I smiled up at him. His dark eyes bore into mine. I grinned. "Hello Itachi!" I cheered. He smiled and crouched in front of me.

He smiled warmly. "Well hello Miyuna. What brings you here today? Is Naruto sick again?" He asked.

I shook my head. "No. I think he's hanging out with Choji and Shikamaru. So I came here!"

He chuckled. "Well than, you want to go to the market with me and then go home?" I nodded my head rapidly.

He chuckled. And picked me up, placing me on his shoulders. I gasped loudly at the shock of being so high up. But I trusted him. So I let it be.

We ventured into the market, Itachi picking up food here and there. A group of ladies walking near us stopped once they saw me.

They instantly glared at me. I glared back before turning it down to Itachi's dark hair. My pigtails fell down, along with my bangs, covering my eyes.

Everyone hated me.

"It's her."

"Yeah. Related to that."

"If you ask me both are monsters."

"I know. They're like rabid dogs. I can't believe Lord Hokage has allowed them to stay."

"I know. They're nothing but a stain to our village."

I snapped my head up and glared at them. "Watch what you say hags! I'll beat you to a bloody pulp!" I had screamed.

The flinched. Before whispering more.

I looked back down, willing the tears not to fall. Why? Why do they have to be so mean to me? To Naruto? It's not fair!

"If I were you, I would stop gossiping." Itachi warned the two women. They jumped in surprise.

"I don't want to be forced to tell Lord Hokage about this. You know how he is on the subject." A look of fear flickered through their eyes before they scurried off.

It was silent for a bit and Itachi started heading home. "You didn't have to do that. I am more than capable of taking care of myself."

He didn't say anything. "I'm sorry, but if it had happened again, I'd do the same thing, maybe worse. I don't like it when people hurt those I love." I froze in shock.

"You would do that for me?" I asked softly.

"Of course. I love you Miyu."

Tears pooled in my blue eyes before falling on Itachi's hair. I cried silently, and Itachi allowed it.

After a bit, he put down the bags and maneuvered me so I was in his arms princess style. He held me close to his chest, and I bawled my eyes out on his shoulder.

It was weird, having somebody say that. I've never heard it. I've only heard it from Naruto. It was different. I liked it. But it made me scared.

I don't like crying. Crying shows weakness. But yet, only a few words from him and my emotions come out.

Itachi.

I love him.

He's like a big brother.

~~

I lay against Itachi as he held a children's book open. The pictures were big and bright. I stared at it as he read.

"The princess, with hair of burning fire, was always sad. She was trapped in a palace, filled with people, but she always felt alone.

Because of her parent's death, she was left to run the kingdom at a young age. Many did not like her because of this. She was only a child, yet she was in charge. When the young princess was twelve, she closed off her heart, shielding it in ice.

By her fifteenth birthday, the princess snuck out to venture off a bit. She traveled through the spacious village.

Suddenly, a boy, her age fell in front of her. His friend had roughly shoved him in the path of the princess. Quickly, she shielded herself with her cloak.

But alas, they knew her immediately. No one has ever seen hair so bright. The two boys stared at the princess in awe, but she looked at them with annoyance.

The first boy, the one with eyes of deep ember, spoke first. "Princess. Wow. You're beautiful, I-I mean, what are you doing outside the palace?"

She just looked at him blankly. Not amused by his words. His other friend snickered. "I do not need to explain why I am out to a lowly peasant such as yourself." She had hissed.

But the boy paid no mind. He was enchanted with her beauty. "You're voice is musical." He whispered.

The princess wasn't sure what to make of the strange boy. And as she explored, he had followed her throughout the village.

The princess was not happy. She was angry with him. "Why are you following me?!" She had demanded. He merely grinned.

"I wouldn't let the princess walk around unprotected." She huffed in annoyance. "I come out everyday!" She lied.

His eyes widened. "Unprotected?!" She nodded, thinking she had convinced him she was capable of handling herself.

But he just told her that he would not leave. The next day, he was waiting for her by the shop they had met.

Day after day when the princess left to escape the palace, the boy was there. He would laugh, and talk to her kindly. She was not use to it. She had yelled, screamed, and bribed him to leave.

But he would just grin and follow her.

The princess had watched him. His smile. The way his eyes lit up when excited. And his eyes as they showed her only kindness.

Gradually, she came to enjoy his company.

One day, a group of men followed her and the boy. Their aim was the princess. But the boy would not let them get her.

The group would play with the boy, taunt him, and beat him up. The princess watched in horror. Tears welled in her eyes and she threw herself ontop of him.

"Please stop! Don't hurt him anymore! I'll give you anything, just please don't hurt him!" She had cried.

The leader stepped up, a smirk on his face. "Alright princess, I'll let him live. But in return, you will become my wife, and make me king."

Her eyes widened, but she turned her gaze on the boy. The boy she hated. But she didn't hate him. The fool thawed her frozen heart and barged in.

She was in love with him.

And she would do anything for him. So she agreed.

Soon, the wedding day came. And the princess glanced at herself sadly through the mirror.

She wore a long white, wedding dress. Tears started flowing from her eyes. For she was to marry a ruffian.

"Princess." She jumped and turned towards the widow to see the boy. Her eyes were wide and she ran towards him. "What are you doing?" She whispered, astonished.

"I told you I will protect you. Come with me." He whispered. His ember eyes burning into hers.

She was about to say she couldn't, but that wasn't true. She could do this. She loved him.

"I love you Princess Miuna. Run away with me." Tears fell from her eyes. But not of sadness, with happiness.

She reached out and took his hand. "I love you Kai." With that, the boy brought her to him, and gave her a loving kiss.

And with that, he whisked her away, and the two fled. Since the man was not of royal blood, he was kicked out of the castle.

And as for the star crossed lovers? They started a new in a few villages over."

Itachi closed the book. I frowned and looked up at him. "That's stupid." He furrowed his eyebrows. "Why?"

"She shouldn't forgive anyone, or let anyone in. She should just keep to herself." Itachi raised an eyebrow.

"Miyuna, do you love me?" My eyes widened. "Of course Itachi!"

He smiled. "Than you and the princess have more in common than your name." I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at him with confusion.

He smiled.

I'm like the princess? I giggled. He must be crazy. I'm nothing like her.

~~

I see now, Itachi. You're right. I am like her. I clenched my fists. Alright. Here we go.

I launched forward towards Kankuro. "Take this! HAA!"