Disclaimer: I do not own the Manga or Anime Naruto, or the characters contained within it. It belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. However, the character Teitoku Kanako and the other made-up characters contained within this story belong to me.
The Black and White
Chapter 1 - Celebration Preparations
"Ka-san!"Your brother's voice bellowed.
Struggling in your high-chair, you squealed for your mother to come and remove you from the bondage. You would rather be practicing your walking on the ground than being trapped up in a chair with peas laying in a bowl upon the tray in front of you. This was most displeasing!
Footsteps played against the wooden floor as your mother shuffled into the kitchen with her typically playful smile as she removed the tray and unbuckled you. Poking your nose gently, she giggled before placing a kiss upon your cheek and lifting you off the chair. Securely wrapping one arm around you, she planted you against her hip.
Contentedly, you leaned against her shoulder, reaching your chubby fingers up into her mousy-brown hair and entangling it in-between your fingers. Her beautiful dark brown tresses cascaded to her waist, and much to her disdain you enjoyed pulling and yanking on her hair. However, being a bit drowsy at the moment you didn't have the mind to be torturing your mother.
"Shisui, what is it?"She inquired, stepping into the doorway of the entrance to our home where your elder brother stood by himself.
He grinned sheepishly and pointed towards the door,"Uh, can... I go train for a little while?"A scarlet tint played across his tanned cheeks. His chocolate-brown hair messily spiked toward the ceiling.
Furrowing her eyebrows, she adjusted your position upon her hip so that it might be more comfortable for you to sleep and more comfortable for her to hold you."You honestly think your mother would be foolish enough to let you go out by yourself with real kunai and shuriken? Not only that, but at this time of night? ...No! Get back in here, and take those clothes off. Then brush your teeth and go to bed. I'll check on you in thirty minutes so you better be in there!"
"But—"
"Save your retorts. Your father can take you out there himself tomorrow."She interrupted, waving her free hand in a dismissive motion before exiting the room and heading toward the crib where she could safely tuck you away.
As darkness fluttered across your cerulean eyes, you found that the image of your beautiful mother faded as you fell into the clutches of unconsciousness.
"I truly hope that god might bestow the Uchiha Clan with a person of true power that will know the pain of the world. A person who could make a difference for all of us..."With that she caressed your cheek before pecking your forehead with her lips, and with an affectionate glance, she continued,"It's in a sad state now, so lets pray for that, Tisane. Maybe you'll come to know this person."
The blanket of stars above lost one of it's kin that night. Upon that star was a wish that your mother had made. One that had come true, for... On this night a woman living among the Uchiha Clan was surprised and delighted to find she was pregnant with her first child.
(13 years later)
Shisui 17, Tisane 15, Itachi 13
Sprawled out upon the kitchen floor, you laid motionless. Chocolate-brown hair spilled across the floor, cerulean pools hidden beneath your eyelids... In your sleep you looked relatively peaceful, and yet at the same time melancholic.
Shisui's eyes softened as he turned back to Itachi, who'd tiredly dragged himself through the front door along with his best friend. It wasn't a rare thing for the prodigy of the Uchiha Clan to stay the night with Shisui after returning home from a strenuous mission.
"She must've fallen asleep waiting for us."His voice was soft as it drifted through the air and reached Itachi's ears."Lets not wake her, though, or she'll be mad."With that, he pressed his fingers against his lips, creeping past you and toward his room, leaving his friend behind.
This had been their routine for almost an entire year now, and Itachi was no stranger in the house. He knew of the location of the guest room, but in this situation he denied himself the pleasure of sleep for the moment, though he did exit the room. Returning a moment later, he draped a blanket across your lithe form which he assumed must've been freezing from the cold air leaking into the house.
After this deed, he turned to leave once more, this time pausing at the sound of your voice.
"Itachi-san..?"Drowsily lifting yourself up with the support of your forearms, you gazed up at him, eyes glazed with the remnants of a dream you'd been having.
"You should sleep for now, Tisane-san,"He stated politely.
Outstretching your hand, you grasped his ankle, pulling on it as though it might prompt him to stay and chat.
Staring at you silently, he closed his eyes for a moment, heaving a sigh as he reluctantly removed your hand from his ankle and took a seat beside you.
Parting, your lips revealed a smile to him,"I knew you and Shisui would make it home safe this time."Resting your head back upon the floorboards, you appeared to be drifting off again, though you continued speaking,"I was so disappointed when you didn't come back... After three hours of waiting.."
"You could've gone to bed. Shisui-san would've been here in the morning either way. It was a waste of energy to stay up and wait."He commented, remaining polite despite pointing out your mistake.
"No,"You replied blissfully,"Because in the morning you're always gone by the time I wake up, Itachi-san. If I didn't wait for you, then I wouldn't see you."
He failed to reply, remaining silent instead.
Gazing up at the Uchiha prodigy, who's head was tilted like a curious puppy's, you felt your lips perch into a soft smile."My father comes back tomorrow,"You told him, rather gleefully,"And then we'll be celebrating my promotion to Chunin with dumplings. Right before he leaves for another mission."
Something flickered across his eyes.
"Itachi...?"
Snapping his eyes shut, he shook his head,"Mm... Nothing."
As you sat up, you leaned closer toward him, noticing something strange in his eyes after he'd opened them. However, it must've been purely your imagination, for it was a fleeting, and those dark ashen pools were the same shade of charcoal that they always were.
Disregarding it, you slumped away."Would you come to the celebration, Itachi-san?"
He merely nodded his head, lips devoid of words.
The expression on your face lightened up and your smile spread wider as you opened your arms, wrapping them around Itachi. Squeezing him in a tight embrace, you were so happy and delighted that he was coming to the celebration, that you hadn't the time to notice he was uncomfortable by the close contact and didn't return your embrace.
Finally releasing him, you uncurled your legs from beneath you, standing to your full height, which was merely a few inches shorter than Itachi. Hoisting the blanket over your shoulder, you offered the prodigy of your Clan one final smile before shuffling toward your room,"Oyasumi nasai!"You called as you slipped in through the open door of your room, sliding it shut behind you.
The next day, late in the afternoon, your mother had began preparing for the celebration. It wasn't much of a celebration, however, considering it was in your home and there were no decorations hung up. At least, your mother was going to be serving your favorite desert, though!
'Mm! Dumplings..'
"Tisane, are you leaving already?"Your mother inquired, having finally finished her work in the kitchen. The sweet enticing scent of the baking dumplings snaked it's way into your nose, teasing your senses.
"Hai!"Voice exuberant, you tilted your head back with a cheerful smile, revealing pearly white teeth,"The Hokage wanted to give me the Chunin vest, and talk to me about an upcoming mission! I shouldn't be gone for long, though."
Her eyes softened and she tilted her head her head in a nod,"Alright. You said Itachi-san was coming as well?"
"Mhm."You replied, adjusting the last sandal upon your foot before standing and bowing your head politely. You slide the front door open and stepped outside of it. Fresh, crisp air rapidly filled your lungs, renewing the sense of peacefulness within you.
After closing the door, you traversed the streets of the Uchiha District with a swift gait, smile permanently implanted upon your lips. In fact, the streets of the Clan's district seemed peaceful themselves, and relatively quiet too.The thought that some horrible even would occur suddenly within the next few days to change your life forever seemed impossible...