Chapter Text
The alleyways of Konoha were buzzing as usual. It was early spring and the climate of the village was particularly pleasant. Cherry-blossom tress lined up adding to the village’s existing beauty, petals joining hands with the breeze to become one with the earth.
For the villagers, it was the perfect weather to come out of their homes. Whether it was business or trade, Konoha was splendid in all. Arrival of spring meant festivities and celebrations, which in turn meant tourism would be excellent.
But for a certain young Uchiha, it was the perfect weather to train and enhance his skills.
Sasuke walked towards the forest lining the Uchiha district. The training grounds were frequented by genin teams and as much as he was excited to be in the academy, he was not fond of making friends.
He did have a self-proclaimed friend though. A blonde who jumped in front of him on the first day and declared that Sasuke was his friend. His name was Naruto. Sasuke didn’t particularly like him, but Naruto would always pull him to play on the grounds. He would reluctantly join, but end up enjoying the game.
Even if Naruto was somehow okay to play with, that did not mean that he was a good training partner.
He would just bother me and get in the way of my training.
His goals were extraordinary. He is an Uchiha after all. He could have asked Itachi to train with him, but apparently, his brother was called for a mission. Sasuke threw a tantrum, of course, but his forehead was met with the usual poke and “Maybe next time, Sasuke.”
Nii-chan should just tell me he doesn’t want to teach me anything.
The six-year-old always wanted to spend more time with his brother. He remembered the times when he and Itachi would roam around the Uchiha district, running errands for their mother, playing with cousin Shisui, and sometimes visit their father at the Konoha Police Force office to give him lunch.
He desperately wanted his father to pay him attention. Uchiha Fugaku was a stern man and was very sparse in giving compliments. Usually, his compliments were only reserved for Itachi for his exceptional performance or his wife Mikoto during dinners. Sasuke was yet to receive such praise from his father.
His mother did tell him that his father would talk about how proud he was of him at night when he was asleep, but Sasuke knew his mother wanted to make him feel better. Hence, he had asked his father to teach him their clan’s special Fireball Jutsu, eager to prove him that he was fit to be an Uchiha too.
His father was genuinely surprised at his eagerness, and Sasuke believes he saw something change in the way his father looked at him. He learnt the technique, the hand signs, and how he needed for his chakra to flow. But his first attempt failed as he was just able to blow a few sparks out of his mouth. He looked at his father with uncertain eyes, readying himself for a scolding or at least a bit of stern comment. But he heard none.
His father looked at him, observing his face silently, and spoke, “Your brother was able to perform this jutsu on his very first try. But you are different Sasuke. Practise it until you get on a level where you can show me what being an Uchiha truly means.”
For an outsider, it would seem that his father was scolding him. But Sasuke knew that it was Uchiha Fugaku’s way of encouragement. Sasuke raised his head making eye contact with his father, and then suddenly bowed, his raven bangs covering his face. “I’ll make sure to show you the result of my hard work Otou-san.”
His father was initially caught with surprise but nodded with his eyes closed and told him that he will wait until that day.
And so, here Sasuke was venturing into the forest nearby, to find a suitable place for his practice. His father had taken him to the lake behind the district, so he too, searched for a source of water in case of emergencies like burns.
I will show Otou-san what I am capable of. And then Nii-san will have no choice but to train with me. Ha!
Rejoicing inwardly, Sasuke reached near the bank of a small river.
Perfect.
He began his practice, repeating the same steps his father had taught him. He felt heat rising from his throat, ready to come out in the form of fire.
Cough! Cough!
Sasuke felt as though his insides were on fire. He knew it was perfectly normal to fail multiple times, but that did nothing to quench his anger. He was agitated by himself. Why couldn’t he be like his brother?
He tried again. And again. Repeatedly.
His cheeks were throbbing with a burning sensation. His mouth was dry and each time he exhaled, he could see smoke coming out. Unable to bear any longer, Sasuke approached the river and splashed water on his face. He drank and rinsed his mouth, trying to cool himself.
The water helped in stopping the heat radiating from him, but it did nothing for the burns across his cheeks.
He decided to go home and find his mother to help him. His eyes throbbed as he felt them get watery.
I shouldn’t cry. Uchiha don’t cry.
