"Hey, Menma," Little Hinata's timid voice drifted from behind, interrupting Menma's train of thought.
Earlier, as they were heading to Ichiraku Ramen for dinner, Naruto had suddenly and excitedly proposed a competitive eating contest against Menma. Consequently, Menma had dragged Hinata along to participate in this three-person "Big Eater" challenge.
The result? Menma had finished only two bowls and spent the rest of the time watching Naruto and Hinata stack empty bowls into small mountains. Naruto eventually ended up slumped in his seat with a belly as round as a ball, ten bowls down, with broth still clinging to the corner of his mouth.
Though Hinata had finished twenty bowls, Menma keenly noticed she still had room to spare; she had only stopped her chopsticks out of bashfulness.
"What is it?" Menma turned his gaze away from Uchiha Hikari—who had appeared in Konoha for reasons unknown—and looked back at Hinata.
In front of them, Naruto was grumbling indignantly, patting his distended stomach and swearing that he would definitely beat Hinata next time. Hinata covered her mouth with a light giggle and said softly to Menma, "It's about time to go home."
The sky was growing late. The lingering glow of the setting sun draped over the three children, plating them in a thin layer of gold.
"Ah, it's not even dark yet," Naruto muttered, looking up at the sinking sun. Suddenly, he caught sight of Uchiha Hikari standing not far away. "Eh? There's a pretty big sister over there," Naruto blinked curiously. Unlike other villagers, her gaze didn't hold the familiar loathing Naruto was used to; instead, it was haunted by a faint sadness.
"I'll walk Hinata home then," Menma said, glancing at the distant, silent Hikari. He then turned to Naruto. "You head home on your own, Naruto."
"Ah, wait!" Naruto lunged toward them, his stomach wobbling with the movement. "I'll walk with you guys! You're on the way anyway. I'll just head back alone afterward."
In truth, he simply wanted to cherish every second with his friends, even if it was just chatting while stepping on the shadows of the sunset.
"Fine, let's go together," Menma didn't call him out. He gave Naruto a playful pat on the head. Naruto immediately flailed in a mock counterattack, only to be suppressed by Menma's single hand. The two of them ran toward the Hyūga compound, laughing and playing, while Hinata trotted behind, her eyes brimming with joy.
The Naka River
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Uchiha Izumi walked along the banks of the Naka River, carrying a paper box containing several sticks of tri-color dango. She looked somewhat despondent.
It feels like I haven't seen Itachi in forever. Izumi thought of Uchiha Itachi, who had rejected her invitation a few days ago citing "more important missions." A cloud of worry settled between her brows.
Suddenly, an orange cat wearing a small vest trotted past her feet. "Eh? A ninja cat?" Izumi's eyes followed the feline. The cat strode toward a small pier on the riverbank and sat down beside a young woman.
The river breeze brushed against the girl's flowing black hair. The Uchiha crest on her blue coat was strikingly prominent. However, this pier also gave Izumi a sense of dread; it reminded her of that infinite cycle of the "Night of the Massacre" that had tormented her for so long...
Pushing down a sliver of unease, Izumi walked over curiously, wanting to offer a greeting. As she got closer, she saw the girl hugging her legs, face buried in her knees, her shoulders trembling slightly. She heard faint, suppressed sobbing.
"Um, hello, big sister!" Izumi called out softly.
The girl looked up slightly, tears still clinging to her porcelain cheeks. So beautiful. Izumi couldn't help but hold her breath, offering a sincere compliment in her heart. Even as a woman herself, she was stunned by the girl's beauty.
"If something is making you sad, eating sweets might make you feel a bit better." Izumi sat down beside the girl and opened the paper box, holding it out to her.
Looking at the dango and the matching Uchiha crest on Izumi's clothing, the girl hesitated for a moment before taking a skewer. She sniffed it first, then slowly took a bite.
The ninja cat curled up obediently between them. Izumi smiled and asked curiously, "What's your name, sister? I don't think I've seen you in the compound before."
The sweetness of the food helped dissipate some of the melancholy. The girl stared at the seven- or eight-year-old Izumi and replied in a slightly raspy voice, "My name is... Uchiha Hikari."
"I'm Uchiha Izumi!" Izumi squinted her eyes, her beauty mark shifting upward with her smile. She didn't pry into the reason for the crying; she simply shared her snacks with enthusiasm. In her mind, while Uchiha clansmen could be cold and proud, they all hid gentle hearts. She immediately wanted to be friends with this beautiful older sister.
"My, my, I've been looking everywhere for you. So this is where you were." As they chatted, a lazy voice sounded from behind.
Izumi looked back to see a boy in a black jacket with spiky hair walking toward them, one hand in his pocket and the other scratching the back of his head.
Menma leaned down, peeking at Hikari from the side, and tilted his head playfully. "Are you really crying?"
"Hmph!" Hikari whipped her head away. Her black hair slapped against Menma's face, carrying a faint fragrance and making his nose itch.
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry," Menma sat on the other side of Hikari, placing his hands on her shoulders. "I didn't mean to lie to you. Besides, is this little thing really worth all this?"
This was the first time Menma had been caught in his "true form." He hadn't expected Hikari, who was supposed to be on a mission in the Land of Rivers, to suddenly pop up in Konoha without saying a word.
Hikari bit down hard on a dango, her cheeks bulging as she chewed, clearly still angry. Menma gave an embarrassed smile to Izumi on the other side. "Sorry you had to see this."
Izumi covered her mouth to hide a grin. She assumed this was just a lovers' spat. She handed the box to the boy. "I'll give the rest to you then, Big Brother. You better cherish such a beautiful sister!"
"Thanks," Menma said softly as Izumi hummed a tune and walked away, tactfully giving them space. She didn't ask for the boy's name, assuming he was just another Konoha shinobi.
When Izumi reached the top of the riverbank, she looked back. The boy on the pier was still trying to coax the girl. I'm so jealous. If only Itachi could... Izumi thought of the person she admired.
Meow~
The orange cat had followed her, rubbing against her legs. "Ah, you didn't want to be a third wheel either?" Izumi knelt down and picked up the cat, scratching it gently under the chin.