As the year progressed, Itachi had already mastered ninjutsu and the art of permutation to perfection. He was deepening his cloning skills alone at the edge of the forest when footsteps were heard. The boy stopped to see who was coming, and discovered with surprise his elder and role model, Shisui Uchiha, who had just returned from a long mission.

"So, Itachi! Aren't you happy to see me?", he joked in front of his friend's frozen face, tapping him on the shoulder.

"It's been so long! Where have you been? How was it? Did you make it? Of course you did, you're the best!" the boy questioned him hurriedly.

Shisui laughed at Itachi's cheerfulness, which he only showed on rare occasions, and mostly when they were alone together, probably because of the weight of his father's expectations of him as the heir to the clan. He hugged him and just whispered to him:

"Were you training? What were you doing? Come on, show me how much you've improved!"

After a thin smile of defiance from the younger boy who asked for nothing more, the boys clashed amicably, Shisui of course still having the upper hand, but willingly admitting his friend's meteoric progress.

As the sun set, they decided to head back to the clan and discussed Shisui's latest assignments in great detail along the way. As they passed by Aruna's house, Itachi saw Mitsuki daydreaming at the window. She was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of the boys' footsteps and waved to her friend before disappearing and closing behind her.

"Oh but tell me Itachi, who is this lovely little lady?", teased Shisui.

Itachi poked him in the ribs, causing him to laugh, before answering him:

"Her name is Mitsuki, we're in the same class."

"I see..." his friend continued, a defiant look in his eyes, "That said, what is she doing at Aruna-san's house?"

"It's... a long story," Itachi tried to cut it short.

- Are you keeping secrets from me, Itachi?

- It's not that... She arrived recently, and was having problems so Aruna-sensei invited her to live with him so she would be safe."

Shisui looked doubtful but decided to leave the boy alone, they were arriving in front of his house anyway.

"Oh, Shisui! You're back!" a female voice exclaimed.

"Good evening Mrs. Uchiha!" the main man greeted politely.

"Good evening Mama," followed Itachi.

"Good evening big boy, what a mess you've gotten yourself into again! Come and wash up! Come in Shisui, Fugaku will be happy to see you again! And you will see Sasuke! He's grown so much already!" Itachi's mother invited.

The boys followed her inside the house where a little boy immediately ran up to Itachi.

"Hi, Sasuke! Did you have a good day?", Itachi asked him as he gladly took him in his arms.

Shisui ruffled his hair, causing the boy to laugh.

"Well Itachi, you disappeared again all day! Did you have a good workout?" a man asked, before he saw the taller boy accompanying his son, "Oh Shisui, you're finally back from a mission! What have you been up to?"

They talked for a while, Fugaku listening with seriousness to each element that the young ninja could bring him, before finally letting him go back to his own home for a well deserved rest.The next morning, Itachi left for the academy, kissing his little brother on the way. He waited for Mitsuki in front of Aruna's house, and he told her all along the way how happy he was to see his best friend again after many months. The girl was very amused by the excitement of her friend and suggested him to go for a snack on the dock after school. She had prepared the dango that Itachi liked so much and she wanted to enjoy the first flowers of spring, especially since the sun was shining that day. Itachi did not hesitate and waited impatiently for the signal that the day at the Academy was over.

They sat down on the dock, the lake was calm and the sun was warming their rosy cheeks. Mitsuki gave a box to her friend who opened it, feasting her eyes before tasting the content.

"It's even better when you make them!" the greedy boy exclaimed.

Mitsuki laughed, blushing slightly. They were both enjoying the quiet surroundings when someone called out to them:

"Yo Itachi!"

Shisui approached them, smiling.

"Oh, so this is your friend! I'm Shisui Uchiha! And you must be Mitsuki! I'm glad to meet the one who can cheer up this workaholic a bit!" the teenager introduced himself, winking at his friend, who found himself in his shoes.

Mitsuki glanced at Itachi, surprised that his interlocutor already knew his name, then handed the newcomer his box before offering him warmly:

"We were just having a taste, do you want to join us?"

Shisui then met Mitsuki's eyes and stopped briefly. She still had time to perceive him and looked away, suspecting that Itachi had not revealed everything about his identity and that his red eyes, once again, had betrayed him.