Nevertheless, tears made their way down from his eyes as he ran wanting to embrace his mother.
Mikoto was busy in the kitchen making preparations for dinner. She meticulously planned every dish, neatly chopping the vegetables and making sure to check the rice.
I should make Tomato Miso Soup today. Sasuke loves it.
She was pulled out of her thoughts by little hands embracing her from behind. She smiled knowing exactly who it was. Turning around to see her son, her eyes widened when she saw his tear-stricken face, covered with bruises which looked like burns.
“Sasuke dear! What’s the matter?”
Sasuke just hugged her again, unable to process any words. Mikoto silently patted his head, trying to calm him down. She understood that he must be practicing Katon.
“Come here, love. Let me see your face. Let’s apply salve on it, okay?”
Sasuke nodded, loosening his grip on her and silently followed her into the living room. He always felt at ease with his mother. She was the one who would always took his side. She was also the reason why Sasuke loved his brother dearly.
Nii-chan looks like Otou-san, but he is also loving like Oka-san.
Mikoto carefully applied the salve on Sasuke’s cheeks and bandaged the burns. She knew it was painful, but Sasuke was trying to hold himself back, as if he wanted to show his mother how strong he was. Mikoto couldn’t help but chuckle at her son.
“There. All done.”
“Thank you, Oka-san.” Sasuke replied, smiling through the pain, and hugged his mother. Her embrace was something which always managed to calm him down, give him hope and made him smile.
The next day, Sasuke returned to the river in the forest, determined to keep practicing. He concentrated on his chakra and did the hand signs.
Horse, Tiger, Serpent, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse and Tiger.
Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu!
Sasuke took in a deep breath of air, as much as his lungs could take in and blew, forcing out a small trail of fire.
Yes! I am getting it!
He then decided to practice throwing shuriken as he was getting out of chakra. Sasuke went to his usual place where Itachi had made targets out of wood for him to practice.
Suddenly, the nearby bush rustled, breaking him out of his thoughts. Was it an animal?
Sasuke got ready with his shuriken, in a defensive position, glaring at the bushes. He approached it with caution and pushed the bushes aside to have a clear look. But all he could see was.....
Pink?
Sasuke took a while to process what was in front of him. A girl, who seemed to be the same age as him. But with pink hair.
Pink hair?
He had seen all types of hair colors. His clan mainly had darker tones like brown or black and ebony like his. He had seen pale blonde and even red. He knew a boy named Naruto in the academy whose hair was blonde. But Pink was new to him. It somehow reminded him of cherry-blossom trees surrounding the village. It also reminded him of the pink-colored dumpling of Itachi’s dango.
Sasuke continued to stare at the girl, unable to take his eyes off. To his surprise, the girl turned abruptly and faced him.
Tch. She turned around after whole two minutes. Her reflexes suck. She’s not cut out to be a shinobi.
However, his thoughts were interrupted when he finally took a look at her face.
“Umm… Hello?” The girl attempted to talk somehow recognizing that he was staring at her.
“......” Sasuke was unable to formulate any words.
She has green eyes.....
“H-hello. Sorry if I disturbed you. I-i was just looking at these flowers and- , um....Excuse me?”
Sasuke suddenly gathered himself, his cheeks turning red. Embarrassed that he was staring at her so blatantly, he replied,
“You need to get out of here. It’s a forest.”
She knows it’s a forest. Why tell her the obvious?
He pushed his thoughts inside, already feeling heat rising to his cheeks. He turned his face away, trying to calm himself down.
I must be feeling like this because I’m out of chakra.
“I actually know you, you know. We are classmates in the academy.”
Why is she trying to talk?
“Ah. Maybe. I don’t look around often.” He replied, his face still turned away.
“Oh. I see....”
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Her head was down as if she was......Disappointed?
“T-then, see you later in the academy, Sasuke-kun!”
The girl flashed him a toothy grin, which succeeded in turning him red once again. But slowly he realized what she called him as.
“Oi! Who gave you permission-”
He whipped his head only to find her running away with a little skip in her steps.
Was she that happy to call him by his name?
Tch. Silly girl.
If her goal was to distract him from his shuriken practice, then well she had succeeded.
Sasuke could only wish he wouldn’t see that girl again, who could apparently make him feel funny in his stomach.