Chapter 6: Embracing Through a Sleepless Night
"How did it go? Father didn't give you a hard time, did he?" Uchiha Itachi had been waiting at the stairs. Seeing Nana come up, he quickly draped his coat over her shoulders.
"No, Itachi-nii, Uncle was very kind. He agreed to let me stay long-term." Tears still clung to the corners of her eyes, her hands clasped to her chest, her voice trembling with happiness.
"Really?!" Uchiha Itachi unconsciously took her hand, finding it hard to believe his strict father would allow someone outside the Uchiha clan to stay long-term.
But thinking it over, it might be Nana's exceptional medical ninjutsu that convinced his father.
He felt both joy and worry. Joy that Nana could stay by his side, where he could see and protect her every day. Worry that the Uchiha clan's precarious position in the village might affect her.
"Tonight, we'll stay together... My room will be ready tomorrow." Matsumoto Nana looked up at the boy, the moonlight reflecting her serene beauty.
Uchiha Itachi softly agreed, then shyly turned his head. Holding her hand, he gently opened the bedroom door.
"Brother!" Sasuke, playing with blocks on the floor, ran to Itachi's arms.
"Sasuke, play with Nana for a bit. I'll make the bed." Itachi gently tapped Sasuke's forehead with his fingers.
Sasuke stepped back, covering his forehead, his gaze falling on Nana hiding behind Itachi.
So, she's even shyer than me, Sasuke thought, his face blushing. Stubbornly, he took Nana's hand and led her inside, showing off his block creations.
"Do you like the house I built? It has Father, Mother, Brother, and you..." Sasuke eagerly showed his work, looking at Nana with anticipation.
Nana looked down, seeing a pink block added to the structure. She paused, then smiled.
Sasuke really considered her part of the family. It was oddly touching...
"It's nice, but the house is too small. I want a big castle, a really big one." Nana exaggeratedly gestured a large circle to the puzzled Sasuke.
"Got it! I'll use all the blocks to build a big castle!" Sasuke clapped his hands, understanding.
Nana watched Sasuke's happy face, lost in thought. Sasuke was so joyful, innocent, and carefree.
He had the pride of a strong clan, loving parents, and a doting brother. Before the night of the massacre, he was arguably the happiest child in the world.
"Nana, Sasuke, time for bed. I made the bed." Itachi called the two children.
Hand in hand, they climbed into bed. Itachi gently tucked them in and turned off the light.
In the darkness, Itachi carefully lay down, moving quietly to avoid disturbing the two already closed-eyed children.
Nana, however, was wide awake, replaying the day's events in her mind. Suddenly, she sighed sadly, turning to face a warm chest.
The night was deep, the world silent. Bright stars flickered in the east, and moonlight sprinkled over them.
Itachi lowered his head slightly, unable to see Nana's expression in the dark, but he heard her sigh. They were close, and to comfort her, he rested his chin gently on her head.
Nana was startled, feeling their heartbeats. This man seemed to embody all the world's charm and gentleness, enveloping her in his presence, making her feel alive and whole.
"Uchiha Itachi's current favorability: 45%. Uchiha Sasuke's current favorability: 20%. Keep it up, Host!" 077's voice echoed in her mind, but she paid it little attention.
Nana looked up at Itachi's closed eyes, her own eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
What was this feeling? Love? Or a lonely soul finding solace? She didn't know, but with Itachi, she felt at peace.
Itachi's hand, with its distinct knuckles, lay stiffly by his side. Only he knew his gaze was both fragile and intense, a surge of indescribable emotion bursting in his heart.
Since their meeting, it felt like a heavy stone had lodged in his chest.
He was grateful they shared common topics. Facing the meaning of life, perhaps they could find different answers together in the future...