"I didn't want to bother you, but it looks so appetizing that I can't bring myself to refuse!", Shisui quickly resumed, perceiving the embarrassment he had unintentionally caused in Mitsuki, before sitting down next to her, hoping to reassure her of the peaceful nature of his thoughts.

He took a dango and devoured it.

"Damn it Mitsuki! I can see why Itachi likes you!" he laughed.

He took another drink and started another lively discussion with the two friends. Mitsuki liked the fact that he didn't ask any questions that would make her feel more uncomfortable. She even found Shisui nice, he didn't seem to be embarrassed by her presence, and had completely relaxed the atmosphere. He seemed to be a bon vivant, laughed all the time, and had values concerning the village that were more than respectable.

"You'd make a great Hokage!", Mitsuki innocently complimented him after he mentioned his desire for peace in Konoha and in all countries.

"An Uchiha Hokage, you have a great sense of humor you!" he said ruffling her hair, "No matter what the future holds, I will do everything in my power to protect my country and the people I care about."

Mitsuki flinched slightly as she heard him speak. Did he fear like many that she would be harmful to the future of the hidden village of the leaf? Yet, her intentions were ultimately very similar. She longed only for peace and had discovered herself a new ambition to always improve herself in order to help these people who had reached out to her and were now so dear to her heart. She would follow in their footsteps, as far as she could, it had become her nindo. She stared at the water for a moment, when a hand gently rested on her shoulder. She then turned her big red eyes to Shisui who was still adorned with his best smile.

"I'm sure you care about the welfare of the villagers here too! I can't wait to see you accomplish your first missions", he affirmed as if to indicate to her that he had well understood what was bothering her, as if his pupils then so well hidden could read in her, and that on the contrary, he didn't have the slightest suspicion against her, having a blind trust in Itachi's judgment.

This made Mitsuki's heart warm, and she smiled to thank him.

The hour was advancing, the sun was setting, tinting the surface of the water red. The spectacle was magnificent and the three acolytes enjoyed it in silence until the last second. Then they got up and went back to the Uchiha district. Arriving in front of Aruna's house, the boys stopped to greet their young friend.

"I'm glad I met you, Mitsuki! Itachi always chooses the people around him very well!", Shisui said with a wink, "see you soon, I hope!"

And Mitsuki went home, leaving the two to continue on their way.

"Does your father know you're seeing her?" inquired Shisui, his tone a little more serious.Itachi shook his head and looked away.

"I trust your judgment, and Aruna-san, although I'm surprised that he was the one who wanted to take her in, when you know what he lost that day... But if other clan members see her here, she might be in more danger than when she was alone..." the teenager worried.

Itachi remained silent.

"Itachi, this girl is bound to have great powers, which may one day overtake her...or maybe not, and I sincerely hope so. She looks innocent and benevolent, but you should know that her family represented a clan just as important as ours, and their intentions were originally good... and then one day, we never knew why, everything went wrong. Hundreds of people lost their lives, among civilians, and among ninjas... And especially in our clan. Aruna's family was a part of it, your father's brother was a part of it, your mother herself was almost killed...not to mention the fact that this story is imprinted in the memories of a large part of the clan..." Shisui said sadly.

Itachi flinched at the thought of his mother in danger. He didn't know anything about this story, and was surprised that Shisui even knew about it, but after all, he hadn't become a pillar of the Uchiha clan for nothing. He stopped abruptly and said curtly:

"She has nothing to do with it, and keeping her away from Konoha will not help her control her nature! She is my friend, Shisui, just like you, and I believe in her just like I admire you. I don't know what you're getting at by telling me all this, but it won't change anything!"

Shisui grabbed him by the shoulder and leaned in to face him.

"I told you, Itachi, I trust your judgment. I'm not trying to change your feelings about her. But you're going to have to talk to your father, before he finds out about her on his own."

"Talk to me about what?" questioned Fugaku who was just returning from the police station.

Itachi looked at him, forbidden, not knowing how to answer after the revelations of his friend. Shisui gritted his teeth too, feeling guilty for not having noticed the man's presence earlier. He finally answered quickly, before arousing Itachi's father's suspicions even more, hoping that he hadn't heard much of their conversation:

"Well... Itachi has met a lovely young girl..."

