"Hey, Itachi! I have a little surprise for you!"
Itachi looked up from his book to the door, there stood Obito, fresh from training and taking off his sandals. He smiled, closing his book and standing.
"Big brother Obito! Are you looking after me again this afternoon??"
Obito nodded, stepping onto the cool wood floor.
"You bet! But before we do anything..."
Itachi watched curiously as his brother dug through his bag, pulling out a neatly wrapped present with a bow tied to the shape of a weasel. Itachi was always astonished by the effort Obito put into gifts.
"This is your birthday present... it's not for another month, but I have a long mission set just before it... so I won't be here. So I'm putting my trust in you, that you won't open it until your birthday."
Itachi nodded, Obito's presents were always the best, and worth waiting for. Taking the box in his small hands, he walked carefully to his room to put it somewhere he couldn't see. Obito following, detouring to the bathroom to shower.
Itachi walked to the kitchen, pushing a chair to the bench and waiting for Obito, he always loved helping him cook dinner and make lunch.
"Hey, Itachi!" Izumi called, smiling at her classmate. "You've been down lately... something wrong?"
In the background, Itachi heard the chatter of other academy students.
"Did you hear, did you hear? That Obito guy was killed on his last mission!"
"What a loser! Can't even handle a simple mission like that!"
"Hahaha! I bet the Uchiha are glad he's gone! He didn't even have his Sharingan, the dumbass!"
Itachi's head fell low. Obito...
"Hey!! Are you even listening, Ita-"
"What are your thoughts on Uchiha Obito?"
Izumi was taken aback, and confused. Obito? What was so special about him?
"Well... I mean... I guess he was alright? He seems pretty slack for an Uchiha thou—"
Itachi was already gone. Running out of the schoolyard and back home. He didn't care about classes.
Why did you leave me, big brother...?
The day Itachi was to open that present.
He sat with it in front of him, about a metre away. His knees were to his chest, his arms holding them tightly. Tears streaming down his face.
He was nervous. What if he ruined it? What if he broke it?
He couldn't do it. Next year... I promise.
"Hey, Itachi. Gonna open that box yet, or?" Kisame joked, sitting in the poor excuse of a living room with the rest of the team. Everyone looked at Itachi confused, some even annoyed that they were dragged out of their rooms for this.
Itachi sat with the box in his hands. He figured if he had people there, it would urge him to open it. For the first time, Itachi had touched the ribbon holding the wrapping nice and snug.
His breath was shaky as he pulled, the ribbon loosening easily. Of course it did, it was wrapped for a five year old. A small card slid from under it. Was it always there? How did he not notice it?
He carefully opend it, his breath hitching seeing the neat handwriting of his elder cousin.
If you're reading this, you already know what happened to me. I had a feeling something would occur on my last mission, that is why I have you your gift a month early. I'm so sorry to leave you like this, I never wanted it to be this way... but I know you'll be a good kid, and one day when you have a sibling, a great older brother. I'll be watching over you from where I stand, always and forever. Promise me that you'll be good, much better than me. I love you, little brother
Itachi let out a choked sob, peeling away the tape to release the box as gentle as he could. He was never impatient, but after sixteen years he finally had the courage to open the last gift he ever recieved.
Under the lid, sat a handful of their memories. A photo album of Itachi's first years and accomplishments, a sketchbook from when they drew together, and... Obito's headband. A spare that he had, the one that Itachi would were during training to be just like him. In amongst it all, was a handmade frame with the last photo they took together.
Obito stood with a smile, holding Itachi with one arm. Itachi held his favourite teddy in his arms, another gift from Obito.
Itachi closed the box, hugging it to his chest. He didn't want to ruin anything with his tears.
"I'm sorry, big brother... I'm so so sorry...!"
Tobi burst through the door, adrenalin pumpimg through his veins hard. Itachi clutched at his chest, coughing up blood violently. He ran over, catching Itachi in his arms.
He stayed quiet, helping Itachi to sit on the ground, holding him up so he didn't collapse into his own blood.
Itachi continued to cough, tears slipping from his eyes. He looked at Tobi, his eyes widening when he saw him remove the mask.
Sharp, defined features... and deep, painful scars dug deep into the right side of his face. An eye filled with guilt, regrets and pain.
He nodded slowly, tucking Itachi's hair behind his ear, his hand going further back and carefully untying the headband, pulling it off.
"I'm sorry, Itachi... I broke my promise to you, and—"
"No... it's fi-ine... you're here now, that's all I need..."
Obito pulled Itachi into a hug, it was loose and gentle. He ran his fingers through his hair softly.
"I missed you, big brother..."
"I missed you too... little weasel."
