InuYasha Fan Fiction / Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Koibito ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Inuyasha.

 

 

Due to the many requests, I will post everyone's age every time they age.

 

 

Kagome - 3; Itachi - 7; Neji - 3; Sasuke - 2; Shisui - 12; Kakashi - 16; Gai - 16

 

 

Uchiha Prodigy

 

 

5/29/06 - 6/14/06

 

“Where did you go?”

 

Kagome jumped at the sound of her Father's voice and immediately began to tremble in fear. “Nowhere,” she lied, averting her eyes.

 

“Everyone saw you leave the Hyuuga District.” deadpanned Hizashi. “What have I said about going beyond the Hyuuga District?”

 

“I'm sowry,” Kagome mumbled, feeling her face burn with shame.

 

“Were you even listening? Do you ever listen?”

 

Kagome felt her eyes well with tears, but stubbornly held them back. She wouldn't cry for this. She couldn't cry over something so stupid.

 

“Did you meet anyone out there?”

 

Itachi…

 

Kagome vehemently shook her head from side to side and silently prayed that her Father wouldn't see through her lie. If he did, she was sure she would never see Itachi again…ever.

 

Hizashi looked relieved. “Good.” he murmured, frowning slightly. Then, as if remembering Kagome was still there, he sternly added, “You are never to leave the Hyuuga District again, do I make myself clear?”

 

Kagome quickly nodded her head.

 

“And if you accidentally meet someone by chance, you are never to link yourself to the Hyuuga family. As far as people outside of the Hyuuga family know, I only have one child - one son - Neji. I do not have a daughter, do you understand?”

 

Kagome felt her little body rack with suppressed sobs as she reluctantly nodded her head. She couldn't understand why everyone hated her so much. Was it something she had done and forgot? She wished she could remember what she had done to cause her father - her whole clan - to despise her. Why couldn't she remember anything?!? What horrible deed had she committed that was so unforgivable?

 

A treacherous tear slipped past her eyes despite her attempts to put up a strong front. She quickly wiped it away - only to have it immediately replaced by another drop of tear. “Why won't they stop coming?” she silently cried as more tears gathered under her eyes.

 

“Imouto, why are you crying?”

 

Kagome eyes snapped up at the sound of her brother's voice. “Nii-san,” she whimpered, slightly ashamed that he had to witness another one of these `episodes' that she seemed to constantly have with their father.

 

“Who hurt you?” Neji demanded angrily as soon as he noticed the thin layer of bandage wrapped around his sister's knee, assuming that she was crying because she was in pain. “I'll kill him!” he hissed, his eyes burning with fury.

 

“You will do no such thing.” interrupted Hizashi, leveling a stern glare on his son. “Kagome is fine. She was careless and tripped when she was running home.”

 

Kagome absently nodded her head in agreement with her Father's story as she gently fingered her bandaged hand.

 

Itachi…

 

She found herself smiling despite the situation.

 

“Neji, go into the kitchen. We'll start dinner shortly.” ordered Hizashi, his eyes softening slightly at the concerned look etched on his beloved son's face.

 

Hizashi completely missed the tender smile that graced Kagome's lips at the thought of the Uchiha prodigy, but Neji didn't. Neji didn't understand why his sister was suddenly smiling so contently, but whatever it was, he prayed that it would happen more often. He was half tempted to ask her exactly what happened to make her so happy, but wisely chose not to pursue the matter. To simply see her smile was enough.

 

Gently shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Neji softly beckoned. “Come on, Kagome, let's go eat!

 

“You go on, Neji.” answered Hizashi before Kagome had a chance to reply. “Kagome's not hungry today. She's going to go meditate in her room.”

 

Kagome's face fell, but quickly nodded her head. This was her punishment for directly disobeying her Father. Compared to the punishment last time, missing dinner was nothing…Or so she tried to tell herself. Too bad her stomach didn't agree with her. It was growling softly with hunger. She hadn't eaten anything since breakfast.

 

“Oh…okay,” Neji frowned. He had really been looking forward to spending some time with his sister. He almost never saw her anymore. “I'll see you later?” he asked, making what had initially been a statement sound more like a question.

 

Kagome subtly cast a glance towards their Father from the corner of her eye to gauge his reaction to this offer.

 

Hizashi discreetly shook his head in the negative.

 

Kagome swallowed the growing lump in her throat and gently shook her head `no'. “I'm sowry, Neji-nii-san.” she apologized, blinking back tears. “I'll see you toomowrol.” she mumbled softly as she quickly bolted out of the room before the fresh tears could slip past her defense. In her hurry to reach the safety of bedroom - her only haven, she completely missed the hurt look etched on her brother's face.