"Oh... I see... that explains why we've been seeing less of you lately... but isn't he a little young... and the academy...", Fugaku worried, smiling despite everything, a little embarrassed by this kind of conversation he didn't think he'd have to bring up so soon, and running his hand behind his head.

"Father... she's only a friend!", Itachi defended himself, red-faced.

Fugaku sighed, looking relieved, then asked:

"Then why do you look like you're hiding the deal of the century?"

"I think we should talk about it quietly over a table, if you don't mind Itachi...", Shisui offered, not seeing how they could escape Fugaku's stricken curiosity, and thus suggesting the perch held out to his friend so he wouldn't have to hide this secret any longer.

"I'm in, if you don't mind," Aruna interjected, coming out of nowhere, looking worried.

Fugaku looked at him, surprised, and agreed. They all headed to the police chief's house, and sat around the table while Mikoto finished putting Sasuke to bed and making them tea.
"Then how could a girl who was dating my son make so many people want to talk to me about it?", Fugaku asked, looking stern.

Mikoto sat down at the table and looked at Itachi with round eyes.

"A girl?" she questioned, curious, a big smile gracing her pink lips.

Itachi sank back in his chair, this conversation was going to be very difficult.

"A friend... Mama," he tried to deflect. But judging by the delighted smile of his mother, it was not won.

"Will you introduce us to her soon?", she inquired.

"Mama..." the boy protested, embarrassed.

"Can we get straight to the point?" interrupted Fugaku, annoyed.

All the men looked at each other, not knowing how to bring up this conversation without arousing the anger of the clan leader.Then Aruna spoke up:

"A few months ago, the Hokage took in a young orphan girl, allowing her to live in a small apartment in Konoha and continue her studies at the Ninja academy... After some worries ... of integration ... we decided to host her in my home, for her safety ... "

"I still don't see what you're getting at," Fugaku became impatient.

"Fugaku-senpai...", Shisui interjected, "this little one is Itachi's age..."

"Stop guessing! What am I supposed to understand? A little orphan girl of Itachi's age, so what?!", the father of the young brunette finally got angry, sensing by their way of circumventing "the problem" that he wasn't going to like what would follow.

"This is ... Mitsuki ... Hata ... ", finished Aruna almost in a low voice.

A heavy silence fell in the room. Mikoto put her hand to her mouth, stifling a small scream. Itachi tried to gauge his father's reaction, but his face remained impassive. No one dared to say a word. And after long seconds, Fugaku finally got up abruptly, hitting the table with his fist.

"NO WAY!" he cried, causing Sasuke to cry and Mikoto, confused, hurried to join him.

"Father...", Itachi tried to intervene.

"You will not associate with that murderess, Itachi! And you, Aruna! How can you betray us? Wasn't the price you paid that day enough? Have you forgotten already?!" the father shouted angrily.

"Fugaku, with all due respect, that girl didn't kill anyone. And the price she paid that day is just as high, if not higher! She grew up alone, and constantly rejected and mistreated, she deserves to be given a chance, for once!", Aruna defended her, sure of himself.

Fugaku turned to the window, beside himself.

"My darling...", Mikoto breathed, who had returned quietly, placing a hand on his shoulder, "I have faith in every man in this room, and even more in our son. She's just a child... Why don't we meet her, we can make up our own minds?"

Fugaku sighed. He was still tense, but Mikoto was definitely the only one who knew how to reason with him and ease his tension.

"The children are growing up... I can't accept her presence, least of all around my son, after all they did to us! She's a danger, Mikoto, you've already paid for it in the past!" he persisted despite everything.

"Father, she almost died before my eyes, at the hands of someone as... closed...as you." Itachi defended her awkwardly, trying to choose his words carefully so as not to make his father's feelings worse, "If I hadn't intervened, if the Hokage hadn't arrived...she would have died, and that without defending herself, without saying a word... She knows the horrors committed by her family and pays the price without flinching, daily. And I refuse to let her suffer like this! I refuse to let her continue to sabotage her life, as a punishment she doesn't deserve! She is my friend, Father, and I am hers, I will watch over her whether you want me to or not."

