Amaya Uzumaki POV
As the second part of our training, Shisui said we needed to build a campfire and catch some fish. Of course, our confused looks, mine and Itachi's, didn't go unnoticed by my brother, but we didn't argue.
– Well, let's split up the tasks – the older Uchiha started talking and looked at me – Amaya, you can... – But I didn't let him finish.
– Itachi and I will take care of the campfire while you catch the fish – I stated calmly.
– Huh, but why? – Shisui asked quickly, clearly bothered by that.
– Because your sister is asking you to – I said simply, keeping a pleading expression.
My brother was about to say something, clearly to try and contradict me, but his lips stopped when his eyes fixed on my expression. He sighed, giving up.
– Alright – he surrendered – We meet back here – I nodded.
Minato once told me that when I used that pleading expression, whether on purpose or not, it made it harder for someone close to me to refuse. And in my case with Shisui, it seemed to work.
Then each of us went our separate ways. Itachi accompanied me in silence for a few moments, but I could sense his curiosity about why I had split us up like that to gather things.
– My brother is a terrible fisherman – I informed him calmly.
– But then, shouldn't one of us catch the fish instead of him? – the Uchiha asked.
– Maybe, but it'll be more fun to watch him try – Itachi looked at me, not understanding, and I gave a soft laugh – Let's just say it's payback for him always bothering me.
After my parents found out what Shisui did to me and Kakashi with their rings, Kushina talked to me for a long time, emphasizing repeatedly that I should hit my brother every time he pulled any other stupid stunt on me though I had said I saw no reason to use violence to reprimand him.
So the redhead told me to get revenge on him. Not in a way that would hurt him or be horrible, but to play simple pranks that would somehow bother him.
And being a terrible fisherman was something that came to mind right then to use against Shisui.
– Besides, this way we can talk without worrying about what my brother might think – the younger Uchiha looked at me – I ended up overhearing your conversation with your father earlier, and I'm sorry for that – Itachi lowered his eyes.
– It's okay, it wasn't like any of us knew that would happen – I agreed.
We gathered some wood for the campfire and remained silent for a while.
– Aren't you going to ask about what you heard? – the boy questioned me in a low voice.
– Maybe – I said honestly – But it's very likely you don't want to talk about it – I paused for a moment – At least not with me – By the sound, I noticed Itachi had stopped what he was doing, just like I had – Besides what Shisui told you, your father probably talked about me, where I come from and what I represent in the eyes of many in the village and within the Uchiha clan itself...
Itachi stayed silent for a few moments, like me. A little later, I turned toward him and looked, seeing him with his eyes downcast, a clear sign I had hit the mark with my assumption.
– So I can imagine you have some reason, whether by your own choice or due to your family's influence, to try and keep a barrier between the two of us, even when my brother is around.
– I... – Itachi started to speak and brought his eyes to me, but stopped immediately, as if giving up.
– It's alright – I reassured him – You don't have to explain. But know that whenever you need help, with anything, you can count on me like you count on Shisui – I gave a faint smile.
I adjusted the sticks and wood I had gathered for the campfire better in my arms and took at most two steps before stopping again.
– I don't know how to do that – I brought my eyes back to the Uchiha as soon as he spoke.
His eyes shifted from him to me, visibly unable to express what he was thinking. Maybe...
– You mean... making friends? – I asked doubtfully, and the Uchiha gave a weak, somewhat embarrassed nod.
Itachi's only friends were my brother, a girl from the clan, Izumi — whom Shisui said he saw talking with the younger one — and the Uchiha's teammates.
But in Shisui and Izumi's case, it seemed like both of them were the ones who had started talking to the younger one, just like his teammates, since he was more introverted.
And now he only has Izumi and Shisui because of what happened to his teammates..., I thought. He never tried to approach someone to get to know them. He reminds me of... myself, in many ways.
– I had to learn that – I said calmly, and Itachi brought his eyes to me – Not long after I arrived in the village – I gave a soft laugh and looked at him – Although almost all my friendships started with others coming to me, I understood that sometimes you need to return what they do.
– And what would that be?
– Take a risk – He looked at me, not understanding – Starting a friendship is, in a way, lowering the guards you build in your life and use to try to keep everyone around you at ease – I explained to him – It's allowing someone to get to know you and, from there, be able to read you.
– Lower my guard and let the other read me... – the boy pondered quietly.
– I can try to explain better later, but I think we should go back now and see if Shisui hasn't ended up falling into the river trying to catch a fish.
And for the first time that day, I saw Itachi laugh, and without me realizing it, I was already smiling more relaxed.
