As I stepped into the Uchiha Clan's area, I felt unwavering stares from everyone and walked hurriedly down the road. Itachi opened the door to his house and let us in. At the door was a stunning woman in her late thirties wearing an apron. She took my hand and pulled me into the house.
Itachi and Sasuke both said, "We're back, Mother." Their mother said, "Welcome home, boys. Let me take a look at the Konoha Princess!" She knelt down to my height until our faces were within inches of each other.
I looked into her gentle black eyes and she commented, "You really have lovely eyes!" I blushed lightly and bowed politely, saying, "Thank you, Uchiha-sama. And thank you for letting me in your home." I was immediately suffocated by her strong embrace.
She stroked my hair and praised, "Himeko-sama, you don't need to be so formal! You're such a sweet girl! Sasuke-kun must be delighted to be in the same class with you."
Sasuke grunted in distaste and groaned, "Mother..."
She suddenly turned to say, "Anata, take a look at Himeko-sama!" A stern-looking man wearing a white kimono stared at me coolly and remarked, "So you truly are a Spirit Clan pure-blood." He then turned away and left, gesturing Itachi to follow him. The woman patted my head and comforted, "Don't worry, Himeko-sama. He likes you, but is just rather busy."
Sasuke took my hand and led me to the living room which was just next to the garden. Sasuke's mother brought a plate of sliced watermelon for us, which I muched on hungrily. Suddenly, I heard someone arguing behind the walls. I frowned and asked Sasuke, "Do you hear it?"
He shook his head and questioned, "What? I don't hear anything." As I focused a bit more, I could make out the conversation between Sasuke's father and Itachi.
His father was scolding him, "Itachi, why did you miss the previous clan meetings? Where have you been?"
Itachi said nothing. "Itachi, I know being an Anbu captain is time-consuming, but you should place your clan's business above everything else."
Itachi asked tonelessly, "Anything else, Father?" The door slammed open and their father rushed out of the room and out the house in anger.
Sasuke stared at his father who had left the house with a pained expression and stated sadly, "Lately, Brother and Father keep fighting." Itachi walked into the living room slowly, expressionless.
Itachi gazed at Sasuke apologetically, asking, "Sasuke, can you please find Father and convince him to come home or Mother will worry?" Sasuke nodded and went out of the door.
I looked for something comforting to say to Itachi but found nothing. He looked at my worried expression and asked, "Did you hear everything?" I nodded.
He continued, "Your enhanced hearing is back then."
"Back?"
"Enhanced hearing, strength and agility were the Spirit Clan's special skills and you used to be able to use them."
I stared at his lifeless eyes and asked, "You knew me before my amnesia?"
He smiled sadly at me and replied, "I did." So we were friends.
I nudged him on the arm softly and encouraged, "Itachi-san, cheer up." He forced himself to smile and gave me a pat on the head, muttering softly, "I wish it were that easy, Himeko-chan."
