Stand By Me

STAND BY ME - chapter 16

"Hi!" I gleamed to Toyuma, the man who owned the photography stand in Konoha, "I'd like to get these printed and framed, please?" I held up a picture of Itachi, Shisui, Kayumi and I, and another of just Itachi and I.

The man smiled back to me and nodded happily. "Anything for Hiashi's daughter, how have you been?" He asked, while he was examining the pictures, beginning the printing process.

"I've been well," I responded, noticing how keenly he was observing the pictures, "Someone's birthday is coming up, so I thought I'd be collecting a couple of gifts here and there in the village."

"Ah, I see! This shouldn't take too long! It'll be on the house." He said, smiling. I immediately refused, and insisted that I pay, because I could even tell the place was struggling. This was my favourite photography stand in all of Konoha, and I couldn't stand to see it go out of business. I looked through my coin purse, and added an extra bit of money too.

"Which frame would you like for your pictures?" Toyuma asked, gesturing towards the variety.

"The oak frame," It caught my eye, "For both of the pictures, please."
"Sure thing, here you go." He placed the printed images inside of the frames, and handed them to me, as I payed him.

"Thank you, you take care now!" I waved bye to him.

I sat on a bench near by, admiring the now framed photographs. The first picture, was a picture of Shisui in the middle, mischievously grinning, both his arms slung around Itachi and I, with Kayumi in the background holding her stomach, laughing. I couldn't help but resist the growing smile on my face. This was our first mission all together.

The other picture was just of Itachi and I, both in our jounin flak jackets, smiling. This was a picture of when we were first promoted to jounin level, an achievement I shared with Itachi. My finger caressed the glass, looking at Itachi, and I couldn't help but feel like I was falling in love with the man in the picture before me.

---

I was flustered over my gift.

"Shisui, do you really think he'd like it?" I asked, shoulders drooped. I was losing hope. I wanted to make this nothing but perfect.
"Relax, you have three more days until his birthday." Shisui said, reassuringly, "He'll love it, 'specially because I'm in the picture." Shisui nudged my elbow. I laughed.
"Is that so, Shisui?"
"Uh-huh," He looked at me out of the corner of his eye, "You worry too much about Itachi. He's a big boy."
"I know... I just can't help it. I just-"
"Love him too much?" He smirked, eyebrow raised.

I hid my face from Shisui, which was surely beet red.
"N- no..." I said, pouting.
"Liar. "
I looked at Shisui, still pouting. It guess it really was apparent that I was falling in love with my boyfriend.

"Don't worry," Shisui ruffled my hair a bit, "Your secret's safe with me."
I crossed my arms and doubted that it was. Shisui and Itachi were practically brothers - they told each other everything, I was sure of it.
"It better be. I don't want you teasing me about it!" Playfully punching his elbow.

---

I was at Itachi's favourite dango shop, buying him a gift card for his birthday. I want to make it extra special. I want to spoil him. He deserves it. I knew that Itachi was a frequent shopper at this dango stand, and so I banked up enough money to gift him a $100 dango gift card. I know, I know. It sounded ridiculous outloud, and I got an earful from my mother, but to me it seemed just right.

I made my way out of the stand, walking with a smile on my face, only to see Shisui and Itachi coming into view. I froze in my tracks, feeling heat rise to my cheeks, I immediately turned around and walked the opposite way.