Chapter Text
"The water feels so nice. You should try it, Itachi-san," Kokoa said. She smiled, pushing strands of her hair, black silk, behind her ears.
"I'm fine as I am," he said, leaning back with his hands planted in the grass.
"I only have my feet in. Throw off your shoes, and cool down a bit."
"Why do you insist I dip my feet in the lake?" He raised an eyebrow at her when he spoke.
"Well, it's hot out, you're always so stressed, and because I said so." Kokoa pointed a finger at him.
"You have a point, but still, no thanks."
"What if I shove you?"
"Hu-" Kokoa threw him in before he could finish, or, at least she thought she did. She looked at her palms when Itachi vanished.
"Not fair. You can't always use your fancy jutsu to escape me," she said.
"Fancy jutsu? You're techniques are more complicated than mine," Itachi said, standing behind her.
"I doubt it, with your sharingan and your complicated clan history."
"Jealous?"
"I think I'll live. Besides, I excel at tai-jutsu. I'd rather beat someone with my bare hands." Kokoa made a fist. Itachi looked at his feet with a smile.
"The sun will set soon. I should head home before my father grows upset," he said.
"I wish we could watch it set just once together."
"So do I, Kokoa. It's just…"
"I understand, Itachi-san. He's your father. I won't be the one to make you go against his word."
"Thank you, Kokoa. I'll see you tomorrow hopefully," he said, before kissing her forehead. Kokoa nodded and soon started off in the opposite direction.
"I'm home," Itachi said. He slipped out of his shoes.
"You're in trouble," Sasuke warned, running to his older brother.
"In trouble?"
"Mhm," he said. The child bobbed his head up and down for emphasis.
"You aren't lying Sasuke, are you?"
"I wouldn't lie to you, Ni-san. That's you," he said. Itachi playfully pushed him away.
"Hn, thank you for warning me. You should run along before you get in trouble, too," he told Sasuke. Itachi made his way through the house in hopes of escaping whatever trouble he was in. There it was, the door to his room. So close, so close, then,
"Itachi," Fugaku's voice sounded. Itachi shut his eyes.
"Yes, father?" he stepped into the room.
"You're late."
"Only a few minutes. I rushed home–"
"You're late."
"I understand." His gaze fell to the floor.
"Where were you?"
"With a friend."
"Playing with your friends will cloud your focus, Itachi. You have a mission coming up in a few days."
"Oh, Fugaku, he's a grown man. He always overworks himself. A couple of hours with friends won't do any harm," Mikoto said, taking a seat by her husband.
"He has a bright future ahead of him, but he won't reach it unless he focuses."
"I understand, Father. Forgive me."
"You may go." Fugaku motioned with his hand.
"Itachi?"
"Yes?" He stopped in the doorway.
"Who were you with?" Fugaku inquired, taking a sip of his tea. Itachi swallowed hard, but managed to keep his cool.
"Shisui." He disappeared from the room.
"How many times do I have to ask you? Please, Itachi?" Sasuke whined and grabbed a hold of his brother's arm.
"Sorry Sasuke, some other time," Itachi said, and, as always, gave him a poke to the forehead.
"If you won't help me train, who will?"
"Mother offered several times before. Where's father?"
"All he cares about is you, Ni-san."
"Don't be like that, Sasuke."
"It's true."
"He loves you, and so do I, but I really must go to speak with Hokage-sama. I'll be home soon. Maybe I'll help you when I return."
"Really?"
"Maybe," Itachi said and ruffled the child's hair.
"Oh, Itachi?" Mikoto called out just before he left.
"Hm?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"I know you're a good boy, and you're always so kind and honest, but tell me, truthfully Itachi, who were you with yesterday?" She faced him, drying her hands with a rag.
"I said, a friend."
"You also said it was Shisui, but I don't think it was."
He remained silent.
"Your father isn't home," she whispered. "I won't tell. I'm curious, is all. If anything, I want you to have some friends. You isolate and drown yourself in work. I want you to smile once in a while."
"You don't know her." He finally gave in.
"Her? Name?"
"Kuroki Kokoa."
