Title: My Triumph lasted till the Drums
Chapter 5: Heavenly Hurt, it gives us—
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
AN: Thanks to those that left a review. You have given me some things to think about. I don't plan on stopping the story, but my updating may be a bit erratic as I am currently attending university. Don't worry, I plan on finishing, and I love Itachi too much to keep the ending canon. Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing, who knows? Without further ado…
In the six months since Itachi and Nanami's conversation a lot had happened. First, Nanami had activated her Byakugan for the first time, well her version of the Byakugan. Looking at her eyes in the process was a much different picture than what one would typically think of the Byakugan looking like. Those veins surrounding the eyes, they were much less pronounced on Nanami's face and the fact that she had a visible, dark pupil was different as well. She was in the presence of Hizashi Hyuuga during her training and he questioned her on her experience.
Nanami was a bit puzzled when she first accessed her Byakugan because it wasn't like anything that she expected. It was completely new, she could see Hizashi's charkra network completely, and she was perfectly aware of the space around her. It was a jarring experience and made her quite nauseous at first, bit with encouragement from the kind Hyuuga man, she grew used to it.
After describing her experience to the man, he pointed out some differences that he immediately recognized in her eyes. She could not see a great distance. Even though she had just activated her Byakugan, her vision and sensory did not exceed the small training facility they were in, while full blooded Hyuuga usually had decent vison proximity. He suggested that the mutation may not allow for great distance, as it wasn't the complete eye. However, a positive that came with her abilities was a greater depth to the close up. For instance, not only could she see the chakra network very clearly, she could also see the physiology of Hizashi's body.
Overall Hizashi concluded that while her Byakugan had little range, its up-close precision could become unmatched. When the man reported this development to his brother, Hiashi was content with the results. This would likely further her abilities as a medical ninja like he wanted, and medical ninja did not fight. Little did he know, Nanami planned on destroying that notion.
Nanami continued to train with the family. During mid-morning one day, she was sitting outside the house on the small porch next to Hizashi as they drank some tea, taking in the relaxing morning peacefully. Nanami finished her tea and looked over to the man. They hadn't talked much in the several months training together, but that was fine with her. They both valued the peacefulness of silence that was so rare to find. Even after the Kannabi Bridge and the success of Konoha finishing the war, the village was busy in reconstruction, and with the implementation of her Tou-san as Hokage, Nanami had very few moments to relax. She hadn't seen Itachi as often as she had liked after moving back to her house with her family, and while she was happy her family returned safely, she missed her friend.
Hizashi was gazing at the weeping willow sitting in the back yard, and noticed Nanami's gaze on him. He turned to the girl and smiled, inviting the question he saw burning behind her periwinkle eyes.
"When is you baby due Hizashi-san?" she asked him.
He wasn't surprise that she knew about his wife's pregnancy, in fact his wife adored the little girl and often brought the two snacks or made them tea while they trained.
"He is developing well and should be here sometime in July." Hizashi said, a rare, genuine smile spread across his face.
Nanami looked away from the man and closed her eyes, taking in the subtle summer breeze that brushed her cheeks. "Will I be able to meet him, sensei?" Nanami asked.
"Of course. I was hoping that you would watch out for him, he is going to be the oldest of his generation. I want him to have a big sister protecting him." Hizashi said.
This startled Nanami. While she had been practicing with the man and living in his house sporadically for over a year now, from what she knew of the Hyuuga clan, they typically didn't welcome outsiders, let alone ask them to watch over their children.
"Of course Hizashi-san, it would be an honor." Nanami said, a smile appeared on her face, one of the rare ones that absolutely shone with brilliance, one that Itachi would describe as a smile from Amaterasu herself.
"I'm glad to hear that."
When April arrived again, Nanami found herself celebrating her fourth birthday in a similar manner to her first. She cherished her time with her kaa-san and tou-san, surrounded by her friends and theirs. Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuuga arrived and gave Nanami a set of beautiful, ornate fans. They explained that training with the Hyuuga clan involved more than that of a ninja, and in the next coming months Hiashi's wife would be educating Nanami in the way of the tea ceremony and traditional dance.
A loud crash drew Nanami's attention away from the older twins. She looked up to see Tsunade-sama gripping Jiraiya's shirt collar near the kitchen. She assumed he tried to get too close again.
"What do you think you're doing" she growled.
"What do you mean Tsunade, it was just an accident. I didn't even know that you would be here." He said hastily, trying to escape her monster like grip.
The second she heard Tsunade's voice the girl ran from her mother's side and the newly four-year old attached herself to Tsunade's leg. "Tsunade-sama, your back!" she exclaimed.
Tsunade smiled down at the young girl, still gripping Jiraiya's shirt. "You've grown a lot Nanami. You are becoming quite a beauty." she said.
Nanami looked up at her idol with a fresh, pink blush spread across her cheeks. She could only hope to be as beautiful as the lady in front of her one day.
Itachi walked to Nanami's side, leaving his mother's. He couldn't help but think Nanami was already a beauty. He admired her long, silky, dark Uchiha hair- often styled like her mother's. Small hairclips kept pieces away from her face, they matched the color of her periwinkle eyes. Itachi knew her liked her eyes the best. He was so used to the dull color of the dark Uchiha eyes, Nanami's were refreshing, full of life, and they grew brighter when she smiled.
Tsunade noticed the young Uchiha starring at the girls attached to her leg. 'Well, well, well Nanami. You scored yourself a cutie.' she thought.
"Are you back to train me sensei? I've been working so hard since you left." Nanami asked.
"Yes I am. I'll begin training you here in the village, but in a few months time we're leaving for a while." Tsunade told her.
"Leaving? You mean leaving the villiage? Why?" Nanami asked, worry laced her voice.
Itachi froze in place, fixated on the words that left the blonde's mouth. Nanami would leave the village?
"Only for a few years. I think learning techniques from other lands is important. Plus, I won't stay in this village any longer than I have to." She said.
Nanami understood. She had heard of the loss of Dan, the woman's loved one. But, Nanami was hesitant hearing this new information. Leaving the village for a while would mean leaving her kaa-san and Itachi behind. Would they grow apart? She looked over at Itachi, he was staring down at the ground, she knew he must be struggling with this information too.
"Itachi-chan," Nanami said. The boy looked up at her, clearly thrown off guard. "I won't leave if you don't want me to."
Tsunade's eyes widened at the news. She was willing to throw away her dream? This child was willing to abandon her ideals for this boy?
Itachi's eyes widened at the news as well. Of course he didn't want Nanami to leave, but he wouldn't stop her from pursuing her dreams, just like she would never stop him. "You need to go Nana-chan." he said, smiling at her. "We can write letters, and it will be a few months before you leave. We can train together, and by the time you come back I'll be a fully-fledged shinobi." he drew closer to the Nanami, who had let go of Tsunade's leg and pulled the smaller girl into his arms. "Nothing can break the bond we share." he spoke softly into her ear.
"Promise?" she asked, a lone tear fell down her face.
"I promise."