Forgotten

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Naruto (Shippuden). This is a story inspired by the original made up for entertainment purposes only. - Krystal

Chapter 3: The Light Post

A few more days have gone by. The deadline set by the Third is nearing. As much as the mission seemed impossible at the beginning, Yuki has come to enjoy her time in the village. People are not as scary as they appear to be. Reality was that we all are like a grain of sand among many others. As special as one might be, we all are special and are all alike. Although looks might be thrown at you, they only hurt if you pay attention to them.

Yuki, within the last few days, has learned to smile more. She learned to stay among the people. She, actually, learned to enjoy their presence. She didn't see that Shikamaru boy again nor the Fourth's son, but she is often reminded of them when she sees the sky or she smells a tempting bowl of broth. She has met other among the crowd.

It was a rainy day. Yuki sheltered herself underneath a tree in a park. The shower of rain happened out of nowhere and was bound to end quickly as well. Quick rain always ended just as fast in this village.

"Don't move."

She froze. She didn't notice a presence nearby her. A pale hand hovered over head and touched her hair gently.

"There was a bug I wanted to capture in your hair."

She turned around to see a kid, same age, most likely, tall for his age and with pale skin. His voice was quiet and reassuring even if it took her by surprise. Before they could talk, the rain stopped and he started walking away. His footsteps were light, making no sound even though the ground was wet. He disappeared in the distance. He was just like the rain: appeared from nowhere and disappeared just as fast.

"Itachi-nii-san, you said you would help me train!" said a tiny voice overloaded with cuteness.

Yuki looked further down the street. A little boy was pulling on his older brother's arm and making puppy eyes to him.

"Sasuke, I'm busy tonight. I'm on patrol duty. Next time, alright?"

"You always say that." The kid said, sulking.

His brother chuckled as he waved goodbye to his younger brother. He disappeared. The younger one smiled and ran in the direction of Yuki. As he ran pass her, he accidentally bumped her shoulder. Yuki didn't budge. She was intrigued by that Itachi. She kept staring at the spot where he disappeared.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" said the kid named Sasuke. He quickly left after that.

Yuki didn't even hear his apology. She was lost in her thoughts. Uchiha Itachi, eh? He's a well known ANBU who accomplishes his missions constantly with success. From what I understand and know, ANBUs are known to be cold and deadly. He is surprisingly warm. No... He also has a dark aura surrounding him.

Later that night, as she has been doing for the past few nights, she wandered the streets of Konoha as she gazed at the stars. There still weren't many that could be seen. Yuki liked walking. It kept her active. Walking was never tiring to her... maybe that's why she wanted to travel. She liked seeing things and walking.

"You know, it's not safe to walk around in the middle of the night at your age." said a familiar voice from above.

Yuki looked up. On top of a light post, there was a shadow of a man. He jumped down from the high post. He was wearing an ANBU mask. Itachi. Yuki has been, for a while now, able to recognize people by their chakra. There was no doubt that he was Uchiha Itachi. She did not reply to his comment. It was funny how, whenever he was around, there wasn't much she could say. It was like she was mesmerized by his presence.

"You don't look afraid." He said with a gentle voice as he leaned against the light post.

She shook her head. She didn't think there was anything to fear. She knew who he was and he had no reason to harm her. She was also able to defend herself quite well.

"You know, you should always fear a stranger... especially in these times."

"I don't understand..."

He seemed confused by his body language at her reply.

"You are not a stranger. Not really anyway. You are a ninja from this village and I know of your identity. What is there to fear?"

"You are... I see. You are that kid. Yuki, right?"

She nodded.

"You graduated early from the academy, right? Do you miss it?"

She shook her head. She raised her right eyebrow. She didn't know Uchiha Itachi was actually that talkative.

"I sometimes wonder if it's best to stay as a child for as long as possible or to understand the world as quickly as possible."

"You are more useful when you understand more." Yuki quickly answered before she realized it was more of a rhetorical question.

He chuckled.

"You are quite wise for a child."

She smiled at that comment. She never felt she was ever a child. If she was, it didn't last for very long. She did, after all, grow up, mentally speaking, much faster than kids her age. She liked things that only older people did, she talked like an old sage... She never lived like a child, except for those rare occasions where she talked the snow rabbits.

"I'll take you home." He then said.

"I can go home by myself." She replied.

"Sometimes, staying a child and needing help is better than becoming a full grown adult." He said as he stood straight and away from the light post.

"How? I don't see the advantages of being a child."

He chuckled and leaned once again on the lamp post as if he was resting. It seemed like the conversation was not to be over anytime soon.

"Being cared for, being free of worries, having an untainted mind... to name a few reasons." He said as he looked into the light of the post.

"But some children aren't cared for, full of worries and tainted by the evilness of the world... Being an adult will allow them to build a mind of their own, grow stronger." She replied as she thought about Naruto and herself.

"Those children are no longer children then." He said. "They are, basically, adults. Not in age or appearance, but in mind. I assume you are talking about yourself."

She shook her head.

"I am cared for. I have someone who cares about me very much. I was thinking of..."

"Naruto-kun?"

"How did you..."

"Know? He's the only child I can think of when I speak of having to grow up too quickly. Isn't he interesting, though? He somehow maintained some of his innocence despite all the hate he receives."

"Yes... He is. He is almost untainted." Yuki said as she remembered the events from the other day.

"It's getting really late now. Just act as a child today, I'll take you home safely."

Yuki did not refuse his offer this time around. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps, sometimes, it was best for her to be the child that she should be. Perhaps then, she would be able to open up her heart to what the Third has spoken of. Perhaps then, she would be able to learn from the beginning how to love and care. As they headed back to her place, they didn't say one word. It wasn't an awkward silence. They both thought about what was said. As they stepped toward her front door, Itachi vanished in a flash. Yuki looked at the lamp post in front her place. She smiled. Itachi is like a light post. He stands tall and enlightens others. He guards others for their safety. He is a light in the darkness. Her face became a little duller as she thought a little more. What was that dark aura I sense though? Within his warmth, there was something cold... She shook her head and opened the door to her place. Enough thinking for the day. Just like Itachi said, let her be a child for this one day.

End of Chapter 3

Thank you for reading! I hope you are enjoying the story.

xoxox

Krystal