Okay, first of all I would like to thank everyone who actually gave some input. Second I have made some significant changes. Mikoto and Sakura's mother are now stepsisters so no more too-close-for-comfort incest going on. I know they were only cousins but apparently even being that close is a no-no for many readers. Meh, I'm flexible on that subject so it really doesn't matter. As long as my plot stays the same I really don't care. Now please read and enjoy the coming chaos!

Disclaimer: Do not own Naruto.

Chapter 2- Growing Gift

Idle chatter and rancorous laughter filled the air surrounding the clan head's house. Clinking plates, scraping chairs, and the rampaging sound of little feet added to the noise in such a way that it gave outsiders all the information they needed to conclude that a gathering was being held. And if the sounds weren't telling enough the front of the rather grand home was littered with blue and red streamers and balloons encompassing a grand sign with an emblazoned number '6.'

All this information conjoined to conclude that the people were gathered to celebrate a birthday.

The petite figure of a girl child no more then six years of age herself stood outside of the great abode looking lost and forlorn. Slightly quivering in wake of what had just happened she could do no more than stare at the doors that had just been slammed in her face, rejecting her completely.

Her big soulful emerald eyes began to mist and tear put she promptly bit her lower lip to fight the urge to let them fall. She must be strong. She had promised never to cry when he was away. She had promised him.

But it was so hard to keep her self in check when all her hopes at finally being accepted had come crashing down around her. She had tried so hard to please all of them and still it wasn't enough. It was never enough.

Sniffling softly she turned and began to make her way towards home, even if it was empty since her parents were still inside enjoying the party. Lips beginning to tremble at the unfairness of it all she began to run in hopes of quenching the oncoming tears.

As she dashed down the streets of the Uchiha compound, long pink hair trailing like wings behind her, no one stopped her or even spared her a glance. They all knew who she was, and thus they didn't care when one of their own children raced through the streets fighting tears. To everyone she passed she was nothing more then an annoyance that brought a sneer of disgust to their faces.

She was nothing to them.

Her small body suddenly pitched forward, falling hard onto the unforgiving land owned by her brethren. Pain seared where her skin, now torn, began to leak it's own crimson tears.

Finally, panting harshly through the agony caused to both her mind and body, she allowed the salty liquid spill down her face. Her pale complexion, now red and tearstained, she let loose the cries that had been building inside of her ever since the door slid shut in her face.

No one came at the sounds of her crying, because her anguish concerned no one.

Alone.

She was all alone.

Two strong pale hands grasped her under the arms, gently pulling her to her feet. Then they tenderly and patiently began to brush aside her falling tears, for there were many.

Blearily gazing upon her savior the young girl couldn't stop new tears from springing forth.

"I'm s-sorry I couldn't keep m-my promise." Her words were shaky and erratic due to her bodies racking sobs.

The figure before her merely quirked their lips into what many would call a smirk and patted the girl on her head like the child she was. "I'm glad you tried to stay strong, but I would have never made you promise if I knew how much it would hurt you in the end." After saying this the person pulled the girl into a loose but warm hug, trying through actions to convey just how sorry they were.

Fisting her pale shaking hands into the person's shirt the girl gradually began to calm. Finally, she let go of now bunched shirt to look the person in the eye. "I thought you weren't supposed to be back until next week Itachi-nii."

He nodded sagely at her question. "Yes, that was the supposed allotted time to complete my mission. But my mother was rather adamant about being here for my otouto's birthday. My father also urged me to finish the mission as quickly as I could." Itachi's voice grew colder at his last statement.

The tilted her head quizzically, a move she had learned from watching cats. "Itachi-nii, do you not like your father?"

His body tensed at her innocent statement. Had he really been so open with his loathing for his sire that even she, this pure and naïve little girl, had understood instinctually? Perhaps he was becoming too open around her with his true feelings. After all, being a cold prodigal son all day even he needed someplace to unwind and let life pass him by for a while. And she was that place. His haven. His breath of freedom.

He remembered the day he made the promise. The day the haze around his young eyes was lifted and he saw the world for what it really was. He had no more delusions about what his purpose was to his clan. What his life meant to his parents. He was nothing more then the most highly refined weapon made of blood and bone. Bred from the most azure blood there was to maintain the perfect pedigree. Honed by masters of every kind, be they flesh or steel. No, he held no such delusions that he actually meant something to anyone beyond the genius he was revered as.

"Itachi-nii?"

Obsidian eyes cleared to see the round and worried face of his hope staring up at him worriedly. Smiling a true smile that only ever graced this child, he bent down and picked up. Hoisting her onto his shoulders too quick for her too catch on he waited with baited breath. Feeling her petite body hunch over his head, small hands grabbing his fore head protector and skinny legs clenching around his neck, he smirked in satisfaction as she squealed in delight.

"Are you alright now Sakura?"

He felt her nod her head adamantly. "I'm glad you're home safe Itachi-nii."

Nodding his own head in thanks to her sentiments ha began to walk towards his home, where his presence was so greedily needed. Turning his thoughts away from that road of thought he remembered something that had been bothering him greatly.

"Sakura?" Feeling her body shift to attention he continued. "Why were you crying?"

She became rigid with the memory of why she was running in the first place. Gulping and clenching her hands even tighter onto his Konoha headband she answered. "I went to Sasuke-kun's birthday party with my parents. When we got there I was sent to play with the other kids while my parents went to greet your parents. But, since none of the kids like me very much they refused to play with me. I tried to please them but everything I did was wrong and finally Sasuke-kun got mad and threw me out. He said I wasn't allowed near him because I was dirty. Because I wasn't a real Uchiha." She sniffled slightly, but managed to keep the tears at bay. " I'm sorry I broke my promise. I said I wouldn't cry while you were away on your mission. And I tried! I did, but it was so hard when no one would play with me. And then I was-I was rejected. Again."

Itachi s was scowling by the end of her story. His foolish little otouto had hurt her with his words again. And this time he had done it while knowingly aiming for where he knew it hurt her most. This was why he hated leaving on missions. Because she was always hurt when he wasn't there to protect her from her own family. As long as he was next to her she was untouchable. But as soon as he was out the gates she was fair game and he knew it, which was why he despised going on missions. However there was nothing he could do since they were maddeningly frequent and he was always being pushed by his father and the council to push himself more and more.

He could only protect her if he was a prodigy. And as long as he was a prodigy he had to keep feeding her to the wolves. It was insane and unfair but it was the only way in the long run. After all, he was the only one who saw her for what she truly was and, thus, the responsibility fell on him to protect this child of brightness born into ma world of impurity. But in the end he knew the truth. She was also his only refuge in a clan that would have used him with or without his need to protect her. His light and the only one he would ever allow to see who he was behind all of the fallacy's placed on him by his father and the council.

They both needed each other to survive in this messed up world filled with shadow. And thus he was eternally grateful he had seen her that fateful day, six years ago. Because without her he might have truly been devoured by the horrors and sins of that existed around him.

Raising his right hand Itachi ruffled his pastel locks in a comforting gesture. "I'm sorry too Sakura. You shouldn't have to be that strong yet, but sometimes life just won't wait. Now come on, let's clean up those knees and elbow and then get you home." Placing both his hands on her small thighs he held her to his shoulders firmly. "Hold onto me tightly now Sakura. We're taking the high road."

And with that he leapt onto the roof above their heads and hurried home with a happily giggling Sakura holding onto his head for dear life.