"Yuki-chan!" Itachi came hurrying towards me with Sasuke in his arms, carried in a sling which nestled him comfortably against him. "Is everything alright? Everyone is on edge, I'm worried, will they really try to take you away? I heard…" Itachi trailed off as I knelt down to fully embrace him, holding him carefully as not to hurt Sasuke who instantly recognised me and began to giggle, reaching out with grabbing hands to capture a lock of my hair and tugged on it to play. Itachi stiffened for a moment, unused to physical displays of affection but quickly adjusted himself, relaxing a little. "Sasuke, you shouldn't pull on Yuki-chan's hair. It might hurt."
"I don't mind." Drawing back a little I tickled Sasuke's chin, making him gurgle and I could not help but stare and admire just how cute and perfect he was. I'm glad I get to relive these moments again, a part of me felt as if I were blessed with all the luck in the world. "Itachi, let's go for that walk. Hm?"
"Yes." Looking a little more at ease than he had done before, I took Sasuke off him for a little while to give his arms a rest, walking with one arm wrapped around baby Sasuke whilst the other held Itachi's hand, strolling through the Uchiha compound with him and heading towards one of the lakes. It was quiet and peaceful at this time of day, meaning it was perfect for us to simply sit and enjoy our surroundings, laying back upon the grass to watch the clouds as Sasuke slept. "Yuki-chan. You're not leaving us, are you?"
"No Tachi. I am not going anywhere."
"Good, I'm glad." I could sense him smiling and the mere knowledge was enough to make me smile inwardly as well. "They were coming over to your house every day since that night, waiting for you to wake up. I've only heard a little bit of what's going on, but I can tell that it's not good." Suddenly Itachi sat up, turning himself onto his side to look at me with a protective determination, speaking with utterly innocent honesty. "But don't worry Yuki-chan, I'll protect you! I won't let anyone hurt you or take you away, because we're going to be married one day." Of course, this was the point in time when Itachi was completely and utterly settled on the view that we would become husband and wife one day, because of the fact our parents had unofficially betrothed us.
"Hm." Chuckling a little, I carefully sat up and moved closer to Itachi, Sasuke settled on the ground between us so I carefully leaned over him and closed my eyes, touching my lips in a feathery kiss against Itachi's mouth. At first he just stared at me, blinking once or twice before all at once he went red in the face and squeaked in the most adorable manner, lifting a hand to cover his mouth in shock before he bashfully spoke out.
"W-Why did you do that Yuki-chan?" Amused and full of a feeling of light airiness, I could not help but smile at Itachi.
"So that no other girl can steal your first kiss. It's all mine." Winking at him, I then lay back on the grass to continue bathing in the sunlight, gazing up at the clouds. "But you do not have to worry about me, Itachi, because I will be the one who always protects you. You and Sasuke. I'll always be there." Recovered a little from my surprise attack, Itachi wriggled a little where he sat, still blushing brightly but now the colour only tinted his cheeks.
"But…it is the duty of the man to protect his lady." Arching an eyebrow I looked out of the corner of one eye towards the young boy, wondering which book he had read to come to such an outdated social rule. In any case, we were both going to be ninja. I was more than capable of looking after myself and him, even with this frail, thin body of mine.
"Tachi." A cloud rolled over the sun, casting a cooling shadow upon us all as I exhaled softly. "Do not ever underestimate a woman fighting for those she loves." Feeling as if I had nothing else to say, I waited until the sunlight returned before sitting up and suggesting that we begin to return home, otherwise it would be dark soon. We had walked quite far by accident, so I carried Itachi home upon my back with Sasuke in my arms, taking both boys back to their mother who giggled upon seeing their sleepy expressions.
"Yuki-chan, you must have walked far today and wore them out."
"Hm." Nodding my head once as I let Itachi down then gave Sasuke back to his mother, I bowed to her respectfully. "I apologise for taking up their time, Mikoto-san." She brushed it off, telling me that I was always welcome and that her sons clearly enjoyed spending time with me, so she did not mind. "Goodnight, Tachi. Goodnight, Sasuke."
"Goodnight Yuki-chan. Will you come see us again tomorrow?" Itachi asked me hopefully so I nodded my head, promising him that I would see him every day for the rest of his life, if he wanted. This seemed to make him very happy, smiling at me brightly then waved goodbye as I left his house, listening with a secret smile as I heard Itachi run from the door of his home all the way to the front gate, running back out into the street to cast his voice after me. "Yuki-chan! One day, I will be the strongest ninja in the village, then I'll be the one looking after you!" I made no return reply, merely lifted my hand up into the air and flicked it in a gentle wave.
And thus, my life in Konohagakure continued, and I was finally at peace.
