Trying to Stay Positive
G5P1
Five year old Uzumaki Itachi can't help but stare as his father jumps gracefully into the air with kunai in each hand. In less than a week, he'll be entering the Academy and he had been begging his father non-stop to train (not practice) the shuriken jutsu with him. He watches with amazement as each kunai manages to find their way to the centre of the target even though his father's eyes are closed. Sasuke lands effortlessly on the ground. "Now you try," the dark haired man says to his son.
Itachi nods. Grabbing a handful of kunai, he launches himself into the air. He had heard that his father was at the top of his class when he was at the Academy and Uzumaki Itachi did not want to disappoint. Mimicking the actions of the father he admires, he closes his eyes and throws. Itachi falls to the ground with a thump. He groans. Why was he always so loud? Why couldn't he be graceful like his father? He looks around and starts to count. 1...2...3...4... only 4 out 5. The dark haired boy bites his lip with disappointment.
"That's my boy," Sasuke says to his son's surprise. "You've done well."
'Maybe I didn't do too bad after all' Itachi thinks, a shy smile escaping his lips.
"That's enough for today, Itachi. Let's go home."
"I want to try it again!" the boy declares, snatching the kunai out of his father's hands.
Itachi has a stubborn streak and Sasuke isn't sure whether he gets that from him or Naruto. "Itachi wait - ". The boy jumps into the air only to come crashing down with a hard THUD.
Sasuke carries his son on his back as they make their way home. "Father, I'll get off!" the boy groans with embarrassment. He sucks in his sniffles and wipes his eyes hurriedly. "I can walk!"
"Don't push yourself," his father replies with a smile, never showing any sign of putting his son down.
"Okay…" Itachi concedes. 'I guess I should enjoy the ride,' Itachi thinks. He starts to relax, 'After all this is rather comfortable'. He almost dozes off on his father's back when he sees a a large red building with the symbol for 'fire' written on it. He gasps.
"What is it?" Sasuke asks.
"That building is where Dad works, isn't it?"
His father nods, "That's the Hokage's Office."
Itachi tries to run up to his room the moment his father puts him down. "Itachi," Sasuke calls out.
"Hmm?" the boy stops.
"Hold on a minute."
"What is it?"
Sasuke sits his son down and starts wrapping his ankle. "What's that for?" the boy groans, squirming as his father tightens the bandage.
"No, no don't go yet," Sasuke says soothingly as he puts in the last finishing touches. "There, that should help."
Itachi practically flies up to his room as his father watches on with a smile. As his son slips out of view, Sasuke's eyes linger on the frames that litter the wall of the stairway. Some are old like the sepia toned photograph of him, his parents and his older brother or the wrinkled picture taken of Team 7 on their first day together. Others are newer like Itachi in traditional clothing for his 100 day celebration (his cheeks were so big then) or Sasuke pushing a year old Itachi into taking his first steps into Naruto's arms. Near the bottom of the stairs, there's an empty frame waiting to be filled with a photo taken on Itachi Uzumaki's first day of school.
Five year old Itachi diligently studies at the table under his father's tutelage but his mind wanders elsewhere. He gives the kitchen clock a death glare he inherited from his father as if he could make the minute hand go faster by sheer force of will. 4:58 PM...4:59 PM... The usual rustling of the door catches his attention. "Dad's home!" Itachi exclaims as he jumps out of his chair and races to the door.
The Seventh Hokage is all smiles as he whisks his son up into his arms. "Itachi!" the proud Dad beams, lifting the boy up into the air. "What's this?" Naruto asks when he notices the bandage on Itachi's ankle.
"Nothing," his son responds haughtily. "I fell while training with father but it didn't hurt or nothing. I definitely didn't cry." The blond man makes eye contact with his husband and, as if through some kind of parental telepathy, knows immediately that there was some crying involved.
"Wow... you're so brave, Itachi," Naruto says with a twinkle in his eye. "I think a brave Uzumaki like you deserves Ichiraku ramen for dinner!" Itachi's pupils dilate in pure ecstasy. "And a popsicle for dessert!" The Uzumaki boy explodes, squealing with delight as he hugs his Dad tightly.
True to his word, after a nice dinner at Ichiraku, Naruto, Sasuke and Itachi head down the road to a convenience store. Itachi can barely contain his excitement as he and his father wait for his Dad to come out with the goods. Sasuke simply admires the view from the top of the hill. Sure enough, Naruto comes out with a popsicle stick in hand. The dark haired boy snatches it from his Dad the moment the man breaks the blue popsicle stick in two. The family of three make their way back home, with Naruto happily chatting to Itachi between licks and Sasuke holding his other hand. Basking in the love of both his parents, Itachi is happy.
The End