Author's Note: Oh look… A double update.
Citations: Completely Original. Naruto Shippuden Episode #166
Chapter's Song: "Princesses Don't Cry" By CARYS
Chapter 27
Welcome to The Uchiha
Itachi heard Benjiro's steps in the early morning, he could tell that Shisui did as well as he turned over to continue sleeping. Itachi knew he was wide-awake now. He sighed, getting up to quietly sneak across the hall behind Benjiro peeking in on Akina.
"Itachi," Benjiro's voice addressed, glancing back down at the nine-year-old boy, he then proceeded into the kitchen, Itachi following to watch Benjiro pick up his backpack to be swung onto his back, opening the door and sternly looking at Itachi. "Try and keep tight tabs on her. She's a handful. I'll be sure to write."
"I know… I'll protect her…" Itachi nodded.
Benjiro nodded in appreciation, and walked out. Closing the door behind him. Itachi turned to head into Akina's room that was an office.
Itachi kneeled down beside her, staring intently at her and listening. "She's breathing… Just asleep…" He was breath taken, seeing her hair brushed and braided, wearing a maroon dress with a high Uchiha collar.
Akina's brows flinched, Itachi's mouth widening slightly and then it grew to a relieved smile. "Akina…?"
"Itachi…" She leaned up to her elbows. Looking around in confusion. Akina looked down over her dress, feeling the high collar. It was Yuasa's dress, so it was a little big for her small body, but she wrapped it tight enough in a black obi. "Where am I?"
"There she is…" Yuasa smiled, stepping into the doorway. "How you feeling?"
"Did you stitch me up, Yuasa-san?" Akina asked, looking at the red scar on her forearm and then at Shisui's mother.
"Your sensei and I did. You feel up to breakfast?" Yuasa continued to smile. Just like Shisui's smile.
"You're too kind…" Akina breathed, nodding.
The Uchiha woman chuckled. "There's no such thing as being too kind. Be careful getting up, we don't need those stitches reopening."
Itachi reached out to offer his hand to help Akina up. Green orbs staring at his hand and then back to Yuasa.
"What do you want for breakfast? I'll make your favorite."
"Anything, please." Akina said, taking Itachi's hand as she then knelt to get up.
"Pancakes…" Itachi informed. "Are her favorite."
Akina smiled with appreciation, and stood slowly with him.
"Coming right up." Yuasa then disappeared into the kitchen.
Itachi looked at the Uchiha crest on Akina's back, and then to her porcelain face that was tense and nervous at how wobbly she felt. "We've grown up together…" He thought at seeing how long her hair had grown as it fell down the front of the maroon dress in waves of ebony tresses.
Her arm graced across the back of his shoulders, and him holding her other hand to support her wobbliness, her eyes shifted to him staring.
"Why are you staring?" She asked in a self-conscious tone.
Itachi shook his head. "Sorry…"
"I thought you had Byakugan for a second there…" She chuckled teasingly.
The boy snapped out of his trance in a blush, eyes being sucked back in embarrassment to her comment at this moment. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"It's all right." Itachi had never seen Akina be this serene, even though she was wobbly and afraid.
"He's not the same boy I graduated The Academy with." Akina smiled, just continuing, "You saved m— cough!" Akina meekly hacked into her fist; bending her head down to hide it, but Itachi placed his hand on her back.
"Hey, go easy…" Itachi scolded in his concern.
Akina looked up to the kind boy. Green eyes meeting jeweled onyx ones. "You've helped enough already." She'd smile, standing straight, forcing herself to walk without his help. "These scars sting so bad."
"I got you…" He offered to walk close, ready to catch her as she headed to the kitchen.
She blushed, stopping to hold the archway into the kitchen. "…Itachi."
"Hm?" His eyebrows rose, looking down into her eyes.
"Thank you… Thank you so much." She sincerely stared.
Itachi didn't know how to reply, he stared back and just nodded. "…Don't mention it."
"What's this feeling? My last memory is him holding me, hearing his heartbeat… I felt so safe… I felt… Like I want to kiss him…" She contemplated.
"Something wrong?" Itachi tilted his head.
"No, I'm all right." Green eyes would turn, forcing a smile. Akina lied, not needing to be anymore of a nuisance.
Itachi knew she was lying, sitting down beside her at the table. She had become so beautiful, Itachi just admiring it now. How tranquil of a goddess she was.
"Where's Shisui and Benjiro?" Akina asked to Yuasa's back as she cooked.
