and put an arm around me in return."Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes. Itachi, your father will not be present. He's at a meeting till later tonight." He nodded and grabbed my arm to drag me up a set of stairs.
"Itachi!" A small voice screamed while running to us. "Will you take me training?"
Itachi took his point and middle finger and poked Sasuke in the middle of his forehead."Not tonight, Sasuke. We just got back."
The little boy pouted and crossed his arms."You said that yesterday.." He kicked at invisible rocks.
"How about you come with Itachi and I in the morning to train?" I piped up. Sasuke's face brightened before he nodded his head and ran back into the kitchen.
"You didn't have to do that. He would've got over it."
We were in the middle of his bed sitting while facing each other. I shrugged while picking at the blanket scooted over on the edge.
"It's not like it'll hurt anything." He sighed and lied back against his pillows, closing his eyes.
"No, but he'll pester you. Sometimes he can get a little overwhelming." I looked at his face and took note on how much he's grown since I first met him. His birthday should be coming up within two months.
"That's fine. His adorable face makes up for it." He cracked an eye open to look at me, then once again sighed. "Oh, don't be jealous, Itachi. You're adorable, too." I reached to pinch his cheeks like his mother did, and laughed.
"I'm not jealous." He stated, glaring at me with his blush coming to again. We stared at each other and slowly his eyes softened.
"Do you have a crush on me, Itachi Uchiha?" I teasingly asked. His eyes widened, but before he could say anything, Mikoto's voice yelled at us to come downstairs to eat. I narrowed my eyes and wiggled my finger at him. "Don't think you got away, we've got the rest of forever for you to answer me." I laughed when we exited his room. He looked at me with a smile.
Thank you, VampireKnightgrlKiwi for the review. I honestly felt the exact same way, that's why I wanted to try and improve this story. I'm so glad someone finally pointed it out, too, because it makes me want to try even harder to make it better. So, thanks so so so much! (:
Updates will not always be this quick, I just happened to finish fixing this one early. Hope you enjoy, and leave a review telling me what you think. Love you all!
~findfaith
