Itachi Estate…
Itachi returned home, tired after a long day and watching his brother and future wife fight for the right of gaining a higher level of ninja.
Itachi smiled at his fiancé's fiery determination. She will certainly need it when she goes into the Forest of Death. Her entire team. The test was something not to trifle with. Many ninjas never came out, and those who did, came out were changed. He wished to be with them, to guide them, but he had to abide by the rules of the Hokage. All he could do is watch and see how they can adapt. He had no doubt, he knew he could make it through.
But… something was wrong. He could feel it. Something slithered into the Leaf, something bad. It feels like… like…
Ugh, he was too tired to think right now.
Maybe some rest can help him. He'll dwell on the baleful presence, beside Garra in the morning. A bed was an overworked Shinobi's best friend and Itachi was gratefully welcomed…
Sssssss….
"Remember, you must do everything you can to keep her. This is the good of the clan." His father ordered his son quietly.
Sssssss….
Then the boy marveled at the beauty in her eyes and the inner strength he could see.
Sssssss….
"I am Itachi of the Uchiha Clan and I am pleased to meet you." He bowed as the girl was surprised that the boy was talking to her that way.
Sssssss….
Maybe he was just playing nice in front of his father and the Hokage.
Sssssss….
"I'm Naru Uzumaki and I'm going to become the next Hokage, Dattebayo!" She proclaimed as the Hokage sighed a bit at her enthusiasm.
Sssssss….
Then Itachi did something that surprised Naru even more.
Sssssss….
"I believe it."
Sssssss….
Then he kissed her small hand.
Sssssss….
He was the first person to ever say that to Naru, to treat her with respect. Itachi saw her as a person, not a monster, and was… nice to her. He never met anyone like Itachi and it made her heart flutter. It couldn't be a lie, no matter how much Naru thought it would be, his face was too genuine.
Sssssss….
"Do you wish to tour with me around the village? I would be happy to escort you." Itachi offered the young girl whose face felt extremely warm.
Sssssss….
She took his hand and followed him wherever they went.
Sssss…
Where was that hissing coming from?
Young Itachi looked to his hand and from where his beloved Naru was, a snake took her place!
He gasped and dropped it, realizing he was somewhere else.
His home… and Sasuke came in after a day in the academy.
"Good evening, Sasuke. How was the academy today?" The older brother wondered as he began to cook for the two of them, a duty as Sasuke's guardian.
Sssssss….
"Hmm… Typical." Sasuke answered as he took a seat in his chair and began to read his scroll.
Sssssss….
"Sasuke, you know the rules. No studying during Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner. It is not good to overwork yourself. You can get sick." Itachi reminded his brother.
Sssssss….
"Hmm."
Sssssss….
But Sasuke did what his brother asked.
Sssssss….
Itachi knew the real reason why his brother was so grumpy today.
Sssssss….
"So, how was Naru?" Itachi asked with a smile as he knew his brother couldn't resist complaining about her.
Sssssss….
"I don't want to talk about that Dobe."
Sssssss….
But he will. Itachi knew his brother too well.
Sssssss….
"She decides to paint on the faces of the Hokage Rock, lead Shinobi on a foolish chase until Iruka Sensei himself had to stop class to go and get her, caused the rest of the class to practice our transformation Jutsu, then used her foolish 'Sexy Justu' on our teacher." The student of the year complained as he felt all sorts of irritation.
Sssssss….
"Did any of the boys try to touch her?" Itachi coldly asked his brother.
Sssssss….
"No, they still think she's a man thanks to that ugly orange jacket and baggy pants she wears." His younger brother answered.
Sssssss….
Sasuke knows that Itachi will defend Naru's honor to his last breath. If anyone inappropriately touches her, he has the right to kill such a person and Itachi is famous for being able to kill a man by simply looking at them.
Sssssss….
"Good. As long as they keep their hands to themselves, I will not interfere." Itachi sighed as he rather not murders people because of their perverted thoughts of his beloved.
Sssssss….
He was a pacifist through and through, understanding that the world needed peace. But he also had an obligation as a future husband. If any tried to harm or soil his beloved, it was his duty to seek retribution.
Sssssss….
Itachi completed cooking and placed both plates on the table.
Sssssss….
"I still don't understand why you are so infatuated with her. She's a complete Dobe." Sasuke sighed then took the first bite.
Sssssss….
"Sasuke, once you understand her, you'll see why I am in love with her. But until that day, can you please try to get along with her?" Itachi requested, "She will become a part of this family and it would be best if you two became kinder to each other."
Sssssss….
"How can I with her?"
Sssssss….
"Please, Sasuke."
Then suddenly, he heard choking from behind! He turned around as there was a giant constrictor strangling his brother! It was going to eat him! Itachi then grabbed a knife and lunged at the creature!
But then it was gone and so was Sasuke.
He was no longer at the house but on a bridge…
Sssss…
"So, it seems I'll be facing two Sharingan users, copy the moves of others or hypnotize them into a comatose state." Zabuza chuckled as he still kept his eyes close.
Ssssss…
"You seem to know a lot about my family's kekkei," Itachi commented as he became suspicious of the man.
Sssss…
"How can I not? It was not the first time I have faced that kekkei." Zabuza chuckled as Itachi narrowed his eyes.
Sssss…
"Who?"
Sssss….
"Wouldn't you like to know, Uchiha Itachi?" He mocked as both Kakashi and Itachi were enveloped in mist.
"Yesss, Uchiha Itachi, wouldn't you like to know…" A familiar voice hissed from all around in the mist.
Itachi readied himself as he saw another pair of eyes just like his…
"My, my, my one-armed comrade, you seemed to be half the man you used to be. It seems you're a Gemini to all, A coin with two facessss…" It whispered to him as the shadowy image of Itachi lunged at him!
Itachi soon awoke as he gripped the neck of a hungry poisonous snake!
"You… if you hadn't learned your lesson the first time," Itachi snarled, broke the snake's neck, and dropped it to the ground, "Next time, there will be no mercy."