"Shisui is still sleeping." Yuasa informed.
"And Benjiro?" Akina questioned.
Yuasa was just quiet, as she focused on cooking.
Akina noticed this, and Itachi looking down and away. "How do I tell her he's gone? Find the words… Find the words…"
The Mochizuki girl then stood and headed for the door. "Forgive me, Yuasa-san. I have to go."
"Where are you going?" Itachi scolded in his asking.
Akina stopped to the sound of his voice; she had to get use to the sound of it. A more mature voice, a husky voice that shivered her spine. She'd blow it off though, glancing back with her own seduction, yet slightly sorrowful eyes. "Home." Was her simple answer, to slip her boots on at the door.
"What? To your loving family?" Itachi protested with a chuckle, standing. Akina turning back to look at the boy.
"So no breakfast?" Yuasa asked as the two children stared at each other, their gazes locked in a glare. His onyx eyes were like a night sky without stars. And Akina's that looked like fresh greens that only bloomed after the bitter winter had passed.
Itachi sighed. "Benjiro said he was banished, and that your Aunt told him that his Dad was still alive."
"What? Uncle Botan?" Akina's expression became puzzled and disturbed. "So Benjiro went after him?"
"Yeah," Itachi shortly replied.
"He should have waited for me…" She stated under her breath.
Itachi sighed again; he practically heard her heart breaking, even if it didn't show on her features. "He wants me to look out for you. You have to stay to rise through the ranks so you can take headship of your clan when you turn sixteen."
"Same old plan, huh?" She numbly murmured, turning to leave. Closing the door behind her.
Akina stood outside the door, looking at the intimidating flight of stairs in front of her. "Shisui's stupid home…" She cursed in her mind. Akina raised her hands together, doing a hand sign to focus her chakra longer than usual; she dispersed her body into hundreds of rose petals, and reformed kneeling on the ground at the bottom of the stairs. "Huff-huff…"
Her green eyes looked up to Shisui's front door opening, Itachi coming out and jolting down the stairs in an anxious hurry. "Did you fall?"
Akina stood slowly, and then in a dignified way replied, "No… No." And continued to get up and walk away, brushing off her dress. Itachi followed her down the streets of the Uchiha compound.
"It's all my fault Benjiro was banished…" Akina's brows furrowed, blaming herself. Itachi could see she was deep in thought as he walked beside her.
"Can I show you around?" He asked to snap her from her thoughts.
"Huh?" Akina asked, looking up to his face as he walked beside her.
"I'm going after Benjiro."
"You're in no condition… I won't let you. He said he would write." He warned her sternly and at the same time tried to comfort her.
Akina pouted and looked ahead, as they came upon an old woman that swept outside her shop. Akina smirked annoyed, "I don't need any protection at all."
Itachi lazily shrugged, pacifying her. His head bobbled back and forth as he casually put his hands in his pocket to by-pass her. "Don't have to tell me that. I just got to keep my promise to Benjiro, that's all." Itachi proceed walking, past Akina.
"Good morning, Auntie Uruchi, Uncle Teiyaki." Itachi greeted to the older couple. Akina bowing as she approached to stand beside Itachi again.
"Itachi, my boy…" She greeted lovingly. "Whose your friend?"
"This is Mochizuki Akina." Itachi introduced.
"Oh, you're Yasuo-sama's daughter." She pointed in recollection.
"Yes, ma'am." Akina bowed. "Nice to meet you."
"Precious, Itachi." The old woman praised as if Akina was his prized girlfriend. "You like senbei, dearie?"
"Yes, ma'am." Akina politely smiled.
Itachi took out money, Akina going to argue otherwise— "Don't worry about it, Itachi. On the house, one for you and one for you, Akina-chan."
"Oh. Thank you." Itachi smiled, taking two and handing one to Akina.
"Thank you, Uruchi-san." Akina continually smiled with gratitude.
Akina and Itachi kept walking. Akina eating a senbei, once she was done chewing, she asked, "Where we going?"
"Morning shrine visit…" Itachi informed, snacking on a senbei as well.
"So this is home, huh?" Akina asked, looking around at this peaceful corner of The Village.
"I'm the heir to the Uchiha, it's my duty to show you around." Itachi half-jokingly informed.
"Well, thank you." Akina giggled, looking at the stairs that led up to Nakano Shrine.
"Are stairs too much for you?" Itachi asked with concern.
"I told you I didn't fall earlier." Akina pouted.
