Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Naruto characters, unless otherwise stated. In this case, I only own Kimi and her village.
Author's Note: Just a note of warning. I've only gotten to writing nine chapters of this -- plus some future tidbits that will be used later. It's a bit slower coming than another piece I'm working on. This has a bit more meat to it, I suppose. There are totally unknown characters to build and develop. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this. I'm considering adding the soundtrack I've compiled to my profile as I have for Fangrlz, but I'm afraid it might give a bit much away. If you want it, though, I'll put it up. Enjoy!
IV
Itachi jogged easily through the trees and out into the open sun. He squinted momentarily in the bright light but did not falter, navigating the back streets without hesitation or doubt. He knew the maze of streets like the back of his hand; he never took an unsure step or turn, knowing the exact route – and quickest one – that would take him home. Though it was not the most direct, the route he took was not crowded with people and he would not call attention to himself as he would have if he had taken to the rooftops.
Still, Itachi's heart raced, carrying with it an unfamiliar nervous feeling. He had never felt this anxious before, even when he was going on a mission. Why would now be any different? What about this girl was so important? He shook his head as he ran. It was strange – no doubt about it – the effect Kimi had on him. Even in the one, bare hour he had spent with her, Itachi felt completely at ease in her presence.
The young shinobi gritted his teeth. Why?
His frustrated pondering was cut short as he arrived in the miniature village-in-a-village that housed the entire Uchiha Clan. Itachi barely glanced up at the red and white symbol of a fan that hung over the archway as he hurried through. He paid little attention to the slightly-plump woman with the beginning hints of gray in her hair as he rushed past her.
The woman, however, looked up from her sweeping and laughed. "Whoa, there, Itachi. Where's the fire?"
Knowing it would be rude to do otherwise, Itachi threw a brief greeting in his aunt's direction before continuing on to his own house. Pausing just within the doorway only long enough to kick off his shoes and drop his backpack in the corner, Itachi padded swiftly and silently into the kitchen where his mother was steadily chopping vegetables.
Mikoto Uchiha looked up from her work with a startled expression and then smiled at her eldest son. "You're home early," she commented lightly. "How was your day?"
"Fine," Itachi grunted as he crossed over to open the freezer. "It's not over yet, though." His heart fluttered irrationally as he thought of spending the rest of the day with Kimi. He mentally shook himself from the momentary reverie, grateful when his mother spoke up.
"What do you need, darling?" She chuckled softly. "You can't be hungry already. Ah, well. You are a growing boy. Don't eat too much or you'll ruin your dinner."
Itachi shook his head, pulling out a frozen ice tray and fetching a plastic bag from the cupboard. "I just need some ice."
As he dumped the contents of the tray into the bag, Mikoto turned from her work to study him. "You aren't hurt, are you?"
Her son shook his head, closing the bag and moving to refill the tray. "No, ma'am."
Mikoto's eyes followed him as he moved purposefully around the kitchen to replace the water-filled tray in the freezer. "Then what do you need ice for?"
Grateful that his back was to his mother, Itachi fought back a smile as he replied, "Just training." He closed the freezer door and turned to snatch up the bag and head out of the kitchen. "I'll be back later, mother."
"Make sure you're back in time for dinner," Mikoto called after him.
Itachi waved his hand in acknowledgement as he vanished from her sight. When he reached the entryway and started to slip his shoes back on, a small voice called out from behind him.
"Where're you going, Itachi?"
The young shinobi turned to see his little brother, Sasuke shuffling toward him. He allowed himself to smile down at the three-year-old boy. "I have some training to do," he repeated the excuse he had given his mother.
Sasuke's eyes widened pleadingly. "Can I go too?"
Itachi reached down and mussed the little boy's hair. "Not today, kid. Maybe next time." He winked at his little brother and strode coolly out the door.
When he was out of the boy's line of sight, Itachi doubled his pace, half-running down the main street that led out of the Uchiha Clan stronghold. As he passed back under the archway, he faintly heard his aunt chuckle behind him. He ignored it, though, and retraced his earlier steps, following the path that would take him back to Kimi.
He found her without any problem; she had not moved from where he had left her. Kimi still sat on the moss-coated stone, staring distantly up at the high branches above her head. Again, she seemed completely unaware of Itachi's approach, lost in her own thoughts. As he neared, Itachi could see her lips moving slightly and she sighed; with that sigh, he clearly heard her speak.
"Yeah. Right."
Itachi slowed slightly, suddenly wary of the girl. The tone of those two words sounded as if she was conceding a point to someone. But who? There was no one around. Forcing a smile on his face through the unease twisting his stomach, Itachi called out, "Right what?"
Kimi jerked in surprise, staring at Itachi with fear plainly in her eyes, and then laughed when she recognized him. "I was just thinking out loud. Gracious, you scared me."
The young shinobi smirked. "Sorry." He stepped over and folded himself smoothly into a cross-legged position in front of her. "What about?"
"Hmm?"
"What were you thinking about?" As he asked this, Itachi gently lifted Kimi's ankle and rested it in his lap, placing the bag of ice on her slightly swollen ankle.
"Oh. I was just wondering – oh! That's cold!"
Itachi laughed. "Well, it is ice. Did you expect it to be hot?" Kimi said nothing, merely rolling her eyes at his remark. When she did not pick up her interrupted answer, Itachi prompted her, "You were just wondering . . .?"
"Why you're helping me," Kimi finished quietly, looking down as if ashamed of the answer. She had taken the flower out from behind her ear – having put it there when he was carrying her so she would not crush it in her hands – and was slowly turning it in her fingers. "I'm no one special."
Itachi scowled, studying the girl's down-turned face. She was chewing on her lower lip now, her eyes beginning to glass over with the first tears. "Don't say that," he commanded sternly, but softly.
Kimi shook her head slightly, squeezing her eyes shut in an attempt to fight back the tears building within them. Itachi's mind raced, startled into action by this unexpected development. He had to find some way to steer her away from this sorrow – this depression. 'I'm no one special.' That's her 'Council' talking, he thought bitterly.
A sudden thought seized him, a sudden plan – silly and romantic, but plausible. He reached up and touched Kimi's knee to get her attention. "Do you know what kind of flower that is?" he asked gently.
The girl opened her eyes to gaze at the blossom in her hands. She shook her head, managing a soft 'no.' Itachi chuckled.
"Well, neither do I, actually. I've never seen it before, but I do know a thing or two about it." He paused before continuing. "As strange, new, and different as it is, it's still pretty . . . like you."
Kimi's eyes widened as a blush swept across her cheeks. The corners of her lips twitched upward, and Itachi pressed on.
"If you were to see this flower closed, it would seem like just any other wildflower – plain, white, and nothing out of the ordinary. When it blooms, however, it reveals the wonder of its heart. Only then can you see how special it is."
Itachi shifted onto his knees, looking Kimi eye to tear-filled eye. "You're special, too," he said gently. "You just have to bloom – show people how pretty your own heart is."
Kimi gave a wet smile, tears trickling around her cheeks to pool slightly in the corners of her mouth. "Thank you, Itachi. You're so kind."
Itachi chuckled. "It would seem that you bring out the best of me."
The young girl seated in front of him cocked her head, puzzled by the genin's soft laughter. Her eyes seemed somehow distant and sad, despite the slight smirk on her face. "No one's ever been so nice to me."
Itachi frowned momentarily before grinning up at her and taking her hand. Giving it a gentle squeeze, he said, "Then they all were fools to ignore such a treasure. I barely know you, and yet I can see how you shine."
Kimi stiffened slightly but then relaxed and smiled. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Thank you."