"What flavor is the cake?" Itachi asked in all seriousness. He loved sweets, but his father was rather strict about him having any. Especially since he started his training. It was why he even allowed himself to be dragged to this party in the first place. He wanted to try the cake.

Asahi laughed, a melodious sound, and Itachi was entranced by it, even forgetting about his cake for a moment before refocusing on Asahi as he spoke. No one laughed like that back in the compound. "Ah, I believe there is both a vanilla and red velvet layer Itachi-san." Both good flavors, so he approved. He nodded then returned his attention to watching the party as it flowed around them. "Ne? Itachi-san?" He turned back to the birthday boy, only slightly unnerved by the unwavering stare from pure white eyes. "Yes, Asahi-san?" Asahi smiled slightly. Another action done with gentleness and grace that Itachi took note of. "How old are you?" That wasn't a question he had been expecting, although he probably should have been. "I'm two, my birthday is in a month." Asahi gasped softly in excitement before turning twinkling eyes up to Itachi who was quickly enraptured by their white depths. "Can I come?" He sounded so hopeful, and he didn't have a reason to turn him down, but he would still have to ask his father. So he told him so, and Asahi nodded in understanding before turning back to the party with a small smile still resting upon his lips. Itachi stared a moment longer before turning away and joining Asahi in a companionable silence, with the occasional small talk, until it was time to leave.

Asahi sent Itachi off with a warm feeling in his chest. He's a good kid. He had also made good company, and he hadn't quite realized how lonely he was until he was in conversation with him despite having his loving family. He was crazily well spoken, especially for a two, almost three, year old. Heck, it'd be incredible for someone four times his age! He knew Itachi was a genius, but he didn't expect his intelligence to be to this height. Frowning slightly he put a hand under his chin and wrinkled his brow in thought. Itachi was almost three which gave him a good timeline of where he was, but what he learned didn't make him happy. In a little over a year the third shinobi war would start, or maybe it was already going on, and he would likely be thrust into its depths. All he wanted to do was travel the world, and draw, paint, and photograph it. Sure he wanted to become an s-ranked shinobi, because that was awesome and why the hell not, but how far would he affect the plot? He sighed heavily realizing he would have to pick up his training. After all, he had Itachi to keep up with.

He kept himself busy over the next month by reading different scrolls in secret, all of them stolen from the clan library of course, and learning about his kekkei genkai from his mother. Only in theory, however, as they would only start his physical training when they thought he was ready. He was already far in his current lessons though, and he ate through the material like a man who hasn't eaten in years, so he figured it would be soon enough. He was easily slotted into the title of prodigy alongside Itachi although he never bothered to compare skills or knowledge among them. He remembered reading somewhere that practicing chakra before the age of four could damage your developing chakra coils, so he simply studied in as much theory as he could get his hands on. He didn't play with others "his age" which worried his mother somewhat, and whenever he was forced to go to the park he would simply plop down and pull a book or scroll from seemingly thin air before reading it until his mother gave up and brought them home. He would often wander alone and take in the sights around him, and appreciating the beauty of the nature in this world. He had only recently acquired a sketchbook, but it was almost full with all that he had drawn in a mad rush to get all he wanted down.

Itachi's upcoming birthday would be a nice change of pace, but he wished his family wasn't so high strung about it. The week before was spent looking for a birthday gift, which Asahi was happy to do, and then shopping for a new formal kimono. This he wasn't so enthusiastic about.

He was dragged from place to place endlessly until they found the "perfect kimono" as his mother had called it. It was a deep purple color with a white obi and lighter intricate trimmings. His hair had been growing a lot recently, and so he had decided, rather than cut it, to put it up with a simple deep purple ribbon which tied it in place. It contrasted his extremely light features, and somewhat brought out the gold in his hair. As an artist he appreciated the look, but as a child he was just glad it was over with.

Walking up to the Uchiha compound was strange. He could clearly see the ostracization, even this early as less and less non-uchiha appeared on the streets. His brow crinkled slightly, but he shook his head relieving himself of the stress. He supposed he could change things this time, but he would need to figure out how.

Before he knew it he was at the gates, and receiving a few curious stares. Well, he thought the looks were curious, it was hard to tell from the Uchiha's natural stoic expression. He continued on with his mother by his side. His father was out on a mission at the moment, so he regrettably couldn't come. The sea of dark hair and eyes parted for those of light until they reached Fugaku and the birthday by himself.

Asahi smiled slightly in greeting and bowed. "Fugaku-sama, Itachi-san, thank you for inviting me to your home." He glanced up slightly as they returned the greeting and he set his gift by all of the others. He was sure Itachi would like it, and was rather proud of his choice.

He turned to see Itachi was dismissed by his father and smiled calmly towards him. Itachi's lip twitched which he supposed could be seen as a smile.

"Happy birthday Itachi-san!" He exclaimed quietly with his hands resting on his hips, hoping not to bother the rest of the surprisingly quiet party. He just felt as if he shouldn't break the near silence and quiet mumbling. Itachi nodded in what he supposed was thanks and he nodded in response, more to himself than anything.

"So, what do you want to do Itachi-san? It's your birthday after all." He asked and relaxed his posture slightly. Itachi shrugged but started walking towards his left, deeper into the clan's grounds. He paused and beckoned for Asahi to follow, and so he did.

Hello again everyone! I'm actually pretty excited to start writing the next chapter which will consist of a budding friendship between Itachi and Asahi! How exciting! It's also four in the morning. Why am I up, you ask? Well I don't know either. oOpS. Please leave a review and share! :D