"Were you able to use Jutsu?" He held his breath with that question.
"Were you worried I wouldn't be able to use Jutsu?" Akina asked, looking at her scar on her forearm, but then did a series of hand signs to blow up the stairs in Indigo petals. She looked down, and smiled cockily at him. He rushed up the stairs.
"I'm relieved," He smiled, but saddened his smile seeing how fatigued she was. "Maybe take it slow for awhile."
"Huff-huff. You're talking to me here," She smirked. "I'll be having to help Shisui with the bills."
"So you're staying here?" His brows rose.
"It feels right…" Akina looked over the Uchiha Clan compound, her bangs blowing, Itachi looked over her hair and the Uchiha crest on her back. "So I'm going to stay."
3 Months Later
"Congratulations, Kotetsu, Izumo, Akina…" The Third Hokage said to the three newly appointed Chunin standing before his office's desk.
"But I surrendered and what about Akanah?" Akina asked, looking at the two boys beside her.
Izumo sadly leaned his head forward, looking at Akina's face. "You share a bedroom… How do you not know?"
"Know what?" Akina fearfully asked in her ignorance.
"Akanah killed herself three months ago. The night of the exams…"
"What?" Akina breathed that one word that felt like it winded her.
Akina made her way to the cliffside. Shisui and Itachi sparring as she approached, Shisui took notice first, and then Itachi. "Hey, look at you wearing a Chunin vest…" Shisui smirked.
She gave a forced smile, Itachi noticing her trying to hide sadness.
"What's wrong?" He spoke up, having Shisui's face express wonder.
"I… I just found out that Akanah killed herself…" Akina sounded so lost.
Shisui was breathless. "I'm so sorry, Akina."
"I have to write Benjiro…" Akina closed her eyes tightly in pain.
"Nothing has changed. You keep striving to become the head of the clan." Shisui suggested. "Come, fight me. Itachi, take a break."
Itachi nodded, and Akina approached Shisui to get into a fighting stance. "I really don't feel like sparring today…" She admitted.
"Don't let Akanah's death be in vain. You got to make Jonin next." Itachi insisted.
Shisui then came charging at Akina, her blocking each of his punches that he threw at her, blocking with her elbows, and then quickly rolling her arm around to go to punch Shisui in the ear but he moved his face back just by a little bit to be out of her range. He hopped back. "Whoa, you've gotten faster…" Shisui smirked.
He then teleported behind Akina and put her in a triangle choke. She gritted her teeth, trying to tuck her chin and muscle her way out, but she couldn't. He released her, and she turned to get into fighting position again. "I'm not going to be caught off guard this time."
"She's getting serious, but Shisui beats me half the time." Itachi said under his breath as he watched the fight.
Shisui came at her and they exchanged a series of punches and blocks, Akina then swinging her knee into Shisui's gut to then have him dodge and teleport behind her, she turned quickly, and again dodged his punch, flipping backwards and then moving left and right to throw knives at him, he focused on the knives coming at him to dodge them and then— Behind him another knife was at his neck.
"She beat Shisui…" Itachi's eyes widened. "She's gotten faster."
Shisui smirked as she lowered her knife just a little and he teleported away, her eyes catching how he slipped away. "I'll give you that one. Don't get cocky, Akina-chan."
Itachi's amazement faded softly.
"Hmph." She smiled. It was something, but she still wasn't satisfied with her skill. "Again." She requested.
"Can't. I have a mission. Tell Mom for me." Shisui was then gone. "My condolences for your cousin."
"Will do. Thanks." Akina agreed, puffing out a sigh. Shisui then vanished.
"You feel like dango? My treat to celebrate you becoming Chunin." Itachi asked as he approached, hands in his pockets.
"Since I'm Chunin... I make more money then you do now. No more treating me." She poked his forehead where his headband was.
"I'll be a Chunin soon enough." He pouted, rubbing his headband from any smudges she left from poking it.
"How'd you get so fast?" Itachi asked as he strolled down the center of Konoha with Akina by his side.
"Not fast enough. I can't do Flying Raijin or be even as fast as Shisui." She criticized herself.
"You'll get there." Itachi reassured with joy.
"Hm?" She raised an eyebrow at how happy Itachi's expression was.
"Oh. Are you two dating?" A familiar voice asked, Hyuga Ko, the younger brother of Akina's late teammate Hisoka.
"Ko-kun!" Akina acknowledged. She then shook her hands. "N-no! We just got done with training."
