Chapter: A new life

2. A new life

It was noon. Ahead of them was a path of sand and gravel. In the distance they could see the tall buildings of the destination. Yumi shuffled, she couldn't lift her feet enough, she felt powerless. The village was already in sight, but still so far away. She looked up at Itachi, who walked comfortably on, without any fatigue. She tried to focus on the sounds of nature and not on her weakness.
"You're broken, aren't you?"
Itachi's voice cut the silence. She looked at him with wide eyes. Then she just nodded and looked sadly at the floor.
"I am sorry."
A smile crossed his lips.
"It doesn't have to be. It's understandable, but you'll soon be back in your strength. How about I carry you to the village?"
Her incredulous look met his. He was ready to wear her, but he hardly knew her. But what's the matter with carrying someone, she thought. He was probably just doing it out of politeness. When they have achieved their goal he will surely entrust them to someone else and she would never see him again.
A gust of wind blew her shoulder-length black hair into her face. Only now did she notice that they had the same hair color. But actually that was unimportant. An unimportant thought that only delayed the answer to his question. There was an uncomfortable pause between them, he waited, she was silent. She fiddled with her top, intimidated. What should she say. Should she admit her weakness and seek help? Or should she say no to prove to herself that she was stronger?
The answer to her inner conflict has been taken from her. Itachi didn't want to wait any longer. She was surprised when she suddenly found herself in his arms. She stared at him, startled. In a certain way too overwhelmed.
"Sorry. But I thought it was better than if you thought too long."
He didn't make a face and yet she knew he meant it nicely. It was strange how comfortable she felt with him. Maybe it was because he was the first person to see her after that night. And was friendly too. He had also promised her a home. She no longer knew what he had said, but she could still say that he would give her a new home. She was grateful and put her head on his shoulder.
"Thanks."
She closed her eyes mumbling. She concentrated on the steady up and down of his steps. She felt his chest rise and fall as he breathed. Felt his arms under him. All of which contributed to her falling asleep in his arms. Actually she didn't want that, but she was too energetic to defend herself against it.

