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Thick bushes were a great shelter from the heat of the day and unwanted gazes, and it was perfectly fitted for the six-year-old kid. You breathed deeply, calming your breath from recent running. It was your hideout, your little safe place where you hid when your father screamed at you when you sneak out to see another group of wounded shinobi coming back from the frontlines. No one knew about this place. Well no one except...
Suddenly, someone appeared just near you. You jumped in place, terrified that someone had found you, but moments later you recognized big black eyes adorned with long lashes, raven-black hair, and a genuine smile.
“Shisui! Stop doing this!” You scoffed at him. “You can’t be here!”
The boy snorted with a smile “Nobody can tell me that!”
“But they can! Fugaku-sama will be angry again! He said to my mother that you can’t play with me anymore!”
“I don’t care what he said. I want to play with you.”
He laughed as he handed you a neatly wrapped onigiri and a small bottle of water. You unwrapped a small package, sharing a variety of forest fruits that you picked on the way to the hideout.
Time passed quickly, as usual with your friend’s company, talking about recent events, the academy, laughing from teachers and other students. But something in him was different than usual, so you started to pull his leg as you both finished eating.
“(Y/n), it’s just that I’ve made a decision.” The boy said, sitting on his knees with a very serious expression.
“Huh? What ‘decision’, ‘Sui?”
“Can you promise you’ll keep it a secret?”
You huffed “I never told anyone about anything you’ve told me! Of course, I will!”
“(Y/n), I want you to be my wife.” He said solemnly, his face burning red from blush.
You giggled hearing his preposterous words “What? Like, now?”
“No, baka! Someday! When will we grow up? You know, as adults do!”
“Fugaku-sama will never let this happen.”
“I will figure it out! You’ll see! You’re my friend and Uruchi-sama said once that I should be friends with my future wife!”
“That’s stupid. How can you be sure we’ll still be friends!” You couldn't stop giggling at the thought of marriage.
“I’m sure we will!” Shisui crossed his arm on his chest, lips twisted in an offending gesture.
It made you laugh more, seeing your friend like that. But you didn't want to make your friend angry or sad. “Okay fine! I agree!” you joked, knowing that the head of the Uchiha clan would never let this happen.
Your hand darted to him. He shook it in agreement, this time with a wide smile. But one thought came to your mind, a little thing that you remembered from your cousin’s wedding. “But wait. People are supposed to kiss on their wedding day, right?”
You both looked at each other, with fear in your eyes, and taking your hands back, you both screamed loudly “Ewwwww!” before you started to laugh at each other again.
***
You were sitting at the riverbank in the middle of a forest near Konohagakure. You had a book in your hands, but it was closed. Only your index finger plucked in between the pages, marked where you stopped reading. It was a warm day, spring was about to transfer into the long-awaited summer.
It was peaceful around, birds chirping somewhere in the three crowns. The river flowed peacefully reflecting the single sunrays that got through the thick layer of leafage. You leaned your back against the nearest root that reached to the riverside, dipping bare, still tired from the last mission, feet in cold water.
You were about to doze off when you felt a sudden shift in the air around. Book fell from your hands, landing in the flowing water, soaking the yellowish old pages. You almost fell as well, slipping on the wet and slippery stones, luckily someone's hand grabbed you, and pulled you onto the sand.
“Shisui!” You scoffed at the boy “How many times have I told you not to do this!”
The fifteen-year-old boy laughed, wiping the tears out of his eyes “I’m so sorry (Y/n), I didn’t mean to startle you like that!”
“But you always do!”
Raven-haired laughed more, seeing your resentment. You took a step back, putting your both feet in the water firmly, and with one kick-like move, you sprayed cold water all over the laughing boy.
“Shouldn’t you be on a mission?”
“I’m leaving soon. I came to say goodbye.”
“ Goodbye? ‘Sui, you’re not leaving forever.”
He hummed, rolling his eyes. “I might. What if I die on it?” Catching your hands he pulled you out of the water, on the dry riverbank.
You snickered “You won’t. You’ll teleport yourself out of the troubles like you always do.”
“You’re right, you're right.” He laughed along with you “But still, I need to tell you something. It’s very important, and I need you to promise to keep this as a secret for now.”
You rolled your eyes “I never told anyone anything. Your secret is safe with me, ‘Sui.”
“Okay, come closer. I can’t risk anybody to hear it.”
You missed the mischievous smirk growing on his lips, and playful sparks bursting in his eyes. You took a step forward and leaned to hear whatever Shisui had to say, but his hand darted to you, palm cupped your cheek when he pulled you closer. Your heart fluttered when his lips pressed into yours, giving you the first in your life kiss. The shy one, closed-mouth. The stupid romance books didn’t describe it as something so wet. They were right about the “butterflies” in your stomach though. It ended as abruptly as it started. Your face felt hot, full of embarrassment and astonishment. He grinned seeing your reaction.