"Is she a friend, or…a friend?" She winked at him.
"Mother," Itachi said, embarrassed.
"Oh, come on, Itachi. I'm your mother. I'm actually a bit hurt that I had no idea you had feelings for a girl. Is she pretty?"
"Yes."
"Is she a kunoichi?"
"Yes."
"Do you love her?"
"Mother!"
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry. Just having a bit of fun. Be home for dinner, dear," she said. She giggled and tapped his nose.
"I will. Goodbye."
"Say hello to Kokoa for me."
"Ugh." He rushed off, his mother's teasing getting to him.
"Uchiha Itachi. It's an honor to cross your path." Kokoa said, taking a bow.
"Likewise, Kuroki."
"Were you just at the Hokage's?"
"Some last minute information about my mission tomorrow."
"I see. Don't die on me."
"I'll try," he said. "I don't think I'll have a chance to see you again before I leave."
"That's alright. I understand. I'm glad you're here now," she said.
"What do you have in the bag?" Itachi pointed at the bag looped around her wrist.
"Some food. I ran out at home, and I'm hungry. I thought I'd make something really quick," she explained. Itachi looked away sadly, knowing that every day Kokoa returned to an empty house. He wanted more than anything to invite her over for dinner. He was sure she and Mikoto would get along nicely, and she already loved little Sasuke. But they both knew how strict Fugaku was and the expectations and limits he placed on Itachi. The young Uchiha was worried how he could ever have a relationship, but Kokoa wasn't like others. She understood his responsibilities and his duties to his village, his clan, and father. She also trusted him. If Itachi said they were better off keeping their relationship a secret from his father, then he was right. She never questioned him.
"Kokoa?" he said, picking at his forehead protector. "I can't stay out for too long, but I would like to take you somewhere before I leave for my mission. I was thinking a café."
"You sure do love your sweets, don't you?" She said and laughed. "I suppose there isn't a rule that says we have to eat a proper meal before indulging in treats and desserts. Let's go."
He sat in the dark on the cold floor of his room, back against the wall, eyes closed, smiling ever so slightly at the memory of Kokoa giving him a shy kiss on the corner of his mouth before leaving the café. Sasuke went to bed hours ago. Fugaku and Mikoto were in their bedroom, leaving Itachi alone with his thoughts. Tomorrow's mission would be simple, but still, he couldn't help worrying over and planning every small detail. All he truly wanted was a successful mission, a pleased father, and time with Kokoa.
"I really want to watch the sun set."
"Oi, Itachi!"
"Shisui? I'm about to leave for my mission. Talk about bad timing."
"Sorry, sorry. I just wanted to talk to you really quick about something," he said. Itachi furrowed his brow.
"I'm listening."
"Your father approached me, was it yesterday? Yes, yesterday."
"My father–." He froze upon realizing that Fugaku thought his son was with Shisui the other day.
"Yeah. He wanted to confirm that we were together the other day. I wasn't sure what he meant, but I had the feeling that if I said no, he would have been extremely upset, and I didn't want you to get in trouble, so I lied for you," he said, nudging Itachi in the ribs.
"Thank you, Shisui. How could I forget to tell you to cover for me if he asked?" he said more to himself.
"I figured whatever you were off doing meant something to you. What your father doesn't know won't hurt him. You do everything you're supposed to anyway. A little time to yourself isn't so bad."
"It seems as though everyone but my father keeps saying that."
"May I ask what you were up to, or is it that bad?"
"I was with someone is all."
"Someone, eh?"
"Yes."
"Well, since you're in a hurry, how about you tell me when you return, over some drinks maybe?" Shisui offered.
"We're still too young, if you hadn't noticed."
"You're going to have to tell me eventually. You do trust me, don't you?"
"Of course I do. You're one of the few I actually trust."
"Good, good. Hurry back. This mission should be a breeze for you."
"I'll try. Goodbye, Shisui."
"Sasuke," she said, walking over to him.
"Kokoa, I haven't seen you in a long time." He greeted her by hugging her leg.
"It hasn't been that long, has it?" She put a finger to her chin.
"It has. I missed you."
