After the end of the Cat-ban, things calmed down a bit.
The parties, she was sure, had been great. She had not been able to attend any because of her age. And not even pouting and stomping her feet had changed their minds. But now-a-days, you could see people with their pets downtown and in the parks and designated areas. Her clan and Kiba's were planning the festival. So that was good.
She and Sasuke had been playing with blocks and Itachi had been out on a mission for a few days now and would be gone for a bit longer.
So when they heard his voice, faint, floating up from downstairs, they froze.
She remembered when she heard her uncle yelling from downstairs and a bad feeling tickled up her spine. They normally would have jumped up by now and jumped him, but weariness and pain in his voice had them still as statues.
It was approaching night when they left her room. Fugaku and Mikoto had went to other parts of the house, leaving the kitchen clear. The back door was open slightly.
"Ouoto? Imouto?" Itachi called softly from the porch. They jumped back, held hands, and walked towards the back.
Itachi was facing away from them head bowed and uneaten dinner in his hands. Something was wrong. They crept on either side of him, Sasuke kicking a box to the side so he could cuddle up to Itachi. She stole a veggie from his plate. But instead of smiling, he didn't even notice.
She and Sasuke exchanged worried glances.
She didn't know how long they sat there, but despite Itachi's inner turmoil, it was...peaceful. There was a light breeze, and the smell from the peach tree carried on it. It was cool, but nothing she couldn't handle by cozying up to Itachi. Sasuke did the same on the other side.
The stars were never this bright back from where she came from.
Konaha was one of the largest cities in Naruto, but it didn't put a dent in the night sky. The constellations were different here for sure, and she delighted trying to find them like the book had shown her.
She had just spotted the Ninja's Kunai, when she felt tugging on her shoulders.
Itachi tugged her with his right arm-pulling her close. He did the same with his left arm. He pressed them into his stomach and chest, both of them partially on his lap, and just held them, thumbs smoothing over chubby cheeks. Sasuke sighed happily and pressed his face into his chest. The beginnings of long bangs were pushed back, and she blinked confusedly.
Why did water drop on her?
Itachi was crying. Tears dripped from his Sharingan eyes.
He flinched when he saw her moon eyes staring up at his-with the red reflected in them it almost looked liked she had a pair.
Everything was being recorded then.
She leaned up and kissed his cheek, deciding Itachi needed a little reassurance. And who better to do it then his little sister?
"Itachi." No 'Aniki'- she was serious. She cupped his face with chubby hands.
"'Dese change," She tapped under his eyes." But 'dis,- dis is the same, Itachi will always be Aniki." Miko tapped above his heart.
Smiling, she laid her head on his chest and fell asleep.