Dreams of happiness

Cap. 1 First friend

The raven-haired boy decided that he needed a break after the long hours of training he had with his father. That is why he was currently walking around the forest. It was relatively quiet, and he enjoyed it as he always enjoyed quiet places unlike most of the children his age.

He was ready to plop down under a tree and just enjoy the moment when the sound of metal cutting the air caught his attention. He followed the sound and as he suspected he found someone training. The only thing that surprised him was that the person was around his age, maybe a bit younger. Kids his age were rarely training, let alone training seriously. Most children preferred playing carefree, training only being something they could later use to brag to some of their friends.

He watched for a few moments as the blue haired kid threw some kunai at the target. The blades flew out of the small hand and hit the target just a bit away from the center. He was surprised by the kid's aim, and he was even more surprised by the fact that they used more than one kunai.

He watched as the kid pouted at the result, clearly displeased that they have missed the center. As the kid went to retrieve the knifes, he decided to approach them.

The kid seemed to notice him and quickly turned in his direction. Blue orbs analyzed him carefully as he moved closer. They're body in a defensive pose, ready to run away at any sign of danger.

-What do you want? a fragile sounding voice addressed him.

-I was just walking around and saw you training, the boy answered truthfully.

The kid seemed a bit sceptic but nodded none the less.

Itachi watched how the blue haired kid readied the kunai knifes again throwing them at the target. Just like before they missed the center. A small groan hit his ears and he could see the displeasure on the kid's face.

-You just need to adjust your stance a bit, Itachi offered.

The kid turned to him again as if just remembering that he was there.

Itachi walked over, reaching out to help the kid position their wrist. The kid first tensed up, but even so he let Itachi help him. With his wrist now positioned correctly, the kunais flew out of their hand. This time they hit the center perfectly.

The kid blinked analyzing the result and then a beautiful smile spread on their lips. Itachi had to admit that the smile suited the kid better than the frown they were wearing moments ago.

-Thank you, the kid said seeming unsure.

-No problem, Itachi said offering a small smile.

The kid fidgeted nervously for a few seconds before going to retrieve the weapons again.

-I'm Itachi, the raven-haired boy said, a bit randomly, after deciding that it would be a good idea to introduce himself.

The kid tuned to him again and then blinked. They hesitated for a few moments before their mouth opened to offer an answer.

-Sonia, said the small voice.

So, she was a girl, Itachi thought.

That day Itachi remained to watch her train while conversing with her. Even though the girl seemed meek and shy, Itachi admitted that she was talented, so talented that he first thought that she might belong to some clan, but as he kept talking to her, he found out that she was the child of two civilians.

Finding out about her parentage he was even more shocked to see her training. Civilian kids usually didn't start training until they started the academy and to be honest there were few that even joined the academy, most grew up in the civilian life. Yet, the blue hair girl was in the woods training instead of playing with other kids.

After mulling over the information for long minutes as he watched her throw the kunai knifes again and again, now hitting the center flawlessly, he decided that he couldn't come up with an answer to his questions.

-Why are you training? he inquired.

His question distracted Sonia and made her miss the center of the target. But the girl paid no mind to the failed throw as she turned to face him.

-I want to be useful for the village, she whispered.

She was fidgeting nervously as she waited for his answer. He noticed how nervous and uncomfortable she looked with his question, so he decided to not probe further. Yet he was still curios what made a civilian girl think that the only way to be useful to the village was to be a shinobi.

In an attempt to relive her nervousness, he nodded before speaking up:

-Maybe we can train sometimes together than, he offered.

Her blue orbs grew wide in surprise as she stared at him. It made Itachi worry for a moment that he might have upset her with his offer.

But his worry dissolved as soon as the corners of her mouth lifted in a smile and her deep blue eyes gained a new shine.

-That would be nice, she said quietly.

Itachi offered her a small smile of his own. She kept looking at him with her shy smile for a few more moments before hurrying to gather her weapons.

And unknown to them that was the day they both gained a lifelong friend.