Don't know what to say ._. Except for, ignore all the mistakes I will make? Sounds good... So let's move on.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Naruto world, it belongs all to Kishimoto. If not I would own my dear Itachi.
Chapter 17 Memories: Heading out
-Flashback-
Sun shone down brightly, another day that went just like the ones before. A young Genin around the age of eight padded through the streets that were filled with the usual life of the inhabitents. He was greeted by a friendly elder woman standing in front of her house.
"How was your mission dear?" She asked warmly, smiling when she spotted her nephew.
"The usual." He replied, lips lightly curled upright in a faint smile. She nodded before patting him on the shoulder. "See you another time aunt. I have to go home to improve my shuriken technique more." Another acknowledging nod followed by a smile. The boy bowed his head before he went ahead, passing other adults and reaching a certain house.
He opened the door, putting his sandals to the side and announcing his presence with a "I'm home."
"Itachi dear, you are already back again?" Mikoto asked upon hearing the voice of her first born son. She put the dishes she was drying back to the shelf and walked up to Itachi's side with a motherly smile that would never leave her face.
"Hai, tou-san is still at work I assume?"
"Yes, he's still there and won't come back before night. He's very busy lately. Why won't you eat something before you start practising? I made your favorite rice balls." A shook of head was the answer.
"I'm not hungry at all and the rice balls you made are Sasuke's favorite not mine though I like them too." Itachi corrected.
"Speaking of your brother I wonder where he is. He said he would be waiting for you till you come back and then you would spend some time with him. He is in his bedroom you should see him."
Another shook of head. "No need for that. He has already left his room and I even know where he's standing right now."
"Really? And where would that be?"
A small smirk flashed across the young Uchiha's face. "Exactly... right behind me." He spun around the moment he finished his sentence and immediately felt little arms wrapped around his waist, a mess of blue and black beneath his sight now.
"Nii-san!" The little boy about three years old greeted with a tight hug. A faint chuckle was his response followed by a patt on his head.
"You wanted to surprise me otouto, didn't you?" Came the older sibling's playful question. A wild shaking of head and then it died. "Yes but I didn't work..." He pouted, departing from his aniki.
Mikoto laughed at the display of her youngest son, adoring his innocent cuteness while ruffling his hair. "That's because he noticed your presence before you could surprise him. He's your elder brother and already a Genin. It's not that easy to go unnoticed for you any more as it was before." She said and Sasuke crossed his arms childishly.
"Someday I will get him."
"Maybe." His mother laughed, ruffling his hair once more, earning a grunt. She only smiled and went back to prepare the meal.
"Sasuke?"
Another grunt. The said boy then turned towards him with his pout still in place. "What is it nii-san?" He asked in sulking but then his face lit up when he saw the other beckoned him over. He smiled brightly and ran up to his brother and was met by two fingers against his forehead. Sasuke rubbed the spot, glaring at Itachi.
"That was so mean of you nii-san!"
"I'm sorry otouto but it's a habit of mine whenever you do that face." He admitted with a playful smile on his lips.
"What a mean habit!"
"I already apologized to you. Wasn't it enough?"
"No, only if you're gonna say that you will take me out to the woods to teach me that shuriken technique that you promised me." Sasuke said once again using his adorable pout to his advantage while crossing his arms and facing away from his brother. A sigh could be heard.
"Alright. Then follow me."
The little boy's face brightened up at this and he hugged Itachi for the second time that day, exclaiming a happy "Thank you nii-san." A brotherly smile in return accompanied by a hand running through the spikes of the other's head.
"Here, take this with you." Mikoto said, holding out a packet. "You haven't eaten yet and just in case your little brother begins to protest." Itachi took the offered packet and thanked her.
"Be careful out there and come back before the sun sets." She called after them as they headed for the door.
"Don't worry kaa-san we'll be back in time." Her elder son promised. Sasuke took his brother's hand, smiling brightly and Mikoto could only do the same. She was glad that her precious sons came along with each other.
She then went back to her work. If her two darlings would do something useful she couldn't stand there doing nothing. With the common happy smile on her face she continued her housework. They would be back in time she finished the meal for the evening and if her husband comes back earlier it would be perfect with her. She was sure that all four of them would eat together today. What could go wrong anyway?
...
-Training field number three, presence-
"A C-rank mission? For real? I think I'm gonna faint 'ttebayo!" Naruto bounced around, exclaiming his happiness loudly.
