[Hokage] A rose in mourning for the summer moon

My 12 year old was very happy.Very.

In our shining first half of life, I had a childhood sweetheart who was happy with each other, and a big family that was messy but still harmonious.We were young, healthy, full of anticipation and love, and each day was more worth looking forward to.

This is how I saw the world when I was young.

When we were both little, I always called him in my head: that kid.When I grew up, I still called him that, sometimes in my heart and sometimes out of my mouth.He always corrected me, saying that he was not a child, and I would secretly laugh in my heart, thinking that he is still so young, so why is he not a child.

In the evening when he was 12 years old, he confessed to me on the cliff where the sunset could be seen.From then on, I saw him in the sunset, I saw him in the lake, and I saw him in the thin flowing clouds in the cold blue sky.All the beauty with some sadness is him; he belongs to that evening, in the junction of light and darkness, smiling at me when the sunset is about to fall.

He's still a kid--is he?Maybe then I already felt something.When we walk on the street as lovers, the familiar people become fresh, and even the familiar streets seem to be washed into a new look.I would quietly look at the person next to me and think to myself: Ah, he is taller than me.His complexion was not as fair as when he was a child-has his task kept him exposed to the sun?There are two very pale lines on his cheeks, which may be a source of his mature temperament.His expression is calmer than when he was a child

——When I was a child.So he really has grown up and is no longer a child?

I still remember the amazement the thought brought me.At that time, I was taken aback for some reason, and even lost my mind.Itachi was a very special child when he was young, and he matured far earlier than his peers. At that time, I could communicate with him without hindrance.After so many years, with his talent, has he grown to a level that I didn't expect?In his eyes, am I the one full of childishness?

I was so surprised that I forgot to restrain my eyes.Of course he noticed it too.

"what happened?"

He also stopped, with a calm expression, but concern in his eyes, and some doubts. "Is there something on my face?" he asked.

"Hmm...no." I shook my head immediately, "I just didn't expect that itachi-kun...itachi had grown up in a blink of an eye."

Of course he laughed.A slight smile, with a reassuring warmth.

"So I told Xia Yue that I am no longer a child." His tone was soft and natural, "Xia Yue is still childish."

"Hey, you are Sasuke's brother, not mine."

"Isn't it? I'm older than Xia Yue."

"Only three months—only three months!"

He suddenly reached out and touched my head.Before I could react, he withdrew his hand and looked away.

"Indeed, Xia Yue is not my sister." He said nonchalantly, "Xia Yue is my lover."

Uchiha Itachi is calm, silent, and calm.He was already such a person when he was young.

So, at that time, the raised corners of his lips, the faint blush on his ears, and the obvious lightness in his steady voice, I will definitely keep them in my heart.

No matter when, no matter what happens, I will always remember his smile in my eyes.must.

Zhishui was the first to know about the changes in our relationship.At that time, he had just finished his last mission, and he looked worried when he came back, but he immediately became cheerful when he heard about it.He said happily, we finally got the hang of it, it's really worthy of him talking to Itachi from time to time, asking him to think clearly about his mind earlier.

"In that case, we should thank Shisui." I said, "Then in return, I'll treat you to dinner tonight. How about your favorite barbecue restaurant?"

With a wave of Zhishui's hand, he proudly said that he should come to treat the guests.

"Besides," he glanced at Itachi with a smirk, "If it's a treat, it should be Itachi."

"I know, let's do it like this." Itachi said calmly.

"No, let me do it. That's it, I invite you to come to eat at home. The osmanthus flowers I received last time can just steam some osmanthus cakes. I will take some back for Sasuke." I said, "I want to thank you Stop the water."

"Why... eh, could it be?"

I was very calm.As calm as a ferret.But Zhishui first suddenly realized and then smiled meaningfully, which still made me feel hot.But even so, I insisted on finishing what I wanted to say.What is on your mind must be spoken out to let important people know.I am such a person.

"Yeah. Thanks to Shisui...the person I like confessed to me." I said, "I'm very happy."

I am really happy.

Shisui was very happy that night.He has always been a cheerful and kind person who always cares about everyone and sincerely hopes that everyone around him can live well.He is also a good ninja, dedicated and ambitious.

He even drank some wine.Ninjas are not encouraged to drink alcohol.Alcohol can numb people's pain and comfort people in self-imagined happiness, but ninjas must stay awake, even if they endure the greatest pain.

I thought Itachi would stop him, and he did.

"Shishui, let's forget about the wine."

Shisui shook his head, and shook his head again.The brown-haired boy with a warm smile all the time showed a self-deprecating expression when he picked up the wine glass.The white light of the fluorescent lamp was cold and flat, shining on his warm-colored hair, it actually made his whole body seem to become colder.

"Ah, just this time. Itachi just pretend he didn't see it." He took a deep breath and swallowed the beer deeply.Gulp.Gulp.

Itachi really stopped talking.

He sat beside me, opposite Zhishui, watching him silently.His silence is a heavy silence, not the relaxed and soft silence of the day.That could even be said to be a dignified expression.

I know what happened that I don't.I know that when Itachi and Shisui looked at each other silently, that silent eye contact was also a way of information exchange.They must know something I don't, and they're not going to tell me.

--what happened?

Even if I asked, they wouldn't tell me.I understand this very well.Whether Itachi or Zhishui, they all put themselves in the position of "protector", and I was classified as "protected".I confirm this, just as I confirm that the person I like really likes me.

I know why.My strength is not as strong as theirs, and the work I do is also different from theirs.

