Summary: Tobirama & bros.
The magic lamp
"You're sure about this?"
Itama's eyes were wide and red-rimmed from extended crying, but his fledgling smile held promise. Father had been particularly harsh today, but there was one thing that never failed to lift the young boy's spirits: his brothers' attention.
Tobirama and Kawarama looked at each other before giving their little brother a pair of concerted solemn nods.
"We're sure."
"No doubt about it, Ita!"
The four-year-old looked down at the battered tin lamp in his hands. It was scuffed and the lid did not match the body, but the boy cradled it like it was made out of precious metals.
"Ah… thanks!"
Kawarama had a fondness for collecting odd items and bits of junk that he found in his travels. The lamp was something that he had found in Whirlpool and the lid had been stolen from the kitchen ten minutes ago.
When Tobirama had heard that their father had been yelling at Itama again, he had asked Kawarama for help in cheering up their little brother. Together, this was the plan that they had come up with:
"Now remember, Itama, you need to look after that lamp very carefully, okay?" Tobirama said, kneeling down to his level.
"Yeah, Ita! The sorceress said that that lamp was super powerful," Kawarama added.
Itama sniffed and rubbed a hand across his nose. "It's powerful?"
"Yeah, like, it's one of a kind!"
"Hm, it's just like Kawa says," Tobirama explained as he reached over to straighten the ill-fitting lid. "A spirit lives within it."
"A spirit?!"
"Yes, but this is a very kind spirit. You see, that lamp is its home and if you look after it properly, then one day, when you need it, you can ask the spirit for a wish and it will grant it to you."
Itama looked up at Kawarama for confirmation. This talk of spirits sounded very frightening to him.
"Hey, would we give you something bad, Ita? I'm telling you, the sorceress who gave it to me said that it's a cat spirit, so think of it like a pet."
"A pet?" Itama's brows furrowed in confusion.
Tobirama cleared his throat. "What Kawa means is that you don't need to do much. Just keep the lamp clean and in a quiet place and the… cat spirit will be happy."
"And then it will grant me a wish?"
"Whatever you want," Tobirama confirmed.
Itama's smile was like the sun breaking through a cover of rainclouds. If he was careful in handling the lamp before, now he held it close to his chest. He threw himself at Tobirama for a one-armed hug, then at Kawarama.
"Kawa! You can tell that sorceress lady that I'm going to be the best owner the spirit's ever had! Promise!"
Kawarama ruffled his little brother's two-coloured hair before he could scamper off to the bedroom to find the best place in which to keep the old lamp.
He and Tobirama shared an accomplished grin. One day, Itama would be too old to keep believing their stories. Until then, though, they would do whatever they could to make sure that their baby brother never stopped smiling.