Naruto- More than a Number-Part 1.

Chapter 19 Cotton.

(Mio POV)

I squint through thick lashes as the sound of soft sobs stir me from my sleep. I rub my eyes gently and sit up pulling on my tired, lazy muscles. A quiet yawn escapes my lips as I stretch and climb out of bed, my body moving on its own towards the unsettling cries. I continue to rub my eyes encouraging my heavy lids to stay open.

My feet tap softly against the floorboards until I find myself in front of Itachi's bedroom door. I hear the sniffles more clearly now, but still muffled by the door between us. My eyes widen slightly as I become more alert. Itachi's...crying? Over the years that I've known Itachi, not once do I recall him crying, he never really shows any emotions and especially not the ones that could be deemed as weak.

Slowly I lift my arm and gently pull his bedroom door open, stepping into his dark room and closing the door shut behind me. I notice a lump in his blankets and sense his saddened chakra from beneath the thick layers. Without being noticed I move quietly towards his bed and take a seat on the edge of his mattress.

I stare at his covered form and listen as he tries to hide his sniffles, before lifting the covers from over his head. I watch carefully as he lays with his back facing me, avoiding eye contact as he ignores my presence as best he can.

I stay still in silence for a bit, before placing a gentle, cold hand on his warm cheek and wipe my thumb calmly across his tear stained face. I sense his body stiffen at the sudden action, but ignore it and continue caressing his face to help calm him down. Slowly I recline back until I'm laying on my back beside him. I gently take his closest hand in mine and stroke comforting circles on the back of his hand. I shut my eyes and relax beside him, ready if he wants to speak.

The bed shifts after a while and I sense Itachi's gaze on me and open my drowsy eyes to meet red ones, catching me off guard. I note the black tomoe in each eye and the tears getting stored up and almost ready to pour down like waterfalls. I offer a sympathetic smile, realizing the pain he must of gone through to gain the dojutsu. His eyes drop and more tears fall, quickly I brush them away and pull Itachi into my arms, giving him a comforting bear hug. He shakes in my arms, eventually hugging back and hiding his face in my shoulder.

"He was my friend and now he's gone," he states, his voice muffled in my shoulder. My eyes widen in surprise, that was what I thought when I lost Chimon. I tighten my arms around Itachi and rest my face in his shoulder, rubbing his back soothingly.

"I'm sorry for doing this to you," Itachi apologizes pulling away from me embarrassed after a while. I shake my head with a warm smile and gently wipe any stray tears away quickly.

'Not at all, it's fine. You're like a brother, I don't want to see you sad. You mean a lot to me and I love you. I'll never see you as weak Itachi,' I admit and I notice his lips lift up slightly.

"Thanks," he whispers and I nod.

'No problem, if you ever need to talk to someone I'm always here,' I sign and he nods.

"You three can stay in here," Asahi ushers us towards a spare room in his large house. Itachi and Shisui's parents are out tonight, so we're staying with Asahi.

"Alright," Shisui grins and we enter quietly.

I observe the large room, a big window on one side allowing the warm afternoon sun to embellish the room with a soft light. I note two couches facing each other and storage doors at the back of the room most likely holding futons or something.

Suddenly I feel something soft rub against my leg and look down to see a purring cat, but not just any cat; my cat.

"Cotton!" Asahi exclaims in surprise as he stares down at the dark brown cat. I squat down and stroke her head affectionately earning a purr in return.