The cool breeze from the Naka River rustled the leaves of nearby trees as you sat in the grass, your jōnin uniform just beginning to settle with the evening air. The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a soft golden hue over the village. It had been a long day, and the solitude by the river calmed your mind, letting you reflect on everything—on Shisui, on your clan, on the world you lived in.

Suddenly, you heard a voice—soft, yet painfully familiar—drift through the quiet.

“It’s getting late. Shisui will look for you soon, you know.”

You turned your head, eyes meeting Itachi’s, who stood a few steps behind you. His long black hair, tied in a low ponytail, swayed gently in the evening wind, the movement almost hypnotic against the stillness of the moment. His dark eyes locked with yours, lingering for just a moment too long, as though he were considering something unspoken.

Itachi, always a few years older than you and much taller, had known you since you were a child, growing up as Shisui’s younger sister. The familiarity of him was comforting, but tonight there was a subtle shift, something you couldn’t quite place. His usual stoic expression softened just slightly, the warmth in his gaze unexpected but real.

“You’ve been out here for a while,” he said, his voice calm and measured. It wasn’t a reprimand, just an observation, but the way he said it carried a different weight tonight—an undertone that made you aware of his quiet presence beside you.

You smiled faintly, not quite meeting his eyes as you tried to steady your racing heart. “I’ll head back soon,” you replied, though neither of you moved. The space between you felt fuller now, though neither of you acknowledged the reason.