 

***

 

Kagome bit her lips in indecision as she snuck several longing glances at her open window. On one hand, she desperately wanted to see Itachi again. But on the other, if she left and her Father found out…she gulped and quickly shook her head from side to side to shake off the horrifying thoughts. She didn't even want to think about the consequences of such an endeavor.

 

No, she was going to stay in her room like a good, obedient daughter.

 

But Itachi was somewhere out there…

 

She sighed in frustration as she plopped ungracefully onto her futon like a sack of dejected potatoes.

 

Itachi vs. Punishment with a capital P…

 

Was she so desperate that she was willing to risk her life (okay, maybe she's exaggerating a little bit) just to see a complete stranger?

 

…

 

Yes…She was.

 

Itachi was worth it - she was sure of it.

 

Plus, her Father hadn't checked on her since early this morning when he came to deliver her a cup of water. Not to mention, he had specifically informed her that she wouldn't be released from her room until tomorrow morning. Who's to say he would even check on her again?

 

I can spend more time with Itachi…

 

Shooting her door another fearful glance, half afraid that her Father would suddenly barge into her room (which was a stupid notion), Kagome quickly hopped off her bed and tiptoed towards the open windows. Hoisting herself onto the windowsill, she almost lost her gripping when her stomach suddenly rumbled with hunger. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she cast a worried glance at the locked doors - positive that everyone from a three mile radius must have heard her stomach...

 

But no one barged in. Not even a footstep…

 

Satisfied that her Father wasn't going to suddenly barge in out of nowhere, Kagome quickly flipped herself over the windowsill and onto the other side. “Sowry Otou-sama,” she whispered, frowning slightly, before completely releasing her hold on the windowsill.

 

***

 

“…Your graduation test will be held next week. Those of you who pass will receive your forehead protectors and move on to become genin. I expect all of you to study hard. Now…”

 

Shisui grinned as he leaned over Itachi's desk and whispered, “Not that you need to study. You probably already know everything, don't you?”

 

Itachi stared listlessly out the window as he listened to his best friend babble on and on about the graduation exam. He didn't care. Like Shisui said, he didn't need to study. The graduation exam was going to be ridiculously easy…just like everything else about the academy. He honestly didn't know why he even bothered attending - if nothing else; it was a waste of time.

 

“…What are you looking at?” Shisui asked curiously, peeking over Itachi's shoulder. He blinked in confusion when he saw two jounins playing “go fish” on their academy steps. “Aren't those the two newly appointed Jounins?”

 

“Maito Gai and Hatake Kakashi.” affirmed Itachi, keeping his eyes trained on the two jounins.

 

“They could be our new…” began Shisui, but quickly trailed off when he felt an ominous shadow tower over him. He fearfully glanced up and immediately cringed when he identified the ominous shadow as his Academy Sensei. “S-Sensei, I can explain…” he stuttered, searching his mind for an excuse.

 

Itachi spared his sensei a dismissive glance before returning his attention to the two jounins sprawled across the academy steps. They didn't look like much…childish almost, but they were some of the youngest jounins in Konoha history. Even though they didn't look the part, they must have some merit.

 

“…Please Sensei. I promise it won't happen again!” pleaded Shisui.

 

“What did you find so interesting? What could possibly be more important than your education?” hissed the Academy Sensei.

 

Sighing silently in irritation, Itachi was half-way through turning away from the window when a familiar figure caught his attention.

 

Kagome…?

 

He watched with veiled surprise as the little girl he met yesterday shyly approached the Academy. She stopped three meters away from the Academy and froze in fear when she finally noticed the two jounins reclining on the steps.

 

The jounin in the tight, green spandex quickly leapt up and took an exuberated step towards Kagome…who quickly took several steps back.

 

Before he even realized it, Itachi found himself raising his hand and asking for permission to leave class early. Even though the Academy Sensei looked highly reluctant to allow Itachi to leave before class ended, he finally conceded to allow him to go (much to the cries of unfair from the other students) on the condition that he studied extra hard for the graduation exam.

 

“Hai, of course,” Itachi softly answered, knowing the answer would fully placate the Academy Sensei.

 

“Then I'll see you tomorrow.”

 

Itachi gave a light tilt of his head in appreciation as he passed the Academy Sensei on his way out of the classroom.

 

Shisui's eyes burned with envy, jealousy coiling his stomach, as he watched the sensei give his best friend permission to the leave class early simply because he was the `Uchiha Prodigy'. Itachi was the Prodigy and the Genius that everyone loved and respected. But…Where did that leave him? What was he, Uchiha Shisui, to the Uchiha clan? To Konoha?

