Seven Years Old Pt. 1
"Thank you," Mae smiled and grabbed the dango. She walked over to a table in the corner where Itachi was sitting and kicking his legs back and forth.
"Here you go, one serving of dango," Mae bowed giving the dango to Itachi and sitting down, he smiled softly and muttered a thank you before taking a bite out of it. She smiled back at her brother before taking a bite out of her own. After she swallowed, she looked over at Itachi with a soft look on her face, "It's been a while since this mere peasant got to hang out with the mighty prince, how have you been?"
Itachi looked up at her and smiled and rolled his eyes, "I've been good, I showed father my fireball jutsu and it was even bigger than his!" He took another bite of his dango.
Mae smiled and reached across the table with her free and to ruffle his hair, "Wow, that's amazing! I'm so proud of you Itachi." Itachi blushed and looked down, "It was nothing, I mean you can do it too."
Mae nodded and took a bite of her dango. After she swallowed, she said, "Maybe but father doesn't know that and he won't know either," she finished with a look towards Itachi.
Itachi sighed, "Maybe if he did, he wouldn't be so hard on you, he might treat you with some respect." Mae scoffed and took an aggressive bite of her dango, "I highly doubt that. The only thing that would make that happen is if I was a full blooded Uchiha."
Itachi sighed again, "I just hate how you get treated."
"I know but this isn't about me this is about you, and how amazing you are and how much you are progressing!" Mae said hitting against his shoulder, "Just you wait Itachi, one day you're going to be the best of us there is."
Itachi blushed, "You're just saying that." Mae shook her head, "No way! Just wait and see and I can say I told you so." Itachi didn't say anything else just ate his dango. Mae can tell he's still embarrassed since his cheeks are as red as a tomato.
She's so glad he's excelling as much as he is, but she can't help but to worry. She doesn't want him to get hurt or burnt out because he is so young. She wants to protect him as long as she can.
__________________________________________
After Mae went home, or snuck home she technically wasn't supposed to be out, she hurriedly went to the dojo where she was supposed to be for the last two hours. Mae luckily managed to evade everyone on the way there and she did a little dance before she got started doing her katas.
Mae was halfway through them when she heard someone clear their throat. She turned quickly to the doorway and saw her step father standing there.
"Dad! How long have you been there?" Mae asked rubbing her arm. Hizashi smiled softly and walked further into the room, "Not too long, enough to see you finish. You're progressing rather well." Mae blushed and looked down, "I still got a lot to improve on."
"That's true, maybe next time instead of taking a few hours for your break you only take the time I suggest." Hizashi said patting her on the head.
Mae's eyes widen as she looked up at her step-father, "How'd you know? I thought I did pretty good sneaking out." Hizashi smiled and said, "I always have my eyes on you while training, even if I'm not here. You're lucky Hiashi hasn't found out."
Mae winced and looked down again, "Sorry, I just wanted to go see Itachi and how his training has been going."
Hizashi sighed and kneeled down, "I feel like we keep having this same conversation and we probably will keep having it won't we?" Mae smiled sheepishly at her step-father, "Maybe."
Hizashi smiled at Mae, "Finish your training and then go bother your brother, okay? Then you can have all the time you want visiting instead of rushing back before we notice." Mae nodded with a very serious look on her face, "I promise I won't leave too early or sneak out anymore." Hizashi laughed and picked her up sitting her on his hip, walking out of the dojo," Let's see if you can keep such a promise.