Chapter 15: 15. Warmth
Itsuki was preparing breakfast in the kitchen but his mind was a little preoccupied.
Yesterday night, he pushed himself a bit too much causing him to faint from exhaustion.
But when he woke up what he didn't expect was Kushina cleaning him up, although he was a little surprised and also felt a little happy because maybe he wasn't giving himself enough credit and maybe she liked him?
What he didn't know was that if he woke a few minutes earlier he would have found out that she more than just liked him.
But he still pretended to be unconscious because he was too embarrassed and did not know how to behave so he just lay there, waiting for her to finish.
But the thing that stumped him was, before leaving she kissed him on his forehead.
Although it wasn't even on the cheek much less the lips, a kiss is a kiss!
Thinking up to this, Itsuki still felt embarrassed and whenever he thought of Kushina, he could feel his heart beating faster.
'Damn it' he cursed due to the overwhelming embarrassment and feeling like a teenager in puberty.
....
Blue meets Amber
Amber meets Blue
Itsuki was currently staring at the cute little baby in his arms, who no one would expect to be the fated child of prophecy Uzumaki Naruko.
Gazing at Itsuki for a few seconds a smile blossomed on Naruko's face making anyone who gazed at her to melt their hearts.
Itsuki couldn't understand how people could hurt such an innocent child, except for a few, the people in Konoha were truly rotten.
Well, he can't blame them, it's the mentality of the weak to blame their misfortune on something or someone else.
He won't let those trash hurt this innocent child ever.
That bleak and horrible future won't exist, she won't have to live on ramen and expired milk, she won't have to forage through trash, and she won't have to cry herself to sleep at night due to the loneliness and sadness.
And she.....Uzumaki Naruko won't have to ever envy other children for having parents.
While gazing at those innocent blue orbs Itsuki resolutely decided that he would protect this child... No ...his 'Daughter'.
...
Itsuki's morning went by pleasantly as he was also in a good mood.
Which resulted in him giving more than 100% of his effort while serving his customers.
Still, he had to say 'KFC' is just too popular, should he set a branch up in Kumogakure and Kirigakure?
If they ask what 'KFC' means, he can just say Kumo Fried Chicken and vice versa. If he tried to sell 'Konoha Fried Chicken' they might not allow him to open the shop.
While Itsuki was preoccupied with his thoughts, he failed to notice a black shadow behind him or did he?
A pair of arms reached out from behind him.
Suddenly his vision went dark but Itsuki didn't panic.
"Guess who~" a mischievous voice echoed near his ears.
Itsuki had a smile on his face and he also responded in a confused tone which contained a hint of mischeviousness.
" Hmm.. Is it Anko?"
"Hmph~ No!"
Suddenly Itsuki felt the darkness recede and what came into his vision was a beautiful red-eyed girl who had her cheeks puffed up in an adorable pout.
"Oni-sama you meanie"
Itsuki couldn't help but pat her head upon seeing her act this cute.
"Ok~Ok, How about as an apology I make you a special lunch" Itsuki said with an indulging smile while patting her head.
When she heard this her eyes practically started shining in excitement and she hugged his waist while rubbing her face all over his chest like a kitten.
Itsuki just stroked her hair during all of this with a smile.
He looked affectionately towards the girl in his embrace, who would think that the cold-faced Kurenai would act like this?
....
Yuhi Kurenai although not the happiest child in the world was still someone with a relatively happy childhood and family.
But all that changed on that dreadful night. The night where hopes and dreams were shattered and people were trampled upon as if they were just ants.
And on that day Yuhi Kurenai's world came crashing down. She had to watch as her father along with the other Shinobi went to battle against that monstrosity, which was nothing more than a futile endeavor.
She could only watch as her father went towards his demise, knowing no words from her would stop him.
...
Due to her mother passing away early, her father was the one who brought her up. She held immense respect for him and never once hated him for her strict upbringing.
But now she was truly alone, grasping the fact that she was an orphan starting from today onwards while gazing at his tombstone was a hard thing to stomach.
Kurenai felt herself slipping into darkness, her mind filled with self-destructive thoughts, constantly questioning the reason for her existence. The darkness corroded her mind step by step as if to consume her whole.
It was during this tumultuous moment of her life that she met him.
She accidentally stumbled into his shop while her mind was clouded with depression, only to be greeted with a warm smile that managed to alleviate some of the darkness clouding her mind.
He offered her a meal, it was just a simple 'Omurice' but this seemingly ordinary meal was the tastiest meal she had ever had in her life.
[Image]
The repressed feelings Inside of her flowed out in the form of tears. Although it made her meal a little salty she didn't mind as all she wanted was to finish this meal, as this meal provided her the feeling she didn't know she needed... warmth.
...
While coming out of her reverie Kurenai gazed at his face to see that kind smile.
'Not fair' Kurenai could only complain in her mind as she rubbed her head against his chest more, she knew her feelings for him were a bit strong and it could even be called abnormal. But she didn't care, during her dark time his presence gave her the warmth she sought after, and as an orphan having a caring 'Brother' made her sink into this feeling more.
....
"Come on if you keep on hugging me I can't cook the food" Itsuki gazed helplessly at the girl who was rubbing her face vigorously on his chest.
"Hehe~ Okay" Kurenai let go of him and sat on top of the counter so that she could watch him cook.
Both of them failed to notice the presence of someone in front of the door who vanished after a few seconds.
******
So a very good question from a fellow reader.
How would you save the Uchiha If you were Itachi?
A very difficult question and the solution to which is too hard.
1. The easiest solution is to escape with only your family. With the help of Shisui's eye ability, you could convince Hiruzen so that you can run away with Izumi, Mikoto, and Sasuke and live in the remort corner of the continent. And it will be too late for them to chase you.
2. Kill off all the radical Uchiha Shinobi with the help of Konoha ANBU, the normal Uchiha clansmen most likely won't cause trouble. There are a bunch of arrogant fools who are riling the clansmen up, if they die the Uchiha would calm down for a few years, it would provide some time to think of a solution. Transferring them back to the old clan lands would remove some of their hatred.
3. Commit suicide along with your family, so that you won't have to kill your loved ones. If nothing works either commit suicide or take revenge on Konoha. I can't and won't kill my mother just for the sake of an edgy brat.
Itachi was a mentally ill person so you can't expect him to make sound decisions, he has an abnormal boner towards peace and in a way Shisui cursed him by passing on his will, Shisui is also an idiot for thinking his death would stop the Uchiha from fighting against the higher-ups.
...
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