Itachi pouted. "Why is she so quick to answer, 'No'? I should just put my arm around her and tell her getting dango is a date—"
"Itachi?" She questioned him zoning out.
He looked down at her bright green eyes glimmering, searching his apathetic. "She makes me feel like she reads my thoughts."
"You're daydreaming…" She informed.
"Sorry… What now?" He asked blankly.
"I asked Akina if she'd like to get ramen with me…" Ko friendly smirked.
"But we were just discussing to get gyoza." Itachi blankly and insistently stared at her.
"You didn't mention anything about gyoza." Akina's brows furrowed, her bottom lip going slack in confusion.
"Yes, I did." He insisted, staring.
"No, you mentioned dango…" She argued.
"Gyoza and then dango." He leaned in, his eyes insisting.
Akina was un-amused, staring back at him, but she didn't feel like defying him so she faced towards Ko again. "I'm sorry, Ko-kun. Can we catch up another time?"
"No problem…" Ko awkwardly waved with a sweat-drop. "See you later."
"Yeah. See you." Akina watched the Hyuga boy her age turn to walk down the side street, once out of view, she turned and peered her eyes up at Itachi. "What was that about?"
"I told you, I promised Benjiro I'd protect you." He said blankly, his neck leaning slightly, Akina's eyes slant in annoyed suspicion.
"Ko is a nice guy. He's the bodyguard of the Hyuga Princess… It's really sweet, actually."
"I have an actual little brother… Is that not sweet? Should I say that out loud? No." He decided in the depths of his thoughts.
"Is he jealous or just being a jerk?" Akina pouted in suspicion. Itachi then took a few paces ahead of Akina; he held the curtain open to Ichiraku Ramen. Akina smiled. "Well… Not a complete jerk."
He smirked at her smile; she then went in for Ayame to greet, "Welcome! Akina-chan… How're you?"
"We're good." Akina answered, as Itachi sat down next to her.
Itachi and Akina sat on the stools at Ichiraku, Akina dug for money counting her change to tuck it into her palm, Itachi noticing and he slurped his noodles. He leaned up, chewing politely, and swallowing. "My treat I said."
"You treated me last week." She argued emotionlessly as she continued to look for exact change in her mauve wallet.
"You don't owe me… I like sharing a meal with you." He hinted.
"You like being broke, too?" She poked his headband with two fingers, he slightly flinched but kept his eyes open to see her grinning. Brushing her hand away.
"Yeah, yeah… Just keep your money. It's principle." He was slightly annoyed, as he finished his ramen by drinking his soup.
"Principle?" Akina asked with her curiously glistening green eyes.
Itachi put down his bowl and glanced at her. "Could you do me a favor tomorrow?"
"Sure," She wondered, trusting him.
"I've got a mission and I have to break a promise to pick Sasuke up from The Academy training grounds tomorrow."
"Oh… Sure, I can pick him up. Are your parents okay with that?"
"Shisui didn't tell you? They know about you living at Shisui's place with his mom." Itachi's eyes widened slightly.
"And they're okay with that?" Akina asked with slight nervousness.
Itachi thought back to an Uchiha Meeting a few months back, hearing his Father's words in his head. "She could be an asset to the Uchiha. Akina is now loyal to the Uchiha for saving her from her own clan harming her because of her extraordinary abilities; these powers are a weapon against The Village if need be. Having her on our side will make The Village elders think twice."
"Yeah… They're okay with it." Itachi said, breaking from his thoughts.
"What about us being… Friends?" She asked innocently.
"I haven't asked. I'm just going to play dumb that it's all right now that you're accepted to live within the clan… And hopefully you'll always be."
"Always be part of the clan?" Akina asked with butterflies in her stomach.
He slurped his broth to fill the awkwardness in his chest.
Akina was fixated on him in curiosity. "He's so cute when he's flustered. Is he developing feelings for me?" She blushed at the thought.
He put his bowl down. "I promised Benjiro I'd protect you. It's easier if you're in close proximity."
"Oh," Akina dismissed her previous thought of him having feelings. "I'll walk Sasuke home tomorrow then."
"Thanks." He nodded.
Next Day
"Sasuke!" Akina waved. Sasuke looked to the girl in the maroon yukata as she came towards him as he left from the back of The Academy. "Your Nii-san told me to pick you up."
He approached the woman. "Yeah, he told me. Akina-san?"
"That's right." Akina smiled. "Wow, you've grown."
