Prologue
If you were to ask someone about Sasuke Uchiha's personality, some of the words that first come to mind might be arrogant, selfish, rude and cold to name a few; and they wouldn't be wrong. It may come as a surprise to many that beneath this hardened exterior, there lay an insecure little boy with an unimaginable capability for compassion, loyalty and self-sacrifice-if you only knew where to look.
Firinne, or "Rinn" as she was more affectionately known was one such individual. She was able to bring out this side of Sasuke that nobody would believe, unless they were to witness it with their own eyes. As such she truly gave meaning to her namesake, for Firinne is an ancient Gaelic name which embodies truth and fidelity; something which she gave to Sasuke and all those precious to her in abundance.
Our story begins at the birth of these two fated mortals some years ago on July 23rd. As luck would have it, both arrived on this Earth within minutes of one another on a hazy summer's morning. Fortunate indeed, as we would have no tale to tell had these events not occurred.
As two mothers enjoyed the 'fruits of their labour' (if you'll pardon the pun!) an unlikely friendship was formed between the Uchiha and Flynn families, which cascaded down to their newborn children Firinne and Sasuke. As the new mothers began to adjust to their new bundles of joy, they were always there to help one another, frequently meeting for play dates and lunches during which the young women would cast their woes aside about their "Screaming brats" and "Stinky surprises" amongst other delightful topics. Oh, how they would howl with laughter about the daft things their children would get up to, as well as having the occasional gripe about the laziness of their husbands during the late night nappy change...
Mikoto and Maher quickly became the closest of friends, while Sasuke and Firinne gradually grew and even managed to share their toys on a good day! Sure, they would pinch and slap each other, and Firinne would always thieve Sasuke's tomatoes from his little lunch box whenever the opportunity presented itself, but the two children would not be without one another.
However, one particularly muggy autumn night, shortly after the children's 4th birthdays, everything changed. Sasuke can remember vividly, even after all this time, the terrified look on Firinne's face as his mother carried the frightened child into their living room during the dark hours of that night. He can remember how many of his clan shot off into the sky like ghosts, hurriedly trying to catch up with someone, or something. He remembers how excited he was when, his mother explained to him that Rinn would be sleeping over for a while, yet turning to said friend and seeing nothing but emptiness and dejection. He remembers hugging the girl and promising that he would be her best friend forever...
Rinn remembers nothing.