Shinobi Chronicles: Naruto One Shots and Headcanons

🌸 Itachi ☆ Just Helping Out Part 2 🌸

~Flufffff and comedy continued~

Onsen – hot spring

"Oh. Thank you, Itachi. I hope I wasn't too much of a bother," she said nervously.

"Not at all. You were cute," he replied nonchalantly as he neatened his lovely raven hair.

For the rest of the morning, y/n was stuck inside her own head. Had he called her antics

cute? Or could he possibly have meant her? And what exactly had gotten into him lately?

She was no closer to an explanation when their mission finally came to an end. They were all exhausted and in dire need of some rest and relaxation. Unfortunately, it'd still be some days before they made it back to the hideout.

"What I wouldn't give for a bath right now," y/n grumbled.

"Sorry y/n. We won't be in a town until tomorrow at the least," Kisame said. "We'll be camping again tonight."

"I figured," she sighed glumly.

So much time had passed since they'd first left that the waxing moon was now full.

Its light was enough to faintly illuminate the rough path she was now travelling on, following the insistent Uchiha who'd woken her up for what she thought was her watch, but had instead instructed her to come with him.

Her jaw dropped as they finally emerged from the canopy of the forest into the open.

Before them roared a decent sized waterfall, the dark swirling waters in the pool at its base reflecting a thousand twinkling lights.

"It's no onsen, but I thought it would be better than nothing," Itachi finally said.

She was struck by his thoughtfulness. Not only had he heard her complaints, but he'd gone out of his way for her. Again.

"Thank you, but you really didn't have to."

"I know. I wanted to," he replied simply, wandering out of sight to give her some privacy.

While the frigid water bit at her skin, numbing her hands as she tried to wash her filthy clothes, it felt like the height of luxury.

That was, of course, until she dried herself off using her cloak and had nothing else to shield herself from the cold with.

As if he knew that she was searching for him, Itachi came back, wordlessly shrugging off his cloak and wrapping it around her shoulders.

"You're going to freeze!" she protested.

"My fire nature chakra will keep me warm. You keep it."

She'd had enough of the suspense. It was time for her to gather her courage.

"Why are you being so kind to me? No one else ever puts in this much effort into helping each other, not in the Akatsuki."

He turned to her; lips tilted up in a genuine smile this time.

"I like you."

She squinted at him, wondering if she was imagining things again.

"Eh?"

"You're special to me," he said again, as if that explained everything.

"So all of this was your way of confessing?"

He pondered that for a moment.

"Yes, I suppose it is."

"You're a strange one, Itachi. But you're interesting. I like that. I-I like you."

"In that case, would you be my girlfriend?"

"I would love to."

He reached for her hand, still encased in the oversized sleeve of his cloak, and brushed a kiss across the back.

She thought she melt right then and there at the affectionate gesture, especially coming from the normally stoic Uchiha.

He was still holding her hand as they strolled back to their campsite.

Kisame couldn't conceal his smug grin, nor hold back his teasing the next morning. Or the next one. Or the one after that.

~Bonus~

Itachi had been lagging behind Kisame and y/n for a while as the trio continued their journey.

It was only when they'd stopped for a brief break did they finally regroup.

He walked up to y/n and delicately tucked a flower behind her ear.

"So beautiful," he murmured. "The flower is pretty too."

"Damn sweet talker," she grumbled, cheeks warm, but not quite as warm as the feeling spreading through her chest.

"Am I not allowed to complement my girlfriend?" he asked, smiling softly.

"That's not what I said. I just..."

Her voice trailed off. His smile was so sweet that she could hardly focus on anything else.

"Yes?"

"Never mind. Just...do that more."

"That?"

"Smile."

To her delight, he did.

All the way back to the base.