Title: My Triumph lasted till the Drums
Chapter 8: Where the Meanings, are –
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
"Huff, huff, huff," Nanami was breathing heavily, her hands crossed over one another, above the red snapper. The fish was still lying dead on the scroll that Tsunade taught her to draw. Creating the seal for the medical technique had been easier than applying the mystic palm technique. Apparently, per Tsunade, Nanami was applying too much spiritual chakra to the technique. Nanami could only assume it was because of her pesky reincarnation that she held too much spiritual energy. She requested that on their travels, they focus much more on her physical training. Tsunade chuckled at this and explained how similar she was to her mother, Nanako.
In the physical aspect, Nanami was far behind Itachi, who picked up the skills extremely quickly. However, she did like to remind him that her chakra control was far superior to his. The pair didn't like competing, in fact they aided each other in the places they lacked, but teasing each other was something they both enjoyed doing immensely.
"Alright, that's enough for today Nanami," Tsunade said.
"Shishou, I almost had it that time. I promised… I would get it before we leave in two days." Nanami said, still out of breath.
"I know that, but you told me to stop you at noon," Tsunade began, "you do want to spend time with that little boyfriend of yours, don't you?" Tsunade said smugly, a teasing smile on her face.
"Yes, but let me try one more time!" she said with determination.
"Alright," Tsunade said, "you know it's rare for Chunin to get this technique down in 3 months' time, let alone a puny pre-Genin like yourself."
"I said I'd do it so I will," Nanami said gently but with resolve. She rewrote the scroll and started again.
Itachi had been walking to the hospital practice room 104 to meet Nanami after her training. His mother decided to come along and was walking next to him down the street.
"You know I'm old enough to walk by myself kaa-san, I'm going to start the academy next month after all," the boy said.
"I know, humor me a little won't you. Your growing up so fast, and I want to see Nana-chan before she leaves," Mikoto said.
Itachi understood and the pair remained silent but content in each other's presence as they continued down the street. When he arrived, Itachi figured his friend was waiting inside the hospital room for him and proceeded to enter the room quietly without knocking. His mother followed him, smiling at her son's familiarity with the action. She knew the two spent a lot of time together, but at this level, the two acted like a functional married couple. You can imagine that her and Kushina had gushed endlessly over the two, planning their future together.
When the pair entered the room, they saw the small girl exerting visible chakra, attempting to save the red snapper. In that moment, Mikoto was reminded of her dear friend.
Itachi was not surprised by Nanami's actions having walked in on dozens of her attempt in the last couple weeks. He could see now, that she was at her limit.
But the girl persisted, determined to keep her promise. She looked down to see the snapper's finn twitch. She jumped back in surprise as the fish reanimated and leapt back into the small pool off to her left. Sitting on the hard floor the girl breathed heavily.
"Did you see in Shishou, I told you I'd do it," she smiled, with sweat dripping down her face, at the blonde lounging in a cushioned chair. The woman smiled back at her.
"Don't get too cocky now. You're exhausted and can't do it multiple times yet." The blond said sternly, attempting to further encourage her student. But inwardly, she was greatly impressed with Nanami, and as her mother's teacher, she felt proud. After all, Nanami had snuck up on her. She never thought she'd consider anybody to be this close to a daughter to her ever again. Nanami was beginning to fill one of the many holes that had torn apart Tsunade's heart.
Nanami noticed the two Uchiha in the room, still sitting exhausted on the floor. She smiled at Itachi and raised her arms in the air toward the older boy, not able to get up to hug him.
Itachi smiled at the girl, amused at her child like actions, and walk over to lift the girl off the floor and support her weight with his shoulder.
"You finally did it Nana-chan," he said, "I knew you would."
"I promised you I would. After all, when you become an amazing Shinobi, I must be there to support you right?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
"Right," he said.
Later in the day, the pair sat at the edge of a dock at a small lake in the Uchiha compound. Itachi was happily munching on the dango she brought. Nanami sat watching him, and enjoyed the beautiful summer day.
When the boy finished his dango, he cleaned up the packaging and sat there staring at the lake. Nanani noticed his quietness. "Something wrong, Itachan?" she said.
Normally, Itachi would have flinched at such an annoying nickname, but he realized he could tolerate anything that she said in her precious, gentle voice.
"I've been thinking a lot lately."
"What about?" she asked.
"Life… and death. I don't think I understand the meaning, if there is any meaning that is," he explained, trying to articulate what he had been feeling since his first kill of the battle field last year.
Nanami knew that he had been struggling with this for a long time. When he asked her about gods and religion, she knew something was wrong, especially after he grew quieter since she saw him talking to Orochimaru.
"I think I understand," she began, "if there is no meaning, what are we here for?" She looked at Itachi trying to confirm if she was correct. The boy nodded and remained silent.
"I don't think you have to worry Itachan," she said taking the boys hand in her own, "We both have a purpose and that gives us meaning, right? I think that the relationships we develop are worth living for. To protect the bonds we form with our loved ones, to see them happy and safe, that's what gives our life meaning."
"I guess you're right."
Itachi took in her answer with consideration. He always considered what she said closely. He knew he would be writing this down in his notebook later. He would miss their talks when she left.
"Your leaving the day after tomorrow," he said.
"Yes," she confirmed.
"I have learned something new recently," he said. Nanami looked at him prompting him to go on. "I signed a summoning contract with crows."
Nanami was taken back, "Congratulations! That's a very advanced jutsu!"
"Yes, but more importantly, I can use them to communicate with you while you're away," he said proudly.
Tears began to prick at Nanami's eyes, "Really?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm going to summon one now to learn your chakra signature, so it can track you anywhere and deliver you letters," he explained and began to form the hand signs necessary for the jutsu.
Nanami interrupted his hand sign by lunging at the boy and crying on his chest.
"Nana-chan, you have to let me do the jutsu for it to work," he said greatly amused. Her care for him was endearing, and Itachi was once again reminded why he loved her. He knew they weren't quite romantic feelings yet, but a love of support and care. They were best friends and he knew that someday hopefully, this love would grow into something more.
"Oh of course!" Nanami quickly retracted from the boy with a red face, embarrassed by her display.
"You so cute Nana-chan," Itachi said.
"Don't tease me," Nanami said, turning her head and puffing her cheeks a little. Itachi chuckled and proceeded with his jutsu.
The crow appeared and Itachi quickly gave him instructions. When the crow memorized Nanami's chakra signature he returned to his master.
"I've finished memorizing your girlfriend's chakra, Itachi-san," it said. The two grew embarrassed at the crow's words but didn't deny the statement. They weren't too concerned with any kind of labels. At this age, it was meaningless.
"Thank you kurasu-san," Itachi said. The bird nodded and poofed away.
The pair remained at the bridge talking about anything and everything, about Itachi's fears on entering the academy, and Nanami's fears at not being at his side or the side of her friends for years. They talked until the sun began to set and the pair stood up from their position on the dock. Nanami turned to the taller boy and began to tell him something that was burning in her heart.
"Just promise me something Itachi," she said. Itachi looked down and the dark-haired girl in front of him.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Promise me you won't change too much without me. Become a strong person and ninja, but never forget the kindness in your heart. And don't forget about me, okay?" she said.
Itachi smiled at the girl's unnecessary request. He brought up his hand to her face and poked her forehead.
"Silly Nanami, I could never forget you," he said. Nanami blushed at the intimate action.
"Promise?" she asked.
"I promise."