Itachi didn't know what to do with the child before him. He was standing in front of a pastry shop, watching Sakura nearly devouring her second piece of chocolate cake. The little girl certainly had an appetite after her practice. They had met up at the training grounds again, a silent agreement that he would seek her out there when he could. Sakura had not asked the older boy about his family or any personal information, which he didn't offer freely. Even though the Uchiha was sure the young girl was curious, he was grateful she was able to hold her inquiries. This should come as no surprise, however, for the little girl was extra-careful not to offend or annoy the older boy. After all, he seemed even more tired lately.
They had gone to a pastry shop. Itachi had brought her a piece of cake and dango for himself. Sitting on a table, enjoying the peacefulness that came with the company, Sakura hadn't realized how hungry her training made her and had shyly asked for another piece of cake. Itachi had raised an eyebrow at her but had quickly obliged. She gave him her thanks and began eating. To her credit, Sakura almost finished the second piece, but when reaching midway of it, to Itachi's amusement, a battle with the chocolate pastry took place. After a while, the pink-haired girl gave up, and laughing put what was left of it in her lunch bag. "I can't even beat a piece of cake, what a shinobi I'll make, ne?"
At her words, the older boy had stilled. Sakura cringed. Itachi didn't like it when she brought up this topic, or anything related to it. The little girl didn't know why, but knew better than to ask. If the older boy chooses to do so, he would tell her. When Itachi had sought her out a month ago, the last thing he had expected to find was her training for a shinobi. This new revelation had brought a constant strain connected with the pink-haired child, but the boy tried to shove the uneasiness in the back of his mind. His worry was not what she needed now.
When they both finished their meal, they stood up and walked onto the street. "Your shoe is untied." Sakura's eyebrows shot up in and almost comical way and she shoved the brown bag containing leftovers in his hand and tied her laces with great concentration. She looked up to him with a proud expression on her face "See, I learned to do it by myself!" The Uchiha smiled at her antics. She could still find joy in the oddest things, even when aspects in her life were tangled. Maybe she found peace in his presence as he did in hers. The thought brought and uncharacteristic feeling of hope.
The little girl stood up and patted her pants. She started walking in the direction of her home, knowing undoubtedly the older boy would follow. Half listening to her chatter, Itachi decided gloomily. He would protect Konoha and its children. He would protect her innocence and childhood, even if it meant sacrificing his ties with his family. He closed his eyes and exhaled. Sasuke deserved to have a peaceful childhood. Every single one of Konoha's children deserved it. A betrayal by the Uchiha clan would only bring chaos and tragic, denying them that birth right, the same way he was denied it. They had reached Sakura's building block. The little girl hugged him, not letting go for a while. "Please, don't worry too much, Itachi-san." He didn't even try to figure out how she knew what he was thinking anymore and simply put his hand on top of her head. The dark-haired boy watched the little girl waving to him and closing the door behind her. He couldn't help but wish again that she give up her pursuit of the ninja arts, recalling their first encounter in the training grounds.
Sakura had told Itachi about how her life had drastically changed since she enrolled in the academy. Halfway through the story, the little girl started to cry, but Itachi never interrupted and, to her credit, she never stopped her tale. The protégée had tried to look at the situation objectively – the turn of events she was revealing were to be expected. Her parents were civilians and were bound to wish she'd waver from her chosen path. As for the gap that was beginning to form between the Ino girl and Sakura, it would pass in a few years, just like the similar conflict he had had with Shusui had eventually made their… acquaintance stronger.
However, the green eyed girl was not familiar with human psychology and this, combined with her lack of social experience, made her even more emotionally fragile. Itachi, on the other end of the spectrum was anything but emotional type. He was practical above all else and paid little attention to those surrounding him. Sakura had ended her monologue in hiccups. The young boy had not moved, but his eyes had been fixated on her the whole time, indicating that he was absorbing her words carefully. He had found a strange new sensation at that time – her distress was affecting him as well.
Itachi always tried to avoid conflict and causing others distress, but the only person's emotional state, which had the same impact on him was Sasuke's. Sakura's growing uneasiness shifted his perfect focus on the situation and for a brief moment he had allowed himself to view her problems as his own. And, in his mind of course, he had pouted like a child. He wanted to blame her friend and her family, but the mature and logical part of his mind would not permit such a whim.