"But Sensei aren't we just D-rank? And we've done only 5 D-rank missions so far. I think it's too early for that." Sakura reasoned. Itachi fell silent, thinking about it.
"And teme has only 'mastered' 1 D-rank mission because he left to follow you." The blonde made a point. What was the elder Uchiha thinking? After only a few tasks going to the next step: C-rank missions?
"That's my order from Hokage-sama and no buts now. You are not alone. I'm still there for you and my rank is S. Naruto, wasn't it you who wanted a mission of a higher level?" Itachi asked, eying the said person.
"Of course Sensei! I wasn't complaining! I was just thinking about teme's 'experience' compared to mine and Sakura-chan's." Naruto explained and it wasn't hard to guess that there was a provoking undertone in his voice.
The younger Uchiha growled immediately. "Compared to your 'difficult' tasks mine was way harder. I fought enemies and you? Weeds? A lost cat? The trash in the city? Oh, how difficult! What a experience!"
A clear insult. The blonde tightened his hand into fist, growling displeased. "Teme! Suffocate by your own sarcasm!"
"Sasuke-kun, Naruto, please stop this useless argument." Sakura stepped between the two again preventing an almost fight.
"Sakura is right guys. Watch your words and hold back your strength for the real battle. Friends shouldn't even fight each other." Itachi spoke up and then went ahead before a headache would start forming. "Our target won't wait for us so you better get going."
The only girl nodded obiently and walked up to her Sensei's side. Naruto and Sasuke glared daggers at each other until the blonde stuck out his tongue at the Uchiha before going to catch up with his other two teammates, leaving the last one dumbfounded behind. Sasuke sighed out deeply. What a troublesome team. Destiny could be such a bitch.
How many years do I get for killing someone? I guess the death sentence. Lucky dobe. I have better use of my time than staying forever in prison or being executed. Then what do I get for beating the crap out of him? Hmm... I will think about that one. But back to life before I do something irrational.
I guess I will need a fight to relieve some of my bottled anger.
...
-Flashback continue-
A forest, two young boys in the deepest middle of it. A few beams lit up the surrounding shadows filled the rest. The elder of the two drew out some shuriken, throwing it at the aims that were positioned in the distance. Every one of them hit the dead center. Sasuke watched in awe at this, face litting up at the thought of getting to learn this.
"Amazing nii-san! Can you teach me how to hit the aim in the center too? I want to learn that! I wanna be like you so that father can be proud of me when I show him this!" He exlaimed with enthusiasm sparkling in his black eyes.
"If you really want to learn this than I'll teach you." Itachi responsed, feeling his younger brother bumping happily into him the next moment. "Thank you so much aniki!"
The elder sibling smiled for a short moment, running a hand through the soft hair beneath him.
He rarely calls me aniki it's rather nii-san. He must be very happy that I teach him this 'technique'.
"Thank me later but first try to succeed."
"I will! I will not dissapoint you!"
"You are very confident considering your age."
Sasuke gave a pout, departing from his brother to face away and cross his arms. "And you are very mean considering your age. I'm already three years old!"
Itachi chuckled amused at this. "You are really cute when you pout like this. Makes me want to poke you again."
"No, not again! Stop doing that! I don't like it!"
"But I do."
"You are so mean nii-san!" Sasuke whined. As much fun as it was for an eight years old Uchiha Itachi to tease his younger brother it ended when he saw tears start to well up in the other's eyes.
"Okay you won, please don't start crying. I will stop being mean."
The younger smiled triumphantly, turning around to face his elder brother again.
"So let's start first with your position." Itachi stepped up to Sasuke's side. "Stay in a comfortable stance. You have to be relaxed or you will only overdo your muscles. Then aim your target, eye it exactly." The little one did as told and the other handed him a shuriken. He wrapped his hand around the small wrist. "Lift your hand up and pull back then. Put a good amount of force into your movement by pushing forward with the use of your wrist. Don't forget to let go of the shuriken at the same time." Itachi explained, guiding Sasuke's hand with his during the instructions. The letter had his now pulled back with the throwing star in it, gripping it firmly. The one of his brother was above his, holding him in place for now.
"Nii-san, I know how to throw. You didn't have to explain that."
"Oh really? Show me then what you already know."
"That's easy! Pulling back then pushing forward like this!" He threw the shuriken and it missed its aim. The young Uchiha gave a disappointed whine, tears starting to roll down his cheeks.
"Why did I miss?"