Yumi awoke from loud voices. She looked around. She was lying in a bed in a small room. The sounds came from the next room. She could hear everything loud and clear."You can't just bring a strange girl here and promise her to live here, Itachi!"
That's what he said. She remembered. He wanted to ask his father because she needed a home. The angry man was probably his father.
"Where else should she go? At least she already knows me a little!"
"It's enough that I went to meet you to bring this child here. I don't care what happens to her now and you shouldn't care either!"
She sat up. She probably wouldn't be able to stay with him. It's a shame actually. He was nice, but she'd be taken somewhere. The only question was where? Yumi was afraid of that. To stand in front of strangers again. Even if Itachi was a little strange and difficult, he liked her, as demonstrated by the argument with his father and his entire behavior. Even if he hardly showed it. She sat up slowly and continued to listen. A female voice was added.
"Fugaku, don't you think you're a little tough. The girl has just lost her family. We should take her in. As a kind of sister for Sasuke and Itachi."
So he still had a brother. Was he older or younger than him? Sister. She would like to be. But could the man named Fugaku be convinced? The room next door had become quiet. She used the time to look around. The bed she was sitting in was facing the window. It was only a small one, too. It was opened a crack so that the clear spring air came in. Outside she heard the birds chirping. It was soothing sounds, something so mundane, that eased her worries. Then she looked around further. The room was furnished very sparsely. A long cupboard opposite the bed, a desk with a lamp and a chair on the same side of the wall as the bed. The door that just opened opposite the outer wall. Itachi entered. A tentative smile on his face. She looked at him expectantly. He ran to her and sat down next to her.
"It's like this. You will live here for the time being. Apart from my father, nobody has anything against it, as you might even have noticed."
Yumi nodded, then Itachi continued.
"First he would like to see how the whole thing develops and if you don't cause trouble, which I don't think so anyway, you can stay here as long as you want."
Itachi had never said so much in her presence. She stared at him with her mouth open. Unable to say anything.
"You're pretty quiet. Actually, I'm more of the quiet guy who hardly says anything."
"Thanks for letting me live here."
She bowed slightly to him. From his throat she heard a sound that came close to a soft laugh. His mouth wraps were also inclined a little upwards.
"You don't need to be so formal. As of today, I'm your brother."
"So I'm your sister. All right."
Itachi nodded and got up again.He walked a few steps around the room. He looked into a corner of what appeared to be his own room. She followed his line of sight. There were the two swords. Only now could she take a close look at them. They weren't ordinary. The handle was normal, just right to pick up. One side resulted in a rounded unit, except for an indentation in the middle. The other side was a little curled. On the upper part they were decorated with blue gemstones and various symbols. Yumi thought she was beautiful. But that was very subjective, the only memory of her parents had to be.
"But they are still a little difficult for you. The best thing to do is to start by teaching you a few basic techniques and then try one of them, okay?"
Before she could give an answer, she heard quick steps in the hallway and instantly the door was thrown open. A little boy was standing there. He looked a lot like Itachi, apparently his brother.
"Itachi are you training with me? Tomorrow is my first day at the academy."
"Sasuke, maybe later. I have to introduce you to someone first."
Now Itachi looked at Yumi, but she hardly noticed. Her attention was directed to Sasuke, who eyed her curiously. What would he think of her? Would he even accept her as a sister?
"Who is that Itachi?"
"You know, it's best to find out for yourself. She's going to the academy with you tomorrow. I have to go about my duties now."
With these words he left the room. Sasuke and Yumi stared at each other, nobody knew whether to say something, let alone what. After a few moments she let her gaze wander and looked at the floor. She heard that he walked slowly towards her and sat down next to her.
"I'm Sasuke."
He said it slowly and quietly. You could tell that he was just as shy as she was. She looked into his eyes for a moment before answering.
"My name is Yumi Hiroshi. He said I was your sister now."
"Then your name would have to be Yumi Uchiha."
Now he was grinning. She couldn't help but smile back.
"I don't know if that would be that good. I think I'll stay with Hiroshi for now."
"Yes. You have to get used to here, too, but that will be quick."
"Do you really think? Do you think people will like me?"
She was afraid of not being accepted. She was completely alien. Maybe not welcome at all. What if the other residents reacted in the same way as Itachi and Sasuke's father? Maybe it would be very different. She was thinking way too negatively, but what should she do after what happened? Although that didn't mean it had to go on like this.
"Why shouldn't they? If Itachi likes you, then the others have to like you. He's a bit difficult, but he's still my role model."
"Your idol?"
"Yes, he is already a Genin and has a good chance of passing the next Chunin selection test.I train hard so that I become as strong as him. "
"You definitely will."
She gave him a friendly smile. But his face had taken on a skeptical expression.
"Well to be honest. I'm not nearly as talented as he is. He's been in the Sharingan for a year now."
"But you're not as old as he is yet, maybe you can do it at his age too."
"Yes, I'm sure you are right."
"You had a good time, didn't you?"
Itachi suddenly stood in the doorway. Neither of the two had noticed that he had come. In contrast to Sasuke, he was apparently very quiet and careful.
"Yes, she is very nice. I am happy that she is entering the academy with me too."
Sasuke smiled brightly at his brother. He replied, as Yumi already knew from him, only weakly, but still warmly.
"Mother said that we should come and eat, even if I'm not entirely comfortable with it."
Sasuke looked at him questioningly.
"Why? Mom doesn't like her?"
"Yes, but not really father."
Itachi left the room. Sasuke jumped right after and ran after him. But both looked around again at Yumi. This stood uncertainly behind the two. She was afraid of her new father. She had heard loud and clear how much he disliked her. And he wouldn’t hide this from her. But maybe she could influence or even change his opinion.
A friendly-looking woman was standing in the dining room and her new father was already sitting at the table. He ignored her. He just looked at the table setting. The woman ran up to Yumi and held out her hand with a smile.
"Hello Yumi. My name is Mikoto Uchiha and my husband Fugaku Uchiha is sitting at the table. I am very happy to welcome you here, you are really a lovely girl."
"Mikoto it is not yet certain that she will stay with us!"
Yumi winced when the voice of Fugaku rang out. She had the feeling that he would never like her.