 

To them, he was simply the best friend of Uchiha Itachi…

 

The shadow of the Konoha Prodigy…

 

It was never Uchiha Shisui, but always the best friend of Uchiha Itachi.

 

The shadow…always there, but never noticed.

 

***

 

“There's no need to be scared of me!” barked Gai, doing a `nice guy' pose. “Let us shine our youth together!”

 

Clonk

 

“Baka,” intoned Kakashi, thumping his partner on the head with the spine of his book (Come Come Paradise). “You're scaring her.”

 

Gai sheepishly scratched the back of his head as he apologized profusely to Kagome, who looked like she was on the verge of tears. “If I can't cheer her up by the end of the day, I'll run 800 laps around Konoha!” he declared, grinning brightly.

 

Ignoring his companion, Kakashi slowly inched towards Kagome, knowing any sudden movement would scare her away. He had moved less than two meters when her eyes quickly began to widen with fear. When she looked like she was about to panic, he quickly halted his advance and lowered himself onto one knee. “It's all right,” he gently soothed, his eyes softening slightly. “I'm not going to hurt you and you're not going to get in trouble.” He smiled lightly (through his mask), hoping it would give him a more approachable look as he stretched out an open hand towards the little girl.

 

Kagome looked at the outstretched hand, but made no move to take it.

 

“My name is Kakashi - Hatake Kakashi.”

 

Kagome frowned and pursued her lips. Her father told her to never tell anyone that she was a Hyuuga…

 

“Are you lost?” Kakashi asked, dropping his arm.

 

Kagome quickly shook her head from side to side in the negative.

 

“Burning youth!” laughed Gai, taking a giant leap towards Kagome, who promptly took several steps back.

 

“Just stay out of this.” deadpanned Kakashi, looking highly irritated. “Little girl, do you need us to help you…” he trailed off uncertainly when Kagome suddenly smiled. He blinked in surprise when she suddenly started running towards him with outstretched arms, as if expecting a hug…

 

…Only to have her run right past him.

 

He quickly swiveled around and watched as she ran up to a slightly older boy and wrapped her arms around his torso.

 

Uchiha Itachi…

 

Getting back onto his feet, Kakashi watched with interest as Gai quickly ran up to the pair and shouted, “Let your youth burn!”

 

The Uchiha boy immediately shot Gai a frigid glare when the little girl clinging to his waist began to tremble with fear. “What did you do to her?” he asked icily, narrowing his eyes.

 

“We didn't do anything,” Kakashi answered before Gai had a chance to open his mouth and sprout off some nonsense about youth. “We were just about to ask her if she was lost and needed help finding her way home.”

 

“I'll take her home.” Itachi answered, gently prying Kagome's arms from around his waist.

 

“Don't you have class to attend?” Gai asked confusedly, raising a thick eyebrow.

 

“Sensei excused me from class for the rest of the day.” replied Itachi, shifting his gaze to Kakashi. “If there's nothing else, I'll be taking Kagome home.”

 

Kagome instantly seemed to deflate…

 

“You know this little girl?” Kakashi asked interestedly.

 

“I've met her once.” Itachi answered. “I know where she lives.”

 

“All right, I'll leave her in your hands then.”

 

Itachi nodded his head before beckoning for Kagome to follow him. Kagome, though dejected at the prospect of going home, dutifully followed Itachi at a slightly slower pace.

 

“Have you eaten yet?” Itachi asked softly once they were a short distance away from the two jounins.

 

Tilting her head up slightly in confusion, Kagome gently shook her head `no'. As if to emphasize her point, her stomach suddenly gave a loud rumble.

 

A faint smile - a barely noticeable twitch of the lips - flitted across his expression as he glanced back at the little girl lagging behind him. “Do you have any preference?” he asked, watching with slight amusement as confusion spread across her face. “What do you like to eat?” he patiently explained.

 

Understanding the implications, Kagome immediately brightened as she raced to catch up with Itachi. Giggling softly, she looked up at Itachi with adoration as she cutely answered, “Ramen!”

 

***

 

“Was that…?” asked Gai, trailing slightly.

 

“That was Uchiha Itachi, pride of the Uchiha clan.” Kakashi answered; his eyes saddening slightly at the mention of Uchiha...

 

“He's graduating in a week, isn't he?” asked Gai, smiling proudly as if he had single-handedly raised Itachi himself. “Youths these days are making such great accomplishments! He's doing even better than what you did back in your Academy days, right Kakashi?”

 

Kakashi blinked tiredly and asked, “Hm? Did you say something?”

 

“You haven't been listening to me?!?” screamed Gai, his mouth dropping wide open in disbelief.

