Lately, Itachi had been appearing in the most unexpected places. At first, it seemed like coincidence — a fleeting glimpse of him across the market, his cloak blending into the shadows of an alley. But then it happened again. And again. His presence lingered like a ghost, crimson Sharingan catching the light just enough to send a shiver down your spine before he slipped away.

It never felt like a threat. His gaze was steady, not hostile, watching from afar without ever making a move to approach. He would lean against a tree as you trained, the wind tugging at his cloak, or appear on a rooftop as you walked home at dusk. Always silent. Always watching. The village buzzed around you, unaware of the quiet guardian who seemed tethered to your every step.

One evening, you dropped a basket of supplies, and before you could react, he was there. The items were already gathered, placed neatly in front of you as his fingers brushed against the last kunai. He didn’t speak, only offered a small nod before vanishing like he had never been there at all. The echo of his chakra faded slowly, lingering like an unspoken promise. A sneaking guardian. A silent gentleman.

The sightings didn’t stop. Itachi’s presence became a constant — an unseen comfort. Whether he watched out of duty or something more personal remained a mystery. But as long as he stayed, you couldn’t help but feel a little safer, even if the weight of his gaze left your heart racing.