Itachi and Izumi

The rising sun climbed above the sea.

The Hokage Building.

Kakashi arrived earlier than anyone else today.

But he seemed hesitant, as if he had something on his mind.

"Kakashi, you're here early today. Is there something you need to discuss with Lord Hokage?"

The guard at the entrance walked over, taking a bite out of a steamed bun.

"Ah..."

"It's nothing important..."

"By the way, has Lord Hokage arrived?"

Kakashi asked with a smile, scratching his head.

"Lord Hokage never left last night. Lord Danzo suddenly showed up around midnight."

Kakashi froze for a moment. "All right, thanks."

Then he headed upstairs.

But as he climbed the stairs, he began to hesitate again.

"Uchiha Chuanyu..."

"Why has Shisui never mentioned him?"

Perhaps because of his position in the Anbu,

he was particularly sensitive to people with vague identities.

When he reached the door to the Hokage's office, Kakashi suddenly stopped with his right hand raised.

"That child seems very important to Itachi..."

After struggling with his thoughts for a while, Kakashi finally lowered his hand, turned around, and headed downstairs.

Just then, the door to the room next door opened. Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo stepped out and happened to see Kakashi.

"Kakashi, is there something you need to report?"

Hiruzen suddenly called out to him.

With his back to the two men, Kakashi let out a deep sigh.

"Good morning, Third Hokage... I was passing by, so I thought I'd stop in and see you."

Kakashi turned around and said with a smile.

Itachi had been right.

Kakashi had managed to convince himself to let it go.

"Yesterday's mission went very well. Everyone's getting the day off, so head home."

Hiruzen waved Kakashi away.

Kakashi understood and hurried downstairs, leaving the building.

"Get up! The sun's up!"

Chuan Yu blinked sleepily. Sasuke was at his bedside, sucking on a lollipop.

"You're so noisy..."

Chuan Yu turned over and went back to sleep.

"Second Brother's a lazybones! A lazybones!"

Little Sasuke got more and more carried away, jumping onto Chuan Yu's bed and bouncing around.

Chuan Yu frowned, sat up, and pinned Sasuke to the bed.

"Are you asking for a dance?!"

Seeing Chuan Yu's fierce expression, Sasuke suddenly pouted, looking so upset he seemed about to cry.

Chuan Yu immediately covered his face. "Be good, Sasuke. Second Brother was just teasing you. Second Brother's really sleepy and wants to sleep. Can you let him get some rest?"

The nearly crying look on Sasuke's face suddenly turned into a mischievous grin. "No!"

A few minutes later, Chuan Yu slumped against the headboard, utterly defeated.

Sasuke was still cheering and bouncing around in front of him.

What could he do? He was Sasuke's second brother.

He just had to put up with it...

Suddenly, the door opened, and Itachi walked in wearing different clothes.

"You're both off today. Want to go out and have some fun?"

"Yay!!!"

Chuan Yu especially wanted to sleep in today, but Itachi rarely invited the two of them out together.

After getting ready, the three brothers strolled out of the house.

"Itachi! I'm over here!"

Sasuke and Chuan Yu both turned to look.

A pretty girl with long hair was waving enthusiastically at them.

Her skin was delicate, her figure trim. Itachi sure was lucky...

Seeing both of his little brothers react the same way, Itachi flicked them each on the forehead.

Sasuke and Chuan Yu rubbed their sore heads in protest, then followed Itachi over to the young woman.

"Oh, is this Sasuke? You've gotten so big! I remember when you were little, you'd only let Itachi hold you. If I tried, you'd cry and cry."

The moment she said that, a scene flashed backward through Chuan Yu's mind.

Izumi Uchiha?

"Hello, big sister! But if you held me now, I definitely wouldn't cry!"

Sasuke shamelessly walked up with his arms out, asking to be picked up.

"Watch yourself!"

Chuan Yu flicked Sasuke on the forehead.

"Who's this little boy?"

Izumi Uchiha walked over to Chuan Yu, crouched down, and gently pinched his cheek.

"He's my little brother too..."

"But that's a long story..."

"Why don't we get going first?"

"Sure!"

The sunlight wasn't too hot today, and a gentle breeze stirred the air. It was especially pleasant.

The four of them made their way to the seaside.

The sea breeze put Chuan Yu in an excellent mood.

"Itachi, I remember you like the three-colored dango."

Izumi smiled sweetly and took a box from her backpack.

When she opened it, there were two skewers of three-colored dango inside.

Itachi paused, then swallowed.

"I didn't think you'd remember..."

"Of course! How could I forget?"

Izumi took out a skewer and handed it to him.

"Big Brother! I want some too!"

Sasuke stared fixedly at the dango, drooling like crazy.

Itachi didn't hesitate. He took two dumplings off the skewer and gave them to Sasuke and Chuan Yu.

Izumi watched Itachi without blinking, her eyes growing brighter and brighter.

"Do you remember these?"

She opened her backpack again and took out another box.

"Cat ears?!"

Itachi's cheeks suddenly turned red.

Some foolish things people did when they were young stayed etched in someone else's memory forever...

"Back when we were on that mission together, you put these ears on while we were looking for a cat. The cat thought you were one of its own, haha."

Izumi laughed happily as she spoke.

"Uh..."

Itachi seemed a little awkward.

Seeing her big brother act so hopelessly, Chuan Yu couldn't help feeling anxious for him.

"Big Sister Izumi, do you like my big brother?"

Chuan Yu walked over and asked suddenly.

"Chuan Yu! Don't say things like that!"

Itachi hurriedly covered Chuan Yu's mouth.

Izumi didn't get angry at Chuan Yu's question. She looked at Itachi seriously and nodded.

Itachi's neck and cheeks were as red as tomatoes. She'd just confessed to him, but he was still standing there like a wooden post, at a loss for what to do.

"I just don't know how he feels about me."

Izumi suddenly lowered her head. The deep affection in her eyes turned into tears that fell.

"I like how straightforward you are! I'll answer for my big brother!"

Chuan Yu pulled free of Itachi's arm, grabbed the bewildered Sasuke, and made a quick getaway.

In an instant, only Itachi and Izumi were left. The air grew unbearably awkward.

"That guy..."

Itachi muttered, lowering his head. He didn't dare look up.

Izumi, on the other hand, slowly edged closer. Itachi's heart was practically leaping out of his chest!

"Itachi..."

"Do you like me?"

Izumi suddenly looked him in the eyes and asked earnestly.

"You know what my position is..."

"In the Anbu... I might have to sacrifice myself for the village at any moment..."

"I'm just afraid..."

Izumi suddenly covered Itachi's mouth.

"Then that means you agree..."

Izumi leaned against Itachi's chest and closed her eyes. "Don't talk about tomorrow. If you do, you'll be afraid forever..."

"Big Brother, you look really hot. Here, have some water!"

Chuan Yu ran back over and handed him a bottle of water.

Itachi's right hand trembled as he took the bottle. Slowly, his left arm wrapped around Izumi's waist.

"Ah, this really is hard."

Chuan Yu watched Itachi and Izumi finally get together and sighed deeply.

"Ah, this really is hard."

Beside him, little Sasuke imitated Chuan Yu and repeated what he'd just said.

"You asking for a dance again?"

Chuan Yu glared at Sasuke.

"Second Brother..."

"I'm not strong enough yet..."

"When I can beat you..."

"I'll dance right in front of you!!!"

After saying that, Sasuke turned and ran off.

"You little brat! Have some respect for your second brother! I'm going to teach you a lesson today!!!"

Rolling up his sleeves, Chuan Yu charged after Sasuke.