Itachi had realized of course that he couldn't tell his fragile friend to "suck it up", for in her present state, she would only take it as a sign of displeasure towards her, and this was the last thing he had wanted to indicate. People had told him to handle himself with composure his whole life. He had kept everything in to a point where showing emotion felt unnatural. The little pink-haired child's whole being was charged with such feeling, that he couldn't imagine what telling her to act as a ninja ought to would do to their newly-formed companionship.
No, another course of action on his part was needed and so, the young boy had slowly leaned forward and hugged the smaller frame. Sakura had stilled, but the occasional hiccup still appeared. The affectionate gesture was awkward and stiff. It felt foreign to the Uchiha. He wondered if this would worsen the little girl's state but when he had felt her shift, two small arms curled around his neck, dismissing his worries. The prodigy had not told her that her troubles would pass nor did had he tried to assure her that she was overreacting. He had only offered his silent support, which, to his silent surprise and joy, Sakura had accepted with no hesitation.
This seemed to cheer her up and after a while she pulled back and wiped her cheeks with the back of her slender wrists. "I'm sorry Itachi-san," she looked at him, an awkward smile settling on her heart-shaped face "I shouldn't complain so much. After all, a shinobi must be ready for anything." At this, the protégée grimaced. "Don't let them change you." It was the closest to a plea Itachi would ever get. He didn't want her to become a tool, one of many. She was unique in her compassion. Selfishly, he wanted her preserved. After all, when she found out what exactly his occupation was there were two possible outcomes.
Either she would despise him or she would have grown into an emotionless shell of a being, similar to him, which was guided by logic and survival instinct, feeling only apathy towards him. Her thin eyebrows had knitted in concentration as she tried to understand the meaning behind his words. Itachi didn't offer any explanation. Sakura probably didn't realize the soothing effect she had on him. Well, he would return the favor as best as he could anyway. "Sakura-chan," he interrupted her musings and her green eyes had looked at him filled with curiosity "I'll make sure I see you at least once a week when I have no missions."
Itachi knew what he was promising her was risky. The more their bond grew, the greater the chance of his clan finding out about it. However, the pink-haired child needed a steady companionship, and admittedly, so did he. His stomach filled with warmth when she had practically yelped with joy, the fatigue from her training forgotten. She nodded enthusiastically, her hair ruffling in the process. A small chuckle had escaped the boy's lips, which only seemed to fuel her happiness.
Sasuke was unhappy. Scratch that. Sasuke was very unhappy. His aniki had just come home, carrying a paper bag in one hand and taking off his shoes with the other. The eight-year old stood in the narrow corridor with crossed arms and the biggest frown he could muster. "Hello, otouto." His big brother's voice made him straighten his back even more as he tried to prepare himself. Itachi looked at the small frame, a gentle smile appearing on his lips. He had promised to train with Sasuke today. However, with his own training, writing mission reports and finding the time to have a meal with Sakura, he had skipped out on his little brother.
Sasuke said nothing and continued to watch with displeasure, tears starting to form in his onyx eyes. Itachi was half amused by the child's behavior, but knew better than to taunt his otouto now. Instead, he took a few steps and kneeled in front of him apology written on his features. "Don't be displeased with me." Sasuke eyes widened at his brother's gentle tone. The boy was finally able to look past his own hurt and took notice how tired his aniki looked. When he thought about it, Itachi was home even less than before. He was always training or doing shinobi work, as his father had put it.
However, the little boy could not bring to shove off his anger so easily and only grunted in response. To his annoyance Itachi chuckled and pocked his forehead fondly. When his older brother turned his back on him and walked inside the house, Sasuke smiled rubbing his head. Even if his aniki didn't have time for him, they would always be brothers, which meant they would always come first for each other. At least that's what his otosan had told him. The young boy looked down and noticed the brown bag before him. He picked it up and anxiously opened it. Maybe Itachi had brought him a treat to make it up to him.
However, Sasuke's word stopped spinning when he saw a half-eaten piece of chocolate cake. He gulped. He felt growing panic take over him. Itachi wasn't allowed to eat sweets and knew Sasuke didn't like them. The young boy willed himself to remain calm and with shaking hands examined the paper. Something was written on the other side.
The eight-year old quickly ran outside, opened the nearest trash can and shoved the bag with as much force as he could muster. Shaking, he made his way back to the compound, trying not to let his upset get to him. There had to be an explanation for this. Who the hell was Sakura anyway?
A/N
This is a short one. Weeeell, at least some kind of plot is starting to form.
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