"I barely remember you." Sasuke confessed.
"That's okay," Akina awkwardly grinned and shrugged. "We can get to know each other on the walk home."
"Okay," Sasuke smirked, and they began walking. Akina noticing a commotion in the woods passed the swing. She stopped, and Sasuke stopped with her, looking up to what she was focused on.
"Naruto getting into trouble again…" Sasuke spat.
Akina then heard Ko running in on the scene from the side. "Hinata-sama!"
"Sasuke. Stay here." Akina ordered with a pressing motion of her hand in the air. She was dead serious for Sasuke to nod, to remain watching.
Akina could see Ko as she slowly approached, Ko didn't notice her coming from the other side of the tree with the swing. "Hinata-sama, are you all right?"
Hinata looked down to the beaten Naruto who defended her from a group of bullies. Ko looking down to Naruto. "This boy…" He realized out loud. Ko urgently took Hinata's hand. "Come on, Hinata-sama."
"Wait… He came to my rescue…" Hinata resisted.
"You must not get involved with him." Ko reprimanded more sternly, pulling Hinata by the hand. "Let us go."
"B-but…" Hinata lightly shrieked, looking back as she was pulled along.
"You just going to leave that boy there, Ko-kun?" Akina sauntered casually to step out from behind the tree, Ko quickly looking back to see Akina.
"Akina-chan…" Ko addressed with surprise. Her expression was emotionless but he could still see disappointment in her eyes. He decided to justify himself. "You know who that boy is, right?"
"He's a boy, that's all I see. A boy that just rescued Hinata-sama… Isn't some thanks in order?" She tilted her head retaining her numb expression.
Silence.
"Can't thank a monster, Ko-kun?" Akina inquired. "I think he should be treated like a prince, I mean he is the son of the—"
"You're not supposed to talk about that!" Ko cut her off.
"Am I a monster, too?" Akina persisted.
"You know I don't think that way of you. Your chakra is your own." He refuted.
"All I see is sharing the label monster." She shrugged, glancing down to Hinata who reacted with timid mannerisms at Akina looking at her. Akina approached them closer.
"I've never called you a monster, Akina-chan. Not even when my brother died by your hand." He refuted a step further.
Akina was a little taken back that he'd bring that up, but she remained dignified and then took another step forward to squat down to be eye level with Hinata. Akina gently smiled. "Hinata-sama… You carry your head high with dignity, okay? Empathy for everyone and I mean everyone. I'm a medic, I can patch up Naruto, so don't worry."
"T-Thank you, Akina-sama." Hinata breathed.
Ko just sighed, but became alarmed as Akina pointed up at him. "And don't forget that you are his boss."
Doom came over Ko's expression. He felt defeated by her words.
"See you, Ko-kun." Akina turned her back to Ko, and headed back towards Naruto lying on the ground. Ko looked up, seeing Itachi coming up the street leading to The Academy.
"You never change… Ready to jump in and defend someone." Ko smiled. "My request still stands if you want to go out on a date with me."
"Just to prove you're not prejudice?" She spat with a flirtatious smirk as she knelt down at Naruto's side, looking back at Ko over her shoulder.
"My word is good. I'll pick you up for the festival tomorrow." He insisted.
"What about your father?" Akina's eyes settled.
"He's passed." Ko sadly informed.
"Oh, my condolences… I didn't hear…" She contemplated being asked out, and then turned to place healing hands on Naruto swollen face. "Don't dishonor your father by dating me, Ko-kun."
"Hmph. What an excuse…" He smiled. "You always liked that Uchiha Prince more than me or my brother."
Silence.
"Nii-san!" Sasuke's voice rang out, Ko smirking cockily to be proven right as he then seen Itachi and Sasuke coming to stand over Naruto being knocked out.
"I thought you had a mission?" Akina questioned Itachi without looking at him as she focused on healing Naruto.
"We finished early." Itachi said softly, and glanced a glare at Ko.
"You're a lucky guy, Itachi…" Ko friendly teased. "I wish you luck on your upcoming exams, as well."
"Lucky?" Itachi's brows rose, watching Ko's back as he tugged the young Hinata Princess away.
"Ignore him," Akina solemnly suggested, Itachi looking down to Akina healing Naruto's face. "You were right about Ko-kun. Guys my age are so immature."
"Hmph. Intervening as usual?" Itachi asked seriously even though he was teasing her back, and he offered her his hand to help her up off the ground, she took it to stand.
