December 23rd, 2018.

Prompt Twenty-Three: Carols

Itachi had not been back in Konoha since after Orochimaru's attack during the chunin exams, and he hadn't intended on returning either.

With Sasuke training with Orochimaru in the village of Sound and the nine-tails host away with Jiriaya, he had no reason to travel to the old village.

However, a solo mission given to him by Pein had him return to his old home.

Getting within the village's walls had been an easy task for the former Anbu captain, getting the information he needed was the challenging part.

He would have to gain access to the Hokage's office and obtain a specific scroll containing information about the villages jonin.

He swept quietly through the streets, careful to not attract any unwanted attention.

As he based through the back streets of Konoha, he heard a familiar song.

Careful to stay in the shadows, he walked towards the music.

In the village centre, a carol service was being held.

Women and men from the village were lined up in rows, beautifully singing well-known Christmas songs as other villagers crowded around watching.

Itachi watched for a moment, but his attention was drawn to one particular carol singer.

In the centre row, towards the end was a woman. Beautiful white eyes, long indigo hair and pale, clear skin.

He watched as she sang.

Her movements perfectly in time with those around her. Her smile spreading and growing across her face.

He was captivated by her.

He knew he should continue on his mission, this would be the perfect time to retrieve the scroll with the village occupied by the carol service, but he didn't want to turn away.

His eyes never left the young Hyuuga woman, taking in every detail about her.

She stood out amongst the others, well to him at least.

He had seen her once before as a young boy. She was playing with her sister in the snow at the time. Carefree and angelic.

He envied her then.

However, watching her sing with such ease, watching her glow with joy, made him envy her even now.

She looked so peaceful, so free and so happy.

He smiled.

He paid no attention to the music or lyrics; his attention was focused solely on her.

He remembered that his father had once spoken about a marriage between Itachi and the heiress, as a last attempt to improve ties with the village.

He began to imagine what his life would be like if he had made a different decision that day, if he had gone through with the engagement, if he had married the young woman, if he had led a different life.

He finally looked away.

He knew better, he knew there was no time to be thinking about such things.

Finally, he turned away, continuing on his past.

He had made his decision and he was living with the consequences.

He didn't look back, but as he walked towards the Hokage's office, he could still hear the Christmas carols being sung in the background.

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