A heavy sigh as one thumb wiped the other's tears away. "Because you weren't in line with the target when you pushed forward. Your hand was pointing into another direction. Remember when I told you to aim your target exactly? You have to stay in line. It depends on the direction your hand is pointing where the shuriken hits."
"Can you show me again please? This time I will listen to you."
"As you wish otouto. We can train this as long as you want."
"Okay, then until I hit my target in the dead center!"
...
-Presence again-
"Sensei? Where are we heading to?" Naruto asked, jumping from tree to tree behind said person.
"To Kiri-Gakure." Itachi answered nonchalantely.
"What are we doing there?" Sakura continued with another question, speeding up in line with the blonde.
"A rumor is going on in this country. It's about a riot."
"Are we going to kill them?" Sasuke pressed further, keeping his distance from the other two Genin.
"Our mission is to gather some information but if it's getting out of hand we have to get exposed of them." Two gulps from behind him.
"You've never killed someone before right?" Two nods although Itachi couldn't see them. "Don't worry about that I'll take care of them if it ever comes to that point." Another couple of nod this time relieved ones.
The four shinobis speed up some more and after a few hours they took a pause. It was evening and the sun was already setting. Naruto swallowed down his meat greedily while the other two took their time. Itachi leaned up against a tree, watching them as thoughts rushed through his head.
Kiri-Gakure and a riot? As far as I know the policy isn't so bad there. Peace has settled in this country. Could that fact be a reason? Is it too quiet? Or is the whole thing just an illusion? Is the country's policy already damaged on the inside? What would a riot have in benefit for them? Don't tell me, Mizukage-sama...?
"Itachi! Do you want to sleep there or are you finally coming?" An unpatient 'question' shook the prodigy out of his thoughts. He would have to think about that later but first he had to get there and check out the situation himself before jumping to any conclusions.
After several hours of seeing nothing but a path within the forest they reached a shore. The first sun beams appeared and shone over the calm ocean, water glistening wherever it was touched by the light. Sakura clapped her hands together in awe, fascinated by this view. She kneeled down on the sand where small waves brushed against her skin, dipping a hand under the surface. She sighed out contently before inhaling the fresh air.
"It's beautiful here."
"We can't waste our time by watching the water. The city has enough of that it isn't called 'Wave Country' for nothing." Sasuke reminded her, therefore urging his older brother to go on. Intended person sighed. Even he was enjoying the view though he has been there a few times before.
Itachi looked around, searching for a certain object. When his eyes landed upon his goal he walked ahead, gesturing the others to follow him.
"A bridge?" Naruto stated confused.
"Not any common bridge. It connects the main island with the shore. We'll have to cross it to reach the capital."
"See Sakura-chan! You can enjoy the ocean while we are walking above it!" The blonde suggested, scoting closer to her. "And if you want to I can accompany you the whole way." He blushed of anticipation but the only reaction he got was a coldhearted "no" to turn him down once again. The girl drew nearer to Sasuke, blushing when she was at his side.
"Nee, Sasuke-kun I was wondering if you want to-"
"No." It was Sakura's turn to hung her head in rejection.
Itachi sighed inwardly. I guess this is what others call 'one-sided love line' huh? Seems like no one will get what desired. What a pity.
Minutes passed and not one single word was spoken. Either of them busied themself with admiring the ocean or the way ahead of the very large brigde. Experienced Sharingan eyes watched the near surrounding just out of an instinct. No one said that the riot has to be in the city it could also be where they were walking. Now the prodigy had time to finish his thoughts before he was interrupted.
Maybe because of Mizukage-sama? The fourth Mizukage is a young leader just about twenty two. Maybe they want to take over his position as a leader? It's only an assumption but it's still possible. I have to gather some information.
Suddenly something brushed Itachi harshly, Sharingan shining in reaction. He searched for the source of this not so gentle contact and noticed a man about twenty five years old standing before him. He was scratching his head and laughed nervously.
"I'm sorry I was in a hurry and didn't notice you." He apologized.
"Don't worry, nothing has happened." Itachi said monotone, meeting an turquiose stare. "Then I'm relieved. I was so deep into my thoughts but who could have known that I'm running into you, Uchiha Itachi?" A short flicker of surprise in those blood red eyes and then he nodded in understanding.
"Well, I'm going but I'll make sure to be more careful now." He bowed slightly, glancing at the other three shinobis and then went ahead.
"What a strange guy." Naruto said after the man had left.
"You mean what an unpolite guy. He didn't even introduce himself but he already knew you Sensei." Sakura joined in the conversation.