"Guys are immature…" Hana scoffed as she passed by holding her little brother's hand. "I much prefer dogs."
Itachi sighed inwardly, as Akina then approached Hana. "Hana-chan!" Akina smiled. "Long time no see!"
"Yeah, it has been. Hi, Itachi-kun." Hana peered past Akina, smirking.
"Hana-chan," He gave a slight bow of his head.
"How's The Academy?" Akina asked.
"I'm graduating next year. So is Izumi." Hana informed. Itachi raising his eyes at the mention of Izumi.
"That's awesome." Akina nodded.
"Yeah, you two aren't leaving us in dust for much longer. Are you two dating?" Hana asked with a toothy grin.
"Oh, no, no…" Akina shook her hands.
"Bleh," Sasuke gestured. Itachi looked down un-amused on Sasuke's exclamation.
"I was just walking Sasuke home." Akina pointed back.
"And she got distracted at helping Naruto here…" Itachi informed, crossing his arms as he looked down on the unconscious Naruto. "We should get him to the school nurse and then head to dango before they sell out."
"Double bleh…" Sasuke gestured again. Itachi looked down again un-amused at this exclamation.
"Sasuke doesn't like sweets…" Akina explained.
"Right." Itachi acknowledged.
"You know that about me?" Sasuke was surprised and smiled at Akina. Her smiling back.
"Well, I won't be a third wheel. We got to get home or my Ma will freak. Later, Akina-chan, Itachi-kun." Hana waved.
"See you, Hana-chan." Akina waved with a still hand.
Akina turned back to Itachi, and Sasuke. Itachi suggesting, "Gyoza?"
"Yum!" Sasuke exclaimed.
"It's my treat." Akina insisted.
Itachi sighed, picking the unconscious Naruto up to head towards The Academy. "Me, and my brother so it's my treat. Let me get Naruto to the nurse's office. They'll take care of him until he comes to."
Akina let out a breath, and smiled blushing as she watched Itachi carry Naruto away. "Okay." She agreed.
Sasuke noticed and smirked. "So this is Nii-san's girlfriend?"
"Sasuke, you head home the rest of the way." Itachi ordered as they stopped in front of Shisui's house. A wood paneled home with a coral-colored metal roof, and stainless steel stairs that led up to the front door.
"Yes, Nii-san." Sasuke nodded, and smiled, "Goodnight, Akina-san."
"Goodnight, Sasuke." She smiled back, the little boy running off further into the compound.
"What happened back there?" Itachi asked.
"I told you that you were right," Akina mentioned again. "Ko's a jerk. He just told Hinata-sama to stay away from Naruto."
"Because he's the Jinchuriki." He informed. "You know Ko was right, we're not to let word about him being Lord Fourth's son."
"He was listening for that long… Then did he hear Ko accuse me of liking Itachi?" Akina swallowed her thoughts and replied, "I know. He just got me so mad treating Naruto like a monster."
"You're sweet…" He complimented.
"So are you." Akina returned the compliment.
"Huh?" His brows rose in surprise.
"You left more money then what was needed to cover our bill at Ichiraku."
"You noticed…" Itachi confessed.
"You added to Naruto's tab." She smirked.
"You do it all the time. You've secretly been looking out for him the last three months."
"Because Teuchi-san has been giving him free meals and I don't want Ichiraku going out of business." She shrugged.
"He's not your responsibility."
"He's not your responsibility, either. I'm not your responsibility." She confronted. "I at least know who my parents were to be proud of my lineage, my clan, but now I stay in the Uchiha compound and get babysat by y—"
He poked her forehead to stop her from talking, looking up to his gentle eyes, she felt bad for what she just said. "You won't be babysat by Genin me for much longer…"
"I'll be babysat by Chunin you." She raised an eyebrow to guess.
He gave one light giggle. "You're my best friend, Akina."
"And you're my best friend…" She smiled softly. "Please ask me to be more than friends."
"It's none of my business, but as your best friend… Why did you reject Ko?"
"He was a jerk, and… I shouldn't be thinking about boys right now. I'm going to be hustling more and more as a Chunin." Some silence remained for a few passing moments.
He nodded his head as if to agree, and turned away. "Well, goodnight."
Akina watched his back, disappointment filling her heart. "I shouldn't be thinking about boys… But I think about you… Should have kissed him."
"Should have confronted her. Should have kissed her." Itachi thought as he walked away, his hands going into his pockets at the cold breeze passing through.