It doesn't matter.I told myself then, it's okay.They are geniuses among geniuses, but I am just an ordinary person with above-average aptitude.But it doesn't matter, I will always follow up slowly with my own efforts.Just like the tortoise and the hare, slowly and firmly walking towards the goal, I will eventually figure out everything I want to know.

So, I didn't ask anything then.

I still remember that at the end of that night, Shisui was a little drunk.People who don't drink often are prone to being stunned by a little alcohol.

He was lying on the table, smiling at us, with a grain of rice on his face, which made people want to laugh.

"Itachi, Xia Yue." He narrowed his eyes, reached out for the last piece of sweet-scented osmanthus cake, and bit slowly, "You must live happily ever after."

"Shisui, you're drunk." Itachi's voice was flat, with no emotion.

Shisui didn't answer, just laughed.It seems that he is really a little drunk.

"It's fine now, isn't it? Everybody's fine," he said. "I want...I'll create an environment where you'll be happy forever. I'll do it."

Itachi stared at him.

"I'll do it with you, Shisui." He said solemnly.

The excessive seriousness of the teenagers gave me a sense of crisis.It's like looking up at the clear and cloudless sky, but smelling the wind and rain.They didn't talk, and I didn't ask, but secretly worked harder, trying to make myself go faster, faster.

During that time I was really struggling.In addition to Chunin work, I also made two plans for myself. One is a career promotion plan, which lists the fastest promotion path I can think of and what contacts I need to accumulate.The other is a training schedule, which covers everything from basic physical training to advanced ninjutsu that you decide to practice.

I'm very busy, and Itachi is always on task, so we spend less and less time together.I began to miss my mobile phone terribly, and wondered why there were lights and refrigerators here, but no modern transportation or remote communication equipment.

Complaining doesn't do anything, like regretting that I didn't choose a science and engineering major in the past so that I can't do anything now.I can only work silently, practice silently, and silently embrace the young man's seemingly thin but powerful body when we get together occasionally.

When winter came, I suddenly had a chance to go on missions with him.When Sandai Hokage called me to his office, "clicked" his shiny pipe, and handed me the assignment list, for the first time I felt like I wanted to jump up and hug this wrinkled old man fiercely, Maybe even kiss him.

The name of the leader of the ninja - Uchiha Itachi.

"Go, be careful, this is an S-rank mission." The third Hokage looked leisurely, and even exhaled a smoke ring, and sighed at me: "You are really young!"

I couldn't help but blush when I said it.

We will go on missions together.When it snows in winter, we go to the north of the country together.

It was not a difficult task, but it paid well.Many nobles and big businessmen are willing to offer generous rewards, so that the level of the task will be assessed higher, so that more capable ninjas can do things for them. It is best that the one who opens the door can be a Jōnin.

Our work was successfully completed.The person who hired us greeted us with a smile, and boldly said that he would be a host and invited us to play for two days.The ninjas who followed that time were all young people, and they looked eagerly at the Jonin who led the team with longing eyes.

Itachi looked back at them, thinking silently, bearing the most scorching gaze with the shortest stature.Everyone seems to have forgotten that he is the youngest one here.Of course, I can't count.

After he nodded in agreement, everyone cheered, and he smiled slightly at that time, as if the cheers of others would also share him a little.It's just that when the crowd dispersed, the way he stood upright on the spot was a bit abrupt, and he looked silent, as if he didn't know where to go.

"Itachi, where do you want to go?"

"Where are you going... Wait for everyone to come back, then you can start your journey."

I stared at him in disbelief.

He also looked at me seriously.Unchangingly mature and calm, but a little innocent.

"Is there any place Xia Yue wants to go?" He finally asked.

"Even if you don't have one, think about it. Go play, Itachi, have you merged with work yet?" I said.

"Play……"

Itachi pondered for a moment.

"But Sasuke isn't here." He said seriously.

"..."

I was speechless.Yes, my childhood sweetheart is a brother-in-law, and I know that very well.

"Is it only Sasuke who can play, or do you only play with Sasuke and not me?" I said fiercely to him, "Itachi, please make it clear."

Itachi's expression changed. "Xia Yue, is this just making trouble for no reason?" He was thoughtful, as if facing a profound academic question, "Or throwing a tantrum?"

Heh, it's so naive to want me to retreat in spite of difficulties.Very good, brother, just let me do what you want.

"I'm more important than Sasuke?"

"..."

"Sasuke and I fell into the water at the same time, who do you save first?"

"..."

He laughed, revealing that what had just happened was just a realistic joke.Uchiha Itachi is a man of few words, but his small facial expressions are enough to convey all the thoughts he wants to express.

At least, I think so.

In the snow-covered world, he took my hand.

"Let's go to see the snow rime. It's a unique scenery here." He said, "It was recorded in "Zhou You Zhi"."

"Zhou You Zhi" is the book we have read.It is one of countless books we have read together.

"Ah, I remembered! At that time, I said that I really wanted to see it with my own eyes!" I became a little excited.

"Ah."

"Your reaction is so flat... Wait, Itachi, didn't you plan ahead?"

He didn't speak, just looked at me.There was a slight smile, but it stayed firmly in his eyes.

"Sure enough... you've already planned it out! You're playing tricks on me on purpose, I'm going to make a fuss!"

"Xia Yue, don't make trouble for no reason."

"...Itachi."

"Ah."

"Let's fight. Really."

He smiled and shook his head.

"What a child, Xia Yue." He sighed softly, just like I once sighed to him.

those days.those fragments.Those smiles and warmth, those silences and concealments.All in all, our good times.It is the best time that belongs only to our youth.