 

“That is definitely Uchiha Itachi,” Kakashi whispered to himself, completely ignoring his companion, “Although I hadn't expected him to be so popular with the younger kids…” he murmured. “Rumors say that Uchiha Itachi doesn't care about anyone beside his little brother, Sasuke, and his best friend, Shisui.” he recalled. It was a common notion he had heard several people (mostly old women) voice whenever the topic of the Uchiha Prodigy was brought up.

 

But then again, a rumor was just that - a rumor.

 

…And from what he'd seen today, it couldn't possibly be completely true.

 

***

 

“Welcome to Ichiraku Ramen!” a smiling couple greeted. However, their smile quickly dissolved into confusion when they finally realized their customer was a little kid…with an even younger one.

 

Itachi, ignoring the befuddled looks the couple was giving them, wordlessly helped Kagome onto one of the stools (which was a little too high for Kagome) before taking the seat beside her.

 

“What would you like?” the chef asked after shaking off his initial bewilderment.

 

Itachi briefly scanned the menu before answering, “I'll have the Beef Ramen.”

 

“And what would you like?” asked the chef, turning his attention to Kagome.

 

“Um…Ramen?” answered Kagome, looking confusedly at Itachi.

 

Itachi, easily reading the confusion in her eyes, calmly turned to the chef and stated, “She'll have the same as me.”

 

“All right, your lunch will be done shortly.” smiled the chef as he bustled off to make their orders.

 

“Are you sure they can pay for the food?” whispered the woman, approaching her husband. “The girl's only three or four - her parents couldn't possibly have told her to buy food alone. And the boy, shouldn't he be at the Academy?” she asked curiously, taking another peek at the two kids.

 

“You're worrying too much.” chided the man, pulling out a pack of noodles. “The girl is obviously here with the boy. And as for the boy, I wouldn't worry too much. He has the crest of the Uchiha clan on his clothes, which means he is from one of the noble families of Konoha. I'm sure he has the money to pay for some simple ramen.”

 

“But why isn't he in class with the rest of the children his age?”

 

“Why don't you ask him?” the man smiled as he took out two large bowls from the cupboard for the ramen.

 

“Hai, I think I will.” the woman snorted playfully as she walked towards the two children.

 

“…never has Ramen before.” the girl shyly whispered. “But Ne…um, Nii-san said they were yummy.”

 

The woman felt her smile widened when she noticed the cute blush staining the little girl's cheeks. She's so adorable. “Your ramen is almost done.” she announced as she neared the two children.

 

“Thwank you,” Kagome whispered.

 

“Mhm,” the woman nodded. “Do you have the day off from the Academy today?” she asked, turning her attention to Itachi. She immediately regretted asking the question when she found herself staring into a pair of cold, emotionless eyes.

 

He's completely different from the little girl…

 

“Hm, ramen!” the little girl exclaimed excitedly when she saw the man coming towards them with two bowls of steaming Beef Ramen.

 

…Yet she adores him.

 

The couple watched silently from the sidelines as the little girl chattered on and on about various things while the boy just occasionally nodded his head to show that he was listening.

 

“What's Acatemy wike?” she finally asked, idly pushing around the remaining ramen she couldn't finish.

 

“You learn the history of Konoha, the principles behind chakra, and the theory and usage of various jutsus in different situations.” Itachi answered, giving a vague outline of what the Academy was like.

 

“Sugoi,” Kagome whispered, eyes widening in interest. “When can I go?” she asked innocently.

 

“When you're five.” replied Itachi, casting the curious girl beside him a small glance.

 

“Did you stawt when you were five?” she asked, holding up five fingers. “When do you becwome a gee-gewin?” she added, recalling a term she had recently overheard her father use.

 

She's reminds me of Sasuke. Neither of them can talk properly…

 

“I started when I was six and hopefully I'll be a genin by the end of the week.” Itachi answered as he glanced at the bill. He quickly pulled out his wallet and paid for the meal, making sure to leave a large tip on the counter.

 

“I wanna be a gewin too! I wanna be just like you.” Kagome exuberantly claimed as she hopped off her stool. Gently latching onto Itachi's hand, she curiously asked, “Itachi-sama, where are you gowing now?”

 

…Yet they're always so curious…

 

“I'm going to take you home; then go train.” he calmly answered.

 

“Can I cwome too?”

 

…And annoyingly adamant about latching onto him…

 

“If it's all right with your father.” replied Itachi, gently shaking off Kagome's hand.

