Azumi's POV
"Although tough, together Hashirama-sama and Madara-sama were able to create the Land Hidden in the Leaves," Mother said, her voice calm and warm as she lifted her teacup to her lips.
I stared at her in wide-eyed amazement, my four-year-old self enchanted by the story and by her beauty.
"Wow! Someday, when I grow up, I wanna be just as strong as them!" I grinned, my cheeks stuffed with cookies and crumbs decorating my face like confetti.
"Azumi! Don't talk with your mouth so full," Mother scolded gently, leaning across the small table to wipe my mouth with a handkerchief.
"Ah sorry, Mother" I giggled sheepishly, then eagerly reached for another cookie from the tray the maids had set out for us.
We were sitting near the koi pond in the garden of the Kurokawa Clan's Main Household, a peaceful moment under the afternoon sun.
"Little sister! Mother!" a familiar voice called out.
I turned to see my big brother running toward us, waving his arms with a bright smile on his face.
"Big brother!" I jumped to my feet, gathered my kimono in my hands to keep from tripping, and ran toward him, leaping into his arms. "You're back from your mission!"
He chuckled, hoisting me up easily as he walked us both back to Mother.
"Daisuke! Look at you—you're covered in dirt," Mother said with a light laugh and a teasing tone.
"You see me after a whole week, and that's all you say?" Daisuke groaned, mock-offended. "At least my dear little sister missed me."
"Oh, don't be so dramatic," Mother said, smiling as she sipped her tea. "Tell me, how was your mission?"
"It was good! Way more fun with my team than when I'm traveling with Father," he said, plopping down beside her and stealing a snack.
"Wow, big brother is so cool!" I beamed. "When I grow up, can I go on missions too?"
My hopeful question made them pause. I was too excited to notice the sadness that flickered briefly across their faces.
"Sweetie," Mother said, her voice soft, "you can do whatever you want."
"Then I wanna be a medical ninja!" I declared proudly. "I'll protect everyone and make them feel all better!"
I started mimicking hand signs dramatically, drawing another laugh from Daisuke. Mother smiled, though her eyes lingered on me with a strange sadness.
"All right, enough of that," she said, standing up and brushing herself off. "You two need to clean up. We're visiting the Uchiha compound today, and I won't have my children looking like they've never had a bath."
"You exaggerate mother!" Daisuke called after her as she walked toward the house. He then turned to me with a grin. "Climb on."
I giggled and jumped onto his back, and he carried me all the way to the house before dropping me off at my room.
~*~
Inside, a few of the maids helped me get ready. We shared laughs as they dressed me in a baby-blue kimono adorned with cherry blossoms and the Kurokawa Clan's crest on the back. They brushed my long black hair and fastened it with a cherry blossom-shaped pin, then helped me into my shoes.
"Ah! You're so cute m'lady!" Ai, one of the maids, gushed.
"Thank you, Ai-san!" I beamed as I hurried to the front of the house, where Mother and Daisuke were already waiting.
Otou-san wouldn't be joining us today, he was away on a diplomatic trip.
As we walked through the village toward the Uchiha compound, many people greeted us. I held Mother's and Daisuke's hands tightly, smiling up at everyone.
"Hana!" someone called from the front of the Uchiha residence.
A beautiful woman with long raven hair and onyx eyes ran toward Mother and embraced her.
Wow, she's so pretty, I thought my eyes widening as I stared at her holding onto my brothers shirt.
"Mikoto! It's been too long," Mother said warmly. "I'm sorry we haven't been around, we've both been busy. My husband's been occupied with Lord Hokage, and I've had to manage Clan affairs."
She looked back at us.
"Azumi, Daisuke, come greet Mikoto. She's a dear friend of mine."
"Konnichiwa. I am Daisuke Kurokawa," my brother said with a small bow. "It's good to meet someone Mother speaks so fondly of."
"Konnichiwa, Mikoto-san! My name is Azumi," I said, mimicking my brother's bow. "It's nice to meet you!"
"Aww, you two are too cute!" Mikoto smiled. "Don't worry about formality. You're family."
She turned toward the house. "Sasuke! Itachi! Come out and greet our guests!"
Silence.
Mikoto coughed awkwardly and chuckled. "They must be out training. They'll be back soon. Come on, let's head inside."
~*~
The afternoon passed quickly. Mikoto and Mother told us funny stories from their childhood, and I had so much fun helping Mikoto prepare dinner. She even taught me how to shape the rice balls!
Daisuke was sent to find Sasuke and Itachi, while the rest of us finished setting the table.
Fugaku-sama arrived first. I greeted him politely, but as the adults started talking, I found myself zoning out.
"Mom!" a voice shouted as three boys rushed in—my brother among them. I looked up excitedly.
Sasuke and Itachi.
The smaller one was Sasuke, around my age, while the older one was a bit younger than Daisuke. They introduced themselves and took their seats across from us, Sasuke across from me, Itachi across from my brother. Mikoto and Mother sat facing each other, with Fugaku at the head of the table.
"Okay, everyone, dig in!" Mikoto announced cheerfully. "I made sure there's plenty for all."
"Thank you for the food!" I said before eagerly digging in.
In front of me was a dish of cherry tomatoes. My eyes landed on the biggest one. I placed my chopsticks down to grab it only for another pair of chopsticks to move in at the same time.
I glanced up, Sasuke.
"It's mine!" he growled, glaring at me.
I blinked, surprised, then narrowed my eyes right back at him. "No way! I was gonna let you have it, but not anymore. It's mine."
"Brother!" Sasuke whined, turning to Itachi.
"Brother!" I mimicked, looking at Daisuke for backup.
"What do you want me to do, Azumi? Fight him over a tomato?" Daisuke said, already chewing on his rice.
"No! I want you to fight Itachi-san! And it's not just a tomato! It's my tomato!"
"Hah! Like he could beat my brother!" Sasuke said, sticking his tongue out. "He's the strongest!"
"Nuh-uh! My brother is older, so he's stronger!"
"Well, my brother is cooler!"
Sasuke stood, glaring down at me across the table.
Not wanting to be outdone, I stood too.
"Azumi, dear, please," Mother said, barely hiding her amusement. "No fighting at the dinner table."
"He started it…" I mumbled, flopping back into my seat.
But when I reached for the tomatoes again, the plate was empty.
Sasuke and I turned slowly.
Itachi calmly popped the last cherry tomato into his mouth, completely unbothered.
"Nooooo!" Sasuke and I groaned in unison.
Daisuke burst into laughter, followed by Mikoto and Mother. I couldn't help it, I laughed too, even Sasuke chuckled a little. Fugaku and Itachi shared a rare smile.
As I sat there, surrounded by laughter, I felt something I hadn't known I was missing.
This feels nice.
It was the first time I'd spent time with other kids outside my clan. I looked over at Sasuke.
He looked at me.
Our laughter stopped
Lilac eyes met Onyx ones.
We glared at each other.
This isn't over yet.