Tidal Wave [ItaNaru] [DROPPED]

6: Stroll; approachable yet not

Two weeks into the Uchiha household had been a rather eventful for Naruto.

Sasuke's insistence on training with Shisui because he had trained with Itachi led to Naruto being trained by the younger ANBU.

Although Naruto quickly discovered that despite the training and all, the both of them preferred the solitude of books. The enticing and mellow scent of trees telling their tales in a silent hum in the air.

Far stronger and longer than the tales written on them.

Naruto had learnt to listen to these silent tales, Lysander had taught him how to identify the kinds of trees just by the scent.

And Naruto took great pleasure in sharing the tales with his 'sensei', Itachi.

As the two of them walked through the shelves for the nth time this week, Naruto piled books in the older boy's arms, his fingers dancing through the shelves and tomes on them.

“I've read this one,” Naruto muttered under his breath. “This one, this one and this one too...“

Reaching at the end of yet another shelf, Naruto blankly looked back at Itachi.

“How many do you have, Itachi-san?“

Itachi glanced at the pile in his hands.

“Five.“

“... What?“

Itachi sighed, placing the books on the table. “Naruto-kun, you have read all the unrestricted books here. I don't even know where you got this speed from.“ Naruto sheepishly rubbed his nape as he sat down in front of the books.

Filing through the titles on their spine, he groaned. “Nevermind, I've read these before, dattebayo.“ A chuckle slipped past Itachi's lips.

“I knew that.“

Naruto gave him a look. “Yet you carried them?“

“You looked so happy to have found them, so...“

“I get it.“ Naruto groaned. “I get it! You are telling me to get out of here.“

“Hn.“

Gently closing the book in his hands, Naruto sighed. “But there isn't much to train, Itachi-san. I have gotten down the basics and am trained in Jutsus...“

“Not just that, Naruto-kun. You could give a test at the academy and graduate as a genin right away.“

“I know,” Naruto sighed. “But if I do that, I will have to stay in Konoha. I am, honestly, not ready for that. Not yet anyway.“

Itachi silently shook his head and walked to the door. Naruto quickly stood up and followed the ANBU out of the library.

“Okay, fine. I won't stay there anymore,” Naruto smiled at the Uchiha while walking side-by-side. “Let's go to the market for a stroll!“ Itachi halted on his tracks.

“We... Can't.“ He answered calmly. “Uchihas aren't exactly welcomed in the village right now.“

Naruto turned to look at the older boy. Looking right into Itachi's eyes, the Jinchuuriki's eyes softened as he moved closer to the taller boy.

“Itachi...“ He took in a deep breath. “Respect and welcome is a mutual deed.“ Tilting his head slightly, he continued. “If you try being approachable to other, they will naturally come to you. It's about taking the first step.“

“Is that so?“ Itachi muttered, staring at Naruto without blinking, something swirling in his onyx eyes. Naruto nodded.

“So what if the villagers don't want to take the first step?“ Naruto asked softly, reaching out to hold Itachi's pale hand. “You can, we can.“