“Shisui! What was that?!” You nearly screamed when you regained your composure.
His grin widened, happy that you didn’t scoff at him, or tried to hit him “Do you want to be my girlfriend?”
“W-what?”
“I asked if you want to be my girlfriend. We spend a lot of time together, and I can share anything with you… And… I- I... The thing is I-” Shisui’s face burned red, gaze deflecting from meeting yours “I like you a lot, (Y/n)!”
“What about your clan elders? They will never agree to have someone from outside the Uchiha. You are always so concerned about them, I don’t want to-”
“I care about them, but… I don’t like anyone from my clan as much as I like you. I know that it would be hard not to show it openly but...”
Shisui looked at you with anticipation. He was your closest friend since you remembered, always protective over you, training with you, sharing almost everything. You grew accustomed to his presence in your life, and you couldn’t deny that you liked him a bit too much - you actually considered him as your crush.
Trying not to burn from the embarrassment, with a badly hidden smile you nodded, accepting his proposition.
He jumped in place, catching you in his arms and pulling into a hug “Awesome. I promise, when I get back, I’ll take you somewhere!” Another wet kiss decorated your cheek, and without any sign he disappeared, teleporting away, leaving you stunned but bursting from happiness from the inside.
***
Something bad was about to happen. You could feel that in your bones. It was another sleepless night, another one when you managed to fall asleep for an hour or two and woke up covered in sweat and panting like you just ran the marathon. You were unable to recall the dream, every time, any memory of it faded away as soon as you opened your eyes.
This night wasn’t different. Couldn’t force yourself to sleep anymore. Having a single light illuminating your room you tried to focus on anything, just to draw your mind away from the overwhelming feeling of anxiety.
The air around you shifted suddenly. If it wasn’t so familiar, you'd have thought that somewhere in your house one of the windows opened, giving up under the strength of wind raging outside.
“Shisui…” You breathed.
“Hey there, Kitten.”
You turned around to feel how the young man caught you in between his arms and held you close. Something was wrong, underneath your fingers, when you rubbed his back and the nape of his neck, you felt how tensed his muscles were.
“What’s going on?” You asked softly. “You are all uptight.”
“It’s… I need some work to attend to. Tough one. I need to go before the sunrise, and I’m just… Anxious.”
“I understand.” You sighed, your fingers stroked his black hair. “Can I help you somehow sweetie?”
“Hold me tonight? I just need to know that you’re close.”
You nodded, pulling him onto the bed. He curled into your chest, listening to your heartbeat. He often did that before missions, or when he felt really tired. It soothed him, so he said. But he still seemed uneasy, despite the sweet soothing things you whispered to his ear.
“I love you, Kitten, you know?” He said, all of a sudden, breaking the silence that fell between you when you thought he fell asleep. His voice was a bit shaky. All of this filled you with nervous feelings.
“I know, I love you too, Crow.” You shifted, making him look in your eyes. “Look, I’m worried about you, I’ve never seen you so nervous like that. What’s going on?”
“I actually…” He moved, sat on his knees next to you. His voice was quiet, near to whisper “I actually wanted to ask you something.”
“Of course, what is it?”
“I know that it’s not yet the time when we can decide for our future even if our ranks would suggest otherwise but...” The little smile adorned his lips, blush painted little red spots on his cheeks and nose as always when he felt nervous. “I've liked you since I remember. You were always by my side, whether good or bad, it didn’t matter if I achieved something or lost someone. I never thought that my childish promise would ever come true but… When we both finally became adults on paper… Would you do me the honor, and become my wife (Y/n)?”
“‘Sui…” You felt an itch in the corners of your eyes as tears started to form in them. Your heart pounded like it wanted to jump out of your chest.
With closed eyes, he took a deep breath.
“It’s just a few months for you and me. I love you. I truly love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I don’t care what Fugaku-sama will say, I want to make you an Uchiha so no one can tear us apart.” From his pocket, he pulled out a small ring. Silver shimmered in dim light, red glass surrounded by delicate petals reflected the single rays. “You were always concerned that my clan means a lot to me. How we had to keep our relationship a secret, and how I felt about lying to everyone around just to be with you. That I was faithful to them, and I still wanted you by my side despite the consequences we could face.”
Sitting next to the young man, you were speechless. You loved him since forever, maybe even before you realized you had a stupid teen crush on him. You imagined countless times how it would be, being together forever, having children, grandchildren, growing old together, even if shinobi life wouldn’t make you so sure about that. You put out your shaky hand, unfolding your fingers, giving him room to slide the delicate silver loop on your finger.
