Chapter 6

"I'm home." Yuka announced as she went inside the house.

A red-headed woman popped her head out from the kitchen. She flashed a wide grin to Yuka.

"You're early."

Yuka paid no attention to the person who spoke. She just went straight ahead to the sofa and laid flat down. "You're early too, Ai-chan."

"Well, since it's your first day at the Academy, I figured I'll be making you a special dinner to celebrate but I didn't know you'd be home early. Is there something wrong?"

"Hmm... M-u-f-f-i-n-g" (Nothing.) Yuka's face remained planted on the sofa pillow as she spoke.

Ai just giggled and went back to the kitchen. Yuka could hear shuffling of stuff here and there and wondered what Ai could be doing this time. An ANBU she may be, Ai was also known for her cooking skills as well. And Yuka was just thankful enough for her parents that they've chosen her to watch over her whenever they're gone.

"So, how was your first day?"

"It was okay."

"Got any friends?"

"Sure. A bunch of girls trying to pick out a fight."

Ai just laughed. "Nothing new is it?"

"Yeah." Yuka raised her head and started looking around for a white fur ball with one gigantic spot at the back. "Ai-chan, where's Spot?"

"He's just around there somewhere. Or maybe he went out." Ai popped her head out again from the kitchen. "Want some snacks? I have some prepared for you."

"Sure." Yuka literally dragged herself towards the kitchen. She was wondering herself what was wrong that she felt so down when a name and a face suddenly flashed on her mind. Uchiha Itachi.

"What the hell!"

"Pardon?" Ai looked at Yuka confusingly, who in turn clamped her mouth with her hands. She meant say it to herself but unconsciously spoke it louder than she had to. "Uh nothing!"

Ai just shrugged and resumed to what she was doing, while Yuka sat down at the table gloomier than ever. "Of all the people in the world, why does it have to be that arrogant brat?"

"Something's bothering you?"

"Nothing in particular." Yuka decided to switch the topic immediately before Ai could think of something else. "When will Mom and Dad be home?"

"Hmm, I see." Yuka let out a small sigh of relief when Ai seemed to buy out that question as a reason for her gloominess. As far as Yuka knows, Ai doesn't need any questions to know, just a single touch will do for her to know everything. "I'm not sure how long they'll be out since they're escorting a daimyo from our country across the other villages."

"Oh." Yuka mouthed softly. "I'll be in my room then."

"Okay." Ai followed Yuka with her eyes as she got up, went over to the stairs and up to her room. Something big was clearly bothering the child. She was usually happy and energetic though she experiences not-so-good encounters with other children almost every day, and this day at the Academy was no exemption. She couldn't help but wonder what have made her upset this time.

"And she didn't even bother to touch her snacks." She just shrugged her thoughts off and resumed her cooking.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Yuka ran to her bed and tackled her poor pillow pouring all negative feelings she possesses that moment, just like before whenever she gets picked on by other children. And when she got tired, she rolled over and dropped herself on the wooden floor from the bed.

She stared hard at the ceiling with no particular thoughts or whatsoever until an image suddenly formed.

"Bastard."

She thanked the heavens that Ai wasn't there to hear her, nor her parents. They'll surely punish her for using foul words. It was one of those things that her parents forbade her to do, but right that very moment cursing somewhat made her feel better. 'Once in a while won't hurt, wouldn't it?'

Yuka unconsciously ran a hand on her neck. She could still feel his hands on it. Whatever made him do so to her, she doesn't know. A little trick like what she did earlier wasn't a basis for such action, it was merely to tease him, not to anger him. Why give out such a reaction?

Maybe...

"Impossible." She answered to herself. A boy like him raised in one of the prestigious clans of Konoha will experience the same loneliness as she? Don't the Uchiha clan have the most coveted eyes unlike her blue and green pair that was loathed for some reason?

"Pfft." She blew a couple of hair strands from her face. "Whatever, I still hate him for being a brat."

'Maybe he's really just an arrogant brat, bragging for being born an Uchiha.' These were Yuka's last thoughts before she faded to sleep.

"Nii-chan."

"..."

"Nii-chan!"

"..."

"Itachi."

"..."

A light shook on his shoulder brought Itachi back to present. "Yes Kaasan?"

"Are you alright dear?" Mikoto scooped Sasuke on her arms. "Your brother's been trying to talk to you. You seem to be spaced out."

"I'm fine." Itachi shifted from his sitting position to a slouch, swaying his dangling foot from the porch.

"How's first day at the Academy?"

"Nothing interesting." His thoughts betrayed him. 'Liar.'

Mikoto just smiled as she replaced Sasuke back on the floor beside Itachi. "I'll be preparing dinner so look after Sasuke okay?"

"Sure."

He took his younger brother back and sat him in his lap. Sasuke cuddled closer to him. Itachi just smiled at him as Sasuke beamed a wider smile back at him. Itachi's smile immediately faded when a particular face and name suddenly flashed back on his mind. Hashiro Yuka.

'Damn.'

"Nii-chan... problem?"

"Nothing Sasuke. Don't mind your nii-chan."

Itachi let out a sigh. He shouldn't have done that. He shouldn't have reacted that way at her. He wasn't even sure what made him just snap and grab her. Wasn't he even the one who thought of following her in the first place? Why?

Is it because he felt defeated?

Defeated? Is it that the word that made him angry earlier? But what of? A little trick she pulled out earlier? Above all other things, if he wasn't really imagining what he saw, he was definitely sure she did some hand seals. And to think he thought he was the only kid to be enrolling in the Academy to know such advanced lessons.

Itachi's lips curved a little. Really interesting. Someone who's finally worthy to be a challenge.

Yuka went down the stairs groggily. She must've been too busy thinking that she didn't notice she fell asleep only to be awaken by Ai's high-pitched screech coming from the kitchen. She tapped both her cheeks lightly just to make sure she was already awake before she proceeded to her destination.

"Ai-chan what's wrong?"

She was holding a knife by her each hand, only to drop it down when she saw Yuka enter the kitchen. Ai scratched her head a bit as she let out a nervous laugh. "Oh nothing dear! I thought I just saw a mouse."

"Okay." Yuka immediately turned her back from her and went out the kitchen before she lost control of her suppressed laughter. Ai may be one of the notable ANBU members, a specialist in interrogation, and even best in cooking, but she's no exemption when it comes to fear of the sight of a mouse.

Out into the porch she sat, marvelling at the sight of the colors that danced in the sky as the sun sets down. Thinking about that boy bothers her so much and for a moment, she thought ignoring his whole existence for a while will probably let her forget what happened, especially in moments like this one.

"Yeah Yuka. 'Cause that's what you're good at. Ignoring annoying kids."

So what's going to happen tomorrow?