Just A Glimpse (ItaIno Fanfiction)

Chapter 1 ~ An Angel

It was summers ago, back when Itachi was but a boy of 12 years with the weight of the world on his shoulders. When he met her, she was so young.

Merely a child of 7 years. Her hair had been short, with her eyes being her most captivating features with its turquoise color. They were wide with intrigue as she picked flowers out of a vast garden close to the training ground he had came from. She was murmuring to the air, calling out names of the flowers and the emotions they resembled. Itachi watched shortly in interest before he carried on to his way home.

Yet before he could walk away, she had seen him.

"Hey! I know you! You're Sasuke-kun's onii-san." she called out to him, standing up from where she had been crouching.

He turned to face her, almost raising a brow at her excited tone especially as she mentioned his younger brother. He settled by regarding her with a blank look on his face as he gave a simple nod. Yet when his eyes landed onto hers, his ones widened in amazement. Her eyes were even more captivating. It was breathtaking to be under their focus, with such innocence and life within them. An angel. he thought for a moment.

Uchiha Itachi never thought much of the adorable appearances of children yet at that moment, he felt his heart melt for her. Even for his younger brother, that rarely happened. Only whenever the younger Uchiha widened his dark eyes for the sake of a favor.

"Well, I'm glad you find me cute~" her soft yet confident voice broke him off his train of thought. Once he had processed her words, his eyes widened ever so slightly.

H-how? Itachi was sure he had not spoken out or acted in anyway that showed his opinion of his appearance. In fact, he was certain he had not given away any indication through his expression. It was just as always, a blank facade.

The little girl held a smug smile that seemed out of place with her soft features. As he wondered how he had known, she only took a moment to furrow her brows before she spoke yet again to explain.

"It's a clan ability.." she explained. "We have strong perception, and can sense emotions. Usually at an older age but daddy said I was gifted.. Too bad I can't directly read minds yet. But the aura created by your emotions allows me to guess. I sensed fondness and curiosity from you and you were looking at me so intently, I figured." her voice had softened as she squirmed under his gaze, a little consciousness as she explained.

The young girl always had strong reaction whenever she explained her abilities and people barely believed. Once she had told her friends and the only replied with laughter. Ino, then, proved her abilities by rightly telling them their thoughts through their emotions. Unfortunately, children her age were not ready for the knowledge of such abilities. They had ran away, screaming "Witch!" multiple times. She had found it pathetic since they lived in a village filled with shinobis that had abilities beyond hers. The next day, the poor girl had laughed at her friends, telling them that it was a prank. She would then tear up, telling them it hurt her when they had mistook her for a witch. With this act, along with a slight compelling charm, they had believed her and even offered frantic apologies and got her gifts of apology.

Ino smiled softly at the memory. That was the reason why she kept to herself mostly on her abilities. She hated such strong, negative opinion about her. Sure, she could remedy that with a little compelling using her abilities but there was no point of telling then denying. Nevertheless, she had slipped on this with the elder Uchiha. She felt the need to explain.

Just with her explanation, he was amazed how her knowledge went beyond her age. He gave a simple nod, lips pursed lightly as a small wave of discomfort hit him. He disliked having anyone knowing his emotions. At this, she tilted her head slightly as she felt his discomfort. Yet before she could ask, he had spoken.

"Emotions and mind reading... A Yamanaka, I presume?" he questioned, his tone was polite.

She gave a proud nod, picking up the basket of flowers she had laid beside her. "Yes! Yamanaka Ino..  to be exact, um Uchiha-san."

"Itachi is fine. Uchiha Itachi."

"Itachi....Weasel huh?" she teased the English meaning of his name lightly before giggling, the sound a sweet melody to his ears. Itachi ignored her teasing, too drawn in by her angelic laugh. He had to make sure he had his barrier up, using a little of his chakra to conceal his emotions. Even he could not understand his fondness towards the little girl.

When he did not reply, she walked to him, smiling softly as a light breeze blew passed them. "If you are on your way home, may I walk with you? I'd like to visit Sasuke-kun. I'm somewhat his friend.."

He only nodded, looking down as she peered up at him curiously, in a field full of all sorts of nature's beauty. Yet in Itachi's mind, she shone the brightest with eyes of turquoise brilliance twinkling innocently. Eyes of an angel.