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When we returned to our meeting point with Shisui, as I expected, he was still trying to catch the fish and failing miserably in the process. And once again, I ended up laughing along with Itachi at that.
The younger Uchiha started setting up the campfire while I went to help my brother. Seems like okaasan's idea about exploring simple revenge is a good one..., I thought and gave a soft laugh.
Once we got the fish, we went back to Itachi. Shisui was put in charge of finishing the fire, and the younger one and I prepared the fish, cleaning them to cook them whole.
Once everything was ready, Shisui and Itachi sat facing each other by the fire, and I stayed on my brother's right side and the younger one's left. We used some sturdier sticks as skewers for the fish and placed them near the fire.
– Is this the second part? – Itachi asked my brother.
– Yep – Shisui said casually – Camping at night.
– The book said campfires are forbidden – the younger Uchiha pointed out – So you mean there's another reason we're doing this? – I glanced momentarily at my brother.
Just as Itachi said, it wasn't advisable during a tracking mission for ninjas to make campfires, since it would give away their position to the enemy. But at that moment, Shisui didn't seem worried about that.
My brother gave a soft laugh and took one of the fish, handing it to Itachi.
– Just eat – the Uchiha took the skewer in his hands, even without understanding the whole situation – Here – he handed one to me too – You're exceptional, Itachi... – Shisui took his own fish and spoke with a faint smile.
– I'm still not experienced – he averted his eyes for a moment – Before, if I had more skill... – the Uchiha let his sentence fade, and Shisui gave a soft laugh.
– True – Itachi looked at him, slightly annoyed.
– Don't laugh! – I started eating while they argued.
– Sorry – Shisui said quickly – It's just that it makes me happy.
– Happy? – the younger one asked with a more serious expression, but still looking pouty.
– Well, I thought I had nothing left to teach you, but...
– You taught me a lot today – the younger Uchiha said and quickly shifted his gaze between us – Both of you.
– Yeah. And that's what made me happy – my brother said with a faint smile before starting to eat.
Of course it's not just that, nii-san, I thought and held back a content smile. You've already noticed the situation too...
– So... – Itachi spoke after a few moments, and Shisui looked at him – What about this campfire?
– Ah... – my brother smiled faintly – It's good to eat with someone who makes you feel at ease – he explained – Besides, eating hot food helps cheer people up – I noticed a faint smile form on Itachi's lips – Go on, eat while it's hot – the younger one nodded.
– Yeah... – he said after taking the first bite – It's warm and tasty!
– Right? – Shisui said excitedly, already grabbing another fish.
And if left to his own devices, he'd probably eat all the other fish alone before Itachi or I had a chance to finish ours.
We stayed quiet after that, eating peacefully. But even so, I couldn't help but turn my attention to Itachi now and then. His silence worried me. He reminds me so much of myself..., I thought.
The younger Uchiha stopped eating shortly after, and his expression gradually became more serious. He kept his eyes down, toward the fire dancing in the campfire before us.
– I... – both Shisui and I looked at him – I awakened the Sharingan...
– I see... – Shisui used the leftover stick from the fish he'd eaten to poke the embers – Is that why you lied? – Itachi looked at him.
– Lied? – he asked – You said the same thing at the start of training – my brother smiled slightly.
– He's like you... – Shisui said, and I understood he was referring to me – You're good at deceiving yourself, so you can't understand your true feelings – my brother looked at the younger Uchiha – You didn't want to stay home, right? I saw it on your face.
The look of surprise on Itachi's face didn't go unnoticed by either of us — it was as if we'd discovered he'd committed an atrocity. He remained silent for a few moments, eyes downcast.
– You might be right... – Itachi said in a lower, but sincere tone.
"Friendship is about allowing the other to get close to what you keep to yourself, and for that other to be able to read you." It seems Itachi found his ideal example to understand how to get closer to people..., I thought.
– I will... – Shisui started to say, but quickly corrected himself – We will be happy to listen whenever you want to talk.
Itachi looked at us, and although he didn't smile or nod, his eyes gave him away: Relieved. He seemed to have made the decision to risk accepting us.
However, before any of us could continue that conversation or even change the subject, the sound of metal clashing near where we were caught our attention.
Itachi and I stood up first, and Shisui right after, kicking dirt onto the embers to put out the campfire.
I took the lead since I could guide myself by sound better than the two of them, and we stopped behind some rocks, very close to where the fight seemed to be unfolding.
– The last part of the training is about to begin – Shisui warned, and we nodded.