Control

A Heavy Burden

Itachi's P.O.V. (Flashback)

"H-hey wait!"

A small voice called, followed by a hand gently wrapping around his. Itachi stopped at the action and tilted his head down to see you. You had a bright grin as you gently tugged on his hand.

"Itachi! I got you something!"

Itachi tilted his head at your behavior, a faint smile ghosting his features at your happiness. He rarely saw you this excited. He was eager to know why. As he thought this, you removed one of your hands from your back to reveal a small bouquet of white Anemone...his favorite flower...and the flower he always gifted you.

It was a dainty flower but beautiful nonetheless. They came in many colors but his mother had spoken of how the colors represented different things...red was for passion, blue for trust, and white for sincerity, and good luck...he truly wished you happiness. He was unaware of your past then but he could see past your facade...he could see the faint traces of guilt and pain in your eyes. He was always very perceptive. 

"What are these for?" Itachi softly spoke, reaching a hand out to the flowers. His hands gently grazed yours as he took the flowers from you.

"Your birthday!" You brightly grinned.

Itachi blinked at your words.

Oh...right. It was his birthday. He was twelve today.

"Thank you." Itachi softly smiled, as he stared down at the flowers.

"Don't thank me yet, there's more!" Your happy voice chirped causing him to glance back to you.

He was met with a small rectangular box and your cheery smile. Itachi's lip twitched at your bright grin as you offered him the box. Complying, he reached out to the box and you happily offered to hold his flowers while he opened it.

Itachi gently opened the box to reveal a black necklace. The necklace was intricately braided with three evenly placed metal circles. It was simple but beautiful. He was at a loss for words.

His fingers gently grazed the necklace as the corners of his lips twitched. A gentle smile began to form on his lips as he looked back at you. You were eagerly watching him; a light in your eyes and a bright smile on your lips.

"I hope you like it, I wasn't sure what to get..." You admitted causing Itachi to shake his head slightly.

"No...it's perfect...thank you."

"I'm glad! Happy Birthday, Itachi!"

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Itachi shook his head at the memory; brushing it away as he adjusted his new cloak around his shoulders. He knew he shouldn't have covered you with his cloak. He should have just been indifferent...he certainly tried to be. 

He had mastered the art of schooling his features into impassiveness--- a face devoid of feeling--completely blank and unreadable. He was like a stone--expressionless and cold. However, that quickly went out the window when he saw you dressed the way you were, or rather lack thereof. 

He was utterly taken aback but anger quickly replaced his shock as the situation sunk in.

You were exposed. What would have happened to you if you ran into the hallway under different circumstances? Bad people existed. He had witnessed firsthand the cruelties of this world. In a different context, someone could have taken advantage of you...that certainly wouldn't happen with him present. He would make sure of that but it still didn't change the fact that Naruto, Sasuke, and Kisame had also seen you like that.