Wildflower Book 1 | Naruto Fanfiction

Chapter20: Encounter

After three days of traveling with little to no sleep, she came to a stop not far from where the Akatsuki were said to have made their base. After surveying the area, she decided to settle down in a neaby clearing. She was just about to set up camp when something startled her from not too far off.

"You care about him.", a voice said softly, from just above Suzume, in a large tree.

She recognised that presence immediately. She looked up to see a familiar face looking down at her, one that she hadn't seen in many years.

Itachi.

"When I left I worried that you'd leave him to fend for himself. The thought of it gave me sleepless nights.", the boy confessed, a small frown on his face.

"Sasu-tan doesn't need my help, either way. I'm just a stepping stone for him, if anything at all.", Suzume replied coldly as she drew her katana.

Itachi dropped to stand before her, clad in the signature black Akatsuki robe with red clouds. He held his Anbu tantō in his right hand and struck a fighting pose.

Sasu-tan, she called him that since long before he was born, ever since their mother told them what the baby would be name. Itachi found himself fighting a nostalgic smile from gracing his features.

"You're doing your best for him, so I must thank you.", he said with a curt nod. She simply frowned in response, eyes narrow.

Then, they ran at each other. Soon, only the sound of metal could be heard in the forest, but no one would come to watch on this star-less night.

Each strike Itachi made was countered with great precision. Tama was now much faster than he was, but he was far stronger. Where he made use of a weapon her armored foream was quick to counter, and where she struck with a sword Itachi found he had to dodge.

It was just like how they used to spar when they were younger, when Fugaku presided over them. It was in those days that Tama showed her raw strength best. If Fugaku wasn't so reluctant, he would have chosen her as an heir.

Their eyes locked in a battle of onyx black. Tama didn't let her gaze falter one bit, one mistake and she could lose to the boy before her.

"You're as formidable as I remember, if not better.", Itachi said as he came to a skidding halt near a clearing. As always, Tama was fast, she had gotten faster. Much faster. He took in a deep breath to calm his speeding heart. He activated his Sharingan, it was time to take this fight to the next level.

"You flatter me.", Tama said in curt response. She readied her blade, anticipating something powerful from Itachi. However, what came next was unexpected, yet it was really no surprise.

All around them appeared the vivid image of the Uchiha clan training grounds, at the centre of which stood a rather young Tama and Itachi, ready to fight.

"Hajime!", Fugaku called from the sidelines, and on they went. Tama was quick to gain an advantage over Itachi. He used his Sharingan more than anything, which Tama didn't have yet. No matter how they tried, they just couldn't awaken her Sharingan. This must be what disappointed Fugaku so much.

However, in a physical fight the girl was the best of the two. Fugaku watched as Tama suddenly struck the underside of Itachi's chin after kicking him high on his torso. The boy flew backwards before falling to the ground with a loud grunt. She stood over Itachi's laying form, a foot on his chest, and prepared to make her finishing move.