“This is my contribution. I want you to continue the lineage with me, not someone picked by the elders that I will never love. My heart belongs to you, (Y/n), and I want to create a family with you someday. I can’t imagine anyone else being the mother of my children, or being that one and only with whom I will grow old, wrinkled, and grumpy. Fugaku-sama can renounce me if he wishes to. I love you, (Y/n). I’m forever yours.” He kissed the top of your palm, next to the ring he just slid on it.
Unable to say anything, you cupped his cheeks and pulled him into a long kiss. He curled up against your chest again, this time, much calmer and with a small smile painted on his lips. And like that, you both fell asleep, dreaming about your future that was to come.
But as he said, he was gone before the sunrise.
***
You were looking at the picture standing on the shelf. You’ve been staring at it with a wide smile for some time, abandoning the cleaning routine you recently developed.
The day of your secret wedding. The day Shisui turned eighteen, and you both were finally considered adults in its full meaning, you found someone who agreed to wed the two of you, without asking questions about what the great Uchiha clan will think about it.
The head of the clan was furious at first. He banned him from living in the Uchiha district until he’ll “reconsider his actions”. Of course, Shisui never “reconsidered” them. If someone did, it was Fugaku. Four years after your marriage, the newest member of the Uchiha clan was born. A son. Shishui’s firstborn.
That day, not by himself, but through his wife, Fugaku passed you the message that Shisui, you, and your child are welcomed to live with the rest of the clan. You accepted, knowing that the little apartment that you’ve rented will not be enough for a growing family.
Still, you were living in the outskirts of the district, accepted by most of the younger members, but still rejected by the elders. But it was enough for you, and your family.
A little whimper came from upstairs, snapping you out of your thoughts. It turned to a cry quickly, so you left your chores, and headed to the upper floor. But in the middle of the staircase, the cry stopped, a soothing voice came from the small room.
On your tiptoes you peeked through the ajar doors to see your husband holding your newborn daughter, humming some lullaby to the little one.
“You’re home early…” You whisper, looking at the baby’s peaceful little face. You don’t know how, but Shisui’s touch always soothed your children and made them sleep faster than you managed to do.
“I was about to open the doors when I heard her cry. Thought you might be asleep so… I took care of this little lady.”
You scooped the little girl from his arms to lush her back to sleep and put her back into the cradle.
“Where is our son? Since I’m back earlier, I could go and train with him.”
“Itachi took him to the training grounds.” You rolled your eyes seeing the fake angry expression on Shisui’s face. “He is five, he asked Itachi to train with him. He just wants you to be proud of him.”
“I know, I know... So it seems like our son loves his uncle, huh?” Shisui laughed silently, remembering how he and Itachi used to train, with a hint of pride in his voice. “I must take him somewhere out, find him some girl finally.”
“I’m sure he can take care of himself.” You giggled under your breath, feeling his hands wrapping around your hips, resting his head on your arm.
You closed your eyes, breathing the scent of the man nearby. He smelled like the road through which he was traveling mixed with a scent of forest, pines especially. He kissed your neck, murmuring something about home, and how he loves his family.
You leaned onto Shisui with closed eyes, breathing his scent, thanking all Gods how wonderful your life was.
***
You open your eyes seeing the blue sky above. Scraps of something unrecognizable are scattered around you.
Shisui?
Rapidly you get up, your head spins around.
“Shisui?!” You cry, with a voice full of fear.
People around are cheering. Saying something about someone saving them. But it doesn't matter. Your eyes search through the field, reaching everywhere they can.
“Shisui?!” You cry one more time.
Someone’s hands grab your arms and shake you violently. Someone’s eyes in front of yours, looking with concern.
“(Y/n)?! Hey! Look at me! (Y/n)?!” That someone screams, yet you hear him through the thick veil.
“Shisui… Where is Shisui Uchiha?!” You ask that someone, you’re sure you know him. Your hands grip his vest, nearly tearing the green material into pieces.
“(Y/n)...” His eyes filled with sorrow and sorry. Pain flickers through his gaze. “Shisui Uchiha died ten years ago…”
The words are pulling you out from the last clutches of hope that still held thoughts about Shusui, your beloved husband, forever by your side. About your little son, and a newborn daughter. A family you could’ve created.
Your hands shake, as you reach under your vest, and pull a little chain from underneath it. Silver shimmers in the same way as you’ve seen it for the first time.
You look at the little silver ring, adorned by a flower with little red glass in the center of it. Bloody-red as was his Sharingan.
It feels heavy in your hand like it weighs a ton.
The promise of family, happiness, and love.
The symbol of your dreams, that will never come true.