Reborn

Chapter 4 : Where is this?

"Where are we going?" Hanako asks as Itachi and her started walking up a small hill.

"We're going to our new home," Itachi answered Hanako's question while tracking up the mountain.

Hanako silently followed Itachi with her hand holding onto his hand while she holds a storybook in the other. She squeezed Itachi hand for reassurance and comfort as the trees in the forest started to get denser and thicker. Itachi squeezed back which gave a sense of comfort to Hanako at the new surrounding.

They had been walking for a few days now. They left the leaf village to deal with the suddenly tragic news of their clan. The clan which they both belong too but was now gone with only a few survive. Hanako was the only surviving female and strongest left.

Hanako had taken a few quick glance at the forest that surrounded them. It was definitely easily to train and hide from everyone. Some more, the forest was very scary so it definitely will keep people away. A lone toad looks at Hanako before hopping away to a nearby pond.

The small pond reminded her of the big pond in the village where she and Itachi would hang out sometimes. She also saw Itachi's younger brother, Sasuke, trained there every day with his fire Jutsu while the head of the clan watched sternly over him.

She knew that in his mind, Sasuke could never outbid the genius of Itachi even if he tried.

Itachi stops causing Hanako to bump into him. She rubs her nose a bit as Itachi bend down in front of her and moved her white bangs away from her face. He also poked at Hanako's nose which she winces at causing him to smile gently at her and her cuteness.

"We are here," Itachi said lifting Hanako up in his arms and onto his shoulder.

Hanako stared at the wooden house in front of them. It was decently covered with the foliage of the dense trees but even though it was dark, it felt homely as this was their new home. They will live here for a very long time in peace.

"Your brother and I made this house in the summer. He had hoped that one day you could live peacefully here and away from all the hate and drama in our clan. It almost felt nostalgia but at the same time sad, that your brother didn't get to see you come here." Itachi said staring off into the distance while a warm smile.

Hanako stared at Itachi. Her brother and he built this house for her. Even though there was a slim chance of her ever coming out of that village, they still built it for her in hope. This was her brother's last present to her.

"I like it," Hanako whispered as she stared at the house.

Itachi look back up at her in shock but smiled weakly in response. They begin walking towards the house. Itachi place her down the porch before sliding the shoji to open the room.

The room had cream tatami flooring, a tokonoma (slightly raised area), a chabudai (a table with small legs) and 4 zabuton around it (cushion seats). Hanako slowly walked inside taking a lot around, there were some of the paintings she painted for Shisui.

She reached out to touch one of the paintings that she painting. An ink painting of 2 butterflies fluttering about. Itachi stopped behind her and placed his hand onto her hand.

"It's ok to miss him you know," Itachi whispered to Hanako who doesn't show any emotion.

Hanako doesn't say a word but moves away from the painting and takes lies down on the zabuton. She closes her eyes and fall into deep slumber.

Itachi silently chuckles to himself before opening the closet and getting out a blanket to cover Hanako with. He gently combs her hair away from her face.

"He watches you every day and he'll see what a beautiful girl you are going to become."