Tangled Roots

The Past

-Flashback-

A four year old Naio giggled as she was picked up by young man with long dark hair. He brought her to his chest and pushed silver hair out of her face, her bright blue eyes sparkling in curiosity.

She blinked up at him and pulled on his bangs, giggling. The man smiled the faintest of smiles, and Naio touched his face, her little hands roaming all over it while she laughed. 

“Pretty…” She said with awe, tracing her finger around the man’s red eyes. She blinked in surprise as it got brighter around them and she gaped at the ocean and beach they were standing on, birds of paradise flying through a bright blue sky.

“So pretty!” She laughed and hugged the man holding her, eyes wide as she took in every detail of their new surroundings.

The tall man rubbed her back and made the illusion around them swirl into a vast, dense forest, bright flowers and interesting animals surrounding them. Naio gasped in awe and giggled childishly as she called, “Again, again!”

Just as the illusion began to change again, it was promptly dropped as a new figure entered the room. Naio’s bright little eyes focused on the dark masked figure, her eyes lighting up in recognition. Before she could address the man before her, he directed his attention to the man holding her.

“Do you wish to die so badly, Itachi?” Madara’s voice was darker than Naio had ever heard, it sent shivers up her spine and she didn’t know why he seemed meaner than before. She shrunk into Itachi’s chest, confused.

Itachi stayed silent, but his gaze was cool and unrelenting. After a moment he glanced down at the child in his arms, she looked back at him, confusion and a hint of fear in her eyes.

“Go back to your room, Naio.” He said as he placed her back on the ground. She looked up at him and then back at Madara, her lips forming a barely noticeable pout before she turned and ran back down the hall.

The two men stared each other down before the older of the two broke the silence, red eye narrowing behind his mask.

“Do not confuse her with your brother, Itachi. You severed that connection for a reason. You told me you were ready for this. Are you having second thoughts?” Itachi’s cold glare did nothing to deter the man before him. Keeping his face stone-like, he replied lowely.

“I wasn’t expecting something like this. I cannot begin to guess where you found her.” Madara’s dark chuckle didn’t fail to surprise the stoic prodigy. Though he kept it well hidden, the slightest frown appeared on his face.

“There is not a soul in this world who knows of her clan nor her birth other than me.” The man responded. Itachi tilted his head slightly. 

“Is she alone important enough to cause you to go to that much trouble?” He asked, already guessing the extents to which Madara made this possible. After all, a clan of that power must have been well known.

“Every clan has their secrets, some must be guarded more than others. This child will be the key to making our goal come true.” Madara’s eyes darkened. “She must be kept unaware. No bonds are to be formed with this child. It is vital.” 

Itachi felt his chest tighten, thinking of how she would grow up, not having anyone she can rely on. An image of his brother flashed in his mind and he briefly closed his eyes, trying to steel himself.

“You wish to outcast this girl? Remove any friendships she could possibly have?” Itachi asked, clearly implying his distaste for the idea. He’d seen enough of that for a lifetime.

Madara gained a look of cold understanding. “She will not have any social connection with a person, she will conceal her feelings, her thoughts… She will be the perfect warrior. Just as you were.” Itachi’s eyes flashed briefly. “But, she will not be alone. She carries with her a beast I have yet to conquer. A protector who will be by her side every moment, waiting for the opportunity to extinguish her enemies. She has him by the tail, he will not take action unless directly needed or asked for. She is mine as long as she had a bond with me, false as it may be.”