"They aren't many left who have the Sharingan and therefore belong to the Uchiha Clan. I noticed his stare when his eyes landed upon my Kekkei Genkai." The elder Uchiha pondered, thinking what that could possibly mean.
He was not surprised or shocked. As if he had predicted it. What's the meaning of this?
Does every human have to be shocked whenever seeing the Sharingan? Oh come on Itachi, just because we are the last Uchihas and just because you are a famous genius it doesn't neccessarily mean that everyone has to turn into stone. Yet I like the display of fear and respect whenever they do that and making a face that says: 'Oh my god! I just saw Uchiha Itachi!' Pathetic but really hilarious. I wonder if I'll become that 'famous' too someday?
"I never noticed his Chakra drawing nearer." Itachi voiced out aloud.
"He was just a common man. Not everyone who is running around has to be a ninja." Sasuke stated annoyed, watching the way his brother was staring into the space where once the strange man stood. "And don't stand on the spot like you are glued to it. Don't you have a mission?"
"I was just wondering. Let's go everyone." With that the younger sibling went ahead shortly followed by his remaining two other teammates. Itachi gave a last glance and then catched up with his students but was still thinking about that strange 'meeting'.
...
"And how are we gonna find them? I guess they won't wear a sign around their neck with a print that says: 'Hello traveler. I'm one of the riot and I'm waiting for a shinobi from Konoha. Uchiha Itachi would be appreciated.' Or what?"
The bridge seemed to never end, sun continuing to shine down on them, heating up their already warm backs. Itachi lifted a hand, shielding his eyes from the bright light. Blurry buildings were drawing closer. They had to walk a few minutes more but then they would reach the capital.
The prodigy stopped, looking back over his shoulder to check the state of his students. They seemed to be a bit tired from the long way but nontheless they enjoyed the view. The ocean was clear, waves cascaded against the abutment of the bridge, significant water sounds emitted. Coming back to the said Genin that were staring over the railing Itachi remembered that he was asked a question.
"I have been in Kiri-Gakure before a lot. I made a few connections while doing my business. Simply put, I know where to get the information I need." A displeased hiss came from the only Genin who didn't stop to stare at the 'oh so interesting' ocean.
Wanna show off with your experience again? That suits you so very well Itachi, as usual. Why do I expect something else anyway?
It took a few moments for the other two to realize that they stopped with their Sensei watching them without uttering a single word of scolding. They both flashed the typical and awkward 'Sorry Sensei' grin as an apologize. Itachi brushed it off, silently acknowledging their gesture as he went ahead again quickly followed by his students. Sasuke dove his hands into his pockets before resuming his distance to his teammates.
The small buildings from before turned from blurry to clear. The seemingly endless bridge ended and with the last path crossed a gate with the imprint: 'Kiri-Gakure' came into view. The huge doors were opened widely, inviting travelers in. Naruto und Sakura stopped unsure of entering the city. Sasuke stepped up in line with his brother who was standing right in front of the gates.
"Welcome to Kiri-Gakure." Itachi announced like a guide and sensing the slight uneasiness of the students behind him he stepped in first.
A large street with many stores on the left and on the right side met them, decorated with lanterns every now and then. If you really think about it then you won't notice any difference to Konoha. Even Kiri had the building of their leader Mizukage positioned right in the middle of the huge city.
Naruto and Sakura watched in fascination, Sasuke rather unimpressed. Many people filled the streets with their live, children played around and food stores offered cheap prices to their customers walking by - just like in Konoha. Everything seemd to be identical yet the blonde crossed his arms, tilting his head to the side in thinking.
"What's wrong Naruto?" Sakura was the first to ask, annoyed by the questioning sounds the other gave.
"We are in Kiri-gakure now, also known as the 'Village of the Waves' but still one question won't get out of my head. Something that is missing..."
"And what would that be baka?"
He gave another 'hm' sound before speaking up in a whiny voice, eyes big and blurry from tears that were gathering in the corner.
"...where are the waves?"
AN: Yay for chibi Uchiha brothers! I love them, could hug them to death 3 Well... I told you the ages of the two brothers so maybe you can already tell which event will come up. And I know that it must be strange that Konoha already has Tsunade as the fifth and Kiri still has the fourth as their leader. Explanation will follow when the right time has come. Btw, just ignore it when I mention a theory and it's not exactly right (my logic doesn't work so good sometimes). Well, enough of my boring talk now. See ya next time. BlackBeta