"I missed you too. What are you up to?"
"Shuriken training. Father is always working or telling Itachi to do things, and Itachi is always doing the things he has to do, so I decided I'm training all by myself to get stronger," he declared.
"Well good for you. Practicing on your own is really good, too. You'll get it in no time." She poked his chest.
"Do you know where your brother is? I know he came back from his mission, but I thought I'd give him a day or two to rest and all. I haven't seen him anywhere. He's not at the lake, is he?" she inquired.
"Nope."
"At home?"
"Nu uh."
"At the Hokage's office, the hospital, the library, the dango stand?"
"No, no, no, and you would think, but nnnnooope!"
"Alright then, Sasuke, where is your big brother?"
"I'll tell you if you help me."
"Help you–oh the training. I guess I can share a few tips. You're pretty smart for a kid."
"I am an Uchiha. Besides, I have to beat Itachi. I won't lose to him."
"It's not a competition," she said, "but I'll still help. Pay close attention. First of all, you have to get the grip down, but you seem to be holding it correctly. If you want to be really good, practice throwing it both vertically and horizontally. I'll show you both. Watch." She picked one up, positioned herself slowly so that he could see, then launched it, embedding it in the log.
"It's about shifting your weight, how you move your arm, and when you actually release the star."
"Oh, I get it! Like this!" He snatched one and tried imitating her moves. He threw it but missed his target. She watched him surprised.
'I had more tips, but if he's happy with this, then I'm off the hook.'
"You're getting it, you're getting it. Once you feel comfortable holding and releasing it, just work on your aim. Of course, being an Uchiha, you'll have it mastered by tomorrow, right?"
"You bet!"
"So where is Itachi?"
"I last saw him going to the forest where he and I train sometimes."
"Thank you, Sasuke. I'll see you around." She waved, running off.
"Wouldn't a nice soft bed or sofa be more comfortable than the trunk of a tree?"
"Kokoa?" Itachi looked up from his spot on the ground. "How did you know I'd be here?"
"I asked Sasuke. Of course, he charged me."
"Charged you?"
"I had to give him tips on shuriken throwing before he revealed where you were. Smart boy he is," she said.
"Thank you for that. I've been meaning to help him out, but things just keep popping up," he explained.
"It's no big deal. He doesn't seem so bothered by it, or he at least understands that you would help, but you just have so much to do. He'll be fine. You, on the other hand, don't look so fine." She walked over, lowering herself beside him.
"I'm ok. No need to worry."
"It's a bit too late for that. Did something happen? Did the mission not turn out so well?"
"A member of my team was badly injured. He'll be fine, but it was pretty bad out there. I'm feeling conflicted."
"Conflicted?"
"We succeeded, accomplished what we set out to do, but my father still isn't pleased. He's upset about the injury. Some things just can't be prevented. Other shinobi abandon fallen comrades. We didn't. The mission was a success, but someone got hurt. He makes it so that everything has to be perfect, flawless. He isn't satisfied. He never is. He takes away the joy of the success by bringing up the mistakes. Doesn't he think I feel guilty enough? I would do anything to keep my comrades safe. I tried, but many things are beyond our control."
"He's really pushing you, isn't he?"
"I love my father, and I would do anything for him, but these expectations, these missions, it's overwhelming. I barely see my mother, and I never have time for you or Sasuke. I understand he wants me to do well in life and to make the Uchiha proud, but–"
"You're also a human being who has his own limitations and expectations," she finished. He nodded.
"I feel guilty for neglecting you."
"You don't neglect me. Itachi-san, I understand your situation. I knew what this relationship would be like right from the start. Sure, I don't see you every single day, but that makes the days that I do see you all the more special. I love being with you, but I know we all live different lives, and we have to make sacrifices for the ones we care about. So please don't feel guilty." She took his hand.
"One day things will change. You'll break free and make your own path as a strong and noble shinobi, and your father will accept it. It'll all work out in time. While you wait for it all to fall into place, you can always come to me for anything, but you already know that." She punched him playfully.
"Hm, I do, I do." He kissed the top of her head. "One day Kokoa, one day we'll get to watch the sun set."