 

…And he didn't even like kids…

 

***

 

“That was Uchiha Itachi?” the woman asked incredulously, overhearing the little girl call the Uchiha boy, `Itachi-sama'. Wiping her hands on her apron, she quickly moved out from behind the counter to hopefully catch another glance of the famed `Uchiha Prodigy'.

 

He was already gone.

 

“…I think he overheard our discussion.” the man stated dryly, holding up a wade of cash. “This has to be the largest tip I've ever seen.”

 

The woman had the decency to blush as she quickly cleared the counter.

 

***

 

Kagome watched in open-mouthed awe as Itachi quickly executed several Taijutsu moves in close succession. He was quick - His feet had barely touched the ground when he was gone again. Half the time, she didn't even know where Itachi was, much less what he was doing...

 

…But she enjoyed every moment watching him.

 

His Ninjutsu and Taijutsu skills were unquestionable. Even his Genjutsu skills were way beyond that of a normal Academy student. Watching him was as good as watching any Chuunin practice…

 

Kagome frowned slightly in confusion when Itachi suddenly reemerged (from wherever he had disappeared to) with several kunai targets. Kagome watched curiously as Itachi quickly secured the targets onto several hard-to-hit locations around the forest.

 

“Itachi-sama…” she asked questioningly, standing up quickly when she realized Itachi was heading towards her.

 

“I suggest you move.” Itachi coldly intoned as he secured the last target to the base of the tree behind Kagome.

 

He sounded so cold…

 

Kagome felt tears gather in her eyes as she watched Itachi walk away.

 

…And looked so unapproachable…

 

Biting back a sob, Kagome quickly ran up behind Itachi and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Don't hate me,” she pleaded as she buried her face into his clothes. “Everyboty can hate me…I don't care.” she whimpered. “Just Itachi-sama…pwease don't hate me.”

 

Itachi's eyes softened slightly as he gently pried Kagome's hands from around his waist. Turning so he was facing her, he softly whispered, “You're thinking too much.”

 

“I…am?”

 

“Mhm,” Itachi confirmed as he gently ruffled Kagome's hair.

 

How can I hate someone I barely know?

 

“I'm emotionless because a ninja cannot afford to let others read his feelings. I'm cold…because that's who I am.”

 

“No!” Kagome vehemently shouted.

 

“No?” echoed Itachi, somewhat surprised by Kagome's response.

 

“Itachi-sama is cold becwuse he wants to keep everyboty away. Itachi-sama is cold becwuse he is scawd to let everyboty see the other Itachi-sama inside.”

 

Itachi's eyes widened slightly.

 

Scared? Was he…scared? Was he, Uchiha Itachi, scared of himself?

 

In a way, it made sense…

 

“I fweel it too.” admitted Kagome, lowering her eyes to the ground. “I'm scawd and I hide away the real Kagome.” she whispered softly, as if afraid someone might overhear her.

 

Itachi didn't understand what Kagome was referring to, but he understood the emotions behind her words. Although their reasons for being scared were probably different, Itachi didn't doubt the feeling was the same. Just that…he had never thought of what he had felt since he was a child as being…scared.

 

“But Kagome trusts Itachi-sama,” she boldly stated, startling Itachi out of his thoughts. “Itachi-sama can keep everyboty away if he wants to…” she trailed, biting her lips, “but Kagome wants to be the one…”

 

She slowly raised her arm towards Itachi…

 

“Right…”

 

…And placed her hand over his heart.

 

“Here.”

 

Itachi stared at the little girl in front of him with something akin to wonder. Although he didn't know what the circumstances surrounding Kagome's life was like, he knew it was harsh…because the pain was reflected in her eyes. And for her to say those words to him - a stranger - touched him in a way he didn't want to admit…

 

…And will probably never voice.

 

Itachi allowed a rare smile to pass briefly over his lips as he gently ruffled Kagome's hair. “Maybe someday…” he silently murmured.

 

...If their destinies were truly intertwined.

 

***

 

TBC

Author's Corner: Another chapter down! Yay! You guys have no idea how long it took me to straighten out Itachi's character. Thankfully, episodes 129-131 helped me understand his personality as it was before he murdered his clan. I found it really interesting - the thoughts, the reasons, and the struggle he must have underwent before he made the final decision to kill his entire clan.

 

Although none of Itachi's thoughts were revealed during those episodes (he was pretty emotionless) - I'm pretty sure he didn't just suddenly wake up one day and decide he wanted to `test his powers' by killing his whole clan. It must have built up somehow…the resentment and craving for power.

 

Anyway, that's really not the point of my story because I won't be taking that path. I'll be exploring what would it have been like (for Itachi, Sasuke, and Konoha) if things had not turned out like it did in the Naruto series. :)