So Close, Ita. You Nearly Had It!

“So close, Ita. You nearly had it!”

Her encouraging words just wouldn’t be able to cut it this time… She knew that much. This was Sasuke’s shirt we were talking about here, an article of clothing belonging to the most important person in the world to Itachi. Folding this shirt, as tedious as it was for someone with a singular functioning arm, was essential for Itachi to perfect.

“Hey now… How about we try this instead?”

Izumi carefully positions herself almost completely behind Itachi, her own arm taking the place of the Uchiha male’s injured one. If he couldn’t fold his sibling’s shirt with one hand, she was determined to assist him with completing the task one way or another.

“It may seem a little silly, but it’s like you’ve got both arms now, right? Let’s fold Sasuke’s shirt together!”

Standing on her tippy toes to peek over Itachi’s shoulder, the two get to work on Sasuke’s shirt. After a minute or so, the shirt is neatly folded and placed on a pile of perfectly folded laundry.

“See? We did it! You and me, Ita, we make a great team, don’t we?”

She giggles sweetly as she finishes up with the rest of the laundry. Of course, in the midst of Fugaku and Mikoto’s unfortunate passing, Itachi being seriously injured and young Sasuke needing assistance with his Academy work, Izumi had completely forgotten about her own clothes. How long had she been wearing the same purple top and pale, navy blue pants for?

“Oh-- Thank you for letting me borrow your clothes! It’ll just be for tonight, of course. Tomorrow, once Sasuke’s back at the Academy, I’ll be sure to pick up some of my own clothes from home.”

Opening Itachi’s drawers, she pulls out a black shirt with a high collar and matching pants and lays them delicately on top of Itachi’s bed. A blush creeps onto her cheeks as she reaches for the hem of her shirt, raising it slightly.

“I-Itachi… Would it be okay if I dressed myself in here?”

So stubborn, and so incredibly smart. Those were merely two characteristics that she adored about Itachi. Being stubborn meant that he would not back down if someone or something challenged him or his beliefs. A more than desirable trait. Although, a mind like that could also get Itachi into trouble. That is where Izumi comes into play, to keep him grounded, so to speak.

Her heart throbs at the mention of her deceased Father, the memory of his death flashing in her mind. As traumatising as her Father’s death was to her, she shakes the thought from her mind and focuses on the Uchiha Prodigy who lost not only one, but both parents. This was not about her. This was about him, the one person she loved and admired dearly.

“I suppose we could do that… But first, I would like you to at least have a sip of my special green tea.”

Glancing at their connected hands, a faint crimson paints her cheeks and the pad of her thumb tenderly caresses Itachi’s knuckles. Oh, how she wished they could hold hands like this more often, just as they once did as children.

“O-okay-- I believe that the laundry should be completely dry by now. You stay here and I’ll bring it inside.”

With that said, the female Uchiha exits Itachi’s bedroom, retrieves a laundry basket and fills it to the brim with all of the fresh, sun-dried clothes that were hung out earlier that morning. Humming to herself, she strolls back into the household and ends up right back in Itachi’s bedroom.

“I fold, you put away. How does that sound, Ita?”

A genuine smile that meets her eyes appears on her features as she sorts through the clothes, joyous that she could help her crush feel useful. As much as she would rather him just rest, something as simple as putting away laundry shouldn’t do him much harm.

Izumi felt her heart sink into her stomach as she listened to Itachi express his inner most concerns to her. They were 𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚗 who had already witnessed the cruelty of the shinobi world. So much violence, hatred and death. Itachi had it much harder than Izumi, being the Uchiha Prodigy and all. It was a lot, too much, in fact, for a child to bear. Which is why she knew that as Itachi’s friend, she needed to be there for him.

“You know, Itachi… I was really scared when my Sharingan activated for the first time. Since my Dad wasn’t an Uchiha and my Mom hadn’t activated hers until roughly the same time I did, I didn’t know what to do or what was happening to me. So, to me, you’re already doing a great job handling it.”

She peered down at the Uchiha boy’s hand gripping the balcony, his knuckles the shade of snow from how tight his hold on it was. Taking a chance, she stepped sideways, closer to Itachi, and placed her smaller hand on top of his in an attempt to comfort him.

“You’re the strongest, smartest and coolest ninja I’ve ever known, Ita. I have all of the faith in the world that you’ll become an amazing shinobi.”

She didn’t expect Itachi to hold her hand or even acknowledge that it was there, but she hoped that it was what he needed to feel safe.

She wanted to be a safe haven for him.

“You know Ryuu almost as well as I do, right? She’ll jump in front of anyone she cares about to take a hit for them, that’s just the kind of person she is. She’d do it for me, for you, even Tenma…”

She giggled innocently and gently nudged Itachi’s shoulder with her own.

“…Everything will be just fine, I know it. And if something isn’t fine in the future, just know that I’ll be by your side to help you get through it. Always.”

🧡@callmemaya💜

Izumi closed her eyes and hummed as the fresh, evening wind blew through her dark brown locks. Up there on the balcony, she felt so free, so calm… Except for the fact that her childhood crush was standing right next to her, staring nonchalantly at the other households in the Uchiha Compound. At least, that’s how Itachi would come across to others, but to Izumi? No. The cogs in Itachi’s mind were turning so quickly that she could practically hear them.

“Itachi, I think we should talk.…”

She started feebly, working up the courage to have a heart-to-heart with the Uchiha Prodigy.

“The last week or so has been rough on you, Tenma and Ryuu… But, now, I just wanna talk about you and how you feel for a minute. Is that okay?”

Her hands settled on a spot in front of her on the balcony’s handrail and she took a deep breath, exhaling sharply.

“How have you been handling your Sharingan? I’m still struggling with mine, so… I just want you to know that I’m here for you no matter what.”

Are we a throuple right now?

happy birthday itachi <3

We love you, Shi Shi! I don’t ever want you to let me or Ita go~ 😔💜

happy birthday itachi <3

@sassykinzonline 💜💜

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(glare) “We’re alone, so go on. Admit it.”

Izumi blinked a few times in confusion as she peeked at Sasuke from over her light romance novel, unsure of just what the younger Uchiha was talking about. Izumi was, ironically (given the situation), an open book. Speaking her mind was never a problem, especially with someone she trusted.

“…And what exactly am I admitting, Sasuke? You’re gonna have to be a little more specific here.”