Fugaku's jaw cracked, and Itachi hiccupped, realizing that he had probably gone too far.

"Let's all eat at home tomorrow night," Aruna interjected, hoping to end this verbal joust.

"Very well," Fugaku agreed curtly, "Not that it will change my mind! But don't they say 'keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer'".

"I beg you... Give this little one a chance... She's your son's friend after all..." Mikoto implored him gently.

Fugaku grunted and left without a goodbye to her room.

"I think Mitsuki is going to have to make us a shipment of dango if she wants to soften Fugaku-sama's heart," Shisui joked to lighten the mood, to no avail.

Mikoto placed a kiss on her son's cheek as a sign of support.

"Well, I won't bother you any longer Mikoto-chan. Thank you for the tea, it was delicious," Aruna thanked, "And forgive me for the trouble I've caused you... I should have told the clan before..."

"You did very well," the beautiful woman interrupted him, "She was just a baby, I don't know how she survived, but she certainly doesn't deserve to pay the debt for her ancestors..."

Shisui and Aruna stood up, greeted Mikoto and Itachi and left for home.

After a moment, Mikoto asked:

"You like him a lot, don't you?"

Itachi turned red again. She was definitely not giving up!

"She makes the best dango in the world," Itachi laughed and replied.

Mikoto ran a hand through the boy's hair before kissing him and taking out a plate for him to eat. He gobbled up his meal and quickly went to bed, not wanting to run into his father again in the immediate future, after having stood up to him so much, which was not his habit, and dreading dinner the next day.

At Aruna's house, Mitsuki was immersed in a book, lying on the carpet of the living room, far from the recent neighbouring tensions, when the Sensei returned home. A plate with a delicious smell was waiting for him at the table.

"I'm sorry, Aruna-san, I didn't wait for you to eat...", the girl apologized.

Aruna put down her things and ruffled her hair and grumbled:

"Do I look so old that you insist on being polite? Thank you for preparing the meal, it looks delicious! Come sit with me, I want to talk to you."

Mitsuki closed her book and followed Aruna to the table. Aruna started to eat, enjoying the flavors that his palate was communicating to him. He then looked at his protégée in the eyes for a little while, before announcing to her with a serious tone:

"I've just come from Itachi's house. It so happens that his father, who was not aware of your presence in the village until now, overheard a conversation about you between his son and Shisui... You should know Mitsuki...

- I know the name of every victim, injured or dead person, Aruna..." the girl cut him off, guessing what he was getting at.

The sensei sighed, she already knew that her family had struck at this branch of Uchiha too.

"Should I go?" asked Mitsuki, her voice broken despite her resignation.

Aruna opened round eyes, dropping her fork in the process.

"No! Of course not," he reassured her, "I wouldn't let anyone stop you from living here. Mikoto the first, Itachi's mother and one of the ... injured, doesn't mind. She thinks that a child should not have to pay for the mistakes of her ancestors. On the other hand Fugaku ... her father ... doesn't take it badly, Mitsuki, he is the head of the Konoha police station, and of this clan, he has been protecting the village for many years... It's in his nature to be suspicious. He doesn't accept your return to us. But, thanks to Itachi and Mikoto, we've agreed to introduce you to a meal tomorrow night... all together... so he'll get to know you and not just see you as a threat."

Mitsuki opened her mouth, without a single sound coming out, and immediately closed it again.

"I'm sorry Mitsuki, I would have liked to ask your opinion before, but this is the only way I could find to try to make your life here more comfortable...", Aruna apologized.

"I'm grateful to you, Aruna-san, don't apologize for looking after me. I will do my best not to disappoint you," the girl reassured him.

Aruna smiled at her before jokingly announcing:

"You could make dinner! With such a delicious dish, Fugaku will only be able to implore you to stay so close to them!"

Mitsuki laughed out loud, and gladly agreed. They spent the rest of the evening talking, before going to their rooms to rest. The next day was going to be intense and Mitsuki was very apprehensive about meeting Itachi's family because of their common past. She finally fell asleep with difficulty, giving way to a nightmare she knew all too well: the massacre of the Hata and the screams of their victims, those sounds without images that harassed her so often, as if her baby brain had recorded everything to remind her every day of her life of the burden that would follow her.